EVERARD, John I

More can be added to the earlier biography.1 The Commons 1386-1421, iii. 45.

Everard was prominent in the government of the city of Rochester in the early fifteenth century and may have served as bailiff on more than one occasion: perhaps it was in this capacity that he delivered a gift of 20s. from the King’s almoner to the wardens of Rochester bridge in 1423-4.2 Rochester Bridge Trust, wardens’ accts. 1423-4, F 1/33; F.F. Smith, Rochester in Parl. 69. He had further dealings with the bridge wardens five years later when they purchased timber from him for the repair of their property at Nashenden.3 Rochester Bridge wardens’ accts. 1428-9, F 1/37. In Trinity term 1425, described as ‘of Rochester, yeoman’, Everard was sued in the court of common pleas by John Sampson for withholding an obligation in which Sampson was bound to one John Exeter. Everard probably took delivery of the obligation in an official capacity as one of the officials of the city. He was acquitted in Michaelmas term 1426 when Sampson certified to the court that Everard had handed it over as requested.4 CP40/658, rot. 329. Further evidence of his membership of the city’s ruling elite comes in October 1435 when he sat on a local jury alongside other leading citizens.5 E199/20/16. The last reference to Everard was in the spring of 1437 when he sued one Richard Lylye of East Malling, Kent, for an assault on his wife committed eight years earlier.6 CP40/696, rot. 380; 705, rot. 446d.