334 Jones v Minshall

334 JONES V MINSHALL

Henry Jones of St Martin-in-the-Fields, co. Middlesex, gent v John Minshall of St Dunstan-in-the-West, London, gent

May 1636 - January 1637

Abstract

Jones complained that Minshall had called him 'base, coward, cheater', and that Minshall had drawn his sword against him. The details of the quarrel, which took place on 8 January 1636, were related in Minshall's counter suit [see cause 429]. Proceedings were under way by May 1636 when Dr Duck produced witnesses for Jones and in January 1637 Dr Eden was ordered to relate material for the defence. No further proceedings survive.

Initial proceedings

17/2u, Libel

Jones's family had been gentry for up to 200 years, but between December and January last, Minshall had called him 'base, coward, cheater, and drew his sword at me', thereby provoking him to a duel.

No date.

Signed by Arthur Duck.

Summary of proceedings

Dr Duck acted as counsel for Jones and Dr Eden for Minshall. Dr Duck produced the witnesses Robert Curson and Francis Hewett for Jones in May 1636. Dr Eden related material for Minshall's defence in June 1636 and January 1637.

Notes

Neither of the parties appeared in the Middlesex pedigrees or the London Visitations of 1633-5 or 1664: G. J. Armytage (ed.), Middlesex Pedigrees (Publications of the Harleian Society, 65, 1914); J. J. Howard and J. L. Chester (eds.), The Visitation of London in 1633, 1634, and 1635 (Publications of the Harleian Society, 15, 1880); J. J. Howard (ed.), The Visitation of London in 1633, 1634, and 1635 (Publications of the Harleian Society, 17, 1883).

Documents

• Initial proceedings
  • Libel: 17/2u (no date)
• Proceedings
  • Undated proceedings: College of Arms MS. 'Court of Chivalry' (act book, 1636-8) [pressmark R.R. 68C] (hereafter 68C), fos. 64r-67r (c. Apr 1636)
  • Proceedings before Arundel: 68C, fos. 89r-100r (May 1636)
  • Proceedings before Maltravers: 68C, fos.112r-121v (Jun 1636)
  • Proceedings: 68C, fos. 105r-110v (8 Nov 1636)
  • Proceedings before Arundel: 68C, fos. 51r-59r (28 Jan 1637)
  • Proceedings: 68C, fos. 70r-73v (c.1636-8)

People mentioned in the case

• Curson, Robert
• Duck, Arthur, lawyer
• Eden, Thomas, lawyer
• Hewett, Francis
• Howard, Henry, baron Maltravers
• Howard, Thomas, earl of Arundel and Surrey
• Jones, Henry, gent
• Minshall, John, gent

Places mentioned in the case

• London
  • St Dunstan-in-the-West
• Middlesex
  • St Martin-in-the-Fields

Topics of the case

• allegation of cheating
• allegation of cowardice
• denial of gentility
• threatened violence
• weapon