| Description | The volume has been repaired. *indicates deponents who signed their names; other authentications are by initials or a mark. Folios 9r, 70r, 104r-106r, 125v are blank.
ff2-3, 26r-27v, 26r-27r. 15 Jul 1615. William Weekes v Edmund Sweetapple; tithe corn, Martin. Evidence of witnesses of Martin:
Alice Vincent, 28, widow; has lived there for 20 years; was born at Wimborne, Dors; has known the litigants for 20 years.
Henry Fulford, husbandman, 35; has lived there for 20 years; was born at Damerham; has known the litigants for 20 years.
George Weekes*, yeoman, 18; has lived from birth; has known the litigants from childhood.
f4.15 Jul 1615. Weekes v Compton [Coumpton]; tithe corn, Martin. Evidence of:
Henry Fulford, husbandman, 35; has lived there for 20 years; was born at Damerham; has known the litigants for 20 years. See D1/42/29.
ff5-6, 53r-. 20 Jun, 17 Jul 1615. Giles] Mompesson [Mumpesson] v [Richard] Smithe; tithe wool & lamb, Codford St Mary. Evidence of:
William Tuckie, Codford St Mary, husbandman, 65; has lived there for 17 years; before at Deptford in Wylye for 9 years; was born at Chitterne.
Phillip Ingram, Codford St Mary, husbandman, 70; has lived from birth; has known Mompesson from childhood and Smithe for 40 years.
William Tycheborne*, Salisbury, gent, 33; has lived there from birth. He was appointed by Mr Thomas Sadler, registrar of the Bishop, to dispatch a commission to summit witnesses. See below.
ff6v-8v. 19 Jul 1615. Gunter v Parrock; a debt of 20s and an acquittance. Evidence of:
Robert Hopton*, Kintbury, Berks, 60; has lived there for 40 years; has known the litigants for 20 years.
John Hopton*, Kintbury, Berks, 26; was born there; has known the litigants for 12 years. See D1/42/29.
ff9v-10r. 18 Jul 1615. William Harford v Raphe Streete; defamation. Evidence of witnesses of Barford St Martin:
Walter Coward, husbandman, 23; has lived there for 2 years; was born at Charlton in Downton.
Thomas Lillie, husbandman, 20; has lived there from birth.
ff10v-11v, 19 Jul 1615. Alice Franckling v Agnes Jeffereys; defamation. Evidence of witnesses of Leekshedge in Bremhill:
Robert Davis*, broad weaver, 26; has lived there since Ladyday; before at Bremhill where he was born. Evidence as Jane Davis.
Jane Davis*, wife of Robert Davis, 23; has lived there for 12 years; was born at Calne.
ff12r-13v 19 Jul 1615. John Poncherdon v Margaret Coleman; testamentary; estates of Richard Tanner decd, Stanton St Quintin and Ann Peirs, concerning a bequest to Ann Peirs decd, Richard’s base born child. Richard was Margaret’s husband. Evidence of:
John Moore*, vicar of Hullavington, 54; has served there for 16 years; was born at Hatherop, Yks; has known Poncherdon for 4 years, and Coleman for 10.
Jasper Beale, Sutton Benger, husbandman, 50; has lived there from birth; has known the litigants for 12 years. See D1/42/29.
ff13v-14v, 20, 23v-26r. 16 May, 27 Aug 1615. Edmond Gwin [vicar] v Mr Hippisley; tithe pig, Market Lavington. Evidence of witnesses:
William Sainsbury*, Market Lavington, gent, 38; has lived there from birth; has known the litigants for 8 years. He is farmer of the greater part of the tithes of the rectory of M Lavington and part of the glebe land.
John Meriweather, Great Cheverell, yeoman, 60; has lived there from birth; has known Gwin for 15 years and Hippisley for 10.
John Cheeseman*, Devizes, gent, 45; has lived there for a year and a half; before at Ston Easton, Som; was born at Horrington, Som; has known the plaintiff for 20 years and the defendant for ?5. Ref to the shop and inn of Humphrey White, vintner & innkeeper in Market Lavington .
