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Reference:
T/A 418/108/10
Level: Category
Records in public repositories
Level: Fonds
CALENDAR OF ESSEX ASSIZE RECORDS
Level: Sub-Fonds
Calendar of Essex Assize File [ASS 35/73/1] Assizes held at Brentwood 17 March 1631
Scope and Content:
PRESENTMENTS at the Inquest for the Body of the County at the Assizes held at Brentwood on 17 March 1631.
That Colchester Castle from time out of mind had been reuted "to be the comon goale for this County" but it "is nowe soe ruinated and in soe great decay that it is not sufficientlie strong and safe to reteine the prisoners there committed without continuall danger of escapes nor fitt to keepe the prisoners free from winde and weather wheereby their healthes are contynually much impaired."
Next "wee are crediblie informed that the miseries of the poore prisoners are soe great and lamentable partlie by reason of the crueltie of the golaer and partlie by reason of the extreame wants they suffer that many of them are famished". But if the gaol could be placed in the middle of the County and an honest gaoler chose "wee conceive then the Countrey would be verry forward and willing to helpe perfect the worke".
Chris. Merritt of Ingatestone, Robert Hunnerston, John Wignall, both of Colchester, Richard Bedwell, (blank) Warr, (blank) Belcham, all of Braintree, and Richard Bush of Stock, or their servants, weekly travel the roads with four-wheeled waggons contrary to the statute.
Rob. Anger of South Weald "for putting by a common footpath leading from a place called Pilgrims Hatch" to the market town of Brnetwood. [ASS 35/73/1/10]
Not Available:
Catalogue entry only. Original held at the National Archives.