Ref: EDC 5/1575/3
Catalogue Entry:
EDC 5/1575/3 CHESTER (St Oswald) John and Richard Vaudrey impropriators of tithes of Churton Heath (Bruera) c Ralph Calveley – libel, interrogations, decree.
Summary:
John Vawdrey and Richard Vawdrey contra Ralph Calveley.
John and Richard Vawdrey claimed in their libel that they were the lawful farmers of the tithes of the township of Churton Heath and that Ralph Calveley of Churton Heath had not paid the tithes of grain due from him for 1575. Calveley claimed that the lawful farmer was Robert Vawdrey, brother of John and Richard Vawdrey, so that they did not have right of action against him.
Year
1575
Type of Cause:
Cause Papers:
Original Document
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Translation
[1575/3 image 1]
In the name of God Amen: before you, William, by divine permission bishop of Chester, or your commissary general or any other judge whomsoever competent in this regard; the party of the worshipful John Vawdrey and Richard Vawdrey, gentlemen, farmers of the tithes of the church or chapel of Churton Heath of the parish of Saint Oswald of your Chester diocese and jurisdiction against Ralph Calveley, gentleman, of the chapel and parish aforesaid of your diocese and jurisdiction aforesaid, and against any other whomsoever lawfully intervening before you in judgement for the same by way of complaint and complaining to you in this behalf says, alleges and propounds in these writings in law as follows:
1 Firstly, the party of the said farmers states that for some space of time now passed the same farmers were and yet are farmers of the tithes of the church or chapel of Churton Heath and of all of the perpetual vicarage of the aforesaid parish church of Saint Oswald aforesaid and during the same time were and yet are in lawful possession of the said farm of the tithes of the church or chapel aforesaid, lawfully and in fact appointed; and also commonly called, deemed, held and reputed openly, publicly and notoriously as farmers there in the said parish of Saint Oswald aforesaid and in other neighbouring and surrounding places; and the party propounds jointly, severally and in articles.
2 Also, that as well by the common law, statutes and injunctions of this realm of England, as by ancient laudable and lawfully prescribed custom, hitherto inviolably and steadfastly used and observed from time immemorial and often upheld in judgment in a contested cause, the right of receiving and having all and singular tithes, as well greater as lesser, mixed and minute and other church rights and emoluments whatsoever within the said parish or chapelry and the bounds and limits and tithable places of the same, wherever, howsoever and whenever proceeding, growing, renewing and occurring belonged and should and ought also to belong in future to the farmers of the church or chapel of Churton Heath in the parish of St Oswald aforesaid, whosoever he may be at the time, by law and in the name of his aforesaid farm; and he propounds as above.
Transcript
[1575/3 image 1]
In dei nomine Amen Coram vobis Willelmo permissione divina Cestrensi Episcopo vestroue commissario
generali seu alio Judice in hac parte competenti quocunque Pars discretorum virorum Johannis Vaudrey et
Ricardi Vaudrey generosorum fimariorum decimarum Ecclesie siue capelle de church heath parochie
sancti oswaldi vestre cestrensis diocesis et Jurisdiccionis contra et aduersus Radulphum Calueley generosum
capelle et parochie predicte vestre diocesis et Jurisdiccionis predicte ac contra quemcunque alium coram vobis pro eodem
in iudicio legitime interuenientem per viam querele et vobis in hac parte querelando dicit allega[t]
et in hijs scriptis in iure proponit prout sequitur
1 Imprimis pars dictorum firmariorum dicit quod Idem firmarii per nonullum temporis sp[acium]
Jam elapsis fuerunt et adhuc sunt firmarii decimarum Ecclesie siue capelle de churchehethe
ac totius vicarie perpetue Ecclesie parochialis sancti oswaldi predicte ac per idem tempus fuerunt et
adhuc sunt in possessione legitima dicte firme decimarum ecclesie siue capelle predicte legitime et
realiter constituti Necnon pro firmarijs ibidem communiter dicti tenti habiti et reputati palam pu[blice]
et notorie in dicta parochia sancti oswaldi antedicta alijsque locis vicinis et circumvicinis et ponit pars
coniunctim diuisim atque articulatim
2 Item quod tam de Jure communi statutis et iniunctionibus huis Regni Anglie quam de
antiqua laudabili legitimeque prescripta consuetudine a tempore immemorato hucusque inviolabiliter et inconcusse vsitata et obseruata ac in contradictorio Judicio sepius obtenta
ius percipiendi et habendi omnes et singulas decimas tam maiores quam minores mi[xtas]
et minutas ac cetera iura et emolumenta Ecclesiastica quemcunque infra dictam paroch[iam] siue capellariam finesque et limites ac loca decimabilia euisdem vbicunque qualitercunque et
quandocunque provenientes crescentes renovantes et contingentes ad firmarios Ecclesie siue capelle
de churcheheath parochie sancti oswaldi antedicti quoscunque pro tempore existentes iure et no[mine]
firme sue predicte pertinuit et pertinere debuit et debet etiam in futurum Et ponit vt supra
Original Document
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Translation
[1575/3 image 2]
3 Also, that the said Ralph Calveley in the year of our Lord 1575 in the months of March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January, February or any of the months whatsoever, in one or another, had and possessed 18 acres of land notoriously sited and situated within the church or chapel of Churton Heath aforesaid and the bounds and limits and the tithable places of the same, sown with corn or wheat, from which he or his men have taken 6 score thraves[1] of grain. And this party propounds of any other lesser number of thraves whatsoever up to ten thraves and of any other number of such amount as will become more fully clear and appear by lawful proofs in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds jointly, severally and concerning any part thereof.
