82 Bullard v Barrow

82 BULLARD V BARROW

John Bullard of St Michael le Querne, London v Thomas Barrow of the same, gent

March 1638

Abstract

For details of this case, see the counter suit between Barrow and Bullard, cause 33.

Initial proceedings

14/1dd, Defence interrogatories

1. The witnesses were warned of the penalty for perjury and bearing false witness. What was the age, occupation and condition of the witness for the last seven years? How long had the witness known the parties in this case?

2. Whether the witness was a kinsman, ally or dependant of Bullard's, and whether he was taxed at the last subsidy or for ship money, for how much, did he pay, and what he was worth with his debts paid?

3. Whether Bullard was a gentleman, bearing a family arms? What were his arms? Did he live in the quality of a gentleman or had he 'exercised the trade of a linen draper within the Citie of London and kept a shop of such wares?'

4. Whether Bullard, between last September and November, in the parish of St Michael le Querne, and other adjoining parishes 'give Thomas Barrow (in an angry manner) the lye and called him knave, and proud Jackanaps, saying that he would give it out under his hand that Thomas Barrow did lye, and that he was a lying knave, or what other words of provocation and disgrace did Bullwar use against Thomas Barrow'?

5. Whether Bullard had then or since said that it was Barrow's custom or practise 'to catch men in his dealings by fraudulent and deceitful courses and wayes, and then afterwards to sue them, or to begin suits at lawe with them to take advantage against them'? Since the beginning of the suit, had Bullard boasted to Barrow that he would make him spend £200?

6. Whether 'Barrow be not an honest and just man in his dealings, of an upright and honest life and conversation, and for such a person commonly accounted, reputed and taken; and doth not Thomas Barrow justly and duly pay such debts as are truly owing by him unto all persons'?

7. Whether Samuel Vennor, Richard Only and William Massam, Barrow's witnesses, were persons of 'good and honest life and conversation' who would not depose untruthfully and to whose testimony credit should be given?

8. Was Thomas Barrow from an ancient family who had the right to bear arms, 'the natural and lawful son of Isaac Barrow' a Justice of the Peace for co. Cambridge?

9. Did Barrow speak any of the words in article three of Bullard's libel? Did not Bullard speak 'divers words of provocation *and disgrace*' against Barrow, and what words were they?

Introduced on 3 March 1638.

Signed by Arthur Duck.

Notes

Thomas Barrow appeared as the son of Isaac Barrow in Visitation of Cambridgeshire in 1619. He married Catherine, daughter of Richard Oxenden of Herne, co. Kent.

J. W. Clay (ed.), The Visitations of Cambridge, 1575 and 1619 (Publications of the Harleian Society, 41, 1897), p. 46.

Documents

• Initial proceedings
  • Defence interrogatories: 14/1dd (3 Mar 1638)

People mentioned in the case

• Barrow, Isaac, esq
• Barrow, Thomas, gent
• Bullard (also Bullar, Bulward, Bulwer, Bullwer)
• Duck, Arthur, lawyer
• Massam, William
• Only, Richard
• Oxenden, Catherine (also Oxinden)
• Oxenden, Richard (also Oxinden)
• Venner, Samuel (also Vennor)

Places mentioned in the case

• Kent
  • Herne
• London
  • St Michael le Querne

Topics of the case

• allegation of cheating
• coat of arms
• giving the lie
• office-holding
• justice of the peace
• nicknaming