Transcription of the document:
Articles of misdemeanor committed at in the County of Stafford
especially on Aug 6th 1655 presented at Stafford Assizes
Aug 7th
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1 The wakes were kept especially by Walter Brindley, Nicholas
B[?]dgin,
Thomas Floyd and Silvanus Parfield, all of Lapley, and their families,
whither resorted great company day and night. As wittnesseth John
Jackson
and John Anson.
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2 Two companyes of maurice-dancers: the names of the one company
were
these viz: Edmond, John and Mathew, the sons of Walter Brindley
of Lapley
husbandman and Papists. Ellen Perry (alias Perryn) servant to
the said
Walter, spinster. Edward, Robert, Richard, Hugh and Francis, sons
of
Sibley Floyd of Lapley, Papist widow. An Perry (or Perryn) spinster,
Thomas Preston servant to John Collins, Papist husbandman, Katherin
Blake, and Sarah Blake servants to Thomas [?Pert] of Lapley, esquire,
Papist. Frances Anslem daughter of Robert Anslem of Lapley, Papist,
and
yett third-Borough. All which men and women danced promiscuously.
And
Francis Floyd apprentice to Thomas Floyd danced in womans apparrell.
All which recusants are for absence from the church the 4 last
Sabbaths.
John Law of Church-Eaten parish for being their musitian.
The other company of Maurice-dancers were about 16 that
came from Stretton in Penckridge parish and danced in Lapley viz-Joseph
Patricke servant to Richard Congreve [?Gentleman], Edward Pool
Tayler,
Francis Poole husbandman & c-
as wittnesseth John Anson.
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3 Richard Floyd aforsaid also for acting the fooles part, and
profanely
curseing others with palgue twice. As wittnesseth John Jackson.
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4 Thomas Floyd, and Sibley Floyd of Lapley recusants for absence
from the
church, selling ale without a licence , and harbouring tipplers
in their houses by
day and night. As wittnesseth John Anson.
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5 Robert Anslem aforesaid, third borough, for apprehending neither
the
musitians [nor] any strangers.
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6 John Eccles and Margaret his wife for tipleing with many ohters.
As witness
John Anslem. And for being marryed contrary to law formerly living.
Wittness
Thomas Aston of Mitton.
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