PRENTICE, John I, of Derby.

Peter Prentice, possibly John’s father, was parliamentary burgess for Derby in 1361. In September 1378 John, a cloth manufacturer, served as a juror at a coroner’s inquest held in the town. Later, in July 1385,when bailiff, he was himself indicted for feloniously killing a local man named John Roper. Nevertheless, he was permitted to remain at large, and when up at Westminster for the Parliament of 1386 he was able to secure the assistance of John, Lord Roos, with whose help he obtained a royal pardon for his crime.E101/343/21, 346/9; JUST 2/30 m. 1; KB27/529 rex m. 10; CPR, 1385-9, p. 236. He was again present at an inquiry at Derby in March 1391, then giving evidence concerning a proposed grant to Breadsall priory. When the King’s bench was sitting at Derby for the Trinity term of 1393, Prentice was imprisoned for his earlier felony, but on producing his pardon was allowed to go free. However, he was also accused of assaulting one Cecily Clifton, and, along with Richard Sherman, John Stokkes and Thomas Shore, of illegally acquiring property in the town, and for the former offence he was fined 13s.4d. At the same time one of his servants was indicted for the murder of another.C143/414/28; KB9/989 m. 5; KB27/529 mm. 30, 32d, fines m. 3.