4 Also, that the aforesaid Ralph Calveley in the year and months aforesaid or in any of the months whatsoever, in one or another, subtracted paying the tenth part of wheat growing, renewing and arising, as is thus aforesaid, in the said chapelry of Churton Heath and the parish of St Oswald aforesaid and the titheable places of the same and approved this subtraction; and he propounds as above.
5 Also, that the true value of any thrave of wheat whatever in the year and months aforesaid by common report of men notoriously extends to the sum of 9s of good and lawful money of England; and this party propounds of whatever lesser sum up to two shillings and of any other sum of such amount as will come to be proved in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds as above.
6 Also, that the true value of the tithes or tenth part of wheat thus as is aforesaid subtracted, taken and not paid by the aforesaid Ralph Calveley in the year and months above-said notoriously extended and extends to the sum or value of ten pounds of good and lawful money of England; and this party propounds of whatever other lesser sum, up to the sum of two shillings, and of any other sum of such amount as will come to be proved in the outcome of this suit; and he propounds as above.
[1] Thrave – a measure of sheaves of grain which varied regionally (see OED). In Cheshire this amounted to twelve sheaves of corn or twenty-four of straw.
Transcript
[1575/3 image 2]
3 Item quod dictus Radulphus Calueley anno domini 1575 mensibus martij Ap[rilis]
maij Junij Julij Augusti septembris Octobris novembris decembris Januarij [et]
februarii eorumve mensium quolibet vno siue aliquo habuit et possidet infra Ecclesiam
siue capellam de churchheath predictam finesque et limites ac loca decimabilia ei[usdem]
xviij acras terre notorie sitas et situatas seminatas frumento siue tritico ex quibus [habuit]
et percepit per se et suos vjxx le thraves grani Et ponit pars ista de quolibet
alio minori numero le thraves vsque ad decem le thraves et de tali et tanto
numero qualis et quantus in eventu huius litis per probaciones legitimas plenius
liquebit et apparebit Et ponit coniunctim diuisim et de quolibet
4 Item Quod prefatus Radulphus Calueley anno et mensis predictis eorumve mensium quoli[bet]
vno siue aliquo decimam partem tritici sic vt prefertur in dicta capella de churchhethe
et parochie sancti oswaldi antedicte et locis decimabilibus eiusdem crescentes renovantes et contingentes
soluendum subtraxit ac subtraccionem huiusmodi Rationem et gratiam habuit Et ponit vt supra
5 Item quod verus valor cuiuislibet le thrave tritici anno et mensibus predictis communi ho[inum]
etimacione notorie se extendit ad summam ixs bene et legalis monete Anglie Et pon[it]
pars ista de qualibet alia summa minori vsque ad duos solidos ac de tali et tanta sum[ma] qualis et quanta in eventu huis litis veniet comprobandum Et ponit vt supra.
