Book containing minutes of the diocesan Court of High Commission for Canterbury Diocese

DCb/PRC/44/3

Book containing minutes of the diocesan Court of High Commission for Canterbury Diocese

1584 - 1603

202 pp. (modern), lacking cover and with folios missing at back; found in 2 parts (pp. 1-132 and 137-202) and 2 loose folios (pp. 134-6) among miscellaneous fragments in the Canterbury Probate Records.

Notes: For general information about the High Commission, see Usher, The Rise and Fall of the High Commission, Oxford, 1913. Only a very few records of the court are known to have survived.

The commissioners (Note. The dates in brackets refer to general commissions in which the respective names occur. They are taken from the list in Usher, op. cit., appendix 2 which is 'believed to be complete' except for the lost commissions of 1570 and 1589).

Thomas Lawse D.C.L. Oct. 1584-Jan. 1593/4 (1572, 1576, 1584)

William Redman, Archdeacon of Canterbury Oct. 1584-Mar. 1595/6 (1576, 1584)

Richard Rogers, Bishop of Dover Sept. 1586-Mar. 1595/6 (not listed) and Dean of Canterbury

Sir Roger Manwood Oct. 1584, April 1585, Aug. 1591 (1572, 1576, 1584)

John Boys Mar. 1595/6-Nov. 1603 (1601, 1620, 1625)

Thomas Nevill, Dean of Canterbury Oct. 1601-Nov. 1603 (1601, 1605, 1608)

Charles Fortescue, Archdeacon of Oct. 1601-Nov. 1603 (not listed) Canterbury

George Newman D.C.L. Nov. 1603 (1605, 1608, 1613, 1620)

Apart from the nomination of some, and possibly all, of the commissioners in the general ecclesiastical commissions of the period (which in theory placed them on exactly the same footing as the commissioners at Lambeth), it is to be presumed that they exercised their authority under the separate special commission limited to the diocese of Canterbury issued between 1575 and 1581 referred to in Usher, op. cit., p. 287. A recognisance of 1586 transcribed on p. 43 of the act book is for appearance before 'her maiesties highe Commissioners resiant within the county of Kent... at ther next session... for matters ecclesiasticall within the diocese of Canterbury.' Until 1588 headings in the act book refer to 'ad ecclesiasticas causas commissionariis' who are stated to be 'iudicialiter et pro tribunali sedentibus'; after this date they are usually styled simply 'commissionariis regiis supremis'.

The court sessions. The court usually sat in Christ Church Cathedral but on some 17 or 18 occasions it met at the residence of the Bishop of Dover in the Cathedral precincts. Normally there were three commissioners present and this number probably represents a quorum; a recognisance of 1588 on p.82 is for appearance before the commissioners 'or any three of them'. Occassionally, however, a session is held before one judge only for the transaction of particular business and in November 1603 there were four commissioners sitting. The courts were held at irregular intervals. In 1588 and 1591, the two years for which most business is recorded, the sittings were as follows:-

1588 17 Feb., 24 Feb., 23 Mar., 4 Apr., 15 Apr., 23 May, 4 July, [1 Aug., adjourned], 3 Oct.

1591 7 Jan., 14 Jan., [2 Mar., note of adjournment], 16 Mar., 11 May, 25 May, 22 June, 17 Sept., 22 Sept., 5 Oct., 21 Oct., 7 Dec.

Business. A detailed index of cases is given. Even when allowance is made for apparent gaps in the record, the amount of business is surprisingly small. Possibly the proximity of London High Commission court caused many litigants to take their business there. Not more than 81 separate cases are recorded involving some 107 persons (allowing for those who came before the court more than once). Of those cases where the offence is stated or can be deduced the majority are of a routine nature such as might be found in the act books of the ordinary diocesan courts. There is a high proportion of sexual and matrimonial cases; other offences dealt with include violence to ministers, slander, illegal practice of medicine, refusing to pay a church sess, etc. Cases of recusancy and other breaches of the religious settlement are also fairly numerous, though only two of these appear to be of a really serious nature. The most unusual charge dealt with is that of enticing away schoolboys to perform plays.

