This is a three-cornered suit: two men, John Pollyn and William Thaccher, sued Agnes Parker 1487, each claiming they had made a contract of marriage with her. Earlier testimony in the case outlining Pollyn’s case has evidently been lost; what we have here are Agnes Parker’s denials of marriage with Pollyn (she said that she had spoken of marriage with Pollyn but had never made a contract), witnesses questioning the now-lost testimony that Pollyn and Parker had contracted marriage, and witnesses to support William Thaccher’s claims that she had, in fact, contracted with him. There is some interesting evidence here about the out-of-court gathering of testimony and semi-formal examination of witnesses.
LMA, MS DL/C/A/001/MS09065, fols. 24v-27r, 37v, 40v.
Testimony of Agnes Parker, Defendant, 1487-07-05
5 July in my, Spencer’s, house
Responses personally made by Agnes Parker
Agnes Parker sworn etc. concerning the positions etc. To the first position, she admits that John often spoke to her about contracting marriage between them and this witness said that she would be governed by her parents and her friends and otherwise not. To the second position, she does not believe its contents. To the third position, she does not believe it. To the fourth position, she says that this witness gave to Pollyn a silken lace and he gave her a ring and two offering-pennies, and the rest she does not credit. To the fifth, she believes what is believed and does not believe what is not believed and denies fame.
Testimony of Thomas Sele, Witness for the Defendant, 1487-07-12
On behalf of Agnes Parker c. John Pollyn concerning the exceptions
12 July in my, Spencer’s, house, before the lord commissary
Thomas Sele of the parish of Twickenham [Middlesex], London diocese, husbandman, where he has lived from the time of his birth and where he was born, illiterate, of free condition, forty years old as he says. Inducted as a witness etc. concerning the exceptions etc., he says that he has known Agnes Parker for sixteen years, John for two years, Thomas Cordrey for a year and a half or thereabouts, Joan his wife for sixteen years, as he says. To the first part of the exceptions, he says as he will say below. To the second and third parts of the exceptions, he says that on a certain Sunday in the previous Lent, which day he cannot otherwise specify, in the cemetery of the parish church of Twickenham after the end of matins and before mass, John Selot called to him Thomas Cordrey and then immediately this witness, John Ward, and John Thaccum, and asked this witness, John Ward, and John Thaccum to bear witness to the words that would be said by him there and the response that Thomas Cordrey would make. And there before this witness, John Ward, and John Thaccum, John Selot asked Thomas Cordrey whether he knew of any contract of marriage between John and Agnes Parker and exhorted him immediately that what he would say before them would be the truth, and if he were sworn would testify before any judge. Thus questioned, he said and swore by his faith that he never knew of any contract of marriage between them and that he never would testify about any contract as he there swore by his faith. And as this witness heard afterwards, the same Thomas, before a judge sworn and examined, deposed concerning a contract of marriage made between John Pollyn and Agnes Parker, as it was said. And he says that Thomas Cordrey in the parishes of Isleworth[ii] and Twickenham is commonly reputed as a man of loose tongue and a liar and because of his evil tongue he was expelled from the parish of Isleworth as this witness has heard. And otherwise he knows nothing concerning the contents in those parts [of the exceptions]. To the fourth part, he says he knows nothing concerning its contents. To the fifth part, he says that the aforesaid Thomas[1] Cordrey before his examination did not live in the parishes of Isleworth and Twickenham for two years and therefore he firmly believes in his conscience that he did not know John Pollyn for that length of time before his examination, as he says. To the sixth part of the exceptions, he says that what what he said above is true and public voice and fame circulated and circulate concerning them in the parish of Twickenham, as he says. To the first interrogatory, warned of the danger of perjury and the penalty for false testimony, he says as he said above and asked and solicited by Edward Pynnard he came to offer testimony of the truth in this matter and to its other contents he responds negatively. [margin: but he heard him saying that he would prosecute the law against him.] To the second interrogatory, he responds negatively to all its contents. To the third interrogatory, he says that he is not more affectionate towards one party than the other, nor does he care who has victory as long as justice is served, and he would not spend any of his money towards the victory of [William] Thaccher nor John Pollyn, nor does he care which of them takes Agnes Parker as his wife. To the fourth interrogatory, he says as he said above. And he says that the fame is the common opinion of the people, and that it originated from the words and deeds of Thomas and otherwise he knows nothing concerning its contents. To the fifth interrogatory, he responds negatively to all its contents.
