Christopher Kechyn, a carpenter of mature years, was busy in 1496, contracting marriage with at least three young women. This brought him in early 1497 before both the Consistory – where two of those women, Agnes Moyne and Margaret Broke, sued him to enforce the contracts they claim to have made with him – and the London Commissary court, a lower-level disciplinary forum. At the Commissary court Kechyn was accused as “a common deceiver and violator of many maidens” and a common adulterer who mocked the sacrament of marriage. This was not his first appearance before the Commissary court: he had appeared three times before, charged with adultery. As a result of his 1497 summons before the Commissary, he settled with the third woman he apparently contracted marriage with in 1496, Alice Drystar, giving her a financial settlement of 40 shillings. That left the Consistory case where, for some reason, the two other young women still both wanted to claim him as their husband. The witnesses at that higher level court testified to his search for a “young woman” to marry and to his contracts of marriage with both Moyne and Broke around the same time in September 1496, each in the homes of the young women’s employers. Broke, whose employer negotiated a marriage settlement on her father’s behalf, appears to have been Kechyn’s final choice, as her witnesses indicated much more valuable courtship gifts given to her. Banns were read twice for the upcoming solemnization; the case in the Consistory likely stopped the third reading.
Christopher Kechyn died not long after the case, in 1499. His will, written in 1496 just weeks before he contracted marriage with Moyne and Broke, mentioned only a daughter, Margaret, who was not yet of age when he wrote. There were problems probating his will, as the executors he named refused to administer the will; in the discussions about finding another executor, no mention was made of a wife, so unfortunately we cannot tell if either of these women ended by marrying the unsavoury Christopher Kechyn.
For Kechyn’s Commissary court appearances, see LMA, DL/C/B/043/MS09064/003, fols. 93v, 94v; DL/C/B/043/MS09064/004, fol. 311r; DL/C/B/043/MS09064/008, fol. 26v. For his will, see TNA, PROB 11/11/705.
LMA, MS DL/C/A/001/MS09065, fols. 268v-270r, 277v-279v
Testimony of Margaret Pevy, Witness for Plaintiff Agnes Moyne, 1 Feb. 1497
On behalf of Agnes Moyne c. Christopher Kechyn in a matrimonial cause
1 February, in the Consistory place in London, by the lord Official
Margaret Pevy of the parish of St. Andrew Undershaft in the city of London, where she has lived for eight years, of free condition, forty-eight years old. Sworn as a witness etc., she says that she has known Agnes Moyne from the time of Agnes’s childhood, and Christopher Kechyn for twelve years. To the first article, she says that many times falling around the last feast of St. Bartholomew [24 Aug.] last past, Christopher said that he would marry a young woman if he ever married, and this witness said that she would be disposed to give him her daughter if she had one, and he responded that she did have such a one in her house, meaning Agnes, whom it would best please him to take as his spouse. And she says that afterwards many times Christopher communicated with Agnes about contracting marriage. To the second article, she says that on the Sunday before the feast of St. Michael the Archangel last past[2], after noon on that day around eight o’clock, this witness, standing near the wicket within the entrance to her dwelling house, heard Christopher speaking with Agnes about marriage, both of them standing in the great doorway of the house before the entranceway, by the public street, in these words of similar: “Agnes, by ye the same woman ye were?” And she answered, “ye, by the faith of my body.” And then Christopher took Agnes by the right hand and said to her, “Agnes, I plight you my troth, here I take you to my wife.” And he struck her on the right hand and kissed her often, promising to give to her the following day a gold cross that he had first shown to this witness’s husband. And Agnes answered him thus, “Here I take you to my husband, and thereto I plight you my troth.” Asked who was there present at that time and hearing the above, she said that Katherine Dixson and Joan Goldsmyth, who were together with this witness within the said wicket. This witness deposes these things from her own sight and hearing. To the third article, she says that she does not know anything to testify about its contents. To the fourth article, she says that she said above is true and that public voice and fame circulated and circulates about it in the parish of St. Andrew. To the first interrogatory, she says as she said above, and she says that she has lived in the city of London for thirty years. To the second interrogatory, she says that Agnes has been the servant of this witness and her husband for ten years, and has received wages and board, and she would like her promotion and her victory in this case if justice permits it. And she has come to offer testimony because she was asked and summoned. To the other contents she responds negatively. To the third interrogatory, she says that Agnes is this witness’s sister’s daughter and she responds negatively to its other contents. To the fourth interrogatory, she says as she said above, and she says that they were standing when the words were spoken. Otherwise she knows nothing to depose concerning its contents. To the fifth interrogatory, she responds negatively to all its contents. To the sixth interrogatory, she responds negatively to all its contents. To the seventh interrogatory, she says that the said Christopher, not wishing to spend his money for this case to be discussed at the court nor amongst jurists, as he asserted, offered to give Agnes ten shillings. And this witness said to him that [her] examination would be corrupt [if she said] that Agnes did not have right, […..] would give to Agnes [for her farewell?] a halfpenny worth of ale and […] she responds negatively to its other contents.
