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Cheshire Quarter Sessions: 1590s

Petitions to the Cheshire Quarter Sessions, 1573-1798.

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Llewellen ap Edward of Barton on the Hill. QJF 19/4/22 (1590)

To the Quenes majesties justices of peace here assembled this presente Tewesday the [xiiith?] of Januare at h 1589 at her majesties generall session of the peace.

Humblie besecheth your worshipps your humble oratour Llewellen ap Edward, of Barton on the Hill in this county of Chester. That whereas your supplicant beinge constable of the same towne in August last past and doinge his [endevoire?] to his utter most power to suppris certen disordered persons assembled in the said towne of Barton on the Hill, in the said moneth of August last past, which brake the Quenes majesties peace, and make an open uprore in the said towne to the great terrour of the Queens majesties loyall subjectes of the said towne. But so it is that one John Heyre of Tylson in this said [com?] of Chester disobeing the order and comaundment of your pore supplicant did make one assalt and affray upon your said supplicant and with one dagger which he then hadd in his right hand did stryke and wound your said supplicant in v places videlicet two in the headd and three in the right hand and did draw blood upon your said supplicant by [fere?] wherof your said supplicant cold not woorke at his occupacion being a black smyth by art by the space of a month to his great losse and hinderans. In tender consideracion wherof it may please your worshipps to graunt your supplicant a warrant of good behaviour or of the peace at your worshipps discreacion against the said John Heyre who yet thretteth your said supplicant to beat stryke and woond hym. So shall your worshipps poore supplicant rest bound to pray for your preservacions to Goddes glorie.

paratext

Fiat [warr?] de ben pace [gerend cunct?]

Raphe Leftwyche of Leftwyche, on behalf of Edward Venables. QJF 20/1/2 (1590)

To the Queenes majesties justices of peace within the countie of Chester

In most humble wyse prayeth your worshipps Raphe Leftwyche of Leftwyche esquyer in the countie aforesayd esquyer that whereas aboute three yeres sithence the sayd Raphe Leftwyche did graunte lycence and libertie unto one Edward Venables that the sayd Edward shoulde erecte and sett upp upon the demesne land of the sayd Raphe Leftwyche in Leftwyche aforesayd one cotage. Whereupon the sayd Edward Venables beinge a verie poore man to his greate g costes and charges did frame a cotage to be erected upon the sayd land after which tyme that is to saye in the xxxith yere of the Queenes majesties raigne at the parliament holden at Westminster an acte was made against the erectinge and buildinge of cotages by reason whereof the sayd Edward Venables could not erecte and sett the sayd cotage for feare of the forfayture and penaltie in the sayd acte conteyned in tender consideracion whereof may it please your worshipps to graunte lycence unto the sayd Edward Venables to erecte build and sett upp the sayd cotage upon the sayd lande and that the same b may Edward Venables and all other the assignes of the sayd Raphe Leftwyche and his heires may be lycenced [and?] permitted to b inhabitt and dwell within the sayd cotage by the space of fortie yeres nexte ensuynge after this present sessions

paratext

Wicus Malbanus sessions

Apud Wicum Malbanum in xixo die Maii anno regne Elizabeth [illegible] etc xxxiio Hugo Cholmondley miles Edward Phyton miles Georgius Clyve miles et alii socii [illegible] [justic?] paces dicto domine regne [presentibus?], [concesser?] super [illegible] Radolpho Leftwyche ad edificandum [cotag..?], duraturus pro termino xlta annorum secundum petitionem

Per me [illegible] per [illegible] paces in comitatu Cestria

The inhabitants of Nantwich. QJF 20/3/2 (1590)

