Ref: EDC 5/1580/6

  • Search Cause Papers

Catalogue Entry:

EDC 5 1580. 6. CHESTER (St Oswald) John Vaudrey impropriator c Richard Webbe, William Janson sen and William Janson jnr for tithes – libel.

Summary:

John Vawdrey and Richard Vawdrey, gentlemen, farmers of the tithes of Saint Oswald contra Richard Webb, William Janeon the elder and William Janeon the younger

 

Year

1580

Type of Cause:

Tithes – pigs

Cause Papers:

Libel

Libel (image 1)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[1580/6 image 1]

In the name of God, Amen; before you, worshipful Master Robert Leche, Doctor of Laws, lawfully deputed official principal of the Chester consistory court, or other judge whomsoever competent in this regard, the party of the distinguished John Vawdrey and Richard Vawdrey, gentlemen, farmers of all and singular tithes appertaining to the perpetual vicarage of the parish church of Saint Oswald of Chester against Richard Webb, William Janeon the elder and William Janeon the younger of the parish of Saint Oswald aforesaid and against any other person or persons 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, namely that the aforesaid John Vawdrey and Richard Vawdrey had and have lawfully acquired the farm of all and singular tithes appertaining to the perpetual vicarage aforesaid and having thus acquired it, possessed it peacefully and quietly for some space of time, just as (saving what is written below) they possess it at present, and the aforesaid John and Richard were and are commonly called, taken, deemed, named and openly, publicly and notoriously reputed as lawful farmers there; and he propounds jointly, severally and concerning any part thereof.

2          Also, that as well by common law, statutes and injunctions of this realm of England, as by ancient laudable and lawful prescribed custom, hitherto inviolably and steadfastly observed from the time and throughout the time of the beginning or to the contrary of which there exists no memory of men and often upheld in judgment in a contested cause, the right of  receiving and having all and singular tithes, as well greater as lesser, mixed and minute appertaining to the perpetual vicarage aforesaid, appertains and belongs to the vicar there or any farmer of his whomsoever he may be at the time, just as it appertains and belongs at present to the current farmers there; and he propounds as before.

Transcript

[1580/6 image 1]

 In dei nomine Amen Coram vobis [venerabili] viro magistro [Roberto] leche legum
doctore Curie Consistorialis Cestrensis officiali principali legitime dep[utato]
seu alio Judice in hac parte competenti quocunque Pars discretorum virorum Johannes Vawdrey et Ricardi Vawdrey
generosorum firmariorum omnium et singulorum decimarum ad vicariam perpetuam Ecclesie parochialis Sancti Oswaldi Cestrie
pertinentium Contra et aduersus Ricardum Webb Willielmum Janeon seniorem et William Janeon Juniorem parochie Sancti
Oswaldi predicti ac contra quemcunque alium seu quoscunque alios Coram vobis <pro eisdem in Judicio legitime intervenientem per viam querele et> vobis in hac parte querelando
dicit allegat et in hijs scriptis in Jure proponit articulatim prout sequitur

[1]        Imprimis videlicet Quod Johannes Vawdrey et Ricardus Vawdrey fuerunt et sunt firmam omnium et singularum
decimarum ad vicariam perpetuam predictam pertinentium rite et legitime assecuti ipsam sic assectutam per nonnullum
temporis spacium pacifice et quiete possederunt prout (saluis infrascriptis) in presenti possident
fueruntque et sunt predici Johannes et Ricardus pro firmarijs ibidem legitimis communiter dicti tenti habiti
nominati et reputati palam publice et notorie Et ponit Coniunctim diuisim Et de quolibet

[2]        Item Quod tam de Jure communi Statutis et Iniunctionibus huius Regni Anglie quam de antiqua laudabili legitimeque
prescripta consuetudine a tempore et per tempus cuius Initij siue Contrarij memoria hominum non
existit hucusque inviolabiliter et inconcusse obseruata atque in Contradictorio Judicio sepius obtenta
Jus percipiendi et habendi omnes et singulas decimas tam maiores quam minores mixtas et minutas
ad vicariam perpetuam predictam pertinentem ad vicarium ibidem siue eius firmarium quemcunque pro tempore
existentem pertinuit et spectauit prout ad firmarios ibidem modernos in presenti pertinet et spectat Et
ponit vt supra.

Libel (image 2)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[1580/6 image 2]

3          Also, that the aforesaid farmers and their precursors and predecessors each and every one of them in their successive times, for 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 years last past, 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 are at present, in peaceable possession, or virtually so, of the right of taking and having all and singular tithes, both greater and lesser, mixed and minute belonging to the vicarage aforesaid wherever, whenever and howsoever growing, proceeding or arising and they possessed them peacefully and quietly through themselves and their men, and freely disposed of them through the whole time aforesaid until the time of trouble described below; and he propounds as before.

4          Also, that Richard Webb who had no right or could have in any way in the said tithes or any parcel thereof, forgetful of the welfare of his soul, scorning the statutes of the realm set forth in that behalf and not fearing to fall under penalty of the law in the months of March, April, May, July, June, August, September, October, November, December in the year of our Lord 1580 now current or any of those months whatsoever, in one or another, had three sows grazing and sleeping within the parish aforesaid and the bounds and limits and the tithable places of the same and from the same he converted to his own use, reared and nourished  thirty piglets arising and renewing, born and bred; and this party propounds and articles of whatever other number of piglets greater, lesser or intermediate down to the number of seven piglets and of any other number of such and so great an amount as will be proved in the event of this suit; and he propounds as before.

5          Also, that the aforesaid William Janeon the elder in the months and year aforesaid  or any of those months whatsoever, in one or another, had three sows sleeping and grazing within the parish aforesaid and the bounds and limits and the tithable places of the same and from the same he reared and nourished  for his own use, thirty piglets arising and renewing, born and bred; and this party propounds and articles of whatever other number of piglets greater, lesser or intermediate down to the number of seven piglets and also of any other number of such amount as will be proved in the event of this suit; and he propounds as before.

Transcript

[1580/6 image 2]

[3]        Item Quod predicti firmarij eorumque predecessores et antecessores omnes et singuli eorum temporibus successiue
existentes a x xx xxx xl l et lx annis vltime elapsis vltraque et citra necnon a tempore et per tempus
cuius Initij siue contrarij memoria hominum non existit fuerunt prout in presenti sunt in pacifica possessione
seu quasi Juris percipiendi et habendi omnes et singulas decimas tam maiores quam minores mixtas et minutas
ad vicariam predictam pertinentes vbicunque quandocunque seu qualitercunque crescentes prouenientes seu contingentes easque
per se et suos pacifice et quiete possiderunt ac libere de eisdem disposuerunt per omne tempus predictum vsque
ad tempus gravaminis infrascriptum Et ponit vt supra

[4]        Item Quod Ricardus Webbe qui nihil Juris in dictis decimis aut aliqua inde parcella habuit {aut} aut aliqualiter
habere potuit anime sue salutis immemor Statuta regia in ea parte edita vilipendens et in penam Juris cadere non formidans mensis Martij Aprilis Maij Julij Junij Augusti Septembris Octobris Nouembris
Decembris et Januarij Anno domini 1580  iam currenti eorumve mensium quolibet vno siue aliquo habuit
infra parochiam predictam finesque et limites ac loca decimabilia eiusdem tres Sues pascentes et cubantes et ex
eisdem et in vsum suum proprium Conuertit Triginta porcellos contingentes et renouantes enatos et enixos eduxit
et nutruit Et ponit atque articulatur pars ista de quolibet alio numero porcellorum huiusmodi maiori minori seu
intermedio vsque ad numero septem porcellorum ac de tali et tanto numero quantus et qualis in eventu
huius litis probabitur Et ponit vt supra

[5]        Item Quod predictus Willielmus Janeon {Junior} senior mensis et Anno predictis eorumve mensium quolibet vno siue aliquo
habuit infra parochiam predictam finesque et limites ac loca decimabilia eiusdem tres Sues cubantes et pascentes
et ex eisdem Triginta porcellos contingentes et renouantes enatos et enixos in vsum suum proprium eduxit
et nutruit Et ponit atque articulatur pars ista de quolibet alio numero porcellorum huiusmodi maiori minori seu
intermedio vsque ad numero septem porcellorum necnon de tali et tanto numero qualis et quantus in
eventu huius litis probabitur Et ponit vt supra

Libel (image 3)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[1580/6 image 3]

6          Also, that the aforesaid William Janeon the younger in the months and year aforesaid  or any of those months whatsoever, in one or another, had two sows sleeping and grazing within the said parish and the bounds and limits and the tithable places of the same and from the same he reared and nourished  for his own use, twenty piglets arising and renewing, born or bred; and this party propounds and articles of whatever other number of piglets greater, less or intermediate down to the number of seven piglets and also of any other number of such amount as will be proved in the event of this suit; and he propounds as before.

7          Also, that the true value or valuation of any piglet of the piglets aforesaid in the months and year aforesaid by common report of men notoriously amounted and amounts to the sum or value of 12d of lawful money of England, and this party propounds and articles of any other greater, lesser or intermediate sum whatever down to the sum of 6d for any piglet aforesaid and also of any other sum of such amount as will be proved in the event of this suit; and he propounds as before.

8          Also that the aforesaid Richard Webb, William Janeon the elder and William Janeon the younger have not paid the tithes in the premises to the aforesaid farmers, and duly asked in that respect, they have refused and refuse at present to pay the same tithes to the grave danger of their souls and the pernicious example of other Christian faithful and to no small prejudice and grievance of the said farmers; and he propounds as before.

