THE NORWOOD FAMILY PAGE


ORIGINS

KING'S COURT ROLLS PERTAINING TO
CECILY
DAUGHTER OF WLMAR
ISLE OF SHEPPEY
KENT

By James G. Dempsey

Curia Regis Roll 27 m.4d. {1}

Pleas before the Justices of the Bench, at Westminster, the king being in France

Michaelmas Term, 4 John (1202)

In Octabis sancti Martini In the octave of feast of St. Martin (10-18 Nov. 1202)
Knt'. -- Assisa inter Rogerum Pincernam et Ceciliam uxorem suam petentes et Stephanum de Cusint' tenentem de vj. acris terre et ij. partibus unius acre cum pertinenciis in Scapeia ponitur in respectum usque in xv. dies post festum sancti Hill- arii pro defectu recognitorum. Idem dies datus recognitoribus qui venerunt etc. Et sciendum quod hec assisa capta est per defectum Stephani, quia aparuit in curia et postea se absentavit. Kent. An assize between Roger the Butler and Cecily his wife, plaintiffs, and Stephen de Cossington, defendant, concerning 6 acres of land and 2 parts [2/3] of 1 acre, with the appurtenances, in the Isle of Sheppey, is postponed until 15 days after the feast of St. Hillary for lack of jurors. The same day is given to the jurors, who have come etc. And be it known that this assize was taken by default of Stephen, who appeared in court and afterwards absented himself.



Curia Regis Roll 29 m.5d. {2}

Pleas before the Justices of the Bench, at Westminster, the king being in France

Hillary Term, 4 John (1203)

In xv. dies post festum sancti Yllarii primus rotulus Kent. --- Assis avenit recognitura si Elias frater Cecilie saisitus fuit in dominico suo ut de feodo de vj. acris terre cum pertinentiis in Scaphee die qua obiit etc., quam terram Stephanus de Cusinton' tenet: qui venit et vocavit inde ad warantum Robertum filium Willelmi de Eineford', qui infra etatem est et in custodia archiepiscopi. Habeat warantum suum a die Pasche in iij.septimanas: et assisa remaneat. Habeat breve ad sumonendum warantum. 1st Roll, 15 days after feast of St. Hillary (27 Jan. 1203) Kent. The assize came to ascertain whether Elias, the brother of Cecily, was seised in his demesne as of fee, of 6 acres of land with the appurtenances in the Isle of Sheppey on the day that he died etc., which land Stephen of Cossington holds; who comes and vouches to warranty thereof Robert FitzWilliam of Eynsford, who is under age and in the custody of the Archbishop. He is to have his warranty in 3 weeks from Easter day; and the assize is to remain. He is to have a writ to summon the warranty.
   
Kent -- Assise inter eandem Ceciliam et Willelmum de Cusinton' et Johannem de Sausinton', qui infra etatem sunt, remanent sine die quia ipsi sunt infra etatem. Kent. The assize between the same Cecily and William of Cossington and John of Sausinton, who are under age. They remain without a day, because they are under age.



Curia Regis Roll 26 m.5 {3}

Pleas before the Justices of the Bench, at Westminster, the king being in France

Easter Term, 4 John (1203)

Justices 20-27 April 1203: Geoffrey FitzPeter, Richard of Herriard, Simon of Pattishall, Eustace de Faucunberg, Godfrey de Insula, John of Guestling & Walter of Creeping


