Fifty earliest English wills in the Court of Probate, London : A. D. 1387-1439 : with a priest's of 1454 / copied and edited from the original registers in Somerset House by Frederick J. Furnivall

Fifty earliest English wills in the Court of Probate, London : A. D. 1387-1439 : with a priest's of 1454 / copied and edited from the original registers in Somerset House by Frederick J. FurnivallChurch of England. Province of Canterbury. Prerogative Court. Furnivall, Frederick James, 1825-1910ca. 717 kbUniversity of Michigan Humanities Text InitiativeAnn Arbor, MIEEWills

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1999Fifty earliest English wills in the Court of Probate, London : A. D. 1387-1439 : with a priest's of 1454.Church of England. Province of Canterbury. Prerogative Court.Frederick J. FurnivallEarly English Text SocietyOxford University PressLondonNew YorkToronto1964Early English Text Society. Original Series781964Reprint. Originally published 1882.

This text was keyboarded by Chrisian and was found to be within 1 error in 20,000 characters standards, based on a review of 5% of the text. All material, with the exception of the List of Names and Places and the List of Words and Subjects, is included, and is represented in the electronic edition as it was in the print edition (so far as is possible).

N. B. In Furnivall's book, the "Additions and Corrections" appear on pages 1-4, and then the same Arabic numerals are used to designate the text itself, which runs on pages 1-200. We have retained this system of numbering.

The reader should note that because the wills in Furnivall's volume are taken from a number of different sources, there are numerous sets of milestones in this electronic edition, each corresponding to the milestones used in a given part of Furnivall's text.

Latin

THE FIFTY EARLIEST ENGLISH WILLS IN THE COURT OF PROBATE, LONDON A.D. 1387—1439; WITH A PRIEST'S OF 1454.

COPIED AND EDITED from the Original Registers in Somerset House by FREDERICK J. FURNIVALL.

Published for THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY by the OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS : LONDON ; NEW YORK ; TORONTOFIRST PUBLISHED 1882 ; REPRINTED 1964

Original Series, No. 78

ORIGINALLY PRINTED BY CLAY AND TAYLOR, THE CHAUCER PRESS, BUNGAY AND NOW REPRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS, OXFORD BY VIVIAN RIDLER PRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY

CONTENTS. PAGEDEDICATION to Mr. J. Challenor SmithviiiFOREWORDSxiWILLS.NO.A.D.1.1387.Robert CORN, Citizen of London12.1392.John PYNCHEON, Citizen and Jeweller of London33.1395.Lady Alice WEST, of Hinton Marcel, Hampshire (Codicil, p. 9)44.1402.John GIRDELER og Harefield, near Uxbrdidge, Middlesex105.1406.Richard ROOS of London, ? once of Beverly, Yorkshire126.1408.John PLOT (alias Rouwenhale), Citizen and Maltman of London147.1410.Robert AVERAY of the Cordwainers' Company, London168.1411.Sir William LANGEFORD, Knight, of Bradfield, near Reading, Berks189.1413.Richard YONGE of London, Brewer2110.1415.Thomas WALWAYNE, Esqu., of Much Marcle, Herefordshire2211.1417.Richard BROKE, Landowner, of Holditch, Thornecombe, Devonshire2612.1418.John SOLAS, of Southwark, Surrey2813.1418.John CHELMYSWYK, of Shropshire3014.1418.Thomas TVOKY, Esquire3615.1417-18.Stephen THOMAS, of Lee, Essex (Codicil made at Rouen, p.40)3716.1419-20.John ROGERYSSON, of London4117.1418, 1420.John BROUNE, of Henry V.'s Chamber, and of Fulham, Middlesex. (Will in the 3rd Person: "he will,"&c.4318.1420.Thomas BATHE, of Bristol4519.1420.John OLNEY, of Weston, Buckinghamshire4720.1422.Lady Peryne CLANBOWE, of Yasor, Herefordshire4921.1420.Sir Roger SALWAYN, Knight, of York5222.1424-5.Roger FLORE, Landowner, of Okeham, Rutlandshire5523.1425.William NEWLAND of London (and Normandy), going on a Journey6524.1426.William DAVY,Citizen and Fishmonger of London6725.1426.William HANYNGFELD, of Bikinacre, Essex6826.1426.John CREDY, Esq., of London (Devonshire, &c.)7327.1428.John TOKER, Citizen and Vintner of London, owner of "The Mermaid" in Bread St., Cheapside7728.1428.Robert SCHAPMAN, of Haringay, Hornsey, Middlesex8029.1428.Richard WHYTEMAN, Citizen and Waxchandler of London8130.1428.Walter NEWENT, ?of St.Pancras, London8331.1430.Hary van SANDWYK, of St. Clements, East Cheap, London8432.1430.Alys CHIRCHE. Widow, of St. Mary Hill, London8533.1430.Richard GRAVELEY, of London, Grocer8634.1431.William FITZ-HARRY, of Cosin Lane, London8735.1431.Richard TYRELL, ? of Stoke-Dabernon, Surrey8936.1431-2Isabel GREGORY, of Hackney, Middlesex9137.1432-3.Richard GREY, of St. Bartholomews, London9238.1433.John BARNET, Citizen and Draper of London9339.1433.Walter, MANGEARD, Citizen and Cook of London, and Hurstpierpoint, Sussex9440.1434.Margarete ASSHCOMBE (once BLONCIT), Widow, of London9641.1434.Roger BORTON, of Hackney, Middleses9842.1434.Rauf HETH, of Hackney, Middlesex9943.1434.Roger ELMESLEY, of London, once a Waxchandler's Servant10044.1434-5.Isabelle DOVE, wife of Thomas DOVE, Citizen of Londond, then beyond the Sea10345.1436.Richard bOKELAND, Esq., of All Hallows the Greater, Thames St., London10446.1438.Richard DIXON, Wsq., os Siscetre (Cirencester), Glostershire10847.1439.Nicholas CHARLETON, Citizen and Skinner of London11248.1439.Isabel, Countess of WARWICK, Mother-in-law of the 'King-Maker'11649.1439.Sir Ralph ROCHEFORT, of Lincolnshire. (English Wills, p.121,&c., in the 3rd Person, "he will," &c.)12050.1438-39.Sir Thomas BROOK, Knight, of Cobham Hall, Kent129(List of other English Wills in Register Luffenam, p.134)51.1454.Nicholas STURGEON.Priest131(Note of other English Wills in Register Rous, p.134)

NOTES (The first known Bequest, A.D. 1420, of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, p. 136135LIST OF PROPER NAMES AND PLACES145LIST OF WORDS AND SUBJECTS170 TO J. CHALLENOR SMITH, ESQ., SUPERINTENDENT OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR LITERARY ENQUIRY, IN THE REGISTRY OF THE COURT OF PROBATE, SOMERSET HOUSE, LONDON. MY DEAR SIR,

You will remember how the Wills in this little volume came to be copied.

You had, and have, in the Probate Court those twenty-eight Boxes of Inventories of Testators' goods which the Executors and Administrators of our Forefathers were bound to exhibit to the former Officers of the Archbp. of Canterbury. Among these Inventories we Shakspereans always hoped to find those of SHAKSPERE and his fellows, and all other Worthies of the great Eliza's reign. And since I first saw the Boxes and their contents at Doctors' Commons some dozen years ago, I always meant to have a turn at them. Opportunity at length being favourable, I got leave in the spring of 1881, from the kind and enlightend Judge and Chief of your Court, Sir James Hannen, to test these Inventories, and see whether Shakspere's was likely to be among them. If it was, I intended to get money from the Treasury or by subscription, for making and printing a Calendar of these documents.

The Inventories could of course only be handled by an Officer of the Probate Court; and on you was put the dusty,dirty, and tiresome job of diving into, and picking out from, all parts of the twenty-eight Boxes, samples of the little and big rolld-up Inventories that each contained; then unrolling them, and showing them to me. The work lasted for four months.

The kindness and patience that you exhibited in this wearisome and annoying task,—which yielded such a poor result,About 3 per cent. of the Inventories were of the 15th and 16th centuries; the rest were all after 1660. Not one of Shakspere's time turnd up, tho' that of his granddaughter's surviving husband, Sir John Barnard, was found. I've printed it for the New Shakspere Society.—and the knowledge of men, of places, and things which you displayd, won my warm admiration and gratitude.

You laid me under further obligation by telling me all the earliest English Wills in the Registry, of which you had long before made a list, in the faith that I, or some grubber of like kind, would turn up and ask where he should go to work.

Whenever, then, you were prevented, by other official calls and attending to other searchers, from unrolling dirty little bundles of Inventories for me, I—with your help in difficult bits—copied the Wills you told me of; and here they are in print, dedicated, by Sir James Hannen's leave,He will not of course see this Dedication till a copy of this little volume is sent him.to you, an Officer of whom he and his whole Court may well be proud. I but speak the opinion of the late Colonel Chester—the best authority in the world—as well as of every other frequenter of your Room, when I say that you are an admirable Head of your Department, courteous, helpful, learned, and efficient.

Would that I could say that Department was in a state worthy of you, your Chief, Sir James, and the Royal Court of Probate of England.

You have in that Court, Wills needful for the family andsocial history of England. There are many men and women wishing to work at them. What does the Treasury give you for the purpose? One underground and badly-lighted room in which only 6 folk can work at once. The consequence is, that, with your many applicants, you can often give a worker only 3 or 2 days a week for his work, and he cannot go regularly in for it.

The Manuscript room at the British Museum is bad enough; but your Enquiry room is far worse. If only Sir James had the old power of torture, and could apply thumbscrews or racks to all the Lords of the Treasury—I'd let the First Lord off, tho—he would soon set matters to rights, and give you a room worthy of your Department and his Court. But the Museum is now building a proper MS. room. And so I trust the Treasury will speedily follow suit at Somerset House; put you up a handsome Library for your workers, make you a Keeper, with the Museum-Keepers' salary, and then let you compile and print a Catalog of the Inventories.There are of course no end of other Wills and Documents in the Registry that need calendaring or cataloging. The Treasury is in no way alive to the urgent wants of this Office or the Record Office.

Again thanking you heartily for your help and kindness, and wishing you happiness and health,

I am, Very truly yours, F. J. FURNIVALL. 3, St. George's Square, Primrose Hill, N.W. December 4, 1882. FOREWORDS.

BOTH for the Life and Language of our old-time folk, their Wills hav always been acknowledgd as most worthful. They let you into the state of every home. They uze words not found in books. Since our Society first started, I always hoped that some one would copy and edit us a volume of Wills; but as no one offerd, and as I got a chance of transcribing one in the spring of 1881,—under the circumstances stated in the Dedication abuv,—I took it, in order to hav a volume wherewith a gap in the Society's issues could be fild up when need should be. The need came this autumn, and here the little Text is.

It will probably disappoint the reader, who looks, as I did, for Inventories as parts of Wills, and for long lists of traders' goods, students' MSS, and the like. I can't claim that in this regard my short volume is up to any of the Surtees or the Camden Bury ones, or possibly Mr. H. W. King's series of Essex Wills and Inventories of Church goods, in his county Archæological Society's Transactions, of which my kind helper, Mr. J. H. Round, tells me. But at any rate, for us Londoners ther ar details of much worth; ther is Shakspere's Mermaid tavern (p. 78, l. 19) and (in a note of a Latin will given me by Mr. Challenor Smith, p. 136) ther is the first known bequest (A.D. 1420) of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.Perhaps of his Boece too. His The Pore Caitiff, a Wycliffite book, is bequeathd on p. 50, l. 18; 'Jankyn Clerk' is at 39/6; his 'Koke of London' at 94/11. These make up for a good many plows, plums, ribbons and tapes. The volume also contains the first known notice of wher the Chapel of our Lady and St. Nicholas was situate in old St. Paul's (p. 132), and has of course many items as to old London churches, streets, signs and men, which will interest the City topografers.

In Persons, it ranges from the Countess of Warwick, the Kingmaker's mother-in-law, to a Wax-chandler's servant and many a xiipoorer man. In Property, it stretches from the entail of large landed estates on sons, to a portion of one bullock for a daughter (98/11, 12), or to the gift of one sheet, or a towel-roller, an egggridiron or an old brass pot (102/5, 6), to a legatee.

Of two things, more appears in the Wills than I had expected, namely, silver plate,See the references in the List of Words; and the Acorn spoons, instead of Apostle ones. and furd gowns; for the latter, polecats, martins, genets, wild cats, beaver, otter, and lamb, were prest into the service. Of Armour there is less than I'd lookt for.

But the most surprizing and regrettable thing in these Wills is the amount of money shown to hav been wasted in vain prayers, or orders for them. Fancy one man ordering a Million Masses to be said for his soul; another 10,000; another 4,400; another sending Pilgrims to Spain, Rome, Jerusalem, &c.; for the good of his soul! I only hope some sensible Executors handed over the money to the Testators' wives and children, or the poor.

When just thru the proofs of this volume, it so happend that the Master and Fellows of Emmanuel lent me their unique copy of Phillip Stubbes's Motive to Good Workes,A / Motive To / Good Workes. / Or rather, / To true Christianitie indeede. /Wherein By The / waie is shewed, how farre wee are behinde, / not onely our fore-fathers in good workes, / but also many other creatures in the endes of / our creation: with the difference betwixt / the pretenced good workes of the Antichri- / stian Papist, and the good workes / of the Christian Pro- / testant / By Phillip Stubbes, Gentleman / Mathew .5. verse 16./ Let your light so shine before men, that they / may see your workes, and glorifie your fa- / ther which is in heauen. / London, / Printed for Thomas Man, dwelling in / Pater Noster rowe, at the signe / of the Talbot. 1593./ A—O in 8s. 1593; (I'd reprinted in September his Display of Corruptions, 1583For the New Shakspere Society, to follow Part I of Stubbes's Anatomie of Abuses, of which it is Part II.;) and on opening it, came a passage which well showd the change of opinion on this Mass and Dead-prayers business in his day:— (p. 120) "The Papists also holde it to be a work of vnspeakable merit, for a man or woman, eyther before they dye, or else at their death, to giue the greatest (p. 121) part of their goods & lands (the more, the more merite) to popish priestes, (though in the meane time, theyr wife, children, and whole familyes goe a begging all theyr lyfe long,) to Monkes, and Fryers, with the rest of that filthie generation, to the ende they may pray for them when they are dead, to saie masses, trentalls, diriges, de profundis, Ladies psalters, and I can not tell what riffe raffe else forthem: bearing them in hand, that their souls & the soules of al their friends, parents, kindred, and aliance, shall not onely bee releeued, but also cleerely delyuered thereby out of the pains of purgatorie, which otherwise shoulde lye there broiling in firie flames seauen yeeres for euerie sinne that euer they committed in this life, either in thoght, word, or deed. Which if it were true, (as it is most false and blasphemous) I could not blame men, though they gaue all they had, and more too, to (p. 122) the Priests. But alasse, who seeth not the vanitie of this fonde opinion of Purgatorie? If Masses, Diriges, trentals, de profundis, Ladies psalters, and such pelting trash, could redeeme vs from paine and punishment after this life, and place our soules in ioye and blisse, I praie you then what is left to the bloud of Christ to doo for vs? iust nothing at all. And why died Christ, if we might haue bene redeemed by corruptible money, lands, or posessions, as the Apostles, Saint Paule and Saint Peter doe reason? What can be more derogatorie to the death of Christ, and the efficacie of his bloud, than this? You were not redeemed, (sayth Paul) from your sinnes, neither by golde nor siluer, but by the precious bloud of that immaculate lambe Iesus Christ. And doeth not the apostle Iohn thunder out vnto us, 'The bloude of Iesus Christ doeth cleanse vs from all sinne. And as for (p. 123) the ridiculous opinion of purgatory, it is so foolish a thing, that I am ashamed to bestow anie labour in confuting of it, as hauing indeede neyther ground out of the word of God (no, nor so much as one sillable sounding that waie) nor anie approued or autentike writer, excepte out of such apocryphas, as Ouid, Virgil, and other heathen Poets. And yet for all that, the Papists haue gayned as much, (I suppose) by the broching of this frai-bugge, or scar-crow Purgatorie, since it was first hatched, as all christendome is worth besides." (See also the next 2 or 3 pages.)

Now, a good many of us think of some of Stubbes's doctrines about what he did of the Papists'. And so the world wags.

Well: the gifts to mend bad roads and bridges, to help poor girls to marriage, and to feed and clothe the poor,See the words Bake, Blind, Bread, Brew, Clothes, Poor, &c., in the List below. no one will quarrel with.

The Land-wills ar interesting; as showing how all the land of the kingdom was in the hands of Trustees, feoffees, to whom every buyer had his land conveyd—either solely, or jointly with himself,— to evade the rights of forfeiture, wardship, &c.; of feudal lords. These feoffees (see List of Words) ar constantly prayd to do their duty to the Testator, and carry out his Will, either by entailing his land on his sons, or conveying it to such folk as his Executors sell it to.It was perhaps from this connection with land, that a Seal was set to all important Wills as if they were Deeds. Also, that one Will is cald an 'Endenture' (45/5), another a 'bok' (24/10) and so on. Executors ar likewise entreated to be faithful, as ifthey'd answer for their acts on the Day of Doom. And that this injunction was often needed in early days, may be gatherd from the old saying, "Three Executors make three Thieves." Cheery old Robert of Brunne—enlarging his original, William of Waddington—denounces them soundly in some 300 lines in his Handlyng Synne: Ryche men gadere ryche tresours To make with ryche executours. þe whyles þe executours sekke, [glost fyl þe bag] Of the soulë þey ne rekke The body, whyl hyt on bere lys, A day or two ys holde yn prys; But when hyt ys yn erþë broght, Body ne soulë gete ryȝt noght: Be he broght nobly to hys pyt, Dette and soule þey þynke all quyt. . . . Of allë fals þat beryn name Fals executours are most to blame. þe Pope of þe courte of Rome, Ayens hem ȝyfþ he hardë dome, And curseþ hem yn cherchys here, Fourë tymës yn þe ȝere. . . . Executur þat wyl nat do As þe dede ordeyned to, he shal haue euyl endyng þat so wyþhalt þe dedës þyngsee my edition, p. 195—199.

It's plezant to see Testators anxious to make amends for all possible wrongdoing, and to watch the owners of horses bequeathing em by name: 'grey Butler, grey Manley' (53/9) show that a man cared for his four-footed friends. But no dog is namd in any Will. Servants often are, both men and women; and in one case a Nun is left money for looking after a testator in his sickness (54/2). One Wife is cald her husband's most trusty friend (48/21); another has all his property left to her (Walter Newent's, p. 83); but in other cases, testators don't seem quite comfortable about their widows' future (p. 122, p. 33-4, 40). The solemn Vow of Chastity which Widows sometimes took in presence of the Bishop and Congregation, being endued with Ring and Mantle (60/8, 25; p. 135), was new to me. Several Testators had the good sense to order plain funerals, and to recognize that Pomp was a vanity that didn't help their souls (23/22; 49/11; 8/12; 131/2).

As to all the other subjects of bequest, are they not enterd in the List of Words and Subjects which follows that of Proper Names and PlacesI can't guarantee in these, that u and n, f and s, have not been sometimes printed for one another. They are often difficult to distinguish. Exansions of Latin contractions hav now and then gone astray—see Notes, p. 135, 137. The reader will charitably remember the old adage, 'Quod adest boni consule. You must not looke a giuen horse in the mouth.' 1616. Withal's Dict. by B. R. p. 578. For Dress, see 'Gowns, Blue, Green, Russet, Scarlet, Sangwyn,' &c.; For Ornaments, see 'Maple, Sink-foil, Baleys, Oyche, Ruby, Silver,' &c.; For the Statue of Lady Warwick naked, see her Will, 116/9. For a Brass of Wife and 7 Children, 81/9.? Let the curious reader look them up. (Among names he'll find a real 'John of Nokys,' 111/19.)

In the way of Language, there is this drawback to the prezent volume. As all the old Anglo-Saxon Charters were copied in the King's writing-den, and thus their dialect got alterd, so these Wills must have all been copied in London, and their dialect more or less spoilt. Still, some do keep strong dialectal marks.De,deSee the List of Words.for 'the, they,' bun be,tho to, ayder either, til to, quanwhen, qwiche which, þis esthese are,osas,ȝeifi given, volle (Devon), full, deliuery deliver, howght owd, schal shall, chete sheet, chippeship, sholde sold (22/31), here year, yerth earth, ȝhely yearly, &c.; &c.;, will be useful to Morris, Skeat, Sweet, and other dialect-workers. The 'ryte heires' of 18/7 goes, with other like words elsewhere, to show that the guttural gh was not sounded as the fonetists would hav us believ. One of the oddest spellings I've noted, is gogementfor 'judgment.' For the Cockney 'ham am,' 'heldest eldest,' see H in List of Words; also W, for w insted of v.

The Notes, foot and end, are not so full as I could have wisht; but I had no time to fish for more. One of the blessings of being a Director is, that when you want specially to work at a favourite subject—my Old-Spelling Shakspere it was this time—you have to put it aside, and take up an altogether different one that you 're out of tune for, because your Society must have a Text out by Christmas to fill up its year's issue. Hence the present volume has been done against time, and hasn't the notes from Tanner's Notitia Monastica, and all the County Histories, that it ought to hav. But I've done the work as well as I could in the time allowd; and Mr. J. Horace Round and Mr. J. Challenor Smith for people and places, Miss My. Lambert for Romanist. services, Mr. W. G. Stone for Jonetis = genets, and some places in Lewis, Mr. E. Peacock for some Lincolnshire names, Prof. Skeat and other friends, hav to some extent supplied my shortcomings, and earnd my hearty thanks. To myfriend Miss Teena Rochfort-Smith, I am also indebted for the List of Words and Places in the first 8 pages of the book, and for soothing my soul when, on certain evenings, I was grinding at the rest of that wearing workThe Lists don't profess to be exhaustive, tho they took a long time. Bequests of Souls are not indext, as they're in nearly every Will. Of other frequent bequests, only a few samples are given., by singing me all my old favourite mezzo-soprano songs, 'Che faro', 'Lascia ch'io pianga', 'Cangio d'Aspetto', 'Adelaide', 'Voi che sapete', 'Du bist die Ruh', 'Ave Maria', 'Non e ver', 'Ruth', 'Oh rest in the Lord', 'Oh for the wings of a dove,' &c.; &c.; May all opprest Indexers hav the like sweet consolement!

British. Museum (5 p.m., under the Electric light),Dec. 5, 1882.

ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS.

Mr. Round and Mr. Challenor Smith now find, alas! that a few Wills near to 1400 A.D. (including at least two printed by Dugdale) escaped Mr. S.'s note-book. So we must have another volume some day. Miss Marx will start at copying the fresh Wills, as soon as Huon and The Four Sons of Aymon are clear for our Extra Series.

p. v, l. 5;;p. 4, l.1 ;p.155, col. 2, l.10;forHampshire, read Dorsetshirep. vi, l. 1,after "BROWNE", insert "(alias atte Grove)."p. vi, l. 4;p. 45,46; for Thomas (Bathe), read John.p. vi, l. 5;p. 47, l. 8; for Weston, read Weston Underwood.p. vi, l. 12,for Bikinacre, read Hanningfield.p. vi, l. 16,for Hornsey, read (Hornsey)p. vii, l. 8,for English Wills, read English Willp. xi, note. Read "Perhaps of his Boece too. His name 'Jankyn Clerk' is at 39/6; and his 'Koke of London' at 94/11. The Pore Caitiff, a Wycliffite book, is bequeathd on p. 50, l. 18."p. xv, l. 8,for schal, read schel.p. 5, l. 5.Johane my doughter,my sone is wyf.She was daughter of Roger, Lord De La Warr, the hero of Crécy and Poictiers (by his 2nd wife Alianore, dau. of John, Lord Mowbray), and heiress in her issue (by the half-blood) to her two brothers, successive lords. It was through her that the Barony of De La Warr came into the West family.—J. H. R.p. 5, l. 5. paled black and white. That is, striped vertically. It would be blazoned in Heraldry—"paly sable and argent." Joan, Lady Abergavenny, in her will (1434) bequeaths a similar "Bed of Velvet, white and black paled, with Quyshions, Tapettes, and formers that long to the same bed."—J. H. R.p. 5, l. 28. Sir Nichol Cliston knyght. Sir Nicholas de Clifton, of Clifton (then Cliston), near Preston, Lancashire. He was in the French wars with his2 father-in-law, Sir Thomas West, and was made Governor of Ham in Picardy, 1383.—J. H. R.p. 5, l. 29. Thomas Cliston here sone. He accompanied Henry V. into France, 1415, and fought at Agincourt with his brothers.—J. H. R.p. 5;p. 50;p. 136.Bequests of English Books. Mr. Challenor Smith has lately noted gifts, in 1433, of the Story of Joseph, St. Patrick's Purgatory, Alquin's Sermon, and Piers Plowman. In the Will of Eleanor Purdeley, widow, of London, Commissary Court, 1433: "libros Anglicanos, videlicet the Storie of Josep, Patrikek purgatore, and ye sermon of altquyne." Bequest of "librum vocatum piers plowman."—Will of Thos. Roos, Commissary Court, 1433. Mr. Round notes a bequest of "my Book of Tribulacion" by Sir Lewis Clifferd (the Lollard) in 1404.p. 6, l. 6.a scochon of my lordes armes and of myn Iparted. Their two coats were impaled, a practice which had then recently replaced "dimidiation" (cf. p. 117, l. 5).—J. H. R.p. 6, l. 25. my lord Sir Thomas West. Son of Sir Thomas, 1st Lord West, but was not himself summoned. Fought at Crécy, 1346; d. 3 Sept. 1386.— J. H. R.p. 6, l. 29. a vestiment ...... to the cops. Some light may, perhaps, be thrown on this by a passage in the will of Joane, Lady Abergavenny (1434)— "I wool that the foreseyd Freers have a hool sute of black, that ys to sey, a Chetepyl, two Tunicles, three Coops, with my best pair of Candlestecks of silver wrethen, and my best sute of Vestments of Cloath of Gold, with Peacocks, with auter clothes, and aubes, and alle that longeth thereto, for a memorial perpetuelie to use hem every yere at the Anniversary of my Lord my Husband and of me." I think that "the cops of the hows" must mean the community.—J. H. R.p. 9, l. 2;p. 149, col. 2, l. 14; p. 185, col. 1, l. 10the lordes In of Cherlton. This is "the Inn (town-house) of the Lord Cherlton." John of Cherlton was summoned to Parliament as "Johanni de Cherlton de Powys" (he was lord of Powysland) from 1382 to 1400. And this will is dated 1395.— J. H. R.p. 12, l. 17. seynt mary Kirk of Beverley. This noble church had been originally a chapel of ease, but was endowed out of the prebend of St. Martin, 1325, as a Parish Church, on condition that its vicar provided two chaplains, to celebrate service daily at the altars of St. Mary and St. Martin, and that he should be present with his priests, in a regular habit, all processions of the prebendal church of Beverley (Originalia, 3 Edw. III.).—J. H. R.p. 12, l. 18.the vekery of the same Kyrke. John de Brydlington had been appointed vicar in 1403 (Lansd. MSS. 896, viii. fo. 189).—J. H. R.p. 12, l. 22. seynt gylys spetyll. Said to have been founded by "Wulf" before the Conquest. Belonged to the Archbishops of York till Walter Giffard, in 1277, exchanged it with the Priory of Wartre for a wood. It consisted of a Master and brethren, and, at the Dissolution, contained five poor men.—J. H. R.p. 16, l. 8.Rowenhale: possibly so called as being a native of Rowenhall, Staffordshire.p. 37.Rychard HADDOKE, of the Lee, Essex. Mr. H. W. King, of Leigh Hill, Leigh, Essex, the well-known Essex antiquary (p. xi, abuv), had Stephen Thomas's Will prepared for printing before I issued it. He writes to Mr. Challenor Smith: "Richard Haddoke is one of the ancestors (whether lineal or not,) of the great Admiral Sir Richard Haddock of this place [temp. Charles II and James II], and his scarcely less distinguished son, Admiral Nicholas Haddock, and some 6 or more Naval Captains of that remarkable family. There are brasses of their Ancestors in this Church, and of, possibly, that identical Richard named in the will [1419], as he died 1453."p. 45,p. 46,For Thomas Bathe read John Bathep. 70, l. 23.breed and herynge. A century later (1528) Thomas Mathew of Colchester, on being tried for heresy, abjured, and was ordered, as part of his penance, to spend 4s. 8d. a week, during Lent, in buying bread and hérringsfor the poor of the town.—J. H. R.p. 70, l. 25. Laffarebrugge. Langford bridge on the Blackwater, between Witham and Maldon.—J. H. R.p. 109, l. 10. the frere prechours of Gloucestre. See an excellent account of this Dominican House (founded circ. 1239) by the Rev. C. F. R. Palmer (Arch. Journ. xxxix. 296).—J. H. R.p. 135. Sir Thomas West, knight. Died 17 April, 1405, and was buried at Christchurch with his ancestors, having bequeathed £100 to its canons that they might keep annually the "year's minde" for himself, his father, mother, and wife.—J. H. R.p. 135. Of the Benedictio Viduœ here described, there is a famous instance in English history. Eleanor, sister of Henry III. and widow of William Earl of Pembroke (who d. 15 April, 1231), had taken this vow, but subsequently (7 Jan. 1238) married Simon de Montfort. The vow had been taken before Edmund, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Richard, Bishop of Chichester. The former protested against her second marriage, and the Baronage, then jealous of Simon, raised such an outcry that he had to go to Rome and pay heavily for a dispensation. It is clear, I think, that the historians who treat of this marriage (Blaauw, Pauli, Prothero, Shirley, &c.;) must have been ignorant of the technical character of Eleanor's vow, which they seem to confuse with taking the veil. But the chroniclers' words distinctly refer to the Benedictio viduœ: —"in præsentiâ sancti Edmundi Cantuarensis archiepiscopi et sancti Ricardi Cicestrensis episcopi solemne votum castitatis emisit."—T. Wykes; ....."in cujus præsentia dicitur ipsa Alienora votum fecisse continentiæ vidualis, vestibus utens tinctura carentibus."—Matth. Paris.Philippa, widow of Guy (d. 28 April, 1351), eldest son of Thomas Earl of Warwick, took this vow 11 Aug. 1360. The Memorandum of it is preserved, and is a good illustration of the service."11 die mensis Augusti, An. Dom. 1360, apud Warwick, dictus Venerabilis PaterReginald (Bryan) Bishop of Worcester., altam Missam in Pontificalibus, in Ecclesiâ Collegiatâ beatæ Mariæ Warwici antedictâ celebrans, votum castitatis Philippæ nuper uxoris DominiGuidonis de Warwic admisit et acceptavit; et dicta Philippa votum castitatis emisit, sub hiis Verbis: "En le nom de le Seint Trinitie, Piere, Fil, & Seint Esprit, jeo Philippe que fu la feme Sire Guy de Warwyst face purement & des queor & voluntee entierement, avow a Dieu & seint Eglise, & a la benure Virgin Marie, & a tout le bel compaigne celestine, & a vous reverent Piere en Dieu, Sir Reynaud per le Grace de Dieu Evesque de Wircestre, que jeo ameneray ma vie en chastitee defore en avant, & chaste ferra de mon corps a tout temps de ma vie."Bryan, Vol. I. f. 30 b.—J. HORACE ROUND.p. 130, l. 23.Edward my sone. A staunch Yorkist. Fought at St. Alban's, 1455.—J. H. R.p. 146, col. 2, l. 24,for Bathe, Thomas read Bathe, John.p. 184, col. 1, l. 6,for "70/22" read "70/23"p. 185, col. 1, l. 2,for "117/12" read "117/14"

(Mr. Horace Round is, I find, the only grandson of Horace Smith of the Rejected Addresses.)

EARLIEST ENGLISH WILLS. 1387. ROBERT CORN.

[Citizen of London: gives half his property to himself, to be spent in Masses and Alms; the other half to his son Watkyn and his daughter Katherine; and 40s. to his daughter Genet. Leaves bequests to St. Mary AbchurchSt. Mary Abchurch is in Abchurch Lane in the Ward of Candlewick St.: 'the word. Abchurch, or Upchurch, was added to distinguish this from other Churches of St. Mary, it standing on an Eminence, compared with Houses near it in Thames str. &c.' It was burnt in the Great Fire of 1666, and rebuilt in 1686. Hatton's New View of London (1708), ii. 359. , St. Paul's poor folk, Bartholomew New, one of his Executors, &c.]

I. Commissary Court of London, Courtney (A.D. 1374-1400), leaf 198, back.

In the name of god, Amen, the thorsday Befor the feste of seint laurence, the ȝer of the incarnacion of our lord, Millesimo CCCmo lxxxvij, the reyne of the kynge Richard the Secund̛ after the conquest the x., I, Robert Corn, Ceteseyn of london̛, be-quethe my sowle to god, to lygge in the chircℏ of our lady of abbechircℏ. Also y be-quethe my goodes in twey partyes, that ys for [to] seie, half to me, and the tother haluyndel to Watkyn my sone and to Kateryne my Dowter, and also, or my godes be to-partyd, y wiƚƚ that my dettes be payd in alle places that rythful ys. Also y be-quethe genet my dowter xl. s. Also to the werkes of our lady of Abbechircℏ xx. s. Also to the Brethered of our lady of Abbechircℏ xx. s. Also to eueri prest that ys of this chircℏ, ij. s. Also to the twey clerkes that bene in the chircℏ. euerich of hem, ij. s. Also y be-quethe x. s. to the most nedful men & women þat ben in the parche of our lady of abbechircℏ. Also y be-quethe iij. ƚi to bringe me on erthe. Also y be-quethe Bartilmewe neue the bed of tree, with the cheste atte the foot, weche they haue of myn, & the lauour of peuter with the basyn of led. Also y wille and ordene þat alle the godes weche y haue be-quethe Katerine, þat it be in kepynge of my too executours, here for to take as sche had ned. Also y be-quethe to the werkes of poulys vj s. viij d̛. And also wat godes þat leuet to-ward me, y wiƚƚ þat it be do of massys and of almes dedys þere most nedful ys. And here-to I ordeine Watkyn my sone, secutour, & Bartilmewe newe þat oþer; & vp-on this y wiƚƚ þat Bartilmewe neue haue for hys traueal, after þat he seruit. Also y wiƚƚ þat Ioℏn Edmund̛ [haue] al þe led þat light in þe stuys, & þe sesterne þat longeþ to the stuys, and þe bordes & þe gaudroun in þe kechyn þat stont in forneys, he to paie þer-for as it ys worthy, for-be ony otherman.

(xxij. 129. 199) Probatum fuit presens testamentum coram nobis, Presidente Consistorij londonie, vna cum codicillo eidem annexo, ije Idus Marcij, Anno domini Millesimo CCCmo lxxxixno. Et commissa est administracio omnium bonorum, dictum defunctum & ipsius testamentum concernencium, Waltero Corn, executori in dicto testamento nominato, in forma iuris, & per eundem admissa, Bartholomeo Neue, coexecutore interius in eodem testamento nominato, onus administracionis huiusmodi coram nobis expresse admittere recusante. In cuius rei testimonium, sigillum officialitatis londonie, presentibus duximus apponendum. Datum Londonie, Die & anno Domini supradictis.

JN. PYNCHEON, 1392. Will of Jn. Pyncheon, Citizen and jeweller of London, dated, Vigil of St. Matthew [Sept. 20], 1392.

[John Pyncheon's will is in French, with an English insertion, perhaps in order that his charitable gifts might thus be more plain. He gives money to the Poor, according to their condition; clothes to the Lame and Blind; a weekly allowance to the Prisoners in Newgate, and the Lepers, for 1 year; and a small sum to poor men of Religion.]