Francis Longe, West Lavington, weaver, 26; has lived there for 20 years; was born at Froyle, Hants; has known the litigants for 6 years.
Anthony Heskins, Fiddington in West Lavington, husbandman, 30; has lived there for a year; before at at Market Lavington where he was born and raised; has known the plaintiff for 6 years and the defendant for 4. John Meriweather is farmer of half of the tithes of the rectory of Market Lavington. John Bitchell has been parish clerk of Market Lavington for 6 years. See D1/42/29.
ff15r-19r, 63v-71r, 79v-85v. 8 Sep, 11 Nov 10 Dec 1615. Dorothy Collier v John Hayter jun through their guardians [Mr Widnell for Dorothy]; matrimonial. Ref to the school of William Lockyer in Steeple Langford. He was succeeded Mr Medlam [He was probably Purefeinus Medlam, instituted who vicar of Stapleford in 1622].
Evidence of witnesses of Wylye unless otherwise stated:
William Potticary, yeoman, 60; has lived there from birth; has known the litigants for 4 years. Ref to John Potticarie’s alehouse in Wylye.
Humphrey Furnell, husbandman, 70; has lived there for 50 years; was born at Chitterne All Saints; has known the litigants for 7 years.
Thomas Warminster alias Starre*, tailor, 40; has lived there for 20 years; was born at Shrewton.
William Warminster alias Starre, tailor, 33; has lived there for 20 years; was born at Shrewton. Ref to the alehouse of one Okeford in Steeple Langford.
John Warminster alias Starre, husbandman, 27; has lived there for 22 years; was born at Shrewton.
John Briant, Little Langford, forester, 60; has lived there for 20 years; was born at Hanley, Dors; has known John Hayter jun from his childhood and Dorothy Hayter for 8 years. John Berryman, Semley, husbandman; has lived there since Michaelmas; before at Little Langford for a year; was born at Bapton in Fisherton Delamere; has known the litigants for a year.
Thomas Hewlett*, Fovant, gent, 32; has lived there for 6 years; was born at Asserton in Berwick St James; has known John Hayter jun for 12 years and Dorothy Hayter (sic) for 4 years.
John Fricker*, Baverstock, tailor, 46; has lived there for 26 years; was born at Sutton Veny; has known John Hayter jun for 15 years and Dorothy Collier for 4 years.
John Maye, Steeple Langford, husbandman, 60; has lived there from birth; has known the litigants for 8 years.
Olive Everleigh, 29, wife of Guy Eveleigh, Steeple Langford; has lived there for 21 years; has known the litigants for 7 years.
Guy Everleigh, Steeple Langford, husband, an, 32; has lived there for 7 years; was born at Bapton in Fisherton Delamere; has known the litigants for 7 years.
ff21r-23r. 26 Sep 1615. [William] Crippse v [John] Bowyer; tithe corn, Chiseldon. Evidence of witnesses:
Robert North*, Chiseldon, yeoman, 60; has lived there from birth; has known Bowyer for 2 years and the Crippse for 40.
Richard Hatt, husbandman, Badbury in Chiseldon, 60; has known Bowyer for 1 year and the Crippse for 40.
Henry Stephens*, Hodson in Chiseldon, 40; has lived there for 16 years; was born at Swindon; has known the plaintiff for 2 years and the defendant for 20.
Ludowick Bowyer*, Marlborough, cloth worker, 31; has lived there for 7 years; before at Chiseldon for 2 years; has known Bowyer, his father from infancy and Crippse for 2 years. See D1/42/30.
ff27v-28v. Eleanor Thomas alias Pavie v Ravens; Responses of Eleanor, wife of William Thomas, Whiteparish to articles of John Ravens [vicar of Stapleford]; re the estate of her mother Christian Pavie decd [see P2/P/130]. On the death of her mother Eleanor, aged 7, dwelt with Mr Ravens for 8-9 years as his servant.
ff29r-34r, 41r-42r. 10, 23 Oct 1615. [Edward Keyton & Christopher Neweman], churchwardens of Ludgershall v John Noyes; church rates. Evidence of witnesses of Ludgershall:
Simon Drake, husbandman, 39; has lived there for 10 years’ was born at Snoddington, Hants; has known the litigants for 10 years. The church was very much decayed in roof timber, lathes, lead, battlements, glass windows , bells and suchlike, he judged to cost £30 at least.
