Ref: EDC 5/12/1
Catalogue Entry:
EDC 5/12/1 – Libel in tithe cause: Robert Assheton rector of Middleton co. L. v. John Aspinal, John Allens & John Bradley of Ainsworth co. L. 1551.
Summary:
Robert Assheton, rector of Middleton, contra John Aspenhawlgh, John Alens and John Bradley.
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 Giles Johnson (EDC 5/13/3). The sentence in the case of Giles Johnson relates to barley and oats and not wheat. Both sentences were passed on 21 July 1552 (as recorded in the Court Book EDC 1/13 f. 74v).
Original Document
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Translation
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[…]
official principal upheld by the right reverend father in Christ, John, by divine permission bishop of Chester, to exercise spiritual and ecclesiastical jurisdiction in and throughout the whole diocese of Chester by the supreme authority of the most invincible prince in Christ and our master, lord Edward 6th, 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 or any other judge whomsoever competent in that behalf; the party of venerable Master Robert Assheton, rector of the parish church of Middleton of Chester diocese aforesaid against John Aspinall, John Alens and John Bradley of the township or hamlet of Ainsworth of the said parish and diocese and any of them whomsoever, and also against any other person or persons whomsoever lawfully intervening before you in judgement for the same or any of them by way of complaint and complaining to you in this behalf, by every better and more effective way, method and form of law by which he will be or is able and also for all and whatever full effect of law that may follow thereupon in any way, says, alleges and in these writings propounds in law in articles as follows.
1 Firstly, he propounds and articles that the said Master Robert Assheton was and is lawfully possessed of the said parish church of Middleton of Chester diocese aforesaid, together with all and singular greater and lesser tithes and other ecclesiastical rights and emoluments whatsoever belonging and appertaining to the same church and rector of the same, and having thus acquired it he has held and possessed it peacefully and quietly for some time, and thus he should have and should hold and possess it (and saving what is written below) he thus still possesses it at present and the aforesaid Master Robert Assheton was and is the rector and lawful holder of the said parish church of Middleton and of its universal rights and appurtenances, and he was and is commonly called, held, named and reputed openly, publicly and notoriously as true and lawful holder of the same church, rectory and rights aforesaid; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
2. Also, that as well by the common law as by ancient laudable and lawful prescribed custom, and from the time and throughout the time of the beginning or to the contrary of which there exists no memory of men hitherto peacefully and steadfastly used and observed and often upheld in judgment in a contested cause, the right of receiving and having all and singular tithes
Transcript
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[…]
officiali principali per Reuerendum in christo patrem <et> dominum dominum Johannem permissione diuina Cestrensis
episcopum ad exercendum iurisdicionem spiritualem et ecclesiasticam in et per totam diocesem Cestrensem
auctoritate suprema invictissimi in christo principis et domini nostri domini Edwardi vjti
dei gracia anglie francie et hibernie Regis fidei defensoris et in terra
ecclesie anglicane et hibernice supremi capitis fulcitum sufficienter et
legitime deputato seu alio in hac parte iudice competenti quocunque Pars
Venerabili viri magistri Robart Assheton rectoris ecclesie parochialis de
Myddleton Cestrensis diocesis predicti contra et aduersus Johannem Aspinal
Johannem Allens et Johannem Bradley ville siue Hamelet de Aynsworth
dicte parochie et diocesis <ac eorum quemlibet> Necnon contra quemcunque siue quoscunque alium seu alios
coram vobis in iudicio legitime intervenientem pro eijsdem seu eorum aliquo per
viam querele et vobis in hac parte querelando omnibus melioribus <et efficatioribus> via modo et
iuris forma quibus poterit et potest necnon ad omnem et quemcunque iuris
effectum exinde quouismodo sequi valentem dicit allegat et in hijs scriptis
in iure proponit articulatim prout sequitur
1 In primis ponit et articulatur quod dictus <magister> Robertus Ashton fuit et est dictam ecclesiam
