8.1 Paper Petition   [1594]   REQ 2/226/66, m. 1

The humble petition of Griffyn Jones to the Queenes most excellent majestie

In moste humble wise sheweth and besecheth your majesties favour Griffyn Jones, cittizen and skynner of London and a poore almes man, that whereas your poore orator by the lewde and evill disposition of Maryan, now his wyfe, daily and hourely is in great daunger of his lyfe, and not only so but she hath also by evill subbornacion and procur[e]ment of other vile persons not perfectly knowne to your orator ymbeaseled and conveyed away all your orators goods and left him in poore and miserable estate not havinge wherewith to releive him, beinge a very aged man and not able to susteyne the charges of his redresse by lawe. Your orator therefore moste humbly prayeth your good worshipp to have pittye and compassion on his poore estate and so graunte your orator in forma pauperis to sue John Rowdon, John Leeche, Richard Ferrys and others, whome your orator verely thinketh to be the animators, intercessors and procurers of your orators saide wyfe to the ungodly accions aforesaide, and also to examyne witnesses agaynst them for the manifestacion of a truthe in the premisses, whereby your orator may come to have some knowledge of his goods so ymbeaseled and have reformacion of the premises. And your orator as dutye byndeth him shall daily pray unto God for the prosperous estate of your good majestie long to endure.

[Endorsed] It is her majesties gracious pleasure that this poore man shall be relieved in the court of Requests in forma pauperis

J AubreyFootnote ¹⁹⁴

8.2 Parchment Bill of Complaint   11 February 1594   REQ 2/226/66, m. 2

To the Queenes moste excellent majestie

In moste humble manner sheweth and complayneth unto your moste excellent majestie, your highnes poore subject Griffyn Jones, cittizen and skynner of London and a poore almes man against Maryan his wyfe, John Rowdon, weaver, and Katheryn his wyfe, Nicholas Hewes, upholder,Footnote ¹⁹⁵ Richard Ferrys, weaver and Elizabeth his wyfe, John Leeche, clothworker, Edward Roberts, merchauntaylor, John Beoman, paynter steyner, and Fraunces Gibson, joyner, that whereas your saide subject, being a poore aged man and comfortles of himselff, about fyve years sythens did espouse, marrye and take to wyfe one Maryan, then a widdowe and late the wyfe of Roger Robinson clothworker deceassed,Footnote ¹⁹⁶ thinkinge and assuredlye hopinge that the saide Maryan would have byn a comforte, aide and succour to your poore aged subject now in his declyninge yeres, as by the lawe of God and nature shee ought to be. Unto whome your saide subject at suche tyme of his marriadge did bringe with him and by his meanes to the saide Maryan in goods and monye and houshold stuff the value of one hundreth powndes, besides that which the saide Maryan was possessed of her owne, wherewith the saide Maryan and your saide subject mighte have lyved in love and favour togeather and in creditt with their neighbours.

But so it is, yf it shall please your moste excellente majestie, that the saide Maryan, John Rowdon and Katheryn his wyfe, Nicholas Hewes, Richard Ferrys, John Leeche, Edward Roberts, John Beoman and Fraunces Gibson, being aiders, procurers and confederates with the saide Maryan to deprive and spoile your saide subject of his saide goods, have sythence the saide marriadge betwixte your saide subject and the saide Maryan ymbeaseled, purloyned and conveyed away the moste parte of all your saide subjects goods, chattells, household stuff and other things, so as your saide subject cannott by any meanes be releived with any parte or parcell of his owne goods and chattells, but is driven to great extremetye and neede, not havinge wherewithall to releive himselff. By which meanes your saide subject is cleane dispossessed of the moste parte of all his goods, chattells, household stuff, monye and other things which before he had and enjoyed.

Especially about Julye last the saide John Rowdon, without the privitye and consent of your saide subject, hath broken upp your subjects house and taken away a danskeFootnote ¹⁹⁷ chest worthe foure markes and other goods and chattells and houshold stuff of your saide subjects, the certentye whereof is not perfectly knowne to your saide subject. And further, the saide John Rowdon and Nicholas Hewes amongst all their practises caused the saide Maryan to take the peaceFootnote ¹⁹⁸ of your saide subject and ymprisoned him and afterwardes, uppon complaynt made, called your saide subject before the right honorable Sir William Rowe, knight, late lord mayor of the cittie of London deceassed,Footnote ¹⁹⁹ cravinge to be quitt of your saide subject without occasion offered by him, but through her owne defaulte, as was there proved. Whereuppon his honor referred the same to the hearinge of certen worshipfull parsons, namely Mr Harvey, parson of the parishe churche where your saide subject dwelleth, Mr Martin and Mr Tedcastle,Footnote ²⁰⁰ by them to be determyned, and to allowe your saide subject in respect of his saide great losses suche weekely expenses as they should thinke in conscience sufficient for the mayntenance of your saide subject. But the saide Maryan, by the evill counsell and advise of the saide John Rowdon and Nicholas Hewes and other her saide confederates, would by no meanes be induced to do any good or to allowe your saide subject any monye towardes his releiff and mayntenance, but remayned so obstinate as the saide parsons appoynted by the lord mayor could not by entreatye or any good meanes bringe her to condiscend to anythinge, although your saide subject, her saide husband, as shal be proved to this honorable courte did make her there att the same tyme very reasonable and honest condicions.

In tender consideracion whereof, maye it please your moste excellent majestie, the premisses considered, to graunte your saide subject your highnes gracious writt of privye seale to be directed to the saide Maryan, John Rowdon and Katheryn his wyfe, Nicholas Lewes, Richard Ferrys and Elizabeth his wyfe, John Leeche, Edward Roberts, John Beoman and Fraunces Gibson, comaundinge them and everye of them att a certen day and under a certen payne personallye to appeare before your highnes in your highnes courte of Requests to answere to the premisses uppon their othes severallye, what goods, chattells, houshold stuff, some and somes of monye they or any of them have or had of your saide subjects or the saide Maryan in her widdowehoode or synce she was your saide subjects wyfe. And why they or any of them do so unlawfully mayntayne and subborne your saide subjects wyfe agaynst him, and to take suche order in the premisses as to your highnes shall seeme to be moste agreable with equitye and good conscience. And your saide subject as dutye byndeth him shall daily pray unto almightye God for the long and prosperous raigne of your highnes in all felicitye still to endure.

John WhiteFootnote ²⁰¹

[m. 2v]

[Endorsed] pauper

xj die Februarij anno regni regine Elizabethe xxxvj

defendens vocetur per nuncium camere Footnote ²⁰²

R RokebyFootnote ²⁰³

8.3 Parchment Answers   17 April 1594   REQ 2/226/66, m. 4

[Endorsed] xvij die Aprilis anno regine Elizabeth xxxvj Footnote ²⁰⁴

The joynt & severall awnsweres of John Rowdon & Katherin his wiefe, Nicholas Hewes, Richard Ferrys & Elizabethe his wiefe, John Leeche, Edward Roberts, John Beamount & Frauncys Gibson nyne of the defendants to the insufficient bill of complaynt of Griffythe Jones, complaynant.

The said defendants saye & everye of them for him and her selfe severally saythe that the said bill of complaynt against them exhibited into this honorable court is untrue and insufficient in the lawe to be awnswered unto & devised, as these defendants are verely perswaded, rather of a troblesome disposicion in the complaynant (beinge a man geven muche as these defendants have hardeFootnote ²⁰⁵ to troble & contencion) to put these defendants to unjust & unnecessarye chardges and expences in the lawe then uppon any just cause or good grounde so to doe. Unto which insufficient bill of complaynt for many imperfeccions therin conteyned these defendants as they take yt are not constraynable by order of this honorable court to awnswere.

Neverthelesse, if these defendants shal be by order of this honorable court awarded to make further awnswere unto the said untrue and insufficient bill then all the advantages of excepcions to the insufficiencye thereof to these defendants at all tymes hereafter saved, & for acerteyninge this honorable court of a trothe towchinge the matters therin conteyned whiche any wayes concerne these defendants, these defendants saye and everye of them for him and her selfe severally saythe: that true yt ys that the said complaynant about a fyve yeres now last past did espouse & take to wiefe the said Maryan the other defendant in the bill named, then a widdowe & late the wiefe of the said Roger Robinson in the said bill of complaynt also mencioned & before that tyme deceassed. And these defendants saye that the said complaynant (as these defendants have harde[)], growinge in dislike withe the said Maryan for that she withestoode his mynde in not sufferinge him to sell awaye their house wherin they dwelt, beinge scituat & lyeinge in Wood Strete in London, & wherin she was interessed before the intermaryadge betwene the complaynant and her, did beate & misuse the said other defendant Maryan his wiefe. And after, as well for malice as of a colloricke disposicion, as these defendants are perswaded, for that he could not bringe her to satisfie his said mynde in sale of the said house, he departed from her the said Maryan, havinge a chamber of the companye of skinners in London and did goe & dwell aparte from the said Maryan in the said chamber, where he remayneth at this present from the said Maryan.

