Ref: EDC 5/10/2

Catalogue Entry:

EDC 5/10/2 – Sentence in tithe cause: Roger Fulbek, Nicholas Jacson & Ellen Fulbeke, farmers of Irton co. L. v. John Sherween, Nicholas Sherween & Rowland Hartley of pa. Irton. 13 Apr. 1549.

Summary:

Roger and Ellen Fulbeke and Nicholas Jacson, farmers of the tithes of Irton, contra John and Nicholas Sherween and Roland Hartley.

Roger Fulbeke and his wife, Ellen, together with Nicholas Jacson had leased the tithes of the parish of Irton from John Fox, who had leased them from Sir Hugh Askew, the king’s cellerer,  who had a lease from Henry VIII following the dissolution of  Seton nunnery in 1536 (CALS EDC 2/4 p. 72a).

This cause is unusual in the Chester Consistory Court as the defendants resided in the archdeaconry of Richmond where the tithes in question arose; the vast majority of such causes were heard in Richmond. The parishes of residence of the plaintiffs are not given.

The sentence sets out the value of the tithes awarded to the plaintiffs and quantifies their costs, setting out the date for payment of the amount adjudged to be due.

Year

1549

Type of Cause:

Tithes – barley; tithes – oats; tithes – wheat

Cause Papers:

Sentence

Sentence (image 1)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/10/2 image 1]

[…] the merits and circumstances of a certain cause of subtraction of tithes […]  investigated by us, George Wilmesley, Bachelor of Laws, vicar general in spirituals of the right reverend father in Christ, John, by divine permission bishop of Chester upheld by the supreme authority of the most illustrious Prince in Christ and our master, 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 under Christ, and sufficiently and lawfully deputed official principal of the consistory of the same reverend father which was for some time disputed and is as yet disputed and pending undecided before us between the honest men Roger Fulbeke, Nicholas Jacson and Ellen Fulbeke farmers of the lord King of the parish church of Irton of Chester diocese the party complainant on one part, and John Sherween, Nicholas Sherween and Roland Hartley of the parish of Irton aforesaid the defendant and party complained of on the other part rightly and lawfully proceeding; the parties aforesaid appearing before us in judgement sufficiently and lawfully, the party of the said Roger, Nicholas and Ellen fervently praying that sentence is passed and that justice may be done to their party, moreover the party of the said John, Nicholas and Roland also urgently praying that sentence may be passed […] for their party.

Transcript

[5/10/2 image 1] 

[…] discussis [per nos] Georgium Wilmysley in [legibus] Baccall[arium]
Reuerendi in Christo patris domini Johannis permissione diuina Cestrensis Episcopi suprema
auctoritate Illustrissimi in Christo principis et domini nostri domini Edwardi
Sexti dei gracia Anglie Francie et Hibernie Regis fidei defensoris
et in terra ecclesie Anglicane et Hibernice supremi capitis
fulciti vicarium in spiritualibus generalem, et Consistorij eiusdem Reuerendi
patris Officialem principalem sufficienter et legitime deputatum
meritis et circumstancijs cuiusdam cause subtraccionis decimarum
que coram nobis inter honestos viros Rogerum fulbeke Nicolaum
Jacson et Elenam Fulbeke firmarios domini Regis Ecclesie parochialis
de Irton Cestrensis diocesis partem querelantem ex parte una, et
Johannem Sherween Nicolaum Sherween et Rouland hartley
parochie de Irton predicte partem ream et querelatam ex parte
altera aliquamdiu vertebatur, et adhuc vertitur et pendet
indecisa rite et legitime procedentes partibus predictis coram nobis
sufficienter et legitime in Judicio comparentibus parteque dictorum Rogeri
Nicolai et Elene sententiam ferri et Justiciam fieri pro parte sua
parte vero dictorum Johannis [Nicolai] et Rolandi sententiam
eciam fieri et […] instanter postulantibus

Sentence (image 2)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/10/2 image 2]

[…] acts, enactments, deductions, […] allegations and proofs had and done by all sides in this cause, and having reviewed and considered them with promptness and diligence, with the advice of those learned in the law with whom we have communicated in this behalf, and matters which according to law should be observed in this respect having been observed by us, we have thus thought fit to proceed to making the pronouncement of our definitive sentence or our final decree in the said cause, and we do proceed in this manner which follows;

forasmuch as we know and clearly find by the acts enacted, set forth, exhibited, propounded and likewise proved had and done by all sides in the said cause that the party of the aforesaid Roger, Nicholas and Ellen …. their claim as to the right, title and possession of the right of receiving all and singular tithes proceeding and arising in the aforesaid parish of Irton and the bounds and limits and the tithable places of the same set forth in their libel previously judicially given and offered by their party before us in the cause mentioned (the tenor of which libel follows in these words […] In the name of God, Amen: before you, the venerable

Transcript

[5/10/2 image 2] 

[…] actis inactitatis ded[…]allegatis et probatis
[in] huiusmodi causa hincinde habitis et factis, eisque cum maturitate
et diligencia recensitis et ponderatis de consilio Jurisperitorum
cum quibus in hac parte communicauimus, seruatis per nos de Jure
in hac parte servandis, ad nostre sententie diffinitiue siue decreti
nostri finalis in dicta causa ferendum prolacionem sic duximus
procedendum et procedimus in hunc qui sequitur modum,

Quia
per acta inactita deducta exhibita proposita <pariter et> probata
in dicta causa hincinde habita et facta
comperimus et luculenter Invenimus partem prefatorum Rogeri
Nicolai et Elene intencionem suam quoad ius titulum
et possessionem Juris percipiendi omnes et singulas decimas
in prefata parochiam de Irton finesque et limites ac loca
decimabilia eiusdem provenientes et contingentes in libello suo
alias per partem suam coram nobis in causa memorata Judicaliter
dato et oblato deductam cuius quidem libelli tenor sequitur
in hec verba [… In dei] nomine Amen Coram vobis venerabili

Sentence (image 3)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/10/2 image 3]

[…] John, by divine permission lord bishop of Chester sufficiently and lawfully deputed by the authority of the most illustrious Prince in Christ and our master, 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 or any other judge whomsoever competent in this regard, the party of the distinguished men Roger Fulbeke, Nicholas Jacson and Ellen Fulbeke farmers of our lord King of the parish church of Irton of Chester diocese against John Sherween, Nicholas Sherween and Roland Hartley of the parish of Irton aforesaid of the archdeaconry of Richmond of the said Chester diocese and against any other whomsoever et cetera, which certain libel as here read and inserted, we hold and wish to be held as sufficiently founded and proved, and nothing effectual on behalf of […] has been or is excepted, set forth, alleged or proved which could destroy or in any way weaken the claim of the aforesaid farmers. Therefore we, George Wilmesley, official principal abovesaid, having first called upon the name of Christ, and having God himself alone before our eyes, as by right, title and possession or quasi possession by the said Roger, Nicholas and Ellen, farmers aforesaid, of the parish church of Irton […] all and singular tithes abovesaid […] tithable places of the same, howsoever and […] arising, as well as the right

Transcript

[5/10/2 image 3]

[…] dominum
Johannem permissione diuina Cestrensem Episcopum Auctoritate Illustrissimi in
Christo principis et domini nostri domini Edwardi Sexti dei gracia
Anglie Francie et Hibernie Regis fidei defensoris et in
terra ecclesie Anglicane et Hibernice supremi capitis sufficienter
et legitime deputatum aut alio Judice in hac parte competenti quocunque
Pars discretorum virorum Rogeri Filbeke Nicolai Jacson
et Elene Filbeke firmariorum domini nostri Regis ecclesie parochialis
de Irton Cestrensis diocesis contra et aduersus Johannem Sherween
Nicolaum Sherween et Rouland Hartley parochie de Irton
predicte Archidiaconatus Richmond dicte Cestrensis diocesis, ac contra quemcunque
alium et cetera quem quidem libellum pro hic lecto et inserto habemus
et haberi volumus sufficienter fundasse et probasse < nihilque effectuale ex parte […] exceptum deductum allegatum aut probatum fuisse
et esse quod intencionem prefatorum firmariorum elideret seu quomodolibet enervaret Idcirco nos Georgius Wilmysley Officialis principalis antedictus
Christi nomine primitus invocato ac ipsum solum deum pre
oculis nostris Habentes pro Jure titulo et possessione seu quasi
dictorum Rogeri Nicolai et Elen firmariorum antedictorum
ecclesie parochialis de Irton <[…] omnis [et sin]gulis decimis infradictis […]> loca decimabilia eiusdem
qualitercumque et [… con]tingentis Jus quoque

Sentence (image 4)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/10/2 image 4]

[…] belonged and appertained to Roger, Nicholas and Ellen, farmers of the parish church of Irton, during their […] term, by right and in the name of the parish church aforesaid and so ought to have belonged and to belong and appertain, likewise we pronounce, decree and declare that John Sherween, Nicholas Sherween and Roland Hartley have subtracted these tithes set out above from the said farmers and the parish church of Irton aforesaid or have not paid them in the months, years and places libelled in this respect arising and proceeding within the parish of Irton aforesaid and belonging and appertaining to the said farmers aforesaid in the manner and form expressed and declared in the said libel, or at least have ordered and caused that they should be thus subtracted or not paid and also had and have made and approved and similarly accepted this subtraction and non-payment; and that they, John, Nicholas and Roland, and any of them, according to the rate applicable to them respectively, to the payment, supply and satisfaction of the tithes aforesaid by them and [any] of them

Transcript

[5/10/2 image 4]

[…] Rogerum Nicolaum et [Elenam firm]arios de ecclesie
parochialis de Irton durante termino <…> suo Jure et nomine
ecclesie parochialis predicte spectasse et pertinasse et sic spectare
et pertinere debuisse et debere dictos quoque Johannem Sherween
Nicolaum Sherween et Rouland Hartley decimas
Huiusmodi infrascriptos mensibus annis et locis in hac parte
libellatas infra parochiam de Irton predictam contingentes et
provenientes atque ad dictos firmarios antedictos spectantes et
pertinentes modo et forma in dicto libello expressis et declaratis
dictis firmarijs <et ecclesie parochiali de Irton predicte> respectiue subtraxisse <aut> non soluisse,
seu saltem sic subtrahi aut non solui mandasse et
fecisse, Necnon subtracionem et non solucionem huiusmodi
sic factas, ratas et gratas habuisse et habere pariter et
acceptas pronunciamus decernimus et declaramus, Ipsosque
Johannem Nicolaum et Rouland et eorum quemlibet iuxta
ratam eos respectuie concernentem ad solucionem prestacionem
et satisfac[ionem] decimarum predictarum per eos et eorum

Sentence (image 5)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/10/2 image 5]

 

