Ref: EDC 5/1566/8
Catalogue Entry:
There is no catalogue entry for this cause, but the papers are filed in a paper folder labelled EDC 5 (1566) No 8 Croston
Summary:
Edward, earl of Derby, farmer of the tithes of the hamlet of Much Hoole contra Thomas Hunt.
Original Document
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Translation
[1566/8 image 1]
In the name of God, Amen; before you William, by divine permission bishop of Chester, or your commissary general or other judge whomsoever competent in this regard, the party of the noble Edward, earl of Derby, farmer of a certain hamlet called Much Hoole within the parish of Croston of Chester diocese and your jurisdiction against Thomas Hunt […] lawfully intervening in judgement for the same by way of complaint and complaining to you in this behalf says, alleges and propounds in these writings in law jointly, severally and in articles as follows:
1 Firstly, that the said noble Edward, earl of Derby, farmer of a certain hamlets called Much Hoole aforesaid, and the tithes and church rights proceeding, growing, renewing and arising within the bounds and limits and tithable places of the same hamlet aforesaid, was and is rightly and lawfully possessed of the farm of the same and he was and is commonly called, taken, deemed, named and openly, publicly and notoriously reputed as farmer there; and he propounds jointly, severally and concerning any part thereof.
2 Also, that as well by law as by ancient laudable and lawful prescribed custom, hitherto inviolably and steadfastly used and observed from time immemorial and often upheld in judgment in a contested cause, the right of receiving and having all and singular lesser, mixed and minute tithes and other ecclesiastical dues and emoluments whatsoever within the said parish or hamlet aforesaid and the bounds and limits and the tithable places of the same, howsoever and whenever proceeding or arising belonged and belongs and so ought also to have belonged and ought in future to the farmer aforesaid, whomsoever he may be at the time, or to his farmer; and he propounds jointly, severally and concerning any part thereof.
3 Also, that the current farmer of the parish church or hamlet aforesaid and the tithable places of the same, and his precursors and predecessors each and every one of them in their successive times, for 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 years, before and since and also from the time and throughout the time of the beginning or to the contrary of which there exists no memory of men, were, just as they should have been, in peaceful possession, or virtually so, of the right of receiving and having all and singular lesser, mixed and minute tithes, and especially tithes of hay and barley proceeding and arising within the said hamlet of Much Hoole, the bounds, limits and tithable places in the same, and they themselves or their men took, had and freely disposed of them and likewise the current farmer there took, had and disposed for his whole time until the time of this grievance set out below and he thus should have taken and ought also in future; and he propounds jointly, severally and of concerning any part thereof.
Transcript
[1566/8 image 1]
In dei nomine Amen Coram vobis Willielmo permissione divina Cestrensi episcopo vestroue commissario
generali seu alio Judice in hac parte competenti quocunque Pars nobilis viri Edwardi Comitis de
Darby firmarius cuiusdam hamlet’ vocati much holl infra p[arochiam] de Croston Cestrensis diocesis et vestre Jurisdiccionis
contra et aduersus Thomam Hunte […]
vobis pro eodem in Judicio legitime Interuenientem per viam q[uerele] et vobis in [hac] parte qu[erelando dicit allegat]
et in his scriptis in Jure proponit Coniunctim Diuisim atque articulatim pro vt Sequitur
1 In primis Quod dictus nobilis vir Edwardus Comes de Darby firmarius cuiusdam hamlet’ vocati
much holl predicti ac decimarum et Jurium ecclesiastcorum infra fines et limites locaque decimibilia eiusdem hamlet’ predicti
provenientium crescentium renouantium et contingentium fuit et est firmam earundem Rite et legitime consequtus ac pro firmario ibidem
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 Jure quam de antiqua Laudabili legitimeque prescripta Consuetudine a tempore immemorato hu[cusque]
inuiolabiliter et in concusse vsitata et observata ac in contradictorio Judicio sepius obtenta Jus percipien[di]
et habendi omnies et singulas decimas minores mixtas et minutas ac cetera Jura et emolumenta ecclesiastica
