I should not be surprised to find out that this
worthy was captain of a band of robbers who infested Epping Forest.
In the end of January, 1351. Matilda, wife of John Clement de
Godychester, was quietly riding homewards when, as she passed by the
sheepfold of Plesset, out came the Rev. William and bade the lady
stand and deliver. Her attendants, it is to be presumed, took to
their heels, and the lady, being unable to help herself, delivered up
her purse--the account says the Rev. William cut it off--and moreover
surrendered a ring of some value, after which she continued her
journey. She raised the hue and cry to some purpose, and the clerical
king of the road was taken and... there is no more. No! It is a story
without an end.
But there were then, as there are now, other ways of preying upon our
fellow-creatures and levying blackmail from them, without going to
the length of highway robbery--cold work, and a little risky at
times.
Henry Anneys, at Lessingham, could work upon the fears of Alice
Bakeman and extort a douceur from her without resorting to violence.
Mrs. Bakeman had succeeded to the property of some dead kinsman, and
Mr. Anneys heard of it. He called on the lady and informed her that
for a consideration he would save her from paying any heriot to the
lord; he had certain information which he could use either way.
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