Ref: EDC 5/1566/5

Catalogue Entry:

There is no catalogue entry for this cause but the papers are filed in a paper folder labelled EDC 5 (1566) NO 5 BLACKBURN

Summary:

William Farington, esquire, farmer of the rectory of Blackburn contra John Harwood.

 

Year

1566

Type of Cause:

Tithes- lambs

Cause Papers:

Libel

Libel (image 1)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[1566/5 image 1]

In the name of God, Amen; before you William, by divine permission bishop of Chester, or your commissary general or any other judge whomsoever competent in this regard, the party of the distinguished, William Farington, esquire, farmer of the parish of Blackburn of Chester diocese against John Harwood of the parish aforesaid of your diocese and jurisdiction, and against any other whomsoever lawfully intervening before you in judgement for the same by way of complaint and complaining to you in this behalf says, alleges and propounds in these writings in law in articles as follows:

1          Firstly, that the said William Farington, was and is commonly called, taken, held, named and openly, publicly and notoriously reputed as farmer of the parish church of Blackburn, and of the tithes and church rights proceeding, growing, renewing and arising within the bounds and limits and tithable places of the same parish of Blackburn aforesaid; and he propounds jointly, severally and concerning any part thereof.

2          Also, that as well by common law as by ancient laudable and lawful prescribed custom, hitherto inviolably and steadfastly used and observed from time immemorial and often upheld in judgment in a contested cause, the right of receiving and having all and singular lesser, mixed and minute tithes and other ecclesiastical dues and emoluments whatsoever within the said parish of Blackburn and  the bounds and limits and the tithable places of the same, however and whenever proceeding or arising belonged and belongs and so ought also to have belonged and ought in future to the farmer of Blackburn aforesaid, whomsoever for the time being, or to his farmer or farmers; and he propounds jointly, severally and concerning any part thereof.

3          Also, that the current farmer of the parish church of Blackburn aforesaid and the tithable places of the same, and his  precursors and predecessors each and every one of them in their successive times, for 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 years, and before and since and also from the time and throughout the time of the beginning or to the contrary of which there exists no memory of men, were, just as they should have been, in peaceful possession, or virtually so, of the right of receiving and having all and singular lesser, mixed and minute tithes, and especially tithes of lambs proceeding and arising within the said parish of Blackburn, the bounds and limits and tithable places in the same, and they themselves and their men took, had and freely disposed of them and likewise the current farmer there took, had and disposed for his whole time until the time of this grievance set out below and he thus should have taken and ought also in future; and he propounds jointly, severally and concerning any part thereof.

Transcript

[1566/5 image 1]

In dei Nomine Amen Coram vobis Willielmo permissione divina Cestrensi Episcopo vestroue commissario
generali seu alio Judice in hac parte Competenti quocunque Pars discreti viri Willielmi farrington armigeri firmarij parochie de Blackeburne Cestrensis diocesis contra et aduersus Johannem Harwod parochie predicte diocesis
et vestre Jurisdiccionis  ac contra quemcunque alium coram vobis pro eodem in Judicio legitime Interuenientem per viam querele
et vobis in hac parte querelando dicit allegat et in hijs scriptis in Jure proponit Coniunctim Diuisim
atque articulatim pro vt Sequitur

1          Inprimis Quod dictus Willielmus farrington firmarius ecclesie parochialis de Blackburne ac decimarum et Jurium
ecclesiasticorum infra fines et limites locaque decimibilia eiusdem parochie de Blackeburne predicte provenientium crescentium
renouantium et contingentium fuit et est communiter dictus tentus habitus nominatus et Reputatus palam publice et notorie
[et ponit coniunctim diuisim et de quolibet]

2          Item Quod tam de Jure communi quam de antiqua laudabili legitimeque prescripta Consuetudine a [tempore immemo]-
rato hucvsque inviolabiliter et inconcusse vsitata et observata ac in contradictorio Judicio sepius obtenta J[us]
percipiendi et habendi omnies et singulas decimas minores mixtas et minutas ac cetera Jura et emolu[menta]
ecclesiastica quemcunque infra dictam parochiam de Blackeburne ac fines et limites locaque decimabilia euisdem
qualitercunque et quandocunque provenientes et contingentes ad firmarium de Blackburne predictum quemcunque pro [tem]-
pore existente eiusve firmarium siue firmarios pertinuit et pertinet ac sic pertinere debuit et debet
etiam in futurum Et ponit Coniunctim diuisim et de quolibet

3            Item Quod firmarius ecclesie parochialis de Blackburne predicte ac locorum decimabilia in eijsdem modernus eiusque
precessores et predicessores omnies et singuli eorum temporibus successiue existentes A x.xx.xxx xl l et lx annis
vltraque et citra nec non a tempore et per tempus Cuius inicij siue contrarij memoria hominum non existet
fuerunt pro vt esse debuerunt in pacifica possessione seu quasi Juris percipiendi et habendi omnies et
singulas decimas minores mixtas et minutas et presertim decimas Agnorum provenientes et contingentes
infra dictam parochiam de Blackeburne finesque et limites locaque decimabilia in eadem easque
per se et suos perceperunt et libere disposuerunt sicque percepit habuit et disposuit firmarius ibidem
modernus toto suo tempore vsque ad tempus grauaminis infrascriptis ac sic percipere debuit et
debet Etiam in futurum Et ponit coniunctim diuisim et dequolibet

Libel (image 2)

Original Document

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Translation

[1566/5 image 2]

4          Also, that in a parliament of England held, had and solemnised at Westminster in the 32nd year of the reign of Henry VIII, late king of England, among other things a statute was and is ordained that all and singular persons, servants and subjects of this realm of England whatever his status, degree or condition might be, every year pays and should pay at present tithes and offerings to God and to his church due or accustomed to be paid in consequence of and in accordance with the laudable and legal use, practise and custom of the parish and places where these tithes and offerings grow and come or are owed and any of them whomsoever should pay thus at present; and he propounds jointly, severally and concerning any part thereof.

5          Also, that in a parliament of England held, had and solemnised at Westminster in the second and third years of the reign of Edward VI, of blessed memory, late king of England, in confirmation of the payment of all sorts of tithes and offerings due by law, among other statutes it was and is ordained in these words ‘And be hit Enacted by the authority aforesaid etc. yf any person carrey awaie his prediall tethes before the tethe be sett furth or willingly withdraw his tethe of the same or of suche other thinges wherof prediall tethes ought to be payd the partie so with drawinge shall pay dowble valew’ etc. just as is more fully contained in the same statute, to which and the contents of the same in total this propounding party refers himself so far as is necessary for himself and not otherwise or in any other way; and he propounds jointly, severally and concerning any part thereof.

Also, that the practice and custom of tithing or paying tithes of lambs proceeding, growing and arising within the said parish of Blackburn from the time and throughout the time of the beginning or to the contrary of which there exists no memory of men has grown up that any parishioner there whomsoever should render tithes of lambs coming, growing, arising and renewing within the bounds and limits and the tithable places of the same parish of Blackburn according to and in accordance with the laudable and lawful usage, practice and custom of the parish and places where these tithes come, or should do so; and he propounds as before.

Also, that the said John Harwood  who had and has no right in the said farm of the tithes of the parish of Blackburn, or in the tithes aforesaid in any way, heedless of the welfare of his soul, being induced, as it is believed, by an evil spirit, scorning these said statutes of the realm and not fearing to fall under penalty of the law in the months of March, April, May, June, July and August namely in this present year of our Lord one thousand five hundred and sixty six, himself or his men, took, had, disposed and converted and applied to his own use tithes of lambs coming, growing and arising on his lands in the parish of Blackburn paying, rendering or tithing no tithes of the same to the present farmer there, or to any deputy of his whatever, nor otherwise compounding for the same, or any part thereof; and he propounds as before.