1 Commissary Court off London, Courtney.

(xiij. 264. 194 lf. 1. 19) Gives his lands in the county of Essex to be sold, and the money dispozed of as follows: "Ieo volle que la moneye soit despendu, cestassauoir, to þe pore Men þat han ben Men be-fore of god conuersacion, som man .xx.s, ant som ij Marc̘, and som xl. s., aftyr þat here stat hat ben be-fore, and þat þey be of þe same Parche, and Of Petris and Cristoforys, or of oþere next þer by; & where me may wetyn eny powre lame, ore powre Blynde, in Ani plache in þe Towne, þat þey han Cloþys to hele hem fro colde, & Schetys to þam þat han nede. And to þe presonis of newgate, a serteyn by þe weke duryng on ȝere; & to þe Powre Mesellis a certeyn A weke duryng on ȝere; & þat þe hows be ysold̛, and þe Almes yi-do in̛ þe worst ȝere. And where men may a-spye eny powre man of religion, Monke, Chanon, or Frere, þat þay han of my god þe gode so in MS., And̛ ben powre, eche Man .vj. s. viij. d̛. þat ben Prestys."

(Proved, with Codicil annext, Oct. 9, 1392.) LADY ALICE WEST, OF HAMPSHIRE, 1395. Will

[Of Hinton Marcel, Hampshire. Gives her son Thomas, her best Bed and Seat, his father's ring, &c.; Her daughter-in-law Joan, her second best Bed, a silver Basin and Chafer, her Books, Chapel Vestments and silver fittings, with a Chair and Chariot. Her daughter Lady Alianore Clifton, a Bed, silver Basin, &c.; Her sister, Lady Lucy Fitzherbert, Prioress of Shaftesbury, £40. Bequests to her servants and poor tenants. Many gifts to Nuns, and Friars, and Recluses, for Masses and Prayers. Burial to be at the Priory of Christ-Church, Hampshire.]

[Latin prologue as to the proof of the Will on Sept. 1, 1395, by Sir Thomas West and John Thurston, two of the Executors named in it.]

(Rous. (Prerogative Court) sheet 4, leaf 29 back.)Testamentum Domine Alicie West (in margin)

Tenor vero dicti testamenti sequitur in hec verba:

In dei nomine, Amen. On thursday, that is to sey, the xv day of the monetℏ of July, In the yer of the incarnacioun of our̛ lord ihesu crist, a thousand and thre hundred and foure score and fiftene, .I. Alice West, lady of Hyntōn Marcel, in hool estat of my body, and in good mynde beynge, make my testament in the maner̛ as hit folwetℏ here after. In the begynnyng̛, I bequethe my soule to god almygℏty and to his moder seynt Marie, and to al the seyntis of heuene, and my body to be beryed in Criscℏercℏ in the Priorie of the Chanones in Hamptschire, by the Newe forest, where-as myne Auncestres liggetℏ. Also I deuyse to Thomas my sone, a bed of tapicers werk, witℏ alle the tapites of sute, red of colour, ypouthered witℏ chapes and scochon̄s, in the corners, of myn Auncestres armes. witℏ that .I. bequethe to the same Thomas, the stoffe longyng̛ therto, that is to seye, my beste fetherbed, and a blu caneuas, and a materas, and twey blankettys, and a peyre schetes of Reynes, witℏ the heued shete of the same, and sex of my best pilwes, wicℏ that he wol chese, and a bleu couertour of menyuer, and a keuerlet of red sendel ypouthered witℏ Cheuerons .. Also .I. bequethe to the same Thomasmy sone, an Halle, with docere, costers and bankers, of sute of that forseyde bed. Also y bequethe to the same Thomas my sone, a peyre Matyns bookis, and a peire bedes, and a rynge witℏ whicℏ y was yspoused to god,? vow taken after she became a widow. whicℏ were my lordes his faderes. Also .I. deuyse to Iohane my dougℏter, my sone-is wyf, a bed paled blak̘ and whit, witℏ the tapites of sute, and the stoffe of the bed, that is to seye, my secunde best fetherbed, witℏ caneuas materas, twey blanketes, a peyre shetis of Reynes, witℏ the heued shete of the same, and a blu couertour of grys, and .iij. the beste pilwes after choys of the forseyde Thomas my sone. Also .I. bequethe to the same Iohane a basyn of siluer̛ witℏ boses apon the brerdes, and a chaufour of siluer longyng̛ ther-to. Also .I. bequethe to the same Iohane, a masse book, and alle the bokes that .I. haue of latyn, engliscℏ, and frenscℏ, out-tak the forsayd matyns bookis that is bequethe to Thomas my sone / Also I bequethe to the same Iohane alle my vestymentz of my chapeƚƚ, witℏ the towailes longynge to the auter̛, and my tapites whit and rede paled, and blu and red paled, witℏ alle my grene tapites that longetℏ to my chapeƚƚ forsayd, and witℏ the frontels of the forsayd auter̛, and witℏ alle the rydelles and trussynge cofres, and alle other apparaile that longetℏ to my chapelle forsayd. Also to the same Iohane my doughter .I. bequethe a chales and a paxbred̛, and an haliwater pot, witℏ the sprengls, twey cruetis, twey chaundelers, twey siluer̛ basyns for the auter, witℏ scochōn̄s of myne auncestres armes, and a sacrynge belle, and alle of seluer, Also a tablet depeynt of tre. Also .I. bequethe to the same Iohane, my chare, and that I haue longyng therto; Also a chariot with twey standardes heled witℏ lether, whicℏ that seruetℏ for myn harneys. Also .I. bequethe to Sir Nichoƚ s for f; Clifton.Cliston knygℏt, and to Alianore his wif̘, my doughter̛, and to Thomas s for f; Clifton.Cliston̄ here sone, Cxx ƚi, euenliche to be departed betwix ham thre. And if Thomas here sone forsayd dyetℏ or he haue age of discrecioun, to ordeyne of his part of that moneye, I. wol that it torne to profet of his fader and his moder̛. Also .I. deuyse to the same Alianore my doughter, a tawne bed of silk̘, witℏ hool celure and four curtyns of sute, and a keuerlit of selk̘ ypoynet in that on side tawne, and in that other side blu; and the stoffe of the bed ther-wytℏ. that is to seye, my thridde beste fetherbed̛, witℏ caneuas materas, twey blankettes, a payre shites of reynes, witℏ an heuedshite of sute, and iij pilwes. Also I deuyse to the same Alienore, a round bassin of siluer̛, whicℏ hatℏ a scochon̄ of my lordes armys and of myn Iparted. Also I deuyse to my suster̛ dame luce fitz-Herberd, Priorisse of Shaftebury, .xƚ. ƚi. Also .I. bequethe to my suster̛ Thomase Blount, Menchon̄Monk-en (cp. vix-en), monkess, nun.of Romeseye, xl Marc̘. Also I deuyse to Margerie Salford̛ xx. ƚi. Also I bequethe to Beatrice Wareyn̛ xl Marc̘, and a bed couenable for a gentel womman. Also I bequethe to Alison Hynton̄ x ƚi, and a bed couenable for her̛ estat. Also .I. bequethe to litel Perrot .x. Marc̘, and a bed couenable to the same perrot. Also I. bequethe to Idkyne my chambrer̛, xx. ƚi. and a bed couenable for her̛ estat. Also I bequethe to Thomme of the warderobe .C. s'. Also I bequethe to litel Reignold̛ xl. s. and a bed couenable for his estat. Also .I. bequethe xl. ƚi. to be departed among̛ alle my seruantz, men and wommen of myn houshold̛, as to tℏilke that ben entendant for Thomas my sone, as for me, and as wel to hem that I haue eny thyng̛ bequethe to in this testament, as to hem that I haue nothyng̛ bequethe to: and I wole that it be departed trewely to euery man and womman̄, after his degre. Also .I. bequethe xl. ƚi. to be departed among̛ my pouere tenauntes oueral where I haue lordschipe, that is to seye, to hem that haue most nede. Also I bequethe xviij ƚi. and .x. s for to synge and seye MMMM ƚƚƚƚ and CCCC Masses4400 Masses.for my lord sir̛ Thomas West-is soule, and for myn, and for alle cristene soules, in the most hast that it may be do, withynne xiiij nygℏt next after my deces. Also .I. bequethe xl. ƚi to do make a vestiment, after deuys of my forsayd sone, to the cops ? meaning: Copes (as Mr. W. G. Stone suggests), or Brethren, Monks, or the like. of the hows of Crischerche wher̛ my body schal ligge, to bidde, and to rede and synge for my lordes soule forsayd, and myn, and for alle cristene soules while the world̛ schal laste. and .I. wol that the same vestiment be mad and deliuered to the same hows of Crischerche witℏynne twelf monetℏ next after mydeces. Also .I. bequethe to the Religiouse wommen, the Nonnes of the hows of seynt Eleynes of london̄, and to the prestes that longetℏ to the same Hows, C. s'. to be departid among̛ hem by euene porcion̄, for to synge and rede diuine seruice, and to praye for my lordes soule, Sir̛ Thomas West, and for myn, and for alle cristene soules, and for the estat of Thomas my sone, and Iohane his wif̘, and for her̛ childern. Also I. bequethe to the Religiouse Wommen the Menouresses dwellyngge witℏoute algate of london̄, C. s. to be departed amonge [hem] by euene porcion̄, for to synge and rede and to praye diuine seruice for my lordes soule Sir Thomas West, and myn, and for alle cristene soules, and for the estates of Thomas my sone, and Iohane his wyf, and for her children. Also .I. bequethe to the Religiouse Wommen, Menchouns of the Hows of Shaftebury, and to the prestes longynge to the same Hows, C. s. to be departed amonge hem by euene porcion̄, for to synge and rede diuine seruice, and to preye for my lordes soule Sir Thomas West, and for myn, and for alle cristene soules, and for the estatz of Thomas my sone & Iohane his wif, and her children̄. Also .I. bequethe to the Religiouse wommen, the Menchouns of the Hows of Romeseye, and to the prestes longynge to the same Hows .C. s... [Here follow like bequests of 100 s. each to "the Religiouse wommen, Menchon̄s of the Hows of Wilton" and its priests; "to the Freres Menours within Newegate of london"; "to the freres prechours witℏynne ludgate of london̄"; "to the freres carmes in Fletstret of london̄"; "to the freres Augusteyns withynne Bisshopesgate of london̄"; "to the freres prechours of Wynchestre"; "to the freres Menours of Wynchestre"; "the freres Menours of Southampton̄"; "the freres prechours of Salesbury"; "the freres Menours of Salesbury"; "the freres Menours of Bristowe"; "the freres prechours of Bristowe," all to pray for the Souls of Sir T. West, the testatrix, all Christians, and her Son and his family.] Also I. bequethe to the Reclus frere Thomas, atte seynt Iames in the Holte .xl. s. for to preye for my lordes soule forsayd̛, and myn, and for alle cristine soules, and for thestat̘ of my sone forsayd, and Iohane his wif̘, and her̛ children̄. Also .I. bequeth to the Hospitaƚ of seynt Marie Maudeleyne aboue Wynchestre xl. s. to preye for my lordes soule forseyd, and myn, and for alle cristene soules, and for the stat of my sone forseid, and Iohane his wif, and her̛ childern. Also .I. bequethe xl. ƚi to do make ther-witℏ my forseyd lordes tombe, Sir Thomas West, and myn also. Also I bequethe to Elizabetℏ Rogers wif Newe, whicℏ that was my seruaunt somtyme .C. s'. Also I bequethe to Iuliane Arny, and to Ioℏn Arny her hosebonde, of dudlynton̄ .C. s. Also .I. bequethe to Richard̛ Forstrer, whicℏ is a blynd man dwellynge in Hanefeld̛, that was somtyme seruaunt with my forsed lord̛ Sir Thomas West, xx Marc̘. Also I bequethe to Roger, my parkere, of Ewhurst .C. s. Also I bequethe to Iohn̄ Smart that was somtyme my forseyd lordes baillif, Sir̛ Thomas West, atte Hempston .C. s. Also .I. bequethe to Ioℏn Smyth, my Reue of Trestwode .C. s. Also I. bequethe to the vicar̛ of the Chercℏ of Newenton̄ Valnce that now is .xl. s. to preye for my lordes soule Sir̛ Thomas West, and myn, and for alle cristene soules, and for thestatz of Thomas my sone and Iohane his wif, and her children̄. An al the residue of my godes, after the dettys that I owe, ben quyt, and after my testament is parfourned̛ .I. bequethe to the forsayd Thomas my sone. Also I wol and deuyse that, ware that euer I deye, my body be caried to the forsayd̛ Priorie of Crischercℏ, pryuelicℏ and witℏ rigℏt litel cost, and ther-to beried att the ferst masse, witℏ a taper of v pound of wax stondyng and brennyng̛ att my heued, and another taper̛ of .v. pound brennyng̛ atte my fet, with-out any other cost or solempnite ydo afterward̛. This is myn hool wil, that this be parfourned̛ as hit is writen her-before. An ther-to .I. make my chef executor, Thomas my sone forsayd̛, and executrice Iohane his wif. Mo executoris to hem I make Sir Ioℏn Colman, prest, Thomas Remys, steward̛ to the lady Bemond̛, and Ioℏn Thurston̄. Also .I. wol and ordeyne that myn executours be rewarded after the helpe that they dotℏ of tℏis whicℏ that is my testament, and after the goode discrecion̄ of the forsayd Thomas my sone, and after that they travaille diligently witℏ her̛ gode wille, to helpe fulfelle thes present testament; and therto .I. charge my sone Thomas forsaid vpon my blessyng̛ to parfourne holelicℏ and trewlicℏ this present testament whicℏ that is my laste wil. In witnesse ofwhicℏ thyng̛, to this testament ich haue set my sel. This was yeve and writen in the lordes In of Cherlton withoute Newgate, in the paroscℏ of seynt sepulcre in the suburbe of london̄, in the day and the yer before ysayd̛. More forthere, in the same day and in the yer̛ of the Incarnacioun of our̛ lord ihesu crist bifore sayd.

Codicil

[Codicil. Revokes her gifts of goods to her Son and Daughter-in-law if they won't act as ExecutorsAs Sir Thos. West proved the Will (with Jn. Thurston), he and his Wife would keep their beds, books, &c; and gives money to the other Executors who do act.]

.I. Alice West, lady of Hynton̄ Marcel befornemed, hool of my body and in good mynde, beynge mor folly avised to dispose of this testament and my laste wil, .I. wol that, if it so be that Thomas my sone forseyd, and Iohane his wif, wolle nogℏt take the charge to be myne executors, and to parfourne the administracion of this testament, whicℏ is [my] laste wil, as it is wrete her̛-before, thanne .I. wole that alle the godis whicℏ that .I. haue deuysed to the forseyd Thomas my sone and Iohane his wif in this testament, be solde by myn executours whicℏ wol take the charge herof, and trewely ydo to charitable werkes for my lordes soule, Sir̛ Thomas West, and for myn, and for al cristene soules. Also my wil is, that if eny of myne other̛ executours forsaid, that is to saye, sir Ioℏn Colman̄, Thomas Remys, and Iohn̄ Thurston̄, wol take the charge, and be myn executour by hem self, to parfourne this testament, if so be that non of myne other̛ executours wol take the charge witℏ hem, thanne .I. wole, that after Thomas my sone forseyd, and Iohane his wif haue forsake to be myn executours, that he that taketℏ the charge to be myn executour, haue .xx.ƚi for his orwenefor owene.trauayle; and if tweye of hem that ben myne executours forseyd wol take the charge to-gederes of executours to parforn trewely this testament, thanne .I. wol that after Thomas my sone and Iohane his wif haue forsake to be myne executours, that they tweye that taketℏ the charge to be myne trewe executours, have xx Marc̘ for her̛ trauaylle, that is [to] seye, eyther of hem x Marc̘. And if so be that sir̛ Iohn̄ Colman, Thomas Remys and Ioℏn Thurston̄, myne executours forseyd̛, wolle take charge to-gederes to administre and to parfourne trewly this testament as hit is writen here before / thanne .I. wole that after Thomas my sone forsayd̛ and Iohane his wif haue forsake to be myne executours, that the forseyd̛ Sir Ioℏn Colman̄, Thomas Remys, and Ioℏn Thurston̄, haue .xx. ƚi for her̛ trauaille, that is to seye, euerycℏ of hem x Marc̘. Also, for hit was for-yete byfore in this testament, .I. bequethe to the Reclus of Shirbourn̄, whos Surname is Arthour, xl. s. for to do and to preye as othere Reclus forseyd̛ Shulletℏ don and preye. Accepta sunt hec, coram dicto Reuerendissimo presidente & domino Archiepiscopo, & per eum prout suprascribuntur & recitantur. Anno, Indictione, pontificatu, Mense, die & loco, predictis. Presentibus venerabilibis & discretis viris, Magistris Adam de Mottrun, Archidiacono Cantuarensi in decretis, & Waltero Gybbes in legibus licenciatis, testibus ad premissa vocatis specialiter & rogatis. See an Abstract of this Will in Nicolas's Testamenta Vetusta, 1826, i. 137; Collins's Peerage, v. 378; and an extract in Dugdale's Baronage, ii. 139. It was printed in the Illustrated London News of (?).

JOHN GIRDELER, 1402.

[Of Harefield (near Uxbridge, Middx.): to be buried at Westminster Abbey. Bequests to St. Paul's, Westminster Abbey, the parish churches of Harefield (and its poor, priest, and clerk), Ikenham, Ruislip, and Helmdon, These places are in the hundred of Elthorne, Middx., and near Uxbridge, from which town, Harefield (Virgin Mary) is 4 1/4 miles N., Ickenham (St. Giles) is 2 3/4 miles N.E., and Ruislip (St. Martin) is 3 1/2 miles N.E.—Lewis, Topogr. Dict., 1833. Helmdon, Middx., is not in Lewis, but must be near the others. and to 120 poor bedrid folk of Westminster; and £2 to mend the road between Hillingdon and Acton.]

(Brown 1400-1418. 2 Commissary Court of London, leaf 21 back.)

In the name of god, Amen. þe xxv day of Iuyll in̛ þe reigne of Kyng Henry, iij ȝer .I. Iohn Girdeler of Harfeld̛, in god mynde and saf memorye, make my testement. Ferst my soule to Almyghty god̛, my body for to rest in the Chirche of Synt pietres at Westmenstre, where as þe Abbot wol asyne. And y bequethe to þe werk of Synt powles of london̛ vj s. viij d. Also y bequethe to þe Couent of Westmenstre x mark̘. Also y bequethe for vj torchis of wax for to serue atte awter of Synt pieter in þe worschipe of god̛ xl .s. Also y bequethe to þe paricℏ chirche of Harfeld̛ xx .s. Also y bequethe to þe heye awter of þe forseyd̛ chircℏ, ij torchis of wax. for to serue in the worschip of god̛ xiij s iiij d. Also y bequethe atte day of my terment in Harfeld, to an .C. pouere men and wommen, for þe loue of god̛, euerych I.d̛. Also y ȝeue to þe paricℏ prest of Harfeld x .s. Also y ȝeue to þe clerk̘ of þe chircℏ of Harfeld̛ xij d̛, And to þe sexsteyn xij d̛. Also y bequethe to þe paricℏ chircℏ of Ikenham xiij s. iiij d̛. Also ij. torchis of wax for to serue in þe forseyd chirche in the worschip of god̛ xiij s. iiij d̛. Also y bequetℏ to þe paricℏ chircℏ of Ryslepe in most worchip of god vj s. viij d̛ Also to þe forseyd̛ chirche y ȝeue for to serue atte heye awter and in othir places of þe chirche in̛ þe most worschip of god̛ ij torchis of wax, pris xiij s. iiij d̛ &c̘. Also y bequethe to þe parisℏ chirche of Helmdon̛ in most worschip of god, vj s. viij d. Also to þe forseyd Chircℏ y ȝeue for to serue atte þe heye Awter and in othir place of the chirche in the most worschipe of god̛ ij torchis of wax, pris xiij s. iiij d̛. Also y bequetℏ to þe Mendyng of þe heye way be-twen Hillindon̛ and Akton̛, xl .s. Also y bequethe to vjxx. six score 120.pouere Bedrede men & wommen where as þey may be founde þe day of my terment atte Westmenstre, or Hastelich after, euerych man and womman, for þe loue of god, iiij d̛. My seketours, William Kyllet of Essex, John̛ Mendam of London̛, Thomas Tornom of Ikenham; John̛ Cosyn of London̛, ouerseer, þat my wylle be fulfylyd̛ in þe worschip of god̛. Probatum est hoc testamentum coram nobis, presidente Consistorii Londonie, vjto Idus Augusti, Ao domini Millesimo CCCCmo secundo &c.; Et commissa est administracio bonorum Executoribus in dicto testamento nominatis.

RICHARD ROOS, 1406.

[Of London; ? originally of Beverley, Yorkshire. Gifts to the poor, and to the parson (rector), priests, and clerks of his parish church (? where). £5 to his master, for neglect while he was apprentist. Gifts to the clergy and poor of St. Mary's, Beverley, and of rings &c.; to friends. £50 each to Wife and son Thomas; a pipe of wine to Jn. White jun. and his wife. Residue in thirds: 1. to Testator's soul (for Masses, &c.;), 1. to his wife, 1. to his son, with gifts over, if his son dies.]

(Brown (A.D. 1400-1418). 2 Commissary Court of London, leaf 75 back.)

In Dei nomine, Amen. I Richard̛ Roos, in gode hele & mynde, Blessed be god / The Ferst day of June the [vij] yere of Kyngye Harry the fourtℏ. y wyt my body to be beryd̛ whare that god wyƚƚ of his Grace dyspose hyt / And at the day of my beryng̛, y wyƚƚ haue sayde for my sowle xiij Messez; & ther for y wyt Euery prest iiij d̛. Summa .iiij s, iiij d̛ / & also y wyt to xxvj. pouere men & wymmen, euery of hem ij d̛, summa iiij s. iiij d̛ / & Also y wyt to the person̛ of my paryssℏ vj s. viij d̛ / Also y wyt Euery prest of the same Kyrk̘ xij d̛ / Also y wyt to the clerkys of the same Kyrk̘ ij s. Also y wyt to Ioℏn Wodcok̘ my mayster, for neclygent seruyse that y dyd to hym in the tyme of my prentyshode, ȝyf he wyl take hyt, v ƚi. & ȝyf he wyl nougtℏ take hyt, y wyt hyt to my sone Thomas. Also y wyt to Iohan Dyrwyn̛ a rynge of xx s. Also y wyt to Richard̛ Medrose a rynge of vj s. viij d̛. Also y wyt to Iohan Talbot a Cuppe, pryse of xxvj s. viij d̛ / Also y wyt Thomas Roos my brothyr̛, my Habyryon̛, & my schort swerd̛, & my best baselard̛. Also y wyt to euery prest of seynt mary Kyrk̘ of Beuerley, for to pray for me, iiij d̛ / Also y wyt to the vekery of the same Kyrke xij d̛. Also y wyt to the same Kyrke work̘ xl. d̛ / Also y wyt to foure clerkys of the same Kyrke xvj d̛. Also y wyt to xxiiij pouer men & wymmen of the same paryssℏ in Beuerley, iiij s. Also y wyt euery prest & Frere in Beuerley, ij d̛. Also y wyt to seynt gylys spetyƚƚ in Beuerley, to the pouer folk̘ ij s'. Also y wyt to thespetyƚƚ of Richard̛ of Beuerley, xij d̛. Also y wyt to the seruauntys of Iohan Wodcok̘ in hys hous xx s'. at the wyƚƚ of myne Executouris. Also y wyt to Iohan Watley, Richard̛ Gy, Martyn̛ Killum, Nicholas Walsyngham, Iohan Bele, Thomas Halle, Iohan Grene, Thomas Scheddysford̛, Iohan Wellys, Robard̛ Kemp, Marigeri Walsyngham, Agnes Bele, Ionet Denerston̛, Mawde Denton̛, Margarete Strauston̛, Alson̛ talbot, Laurans Hampton̛ & eius vxori, Richard̛ Euerard̛ & eius vxori, Thomas Waddon̛, Iohan Typpop, Robard̛ Myddylton̛, ylk̘ man & woman of hem in sute a rynge of xl d̛. Also y wyt to Mawde my wyfe .L. ƚi. Also y wyt to Thomas my son̛ .l. ƚi.; & ȝyf my son̛ dye, than y wyƚƚ that my wyfe haue xx ƚi: & the xx Mark̘ over̛, y wyƚƚ that hyt be dysposyd̛ at the wyƚƚ of Thomas Roos to owre Susterys Chyldryn̛. Also y wyt syr perys Geneyn̛ a cuppe of xx s'., or xx s'. [leaf 76, iij f.] Also y wyt to Iohan Whyte the yongger̛, & to hys wyfe, a pipe of wyne, prys of xl s'. Also y wyt to the seruauntys in the hous of Iohan Whyte, that ys for to say, prentyse Lowys & othyr seruauntys, at the Dysposyng̛ of Thomas Roos, xx s'. Also y wyt to Robard̛ Rechemond̛ my Cosyn, xl s. wortℏ of harneys, or xl s. And aƚƚ the remenauntys of my godys, y wyƚƚ they be preysyd & parttyd in thre: on part for to be don̛ for my soule, & that other part to my wyfe / & the threde to my son or to my children; & ȝyf my son̛ die, than y wyƚƚ that hys part of the remenauntys be partyd in thre, on part for hys soule, & on part to his modyr, & the thyrde part to my kyn that pouer men wymmen or chyldryn̛ ben / at the dysposicion̛ of myn̛ Executours. Wretyn̛ at London̛ the ȝere & the Day for-sayde; Thomas Roos, Maude Roos my wyfe, & Iohan Talbot, myne Executorys / In gode tyme also y wyƚƚ that my son̛ be at gouernaunce, wytℏ that Gode that he has, at the wyƚƚ of Thomas Roos be-fore Aƚƚ othyr men or wymmen that leuyn̛, & yef̘ outgℏ come to Thomas Roos, than y pray Iohan Wodcok to se to my son̛, that he be nat lost. Also y wyt to Thomas Steuenes, A baselard, or x s'. Also y wyt to Elyse Dauy v. ƚi / Also y wyt to Robard̛ Torre, xl s'. Also y wyt to the maryage of Avys Garton, x Mark̘. Item othyr seruauntys [in] my hous xiij s. iiij d̛ / probatum fuit hoc testamentum coram nobis, presidente Consistorii londonie, sede vacante, iiij idus Junij, Anno domini Millesimo CCCCmo sexto. Et comissa est administracio &c̘ Matildi, Relicte & Executrici, in dicto testamento superius nominata, et admissa per eandem in forma iuris prestito, primitus &c.; Facultate committenda consimilem administracionem bonorum ℏuius Thome Roos et Iohanni Talbot / coexecutoribus eciam in dicto testamenento nominatis, cum eam venerunt admissuris MS. admissur'. nobis specialiter reseruata /

[later] Adueniente vero iiijto kalendarum Augusti, Anno domini Millesimo CCCCmo nono, Commissa fuit Administracio &c̘ Thome Roos, Executori supra nominato, per Magistrum Jacobum Gale, Commissarium londonie. Et per eundem admissa in forma iuris &c, presentibus Margreta Roberto Esebacℏ, & laurencio Hampton̛, & Alijs.

JOHN PLOT (or ROUWENHOLE, or ROUWENHALE), 1408.

[Citizen and Maltman of London, widower and childless (?). All estate to services and the poor, with a few legacies to friends. Executor to pay a Priest for 3 years £20, and to keep the Testator's 'year's mind'— Anniversary Solemn Service—for 20 years after his death, and give 40d. to the poor, and 40d. for bread and ale at his Dirige. 10 marks for Maidens on their Marriage; £3 for meat and drink for Neighbours; £5 to mend bad roads between London and Ware.]

(Brown (A.D. 1400-1418). 2 Commissary Court of London. xxxiij, f., lf. 138.)

In the name of god, Amen. And Also y, Iohn̛ plot, Citaysyn and Maltman of london̛, beynge In gode Mende, In the day of translacion of seynt Martyn̛ Byshoppe, the ȝere of Owre lord̛ god Mo CCCCo & viij / And the ȝere of the Reygne of Kyng henre the iiije aftir the conquest ixe. My wyƚƚ ys thys, that Robert pygeon̛, Citaysyn̛ & draper of london̛, Somtyme Cosyn̛ to Alys my wyue,— that god haue Mercy on her̛ sowle & on all Cristyn̛ sowlys,—that he take ful Charge & ful ministracion of al my godys, In whos handys & kepyng̛ where they been / And Also the same Robert fulfelle alle my wylle a-fore the date of thys / And Also my wyƚƚ ys thys. that he & his Executours, other̛ hys assyngnes, haue gouernance of my prest / & for to paye to the same prest for the terme of thre ȝere After my deses, ȝyf he be of good conuersacion, & Cunne devyne seruyse, xx. ƚi. And ȝyf hit so be the contrarie, y wil that he be put owte of hys seruice, & take yn A betyr be the Same Robert Pygeon̛, & be his Executours, othir be hys assyngnys / And thys ys my wyƚƚ. And Also my wyƚƚ ys, that the Same Robert pygeon̛, hys Executours & his assygnys haue gouernans & rewlyng̛ of my obytis, that ys for to sayn̛, my ȝerys mynde, xx wynter Af[t]er my deses / And my wyl ys, for to be do for my sowle, & for the Sowle of Alys my wyue, & for all Cristyn̛ sowlys, witℏ solempne seruise, that ys for to sayn̛, wytℏ Belle Ryngyng̛, deryge be note, & Masse of requiem be note. & y wyƚƚ that the person̛ of the same Churche as for that tyme, haue iiij d̛, & euery prest and clerkys haue ij d̛. & Also my wyl ys that there be delyd̛ that Same Daye to the pouer peple xl d̛, And Also payde for brede & Ale to Spende atte my dyryge, xl. d̛. And Also my wyl ys thys, that Iohn̛ White, Alys Kamerweƚƚ / Mavde White, Margarete Herelowe, [leaf 138, back] Wedue, have A-ȝens the day of my terment, gownes of russet, with hodys of the same clothe. And also my wyƚƚ ys thys, that Alys, the seruaunt of Mawde White, haue a bras pot for her̛ gode seruices / Also my wyl ys, that Mawde White be rewardyd for Here gode kepyng̛, & for the gode loue that Sche hatℏ Schewyd to me, be the discrescion̛ of Robert pygeon̛, myn̛ Executour & ouerseer of my testament & of my last wyƚƚ / Also my wyƚƚ ys, that Iohn̛ Walgraue, seruaunt of Wyllyam fondour, haue of my gode iij s'. iiij d̛ / Also my wyƚƚ ys, that Maydenys of gode name & of gode fame haue x Marc̘ of my gode to here Mariage, atte the dysposicion̛ of Robert pygeon̛ / Also my wyl ys, that thyr be Spendytℏ among̛ my Nyebourus in Mete & in drynke A-bowte the riche, & on the pouere of my[n]de, iijll. And Also hit ys my wyl that hit be, be the wyƚƚ & be the devyce of Robert pygeon̛; & that y wyl that he haue for hys labour more than he ys nemnyd̛ a-fore the date of thys, xx s'. And that he do be me, as he wolde y dede by hym, As he wyl Answere atte day of dome. And thys ys my last wyl, y-wrete In the day & ȝere A-bovyn̛ y-sayde. Also my wyl ys thys, that [ther] be yspendytℏ betwene London̛ and ware, of fowle weys, ofmy good, there most nede ys, C s'.: & thys ys my wyƚƚ Record̛ on Mawd̛ White And Margarete Herlowe, wedewe. Probatus fuit iste codicillus coram nobis, Jacobo Gale, clerico Reuerendo in christo patris & domini &c, Commissario generali, per Matildem White & Margaretam Herlowe, Mulieres testes in hac parte productos, & in forma iuris iuratas & diligenter examinatas in presencia Iohannis Conyesburgℏ, vnius Executorum testamenti, siue vltimis [so] voluntatis domini (Iohn Rouwenhole alias) Iohannis Rouwenhale alias dicti plot, maltman, dicentis se, nichil dicente contra dictum codicillum nec huiusmodi testes, & reputantur ipsos fore veros, xiij kalendarum Ianuarii, Anno domini Mo CCCCmo Octauo. Et commissa est Administracio omnium bonorum, dictum defu[n]ctum & ipsius presentis codicillum concernencium, Roberto pygeon̛, Executori in dicto codicillo interius nominato, & Admissa per eundem in forma iuris.

ROBERT AUERAY, 1410.

[Of the Cordwainer's Company, London. To be buried at St. Clement's, Strand. Gifts of 2 gowns and hoods of the Cordwainer's livery. Money to the 4 Orders of Friars to say 4 Diriges at St. Clement's and St. Dunstan's, bread and ale being given away at them. Residue to Wife.]

(Brown (A.D. 1400-1418). 2 Commissary Court of London, fo. xxxvjto, lf. 199, back.)

In dei nomine, Amen. I, Roberd̛ Aueray: Ferst y be-queþe my soule to god and to our lady, and to Aƚƚ the companye of heuen̛, and my body to ben̄ y-beryed in the Chercℏ of seynt Clementis wytℏowtyn Templebarr at London̛. Also y be-queþe to the werk̘ of the same Churcℏ xij. d̛. Also y be-queþe to William Begelon̛ a grene Gowne and a hoyd̛ percyd̛ wytℏ Ray, of the Cordywynerys leueray / y bequeþe to Freres Carmes

To the Carmelite or White Friars—the Friars of Our Lady on Mount Carmel, founded 1160 A.D., and cald 'Maries men,'—Edw. I. gave ground in Fleet Street to build their Houses on in 1241.

The Friars-Preachers, Jacobins, or Dominicans—founded by St. Dominic, a Spaniard, in 1206—were cald Black Friars from their dress. They came to England in 1221, had their first House in Holborn,—afterwards turnd into Lincoln's Inn,—and the site of their second House near Baynard's Castle (part of the present Blackfriars) was given them in 1276 by the Mayor and Barons of London.

The Austin Friars' Church was founded in Broad Street Ward (near the present N. London Railway Station) in 1253. The Order dates from A.D. 1150.

The Friar Minors, Franciscans, or Grey Friars—founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1209—first establisht Houses in England in 1224. Their chief House was afterwards turned into Christ's Hospital, the Blue-coat School in Newgate St.

off London̛ .ij.s.vj.d̛, And þat they sey a diryge for my soule in the Churcℏ of Seynt Clementis, and syngge for me also / y be-queþe to the freres prechoures with-yn ludgate / ij s'. vj d̛ in þe same manere for to seyn a deryge in seynt Clementis Chercℏ / Al-so y be-queþe to the frere menoures ij. s'. vij. d̛ for to seyn a deryge for me in seynt Dunstanes Churcℏ in þe West, and to syngge for me al-so / y be-queþe the Frere Austynes ij s' vj d̛ for to seyn for me a dirige in seynt Dunstones Churcℏ in the west, and for to syng for me / Also y be-queþe to Joℏon Wyot a gowne and a hoyd of þe Cordewaneres leueray of .ij. Coloures, and also a postnet þat y lent hym / Also y be-queþe to herry Cole, a blewe gownne and peyr̛ of Rede hosyn / Also y be-queþe al þe Resydue of my godys to Ione my wyff̘, for to beyn myn̛ Executorice Cheff, and Ioℏn Robert of london̛ / for to ben Executour wytℏ her̛ / & y be-queþe to the same Ioℏn Robert / iij. s. iiij d̛ for hys trauayƚ, doyng for me as he wyƚƚ ansuere by-fore god / Also y be-queþe xl. penywortℏ bred, & I kylderkyn of ale, to be spended At my dirige in sent clement churcℏ, & xl. d̛ wortℏ bred & a kylderkyn of ale, to seint Dunstones in þe same maner. I-wreten at london̛ þe ferst day of may in þe ȝer of oure kyng, xij. In wytnesse of þis dede, I. haue set þerto me sel. Also I wele þat Herry cole, taylour, duellyng wyt-outen temple barre, be on of myne executours, & I be-queþe to hym, þe same herry cole, for hys trauayle .iij. s. iiij d̛. Probatum.—iij Kln̛ Junij, Anno domini Mo CCCCo xj . . . Executoribus . . . Et ije Idus Iulij . . . Iohanne Executrice . . .

SIR WM. LANGEFORD, KNIGHT, 1411.

