Ref: EDC 5/11/1
Catalogue Entry:
EDC 5/11/1 – Libel in tithe cause: Sir Thomas Longton kt. Baron of Walton, farmer of tithes of pa. Lowe v. Lawrence Banaster of Derwynde alias Banaster Hall, gent. 1550
Summary:
Sir Thomas Langton, farmer of the tithes of the chapelry of Low, contra Lawrence Banastre.
Year
1550
Type of Cause:
Tithes- milk; tithes – calves; tithes – lambs; tithes – wool; tithes – piglets; tithes – geese; tithes – eggs; tithes – hemp; tithes – flax; tithes – garden produce
Cause Papers:
Libel
Original Document
Click to view fullscreen
Translation
[5/11/1 image 1]
[…] George Wilmesley, Bachelor of Laws, of […] our father in Christ, John […] by divine permission bishop of Chester, upheld to exercise spiritual and ecclesiastical jurisdiction within the diocese of Chester by the authority of the most powerful prince in Christ and our master, lord Edward the Sixth, by the grace of God king of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith and on earth supreme head of the English and Irish church, sufficiently and lawfully deputed vicar general in spirituals and Official Principal of the Chester consistory court or any other judge whomsoever competent in that behalf; the party of the venerable Thomas Langton, knight, baron of Walton, farmer of our said lord king of all and singular ecclesiastical tithes, offerings, income and produce produced and belonging within the parish of the parish church or chapelry of Lowe, of the said Chester diocese against Lawrence Banastre of Derwynde[1] or Banister Hall and against any other person or persons whomsoever lawfully intervening before you in judgement for the same, by every better and more effective way, method and form of law by which he was or is able and to every effect of law whatever and to every consequence of law that can follow thereon in any way says, alleges and in these writings in law propounds in articles as follows:
1 Firstly, he propounds and articles that the said most illustrious lord prince, our king, was and is the present rector or proprietor of the said parish church or chapelry of Lowe of the said Chester diocese by reason of the suppression, dissolution or surrender up of the former dissolved monastery or religious house of Whalley of the said Chester diocese and he peacefully and quietly possessed the said church or chapelry of Lowe, together with its rights and emoluments for some time and he was and is commonly called, held, considered, named and reputed openly, publicly and notoriously as true rector or proprietor of the same church or chapelry and of its universal rights and emoluments; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
[1] Later known as Darwen Hall.
Transcript
[5/11/1 image 1]
[Georgio Wilmys]ley in legibus baccallario […] in Christo patris Johannis […permissione]
diuina] Cestrensis Episcopi ad exercendum Jurisdicionem spiritualem et ecclesias[ticam infra]
diocesem Cestrensem Auctoritate potentissimi in christo principis et domini nostri domini
Edwardi sexti dei gracia Anglie Francie et Hibernie Regis fidei
defensoris et in tera ecclesie Anglicane et Hibernice supremi capitis
fulcito vicario in spritualibus generali et Curie Consistorij Cestrensis
Officiale principale sufficienter et legitime deputato seu alio Judice
in hac parte competenti quocunque Pars venerabilis viri Thome Longton
militis baron de Walton firmarij dicti domini <nostri> Regis omnium et singularum
decimarum oblacionum obuentionis et proventium ecclesiasticorum infra
parochiam ecclesie parochialis siue capelle de lowe dicte Cestrensis diocesis prouenientium et contingentium contra et aduersus Laurencium Banaster de Derwynde siue Banaster Hall dicte diocesis generosum ac contra quemcunque alium seu
alios coram vobis in Judicio legitime intervenientem pro eodem omnibus
melioribus et efficacioribus via modo et Juris forma quibus
poterit aut potest ac ad omnem quemcunque Juris effectum exinde sequi
quouismodo valentem dicit allegat et in hijs scriptis in Jure proponit
articulatim prout sequitur
1 In primis ponit et articulatur quod dictus Illustrissimus princeps dominus noster Rex
dictue ecclesie parochialis siue capelle de lowe dicte Cestrensis diocesis fuit et
est Rector siue proprietarius modernus racione suppressionis extinctionis
siue sursum reddicionis nuper dissoluti monasterij siue religiose
domus de Whalley dicte Cestrensis diocesis dictamque ecclesiam siue capellam
de lowe vnacum suis decimis et alijs Juribus et emolumentis
per nonnulla tempora possidebat pacifice et quite ac pro vero Rectore siue
proprietario eiusdem ecclesie siue capelle Juriumque et emolumentorum suorum
vniuersorum fuit et est communiter dictus tentus habitus nominatus et reputatus
palam publice et notorie Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim et de quolibet
Original Document
Click to view fullscreen
Translation
[5/11/1 image 2]
2 […] was, just as there is at present, a certain house commonly called […] or ‘Banaster Hall’ now in the occupation of Lawrence Banastre aforesaid with its fields, meadows, grazing and pastures and other estates, places and lands belonging and appertaining to the same house within the parish of the said parish church or chapelry of Lowe, and notoriously sited and situated within the bounds, limits and tithable places of the same and the same house called Derwyn or Banister Hall, together with its fields, estates, farms, places and lands aforesaid, is commonly called, held, deemed, named and reputed openly, publicly and notoriously as parcel of the same parish during the same time; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
