| Description | * Indicates deponents who signed their names; other authentications are by initials or a mark. ff179-182 is a separate gathering of a different size to the volume.
ff2r-5v. Jane Seymor v Anthony Rider; defamation. Evidence of:
Henry Burch, Aldbourne, yeo, 28; has lived there for 4 years. He was born at East Garton [Argiston], Berks and has known Rider for 20 years and Jane Seymour for 20 months. In the last ten years he has lived at Aldbourne, East Garton and Bourton in Shrivenham, Berks. About Lady day last he was with Rider and Thomas Skeat in a little room or chamber in the inn of [John] Smith in Ramsbury [The Rose and Crown in D1/42/32]. The hostess of the inn [Ellen Smith] ‘grew into some speech about one Hellier’, a suitor in marriage of Jane Seymor. Rider said that he had ‘born’ Jane’ goodwill these four or five yeares’. He heard all that was spoken. The room being ‘so little that yf one had whispered yet yt might be heard over the roome’. They had been drinking all day, but what wine, ale, beer or tobacco was spent or what the company was before the words were spoken he does not remember.
Thomas Skeate, late of Ramsbury, where he was born, now of Marlborough, where he has lived since Michaelmas, shoemaker, 20. See D1/42/32.
ff6r-11r. Cowslad v Robert Liford; tithe white, Rodbourne Cheney. Evidence of witnesses of Rodbourne Cheney:
Robert Heathe*, Even Swindon, husbandman, 34; has lived there 8 for years. Before at Wootton Bassett for 2-3 years before at Stratton St Margaret where he was born. He lived in London for a little while and at Ramsbury for a year.
William Heyward, husbandman, 34; has lived there fro 10 years; before at Ogbourne St George for 2 years and before at Cotmarsh in Broad Hinton where he was born.
ff11v-19v, 38r-49v, 57r-63v, 72r-74v, 159r-161r. 17 Dec 1617, 25, 31 Jan, 11 Mar, 3 Apr 1618. Robert Waters v Joan Walkes, aged 80; pew dispute Stapleford. Evidence of witnesses of Stapleford:
Alice Hortington, Uphampton, widow, 50 (two depositions); was born there and has lived there since childhood, except for 6 years. About 4 years ago she was house servant to George Richards alias Combes, Uphampton in Stapleford. About 28 years ago Waters bought the house in which Coombes lives. Joan’s husband Richard Walkes built a house on Dunthay about 35 years ago, but one stood there before, as some said they had seen the foundations.
Augustine Burges, husbandman, 64; has lived there from birth. He was previously a carpenter. Waters held Taylors Hay. His mother was aunt to Waters, and he rents land of him.
Edith Bedborrowe, Hindon, 79; has lived for 49 years, and was born there.
Joan Helme, 52, wife of Augustine Helme, husbandman; has lived there from birth except for 20 years. Richard Walkes, husband of Joan, has held Dunthay on three lives for 36 years. His wife has sat in the seat in question without any trouble until now. ‘In the tyme of popery’ the custom was for anyone having a woman’s seat to pay a ‘holly loafe’ towards bread and wine; and after to was taken away to pay three half pence a year. There has never been a payment of men’s seats.
Agnes Biggs, widow, 52; has lived there from birth except for 3 years. She has a yard land but no house on it but a barn and has two ‘rooms’ in a seat in the church.
John Collins, husbandman, 70; has lived there from birth.
Nicholas Beamon, husbandman; has lived there for 39 years; he was born at Wilton. When the workmen were building the house at Dunthay for Richard Walkes he saw the foundations of an earlier building, stones and black ash. He learned the the former building was burned down.
Thomas Paine*, Hindon, curate, 26; he dose not know the litigants. Edith Bedborrowe is taken to be a contentious and troublesome woman. About five years past she was Brough to this court for slandering Edward Barber.
William Knight*, Hindon, tailor, 55; he does not know the litigants.
George Collins,* husbandman, 38; has lived there from birth except for 2 years.
John White, husbandman, 28; has lived there from birth; he is parish clerk. The seat in question is paved not planked. He has and does ‘swipe’ the seat and knows that it is paved. See D1/42/34.
ff20r- 22r, 50, 55r-57r. 17 Dec 1617, 7 Feb 1618. Mary Tucker, widow v Mr [William] Jennings, curate of Erlestoke; not receiving communion. Evidence of witnesses of Erlestoke:
George Towe, husbandman, 50; has lived there for 20 years. Mr Jennings has served the cure for two years as curate. Mary came to George as churchwarden and asked him not to present her at visitation for not receiving communion from Jennings, whom she believes reported in Salisbury that Mary had a bastard child aged 19 years. She is unable to pursue a cause as her only means to earn a penny is by ‘her hard labour as spinning & carding’.
