1699-1707, Rothwell has been ordained deacon and priest, licensed preacher and Rector of Great Snoring and Thursford… That by the Laws, Canons and Constitutions Ecclesiastical of this Realm of England, no ecclesiastical persons shall at any time, other than for their honest necessities, resort to any taverns or alehouses, neither shall they board or lodge in any such places. Furthermore they shall not give themselves to any base or servile labour, or to drinking or riot, spending their time idly by day or night, playing at dice, cards or tables or any other unlawful game: but at all times convenient they shall hear or read somewhat of the holy scriptures, or shall occupy themselves with some other honest study or exercise, always doing the things which shall appertain to honesty and endeavouring to profit the church of God, having always in mind that they ought to excel all others in purity of life and should be examples to the people, to live well and Christianly under pain of ecclesiastical to be inflicted with severity, according to the qualities of their offences… That by the laws, canons and constitutions ecclesiastical of the realm of England the Common Prayer shall be said or sung distinctly and reverently upon all Sundays and such other festival days, as are appointed to be kept holy by the Book of Common Prayers and their eves, and upon all days of fasting or abstinence and solemn days by the said Book of Common Prayer likewise appointed to be observed, and at convenient and usual times of those days. And all ministers likewise shall observe the orders, rites and ceremonies prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer and administration of the sacraments, without either diminishing, adding or altering. And that every beneficed man allowed to be a preacher, and residing on his benefice, having no lawful impediment, shall in his own cure preach one sermon on every Sunday of the year, and that every minister or curate having knowledge of any person in his parish being dangerously sick shall resort unto such sick person to instruct and comfort him or her… That the premises notwithstanding, you the said Nathaniel Rothwell in the years of our Lord Christ 1703, 1704, 1705, 1706 and 1707... being unmindful of your soul's health, and of the sacred office and ministry to which you were ordained did and yet do lead a loose and scandalous life, and was much addicted to excessive drinking and to filthy talking, and was very negligent and remiss in the discharge of your office of a parish priest, to the great scandal of the sacred ministry, and to the great hindrance, grief and offence of persons well affected to religion, as is set forth in the following articles… That sometime in or about the month of May in the Year of our Lord Christ 1703, you the said Nathaniel Rothwell clerk did stay drinking for about four or five days at the Sign of the Red Lion being a public inn or tavern in Fakenham in the county of Norfolk and was then and there much disordered with excessive drinking and did drink and play at cards with the hostler belonging to the said house, and swore and cursed whilst you played and drank with him and that... you did formerly live in Lancashire and kept company for the most part with persons of the Roman Catholic religion, which religion you declared you could best fancy, and further said to one Robert Stringer the landlord of the house, that you doubted not but in some short while there would be an alteration of times, and that then he should not want what preferment you could help him to… That in the year of our Lord Christ 1703 and 1704... you the said Nathaniel Rothwell was tippling at the Sign of the Cross Keys being a public alehouse in Holt in the county of Norfolk one Saturday at night and then and there was so far overcome or disordered with overmuch drinking, as you danced about the house or room and wished you had a girl or whore with you... and that you was so far overcome with strong liquor, you was forced to lie there that night… That in the year of our Lord Christ 1704 or 1705... you went fuddled from Mrs Loader's house where you dieted in Thursford to your parsonage house there, where you lodged and that you were then so far overcome with excessive drinking, as Mrs Loader ordered one James Chapman to conduct you home, and that on the way you applied yourself to James Chapman, telling him, you (the said Nathaniel Rothwell) must fuck, and then you asked him where his sister Judith Chapman was, wishing you had her... and that Judith Chapman at that time and before was lookt upon and accounted a light wench, and one that usually plied at alehouses in time of fairs and markets… That in the years of our Lord Christ 1705, 1706 and 1707 last past... you did diet and often lodge and still continue so to do in the house of one Mary Fox in Thursford, widow, who did then and still doth draw and sell brandy and other strong liquors, and that you have been often seen and observed to be very familiar with Anne Fox daughter of the said Widow Fox, and to walk alone with her in the closes, fields and lanes thereabouts, and particularly that sometime in the beginning of June in the year 1706, after you had been attending at the Lord Bishop of Norwich his visitation holden at Fakenham in the county of Norfolk, you coming home to Widow Foxe's house met Anne Fox in the yard and threw her down and wantonly tumbled and otherwise dallied with her upon a heap of old thatch… That in the years of our Lord Christ 1705 and 1706... You the said Nathaniel Rothwell, sat a whole night tippling at a little house in Barney a neighbouring town to Thursford, and there continued tippling all or the greater part of the day following and was there drunk or very much disordered with excessive drinking, and that during your stay there you declared you would justify by the Holy Scriptures the doctrine of doing no right, and taking no wrong, and further you applied to and desired one Philip Gills to help you to a pretty girl or whore to lie with, which Philip Gills refused to do, and thereupon you went in quest of a girl or whore without him… That on or about the sixteenth day of February in the year of our Lord Christ, 1706, you being at the house of one William Cook in Thursford did fall to mixing several sorts of strong liquors, and to drink them so mixt together, and did urge and press other persons then and there present to do the like, and that you the said Nathaniel Rothwell did then and there drink to such excess as you was not able to stand or guide yourself, but did fall, and had fallen in the fire, but that you was kept out of it by some of the company, and that you was led home drunk by one or two persons, and so much was and is true… That on or about Tuesday the twenty-fourth day of February in the year of our Lord Christ 1707 last past you tippled and drank at the Sign of the Lion being a common alehouse in Hindringham in the county of Norfolk, till you got so ordered with excess of strong liquors, as you kissed and hugged a sorry nasty old fellow, one John Curson a thatcher then and there present, and fell down and tumbled and rolled upon the floor, and that your coat or your back was then burnt in two or three places. And so much was and is taken notice of and well remembered to be true… That on Monday in or about the second week in Lent season in the year of Our Lord Christ 1706/7 you went to a blind alehouse kept by one Mary Gunton in East Raynham in the county of Norfolk, and there stayed tippling and drinking the greater part of the week with and among poor sorry company and particularly with a chimney sweeper, who then and there tarried and drank with you some time… That some time in or about the week next after Easter in the year of our Lord Christ 1707 You having first had notice of an infant of one Nicholas