[This last section, at the bottom of the folio, is both damaged and written with many deletions and thus the meaning is somewhat unclear.]
Testimony of Joan Goldsmyth, Witness for Plaintiff Agnes Moyne, 1 Feb. 1497
1 February, in the Consistory place
Joan Goldsmyth of the parish of St. Andrew Undershaft, servant of Robert Pevy with whom she has lived for two and three-quarters years, of free condition, twenty years old. Sworn as a witness etc., she says that she has known Agnes Moyne for six years and Christopher Kechyn for the same time. To the first and second articles of the said libel, she says that on a certain Sunday falling before the feast of St. Michael the Archangel [29 Sept.] last past, which day she cannot otherwise specify, between the hours of six and seven in the evening, Christopher Kechyn communicated with the aforesaid Agnes Moyne in the entranceway of the said house, and Margaret Pevy, perceiving this, said to this witness that she wanted to hear what was being said between them. She went up to the small interior door near the wicket and there, together with this witness and Katherine Dixson, she listened. And there this witness heard Christopher saying to Agnes thus, “Agnes, be ye the same woman ye were?” And she answered yes. And then Christopher took Agnes by the hand and said, “Agnes, here I plight thee my troth, to have thee to my wife, by the faith of my body.” He gave her a great [?blow] on her hand, adding, “I pray thee say as much to me.” And Agnes took him by the hand, saying, “Here I plight you my troth, to have you to my husband, and I pray you deceive me not, ye be an old man, and the first that ever I set my mind on.” And Christopher kissed her and as he left he said, “Fare well, Agnes, till another time.” This witness deposes these things from her own sight and hearing. To the third article, she says she does not know anything to depose concerning its contents, but she says that Christopher at the time of the contract promised to give Agnes a gold cross. To the fourth article, she says that what she said above is true, and that public voice and fame circulated and circulates concerning it in the said parish. To the first interrogatory, she says as she said above. And otherwise she knows nothing to depose concerning its contents. To the second interrogatory, she says as she said above and she says that she would like Agnes to win because she believes that she has the right in the case. To the other contents she responds negatively. To the third interrogatory, she says that her mistress said to this witness that she should say and depose those things that she heard and knows in this matter, and not otherwise or more. And to its other contents she responds negatively. To the fourth interrogatory, she says as she said above. And she says that they contracted marriage while they were standing. And otherwise she knows nothing to depose concerning its contents. To the fifth interrogatory, she responds negatively to all its contents.
