142 Crofte v Gargrave

142 CROFTE V GARGRAVE

John Crofte of Hardingham, co. Norfolk, gent v William Gargrave of Norwich, innholder

May 1640

Abstract

Crofte complained that in the last three months Gargrave had called him 'a base lying rogue and base lying knave', which scandalised his reputation and provoked him to duel. Process was granted on 22 May 1640 and Crofte entered bond on 29 May; but no further proceedings survive.

Initial proceedings

5/62, Petition

'Your petitioner is a gentleman descended of an ancient family bearing armes. William Gargrave of the City of Norwich did within these three monthes last past very much vilify your petitioner and gave him many reyling, revileing and provoking speeches; and amongst other speeches told your petitioner that he was a base lying rogue and base lying knave, to the great scandall of your petitioner, and there by verry much provoking your petitioner to duell.'

Petitioned that Gargrave be brought to answer.

Maltravers granted process, 22 May 1640.

5/61, Plaintiff's bond

29 May 1640

That he was to 'appear in the Court in the Painted Chamber within the Pallace of Westminster'.

Henry Linch of St Gregory's parish, London, was acting on Crofte's behalf.

Signed by Henry Linch.

Sealed, subscribed and delivered in the presence of John Watson.

Notes

John Crofte of Hardingham did not appear in the Visitations of Norfolk: W. Rye (ed.), The Visitation of Norfolk of 1563, 1589 and 1613 (Publications of the Harleian Society, 33, 1891), p. 166; A. W. Hughes Clarke and A. Campling (eds.), The Visitation of Norfolk, anno domini 1664, part I (Publications of the Harleian Society, 85, 1933); A. W. Hughes Clarke and A. Campling (eds.), The Visitation of Norfolk, anno domini 1664, part I (Publications of the Harleian Society, 86, 1934).

William Gargrave was apprenticed to Peter Gibson, innholder, on 19 December 1623. Gargrave took his own apprentice on 13 December 1633.

P. Millican (ed.), The Register of the Freemen of Norwich, 1548-1713 (Norwich, 1934), p. 89.

Documents

• Initial proceedings
  • Petition: 5/62 (22 May 1640)
  • Plaintiff's bond: 5/61 (29 May 1640)

People mentioned in the case

• Crofte, John, gent (also Croft)
• Gargrave, William, innholder
• Gibson, Peter, innholder
• Howard, Henry, baron Maltravers
• Linch, Henry
• Watson, John

Places mentioned in the case

• Middlesex
  • Westminster
• Norfolk
  • Hardingham
• Norwich
• London
  • St Gregory's

Topics of the case

• denial of gentility
• giving the lie
• provocative of a duel