Court of King's Bench: alleged murder of Richard Broun, 1507

National Archives, KB 9/445 (AALT image 488), Michaelmas Term 1507

[Latin writ]
Henry [VII] by the grace of God King of England & France & Lord of Ireland, to our justices at our gaol of our town of St Albans, Herts, about the prisoners being in it to be delivered to (our) assigns and to each of them, particularly wishing for certain reasons that a record of acquittance or delivery should be sent of Richard Morley late of Fenystratford, Bucks, “yoman”, of whatever felonies and murders of which he lately was judged by commission of oyer et terminer before our keepers of the peace and our justices for divers felonies, trespasses and misdeeds within the liberty of the town of St Albans aforesaid, and he now remains with you as it is said. We order you and each of you that the said record with everything touching it, as fully and entirely as it now remains before you or any of you, by whatever name the said Richard is called in the same, you or one of you shall send before us under your seals or (the seal) of one of you without delay wherever then we shall be in England, together with this writ so that further therein we cause to be done what we shall see ought to be done of right and according to the law and custom of our kingdom of England. Witness J. Fyneux at Westminster 9 October in the 23rd year [1507].

[endorsed in Latin]
The record of which mention is made within is contained in a certain record hence annexed to the writ.
Answer of Sir John Fyssher & Richard Goodere justices at the gaol written within.

[main text in Latin]
Liberty of the Abbot of St Albans, Herts
Gaol delivery of the lord King of the town of St Albans of the prisoners being in it to be delivered this time at the town of St Albans on Tuesday the feast of St Bartholomew in the 23rd year of King Henry VII [24 Aug 1507], made before Sir John Fisher & Richard Gooder, justices of the lord King assigned to the delivery at the gaol.

At another time as set out by the indictment taken before Thomas Pygot & Richard Goodere the lord King’s justices for keeping the peace within the liberty of the Abbot of St Albans in Bucks, and justices assigned by the said Abbot for oyer et terminer of all sorts of felonies, trespasses & other crimes occurring or arising within the liberty, namely on Thursday in Whitsun week in the 21st year of H VII [4 June 1506] there was a presentment that Richard Morley late of Fenystratford, Bucks, “yoman”, with another man not now taken, on 12 May in the 21st year of H VII [1506] by force & arms namely bows & arrows, sticks & knives made an assault on Richard Broun at Wynslowe in the said county within the liberty of Thomas, Abbot of the Monastery of St Albans, and the same Richard Morley struck the said Richard Broun on the left part of his head with an arrow worth one penny, firing then and there feloniously, from which blow the same Richard Broune, namely on 26 May in the 21st year of H VII at Wynselow within the said liberty, died. And so the same Richard Morley with another man not yet taken, then & there feloniously killed & murdered Richard Broun, against the peace of the said lord King now etc.

And now, namely on the Tuesday in the 23rd year aforesaid [24 Aug 1507], the said Richard Morley came in the custody of the bailiff of the said liberty (and was) led to the bar. And immediately, concerning the things imputed to him above, stated how he wished to be acquitted therein. He said that he was in no way guilty therein. And therein for good & ill put himself on the country etc. [i.e. asked for trial by jury].  Therefore a jury came thereon on this very day etc. And which not etc. to recognise etc. Because etc. And the jurors \(named) in a panel attached to this record/ chosen, assessed & sworn for this, say on their oath that the said Richard Morley is in no way guilty of the charges, and never for that reason withdrew (from the case?). Therefore it was considered that he, with his payments discharged, should go hence acquitted etc.

[endorsed in Latin] By the hands of John Fyscher named within, on the Monday next after the morrow of St Andrew in the same term before the lord King in the (King’s) Bench, to be concluded.

[list of jurors in Latin] Jurors between the lord King & Richard Morley a felon on Tuesday the Feast of St Bartholomew in the 23rd year of H VII [24 Aug 1507].
Robert Genyn sworn
William Adam sworn
William Jeffys sworn
Robert Chayne sworn
Richard Jeffys sworn
John Grene jr sworn
Thomas Wyggyn sworn
John Jeffys jr sworn
Benet Blaknall [blank]
John Craste sworn
Robert Hayle sworn
Richard Farmeborought sworn
Thomas Colyngreche [blank]
Edmond Abbat sworn
Thomas Smyth [blank]

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 Notes

There must have been an inquest which established that the death was caused feloniously rather than accidentally. Winslow was under the jurisdiction of St Albans, so serious crimes were dealt with there, even though the accused Richard Morley was from Fenny Stratford. Few if any of the jurors appear to have been Winslow men; Adam, Green, Janyn and Jeffs are Winslow surnames but also common elsewhere. The value of the arrow was given because it was a deodand (object which caused death) and forfeit to the Crown.

The only other information about Richard Brown is that he (assuming it was the same man) was involved in a case of violence brought before the manor court on 30 May 1497 (Bucks Archives, D/BASM 84/1, f.6v):

Richard Wylowes of Winslow & Geoffrey Couper of Shipton constables report that John Warlond assaulted Robert Thomlyns with a hanger and spilt blood. John Shelton assaulted William Gyfford and spilt blood. Baldwin Colyns assaulted Thomas Keth & vice versa. William Roper assaulted Richard Broun & vice versa. John Glenester assaulted William Lane and spilt blood. Robert Pountes assaulted Robert Fraunceys & vice versa.