Thomas Greene’s notes on the progress of the proposed enclosures at Welcombe include five references to William Shakespeare’s involvement

[BRU 15/13/26a recto] 

Martis 15 November <1614> M^r I asking M^r Manneryng how they did meane to deale with me about my part interest of tythes where they ment to enclose. he told me I should haue no wrong & that I should rather gett a peny than a half penny & then agayne I should rather gett ii^d then loose a penny & sayd he was desirous to buy my whole interest of my Tythes, I asked him whether he hadd ever thought with himself what they were worth & he being in haste to goe vpp ito into the Court of Chancery sayd he must be gone he would speak with me soone or send M^r Replyngham. Nathaniel was with me.

Agaynst Whitehall Wall I mett with M^r Replingham whoe promised to come to me at aftir noone saying he I should be satisfyed & as for the towne I askynge him howe the Towne should be satisfyed he sayd he cared not for their consents.

Received 16 November 1614 at 4 clock aftirnoone a Lettere from M^r Bayly & M^r Alderman dated 12 November 1614 touching the Inclosure busynes: & sent Nathaniel to see yf M^r William Combe were in Towne & he returned to me & [in] M^r Wyatts presence sayd he was not in Towne.

Jovis 17 November as my Cosen Shakspeare has commyng yesterday to towne I went to see him howe he did he told me that they assured him they ment to inclose noe further then to gospell bushe & so vpp straight (leavyng out part of the dyngles to the ffield) to the gate in Clopton hedge & take in Salisburyes peece: & that they meane in Aprill to servey the Land & then to gyve satisfaccion & not before & he & M^r Hall say they think there will be nothyng done at all.

This mornyng I did send to speake with see yf M^r Thomas Combe were in Towne & Nathaniel returned me answere that he went forth of the Towne yesterday.

M^r Wyatt aftirnoone told me that M^r Wryght hadd told M^r Combe that the enclosure would not be & that yt was end at an end. I sayd I was susp the more suspicious for those might be words used to make vs careles. I willed him to learne what I [sic] could and I told him soe would I.

At night I drew the peticion and gave yt Edmund to wryte fair that John Greene & M^r Wyatt might see yt before yt were pre wrytten to be presented to the Lords.

18. November I in the mornyng I gave yt Edmund to shew yt to John Greene that he might mak consider of yt & acq come amongst vs to acquaynt M^r Wyatt with yt, John Greene being shewed yt, aftir noone sent mee word he lyked not of yt but would talke with me of yt.

About 3 of the clock aftir noone I sent Edmund to R Wyrlye he told (as I s Edmund sayes from him) M^r Replingham that seying myself to plan for myne owne interest I would be ruled by Sir Henry Raynsford & M^r Barnes & he answered none better & that I should have a peny for a peny. And sayd they howe M^r Replingham assured him they ment to inclose but to gost gospell bushe & noe further.

The same day Nathaniel was answered that Sir Richard Verny was come to the Towne but was not to be spoken with vntill the morow mornyng.

19 in the mornyng I went to him & desired him if he cold not procure Sir ffrancis Smyth to exchange & then he that he would be pleased to confyrme him in his promise that he would not part with yt to any. & he sayd he would & that he would be in the Country & would be contented yf he were named with Sir Henry Raynsford & the rest he would do the towne the best good he could.

The same mornyng I tooke with the mee the peticion to Westminster to shewe yt my Cosen graves & [sic] but could not fynd him.

21. in the mornyng John Greene sayd that at night he would come & present the peticion with me the same day at afternoone: he drew me asyd in my chamber & told me that J Rednall this day in the mornyng willed him to tell me that some body from M^r Manneryng hadd bene with Sir ffrancis Smyth & that Sir ffrancis Smyth hadd answered him as he hadd answered viz that he would keepe his Land himselfe.

22 . M^r Henry Smyth told me that M^r Wright told him that my Lord Carew would oppose not agree to furder any Inclosure at Stratford but would rather hynder yt if he could. The same day Edmund told me at that R. Wyrley within halfe an houre told him that I was much excepted vnto for makeing such mighty opposicion agaynst the Inclosure & that M^r Manneryng & M^r Replingham would be with him to the aftir noone.

I also asked my brother Nevile after my Cosen Graves xptian name that wee might (yf as I thought we should) imploy him in a busynes at the Counsell table. 

