Equity Suits: Chancery


Equity suits, or civil litigation (law suits between two parties) makes up a large part of the TNA's holdings at Kew. The main equity court was the Chancery, where the Chancellor acted as the King's deputy.

The equity side of the Court of Chancery handled an enormous amount of business, dealing with disputes over inheritance, lands, debts, marriage settlements, etc. It functioned from the 14th century until 1873, when all equity jurisdiction passed to the Chancery Division of the Supreme Court of Judicature. The equity jurisdiction of the Exchequer Court ran from the mid sixteen century to 1841, when it was taken over by the Chancery.

Litigants had to satisfy the Court that their claims were just, and in many cases, particulary in those concerning land, the evidence they presented to the Court demonstrated relationships, and land transfers, going back, sometimes, for several generations.

In contrast to the common law courts, the amount of detail given in equity cases is almost overwhelming. The records abound in vivid sketches of daily life, particularly of disputes among families: they are also in English.

All the Bubwith references below came from the TNA Catalogue.

Reference
Details
Date
C 1/10/19
John, son of William of Gunby, of Bubwith. v. Robert of Yarm (Yarome). Lands, &c. enfeoffed by the said William.
1432-1443, possibly 1467-1470
C 1/1175/69-70
Christopher Bylbrughe v. Robert Freman, Peter Bylbrughe, and Agnes his wife.: Messuages and land in Wressel and Breighton, late of John Bylbrughe, deceased, brother of complainant.: YORK.
1544-1551
C 1/1488/35
-- v. Robert Rose, esquire. Crown lease of the castle and manor of Whorlton, the manor of Breighton, and the reversion of the manor of Greenhow, formerly in dispute between defendant and William lord Dacre and his sons.
1556-1558
C 1/15/193
Richard Gunby, gent., of Bubwith, Richard Kyllyngbek, of York, and Thomas Hertford, executors of William Yarum, merchant, of York. v. William Clyff. Fraudulently inducing the said Richard Kyllyngbek to sign a release concerning the goods of the said testator.
1443-1450, possibly 1455-1456
C 1/16/289
Robert Laudesdale and Agnes his wife. v. Richard Gunby of Bukworth, Thomas Hertford and Katherine Yarome, feoffees of William Yarome. Messuage, &c. in the suburbs of York City.
1407-1456
C 1/387/42
The abbot and convent of Byland. v. Robert Blanchard. Detention of deeds relating to the parsonage of Bubwith, and rent in Foggathorpe.
1515-1518
C 1/576/69
John Scothorp and Beatrix, his wife, daughter and heir of Margaret, wife of Thomas Bilburgh. v. Elizabeth Bilburgh, widow. Detention of deeds relating to messuages and lands in Wressell and Breighton.
1518-1529
C 1/710/22
John Skowthorpe and Beatrix, his wife, daughter of Thomas, son of Robert Bilbrughe. v. Elizabeth Bilbrughe, stepmother of the said Beatrix, and John, her son. Detention of deeds relating to lands in Wressle and Breighton.
1532-1538
C 1/835/45
John, grandson and heir of John Knight. v. Thomas Johnson, knight. Messuage and land in Bubwith.
1533-1538
C 10/118/1
Richard Aske v John Rushworth. Escrick and Bubwith.
1670
C 10/4/143
William Plaxton and Beatrice his wife v. Sir George Butler, personal estate of Henry Aikeroyde , deceased, of Foggathorpe.
1649
C 10/92/2
Jane Allan, widow v. John Skipwith, Thomas Allan, Peter Allan, William Allan and Thomas Chapman, personal estate of Robert Allan, deceased, of Spaldington.
1661
C 104/253
Haldenby v Spofforth. Affidavit (with certification of deposit) of Thomas Musgrave of Foggathorpe in the parish of Bubwith.
1817-1842
C 104/253
Haldenby v Spofforth. Mortgage by lease and release of Robert Spofforth, the younger, and John Peirson, both of Howden, Yorks, and Gervase Seaton of Redness in the parish of Whitgift, executors of the will of Robert Haldenby of Redness, deceased, to Thomas Musgrave of Foggathorpe of property in Redness (marked A and B).
1817-1842
C 112/27
Three boxes of papers mainly concerning the tithes of Bubwith and Spaldington, Yorkshire, with correspondence, account books, bills, etc. Copies of cause papers and various Lowther family leases.
c.1610-1749
C 112/28
Three boxes of papers mainly concerning the tithes of Bubwith and Spaldington, Yorkshire, with correspondence, account books, bills, etc. Copies of cause papers and various Lowther family leases.
