| Description | *indicates deponents who signed their names; other authentications are by initials or a mark
ff1-3r. 18 Mar 1606. Mr Bennett v Mr Cope; brawling in church. Evidence of:
Robert Carpenter, Marden, husbandman, 56; has lived there from infancy; has known Mr Beckington, clerk and James Clerke for 40 years.
William Phelps, Marden, blacksmith, 30; has lived there from infancy.
ff3v-5v, 7v-13r. 31 Mar, 8, 28 Apr1606. Robert Sweavin v churchwardens of Laverstock; church rates. Evidence of:
Leonard Browne, Winterbourne Gunner [Shereborowe] yeo, 50; has lived there from birth, except for 3-4 years.
Walter Reeve, no personal details.
Augustin Bennett, Winterslow, husbandman, 60; has lived there for 40 years.
William Ward, Winterbourne Gunner: no personal detail.
ff5v-7v, 44v-46r 2 Apr, 8 Oct 1606. George Ayliffe, esq v Thomas Hutchens; tithes, Temple Rockley. Evidence of:
Edward Allen, Grittenham in Brinkworth, yeo, 34; has lived there for 6 years; born in Melbury Osmund, Dors:.
Robert Griffin, Brinkworth, 38; has lived there for 16 years; born in Calne.
William Plorrett, Marlborough St Mary, 55; has lived there for 7 years; born in Ogbourne St Andrew: he was Mr Ayliffe’s shepherd.
William Fry, Richardson, husbandman, 40; has lived there for 30 years. See D1/42/25.
ff13v-14r. 2 Jan 1606. [Sir Thomas Snell] v Phillip Collins; tithe. Evidence of John Hiscockes*, Potterne, weaver, 45; has lived there from infancy, except for 5 years. Ref to sir Thomas Clerk, minister of Southbroom [Devizes Green].
ff114v-15v. 28 May 1606. Alice Baker v Clement Rabinett alias Robinson; defamation. Evidence of: George Holland*, Oaksey, surgeon, 33; has lived there for 12 years; born at Leigh.
Hugh Shermore, Oaksey, cooper, 50; has lived there for 20 years; born at Crudwell.
ff16r-18r, 39r-46r. 5 Jun, 4 Oct 1606. Thomas Hunt v William Goddard and counter case; testamentary; relating to the administration of the estate of Robert Morren, Ashton Gifford and settlement of debts [died 1602 P2/M9]. Evidence of:
Tristram Crowche*, Codford St Peter, yeo, 60; has lived there for 30 years; born at Boyton: Thomas contracted marriage with Agnes Bennett, in Ashton Gifford, with the approval of Robert; Robert said he would give Thomas £40: Thomas Bennett of Pythouse [in Tisbury] and Mr Simon Hunt of Enford were present: Thomas and Agnes have been married for 20 years and have had children: the leasehold tenement in which Robert died has been farmed by Goddard.
John Nicholas, Sherrington, 76; has lived there for 41 years; born in Great Wishford; has known Thomas for 20 years and William since his marriage: Agnes is the daughter of Alice Morren, wife of Robert, who was her father in law.
Thomas Barlow, Enford, husbandman, 60; has lived there from infancy, except for seven years; has known Thomas for 20 years and William for 10.
Philip Simkins alias Crafte, Upton Lovell, husbandman, 42; has lived there for two and a half years; before that at Ashton Gifford; born at Upton Lovell: Wiliam Goddard and Marie his wife have obtained administration of the estate and an inventory has been drawn up, total value £50;
Edward Pinte, Sherrington, miller, 40; has lived there for 14 years; born at Brewham, Som: Christopher Wattes, Knook, husbandman, almost 40; has lived there for a year and more; before 2 years at Ashton Gifford; born at Heytesbury:
Walter Sangar* [Sanger], Tisbury, gent, 60; has lived there for 20 years; born there: William Sanger was the first husband of Marie Goddard: Walter and William Sanger were ‘cousin Germans; viz Brothis Children’.
Augustin Dowdall, Heytesbury, tailor, 28; has lived there for 3 years; born at Boyton: Robert Morren ‘did suffer William Goddard to husband & manure the groundes’ of his living.
ff18v-24r. 16 Jun 1606. Coole v Greene alias Pepler; testamentary relating to the administration of the estate of Thomas Freestone, Salisbury [1612 P4/1611/6]: Evidence of :
Thomas Ravener*, Salisbury, tailor, 29; has lived there from infancy: on Tuesday in Procession week, the fortnight before Whit Sunday two years ago, Thomas made his will before Henry Lake, Mr Edward Clerk, minister [vicar of St Martin], who wrote the will, William Selwin and Alexander Bawdin; a synopsis of the will is given: Elizabeth was executrix; the will was read out and soon after Thomas died: on Whitsun Tuesday in the same year, Elizabeth declared her will and died soon after.
\William Sellwin, Salisbury, 51; has lived there for 9 years; born at Stroud Water, Gloucs.
Henry Lake, Salisbury St Martin, tailor, 48; has lived there for 30 years: born at Huxam, Dev.
Alexander Bawdin, Salisbury, worsted maker, 50; has lived there for 27 years; born at East Cholderton, Hants. See D1/42/25
ff24v-27r 17 Jun 1606. The business of the probate of the will of George Welford, vicar of Market Lavington promoted by Anne Lewes of Maddington [will not traced]: Evidence of:
Thomas Whelpley*, vicar of Urchfont, 63; has been vicar there for 40 years: about two years ago he witnessed the making of George’s will and was it in his own handwriting.
