![*](images/icon-portbooks.png)
Examined upon what occasion he had to this City upon Saturday the 11th of December last past saith upon certain business to speak with Mr John Golburne of Horton with whom then he was and ended his business and saith he came a foot this this City then with a staff in his hand: and saith at afternoon he chanced to meet about the Eastgate with George Bostock and Mr Masterson whom he asked when they would go whom that this examinate might go with them and they answered that they would go drink a pint of wine and then would go whom and so saith that they and this examinate went into Thomas More’s cellar and there drank together and saith that as this examinate and the said… Masterson and Thomas Bostock were going up the north stairs of the said tavern they met upon that stairs with Baker Clough Johnson and Edward Aldcross coming down the same where this examinate heard the said… Bostock and Masterson say how now… is not upon the stairs room enough for us all wherewith saith he heard Baker say to Masterson though art an arrant [buntbate?] with great oaths and durst not meddle with any man and to this saith Masterson answered that he was a man as well as he was and durst meddle with a man as well as he durst and said thou speaks of one as thou art thyself with many other words… And saith all this while there was no blow or offer of blow between them. And saith that Edward Aldcross then and there called the said Masterson to him as it were pulled him towards him and said knowest thou not… to whom the said Masterson answered he knew him well and asked what he would have and therewith saith Aldcross would have [wounded?] with Masterson and then George Bostock said away away… and saith that after this the said George Bostock went to the said Aldcross and said Aldcross I have heard that thou art a good fellow and person content thyself and if you be well hold thyself well and saith that with this this examinate went up into the said tavern in company of the said George Bostock Masterson and Thomas Bostock and sat down drinking and saith whilst they were thus drinking Mr Ralph Byrne of Tarvin and Thomas Allegh who as seemed to this examinate were before drinking in company of Baker Clough Johnson and Aldcross came to this examinate and his said company and saith that then the same Mr Byrne seemed to persuade the said George Bostock not to go down but saith the said George Bostock would not be persuaded but went down and this examinate and all the rest there drinking… and after that this examinate was come down the stairs he saw at Mr Green’s door a great company together fighting but who began this examinate knoweth not… examined who they were that this examinate saw fighting saith Baker and George Bostock with their swords and daggers and Thomas Bostock and Johnson fighting together as this examinate supposeth and saith that herewith this examinate came to the next cutler’s shop and took thence a rapier and went amongst the company and hearing the said Mr George Bostock say his sword was broken this examinate did step in and took part.
Examined upon what occasion he came to this City upon Saturday last and in whose company saith to provide necessaries he came to this City and in company of Mr George Bostock Masterson and a tailor… fellow without any weapon saving a little staff… and examined what he heard touching speeches passed between Bromwall and Johnson: saith about noon he heard there hard speeches between them as such time as this examinate was standing at Mr More’s tavern door and saith that then Robert Carrington came to this examinate and bade this examinate take heed to himself for that he saw Johnson in town and also that Johnson pointed at this examinate wherewith this examinate and Masterson went to the Cutler’s shop and bought either of them a sword in company of Mr George Bostock having a sword also... Examined whether he heard or knew that Johnson and Mr Alm’s men Baker and Clough were in More’s tavern saith he knew not neither heard the same… Examined whether he, Mr George Bostock and Masterson being at the cutler’s shop determined to go up into Mercer’s tavern saith they did to seek for John Golborne and others his fellows and saith thence from the cutler’s shop they went up the north stairs into the Cellar Tavern and going up saith they met Baker Johnson Clough and Edward Aldcross and an Irishman upon the stairs and there saith Baker thrust or jostled at Mr George Bostock and further saith as Masterson hath heard what happened between them upon the stairs and saith being in the tavern they heard that there was affray in the street wherewith this examinate Mr George Bostock and the rest would have come down but saith Mr Ralph Byrne stayed them a while at the door and requested them to stand with him and that Mr George Bostock said they would go down and he went down and saith when this examinate was going down he saw the two going towards the sign of the White Horse in the street and saw also Johnson and Baker fighting in the Eastgate and did set upon Mastersion at the first and Mr George Bostock and this examinate did strike also… at Johnson.
Examined touching the said affray and his repair to this City upon Saturday last: saith he upon Saturday last came to this City upon his necessary affairs without any weapon in company of Mr George Bostock Thomas Bostock which George Bostock left his sword at Mr Robert Wall’s (this examinate not knowing any of Mr Alm’s men to be in this City) and saith after this examinate’s being in town this examinate was sent for into a tavern to his fellow Humfrey Bromwall at whose coming together the same Humfrey declared to this examinate divers matters which have passed between Mr Alm Mr Gerrard and their men and Bromwall and others and in conclusion said all those matters were well ended and saith that this examinate afterwards and his company went to drink to Mr John Hanky’s and as he and the rest were coming up the street and in coming up saw the head of Mr Baker in Thornley’s house and saith also that this examinate’s fellow Carison told this examinate that Mr Alm’s men were in town and pretended some mischief and saith also that he this examinate being in the street saw Johnson cross the street from Baker and Clough to make to Humfrey Bromwall wherewith this examinate doubted there was some what meant: went to the cutler’s shop in company of his fellow Thomas Bostock and bought there either of them swords and Mr George Bostock went for his sword at Mr Robert Wall’s and so they met at the cutler’s all together and after his coming he this examinate George Bostock and others Bostock were going up into More’s tavern and saith three or four steps upon the stairs they they met by chance with Baker Clough Johnson and Edward Alcross and another… where he heard Mr George Bostock say the stairs were wide enough for them all, and the reason he supposeth that there was some shouldering between Mr George Bostock and Baker and saith that he this examinate then (putting Mr George Bostock before him) said Cousin Baker these dealings are not honest nor like and therefore said if you have any quarrel to any there choose the persons and the place that was to their most credit and saith that then Baker said this examinate was a trying fellow and a [brewed bate?]… and that this examinate durst not look any man in the face and so saith this examinate passed by and saith after this examinate’s departure this examinate heard heard Baker say Meeting Thomas Bostock Masterson is a coward and all the rest no body… And saith that as this examinate Mr George Bostock Mr Thomas Bostock Mr John Hough were drinking in the tavern they heard that some were fighting below in the street wherewith they all came out and drew their weapons and when this examinate first came out he saw Mr John Golborne high in the street and turning towards the Eastgate then saw ready with their weapons drawn Baker Johnson Aldcross and Clough and then and there saith he heard Baker speak to Mr George Bostock and bade him come to him and therewith saith this examinate Mr Bostock and others smote at Baker and Johnson and saith this examinate first did set upon or strike at Baker and further cannot declare of certain knowledge.