Procedure. In essentials the procedure employed is similar to that used in the London High Commission court as described in Usher, op. cit., chapter 2, though it seems frequently to have been of a more summary character. In a number of cases the action in the form ex officio promoto and the name of the plaintiff is given. More often, however, the judges appear to be acting on their own initiative ex officio mero though it is probably that some at least of these cases also are 'promoted'. In one or two instances (e.g. see index, Thomas Hunt, 1603) the commissioners are recorded as naming a promoter to prosecute the offender. Accused persons were brought into court by means of 'letters missive' or, if these had no effect, by mandates of attachment. They were required to take the oath ex officio binding them to answer truthfully whatever articles were put to them. Refusal to take the oath usually, though not invariably, meant commital to prison. Conviction is frequently stated to be on the basis of things confessed or responses made by the accused. An exception to this is the use of the traditional practice of compurgation as a method of proof in a case of incontinence in 1585. A few cases lasted as long as two years or more.

Punishments. Although the imposition of fines was a favourite weapon of the London High Commissioners, the act book contains only one example of this punishment. (See index, Ingram Joll, 1586). Imprisonment was used principally as a means of compelling offenders to take the oath ex officio. Canonical penances were freely imposed, sometimes in combination with a spell in the stocks or a short period of imprisonment. There is one example of a delinquent clergyman being deprived of his orders (see index, Robert Grave 1585).

Relations with other courts and with the secular power

(a) The London High Commission. Though it was not formally subject to the London High Commission, the actual subordination of the Canterbury court is illustrated by the two letters from Lambeth inscribed at the front of the volume (see above). These give detailed instructions to the diocesan commissioners (to whom they were evidently directed) about the measures to be taken to discover the authors of two public scandals, one of which related to the distribution of seditious 'libels' at Canterbury itself, and require them to certify concerning their proceedings. They are, in fact, special commissions. The punishment of two of the persons found to have been responsible for the libels was referred to the archbishop of Canterbury (see index, Nicholas Gibson and Helkias Reader, 1603) and the same course was taken in the case of Paul Eaton, an uncompromising nonconformist, in 1596 (see also index, Stephen Hatche, 1591; Robert Jenkinson, 1591). These two cases were probably the most serious to be dealt with by the court.

(b) The ordinary diocesan courts. There are two examples of cases being remitted to the Archdeaconry Court (see index, Simon Rogers, 1585; Thomas Hunt, 1603; also Edward Brooke, 1592); on another occasion the archdeacon's official was warned not to proceed with a case which was then before the commissioners (see index, Helen Blaksland, 1588).

(c) Secular officers. There are examples of borsholders, etc., being summoned before the court for failing to execute mandates of attachment delivered to them by the court messenger (e.g. index, Ralph Cole and Thomas Culverhouse, 1586). In 1592 the mayor of Dover was summoned for this reason (see index, John Long, Humphrey Mede, 1592).

Opposition to the court. A few defendants are noted as having expressed hostility to the commissioners (see Thomas Hunt, 1588; Paul Eaton, 1596). A memorandum dated 1588/9 on p.136 quotes the evidence of the court messenger that 'Mr. Henry Hall said upon the attaching of his man William Austen that he dowted whether the commissioners for causes ecclesiasticall had any auctoryty to call any lay man or temporall man beffore them for he dyd know the statuts as he said as well as they'. There is no record of any proceedings having been taken against Hall.

CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX OF CASES

1584 (Sept. -, 2 sessions only)

SIR NICHOLAS PETTIPER, clerk 12; 13; to show letters of ordination, 17; 18; 19; 24; 30; 36; book containing record of process before the High Commissioners in London produced, 39; suspended from celebrating divine service until the cause is determined, 43; asks for royal pardon, 46; 49; examination [refers to certain articles alleged against him by the churchwardens and parishioners of St. Olaves, Hart Street, before the High Commissioners at London], 147.

