421 Meynell v Bentley

421 MEYNELL V BENTLEY

Charles Meynell of Helmsley, co. York, esq v William Bentley of the same, butcher

November 1639 - April 1640

Abstract

Meynell complained that Bentley had said, 'Meynell, Thou art a foole, a silly fellowe and a beggarly fellowe, not able to pay for a pinte of wine and a base fellowe. Meynell, I am as good a man as thou art, nay a better man then thou art, or anie of thy kindred, and if thou dare goe with mee I will writh thy necke about'. Process was granted on 12 November 1639 and on 30 October Dr Duck petitioned to hear the sentence, which was scheduled for 4 December 1640. The case was probably lost with the suspension of the court's proceedings after that date.

Initial proceedings

2/135, Petition to Arundel

'Your petitioner and his ancestors have been and are descended of an ancient familie of gentrie, and soe have beene commonly accepted, reputed and taken, and have lived in the like repute and qualitie. Notwithstanding, one William Bentley of Helmesley, butcher, in an abusive and provoking manner uttered and said these words or the like words followinge, vizt. Meynell, Thou art a foole a silly fellowe and a beggarly fellowe, not able to pay for a pinte of wine, and a base fellowe. Meynell, I am as good a man as thou art, nay a better man then thou art or anie of thy kindred, and if thou dare goe with mee I will writh thy necke about, with divers other scandalous and provoking speeches.'

Petitioned that Bentley be brought to answer.

Maltravers granted process on 12 November 1639.

2/136, Plaintiff's bond

12 November 1639

Bound to appear 'in the Court in the painted Chamber within the Pallace of Westminster'.

Signed by William Cleaveland of New Malton, co. York, yeoman on behalf of Meynell.

Sealed, subscribed and delivered in the presence of John Watson.

5/8, Defendant's bond

1 April 1640

Bound to 'appear in Court in Arundel House in the Strand in the parish of St Clement Danes in the County of Middlesex'.

Signed by William Bentley.

Sealed signed and delivered in the presence of John Rainshaw.

Summary of proceedings

Dr Duck was counsel for Meynell and Dr Eden for Bentley. Dr Duck gave the libel on 4 February 1640. On 30 October Dr Eden petitioned to publish the testimony of Bentley's witnesses and Dr Duck petitioned to hear the sentence, which was scheduled for 4 December 1640.

Notes

Charles Meynell (b. 1591) was the son of Edmund Meynell of Normanby, esq (d. 1615), and Thomasine, daughter of Ralph Tancred of Arden, co. York, esq. He married Jane, daughter of Thomas Scudamore of Overton, co. York, esq.

J. Foster (ed.), Pedigrees of the County Families of Yorkshire: The North and East Ridings (London, 1874), vol. 3, unpaginated

Documents

• Initial proceedings
  • Petition: 2/135 (12 Nov 1639)
  • Plaintiff's bond: 2/136 (12 Nov 1639)
  • Defendant's bond: 5/8 (1 Apr 1640)
• Proceedings
  • Proceedings before Maltravers: 8/31 (4 Feb 1640)
  • Proceedings: 1/11, fos. 56r-64v (10 Oct 1640)
  • Proceedings before Maltravers: 1/11, fos. 19r-30v (30 Oct 1640)
  • Proceedings: 1/11, fos. 5r-9r (20 Nov 1640)
  • Proceedings before Maltravers: 1/11, fos. 79r-87v (4 Dec 1640)

People mentioned in the case

• Bentley, William, butcher
• Cleaveland, William, yeoman
• Duck, Arthur, lawyer
• Eden, Thomas, lawyer
• Howard, Henry, baron Maltravers
• Howard, Thomas, earl of Arundel and Surrey
• Meynell, Charles, esq
• Meynell, Edmund, esq
• Meynell, Jane
• Meynell, Thomasine
• Rainshaw, John
• Scudamore, Jane
• Scudamore, Thomas
• Tancred, Ralph, esq
• Tancred, Thomasine
• Watson, John

Places mentioned in the case

• Middlesex
  • Arundel House
  • Strand
  • St Clement Danes
  • Westminster

Topics of the case

• comparison
• denial of gentility
• threatened violence