Modernized Spelling Transcription
^10 December 1584^
Examinations on the part of
Alice Illary named in the articles of the libel against Joan Castle, given and offered as follows:
Deposition 1
John Fry of the parish of West Pennard in the county of Somerset,
husbandman,
where he has lived since birth and where he was born, 76 years old. Produced as a free witness and at first examination
has known Alice Illary for twelve years and Joan Castle for the space of 40 years and knows them well.
To the first article of the libel he says he refers himself to the law.
To the second he says and deposes that
about Midsummer last past before this his
examination, the day and time he does not recall perfectly, this deponent happened to be in the churchyard of the parish
church of West Pennard, where and when was also present with this witness the articulated Richard Illary,
Joan Castle, John Gremsteed, William Rawlins and Thomas Lane with diverse others whose names he remembers not. Where and when among
other communication by and between the said Richard Illary and Joan Castle had, he this deponent first heard the said Richard
Illary utter and say unto the said Joan Castle upon an abuse given first by her: 'I have said the words
which willingly I would not say'. Then she asked him what she had said of him or spoken of him or his
wife. Who answered her saying: 'you say that my wife Alice Illary was a
whore and that she had lay
with Robert Whitte ten nights before she was married to me'. Then said the said Joan Castle:
'so Elizabeth Champion told me'. Present then and there, the parties before named as he says and otherwise he knows nothing.
To the third he knows nothing.
The fourth he deposes that it is true.
To the final he deposes that what he has deposed is true and as reported.
^his mark^
Deposition 2
John Gremsteed of the parish of West Pennard in the county of Somerset,
husbandman, where he was born
and where he has lived since birth, 57 years old. Produced as a free witness and at first examination
has known Alice Illary and Joan Castle for the space of 30 years and knows them well.
To the first article of the libel he says he refers to his oath.
To the second he deposes that upon a Sunday happening
about Midsummer last past
before this his examination, the day and time he does not recall perfectly, this deponent happened
to be in the churchyard of the parish church of West Pennard, where and when were also present Richard Illary
and Joan Castle together with John Fry, this deponent's
precontest, Thomas Lane with others whose names he remembers not. Where
and when, among diverse speeches and talk had between the said Richard Castle Illary and Joan
Castle, he this deponent heard the said Richard Illary say unto the said Joan Castle these words
following, viz: 'The words which you have spoken by me and my wife has wronged me to speak
that which willingly I would not speak'. 'Why,' said she, 'what have I spoken then?' He answered:
'you said that my wife was a
whore, and that she had lay ten nights with Robert Whitte
before she was married to me.' Then the said Joan Castle said 'yes,
marry, so Elizabeth Champion told
me'. Present then and there the parties above named and otherwise he knows nothing.
To the third he knows nothing.
The fourth he deposes that it is true.
To the last he deposes that what he has deposed is true and as reported.
J ^his mark^
Deposition 3
William Rawlins of the parish of West Pennard in the county of Somerset,
husbandman,
where he was born and has lived since birth (except for two years), 64 years old. Produced as a free witness and at first examination
has known Alice Illary for the space of 20 years and Joan Castle for the space of 40 years and knows them well.
To the first article of the libel he says he refers himself to the law.
To the second he says and deposes that upon a Sunday happening
about Midsummer last past
before this his examination, the day and time he does not recall perfectly, in the churchyard of the parish church of West Pennard
this deponent happened to be personally present to and with the articulated Richard Illary
and Joan Castle together with John Fry, John Gremsteed, this deponent's
precontest, and
also Thomas Lane with diverse others whose names he remembers not. Where and when
upon diverse and sun speeches had and uttered by and between the said Richard Illary and Joan Castle, he
this deponent heard the said Richard Illary say first unto Joan Castle these words following, viz: 'you
charge [...] my wife very far'. 'Why,' said she, 'what have I said of your wife?' Then he answered and said:
'you said that my wife was a
whore, and that she had lay with Robert Whitte ten nights
before she was married unto me'. 'Yea
marry,' said she, 'so Elizabeth Champion told me.' Present
then and there the parties above named and otherwise he knows nothing.
To the third he knows nothing.
The fourth he deposes that it is true.
To the fifth he deposes that what he has deposed is true and as reported.
X ^his mark^
Deposition 4
Thomas Lane of the parish of Pilton in the county of Somerset,
husbandman, where he has lived for the space of
24 years. And before he lived in Priddy where he was born, age 50. Produced as a free witness and at first examination
has known Alice Illary for the space of 16 years and Joan Castle for a similar time and knows them well.