ALEXANDER TAYLOR of Cranbrook 12; 13.

WILLIAM NEWLANDE of Murston 12; 13.

WILLIAM BERWORTHE of Tenterden 12; 13.

ROBERT KING of Cranbrook 12; 13.

GEOFFREY WELCHE of Sheppey 13.

SIMON ROGERS of Tenterden 13; permission given for the case to be further heard in the Archdeacon of Canterbury's court, 17.

1585 (5 sessions)

RICHARD GODDARD [Incontinence.] Charged with Mary Silkworth [see below] 15; 17; to purge himself by the oaths of six men of Kingston & Bishopthorne before archdeacon of Canterbury, 20; falls in purgation, to perform canonical penance, 22.

MARY SILKWORTH [Incontinence.] 15; to purge herself by oaths of 6 women of Elham & Bishopthorne before the archdeacon of Canterbury's official, 20; fails in purgation, to perform canonical penance, 22.

STEPHEN CUTSALL 17; 28; charged with contempt by saying that he cared not if he were committed to prison or no 'for he woulde come forthe againe well ynoughe whether they would or no', 29.

ROBERT TOOKYE 17 [entry erased]; Simon Horwood of Winchelsea committed to prison for falsely swearing that Tookye could not come to Canterbury without danger of his life, 18; 20; 21; ordered to pay sums of money to persons named, 23; to pay money adjudged to John Rooe of London, notary, for speeding a commission in the case, 28.

JAMES ELSON of Lenham 17; 20.

ROBERT GRAVE [Forgery.] Charged with falsely causing himself to be named B.A. in licence to preach from the Bishop of Hereford, 19; confesses forgery, ordered to be committed to prison and degraded from his orders, 21; disqualified from all ecclesiastical offices, 25.

JOHN BUCKHERST of Lenham 20; 36; 40; 43; 47; 50.

THOMAS BROWNE of Tenterden 23; 27; 34; 38.

RALPH BENNET [Slander.] Charged with reproachful words against Mrs. Johnson of Fordwich, confessed and ordered to be reconciled, 24; 36.

DOROTHY PHILPOT 25; 34; 38.

1586 (6 sessions)

RALPH COLE of Ickham THOMAS CULVERHOWSE of Harborough [Contempt of the commissioners' authority.] Charged with failing to carry out a mandate of the court for the apprehension of James Cutts while holding offices of deputy borsholder and borsholder respectively, dismissed, 27.

JOAN KNIGHT of London, lady [Recusancy.] 20; 30; 31; gives bond to attend four several services at the least before next session, 35.

ELIZABETH COSBY [of Bridge?] [Contempt of excommunication.] Confesses coming to church while excommunicate, sentenced to sit in the stocks before service and then to do canonical penance in Bridge church, 29, 38.

- JEFFERY 30.

EDMUND FRANKLIN of Smarden [Incontinence and breach of contract of marriage.] Promoted by Amy Turner of Smarden, 33; 38; the charge of incontinency remitted to the ordinary, 50; examination, 143, of Morgan Evans of Smarden, 145, of Mary Inge of Challock, 148, of Clement Pell of Smarden, 149.

JAMES CUTTS [?of Ickham] [Violence to a minister.] 27 [see case of Cole and Culverhouse]; admits having assaulted Mr. Eltonhed in Ickham churchyard but denies that he knew him to be a minister, is to perform canonical penance, 34.

MARGERY PETTIT [of Chilham] [Concealing superstitious objects, etc.] 36; 39; 41; 47; 50; to certify that she hath converted the pieces of copes to cushions or other use and to certify the order of Mr. Official taken with her for receiving communion, 69; failed to do so, 74; evidence given that the letters missive were hurled after the messenger when he tried to deliver them, 76; 79; committed to Westgate prison for refusing to take the oath ex officio, 81; bond for appearance in court [erased], 84; examination [alleges that the pieces of copes and the beads found in her house had been there many years and that she had not seen the images until a month before]; 150; examination [refuses to obtain absolution or deface the pieces of copes], 166.

