‹ E-CIPM 19-997: THOMAS ROMESEY ›

Thomas son and heir of Thomas Romesey was born at Leigh and baptised in St. Cuthbert’s church in Wimborne Minster on 28 Oct. 1389 and was 21 on 28 Oct. last . The jurors know this for the following reasons:

John Spensere , aged 46 years and more, was present when William Anketill came from his house at Leigh where Thomas was born and asked Katharine wife of Arnold Fauconer to be godmother. Consenting, she asked him to accompany her to the church at Wimborne Minster. He went, was present at the baptism and returned with her to her house where she gave him bread, cheese and good red wine and thanked him.

William Anketill, junior , 46 and more; Thomas was born in the house of his, William’s, father at Leigh. When his father told everyone that Thomas’s mother had borne a son, he accompanied him to Wimborne Minster where his father asked Thomas Scote and Thomas Tevernere to be godfathers. He was present and held a candle by the font during the ceremony.

John Wyseman , 44 and more, was newly retained on that day by William Orbury, receiver of the duchy of Lancaster in Dorset. He was at breakfast in the house of Thomas Scote when Thomas was asked to be godfather. They rose from breakfast and went to the church where he heard Thomas named. Then William Orbury and he were at the board of Thomas Scote for 4 weeks following, paying 3s.6d. weekly.

Robert Thomas , 45 and more: William Fillol , grandfather of the present William Fillol , died on 25 Oct. at Winterborne Zelstone in the year that Thomas was born. He was at the burial at Winterborne Zelstone and on the 28th rode to Winterborne Minster and heard of the birth and baptism from Thomas Scote and others. He gave Thomas Scote a cup of red wine in celebration.

Robert Brond , 46 and more: Thomas Romesey the father and John Spenser, servant of John Carpe , treasurer of the household of Richard II , came to his house in the twilight of the evening following the birth and bought a goose for dinner. They asked him to eat roast goose at table with them and to share the red wine, which Thomas Romesey provided, saying that he thanked God for sending him an heir.

John Pyle , 50 and more: that day John Wroxhale, tanner , came with him from Sturminster Marshall to Wimborne Minster to buy undressed hides in the market, and there it was said that Thomas had been born and baptised in the church just after 9.

William Smyth , 58 and more, was in the church when Katharine wife of Arnold Fauconer gave Thomas to the chaplain for baptism. On the following Saturday he rode to Blandford Forum market and bought 20 stone of wool from Simon Storke for 10 marks. The bailiffs there arrested the wool, claiming the custom because he was a tenant and burgess of John late duke of Lancaster of his town of Wimborne Minster, parcel of his manor of Kingston Lacy, and no tenant or burgher could buy or sell in any market or fair in England. He showed letters patent of the duke and was discharged.

William Bour , 54, was present in the church and saw Thomas Scote , the godfather, give a gold noble before the figure of St. Cuthbert in the church immediately after the baptism.

John Nywebury , 60, was then butler of [John] de Monte Acuto, earl of Salisbury , at whose order he rode from Canford Magna to Wimborne Minster and bought a barrel of red wine for the earl from Thomas Scote one hour after the baptism.

Robert Syfryan , 50, was with Edmund Brit in the church to arrange for his marriage to Christine, Edmund’s daughter, and as they could not conclude owing to her absence, arranged to meet the next Sunday in the church.

Robert atte Forde , 60, was then keeper of the goods of the church of Wimborne Minster, was present in the church and held a torch at the font.

Simon Hert , 44: on that day his wife Christine gave birth to a son and he was baptised in the same church after the hour of vespers and named Richard.

The jurors have further evidence if it is needed.