Catalogue description Copy of Court Roll of the Manor of Cattesfeld

John Poteman, son and heir of John Poteman, who held of the lords a messuage and 25 ac. of nief land in Cattesfelde. The lords of the manor, John Weyvyle and Thomas Lyvet, claimed that he held the premises in bondage, saying that he was their nief. John Poteman expressly denied this, affirming that he was of free and not of servile condition, because, he said, that William Poteman his grandfather, the first of his blood, was a stranger and was born at Burghersshe, from which William the said John Poteman his father issued. He claims that it be inquired into to gain or lose, by the oath of the whole homage of this court as well as of the free men of the View of the parish of Burhersshe, which the said John Weyvyle and Thomas Lyvet, the joint lords, conceded in full court in the presence of John de Assheburnhamme, John, the son of the said John, John Lounsforde, Thomas Stonlynke, Will. Aneston, and others

And they ordered John atte Hethe the Bedell of this court to call together the whole homage of this court and that he return the names of 6 freemen of the View of Burghersshe, by whom the truth of the matter may be better inquired of and known. And he returns the names, James Colyn, John Plot, John Cyldyng, John Hardyng, William Clydewysshe and William Aneston, who being in court of their free will offered their oath to enquire upon the premises. And they having had counsel with the said homage say upon their oath that the said William Poteman, the grandfather of the said John, was born at Burghersshe and that he was a stranger as the said John stated above, and that the said John Poteman is of free condition and not servile. Therefore it is considered that concerning niefity he may go quit

In witness whereof the said John Wayvile and Thomas Lyvet affixed their seals. (Two seals affixed directly on the left corners of the parchment; armorial, but indecipherable.)