To the Queenes majesties justices of peace of the countie of Chester

In moste humble wyse sheweth and informeth your worships your orators beinge the inhabitantes of the towne of Namptwyche whose names be subscrybed that Roger Leighe John Leighe John Brett thelder John Brett the younger Roger Brooke Mathewe Leighe, Roger Shorte John Gibbons the younger John Coryer alias Gryffyn John Alcocke Raffe Wryght Gilbert Browne Thomas Madcocke and John Crewe of Namptwyche in the countie aforesayd are not of good name and fame nor of honeste conversacion but of evill disposicion barectors and disturbers of the peace of our soveraigne ladye the Queene soe that they be lyke to make murder manslaughter and other troubles and disorders to aryse amongest the Queenes majesties subjectes: in tender consideracion whereof may yt please your worships to graunte forthe proces against the sayd disordred persons for theire apprehension to fynde suerties for theire good behaviour and your worshipps shall thereby bringe the sayd towne of Namptwyche into good order as we hope and soe we humblie take our leaves at Namptwyche the third of November 1590

Your worships most readie to be comaunded

  • Rychard [Walthall?]
  • Hugh [Cholmondeley?]
  • Thomas Smith
  • Thomas Wylbram
  • William Leversage
  • Rycharde Maystersonne
  • William Hassall
  • John Griffyn
  • Raphe Wilbraham
  • [Rychard Churche?]
  • William Church
  • Robart [Crockett?]
  • [Jhon?] Tenche
  • John Brayne
  • Gabriell Wetenhalle
  • Geffrey Mynshull
  • Jasper Rutter
  • Laurence Wrighte
  • Hughe Manwarynge
  • John Mynshull
  • Robart Wilk
  • Thomas [Oswald?]

Laurence Swettenham of Somerford, gentleman. QJF 22/1/20 (1592)

To the right worshipfull Sir Hughe Cholmondley knighte and other her majesties justices of peace within the county of Chester at the sessions holden at Wiche Malbanke in the said county.

Humblie sheweth your worships Laurence Swettenham of Somerford in the said county gentleman one of the highe constables of the hundreth of Macclesfeild in the said county: that wheras your supplicant the said Laurence hath bene and contynued one of the highe constables of the said hundreth by the space of manie yeares past, and hath executed the same sufficientlie as apparteyned: in tender consideracion wherof and [for?] that your said supplicant is verey aged, corpulent, greived with sicknes and other infirmities and not able to travell neither on horsebacke nor on foote for the full execucion of the said office, but every waie unmeete for the same: maie ytt please your worrships to discharge your said supplicant of that place and appoint some other meete for the same: and this in respecte of your care for the better execution of the same office, and ease of your supplicant.

Your worshipps humbly

  • Laurence Swettenahm

George Hall of Rothesthorne, fishmonger. QJF 22/1/25 (1592)

To the Quenes majesties justices of peace assembled at her highnes generall sessions of the peace this presente xxvth day of Aprill anno regne Elizabeth xxxiiiio holden at Namptwych in this said countie of Chester

Pleaseth your worshipps in tender zeale of mans lyef, to be enformed by the Quenes majesties true and loyall subject your humble supplicant George Hall of Rothesthorne fishe monger that wheras certen lewd persons, havinge litell or nothinge to lyve on (whose names be as foloweth: videlicet: John Barlowe Henrie Coppocke, and Robert Coppocke late of Northen in this said [com?]) of their develish instigacion (and blodie conspiracie) have pretended the destruccion and murther of your said supplicant. Their wicked conspiracie therein beinge discovered by their speaches utterd in the hearinge of Isabell Johnson wyef of James Johnson here readie to geve evydens therein. The lyke confederacie beinge revailed in the hearinge of John Hunt bailif of Sale, who will not geve evydens thereof without compulsarie proces. And forasmuch as said supplicant dare not travaile for his lyvinge to merketes to use his said trade of fishemonger neither come at his owne house havinge lyen amongest his frendes this xvi weekes past: consumynge his substans without any gayne to his utter ympoverishment he having procured warrant of good abearing against the saides wicked persons and caused theme arrested thereupon by one John Bracthgirdell bailif to the sheref that now is. Which Brachgirdell favoringe the saides evill persons suffred theme to escape unbound. To your supplicantes great perill of lyef. In tender consideracion whereof it may please your worshipps in proteccion of your supplicants lyef to grant hym a warrant of good abearinge against the said evill persons videlicet John Barlowe Henrie Coppocke and Robert Coppocke afforenamed. Upon evydens of Isabell Johnson here in court readie. So shall your said supplicant pray for your worshipps felicities to Goddes pleasure

