Wiltshire Quarter Sessions. 



19 



Michaelmas, 1609:— 



"May it please yo r good worP pes to understand that this bearer . . . . 

 of Bulkington had a good while since be married to ... . but that they 

 both stand excommunicate. For they both desired that y e Bannes of Matrimonie 

 betwene them might be published, and that in short tyme after they might be 

 rnaried. Which I might not doe before they were restored to y e Church. On 

 Thursday next at y e visitation I trust that at their humble petition Mr. Chancellor 

 will absolve them. And then, God willing, with as much speed as conveniently 

 may be used in such a busines they shalbe rnaried. 2 October 1609 



"FEANCIS GEEATEAKE8 



" Vicar of Keveleigh 



" alias Kevell." 



At the Michaelmas Sessions, 1604, occurs the following" memo- 

 randum : — 



" Albeit I find in the Register but one .... child of ... . yet 

 by the report .... in Brinckworth parish he had 2 . . . . both 

 were baptized in Brinckworth before my time 



" Ed : Hutchins 



" Rector of Brinckworth." 



And this, of some impenitent profligate : — 



" Which order the seyd reputed father hath obstinately neglected and doeth 

 utterly refuse to accomplish the same, saying that he will rayther rott in prisone 

 than paye a penye of it." 



At the Trinity Sessions, 1607, a petitioner, for an order on a neigh- 

 hour for the support of a child adds a warning that the latter : — 



" Beinge often intreated to that purpose .... hath neverthelesse of late 

 threatened your suppliant to choppe a dagger into his side, and for that hee 

 within these few yeares past did kill a man and is a dangerous and swearinge 

 person and farder saith .... if he [the dangerous and swearing person"] 

 have any charge .... there should no purse uppon the plaine * escape 

 his fingers." 



To excommunication and its consequences allusion also occurs on 

 the file of the Easter Sessions, 1606, in a complaint of Thomas 



• So an old proverb, quoted in an earlier volume by the Rev, A. C, Smith: — 



" Salisbury Plain," 



Is seldom without a thief or twain." 



C % 