STEPHEN HATCH (See also 1591) 'Promoted by Halden', 40; 43; 46; 49.

INGRAM JOLL [Contempt of the commissioners' authority.] 41; 46; 49; 62; charged with knowingly breaking the seals placed by the commissioners' authority on certain chests and trunks in the house of Mrs. Petyt of Chilham [see above] which were supposed to contain monuments of superstition, submits himself to the commissioners 'cum effusione lacrimarum' and is ordered to pay a fine of 5 marks, 64; pays fine, 80.

MR. EDWARD MONINGS, ESQ., ELIZABETH his wife, ALICE BROWNE their servant [?Recusancy.] (See also 1592) Gives bond to make appearance with his wife and servant, 43; 47; 49.

JOHN BARKER of Canterbury [? Suspicion of Catholic sympathies.] 44; 47; 50; examination [refers to his refusal to allow his son to carry faggots to a bonfire and the singing of psalms in Latin by a certain John Bright, dec'd.], 152.

JOHN SEBRANDE of Canterbury 44; 47.

THOMAS WALDEN of Canterbury 44.

1587 (2 sessions)

THOMAS SWAINE [Matrimonial.] 47; warned not to contract himself or marry with Margaret Neale late of Faversham, 50.

- BALSAR 47; 51.

1588 (9 sessions)

JANE JETTER [Clandestine marriage.] Charged with disorderly behaviour with Thomas Hunte 'upon Thursday at night last 8. Alleges that she was that night married to T.H., and is questioned about the minister, 59; ordered to be sequestered in the house of Francis Aldrych, 62; to ask pardon [see below], 70.

THOMAS NUNTE [Clandestine marriage.] Charged with carrying a young maiden about the country by night unknown to her parents. In court 'scoffyngly and undutyfully' charges the commissioners 'That there were greater matters there than this matter of his, let slyp and never inquyred of, or not so narrowly loked on as this matter of his was' and is committed to the custody of Clement Gascoyn keeper of Westgate prison for refusing the oath ex officio, 60; takes the oath, 61; 63; 67; ordered to ask pardon of Jane Jetter's parents for contracting marriage without their consent, and to attend the court until further notice, memorandum of performance at the Dean of Canterbury house, 70; 71; 73; 76; examination [bride 15 years of age, marriage performed by the vicar of Boughton at 2 a.m.], 153.

MR. THOMAS TAYLOR [vicar] of Boughton [Performing clandestine marriage.] 61; 64; 72; 74; 75; 79; examination, [had been shown a special licence and believed the couple to be orphans], 163.

JOHN LONGLEY [Abetting clandestine marriage.] 61; committed to Westgate prison for three days for contempt, 65; examination, 156.

JOHN PARLE [Abetting clandestine marriage.] 61; 62; committed to Westgate prison for three days for contempt, 65; examination, 155.

ANNE FAYRMAN [Abetting clandestine marriage.] 61; committed to Westgate for three days for contempt, 65; examination, 159.

EDWARD GOWER [Contempt of the commissioners' authority.] 61; dismissed, 65; examination [admits concealing Mr. Taylor (see above) from the commissioners' man], 158.

MATTHEW GOODHUE [Incontinence] Liberated from prison on bond, 62; 74; to give bond that he will not keep company with Blacksland [see below] except in public places, 75.

HELEN BLAKSLAND [Incontinence] Liberated on bond with Goodhue, 62; order that the case be continued before the commissioners until its determination 'for that this courte was furst possessed of this cause beffore any presentment was exhybyted into Mr. Archdeacon of Cant. his courte against the said Goodhue and Blacksland', archdeacon's official to be warned not to proceed, 66; ordered not to consort with Goodhue, 74.