Your worshipps humble supplicant

  • George Hall

Thomas Manwaringe of Calveley, on behalf of Ralph Pallyn. QJF 22/3/10 (1592)

To the Quenes justices of peace in the [com?] of Chester

In most humble wyse prayeth your worships Rauffe Leftwyche Thomas Manwaringe of Calveley gentleman that whereas about three foure yeares since the said Thomas Manwaringe did grant lycense and libertye to one Rauffe Pallyn that the said Rauffe shuld erect and sett uppe on cotage in Haughton in the [com?] of Cheser upon the landes of the said Thomas Manwaringe there. Whereupon the said Rauffe Pownall beinge a verye poreman to his great costes and charges did frame a cotage to be erected upon the said land. After which tyme that ys to wete in the xxxith yeare of the Queens majesties reigne at the parlyment holden at Westminster an act was made aganst the erectinge and byldinge of cotages by reason wherof the said Rauffe Pallyn cold not erect and sett the said cotage for feare of the forfeyture of the penaltye in the said act conteyned in consideracion wherof may yt please your woorships to grant lycense to the said Rauffe Pallyn Thomas Manwaringe to erect and sett uppe the said cotage upon the land said land and that the said Rauffe Pallyn and all other the assignes of the said Rauffe Leftwyche Thomas Manwaringe Rauffe Pallyn maye be permytted and lycensed to inhabitt and dwell within the said cotage by the space of xltye yeares next ensuynge of this present sessions

paratext

Northwich sessions xviio die Octobris 1592

Upon the othe of of Rauffe Pallyn in open sessions that he was in [speche?] for the said cotage before the makinge of the statute, and lykewyse upon consideracion that Rauffe Leftwyche hath promysed to entreate with the said Thomas Manwaringe to laye one acre of land to be occupyed with the said cotage therefore the said Rauffe Pallyn [ys?] lycensed accordinge to this peticone

  • P: Warburton
  • Thomas Venables
  • William [illegible]
  • Peter Warburton

The inhabitants of the parish of Knutsford. QJF 24/1/24 (1594)

To the justices of her majesties peace and quorum at the generall sessions in the countie of Chester

Maye it please your worshipps to bee informed by the inhabitantes of the parish of Knottesford, that whearas thear is great controversies stirred and growen betwixt John Leeghe of the Boothes esquior and one George Burges of Nether Knottesford greatlie tending to the breache of her majesties peace and disquiet of the said parishioners as uppon Sunday last at the sayd parish churche appeared yf great meanes had not beene made to the contrarie the premisses considered theise maye bee to move your worshipps as youe tender the preservacion of her majesties peace to take somme good course for the same in this sessions at your puplicke assemblie and this for Godes cause wee require and as youe tender her majesties service from Knottesford aforesaid the xxiith daye of this instant Aprill 1594

Your worshipps moste bounden

  • Thomas Brome minister
  • Robarte [Bente?]
  • John [Anterbus?]
  • Rychard [Toofte?]
  • Robeart Dayne
  • Rychard Davenport
  • Robart Wepster

Allys Whittingham, William Bealey and Margery his wife. QJF 24/1/25 (1594)

To the right worshipfull her majesties justices of the peace and quorum for her countie pallantine of Chester.

