File 8 - Copies of court papers in the case of St John's College vs Sir John Platt

Consisting of 11 items:

1) Copy of petition of John Platt to the Master of the Rolls concerning the Bill of Complaint brought by St John's. With some crossings out and alterations, but with order of the Master of the Rolls (Sir Harbottle Grimstone) at foot, 5 June 1673 (former ref. D113.2.14)

2) Copy of decree, with several findings, including that St John's hold the disputed premises and Sir John Platt surrender the leases and copyholds, but that some financial compensation be given them for money expended by him and his father in the period between his grandfather's will being made and now; also that St John's should grant a lease to Sir John on easy and favourable terms. 11 June 1675. 3 sheets (6 pages), stapled at centre fold, which has been flattened out (former ref. D113.2.24)

3) Draft nomination by St John's and appointment of person (name left blank) to whom Sir John Platt should surrender property in the manor of Cantlowes, Middlesex, as ordered by the Court of Chancery on 11 June 1675 (former ref. D113.2.25)

4) Petition to the Lord Keeper by the Attorney General acting for the King and for St John's College - asking for a delay in making his decision and giving reasons for petition. Annotated with the Attorney General's response (agreeing to delay and setting date). Petition itself not dated; annotation dated 5 August 1675 (former ref. D113.2.15)

5) Copy of order of court, 19 November 1675. The Attorney General, on behalf of the College, recites the recent history of the case, including that by earlier decrees it was ordered that the College hold the premises and that Platt acknowledge the will of William Platt to be a good will, but that Platt 'procured' some of the tenants to pay rent to him rather than the College, and in open court refused to accept the terms of the will of William Platt (his grandfather) then endeavoured 'by great boasting and otherwise' to procure the rest of the tenants. Ordered that he be committed to the Fleet prison and that the sheriff of Middlesex be given a writ of assistance to put the College in possession of the premises. John Platt to pay to the College the rents received by him from any of the tenants of the premises, unless the defendant gives notice to the clerk of court that in court on Thursday next he shows good cause to the contrary. Signed 'Gar. Guidell'. (former ref. D113.2.20-21)

6) Copy of order of the Lord Chancellor that the order of 19 November be made absolute. 26 November 1675 (former ref. D113.2.17)

7) Copy of decree of Charles II, 27 November 1675, signed by Grimston Parkins. In Latin (former ref. D113.2.16)

8) Deposition of Philip Reeves that he has tried his utmost to serve Sir John Platt with a copy of a decree made in this case, but had been unable to do so. Recites his attempts and the places where he went to try and find him. 17 May 1678 (former ref. D113.2.19)

9) Order of the Lord Chancellor's court that, as Sir John Platt evades being delivered with the writ of execution of the recent decree, leaving a copy of the decree with his clerk in court shall be deemed sufficient. 18 May 1678 (former ref. D113.2.22)

10) Case made by St John's, beginning with scope of the bill, then reciting the history of the case. Undated, but c. 1678 (former ref. D113.2.23)

11) Copy of order of the Lord Chancellor that a perpetual injunction be brought against Sir John Platt, and any persons acting for him, that they may not receive a stay of proceedings at law, and that the College should hold the premises. 23 January 1679 (former ref. D113.2.18)