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316. Of the escape of thieves, they say that John de Frome," during the shrievalty of Robert de Linton and William Essewy mercer, escaped from the prison of Neugate. So to judgment on the sheriffs for the escape. Likewise Roger de Clere was convicted before the justices and handed over to the bishop of Lincoln and by licence of the sheriffs he was imprisoned at
86
The Plea Roll
Neugate, during the shrievalty of John de Norhamton and Richard Picard; he broke out of prison and escaped with four others whose names are unknown and who were imprisoned there by the sheriffs. So to judgment on the sheriffs for the escape, but because Roger was not imprisoned in the custody of the sheriffs, they are quit of his escape. Likewise Roger Drinkwater and another twelve whose names are unknown, during the shrievalty of Henry de Frouwyk and Luke de Batencurt, escaped from the prison of Neugate. Henry Walemund sheriff imprisoned Roger Lythfot in his house on suspicion of theft and he escaped from his custody. So to judgment on them for the escapes. John Frome, Roger Drinkwater and [Roger] Lytlafot have absconded and are suspected, so let them be exacted and outlawed according to the custom of the City. Nothing is known of chattels. So to judgment on the sheriffs for the amercements and chattels. Of the names of those who escaped . . . Arnald Petri, during the shrievalty of Henry de Coventre and Adam de Bruning, broke out of the prison of Neugate and took sanctuary in the church of the Friars Minor and abjured the realm. No chattels. So to judgment for . . . Likewise Thomas de Barton during the same shrievalty was being pursued by some men and took sanctuary in the church of Aldermannechirche and he afterwards absconded from the church and is suspected, so let him be exacted and outlawed according to the custom of the City. Chattels £4 10s. 8d. for which the sheriffs are to answer; since they concealed the chattels in their roll they are in mercy. [cf. 591]
1. Cf. Lib. Ant. Leg., 22 and several writs concerning John Frome and Alan de Shoreditch, C.R. 1254-5, 145, 202-3, 438. See also R. B. Pugh, Imprisonment in medieval England (1968), 130, 135, 232, 252. |