9          Also, that the aforesaid Richard Webb, William Janeon the elder and William Janeon the younger were and are of the parish of Saint Oswald aforesaid and by reason thereof notoriously subordinate and subject to your jurisdiction; and he propounds as before.

10        Also, that all and singular the premises were and are true, public, notorious, manifest and equally famous, and public voice and fame were circulating, just as they are circulating at present, regarding and concerning the same.

Transcript

[1580/6 image 3]

6          Item Quod predictus Willielmus Janeon Junior mensis et Anno predictis eorumve mensium quolibet vno siue aliquo habuit infra dictam
parochiam finesque et limites ac loca decimabilia eiusdem duas Sues cubantes et pascentes et ex eisdem Viginti porcellos
contingentes et renouantes enatos seu enixos in vsum suum proprium eduxit et nutruit Et ponit atque articulatur pars ista
de quolibet alio numero porcellorum huiusmodi maiori minori seu intermedio vsque ad numero Septem porcellorum
necnon de tali et tanto numero qualis et quantus in eventu huius litis probabitur Et ponit vt supra

7          Item Quod verus valor siue Estimacio cuiuslibet porcelli porcellorum predictorum mensis et Anno predictis ad Summam
sive valorem xijd legalis monete Anglie communi hominum estimacione se extendebat et extendit
et ponit tamen et articulatur pars ista de qualibet alio Summa maiori minori seu intermedio vsque ad Summam
vjd pro quolibet porcello predicto necnon de tali et tanto Summa qualis et quantus in eventu huius
litis probabitur Et ponit vt supra 

8          Item Quod predicti Ricardus Webbe Willielmus Janeon senior et Willielmus Janeon Junior decimas ex premissis
non soluerunt predictis firmarijs Et que in ea parte debite requisiti easdem decimas soluere recusauerunt
et in presenti recusant in animarum suarum grave periculum et aliorum christifidelium perniciosum Exemplum dictorumque
fimariorum preiudiciam non modicum Et grauamen Et ponit vt supra

9          Item Quod predicti Ricardus Webbe Willielmus Janeon senior et Willielmus Janeon Junior fuerunt et sunt parochie Sancti
Oswaldi predicti in eo pretextu vestre Jurisdiccioni notorie subditi et subiecti  et ponit vt supra

10        Item Quod premissa omnia  et singula fuerunt et sunt vera publica notoria manifesta pariter et famosa
Et quod de et super eisdem laborarunt prout in presenti laborant  publica vox et fama

Libel (image 4)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[1580/6 image 4]

Whereupon, due proof being made as required by law in this regard, the party of the said farmers prays that right and justice may be done and administered to him with effect in all and singular the premises and anything whatsoever concerning them, and that the said Richard Webb, William Janeon the elder and William Janeon the younger are condemned in the tithes aforesaid or in their true value and also in the lawful costs incurred on his part in this cause and he protests those to be incurred; and, having been condemned, that they are obliged and compelled by ecclesiastical censures to make real payment of the same by you and your definitive sentence, lord judge aforesaid; this party propounds the premises and prays that they are done jointly and severally, not binding himself to prove them all and singular, 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; and this party asserts the right of adding to, correcting and amending etc.

Transcript

[1580/6 image 4]

Vnde facta
fide de Jure in hac parte requisita petit pars dictorum firmariorum Jus et Justiciam sibi in premissis
omnibus et singulis ac ea concernentibus quibuscunque fieri et ministrari cum effectu, dictosque Ricardum
Webbe Willielmum Janeon seniorem et Willielmum Janeon Juniorem in decimis predictis seu eorum vero valore
necnon in Expensis legitimis ex parte sua in huiusmodi causa factis et protestatur de fiendis condemnari condemnatos
que ad realem solucionem earundem per sensuras Ecclesiasticas cogi et Compelli per vos et vestram Sententiam
deffinitiuam domine Judex antedicte Premissa proponit et fieri petit pars ista Coniunctim et diuisim [non]
arctans se ad omnia et singula eadem 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 humiliter implorando Et protestatur pars ista de addendo corrigendo et emendando et cetera

Libel (image 5)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[1580/6 image 5]

[Endorsement]

[…] farmers of the vicarage of Saint Oswald against Richard Webb and others, 1580.

[in pencil in a different hand]

Chester

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

Translation copyright ©2022 P J Cox All Rights Reserved

Transcript

[1580/6 image 5]

[Endorsement]

[…] firmarij vicarie
Sancti oswaldi
contra Richard
Webbe et alias
1580

[in pencil in a different hand]

Chester

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

Transcript copyright ©2022 P J Cox All Rights Reserved

People

John Vawdrey – plaintiff

Richard Vawdrey – plaintiff

Richard Webb – defendant

William Janeon the elder – defendant

William Janeon the younger – defendant

Officials

Robert Leche

Subjects

Agricultural produce and its value

Farm of tithes

 

 

Places

Chester, St Oswald

 

Related Causes

EDC 5/1575/3 – John Vawdrey and Richard Vawdrey contra Ralph Calveley

Ref: EDC 5/1575/3

  • Search Cause Papers

Catalogue Entry:

EDC 5/1575/3 CHESTER (St Oswald) John and Richard Vaudrey impropriators of tithes of Churton Heath (Bruera) c Ralph Calveley – libel, interrogations, decree.

Summary:

John Vawdrey and Richard Vawdrey contra Ralph Calveley.

John and Richard Vawdrey claimed in their libel that they were the lawful farmers of the tithes of the township of Churton Heath and that Ralph Calveley of Churton Heath had not paid the tithes of grain due from him for 1575. Calveley claimed that the lawful farmer was Robert Vawdrey, brother of John and Richard Vawdrey, so that they did not have right of action against him.

Year

1575

Type of Cause:

Tithes – corn; tithes – wheat

Cause Papers:

Libel
Exceptions to the libel
Interrogatories

Libel (image 1)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[1575/3 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 worshipful John Vawdrey and Richard Vawdrey, gentlemen, farmers of the tithes of the church or chapel of Churton Heath of the parish of Saint Oswald of your Chester diocese and jurisdiction against Ralph Calveley, gentleman, of the chapel and parish aforesaid of your diocese and jurisdiction aforesaid, 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 as follows:

1            Firstly, the party of the said farmers states that for some space of time now passed the same farmers were and yet are farmers of the tithes of the church or chapel of Churton Heath and of all of the perpetual vicarage of the aforesaid parish church of Saint Oswald aforesaid and during the same time were and yet are in lawful possession of the said farm of the tithes of the church or chapel aforesaid, lawfully and in fact appointed; and also commonly called, deemed, held and reputed openly, publicly and notoriously as farmers there in the said parish of Saint Oswald aforesaid and in other neighbouring and surrounding places; and the party propounds jointly, severally and in articles.

2            Also, that as well by the common law, statutes and injunctions of this realm of England, as by ancient laudable and lawfully 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 tithes, as well greater as lesser, mixed and minute and other church rights and emoluments whatsoever within the said parish or chapelry and the bounds and limits and tithable places of the same, wherever, howsoever and whenever proceeding, growing, renewing and occurring belonged and should and ought also to belong in future to the farmers of the church or chapel of Churton Heath in the parish of St Oswald aforesaid, whosoever he may be at the time, by law and in the name of his aforesaid farm; and he propounds as above.

 

 

 

 

Transcript

[1575/3 image 1]

In dei nomine Amen Coram vobis Willelmo permissione divina Cestrensi Episcopo vestroue commissario
generali seu alio Judice in hac parte competenti quocunque Pars discretorum virorum  Johannis Vaudrey et
Ricardi Vaudrey generosorum fimariorum decimarum Ecclesie siue capelle de church heath parochie
sancti oswaldi vestre cestrensis diocesis et Jurisdiccionis contra et aduersus Radulphum Calueley generosum
capelle et parochie predicte vestre diocesis et Jurisdiccionis predicte ac contra quemcunque alium coram vobis pro eodem
in iudicio legitime interuenientem per viam querele et vobis in hac parte querelando dicit allega[t]
et in hijs scriptis in iure proponit prout sequitur

1            Imprimis pars dictorum firmariorum dicit quod Idem firmarii per nonullum temporis sp[acium]
Jam elapsis fuerunt et adhuc sunt firmarii decimarum Ecclesie siue capelle de churchehethe
ac totius vicarie perpetue Ecclesie parochialis sancti oswaldi predicte ac per idem tempus fuerunt et
adhuc sunt in possessione legitima dicte firme decimarum ecclesie siue capelle predicte legitime et
realiter constituti Necnon pro firmarijs ibidem communiter dicti tenti habiti et reputati palam pu[blice]
et notorie in dicta parochia sancti oswaldi antedicta alijsque locis vicinis et circumvicinis et ponit pars
coniunctim diuisim atque articulatim

2            Item quod tam de Jure communi statutis et iniunctionibus huis Regni Anglie quam de
antiqua laudabili legitimeque prescripta consuetudine a tempore immemorato hucusque inviolabiliter et inconcusse vsitata et obseruata ac in contradictorio Judicio sepius obtenta
ius percipiendi et habendi omnes et singulas decimas tam maiores quam minores mi[xtas]
et minutas ac cetera iura et emolumenta Ecclesiastica quemcunque infra dictam paroch[iam] siue capellariam finesque et limites ac loca decimabilia euisdem vbicunque qualitercunque et
quandocunque provenientes crescentes renovantes et contingentes ad firmarios Ecclesie siue capelle
de churcheheath parochie sancti oswaldi antedicti quoscunque pro tempore existentes iure et no[mine]
firme sue predicte pertinuit et pertinere debuit et debet etiam in futurum Et ponit vt supra

 

 

 

 

 

Libel (image 2)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[1575/3 image 2]

 3          Also, that the said Ralph Calveley in the year of our Lord 1575 in the months of March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January, February or any of the months whatsoever, in one or another, had and possessed 18 acres of land notoriously sited and situated within the church or chapel of Churton Heath aforesaid and the bounds and limits and the tithable places of the same, sown with corn or wheat, from which he or his men have taken 6 score thraves[1] of grain. And this party propounds of any other lesser number of thraves whatsoever up to ten thraves and of any other number of such amount as will become more fully clear and appear by lawful proofs in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds jointly, severally and concerning any part thereof.