[…] John Sherween in the tenth part of fifteen bushels of wheat arising in the said parish of Irton in the one thousand five hundred and forty-eighth year of our Lord which tenth part we assess at the amount or value of 2s 3d and in the tenth part of fifteen bushels of barley at the amount or value of 2s and in the tenth part of forty bushels of oats at the amount or value of 2s of money of England according to what has been proved against him and Nicholas Sherween in the tenth part of thirty five bushels of wheat arising in the said parish of Irton in the one thousand five hundred and forty-seventh and forty-eighth years of our Lord which tenth part we assess at the amount or value of 5s 3d and in the tenth part of thirty five bushels of barley in the said years at the amount or value of 4s 8d and in the tenth part of one hundred bushels of oats in the said years at the amount or value of 5s of money of England according to what has been proved against him and Roland Hartley

Transcript

[5/10/2 image 5] 

[…] Johannem
Sherween in decima parte quindecim modiorum [s]iliginis anno
domini Millesimo quingentesimo xlviijo in dicta parochia de Irton provenientium
quam quidem decimam partem ad summam siue valorem ijs iijd
et in decima parte quindecim
modiorum ordij quam ad summam siue valorem ijs
et in decima parte quadraginta modiorum avenarum
quam ad summam siue valorem ijs monete Anglie estimamus
iuxta probata contra eum Et Nicolaum Sherween in decima parte
triginta quinque[1] modiorum [s]iliginis annis domini
Millesimo quingentesimo quadragesimo septimo et quadragesimo
octauo in dicta parochia de Irton provenientium, quam quidem
decimam partem ad summam siue valorem vs iijd
< et in decima parte triginta quinque modiorum ordij dictis annis quam ad summam iiijs viijd>
et in decima parte Centum modiorum
Avenarum < dictis annis> quam <ad> summ[am siue va]lorem vs monete Anglie
estimamus iuxta probat[a contra eum Et] Rouland Hartley

[1] The number ‘triginta quinque’ has been crossed through and replaced by ‘septuaginta’. The insertion has then been deleted and the word ‘stet’ added next to the original words, meaning ‘let this stand’.

Sentence (image 6)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/10/2 image 6]

[…] arising [in the said parish] of Irton which tenth part we assess at the amount of 12d halfpenny and in the tenth part of twelve bushels of barley which […] at the amount of 20d and in the tenth part of forty bushels of oats at the amount or value of 2s of money of England according to what has been proved against him to be bound by law and we pronounce, decree and declare that John Sherween, Nicholas Sherween and Roland Hartley must pay, make good and satisfy to the farmers aforesaid the aforesaid tithes subtracted or not paid by them respectively as aforesaid, if they are still in existence, otherwise the true value of those tithes as duly requested to do, having refused and refusing or at least having unduly delayed and delay; and we condemn them respectively in the said tithes, if they are still in existence, otherwise in their values aforesaid, and in the lawful costs incurred and to be incurred on the part of the aforesaid farmers in this behalf (which expenses […] shillings of money of England

Transcript

[5/10/2 image 6]

 […] de Irton provenientium
quam quidem decimam partem ad summam siue valorem xxijd obulus
<et in decima parte duodecim modiorum ordij […] quam ad summam xxd et in decima parte quadraginta
modiorum Avenarum quam ad summam siue valorem ijs monete
Anglie estimamus iuxta probata contra eum de Jure teneri
dictos que Johannem Sherween Nicolaum Sherween et Rouland
Hartley ad soluendum prestandum et satisfaciendum firmarijs
antedictis prefatas decimas per eos ut premittitur respectiue
subtractas seu non solutas si extent, alioquin earundem
decimarum veros valores debite requisitos ad facere
recusasse et recusare seu plus iusto distulisse et differe
pronunciamus decernimus et declaramus. Et Ipsos in dictis
decimis si extent alioquin in earum valoribus antedictis, et
in expensis legitimos per partem prefatorum firmariorum in hac parte
factis et faciendis respectiue condempnamus (Quas quidem
expensas […] solidorum monete Anglie

Sentence (image 7)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/10/2 image 7]

[…] and they [are] to pay to the aforesaid farmers the expenses aforesaid taxed by us as is aforesaid before the feast of the Ascension of our Lord next coming upon pain of excommunication, forthwith and henceforward which we pass and promulgate if they and each of them do not appear upon our monition, warning them peremptorily in these writings we pronounce, decree and declare them to be 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 judge aforesaid on the 13th of April in the year 1549; being then present there John Hurmefroy and Peter Gillam, literate laymen etc.

Transcript

[5/10/2 image 7] 

[…] eosdemque ad soluendum prefatis [fir]marijs
expensas predictas per nos ut premittitur taxatas citra
festum ascensionis domini[1] proximum futurum sub pena excommunicacionis
quam in ipsos et eorum quemlibet monicionibus nostris non parentes
exnunc prout extunc et extunc prout exnunc ferimus et promulgamus
in hijs scriptis peremptorie monendos fore pronunciamus
decernimus et declaramus per hanc nostram sententiam diffinituam
siue hoc nostrum finale decretum quam siue quod ferimus
et promulgamus in hijs scriptis

 

Lecta and Lata fuit hec sententia per Judicem
predictum xiijo Aprilis Anno 1549 presentibus tunc ibidem
Johanne Hurmefroy et petro Gillam laicis literatis etc

[1] This is difficult to read and seems to have been inserted hurriedly after the main text was written and the transcription may not be correct. The Feast of the Ascension was traditionally celebrated on the sixth Thursday after Easter Sunday. In 1549 this would have been 30th May.

Sentence (image 8)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/10/2 image 8]

[Endorsement]

Sentence Filbeke against Sherween and others associated with this suit in a cause of tithes

[in pencil in a different hand]

1549 Apl 3

\2

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

Translation copyright ©2024 P J Cox All Rights Reserved

Transcript

[5/10/2 image 8]

[Endorsement]

Sententia Filbeke contra {contra} Sherween et
alios litis consortos in causa decimarum

[in pencil in a different hand]

1549 Apl 3

\2

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

Transcript copyright ©2024 P J Cox All Rights Reserved

People

Roger Fulbeke – plaintiff

Ellen Fulbeke – plaintiff

Nicholas Jacson – plaintiff

John Sherween – defendant

Nicholas Sherween – defendant

Roland Hartley – defendant

Peter Gillam – witness to sentence

John Hurmefroy – witness to sentence

 

 

 

 

Officials

George Wilmesley – official principal

Notes

Sir Hugh Askew, the original lessor of the tithes of Irton, came from Lincolnshire. It is possible that Roger and Ellen Fulbeke also lived in Lincolnshire as theirs is not a name local to Irton and their parish is not given in the sentence.

Ref: EDC 5/13/2

Catalogue Entry:

EDC 5/13/2 – Libel in tithe cause: William, Dean of Chester, rector of Prestbury v. William Andrewe of Prestbury. 1552.

Summary:

Sir Richard Egerton, farmer of the tithes of Prestbury, contra William Andrewe.

The tithes in dispute were mixed tithes normally payable to the vicar. The libel claims tithes relating to 1552 to 1555, so is likely to date from at least 1555. The crossing through of the name of George as bishop of Chester would also suggest a date later than 1552 as he was bishop from 1554 to the end of 1555.

Year

1552

Type of Cause:

Tithes – calves; tithes – foals; tithes – lambs; tithes – wool

Cause Papers:

Libel

Libel (image 1)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/13/2 image 1]

In the name of God, Amen: before you […][1] by divine permission bishop of Chester or any other judge whomsoever competent in that behalf; the party of the distinguished and venerable Richard Egerton, knight, farmer of the venerable dean William[2] and the chapter of the cathedral church of Chester, rectors of the parish church of Prestbury and the perpetual rectory of the same, against William Andrewe of the aforesaid parish of Prestbury of Chester diocese and of your jurisdiction and also against any other or others whomsoever lawfully intervening before you in judgement for the same, by every better way, method and form of law that can follow thereon by which he was or is able says, alleges and in these writings in law propounds jointly and severally and in articles as follows:

1.          Firstly, that the said venerable dean William and the chapter aforesaid, rectors aforesaid, were and are canonically instituted to the said parish church and rectory of Prestbury, and thus instituted to it with its universal rights, tithes and appurtenances, have had possession of it for some peaceful and quiet time just as (saving what will be said below) they thus have also at present and also were and are commonly called, held, named and reputed openly, publicly and notoriously as rectors and canonical possessors of the said rectory of Prestbury; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

2.          Also, that as well by common law, deed, right and re-grant of presentation of the said rectory of Prestbury, as by ancient laudable and lawful 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 (except corn and grain) especially of calves, wool, foals and lambs proceeding and arising within the parish of Prestbury and the bounds and limits and tithable places of the same belonged and thus should have and ought also to belong and appertain to the said venerable dean William and chapter, present rectors there, or to the present farmer by right and in the name of his said rectory and to all and singular his precursors and predecessors in their successive time; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

3.          Also, that all and singular rectors of the said rectory of Prestbury in their successive times, were and are in peaceable possession, or virtually so, of the right of taking and having all and singular tithes abovesaid coming and arising in the manner as is aforesaid (except corn and grain) for 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 years and before and also from the time and throughout the time of the beginning of which does not exist in the memory of men, and they and through their men took them during the same time and so the said venerable dean William and chapter, present rectors, and their farmer had and disposed for their whole and entire time there until the time of trouble described below; and he propounds jointly, severally and concerning any part thereof.

4          Also, that in a parliament of England held and celebrated at Westminster in the 27th and 32nd [years of the reign] of the most serene prince in Christ Henry the eighth, formerly king of England, of happy recollection and memory among other statutes it was and is ordained that all and singular persons of this realm of England whatever his status, degree or condition might be, every year faithfully pays and is bound to and should  pay tithes and offerings to God and the church due and accustomed to be paid according to and in accordance with the laudable and legal use, practise and custom of the parishes and places where the tithes and offerings grow and arise or are owed; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

[1] The name of ‘George’ as bishop of Chester has been crossed out but unfortunately any subsequent insertion is illegible. George Cotes was the first Marian bishop of Chester, appointed in 1554 he died in office early in December 1555, suggesting that this cause dates from late 1555 or early 1556.

[2] William Cliffe was dean of Chester from 1547 to 1558.

