John Of Ditchford

In the spring of thirteen twenty two

Henry Felip and his son

Were riding home from Northampton

When they met with six bold robbers

Henry shouted to his son

"Take the money, boy and run"

So he's turned his horse to Courteenhall

For to raise the hue and cry

His father faced this ugly crew

But six to one, what could he do?

And when his son returned with help

He was too late to save him

He left his father where he lay

Through his tears to ride that day

And pursue the killers in their way

As they made off in the distance

Five of six, they swiftly caught

But one alone did slip their grasp

And to Wooten Church, he's turned away

And through her doors she's took him

Sanctuary was his claim

Sword and grief outside remain

Till the Coroner he quickly came

To hear the thief's confession

"I'm John of Ditchford”, said the man

“I was there of six our band

And yes, we killed that nobleman

On the road to Stoke Bruerne"

"Do you now abjure the realm?

What's your meaning?", says young John

"You will leave this land and never return

Or your blood we will spill on her"

"Do you now abjure the realm?

I abjure it", says young John

"So to Dover you will straightway go

And the first ship you will take her"

He must reach that distant port

Without coin nor shoes nor friend

And stand in the ocean to his knees

And wait what ship would have him

They took from him all he had

Gave him sackcloth for to wear

And a wooden cross for him to hold

On the lonely road to Dover

He sets out upon the road

Cross in hand and heavy heart

They found him headless in a field

A mile away from Wooten