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Extracts from the proceedings of the North Curry Manor
Courts
In the reign of Richard II in 1377 an inquisition brought a
charge against poachers who had illegally entered upon the lands of the Dean and
chapter
. ... they had come in with swords and bows and arrows and had taken
salmon, peelpike, lampreys, lamprons, eels and flounders, 2000 hares, 10,000
rabbits, 1000 partridges, wood and corn etc. worth £240, so depriving the Dean
and Chapter of their rights and had done this for 13 years. They were fined 280
marcs .....
At about the same time
....... a certain Robert Gyan, a
layman of Northcory, was summoned before the dean and chapter of Wells to answer
the charge of having wrongfully caused to be cut down and carried away certain
oaks and alders in their park to the value of £10 and, beat and wounded to the
shedding of blood Robert Coppe their manciple and their servants. It was ordered
that the said Robert shall make restitution of the said oaks and alders, and for
his infringement of the liberty of the church shall on three Sundays within two
months thrice be scourged round the church of Northcory naked except his
breeches before the procession, and likewise thrice on three other Sundays round
the church of Wells, carrying every day of his penance a lighted candle of 1lb
weight, and shall hold the same in his own hands in the naves of the said
churches from the procession until the offertory, and then humbly offer the same
to the celebrant at the high altar and declare the cause of such penance. Also
he shall content the said Robert Coppe of 40s. for his damages, and the d/c of 8
marks damages in respect of the drifts and do penance on six other days in like
manner. He shall not enter their groves, warren or moors, 6 loads of alder to be
delivered every year by view of their bailiff. He shall consent of a sentence of
excommunication in case of infringement ..............
In 1505 tenants near Ham mill complained to the Dean and
Chapter of Wells about hardships caused by flooding from the River Tone because
of the diversion of a watercourse.
Pytuously complayneth unto you maysterships the poore men
duellyng nygh adjoyaunt to Hammyll, that where we be sore greved by reson of the
same mylle, that it to say, our medewes, called Newe Medewes and Nate Medewes,
and other pastures, certayn grene corn, our hay, ofttymes drowned, our highways
foundered, wherby we have been grevously amerced in the shire and soore troubled
; the fordes depe worne, wherthoroughe we be sore charged to make a brigge
for weynes and horses every twoo or thre yere to be newe mended and made ; oure
bestes standyng in water, without mete; our corne and hay to stand long afeld,
till it be almoste lost by cause we can have no good cariage home. And we have
paied to moste parte of oure goodes for oure places, and nowe we can take but
litel profite therof. And oftentymes we have spoken therof in our courts. And
can have no remedy. And we uderstand your maystership, have auctorite to enquere
of all maner hurtes and greves done by occasion of the same mylle. Wherfor we
beseche uopur maistership, in the way of charite, to have pite upon us, and be
our socour for reformation herof, orelles we must medes forsake our places, to
our uttre undoynge. And we shall pray to God to sent you long life after his pleasure.
This dispute had gone on for many years before and would continue to do so
for many years ahead.
For more information on the history of
North Curry why not buy a copy of "North Curry - A Place in History"
by Angela Dix. For details go to
http://www.dixuk.com.
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