4            Also, that the aforesaid Ralph Calveley in the year and months aforesaid or in any of the months whatsoever, in one or another, subtracted paying the tenth part of wheat growing, renewing and arising, as is thus aforesaid, in the said chapelry of Churton Heath and the parish of St Oswald aforesaid and the titheable places of the same and approved this subtraction; and he propounds as above.

5            Also, that the true value of any thrave of wheat whatever in the year and months aforesaid by common report of men notoriously extends to the sum of 9s of good and lawful money of England; and this party propounds of whatever lesser sum up to two shillings and of any other sum of such amount as will come to be proved in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds as above.

6            Also, that the true value of the tithes or tenth part of wheat thus as is aforesaid subtracted, taken and not paid by the aforesaid Ralph Calveley in the year and months above-said notoriously extended and extends to the sum or value of ten pounds of good and lawful money of England; and this party propounds of whatever other lesser sum, up to the sum of two shillings, and of any other sum of such amount as will come to be proved in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds as above.

[1] Thrave  – a measure of sheaves of grain which varied regionally (see OED). In Cheshire this amounted to twelve sheaves of corn or twenty-four of straw.

Transcript

[1575/3 image 2]

3            Item quod dictus Radulphus Calueley anno domini 1575 mensibus martij Ap[rilis]
maij  Junij Julij Augusti septembris Octobris novembris decembris Januarij [et]
februarii eorumve mensium quolibet vno siue aliquo habuit et possidet infra Ecclesiam
siue capellam de churchheath predictam finesque et limites ac loca decimabilia ei[usdem]
xviij acras terre notorie sitas et situatas seminatas frumento siue tritico ex quibus [habuit]
et percepit per se et suos vjxx le thraves grani Et ponit pars ista de quolibet
alio minori numero le thraves vsque ad decem le thraves et de tali et tanto
numero qualis et quantus in eventu huius litis per probaciones legitimas plenius
liquebit et apparebit Et ponit coniunctim diuisim et de quolibet

4            Item Quod prefatus Radulphus Calueley anno et mensis predictis eorumve mensium quoli[bet]
vno siue aliquo decimam partem tritici sic vt prefertur in dicta capella de churchhethe
et parochie sancti oswaldi antedicte et locis decimabilibus eiusdem crescentes renovantes et contingentes
soluendum subtraxit ac subtraccionem huiusmodi Rationem et gratiam habuit Et ponit vt supra

5            Item quod verus valor cuiuislibet le thrave tritici anno et mensibus predictis communi ho[inum]
etimacione notorie se extendit ad summam ixs bene et legalis monete Anglie Et pon[it]
pars ista de qualibet alia summa minori vsque ad duos solidos ac de tali et tanta sum[ma] qualis et quanta in eventu huis litis veniet comprobandum Et ponit vt supra.

6            Item quod verus valor decimarum siue decime partis tritici sic vt prefertur per prefatum R[adulphum]
Calueley anno et mensibus supradictis subtractarum perceptarum et non solutarum ad summam siue val[orem]
decem libris bone et legalis monete Anglie notorie se extendebat et extendit Et ponit pars
ista de qualibet alia summa minori vsque ad summam duorum solidorum ac de tali et tanta sum[ma]
qualis et quanta in eventu huius litis veniet comprobanda Et ponit vt [supra]

Libel (image 3)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[1575/3 image 3]

7            Also, that the aforesaid Ralph Calveley has not paid or set forth the tithes as in the premises, although having been requested and asked on the part and behalf of the said farmers or their deputies, he has completely refused to pay and set forth the same to the famers aforesaid, or, at least, he has delayed unduly, just as he unjustly delays at present, to no little prejudice of the said farmers and to the pernicious example of other Christian faithful; and he propounds as above.

 8            Also, that the aforesaid Ralph Calveley was and is of the parish of Saint Oswald and of the chapel of Churton Heath aforesaid of Chester diocese and by reason thereof subordinate and subject to your jurisdiction; and he propounds as above.

9            Also, that it was and is on the part and behalf of the said farmers that complaint is rightly and lawfully made to you, lord judge aforesaid, and to your Chester consistory court; and he propounds as above.

10          Also, that of and upon all and singular the premises there was and is public voice and fame in the said parish of Saint Oswald and the chapel of Churton Heath aforesaid and in other neighbouring places; and he propounds as above.

Transcript

[1575/3 image 3]

7            Item quod prefatus Radulphus Calueley decimas ex premissis non soluit vel exposu[it]
sed ex parte et per partem dictorum firmariorum seu eorum deputatorum Requisitus et interpellatus easd[em]
soluere et exponere predictis firmarijs penitus Recusauit seu saltem plus iusto distu[lit]
prout in presenti differet minus iuste in dictorum firmariorum preiudicium non modicum alio[rumque]
christifidelium perniciosum exemplum Et ponit vt supra

8            Item quod predictus Radulphus Calueley fuit et est parochie sancti oswaldi et capelle d[e]
churcheheath antedictis cestrensis diocesis et eo pretextu vestre Jurisdiccionis subditus e[t]  subiectus Et ponit vt supra

9            Item quod fuit et est ex parte et per partem dictorum firmariorum ad vos dominum
Judicem antedictum et ad curiam vestram consistorialem cestrensem rite et legitime querelatum Et
ponit vt supra.

10          Item Quod de et super premissis omnibus et singulis fuit et est publica vox
et fama in dicta parochia sancti oswaldi et capella de churcheheath predicta alijsque locis
vicinis Et ponit vt supra

Libel (image 4)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[1575/3 image 4]

Whereupon, due proof being made as required by law in this regard, the party of the said farmers, prays that right and justice may be done and administered to him with effect in all and singular the premises, and that the said Ralph Calveley is condemned in the tithes aforesaid, or their true value in accordance with the statute of the realm set forth in that behalf, and also in the lawful costs incurred on the part of the said farmers in this behalf and he protests those to be incurred, and, having been condemned, that he is obliged and compelled to the due and real payment of the same by you and your definitive sentence, lord judge aforesaid; which the party of the said farmer propounds and prays to be done jointly and severally by way of summary petition simply and plainly, 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 all the premises, distinguished judge aforesaid; and this party asserts the right of adding to, amending  and correcting this libel at a suitable and opportune time and place etc.

Transcript

[1575/3 image 4]

Vnde facta fide de iure in hac parte Requisita petit pars dictorum firmariorum ius
et iusticiam in premissis omnibus et singulis sibi fieri et ministrari cum effectu dictumque
Radulphum Calueley in decimis predictis seu eorum vero valore iuxta statutum inde editum Necnon
in expensis [legitimis] ex parte dictorum firmariorum in hac parte factis Et protestatur de faciendis
condempnari condempnatumque ad debitam et Realem solucionem earundem cogi et compel[li]
per vos et vestram sentenciam diffinitiuam domine Judex antedicte Que proponit et
fieri petit pars dictorum firmariorum coniunctim diuisim per viam summarie peticionis simpliciter et d[e]
plano  Non arctans se ad omnia et singula premissa probanda Nec ad onus
superflue probacionis de quo protestatur sed quatenus probauerit in premissis eate[nus] obtineat in petitis iuris beneficio in omnibus semper saluo vestrum officium Judex egreg[ie] in premissis omnibus humiliter Implorando
Et protestatur pars ista de addendo emendando et Corrigendo hunc libellum
pro loco et tempore congrius et opportunis et cetera

Libel (image 5)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[1575/3 image 5]

[Endorsement]

 Libel of the distinguished John Vawdrey and Richard Vawdrey, farmers of the tithes of Churton Heath, against Ralph Calveley, gentleman, in a cause of subtraction of tithes, exhibited 1575.

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

Translation copyright ©2022 P J Cox All Rights Reserved

Transcript

[1575/3 image 5]

[Endorsement]

[Libellus discretorum] virorum Johannis Vaudrey et Ricardi Vaudrey firmariorum decimarum de churcheth contra Radulphum Calveley generosum in causa subtraccionis decimarum exhibitus 1575

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

Transcript copyright ©2022 P J Cox All Rights Reserved

Exceptions to the libel

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[1575/3 image 6]

[…] October in the year of our Lord 1575

[Marginal note] John Vawdrey and Richard Vawdrey against Ralph Calveley, esquire, in a cause of subtraction of tithes

On which day William Man, Master of Arts, proctor of Master Ralph Calveley, gentleman, appeared and for every consequence of law that can follow thereupon, alleged that the aforesaid John Vawdrey and Richard Vawdrey are not (as they less than truthfully assert in their pretended libel given and offered against the pre-libelled Ralph Calveley, gentleman) the true and lawful farmers of the tithes coming, growing, renewing and arising within the bounds and limits and the tithable places of Churchen Heath within the parish of Saint Oswald and they are not reputed, accepted, named and held as true and lawful farmers of the tithes within the chapel and parish aforesaid and they do not have title or right of action against the aforesaid Ralph Calveley, gentleman, But if anyone has title and right of action, Robert Vawdrey, clerk, natural and legitimate brother of the said John Vawdrey and Richard Vawdrey has right and title of action.

