The accusations of attempts on the part of Sir Ralph Evers and the Cholmleys to stir up trouble between their servants and those of Sir Roger Hastings are very numerous and involved, but despite the elaborate details given by the owner of Roxby the case went against him at the court of the Duchy of Lancaster at Westminster Palace.  Sir Roger seems to have been too high handed in his dealings with his neighbours, even for the unsettled times in which he lived.  Some of the items against him throw a vivid light on his proceedings.  “Itm the said Ser Roger Hastynges with hys household servants, daily goyng and rydyng trough the Countrey more like men of warr then men of peas, in ill example to other, thrught the Kinges markettz and townez of hys liberte of Pykeryng lith, with bowes bent and arrowes in ther handes, feryng [frightening] the Kinges people and inhabitauntes of the same, whereupon the Countrey diverse tymes hath compleyned thame to Roger Cholmeley, there being hys brother’s depute and baylly etc.”

“Itm the wyeff of the said Sir Roger Hastynges with here awn company of houshold servants as forcaid (?) come into Blandisby Park, and there found a Fat Stott [a young ox] of Rauff Bukton, and with dooges toke the said Stott and slowe hym and ete hym and no mends will make etc.

“Itm that the said Sir Roger Hastynges the xiii day of October last past [circa 1496] with Force and armz of the nyghtertall [night time] sent his houshold servantes to the Castell of Pykeryng, and abowt mydnyght with lothus [qu:  ladders] clame ore the walles, and then and there brake the kinges prison, and toke owt with them oon John Harwod, the which was set there for diverse Riottes by hym made agayns the kinges peas, wherefore he was indited; and aftirward the same nyght when he for thought that he had done, prively sent hym in agayn; howbeit the kings prison and hys Castell was broken.”

[Illustration:  A Section of one of the Oldest Type of Cottage to be found near Pickering.

Some of these ancient buildings are still inhabited; several of the survivors are in ruins.  The details given in this drawing are taken from a cottage at Thornton-le-dale; one end has already been demolished (Oct. 1905).  The low walls appear to have been built after the framework, and the house may have been thatched to the ground at one time. ]

[Illustration:  The usual Plan of the Fork-framed Cottages in existence near Pickering.  The exterior (viewed from C on the plan) is generally as shown.  The small window by the door (B) lights the ingle-nook, and is never missing in the oldest type of cottage.  It can be seen blocked up in those that have been remodelled.]