Transcript

of

Prisoners in Devon, temp. Ric. II

by

Ethel Lega-Weekes

Devon Notes & Queries, vol. I, (January 1900 to January 1901), p. 181-2.

Prepared by Michael Steer

The Note’s author, Ethel Lega-Weekes was a prolific local historian and the great granddaughter of two of Lord Byron's servants, Lega Zambelli, his secretary, and William Fletcher, famously his valet. Her query invites Association members to explain the case outlined in a document she discovered at the National Record Office in London. The extract, from a copy of a rare and much sought-after journal can be downloaded from the Internet Archive. Google has sponsored the digitisation of books from several libraries. These books, on which copyright has expired, are available for free educational and research use, both as individual books and as full collections to aid researchers.

Note 137. PRISONERS IN DEVON, TEMP. Ric. II. I lately came across, at the Record Office, London, a document concerning Devonshire which appeared to me very interesting, but which, owing to the worn state of the parchment, the peculiarities of the hand, and my own scant knowledge of Latin, I was unable to decipher satisfactorily. The Rev. Oswald J. Reichel has most kindly, however, corrected my imperfect transcript, and I send it in the hope that it may induce someone to explain the circumstances of the case.
The description in the catalogue runs: 2nd Richard II, Bund. 40, No. 2, Excheq. Q.R., Ed. Courtenay, Earl of Devon, Admiral of the West and others . ... to enquire as to goods seized, and prisoners taken, with inquisitions in pursuance.
Sciatis quod nos et consilium n [ost] rum motiemus et vos, octo, septem, sex, quinque quatuor, tres aut duos ad informandos vos sive ad inquirendum per sacy amentum proborum et legalium homimim de comitatu Devon tarn infra libertates quam extra per quos rei veritas memoyari potent, de quibuscunqne manibus boms aut prisonariis quae per potestatem maritimam usque portum de Plimuth infra vegnum nostrum A ngliae nuper agitata fuerunt, ac ad pyisonarios bona et catalla praedicta in quommcunque manibus fuerunt vel ex nunc inveniri poterunt et in prisonarios qui in manibus Johannis Sampson, Stephani Derneford, Willdmi Cole, Johannis Hamekyn, Thomae Bull, Reginalds Hill, Willdmi Holy man, Willelmi Noyter, Johannis Machonn, Ricardi Foley, water-bailiff, Jacobi Hove, Johannis Buvee, Thomae Langrake, Willelmi Hirward, Johannis Blakston, Johannis Charwetton et Adae Gunter nuper fuerunt vel nunc inveniri poterunt nomine nostro arrestandos et eadem bona in manus certarum personarum per nos ad hoc assignandarum ponenda, et ad omnes et singulos, quae hac parte indicari contigerit, ad plenam restitucionem bonorum predictorum si extent, vel valorum eorundem [si] non extent tarn per incarceracionum corporum suorum quam arrestacionem bonorum suorum accapcionem terrarum et tenementorum suorum in manum nostram compellendos aut compelli faciendos. Et ideo vobis mandamus quod ad certos dies et loca, quos vos octo, septem [sex, quinque quatuor, tres aut duo] ad hoc indica veritas inquisiciones super praemissis faciatis ac praemissa omnia et singula faciatis aut in forma predicta et cum prefato vice- comite ad certos dies ....
The Commission was to 1, Courtney; 2, Botreaux ; 3, Aasthorpe the Sheriff; 4, Denyle; 5, Passour ; 6, Bere ; 7, Thorp ; 8, Bonrewe ; and 9, Jayvalt. Without the Sheriff these were 8 only, and either 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 or 2 were authorised to act.
Then, on a long strip, is a list of names of prisoners (that of Willm. Wykes occurring twice), with account apparently of their belongings and the value thereof ; in one or two cases wearing apparel seems to be specified, in many the word huch.             ETHEL LEGA-WEEKES.