Thomas Baker, husbandman, 40; has lived there for 20 years; was barn at Kimpton, Hants.
John Penton, carpenter, 70; has lived there from birth; has known the litigants for 10 years.
Richard Collins, butcher, 36’ has lived there from birth; has known the litigants for 20 years.
ff34v-35r. 10 Oct 1615. Grace Hill v Alice Hobbs; defamation. Evidence of:
Elizabeth Wadland, 54, wife of Richard Wadland, Wylye; has lived there for 18 years; was born at Marston, Som.
Alice Crutchill, 60, wife of John Crutchill, Wylye; has lived there from birth.
ff35v-36v, 39v-40r. 10, 11 Oct 1615. Alice Franckling v Julian Syms; defamation. Evidence of witnesses of Bremhill:
Ann Baynton, widow, 60; has lived there for 40 years; was born at Marlborough; has known the litigants for 30 years.
Edith Jeffereys, 60, wife of William Jeffereys, Hazeland; has lived there for 40 years; has known the litigants for 20 years.
Robert Davis*, Leekshedge, broad weaver, 30; has lived there from the Feast of the Purifcation of the BV Mary; born at Bremhill.
Jane Davis*, 23, wife of Robert Davis; has lived there for 12 years; was born at Calne; has known the litigants for 12 years.
ff37r-39r. 11 Oct 1615. Jane Salter v Thomas Cheevers alias Cheverell; matrimonial. Evidence of:
John Salter*, West Horrington in Wells, Som, 38; has lived there for 15 years; before at Hinton Blewett, Som; was born at Marston in Potterne.
Richard Barnes, Marston, husbandman, 25; has lived there for 7 years; was born at Lyneham.
William Boulter*, Marston, tailor, 30; has lived there for 5 years; was born at Little Cheverell.
ff42v-44r. 11 Oct 1615. Ann Jeffereys v Alice Franckling; defamation. Evidence of witness of Bremhill.
Robert Davis*, broad weaver, 30; has lived there from birth; has known Alice for 18 years and Ann for 10.
Jane Davis*, wife of Robert Davis, 23; has lived there for 12 years; was born at Calne; has known the litigants for 10 years.
ff44r-53r. 14 Oct 1615. Mrs Joan Penruddock v William Jeaye; defamation. Evidence of witnesses of Compton Chamberlayne unless otherwise stated.
Stephen Bowman*, gent, 33; has lived there and in Salisbury for 16 years; was born at Kirkswald, Cum. He is married to the sister of Mrs Joan, viz the daughter of lady Penruddock and sister of John Penruddock. [Steven Bowman married Elizabeth Carrante [Carent] on 18 Jun 1609 Salisbury St Edmond].
John Seymer*, 25; has lived there for a year; before at Berkely, Som; was born at Hungerford; has known the litigants for a year. He is a household servant of Mr John Penruddock.
Augustine Hickes, husbandman, 36; has lived there for 16 years; was born at Tolpuddle, Dors; has known the litigants for 16 years.
Richard Webb, husbandman, 17; has lived there for 2 years; was born at Winterslow; has known the litigants for 2 years. He is a household servant of Mr John Penruddock. He thinks Mrs Joan is aged about 19 years.
ff53r-54r. 23 Oct 1615. Office promoted by Mompesson [Mumpesson] v Smithe; case not stated. Evidence of:
William Tycheborne*, Salisbury, notary public, 33; has lived there from birth. He was deputed by Mr Thomas Sadler, registrar of the bishop, to dispatch the commission for the examination of witnesses for Mumpesson. Mr Thomas Shuter, proctor, was representing Smithe. See above
ff54r-55r. 25 Oct 1615. Mr. John Partridge v Richard Weare; tithe Latton. Evidence of:
Edward Weare, Latton, husbandman, 45; has lived there from birth; has known the litigants for 20 years.