Plowright of Thursford to be baptised, you came to the house about one of the clock in the forenoon so disordered with drinking of strong liquor, that in the performing this office of baptism, you often stopt and blundered by reason of your being overcharged and disordered with excess of strong liquor… That you omitted and neglected reading divine service publicly in your parish church of Thursford upon the first Friday happening in Lent season in the year of our Lord Christ 1707/8 last past and that whilst the bell was ringing and some of the parishioners waiting and expecting you at church, you were helping Anne Fox aforenamed to find and get home a pig that had strayed, and so much was seen and well remembered to be true. And that you the said Nathaniel Rothwell did neglect to read prayers publicly in your parish church of Thursford upon all or most of the Wednesdays and Fridays happening in Lent season next abovementioned… That upon some Sunday happening in the month of September in the year of our Lord Christ 1707 you came to your parish church of Thursford so much disordered with excessive drinking of strong liquor or liquors as you stopt and blundered, and was not able to go there with divine service, and that you seldom read divine service in the said parish church orderly, and without mangling and leaving out some part thereof and mistaking the lessons, collects, epistles, gospels, psalms or some of them, or some other part or parts of the divine service appointed to be read, whereby you omitted… That upon a Friday happening in Lent season in the year of our Lord Christ 1707 last past, you the said Nathaniel Rothwell drank so greedily and excessively at the house of one Dennis Wright in Thursford that you fell from your seat, and was not able to go home without holding or leading. And whilst you were there drinking you talked filthily, and so much was and is true and taken notice of and well remembered… That you having duly given notice of public prayers to be read in the parish church of Thursford upon the thirtieth day of January happening in the year of our Lord Christ 1707/8 and being the anniversary of the martyrdom of King Charles the first, you neglected reading public prayers that day and fell to drinking and was seen drunk and staggering in the road or street in Stody, a town about five miles distant from your parish of Thursford… That upon Whit Sunday happening in the year of Our Lord Christ 1707 you omitted and neglected to administer the Sacrament of our Lord's Supper and to preach at your parish church of Thursford, tho' upon the Sunday next preceding, you gave public notice of your intention then and there to preach and administer the said sacrament, and that one Sunday in the months of October or November in the year of our Lord Christ 1707 last past, you gave notice in the forenoon of a sermon to be there preached in the afternoon, and the bell rang accordingly, and the parishioners repaired to the church, where you met them, but did not preach, nor so much as excuse your not preaching according to notice, but went laughing out of the church… That some time in or about the year of our Lord Christ 1705 you was often spoken to and earnestly entreated to visit one Elizabeth Porter of your parish of Thursford, widow, who laid sick for about half a year, and of that sickness died without any visit, instructions, comfort or assistance from you as her parish priest. And that upon the Sunday next before Christmas Day in the year of our Lord Christ 1707 you neglected and refused to read the office of thanksgiving after childbirth to Susan the wife of Nicholas Clark and Mary the wife of Richard Jekes of Thursford, tho' they the said Susan [and] Mary were both present in the seat or pew set apart for that purpose, and tho' so much was timely signified to you.
Upon some Sunday in the spring last was twelve month after evening service Mr Rothwell being at the house of one William Cooke of Thursford... in the kitchen drinking for two or three hours, and then with some of the chief of the town went into the parlour where they continued an hour or two, but what they drank there he can't tell of his own knowledge, but it was said it was brandy and mead, and when they came out Mr Rothwell was so sadly fuddled that he could not go nor stand without assistance, but fell down three times and once bruised his face with the fall, and had fallen into the fire, but he was kept out of it by some of the company. That he would not go home with Mr Leader and Mr Naldred but stayed after the company was gone and then this deponent led him home being so drunk as not being able to go home alone… The christening was the occasion of drinking at Cooke's house.
She saw Mr Rothwell on the first Friday in Lent last between four and five a clock at night help Anne Fox home with a pig.
Some short time after Holt Fair which is in the latter end of February, this deponent being at the Sign of the Lion, a common alehouse in Hindringham, Mr Rothwell came in the forenoon into the kitchen and after some little time went into the yard and fetched in John Curson, a poor, old thatcher, who continued with this deponent and Mr Rothwell drinking at the fire until about eight a clock at night, at which time this deponent left Mr Rothwell who was very cheerly.
About half a year ago Mr Rothwell came to this deponent's house in Hindringham being the Sign of the Lion, about two a clock in the afternoon, where meeting with John Curson, who is a sorry, nasty old fellow, and then quartered at this deponent's house, spoke to him to do some work for him at Thursford, and to encourage him gave him three quarts of ale, which made the old fellow fuddled, who thereupon began to hug Mr Rothwell, who was very cheerly, but not so fuddled but that he took his horse himself out of the stable and went home as this deponent's girl told her, she herself going to bed and leaving Mr Rothwell and Curson together, that she did see a little place in Mr Rothwell's coat burnt, but how it came she can't say.
The some time between Christmas and Lady Day last, the particular time this deponent don't remember, he coming home a little after candle lighting found Mr Rothwell at his house, being the Sign of the Lion in Hindringham, drinking with some other company, where he stayed till this deponent went to bed...[he knows nothing more to depose] saving that Mr Rothwell's coat was burnt.
In May 1703 Mr Rothwell came to this deponent's house being the Sign of the Red Lion in Fakenham, where he stayed up and down five or six days, and was every day disordered with excessive drinking, and did drink and keep company for the most part with an idle boy that belonged to the stables, and other little pitiful mean company, and one night played at cards very late at night with the said boy for brandy, and during the time he was up and down at this deponent's behaved himself very scandalously singing and dancing and doing other things not becoming his character, and among other things Mr Rothwell told this deponent that he was brought up in Lancashire among persons of the Roman Catholic religion, which was the religion he could best fancy, and came here only for a short time for shelter, and as he hoped times shortly would alter, and then he would return to his own country again, and then he would prefer this deponent… He being landlord of the house at Mr Rothwell's request did keep him company whilst he behaved himself tolerably well, but after he became to be so extravagant in his actions this respondent left him. That this respondent did not pay any part of the reckoning; that he did see Mr Rothwell play at cards with the boy as predeposed; that the discourse of the Roman Catholic religion was begun by Mr Rothwell himself upon his asking after some gentlemen in the neighbourhood of that persuasion.
