Short title: Earl of Shrewsbury v Sacheverell. Plaintiffs: Gilbert [Talbot], Earl...

Short title: Earl of Shrewsbury v Sacheverell.

Plaintiffs: Gilbert [Talbot], Earl of Shrewsbury.

Defendants: Henry Sacheverell.

Documents: depositions concerning mining rights in Wensley and Snitterton, Derbyshire.

Taken 15 August, 34 Eliz.

Deponents for plaintiffs: John Needham of Osmaston, gentleman, aged 42, deposed that he and his father have both paid cope on ore bought in Wensley and Snitterton to the then barmaster Richard Wendsley. There had been a custom, time out of mind, of free mining in Wirksworth Wapentake, based on the opinion of 'ancient' persons. The custom of free mining had always applied save in Steeple grounds where Mr Blackwall now opposes it. [He produced a deed of sale showing that his father, Richard Needham, owned a lead mine held previously by Henry Babington of Dethick in Wensley dated 6 Eliz] [Cope was duty paid by the buyer of the ore to the lord of the liberty]; Anthony Else of Tansley, yeoman, aged around 75; Edward Bland of Bonsall, aged around 60, deposed that 16 or 17 years ago he attempted to dig in Wensley and Snitterton but was told by Richard Needham not to dig there or he would incur him displeasure; Thomas Harrison of Wirksworth, husbandman, aged around 74, deposed that in all his memory there has been mining for ore in Wensley and Snitterton as in other areas of the Wapentake; Thomas Flint of Darley, yeoman, aged around 60; John Coyle of Middleton, aged around 84; Robert Smith of Kirk Ireton, yeoman, aged around 57, deposed that he had seen a written document under seal which he believed was a copy of a record 'remayninge in the Towre, or in some of the courtes at Westminster' written in Latin [remaining in the Tower [of London] or in some of the courts at Westminster]. The document contained old laws relayed to Robert Smith by Mr Wensley that stated that the miners within the said Wapentake might follow their mine under any mans house or garden. He claimed that Henry Sacheverell was in league with William Buckley and had given him mines in Snitterton and that armed servants of Sacheverell had expelled Francis Else from his mine at Snitterton around the 10 January.

Deponents for defendants: Anthony Else of Tansley, yeoman, aged around 75; Edward Bland of Bonsall, aged around 60; John Luman of Bonsall, miner, aged 80, deposed that Griffe Grange [Mr Gell] and Elton [Mr Foljamb] were also areas within Wirksworth where free mining was prohibited; Thomas Hasllam of Bonsall, miner, aged 20 years and more; John Elliott of Matlock, husbandman, aged 48; John Coyle of Middleton, miner, aged around 84; Christopher Abell of Bonsall, miner, aged around 48.

34 Eliz