Court Rolls of the Borough of Colchester. Vol. I. (1310-1352).
Translated by L H. Jeayes. With introduction by W. Gurney Benham. (Colchester Town Council. £2 2s. net.)—The Colchester Corporation, which has already printed its charters and ancient records, has now begun to print, in a condensed form, its fine though incomplete series of court rolls. The first volume now issued includes the nine yearly rolls which survive from the period 1310-52. Mr. Jeayes gives a summarized translation of the rolls, taking pains to give all the personal and place names and dates, while omitting the irrelevant formulae that are not worth printing. The rolls record the proceedings of the local courts, of the hundred and of the manor, and are concerned chiefly with cases of assault, trespass, debt, and illicit trading, especially in liquor. Mr. Gurney Benham, chairman of the Museum Committee, who contributes an introduction, is probably right in suggesting that the continual presentments of scores of victuallers for selling drink at lid. or 2d. a gallon " against the assize " were really a form of taxation. We notice an interesting entry, under 1311, referring to a ship carrying 112 quarters of coal valued at 7s. which was in the harbour. Ia the same year it appears that a lamprey--always a delicacy—was valued at a shilling. There is nothing sensational in these records of police court and county court business, but the details are of great interest to students of mediaeval life. The student of surnames may also be com- mended to the book, which has an excellent index.
" Auenterous," " Anneysedouhter," " Dingariht," and " Dysschwarde " are among the more unusual names of fourteenth-century Colchester. The roll for the year of the Black Death, 1349, has unfortunately been lost, if it was ever made up.
Previous page