Transcript

[5/13/2 image 1]

In [dei] nomine amen coram vobis […]
permissione diunia cestrensi episcopo
seu alio Judice in hac parte competenti quocunque pars preclari ac venerabilis viri
Richardi egerton equitis aurati firmarij venerabilium virorum Willielmi decani et capituli ecclesie
cathedralis cestrie Rectorium ecclesie parochialis de prestburye ac Rectorie perpetue eiusdem
contra et aduersus Willielmum andrewe parochie predicte de prestburye cestrensis diocesis et vestre Jurisdiccionis
necnon contra quemcunque alium seu alios coram vobis in Juditio legitime intervenientem pro eodem
omnibus melioribus via modo et Juris forma que exinde sequi poterit aut potest dicit
allegat et in hiis scriptis in iure proponit coniunctim et diuisim et articulatim prout sequitur

1.          Imprimis quod dicti venerabiles viri Willielmus decanus et capitulum Rectores antedicti sunt dictam
ecclesiam parochialem et Rectoriam de prestburye canonice assecuti ipsamque sic assecutam cum suis
Juribus decimis et pertinentiis vniuersis per nonnulla tempora quieta ac pacifica possessione
habuerunt prout (saluis infrascriptis) etiam in presenti habent necnon pro Rectoribus et
canonicis possessoribus dicte Rectorie de prestburye fuerunt et sunt communiter dicti tenti nominati et
reputati palam publice et notorie et ponit coniunctim et diuisim ac de quolibet

2.          Item quod tam de Jure communi fundatione donatione redotatione dicte Rectorie de prestburye quam de antiqua
laudabili legitimaque consuetudine a tempore immemorato hucusque inviolabiliter et inconcusse
vsitata et obseruata ac in contradictorio Judicio sepius obtenta Jus percipiendi et habendi omnes et
singulas decimas tam maiores quam minores mixtas et minutas (preter frugum et garbarum) presertim vitulorum
larne etulam et agnorum infra parochiam de presteburye finesque et limites ac loca decimabilia euisdem
provenientes et contingentes ad dictos venerabiles viros Willielmum decanum et capitulum Rectores
ibidem modernes seu eorum firmarium moderni Jure et nomine dicte sue Rectorie suosque precessores
ac predecessores omnes et singulos eorum temporius successiuis pertinuit ac sic spectare
et pertinere debuit et debet et ponit coniunctim et diuisim ac de quolibet

3.          Item quod Rectores omnes et singuli dicte Rectorie de presteburye eorum temporibus successiue existentes
fuerunt et sunt in pacifica possessione seu quasi iuris percipiendi et habendi omnes et singulas decimas
supradictas modo que prefertur provenientes et contingentes preter frugum et garbarum a x xx
xxx xl l et lx annis vltraque necnon a tempore et per tempus cuius initij in memoria hominum
non existit easque per se et suos per idem tempus perceperunt sicque habuerunt et
disposuerunt dicti venerabiles viri Willielmus decanus et capitulum Rectores moderni
et eorum firmarius toto et omni tempore suo vsque ad tempus gravaminis infrascriptum
et ponit coniunctim et diuisim et de quolibet

4          Item quod in parliamento anglie apud Westmonastarium serenissimi in Christo principis henrici octaui
nuper felices recordacionis et memorie Rex anglie xxvijo et xxxijo tento et celebrato inter alia
statuta fuit et est ordinatum quod omnes et singule persone huius regni anglie cuiuscumque
status gradus et conditionis fuerint decimas et oblationes deo et ecclesie debitas et solui
consuetas iuxta et secundum laudabilem seu legitimum vsum moremque et consuetudinem parochianum
et locorum vbi decime et oblaciones crescunt et perveniunt seu debentur quotannis fideliter persoluant et persoluere tenentur et debent et ponit coniunctim et diuisim et de quolibet

Libel (image 2)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/13/2 image 2]

5          Also, that in a parliament of England held and celebrated at Westminster in the 2nd and 3rd [years of the reign] of the most serene prince in Christ Edward the sixth of good and happy memory, late king of England, in confirmation of the payment of all and singular sorts of tithes and offerings it was and is established and ordained, for all and singular his tithes having been subtracted [but] accustomed to be paid by law and custom they shall have given back triple value of the tithes as is thus aforesaid subtracted, just as is more fully clarified and contained in the same statute, to which this party refers himself, as far as it is expedient for himself, and not otherwise; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

6.          Also, that the said William Andrewe, layman, who had or has no right in any way in the said rectory of Prestbury or in the tithes aforesaid, forgetful of the welfare of his soul, being induced (as it is believed) by an evil spirit and not respecting the statutes of the realm and not fearing to fall under penalty of the law in the one thousand five hundred and fifty-first year of our Lord had, raised and kept seven cows and the same number of calves within the parish of Prestbury and the bounds and the tithable places of the same and applied and converted them to his own use where by law and custom he should have paid one tithe calf and in the one thousand five hundred and fifty-2nd year of our Lord he had, raised and kept six cows and the same number of calves, compounding with the farmer for two cows and the same number of calves, omitting five cows and four calves in his account with the farmer namely for any cow and calf 2d for each of the same. Also, in the one thousand five hundred and fifty-3rd year of our Lord he had, raised and kept seven cows and the same number of calves coming from the same cows, from which he paid not even one tithe calf […] the law, practice and custom of that place and parish requires Also, in the one thousand five hundred and fifty-fourth and fifth years of our Lord he had, raised and kept within the bounds of the parish aforesaid seven or at least six cows with the same number of their calves, rendering account for not more than two cows and the same number of calves omitting (as above) four cows with their calves in calculating with the farmer and he approved and approves and accepts the subtraction thus done in his name by him and his men; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

7          Also, that the said William Andrewe, layman, forgetful of the welfare of his soul (as above) in the one thousand five hundred and fifty-2nd, 3rd, 4th and fifth years of our Lord, in the months of November, December, January, February, March and April had, raised and kept and (as he agrees) overwintered in each year in the months aforesaid at least fifty sheep, commonly called ‘yenys & wedders’[1] and applied and converted them to his own use, delivering to the rectors or their farmer no tithe or tenth part neither of the wool nor the lambs therefrom, where each year he should have delivered to God and the church five fleeces and at least two tithe lambs; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

8          Also, that the true value or valuation of the tithes or tenth part subtracted, as is thus aforesaid, by the aforesaid William Andrewe, namely ‘fore ij tythe caluis fore kie & caluis iij yere´ for tithe calves not paid extends to the sum or value of 8s and for cows and their calves, according to the custom, for three years as above mentioned is 2s

[1] Probably ‘jennys’ and ‘wethers’ – female animals and castrated male sheep.

Transcript

[5/13/2 image 2]

5          [Item quod in parliamento anglie apud Westmonastarium serenissimi in Christo principis Edwardi]
sexti nuper bone et felicis [m]emorie Regis angli[e 2]o et 3o tento et [cel]ebrato in corrobora-
tionem solutionis omnium et singulorum generum decimarum et oblationum statutum et ordinatum
fuit et est per omnes et singuli subtractas habentes decimas suos de iure et consuetudine
solui consuetas redderint triplum valorem decimarum sic vt premittitur subtractarum prout
in eodem statuto plenius liquet ac continetur ad que se refert pars ista quatenus sibi
expedit et non aliter et ponit coniunctim et diuisim et de quolibet

6.          Item quod dictus Willielmus andrewe laicus qui nihil Juris in dicta rectoria de prestburye decimisve predictis
habuit seu habet aliqualiter anime sue salutis immemor spritu (vt creditur) maligno ductus
ac statuta regia predicta negligens et in penam Juris cadere non formidans septem
vaccas ac totidem vitulos habuit aluit ac custodiuit anno domini Millesimo quingentesimo
quinquagesimo primo infra parochiam de presteburye finesque ac loca decimabilia eiusdem et
ad vsum suum proprium applicauit et convertit vbi de Jure et consuetudine redderet
vnum vitulum decimalium et anno domini Millesimo quingentesimo
quinquagesimo 2o habuit aluit
ac custoduit sex vaccas ac totidem vitulos computans cum firmario pro duabus
vaccis ac totidem vitulos quintuor ac quatuor vitulos in compoto suo
cum firmario videlicet per quale les vacca ac vitulo eiusdem ijd Item anno domini Millesimo
quingentesimo quinquagesimo 3o habuit aluit ac custoduit septem vaccas ac totidem
vitulos ex eisdem vaccis provenientes e quibus ne vitulum quidem decimalem […]
lex mos ac consuetudo illius loci ac parochie exegit redderet Item annis domini Millesimo
quingentesimo quinquagesimo quarto et quinto habuit aluit ac custoduit infra limites
parochie predicte septem vell ad minus sex vaccas cum totidem suos vitulos reddens
compotum pro duabus dumtaxat vaccis ac totidem vitulis omittens (vt supra) quatuor
vaccas cum suis vitulos computando cum firmario et huius nomine subtractionem
per se suosque sic factam ratum et gratum habuit et habet pariter et acceptat
et ponit coniunctim et diuisim et de quolibet

7          Item quod predictus Willielmus andrewe laicus vt supra anime sue salutis immemor annis domini
Millesimo quingentesimo quinquagesimo primo 2o 3o 4o et quinto mensibus novembris decembris
Januarij februarij martij et aprilis habuit aluit ac custodiuit et (vt
annuit) hibernauit quotannis mensibus predictis quinquaginta ad minus
oves vulgariter appellatas yenys & wedders et ad vsum suum proprium
applicauit et convertit nullam inde decimam seu decimam partem neque lane neque
agnorum reddens Rectoribus vell eorum firmario vbi quotannis redderet deo et
ecclesie quinque vellera et ad minus duos agnellos decimales et ponit
coniunctim et diuisim et de quolibet

8          Item quod verus valor siue estimacio decimarum siue decime partis per prefatum Willielmi andrewe
videlicet fore ij tythe caluis fore kie & caluis iij yere sic vt premittitur
subtractarum pro vitulis decimalibus non solutarum extendit ad summam siue valorem viijs
et pro vaccis et earum vitulis secundum consuetudinem pro tribus annis vt
supra memorata est ijs

Libel (image 3)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/13/2 image 3]

[…]
and for two lambs […] in the one thousand five hundred and fifty-first year of our Lord 3s 4d and for the same number in the following year, namely the one thousand five hundred and fifty-second 5s and for similar in the following year 3s and for similar in the following year 2s 4d and for similar […] 2s, and this propounding party submits and libels of whatever other intermediate or lesser sum or value down to the sum or value of 13s 4d, and of such and so great a sum or value of what kind and amount as extends by common report of men as will come to be proved by lawful proofs in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds as above.

9          Also, that the aforesaid William Andrewe was asked and requested on the part and behalf of the aforesaid rectors or their farmer within the precincts of the said parish of Prestbury and the tithable places of the same to pay, give and deliver to the aforenamed venerable men, dean William and the chapter, rectors aforesaid, or to their farmer the tithes abovesaid subtracted, taken and had by him and his men in the months and years recited above, or in any of those months whatever, in one or the other, in the manner as is aforesaid or otherwise duly to compound for the same; and he propounds as above.

10        Also, that the aforesaid William Andrewe having been asked and requested as is aforesaid to give, pay or deliver the tithes aforesaid, or otherwise duly to compound for them, he has not troubled and is not troubling to do so, but in the months and years aforesaid, or in any of those months whatever, in one or the other, without there being reasonable or lawful cause at all expressly declined and refused, or at least inequitably delayed and delays at present, to the grave danger of his soul and to no small prejudice and grievance of the aforesaid rectors and their farmer and the pernicious example of other Christian faithful; and he propounds as above.