c.1610-1749
C 112/29
Three boxes of papers mainly concerning the tithes of Bubwith and Spaldington, Yorkshire, with correspondence, account books, bills, etc. Copies of cause papers and various Lowther family leases.
c.1610-1749
C 132/16/9
Robert son of Thomas De Craystok. Yorkshire: Burnholme, Millington, Grimthorpe,Waplington, Seaton, Folkton, Flixton, Spaldington, Thorp-le-Street. Cumberland: Greystoke manor, Grasmere, Blencow, Stainton, Watermillock, Sparkhead, Ychakwehelytte (?) Eskheved, Thornythwaite, Airey, Longthwaite, Graystoke forest, Graystoke church, Dacre, Soulby, Dalemain, Stainton, Hutton manor, Auneby, Newbiggin, Gill.
1254
C 135/257/4
Thomas del Hay of Spaldyngton (Spaldington) Yorkshire (East Riding) (writ of precipimus)
50 Edw III
C 135/259/10
Peter, son and heir of Thomas del Hay, of Spaldington: Yorkshire (East Riding), proof of age
50 Edw III
C 143/127/5
Hugh son of John atte Yate of Mytton to grant a messuage and land in Mytton to the abbot and convent of St. Mary's, York. York. Thomas le Yonge of Mytton to grant land in Mytton to the same. York. William de Walton to grant a messuage in Poppleton to the same. York. Henry de Rillington to grant land in Bootham to the same. York. William de Brampton to grant land in Foggathorpe to the same. York. Simon de Kyme to grant a messuage and land in Newton in the Willows to the same. York. The said abbot and convent to have land in Bootham bequeathed by Henry Gruscy. York.
10 EDWARD II.
C 143/292/15
John del Flete of Bubwith to grant the manor of Waxholme, with a messuage, mill, and land in Preston in Holderness to the prior and convent of Warter, retaining a messuage and land in Tunstall, Sutton, and Bubwith, and pasture in Drypool.
23 EDWARD III.
C 143/432/9
Walter, bishop of Durham, Richard Holme, clerk, and Peter del Haye to grant messuages and land in South Skirlaugh and Thirtleby (Thurkilby) to the prioress and convent of Swine, retaining land in Bubwith and elsewhere.
3 HENRY IV.
C 143/440/4
Thomas de Brakenholme, clerk, John de Folkerthorpe, chaplain, John de Skipwhith of Willitoft, William son of Thomas Smyth of Lathum, and Alan de Laxton to grant a messuage and land in Laxton to a chaplain in the chapel of St. John the Evangelist there.
10 HENRY IV.
C 143/47/17
The abbot and convent of Selby to retain a messuage, rent, and land in Gunby and Brighton (York) acquired of William de Tadcaster and William de Thornetoft; in Amcotts (Lincoln) acquired of Margaret de Cruli and Ralph de Scotton; in Eastoft (Lincoln) acquired of William de Esttoft; and in Foggathorpe (York) acquired of Alice daughter of Thomas de Gunneby.
32 EDWARD I.
C 241/109/86
Debtor: Thomas de Furnivall of Sheffield [ Strafforth Wapentake, W.R., and of the barony of Hallamshire, W.R., Yorks.], knight.        Creditor: Nicholas de Wortlay, knight [held part of Bubwith, Harthill Wapentake, E.R.Yorks]. Amount: £120.
1337 Oct 15
C 241/115/23
Debtor: Robert, the son of Thomas de Skirpenbeck of Foggathorpe [Harthill Wapentake, E.R.Yorks] Edmund, called de Pot Ho, and Henry, the son of Robert de Middleton of Full Sutton [Harthill Wapentake, E.R., Yorks.].  Creditor: Walter de Kelstern, citizen and merchant of York.
1342 Nov 20
C 241/126/183
Debtor: Robert de Skirpenbeck of Foggathorpe {Folkerthorp} [Harthill Wapentake, E.R., Yorks.], Edmund de Pothow of Foggathorpe, and John, the son of Henry, the son of Robert de Full Sutton [Harthill Wapentake, E.R., Yorks.]. Creditor: Walter de Kelstern, citizen and merchant of York.
1347 Nov 19
C 241/13/115
Debtor: Thomas de Gunby {Guneby} [E.R., Yorks.], knight. Creditor: Nicholas de Langton [citizen and merchant of York]. Amount: £4 10s., for cloth.
1291 Jun 20
C 241/139/13
Debtor: Robert Boseville of Cavil [Howdenshire Liberty, E.R., Yorks.], and Thomas Boseville of Cavil. Creditor: John del Haye of Spaldington [Harthill Wapentake, E.R., Yorks.]. Amount: £40.
1359 Jan 4
C 241/139/194
Debtor: Joan, who was the wife of Thomas de Bossall [of Yorks.], and Joan, who was the wife of William de Grimsby of York. Creditor: John, the son of Peter de la Haye of Spaldington [Harthill Wapentake, E.R., Yorks.] . Amount: £13 6s. 8d.
1360 Jan 8
C 241/149/103
