169 Dowman v Faulcon

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Citation:

Richard Cust, Andrew Hopper, '169 Dowman v Faulcon', 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/169-dowman-faulcon [accessed 31 October 2024].

William Dowman of Uffington, co. Lincoln, gent v Simon Faulcon of the same, yeoman

June 1639 - May 1640

**Figure 169:**
Stamford, Lincolnshire, in the seventeenth century. The site of the fair, where Simon Faulcon insulted William Dowman in June 1639, is marked with a C (Based on John Speed, Theatre of the Empire of Great Britain (1611))

Abstract

Dowman complained that Faulcon had insulted him at Stamford, Lincolnshire, in June 1639 'in the open fair (it being a fair day there) before divers gent of good fashion and qualitie'. Faulcon gave him the lie 'in a disgraceful and angry manner', calling him 'Will, or William Dowman, without any addition at all belonging to him as a gentleman', thereby intending to provoke him to duel. Process was granted on 29 June 1639, but on 20 May 1640, Dowman indicated to the Earl Marshal that the case had been settled.

Initial proceedings

6/89, Petition

Dowman 'and his ancestors have been, and are, descended of an ancient family of gentry, and have lived in the like repute and qualitie. Notwithstanding, one Symon Faulcon of Uffington, yeoman, at divers and sundry times, hath abused your petitioner and hath given your petitioner much abusive and provoking language, and especially in this present month of June, at Stamford in the county of Lincoln, in the open fair (it being a fair day there) before divers gent of good fashion and qualitie, did in a disgraceful and angry manner, give your petitioner the lye. And your petitioner calling him Faulcon (being a yeoman), Symon Faulcon, he in a scornefull manner called your peticoner Will, or William Dowman, without any addition at all belonging to him as a gent; and this he did and hath done severall times before divers gent of good qualitie and others, in contempt of your petitioner and his gentry, thereby endeavouring to provoake your petitioner to a duell.'

Petitioned that Dowman be brought to answer.

Maltravers granted process on 29 June 1639.

Sentence / Arbitration

15/4w, Settlement

Addressed to Arundel and Surrey

'These arte to certifie your honor that, whereas there was a cause depending, wherein I William Dowman of Uffington of the Countie of Lincoln was plaintiff, against one Simon Faucon of the same place, for some words given against me, I doe confesse that we are fully agreed, and with your honor's good liking, I intend not to proceed any further against him, whereof I have set my hand this 20 day of May 1640.'

Signed by William Dowman.

Notes

William was the son of Edmund Dowman of Swinhope, co. Lincoln and Jane, daughter of Thomas Hatcliffe of Hatcliffe, co. Lincoln. William married Anne daughter of Reignold Blechington of Kent.

A. R. Maddison (ed.), Lincolnshire Pedigrees (Publications of the Harleian Society, 50, 1902), vol. 1, p. 318.

Documents

Initial proceedings
- Petition: 6/89 (29 Jun 1639)
Sentence / Arbitration
- Settlement: 15/4w (20 May 1640)

People mentioned in the case

Bletchington, Anne
Blechington, Reignold
Dowman, Edmund
Dowman, Jane
Dowman, William, gent
Faulcon, Simon, yeoman
Hatcliffe, Jane
Hatcliffe, Thomas
Howard, Henry, baron Maltravers
Howard, Thomas, earl of Arundel and Surrey

Places mentioned in the case

Lincolnshire
- Hatcliffe
- Stamford
- Swinhope
- Uffington

Topics of the case

arbitration
giving the lie
insult before gentlemen
provocative of a duel
reconciliation