KATHERINE HORTON [Feigning miraculous gifts, etc.] 62; 63; 68; 69; 71; 73; 77; 79; examination of Mary Taylor, servant [very detailed. Refers to Horton's claim that her body moved strangely whenever the name of God was mentioned, and to hearing her say that she was a true catholic, etc.] 162.

- WHYTTON of Ickham 63; 71; 73; 75.

THOMAS CUNTRAY Promises that 'the wyfe of Whytton shall have a competent howse provyded for hyr and that he will see the yerely rent paid for the same and that he will do his best endevor that she may be absolved' ..; 69; 72; 74; pays expenses assessed & his dismissed, 76.

- WELLS [Possessing a superstitious object.] Admits possessing [rosary] beads, he is ordered to do canonical penance and to publicly burn the beads, 67; certificate that this was done, 72; dismissed, 73.

- STEPHENS 68

MR. RICHARD DRYLAND Bishop of Dover certifies that Dryland had business with him and must of necessity attend the musters before Sir John Noreys (Sir John Norris was at this time in charge of organising the defence of Kent against the threatened Spanish invasion), 76; 79; reported as having said that he 'neyther cold nor wold come for that he is my lord chamberlayne his man and yf the said commissioners had anything to say unto hym my Lord chamberlayn wold or shuld answer them', 81.

MR. JOHN NORDEN 77; 81.

- MARTYN 77; 79; 81.

1589 (3 sessions, one scored out)

ROBERT WICKHAM and JOAN EATON of Bridge his pretended wife [Incontinence.] 81; enjoined to do canonical penance at Dover and Bridge, 82; bond to perform same, 82; examination, 164

1590 (2 sessions)

THOMAS FANSOME and ALICE FANSOME alias SMYTHE his pretended wife [Incontinence, illegally practising medicine, etc. Smith ordered to be exposed in a waggon from Westgate to St. George's gate and back again with a placard of her offence and to do canonical penance at Milton and be expelled from Kent, Fansome to stand in the pillory at Canterbury, Faversham and Milton placarded 'A longe ffornicator, a lewde charmer, a counterfayte physytion' and then to be recommitted to prison until further order, 86; examination of Fansome [admits that he is not Doctor Burcott's man as he had claimed but a tailor by trade and that he obtained money by selling love charms, etc.], 166; examination of Alice Fansome alias Smythe, 168.

WILLIAM SUTTYLL of Canterbury [Maintenance.] Asserts that he intends to sue his wife for divorce and is ordered to give bond to maintain her and to take her back if he fails to prosecute his suit within 4 months, 87; 89; 91; [headed Suttyll contra Suttyl] 95; 96; 98; 99; 101; agreement concerning maintenance during separation and concerning the charges made in the court of audience at London, 104.

1591 (8 sessions)

JOHN JORDEN, SUSAN QUICK alias JORDEN his wife and MARY THOMAS [Incontinence.] 88; ordered to perform canonical penance, 91; 93; examination, 69.

STEPHEN HATCHE of Sellinge [Refusing to pay parish sess.] Promoted by Mr. Hayman and the churchwardens of Sellinge. Order that two of the articles against Hatche be reserved to the examination of the Archbishop of Canterbury and his colleagues, 89; 92; 94; 98; churchwardens account book of Sellinge to be produced in court, 98; memorandum of offer by Hatche to pay the parish debt and discharge the parishioners of church sesses in return for the right to occupy the church land, 101; 102; 105; 110; interlocutory judgement sought, 113; 115; 116; 118; examination [alleges sess to have been unnecessary], 171

JOHN ROBERTS of Iwade [Incest with wife's sister.] Committed to Westgate prison until further order, 90; sentenced to stand in the stocks and be drawn through the streets at Canterbury and Milton and to do canonical penance at Milton and Iwade, 92.

