1575 Court of Requests - help with key word

[sticksville]

The attached is a snippet from the case of Kytchingman v Fontans, concerning a property in the manor of Tollerton in the North Riding of Yorkshire. The documents in the National Archive are extensive but thankfully in English (my transcription runs to six pages).

The case hangs on who is the rightful heir of Robert Kytchingman: his nephew Robert K now living in Essex or Elizabeth Fountans widow? Elizabeth claims to be "next in bloude" and that the custom of the manor allows for male or female inheritance.

Unfortunately, the exact relationship between Elizabeth and Robert deceased is not clear. Please could anyone make out the word in the sixth line in the attached image, coming between "as defendt" and "and next of bloude"? I fancy it might be cousin, though I am surprised that a cousin would have precedence over a nephew.

[Bookbox]

Could be Syster

[horselydown86]

I also thought Syster is the front-runner.

Note that is is:  ...Elizabeth ffountans nowe defend^t...

[sticksville]

Thanks both.

Sister would make sense of the line of inheritance.

There are some odd aspects to the case.
 
The Lord of the manor of Tollerton was Sir William Fountain, whose steward presided over the Court Manor which recognised Elizabeth Fountain as next in blood (Sir William's sister in law perhaps).

Robert the claimant at first said he was son of the original Robert but then solicitors for both parties agreed that he was the son of Henry, Robert's eldest brother. His move to Essex from North Yorkshire is unexplained, although in 1571 a Robert from Carlton Husthwaite admitted to fornication.

This case follows an earlier one in the Common Pleas which you both helped me with the Latin https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=892924.msg7671094#msg7671094. Robert won that one. Not sure how this one turned out.