Source 10: Woman is robbed of lands following the death of her husband at the siege of Alnwick, 1474

Following the death of her husband at the siege of Alnwick, lands that belonged to Anneys Wynslow’s family were taken forcibly by a man called Richard Croftus, who then held the lands for ten years. In this document, Anneys asks the Prince of Wales to use his legal power to intervene on her behalf and help her family regain her lands.

Woman is robbed of lands following the death of her husband at the siege of Alnwick, 1474, catalogue ref: SC 8/344/E1309

Transcript

Anneys Wynslow states that her husband, Thomas Wynslow, died in the king’s service at the siege of Alnwick and shows that they were both seised lawfully of land and tenements in Eldersfield, Longdon and Chaceley Hole in fee tail, and afterwards Thomas Wynslow granted the same to certain people in fee, who, when seised, enfeoffed Ralph and Isabel Seymour with the same in tail with remainder to Humphrey and Elizabeth Seymour, and then the right heirs of Thomas. But now Richard Croftus wrongfully holds the same by his might and strength for ten years or more, and Anneys is of insufficient power to pursue her remedy by the common law, and Croftus refuses to restore the same despite Anneys having showed her evidences. Wynslow requests that Croftus be sent before the prince’s council and cause him to restore her to her right and possession in all the lands and tenements with all the arrears and profits.

Simplified transcript

Anneys Wynslow requests that Richard Croftus be summoned before the council of Edward, Prince of Wales, and be ordered to give back to Anneys and her family all the lands and tenements that are rightfully hers, along with all the profits that he has taken from those lands and tenements. Anneys explains that her husband, Thomas Wynslow, owned lands in Eldersfield, Longdon and Chaceley Hole before his death at the siege of Alnwick, where he was serving in the king’s army. Following the death of her husband, Richard Croftus occupied these lands illegally through his might and strength (by using the threat of violence). Anneys lacks the power to reclaim the lands from him, and has been unable to make a successful case against Richard in a court of law.

 

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Questions

  • What does Alnwick Castle represent to Anneys?
  • What does Alnwick Castle represent to Richard Croftus?