Wherefore the party of the said Ralph Calveley, gentleman, prays to be dismissed from the suit of the said John Vawdrey and Richard Vawdrey and from further vexation, petition and molestation, and to be absolved together with expenses

And otherwise that what will have been of right and reason in the premises and anything whatsoever concerning them will be done, established and decreed; which allegation the party of the said Ralph Calveley, gentleman, propounds jointly and severally etc., not binding etc., and he prays that this allegation will be admitted etc..

[1575/3 image 8]

[Endorsement]

[…] exhibited on the 15th day of October in the year of our Lord 1575 against John Vawdrey and  Richard Vawdrey in a cause of tithes

Transcript

[1575/3 image 6]

 […]Oct[ob’] Anno domini  1575

[Marginal note] Johannes Vawdrey et Richardus Vawdrey contra et aduersus Radulphum Calveley armigerum in causa subtraccionis decimarum

Quo die comparuit Willelmus Man Artium magister
procurator magistri Radulphi Calveley generosi et ad
omnem Juris effectum exinde sequi valentem
allegauit quod prefati Johannes Vawdrey et Richardus Vawdrey
non sunt (vt minus vere asserunt in pretenso
suo libello contra pre libellatum Radulphum Calveley generosum
dato et oblato) veri et legitimi firmarij decimarum
provenientium, Crescentium, Renovantium, et Contingentium infra
fines et limites locaque decimibilia de Churchheth
infra parochij Sancti Oswaldi neque sunt reputati
accepti, nominati, et habiti pro veris et legitimis
firmarijs decimarum infra Capellam et parochiam predictas
neque habent Titulum aut Jus agendi
contra prefatum Radulphum Calveley g[ener]osum Sed
si aliquis habet Titulum et Jus agendi
Robertus Vawdrey Clericus frater naturalis
et legitimus dictorum Johannis Vawdrey et Richardi Vawdrey
habet Jus et Titulum agendi Quare
petit pars dicti Radulphi Calveley generosi
dimitti ab instantia vlteriorique vexacione
impeticione et molestacione dictorum Johannis Vawdrey
et Richardi Vawdrey vnaquecum expensis absolui
Vlteriusque fieri statui et decerni
in premissis et ea concernentis quibuscunque
quod Juris fuerit et racionis Quam
Allegacionem proponit pars dicti Radulphi Calveley
generosi Coniunctim et diuisim et cetera non arctans et cetera
et petit huiusmodi allegacionem admitti et cetera

[1575/3 image 8]

[Endorsement]

[…] [e]hibit’ xvo die octobris Anno domini 1575 contra Johannem Vawdrey et Richardum Vawdrey in causa decimarum

Interrogatories

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[1575/3 image 9]

[…] follow on behalf of Ralph Calveley, gentleman, against all and singular the witnesses produced on the part and behalf of John Vawdrey and Richard Vawdrey, pretended  farmers of the tithes of the vicarage of the parish church of Saint Oswald and of the chapel of Churton Heath.

1          Firstly, the danger of perjury and the penalty for bearing false witness having been explained, let each pretended witness be asked by virtue of his sworn oath, with which party of the parties litigant he is associated and which party he would favour more and would confer victory upon if it were in his power to confer it; and let him be asked jointly, severally and concerning any part thereof.

2          Also, let each pretended witness be asked whether he is related by blood or marriage, a servant or of the household of the party producing him and let it be done as before.

3          Also, let each pretended witness be asked what advantages he might receive in the event that the party producing him has the victory in this cause and what damages he might suffer by reason of their defeat.

 4          Also, let each pretended witness be asked this; whose tenant he is and at whose expense he has come here, whether voluntarily or by compulsion, and whether he has conferred with any precontest or any other with him about how or in what way he might depose and let it be done as above.

5          Also, let each pretended witness be asked this; whether he did at the tyme of his production with an audible voice saie and pronounce theise woordes before the Judge sitting judicially in open court namely let vs haue Justice whereby he made hym self a partie and vsed suche other wordes of maintaynaunce grudginge and murmuringe speaches and let him be asked jointly severally and concerning any part thereof.

6          Also, let them render the true reasons for their knowledge of all and singular the premises etc.

[1575/3 image 11]

[Endorsement]

[…] 17th day of November in the year of our Lord 1575

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

Translation copyright ©2022 P J Cox All Rights Reserved

Transcript

[1575/3 image 9]

 

[…] parte Radulphi C[alveley generosi] contra et adversus
omnies et singulos testes [productos] ex parte et per
partem Johannis Vawdrey et Richardi Vawdrey
firmarios se pretendentes decimarum [vicarie] ecclesie parochialis
Sancti Oswaldi et Capelle de Churchethe
Sequuntur

 1          Inprimis periculo periurij et pena testis falsidici exposito Interrogetur
quilibet testis pretensus huiusmodi virtute Juramenti sui prestiti cum qua parte
partium litigantium conuersetur et cui parti magis faueat et conferret
victoriam si esset in illius potestate conferrendum et Interrogetur
coniunctim diuisim et de quolibet

2      Item Interrogetur quilibet testis pretensus huiusmodi an sit consanguineus
affinis, famulus, domesticus partis eum producentis et fiat vt
supra

 3          Item Interrogetur quilibet testis pretensus huiusmodi quid commodi sit
recepturus casu quo pars eum producens victoriam habuerit
in hac causa et quid damni sit passurus modo succubuerit

4          Item Interrogetur quilibet testis pretensus huiusmodi cuius tenens est
et cuius sumptibus huc accessat num sponte vel coactus
et vtrum conferrebat cum aliquo precontesto vel aliquis cum
eo quid aut qualiter deponeret et fiat vt supra

5          Item interrogetur quilibet testis pretensus huiusmodi whether he did
at the tyme of his production with an audible voice saie
and pronounce theise woordes coram Judice pro tribunali
sedente in plena Curi[a] videlicet let vs haue Justice whereby
he made hym self a partie and vsed suche other wordes
of maintaynaunce grudginge and murmuringe speaches
et Interrogetur Coniunctim Diuisim et de quolibet

6          Item quod reddant veras causas scientarum suarum in premissis
omnibus et singulis et cetera

[1575/3 image 11]

[Endorsement]

[…] xvijo die Novembris Anno Domini 1575

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

Transcript copyright ©2022 P J Cox All Rights Reserved

People

Ralph Calveley – defendant

John Vawdrey – plaintiff

Richard Vawdrey – plaintiff

Robert Vawdrey – brother of plaintiffs

 

 

 

Officials

William Downham 

Subjects

Agricultural and other produce and its value 

Farm

Occupations and professions 

Right of action

Proctors

William Man – for the defendant

Places

Chester, St Oswald

Churton Heath

Related Causes

EDC 5/1580/6 – John Vawdrey and Richard Vawdrey, gentlemen, farmers of the tithes of Saint Oswald contra Richard Webb, William Janeon the elder and William Janeon the younger

Notes

Cheshire Sheaf, 3rd series, xxi, p. 37 has extracts of a case in the Chester Exchequer dating from 1575 between Robert Vawdrey and John and Richard Vawdrey, with others, concerning the ownership of the farm of these tithes, among other property. Images of the records of some of these proceedings in the Exchequer can be seen online at http://aalt.law.uh.edu/Eliz.html under ‘Cheshire Orders and Decrees’ for 1575 and 1576.

 

 

Ref: EDC 5/11/1

  • Search Cause Papers

Catalogue Entry:

EDC 5/11/1 – Libel in tithe cause: Sir Thomas Longton kt. Baron of Walton, farmer of tithes of pa. Lowe v. Lawrence Banaster of Derwynde alias Banaster Hall, gent. 1550

Summary:

Sir Thomas Langton, farmer of the tithes of the chapelry of Low, contra Lawrence Banastre.

 

Year

1550

Type of Cause:

Tithes- milk; tithes – calves; tithes – lambs; tithes – wool; tithes – piglets; tithes – geese; tithes – eggs; tithes – hemp; tithes – flax; tithes – garden produce

Cause Papers:

Libel

Libel (image 1)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/11/1 image 1]

[…] George Wilmesley, Bachelor of Laws, of […] our father in Christ, John […] by divine permission bishop of Chester, upheld to exercise spiritual and ecclesiastical jurisdiction within the diocese of Chester by the authority of the most powerful prince in Christ and our master, lord Edward the Sixth, by the grace of God king of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith and on earth supreme head of the English and Irish church, sufficiently and lawfully deputed vicar general in spirituals and Official Principal of the Chester consistory court or any other judge whomsoever competent in that behalf; the party of the venerable Thomas Langton, knight, baron of Walton, farmer of our said lord king of all and singular ecclesiastical tithes, offerings, income and produce produced and belonging within the parish of the parish church or chapelry of Lowe, of the said Chester diocese against Lawrence Banastre of Derwynde[1] or Banister Hall and against any other person or persons whomsoever lawfully intervening before you in judgement for the same, by every better and more effective way, method and form of law by which he was or is able and to every effect of law whatever and to every consequence of law that can follow thereon in any way says, alleges and in these writings in law propounds in articles as follows:

1          Firstly, he propounds and articles that the said most illustrious lord prince, our king, was and is the present rector or proprietor of the said parish church or chapelry of Lowe of the said Chester diocese by reason of the suppression, dissolution or surrender up of the former dissolved monastery or religious house of Whalley of the said Chester diocese and he peacefully and quietly possessed the said church or chapelry of Lowe, together with its rights and emoluments for some time and he was and is commonly called, held, considered, named and reputed openly, publicly and notoriously as true rector or proprietor of the same church or chapelry and of its universal rights and emoluments; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

[1] Later known as Darwen Hall.

