A Court Baron of the worshipfull Sir Thomas May, Knight, there helden of Fryday, the 27th day of June in the Thirteenth year of King William ye Third and in ye year 1701 before Thomas Wheeler, Gent., steward of the said Court.
Be it remembered that William Parsley of Much Eyston in the County of Essex and Jane his wife, being married for the space of 3 years last, past and upwards, by means of their Quiet, Peaceful, Tender and Loving Cohabitation for the said space of time, came and claimed the Bacon, and there was delivered unto them a Gammon of Bacon.
The homage of the last mentioned were Elizabeth Beaumont, Henrietta, Annabella, Jane Beaumont and Mary Wheeler, Spinsters.
Be it remembered that att the Said Court it is found and presented by the Homage aforesaid that John Reynolds of Hatfield Regis, alias Hatfield Broadoak, in the County of Essex, gent., and Ann his wife have been married for the space of ten years last, part and upwards, and it is likewise found, presented by the Homage aforesaid that the said John Reynolds and Ann his wife by means of their Quiet, Peaceable, etc., etc.
Whereupon the said Steward, with the Jury, suitors and other officers of the Court, proceeded with the usual solemnity to the ancient and accustomed place for the Administration of the Oath (and receiving the Bacon aforesaid), that is to say to the two great stones lying near the church door within the said Manor
Whereupon the said John Reynolds and Ann kneeling down on the said two stones the said Steward did administer unto them the Oaths in these words or this effect following—
You shall swear by Custom of Confession
That you ne'er made Nuptial Transgression;
Nor since you were married Man and Wife,
By Household Brawls or Contentious Strife,
Or otherwise in Bed or att board,
Offended each other in deed or word;
Or in a Twelve month time and a Day,
Repented not in Thought any way;
Or since the Church clerk said Amen,
Wish'd yourselves unmarried again,
But continued true, and in desire,
As when you join'd hand in holy Choire.
And immediately thereupon ye said John Reynolds and Ann, claiming the said Bacon, the Court pronounced sentence for the same in these words or to the effect following, viz.—
Since to these Conditions without any fear,
Of your own accords you do truly swear;
A whole Gammon of Bacon you do receive,
And bear it away with love and good leave;
For this is the Custom at Dunmow well known.
Tho' the Pleasure be ours, the Bacon's your own.
And accordingly a Gammon of Bacon with the usual solemnity was delivered unto John Reynolds and Ann his wife.