Testimony of Katherine Dixson, Witness for Plaintiff Agnes Moyne, 14 Feb. 1497
1 February 13 February
Katherine Dixson, servant of Robert [Pevy], with whom she has lived for five years, of free condition, twenty-three years old and more, as she says. Sworn as a witness etc., she says that she has known Agnes Moyne for five [years] and Christopher Kechyn for the same time. To the first and second articles of this libel, she says and agrees with Joan Goldsmyth examined above regarding the words and the manner and form of the contract, but she says that the said words were repeated twice in the entranceway, and when this witness, listening, first heard the words at the door, she went in to her mistress, who was in the parlour of the house, and told her what she had heard between the two parties, and then her mistress got up and went to the door, and there she heard the contract repeated. And otherwise she knows nothing to respond to its contents. To the third and fourth articles, she agrees with Joan Goldsmyth examined above. To the first interrogatory, she says as she said above, and otherwise she knows nothing to depose regarding its contents. To the second interrogatory, she says that she would rather that Agnes win the case because she supports this case in her conscience. To the third, fourth, and fifth interrogatories, she says as she said above, and she responds negatively to their other contents.
Testimony of Robert Bode, Witness for Plaintiff Margaret Broke, 14 Feb. 1497
On behalf of Margaret Broke c. Christopher Kechyn
14 February, in the house of the lord Official, by him, in my, Richard Spencer’s, presence
Robert Bode of the parish of St. Andrew Undershaft, city of London, where he has lived for fourteen years, literate, of free condition, sixty years old or thereabouts, as he says. Sworn as a witness etc., he says that he has known Margaret Broke from the month before the last feast of St. Michael [29 Sept.] and Christopher Kechyn for twenty years. To the first and second articles of the libel, he says that on a certain Sunday around two weeks before the feast of St. Michael the Archangel last past, this witness was present in the home of Lancelot Tailour [Lancelot Holme, a tailor] within the parish of St. Denis Backchurch, together with Christopher, Margaret, Lancelot, his wife, and his servant. There and then after a meal, Lancelot urged Christopher to bring to an end the prior discussions about contracting marriage between him and Lancelot’s servant Margaret, and on behalf of Margaret’s parents he offered to give with Margaret for her dowry ten pounds. And he, Christopher, said that he would not consent unless he had twenty marks. And thus at length Lancelot agreed to give to him twenty marks for the sake of marriage. And then Christopher asked Margaret whether she could find it in her heart to love and take him as her husband, forsaking all others, and she answered yes, by her faith. And then Christopher took her by the right hand and said to her, “I will have you to my wife, by my faith and my troth, and forsake all others for you.” And she, taking him by the hand, said to him, “And I will have you to my husband, by my faith and troth, and forsake all others for you.” And they unclasped their hands and kissed one another. With these things said, Lancelot counted out to Christopher twenty marks in gold, which Christopher took and handed over to Margaret to keep, which this witness testifies from his own sight and hearing. To the third interrogatory, he says that after the contract, Christopher gave to Margaret three gowns, one of russet, the second violet, and the third blue, which she happily received, and she still possesses them, from this witness’s sight and knowledge. And he gave her moreover a gold ring and another of silver gilt, and coral beads. To the fourth interrogatory, he says that its contents are true, and he knows this because since the contract he often heard Christopher acknowledging that he was betrothed to Margaret, and matrimonial banns were issued twice between them. To the fifth and sixth articles, he says that its contents are true. To the seventh article, he says that what he said above is true, and that public voice and fame circulated and circulates about it in the parish of St. Andrew and in other neighbouring places. And further questioned, he says that he is neither a relative by blood or by marriage, nor does he care who has victory, and that Margaret at the time of the contract was wearing a gown of Musterdevillers, and he does not recall the colours of the clothes of the others.
Testimony of Margaret Holme, Witness for Plaintiff Margaret Broke, 14 Feb. 1497
Margaret Holme of the parish of St. Andrew aforesaid, where she has lived for twenty years and more, of free condition, forty years old as she says. Sworn as a witness etc., she says that she had known Margaret Broke for six and Christopher Kechyn for twenty years. To the first and second articles, she agrees with Robert Bode examined above, adding this, that many times before that day Christopher had communication with Margaret about contracting marriage. To the third article, she agrees with Robert. To the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh articles, she agrees with Robert in everything, but she does not recall whether Margaret was then wearing a russet or a violet gown.
