Types of Cause: Defamation – sexual slander
Suits for sexual slander became increasingly common in ecclesiastical courts during the sixteenth century, and Chester was no exception.
Sources:
Christopher Haigh, ‘Slander and the church courts in the sixteenth century’, Lancashire and Cheshire Antiquarian Society, vol 78 (1975).
J. A. Sharpe, Defamation and sexual slander in early modern England : the church courts at York, Borthwick Papers no. 58.
Woman accused of sexual misconduct
EDC 5/1/7 – Agnes Rosbothom contra Robert Haryson
EDC 5/17/4 – Isabelle Holden contra Roger Rishton
EDC 5/1566/9 – Ellen [Helen] Smith contra Katherine Moseley
EDC 5/1566/10 – Ellen [Helen] Smith contra John Moseley [Mosteley], Katherine Moseley [Mosteley], Isabelle Croft and Margery Powell.
EDC 5/1575/1 – Jane Shepherd contra Francis Sefton and his wife, Margaret
EDC 5/1575/2 – Ellen Bamvile contra Rose Smith
Man accused of sexual misconduct
EDC 5/1575/4 – Urian Bowdon contra William Charlton and Ellen Lether