To the first article of the libel he says he refers himself to the law.
To the second he says and deposes that upon a Sunday happening
about Midsummer last past before
this his examination, the day and time he does not recall perfectly: this deponent happened to be in the churchyard
of the parish church of West Pennard with Richard Illary and Joan Castle, together with John Fry,
John Gremsteed and William Rawlins, this deponent's
precontest, with others whose names he remembers not. Where and when this
deponent, among many other words uttered between the said Richard Castle Illary and Joan Castle, heard the said
Richard Illary say unto the said Joan Castle: 'you have caused me to recite and utter more words than willingly
I would'. 'Why,' said she, 'what have I done or said?' Then he answered: 'you said that my wife was a
whore and that
she had lay ten nights with Robert Whitte before she was married'.
'No Marry for[...],' said she, 'I said
not that she was a
whore but I said that she had lay with Robert Whitte ten nights before she
was married, as Elizabeth Champion told and said unto me'. Present then and there the parties
above named and otherwise he knows nothing.
To the third he knows nothing.
The fourth he deposes is true.
To the fifth he deposes that what he has deposed is true and as reported.
By Thomas Lane
Deposition 5
Examinations on the part of Richard Illary, exceptions in the trial given and offered as follows:
William Champion of the parish of West Pennard in the county of Somerset,
husbandman, where he has lived since birth and where he was born, age 48. Produced as
a free witness and at first examination he has known Richard Illary for the space of two years and Joan Castle for the space of 30 years and knows them well.
To the first and second he knows nothing and refers himself to the depositions of the witnesses on the part of Castle produced and examined.
To the third he knows nothing.
To the fourth he deposes that the articlated John Priddy was
household servant unto the articlated Joan Castle by the space of one whole year, that is to say
from
the feast of St Michael last past was twelve months [ago], until Michaelmas last and then he departed from her. And he knows this because he says and deposes that
he, this witness, was by all that time and at this present is the next neighbour unto the said Joan Castle (except one) viz. Richard Illary articlated. And by all
the said space, or often times within the said space, did and has seen the said John Priddy
doing of the necessary business and work of the said Joan, that
is to say driving of her cattle to and fro, and mowing of her grass in the Summer time. And further says that the articlated Mary Bower
from Easter Wednesday last
until Michaelmas last was dwelling with the said Joan Castle and did by all the said space
such necessary business as was there to be done. And he knows this as he says and deposes. And that
he has often times within the said space seen her go about her
dame's business and saw her coming and going to the said Joan Castle her house as her servant and otherwise he knows nothing but not in
covenant with her
as the said Mary has confessed unto him and otherwise he knows nothing.
To the fifth he deposes that within the parish of West Pennard, the articlated
Mary Bower is accounted, reputed and taken for a woman of little or no
worth at all and of no credit or estimation but this deponent takes her to be an honest woman and otherwise he knows nothing.
To the sixth he deposes that what he has deposed is true and as reported.
^his mark^
Deposition 6
William Maple of the parish of West Pennard in the county of Somerset,
husbandman, where he was born and has lived since birth, age 40. Produced as
a free witness and at first examination he has known Richard Illary for the space of one and a half years and Joan Castle for the space of 20 years and knows them well.
To the first and second he agrees with his
precontest.
To the third he knows nothing.
To the fourth he deposes that the articlated John Priddy by the space of 12 months viz.
from Michaelmas last past was twelve months unto Michaelmas lastand then departed from her was
household
servant unto the articlated Joan Castle, and
at Michaelmas last he departed from her. And he knows this because he says and deposes that by all the most
part of the said space, he being a parishioner of West Pennard and dwelling within half a quarter of a mile unto the said Joan Castle, has seen the said John
Priddy
do such necessary business as she had to do, viz. in going with her plough and in the Summertime making of her hay and all other necessary business to be done by such a servant or
hind.
And further says that the articlated Mary Bower was
from Easter Wednesday until after Michaelmas last in the house of the said Joan Castle and did by all the said space
do
such covenient work and business as was by her to be done as a servant, but not being in
covenant with her as she herself has confessed unto this deponent. And he knows this as he says and deposes.
To the fifth he deposes that within the parish of West Pennard she, the articlated
Mary Bower, is accounted and taken for a very poor wench and not reckoned
to be of credit sufficient to take an oath yet reputed an honest maiden and otherwise he knows nothing.
To the final he deposes that what he has deposed is true and as reported.
^his mark^
