I am trying to read the proceedings of a medieval English law case in the records of the King's Bench (KB27) from 1319. It is the case of Neville v. Spanby, concerning lands in Demblebly and Scott Willoughby. Neville commenced an assize of mort d'ancestor against Spanby; at the local assizes (held in Boston), the jury found in favour of Neville and she was given recovery. However, a writ of certoriari was issued, appealing the case to the King's Bench. The first part of the record begins at http://aalt.law.uh.edu/E2/KB27no238/aKB27no238fronts/IMG_0206.htm
With the exception of the dates I have managed to translate that part reasonably easily (and hopefully correctly) as:
With the exception of the dates I have managed to translate that part reasonably easily (and hopefully correctly) as:
But I am struggling with transcribing and translating the record of the appeal itself; I have not encountered this kind of proceeding before and my Latin is probably not good enough for it. Would anyone be able to help? I have had a go at transcribing as much of it as possible, which I will post below. The original can be viewed here, beginning at the large script "Dampna vj. libr." I would be very grateful if anyone could help, or even offer some of the missing words or a brief summary. (This is my first post, so I apologise if this isn't an appropriate request or place for it).The lord king sent his writ to Henry Spigurnel in the following form: Edward by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Aquitaine to his dear and faithful Henry Spigurnel greetings. Since for certain reasons we wish to be informed of the record and process of the assize of mort d'ancestor between William de Spanby and Alice de Neville summoned and taken in the town of Boston before you and your fellows lately our justices at the same assize assiged by our writ of two tofts sixty nine acres of land three and a half acres of meadow together worth eighteen shillings, two parts of one messuage and one windmill with appertenances in Scott Willoughby and Dembelby. We direct that, if judgement has been rendered thereon, then you shall send us the record and process of the the same assize, laid out clearly and openly, with all things touching them under your seal, and with this writ: so that we have them before me at York on the thirtieth day of January ... The record and process are in these words:
Assize held in Saint Botolph [Boston] before Henry Spigurnel and William de Colney, justices at an assize in the county of Lincoln assigned on the day of ... ... after the end ... St Peter in chains, in the ... year of king E[dward] son of king E[dward]
The assize comes to recognise if Philip de Neville brother of Alice de Neville was seised in demesne as of fee of two tofts, sixty nine acres of land, three and a half acres of meadow together worth eighteen shillings and two parts of one messuage and one mill with appurtenances in Scott Willoughby and Dembleby on the day, etc, and if etc, and if, etc, which William of Spanby holds, who comes and says nothing to stay the assize, etc. Therefore let the assize be taken, etc. The jurors say under oath that the said Philip was seised in the said lands on the day and that he died after the term limit and the said Alice is the next heir. Therefore it is adjudged that the said Alice should recover and have seisin by view of the recognitors, and the damage to her is being assessed by the same at six pounds. And the said William of Spanby is in mercy, etc.