(damaged on right side) to the right honourable sir Thos Egerton knight lord keeper of the great seal of England in most humble wise complaining showeth unto your good lordship your daily orator Roger Harlakenden of Earls Colne in the county of Essex esq that whereas the late right honourable Jn de Veer earl of Oxford deceased was (torn) fee of and in the manors of Earls Colne and Colne Priory situate and being in the said county of Essex to which manors there are divers tenants which do hold as well be free deed as by copy of court rolls and likewise to each of the (torn) and time whereof memory of man doth not run to the contrary there have been belonging a court leet or a view of frankpledge and that he the said earl of Oxford of the manor aforesaid (torn) did either by his deed or otherwise constitute and appoint Jn Church gentleman deceased to be the steward of the said leets and of the courts of the said manor by force whereof (torn) of long time continue and remain as steward and did execute the office of he stewardship of the said several courts and by reason thereof did receive the verdicts of the several (torn) entries and the rolls of the said courts and did also during the said office and stewardship get into his own hands and possession divers other court rolls rental (torn) writings and evidences for and concerning the said manor and courts and he the said Jn Church being steward of the said manor and courts one Jn Cockerell did (torn) Church and after the said Jn Church died after whose death the said Jn Cockerell was appointed or deputed by the said earl of Oxford or by the honourable (torn) steward of the said several courts who did exercise the same office of long time together as thereunto appointed or deputed in manner and form aforesaid (torn) did likewise get into his hands and possession as well the said court rolls rentals extents books of survey charters writings and evidences which before had happened (torn) his father in law as also divers other court rolls rentals extents books of survey charters writings and evidences for and concerning the said manor and courts all which (torn) writings and evidences are come and happened unto the hands and possession of Sam Cockerell son and heir of the said Jn Cockerell and the said Edw earl of Oxford (torn) his said father he said said Edw earl of Oxford did for divers great sums of money paid unto him by the said Roger Harlakenden bargain sell assure and convey all and singular the charters writings evidences court rolls rentals terrier books of survey extents escripts muniments to the said manor and courts and any of them belonging (torn) the said manor or courts or any of them unto the said Roger Harlakenden his heirs and assigns to the only use of the said Roger Harlakenden his heirs and assigns forever (torn) said manor leets and either of them is seised in his demesne as of fee since which conveyance and assurance so made of the said manor unto the said Roger Harlakenden (torn) and earnestly required and intreated the said Sam Cockerell to deliver unto him the said court rolls and other the evidences aforesaid and the papers of the (torn) Sam hath and yet doth now only utterly deny to do but also he the said Sam Cockerell hath partly upon an avaricious mind for the getting and obtaining (torn) said Roger Harlakenden revealed and disclosed to divers persons copyholders and freeholders of your said orator's tenants of the said manor and others many things contained (torn) terrier books of survey extents escripts muniments and in the said papers of verdicts and entries and hath delivered unto sundry persons copies and extracts right (torn) controversies and debates have grown and risen and are likely more and more daily to arise and grow unto your said orator to the impugning and withstanding of the just (torn) and disinheritance and against all right and equity considering the said Jn Church and Jn Cockerell were deputed stewards unto the keeping of the said court (torn) and evidences aforesaid and which have happened unto the hands of the said Sam Cockerell by the reason and upon the occasions before alleged may it therefore (torn) and for that your lordships's said orator knoweth not the certain dates of the said charters writings court rolls rentals terrier books of surveys extents escripts and (torn) in any box or chest locked or sealed or unlocked or unsealed whereby your worship's said orator hath or may have any remedy by due course of the common (torn) her majestys gracious writ of subpoena to be directed to the said Sam Cockerell commanding him thereby at a certain day and under a certain pain (torn) before your good lordship in her majesties court of chancery then and there to answer to the premises and to abide such further order and direction therein as to your (torn) and your said orator according to his bounden duty shall daily pray to almighty god to continue your good lordship in long life and much happiness (torn)