‹ E-CIPM 22-830: ELLEN ›

The jurors, separately examined, say that Ellen was aged 14 years and more on 21 March last, that she was born at Colchester and baptised in the baptistery of St Botulph’s church [recte priory] there on 21 March 1413, and that her godfather was William Colchestre , then prior of St Botulph’ s, and her godmothers Ellen late wife of Geoffrey Brokhole, knight , and Joan late wife of John Pod . Asked how they know, the give the following recollections of events 14 years ago. Thomas Colchestre , aged 58 years and more, says that on the night of 9 April 1413, half of the bridge called North Bridge in the vill suddenly broke and fell in the river. Because he lived near the bridge, the sound of its destruction kept him awake in fear. Ellen was born on 21 March before this. John Saundre , 40 years and more, says that John his apprentice came that day to Colchester from Flanders, with various merchandise of his that had been carried in a ship to Orwell Haven. Edmund Pakkard , 42 years and more, says that Edmund his son died at Colchester and was buried in St Botulph’s churchyard that day. John Gosse , 44 years and more, that day was apprentice to John Wylegh , then one of the receivers of the issues of the vill of Colchester. On the following 10 April 1413 he went with his master to collect stones out of the river from the collapse of the bridge called North Bridge. Christine was born on the 21 March before this. Richard Pakke , 49 years and more, lay in his bed in the mill called ‘Kyngesmelle’ in Colchester, on the night of 9 April 1413, when the mill was destroyed by a flood and his life was despaired of. Christine was born on the 21 March before this. Bartholomew Facoun , 40 years and more, says that John his son died at Colne and was buried in the churchyard there that day. John Sterre , 52 years and more, says that on 10 April 1413 at Colchester, he was arrested by servants of the vill’s bailiffs by virtue of the king’s writ to respond to John de Boys in a plea of trespass at Westminster on the following quindene of Easter. Christine was born on the 21 March before this. John Mendham , 54 years and more, says that on 13 April 1413, Margery his wife was churched in that church after the birth of William his son. Christine was born on the 21 March before this. John Knyght , 50 years and more, that day purchased to himself and his heirs 2 cottages in Colchester from Emma Aldewene , as is clear in the charter made therein. Thomas Graunger , 43 years and more, took John Belde as his apprentice in the craft-guild of weaver that day at Colchester. John Odeleshe , 42 years and more, that day purchased to himself and his heirs 8 a. land lying in Colchester from Simon Mate , as is clear in the charter made therein. William Bardolf , 50 years and more, espoused Joan his wife at West Mersea on 1 May 1413.