Final concord between John Hooke and Barbara, his wife, and Edward Stovold, concerning property in Chiddingfold, made in the court of the manor of Godalming [Surrey], 1581

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Godalming

The court of Elizabeth, Queen of England, France and Ireland, of her manor of Godalming, held there on Thursday 23 February 23 Elizabeth [1581] before Gregory P[ar]ker, gentleman, Richard Vine, gentleman, Richard Payne, gentleman, John Bisbridge and John Humfreye, suitors of the court.

To the court came Edward Stovolde and proffered a writ of right of the Queen against John Hooke and Barbara, his wife, directed to the bailiffs, [quoted] ordering them to do full right to Edward Stovold concerning 2 messuages, 2 gardens, 40 acres of land, 40 acres of pasture, 5 acres of wood and 20 acres of furze and heath in Chedingfold, of which John Hooke and Barbara his wife have deforced him. Attested at Westminster on 9 February 23 Elizabeth. And on this Edward makes protestation for the prosecution of the writ against John Hooke and Barbara his wife. And he has found pledges for the prosecution of his writ, namely John Doo and Richard Roo. Therefore John Snelling, sub-bailiff of the manor and minister of the court, is ordered to summon the aforesaid John Hooke and Barbara to be here at the next court, to wit, at Goddalming on Thursday 16 March next to come, before the suitors, to answer Edward Stovold concerning the plea. The same day is given to Edward. To which court came Edward Stovold and John Hooke and Barbara. And John Snelling the sub-bailiff and minister came and attested that he had summoned John Hooke and Barbara to answer, by John Moore, otherwise Young, and Richard Vagham. And on this Edward seeks that John Hooke and Barbara should hold to him the agreement made between them concerning the tenements. And John Hooke and Barbara seek licence to agree with Edward Stovold and it is granted to them and Edward gives to the Queen for a fine for the licence to agree 12 pence. On which the final concord is made in the full court between the parties, to wit that John Hooke and Barbara, she having been examined alone in full court, have acknowledged the tenements to be the right of Edward as those which he has of their gift, and have remised and quitclaimed them from themselves and their heirs to Edward and his heirs for ever. And besides John Hooke and Barbara have granted for themselves and the heirs of John Hooke that they shall warrant the tenements to Edward Stovold and his heirs against themselves and the heirs of John Hooke, and against the heirs of Lawrence Rawsterne for ever. And for this Edward has given John Hooke and Barbara 40 pounds sterling.

Extracted from the roll of the court by me Ambrose Duke, deputy understeward.

[I am grateful to Jim Poynor for kindly providing the photographs of this document]