‹ E-CIPM 22-827: GERARD SOTHILL ›

The jurors, separately examined, say that Gerard was aged 21 years on 14 September last, and was born at Redbourne and baptised in the church there on 14 September 1402 [sic]. Asked how they know, they give the following recollections of events 21 years ago [sic]. William Kell of Grenham, aged 50 years and more, married Margaret, who survives, at Martinmas 1402 at Redbourne. John Hardebeyn of Bishop Norton, 52 years and more, says John his first-born son was born on 1 November 1402 after Gerard’s birth. John Fodirby , 60 years and more, was eating the head of a fish on the day that Gerard was born, and almost swallowed its jaw, thereby severely injuring his throat. Thomas Grave , 54 years and more, the following Michaelmas 1402 placed Robert his son with Henry Sadeler to live at Lincoln and serve as an apprentice for seven years. John Vffleyt , 48 years and more, says that Katherine his daughter was espoused to Henry Ruyston , who survives, on 18 October 1402 after Gerard’s birth. Thomas Trent , 50 years and more, says that Joan his daughter, then a nun at Nun Coton, Lincolnshire, died on 22 September 1402. Richard Sybsay , 51 years and more, on 18 October 1402 following Gerard’s birth, had a toothache so bad that he could not possibly forget the pain. William Malton of Redbourne, 46 years and more, says that on the day of Gerard’s birth he was a varlet dwelling with Gerard the father, and when Gerard the son was baptised he carried a silver basin before Gerard the son. Thomas Ermybyde , 49 years and more, with others performed a great play in the vill of Redbourne on 28 October 1402, to which Gerard was carried by his nurses. Roger Fown , 43 years and more, says that his servant John Piper caught two large pike in the River Ancholme, which he presented to Gerard the father on the day of Gerard the son’s birth. John Kechyn of Hibaldstow, 69 years and more, says that around 30 November 1402 there fell... from which cause all his sheep died in this calamity (temptestas). Thomas de Malton of Redbourne, 56 years and more, prosecuted a cause of defamation against John Gavelok , with the result that John went naked around the churchyard of Redbourne church solemnly for three days with a burning candle in his hand. Thomas recollects that John observed this penance for three Sundays after Gerard’s birth. [Foot:] Joan...