3 Also, that as well by the common law as by ancient laudable and lawful prescribed custom, hitherto peacefully and steadfastly used and observed from the time and throughout the time of the beginning or to the contrary of which there exists no memory of men and often upheld in judgment in a contested cause, the right of receiving and having all and singular offerings, tithes, both greater as lesser, mixed and minute and especially tithes of milk, calves, lambs, wool, piglets, geese, eggs, hemp, flax, apples, pears, onions, leeks and garlic of in and from any gardens, orchards, fields, farms, estates, lands and tithable places whatsoever of the said parish church of Lowe aforesaid whenever, howsoever and however often renewing, grazing, growing, proceeding and arising and in supplementary manner all and singular tithes and especially tithes of milk, calves, lambs, wool, piglets, geese, eggs, hemp, flax, apples, onions, leeks and garlic, in English ‘of mylke calves lambes woll pigges gise Egges hempe flaxe Aples Onyons leekes & garlike’ of, from and in the said dwelling called Derwyn or Banister Hall and the fields, farms, places and lands appertaining and belonging to the same house whatsoever, whenever, howsoever and however often renewing, grazing, growing, proceeding and arising belonged and appertained to the rectors or appropriators for the time being of the same church or chapelry of Lowe aforesaid and it ought thus to have belonged and appertained and should also in future by reason of the premises and this was and is true, public, notorious and manifest; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
Transcript
[5/11/1 image 2]
[2] […]
fuit prout in presenti est quedam domus vul[gari]ter […]
siue Banaster Hall nunc in occupacione Laurencij Banaster predicti [cum]
suis campis pratis pastuis et pasturis ac alijs predijs locis et terris
ad eandem domum spectantijs et pertinentijs infra parochiam dicte ecclesie parochialis
siue capelle de lowe atque infra fines limites et loca decimabilia
eiusdem notorie sita et situata fuitque et est eadem domus vocata
Derwyn siue Banaster Hall vnacum suis campis predijs fundis locis et
terris predictis pro parcella euisdem parochie de lowe per idem tempus communiter
dicta tenta habita nominata et reputata palam publice et notorie Et ponit coniunctim
et diuisim et de quolibet
3 Item quod tam de Jure communi quam de antiqua laudabili legitimeque prescripta consuetudine a tempore et per tempus cuius Inicij siue contrarij memoria
hominum non existit hactenus pacifice et inconcusse vsita et obseruata ac in contradictorio Judicio sepius obtenta Jus percipiendi et habendi omnes et
singulas oblaciones decimas tam maiores quam minores, mixtas et minutas et
presertim decimas lactis vitulorum agnorum Lane porcellorum Ancarum ouorum
canabis lini pomorum pirorum separum porrorum et allij de in et ex quibuscunque
ortis pomorijs campis fundis predijs terris et locis decimabilibus dicte ecclesie
parochialis de lowe predicte quandocunque qualitercunque et quociescunque renovantes
depascentes crescentes provenientes et contingentes et accessorie decimas omnes et singulas
et presertim decimas lactis vitulorum Agnorum Lane porcellorum ancarum ovorum
canabis lini pomorum Separum porrorum et Allij Anglice of mylke calves
lambes woll pigges gise Egges hempe flaxe Aples Onyons leekes
& garlike de ex et in dicta domo vocata Derwyn siue Banaster Hall
predijsque campis fundis locis et terris ad eandem domum pertinentijs et
spectantijs quibuscunque quandocunque qualitercunque et quociescunque
quociescunque renovantes
depascentes crescentes provenientes et contingentes ad rectores siue proprietarios eiusdem
ecclesie siue capelle de lowe predicte pro tempore existenti spectauit et pertinuit
atque sic spectare et pertinere debuit et debet eciam in futurum racione
premissorum hocque fuit et est verum publicum notorium et manifestum Et ponit
coniunctim et diuisim et de quolibet
Original Document
Click to view fullscreen
Translation
[5/11/1 image 3]
4 […]
each and every one of them being in their successive times were […] possession of the right, or quasi-possession of the right of taking and having all and singular tithes aforesaid proceeding and arising in the places aforesaid for 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 years and before and since and also from the time and throughout the time of the beginning or to the contrary of which the memory of man does not exist; and by right and in the name of the same parish church of Lowe aforesaid for the same time they took and had them, themselves or through their men, and freely disposed of and with them at their own will, and so they ought thus to have taken, had and disposed just as our said lord king, present rector or appropriator of the same church, saving what is set out below, during his time in the name of the same church was, took, had and disposed and thus should have and should at present be, take, have and dispose by reason of the premises; and this was and is true, public, notorious and manifest; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
