Parish register entry recording Richard Quiney’s burial

Richard Quiney was buried on May 31, 1602, as recorded in the Holy Trinity Church parish register. On October 2, 1601, he had been sworn in as bailiff for the following twelve months and was thus described as “Mr. Richard Quiny, Bailey of Stretforde.” He was the first bailiff to die in office, necessitating an emergency meeting of the Corporation, held on the same day as the funeral, to elect a successor. John Gibbs was sworn in the following day (Minutes and Accounts, vi, pp. 196-7). In accordance with the book of orders of 1603, all the members of the Corporation and their wives would have been expected to “accompanie the Corps [of a fellow member] to the buryall in their most decent apparrell & there abide in devoute manner untill the funerall bee ended” (Minutes and Accounts, vi, p. 255).

There is a long-standing tradition that Quiney died from injuries sustained when he was set upon by followers of the lord of the manor, Sir Edward Greville, after entering a tavern to quell a disturbance as bailiff.  At that time, the Corporation and Greville were engaged in a fierce controversy. The evidence for the brawl is included in a long list of grievances against Greville apparently compiled before the end of 1601 (Minutes and Accounts, vi, pp. 160-4, 195-6), but the list does not mention Quiney’s subsequent death. Quiney is recorded as performing his civic duties as late as May 27, indicating that this story must be treated with caution.