84 PROCEEDINGS TAKEN IN WINSTER CHURCH. 



the Parish Church of Winster, on the Tuesday next after the 

 Feast of all Saints (5 Nov.) a.d 1308. 



William le Proude del Fowlowe (Foolow, near Eyam), 

 Sexagenarian of Free Condition, having been sworn, 

 carefully examined, and questioned, upon the libel of 

 the accusation against those who were united, and who 

 were present, declared that the contention in the same was 

 true, and he says that he knows this because he is of the said 

 kinship, and knew well all the descendants on both sides. When 

 asked who was the (stipes) Common Ancestor, he said that a 

 certain Richard de Stafford, who had a certain wife named 

 Matilda, was the Common Ancestor, who had two sons named 

 Richard and Ingeram. Richard has issue a certain Roger. 

 From Roger proceeded Richard de Stafford. From Richard 

 proceeded his son Richard, concerning whom was the dispute 

 on the one side. From Ingeram proceeded a certain Lecia. 

 Lecia had issue Richard de Eyam. From Richard proceeded 

 Isabella, concerning whom was the dispute on the other side. 

 When asked whether he had seen all those parties before, he 

 said that he had, except the one who was the Highest (in the 

 pedigree). When asked if he believed that they were relations, 

 he said that he knew it well. When asked from whom he had 

 learnt at first that relationship, he said from his mother ; that 

 he knew it the better because Ingeram was his grandfather. 

 When a.sked whether he had learnt of that relationship before 

 the litigation was commenced, he answered that he knew it 

 forty years before. When asked whether the said Richard 

 pursued that litigation from love or from hate, he said he 

 believed from love, lest the couple should continue the irregular 

 connection. He is ignorant, however, what the accusation 

 precisely is, and says all those persons mentioned have always 

 regarded themselves as relations. When asked whether he is 

 the more affected by the divorce or by the marriage between 

 them, says he holds himself indifferent. When asked whether 