parochialem de Myddleton Cestrensis diocesis predicte vnacum omnibus et singulis decimis
maioribus et minoribus ac ceteris iuribus et et emolumentis ecclesiasticis qui-
buscunque ad easdem ecclesia et Rector eiusdem spectantibus et pertinentibus legitime
assequutus Ac ipsa sic assequuta per nonnulla tempora habuit et posse-
dit pacifice et quiete, et sic habere et possidere debuit et debet (atque
saluis infrascriptis) sic etiam possidet in presenti fuitque et est prefatus
magister Robertus Assheton rector et legitimus possessor dicte ecclesie parochialis
de Myddleton iuriumque et pertinentium suorum vniuersorum Atque pro vero et
legitimo possessore eorundem ecclesie Rectorie et iurium predictorum fuit et est
communiter dictus tentus habitus nominatus et reputatus palam publice et notorie
Et ponit coniunctim diuisim et de quolibet
2. Item quod tam de iure communi quam de antiqua Laudabili legitimeque prescripta con-
suetudine ac a tempore et per tempus cuius inicij siue contrarij memoria
hominum non existit pacifice et inconcusse vsitata et obseruata ac in contradic-
torio iudicio sepius obtenta Jus percipiendi et habendi omnes et singulas
Original Document
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Translation
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[…]
whenever, howsoever and however often growing, proceeding and arising and as an adjunct and […] the aforesaid tithes of grain and crops in any way from the township or hamlet of Ainsworth and the farms, fields, places and lands belonging to the same township or hamlet and sited and situated within the same parish and the bounds and limits and tithable places of the same whenever, howsoever and however often growing and arising belonged and appertained to the rectors of the same parish church of Middleton whomsoever they may be in their successive times and so ought also to have belonged and appertained and ought also in future to the said Master Robert Assheton, present rector of the same church; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
3. Also, that in a published statute of the parliament of the second and 3rd years of the reign of our said lord king it is stipulated ‘That euery of the kinges subiectes from the making of the said statute shall trewlye & iustlie withowt fraud or gyle devyde sette owte yeild and paye all maner of their prediall tythes in their proper kinde as they ryse and happen in suche.maner and fourme as hath bene of right yeilded and payed within.xl yeris next before the makinge of the said acte or of right or custome ought to haue bene payed and that no person shall from.the making of the said act take or carye awaie any suche or.like tythes which haue bene yeilded or payed within the space of xl yeres or of right ought to haue bene payed in place or places tytheable of the same before he hath iustlye devyded or sette fourthe for the tythe therof the tenthe parte of the same or other wyse agreed for the same tythes vnder the payne of forfeyture of triple valew of the tythes so taken or caried awaye’ with other different clauses contained in the same statute, to which statute this propounding party refers himself so far as is necessary to him and not in any other way; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
Transcript
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[…]
quandocunque qualitercunque et quociescunque crescentes provenientes et con-
tingentes atque accessvrie et […] predictas decimas granorum et segetium
quorumcunque ex dicta villa siue hamelect de Aynsworthe predijsque
campis locis et terris ad eandem villam siue hamelectam spectantijs
atque infra eandem parochiam ac fines et limites locaque decimabilia
euisdem sito et situato quandocunque qualitercunque ac quociescunque crescentes
et contingentes ad Rectores eiusdem ecclesie parochialis de Myddleton
quoscunque pro tempore successiue existentes spectauit et pertinuit atque
ad dictum magistrum Robertum Assheton rectorem eiusdem ecclesie modernum
sic spectare et pertinere debuit et debet eciam infuturum Et
ponit coniunctim diuisim et de quolibet
3. Item quod in statuto parliamento Annis secundo et iijo Regni dicti domini nostri
regis edito cauetur That euery of the kinges subiectes from the
making of the said statute shall trewlye & iustlie withowt fraud
or gyle devyde sette owte yeild and paye all maner of their
prediall tythes in their proper kinde as they ryse and happen in suche
maner and fourme as hath bene of right yeilded and payed within