Responses of Bridget Atkins and Nicholas Atkinson* to 3 articles in the allegation.
Thomasine Towe, wife of George Towe, 40; has lived there from birth.
ff22r-24r, 35r-37v, 69r-72r, 161v-162v. 21, 27 Jan, 9 Feb, 11 Apr 1618. Oliver Stoneax, barber, v John Bathat and counter case; defamation. Evidence of:
Giles Smith, Salisbury St Edmund, apprentice weaver, 20; has lived in Salisbury for 12 years (2 years in St Edmund); before in Netherhampton; was born at Beaminster, Dors.
Around Bartholomew tide he went to the shop of Oliver Stone alias Percival in Winchester street to have his hair cut. Bath came in and said he was going to cuckold Stoneax; also that he had a ‘Winchester goose’ and ‘that part of his prick was cut off’. This was commonly believed to mean that he had been with a whore who 'had burnt him’, causing the painful treatment. Stone threw a wooden candlestick at him and the candle burnt his beard or lip.
William Pettibone, Salisbury, blacksmith, 50; has lived there for 2 years; before at Hele for 2 years; was born at Shaftesbury, Dors; has known Stoneax for 20 years and Bathat for 30. Evidence as Smith.
Brian Hinckley*, Salisbury, vintner, 20; has lived there from birth except for one year.
William Daniell*, Salisbury, tailor, 40; has lived there from birth.
William Dowle, Salisbury, shoemaker, 38. Pettibone, ‘hath borne a malicious stomack’ towards Bathat and a purpose to work revenge’ on him,
ff24r-34v, 64r-69v, 106r-107r. 20 Jan, 16 Mar 1618. William Hamond v Mr Hugh Haswell; tithe wool, Stratford sub Castle. Evidence of witnesses of Stratford sub Castle unless otherwise stated:
Anthony Davis*, yeoman, 38; has lived at Avon in Stratford since birth, except for one year. The prebendary of Stratford receives tithes of all the ‘Burrow lands, and for ten years Hammond has been the farmer of the prebend. The previous farmer was William Stanford. Haswell is a ‘meere lay man’ and is farmer of the rectory. Burrow lands were anciently called Kingsfould and for the last 20 years, Portway furlongs. Before the castle was ‘taken in’ 300 sheep went upon Burrow lands and the castle; but after 200 were taken away. Of the 100 left 40 were ‘abated’ leaving just 3 score kept there.
Gabriel Kid, husbandman, 50; has lived at Stratford sub Castle for 12 years; before at Bishops down in Salisbury St Martin; was born at Bower Chalk. He kept the tenantry flock of sheep belonging to the parish. Jarsies was part of Burrow lands.
John Okeford, husbandman, 44; has lived for 40 years; was born at Sherborne, Dors.
John Androwes, West Grimstead, 80; has lived there for 34 years; before at Stratford for 14 years; born at Canterton, Hants. About 50 years past he married widow Grace, daughter to Robert Stanford, late farmer of the prebend of Stratford and for 12 years he had the use and occupation of the prebend.
Barnard Merivall, wheeler, 60; has lived there from birth except for 8 years.
Humphrey Candie, Fovant, husbandman, 54 has lived here from birth except for 4 years, when he lived with Sir William Stanford in Stratford. He was his carter for 10 years.
ff51r-55r. 28 Jan 1618. Edith Taylor v Elizabeth Evans; seat in Hindon chapel. Evidence of witnesses of Hindon ;
Edward Newberie, tailor, 50; has lived there from birth. About 15 years past with fellow churchwarden John Snow, was charged to have all the seats in the chapel ‘plancked underfoote’. The seat in question was not known to belong to any living, but was a void seat. Has never known the owner or tenant of Blackhouse challenge any right to the seat
John Snowe, husbandman, 55; has lived there for 35 years; before at Kilmington, Som for 7 years; was born at Milton, Som.