5 Also, that the aforesaid Thomas Langton, knight, in the months of April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January, February and March in the one thousand five hundred and forty third, 44th, 45th, 46th, 47th, 48th, 49th, fiftieth and fifty first years of our Lord, in any of those months and years whatsoever in several or in the rest, and in other months and years now to come, all and singular tithes, bother greater and lesser, mixed and minute, within the parish of the parish church or chapelry of Lowe aforesaid of in or from the said house commonly called ‘Derwyn’ or ‘Banaster Hall’ and the fields and places, closes, farms, estates, grounds, orchards, gardens and lands of the same house or belonging to it in any way and sited and situated within the said parish of Lowe and the bounds and limits and tithable places of the same whatsoever, whenever, howsoever and however often as is aforesaid proceeding, renewing, growing and arising […] from our aforesaid lord king, present rector or appropriator of the said parish church of Lowe aforesaid, or his officer or other who has the right in that respect for a certain annual rent
Transcript
[5/11/1 image 3]
[4] […]
omnes et singuli eorum temporibus successiue existentes fuerunt […]
possessione Juris seu quasi Juris percipiendi et habendi omnes et singulas
decimas predictas in locis predictis provenientes et contingentes a x ‧ xx ‧
xxx ‧ xl ‧ l et lxta annis vltraque et citra necnon a tempore et per
tempus cuius inicij siue contrarij memoria hominum non existit Easque per
se et suos Jure et nomine eiusdem ecclesie parochialis de lowe predicte
idem tempus perceperunt et habuerunt atque de et cum eisdem pro eorum
libitis libere disposuerunt atque sic esse percipere habere et disponere
debuerunt prout dictus dominus noster Rex rector siue proprietorius eiusdem
ecclesie modernus saluis infrascriptis pro tempore suo nomine eiusdem ecclesie
fuit percepit habuit et desposuit ac sic esse percipere habere et disponere
debuit et debet in presenti racione premissorum hocque fuit et est verum
publicum notorium et manifestum Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim et de quolibet
5 Item quod predictus Thomas Longton miles mensis Aprilis Maij Junij
Julij Augusti Septembris Octobris Novembris Decembris
Januarij februarij et Marcij Annis domini Millesimo quingentesimo
quadragesimo tercio, xliiijto xlvto xlvjto xlvijo xlviijo xlixo
quinquagesimo et quinquagesimo primo eorundemve mensium et
annorum quolibet pluribus siue reliquo alijsque mensis et annis iam
futuris omnes et singulas decimas tam maiores quam minores mixtas et
minutas infra dictam parochiam ecclesie parochialis siue capelle de lowe
predictam et accessorie de in aut ex dicta domo vulgariter nuncupata
Derwyn siue Banaster Hall campisque et locis clausuris fundes predijs
gardinis pomarijs ortis et teris ipsius domus siue ad illam quouismodo
spectantis atque infra dictam parochiam de Lowe finesque limites et
loca decimabilia eiusdem parochie sitis et situatis quibuscunque quandocunque qualitercunque et quociescunque ut premittitur provenientes renascentes
crescentes et contingentes a prefato domino nostro rege dicte ecclesie parochialis de
Lowe predicte Rectore siue proprietario moderno seu eius in hac parte
officario siue alio ad hoc auctoritatem habent pro certo anno redditu
Original Document
Click to view fullscreen
Translation
[5/11/1 image 4]
[…] and occupies at present, and he was and is the same […] true and indisputable farmer, and as the true farmer of the same […] commonly called, held, had, named and reputed openly, publicly and notoriously […] of the premises; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
6 Also, that in a parliament of this realm of England at Westminster in the 27th and 32nd years of the reign of Henry the eighth of happy recollection [and] memory which, in the years of the reign of our said lord king at the present time, Edward the sixth, in the second and third years held and celebrated among many other very beneficial statutes and ordinances in corroboration of the payment of all and singular tithes, offerings and church rights it was and is prudently enacted and established that all and singular tithes, both personal and real and predial and other lesser mixed and minute, and offerings and church rights whatsoever should be handed over and paid to the rector, appropriator, vicar or their farmer of the same church or parish where these tithes or ecclesiastical produce come forth and arise in the same manner and form and in their specific type just as in this parish for forty years immediately they should by law have continuously paid and provided before the passing of the said statutes or acts of parliament or any of them as is more fully contained and made clear in these statutes, to which this propounding party refers as far as is expedient to him and not otherwise or in any other way; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
7 Also, that in a statute of the parliament of this realm of England held and celebrated at Westminster in second and third years of our said lord king at the present time, it was and is prudently ordained, enacted and established in the following words by the following authority namely ‘that euery of the kynges subiectes shall frome hensforth truly iustly without Fraude or gyle devyde sett owte yelde & pay all manner of ther prediall tyethes in ther proper kyndes as they rise & happen in such manner & forme as hath byn of right yeilded & paid within forty yeres befor the makyng of this acte or of right or custome ought to haue byne paied And that noo manner of person shall frome hensforth take or cary awaye any such or like tiethes which haue bene yelded & paid within the said fortye yeres or of right ought to haue byne paied in the place or places tithable of the same before he haue iustly devyded and’
Transcript
[5/11/1 image 4]
[…] et occupat in presenti fuitque et est idem […]
verus et indubitatus firmarius ac pro vero firmarion earundem […]
communiter dictus tentus habitus nominatus et reputatus palam publice et noto[rie …]
