‹ E-CIPM 26-241: ROBERT CONSTABLE ›

The jurors swear that he was born at Holme-on-Spalding-Moor on the feast of the Resurrection [ 27 March ] 1423, and baptized there on the same day in the church of All Saints, and was aged 21 on the same feast last passed. They know and recall this with reference to the following memories of the day of the birth. William Clyff , aged 62 and more, was present at the baptism and saw William West and Thomas Eston – Robert’s godfathers – and Katherine, the wife of Thomas Hersey – his godmother – drink wine in the church. Roger Newark , aged 57 and more, knows because at the time of the baptism a white greyhound belonging to the heir’s father bit John Hall – the father’s servant – on the left thigh in the church. William Thorp , aged 60 and more, at the request of John Porter delivered two torches of wax to burn in the church near the font during the baptism. Robert Dawney , aged 47 and more, saw Richard Man , a servant of John Chapman , carrying bread and two pots of sweet wine called ‘osey’ to the church because of the baptism. Thomas Tebald , aged 50 and more, asked John Twyer to minister during the baptism at the request of Robert’s father. Thomas Johnson , aged 46 and more, knows because Joan Tirwhit , a relative of Robert Constable the son, was midwife to Robert’s mother Agnes. Thomas Everyngham , aged 50 and more, was present in the church and made Joan, his servant, fill the font with water for the baptism. John Ulshowe , aged 56 and more, sold a pipe of red Gascon wine to the heir’s father, for 100s., to be drunk at the churching of the heir’s mother. John Ruffe , aged 47 and more, went looking for fire in the house of John Tippyng next to the church to light the church during the baptism. John Newbald , aged 56 and more, on the same day sold a black horse to Robert’s father for 100s. Thomas Skypwith , aged 50 and more, was in the church during the baptism, at the betrothal of James Halsam and Joan, servant of John Moon, esquire . Robert Ripley , aged 60 and more, on the same day gave two milk-cows to the heir’s mother, to provide milk for the heir during his youth.