n Easter 1440 Elizabeth Blaket entered a plea against Agnes Andrewe of Blountesdon St. Andrew, Wilts. for the non-return of a book worth £40 and secured a distraint order against her.
In October 1450 John Blaket, yoman (sic) of Beverley, Yorks. was ordered to be arrested for taking by force of arms four horses worth 100 shillings found at Walkyngton and belonging to John Thyrske.
In Michaelmas 1470 John Blaket, yoman (sic) of Keynsham, Somerset was one of three defendants accused of taking and carrying away by force of arms a purse containing 40 marks in cash, found at Cirencestre (sic). They were also accused of “other enormities” and “grave damage” etc.
In Easter 1484 John Blaket, a yeoman of Great Toryton [Torrington], Devon, is mentioned as one of two defendants who had been fined, but not paid, 20 marks for trespass by force of arms and had gone missing. They were declared outlaws until apprehended by the sheriff. The same John Blaket was one of four defendants declared outlaws by the court on 23 May 1484 for not paying a fine of 45 marks, once again for trespass by force of arms. Writs for both cases were issued on 27 May 1484.
In March 1490 William Blaket, a miller of Bycestre [Bicester], Oxon., was a defendant in an action for trespass, but the case was adjourned for lack of jurors. William was, however, not unknown to the Court. On 27 January 1489 the attorney for Robert Langston had appeared before the Court at Westminster for the fourth day in a plea against William Blaket of Bycestr., miller, whereby Blaket was accused that by force of arms he made an assault on Robert Langston at Caversfeld and “beat, wounded, imprisoned and ill-treated him, kept him so in prison there for a long time…and [inflicted] other enormities [upon him] &c. to grave damage &c.” Blaket had not appeared before the Court and the sheriff had been unable to find him. The Court ordered that unless he should be found and appear before them he should be outlawed.
And in 1516 Thomas Blaket, a husbandman of Cherdysley [Chearsley, nr. Aylesbury], Bucks. was a defendant accused of cutting down and taking away trees to the value of 40 shillings.
There is no evidence to suggest that these Blakets were related to Sir John Blacket of Icomb, or to the Blacketts/Blakheveds of north-east England.
Transcriptions supplied by David Bethell.