DN/DEP 55/59
One night whilst Mr Rothwell was at the Red Lion in Fakenham about five years ago, this deponent coming into the inn, was asked by the ostler to go into a merry parson that was there, which was Mr Rothwell, who bid this deponent sit down, and then they stayed up drinking till four or five a clock in the morning, during which time Mr Rothwell was very much disordered with excessive drinking, and sang and danced about the house.
Some time in the spring was twelvemonth, this deponent calling in at a little alehouse in East Raynham kept by Mary Gunton, found Mr Rothwell there, who was there tippling with some ordinary company such as White the chimney sweeper for two or three days together as this deponent believes, for that Mr Rothwell's mare stood two nights in this deponent's stable two night and stood some time in Mary Gunton's swine sty… He has heard that Mr Rothwell did stay at Mother Gunton's from Monday till Friday, and that he went out one day to Lynn or some other way but of his own knowledge he knows no more than what he has predeposed.
About four or five years ago Mr Rothwell stayed four or five days drinking at the Red Lion in Fakenham where this deponent was with him three or four times going every day and observed that Mr Rothwell was every day much disordered with drink, and acted and talked so extravagantly that nobody cared to keep him company; that one Friday night during that time this deponent saw Mr Rothwell play at cards at a game called put, with the ostler a little debauched boy, who frequently cursed and swore, which boy was the chief companion of Mr Rothwell during the time he stayed at the Red Lion, and with whom Mr Rothwell danced and sung on the Saturday night, having been that afternoon at a gardener's where they got both drunk… He living the next door but one to the Red Lion had often occasion to go thither, and was sometimes sent into Mr Rothwell's company by Mr Stringer, and after hearing a noise went in of his own accord; that he never paid any part of the reckoning.
One day last year Mr Rothwell came to the Sign of the Lion in Hindringham sometime in the forenoon, and spoke to this deponent to do some work for him, and gave him three mugs of beer, which made this deponent almost fuddled, so that he believes he might hug Mr Rothwell, who then sat drinking by himself in the kitchen, and continued so till about eight a clock at night, at which time this deponent fetched Mr Rothwell his horse, and he took horse and went homeward, and was not disordered by drink by too much, that this deponent perceived, neither do he remember that Mr Rothwell kissed him this deponent or that he tumbled on the floor, or that Mr Rothwell's coat was burn't.
About four years or something better this deponent being at Holt, Mr Rothwell being at the Cross Keys, the worst alehouse in Holt, sent for this deponent several times who went to him about five a clock where he and Mr Rothwell drunk very hard, and Mr Rothwell told the landlady he would see what mettle this deponent was made of, whether he could not fuddle him, and that Mr Rothwell continued drinking with this deponent; that Mr Rothwell was so disordered that he danced about the house and wished he had a pretty maid, and at last was so drunk that they were forced to put him to bed in a bed where the mumpers and strollers used to lay, where he laid all night and went away on the Sunday morning… He don't remember the exact time otherwise than he has predeposed, save that it was whilst Mr Rothwell lodged at Mr [Soanbrigg’s?] of Kelling; that there was nobody in company with them besides the landlord and landlady, with whom this deponent spoke yesterday morning and they remember the thing very well.
'About three or four years ago at the christening of Mr Ashly's daughter's child, Mr Rothwell continued drinking all the afternoon at Mr Ashly's house in Barney, where Mr Rothwell was very much disordered with drink, and talked very strangely, and amongst other things, that he would maintain it to be a principle of religion, to do no right and take no wrong; that this deponent left him at Mr Ashly's about ten or eleven a clock at night, and the next morning this deponent met Mr Rothwell walking in Barney Street with his hat under his arm, so much disordered with drink, and looking so wild that this deponent believed he had not been in bed that night, and then Mr Rothwell asked this deponent to go to the brandy shop and drink part of a quarter of brandy, which they did, and whilst they were there Mr Bennington who had heard that he was out of the way with drink came to see for him and persuade him to go home, which Mr Rothwell refused to do, but went to a little alehouse in Barney, where he continued tippling in the public room till towards night, where he exposed himself so much that Mr Ashly, this deponent and others would have persuaded him to go home, and as this deponent was drinking with him in the afternoon Mr Rothwell told this deponent he loved a pretty girl, and asked this deponent to go along with him to a girl, which this deponent refused to do [illegible] and towards night Mr Rothwell went homeward much disordered with drink, and as William Humfry then of Barney said, that he laid in his sand pit.
About three or four years since at the christening of Mr Ashly's daughter's child he went to Mr Ashly's house in Barney upon invitation to drink with the rest of the neighbours, where he found Mr Rothwell, who supped there and continued drinking till three or four a clock in the morning, at which time this deponent left Mr Rothwell there, but before this deponent went away he perceived Mr Rothwell was much disordered with drink and talked strangely, not like a sober man, among other discourse that he would maintain it by divinity that to do no right nor take no wrong was good doctrine, or to that effect, and this deponent going the next morning about seven or eight a clock to Mr Ashly's house the Widow [Frary?] the nurse told this deponent that the minister, meaning Mr Rothwell, was still there, and desired this deponent to get him away, but this deponent did not go into him, and this deponent going about one a clock to the alehouse in Barney was told that Mr Rothwell was there but did not see him.
Sometime last spring was twelve month this deponent having an occasion to go to his son's house at Little Raynham, called on the Thursday night at a little alehouse in Great Raynham kept by one Mother Gunton, where he found Mr Rothwell drinking with two ordinary fellows, and this deponent stayed with them and Mr Rothwell for about an hour, and it being about ten or eleven a clock at night, Mr Rothwell would have had this deponent stayed there all night, which this deponent did not but went to his son's, but returning the next morning about seven or eight of the clock he saw Mr Rothwell in the same public room, where he left him.
