Ref: EDC 5/1566/1

Catalogue Entry:

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

Summary:

Henry Hall contra Helen Hall, his wife

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

Year

1566

Type of Cause:

Matrimonial – restitution of conjugal rights

Cause Papers:

Sentence

Sentence (image 1)

Original Document

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Translation

[5/1566/1 image 1]

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

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

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

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

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

Transcript

[5/1566/1 image 1]

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

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

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

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

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

Sentence (image 2)

Original Document

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Translation

[5/1566/1 image 2]

[Endorsement]

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

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

Transcript

[5/1566/1 image 2]

[Endorsement]

Sententia Henrici Hall in causa
restitucionis obsequiorum
coniugalium
1566

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

People

Henry Hall – plaintiff

Helen Hall – defendant

Robert White – witness to the sentence

Robert Hurleston – witness to the sentence

John Coke – witness to the sentence

Hugh Rolanson – witness to the sentence

Officials

William Downham

Robert Leche

Subjects

Desertion

Proctors

William Man – for the plaintiff

Places

Chester, St Oswald

Ref: EDC 5/1560/2

Catalogue Entry:

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

Summary:

Joan Fitton, wife of Robert Fitton, contra Ralph Leche

Year

1560

Type of Cause:

Defamation – sexual slander

Cause Papers:

Libel

Libel (image 1)

Original Document

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Translation

[1560/2 image 1]

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

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

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

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

[1] Naughty – here means immoral.

Transcript

[1560/2 image 1]

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

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

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

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

Libel (image 2)

Original Document

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Translation

[1560/2 image 2]

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

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

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

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

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

Transcript

[1560/2 image 2]

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

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

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

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

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

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

Libel (image 3)

Original Document

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Translation

[1560/2 image 3]

[The original endorsement is illegible.]

[in pencil]

1560

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

Transcript

[1560/2 image 3]

[The original endorsement is illegible.]

[in pencil]

1560

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

People

Joan Fitton – plaintiff

Ralph Leche – defendant

Subjects

Defamatory words

Women

Places

Tattenhall

Tilston

Carden

Related Causes

Ref: EDC 5/17/4

Catalogue Entry:

EDC 5/17/4 – Libel in defam. cause: Isabel wife of Ralph Holden of Duckworth v. Roger Rusheton. “Thow arte an arrant hore And Thow haddest a chylde before thow were maryed.” 10 – ? – 1556.

Summary:

Isabelle Holden, wife of Ralph Holden, esquire, of Duckworth contra Roger Rishton.

Isabelle claimed that Roger had called her an ‘Arrant hore’ and claimed that she had had a child before she was married. She also claimed that he said to her ‘ Thow hast lost all thy frendes Thow haddest wyth thyne Arse’.

Year

1556

Type of Cause:

Defamation – sexual slander

Cause Papers:

Libel

Libel (image 1)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/17/4 image 1]

In the name of God, Amen; before you, worshipful Master John Hanson, Master of Arts, archdeacon of Richmond, and also guardian of the spiritualities and commissary lawfully deputed to exercise ecclesiastical jurisdiction within the diocese of Chester, the episcopal see now being vacant, by the authority of the right reverend father, Nicholas, by divine permission, lord archbishop of York, primate, metropolitan and chancellor of England and legate of the apostolic see or any other judge whomsoever competent in this regard; the party of the gentlewoman Isabelle Holden, wife of Ralph Holden, esquire, of Duckworth in the parish of Church of Chester diocese against Roger Rishton, gentleman, of the said parish and diocese and of your jurisdiction and against any other whomsoever lawfully intervening before you in judgement for the same by way of complaint and complaining to you in this behalf states, alleges and propounds in these writings in law jointly, severally and in articles as follows:

1 Firstly, he propounds and articles that all and singular persons who speak, utter, assert, express or declare abuse, disparagements or calumnious, opprobrious, disparaging, contumelious, scandalous or defamatory words of any man or woman against public morals, sounding or tending to the injury or denigration of the good fame of any person, were and are to be canonically corrected and punished and are to be obliged and compelled to desist and to completely abstain from these abuses, disparagements and other defamatory words in future; and he propounds jointly, severally and concerning any part thereof.

2 Also, that the said Roger Rishton, not being ignorant of the premises but rather heedless of the salvation of his soul, being induced, as it is believed, by an evil spirit, seriously and grievously defamed the said Isabelle Holden, previously in no way defamed, of and upon the crimes of adultery and unchastity on Thursday next before the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary last, namely on the eighth day of the month of August in the one thousand five hundred and fifty fifth year of our Lord, in the place called Duckworth More in the parish of Church, uttering these following defamatory words to the same Isabelle in English and saying of her ‘ Thow arte an Arrant[1] hore And Thow haddest A chylde before thow were maryed’ and in addition he said to the same Isabelle ‘ Thow hast lost all thy frendes Thow haddest wyth thyne Arse’ or other disparaging and scandalous words similar to these and importing the same effect, as will become clear and appear by lawful proofs in the event of this suit, and he propounds jointly, severally and concerning any part thereof.

3 Also, that by occasion and reason of this defamation, crimes and reproaches and the expressing, utterance, assertion and declaration of the aforesaid words the standing and good fame of the said Isabelle Holden, wife of Ralph Holden, are impaired, injured, blackened and
[1] Arrant – notorious or unmitgated.

Transcript

[5/17/4 image 1]

In dei Nomine amen Coram vobis venerabili viro magistro Johanne
Hanson artium magistro Archidiacono Richemundie necnon custode spiritualitatis
et ad exercendum Jurisdiccionem ecclesiasticam infra diocesem Cestrensem sede episcopali
ibidem vacante auctoritate Reverendi patris et domini domini Nicholai permissione divina
ebor’archiepiscopi Anglie primatis metropolitani et cancellarij Apostoliceque
Sedis Legatis Commissario legitime deputato seu alio iudice in hac parte competenti quocunque
pars generose mulieris Isabelle holden vxoris Radulphi holden
{Pars generose mulieris Isabelle holden vxoris Radulphi holden}
de Duckeworth parochie de Churche Armigeri cestrensis diocesis contra
et aduersus Rogerum Rusheton generosum dicte parochie et diocesis ac vestre
Jurisdicionis ac contra quemcunque alium coram vobis pro eodem in Judicio
legitime Interuenientem per viam querele et vobis in hac parte
querelando dicit allegat et in hijs scriptis in Jure proponit
Coniunctim et diuisim atque articulatim provt Sequitur

1 Inprimis ponit et articulatur Quod omnes et singuli qui
convicia vituperia verbave Calumpniosa obprobriosa vilipendiosa
contumeliosa scandalosa seu diffamatoria ad alicuis bone fame
lesionem seu denigracionem sonantia vel tendentia contra bonos mores de
aliquo seu aliqua dicunt emittunt asserunt proferunt seu predicant
fuerunt et sunt Canonice Corrigendi et puniendi ac vt ab huiusmodi
convicijs vituperijs et alijs verbis diffamatorijs desistant et se
penitus abstineant in futurum Cogendi et Compellendi Et
ponit Coniunctim diuisim et de quolibet

2 Item Quod dictus Rogerus Rusheton premissorum non ignarus
immo anime sue salutis immemor spritu vt creditur maligno ductus
dictam Isabellam holden proprius minime diffamatam die
Jouis proximo ante festum Assumptionis beate marie virginis vltimo
videlicet octauo die mensis Augusti Anno domini millesimo quingentisimo
quinquagesimo quinto de et super criminibus adulterij et Incontinentie
in loco vocato Duckworth more in parochie de church grauiter
et enormiter diffamauit proferendo hec verba diffamatoria
in Anglicis sequentia eidem Isabelle et de eadem dicendo Thow
arte an Arrant hore And Thow haddest A chylde before thow
were maryed Et insuper dixit eidem Isabelle Thow hast
lost all thy frendes Thow haddest wyth thyne Arse seu alia
verba vituperiosa et scandalosa hijs similia et eundem effectum
importantia provt per probationes legitimas in eventu huius litis
liquedabitur et apparebit Et ponit coniunctim diuisim et de quolibet

3 Item Quod occatione et pretextu huiusmodi diffamationis criminiumque
et conviciorum imposicionem prefatorumque verborum prolationem emissionem
Assertionem et predicationem status et bona fama dicte Isabelle
holden vxoris Radulphi holden Leduntur grauantur denigrantur

Libel (image 2)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/17/4 image 2]

diminished and the same Isabelle Holden was and is at no little trouble and expense and otherwise and elsewhere wearied, vexed, oppressed, burdened and perturbed in many different ways, and among and between good and substantial people she is of less reputation and favour and good and substantial people have ascribed and given, and at present ascribe and give, less trust and favour to the same Isabelle Holden by reason of the premises; and he propounds, jointly, severally and concerning any part thereof.

4 Also, that the said Isabelle Holden, before this defamation and crimes and reproaches and the expressing, utterance, assertion and declaration of the defamatory words aforesaid and until then, was a woman of good name, unblemished reputation and honest conversation, and previously in no way defamed among and between good and substantial people; and he propounds, jointly, severally and concerning any part thereof.

5 Also, that the said Roger Rishton was and is of the parish of Church of Chester diocese and notoriously subordinate and subject to your jurisdiction; and he propounds jointly, severally and concerning any part thereof.

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

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

Whereupon, due proof being made as required by law in this regard, the party of the said Isabelle Holden prays that right and a complement of justice may be done and administered to her in all and singular the premises and that it is decreed that the aforesaid Roger Rishton should be corrected and punished for the imputation of the above-said crimes and for the pronouncing and declaration of these aforesaid words according to the due requirement of law, and that he will be punished with effect and is to be obliged and compelled to desist and to completely abstain from these disparagements, abuse and defamatory words in future; and also that he will be condemned in the lawful costs incurred on the part of the said Isabelle Holden in that behalf, and he protests those to be incurred, and having been condemned, that he will be duly obliged and compelled to the real payment of the same by you passing your definitive sentence in that behalf, lord judge aforesaid; and otherwise, that what will have been of right and reason in the premises and anything whatsoever concerning them may be done, established and decreed,

Transcript

[5/17/4 image 2]

et attenuantur Ipsaque Isabella Holden fuit et est in nonnullis
laboribus et expensis ac alias et aliunde mulipliciter fatigata
[…] { Ac apud et inter bonos et}
vexata grauata onerata et perturbata <Ac apud et inter bonos et>
graues minoris reputacionis et fauoris bonique et graves adhibuerunt
et dederunt adhibentque et dant in presenti eidem Isabelle holden
minorem fidem atque fauorem pretextu premissorum et ponit Coniunctim
diuisim et de quolibet

4 Item Quod dicta Isabelle Holden ante huiusmodi diffamationem
ac criminium et Conviciorum ac verborum diffamatororium predictorum
prolationem emissionem assertionem et predicationem et vsque ad ea fuit mulier
bone fame opinionis illese et Conversationis honeste Ac apud
et inter bonos et graues pro prius minime diffamata Et ponit
Coniunctim diuisim et de quolibet

5 Item Quod dictus Rogerus Rysheton fuit et est parochie de Church Cestrensis
diocesis Et vestre Jurisdiccionis notorie subditus et subiectus Et
ponit Coniunctim diuisim et de quolibet

6 Item Quod fuit et est ex parte at per partem dicte Isabelle holden
ad vos dominum Judicem antedictum et ad Curiam vestram
Consistorialem Cestrensem rite et legitime querelatum Et ponit vt supra

7 Item Quod premissa omnia et singula fuerunt et sunt vera publica
notoria manifesta pariter et famosa Atque de et super huiusmodi in parochia
de Church et in alijs parochiis et locis publicis eidem Convicinis
et Circumvicinis Laborarunt et in presenti Laborant publica vox
et fama

Vnde facta fide de Jure in hac parte requisita petit
pars dicte Isabelle holden Jus et Justicie complementum sibi
in premissis omnibus et singulis fieri et ministrari Ac predictum
Rogerum Rusheton pro supradictorum criminium imposicione et huiusmodi
verborum prolacionem et predicacionem predictorum iuxta Juris debitam
exigentiam corrigendum et puniendum fore debere decerni et cum effectu
puniri Et vt ab huiusmodi convicijs vituperijs et verbis diffamatorijs
desistat et se penitus abstineat infuturum Cogi et Compelli

Necnon in expensis legitimis per partem dicte Isabelle Holden in hac parte
factis et protestatur de fiendis Condempnari Ac Condemnatum
ad Realem solucionem earundem debite Cogi et Compelli
per vos et vestram sententiam diffinitiuam in hac parte ferendam
domine Judex antedicte. Vlteriusque fieri statui et
decerni in premissis et ea concernentibus quibuscunque quod Juris
fuerit et Rationis Premissa proponit et fieri petit

Libel (image 3)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/17/4 image 3]

the party of the said Isabelle Holden propounds the premises and prays that they are done jointly and severally, not binding himself to prove all and singular the premises, nor to the burden of a superfluous proof, against which he protests, but so far as he shall prove in the premises so much may he obtain of the petitions, always reserving the benefit of law in all things, humbly imploring your office in the premises, distinguished judge aforesaid.