quemcunque infra dictam parochiam siue hamlet’ predictam ac fines et Limites locaque decimabilia euisdem qualiter[cunque]
et quandocunque provenientes et contingentes ad firmarium predictum quemcunque pro tempore existente eiusve firmarium pertinuit
et pertinet ac sic pertinere debuit et debet Etiam in futurum Et ponit Coniunctim diuisim et dequolibet
3 Item Quod firmarius ecclesie parochialis siue hamlet’ predicte et locorum decimabilia in eijsdem modernus eiusque preces[so]-
res et predecessores omnies et singuli eorum temporibus successiue existentes A x.xx.xxx xl l et lx annis vltraque et citra
nec non a tempore et pertempus cuius inicij siue contrarij memoria hominum non existet
fuerunt [pro vt esse]
debuerunt [in paci]fica possessione [seu quasi Juris] percipiendi et habendi omnies [et
singulas decimas]
minores mixtas et minutas et [presertim decimas] feni et ho[rdei] provenientes et contingentes infra […]
muche holl finesque et limites locaque decimabilia in eadem easque per se et suos perceperunt et libere dis[posuerunt]
sicque percepit habuit et disposuit firmarius ibidem modernus toto suo tempore vsque ad tempus grauaminis [infrascriptis ac sic percipere debuit et debet Etiam in futurum Et ponit coniunctim diuisim et dequolibet]
Original Document
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Translation
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4 Also, that in a parliament of England held, had and solemnised at Westminster in the 32nd year of the reign of Henry VIII, late king of England, among other things a statute was and is ordained that all and singular persons, servants and subjects of this realm of England whatever his status, degree or condition might be, every year pays and should pay at present tithes and offerings to God and to his church due or accustomed to be paid in consequence of and in accordance with the laudable and legal use, practice and custom of the parish and places where these tithes and offerings grow and come or are owed or any of them whomsoever should pay thus at present; and he propounds jointly, severally and concerning any part thereof.
5 Also, that in a parliament of England held, had and solemnised at Westminster in the second and third years of the reign of Edward VI, of blessed memory, late king of England, in confirmation of the payment of all sorts of tithes and offerings due by law, among other statutes it was and is ordained in these words ‘And be it enactid by the auctority aforesaid etc. yf any person carry away his prediall tethes before the tethe be set furth or willingly withdraw his tethe of the same or of suche other thinges wherof prediall tethe ought to be payd the partie so withdrawinge shall paie double valeu’ etc. just as is more fully contained in the same statute, to which and the contents of the same in total the party propounding refers himself so far as is necessary for himself and not otherwise or in any other way; and he propounds jointly, severally and concerning any part thereof.
6 Also, that the practice and custom of tithing or paying tithes of hay and barley proceeding, growing and arising within the said hamlet called Much Hoole from the time and throughout the time of the beginning or to the contrary of which there exists no memory of men has grown up that any parishioner or hamlet-dweller there whomsoever should render tithes of hay and barley coming, growing, arising and renewing within the bounds and limits and the tithable places of the same hamlet of Much Hoole according to and in accordance with the laudable or lawful usage, practice and custom of the parish or hamlet and places where these tithes come, or should do so; and he propounds as before.
7 Also, that the said Thomas Hunt who had and has no right in the said farm of the tithes of the hamlet of Much Hoole, or in the tithes aforesaid in any way, heedless of the welfare of his soul, being induced, as it is believed, by an evil spirit, scorning these statutes of the realm and not fearing to fall under penalty of the law in the months of March, April, May, June, July and August last […] in the year of our Lord one thousand five hundred and sixty two, three, four and five, he himself, or his men, took, had and converted and applied to his own use tithes of hay and barley coming and arising on his lands in the hamlet called Much Hoole paying, rendering or tithing no tithes of the same to the present farmer there, or to any deputy of his whatever, nor otherwise duly compounding for the same, or any part thereof; and he propounds jointly, severally and concerning any part thereof.