Testimony of John Ward, Witness for the Defendant, 1487-07-12
John Ward of Twickenham aforesaid, where he has lived from the time of his birth and was born, illiterate, of free condition, husbandman, fifty years old and more, as he says. Inducted as a witness etc., he says that he has known Agnes Parker for fourteen years, John Pollyn for a year and a half, Thomas Cordrey for a year and a half and more, and Joan now his wife for sixteen years. To the first part of the exceptions, he says as he will say below. To the second and third parts of the exceptions, he agrees with Thomas Sele examined above. And otherwise he knows nothing concerning its contents. To the fourth part, he says that he knows nothing concerning its contents. To the fifth part, he agrees with Thomas Sele examined above. To the sixth part, he says that what he deposed above is true and public voice and fame circulated and circulate concerning it in the parish of Twickenham and other neighbouring places, as he says. To the first interrogatory, shown the danger of perjury and the penalty of false testimony, he says as he said above and he came to offer testimony in this matter at the request of Edward Pynner, and he has received and will receive nothing for his testimony except his expenses, as he says. To the second interrogatory, he responds negatively to all its contents. To the third interrogatory, he says that he does not love one party more than the other, nor does he care about victory as long as justice is done, but he says that he would be better contented if John[4] Thaccher had the aforesaid Agnes than the aforesaid John Pollyn, because he was present and heard the contract of marriage between them. And to its other contents, he responds negatively. To the fourth, he says as he said above, and otherwise he knows nothing concerning its contents, but he says that the fame is the common voice of the people and that it circulates amongs the greater part of his neighbours and had its origin from what Thomas said. To the fifth interrogatory, he says as he said above, and to its other contents he responds negatively.
Testimony of William Edmunde, Witness for the Defendant, 1487-07-12
William Edmunde of the parish of Twickenham aforesaid, where he has lived for six years and more, and before that time at Greenford[iii] in London diocese, where he was born, illiterate, husbandman, of free condition, twenty-eight years old or thereabouts, as he says. Inducted as a witness etc., he says that he has known Agnes Parker for six years and more, John Pollyn for almost two years, Thomas Cordrey for a year and more, and Joan his wife for six years, as he says. To the first part, he says as he will say below. To the second and third parts, he says that on a certain feast day around the feast of Easter, which day he cannot further specify, he was present in the home of Edward Pynnard, that is in the hall of the house, together with Sir William, vicar of Twickenham, Sir Thomas, chaplain of Teddington [Middlesex], Master John Kemp, gentleman, Edward Pynner, Thomas, and none others as he recalls. There and then the vicar and John Kempe questioned and examined Thomas whether he knew of any contract of marriage between Agnes Parker and John Pollyn, and he said and swore by his faith and by oath that he never knew of any contract between them, and if he was sworn and examined before a judge he would thus and not otherwise testify. And moreover he said thus, “If there were here a book ready, I would swear that I know no such things between them.” To the fourth part, he says that he knows nothing concerning its contents. To the fifth part, he agrees with the first witness and otherwise he knows nothing concerning its contents. To the first interrogatory, he says that he has come to offer testimony at the request of Edward Pynner. And he responds negatively to its other contents. To the second, he responds negatively to all its contents. To the third interrogatory, he says that he does not have more affection for one party than the other, and he does not care about victory as long as justice is done. And to its other contents he responds negatively. To the fourth interrogatory, he says as he said above. To the fourth,[5] he says that the fame is the common voice of the people and otherwise he knows nothing concerning its contents. To the fifth interrogatory, he says that he is angry with Thomas because he swore as he testified above and afterwards testified the contrary before a judge. And to its other contents, he responds negatively.