[BRU 15/13/26a verso]

24 aftir noone M^r Wyatt told me that M^r Wryght within theis 2 houres told him that they were in framyng an answere to the Lettres wrytten from M^r Baylyff and the Company this Lettre. And that my lord Carewe did intend to oppose the inclosure there to be made all he might, alsoe M^r Wyatt told me that about ffryday laf laste he spake with M^r Manneryng whoe told him that yf he might not doe yt well & he cared not for inclosyng and cared cared not howe little he did meddle therein.

28. November at night M^r Replinghams speche with me & my opposynge yt, I sayd I did it accordyng to the trust in me reposed by the Baylyff &c & howe I was tyed to them &c and as for myne owne particuler interest I would not vary from what I hadd sayd before & soe wee parted.

3. Dec M^r Baylye William Barnes Junior at night told me that M^r Combe was gone to London: & then I told th him that I would have the Lands seene that I might knowe howe to make reasonable demands of M^r Manneryng.

5 Dec at a Hall the Company agreed that .6. should goe to M^r Combe in the name of all the rest to present their Loves & to desire he would be pleased to forbeare to inclose & to desire his love as they wilbe reddy to deserve yt.

Arthur Caudry rather desirit the inclosure might rather stay then goe on, William Emet did not wish yt might not take effect. Edward Hunt would not consent without Sir ffrancis Smyth but desirit for his own part yt might not goe on :

9 Dec aftir M^r Bayley & wee hadd spent some 4 or 5 houres with the overseers of the poore he M^r Alderman & I M^r Baker M^r Shawe & M^r Chandler went accordyngly to M^r Combe whose answere was he should be gladd of our loves & that the inclosures would not be hurtfull to the Towne that he hadd not to doe with yt but to haue some proffytt by yt & that he thought M^r Manneryng was soe farre ingaged therein as that he would not be intreated & therefore he would not bestowe his labour to entreate him in any sorte saying if the froste broke the dychynge would goe presently forward.

[marginal note] Goeing to M^r Combe

[in the margin] 10 Dec that the survey there was past, I went came from Wilson to look M^r Replinghjam at the beare & at new place but missed him & on the narowe sid but he was not to be spone with.  

11 Dec I being Sunday I acquaynted M^r Bayly that I hadd a byll reddy drawen & prayed th him to appoynt a Hall & he puttyng yt of till ffryday I sayd yt desired haste & wished yt might be on the morowe & soe yt was sumoned.

12 Dec at the Hall the byll was reade. & stayeth till M^r Bayly M^r Alderman M^r Ba myself & M^r Baker haue bene at Stoneley & aftir some dispute of my consentynge I at their instance did write that I declare my prouins to be by all lawefull & reasonable meanes to assist them as their Steward and Counseller to withstand the inclosure & howe I hadd given my word for it & then M^r Walford challengyng I ought to M^r William Combe well I know where one told me he would help me to a Lease for .20. yeres yet to come of the same tythes & a bond of 100^li to perform yt: Eust licence de concorder & that Thomas Rutter sayd that M^r Thomas Combe sayed they were all Curres & sayd of & them spitting that one of the dogges such a one as Walford was the cause of sendyng Hitchcocks to prison: And that now M^r William Barnes sayed that M^ris Reynolds denyed yt for when the enclosure was, M^r Replyngham sayd yt was not yet for M^r Combe, but hadd bene surveyed & when M^r Replyn Manneryng knewe the valor thereof yt might be M^r Combe might have yt before any other.

[marginal notes against this paragraph] They would have had my interest in the part of be inclosed.

Curres  

14 Dec my goeingto M^r Wrights with Edmund Rawlyns but he was gone to Worcester. & thence to M^r Nashe about the Chauncell & he told me of the arbitrations. & the 100^li & the churchyard.

The same day my as tryeing my Cosen Baker what he would say about their buyeing the interest of the tythes.

15 Dec being Thursday I told M^r [N?]Ashe & my Cosen Baker what I thought a Commoner might doe as touching throweing downe of dytches being same day he & M^r Bayly for him told me that Sir Thomas Leyghe stayed in London all xpmas &c & soe M^r Manneryng [was] not lyke to come downe & I vrgyng that some Course might be taken for say stayeing the inclosure, my Cosen Baker yt were not fytt any thing were done vntill they did see that he did sett a diggyng.

M^r Bayly alsoe then told me at his house that James Elliotts & Arthur Cawdry hadd taken a vewe of all the errable Lands: but being busy yt being markett day he cold not stay about yt to shewe yt me. 506 Lands.

