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AI Generated image of records
to represent my research |
The prompt for this post is “Legal Troubles” and I have
decided to look at a civil matter, rather than a criminal one (and yes, I had a
choice).
One Saturday, way back in 1590, in Winstone, Gloucestershire,
England, a Hugh Coles allegedly announced to around 20 parishioners that he
would “spur” the priest, Mr John Haviland*, my ancestor. Hugh Coles had also at some point called John
Haviland a blood sucker and had shaken fists at him. Consequently, John
Haviland sued Hugh Coles and a Thomas Combes for defamation. A witness statement from Richard Daffy of
Winstone, age 23, survives. I do not know the outcome of the case and it was
only the beginning of John’s legal problems.