6 Item quod verus valor decimarum siue decime partis tritici sic vt prefertur per prefatum R[adulphum]
Calueley anno et mensibus supradictis subtractarum perceptarum et non solutarum ad summam siue val[orem]
decem libris bone et legalis monete Anglie notorie se extendebat et extendit Et ponit pars
ista de qualibet alia summa minori vsque ad summam duorum solidorum ac de tali et tanta sum[ma]
qualis et quanta in eventu huius litis veniet comprobanda Et ponit vt [supra]
Original Document
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Translation
[1575/3 image 3]
7 Also, that the aforesaid Ralph Calveley has not paid or set forth the tithes as in the premises, although having been requested and asked on the part and behalf of the said farmers or their deputies, he has completely refused to pay and set forth the same to the famers aforesaid, or, at least, he has delayed unduly, just as he unjustly delays at present, to no little prejudice of the said farmers and to the pernicious example of other Christian faithful; and he propounds as above.
8 Also, that the aforesaid Ralph Calveley was and is of the parish of Saint Oswald and of the chapel of Churton Heath aforesaid of Chester diocese and by reason thereof subordinate and subject to your jurisdiction; and he propounds as above.
9 Also, that it was and is on the part and behalf of the said farmers that complaint is rightly and lawfully made to you, lord judge aforesaid, and to your Chester consistory court; and he propounds as above.
10 Also, that of and upon all and singular the premises there was and is public voice and fame in the said parish of Saint Oswald and the chapel of Churton Heath aforesaid and in other neighbouring places; and he propounds as above.
Transcript
[1575/3 image 3]
7 Item quod prefatus Radulphus Calueley decimas ex premissis non soluit vel exposu[it]
sed ex parte et per partem dictorum firmariorum seu eorum deputatorum Requisitus et interpellatus easd[em]
soluere et exponere predictis firmarijs penitus Recusauit seu saltem plus iusto distu[lit]
prout in presenti differet minus iuste in dictorum firmariorum preiudicium non modicum alio[rumque]
christifidelium perniciosum exemplum Et ponit vt supra
8 Item quod predictus Radulphus Calueley fuit et est parochie sancti oswaldi et capelle d[e]
churcheheath antedictis cestrensis diocesis et eo pretextu vestre Jurisdiccionis subditus e[t] subiectus Et ponit vt supra
9 Item quod fuit et est ex parte et per partem dictorum firmariorum ad vos dominum
Judicem antedictum et ad curiam vestram consistorialem cestrensem rite et legitime querelatum Et
ponit vt supra.
10 Item Quod de et super premissis omnibus et singulis fuit et est publica vox
et fama in dicta parochia sancti oswaldi et capella de churcheheath predicta alijsque locis
vicinis Et ponit vt supra
Original Document
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Translation
[1575/3 image 4]
Whereupon, due proof being made as required by law in this regard, the party of the said farmers, prays that right and justice may be done and administered to him with effect in all and singular the premises, and that the said Ralph Calveley is condemned in the tithes aforesaid, or their true value in accordance with the statute of the realm set forth in that behalf, and also in the lawful costs incurred on the part of the said farmers in this behalf and he protests those to be incurred, and, having been condemned, that he is obliged and compelled to the due and real payment of the same by you and your definitive sentence, lord judge aforesaid; which the party of the said farmer propounds and prays to be done jointly and severally by way of summary petition simply and plainly, 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 all the premises, distinguished judge aforesaid; and this party asserts the right of adding to, amending and correcting this libel at a suitable and opportune time and place etc.
Transcript
[1575/3 image 4]
Vnde facta fide de iure in hac parte Requisita petit pars dictorum firmariorum ius
et iusticiam in premissis omnibus et singulis sibi fieri et ministrari cum effectu dictumque
Radulphum Calueley in decimis predictis seu eorum vero valore iuxta statutum inde editum Necnon
in expensis [legitimis] ex parte dictorum firmariorum in hac parte factis Et protestatur de faciendis
condempnari condempnatumque ad debitam et Realem solucionem earundem cogi et compel[li]
per vos et vestram sentenciam diffinitiuam domine Judex antedicte Que proponit et
fieri petit pars dictorum firmariorum coniunctim diuisim per viam summarie peticionis simpliciter et d[e]
plano Non arctans se ad omnia et singula premissa probanda Nec ad onus
superflue probacionis de quo protestatur sed quatenus probauerit in premissis eate[nus] obtineat in petitis iuris beneficio in omnibus semper saluo vestrum officium Judex egreg[ie] in premissis omnibus humiliter Implorando
Et protestatur pars ista de addendo emendando et Corrigendo hunc libellum
pro loco et tempore congrius et opportunis et cetera
Original Document
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Translation
[1575/3 image 5]
[Endorsement]
Libel of the distinguished John Vawdrey and Richard Vawdrey, farmers of the tithes of Churton Heath, against Ralph Calveley, gentleman, in a cause of subtraction of tithes, exhibited 1575.
