Have you heard the said Jane Hartley heretofore scold and use very railing and reviling speeches against Margaret Higgin wife of John Higgin joiner, as calling of her whore, Meg musk-cow, Meg many buttocks, pressed nose and such like. And what like words of abuse have you heard her use and speak touching the said Margaret Higgin… Do you know that the said Jane upon a market day in this City came to the said John Higgin in his shop and there railed upon his wife and told him the she was nought that she undid him and would make him a beggar, and that she was a drunken queane and spent his money at drink, and was the same in such outrageous manner that the market folks flocked about her or what words did she use… Have you heard… untruly and falsely… a report that the said Margaret Higgin being put in trust of the said Richard Werden to buy meat for his house did deceive him, and kept he house with his money and sit with her quarter of lamb when he sat with a breast of mutton of 3d or 4d… Doe you know that in Whitsun Week last or at at any other time… that the said Jane came to [Dorothy Werden's] door, and in very unquiet and scolding manner said to the said Dorothy these or the like words following viz Good Lord, I hear thee… thou art so proud that all the town talk of thee, and thy brother's a drunken lad, call out thy mother and I will fill her mouth full.
Depositions & Examinations
ZQSE 8/23
CRO
Slander / Sedition
1609
Chester, Cheshire, England
Plaintiffs
Jane Hartley
female
Chester, Cheshire, England
Dorothy Werden
female
Chester, Cheshire, England
Defendant
Margaret Higgin
female
Spouse
John Higgin
male
Joiner
Chester, Cheshire, England
Event
Margaret Higgin abused as a drunkard
1609
Chester, Cheshire, England
Components
Verbal abuse
Drunkenness as an insult against women by women
Wasting resources
Mentioned Only
Drunkenness and excessive consumption
Mentioned Only
Alcohol | Unspecified
Setting
Shop
Event
Dorothy Werden's brother abused as a drunkard
May 1609
Chester, Cheshire, England
Components
Verbal abuse
Gossip and slander
Drunkenness as an insult against men by women
Drunkenness and excessive consumption
Mentioned Only
Alcohol | Unspecified
Setting
Household > Doorway
Location of Event
Statement
1609
Jane Hartley