11        Also, that the aforenamed William was and is of the parish of Prestbury, of Chester diocese and of York province and notoriously subordinate and subject to your jurisdiction; he propounds as above.

12        Also, that all and singular the premises were and are true, public, notorious, manifest and well-known, and public voice and fame were and are at present circulating regarding and concerning this in the said parish of Prestbury and other surrounding parishes, townships and places. Whereupon, due proof being made, as required by law in this behalf, the party of the said farmer of Prestbury prays that right and justice may be done and administered to him with effect in the premises and also that the aforesaid William Andrewe is condemned in the tithes aforesaid subtracted by him and his men and not paid, if they are in existence, and otherwise in true value of the same, according to the provisions of the statute aforesaid and in the lawful costs incurred and he protests those to be incurred by reason of this suit on the part of the said farmer aforesaid and, having been condemned, that that he is canonically obliged and compelled to the real payment of these same tithes and expenses by you and passing your definitive sentence or your final decree in that behalf, lord judge aforesaid; and otherwise, that what will have been of right and reason in the premises and anything concerning them may be done, established and decreed etc.

Transcript

[5/13/2 image 3]

[…]
et pro duobus agnellis […] anno domini Millesimo q[uinge]ntesimo quinquagesimo primo iijs iiijd
et pro totidem anno sequenti videlicet Millesimo Do q[uin]quagesimo s[e]c[und]o vs et pro consimilibus
anno sequenti iijs et pro consimilibus anno sequenti ijs iiijd et pro consimilibus
[…] ijs ac dat et libellat pars ista proponens de qualibet
alia summa vel valore intermedia vel minori usque ad summam siue valorem <xiijs> iiijd
deque tali et tanta summa siue valore qualis et quanta per probationes legitimas
in eventu huius litis veniet comprobandum communi hominum estimatione se extendit
et ponit ut supra

9          Item quod prefatus Willielmus andrewe ad soluendum tradendum et leberandum prenominatis
venerabilibus viris Willielmo decano et capitulo rectoribus antedictis
seu eorum firmario decimas supradictas modo quo prefertur per se et
suos subtractas perceptas et habitas seu aliter debite componendum
pro eosdem mensibus et annis superius recitatis eorundemve mensium
quolibet vno siue altero ex parte et per partem prefatorium rectorium siue
eorum firmarij infra precinctam dicte parochie de presteburye et loca decimalia
eiusdem requisitus fuit et interpellatus et ponit ut supra

10        Item quod prefatus Willielmus andrewe sic vt premittitur requisitus et interpellatus decimas
predictas tradere soluere seu liberare seu aliter debite componere pro eisdem
curauerit nec curat sed mensibus et annis predictis eorumve mensium quolibet vno siue altero absque causa rationabili seu legitima quocunque subsistens renuit expresse
et recusauit seu saltem plus equo distulit et differt in presenti in anime sue
graue periculum dictorumque rectorium et eorum firmarij preiudicium non
modicum et gravamen aliorumque christifidelium pernitiosum exemplum
et ponit ut supra

11        Item quod prenominatus Willielmus fuit et est parochie de presteburye cestrencis diocesis
eboracensisque provincie et vestre Jurisdictionis notorie subditus et subiectus et ponit
ut supra

12        Item quod  premissa omnia et singula fuerunt et sunt vera publica notoria manifesta et
famosa ac de et super huiusmodi in dicta parochia de prestburye alijsque parochijs
villis et locis circumvicinis laborarunt et in presenti laborant publica
vox et fama  Vnde facta fide in hac parte de Jure requisita
petit pars dicti firmarij de prestburye Jus et Justiciam sibi in premissis
fieri et administrari cum effectu necnon prefatum Willielmum andrewe
in decimis predictis per se et suos subtractis et non solutis si extent
alioquin in vero valore eorundem iuxta limitationes statuti predicti
ac in expensis legitimis per partem dicti firmarij predicti occasione huius litis
factis et protestatur de faciendis condempnari et condempnatum ad realem
solutionem earundem decimarum et expensarum huiusmodi canonice cogi et compelli per vos
et vestram sententiam diffinitiuam siue vestrum finale decretum in hac
parte
ferendam domine Judex antedicte vlteriusque fieri statui et
decerni in premissis et ea concernent[ibus quod] Juris fuerit et rationis / et cetera

Libel (image 4)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/13/2 image 4]

[Endorsement] 

[the endorsement is illegible apart from the year]

1552

[in pencil in a different hand]

/2

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

Translation copyright ©2025 P J Cox All Rights Reserved

Transcript

[5/13/2 image 4]

[Endorsement]

[the endorsement is illegible apart from the year]

1552

[in pencil in a different hand]

/2

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

Transcript copyright ©2025 P J Cox All Rights Reserved

People

Sir Richard Egerton – plaintiff

William Andrewe – defendant

 

 

 

 

 

 

Officials

George Cotes – bishop of Chester

Ref: EDC 5/13/1

Catalogue Entry:

EDC 5/13/1 – Libel in tithe cause: Roger Lever (s. of Alexander Lever dec. & Elizabeth) gent., farmer of tithes of Bolton-le-Moors v. Roger Walmysley sen. & Roger Walmysley jun. 1552.

Summary:

Roger Lever contra Roger Walmysley, senior and Roger Walmysley, junior.

Alexander Lever had held a lease of the prebend of Bolton-le-Moors from 1499. When William Knight became archdeacon of Chester and prebendary of Bolton in 1522 a new lease was agreed for sixty years for £40. Alexander Lever died in 1539, having paid only half of the agreed amount. Knight attempted to relet the prebend to Thurstan Tyldesley for a greater amount, but Lever’s executors instituted proceedings in the Duchy of Lancaster court. Although the outcome of this suit is not known a lease of the prebend to Tyldesley was made and ratified by the bishop, dean and chapter of Lichfield in 1539. It is possible that Roger Lever had arranged a new lease of the tithes following the transfer of the prebend of Bolton to bishopric of Chester. (James Christopher Scholes, History of Bolton: with Memorials of the old Parish Church, (ed. William Pimblett, Bolton, 1892), pp. 101-105). This cause suggests that there may have been some confusion about the right to receive the tithes in question as reference is made to years immediately following the appropriation of the prebend of Bolton-le-Moors by the new bishopric of Chester in 1541.

Year

1552

Type of Cause:

Tithes – barley; tithes – oats; tithes – rye

Cause Papers:

Libel

Libel (image 1)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/13/1 image 1]

[…] Bachelor […] official principal of the Chester ecclesiastical court sufficiently and lawfully deputed by the reverend father in Christ, John, by divine permission lord bishop of Chester upheld for the exercising of spiritual and ecclesiastical [jurisdiction] in and throughout the whole Chester diocese by the authority of the most illustrious and most resolute and most chaste virgin and our lady queen, the lady Mary, by the grace of God queen of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith and on earth supreme head under Christ of the English and Irish church, or any other judge whomsoever competent in that behalf; the party of the worthy and distinguished Roger Lever, gentleman, natural and legitimate son of Alexander Lever, deceased, and Elizabeth Lever, formerly his wife, farmer of all and singular tithes as well greater as lesser, mixed and minute coming and growing wherever, whenever, however often and howsoever from, in and out of any lands, meadows, pastures, fields and farms and any other places whatsoever sited or situated within the limits or boundary of the township of Bolton le Moors of Chester diocese, formerly part or parcel of the prebend of Bolton aforesaid, against Roger Walmysley, senior, and Roger Walmysley, junior, of the said diocese and of your jurisdiction and either or each of them jointly and severally and also against any other whomsoever lawfully intervening before you in judgement for them, by every better way, method and form of law that can follow thereon by which he was or is able says, alleges and in these writings in law propounds jointly and severally and in articles in the manner which follows:

1          Firstly, namely, that a certain Elizabeth Lever or Chetham received, had and farmed all and singular tithes aforesaid to farm for a certain term of years not yet ended and the same Elizabeth was and is deputed the lawful farmer of all and singular the tithes aforesaid, by sufficient and lawful authority and the same Elizabeth was and is commonly called, taken, held and reputed openly, publicly and notoriously as this farmer; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

2          Also, that the aforesaid Roger Lever in the months of March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January or February in the one thousand five hundred 46th or 47th year of our Lord or in any of those same months in any one whatsoever or in another, and in either of the said years or the other, all and singular tithes from the aforesaid Elizabeth, original farmer aforesaid for a certain term of years not yet withdrawn, received, had, held, farmed and occupied to farm and thus receives, has, holds, farms and occupies at present, and the said Roger Lever was and is farmer

Transcript

[5/13/1 image 1]

[…]
[…] baccallario Curie ecclesiastice Cestrensis [offic]iali principali per Reuerendum
[in christo] patrem dominum Johannem permissione diuina Cestrensem Episcopum ad
exercendum
spiritualem et ecclesiasticam in et per totam diocesem Cestrensem Auctoritate illustrissime
ac Invictissime et pudicissime Virginis et domine nostre domine Marie dei
gracia Anglie Francie et Hibernie Regine fidei defensoris et in ter-
ra ecclesie Anglicane et Hibernice sub christo supremi capitis fulcito sufficienter
et legitime deputato seu alio Judice in hac parte competenti quocunque pars
honesti et discreti viri Roggeri leuer generosi filij naturalis et legitimi
Alexandri Lever defuncti et Elizabeth Lever eius nuper vxoris firma-
rij omnium et singularum decimarum tam maiorum quam minorum mixtarum et
minutarum de in et ex quibuscunque terris pratis pascuis campis ac predijs et
locis alijs infra limites siue precinctum ville de Bolton in Lee mors
Cestrensis diocesis porcionis siue parcelle nuper prebende de bolton predicte sitis
et situatis vbicunque quandocunque quociescunque ac qualitercunque prouenientium
et crescentium contra et aduersus Roggerum Walmysley seniorem et Roggerum
Walmysley Juniorem dicte diocesis et vestre Jurisdiccionis ac contra eorum vtrumque siue
alterum coniunctim et diuisim nec non contra quemcunque alium coram vobis in Judicio
legitime Interuenientem pro eijsdem omnibus melioribus via modo et Juris forma que
exinde sequi potuerit aut potest dicit et allegat et in hijs scriptis in Jure
proponit coniunctim et diuisim atque articulatim modo prout sequitur

1          In primis videlicet quod quedam Elisabeth Lever alias Chetham omnes et singulas
decimas predictas pro certo annorum non dum elapsorum termino ad firmam recepit
habuit et conduxit fuitque et est eadem Elisabeth firmaria legitima omnium et singu-
larum decimarum predictarum auctoritate sufficienti et legitima deputata atque pro fir-
maria huiusmodi fuit et est eadem Elisabeth communiter dicta tenta habita et reputata
palam publice et notorie et ponit coniunctim et diuisim ac de quolibet

2          Item quod prefatus Roggerus Lever mensibus martij aprilis maij Junij Julij augusci Septembris octobris novembris decembris Januarij siue februarij Anno domini Millesimo quingentesimo xlvjto
siue xlvijo eorundem ve mensium vno quolibet siue aliquo et dictorum annorum vtroque siue
altero omnes et singulas decimas predictas a prefata Elisabeth firmaria origi
nali predicta pro certo annorum non dum retroactorum termino ad firmam recepit
habuit tenuit conduxit et occupauit atque sic recepit habet tenet conducit
et occupat in presenti fuitque et est dictus Roggerus Lever Firmarius

Libel (image 2)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/13/1 image 2]

[…]
was and is commonly called, taken, held, named […] openly, publicly and notoriously as this;
and he propounds as before.

