Examined to the first and second interrogatories saith that about Michaelmas last… thinketh in Middlewich wakes week this examinate George Partington… death of the said William Smalewood; the said William Smalewood and divers others now dwelling in Middlewich, were sitting making merry in the house of John Fovell in Middlewich aforesaid, and that there came into their company into the said house one Platt whose company they like not, and sat him down in the chimney side by the said… with minstrel's fellowship this examinate and most of the rest of the company… minding to have him leave their company: they did determine to laugh him [out of their] company: but yet he the said Platt departed not out of the house until one… did quarrel with him, and this examinate and the residue of the company caused him to… and put him forth: And further this examinate saith that this examinate was told… this examinate doth not now remember) that George Partington aforesaid should say that [the reason] the said Platt did not got forth of the house at first was because William Smalewood had bidden him stay in despite of any of them: upon which report this examinate did [ask] Smalewood whether he had so said or no, this examinate not believing the said William Platt, because this examinate was brother-in-law to the said William Smalewood and divers… company then in the said Fovell's house were kinsmen and near friends to the said [William Smalewood] whom he this examinate thinking the said William Smalewood would not have abused… Smalewood did utterly deny to this examinate that ever he had so bidden the said [Platt]… to him to that effect. And further saith that nor long after, the said… examinate did in the churchyard of Middlewich aforesaid meet with the said [George Partington, in his] company Thomas Bersonon of Middlewich son of Randle Vernon… them did sit down upon the Bench at the side of the church porch… Smalewood and this examinate did ask the said George Partington whether [he had said] William Smalewood should bid the said Platt stay in Fovell's house at the time of them that were there, and why he had so said, But the said George [Partington]… he had ever so reported by the said William Smalewood: and as then… between the all four, and they fell out: but who gave ill words first [this examinate cannot] remember. And further saith that this examinate's father and the father… of kindred this examinate's father did commanded this examinate that he should have… of Vernon’s and this examinate further saith he heath heard that Randle Vernon father [of] Thomas Vernon should give to the said Thomas the like commandment.
Depositions & Examinations
ZQSE 6/1
CRO
Murder
1600
Chester, Cheshire, England
Plaintiff
William Smalewood
male
Middlewich, Cheshire, England
Defendant
Thomas Croxton
male
25
Gentleman
Middlewich, Cheshire, England
Event
Falling out arising from an intrusion into company
September 1599
Middlewich, Cheshire, England
Components
Commercial hospitality
Inferred
Company and drinking groups: male
Making merry
Intrusion into company
Laughter, mocking, derision
Arguments
Fights and violence
Shaming
Unfit for company
Alcohol | Unspecified
Setting
Alehouse
Location of Event
Inferred
Statement
February 1600
Thomas Croxton