premissorum. Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim et de quolibet
6 Item quod in parliamento huius regni Anglie apud Westmonastarium annis regni
felices recordacionis memorie Henrici octaui xxvijo et xxxijo quam annis
regni dicti domini nostri Edwardi sexti regis nunc annis secundo et
tercio tento et celebrato inter alia plurima suluberima statuta
et ordinata in corroboracionem solucionis omnium et singularum decimarum oblacionum
et Jurium ecclesiasticorum provide fuit et est inactitatum et statutum quod
omnes et singule decime tam personales et reales quam prediales Alieque minores
mixtas et minutas oblacionesque et Jura ecclesiastica quecunque prestentur
et soluantur Rectori proprietario vicario siue eorum firmario ipsius
ecclesie siue parochie vbi huiusmodi decime et proventi ecclesiastici proveniunt et
contingent eijdem modo et forma ac in earum propria specie prout parochia
huiusmodi infra tempus xlta annorum Imediate ante edicione dictorum
statutorum siue actorum parliamenti siue eorum alicuius continue soluere
et prestare de Jure debuerunt prout in huiusmodi statutis plenius continetur
et liquet ad que se refert pars ista proponens quatenus sibi expedit
et non aliter neque alio modo Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim et de quolibet
7 Item quod in statuto parliamenti huius regni Anglie tenti et celebrati apud Westmonastarium dictis annis secundo et tercio dicti domini nostri Regis nunc fuit et
est provide ordinatum inactitatum et statutum sub hoc verborum tenore auctoritate
sequente videlicet that euery of the kynges subiectes shall frome hensforth
truly iustly without Fraude or gyle devyde sett owte yelde & pay
all manner of ther prediall tyethes in ther proper kyndes as they rise
& happen in such manner & forme as hath byn of right yeilded & paid
within forty yeres befor the makyng of this acte or of right or
custome ought to haue byne paied And that noo manner of
person shall frome hensforth take or cary awaye any such or like
tiethes which haue bene yelded & paid within the said fortye
yeres or of right ought to haue byne paied in the place or
places tithable of the same before he haue iustly devyded and
Original Document
Click to view fullscreen
Translation
[5/11/1 image 5]
[…]
[…] ‘for the same tythes which the parson vicar […] proprietary or Fermor of the same tithes vnder the payn of […] or treble valewe of the tithes so taken or caried awaye’; and this was and is true, public, notorious and manifest; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
8. Also, that the aforesaid Lawrence Banastre, layman, who had or has nothing of right in the said parish church of Lowe aforesaid or the tithes belonging and appertaining to the same in any way, knowing well enough of all and singular premises and notwithstanding the same, but against them and as a fraud both against the aforesaid statute or act of parliament and the other premises to the grave danger of his soul and to no small loss and grievance of the said Thomas Langton, knight, farmer aforesaid no tithes or tenth part of ten calves, in English ‘of tenne calves’, twenty lambs in English ‘of twenty lambes’, 40 fleeces in English of fortie fleces of woole’, of one hundred piglets in English ‘of one hundreth pygges’ and of one hundred goslings in English ‘of one hundreth of yonge gese’ nourished, reared, renewed and grazing of and from his cows, sheep, pigs and geese within the said manor called ‘derwyn’ or ‘banaster hall’ and the lands and places belonging to the same and coming or arising within the bounds, limits and tithable places of the said parish of Lowe parish in the months of April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January, February and March in the years of our Lord one thousand five hundred and 43rd, 44th, 45th, 46th, 47th, 48th, 49th and fiftieth, or in any of those months and years whatsoever, in one or the rest, and belonging and appertaining to the said farmer by right and in the name of the said parish church of Lowe and ought to belong and appertain in the said moths and years whatsoever, in one or the rest, he did not set them out in kind nor pay them to the said farmer or at least compound for them with the same but subtracted, took and kept them, or at least ordered and caused them to be subtracted, taken and kept and he approves and approved and likewise accepted the subtraction, taking and keeping done in his name; and this propounding party submits and libels of whatever other
Transcript
[5/11/1 image 5]
[…]
[…] for the same tythes which the parson vicar […]
proprietary or Fermor of the same tithes vnder the payn of […]
or treble valewe of the tithes so taken or caried awaye [hocque]
fuit et est verum publicum notorium et manifestum Et ponit coniunctim et
diuisim et de quolibet
8. Item quod prefatus Laurencius Banaster Laicus qui nihil Juris in dicta
ecclesia parochiali de lowe predicta decimis ve ad eandem spectantis et
pertinentis aliqualiter habuit aut habet premissorum omnium et singulorum satis
sciolus ipsisque non obstantibus sed contra ea et in fraudem tam predicti statuti
siue acti parliamenti quam ceterorum premissorum in anime sue graue periculum dictique
Thome Longton militis firmarij antedicti dampnum non modicum et
grauamen nonnullas decimas siue decimam partem decem vitulorum Anglice of
tenne calves viginti agnorum Anglice of twenty lambes
xlta vellerum lane Anglice of fortie fleces of woole centium porcellorum
Anglice of one hundreth pygges et centium Anserulorum anglice of one
hundreth of yonge gese de et ex vaccis ovibus suibus et Ancis
siue anceribus suis infra dictam domum vocatam derwyn siue banaster