Primus Rotulus de .iij. septimanis Kent'.-- Assisa venit recognitura si Elias frater Cecilie saisitus fuit in dominico suo ut de feudo de vj. acris et duabus partibus unius acre cum pertinentiis in Scaphee die qua iter peregrinationis sue arripuit versus Jerosolim, in quo itinere obiit. Quam terram Stephanus de Cusinton' tenet: qui venit et dicit quod Robertus de la Lese debet esse ejus warantus inde, qui infra etatem est; qui venit et warantizavit et petiit etatem suam: Econtra Cecilia dicit quod non debet warantus esse inde, quia Elias frater ejus die qua iter peregrinationis arripuit. fuit inde saisitus, et quod pater Roberti de Lese, qui iter arripuit versus Jerosolim, prius ivit in terram Jerosolim quam Elias frater Cecilie, qui obiit inde saisitus, sicut dicitur, et quod pater Roberti non obiit inde saisitus . nec Willelmus de Eineford'*, qui terram illam dicitur dedisse Willelmo de Cusinton'. Postea dicit Stephanus quod ipse per assisam dirationavit terram illam versus Willelmum fratrem Elie post mortem Elie predicti. Et quia Cecilia hoc non negavit, consideratum est quod assisa remaneat. First Roll of the three weeks [after Easter 1203] Kent. The assize came to ascertain whether Elias the brother of Cecily was seised in his demesne as of fee, of 6 acres and two parts [2/3] of 1 acre with the appurtenances in the Isle of Sheppey on the day that he undertook his pilgrimage to Jerusalem, on which journey he died; which land Stephen of Cossington holds; who comes [Stephen] and says that Robert de la Lese ought to be his warrantor thereof, who [Robert] is under age; who [Robert] comes and makes warranty, and pleads his age. Against this, Cecily says that he [Robert] ought not to be warrantor thereof, because Elias her brother, on the day that he undertook the pilgrimage, was seised thereof, and that the father of Robert de Lese, who undertook the journey to Jerusalem, went to the land of Jerusalem sooner than Elias the brother of Cecily, who died seised thereof, as is said, and that the father of Robert did not die seised thereof, nor William of Eynford, who is said to have given that land to William of Cossington. Afterwards, Stephen says that he by the assize proved title to that land against William the brother of Elias, after the death of the aforesaid Elias. And because Cecily has not denied this, it is adjudged that the assize is to remain.
   
  * Erneford; Selden Soc. v.3 (1889) "Select Civil Pleas 1200-3" p.58



Curia Regis Roll 37 m.6 {4}

Pleas before King John at London

Trinity Term, 7 John (1205)

Kent. -- Cecilia de Greteness' per Willelmum attornatum suum petit versus Stephanum de (Poulton*) Cusinton' (xxj*) xxij. acras terre cum pertinenciis in Scapee ut jus ipsius Cecilie: et Stephanus defendit jus suum; et ponit se in mangnam assisam domini regis et petit recongnicionem fieri quis eorum majus jus habeat in terra illa. Dies datus est eis in octabis sancte Trinitatis coram rege: et tunc veniant iiij. ad eligendum etc. Kent. Cecily de Greatness, by William her attorney, brings action against Stephen of Cossington concerning 22 acres of land with the appurtenances in the Isle of Sheppey, as the right of the same Cecily; and Stephen defends his right; and he puts himself upon the great assize of our lord the King, and asks that it be ascertained which of them has the greater right in that land. A day is given them in the octave of the Holy Trinity, before the King; and four men are to come then to choose [a jury].
   
* crossed out; * originally xxj  



Curia Regis Roll 39 m.1 {5}

Pleas before King John and Justices of the Bench, at Portsmouth

Trinity Term, 7 John (1205)




In Crastino sancti Trinitatis Knc' --- Assisa venit recongnitura si Elias de Kivili frater Cecilie de Greteness' fuit saisitus in dominico suo ut de feodo de xxj. acris terre cum pertinenciis in Sapeia die qua iter aripuit versus Jerosolim, in quo itinere obiit etc., quam terram Stephanus de Cusinton' et Willelmus de Cusinton' tenent: qui veniunt et dicunt quod assisa non debet inde fieri, quia Willelmus frater ipsius Elie fuit inde saisitus postquam iter illud aripuit; et inde ponunt se super juratam. Consideratum est quod jurata fiat utrum ipse fuit saisitus ut de feudo: et veniat a crastino sancte Trinitatis in xv. dies: et omnes recognitores atachientur. Et Johannes(sic) et Willelmus ponunt loco suo Stephanum fratrem suum etc. Morning after feast of St. Trinity (12 Jan. 1205) Kent. The assize came to ascertain whether Elias de Kivili the brother of Cecily was seised in his demesne as of fee, of 21 acres of land with the appurtenances in the Isle of Sheppey on the day that he undertook his pilgrimage, on Jerusalem, on which journey he died etc., which land Stephen of Cossington and William of Cossington hold; who come and say that the assize ought not to be held thereof, because William the brother of the same Elias was seised thereof after he undertook that journey; and thereof they put themselves upon the jury. It is adjudged that there shall be a jury, whether he was seised as of fee; and let it come in 15 days of the morrow of the Holy Trinity; and let all the jurors be attached. And John (sic) & William put Stephen their brother in their place [as their attorney].