Last spring was twelve months this deponent being employed to sweep the chimneys and clean the drains at Raynham Hall just before my Lord's coming down had occasion to go pretty often to a little alehouse kept by one Mary Gunton in East Raynham, where he observed Mr Rothwell Thursday, Friday and Saturday in one week, walking in the public room generally alone with his pot in his hand and his pipe in the other, but once or twice this deponent saw him in company with Robert Bensley and Edmund Brett servants to the Hall, who were drinking with Rothwell, and this deponent and his man did stay once two hours in the said public room and spent his sixpence, but did not drink with Mr Rothwell.
That for the time articulate Mr Rothwell has led a life not becoming a clergyman, for that he is addicted to excessive drinking and negligent in his ministerial office… Upon the sixteenth day of February one thousand seven hundred and six being a Sunday, this deponent invited Mr Rothwell... amongst other neighbours and relations to drink a cup of ale with him, who upon his coming in turned up the hour glass and told this deponent he could stay but an hour and therefore desired his glass to be filled full, but Mr Rothwell did stay longer and there being a tiff of brandy and a glass of mead going round, Mr Rothwell mixed them together and drunk them so mixt, and what with that and the ale he became so fuddled that he could not stand nor go, but did fall and had once fallen into the fire had not some of the company prevented it, and another time Mr Rothwell fell against a closet door with such a force that he broke it open, that he would not go home with the rest of the company but called for more drink and stayed so long that this deponent was forced to go to bed and leave him with John Firth and Ambrose Lippincoat, whom this deponent desired to take care and lead him home… One Sunday in September last Mr Rothwell came in the afternoon to his parish church in Thursford so disordered with drink that he often blundered and stopt in reading divine service, reading sometimes very high and sometimes very low, and beginning the Creed after the first lesson, and that at other times he often mistakes the day of the month chapters, collects, epistles and gospels for the day and often leaves out part of the prayers and divine service…The Sunday before Whit Sunday was twelvemonth Mr Rothwell gave notice of the sacrament to be on Whit Sunday but disappointed this deponent and others who had designed to receive the same, for he only read prayers and did neither preach nor administer the sacrament. That upon one Sunday last year he gave notice of a sermon to be in the afternoon and the sermon bell rung accordingly and the church was very full, but after Mr Rothwell had read prayers and the people were sat down expecting the sermon, he took his hat and went out of the church without making any excuse… He expects nothing but only to be paid for his time… Mr Naldred and Mr Bennington did farm the tithes of Mr Rothwell… The occasion of being at his house was upon the account of his child's christening… It was apparent to everybody that it was not well with Mr Rothwell for that he had a black plaister on his lip, which was owing to a quarrel the week before in which Mr Rothwell, as report goes, lost two of his teeth.
Mr Rothwell has for the time articulate lived a scandalous life and has been much addicted to excessive drinking and otherwise misbehaved himself in discharge of his ministerial office to the great offence of this deponent and others… That he has heard Mr Rothwell own that he did diet at Mary Fox's in Thursford, who has formerly sold brandy and strong waters, but whether she does now this deponent don't know... He has often observed Mr Rothwell to be very familiar with Anne Fox daughter of Mary Fox, to walk alone with her several times upon the heath and fields about Thursford, that he often used to help her fetch up her cows… Last April was twelvemonth Mr Rothwell being with this deponent and several others at William Cooke's house in Thursford, Mr Rothwell mixed mead and brandy together and drank them so mixed, and pressed other persons present to do the like, but they chose rather to drink ale and that Mr Rothwell tippled so to that excess that he did not know what he said, and was not able to stand, but did fall and had fallen into the fire but that this deponent catched him twice in his arms, and notwithstanding he was so far gone with drink this deponent and others could not prevail with him to go home but were forced to leave him there about seven or eight a clock at night… That upon the seventh of September last Mr Rothwell came in the afternoon to his parish church so much disordered with drinking that he read prayers in such a sad manner as this deponent never heard before or since, sometimes reading as loud as he could speak, and at other times so low that the congregation could not understand what he said, and that after the first lesson he began the belief, and after he had gone a little way, stopped and then began the second lesson which he read in such a manner that he made the greatest part of the congregation laugh, and left out several of the prayers, as he doth also at other times, and that he seldom reads divine service without mistaking the day of the month, the lessons, epistles and gospels, and particularly last Septuagesima Sunday he said the collect, epistle and gospel for the fourth Sunday after Epiphany; on Sexagisima Sunday, he read the collect, epistle, gospel for the fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, on Quinqagesima, the collect, epistle and gospel for Sexagesima Sunday, and that on the twenty seventh of July he read the collect, epistle and gospel for St Bartholomew, and that very often on Sunday mornings he has left out the Litany… Upon the Sunday before Whit Sunday was twelvemonth Mr Rothwell having given notice of his intention to administer the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, this deponent went to church on Whit Sunday morning with intent to receive the same, but when he came there Mr Rothwell neither preached nor administered the Sacrament, to the disappointment of this deponent and other parishioners. That on some Sunday in October or November last Mr Rothwell gave notice for a sermon in the afternoon, and the bell rung accordingly, and there was a full congregation but after prayers and the psalm sung he neither preached, nor made any [illegible] but took his hat and went out of the church laughing… Mr Naldred and Bennington did farm the tithes… That the occasion of being at Cooke's house was upon the account of the christening; that he did not see any person press liquor upon Mr Rothwell, neither did he hear any mention made of the tithes… That prayers were read by Mr Rothwell, that he don't believe he was sick, but he had a black plaister upon his lip which came by a blow he received in a quarrel the week before, as the report was in Thursford. That he doth believe the Sacrament was administered the Sunday following.
