Deposition 1
4 July ^1569^ Suit on the part of
^Jane^ Clerck against ^Richard^ Churcher.
John Wilkins of the Soke, Winchester,
glasier, where he has lived since birth, age 25. He has known the said Clerck for eight years
and the said Churcher and his wife for the same time.
To Article 1 of the libel he refers himself to the law.
To the second, he deposes and says that
about Easter last upon a working day (he recalls) this deponent dwelling with Gillam Glasier
was
requested by the said Jane Clerck to help her maid to the water with a
buck. And when they came right over the said Churcher’s door with
their
buck of clothes, the said Churcher's wife had left washing. And [she] was in her house whereupon James Godslen’s wife, his
contest, was standing
upon a board by the
the water ready to wash the clothes which this deponent and she brought forth. And then Churcher’s wife came out again
from her house with two kettles. And said to
Mrs Clerck, then being there: 'dost thow thrust my maid from the washing place?' And immediately
went to the said Godslen’s wife and thrust her into the water. And then
Mrs Clerck demanded of the said Churcher’s wife why she did so.
And she swore that she would thrust her in also, and which immediately she did as soon as the said
Mrs Clerck set her foot upon the board and
thrust her twice back. And said to the said
Mrs Clerck: 'thow art no honest woman' and with that the said Richard Churcher, her husband,
came out and said to this deponent: 'what have you to do with this?' And said unto the said
Mrs Clerck, then being all wet:
'thow art an
unhonest woman'. And she asked: 'what dishonesty know you by me?' And then this deponent went his way and otherwise he knows nothing.
To 3 he knows nothing.
To 4 he says it is true.
To 5 he believes the article to be true.
To 6 he says that what he has already deposed is true.
Interrogatories
To 2 he has already satisfied this in his deposition.
To 2 he responds that
he is out of everybody’s debt and is otherwise very little worth.
To 3 he says nothing other than what he has already deposed.
To 4 he responds as he says he heard.
To 5 he comes at the request of George Clerck, husband of the said Clerck.
To 6 he has already satisfied this in his deposition and otherwise he says nothing.
To 7 he responds alike.
To 8 [and] 9 he responds no.
To 10 he responds that once L. Magdalene Hill, this respondent did wear his armour and otherwise he responds no.
To 11 he responds that he believes the article is true.
To 12 he responds that he dwells with Gillam Glasier.
To 13 he has already satisfied this in his deposition.
^his mark^
Deposition 2
Rabadge Godsland,
wife of Jacob Godsland of Winchester, age 28. She has known the said Clerck for three years
and the said Churcher and his wife for ten years.
To Article 1 of the libel she refers herself to the law.
To the second she deposes that about a fortnight
before Easter last, she recalls, this deponent and the said
John Wilkins, her
contest, at
Mrs Clerck's request, carried
a buck of clothes
to the washing place right over
the said Churcher's door. And when they came there, the said Churcher's maid had done washing of her clothes. And then
Mrs Clerck laid down a board to wash upon. And this deponent stood upon the board and immediately,
the said Churcher's wife came out of her house with a couple of kettles in her hand to the washing place.
And being grieved there, she thrust this deponent into the water. And then with
Mrs Clerck asked her why she did so.
And the said Churcher's wife answered and swore that she would thrust her in also and so she did, and said she,
the said
Mrs Clerck,
was no honest woman. And then the said Richard Churcher came out of his house and taking his wife's
part, in conclusion said the said
Mrs Clerck
was no honest woman. 'Why,' said
Mrs Clerck, 'what unhonesty do you know
by me?' And otherwise she knows nothing.
To 3 she knows nothing.
To 4 she says it is true.
To 5 she refers herself to the law.
To the final she says that what she has already deposed is true.
Interrogatories
To 1 she has already satisfied this in her deposition.
2
does not concern her.
To 3 and 4 she has already satisfied this in her deposition.
To 5 she comes at the request of Mr Clerck, the husband of the said Clerck.
To 6 she has already satisfied this in her deposition.
To 7 she responds alike.
To 8 she responds that
she is there at Mr Clerck's once a week to help
wash a buck and otherwise she says no.
To 9 she says no.
10, 11 and 12 do not concern her.
To the final she has already satisfied this in her deposition.
^her mark^
