243 Giffard v Atkins

243 GIFFARD V ATKINS

Roger Giffard of Tiverton, co. Devon, esq v Henry Atkins of Cullompton, co. Devon

February 1640

Abstract

Giffard complained that Atkins had called him 'a fool and asse', and 'a base gent', and given him the lie. Process was granted on 15 February 1640, but no further proceedings survive.

Initial proceedings

2/7, Petition to Arundel

'Your petitioner, being a gent. of a very auntient discent and family in Devonshire, hath ben much scandalized and abused by one Henry Atkins who called the petitioner foole and asse, and said the petitioner was a base gent, and gave him the lye, and challenged him to fight with him. By all which the petitioner is insufferably wronged.'

Petitioned that Atkins be brought to answer.

Maltravers granted process on 15 February 1640.

2/6, Plaintiff's bond

15 February 1640

Bound to appear 'in the Court in the painted Chamber within the Pallace of Westminster'.

Signed by Henry Newte of Lyons Inn, co. Middlesex, gent on behalf of Giffard.

Sealed and delivered in the presence of John Watson.

Notes

Roger Giffard was the son and heir of George Giffard of Tiverton, and Joane, daughter of Thomas Hodgescot of Wedmore, co. Somerset. Roger was aged 15 in 1620. Henry Atkins of Cullompton married Joanna, daughter of Abraham Turner of Halberton.

F. T. Colby (ed.), The Visitation of the County of Devon in the year 1620 (Publications of the Harleian Society, 6, 1872), pp. 135, 290.

Documents

• Initial proceedings
  • Petition: 2/7 (15 Feb 1640)
  • Plaintiff's bond: 2/6 (15 Feb 1640)

People mentioned in the case

• Atkins, Henry
• Atkins, Joanna
• Giffard, George
• Giffard, Joane
• Giffard, Roger, esq
• Hodgescot, Joane
• Hodgescot, Thomas
• Howard, Henry, baron Maltravers
• Newte, Henry, gent
• Turner, Abraham
• Turner, Joanna
• Watson, John

Places mentioned in the case

• Devon
  • Cullompton
  • Halberton
  • Tiverton
• Middlesex
  • Lyons Inn
• Somerset
  • Wedmore

Topics of the case

• challenge to a duel
• denial of gentility
• giving the lie
• inns of court