Catalogue description Probably enclosed in 8ANC7/25.

The manifest scandals committed by Thomas Cicell of Ednam against the Lord Willoughby of Eresbye:--

1. That he and his son-in-law have within the last seven weeks, exhibited five or six petitions against his Lordship, without any colour of right (as by the endorsements of their petitions appeareth), upon the which, he was by the Council committed to prison.

2. That he suborneth his son-in-law [stepson] Mathewe Cheesman, a boy some fourteen or fifteen years, to exhibit petitions wherein (although the Archbishop of Canterbury has certified that he has seen the original will of Lord Willoughby's father, under his hand and seal, as well as a paper copy thereof) he declares that there has been conference between his Grace of Canterbury and Lord Willoughby, who thereupon delivered in a paper copy without witnesses, pretending it to be the true will; thereby inferring that his Lordship has forged his father's will.

3. That he inferreth his Lordship to be a defender and commander of riots, and a detainer of his (Cecill's) goods, because he might not possess a house and lands to which neither he nor the boy have any right whatsoever, as is shown by the endorsements of both the Masters of Requests, as well as by Lord Willoughby's answer.

4. That within three days after his imprisonment he suborned the boy to procure a summons against his Lordship and the Countess of Kent, for probate of their father's will, when neither he nor the boy have any right in the said will.

Lastly, that "it is not to be doubted but both in the country and here in her Highness' Court he hath not let to use the liberty of his tongue in calumniating and depraving his Lordship, for the which, though it may be your Lordships might think him fit [for] some sharp corporal punishment," yet his Lordship only craves that he may make public acknowledgment of his slanders in Lincoln, Fockingham [Falkingham] Borne and Stanford, or otherwise to order the cause as your Lordships think most convenient.