hall terrisque et loca <ad> eandem spectantis ac infra fines limites
et loca decimabilia dicte parochie de Lowe nutritorum educatorum renascentium
et pascentium mensibus Aprilis Maij Junij Julij Augusti septembris
octobris Novembris Decembris Januarij februarij et Marcij
Annis domini Millesimo quingentesimo xliijo xliiijto xlvto xlvjto xlvijto
xlviijo xlixo et quinquagesimo eorundemque mensium et annorum quolibet vno
siue reliquo provenientium et contingentium atque ad dictum firmarium Jure et nomine
dicte ecclesie parochialis de lowe spectantes et pertinentes atque spectare et pertinere debentes dictis mensibus et annis et eorum quolibet vno siue reliquo in
suis speciebus non exposuit nec dicto firmario easdem soluit aut cum
eodem pro eijsdem minime composuit sed easdem subtraxit percepit et habuit
seu saltem sic subtraheri percepi et haberi mandauit et fecit ac subtracionem
perceptionem et habicionem suo nomine factas ratum et gratum habuit et habet pariter
et accepit Ac dat et libellat pars ista proponens de quolibet alio
Original Document
Click to view fullscreen
Translation
[5/11/1 image 6]
[…]
of these fleeces of wool, piglets and goslings […] of so great a number of what kind and amount will come to be declared and proved by lawful proofs in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
9 Also, that the true value or valuation of each tithable calf, lamb, fleece of wool, piglet and gosling whatsoever subtracted, taken and not paid as is thus aforesaid by the aforesaid Lawrence Banastre in the months and years aforesaid or in any of the months and years whatsoever to the amount or value as here following in English, namely ‘euery tieth calf to the somme of eight shillynges sterling euery tieth Lambe to the some or valewe of iijs sterling euery tieth flece of wooll to the some or valewe of xiiijd sterling euery tieth pigge to the sum or valewe of vjd sterling euery tieth goose to the some of iiijd’ and this propounding party submits and libels of whatever other greater, intermediate or lesser sum or value down to the sum or value of 4d for each of the premises whatever, and of such and so great a sum of what kind and amount as notoriously extended or extends in the common estimation of men will come to be declared or proved more plainly by lawful proofs in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
10. Also, that the said Lawrence Banastre in the months of April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January, February and March in the years of our Lord one thousand five hundred and 43rd, 44th, 45th, 46th, 47th, 48th, 49th and fiftieth, or in any of those months and years whatsoever, in one or the rest, tithes or the tenth part of five hundred bundles or bales of hemp, in English ‘fyve hundreth beetes of hempe’ and five hundred bundles or bales of flax, in English ‘fyve hundreth beetes of lyne or flaxe’ to, from and in the lands, estates and places belonging and appertaining to the manor called ‘Derwyn’ or ‘Banaster Hall’ and within the said parish of Lowe, and the bounds and limits and [tithable] places
Transcript
[5/11/1 image 6]
[…]
vellerum Lane porcellorum et anserulorum huiusmodi […]
tanto numero qualis et quanta per probaciones legitimas in [eventu huius]
litis veniet declarandum et comprobandum Et ponit coniunctim et [diuisim]
et de quolibet
9. Item quod verus valor siue estimacio cuiuslibet vituli agni velleris
lane porcelli et anseruli decimalis huiusmodi sic ut prefertur per prefatum
Laurencium Banaster mensibus et annis predictis eorundemve mensium et
annorum quolibet vno siue aliquo subtracti percepti et non soluti ad
summam siue valorem hic in anglicis sequens videlicet euery tieth calf
to the somme of eight shillynges sterling euery tieth Lambe to the some
or valewe of iijs sterling euery tieth flece of wooll to the some or
valewe of xiiijd sterling euery tieth pigge to the sum or valewe of
vjd sterling euery tieth goose to the some of iiijd ac dat et libellat
pars ista proponens de qualibet alia summa siue valore maiori media
vel minori vsque ad summam siue valorem iiijd pro quolibet premissorum deque
tali et tanta summa qualis et quanta per probaciones legitimas in
eventu litis huiusmodi plenius veniet declarandum siue comprobandum
communi hominium estimacione notorie se extendebat et extendit Et ponit
coniunctim et diuisim ac de quolibet
10. Item quod dictus Laurencius Banaster mensibus Aprilis Maij Junij
Julij Augusti septembris octobris novembris decembris Januarij
februarij et Marcij Annis domini Millesimo quingentesimo xliijo
xliiijto xlvto xlvjto xlvijto xlviijo xlixo et quinquagesimo
eorundemque mensium et annorum quolibet vno siue reliquo decimas siue
decimam partem quingentorum fasciculorum siue manipulorum canabis
Anglice fyve hundreth beetes[1] of hempe et quingentorum
fasciculorum siue manipulorum lini Anglice fyve hundreth beetes
of lyne or flaxe de ex et in terris predijs et locis ad dictam
domum vocatam Derwyn siue Banaster Hall spectantibus et pertinentibus
ac infra dictam parochiam de Lowe finesque et limites locaque
[1] Beet – variant of beat = ‘a bundle of flax or hemp made up ready for steeping’ OED
Original Document
Click to view fullscreen
Translation
[5/11/1 image 7]
[…]
[…] he did not set them out in kind or pay them to the said farmer or duly compound for them but wrongfully subtracted, took and kept them, or at least ordered and caused them to be subtracted, taken and kept and he approves and approved and likewise accepted the subtraction, taking and keeping done in his name; and this propounding party submits and libels of whatever other greater, intermediate or lesser number of ‘beetes’ of hemp and ‘beetes’ of linen, in English ‘of Hempe and flaxe’ of what sort and amount what kind and amount as will come to be declared and proved by lawful proofs in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