20. at the College before Sir Henry Raynsford (at such tyme as M^r Byshope was there about M^r Lane) M^r Combe in gret earnestnes sayd nowe I can not hynder the inclosure now I sight [side with?] M^r Manneryng: And after at my door pale door before John Watkyns & W. Martyn I told M^r Combe that the words between vs were but speeches in the ton of pleasure & not to preiudice me with M^r Manneryng & he sayd noe yt made noe mater & noe Advantage to be taken of them.

21. Our goeing to Clarden M^r Spencer sayd Lord Chancery was their friend in Chancery. Councell table Sir ffulk Grevill sent to me[?] he wold have vs peticion to the Kyngs Chancery case of annoying Sir Thomas Lucy.

23. Dec. A Hall. Lettres wrytten one to M^r Manneryng another to M^r Shakspeare with the almost all the company’s hands to eyther: I alsoe wrytte of myself to my Cosen Shakspeare the Coppyes of all our oathes made then alsoe a not of the Inconvenyences wold grow[?] by the Inclosure. Edmund Rawlyns well remembreth that [?] in my best Chamber told me I should have [?] for my tythes viz that evenyng he sent for me to th[?] and to speake about M^r Lanes busynes:

[alongside this paragraph is some Latin verse as follows]

Heu vivunt homines tanquam mors nulla sequeter
Et velut informis fabula vana fide
Mors certa est incerta dies hora agnita nulli
Extremam quare tu quamlibet esse diem puta
Fleures si scires vnam vnum tibi tempora mensem
Rides cum non si forsitan vna dies
Qui modo sanus erat nunc lecto egrotus adheret
Estque cinis subito qui modo ciuis erat.

[BRU 15/13/27 recto]

Thomas Combes callyng the Companye doggs & Curres: testis Thomas Rutter:

26  the agreement was made between M^r Walford & M^r Chandler at Clarden.

27.  there was a meeting at the Hall & the same day the book & a lettre drawen.

28  they were sent to M^r Gylberd whoe the same day went to Clarden. but shewed noe lettres.

29 he brought me the boo draught of the book agayne & that night I added Covenants as I thought most agreeable to Thomas Combe his mynd. .

30 A Hall called : where those Covenants were shewed & agreed to be annexed to the book & to be sent to M^r Gybberd & a Lettre from them which there I wrote & delivered all to M^r Chandler being party to the book to be caryd & spedd which he undertook presently to goe about.

1 January  aftir evenyng prayer in my study at home M^r Chandler shewed the book drawen & M^r Gybberds answere on yt before M^r Bayly M^r Alderman M^r Barker M^r Gybbes M^r Wilson & others.

Munday 2 January at M^r Baylyes & my rydyng to Balsall that mornyng th Thomas Parkers Lease ingrossed was delivered to M^r Chandler by Edmund Rawlyns.

[marginal entry]

3 January 1614 at Warwick M^r Spencer told me that M^r William Combe sayd to him that I should be very fully satisfyed

Wensday 4 Thursday 5 January they were sealed at Stratford by M^r Parker & but not by his wife. (as I was told by the lessees answere to the Wilsons) that day the the surrender of Edward Hunt was drawen & sealed & then I heard of but first but sawe not M^r Manneryng his Lettres.

Saturday 7 January at night M^r Bayly M^r Barker M^r Walford & M^r Henry Smyth came from M^r Woods with his answers to demands drawen by my Cosen Baker in wrytyng:

The same day at night (as M^r Chandler told me 9 January in the mornyng) M^r William Combe told Baylys he heard that some of the better sort would goe to throwe downe the dytche & sayd I O wold they durst in a threatnyng maner with very great passion & ag anger.

[marginal note against this entry] Threatnyng such as throw down the ditch

The same .9. day in the mornyng M^r Chandler came as he sayd from M^r William Combe whoe sayed they were a Company of factious knaves & hee bad him asked him what do you meane all & whoe doe you meane to which he made noe answere at all: but sayd he will doe them all the mischeif he cann.

[marginal note against this entry] Threatnyng to do the town all the mischeif they he cann

Sayd they were puritan knaves and underlings in their colour.