Transcript

[1566/5 image 2]

4            Item Quod in parliamento anglie apud Westminster Anno Regni Henrici octaui nuper regis Anglie xxxijo
tento habito et celebrato inter alia statuta fuit et est ordinatum Quod omnies et singuli persone huius Regni A[nglie]
Subditi et subiecti cuiuscunque status gradus siue condicionis fuerit decimas et oblaciones deo et ecc[lesie sue]
debitas seu solui consuetas iuxta et secundum laudabilem seu legitimum vsum morem et consuetudinem [parochie]
et loci vbi huiusmodi decime et oblationes crescunt proveniunt seu debentur quotannis persolvant et pers[olvere]
debeant aut sic eorum quilibet persoluere debeat in presenti Et ponit Coniunctim diuisim et dequolibet

5            Item Quod in parliamento Anglie apud Westminster Annis Regni Edwardi Sexti nuper  felicis m[em]orie
Regis Anglie Secundo et tertio tento habito et celebrato in Corroboracionem solucionis omnium generum decimarum
et oblationem de Jure debitarum inter alia statuta fuit et est ordinatum in hec verba And be hit
Enacted by the authority aforesaid etc. yf any person carrey awaie his prediall tethes before
the tethe be sett furth or willingly withdraw his tethe of the same or of suche other thinges wherof
prediall tethes ought to be payd the partie so with drawinge shall pay dowble valeu […]
pro vt in eodem statuto plenius continetur ad quod et contenta in eodem totaliter se refert pars [ista]
proponens quatenus sibi expedit et non aliter neque alio modo Et ponit Coniunctim diuisim et
dequolibet

Item Quod mos et consuetudo decimandi siue soluendi decimas Agnorum provenientium crescentium  et contingentium
infra dictam parochiam de Blackburne a tempore et per tempus cuius inicij siue contrarij memoria hominum
non existet inolevit quod quilibet parochianus ibidem redderet decimarum Agnorum  provenientium crescentium contingentium et renouantium
infra fines et limites locaque decimibilia eiusdem parochie de Blackburne iuxta et Secundum laudabilem et
legitimam vsum morem et consuetudinem parochie et loci vbi huiusmodi decime proveniunt seu debentur Et ponit vt
Supra

Item Quod dictus Johannes Harwod qui nihil Juris in dicta firma decimarum parochie de Blackburne vel in
decimis predictis habuit et habet aliqualiter anime sue salutis immemor spiritu vt creditur maligno ductus
dicta  statuta regia huiusmodi vilipendens et in penam Juris cadere non formidans mensis martij Aprilis
Maij Junij Julij et Augusti videlicet in instante Anno domini millesimo Quingentesimo Sexagesimo Sexto decimas Agnorum
provenientes et contingentes in terris suis parochie de Blackeburne per se et suos percepit habuit disposuit et
in proprios vsus conuertebat et applicuit nullas decimas de eijsdem firmario ibidem moderno aut suo deputato
cuicunque soluendum Reddendum aut decimandum nec aliter debite componendum pro huiusmodi vel aliqua parte
earundem  Et ponit vt Supra

Libel (image 3)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[1566/5 image 3]

Also, that the true value or valuation of the tithes or tenth part of lambs thus withdrawn, stored away and subtracted by the aforesaid John Harwood in the year libellate notoriously amounted to the value or valuation of four shillings of good and lawful English money;  and this propounding party propounds of whatever other intermediate or lesser sum and also of such and so great an amount as shall come to be declared and proved in the event of this suit; and he propounds as before.

Also, that the true value or valuation of the tithes or tenth part of lambs thus withdrawn, stored away and subtracted by the aforesaid John Harwood in the year libellate notoriously amounted to the value or valuation of two shillings of good and lawful English money;  and this propounding party propounds of whatever other intermediate or lesser sum and also of such and so great an amount as shall come to be declared and proved in the event of this suit; and he propounds as before.

[This is a repetition of the previous article with the value given as two shillings.]

 Also, that the aforesaid John Harwood has been asked and requested often, or at least once, on behalf of the said farmer to pay, give and deliver to the aforesaid William Farington, farmer aforesaid, or to his deputy, these tithes, as thus aforesaid, subtracted, taken, had and not paid by himself and his men, or otherwise to compound duly for the same; and he propounds as before.

Also, that although the said John Harwood was thus asked and requested as in the premises or in any of them, he has not troubled to do so, but he has expressly declined and refused or at least unduly delayed and delays, and denies at present, to the grave danger of his soul, the pernicious example of other Christian faithful and to no small prejudice and grievance of the farmer there; and he propounds as before.

Also, that the said John Harwood was and is of the parish of Blackburn of Chester diocese, and for that reason notoriously subordinate and subject to your jurisdiction; and he propounds as before.

Also, that it was and is on behalf of the distinguished William Farington, esquire, current farmer of the tithes of Blackburn aforesaid that this action is rightly and lawfully brought to you, lord judge aforesaid, and to your Chester consistory court; and he propounds jointly, severally and concerning any part thereof.

Also, that each and every one of the premises was and is true, public, notorious, manifest and equally well-known, and public voice and fame were and are circulating regarding and concerning this in the parish of Blackburn and in other neighbouring and surrounding places.

Whereupon, due proof being made as required by law in this regard, the party of the said farmer aforesaid prays that right and justice may be done and administered to him with effect in all and singular the premises, and also that the aforesaid John Harwood is condemned in the tithes aforesaid subtracted by him and his men and in double the value of the same according to the aforesaid statute of the realm issued in that behalf; and in the lawful costs incurred on the part of the said farmer in this behalf, and he protests those to be incurred; and, having been condemned, that he is canonically obliged and compelled to the due and real payment of the same tithes and expenses by you and passing your definitive sentence in this behalf, lord judge aforesaid.  And otherwise, that what will have been of right and reason in the premises and anything whatsoever concerning them may be done, established and decreed. The party of the said farmer propounds the premises and prays that they are done jointly and severally, not binding himself to prove all and singular the premises, nor to the burden of a superfluous proof, against which he protests, but so far as he shall prove in the premises so much may he obtain of the petitions, always reserving the benefit of law in all things, humbly imploring your office in the premises, distinguished judge aforesaid.

Transcript

[1566/5 image 3]

Item Quod verus valor siue estimatio decimarum siue decime partis Agnorum sic per prefatum Johannem Harwod in
anno libellato decisorum repositorum et subtractorum ad valorem siue estimationem quatuor solidorum bone
et legalis monete anglie notorie se extendebat Et ponit pars ista proponens de qualibet alia summa siue
valore intermedia vel minori ac de tali et tanta Summa de qua in euentu huius litis
veniet declarandum et comprobandum Et ponit vt Supra

Item Quod verus valor siue estimatio decimarum siue decime partis Agnorum sic per prefatum Johannem
Harwod in anno libellato decisorum repositorum et subtractorum ad valorem siue estimationem duorum solidorum
bone et legalis monete anglie notorie se extendebat Et ponit pars ista proponens de qualibet alia summa siue
valore inter media vel minori ac de tali et tanta Summa de qua in euentu huius litis
veniet declarandum et comprobandum Et ponit vt Supra

[This is a repetition of the previous article with the value given as two shillings.]