Transcript

[5/17/4 image 3]

pars dicte Isabelle Holden Coniunctim et Diuisim Non Arctans se ad
omnia et singula premissa probanda nec ad onus superflue probationis de quo
protestatur Sed quatenus probauerit in premissis eatenus obtineat
in petitis Juris beneficio in omnibus semper saluo Vestrum officium in
premissis Judex egregie Antedicte humiliter implorando

Libel (image 4)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/17/4 image 4]

[Endorsement]

Libel of Isabelle Holden against Roger Rishton in a cause of defamation, exhibited on the tenth of […] 1556

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

Transcript

[5/17/4 image 4]

[Endorsement]

[Libellus Isabelle] holden [contra] Rogerum Rysheton in causa diffamationis exhibitus x^o[…] 1556

[in later hand] /4

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

People

Isabelle Holden – plaintiff

Ralph Holden – husband of plaintiff

Roger Rishton – defendant

Notes

This cause arose in the course of a long-running dispute stemming from the alleged removal by Roger Rishton of turves belonging to Isabelle Holden.

A subsequent defamation cause was brought by Isabelle against Roger Rishton’s wife, Helen, and another by Helen against Isabelle. The decisions of the court seem to have gone in Isabelle’s favour in all these causes and both Roger and Helen appealed to the archbishop’s court at York. Further suits were brought directly at York.

The appeals are held at the Borthwick Institute in York under references TRANS.CP.1557/1 and TRANS.CP.1557/2. There are also some papers generated by these appeals available online at https://www.dhi.ac.uk/causepapers/index.jsp

The references are CP.H.3926, which is a complaint by Helen Rishton against the officials at Chester and Isabelle Holden’s reply. CP.G.693 is Helen Rishton’s libel in the defamation cause against Isabelle Holden; Isabelle’s personal answers to the points of the libel; interrogatories to be administered to Helen’s witnesses on Isabelle’s behalf; two sets of depositions on the libel and interrogatories. CP.G.648 is the libel and depositions in a cause brought by Isabelle Holden at York against Roger Rishton for a physical assault on her in church and for preventing the serving of a citation; Roger Rishton’s personal response; interrogatories to be administered to Isabelle’s witnesses on Roger’s behalf and depositions on the libel and interrogatories. CP.G.648A is Isabelle Holden’s exceptions against Helen Rishton’s witnesses in her defamation cause at CP.G.693 and depositions of Isabelle’s witnesses upon her exceptions.

This is an example of how bitter (and costly) a dispute between neighbours could become once the Consistory Courts were involved.

Ref: EDC 5/15/1

Catalogue Entry:

EDC 5/15/1 – Sentence in defam. cause: George Whrenhalle of Eccleston v. Lawrence Finch of same. 6 Apr. 1554.

Summary:

George Wrenhalle contra Lawrence Fynch.

Year

1554

Type of Cause:

Defamation – unknown

Cause Papers:

Sentence

Sentence (image 1)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/15/1 image 1]

In the name of God, Amen: the merits and circumstances of a certain cause of defamation which was disputed for some time and is still disputed and depending undecided having been heard, seen and understood and fully investigated by us, George Wilmesley, Bachelor of Laws, by the authority of the right reverend father in Christ, George, by divine permission lord bishop of Chester to decide ecclesiastical causes within the diocese of Chester vicar general in spirituals and lawfully deputed official principal of his episcopal consistory between George Wrenhalle of the parish of Eccleston in the county of Lancaster, the party plaintiff and complainant on the one part and Lawrence Fynch of the same parish of Chester diocese and of our jurisdiction, the defendant and party complained of on the other part; rightly and lawfully proceeding the party of the aforesaid George Wrenhalle appearing before personally and through his proctor and party of the said Lawrence Fynch appearing before us through his lawfully constituted proctor; and the party of the said George Wrenhalle seeking that sentence is passed for his party and the party of the said Lawrence Fynch urgently seeking justice for his party.

The whole and entire proceedings had and done in this cause having first been examined by us and diligently considered, and matters which according to law should be observed by us having been observed, 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, alleged, propounded, proved and confessed, that the party of the said George Wrenhalle his claim set forth in a certain libel of his given and offered before us in this cause (the tenor of which libel follows and is such; In the name of God, Amen; before you, the venerable Master George Wilmesley, Bachelor of Laws, etc. the party of the honest man, George Wrenhalle, of the parish of Eccleston, against Lawrence Fynch of the same parish of Chester diocese and of your jurisdiction etc. which certain libel we hold as here read and inserted and we wish to be held as sufficiently and fully founded and equally proved and that nothing effectual has been or is set forth, alleged, proved nor confessed on the part or behalf of the said Lawrence Fynch which could destroy or in any way weaken the claim of the said George Wrenhalle in this respect.

Therefore we, George Wilmesley, official principal aforesaid, having first called upon the name of Christ, and having and setting God himself alone before our eyes from and with the advice of the learned in the law with whom we have conferred promptly in this respect pronounce, decree and declare that the aforesaid Lawrence Fynch for such great audacity in defaming the aforesaid George Wrenhalle as is alleged in the said libel and more fully appears, to which libel we refer ourselves in that respect, should be corrected and punished according to the requirement of law by reason of the premises; and we also condemn in the lawful expenses incurred and to be incurred on the part of the said George Wrenhalle in this respect, reserving taxation […] or any other judge whomsoever competent and we do reserve it by this our definitive sentence or our final decree which we pass and publish in these writings.

Transcript

[5/15/1 image 1]

In dei Nomine amen auditis visis et intellectis ac plenarie discussis per nos Georgium Wylmysley in legibus baccallaureum auctoritate
Reuerendi in christo patris et domini nostri domini Georgij permissione diuina Cestrensis Episcopi ad causas ecclesiasticas infra diocesem Cestrensem de[cidendum]
vicarium in spiritualibus generalem ac officialem principalem sui consistorialis Episcopalis legitime deputatum meritis et [circumstan-]
tijs cuiusdam cause diffamationis que coram nobis Inter Georgium Whrenhalle parochie de Eccleston in comitatu lan[castrie]
partem actricem et querelantem ex vna et lawrentium fynch parochie eiusdem Cestrensis diocesis et nostre iurisdictionis partem [ream]
et querelatam partibus ex altera aliquandiu vertebatur et adhuc vertitur et pendet indecisa rite et l[egitime]
procedentes parte prefati Georgij Wrenhalle personaliter et per procuratorem suum parteque dicti lawrentij fynch [per]
procuratorem suum legitime constitutum coram nobis comparentibus parteque dicti Georgij Wrenhalle Sentenciam ferri pro p[arte]
sua petenti [pa]rteque dicti lawrentij fynch Justiciam fieri pro parte sua instanter postulantibus

Rimato p-
[rimit]us per nos atque diligenter inspecto toto et integro processu in huiusmodi causa habito et facto atque seruatis per nos
de Jure in hac parte seruandis ad nostre Sententie diffinitiue siue decreti nostri finalis in dicta causa ferendam <prolationem> sic du[xi]-
mus procedendum et procedimus in hunc qui sequitur modum

Quia per acta Inactita deducta allegata pro[posita]
probata et confe]ssata comperimus et luculenter Invenimus partem dicti Georgij Wrenhalle Intencionem suam in quodam s[uo]
[libello coram no]bis in huiusmodi causa dato et oblato deductam cuius quidem libelli Tenor
sequitur et est talis In dei nomine
[Amen coram] vobis venerabili viro magistro Georgio Wyllmysley in legibus baccallaureo et cetera pars honesti
viri Georgij Wrenhalle parochie de Eccleston contra et aduersus lawrentium fynch parochie eiusdem Cestrensis diocesis
et vestre Jurisdictionis et cetera Quem quidem libellum pro hic lecto et inserto habemus et haberi volumus sufficienter et ad plen[um]
fundasse pariter et probasse nihilque effectuale ex parte aut per partem dicti laurentij fynch fuisse aut esse in hac parte
deductum allegatum probatum nec confessatum quod Intentionem dicti Georgij Wrenhalle in hac parte Elideret seu quomodo
libet Enaru[aret]

Idcirco nos Georgius Wylmysley Officialis principalis antedictus cristi nomine primitus
Invo[cato]
ac ipsum solum deum pre oculis nostris habentes et preponentes de et cum consilio Jurisperitorum cum quibus mature in hac
[p]arte communicauimus prefatum lawrentium fynch pro tanta sua temeritate in diffamando predictum Geo[rgium]
Wrenhalle prout in dicto libello allegatur et plenius apparet ad quem quidem libellum <nos> in hac parte referimus Juxta Juris
[exigentium] corrigendum et pvniendum fore debere pretextu premissorum pronuntiamus decernimus et declaramus necnon
[in expensis] legitimis per partem dicti Georgij Wrenhalle in hac parte factis et fiendis condemnamus Taxationem
[…] aut alio Judici competenti cuicunque reseruando et reseruamus per hanc nostrum Sententiam diffinitiuam siue
[h]oc nostrum finale decretum quam vel quod ferimus et promulgamus in hijs scriptis

Sentence (image 2)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/15/1 image 2]

[Endorsement]

This sentence was read by the lord aforesaid on the 6^thday of the month of April in the year 1554 with the witnesses as it is recorded in the acts.

Sentence Wrenhalle against Fynch in a cause of defamation.

[in pencil in a different hand]

1554

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

Transcript

[5/15/1 image 2]

[Endorsement]

[Lecta] fuit huiusmodi sententia per dominum antedictum vj^to die mensis aprilis Anno
[15]54 testibus vt in actis inscribitur

Sententia Wrenhall contra fynch in causa diffamationis

[in pencil in a different hand]

1554

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

People

George Wrenhalle – plaintiff

Lawrence Fynch – defendant

Officials

George Wilmesley – official principal

Proctors

Places

Eccleston, Lancashire

Notes

The Deposition Books and Act Books for the relevant period have not survived so it is not possible to discover the nature of the libel.

Ref: EDC 5/14/1

Catalogue Entry:

EDC 5/14/1 – Libel in matrim. cause: Elizabeth Smyth alias Rixton v. Giles Smyth & Margaret Barrington of Rostherne. Jun. 1553.

Summary:

Elizabeth Smyth, otherwise Rixton, contra Giles Smyth and Margaret Barington.

Year

1552

Type of Cause:

Matrimonial – restitution of conjugal rights

Cause Papers:

Libel

Libel (image 1)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/14/1 image 1]

[…] supreme, of the most illustrious Prince in Christ and our master, lord Edward the sixth, by the grace of God king of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith and on earth supreme head of the English and Irish church, appointed, sufficiently and lawfully deputed or any other judge whomsoever competent in this respect; the party of Elizabeth Smyth, otherwise Rixton, against Giles Smyth of the parish of [blank] and of Chester diocese, her husband, and Margaret Barington of the parish of Rostherne if and to the extent that she considers that she should appear and also against any other person or persons whomsoever lawfully intervening before you in judgement for the same or either of them by way of complaint and complaining to you in this behalf and by every better way, method and form of law by which, according to law, he was or is able to follow and to every effect of law which will be or is able to follow therefrom says, alleges and propounds in these writings in law in articles as follows:

1 Firstly, that the said Giles Smyth and Elizabeth Smyth, otherwise Rixton, free and equally at liberty from all matrimonial contract, well known to be in this freedom and liberty contracted together a true, unconditional and lawful marriage 16, 15 or 14 years ago by appropriate words of present consent or, at least, espousals lawfully expressing their mutual consent, and they confirmed this, thus contacted, by sexual intercourse; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

2 Also, that the said Giles Smith, led, as it is believed, by an evil spirit, without the guidance or advice of his parents and friends and heedless of the health of his soul thereafter, namely about the feast of the holy apostles Phillip and James[1] 13 or 14 years now last past, notwithstanding the premises, contracted de facto illicitly and invalidly a certain pretended marriage, or in reality a semblance of a marriage, with the said Margaret Barington and he procured or rather prophaned that pretended marriage or semblance of a marriage to be solemnised in the face of the church, about the time aforesaid; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.