Notwithstandinge, the said Maryan hathe not only used the best meanes she could to bringe the complaynant home againe to dwell with her, but also not prevaylinge therin hathe allowed 3 s 4 d a weeke out of her laboures towardes his mayntenance untill yt pleased God to visitt her house withe sicknes & so to decaye her gettinges. And when she the said Maryan by this visitacion of allmightye God was not any longer able to satisfie his desire, he the said complainant myndinge and intending utterly to bereave the said defendant Maryan of all that she had (as yt seemethe) and to leave her alltogether comfortlesse, confederatinge himselfe withe one Rice Jones of London, a drummer (as yt semed to these defendants) yt was concluded and agreed (as these defendants hath hard) betwene the said complaynant & the said Rice Jones that the said Rice Jones should commence an accion of debt of 40 li in her majesties court holden before the sherifes of London, in whiche accion the said complaynant should appere and confesse the said debt, wheras in truthe (as these defendants hath harde & doe verely thincke in their consciences) there was no suche debt at all due. Whiche accion beinge commenced accordingly, and the said complaynant havinge confessed the same, the said Rice Jones sued out execucion by fieri facias of suche goods as were then in the possession of the said defendant Maryan accordingly.Footnote ²⁰⁶

And the said John Rowdon & Frauncys Gibson two of the defendants for themselfes severally saye that the said Rice Jones havinge out a fieri facias as aforesaid did execute the same by one John Brand, serjant at mace to one of the sherifes of London, uppon the goods of the said complaynant beinge then in the said house where the said defendant Maryan then still dwelt, and tooke certeyne keyes from the said defendant Maryan & possessed himselfe of the goods in the said house by vertue of the said fieri facias, not permittinge her the said defendant Maryan, for ought these defendants could perceave, to have any of the said goods. And the said officer thus havinge taken possession of the said house & goods did make choyse of & tooke unto him to be praysers of the said goods the said defendants John Rowdon and Frauncys Gibson, who havinge taken an inventorye and made praysement of the said goods, the said officer supposinge the said goods to be praysed at to[o] great a rate signified so muche unto the said defendants Rowdon & Gibson, beinge the praysers therof, affirminge that because they had praysed them at so great a rate, beinge as the said John Brande affirmed more then they were worthe, that they the said defendants Rowdon & Gibson must take them at the same rate.

Wheruppon the said defendant Rowdon, knowinge not howe to avoyde the same, did buy and take all the said goods then in the said house at the same rate they were so praysed of the said John Brande, who soulde them unto this defendant Rowdon by the authoritye of the said fieri facias. And theruppon the said officer delivered the said goods unto the said defendant Rowdon for the somme of 12 li 3 s 6 d or thereabouts, beinge the somme that they were so praysed at. Which somme of 12 li 3 s 6 d or thereabouts the said defendant Rowdon payd to the said officer at the deliverye of the said goods unto him, beinge then in the said house. Notwithestandinge, he the said defendant Rowdon consideringe the estate of the said defendant Maryan and that the said suyt was procured only to gett the said goods from her, and at her request and moved therunto by Christian charitye, hathe permitted the said defendant Maryan to have the use and occupacion of some parte of the said goods.

And the said defendants further saye, and everye of them for him & her selfe severally saythe, that the said defendant Maryan, beinge in this extremytie by reason of the bad dealinge of the said complaynant as aforesaid, and some of these defendants beinge moved therunto of a neybourly dutye, havinge earnestly delt withe the said Rice Jones to have some remorce and pittye of the said defendant Maryan seynge the hard case she was in, havinge nothinge left her to releive her selfe withall. And not prevaylinge by any meanes or intreatye they could use unto the said Rice Jones, some of these defendants at the request of the said defendant Maryan for her reliefe, together with the said defendant Maryan, did make their peticion in the behalfe of the said defendant Maryan, for that the said monye whiche was made of the said goods (as these defendants have hard) was imployed to the use and benefitt of the said complaynant, to the right honorable Sir William Roe, then lord maior of the cittye of London, that yt would please his Lordshipp for the reliefe of the said defendant Maryan to take some order bewtene the said complaynant, the said Rice Jones and the said defendant Maryan, who understandinge of the proceadinge of the said cause and execucion made awnswered that he could not deale ther[e]withe, the cause beinge as yt was, affirminge that the lawe must take place. And so consequently the said defendant Maryan was without any reliefe constrayned to satisfie herselfe and rest contented without any further meanes makinge, and to provide for herselfe as she could by her daylie labour and industrye.

And this defendant Rowdon and Katherin his wiefe further saye that no other goods eyther of the complaynants or of the said Marians before her intermaryadge withe the said complaynant came to their or eyther of their hands, savinge the said goods so praysed and whiche the said defendant Rowdon payd for as aforesaid. And the other defendants also saye, everye one severally and for themselves, that there came not to their hands any of the goods of the complaynants or that were the said other defendants Maryan her goods before she intermaryed withe the complaynant.

Without that, that to the knowledge of these defendants or any of them, as they severally affirme for themselves, the said complaynant did bringe with him by his meanes to the said defendant Maryan in monye and goods and houshold stuffe to the value of one hundred pounds besides that whiche the said defendant was possessed of her owne, as for ought these defendants knowe is untruly in the said bill alleadged. And witheout that, that the said defendants Maryan, John Rowdon and Katherin his wiefe, Nicholas Hewes, Richard Ferrys, John Leeche, Edward Roberts, John Boman and Frauncys Gibson were procurers and confederats withe the said Maryan to deprive or spoyle the said complaynant of his said goods, or have since the said maryadge bewtixt the said complaynant and the said Maryan imbeaseled, purloyned and conveyed awaye the most parte of all the complaynants goods, chattells, houshold stuffe & other things. Or that the complaynant cannot by any meanes be releaved withe any parte or parcell of his owne goods or chattells, as is most untruly in the said bill surmised and alleadged, for ought these defendants knowe to the contrarye. But these defendants saye (as they are verely perswaded) that if the said complaynant cannot be releaved with any parte or parcell of his owne goods, but is driven to greate extremytie and neede, he maye thanke himselfe therof by reason of his said practise (as these defendants have harde) withe the said Rice Jones.

And without that, that to the knowledge of these defendants about July last past the said defendant Rowdon hathe broken upp the complaynants house and taken awaye a danske chest worthe fower markes and other goods and houshold stuffe of the complaynants in manner and forme as is untruly in the said bill likewise suggested. But the said defendant John Rowdon saythe that he havinge bought of the said officer diverse goods as aforesaid, amongest which said goods there was indede a danske chest the whiche for the bignes therof he could not well gett out of the rome wherin the same did stand, there was taken upp a borde or two of the flowerFootnote ²⁰⁷ of the said rome where the chest stoode and by that meanes the same chest was letten downe out of the said rome before this defendant Rowdon had any knowledge therof.

And without that, that the said John Rowdon and Nicholas Hewes amongest all other practises caused the said Maryan to take the peace of the complaynant and imprisoned him and after, uppon complaynt made, called the complaynant before the said right honorable Sir William Roe, knight, late lord maior of the cittye of London deceassed, cravinge to be quitt of the complaynant without any occasion offered by him, but thorowe her owne default. Or that the same was there proved, or that the said lord maior referred the same to the hearinge of the said parsons in the bill mencioned, by them to be determyned and to allowe the complaynant in respect of his great losses suche weekely expences as they should thinke in conscience sufficient for the mayntenance of the complaynant, as is untruly in the said bill of complaynt surmised. Howe be yt, these defendants saye that the said lord maior did move the said complaynant and the said Maryan to submitt themselves to the order of the said parsons. And they further saye that the said Mr Harvie and Mr Martyne did treate of a good end betwene them, but the said complaynant like a drone bee would lye at his ease and take no end except that the said Maryan, beinge a woman of 70 yeres ould (as these defendants have hard) would geve him out of her labour xv s a weeke and yett make no restitucion of her goods, by meanes whereof no end was made.

And witheout that, that the said defendant Maryan by the evell councell and advise of the said defendants John Rowden and Nicholas Hewes and other her said confederates would by no meanes be induced to doe any good or to allowe the complaynant any monye towards his reliefe and mayntenance, but remayned so obstinate as the said parsons in the bill named appoynted by the said lord maior in the bill named could not by entreatye or any good meanes bringe her to condiscend to any thinge, allthoughe the complaynant did make her there at the same tyme verye reasonable and honest condicions, as is likewise in the said bill most untruly alleadged. And without that, that any other matter matteriall in the said bill alleadged and not hereby sufficiently awnswered unto, confessed and avoyded, traversed or denyed is true. All which matters these defendants are readye to averr and prove in suche sorte as this honorable court shall awarde, and most humbly praye to be dismissed out of the same withe their reasonable costs and chardg[e]s in this behalfe most wrongfully susteyned.