ff56v-57r. 25 Oct 1615. Smithe v Heade. Responses of William Heade, Box, to articles of Abigail Smithe; matrimonial. About three years since she met him at a fair in Bath and he gave her a pair of gloves and she gave him a handkerchief. Just before last Michaelmas he married Bridget Berkeley.
ff57v-61v, 71v-73v, 86r-87r, 106v-107r, f120v-123r. 6, 11 Nov, 19 Dec 1615, 5 Feb, 6 Mar 1616. Office promoted by Mr Robert Bower v Roger Stowte & Richard Amer, churchwardens of Marden. Evidence of:
William Smegergill*, vicar choral, Salisbury cathedral, 57; has lived there for 27 years; was born at Ely, Camb. About Michaelmas last past 12 months, Bower was installed into the prebend of Major Pars Altaris. For 26 years he has received stall wages from the Prebend.
John Simons*, Old Sarum, gent, 58; has lived there from birth; does not know the litigants. Believes that time out of mind the Prebend has received pensions called Pentecostalls, or commonly, ‘smoake Farthinges’, payable from certain parishes in Dors, Wilts, Berks. About 24 years since he was clerk to Mr Giles Hutchins, registrar of the dean of Sarum and collected the pensions for the prebendary.
Nicholas Clunn*, vicar choral, Salisbury cathedral, 50; has lived there for 10 years; was born at Monkton, Kent.
Abell Rowse*, Salisbury Close, yeoman, 54; has lived there from birth; has known Bower for 2 years. He attended the installation of Mr Bower as prebendary, as one of the ‘squire Beedles’ on 21 Sep 1613. For about 12 to 16 years, on behalf of mr [Robert] Moody, Prebendary, who died 2 years since, he paid £5 to the Dean and Chapter or their Commoner and 40s total wages for the vicars choral. For about 5 to 6 years before Mr Moody died, Abell collected the Pentecostal oblations from parishes in South Wilts. Some years the churchwardens of Marden paid 3d pa, and other times he could gather nothing from them. H collected 2s 2d from the churchwardens of Imber
[ff106v-107r] He collected, with James Hungerford, Pentecostal oblations for Mr Moody decd and then for 2 years for Mr Bower from parishes in the archdeaconry of Dorset and parishes there under the jurisdiction of the dean of Sarum. Lists sums due to the prebend from Britford, Combe, [Bissett], Homington, West Harnham, Mere and Woodford. For 6 years before the death of Mr Moody, William Collett, servant to Dr Wilkinson, official of the dean of Sarum, collected oblations due to the dean from the archdeaconry of Berks.
James Hungerford, Fovant [Fovant Strowde], gent, 55; has lived here for 40 years; was born at Market [East] Lavington; does not know the litigants. Many times on behalf of Mr Robert Moody he paid the tenths from the prebend to the collectors for the king and paid stall wages to the vicars choral. About 32 years since he was appointed by Mr Moody to collect the Pentecostal oblations from every parish in the archdeaconry of Dorset. Refers to an ancient thin parchment book recording the oblations and his own book of collections which had a few differences due to his fault. About 20 years since mr Moody sent him to Mr Miles [Mr Hollowaye in Rowse’s evidence], registrar of the archdeacon of Berkshire, to collect the oblations for 2-3 years. Mr Miles was allowed 20s for his pains in collecting the money.He believes that they should be paid by the churchwardens of every parish. They are due at Whitsuntide and are collected at the visitation after Easter.
Thomas Sadler jun*, The Close, Salisbury, gent, 22; has lived there from birth. At the bishop’s visitation Jun 1614 he was appointed to collect the oblations and lists the amounts due from parishes [in the deanery of Potterne; see f86].
Thomas Guy, The Close, Salisbury, yeoman, 23; has lived there for 4 years; before at Collingbourne Kingston, where he was born. On 15 Nov 1615 he went with his master Thomas Sadler, the bishop’s registrar to the First Fruits Office in the Strand in London and met with Mr George Lemetayre, keeper of the records, and compared the schedule in the present case with the record, and struck out a ref to 13s tenths not in the record, to be struck out.