Mr Rothwell has for the time articulate lived a loose and scandalous life to the great grief and offence of this deponent and other parishioners well affected to the church… For about three years last past Mr Nathaniel Rothwell till he was forbid in court, did diet and often lodged at the Widow Fox's, who has, as is commonly reported, drawn and sold strong waters, and has been looked upon as a scandalous house; and this deponent has often seen Mr Rothwell very familiar with Anne Fox daughter of Widow Fox, and to walk about the fields and closes alone together, and that one Sunday in the afternoon he saw them sat alone together upon a bank in a close next to the heath, and has seen them several times go to Walsingham market together… About a week or a fortnight after Candlemas last was twelve month on a Sunday after evening service this deponent was with several other neighbours at one William Cook's in Thursford where Mr Rothwell after he had drank ale pretty plentifully mixt brandy and mead together and drunk them so mixt to excess, till he was not able to stand, but endeavouring to rise up off of his chair did fall and had fallen into the fire had he not be catched by one of the company and behaved himself so ridiculously both by talk and actions, that he was sport for the whole company, and being persuaded by Mr Naldred and others in the company to go home and not to expose himself so he would not comply with it, upon which the deponent and great part of the company left him… Upon Wednesday sevennight after Easter was twelvemonth, this deponent having given Mr Rothwell notice the night before that his child was to be baptized the next day, Mr Rothwell came to this deponent's so much disordered with drinking, so that he blundered very often and stopt and could not tell how to go on, and all dinner time he behaved himself in his words and actions so scandalously as made this deponent and the rest of the company ashamed of him… Mr Rothwell seldom reads prayers orderly without mangling and leaving out part of the service particularly the litany upon a Sunday morning, and mistaking the Lessons and Epistles and Collects and Gospels, and particularly about two years ago Mr Rothwell read the service of a saint's day, as this deponent thinks St Bartholomew's, a month before it happened, and when it did happen, he took no notice of the service appointed for the day… Upon Whit Sunday was twelve month he omitted to administer the Sacrament and to preach in the parish church of Thursford though he had given notice of it the Sunday before that; one Sunday to the best of this deponent's remembrance in October last, Mr Rothwell having given notice in the forenoon for a sermon in the afternoon and the bell having rung accordingly, Mr Rothwell did not preach nor so much as excuse himself, but went laughing and biting his lip out the church… Mr Naldred and Mr Bennington did for several years farm Thursford tithes of Mr Rothwell, which they released to Mr Rothwell upon condition he should let every one their own… Respondet negative having never seen any of the persons articulate press Mr Rothwell to drink, but has often times heard them caution him against drinking and staying in places too long… The occasion of drinking at Cooke's house was upon the account of a christening, that he did not hear anything mentioned about tithes all that afternoon and evening, that Mr Bennington was not there… Upon Mr Matthew's saying and swearing that there could be done to Mr Rothwell, this respondent replied that he would lay him a bottle of wine, that if the articles were proved, he would be suspended, and that if such ill men as Mr Rothwell were suffered it would be a scandal to God's church, or words to that effect… Upon there being no sermon at Thursford church this deponent went immediately to Gunthorpe church, so that he can't say whether there were prayers or no, neither doth he know whether the Sacrament was administered the Sunday following; that on the Wednesday or Thursday before that Whit Sunday when the sermon and Sacrament was omitted, Anne Fox told this deponent that Mr Rothwell had two of his teeth knocked out, and then going into John Allen's he told the deponent that Anne Fox had been for balsam to dress the wound that Mr Rothwell received at a frolic and this deponent observed that Mr Rothwell wore a black plaister on his lip several days after.
Some time in November last to the best of this deponent's memory in the evening he being at Mr Overton's a public alehouse in Thursford in company with Edward Fox and his precontest John Matthews, Edward Fox upon discoursing of Mr Rothwell neglecting to pray with him in his sickness, did say and confess to this deponent and his precontest that Mr Rothwell did pray wwith him in his sickness… That Anne Blogg and Elizabeth Wix are poor people and as this deponent believes take collection; that Dennis Wright and Elizabeth his wife are servants, as this deponent supposes, to Naldred, for that they are commonly at his house doing of business for him and dare not refuse to do what he desires; that John Loose and Thomas Stoakes are idle scandalous persons and such as ought not to be believed or credited; that Tompson and Chapman are persons in poor, mean circumstances; Lippincoate and Gill are poor persons that trade for leather with Mr Bennington a brother to Naldred… He believes John Edge is an enemy to Mr Rothwell for that he heard Edge on or about the second day of August last at his own door say that Mr Rothwell was an old rogue and this deponent has heard it reported that Edge has had a bastard and that Cooke was guilty of antenuptial fornication... the articulate Bennington is sister to Naldred's wife… As he has heard Jekell's wife had been brought to bed but three weeks and a day or two, and that Clarke's child had not public baptism at the time when their wives came to be churched… Tho' there was no sacrament in the parish church of Thursford upon Whit Sunday 1707, yet there was one on the Sunday following... He has heard that Mr Rothwell was disappointed by Mr Thornton that Sunday in October or November articulate he gave notice in the forenoon of a sermon to be in the afternoon… He has often been in Mr Rothwell's company but never saw any ill behaviour from him or heard him talk obscenely or filthily… He came at the request of Mr Rothwell only to give his testimony in this cause; that he has not received, been promised or expect to receive any reward for deposing in this cause… He has heard it talked in the parish of Thursford that Matthews his precontest was charged with a base child begotten on the body of one Anne Gent a fellow servant of his, and with another base child begotten on the body of a maid servant or housekeeper of his… He has heard that Samuel Loader was charged with a base child begotten on the body of one Mary Rochester his maid servant or housekeeper… He has sold brandy and other strong liquors in the parish for [six?] years last past, and his wife for some years before he married her; and that Mr Rothwell do often come to this deponent's house or shop but seldom calls for brandy or any other strong liquors, and this respondent further answers that to the best of his knowledge Mr Rothwell never called for or drank five quarters of brandy or other strong liquors at this deponent's house since he lived in the town of Thursford… He and his precontest Matthews hire all the tithes of the Rectory of Thursford of Mr Rothwell, and has done so ever since Lady Day was twelve months, that Mr Leader hires of Mr Rothwell part of the glebe lands but how much this respondent knows not.
Upon the last thirtieth day of January, this deponent calling at a house in Stody kept by Mr Bambrigge or Mrs Critiffe around twelve or one clock when they were at dinner, where was Mr Rothwell at dinner in the parlour, who amongst other discourse charged this deponent with being a fanatic for being absent from his parish church that day, upon which this deponent reflected upon Mr Rothwell for neglecting his own cure that day, which he excused by saying he had eat bread and cheese that morning and such other idle or impertinent discourse which this deponent don't well remember.