John Skinner, Market Lavington, fuller, 40; has lived there for 16 years: Anne Lewes, Welford’s maid servant, was made executrix of his will:
William Woodroffe, Maddington, yeo, 54; has lived there for 20 years.
ff27r-29r. 18 Jun 1606. Hort v Anne Boxwell; testamentary concerning the administration of the estates of Thomas Boxwell and his wife Joan, and settling debts. Evidence of:
Richard Jeaine*, rector of Foxley, 53; has been rector there for 26 years: Thomas died about 7-8 years ago: Joan left 8 children
Elizabeth Hort alias Hooper, wife of George Horse, Foxley, 30; has lived there for 16 years: about 9 years ago she was servant to Joan Boxwell.
ff29v-36v 1606. 16 Jul 1606. John Hayward v Joan Rimer alias Rimell; matrimonial; dispute as whether a contract of marriage had been agreed between the parties about 3 years ago. Evidence of witnesses all of Corsham, unless otherwise stated:
William Rimer alias Rimell, tailor, 60; has lived there for 20 years; born in Leigh Delamere; father of Joan: John’s mother Edith lived in Whitley.
Cecily Rimell, wife of William Rimell, 50; has lived there from infancy except for 6 years.
John Taylor*, glover, 38; has lived there for 12 years; born at Atworth.
William Hayward, Whitley in Melksham, broad weaver, 40; has lived there from infancy; brother of John.
Henry Marshman, Melksham, 24; has live there for 20 years: his sister Katherine is the wife of William Hayward: believes that John Taylor is a poor man who lives on alms of the parish and is troubled with the falling sickness.
ff36v-38r. ?Sep 1606. Boxwell alias Townsend v Richard Holtford. Evidence of:
John Bushell, Sherston, thatcher [architector], 44; has lived there from infancy: Joan Boxwell died about 8 years ago, leaving 8 children: Richard Holtford was administrator of her estate, and had the profit of her living to look after her children: 2 years ago Joan, one off the children, took possession of the living; Richard, then 12 and Jeremy, then 10 were left with Richard in Sherston.
Richard Horte, Sherston, 44; has lived there for 12 years: Joan Boxwell married one Weston from Cannings.
f38v. Elizabeth Payne v John Silvester; defamation. Evidence of:
John Vaughan, Chippenham, chapman, 60; has lived there for 3 years; born at Llandenny. Mon: there was a rumour that John Payne was ‘burnt by his incontinent living’; he heard Elizabeth call John ‘a burnt tayled knave and … Rascall’; John replied ‘yf that I am burnt there is none have burnt me but thee’.
ff46v-47r, 7 Oct, 1606. Katherine Randie v Julian Shelley; defamation. Evidence of witnesses of Downton:
William Bampton, brewer, 77; has lived there from infancy: around last Whitsun tide he was in his house and heard, in the street, Julian, the wife of John Shelley, call Katherine a ‘pocky whore’ and that he who begot a bastard upon her left the ‘the pockes behind for a pawne’
Joan Nicholas, 40, wife of John Nicholas, carpenter; has lived there for 9 years; born at Rockborne, Hants.
ff47v-49v. Holloway v Oliver Tarrant; defamation. Evidence of:
Geoffrey Banning, Milton, husbandman, 50; has lived there from infancy: around last St Katherine tide he was in the house of John Holloway in Milton, and heard Oliver speak outside to Margaret Holloway, accusing her of having a child before she was married: about 3 years before Elizabeth Liddall, by reason of extreme sickness, was ‘somewhat light in the head’, but since is well.
Christian Leyley, wife of Edmund Leyley, Milton; has lived there for 9 years; born at Vernam [?Vernham in Englishcombe]: Margaret is the wife of John Holloway.
Elizabeth Lyddall, 30, wife of John Lyddall, Milton, shepherd; has lived there from infancy: she is under covert baron [barne] and what she has is from her husband.
ff50r-52r. 5 Nov 1606. Brayfeild v Hawkes. Evidence of:
Anthony Edwards, Haydon in Rodbourne Cheney, husbandman, 40; has lived there for the last 6 years, having been raised there: Mr Richard Brayfeild is rector of Blunsdon St Andrew, and has been so for 4-5 years: at last hay harvest he was working on Smithe mead making a rick, when Mr Brayfield, coming from Haydon Common, tore up part of the hedge of the mead and entered it by the gap or ‘shade’; Brayfeild stood talking to some men : Thomas Hawkes seized the bridle and told his man to lead the horse to the pound, and threw Mr Brayfeild to the ground:
John Richins*, Hannington, husbandman, 23; has lived there since Michaelmas; born in Purton: he was working in Smithe mead.
Robert Wade, Titchford, Northants; has lived there from infancy; was with Thomas Hawkes in Smithe mead; Hawkes tore Brayfeild’s cloak and threw it over his ears.
ff52r-53r. 4, 18 Nov 1606. Thomas Cockle v Elizabeth Adams. Evidence of:
Mary Nedam, 50, wife of Francis Nedam, Warminster; has lived there for 2 years; born at Salisbury: at the beginning of last August Elizabeth Adams, wife of William Adams met the sister of Thomas Cockle and argued with her and beat her; her father Thomas Cockle reprehended her and Elizabeth that his son, Thomas, kept a whore at the west end of the town ‘for white bread and collie plantes’.