[Produced with the permission of the Chester Diocesan Board of Finance.]
Translation copyright ©2022 P J Cox All Rights Reserved
Transcript
[1575/3 image 5]
[Endorsement]
[Libellus discretorum] virorum Johannis Vaudrey et Ricardi Vaudrey firmariorum decimarum de churcheth contra Radulphum Calveley generosum in causa subtraccionis decimarum exhibitus 1575
[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
[1575/3 image 6]
[…] October in the year of our Lord 1575
[Marginal note] John Vawdrey and Richard Vawdrey against Ralph Calveley, esquire, in a cause of subtraction of tithes
On which day William Man, Master of Arts, proctor of Master Ralph Calveley, gentleman, appeared and for every consequence of law that can follow thereupon, alleged that the aforesaid John Vawdrey and Richard Vawdrey are not (as they less than truthfully assert in their pretended libel given and offered against the pre-libelled Ralph Calveley, gentleman) the true and lawful farmers of the tithes coming, growing, renewing and arising within the bounds and limits and the tithable places of Churchen Heath within the parish of Saint Oswald and they are not reputed, accepted, named and held as true and lawful farmers of the tithes within the chapel and parish aforesaid and they do not have title or right of action against the aforesaid Ralph Calveley, gentleman, But if anyone has title and right of action, Robert Vawdrey, clerk, natural and legitimate brother of the said John Vawdrey and Richard Vawdrey has right and title of action.
Wherefore the party of the said Ralph Calveley, gentleman, prays to be dismissed from the suit of the said John Vawdrey and Richard Vawdrey and from further vexation, petition and molestation, and to be absolved together with expenses
And otherwise that what will have been of right and reason in the premises and anything whatsoever concerning them will be done, established and decreed; which allegation the party of the said Ralph Calveley, gentleman, propounds jointly and severally etc., not binding etc., and he prays that this allegation will be admitted etc..
[1575/3 image 8]
[Endorsement]
[…] exhibited on the 15th day of October in the year of our Lord 1575 against John Vawdrey and Richard Vawdrey in a cause of tithes
Transcript
[1575/3 image 6]
[…]Oct[ob’] Anno domini 1575
[Marginal note] Johannes Vawdrey et Richardus Vawdrey contra et aduersus Radulphum Calveley armigerum in causa subtraccionis decimarum
Quo die comparuit Willelmus Man Artium magister
procurator magistri Radulphi Calveley generosi et ad
omnem Juris effectum exinde sequi valentem
allegauit quod prefati Johannes Vawdrey et Richardus Vawdrey
non sunt (vt minus vere asserunt in pretenso
suo libello contra pre libellatum Radulphum Calveley generosum
dato et oblato) veri et legitimi firmarij decimarum
provenientium, Crescentium, Renovantium, et Contingentium infra
fines et limites locaque decimibilia de Churchheth
infra parochij Sancti Oswaldi neque sunt reputati
accepti, nominati, et habiti pro veris et legitimis
firmarijs decimarum infra Capellam et parochiam predictas
neque habent Titulum aut Jus agendi
contra prefatum Radulphum Calveley g[ener]osum Sed
si aliquis habet Titulum et Jus agendi
Robertus Vawdrey Clericus frater naturalis
et legitimus dictorum Johannis Vawdrey et Richardi Vawdrey
habet Jus et Titulum agendi Quare
petit pars dicti Radulphi Calveley generosi
dimitti ab instantia vlteriorique vexacione
impeticione et molestacione dictorum Johannis Vawdrey
et Richardi Vawdrey vnaquecum expensis absolui
Vlteriusque fieri statui et decerni
in premissis et ea concernentis quibuscunque
quod Juris fuerit et racionis Quam
Allegacionem proponit pars dicti Radulphi Calveley
generosi Coniunctim et diuisim et cetera non arctans et cetera
et petit huiusmodi allegacionem admitti et cetera
[1575/3 image 8]
[Endorsement]
[…] [e]hibit’ xvo die octobris Anno domini 1575 contra Johannem Vawdrey et Richardum Vawdrey in causa decimarum
Original Document
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Translation
[1575/3 image 9]
[…] follow on behalf of Ralph Calveley, gentleman, against all and singular the witnesses produced on the part and behalf of John Vawdrey and Richard Vawdrey, pretended farmers of the tithes of the vicarage of the parish church of Saint Oswald and of the chapel of Churton Heath.