[Gives household stores, chattels, and growing crops, to his Wife, with a coffer. To his son Robert, a bed, and armour. To sons William and Henry, armour, &c.; £100, and the money from land sold, as a marriage portion (in Executors' hands), to his daughter Isabel. Small sums to the Poor, to mending of Ways, and to Servants. A manor and advowson to son William. Another advowson, and a rent-charge, to son Henry. No benefit to any devisee disputing the will. Wife to manage sons' estates till sons are 18 years old. Residue to Wife. Feoffees (Trustees) of land to carry out the Will.]

Book March, leaf 187 (in quire 24). Prerogative Court.

'Sturgeon'' is in the margin.In dei nomine Amen, vicesimo quarto die Mensis Augusti, Anno domini Mo. CCCCmo. xjmo. Anno regni Regis Henrici quarti post conquestum, duodecimo. Ego, Willelmus Langeford, Miles, compos mentis quamuis egrotus corpore, condo testamentum meum in hunc modum. In primis lego animam meam deo, corpus que meum ad sepeliendum in ecclesia de Bradfeld̛, videlicet in Capella sancti Andree. Item lego fabrice ecclesie Cathedralis Sarum .vj. s. viij d̛. Item lego ad reparacionem Capelle predicte quadraginta solidos. Also y be-qweythe to lucye my wyfe, alle my store and cataƚƚ quykk̘ and ded̛ in Bradfeld̛Bradfield (St. Andrew), a parish in the hundred of Theale, co. Berks, 8 miles W. of Reading. Rectory in archdeaconry of Berks, and diocese of Salisbury.—Lewis. and Compton? Compton-Beauchamp, in the hundred of Shrivenham, co. Berks, 6 1/2 miles S. by W. from Great Farringdon. Rectory in the archdeaconry of Berks, and diocese of Salisbury.—Lewis., with alle þe vtensyƚ of myn̄ hows, þat ys to say, in halle, in Chambre, in Pantrie and Botrie, in larder and Kechyn, with alle hire apparure, þat ys to say, in cloþing̛, rynges, and alle oþer ornamentes, what so þey be, with alle þe hay and corn̛ of þis ȝhere growyng̛, reseruynge þe hold̛ greynys to myn̛ executours to performe my wylle. Also y be-queythe a cofere with þe godes þer-in in warde of laurens dru in SoutℏcoteSouthcot, a tything in the hundred of Reading, Berks, 1 1/2 miles W.S.W. of Reading.—Lewis., to þe forseyd lucie my wyfe, vn-to hire propre vse. Also y be-queythe to Robert, myn̛ heldest son̄, a reed̛ bedde of worsteyd, with costers þat langytℏ þere-to, enbrawde with whyte fete, with a canvase, a materas, a pare of Blankettes .ij. pare of schetys; Also a basynet with a ventaile, a pare of vambrace and rerebrace, a pare of legge herneys, an holle brest-plate, a paunce of stele, a pare glovis of plate white. Also to Elyzabetℏ, wyfe of þe forseyd Robert, a boorde cloþe with .ij. towelles of deuaunt of oo sute. Also y be-queytℏ to William my son̄, an aburioun̄ of stele with a pallette couerte with reede velwette, a pare of glovys of plate blacke. Also to Henre my son̛, an aburioun̄, a ketil Hatte. Also y be-queytℏ to ysabeƚƚ my dowter, an .C. pounde to hir mariage, of whiche somme ys owynge to me, to be payd, an .C. Mark̘ by þe handes of my lady loueƚƚ, and by the handes of William Tanner of Ersgarston̄ .xxvj. Mark̘. vj .s'. viij d̛, and þe remnaund̛ to be payid of my godes þat leuytℏ. Also y wylle þat be gevon̄ to pore men, in almes, to pray for me, .iiij. Mark̘, and in emendynge of weys lyand̛ a-bowt þe manere of Bradfeld̛, .ij. Marc̘. Also y be-queytℏ to Thomas Eyre my seruaunde .vj. s'. viij. d̛. Henre .Soon̄ .xl. [d̛]. William Hereward̛ .ij. s'. Ioℏn Oxerd̛ .xl. d̛. Peris Smytℏ þe yongar, .xl. d̛. Ioℏn Sceperd .v. s'. Ioℏn of þe Kechyn .xl. d̛. Robert Cokeneƚƚ .ij. s'. Ioℏn Goky .xx. d̛. William Chesc .ij. s'. Robert of þe Stabul .xx. d̛. Huge Parmay .xl. d̛. Ioℏn Turnour, Carter .v. s'. Ioℏn hayward̛ .vj. s'. viij. d̛. William Burgeys and ys wyfe .xl. s'. Thomas Boteler .vj. s'. viij. d̛. Wylliam of Chestirshire .v. s'. Thomas Capenter .xl. d̛. Mawde my seruaunt, to hire mariage .xx. s'. Ioℏon. Oxerd̛. xl. d̛. Beatrice my seruaunde .vj. s. viij. d̛. Also y wille þat alle þe londes and tenementes in Schyffeld̛, Burfeld̛, Sulhamstade Abbis, with þe mede clepyd̛ Tybbeney in Oston̄, of my purchas, stondynge in feffies handes, be sold̛, and þe Siluer þere of spendyd to þe avauncement of lucie, my dowter, and yf she be conably a-vaunsyd with les somme, y wille þat þe surplus be don̄ for my soule. Also y wille þat þe forseyd sale of my londes and tenementes in Scheffeld̛. Burfeld̛. and Sulhamstade Abbis, be made principaly to my wyfe and myne heiris, geuynge þer-fore os an oþer man wille. Also y wille þat William myn̄ son̛ haue þe maner of Chale, with alle þe purtenaunce beynge in fefyes handes, witha-vowson̄ of þe Chyrche in þe Ile of Wygℏt, to him & to hys heirs of ys body lawfully be-goton̄; and yf he deie wytℏ-owte heire lawfully of ys body begeton̄, þanne wille y þe forseyd maner with appurtenaunce, remayne to Henre ys broþer, and to þe heirs of ys body lawfully goton̄; and yf þe forseyd̛ Henre deie with-owt issue leful of ys body goton̄, thanne wille y þat þe forseyd maner with appurtenauns, remayne to me and myne heirs. Also y wille þat Henre my sone have .x. Marcis wortℏ londe ȝhely yearly.to hym and to ys heirs leful of ys body, of þe londes and þe rentes in þe Counte of deuon̛-schire, beynge in fefees handes, with a-vowsoune of þe chirche of Mounkcocamton̄; and̛ for defawt of issue comynge of þe forseyd henre, y wille þat yt remayne to william ys broþer, and to ys heirs of ys body. And for defawte of issue of þe forseyd̛ William, y wille þat þe remaynder̛ be to my ryte heirs. I pray yow also þat ben my Feffees, þat ȝe make estate vn-to my forseyd chyldre, lucie, henre, and william, lyke as my wylle ys be-fore conteynyd. Also y wille þat Thomas Rawfe, my seruaund, haue .ij. Marces ȝhelyyearly. durynge ys lyfe, takynge yt of þe londes and rentes in deuen̛-schyre beynge in fefees handes, takynge a distresse in defawte of payment. Also my wille ys, þat yf my wyfe or my chyldre askun̄ here resnable part of my godes aftur cours of lawe, þan wille y þat þey be excludyd of alle þe avauntage of þe ordinauns of my wylle above y-seyd. Also my wille ys, þat þe siluer þat schal be reseyvyd for þe londes & tenementes þat y haue be-fore asyngnyd for þe avaunscement of lucie my dowter, þat hyt a-byde in þe handes of myn̛ executours to fulfyl my wille. Also y wille, tochaunde þe londes þe weche y haue asynyd to william my sone, þat lucie my wyf have gouernauns þer-of, and þe profete, vn-to þe forseyd william be of age .xviij. ȝhere. And also of þe londes þat ben assyngnyd to henre, þat my wyfe have þe governauns and þe profyte of, vn-to þe forseyd henre be of age .xviij. ȝhere. Also y wylle þat þe .C. ƚi. wyche y have assyngnyd for ysabeƚƚ my dowter, to hire a-vaunsement, and it falle þat sche deie or scheo be a-vauncyd, þan wille y þat þe forseyd .C. ƚi. be don for my sowle. þe residue of alle my godes, my dettes furst payd, and my wille holly fulfyllid as ys by-fore wreton̛, y wylle þat yt remayne to þe forseyd lucie my wyfe. and y pray alle ȝow þat bene enfeffeed̛ in my londes forseyd by me, þat ȝe fulfylle my forseyd wylle os ȝe wylle answere a-fore god. Ad execucionem vero huius testamenti mei faciendam, ordino et constituo executores meos, laurencium dru, willelmum Stookes, Robertum Clerke, Rectorem ecclesie de Bradfeld̛, et Iohannem Iacob. Datum die et Anno supradictis.

probatum fuit hoc precedens testamentum coram Magistro Iohanne perche, Commissario &c primo die Mensis Octobris, Anno domini Mo CCC. xj. et quibuscunque, probacione &c, per dominum Robertum Sarum Episcopum cassata &c, et commissa est administracio omnium bonorum dicti defuncti, quibusdam Roberto Clerk, Rectori ecclesie parrochiane de Bradfeld̛, Sarum diocese, & Iohanni Iacob, Executoribus &c.; laurencio dru, Executori eciam in ipso testamento nominato, coram dicto Commissario personaliter comparenti, onus administracionis &c expresse recusavit &c Reseruata potestate cuidam willelmo Stokes &c Et subsequenter, viz. x die Mensis decembris Ao domini predicto, prefatus Commissarius acquietavit prefatos Robertum Clerk & Iohannem Iacob, &c.

RICHARD YONGE, BREWER, OF LONDON, 1413.

[To be buried at St. Dunstan's in the West. Gifts to that Church, and its Priests. 20s. to Mother. Apprentice to be let off 2 years of his term, and have a grain vessel (?), &c.; Son William to have pots, a pan, and a bed. Residue to Wife and Son.]

(Brown 1400-1418. 2 Commissary Court of London, leaf 263.)

In the name of god, Amen. Millesimo CCCC xiij, I, Richard̛ ȝonge, Brewer of London̛, be-set my testament in thys maner: fyrst, I be-quethe my Soule to God al-myȝty, an thotho is to; an is and.our lady seynt Mary, an to al the fayr company of heuene; an my body tho be byret in the chirche ȝerd̛ of Seynt Donstones in the West. al-so y be-quethe to the hye Auter of the same churche, for oblacions for-etynfor-etyn is forgotten., xij d̛. al-so y be-quethe to the sayd churche warkis, vj s. viij d̛. al-so y be-quethe to the prestes an the Clerkys that mynystre in the for-sayd churche, by euen porcyon̛ a-mong hem, iij s. iiij d̛. al-so, yf ther may be spared so moche of my gode after my dedtis an rement of my testament be fulfyllyt, y wyl that my moder haue xxs. Al-so [y] wyl that Ion̛, my prentys, haue a reles of to ȝer of hys hol termys, of thys condicyon̛, that he be gode an trewe to my wyf. al-so y be-quethe to the for-sede Ion̛, I graners, an a flot, an a planer. al-so y be-quethe tho William my sone, a new bras pot, an a panne, an a bedde, an a potel pot of peuwter. the residue of my gode, y be-quethe tho Amys my wyf, an my son̛, to kepe hem boþ wyt. al-so y make [lf. 263 back] Richard̛ Roos, Glouer, & Jon̄ man̛, Corwaner, myn executou[r]s; & ayder of hem to haue for ther trayuayƚƚ, a gode bow.

Probatum est hoc testamentum coram nobis. Testm̛ &c ije kln̛ Octobris, Anno supra dicto. Et commissa est administracio omnium bonorum &c Executoribus supra dictis.

THOS. WALWAYN, ESQ., OF MUCH MARCLE, HEREFORDSHIRE, 1415. [Testament of the Personalty.]

[One-third of sale-money of some land, to make the steeple of Marcle Church, one-third to poor Prisoners (debtors), 1/6th to neighbouring Poor, 1/6th for the Marriage of young Women. 1000 Masses to be said. Restitution to be made for wrong-doing. Wife to have household goods, cloven-footed beasts, and corn. Burial to be without useless pomp. Legacies to Children, &c.; Both Testament and Will have been printed in some book on the Walwayn family, Appx. p. 63-4.]

Book 'March' (Prerog. Court), leaf 253.

IN dei nomine Amen, &c' Ego, Thomas Walwayn, condo testamentum in hunc modum: In primis, lego animam meam deo omnipotenti, corpus-que meum ad sepeliendum in ecclesia de Michel Marcle,Much Marcle (St. Bartholomew), a parish in the hundred of Greytree, co. Hereford, 5 miles S.W. by W. from Ledbury, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Hereford.—Lewis.retro patrem & matrem meos. Item lego ecclesie Cathedrali Herefordensi .C. s'. Item volo quod Capellanus Canterie, per feoffatos meos fundate, statim celebret cotidie in ecclesia predicta pro anima mea & animabus patris [&] matris meorum, & animabus Antecessorum meorum. Item volo quod tercia pars monete The English part of the Latin Testament begins.that may be hade of Dene and Chalford̛These lands are directed by the Testator's English Will, to be sold by his Executors, to fulfil his Testament: see p. 25, at foot. be sette by myn executours vppon the makyng of the stepeƚƚ of the chirche of Marcle; the second parte of the same goud, I wolle that hit helpe nede men oute of pryson, by the dysposicion of myn Executours, þer most nede is; þe remenant y wolle hit be parted on tweyne: halfe to the pores nedy folk that bun yn Marcle paryssℏ, Kempeley, Dymmok, Ledbury, Aylton̛, Preston̛, Putley, Wolfhope, Solershope, and HowecapeƚƚIn Glo'stershire are, Kempley, 5 1/2 m. N. W. by N. from Newent; Dymock, 3 3/4 m. N.N.W. from Newent; Ledbury; and Aylton, 4 1/4 m. W. from Newent; and one Putley, W. of Aylton, and 5 3/4 m. W. from Ledbury. Another Putley is a township in the parish of Woolhope, co. Hereford, which is probably Wolfhope of our text, 7 3/4 m. W. by S. from Ledbury. How-Caple is in Herefordshire, 6 m. N.N.E. from Ross. Sollers Hope is west of Much Marcle, 7 1/2 m. N. by E. from Ross, and a little farther S.W. of Ledbury.; And þat other half be ȝeifi to the maryage of yonge pore wommen yn the same paryssℏes by the disposicion of myn executours / and I wolle that ther be .x. M1. masses Isayde for me of gode prestes witℏ aƚƚ hast, and my dette payed, and restitucion made ther eny wronge may be Ifounde be donn, (as I trust to god but lituƚƚ,) by myn executours. And I woƚƚ that Isabeƚƚ my wyfe haue aƚƚ the necessaries, clothes, braas, and other instrumentes of aƚƚ myn houshold̛, And aƚƚ cloue-fote bestes that I haue, And aƚƚ my corne growyng and yn bernes atte Mercle and atte Massyngton̛, oute take xl. quarters of wete reserued to fullfeƚƚ witℏ my wille, And an .C. mark of money. And I woƚƚ thatMS. that that. my enterement be holde witℏ oute pompe, whyche may not profyt myn soule. And I woƚƚ that Richard my son̛ haue tweyne my best hors, And .xl. pounde. Also I. wolle that Cristian my doughter haue to here mariage an .C. ƚi of the profites of longeford̛; Maclun and William, euerychon of hem .xx mark. Item lego priori Magne Maluerne .xl. ƚi. Item lego Willelmo Walwayn, fratri meo .xx ƚi. [Here follow other bequests, the appointment of executors—his wife Isabella (chief), John Walwayn of Stoke, testator's nephew Thomas, son of his said brother William Walwayn, John Prat, chaplain, Richard Pecok, chaplain, & John Bullok—&c.; all in Latin.]Datum die martis in festo sancti Gregorii pape, Anno domini Millesimo Quadringentesimo quartodecimo.

[Will of the Realty in Feoffees' hands.]

[Wife to have for life, lands in Marcle, Ledbury and Eastnor. On her death, Marcle lands to son Richard in tail, with remainder to nephew Thomas, and then nephew William, both in tail. Ledbury and Eastnor lands to son Maclun in tail, with remainder to son William in tail, remainder to testator in tail. Son Richard and his wife Clemence, to have other lands, in tail, with remainder to nephew Thomas in tail, &c.; Other land, to found a perpetual chantry. Thatley and Farley, to son Maclun in tail, with remainder to son William in tail, &c.; Butterley and the Fen to son William in tail, with remainder to son Maclun in tail, &c.; Longford to be held for 20 years by the Feoffees, and its profits (with sale-monies of Dean and Chalford) paid to testator's Executors to fulfil his Testament with. After the 20 years, Longford to go to Wife for life, with remainder to son William in tail, then to son Maclun in tail. Aylton to son Richard.]

The Wille of Thomas Walwayn to his feoffes of his londes yn eueri place yn Engelond̛, qwyche the forsaide Thomas requyretℏ his feoffes that they perforne as they wolle ansswere a-fore god atte the day of dome. And for aƚƚ the trust that he hatℏ yn hem, ffurst I. wolle that ȝe make Isabelle, my weyf, goud estat of the londes rentes that ȝe bun feoffed In, yn Marcle paryssℏ, Ledebury paryssℏ, and EstnorEastnor, a parish in the hundred of Radlow, co. Hereford, 2 1/4 m. S.E. by E. from Ledbury, Herefordshire.—Lewis. to holde hit to terme of here lyue; the remayndre, after her deces, of the londes in Marcle and Marcle paryssℏ, to Richard my son̛, and to hers of his body frelycℏ be-gotun for euermore; pour defaut of issu, to the hers of the body of the forsaide Thomas Walwayn be-getun; And for de-faut of issu of Thomas, to William Walwayn̛, brother of the forsayd Thomas Walwayn, and to hers of his body frelycℏ be-getun for euermore. the remayndre of the londes yn ledebury and ledbury paryssℏ, and Estnore, to Maclun my sone, and the hers of his body frelycℏ be-gete; for defaut of issu of Maclun, to William my sone, and to the hers of his body frelycℏ be-gete for euermore; and for defaut of issu of the forsaid̛ W. my sone, remayndre to the hers of my body frelycℏ be-gete &c̘ vt supra. Also I wolle that his feoffes enfeofe Richard his sone, and clemens his wyfe, yn Kynegespeawyn, hyde, Byllyngeslond yn Rwaren̛, the rent that he boght atte Horcle, to haue to hem, and to the hers bytwex hem tweyn frelycℏ be-gete, for euermore; for defaut of issu by-twex hem be-gete, the remayndre to the hers of Thomas Walwaynes body be-gete, &c̘, vt supra. Also I wolle that my feoffes, ȝe geuyn Braynesplace and Coycellesplace Bevlmulle (?)read 'Ceycells place, Beblemulle' in a former print., the lond atte Dymmokeschasteƚƚ, ? in Dymock (St. Mary), a parish in the hundred of Botloe, co. Glo'ster, 3 3/4 m. N.N.W. from Newent.—Lewis. yn-to a chaunterie yn marclechyrcℏ, by the dysposicion of my executours, for a prest to seynge ther perpetually. Also I. wolle that my feoffes mak estat to Maclun my sone, of Thatteley and Farley,Farley may be Farlow, in the parish of Stottesden, 5 1/4 m. N.W. by N. from Cleobury Mortimer, in Herefordshire.—Lewis. to hym and to the hers of his body; for defaut of the forsaide Maclun, to William my sone, and to the hers of his body frelycℏ be-gete; for de-faut of issu, &c̘, vt supra. Also I wolle that my forsaid feoffes make estat of Butterley and of the fenne, to William my sone, and to the hers of his body frelycℏ be-gete; for defaut of issu of William, to Maclun and to the hers, &c̘, vt supra, Remanere. Also I. wolle that my feoffes kepun Longeford̛ yn here honde thys .xx. ȝeres, delyueryng the profites ther-of to my executours to fulfille-wytℏ my testament. And after the .xx. ȝeres termined̛, I. wolle that Isabelle my weyf [haue] it to terme of her lyue wytℏ-oute empeschement of wast; the remayndre, after deces of here, to Wylliam my sone, and to hers of his body frelycℏ be-getun; for defaut of William my sone, to maclun and to the hers of his body frelycℏ be-getun: for defaut of issu of maclun, &c̘, vt supra. Also I wolle that of my londe of Dene and Chalford,

Dene may be Mitchell (A.Sax. mycel, great) Dean, the chief town of the Forest of Dean, a market-town and parish in Glostershire, 11 m. W. of Glo'ster, or Little Dean, on the verge of the forest, 1 3/4 m. N.W. by N. from Newnham, Glostershire.—Lewis.

Chalford may be Chalford in the parish of Bisley, Glostershire, 4 m. S.E. by E. from Stroud.—Lewis.

I wolle hit be sholde by myn executours to fullefille wytℏ my testament. Also Aylton̛ remaynetℏ to Richard my sone.

[Codicil, in Latin.]

Memorandum, quod Thomas Walwayn̛. Armiger, de Comitatu Hereford̛, compos mentis, decimo nono die mensis maij, Anno domini Millesimo .CCCC. quintodecimo, recitans se nuper fecisse et condidisse suum testamentum super disposicione bonorum suorum, ad idem testamentum, per viam Codicilli, superaddebat & voluit quod[&c.; appoints his son Richard one of his executors, &c.].

(Testament, Will & Codicil, proved by Isabella the widow, & Richard the son, on May 20, 1416; "and afterwards on 21 May a Commission was directed to the Prior of Great Malvern to make a Grant to the other Executors.—(Folio 32 Marche, C. P. C.)."

THOMAS BROKE, LANDOWNER, OF HOLDITCH, THORNCOMBE, DEVONSHIRE, 1417.

[To be buried in Thorncombe Church, under a plain flat stone; not in a coffin, but only a cloth; and no feast to be held. But 300 Poor to be fed, and have 3d. each, and 300 Children 1d. Poor tenants to have £20 among em; the poorest tenant £100; and £10 and more to go as restitution for wrong-doing. £100 to poor Blind and Lame. Residue to Wife.]

(March, leaf 316, back, Prerog. Court.)

In the name of the Lorde of aƚƚ Lordes, the aƚƚmyȝty ymmortal Trinite, I, wrichyd̛ Synner̛, Thomas Broke, in gode Mynde, and out of Sekenesse, make my testament̘, Ȝyf it be the wiƚƚ of god, in this maner̛, prayng him, of his hye yndelesse mercy, fouchesafe to receyue my wreched̛ vnclene soule in-to his mercy, and kepe hyt fram dampnacion, for the meke passyoun and detℏ that his debonure sonne, oure lord̛ Ihesu Crist̘, Soffred̛ on̛ the Crosse for Cherite & pety of mankynd̛. And my wyƚƚ is, that my body be Beryed̛ in the Chircℏℏey of the Parysℏcℏurcℏ of ThornecombeThorncombe (St. Mary), a parish (formerly a market-town) forming a detacht portion of the hundred of Axminster, co. Devon, 6 1/2 m. S. W. by W. from Axminster. The owner of the old Cistercian Abbey at Ford in this parish, 'holds a court at Holditch' (see page 27).—Lewis., as men gotℏ ouer̛ in-to þ is printed for y.þe churcℏ at þe Soutℏ Syde, ryȝte as they mowe stappe on me / and a flat̘ playne stone, saue my name ygraued þar̛-In, that men mowe the rather̛ haue mynde on me, and pray for me. And nether̛ wheche? hutch, chest, coffin., ne leede, to be leyde in / bote a grete Clothe to hely my foule Caryin; and of Torches, bote .iij., and .iij. taprys; Ande no fest̘ noþer terment̘ yhold̛, bot .iij., Masses atte my buryyng̛, saue CCC poure men schullen haue mete & drynke ynowe, and euery man and woman of ham .iij. d̛, & euery chyld̛ of .CCC. Childerne .I. [d̛], yf þer be so many Childerne / and .xiij. poure men clothed̛ in Russett ylyned̛ witt white, and euery of ham to haue .viij d̛ / and I bequethe to my poure tenauntes of Holdycℏ, Hotham, Cherd There is a Chard in Somerset, 13 m. S.E. by S. from Taunton, and 12 E. from Honiton in Devon.—Lewis., CotteleygℏCotleigh, a parish in the hundred of Colyton, co. Devon, 3 m. E.N.E. from Honiton.—Lewis., & WycrofteCp. Henry de Wicroft.—Prince's Worthies of Devon, 1810, p. 495. , that hauetℏ yȝeue to me Capouns & bederpes Bedrepes. Days of work performed in harvest time by the customary tenants, at the bidding of their lords. See Cullum's Hawsted, 1784, p. 189. Hall.'s Gloss. The word is in Thorpe's Ancient Laws, i. 436, l. 4, and the new Bosworth's A.-Sax. Dict. Prof. Skeat says it "is from A.Sax. beód-an, to bid, summon, and A.S. ríp, later M.E. rêp, a reaping (Stratmann gives rêp). Cf. bidale. The sense is 'reaping done by summoned men.'" and Plouwys, ȝouȝe though. þey be nouȝte my tenauntes, I wiƚƚ þat myn executours do her̛ gre by god discrecion atte þe value of xx ƚi amonge hame / and if any oþer man or woman be, that Cane Pleyne hym þat icℏ ℏaue oppressed̛ hym̛, or do wrange to him, oþer yete with my bestys his Corne oþer his grase, and nouȝte amendit? MS. amende. hit to hym̛; to amende sucℏ trespasses, I bequethe x. ƚi.: and I bequethe to aƚƚ my pourest tenauntes, where þat þey be, excepte ham þat I haue ynemned̛ in þis bok to-for, C. ƚi in mony / and I bequethe to Poure men blynd and lame .C. ƚi, and to sum trew man, by good discrecyon̛ to do partycause to be parted, divided. the mony forseyd̛ / and namelycℏ iff ycℏ ℏaue do wronge to eny of my tenauntes or mys tak hir good̛, I wiƚƚ þat it be restored̛ to ham, whether̛ it be Man or woman, be avysement̘ of myn̛ Executours, as þey wiƚƚ aunswere to-for god̛ at þe dome / and þe resyduwe of aƚƚ my goodys and Cateƚƚ, in this my testament̘ nouȝtebequethede, ycℏ ȝeue Holelycℏ, and bequethe, to Iohane my wyfe, reseruynge alweys to me volle power̛ to chaunge þis testament, oþer to mak hit more, oþer to amenusy hit, oþer to vndo hit aƚƚ, as ofte as me Lustetℏ, or whanne þat me lyketℏ, duryng my Lyfe. and to do good̛ and trewe execucion of þis my testament, ycℏ ordeyne and mak̘ myne Executours, Iohane my wyfe, William Brerdon̛, sir Ioℏn̛ Dey, parsone of Bageworthe There's a Badgworth in Somerset, 2 1/2 m. S.W. by W. from Axbridge., Raufe Perceuale, sir Edward̛ Osbourne, vicary of Thornecombe. This testament is my volle & hole wille þe day of þe date of þis my testament, the date in my Manour̛ of Holdecℏ, on Setrysday in þe vygyle of þe Holy Trynyte, the ȝere of grace & of þe incarnacyoun of oure Lorde Ihesu Criste, M1, CCCC.mo xvo. Thys twey Lynis I wrete almeste with myn̛ owne Hond̛.

Probatum fuit hoc testamentum coram Magistro Iohanne Estcourt &c.; vo. die Februarij, anno domini Millesimo CCCC .xvijo &c̘, & commissa administracio bonorum domino Edward̛ Osbourne, vicario ecclesie parochiane de Thornecombe &c̘. Reseruata potestate &c.; & habent diem ad exhibendum Inuentarium primo die iuridico post sanctum Pasche proximum in futuro &c̘, & subsequenter acquietancia fuit dicto executori &c̘.

JOHN SOLAS, OF SOUTHWARK, SURREY, 1418.

[To be buried in St. George's, Southwark. Gifts to that Church, its Priests and Clerk. Gifts of gowns and money to Servants and others, and of half a year's rent to E. Veel. Residue to Wife.]

(March, quire 42, lf. 337.)

In the name of̘ the fader and the sone and the holy-gost, atte hye reuerens of oure lord̛ Ihesu Criste, and̛ of ys blessed moder seynte Marie, and of seynt Iohan the Ewangelist̘ and al other holy seyntes of heuene, I, Ion Solas of Southwerk̘, in good mynde and good̛ deliberacion̛, my testament I make yn thys forme: atte begynnyng̛ I be-quethe my soule to our lord̛ Ihesu Crist and to oure lady seynte Marie, and to alle aleveshallows, saints. of heuene / And my body to be beret in the northpart of̘ the Churche of seynt Gorge of Soutwerke / Also I be-quethe to that same Churchewerk̘ C s'. Al-so I be-quethe to the hye auter I Marc̘ / Also I be-quethe to euery preste that ther syngytℏ the day of my berynge / iiij d̛ / Also I be-quethe the Clerk̘ of̘ the same Churche xl. d̛. Al-so I be-quethe to Ion̄ Euenwode iiij nobls, and a goune newe of blak̘. al-so I be-quethe to Thomas Elyot xx s' [&] a goune of̘ blak. Al-so I. be-quethe to Ion Costert my seruaunt, x s' and a goune .. Also I be-quethe to Richard̛ my seruaunt I. noble, and a goune and a doblet. Al-so y be-quethe to Ione? MS. Ioern.Batesey, xl d̛ and a goune / Al-so y wole that my wyfe and al my chyldren̛ be atte my berynge, yn case they leue. Also I for-ȝeue Edeyn Veel / V Marc̘ / of here rente for an alfyere, yn case I deye. Al-so I be-quethe to Ion Bryxhyƚƚ a goune. al-so I be-quethe to Thomas Wade a goune. Al-so I be-quethe to William Mymmes a goune, and to Anneys ys wyfe a goune. Also 'Also' is repeated in the MS.I be-quethe to Ion Archer a goune. Also I be-quethe to Adam Rigge a goune / The remenaunt of̘ my godys that be not be-quethe ne ȝeuen, I be-quethe to Ione my wyfe, for to do and ordeyne as sche thyngytℏ best, and as sche wole answere atte hey day of Iugement / To thys testament to ordeyne and parforme, I make myn executours, my wyfe a-boue seyd, Robert Bromesbury and William Horton̛. In the wytnesse of the wyche thynge, I haue set to my sele. I-ȝeuen̄ atte South-werk̘ in the parsche of seynt Gorges, the xij day of Iuly, the ȝere of our̛ lord̛ Ihesu Crist M1 CCCC xviij. Probatum fuit testamentum coram Magistro Iohanne Estcourt, Comissario &c̘, vicesimo secundo die Mensis Iulij, anno domini Mo CCCCmo xviijmo. Et comissa fuit administracio Iohanne, Vxori & Executrici dicti defuncti, &c̘. Reseruata potestate &c̘.

JOHN CHELMYSWYK, ESQ., SHROPSHIRE, 1418.

[Gives £5 to Quatford church for his soul's sake. 40s. each to the Friars of Bridgnorth, Woodhouse, Shrewsbury, Ludlow, London; and to the Prisoners in Ludgate, Newgate, and the Marshalsea; and 20s. each to the 6 London Hospitals; to sing 30 Masses, and pray for his soul, his late wife's, his grandmother's, &c.; £70 for 2 priests to sing 7 years for his soul, at Bridgnorth, and £2 for their vestments, and £7 to keep his Year's Mind there for 7 years; and at each Mind 20s. to be given to the Bridgnorth poor. Jonet, his 2nd wife, to have (for her dowry, &c.;) £40 and his household goods, save gold and silver, &c.; 6 silver sawcers to be made into 2 Chalices for the 7-year priests. Wife to have his Manor of Staverton for life (with remainder to his heirs in tail), and let Emot Roe, her mother, have Aspley, for which he's given his Bond for £400 to John Roe. If testator dies childless, Staverton to be sold, and the produce go in Charity and Masses. If his wife Jonet turns her mother out of Aspley, she's to be turnd out of Staverton, which is to go to his heirs in tail, or be sold as aforesaid. Manors of Hay and Tasley to be sold and applied to Charity and Masses. If wife Jonet keeps sole for a year, her state's to be kept up free. Gold chain, &c.; to Wife. Silver dishes, money, furrd gowns, &c.; to Executors. Residue to be applied in Charity and Masses £5 to Tasley Church; and bedding, hangings, &c.; to the Parson of Tasley and R. Crowder.]

