The dispute between Darnhall and Vale Royal Abbey arose in the early fourteenth century. Tensions in Cheshire between villagers from Darnhall and Over and their feudal lord, Abbot Peter of Vale Royal Abbey, erupted into violence over whether they had villein—servile—status. The villagers' efforts to reject the Abbey's feudal overlordship included appeals to the Abbot, the Justice of Chester and even to the King and Queen. On each occasion the villagers were unsuccessful, frequently suffering imprisonment and fines when their appeals failed. On one occasion the villagers of Darnhall and Over followed Peter to Rutland; an affray broke out, the Abbot's groom was killed and Peter and his entourage were captured. The King intervened and released him; the Abbot then had the villagers imprisoned again. Abbot Peter was killed a few years later. Nothing is known of any resolution to the dispute, but serfdom was in decline nationally and Peter's successor may have had other priorities.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dispute_between_Darnhall_and_Vale_Royal_Abbey

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1863:

American Civil War: The Confederates were routed in the Battle of Raymond, a small battle that had an inordinately large impact on the Vicksburg Campaign. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Raymond

1888:

North Borneo was established as a British protectorate. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Borneo

1975:

The Cambodian navy seized the American container ship SS Mayaguez in what they claimed to be Cambodian territorial waters. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayaguez_incident

1982:

The Coppergate Helmet, the best preserved of the six known Anglo-Saxon helmets, was discovered. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coppergate_Helmet

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

motherhood statement: (chiefly Canada, US) A vague, feel-good platitude, especially one made by a politician, that few people would disagree with. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/motherhood_statement

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

How very little can be done under the spirit of fear.   --Florence Nightingale https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Florence_Nightingale