JOHN LONG of Throwley (See also 1592) [Incontinence.] Warned to fulfil his oath to appear for examination or be excommunicated, 90; 94; 100; examination, 170.

JOHN BRETT of [Incontinence.] Warned to fulfill oath to appear for examination or be excommunicated, 91; 93; 100.

THOMAS HARNET of Kingston [Incontinence.] Warned to fulfil oath to appear for examination or be excommunicated, 91; 93; examination, 170.

ELIZABETH HARRYSON of Westgate [Incontinence.] 93; 94; 116; examination, 173.

RICHARD SMYTHE of Northborne [Incontinence.] Promoted by John Goodhue. Ordered not to consort with Elizabeth Harryson [see above] except in public places, 94; 96; witnesses living in London or Southwark to be examined at the Dean of Canterbury's lodgings near Battle Bridge, Southwark, alimony awarded to Margaret Smythe, wife of the accused, pendente lite, 97; 98; 99; 102; 136; examination, 174; examinations of Richard Prowde of Ashford, sadler, 175; of John Pampion of Sholden, 176; of Dionisia Pampion, 177; of Leonard Raynold of Deal, yeoman, 177; of Thomas Raynold, yeoman, 178; of John Gyles of Sholden, husbandman, 179.

MR. ROBERT JENKYNSON 95; suspended on exhibition of letters missive from the Archbishop of Canterbury, etc., defendant warned to appear before the High Commissioners at Lambeth, 96.

- ADDESLEY 'Promoted by Katherine Graye of Stockbury', 97.

CHRISTOPHER CATERO of Birchington [Violence to a minister] 100; ordered to procure absolution from the sentence of excommunication laid on him and to be reconciled with Mr. Atton, 108; certifies that he has done so and is dismissed, 110.

- EDWARDS and WILLIAM SYMCOX [Enticing children from school to perform plays.] 101 [Symeox only]; 'That they knowing that the children of the scole [? Kings School, Canterbury] were and are under the government of the lord [bishop] of Dover and other masters of this churche...have inveigled the scolars or some of them... in contempt of warnyng gyven them to go abrode in the cuntrey to play playes contrary to lawe and good order. And afterwards the said scholars being in pryson for theyr said contempte they the said edwards and symcox came to them and there dyd anymate the said children to playe in contempte of the commandement of my Lord of Dovor and other and hanged owte a sho or a pott to beg withall', etc., 103; confess and promise to reform and are dismissed, 108.

WILLIAM STAN(D)LEY of Leveland [Incontinence.] 103; sentenced to remain 15 days in Westgate prison and then to perform canonical penance at Leveland, Sheldwich and Mersham, 105; released from prison, 110; exhibits certificate of penance performed and is dismissed, 111; examination, 181.

ELIZABETH MONYNGS w. of MR. EDWARD MONYNGS (See also 1586) [?Recusancy.] 105; ordered to confer with Mr. Seller 'and suche other preachers for hyr better satysfying in suche poynts as she desyrethe to be resolved or satysfyed in whiche she promised to do', 109.

GRACE FYNCH wife of MR. CLEMENT FYNCH of Milton [Recusancy.] Refuses to take the oath ex officio, 106; again refuses and is warned to confer with Mr. Holenden, Mr. Kingsmyll and other preachers, and promises to do this, 109; memorandum that Mrs. Fynche is discharged on promising hereafter to attend church and is to certify this at the Archdeacon's next visitation, 113.

ANN ROBINSON wife of - ROBINSON of Boughton [Recusancy.] 106; ordered to confer with Mr. Foorde of Goodneston, Mr. Ackwoorthe and other preachers and promises to do so, 110; 112; warned to go to church and receive communion, 115; examination [has been excommunicated 3 or 4 years], 182.

INGRAM MARTEN of Wye, gent., and wife MARY [?Recusancy.] 106; 110; copy warrant for Martin's commital to prison, 12; exhibits certificate of absolution from the Official, 119; examination [has not been to church since he was excommunicated 6 years age], 183.