Item Quod prefatus Johannes Harwod ad soluendum tradendum et liberandum prefato Willielmo Farrington firmario
antedicto aut eius deputato huiusmodi decimas sic vt prefertur per se et suos subtractas perceptas habitas
et non solutas seu aliter debite componendum pro eijsdem sepius seu saltem semel ex parte dicti firmarij
requisitus et interpellatus Et ponit vt supra

Item Quod dictus Johannes Harwood licet sic requisitus et interpellatus premissa seu eorum aliquod facere non
curauit sed expresse renuit et recusauit seu saltem plus debite distulit et differt ac denegat
in presenti in anime sue grave periculum aliorumque Christifidelium perniciosum exemplum dicti firmarij ibidem
preiudicium non modicum et grauamen Et ponit vt Supra

Item Quod dictus Johannes Harwod fuit et est parochie de Blackburne Cestrensis diocesis et eo pretextu
vestre Jurisdiccionis notorie subditus et Subiectus  Et ponit vt supra

Item Quod fuit et est ex parte discreti viri Willielmi farrington  armigeri firmarij decimarum de Blackburne
predicte moderni  ad vos dominum Judicem antedictum et ad curiam vestram consistorialem Cestrensem Rite et legitime querelatum
Et ponit Coniunctim diuisim et de quolibet

Item Quod  Premissa omnia  et singula fuerunt et sunt vera publica notoria manifesta pariter et
famosa atque de et super in parochia de Blackburne et in alijs locis vicinis et circumvicinis laborarunt
et laborant publica vox et fama

Vnde facta fide de Jure in hac parte requisita petit pars dicti
firmarij antedicti Jus et Justiciam sibi in premissis omnibus et singulis fieri et ministrari cum effectu Nec
non prefatus Johannem Harwod in decimis predictis per se et suos subtractis et in duplici valore earundem iuxta
predicta statuta regia  in ea parte edita et in expensis legitimis per partem dicti firmarij  in hac parte factis et
protestatur defiendis condempnari ac condempnatum ad debitam et realem solucionem earundem decimarum et
expensis canonice cogi et compelli per vos et vestram Sentenciam diffinitiuam in hac parte ferendam domine Judex
antedicte Vlteriusque fieri statui et decerni in premissis et ea concernentibus quibuscunque quod Juris fuerit et
Rationis Premissa proponit et fieri petit pars dicti firmarij Coniunctim et diuisim non arctans se ad omnia
et singula premissa probanda nec ad onus superflue probationis de quo protestatur sed quatenus probauerit
in premissis eatenus obtineat in petitis Juris beneficio in omnibus semper saluo vestrum officium in premissis Judex
egregie antedicte humiliter Implorando

Libel (image 4)

Original Document

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Translation

[1566/5 image 4]

[Endorsement]

Libel of the distinguished William Farington against John Harwood in a cause of tithes exhibited in the year 1566.

[Produced with the permission of the Chester Diocesan Board of Finance.]

Translation copyright ©2022 P J Cox All Rights Reserved

Transcript

[1566/5 image 4]

[Endorsement]

libellus discreti viri
Willielmi farington
contra et aduersus Johannem
Harwod in causa decimarum
exhibitus Anno 1566

[Produced with the permission of the Chester Diocesan Board of Finance.]

Transcript copyright ©2022 P J Cox All Rights Reserved

People

William Farington – plaintiff

John Harwood – defendant

 

 

Officials

William Downham

 

 

Subjects

Farm

 

Places

Blackburn

Related Causes

Other tithe causes involving William Farington may be found at
EDC 5/1566/3
EDC 5/1566/4
EDC 5/1572/12 Croston
EDC 5/1576/39 Leyland

 

Ref: EDC 5/1566/4

Catalogue Entry:

There is no catalogue entry for this cause. The papers are filed in a paper folder labelled EDC 5 (1567) NO 4 BLACKBURN with other cause papers labelled 1566 and there is another set of cause papers labelled EDC 5 (1567) NO 4 filed with those for 1567. It has thus been assumed that these papers relate to reference EDC 5/1566/4.

Summary:

William Farington, esquire, farmer of the rectory of Blackburn contra Robert Ratcliffe.

Robert claimed that there was a customary payment for the tithes of the lands he occupied in the parish of Blackburn, which William Farington was seeking to overturn

 

Year

1566

Type of Cause:

Tithes – hay; tithes – oats

Cause Papers:

Exceptions to the libel

Exceptions to the libel (image 1)

Original Document

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Translation

[1566/4 image 1]

In the name of God, Amen; in a certain pretended cause of subtraction of tithes, which is disputed and pending undecided before you, the right reverend father in God, William, by divine permission lord bishop of Chester, or your vicar general in spirituals and official principal of your Chester consistory court, between William Farington, esquire, farmer of the rectory of Blackburn, of Chester diocese and of your jurisdiction, pretended party plaintiff and complainant, on the one part and Robert Ratcliffe of the said parish and diocese, pretended defending party and defendant, on the other part. The party of the said Robert Ratcliffe, to all consequence of law following therefrom against the said William Farington, esquire, farmer aforesaid, and against any other person whomsoever lawfully intervening before you in judgement for the same, and also against a certain pretended libel, such as it is, given and offered, although invalidly, on behalf of the said William, and his whole claim in the same says, alleges and in these writings propounds in law in articles as follows;

Firstly, the party of the said Robert Ratcliffe, in excepting, propounds against the said pretended libel given and offered as thus aforesaid on behalf of the said William Farington, esquire, farmer aforesaid, that, from matters set forth and narrated or the contained in this pretended libel he clearly cannot or should not help himself or obtain any advantage for himself following therefrom in any way inasmuch as the said farmer in his libel is acting against this proponent and defendant for tithes of oats, barley and hay as is contained in the second, third, fourth and the rest of the articles of the libel since these tithes should be paid neither by law nor by custom to the said farmer of Blackburn in the manner and form sought

Transcript

[1566/4 image 1]

In dei nomine [A]men: In quadam pretensa causa subtrac-
tionis decimarum quæ coram vobis Reverendo in christo patre et domino
Domino Willielmo permissione divina Cestrensi Episcopo vestroue
vicario in spiritualibus generali et officiali principali Curie vestre
Consistorialis Cestrensis inter Willielmum Farington armigerum
firmarium Rectorie de Blakebourne Cestrensis diocesis
et vestre Jurisdiccionis partem pretensam actricem et que-
relantem ex vna et Robertum Ratclyff dicte
parochie et diocesis partem pretensam ream et defen-
dentem partibus ex altera vertitur et pendet
indecisa Pars dicti Roberti Ratcliffe ad omnem
Juris effectum exinde sequi valentem contra et adversus
dictum Willielmum Farington armigerum firmarium predictum
ac contra quemcunque alium coram vobis pro eodem in Ju-
dicio Legitime intervenientem nec non contra quendam
pretensum libellum ex parte dicti Willielmi taliter immo
nulliter datum et oblatum totalemque intentionem
eius, in eodem dicit allegat et in hijs
scriptis in Jure proponit articulatim prout sequitur

In primis pars dicti Roberti Ratcliffe excipiendo propo-
nit contra dictum pretensum libellum sic vt prefertur ex parte
dicti Willielmi Farington armigerum firmarij predicti Datum
et oblatum, quod ex deductis scilicet, et narratis
siue contentis in huiusmodi suo libello, se iuvare
aut aliquid commodi sibi exinde reportare seu
consequi non potest neque debet quovismodo
Pro eo videlicet et ex eo quod dictus firmarius in
suo libello, agit contra istum proponentem et defen-
dentum pro decimis avenarum <hordei> ac feni provt
in secundo tercio, quarto et reliquis articulis
libelli continetur quum huiusmodi decimæ, nec de Jure, vel
consuetudine solvi debeant dicto firmario de
Blakeburne modo et forma, quibus petuntur

Exceptions to the libel (image 2)

Original Document

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Translation

[1566/4 image 2]

in the said libel nor did  the predecessors or precursors of the farmer aforesaid ever have or receive these tithes of oats or hay, thus unjustly sought, nor has the current farmer had or taken nor ought to have or should take them, as is sought in the articles of his libel, since for the space of 80 years and from the time and throughout the time of the beginning or to the contrary of which there exists no memory of men the reasonable custom, inviolably observed, uninterrupted, prescribed and approved has grown up  that every tenant whomsoever of the messuage or tenement which the said Robert Ratcliffe occupies at present  lying within the parish aforesaid during his time should pay or cause to be paid each year to the farmer aforesaid and to his predecessors for all tithes of grain and hay a certain sum of money which amounted to 2s 8d, which certain sum each and every one of the predecessors of the farmer aforesaid had, took and approved in their time, and also the farmer aforesaid had, took and approved from his farm aforesaid in whatever manner he acquired it, as in the event of this suit will become manifestly clear and appear by lawful proofs; and he propounds jointly, severally and of every part thereof etc..