Curia Regis Roll 39 m.7d. {6}

Pleas before the Justices of the Bench, at London

Trinity Term, 7 John (1205)

In octabis sancti Johannes In 8 days of feast of St. John (14 June 1205)
Kent' --- Assisa venit recognitura si Elias Frater Cecilie saisitus fuit in dominico suo ut de feodo de xxj. acris terre cum pertinentiis in Sepheie die qua iter peregrinationis arripuit versus Jerosolim, in quo itinere obiit, quam terram Stephanus de Cusinton' et Willelmus et Johannes fratres ejus tenent: qui veniunt et dicunt quod assisa non debet inde fieri, quia Willelmus frater ipsius Elie postea inde fuit saisitus: et Willelmus atornatus Cecilie dicit quod bene potest esse quod fuit inde saisitus set non ut de feodo, immo ut de warda per balliam ipsius Elie; et inde ponit se super juratam: et Stephanus et alii similiter. Juratores dicunt quod Willelmus obiit inde saisitus ut de feodo. Unde Stephanus et alii teneant in pace. Kent. The assize came to ascertain whether Elias the brother of Cecily was seised in his demesne as of fee, of 21 acres of land with the appurtenances in the Isle of Sheppey on the day that he undertook his pilgrimage to Jerusalem, on which journey he died, which land Stephen of Cossington and William and John his brothers hold; who come and say that the assize ought not to be held therof, because William the brother of the same Elias was afterwards seised thereof, and William the attorney of Cecily says that it may well be that he was seised thereof, but not of fee, but rather as ward by the bailment of the same Elias; and thereof he puts himself upon the jury; and Stephen and others likewise. The jurors say that William died seised thereof as of fee. Wherefore Stephen and the others are to hold it in peace.
   
  Above probably written by Martin of Pattishall, then clerk of court



Curia Regis Roll 42 m.15 {7}

Pleas before the Justices of the Bench, at Westminster

Trinity Term, 8 John (1206)

Justices 1 July 1206: Geoffrey FitzPeter, Simon of Pattishall, Eustace de Faucunberg and Walter of Creeping


In Crastino sancti Johannes Baptist primus rotulus 1st Roll, Morning after feast of St. John Baptist
Kent. --- Robertus de Sudton' Robertus de Sisland' Philippus de Hardres Philippus de Bella Aqua, summoniti ad eligendum xij. ad faciendum magnam assisam inter Ceciliam de Greteness' pe[t]entem et Stephanum de Cusinton' de xxij. acris terre in Shapeie, scilicet quis eorum majus jus habeat, elegerunt (per Robertum) (per Baldewinum) Roberto de Sirlande Bartholomeum de Moriston' Fulconem Peiforere (per Richardum) (per Clementum) Willelmum Peiforere Robertum de Sancto Claro Richardum de Pirie (per Vitalim) Philippum de Girunde Eudonem de Ainton' Henricum de Insula (per Hugonem) (per Willelmum) Walterum de Hevre Willelmum de Insula Hugonem de Dudinton' (per Umfridum) (per Hacun') Richardum filium Radulfi de Halling' Phillippum de Hardres Willelmum de Cullinges Robertum de Sipeburn' Dies datus est eis a crastino sancti Johannis in xv. dies etc. Kent. Robert of Sutton, Robert of Shirland, Philip of Hardres, Philip de Bella Aqua summoned to choose 12 men to hold the Great Assize between Cecily of Greatness, plaintiff, and Stephen of Cossington, of 22 acres land in the Isle of Sheppey, namely which of them has the greater right, have chosen Robert of Shirland (by Robert), Baldwin of Moriston, Fulk Payforer ( by Baldwin), William Peyforer, Robert of St. Clare (by Richard), Richard de Pirie (by Clement), Philip de Girunde, Eudo of Ainton, Henry de Insula (by Vitalis), Walter of Hever, William de Insula (by Hugh), Hugh of Doddington (by William), Richard FitzRalph of Halling (by Humphrey), Philip of Hardres (by Hacun'), William of Cooling, Robert of Sipeburn'. A day is given them in 15 days after the morrow of the Holy Trinity etc.



