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This deponent being in the house of Hester Thorpe in the parish of St Michael Muskball in Norwich where William Browne was then, it being a little before Easter last... William Browne being in company drinking he took a glass of wine and said (speaking to Hester Thorpe) here unto you, you whore, which words Browne uttered in an abusive manner on purpose to disgrace... Hester in the presence of this deponent, Mr Wigget and Mr Brewster and no more to his remembrance... The good name and report of Hester is blemished and she is hindered in her profession (she keeping a tavern) thereby in St Michael Muskball aforesaid, of which parish she is... Browne is of the City of Norwich.
Within the time libellate... he this deponent was at the house of the articulate Thorpe, the wife of Mr Thorpe living in the Mermaid Tavern together with one John Wigget, William Wyet and Browne drinking a pint of wine together, Browne then having a glass of wine in his hand, said (not speaking to Thorpe so far as this deponent did perceive), you whore, here is to you, Thorpe sitting by said by way of reply, I will make you pay for it, Browne replied again that he did not drink to her, then Wyat said to Thorp that Browne had drank to him so or after that manner several times, which words were spoken in the presence of this deponent and the persons above mentioned.
He this deponent being at the Sign of the Mermaid in Norwich where Hester Thorpe now dwelleth and so did dwell in the time articulate (he this deponent being in the company of Browne, then with others in a lower room of the house, and calling for a pint of wine, Hester Thorpe came into the same room and drank with them in company, this deponent being one, and Browne with Benjamin Brewster and some others, and they drinking one to the other, William Browne sitting on one side of the table and Thorpe sitting on the other side of the table, Browne said (not speaking as this deponent did conceive to Thorpe, but pulling his hat over his eyes) said, here to you whore, whereupon she the articulate Thorpe flying out in anger, said, do you, Browne, call me whore, no, said Browne, I did not mean you when I spoke those words, whereupon one in the company named Ebbis as this deponent remembreth answered, that Browne had drank to him in the like words twenty times, which words were spoken as he this deponent believeth not in anger or discontent or with a purpose to defame Thorpe, but only in merriment in the presence of this deponent and Benjamin Brewster and the parties aforesaid.