Analysis

This accusation of fraud is against John Babbe & his brother William Babbe, feoffe’s to the manor of Nettleden, which today sits in Buckinghamshire County, but was historically part of Hertfordshire, England.

It is addressed to the Bishop of Bath and Chancellor of England, concerning land tenure and feoffment in Hertfordshire. It involves pledges and disputes over property rights, referencing individuals and places tied to the estate. The petitioner Rogger Vouche appears to be the personal bedman (a person who prayed for others, usually benefactors or the souls of the dead) of the Bishop of Bath, to whom the petition is addressed.

Formal Transcription (Latin & Early Modern English)

To the ryght reverent fadyr in God, Bishop of Bath, Chauncelley of England,
Meekly beseech your pers bedman and Oratory Rogger Vouche, and John Vouche, Brother to your said Ompphent, enfossed on John Babbe and William Babbe of Netley Dene next year, And pledges of land and the appurtenances in Netley Dene, home said in the Olyne [county] of Hertford, of syoto trifte and to their intent that they should be ofutto to your said Ompphent and the prayer of this body lawfully begotten then toe dothe of the said John Vouche and note he yo filled to God Usher onto got aforle and the said John Babbe also and of the said William Babbe etondyth sonle enfoffed and you said Ompphent hath be synse tymes that the said William Babbe and joynyed hym to defyne afitted and that Gotfey Smytt and go dtte dte tymer hath joined first and yet doth in sjoto hyndying of yone said Ompphent and Dyhentamed of the heyres and onto youre Opreatt yee in this mitter

Therefore please first to your high to confydie the punted and to grant you said Ompphent and Servyt to be dyed to the said Wortham Andy deoyeom peyne to apoie afore you in the thousand dtto et from duty by you limited thee to be examined of this mitter as and conaoned waif for the love of God and in both of theyrto.

Plegs do God,
Rogger Wyatt
Thomas Okyonors

Footnotes: Latin phrases such as ‘enfeoffed’ derive from feudal law, meaning grant of land.

Modern English Translation

To the right reverend father in God, Bishop of Bath, Chancellor of England

Humbly prays your poor servant and bedman petitioner Roger Vouche, together with John Vouche, his brother, that they were enfeoffed by John Babbe and William Babbe of Netley Dean, and pledged land and its appurtenances in Netley Dean, in the county of Hertford, to hold in trust for their intent that they should remain to your said petitioner and his lawful heirs.

Further, that the said John Vouche fulfilled his duty to God, and likewise John Babbe and William Babbe. The said petitioner has since been disturbed by William Babbe, who joined with others to defraud him, including Gotfey Smytt, and others, who continue to hinder your petitioner and disinherit his heirs.

Therefore, please grant your authority to confirm the grant and allow your petitioner to be restored to his right, and to punish those who have acted against him, for the love of God.

Prays to God,
Roger Wyatt
Thomas Okyonors

Footnotes: Terms like ‘appurtenances’ and ‘enfeoffed’ are rooted in medieval property law.

Glossary of Terms

bedman: Refers to a person who prayed for others, usually benefactors or the souls of the dead. The term comes from Old English bede (meaning “prayer”) and man (meaning “person”). In this instance the petitioner appears to be the personal bedman for the Bishop of Bath, to whom the letter is addressed to.

enfeoffed: Granted possession of land or property in exchange for service.

appurtenances: Rights or privileges belonging to the property.

petition: Formal written request to an authority.

disinherit: To deprive someone of inheritance rights.

Chancellor: Senior official of the kingdom, often overseeing legal matters.

Report of People’s Names

Roger Vouche – Petitioner
John Vouche – Brother of petitioner
John Babbe – Original feoffor
William Babbe – Original feoffor, later adversary
Gotfey Smytt – Adversary
Roger Wyatt – Supporter
Thomas Okyonors – Supporter

Report of Place Names

Netley Dean – Likely Netley or Nettleden, Hertfordshire, a rural hamlet. Nettleden is in the modern county of Buckinghamshire, but historically was part of Hertfordshire.
Hertford – County town of Hertfordshire, England

Citation

Hertfordshire Estate Records, 1440s, Petition to Bishop of Bath and Chancellor of England. (Short title: Vouche v Babbe. Plaintiffs: Rogger, brother of John Vouche. Defendants:… | The National Archives), Reference: C 1/41/185

The Tree

William & John Babbe head the pedigree known as Hertfordshire Pedigree (1433-1472 Nettleden).