James Clark, Marden, husbandman, 76; has lived there from birth; has known the churchwardens from childhood and the Bower not at all. Over the last 50 years he has been chosen churchwarden 4-5 times, each time with Richard Smith, and each Michaelmas he paid pension, never more than 3d, called Smoke Farthings demanded by year officer of the visitation court, usually at Lavington. He also paid 3d for pentecostal oblations. He collected a farhting from each householder in Marden that kept fire and had smoke in his chimney. there were never more than 15-16 households beside other poor people. Lately for 3-4 years the pentecostals have not been been paid, but records in th church show that no more than 3d is due. Richard Amer is purse bearer and lays out what he spent as churchwarden. He has one and a half yardlands and there is a rate in the parish, agreed a t a meeting, of 12 per yardland towards prosecuting this suit.
ff61v-63r. 9 Nov 1615. The business of the probate of the will of Mr Guy Clinton decd, rector of Kingston Deverill between Guy Clinton his son v Mary Clinton his widow. Evidence of witnesses:
Hugh Flynt*, Kingston Deverill, clerk, 25; has lived there for half a year; was born at Kingweston, Som. He was curate for Guy Clinton and lived in his house in Kingston Deverill. On 22 May he was in the hall when Mr Guy, who was walking up and down the hall, weak because of a palsy, gave directions for the writing of his will. His son Guy Clinton, clerk, brought a sheet of parchment on which he had written his father’s will, which the testator made his mark, not being able to write his name due to his infirmity. Hugh signed as witness.
Mary Bayley, Brixton Deverill, maiden, 26; has lived there since Michaelmas; before at Kingston Deverill for 4 years; she was born at Upton Lovell. She was a household servant of Mr Guy Clinton. Evidence as Hugh Flynt. She subscribed her mark to the will.
ff73v-74v. Wilkes v Hooker; tithe Downton. Responses of Richard Hooker, Downton, miller to articles of William Wilkes DD, vicar. Since 3 weeks after the Feast of the Annunciation of BVM last past 3 years, for 8 years he he held a grist mill in Downton. Yearly he ground 100 bushels of wheat, 40 bushels of rye, 50 bushels of barley and 3 score bushels of malt and 7 bushels of oatmeal. He received I quart as toll, worth per bushel, 3s for wheat, 2s for barley, 2s 4d for rye, barley, malt and oatmeal. The mill has floodgates and he took eels, worth 6d a month, and no other fish. The nets and gins he used cost [‘standeth’] him 6s 8d a year. Sir Carew Rawleigh, of whom he holds the mill discharged him of any tithes.
ff75r-79r. 22 Nov 1615. George Barton v Richard Wastfeilde; defamation. Evidence of witnesses of Langley Burrell unless otherwise stated:
Hugh Wastfield, husbandman, 32; has lived there from birth; has known Barton for 2 years and Wastfeilde from childhood. At the beginning of last Spring at there beginning of May, Richard and his brother William had a falling out on the open street in Langley B. Richard said that Edward Wastfeilde should report that William’s wife Joan and George Barton sat together by the fire in William’s house, and made him ‘a silly Cuckolly wittal’ (ie wittol).
Walter Beale, Cocklebury in Chippenham, husbandman, 39; has lived there offer 8 years; was born at Langley Burrell; has known the litigants for 12 years. Evidence as Hugh W. He was near his house in Cocklebury. Richard said ‘silly wittolly Cuckolde’. Richard said that he came to William’s house and saw him and his wife sitting in the chimney corner, with George playing on his cittern. In the evidence of Goddin and Elye, Edward was William’s landlord and entered William’s house in Cocklebury and found a cittern in an inner chamber, which Joan said belonged to her husband, although he has no skill in playing it.
Richard Goddin, husbandman, 50; has lived there from birth; has known the litigants from their childhoods. Evidence as Hugh W. Around Holyrood time. Edward was the brothers of Richard and William W.