Sybil Cockle, and Thomas Cockle, Warminster both 50; have lived there for 40 years: Elizabeth Needham*, Warminster, spinster, 22; has lived there for 2 years and more and before in Salisbury.
ff53v-54r. 12 Dec 1606. Julian Shelley v Florence Randie; defamation. Evidence of witnesses of Downton:
Mary Martin alias Anthony, 32, wife of Anthony Martin, fisher; has lived there for half a year; born in Dorchester, Dors: heard Florence call Julian ‘a minching whoare and a scout watching whoare, and that the Cuckold her husband lay under the shopboarde’.
Anne taunton, almost 30, wife of Thomas Taunton, husbandman; has lived there for two years; and before at Fovant; born in Tisbury.
ff54r-55v. 19 Nov 1606. Phylis Bond v Mr John Waldron; defamation. Evidence of witnesses of Sparsholt, Berks:
Anthony Voakins, husbandman, 30; has lived there for 3 years; before at Stanford; born at Charney, all Berks: John is believed to have said that Phillis played the whore on Ickleton way, and referred to the ?? title of a baggage.
William Wayne, Sparsholt, husbandman, 24; has lived there since Michaelmas; before at Westcott, Berks; born at Brinkworth: Bond was a servant in Waldron’s house; she was spinning at her wheel when one Odam called her a whore.
ff56-57r. [Simon] Wathen [rector of Chicklade] v Thomas Mathew; tithe. Evidence of:
John Forde*, Chicklade, husbandman, 56; has lived there for 3 years; before at Bathampton [Little Battington] in Steeple Langford: Mathew has fed dry cattle and oxen on his meadow land; Wathen has let his tithes, except the Easter book and ‘Inne Groundes’ to John Perry [Priry] of Hindon, then to Nicholas Bingham of Codford St Peter [Cirdford]
Robert Buttler, Hindon, 35; has lived there for 20 years.
ff57v-58r. 17 Dec 1606. Dore v Lake; testamentary; the administration of the estate of Sybil Lake. Evidence of:
Henry White, Newbury, Berks, husbandman, 32; has lived there for almost 3 years; before at Boxford, Berks; John overwritten with Henry in signature: Sybil died at Blewbury around Whitsuntide 1606.
ff58v-60r. 65r-66r. 14 Jan, 10 Feb 1607. Erwood and others v Cable; testamentary relating to a bequest to her granddaughter Christian, daughter of Joan Cable and Richard, now wife of Richard Skeanes, from the will of Alice Gelly, Little Cheverell, wid, made 1590 [P2/G/53]. Evidence of:
Hugh Gough, rector of All Cannings [and of Little Cheverell], 60; has been rector at All Cannings for 14 years; born in Broad Windsor, Dors: he and his wife Jane, witnessed the making of the will with his curate Thomas Dylling, who had pen, ink and paper, and wrote it.
Thomas Dilling*, curate of Over Compton, Dors, 39; has been there for 3 and a quarter years; before at Higher Chetnole in Yetminster, Dors for 5 years and before at Little Cheverell; born at Kilmington, Dev: The will ‘was written from the mouthe of the Testatrix by her owne direction’.
ff60r-63r, 67v-71r, 75. 28 Jan, 11 Mar 1607. Robert Blagnedean v Moses Jones; same v Margaret Jones; defamation. Evidence of witnesses all of Keevil:
William Deane*, yeo, 72; has lived there for 38 years; born at Christchurch, Hants: He was sitting at the door of his house with others when Jones reported ‘in a vaunting manner’ that he said to Blagnedean before Sir Jasper More at Heytesbury that Robert had two wives and a whore.
Richard Hancock, broad weaver, 40; has lived there for 20 years; born at Poulshot.
Lawrence Jones, broad weaver, 60; has lived there for 5 years; before at Wellow, Som; born at Castle Combe.
John Smithe, husbandman, 50; has lived there for 20 years; born at Hilmarton.
John Forde*, yeo, 40; has lived there from infancy except for 14 years: around last wheat harvest he was walking in the fields with his neighbours [to look upon their corn in Richard Forde’s deposition] and was in Cuplechurche field where Moses repeated the same fame: has known the parties for 20 years.
Richard Forde*, 40; has lived there for 10 years; was born there: evidence as John Ford.
John Franckome, 50; has lived there from infancy: evidence as John Ford.
William Raines, husbandman, 34; has lived there from infancy except for 4 years: On a Sunday before last Christmas he was going to evening service saw Margaret Jones, wife of Moses, ‘quarell, brawl & chide’ with Robert in Keevil churchyard, saying that he had two wives living.
William Blanchard, blacksmith, 36; has lived there for 14 years; born at Steeple Ashton: evidence as Raines.
Thomas Alway, broad weaver, 36: evidence as Raines.
ff63v-64v. 28 Jan 1607. Mr Gawen Sibson v Andrew Stanley; defamation. Evidence of witnesses both of Rushcombe, Berks:
Leonard Robinson, tailor, 50; has lived there for 5 years; before at Wargrave, Berks: Has known Mr Sibson for 5 years and believes him to be a lawfully ordered minister; between last Candlemas and Shrovetide Stanley came to his house for a pot of beer; he asked for a candle and when refused called Leonard’s daughter, Rebecca, Sibson’s whore and him a whore master.