Debtor: Edmund de Pothow of Foggathorpe {Folkerthorp} [Harthill Wapentake, E.R., Yorks.], and Robert, the son of Thomas de Skirpenbeck of Foggathorpe. Creditor: Walter de Easingwold, clerk [deceased, of York]. Amount: £40
1368 Oct 18
C 241/15/21
Debtor: Thomas de Gunby, knight [of Yorks]. Creditor: Nicholas de Langton [citizen and ] merchant of York. Amount: £12 16s. 8d., for cloth.
1291 Jun 19
C 241/157/58
Debtor: Richard del Pole of Bubwith [Harthill Wapentake, E.R., Yorks.]. Creditor: William de Aldbrough {Aldeburgh}, [Holderness Wapentake, E.R., Yorks.] knight.        Amount: 100m.
1375 Oct 22
C 241/159/37
Debtor: Thomas de Burton of Ingerthorpe {Ingthorpe} [Ripon Liberty, Claro Wapentake, W.R.Yorks]. Creditor: Agnes de Swale, now the wife of John Mauleverer, knight [held part of a fee in Spaldington, Harthill Wapentake]. Amount: £26 13s. 4d.
1377 Apr 10
C 241/180/138
Debtor: William Bekard, lord of Belby {Beleby} [Howdenshire Liberty, E.R.Yorks], and Richard Mustrell of Bubwith [Harthill Wapentake, E.R.Yorks]. Creditor: William Ellis, knight, and Richard Basy of Bilbrough {Bilburgh} [Ainsty Wapetake, W.R.
1391 Jun 12
C 241/181/93
Debtor: Richard atte Pole of Bubwith of Yorks [Harthill Wapentake, E.R., Yorks.]. Creditor: Thomas de Foggathorpe {Folkerthorp}, clerk [of Lincs]        Amount: £30.
1392 Jun 28
C 241/194/52
Debtor: John Grarygg' chaplain. Creditor: John de Harlthorpe, skinner of York. Amount: £3 4d.
1403 Oct 23
C 241/23/64
Debtor: Thomas de Gunby, knight. [E.R., Yorks]. Creditor: Henry Bartholomew [of Yorks]        Amount: 30 qrs of oats, at 2s. a qr.
1293 Mar 14
C 241/25/119
Debtor: Nicholas de Wortlay {Worteley} [held land in Bubwith, Harthill Wapentake, E. R. Yorks.], and Thomas de Darton {Derton'} [of Yorks.]. Creditor: Rayner Sperry [citizen and merchant of York]. Amount: £9 10s.
1294 Jun 22
C 241/25/129
Debtor: Thomas de Gunby, knight [held Gunby in Bubwith, Harthill Wapentake, E. R. Yorks] and Roger his son. Creditor: Nicholas de Langton [citizen and merchant of York]. Amount: £4 3s. 4d.
1294 May 3
C 241/25/159
Debtor: William de Bubwith, and Nicholas de Bubwith. Creditor: Stephen atte Boghe of York. Amount: 22s.
1294 May 10
C 241/25/172
Debtor: Thomas de Gunby, knight. . Creditor: Nicholas de Langton [citizen and merchant of York]. Amount: £12 16s. 8d., for cloth.
1294 Aug 3
C 241/26/50
Debtor: Germanus de Hay [knight, of Spaldington and Seaton Ross, Harthill Wapentake, E.R.Yorks]. Creditor: Peter de Appleby [citizen and merchant of York] lately deceased. Amount: 22s. 8d
1294 Apr 23
C 241/28/67
Debtor: Thomas de Gunby [of Yorks]. Creditor: John de Potto {Pothowe} [Langbargh Wapentake, N.R.,Yorks.].        Amount: 10m.
1295 Oct 5
C 241/32/102
Debtor: James de Milington [held part of Foggathorpe and Latham in Harthill Wapentake, E.R.Yorks]. Creditor: Thomas Hogge, of Allerthorpe [Harthill Wapentake, E.R.Yorks]. Amount: 5m.
1298 Jul 3
C 241/32/131
Debtor: German de Hay, knight [held lands in Ackton, Huggate, and Seaton Ross in Harthill Wapentake, E.R]. Creditor: Walter de Bubwith [of Bubwith, Harthill Wapentake, E.R.]. Amount: 5m.
1298 Jun 12
C 241/55/157
Debtor: Robert, son of Walter de Bubwith {Bubbewyth} [of Bubwith, Harthill Wapentake, E.R., Yorks.]. Creditor: Walter Gower [citizen and merchant] of York. Amount: 20 st. of wool, at 4s. a st.
1307 Nov 17
C 241/65/198
Debtor: Germanus de Hay, knight [held land in Spaldington, and Seaton Ross, Harthill Wapentake, E.R.Yorks]. Creditor: Walter de Bubwith [held land in Aughton, Harthill Wapentake, and Bubwith cum Harlthorpe, both in Harthill Wapentake, E.R]. Amount: 5m.
1309 Nov 4
C 241/70/160
Debtor: James de Bosevyle [held part of Spaldington in Harthill Wapentake, E.R.Yorks]. Creditor: Roger de Rufton of York. Amount: 40 qrs of oats, worth 4s. a qr.
1310 Nov 28
C 241/70/169
Debtor: James de Bosevyle [held part of Spaldington in Harthill Wapentake, E.R.Yorks]. Creditor: John, the son of Ivo de Gra of York. Amount: 40 qrs. of oats worth 4s. a qr.
1310 Nov 23
C 241/84/103
Debtor: Philip de Milington, and James de Milington, his brother [James held part of Foggathorpe and Latham in Harthill Wapentake, E.R.Yorks]. Creditor: Master Robert de Scarborough [Dean of York Minster]. Amount: 2 sacks of wool, good, clean, salable, worth 9m.
1318 Aug 16