xl yeris next before the makinge of the said acte or of right or
custome ought to haue bene payed and that no person shall from
the making of the said act take or carye awaie any suche or
like tythes which haue bene yeilded <or> payed within the space
of xl yeres or of right ought to haue bene payed in place or
places tytheable of the same before he hath iustlye devyded or
sette fourthe for the tythe therof the tenthe parte of the same or other
wyse agreed for the same tythes vnder the payne of forfeyture of
triple valew of the tythes so taken or caried awaye cum diuersis
alijs clausulis et provisionibus in eodem statuto contento ad quod
statutum se refert pars ista proponens quatenus sibi expedit et non
aliter Et ponit coniunctim diuisim et de quolibet
Original Document
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Translation
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[4] […]
[…] occupied […] or fields belonging to the said township or hamlet for ten, twenty, 30, forty, 50 and sixty years and before and since and also from the time and throughout time of the beginning or to the contrary of which there exists no memory of man, tithes of whatever grain and crops belonging, proceeding and arising within the surrounding fields or ploughland that they will separate the 9th part and set them out in kind, or at least they should have and should separate and set them out by law or compounded and compensated for the same tithes with the rectors of the same parish church of Middleton for the time being or their deputy or farmer or should have compounded and compensated for the same tithes; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
5 Also, that in the months of March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January and February in the years of our Lord one thousand five hundred and fifty and one thousand five hundred and fifty-one or in any of those months and years whatever, in several or in the rest, the said John Aspenhawlgh in and from certain of his closes commonly called ‘The Intak & the Park’ sown respectively with oats, wheat and barley had fifty small heaps of oats, in English ‘L Ryders of ootes’, twelve small heaps of wheat and ten small heaps of barley, in English ‘xij Ryders of wheate & x Ryders of barlye’; and the said John Alens in and from certain of his closes called ‘The Crofte The Marledyerthe and the old Marledyerthe’ sown respectively with oats, barley and wheat had sixty small heaps of oats, ten small heaps of barley and eight small heaps of wheat, in English ‘six hunderth ryders of ootes x Ryders of Barlye and viij Ryders of wheat’; and the said John Bradley in and from certain of his closes called ‘the newe marlederth and The barine crofte’ sown respectively with barley and oats had forty small heaps of oats and a hundred ‘hattockes’ of oats, in English ‘iiijC Ryders of ootes and a hundreth Hattockes of Barlye euery of the said Ryders conteyninge x sheyves and euery of the said hattocks
conteyning vij sheves of euerye of the said graynes or corne’ notoriously sited, growing and coming within the said hamlet of township of Ainsworth and within the bounds, limits and tithable places of the said parish of Middleton. And the party of the said rector gives and propounds of whatever numbers of ‘Ryders’ and ‘Hattockes’ of oats, wheat and barley less than this or
Transcript
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[4] […]
[…] siue campos ad dictam villam siue ha-
meletam spectan’ occupauit a decem viginti xxxta quadraginta L
et sexaginta annis vltraque et citra Necnon a tempore et per tempus
cuius inicij siue contrarij memoria hominum non existit decimas quo-
rumcunque granorum et segetum infra precinctum agrorum siue camporum
ad dictam villam siue hameletam spectantium prouenientium et contingentium a
ixe partibus seperabant et in suis proprijs speciebus exponebant seu
saltem seperare et exponere de iure debebant et debent aut pro eijsdem
decimis cum Rectoribus eiusdem ecclesie parochialis de Myddleton pro tempore
existentibus seu eorum deputato aut firmario pro eijsdem decimis comp-
suerint et satisfecerint aut componere et satisfacere debuerunt
Et ponit coniunctim diuisim et de quolibet
5 Item quod mensis Martij Aprilis Maij Junij Julij Augusti Septembris
octobris Novembris Decembris Jamuarij et februarij Annis domini
Millesimo quingentesimo quinquagesimo et Millesimo quingentesimo quinquagesimo primo eorandemve mensium et Annorum quolibet pluribus siue reliquo dictus
