‹ E-CIPM 22-665: ROBERT TAUK ›

The jurors, examined separately, say that Robert was aged 21 years on 23 September last, that he was born at Chidham and baptised in the baptistery of the church there on 23 September 1404, and that his godfathers were Robert Pubellowe, clerk , and William N...ll [ms torn], his godmother Juliane Hakelt. Asked how they know they give the following reasons. Richard Janyn , aged 50 years and more, says that on that day Robert, his son, died and was buried the same day at Chidham. John Tolyte , 61 years and more, says that at Michaelmas 1404 Richard his son married Joan daughter of William Morys in Chidham church. John Gudde , 52 years and more, was at Chidham at the time of Robert’s baptism and held a burning torch. John Coupere , 54 years and more, had Henry his first-born son baptised in the baptistery of Chidham church on that day. Henry was aged 21 years last 23 September. Robert Strynelyng , 55 years and more, says that John Mannyng , his servant, was captured by French enemies and taken to Harfleur that day. Thomas Hygon , 56 years and more, was at Chidhamsays with Joan his wife when Margery, Robert’s mother [also erroniously given as Alice], gave birth and they were at her churching on 28 October 1404. Richard Hynon , 50 years and more, says his house in Chidham burned down that day immediately after Robert’s baptism. John Coumbes , 54 years and more, was playing football with his fellows at Chidham that day, immediately after Robert’s baptism, and broke his left shin. William Shertere , 50 years and more, says that Joan his mother died that day and he thereby inherited lands and tenements in Chidham. John Steer , 51 years and more, says that on that day at Bosham, John Hunt hanged himself from a tie-beam (laqueo se suspendebat) and he came to Bosham to see John Hunt hanging. Returning, he met a woman carrying Robert to Chidham church for baptism. Robert Seman , 50 years and more, says that William his son took holy orders long before that day, and celebrated his first mass at Chidham church the day that Robert was born and baptised. Richard Marchall , 54 years and more, says that at Nutbourne on that day he drove a cart loaded with hay from the manor of Nutbourne’s demesne meadow to the manor’s grange. He, John, [sic] fell from the laden cart in the grange and broke his left arm. The same day Robert was born.