Ref: EDC 5/1580/6
Catalogue Entry:
EDC 5 1580. 6. CHESTER (St Oswald) John Vaudrey impropriator c Richard Webbe, William Janson sen and William Janson jnr for tithes – libel.
Summary:
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
Original Document
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Translation
[1580/6 image 1]
In the name of God, Amen; before you, worshipful Master Robert Leche, Doctor of Laws, lawfully deputed official principal of the Chester consistory court, or other judge whomsoever competent in this regard, the party of the distinguished John Vawdrey and Richard Vawdrey, gentlemen, farmers of all and singular tithes appertaining to the perpetual vicarage of the parish church of Saint Oswald of Chester against Richard Webb, William Janeon the elder and William Janeon the younger of the parish of Saint Oswald aforesaid and against any other person or persons 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 in articles as follows:
1 Firstly, namely that the aforesaid John Vawdrey and Richard Vawdrey had and have lawfully acquired the farm of all and singular tithes appertaining to the perpetual vicarage aforesaid and having thus acquired it, possessed it peacefully and quietly for some space of time, just as (saving what is written below) they possess it at present, and the aforesaid John and Richard were and are commonly called, taken, deemed, named and openly, publicly and notoriously reputed as lawful farmers there; and he propounds jointly, severally and concerning any part thereof.
2 Also, that as well by common law, statutes and injunctions of this realm of England, as by ancient laudable and lawful prescribed custom, hitherto inviolably and steadfastly 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 tithes, as well greater as lesser, mixed and minute appertaining to the perpetual vicarage aforesaid, appertains and belongs to the vicar there or any farmer of his whomsoever he may be at the time, just as it appertains and belongs at present to the current farmers there; and he propounds as before.
Transcript
[1580/6 image 1]
In dei nomine Amen Coram vobis [venerabili] viro magistro [Roberto] leche legum
doctore Curie Consistorialis Cestrensis officiali principali legitime dep[utato]
seu alio Judice in hac parte competenti quocunque Pars discretorum virorum Johannes Vawdrey et Ricardi Vawdrey
generosorum firmariorum omnium et singulorum decimarum ad vicariam perpetuam Ecclesie parochialis Sancti Oswaldi Cestrie
pertinentium Contra et aduersus Ricardum Webb Willielmum Janeon seniorem et William Janeon Juniorem parochie Sancti
Oswaldi predicti ac contra quemcunque alium seu quoscunque alios Coram vobis <pro eisdem in Judicio legitime intervenientem per viam querele et> vobis in hac parte querelando
dicit allegat et in hijs scriptis in Jure proponit articulatim prout sequitur
[1] Imprimis videlicet Quod Johannes Vawdrey et Ricardus Vawdrey fuerunt et sunt firmam omnium et singularum
decimarum ad vicariam perpetuam predictam pertinentium rite et legitime assecuti ipsam sic assectutam per nonnullum
temporis spacium pacifice et quiete possederunt prout (saluis infrascriptis) in presenti possident
fueruntque et sunt predici Johannes et Ricardus pro firmarijs ibidem legitimis communiter dicti tenti habiti
nominati et reputati palam publice et notorie Et ponit Coniunctim diuisim Et de quolibet
[2] Item Quod tam de Jure communi Statutis et Iniunctionibus huius Regni Anglie quam de antiqua laudabili legitimeque
prescripta consuetudine a tempore et per tempus cuius Initij siue Contrarij memoria hominum non
existit hucusque inviolabiliter et inconcusse obseruata atque in Contradictorio Judicio sepius obtenta
Jus percipiendi et habendi omnes et singulas decimas tam maiores quam minores mixtas et minutas
ad vicariam perpetuam predictam pertinentem ad vicarium ibidem siue eius firmarium quemcunque pro tempore
existentem pertinuit et spectauit prout ad firmarios ibidem modernos in presenti pertinet et spectat Et
ponit vt supra.
Original Document
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Translation
[1580/6 image 2]
3 Also, that the aforesaid farmers and their precursors and predecessors each and every one of them in their successive times, for 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 years last past, and 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 are at present, in peaceable possession, or virtually so, of the right of taking and having all and singular tithes, both greater and lesser, mixed and minute belonging to the vicarage aforesaid wherever, whenever and howsoever growing, proceeding or arising and they possessed them peacefully and quietly through themselves and their men, and freely disposed of them through the whole time aforesaid until the time of trouble described below; and he propounds as before.
4 Also, that Richard Webb who had no right or could have in any way in the said tithes or any parcel thereof, forgetful of the welfare of his soul, scorning the statutes of the realm set forth in that behalf and not fearing to fall under penalty of the law in the months of March, April, May, July, June, August, September, October, November, December in the year of our Lord 1580 now current or any of those months whatsoever, in one or another, had three sows grazing and sleeping within the parish aforesaid and the bounds and limits and the tithable places of the same and from the same he converted to his own use, reared and nourished thirty piglets arising and renewing, born and bred; and this party propounds and articles of whatever other number of piglets greater, lesser or intermediate down to the number of seven piglets and of any other number of such and so great an amount as will be proved in the event of this suit; and he propounds as before.