For the time articulate Mr Rothwell has led an ill life, and has been much addicted to excessive drinking and negligent in his ministerial office to the scandal of his function and offence of many good persons… Since Mr Rothwell parted from Mr Leader which is about two years since, as well as this deponent remember, till very lately Mr Rothwell dieted at the house of Mary Fox of Thursford, who all along has been reputed to keep a scandalous house and sell tobacco and strong liquors, and this deponent has heard Mary Fox and her daughter say that Mr Rothwell often lodged there, that he has often observed Mr Rothwell very familiar with Anne Fox, and to walk alone with her in the fields and lanes about Thursford… Mr Rothwell seldom read divine service in his parish church of Thursford as he ought to do, that he often leaves out part of it, particularly the litany and ninety-fifth psalm and often times he mistakes the other parts of divine service, particularly he mistook the collects, epistles, gospels and first lessons for three Sundays together before last Lent, and read the service for St Bartholomew's Day sometime in July and omitted it upon the day when it was appointed to be read… Upon Whitsun Day was twelvemonth Mr Rothwell neither preached nor administered the sacrament; that about a month after Michaelmas last or thereabout the particular Sunday he don't well remember, Mr Rothwell did disappoint his congregation to whom he had given notice in the morning of a sermon to be in the afternoon, when he neither preached or excused his preaching, but after prayers went laughing out of church… This deponent and his brother Naldred did hire the tithes of Thursford of Mr Rothwell but resigned the same Christmas was twelvemonth of their own accord… Mr Rothwell did read prayers and was well as this deponent believes only he had a black patch on his lip.
About two or three months ago this deponent being at one William Overton's a public house in Thursford in company with Edward Fox and William Flood this deponent's contest, talking about Mr Rothwell and of his neglecting to pray with Fox in his sickness, Edward Fox did say and confess to this deponent and Flood that Mr Rothwell did visit him twice in his sickness and one of the times did pray with him… Anne Blogg and Elizabeth Wix are poor people that take collection and as this deponent believes easy to be persuaded to depose any thing; that Dennis Wright and Elizabeth his wife lives in an house of three or four pounds per annum which they have of Naldred and are indebted to Naldred (as this deponent is informed by Naldred himself) and for that reason dare not do anything to disoblige Naldred;that John Loose and Thomas Stoakes... are idle persons of no reputation and such as this deponent believes will swear to anything for a pot of beer; that Tompson and Chapman are persons of mean circumstances in the world; that Lippincoate and Gill take leather of Mr Bennington, brother to Naldred, and are indebted to him as this deponent believes and dare not disoblige them… He do believe John Edge, William Cooke, Nicholas Plowright and Mary Bennington are enemies to Mr Rothwell and that he has heard Edge say several times that the producent was a rogue and that they are all rogues that take his part, and that this deponent heard Plowright say that Mr Rothwell should be turned out of his living and it was pity half the clergy besides were not; and this deponent farther says that he did not see Mr Rothwell mix mead and brandy together at Mr Cooke's as Edge, Cooke and Plowright have deposed, but at the same time was at Cooke's and saw Mr Cooke and Mr Tindall mix beer and brandy together and give it to Mr Rothwell ... Masary Bennington is sister to Naldred's wife the prosecutor… Jekell's wife had not been brought to bed three weeks (as this deponent was told by Richard Jekell himself) when she came to be churched… Though there was no sacrament upon Whit Sunday 1707 in the parish church of Thursford, there was one upon the following Sunday, and this deponent did hear Mr Thornton at Mr Gibbon's promise to preach for Mr Rothwell the Sunday following but disappointed him, the particular month or Sunday this deponent don't remember… He never heard Mr Rothwell talk obscenely or filthily… He saw and heard Cooke send twice for Mr Rothwell and that Cooke desired this deponent to send for him but this deponent did not, neither did Mr Rothwell come to Cooke's till almost night.
About two or three months ago this deponent being at one William Overton's a public house in Thursford in company with Edward Fox and William Flood this deponent's contest, talking about Mr Rothwell and of his neglecting to pray with Fox in his sickness, Edward Fox did say and confess to this deponent and Flood that Mr Rothwell did visit him twice in his sickness and one of the times did pray with him… Anne Blogg and Elizabeth Wix are poor people that take collection and as this deponent believes easy to be persuaded to depose any thing; that Dennis Wright and Elizabeth his wife lives in an house of three or four pounds per annum which they have of Naldred and are indebted to Naldred (as this deponent is informed by Naldred himself) and for that reason dare not do anything to disoblige Naldred; that John Loose and Thomas Stoakes... are idle persons of no reputation and such as this deponent believes will swear to anything for a pot of beer; That Tompson and Chapman are persons of mean circumstances in the world; that Lippincoate and Gill take leather of Mr Bennington, brother to Naldred, and are indebted to him as this deponent believes and dare not disoblige them… He do believe John Edge, William Cooke, Nicholas Plowright and Mary Bennington are enemies to Mr Rothwell and that he has heard Edge say several times that the producent was a rogue and that they are all rogues that take his part, and that this deponent heard Plowright say that Mr Rothwell should be turned out of his living and it was pity half the clergy besides were not; and this deponent farther says that he did not see Mr Rothwell mix mead and brandy together at Mr Cooke's as Edge, Cooke and Plowright have deposed, but at the same time was at Cooke's and saw Mr Cooke and Mr Tindall mix beer and brandy together and give it to Mr Rothwell... Masary Bennington is sister to Naldred's wife the prosecutor… Jekell's wife had not been brought to bed three weeks (as this deponent was told by Richard Jekell himself) when she came to be churched… Though there was no sacrament upon Whit Sunday 1707 in the parish church of Thursford, there was one upon the following Sunday, and this deponent did hear Mr Thornton at Mr Gibbon's promise to preach for Mr Rothwell the Sunday following but disappointed him, the particular month or Sunday this deponent don't remember… He never heard Mr Rothwell talk obscenely or filthily… He saw and heard Cooke send twice for Mr Rothwell and that Cooke desired this deponent to send for him but this deponent did not, neither did Mr Rothwell come to Cooke's till almost night.