Tho: WaadFootnote ²⁰⁸

8.4 Parchment Replication   3 May 1594   REQ 2/226/66, m. 3

[Endorsed] Tercio die Maij anno regni regine Elizabeth &c xxxvj Footnote ²⁰⁹

The replycacion of Gryffen Jones, complainant, to the joynt & severall aunswers of John Rowden and Katherine his wief, Nicholas Hewes, Richard Ferris & Elizabeth his wief, John Leeche, Edward Roberts & Fraunces Gibson, defendants.

The said complaynant for repylcacion doth and will aver, mayntayne & prove his said bill of complaynt & the matters therein conteyned to be true, certeyn & sufficient in all poynts in such sorte, manor and fourme as in the said bill is truly sett forthe and alleadged. [And] further this said [complainant]Footnote ²¹⁰ saieth that theire said aunswers for the most parte ar[e] slaunderous & untrue & the matters & thinges therin conteyned not matereall or effectuall in the lawe to be replyed unto for divers manifeast causes & imperfections therin apparant. Notwithstandinge, the advauntages & causes of exception to th[e] encerteyntyFootnote ²¹¹ & insufficiency thereof to this complaynant at all tymes saved & alowed, for further replicacion this [complainant]Footnote ²¹² saieth that he doth not anythinge of spight & mallice against the said defendants as in there aunswers is untruly aleadged, for that this complaynant did at the entreaty of diverse well desposed people, & for that this complainant did hope of amendment of the [said] Maryan this complaynants wief, forbeare sute against the said Maryan this fowre yeares untill by great want & extremytie this complainant was driven thereunto. And this complaynant saieth that the said Maryan was a wicked woman & very evely geven towards him this complainant her said husband as also to her other husband Roger Robynsone, as shal be proved. Yet neverthelesse not so evell but she might have bene reclaymed, had it not bene through the wicked & evell councell of the said defendants & such like other, so that the said complainant could not at any tyme rebuke her the said Maryan for her evell dealings towards this complaynant, her said husband, but streight waye the said complaynants howse should be full of the said defendants, readye to revile & abuse the said complainant & beatinge the complaynant in his howse as was not meet for neighbours or honest men to doe, and raisinge of people about the street & dore not decent to be sene amonge Christians, and th[a]t through the wicked mayntenance of the said Maryan against him.

[And] where the said defendants say they have heard of the same Jones to be troblesome in the lawe, let any of them find in any of her majesties courtes recordFootnote ²¹³ that the said Jones hath bene sued or trobled for any debt or other cawses, then let him be thought to be troblesome. But if he have sought but his owne & have had troble therein, as may be well proved by many honest & credible citizens, by great expences of money in sekinge of his right & due, he is not to be termed troblesome in sekinge his owne. [And] where the said Rowden & the rest of the defendants saye that the said Jones fell in dislikinge with Maryan his wief for that he could not get her [to] condesend to him her said husband to sell his howse in Little Woodstrett, wherein she was possessed & dwelled in then as well as before the intermariage with the said Jones, this is also slaunderously surmised. He never offered it to sell, neather did he pretend to sell yt before he had another howse meat & convenient to her likinge, or to the likinge of the worshipfull Company of the Clothworkers in the[i]r haleFootnote ²¹⁴ in her behalf, so that she wold intrude herself to her howse & goods which she hath despersed abrode accordinge to her graunt which this complainant her said husband brought to passe if she wold goe with him to clayme it, which thinge she promysed to doe & sware many oathes and besought God she might be damned if she wold not goe with him this complainant her said husband the next court that should be howlden in the cloathworkers hale which she promised so to doe on the xxth daye of Februarye 1592 then followinge in the presents of Mr Crayne & others, a marchant dwellinge at Bassings hall in London who traveled & toke paynes with them bothe to sett them at unytie (and did yt).Footnote ²¹⁵ And that under diverse condicions as many good charytable & honest men have done, yea, & some of the said defendants have traveled in that acctyon, and did it, & under many good condicions which she toke the like oathes she wold keepe them and yet brake them all.

And as for the howse, what paynes & expences of money he this complaynant her said husband hath bene at to gett better assuraunce in yt, & might have had it graunted him so he wold bringe her with him, and yet he doubteth not but to have it if she wer[e] as dutyfull a wief as she might be. And as much as he desireth in his suplicacion, which is before there worships in the hall as apperith by a copye that the said complainant hath thereof to shewe, meaninge to put her out of yt, but under those good condicions before the worshipfull of the Clothworkers Mr Wade, who was a councell with the said complainant & spake for him to the master & wardens in good & honest request then as before, not for that as they the said defendants saye he could not have her goodwill to sell the said howse, for he the said complaynant thincketh there is noe man in doubt that he cannot sell it, but the said cavelingeFootnote ²¹⁶ defendants & the wicked behavor of the said Maryan this said complainants said wief: not only in the poyntes before, but in layinge oftentymes knives in the bedd naked to kill this complaynant her said husband, & her adherents Katherin Rowden on[e] other of the defendants & others pluckinge awaye this complainants beard from his face & with most shamfull & poysend wordes & raylinge against this complaynant her husband & evell demeanors. For feare of his life which misdemeanors, evell abuses & hard usage of this complaynant by the said defendants & the said Maryan forced him to departe his owne howse & remayne in a pore almoseFootnote ²¹⁷ chamber, contrarye to his bringinge up. But the life of man is sweet & therefore no dwellinge with such a serpent, nor amongst such neighbours as a man cannot rebuke his wife without controlment of such bad neighbours as will come uppon him in his owne howse violentlye and strike him as before & rayle upon him, and because she could not get him to remayne with her in the howse.

And wheras the said defendants sayen that she the said Maryan did alowe 3 s 4 d the weke till her howse was viseted, but this complaynant saith that the said Maryan his wife offered the complaynant her said husband, & made meanes to him by many her frendes, as by Thomas Gaddern, Fraunces Gibson on[e] of the defendants & others, 3 s 4 d the weeke more then a yeare before he graunted to take it, by reason it was not sufficient to finde such an owld man not abell to yearneFootnote ²¹⁸ anythinge towards his lyvenge, for that the trade of skinners is decayed, & he in adge & his sight faylith him, so that at length by th[e] entreaty of Thomas Gaddern & Fraunces Gibson aforesaid he this complainant did content himself to take it, beinge better then nothinge. [And] she began to pay it the xxiij daye of September 1592 and paid yt weekly with much troble to get it, somtymes desiringe the said two men Thomas Gadderne & Fraunces Gibson to tell her that if she wold not paye yt they must paye it themselves, & so had it till the xxiiijth daie of Decembre followinge, so that it is almoste eronysFootnote ²¹⁹ & untruth that the said defendants John Rowden & the rest saieth that she paid him 3 s 4 d weeklye till her howse was viseted. As is to be proved to this honorable courte, her howse was not veseted till August or longe followinge.

So in like maner the said defendants saye moste untrulye that the said complaynant did beate his said wief, which was disproved before Sir William Rowe, late lord maior deceased. And the said complaynant her husband offered there before his honor that if any man could prove that ever the complainant her husband did ever strike her the said Marian his wief with eather stick, staffe, cudgell or any weapon, he wold be contented to suffer death before his honor. And one of the defendants, John Rowden, replyed & said that the complaynant her husband strake her in the face with his fiste that she was all bloodye & blake in the face. Then the lord maior said to the complainants wife, is that the cause she toke the peace & forsware herself, he wisht to God to bless him from such a wiefe & so did Mr DalbyeFootnote ²²⁰ & a great many more there. Then the complaynant said true it is my lorde I strake her, wheruppon a pare of spectacles that honge unto her kercher brake & the glase rent her said husbands hand that his blood was uppon her face but not blake nor hurte. What this honorable court maye thinke of this slandor of the defendants, & her wicked doinges in takinge the peace upon her husband without any cause geven her, & so standeth in band with good suertyes at this daye & desireth to be discharged thereof.

[And] as concerninge the confederatinge betwene the complainant & one Rice Jones a dromer, as they skornfully terme him, & mysdeasmenors aledged by John Rowdon, & the rest of the defendants say that the complainant her husband meaninge to bereave her of all that she had, this also was & is malissyously spoken as the Almighty knoweth it, for to spoyle her is his owne spoyle. But so yt is, maye it please this honorable courte, that the said complainant beinge acquaynted with both the father & the onkle of this Rice Jones, the father of the said Rice died in the infancy of the said Rice & bequeathed him a certeyn legasie of money, which some of money was put into the handes of William Yonge, a grocer in Cheapside, to the use of the said Rice Jones beinge then under adge. So yt is that not longe after, the said Yonge fell banckrouteFootnote ²²¹ & thereuppon the onkle of the said Rice Jones & one William Jones, a pore man & a porter, brought this Rice Jones unto the said complaynant & made there moane unto the said complaynant, desiringe him to travell with the said William Yonge to get the same money into his handes as he could. So the said complaynant did agree with the same Yonge to paye it yearlye, & so paid it a longe tyme to this complaynant, & afterwards, when this Rice Jones cam[e] to age, toke order with Yonge himself, & so did he with the said complaynant for th[a]t porcion he hade nowe, the said complaynant beinge arested by his said wief to the peace & caried to the counter in Woodstrett. [And] havinge but seaven pence in his purse, nore knewe not where to be releved with any more, & the charges greate & knowinge he should be put into the hole there to starve & never to com[e] forthe without helpe of frendes, sent for the same Rice Jones his cossen and honest man, he havinge wief & children & free of the Stacionors, neverthelesse hath very good knowlege in a drome & hath served her majestie in her warres as a dromsteyr & is well knowne both to honorable & worshipfull in this cittye of London to be an honest man.