Johannes Aspenhawlthght in et ex quibusdam clausuris suis vulgariter
apellatis The Intak & the Park cum auenis tritico et hordeo respec-
tiue seminatis quinquaginta aceruulos auenarum anglice L Ryders of
ootes duodecim aceruulos Tritici et decem acervulos hordei anglice xij
Ryders of wheate & x Ryders of barlye Et dictus Johannes Alens in
et ex quibusdam clausuris suis vocatis The Crofte The Marledyerthe
and the old Marledyerthe cum auenis hordeo et Tritico respectiue
seminatis sexcenta aceruulos auenarum decem aceruulos hordei et octo
acervulos tritici anglice six hunderth ryders of ootes x Ryders of
Barlye and viij Ryders of wheat Dictusque Johannes bradley in et ex
quibusdam clausuris suis vulgariter vocatis the newe marlederth
and The barine crofte cum hordeo et auenis respectiue
seminatis quadrageta acervulos auenarum Centum le hattockes
hordei anglice iiijC Ryders of ootes and a hundreth Hattockes of Barlye euery
of the said Ryders conteyninge x sheyves and euery of the said hattocks
conteyning vij sheves of euerye of the said graynes or corne infra dicto
hameleto siue villam de Aynswurth et <infra> fines limites ac loca decimabi-
lia dicte parochie de Myddleton notorie sito crescenti ac prouenienti
Ac dat et proponit pars dicti Rectoris de quibuslibet alijs numeris de Le
Ryders et de Le Hattockes auenarum Tritici et hordei huiusmodi medijs siue
Original Document
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Translation
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[…]
may come to be proved respectively […] their own […] they took, reaped […] or thus ordered and caused to be reaped, harvested, taken and had; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
6 Also, that the said John Aspenhawlgh, John Alens and John Bradley respectively paid no tithes of the aforesaid oats, wheat and barley in the months and years aforesaid, or in any of them as is aforesaid, harvested by them, bound in sheaves and taken and kept and converted to their own uses and advantage or at least did not set forth the entire tithes or leave the entire tenth part of them in kind or pay the tenth part of the same nor duly compound with the same rector or his deputy for them but wickedly and unjustly subtracted, took and had those tithes, all and singular, or at least the greater part or any part of the same tithes belonging and appertaining to the said rector by right and in the name of his said church contrary to and against the will and consent of the same rector or thus ordered and caused them to be subtracted, taken and had and they thus subtract them at present scorning the said statute and act of parliament to no small prejudice and grievance of the said rector and to the grave danger of their souls and the pernicious example of other Christian faithful; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
7 Also, that the true tithes or the whole tenth part of each grain and crops respectively aforesaid taken, reaped and retained and subtracted by the aforesaid John Aspenhawlgh, John Alens and John Bradley respectively as is aforesaid to the value in English as follows ‘That ys to saye The tenthe parte of the said Corne or graine of the said John Aspenhawlgh to the number of fyve Ryders of ootes one Ryder & two sheyves of wheate and one Ryder of barlye The tenthe parte of the said Corne or graine of the said John Alens to the number of threscore Ryders of ootes one Ryder of barlye and viij heyves of wheate And the tenthe parte of the said Corne & grayne of the said John Bradley to the numbre of xl Ryders of ootes and ten hattockes of barlye’ notoriously amounted and amounts by the common estimation of men; and this propounding party gives and libels of whatever other tithable numbers of ‘Ryders’, of ‘hattockes’ and of ‘sheives’ of this grain or crops intermediate or lesser down to the value of one of the ‘ryders’ one of the ‘hattockes’ and four of the sheaves (in English ‘sheyves’) respectively; and also of such and so much of what sort or amount as will be come to be more fully proved by lawful proofs in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
Transcript
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[…]
veniet comprobandum respecti[ue …] sua propria per–
ceperunt defalcauerunt […] seu sic defalcari
meti perciperi et haberi mandarunt et fecerunt Et ponit coniunctim diuisim et
de quolibet
6 Item quod dicti Johannes Aspenhawlgh Johannes Alens et Johannes
Bradley nullas decimas de predicte auenis tritico et hordei per eos