[1] This feast was celebrated on 1^st May.

Transcript

[5/14/1 image 1]

[…] sup[rem]a Illustriss[imi in] christo principis et domini nostri [domini]
Edwardi sexti dei g[racia] Anglie Francie et hibernie Regis
fidei defensoris et in terris ecclesie anglicane et hibernice
supremi capitis fulcitum sufficienter et legitime deputato
aut alio iudice in hac parte competenti quocunque Pars
Elizabeth Smyth alias Rixton contra et aduersus Egidium
Smyth <parochie de [blank] et Cestrensis diocesis > maritum suum et Margaretam Barington <parochie de Rostorne>
si et quatenus suum putauerit interesse ac contra
quemcunque alium seu alios quoscunque coram vobis in iudicio
Legitime interuenientem pro eijsdem siue eorum altero per viam
querele et vobis in hac parte querelando omnibusque meli-
oribus via modo et iuris forma quibus melius aut
efficacius de iure debuit aut debet atque ad omnem
iuris effectum qui exinde sequi poterit aut potest dicit
allegat et in hijs scriptis in iure proponit articulatim prout
sequitur

1. Inprimis quod dicti Egidius Smyth et Elizabeth Smyth alias
Rixton ab omni contractu matrimoniali liberi pariter
et immunis atque in huiusmodi libertate et immunitate notorie
existentes xvj xv aut xiiij Abhuic annis matrimo-
nium verum purum et legitimum per verba de presenti ad hoc
apta seu saltem sponsalia eorum mutuum consensum
exprimencia legitime adinvicem contraxherunt et illud
sic contractum per carnalem copulam confirmauerunt Et
ponit coniunctim diuisim et de quolibet

2. Item quod dictus Egidius Smyth spiritu ductus (vt creditur)
maligno, sine parentium et Amicorum suorum suasu et
consilio, ac sue anime salutis Imemor postea videlicet circiter
festum sanctorum Apostolorum Philippi et Jacobi adhuic xiij^ci aut
xiiij^cum Annis iam elapsis premissis non obstantibus quoddam
pretensum matrimonium imo verius effigiem matrimonij de
facto illicite et invalide cum dicta Margareta Barington
contraxhit ac illud pretensum matrimonium seu potius effigiem
matrimonij in facie ecclesie solempnizari seu verius propha-
nari obtinuit circiter tempus predictum Et ponit coniunctim
diuisim et de quolibet

Libel (image 2)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/14/1 image 2]

3 Also, that it was and is on the part and behalf of Elizabeth Smyth, otherwise Rixton, that this action is rightly and lawfully brought to you, lord judge aforesaid; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.[1]

5 Also, that all and singular the premises were and are true, public, notorious, manifest and equally famous, and public voice and fame were and are circulating regarding and concerning the same in the parish of Knutsford and Prestbury and in other places neighbouring and surrounding the same. Whereupon, due proof being made as required by law in this regard, for the making of which according to the requirements law, the party of the said Elizabeth Smyth, otherwise Rixton, offers herself ready and prepared for justice to be administered to her with effect in the premises and matters concerning them and that the aforesaid pretended marriage between the said Giles Smyth and Margaret Barington de facto contracted and solemnised, or more accurately, profaned and all and singular following therefrom by reason of the premises was and is cancelled, made void and annulled and is pronounced and declared nullified, invalidated and annulled and should not survive in law and was and should be lacking all force in law and that they, Giles Smyth and Margaret Barington in so far as they are joined together de facto will be separated and divorced and a true and lawful marriage contracted and confirmed will be pronounced and declared between the said Giles and Elizabeth Smyth, otherwise Rixton, by you and your definitive sentence or your final decree And otherwise, that what will have been of right and reason in the premises and anything whatsoever concerning them may be done, established and decreed; which the party of the oft-mentioned Elizabeth Smyth, otherwise Rixton, propounds and prays that they are done jointly and severally, not obliging himself to proving all and singular the premises, nor to the burden of superfluous proof, concerning which he protests, but so far as he will have proved in the premises thus far may he obtain in the petitions, always reserving the benefit of law in all things, humbly imploring your office lord judge aforesaid.

[1] There is a part of the manuscript missing at this point and it may be that there is another paragraph as the number of this paragraph has not survived and the next is numbered 5.

Transcript

[5/14/1 image 2]

[ 3] [Item quod fuit et est ex parte]
et per partem [Elizabethe Smyth alias Ryxton ad vos]
dominum iudicem anted[ictum rite et legi]time qu[erel]atum Et poni[t coniunctim]
diuisim et de quolibet

5 Item quod premissa omnia et singula fuerunt et sunt vera
publica notoria manifesta pariter et famosa atque de et super
eijsdem laborarunt et in presenti laborant publica vox et
fama in parochia de Knottesforth <et Presburye> alijsque locis eisdem
vicinis et circumvicinis

Vnde facta fide de iure
in hac parte requisita ad quam faciendam iuxta iuris exigenciam
offert se promptam et paratum pars dicte Elizabethe Smythe alias
Ryxton Justiciam sibi in premissis et ea concernentibus
quibuscunque ministrari cum effectu Atque predictum pretensum matri-
monium inter dictos Egidium Smythe et Margaretam Barington
fuisse et esse de facto contractum et solempnizatum seu verius
prophanatum ac omnia alia et singula inde sequita premissis
pretextu cassari irritari et Annullaru cassumque irritum et
nullum fuisse et esse ac de iure subsistere non debere
viribusque iuris omnino caruisse et carere debere pronunciari
decerni et declarari Ipsosque Egidium Smythe et Margaretam
Barington quatenus de facto sunt coniuncti adinvicem
seperari et diuorciari ac pro vero et legitimo matrimonio inter
dictos Egidium et Elizabeth Smyth alias Ryxton legitime
contracto ac confirmato pronunciari et declarari per vos et
vestram Sententiam diffinitiuam siue vestrum finale decretum
Vlteriusque fieri
statui et decerni que in premissis et ea concernentibus quibuscunque
quod iuris fuerit et racionis Que proponit et fieri petit
pars sepefate Elizabeth Smyth alias Ryxton coniunctim et divisim 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 iuris beneficio in omnibus semper
saluo vestrum officium domine iudex antedicte humiliter Implorando

Libel (image 3)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/14/1 image 3]

[Endorsement]

1553, first of June

[in pencil in a different hand]

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

Transcript

[5/14/1 image 3]

[Endorsement]

[1]553
[pri]mo Junij

[in pencil in a different hand]

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

People

Elizabeth Smyth, otherwise Rixton – plaintiff

Giles Smyth – defendant

Margaret Barington – defendant

Subjects

Adultery

Bigamy

Women

Proctors

Places

Knutsford

Prestbury

Rostherne

Notes

In this cause the plaintiff alleged that her lawful husband had married in church for a second time while she was still his lawful wife. As this second marriage was contracted some thirteen or fourteen years earlier the reason for the delay in bringing this suit is not clear, perhaps his first wife had only just learned of the second marriage.

Ref: EDC 5/13/7

Catalogue Entry:

EDC 5/13/7 – Libel in matrim. cause: Joan Carter of Middlewich v. Randle Carter of same. 1552.

Summary:

Joan Carter contra Randle Carter.

Year

1552

Type of Cause:

Matrimonial – separation from bed and board (adultery and/or cruelty)

Cause Papers:

Libel or petition

Libel (image 1)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/13/7 image 1]

In the name of God, Amen: before you, the venerable George Wilmesley, Bachelor of Laws, of the most illustrious Prince in Christ and our master, lord Edward the sixth, by the grace of God king of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith and on earth supreme head under Christ of the English and Irish church, for deciding ecclesiastical causes within Chester diocese appointed by the right reverend father in Christ, John, by divine permission lord bishop of Chester, by the same authority lawfully deputed vicar general in spirituals and official principal of his Consistory Court or your commissary or any other judge whomsoever competent in this respect; the party of the worthy woman, Joan Carter, of the parish of Middlewich, against Randle Carter, her pretended husband, of the same parish of Chester diocese and of your jurisdiction and also against any other person whomsoever lawfully intervening before you in judgement for the same says, alleges and propounds in these writings in law jointly and severally in the manner which follows […] Randle and Joan contracted matrimony together and caused it to be solemnised in the face of the church, and have lived together as man and wife in conjugal duty for some months and years, mutually providing conjugal rights, however, Joan is not required by law to live with the aforesaid Randle or to provide conjugal rights to the same in that and because the aforesaid Randle Carter in the months of March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January or February in the years of our Lord 1551 and 1552 or in any of those months and years in any one of them or another, sinning against conjugal law and violating the marriage bed within the said parish of Middlewich carnally knew and knows and had and has at present an adulterous relationship with a certain Joyce Grastie and that all and singular the premises were and are true, public, notorious, flagrant and well known and public voice and fame were and are at present circulating regarding and concerning this in the said parish of Middlewich and in other parishes neighbouring the same. Whereupon due proof being made as required by law in this regard, the party of the said Joan Carter prays that right and justice may effectively be done and administered to her upon all and singular the premises and that by occasion and reason of the premises she, Joan, will be divorced, separated and absolved from bed and board and also from cohabitation and mutual rights and conjugal duties with the said Randle Carter, and they, will be decreed, pronounced and declared as thus separated and absolved by you and passing your definitive sentence or your final decree in that respect, distinguished 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 Joan Carter propounds the premises and prays that they will be done jointly and severally, not binding herself to prove all and singular the premises, nor to the burden of a superfluous proof, against which she protests but so far as she shall prove in the premises so much may she obtain of the petitions always reserving the benefit of law in all things, humbly imploring your office in the premises, distinguished judge aforesaid.

Transcript

[5/13/7 image 1]

In dei Nomine Amen coram vobis venerabili viro Magistro Georgio Wylmysley in legibus baccallaureo Illustrissimi
[in] christo principis et domini nostri domini Edwardi sexti dei gracia Anglie Francie et hibernie Regis Fidei defe[nsoris]
[et in] terris ecclesie Anglicane et hibernice sub christo supremi capitis ad causas ecclesiasticas decidendum infra dio[cesem]
[cestrens]em per reuerendum in christo patrem et dominum dominum Johannem permissione diuina Cestrensem Episcopum eodem auctoritate fulcito vicario
[in] spiritualibus generali ac eius Curie Consistorialis officiali principali legitime deputato vestrove Commissario seu alio Judice
[in] hac parte competenti quocunque Pars honeste mvlieris Johanne carter parochie de medio vico contra et aduersus
[Ron]dulphum carter virum suum pretensum eodem parochie Cestrensis diocesis et vestre Jurisdictionis necnon contra quemcunque alium cor[am]
[vobi]s in Judicio legitime Interuenientem pro eodem dicit allegat et in hijs scriptis in Jure proponit coniunctim et diuisim modo prout sequit[ur]
[… Ron]dulphus et Johanna matrimonium adinvicem contraxerunt illudque in facie ecclesie solempnisa[ri]
[fec]erunt atque ut vir et vxor per aliquot menses et annos cohabitauerunt obsequia coniugalia mvtuo Impendens
tamen Johanna cum prefato Rondolpho cohabitere aut obsequia coniugalia eidem impendere vlterius de
[iure] non tenetur pro eo videlicet et ex eo quod prefatus Rondulphus carter mensis martij aprilis maij Junij Julij augusti
[se]ptembris octobris novembris decembris Januarij siue februarij annis domini M^o D^o li^o et M^o D^o lij^oeorundemve mensium
et annorum vno quolibet siue aliquo in legem coniugij peccans et Thorum coniugalem violens infra dictam parochiam de
medio vico quadam Jocaeam graiste carnaliter cognouit et cognoscit et in adulterinis amplexibus
habuit et habet in presenti Que omnia et singula premissa fuerunt et sunt vera publica notoria manifesta et famosa
ac de et super eisdem in dicta parochia medij vici ac alijs parochijs eidem vicinis laborarunt et in presenti labo-
ant publica vox et fama Vnde facta fide in hac parte de Jure requisita petit pars dicte Johanne
carter Jus et Justiciam sibi in premissis omnibus et singulis fieri et ministrari ac ipsam Johannam premissorum
rationem et pretextu a mensa et thoro necnon a cohabitacione et mvtuus obequiis et seruitute coniugali dicti Rondulphi
[Car]ter diuortiari separari et absolui ac ipsos sic separandos et absoluerindos fore decerni pronuntiari et
[d]eclarari per vos et vestram sententiam diffinitiuam siue vestrum finale decretum in hac parte ferendum Judex egre-
gie antedicte Vlteriusque fieri statui et decerni in premissis et ea concernentibus quod Juris fuerit et rationis
Premissa proponit et fieri petit pars dicte Johanne carter 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 eate-
nus obtineat in petitis Juris beneficio in omnibus semper saluo vestrum officium in premissis humiliter implo[rando]
Judex egregie antedicte

Libel (image 2)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/13/7 image 2]

[Endorsement]

Libel of Joan Carter against Randle Carter in a cause of divorce.

