Tithes.
On 23rd January, 1579-80, Richard Pynder, of St Peter, Nottingham, offered the rector, John Wytter (?), one "le Turkey henne" in full discharge of the tithes withheld by him and it was accepted, and on 11th June, 1580 a defendant offered to bring a very good (prestantissimum) lamb to the next court in full discharge of the tithes on six lambs due to the vicar of Owthorpe and the offer was accepted.
On 8th July, 1581, a defendant admitted that he had a close in the parish of Sutton-in-Ashfield within "le Shawes in which he graseth a Cowe moving and doinge continuallye (before yt is mowed) and payeth the tythe mylke and the tythe calfe to the parson for the same." In an action brought in the same year by John Teverye, the farmer of the tithes of Stapleford, against John Fawkner, the defendant offered one lamb for the tithes of eight lambs he had and the offer was accepted. He however objected to pay the plaintiff's costs on the ground that he had always been ready and willing to pay the said lamb, but that the plaintiff had refused to accept it. Later however, he admitted "that Mr Teveryes man came to him at Maye daye & Asked him whether theyre sheep were at home for his Mr. wold have his tyth of lambes, who aunswered that he wold not fetche home his sheepe exepe (sic) he wold take the tyth which he had done and so theruppon he nether wold nor did fetche them whome (sic) nether did offer nor tender to hym the tythe."
On 10th October, 1584, Parnell or Paul Dyvall admitted owing the executor of Henry Tynker, vicar of Edwinstowe, "half a goose" for tithes, and on 14th November 1586 Henry Ilkynson, of Langar, paid the rector, Francis Flower, two shillings in full settlement of his tithes for apples for three years.
19 July 1592. John Brodbente, farmer of "lez staked alias stoned meadowes "in the parish of Stapleford, v William Greasley, of Stapleford, in an action for violating a monition.
The defendant was cited to answer for his contempt of the law and of the jurisdiction of the court in not informing the plaintiff of the day, time and place when the tenth part of his hay would be separated from the remaining nine parts, the tenth part not having been tendered or set apart, contrary to a monition issued by the Archdeacon. On 8th November, 1592, Robert Butcher paid the sum of sixteen shillings into court in discharge of all his tithes in respect of his mysteries, viz., "butcheringe and brewinge" for the whole time of the incumbency of Edward Houlden in the vicarage of Newark.
15 May 1594. Richard Hunt, vicar of South Leverton, v Robert Raworth, of South Leverton.
The defendant paid into court ten pence for the tithes of four cows and their calves born in the year 1593, three half pence for the tithes of one "le stroppe milke cowe of his "due at Easter 1593, for the offerings of himself and his wife for one whole year due at Easter fourpence, for "le house custome" due at the said feast two pence three farthings, "and for his garden tiethes" due at the said feast one penny, according to the lawful custom of the parish.
25th Sept. The defendant paid into court two pence halfpenny for the tithes of his "lez plommes" for the year 1592, three pence halfpenny for the tithes of his cherries (cerasorum) for the same year, two pence halfpenny for the tithes of his "lez plommes " for the year 1593 and three pence halfpenny for the tithes of his cherries for the same year.
27 Nov. 1594. Richard Morley, rector of Teversall, v Edward Byfelde gent., of "Whitebarowe" in the parish of Teversall.
The defendant paid into court fourteen pence halfpenny for the tithes of "lez rakinges of barley for the years 1591, 1592 and 1593, further sums in respect of wool and three pence for the tithes of "lez viij score strikes of hempe" admitted by him to be due. 26 March 1595. Gervase Pigot, farmer of the tithes of grain, hay, wool and lambs in the chapelry of Thrumpton, v Richard Thrompton, of Thrumpton.
The defendant paid seven pence into court for the tithe of seven "lez dosens of pigeions" from his pigeon cote.