Testimony of William Edmunde, 12 Jul. 1487, Witness for plaintiff William Thaccher
William Edmund as above, says that he has known William Thaccher for six years, and Agnes Parker for the same time, as he says. To the first and second articles, he says that around 16 March last past, this witness was present in the precinct of the dwelling-house of Edward Pynner, that is in le yard, together with William Thaccher, Agnes Parker, Richard Drew, Edward Wodelove, and John Ward, and none others as he recalls, when the parties communicated about contracting marriage between them. And together they contracted marriage by these words, that is William took Agnes by the right hand and said to her, “I William take thee Agnes to my wife, and [thereto I] plight thee my troth,” and they unclasped their hands. And then Agnes took him by the right hand and said to him, “I Agnes take thee William to my husband, and thereto I plight thee my troth.” And they unclasped their hands and kissed each other. This witness deposes these things from his own sight and hearing, as he says. To the third and fourth articles, he knows nothing concerning their contents. To the fifth and sixth articles, he says that since the saying of these words, this witness has heard Agnes Parker naming the aforesaid William Thaccher as her husband and William and Agnes are named and reputed as true spouses both at Twickenham and at Isleworth. To the seventh article, he says that what he said above is true and that public voice and fame circulated and circulate concerning it in the parish, as he says.
Testimony of Richard Drew, 12 Jul. 1487, Witness for plaintiff William Thaccher
Richard Drew of the aforesaid Twickenham [Middlesex], where he has lived for six years, literate, of free condition, thirty-eight years old, as he says. Inducted as a witness etc., he says [that] he has known William Thaccher and Agnes Parker for six years. To the first and second articles, he agrees with the previous witness examined above. To the third and fourth and fifth articles, he knows nothing concerning their contents. To the sixth article, he says that its contents are true. To the seventh article, he says that what he has said above is true and that public voice and fame circulated and circulate concerning it in the parish, as he says.
Testimony of Edmund Wadlove, 12 Jul. 1487 (Witness for plaintiff William Thaccher)
Edmund Wadlove of the aforesaid Twickenham, where he has lived for thirty-[…] years, literate, of free condition, almost forty years old, as he says. Inducted as a witness etc., he says that he has known William Thaccher for seven years and Agnes Parker for sixteen years. To the first and second articles, he agrees with the first witness examined above, but he does not know certainly which day it was, but he says that the contract was begun in last Lent. To the third, fourth, and fifth articles, he says that he knows nothing concerning their contents. To the sixth, he says that its contents are true. To the seventh, he says that what he has said above is true and that public voice and fame circulates and circulated concerning it in the parish, as he says.
Testimony of Thomas Cordrey, 16 Nov. 1487
16 November
Thomas Cordrey, examined again,[i] says that the deposition and confession made by this witness in the cemetery of the church of Twickenham – about which mention was made by Thomas Sele, aforesaid witness for the exceptions proposed against this witness and his wife, at the second and third of those exceptions – before John Selot, John Ward, and John Theccham, was done on a certain Sunday in the previous Lent before his examination in the case pending in the consistory of London, and never before nor since, but he says that he did not confess or swear as those witnesses deposed, nor did he discuss that contract before them before that day nor since, nor did John Selot communicate with this witness.
[i] Thomas Cordrey’s first examination does not survive.
Testimony of Thomas Sele, 26 Nov. 1487
26 November
Thomas Sele re-examined to inform the conscience of the judge in his office, asked about the Sunday in last Lent concerning which he deposed in his examination on the exceptions, he says that that Sunday was certainly between the first Sunday of Lent and Passion Sunday[vi], exclusive. And otherwise concerning that day he cannot more certainly depose.
Testimony of John Ward, 26 Nov. 1487
John Ward re-examined as above agrees with him [unclear who “him” is, but likely Sele].
[1] MS:Johannes, presumably error for Thomas.
[2] In the margin – insertion point unclear: but he heard him saying that he would prosecute the law against him.
[4] Below Pollyn’s rival is called William Thaccher.
[5] To the fourth…To the fourth: sic in MS.
[i] Twickenham, Middlesex.
[ii] Isleworth, Middlesex.
[iii] Greenford, Middlesex.
[iv] Teddington, Middlesex.
[v] Thomas Cordrey’s first examination does not survive.
[vi] The fifth Sunday of Lent, in 1487 falling on 1 Apr.
Consistory 