John Elye*, weaver, 21; has lived there from birth; has known the litigants for 10 years. About a month since he was in the house of Hugh Aland in Langley B. Richard repeated his words against George Barton.
ff87v-88v, 90v-91r. 7 Dec 1615, 16 Jan 1616. Barbara Berry v John Sims; defamation. Evidence of witnesses of Chippenham:
John Vennell, husbandman, 26; has lived there from birth; has known the litigants for 12 years. About a quarter of a years ago he was in the tap room of the Hart inn, Chippenham and heard John say to Barbara’s husband Richard, that she had the pox.
Henry Banckes*, husbandman, 40; has lived there from birth. As John Vennell. The litigants were playing cards in the Hart inn.
ff89r-90r, 128-129v. 7 Dec 1615, 10 Apr 1616. Margaret Briant v Emme Lavington; defamation. Evidence of witnesses of North Newton:
William Smithe, husbandman, 60; has lived there for 30 years; was born at Woodborough.
William Rawkins, husbandman, 18; has lived there from birth; has known the litigants for 10 years. The litigants, outside their houses on the main road in North Newnton, were arguing about some pigs and Emma pointed at Margaret and said ‘that thick whore’.
Thomas Rawkins, Hilcott, husbandman, 50; has lived there from birth; has known Margaret for 13 years and Emme for 8. Thomas Hawkins, North Newnton, husbandman, 25; has lived there from birth, except for 6 years; was born at Woodborough; has known the litigants for 10 years. on 12 Feb William Smith told him that was driving his cattle over the bridge in North Newnton and Margaret, who was in her barton at the river side, and told William that it was his cattle, not her pigs, as Emma claimed, that broke down the hedges. But William was standing 30 yards away and there was the highway, a mud wall and a hedge between them and is not sure that he could have heard her.
ff90v-96v. 8 Dec 1615. Abigail Smithe v William Hed; matrimonial. Evidence of witnesses of Box unless otherwise stated:
John Pynell, husbandman, 40; has lived there for 9 years; was born at Sevington in Leigh Delameree; has known the litigants for 7 years. The litigants have lived in Box for 7 years and It is commonly bereaved that they are man and wife. Abigail lived with John as his servant for 3 years, and was ‘sicklowe’ about a year for love of William. William was married Michaelmas last.
Nicholas Cox, tailor, 50; has lived there from birth; has known the litigants from their childhoods. About 2 years since John Head, William’s father, brought him a piece of cloth to make a pair of breeches for his son, but when he learned William was to marry Abigail, he said he would never have a penny from him. Ref. to Mr Fenton, curate of Box.
John Crook, Langley Burrell, husbandman, 40; has lived there for 38 years and was born there; has known the litigants for half a year.
John West, husbandman, 34; has lived there for 30 years; was born at Potterne; has known the litigants since their childhoods.
ff96v-100r. 17 Jan 1616. Richard Sherfield v Christopher Smith alias James, sen & jun; Sherfield v Pittman; tithe corn, North Tidworth. Evidence of:
Mr Richard Vaughan*, rector of North Tidworth; has lived served there of 18 years.
Sheffield is farmer of a portion of the great tithes issuing from Baylies farm, occupied by Sherfeild belonging to the Dean & Chapter of Winchester.
ff101v-103r, 107v-108r. — Jan, 5 Feb 1616. Mary Barber by guardians at law v Cockey; testamentary; will of John Barnes, inn holder [P4/1615/21]. Evidence of witnesses of Salisbury:
Alice Barnes, widow, 60; has lived there for 20 years; was born at Combe in Enford. She married John Barnes and he died about half a year after. Lists the goods that she brought to John on her marriage.
Edmund Millin*, fletcher, 60; has lived there from birth. About 3-4 weeks after the death of John Barnes, about 4 years since, Mr Joal Doughtie, parson of Fisherton Delamere came to his house concerning £8 owed him by Barnes. He was such a crafty fellow that he was afraid to sue him
Elizabeth Millen, 50, wife of Edmund Millen; has lived there for 30 years.