[Written the other way up.]

Answer of Randle Carter […] he says that they were married in Middlewich church […] years ago and lived together for 7 years and had 5 children and […] 13 years et cetera and about […] Joyce Grastie for the space […] and had carnal knowledge of her and as it is […]

[in pencil in a different hand]

1552

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

Transcript

[5/13/7 image 2]

[Endorsement]

Libellus Johanne Carter contra Rondulphum carter in causa deuortij

Res[ponsio?] Rondolphi carter […]
dicit quod maritati fuerunt in ecclesie de Vici [Medij? …]
annis elapsis et cohabitarunt vijto annis et habuerunt vto [proles?]
et […] xiijtum annis etc et super […] Joys grastie per spacium
[…] et eam carnaliter cognouit et vt est […]
[…]

[in pencil in a different hand]

1552

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

People

Joan Carter – plaintiff

Randle Carter – defendant

Joyce Grastie – named in the libel

Officials

George Wilmesley – official principal

Subjects

Adultery

Separation from bed and board

Women

Proctors

Places

Middlewich

Notes

On the date which had been set for hearing the sentence in this cause (20th July 1552) the parties failed to appear in court (EDC 1/13, f. 80).

Ref: EDC 5/13/6

Catalogue Entry:

EDC 5/13/6 – Sentence in defam. cause: John Sygar gent. v. Margaret wife of Thomas Palen of Bunbury. 30 Jul. 1552.

Summary:

John Segar contra Margaret Palen, wife of Thomas Palen.

This cause was initially brought jointly by John Segar and his wife, Katherine, but she was no longer a party to the proceedings by the time the sentence was passed (EDC 1/13, ff. 5v, 27v, 45v, 52, 57, 64, 73v, 76v, 79v, 82, 84v, 89, 98v, 103, 109).

Year

1552

Type of Cause:

Defamation – other

Cause Papers:

Sentence

Sentence (image 1)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/13/6 image 1]

In the name of God, Amen: the merits and circumstances of a certain cause of defamation or abuse which is disputed and depending undecided having been heard, seen, understood and fully investigated by us, George Wilmesley, Bachelor of Laws, appointed official principal of the royal Chester ecclesiastical court by the right reverend father, John, by divine permission lord bishop of Chester sufficiently and lawfully deputed for the exercising of spiritual and ecclesiastical jurisdiction within Chester diocese by the supreme authority of the most illustrious Prince in Christ and our master, lord Edward the sixth, by the grace of God king of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith and on earth supreme head of the English and Irish church under Christ, rightly and lawfully proceeding, between John Segar, gentleman, the complainant on the one part and Margaret Palen, wife of Thomas Palen of the parish of Bunbury of the said Chester diocese, the defendant and party complained of on the other part; the parties aforesaid appearing sufficiently and lawfully before us namely the plaintiff by Tristram Swadaill and the defendant by William Withens, substitute for Bower, her proctor; and the party of the aforesaid John Segar, urgently praying and seeking that sentence is passed and that justice may be done to his party while the party of the aforesaid Margaret Palen also urgently praying and seeking justice for her party.

The whole and entire proceedings had and done in this cause before us having first been examined and diligently considered by us and also 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 clearly know and find by the acts enacted, set forth, propounded, alleged, proved and confessed before us in the aforesaid cause, that the party of the aforesaid John Segar his claim set forth in a certain libel of his judicially given and offered before us in this respect (the tenor of which libel follows and is such; In the name of God, Amen; before you, the venerable Master George Wilmesley, Bachelor of Laws, official principal of the Chester king’s ecclesiastical consistory court appointed by the right reverend father in Christ, John, by divine permission lord bishop of Chester sufficiently and lawfully deputed for the exercising of spiritual and ecclesiastical jurisdiction within the whole of the said Chester diocese by the supreme authority of the most illustrious Prince in Christ and our lord, Edward the sixth, by the grace of God lord king of England, France and

Transcript

[5/13/6 image 1]

[In dei Nomine amen Auditis visis intellectis ac plenarie discussis per nos Georgium Wymesley in Legibus baccallaureum curie regie ecclesiastice consistorialis cestrensis officialem ]
principalem per Reuerendum patrem et [dominum] dominum Jo[hannem permissione diuina] cestrensem episcopum ad exercendum iur[isdictionem] spiritualem [et ecclesiasticam infra totam]
diocesem cestrensem auctoritate suprema Illustrissimi [in christo principis et]
domini nostri domini Edwardi sexti dei gracia [anglie francie et ]
hibernie Regis fidei defensoris et in terris ecclesie anglica[ne et]
hibernice sub christo capitis supremi fulcitum sufficienter et
legitime deputatum meritis et circumstancijs cuiusdam cause de[fa]-
macionis siue convicij que coram nobis inter Johannem Sy[gar]
generosum partem querelantem ex vna et Margaretam Palyn vx[orem]
Thome Palen parochie de Bunburye dicte cestrensis diocesis par[tem]
ream et querelatam partibus ex altera vertitur et pendet
indecisa rite et legitime procedentes partibus predictis coram nobis
sufficienter et legitime comparentibus <videlicet actrice per tristram et parte rea per Withens substituti Bower proc[uratoris eo]> Parteque prefati Johannis Syg[ar]
sentenciam ferri et iusticiam fieri pro parte sua parte
vero prefate Margarete Palyn iusticiam eciam pro parte sua
instanter postulantibus et petentibus

Visis primitus per nos <et diligenter inspectis> toto et
inte[gro pro]cessu coram nobis in huiusmodi causa habito et facto atque dili-
gent[er rec]ensitis servatis eciam [per nos d]e iure servandis in hac
parte
ad sententie nostre diffinitiue siue d[ecreti] nostri finalis in dicta causa
ferendum prolacionem sic duximus procedendum et procedimus in
hunc qui sequitur modum

Quia per acta inactita deducta
proposita allegata probata et confessata coram nobis in p[refata]
causa comperimus luculenter et invenimus partem prefati Johanni
Sygar intencionem suam in quodam suo libello coram nobis in hac
parte iudicaliter dato et oblato deductam cuius quidem libelli tenor
sequitur et est talis In dei nomine Amen Coram vobis
venerabili viro Magistro georgio Wymesleye in Legibus bac[cal]–
laureo curie regie ecclesiastice <consistorialis> cestrensis officiale principali per Reuerendum in christo patrem et dominum dominum Johannem permissione diuina Cestrensem
episcopum ad exerce[ndum iurisdictionem] spiritualem et ecclesiasticam infra dictam d[iocesem]
cestrensem auc[toritate suprema] Illustrissimi in christo principis et
domini nostri [domini Edwardi] sexti dei gracia Anglie Francie et

Sentence (image 2)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/13/6 image 2]

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 John Segar, gentleman, of the parish of Bunbury of Chester diocese, against Margaret Palen of the said parish and diocese and also against any other person or persons whomsoever lawfully intervening before you in judgement for the same etc. which certain libel we hold as here read and recorded and we wish to be held as sufficiently and fully founded and equally proved and that nothing effectual has been or is excepted, set forth, alleged, proved nor confessed on the part or behalf of the said Margaret Palen which could destroy or in any way weaken the claim of the said John Segar in this respect.

Therefore we, George Wilmesley, official principal aforesaid, having first called upon the name of Christ, and setting and having God himself alone before our eyes from and with the advice of the learned in the law with whom we have consulted in this behalf pronounce, decree and declare that the said Margaret Palen is corrected and punished according to the due requirement of law in that she wickedly, falsely and maliciously defamed the said John Segar, gentleman, among good and substantial people of and upon the crime of heresy or heretical depravity just as is evident, is clear and appears to us from the proofs in this respect, and uttered and spoke these abusive and defamatory words of the aforesaid John, upon which crime (as it is apparent to us the same John was never detected or […] by reason of which the said John Segar was and is burdened and vexed by very many troubles, expenses and burdens) and we also pronounce and decree that the same Margaret Palen is compelled to abstain from these scandalous, dishonourable and defamatory words in future and we impose perpetual silence upon the same Margaret Palen about these scandalous words and we also condemn the said Margaret in the lawful expenses incurred and to be incurred on the part of the said John Segar, gentleman, in this respect by this our definitive sentence or our final decree which we pass and publish in these writings; while reserving taxation of these costs to us in this matter, and we do reserve it.

Transcript

[5/13/6 image 2]

[et hibernie Regis fidei defensoris et in terris ecclesiæ anglicane et hibernice supremi capitis fulcitum sufficienter et legitime deputatum seu alio iudice in hac parte competenti quocunque Pars Johannis Sygar]
paroch[ie de] Bunberye cestrensis diocesis generosi [contra et aduersus]
[Mar]garetam Palyn dicte parochie et diocesis necnon [contra quemcunque alium seu]
alios coram vobis in iudicio legitime interv[enientem] pro
[eodem] et cetera quem quidem libellum pro hic lecto et inscripto habemus [et hab]eri
volumus sufficienter et ad plenum fundasse pariter et probasse
Nihilque effectuale ex parte aut per partem dicte Margarete Palyn
fuisse aut esse in hac parte exceptum deductum allegatum probatum nec
confessatum quod intencionem dicti Johannis Sygar in hac parte
elideret seu quomodolibet enarvaret

Idcirco Nos Georgius
Wymesley officialis principalis antedictus christi nomine primitus
invocato ac ipsum solum deum pre occulis nostris preponentes et
habentes de et cum consilio iurisperitorum cum quibus in hac parte
communicauimus dictam Margaretam Palyn (pro eo <ipsam> dictum Johannem
Sigar generosum de et super criminem hereseos siue heretice pravitatis
pro <vt> ex probatis in hac parte nobis constat liquis et apparet nequiter
falso et maliciose <apud bonos et gravis ac publice> diffamauit et huiusmodi verba conviciose
et diffamatoria de predicte Johanne protulit et dixit super quo
crimine (quatenus nob[is con]stat) idem Johannes prius [nunquam] fuit aut est
detectus aut […]uatus quorum occasio[ne dictus] Johannes Sygar
pluribus lab[oribus] expensis et oneribus […] <fuit et est> oneratus et
vexatus) iuxta iu[ris] debitam exigentiam corrigendum et puniendum
fore pronunciamus decernimus et declaramus ac
eadem Margaretam Palyn ab huiusmodi scandalosis contumeliosis et
diffamatorijs verbis imposterum abstinere compellendum fore
itidem pronunciamus et decernimus eidemque Margarete <Palen> de huiusmodi
verbis <scandalosis> silencium perpetuum imponimus Necnon <est eandem Margaretam> in expensis legitimjs
per partem dicti Johannis Sygar generosi in hac parte factis et
faciendis condempnamus per hanc nostram sententiam diffinitiuam
siue nostrum finale decretum quam siue quod ferimus et promul-
gamus in hijs scriptis Taxationem vero huiusmodi expensarum nobis
in hac parte reservando et res[ervamus]

Sentence (image 3)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/13/6 image 3]

This sentence was read on the 30^thday of the month of July in the year of our Lord 1552 with these being then present there, Sir Roger Bennet, vicar of St Oswald’s in the city of Chester, John Ball, chaplain and Henry Snape, witnesses.