PEERS THOMAS and his wife of Tunstall [Recusancy; contempt of excommunication and abusing a minister.] Ordered to obtain absolution and perform canonical penance, 107; 109; rector of Tunstall certifies that wife's penance has been performed and she is dismissed 111; 112; 115; 117; 118; examination, 185.

HENRY UNGLEY of St. Pauls, Canterbury [Recusancy.] 107; examination [admits not attending parish church because he has no certain place of dwelling but has resorted to Christ Church when not abroad about his business], 183.

MR. HENRY PETYT and his wife (See also 1586) 107.

JOHN WILLET of Goudhurst [Recusancy, etc.] Charged with obstinately refusing to come to church, failing to receive communion and remaining excommunicate. Expresses willingness to be restored but then spoke against the Book of Common Prayer 'to the offence of hyr Majesties commyssioners and other that hard him', warned to procure absolution and to perform canonical penance, 108.

GEORGE C(O)UNDALL of Chilham [Recusancy, practising medicine without licence, etc.] 111; 113; warned to receive communion and to attend church and forbidden to practise medicine until he should obtain a licence, 114; copy warrant for commital to Westgate prison, 12; charged with practising medicine since being inhibited from doing so and ordered to give bond not to do this again, 117; produces licence to practise medicine and surgery from the Archbishop of Canterbury, submits himself and undertakes to reform himself in all things, 119; examination [refers to his attendance on Mr. Thomas Lovelace at the time of his death and states that he called upon the Virgin Mary to pray for him], 184; examinations of Arthur Arden, 188; 191; of Honor Arden [has seen beads in Cundall's study], 189.

ROGER BARNES Is in Westgate prison on Roger May refusing to continue to act as surety, 112.

JOHN LONG (Possibly same person as John Long of Throwley, above 1591) Mayor of Dover to be summoned for failing to certify execution of the attachment against Long, 112; 116.

EDWARD BROOKE [Violence to a minister.] 112; accused of violently beating Mr. Francis Redman, vicar of Waldershare, examination reserved to the Archdeacon's Official in case Redman should wish to prosecute the action, 115.

JOHN FYNCHE [Not receiving communion, etc.] 113; warned to receive communion and voluntarily swears that 'he hath not talked or had conferens with any Jesuite or semenary priest nor hathe beene moved by any person to adhere unto the Remisshe religion or to forsake hyr maiesties subiection', 114.

HUMPHREY MEDE [Contempt of the commissioners authority.] [-] Vanwilder, town clerk of Dover, exhibits the attachment against Long [see above] and its execution and Mede is dismissed, 115.

CHRISTOPHER WEBBE Promoted by Peers, 116.

Wife of DANIEL WOLLET [Recusancy.] Admits not coming to church 'because of hyr consciens', husband ordered to procure some 'godly and lerned' ministers to confer with her and she to certify her conformity and conference had with the ministers, 117.

Wife of - MORDEN [?Recusancy.] Daniel Wollet [see above] undertakes to bring her to court on the day that his wife is to appear, 118.

1593 (3 sessions)

RICHARD PUTTO alias PETO [Violence to a minister.] Promoted by Robert Rawson, vicar of Patrixbourne, "12; copy bonds of Putto and John More to keep the peace [erased with note that 'This is rased bicause the recognisances for the peace were acknowledged beffore the Lord bishop of Dover and Mr. Richard Ley as iustics of the peace and not as commissioners for causes ecclesiastical'], 120; 121; examination, 193; examinations of John Watson of Sandwich, glover, 193; of Robert Naylor of Patrixbourne, yeoman, 194; of Robert Bargar of Bridge, yeoman, 196.

JOHN KENET and his wife of Ulcombe 12; 121.

2 sons of - MANWARING curate of East Sutton 12; 121.