9 January: & he now told me that M^r Walford & he had privately sent their spades before & that by & by they would goe throwe downe some of the dytch, I aduised that they wold goe in such pryvat maner as that the none none might see them goe least others might perhapps followe in Companyes & soe make a riott or a mutyny:

[marginal note against this entry] Spades privatly sent.

remember Sly upon the first dayes offryng to fyll the dytch by h [? by & by] M^r Henry Smyth made a cesser vntil he hadd rydden to M^r William Combe & at his returne went to worke agayne. quere what day that first day was.

[marginal note against this entry] Sly rode to his Mayster

his Covenantyng with M^rs Reynolds.

his Covenantyng at first with Arthur Cawdrye Cawdrey.

M^r Replyngham 28 Oct[o]bris articled with M^r Shakspeare & then I was recommended putt in by T Lucas.

9 January: about . 3. of the clock aftirnoone came to me willed me to propound a peace promised me x^li to buy a geldyng to doe yt. lyked not amysse of a friendly suit to end yt willed me to moue Sir Henry Raynsford therof I sayd my mocion wold be taken to be to favourable I knowyng their fixed resolucions I sayd. he wold acquaint them that I moved th him to that end and then as good moue yt of myself. threatned that within this 12 moneth he all the ffields should be layd downe greensward if they did not agree: I told him yt was knowen that I he was here & that I thought I did nothing but both sydes heard of yt & therefore I caryed myself as free from all offence as I could; I told them him I would bef do yt before Wednesday night to some of the principall of them. but prayed him yf any thing were done to London or otherwise in the meane tyme touching that busynes he wold (as I was bound to them in all fidelity for I must do for them such lawfull things as they desired) that he would not account yt an vnfashionable dealyng in me to do in the meane tyme any thing I cann. he confessed that there was nowe about 600 Lands to be layd downe from arrable to pasture & that Sir Thomas Lucy promised he would helpe him to a Lease of the tythes of ground adioynyng for the foldynge of his Lambes in yeanyng tymes. All which I told him was not vnthought of: aftir some speches that he should think himself beholdyng vnto me yf I could bring an end to passe he aftir many promises & protestacions that I should be well dealt withall he departed & I brought him to the doore Michaell only & Herne attendyng his comyng in my Hall: & Edmund Rawlyns with them: Amongst other speeches he told me that my Lo: C M^r Manneryng once purposed to procure my Lord Chauncellour to wryte to the Company. I sayd yt wold have bene respectfully receyved & wi very duetyfully answered. & I told him the substance of all M^r Manneryngs & M^r Replynghams speeches & myne at the towne & of my seekyng M^r Replyngham at his last being here.

[marginal notes against this entry] I did yt the same night commyng downe to me anon aftir viz. M^r Bayly M^r Baker M^r Walford M^r Chandler.

I should be well Dealt withall. 

[BRU 15/13/27 verso] 

10. Januarii. 1614. at the quarter sessions: M^r Archer was spoken to as a Justice of peace & a Commoner to help at the Sessions for preventyng breach of the peace.

At M^r Baylyes instance we viz. he, myself M^r Baker M^r Walford & M^r Chandler alighted at the Byalyes [sic] for that part was so fytt to goe privately to M^r Wards & thence to M^r Hales, we went & there agreed as there we hadd together resolved none shall be spoken of but the dyggers & noe mencion at all of M^r Mannering M^r Replingam or M^r Combe. agree the peticion shall not be putt vpp. went to M^r Halls & shewed him as to M^r Ward our feares of tumult & howe on Monday people came to looke on when M^r Walford & M^r Chandler were there. desired his advice as also that he wold persuade M^r Combe there might be stay made & to enforme my Lord Compton thereof. & too putt him in mynd of his promise to the Countrey at the last dig dyggynge, & being sett in Court M^r Stapelton asked what I hadd to say that he might despatch me & I sayd I was not reddy but sent for M^r Ward who happely mett M^r Replyngham in the Court about the Hall & proposed stay of enformyng the Court which J M^r Bayly being nere M^r Ward yelded to. Aftir dyner at M^r Wards house agreements were made in these words. 10 Januarii 1614.

[marginal notes against this entry] Respect to M^r Combe.

My Lord Comptons promise at last dyggyng.

10 Januarii 1614.

Yt is agreed for preventyng of Tumults and avoydyng of meetyng of the people of Stratford & Bi Byshopton for the present. 