(March, lf. 335 bk., P. C.)Testamentum Johannis Chelmiswyk. [in margin]

In the name of God, Amen, the iiije day of the monthe of Apriƚƚ, The ȝere of god a M1 CCCC xviije, and the ȝere of̘ the regne of kyng̛ Henry the Ve after the conquest, vje. I. Iohn̛ Chelmyswyk̘, squier of Shropshire, hole of mynde & in my gode memorie beyng̛, ordeyne & make my present testament of my last wille in this manere / ffirst I recommende my saule to almyghty god, to oure lady seint marie virgine hys moder, & to alle the Seintes in heuene, and my body for to be beryed where god of his mercy for me wolle dispose. Also I bequethe to the werkis of the body of the Parysshchirche of Seint Marie Magdaleyn̛ of Quatford̛Quatford (St. Mary Magdalene), a parish partly in the boro' of Bridgenorth, but chiefly in the hundred of Stottesden, Shropshire, 2 m. S.E. from Bridgenorth. —Lewis. in Shropeshire, & to ordeyne vestmentis & ornamentis in the same Chirche nedefuƚƚ, after the discrecioun of my Executours, so that my soule be recommended in Goddys seruice there, C s'. Item I be-quethe to the freres Menours of Bryggenortℏ, to do singe for my soule, and for the soules of my fader & moder, Thomas my sone, Elyanore late my wyf, Ionet Chelmeswyk̘ my Graundame, and alle my god fryndys soules, & for alle cristene soules, the hole Seint Gregories TrentaƚƚThis Trental (triginta-lis) was 30 Masses, 3 on each of the 10 chief Festivals the year: Christmas, the Circumcision, Mary's Purification, the Annunciation, Resurrection, Ascension, Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, Mary's Assumption, and her Nativity (Sept. 8). See the poem Trentalle Sancti Gregorii, in my Religious, Political, and Love Poems, E. E. T. Soc. 1866, p. 87., & to praye deuotely for my soule & the soules aforsayde, xl s'. Item I bequethe in the same manere and condicioun to the ffreres of Wodehouse xl s'. Item I be-quethe in the same manere and condicioun to euerycheof the thre Ordres of freres in Shrovesbury xl s'. Item I be-quethe in the same manere and condicioun to eueryche of the twey Ordres of ffreres in ludlowe xl s'. Item I be-quethe, to fynde Twey honestes prestes to singe goddys seruice for my soule, & for the soules aforsaid̛, in the Chaunterie of the Chirche of Seint Leonarde in Brigge-nortℏ be vij ȝere next folwyng̛ after my desese, lxx ƚi of sterlinges, that ys to wete, euery preste takyng̛ for hys salarie be ȝere, C s'. Item I be-quethe to the mendyng̛ of the feble? MS. fevle.& foule weye beside Portmannes Crosse fast by Briggenortℏ, xl s'. Item I be-quethe to eueryche of the iiij Ordres of ffreres in þe Citee of London̛, that ys to wethe, Prechours, Menours, Austyns, & Carmes,For these Orders of Friars, see p. 16, 17 n. xl .s'., so that eueryche of̘ þe forsaide iiij Ordres do singe for my soule, and for the soules a-forsaide, the hole seint Gregories Trentaƚƚ, and pray for my soule and for the soules a-forsaide. Item I be quethe viij s' iiij d̛ to do singe for me Soule, & for de Soules aforsaide, C masses in oo day. Item I be-quethe to the prisoners of Ludgate in London̛, to pray for my soule & for de soules a-forsaide, xx s'. Item I be-quethe, vp þe same condicioun, to þe prisoners of Newgate in London̛, xl. s'. Item I bequetℏe, vp þe same condicioun, to the prisoners of the Marschalsie, xx s'. Item I bequethe to þe pore hospitales, that is to say, Seint Marie spiteƚƚ with-oute Bis- shoppesgateSt. Mary Spittle, in Shoreditch, founded by Walter Brune, Mercer of London, and Rosia his wife, A.D. 1197. See Stow's Survey, 1720, vol. i., Bk II. p. 97, with the account of Q. Elizabeth's grand procession from the Spittle in April 1559, with 1000 armd men, cannons, drums, flutes, trumpets, moricedancings, and 2 White Bears in a cart.,Bedlem, Seint Thomas in Southwerk̘, Seint Antonies Elsyng̛ spiteƚƚ? St. Anthony's Hospital in the parish of St. Benet Fink, Broad St. Ward, London. This was the 'Anthonie' or 'Tanthony Pig,' place.—Stow's Survey, vol. i., Bk II. p. 120, ed. 1720., Seint Bartil-mewes in Smythfeld̛ in London̛, Seint Gyles beside Holbourne, that is to wete, to eueryche hospitaƚƚ, to parte a-monge pore folk̘ there, xx s'. to pray for my soule & de soules aforsaide. Item I bequethe to do ordeyne & bye ij vestmentis to serue to the forsaide ij Prestes that shull singe for me in the forsaide Chaunterie in the Chirche of seint Leonarde in Briggenortℏ, xl. s'. Also I wille that after the forsayde ij Prestes haue fulfilled here vij ȝere seruice aforsaide, that than̛ the forsaide ij. vestmentes shuƚƚ remayne & duelle stiƚƚ alwey in the forsaide Chaunterie to serue the prestes of̘ the same Chaunterie, to the worshipe of̘ God, as so longe as th[e]y may endure. Al-so y bequethe to do make & holde my Mynde euery ȝere duryng̛ vij ȝere next folwyng̛ after my desese, in the forsaide Chirche of Seint Leonarde honestliche, & to do recommende my soule & þe soules aforsaide in þe same mynde, vij ƚi, that is to wete, to spende atte euery mynde, xx s'. Item I bequethe other vij ƚi to ȝeve to poremen in the same vij ȝere, that is to sey, atte euery mynde xx s', for to be delet in Briggenortℏ after the discrecioun of myne Executours, for to pray for my souleMS. may be 'saule.'& for the soules aforsaide / Item I bequethe to Ionet my wyfe, in the name of here Dowerye & of̘ here parte belonging to here of al my godes mobles, xl. ƚi of sterlinges, and aƚƚ my beddynge & naperie, and alle myne arraye & necessaries in my chambre, and alle othere meuable Godes ther-in beyng̛, and alle manere apparaillement & necessaries longynge to the body of the same Ionet, Outake Golde & syluer, & myne owne werynge clothes, ij peire of my best shetes, & vj disshes & vj Sawcers of seluer. The wyche shetes .I. bequetℏ, that is to say, a peire to Sire William Lochard̛, And the tother peire to Maister Ion Marchaƚƚ, Dene of Briggenortℏ. Item I bequethe the forsaide vj sawcers, to do make there-of Twey Chalices to serue the forsaide Twey prestes in þe forsaide Chaunterie duryng̛ the forsaide vij ȝere. And After the vij ȝere be fulfellet, I wolle that the same Twey Chalices shuƚƚ Abyde in the same Chaunterie to the worshipe of god for euere more. Item I bequethe to the same Ionet my wyf my Maner of Staverton̛Staverton in the hundred of Deerhurst, 4 3/4 m. W. by N. from Cheltenham.with the appurtenaunces, in the shire of Gloucestre, to haue & to holde, terme of here lyfe, doynge to the Chief lordes of þat fee the Seruice ther-of due, & of rygℏ[t] Custume / Vp condicioun that the same Ionet suffre Emot, here moder, to reioise peisibly, & to haue & to holde, terme of the lyf̘ of the same Emot, the Maner of AspleyeThere's an Aspley in Warwickshire, 4 or 5 m. N.W. of Henley in Arden. with the appurtenaunces; And al-so vp condicioun that þe same Ionet saue and kepe harmeles myn̛ heirs & executours a-ȝens Iohn̛ Roe that hatℏ wedded the forsaide Emot, of a ObligaciounMS. Olligacioun. of CCCC ƚi that I. am bounde to hym, vp condicioun that the same Emot shal holde & occupie peisible, terme of her̛ lyfe, the forsaide maner with the appurtenaunces, with-oute distourbaunce of me or of Ionet my wyf, oure heires or assynes. And̛ I wille that after the decese of Ionet my wyf, the forsaide manere of Staverton̛ with the appurtenaunces, duelle & remayne to the heires of my body lawfully be-gete, & to here heires & assignes for euere more, doyng̛ to þe chieff lordes of þe fee, þe seruice there-of̘ due & of̘ rigℏt custume. And ȝif̘ I dye with-oute heires of my body lawfully begete, than I wolle that, after the decese of the same Ionet my wif̘, the forsaide Manere of̘ Staverton̛ with the appurtenaunces be solde be my ffeffes & my Executours in the best manere that they may, and that the money that cometℏ there-of be disposet in werkes of charite, & in masses to be songe for my saule & for the soules aforsaide, after the discrecioun of̘ the forsaide sillers. And ȝif̘ so be that [the] forsaide Jonet my wyf̘ put oute the forsaide Emet here modir, in here lyf̘ of̘ the forsait Manere of Aspleye with the appurtenaunces, & þat may be recorded be Trewe men, than̛ y wille that the same Ionet be vtterliche excluded & voyded fro the forsaide Manere of Staverton̛ with the appurtenaunces, & þat she haue no profetþer-of̘, terme of̘ here lyf̘. But than̛ that þe same Manere of Stauerton̛, whyt appurtenaunces, remayne to myn heirs of my body frely begete & lawfully, ant to here heirs & assignes for euere more; and ȝif þat I dey with-oute heire of my body lawfully be-gete, than̛ I wolle þat þe same manere with þe appurtenaunces be solde, and the mony there-of comynge, to be disposed in werkes of cherite, & in masses to be songe for my soule & þe soules aforsaid. Item I bequethe to sille after my decese be myne Executours, ȝif I dey whyt-oute heire of my body lawfully begete, my Maners of the Haye & TasseleyeTasley, a parish in the hundred of Stottesden, Shropshire, 1 3/4 m. N.W. by W. from Bridgenorth. There's a Hey in the parish of Ashton-under-Lyne, hundred of Salford, Lancashire, 2 m. E. from Oldham. with here appurtenaunces, & my partie of the place of Lynches, & my tenement with þe appurtenaunces in Halgot in Shropeshire, & alle my other londes and tenementes with here appurtenaunces in the same shire; and that the mony ther-of comyng̛, be disposed in̛ workes of cherite & in masses to be songeMS. sonde.be ordinaunces of myne Executours for my soule and for þe soules aforsaid. Item I wille that ȝif Ionet my wif̘ kepe here soole, withoute husbonde, Twelf-montℏe after my decese, than̛ she ffounde be of my goddes durynge þat ȝere in alle here costes, after þe same honeste and degre as she is founde þe day of makynge of this testament. Item I bequethe to the same Ionet, my ffurre of Calabre, my best Cheyne of Gold̛, a doseyn spones of̘ siluer, and a pece of siluer. Item I bequethe to Iohn̛ Yate, myn vncle, vp condicioun that he be one of myn̛ Executours, & take ministracioun of thys testament, vj dysshes of siluer, & my best Girdiƚƚ of siluer. Item I bequethe, vp the same condicion, to Iohn̛ Page of Oxenbolde, x ƚi of sterlinges. Item I bequethe, vp the same condicioun, to Iohn̛ Lemman̛, Citezein & Skynner of London̛, x ƚi of̘ sterlinges, & my worstede Goune with þe ffurre, & my Baselard̛ harneysed with siluer. Item I be-quethe, vp the same condicioun, to Iohn̛ Baldok̘, Citezein & Waxchaundeler̛ of London̛, x marc̘, & my furre of FycheuxThe Foumart or foul Mart(ern),—Mustela Putorius, Lin.—'is likewise called the Polecat, or Fitchet ... its ears are short, broad, and tipt with white on their edges; it is white about the mouth; the rest of the body is for the most part of a deep-chocolate colour: the sides are covered with hairs of two colours, the ends being dark like the rest of the body, and the middle of a full tawny colour.' Its tail is 6 in. long, and its body about 17.Bewick, Hist of Quadrupeds, 1800, p. 252. Item I be-quethe to the wyf̘ of þe forsaide Iohn̛ Lemman, my litiƚƚ Cheyne of Gold̛ that serueth for myne arms. Item I bequethe to Symond̛ Wrenchin, Skynner, my Bastard Swerd̛'The forme ... of this Ile [England] is three cornered . . like vnto a triangle, bastard sword, wedge, or partesant, being broadest in the south part, and gathering still narrower and narrower, till it come to the farthest point of Cathnesse northward, where it is narrowest of all.'—Harrison's Description of Britaine, in Holinshed's Chronicle, 1587, i. 2, at foot.. The Residue of alle my Godes & my Catallys mebles, where euere that they be, after my dettis payde and my questes fulfilled, & my sepulcure made, I bequethe to myn̛ Executours, to dispose hit for my soule & for the soules aforsaid, in werkes of Charite, and in masses to be songe, as they se most plesaunce to god, & hele to my soule & to the soules aforsaide. Of̘ this testament I make & ordeyne myn̛ Executours, that is to sey, the forsaide Iohn̛ Yate, Iohn̛ Page, Iohn̛ Lemman, & Iohn̛ Baldok̘, that they trewly ffulfille my last wille as I trust in hem. In wetenesse of wheche thing̛, to thys Testament I haue put my sele: the date is the day & the ȝere aforsaide. Item I bequethe to the werkis of the body of the Parisshe Chirche of Tasseley in Shropeshire, & to ordeyne vestmentes & ornamentes in the same Chirche nedeful, after the discrecion of̘ myneThe MS. repeats 'Item I bequethe to the werkis of the body of the Parisshe chirche of Tasseley.' Executours, so that my soule be recommendid There in goddys seruice, C s. Item I wolle that sire Iohn̛ Hogenes, person̛ of Tasseley, & Richard̛ Crowder, haue and reioise alle the hustilmentis Hostilement, hostillemenz: Meubles, utensiles, instrumens de labourage ...hostiller, garnir, munir.—Roquefort.of̘ Beddyng̛, hallyng̛Hallyng, hangings for a hall., pottys & pannes, & peauter vesseƚƚ þat I left in kepyng̛ atte hay & Briggenortℏ, To haue & holde for here Rewarde that I am holde to hem. Probatum fuit hoc coram Magistro Iohanne Estcourt, Comissario, xiijmo die Mensis Nouembris anno domini M1 CCCCmo xviijo, et commissa est administracio Executoribus in eodem testamento nominatis, & habent diem ad exhibendum Inuentorium & c̘: et sextodecimo die dicti Mensis Nouembris, acquietati sunt Executores per finem .xx. s./

THOMAS TVOKY, ESQUIRE, 1418.

[Will incomplete. Gives beds, and 3 green-silk nets for curtains, down pillows, gowns furrd with Martins, Genets, wild Cats, black Lamb, Beaver and Otter; doublets of defence coverd with leather; cloaks, a tablecloth, &c.]

(March, 346, back.)Testamentum Thome Tovky [in margin].

In the name of þ is printed for initial and central y.þe fader and þe sone and þe holy goost, almygℏty god̛. I. Thomas Tvoky, þorow godis grace esquier, make my testament in þis wyse. first I. be-queþe my sowle to almygℏty god̛, and to his moder & mayden Marie, and to aƚƚ þe Seyntes of Heuen / also my body to Holy erthe, wher that godys wil is, to be buried̛; also al myn Harneys, þat is to say, a bed of Lyn wit a hool silour̛ Canopy of a bed. Fr. ciel, L. cœlum, heaven. and Couerlet of þe same wrogℏt wit mapil leues and fret of .iij. foiƚƚ, & iij. nettes of Silk̘ grene for quirtayns for the same bed̛ / also a bed of red and grene ? MS. duni.dimi Selour Canopy of a bed. Fr. ciel, L. cœlum, heaven. wit .iij. quirtayns of worsted̛; also þat on in warde of Anneys Elyngton̛, and a paire of schetes, .ij. paire of Blancketes, .ij. paire of schetes, .j. pylow of Doun, lengℏ of a yerd̛, .ij. Pylows of doun, lengℏ euerycℏ of half a ȝerd̛; also .vj. reof̘ quisshens of worsted̛, .iiij. in ward̛ of þe same Anneys; also a Materas for a bed̛; also a gowne of Sch[a]rlet wit brod̛ sleues furred̛ with gray; also a gowne of blew worsted̛ furred̛ wit þrotesMS. protes. and polles of MartronsThe Martin 'is the most beautiful of all the Weasel kind,' about 18 in. long; body-fur, dark brown, on the belly paler; head brown, mixt with red; throat and breast white.—Bewick, Hist of Quadrupeds, 1800, p. 265-7.; Also a gowne of gray russet furred̛ wit Ionetis The Genet, Viverra Genetta, Lin., is found in Turkey, Syria, and Spain. Its colours are beautifully variegated, and its fur valuable. Its body 'is longer than that of the Martin . . its hair soft, smooth, and shining; of a tawny red colour, spotted with black: along the ridge of the back there is a kind of mane of long hair, which forms a black line from head to tail; the spots on the sides are round and distinct; those on the back almost close: its tail is long, and marked with seven or eight rings of black. From an orifice beneath its tail, it yields a kind of perfume, which smells faintly of musk.'—Bewick, Hist. of Quadrupeds, 4th ed., 1800, p. 288-9. and MS. repeats 'and.'wylde Catis; also a gowne of grene frese, in ward, & c̘ ? 'in ward of Anneys Elyngtone,' like the bed and cushions above., furryd with blak Lambe; also in ward &c̘, a furre of beuer and oter medled̛; also a Hewk̘Heuque: Espèce de robe à l'usage des deux sexes.—Rochefort.of grene and other melly parted̛; also a Doubeled̛ of defence couered̛ with red̛ Leþer; also ij. remenauntz of the Lynne bed̛; [al]so divine services.xij. quysshons; also a Gloke of Blake russet; Also a Dobelet couered̛ with Blak gote Leþer̛; also a bordclotℏ the Lengℏe of .v. ȝerdes of werk̘; also a towayl of werk̘, Lengℏe .xj. ȝerdes.

STEPHEN THOMAS, OF LEE, ESSEX, 1417-18.

[Latin Testament. Chaplain to do Masses for a year for Testator's Soul, &c.; Poor of Lee to have 12d. each. Residue to Executors, to lay out for Testator's soul.

English Will. Executors appointed, and given 20s. each. Certain folk to have the 1st Option of buying goods: produce to go to the aisle of Lee Church. Wife to have her dwelling-place for her life. Debts sworn-to, to be paid. Lee poor to have 12d. each; 'Jankyn clerk' 12d. [Cp. Chaucer's Wife of Bath's Preamble, 1. 595, 628], others 6d.; Hadley poor 4d. each. Gifts to Relatives. Debts owing by and to Testator, named.]

(March (P. P. C.), lf. 358. Latin Testament[margin.] Testamentum Stephani Thomas, de la lye in Comitatu Essexie. [The Codicil made at Rouen, p. 40.]

In dei nomine Amen. Mensis Maij, die octauo, anno domini Millesimo CCCCmo xvijmo, Ego Stephanus Thomas, de la Lye in Comitatu Essexie, meum condo testamentum in hunc modum. In primis, lego animam meam omnipotenti deo, & beate Marie Virgini, ac omnibus sanctis; corpus que meum ad sepeliendum in noua Ela coram summo altar[i] ecclesie dicte ville. Item lego summo altari eiusdem ecclesie, xx s'. Item lego ad habendum vnum Capellanum ydoneum diuina4 in dicta ecclesia per vnum annum integrum celebratura pro anima mea, & animabus omnium benefactorum meorum, & omnium fidelium defunctorum. Item lego cuilibet pauperi, tam homini quam mulieri, in predicta villa moranti, xij d̛. Item lego cuilibet capellano ad exequias, & ad missam altam venienti, xij d̛. Item lego clerico parochiali ecclesie predicte, xij d̛. Item lego cuilibet clerico ad dictas exequias & missam venientem, vj d̛. Residuum vero omnium bonorum & catallorum meorum, do & lego Matilde, vxori mee, Iacobo Triche & Iohanni Camp. Ipsos-que Matildam, Iacobum & Iohannem, facio executores meos, dicta bona & catalla ad disponendum prout anime mee salubrius sciuerint expedire. Item lego vtrique [? MS.] executorum meorum predictorum, xx s'. In cuius rei testimonium, presentibus'To these presents,' as to a Deed. sigillum meum apposui. datum die, loco & anno prescriptis.

English Will

Knowe alle men, þat .I. Stephyn̛ Thomas of̘ þe Lee Lee (St. Clement), a parish and sea-port in the hundred of Rochford, co. Essex, 17 1/2 m. S.E. by S. from Chelmsford., make þus my testament and my laste wyƚƚ: ferste, I. be-quethe my saule to gode and to our̛ lady seynt mary, and to alƚ þe Company of̘ Heuene, and my body to be bered̛ were þat god wyƚƚ. fordermore syn̛, þes men̛ of̘ þe Lee .I. make my seketowrs, ferst, Iacobbe Tryche, Ion̛ Campe, and my wyff̘ [&] Thomas Aluowe; and y pray hem þat þey be weƚƚ wyllet and forderyng̛ to here; and al-so I charge hem aƚƚ þat þey do for me as þey wolde þat I dede for hem, and as þey wolle answere to-for god; and þer-to yt ys my wylle þat euer-echeon̛ of̘ hem schele haue xx s' for her labor & for her besynesse; and eny goude þat schele be solde, yt ys my wyƚƚ þat Wyllyam Aluowe haue it, passynge eny oþer man, and Thomas hys broder, and ȝyfe þer-for lyke as a noþer man wylƚ; and next hem, þat Pole may be a beyer, saue Ellys þat y wiƚƚ þat Iacobbe Treche haue be-for aƚƚ oþer men̛, so þat he wyƚƚ ȝeve as a noder man̛ wyƚƚ; and it is my wyƚƚ þat aƚƚ þe goud̛ þat is Reysed̛, or Ellis, þat it go to þe Lee Cherche, to þe Eyle, and toMS. to to. aƚƚ oþer nessessarie thynge; and also it is my wyƚƚ þat my wyff̘ schele haue þe place þat sche dwelythe in, terme of̘ her lyff̘, and aƚƚ sayrysMS. repeats 'and all sayrys.' and aƚƚ þat euer longethe þat to, durynge her lyf̘ tyme. and ȝyf̘ þat I passe Rather þan sche, it ys my [wyƚƚ] þat aƚƚ spengold̛ & ffysscherys & bowdens be sold̛ a-non forthe-with; and also it ys my wyƚƚ þat þe plase þat sche dwelythe in, and aƚƚ sayres, ant aƚƚ þat euer longeth þer-to, and aƚƚ þat sche schele haue, after þe sesse of̘ her̛, þat it be sold̛ and̛ do for owre sawles and for aƚƚ owre ffrende. and ȝyf̘ þat y passe rather þan̄ scho, þat it is my wyƚƚ þat I haue a prest syngynge a-non after þe terme of iij ȝere & more, ȝyf̘ ȝe may, in þe Cherche of þe Lee. and ȝyf̘ þer be eny man or woman þat wil say þat I howgℏt hem eny goud̛, and swere vppon̛ a boke by record̛ of goud men, y wyl þat dey be payd̛. and also it is my wyƚƚ þat euere pore man of þe Lee, & woman, schal haue xij d̛; and al-so ȝyf̘ þat y haue eny goude mysty mighty, big. ? MS. may be iuysty. det, it ys my wyƚƚ þat heye auter haue xx s', and euere preste þat syngethe þat day for me, .I. wyl þat euery man of̘ hem haue xij d̛. and I. wyl þat Iankyn̛ clerk̘ haue xij d̛, and euere clerk̘ þat syngethe þat day for me In þe cherche vj d̛. and also it is my wilƚ þat HadleyHadley and Eastwood are both in the hundred of Rochford, Essex. chirche haue xl s', and euere pore man of̘ þe toune iiij d̛, and þat þe chirche of Estwode3 schel haue xiij s' iiij d̛. and also it ys my wiƚƚ þat Larance my neese, & Annote her suster, haue xl s'. and al-so it is my wyƚ þat Ione my Broder schel haue x. markes. and it is my wiƚƚ þat Iorge my Cosyn̛ schel haue oþer x. markes; and euere god̛-chyld̛ þat y haue in the Lee schele haue xij d̛. and also it is my wyƚƚ þat Thomas Alvowe haue .v. marces, and William Alvowe oþer .v. marces. and also I wiƚƚ þat Annote Hadley þat es with me, haue .xƚ s'.; and aƚƚ the Ostelmentes schele be sold̛, and þat aƚƚ þat goud̛ and aƚƚ oþer þat schulde beleue in ȝour Haunde, þat it be do so os may be moste mede for her̛ saules // Also þes betℏ þe detteȝ þat I howe. xv. ƚi to Eyon̛, to be paid at Esteren next commyng̛, for I Howe Him at aƚƚ bot .xxv. ƚi, and þer-of he schele Haue, as I sayde þer-a-fore .xv. ƚi. at Esteren next̘, and .x. ƚi. at Esteren come twelmonthe, and þan es he aƚƚ paid̛. And also I Howe to Iamys Skynner̛ of Bemflet̘, at Mychaylemesse, for Colys doun—vj. marces, and þan̛ es he aƚƚ payd̛. and I Howe to Hopkyn̛ Crestyndom at London̛ for Richard Row — vij s'. vj d̛; and also I Howe Ioℏn Campe of the Lee .xƚ. s'; and also I Howe to a man of Burdeux xƚvj. s'. viij d̛, His name is Peter de Lobered̛. and also þis es the dettis þat es Howynge to me: Rychard̛ Haddoke of the Lee .vij. ƚi to be Paid̛ at Esteren, and also Water Burnam an .C. s'. that schuld̛ Haue be Paid̛ at Esteren; and William Hylbyƚƚ .xx. s'. and Her-to I sett̘ my Sele, wytnessynge, Stephen̛ Ellys, Thomas Chesse, William Ellyot̘, Lyteƚƚ Iohn̛ Spoteƚƚ, Richard Smythyot, and oþer gode men I-now./ I-wret at Sandwyche, the .vij. day of may, þe Reynge of Kynge Harry þe .v. ye anno quinto. [1417 A.D.]

[Codicil, made at Rouen.]

[A Trental of Masses to be said for his Soul. Beer to be brewd, and Loaves bak't, for the Poor. Gifts to T. Chesse, if Testator dies in his boat; and to a Cousin, of goods in a ship at Southampton.]

¶ And also I wiƚƚ þat my wyƚƚ be fulfillyd̛ lyk als I ordeynd̛ when̛ I went̘ from̛ home, and aƚƚ þat es contend̛ in this Codiciƚƚ / that es to say, my wiƚƚ es, to haue a Trentale of masses ȝef̘ that I dyd̛ er þane I come home / and also I pray ȝou þat ȝe wald̛ Brewe .x. buschellys of malt̘ forto ȝef̘ pore men of my paryche; and also that ȝe wald bake .vj. buschellys of whete of smale Halpeney Loves, and ȝefe euere man̛ and woman̛ a Love Love = loaf. and a galon̛ of ale, als fer als it wiƚƚ go. and also I pray ȝou and charge ȝou in goddes name that ȝe gar send̛ a man to the Holy priour of Brydlyngton̛ to offer for me, and for any thing̛, that this way to Bridlington̛, and the Trentale, be doMS. to. both be-for̛ Estren̛, ȝyf y dye ore y come home. and also y do ȝow to wyt þat yt is my wiƚƚ þat Thomas Chesse schel haue me ȝyf̘ þat y dey in hys bote with hym̛; and also þat he schel haue my best gowen̛ of þe kynges liuere þat is at home at my hous, and my golde rynge and my whysteƚƚ. and also I do ȝow to wyt þat yt is my wiƚƚ þat Thomas Albwe schel haue þe best gowen̛ next þat is at home after þat, and a houd̛. and also y do ȝow wyt þat it is my wiƚƚ þat George Thomas my Cousyn̛ schel haue aƚƚ þe gude and þe harnesse þat y haue att Hampton̛ in þe chippe, and be-syde; and þis þat is of̘ þe see with me att̘ Roon̛MS. rubd. he schel haue, aƚƚ to-gedyr̛, saue þat Rychard̛ Smytheot schel haue my Russet gowen̛ þat y wered̛, and my blac houd̛, and a nold̛ bassenet. More wryt y nogℏ[t] vnto yow, bot þe holy trinite kepe ȝow now, dere and trusty wyf̘. here I make an̛ hende. wer-for I pray ȝow, as my trust esMS. as.hely in ȝow, ouer alle oþere creatures, þat this last wiƚƚ be fulfyllet, and alƚ odere that I ordeynd̛ atte home, for aƚƚ þe loue þat euer was be-twen̛ man̛ and woman̛. y-wrete atte Roon̛ þe Sonday next to-fore þe fest of̘ purificacioun of̘ oure laydy. [February 2, ? 1418-19.]

Probata fuerunt supradictum testamentum & Codicillum coram Magistro Iohanne Estcourt xxmo die Mensis Iulij, anno domini MoCCCCmo xixno. Et comissa est administracio omnium bonorum &c dictum testamentum & codicillum concernencium, Matilde relicte & Executrici dicti defuncti / Iacobo Triche & Iohanne Campe, executoribus in dicto testamento nominatis, administracionem supradictam coram dicto domino Comissario expresse recusantibus, ac xxvjto die eiusdem Mensis acquieta fuit, et c̘.

JOHN ROGERYSSON, OF LONDON, 1419-20.

[Bequests of Bed-clothes, Table-cloths, Gowns, Hoods, Towels, Daggers, Bows, Hose, Purses, a Cope, and small Debts.]

(More, 3 Com. Court of London, lf. 50 bk.)B. Fynk. T. Iohannis Rogerysson̄. non habent acquietanciam. In margin.]

Thes betℏ the godes that y, Ioℏn̛ Rogerysson̛, leve in a chyste in the hous of Roberd̛ Leget dwellyng in the parysℏ of seynt Benet Fynk // And þis ys my wylle yf þat y dye, that Anneys Tukkys-wortℏe have þe beste bedbere, and Richard̛ Gery þe nyxte, and Roberd̛ Legat ij payre of schetis, and to þe same Roberd̛ my Blewe gowne and my ℏode of Rede and Blak; And to Thomas Pykot my whit Ray gowne, and my rede Hode; and to Anneys Tukkyswortℏ my best bordclothe, and the Towayle; and Rychard̛ Gery the nexte bordclothe And Towayle; and Robard̛ Legat iij quarters of white and Isabeƚƚ hys wyf a bordclotℏ and a towayle; and to Wyllyam Pertnale, A payre schetis and a red doblet, and a keverlet of Blewe;And to Anneys Tukkyswortℏ iiij noblis and the forseyd Cheste; And to Thomas Pertenaƚƚ a peyre of sℏetis, and a dagger̛, and a Bowe wyth-owte pecis, and a payre hosen̛ of grene; and to Anneys Tukkys-wortℏ the beste purse, and Thomas Pertnale the nyxte, and Isabeƚƚ Leget the Thridde, and Alson̛ Okenden̛ the fourþe. And alle-so y bequethe to þe Churcℏ of seynt Benet a cope. And alle-so Wyllyam Rote and Ioℏn Skelton̛ owen̛ to me xiiij s'. the whiche Symmykyn̛ Eyre shaƚƚ reseyve of them at Esterne nyxte comynge; and y wiƚƚ þat Rychard̛ Gery reseyve hit of the forseyd Symkyn̛; and vj s viij d̛ of þat mony .I. bequethe to þe Churche Clerk̘ of Seynt Benet; & vj s' viij d̛ to Ioℏn̛ Cley, and viij d̛ for my sowle. and alleso Roberd̛ Leget owytℏ to me xv s', and alle thyng a-counted̛ by-twene vs, of the whiche y forgyf hym vj s' viij d̛; and þe remenaunt of þat Mony, Y wiƚƚ hyt be do for my sowle. And alle-so Rychard̛ Gery oweth me viij s', and alle thyng a-counted̛ by-twene vs bothe; of the whiche viij s' y be-qwetℏ iiij s' to Thomas Pertnale, And iiij s' to Wyllyam Pertnale. And y beqwethe to Rychard̛ Gery vj s' viij d̛, to be payd of that he fyndetℏ in the forseyd Cheste; And to Anneys Tukkyswortℏ A Sylure Spon̛; and my Sylvryn̛ Gyrdyƚƚ to Thomas Pertnale; and to Robard̛ Leget my pesid̛ Bowe. And the overe-plus of alle thys, y wiƚƚ hit be dysposed̛ for my sowle. And, blessyd be god, y owe no thyng. And y Ordeyne þe forseyd Rychard Gery & Robard̛ Leget myne executors to fuƚƚ-fiƚƚ alle thyngys a-bove wretyn̛, As they wille [answere] a-fore god̛ at þe Dome. And to Thomas Pertnale my dagger̛ / And alle-so y wille that yf Anneys of the Countour cleyme of me or of my executours a pursse and xx s'. or eny maner good ellys, þat thenne þe godes in the bille be rekeuered̛ of her̛; And yf sche make no cleyme, Stonde hit for no dette, but on for a-nother̛. Probatum est hoc testamentum coram nobis Iohanne Bodeman clerico, Reuerendo &c̘ Commissario generali. Primo die Mensis Februarii, Anno domini Millesimo CCCCmo xixno. Et comissa est administracio omnium bonorum & c̘ Executoribus in dicto testamento interius nominatis & c̘.

JOHN BROUNE, OF HEN. V.'S CHAMBER, AND OF FULHAM, MIDDX., 1418. (PROOVD, 1420.)

[Wife to be in care of her Father and Mother. They to live in his place at Hardington, Somerset, or out of its rents. Sister to be provided for. Debts and Bonds to be lookt to.]

[Will made at Rouen. The earliest in the 3rd Person.]A Latin will of Jn. Broune, made 4 May, 1417, and a 'Codicillus' or 'vltima voluntas' of the same date, are on leaf 73, before the English will.](More, 3 Com. Court of London, lf. 73 bk.)

This ys the appoyntement of the wil and gouernauns of Ioℏn Broune, of þe chambre of oure lord̛ the kyng̛, made the ix dav of October, the vj yere of his regne. [A.D. 1418]

In the ferste, he wille that his wif be in the gouernauns of here fadir and here moder, vnto the tyme of his commyng hom in to Englond̛.

Also he wiƚƚ that she haue the money þat is reised̛ in Lyncolne Shire be his patent, to fynde hir witℏ.

Also he wiƚƚ that Richard̛ his brother haue his place at Herdyngton̛ Hardington, Somersetshire, 3 miles from Yeovil. Hardington, Somers N.W. of Frome Selwood.—Walker's Gazeteer. 1801. But the quan, qwiche, of the Will are Midland. yn gouernauns, and fynde his fadir, and his modir, and his sister, witℏ the profitȝ of the place, as ferre as they wille strecche, vnto the tyme of the commyng̛ of the forsaid̛ Iohn̛ Broun. And that Iohn̛ Brond̛ see the reckenyng̛ atte yere Inde.

Also he wiƚƚ that, ȝif it like to his fadir and to his moder, to be atte Hardyngton̄, and see the husbandery, and occupie hym þer as long̛ as them lest for þere owne Ese and disport.

Also he wiƚƚ, þat ȝif it like not his fadir forto be þere, or ellys whan quan hem lest to remeve þens, That thanne þei be in sum place nerhande holichyrche, þe whiche is an honest place to serue god yn̄, and there forto abide, and be gouerned̛ & foundyn̛ witℏ the proffittes of his place, as is before seid̛.

Also he wiƚƚ that Elene his Suster be put in sum honest place, and also be founde of the place be-fore seid̛, vnto the tyme of commynge of the forseid̛ Ioℏn̛, or elles [MS. eƚƚ] þat she be maried̛.

Also he wiƚƚ that Ioℏn̛ Fray be payd .xv ƚi. of þe money þe qweche Oliuer hatℏ in his hand, be þe handys of Iohn̛ Brond̛.

Also he wiƚƚ that the money þe qwiche is resseyued̛ of his patent in Oxenford̛ Shire be kepid to-gider.

Also he wiƚƚ þat the xl. ƚi þat Margrete Stranstone hatℏ, þat it be kepid̛ to-gider be þe sight of the forsaid̛ Iohn̛ Brond̛, and þat he haue ouersiȝte of aƚƚ manere thynges.

Also he wiƚƚ þat the xxiiij [= 80] mark̘ þe whiche is in Thomas Harwodes hand̛, be paid̛ vnto þe forseid̛ Iohn̛ Brond̛, and also that it be put in a bagge, & asselid̛, and safly kepid̛.

Also he wiƚƚ that Iohn̛ Spyke be agreed̛ witℏ resonabli for his labour and travaille.

Also he wiƚƚ þat the obligacions the whiche þat his wife hatℏ in kepyng̛, that they be reised̛ be þe avise of his counseiƚƚ, witℏ aƚƚ þe remenaunt of his dettes, in aƚƚ the haste they may be.

Also he wiƚƚ that William Tropneƚƚ, & Ioℏn̛ Brond̛, & Richard̛ his brother, be the ouersighte of William Oliuer, ben his executours to dispose and ordeyne for his soule In maner̛ and forme as is comprehendyd̛ In his laste wil. Into witnesse of the whicℏ, the forseid̛ Iohn̛ Broune hatℏ put his seal. Wrete atte Rone þe yere & þe day before seid̛.

Memorandum quod Probatum fuit testamentum Iohannis atte Grove de Fulham, coram nobis &c c̘ Commissario generali, Quarto, Non̛ Marcij, Anno domini Mo CCCCmo XXmo Et commissa est administracio &c c̘ Cristine, Relicte dicti defuncti, et Thome Atte Grove, Executoribus &c c̘.

[In margin:] Fulham. T Iohannis at Grove. habent acquietanciam.

THOMAS BATHE, OF BRISTOL, 1420.

[Gifts of Plate, &c: a silver Beaker with a knob enameld blue; a silver-studded Girdle; silver Spoons with Acorn tops; silver Spice-dish; wooden Mazer with a silver band, a Print in the middle, and a Griffin in it. Also, brass Pots and Pans, gold Rmgs, Andirons, pewter vessels; Cushions and Hangings; a Chalice; Curtains; Shearings and Wool. A Mazer bound with silver gilt, and a print of Jesus in the middle.]

(March, lf. 408.)Testamentum Iohannis Bathe. [In margin.]

