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showing how these proceedings were met and resented in our 
county. 
The interference of the Bishops in cases of adultery and its 
allied misdemeanours caused especial and great annoyance. 
Somewhat in point is the case of David Biffin, of Cannington, 
labourer ; who, on the 6th Nov., 1637, sets forth that, about a 
year and a half previously, one Richard Grave, alias Hooke, of 
Enmore, blacksmith, and a man of “ good abilitie,” had moved 
him, the said David, to be a suitor in marriage to Jane Cole, his 
wife’s sister who lived in his house; and that he was there 
accordingly “enterteyned” and presently “‘marryed to her by his 
procurement, but never had the use of her hody before marriage.” 
All hopes of domestic happiness must soon have disappeared, for 
about six months after the marriage a daughter was born living 
and the mother being at her delivery in great danger of her life 
“confessed that Richard Grave was the father thereof.” This 
becoming known, the churchwardens made a presentment of the 
case to the Archdeacon of Taunton, in whose Court the woman 
and Richard Grave were enjoined a penance “as a purgation.” 
The former at once performed hers in several churches, but 
Grave failed to obey, and consequently was “ enjoined” a second 
and again a third time, and still failing, was then excommunicated 
for his continued contempt. But this man of “ good abilitie,” not 
to be subdued without a fight, at once appealed to the Arches 
Court, made Biffin and his wife parties to the suit, and as they 
were unable to go to London, he got them both excommunicated 
for non-appearance, “to their utter undoing, beinge very poore 
and not able to paye the charges, or to stand in suite of Law.” 
Biffin, therefore, petitioned direct to the Archbishop and begged 
he would vouchsafe his ‘‘ commisseration to the distressed estate” 
of himself and his wife ; and give order for their absolution and the 
discharge of the suit, for which he “would ever pray for his 
Grace’s long life here and eternal blessedness hereafter.” The 
result is not recorded, but probably it was soon settled as the 