1  That any further dytchyng stay vntill the. 25. of March next. 

2. That there be noe ploughing on the Common or any part thereof vntill then. 

3. And yt ys ment there shalbe a cartway left vnder Rowley. and other vsuall ways to lye open.

[marginal note against this clause] Not done but stopped since  

4. Yt ys ment that there shalbe noe throweing downe of the dytches alreddy sett vpp but aftir such wayes as aforesayd, vntill aftir the sayd 25 day of Marche.

Subscribed William Walford William Chandler Thomas Greene. W Thomas Ayng his marke William Ayng his marke.

While this was doeing as yt stands, the dytches by .women & Chid Children of Byshopton & Stratford were fylled vp agayne.

Before dyner tyme I never sawe Thomas Greene Thomas or William Aynge. and I heartely thanke almighty god I never gave the lest allowance in any tumultuous courses but protested agaynst yt & as yet never was gave any Counsell to any Bishopton mann in these busynes.

On Wednesday being the xi^th day. anon aftir the Court M^r Parsons told M^r Bayly & me in the Hall that M^r Lucas sayd that the other syde being X M^r Walford & M^r Chandler might have gone. 9. & noe .ryott & shewed him many cases as he sayed yester night in that poynt but I dissented & lyked not that Course by but confessed yt was true in case of a mylston or a great peece of tymber that soe many might goe as were sufficiently able to cary yt away or lade yt.

[marginal note against this entry] Query this opinion of riotts

At night M^r Replingham supped with me & M^r William Barnes was to beare him Company where he assured me before M^r Barnes that I should be well dealt withall as n confessyng former promisses & th by himself M^r Manneryng & his agreement for me with my Cosen Shakspeare:

Thursday. 12. Jan. in the mornying the Company did meet & there M^r Barker M^r Walford M^r Chandler M^r Henry Smyth M^rs Quyney Lewes Hiccox & Laurence Wheeler e[x]pressly to M^r Replinghams face disagreed to the intended inclosure & these M^r Bayly from M^r & M^r Baker from M^r John Lanes mouth declared that he would never agree while he lived & sayd he would enter for a forfyture vpon his tenants for a former forfyture yf ever they did agree therevnto: and all desired that M^r Manneryng wold stay all proceedyngs and at party to inclose : & at partyng M^r Replyngham sayd he wold gyve names to M^r Baylyf for doing Justice vpon the women dyggers: & yt was answered that then Justice should be be done:

[marginal note against this entry] Disagreers 12 Ja. 12 Ja. Regis

On ffryday. 13. January: being an hall day and the accompt day about .2. of the clock in the aftirnoone he. came to the Hall & shewed a note of names, of whom he sayd he would gyve some names to M^r Baylyff (but not of all) that he would bynd them to their good behaviours & then without at the Court table he wrote a Lettre to Sir Henry Raynsford: I told M^r Replingham they would cry out of me as if I did cas cause to be bound for my Clarks proffits but I cared not the Law should by myne advise be executed upon them:

14.  I went to Clyfford to speake with Sir Henry Raynsford but he was at Brodeway.

[marginal mote] 16 M^r William Combe rod as was sayd toward London

[BRU 15/13/29 recto]

9: ffebruarii. myself M^r Chandler John Greene & Edmund Rawlyns being with M^r Manneryng he sayd all dyggyng & ploweing should stay till Easter:

Then he & M^r Ryplingham sayd they were to buy about to buy the Royalty of Sir Arthur Ingreham and that within an houre before they hadd hadd some speeche together to that effect.

[marginal note against this entry] Speeches of buyeing the royalty of Sir Arthur Ingram

M^r Ryplingham alsoe denyed that he gave yt forth as by M^r Bayly & M^r Aldermans Lettre was purported touchyng a dyggyng in of a lesse Inclosure.

Sunday . 12. Februarii M^r R Moore shewed me the me the particuler, as offred to be sold by M^r Combe; ratyng the intended Inclosure at 250^li per annum.

[marginal note against this entry] Value of the intended Inclosure

1615 22 Marcii at a Hall a peticion was agreed vpon to be exhibited to my Lord Chief Justice at Coventrey where I was with yt & yt was set down 25 Mercii at the assises syttyng in Court but his Lordship would be putt in mynd of yt agayne at Warwick & there M^r Combe 27 Mercii at night by my Lord’s appoyntement mett vs before my Lord & hadd the peticion with him to Answere the poyntes therof & answered th by trauerse of the poyntes. my Lord ordered prout 28 Marcii at the delyuery of the nisi prius prout patet per ordinem.