Transcript

[5/11/1 image 1]

[Georgio Wilmys]ley in legibus baccallario […] in Christo patris Johannis […permissione]
diuina] Cestrensis Episcopi ad exercendum Jurisdicionem spiritualem et ecclesias[ticam infra]
diocesem Cestrensem Auctoritate potentissimi in christo principis et domini nostri domini
Edwardi sexti dei gracia Anglie Francie et Hibernie Regis fidei
defensoris et in tera ecclesie Anglicane et Hibernice supremi capitis
fulcito vicario in spritualibus generali et Curie Consistorij Cestrensis
Officiale principale sufficienter et legitime deputato seu alio Judice
in hac parte competenti quocunque Pars venerabilis viri Thome Longton
militis baron de Walton firmarij dicti domini <nostri> Regis omnium et singularum
decimarum oblacionum obuentionis et proventium ecclesiasticorum infra
parochiam ecclesie parochialis siue capelle de lowe dicte Cestrensis diocesis prouenientium et contingentium contra et aduersus Laurencium Banaster de Derwynde siue Banaster Hall dicte diocesis generosum ac contra quemcunque alium seu
alios coram vobis in Judicio legitime intervenientem pro eodem omnibus
melioribus et efficacioribus via modo et Juris forma quibus
poterit aut potest ac ad omnem quemcunque Juris effectum exinde sequi
quouismodo valentem dicit allegat et in hijs scriptis in Jure proponit
articulatim prout sequitur

1          In primis ponit et articulatur quod dictus Illustrissimus princeps dominus noster Rex
dictue ecclesie parochialis siue capelle de lowe dicte Cestrensis diocesis fuit et
est Rector siue proprietarius modernus racione suppressionis extinctionis
siue sursum reddicionis nuper dissoluti monasterij siue religiose
domus de Whalley dicte Cestrensis diocesis dictamque ecclesiam siue capellam
de lowe vnacum suis decimis et alijs Juribus et emolumentis
per nonnulla tempora possidebat pacifice et quite ac pro vero Rectore siue
proprietario eiusdem ecclesie siue capelle Juriumque et emolumentorum suorum
vniuersorum fuit et est communiter dictus tentus habitus nominatus et reputatus
palam publice et notorie Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim et de quolibet

Libel (image 2)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/11/1 image 2]

2          […] was, just as there is at present, a certain house commonly called […] or ‘Banaster Hall’ now in the occupation of Lawrence Banastre aforesaid with its fields, meadows, grazing and pastures and other estates, places and lands belonging and appertaining to the same house within the parish of the said parish church or chapelry of Lowe, and notoriously sited and situated within the bounds, limits and tithable places of the same and the same house called Derwyn or Banister Hall, together with its fields, estates, farms, places and lands aforesaid, is commonly called, held, deemed, named and reputed openly, publicly and notoriously as parcel of the same parish during the same time; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

3          Also, that as well by the common law as by ancient laudable and lawful prescribed custom, hitherto peacefully and steadfastly used and observed from the time and throughout the time of the beginning or to the contrary of which there exists no memory of men and often upheld in judgment in a contested cause, the right of receiving and having all and singular offerings, tithes, both greater as lesser, mixed and minute and especially tithes of milk, calves, lambs, wool, piglets, geese, eggs, hemp, flax, apples, pears, onions, leeks and garlic of in and from any gardens, orchards, fields, farms, estates, lands and tithable places whatsoever of the said parish church of Lowe aforesaid whenever, howsoever and however often renewing, grazing, growing, proceeding and arising and in supplementary manner all and singular tithes and especially tithes of milk, calves, lambs, wool, piglets, geese, eggs, hemp, flax, apples, onions, leeks and garlic, in English ‘of mylke calves lambes woll pigges gise Egges hempe flaxe Aples Onyons leekes & garlike’ of, from and in the said dwelling called Derwyn or Banister Hall and the fields, farms, places and lands appertaining and belonging to the same house whatsoever, whenever, howsoever and however often renewing, grazing, growing, proceeding and arising belonged and appertained to the rectors or appropriators for the time being of the same church or chapelry of Lowe aforesaid and it ought thus to have belonged and appertained and should also in future by reason of the premises and this was and is true, public, notorious and manifest; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

Transcript

[5/11/1 image 2]

 [2]        […]
fuit prout in presenti est quedam domus vul[gari]ter […]
siue Banaster Hall nunc in occupacione Laurencij Banaster predicti [cum]
suis campis pratis pastuis et pasturis ac alijs predijs locis et terris
ad eandem domum spectantijs et pertinentijs infra parochiam dicte ecclesie parochialis
siue capelle de lowe atque infra fines limites et loca decimabilia
eiusdem notorie sita et situata fuitque et est eadem domus vocata
Derwyn siue Banaster Hall vnacum suis campis predijs fundis locis et
terris predictis pro parcella euisdem parochie de lowe per idem tempus communiter
dicta tenta habita nominata et reputata palam publice et notorie Et ponit coniunctim
et diuisim et de quolibet

3          Item quod tam de Jure communi quam de antiqua laudabili legitimeque prescripta consuetudine a tempore et per tempus cuius Inicij siue contrarij memoria
hominum non existit hactenus pacifice et inconcusse vsita et obseruata ac in contradictorio Judicio sepius obtenta Jus percipiendi et habendi omnes et
singulas oblaciones decimas tam maiores quam minores, mixtas et minutas et
presertim decimas lactis vitulorum agnorum Lane porcellorum Ancarum ouorum
canabis lini pomorum pirorum separum porrorum et allij de in et ex quibuscunque
ortis pomorijs campis fundis predijs terris et locis decimabilibus dicte ecclesie
parochialis de lowe predicte quandocunque qualitercunque et quociescunque renovantes
depascentes crescentes provenientes et contingentes et accessorie decimas omnes et singulas
et presertim decimas lactis vitulorum Agnorum Lane porcellorum ancarum ovorum
canabis lini pomorum Separum porrorum et Allij Anglice of mylke calves
lambes woll pigges gise Egges hempe flaxe Aples Onyons leekes
& garlike de ex et in dicta domo vocata Derwyn siue Banaster Hall
predijsque campis fundis locis et terris ad eandem domum pertinentijs et
spectantijs quibuscunque quandocunque qualitercunque et quociescunque
quociescunque renovantes
depascentes crescentes provenientes et contingentes ad rectores siue proprietarios eiusdem
ecclesie siue capelle de lowe predicte pro tempore existenti spectauit et pertinuit
atque sic spectare et pertinere debuit et debet eciam in futurum racione
premissorum hocque fuit et est verum publicum notorium et manifestum Et ponit
coniunctim et diuisim et de quolibet

Libel (image 3)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/11/1 image 3]

4          […]
each and every one of them being in their successive times were […] possession of the right, or quasi-possession of the right of taking and having all and singular tithes aforesaid proceeding and arising in the places aforesaid 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 the memory of man does not exist; and by right and in the name of the same parish church of Lowe aforesaid for the same time they took and had them, themselves or through their men, and freely disposed of and with them at their own will, and so they ought  thus to have taken, had and disposed just as our said lord king, present rector or appropriator of the same church, saving what is set out below, during his time in the name of the same church was, took, had and disposed and thus should have and should at present be, take, have and dispose by reason of the premises; and this was and is true, public, notorious and manifest; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

5          Also, that the aforesaid Thomas Langton, knight, in the months of April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January, February and March in the one thousand five hundred and forty third, 44th, 45th, 46th, 47th, 48th, 49th, fiftieth and fifty first years of our Lord, in any of those months and years whatsoever in several or in the rest, and in other months and years now to come, all and singular tithes, bother greater and lesser, mixed and minute, within the parish of the parish church or chapelry of Lowe aforesaid of in or from the said house commonly called ‘Derwyn’ or ‘Banaster Hall’ and the fields and places, closes, farms, estates, grounds, orchards, gardens and lands of the same house or belonging to it in any way and sited and situated within the said parish of Lowe and the bounds and limits and tithable places of the same whatsoever, whenever, howsoever and however often as is aforesaid proceeding, renewing, growing and arising […] from our aforesaid lord king, present rector or appropriator of the said parish church of Lowe aforesaid, or his officer or other who has the right in that respect for a certain annual rent

Transcript

[5/11/1 image 3]

[4]        […]
omnes et singuli eorum temporibus successiue existentes fuerunt […]
possessione Juris seu quasi Juris percipiendi et habendi omnes et singulas
decimas predictas in locis predictis provenientes et contingentes a x ‧ xx ‧
xxx ‧ xl ‧ l et lxta  annis vltraque et citra necnon a tempore et per
tempus cuius inicij siue contrarij memoria hominum non existit Easque per
se et suos Jure et nomine eiusdem ecclesie parochialis de lowe predicte
idem tempus perceperunt et habuerunt atque de et cum eisdem pro eorum
libitis libere disposuerunt atque sic esse percipere habere et disponere
debuerunt prout dictus dominus noster Rex rector siue proprietorius eiusdem
ecclesie modernus saluis infrascriptis pro tempore suo nomine eiusdem ecclesie
fuit percepit habuit et desposuit ac sic esse percipere habere et disponere
debuit et debet in presenti racione premissorum hocque fuit et est verum
publicum notorium et manifestum Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim et de quolibet

