National Archives File C2/ChasI/H103/43
[Partial Transcript – work in progress – circa 20% complete]
24th May 1627
The answer of William STYDOLFE to the Bill of Complaint of Pedaell HARLOWE the Complainant
In all advantage all benefit of exception to all and every the uncertainties and insufficiencies of and in the said Bill of Complaint concerned to this defendant now and at all times saved and reserved for answer thereunto he saith he knoweth not that the Complainant was by […] //
Hands or in [?] defendant hands a very large [portion?] for her preferment in marriage. Now that he was [?] by any of this defendants friends to become a [signatory?] in the way of marriage unto her and if he were so informed he was misinformed for his said diverse persons was [?] her [….] //
One hundred pounds and being in displeasure [..] her mother [..] five or five years and this Defendant bearing a good affection towards his said sister and being desirous to reconcile her to her mother and [?] her marriage with some gent of good [?] quality did take a house […] //
And about six pieces now last past as this Defendant now remembered one [signatory?] NORIS who sometimes referred to this Defendant house being as this defendant wereth [?] of ancient acquaintances [with the Complainant?] but not long before acquainted with this Defendant
Eldest son of agent whose estate as he then affirmed was worth about five hundred pounds per annum in Lands to her his said sister with this Defendant which this defendant gave way unto. And true it is that about the time in the Bill [mentioned] by that means the Complainant [?] brought unto
This defendant said sister out of a desire he had to make [?] to her and that his own estate was but only an annuity of forty pounds by the year during his life and that his practice in the Law [?] but small but made [?] [?] Atlacon of his father’s estate
A man of good worth would settle upon him an estate answerable to that with his sister should have according as he this defendant should agree then this defendant would be content the Complainant might [?] in his [?] upon such [fair?] and honest terms so
To behalf between the Complaint’s father and this defendant. And not [?] after this defendant together with the Complainant and at his request repaired to his father’s house and had some conscience which [?] concerning his sister and the Complainant. And the Complainant
[?] to have had some dealings at the Complainant and his fathers hands did plainly and truely tell them that his said Sister should have one thousand pounds to her marriage and one hundred pounds for
his heirs (he being a Batchelor of Thirty Years of age of age or thereabouts. And also told the plaintiff’s father as hereinbefore being then partly guided by former proffend in the like
maintenance and for her [?] and three hundred pounds [?] more to be settled on them after the Complainant’s father’s decease. But the Complainant’s father
and conference brake of. And notwithstanding the Complainant ‘ full permission in his said purpose and with many fair [?] performance and thence
with meeting the complainant’s father without any mocod of this Defendant [?] offered to give unto him, one thousand pounds in marriage with his own daughter which this defendant took kindly but on [?] to entertain the
portion might be and how and in what manner paid. And that the greatest part thereof was to come out of his estate as his full and voluntary gift unto her five hundred pounds or six hundred pounds of which
in case they should agree there [upon?] and the father make good this Defendant’s demands which he never [?] nor agreed to do. By reason whereof nothing was agreed or concluded on at any of the said
told her that he knew not what to make of the [?] and that the same
unto him desiring to have a sight of the said bond and accordingly this defendant sent unto them the several bonds mentioned in the paper draft annexed to the said Bill of Complaint but whether the said Bonds were dated as such
and about the said treaty or otherwise to give over the same because his late Majesty was then within few days to go on his Progress and this defendant to give his personal attendance on him. And the Complainant returned the
father made but such like small offers are before mentioned which this Defendant concerning to be very diverse [?] personable to a portion of one thousand pounds yet being willing to come an agreement about the
the plaintiffs fathers offers. But the Complainant and his father not embursing this Defendant offers nor he [?] there was not anything then agreed on but all proceedings as this defendant then contrived were broken of and
old man meaning the plaintiffs father and her [?] nor [?] whereupon [?] seemed [?] and to blame this defendant whereupon plainly told her he knew the fault was his and for
such time as he set forward on his said [?] the Complainant father as this Defendant remembers sent upon to him a paper draft of an indenture without ant date or any said month or year
returned to this defendant as aforesaid [without] this Defendant direction or knowledge and as it now seems to entrap this defendant for that they had the said Bonds but only for view and not to make any such
And this defendant had formerly demanded of them he did without any advice of counsel or friends and without any [?] [?[ or good
Any marriage between the plaintiff and his wife or [?] that this defendant would not be bound or anyway tied thereby and so returned the same paper to the Complainant or his father. And the next day he taketh
Complainant as this Defendant verily beleiveth knowing his Father was not able to make good this defendant’s demand and that without the making good thereof this defendant would no way enlarge his sister’s portion and that
His heir which might be a great advancement unto him with as this defendant verily beleiveth put the said Complaint in great hopes of advancement
Or allowance of this [?] and as her verily beleiveth of this defendant mother went into the Chapel of the Tower of London and were there marriage on or about sixth day of August one thousand five hundred
Complaint acquainted him there with for the space of seven or five months or there abouts after during most of which time this defendant permitted his said sister to remain in his said house as he had formerly done
[?] at or about Hillary term after the said [?] which paid in one thousand five hundred twenty and this defendant permitted his said sister
Would not then [?] to perform this Defendant’s former demands nor make this defendant’s sister any jointure or settle any estate in law
With the proceedings of the said pretended marriage save only [?] the [?] [?] thereof. They would not take advantage thereof to the
[?] unto this Defendant but in regard he had but [?] before as aforesaid had a meeting and conference with the complainant and his
This Defendant’s sister as he taketh [?] requested him that the Complainant might come and live with her in this defendant’s house paying this
Absent out of town as he hath heard kept a […] marriage this defendant’s house
Respect). And about eight or nine months after the said marriage as he taketh [?] the complainant could him his said father desired to
[?] tied by any arrangement nor supporting the same could ever tie
Divided unto his said Sister in particular all the several bonds mentions in the said paper draft without keeping any [?] of term
Of the said marriage until the time of the [?] of the said Complaint and […] defendant’s house being in January last
And did then speak to this Defendant of his wife and children and the [?] of his [estate?] and although the Complainant’s father in the time of
As a [?] to his [?] nor the speeches [?] in proceedings between him and the said Compliant touching the same in
Is pretended. Now remembering that the complainant desired him to deal plainly and truly with him to such intent or [?] as by
Father performing [?] to this defendant. And this defendant denies that
Is pretended and if he did not yet the same were spoken conversationally
Said Sister in marriage or make her portion [?] one thousand pounds
And not otherwise and hopeth neither this Honorable Court nor any reasonable
[?] in the foresaid treaty and verily beleiveth he would not have proceeded
Plaintiff should proceed in his said [?]