Curia Regis Roll 42 m.18d. {8}

Pleas before the Justices of the Bench, at Westminster

Trinity Term, 8 John (1206)

Justices 1 July 1206: Geoffrey FitzPeter, Simon of Pattishall, Eustace de Faucunberg and Walter of Creeping



In xv. dies post festum sancti Johannis Baptiste Within 15 days after feast of St. John the Baptist (8 July 1206)
Kent. --- Magna assisa inter Ceciliam de Greteness' petentem per Willelmum atornatum suum et Stephanum de Cusinton' tenentem de xxij.acris terre cum pertinenciis in Scapeia, scilicet quis eorum majus jus habeat, ponitur in respectum usque in octabas sancti Michaelis pro defectu militum, quia quidam venerunt et quidam essoniaverunt et quidam fecerunt defaltam, scilicet Philippus de Girunde Eudo de Ainton' Walterus de Hevre Radulfus de Halling' Willelmus de Culing' Robertus de Sipburn' non venerunt vel se essoniaverunt. Ideo atachientur quod sint ad predictum terminum etc. Idem dies datus est Bartholomeo de Moriston' Willelmo Peifforere, ij. militibus qui venerunt, et Roberto de Sirland' per Robertum essoniatorem suum et Fulconi Peifforer' per Baldewinum et Roberto de Sancto Claro per Ricardum et Ricardo de Pirie per Clementem et Henrico de Insula per Vitalem Willelmo de Insula per Hugonem et Hugoni de Dudinton' per Willelmum et Ricardo filio Radulfi per Umfridum et Philippo de Hardres per Hamonem. Et sciendum quod breve ad summonendum predictos recognitores non venit. Kent. The Great Assize between Cecily of Greatness, plaintiff, by William her attorney, and Stephen of Cossington, defendant, concerning 22 acres of land with the appurtenances in the Isle of Sheppey, namely which of them should have the greater right, is postponed until the octave of St. Michael for lack of knights, because some came, and some essoined themselves, and some made default, namely Philip de Girunde, Eudo de Ainton, Walter of Hever, Ralph of Halling, William of Cooling, Robert of Sipburn did not come or essoin themselves. Therefore let them be attached, that they may be here at the term aforesaid etc. The same day is given to Bartholomew of Murston & William Peyforer, the 2 knights who came, & to Robert of Shirland by Robert his essoiner, and Fulk Peyforer by Baldwin and Robert of St. Clare by Richard and Richard de Pirie by Clement and Henry de Insula by Vitalis, William de Insula, Hugh and Hugh of Doddington by William and Richard fitzRalph by Humphrey Philip of Hardres by Hamo. And be it known that the writ for summoning the aforesaid jurors has not come.



Curia Regis Roll 43a m.5. {9}

Pleas before the Justices of the Bench, at Westminster

Michaelmas Term, 8 John (1206)

Justices 20 October 1206: Geoffrey FitzPeter, Simon of Pattishall, Eustace de Faucunberg, Henry archdeacon of Stafford, John of Guestling, James of Potterne and Walter of Creeping

Placita in tres septimanas post festum sancti Michaelis Pleas 3 weeks after Michaelmas, 20 October 1206
Kent. --- Magna assisa inter Ceciliam de Gretenesse petentem et Stephanum de Cusinton' tenentem de placito [xxij] acrarum terre cum pertinentiis in Scapeie ponitur in respectum usque ad diem Dominicam proximam . . . . . . . Robertus de Sirlande et Fulco Peiforere et Robertus de Sencler Philippus . . . . . [Walterus de] Evre Willelmus de Insula non venerunt etc. et plures fecerunt defaltas. Et . . . . . corpora eorum. Idem dies datus est aliis qui venerunt. Kent. The Great Assize between Cecily of Greatness, plaintiff, and Stephen of Cossington, defendant, of a plea of [22] acres of land with the appurtenances in the Isle of Sheppey, is postponed until the next Sunday . . . . Robert of Shirland and Fulk Peyforer and Robert de St. Clair, Philip . . . . [Walter of ] Hever, William de Insula did not come etc. and several made default. And [the sheriff is to seize] them bodily. The same day is given to the others who came.



