Others had fled from justice, though of these one Richard Grauntpee, without doubt a near relative of the man who had lost his suit with the prior in the matter of the market, afterwards came and surrendered himself in court. Either the sympathy of the neighbourhood was with the accused, or it was thought that Robert's tale was unworthy of belief, for a jury taken from the neighbourhood returned a verdict of acquittal. But the trial greatly embittered the feelings of the citizens, and when the tide turned, and they were able to do the prior hurt, they availed themselves of the opportunity gladly.
FOOTNOTES:
[95] "Prior Richard and Monks" in Cornh. Mag., vi. 840.
[96] Thomson, Municipal History.
[97] Earl Hugh forbade his tenants to meddle with the prior's markets (Dugdale, Warw., i. 159).
[98] Burton MS. f. 109a.
[99] Dugdale, i. 138.
[100] Quoted in Inspeximus, 17 Ed. II. (Corp. MS. B. 4); the date there given is Jan. 30, 52 H. III. (1268).
[101] Dugdale, Warw., i. 162.
[102] Merewether and Stephens, Hist. Boroughs, i. 469. The transcript of the MS. is given in Gross, Gild Merchant, ii. 365. The expression "with others" is very significant; these were probably men from the country, who had hitherto been allowed to trade in the town, and feared the establishment of the guild.