5          Item quod predictus Thomas Longton miles mensis Aprilis Maij Junij
Julij Augusti Septembris Octobris Novembris Decembris
Januarij februarij et Marcij Annis domini Millesimo quingentesimo
quadragesimo tercio, xliiijto  xlvto xlvjto xlvijo xlviijo xlixo
quinquagesimo et quinquagesimo primo eorundemve mensium et
annorum quolibet pluribus siue reliquo alijsque mensis et annis iam
futuris omnes et singulas decimas tam maiores quam minores mixtas et
minutas infra dictam parochiam ecclesie parochialis siue capelle de lowe
predictam et accessorie de in aut ex dicta domo vulgariter nuncupata
Derwyn siue Banaster Hall campisque et locis clausuris fundes predijs
gardinis pomarijs ortis et teris ipsius domus siue ad illam quouismodo
spectantis atque infra dictam parochiam de Lowe finesque limites et
loca decimabilia eiusdem parochie sitis et situatis quibuscunque quandocunque qualitercunque et quociescunque ut premittitur provenientes renascentes
crescentes et contingentes a prefato domino nostro rege dicte ecclesie parochialis de
Lowe predicte Rectore siue proprietario moderno seu eius in hac parte
officario siue alio ad hoc auctoritatem habent pro certo anno redditu

Libel (image 4)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/11/1 image 4]

 […] and occupies at present, and he was and is the same […] true and indisputable farmer, and as the true farmer of the same […] commonly called, held, had, named and reputed openly, publicly and notoriously […] of the premises; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

6       Also, that in a parliament of this realm of England at Westminster in the 27th and 32nd years of the reign of Henry the eighth of happy recollection [and] memory which, in the years of the reign of our said lord king at the present time, Edward the sixth, in the second and third years held and celebrated among many other very beneficial statutes and ordinances in corroboration of the payment of all and singular tithes, offerings and church rights it was and is prudently enacted and established that all and singular tithes, both personal and real and predial and other lesser mixed and minute, and offerings and church rights whatsoever should be handed over and paid to the rector, appropriator, vicar or their farmer of the same church or parish where these tithes or ecclesiastical produce come forth and arise in the same manner and form and in their specific type just as in this parish for forty years immediately they should by law have continuously paid and provided before the passing of the said statutes or acts of parliament or any of them as is more fully contained and made clear in these statutes, to which this propounding party refers as far as is expedient to him and not otherwise or in any other way; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

7          Also, that in a statute of the parliament of this realm of England held and celebrated at Westminster in second and third years of our said lord king at the present time, it was and is prudently ordained, enacted and established in the following words by the following authority namely ‘that euery of the kynges subiectes shall frome hensforth truly iustly without Fraude or gyle devyde sett owte yelde & pay all manner of ther prediall tyethes in ther proper kyndes as they rise & happen in such manner & forme as hath byn of right yeilded & paid within forty yeres befor the makyng of this acte or of right or custome ought to haue byne paied And that noo manner of person shall frome hensforth take or cary awaye any such or like tiethes which haue bene yelded & paid within the said fortye yeres or of right ought to haue byne paied in the place or places tithable of the same before he haue iustly devyded and’

Transcript

[5/11/1 image 4]

[…] et occupat in presenti fuitque et est idem […]
verus et indubitatus firmarius ac pro vero firmarion earundem […]
communiter dictus tentus habitus nominatus et reputatus palam publice et noto[rie …]
premissorum. Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim et de quolibet

6         Item quod in parliamento huius regni Anglie apud Westmonastarium annis regni
felices recordacionis memorie Henrici octaui xxvijo et xxxijo quam annis
regni dicti domini nostri Edwardi sexti regis nunc annis secundo et
tercio tento et celebrato inter alia plurima suluberima statuta
et ordinata in corroboracionem solucionis omnium et singularum decimarum oblacionum
et Jurium ecclesiasticorum provide fuit et est inactitatum et statutum quod
omnes et singule decime tam personales et reales quam prediales Alieque minores
mixtas et minutas oblacionesque et Jura ecclesiastica quecunque prestentur
et soluantur Rectori proprietario vicario siue eorum firmario ipsius
ecclesie siue parochie vbi huiusmodi decime et proventi ecclesiastici proveniunt et
contingent eijdem modo et forma ac in earum propria specie prout parochia
huiusmodi infra tempus xlta annorum Imediate ante edicione dictorum
statutorum siue actorum parliamenti siue eorum alicuius continue soluere
et prestare de Jure debuerunt prout in huiusmodi statutis plenius continetur
et liquet ad que se refert pars ista proponens quatenus sibi expedit
et non aliter neque alio modo Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim et de quolibet

7          Item quod in statuto parliamenti huius regni Anglie tenti et celebrati apud Westmonastarium dictis annis secundo et tercio dicti domini nostri Regis nunc fuit et
est provide ordinatum inactitatum et statutum sub hoc verborum tenore auctoritate
sequente videlicet that euery of the kynges subiectes shall frome hensforth
truly iustly without Fraude or gyle devyde sett owte yelde & pay
all manner of ther prediall tyethes in ther proper kyndes as they rise
& happen in such manner & forme as hath byn of right yeilded & paid
within forty yeres befor the makyng of this acte or of right or
custome ought to haue byne paied And that noo manner of
person shall frome hensforth take or cary awaye any such or like
tiethes which haue bene yelded & paid within the said fortye
yeres or of right ought to haue byne paied in the place or
places tithable of the same before he haue iustly devyded and

Libel (image 5)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/11/1 image 5]

[…]
[…] ‘for the same tythes which the parson vicar […] proprietary or Fermor of the same tithes vnder the payn of […] or treble valewe of the tithes so taken or caried awaye’; and this was and is true, public, notorious and manifest; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

8.          Also, that the aforesaid Lawrence Banastre, layman, who had or has nothing of right in the said parish church of Lowe aforesaid or the tithes belonging and appertaining to the same in any way, knowing well enough of all and singular premises and notwithstanding the same, but against them and as a fraud both against the aforesaid statute or act of parliament and the other premises to the grave danger of his soul and to no small loss and grievance of the said Thomas Langton, knight, farmer aforesaid no tithes or tenth part of ten calves, in English ‘of tenne calves’, twenty lambs in English ‘of twenty lambes’, 40 fleeces in English of fortie fleces of woole’, of one hundred piglets in English ‘of one hundreth pygges’ and of one hundred goslings in English ‘of one hundreth of yonge gese’ nourished, reared, renewed and grazing of and from his cows, sheep, pigs and geese within the said manor called ‘derwyn’ or ‘banaster hall’ and the lands and places belonging to the same and coming or arising within the bounds, limits and tithable places of the said parish of Lowe parish in the months of April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January, February and March in the years of our Lord one thousand five hundred and 43rd, 44th, 45th, 46th, 47th, 48th, 49th and fiftieth, or in any of those months and years whatsoever, in one or the rest, and belonging and appertaining to the said farmer by right and in the name of the said parish church of Lowe and ought to belong and appertain in the said moths and years whatsoever, in one or the rest, he did not set them out in kind nor pay them to the said farmer or at least compound for them with the same but subtracted, took and kept them, or at least ordered and caused them to be subtracted, taken and kept and he approves and approved and likewise accepted the subtraction, taking and keeping done in his name; and this propounding party submits and libels of whatever other

Transcript

[5/11/1 image 5]

[…]
[…] for the same tythes which the parson vicar […]
proprietary or Fermor of the same tithes vnder the payn of […]
or treble valewe of the tithes so taken or caried awaye [hocque]
fuit et est verum publicum notorium et manifestum Et ponit coniunctim et
diuisim et de quolibet

8.         Item quod prefatus Laurencius Banaster Laicus qui nihil Juris in dicta
ecclesia parochiali de lowe predicta decimis ve ad eandem spectantis et
pertinentis aliqualiter habuit aut habet premissorum omnium et singulorum satis
sciolus ipsisque non obstantibus sed contra ea et in fraudem tam predicti statuti
siue acti parliamenti quam ceterorum premissorum in anime sue graue periculum dictique
Thome Longton militis firmarij antedicti dampnum non modicum et
grauamen nonnullas decimas siue decimam partem decem vitulorum Anglice of
tenne calves viginti agnorum Anglice of twenty lambes
xlta vellerum lane Anglice of fortie fleces of woole centium porcellorum
Anglice of one hundreth pygges et centium Anserulorum anglice of one
hundreth of yonge gese de et ex vaccis ovibus suibus et Ancis
siue anceribus suis infra dictam domum vocatam derwyn siue banaster
hall terrisque et loca <ad> eandem spectantis ac infra fines limites
et loca decimabilia dicte parochie de Lowe nutritorum educatorum renascentium
et pascentium mensibus Aprilis Maij Junij Julij Augusti septembris
octobris Novembris  Decembris Januarij februarij et Marcij
Annis domini Millesimo quingentesimo xliijo xliiijto xlvto xlvjto xlvijto
xlviijo xlixo et quinquagesimo eorundemque mensium et annorum quolibet vno
siue reliquo provenientium et contingentium atque ad dictum firmarium Jure et nomine
dicte ecclesie parochialis de lowe spectantes et pertinentes atque spectare et pertinere debentes dictis mensibus et annis et eorum quolibet vno siue reliquo in
suis speciebus non exposuit nec dicto firmario easdem soluit aut cum
eodem pro eijsdem minime composuit sed easdem subtraxit percepit et habuit
seu saltem sic subtraheri percepi et haberi mandauit et fecit ac subtracionem
perceptionem et habicionem suo nomine factas ratum et gratum habuit et habet pariter
et accepit Ac dat et libellat pars ista proponens de quolibet alio

