647 Towers v Lackford

647 TOWERS V LACKFORD

John Towers of Haddenham, Isle of Ely, esq v Michael Lackford of the same

July 1637

Abstract

Towers complained that in March 1637 Lackford said that he 'was noe gentleman, and if he had but your petitioner's estate he were a better gentleman then he; and that he was a scurvie shitten gentleman'. Process was granted on 5 July 1637 and Towersentered bond the following day; but nothing further survives.

Initial proceedings

3/146, Petition to Arundel

'Michaell Lackford of Haddenham in the Isle of Ely in the county of Cambridge without any provocation given by your petitioner, did, in March last past, to the great disparagement of your petitioner, say that your petitioner was noe gentleman, and if he had but your petitioner's estate he were a better gentleman then he; and that he was a scurvie shitten gentleman, whereby your petitioner is much wounded in his reputation.'

Petitioned that Lackford be brought to answer.

Duck desired Dethick to send out process, 5 July 1637.

Signed Arthur Duck.

3/145, Plaintiff's bond

6 July 1637

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

Signed by Henry Stearne of Clifford's Inn, London, gent, on behalf of Towers.

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

Notes

John Towers (b.c.1605) was the eldest son of Thomas Towers of Haddenham, in the Isle of Ely, and Alice, heir of Sir John Jolles of London, knt and alderman.

J. W. Clay (ed.), The Visitations of Cambridge, 1575 and 1619 (Publications of the Harleian Society, 41, 1897), p. 74.

Documents

• Initial proceedings
  • Petition to Arundel: 3/146 (5 Jul 1637)
  • Plaintiff's bond: 3/145 (6 Jul 1637)

People mentioned in the case

• Dethick, Gilbert, registrar
• Duck, Arthur, lawyer
• Howard, Thomas, earl of Arundel and Surrey
• Jolles, Alice
• Jolles, John, knight
• Lackford, Michael
• Stearne, Henry
• Terrick, Humphrey
• Towers, Alice
• Towers, John, esq

Places mentioned in the case

• Isle of Ely
  • Haddenham
• London
  • Clifford's Inn
• Middlesex
  • Westminster

Topics of the case

• comparison
• denial of gentility
• inns of court
• scatological insult