619 Stafford v Peasley

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Citation:

Richard Cust, Andrew Hopper, '619 Stafford v Peasley', in The Court of Chivalry 1634-1640, ed. Richard Cust, Andrew Hopper, British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/court-of-chivalry/619-stafford-peasley [accessed 31 October 2024].

William Stafford, gent v Edmund Peasley of London, tobacco seller

January 1638

**Figure 619:**
The Tudor Custom House in London, where Edward Peasley quarrelled with William Stafford over forty hogsheads of tobacco

Abstract

Stafford complained that in November 1637 Peasley came to the Custom House 'in a most ryottous manner' and assaulted him, calling him 'base fellowe rascall and slave.' The quarrel had arisen over 40 hogsheads of tobacco which Peasley and others took by force from the Custom House after Stafford had denied them permission. Stafford petitioned that Peasley be brought to answer before the Earl Marshal, but no further proceedings survive.

Initial proceedings

EM67, Affidavit

Matthew Sanders of the Custom House, London, warehouse keeper, aged about 60, and William Green of the Custom House, London, waiter, aged 30

About the beginning of November 1637 Peasley came to the Custom House and demanded about 40 hogsheads of tobacco in Stafford's custody, who denied delivery for just causes. Peasley, with 'other rude persons,' broke open the warehouse and took the tobacco by force, and did 'then and there give Mr Stafford manie disgracefull provokeing words and amongst others said to Mr Stafford, Thou art a base fellowe a rascall and a slave, with an intent and purpose to provoke Mr Stafford to duell, as we verelie believe whereby Peasley and his confederates might have had advantage in the lawe. And Peasley did not onlie disgrace him in words, but gave him manie blowes contrary to his Majestie's peace.'

Taken before Thomas Eden, 27 January 1638.

EM66, Petition

Petitioned that Peasley came to the Custom House '(where your petitioner's occasions for the most part lye) came in a most ryottous manner, without any cause at all given him by your petitioner, and did beate and most vylie abuse and disparradge your petitioner, calling him base, rascall and slave, with many other words of infamy and disgrace, as your petitioner can prove by divers sufficient witnesses.'

Prayed that Edmund Peasley be called to answer before Earl Marshall.

No date.

No signatures.

Notes

William Stafford did not appear in the Visitations of London, but a Mr William Stafford, merchant of Queenhithe was mentioned in a return of inhabitants of quality to the Lord Mayor of London on 16 December 1686: J. J. Howard and J. L. Chester (eds.), The Visitation of London in 1633, 1634, and 1635 (Publications of the Harleian Society, 15, 1880), vol. 1; J. J. Howard (ed.), The Visitation of London in 1633, 1634, and 1635 (Publications of the Harleian Society, 17, 1883), vol. 2; J. B. Whitmore and A. W. Hughes Clarke (eds.), London Visitation Pedigrees, 1664 (Publications of the Harleian Society, 92, 1940); T. C. Wales and C. P. Hartley (eds.), The Visitation of London begun in 1687 (Publications of the Harleian Society, new series, 17, 2004), part 2, p. 612.

Documents

Initial proceedings
- Affidavit: EM67 (27 Jan 1638)
- Petition: EM66 (no date)

People mentioned in the case

Eden, Thomas, lawyer
Green, William, waiter
Howard, Thomas, earl of Arundel and Surrey
Peasley, Edmund
Sanders, Matthew, warehouse keeper
Stafford, William, gent
Stuart, Charles I, king

Places mentioned in the case

London
- Custom House
- Queenhithe

Topics of the case

assault
denial of gentility
provocative of a duel
tobacco