File Clenennau letters and papers 305 [RESTRICTED ACCESS] - Andrew Brereton to Sir William Moris, kt, one of the lieutenants of Caernarfonshire,

About 1 Feb., Mr Moris, vicar of Llanbeblig and Caernarvon, in William Moris's name and his own, commenced a suit in Bangor and put in a libel against an old widow, a tenant of Andrew Brereton's and sometime of Lord Puleston, William Moris's father-in-law. The libel challenges hay tithes from the widow for this year, but Andrew Brereton will tell William Moris the truth of the matter, as three of the widow's sons, one of whom is the bearer, are ready to depose over a book. There is an accustomed tithe from the meadow to the person of Llanbeblig and the vicar thereof, and every year it was duly paid without any controversy. This last year the widow's sons duly and justly tithed the meadow leaving every tenth where it fell, some in water and some out. The tithe men came to the meadow to gather their tithe; finding the widow's sons there making up their hay out of the water and seeing their tithe in the wet ground, they were unwilling to wet their feet, but, being townsmen, had rather wet their bellies with good ale and made a motion to the widow's sons that they should have a certain piece of the meadow standing in dry ground for all their tithe thereof. Two of the younger brothers answered that they might not grant them the parcel of meadow but said, "You may go to our elder brother (who is the bearer) and speak with him", whereupon they did. Upon much entreaty, he granted their request for other years. The parcel of ground was given for the tithe; now it was a bargain. The widow's sons were to mow and cut the parcel of meadow within three days after, but it fell out that they mowed it the same day, and presently came foul weather. The tithe men, busy in the Quarter Sessions, neglected their hay and the spoiling thereof. When they came to make it up as their own, one of them, Harry ap Robert ap Hughe, said "I will never take the pains to gather it but had rather claim Bangor for my help". 'Well ther the hea was left in the ground by ther own neclegence'. Sometime after Harry ap Robert came to Andrew Brereton and complained about the widow, Andrew Brereton's tenant, about the tithe, whereupon Andrew Brereton called the widow and her sons and they answered as he has written. Meeting with this Harry, Andrew Brereton told him the widow's answer. Then he was willing to take two horse loads of hay for all tithe but since it was a bargain between them the widow would not give any more but her due. Now the vicar has only the third part of this; a 'pown' of hay was sold then for 14d., [?recte 24d.] so for the value of 8d. he troubled an honest woman to Bangor and has already made her spend more money that the tithe came to. Requests William Moris not to show himself in the matter but to write to the Chancellor to stay it from further proceeding. If the vicar stands, does not doubt that he will be overthrown. It rather proceeds from some other spleen than for hope of gain in the matter. Every year Andrew Brereton tithes the corn himself for fear that there should be any want, but has no part in the hay; hereafter as long as he is in the ground, will see that also tithed. Has troubled William Moris with a long relation of a small matter, but thought good to acquaint him with the matter at large. See also No. 469.