In dei nomine Amen. die Sabati in festo sancti Albani Martiris, [June 22] Anno domini Millesimo CCCCmo xxmo, Ego, Iohannes Bathe, burgensis ville Bristollie, compos mentis, condo testamentum meum in hunc modum. [A page of bequests, &c. in Latin follows, with the appointment of John Bourghuƚƚ and John Austyn̛ of Bristol as executors: then, on leaf 428, back, the English Will:]

Thys endenture makytℏ mencion of þ is for 'y.'þe goodes þat I, Ioℏn Bathe of Bristow, ȝyve to sertayn personis: fryst, I ȝewe to Ioℏn Forster my godsonne a becure of seluer y-keueryd̛, þat weyytℏ xxv ounsus I quarter, & þe cnap of þe couercle ys an-amylyd with blewe. Also I ȝeue to þe forsayd Ioℏn Forster a gurdill of blake sylke y-linyde with rede lether, witℏ a gode bokyll & a pendaunt, & in þe same pendaunt an ymage of seynt Christofre: in þe gurdill bey xlvj stodys of seluer. Also I ȝeve to þe same Ioℏn Forster halfe a dosyn̄ off siluer sponys with acharnus acorns on the tops, instead of apostles. The MS. is not quite clear, but the word 'acharnus' cums again lower down, 1. 5, next page here.ouerguld̛, þat weyytℏ .v. ounsus I quarter and halfe. Also I ȝeve to þe forsayd Ioℏn Forster a peyr of auundyrusandirons., þe bes þat I haue // Also I ȝeve to Kateryne Lewys my seruaunt .x ƚi. sterlingus, and a bolle cuppe I-keueryd of syluer þat weyyth xvj. ounsus iij quarter. Also I ȝeve to þe same Katerine a becure of seluer I-keueryd, and a branche of þe couercle y-broke away, þat weyytℏ xvj ounsus. Also a spyce disshe of seluer, & ouerguld̛, þat weyytℏ xj ounsus & .I. quarter; Also halfe a dosen sponys of seluer þat weyytℏ vj ounsus I quarter & halfe; Also a bolle pece þat weyytℏ vij ouunsus & halfe, and halfe a quarter; Also a nother bolle pece þat weyytℏ vj ounsus & halfe a quarter; Also .I. bord mausure with a bond̛ of seluer, & ouerguld̛, wytℏ a prent in þe myddylle, and a gryppvulture or griffin. amyde, and a narow plat be þe syddys, with iij. lyonis of syluer, and ouerguld̛. Also a gurdyll of þe old̛ werke of seluer, & ouerguld̛, with a bocull and a pendaunt and xxxiij. stodys of syluer and ouerguld̛. Also I ȝeve to þe same Kateryne aneyuerIs this for 'anoþer,' 'a newer,' or what? The MS. is clear, tho 'n' may be 'u', and 'uer' may be 'ne.' gurdil of selke, of blake and grene and rede, with a bocull and a pendaunt, & a cheyne in þe pendant, with a cnapp; & in þe gurdill bey xxiij stodys, & all of seluer. Also I ȝeve to þe same Kateryne .iij. gode brasyn̛ pottes, Also .iiij. gode pannis, Also iij. basc[i]nus, þe best þat I haue, with .ij. lauerus. Also .iiij. gode golde rynges, Also ij pankyns & a posnet of a poteƚƚ, also a posnet of a poteƚƚ, and a posnet of a quarte, Also a peyr of Aundyrus, & ij. þe best of yren̛ broches, & a chafur, Also a dosen̛ of peutre vesseƚƚ performyd̛ ? all told, properly reckond., Also iiij. candelstykkys of laton̛ of þe best. Also I ȝeve to the forsad Kateryne al my bankerus & my quyssonus, and a dosur of tamsery werke with and hert in þe myddyll. Also I ȝeve to William Rodeley a stondyng cuppe of seluer y-clepyd a chales cuppe, with þe couercle & my merke y-made in þe cnappe, þat weyytℏ xvij ounsus & halfe quarter. Also to þe sam William, a tastour of seluer with myn owne merke ymade in þe bottom; Also halfe a dosen sponys of seluer with acharnus ouerguld̛, þat weyytℏ v. ounsus I quarter & halfe. Also I ȝeve to þe sam William a beme þat y weye þer-with, and ij leuys, also iij.C of ledyn̛ wyȝtis. Also I ȝeue to Kateryne Lewys my seruaunt iij. Curteynis of blew, þe best þat I haue to hang a-bout a bede; Item I petit brase morter, I pesteƚƚ de ferro. Item dimidium þe zieren? shearings.and wolle that is in this house þe day of his? Manuscript. I suppoze the Testator must have been a clothmaker of the West, like Chaucer's Wife of Bath.dying, and all þe clotℏ .whyte &c þat is redy with-in þe hous att tyme of þe makyng of thys. Item I maserum ligatum cum argento & deauratum, & I printe1 de Ihesu in medio; Iohanni Croucℏ, I ciphum argenti precii x s., & dimidium dosine cochliarium argenti de medio specie. Item I Cistam, ex deliberacione dicte Katerine .xxixmo die Mensis Octobris, anno domini Mlo CCCCmo xvjmo, Acquietati fuerunt executores infrascripti.

[the end.] JOHN OLNEY, OF WESTON, 1420. (PROOVD, 1422.)

[Best Beast given as an offering to Weston Church. £3 each to the 4 Orders of Friars in Northampton and Bedford, to say 30 Trentals of Masses. Bedding, &c.; to 5 poor men. Gifts to Friars, Priests, and a Northampton Anchoress, to pray for Testator. Residue to Wife, for Testator's children and hers.]

(March, leaf 433, quire 55.)Testamentum Iohannis Olney. [In margin.]

In the name off gode yn þ is for 'y' all thro.þe ȝer off oure lord̛ .a M? MS. prince. CCCC. & xx. the xj. day of May, I, Iohannes Olney of Weston̛, sone and heire to Ioℏn Olney of Weston̛ Vnderwode, make my testament in this wysse: Atte þe begynnynge I bequetℏ my soule into the mercy off mythfuƚƚ Ihesu, prahyng̛ h is also put before our, all, ech, &c. hym, for his precious passioun, that he resseyue me yn-to þe brode bosum off his mercy; prahyng forthermore to his moder, hour lady Seynt Mary, moder off mercy, to seynt Ioℏn Euaungelist, seynt Ioℏn Baptist, and to haƚƚ seyntes off heuene, þat they be meneȝ for me, and helpers to me att my most nede. And I bequetℏ my body to be beryed̛ yn the chapele off owr lady yn the chyrcℏ off seynt Nicholas off Weston̛, and my beste best in the name off principaleoffering, payment.; and y bequetℏ to the .iiij. orderȝ off Frerȝ. off Northaumpton̛, and to þe frereȝ off Bedefford̛, to hech off þes houses iij. ƚi. so þat þe wardeyn̄ and þe Couente, or the prioure and þe couent off euery off this houses graunteyn̛ for to seyn xx trentaleȝ. off messeȝ. for my soule, for my faders soule, my moders soule, Iehanneȝ soule, and for aƚƚ þe saules that myn̄ entent ys to pray for, and for aƚƚ cristienȝ saules. And y pray myn executours þat they, or on off hem, se þat they take this charge on heme. and I bequetℏ to v poure men þat neden Beddyng. in the countrey nexst aboute, to euery off heme .I couerlete. I wytele, & I chete. & xij. d̛. off siluer, preyng for my soule, and for þe souleȝ be-forsaide. And I. bequetℏ to Iohan Marchaƚƚ, Richar Genfeld̛, Thomas Richemond̛, & to Robert Burton, ffrereȝ. to ecℏ off hem xx. solidi, Prehyng hem, as my trist ys in heme, of her continuele preyour for my soule, & for the soules þat myn entente ys that they pray fore. & I bequetℏMS. repeats 'and I bequeth.' to Iohan Bataile prest, to Iohan Brasiere prest, to the ankerisse off Northaumpton̛, to eche of heme, vj s' viij d̛. & I bequetℏ to euery prest with-yn iij myle, nout auansynd̛, .xij. d̛. My executours to performe þis my testament, I ordeyne Mariorie my wyfe, þe person̄ off Broughton̄ & Iohan Hukyns. the remenant off aƚƚ my goddes noutℏ bequetℏ, I ȝeue & bequetℏ to Mariorie my wyfe, sche to dispose for her children & for myne as sche thynkytℏ best . ffullych dischargynge here what so euere sche do wyht any good that myn ys . orwis prahyng here, off her̛ ffre wiƚƚ to me-warde as for my most tristy frende.

Probatum fuit presens testamentum coram nobis, Iohanne Estcourt, commissario &c̘, secundo die Mensis Decembris, Anno domini Millesimo CCCCmo xxijdo; et commissa fuit administracio omnium bonorum Iohanni Hukyns, executori in dicto testamento nominato &c̘, prestito primitus &c̘. de-inde sexto die eiusdem mensis Anno domini vt supra, acquietatus fuit dictus executor, & soluit pro probacione & fine, xƚ solidos.

[Weston Underwood is 2 miles W. of Olney, in Newport Hundred, co. Bucks.

John Olney the father bought lands in Weston, an. 4 Rich. II, and died 21 March, 1395. There is a brass to him in Weston Church.

Broughton (l. 16, above) is in Newport Hundred, Bucks.—J. H. R.]

LADY PERYNE CLANBOWE, 1422.

[Burial to be simple. Debts to be paid. 200 poor men to be clad. £10 for mending Bridges and bad Roads. Gifts of slate Basin and Ewer, silver Chargers, &c.;; Mass-Book, Vestment, and Chalices; a Girdle of Pearls, money, furrd Gown, coral Beads; "a booke of Englyssh, cleped 'Pore Caytife';" Gowns, and Silver-gilt cups; silver Cup with the scripture of St. John. Gifts to Yasor Church; and to Testatrix's Priest, 4 quires of Doctors on St. Matthew. Residue: half to poor Tenants; half to good needy men.]

(March, lf. 429 back.)Testamentum Domine Peryne Clanbowe. [In margin.]

IN the name of þ is for 'y.'þe fader̛ and of the son And of þe Holygost, Amen. The thridde day of Apriƚƚ In þe ȝer off our lord̛ M1 CCCC xxij .I. Peryne Clanbowe, beyng in good memory, thenkyng on my laste ende, hauyng gode in forsygℏt, I haue maad and ordened̛ this my present testament and my last wyƚƚe in þe forme þat folowetℏ. First I bequetℏ and commend̛ my saule to gode my maker̛ and my sauyour, and to hys blyssyd moder̛ gloriouse Vyrgyn̛, And to aƚƚ saintes, and my body to be beryed̛ at ȝasore, Yasor is in Herefordshire, 5 miles S. of Weobly. be my lord̛ my housbond̛, If I. dye in Hertfordshire, That is, Herefordshire. and ellis where þat gode hatℏ ordeined for me, And as son as yt may be don̄ godly after þat I hame dede, porelycℏ to be beryed̛, with-oute gret cost doon thervppon̄. Also I wiƚƚ And ordeine þat aƚƚ my dettes þat mowe be prowede be good conscience due, þat they be principaly payde in aƚƚ þe hast þat it may be.? MS. mayle. Also I bequetℏ, to clotℏ wytℏ ijc. poormen, xx. ƚi. Also I bequetℏ to amende brygges and foule wayes x. ƚi. Also I bequetℏ to sir Robert of Whitney, my brother, a flate basyn and an ewer, and vj disshes, vj saucers, and ij chargours of seluer. Also I bequetℏ to þe same Robert a westment of rede clotℏ of gold̛ with my massbooke and Chalys: The wych vesseƚƚ, vestement, massbooke, and chalys aforseyd̛, to þe forsaide Roberd̛ bequethen̄, I wole þat [he] haue hem vpon̄ this condicion, þat he be good frend̛ to my executours, and þat he lete hem note off ministracion off myn other goode on the Manere of Pychardisokeƚƚ ne elles where. Also I bequetℏ to myn Aunte, prioresse of Lynebroke, xl s'. Also I bequeth to myn Awnte Corbet, xl s'. Also I bequetℏ to sir Ion Skydmore,Either Sir John Scudamore of Kentchurch, Herefordshire (who married the daughter of Owen Glendowr), living temp. H. IV., or his son and namesake.— H. Round.my newewe, a girdeƚƚ of peerles. Also I bequetℏ to Iane myn nece, to her mariage, or when sche is of age, xx ƚi. Also I bequetℏ to Peryne her suster, my god doutghter in þe same forme, x ƚi; and if it so be þat þe forsaid̛ Iane and Peryne dye be-for þat thay come to age, or ellys maried̛, then I wiƚƚ þat þe mony of either of hem so deede, turn to þe vse of her susters ouerlyuyng in þe same fourme. and if aƚƚ þe susters dye ar they come to age or be maryed̛, þat then þe mony tourn to þe vse of her bretheren ouerlyuyng. And if aƚƚ þe bretheryn die with-In age of xvj. ȝeere, then þe mony be disposed̛ in Almasdeddes be my executours. Also I be-queeth to Iankyn Myles my seruaunt, xxƚi./, and myn eche daies gowne of marterount. Also I bequetℏ to sir Iohan Coyle, I pare bedes of coraƚƚ. Also I bequetℏ to Elizabetℏ Ioye .x. ƚi. and a booke of Englyssℏ, cleped "pore caytife," and I gown furred̛ with gret menyvere. Also I bequetℏ to Ionet Okbourn .x marc̘ and my sauter̛ helid with blake, and a gown furred̛ with Cristy gray. Also I bequetℏ to Ioℏn Huchecoke, v marc̘. Also I bequetℏ to Iankyn̄ Tailour, v marc̘. Also I bequetℏ to Dauid Morys, xl s'. Also I bequetℏ to Ioℏn Hergest, xl s'. Also I bequetℏ to Luysote xl s'. Also I bequetℏ to the wyffe of Iankyn̛ Miles a gown furred with Besshe. Also I bequetℏ to Dauid Cradoke xiij s' iiij d̛. Also I bequetℏ to Iames and to his wyfe x s'. Also I bequetℏ to þe chircℏ of ȝasore, fore my lord̛ and his auncetres, to serue in þe chircℏ, a peire vestimentis of blake, wherof þe same Chircℏ hatℏ þe cope. Also I bequetℏ to what thenge þat is most necessary in þe same Chircℏ, v. marc̘. Also I bequetℏ to Ionet Knolles a stondyng cuppe of siluer gilte couered̛. Also I bequetℏ to Thomas Knolles þe ȝongger̛ a cuppe of siluer gilt couered̛. Also I bequetℏ to Ioℏn Thomas a cuppe of siluer playn̄. with þe scripture of seynt Ion.Also I bequetℏ to two prestes, honest men and good̛ liues, and ellys not, to do diuine seruise for my lord̛ and me. for on ȝer anoon After my decees, resonable lyuelode after þe discrecioun of myn̄ executours. Also I bequetℏ to sir Reynold̛, my prest, iiij. quayres of Doctours on Mathewe. The Residue for sotℏ of aƚƚ my goodes in this my testament not bequethen, I ȝeue and bequethe to myn executours, be her discrecion to be disposyde, that oon halfe to my pore tenauntz, and þat other halfe to god men faithfuƚƚ and nedy þat ben in disese. And to þe execucion of this my testament and my last wiƚƚ to be fulfilled̛, I ordeyn my trusty frendes, Iankyn̛ Miles, Thomas Knolles aforsaid̛, Elizabetℏ Ioy, Ionet Okborne, and Ioℏn Tailour, myne executours be thees presentes, that they wiƚƚ do her besynesse to fulfyƚƚ goddes wiƚƚ and myne, as they woƚƚ aunsuer afor gode. also I bequetℏ to icℏ of myn̛ executours takyng charge of ministracion of this my testament, v. marc̘, and reward̛ for her costages whan they labour specially for my maters. Into wyt̘nessyng of whicℏ thyng, to this my present testament I haue put to my seeƚƚ: ȝeuen̄ at London̛, day, monetℏ, and ȝer, aforsayd̛.

Probatum fuit presens testamentum coram Magistro Iohanne Estcourt & c̘, xviijo die Mensis Nouembris, Anno domini Millesimo xxijdo &c̘, et commissa fuit administracio Iohanni Miles, Elizabethe Ioy, Iohanne Okbourne et Iohanne Tailour, executoribus &c̘ Reseruata potestate & c̘, et habent ad exhibendum Inuentarium: ac secundo die Mensis Decembris Anno domini supradicto, acquietati fuerunt executores supradicti, & soluerunt pro fine iiijor nobilia.

The pore Caytife (p. 50, l. 18) is a collection of religious tracts against abuses in the Romish Church, known by this common title, and formerly attributed to Wycliffe, tho wrongly, by Bp. Bale and others. On the authorship of it, see Shirley's Introduction to Fasciculi Zizaniorum, p. xiii, note 3. MSS. of it are Harleian 2335, -6, -9, &c.; &c.; and part of it is in Douce 322, leaf 100. SIR ROGER SALWAYN, KNIGHT, OF YORK, 1420.

[To be buried in the Grey Friars at York, with a flat marble stone over him. Gifts to the 4 Orders of Friars in York. All houshold goods and £500 to Wife. £400 for land for Son. Marriage portions for Daughters. Debts to be paid out of rents. Poor Tenants to be let off. A pilgrim to be sent to Jerusalem, at not more than £100. Gifts of Money and Horses to Relativs and Friends. Old Servants to be rewarded. Gifts of Armour. Money to Nun who nursd Testator in sickness. 40s. Annuity to a man. Furd garments to be sold for Testator's soul.]

(March, P. P. C., lf. 437 back.)Testamentum Rogeri Saluayn, militis. [In margin.]

In the name off gode, I, sir Roger Salwayn, Knygtℏ, þ is for 'y' all thru.þe xxvj. day off October in the yer off our lord̛ M1 CCCC xx. makys my testament in this maner .ffirst, I wyte my soule to gode almythty, to our lady seynt Mary, and to aƚƚ þe seinttes of hewin̄, and my bones to ben beriede in þe grey frerres atte ȝorke. Also I. wiƚƚ. that ther where my bones shaƚƚ be beryde, be a flate ston̄ off marbiƚƚ, ewyn̄ with the grounde. Also I wiƚƚ þat þe forsaid freres haue aƚƚ my gownes off clotℏ off gold̛ and off sylke, with-outyn þe ffurres. Also I wiƚƚ þat þe same frers haue xl. ƚi. for to synge and pray for me. Also I wiƚƚ þat ilkon off þe other thre ordirs in ȝorke haue x marc̘. Also I wiƚƚ þat my wyffe haue aƚƚ my housholde holy, with vel ƚi that is in hir handes. Also I wiƚƚ þat ther be ordeine for byynge off londe for Ioℏn Salwayn̄ my son̄, CCCC ƚi; Also for þe mariage off Alison̄ my doughtir, CCCC marc̘; Also for þe mariage off Isabeƚƚ my doughtir, CCC marc̘. Also I wiƚƚ þat my fader dettis, and my moders, be paide off my goodeȝ that is in the CoillorsCollectors. Fr. cueillir, to cull, collect. or in þe fermors handes off my rent; and if any tenaunt be so pouer that he may nougℏt, for pouertee, pay his ferme that is owing, I wiƚƚ þat ther be nougℏt reseyued off hym, but þat he may resonably pay, and þat þe remenaunt be for-ȝeffyn̄. Also I wiƚƚ þat som goode man be ordeine to goo for me to Iherusalem in pilgremage, and as far as is cost is lese than C ƚi in commyng and goyng, þat hit be ȝewyn̛ for my soule to poure men wher most? most nede of. allmose is. Also I wiƚƚ þat Richard Chace haue v marc̘ off monee, and a bay hors þat was Gerard̛ my son̄; William Lister xxƚi. Thomas Fairchild̛ xl marc̘, Acris Mersk .xx. ƚi; litiƚƚ Petir, liard̛grey. Manley and x. marc̘, and þat Acris Mersk haue þe grey geldyng; Gerard̛ and Ioℏn my brethir, liard̛grey. botiller, and a sorede sorrel, red roan? horse þat was bougℏt off Henuden̄, and þat Edward my brethir chese. Also I wuƚƚ þat Gerard̛ my brodir haue xl. ƚi, and Thomas my brothir a place in Duffelde,? Duffield on the Derwent, N. of Derby.—Walker's Gazeteer, 1801.termyn off his liue, þat I purchesede off Ioℏn Fulthorpe; and after the desese off hym, to turn agayn to þe regℏt haiers off me. Also I wiƚƚ þat sir Robert Shottesbroke,? MS. Shoccesbroke. knyngℏt, haue þe sorde hors; and litiƚƚ Hans þe hoby, a small horse: 'the hobbie of Ireland' is among Harrison's 'outlandish horses.' Part II, p. 5 of my edn. New Shakspere Soc. and xl .s'. aboven̄ his hir. Also I wiƚƚ that Frost Mores and litiƚƚ Robyn̄, ilkon̄ off them, haue xl s'. Also I wiƚƚ .þat Pomfrettℏ,? MS. Pomsrecch. skynner, of ȝorke, be paied̛ of v. or vj. ƚi, whedir þat hit be, for furres þat my lady my moder knowes off. Also I wiƚƚ þat William Tropmeƚƚ, taillour, of London̛, and Hunt, brouderere, be paied of their billes for makyng off a liuerey of myn̄. Also I wiƚƚ þat Henry Lound̛ haue a blake goun furred̛ v1 funes,? with funes, trimd with 'foynes,' or martin skins. See Fouinne in Cotgrave.and a habirgoun of Mylen, opyn be-for, þat Richard Steƚƚ haues in hys kepyng. Also I. wiƚƚ þat ȝiff any seruaunt of myn haue labord̛ for me in my countree sen my fader died̛, þat they be resonably rewardid aftir the seruice þat they haue don̄. Also ȝif any man can aske any dete off me, other be euidence, or þat they be credibiƚƚ persones, I wiƚƚ þat they be paied̛. Also I wiƚƚ that Elyn̄ Saluayn̄, my brothir Gerard̛ doughtir, haue xl. marc̘. for hir mariage. Also I wiƚƚ þat Gerard̛ my brothir haue a newe fure of martirs,See p. 36, above. and I. habirgounThe Habergeon was a smaller and lighter coat of mail or plate than the Hauberk, and was sometimes worn under that: see Chaucer's Sir Thopas. It had sleeves in Wace's time, as he tells us that Bp. Odo's haubergeon at the Battle of Hastings was loose in the body, and tight in the sleeves.1876. Planché, Cycl. of Costume, i. 236. of millon̛. Also I wiƚƚ þat Ioℏan my brothir haue I habirgoun of Gesseran̄.A light flexible piece of armour 'composed of small overlapping pieces of steel, fastened by one edge upon canvas, which was covered with cloth, silk, or velvet, the gilt heads of the rivets that secured the plates forming an ornament on the outside. It was used for cuisses, brassarts, and other portions of harness; but very generally in the 14th and 15th centuries [and no doubt in the Will abuv] for jackets.' 1876. Planché, Cycl. of Costume, i. 313. (See the woodcuts of two Jazerant Jackets on p. 314.)Also I wiƚƚ þat þe Nonne þat kepid me in my seknes haue ij nobles, and þat ther be ȝif in-to the hous þat she wonnes in, .xx. s'. for to syng and pray for me. Also I wiƚƚ þat Thomas Faarchild̛ haue as mycℏ monee as he may purches hym .xl s'. be ȝer. Also I wiƚƚ þat aƚƚ þe ffurrurs þat I haue, be sould̛ and doon for my saule. Also I wiƚƚ þat Chace haue a habirion̄ of myne. executors of̘ my testament, I wiƚƚ and ordeine Piers de la Hay, Gerard̛ Saluayn̛, Robert Rodeston̛, sir Nichol Dixson, Clerk, Robert Cawode, Robert Day, Richard̛ Chace, and Thomas Fairchild̛, to whom I ȝiff and wit þe residue of aƚƚ þe good and cateƚƚ þat I haue, þat they ordeine and dispose hit in sicℏ wys as may be most meritory for my soule, as they wiƚƚ aunswere be-for gode on dredfull day of doom. And the surveiors of my testament, I wiƚƚ and ordeine William Kylwolmerssℏ, Clerke, and my wyfe; wyttnessyng William Philipe Chiualer, Richard̛ Wodeviƚƚ, William Lister, and other. Also I wiƚƚ þat William Lister haue as mycℏ of monee as the sorde hors is wortℏ, þat Shottesbroke haues.

Probatum fuit presens testamentum coram Magistro Iohanne Estcourt, commissario &ca, septimo die mensis Marcij, Anno domini Millesimo CCCCmo xxijdo & Commissa fuit administracio omnium bonorum dicti defuncti, Ricardo Chace & Thome Faarchyld̛, executoribus in dicto testamento nominatis; et habent ad exhibendum Inuentarium citra festum pentecosti proximum iam futurum.

[This ends the English Wills in Register 'March.'] ROGER FLORE (OR FLOWER), ESQ., OF LONDON, AND OAKHAM, RUTLANDSHIRE, 1424-5.

[Son Thomas to have all silver plate and household goods in Testator's Inn at London, and some at Oakham, with Towels, Cup, Pots, &c.;: also Carts, Ploughs, Horses & Gear. A large Maser to be an heirloom. Other plate, &c.; to heir and sons Robert, Roger, and John, and daughters Anneys and Joan. Wife Cecile to have the rest of silver plate and some other goods; residue to heir. Corn, malt, and live stock to go to purposes of the will. Milch Cows, half to Wife, ha. to heir. Best ambling Horse to Wife; next to son-in-law Sir H. Plesyngton; next to son Thomas: other riding horses to Wife and son Thomas. Furrd gowns among Children; other clothes among Servants. Armour to sons Robert and Thomas. Executors to keep children's money. Gold Rings, &c.; to women relativs. Beads, &c.; to the Master of Manton. Money to old Servants. Archt roof of Oakham steeple to be built. Portas, or portable Breviary, to son Thomas. For Will of Realty see p. 59.]

Luffenam, leaf 69. Testament.Testamentum Rogeri Flore. [In margin.]

In dei nomine Amen. Ego, Rogerus Flore, miser et indignus, de Okeham, compos mentis, laudetur altissimus, xvo die Aprilis, Anno domini Millesimo ccccmo xxiiijto, condo testamentum meum in hunc modum. [A leaf and 3 quarters of Latin testament follows, with appointment of Executors, on leaf 69 back, as follows:—]

"Et ad istam execucionem bene et fideliter faciendam, ordino et constituo Iohannem Clerk de Wyssenden, Radulphum Humberstone de leicestria, Ricardum Hawey, Magistrum cantarie de Manton̄, & Willelmum Baxtir, custodem Hospitalitatis de Okeham, Executores meos, ad disponendum & exequendum testamentum meum. & voluntatem meam predictas, cum superuisione Henrici Plesynton̄ militis, prout velint coram summo Iudice respondere" ......

Codicil.Codicillus eiusdem Rogeri. [In margin.] [I. Testament of the Personalty.]

In þe name of almyghty god, fader and son̄ and holy gost, Amen. I, Roger Flore of OkehamOakham, a parish and market-town, in the soke of Oakham, county of Rutland, of which it is the chief town, 95 miles N.N.W. from London.—Lewis., declare my last wiƚƚ in þis bille, als weƚƚ of my testament as of my land̛ þat standeȝ in feffeȝThe final 'ȝ' is generally a contraction for es, so that 'feffeȝ' may be 'feffees'; but as both 'brerdes' and 'brerdeȝ' are uzed for the same thing below, 'ȝ' had better be read 'z' here. 'feffes' is on p. 60, as well as 'feffeȝ.' handes. First I wille þat my testament be, witℏ the grace of god, fulfilled̛; and as touching my housholde, my wille is, þat Thomas my sone haue aƚƚ my seluere vesseƚƚ þat I haue atte London, þat is to sey, a basyn and an Ewer̛ of syluere, too gilt peces flat couered, too peces of siluere whitwith. lowe feet, þe oone couered̛ witℏ gilt brerdes, and þre goblettes of syluere, oone couered̛, and a poteƚƚ pot of syluere, and a syluere saler̛, and a doseyn spones of too suites, and four̛ chargeours, six disches, and six saucers of siluere merkid witℏ a sink foil vnder þe brerdeȝ. Also I wul he haue al myn other houshoold̛ þat I haue atte Londen̄, except my bed of Tapistree, þe whicℏ I wuƚƚ my welbeloved wife Cecile haue; þe whicℏ houshold̛ is in myn In, in keping of my seruaunt Rolleston by bille endented̛, of whicℏ þe oone bille is in my trussing cofer̛. I wol also my sayd sone Thomas haue my paled bed of wursted̛, white and rede, witℏ þe costers þe whicℏ seruen for my chambre I lye Inne atte Okeham, and a rede bed of wursted̛ witℏ þe costers the whicℏ hengen in þe newe chamber̛ next my chamber̛; and I wuƚƚ he haue to þe oone bed a peyre fustyans, and to þe oþer a peyre blankettis, and to ilk of þe too beddis too peyre schetys goode, and a matras and a canvas; and I wuƚƚ he haue oon fetherbed; and I wuƚƚ he haue too seruauntes beddys for þe too said chambers. I wuƚƚ also he haue too fyne bordeclothes, þe one of werk, þe oþer playn, witℏ goode sanapes hand-napkins. and wasshyngtowels, boþe for befor̛ mete and after̛. Also I wuƚƚ he haue my maser̛ of a vine rote, the whicℏ was my faders, and þe peces of syluere made in þe boþum like perles, and too pottis of bras, and too pannes, and too spytes, and a peyre rakkes of yryne, and to brandernes, and to doseyn of pewter vesseƚƚ, and too cors bordcloþes, and too peire cors sanapes, and þre candelstykes of laton̄. Also I wuƚƚ he haue my cartes and my plowes, and aƚƚ my hors þat longen to hem, whitℏ aƚƚ her̛ gere. also I wuƚƚ he haue my grete maser̛ þe whicℏ I calle ȝele? MS. ȝole., for þe terme of his life, and so from heir̛ to heyr̛ lome: and no man merueil þogℏ I do weƚƚ to him, for when almyghty god list to take me oute of þis wreched world to his mercy, þan shaƚƚ he be left faderles and moderles, grauntfaderles and grauntmoderles. And yf hit so befeƚƚ þat he died, leuyng̛ me, þan wuƚƚ I þat myn eldest sone þat ouereleuetℏ me haue hit hit = hit þat. what, the property which. I haue be-qweythen my sayd̛ sone Thomas. More ouere I wuƚƚ þat Robert my son̄ haue my flat couered̛ pece whitℏ a sqware pomeƚƚ, and an oþer flat pece of þe suit þat were my faders, (of whos soule god haue mercye,) and six spones of syluere; and Iames my son̄ þe keuered pece þe whicℏ þe person̄ of Bereughby gaf me, and six spones of syluere; and Roger my son̄ þe keuered pece of syluer þe whicℏ was mayster Robertis Stoneham, and is pounces whitℏ a crane, and six seluere spones ouer þe other keuered̛ pece, þe whicℏ my lord̛ Le Ware gaf him whan he was cristned̛; and Iohn̛ my son̄ a keuered̛ pece and six spones of siluer̛; and I wul þat my said̛ son̄ Robert haue my best gilt pece keuered̛, and Roger my said̛ sone my gilt keuered̛ goblet þat was Camews. Also I wuƚƚ þat Anneys my doughter haue þe standing pece þat was my faders, keuered̛, and my gilt pece þat Steneby gaf me, and a quart pot of siluer̛, and six spones of siluer̛, and a basyn and an Ewer̛ of siluer̛; and my doughter̛ Iohn̛ a keuered̛ pece of siluer̛, þe which þe provest of Coderstoke gaf me, and six siluer spones; and I wul þat ilk of my said childre haue a bed, þat is to say, couerlide, tapite, blankettis, too peyre schetes, matras, and canvas. And þan wul I þat my welbeloued̛ wyfe Cecile haue alle þe remenaunt of my syluere vesseƚƚ, pottes, peces, and spones, basyn and Ewer̛ of siluere, powderbox and salers of siluere, beddyng̛, napery and pewter vesseƚƚ, brasse spytes, rakkes and brandernes of erne; and aƚƚ myn other howshold̛, saf suche as longetℏ to þe gamerye, I wul abyde to myn heyr̛. And I wul þat non of my corn̄, nor malt, ne quyk catel, be taken for houshold̛, but I wul it helpe to fulfulle my testament, saf þat I wul þat my wyf haf of my corn and malt als myche as hire nedetℏ, til newe come, by delyueraunce of myn Executours, if she wul holde houshold̛. And I wul my wyf haf half my mylche kye, and myn heyr̛ þe other̛ half. And after my principal is taken, I wul my wyf haf my best ambeler̛, and my sone, sir Herre Plesyngton̄, wylk him likeþ best, after̛ preying hym to be gode maystre to my children; and þen wul I þat my son̄ Thomas haf þe best next; and þe remenaunt of my rode horses I wul be departyd̛ betwene my wyfe and my son̄ Thomas; but I wul my wyf chese first. Also I wul þat my gownes for my body, þe whicℏ ben ffurred̛ whitℏ pelure, be dalt amongis my childre, to ilke after here degre and age, so þat Thomas and Anneys haue four̛ of þe best. And I wul þat þe remenaunt of my cloþes for my body be dalt amonges my seruauntes,—of þe whicℏ I wul that Thomas Campion̄ be þought on—to ilke after þeyr degrees. And .I. wul þat Robert my son̄ haue oon of my swerdes, and one of my basilardes harneysed̛ witℏ siluere, and one of my siluere girdeles. And I wul þat Thomas my sone haue myn oþer siluere girdeƚƚ, and myn oþer wepen and armerur̛. Also .I. wul þat Thomas my sone haue my termes þat I haf of Westminster in þe personage of Okeham. Also I wiƚƚ þat þe money þe whicℏ I haue be-qweþen to my childre to? read 'be.' putte in sure keping be myn Executours, so þat þey mowe haue þat is be-qweþen hem when þei come to ȝeres of discrecion, if þey lif so longe; and elle þat it mowe be disposyd by myn Executours as I haue ordeyned by my testament, requirynge my seid̛ Executours, as þey wul onswere to god, þat þey (for no fauour) put hit but as þey suppose and truste be her̛ consciens it shal be sure. And I wul þat Anneys Samon̄, my wyfes moder, Margeret Spriggy, and Alys Rowele and Ionet Humberstone, Beatrice Swetenham, myn aunte, and my cosin Sithynge, half ilk of hem a gode goldringe, or a broche of gold̛, or a good peyr̛ of bedys, for a remembraunce of me. And I wil þe Maister̛ of Manton̄ haf my pair̛ of bedys þat I vse my self, witℏ þe x aues of siluere, and a pater noster ouer-gilt, preying him to haue mynde of me sumtime whan he seitℏ oure lady sawter on hem. Also I wil þat Iohn̄ Br̛igg and William Lewes haf, ilke of hem, xl. s'. for here oold seruice; and Robert Martfeld̛ .xiij. s', iiij d̛; and koc kook Cock, the cook (?). a noble, and Toume [so] Campion̄ a noble. and if þe vouteVoulte: f. a vault or arch; also, a vaulted or embowed roofe. 1611.—Cotgrave. of Okeham stepil be not made in my lif, þe whicℏ I haf made couenaunt of witℏ Thomas Nunton̄, Mason̄, to gif him .v. mark for þe werkmansshipe, (of þe whicℏ I haue paied him a noble on ernest,) I wol þe same couenaunt be fulfillid̛ of my good after my decesse as sone as myn necbours wul ordeyn for þe stuffe þat shaƚƚ go þer-to, of þe whicℏ stuffe Richard̛ Oxenden haiþ paied̛ to Fairchild̛, quarriour, xiij s' and iiij d̛ for freestone. More-ouer I wuƚƚ þat Thomas my son̄ haue my portoos, charging him, on my blessing, that he kepe hit, terme of his lif, so that god wuƚƚ her-after̛ sende him deuocion̄ to sey his seruice þer-on̛, as I haue done, þat þenne he may haue sucℏ a good honest boke of his owne; and if god ewre ? ure, destine. Fr. heur: m. Hap, lucke, fortune, chaunce.—Cotgrave .MS. may be 'cwre.'him to dye or me, I wul þanne my eldest son̄ haue it to þe same entent. And I pray to þe blessed Trinite that of his endles mercye and goodnesse he sende my children grace to be gode men and wommen, and to ȝelde him gode soules, þorougℏ þe helpe and praier of oure lady seint Marye, and of aƚƚ þe seyntes of heune. Amen.

[II. Will of the Realty.]

[2 Lincolnshire Manors to Wife for life, while sole; then 1 to son Thomas, and 1 to son James, in tail. If Wife marries, her estate to go to sons Robert and Thomas. If not, Robert to have Oakham and Masthorpe lands for his mother's life, with remainder to son Thomas in tail. Brantoft land to son Roger in tail. Halton lands to son John in tail. Other Rutland and Leicestershire lands to son Thomas in tail. Dwelling-place to Wife for a year; then to son Thomas. Feoffees to make these Settlements by Indentures. Heirs' deeds to be kept in a coffer in Oakham Almshouse, and given to each when he's of age. Other children's deeds to be copied for the eldest son. Each child under age to have his rents for maintenance. Testator's Ward, T. Dale, either to marry Testator's daughter Anneys—in which case her portion is to be reduced—or the right of his marriage to be sold.

Codicil. Oct. 1425, p. 63. Son James to hav an Annuity of £5 out of Leicestershire land while his mother stays sole; also part of his brother Robert's land, if Robert turns priest; in which case his brother William is to have the estates given to Robert for his mother's life. The whole Will and Codicil written by Testator.]