So true it is that the defendants saieth, that the said Rice Jones comenced an action against the said complaynant in her majesties courte before the shrefesFootnote ²²² of London & condempned him, & before he toke out the fieri facias to strayne upon the goods of the said complaynant, the said Marion wife to the said complaynant had knowlege thereof & conveied all the beste of the complaynants goods that could be carried or conveighed out of the howse, as lynnen, tapsterye, brase, pewter & that litle plate that there was. [And] in the very tyme of the serjants beinge there in the howse it was caried & conveyed out, oute of the howse & as the serjants & yeomen & this Rice Jones said, they wer[e] so evell intreated with raylings, as callinge them conny catchers,Footnote ²²³ dromers & knaves, that they have said they wold not take the like office in hand to doe agayne for xx nobles.Footnote ²²⁴ Nevertheless they wer[e] well paid for there paines in doinge the office & very true it is that uppon there complaint to the lord maior the lord maior said he could not help that was past by lawe, but it must take place. But in that it must be praisedFootnote ²²⁵ the lord maior called the said complaynant & willed that one of the defendants, Nicholas Hewes, might buy the same goods as it should be praised, as he the same Hewes & Maryan & the reste of the defendants had made sute to his honor before that he might have them. This complainant answered his honor that the cawse was not in him but in Rice Jones & Rice Jones was then called before the lord maior in like manor & was desired that the said Nicholas Hewes might have the goods as yt should be prased, to which request of the lord maior Rice Jones graunted yt him to have it. [And] in very truth the said Nicholas Hewes paid Rice Jones the said some of xij li in ode moneyFootnote ²²⁶ as the playntiff shall be proved to this honorable courte. Neverthelesse this mony was disbursed & delivered to John Rowden as is hoped shall be proved by the said compl[ain]ants wief.

Also, true it is that the said John Rowden & Fraunces Gibson uppon the intreaty of the said maior to be admitted praisers of the said goods & to praise them trulye & indeferently without parciallytie as in right it ought to be done. And this was done neither with equitie nor conscience, but the best hope that the said complainant hath is that they be his owne still, & so desireth this honorable court to have possession thereof & the rest of the goods not seised uppon in like manor that is abroard. And to satysfye this honorable courte of the evell conscyences of the praisers, & for that they saye they have ever praised yt, the first thinge they preised was in the hall, a very faire drawinge table & vj newe joyned stoles at xiiij s the tabell, beinge newe & newe sett up but in that howse & cost xxvj s. [And] the stooles xvj d the pecce and a danske chest of waynskot in boed & settworkeFootnote ²²⁷ of mazarwoodFootnote ²²⁸ & cost in danske more then xl s & the freight cost xiij s 4 d, they praised it at x s. More, in one of the chambers a bedsted praised at xiiij s which the said Gibson, one of the praisers, went with the said Maryan a yeare after her mariage to the said complaynant and paid for the same bedsteed xxxv s. Also in another chamber a presse for apparrell praised at v s, and the same John Rowden the other praiser offered about a yeare or littell more xviij s for the said presse & the said Maryan wold not let him have it under xx s at that tyme, so that all the rest of the goods they praised after the like rate for there qualitie & this is under there handes in courte. And as there creditt is in this, the said complaynant referreth to this honorable courte the rest of there saiengs & doinges.

[And] where the said complaynant saieth in his bill of complaint that he brought with him in goodes & money to the value of a hundreth poundes, & denyed by all the defendants as the[y] saye for ought they knowe, it is most true & the spightfull wief of the said Rowden knoweth it well anoff. Wold God that it had never bene true, that she had never had neither him nor the goods & money, for it had bene wronge with the most of them if it had not bene true, & especially John Rowden & his wief. Before they cam[e] to dwell there over agai[n]st the complaynant they were very poore & had the almosFootnote ²²⁹ of the parishe where she dwelt, but nowe, by havinge of the use of the complaynants money at the hands of his wiefe, is as a great many good men thincketh it, they ar[e] aloft, what with his scoffyn & gibbinge, who but Doctor Rowden a second Burket because he had bene his man. [And] Nicholas Hewes, she cannot but lend him money for partakinge her, as she hath confessed it with her owne mowth. And John Leech, for his fathers sake, if he will not aske none she will throw it him out of the windowe & with jules also, besides the cheif comoditie of the complaynants howse. She is contented he have it before herself, & therefore no doute he is her storer of howshould stufe, it is so[o]ne conveied thether prevelie, he is at hand & not to be sene. Richard Ferrys & Elizabeth his wief, they regard not the playntiff although they have receved more benefitt at his handes then ever he had at any father or mothers or any kindred els[e]. They ar[e] sole carriers of his goods as the said Marion the said complainants wife hath confessed. She bought him a lease of a howse in Gouldinge Lane & it cost her x li which she laid out for him, & to betraye her husband for the same howse John Beamon, he a neighbour at hand, can receive of the complaynants goods & keepe them in his chamber as it is to be proved. Edward Roberts hath oftentymes demaunded to borrowe money of the said complaynant & he the said complaynant willed the said Marion to let him have so much as he desired & had it diverse tymes, but he never paid one peny of itt where he ought to paye it, besides other treaspasses he did the complaynant. [And] so in like manor did Fraunces Gibsone, so that emongst them & elswhere there is little or nothinge left in the howse, but he hopeth by the helpe of this honorable court shortlye to come where it is & have it home agayne.

And agayne the said complaynant, as in his bill of complaint, cannot but suppose that the said defendants John Rowden, Nicholas Hewes, & such of there frendes by there procurment by certeyn wordes spoken to the complaynant, did procure the said Marian to take the peace upon her husband, as is most true, & must needs of course forsweare herself. [And] truly beinge asked before the lord maior who they wer[e] that went with her to the justice, she aunswered & said that they were honest gentlemen, but wold not name any of them before the honorable the lord maior. As it is sayd, the judge of the standers-by asked whether they thinke or knowe whether she had sworne trulye or not, they said yea; I take there consience very large. [And] where the defendants saye that untrue [it is] that the lord maior did not at the deisereFootnote ²³⁰ of Maryan to be quytt of her husband Jones, & that his honor did not directly & absolutly assigne & nomynat[e] two men, viz: Mr Martyn & Mr Tydcastle, & Mr Harvie parson of the parish church of Saint Albones in Woodstrett umphire, to alowe such wekley expence as in there conciences should be sufficient for such an aged man, beinge not abell to yearne his owne livenge. [And] two of them mett Harvye & Mr Marteyn & called the complaynant & Marion his wief & wold have had Marion to put in suertye to enter in bond for her to performe there awarde, & the complaynant her husband for himself in like case, but Marion wold not. Yett neverthelesse they, most willinge & desirous to sett unitie betwene them, intreated by fare meanes to bringe her to make any offer that she wold parte from willinglye. This was done two or thre[e] tymes & there was offered unto her honest & reasonable condicions under her said husbands hand, which wer[e] in thre[e] braunches to take her choyse of them, & as this complaynant thinketh Mr Harvye hath a copye thereof.

The first artickle is he desireth to have all his goods, howshowld stufe & money that he brought with him & cam[e] by his meanes & he will knowlege seperacion with love & favor. The second, he was then contented if she wold come & dwell with her said husband in any other howse where he could gett one fitt to sarve there torneFootnote ²³¹ he wold receive her to dwell with him, so she wold intendFootnote ²³² herself to her howse & goods that she despersed abrode. The last is that he is contented to lett her alone with his howshold stuffe & money as his good steward to maynteyne the same so as he maye be allowed out of the labour of his servants, which doth yearne better then an c mark by yeare, so much weekly as this honorable court will thinck sufficient for an owld man that is past his laibour, with sufficient lynen, washinge, wringinge & 2 paire of wollen stockings a yeare as heretofore she did when she sent him 3 s 4 d the weeke, which he said to be so little as all men doth & maye judge. [And] he will also content himself with love and favor, & not as the defendants saieth to take out other labour, for she doth [earn]Footnote ²³³ little herself a yeare, yet notwithstandinge if she cold earne a c li a yeare and more yet is she but her husbands steward & to yeald him accompt thereof. [And] whe[re] the said defendants and the rest of them saye that her said husband wold live at ease uppon his wives laibour like a drone bee, he neither meanith soe nor desireth no such matter, as heretofore is said drone was never but a bee he is, & a silley one, & like a bee he came to her laden with hony, his back full, & that she & her adherents hath founde, or els[e] Rowden could not have gone in his silkes as a many thinketh it.

