Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, Volume 22, 1422-27

THOMAS SON AND HEIR OF THOMAS ENFELD

360 Writ de etate probanda. ‡ 28 January 1424. [Smyth] Regarding inheritance as son of Thomas Enfeld , who held of ‪Henry IV in chief, and as kinsman and heir of Alice who was the wife of Ralph de Tyle , daughter of John brother of Thomas Enfeld his father. Executors of William Wodeward, esquire , to whom ‪Henry IV by letters patent granted custody, to be informed [CFR 1399–1405, pp.312–13]. [Dorse:] Richard Lythum, clerk , Richard Osborn , John Croft and Thomas Bosden , executors of William Wodeward , informed of specified place and date but did not come.

ESSEX. Proof of age. Chelmsford. 22 February 1424. [Baynard]

The jurors, separately examined, say that Thomas was aged 21 years on 18 October last and was born at Little Laver and baptised in the church baptistery there on 18 October 1401 [sic], that his godfathers were Thomas Prentys and William Valaunt and his godmother Mary Blakewen . Asked how they know, they reply as follows, all events being 21 years ago [sic]. Walter Wenlok of Alphamstone, aged 60 years and more, says that on that day Joan his daughter died and was buried at Little Laver. William Cherche , 52 years and more, says that on the eve of Pentecost 1401, Thomas Smyth, clerk , was instituted and inducted at Little Laver as rector of the parish church, and the following 18 October he baptised Thomas in the baptistery. William served the rector. Robert Danyell , 59 years and more, says that on 8 September 1401 at Little Laver, he married Rose his late wife, then servant of Elizabeth mother of Thomas, and the following 18 October Thomas was born. John Ponde , 44 years and more, was at Little Laver at the time of Thomas’s baptism and held a burning torch there. John Glouer , 60 years and more, says that at Great Bardfield on 29 August 1401 he drove his cart loaded with hay from the manor of Great Bardfield’s demesne meadow to the manor’s grange. He fell from the laden cart in the grange and broke his left arm. The following 18 October Thomas was born. John Grenewey , 46 years and more, was playing football (ad pilam pedalem) at Little Laver with his fellows immediately after Thomas’s baptism and broke his left shin (tibia). John Gardeuyll , 54 years and more, was at Little Laver with Joan his wife when Elizabeth mother of Thomas gave birth and they were at her churching on 11 November 1401. Thomas Shelle , 60 years and more, says that John his son took holy orders long before that day, and celebrated his first mass at Little Laver church the day that Thomas was born and baptised. John Levyng , 48 years and more, had William his first-born son baptised in the baptistery of Little Laver church that day and last 18 October William was aged 21 years. John Swerder , 56 years and more, says that on that day Richard Swerder his father died at Little Laver, and he thereby inherited lands and tenements there. John Rampton , 60 years and more, says that on that day at Little Laver, John Wargon hanged himself from a tie-beam (laqueo se suspendebat) and he came to see John Wargon hanging. Returning, he met a woman carrying Thomas to the church for baptism. John Smyth of Panfield, 57 years and more, says that his house in Little Laver burned down immediately after Thomas’s birth.

C 139/13/51 mm.1–2