On 17th September, 1597, a sum of two shillings was paid into court for the tithes on pears and apples due to the vicar of Ruddington for three years, and on 11th June, 1597, the vicar of Leake brought an action in respect of tithes on willows, On 12th November, 1597 in an action brought by Robert Aldridge, vicar of St. Mary, Nottingham, the defendant in his answer said
that he believed that between Michaelmas 1596 and the commencement of this action he had taken and converted to his own use "of his Parsnipes growinge within the parishe of St Maries in Nottingham and the boundes limites and tytheable places thereof quarter Centum fasciculos Pastinacarum Anglice foure hundreth bunches of Parsnipes at the leaste." And he further said that the true value of each of the said bunches of parsnips was one halfpenny, and he paid into court one shilling (sic) for the tithes of the said four hundred bunches of "parsnipes" which was accepted.
On 17th June, 1598 an action was brought by John Mather, vicar of Attenborough against Thomas Claworth, alias Battle of Chilwell for tithes on "pullis gallinaceis Anglice hen chickens." and in another action commenced on the same day by John Savage, rector of Sutton Bonnington, against Anthony Feeldinge, gent., the defendant paid ten shillings into court for the tithes of all "animalium suorum infrugiferorum brotorum seu pecudum suarum propiarum et alienarum" feeding and lying in "the nether close or greate close," in the parish of St. Michael, Sutton Bonnington, and also fourpence for the tithes of all and singular his red and white roses (omnium et singularum rosarum suarum rubrarum et damask) growing in the parish in the months of June, July and August, 1597.
On 30th September, 1598, George Harstafe, of Eastwood, was cited for not having informed Laurance Brodbent of the place and time of the separation of the tenth part of his corn from the remaining nine parts in accordance with a monition which had been issued. In his answer the defendant said that before the monition had been issued he and his men had taken, gathered and converted to his own use forty "acervos Anglice Stowkes of (Rye" erased) tritice," ten "acervos Anglice Stowkes de le big alias Barley" and no more, twenty five . . acervos Anglice Stowkes avenarum [oats]" and forty "les rapes veil rolles" of peas and beans.
On 27th September, 1600, Robert Blackwood, rector of Kirton, sued John Clarkson, gent., for tithes. The defendant's proctor alleged that the plaintiff was a Scotchman by birth "and that the same Robert Blackwood is not, nor yeate at any time was, infranchised or made free denizen of this Realme and so was, and yeete is, incapable of any Ecclesiasticall promotion within this Realme of England, and so consequentlie never nor yeete is lawfull parson or Curat of the Churche of Kirton," and that, before this action was commenced, the defendant had, in error of the fact that he could not be compelled to do so, paid to the said Robert Blackwood all the tithes due to him, the tithes of fifty "lez turkie chickens" excepted. The entries relating to this case end abruptly and so there is nothing to show whether the rector was or was not held capable of holding the living. Under several statutes of which the most modern at that time was passed in the reign of Henry VI., no alien could be admitted to a benefice.
On 14th July, 1602, Thomas Lee, of Sutton-on-Trent, paid three shillings into court for his tithes on "triginta acervorum Anglice xxxtie cockes of barlie" growing in 1600 on "quodam stadio Anglice a furlonge" called "Brimble Becke" due to William Cartwright Esq. farmer of the rectory of Sutton, and three days later he paid a further sum of twelve pence for the tithes of "tenne cockes of barlie" growing in 1900 on "Olderslade furlonge." On 29th October, 1603, James Wolfe, of St. Peter, Nottingham, paid three shillings and fourpence into court "for the tithes of all his apples perceaved and gotten by him in an orchard of the said parishe lyinge at the Graye Friers within the space of foure yeares nowe last paste" and due to Thomas Thorneley, the rector. On 1st November, 1605, William Robinson, of Flintham, paid five shillings into court for the tithes due to the vicar, William Browne, for the past two years in respect of twelve swarms of bees, and on 20th July, 1606, Hugh Warde, of Elton, paid in thirty-nine shillings for the tithes of milk due to William Kerchevall, the rector, but the entries do not say for how many years the tithes were due.
On 27th May, 1608, James Stanfield, of Gringley-on-the-Hill, admitted "that for one whole yeere ended at Easter laste paste he did occupie one maltinge kilne in Gringley aforesaid & gayned therebie & for & in liewe of the tenth of his cleere games gotten that yeere by the trade" paid sixteen pence into court for James Brewster, the vicar. On 31st October, 1616, William Martin, of Newark, paid a sum [the amount not mentioned] into court for the tithes of fifteen "piggs" due to Simon Juxe, the vicar, and on 13th November, 1617, Christopher Foster, of Annesley, paid into court four pence for the offerings (oblationibus) sued for, two pence half penny for "house dueties," eight pence for the tithes of four cows and four calves and eleven pence for the tithes of eleven other cows "anglice stroppers" due to George Chaworth, Esq.