mensis et Annis predictis seu eorum aliquo vt premittitur respectiue
defalcato in garbas collecto et per se et suos
percepto et habito et in eorum vsus et commoda conversis seu saltem non
integras decimas siue non integram decimam partem earundem in suis speci-
ebus exposuerunt seu reliquerunt neque aliquas decimas seu saltem
non integras decimas siue decimam partem earundem soluerunt neque debite
composuerunt cum eodem Rectore aut eius deputato pro eijsdem sed ipsas
decimas omnes et singulas seu saltem maximam aut <saltem> aliquam partem earundem
decimarum ad dictum Rectorem iure et nomine dicte ecclesie sue pertinentium et
spectantium preter et contra voluntatem et consensum eiusdem Rectoris nequiter
et iniuste subtraxherunt perceperunt et habuerunt seu sic subtrahi
percipi et haberi mandarunt et fecerunt ac sic subtrahunt in presenti
dicto statuto et acto parliamenti contempnendo in dicto Rectoris preiu-
dicium non modicum et grauamen animarumque suarum graue periculum
et aliorum christifidelium exemplum perniciosum Et ponit coniunctim diuisim et
de quolibet
7 Item quod vere decime siue integra decima pars cuiuslibet respectiue
granorum et segetium predictorum per prefatorum Johannem Aspenhawlgh
Johannem Alens et Johannem Bradley respectiue vt premittitur perceptorum
defalcatorum et habitorum ac subtractorum ad valorem in anglicis sequentis That
ys to saye The tenthe parte of the said Corne or graine of the said
John Aspenhawlgh to the number of fyve Ryders of ootes one Ryder
& two sheyves of wheate and one Ryder of barlye The tenthe
parte of the said Corne or graine of the said John Alens to the num–
ber of threscore Ryders of ootes one Ryder of barlye and viij
heyves of wheate And the tenthe parte of the said Corne &
grayne of the said John Bradley to the numbre of xl Ryders
of ootes and ten hattockes of barlye communi hominium estimacione notorie
se extendebat et extendit Ac dat et libellat pars ista proponens de
quibuslibet alijs numeris de Le Ryders de le hattockes et de Le
sheives granorum seu segetium huiusmodi decimalium medio seu
minori vsque ad numerum siue valorem vnius de Le ryders vnius de Le
hattockes et <quatuor garbarum anglice> sheyves respectiue auenarum
tritici et hordei huiusmodi Necnon de talis et tanto qualis et quanto per proba-
ciones legitimas in eventu litis huiusmodi plenius veniet comprobandum Et ponit coniunctim
diuisim et de quolibet
Original Document
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Translation
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[8] […]
[…] in English […] ‘Ryder of barlye’ notoriously amounted and amounts by the common estimation of men to the sum or value of 18d and also of each hattock of this barley, in English ‘of euery hattocke of barly’ to the sum or value of ten pence of good and lawful money of England; and this propounding party gives and libels of whatever other intermediate or lesser value or sum of any of these ryders and hattocks down to the value of 4d, and also of such and so much of what sort or amount as will be come to be more fully 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 all and singular tithes subtracted and not paid by the said John Aspenhawlgh as is aforesaid notoriously amounted and amounts by the common estimation of men to the sum or value of nine shillings and 8d of lawful money of England and that the true triple value of the same tithes amounts to the sum or value of 28s of good and lawful money of England, and this propounding party gives and propounds of whatever sums or values intermediate or less than this down to the sum of 6d and 18d; and also of such and so much of what sort or amount as will be come to be more fully proved 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 true value or valuation of all and singular tithes subtracted and not paid by the said John Alens as is aforesaid notoriously amounted and amounts by the common estimation of men to the sum or value of fifty-eight shillings and 4d of lawful money of England and triple value of the same tithes amounts to the sum or value of £8 15s <…> of good and lawful money of England, and this propounding party gives and propounds of whatever sums or values intermediate or less than this down to the sum of 6d and 18d; and also of such and so much of what sort or amount as will be come to be more fully 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 all and singular tithes subtracted and not paid by the said John Bradley as is aforesaid notoriously amounted and amounts by the common estimation of men to the sum or value of 34s 2d of lawful money of England and that triple the value of the same tithes amounts to the sum of £40 2s 6d of good and lawful money of England