And more, where the defendants saith that the said Maryan is thre[e]skore & tene yeares ould it is untrue, she lacketh of 60, & so no doute John Rowden fundeth her and so the said complaynant referreth himself to this honorable court to be releved. And without that, that any other matter or thinge mencyoned or conteyned in there said aunswers matereall or effectuall in the lawe to be replyed unto & not before in this replicacion sufficiently confessed & avoided traversed or denyed is true. All which matters this complaynant is readye to aver and prove as this honorable court shall award and praith as before in his said bill he hath prayed.

[Unsigned]

8.5 Parchment Interrogatories   1594   REQ 2/229/25, m. 19

Interrogatories to be mynistred to the witnesses to be produced on the parte and behalff of Griffyn Jones, playntiff, agaynst Maryan Jones his wife, John Rowden and Ketheryn his wyfe, Nicholas Hewes, Richard Ferrys and Elizabeth his wyfe, John Leeche, Edward Roberts, John Beoman and Fraunces Gibson, defendants

1. 1. Inprimis, do you knowe the parties plaintiffs and deffendants and how long have you knowne them or any of them.

2. 2. Item, what varyaunces and debates hath there byn betwene the partye playntiff and Maryan his wyfe, and in whome is the faulte, and how often have you taken paynes of yourselff to sett them at unitye, and how often did your curat[e] Mr Burton sett them at unitye, besides what paynes tooke you and the churchwardens in the vestrie and others of the worshippfull of the parishe of St Albones to sett them at unitye and could not do it, and by reason thereof did not the plaintiff, her husband, say before you all he would once agayne venterFootnote ²³⁴ his lyfe and go home to her that your paynes should not be lost, & did it and was comended for it, and how long continued they togeather.

3. 3. Item, whether did you and Mr Martyn before Christmas last, 1593, take the like paynes betwene the plaintiff & Maryan his wyfe accordinge to Sir William Rowes order, late lord mayor of the cittie of London, uppon the suite of the saide Maryan and her frendes to be ridd and quitt of her husband, then his honour sent for her husband, being in prison uppon the peace at her suite in Ludgate.Footnote ²³⁵ When he came his honour asked him whether he would be ridd and quitt of his wyfe and take such weekely stipend as two honest men would thinke sufficient for him. He said yea, then his honour assigned and named Mr Martyn and Mr Tedcastle to travayle therein and Mr Harvie to be umpeir, and weare they before you and how often and how behaved she herselff towardes her husband & what order tooke you therein and what was the lettFootnote ²³⁶ that you tooke no order. Declare your knowledge therein at large [Addition] thoughe the playntiffe offered her honestlye and Christiane lyke, viz: that she would either deliver him suche goods and chattles as he brought to her, or that she would leave the house and dwell with him and he would accept of her companye in love and favor or els[e] to stand to the award above mencioned.

4. 4. Item, whether do you knowe of your owne knowledge or have you hardFootnote ²³⁷ that those goods which weare seased over by vertue of a scire facias Footnote ²³⁸ weare bought agayne by the plaintiffs wyfe Maryan or by meanes made for another to buy them to her use, and who was he that bought them, and by what meanes shall the same be brought home agayne, and whether did you say in Mr Parys his house that those goods will come home well inough yf you weare at home togeather, yea or no.

5. 5. Item, what money, jewells or plate or household stuff to your knowledge, or have you hard say, that John Rowdon or Nicholas Hewes or any of theis deffendants or any other person or persons hath received att the hands of the plaintiffs wyfe Maryan, or at the handes of any other persons by her appoyntement or consent since their intermariage or before, either by loane or keping to her use, declare your knowledge at large.

6. 6. Item, how did the saide Maryan behave herselff towardes Roger Robinson her firste husbande and what drugeFootnote ²³⁹ made she of him, and of what behaviour was that Robinson, say your knowledge at large.

7. 7. Item, how hath the saide Maryan behaved herselff towardes the said Griffyn Jones, now her husbande, synce their intermariage and how often have you seene multitudes of people gather togeather about the dore of the plaintiff Jones and what runninge of neighbours, especiallye theis deffendants, hath there byn into the house of the saide Jones, without leave agaynst his will, and whoe weare they, say your knowledge therein.

8. 8. Item, whether have you seene or knowne that Griffyn Jones att any tyme hath striken the saide Maryan either with stick, staff, cudgell or any other weapon, say your knowledge at large therein.

9. 9. Item, whether do you knowe, or have you harde by the confession of the saide Maryan or of Katheryn Rowdon or of any other person or persons, that the saide Maryan laide knyves in the bedd and uppon the bedd where the saide Jones lay with the saide Maryan, and how ofte attempted she so to do and for what cause.

10. 10. Item, have you harde that John Rowdon or Kathryn his wyfe or Edward Roberts have given out or spoken any slaunderous wordes in threatninge wise agaynst the plaintiff Jones, and what weare the same wordes, and whether did Edward Roberts strike the plaintiff in his house, to your knowledge or hearinge, or in the feilde or cittie. And how did the saide Maryan behave herselff when she was before the warmott inquestFootnote ²⁴⁰ towardes her saide husband, and what saide she being charged often tymes to have laide knives in the bedd to kill the said plaintiff, as also she, Katheryn Rowdon and other women pluckinge of his beard, say your knowledge as you hard therein.

11. 11. Item, when the plaintiff and Maryan his wyfe weare at varyaunce what paynes tooke you in February 1592Footnote ²⁴¹ to make them freinds, and how long was it ere you could do it, and in what order was it done and under what condicions, and whether did the saide Maryan promise to kepe their condicions under othes, and what weare their othes and whether to your knowledge did shee kepe your orders and her othes, yea or no.

12. 12. Item, the seconde tyme, whether did Mr Harvye about a yere after sende for you hopinge betwene you bothe and Mr Martyn to sett the saide Jones & Maryan at unitye, and what was the lettFootnote ²⁴² you did not travayle therein.

13. 13. Item, whether have you harde the saide Maryan, or Mr Harvye or Nicholas Hewes himselff, confesse that he the saide Nicholas had any monye or other things of the saide Maryans at any tyme in free love or for consideracion or to kepe for her, or any other goods, houshold stuff, jewells or plate in the like order, yea or no.

14. 14. Item, whether about the firste day of July last 1593, at the tyme of the servants beinge in the house doyng of their office or at any tyme before or since, that you or any of your fellowes, or Richard Ferrys or Elizabeth his wyfe or any other person or persons, carrye out of the house in Litle Wood Streete where the saide Maryan now remayneth either houshold stuff, tapistrie, coverlett or any other goods or lynnen weat or dry, and whoe carried it and whether was it carryed. And whether did the saide Maryan or any other give or lende Richard Ferrys or his wyfe any monye towardes the bu[y]inge of the house in Goldinge Lane, and how much was it to your remembraunce, and what evill speeches have you hard the said Richard Ferrys or Elizabeth his wyff or any other of theis defendants speake agaynst the plaintiff Jones, say your knowledge & hearinge.

15. 15. Item, whether did the lord maior uppon the suite of the plaintiffs wyfes highest ffrends graunte that John Rowdon & Fraunces Gibson, two of the deffendants, should praiseFootnote ²⁴³ these goods seazed over by Rice Jones accordinge to lawe to their value in conscience, yea or no, and weare they praised to the full value.

16. 16. Item, did not the saide Maryan and Nicholas Hewes desire of his honor that Hewes might bye the saide goods of Rice Jones as they should be praised, and as his honor had graunted him leave and had consent of Rice Jones to have the goods, did not Hewes in a bravery say to the plaintiff Jones cominge out of my lords house (Now the goods be myne I will sett a fyre in the great chest before thy face and [burn it)Footnote ²⁴⁴] and did not the said Hewes bringe so muche into the saide plaintiffs house as the saide goods weare praised at and to what ende brought he [the] same monye, declare your knowledge.

17. 17. Item, whether did John Leeche aboute two yers past sett one of his doggs uppon you and your fellowes sittinge in the yarde at worke where you ought [to . . .] and overthrew your frames, tangled and rayedFootnote ²⁴⁵ your silke with the dogg, yea or no. And did not the same John Leeche revyle you and all your fellowes with disdaynfull terms, and what weare the tearms & wordes, and bycause Brigett Mote answered him and sayd that you weare as good mens children as he was, did not the saide Leeche beat her about the head and face that her kercherFootnote ²⁴⁶ fell of[f] and she was fayne to make her reddye agayne, say your knowledge and the truthe herein.

18. 18. Item, was there not a great danske chest taken out of the house of the saide plaintiff Jones and whoe tooke the same chest out of the house and whoe was the carpenter that brooke upp the house to convey out the chest and was it not broken by the appoyntment or knowledge of the saide John Rowdon and whoe did helpe in the doyng thereof, declare your knowledge at large.

