Memorials of four old families

5
Privy Council evidently took a different view of the case, as Troughton
remained incarcerated.
A few extracts from the document, which is of great length, are here
given, as showing a feature of social life among the gentry of that time.
Alluding to the Duke of Northumberland, Troughton says — " I drew
my dagger in the sight of the said John Dove and Jenys Prate, and wished
it at the villain's heart as hard as I could thrust." Again, he says — " The
parson and I went to an alehouse about 1 1 o'clock in the afternoon, and
there, playing at cards for drink, mine adversaries Thomas Wimberley and
John Rogers being at the Church house, John Dove and William Swyning
being at the Church house there in company with mine adversaries Thomas
Wimberley and John Rogers, I sent for the said Swyning and Dove to
come and drink with me, and they promised but came not, but Swyning
changed and went, and I said ' then let us have no more talk but go and
drink together.' "
He was summoned before the Justices at Falkingham, and in answer
to the summons, he said — " I took the bill from him, and with my pen
before these gentlemen I did blot out my name, and my men's names,
afterwards I came to the Parson's stile, and there was mine adversary,
Thomas Wimberley, and amongst other talk, as I was going over the stile,
he bade ' God save Lady Jane,' otherwise then called ' Queen Jane,' and I
said in derision ' God save her too, for she never hurt me.' "
The following additional extract is amusing : — " That I should call my
very good Lord Chancellor knave ! Oh ! my Lords, it is not true ; but a
cup of ale at Wimberley 's, when Prate is drunken, will make Prate say
what Wimberley will falsely imagine." Again — " He said he would bring
one of the Queen's servants to see the Church, and I wished of God, if it
were his pleasure, that her Grace might have a progress into the North, and
drink at Wimberley 's house and see both* her Grace's town and Church
there, and this I spoke reverently toward her Grace, bareheaded before all
my neighbours, and not contemptuously against her Highness, whom, like
an obedient servant, I thank God I have served truly hitherto and will by
God's permission, while I live."
This Thomas Wimberley was succeeded by his eldest son William
in 1565.
III. WILLIAM, 3rd proprietor of South Witham, married Dorothy
daughter of Nikes of Coson or Coston, Leicestershire, and had issue
of her 4 sons and 1 daughter.
1. George, his heir, b. 1580 d. 1635.
* Note. — The Church and town of Witham were of Royal demesne.