In an action for tithes brought by Brian Britteyne, vicar of Mansfield against Edmund Farneworth, the plaintiff's proctor
in further proof produced certain Easter books (libros Paschales) in which the vicars of the church of Mansfield had noted from ancient times the payment of tithes, offerings and oblations and other ecclesiastical dues due, both by the law and custom of this realm, annually at Easter for many years to the vicars of the perpetual vicarage of Mansfield aforesaid, and especially concerning all the things described in the said book concerning manual and personal tithes (manualium et personalium) due from divers merchants and artificers (negotiatoribus et artificibus) to the several vicars there from time to time.
On 16th May, 1629, Thomas Morhouse was cited "ex officio" "for denyinge to paye his tythes calfe" but the entries are incomplete, and in the following January William Littlefeare senr. paid two shillings and six pence into court for the tithes on "Panier close" in the parish of St. Mary, Nottingham, and due to the vicar. Ralph Hannesbie.
IV.
Cases Concerning Churchwardens.
26 June 1577. Adam Arnold, of Elston, "for refusinge to use the office of a church warden."
Alleged "that the house wherin he dwelleth ys not charged to serve eyther the office of churchwarden or any other office." The judge "enjoyned them to chose a newe church warden untill yt were tryed whither yt [the house] should serve or no."
10 Dec. "The churchwardens ther [Sutton in Ashfield], 1580 viz., Richard Suger and William Clarke, for not repayringe the church and not payinge goodman Jeffery."
Clarke appeared but Suger did not do so and was excommunicated. The judge then ordered "that Mr Thomas Langforth should comand Richard Suger in open church to geve xijs. to goodman Jeffery of the church money And that the churchwardens should receave of the same Suger xijd. for every sonday and holy daye that he ys absent from the church accordinge to the statute." 17 Dec. On which day the said Suger appeared and was absolved and was enjoined "to geve of his owne proper charges xs. to Thomas Jeffrey of Sutton aforesayd towardes the releffe of the sayd Thomas his wyfe and famylye, because yt ys creadybly informed into that court that the sayd Thomas hath lately bene berefte of his wyttes and memory by meanes wherof he hath of longe tyme (sic) sycke and maymed which hath bene to his greate hyndrance discredyt and almost undoinge, which mischances fell unto hym thorowe the croked and inconstant dealynge of the sayd Suger beinge churchwardens in detayning from the sayd Jeffrey such money as the said Suger had collected for the sayd Jeffery (sic) for the amendinge of the church and Bell wheles &c.". And further he enjoined him to give to the poor box of his parish "vs. because there be many presentable thinges within the parishe (and namelye the divine service unsayd) and he one of the churchwardens nether presenteth the same nor seeketh not remedye therefore."
Edward Wylson had been cited to appear on 17th September, 1584 to be sworn as one of the churchwardens of Lowdham. He appeared and alleged that he had no dwelling house in the parish and had nothing, but lived under the control of his mother, as he was dependent on her, and also that he was servant to Mr. George Vaux, who dwelt in distant places, so that it was impossible for him to undertake the duties of the office. At the next court John Martyn, the other churchwarden, certified that the parishioners had elected Richard Warde as a churchwarden and he was duly sworn. On 30th September, 1584, the churchwardens of Elton were cited "for not doinge theire duetyes" and were enjoined to give ten shillings to Henry Kinder, of Newark "towards the makinge of a newe pulpitte in Elton and to amend maney faltes within theire parishe and to provyde them before Easter with viz., the byble, the Communion table, the church wyndowes with maney other thinges." On 25th August, 1585, Christopher Spawton, one of the churchwardens of Balderton, in answer to a citation calling on them to bring in a presentment, said "that there ys no faltes presentable that he knoweth of." Inkersall, one of the apparitors, at once alleged "that the parishners dyd worke on Swensons bridge upon sonday the fyrst daye of August beinge the saboth daye," and Spawton was ordered to give twenty shillings to the poor box. On the same day the churchwardens of Finningley were ordered to give ten shillings to the poor box "for not makynge a presentment for the repayre of the church and for morrys dancers there."