[m. 19v]

Termino trinitatis xxxvj Elizabethe regine Footnote ²⁴⁷

8.6 Paper Deposition   19 May 1594   REQ 2/229/25, m. 3

Depositiones capte apud Westmonasterium xix die Maij anno regni domine regine Elizabethe nunc &c xxxvj ex parte Gryffyn Johans querentis versus Marian Johans uxorem eius et Johen Rowden et al. defendentes Footnote ²⁴⁸

Allyn Egerton of Osworster in the countie of Salopp, cordwayner of the age of xlvij yeres or there abowts sworn and examined the day and yere above said deposithe and saiethe:

1. 1. To the first interrogatory this deponent saethe he knowethe the saide complainant and Marian his wyffe and the said Nichas Hewes, but the residew he saiethe he knowethe not.

2. 2. To the second interrogatory this deponent saiethe that he this said deponent did take payns betwene the said Johanes and his wyffe and did make them frends at that tyme: And that then she the saide Marion said to hym the said Johanes these words or the lyke, viz: Johans, if yow wilt forgeve me now weFootnote ²⁴⁹ will put up all injuries and all shall be well, and more he can not depose.

3. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. To the iij, iiij, v, vj, vij, viij, ix, xth, xjth, xij, xiij, xiiij, xv, xvj, xvij and xviij interrogatories this deponent saiethe that abowt ij or iij days after that he this said deponent had made the said Johans and the said Marian frends, that he did heare the said Marian say that he shold not have the iij s iiij d a weke which was promised hym, do what he could. And more he can not depose.

Allin Edgarton

[m. 4]

Robert Harvie of the parishe of St Albans in London, clark of the age of xxxvj yeres or there abowts, sworn and examined the day and yere abovesaid deposethe and saiethe:

1. 1. To the first interrogatory this deponent saiethe he knowethe the saide complainant and deffendants.

2. 2. To the second interrogatory this deponent saiethe that there hathe bene variances and debattes betwene the said complainant and Marian his wyffe, but what the said variances were he saiethe he knowethe not, but saiethe that the fawlt is in bothe of the said parties. And saiethe that he dyvers and sundrie tymes hathe taken payns to sett them at unitye, but how often he saiethe he remembrithe not, and saiethe that to his now remembrance some of the parishe there did allso take some payns to sett them at unytie and could not do it. And saiethe he doethe remembre that it was agread that the said complainant shold goe home to his said wyffe, but whether he did goe home to her or noe this deponent remembrithe not. And more he saiethe he can not depose.

3. 3. To the third interrogatory this deponent saiethe that the said Mr Martyne and this said deponent, havinge the said complainant and his wyffe before them, and myndinge to take some payns to sett them at unytie and fyndinge them so pervers[e], one to another, did leave the matter betwene them as they did fynd it. And more to his now remembrance he can not depose.

4. 4. 5. 6. To the iiij, vth and vjth interrogatories this deponent can say nothinge.

5. 7. To the vijth interrogatory this deponent saiethe that the said Maryan is a shrew towards the said Gryffyn Johans her husbond. And more he can not depose.

6. 8. To the viijth interrogatory this deponent saiethe he hathe not seene the said Johans at any tyme stryke his wyffe with any thinge, but saiethe he hath hard that he hath stryken her.

7. 9. To the ixth interrogatory this deponent saiethe that he hathe hard the can say nothinge. [m. 5]

8. 10. To the xth interrogatory this deponent saiethe that he hathe hard hym the said John Rowden say that the said Gryffine Johans did say that the Spanyards lyvid better then wee, and whereas the said John Rowden did persuade the said Gryffyn Johans to leave suche words, because he was an old man and to be of our relegion he answerid that that he never wold be so long as he lyvid. And more he can not depose.

9. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. To the xj, xij, xiij, xiiij, xv, xvj, xvij and xviijth interrogatories this deponent can say nothinge.

per me Robert Harveius clericus

[m. 6]

Rice Johans of the parishe of St Buttolphes in London, stationer of the age of xliiij yeres or there abowts, sworn and exam[in]ed the daye and yere abovesaid deposethe and saiethe:

1. 1. To the first interrogatory this deponent saiethe he knowethe the said complainant and Marion his wyffe, John Rowden and Katheryn his wyffe, and the residew of the said deffendants he knowethe not.

2. 2. To the second interrogatory this deponent saiethe that he knowethe that there hathe bene variances and debates betwene the said complainant and the said Marian his wyffe, but in whome the fault thereof is this deponent knowethe not. And more he can not depose.

3. 3. To the iijd interrogatory this deponent saiethe he can say nothinge.

4. 4. To the iiijth interrogatory this deponent saiethe that he verelie thinkethe that Nicholus Hews did to the use of the said Marian buy certen goods which were seised one by vertew of scire facias. And more he saiethe he can not depose.

5. 5. 6. 7. To the v, vj, vijth interrogatories this deponent can say nothinge.

6. 8. To the viijth interrogatory this deponent saiethe he hathe not seene the said Gryffyn Johans at any tyme stryke the said Marion with any thinge.

7. 9. 10. To the ix and xth interrogatories this deponent can say nothinge.

8. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. To the xj, xij, xiij, xiiij, xv, xvj, xvij and xviijth interrogatories this deponent is not examined of at the suet of the said complainant.

Rice Jones

John Lloyde of the parishe of St Buttolphe[s] in London, cooke of the age of xxiij yeres or there abowts, sworn and examined the day and yere abovesaid deposethe and saiethe:

1. 1. To the first interrogatory this deponent saiethe that he knowethe the said complainant and Maryon his wyffe and the said John Rowden, but the residew he saiethe he knowethe not.

2. 2. To the second interrogatory this deponent saiethe that he knowethe that there hathe bene divers controversies and debattes betwene the said complainant and Marian his wyffe, and saiethe that the [m. 7] fawlt thereof hathe bene in the saide Marian. And more he saiethe he can not depose.

3. 3. 4. 5. 6. To the iij, iiij, vth and vjth interrogatories this deponent can say nothinge.

4. 7. To the vijth interrogatory this deponent saiethe that the said Marian did behave herselfe very evil towards the said Johans her husbond synce there mariadge. And he saiethe that once he did see a great multitude of people abowt the dore of there house. And more he saiethe he can not depose.

5. 8. To the viijth interrogatory this deponent saiethe that he hathe not seen the said Johans at any tyme stryke the said Marion with any thinge.

6. 9. To the ixth interrogatory this deponent saiethe that he hathe hard that the said Marion did lay knyffes in the bedd and upon the bedd where as the said Johans did lye with the said Marian. And more he can not depose.

7. 10. To the xth interrogatory this deponent saiethe that he did heare the said John Rowden say to the said Johans that he the said Johans was a Brydwell bird.Footnote ²⁵⁰ And more he saiethe he can not depose.

Jhon Lloyd

Thomas Butler of the parishe of St Gyles withowt Cripelgatte, London, servant with Charles Watkins of the said parishe, marchaunt taylor, of the age of xxvj yeres or there abowts sworn and examined the day and yere abovesaid deposethe and saiethe:

1. 1. To the first interrogatory this deponent saiethe he knowethe the said complainant and deffendants, savinge onelie the said Richard Ferris and Elizabethe his wyffe.

2. 2. 3. To the ij and iijd interrogatories this deponent saiethe he can say nothinge.

3. 4. To the iiijth interrogatory this deponent saiethe that he hathe hard that the said John Rowden did buy certeyn goods which were seised one which were the said complainants, and that he did buy them to the use of the said Marion the said complainants wyffe, and saiethe he did see the said John Rowden cary certein goods owt of the howse of the said complainants to his own howse. And more he saiethe he can not depose.

4. 5. To the vth interrogatory this deponent saiethe that he this deponent beinge at work in the house of one Beamond beinge the next howse to the said Johanes, there did come to this said deponent one Turpins wyffe and requestid this said deponent to reatche a silver cupp which was thrust throwghe a wall of the said Johans howse, which said cup forasmoche as the same was thrust owt the wall of the howse of the said Johans, beinge next to the said howse where this said deponent did there work, and the same wall beinge very hye, he this deponent was requested by the said Turpins wyffe to reatche the same, which this deponent did accordinglie and deliverid the same to her. And more he saiethe he can not depose.

5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. To the vj, vij, viij, ix, xth, xj, xij, xiij, xiiij, xv, xvj, xvij and xviijth interrogatories this deponent can say nothinge.

+ [Deponent's mark]

[m. 9]

Evans Thomas of the parishe of St Alphag[e]s in London, marchaunt taylor of the age of xlviij yeres or there abowts, sworn and examined the daye and yere abovesaid deposeth and saiethe:

1. 1. To the first interrogatory this deponent saiethe he knowethe the said complainant and deffendants.

2. 2. To the second interrogatory this deponent saiethe that he knowethe that there hathe bene variences and debate betwene the said complainant and the said Marian, and saiethe he is perswadid that the fault is in them bothe, but what the said variances and debates were this deponent knowethe not. And more he saiethe he can not depose.

3. 3. 4. 5. 6. To the iij, iiij, v and vjth interrogatories this deponent can say nothinge.

4. 7. To the vijth interrogatory this deponent saiethe that he hathe seene at ij severall tymes multitudes of people gatherid together abowt the dore of the saide Johans. And more he saiethe he can not depose.

5. 8. 9. To the viij and ixth interrogatories this deponent can say nothing.