5 Also, that the aforesaid William Janeon the elder in the months and year aforesaid or any of those months whatsoever, in one or another, had three sows sleeping and grazing within the parish aforesaid and the bounds and limits and the tithable places of the same and from the same he reared and nourished for his own use, thirty piglets arising and renewing, born and bred; and this party propounds and articles of whatever other number of piglets greater, lesser or intermediate down to the number of seven piglets and also of any other number of such amount as will be proved in the event of this suit; and he propounds as before.
Transcript
[1580/6 image 2]
[3] Item Quod predicti firmarij eorumque predecessores et antecessores omnes et singuli eorum temporibus successiue
existentes a x xx xxx xl l et lx annis vltime elapsis vltraque et citra necnon a tempore et per tempus
cuius Initij siue contrarij memoria hominum non existit fuerunt prout in presenti sunt in pacifica possessione
seu quasi Juris percipiendi et habendi omnes et singulas decimas tam maiores quam minores mixtas et minutas
ad vicariam predictam pertinentes vbicunque quandocunque seu qualitercunque crescentes prouenientes seu contingentes easque
per se et suos pacifice et quiete possiderunt ac libere de eisdem disposuerunt per omne tempus predictum vsque
ad tempus gravaminis infrascriptum Et ponit vt supra
[4] Item Quod Ricardus Webbe qui nihil Juris in dictis decimis aut aliqua inde parcella habuit {aut} aut aliqualiter
habere potuit anime sue salutis immemor Statuta regia in ea parte edita vilipendens et in penam Juris cadere non formidans mensis Martij Aprilis Maij Julij Junij Augusti Septembris Octobris Nouembris
Decembris et Januarij Anno domini 1580 iam currenti eorumve mensium quolibet vno siue aliquo habuit
infra parochiam predictam finesque et limites ac loca decimabilia eiusdem tres Sues pascentes et cubantes et ex
eisdem et in vsum suum proprium Conuertit Triginta porcellos contingentes et renouantes enatos et enixos eduxit
et nutruit Et ponit atque articulatur pars ista de quolibet alio numero porcellorum huiusmodi maiori minori seu
intermedio vsque ad numero septem porcellorum ac de tali et tanto numero quantus et qualis in eventu
huius litis probabitur Et ponit vt supra
[5] Item Quod predictus Willielmus Janeon {Junior} senior mensis et Anno predictis eorumve mensium quolibet vno siue aliquo
habuit infra parochiam predictam finesque et limites ac loca decimabilia eiusdem tres Sues cubantes et pascentes
et ex eisdem Triginta porcellos contingentes et renouantes enatos et enixos in vsum suum proprium eduxit
et nutruit Et ponit atque articulatur pars ista de quolibet alio numero porcellorum huiusmodi maiori minori seu
intermedio vsque ad numero septem porcellorum necnon de tali et tanto numero qualis et quantus in
eventu huius litis probabitur Et ponit vt supra
Original Document
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Translation
[1580/6 image 3]
6 Also, that the aforesaid William Janeon the younger in the months and year aforesaid or any of those months whatsoever, in one or another, had two sows sleeping and grazing within the said parish and the bounds and limits and the tithable places of the same and from the same he reared and nourished for his own use, twenty piglets arising and renewing, born or bred; and this party propounds and articles of whatever other number of piglets greater, less or intermediate down to the number of seven piglets and also of any other number of such amount as will be proved in the event of this suit; and he propounds as before.
7 Also, that the true value or valuation of any piglet of the piglets aforesaid in the months and year aforesaid by common report of men notoriously amounted and amounts to the sum or value of 12d of lawful money of England, and this party propounds and articles of any other greater, lesser or intermediate sum whatever down to the sum of 6d for any piglet aforesaid and also of any other sum of such amount as will be proved in the event of this suit; and he propounds as before.
8 Also that the aforesaid Richard Webb, William Janeon the elder and William Janeon the younger have not paid the tithes in the premises to the aforesaid farmers, and duly asked in that respect, they have refused and refuse at present to pay the same tithes to the grave danger of their souls and the pernicious example of other Christian faithful and to no small prejudice and grievance of the said farmers; and he propounds as before.
9 Also, that the aforesaid Richard Webb, William Janeon the elder and William Janeon the younger were and are of the parish of Saint Oswald aforesaid and by reason thereof notoriously subordinate and subject to your jurisdiction; and he propounds as before.