Judith Robinson, 40, wife of Leonard Robinson; born at Wargrave: Rebecca refused Stanley a candle because it was late in the evening.
ff66r-67r, 73v-75r. 15 Feb, 21Mar 1607. Richard Lovibone v Agnes Grafton alias Mathewe; matrimonial. Evidence of:
John Goddin, Salisbury St Edmund, broad weaver, 60; has lived there for 40 years; born at London: He believes that the parties were free from any matrimonial contracts but has heard of controversy concerning marriage between Walter Burges and Agnes: Richard, perceiving Agnes to be ‘waveringe and unconstanst’ asked her for tokens, and she gave him money; she asked John and his wife, Mary, to give her good wishes and a cabbage to Richard when they visited his house in Britford: it is commonly believed that they were man and wife, marriage in church only excepted.
Mary Goddin, 53, wife of John Goddin, Salisbury st Edmund; born there: evidence as John Goddin.
ff71v-73v. 11Mar 1607. Vylett v Wiliam Diar; tithe. Evidence of witnesses of Swindon:
Richard Stichall, husbandman, 60; has lived there from infancy: has known North field [40 acres in Butler’s deposiiton] for 40 years and a piece of a half acre called Spreys Were furlong, near a hedge called Court Knap which belongs to William; at last harvest it was cut and 17 cocks or pokes of beans were made, of which tithe of one cock was made: each cock was worth 22d: he took away 7 cocks without leaving any tithe behind [towards night in Butler’s deposition].
John Butler, labourer; has lived there for 12 years; born at Le Vale of the White Horse, Berks.
ff76r-77r. Mary Moulton v Nicholas Alexander; defamation. Evidence of:
John Trolop, Maiden Bradley, ostler; has lived there for 3 years from next Michaelmas; before at ?Berkely, Som [Bakeley, Wilts] for 7 years; born at Horningsham: about All Hallows tide last he was at a threeweeken court in Maiden Bradley together with Henry Moulton, husband of Mary, and heard Nicholas say to Henry ‘ Goe thy wayes Moulton and putt on thy hatt and keep in thy hornes, for thy hornes are coming out allreadie’; the meaning of this is that the man’s wife is a ‘misleving woman incontinent of her bodie and of a lewde disposicion’: the deponent is a servant of Nicholas Moulton, brother of Henry: at the last harvest there was some contention between Nicholas Moulton and Alexander about a cart that was in the way; John came to his master’s aid and threw Alexander down onto the ground.
ff77v-82v. 2 Jun 1607. Mr Reynold Browne, clerk v John Pingall alias Pinnigar elder; defamation. Evidence of:
Richard Walter, Tockenham, sawyer, 54; has lived there for 4 years; before at Tockenham Wick for 18 years; born there; has known Browne for 12 years and Pinnigar for 20: about 3 years ago he met with John Pinnigar younger decd, brother of the defendant, at West Tockenham, when he spoke about Browne, saying that he did occupy Alice Jacob in his barn; Pinnigar repeated these words to Browne.
Thomas Walter, Lyneham, husbandman, 48; has lived there for 2 years; before at Tockenham Wick from the cradle; has known Browne for 12 years and Pinnigar for 30: believes Browne is a minister lawfully ordered: John Pinnigar elder, repeated the fame and his brother John younger, decd, pressed into to hear, but Richard denied him not to hearken the bad words. John younger then repeated them before Mr Browne, saying that he had heard from his brother.
Thomas Newton, Tockenham Wick, husbandman, 30; has lived there from the cradle; has known Browne for 12 years and Pinnigar for 20: about a week before last Ladyday he was at the shop of William Coles, blacksmith in West Tockenham when Brown and Pinnigar younger met and spoke; Pinnigar said he had done Mr Browne wrong and would ask forgiveness: the day before John drowned himself he saw him coming from Mr Browne’s house and said that there was no agreement; he said that his brother John elder had told him the fame which he had repeated.
Richard Coles, West Tockenham, blacksmith, 50; has lived there for 17 years; born at Long Compton, Wilts; has known Browne for 12 years and Pinnigar for 20.
Jane Coles, 40, wife of William Coles; has lived there for 12 years; born at Dymock, Gloucs; has known Browne for 12 years and Pinnigar for 18: John Pinnigar elder said that his brother ‘might have deemed the words that he had spoken of Mr Browne and layed it upon Richard Walter’s neck, but it is no matter little jack shall take no more harm, for I will take upon me to be the author thereof’.
William Pinnigar, Wootton Bassett, carpenter, 40; has lived there for 2 years; before at West Tockenham where he was born; has known Browne for 8-10 years; Pinnigar for 30: is brother of John Pinnigar elder.
William Marshman, Steeple Langford, 45 Julian Pinnigar, 50, wife of William Pinnigar, Wooton Bassett; has lived there for 2 years; beef at West Tockenham for 12 years; born at Calne; has known Browne for 13 years and Pinnigar for 14.
