170 Doyley v Jefferies

170 DOYLEY V JEFFERIES

Edward Doyley, gent v Francis Jefferies the elder of Womenswold, co. Kent, yeoman

February 1640

Abstract

Doyley complained that Jefferies had told him in January 1640 that Doyley's 'father might be a sheppard for ought he knew and that he was as good a man as thou', and 'that a yeoman is as good as a gent; and that he could be a gent if he would'. When Doyley replied that 'my Lord Marshall made a difference betweene a gent and a yeoman', Doyley responded that 'he could be a gent. if he pleased.' Process was granted on 15 February 1640, but no further proceedings survive.

Initial proceedings

2/8, Petition to Arundel

Doyley, 'a gentleman of an auntient family, was much abused by one Francis Jefferies of Wimslingswold [Womenswold], co. Kent, the elder, yeoman, who told him in the month of January anno dm. 1639 that his father might be a sheppard for ought he knew, and that he was as good a man as thou, speaking to Edward Doyley and that a yeoman is as good as a gent.; and that he could be a gent if he would. And Edward Doyley speakinge that my Lord Marshall made a difference betweene a gent. and a yeoman, he, Francis Jefferies, said that he could be a gent if he pleased.'

Petitioned that Jefferies be brought to answer.

Maltravers granted process on 15 February 1640.

Notes

Neither Edward Doyley nor Francis Jefferies appear among the 1619-21 and 1663-8 Visitations of Kent: R. Hovenden (ed.), The Visitation of Kent taken inthe years 1619-21 (Publications of the Harleian Society, 42, 1898); G. J. Armytage (ed.), A Visitation of the County of Kent, 1663-8 (Publications of the Harleian Society, 54, 1906).

Documents

• Initial proceedings
  • Petition to Arundel: 2/8 (15 Feb 1640)

People mentioned in the case

• Doyley, Edward, gent
• Howard, Henry, baron Maltravers
• Howard, Thomas, earl of Arundel and Surrey
• Jefferies, Francis, the elder

Places mentioned in the case

• Kent
  • Womenswold

Topics of the case

• allegation of tradesman status
• calling thou
• comparison
• denial of gentility