Curia Regis Roll 43a m.18. {10}

Pleas before the Justices of the Bench, at Westminster

Michaelmas Term, 8 John (1206)

Justices 20 October 1206: Geoffrey FitzPeter, Simon of Pattishall, Eustace de Faucunberg, Henry archdeacon of Stafford, John of Guestling, James of Potterne and Walter of Creeping

Placita in xv. dies sancti Martinis Pleas 15 days after St. Martin's, 26 November 1206
Kent --- Nigellus Bil apponit clamium suum in xxij. acris terre in Scappee unde magna assisa aramiata est inter Ceciliam filiam petentem et Stephanum de Cusinton' tenentem; et concessit et quietum clamavit de se et heredibus suis ipsi Cecilie et heredibus totum jus quod habuit in eadem terre imperpetuum. Kent. Nigel Bil brought his claim to 22 acres of land in the Isle of Sheppey whereof the Great Assize was summoned between Cecily the daughter of , plaintiff, and Stephen of Cossington, defendant; and he conceded and quitclaimed, for himself and his heirs, to the same Cecily and her heirs, all the right that he had in the same land forever.



Curia Regis Roll 43a memb.19. {11}

Pleas before the Justices of the Bench, at Westminster

Michaelmas Term, 8 John (1206)

Justices 20 October 1206: Geoffrey FitzPeter, Simon of Pattishall, Eustace de Faucunberg, Henry archdeacon of Stafford, John of Guestling, James of Potterne and Walter of Creeping


Placita in xv. dies sancti Martinis Pleas 15 days after St.Martin's, 26 November 1206
Kent. --- Magna assisa inter Ceciliam de Greteness' petentem et Stephanum de Cusinton' de xij. acris terre cum pertinentiis in Scapee, quis eorum majus jus habeat in terra illa, ponitur in respectum usque in octabas sancti Hillarii pro defectu recognitorum; quia Robertus de Sirland' Ricardus de Pirie Walterus de Evre Willelmus de Insula Willelmus de Culing' non venerunt; et multas fecerunt defaltas. Unde preceptum est vicecomiti quod tunc habeat corpora eorum. Idem dies datus est x. recognitoribus qui venerunt. Et sciendum quod nomina sunt in rotulo sancte Trinitatis. Kent. The Great Assize between Cecily of Greatness, plaintiff, and Stephen of Cossington, of 12 acres of land with appurtenances in the Isle of Sheppey, which of them has the greater right in that land, is postponed until the octave of St. Hillary for lack of jurors; because Robert of Shirland, Richard de Pirie, Walter of Hever, William de Insula and William of Cooling did not come; and they have made many defaults. Wherefore it is commanded to the sheriff that he is then to have them bodily. The same day was given to the 10 jurors who came. And be it known that the names are in the roll of [the term of] the Holy Trinity.



Pedes Finium Feet of Fines {12}

Apud Westmonasterium, in Octabis Sancti Hillarii, annor regni

At Westminster, 20 January, 1206-7, 8 John

Regis Johannis octavo.

Coram G. filio Petri, Simone de Pateshulle, Eustachio de Faucunberge, Johanne de Gestling, Waltero de Creping, Justiciiariis, etc.

Inter Ceciliam de Gretenesse, petentem, et Stephanum de Cusinton, tenentem. De viginti duabus acris terre, cum pertinentiis, in
Escapeie.

