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Taxes and Fines
Note that although Somersham is described as a town, "villata" it is still entirely under the jurisdiction of the Bishop and it is the Bishop that has been late in paying his taxes. This is not a community of guilds and independent traders such as might have developed at neighboring St Ives. As the third item aptly demonstrates - old habits die hard!!
Item 1
9th Year of Henry II (Pipe Rolls)
New Settlements and New Agreements
The sheriff assesses xlvi shillings viii pence for Somersham and Bluntisham.
Discharged by the writ of the King. The Bishop of Ely (is to pay) xliv shillings and viii pence.
Item 2
Rotulus Cancellarii
Villata de Summersham cum soca redditionem computat de x. marca per supersisa. In thesauro nichil. Et in perdona episcopus Elyensi x marca per brevis Rex | per libertatem carte Rex. Et quietus est.
Probably year 3 John but not clearly dated.
The town of Somersham with soke renders account of 10 marks by surise. Nothing (paid) into treasury. And in pardon the Bishop of Ely (renders) 10 marks by the King’s Writ. By liberty of the Kings charter. And the matter is settled.
Note that surise means in essence the sin of omission. In other words nothing was paid.
The Rotulus Cancellari records are maintained at the Public Record Office in
Item 3
Abbreviato Placitorum
Edward I
Hilary Term - Year Eleven - Main record.
Judgement against the Bishop of Ely because he has not returned the writs that he owed for the manor of Somersham.
Roll 3 Huntingdon.
Translation by Andy Lee