Transcript

[5/13/6 image 3]

Lecta fuit h[uiusmodi sententia]
xxx [die mensis July ann^o]
domini 1552 [presentibus tunc ibidem domino]
Rogero Ben[net vicario sancti oswaldi ciuitatis cestrie Johanno Ball capellano]
et Henrico s[n]ape testibus[1]

[1] The names of the wintnesses are taken from the court Act Book (EDC 1.13 f. 82) except that Henry Snape, whose name can be read on this document was listed in the Act Book as a witness to the next sentence, rather than this one. James Burroes is listed in the Act Book as witness to this sentence in the place of Henry Snape.

Sentence (image 4)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/13/6 image 4]

[Endorsement]

[…] defamation read and passed 30^th of July in the year 1552.

[in pencil in a different hand]

1552

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

Transcript

[5/13/6 image 4]

[Endorsement]

[…]
[d]iffamationis Lecta et
Lata xxx^o Julij
Anno 1552^do

[in pencil in a different hand]

1552

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

People

John Segar – plaintiff

Margaret Palen – defendant

Roger Bennett, vicar of St Oswalds – witness to the sentence

John Ball – witness to the sentence

Henry Snape – witness to the sentence

Officials

George Wilmesley – official principal

Proctors

Tristram Swadaill

William Withens

Places

Bunbury

Notes

This cause stemmed from an argument between the parties. Witnesses deposed that John Segar had killed some of Margaret Palen’s ducks and thrown them into her yard, she threw them back and he threw them over again. In the course of this dispute ‘lowde wordis’ were exchanged and Margaret called John a heretic. No witness confirmed that his reputation or ‘fame’ had suffered as a result but Margaret was found to have defamed him (EDC 2/5 ff. 21, 86-88).

Ref: EDC 5/13/5

Catalogue Entry:

EDC 5/13/5 – Sentence in tithe cause: Richard Grosvenor gent. farmer of tithes of Dodleston v. Humphrey Bold of Dodleston . 29 Jul. 1552

Summary:

Richard Grosvenor contra Humphrey Bold.

The depositions of the witnesses indicate that the custom of tithing lambs was to pay the tithes in kind, but Humphrey Bold was trying to substitute a money payment, which he claimed was customary. The statements of the witnesses and the personal statement of the defendant in this cause may be found at EDC 2/5, ff. 12-13v, 18-20v.

Year

1552

Type of Cause:

Tithes – lambs; tithes – wool

Cause Papers:

Sentence

Sentence (image 1)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/13/5 image 1]

In the name of God, Amen: the merits and circumstances of a certain cause of subtraction of tithes which has been disputed for some time and is still disputed and depending undecided having been heard, seen, understood and fully investigated by us, George Wilmesley, Bachelor of Laws, appointed official principal of the royal Chester ecclesiastical court by the right reverend father in Christ, John, by divine permission lord bishop of Chester sufficiently and lawfully deputed for the exercising of spiritual and ecclesiastical jurisdiction in and throughout Chester diocese by the supreme authority of the most illustrious Prince in Christ and our master, lord Edward the sixth, by the grace of God king of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith and on earth supreme head of the English and Irish church under Christ, rightly and lawfully proceeding, between the distinguished Master Richard Grosvenor, gentleman, farmer of the rectory of the parish church of Dodleston of Chester diocese, the complainant on the one part and Humphrey Bold of the said parish of Dodleston, the defendant and party complained of on the other part; the parties aforesaid appearing sufficiently and lawfully before us in judgement; and the party of the aforesaid Master Richard Grosvenor, farmer aforesaid, urgently praying and seeking that sentence is passed and that justice may be done to his party while the party of the said Humphrey Bold urgently praying and seeking justice for his party.

All and singular acts, enactments, deductions, propositions, allegations, confessions and proofs had and done by all sides in this cause having first been examined and diligently considered by us, and having reviewed and weighed them with promptness and diligence, from 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, alleged, proved and equally confessed in the said cause, had and done by both sides, that the party of the aforesaid Master Richard Grosvenor, farmer aforesaid, has sufficiently established and proved his claim as to the right, title and possession of the right of having all and singular tithes of lambs and wool born, brought forth, arising and growing within the parish of Dodleston aforesaid and the bounds and limits and tithable places of the same parish in his libel previously given and offered before us by his party in the cause mentioned (the tenor of which libel follows in these words; In the name of God, Amen; before you, the venerable Master George Wilmesley, Bachelor of Laws,

Transcript

[5/13/5 image 1]

In dei Nomine amen Auditis visis intellectis ac plenarie
discussis per nos Georgium Wymesley in Legibus baccallaureum
curie regie ecclesiastice <consistorialis> cestrensis officialem principalem per Reuerendum in christo
patrem et dominum dominum Johannem permissione diuina cestrensem episcopum ad exer-
cendum iurisdictionem spiritualem et ecclesiasticam in et per totam diocesem Cestrensem auctoritate
suprema illustrissimi in christo principis et domini nostri domini Edwardi
sexti dei gracia anglie francie et hibernie regis fidei defensoris
et in terris ecclesie anglicane et hibernice sub christo capitis supremi
fulcitum sufficienter et legitime deputatum meritis et circumstancijs
cuiusdam cause subtractionis decimarum que coram nobis inter
discretum virum Magistrum Richardum Grosuenor generosum firmarium
<Rectorie> ecclesie parochialis de Dodleston Cestrensis diocesis partem querelantem ex
vna et Humfridum Bold dicte parochie de Doddleston partem
ream et querelatam partibus ex altera aliquandiu vertebatur et
adhuc vertitur et pendet indecisa rite et legitime procedentes partibus
predictis coram nobis in iudicio sufficienter et legitime
comparentibus parteque dicti magistri Richardi Grosvenor firmarij antedicti sententiam
ferri et iusticiam fieri pro parte sua parte vero dicti Humfridi
Bold Justiciam pro parte sua instanter postulantibus et petentibus

visis primitus per nos et diligenter inspectis omnibus et singulis
actis inactitatis, deductis, propositis, allegatis confessatis et proba-
tis in huiusmodi causa hincinde habitis et factis eisque cum maturite et
diligencia recensitis et ponderatis de consilio iurisperitorum cum
quibus in hac parte communicauimus servatis per nos de iure in hac
parte servandis ad sententie nostre 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 allegata probata pariter
et confessata in dicta causa hinc inde habita et facta comperimus et
luculenter invenimus partem prefati Magistri Richardi Gravenor firmarij
antedicti intencionem suam quoad ius titulum et possessionem iuris perci-
piendi omnes et singulas decimas Agnorum et Lane
infra parochiam de Duddleton predictam finesque et limites locaque
decimabilia eiusdem parochie fetatorum enixorum prouenientium et contingentium
in libello suo alias per partem suam coram nobis in causa memorata
dato et oblato deductam cuius quidem libelli tenor sequitur in
hec verba In dei nomine amen Coram vobis venerabili
viro Magistro Georgio Wymesley in Legibus baccallaureo

Sentence (image 2)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/13/5 image 2]

official principal of the Chester ecclesiastical consistory court appointed by the right reverend father in Christ, John, by divine permission lord bishop of Chester sufficiently and lawfully deputed for the exercising of spiritual and ecclesiastical jurisdiction in and throughout the whole Chester diocese by the supreme authority of the most illustrious Prince in Christ and our lord, Edward the sixth, by the grace of God lord 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 Master Richard Grosvenor, gentleman, farmer of the rectory of the parish church of Dodleston of Chester diocese, against Humphrey Bold of the said parish of Dodleston and of the said diocese and also against any other person or persons whomsoever lawfully intervening before you in judgement for the same etc. which certain libel we hold as here read and recorded and we wish to be held as sufficiently founded and proved while the party of the said Humphrey Bold his claim in certain exceptive material previously judicially given set forth before us in the cause aforesaid by his party the tenor of which material follows and is thus; In the name of God, Amen; in a certain pretended cause of tithes which before you, venerable Master George Wilmesley, Bachelor of Laws et cetera between Master Richard Grosvenor, pretended farmer of the rectory of the parish church of Dodleston, the pretended plaintiff on the one part and Humphrey Bold, the pretended defendant on the other part is claimed to be considered and to be depending undecided, the party of the said Humphrey Bold against the aforesaid Master Richard Grosvenor, pretended farmer aforesaid, and any other person whomsoever et cetera, which certain material we wish to hold as here read and inserted and we wish to be held as less than sufficiently founded or proved but in its proof to be deficient and to be defective in all points and nothing effectual has been and is excepted, set forth, alleged or proved on the part of Humphrey Bold which could destroy or in any way weaken the claim of the aforesaid Master Richard Grosvenor, farmer aforesaid.

Transcript

[5/13/5 image 2]

curie consistorialis ecclesiastice cestrensis officiale principali per Reuerendum in christo [patrem]
et dominum dominum Johannem permissione diuina Cestrensem episcopum ad exercendum iurisdictionem spiritualem et ecclesiasticam in et per totam diocesem cestrensem auctoritate suprema Illustrissimi in christo principis et domini nostri domini Edwardi sexti
dei gracia Anglie Francie et hibernie Regis fidei defensoris et in
terris ecclesiæ anglicane et hibernice supremi capitis fulcitum
sufficienter et legitime deputatum seu alio iudice in hac parte com-
petenti quocunque Pars discreti viri Magistri Richardi Grosvenor
generosi firmarij Rectorie ecclesie parochialis de Doddleston cestrensis diocesis
contra et aduersus Humfridum bold dicte parochie de Doddleston dicteque
diocesis necnon contra quemcunque alium seu alios coram vobis in iudicio
legitime interuenientem pro eodem <et cetera> quem quidem libellum pro hic lecto et inscripto
habemus et haberi volumus sufficienter fundasse et probasse
partem quoque dicti Humfridi bold
intencionem suam in quadam materia exceptoria alias coram nobis
in causa predicta per partem ipsius iudicaliter data deducta cuius quidem
materie tenor sequitur et est talis. In dei nomine amen. In quadam
pretensa causa decimarum que coram vobis venerabili viro magistro
Georgio Wymesley in Legibus baccallaureo etcetera inter magistrum
Richardum Grosuenor firmarium pretensum Rectorie ecclesie parochialis de doddleston
partem actricem pretensam ex vna et Humfridum bold partem ream
partibus pretensam ex altera verti pretenditur et pendere indecisa
Pars dicte Humfridi Bold contra et aduersus prefatum Magistrum
Richardum Grosuenor firmarium pretensum antedictum et quemcunque alium et cetera
quam quidem materiam pro hic lectam et insertam habemus et haberi volumus
minus sufficienter fundasse aut probasse sed in probacione sua
omnino defecisse et deficere nihilque effectuale ex parte ipsius
Humfridi Bold exceptum deductum allegatum aut probatum fuisse et
esse quod intencionem prefati magistri Richardi Grosvenor firmarij
antedicti elideret seu quomodolibet enervaret

Idcirco Nos Geor-
gius Wylmesley officialis principalis antedictus christi nomine
primitus invocato ac ipsum solum Deum pre occulis nostris habentes
pro iure titulo et possessione seu quasi dicti Magistri Richardi
Grosvenor firmarij antedicti et eiusdem ecclesie de dodleston
predicte in omnibus et singulis decimis et presertim in decimis
Agnorum et Lane infra dictam parochiam de Dodleston finesque et
limites ac loca decimabilia eiusdem qualitercunque provenientium et
contingentium fetatorum et crescentium Jus quoque percipiendi et habendi
easdem decimas omnes et singulas ad dictum Magistrum Richardum Grosvenor
firmarium predictum iure et nomine ecclesie parochialis de Doddleston
predicte spectasse et pertinisse ac sic spectare et pertinere debuisse
et debere Dictumque Humfridum Bolde decimas triginta Agnorum

Sentence (image 3)

Original Document

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Translation

[5/13/5 image 3]

in the months and year libellate in that respect namely in the one thousand five hundred and fiftieth year of our Lord arising and proceeding and born within the parish of Dodleston aforesaid and the bounds and limits and tithable places of the same parish in the manner and form expressed and declared in the said libel or at least has ordered and caused this subtraction and non-payment thus done and likewise accepted and approved and approves this, and him. Humphrey Bold, to the payment, making good and satisfaction of the tithes aforesaid, by him (as is aforesaid) subtracted and not paid (if they are still in existence) otherwise in the true value of the same tithes, which tithes or tenth part we calculate at the sum or value of seven shillings of good and lawful money of England according to the proofs to be supported by law in that respect, and the said Humphrey Bold has refused and refuses to pay, make good and satisfy to the aforesaid Master Richard Grosvenor, farmer aforesaid, the aforesaid tithes (as is aforesaid) subtracted or not paid (if they are in existence) otherwise the true values of the same tithes, as duly requested, or at least, he has delayed and is delaying; and he, Humphrey, in the said tithes (if they are in existence) otherwise in the value aforesaid of the same tithes;

and also in the lawful costs incurred and to be incurred on the part of the aforesaid Master Richard Grosvenor, farmer aforesaid, in this respect (which expenses thus incurred we tax at the sum of thirty five shillings of lawful money of England) and that he ought to be obliged and compelled to the due payment of the premises by legal remedy of law and with effect the same is thus obliged and compelled to the payment of the aforesaid expenses to the aforesaid farmer, or his assignee, taxed by us as is aforesaid, before the feast of All Saints next coming under pain of excommunication then and thenceforward, if he does not obey our warnings to him, which we pass and publish in these writings, we pronounce, decree and declare that he is peremptorily warned by this our our definitive sentence or this our final decree which we pass and publish in these writings.