Transcript
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[8] […]
[…] anglice […] Ryder of barlye ad summam siue
valorem xviijd necnon
cuiuslibet Le hattocke hordei huiusmodi anglice of euery hattocke of barly
ad summam siue valorem decem denariorum bone et Legalis mo-
nete Anglie communi hominium estimacionem notorie se extendebat et extendit
ac dat et proponit pars ista proponens de quolibet alio valore siue summa
cuiuslibet de Le Ryders et de Le hattockes huiusmodi medio vel minori
vsque ad summam siue valorem iiijd Necnon de talis et tanto qualis et
quanto per probaciones legitimas in euentu litis huiusmodi plenius veniet comp-
robandum Et ponit coniunctim diuisim et de quolibet
9. Item quod verus valor siue estimacio omnium et singularum decimarum per dictum Johannem
Aspenhawlgh sic vt premittitur subtractarum et non solutarum ad summam
siue valorem novem solidorum et viijd Legalis monete Anglie Ac
quod verus Triplex valor earundem decimarum ad summam siue valorem
xxviijs bone et Legalis monete Anglie communi hominium
estimacionem notorie se extendebant et extendunt dat et proponit
pars ista proponens de quibuslibet alijs summis siue valoribus huiusmodi
medijs vel minoribus vsque ad summam vjd et xviijd
Necnon de tali et tanta qualis et quanta per probaciones legitimas in eventu
litis huiusmodi plenius veniet comprobandum Et ponit coniunctim diuisim et
de quolibet
10. Item quod verus valor siue estimacio omnium et singularum decimarum per dictum Johannem Alens sic vt premittitur subtractarum et non solutarum ad summam
siue valorem <quinquaginta et octo solidorum iiijd> Legalis monete Anglie
Ac Triplex valor earundem decimarum ad summam siue valorem
<viijli xvs> <…> bone et Legalis monete Anglie communi hominium
estimacionem notorie se
extendebant et extendunt Ac dat et proponit pars ista proponens
de quibuslibet alijs summis siue valoribus <huiusmodi> medijs vel minoribus vsque ad summam vjd et xviijd Necnon de tali et tanta qualis
et quanta per probaciones legitimas in eventu litis huiusmodi plenius veniet comprobandum Et ponit coniunctim diuisim et de quolibet
11. Item quod verus valor siue estimacio omnium et singularum decimarum per dictum Johannem Bradley sic vt premittitur subtractarum et non solutarum ad summam
siue valorem xxxiiijs ijd Legalis monete Anglie Ac quod
Triplex valor earundem decimarum ad summam vlli ijs vjd
bone et Legalis monete Anglie communi hominium estimacionem notorie se
Original Document
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Translation
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[…]
more fully in the outcome of this suit […] and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
12. Also, that the aforesaid John Aspenhawlgh, John Alens and John Bradley were suitably asked and requested to pay, give and deliver to the aforesaid rector or to his deputy the tithes aforesaid by them respectively subtracted and not paid in the months and years aforesaid or otherwise to duly compound with the same rector or his deputy on behalf of the said rector for the same; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
13 Also, that the said John Aspenhawlgh, John Alens and John Bradley, and any of them whatever, asked and requested, as is aforesaid to do as in the premises or any of them expressly declined and refused or at least unduly delayed and delay at present and thus any of them whatever refuses at present; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
14. Also, that the said John Aspenhawlgh, John Alens and John Bradley, and any of them whatever were and are of the Chester diocese and jurisdiction; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
15 Also, that about and concerning all and singular the premises, it was and is rightly and lawfully complained to you, lord judge aforesaid, on the part and behalf of the said Master Robert Assheton; and he propounds jointly and severally and concerning any of these points.
16 Also, that all and singular the premises were and are true, public, notorious, manifest and equally well-known, and public voice and fame were circulating and are at present circulating regarding and concerning the same in the said parish of Middleton and in other neighbouring and surrounding places.