[marginal note against this entry] M^r Chaundler said M^r Combe vpon his carryeing him the peticioun called him knave a many tymes & told him he lyed.

1615 28 Mercii at night at my Commyng home my wif told me yt was sayd while we were as at the Assises that there yt should not be enclosed but there should be .4. shepheards kept to keepe shepe there & all should be layd doune to greensward: & this from M^ris Reynolds & 30 Marcii M^r Collyns sayd he lykewise heard soe much:

29 Marcii aftir noone M^r William Combe rode by himself & M^r Thomas Combe or one of them in the ffields dealt with Laurence Wheeler & Lewes Hiccox to se make choice of Land for M^ris Reynolds: but they sayd they would not meddle without their Landlady Landlady (meanyng M^ris Reynolds) & this M^ris Reynolds acquaynted my wif withall in M^ris M^r Collyns presence at my house:

1 Apr 1615. M^r B being Saterday M^r Baker told me at his shopp howe that the day before he was in Sir William Somervilles & M^r Combes Company a huntyng in Awson ffields & there M^r William Combe told him he might thanke me for the peticion, & that he would sell all & offred to sell him the l^li per annum lyeing in Bridgtowne amongst my lord Carewes Land there. & that he for his part never ment not to enclose &c.

[marginal note against this entry] remember Febr & March 1615

2 Apr. M^r Parsons being Alderman told me that M^r Combe questyoned with him why he was soe agaynst the inclosure & he sayd as M^r Baker hadd sayd to him they were all sworne men for the good of the Boroughe and to preserve their Inherytaunces & therefore they would not have yt sayd in future tyme that they were the men which gave way to the vndoeing of the towne. tellyng M^r Combe that all the 3. fires were not soe great a losse to the towne as the Inclosure wolde be.

[marginal note against this entry] 3 fires not so great as the Inclosure wold be

3. Apr. ex relacione M^ris Reynolds to my wif. Thomas Combe yesterday being Palmsunday payd to M^ris Mary Nashe xxx^li part of the l^li which she was to have for her good will to depart with her estate:

5 7· Apr. being goodfryday M^r Barker commyng to the Colledge to M^r Thomas Combe about a debt he stood surety for M^ris Quyney he William Combe willed his brother to shewe M^r Barker noe favour & threatned that him that he should be served vpp to London within a ffortnight. (and so yt fell out:

8. Apr. being Saterday Thomas Combe payeing me the half yeres rent for the tythes in my garden told me there would be noe inclosure that went not on. on.

12 Apr M^r P[Parsons?] recityng to Thomas Rogers his being beaten at his house.

10 Apr M^r B[arker?] his mencionyng of Thomas Combe his kickyng & beatyng his sheppard at Meons demandyng his wages.

19 Apr. William Combe rayled at Laurence Wheeler & Lewes Hiccox for plougheing within the intended in closure vt ait M^r Barker M^ris Reynolds.

20 Apr. they & M^r an Nashe & many other tenantes as is sayd ploughed there vpon their owne Land, with .which William Combe was very angry.

[BRU 15/13/29 verso]

Vpon the moweing of Welcombe Medowe M^r William Combe opphis eatyng vpp the grasse thereof which hadd wont to be preserved vntill Michaelmas to help their wheat soweing.

25 Julii. Commyng from Glouc[ester] [?] Peter Rosewell nere Marston told me that William Combe hadd sent Sir Edward Greville a fatt wether & ment to vse Sir Ar Edward Greville: favour to Sir Arthur Ingram to buy the Royalty of old Stratford for M^r Combe for better furthryng his enclosure & to end the difference between Peter Roswell & him.

26 William Combe & Thomas Combe rod to Mylcott to Sir Arthur Ingram to Mylcott :

Easter terme his payeing for 2 bylles
one agaynst Hiccox [?] Replingham the other . agaynst M^r Barker [?] Browne.

William Combe payd for the wrytyng of the bylles & for draweing them & soe M^r Dastons man told Edmund Rawlyngs.

8 Augusti Sir Henry Smyth & others their puttyng vpp the peticion for eatyng vpp Welcomb Welcombe medowe w[i]th sheepe.

1615 Sept  William Shakspeares tellyng John Greene that I 

14 Aug M^r Barker dyed. was not able to he beare the enclosemge of Welcombe

5. Sept. his sendyng James for the executours of M^r Barker concerning to agree as ys sayd with them for M^r Barkers inf interest.

