Receiving stolen goods
Finding Nos. (copy and paste references into search box) - QM/SI/1597/1/15
"Robert Johnson and Thomas Kyst, both of Groombridge, labourers, for burgling the shop of John Laneham at Lamberhurst and taking 3 ells of canvas worth 2s. and 6 yds. silk lace worth 12d. and that Willima Harding of Fant (co. Sussex), collier, recived the goods knowing them to be stolen." 9 Sep 1596
Here we are again, Colliers in court for more criminal activity. This time receiving burgled -burgle being a specific crime of breaking into a dwelling, in this case a shop - silk lace and Canvas.
What was taken: 3 ells of canvas, an ell in this period in England was 45 ins (it varied in other countries, for example it was 37 inches in Scotland) or 3 feet and 9 inches; so in total 11 feet 3 inches was taken. It was worth 2 shillings which would make this canvas worth 8 pence per Ell. The silk lace was worth 2 pence per yard. I am not an expert of fabric prices of the time but, neither strike me as very expensive items? Please tell me otherwise in the comments.
Whether Harding was going to try and sell the goods on or was going to use them himself is unsure? I doubt lace would have been much use to a collier, but maybe his wife would have appreciated it? Canvas on the other hand would be very useful: I have used canvas to make sacks for charcoal and temporary shelters when doing charcoal burns. Either way he was charged with receiving the goods "knowing them to be stolen" so very much complicit in this crime... if he was guilty of course?
One final point, it says Harding came from 'Fant' in Sussex, there is no Fant in Sussex; there is a Frant, just over the border about ten miles from Lamberhurst, so I think this is a typo in the record.
What was taken: 3 ells of canvas, an ell in this period in England was 45 ins (it varied in other countries, for example it was 37 inches in Scotland) or 3 feet and 9 inches; so in total 11 feet 3 inches was taken. It was worth 2 shillings which would make this canvas worth 8 pence per Ell. The silk lace was worth 2 pence per yard. I am not an expert of fabric prices of the time but, neither strike me as very expensive items? Please tell me otherwise in the comments.
Whether Harding was going to try and sell the goods on or was going to use them himself is unsure? I doubt lace would have been much use to a collier, but maybe his wife would have appreciated it? Canvas on the other hand would be very useful: I have used canvas to make sacks for charcoal and temporary shelters when doing charcoal burns. Either way he was charged with receiving the goods "knowing them to be stolen" so very much complicit in this crime... if he was guilty of course?
One final point, it says Harding came from 'Fant' in Sussex, there is no Fant in Sussex; there is a Frant, just over the border about ten miles from Lamberhurst, so I think this is a typo in the record.
8d is a decent day's wage, so not an inconsiderable amount.
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