Whereupon proof having been made as required by law in this regard, the party of the said Master Robert Assheton, rector of the said parish church of Midleton aforesaid, prays that justice and a complement of justice may be done and administered to him with effect in all and singular the premises and anything whatever concerning them and that the said John Aspenhawlgh, John Alens and John Bradley are condemned in the lawful costs incurred and to be incurred on the part of the said Master Robert Assheton, rector aforesaid, in this matter, and, having been condemned, that they are obliged and compelled to due and real payment of the same by you making your definitive sentence or final decree in this matter, lord judge aforesaid; and otherwise, may be done, established and decreed in the premises and anything whatsoever concerning them
Transcript
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[…]
eventu litis huiusmodi plenius […] Et ponit coniunctim
diuisim et de quolibet
12 Item quod prefati Johannes Aspenhawlgh Johannes Alens et
Johannes Bradley ad soluendum tradendum et liberandum prefato
Rectori siue eius deputato decimas predictas mensibus et Annis pre–
dictis per eos respectiue subtractas et non solutas seu aliter ad
componendum debite cum eodem Rectore siue eius deputato pro
eijsdem ex parte dicti Rectoris aut deputatis suorum congrue
fuerunt requisiti et interpellati Et ponit coniunctim diuisim et
de quolibet
13 Item quod dicti Johannes Aspenhawlgh Johannes Alens et Johannes Brad-
ley et eorum quilibet sic vt prefertur requisiti et interpellati premissa
aut eorum aliquod facere expresse renuerunt et recusarunt seu
saltem plus debite distulerunt et differunt in presenti sicque
eorum quilibet differt in presenti Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim et de quolibet
14. Item quod dicti Johannes Aspenhawlgh Johannes Alens et Johannes
Bradley et eorum quilibet fuerunt et sunt Cestrensis diocesis et
iurisdictionis Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim et de quolibet
15 Item quod de et super premissis omnibus et singulis fuit et est ex parte
et per partem dicti magistri Roberti Assheton ad vos dominum Judicem antedictum
in hac parte rite et legitime querelatum. Et ponit coniunctim et diuisim et de quolibet
16 Item quod premissa omnia et singula fuerunt et sunt vera publica
notoria manifesta pariter et famosa ac de et super eijsdem labora-
runt et in presenti Laborant publica vox et fama in dicta parochia
de Myddleton alijsque locis eidem vicinus et circumvicinis
Vnde
facta fide de iure in hac parte requisita petit pars dicti magistri
Robart Assheton Rectoris dicte ecclesie parochialis de myddleton predicte
iustitiam ac iusticie complementum sibi in premissis omnibus et sin-
gulis et ea concernentibus quibuscunque fieri et ministrari cum effectu
Dictosque Johannem Aspenhawlgh Johannem Alens et Johannem Bradley
in expensis legitimis per partem dicti magistri Roberti Asheton Rectoris predicti
in hac parte factis et fiendis condempnari ac condempnatos
ad debitam <et realem> solucionem earundem cogi et compelli per vos et vestram sententiam
diffinitiuam siue vestrum finale decretum in hac parte ferendam domine iudex
antedicte Vlteriusque fieri statui et decerni in premissis et ea concernentibus
quibuscunque quod Juris fuerit et racionis Premissa proponit et fieri petit pars actrix predicta coniunctim
et diuisim Non arctans se ad omnia et singula premissa probanda nec ad onus superflue probacionis de quo protestatur
Sed quatenus probauerit in premissis eatenus obtineat in petitis Juris beneficio in omnibus semper saluo Petit
insuper quatenus procedatur in hac causa summarie et de plano iuxta Juris debitam exigentiam vestrum officium implorando
Judex egregie antedicte
Original Document
Click to view fullscreen
Translation
[5/12/1 image 7]
[…]
but so far as he shall prove in the premises so much may he obtain of the petitions, always reserving the benefit of law in all things; in addition the party of the said rector prays that this cause may proceed summarily and plainly, without clamour and the normal forms of procedure, humbly imploring your office in the premises, distinguished Judge aforesaid.
Transcript
[5/12/1 image 7]
[…]
sed [quatenus probauerit in premissis eaten]us obtineat in petitis iuris beneficio
in omni[bus semper saluo in]super petit pars dicti
Rectori[s quod] proc[edatur] in hac causa summarie et de plano absque
figura [et] strepitu iudicij
vestrum officium in premissis
humiliter implorando iudex egregie antedicte
Original Document
Click to view fullscreen
Translation
[5/12/1 image 8]
[Endorsement]
[Illegible apart from the date]
1551
[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
[5/12/1 image 8]
[Endorsement]
[Illegible apart from the date]
1551
[in pencil in a different hand]
/1
[Produced with the permission of the Chester Diocesan Board of Finance.]
Transcript copyright ©2025 P J Cox All Rights Reserved
People
Robert Assheton, rector of Middleton and Radcliffe – plaintiff
John Aspenhawlgh – defendant
John Alens – defendant
John Bradley – defendant
Officials
John Bird – bishop of Chester
Related Causes
EDC 5/13/3 – Robert Assheton, rector of Middleton, contra Giles Johnson (sentence).
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).