John Porch, brewer, 30; has lived there for 7 years; m was born Ebbesbourne Wake. He delivered to Barnes 11 barrels of beer, worth 4s a barrel and 4 cowls of ale, worth 2s 11d a cowl and is owed 55s 8d. Porch’s evidence repeated before Dr Jessop, chancellor [of the diocese], in the house of Mr Henry While in the Close, 20 Feb 1616. John Cobb and Thomas Guy.
ff103 — Jan 1616. Giles Mumpesson v John Thomson; tithe hay & corn, Fisherton Delamere. Evidence of:
William Iles, Fisherton Delamere, husbandman, 70; has lived there from birth; has known Mumpesson for 30 years and Thompson for 2. Has known that at hay and corn harvests in Fisherton, the parishioners usually give notice to the proprietary of the rectory & the vicar or farmer that their ties corn and hay is ready. At the last hay harvest Phillip Fisher of Fisherton at the request of Thompson … See D1/42/31.
f108v-,111r, 118r-119r, 121r, 131v-161r. 21 Feb, 9-16 Apr 1616. Catherine Nicholls of Tisbury v John Wilde of Semley; matrimonial. Evidence of witnesses of Semley unless otherwise stated:
Henry Momfort, Kitley in Bisley, Gloucs, broadweaver, 38; has lived there from birth; has known the plaintiff for 16 years and the defendant for 3. At Allhallowstide 1612 he was in Semely in the house of widow Blandford, the aunt of his wife and of Catherine. The litigants were in an inner chamber and Henry led the couple to contract a marriage. John is 24 and his uncle Ambrose Wild is living. His wife is the sister of Catherine.
Witnesses produced for the defendant, 9-16 Apr: for these depositions which were based on a perceived disparity in wealth and status between the litigants. See Church Courts, Sex and Marriage in England, 1570-1640, Martin Ingram pp 203-4. See D1/42/31.
William Blandford sen, yeoman, 40; has lived there for the last 9 years; was born there; has known the litigants for 12 years.
Edmund Blandford, yeoman, 32; has lived there from birth; has known the litigants for 12 years.
Robert Blandford, husbandman, 31; has lived there from childhood except for 2 years.
Ambrose Wild, gent, 60; has lived there from childhood except for 26 years.
Ananias Sturgis*, yeoman, 40; has lived there from childhood except for 7 years.
John Bodenham, gent, 52; has lived there from childhood.
Stephen Blandford, husbandman, 24; has lived there for 4 years.
ff111v-114r . 22 Feb 1616. William Cooper v Henry Pressy; testamentary; will of Edith Brunsden, Marlborough [P1/B/127 inventory]. Evidence of:
Silvester Cooke*, St Margarets in Preshute, gent, 52; has lived there for 30 years; was born at Chisbury in Little Bedwyn. At 8 o’clock in the evening of 1 Jan 1616, he was summoned to Edith’s house to write her will. Several bequests are listed, including a Corner house by the [grammar] school in the Marsh ward to William Cooper and his wife, Edith’s kinswoman Henry Pressy was excutor. Sylvester confirms that the document shown how was the original will.
John Eaton, Marlborough St Peter, barber, 58; has lived there from birth.
John Redford, Marlborough St Mary ,husbandman, 50; has lived there for 18 years; was burnt Ogbourne St George. Edith lived for 5 days after making her will.
ff114-117v, 119v-120v. 22, 28 Feb 1616. William Guy v Gregory Titcombe and Joan his wife; testamentary, will of William Guy eld decd, Marlborough [P1/G/55; account & admin bond]. Evidence of witnesses of Marlborough:
Anthony Gunter, glover, 57; has lived there from birth; has known the litigants for 20 years. Hw witnessed a deed of trust by William Guy eld, dated 17 Jan 4 Jas, made at the contracting of marriage between William Guy yr and his daughter Margaret; includes a leasehold estate in 2 houses at the Hermitage in Marlborough. Joan is the daughter of William Guy eld. William made a nuncupative will.
William Gunter*, glover, 23; has lived there from birth; has known the litigants for 7 years. Arthur Gunter is his father.
William Lyninge*, gent, 35; has lived there for 18 years; was born at Mildenhall; has known the litigants for 7 years. He witnessed the sealing of the deed of gift to which a silver sixpence was fixed upon the seal.