Two years and better since when the Bishop was at Fakenham this deponent was three days and better serving the thatcher at the Widow Foxe's in Thursford, where Mr Rothwell then lodged and dieted, as Anne Fox the daughter told this deponent and showed him Mr Rothwell's bed; that whilst he was at work there, Mr Rothwell went two days together to Fakenham; upon the second day as this deponent was leaving work he saw Mr Rothwell hugging Anne Fox in his arms and tumbling her over upon the old thatch. And further this deponent saith that the Widow Fox had for several years and doth still draw and sell strong liquors, and that Mr Rothwell as he has heard is much given to drinking, and that the first time this deponent had any knowledge of him was about three years ago, when coming from Walsingham Sessions through Great Snoring he heard the fiddle at the Blue Bell, where going in he found Mr Rothwell and one Empson a fiddler, and sat down and drank with them from about six a clock at night till about three or four in the morning, that Mr Rothwell was very full with beer, and conducted home by this deponent.
About last June was two years this deponent having a bill of about five and twenty shillings to receive of Mr Rothwell found him in bed at the Widow Fox's in Thursford, where he often lodged and has dieted for above two years and continued to do so till a fortnight after he was admonished in court to forbear that house and avoid the said Mother Fox's and her daughter's company. That Widow Fox has for several years last past and doth still draw and sell strong waters and this deponent further saith that he has often seen Mr Rothwell walk alone with Anne Fox in the fields and lanes about Thursford. That Mr Rothwell has been very careless and remiss in the discharge of his office as parish priest, for that this deponent having this time two years a long and dangerous sickness and having often times sent for Mr Rothwell to come and pray with, which Mr Rothwell neglected to do and never came near this deponent for above a month, and when he did come went away without praying with him; and this deponent further saith that Mr Rothwell is given to excessive drinking for that about three years ago this deponent led him home from one Matthew Bennington's in Thursford being very much overcome with drink, so as not to be able to go alone… Naldred and Bennington did hire of Mr Rothwell the tithes of Thursford... they both desired to get rid of the tithes that everyone might have their own… About a twelve month ago to the best of this deponent's memory he called at the Widow Fox's to know whether that would have any meat, and they had often had before, to which she replied that the parson did not like it for it was not fat enough, upon which this deponent replied in jest, don't he like it, give him some ratesbane and see how he like that, but this deponent meant no ill to Mr Rothwell, and believes neither he nor his landlady took it so then, for that they have had meat of him several times since.
On a Sunday in the afternoon within this twelvemonth, Mr Rothwell came from the Hall to church much disordered, as this deponent believes, with drink, for that he did not read prayers as he use to do but sometimes read high, sometimes low, and stopt and made mistakes, but whether he went thro' the whole service this deponent don't remember; and that Mr Rothwell doth sometimes mistake the day of the month and the Epistles and Gospels, and that when there have been but few people at church he has left out some of the service appointed to be read.
On a Sunday in the afternoon within this twelvemonth, Mr Rothwell came from the Hall to church much disordered, as this deponent believes, with drink, for that he did not read prayers as he use to do but sometimes read high, sometimes low, and stopt and made mistakes, but whether he went thro' the whole service this deponent don't remember; and that Mr Rothwell doth sometimes mistake the day of the month and the Epistles and Gospels, and that when there have been but few people at church he has left out some of the service appointed to be read.
Blogg, Wix, Wright and his wife, Stoakes, White, Tompson, Lippencoate, Chapman and Gill are persons in poor mean worldly circumstances and easy to be persuaded to anything; John Loose is a very scandalous idle person of no reputation… John Edge is he believes a great enemy to Mr Rothwell for that about three weeks or a month before Christmas last in the evening this deponent being at the Sign of the Crayfish in Thursford in company with Edge, Edward Fox and John Bennington heard Edge say that Rothwell was a rogue and that they were all rogues that took his part; and farther this deponent says that he has heard it reported in the town of Thursford that Edge has had a bastard and Cooke did commit the crime of antenuptial fornication; the articulate Bennington is sister to Naldred's wife… Jekell's wife had not been brought to bed a month and Clarke's child had not public baptism when their wives came to be churched… Though there was no sacrament in the parish church of Thursford on Whit Sunday 1707 (the reason of which was because Mr Rothwell was not well) yet there was one on the Sunday following… He has often times been in company with Mr Rothwell but never heard him talk lewdly or filthily neither did he ever see him disguised with too much drink.
He has heard that Mr Rothwell did pray with Fox in his sickness… Anne Blogg and Elizabeth Wix are poor persons and take collection; Dennis Wright married a cousin of Naldred and is a poor fellow and lives in a house he hires of Naldred and dare not do anything to disoblige Mr Naldred; John Loose is an idle drunken fellow of no reputation and such who is not to be credited; Stoakes is a poor fellow, and also Tompson; Lippincoat is an industrious honest fellow; Chapman is a poor fellow easy to be persuaded to anything; Gill is a shoemaker and trades for leather with Mr Bennington… He does believe Edge, Cooke and Plowright are enemies to Mr Rothwell and to such others as will not join with them in their prosecution against Mr Rothwell, which this deponent belives to be a malicious prosecution, and farther this deponent says that he was at Mr Cook's house at the time articulate and saw Mr Cook and Mr Tindall mix cider and strong waters together but did not see or perceive that Mr Rothwell mixed any brandy and mead together, and that he has heard it reported; and does believe that Edge has had a bastard laid to him, and that Cooke got his wife with child before marriage; Mary Bennington is sister to Naldred's wife… He was with Mr Rothwell and he was not disguised with drink as is set forth in the depositions of James Chapman, neither did this deponent's wife desire Chapman to lead Mr Rothwell home, as this deponent has been told by his wife… Jekell's wife had not been brought to bed three weeks and that Clarke's child had not public baptism when their wives came to be churched… Although there was no sacrament upon Whit Sunday 1707 yet there was one on the following Sunday, and the reason why there was no sermon on a Sunday in the afternoon articulate when Mr Rothwell had given notice in the forenoon of a sermon to be in the afternoon, was Mr Thornton's being ill, who had promised Mr Rothwell to preach for him, as this deponent was informed by Mr Thornton himself, when he wrote the letter or paper exhibited in this cause… He has been several times in company with Mr Rothwell but never heard him talk obscenely or filthily.
