‹ E-CIPM 18-309: ROBERT PEKENHAM ›

James Stokwell , aged 50 years and more, being carefully examined, says that Robert was 21 on the feast of St. Margaret the Virgin (20 July) last , having been born in Dunton on that feast in 1378 and baptised in St. Mary’s church there. This he well remembers because he saw Ralph Goshalm , now deceased, Nicholas Bonfeld , then rector of the church, and Margaret wife of Richard Palmere raise him from the font.

William Smith and John Rother , each 48 years and more, similarly examined, confirm this. They remember that Joan wife of William Seman was with Elizabeth Pekenham at the birth, carried Robert to the church, and coming from the church told them of it.

Simon Masseleyn , 50 years and more, met the party of godparents in the highway by the church, and they told him.

Nicholas Hynde was then in the service of John Pekenham the father at Dunton, and was sent with the godparents to the church.

John Stace and John Wolk , each 48 years and more, say that Alice wife of John Stace was pregnant with a daughter called Agnes, who was born on the morrow of the said feast and baptised the next day, John Wolk being godfather.

Richard Canon , 48 years and more, remembers that his father, William Canon , was present in the church and held the baby in his arms, and came from the church relating that Robert was the son of John Pekenham .

Gilbert Cok and William Pymmore , each 50 years and more, know his age by inspection of a book of martyrs in the church in which the birth was noted.

Henry Belet and John Wayte , each 49 years and more, were in the chapel of St. Margaret at Burstead by Dunton making offerings in honour of St. Margaret and, returning home, met Joan wife of William Seman carrying the baby.