1578 Plea Rolls Translation

[sticksville]

I have another Plea Roll which I am struggling to read from National Archive/AALT (second cause on the page):

http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT5/Eliz/CP40no1353/bCP40no1353dorses/IMG_0748.htm

The plaintiff is Valentine Kychynman, yeoman of Carleton Husthwayte in Yorkshire and the defendant Thomas Sicklemore, Rector of Slalteburn, Master of Arts. From the Church of England database it appears that Thomas had previously been Rector of Kirby in Kirby in Cleveland.

I would be very grateful if anyone could help with this.

[Vance Mead]

Here is a somewhat abbreviated translation:

Yorks. Valentine Kytchynman, of Carleton Husthwayte, yeoman, by his attorney, versus Thomas Sicklemore, of Slateburne, clerk, Master of Arts, rector of Slateburn, Yorks, for a debt of eight pounds that he owes. Thomas didn't come, the sheriff was ordered to arrest him, says he can't be found. He was ordered to bring him at the octave of the Purification of St Mary but didn't come and the sheriff is ordered to bring him the fifteenth day of Easter.

[sticksville]

Thank you very much.

On the basis of a whole two cases, non-appearance for debt seems to becoming a recurring theme in the Court of Common Pleas.

[Vance Mead]

Most of the cases are like that: increasing threats to find the person and make them respond. Transportation was slow: it would take five or six days for the writ to be delivered from Westminster to York, and another two or three to deliver it to the farthest corners of Yorkshire. Sometimes I think defendants were using delaying tactics: they could make themselves scarce, delay for a year, then repay the debt and the case is closed.

[sticksville]

That makes sense.

The Kitchingmans were involved in a huge number of cases in different Courts in the C16 and particularly C17. Although the sums/reputational risk involved could be considerable, you do wonder if it was worth the time, effort and expense?

I've read C.W. Brooks 'Pettyfoggers and Vipers of the Commonwealth' but still find the extent of litigation hard to get my head around