The plague is no sooner at an end than the local
courts are resorted to for the hearing of every kind of odd question
which the complications arising from the abnormal mortality had
occasioned.
When Edward Burt died at Lessingham, he left his widow Egidia all he
had; but he owed Margery Brown the sum of thirty shillings. Egidia at
once provided herself with a second husband, and surrendered herself
and her belongings to Edward Bunting. Mrs. Brown applied for her
little bill. Egidia, now no longer a widow, but lawful wife of Mr.
Bunting, repudiated the debt; she was widow no longer, she had become
the property of another man; the debt, she pleaded, was buried in her
first husband's grave. That little quibble was soon overruled. But
there were often cases which were by no means so easily disposed of.
Robert Bokenham was lord of the manor of Tibenham, and Robert Tate
was one of his tenants. Tate died; then Bokenham died. Bokenham's son
was only nine years old, and no guardian had been appointed when
Tate's son died. Then followed a dispute as to who was guardian of
young Bokenham, and of whom Tate's land was held, and who was the
true heir. A pleasant little brief there for a rising barrister to
hold.
A complication of much the same kind arose at Croxton. William
Galion, a man of some consideration, died in July, leaving his wife
Beatrix with two sons; but he died intestate.
Pages:
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231