Humblie complayninge sheweth to your worshippes your poore supliantes Allys Whittingham widdowe William Bealey and Margery wyffe to the sayd William that wheras one Anne Lingard wyffe to Rauff Lingard of Middellwich upon her corporall oth takne before you Master Thomas Varnon esquyer one of the [said?] justices that she is affrayd of bodily harme to be offred her by your sayd supplicantes or some of them [hath?] procured warrantes of the peace against your sayd supplicantes whoe never did fight contend menace or [threaten?] to fight or braule with the sayd Anne as shalbe duely proved to your worshipps greatly [astonishing and?] makinge amazed your sayd supplicantes whoe are well knowne never to have disturbed her majesties peace [illegible] all theire neighboures, and wheras allsoe the sayd Anne Lingard about the xxixth of January laste past early in the morninge came unto the house of the sayd Allis Whittingam before the dores of the sayd house weare set oppene and caused Peeter Tounge servante to Randull Bealye to knocke at the same dore that when the same should be opened, she might convaye her selffe into the house to doe some outrage upon the sayd Allys, which Anne upon her cominge into the house fyndinge noe personne their savinge the sayd Allys did assault and treade her the sayd Allys (beinge an aged woman) under feete and would her have murdred or otherwayes fouly intreated yf she hadd not bine prevented by the foresayd Bealy his wyffe whoe hearinge the crye came imediatly from theire bedd and tooke upp the [aff...?] [illegible] a matter soe shamfull and unnaturall, as the lyke by anie woman hath seeldome bine offred in [illegible] cuntrey or towne, and for as much allsoe as it is not unknowne to the persouns that have herunto [illegible] whoe are of the best sort of dwellers within Middellwich afforesayd, that the sayd Anne by her [illegible] and otherways, hath oft tymes disturbed the peace of her majestie, and bine cause of unseemly [illegible] dyvers braules and affrayes and continuinge that course of lyf whereby your supplicantes with [illegible] parte of theinhabitantes of Middellwich afforesayd, are not only much greeved and brought out of [illegible] but I the sayd Allys much affrayd lest the sayd Anne will take her opportunity [illegible] mischeefe me, yf some good course for my releef and securytie bee not taken by your worshipps [illegible] maye therefore please your good worshipps duly and advysedly the cause of your supplicantes [considered?] not only to [illegible] order that the warrantes maye be called in which stand forth against them, the sayd Anne Lingard [illegible] beinge able to chardge them justly with anie unneighbourly dealinge towardes her, as allsoe in regard that the sayd Allys Whittingam can not be at peace within her owne house which should bee [illegible] castle, to take order, to brydle the outragousnesse of the sayd Anne Lingard, by takinge her [bond?] [illegible] with good surtyes for her good behavioure towardes the [said?] Allis and your poore [illegible]

Robert Scragge. QJF 24/2/1 (1594)

To the right worshipfull Sir Hughe Cholmondley knight Peter Warburton serjeant att lawe and vicechamberleyne of the county palatyne of Chester and to all others hir majesties justices of peace within the sayd county assembled att the quarter sessions of the peace holden att Chester this xxxth of July 1594

In most humble wyse besecheth your worships your poore orator [Robert?] Scragge that whereas your worships sayd poore orator haveinge a wyffe and many smale children were borne and ever sithence have lived in Swettenham in the sayd county and menteynd them selves by there handy labor without offence of the parishe or dislike of the contrey adjoyneinge and where your worships sayd orator hath heretofore lived in a smale cottage which was built uppon the wast in Swettenham longe before the statue made against erecting of cotages which nottwithstanding was latly pulled downe by meanes whereof your sayd orator his sayd wyve and poore children as haveinge no other shifte do lye and harbor in a hollowe place uppon the same wast which your orator hath covered with [soddes?] and where your orator allwaies had and nowe hath the good will of the cheif lord of Swettenham being Master Davenport of Davenport to erect a cottage uppon the sayd wast and hath endevored himself to learne who or what persons they were that pulled downe the sayd cottage butt cannott learne ytt and to thend that your poore orator may have full authority thereunto and in tender consideration of the poore estate of your orator may ytt please your worships to grant unto your sayd orator lycence to build a cottage uppon the sayd wast that thereby your orator be nott [illegible] compelled for want of habitacion to begge or to wander abroade to his utter overthrow and your sayd orator according to his bounden duty will dayly pray for the prosperous estate of your worships in all felicity longe to endure.

paratext

[illegible]

Upon consideracione of this peticione lycense ys granted for the [erecting?] of a cotage upon such place of the wast of Swetnam as Henry Manwaringe and John Damport esquyres shall appoynt and thinke fytt

Thomas Maddoks, prisoner. QJF 24/2/34 (1594)

To the right worshipful her majesties justices of peace here assembled with all humylity be the [ddes?]