About three years ago or something better, this deponent being servant to Mr Leader of Thursford, one evening about candle lighting was desired by his mistress to see Mr Rothwell home to his parsonage house, who was then so far disguised with drink as not to be able to go home without help, and hung upon this deponent's arm all the way home, and as they came by this deponent's father's house Mr Rothwell told this deponent that he the said Mr Rothwell must fuck, and asked this deponent where his sister Judith was, wishing that he had her, which Judith was then a singlewoman and used to keep a pretty deal of company… His Mistress Leader and the maid that was in the house saw Mr Rothwell drunk, but the obscene discourse predeposed was between him and Mr Rothwell alone.
Upon a Tuesday in Lent last this deponent gave this deponent's child private baptism and upon the Friday following meeting the deponent told him that his wife did not give him any good drink, upon which this deponent replied that he did not design to tap his vessel of best drink, till his child had full baptism, but told Mr Rothwell that if he had a mind to taste of it, he should be welcome, and then Mr Rothwell expressing his inclination so to do, went home with this deponent where they drank two gotches, and Mr Rothwell came again to this deponent's house in the evening and was very urgent for some more of the same drink, which this deponent, his brother and Mr Rothwell continued drinking till near midnight, and Mr Rothwell was so far overcome with drink that he fell from his chair and put his wig on the wrong way, and used several extravagant actions and expressions and amongst other things swore by God that he never fucked any woman in his life and continued there drinking till the tub was out, which Mr Rothwell would not believe till it was brought empty into the room, and then endeavouring to go home, staggered against the wall and told the deponent he was fuddled and desired his help to get home and accordingly this deponent helped him almost home… Mr Naldred and Bennington had formerly the tithes.
Mr Rothwell coming with this deponent's husband to her house on the Friday three weeks before Easter last past, drank so greedily and to such excess of a tub of good drink, that Mr Rothwell fell from his seat and put the hinder part of his wig before and behaved himself very ridiculously and talked very nasty filthy language, and continued drinking till near midnight, and till the vessel was out, which Mr Rothwell would not believe till the maidservant brought out the empty tub. And then he was so extraordinary fuddled that he could not stand but desired this deponent's husband to help him home and accordingly her husband helped him almost home.
Whilst this deponent kept Dennis Wright's wife during her laying in last year upon a Friday in the evening, Mr Rothwell came to Dennis Wright's in Thursford, and was there desirous of strong drink and drank so excessively that he fell from his seat with his head against the floor, and could not get up without health, and put his wig on the wrong way, and behaved himself very scandalously both in his actions and filthy obscene talk and continued there till the tub was out, which he would not believe till this deponent fetched it out and held it up to him, and he stayed there till it was very late and he was so disordered with drink that he could not go home without help.
Upon the Wednesday was sennight after last Easter was twelvemonth Mr Rothwell came to the house of this deponent's brother Nicholas Plowright in Thursford. about eleven a clock in the forenoon to christen his child, and immediately upon his coming in this deponent, his brother and the rest of the company perceived that Mr Rothwell had been drinking, because he faltered in his speech, and was scarce able to sit upon his seat, and in performing the office of baptism he so often stopt and made mistakes that this deponent and the rest of the company could scarce understand him and her the name of the child, and that at dinner time and all the afternoon Mr Rothwell behaved himself so ridiculously by reason of his having drunk too much that all the company was ashamed of him, and some off them removed out of the room to avoid his company… He not being of Thursford parish never heard Mr Rothwell before or since perform the office of baptism and therefore can't answer.
Upon the Wednesday was sevennight after last Easter was twelvemonth Mr Rothwell came to the house of this deponent's brother Nicholas Plowright in Thursford. About eleven a clock in the forenoon to christen his child, and immediately upon his coming in this deponent, his brother and the rest of the company perceived that Mr Rothwell had been drinking, because he faltered in his speech, and was scarce able to sit upon his seat, and in performing the office of baptism he so often stopt and made mistakes that this deponent and the rest of the company could scarce understand him and her the name of the child, and that at dinner time and all the afternoon Mr Rothwell behaved himself so ridiculously by reason of his having drunk too much that all the company was ashamed of him, and some off them removed out of the room to avoid his company… He not being of Thursford parish never heard Mr Rothwell before or since perform the office of baptism and therefore can't answer.
Mr Rothwell does not lead a life becoming his profession and is negligent of his office as parish priest as more particularly will appear from her depositions to the following articles… This deponent being with several other neighbours at the christening of Nicholas Plowright's child... observed that Mr Rothwell was very much disordered, as this deponent believes, with drink, so as not to be able to perform the office as he ought to have done, but stopt and made mistakes, and could scarce speak plain and repeated some of the words twice over… They had no prayers last from Ash Wednesday till Lady Day whereas they formerly use to have upon every Wednesday and Friday in Lent, that the bells rang on the first Friday but Mr Rothwell could not be found… Upon last Whit Sunday was twelvemonth there was no sermon neither was the sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered in the parish church of Thursford, though Mr Rothwell had given advice the Sunday before for the sacrament; that one Sunday in the latter part of the last summer Mr Rothwell having given notice of a sermon to be preached in the afternoon, and the bell ringing accordingly, and the church being very full, Mr Rothwell did not preach, neither excuse it but went out the church laughing… That upon the Sunday before Christmas Day last Mr Rothwell refused to read the office of thanksgiving after childbirth to Susan the wife of Nicholas Clark and Mary the wife of Richard Jeke of Thursford, though they were both present in the place set apart for that purpose and Mr Rothwell had notice of it… Mr Naldred and Bennington did formerly farm the tithes of Thursford… She heard Mrs Naldred check people for talking against and laying open Mr Rothwell's faults, saying they ought not to speak so of their teacher, and this deponent doth believe that Mr Rothwell would have had a congregation this year as well as there have been former years, if he would have read prayers upon the Wednesdays and Fridays in Lent… Mr Rothwell did read prayers upon the Whit Sunday articulate, that she believes he was heart hale but he did seem to have some hurt on his lip having a black patch on it, occasioned by two of his teeth being knock't out by a gotch being flung at him as the report was in Thursford. That he did administer the Sacrament the Sunday following… Mary Jekel did want a day of being brought to bed three weeks when she came to be churched. That Nicholas Clark's child had private baptism but being very ill was not fit to be brought to church.