HANSdoc Database

15580207BRE00

Transcript available

1558, February 7

[Bremen]

Lawyer Dirick van Minden to [Bremen]: answer to the complaint against his client Gerdt Breker by Brun Oldenburg and Johan Beling about the death of Cordt Hemeling in Shetland, in which he explains the circumstances that led to Hemeling's death. It was the rude behaviour of Hemeling himself that led to a fight on the ship, in which he was hit among others by Breker, and fell down. However, it cannot be proven that it was these events that led to his death, as he acted normally afterwards for 10 or 12 days, before he was found dead in his bunk. As Breker had no other choice than to confess, the obligation was forced upon him and therefore, it is pleaded to be declared null and void.

15580502BRE00

Transcript available

1558, May 2

[Bremen]

Lawyer Dirick van Minden to [Bremen]: rebutter and final plea to the surrejoinder of Dirick Witting, lawyer of Johan Beling and Brun Oldenburg, against his client Gerdt Breker in the case about the death of Cordt Hemeling on Shetland, in which he states that the ship's crew conspired against Breker while he was on the island, and that he cannot pay the desired amount, which will put him, his wife and children into trouble.

15590201BRE00

Transcript available

1559, February 1

[Bremen]

Lawyer Dirick van Minden to [Bremen]: complaint of his client Gerdt Breker against Gerdt Hemeling, the brother of skipper Cordt Hemeling, who allegedly died of injuries inflicted to him by Breker on Shetland, but acted normally and even helped Breker after the incident. Therefore, with an appeal to statute 101 of the city legislation, it is unfair that Breker had to pay 150 Bremen mark to Hemeling and was expelled from the city, and it is demanded that that claim is withdrawn.

15590906BRA00

Transcript available

1559, September 6

Brow

Olave Sinclair, governour of Shetland, testifies how in August 1557, German skipper Cordt Hemeling was slain by Gerdt Breker, a member of his crew, in Shetland, how he was sought and found, and that five men were appointed as Breker's warrantors before Sinclair on Cordt's brother Gerdt Hemeling's incentive.

15591212BRE00

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1559, December 12

[Bremen]

Gerdt Hemeling to Bremen: defense against the complaint of Gerdt Breker's lawyer Didrick van Minden in the case about the death of his brother Cordt Hemeling on Shetland, in which he states that the witnesses contradict each other about what happened in Shetland, and that there is no alternative explanation for the cause of death of Hemeling than that he died from the blow dealt to him by Breker. Moreover, Breker confessed before Shetland governour Olave Sinclair, of whom he sends a letter of testimony, and demands that Breker pays the desired amount.

15600115BRE00

Transcript available

1560, January 15

[Bremen]

Lawyer Dirick van Minden to Bremen: replication to the defense of Gerdt Hemeling against his client Gerdt Breker in the case about the death of skipper Cordt Hemeling in Shetland, in which he states that the witnesses do not contradict each other, that Breker cannot pay the desired amount, and there is not enough evidence to convict him for manslaughter of Hemeling. Moreover, the translation of the testimony of Shetland governour Olave Sinclair is not valid as evidence because it is not verified by a notary.

15600129BRE00

Transcript available

1560, January 29

[Bremen]

Gerdt Hemeling to [Bremen]: rejoinder and final plea to the replication of Didrick van Minden, lawyer of Gerdt Breker, in the case about the death of Cordt Hemeling in Shetland, in which he states that he could not have forced Breker to sign his obligation, as he was about a week sailing away when it happened, and that statute 101 is not valid in this case, as the manslaughter happened abroad and not in the city of Bremen.

15600212BRE00

Transcript available

1560, February 12

[Bremen]

Lawyer Dirick van Minden to [Bremen]: surrejoinder and final plea to the rejoinder of Gerdt Hemeling against his client Gerdt Breker in the case about the death of Cordt Hemeling in Shetland, in which he repeats that Breker should not be convicted of manslaughter, and asks the council to decide whether statute 101 is valid here, since both parties are citizens of Bremen.

15670815SUM00

1567, August 15

Sumburgh Head

James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell, testifies that he arrived in Shetland and ordered Bremen merchant Gerdt Hemeling to rent his ship to him for two months, for 50 crowns each month, and in the case that the ship is damaged or not returned, he will restitute him 1200 daler and 100 crowns for the guns.

15670915LAX00

1567, September 15

Laxfirth

Olave Sinclair confesses, that Gerdt Hemeling has always been a true and honest merchant, and that James, Count Bothwell took his ship from him against his will and to his great damage.