Introduction to England Church Courts - International Institute: Difference between revisions

Quarrelling and brawling in a churchyard, or using force or creating a disturbance in church during divine service were offences handled by church courts until 1860; they could result in excommunication.  

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| '''Littleborough, Lancashire in Consistory Court of Chester 1629''' ''Jane Scholfield contra Grace Lightowler concerning a brawl in church. She beat Samuel Wilson with a book and her arms creating uproar.'' {{FHL|817830|item|disp=FHL Film 1999544}}

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| '''Heversham, Westmorland in Consistory Court of Chester 1640'''<br>''James Docker contra John Carpmell for beating him in Crosthwaite churchyard, drawing blood, pulling his hair, cutting holes in his coat and sticking burrs on his cloak in divine service.''<br>{{FHL|817830|item|disp=FHL Film 1999544}}

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| '''Milton by Sittingbourne, Kent parish register. 21 Sep1783'''<br>''Baptized Joseph George, son of George and Eliz Bass 6 years old. And what is farther to be recorded, as a striking instance of the immorality of the times, the sponsors of the said Joseph George Bass, Henry South and Joseph Hodge, behaved themselves at the font in a most shameful manner by drinking of liquor and handing about the same in the face of a large congregation, for which offence they were presented.'' <br>{{FHL|363695|item|disp=FHL Film 1473710}}

Defaming or insulting a neighbour was not taken lightly and causes for defamation were brought to church courts until 1855 when it was abolished as an offence.<br>  

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| '''Chester, Cheshire in Consistory Court of Chester 1640'''<br>''John Edwards contra Richard Broster saying he drank a health to the Devil of Beelzebub the prince of the devils in Hugh Anderson’s house in Foregate Street - libel, interrogation, depositions.''<br>{{FHL|817830|item|disp=FHL Film 1999544}}

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| '''Hanmer, Flintshire in Consistory Court of Chester 1562'''<br>''Jane verch David uxor Roger ap David contra Robert ap David in a defamation cause. [Welsh patronymics].'' {{FHL|817830|item|disp=FHL Film 1999544}}

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| '''Chester, Cheshire in Consistory Court of Chester 1640'''<br>''Nicholas Ince contra David Bore calling him a knave and rascal ‘fitter for a hangman’s son than a gentleman, hoping to see him not worth six shillings at Christmas”. '' {{FHL|817830|item|disp=FHL Film 1999544}}

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