Rope Dancers!

A travelling medicine show comes to the wild west of Essex and just like any good western ‘trouble’ soon follows.

4th–20th June 1787

I do present Oliver Mounthbank, Doctor, late of Abridge in Lambourne parish. For creating a common nuisance in ‘this’ parish by erecting a stage in the village of Abridge on the twenty day of June last near the Kings common highway and causing rope dancing and tumbling to be exhibited and performed thereon. To the great annoyance and common nuisance of all the liege and subjects of our Lord the King’s property. That was to the bad example of all others in the like company and offending against the peace of our lord the King.

Yet more trouble for the good ‘Doctor’.

We likewise present Oliver Mountbank on several informations of John Corning constable of the parish of Epping. George White const of the parish of Morton and Henry Humerston const of Lambourne. For that the said on the 18th June last in the parish of Epping, on the 14th June last in the parish of Morton, and on the 20th June last in the parish of Lambourne on the Kings Highway in the said parishes, erected a stage and exhibited tumbley and other entertainment and did vend and sale certain drugs not being authorized by law. To the great newsence of the inhabitants of the said provincial parishes.