Each and every part of which is true, public, notorious, manifest, famous etc..

Wherefore, the proof lawfully required in this behalf having been made, the party of the said Robert Ratcliffe prays that right and justice may be done and administered to him in all and singular the premises and anything whatsoever concerning them, and that he, Robert Ratcliffe, is absolved and dismissed from further petition and unjust vexation by the said William Farington, esquire, farmer aforesaid; and that he, William Farington, farmer aforesaid, is condemned in the lawful costs incurred and to be incurred on the part of the said Robert Ratcliffe in that behalf etc.;

Transcript

[1566/4 image 2]

in dicto libello neque huiusmodi decimas auenarum siue fœni
sic iniuste petitas, firmarij predicti precessores
vel predecessores vnquam habuerunt vel recepuerunt
firmariusve modernus habuit, percepit vel
percipere debuit aut debet iuxta eius in
articulis libelli peticionem, quandoquidem a lxxx
annorum spacio et a tempore et per tempus cuius
initii siue contrarii memoria hominum non existit
consuetudo rationabilis inviolabiliter, observata
continuata prescripta, appropata inolevit quod
quilibet tenens mesuagij siue tenementi quod
in presenti dictus Robertus Ratcliff occupat siue possidet infra
parochiam predictam Jacentis pro tempore suo existens solveret seu
solvi faceret firmario predicto et eius predicessoribus
pro omnibus decimis granij, ac fœni singulis annis, Summa qua-
dam pecuniarum quæ extendebat ad ijs viijd quam quidem
summa firmarij predicti predicessores omnes et singuli eorum temporibus
habuerunt perceperunt et ratum habuerunt necnon habuit per-
cepit et ratum habuit firmarius antedictus ex quo
firmam suam antedictam assecutus est quemadmodum per
probationes Legitimas in eventu huius litis manifeste liquebit
et apparebit et ponit coniunctim diuisim et de quolibet et cetera

Quæ omnia  et singula, sunt vera publica notoria
manifesta et famosa et cetera

Vnde facta fide
de Jure in hac parte requisita petit pars
dicti Roberti Ratcliff Jus et Justiciam sibi
fieri et ministrari in premissis omnibus et singulis
et ea concernentibus quibuscunque ipsumque Robertum
Ratcliffe, ab impeticione et iniusta vexacione dicti
Willielmi Farington armigeri firmarij predicti ab-
solvi et dimitti Ipsumque Willielmum Farington
firmarium antedictum in expensis Legitimis per
partem dicti Roberti Ratcliffe in hac parte
factis et fiendis condempnari et cetera Juris

Exceptions to the libel (image 3)

Original Document

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Translation

[1566/4 image 3]

always reserving the benefit of law in all things, humbly imploring your office etc., and this party propounding asserts of adding and amending this material at an agreeable and suitable time and place etc..

Transcript

[1566/4 image 3]

beneficio in omnibus semper salvo vestrum officium humi-
liter Implorando et cetera et protestatur pars ista
proponens de addendo et emendando
hanc mateream pro loco et tempore
congruis et oportunis et cetera

Exceptions to the libel (image 4)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[1566/4 image 4]

[Endorsement]

Exceptive material on behalf of Robert Ratcliffe against the pretended libel of William Farington, esquire, in a cause of tithes exhibited in the year of our Lord 1566.

[Produced with the permission of the Chester Diocesan Board of Finance.]

Translation copyright ©2022 P J Cox All Rights Reserved

Transcript

[1566/4 image 4]

[Endorsement]

Materea exceptiua
ex parte Roberti Rat-
cliffe contra pretensum libellum
Willielmi Farington
armigeri in causa de-
cimarum exhibita
Anno domini 1566

[Produced with the permission of the Chester Diocesan Board of Finance.]

Transcript copyright ©2022 P J Cox All Rights Reserved

People

William Farington – plaintiff

Robert Ratcliffe – defendant

 

 

Officials

William Downham

 

 

Related Causes

Other tithe causes involving William Farington may be found at
EDC 5/1566/3
EDC 5/1566/5
EDC 5/1572/12 Croston
EDC 5/1576/39 Leyland

 

Ref: EDC 5/1566/3

Catalogue Entry:

There is no catalogue entry for this cause but the papers are filed in a paper folder labelled EDC 5 (1566) NO 3 BLACKBURN

Summary:

William Farington, esquire, farmer of the rectory of Blackburn contra Thomas Ireland, senior.

Thomas claimed that there was a customary payment for the tithes of a tenement called ‘Rodeiate’ and demesne land of Balderstone which William was seeking to overturn

 

Exceptions to the libel (image 1)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[1566/3 image 1]

In the name of God, Amen; in a certain pretended cause of subtraction of tithes, which is disputed and pending undecided before you, the right reverend father in God, William, by divine permission lord bishop of Chester, or your vicar general in spirituals and official principal of your Chester  consistory court, between William Farington, esquire, farmer of the rectory of Blackburn, of Chester diocese and jurisdiction, pretended party plaintiff and complainant, on the one part and Thomas Ireland, senior, pretended defending party and defendant, on the other part. The party of the said Thomas Ireland, senior, to all consequence of law following therefrom against the said William Farington, farmer aforesaid, and against any other person whomsoever lawfully intervening before you in judgement for the same, and also against a certain pretended libel, somehow, although invalidly, given and offered, on behalf of the said William Farington aforesaid, and his whole claim in the same says, alleges and in these writings propounds in law in articles as follows;

Firstly, the party of the said Thomas Ireland, senior, in excepting, propounds against the said pretended libel given and offered as is thus aforesaid on behalf of the said William Farington, farmer aforesaid, that from matters set forth and narrated or contained in this his libel cannot or should not help himself or obtain any advantage for himself following therefrom in any way inasmuch as the said farmer is acting against this proponent and defendant for tithes of oats, barley and hay as is contained in 2, 3, 4 and the rest of the articles of the libel since these tithes should be paid neither by law nor by custom to the said farmer in the manner and form sought in the said libel nor did the predecessors or precursors of the farmer aforesaid

Transcript

[1566/3 image 1]

 

In dei nomine [A]men In quadam pretensa causa sub-tractionis decimarum q[ue] coram vobis Reverendo in christo pat[re]
et domino domino Willielmo permissione divina Cestrensi
Episcopo vestroue vicario in spiritualibus generali et officiali
[pr]incipali Curie vestre consistorialis Cestrensis inter Willielmum
[Fa]rington armigerum firmarium Rectorie de Blake-
[b]urne, Cestrensis diocesis et Jurisdiccionis partem pretensam
[ac]tricem et querelantem ex vna, et Thomam Ireland
[se]niorem partem pretensam ream et defendentem parti-
[bus] ex altera vertitur et pendet indecisa pars
dicti Thomæ Ireland senioris, ad omnem Juris effec-
tum exinde sequi valentem contra et adversus dictum Willielmum
Farington firmarium predictum, ac contra quemcunque
alium coram vobis, pro eodem in Judicio Legitime interve-
nientem nec non contra quendam pretensum libellum ex parte
dicti Willielmi Farington predicti taliter, qualiter
imo nulliter datum et oblatum totalemque eius
intentionem in eodem dicit allegat et in hijs
scriptis in Jure proponit articulatim prout sequitur

In primis pars dicti Thomæ Ireland senioris
excipiendo proponit contra dictum pretensum libellum sic vt
prefertur ex parte dicti Willielmi Farington, firma-
rij predicti, datum et oblatum, quod ex deductis
et narratis siue contentis in huiusmodi suo libello, se
iuvare, aut aliquid commodi sibi exinde reporta-
re seu consequi non potest neque debet quovis-
modo pro eo videlicet et ex eo quod dictus firmarius
agit contra istum proponentem et defendentum
pro decimis auenarum hordei et fœni prout in
2 · 3 · 4 et reliquis articulis libelli continetur quum
huiusmodi decimæ nec de Jure, vel consuetudine
dicto firmario solvi debeant modo et forma
quibus petuntur in dicto libello,nec huiusmodi deci-
mas, auenarum hordei et fœni, sic iniuste
petitas, firmarij predicti precessores siue predecessores