1594 (1 session)

1596 (2 sessions)

PAUL EATON of Kennington [Speaking against at the Church settlement, etc.] Charged with 'diverse vyle speaches against my Lord of Canterbury his grace and against the present state and government of the Church of Ingland', etc., in court 'he called and said that Mr. Archdeacon was a thefe a traytor, an antechrist and worse than the divell and an asse and that the commissioners were antechristian magistrats, he said further that the woord was preached in the churche of Ingland to the derogation of goddes glorye'; committed to the Westgate and ordered that the Archbishop be written to in the matter, 123.

STEPHEN MYLLES of SS. Cosmas and Damian in the Blean [Matrimonial.] Promoted by Austin Greneland, 127; examination [asserts that Greneland attempted to marry his ward Margaret Blackborn, aged 14, against her will and without his consent], 198.

1597-1600 (no sessions)

1601 (1 session)

THOMAS MOORETON of Adisham [Slander] Charged with insulting words to Mr. Smith, apologised and is reconciled with Mr. Smith, dismissed, 124.

1603 (4 sessions)

THOMAS HUNT of Canterbury, servant to AVERIE SARNI, woolen draper [Publishing seditious libels; see letter on p. 7] Notary named as promotor against the accused who refuses to take the oath ex officio and is committed to the Westgate, 125; agrees to take the oath, 128; copy bond of Averie Sarni for his appearance, 130; case committed to the archdeacon's official as it appears that Hunt has previously been summoned by him in the matter, to pay expenses, 132; examination [admits saying that he would not come to his parish church to divine service unless there be a sermon there], 202.

THOMAS READER of Canterbury, servant to ADRIAN NICHOLLS, mercer [Publishing libels.] Committed to prison with Hunt, 125; agrees to take the oath, 130; copy bond of George Master for his appearance, 128; ordered to pay expenses, warned to reform and is dismissed, 132.

ROBERT CUSHMAN (One of the 'Pilgrim Fathers') of Canterbury, servant of GEORGE MASTER, grocer [Publishing libels.] He was mainly instrumental in hiring the Mayflower in the summer of 1620. He was on the Speedwell which turned back when a hundred leagues beyond Lands' End but crossed on the Fortune in the following year. Examination [mostly negative answers], 126; copy bond of Thomas Carter of Canterbury, grocer, and Thomas Gibson, fustian weaver, for his appearance, 131; ordered to pay expenses and then 'for certain reasons' committed to the Westgate to the custody of James May, jailor there, 132.

PETER MASTER, son of GEORGE MASTER, of Canterbury [Publishing libels.] Admits receiving the libels from Cushman and carrying them to Helkyas Reader to be set up on the church doors, evidence given by his father who states that his son had admitted receiving certain papers with 'Lorde have mercy uppon us' written on them from Cushman, 127.

NICHOLAS GIBSON of Canterbury, domestic servant of SAMUEL FERRYER, tailor [Publishing libels.] 127; 128; copy bond of Samuel Ferryer for his appearance, 129; ordered to pay expenses, the Archbishop of Canterbury to be informed of the matter, 133; order read from the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of London and other royal commissioners for the performance of canonical penance at 6 churches [named] in Canterbury, 133.

HELKIAS READER of Canterbury, domestic servant of SAMUEL FERRIER [Publishing libels.] 128; copy bond of Samuel Ferryer for his appearance, 129; ordered to pay expenses, the Archbishop of Canterbury to be informed, 132; order from the Archbishop of Canterbury, etc. for penance as above, 133; examination [portion only], 202.

JOSEPH TILDEN of Canterbury, domestic servant of JOHN STRANSHAW, mercer [Publishing libels.] 128; copy bond of John Stransham for his appearance, 129; ordered to pay expenses and warned to reform and is dismissed, 132.

N.D.

- PYSING [Violence to a minister.] Promoted by Mr. Abraham Ireland, vicar of Postling. Examination of Judith Serles, 197.

English

2 volumes