6. 10. To the xth interrogatory this deponent saiethe that he this said deponent beinge one of the warmot inquest, did cause the said complainant and the said Marion his wyffe to come before the said inquest with intencion to make them frends. But there was nothinge therein done, for that, that she the said Marion wold not tary there amongst them, wheras the said complainant her husbond did come. And there beinge speches usid by the said complainant for certen knyffes which shold be laid in his bed, she the said Marion answerid that there myght be knyffes laid there by mischaunce by some of the howse, but none by her. And more he can not depose.

7. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. To the xj, xij, xiij, xiiij, xv, xvj, xvij and xviijth interrogatories this deponent can say nothinge.

[Unsigned]

[m. 10]

Elizabethe Newton, daughter to Richard Newton of the parishe of [blank Footnote ²⁵¹] in Frydaystreete in London, innkeeperFootnote ²⁵² of the age of foureteene yeares or there abouts, sworne and examyned the daye and yeare abovesaid deposethe and saythe:

1. 1. To the first interrogatory this deponent saythe shee knowethe the parties plaintiffs and defendants.

2. 2. 3. To the second and third interrogatories this deponent can saye nothinge.

3. 4. To the fourthe interrogatory this deponent saythe that to her nowe remembraunce she heard the said Marryon saye these woords or the lyke in effecte, viz: that yf her said husbond would come home and live with her she would make shifte for money to fetche the goods home agayne which weare then takneFootnote ²⁵³ thence, soe thate he would have some other bound with him not to sell them agayne. And she this deponent thinkethe these goods weare not bought to the use of the said Marryon nor with her money. And more shee saythe shee can not depose of her owne knowledge.

4. 5. 6. 7. To the vth, vjth and seaventhe interrogatories this deponent saythe shee can say nothinge.

5. 8. To the eight interrogatory this deponent saythe that shee hathe seene the said Gryffyne Johanes divers tymes stryke his said wyffe with his hand and once with a sticke. And more shee can not depose.

6. 9. To the nynthe interrogatory this deponent saythe shee heard the saide Marrion saye that her said husbonde reported that the knyffe which was found one his bed was layd there by the said Marryon to an evell entent. And shee saythe he reported yt uppon this occacion, viz: shee the said Marryon gooinge to Skiners Alley to vissett her said husbond, then beinge sycke, and having founde occacion to use her knyffe by reason shee was then makinge him meate layde yt downe [m. 11] one the bedd. And retorneinge home in haste to her house where shee nowe dwellithe did send one of her mayds for the same and he would not lett the mayde have yt. And more shee cannot depose.

7. 10. To the tenth interrogatory this deponent saythe that the said Marryon, beinge demaunded of the warmott inqueste touchinge the layinge of those knyffes in the bedd which he accused her of, shee the said Marryon denyed the same with an othe. And more shee can not depose touchinge the said interrogatory.

8. 11. 12. 13. To the xjth, xijth and xiijth interrogatories this deponent can saye nothinge.

9. 14. To the foureteenthe interrogatory this deponent saythe that shee this said deponent did carry out of the howse of the said Marryon three sheets and a table clothe wett, and another of her this deponents fellowes did bringe to the gardeyne where the other lynen afforesaid was a dryinge twoe payre of sheets. And shee this deponent saythe that to her nowe remembraunce shee did alsoe carry without the privitie of the said Marryon one blankett and one payre of sheets more, which she brought home agayne the same night. And she this deponent saythe that to her knowledge the said Marryon did not geve or lend any money to the said Richard Ferres or his wyffe towards the buyinge of the said howses in Gouldings Lane. And more shee cannot depose.

10. 15. 16. To the fyftenthe and syxteenthe interrogatories this deponent can say nothing.

11. 17. To the seavententhe interrogatory this deponent saythe that the said John Leache havinge a dogge there with him, the saide dogge did flye amongeste this said deponent and her fellowes and caste downe there woorke. And shee further saythe that the said Leache did rayle uppon some in the companye, [m. 12] and uppon some speeches geven him he stroke one Bridgett Mote and soe handled her that her kercher fell of[f], soe as shee was constreyned to make her reddy agayne. And more shee can not depose.

12. 18. To the xviijth interrogatory this deponent saythe that there was a greate cheste takne out of the howse and that the same was takne owt by one John Curteses man (by the commandment of her said mistris whose name shee knowethe not). But whether yt was brockneFootnote ²⁵⁴ upp by the said John Rowden this deponent knowethe not. And more shee cannot depose.

[m. 13]

Elizabethe Kettley, servaunt with Marian Johanes one of the defendants, of the parishe of St Albones in Littlewood Street in London of the age of nynteene yeares or there abouts, sworne and examyned the day and yeare above said deposithe and saythe:

1. 1. To the first interrogatory this deponent saythe shee knowethe the parties plaintiffs and deffendants and soe hathe done of a longe tyme, for that that she dwellithe with the said Marion.

2. 2. To the second interrogatory this deponent saythe that there hathe beene greate debates betweene her master and mistress, but in whome the fault is or was this deponent saythe she knowethe not. And more to this interrogatory shee saythe she cannot depose.

3. 3. 4. 5. To the third, fourth and fyfte interogatories this deponente cannot depose.

4. 6. To the syxte interrogatory this deponent saythe that to her knowledge shee the said Marryan did not otherwyse behave herselfe towards her firste husbonde then an honeste woeman ought to doe. And saythe that soe longe as shee knewe him he was a very honest man. And more shee cannot depose.

5. 7. To the seaventhe interogatory this deponent can say nothinge.

6. 8. To the eight interrogatory this deponent saythe that she hath seene the said Griffyn Jones, her master, stricke her the said Marian with a sticke and beate her with his hands twise or thrise. And more shee cannot depose.

7. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. To the nynthe, xth, xjth, xijth & xiijth interrogatories this deponent can say nothinge, neyther is shee examyned of them at request of the said plaintiff.

[m. 14]

1. 14. 15. 16. To the xiiijth, xvth and xvjth interrogatories this deponent can say nothinge.

2. 17. To the xvijth interrogatory this deponent saythe that the said John Leache came into the yeard of the said Marryon and had a great dogge with him, which dogge did flye uppon this deponent and others and threwe downe some of there frames. But whether he caused the dogge soe to doe or noe shee saythe shee certeynelye knowethe not. And shee saythe he used some badd woords to them, but what they weare she remembrithe not. And shee further saythe that the said Bridgett Mote answerid him agayne, where uppon he gave her a blowe or twoe and her kercher fell of[f]. And more shee cannot depose.

3. 18. To the xviijth interrogatory this deponent can say nothinge.

+ [Deponent's mark]

[m. 15]

Raffe Crue of the parishe of St Michels Bashinge shaweFootnote ²⁵⁵ in London, mercer of the age of lvj yeres or there abowts sworn and examined the daye and yere abovesaid deposeth and saiethe:

1. 1. To the first interrogatory this deponent saiethe he knowethe the said complainant and the said Marion his wyffe and the said Nichus Hewes, but the residew he saiethe he knowethe not.

2. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. To the ij, iij, iiij, v, vj, vij, viij, ix and xth interrogatories this deponent is not examined of at the request of the said complainant.

3. 11. To the xjth interrogatory this deponent saiethe that he this said deponent did in or abowt February 1592Footnote ²⁵⁶ take paynes to make the said complainant and the said Marion frends and as he did thinck they were frends, for this deponent saieth that they, beinge together at his this said deponents howse, this deponent did as he then did thinck make them frends, for that, that he the said complainant and the said Marion did goe home together. And this deponent saiethe that she the said Marion did then swere, and that very vehementlie, that she wold contynew frends with the said complainant. But what the condicions of the agrement that then was made betwene them was, this deponent saiethe he doethe not now remembre certeinlie, but as he thinckethe that she shold getFootnote ²⁵⁷ the leas[e] of her howse to hym as it was before.

4. 12. To the xijth interrogatory this deponent saiethe that abowt a yere then after he the said Mr Harvie did send for hym this said deponent to sett the said complainant and the said Marion at unytie, but they could not, by reason that they did fynd them bothe so obstynate.

5. 13. To the xiijth interrogatory this deponent saiethe that he neyther did heare the said Marion, Mr Harvie or the said Nichus Hewes or any of them confesse that he the said Nichus had any money or other things of the saide Marions at any tyme in Free Lane or for consideracion or to keap for her or any goods, howshold stuffe, juels or platte.

6. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. To the xiiij, xv, xvj, xvij and eightene interrogatories this deponent is not examyned of at the suete of the said complainant.

by me Raffe Crew

[m. 16]

Roger Backhowse of the parishe of St Albans in London, turnor of the age of lv yeres or there abowts, sworn and examined the day and yeare abovesaid deposethe and saiethe:

1. 1. To the first interrogatory this deponent saiethe he knowethe the said complainant and the said Marion his wyffe, the said John Rowden and Katherin his wyffe, the said Richard Ferris and Elizabethe his wyffe, the said John Leache, Edward Roberts, John Beoman and Frauncis Gibson, but the said Nichus Hewes he saiethe he knowethe not.

