Short title: Attorney General of the Duchy of Lancaster v Middleton. Plaintiffs:...

Short title: Attorney General of the Duchy of Lancaster v Middleton.

Plaintiffs: Attorney General of the Duchy of Lancaster [at the relation of Adam Eyre].

Defendants: Gilbert, Midleton, Bradbury and Fynney.

Documents: depositions concerning the collection of lot and cope at Gratton, Stanton and Youlgreave, Derbyshire.

Taken 23 April, 19 James I.

Deponents for plaintiffs: Robert Barber of Castleton, yeoman, aged 52, whose memory goes back 28 years [to 1594]; John Mycock of Tideswell, yeoman, aged 4 score and 1 [81 years], whose memory goes back 40 years [to 1582]; Ottiwell Mellor of Tideswell, yeoman, aged 3 score [60 years], whose memory goes back 40 years [to 1582]; Henry Marten of Bonsall, clerk, aged 32, deposed that William Cotker, deputy barmaster under Adam Eyre, has been prevented from executing his duites by James Finney, servant of Nicholas Gilbert, who claims the lot and cope of Youlgreave and has appointed Finney as barmaster. [Lot a mineral duty paid by the miner to the lord of the liberty to search for and mine ore. Cope duty paid by the buyer of the ore to the lord of the liberty]; William Fisher of Youlgreave, blacksmith, aged 56, deposed that Gilbert claims the full control over Gratton, Stanton and Youlgreave, including the right to lot and cope and to hold courts leet, baron and barmaster. He never had any business with the mines but followed his own profession as a smith. [Lists the deaths of 4 men killed in local mines where the barmaster acted as coroner]; Robin Cocker of Castleton, yeoman, aged 38, deposed that the barmaster of High Peak has been trying to secure control of Youlgreave and Stanton for 2 years. He knows 'divers inhabitants myners within Yolgreave and Stanton aforesaid as namely Thomas Staley and others have appeared and done their suits and services at the Barmote Court houlden for the Hundred and Manor of High Peak' [diverse inhabitants and miners within Youlgreave and Stanton aforesaid as namely Thomas Staley and others have appeared and done their suits and services at the Barmote Court held for the Hundred and Manor of High Peak]; Thomas Wayne of Sleson, Nottingham, husbandman, aged 80; Francis Hallowes of Youlgreave, yeoman, aged 51; Thomas Staley of Compbury, husbandman, aged 42; Francis Bries of Youlgreave, yeoman, aged 40.

Deponents for defendants: John Sheldon of Youlgreave, husbandman, aged 53, whose memory goes back 30 years [to 1592]; Nicholas Marple of Youlgreave, miner, aged 55; Robert Bradshawe of Stanton, husbandman, aged 60, deposed that some of the miners who have dug ore in Stanton have joined with the freeholders for liberty to dig there. Lot and cope has never been paid to a lord at Stanton; John Halley of Stanton, husbandman, aged 38.