And moreouer, for als mykyl as at diuerce feffementes þat I haue mad to diuerce men of certeyn part of my lond̛, to þe entent þat þey shulde do my wylle lyke as in sum wrytynges and condicions vpon þe same feffementes it is more pleynly conteyned̛, And also for als mykel as diuers men haf ioint astate whit me in diuerce of my purchace be wey of truste for to fulfylle my wille whan I required̛ hem, or declared̛ it to hem, Nowe I declare here my laste wille, als wel to my saide feffeȝ as to my ioint feffes: First I wul and ordeyne that my ioint feffeȝ of my maners of StenbyStenby is Stainby, near the Leicestershire border; 9 miles South of Grantham.—E. Peacock. and Braceby,Braceby, a village 7 miles East of Grantham.—E. P. witℏ here appurtenaunces, in Lin[c]olne-shire, suffre my wyfe Cecile haue þe profiteȝ of þeim aƚƚ þe while she lyveþ sool witℏoute husbond̛. And if she take þe mantel and þe rynge, and avowe chastite, than wul I þat fortℏ-whitℏ my said̛ ioint feffes make her astate, for terme of hir̛ lif, of þe same too lordshipes, vp condicion þat she lyve sool, withoute husbond̛; the remaindre of þe maner of Steneby, witℏ þe appurtenaunces, to Thomas my son̄ and heir̛, and to þe heires of his body comynge; and for defaute of heires of his body comynge, to þe heires of my body comynge; and for defaut of issu of my body comynge, to my right heires. And þe remaindre of þe said̛ maner of Braceby, wiþ þe appurtenaunces, to Iames my son̄, and to þe heires of his body comynge; and for defaute of heires of his body comynge, to þe heires of my body begetyn; And for defaute of issu of my body begetyn, þe remaindre to my right heires. And if my said̛ wif take hir̛ an husbond̛, þanne wul I þat my said̛ ioint feffeȝ make astate to Robert, my son̄, of my said̛ maner of Steneby witℏ þe appurtenaunceȝ for terme of his moder lyf Cecile / the remaindre of þe said̛ manere whitℏ þe appurtenaunceȝ to my son̄ Thomas, and to the heires of his body comynge, and so fortℏ, as hit is declared̛ a-fore. And if hit so be þat my said̛ wif take þe manteƚƚ and þe rynge, avowe chastite as hit is said̛ before, and þer-vpon̄ haue astate of my said too maners for terme of hir̛ lif, þe remaindre forth as hit is before declared̛, þan wul I þat my ioint feffeȝ of my landes and tenementes þat I bought of Richard̛ Oxenden in Okeham, and also þat my ioint feffeȝ of my land̛ and tenementeȝ in Mastorpe, And also my ioint feffeȝ of the burgate in þe newgate of Okeham, þe whicℏ I bought of Richard̛ Milner̛, make astate of þeim to Roberd̛ my son̄ a-fore-said̛ for terme of the lyf of his moder̛ Cecile; þe remaindre of þeim to my son̄ Thomas and to þe heires of his body; and for defaute of issu of his body, þanne to þe heires of my body; and for defaute of issu of my body, þe remaindre to my right heires, so þat my ful wiƚƚ is, þat if my said̛ son̄ Robert haf not Steneby, þat þanne he haf þese other þinges as hit is a-fore declared̛. More-ouere my wiƚƚ is, þat my ioint feffeȝ of my landes and tenementes in BranntoftBranntoft. I think this is Bratoft, 5 miles East of Spilsby.—E. Peacock. in Lyndeseye make astate of þeim to Roger my son̄, and to þe heires of his body comynge; and for defaute of [issu of] his body comynge, þe remaindre to my son̄ Thomas and to þe heires of his body comynge; and for defaute of issu of his body comynge, to þe heires of my body comynge; and for defaute of issu of my body, þanne to my right heires. Also I wul þat my ioint feffeȝ of my landes and tenementes, whitℏ her̛ appurtenaunces, in Halton in Lyndesey,Halton, East, in the East Division of the Wapentake of Yarborough, Parts of Lindsey, co. of Lincoln .. 11 m. N.W. from Great Grimsby. Halton Holgatein the East Division of the Soke of Bolingbroke, Parts of Lindsey, co. of Lincoln .. 1 1/2 m. E.S.E. from Spilsby. Halton West in the N. Division of the Wapentake of Morley, Parts of Lindsey .. 7 m. S. by E. from Settle.—Carlisle make astate of þeim to Iohn̄ my son̄, and to þe heires of his body comynge; and for defaute of issu of his body, þe remaindre to þe heires of my body; and for defaut of issu of my body, forþ to my right heires; so þat my wyƚƚ is, þat þe remaindre of aƚƚ my landes and tenementes þat I ordeyn to myn other children̄ fro myn heir̛, abide, for defaute of issu of þeim, to myn eldest son̄ and heir þat ouer lyuetℏ hem, and þanne fortℏ as hit is a-fore declared̛. More-ouer my wyƚƚ is þat aƚƚ myn enfeffeȝ of oþer diuerce of my landes and tenementes in Roteland̛ and Leycestre-shire, als wel þo þat stande enfeffed̛ by me, as þo þat ben ioint feffed̛ witℏ me, make astate of þeim to my said̛ son̄ Thomas and to þe heires of his body comynge; And for defaute of issu of his body comynge, þe remaindre to þe heires of my body; and for defaut of issu of my body, þe remaindre to my right heires, saf þat I wul þat myn enfeffeȝ of my place þat I wone Inne, suffre my wyf wone þer-Inne a ȝere after my decesse, if she wille, so þat she take no husbond̛ in þe mene tyme; And after þat, I wul þat my said̛ enfeffeȝ make astate þerof to my said̛ son̄ Thomas, as of þe remenaunt it is a-fore declared̛. And if hit so befelle þat my said̛ son̄ Thomas died̛ to-fore þise astates afore-said̛ .made, þenne wille I þat like astate be made to myn eldest son̄ þat þanne ouer-lyuetℏ him; and my wille is, þat alle þe astates beforesaid̛ be made by dede endented̛, to þat entent þat one of þe dedys mow be deliuered̛ to him þat þe gyft shal be made to, and þe oþer to myn heir̛, because of þe remaindre. And I wul þat myn heires dedys be kept whiþ þe remenaunt of my dedys in þe same cofer̛ þat my dedys beþ kept in nowe, and so delyuered him to his vse; And I wul þat þe oþer parties of þe dedys endentyd, witℏ þe remenaunt of þe dedys þat longen to myn oþer children, be put in þe cofre þat Thomas Audeby gaf me, in þe whicℏ my seluer vesseƚƚ is now kept, til ilk childe come of age to receyve þat longes to him; And þatþat = who that, he who. last shal receyue his dedes, I wil þat he haf þe cofre whit-aƚƚ; so þat I wil þat þey haue no lyuere of þeir̛ dedys til þey come til ȝeres of age and discrecion to resceyue hem. And if þey died or þei came to sucℏ age, þanne his dedes þat so died were deliuered̛ to myn heir̛. And I wolde þat þe substanciaƚƚoriginal. dedes of myn oþer childre were copied, and þe copies put amonge myn heirs dedes for a remembraunce. and if it myght godely, I wolde alle þe giftes aforesaid̛ were done by fyn,That Fines were to be levied by the 'Enfeffeȝ' in favour of the several Devisees.for more suerte, on my cost. And my wil is, þat þise astates be made al so sone as þei mowe godely after my decesse, and þat my said̛ children haue ilk of hem þe profit of þaire lande þat I ordeyn hem, fortℏwhitℏ anone after my dirige. And I wul þat þe said cofre that myn other children dedes shul be kept in, be kept in þe Almeshouse of Okeham, vndre þre keyes, too vnder keping of myn Executours, and þe þridde vnder þe keping of an ouerseer of my testament, Sir Harry Plesyngton is named as Overseer, in the Latin Testament: see p. 55. so þat þei mow make deliueraunce to my childre of her̛ dedes, as hit is seid before. I write nomore atte þis time, but þat I prey to almyghty god als entierly as any synful man may prey, þat of his endeles mercy and grace, þorough þe preier̛ of oure lady seint Marye and alle þe seintes of heuen, he haf mercy of my synful soule, and bring hit to his blis, and gyf myn Executours grace to make good ende of my testament and wille, and my feffeȝ also of my feffementes, Amen. writen witℏ myn owne hand̛ þe xviij. day Apriƚƚ, þe ȝere specefied in my said̛ testament. And as touching þe warde and mariage of Thomas Dale, my wiƚƚ is, but if he and my doughter̛ Anneys mowe acorde by þe asseynt of hire moder Cecile, elles I wul þat þe warde and mariage of him be sold̛ to my profit þer̛ hit may be to his worshipe. And I wul þat þe profit, þat comeþ þer-of, helpe to fulfylle my testament and wille, if hit nede be, and elles be done for my soule by myn Executours. And if my said̛ doughter Anneys and he acorde of mariage, þan wul I gyf hire þe mariage, abatyng for hir̛ C ƚi that I haf beqweþen hire be my testament, x. ƚi? does this mean that her Portion is to drop to £40 or to £60?, þe whicℏ I wil, helpe to fulfilling of my testament and wil, if it nede, and elles be done by myn Executours for my soule and for alle cristen soules. And also I wil þat Ioℏn Ondeley haf a coueryd pece of siluer, price of xl. s', or elles xl .s' to bie one whitℏ, of my cost, for a remembraunce of me. my wille is also þat my newe vestment þat I made? = cauzd to be made.last, be deliuered̛ to myn Auter̛ in þe kyrke, þer to serue and abide in remembraunce of me while it wul endure, to þe wurshipe of god; and Iℏc [Jesus] mak gode ende.

[III. Codicil. Oct. 1425. Abstract on p. 59.]

And for asmoche as .I. Roger Flore, ouerseying my testament and wille, haue conceyued̛ þat I haue not ordeyned what Iames my son̄ shulde haue during his moder lyf, soole, whithouten husbonde, þerfore my wille is, þat my ioint feffeȝ of my purchace of Leesthorpe Leesthorpe, in the hund. of Gartree, though locally situate in the hund. of Guthlaxton, Co. of Leicester; in the Parish of Pickwell ... It is 4 m. S.E. by S. from Melton Mowbray.—Carlisle in Leicestreshire, graunte by her̛ dede, to Iames my said̛ sone, an annuite of .C s' of my said̛ purchas of Leesthorpe, to haue hit for terme of his moder lif Cecile, if she lyue sool, so þat, after her̛ decesse, or if she take hir̛ an husbond̛, he mowe haue þe remaindre of Braceby, like as I haue ordeined̛ for him in my wiƚƚ, so þat whanne þe remaindre falleþ to him, þat þanne þe saide annuite of an C s' sese. And I wul þat þe said̛ graunte of þe said̛ annuite be graunted̛ witℏ clause of destresse paieable atte too termes, þat is to say, at Esterne and Michelmesse. Furthermore my wiƚƚ is, þat if Robert my son be a prest in time to come, seyng þat þanne my lande þat is tayled̛ to him in Leicestre, WhyteweƚƚWhitwell in the Hundred of Alstoe. The Flores held an estate there under the Prior of St. John of Jerusalem.—J. H. R.and Litel Hamildon̄ Little Hambledon, in the Hundred of Martinsly. The Flores held the Manor under the Ferrers family.—J. H. R. shulde descende to þe said̛ Iames, þat þanne þe remaindre of Braceby a-fore said̛ be til William my sone after þe decesse of his moder̛ Cecile; or if she take hire an husbond̛, as hit is rehersyd a-fore. More-ouer̛ my wiƚƚ is, þat if my said̛ son̄ Robert be here-aftir̛ prest, as hit is said̛ before, þanne wul I, if he haf any benefice of holychirche or prebende, þat þanne þe astate þat I ordeigned̛ þat ioint feffeȝ of my londes and tenementes þat I bought of Richard̛ Oxenden̄ of Okeham, and also of my burgage þe whicℏ I bought of Richard Mylnere in þe Newgate of Okeham, and my ioint feffeȝ of my landes and tenementes in Masthorpe, shulde haf made to Robert my sone for þe terme of his moder lif in sucℏ manere and forme as hit is declared̛ in my former̛ wiƚƚ, þat þanne þay shaƚƚ make astate of þe said̛ londes and tenementes to my said̛ sone William in sucℏ manere and fourme as þei shulle haue made to my said̛ sone Robert, wiþ þe remaindre as hit is in my former wille declared̛. In witnes of whicℏ þis my writyng̛ of myn own hond̛, I haue annexed̛ þis my wille witℏ my testament and former wille, vnder my seal of myn armes, affermyng̛ my said̛ testament and former wille except þat what, that which. is chaunged in þis my last wille. writen at Okeham þe Fryday a-fore þe fest of þe aposteles, Seint Simon and Iude, Oct. 28.þe ȝere of oure lord̛ a þousand̛ foure hundred̛ and xxv. and þe ȝere of þe reigne of King Herry þe sext after þe conquest, þe fourte. And I prey my feffeȝ þat alle þese astatys, by þe avys of a wel lerned̛ man of þe lawe, of my cost, to be paied by myn Executours. Almyghty god make good ende! Amen.

Probata fuerunt presens testamentum & codicillum coram Magistro Iohanne Lyndefeld̛, Commissario &c, xx die mensis Iunij, Anno domini Millesimo ccccmo vicesimo octauo, & commissa est administracio omnium bonorum dicti defuncti dicto Ricardo Hiwey, & domino Willelmo Baxter, Executoribus in eodem testamento nominatis, Reseruata potestate, &c̘.

WILLIAM NEWLAND, OF LONDON AND NORMANDY, 1425.

[Going on a Journey. Pilgrims to be sent to Rome, Jerusalem, Canterbury, St. Michael's Mount, and St. James's of Compostella, for Testator's soul, and Priests to sing for it. Gifts of gilt and silver Cups and Goblets, Bed, and Money. Gifts to Parson and Clerk of St. Thomas's, London, and Prisoners and Poor. Goods for Testator's soul.]

(More, 3 Commissary Court of London, lf. 170 bk.)Brigide. T. Willelmi Newland. Habent acquietanciam. [In margin.]St. Bridget's, or St. Bride's, Fleet St., in Faringdon Ward Without.

I, William Newland̛, wol þat al men know þat þis here-vnder writen ys my last wiƚƚ, what þat euer god ordene for me in my Iorneye. First, for to dispose my goodis: þe goodis that be in a paire of trussing cofres in the kepyng of Thomas Broun̛, y wol þat a man be founden þerwith to go to Rome and to Ierusalem, and to haue þer-of for his costes and labour l marc̘Fifty marks, £32 14s. 4d.: over £300 in present money.; a-noþer for to go fro the Swerd̛ in Fletstrete vn-to Caunterbury, barefot, x s'; and a-noþer for to ride or go vn-to seynt Micheƚƚ mountThat in Cornwall, not that in Britany, as only 20s. is allowd. xx s'; and a-noþer to seynt Iames in GalisSt. James's of Compostella, in Galicia, Spain. C s'; and for v prestis for to synge at chircℏ of seint Thomas of PostlisThe Church of St. Thomas the Apostle was in 'Knight riders street .. by Wring-wren lane, a proper Church, and in the yeere 1629. well repaired and finely garnished.'—Stow's Survey of London, ed. 1633, p. 258, col. 2. It was burnt in the Great Fire of 1666, and not rebuilt. The parish was joind to St. Mary Aldermary, Bow Lane, Watling St. a hool yere, l marc̘Fifty marks, £32 14s. 4d.: over £300 in present money.; and for oþer v prestis the next yere suyng in þe same place, l marc̘Fifty marks, £32 14s. 4d.: over £300 in present money.. And y wiƚƚ þat sir Thomas Fawkys haue two gilt cuppis couered, and ij pecis of siluer. and also it is my will þat Elianor of Coton̛There's a Coton 2 miles N. of Cambridge, and another near Rugby, in Warwickshire. haue C marc̘ to her mariage, and a browded bed wiþ þe costures þerto, and a cup of Siluer and ij gobelettis. also y wol þat Thomas Pounce haue x marc̘. also y wol þat Thomas Broun̛ and his wyff haue viij marc̘. Also y wol þat Iohn̛ of Merbury Merbury is not in Walker's Gazetteer.haue x marc̘. also y wol þat þe persone of seynt Thomas apostolis haue xiij s' iiij d̛, and þe clerk vj s' viij d̛. also y wol þat xl marc̘ be delid to prisoners and to pore folkys. also þe remenant of my harneys and oþer goodis, y wiƚƚ þat it be disposed for my sowle, and for aƚƚ þe saules þer euer y had ony good of: and þis y yeue in charge, wiþ witte and good mende, to myn executours, as þey wol answere a-for god, to be treuly disposed as it ys a-boue writen. and herevpon̛ y make myn Executours, Thomas Fawkes a-fore writen, and Elianor of Coton̛, Thomas Pounce & Thomas Broun̛. Writen þe xx day of Decembre in London̛ be me William Newland. And y wol þat al my rentis and goodis in Normandie be disposed be William Faukesweƚƚ and be Pers Gely, þe half for to be don for my sowle, and þe oþer half y ȝeue hem frely for to do trewly for me. and her-to y set þe seale of my Armes to witnesse.

Probatum fuit hoc testamentum coram nobis Dauid Price, vicario Reuerendi in christo patris & domini Willelmi, dei gratia Londonie Episcopi, in spiritualibus generali, xv kalendarum Augusti, anno domini millesimo ccccmo xxvjto, Et per nos legitime pronunciatum pro eodem. Et commissa est administracio omnium bonorum presens testamentum concernencium, infra iurisdiccionem Londonie existencium, Elianore of so. Coton̛, Thome Pounce & Thome Broun̛ executoribus superius nominatis, iuratis primitus in forma iuris, & admissis per eosdem, facultate committenda administracionem huiusmodi Thome Faukys, executori superius nominato, cum venerit, & eandem subire voluerit, nobis specialiter reseruata. In cuius rei testimonium, sigillum quo in huiusmodi officio vicariatus vtimur, presentibus apposuimus. Datum Londonie, die & anno domini supradictis.

WILLIAM DAVY, FISHMONGER, LONDON, 1426.

[To be buried in St. Clement's, East-Cheep. Gifts to the Works, Parson and Clerk of the Church, and other Priests. Small bequests to Brother, Sister, and friends. Residue for Testator's Soul.]

(More, 3 Commissary Court of London, lf. 228.)C[lement] Est[chepe]. Testamentum Willelmi Davy. Habent acquietanciam. [In margin.]The Executors have paid their dues to the Court.

In þe name of god, amen. In the xxvij day of nouember, The ȝere of our̛ lord M. CCCCmo xxvj, I. William Dauy, Fyscℏmongere and Citezyn of London̄, In hool mynde, make and ordeyne my Testament in this maner: Ferst I be-quethe my sowle to al-myghty god and to al þe seyntis, my body to be beryed in þe Cherche-ȝerd of seynt Clementis be syde Est chepeThis is a small Church, void of Monuments, other than of Francis Barnam, Alderman, who deceased 1575, and of Benedict Barnam his sonne, Alderman also 1598.—Stow's Survey, 1633, p. 235, col. 1. This Church was repaired and beautified at the cost and charge of the Parishioners, in the yeere of our Lord God, 1632.—ib. p. 832, col. 1. Burnt in the Great Fire, 1666; rebuilt by Wren.. Al-so I be-quethe to the werkes of the forseyd cherche, xl s'. Al-so I be-quethe to the persone of the sayde cherche, xiij s' iiij d̛. Also I be-quethe to the mayster clerke iij s' iiij d̛. Also I be-quethe sere Wilȝam Podon̛, iij s'. iiij d̛. Also I be-quethe sere Iohn̄ Buk, iij s' iiij d̛. Also I wele that euery prest that is at my dyrige and at messe, haue vj d̛. Also I be-quethe Margrete Schiplake, xl s'. Al-so I be-quetℏ Waket, prentys with Schiplake, vj s' viij d̛. Also I be-quethe Iohn̄ Davy my brotℏer xl. s'. Also I be-quethe Margery my sister̛, xx s'. And þe residue of al my godys after my testament is fulfyllyd and my dettys payd, they be disposyd for my soule after the disposicion of my executour. and to this I make and ordeyne William Schiplake, Barbour, myn executour; and I be-quetne the same William xl s'; Al-so ȝeue hym with-owte that, for hese laboure, vj s' viij d̛. Item I be-quethe Ioℏn̄ Lowesley vj s' viij d̛. Wittenessis, sere Andrewe Norwiche, persone, Probably the Parson drew up the Will. See the Common Form for Willsdrawn by Parsons when applied to, in Bp. Lacy's Liber Pontificalis, cited in the Notes, on a Widow's Vow of Chastity. This Form included gifts to the Church, Parson, Clerk, &c. and Thomas Rokewode, clerk.

Probatum est & c̘. ije nonarum Decembris, anno domini supradicto, coram Roberto Derffeld̛ &c c̘. Et commissa est &c̘ Willelmo Schiplake, executori supradicto. Et admissum per eundem, iurato primitus in forma iuris.

WM. HANYNGFELD, ESQ.,William Hanyngfield of Claydon's in East Hanningfield, Chelmsford Hundred.—Inquisitiones post mortem, 5 Hen. VI.—H. R. OF ESSEX AND SUFFOLK, 1426.

[To be buried at Bikinacre, Essex. Small sums of money to its priests, and poor, and Church; to his Suffolk tenants, and the Church of Lawshall. Much of his land to be sold; and out of its price, 2 Priests to be got to sing for 40 years for Testator's and others' souls; alms to be given; 4 lepers to have 4 marks yearly for 10 years; Obit to be kept yearly in 3 churches; poor of 3 Essex hundreds to have 20 marks a year for 10 years; 6 marks (£4) to be spent on Laffar bridge, and 500 marks on Eastford bridge. Household goods to go to children. Testator to have a tomb like Sir Thomas More'sThis was Thos. More (or Moor), Dean of St. Paul's, who rebuilt the Chapel in Pardon Cloister, and was buried there in 14 .. See p. 104, note 1.— J. H. R. , with a broad stone and 4 pillars; and on the stone, a Brass of his wife and 7 children, &c. Bequests to priests, clerks, poor, and poor tenants. Legacies to Executors, &c. Servants to be rewarded. P. Dene to have an annuity out of land. Feffees (trustees) to convey land as Executors direct. Children to have £100 each, and be governd by Executors.]

(Luffenam, P. P. C., leaf 45.) Testamentum.Testamentum Willelmi Hanyngfeld̛. [In margin.]

In nomine sancte & indiuidue Trinitatis, patris et filij et spiritus sancti, Amen. In festo sancti Egidij Abbatis, Anno domini Millesimo CCCCmo xxvjto, Anno regni Regis Henrici sexti post conquestum Anglie quinto, Ego, Willelmus Hanyngfeld̛, Armiger, in mea libera et spontanea voluntate, ac in bona et sana memoria mea existens, videns & precogitans in mortis periculum, Ideo hoc presens testamentum meum, voluntatem meam in se continens, condo, facio, & ordino in hunc modum. In primis lego et commendo animam meam deo omnipotenti, creatori meo, beatissimeque & gloriosissime dei genitrici, virgini Marie, matris sue, & omnibus sanctis interlined by another hand.; corpusque meum ad sepeliendum in ecclesia sancti Iohannis Baptiste de Bykenare,Bicknacre Priory, adjoining East Hanningfield.—J. H. R. Bikinacreor in Bitacre in the hund. of Chelmesford, co. of Essex.—Carlisle. in Capella sancti Nicholai. Item lego cuilibet sacerdoti ad exequias meas existenti, vj d̛. Item lego cuilibet clerico interessenti ibidem, iiij d̛. Item lego cuilibet pauperi ij d̛, et si necesseMS. ncce.fuerit causa paupertatis, iiij d̛. Item lego pauperibus meis tenentibus ibidem per viam, xx s'. Item lego tenentibus meis in Comitatu Suffolkie, xl. s'. Item lego fabrice ibidem pro factura ecclesie, si non deueniat ad manus prioris, sed per visum Iohannis Borham, C. marcas, videlicet pro reparacione capelle ibiem vbi corpus meum sepultum fuerit. Item lego pro factura ecclesie de LawseƚƚLawshall, in the hund. of Baberg, co. of Suffolk . . . 7 miles S. by E. of St. Edmund's Bury.—Carlisle. in Comitatu Suffolkie, ad orandum pro antecessoribus meis, xl. ƚi. Residuum vero omnium bonorum meorum non legatorum, do et lego Roberto de Teye,Robert de Tey of Mark's Tey in the Lexden Hundred, Essex: d. 1426-7.Armigero, in Comitatu Essexie, Iohanni Basset John Basset of Basset's Hall, in Great Chishall, Essex.—J. H. R. de Chishuƚƚ, Iohanni Whetley, ciui ciuitatis Londonie, et Philippo Dene. Huius autem testamenti mei, Robertum de Teye, Armigerum, Iohannem Basset predictum, Iohannem Whetley, ciuem ciuitatis Londonie, & Philippum Dene, ordino, facio et constituo Executores meos. In cuius rei testimonium, sigillum meum presentibus apposui. Datum Londonie, die & Anno supradictis.

Codicil.Codicillus eiusdem Willelmi. [In margin.] [Will of his Real Estate.]

This is the last wiƚƚ of me William Hanyngfeld̛ Esquier̛, of aƚƚ my londes and rentes witℏynne the þ is that of the MS. all thru.þe shire of Esex' and Suffolk, I-made þe iiij. day of Septembre, the ȝere of oure lord̛ Ml CCCC xxvj. First, I woƚƚ þat þe Maner of Chardacre and Valans yn the shire of Suffolk þat þay be sold̛ by myn Executours to as hie prys as hit may, withoute fraude or male engyne, and þe money therof resceyued̛, be dispended̛ for my soule, after þe discrecioun of myn Executours. More-ouer I woƚƚ þat þe maner icalled̛ Bonylys maner, Frankelensmonday lond̛ and Smythislond̛, be sold̛ by þe same Executours, and witℏ þe money þer-of resceuyed̛, and more, ȝef nede be, be founde ij. prestes. singyng̛ continuellicℏ during̛ þe terme of .xl. winter in þe Priory of Bykenacre, in þe Chapeƚƚ of seint Nicholace, for þe soules of me, þe forsaid̛ William, Agnes, Iohan, Cisily myn wyfes, William, Nicholas, Martyn, Alienore, Elisabetℏ, Roger and Margery, and for aƚƚ þe soules þat I am bounde to do for̛, after þe discrecioun of myn Executours. Also I woƚƚ þat þe maner icalled̛ Piriesmaner Perie in Tillingham, which he held of the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's. be sold̛ as hastly as hit may, and þe money therof resceyued̛, be dispended̛ in dedes of almes by þe discrecion of myn Executours. And as touching þe maner and lond̛ I-called̛ Aiottes, Bartlottes, Pathislond̛, Gardyns, and Estlond̛,? East Hall Manor.in BradweƚƚBradwell juxta mare, on the Blackwater, and in Dengey Hundred., I woƚƚ þat þay be sold̛ by my Executours; and witℏ þe money ther-of resceyued̛, that ther be I-founde iiij. pore men lepres, during̛ þe terme of x ȝere, and þat euery of ham haue ȝerly iiij marc̘ during̛ þe same terme. Also I woƚƚ þat myn obite be kept Ȝerly atte Bikenacre, Bradweƚƚ, and Canwedon̄, Canewdon near Rochford.—J. H. Round. and þat þay haue to þe werkes of Canwedon̄ chircℏ, x markes. Also I woƚƚ þat among̛ þe powremen of Richefordhundred̛, Rochford Hundred. Dunchehundred̛, Dengey Hundred.—J. H. Round. and Chelmysford̛ hundred̛, be deled̛ by myn Executours breed and herynge to þe valu of xx marces during̛ þe terme of x ȝere. Also I woƚƚ þat on LaffarebruggeA bridge of one of the three Lavers in Essex, between Harlow and Ongar. be spendid̛, to make hit aƚƚ of stone, vjc markes, in esement of þe comyns, if hit so be þat no man be bounde by his lond̛ to make hit. Also I woƚƚ þat my reuercion of Tootham Totham, adjoining Langford; or, possibly, Scottys in Canewdon, which he held of John Tyrell, Esq.—J. H. Round. I-called̛ Skottes and Westnewlond̛, and þe rente of Alflednasse be sold̛ by myn Executours, and þe money be dispendid̛ to parfourme my wiƚƚ. And also I woƚƚ þat aƚƚ maner howshold̛ be kept, and let þe children̄ haue hit, or þe prys. And þat þe forsetA casket, little chest or coffer. that Thomas EssexieA line of contraction is over the 'x', whether to mark a Latin genitive or not (Thomas of Essex), I can't say.wot where is, be delyuered̛ to myn Executours forto dispende þe goudes þat is ther-yn, for my soule, and þat þe same Thomas EssexieA line of contraction is over the 'x', whether to mark a Latin genitive or not (Thomas of Essex), I can't say. haue v marces in honde, and also xx s' terme of his lyf. And þat myn Executours pay for þe costes of his qwytaunce of his enditement. And also I woƚƚ þat on þe brigge betwixt Esteford̛ ? Easterford (now Kelvedon).—J. H. R. and Chelmysford̛, Ȝef nede be, be spended̛ Vc marces, if hit so be þat no man be bounde by his londe to make hit. Also I woƚƚ þat I haue a tumbe like sire Thomas More, and ther-vpon, a brode ston with iiij pilers, and þe brode stone grauyn with Laton̄, of CisiflyCicely his wife: see abuv, p. 70, l. 7. and vij children, þat is to sey, a son̄ and vj doughtren, Iohan and iij children, Agnes and ij children, pris of .L. marces. Also I woƚƚ þat euery preest being̛ atte my dirige, haue vj d̛, and euery Clerk iiij d̛, and þat euery pore man haue ij d̛, and if gret nede be, iiij d̛. And also I woƚƚ þat ther be delyuered̛ ther̛ to þe pore peple of my tenaunttes xx s'. Also I woƚƚ þat Iohn̄ Borham ouerse these ij preestes and þe pore men, and haue for his labour̛ xl. s'. Also I woƚƚ þat Rolf Baynard̛ and Darsy, if þay be witholde truly witℏ ȝow, þat euery haue xl. s'. Also I woƚƚ þat Roberd̛ of Teye, myn Executour, haue for his labour, xxx ƚi; Iohn̛ Basset of Chishuƚƚ, xx ƚi; Iohn̄ Whetley, xx ƚi; Phelippe Dene, for he is pore, xx ƚi; And also to William Babyngton̄, forto be good helper̛ and counceillour̛ to myn Executours in aƚƚ matiers of lawe touching̛ hem and þe execucion of my testament and last wiƚƚ, xx marces. Also I woƚƚ þat sire Ioℏn, my preest, haue xx s', and a gowne of my weryng̛. Also I woƚƚ þat Wiƚƚ my man haue xx s'. And I woƚƚ and pray ȝow þat Phelippe be kept on seruice stille, and haue as goud wages as he hadde of me be-forne during̛ þe terme of ij. ȝere. Also I woƚƚ þat my seruaunttes be rewarded̛ after ȝoure discrecioun. Also I praye my feffours þat þay wolde enfeffe Philippe Dene on .vj. marces of rente during̛ þe terme of his lif̘, where þat he woƚƚ chese of aƚƚ my londes best reysid̛. And also I praye, and in goddisbyhalf require, þat alle þe feffes þat ben enfeffyd in my londes, þat in what tyme þat þay ben duly required̛ by myn Executours to make a-state to any person, þat þay perfourme hit in discharge of my soule, as þey woƚƚ onswere a-fore god. Also I pray my feffours þat þay wold suffer myn Executours to selle Stanlehalle, and to enfeffe what man þat euer myn Executours require hem to. Also .I. woƚƚ þat my Maners of Welsham and BrethenhamBrettenham, Suffolk, N. W. of Bilston. be sold̛ by myn Executours, and þe money þerof be disposed̛ by myn Executours. Also I woƚƚ þat my Children̄ haue C ƚi, and þat þey, and þer goudes þat longetℏ to ham, be gouerned atte aƚƚ tymes by þe discrecion of myn Executours. And þat aƚƚ þe reuenuys and profitys comyng̛ of my londes þat ben not assigned̛ by my last wiƚƚ and testament for to be sold̛ ouer þe sustenaunce of þe seid̛ childrun, be disposid̛ and dispendid̛ for my soule by þe discrecion of myn Executours.

Probatum fuit presens testamentum, cum codicillo, coram Magistro Iohanne Lyndefeld̛, Commissario &c̘, xxij die mensis Septembris. Anno domini supradicto; et commissa est administracio bonorum &c̘ Philippo Dene, Executori &c̘, Reseruata potestate &c̘. Et postea exhibito Inventario bonorum &c̘, dictus executor acquietatus est. ac die martis, videlicet xiiijto die mensis Maij, Anno domini Mocccc xxx vijto Iohannes Basset, executor &c̘, coram Magistro Iohanne Lyndefeld̛ Commissario &c̘ personaliter comparens, & iuratus ad sancta dei euaungelia, administracionem bonorum dicti defuncti, recepit in forma iuris &c̘.

JOHN CREDY, ESQ., OF LONDON, DEVONSHIRE, ETC., 1426.

[To be buried in London. Bakehouse in Wood St., and land in Surrey, to Wife for life; Half the Cock and Garland in Coleman St. to brother Richard for life; remainders to R. Burdon. A Middlesex house to keep a priest at Weston to pray for Testator, &c. A Devonshire place, at Lee, to brother John for life, then to nephew William, &c. Spensers place, Devonshire, to nephew Thomas for life, and then to nephew William. Other Devonshire and Somerset property to R. Burdon and wife for their lives, and their son John in tail male. Surrey land to nephew William for life, and then to be sold for Testator's soul. Everchurch Ever Church, or Everach, Somerset, W. of Bruton.—Walker. land, in Somerset, to nephew John for life, and then for Testator's soul. To Alison Burdon 40 marks as a portion. Priest to pray in Newton for 10 years. A perpetual Chantry in St. Alphage, to be founded out of the Cock in Grub St. Priest of the Charnell to have 2 marks out of the Cow-Head in Chepe. The City Chamberlain and Town-Clerk (Jn. Carpenter) to see to this. Gifts of Mass-Book, Chalice, Cruets, Money, Armour, Beds, Sheets, Pots, Pans, Basins, Cups, a Gold Chain, &c. Wife to have half household goods. Residue of personalty to Brothers, Sisters, and next of kin.]

(Luffenam, lf. 46 back.)Testamentum Iohannis Credy. [In margin.]