John Lydiard*, yeoman, 25; has lived there for 14 years; was born at Sidmouth, Dev; has known the litigants for 12 years.
ff123v-125r . Office promoted by Mr Samuel Widnell [proctor] v Edward Macham, Christopher Moody & Alexander Knight, of Boyton;
Response of Knight: Macham & Moody have been churchwardens at least since Easter past. He has been ‘flowted, scoft and mockt behind his back’ by several parishioners, especially Richard Ambrose, who say that he he frequents Moody's house in Corton, and is familiar with his wife.
Response of Moody: He was sworn in as churchwarden Easter last past in the cathedral at the bishop’s visitation.
Response of Macham:
ff126r-127v 23 Mar, 18 Apr 1616. Office promoted by Mr [Thomas] Shuter [proctor] v Eleanor alias Ellen Kerry, wife of Aunsel Kerry, Fisherton Anger, tailor.
Responses of Eleanor: For these 14 years last past she has been married to her now husband and Thomas Slye of Westbury has been married these 16 years last past to his now wife. On St George’s day last past Thomas, having business with her husband, came into her chamber in Fisherton. Soon after she told him her husband was not at home, Agnes [recte Anne] Streete, wife of Richard Street, came ‘after him at his heeles’. Thomas, overcome with drink sat down on her bed and fell
asleep. Agnes and Elenor left him and locked the chamber door . Eleanor left to go to Wilton fair to her husband. When they returned Thomas woke and took her husband’s horse to ride to Wilton.
Evidence of:
Anne Streete, 30, wife of Richard Streete, Fisherton Anger, husbandman; has lived there for 5 years; before at West Dean for 2 years; before at Fordingbridge, Hants; was born at West Stower, Dors. On St George’s Day last a woman from Westbury came to her house enquiring about Thomas Sly. Elizabeth Giles, wife of Thomas Giles for Fisherton, was in Anne’s house [to collect some milk in Elizabeth’s evidence], told her that he was at the next house. Anne showed her the door, and the woman entreated Elizabeth to call out for Thomas. Anne and Elizabeth went up the stairs to the chamber; Anne called out ‘Mother Aunsell where bee you, here is a woman would knowe yf Thomas Sly would goe home’. They saw Thomas and Eleanor on the bed kissing and Eleanor was kissing him and holding his ‘privy members’ in ‘a filthy manner’. Anne said ‘Mother this is well indeed’ ‘I ‘ quoth Eleanor ‘it is well indeed, you would doe so to yf he were your Love [‘thy old love and sweetehart in Elizabeth’s evidence] as he is myne for he was my husband by right before I married with Aunsell my nowe husband’ [ie a precontract was claimed]. [Eleanor rose from the bed and ‘tiffed Anne in the brest’ in Elizabeth’s evidence]
Thomas wished to go with the woman from Westbury, but Eleanor caused him to stay an hour, when she came down and locked her chamber door.
She has heard that Thomas was the father of Eleanor’s daughter, Margery.
Elizabeth Giles, 30, wife of Thomas Giles, Fisherton Anger, weaver; has lived there for 2 years; before at Beckington, Som, where she was born.
Alice
ff130-131v . 10 Apr 1616. Magdelen/Maude Spender v Alice Francklin; defamation. Evidence of:
John Pepler, Coulston, tailor, 20; has lived there from birth; has known the litigants for 10 years. on Monday after St James day last he was coming from Erlestoke [Stoake] with Robert Spender and his wife, Magdelen, and crossing style from Stoke Common mead into Mr Lamb’s ground called Horsecrofts within his mead in Coulston. Alice happened to come by with Cecily Ludon (John’s sister) and seeing Magdelen called her ‘hipps shott whoare’ and asked her why she had given evidence before against her to commissioners in a lawsuit. Alice called her ‘a fine whore, a burnt tailed whore and a pocky whore’
John Robyns, Tinhead in Edington, sawyer, 40; has lived there for 20 years; before in Potterne where he was born.has known the litigants for 10 years. Evidence as John. He was coming from working in Mr Lamb’s wood called Oape wood. Alice said that her sister did cure Maude [of french pox].
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