2. 2. 3. 4. 5. To the ij, iij, iiijth and vth interrogatories this deponent can say nothinge.

3. 6. To the vjth interrogatory this deponent saiethe that the said Marion did behave herselfe shrewelie as well towards her first husbond as she doethe unto this complainant.

4. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. To the vij, viij, ix, xth and xjth interrogatories this deponent can say nothinge.

5. 12. To the xijth interrogatory this deponent saiethe that the said Mr Harvie and Mr Martyn did send for hym this said deponent to come to them, and this deponent comyng to them they askid this said deponent whether that the then lord maior Mr Ro did appoynt that they shold be arbitrators betwene the said complainant and his wyffe, and whether that any suche order were wrytten down, whereunto this deponent answerid he could not tell. And more he can not depose.

6. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. To the xiij, xiiij, xv, xvj and xvijth interrogatories this deponent can say nothinge.

7. 18. To the xviijth interrogatory this deponent saiethe that there was a great chest being a danske chest taken owt of the howse of the said Johans, which said chest is in the howse of the said Rowden, but who did take the same from hym this deponent saiethe he knowethe not.

P [Deponent's mark]

[m. 17]

George Wright of the parishe of St Albons in London, button maker of the age of xxix yeres or there abowts, sworn and examined the day and yeare above said deposeth and saieth:

1. 1. To the first interrogatory this deponent saiethe he knowethe the said complainant, Marian his wyffe, John Rowden and Katheryn his wyffe, Nichus H[eweFootnote ²⁵⁸]s, John Leeche, Edward Roberts, John Beoman and Frauncis Gibson, but the said Robert Ferrys and his wyffe he saiethe to his now remembrance he knowethe not.

2. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. To the ij, iij, iiij, v, vj, vij, viij, ix, xth, xj, xij, xiij, xiiij, xv, xvj and xvijth interrogatories this deponent can say nothinge.

3. 18. To the xviijth interrogatory this deponent saiethe that the said John Rowden did tell hym this said deponent that he had a great danske chest which was the said Johans. And more this deponent can not depose.

per me George Wrighte

[m. 18]

Robert Fenrutter of the parishe of St Alphadge in London, clotheworker of the age of xlvj yeres or there abowts, sworn and examined the day and yere above said deposethe and saiethe:

1. 1. To the first interrogatory this deponent saiethe he knowethe the said complainant and Marian his wyffe, the said John Rowden and Katheryn his wyffe, John Leeche, Edward Roberts, John Beomon and the said Frauncis Gibsone, but the said Nichus Hewes he saiethe he knowethe not.

2. 2. To the second interrogatory this deponent saiethe that there hathe bene variances and debates betwene the said complainant and his wyffe often tymes, but what the said variaunces were he saiethe he knowethe not. And more he saiethe he can not depose.

3. 3. 4. 5. To the iij, iiijth and vth interrogatories this deponent can say nothinge.

4. 6. To the vjth interrogatory this deponent saiethe that the said Marion did use herselfe towards the said Robinson her first husband but very shrewelie and badlie and lyvid in suspicion of her honestye.

5. 7. To the vijth interrogatory this deponent saiethe that the said Marion hathe behavid herselfe very badlie towards her husband that now is, in the night exclayminge owt of her windowes against hym sayinge he was made,Footnote ²⁵⁹ by reason whereof the neighbours have bene greatlie disquietid. And saiethe he hathe seene dyvers times multitudes of people gatherid together at the dore of the howse of the said Johanes and that she the said Marion hathe shut the dores of the howse against the said Johanes. And that the said Rowden and his wyffe, Roberts and his wyffe with other neighbors more have entrid into the howse of the said complainant against the good will and lykinge of the said complainant. And more he can not depose.

6. 8. 9. To the viij and ixth interrogatories this deponent can say nothing.

7. 10. To the xth interrogatory this deponent saiethe that he hathe hard the said Rowden and his wyffe and the said Roberts geve threteninge words against the said complainant, callinge hym rogue, Brydwell byrd and saied that they wold beat the old churleFootnote ²⁶⁰ whilest he was able to stand. And more he can not depose.

8. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. To the xj, xij, xiij, xiiij, xv, xvj and xvijth interrogatories this deponent can say nothinge.

RFFootnote ²⁶¹

8.7 Parchment Interrogatories   [1594]   REQ 2/229/25, m. 2

Unto Elizabethe Kittley and Elizabethe Newton, interrogatories to be mynistred on the part and behaulfe of Gryffyn Johanes, plaintiff, agaynste Marrian his wyffe and John Rowden and others, deffendants.

1. 1. Item, whether did your mystres throwe out att a windowe into the yarde a danske deske wherein was money, jewells & cetaine other things, who toke itt up, and howe cam[e] she by itt againe, and what money, jewells & other things were in the same deske and of what value as you knowe or heard by your mistriss or any other. Declare the whole truth herein to your knowledge.

2. 2. Item, what money, plate, jewells or other things being the goods of Griffine Jones since his mariage with Marryon his wief, your mistress, have come to the hands of one Roberte Turpyn and his wief or either of them att any time or times, and by what meanes or by whose deliverie have the same money, plate, jewells or other goods of the said Griffine come to the hands of the said Roberte Turpyne and his wief or either of them as you knowe or have heard. And what threateninge words or evill speaches have the saide Turpyn and his wief or either of them att any time or tymes used, uttered or spoken againste the said Griffine Jones as you knowe or have heard.

3. 3. Item, whether did the said Griffine Jones your master orderlie go to the parrishe churche called Sainte Albanes in Woodstrete and there receive the communyon since the decease of one Frauncis Leeche, yea or no. And whether did he offer to dine with Marryon his wief, your mistress, that daie wherein he did receive the communyon yea or no. Or where dined he that daie and who dined with him or in his company as you knowe or have heard. Declare the truthe herein to the uttermost of your knowledge.

4. 4. Item, whether did your mistres of herself or by any sinister meanes or practize beare and paie or cause to be paid the charge in suite of lawe of the defendants or any of them as you knowe or have heard.

8.8 Paper Depositions   11 June 1594   REQ 2/229/25, m. 1

Depositiones capte apud Westmonasterium xj die Junij anno regni domine regine Elizabethe nunc &c xxxvj ex parte Gryffyn Johanes querentis versus Marryan Johanes uxorem eius et Johan Rowden et al. defendentes Footnote ²⁶²

Elizabethe Newton, servaunte with Marryon Johanes one of the deffendants of the age of foreteene yeares or there abouts, sworne and examyned the day and yeare above said deposithe and saythe:

1. 1. To the firste interrogatory this deponent saythe that the said Marryon did caste the deaske owte, but there was not any thinge in but to the valewe of fortye shillings in money. And shee saythe shee brought yt in agayne the same night.

2. 2. To the second interrogatory this deponent can saye nothinge.

3. 3. To the third interrogatory this deponent can saye nothinge.

4. 4. To the fourthe interrogatory this deponent can say nothinge.

[Unsigned]

Elizabethe Kettley, servaunt with Marryon Johanes one of the deffendants, of the parishe of St Albones in Lytlewood Streete in London of the age of nyntene yeares or there abouts, sworne and examyned the day and yeare above said deposethe and saythe:

1. 1. To the firste interrogatory this deponent saythe that the said Marryan did caste owte the said deaske owt of the wyndowe, but what was in yt or howe shee did com[e] by yt agayne shee knowethe not.

2. 2. 3. 4. To the second, third and fourthe interrogatories this deponent can saye nothinge.

8.9 Court Order   22 November 1594   REQ 1/18, p. 87

In the cause at the sute of Griffin Jones, plaintiff, against John Rowden and others defendants yt is ordered that if the said complainant do not effectually proceede in his cause in this court by or before the third day of the next termeFootnote ²⁶³ then in default thereof the same matter shall be from hence dismissed.

8.10 Court Order   1 February 1595   REQ 1/18, p. 303

Wheareas in the matter of varyance depending before her majestie in this her highenes court of Requests betweene Griffin Jones, complainant, & Marian the wief of the said complainant, John Rowden and Katherine his wief, Nicholas Hewes, Richard Ferris & Elizabeth his wief, John Leeche, Edward Roberts, John Beamont and Frauncis Gibson, defendants, yt was in the terme of St Michaell last past by her majesties Counsaill of this said courte ordered that if the said complainant did not effectuallie proceede in his said cause by or before the third day of this present terme that then in default thereof the same matter should be from hence dismissed, as by the said order dated the xxij of November more at lardge may appeare. Now, forasmuch as the said complainant hath not hitherto proceeded in his said cause contrary to the effect of the said former order, therefore it is nowe by her majesties said Counsaill of this said court ordered that the same matter shall be from hencefurth cleerely dismissed out of this said court for ever and the parties defendants licensed to departe at their liberties sine die.Footnote ²⁶⁴ And further it is by the said Counsaill also ordered that the said complainant shall pay unto the said defendants uppon the sight or knowledge of this present order, the some of tenne shillings for & towards their costs in this sute wrongfully susteined.