10 Sept M^r William Barnes told his vncle in my hearyng at Clyfford that M^r Combe hadd bought their interest & gave them x^s in earnest & was to pay xl^li

12 Sept. ffrancis Boice & John Samwell at my house told me of M^r William Combe syttyng at his. being appoynted to look of be taken of him by holder 6^d & of John Yate iiii^d for their pyggs before they could have them forth of the pownde & howe that ffrancis Aynge was dryven to sue a Replevyn:

16. Sept. 1615 Sir Henry Raynsford repeated to me howe that he hadd told M^r John Nashe howe that M^r William Combes best way was to agree with me & that M^r William Combe therevppon se went to Sir Henry & thanked him for his kyndnes therein & told Sir Henry that he would gyve me satisfaccion so as I would procure the townes consent & that M^r Combe told him that Henry Smyth would lett him have the his Land lying within the enclosure the Towne being compounded witha withall & that Arthur Cawdrey answered him that he would never consent without the. Towne & that he hadd a house & other things more profitable to him them th his Land was: & that he hadd rather loose his Land then loose their goodwilles & Sir Henry also nowe told me that Peter Rosewell hadd spoken with him & then within this few dayes & told him that thoughe M^r Combe have bene at Mylcott yet he shalbe sure never to have any royalty there & that he would sue M^r William Combe in accions of trespas vpon trouer for carryeing away his Corne and will alsoe sue Thomas Combe vpon a bond of xl^li 400^li for that he enjoyeth not the doales there but hadd his Corne soe carrydd away & will sue William Combe in the Starre Chamber for ryotts & alsoe seek relief in equity against M^ris Hyatt: & fyn .& told Sir Henry Raynsford that Sir Edward Greville would stick to him: & that Sir Arthur Ingram would goe was gone into the North with Riche merchants & would perhapps sell there & buy all the Royalties at Stratford: & my answer touchyng my self was that seeing my advantage touching, M^r Manwayryng I would be gladd to see what composicion in reddy money he would offer me for otherwise I would not deale with him. Sir Henry alsoe told me howe M^r Combe sayd he should dymys dymynyshe my tythes . 30^s. per annum there. by the [?] harrowing of his ground at Ingon :

[marginal notes against this entry] Arthur Cawdrys speeche.

William Combe his Ryotts about Peter Rosewell his Corne.

Dimynish my tyethes 30^s per annum

21. Sept. M^r Collyns told M^r R G [?] that William Combe would have a Commission of Concealments & then gett a yere of the come & sayd questyons whether the yeres tythes did passe the rents payd in lieue of Tythes.

22. Sept. 1615. Sir Henry Raynsford told me that M^r Combe hadd spoken with him & sayd he would not agree with me vnles he agreed with all the rest & that he sayed he would ly down lay downe all his Land to pasture nowe & at 2 yeres end yt would yeld him as much proffyt as otherwise & that he would plough at Ryon & by that meanes he might lay down his land in the Common ffyelds.

[marginal note against this entry] ploweing at Ryon Clyfford

28 Sept. M^r Nashe & Thomas Greene offryng the tax for the poore to M^r Combe he woId not signe yt vnles I might be as much as himself as x^s on a mark or thereabouts: & then R G told me of his quarrellyng with Thomas Greenes man about diggyng clay in the wastes

.6. Octobris. T Lucas his being at the Hall about his money.

[marginal note against this entry] Wastes

[BRU 15/13/28 recto]

14 Decembris . 1615. M^r ffrancys Smyth senior at the Hall told me that M^r Thomas Combe within a fewe dayes before told him that his brother would plowe this yere for his good but next yere would lay yt downe to spyte me.

The same day there M^r Baker told me that they questyoned my Lord Cheif Justices authority to make any such order as was made there being nothyng dependyng before him.

19. Dec. 1615. poore blynd Hiccox dryven to gett a replevyn of M^r Collyns for replevyeing cattle his milch cattle taken by the Heyward in other mens corne. the highe Sheryff denyeing yt him for 4 or 5 dayes.

26. Dec. 1615 T L his raylynge vpon & beatynge J Courte:

21 Febr 1615. agreed and entred in the book at a hall that the enclosure should be made a Towne cause & be the charges be defrayed out of the towne revenewes.