Edward Benet, feltmaker, 54; has lived there for 23 years; before at Stockton where he was born. About 13 or 14 years since he rented Blackhouse from Edward Pinfold, and understood that no seat in the chapel was attached to it.
ff75r-76v, 94v-106r, 107v-134r, 144v-158v, 166v-169r. 12, 21, 31 Mar, 15 Apr 1618. [George] Richardson, [vicar] v William Cabble; and counter case; tithe hay, Warminster. Evidence of witnesses of Warminster unless otherwise stated:
John Whatley*, Horningsham, yeoman, 60; has lived there for 7 years; before at Warminster where he was born.
Richard Knight*, alehouse keeper, 80; has lived there for 30 years. For these ten years, Cabble has held c 3 acres of meadow on which he fed market horses and guests’ horses, but no tithe on these horses was claimed by the vicar from any other innkeeper until 2 years past.
Francis Wallis, Warminster, cutler, 65; has lived there for 40 years; has known Richardson for 40 years. John Burgeman is parish clerk of Warminster.
Richard Slade*, Corsley, husbandman, 50; has lived there for 10 years, having married the daughter of Cabble [Eliza, 24 Nov 1596 Warminster PR]; he was born at Codford St Mary. The cost of the ostler Cabble employs is more than any profit in taking market or guests’ horses. On market days, if the weather is fair, he has seen sometimes, 8, 10, 12 or 4 horses on Cabble’s meadow, for the benefit of the air, the stables being hot. he charges only 1/2d a horse; the usual charge for horse grass being 4d or 3d depending on its goodness.
Stephen Holowey*, Whitbourne in Corsley, husbandman, 56; he was born there and has lived there for 30 years. Cabble’s father married his mother when he was aged 2 and he lived at his inn until he was 12.
Philip Andrew*, innkeeper, 45; has lived there for 16 years; before at Fisherton Delamere where he was born.
Richard Porte, Warminster, dyer, 50; has lived there for 20 years; before at Salisbury for 14 or 15 years; before at Romsey for 7 or 8 years; was born at Heytesbury. He is an innkeeper [WRS vol 15 no 111]
Edward Swift, Sutton Veny, plasterer, 40; has lived there for 3 years; before at Nunney, Som, for 30 years; before at Rodden, Som, for 7 years; was born at Nunney. Cabble’s wife and his first wife were sisters by mother but not by father.
William Turner, husbandman, 60; has lived there for 40 years; before at Heytesbury for 3 years; was born at Chapmanslade in Westbury. Cabble and Holloway are brothers in law.
John Dew, day labourer, 50; has lived there for 30 years; before at Monkton Deverill for 30 years; was born at Kingston Deverill.
Edmund Pirrie*/Perry, yeoman, 53; has lived there from birth, except for 3 years. He is farmer of the parsonage of Warminster.
ff76v-80v, 134v-136r. Merrimouth v Richard Thorner; tithe, Little Somerford. Evidence of:
John Thorner*, Little Somerford, gent; has lived there for 7 years; before at Bowden in Lacock for 2 years; he was born at Somerford. His father, the defendant, bargained with Richard Androse for the his tithes for one year.
Thomas Hutchins*, Brinkworth, gent, 21; has lived there for 16 years.
Francis Bridges*, Highworth, gent, 44; has lived there from infancy. In February three years past, he was at the house of Mr John Ratcliffe, Malmesbury, on business, and in company with Mr Richard Androse, rector of Little Somerford, his ‘ancient acquaintance’ and first schoolmaster, and Mr John Thorner, concerning the composition of tithes.
ff81r-86r, 136v-138v. Mr George Provender, farmer of tithes v Henry Rogers; tithe on cattle and sheep pastured on land in Pewsham Forest. Evidence of:
John Leciter, Chitway in Bishops Cannings, husbandman, 73; has lived there for 50 years; before at Corsham where he was born. In 50 years he has never known the parson or vicar of Calne receive tithes from Nuthills. John was servant to Provender’s father, the farmer of the tithes, who alone received the tithes. The land now held by Rogers. Nor any tithes due from Cophed Waste. Both were assert lands granted to Sir John Blewett out of the forest, which was not part of any parish.
Henry Chivers, Chitway in Bishops Cannings, weaver, 50; has lived there for one years; before in Chippenham for 17 years; was born at Chitway.
William Chambers*, Mannings Hill in Calne, glover, 86; has lived there for 40 years; has known Provender from infancy and Rogers from childhood. He has lived as a borderer upon the forest and walked there as a keeper for 40 years.
ff86v-94v. Joan Perry v Edith Taylor; brawling in Hindon chapel. Evidence of witnesses of Hindon:
Eleanor Stower, 60, wife of Thomas Stower, shepherd; has lived there for 23 year. She saw Edith tip up Joan’s hat while she was praying.
