1441-12-01, Westminster

Whereas on Tuesday after the quinzaine of Easter, 18 Henry VI, at Royston at the view of frankpledge of the prior of Royston taken before Nicholas Caltecote, steward of the prior, it was shewn that Ellen Cook, daughter of Richard Cook of Royston, co. Cambridge, servant, on Sunday after the Purification in that year, burned a grange of John Marchal of Royston with wheat and barley to the value of 20s. therein at Royston, whereof she is guiltless, but [committed the act] by command of a strange woman, who bade her carry a lighted torch to the door of the grange, until she should come, and afterwards disappeared, Ellen being nine years of age: the king has pardoned her the said felony and any consequent walver. By p.s. etc.