11. Also, that the true value or valuation of the tithes or tenth part of each hundred bundles of hemp, in English ‘of euery hundreth beetes of hempe’ whatsoever not set out in kind but wrongfully subtracted, taken and not paid as is thus aforesaid by the aforesaid Lawrence Banastre in the months and years aforesaid or in any of the months and years whatsoever in one or the rest to the amount or value of 6d of good and lawful money of England, of each hundred bundles of flax in the same months and years or in any of them similarly by the same Lawrence Banastre not set forth but wrongfully subtracted, had and taken to the sum or value of 6d sterling, and this propounding party submits and libels of whatever other greater, intermediate or lesser sum or value down to the sum or value of 2d, and of such and so great a sum of what kind and amount as notoriously extended or extends in the common estimation of men will come to be declared and proved more plainly by lawful proofs in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
12 Also, that the oft-mentioned Lawrence Banastre in the months and years aforesaid, or in any of those months and years whatever, in one or the rest, tithes or the tenth part of vegetables, namely of onions, leeks and garlic, in English ‘of onyons leekes & garlicke’ and also tithes or the tenth part of two hundred bushels of apples and pears, in English ‘of two hundreth busshelles
Transcript
[5/11/1 image 7]
[…]
[…] in suis spe[cie]bus non exposuit aut [dicto]
firmario pro easdem debite composuit sed easdem iuiuste subtraxit
percepit et habuit seu saltem subtraheri percepi et haberi mandauit et
fecit ac subtracionem perceptionem et habicionem huiusmodi suo
nomine factas ratum et gratum habuit et habet pariter et accepit ac dat et
libellat pars ista proponens de quolibet alio numero de la beetes
canabis ac de le beetes lini Anglice of Hempe and flaxe maiori
medio vel minori vsque ad numerum xxti beetes canabis et
totidem lini Necnon de tali et tanto numero quale et quanto
per probaciones legitimas in eventu litis huius plenius veniet declarandum
et comprobandum Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim ac de quolibet
11. Item quod verus valor siue estimacio decimarum siue decime partis cuiuslibet Centum
fasciculorum canabis Anglice of euery hundreth beetes of hempe
sic ut prefertur per prefatum Laurencium Banaster mensibus et Annis
predictis eorundemve mensium et annorum <quolibet> vno siue reliquo in suis
speciebus non expositarum sed iniuste subtractarum perceptarum et non
solutarum ad summam siue valorem vjd bone et legali monete
Anglie, cuiuslibet Centum fasciculorum lini eijsdem menibus et
annis siue ipsorum aliquo similiter per eandem Laurencium Banaster
non expositarum sed iniuste subtractarum habitarum et perceptarum ad summam
siue valorem vjd sterlingam ac dat et libellat pars ista proponens de
qualibet alia summa maiori media vel minori vsque ad summam siue
valorem ijd deque tali et tanta summa qualis et quanta per probaciones
legitimas in eventu litis huiusmodi plenius veniet declarandum et
comprobandum communi hominium estimacione notorie se extendebat et extendit
Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim ac de quolibet
12 Item quod sepefatus Laurencius Banaster mensibus et annis predictis
eorundemve mensium et Annorum quolibet vno siue reliquo decimas
siue decimam partem olerum videlicet ceparum porrorum et alliorum Anglice of
onyons leekes & garlicke necnon decimas siue decimam partem ducentorum
modiorum pomorum et pirorum Anglice of two hundreth busshelles
Original Document
Click to view fullscreen
Translation
[5/11/1 image 8]
[…]
appertaining and belonging […] to the said parish of Lowe […] coming and arising [within the] limits and tithable place of the same parish in any year […] aforesaid appertaining and belonging and which ought to belong and appertain to the said farmer by right and in the name of the said parish he did not set them out in kind or duly compound with the said farmer for them but wrongly subtracted, took and kept them, or at least ordered and caused them to be thus subtracted, taken and kept and he approves and approved and likewise accepted the subtraction, taking and keeping done in his name; and this propounding party submits and libels of whatever other greater, intermediate or lesser number of bushels of apples and pears whatever in any year of the years aforesaid down to the number of ten bushels of these apples and pears and of such and so great a sum of what kind and amount as will come to be proved more plainly by lawful proofs in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
13 Also, that the true value or valuation of the tithes or tenth part of each bushel of apples and pears and of the tithes or tenth part of the onions, leeks and garlic whatsoever not set out in kind but wrongfully subtracted, taken and retained as is thus aforesaid by the aforesaid Lawrence Banastre in the months and years aforesaid or in any of the months and years whatsoever in one or the rest to the amount or value as in the English words following namely ‘the tieth of euery busshell of such Apples & peres to the some of iiijd sterling