3          Also, that from the time and throughout the time of the beginning or to the contrary of which there exists no memory of men until the one thousand five hundred and 42nd, third or fourth years of our Lord the aforesaid parish church or prebend of Bolton aforesaid, together with all and singular offerings and tithes and other ecclesiastical rights and emoluments whatsoever belonging to the same church or prebend has been and was rightly, duly and lawfully united, annexed, appropriated and incorporated to Chester archdeaconry and to any archdeacon whosoever possessing that archdeaconry for the time being to their own continuous use by sufficient authority and by and with the consent of all and singular having a right or interest in that respect, and it has been and was whichever archdeacon of the archdeaconry aforesaid for the time being for the whole time abovesaid lawfully obtained the aforesaid church or prebend aforesaid, with its rights and appurtenances aforesaid, and the same thus obtained, with its rights and appurtenances aforesaid possessed it peaceably and quietly for the whole time abovesaid and whichever aforesaid archdeacon has been and was rector, proprietor or prebendary and lawful possessor of the same church or prebend and of its rights and appurtenances aforesaid, and each aforesaid archdeacon for the time being has been and was for the whole and entire time aforesaid commonly called, taken, held, named and reputed openly publicly and notoriously as rector, proprietor or prebendary and lawful possessor of this by reason of the premises; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

4          Also, that as well by the 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 tithes both great and small, mixed and minute and ecclesiastical rights and emoluments whatsoever within the bounds and limits and the tithable places within the parish church or prebend of Bolton the Moors wherever, howsoever and however often proceeding and arising by right and in the name of the said parish church or prebend belonged and appertained to the aforesaid archdeacons of Chester archdeaconry and to all and singular their precursors and predecessors in their successive times throughout the whole time aforesaid and so ought also to belong and appertain in future; and he propounds as above.

Transcript

[5/13/1 image 2]

[…]
huiusmodi fuit et es[t c]ommuniter dictus tentus habitus nominatus [… p]alam
publice et notorie Et ponit ut supra

3          Item quod a tempore et per tempus cuius inicij siue contrarij in memoria hominum non
existit vsque ad annos domini millesimo quingentesimo xl2um tercium aut quartum predicta ecclesia
parochialis siue prebenda de bolton predicta vna cum omnibus et singulis oblacionibus
et decimis ac ceteris Juribus et emolumentis ecclesiasticis quibuscunque ad eandem
ecclesiam siue prebendam spectantibus fuit et erat archidiaconatui Cestrensi
Ipsique archidiaconatus archidiacono cuicunque pro tempore successiue existens in eorum proprios
vsus perpetuo possedendum auctoritate sufficienti atque de et cum concensu omnium
et singulorum Jus aut Interesse in ea parte habentium Recte rite et legitime
vnita anexa appropriata et incorporata fuitque et erat quilibet archidiaconus
archidiaconatus
predicti pro tempore existens per omnem tempus supradictum antefatam ecclesiam siue preben-
dam predictam cum suis Juribus et pertinentibus predictis legitime assecutus
Ipsamque sic assecutam cum suis Juribus et pertinentibus predictis pro omnem supra
dictum tempus possedit pacifice et quiete fuitque et erat quilibet
predictus archidiaconus Rector proprietarius siue prebendarius et legitimus possessor eius-
dem ecclesie siue prebende Juriumque et pertinentium suorum predictorum atque pro rectori
proprietario siue prebendario et legitime possessore huiusmodi fuit et erat quilibet
antedictus archidiaconus pro tempore existens toto et omne predicto tempore communiter dictus tentus
habitus nominatus et reputatus palam publice et notorie Racione premissorum Et ponit
coniunctim diuisim ac de quolibet

4          Item quod tam de Jure communi quam de antiqua Laudabili legitimaque prescripta
consuetudine a tempore immemorato hucusque inviolabiliter et inconcusse
vsitata et obseruata ac in contradictorio Judicio sepius obtenta Jus percipiendi
ac habendi omnes et singulas decimas tam maiores quam minores mixtas et minutas
ac Jura et emolumenta ecclesiastica quecunque infra fines et limites
ac Loca decimabilia dicte ecclesie parochialis siue prebende de bolton in le
mores vbicunque qualitercunque et quocienscunque prouenientes et
contingentes Jure et nomine dicte ecclesie parochialis siue prebende ad
prefatos archidiaconos archidiaconatus cestrensis suosque precessores et predecessores omnes et
singulos successiue existentes per omne tempus antedictum spectauit
et pertinuit ac sic spectare et pertinere debuit et debet etiam
in futurum Et ponit ut supra

Libel (image 3)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/13/1 image 3]

5  […] aforesaid rectors, proprietors or […] his possessors, precursors and predecessors each and every one of them in the same church or prebend in their successive times, were, just as they should have been, in peaceable possession, or virtually so, of the right of taking and having all and singular tithes aforesaid in the manner which is aforesaid coming and arising within the bounds and limits and the tithable places of the said parish church or prebend of Bolton le Moors for ten, 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 men does not exist, and they themselves and through their men took and had them during the same time and disposed of and with them at their pleasure and thus any of them was and is, took and had until the time of trouble described below; and he propounds as above.

6          Also, that the aforesaid Roger Walmysley, senior, in the months of March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January or February in the one thousand five hundred fifty second year of our Lord or in any of those months in any one whatsoever or in another, held, had and occupied two acres of arable land, or thereabouts, notoriously sited and situated in a certain close called Gladishyll pyke within the precinct and the bounds and limits and tithable place of the said township of Bolton le Moors sown with rye, and from the same he himself and his men, mowed, cut down, took and had and converted and applied to his own use, thirty thraves of rye ‘euery thraue conteyning xxiiijti shevis whiche yeldytt ij wyndyls of Rye’: and this propounding party submits and libels of whatever other intermediate or lesser number down to the number of 4 thraves and ‘one wyndyll’ of this rye and also of such and so great a number than this of what sort and amount  as will be come to be declared by lawful proofs  in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds as above.

7          Also, that the same Roger Walmysley, senior, in the months and year aforesaid in the aforesaid close called Gladishyll pyke held, had and occupied two acres of arable land, or thereabouts, sown with barley and from the same he himself and his men, mowed, cut down, had and took and converted and applied to his own use, 30 thraves of barley ‘euery thraue conteyng xxiiijti shevis whiche yeldytt a wyndyll of barleye’ and this propounding party submits and libels of whatever other intermediate or lesser number down to the number of 4 thraves ‘and halfe a wyndyll ‘of this barley and also of such and so great a number than this of what sort and amount  by lawful proofs

Transcript

[5/13/1 image 3]

[5] […]
[…] predicte Rectores proprietarij siue […] possessores ac precessores et
[prede]cessores sui omnes et singuli in eadem ecclesia siue Prebenda eorum tem-
poribus successiue existentes fuerunt et sunt in pacifica possessione seu
quasi Juris percipiendi et habendi omnes et singulas decimas predictas modo quo prefertur
infra fines et limitas locaque decimabilia dicte ecclesie parochialis siue prebende
de bolton in le mores provenientium et contingentium a decem xx xxx xl l
et lx annis vltraque et citra necnon a tempore et per tempus cuius inicij
siue contrarij memoria hominum non existit Easque per se et suos per idem
tempus perceperunt et habuerunt ac de et cum eisdem pro eorum libitis
disposuerunt sicque eorum quilibet fuit et est percepit et habuit usque ad
tempus grauaminius infrascripti Et ponit ut supra

 6          Item quod prefatus Roggerus Walmysley Senior mensibus martij aprilis maij Junij
Julij augusti Septembris octobris novembris decembris Januarij siue februarij
anno domini Millesimo quingentesimo quinquagesimo secundo eorundem ve mensium vno quolibet siue aliquo
duas acras terre arabilis aut circiter in quadam clasura vocata
Gladishyll pyke infra precinctum ac fines et limites atque loca decimabilia
dicte ville de bolton in le mores notorie sita et situata cum siligine
seminatas tenuit habuit et occupauit atque ab eadem triginta thrauis siliginis
euery thraue conteyning xxiiijti shevis whiche yeldytt ij wyndyls of Rye
per se et suos metijt defalcauit percepit et habuit atque ad eius vsum conuertit
et applicauit : ac dat et libellat pars ista proponens de quolibet alio numero
medio vel minori usque ad numerum iiijor thrauis and one wyndyll siliginis
huiusmodi ac de tali et tanto numero qualis et quantus per probaciones legitimas
in euentu huius litis veniet declarandum Et ponit vt supra

 7          Item quod idem Roggerus Walmysley senior mensibus et anno predictis in prefata clasura
vocata Gladishylpyk duas acras terre arabilis aut circiter cum ordeo
seminatas tenuit habuit et occupauit atque ab eadem xxxta thraves ordei euery
thraue conteyng xxiiijti shevis whiche yeldytt a wyndyll of barleye per
se et suos metijt defalcauit habuit et percepit atque ad eius vsum conuertit
et applicauit ac dat et libellat pars ista proponens de quolibet alio numero
medio vel minori usque ad numerum iiijor thravis and halfe a wyndyll ordei
huiusmodi ac de tali et tanto numero qualis et quantus per probaciones legitimas

Libel (image 4)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/13/1 image 4]

[…]

8          Also, that the true value of each thrave of rye aforesaid […] ‘of Rye’ to the amount or value of four shillings and of each thrave of barley aforesaid to the amount or value of twenty pence and this propounding party submits and libels of whatever other intermediate or lesser sum or value down to the sum or value of four pence for each thrave respectively of the same grain, and of such and so great a sum as notoriously extends respectively of what kind and amount as will come to be declared or proved by lawful proofs in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds as above.