24 April 1593. The office of judge for the approval and confirmation of the election of the churchwardens of the church of the parish of Mansfield in Sherwood for this year 1593, viz., William Walheade and Richard Wheate inhabitants there.
On which day Mr. John Hacker, bachelor in laws, the proctor for the community or inhabitants of Mansfield appeared, in whose presence Brian Brittan, clerk, vicar of the perpetual vicarage of Mansfield alleged that the said William and Richard had not been legally elected. Then Mr Hacker alleged that the said William Walheade and Richard Wheate were inhabitants and parishioners of Mansfield aforesaid and residents there and were elected as churchwardens of the said church of Mansfield for this year by all the said inhabitants or the greater part of them according to the custom of the said parish lawfully prescribed and observed from time immemorial and prayed that they should be admitted and sworn. Mr. Brittan denied that the allegation made by Mr Hacker was true and further alleged that the election of one of the churchwardens of the said church belonged by law or by virtue of a reasonable and lawful custom in the aforesaid parish from time immemorial to the vicar for the time being, and therefore belonged or appertained to him, and that he had chosen as one of the churchwardens of the said parish Robert Spenser gent, and that in so far as the election alleged by Mr Hacker (if in any way it was properly made, which he denied) was made he was not advised of it but ignored, and he prayed that Robert Spenser should be admitted and sworn. Hacker alleged that Robert Spenser was not an inhabitant or parishioner of Mansfield or resident there and so was not eligible for the office. William Walheade and Richard Wheate were admitted and sworn as churchwardens.
6 May. 1594. The Accounts of the churchwardens of Mansfield. The office of judge for receiving etc. the accounts etc. of William Walheard and Richard Wheate, late churchwardens of Mansfield for one whole year ending at Lady Day now last past. [These accounts were dealt with before Milo Leigh, the Official, and John Cooper, clerk, acting as two commissioners of the Queen to hear ecclesiastical causes in the diocese and province of York].
On which day the said William and Richard appeared in person and exhibited a schedule containing a full statement of the account of their receipts and payments, which they prayed should be admitted, in the presence of Brian Brittan, vicar of Mansfield, and the inhabitants of the said parish then and there assembled in very large numbers (in copiose maltitudine). And then the said schedule having been publicly read and examined and nothing effectual objected against it, the judges decreed the said accounts to be admitted, reserving, however, power to themselves as to the sum of thirty shillings entered in the said accounts as expenses concerning the admission of a certain (sic) Woodhall as master (pedagogum) in the Free Grammar School of Mansfield, if on view it should be disallowed. And when in the said accounts the payments had been deducted there remained with the accountants five pounds sixteen shillings and eight pence, which the accountants at once paid to Richard Innocent and John Bolsover the present churchwardens. And then the said Brian, after a long altercation which he then and there had with the said inhabitants concerning his expenses incurred (as he asserted) in constituting and appointing (circa constitutionem et appiinctuationem) his brother as master of the aforesaid school and amounting to the sum of twenty nine pounds, submitted himself, as to the present accounts only, to the orders of the judges in this case made &c.
9 April 1595. For the admission of Simon Sterne and Thomas Goode elected (so it is said) churchwardens of the church of Mansfield for the year 1595.