Unde recognicio Magne Assise summonita fuit inter eos in prefata Curia, scilicet quod predicta Cecilia remisit et quietum clamavit, de se et heredibus suis, eidem Stephano et heredibus suis, in perpetuum, totum jus et clamium quod habuit in predicta terra, cum pertinentiis. Et pro hac quieta clamancia et fine et concordia, idem Stephanus dedit predicte Cecilie decem et octo marcas argenti. In a recognizance of Great Assize held in the king's court, at which said Cecily remits and quitclaims, for her and her heirs, to same Stephen, he and his heirs, in perpetuity, all rights and claims in said land, with its appurtenances. And for her quitclaim and final concord, Stephen accepts 18 marks of silver from said Cecily.



From "Introduction to the Early Curia Regis Rolls 1199-1330":{13}

        "In one case it is not easy to see the motive for intervention. In Trinity term, 1205, Cecily de Greteness was claiming the land of her deceased brother, Ellis de Kivili, at Sheppey against Stephen de Cusinton in an assize of mort d'ancestor.

        After many postponments, Neal Bil added his claim in Michaelmas term 1206; but he made his action nugatory by granting and quitclaiming all his rights to Cecily and her heirs for ever. She, in her turn, when the final concord was made, surrendered her rights to Stephen for the sum of eighteen marks of silver. The date is probably too early for the suggestion to be maintained that all these proceedings, including Neal's intervention, were merely intended to establish Stephen in his tenure."



FOOTNOTES

{1} "Curia Regis Rolls", vol.2 (1925) p.120 Roll 27 memb.4d. Michaelmas Term, 4 John (1202) UCL DA25.D3
{2} "Curia Regis Rolls", vol.2 (1925) p.162 Roll 29 memb.5d. Hilary Term, 4 John (1203)
{3} "Curia Regis Rolls", vol.2 (1925) p.213 Roll 26 memb.5. Easter Term, 4 John (1203)
{4} "Curia Regis Rolls", vol.4 (1929) p.4 Roll 39 memb.1 Trinity Term, 7 John (1205)
{5} "Curia Regis Rolls", vol.4 (1929) p.46 Roll 39 memb.7d. Trinity Term, 7 John (1205)
{6} "Curia Regis Rolls", vol.4 (1929) p.106 Roll 37 memb.6 Easter Term, 7 John (1205)
{7} "Curia Regis Rolls", vol.4 (1929) p.190 Roll 42 memb.15 Trinity Term, 8 John (1206)
{8} "Curia Regis Rolls", vol.4 (1929) p.213 Roll 42 memb.18d. Trinity Term, 8 John (1206)
{9} "Curia Regis Rolls", vol.4 (1929) p.243 Roll 43a memb.5. Michaelmas Term, 8 John (1206)*
{10} "Curia Regis Rolls", vol.4 (1929) p.308 Roll 43a memb.18. Michaelmas Term, 8 John (1206)*
{11} "Curia Regis Rolls", vol.4 (1929) p.312 Roll 43a memb.19. Michaelmas Term, 8 John (1206)
{13} "Introduction to the Early Curia Regis Rolls 1199-1230", Selden Society vol.62 p.410 (1943) UCLaw
{12} "Kent Feet of Fines", 'Archaeologia Cantiana', vol.5 p.265 * jutices from Selden Society, vol.83 p.ccxliii



Curia Regis, P.R.S.ns v.312 Roll 7 Richard 12

earliest case concerning Stephen de Cossington {12}

Placita in iij Septimanas pst festum Sancti Illarii Pleas in the 3 weeks after feast of St. Hilary (13 January - 4 February 1196)
Kent -- Werreis de Waloign' optulit se iiij die uersum Stephanum de Cuisinton' de placito terre et ipse Stephanus non venit nec se essoniauit et clericus Vic.dicit quod milites non viderunt eum set venit ipse Stephanus in curia et optulit se. Judicium. Vic.faciat visum illius et sit a die Pasce in xv dies responsurus inde quare non misit primum breue nec visum fecerat sicut ei preceptum fuit. Kent Warinus de Valoign offers himself on the fourth day against Stephen de Cossington, in a plea of land, and the same Stephen does not come and does not essoin himself, and the sheriff's clerk says that the knights have not seen him; but the same Stephen comes himself into court and offers himself. Judgment. The sheriff is to make view of him, and he is to be [before the court] in 15 days from Easter Day to answer why he did not send the first writ, and had not made a view as he was commanded to do.


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