Public order Robert Corbet (died 1676)

richard baxter, puritan theologian , preacher, accompanied parliamentarian force wem , later preached assizes @ shrewsbury. important moral influence in region , friend of james berry, whom rebuked tolerating quakers.



philip henry, puritan preacher , pastor visited corbet @ stanwardine on several occasions in later years.

the public conflation of order “godliness” seems have reached peak in 1656, during rule of major-generals, when james berry, independent, regional representative of central government. berry prevailed on magistrates issue declarations of intent. corbet 1 of signed order suppress undesirable alehouses. richard baxter preached @ spring assizes of year on duty of magistrates uphold virtue , suppress vice. berry, corbet on bench @ shrewsbury on 8 january, when no less 6 alesellers suppressed throughout county. however, if there onslaught on innocent pleasures, did not last long. corbet present @ next quarter sessions, when, fresh baxter s sermon, bench suppressed no ales sellers granted new licence sell ale 1 richard wicherley of berghill. pattern same throughout century , had little puritan preoccupations. in 1640 grand jury had set out guidelines corporations , justices: reduce ale outlets reasonable number , enforce weights , measures legislation. there concern “tippling” on sunday, expressed in 1707 as in 1652. none of new: corbet s great uncle richard took similar issues in 1596. actual punishments in connection ale selling restricted largely broke licensing laws. corbet chaired bench in april 1657, when bartholomew poyner fined 20 shillings selling ale without licence, although 3 other alesellers licensed, bringing in £20 public purse. corbet chaired next sessions, when poyner brought before court second offence , condemned public whipping if failed pay fine, 3 days in prison. corbet , fellow puritans on bench zealous rather severe. local puritan leadership did not have austere attitude food , drink: major-general berry entertained @ 2 inns during stay, second feast costing £14.

corbet seems have been effective away bench, using forensic skills pursue graft , negligence in public office. in 1647 parliament had clamped down on neglect of church buildings, prescribing fines of 40s. churchwardens allowed churches decay , on impropriators failed maintain chancels. in january 1654 quarter sessions made corbet responsible surveying chancel @ baschurch , ensuring impropriators paid repairs. pursued matter on more 3 years until hendry chambers, 1 of impropriators, fined 40 shillings , threatened imprisonment unless carried out repairs. michaelmas sessions of 1657 deputed corbet interview stephen hatchet , thomas adams, former surveyors of highways @ ellesmere, in dispute on accounts. job of surveyor unpaid , unpopular, seems have afforded opportunities personal enrichment. hatchet had been bound on perfect accounts long ago january 1656., , imprisoned time, although released when corbet chaired bench @ easter 1657, on condition report corbet himself. adams ordered hand on £2 10s. remaining time in office successors claimed still owed money hatchet. however, pair proved elusive and, in january 1658, corbet had obtain order force them appear before him. @ easter, matter still pending in july corbet secured judgement hatchet should repay parish 30 shillings, while 3 others ordered pay 10 shillings each. not end of matter, hatchet , adams continued quarrel , michaelmas 1658 sessions delegated corbet mediate. finally, in january 1559, 3 years after case first appeared in magistrate s records, court discharged hatchet, matter settled. there number of references corbet of such disputes, involving resolution of debt , personal or social conflict - important part of day-to-day business of local government during protectorate.

corbet appeared @ quarter sessions last time in spring 1659 , disappeared public life. following year, parliamentarians had been purged administration of justice in county , new regime took over.

philip henry, moderate puritan ordained presbyterian minister @ prees, shropshire in 1657, visitor @ stanwardine in years after restoration, when ejected living. in 1670 paid pastoral visit after corbet s grandson, called robert, died of smallpox. welcomed corbets year later.

with wife @ stanwardine – made of there little done, reason of vayn, unfixt, unfruitful heart. accompanied them in killing buck in own park, far being taken great delight or pleasure in ye sport, sent part of him broad-oke after us.

it unclear spiritual state criticising, or whether related earlier bereavement: robert corbet must have been old man time , henry s host hunting trip thomas corbet, heir. in 1672 henry s meal @ stanwardine, in company of few old parliamentarians, more liking.