and the tieth or tennth parte of the said onyons leekes & garlike euery of the said yeres to the somme or value of xijd sterling’, and this propounding party submits and libels of whatever other greater, intermediate or lesser sum or value of each bushel of the said apples and pears down to the sum or value of 4d, and also of such and so great a sum of what kind and amount as notoriously extended or extends in the common estimation of men will come to be declared and proved more plainly by lawful proofs in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
Transcript
[5/11/1 image 8]
[…]
pertinentes et spectantes […] a dictam parochiam de [Lowe …]
limites locaque decimabilia eiusdem parochie quolibet anno […]
predicto provenientes et contingentes ad dictum firmarium Jure [et]
nomine dicte ecclesie pertinentes et spectantes ac spectare et pertinere debentes
in suis speciebus non exposuit aut cum dicto firmario pro eijsdem debite
composuit sed easdem iniuste subtraxit percepit et habuit seu saltem
sic subtrahi percepi et haberi mandauit et fecit ac subtracionem
et perceptionem huiusmodi suo nomine factas ratum et gratum habuit et habet pariter et
accepit ac dat et libellat pars ista proponens de quolibet alio numero
modiorum pomorum et pirorum quolibet anno annorum predictorum maiori
medio vel minori vsque ad numerum decem modiorum pomorum et
pirorum huiusmodi Necnon de tali et tanto numero qualis et quanta
per probaciones legitimas in eventu huius litis plenius veniet comprobandum
Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim ac de quolibet
13 Item quod verus valor siue estimacio decimarum siue decime partis
cuiuslibet modij pomorum et pirorum et decimarum siue decime
partis ceparum porrorum et Alliorum sic ut prefertur per eundem
Laurencium Banaster mensibus et Annis predictis eorundemve mensium
et annorum quolibet vno siue reliquo in suis speciebus minime
expositarum sed iniuste subtractarum perceptarum et retentarum ad summam siue valorem in anglicis verbis sequentis videlicet the tieth of euery
busshell of such Apples & peres to the some of iiijd sterling
and the tieth or tennth parte of the said onyons leekes &
garlike euery of the said yeres to the somme or value of xijd
sterling ac dat et libellat pars ista proponens de qualibet alia summa
siue valore cuiuslibet modij dictorum pomorum et pirorum vsque ad
summam siue valorem iiijd deque talibus et tantis summis qualis
et quanta per probaciones legitimas in eventu huius litis plenius veniet
comprobandum communi hominium estimacione notorie se extendebat et extendit
Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim ac de quolibet
Original Document
Click to view fullscreen
Translation
[5/11/1 image 9]
14 […]
[…] and converted to his own uses to the amount or value of thirty nine pounds 17s 8d of good and lawful money of England and this propounding party submits and libels of whatever other intermediate or lesser sum or value down to the sum or value of £4 4d, and of such and so great a sum of what kind and amount as notoriously extended or extends in the common estimation of men will come to be declared and proved more plainly by lawful proofs in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
15. Also, that three times the loss of the tithes aforesaid unjustly subtracted by the said Lawrence Banastre as is thus aforesaid to the sum or value of ninety two pounds 12s and this propounding party submits and libels of whatever other intermediate or lesser sum down to the sum of £12 12d, and also of such and so great a sum of what kind and amount as notoriously extended or extends in the common estimation of men will come to be proved more plainly by lawful proofs in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
16. Also, that the said Lawrence Banastre has been and was suitably and lawfully requested and asked often or at least once to pay, give and deliver to the aforesaid Thomas Langton, knight, farmer aforesaid or his deputy all and singular the tithes aforesaid by him in the years and months aforesaid as is thus aforesaid not set out in kind but wrongly subtracted, taken, had and not paid or otherwise duly to compound with the same farmer for the same tithes, and lawfully; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
17 Also, that the aforesaid Lawrence Banastre, as thus aforesaid asked and requested to do as in the premises or in any of them, has declined and refused or at least delayed and delays to the grave danger of his soul and the pernicious example of other Christian faithful and to no small prejudice and grievance of the said farmer; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
Transcript
[5/11/1 image 9]
[14] […]
[…] ac in suos prop[rios] vsus conuersus ad summam siue valorem
tri[ginta] novem librarum xvijs viijd bone et legalis monete
Anglie ac dat et libellat pars ista proponens de qualibet alia summa
siue valore medio vel minori vsque ad summam siue valorem iiijli
iiijd Necnon de tali et tanta summa qualis et quanta per probaciones
legitimas in eventu huius litis plenius veniet comprobandum communi
hominium estimacione notorie se extendebat et extendit Et ponit coniunctim
et diuisim ac de quolibet
15 Item quod triplicum dampni decimarum predictarum sic ut prefertur per dictum
Laurencium Banaster iniuste subtractarum ad summam siue valorem
Nonaginta duas libris xijs ac dat et libellat pars ista proponens
de qualibet alia summa media vel minori vsque ad summam xijli
et xijd Necnon de tali et tanta summa qualis et quanta per
probaciones legitimas in eventu huius litis plenius veniet comprobandum
communi hominium estimacione notorie se extendebat et extendit
Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim ac de quolibet
16 Item quod dictus Laurencius Banaster ad soluendum tradendum