.
ff83r-84r, 86.. nd, William Androwes v William Compton; defamation. Evidence of witnesses both of Bulford:
William Russall, blacksmith, 54; has lived there for 7 years; before at Milston for the whole time; born at Longstock, Hants: around last Shrove tide he was working at his forge min his shop, when Compton entered and said that Androwes had a bastard; he ‘useth to shooe’ Androwes’ horses.
Toby Woodland, blacksmith, 17; has lived there from birth except for two years; has known Compton for 4 years and Androwes for 2: was working with his master William Russall: Compton entered the shop and picked up a staff and began playing with it; when he learned that it belonged to Androwes, he said that he was a knave and had a bastard. A month later a maid servant of William More said that Androwes had a bastard at his godfather’s at Winterbourne.
ff84v-86r, 87r-89r, 26, 30 Jun 1607; defamation. Francis Rainger v Andrew Kent alias Longe & Edith Kent. Evidence of witnesses of Hindon:
Silvester Elingdon, butcher, 54; has lived there for 50 years; born there: about two weeks before last Christmas Andrew Kent, a butcher, had a calf to be knocked in the head; the wife of Francis Rainger offered to do this, but Edith Kent said that she should not kill her son’s calf and that the wife did Robert Buttler of Hindon, was Francis Rangers whore; Elizabeth Ames, widow, a lewd woman heard this: Edith had said this also before last Michaelmas in the house of John Elderon alias Ellingdon in Hindon; Maud Trowbridge was also present. Silvester has married Francis’ mother.
Maud Trowbridge, 40, wife of Edward Trowbridge, husbandman; has lived there from the cradle; has known both parties from infancy: there was ‘some unkindenes conceived’ between the parties.
Elizabeth Browne, 26, wife of Christopher Browne, husbandman; has lived there for 8 years; born at Coxley, Som; has known both parties for 8 years: at the beginning of last April, she was sitting at a neighbour’s door, she saw Edith and Francis in the street; Edith said that Francis had called her a whore and said that Robert Buttler’s wife was his whore.
Henry Freestone, spinner, 40; has lived there for 20 years; born in Kingston Deverill; has known both parties for 20 years: evidence as Elizabeth Browne.
Meliar Freestone, 30, wife of Henry Freestone; has lived there from the cradle: has known both parties for 20 years.
ff89v-90v. 26 Jul 1607. Attnoake v Stockey; defamation. Evidence of witnesses of Bower Chalke [Burgh Chalke]:
Peter Hardiman, husbandman, 34; has lived there from the cradle; has known both parties for 12 years: in Lent at barley sowing, Emma Stockey was in his house and said that William Hardiman, a thresher had came to the house of Roland Morris to thresh and told her that he saw Robert Attnoake in bed with the maid [Jane Savadge in Line’s deposition] and the old woman of the house, Anne Line, Joan Hardiman and Margery Hardiman [Peter’s wife and mother respectively in Line’s deposition] heard this also.
Anne Line, spinster, 18; has lived there since Michaelmas before at Damerham where she was born: believes that Attnoake is wrongfully charged. See also D1/42/25.
ff91r-92v. 17 Oct1607. Sybil Hurst v Henry Roberts; defamation. Evidence of:
Judith Riche, 27, wife of Richard Riche, Salisbury, joiner; has lived there for 6 years; born at Alderbury; has known Hurst for 7 years and Roberts for 6: on Midsummer day she was in her house in Catherine street in Salisbury St Thomas and heard the parties, who were her neighbours and lived under one roof, at variance and chiding: Henry called Sybil an ‘old wresell faced whore and a bastard bearing whore’ and said that his wife never played the whore ‘att the Lambe for a hog of twenty shillings as thou didst’; she believes that Sybil is another man’s wife and therefore under ‘covert baron [barne].
ff92v-94v, 105r-107r-108r, 111r-112r. 17 Oct, 18, 21 Nov, 2 Dec 1607. Margaret Waterman v Robert Nicholas and Alice Jeay, dau of William Jeay and counter case; matrimonial. Evidence of witnesses all of Compton Chamberlayne unless otherwise stated:
John NIcholas*, gent, 60; has lived there from the cradle: Nicholas Lawes came to his house to ask if his son Robert has fathered of a child on Margaret Waterman, long before he married Alice Jeay; Robert said that she was his wife and he intended to marry her: Robert said the if he did and did forsake Alice he would go before an Assize judge and ‘disherit’ him: later Robert willingly married Alice.
Margaret Nicholas, 50, wife of John Nicholas; has lived there for 23 years; born at Tarrant Hinton, Dors.
Nicholas Lawes, 40; has lived there for 18 years; born at Winterbourne Stoke: Robert asked his father what he should do and he replied ‘Why man, thou art not the First that have begotten a wench with Childe & not married with her … why man can not a man fall into a turd but must bynd him to his nose as longe as he liveth’: realising that he had been called to dissuade Robert from marrying Margaret, Nicholas departed, not willing to meddle in the matter.
Counter case: John Combe*, Can, in the parish of St Rumbold on the borough of Shaftesbury, Dors, 30; has lived there from infancy: he believes that when the parties were contracted together they were both free of any matrimonial contract: he was present at their marriage in the church of St Peter’s Shaftesbury by Thomas Cooper, parson, on the Monday before Candlemas last past, according to the words set down in the book of common prayer he was present when Robert and Alice; Francis Jeay, Thomas Nicholas, Phylis Nicholas & William Stile of Shaftesbury & Robert Dowding and others were present: John was present when Robert & Alice ‘had take & conferens ‘ about their portions, and also when the writings of both parties were sealed, and William Jeay, Alice’s father, sealed a bond and Robert’s father, set his hand to a writing about his son’s portion: if there was a contract between Robert & Margaret Waterman it was without the consent of friends and Robert was not of the age of 21: after marriage the couple odd consumate the same by mutual cohabitation and he believes that they had carnal knowledge of each other.
