370 Lenthall v Freeman

370 LENTHALL V FREEMAN

Sir Edmund Lenthall of Latchford, co. Oxford, knt v Henry Freeman of Higham Ferrers, co. Northampton, esq

July - August 1639

Abstract

Lenthall complained that Freeman had called him a 'base, beggarly knight' which words were provocative of a duel. Process was granted on 31 July 1639, but no indication of sentence survives.

Initial proceedings

6/56, Petition

'Your petitioner is both a gentleman by birth, and a knight. Henry Freeman of Higham Ferrers in the county of Northampton, hath much abused your petitioner, in calling him a base beggarly knight, with other opprobrious words, thereby provoking your petitioner to duell.'

Petitioned that Freeman be brought to answer.

Maltravers granted process on 31 July 1639.

6/55, Plaintiff's bond

1 August 1639

Bound to appear 'in the Court in the Painted Chamber within the Pallace of Westminster'.

Signed by Matthew Dove of St Giles-in-the-Fields, co. Middlesex, gent, on behalf of Lenthall.

Sealed and delivered in the presence of John Watson.

Notes

The arms and pedigree of the Lenthalls of Latchford was given in the Visitations of 1669 and 1675, although no Sir Edmund was mentioned. Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Freeman of High Ferrers, co. Northampton, esq, and Elizabeth, daughter of Mr Kensham, married Edward Harby (1603-71).

G. D. Squibb (ed.), The Visitation of Oxfordshire, 1669 and 1675 (Publications of the Harleian Society, new series, 12, 1993), p. 94; H. I. Longden (ed.), The Visitation of the County of Northampton in the year 1681 (Publications of the Harleian Society, 87, 1935), p. 85.

Documents

• Initial proceedings
  • Petition: 6/56 (31 Jul 1639)
  • Plaintiff's bond: 6/55 (1 Aug 1639)

People mentioned in the case

• Dove, Matthew, gent
• Freeman, Elizabeth
• Freeman, Henry, esq
• Harby, Edward
• Kensham, Elizabeth
• Lenthall, Edmund, knight
• Watson, John

Places mentioned in the case

• Middlesex
  • St Giles-in-the-Fields
  • Westminster
• Northamptonshire
  • Higham Ferrers
• Oxford
  • Latchford

Topics of the case

• denial of gentility
• provocative of a duel