Libel (image 6)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/11/1 image 6]

[…]
of these fleeces of wool, piglets and goslings […] of so great a number of what kind and amount will come to be declared and proved by lawful proofs in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

9          Also, that the true value or valuation of each tithable calf, lamb, fleece of wool, piglet and gosling whatsoever subtracted, taken and not paid as is thus aforesaid by the aforesaid Lawrence Banastre in the months and years aforesaid or in any of the months and years whatsoever to the amount or value as here following in English, namely ‘euery tieth calf to the somme of eight shillynges sterling euery tieth Lambe to the some or valewe of iijs sterling euery tieth flece of wooll to the some or valewe of xiiijd sterling euery tieth pigge to the sum or valewe of vjd sterling euery tieth goose to the some of iiijd’ and this propounding party submits and libels of whatever other greater, intermediate or lesser sum or value down to the sum or value of 4d for each of the premises whatever, and of such and so great a sum of what kind and amount as notoriously extended or extends in the common estimation of men will come to be declared or proved more plainly by lawful proofs in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

10.      Also, that the said Lawrence Banastre in the months of April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January, February and March in the years of our Lord one thousand five hundred and 43rd, 44th, 45th, 46th, 47th, 48th, 49th and fiftieth, or in any of those months and years whatsoever, in one or the rest, tithes or the tenth part of five hundred bundles or bales of hemp, in English ‘fyve hundreth beetes of hempe’ and five hundred bundles or bales of flax, in English ‘fyve hundreth beetes of lyne or flaxe’ to, from and in the lands, estates and places belonging and appertaining to the manor called ‘Derwyn’ or ‘Banaster Hall’ and within the said parish of Lowe, and the bounds and limits and [tithable] places

Transcript

[5/11/1 image 6]

[…]
vellerum Lane porcellorum et anserulorum huiusmodi […]
tanto numero qualis et quanta per probaciones legitimas in [eventu huius]
litis veniet declarandum et comprobandum Et ponit coniunctim et [diuisim]
et de quolibet

9.         Item quod verus valor siue estimacio cuiuslibet vituli agni velleris
lane porcelli et anseruli decimalis huiusmodi sic ut prefertur per prefatum
Laurencium Banaster mensibus et annis predictis eorundemve mensium et
annorum quolibet vno siue aliquo subtracti percepti et non soluti ad
summam siue valorem hic in anglicis sequens videlicet euery tieth calf
to the somme of eight shillynges sterling euery tieth Lambe to the some
or valewe of iijs sterling euery tieth flece of wooll to the some or
valewe of xiiijd sterling euery tieth pigge to the sum or valewe of
vjd sterling euery tieth goose to the some of iiijd ac dat et libellat
pars ista proponens de qualibet alia summa siue valore maiori media
vel minori vsque ad summam siue valorem iiijd pro quolibet premissorum deque
tali et tanta summa qualis et quanta per probaciones legitimas in
eventu litis huiusmodi plenius veniet declarandum siue comprobandum
communi hominium estimacione notorie se extendebat et extendit Et ponit
coniunctim et diuisim ac de quolibet

10.      Item quod dictus Laurencius Banaster mensibus Aprilis Maij Junij
Julij Augusti septembris octobris novembris decembris Januarij
februarij et Marcij Annis domini Millesimo quingentesimo xliijo
xliiijto xlvto xlvjto xlvijto xlviijo xlixo et quinquagesimo
eorundemque mensium et annorum quolibet vno siue reliquo decimas siue
decimam partem quingentorum fasciculorum siue manipulorum canabis
Anglice fyve hundreth beetes[1] of hempe et quingentorum
fasciculorum siue manipulorum lini Anglice fyve hundreth beetes
of lyne or flaxe de ex et in terris predijs et locis ad dictam
domum vocatam Derwyn siue Banaster Hall spectantibus et pertinentibus
ac infra dictam parochiam de Lowe finesque et limites locaque

[1] Beet – variant of beat = ‘a bundle of flax or hemp made up ready for steeping’ OED

Libel (image 7)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/11/1 image 7]

[…]
[…] he did not set them out in kind or pay them to the said farmer or duly compound for them but wrongfully subtracted, took and kept them, or at least ordered and caused them to be subtracted, taken and kept and he approves and approved and likewise accepted the subtraction, taking and keeping done in his name; and this propounding party submits and libels of whatever other greater, intermediate or lesser number of ‘beetes’ of hemp and ‘beetes’ of linen, in English ‘of Hempe and flaxe’ of what sort and amount what kind and amount as will come to be declared and proved by lawful proofs in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

11.       Also, that the true value or valuation of the tithes or tenth part of each hundred bundles of hemp, in English ‘of euery hundreth beetes of hempe’ whatsoever not set out in kind but wrongfully subtracted, taken and not paid as is thus aforesaid by the aforesaid Lawrence Banastre in the months and years aforesaid or in any of the months and years whatsoever in one or the rest  to the amount or value of 6d of good and lawful money of England, of each hundred bundles of flax in the same months and years or in any of them similarly by the same Lawrence Banastre not set forth but wrongfully subtracted, had and taken to the sum or value of 6d sterling, and this propounding party submits and libels of whatever other greater, intermediate or lesser sum or value down to the sum or value of 2d, and of such and so great a sum of what kind and amount as notoriously extended or extends in the common estimation of men will come to be declared and proved more plainly by lawful proofs in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

12        Also, that the oft-mentioned Lawrence Banastre in the months and years aforesaid, or in any of those months and years whatever, in one or the rest, tithes or the tenth part of vegetables, namely of onions, leeks and garlic, in English ‘of onyons leekes & garlicke’ and also tithes or the tenth part of two hundred bushels of apples and pears, in English ‘of two hundreth busshelles

Transcript

[5/11/1 image 7]

[…]
[…] in suis spe[cie]bus non exposuit aut [dicto]
firmario pro easdem debite composuit sed easdem iuiuste subtraxit
percepit et habuit seu saltem subtraheri percepi et haberi mandauit et
fecit ac subtracionem perceptionem et habicionem huiusmodi suo
nomine factas ratum et gratum habuit et habet pariter et accepit ac dat et
libellat pars ista proponens de quolibet alio numero de la beetes
canabis ac de le beetes lini Anglice of Hempe and flaxe maiori
medio vel minori vsque ad numerum xxti beetes canabis et
totidem lini Necnon de tali et tanto numero quale et quanto
per probaciones legitimas in eventu litis huius plenius veniet declarandum
et comprobandum Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim ac de quolibet

11.       Item quod verus valor siue estimacio decimarum siue decime partis cuiuslibet Centum
fasciculorum canabis Anglice of euery hundreth beetes of hempe
sic ut prefertur per prefatum Laurencium Banaster mensibus et Annis
predictis eorundemve mensium et annorum <quolibet> vno siue reliquo in suis
speciebus non expositarum sed iniuste subtractarum perceptarum et non
solutarum ad summam siue valorem vjd bone et legali monete
Anglie, cuiuslibet Centum fasciculorum lini eijsdem menibus et
annis siue ipsorum aliquo similiter per eandem Laurencium Banaster
non expositarum sed iniuste subtractarum habitarum et perceptarum ad summam
siue valorem vjd sterlingam ac dat et libellat pars ista proponens de
qualibet alia summa maiori media vel minori vsque ad summam siue
valorem ijd deque tali et tanta summa qualis et quanta per probaciones
legitimas in eventu litis huiusmodi plenius veniet declarandum et
comprobandum communi hominium estimacione notorie se extendebat et extendit
Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim ac de quolibet

12        Item quod sepefatus Laurencius Banaster mensibus et annis predictis
eorundemve mensium et Annorum quolibet vno siue reliquo decimas
siue decimam partem olerum videlicet ceparum porrorum et alliorum Anglice of
onyons leekes & garlicke necnon decimas siue decimam partem ducentorum
modiorum pomorum et pirorum Anglice of two hundreth busshelles

Libel (image 8)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/11/1 image 8]

[…]
appertaining and belonging […] to the said parish of Lowe […] coming and arising [within the] limits and tithable place of the same parish in any year […] aforesaid appertaining and belonging and which ought to belong and appertain to the said farmer by right and in the name of the said parish he did not set them out in kind or duly compound with the said farmer for them but wrongly subtracted, took and kept them, or at least ordered and caused them to be thus subtracted, taken and kept and he approves and approved and likewise accepted the subtraction, taking and keeping done in his name; and this propounding party submits and libels of whatever other greater, intermediate or lesser number of bushels of apples and pears whatever in any year of the years aforesaid down to the number of ten bushels of these apples and pears and of such and so great a sum of what kind and amount as will come to be proved more plainly by lawful proofs in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

13        Also, that the true value or valuation of the tithes or tenth part of each bushel of apples and pears and of the tithes or tenth part of the onions, leeks and garlic whatsoever not set out in kind but wrongfully subtracted, taken and retained as is thus aforesaid by the aforesaid Lawrence Banastre in the months and years aforesaid or in any of the months and years whatsoever in one or the rest to the amount or value as in the English words following namely ‘the tieth of euery busshell of such Apples & peres to the some of iiijd sterling
and the tieth or tennth parte of the said onyons leekes & garlike euery of the said yeres to the somme or value of xijd sterling’, and this propounding party submits and libels of whatever other greater, intermediate or lesser sum or value of each bushel of the said apples and pears down to the sum or value of 4d, and also of such and so great a sum of what kind and amount as notoriously extended or extends in the common estimation of men will come to be declared and proved more plainly by lawful proofs in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