Mr. John Hacker, as proctor for the parishioners, alleged that the commissioners for ecclesiastical causes sitting in the chancel of the Collegiate Church of Southwell on 26th April 1594 for the purpose (inter alia) of deciding as to the election of churchwardens of Mansfield, had decreed (inter alia) "That from time to time after that time the churchwardens of that parish of Mansfield shoulde bee chosen yerely on the feast day of the Annunciacion of the blessed Virgine Marie in the said church of Mansfield in thafter noone after the evening prayers bee ended, and that two should be nominated by the vicar and two by either of the churchwardons then beinge, furth of which six persons so nominated two thereof shalbee elected by the more parte of the parishners of Mansfield aforesad on the same feast day to bee churchwardons for the yere then followinge, as by the actes and proceedinges of the said Commissioners it doth and may appeare." And he further alledged "that uppon the feast of thannunciacion of the blessed Virgine Mary nowe last paste the said Brian Brittan and John Bolsover and Richard Innocent wardons of the said church of Mansfeld for the yere then ended, and all or the more parte of thinhabitantes or parishners of Mansfeld aforesaid were assembled together in the same church of Mansfeld at eveninge praier and immediately after the same praier ended entred in communicacion for the eleccion of the newe churchwardons to serve this present yere, and that then and there the said Brian for his parte nominated two of the said parishners and either of the late churchwardens nominated other two of the said parishners, and that furth of those six persons there was then and there by and with the mutuall consent & agreement of all the companie then and there assembled or of the more parte therof an eleccion made of the persons of the said Simon Sterne and Thomas Goode to bee churchwardons of Mansfeld for this presente yere 1595 accordinge to the form effecte and true meaninge of the said ordinance and decree made by her highnes said Commissioners." And he prayed that they should be admitted and sworn. The said Brian Brittan denied that this allegation was true and alleged "that upon the said last feast day of thannunciacion of our ladie immediately after eveninge praier in the said church of Mansfeld the said Simon Sterne and Roger Roile were by common consent chosen to bee the wardons of that church for the yere accordinge to the said order and decree" and prayed that they should be admitted and sworn. Both parties were ordered to prove their case in Hockerton Church on the following Friday.
11 April. After the evidence which had been given had been read, the judge exhorted the said Brian, the proctor for the inhabitants and the said Simon Sterne and Thomas Goode that, for the good of their church of Mansfield and the Free Grammar School there and for the peace of the parishioners of the same church, which he saw would be injured, not without scandal, by quarrels of this kind, and also to prevent the action and the necessary costs, they should proceed to end this action by common consent and not continue it further : and he advised the said Brian to continue to resist and oppose this action only with the advice of those learned in law (jurisperitorum). Then the judge, turning his attention to the state of the aforesaid church and school, the rents and revenues of which were due at Lady Day last and were not wholly collected and which, according to the foundation of the said school which was not unknown to the judge, ought to be disposed of by the churchwardens towards the support of "pedagogi sive praepositi" of the aforesaid school and to no other uses, and, wishing (so far as in him lay) to save loss to the same church and school, decreed that John Bolsover and Richard Innocent, the late churchwardens, should be admitted to serve as churchwardens until this action had been lawfully terminated.
29 April. On which day the judge, with the express consent of the said Simon Sterne, Thomas Gowde (sic), Brian Brittan, John Bolsover and Richard Innocent and of the proctor for the inhabitants, for the sake of peace and to avoid trouble and expense, decreed that the same John Bolsover and Richard Innocent should continue as churchwardens for one year from Lady Day last past as if they had been elected and admitted according to the express form of the order made by the Queen's Commissioners for this purpose, provided always that it was not the intention of the judge or of his decree to derogate in any way from the aforesaid order or to lessen the same, but to uphold the same as far as possible and able and so far as it was for the welfare and peace of the church of Mansfield.
On 30th January, 1607-8, Lawrence Saerson and Thomas Pepper, churchwardens of Bunny, admitted "that the statutes [hirings] were kept in theire Churche aboute Martlemas laste paste the tyme certeyne theie do not remember." On 29th November, 1612, the churchwardens of Orston admitted "that theie have not the workes of Bishop Juell," and were ordered to obtain them at once. The churchwardens of several other parishes were cited for the same offence. On 5th May, 1613, Henry Bore, of Hawton, "guardianum nuper electum per ministrum" was sworn to undertake the office.
On 4th October, 1614, Edward Needham and John Marshall, churchwardens of Worksop, were warned to hand the key of the church together with the register, &c. to the minister under pain of being in contempt. On 9th July, 1616, Thomas Townerowe and Thomas Coates, Churchwardens of Ollerton, admitted "that Francis Turner did set up a crosse in the Chappell yard." On 20th June, 1619, Richard Hutchinson, East Leake, was cited "for sufferinge the duste and mullocke [rubbish] of the Churche to lye in the churchyard neare unto the Churche porche," and on 18th July, the churchwardens were ordered to remove "the dust in the Churchyard " before the feast of St. Matthew.