Francis Jeay*, husbandman, 26; has lived there from the cradle: he believed that when Robert & Alice first had treat & communication of marriage they were free of other contracts; he was aware that there was a speech in Compton that Robert did bear some goodwill to Margaret Waterman.
John Pritchatt [Pritcharte]*, 18 or 19, domestic servant of Richard Riche, Salisbury; has lived there from the cradle; born in Salisbury St Martin; has known Hurst for 4 years and Roberts for 10. Robert Dowding, Shaftesbury, husbandman, 50; has lived there for 7 years; born at Keinton, Dors.
His father never used ‘ any violent Correction’ to cause him to marry Alice, other than ‘by threatening words & menaces’ and that he married Alice through the ‘menacing & threatening speeches of his parents and friends: after marriage with Alice he did voluntarily and of his own goodwill & without any compulsion did come and go unto his wife and had carnal copulation with her and believes that she is begotten with child: John and Mary Nicholas are his parents.
John Glide*, Shaftesbury, tailor, 38; has lived there for 10 years; born at Barford St Martin. See also D1/43/25.
ff95r.20 Oct 1607. Elizabeth Witnam v Henry Norton; matrimonial. Response of Henry Norton*, Minety: he is free of matrimonial contracts; Elizabeth has given out and reported the he is her husband.
ff95v-97r. Mary Head v Katherine Newnton; defamation. Evidence of witnesses of Dauntsey:
Lucy Helliar, spinster, 20; has lived there for 6 years; before at Avon; was born at Foxham; has known Head for one year and Newnton for 12: last candlemas she was dwelling with Margaret Lea [Leay], widow: Katherine came to the house and met Lucy to enquire about some geese that she had lost, said that she must go to meet Mary Head, Goodman [Thomas] Palmer’s maid; Lucy said that Mary was a lusty maid; no said Katherine merrily jesting she is a ‘Grase widowe’: she does not know what the words mean, whether they are words of slander, but does not believe that they were spoken with intent to slander.
Nicholas Woodman, husbandman, 30; has lived there for 8 years; born at Semmington; has known Head for half a year and Newnton for 8: about last Holyrood day he heard Katherine describe as a ‘Grase widowe’: does not know what the words mean, whether they are words of slander, but does not believe that they were spoken with intent to slander.
ff97. 21 Oct 1607. Hughes v Webb. Responses of Margaret Webbe to allegations of Ferdinand Hughes; concerning the settlement of costs in an unspecified case; Mr Richard Margaret’s son in law mentioned.
ff98r-99r. 3 Nov 1607. John Yallowes v Richard Angod & Stephen Angod; defamation. Evidence of:
Henry Pritchard, Flameston in Bishopstone (South Witls), husbandman, 48; has lived there for 40 years and more; born there: about 2 weeks before last Michaelmas he had gone to cary soil and dung from the backside of Thomas Angod, the defendant’s father at Knighton in Broad Chalke; Richard helped him fill a dung pot and said that John committed adultery with Richard’s mother in law in his father’s house: Stephen repeated this a few days later:
William Thomas, Knighton, 60; has lived there for 30 years; born at Bristol; at last Corn harvest as he lay in bed late at night he heard a noise in the house of Thomas Angod; at length ‘geving more deligent eare to heare what the matter was’ he heard Stephen call his mother in a law a whore, naming John Yallowes.
ff99v-100v. Barneston v Cheyney; tithe. Responses of John Cheyney*, Everleigh, to articles of libel of Mr John Barneston, rector of Everleigh: at Shear time 1606 he had 200 of of all sorts sheep feeding and depasturing on his grounds, fields, commons and pastures, tithable places in the parish; a firth of them he had bought at Michaelmas; at the beginning of May, before shear time in 1606 he sold 40 of the 200; each fleece was worth, one with another, 14d; 10 of his sheep lost their fleeces before shear time: he took the wool for his own use leaving thew the tithe for Mr Barneston: 7 score of the sheep were ewes, and he had ‘gendrid, damid & bred’ 110n lambs, each lamb worth 2s; and he paid the tithe on them: he sowed barley on 27 acres of land 17 of these he let and received the third part of barley grown and cut; each acre was worth 17s; the barley was justly tithed for Mr Barneston without fraud or guile.
f100v-101r . 6 Nov 1607. Ursula Pashion wife v William Pashion, husband; matrimonial. Responses of William Pashion, Salisbury: about 13,14 or 15 years ago, after treaty and communication by them, he married Margaret Sanders alias Davies in Hungerford church: about 6 or 7 months later he understood that Margaret had been married before to Jeffery Davies, who was then still living: William left her and being ‘conventid’ before an ecclesiastical judge for a rash pretended marriage he received an order of penance, issued by Dr Martin, official of the archdeacon of Berks: he has since married Ursula his now wife.