Exceptions to the libel (image 2)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[1566/3 image 2]

ever have or receive these tithes of oats, barley and hay, thus unjustly sought, nor has the current farmer there had or taken nor ought to have or should take them, as is sought in the articles of his libel, since for the space of 80 years and from the time and throughout the time of the beginning or to the contrary of which there exists no memory of men the reasonable custom, inviolably observed, uninterrupted, prescribed and approved has grown up  that every tenant whomsoever of the messuage or tenement called ‘Rodeiate’ lying within the parish during his time should pay or cause to be paid each year to the farmer aforesaid and to his predecessors for all tithes of grain and hay a certain sum of money which amounted to 2s 4d, and also to pay for all accustomed tithes, as is aforesaid, when he mows and sows namely ‘in the demayne landes of bauderston[1] for everye aker of ground viijd’ which certain sum each and every one of the predecessors of the farmer aforesaid had, took and approved in their time, and also the current farmer there had, took and approved from his farm aforesaid in whatever manner he acquired it, as in the event of this suit will appear by lawful proofs; and he propounds jointly, severally and of every part thereof.         

Each and every part of which is true, public, notorious, manifest, famous etc..

Whereupon, due proof being made as required by law in this regard, the party of the said Thomas Ireland, senior, prays that right and justice may be done and administered to him etc., and that he, Thomas, is absolved and dismissed from further petition and unjust vexation by the said William Farington, farmer aforesaid; and that he, William Farington, is condemned in the lawful costs incurred and to be incurred on the part of the said Thomas Ireland; always reserving the benefit of law in all things, humbly imploring your office etc., and this party asserts the right of adding and amending this material at an agreeable and suitable time and place etc..

[1] Balderstone or Balderston, a township in the parish of Blackburn.

Transcript

[1566/3 image 2]

vnquam habu[erunt siue] recepueru[nt] firmarius ib[idem]
modernus ha[bui]t percepit vel percipere debuit
aut debet, iuxta eius <in> articulis libelli peticionem
Quandoquidem a lxxx annorum spacio, et
a tempore et per tempus, cuius initii siue contrarii
memoria hominum non essi[stit] consuetudo, ra-
tionabilis, inviolabiliter obse[rv]ata, continuata
prescripta et appropata inolev[it] quod quilibet
tenens, mesuagij siue tenem[en]ti vocati Rodeiate
infra parochiam Jacentis pro tempore suo existe[ns] solveret seu solvi fec-
eret firmario predicto et eius predi[cess]oribus pro omnibus decimis
granij <ac feni> singulis annis Summa quadam pecuniarum quæ exten-
debat ad ijs iiijd, ac etiam solvere, pro omnibus decimis consuet[is]
vt predicitur quando metat et seminat scilicet in the de-
mayne landes of bauderston for everye aker of ground
viijd quam quidem summam firmarij predicti predicessores
omnes et singuli eorum temporibus habuerunt perceperunt et ratum ha-
buerunt, nec non habuit percepit et ratum habuit firmar-
ius ibidem modernus ex quo firmam suam antedictam
assecutus quemadmodum in eventu huius litis per probatio[nes]
Legitimas apparebit Et ponit coniunctim diuisim et de quolibet

Quæ omnia  et singula, sunt vera publica
notoria manifesta et famosa et cetera 

Vnde
facta fide de Jure in hac parte requisita petit pars
dicti Thomæ Ireland senioris Jus et Justiciam
sibi fieri et ministrari et cetera ipsumque Thomam ab
impeticione et iniusta vexacione dicti Willielmi Fa-
rington, firmarij predicti absolui et dimitti
ipsumque Willielmum Farington in expensis Legitimis
per partem dicti Thomæ Ireland factis et
fiendis condempnari et cetera Juris beneficio in
omnibus semper salvo vestrum officium humiliter im-
plorando et cetera Et protestatur pars ista de adden-
do et emendando hanc mateream pro loco
et tempore congruis et oportunis et cetera

Exceptions to the libel (image 3)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[1566/3 image 3]

[Endorsement]

[…] Ireland, senior, against the pretended libel of William Farington, esquire, in a cause of tithes; exhibited in the year of our Lord 1566.

[Produced with the permission of the Chester Diocesan Board of Finance.]

Translation copyright ©2022 P J Cox All Rights Reserved

Transcript

[1566/3 image 3]

 [Endorsement]

[…] Ireland senioris
contra pretensum libellum Willielmi
Farington armigeri
in causa decimarum ex-
hibit’ Anno domini
1566

[Produced with the permission of the Chester Diocesan Board of Finance.]

Transcript copyright ©2022 P J Cox All Rights Reserved

People

William Farington – plaintiff

Thomas Ireland, senior – defendant

 

 

Officials

William Downham

 

 

Subjects

Farm

Tithes – modus

Places

Balderstone

Blackburn

‘Rodeiate’ – tenement, unidentified

 

Related Causes

Other tithe causes involving William Farington may be found at
EDC 5/1566/4
EDC 5/1566/5
EDC 5/1572/12 Croston
EDC 5/1576/39 Leyland

 

Ref: EDC 5/1566/2

Catalogue Entry:

There is no catalogue entry for this cause but the papers are filed in a paper folder labelled EDC 5 (1566) NO 2 CHESTER

Summary:

Elizabeth Wilson contra William Gooddigar of the parish of Walton.

Elizabeth, of the parish of St Mary in Chester, claimed that the couple had been married in a private house in the parish of Walton by words of present consent or words of future consent with consummation.

 

 

Libel (image 1)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[1566/2 image 1]

In the name of God Amen: before you, William, by divine permission bishop of Chester, or your commissary general or other judge whomsoever competent in this regard, the party of the honest woman, Elizabeth Wilson of the parish of Saint Mary on the Hill within the city of Chester of Chester diocese against William Gooddigar of the parish of Walton of the aforesaid diocese and of your jurisdiction, and against any other or others whomsoever lawfully intervening before you in judgement for the same, in a certain cause of matrimony or contract  says, alleges and propounds in these writings in law jointly, severally and in articles as follows:

 1          Firstly, that the said Elizabeth Wilson and William Gooddigar free from and unrestricted by all matrimonial contract, and being in the same freedom and liberty, often talked of and discussed having and making a marriage between them; and he propounds as before.

2          Also, that after this talk and discussion thus had and done between the same Elizabeth Wilson and William Gooddigar they lawfully contracted together a true, unconditional and lawful marriage by appropriate words of present consent or of future espousals as expression of their mutual consent (with consenting sexual intercourse), in the house or dwelling of Robert Carver within the parish of Walton aforesaid in the months of May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December in the year of our Lord 1564 or in any of those months whatsoever, in one or another, they lawfully contracted a true and lawful marriage or sworn espousals, as aforesaid; and he propounds as before.

3          Also, that after the matters set out above, the aforesaid William Gooddigar fathered a child from the body of the aforesaid Elizabeth Wilson and maintained and loved the same Elizabeth as his wife; and he propounds jointly, severally and of every part thereof.

4          Also that the aforesaid Elizabeth and William Gooddigar were and are commonly deemed, held, called and named and reputed as man and wife and bride and groom in several parts within the parish of Walton and in other neighbouring and surrounding places; and he propounds as before.

5          Also that the said William Gooddigar was and is of the parish of Walton of Chester diocese and for that reason notoriously subordinate and subject to your jurisdiction and he propounds as before.

6          Also, that it was and is on the part and behalf of the said Elizabeth Wilson rightly and lawfully complained to you, lord judge aforesaid, and to your court; and he propounds jointly, severally and of every part thereof.