In most humble wyse sheweth unto your good worships your poore orratour Thomas Maddoks whoe haveinge bynne prisoner in this castell for manye yeres past, and nowe beinge through the visitacion of God brought to great poverty and impotencie by the sayd imprisonment may hit please your good worships, in tender consideracion herof, and the rather Master Justyce Shuttleworth beinge acquynted therwith referred th to graunt unto unto your said oratour suche allowance as is yelded to the poore prisoners in this castle, and your sayd oratour wyll not fayle to praye for your worships prosperitye and preservacion to God his pleasure.

Your worships poore supplicant

  • Thomas Maddoke

Rauff Hassall, esquire. QJF 24/3/22 (1594)

To the right worshipfull hir majesties justices of peace of the countie of Chester at this presente session assembled.

May yt please your woorships to lycence Rauff Hassall esquier to erecte and buylde upon his wast lande in Litle Hassall one cotage for a dwellinge howse for Johana Hall Ellen Hall and Alice Hall beinge sisters, and havinge spente theire tymes in service and nowe by reason of theire ages not able any longer to serve, and to contynue the same for a dwellinge howse duringe the lyves of the same Johana Ellen and Alice and the lyfe of the longest [lyved?] of them. And the rather for that the same Johana Ellen and Alice are of honest and good behavyour, and have noe conveynyent place elswhere to lyve in

paratext

xxixo Octobris 1594 annoque regne Elizabeth xxxvito

Wee lycense and [ad.ytt?] the partyes abovesaid to errect a cotage to have contynuance duringe there lyves to acordinge to the peticione. Upon condicion that there be not any informacione aganst them, of any disorder or d misdemenours which shalbe soe adjuged aganst them by this cort upon such informacione contrary to the lawes and statutes of this realme

  • [R?] Cotton
  • Henry Maynwaring
  • Henry [C...d?]
  • [illegible]
  • E:4
  • [illegible]

John Lloyed. QJF 25/2/1 (1595)

In most humble wyse, sheweth unto your worshipps, you poore orator John Lloyed, whoe havinge longe served her majestie in her warres, and nowe partely in respecte of age and partlye of other infirmities in bodye not beinge able to serve, nether havinge whereon to maynteyne him selfe nor [yet?] being able to compasse [anie?] releef of the countrey by vertue of her majesties lawes lately sett downe maye yt please your worshippes in tender consyderacion of my service heretofore spent and for that I am a neighebour in the cytie of Chester borne, to graunt mee your pasporte to travayell to London to exhibite my peticion to her majestie withall your charitable benevolence towardes my charges and your oratore shall dayely praye to God for you this for Godes sake

Your worshipps most bounden

  • John Lloyede.

John Cowper of Over Midgeley. QJF 26/4/19 (1597)

To the right worshipfull her majesties justices of peace for the countie of Chester assembled at theise sessions holden for the said countie:

Most humbly beseecheth your wurships on her majesties behalf John Cowper of Over Midgeley in the said countie: that [wheras?] the persons whose names and seales are subscribed in a certificatt or scedule herunto annexed have (as will appeare by the same scedule) certified and will upon their corporall oathes justifye the felonyes petit larcenies, filchinge stealinge, practises that she might committ purjuryes, makinge a lyvinge and mayntenance of swearinge her [dreede?] of bodylie harme and therupon procuringe warrantes for the peace against divers and sundry persons, and takinge money to dispence with such warrantes and as appeareth by the viiith article of the said scedule and other misdemeanors therin conteyned committed and done by Agnes Stoner of Over Midgeley forsaid: in consideracion therof and for that therin and in other cases she is a manifeste disturber vexer and disquieter of manie of her majesties subjectes without cause it maie please your wurships to graunt ther to your supplicant a warrant to apprehend the said Agnes to find sureties for her good behavyour or els to take order that the said causes maie be examined upon oathes of the certificantes for the better satisfyinge of your wurships that the same are true: and therupon to take such order for her punishment and reformacion as to your wurships wisdome shall seeme convenient. And the same to doe for due admynistracion of justice.

