Page:The History of the Church & Manor of Wigan part 1.djvu/110

 found the defendants ready with their weapons to maintain possession for the said Richard Smyth, and that he offered to be bound in £40 to Geoffrey Sherington to discharge them for the said corn and hay, if they would allow him peaceably to have the same. But this offer was refused, and Nicholas being enforced to leave, went to the said Smith and obtained a letter from him to William Hasteley, commanding him to let him (the said Nicholas) take possession of the said corn and hay. When, however, three of his servants were sent to the barn for that purpose they were resisted by the defendants, and were obliged to depart with their mission unaccomplished. The complainant therefore prays the court that the said corn and hay may be delivered into his hands forthwith.

In reply to which Robert Chatton, Geoffrey Sherington, and William Hasteley deny every charge brought against them, and declare themselves ready to prove the truth of their statement at the pleasure of the court.

In the Hilary Term 26 Hen. VIII. (1534-5) the same Nicholas Towneley prefers a suit in the same court concerning a parcel of tithe corn of the parish of Wigan, which was let by Nicholas Towneley, clerk, late parson of the parish church of Wigan, to Sir Roger Bradshawe, knight, Richard Molineux of Hawkeley, gent., and Gilbert Holden, gent., for the term of one year for a certain sum of money, to be paid to the said Nicholas Towneley, clerk, or his deputy. The said Nicholas Towneley, clerk, being dead, and Nicholas Towneley having been appointed administrator of his goods, the latter demanded payment of one year's rent of the said tithe from the said Roger, Richard, and Gilbert, and being unable to obtain it from them, prays the court that such may be enforced.