135 Courtney v Bruen

135 COURTNEY V BRUEN

George Courtney of Stonehouse, co. Devon v George Bruen of East Stonehouse, co. Devon

July 1639

Abstract

Courtney claimed that Bruen called him 'base knave' and 'base slave', then twice gave him the lie, adding on the second occasion 'I speake it to a soldier' to reinforce the affront. Courtney claimed to have served in the Netherlands 'for divers yeares together' and also that he belonged to the house of the Courtneys of Trethurffe who were related to the former Earls of Devonshire. Process was granted on 15 July 1639; but no further proceedings survive.

Initial proceedings

6/65, Petition

'He is of the house of Courtneys of Trethurfe, lineally descended from Courtneys sometimes Earle of Devonshire, and hath bene a souldier for divers yeares together in the Nether-lands.

Further sheweth that, one George Bruen of Eastone howse in the County of Devon hath lately affronted your petitioner in giving him the lye, the second time he giving your petitioner againe the lye, adding these words, I speake it to a souldier, after called your petitioner base knave, and after that base slave, with other opprobrious words.'

Petitioned that Bruen be bought to answer.

Maltravers granted process on 15 July 1639.

6/64, Plaintiff's bond

15 July 1639

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

Signed by Richard Badford of Eggesford, co. Devon, gent on behalf of Courtney.

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

Notes

Neither party appears in the Visitation of Devon of 1620, but for another account of this case see G. D. Squibb, Reports of Heraldic Cases in the Court of Chivalry, 1623-1732 (London, 1956), p. 41.

Documents

• Initial proceedings
  • Petition: 6/65 (15 July 1639)
  • Plaintiff's bond: 6/64 (15 July 1639)

People mentioned in the case

• Badford, Richard, gent
• Bruen, George
• Courtney, George (also Courtenay)
• Howard, Henry, baron Maltravers
• Rainshaw, John

Places mentioned in the case

• Devon
  • East Stonehouse
  • Eggesford
  • Stonehouse
  • Trethurffe
• Middlesex
  • Westminster
• Spanish Netherlands
• United Provinces

Topics of the case

• denial of gentility
• giving the lie
• military officer
• Thirty Years' War