Your wurships most humble orator

John Cowper

Inhabitants of Hurleston. QJF 27/2/24 (1597)

To the right worshipfull Master Wilbraham of Wood Hay

we your loving neighbours of Hurleston have thought good to lett your worshipe understande how that our towne is trubled dayley with such disordered persons as the towne doth [find?] them [gretley?] greefe of and that our cunstable of Hulleston Thomas Chomeley hath given warninge unto Roger Wright of the same towne and Thomas Wilson that the shall not lodge any such persons but on their perill, and the do lodge them dayly and will not take no warninge by the sayd cunstable Thomas Chomeley and that theire was lodged at the said Roger Wright uppon Saturday and Sunday at night Thomas Griffin and five or sixe as disordered persons as he is

This being done by the consent of these persons whose names are under written

  • Richard Hardinge
  • William Wrighte
  • Peter Bryan
  • John Alvastan
  • John Cruck
  • and
  • Richard Cruck
  • Thomas Wyllram

William Burges of Chelford. QJF 27/2/45 (1597)

To the right worshipfull George Leycester and Henrie Manwayringe esquiers two of her majesties justices of peace within the countie of Chester.

Humblie enformeth your worships your supplicant William Burges of Chelford within this countie of Chester, that whereas one William Fallowes of Fallowes in the said countie gentleman and Alece his wief havinge conceyved a verie deadlie hatred grudge and malice against your said supplicant without any juste cause or color of matter so to do, and havinge for the [satisfaccion?] of their said malice by manie secrette practizes verie untrulie devysed, earnestlie gone about and sought to overthrowe your said supplicantes estate and creditt, yet fyndinge not the same to take such effecte as the wickednes of their will desyred so hit is if hit maie please your worships that the said William Fallows and Alece his wief havinge not the feare of God before their eies nor any dreade of her majesties lawes have now of late conspyred practized and devysed howe and by what meanes to wourke the deathe and distruccion of your said supplicant and for that purpose have combyned and confederated themselves with divers lewde and evell disposed persons and have geven or offered and promised to geve unto them great sommes of money to murther your said supplicant for which purpose sundrie of the said persons have at severall tymes lyen privatelie in awayte for your said supplicant, to thentent to have killed him upon the suddeyne before he sholde be aware to make defense. In consideracion whereof hit maie please your worships to make due inquirie of the premisses by the examinacion of such witnesses as shalbe produced before you, and otherwise as to your worships shall seeme convenient and thereupon to take such order for your supplicants securitie as to your [worships?] in good discrecion shall seeme to stande with justice and equitie.

George Gatcliffe, prisoner in Chester Castle. QJF 27/2/48 (1597)

To the right worshipfull the Queens majesties justices of the peace of the countie pallentine of Chester.

In his most humblie maner sewethe unto your good worships George Gatcliffe now prisoner in hir majesties castell of Chester where I have remayned ever sithence the xth of Maie last upon a warrant to the constable of the castle for good behaviour under the hand and seale of Randle Manwaringe esquier one of hir majesties justice of the peace for this countie aforesaid the cause I know not for which I was so committed nether would the cunstables by whome I was aprehended suffer me to comme before the said Randle Manwaringe esquier to answare for my self which I hould to be a manefest wrong donne unto me by them for which I do humblie [cra...?] your worships consideracions that I maie be released of this my long imprisonment and the punished according to thire diseartes and your poore oratour shall daylie praie for your good worships in healthe [loung?] to contynew.

John Bromefeild of Sandbache husbandman. QJF 27/2/53 (1597)

[illegible] quarto die anno regne Elisabeth etc xixo

To the right worshipfull Thomase Venables, Henry Maynwearinge and William Leversage esquyers her majesties justices of peace within the countie of Chester.

In most humble manner [sheweth?] unto your worshippes your poore orator; John Bromefeild of Sandbache in the countie of Chester husbandman. That whereas your said oratour was lawfullie possessed of and in onne messuage in Sandbache foresaid for the space of fowar or fyve yeares last past, soe yt is that upon Monday beinge the second day of this instant Maye, one Rondull Proudlove and Roberte Proudlove his sonne did forciblie enter into the howse of your said oratour beinge armed with onne longe pykeforcke, and one longe pyked staffe. And then and theare did not onelie drawe foorth of his said howse your said oratour his poore wyfe and smale children, but allso did in most ryotous sorte with theare said unlawfull weapons stryke and hurte your said oratour his wyfe and children. In tender consideration whearof may yt please your good worshippes that your said oratour may by your good meanes be restored to his former possession, and allso that you will take knoledge of the said ryotous misdemenour by examinacion or otherwyse for the spedie reformacion of the said offenderes as by her majesties lawes and statutes in that case is provyded. And your said oratour his poore wyfe and children shall daylie praye for you etc [and?] allso that yt might please your woorshippes for Goddes cause, to geve your said oratour lycense to prosecute this cause in forma pauperis.