Transcript

[5/11/1 image 8]

[…]
pertinentes et spectantes […] a dictam parochiam de [Lowe …]
limites locaque decimabilia eiusdem parochie quolibet anno […]
predicto provenientes et contingentes ad dictum firmarium Jure [et]
nomine dicte ecclesie pertinentes et spectantes ac spectare et pertinere debentes
in suis speciebus non exposuit aut cum dicto firmario pro eijsdem debite
composuit sed easdem iniuste subtraxit percepit et habuit seu saltem
sic subtrahi percepi et haberi mandauit et fecit ac subtracionem
et perceptionem huiusmodi suo nomine factas ratum et gratum habuit et habet pariter et
accepit ac dat et libellat pars ista proponens de quolibet alio numero
modiorum pomorum et pirorum quolibet anno annorum predictorum maiori
medio vel minori vsque ad numerum decem modiorum pomorum et
pirorum huiusmodi Necnon de tali et tanto numero qualis et quanta
per probaciones legitimas in eventu huius litis plenius veniet comprobandum
Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim ac de quolibet

13        Item quod verus valor siue estimacio decimarum siue decime partis
cuiuslibet modij pomorum et pirorum et decimarum siue decime
partis ceparum porrorum et Alliorum sic ut prefertur per eundem
Laurencium Banaster mensibus et Annis predictis eorundemve mensium
et annorum quolibet vno siue reliquo in suis speciebus minime
expositarum sed iniuste subtractarum perceptarum et retentarum ad summam siue valorem in anglicis verbis sequentis videlicet the tieth of euery
busshell of such Apples & peres to the some of iiijd sterling
and the tieth or tennth parte of the said onyons leekes &
garlike euery of the said yeres to the somme or value of xijd
sterling ac dat et libellat pars ista proponens de qualibet alia summa
siue valore cuiuslibet modij dictorum pomorum et pirorum vsque ad
summam siue valorem iiijd deque talibus et tantis summis qualis
et quanta per probaciones legitimas in eventu huius litis plenius veniet
comprobandum communi hominium estimacione notorie se extendebat et extendit
Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim ac de quolibet

Libel (image 9)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/11/1 image 9]

14        […]
[…] and converted to his own uses to the amount or value of thirty nine pounds 17s 8d of good and lawful money of England and this propounding party submits and libels of whatever other intermediate or lesser sum or value down to the sum or value of £4 4d, and of such and so great a sum of what kind and amount as notoriously extended or extends in the common estimation of men will come to be declared and proved more plainly by lawful proofs in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

15.       Also, that three times the loss of the tithes aforesaid unjustly subtracted by the said Lawrence Banastre as is thus aforesaid to the sum or value of ninety two pounds 12s and this propounding party submits and libels of whatever other intermediate or lesser sum down to the sum of £12 12d, and also of such and so great a sum of what kind and amount as notoriously extended or extends in the common estimation of men will come to be proved more plainly by lawful proofs in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

16.       Also, that the said Lawrence Banastre has been and was suitably and lawfully requested and asked often or at least once to pay, give and deliver to the aforesaid Thomas Langton, knight, farmer aforesaid or his deputy all and singular the tithes aforesaid by him in the years and months aforesaid as is thus aforesaid not set out in kind but wrongly subtracted, taken, had and not paid or otherwise duly to compound with the same farmer for the same tithes, and lawfully; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

17        Also, that the aforesaid Lawrence Banastre, as thus aforesaid asked and requested to do as in the premises or in any of them, has declined and refused or at least delayed and delays to the grave danger of his soul and the pernicious example of other Christian faithful and to no small prejudice and grievance of the said farmer; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

Transcript

[5/11/1 image 9]

[14]      […]
[…] ac in suos prop[rios] vsus conuersus ad summam siue valorem
tri[ginta] novem librarum xvijs viijd bone et legalis monete
Anglie ac dat et libellat pars ista proponens de qualibet alia summa
siue valore medio vel minori vsque ad summam siue valorem iiijli
iiijd Necnon de  tali et tanta summa qualis et quanta per probaciones
legitimas in eventu huius litis plenius veniet comprobandum communi
hominium estimacione notorie se extendebat et extendit Et ponit coniunctim
et diuisim ac de quolibet

15        Item quod triplicum dampni decimarum predictarum sic ut prefertur per dictum
Laurencium Banaster iniuste subtractarum ad summam siue valorem
Nonaginta duas libris xijs ac dat et libellat pars ista proponens
de qualibet alia summa media vel minori vsque ad summam xijli
et xijd Necnon de tali et tanta summa qualis et quanta per
probaciones legitimas in eventu huius litis plenius veniet comprobandum
communi hominium estimacione notorie se extendebat et extendit
Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim ac de quolibet

16       Item quod dictus Laurencius Banaster ad soluendum tradendum
et liberandum prefato Thome longton milite firmario antedicto
seu eius deputato decimas predictas omnes et singulas per ipsum annis
et mensibus predictis sic ut prefertur in suis speciebus haud expositas
sed iniuste subtractas perceptas habitas et non solutas seu ad aliter
debite componendum cum eodem firmario pro eijsdem decimas ex parte
et per partem eiusdem firmarij sepius seu saltem semel congrue
et legitime fuit et est requisitus et interpellatus Et ponit coniunctim et
diuisim et de quolibet

17        Item quod prefatus Laurencius Banaster sic ut prefertur requisitus et
interpellatus premissa <seu> eorum aliquod facere renuit et recusauit
seu saltem distulit et differt in anime sue graue periculum et aliorum
christifidelium perniciosum exemplum dictique firmarij dampnum non
modicum et grauamen Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim et de quolibet

Libel (image 10)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/11/1 image 10]

[18]      […]

19        Also, that complaint on the part and behalf of the aforesaid farmer it is lawfully made to you, lord judge, of and concerning all and singular the premises; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

20        Also, that all and singular the premises were and are true, public, notorious, manifest and equally well-known, and public voice and fame were and are at present circulating regarding and concerning the same. Whereupon, due proof being made, as required by law in this behalf, the party of the said Thomas Langton, knight, farmer aforesaid, prays that right and justice may be done and administered to him with effect in all and singular the premises, and anything whatsoever concerning them and the said Lawrence Banastre is condemned in the lawful costs incurred and to be incurred in this respect on the part of the said Thomas Langton, knight, farmer aforesaid and that he, Lawrence Banastre, is obliged and compelled to due payment of the same by your passing your definitive sentence or your final decree in that behalf, lord judge aforesaid; the party of the mentioned Thomas Langton, knight, 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; and the party of the said farmer prays that it this cause may proceed summarily and plainly, without clamour and the normal forms of procedure, just as in some costly arrangements and often decreed in that respect; humbly imploring your office in this regard, distinguished Judge aforesaid.

Transcript

[5/11/1 image 10]

[18]      […]

19        Item quod de et super [premisis omni]bus et singulis [fuit et est ex parte et]
per partem prefati firmarij [ad] vos dominum Judicem […]
legitime querelatum Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim et de quolibet

20        Item quod  premissa omnia  et singula fuerunt et sunt v[era] publica notoria
manifesta pariter et famosa ac de et super eijsdem laborarunt et
in presenti laborant publica vox et fama  Vnde facta fide de Jure
requisita petit pars dicti Thome longton militis firmarij antedicti
Jus et Justiciam sibi in premissis omnibus et singulis et ea concernentibus
quibuscunque fieri et ministrari cum effectu dictumque Laurencium
Banaster in expensis legitimis per partem dicti Thome Longton militis
firmarij antedicti in hac parte factis et faciendis condempnari Ipsumque
Laurencium Banaster ad debitam solucionem earundem cogi et compelli
per vos et vestram sententiam diffinitiuam siue vestrum finale decretum in hac
parte ferendam domine Judex antedicte Premissa proponit et fieri petit
pars memorati Thome longton militis firmarij predicti 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
Et petit pars dicti firmarij quod procedatur in hac causa summarie et de
plano absque figura et strepitu Judicij iuxta nonullas consti-
tuciones dispendiosas et sepe in hac parte editum vestrum officium in hac
parte humiliter implorando Judex egregie antedicte

Libel (image 11)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/11/1 image 11] 

[Endorsement]

[The endorsement is illegible apart from the date year]

1550

[in pencil in a different hand]

/1

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

Translation copyright ©2025 P J Cox All Rights Reserved

Transcript

[5/11/1 image 11]

[Endorsement] 

[the endorsement is illegible apart from the date year]

1550

[in pencil in a different hand]

/1

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

Transcript copyright ©2025 P J Cox All Rights Reserved

People

Sir Thomas Langton – plaintiff

Lawrence Banastre – defendant

Officials

John Bird

George Wilmesley

Subjects

Agricultural and other produce and its value

 

Places

Low (Walton-le-Dale)

 

Notes

This is an unusual cause in the number of years for which the tithes are being claimed (1543 to 1551 inclusive being 9 years) and also for the relatively large number of crops in dispute. It also seems odd in that the chapel of Low, where the tithes arose, had apparently been leased to Richard Bream for 30 years from 1537 although Sir Thomas Langton claimed in this libel that he was the king’s farmer of the chapelry. The suit may perhaps stem from the attitude of the Langton family to the chapelry and Thomas Langton’s reputation as ‘an ardent litigant’ (https://historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1509-1558/member/langton-sir-thomas-149697-1569). See also notes on Low in the Directory under Places.