9          Also, that the true value or valuation of all and singular thraves of rye aforesaid to the sum or value of 6 shillings and all and singular thraves of barley aforesaid to the sum or value of five shillings and this propounding party submits and libels of whatever other intermediate or lesser sum or value of the tithes of rye and barley aforesaid down to the sum or value of one penny of either type of grain aforesaid and of such and so great a sum or value of what kind and amount as will come to be declared or proved by lawful proofs in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds as above.

10        Also, that the aforesaid Roger Walmysley, junior, in the months and year aforesaid or in any of those months in any one whatsoever or in another, held, had and occupied three acres of arable land, or thereabouts, notoriously sited and situated in the said close called Gladishyll pyke within the said township of Bolton and the tithable place of the same sown with oats, and from the said acres he himself and his men, mowed, cut down, took and had and converted and applied to his own use, a hundred thraves of oats ‘every thrave
yeldyng a wyndylle of otis euery wyndylle wurth xijd’ and this propounding party submits and libels of whatever other intermediate or lesser number of these thraves of oats down to the number of ten thraves of oats and of whatever other intermediate or lesser sum down to the value of two pence and also of such and so great a number and of such and so great a sum than this of what sort and amount  as will be come to be declared or proved by lawful proofs  in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds as above.

Transcript

[5/13/1 image 4]

[…]

8          Item quod verus valor [cuius]libet le thrave Siliginis predicti […]
of Rye ad summam siue valorem quatuor solidorum ac cuiuslibet [le th]rave
ordei predicti ad summam siue valorem viginti denariorum ac dat et
libellat pars ista proponens de qualibet alia summa siue valore media vel
minori usque ad summam ve valorem quatuor denariorum cuiuslibet le thrave
respectiue eorundem granorum ac de tali et tanta summa qualis et quanta
per probaciones legitimas in eventu huiusmodi litis veniet declarandum siue comprobandum notorie se repectiue extendit Et ponit ut supra

9          Item quod verus valor siue estimacio decimarum omnium et singulorum le thravis siliginis
predicte ad summam ve valorem vjsolidorum ac omnium et singulorum le thravis ordeij predicte
ad summam ve valorem quinque Solidorum ac dat et libellat pars ista proponens
de qualibet alia summa ve valore decimarum siliginis et ordij predictarum media
vel minori usque ad summam ve valorem vnius denarij valoris decime
vtriusque generis granorum predictorum ac de tali et tanta summa ve valore
qualis et quanta per probaciones legitimas In eventu huius litis veniet declarandum
siue comprobandum Et ponit ut supra

10        Item quod prefatus Roggerus Walmysley Junior mensibus et anno predictis eorundem ve mensium vno quolibet siue aliquo in dicta clausura vocata gladishyllpyke infra
dictam villam de bolton ac loca decimabilia eiusdem notorie sita et situata
tres acras terre arabilis aut circiter cum avenis seminatas tenuit habuit et
occupauit atque ex dictis acris Centum thravis avenarum every thrave
yeldyng a wyndylle of otis euery wyndylle wurth xijd per se et suos
metijt defalcauit percepit et habuit atque ad eius commodum conuertebat et
et applicauit ac dat et libellat pars ista proponens de quolibet alio numero de le
thravis avenarum huiusmodi medio vel minori usque ad numerum decem
thravis avenarum et de quolibet alia summa earundem medio vel
minori usque ad valorem duorum denariorum necnon de tali et tanto nu-
mero ac de tali et tanta summa qualia et quanta per probaciones legitimas
in Eventu huius litis veniet declarandum siue comprobandum
Et ponit vt supra

Libel (image 5)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/13/1 image 5]

11        […]
[…] notoriously amounted and amounts to the value of ten shillings of lawful money of England and this propounding party submits and libels of whatever other intermediate or lesser sum down to the sum or value of ten pence and also of such and so great a sum or value of what kind and amount as will come to be declared or proved by lawful proofs in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds as above.

12        Also, that among other laws and statutes of this celebrated realm of England and particularly the 14th chapter of the session of parliament held and had at Westminster in the 2nd and third years of our lord king Edward the Sixth, recently deceased, a statute was provided and established under the following form of words, namely ‘Also be hyt further Inactyd by the Auctoritye of this present parlement yt euery of the kynges subiectes shalle from hensforth yelde and paye all maner of ther predialle tethes in ther proper kynd as they ryse and happen in such maner and forme as of Ryght hath ben yeldytt & payd within xlti years next before the makyng of this act or of Ryght or custome ought to haue ben payd And ynoe person shalle from hensforth take or carye awaye any such or lyke tethes Which haue ben payd within the sayd xlti yers or of Ryght ought to haue bene payd in the place or placis tethable for the same by fore he haue Justlye deuydytt or sett forth for the tethe therof the tenthe of the same or otherwyse Agreyd for the same tythes with the parson Viccar or other Awner or proprietari or fermer of the same tyjthes Vnder payne of forfeture of tribyll valure of the tethes soe taken or caryed Awaye et cetera’ and this was and is true, clear, notorious, manifest and well-known; and he propounds as above.

13        Also, that the aforesaid Roger Walmysley, senior, and Roger Walmysley, junior, laymen, who had or have nothing of right in the parish church aforesaid or the tithes abovesaid in any way, knowledgeable enough of all and singular the premises and notwithstanding them, but in contravention of that, all and singular tithes in the year aforesaid from the place in which they should have been tithed, before they justly divided the tenth part of the same no lawful compensation in that respect with the aforesaid farmer

Transcript

[5/13/1 image 5]

[11]      […]
[…] valore decem solidorum legalis [mone]te anglie ac dat et libellat
[pa]rs ista [prop]onens de qualibet alia summa ve valore media vel minori usque
ad summam ve valorem decem denariorum necnon de tali et tanta summa ve
valore qualis et quanta per probaciones legitimas in eventu huius litis veniet
declarandum siue comprobandum notorie se extendebat et extendit et ponit ut supra

12        Item quod inter alias leges et statuta huius incleti Regni Anglie et presertim
xiijo capitulo sessionis parlamenti Anno domini nostri Regis Edwardi Sexti
nuper defuncti 2o et tercio Apud Westmonasterium tento et habito Statutum
cavtum et stabilitum fuit sub verborum tenore sequentium videlicet Also be hyt
further Inactyd by the Auctoritye of this present parlement yt euery of
the kynges subiectes shalle from hensforth yelde and paye all maner of ther
predialle tethes in ther proper kynd as they ryse and happen in such ma-
ner and forme as of Ryght hath ben yeldytt & payd within xlti years
next before the makyng of this act or of Ryght or custome ought to
haue ben payd And yt  noe person shalle from hensforth take or carye
awaye any such or lyke tethes Which haue ben payd within the sayd
xlti yers or of Ryght ought to haue bene payd in the place or pla-
cis tethable for the same by fore he haue Justlye deuydytt or sett
forth for the tethe therof the tenthe of the same or otherwyse Agreyd
for the same tythes with the parson Viccar or other Awner or proprietari
or fermer of the same tyjthes Vnder payne of forfeture of tribyll
valure of the tethes soe taken or caryed Awaye et cetera hocque fuit et
est verum purum notorium manifestum et famosum Et ponit vt supra

13        Item quod prefati Roggerus Walmysley senior et  Roggerus Walmysley Junior
laici qui nihil Juris in Ecclesia parochiali predicta aut in decimis supradictis
aliqualiter habuerunt aut habent: premissorum omnium et singulorum satis scioli ipsisque
non obstantibus sed post et contra ea decimas omnes et singulas Anno predicto
A loco in quo decimari debuerunt Antequam Juste deuidebant decimam
partem earundem nulla legitima compensacione in ea parte cum prefato firmario

Libel (image 6)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/13/1 image 6]

[…]
they and either of them caused them to be taken and conveyed away and maliciously and unjust in fact subtracted, took and had the tithes aforesaid, or at least they ordered and caused them to be this subtracted, taken and had and they likewise approved and approve and accept this subtraction, taking and having in their names; and he propounds as above.

14        Also, that the aforesaid Roger Walmysley, senior, and Roger Walmysley, junior were requested and asked often {often} or at least once to pay or cause to be paid to the aforesaid Roger Lever, farmer aforesaid, the aforesaid tithes subtracted, taken and kept or at least not paid by them in the manner aforesaid or otherwise duly to compound with him for the same on the part and behalf of the same farmer; and he propounds as above.

15        Also, that although Roger Walmysley, senior, and Roger Walmysley, junior themselves thus asked and requested to do as in the premises or in any of them, they have not troubled and do not trouble to do so, but have expressly declined and refused or unduly delayed and delay at present; and he propounds as above.

16        Also, that the aforesaid Roger Walmysley, senior, and Roger Walmysley, junior, were and are of the archdeaconry of Chester and notoriously subordinate and subject to your jurisdiction in this respect, lord judge aforesaid; he propounds as above.

17        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 in the said parish of Bolton and other parishes neighbouring the same. Whereupon, due proof being made, as required by law in this behalf, the party of the said Roger Lever, farmer aforesaid, prays that right and justice may be done and administered to him with effect concerning and upon all and singular the premises jointly and severally, and anything whatsoever concerning them and also that the aforesaid Roger Walmysley, senior, and Roger Walmysley, junior, are condemned in the lawful costs incurred and to be incurred in this respect on the part of the said Roger Lever, farmer aforesaid and, having been condemned, that that they are canonically 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; and otherwise, that what will have been of right and reason in the premises and anything 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

Transcript

[5/13/1 image 6]

[…]
abduci et transv[ehi] eorum vterque fecit necnon decimas predictas ma[lici]ose et
inJuste defacto subtraxerunt perceperunt et habuerunt seu saltem sic subtrahi
percepi et haberi manduerunt et fecerunt atque subtraccionem perceptionem et
habicionem huiusmodi eorum nominibus factum ratum et gratum habuerunt et habent pariter
et acceptant Et ponit vt supra

14        Item quod predicti Roggerus Walmysley Senior et  roggerus Walmysley Junior
ad soluendum seu solui faciendum prefato Roggero lever firmario antedicto
prefatas decimas per eos modo premisso subtractas perceptas et habitas seu saltem non solutas
vel ad aliter debite componendum cum eodem pro eijsdem ex parte et per partem  eiusdem
firmarij sepius sepius seu semel requisiti fuerunt et Interpellati Et ponit ut supra

 15        Item quod ipse Roggerus Walmysley Senior et  Roggerus Walmysley Junior sic
requisiti et Interpellati premissa seu eorum Aliquod facere non curauerunt neque
curant sed expresse Renuerunt et recusauerunt seu plus debito distulerunt et
differunt in presenti Et ponit ut supra

16        Item quod prefati Roggerus Walmysley senior et  Roggerus Walmysley Junior
fuerunt et sunt archidiaconatus cestrie ac vestre in hac parte Jurisdictioni domine Judex
antedicte notorie subditi et subiecti ponit ut supra

