Tag Archives: Parental/Guardian Consent

Herbert Rowland c. Elizabeth Croft; Margaret Hordley c. Herbert Rowland

In this pair of related 1494 cases, first Herbert Rowland sued Elizabeth Croft to claim her as his wife and then Margaret Hordley sued Herbert Rowland to claim that he had previously married her. A conspiracy-minded person (i.e. me) might suspect that the second suit was a set-up, an attempt to rescue Elizabeth Croft, aContinue reading “Herbert Rowland c. Elizabeth Croft; Margaret Hordley c. Herbert Rowland”

Agnes Eston c. John Crosby

In 1494, a young servant woman, Agnes Eston, sued John Crosby. The two had been spending time alone in her chamber, with her employers encouraging the relationship and turning a blind eye to the impropriety. Eston alleged that the two had exchanged binding vows of marriage, but Crosby denied it – occasioning this lawsuit. WitnessesContinue reading “Agnes Eston c. John Crosby”