This sentence was read by the judge aforesaid on the 29^thday of the month of July in the year of our Lord 1552 with these being then present there, John Grosvenor, gentleman, John Jenson, chaplain, and Randle Bradley, witnesses summoned to the premises.

Transcript

[5/13/5 image 3]

suorum mensibus et Anno in hac parte libellatis videlicet Anno domini millesimo
quingentesimo quinquagesimo infra parochiam de Doddleston predictam finesque
et limites locaque decimabilia eiusdem parochiam prouenientium et contingentium
et fetatorum modo et forma in dicto libello expressis et declaratis
dicto Magistro Richardo Grosvenor firmario antedicto et ecclesie predicte
subtraxisse aut non soluisse seu saltem sic subtrahi aut non
solui mandasse et fecisse necnon subtractionem et non solucionem
huiusmodi sic factum ratas et gratas habuisse et habere pariter et acceptum
pronunciamus decernimus et declaramus Ipsumque Humfridum
Bold ad solucionem prestacionem et satisfactionem decimarum predictarum
per eum vt prefertur subtractarum et non solutarum (si extent)
alioquin veri valoris earundem decimarum quas quidem decimas siue
decimam partem ad summam siue valorem septem solidorum bone et
legalis monete Anglie estimamus iuxta probata in hac parte
de iure teneri dictumque Humfridum Bold ad soluendum prestandum
et satisfaciendum prefato Magistro Richardo Grosvenor firmario predicto
prefatas decimas per eum (vt premittitur) subtractas seu non
solutas (si extent alioquin earundem decimarum verum valorem
debite requisitum id facere recusasse et recusare seu plus iuste
distulisse et differre proununciamus decernimus et decla-
ramus Et ipsum Humfridum in dictis decimis (si extent) alioquin
in earundem decimarum valoribus antedictis

Necnon in expensis legitimjs per partem
prefati Magistri Richardi Grosvenor firmarij predicti in hac
parte factis et faciendis condempnamus (quas quidem expensis sic factis
ad summam triginta quinque solidorum Legalis monete Anglie
taxamus et ipsum ad debitam solucionem premissorum per legitima iuris
remedia cogendum et compellendum fore debere et cum effectu sic cogi et
compelli eundemque ad soluendum prefato firmario siue eius
assignato expensas predictas per nos vt premittitur taxatas citra
festum omnium sanctorum iam proximum futurum sub pena excommunicacionis quam
in ipsum monicionibus nostris non parens exnunc prout extunc et
extunc prout exnunc ferimus et promulgamus in hijs scriptis
peremptorie monendum fore pronunciamus <decernimus> et declaramus per
hanc nostram sententiam diffinitiuam siue hoc nostrum finale decretum
quam siue quod ferimus et promulgamus in hijs scriptis

Lecta fuit huiusmodi sententia per iudicem antedictum xxix^o
die mensis July ann^o domini 1552^o presentibus
tunc ibidem Johanno grauenor generoso Johanno Jenson
capellano et Radulpho Bradley testibus ad premissis
[vocatis]

Sentence (image 4)

Original Document

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Translation

[5/13/5 image 4]

[Endorsement]

Sentence on behalf of the farmer of the parish church of Dodleston against Humphrey Bold in a cause of subtraction of tithes.

Read and passed 28^th of July in the year 1552.

[in pencil in a different hand]

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

Transcript

[5/13/5 image 4]

[Endorsement]

Sententia per partem firmario

ecclesie parochialis de doddleston
contra Humfridum Bold
in causa subtractionis
decimarum Lecta et
Lata 28 Julij Anno
1552^do

[in pencil in a different hand]

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

People

Richard Grosvenor – plaintiff

Humphrey Bold – defendant

John Grosvenor – witness to the sentence

John Jenson – witness to the sentence

Randle Bradley – witness to the sentence

Officials

George Wilmesley – official principal

Places

Dodleston

Notes

This sentence is in the format of the earlier surviving sentences from the Chester Consistory Court. It includes a longer extract from the libel than later sentences and also gives the value of the tithes lost and due date for payment of the award as determined by the court. The amount of the award and date for payment are entered in different writing in spaces left for the purpose.

The costs of 35s awarded to the plaintiff seem to have been punitive in the light of the assessment of tithes lost at 7s.

Ref: EDC 5/13/4

Catalogue Entry:

EDC 5/13/4 – Sentence in tithe cause: Nicholas Hareward vicar of Weaverham v. Edward Walker of Weaverham. 28 Jul. 1552.

Summary:

Nicholas Hardware, vicar of Weaverham, contra Edward Walker.

The sentence in this cause relates only to tithes of lambs, although the Court Book indicates that proceedings had begun as a suit against Edward Walker for tithes of hay and lambs and Henry Heye for tithes of hay (EDC 1/13, ff. 6v, 23v, 78). In the course of the proceedings it seems that the personal answers of the defendants and depositions by witnesses were accepted as proof that while the tithes of hay had been paid correctly, custom had not been followed in the tithing of lambs and Edward Walker was thus found to have subtracted due tithes of lambs. The statements in this cause may be found at EDC 2/5, ff. 32v-35v, 90-93v.

Year

1552

Type of Cause:

Tithes – lambs

Cause Papers:

Sentence

Sentence (image 1)

Original Document

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Translation

[5/13/4 image 1]

In the name of God, Amen: the merits and circumstances of a certain cause of subtraction of tithes which has been disputed for some time and is still disputed and depending undecided having been heard, seen and understood and fully investigated by us, George Wilmesley, Bachelor of Laws, appointed official principal of the royal Chester ecclesiastical court by the right reverend father in Christ, John, by divine permission lord bishop of Chester sufficiently and lawfully deputed for the exercising of spiritual and ecclesiastical jurisdiction in and throughout Chester diocese by the supreme authority of the most illustrious Prince in Christ and our master, lord Edward the sixth, by the grace of God king of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith and on earth supreme head of the English and Irish church under Christ, rightly and lawfully proceeding, between the distinguished Sir Nicholas Hardware, clerk, perpetual vicar of the parish church of Weaverham of Chester diocese aforesaid, the complainant, on the one part and Edward Walker of the said parish of Weaverham, the defendant and party complained of on the other part, proceeding rightly and lawfully; with the party of the aforesaid vicar [by] before us by Tristram Swadaill, substitute of Robert Bower, clerk, sufficiently and lawfully constituted, while the party of the said Edward Walker appearing personally; and the party of the aforesaid Nicholas Hardware, vicar aforesaid, urgently praying and seeking that sentence is passed and that justice may be done to his party while the said Edward Walker urgently praying and seeking justice for his party.

Transcript

[5/13/4 image 1]

In dei nomine Amen Auditis visis et intellectis ac plenarie discussis
per Nos Georgium Wymesley in Legibus baccallaureum curie regie
ecclesiastice consistorialis cestrensis officialem principalem per Reuerendum in christo patrem
et dominum dominum Johannem permissione diuina cestrensem episcopum ad exercendum iurisdictionem
spiritualem et ecclesiasticam in et per totam diocesem Cestrensem auctoritate suprema
Illustrissimi in christo principis et domini nostri domini Edwardi sexti dei
gracia Anglie Francie et hibernie Regis fidei defensoris et in terris
ecclesie anglicane et hibernice sub christo capitis supremi fulcitum suffi-
cienter et legitime deputatum meritis et circumstancijs cuiusdam cause
subtractionis decimarum que coram nobis inter discretum virum dominum Nicholaum Harewarde clericum vicarium perpetuum ecclesie parochialis de Weuerham cestrensis diocesis
predicte partem querelantem ex vna et Edwardum Walker dicte parochie
de Weuerham partem ream et querelatam ex altera parte aliquan diu
vertebatur et adhuc vertitur et pendet indecisa rite
et legitime procedentes parte predicti <vicarij per> coram nobis
per Tristramum Swadaill substitutum Roberti Bower clerici
procuratoris sufficienter et legitime <constituti> parte vero dicti Edwardi
Walker personaliter comparenti
Parteque prefati Nicholai harware vicarij antedicti sententiam ferri
et iusticiam fieri pro parte sua dictus Edwardus Walker
Justiciam pro parte sua instanter postulantibus et petentibus,

visis primi-
tus per nos et diligenter inspectis omnibus et singulis actis inactitatis
deductis, propositis allegatis confessatis et probatis in huiusmodi causa hinc-
inde habitis et factis eisque cum maturitate et diligentia recensitis et
ponderatis de consilio iurisperitorum cum quibus in hac parte communicaui-
mus servatis per nos de iure in hac parte servandis ad sententie nostre
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 allegata pro–
bata pariter et confessata in dicta causa hincinde habita et facta comperimus
et luculenter invenimus partem prefati Nicholai harwarre
vicarij antedicti intencionem suam quoad ius titulum et possessionem
[iuris perci]piendi omnes et singulas decimas Agnorum infra p[arochiam
de Weuerham predictam finesque et limites locaque decimab]ilia

Sentence (image 2)

Original Document

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Translation

[5/13/4 image 2]

of the same church in his libel previously given and offered before us by his party in the cause mentioned (the tenor of which libel follows in these words; In the name of God, Amen; before you, the venerable Master George Wilmesley, Bachelor of Laws, official principal of the royal Chester ecclesiastical court appointed by the right reverend father in Christ, John, by divine permission lord bishop of Chester sufficiently and lawfully deputed for the exercising of spiritual and ecclesiastical jurisdiction in and throughout the whole Chester diocese by the supreme authority of the most illustrious Prince in Christ and our lord, Edward the sixth, by the grace of God lord king of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith and on earth supreme head of the English and Irish church under Christ, or any other judge whomsoever competent in this regard, the party of the distinguished Sit Nicholas Hardware, perpetual vicar of the vicarage of the parish church of Weaverham of Chester diocese, against Edward Walker of the parish of Weaverham aforesaid and of the said diocese and also against any other person or persons whomsoever lawfully intervening before you in judgement for the same etc. which certain libel we hold and we wish to be held as here read and recorded and nothing effectual has been or is set forth, alleged or proved on the part or behalf of the said Edward Walker which could destroy or in any way weaken the claim of the aforesaid Sir Hardware, vicar aforesaid.