17        Item quod  premissa omnia et singula fuerunt et sunt vera publica notoria manifesta et famosa ac de et super eijsdem in dicta parochia de bolton ac alijs parochijs eidem
vicinis laborarunt et in presenti laborant publica vox et fama  Vnde facta fide
in hac parte de Jure requisita petit pars dicti Roggeri Lever firmarij
predicti Jus et Justiciam sibi de et super premissis omnibus et singulis et ea concernentibus
quibuscunque coniunctim et diuisim fieri et ministrari cum effectu necnon prefatos
Roggerum Walmysley Seniorem et  Roggerum Walmysley Juniorem in expensis legitimis
per partem dicti Roggeri Lever firmarij predicti in hac parte factis et fiendis condempnari ac condempnatos ad debitam solucionem earundem canonice cogi et compelli
per uos et vestram sententiam diffinitiuam siue vestrum finale decretum in hac
parte
ferendam domine Judex antedicte Vlteriusque fieri statui et decerni in premissis
et ea concernentibus quod Juris fuerit et Racionis premissa proponit et fieri petit
pars dicti firmarij coniunctim et diuisim non arctans se ad omnia et singula

Libel (image 7)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/13/1 image 7]

[…]
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

[5/13/1 image 7]

[…]
[… in prem]issis e[a]tenus obtineat [in petitis] Juris beneficio in omnibus
[sem]per saluo vestrum officium in premissis humiliter implorando Judex
Egregie antedicte

Libel (image 8)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/13/1 image 8]

[Endorsement] 

Libel Lever against Walmysley

1552

[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

[5/13/1 image 8]

[Endorsement]

 libellus lever
contra Walmysley

1552

[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

Roger Lever – plaintiff

Alexander Lever – mentioned in the libel

Elizabeth Lever – mentioned in the libel

Roger Walmysley, senior – defendant

Roger Walmysley, junior – defendant

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ref: EDC 5/8/1

Catalogue Entry:

EDC 5/8/1 – Libel in tithe cause: Richard Smyth LL. B. rector of Bury co. L. v. Arthur Caye of Bury 1547.

Summary:

Richard Smyth, rector of Bury, contra Arthur Cay

Although the libel specifies that Richard Smyth, as rector of Bury, was entitled to all the tithes of the parish, this cause seems to concern both personal tithes and offerings allegedly due from a man who had built a new dwelling house in the parish, although he attended a church in a different parish. The unpaid taxes comprised ‘offryng dayes, house peny, plough peny, hay’ 1d ‘wax’ halfpenny and ‘hene’ halfpenny’. Several of these items comprised fixed amounts and were, in effect modus payments in lieu of tithes. For example, the ‘hen halfpenny’ was presumably a tithe on eggs and chickens.

Year

1547

Type of Cause:

Tithes – other

Cause Papers:

Libel

Libel (image 1)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/8/1 image 1]

In the name of God, Amen: before you, venerable Master George Wilmesley, Bachelor of Laws, by the authority of the most illustrious Prince in Christ and our master, 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; by the same immutable authority vicar general in spirituals and lawfully appointed by the right reverend father in Christ, John, by divine permission bishop of Chester, official principal of his consistory to determine spiritual and ecclesiastical causes in the diocese of Chester or any other lawfully deputed competent judge; the party of the venerable Master Richard Smyth, Bachelor of Law, rector of the parish church of Bury against Arthur Caye of the parish of Bury, of the archdeaconry of Chester and of Chester diocese and of your jurisdiction, and also against any other whomsoever lawfully intervening before you in judgement for the same says, alleges and propounds in these writings in law jointly and severally and in articles as follows:

Firstly, that the said Master Richard Smyth, present rector of the parish church of Bury, is canonically instituted to the same rectory and, the same having been thus attained, with its universal and singular rights and appurtenances, he has possessed peacefully and quietly for some time just as (saving what will be written below) he thus also possesses it at present and also was and is commonly called, held, had, named and reputed openly, publicly and notoriously as perpetual rector and canonical possessor of the same rectory; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

Also, that as well by law, foundation, ordinance and endowment of the same rectory of Bury  as by ancient, laudable and lawful prescribed custom, hitherto from the time and throughout 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 all types of tithes, both greater and lesser, personal, mixed and minute and especially tithes of offerings and the Easter roll within the bounds and limits of the parish of Bury however proceeding and arising, belonged and belongs to the said Master Richard Smyth, present rector there, and to all and singular his precursors and predecessors, and should have belonged and should also belong in future; and he propounds as before.

Also, that the said Master Richard Smyth, present rector aforesaid, and all and singular his precursors and predecessors for the time being were and are in peaceful possession, or quasi-possession, of the right of taking and having all and singular tithes proceeding and arising within the parish aforesaid and the bounds and limits and tithable places of the same rectory in the manner and form specified and recited above 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 does not exist in the memory of man, and for the same time also peacefully and quietly took and had them and freely disposed of and with them at his own will and pleasure until the time of the trouble set out above; and he propounds as before.

Also, that the said Arthur Cay recently caused to be built, erected and constructed newly a certain new dwelling house on his tenement called ‘Cobholes’ in a certain field or close called ‘Creye’ otherwise ‘Cragh’, which house, as thus aforesaid, newly built, erected and constructed in the aforesaid field or close called ‘Cray’ otherwise ‘Cragh’ is situated and lies within the limits, neighbourhood, precinct and surrounds of the said parish of Bury and the tithable places of the same; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

Transcript

[5/8/1 image 1] 

In dei nomine amen Coram vobis venerabili viro Magistro Georgio Wilmysley in legibus baccallario auctoritate
Illustrissimi in Christo principis et domini nostri Edwardi sexti dei gracia Anglie Fransie et Hibernie
Regis fidei defensoris et in terra ecclesie Anglicane et Hibernice supremi capitis ad causas spirituales et ecclesiasticas
decidendum diocesi Cestrensi per Reuerendum in Christo patrem et dominum dominum Johannem permissione diuina Cestrensis Episcopi eadem auctoritate
immutabile vicario in spritualibus generali ac eius Consistorij Officiali principali
legitime fulcito seu alio Judice in hac parte
competenti legitime deputato Pars venerabilis viri Magistri Ricardi Smyth in Jure Baccallarij Rectoris ecclesie parochialis
de Bury contra et aduersus Arthurum Caye parochie de Bury Archidiaconatus Cestrie Cestrensis diocesis et vestre Jurisdictionis Necnon contra
quemcunque alium coram vobis in Judicio legitime intervenientem pro eodem dicit allegat et in hijs scriptis in Jure
proponit coniunctim et diuisim Atque Articulatim prout sequitur

In primis quod dictus Magister Ricardus Smyth rector ecclesie parochialis de Bury modernus eandem Rectoriam canonice est assecutus
ipsamque sic assecutam cum suis Juribus et pertinentiis vniuersis et singulis per nonnulla tempora possedit pacifice et quiete
prout eciam saluus infrascriptis sic possidet in presenti Necnon pro perpetuo Rectore et canonico possessore eiusdem Rectorie fuit
et est communiter dictus tentus habitus nominatus et reputatus palam publice et notorie Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim ac de quolibet

Item quod tam de Jure fundacione <ordinacione> et dotacione eiusdem Rectorie de Bury quam de antiqua laudabili legitimaque prescripta consue-
tudine hactenus a tempore et per tempus cuius Inicij siue contrarij memoria hominum non existit ac in contradictorio Judicio
sepius obtenta Jus percipiendi et habendi omnes et omnimodas decimas tam maiores
quam minores <personales> mixtas et minutas et precipue decimas
oblacionium et Rotule pascalis infra fines et limites parochie de Bury qualitercunque provenientes et contingentes ad dictum
Magistrum Ricardum Smyth Rectorem ibidem modernum suosque precessores et predecessores omnes et singulos pertinuit et pertinet ac pertinere
debuit et debet eciam in futurum Et ponit ut supra

Item quod dictus Magister Ricardus Smyth Rector modernus supradictus suisque precessores et predecessores omnes et singuli per eorum temporibus
successiuis fuerunt et sunt in pacifica possessione seu quasi Juris percipiendi et habendi omnes et singulas decimas modo et forma
superius specificata et recitata infra parochiam predictam ac fines et limites locaque decimabilia eiusdem Rectorie provenientas
et contingentas a x ‧ xx ‧ xxx ‧ xl ‧ l et lx  annis anteaque et citra necnon a tempore et per tempus cuius inicij siue contrarij
in memoria hominum non existit easque per se et suos per idem tempus perceperunt et habuerunt ac de <et> cum eisdem pro ipsorum
libitis et voluntatis libere disposuerunt pacifice et quiete vsque ad tempus grauaminis infrascriptum Et ponit vt supra

Item quod dictus Arthurus Cay quadam <nouam> domum habitacionis tenamento suo vocato Cobholes in quodam
campo siue clausura vocato Creye alias Cragh nuper de nouo fabracari fecit erexit et
construxit que quidem domus sic ut prefertur de nouo fabricatam erectam et constructam in prefato Campo siue
clausura vocata Cray alias Cragh infra limites ambitam precinctam et circuitam dicto parochie de Bury
ac loca decimabilia eiusdem cituatur et Jacet Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim ac de quolibet

Libel (image 2)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/8/1 image 2]

Also, that in the said parish of Bury, concerning the custom of paying tithes, both greater and lesser, mixed, personal and minute within the bounds and limits and tithable places of the same a method and custom have grown up 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 reach such that all and singular inhabitants (called ‘householders’) within the bounds and limits of the aforesaid parish of Bury pay, or cause to be paid, to the rector or his deputy year by year, according to the most excellent royal statutes, either at the feast of Easter or at Easter time for his offerings  3d and at the same feast or time for lesser, mixed, personal or minute tithes namely ‘for offyng dayes’ 3d, ‘a house’ 1d, ‘a plough peny’, ‘a hay’ 1d, ‘a wax’ a halfpenny, and ‘a hene’ a halfpenny according to the laudable use and custom and lawful usage of the said parish used and observed from time immemorial, as will become clear and plainly appear in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

Also, that the aforesaid Arthur Cay, layman, who had or has nothing of right in the said parish church of Bury or the tithes aforesaid in any way or, indeed, to them, but in contravention of that did nor tithe, pay or satisfy any tithes belonging or appertaining and which ought to belong and appertain to the rector of the said parish by right and in the name of his rectory, either greater or lesser, personal, mixed or minute coming or arising within the bounds and limits and tithable places of the said parish in the months of March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January or February in the one thousand five hundred and forty fifth year of our Lord, nor in the months aforesaid in the 1546th year of our Lord, or not even in the months of March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January or February in the present and current one thousand five hundred and forty seventh year of our Lord, nor in any one of those months and years whatsoever, in one or another or any other, against the will of the said venerable present rector, although bound by right he did not tithe, pay or satisfy namely ‘for offryng dayes’ 3d ‘a house peny a plough’ 1d ‘a haye’ 1d ‘a waxe’ halfpenny, and a hene’ halfpenny in the months and years aforesaid or in any of those months and years whatever, in one or another, subtracted, took and had them against the authority of the law to the grave danger of his soul, to no small prejudice and damage to the said rector and to the pernicious example of other Christian faithful; and also in addition because the said Arthur Cray takes and receives his Eucharist and other sacraments and rites in another church or parish; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