et liberandum prefato Thome longton milite firmario antedicto
seu eius deputato decimas predictas omnes et singulas per ipsum annis
et mensibus predictis sic ut prefertur in suis speciebus haud expositas
sed iniuste subtractas perceptas habitas et non solutas seu ad aliter
debite componendum cum eodem firmario pro eijsdem decimas ex parte
et per partem eiusdem firmarij sepius seu saltem semel congrue
et legitime fuit et est requisitus et interpellatus Et ponit coniunctim et
diuisim et de quolibet
17 Item quod prefatus Laurencius Banaster sic ut prefertur requisitus et
interpellatus premissa <seu> eorum aliquod facere renuit et recusauit
seu saltem distulit et differt in anime sue graue periculum et aliorum
christifidelium perniciosum exemplum dictique firmarij dampnum non
modicum et grauamen Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim et de quolibet
Original Document
Click to view fullscreen
Translation
[5/11/1 image 10]
[18] […]
19 Also, that complaint on the part and behalf of the aforesaid farmer it is lawfully made to you, lord judge, of and concerning all and singular the premises; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
20 Also, that all and singular the premises were and are true, public, notorious, manifest and equally well-known, and public voice and fame were and are at present circulating regarding and concerning the same. Whereupon, due proof being made, as required by law in this behalf, the party of the said Thomas Langton, knight, farmer aforesaid, prays that right and justice may be done and administered to him with effect in all and singular the premises, and anything whatsoever concerning them and the said Lawrence Banastre is condemned in the lawful costs incurred and to be incurred in this respect on the part of the said Thomas Langton, knight, farmer aforesaid and that he, Lawrence Banastre, is obliged and compelled to due payment of the same by your passing your definitive sentence or your final decree in that behalf, lord judge aforesaid; the party of the mentioned Thomas Langton, knight, propounds the premises and prays that they are done jointly and severally, not binding himself to prove all and singular the premises, nor to the burden of a superfluous proof, against which he protests, but so far as he shall prove in the premises so much may he obtain of the petitions, always reserving the benefit of law in all things; and the party of the said farmer prays that it this cause may proceed summarily and plainly, without clamour and the normal forms of procedure, just as in some costly arrangements and often decreed in that respect; humbly imploring your office in this regard, distinguished Judge aforesaid.
Transcript
[5/11/1 image 10]
[18] […]
19 Item quod de et super [premisis omni]bus et singulis [fuit et est ex parte et]
per partem prefati firmarij [ad] vos dominum Judicem […]
legitime querelatum Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim et de quolibet
20 Item quod premissa omnia et singula fuerunt et sunt v[era] publica notoria
manifesta pariter et famosa ac de et super eijsdem laborarunt et
in presenti laborant publica vox et fama Vnde facta fide de Jure
requisita petit pars dicti Thome longton militis firmarij antedicti
Jus et Justiciam sibi in premissis omnibus et singulis et ea concernentibus
quibuscunque fieri et ministrari cum effectu dictumque Laurencium
Banaster in expensis legitimis per partem dicti Thome Longton militis
firmarij antedicti in hac parte factis et faciendis condempnari Ipsumque
Laurencium Banaster ad debitam solucionem earundem cogi et compelli
per vos et vestram sententiam diffinitiuam siue vestrum finale decretum in hac
parte ferendam domine Judex antedicte Premissa proponit et fieri petit
pars memorati Thome longton militis firmarij predicti coniunctim et diuisim
Non arctans se ad omnia et singula premissa probanda nec ad onus
superflue probacionis de quo protestatur Sed quatenus probauerit in premissis
eatenus obtineat in petitis Juris beneficio in omnibus semper saluo
Et petit pars dicti firmarij quod procedatur in hac causa summarie et de
plano absque figura et strepitu Judicij iuxta nonullas consti-
tuciones dispendiosas et sepe in hac parte editum vestrum officium in hac
parte humiliter implorando Judex egregie antedicte
Original Document
Click to view fullscreen
Translation
[5/11/1 image 11]
[Endorsement]
[The endorsement is illegible apart from the date year]
1550
[in pencil in a different hand]
/1
[Produced with the permission of the Chester Diocesan Board of Finance.]
Translation copyright ©2025 P J Cox All Rights Reserved
Transcript
[5/11/1 image 11]
[Endorsement]
[the endorsement is illegible apart from the date year]
1550
[in pencil in a different hand]
/1
[Produced with the permission of the Chester Diocesan Board of Finance.]
Transcript copyright ©2025 P J Cox All Rights Reserved
Notes
This is an unusual cause in the number of years for which the tithes are being claimed (1543 to 1551 inclusive being 9 years) and also for the relatively large number of crops in dispute. It also seems odd in that the chapel of Low, where the tithes arose, had apparently been leased to Richard Bream for 30 years from 1537 although Sir Thomas Langton claimed in this libel that he was the king’s farmer of the chapelry. The suit may perhaps stem from the attitude of the Langton family to the chapelry and Thomas Langton’s reputation as ‘an ardent litigant’ (https://historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1509-1558/member/langton-sir-thomas-149697-1569). See also notes on Low in the Directory under Places.