Therefore we, George Wilmesley, official principal aforesaid, having first called upon the name of Christ, and having God himself alone before our eyes, pronounce, decree and declare for the right, title and possession, or quasi-possession, of the said Sir Nicholas Hardware, vicar aforesaid, and of his parish church of Weaverham aforesaid, in all and singular tithes of lambs brought forth, born and arising within the said parish of Weaverham and the bounds and limits and tithable places of the same; likewise the right of receiving and having all and singular the same tithes belonged and appertained and thus should have and should belong and appertain to the said Sir Nicholas Hardware, vicar aforesaid, by right and in the name of his said parish church of Weaverham and the said Edward Walker subtracted or has not paid to the said Sir Nicholas Hardware, vicar aforesaid, and to his church aforesaid or at least has ordered and caused these tithes written below arising and proceeding in the months and years libellate within the parish of Weaverham aforesaid thus to be subtracted or not paid in the manner and form expressed and declared in the said libel and approved and approves this subtraction and non-payment thus done and likewise accepted this, and him, Edward Walker, to the payment, making good and satisfaction of the tithes aforesaid, by him (as is aforesaid) subtracted and not paid namely the tithes or tenth part of ten lambs of his within the said parish of Weaverham and the bounds and limits and tithable places of the same in the one thousand five hundred […] years of our Lord

Transcript

[5/13/4 image 2]

[eiusdem ecclesie prouenientium et contingentium in libello suo alias per partem suam coram nobis in causa memorata dato et oblato deductam cuius quidem libelli tenor sequitur in hec verba In dei Nomine Amen coram vobis venerabili viro Magistro Georgio Wymesley in Legibus baccallaureo curie regie ecclesiastice]
cestrensis officiale principali per Reuerendum in christo patrem et dominum dominum Johannem
permissione diuina cestrensem episcopum ad exercendum iurisdictionem spiritualem et ecclesiasticam in
et per totam diocesem cestrensem auctoritate suprema Illustrissimi in christo principis et domini nostri domini Edwardi sexti dei gracia Anglie francie et hibernie Regis
fidei defensoris et in terris ecclesie anglicane et hibernice sub christo capitis
supremi fulcitum sufficienter et legitime deputato seu alio iudice in hac
parte competenti quocunque Pars discreti domini Nicholai Hareware
vicarij perpetue <vicaragij> ecclesie parochialis de Weuerham cestrensis diocesis
contra et aduersus Edwardum Walker parochie de Weuerham predicte dicteque diocesis
necnon contra quemcunque alium seu alios coram vobis in iudicio legitime inter-
venientem pro eodem et cetera quem quidem libellum pro hic lecto et inscripto habemus
et haberi volumus sufficienter fundasse et probasse nihilque effectuale ex
parte aut per partem dicti Edwardi Walker deductum allegatum aut probatum
fuisse et esse quod intencionem prefati domini Harewarre
vicarij antedicti elideret seu quomodolibet enervaret

Idcirco nos
Georgius Wylmesley officialis principalis antedictus christi nomine
primitus invocato ac ipsum solum deum pre oculis nostris habentes
pro iure titulo et possessione seu quasi dicti domini Nicholai Harwarre
vicarij antedicti et ecclesie sue parochialis de Weverham predicte in omnibus et
singulis decimis agnorum infra dictam parochiam de Weuerham finesque <et> limites
locaque decimabilia eiusdem parturitarum setatarum et contingentium Jus quoque
percipiendi et habendi easdem decimas omnes et singulas ad dictum dominum Nicholaum
Harwarre vicarium antedictum iure et nomine dicte ecclesie sue parochialis de
Weuerham spectasse et pertinisse ac sic spectare et pertinere debuisse et
debere dictumque Edwardum Walker decimas huiusmodi infrascriptas
mensibus et annos libellatis in hac parte infra parochiam de Weuerham predictam contingentium et provenientium modo et forma in dicto libello expressis et decla-
ratis dicto domino Nicholao Harwarre vicario antedicto et ecclesie sue
predicte subtraxhisse aut non soluisse seu saltem sic subtrahi
aut non solui mandasse et fecisse necnon subtractionem et non solucionem
huiusmodi sic factum ratas et gratas habuisse et habere pariter et acceptum pronu-
ciamus decernimus et declaramus Ipsumque Edwardum Walker ad
solucionem prestacionem et satisfactionem decimarum predictarum per eum vt
prefertur subtractarum et non solutarum videlicet decimarum siue decime partis decem
Agnorum suorum infra dictam parochiam de Weuerham finesque et limites ac loca
decimabilia eiusdem annis domini millesimo quin[gen]tesimo quinquagesimo
[…]

Sentence (image 3)

Original Document

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Translation

[5/13/4 image 3]

to be bound by law, and the said Edward Walker has refused and refuses to pay, make good and satisfy to the aforesaid Sir Nicholas Hardware, vicar aforesaid, the aforesaid tithes (as is aforesaid) subtracted or not paid (if they are in existence) otherwise the true values of the same tithes, as duly requested, or at least, he has delayed and is delaying; and he in the said tithes (if they are in existence) otherwise in the value aforesaid of the same tithes and also in the lawful expenses incurred and to be incurred on the part of the aforesaid rector in this respect (which expenses incurred we tax at the sum of forty […] shillings and […] pence of lawful money of England) and that he ought to be obliged and compelled to the due payment of the premises by legal remedy of law and with effect the same is obliged and compelled to the payment of the aforesaid expenses to the aforesaid vicar, or his assignee, taxed by us as is aforesaid, before the feast of All Saints next coming under pain of excommunication then and thenceforward, if he does not obey our warnings to him, which we pass and publish in these writings, we pronounce, decree and declare that he is peremptorily warned 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 28^th day of the month of July in the year of our Lord 1552 with these being then present there Robert Maynwaring, John Cowper, gentleman, and Randle Bradley, witnesses summoned to the premises.

Transcript

[5/13/4 image 3]

de iure teneri dictumque Edwardum Walker ad soluendum prestandum
et satisfaciendum prefato domino Nicholao Harwarre vicario antedicto prefatas
decimas per eum (vt premittitur) subtractas seu non solutas (si extent)
alioquin earundem decimarum veros valores debite requisitos id facere
recusasse et recusare seu plus iusto distulisse et differre
proununciamus decernimus et declaramus Et ipsum in dictis
decimis (si extent) alioquin in earundem decimarum valoribus
antedictis Necnon in expensis legitimis per partem prefati vicarij in hac
parte factis et faciendis condempnamus (quas quidem expensis factis
ad summam quadraginta […] solidorum <… denariorum> Legalis monete Anglie
taxamus) et ipsum ad debitam solucionem premissorum per legitima
iuris remedia cogendum et compellendum fore debere et cum effectu
cogi et compelli eundemque ad soluendum prefato vicario siue
eius assignato expensas predictas per nos vt premittitur taxatas
citra festum omnium sanctorum iam proximum futurum sub pena
excommunicacionis quam in ipsum monicionibus nostris non parens exnunc prout
extunc et extunc prout exnunc ferimus et promulgamus
in hijs scriptis peremptorie monendum fore pronunciamus <decernimus> et declara-
mus per hanc nostram sententiam diffinitiuam siue hoc nostrum finale
decretum quam siue quod ferimus et promulgamus in hijs scriptis

Lecta et lata fuit huiusmodi sententia per iudicem antedictum
xxviij^o die mensis July ann^o domini 1552
presentibus tunc ibidem Roberto maynwaring
Johanno cowper generoso et Radulpho Bradley
testibus ad premissa vocatis

Sentence (image 4)

Original Document

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Translation

[5/13/4 image 4]

[Endorsement]

Sentence on behalf of […] vicar of Weaverham against Edward Walker.

Read and passed 28^th of July in the year of our Lord 1552.

[in pencil in a different hand]

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

Transcript

[5/13/4 image 4]

[Endorsement]

Sententia per partem […]vicarium de Weuerham contra
Edwardum Walker
Lecta et lata xxviijmo
Julij Anno domini
1552^do

[in pencil in a different hand]

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

People

Nicholas Hardware, vicar of Weaverham – plaintiff

Edward Walker – defendant

Robert Maynwaring – witness to the sentence

John Cowper – witness to the sentence

Randle Bradley – witness to the sentence

Officials

George Wilmesley – official principal

Proctors

Robert Bower

Tristram Swadaill (substitute for Robert Bower)

Places

Weaverham

Notes

The complicated customary method of calculating the tithes due on lambs is explained by witnesses for the plaintiff (see EDC 2/5, ff. 90-93v). It seems that the defendant had attempted to make a cash payment instead. Lambs were calculated to be worth 2s each at this time. The costs of more than 40s awarded for the plaintiff seem to have been punitive.

Ref: EDC 5/13/3

Catalogue Entry:

EDC 5/13/3 – Sentence in tithe cause: Robert Asheton rector of Middleton co. L. v. Giles Johnson of Middleton. 21 Jul. 1552.

Summary:

Robert Assheton, rector of Middleton, contra Giles Johnson.

It seems that Robert Assheton brought two tithe suits at this time as the sentence in this cause was passed at the same session as that in another cause he brought against John Aspenhawlgh, John Alens and John Bradley (EDC 5/12/1). The sentence in the case of John Aspenhawlgh, John Alens and John Bradley relates to barley, oats and wheat. Both sentences were passed on 21 July 1552 (as recorded in the Court Book EDC 1/13 f. 74v).

Year

1552

Type of Cause:

Tithes – barley; tithes – oats

Cause Papers:

Sentence

Sentence (image 1)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/13/3 image 1]

In the name of God, Amen: the merits and circumstances of a certain cause of subtraction of tithes which has been disputed for some time and is still disputed and depending undecided having been heard, seen and understood and fully investigated by us, George Wilmesley, Bachelor of Laws, appointed official principal of the royal Chester ecclesiastical court by the right reverend father in Christ, John, by divine permission lord bishop of Chester sufficiently and lawfully deputed for the exercising of spiritual and ecclesiastical jurisdiction in and throughout Chester diocese by the supreme authority of the most illustrious Prince in Christ and our master, lord Edward the sixth, by the grace of God king of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith and on earth supreme head of the English and Irish church under Christ, rightly and lawfully proceeding, between the distinguished Master Robert Assheton, rector of the parish church of Middleton of Chester diocese, the complainant on the one part and Giles Johnson of the same parish of Middleton and Chester diocese aforesaid, the defendant and party complained of on the other part; the parties aforesaid appearing sufficiently and lawfully before us in judgement; and the party of the aforesaid Master Robert Assheton, rector aforesaid, urgently praying and seeking that sentence is passed and that justice may be done to his party while the party of the said Giles Johnson urgently praying and seeking justice for his party.

Forasmuch as we know and clearly find by the acts enacted, set forth, exhibited, propounded, alleged, proved and equally confessed in the said cause, had and done by both sides, that the party of the aforesaid Master Robert Assheton, rector aforesaid, has sufficiently established and proved his claim as to the right, title and possession of the right of having all and singular tithes of grain and crops coming and growing within the parish of Middleton aforesaid and the bounds and limits and tithable places of the same church in his libel previously given and offered before us by his party in the cause mentioned (the tenor of which libel follows in these words; In the name of God, Amen; before you, the venerable Master George Wilmesley, Bachelor of Laws, official principal of the royal Chester ecclesiastical court

Transcript

[5/13/3 image 1]

In dei nomine amen Auditis visis et intellectis ac plenarie discussis
per Nos Georgium Wymesley in Legibus baccallaureum curie Regie
ecclesiastice <consistorialis> Cestrensis officialem principalem per Reuerendum in christo patrem et dominum
dominum Johannem permissione diuina Cestrensem episcopum ad exercendum iurisdictionem spiritualem et
ecclesiasticam in et per totam diocesem cestrensem auctoritate suprema Illustrissimi
in christo principis et domini nostri domini Edwardi sexti dei gracia Anglie
Francie et hibernie Regis fidei defensoris et in terris ecclesie Anglica-
ne et hibernice sub christo capitis supremi fulcitum sufficienter et
legitime deputatum meritis et circumstancijs cuiusdam cause subtracti-
onis decimarum que coram nobis inter discretum virum Magistrum
Robertum Asheton rectorem ecclesie parochialis de Myddleton cestrensis diocesis partem querelantem ex vna et Egidium Johnson eisudem parochie de Mydle-
ton et diocesis cestrensis predicte partem ream et querelatam ex altera
parte aliquandiu vertebatur et adhuc vertitur et pendet indecisa
rite et legitime procedentes partibus predictis coram nobis sufficienter et legitime
in iudicio comparentibus parteque prefati Magistri Roberti Asheton rectoris antedicti
sententiam ferri et iusticiam fieri pro parte sua parte vero dicti
Egidij Johnson iusticiam pro parte sua instanter postulantibus
et petentibus,

visis primitus per nos et diligenter inspectis omnibus et
singulis actis inactitatis, deductis propositis allegatis confessatis et
probatis in huiusmodi causa hincinde habitis et factis eisque cum maturite
et diligentia recensitis et ponderatis de consilio iurisperitorum cum
quibus in hac parte communicauimus servatis per nos de iure 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 allegata probata pariter et confessata in dicta causa
hincinde habita et facta comperimus et luculenter invenimus partem
prefati Magistri Roberti Ashton rectoris antedicti intencionem suam
quoad ius titulum et possessionem iuris percipiendi omnes et
singulas decimas granorum et segetum infra parochiam de
Myddleton predictam finesque et limites locaque decimabilia
eiusdem ecclesie prouenientium et contingentium in libello suo alias per partem
suam coram nobis in causa memorata dato et oblato deductam
cuius quidem libelli tenor sequitur in hec verba In dei Nomine
Amen coram vobis venerabili <viro> Magistro Georgio Wymesley in
Legibus baccallaureo curie regie ecclesiastice <cestrensis> officiale