Transcript
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4 Item Quod in parliamento anglie apud Westminster Anno Regni Henrici Octaui nuper regis anglie xxxijo
tento habito et celebrato inter alia statuta fuit et est ordinatum Quod omnies et singuli persone huius regni
anglie subditi et subiecti cuiuscunque status gradus siue condicionis fuerit decimas et oblationes de deo et [ecclesie]
sue debitas seu solui consuetas iuxta et secundum Laudabilem seu legitimum vsum morem et consuetudinem parochie et
loci vbi huiusmodi decime et oblaciones crescunt proveniunt seu debentur quotannis persoluant et persoluere debeant
aut sic eorum quilibet persoluere debeat in presenti Et ponit Coniunctim diuisim et dequolibet
5 Item Quod in parliamento anglie apud Westminster Annis Regni Edwardi sexti nuper felicis memorie regis
anglie secundo et Tertio tento habito et celebrato in corroboracionem solucionis omnium generum decimarum et oblationem de
Jure debitarum inter alia statuta fuit et est ordinatum in hec verba And be it enactid by the auctority aforesaid
etc. yf any person carry away his prediall tethes before the tethe be set furth or willingly
withdraw his tethe of the same or of suche other thinges wherof prediall tethe ought to be payd the
partie so withdrawinge shall paie double valeu et cetera pro vt in eodem statuto plenius [continetur ad quod et]
contenta in eodem totaliter se refert pars [ista proponens quatenus sibi expedit et non aliter neque alio modo]
Et ponit Coniunctim diuisim et dequolibet
6 Item Quod mos et consuetudo decimandi siue soluendi decimas feni et hordei provenientium crescentium et contingentium infra dicte hamlet
vocate Muche holl a tempore et per tempus cuius inicij siue contrarij memoria hominum
non existet inoleuit quod quilibet parochianus
siue hamlet’ ibidem redderet decimarum feni et hordei provenientium crescentium contingentium et Renouantium infra fines et limites
locaque decimibilia eiusdem hamlet’ de Muche holl iuxta et secundum Laudabilem seu
legitimam vsum morem et consuetudinem
parochie siue hamlet’ et loci vbi huiusmodi decime proveniunt seu debentur Et ponit vt supra
7 Item Quod dictus Thomas Hunte qui nihil Juris in dicta firma decimarum hamlet’ de Muche holl vel in decimis predictis
habuit et habet aliqualiter anime sue salutis immemor spiritu vt creditur maligno ductus
statuta regia […] vilipendens
et in penam Juris cadere non formidans mensis Martij Aprilis Maij Junij Julij et Augusti vltimis [elapsis]
Anno domini Millesimo Quingentesimo Sexagesimo Secundo tertio quarto et quinto decimas feni et hordei prov[enientes et]
contingentes in terris suis hamlet’ vocat’ Much holl per se et suos percepit habuit et in proprios vsus conuer[tebat]
et applicuit nullas decimas de eijsdem firmario ibidem moderno aut suo deputato cuicunque soluendum Reddendum
aut decimandum nec aliter debite componendum pro huiusmodi vel aliqua parte earundem Et ponit Coniunctim diuisim et dequolibet
Original Document
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Translation
[1566/8 image 3]
8 Also, that the true value or valuation of the tithes or tenth part of hay thus withdrawn, stored away and subtracted by the aforesaid Thomas Hunt in the years libellate, in any one of the said four years whatsoever, notoriously amounted and amounts to the sum of eight pence a year and thus in total to the sum of two shillings and eight pence of good and lawful English money 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.
9 Also, that the true value or valuation of the tithes or tenth part of barley thus withdrawn, stored away and subtracted by the aforesaid Thomas Hunt in the year of our Lord 1564, notoriously amounted to the value or valuation of eight shillings of good and lawful English money and this party propounding propounds of whatever other intermediate or lesser sum or value and also of such and so great a sum as shall come to be declared and proved in the event of this suit; and he propounds as before.
10 Also, that the true value or valuation of the tithes or tenth part of barley thus withdrawn, stored away and subtracted by the aforesaid Thomas Hunt in the year of our Lord 1565, notoriously amounted to the value or valuation of five shillings of good and lawful English money and this party propounding propounds of whatever other intermediate or lesser sum or value and also of such and so great a sum as shall come to be declared and proved in the event of this suit; and he propounds as before.
11 Also, that the true value or valuation of the tithes or tenth part of hay thus withdrawn, stored away and subtracted by the aforesaid Thomas Hunt in the year of our Lord 1565, notoriously amounted to the value or valuation of eight pence of good and lawful English money and this party propounding propounds of whatever other intermediate or lesser sum or value and also of such and so great a sum as shall come to be declared and proved in the event of this suit; and he propounds as before.
12 Also, that the aforesaid Thomas Hunt has often, or at least once, been asked and requested on behalf of the said farmer to pay, give and deliver to the aforesaid farmer aforesaid, or to his deputy these tithes subtracted, taken, had and not paid as thus aforesaid by himself and his men, or otherwise duly to compound for the same; and he propounds as before.
