On llth January the Coroner, Henry de Tichemers, heard his confession, which was made before representatives of the parishes of Thrapston, Titchmarsh, Clopton and Thorpe Achurch. It appears that William had met one Henry le Netdriver of Wansford one day between Christmas and New Year's day on the bridge at Thrapston, driving four oxen, four steers and four heifers. Together they took the beasts to Higham Ferrers where William sold them in the market. Unfortunately the customer for the four oxen was the bailiff of the Earl of Lancaster, John del Honynton. Perhaps he made enquiries, suspecting these two characters might be cattle thieves. In any case, the theft was discovered. William could not face the certain punishment of hanging, and chose instead to seek sanctuary. In doing so he saved his life but lost everything else

After confessing his crime William had to abjure the realm in the following words: "I, William le Freeman, for the crime of stealing which I have committed, will quit this realm of England, never more to return, except by the leave of the Kings of England or their heirs, so help me God and His Saints." He was directed to leave the country via Dover.

Once sanctuary had been sought a fugitive was the responsibility of that parish, which had to feed him until he left for the coast. It was a serious offence to interfere with a sanctuary seeker. His possessions were confiscated. Williams chattels were valued at 4s 2½p. The township of Thrapston was accountable to the Abbot of Peterborough for the value of William's belongings.

No doubt a small crowd gathered to watch William, dressed in a long white robe, bareheaded and carrying a wooded cross, leave Thrapston on the first stage of his journey to the coast. He was not allowed to stay more than one night in any one place. He must never leave the King's Highway and had to report to the Constable at each stopping place, which was bound to provide him with food and shelter.

You may be sure that some of the good people of Thrapston made sure that he obeyed the rules while he was within their parish. If at any point on his journey he should leave the road and abscond the people of that parish would be held responsible and fined for allowing the escape. Arriving at Dover, he awaited a vessel to take him to France. Every day he had to go waist-deep into the water as a sign that he was willing to leave the country as soon as a ship was available. We do not know how William fared after transportation, nor do we know what befell his partner in crime, Henry le Netdriver.

In 1540 Henry VIII allowed only seven places to give sanctuary: Wells, Westminster, Northampton, Chester, York, Derby and Launceston. By Act of Parliament in 1623, seeking sanctuary for a crime was finally abolished.