Seven inhabitants of Nantwich. QJF 27/4/15 (1598)

To the right worshipfull her majesties justices of peace [assembled?] at the quarter sessions at [Nantwiche?] the xxvth of October 1597

Be it humblie informed unto your worships that wheras one Roger Brooke of the Namptwiche [smithe?] was in the greate leete holden for the barons yesterdaye proscuted and founde by the grand jurie of gentlemen there to be a comon barator a disturber of her majesties quiet subjectes in rayling and exclaiming upon the said jurie with manye lewd dispitefull and reprochefull speaches and dothe so farr misdemeane him self within the said towne as the cyvile inhabitantes are greatlie trowbled and [unymeted?] with his rogishe and badd behavuer. It may therfore please your worshippes in regarde of his disorder and for better government within the towne to graunte her majesties writte of good abearinge against the said Brooke and therupon to take suche dyrecte order as he be not upon his apprehencion and comyttment releassed againe as of late tyme he was from Chester assuring your worships the keaping of him in warde wilbe a great ease and quyet to the whole inha bitantes of Namptwiche in witnesse wherof the persons subscribed have hereunto put their handes. And that for the zeale of good ordre and government.

  • Rycharde [Mersonne?]
  • Rychard Walthall
  • William Hassall
  • Richard Clutton
  • R 1597 Fe
  • Jasper Rutter
  • [Rondull?] Maynwarynge
  • Thomas Maynwaring

Roger Holland and Hugh Hignit. QJF 28/2/11 (1598)

To the Quines justeses 1598

Right woorshipfull my humble dutie remembred: these ar to surtiefy yow that this present yere it was thought good by the cunstables of Ashton within this countie to make chyce of me your soplyant and on Hugh [Higint?] of the sayd toune for ovarsiers to mend the Quines heywayes acordinge to the statute in that case provided: now if it maye pleayes yow to undarstande the place where wee were to amend was such that hardly could couldbe passed by horse or teme beinge the Quines gret and [uziall?] threwfare so that in commandinge the sayd tounes men to cum: vi dayes acordinge to the statute sum we gote to do well sum to do halfe there worke and sum to do lytle or nothinge at all but of three houshouldinge men we could nethar get worke nor good words but one answered us he would not cum do the worste we could another did tend his one worke and gave us leve to talke and the thrid beinge asked did [lough?] us to scorne and when our waynes had caryed [ashlars?] to the watar cours ii or iii mylls of he went and and toke theme from the worke to his house and bilt him selfe a bake of a chimneye or an oven with theme: and if this maye be sofared and our worke so gret and the cuntrye so trobled for want of pasage and dangar of layinge in and spoylling there loding: and [ca.le?] and we that spend our one money and our travell be this delt withall we will [leaye?] awaie our worke in haste and indure the danger of law as thes do if the take by it no more [hort?] in neclecttinge then we in ussinge our best menes to furthur the worke geven undar our handes this xxvth daye of July in the fortith yere of the Quines majesties ragne that now is Elizabeth by the grace of God of England France and Irland defender of the fayth etc. by us

  • Rogar Holland
  • Hugh [Higint?]