Transcript
[1566/8 image 3]
8 Item Quod verus valor siue estimatio decimarum siue decime partis [feni sic per prefatum Thomam Hunte in annis]
libellatis decisi repositi et subtracti quolibet anno dicti Quatuor annorum ad summam octo denariorum per
annum et sic in toto ad summam duorum solidorum et octo denariorum bone et legalis Monete anglie notorie se extendebat
et Extendit pro vt per probaciones legitimas in euentu huius litis liqudabitur et apparebit Et ponit Coniunctim diuisim et dequolibet
9 Item Quod verus valor siue estimatio decimarum siue decime partis hordei sic per prefatum Thomam hunte in
anno domini 1564 decisi repositi et subtracti ad valorem siue estimationem octo solidorum bone et legalis monete anglie
notorie se extendebat Et ponit pars ista proponens de qualibet alia Summa siue
valore inter media vel
minori ac de tali et tanta summa de qua in euentu huius litis veniet declarandum et comprobandum Et ponit
vt supra
10 Item Quod verus valor siue estimatio decimarum siue decime partis hordei sic per prefatum Thomam hunte in anno domini
1565 decisi repositi et subtracti ad valorem siue estimationem quinque solidorum bone et legalis monete anglie notorie
se extendebat Et ponit pars ista proponens de qualibet alia summa siue valore inter media vel
minori ac de
tali et tanta summa de qua in euentu huius litis veniet declarandum et comprobandum Et ponit vt supra
11 Item Quod verus valor siue estimatio decimarum siue decime partis feni sic per prefatum Thomam hunte in anno domini
1565 decisi repositi et subtracti ad valorem siue estimationem octo denariorum bone et legalis monete anglie
notorie se extendebat Et ponit pars ista proponens de qualibet alia summa siue valore inter media vel minori
ac de tali et tanta summa de qua in euentu huius litis veniet declarandum et comprobandum Et ponit vt supra
12 Item Quod prefatus Thomas Hunte ad soluendum tradendum et liberandum prefato firmario
antedicto aut eius
deputato huiusmodi decimas sic vt prefertur per se et suos subtractas perceptas habitas
et non solutas seu aliter
debite componendum pro eijsdem sepius seu saltem semel ex parte dicti firmarij
requisitus et Interpellatus et
ponit vt supra
Original Document
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Translation
[1566/8 image 4]
13 Also, that although the said Thomas Hunt was thus asked and requested to do as in the premises or in any of them, he has not troubled but he has expressly declined and refused or at least unduly delayed and delays, and denies at present, to the grave danger of his soul, the pernicious example of other Christian faithful and to no small prejudice and grievance of the current farmer there; and he propounds as before.
14 Also, that the aforesaid Thomas Hunt was and is of the parish of Croston of Chester diocese, and for that reason notoriously subordinate and subject to your jurisdiction; and he propounds as before.
15 Also, that it was and is on behalf of the noble Edward, earl of Derby, current farmer of the tithes of Much Hoole aforesaid that this action is rightly and lawfully brought to you, lord judge aforesaid, and to your Chester consistory court; and he propounds jointly, severally and concerning any part thereof.
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 and are circulating regarding and concerning it in the parish of Croston and in other neighbouring and surrounding places.
Whereupon, due proof being made as required by law in this regard, the party of the said farmer aforesaid prays that right and justice may be done and administered to him with effect in all and singular the premises, and also that the aforesaid Thomas Hunt is condemned in the tithes aforesaid subtracted by him and his men and in double the value of the same according to the aforesaid statute of the realm issued in that behalf; and in the lawful costs incurred on the part of the said farmer in this behalf, and he protests those to be incurred; and, having been condemned, that he is canonically obliged and compelled to the due and real payment of the same tithes and expenses by you and passing your definitive sentence in this 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 farmer 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
[1566/8 image 4]
13 Item Quod dictus Thomas Hunte licet sic requisitus et interpellatus premissa seu eorum aliquod facere
non curauit sed expresse renuit et recusauit seu saltem plus debite distulit et differt ac denegat
in presenti in anime sue graue periculum aliorumque Christifidelium perniciosum exemplum dicti firmarij ibidem
modernum preiudicium non modicum et gravamen Et ponit vt Supra
14 Item Quod predictus Thomas hunt fuit et est parochie de Croston Cestrensis diocesis et eo pretextu
vestre Jurisdiccionis notorie subditus et Subiectus Et ponit vt supra
15 Item Quod fuit et est ex parte nobilis viri Edwardi Comites de Darbij firmarij decimarum de Much holl
predicte moderni ad vos dominum Judicem antedictum et ad curiam vestram Consistorialem Cestrensem rite et legitime querelatum Et ponit Coniunctim diuisim et dequolibet
16 Item Quod Premissa omnia et singula fuerunt et sunt vera publica notoria manifesta pariter
et famosa atque de et super in parochia de Croston et in alijs locis vicinis et circumvicinis laborarunt et
Laborant publica vox et fama
Vnde facta fide de Jure in hac parte requisita petit pars dicti
firmarij antedicti Jus et Justitiam sibi in premissis omnibus et singulis fieri et ministrari cum effectu nec non prefatum
Thomam hunt in decimis predictis per se et suos subtractis et in duplici valore earundem iuxta predicta statuta
regia in ea parte edita et in expensis legitimis per partem dicti firmarij in hac parte factis et
protestatur defiendis
condempnari ac condempnatum ad debitam et realem solucionem earundem decimarum et
expensis canonice cogi et
compelli per vos et vestram Sentenciam diffinitiuam in hac parte ferendam domine Judex
antedicte Vlterius que
fieri statui et decerni in premissis et ea concernentibus quibuscunque quod Juris fuerit et
Rationis
Premissa proponit et fieri petit pars dicti firmarij 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 salvo vestrum officium in premissis
Judex egregie antedicte humiliter Implorando
Original Document
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Translation
[1566/8 image 5]
[Endorsement]
Libel of the noble Edward, earl of Derby, against Thomas Hunt in a cause of tithes, exhibited in the year of our Lord 1566.