In the? MS. ther name of god, so be hit, the iiij day of Iuyn̄, the ȝere of oure lord̛ Mlcccc' xxvj, I. Ioℏn Credy, squyer, being in my good mynde, make my testament in the maner suyng. ffirst I bequethe my soule to god almyghty, my maker, to þe blisful Mary, moder of ihesu, and to alle þe company of heuen; my body to be beried in þe chircℏ of seynt Ioℏn ȜacarieAldersgate Ward. 'Then is Engaine Lane, or Maiden lane, and at the North-west corner thereof, the Parish Church of Saint Iohn Zacharie, a faire Church' . . .—Stow's Survey, 1633, p. 321, col. 2. This Church was burnt in the Great Fire of 1666, and not rebuilt. where my children be beried̛. Also I bequetℏ my wyfe my londes and tenementȝ the whicℏ I haue in Eldmede in þe shire of Surre, and my bachous in Wodestrete in Londen, the terme of her̛ life; And after þe decesse of hire, þat hit turne to Richard̛ Burdon̄, skynner, of Londen. Also I wiƚƚ þat Richard, my brother, haue half þe Cok and þe garlond̛ in Colmanstrete, þe terme of his life, and þe Reuersion̄ to Richard̛ Burdon̄, skynner, the terme of his life; and after þat, be sold̛ and do for my soule. Also .I. wille þat my wife haue my place called Childerhous in Middelsex' þe terme of here life, to susteyne a preest in the Chapeƚƚ of Weston̄; And after þe decesse of here, to Richard̛ Quatremayns, and to his heires and assignes, in þe same kynde that sheo hatℏ hit. And ȝef þe preest be not susteyned to pray for me, my wyfe, and alle my freendes, þat hit be sold̛ and do for alle oure soules. Also I wiƚƚ þat Iohn̛ my brother haue my place atte Lee in DeuenshireThere are 4 Leighs,—East, West, North, South,—near Colyton in Devonshire. þe terme of his life; and after þe decesse of him, þat Iohn̛ my godson̄, his sone, haue þe same place þe terme of his life; and after þe decesse of him, þat William, Adam, my brother sone, haue þe same lond, to him and to his heires males of his body laufully begeton̄ for ? MS. far. euermore. And ȝef the same William dye withoute issue male of his body laufully begoton̄, þat hit be sold̛ and disposed for my soule and aƚƚ christian̄ soules. Also Spensers place atte Newton̄ in Deuenshire, I wiƚƚ þat Thomas, Adam Credy son̄, þat dwelletℏ witℏ me, haue hit þe terme of his life; And after the decesse of him, þat William his brother haue hit for euer. Also I wiƚƚ þat Richard Burdon̄ and Denys his wife haue my part of þe Maner Enwarle in Deūen'shire' follows, underdotted for omission. witℏ þe voursone of þe chirche, And also my part of þe maner of Thorn̄coffyn̄ in Somerset, witℏ þe vourson̄ of þe churcℏ, And also my part of þe maner of Morston̄ in Deuenshire, the terme of both here lifes; And after the decesse of hem, þat hit turne to Iohn̄ here sone, and to his heires males. And if it so bee þat he die withoute issue male, I wiƚƚ þat Richard his brother haue hit in fee euer more. Also I wiƚƚ þat William my neuew, William my brother son̄, haue aƚƚ þe lond̛ whicℏ þat Weston̄, Draper, and I purchased in Frankyngham and other places in Surre, terme of his life; and after his decesse, þat hit be solde and disposed for my soule and alle cristen soules. And also I wiƚƚ þat Ioℏn my neuew, Iohn̄ my brother son̄, haue, whenne it falletℏ, my parte of place in Euerchurcℏ in Somerset, to him and to his heires for euermore. Also I wiƚƚ þat my part of þe maner of Staunton̄ in Somerset, and also alle my londes and tenementȝ which I haue in Exettur in Deuenshire, þat þey been solde by myn Executours. And also I. woƚƚ þat Alison̄ Burdon̄ haue xl. marc̘ to her̛ mariage. Also I wiƚƚ þat a preest be founde in Newton̄, x ȝere, to pray for my fader and my moder, me, my wyfe, Richard̛ Forster, aƚƚ my kyn & aƚƚ my gode freendis whicℏ I am bounde to, and for aƚƚ christien̄ soules. And þer I woƚƚ þat þer be sette C. marc̘ to pay his wagis. And also .I. woƚƚ þat þere be founde a perpetueƚƚ chaunterie of þe tenement cleped þe Cok in Grubstrete, witℏ cotages annexid þerto, and oþir his appurtinaunce, to finde a perpetuel preest to singe for my soule, my fader soule, my moder soule, and for all christien̄ soules, in þe chircℏ of seint Alpheies St. Alphage Church is situate at the N. W. angle of Aldermanbury, one door opening to London Wall .. and the S. door opens into the garden of SionCollege .. The Church upon its 1st building was dedicated to St. Alphage, who was Archbishop of Canterbury .. was stoned to death by the Danes at Greenwich in the year 1012 .. He is in old Authors called Alfege and Alphy.—Hatton, New View of London, 1708, i. 113, 114. The Charnel is St. Al.'s dead-house., atte Auter of our̛ lady seint Marie. Also I woƚƚ þat sir Iohn̄, preest of þe charneƚƚ, haue ij marc̘ out of my part of þe rente called þe cowe heed in Chepe? A shop with the sign of a Cow's Head.ȝerly, & alle his successours, prestes of þe same charneƚƚ, þat come aftir him, to pray for me Iohn̛ Credy, my wife, my fader, my moder, Richard Forster, and for alle christien soules. Also I woƚƚ þat Ioℏn Biderenden, þe Chamberleyn þat now is, and Iohn̛ Carpynter, comon̄ clerk̘, This was the famous John Carpenter, the learned town-clerk of the City of London (elected April 20, 1417), the compiler of the Liber Albus, &c. On a bequest of his, the City of London school was afterwards founded. See Thos. Brewer's Life and Times of Carpenter, 1856.—T. Cooper, Biogr. Dict. "It may interest your readers to know that the new City schools [on the Thames Embankment] have not been built through the liberality of the Corporation, but out of part of the John Carpenter Estates Trust money. The income arises from 119 houses—five in the city, and the rest in the Tottenham-court-road, the average rental of which cannot be less than £100 per annum each—say £11,000 a year—so that the Corporation for hundreds of years have been receiving a great deal more than they have spent in educating the sons of poor freemen."— 1882, Daily News, Oct. 19, p. 2, col. 7. and her either successours, haue ȝerly comyng oute of þe same rente, eche of hem, vj. s'. viij d̛, to se þat þis prest, and his successours of þe same charneƚƚ, do diligently her̛ deuer, as hem owetℏ to do. Also I woƚƚ þat þe chircℏ of Newton̄ haue my masseboke, my portus,A portable Breviary. my chaleys, my vestmentȝ, and my cruettis, Jugs or vessels to hold the wine and the water separately before they were consecrated. The Chalice held them when mixt for consecration, and consecrated. þat I haue her-Inne. Also I woƚƚ þat Alison̄ my doghter, of HalyweƚƚThe priory of St. John the Baptist, in Bishopsgate, outside the City walls, surrenderd to Henry VIII in 1539. See Stow's Survey, 1633, p. 470, col. 1. In or near the grounds of this, Jas. Burbage's Theatre stood, where Shakspere probably first acted and wrote. , [haue] x. marc̘ and þe hous, perpetuelly to prey for me, [&] my gret bolle of seluer. Also I bequetℏ to þe stepul werk of seint Alpheies by Crepulgate, x mark; to þe persone, xx s'; to ech of þe prestes, xl. d̛; to þe clerk, xl d̛, to pray for me / Of aƚƚ my meuable godes whicℏ I haue, except my cloþing & harneys, I wol þat my wife haue half̘. Also I woƚƚ þat William my Neuew haue x marc̘, and Aueys my nece, othir x marc̘ to her̛ mariage. Also I woƚƚ þat Ionet my Cosin haue xl s'. Also þat Richard Burdon̄, Skynner, haue x mark̘, a habergeon, a swerd̛ harnesed̛, a wodeknyf? MS. wadeknyf. harnesed, and a Dagger. Also I woƚƚ þat Alison̄ Burdon̄ his sister, haue a blewe bedde of Tapecery, a peir̛ blankettis, ij peir̛ shetys, & a selourcanopy: see p. 36, note 3. witℏ curteyns of carde. Also I woƚƚ þat Richard Burdon̄, skynner, haue a white bedde witℏ roses, I peir̛ of shetis./ Also þat eche of hem haue a pot and a panne, a basin and MS. and &. an ewer̛, and ecℏ of hem half a dosen of peutre vesseƚƚ, and either of hem a coupe couered witℏ seluer. Also I woƚƚ þat Richard Quatremains haue my cheyne of gold̛, & my lesse swerd̛ harneised. And þe Residue of aƚƚ my other godis and cateƚƚ, after my dettes paid, I wol þat it be disposid be my executours a-boute my brethren̄ and my sustren̄ and next of my kyn. And I make myn executours, William Frye of Deuenshire, my wife, Iohn̛ Carpinter, comoun clerk̘, & Iohn̄ Spore, ferroure; And I woƚƚ þat ecℏ of hem haue C s'. for her trauaiƚƚ. In witnes of whicℏ þing, to þis my present testament I haue sette my seel. Yeuen atte Londen þe day and þe ȝere a-boue seid.//

Probatum fuit presens testamentum coram Magistro I. Lyndefeld̛, Commissario &c̘, viij die mensis Iunij, Anno domini supradicto; et commissa est administracio bonorum &c̘ Iohanne, Relicte dicti defuncti, & Iohanni Spore, executoribus & c̘, Reseruata potestate &c̘: & xxiiijto mensis Iulij, acquietati fuerunt executores &c &ctee.

JOHN TOKER, OF LONDON, VINTNER, 1428.

[To be buried in St. Mildred's, Bread St. Gifts to that Church, its Priest, Clerk, &c.; to Poor, to Prisoners in London and Westminster, to the Poor in Spitals, and the 4 Orders of Friars. To Apprentice H. Thomason, money, the rest of his apprenticeship, term in The Mermaid, Bread St. [after, SHAKSPERE'S Tavern], Wine, Silver Cups, Pewter Pots, Napery, and kitchen utensils, and the service of his fellow-apprentice, who is given 40s. Clothing to be sold, and money divided among bedrid folk, &c. Gifts for poor Maiden's Marriages, for Executors, for a Priest to sing 3 years for Testator's soul; to which his Residue is bequeathd.]

(More, 3 Commissary Court of London, leaf 202 bk.)[In margin.] M. Bred̛. [St. Mildred's, Bread Street.] Testamentum Iohannis Toker̛. Ciuis & Vinetarii Londonie.

In the name of god, Amen. I, Ioℏn Toker, Citezein and Vineter of London̄, hool of mynde and of body, And in my good memorie being, the sixte day of the moneth of August, the ȝere of oure lord̛ god A MlCCCC And xxviij, And the ȝere of the regne of Kyng Henri the Sixthe, aftur the conquest the sixte, I make and ordeigne my present testament in this maner and fourme. First I be-quethe my soule to almygℏti god my creatour and maker, And to his blessed modur oure lady saynte Marie, and to aƚƚ the holy companye of heuene, and my body to be buried in the chirche of Seynt Mildredis, in Brede Stret in London̄. Also I be-quethe to the hygℏ auter of the same Chircℏe for my tythes and offrynges forgȝeten and withdrauien, xl s'. Also I be-quethe to euery prest of the forseid Chircℏ, forto praie for my sowle, vj s' viij d̛. Also I be-quethe to the Clerk of the same Chirche, iij s' iiij d̛. Also I be-quethe to the werkis and profitis of the seied chirche, xiij s'iiij d̛. Also I be-quethe to be distribued among poure folk duellyng in the forseid pariscℏ of Seynt Mildred, forto pray for my sowle, xl s'. Also I be-quethe to be distribued a-mong prisoners in the prisons of Ludgate, Marchalsie, Kyngesbenche, And the Countours in London̄, that is to seie, in euery of the seid prison[s], the prisoners to praie for my soule, xx. s'; And a-mong the prisoners in the Flete, and the Clerkes conuict at Westminster, that is to seie, in euery of tho two prisons, to pray for my soule, x s'In margin is 'habent Acquietanciam,' that is, the Executors hav paid the Court dues on the Will. Also I be-quethe to be distribued a-mong pore folk lying sike in the Spiteƚƚ of oure lady'Saint Marie Spittle': Stow's Survey, 1633, p. 175-6.It had 'at the surrender thereof [to Henry VIII] ninescore beds, well furnished for receipt of poore people.'—p. 86 b. Stow notes 'the Charnell and Chappell of Saint Edmond the Bishop, and Mary Magdalen,' p. 176, col. 1. Cp. 'Charnel' abuv, p. 75, l. 16.su witℏ-oute Bisshopes-gate, Oure lady of Bedlem, Oure lady of Elsingspitel, In Cripplegate: see Stow's Survey, 1633, p. 86 b, 304 a. of seynt Bathilmewys in Smythfeeld̛, And seint Thomas in Sowthwerk, in euery spitel to pray for my sowle, vj s' viij d̛. Also I be-quethe to the fowre ordres of the freres in London̄, that is to seie, to euery hous of the seide ordurs of freres forto pray for my soule, xx. s'./ Also I be-quethe Tho Henry Thommissone, myn apprentice, vj ƚi, xiij s', iiij d̛, And also I forgȝeff and relece to the seid Henry alle his termes to me comyng of his apprentisehod̛. Also I wiƚƚ that the same Henry haue alle the termes and possession̄ that is comyng to me of my mancion that is cleped the Mermaid in Bredstreet, beryng the charges and the rentes ther-of duryng the seide termys. Also I wil that the same Henry haue in possession̄ to his profite and easment duryng an hool ȝere next aftur myn obit day, Alle the encrece that is comyng of my wyne a-boue the stok, And more ouer aƚƚ my peces and kuppes of siluer, peuder pottes, Naapri, and aƚƚ the vtensilmentes longyng to my kechyn, as for that forsaid ȝer enduryng. Also I wil that this reward̛ be truly doon̄ and treuly fulfeld̛ to the same Henry vp-on this, that he gouerne hym goodly and onestly as he oweth forto do, aftur the rewle and discrecioun of myne executours. Also I wil that the same Henri haue aƚƚ the termes comyng to me of . Henry Clopton̄, myn other apprentice. And also I be-quethe to that same Henry Clopton̄ xl s'. Also I wil that myn aray and clothyng to my body longyng, a-non̛ aftur my deces be sold̛, And the monei ther-of comyng & taken, I wil that hit be deuided and parted among pouere folk lieng bedred, and in other werkes of charite most plesyng to god and to the helthe of my soule. Also I ȝiue and bequethe to the mariage of onest and poure maidens, to be distribued a-mong hem aftur the wil and discrecion of myn executours, xiij ƚi .vj s'. viij d̛. Also I bequethe to euericℏ of myn executours takyng charge to compleet and to do execucion̄ of this my present testament, v. ƚi. Also I wil that a discreet and an abul preest be choson aftur the good discrecion̄ of myne execucutours [so] to syng and rede for my sowle and aƚƚ criston soules in the forseid chircℏ of seynt Mildredis duryng the termys of thre ȝer next suwyng aftur my deces. And I be-quethe to the sustentacion of that seide preest for the forseid terme of thre ȝer, xx. ƚi. The residue of aƚƚ my godes and catalles and dettours, what so-euer they be aftur my dettes paide and my present testament fulfillid, I be-quethe to be distribued and departed for my sowle, and for the soules of aƚƚ tho that I am boond̛ to praye for, And for the soules of aƚƚ trewe criston pepul, like as myn executours seme best, to plese god, and profit to the helthe of my soule. And of this my present testament, I make and ordeigne myn executours, that is to seie, Richard̛ Banaster And Edmond̛ Scheffild̛, Citezins and vineters of the forsaid cite, aƚƚ and euericℏ aboue expressid, iustly to complete, and treuly to spede. In witnesse of the whiche thyng, on this my present testament I haue put my seal. Date at London̄ the day and the yer aforesaid.

Probatum fuit hoc presens testamentum coram nobis Willelmo Stonham & c̘, Commissario Reuerendi in christo patris & domini domini Willelmi, dei gratia Londonie Episcopi & c̘, generali, iijo nonarum Septembris Anno domini Ml cccco xxviijo. Approbatum, insinuatum, ac pro eodem per nos legitime pronunciatum; & Comissa est Administracio omnium bonorum dictum [so] defuncti & c̘ Executoribus interius nominatis, et Admissa per &c c̘.

ROBERT SCHAPMAN, OF HARINGAY, MIDDLESEX, 1428.

[Moveables to Wife. Gifts to Haringay Church, and Trinity Chapel there; to God-children, High-ways, Daughter, and Priest to sing for Testator's soul.]

(More, 3 Commissary Court of London, lf. 203 B.)[H]aringey. Testamentum Roberti Schapman. [In margin.] Hornsey, Middlesex, N. of London. There's a Haringay Park there now. (The leaf is not numberd in due order in the MS.)

In dei nomine Amen̛. I Robert Schapman, in Rithe mynde, make my testement in this forme. I be-quethe my sowle to god, to yowre [so] lady Lady, and to Alle þe holy compani of heuen; my bodi to be berijt in the chirchauChurchyard. of houre La[dy] of Harryngey. Also I bequethe to my wyfe alle þe goodis þat be meuablis, and sche to be my prinsepall seccutur, with Gefori London and Thomas Howe, þey to dispose þe goodis for me like as my [for 'they'] wole anscwere to-fore gode atte þe day of gogement Judgment.: furst to þe hihe auter, xij d̛; to þe secutours of Robert Childe, v s'; to heuery of my gode childrin xij d̛ In margin (as to the Executors), 'habent Acquietanciam.'; and to a prest for to singe for me and aƚƚ cristin soulis, competent saleri for an hole here [= yere]Cp. youre for houre, our (Lady) above.; to heu[er]i of my secutoris, v s'.; to hie weyis, vj s' viij d̛; to the keuering̛ of the trinite schapell of Haringey, vj s' viij d̛; to my dowter, xl. s'. In cuius rei testimonium, sigillum apposui. Datum in Haringey, Anno domini Millesimo quadringentesimo octauo, primo die mensis Nouembris. vjto Iduum Nouembris probatum fuit; & com[missa] Executoribus Anno domini Ml cccco xxviij.

RICHARD WHYTEMAN, OF LONDON, WAXCHANDLER, 1428.

[Gifts to his Parish Church, and for the doing of his Devotions there (burning Tapers). Two pairs of Candlesticks, the right to buy the best gilt Candlestick, and the Moulds and Trade tools, given to S. Whitehed. Bequests to Cousin, and Katherine Whyteman. 6 Torches to be burnt on Testator's Death-day, or Mind-day. A yearly Mind-day to be held for 7 years after his death. Residue to his Wife.]

(More, 3 Commissary Court of London, leaf 209.)M. Ripam. Testamentum Ricardi Whiteman̄. [In margin.]St. Michael, in the ward of Queenhithe. Church in Thames St.

In ye name of good' Amen, the xxij day of Ianuary, In the yere of our̛ lord̛ Anno domini Ml CCCCmo xxviijuo, I Richard̛ Whyteman, Citezein and̛ wexchaundeler̛ of London̄, In my good̛ mynde beyng̛, y make my testament in this wyse: First y be-quethe my scule to aƚƚmyhty god my creatour, our̛ Blessid̛ virgine Marie, and to alle the Seintes, and̛ my Body to be beried̛ wher̛ god̛ woƚƚ yn my parisshe chirche. Also y be-quethe to þe hye Auter for my Offryng̛, yef eny be for-yeten, vj s' viij d̛. Also y be-quethe to the wherk of the Iƚƚ of the toon̛ side of the Cloistere in the Chirchehawe whan þe parisshens be-gynnen to Edifie hit, vj s' viij d̛. Also y woƚƚ that myne Executours hold̛ & parfourme fortℏ my deuouaciouns fortℏ as I was wonte, that ys to seyn, on mydsomer eve to-fore seint Ioℏn Baptiste in my parisshe chirche, ordeyne a tapre of half A pound̛, & þat it brenne as longe as hit woff [for woƚƚ] dure, and þus euery yer aftir my decesse; Also to-fore seint Ioℏn Ewangelist in the seyd̛ chirche, thei ordeyne euery yere iij tapres of a pound̛, to brenne frome ye Even fortℏ as longe as they woƚƚ dure, and̛ thus euery yer̛ after my decesse; Also to-fore oure ladi in Senct Marie Chapeƚƚ in the seid̛ chirche, þei ordeyne I Tapre of a pounde, to brenne euery even of oure lady, and̛ þe day as atte salue, & euery principaƚƚ day, as longe As hit woƚƚ dure; and þus for to be don̄ from yere to yere. Also y bequethe and yeve to Symkyn Whitehed̛, my Russet Candelstykes, and I paire Candelstekes secundaries next þoo. Also y be-quethe to Ioℏn Hewet, Ioynour, my cosyn, so þat he take þe Charge of this testament, vj s'. viij d̛. Also y Bequethe to Katerine Whyteman, to her̛ mariage, x marc̘, the whiche Katerine, whitℏ the mony, be in the kepynge and Gouernance of myne Executours after whriten, to tyme sche come to ful age, And y-maried̛. And̛ yif sche dye witℏ-Inne age, y woƚƚ þat þe .x. marc̘ be put to a prest to synge in þe seid Chirche by a yere for me & Aƚƚ Cristen soulis. Also After my decesse I woƚƚ þat my best candelsteke y-gylt witℏ þe cros, be sold̛ yn þe best manere þat my executours konne or may, saf y woƚƚ that Symken a-forseid̛, And he woƚƚ, haue hem A-fore eny othir man, he [?for be] .xl s'. better chepe þanne eny other man woƚƚ yeve þere-fore, be [for he] to have ther-of resonable daies of paiement; and with the whiche mony I woƚƚ þat myne Executours parfourme this my testament. Also y woƚƚ that myn Executours ordeyne, the day of my dyyng̛ or of my mynde, vj torches brenyng̛; & after aƚƚ the service ys done, I woƚƚ be-quethe I torche ecclesie me[e] parochiali; I, ecclesie de Wondeswortℏ; Wandsworth, Surrey, near London. .I. to seint mildred̛ chirche;Bread Street, in the city: see John Toker's Will, 1428, p. 77 abuv. I, to seint Nicholas Oloff;St. Nicholas Olave, on the West side of the street cald Bread St. Hill, runing down to the Thames, where our worthy friends and printers, Clay and Taylor, hav their London hous of business. See Stow's Survey, 1633, p. 399 a. I, to Garlekhithe Chirche; In the Vintry Ward: "the Parish Church of Saint Iames, called at Garlicke Hith, or Garlicke hive, for that (of old time) on the River of Thames, neere to this Church, Garlicke was usually sold."—Stow's Survey, 1633, p. 262 b. I, to Trinite chirche. In Knight-Riders Street, Queen-Hithe Ward, near Thames St.—Stow (1633), p. 297. Also .y. bequethe to Simkin aforseid̛ aƚƚ my mooldes & instrumentis to my craft longyng̛, after my decesse and̛ my wiues. Also y wolle þat myne executours, vij yere after my decesse, holdyn twelf monthes mynde. the residue of aƚƚ my goodes mevable, (after þat my wiƚƚ, my be-questes of this testement be parfourmed̛, and my dettes principali de [for be] paid̛,) y. yeve & be-quethe to Alice Whitman my wif, where-so-euer þat þei ben. to þis my testament y make myne Executours, þe seid Alice principale, Ioℏn Hewet, and Symken aforseid̛, executours with her̛; and sir̛ William Wright perosone of my parische chirche, ouerseer of þis my testament; to þe wheche sir̛ William, y yeve for his travaiƚƚ, to do þis travaile, xl d̛. In witnesse of whiche thyng̛, to this present I haue put to my seaƚƚ in þe day and yer aforseid̛.

Probatum fuit hoc presens testamentum coram nobis Willelmo Stonham & c̘, xo kalendarum Marcij, Anno domini supradicto & c̘. Commissa que est administracio &c c̘ Executoribus & c̘.

WALTER NEWENT, ? OF ST. PANCRAS, LONDON, 1428.

[To be buried where he dies. All goods to go to his Wife.]

(Luffenam, lf. 78 bk.)Testamentum Walteri Newent. [In margin.]

In dei nomine amen. This þe testament of Waƚer Newent, y-writen in londen þe xxviij day of Iune þe ȝere of oure lord̛ M'cccc xxviij. First, I beqwethe my soule to almyghty god, and to oure lady, and to aƚƚ þe holy company of heuen̄, and my body to be beryed in what churchȝard̛ ther as I dye in þe parissℏ. Item I beqwethe aƚƚ maner of godis to my wyf Alson̄ Newent, and she forto do me like as she wolde I dede for her̛ in þe same cas. witnes of þis simple testament, Ionet Arguston̄, Master Richard Granger parson̄ of seint Pancras, William Boteler̛, W. Croddisℏ, Porter, and Alson̄ Walsyngham; and þerto I point my signet and my syne manueƚƚ / Probatum fuit presens testamentum coram Magistro Iohanne Lyndefeld̛, Commissario &c̘, xvj die mensis Decembris, Anno domini supradicto, et commissa est administracio bonorum &c̘ Alicie, Relicte dicti defuncti, & Executrici &c̘, Reseruata potestate &c̘.

HARY VAN SANDWYK, OF ST. CLEMENTS, LONDON, 1430.

[Gifts to St. Clement's Church. Goods, &c.; to Jn. Roode, and Troyde his wife.]

(More, 3 Comy. Crt of London, lf. 258, bk.)Clementis. Testamentum Henrici Van Sandwyk.St. Clements, "East Cheap, Clement's-lane, Lombard-street. A church in Candlewick-ward, destroyed in the great fire, and rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren as we now see it. Bishop Pearson (d. 1686) was rector, and in the old church (described by Stow as 'small' and 'void of monuments') preached those sermons upon the Creed which led to his well-known Exposition—a standard book in English divinity, dedicated by its author 'to the right worshipful and well-beloved, the parishioners of St. Clement's, Eastcheap.'"—1850. Cunningham's Hand-book of London.

In þe name of god, Amēn. The xxij day of Nouember, þe ȝer of oure lorde M CCCC and xxx, I Hary Van̄ Sandwyk, make and ordeyne my testament in þys maner, beynge in fol discrecion And hool mynde: Ferst .I. be-queþe my soule to Almyghti god, þe blessyd virgine Marie, And to alle the Seintis, My body to [be] beried in þe chirche ȝerd of Sent Clementis. Also I be-queþe to heigℏ Auter of þe seid̛ cherche, for tiþingys and offeringes fōrȝete, xx d̛. Also y be-queþe to þe body of þe same cherche iij s' iiij d̛. Also .I. be-queþe Ioℏn Roode and Troyde hys wyf, Alle myne houshold̛, and in mony vj s. viij d̛. And to þys testament I make And ordeyne myne executour, þe for-seid̛ Ioℏn Roode.

Probatum fuit presens testamentum Coram nobis, Stephano Germēn, Commissario generali, & c̘, iij kalendarum Decembris, Anno Domini supradicto. Commissa executori in dicto nominato & c̘— comparuit.

ALYS CHIRCHE, WIDOW, OF ST. MARY HILL, LONDON, 1430.

[To be buried at Twickenham. Gifts to lights in Twickenham Church, to Twick, and Kingston Bridges, Wyke Causeway, and Harlington Church. 6d. each to two Folk. Household necessaries to R. Soler. Residue for Husband's soul, and Testatrix's.]

More, 3 Commissary Court of London, leaf 262.)Testamentum Alicie Chircℏ, de parochia beate Marie Atte Hille.In this St. Mary Hill Lane ('commonly called Rood lane') is the faire Parish Church of S. Mary, called on the Hill, because of the ascent from Belinsgate.—Stow's Survey, 1633, p. 227 a.[between Billingsgate & East Cheap, London.]

In the name of̘ oure lord̛ god, Amen. I, Alys Chirche, beyng in fuƚƚ mende, be-quetℏ my sowle to Almygℏty god, to oure lady seint Marie, and to aƚƚ the Blyssid company of̘ hevyn̛, And my body to be byried in the Chircℏ yerd̛ of̘ Twykenham.In Middlesex, 10 miles from London, on the S. Western Rail, and the bank of the Thames. The earlier spellings of the name are Twittenham (791, 948 A.D.) and Twitham (840).—Thorne, Environs of London. Al-so y be-quetℏ to the hie Autour, xij d̛; Al-so to our̛ lady lygℏt, vj d̛; Item to the rede? Rode, Cross. lygℏt, vj d̛; Item to seint Mergret lygℏt, iiij d̛; Item to seint Colas lygℏt, iiij d̛; Item to Twykenham brygge Probably the bridge over the Colne, near the present railway station. iiij d̛; Item to Kyngston̛ briggeOver the Thames, at Kingston, Surrey. vj d̛; Item to the causy atte Wyke,An outlying part of Twickenham (?). Most country villages have their 'wick.' We had one at my native Egham. iiij d̛; Item to the Chirche of̘ Herdyngton̛,Harlington, Middlesex, now a quiet rural village at the N.W. end of Hounslow Heath. In Domesday Book it was 'Herdintone,' and was cald Hardington till near the end of the 16th century.—Thorne, Environs of London. ij Buscheƚƚ barly; Item to Water Rykard̛ I bȝ [= bushell] Barly; Item to Ionet Carter, vj d̛; Item to Thomas, Myne seruant, vj d̛; Item to Richard̛ Soler̛ alle necessarijs longynge to housold̛ of̘ dede store, saue a grete brasse potte. And Alle the Residue of̘ my godys nouȝt byqwothin, I yeue and ordeigne to Richard̛ Soler̛ and Roger Yelot, myne executours, that they dispose it for my hosbondys sovle and myn̛, and alle Cristen, as them best seme to doon̛. Wryten̛ at Twykenham, the seconde day of̘ Apriƚƚ, the yere off̘ our̛ lord̛ Ml iiijc & xxx.

Probatum fuit presens testamentum coram nobis, Stephano Germen, Reuerendi in Christo patris et domini, domini Willelmi, dei gratia Londonie Episcopi, in Ciuitate Londonie ac decanatu Middle-sexie & Berking, & c̘, Commissario generali, xiiij kalendarum Marcij, Anno domini supradicto. Commissa-que fuit Administracio dicti defuncti & c̘ Executoribus in eodem testamento nominatis, Ac per eos Admissa.

RICHARD GRAVELEY, OF LONDON, GROCER, 1430.

[To be buried in the Porch of All-Hallows, Barking. A Horse, 2 gold Nobles, and 6 silver Spoons, to W. Graveley. £2 to wife's Servant. £20 for Daughter's marriage. Residue to Wife.]

(More, 3 Commissary Court of London, lf. 265, back.)Omnium Sanctorum, Berkyng. Testamentum Ricardi Graveley. This church was one of the few London ones not burnt in the Great Fire. It was too far to the East. The Monument (1546 A.D.) of Wm. Thynne, the first Editor of Chaucer (1532, 1542), is still in the Church.—Stow's Survey, 1633, p. 130-1. Bp. Fisher and Archbp. Laud were buried here. The whole building had a narrow escape at the Great Fire, for, as Pepys records, the dial and porch were burnt, and the fire there quenched. The church is at the East end of Tower-street.—Cunningham.

In the name of̘ god, Amen. I Richard̛ GraweleyThe w in the name is the same as v: cp. 'hewne' (= 'hevne,' line 17, heaven), 2 lines below. of̘ London̛, Grocer̛, ordeyn̛ And graunte my testament in this maner: Ferst y bequetℏ my sowle to our̛ lord̛ god Almygℏty, maker of̘ hewne and of̘ yertℏ, praeyng̛ and besekyng̛ our̛ lady seynt Mary, the modyr of̘ our̛ lord̛ Ihesu, & aƚƚ the company of hevne to pray for me to our̛ lord̛ Ihesu our̛ savyour, tha[t] y may haue mercy and foryevenysse of̘ synne. Al-so y bequetℏ my body to be byriyd in þe porche of̘ the Churche of aƚ Halewyn̛, Berkyng̛, by syde the towre of̘ London̛, onthe sowtℏ syde of the chircℏ. Al-so y be-quethe to my brother William Graueley of̘ London̛ an hors, þe whicℏ ys in hys own̛ kepyng̛, & ij nobles of̘ golde the whicℏ he owid me, and vj sylver spones, and an olde sylour̛ for a bedde. Al-so I bequetℏ to Margarete Knoston̛, my wyves seruaunt, xl s'. Al-so y bequetℏ to my doughtour Kateryn̛ xx ƚi to hir maryage yf̘ she leve so longe, & yf̘ she passe to god or she [be] maryed̛, y woƚƚ that my wyf haue that money. And yf̘ my wyf̘ and my dowghtour deye or [leaf 266] they ? Wife die before daughter, and daughter before she's marrid.be maried, I wiƚƚ þat þat money be yefen̛ in Almys for my sowle, & for here sowle. and Aƚƚ the Remenent of̘ my gode & Cateƚƚ, y bequetℏ to my wif̘. And vpon̛ this testament y make And ordeyne my wyf̘ and Iohn̛ Abbey to be myn̛ Executouris, to dispose my gode, and to performe my wille, As they wille Answere a-for god.

Probatum fuit presens testamentum coram nobis, Stephano Germen̛, Commissario & c̘, viij kalendarum Februarii, Anno domini Millesimo CCCCmo xxx. Commissa-que administracio Iohanni Abbey, Reseruata potestate committendi Administracionem Executrici cum aduenerit, & c̘.

WILLIAM FITZ-HARRY, OF COSIN LANE, LONDON, 1431.

[£50 for a Priest to sing 5 years for Testator's soul; and £10 for another to say 30 Masses and St. Gregory's Trental for a year. £10 for a Tomb. Stone to be carvd with crest, and 'Word' (or Motto) "Mercy and Joy." £10 to Poor. Money-gifts to Executors, &c.; Wife to have House in Cosin Lane, and 3 fourths of all goods; Brother, the other fourth.]

(More, 3 Commissary Court of London, lf. 285, bk.)Testamentum Willelmi Fitz Harry. [In margin.]

In the name of̘ the holy blissed Trinite, oure souerayn lady seynt Marie, and aƚƚ holy Seyntes, Amen. I, William Fitz-Harry, beyng yn goode heale and yn my fuƚƚ wittes, make my testament yn this manere: First y bequethe my soule to god, my verry lord̛ and sauyoure, for to abyde his gracious ordenaunce and mercy, and my body to be buryed there as he hatℏ of his grace ordeyned̛; and to that place y yeue x ƚi of gold̛. And y wiƚƚ, ther synge v. yere for me and for tho that y am most bounde to pray fore, a trewe prest, and that y wiƚƚ it be Frere William, if̘ it be so that he haue sikerly leve of his Provyncyaƚƚ and of̘ his house; and elles, y wiƚƚ haue the best lyver that may be y-geten: and y wille this prest haue ecℏ yere x ƚi, that is to say, in v. yere,'East from this Downgate, is Cosin lane, named of one William Cosin, that dwelled there in the fourth of Richard the second, as divers his predecessors, Fathers, Grandfathers, &c.; had done before him.'—Stow's Survey, 1633, p. 249 b. 'Downegate, on the Thames, and is so called, of that downe-going or descending thereunto.'—ib. p. 248 a. Dowgate and Walbrook are in it. ƚi; and y wiƚƚ haue done for me the first day after that my soule ys passed, xxxti messes yn the wyse of a trentaƚƚ of seynt Gregorie; and when this is done, y wiƚƚ the best prest that may be founde, sey for me the saide trentaƚƚ, with the hole diriges, and aƚƚ the seruice thurgℏ-out the yere, and the prest to haue x ƚi. And y wiƚƚ, that on my body be laide a faire stone of Marble with my creste, myn armes, my vanturs, in blewe, reede, and white, and my word̛ "mercy and ioie", to whicℏ word̛ I take me fully for euermore. the price of̘ the stone schalle be x ƚi; and y wiƚƚ that my parissℏ chirches haue aƚƚ here duetees. And y wiƚƚ there be delt for me yn hast to poure folke, x ƚi. And y make myne executours, my wyf̘, my brother sir Ioℏn̛ Fitz-Harry, Maister Thomas Morstede, Frere William Croland̛, Benet Maliot, and Robert Horne. And y yeue to Maister Thomas, x mark̘; and to Frere William, for he ys poure, x mark̘ and his pece; And to Benet, for his pouert and long̛ trewe seruice, xx ƚi; and to Robert Horne xx mark̘, and to Thomelyn x mark̘. And y yeue Robert Pokyng̛, x mark̘; And y yeue to Robert Fulman, x mark̘; to Ioℏn Hale, v. mark̘; to Bussℏ, xx s'; to Phelippe, xx s'; to Ionet Wyntryngham, xx mark̘; to Anneys Mytton̄ atte lyon̛, x ƚi; to Maude Wilbe, xx ƚi, so am y sworne; to Ienet Rye, x mark̘; to Ienet of Rone, v. mark̘. and when aƚƚ this is paied and done, and my wille fulfilled, I wiƚƚ [leaf 286] my wyf̘ haue myn̛ hous in London̛, with aƚƚ the rentes that y haue in Cosynlane.1 Than wiƚƚ I that aƚƚ manere of̘ goodes that y haue, or be owyng to me in ony wyse, it ys my wille that my wyf̘ [haue] alwey thre parties, and my brother sir Ioℏn the forth part, that is, pleinly to sey, of̘ ecℏ iiij.C mark̘, my wyf̘ haue to haue iijC. mark̘, and my brother C mark̘. and of alle myn executours that y haue rehersed̛ afore, whiche y haue chosyn, for trewe perfit loue I require hem and charge hem, as they wol answere afore oure lord̛ on the hie day of Iugement, that they trewly and fully fulfille aƚƚ my wille and myn entent abouewriten: and this y aske of thaym, that they do this trewly and kyndely, for the loue and at the reuerence of̘ aƚƚ-myghty ihesu, yn whos mercy and grace I putte me holy, botℏ body and soule, for euermore, Amen. That this ys fully my last wiƚƚ, I sette ther-to my sygne manueƚƚ.

