Tithes of hay were great or predial tithes as they arose from crop husbandry and so were normally payable to the rector or his farmer (see ‘Tithes – modus’ under ‘Subjects’).

Tithes of corn were great or predial tithes as they arose from crop husbandry and so were payable to the rector or his farmer (see ‘Tithes – modus’ under ‘Subjects’).

Corn and wheat were sometimes described generally as ‘grain’.

This type of produce was usually measured in ‘thraves’ at this time in Cheshire and parts of Lancashire. A ‘thrave’ comprised twenty-four sheaves.

Robert Holland, A Glossary of Words Used in the County of Chester, (1885).

Tithes of cows were mixed or small/minute tithes as they arose from livestock and so were normally payable to the vicar or his farmer (see ‘Tithes – modus’ under ‘Subjects’).

Tithes of foals were mixed or small/minute tithes as they arose from livestock and so were normally payable to the vicar or his farmer (see ‘Tithes – modus’ under ‘Subjects’).

Tithes of calves were mixed or small/minute tithes as they arose from livestock and so were normally payable to the vicar or his farmer (see ‘Tithes – modus’ under ‘Subjects’).

Tithes of barley were great or predial tithes as they arose from crop husbandry and so were payable to the rector or his farmer (see ‘Tithes – modus’ under ‘Subjects’).

Tithes of apples were great or predial tithes as apples were orchard fruits. Such tithes were payable to the rector or his farmer (see ‘Tithes – modus’ under ‘Subjects’).

The formation of a legal marriage relied upon a valid contract and consummation of the union. By the sixteenth century it was also necessary to show that the marriage had been solemnised ‘in the face of the church’. If a valid marriage was proved then neither party was free to marry again while both of them were alive. If one party had been deserted by a spouse to whom they had been lawfully married for some time they could bring a suit for restitution of conjugal rights.

Source:

R. H. Helmholz, Marriage Litigation in Medieval England, (Cambridge, 1974), pp. 67-69

Divorce as we know it today was not permitted in the sixteenth century, but there were some situations in which one of the parties could be granted a separation a mensa et thoro (from bed and board – literally from table and bed). This was sometimes called ‘divorce’, but did not give the parties the right to remarry, only the right to live apart, and the woman could sometimes then claim a form of maintenance. However, if the sentence ended the right of the partners to all conjugal duties, presumably this entailed the loss of all financial maintenance to the wife.