[Produced with the permission of the Chester Diocesan Board of Finance.]
Translation copyright ©2022 P J Cox All Rights Reserved
Transcript
[1566/8 image 5]
[Endorsement]
libellus nobilis viri
Edwardi Comitis
de Darbij contra et
aduersus Thomam
Hunte in causa decimarum
exhibitus Anno domini
1566
[Produced with the permission of the Chester Diocesan Board of Finance.]
Transcript copyright ©2022 P J Cox All Rights Reserved
Original Document
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Translation
[5/1566/8 image 6]
In the name of God, Amen: the merits and circumstances of a certain cause of subtraction of tithes which was disputed, 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, proceeding rightly and lawfully, between the right honourable, the earl of Derby, farmer of the tithes of Much […] of Chester diocese, the party plaintiff and complainant on the one part, and Thomas Hunt of Chester diocese and of your jurisdiction, the defendant and party complained of on the other part; and the aforesaid parties appearing before us sufficiently and lawfully, namely, the party of the said farmer by William Man, Master of Arts, his proctor lawfully appointed according to the acts of the court, while the party of the said Thomas Hunt appearing personally and by John Prichard, Bachelor of Laws, his proctor lawfully appointed according to the acts of the court; with the party of the aforesaid farmer praying that sentence is passed for him and justice may be done to him, also the party of the said Thomas Hunt earnestly praying that justice may be done to him.
All and singular acts, enactments, deductions, propositions, allegations, confessions and proofs had and done by all sides in the said cause having first been examined and diligently inspected by us, and having reviewed, examined and considered them with promptness and diligence, with the advice of those learned in the law with whom we have communicated in this behalf, and having observed what according to law should be observed by us in this behalf, we have thus thought fit to proceed to the pronouncement of the passing of our definitive sentence or final decree in this cause, and we do proceed in this manner which follows;
forasmuch as we know and clearly find by the acts enacted, brought, alleged, exhibited, confessed and proved had and done in the said cause that the party of the said farmer of Much Hoole, has sufficiently established and fully proved his claim in a certain libel of his previously judicially given and offered on his behalf in the afore-mentioned cause (the tenor of which certain libel follows and is thus; In the name of God, Amen: before you, William, by divine permission bishop of Chester; which libel we will have here read and inserted) and that nothing effectual has been or is brought, excepted, alleged or proved on behalf of the said Thomas Hunt which could destroy or in any way weaken the claim of the said farmer.
Therefore we, Robert Leche, the official aforesaid, having first called upon the name of Christ, and setting God only before our eyes, from and with the advice of the learned in the law with whom we have consulted promptly in this matter, decree and declare that the same Thomas Hunt is condemned in the tithes aforesaid, libelled as thus aforesaid, and taken, had, subtracted and not paid by him, if they are still in existence, otherwise in their true value which we calculate in the sum of eight shillings of lawful money of England, and we condemn him, Thomas Hunt, in the said tithes subtracted and in the lawful costs incurred and to be incurred on the part of the said farmer in this behalf by this our definitive sentence or final decree which we pass and publish in these writings; while reserving taxation of these costs to us in all points, and we do reserve it.
This sentence was read and issued by the judge aforesaid in the chapter house etc. on the 24th day of the month of October in the year 1566, being then present there as is expressed in the acts.