Sentence (image 2)

Original Document

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Translation

[5/13/3 image 2]

[appointed] by the right reverend father in Christ, John, by divine permission lord bishop of Chester sufficiently and lawfully deputed for the exercising of spiritual and ecclesiastical jurisdiction in and throughout the whole Chester diocese by the supreme authority of the most illustrious Prince in Christ and our lord, Edward the sixth, by the grace of God lord king of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith and on earth supreme head of the English and Irish church under Christ, or any other judge whomsoever competent in this regard, the party of the distinguished Master Assheton, rector of the parish church of Middleton of Chester diocese, against Giles Johnson of the hamlet of Ainsworth of the parish of Middleton and of the said diocese and also against any other person or persons whomsoever lawfully intervening before you in judgement for the same etc. which certain libel we hold and we wish to be held as here read and recorded and nothing effectual has been or is set forth, alleged or proved on the part or behalf of the said Giles Johnson which could destroy or in any way weaken the claim of the aforesaid Master Robert Assheton, rector aforesaid.

Therefore we, George Wilmesley, official principal aforesaid, having first called upon the name of Christ, and having God himself alone before our eyes, pronounce, decree and declare for the right, title and possession, or quasi-possession, of the said Master Robert Assheton, rector aforesaid, and of his parish church of Middleton aforesaid, in all and singular tithes of grain and crops within the said parish of Middleton and the bounds and limits and tithable places of the same howsoever proceeding and arising; likewise the right of receiving and having all and singular the same tithes belonged and appertained and thus should have and should belong and appertain to the said Master Robert Assheton, rector aforesaid, by right and in the name of his said parish church of Middleton and the said Giles Johnson subtracted or has not paid to the said Master Robert Assheton, rector aforesaid, and to his parish church of Middleton aforesaid respectively or at least has ordered and caused these tithes written below arising and proceeding in the months and year libellate within the parish of Middleton aforesaid thus to be subtracted or not paid in the manner and form expressed and declared in the said libel and approved and approves this subtraction and non-payment thus done and likewise accepted this, and he, Giles Johnson,

Transcript

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principali per Reuerendum in christo patrem dominum dominum Johannem permissione diuina
cestrensem episcopum ad exercendum iurisdictionem spiritualem et ecclesiasticam in et per
totam diocesem cestrensem auctoritate suprema Illustrissimi in christo princi-
pis et domini nostri domini Edwardi sexti dei gracia Anglie francie et
hibernie Regis fidei defensoris et in terris ecclesie anglicane et
hibernice sub christo capitis supremi fulcitum sufficienter et legitime
deputatum seu alio iudice in hac parte competenti quocunque Pars
discreti viri Magistri Asheton rectoris ecclesie parochialis de Myddleton
cestrensis diocesis contra et aduersus Egidium Johnson hameleti de
Aynsworth parochie de Myddleton et dicte diocesis necnon contra quemcunque
alium seu alios coram vobis in iudicio legitime intervenientem pro eijsdem
et cetera quem quidem libellum pro hic lecto et inscripto habemus et haberi
volumus sufficienter fundasse et probasse nihilque effectuale ex
parte aut per partem dicti Egidij Johnson deductum allegatum
aut probatum fuisse et esse quod intencionem prefati Magistri
Roberti Assheton rectoris antedicti elideret seu quomodolibet enervaret

Idcirco Nos Georgius Wylmesley officialis principalis
antedictus christi nomine primitus invocato ac ipsum solum Deum pre oculis
nostris habentes pro iure titulo et possessione seu quasi dicti Magistri
Roberti Asheton rectoris antedicti et ecclesie sue parochialis de Myddleton
predicte in omnibus et singulis decimis granorum et segetum
infra dictam parochiam de Middleton finesque et limites locaque
decimabilia eiusdem qualitercunque prouenientium et contingentium Jus quoque
percipiendi et habendi easdem decimas omnes et singulas ad dictum
Magistrum Robertum Asheton Rectorem antedictum iure et nomine dicte
ecclesie sue parochialis de Myddleton spectasse et pertinisse ac sic
spectare et pertinere debuisse et debere dictumque
Egidium Johnson decimas huiusmodi infrascriptas mensibus et Anno libellatis
in hac parte, infra parochiam de Myddleton
predictam contingentium et provenientium modo et forma in dicto libello
expressis et declaratis dicto Magistro Roberto Asheton rectori antedicto
et ecclesie sue parochiali de Myddleton predicte respectiue subtraxisse
aut non soluisse seu saltem sic subtrahi aut non solui man-
dasse et fecisse necnon subtractionem et non solucionem huiusmodi
sic factum ratas et gratas habuisse et habere pariter et acceptum pronunci-
amus decernimus et declaramus Ipsumque Egidium Johnson

Sentence (image 3)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/13/3 image 3]

to the payment, making good and satisfaction of the tithes aforesaid, by him (as is aforesaid) subtracted and not paid (if they are still in existence) otherwise in the true value of the same, namely in the tenth part of one hundred and fifty riders[1] of oats, in English ‘of Cl Ryders of ootes’ and nineteen riders of barley, in English ‘of xix Ryders of barly’ (each rider of grain or this crop containing ten sheaves in English ‘x sheves’ of this crop) respectively coming and arising in and from certain farms and fields of his within the said hamlet of Ainsworth in the one thousand five hundred and fifty-first year of our Lord and within the parish of Middleton aforesaid and the tithable places of the same taken and kept by him or by others in his name or by his order which certain tenth part we calculate at the sum or value of five shillings and seven pence of good money of England according to the proofs to be supported by law in that respect, and the said Giles Johnson has refused and refuses to pay, make good and satisfy to the aforesaid Master Robert Assheton, rector aforesaid, the aforesaid tithes (as is aforesaid) subtracted or not paid (if they are in existence) otherwise the true values of the same tithes, as duly requested, or at least, he has delayed and is delaying; and he in the said tithes (if they are in existence) otherwise in the value aforesaid of the same tithes and in triple the value of the same tithes (which triple value we calculate at the sum or value of sixteen shillings and 9d of good and lawful money of England, according to the rate aforesaid in accordance with the rate fixed by the party principal and proved in that respect)

and also in the lawful expenses incurred and to be incurred on the part of the aforesaid rector in this respect (which expenses incurred we tax at the sum of forty shillings of lawful money of England) and that he ought to be obliged and compelled to the due payment of the premises by legal remedy of law and with effect the same is thus obliged and compelled to the payment of the aforesaid expenses to the aforesaid rector, or his assignee, taxed by us as is aforesaid, before the next feast of Archangel Michael next coming under pain of excommunication then and thenceforward, if he does not obey our warnings to him, which we pass and publish in these writings, we pronounce, decree and declare that he is peremptorily warned by this our

[1] A rider was a stook of cereal, generally made up of ten sheaves, four on each side and two covering sheaves. (Robert Holland (ed), A Glossary of Words used in the County of Chester (1885)).

Transcript

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ad solucionem prestacionem et satisfactionem decimarum predictarum per
eum (vt prefertur) subtractarum et non solutarum (si extent) alioquin
veri valoris earundem videlicet in decima parte
Centum et quinquaginta acervorum Auenarum anglice
of Cl Ryders of ootes et novendecim Acervorum hordei anglice
of xix Ryders of barly (quolibet acervo granorum seu segetum
huiusmodi continens decem garbas anglice x sheves segetum huiusmodi)
in et ex <quibusdam> predijs et campis suis infra dictum hameletum de
Aynsworth respectiue prouenientium et contingentium Anno domini millesimo
quingentesimo quinquagesimo primo infraque parochiam de Myddleton
predictam et loca decimabilia eiusdem per eum seu alios eius
nomine aut iussu perceptarum et habitarum quam quidem decimam partem ad
summam siue valorem quinque solidorum et septem denariorum bone monete
Anglie <estimamus> iuxta probata in hac parte de iure teneri dictumque
Egidium Johnson ad soluendum prestandum et satisfaciendum prefato
Magistro Roberto Asheton rectori antedicto prefatas decimas per eum
(vt premittitur) subtractas seu non solutas (si extent) alioquin
earundem decimarum veros valores debite requisitos id facere
recusasse et recusare seu plus iuste distulisse et differre
proununciamus decernimus et declaramus Et ipsum in dictis
decimis (si extent) alioquin in earundem decimarum valoribus antedictis
atque in Triplici valore earundem decimarum (quam quidem Triplicem
valorem ad summam siue valorem sexdecim solidorum et ixd bone et
Legalis monete anglie iuxta ratam predicte sortis principali
et probata in hac parte estimamus)

Necnon in expensis legitimis
per partem prefati Rectoris in hac parte factis et faciendis condempnamus
(quas quidem expensis factis ad summam quadraginta solidorum
Legalis monete Anglie taxamus) et ipsum ad debitam solucionem
premissorum per legitima iuris remedia cogendum et compellendum fore
debere et cum effectu sic cogi et compelli eundemque ad soluendum
prefato Rectori siue eius assignato expensas predictas per nos vt
premittitur taxatas citra Festum michaelis arcangelis proximum
iam proximum futurum sub pena excommunicacionis quam in ipsum monicionibus
nostris non parens exnunc prout extunc et extunc prout exnunc
ferimus et promulgamus in hijs scriptis peremptorie monendum fore
pronunciamus decernimus et declaramus per hanc nostram

Sentence (image 4)

Original Document

Click to view fullscreen

Translation

[5/13/3 image 4]

our definitive sentence or this our final decree which we pass and publish in these writings.

This sentence was read by the judge aforesaid on the 21^stday of the month of July in the year of our Lord 1552 with these being then present there Sir Nicholas Harwarr, chaplain, John Barnes, gentleman, and Randle Bradley, witnesses summoned to the premises.

[in pencil in a different hand]

[written the other way up]

sentence on behalf of the rector of Middleton against Giles Johnson, read and passed on the 21^st day of the month of July in the year 1552

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

Transcript

[5/13/3 image 4]

sententiam diffinitiuam siue hoc nostrum finale decretum quam siue quod
ferimus et promulgamus in hijs scriptis

Lecta fuit huiusmodi sententia per iudicem antedictum
xxj^o die mensis July ann^o domini 1552^o
presentibus tunc ibidem domino Nicolao Harwarr
capellano Johanno Barnes generoso et Radulpho
Bradley testibus ad premissis vocatis

[in pencil in a different hand]

[written the other way up]

s[ententia] per par[tem rectoris]
de Myddle[ton contra]
Egidium Johnson
Lecta et lata xxj^mo
die mensis Julij Anno
1552^do

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

People

Robert Assheton, rector of Middleton and Radcliffe – plaintiff

Giles Johnson – defendant

Nicholas Harwarr – witness to the sentence

John Barnes – witness to the sentence

Randle Bradley – witness to the sentence

Officials

George Wilmesley – official principal

Subjects

Agricultural and other produce and its value

Places

Ainsworth

Middleton

Related Causes

EDC 5/12/1 – Robert Assheton, rector of Middleton, contra John Aspenhawlgh, John Alens and John Bradley (libel).

Notes

There was agrarian unrest in the area at the time of this suit, fuelled by religious change and rampant inflation between 1547 and 1551. There was also a marked rise in the number of Lancashire tithe causes heard at Chester during those years. (Christopher Haigh, Reformation and Resistance in Tudor Lancashire (Cambridge, 1975), p. 152).

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