Rauffe Lingard and Anne his wife. QJF 29/2/36 (1599)

To the right worshipfull Sir Hugh Cholmondley knight Peter Warburton seriant-att-lawe and to the rest of her majesty's justices of peace of the countie of Chester

In most humble wise compleigninge shewen unto your worships your orators Rauffe Lingard of Middlewiche in the saied countie of Chester and Anne his wief That whereas by the untrue informacion of some that envy and maligne your saied orators, and that entend (as much as in them lyes to worke your orators discreditt withoute cause, your saied supplicant Anne was att a private sessions holden att Middlewiche in this countie the one and twentith daie of May last paste endicted and presented to be a commen barratrix and a brawler and chider, whereas your saied supplicant as is well knowen to all her neighbours, who will testify of her good behaviour is a woman of good name and fame, and hath alwaies hitherto demesned and behaved herself amongst her neighbours, in peaceable and quiet manner and never gave occasion of offence to any, uppon which indictment there is graunted oute a warrant of good behvaiour against your saied supplicant In tender consideracion whereof, and for that the saied indictment was preferred against your saied supplicant of meere malice and for vexaction maie itt therefore please your worships uppon farther examinacion and consideracion of the premisses to call in the saied warrant which was soe graunted oute against her, and to forbeare to take your supplicant soe bounde, which would tend greately to her discreditt And your saied orators accordinge to their bounden dueties will daily praie to god for the preservacion of your worships in health longe to continewe

The churchwardens and inhabitants of Barthomley and Crewe. QJF 29/3/21 (1599)

Barthomley parishe

Yf it mighte please your worrships to be advertised that wheras the yearlie some of xxxiiij s is to be paide for the parishe of Barthomley for and towards the relevee and mentenaunce of the prissoners and memed soldiers wthin this county of Chester soe yt is that the churche wardens of this parish for this yeare have alredie laid downe the some of xxv s vj d of there owne monnye and further are to be nowe chardged to paye [illegible] viij s vj d beinge the residewe of the said some of xxxiiij s Therefore wee humble praie your good worshipes to take some goode resonable course and consideracion how the same maie be levied & gathered for all thoughe under your worrshipes correction wee take the same monnie ought to be gatherd as other paymentes are dewe unto her majestys service yette some fewe in our parishe refuse to have yt soe levied and woulde have yt laide by plowes and cottage a thinge as wee take unequall consideringe that they wiche have a martie of the olde rente shulde paie as mouche as the wiche have fyve pownd by the olde rente And thus wee humblie take our leaves

Barthomelye xxiij th daie of October

Your worrships and youre dailie oratours the churchwardens and all other the inhabitants within Crewe and Barthomly exceptinge three or forre

Unidentified person(s). QJF 29/3/22 (1599)

To the right worshipfull the queenes majesties justices of peace within the countie of Chester assembled at this sessions houlden at Wiche malbanke the xxiijth day of October Anno regne Elizabeth xljmo

Maie yt please your worshipps to be enformed that where Humfrey Walker of Myddlewiche in this countie labourer standeth inyted as a common barrettour and perturber of the queenes majesties peace and uppon the eight day of May last past a warrant of gode behaviour was awarded against him and others by the queenes majesties justices the same daie assembled at Middlewiche aforesaid, and lawfully executed uppon the said Walker: whereuppon the said Walker for want of suerties was commytted to the castell of Chester and there remayned untill the last sessions of the peace houlden at Chester, at which sessions the justices of peace then and there assembled mittigated the said warrant of good behaviour awarded against the said Walker and tooke the said Walker onely bounden with suerties to the peace, sythens whiche tyme the said Walker hath made two severall affraies uppon two severall persons, and forasmuche as the recognisans taken of the said Walker and his suerties for the peace is to be putt in sute for the queenes benefyte, and will be a longe tyme before yt receave triall, and forasmuche also as the witnesses to proove the breache of the peace by the said Walker may before that tyme be either dead languisshinge or departed forth of this countie, or ellse may forgett theire knowledges to proove the same by tract of tyme, whiche now beinge freshe in their memories may be made manyfest. Maie yt therefore please your worshipps (the premisses considered) to take order by your generall assents and consents that a precept under your handes and seales may be directed to the constables of Middlewiche aforesaid and Newton nere Middlewiche and to every of them commanding theime by vertue thereof to bringe all suche persons as shalbe nominated in the said precept before Thomas Venables esquire Henry Mainwaringe esquier and Thomas Vernon esquire justices of peace of our said sovereigne lady the queene or before any two of theime to be examyned for and uppon the part and behalf of our said sovereigne lady the queene, and this for zeale of justice.