Earls Colne Manor Court Rolls (ERO D/DPr69)

2.4.1472 (Thursday 2 April 1472)

document 59300118

and that Jn Wyllyam of Colne in the county of Essex yeoman Hen Mayre of Halsted in the aforesaid county yeoman Jn Spilman of the same said village and county (Halstead) yeoman Jn Byglon of the same said village and county (Halstead) butcher Jn Ambras of the same said village and county (Halstead) weaver Jn Honewyk of the same said village and county (Halstead) labourer Jn Wyet of the same said village and county (Halstead) tailor Jn Medow otherwise called Jn Lytel Medowe of the same said village and county (Halstead) labourer and Jn Pondere of the same said village and county (Halstead) fuller with many others unknown assembled themselves and many ill deeds and disturbances of the peace of the lord king by incitement of the aforesaid Jn Wyllyam Hen Mayre and Jn Spilman assembled and congregated in the middle of the night of the monday in pentecost week 3.6.11Edw4 by force and arms viz bows and arrows billhooks pitchforks and staves in a warlike manner and arrayed with great defences they came to the aforesaid village of Earls Colne in the aforesaid county within the jurisdiction and precincts of this leet and broke and entered the house of Steph Mey in the aforesaid Colne and Steph himself then being there dressed in his shirt they drove from his aforesaid house and then there they broke and entered the dwelling house of Jn Drew and then they seized him there and held him prisoner and illtreated him against the peace of the lord king so that his life was many time despaired of and know that then and there they broke and entered the dwelling house of Rich Boteler in the aforesaid Colne and then and there attacked Rich himself and carried out other wickednesses on the same said Steph Jn Drewe and Rich Boteler and so many and such threats there were laid on them regarding their goods and murdering them within the vil lage of Colne aforesaid being made so that they were in fear of death and the mutilation of their limbs they did not dare openly to go about and to this time do not dare and there were other evil deeds which were further against the peace of the lord king in disturbing the people there in contempt of the lord king and to the grave damage of Steph Jn Drewe and Rich Boteler themselves and of others in like manner providing examples and against the form of riot and assembly lately decreed and announced