ff101v-103r Joan Luxwell wife of Henry Luxwell v Richards Milles; defamation. Evidence of witnesses all of Sratford Tony [Stony Stratford]:
Silvester Brasier, Stratford Tony, tailor, 60; has lived there for 40 years; born at Bishopstone (South Wilts); has known both parties for 15 years: about the end of the barley harvest, two weeks before Michaelmas last [about the time the king and queen left Salisbury in Alice Mills deposition], he saw the parties at variance in the village street: Richard called Joan an ‘overidden whoare’
Alice Mills, wife of William Mills, 72; has lived there for 9 years; born in Baverstock; has known both parties for 9 years: she was in her chamber and heard the noise in the street: she was distant from the parties by there distance of the ‘breadthe where three Cartes might passe, littel more’
Christabell Parsons, spinster, 20; has lived there from the cradle; has known both parties for 12 years. All witnesses believe Joan to be an honest woman.
ff103v-104r, f114v-115r. 16 Nov 1607. Pinche v William Kinge; tithe. Responses of William Kinge, Milton, to the articles of a libel of Mr George Pinche, vicar of Milton: every parishioner pays 2d to the vicar at Easter: saving from last May until two weeks ago he has lived with his wife and two of his children in Milton, saving last Easter when he had one child only living with him: in March 1606 he had 5 milk kine, four if which calved and one was a through milk cow: at Holyrood tide he bought 5 kine, four of which had calves, three of which he sold and one he killed: the ten kine fed in Milton until Michaelmas when he sold seven of them, and one more at St Andrew’s tide: he kept the two kine until St Mark’s tide: he converted the cow white for his own use and offered the tithe to Mr Pinche: the tithe custom is id at Lammas for every cow, and for every calf killed in Milton, the left shoulder or 4d, for every calf sold the tenth penny, for every calf weaned and bred 1/2d: the three calves sold were one with an other 6s; the left shoulder of the calf killed was worth 4d. In 1606 he fed his kine and called own his ground called Coweleaze; in 1607 he leased this ground to Mr Shaw who had the hay grown win it at hay harvest. In the same period he had apples off his trees worth 10s; he had 3 pair if pigeons , worth 2d a pair he had 40 eggs from his hens and ducks worth five a penny: he had offered to pay Mr Pinche his just tithe which he might had had if he had accepted the rest.
Evidence of: John Hall*, Blackmore forest, yeo, 44; has lived there for a quarter of a year; before at Clinch in Milton; has known Pinche for 30 and Kings for 12: about last Easter William wrote a note of tithes he owed Mr Pinche for 1606: tithe eggs 2d; for two shoulders of two calves killed by William for his own use 8d; the penny for two calves sold 16d; cow white 10 milk cows10d; tithe apples gathered from his apple trees12d; Easter offerings for himself and his wife for 12 months 4d; for himself, his wife and one of his daughters at Easter last 6d; total 5s; which he offered, but Mr Pinche did not accept: Milton people offer Lammas tithes at Lammas and their offerings at Easter, and William had not satisfied him at all: William has two sons William and Geoffrey but does not know how long they have lives with him. Corner of pages missing. See D1/42/25
ff104v-105r. 17 Nov 1607. Christian Hooper alias Carpenter v William Holloway; matrimonial. Responses of William Holloway, Wilsford, to the articles of the libel of Christian Hooper alias Carpenter: about twelve months ago when he had treaty and communication of marriage between the parties he was free of matrimonial contracts: when they had treaty and communication of marriage Christian urged him to make an end, and his request one Carpenter, Christian’s father to come with them to Sir William Button’s house in Alton [Barnes]; William was unwilling as he was a young man, and had not as yet sufficient maintenance to maintain her, and would be ruled by his friends concerning her portion: Christian’s father promised to give him £20 for her diet for 12 months if he married her, which he agreed ready to do the condition being performed: he denies that there was any other contract: he once gave Christian a pair of gloves, but not in respect of marriage between them: thinking her father would reform his promise he caused the banns of matrimony to be published in the church of Alton.
ff108v-109r. Master Richard Pughe, clerk v Sir James Marvin. Evidence of:
Humphrey Gwynn*, domestic chaplain of the Henry bishop of Salisbury 45: he was present when Richard was instituted and collated into the rectory of Compton Bassett by Henry, bishop of Salisbury, who had his seal affixed to the letters of collation and subscription, which Humphrey os familiar with: Richard then received letters of induction from Mr Lillie, archdeacon of North Wilts; on Sunday 23 Nov 1606 he came with Richard to Compton Bassett church before morning prayers; they asked the parishioners to come out of the church: Humphrey declared the tenor of the mandate of induction and delivered the ring (circular knocker) of the door to Richard and delivered actual and real possession of the church, rectory and tithes: Richard entered the church and locked the door; he went into the belfry and tolled the great bell three times: he opened the door of the church and bid him ‘good joye’ and invited those present to come to the communion table where Humphrey subscribed the date at the foot of the mandate of induction.
ff109v-110r. 1 Dec 1607. [Hatt v Tayler]; matrimonial. Personal responses of Laurence Taylor, Shawbridge in Speen, Berks to articles of libel of Magdalene Hatt: about a year and a half ago he had treaty and communication of marriage with Magdalene, at which time they were both free of any other matrimonial contract: they were both in house with Edmund Hawkes and others; Edmund asked him if had an intent to marry her; he replied yes and would obtain a licence from Dr Wilkinson who was at Newbury: Magdalene said ‘not so much haste as I will ask my friends goodwill and will not be married unless we be asked in church: she had a ring from Laurence and he gave Magdalene’s sister a piece of linen for her to deliver to her.