Transcript

[1566/2 image 1]

In dei nomine Amen Coram Vobis Willielmo permissione divina Cestrensi
Episcopo vestroue Comissario generali seu alio Judice in hac parte competenti quocunque Pars honeste mulieris Elizabeth Wilson parochie de sancti marie super
Monte infra ciuitatem cestrie  <cestrensis> diocesis contra et aduersus Willielmum gooddigar
parochie de Walton predicte diocesis et vestre Jurisdiccionis ac contra quemcunque alium
siue alios coram vobis in Judicio pro eodem Legitime Interuenientem siue
Interuenientes In quadam causa matrimonialis siue contractus dicit
allegat et in hijs scriptis in Jure proponit coniunctim diuisim atque articulatim
pro vt Sequitur

1          In primis Quod dicta Elizabeth Wilson et Willielmus gooddigar ab omni
contractu Matrimoniali Liberi et Immunes et in eadem libertate
Immunitateque existentes de matrimonio inter eos habendo et fiendo sepius
communicauerunt et tractauerunt Et ponit vt supra

2          Item Quod post huiusmodi communicationem et tractatum sic inter eosdem Elizabeth
Wilson et Willielmum gooddigar habitum et factum Matrimonium verum purum
et Legitimum per verba de presenti siue per sponsalia de futuro (cum
Obsequenti carnali copula) ad hoc apta Mutuum eorum consensum
exprimentia in domo siue habitacione Roberti carver infra parochiam de
Walton antedictam mensibus Maij Junij Julij Augusti Septembris octobris
nouembris et Decembris Anno domini 1564 eorundemve mensium quolibet
vno siue aliquo Matrimonium verum et Legitimum vt prefertur siue sponsalia
Iurata adinvicem legitime contraxerunt ac ponit vt supra

3          Item Quod post premissa predictus Willielmus gooddigar ex corpore predicte
Elizabeth Wilson prolem suscepit ac eandem <elizabeth> tanquam vxorem aluit et
dilexit Et ponit coniunctim diuisim et de quolibet

4          Item Quod predicta Elizabeth et Willielmus gooddigar vt vir et vxor ac vt
sponsus et sponsa in nonnullus partibus infra parochiam de Walton ac in alijs
locis vicinis et circumvicinis fuerunt et sunt communiter habiti tenti dicti ac
nominati et reputati palam publice et notorie et ponit vt Supra

5          Item quod dictus Willielmus gooddigar fuit et est parochie de Walton Cestrensis
diocesis et eo pretextu vestre Jurisdiccionis notorie subditus et subiectus et ponit vt
Supra

6          Item Quod fuit et est ex parte et per partem dicte Elizabeth Wilson ad vos
domine Judex antedicte  et ad curiam vestram rite et Legitime querelatum
Et ponit Coniunctim Diuisim et de quolibet

Libel (image 2)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[1566/2 image 2]

Also, that all and singular the premises were and are true, public, notorious, manifest and equally well known, and regarding and concerning this public voice and fame were and are at present circulating in the parish of Walton and in other parishes.

Whereupon, due proof being made as required by law in this regard, the party of the said Elizabeth Wilson prays that right and justice may be done and administered to her in all and singular the premises and also that the marriage between the aforesaid William Gooddigar and Elizabeth Wilson is adjudged, decreed and declared as true, just and lawful, and that the said Elizabeth Wilson is pronounced and declared as lawful wife of the said William Gooddigar and the aforesaid William Gooddigar as lawful husband of the afore-named Elizabeth; and that he, William Gooddigar, is obliged and compelled to the solemnization of the same marriage with Elizabeth Wilson mentioned at a suitable and convenient time and place  by you and your definitive sentence or final decree, reverend Judge aforesaid; and that it will be decreed as in the premises and otherwise that what will have been of right and reason may be done; not binding himself to prove all and singular but etc..

Transcript

[1566/2 image 2]

Item  Quod  premissa omnia et singula fuerunt et sunt vera publica notoria
Manifesta pariter ac famosa atque de et super huiusmodi in parochia de Walton et alijs parochiis Laborarunt ac in presenti laborant publica vox et fama

Vnde facta
fide de Jure in hac parte requisita petit pars dicte Elizabeth Wilson
Jus et Justiciam sibi in premissis omnibus et singulis fieri et ministrari nec
non pro vero Justo ac Legitimo matrimonio inter predictum Willielmum gooddigar et Elizabeth Wilson adiudicari decerni et declarari dictamque Elizabeth
Wilson in vxorem legitimam dicti Willielmi gooddigar ac prefatum Willielmum
gooddigar in virum legitimum prenominate Elizabeth pronunciari ac declarari
Ipsumque Willielmum gooddigar  ad solempnizacionem eiusdem matrimonij cum commemorata Elizabeth Wilson pro loco et tempore congruis et oportunis cogi
et compelli per vos et vestram Sententiam diffinitivam siue finale decretum reuerende
Judex antedicte et decerni in premissis et vlterius fieri quod Juris fuerit
Et racionis <non arctans> se ad omnia et singula probanda sed et cetera

 [There is an illegible doodle, which may be a signature, at the bottom.]

Libel (image 3)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[1566/2 image 3]

[Endorsement]

Libel of Elizabeth Wilson against William Gooddigar in a cause of contact, exhibited in the year of our Lord, 1566.

[Produced with the permission of the Chester Diocesan Board of Finance.]

Translation copyright ©2022 P J Cox All Rights Reserved

Transcript

[1566/2 image 3]

[Endorsement]

Libellus Elizabeth W[ilson]
contra et aduersus W[illiam]
Gooddigar in causa
contractus exhibit[us]
Anno domini 1566

[Produced with the permission of the Chester Diocesan Board of Finance.]

Transcript copyright ©2022 P J Cox All Rights Reserved

People

Elizabeth Wilson – plaintiff

William Gooddigar – defendant

Robert Carver – mentioned in the libel

 

Officials

William Downham

 

 

Ref: EDC 5/1566/1

Catalogue Entry:

There is no catalogue entry for this cause but the papers are filed in a paper folder labelled EDC 5 (1566) No 1 – CHESTER (ST OSWALD)

Summary:

Henry Hall contra Helen Hall, his wife

Helen did not attend the court, although she had been cited, so she was pronounced to be in contempt of court and ordered to return to her husband.

 

 

 

Sentence (image 1)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/1566/1 image 1]

In the name of God, Amen: the merits and circumstances of a certain cause of restitution of conjugal rights which was recently disputed and is still disputed and pending undecided before us having been heard, seen and understood and fully investigated by us, Robert Leche, Master of Arts and Bachelor of Laws, commissary general of the right reverend father in God, William, by divine permission lord bishop of Chester, and lawfully deputed official principal of his consistory court, rightly and lawfully proceeding, between Henry Hall of the parish of Saint Oswald within the city of Chester and of our jurisdiction, the party plaintiff and complainant on the one part and Helen Hall, his wife, the defendant and party complained of on the other part; the party of the said Henry Hall earnestly demanding that justice may be done to him, by his proctor, William Man, Master of Arts,  lawfully appointed according to the acts of this court,  the party of the aforesaid Helen Hall, having been now cited many times to this day and place and being contumaciously absent, without a proctor, in view of her contumacy, at the petition of the said Master Man […] of Henry Hall, we proceed to passing sentence notwithstanding her absence.

The whole and entire proceedings had and done in this cause having first been examined and diligently considered by us, and having observed what according to law should be observed by us in this behalf, we have thus thought fit to proceed to making the pronouncement of our definitive sentence in the said cause between the parties aforesaid, and we do proceed in this manner which follows:

Forasmuch as we know and clearly find by the acts enacted, brought, alleged, exhibited, proved and confessed had and done before us in the said cause that the aforesaid Henry has sufficiently and fully founded and in like manner proved his claim in a certain libel of his given and offered before us (the tenor of which libel follows and is thus; In the name of God, Amen; before you, William, by divine permission bishop of Chester etc., which libel we wish to have here read and inserted) and that nothing effectual has been or is brought, alleged, exhibited and proved on behalf of the said Helen Hall which could destroy or in any way weaken the claim of the said Henry Hall.