1 Firstly, the danger of perjury and the penalty for bearing false witness having been explained, let each pretended witness be asked by virtue of his sworn oath, with which party of the parties litigant he is associated and which party he would favour more and would confer victory upon if it were in his power to confer it; and let him be asked jointly, severally and concerning any part thereof.
2 Also, let each pretended witness be asked whether he is related by blood or marriage, a servant or of the household of the party producing him and let it be done as before.
3 Also, let each pretended witness be asked what advantages he might receive in the event that the party producing him has the victory in this cause and what damages he might suffer by reason of their defeat.
4 Also, let each pretended witness be asked this; whose tenant he is and at whose expense he has come here, whether voluntarily or by compulsion, and whether he has conferred with any precontest or any other with him about how or in what way he might depose and let it be done as above.
5 Also, let each pretended witness be asked this; whether he did at the tyme of his production with an audible voice saie and pronounce theise woordes before the Judge sitting judicially in open court namely let vs haue Justice whereby he made hym self a partie and vsed suche other wordes of maintaynaunce grudginge and murmuringe speaches and let him be asked jointly severally and concerning any part thereof.
6 Also, let them render the true reasons for their knowledge of all and singular the premises etc.
[1575/3 image 11]
[Endorsement]
[…] 17th day of November in the year of our Lord 1575
[Produced with the permission of the Chester Diocesan Board of Finance.]
Translation copyright ©2022 P J Cox All Rights Reserved
Transcript
[1575/3 image 9]
[…] parte Radulphi C[alveley generosi] contra et adversus
omnies et singulos testes [productos] ex parte et per
partem Johannis Vawdrey et Richardi Vawdrey
firmarios se pretendentes decimarum [vicarie] ecclesie parochialis
Sancti Oswaldi et Capelle de Churchethe
Sequuntur
1 Inprimis periculo periurij et pena testis falsidici exposito Interrogetur
quilibet testis pretensus huiusmodi virtute Juramenti sui prestiti cum qua parte
partium litigantium conuersetur et cui parti magis faueat et conferret
victoriam si esset in illius potestate conferrendum et Interrogetur
coniunctim diuisim et de quolibet
2 Item Interrogetur quilibet testis pretensus huiusmodi an sit consanguineus
affinis, famulus, domesticus partis eum producentis et fiat vt
supra
3 Item Interrogetur quilibet testis pretensus huiusmodi quid commodi sit
recepturus casu quo pars eum producens victoriam habuerit
in hac causa et quid damni sit passurus modo succubuerit
4 Item Interrogetur quilibet testis pretensus huiusmodi cuius tenens est
et cuius sumptibus huc accessat num sponte vel coactus
et vtrum conferrebat cum aliquo precontesto vel aliquis cum
eo quid aut qualiter deponeret et fiat vt supra
5 Item interrogetur quilibet testis pretensus huiusmodi whether he did
at the tyme of his production with an audible voice saie
and pronounce theise woordes coram Judice pro tribunali
sedente in plena Curi[a] videlicet let vs haue Justice whereby
he made hym self a partie and vsed suche other wordes
of maintaynaunce grudginge and murmuringe speaches
et Interrogetur Coniunctim Diuisim et de quolibet
6 Item quod reddant veras causas scientarum suarum in premissis
omnibus et singulis et cetera
[1575/3 image 11]
[Endorsement]
[…] xvijo die Novembris Anno Domini 1575
[Produced with the permission of the Chester Diocesan Board of Finance.]
Transcript copyright ©2022 P J Cox All Rights Reserved
People
Ralph Calveley – defendant
John Vawdrey – plaintiff
Richard Vawdrey – plaintiff
Robert Vawdrey – brother of plaintiffs
Officials
Related Causes
EDC 5/1580/6 – John Vawdrey and Richard Vawdrey, gentlemen, farmers of the tithes of Saint Oswald contra Richard Webb, William Janeon the elder and William Janeon the younger
Notes
Cheshire Sheaf, 3rd series, xxi, p. 37 has extracts of a case in the Chester Exchequer dating from 1575 between Robert Vawdrey and John and Richard Vawdrey, with others, concerning the ownership of the farm of these tithes, among other property. Images of the records of some of these proceedings in the Exchequer can be seen online at http://aalt.law.uh.edu/Eliz.html under ‘Cheshire Orders and Decrees’ for 1575 and 1576.