Testimony of Lancelot Holme, Witness for Plaintiff Margaret Broke, 14 Feb. 1497
On behalf of Broke c. Kechyn
Lancelot Holme of the parish of St. Denis Backchurch, city of London, where he has lived for twenty years, illiterate, of free condition, forty-four years old as he says. Sworn as a witness etc., and first concerning his knowledge of the parties, he says that he has known Christopher Kechyn for almost twenty years and Margaret Broke for ten years or thereabouts. To the first article, he says that its contents are true. And he knows this because Christopher came to his house, where Margaret was then staying, almost every day over the three weeks and conversed there with her, discussing and talking about contracting marriage between them, this witness and his wife often being present. And this witness by his own sight and *** [hearing ……] and that when this witness first spoke to Christopher [……………] offering to him ten pounds if he married her and [……………]. To the second article, he says that on a certain Sunday [……………] the feast of St. Michael the archangel [29 Sept.] last past, and as he believes on a Sunday, this witness was present in his dwelling house together with Christopher and Margaret, Margery this witness’s wife, Robert Bode, and John Harryes and none others. Then and there after the meal was finished, after communication about contracting marriage between them, Christopher took Margaret by her right hand, saying, “Margaret, may ye find in your heart to love me and to have me unto your husband?” And she responded, “Yea, by my troth, I will never have other but you if it please God and you to have me, and thereto I plight my troth,” and they [unclasped] their hands. Then Christopher took Margaret by the right hand saying, “Margaret, in good faith I will never [wed?] none other but you while your life and mine lasts, and [there]to I plight my troth.” And they unclasped hands and kissed [one another]. Then Christopher in token of this marriage took out of his purse and gave to Margaret a certain ring with two stones, one a red one called a ruby or a sapphire, and the other a green one called an emerald, set together in the ring. And consequently this witness then and there gave and handed over to Christopher twenty marks in gold that is [……………] by Margaret’s father for her dowry in this witness’s hands, and this witness testifies to these things on the virtue of his oath. To the third article, he says that its contents are true, and he knows this because he was present when, after this contract as indicated above made in this witness’s house, Christopher gave to Margaret one time a gown of ingrained violet lined with grey fur [……………] which he told her had been the wedding gown of his late wife, and a red [……………] of his late wife, and another time a silver ring [……………] two sets of beads, one of coral and [……………] the other set was he does not know, three yards of blue cloth, [……………] of miniver for making a gown for Margaret [……………] a timber of lettice fur,1 two yards and a half of russet cloth for making another gown. And afterwards on another day, this witness, his wife, and Margaret went to Christopher’s house, where he showed them his house and his housewares. And he gave to Margaret a silver gilt cup and a girdle called a “corse”, that is of gold, and a buckle and pendant of silver gilt, which she received gratefully, thanking him. And she gave them back to him to keep, and on the following day in this witness’s house Christopher gave to Margaret two gold nobles to buy herself some kerchiefs. And this witness testifies to these things from his own sight and knowledge, and that Christopher gave these gifts to Margaret as to his wife, and Margaret received these gifts as from a husband. He says also that Margaret since this contract gave to Christopher a bittern’s claw harnessed with silver and gilt, a stomacher of fine woolen cloth furred with white lamb, and a silk lace, which Margaret gave to him as to her husband, Christopher receiving them as from his wife. To the fourth article, he says that its contents are true. To the fifth and sixth articles, he says that what he testified above is true and that public voice and fame circulated and circulates about it in the said parish and in other neighbouring places.
[***The folio is damaged from here on, resulting in the many lacunae that follow.]
Testimony of John Harries, 14 Feb. 1497
John Harries, servant of Lancelot Holme, with whom he has lived for seven years, twenty-one years old as he says. Sworn as a witness etc, he says that he has known Margaret Broke for seven years and more, and Christopher Kechyn for twelve years. To the first and second articles of the said libel, he says that several times around
[Breaks off here. This is the last page of the manuscript as it is currently bound.]
[1] A timber was a set of forty skins; lettice was a kind of light grey fur for lining garments (OED).
Consistory 