Records of Early English Drama by James M. Gibson
Historical transcripts of early English drama, music, ceremonial, dance and other forms of communal public entertainment in Britain from the Middle Ages to 1642.
Kent : Diocese of Canterbury 2002
Transcript
1583
Archdeacon’s Court Book CCA: DCb/J/X.2.4
ff 144, 145* (28November)
Proceedings of the court held to hear cases arising from the archdeacon’s visitation of
Charing deanery in 1583 and sitting in St Margaret’s Church, Canterbury, before
Stephen Lakes, LLD, the archdeacon’s official, and in the presence of Thomas
Cranmer, notary public and registrar
1 Item we present Thomas younge as a parishener of Hedcorne who verie
disorderlie & Lewdelie vpon the Sabothe day did play vpon his fedle aboute
the Churcheyarde & certeine morris daunsers beinge disgised followinge of
him to the great offence of manie
2 Item the sayd Thomas younge as not vsinge to our churche of Hedcorne
vpon the Sabothe day & challenginge him self as a parishener but a continuall
abuser of the Saboth day in aluringe of the youthe to daunsinge by his meanes.
‘xxviij Novembris 1583 preconizatus younge non comparuit/ vnde dominus
pronunciauit ipsum contumacem et in penam excommunicauit in scriptis.
Introducta est excommunicacio denunciata in ecclesia parochiali de Hedcorne
Octavo decembris Anno domini 1583 per dominum Robertum Alexander
vicarium ibidem
[“No”]
“Vndecimo Ianuarij 1583 iuxta &c comparuit personaliter younge quem
dominus ad eius humilem peticionem prestito prius Iuramento absoluit et
restituit &c et monuit ipsum ad comparendum in proximo (secundo) ad [ad]
audiendum voluntatem domini postea fatetur that he was the same day at
hedcorne at evenynge prayer/ & after evensonge he went / to the alehouse
-
dauncers from Bocton Munchelse/ & requested this respondent to playe with
his Instrument/ and therevpon this respondent went to a certeyn sportynge
place the way leadyng thoroughe the churche yarde/ [but he saythe that he
did] And sayth that henry lenkynson of Bocton Munchelsey was one of the
said Morrys dauncers/”
xxx Ianuarii 1583 iuxta &c preconizatus younge [non] comparuit. [vnde
dominus pronunciauic ipsum contumacem pena reservata in proximuj] quem
dominus monuit ad comparendum in proximo ad audiendum vlteriorem
voluntatem domini
“xiij februarij 1583 preconizatus younge non comparuit vnde dominus
pronunciauit ipsum contumacem et in penam excommunicauit in scriptis”
Translation
Diocese of Canterbury, Cathedral Archives, Archdeacon’s Court Book, MS X.2.4
ff.144-
1583
Archdeacon’s Court Book CCA: DCb/J/X.2.4
ff 144, 145* (28November)
Proceedings of the court held to hear cases arising from the archdeacon’s visitation of
Charing deanery in 1583 and sitting in St Margaret’s Church, Canterbury, before
Stephen Lakes, LLD, the archdeacon’s official, and in the presence of Thomas
Cranmer, notary public and registrar
1 Item we present Thomas Younge as a parishioner of Headcorn who very
disorderly & Lewdly upon the Sabbath day did play upon his fiddle about
the Churchyard & certain morris dancers being disguised following of
him to the great offence of mania
2 Item the said Thomas Younge as not visiting to our church of Headcorn
upon the Sabbath day & challenging him self as a parishioner but a continual
abuser of the Sabbath day in alluring of the youth to dancing by his means.
28 November 1583 having been called, Young did not appear; therefore the
lord (judge) declared him contumacious, and in punishment he excommunicated
him in writing.
The (writ of) excommunication published in the parish church of Headcorn on
the eight of December in the year of the Lord 1583 through the Lord Robert
Alexander, vicar there, has been presented.
On the eleventh of January 1584 according etc {[i.e.] to the schedule}
Young appeared in person, whom, in consequence of his humble petition
The Lord (judge) absolved and reinstated, an oath first having been
Sworn, etc, and he warned him to appear on the second (court day)
following to hear the will of the lord (judge). Afterwards he ({i.e.}Young)
confessed that he was the same day at Headcorn at evening prayer &
after evensong he went to the alehouse which joineth upon the church yard
and thither came certain morris dancers from Boughton Monnchelsea
& requested this respondent to play with his Instrument and thereupon
this respondent went to a certain sporting place the way leading through
the church yard [but he saythe that he did] And sayth that Henry Jenkinson
of Boughton Monchelsea was one of the said Morris dancers”
30 January 1583 according etc. ({i.e.} to the schedule) having been called,
Young appeared, whom the Lord (judge) warned to appear on the next
(court day) to hear the further will of the Lord (Judge)
13 February 1583 having been called, Young did not appear, excommunication (writ)
is issued, therefore the Lord (judge) declared him contumacious, and in
punishment he excommunicated him in writing.