503 Parry v Bowen

503 PARRY V BOWEN

David Parry of Neuadd Trefawr, co. Cardigan, esq v Hugh Bowen of Verwick, co. Cardigan, yeoman

June 1639

Abstract

Parry, a Cardiganshire J.P., complained that Bowen had said of him 'What hee...what is he? He is nothing. He is descended but of a land beater, thresher or ditcher', in the presence of several gentlemen in May 1639. Process was granted on 7 June 1639 and John Lewis of Cardigan entered bond to prosecute the cause on behalf of Parry the following day; but no further proceedings survive.

Initial proceedings

6/127, Petition to Maltravers

'Most humblie shewing that the petitioner is a gentleman descended of a very ancient and generous family and at this present a Justice of the Peace and Quoru[m]. And that, in the month of May 1639, one Hugh Bowen of Verwicke, co. Cardigan did much abuse and vilifie the petitioner with wordes before divers gentlemen of good qualitie and in particular said, What hee (meaneing the petitioner), what is he? He is nothing. He is descended but of a land beater, thresher or ditcher, with many other opprobrious speeches, thereby provoaking the petitioner to enter duell with him, the petitioner giving him noe provocation thereunto.'

Petitioned that Bowen be brought to answer.

Maltravers granted process on 7 June 1639.

6/128, Plaintiff's bond

8 June 1639

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

Signed by John Lewis of Cardigan, vintner, on behalf of Parry.

Sealed and delivered in the presence of Humphrey Terrick.

Notes

David Parry did not appear in M. P. Siddons (ed.), Visitations by the Heralds in Wales (Publications of the Harleian Society, new series, 14, 1996).

David Parry was appointed high sheriff of co. Cardigan in November 1630.

J. Broadway, R. Cust and S. K. Roberts (eds.), A Calendar of the Docquets of Lord Keeper Coventry, 1625-40 (List and Index Society, special series, 35, 2004), part 2, p. 363.

Documents

• Initial proceedings
  • Petition to Maltravers: 6/127 (7 Jun 1639)
  • Plaintiff's bond: 6/128 (8 Jun 1639)

People mentioned in the case

• Bowen, Hugh, yeoman
• Howard, Henry, baron Maltravers
• Lewis, John, vintner
• Parry, David, esq
• Terrick, Humphrey

Places mentioned in the case

• Cardiganshire
  • Neuadd Trefawr
  • Verwick
• Middlesex
  • Westminster
• Wales

Topics of the case

• allegation of tradesman status
• denial of gentility
• high sheriff
• insult before gentlemen
• justice of the peace