Manor Court Case 2

Case 2: Brewing Ale

Emma Brattle is accused of brewing ale and selling it to Benedict Dunn and Thomas Wood. If Emma Brattle is found guilty of brewing and selling beer she will be fined six pence. If Benedict Dunn and Thomas Wood are found guilty of buying her ale they will be fined three pence.

Witnesses are to be called in the following order: Emma Brattle, Benedict Dunn, Thomas Wood, Walter Herenden, Joanna Browne and Elicia Godfrey.

Case 2: Emma Brattle

Emma Brattle has a reputation for brewing the best ale in Yalding. It is not only cheaper than that supplied by Edeline Hale and Alice Nash, but is also far stronger. However, people are not allowed to sell ale in Yalding unless they have purchased a licence from Hugh de Audley. Emma does that have a licence.

On Monday, 14th May, at about 6 o'clock, Benedict Dunn and Thomas Wood visited Emma Brattle's house. After drinking one pint Benedict Dunn left for archery training. Wood stayed and drunk two more pints. When Wood asked for a fourth pint, Brattle refused as he was showing signs of being drunk. Wood was very upset by this and when he got outside he began swearing at Emma Brattle.

Case 2: Benedict Dunn

Benedict Dunn and Thomas Wood went to Emma Brattle's house for a pint of ale before archery practice. The men knew they were breaking the law but they preferred Emma's ale because it was far stronger than the ale provided by Edeline Hale and Alice Nash. After drinking one pint, Dunn left for archery training.

Case 2: Thomas Wood

At about 6 o'clock on 14th May Benedict Dunn and Thomas Wood went to Emma Brattle's house for a pint of ale before archery training. The men knew they were breaking the law but they preferred Emma's ale because it was far stronger than the ale provided by Edeline Hale and Alice Nash. After drinking three pints, Brattle refused to sell Wood any more ale.

Case 2: Walter Herenden

Thomas Wood is probably the best archer in Yalding. On Monday, 14th May, 1340, Wood kept missing the target. Walter Herenden noticed that Wood was swaying from side to side when he was aiming at the target. When Herenden spoke to Wood about it, he could smell ale on his breath.

Case 2: Joanna Browne

Joanna Browne saw Wood leave Emma Brattle's house at about 6.30 on 14th May. Wood turned round and started to shout out insulting remarks about Emma Brattle. Browne told Wood that this was no way to behave. Wood replied that he had been drinking Emma Brattle's terrible ale and had ever right to tell her what he thought of her. Browne believed that the men of the village spent too much on beer and reported the matter to John Giffard.

Case 2: Elicia Godfrey

Elicia Godfrey is a close friend of Edeline Hale. On Monday 14th May, 1340, Godfrey visited Edeline Male's home. While she was there Thomas Wood came in and purchased a pint of ale about 15 minutes before archery training was due to start. Mannering got the impression that Wood had already been drinking as he seemed very unsteady on his feet.