Published in Parish News - August 2008
At fairly regular intervals politicians of all parties make known their feelings as to the advisability of ensuring we all have some idea of who we are – more importantly that we can prove who we are if asked to do so. In other words Identity cards are an emotive subject. Those of us who lived through the Second World War may recall the grey-green folded card bearing all the details the authorities felt, at that time, were necessary to identify the bearer – in my own case the (so far unforgotten code) was DMJN 6/2. The shortcomings of that system of identification are highlighted by technological developments which have taken place since 1939.
Most of us now carry several items containing photographs which seem acceptable to all manner of officials requiring evidence – 'bus passes, passports, driving licenses and so on. We like to think that the existence of such stringent requirements would solve any problems we are likely to face but only recently I was told that an item containing a photograph was not acceptable but that an electricity invoice, which had my address on it, was!
Not surprisingly it was not always so – before 1837 we did not require births to be registered and our place of residence might be challenged if we made a claim to poor relief, or were found wandering the countryside. Freedom from registration or documentation brought with it challenges which were more serious if you were among the poorest inhabitants. Those of higher rank occasionally found it necessary to supply proof of family relationships in order to claim their legal inheritance. One local example provides us with an outline of the procedure in the reign of Henry VI.
In a grandly titled Calendar of Inquisitions post mortem for 1422-27 we find that it was necessary for John Marney to satisfy the Crown of his eligibility to inherit as heir of Thomas Marney.
On 16th July 1424, before a court held in Colchester, John was asked to provide proof for his claim to have been born at Layer Marney and baptised in the Church there as he had detailed in a writ before the court. The court comprised witnesses, supplied by John, to substantiate his evidence. When examined separately they said that John was aged 21 on 14th August 1402, his godfathers were John Howard, Knight., and William Westbrome, then Prior of St Botolphs, Colchester, and his godmother Philippe Passelewe. When asked how they knew, they gave the following recollections of events 21 years ago. Given the precise nature of some of the evidence submitted we might be forgiven for having an element of doubt in some cases!
"John Marchaunt, aged 60 years or more, says that on 10th August 1402 William Keche, clerk, was instituted and inducted at Layer Marney as rector of the parish church and the following 14th August baptised John Marney in the baptistery. John Marchaunt served the rector."
"Walter Tybenham, 50 years or more, says that on 14th August 1401 (sic) Eleanor, his daughter, died and was buried at Layer Marney." One can easily imagine a challenge as to the relevance of this evidence?
"Richard Gylot, 48 years or more says that on 25th July 1401 (sic) at Layer Marney he married Joan, his late wife, then servant of Elizabeth, mother of John Marney, and the following 14th August John was born." Another case of relevance perhaps?
"Richard Boleyne, 56 years and more, was at Layer Marney at the time of John's baptism and held a burning torch there." Fine, but when?
"John Peverell, senior, 46 years or more, immediately after the baptism was playing football at Layer Marney with his fellows and broke his left shin." Many questions could be raised – football season in August even in those days?
"Nicholas Duke, 58 years and more, says that at Layer Breton on 31st July 1401 (sic) he drove his cart with hay from the manor of Layer Breton demesne meadow to the manor's grange. He fell from the laden cart in the grange and broke his left arm. The following 14th August John was born." These were clearly accident prone times.
"Henry Paynaunt, 54 years or more, was at Layer Marney with Joan his wife when Elizabeth, mother of John, gave birth and they were at the churching on 8th September 1402." Very definitive.
"Richard Harvy, 57 years or more, has Thomas his first born baptised in the baptistery of Layer Marney Church that day. Thomas was aged 21 years last 14th August."
"John Waselyn, of Gt or Little Birch, 59 years or more, says William, his son, took Holy Orders long before that day, and celebrated his first Mass at Layer Marney Church the day John was born and baptised."
"Thomas Page, 51 years or more, says his house at Layer Marney burned down immediately after John's birth." A very traumatic time for many!
"Nicholas Withed, 47 years or more, says at layer Marney that day John Werde hanged himself with a hemp cord and he came to see John hanging. Returning he met a yeoman carrying John Marney to Layer Marney Church for baptism."
After all that we might be forgiven for having doubts as to time and date to say nothing of the rather large number of activities which could be recalled at a time when diaries and calendars did not exist. We may know where we were when President Kennedy was assassinated or the twin towers demolished but in those cases the media helps our recollections and provides the timeframe. How were people able to recall so clearly such events and place them all in a time frame, and locality, to suit John Marney? If we take into account that we are dealing with a time when religious beliefs and superstition ruled communities alongside links such as employment, manorial duties and obligations, then we have some idea of the differences between the 15th century and today.
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Page created: 28 AUG 2008