[marginal note against this entry] to sett downe the procedyngs about shewyng the dyggers the Coppy of my Lord’s order & their Answere abour M^r Thomas Combe & the highe Sheryff

24 febr. 1615. the Highe Sheryff & M^r Thomas Combe at the bridge end toward the woodyard told being told by M^r Baker that he marveyled he would contrary to my Lords order enclose and digg in the Common. they answered they hoped my Lord could not hynder them for wi men for doeing with their owne as they pleased. & that the dytch was mad but to save their M^r Sheryff his Corne, sayeing they had gyven [money?] to my Lord's gentlemen to work my Lord & that was no good ymployment of their towne revenewes.

27. ffebr. M^r Sheryff sayd that which was done was was done agaynst his will & yet on ffryday .1. Marcii M^r Baylyff M^r Alderman myself M^r Walford M^r Henry Chandler M^r Henry Smyth ffrancis Boice & Richard Hasler went to see the Inclosure (ffrancis Bois & Richard Haseler being gone to the lower end) one John Terry Thomas Hiccox William Whitehead & Michaell Pigeon were in fynyshyng the enclosure consystyng of 27 ridges acres length a peece & 3 headlands those fellowes sayd that yt was true that M^r Thomas Combe & Boughton did (in M^r Sheryffs absence at London) warrant them & they would defend them & that M^r Highe Sheryff did nowe sett hi them on worke & badd them take noe discharge at any mans hands whoesoever & he would see they should take noe harm.

28 febr. coram magistro Gybbard W Webbe Morrell sayd told me in my study that M^r Sheryff before Valentine Tant sayd to him yf he were not out of authority he would send him to the Gaole & havyng dyvers tymes ympounded his shepe. badd him tell my Lord Cooke that he would for euery seuerall trespass have a seuerall accion agaynst him. & for every vi^d dammage wold recover agaynst him vi^li

[marginal note against this entry] William Morrell alias Webbe

.2. Marcii. 1615. M^r Chandlers man Richard Ward went to the place where they were dyggyng & Stephen Sly John Terry Thomas Hiccox William Whitehead & Michaell Pigeon assalted him soe as he could not proceede with throweing downe the dytches & Sly sayd yf the best in Stratford came were there to throwe yt downe he wold bury his head in the bottom of the dytche:

[marginal note against this entry] query plus

.3. Marcii, 1615. Sir Henry Raynsford at Clyfford told me of M^r William Combes tellyng him that he was to pay my Lord lx^li per annum for xxi yeres for the Land he sold my Lord & hadd the my lords barne into the bargayne.

[marginal note against this entry] barne

[BRU 15/13/28 verso]

At Warwick Assises in Lent 1615 & 1616 my Lord Chief Justice willed him to sett his heart at rest he should neyther enclose nor lay downe any earrable nor plowe any greenswar auncient greensward.

Wednesday in Easter weeke the Company aftir some speeches at the Colledge with M^r Sheryff caused their answere to be entred in the booke viz. they desired his goodwill but would euer withstand any enclosure.

10 Apr. 1616 at Welcombe he M^r Highe Sheryff told my brother he was out of hope ever to enclose & sayd M^r Reynolds should have his Articles agayne as soone as he could fynd vpp the same.

[marginal note against this entry] J. Greene remember the times of his proposiciones in wrytyng at the Hall & his their Answere thereto.

4 Sept. 1616. M^r Henry Smyth told me That M^r Sheryff said he wold distreyne their Cattle & they should not have them replevyned vnles they sued a replevyn from London & by reason therof there did forbeare to putt in their Cattle.

5 Sept. 1616. M^r Hall told me of G Bonner sayeing what he would do to Lucas & that M^r Sheryff sayd Lucas could not be an honest man for he hadd noe religion in him.

About 8 Sept. Thomas Combe & Valentine Tant upon fightyeng at Bishopton?

The sheryffs lyeing in the dytches a fyeld to keep other men's sheep forth of Welcombe Meadowe.

19 februarii. 1616, his meetyng commyng downe to M^r Bayly & vs & sayeing yt is true it is a wronge to dygg vpon the greensward but a Judge of Assise would gyve but small damages & that yf yt should not be layed downe all this styrre would not bee. M^r Chandler & alii We come for our Comon & that is this [? arrainged] by dyggyng on the g greensward, Combe to the dyggers Maysters goe on with your busynes I will beare you out thoughe yt cost me 500^li: 

He sayeth one accion & nee more for dyggynge, & on yeres punyshment for layeinge downe & noe more for ever.

[marginal note against this entry] M^r Baker