f110. 1 Dec 1607. [Haye v Milles]; matrimonial. Responses of Richard Milles, Marlborough to articles of libel of Agnes Haye: Agnes asked him to ask the goodwill of her master, one Barber, a diet in Marlborough: when banns were published Laurence told Agnes that he had wronged her: his mother had given her an old silver ring and Agnes sent her a piece of sixpence.
f112r. 2 Dec 1607. Anne Rainger v Christopher Blackman. Evidence of John Williams*, 41, rector of Fisherton Anger, where he has been for 2 years and more: he and his wife Joan heard Blackman call ranger ‘an arrand whore’.
ff113r-114r. 7 Dec 1607. Ursula Passion alias Morgan wife v William Passion husband. Evidence of witnesses of Salisbury
Richard Hewett*, 21, domestic servant of Simon Neale; Has lived there for 2 years; born at Orcheston St Mary: about 4 years ago he was servant to the parties and there many quarrellings brawlings & fallings out between them: the uncivil speeches by William led her many times not to ‘accompany with him att bedd & borde as became man & wife to doe’: Avis Greene became their servant dwelling with them; Ursula reprehended her many times for faults committed in her service and household work, William ‘with his foote offered to ping [prick] & kicke‘ Ursula: she has left his house and moved to another house in Salisbury.
Joan Barnes, 54, wifey of John Barnes, blacksmith; has lived there for 7 years; born at Fordingbridge, Hants: about n8-9 years ago she was living with the parties as a servant in Fordingbridge: there were many quarrellings, brawling & chiding between the couple: he did ‘many tymes evil intreate & beate’ her: one time she gave poor folk at her door whey or some such alms: part of the page torn she was much discounted & disquieted in so much that she had gotten an ‘Inckle stringe’ [linen thread] with which she had then hanged herself had Joan not persuaded her to the contrary.
Top corners of remaining pages missing
ff115v-116v. 16 Dec 1607, 26 Jan 1608. Responses of Thomas Chokke Inglewood or Knights farm Kintbury, Berks to the articles of the libel of Mr Charles Gunter, Kintbury; tithes: the grounds he holds lying in Delves was newly converted too pasture; at hay harvest he cut withered hay or Bennett [old grass stalks] amounting to half a cart load: grew 32 pints of hemp, seed worth 1/4 d a pint; 3 pounds of hoops, worth 10d; he planted 1 yard with beans; but did not sell any green beans at market …: he cut his beans and made 40 ‘pookes or pitches’, worth 11/2d a pook: long close, containing one acre and somewhat more, was sown with wheat in 1606, and one acre of it in barley, and one yard in oats in 1607, and made 15 cocks of barley, each worth 3s, and five cocks of its, each worth 16d; for all these crops he divided the tenth part from the other nine ‘with as much indifference as ought be’ and left the tenth ‘where they fell out to be done’: being certified by the ancient and oldest men within the parish that the lesser tithes belonged to the vicar, those of hemp and hops he paid to Mr William Carter, vicar: Charles Gunter demanded tithe of hemp and beans.
In 1606 he had a 16th part of a wain or cart of summer hemp without seed and 16 pints of hemp with seed, worth together 6s 8d.
ff117. 9 Jan 1608. Brickett v Brickett; testamentary. Responses of Joan Brickett to articles of Anthony Brickett … [William Brickett] executors of the will of Roger Brickett, Joan’s husband, concerning some implements of household stuff; a brass pot worth 5s, 2 platters & a basin. [see TNA PROB/11/110/263, 112/113, Roger Brickett, Wimborne Minster, Dors, draper].
ff117v-120v. 28 Jan 1607. Anthony Rogers v Agnes Whoode. Evidence of witnesses all of Trowle in Bradford on Avon:
Thomas Barton*, 56; has lived there from infancy: on the king’s holiday last, 5 Nov, he heard Agnes railing against Anthony, calling him ‘a bawdie knave a bawdie rogue … an unhonest man’ in Trowle Common.
William Gearishe; has lived there for 10 years; born in Melksham: evidence as Barton’s.
Valentine Steevens, husbandman, 44; has lived there from the cradle: about 6 weeks before Christmas Agnes came into his house and spoke maliciously about Anthony; Flower Shepeard, who is his servant, was also present.
Flower Shepeard, spinster; has lived there for 2 years; before at Studley for 4 years; born at Glastonbury, Som.
Top corners of pages missing:
ff120r-121v. 12 Jan 1608. [Mathew Compton v Alice Androes]; defamation. ]William Marshman, Steeple Langford, 45:
John Marshman, Lockerley in Mottisfont, Hants, husbandman, 28; has lived there for 3 years; born in Bulford: on Easter Monday last past he was at the sign of the Lamb in Bulford in the low parlour with he parties: Alice in a very angry and malicious manor said that Mathew had two wives living, one at William Rattwye’s at Batting [William Rudweye’s at Battington [Bathampton in Steeple Langford] in William’s deposition] & the other at Bulford: William Marshman and Thomas Coles alias Wilkins were also present.
|