10 Also, that all and singular the premises were and are true, public, notorious, manifest and equally famous, and public voice and fame were circulating, just as they are circulating at present, regarding and concerning the same.
Transcript
[1580/6 image 3]
6 Item Quod predictus Willielmus Janeon Junior mensis et Anno predictis eorumve mensium quolibet vno siue aliquo habuit infra dictam
parochiam finesque et limites ac loca decimabilia eiusdem duas Sues cubantes et pascentes et ex eisdem Viginti porcellos
contingentes et renouantes enatos seu enixos in vsum suum proprium eduxit et nutruit Et ponit atque articulatur pars ista
de quolibet alio numero porcellorum huiusmodi maiori minori seu intermedio vsque ad numero Septem porcellorum
necnon de tali et tanto numero qualis et quantus in eventu huius litis probabitur Et ponit vt supra
7 Item Quod verus valor siue Estimacio cuiuslibet porcelli porcellorum predictorum mensis et Anno predictis ad Summam
sive valorem xijd legalis monete Anglie communi hominum estimacione se extendebat et extendit
et ponit tamen et articulatur pars ista de qualibet alio Summa maiori minori seu intermedio vsque ad Summam
vjd pro quolibet porcello predicto necnon de tali et tanto Summa qualis et quantus in eventu huius
litis probabitur Et ponit vt supra
8 Item Quod predicti Ricardus Webbe Willielmus Janeon senior et Willielmus Janeon Junior decimas ex premissis
non soluerunt predictis firmarijs Et que in ea parte debite requisiti easdem decimas soluere recusauerunt
et in presenti recusant in animarum suarum grave periculum et aliorum christifidelium perniciosum Exemplum dictorumque
fimariorum preiudiciam non modicum Et grauamen Et ponit vt supra
9 Item Quod predicti Ricardus Webbe Willielmus Janeon senior et Willielmus Janeon Junior fuerunt et sunt parochie Sancti
Oswaldi predicti in eo pretextu vestre Jurisdiccioni notorie subditi et subiecti et ponit vt supra
10 Item Quod premissa omnia et singula fuerunt et sunt vera publica notoria manifesta pariter et famosa
Et quod de et super eisdem laborarunt prout in presenti laborant publica vox et fama
Original Document
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Translation
[1580/6 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 anything whatsoever concerning them, and that the said Richard Webb, William Janeon the elder and William Janeon the younger are condemned in the tithes aforesaid or in their true value and also in the lawful costs incurred on his part in this cause and he protests those to be incurred; and, having been condemned, that they are obliged and compelled by ecclesiastical censures to make real payment of the same by you and your definitive sentence, lord judge aforesaid; this party propounds the premises and prays that they are done jointly and severally, not binding himself to prove them all and singular, 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; and this party asserts the right of adding to, correcting and amending etc.
Transcript
[1580/6 image 4]
Vnde facta
fide de Jure in hac parte requisita petit pars dictorum firmariorum Jus et Justiciam sibi in premissis
omnibus et singulis ac ea concernentibus quibuscunque fieri et ministrari cum effectu, dictosque Ricardum
Webbe Willielmum Janeon seniorem et Willielmum Janeon Juniorem in decimis predictis seu eorum vero valore
necnon in Expensis legitimis ex parte sua in huiusmodi causa factis et protestatur de fiendis condemnari condemnatos
que ad realem solucionem earundem per sensuras Ecclesiasticas cogi et Compelli per vos et vestram Sententiam
deffinitiuam domine Judex antedicte Premissa proponit et fieri petit pars ista Coniunctim et diuisim [non]
arctans se ad omnia et singula eadem probanda nec ad onus superflue probacionis de quo protestatur sed quatenus
probauerit in premissis eatenus obtineat in petitis Juris beneficio in omnibus semper saluo Vestrum officium in
premissis humiliter implorando Et protestatur pars ista de addendo corrigendo et emendando et cetera
Original Document
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Translation
[1580/6 image 5]
[Endorsement]
[…] farmers of the vicarage of Saint Oswald against Richard Webb and others, 1580.
[in pencil in a different hand]
Chester
[Produced with the permission of the Chester Diocesan Board of Finance.]
Translation copyright ©2022 P J Cox All Rights Reserved
Transcript
[1580/6 image 5]
[Endorsement]
[…] firmarij vicarie
Sancti oswaldi
contra Richard
Webbe et alias
1580
[in pencil in a different hand]
Chester
[Produced with the permission of the Chester Diocesan Board of Finance.]
Transcript copyright ©2022 P J Cox All Rights Reserved
People
John Vawdrey – plaintiff
Richard Vawdrey – plaintiff
Richard Webb – defendant
William Janeon the elder – defendant
William Janeon the younger – defendant
Officials
Related Causes
EDC 5/1575/3 – John Vawdrey and Richard Vawdrey contra Ralph Calveley