Elizabeth Gilson, widow, 60; has lived there for 60 years; was born at Chicklade. Joan Coming’s husband is ‘darck’’ [blind] and goes abroad for relief, as does Ann Pinfold and her two children.
Joan Comidge, 58, wife of` Nicholas Comidge, weaver; has lived there for 36 years. She is poor and lives by hard labour. Her husband is a blind man and receives 6d a year for relief away from Hindon.
Ann Pinfold, widow, 40; has lived there for 12 years.
ff138v-144v, 163r-166r. 24 Mar, 1618. John Bird v Alice Blake; seat in Potterne church Evidence of witnesses of Potterne;
Arthur Trimmell*, yeoman, 63; has lived there for 50 years. 6 or 7 years ago he was churchwarden with John Pope. Elizabeth , wife of John Bird, had sat in the disputed seat until Alice occupied it.
Dorothy Stuckle, 30, wife of William Stuckle.
Joan Hibbard, 30, wife of Robert Hibbard, husbandman; has lived there from birth.
John Hiscocks*, weaver, 58; has lived there for these 30 years; was born there. About 14 or 15 years past it was ordered that all seats should be planked under foot. this was done by James Newman, churchwarden.
169r-172r, 179r-181r. 29 Apr 1618. Audrey Mynty v Josias Bacon; Same v Paul Bacon; defamation. Evidence of:
William Hawkins, Potterne, fuller, 50; has lived there for 30 years; was born at Poulshot; has known both parties for 30 years. He was passing the shop of Josias, a shoemaker, in Potterne and leaning on the shop bulck [low wall] spoke with him while he was working. Josias said that Audrey ‘plaid the whore for a shoulder of mutton’. Josias is a poor man with three children and a wife who is lame.
Friswide Leciter, 30, wife of Richard Leciter, Potterne Wick, sawyer; has lived there for 2 weeks; before at Pottene for 6 years; she was born at Enford. She is a neighbour of Josias and heard a falling out between the parties around James tide last. Josias said there were four noted whores in Potterne and Audrey was the ‘notestd & oldest’.
She bore a bastard by William Cromwell and did public penance in Stanton St Bernard church about 10 years past, she then was living with William Poole.
Richard Leciter begot a child on Friswide and was unwilling to marry her, but following complaint to Sir John Dauntsie, JP, Richard took her to Salisbury and married her by licence.
Maud alias Magdelina Hendie, 26, wife of William Hendie, Potterne, husbandman; has lived there for 11 years; she was born at Wedhampton in Urchfont. Around Jamestide she went to the house of Josias to borrow a ‘peele to draw a batch of bred’ and heard a brawling and chiding between the parties; Audrey being in her house opposite Josias’. Awdrey said to Josias ‘Kisse my Arse thou knave’. He replied ‘dost thou take so much felicitie in thy tayle now in thyne old age thou maiest hold thy peace for shame, that did thee a greate deale of discredite when thou wast younge’. About Allhallowstide last she heard that all quarrels were ended and that the parties were friends and did drink together.
She has not heard Paul Bacon speak any of the words against Audrey. The witnesses are poor people, and the apparel of William Tucker was so mean & base that he was afraid to come hither to the court in it, but he wore a pair of britches of Richard Long, Audrey’s son, and a jerkin given to Awdrey by John Pope’s wife for taking pains with her husband in the time of his sickness. She has seen Richard wear the same britches since and thinks Audrey has the jerkin again. About Michaelmas last Friswide stole a brass kettle from Maud and she went to Thomas Slie, tithingman, to search for it and it was found in Friswide’s bed straw.
ff172r-178r, 181r-182v. 30 Apr, 18 May 1618. Edward Fricker, farmer of the parsonage v Thomas Jeay; tithe lamb and hay, Tisbury. Evidence of:
Phillip Marsh, Gillingham, Dors, mason, 56; has lived there for 20 years; before at Tisbury where he was born. Thomas is a mere layman with no right to any tithes.
John Case, East Hatch in Tisbury, husbandman, 34; has lived there from birth.
Robert Oborne*, East Hatch in Tisbury, husbandman, 30; has lived there from birth.
John Trowbridge, Tisbury, husbandman, 19; has lived there from birth.
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