Licences to Teach, Read Prayers, Etc.
In 1583 the following series of licences were granted: Thomas Byrchenall, bachelor of laws, "to reade service within the parishe of Heyton, so that he medle not with the administration of the Sacramentes": "Martyn Thackerorey the Scholmaster of Bothemsall, he ys dismyssed from the schole and to have a lycence to serve as Curat at Walsbey": "Edmond Royall, literatus, to be lycenced to Read service" at West Drayton: Roger Scotherne "to be lycenced to reade service for one yere nexte" at Warsop: Richard Horner "to be lycenced to reade service and to teache in Ansley."
On 31st March, 1592, licences to instruct children in the art of grammar were issued to the following at the visitation at Retford: William Geldarde at Misson, George Vicars at Treswell and Edward Ashton at Blith.
4 Sept. 1592. John Kinge, bachelor in theology, Archdeacon of the Archdeaconry of Nottingham in the metropolitan church of York, To our beloved in Christ John Wood, clerk, greeting : To you, in whose learning, knowledge and integrity of life we fully trust, we grant our licence and full power in the Lord, and at our discretion, to exercise the post and office of schoolmaster and instructor within the parish and also within the church of Radford in our jurisdiction, and to teach the art of grammar there and the good, not the bad, authors on the law of the statutes or ordinances of this realm, to interpret and expound sermons publicly in the latin or the vulgar tongue, and to do, exercise and expound other things which shall belong to the aforesaid post and office, and it shall continue so long as you bear yourself commendably in this duty or have other order from us and not otherwise: peremptorily ordering and most firmly enjoining by these presents both the pepetual vicar of the said church and the churchwardens of the same and all others interested that they shall not, under pain of contempt, make or offer any impediment to you in the due execution of the premises so far as the use of the church or otherwise allows, until we or our officers for known reason shall be led to order otherwise. Given under our seal at Southwell 4th September 1592.
On 23rd June, 1602, Robert Gill, of Farndon, who was cited "for teaching without authoritie," admitted "that he doth teache petties ["low or mean grammar scholars"] without authoritie" and was inhibited from teaching thereafter without special licence. In 1605, Nicholas Dubbledaye was licensed to exercise the offices of schoolmaster and parish clerk for the church or chapel of Cossall in the parish of Wollaton. On 21st April, 1612, Robert Wright was admitted to teach children in the art of grammar at Hawksworth and John Sherot was licensed to read prayers in St. Mary's, Nottingham, and to teach boys the alphabet (cum licentia ad docendum pueros Abcedarios). On 24th February, 1612-3 John Hughes was licensed to act as schoolmaster at Sutton-on-Trent and on 19th May in the same year Robert Lillie of the same parish, who had been cited "for teachinge schoole without licence" was ordered to take out a licence before he left the court. On 10th July 1613 a licence "ad docendum puerelos abcedarios" was granted to Robert Storie the parish clerk of Tollerton.
15 Feb. 1613-4 "Licentia ad inserviendum cure animarum concessa Mr Thome Moulte clerico in ecclesia de Westburton . . . . . . ijs. viijd.
On 24th September, 1616, a licence "ad docendum Abcedarios" was granted to William Wilson of Newark, and on 6th May, 1617 licenses were granted to William Peele, William Harstone and Samuel Houlden to read prayers at Harby, Blith and Littleborough respectively. On 14th October, 1617, a licence to teach was granted to Mr. Roland Walker, B.A., of Mansfield, and on 12th April, 1624, at the Archdeacon's visitation for the deaneries of Nottingham and Bingham, a licence was granted to (sic) Staunton, clerk, to serve the cure within the chapelry of Staunton in the parish of Orston.
VI.
Cases Concerning Parish Clerks.
