443 Morgan v Murwent

The Court of Chivalry 1634-1640.

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'443 Morgan v Murwent', in The Court of Chivalry 1634-1640, (, ) pp. . British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/court-of-chivalry/443-morgan-murwent [accessed 26 April 2024]

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443 MORGAN V MURWENT

Sir Edward Morgan of Penhow, co. Monmouth, knt v John Murwent of Newchurch, co. Monmouth, yeoman

June 1637 - January 1638

Figure 443:

Penhow Castle, Monmouthshire, the late medieval home of Sir Edmund Morgan (Photograph: Richard Cust)

Abstract

Morgan complained that Murwent had called him a base knight. Process was granted on 24 June 1637, Dr Merrick presented the libel on Morgan's behalf on 18 November and a commission headed by William Thomas, esq., was appointed to examine witnesses 1-3 March 1638 at the court house in Newport, Monmouthshire. No further proceedings survive.

Initial proceedings

3/172, Petition to Arundel

'John Murwent of the parishe of Bishton in the countie aforesaid, yeoman, hath much abused the petitioner in calleinge him base knight.'

Petitioned that Murwent be brought to answer.

Maltravers granted process, 24 June 1637.

3/173, Plaintiff's bond

24 June 1637

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

Signed by James Saunders of Penhow, yeoman on behalf of Morgan.

Sealed, subscribed and delivered in the presence of Humphrey Terrick.

3/123, Defendant's bond

27 October 1637

Bound to appear 'in the painted Chamber at Westminster'.

Signed by John Morwent.

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

Summary of proceedings

Dr Merrick acted as counsel for Sir Edward Morgan and Dr Gwyn for Murwent. On 31 October 1637 Murwent was required to appear in accordance with his bond. Dr Merrick presented the libel on 18 November 1637 and ten days later Dr Gwyn responded. The commissioners William Thomas, esq, Herbert Jones, gent, and also William Kemish and Andrew Nichols, gents, to examine the witnesses were to meet from 1 to 3 March 1638 at the court house in Newport, co. Monmouth.

Notes

The plaintiff's name was given variously as Sir Edward and Sir Edmund Morgan.

Sir Edward Morgan (d. 1681), of Llantarnam, Usk Hundred, who was created a baronet by Charles I in May 1642, and served as a royalist in arms at Raglan and Hereford. A Roman Catholic, he was listed as a deceased J.P. in the visitation of co. Monmouth of 1683.

M. P. Siddons (ed.), Visitations by the Heralds in Wales (Publications of the Harleian Society, new series, 14, 1996), pp. 172, 214; J. Knight, Civil War and Restoration in Monmouthshire (Logaston Press, 2005), pp. 51-2.

Documents

  • Initial proceedings
    • Petition to Arundel: 3/172 (24 Jun 1637)
    • Plaintiff's bond: 3/173 (24 Jun 1637)
    • Defendant's bond: 3/123 (27 Oct 1637)
  • Proceedings
    • Proceedings before Arundel: 8/26 (14 Oct 1637)
    • Proceedings before Maltravers: 8/27 (14 Oct 1637)
    • Proceedings before Maltravers: 8/28 (31 Oct 1637)
    • Proceedings before Maltravers: 8/29 (18 Nov 1637)
    • Proceedings before Maltravers: 8/30 (28 Nov 1637)
    • Proceedings before Maltravers: 1/5, fos. 1-15 (27 Jan 1638)

People mentioned in the case

  • Gwyn, Thomas, lawyer
  • Howard, Henry, baron Maltravers
  • Howard, Thomas, earl of Arundel and Surrey
  • Jones, Herbert, gent
  • Kemish, William, gent
  • Merrick, William, lawyer
  • Nichols, Andrew, gent
  • Morgan, Edward, knight
  • Murwent, John, yeoman (also Morwent, Morewent)
  • Saunders, James, yeoman
  • Stuart, Charles I, king
  • Terrick, Humphrey
  • Thomas, William, esq
  • Watson, John

Places mentioned in the case

  • Middlesex
    • Westminster
  • Monmouthshire
    • Bishton
    • Llantarnam
    • Newchurch
    • Newport
    • Penhow
    • Raglan
    • Usk

Topics of the case

  • civil war
  • denial of gentility
  • justice of the peace
  • royalist