Page:English Historical Review Volume 35.djvu/430

422 PROCEEDINGS IN THE July The story as given in the depositions is of exceptional interest as an illustration of the state of England on the morrow of the Yorkist victory in 1471. On Saturday, 11 May, one Thomas Hargrave or Hargrove, who alleged that he had been at Tewkesbury with King Edward, sent two of his servants to Nursling to the intent that they should kill Peter Marmion, who was then in possession of the manor, or at all events obtain from him his evidences. Marmion by dint of fair words persuaded them to go away. Then on the next morning Hargrave induced certain persons to go with him to Nursling to arrest Marmion as a traitor. Marmion apparently heard of his coming and fled from the house. On his road he met John Raye, to whom he offered twenty marks if he would conduct him to the sanctuary at BeauHeu. But Hargrave coming up with his men took Marmion back to the house, where he tied him up with a dog's collar and chain in his own hall, and there kept him a prisoner. Early the next morning Hargrave sent a messenger to John Hamond, recorder of Win- chester, who was living close by at Skydmore,^ and begged him to come to Nursling. When Hamond arrived at six o'clock in the morning, accompanied by Robert Kelyng, one of the deponents in 1491, they found Hargrave sitting, drawn sword in hand, on the high bench of the hall and Marmion tied up with the dog's chain. Hargrave declared that Marmion was not only a traitor to the king, but had robbed him, and threatened that he would kill him. In fear of his life Marmion promised to release to Har- grave the manor and all his lands in Hampshire. He was then made to take an oath that he would do so, and have the release sealed with the seal of the mayor of Winchester. Just at this point the depositions fail us. But apparently it was agreed that Hargrave should take Marmion to Winchester, where the release should be acknowledged before Hamond. After the scene in the hall both parties appear to have gone to the parish church. When they came out after mass about 10 o'clock Hargrave again threatened Marmion, who falling upon his knees and quaking with fear promised to do all that was required of him. On the Tuesday Marmion was taken to Winchester, where he acknowledged the release before Hamond, after which one deponent alleged that Hargrave took all Marmion 's goods to his own use without having made any payment for them. The articles with which the record of the proceedings ends were but ultimately it was possible to recover nearly the whole. Under the circumstances it does not seem convenient to use brackets to show such restorations as are reasonably certain. But some that are purely conjectural are bracketed, and in the latter part (where the original is more legible) brackets are more freely used. I have to thank Mr. M. S. Giuseppi and others for assistance in deciphering an unusually difficult document. > Skidmore Farm, about one mile from Nursling village.