Therefore we, the official aforesaid, having first called upon the name of Christ, and setting God alone before our eyes, from and with the advice of the learned in the law with whom we have consulted promptly in this behalf pronounce, decree and declare that the marriage entered into and solemnised between the said Henry Hall and Helen Hall is a true and lawful marriage; and we decree that he, Henry Hall, will be restored to possession of his conjugal rights to be provided to him by the aforesaid Helen Hall, his wife, and must be effectively restored; and we pronounce, decree, adjudge and declare that she, Helen Hall, ought to be effectively obliged and compelled to cleave to the aforesaid Henry Hall as to her lawful husband and cohabit with him and treat him with marital affection and we sentence her so to cohabit with her said husband by this our definitive sentence or this our final decree which we pass and publish in these writings.

This sentence was read and passed by the aforesaid judge in the chapter house of Chester cathedral on 14th November in the year of our Lord 1566, being then present there Robert White, Robert Hurleston, John Coke, Hugh Rolanson and with other witnesses etc..

Transcript

[5/1566/1 image 1]

In dei nomine Amen Auditis Visis et Intellectis ac plenarie discussis per nos Robertum Leche Artium Magistrum
et in Legibus baccallarium Reverendi in christo patris ac domini domini Willielmi permissione divina Cestrensis episcopi Commissarium
generalem ac eius Curie Consistorialis officialem principalem legitime deputatum Meritis et Circumstantijs cuiusdam
causæ Restitucionis obsequorum coniungalium que Coram nobis inter Henricum Hall  parochie Sancti Oswaldi infra
Civitatem Cestrie <et nostre iurisdiccionis> partem actricem et querelantem ex vna et Helenam Hall eius vxorem
partem ream et querelatam partibus ex altera nuper vertebatur et adhuc vertitur pendetque
indecise rite et legitime parte dicti Henrici Hall per procuratorem
suum Willielmum Man Artium Magistrum legitime apud acta constitutum <et iustitiam sibi fieri instanter postulantis> parte ante dicte Helenæ Hall citate <adhunc die et loco> et multocies
<preconizate et contumaciter absentis cum cuius contumacie sine procuratorem ad peticionem dicti Magistri Man […] cum>
comparenti Henrici Hall sententiam ferri et Justiciam
duximus absentia sua non obstans

Rimato per nos primitus toto et integro processu in huiusmodi causa habito
et facto atque diligenter Recensito Servatisque per nos in hac parte de iure servandis ad nostre sententie diffinitiue
prolationem in dicta causa inter partes predictas ferendam sic duximus procedendum et procedimus in hunc qui sequitur modum

Quia per acta inactita deducta allegata exhibita probata et confessata in dicta causa
coram nobis habita et facta comperimus et luculanter Invenimus prefatum Henricum intentionem suam in
quodam suo libello Coram nobis dato et oblato cuius quidem libelli tenor Sequitur et est Talis
In dei nomine Amen Coram vobis Willielmo permissione diuina Cestrensi episcopo et cetera quem libellum
pro hic lectum et insertum habere volumus sufficienter et ad plenum fundasse pariter ac probasse Nihilque
effectuale ex parte Helene Hall fuisse aut esse deductum allegatum exhibitum et probatum  quod
Intentionem dicti Henrici Hall elideret seu quomodolibet eneruaret

Idcirco nos
officialis antedictus christi nomine primitus invocato ac ipsum solum deum oculis nostris preponentes de et cum consilio
Jurisperitorum cum quibus mature in hac parte communicavimus matrimonium inter dictum Henricum Hall et Helenam
Hall initum et solempnizatum pro vero et legitimo matrimonio pronunciamus decernimus
et declaramus  ipsumque Henricum Hall ad possessionem suam obsequiorum coniugalium sibi
ab antedicta Helena Hall vxore sua legitima impendendum Restituendum fore decernimus et
cum effectu restitui, ipsamque Helenam Hall vt prefato Henrico Hall tanquam marito suo legitimo adhereat
et cum eodem <cohabitet> ipsumque affectione matrimoniali protractet
cum effectu cogi et compelli <debere> pronunciamus decernimus adJudicamus et declaramus
<ipsamque ad sic cum dicto suo marito cohabitandum condempnamus> per hanc nostram Sententiam diffinitiuam, siue hoc nostrum finale decretum, quam siue quod ferimus et
promulgamus in hijs scriptis

lecta et lata fuit huiusmodi Sententia per iudicem antedictum in
domo capitulari cathedralis cestrensis xiiijto die Mensis
Nouembris Anno domini 1566 presentibus tunc ibidem
Roberto
White Roberto Hurleston Johanne Coke Hugone Rolanson
et alijs testibus et cetera

Sentence (image 2)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/1566/1 image 2]

[Endorsement]

Sentence of Henry Hall in a cause of restitution of conjugal rights, 1566.

[Produced with the permission of the Chester Diocesan Board of Finance.]

Translation copyright ©2022 P J Cox All Rights Reserved

Transcript

[5/1566/1 image 2]

[Endorsement]

Sententia Henrici Hall in causa
restitucionis obsequiorum
coniugalium
1566

[Produced with the permission of the Chester Diocesan Board of Finance.]

Transcript copyright ©2022 P J Cox All Rights Reserved

People

Henry Hall – plaintiff

Helen Hall – defendant

Robert White – witness to the sentence

Robert Hurleston – witness to the sentence

John Coke – witness to the sentence

Hugh Rolanson – witness to the sentence

Officials

William Downham

Robert Leche

 

Subjects

Desertion

Proctors

William Man – for the plaintiff

 

Places

Chester, St Oswald

 

Ref: EDC 5/1560/2

Catalogue Entry:

EDC 1560/2. TILSTON John Fytton wife of Robert Fytton c Ralph Leche for saying to Joan “Thou art a nawghty harlot with other similar words” which were spoken in the Town fylde of Cardesey – libel.

Summary:

Joan Fitton, wife of Robert Fitton, contra Ralph Leche

 

 

 

 

Year

1560

Type of Cause:

Defamation – sexual slander

Cause Papers:

Libel

Libel (image 1)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[1560/2 image 1] 

[…] the party of the honest woman, Joan Fitton, wife of Robert Fitton, of Carden in the parish of Tilston of Chester diocese against Ralph Leche of the said parish and diocese and of your jurisdiction and against any other whomsoever lawfully intervening before you in judgement for the same by way of complaint and complaining to you in this behalf propounds says, alleges and propounds in these writings in law jointly, severally and in articles as follows:

1          Firstly, that all and singular subordinates and subjects of this realm of England who speak, utter, assert, express or declare abuse, disparagement or insulting, opprobrious, vexatious, disparaging, scandalous and defamatory words of any person against public morals, sounding or tending to the injury or denigration of the good fame of any person, were and are to be canonically corrected and punished and are to be obliged and compelled to desist and to completely abstain from these abuses, disparagements and defamatory words in future; and he propounds jointly, severally and concerning any of these points.

2          Also, that the said Ralph Leche, not being ignorant of the premises but heedless of the welfare of his soul, being induced, as it is believed, by an evil spirit, grievously defamed the said Joan Fitton, previously in no way defamed, in the months of July, August and  September last, namely in the one thousand five hundred and sixtieth year of our Lord now current, or in any of those months, in one or other, of and upon the crime of incontinence, and he proffered these defamatory words to the same Joan Fitton, with intent to defame her, in the place called ‘the Commen Town fylde of Carden’ namely ‘Thow art a nowghty[1] harlot’ or he proffered other words similar to these and importing the same effect, as will become clear and appear by lawful proofs in the event of this suit; and he propounds jointly, severally and concerning any of these points.