On 31st July, 1568, Henry Unwen, of Farndon, was removed from his office of parish clerk and John Wright admitted in his place. In an action commenced on 14th May, 1580, by John Dobson, of Claworth, against Thomas Bullocke it was alleged that there had been a custom in the parish of Claworth for forty years and more that all the inhabitants "which have a plowe land ought to paye to the parishe clarke of the said parishe a meet [bushel] of Barley" and that the said Thomas Bullocke "hath a plowe land and ys a parishner there and both hath and doth refuse to paye the sayd meate (sic) of Barley into John Dobson playntyffe and clarke there." On 30th September, 1584 the judge excommunicated "the Clarke of the church [Elton] John Wright for not kepinge the church clean and doinge his duty as he ought to do." On 30th September, 1602, Mary Scotte, of Mattersey, admitted "that since Maye daye laste she hath owed the Clarke a mett of rye."
9 June 1603. Edward Wilde, John Tailer, Anne Noble, widow, Nicholas Glossop, Edward Cooke, Edward Mariot, Hugh Leeveslie, Richard Herringe and Robert Butcher, of Warsop, v Christopher Foxe, parish clerk of Warsop aforesaid.
The plaintiffs alleged "that althoughe Christopher Foxe the pretended parishe Clarke of the parrishe of Warsop of the Archdeaconrie of Nottingham aboute foure yeeres laste paste intruded him selfe into the office of the parishe Clarke theare & hathe ever since by usur-pacion taken upon him to execute that office within the said Church yeete nevertheles he the said Christopher Foxe neyther by lawe nor anye custome lawfullie prescribed within the said parishe of Warsop oughte to take, have or receave of them or anye of them beinge all parishioners of the said parishe Churche of Warsop aforesaid anye Clarkes wages or stipends whatsoever in lewe of his voluntarie service or paynes taken in the said Church for that William Spurre, Clarke, who by the space of xij yeeres nowe laste paste & more hathe binne and as at this present he is parson & lawfull incombent of the said Church hath not at anye tyme during the space aforesaid elected & chosen the said Christopher Foxe to be the parishe Clarke of the said Churche. And also for that the greater parte of the parishioners of the said Church have not at any tyme heertofore given theire expresse consent & allowance unto the said Christopher to be the parishe Clarke of the said Churche." At the next court the defendant was sworn to answer the allegation, but there are no further entries as to the result.
On 2nd November, 1609, Edward Caley, of Bilsthorpe, was warned to pay the parish clerk of Rolleston "unum modinum Anglice one (sic) strike of barlie yeerlie for the lande which he occupieth" according to the ancient custom of the parish of Rolleston. [The Catholicon Anglicanum (1483) gives "modius" as one of the latin words for a bushel, but not for a peck, though the word "batillus" is given for both a peck and a bushel. Most Latin-English Dictionaries give "peck" as the meaning of "modius"]. On 9th June, 1610, George Wood, of Barton in Fabis, was cited "for that he dothe refuse to paye to the parishe Clerke such wages for his clocke keepinge as he hathe usualye had & receaved customarilie of the husbandmen."
9 June 1610. Samuel Fishburne, of Littleborough, "for keepinge the Ferrie boate on the West Water uppon Sundayes & Holydayes when he should attend divine service being the parishe clerke."
3 July 1613. William Turner, of Barton in Fabis, "for that he beinge the parishe Clarke doth not sweepe cleene the deskes in the Churche." Warned to satisfy " Mr Doctor Irelande."
On 27th March, 1623, Francis Dafte, on behalf of his father Thomas Dafte, of Hickling, paid two pence into court as being due to the parish clerk of Hickling "pro una parte cujusdam domicilii in qua nunc larem fovet" and denied that any larger sum was due by right.
25 Nov. 1623. Robert Williamson, of Walkringham, "for not payinge the clarkes wages vidz. vd., xij sheaves of wheate, xij sheaves of barlie, & xij reapes of peas for three farmes.'' Gervase Woodhouse, of the same parishe, "or witholding vd., iiij sheaves of wheate, iiij of barlie & iiij reapes of peas."
3 Feb. 1623-4. On this day Mr Ralph Hansbie, clerk, vicar of the church of St Mary, Nottingham, appeared and, with the express consent of John Bonney, clerk of the parish of St Mary, Nottingham, who expressly renounced the burden and execution of the said office, chose Hugh Parke and declared him to be nominated to exercise the office of clerk of the parish of St Mary, Nottingham, in the presence of George Cooke and William White and in confirmation and witness of the premises signed his name.
"Raphe Hansbie."
Continued in Transactions Volume 30 (1926), pp11-57.