Transcript

[5/8/1 image 2]

Item quod in dicta parochia de Bury circa modum et consuetudinem soluendi decimas tam maiores quam minores mixtas personales
et minutas infra fines et limites ac loca decimabilia eiusdem talis inoleuit mos and consuetudo a x ‧ xx ‧ xxx
xl ‧ l ‧  lx  annis anteaque et citra necnon a tempore et per tempus cuius Inicij siue contrarij memoria hominum
non tenet quod omnes et singuli habitantes <vocati householders> infra fines et limites parochie predicte de Bury soluant seu solui faciant
Rectori vel eius vicem gerentem singulis annis iuxta Regia excellentissima statuta seu saltem in festo paschali seu
tempore pashatis pro oblacionibus suis  iijd et in eodem festo seu tempore pro decimis minoribus mixtis personalibus
siue minutis videlicet <for offyng dayes iijd> a house jd, a plough peny, a hay jd, a wax obolus, et a hene obolus, iuxta moremque et consuetu-
dinem laudabilemque et legitimum vsum dicte parochie a tempore Immemorato vsitata et obseruata prout per probaciones
legitimas in eventu huius litis liquidabitur et plene apparebit Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim ac de quolibet

Item quod prefatus Arthurus <Cay> laicus qui nihil Juris in dicta ecclesia parochialis de Bury decimis ve predictis habuit aut habet
aliqualiter ve ad eas ipsis quoque non obstantibus sed post et contra ea nonnullas decimas tam maiores quam
minores personales mixtas et minutas infra fines et limites ac loca decimabilia dicte parochie provenientes et
contingentes Mensibus Marcij Aprilis Maij Junij Julij Augusti Septembris octobris Novembris  Decembris
Januarij seu Februarij Anno domini Millesimo quingentesimo quadragesimo quinto Necnon mensibus predictis anno domini
1546o seu saltem mensibus Marcij Aprilis Maij Junij Julij Augusti Septembris octobris Novembris
Decembris Januarij seu Februarij presenti et currenti anno domini Millesimo quingentesimo quadragesimo septimo eorundem
ve mensium et annorum quolibet vno aliquo siue altero ad Rectorem dicte parochie Jure et nomine sue rectorie spectantes
et pertinentes ac spectare et pertinere debentes preter et contra voluntatem dicti venerabilis viri rectoris moderni
prout de Jure tenetur non decimauit soluit aut satisfecit videlicet for offryng dayes iijd/ a house peny, a plough
jd, a haye jd, a waxe obolus, and a hene obolus, mensibus et annis predictis eorundemve mensium et annorum quolibet
vno aliquo siue altero contra Jurem disposicionem subtraxit percepit et habuit in anime sue graue periculum dictique rectoris
preiudicium nonmodicum et grauamen aliorumque Christifidelium perniciosum exemplum Necnon tam dictus Arthurus Cay quia
sui Eucharistam et alia sacramenta et sacramentalia in alia ecclesia siue parochia perceperunt et receperunt Et
ponit coniunctim et diuisim ac de quolibet

Libel (image 3)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/8/1 image 3]

Also, that the true value or valuation of these tithes subtracted, taken and had by the aforesaid Arthur Cay and his men in his name in the months and years recited above, or in any of those months and years whatever, in one or another (as aforesaid), notoriously amounted to the sum or value of ten shillings; and the party of the above-mentioned venerable Richard Smyth, rector aforesaid, asserts a claim to any other intermediate sum or lesser value to the sum or value of 4d, and of such and so great a sum of what kind and amount in the common estimation of men notoriously extends by lawful proofs in the outcome of this suit will come to be declared or proved; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

Also, that the said Arthur Cay, layman has been requested and asked to tithe, pay, give and deliver the tithes aforesaid by the aforesaid Master Richard Smith, present rector, or his deputy subtracted, taken and had in the manner aforesaid with the precincts of the said parish or tithable places of the same or otherwise to compound with the same in the months and years recited above, or in any one of those months and years whatsoever on the part and behalf of the aforenamed Master Richard Smith; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

Also, that the said Arthur Cay, thus aforesaid asked and requested to do as in the premises or in any of them, he has not troubled but in the months and years specified above, or in any one of those months and years whatsoever, in one or another or any other (as aforesaid) he has expressly declined and refused or at least unduly delayed and delays at present, to no small prejudice and grievance of the aforesaid Master Richard Smyth, present rector; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

Also, that all and singular the premises were and are true, public, notorious, manifest and well-known, and public voice and fame were circulating regarding and concerning it, just as they are at present, in the said parish of Bury and in other surrounding parishes, townships and places.

Transcript

[5/8/1 image 3] 

Item quod verus valor siue estimacio huiusmodi decimarum per prefatum Arthurus Cay et suos eius nomine mensibus et annis superius
recitatis eorundem ve mensis et annorum quolibet vno aliquo siue Altero (ut prefertur) subtractarum perceptarum et
habitarum ad summam siue valorem <decem> solidorum notorie se extenduit Et protestatur pars prelibati venerabilis viri
Richardi Smyth rectoris antedicti de qualibet summa inter media siue valore minori vsque ad summam siue valorem
iiijd deque tali et tanta summa et qualis et quanta per probaciones legitimas in eventu litis huiusmodi veniet declarandum
siue comprobandum Communi hominium estimacio notorie se extendunt Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim et dequolibet

Item quod dictus Arthurus Cay laicus ad decimandum soluendum tradendum et liberandum antefato Magistro Ricardo Smyth rectori
moderno siue eius <vicem> vigerentem decimas supradictas modo quo prefertur per ipsum et suos subtractas perceptas et habitas seu ad
aliter componendum cum eodem mensibus et annis superius recitatis eorundem ve mensis et annorum
quolibet vno aliquo siue altero ex parte et partem prelibati Magistri Ricardi Smyth infra precinctium dicte parochie vel loca
decimabilia eiusdem requisitas sunt et interpellatas Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim et dequolibet

Item quod dictus Arthurus Cay sic ut premittitur requitus et interpellatus premissa seu eorum aliquod facere non curauit
sed mensibus et annis superius specificatis eorundem ve mensis et annorum quolibet vno aliquo siue altero (ut prefertur)
renuit expresse et recusauit seu saltem plus debite distulit et differt in presenti in prenominati Magistri Ricardi Smyth
rectoris modernum preiudicium non modicum et grauamen Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim et dequolibet

Item quod  premissa omnia  et singula fuerunt et sunt vera publica notoria manifesta et famosa ac de et super premissis omnibus
et singulis in dicta parochia de Bury alijs que parochijs villis et locis circumvicinis laborarunt prout in
presenti laborant publica vox et fama

Libel (image 4)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/8/1 image 4]

Whereupon, due proof as is required, for the making of which according to the due requirement of law the party of the said venerable man offers himself to prove at a suitable and appropriate place and time, and in addition the same party prays that right and justice may be done and administered to him in the premises and in respect of his right, title and possession of quasi right of having and receiving the said tithes, namely ‘offryng dayes, house peny, plough peny, hay’ 1d ‘wax’ halfpenny and ‘hene’ halfpenny, and other greater, lesser, personal, mixed and minute tithes and that all other tithes coming and arising within the bounds and limits of the said parish of Bury will be adjudged, decreed and declared as his and of his rectory aforesaid in future successive times in perpetuity; and also that the aforesaid Arthur Cay and his men are rightly and canonically obliged and compelled to tithe, pay and deliver his tithes respectively aforesaid thus subtracted by him and his men without any, or any kind of, diminution, or the true value of the same, to the use of the said rector in the name of his rectory in the said parish; and also that he is condemned in the lawful expenses incurred by reason of this cause, and he protests those to be incurred, and, having been condemned, that he is rightly and canonically obliged and compelled to the real payment of the same by you passing your definitive sentence or your final decree in this respect, lord judge aforesaid; and otherwise, that what will have been of right and reason in the premises may be done, established and decreed; the plaintiff aforesaid propounds the premisses 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; in addition he prays that regarding the process in this cause it will be summarily and in a summary way, according to the requirement of law;  humbly imploring your office, distinguished judge aforesaid.

 

Transcript

[5/8/1 image 4] 

Vnde facta fide que requiritur ad quam faciendam iuxta Juris
debitam exigentiam offert pars dicti venerabilis viri se probaturi pro loco et tempore congruis et oportunis Petit insuper eadem
pars Jus et Justiciam sibi in premissis omnibus et singulis fieri et ministrari ac pro Jure titulo et possessione sua
seu quasi Juris habendi et percipiendi dictas decimas videlicet offryng dayes, house peny, plough peny, hay jd
wax obolus et hene obolus ac alias decimas maiores minores personales mixtas et minutas ac omnes alias decimas
infra fines et limites dicte parochie de Bury provenientes et contingentes sibi et rectorie sue predicte futuris temporibus
successiuis imperpetuum adiudicari decerni et declarari Necnon prefatum Arthurum Cay et suos ad decimandum
soluendum et liberandum decimas suas respectiue antedictas sic per ipsum et suos subtractas sine aliqua seu aliquali
diminucione vel verum valorem earundem ad commodum dicti Rectoris nomine rectorie sue in dicta parochia rite et cononice
cogi et compelli Atque in expensis legitimis occasione huius litis factis et protestatur de faciendis insuper condemnari
condempnatumque ad realem solucionem earundem rite et canonice cogi et compelli per
vos et vestram sentenciam diffinitiuam siue
finale decretum in hac parte ferendam domine Judex antedicte Vlteriusque fieri statui et decerni in premissis et
ea consernentibus quibuscunque quod Juris fuerit et racionis Premissa proponit et fieri petit pars actrix predicta 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 Petit
insuper quatenus procedatur in hac causa summarie et de plano iuxta Juris debitam exigentiam vestrum officium implorando
Judex egregie antedicte

Libel (image 5)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/8/1 image 5] 

[Endorsement] 

Libel of the venerable Master Richard Smyth, rector of Bury, against Arthur Cay in a cause of subtraction of tithes.

1547

[in pencil in a different hand]

/1

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

Translation copyright ©2023 P J Cox All Rights Reserved

Transcript

[5/8/1 image 5]

[Endorsement] 

libellus venerabilis viri Magistri Ricardi Smyth Rectoris de Bury
contra Arthurum Cay in causa subtraccionis decimarum

1547

[in pencil in a different hand]

/1

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

Transcript copyright ©2023 P J Cox All Rights Reserved