3          Also, that by occasion and reason of this defamation and of the crime and the utterance, assertion and declaration of the defamatory words aforesaid, the status and good fame of the said Joan Fitton are seriously injured and harmed and the said Joan Fitton is at some trouble and expense and otherwise and for other reasons in many ways wearied, vexed, oppressed, burdened and perturbed, and among and between good and substantial people of less reputation and favour and good and substantial people have ascribed and given, and at present ascribe and give, less trust and favour to the same Joan by reason of the premises; and he propounds as before.

[1] Naughty – here means immoral.

Transcript

[1560/2 image 1] 

[…] Pars honeste mulieris Joanne fytton vxoris Roberti
fytton [de] Carden in parochie de Tylston Cestrensis diocesis contra et
aduersus Radulphum leche dicte parochie et diocesis et vestre Jurisdiccionis
ac contra quemcunque alium coram vobis pro eodem in Judicio legitime
Interuenientem per viam querele et vobis in hac parte querelando
dicit allegat et in hijs scriptis in Jure proponit Coniunctim et diuisim
atque articulatim prout Sequitur

1          In primis Quod omnes et singuli huius Regni anglie subditi et subiecti
qui Convicia vituperia verba ve Contumeliosa opprobriosa
calumpniosa vilipendiosa scandalosa et diffamatoria ad
alicuis bone fame lesionem seu denigrationem sonantia vel tendentia
contra bonos mores de aliquo dicunt emittunt asserunt proferunt
seu predicant fuerunt et Sunt Canonice Corrigendi et puniendi
et vt ab huiusmodi Convicijs vituperijs et verbis diffamatorijs
desistant et Se penitus abstineant in futurum Cogendi et
Compellendi  Et ponit Coniunctim diuisim et de quolibet 

2            Item Quod dictus Radulphus leche premissorum non ignarus
immo anime sue salutis immemor spritu vt creditur maligno
ductus dictam Joannam fytton proprius minime diffamatam
mensis Julij Augusti et Septembris vltimo elapsis videlicet in Anno domini millesimo
quingentesimo Sexagesimo iam instanti eorumve mensium vno siue
aliquo de et super Crimine incontinentie grauiter diffamauit et
hec verba diffamatoria eidem Joanne fytton in loco vocato the
Commen Town fylde of Carden protulit animo diffamando
eadem videlicet Thow art a nowghty harlot seu alia
verba hijs similia et eundem effectum importantia
protulit provt in eventu huius litis per probationes legitimas
liquebit et apparebit Et ponit Coniunctim diuisim et de quolibet

3          Item Quod occatione et pretextu huismodi diffamationis criminiumque
et Conviciorum ac verborum diffamatorium predictorum emissionem
assertionem et  predicationem status et bona fama dicte Joanne
fytton leduntur grauantur et attenuantur dictaque Joanna
fytton fuit et est in nonnullis laboribus et expensis ac alias
et aliunde mulipliciter fatigata vexita grauata onerata et pertur-
bata ac apud et inter bonos et graues minorum reputacionis
et fauoris bonique et graues adhibuerunt et dederunt adhibentque
et dant in presenti eidem Joanne fytton minorem fidem atque
fauorem pretextu premissorum Et ponit vt supra

Libel (image 2)

Original Document

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Translation

[1560/2 image 2]

4          Also, that before the assertion and declaration of these defamatory words the aforesaid Joan Fitton was a woman of good fame, unblemished reputation and honest conversation and among and between good and substantial people and previously in no way defamed; and he propounds as before.

5          Also, that the said Ralph Leche was and is of the parish of Tilston of Chester diocese and for that reason notoriously subordinate and subject to your jurisdiction; and he propounds jointly, severally and concerning any of these points.

6          Also, that it was and is on behalf of the said Joan Fitton that complaint is rightly and lawfully made to you, lord judge aforesaid, and to your Chester consistory court; and he propounds as before.

7          Also, all and singular the premises were and are true, public, notorious, manifest and equally well known and public voice and fame were and are circulating regarding and concerning this in the parishes of Tilston and Tattenhall and in other parishes and public places.

Whereupon, due proof being made, as required by law in this regard, the party of the said Joan Fitton prays that right and a complement of justice may be done and administered to her in all and singular the premises and that it will be decreed that the said Ralph Leche should be corrected for the expression and declaration of the aforementioned defamatory words according to the due requirement of law, and obliged and compelled to desist and to completely abstain in future from these abuses, disparagements and defamatory words and also that he will be condemned in the lawful costs incurred on the part of the said Joan Fitton in this matter, and he protests those to be incurred, and having been condemned, that he will be canonically obliged and compelled to the due and real payment of the same by your passing your definitive sentence in that behalf, lord judge aforesaid; and otherwise, that what will have been of right and reason in the premises and anything whatsoever concerning them may be done, established and decreed. The party of the said Joan Fitton propounds the premises and prays that they are done jointly and severally, not binding himself to prove all and singular the premises, nor to the burden of superfluous proof, about which he protests, but so far as he shall prove in the premises so much may he obtain of the petitions, always reserving the benefit of law in all things, humbly imploring your office in the premises, lord judge aforesaid.

Transcript

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[4        Item Quod predicta Joanna fytton ante huiusmodi verborum
diffamatorium]  assertionem
et pre[dica]tionem et vsque a[d ea] fuit mulier [bone] fame opinionis
illese et Conuersacionis honeste ac apud [et in]ter bonos et
graues proprius minime diffamata [Et p]onit vt supra

5          Item Quod dictus Radulphus leche fuit et est parochie de tylston
Cestrensis diocesis et eo pretextu vestre Jurisdiccioni notorie Subditus
et Subiectus Et ponit Coniunctim diuisim et de quolibet

6          Item Quod fuit et est ex parte dicte Joanne Fytton ad vos
dominum Judicem antedictum et ad Curiam vestram Consistorialem
Cestrensem Rite et legitime querelatum Et ponit vt supra

7          Item Quod premissa omnia  et Singula fuerunt et sunt
vera publica notoria manifesta pariter et famosa atque de
et super huiusmodi in parochijs de Tylston et Tetnall et alijs parochijs
et locis publicis laborarunt et laborant publica vox et fama

Vnde facta fide de Jure in hac parte requisita petit pars
dicte Joanne fytton Jus et Justiciam ac Complementum
Justicie sibi in premissis omnibus et singulis fieri et ministrari
Ac dictum Radulphus leche pro supradictorum verborum diffamatorum
prolacionem et predicationem predictorum iuxta Juris debitam exigentiam
Corrigendum fore debere decerni et vt ab huiusmodi convicijs
vituperijs et verbis diffamatorijs desistat et se penitus abstineat
in futuro cogi et Compelli Necnon in expensis legitimis per partem
dicte Joanne fytton in hac parte factis et protestatur de fiendis
Condempari ac Condempnatum ad realem solucionem
earundem Canonice Cogi et Compelli  per vos et vestram sententiam
diffinitiuam in hac parte ferendam domine Judex antedicte

Vlteriusque fieri statui et decerni in premissis et in ea concernentibus
quibuscunque quod Juris fuerit et Rationis
Premissa proponit
et fieri petit pars dicte Joanne fytton Coniunctim et diuisim Non
arctans se ad omnia et singula premissa probanda nec ad onus
superflue probacionis de quo protestatur Sed quatenus probauerit
in premissis eatenus obtineat in petitis Juris beneficio in omnibus
semper Saluo vestrum officium in premissis domine Judex antedicte
humiliter Implorando

Libel (image 3)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[1560/2 image 3] 

[The original endorsement is illegible.] 

[in pencil]

/2

1560

[Produced with the permission of the Chester Diocesan Board of Finance.]

Translation copyright ©2022 P J Cox All Rights Reserved

Transcript

[1560/2 image 3] 

[The original endorsement is illegible.] 

[in pencil]

/2

1560

[Produced with the permission of the Chester Diocesan Board of Finance.]

Transcript copyright ©2022 P J Cox All Rights Reserved

People

Joan Fitton – plaintiff

Ralph Leche – defendant

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