CRIME AND JUSTICE | |
Subject: | Crimes investigated by the coroner |
Original source: | Leicestershire Record Office, Leicester archives, coroner's rolls |
Transcription in: | Mary Bateson, ed. Records of the Borough of Leicester, (London, 1899-1901), vol.1, 376, vol 2, 2. |
Original language: | Latin |
Location: | Leicester |
Date: | 1320s |
TRANSLATION
[Trial and punishment of a thief]John the son of Thomas of Rothwell near Pontefract was caught red-handed in Leicester, in the house of Henry Dowel of Leicester, on the accusation of John Dun, with a Coggeshall cloak and a red fur-lined hood. He was taken to the portmanmoot court held on 18 August 1320 and there brought to trial on the accusation of theft made by John [Dun]. He stated that he was in possession of the cloak and hood by the agency of Henry's maid and that he did not steal them. On that [defence] he submitted himself to an inquest, which said under oath that he was guilty of the theft. Consequently he was hanged. The cloak and cap were delivered to John for laying the charge. He [i.e. the thief] had no possessions. [Investigation of a homicide]At evening was falling on 27 June 1327, there arose an argument between William Hauberk of Scalford and William the son of John le Blake of Leicester, in John le Blake's house. They took the quarrel between them out into the street, where they insulted each other in the vilest terms, with the result that William le Blake stabbed William Hauberk with a knife on the left breast, piercing his heart; he died of the wound immediately. John le Sponere was the first to find the corpse and he straight away raised the hue as far as the four town gates of Leicester. The townspeople assembling, together with the frankpledge, the coroner and bailiff of Leicester were summoned. Before whom was held an inquest, which says that it suspects no-one of the death except from William le Blake, who had fled immediately after committing the deed. He had no possessions nor was he in tithing, because he was a clerk. |
Created: August 18, 2001. Last update: January 8, 2019 | © Stephen Alsford, 2001-2019 |