Transcript
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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 causa subtractionis decimarum
que Coram nobis inter prenobilem virum Comites Darbie firmarium decimarum Much […]
Cestrensis Diocesis partem actricem et querelantem ex vna et Thomam hunt Cestrensis diocesis [et]
vestre Jursidiccionis partem ream et querelatam partibus ex altera vertebatur et adhuc vertitur
et pendet indecise rite et legitime procedentes partibus predictis Coram nobis sufficienter
et legitime videlicet parte dicti firmarij per Willielmum Man Artium Magistrum eius procurato[rem]
legitime apud acta constitutum parte quoque dicti Thome hunt per se personaliter
et per Johannem Prichard in Legibus Baccallarium eius procuratorem legitime [apud]
acta constitutum comparentibus parte quoque dicti firmarij Sententiam ferri et Jus[ticiam]
sibi fieri parte etiam dicti Thome hunt Justiciam etiam sibi fieri instanter
postulantibus
Visis primitus per nos et Diligenter inspectis omnibus et singulis actis inactitat[is]
deductis propositis allegatis confessatis et probatis in dicta causa hincinde habitis et factis
easque cum Maturitate et diligentia recensitis examinatis et ponderatis de consilio Jurisperitorum
cum quibus in hac parte comunicauimus Seruatis per nos de Jure in hac parte servandis
ad nostre sententie diffinitiue siue finalis decreti prolationem in huiusmodi causa ferende Sic duximus
procedendum et procedimus in hunc qui Sequitur modum
Quia per acta inactita deducta
allegata exhibita confessata et probata in dicta causa habita et facta Comperimus et Luculenter
invenimus partem dicti firmarij decimarum de Micholme Intentionem suam in quodam suo
libello alias ex parte sua memorata causa Judicaliter dato et oblato Cuius quidem libelli tenor
sequitur et est Talis In dei nomine Amen Coram vobis Willielmo permissione
diuina Cestrensi episcopo Quem libellum pro hic Lectum et insertum habere volumus sufficienter
et ad plenum fundasse pariter ac probasse Nihilque effectuale ex parte dicti Thome hu[nt] fuisse aut esse deductum exceptum allegatum aut probatum quod Intentionem dicti firmarij elideret seu Quomodolibet eneruaret
Idcirco Nos Robertus Leche officialis antedictus
christi nomine primitus Invocato ac ipsum solum deum oculis nostris preponentes de et cum consilio Juris[peritorum]
cum quibus mature in hac parte communicauimus Eundem Thomam hunt in decimis predictis sic
vt prefertur Libellatis et per eum perceptis habitis subtractis et non solutis si extent alioquin in
earum vero valorem quam ad Summam octo Solidarum legalis monete anglie estimamus
Condempnandum fore decernimus et declaramus Ipsumque Thomam hunt in dictis decimis
subtractis et in expensis legitimis per parte dicti firmarij in hac parte factis et fiendis condempnamus per hanc nostram sententiam diffinitiuam siue hoc nostrum finale decretum Quam siue
quod ferimus et promulgamus in his scriptis Taxacionem vero expensarum huiusmodi nobis
omnino Reseruantem et reseruamus
lecta et lata fuit huiusmodi sentencia per iudicem antedictum in domo
capitulari et cetera xxiiijto die mensis Octobris <Anno 1566> presentibus tunc ibidem provt in actis exprimitur
Original Document
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Translation
[5/1566/8 image 7]
[Endorsement]
Sentence of the venerable earl of Derby against Thomas Hunt is a cause of tithes.
[in pencil in a different hand]
1566
[Produced with the permission of the Chester Diocesan Board of Finance.]
Translation copyright ©2022 P J Cox All Rights Reserved
Transcript
[5/1566/8 image 7]
[Endorsement]
Sententia Venerabili Viri
Comitis de Darbie
contra et aduersus Thomam
Hunt in causa decimarum
[in pencil in a different hand]
1566
[Produced with the permission of the Chester Diocesan Board of Finance.]
Transcript copyright ©2022 P J Cox All Rights Reserved
Notes
One deposition and part of Thomas Hunt’s reply to the libel can be found at EDC 2/8 ff. 28-28v, but they have suffered damage and are not easy to read. However, it does appear from Hunt’s reply that he claimed to have paid tithe hay in each of the years, but not barley, although he had attempted to pay for some of the years. It seems that his story was believed because the amount claimed in the libel was 16s 4d, but he was only ordered to pay 8s in tithes.