Love Lost and Found in the Church Courts

AP 7. That Margaret had and received a gown and other things of Richard, but upon what condition she cannot depose.

AP 11. Can depose nothing beyond the first and second articles of the libel, saving that when Richard had carried Margaret away he bought a gown, an apron and a smock and other things for her, which he hath received again of her, except the smock which he gave unto her.

To the Interrogatories [In 1-10]

In 6-8. That she heard of a hue and cry or warrant, and that she heard Margaret say that Richard did persuade her to contract herself unto him for fear of the danger that might happen thereby.

In 9. That she heard Richard say that, seeing he could not get the consent and good will of George to marry Margaret, he had discharged her of her promise and that he intended to trouble her no more.

In 10. That Margaret hath divers and sundry times said unto her and others that she was drawn and persuaded to ride away with Richard by subtlety and fraud, not knowing whether she should go or what she should do. And she further saith that Margaret, going to a wedding and coming homewards, Richard met her and said unto her, 'Margaret I would have half an hour's talk with you.' And so made her stay behind the rest of her company until such time as they came within a stone's cast of the house of Thomasine Osborne; and then he told her that he and she would go a mile hence to a place where there was dancing, and they would come home again the next morning before her father was up. And as they were so talking together there came one William Hoskin riding, and Richard said unto her, 'You shall ride behind William Hoskin because you will make the more haste', and so set her behind William Hoskin of the horseback; and about half a mile distant from the place Richard had another horse for himself and so rid away with her.

To the second Interrogatories [In (2) 1-8]

In (2) 2. That Richard having provided a horse to carry Margaret away from her father's house, she asked whither they would carry her. Then he answered they meant to carry her but to a place called Court Barn in Birdham where was dancing that night where she should meet with Katherine Rassen and others; and that he would bring her home again before her father was up next morning.

In (2) 3. That notwithstanding the promise Richard and William Hoskin rid another way that night to Arundel.

In (2) 4. That Margaret told her that when she perceived that Richard and William Hoskin rid another way and not to Court Barn, and that Richard and William Hoskin was not minded to bring her home again according to their promise, that then she did entreat them that she might return home and that she was unwilling to ride any further.

In (2) 5. That she thinketh it was about ten of the clock at night when Richard caused Margaret to be so carried away, and that she had only two petticoats on and a pair of thin holland sleeves, neither fit nor convenient to ride such a journey by night or about any such purpose as they went about.

In (2) 6. That she heard Margaret say that Richard caused the petticoats to be sent to Ferring, and in the meantime that he did carry her to Lewes, so that of necessity she, having no apparel, was compelled to put on such apparel as he had provided for her.