Probatum fuit presens testamentum coram nobis, Iohanne Drueƚƚ, Commissario &c̘, vjo Idus Septembris, Anno domini Millesimo CCCCmo xxxjo; Commissaque fuit administracio Elizabethe, relicte dicti defuncti, Iohanni Fitz-Harry, Magistro Thome MorstedeMorsted was a Doctor, says Mr. Chalenor Smith. [& Roberto Horne interlined], executoribus in̛ dicto testamento nominatis & c̘, Reseruata potestate nobis committendi onus administracionis bonorum huiusmodi Alijs coexecutoribus interius nominatis cum venerint & c̘. comparuit coram nobis xviijo die Nouembris, Anno supradicto, Benedictus Maleot, & onus administracionis commissum fuit sibi.

RICHARD TYRELL, ? OF STOKE-DABERNON, SURREY, 1431.

[To be buried at Sopwell, Herts. Gifts to Sopwell Church and its Nuns; to the Friars of Guildford, and Roodloft of Stoke. Residue to Executors and Wife, for Testator's Soul. He writes his Will.]

(Register Luffenam, lf. 106 bk.)Testamentum Ricardi Tyreƚƚ, Armigeri. [In margin.]

In dei nomine amen. I Richard̛ Tyreƚƚ, being in heltℏ and good mynde, ordeyne and make my testament in this wise: First I bequethe my sinfuƚƚ soule to god almyghty, to his moder blessed̛ Marye, and to aƚƚ the holy seintes in heuen, and my body to be buried̛ in the chirche of Soppeweƚƚ.In Hertfordshire, near St. Albans. Also I bequethe for reparacion of the sayd chircℏ and place, where most nede is, x marc̘; Also to the Non̄n̄es of the said̛ chircℏ, egally to be departed̛ among hem, to pray for my soule, x marc̘; Also to the Freres of Gilford̛, In Surrey. lxvj s', viij d̛; Also for reparacion of the chircℏ, and specially þe rodelofte of Stoke, Probably the Stoke near Guildford. C s'. The remenaunt of my good I giffe and bequethe to William Estfeld̛, Mercer and Alderman of Londen̄, Dame Alionore Huƚƚ, Roger Husewyffe, prest, and to Amy my wyfe, whom I make Executours of my testament and my last wiƚƚ, to do and dispose for profite and wel of my soule aftir ther discrecioun. And also I woƚƚ that sir Nichoƚƚ Dixon̄, Clerk, have the surueweOverseeing, oversight. of my said̛ Executours. In wittenes of the whicℏ thing I haue putte ther-to my seeƚƚ. Writen atte StokDabernounStoke-Dabernon (Dalberon, or Daborn), Surrey, between Cobham and etcham, near the river Mole.—Walker's Gazetteer. the xxvj day of Maij, the regne of kyng Harry the vj aftir conquest, the ix ȝere, and of oure lord̛ of Heuen a Ml cccc & xxxj. writen with myn owen hond̛ / Probatum fuit presens testamentum coram Magistro Iohanne Lyndefeld̛, Commissario &c̘, die mensis Iulij, Anno domini supradicto; et commissa est administracio bonorum &c̘ Executoribus in eodem nominatis; ac xxiij die mensis Septembris acquietati fuerunt Executores &c̘.

ISABEL GREGORY, OF HACKNEY, 1431-2.

[Gifts of a Table-cloth to the high altar of Hackney Church; of a Bed, Mattrass, Sheets, Pot, Pan, Buffet, 2 Cushions, Gowns plain and furd, Kirtle, Wood, Coal, Chest, Barrel, Fire-pan, Form, File, Chest, and 6 Hens.]

(More, 3 Commissary Court of London, leaf 296 bk.)Testamentum Isabel Gregory de Hakeney.[In margin. Then a village N. of London; now part of it.

I, Isabel Gregory, I be-quethe my soule to god Almygthy, and to owre lady sent Mary, and aƚƚ the company of heuen, & my body to be beryit in sent Austynyschercℏhawe of Hakeney. I be-quethe the hey auter a bord-clotℏ is iij ȝerdys of lenthe or mor, (the tother is xj ȝerdys of lenthe). also I be-quethe the bed that I lyin in, to Aneys New-kole, saf the materas: that schaƚƚ Idany Hale haue. I be-quethe to Ioℏn of the spetiƚƚ, a schete, and a bras pot of a galon̄, and an old panne. al-so I be-quethe the [same] Idany a bofet; Fr. 'buffet: m. A court-cupboord, or high-standing cupboord.'—1611. Cotgrave.and to the same Idony, ij cosyonys. also I be-quethe to Ion̄e my dowter, a blew goūne and a grene kyrtyƚƚ, and a schete. al-so I be-quethe to I [so] Idany of the spetiƚƚ, my wode and my Cole. also, I make and ordeyne that Wiƚƚ Seluester haue the gouernaunce. of aƚƚ other godys that I have be-syde, I make a fre ȝefte to Wiƚƚ Seluester to selle, and to ȝeve for my soule and aƚƚ Crystyne soulys, in the best maner that may ben̛ ordeynyt. al-so I be-quethe to Ionet Seluester a blake cote, furryd. aƚƚso I be-quethe to Thomas Formannis wyf a russet gounne lynyt with whythe blanket. also to Idany Hale a cloke and a gounne of russet, furrit; also in esement of Idany and of Ioℏn of the spetyƚƚ, for Almys I lent hem, a chest, and a vergyous bareƚƚ, and a fyerpanne, and a forme, and a pot of bras, with a vyle, and a forser Ital. 'forziere, a chest, a forcet, a coffin, a casket, a cabinet.'—Florio. 1598. with loke and kye, and vj hennys.

Probatum fuit presens testamentum coram nobis, Iohanne Drueƚƚ. Commissario &c̘, xo die Ianuarii, anno domini Ml CCCCmo xxxj. Et commissa fuit Administracio Willelmo Seluester, executori interius nominato.

RICHARD GRAY, OF ST. BARTHOLOMEWS, LONDON, 1432-3.

[To be buried in St. Bartholomew's Church, with 4 Tapers and 4 Torches. All Goods to Executors, for Testator's Soul. (Nothing to Wife and 2 Sons.)]

(More, 3 Comy. Court of London, lf. 340 bk.)Bartholomei. Testamentum Ricardi Gray. [In margin.]

In the name of god, Amen. I, Rychard̛ Gray, not hole of body but hole in mynd̛, mak my testament concernyng my last wyƚƚ in this wyse: I be-quetℏ & geue my sowle in-to the hondys of oure lord̛ Ihesu crist̘, & to oure lady seynt Mary, and to Peter & Powle & seynt Bertylmew, & to aƚƚ the Apostolles, confessors virgyn̛ & Marters, and to aƚƚ the company of heuen̛, and my body to be beryed̛ a-for the trinite autre in chirche of seynt Bertylmew.In Smithfield, not in Broad st. Ward. 'Next is the Parish Church of Saint Bartholomew, at the end of Bartholomew Lane.'—Stow's Survey, 1633, p. 191 a. And y wyƚƚ, as towchyng̛ my bryngyng on̛ ertℏ, to be takyn̛ of the hole goodes that is my owne, & that ther be a-bowt my body iiij tapers & iiij torches, & that ther be geuen̛ vn̛-to the conuent vj s. viij d̛ for to pray for me to our̛ lord̛ Ihesu cryst̘. And as towchyng to aƚƚ my goodes mevealble [so] & vnmevable, to dispose ham̛, I mak & ordeyne vn-to my executer, my wyiff̘ Anneys, & my lord̛ sir̛ William Couentre, prior̛ of seynt BertylmewThe 'Priory of St. Bartholomew, founded also by Rahere, a pleasant witted Gentleman; and therefore in his time called the King's Minstrell, about the yeere of Christ, 1102. . . To this Priory, King Henry the second granted the priviledge of a Faire to bee kept yeerly at Bartholomewtide, for three daies . . . to the which the Clothiers and Drapers of London repaired, and had their Boothes and standings within the Church-yard of this Priory.'—Stow's Survey, 1633, p. 418 a, 419 a. in Westsmytℏfeld̛ in London̛, for to dyspose the same goodes to heltℏ and saluacion̛ of my sowle, as tham semytℏ best to be don̛, wyttenessyng̛ Maister Iohn̛ Wylbury, dwellyng in Ive Lane Ivy Lane, near Paternoster Row: 'Next is Ivie Lane, so called of Ivie growing on the walls of the Prebends houses.'—Stow, p. 388 a. besyde seynt Powles, & Syr Ion̛ Venys, chanon̛ of Seynt Bartilmew, & my ij sonnys Richard & Iohn̛: wryttyn the vij day of Marcℏ, the ȝere of our̛ lord̛ a thowsand̛ iiijcxxxijo.

Probatum fuit presens testamentum coram nobis, I d̛; vltimo die Marcij, Anno domini Mcccc xxxiijo, commissa-que fuit administracio Agneti, relicte eiusdem, reseruata potestate committend̛-de domino Willelmo Couentre cum venerit.

JOHN BARNET, OF LONDON, DRAPER, 1433.

[Gifts of 3s. 4d. each to 3 Churches, and of Gowns to poor Tenants. Blood-red gown to be sold for Testator's soul.]

(More, 3 Comy. Court of London, lf. CCC liijo.)Testamentum Iohannis Barnet. [In margin.]

In the name of god, Amen. The xvj day of the monyth of April, the yere of ouur lord Ihesu Crist Millesimo cccc xxxiij, I Ioℏn Barnet, Citezin and draper̛ of London̛, beyng in good mynde and in hool resoun̛, make my testament in forma sewyng̛: ffyrst I beqwethe my sovle to god Almyghty, and to hys moder the glorious virgyn ouur lady seynt Marye, and aƚƚ the holy seyntes of hevene, And my body to be beryed where the Avise is of myn executours. And I make myn executours, Marie my wyif, and my sone Richard, Marie to be evermore myn executrice principaƚƚ, In margin, as to Executors, 'habent acquietanciam.' And no thyng̛ to be dymened aȝens here wille. And I be-qwethe to the chirche of seynt Petris, iij s iiij d̛; and to Barnet chirche,Barnet, in Middlesex, and Hertfordshire, 11 miles N. by W. of London. iij s' iiij d̛; And to Monkes chirch,' Monkenchurch or Monken (Monks') Hadley, now Hadley, adjoins Barnet, Middlesex, on the N.—Thorne's Environs of London, i. 265. See Notes, below. iij s'iiij d̛. Also I beqwethe to my poore tenauntes, my govnys [to] be partyd after the devys of myn executours aboveseyd, evericℏ of hem a govne. Also I wiƚƚ that my sangvyn govne be sold, & do for my sovle. In wytnesse of the whicℏ, I have put to this present testament my seal: wytnesse of this testament, sire Richard Seynour, Simond Cake, Richard Derby, clerk, Dated, ȝere & day aboveseyd. Probatum &c̘ coram I d. xxijo die Aprilis, Anno supradicto, & commissa Administracio executoribus & c̘.

WALTER MANGEARD, COOK, OF LONDON, AND SUSSEX, 1433.

[To be buried in St. Bride's, Fleet St. Gifts to the High Altar and Works of St. Bride's; to little Watkin, testator's Godson and Servant; to a Brewer, a debt; and to his son, a gown; to the Fraternity of Cooks, 13s. 4d. Beasts in Sussex to be sold for Hurstpierpoint Church. Residue to Wife.]

(More, 3 Comy. Court of London, lf. 380.)Testamentum Walteri: Mangeard̛. [Lower down, in margin.]

In the name of god, so mot hit bee: the xiiij day of the Monethe of Marche, the yere of oure lord god MlCCCC xxxiija, I, Walter Mangeard̛, Citesen and koke of London̄, make & ordeyne my present testament of my last wyƚƚ in this maner: fyrst I beqvethe & recomende my soule to almyghtti god, & to oure ladi seynt Mary, & to alle the seyntes in heuene, And my body to be beried in the chirche yerde of seynt Bride in Fletestrete.Near Bride Lane, and the old Bride-well, dedicated to St. Bridget or St. Bride. See Stow's Survey, p. 437 a, and Hughson's Walks thro' London, 1817, i. 159. Church burnt in the Great Fire, 1666, and rebuilt by Sir C. Wren. Item y bequethe to the hie auter of the same chirche for my offeryngus & my dutys leuyng remaining. bihynde vnpayed̛, xij d̛. Item y bequethe & ȝeue alle the dettes thet Ioℏn Hille, Armerer, owytℏ me, to the chirche werkes of seynt Brides Afore-seyde, and thet the seyd̛ dettes be contented & payed to the seyd̛ chirche werkes be the seyd Ioℏn, and thet anone aftur my desese. Item I bequethe & ȝeue aƚƚ the dette thet William Lacy, Tayler, oweht me, to the seyde chirchewerkes, for to be contented̛ & payed̛ to the seyd werkes in the forme foreseyd̛. Item y bequethe to litiƚƚ Watkyn̛, my Godsone & my seruant, x markes sterlynges. In margin, as to Executors, 'habent acquietanciam.' Item y foryeve & relese Walter Floode, Brewer, aƚƚ the dette thet he oweht me. Item y bequethe to Ioℏn Floode his sone, oon̛ of my govnes longyng to my body, suche as myn̛ executours wyƚƚ deliuere. Item y be-quethe to the fraternyte of my crafte of cokes, xiij s'. iiij d̛. Item y bequethe & yeue alle the meuable Cateƚƚ of bestaƚƚ thet y haue in Sussex' in the parehce of Perpoynthurst, Hurstpierpoint, N. W. of Lewes, near Twineham.to the cℏirche werkes ther, & thet they haue my soule in mynde, & thet the MS. the the. seyd Bestaƚƚ be solde be the vice voice. of the paresshens ther, as for the most aviceopinion, judgment, benefit. of the seyd chirche werkes. The residue of alle my goodes & catelles, bothe quike & dede, mevable & vn-mevable, aftur my bequestes fulfilled, & my dettis peyed, I yeue hem holli vnto Maude my wyf̘, scho for to doo with hem hir̛ ovne fre wylle, with-ovten lettyng or disturbance of eny persone. To this present testment y make & ordeyne my trewe executours, thet is to wete, the foreseyde Maude my wyff̘, principaƚƚ executrice, Thomas Harneys & Robert Andrewe coexecutours, & I bequethe the seyd Thomas & Robert, yche of hem for here labour x s'. In wytnes where-of, to this present testament y haue put to my sele. wreton̛ at London̄ the dai & the yere afore seyde.

Probatum fuit &c̘ coram I. D. xij die Maij, & Anno supradicto, & commissa administracio executoribus supradictis & c̘.

MARGARETE ASSHCOMBE, (ONCE BLONCIT) WIDOW, OF LONDON, 1434.

[To be buried near the Dead-house of St. Paul's: 4 Priests and 4 Torches at the Burial. Gifts to Parson and Church of St. Mary Stayning. Gifts of a gold Ring with a 'Reason' or Motto, and another with a Crucifix; of a Gown and kirtle of Musterdevylers (grey woollen), &c.; Residue for Testatrix's soul.]

(More, 3 Commissary Court of London, leaf 410 back.)Testamentum: Margarete: Asshecombe: [In margin, lower down.]

In the name of god, Amen: I. Margarete Asshcombe, in good mynde, and hole of speche beyng̛, make my testamente in this forme suyng̛: fyrste y comande my soule to god almyghty, and my body to be beryed̛ anenest the charneƚƚFr. 'Charnier: m. A Churchyard, or cha[r]nell house; a place wherein dead bodies are layd, or their bones kept.'—1611. Cotgrave.of Poules, in Pouleschircheyerd, be-twyn toe trees nere by the berieƚƚ of my husbonde, sumtyme ealled Iohn Bloncit. Also y bequethe to the Person̄ of the churche of seynt Marie Stanyng̛ 'In Staining lane, of old time so called, as may bee supposed, of Painterstainers dwelling there.' . . . 'There is the small Parish Church of Saint Mary, called Staining, because it standeth at the North end of Staining lane, in Aldersgate Ward.'—Stow, Suruey, 1633, p. 321.It was destroyd in the Great Fire of 1666, and not rebuilt. in London̄, iij s' iiij d̛. Also y bequethe to the makyng̛ or amendyng̛ of the seyde churche, iij s' iiij d̛. Also y bequethe a shete to the seyde Chirche, to be peynted at the person̄s coste aforeseyde, forto hange to-fore ij auteres in the seyde Churche. Also y wyll haue iiij prestes to brynge me to my grave, takyng yche of hem iiij d̛ for there labour. Also y wyƚƚ haue iiij torches brennyng, to brynge me to my grave, and ij tapres to stande at my hed while my body restetℏ in my hous of dwellyng̛ or in eny Churche. Also y bequethe to the wyf of William Oweyn̛ a ryng of golde with a ston, & a reson̄reson = motto. 'sans departir.' Also y bequethe to the wyf of William Hoton̄ my cosyn̛, a ryng of golde with a crucifix abovne. also y be-quethe to Clemens, the woman that kepes looks after, sees to, serves. me, a gowne of Musterdevylers, The name is from Mustarde Vylers, Montiviliers in Normandy, where the stuff was made. ('In the mene whyle was the [city] of Roon, Mustarde Vylers, and Herflete, i-loste byfore Crystysmasse.'—Hen. VI. Ao xxviij. 1449-1450.) It was 'a kind of mixed grey woollen cloth, which continued in use up to Elizabeth's reign.'—Hall.'s Gloss. (? authority.) & a kyrteƚƚ of musterdevylers with grene sleues, & an hode of blak of lure,? Not Fr. lueur, 'brightnesse, luster.' Stratmann cites lure (from T. Wright's Specimens of Lyric Poetry, temp. Edw. II, p. 52) as a variant of hleor, leer, gena, facies. But we want another meaning. Compare 'grene alyre,' p. 117, l. 14; and 'togam viridis coloris anglice grene lyre medley.'—Will of O. Warner, 1490; 'Blac of lyre.'—Will of J. Urban, 1421 (Register 'Marche'); 'togam de Blakalyr' medeley.'—Will of J. Peese, 1487 (Register 'Milles'). & an aso in MS.hod of blewe. Aƚƚ the remenant̘ of my goodes, y wyƚƚ that they be solde, & truli don̄ for my sowle, & the seyde husbonde, and aƚƚ my fryndes, as myne executoures wyl answere at the laste rekenyng. and forthermore to folfulle this my testamente and wyƚƚ, I ordeyne the sayde William Owen, & my Cosyn̛ William Hoton̄, myne executoures. wreton̄ the ij day of Novembre th[e] yere of Kyng Harri the .vjte aftur the conqueste xiijtht. to the wheche executoires, y bequethe eyther, x s' for her̛ labour̛. alsoo y bequ[e]the to Aneys Copursmytℏ a combe of yverie, & to Aneys hir̛ mayden̄, a russet kyrteƚƚ furred with lambe.

Probatum fuit presens testamentum coram nobis Iohanne Chichele, in Decretis & c̘, xxiijo die Mensis Nouembris, Anno domini Millesimo CCCCmo tricesimo quarto &c̘; commissa fuit admi[ni]stracio executoribus interius nominatis.

ROGER BORTON, OF HACKNEY, MIDDLESEX, 1434.

[To be buried in St. Austin's, Hackney. Gifts to the Church Altar and Bells, and to mend the Parish Highway. A Bullock and a brass Pot to each of his 2 Daughters. Residue to Wife.]

(More, 3 Comy. Court of London, lf. 412.)Testamentum: Rogeri: Borton: [In margin, lower.]

In the name of god, Amen: THe xxv day of November, the yere of our̛ lorde Millesimo CCCCmo xxxiiij, I, Roger Borton̄ of Hakeney,Now part of London, on the North-east, abuv Bethnal Green. In 1817, says David Hughson, "Hackney is a large village, two miles from London, and has several hamlets, as Upper and Lower Clapton, Daleston [Dalston], Shacklewell, and Homerton."—Walks through London, ii. 376.beyng̛ in good mynde, ordeyne & make my testamente in this maner: fyrst y betake my sowle to oure lord Ihesu crist̘, & to his moder seynt Mari, & my body to be beried̛ in the Chircheyerde of the parecℏ chirche of seynt Austyn̛ of Hakeney aboue seyde. Item y bequethe to the hye Auter of the same Churche xx d̛. Item y bequethe to the reparacion̄ of the Belles of the same Churche, xx d̛. Item y bequethe to the Amendynge of the hye wey in the same paresshe, xx d̛. Item y bequethe Agnes my dowghtur, my Don̄ Bullok̘, & I pot of bras of a galon̄. Item y bequethe Cristian my dowghtur, my red Bullok̘, & a pot of bras of I galon̄. And the Residue of my goodes & catelles, whatsoeuer they be, aftur my dettus ben payed, & this testamente fulfulled̛, I yeve & bequethe to Alyson̄ my wyf̘; whiche Alison̄, of this testament̘ y make my chef̘ executrice, & Thomas Goodyng̛ of Hakeney hir̛ coexecutur. These byn wytnesse: Thomas Goodyng̛, Richard Chapman, Adam Stambrygge, Iohn Burton̄, And other mo. wreton̄ the day and the yere above seyde

Probatum fuit presens testamentum coram nobis Iohanne Chichele, in Decretis Bacallaureo Reuerendo &c c̘, vij die Mensis Decembris, Anno domini supradicto &c c̘. commissa-que fuit Administracio omnium bonorum &c̘ executoribus interius nominatis.

RAUF HETH, OF HACKNEY, MIDDLESEX, 1434.

[To be buried in St. Austin's, Hackney. Gifts to that Church, its Parish-Clerk, and Poor, and Highways. Wife to have House at Hackney for life, and then it is to go to Testator's two Daughters. If they die under age, House to be sold, and Money to go for Testator's Soul. Residue to Wife.]

(More, 3 Comy. Court of London, lf. 414.)Testamentum: Radulphi: Heth: [In margin, lower down.]

In the name of god, Amen: The vj day of December in the yere of oure Lorde Ihesu crist Ml CCCC xxxiiijo, And in the xiije yere of the regne of Kyng̛ Henry the sexte, I Rauf̘ Hetℏ of the paressℏ of Hakeney in the Counte of Middlesex, beyng̛ of good mynde, ordeyne & make my testament conteynyng̛ my laste wyƚƚ, in this wyse: Fyrst̘, y bequethe and recommende my sowle vnto almygℏty god̛ my maker and savyour, and to his blissed moder̛ oure lady seint Marie, and to aƚƚ his seyntus, And my body forto be beryed̛ in the chircheyerd̛ of the paressℏ chirche of sey[nt] Austyn̛ of Hakeney aboveseyd̛. Item y be-quethe the hygℏ Auter of the same churche, xx d̛; Item to the werk̘ of the seyd churche, xx d̛; & to the paressℏ Clerk̘ of the same churche, xij d̛. Item y bequethe to be distribute among̛ porefolk̘ of the same paressℏ, for my sowle, xx d̛. Item I bequethe to the amendyng̛ of hyhe wayes in the same paressℏ, iij s' iiij d̛. Item y wiƚƚ that, aftur my decese, Anys my wyf haue & reioyse duryng̛ her̛ lyf aƚƚ my mesuage, with the curtylage and aƚƚ the appurtenance, set & lyeng̛ in the paressℏ of Hakeney aboue seyde. And aftur the deces of the same Aneys my wyf̘, I wiƚƚ that the foreseyd̛ messuage, with the curtylage, and aƚƚ the appurtenaunceȝ, remayne to Katerine & Iohane my dougheters, to haue and to holde to hem & to here heyres & assigneȝ for euermore; fforseen̛ alwey, that yf̘ the seyde Kateryne & Iohane my doughtres dye withinne laweful age, than̛ y woƚƚ that the seyd̛ mesuage, with the curtylage and all the appurtenauntȝ, be solde by myne executours, And themoney therof̘ comyng̛ be desposed̛ and distribute for my soule in werkes of almes, aftur the good discrecyon̄ of myn̛ executours. And the resydewe of aƚƚ my goodes & catalles, what-soeuer they bee, aftur my dettus byn̛ fuƚƚ payed̛, and this testamente fulfylled̛, y yeue & bequethe to the foreseyd̛ Anys my wyf̘; wheche Aneys, of this testamente y make my chif̘ executrice, and Ioℏn Borage hir̛ coexecutour; and y bequethe to the same Ioℏn Borage for his labour ij s'. In wytnesse of whiche thyng̛, to this my testamente y haue set my seeƚƚ. these been witnesses: Thomas Ruddok̘, Richard̛ Austyn̛, Ioℏn Batte, & other̛. wryton̄ & yoven̛ atte Hakeney the day & yere aboueseyd̛.

Probatum fuit testamentum supradictum coram nobis, Iohanne Chichele, in Decretis Bacallario & c̘, xxjo die Mensis Decembris, anno domini Mo CCCC xxxiiijo & c̘. commissa fuit administracio executoribus interius nominatis.

ROGER ELMESLEY, A WAXCHANDLER'S SERVANT, LONDON, 1434.

[To be buried outside the Porch-Door of St. Margaret Pattens, L. Tower St., with his name on his Tomb-stone. Gifts of money and a Torch to the Church. Gifts of Coals, Gown, Hood. To a Godchild, a Feather-bed, Blankets, Sheets, Pillows, Coverlets, Table-cloths, Towels, Napkins, Pewter Dishes and Sawcers, Cups, Silver Spoons, Basins, Candlesticks, eard Brass Pan, Banker, Cushions, Salt-cellar, Beads, Gilt Silver Crucifix, Ring with graspt Hands, Rack for roasting Eggs, Covercles, Table, Jointstools, a Primer to serve God with, and a Coffer. To others, Peacock Flivers (? feathers), Chests, Staff, Towel-roller, Chair, and Sconces. Symkyn Brownyng to look after the Godchild.]

(More, 3 Comy. Court of London, lf. 431 bk.)Testamentum: Rogeri: Elmesley: [In margin, lower down.]

In the name of the Fader̛ and the sone & the Holi goost, Amen! At the fest of seynt Nicolas & the translacion̄ of seynt Andrewe, of bothe translacion̄, that is to sei, the ix dai of Maij, the yere of owre lord a thousand̛ iiij hundred & xxxiiij / And the reyn̛ of our̛ lege lord̛ the kyng̛ Harre the sexte of his conquest, the xj yer, I, RogerElmesley, seruant sumtyme with Iohn Bokeler̛, wexchaundeler̛ of London, I the foreseyd Roger̛, in good hele of bodi & soule, & in good mynde, as y wiƚƚ answere a-fore god, make my testament in this wise / first y bequethe my soule to god almygti of heuene, & to his blessed moder seynt Mari, & to seynt Katerine, & to seynt Margrete, and to aƚƚ the holi compani of heuene, and my body to be beried vnder the ston with-oute the Dore of the porche,Of St. Margaret Pattens, in Little Tower Street (p. 137), in Billingsgate Ward. (p. 228) one other Lane, called S. Margaret Pattens, because of old time Pattens were usually made and sold: but of later time this is called Roode lane, of a Rood there placed, in the Churchyard of S. Margaret, whilest the old Church was taken downe, and againe new builded; during which time, the oblations made to this Rood, were imployed towards building of the Church.—Stow's Survey, ed. 1633 A.D.& my name wreton̄ ther-on̄ when y am ded̛. Also y bequethe to the werkes of the same churche of seynt Marget Patyns, iij s' iiij d̛, to haue my beryyng̛ ther, & the ston fre / Also i bequethe to the hi auter, of offerynges foryeten, xx d̛; Also to the klerk̘ of the forseyd churche, xij d̛ // Alsoo the foreseyd̛ churche, a torcℏ of my terment, for to brenne euery Sondai at the leuacion̄ at the hie masse // Also I bequethe to Iohn Wodrof & Alison his wyf̘, v quarteres of coles; & to Iohn Woderof my beste goune & my beste hod, & the forre in the same goune, if so be that he leue that time; & elles, seƚƚ hit, & do hit for the loue of god̛, & yeue to pore housholders in coles. More-ouer y bequethe to Robert Sharp goddis-child̛, a liteƚƚ fetherbed̛ & ij peire smale shetes, & a peyre of large shetes goode, & a peire MS. a peire a peire. of blankettes, & ij goode pelewes, on large, & another lasse and feire ybored̛, & a whit couerlit & a red couerlit, & a good bordclotℏ with crosse werk, & another bordclotℏ with mylyngis? millings, like those on the edge of a coin.at the ton̄ ende, in lenkethe ij ȝerdes; & on halfe large, & I toweƚƚ of parys werk̘, viij yerdes of lenkethe; also too the beste sanapes,Sanape, manutergium, hand-napkin. Nominale, in Hall.'s Gloss. also a plate of peautre & ij disshes of peautre, & ij sauseres of peautre & ymarked with .R. and̛ .S.; moreouer a litil maser̛ coppe, & I white coppe, & a spone of siluer̛ with-out mark̘, & a liteƚƚ basyn knopped̛, & iij candelstikes of latyn̛, & a litiƚƚ panne of brasse y-ered,With ears or handles. and a chaufur of bras, & a lytil posnet̘ of bras, & a bankar of blewe & blak̘, & iij quisshonus of the same colour vn-stopped̛; also a feir̛ salt saler of peautre with a feyre knoppe; also a peyre of̘ bedes of siluer with a crucifix of siluer and y-gilt; also a payre bedes of blak̘ gaudys of siluer & gilt, & a ryng̛ ther-on with clippyng̛ of ij handes, siluir & gilt; also a rake of yren̄ forto rost on his eyren, also a litiƚƚ couerkeƚƚFr. 'Couvercle: m. A Couer, or Lid.'—Cotgrave. A.D. 1611. for his coppe ygilt̘; also a whit couerkeƚƚ with roses & flourdeluces / also a litil tabel peynted̛ trestelwise; also a litil Ioyned stoƚƚ for a child, & a nother Ioyned stoƚƚ, large for to sitte on, whanne he cometℏ to mannes state; also a prymmer̛ for to serve god with; aƚƚso a litel cofur to putte in his smale thynges. Also i bequethe the same Robard̛, to Symkyng̛ Brownyng̛, Klerk̘, to goddis woshup & soule hele / And also if the foreseyd Robard̛ die with-ynne age, that the foreseyd̛ [lf. 432] goodes thet he shulde haue, [ben] I-sold̛ & I-yeuen̄ to pore pepeƚƚ in coles, as secoutors wil answere afore god // Moreouer y bequethe William Osberne the fliueres of pecok̘ // more-ouere y bequethe Maut Cokkeman my wyves forcet, & a staf̘ with an handeƚƚ // More-ouer y bequethe my roller for a toweƚƚ to Margery Bokeler̛; Also to Alison̄ Oxyn̛ my chayre, and to Robard Sharpe my peynted chest / Moreouer, sir Ioℏn Russhebrok̘ a skonceA light to hang against the wall. / an other̛ skonce to Symond̛ Brownyng̛. Here-oppon y make my seketoures, sir Ioℏn Russhebrok̘, chauntre prist of seynt Marget Patens, and Symond Brounyng̛, Clerk̘ of the same churche / I bequethe Iche of hem, for here trauayle, x s'. To this wittenesse thet this testament ys my ful wiƚƚ, Iwreten the dai a-fore seyd̛ that these neyboures wil bere witnesse theropon, thet is to sey / Ioℏn Hardynge, Grocer; William Ferroure, Brewer, and Thomas Colman, Talvchaundeler̛; Thomas Oxyn̛, hosier // And y pray yowe loki thys marke and thys Seeƚƚ, acorde as y Roger wyl answere afore god̛

Probatum fuit testamentum supradictum coram Nobis, Iohanne Chichele, in Decretis Bacallario &c̘, xviij die Mensis Maij, Anno domini Miƚƚesimo CCCC tricesimo quinto & c̘ / commissa-que fuit administracio omnium bonorum & [c̘] executoribus superius nominatis & c̘.

ISABELLE DOVE, 1434-5.

[Goods to bury her, and pay her debts and bequests. Residue to be kept till her husband comes home from beyond the sea.]

(More, 3 Comy. Court of London, lf. 379 bk.)Isabeƚƚ Dove. [In margin.]

Thys is the wiƚƚ o Isabeƚƚ Dove, lat the wyf of Thomas Dove, Citezein of London̛, made the xiij day of Marche, the yere of oure lorde Ml CCCCmo [x]xxiiij, that Geretrude de Lunhx, the wyf of William de Lunhx, Citezein & vinter of London̛, schuld̛ haue the godes of the seyde Isabeƚƚ In kepyng, for to brynge her̛ on erthe, to pay her̛ dettis, her̛ bequestis; and the remenant for to kepe to the vse of the husbondesa genitive? of the seyde Isabeƚƚ, vn-to his comyng̛ home fro beyonde the See, the seyd̛ godes in the Inuentare here remaynyng.

Probatum fuit hec voluntas coram I d., iiijo die Maij, Anno domini Millesimo ccccmo xxxiiijo & c̘; & commissa Administracio Geretrude de Lunhx secundum tenorem eiusdem.

[In margin is] habet acquietanciam. RICHARD BOKELAND, ESQ., OF ALL-HALLOWS THE GREATER, THAMES ST., LONDON, 1436.

[To be buried in Pardon Churchyard, St. Paul's. Two Oxford or Cambridge Priests to be paid to pray for Testator's Soul for 20 years. St. Gregory's Trental to be sung. Marble Tombstone to have Crest on, with 'Mercy and Grace.' Year's Mind to be kept for 20 years at St. Mary Ottery, Devonshire; and for 5 years by the 4 Orders of Friars in London. Gifts to Poor, and to All-hallows and St. Nicholas Cold-Abbey churches. A million Masses to be said for Testator's Soul. Gifts to London and Westminster Prisoners, to the Spital sick folk, and the Lazar-houses. Gifts to the Prioress of Cheshunt and the Canons of Waltham Abbey. £100 to Daughter, and £20 to each of her children. Legacies to Brother and other folk. Cheshunt Convent to have back its pledges free. Residue to Executors, two of whom get furd Gowns.]

(Luffenam, lf. 162.)Testamentum Ricardi Bokeland̛. [In margin.]

In the Name of god', Amen. The .v. day of August yn the yere of yowre Lord̛ Ml cccc xxxvj, And the xiiij yere of the Reigne of kyng̛ Henry sixt, I, Richard Bokeland̛, Squyer, beyng̛ yn Resonable heltℏ of body, & hoole of mynde, make my testament in manere as foloweth. Furst I betake my soule vnto god, my verray lord̛ & Saveour, & to his blessid moder̛ oure lady Saint Mary, and̛ to aƚƚ his saintes of heven̄; And my wrecchid̛ body to be beryed̛ at Pardon chirche-yerd̛ at saint Poules

Pardon Churchyard was on the N. side of St. Paul's. Paul's Cross was in it. Stow says of St. Paul's (Survey, 1633, p. 354):

'There was also one great Cloyster, on the North side of this Church, invironing a plot of ground, of old time called Pardon Church-yard; whereof Thomas More, Deane of Pauls, was eyther the first Builder, or a most especiall Benefactor, and was buried there.

'About this Cloyster, was artificially and richly painted the Dance of Machabre, or Dance of Death, commonly called the Dance of Pauls. . . In this Cloyster were buried many Persons, some of Worship, and others of Honour: The Monuments of whom, in number and workmanship, passed all other that were in that Church.....

'In the midst of this Pardon Church-yard, was also a faire Chappell, first founded by Gilbert Becket, Portgrave, and principall Magistrate of this City, in the reigne of King Stephen, who was there buried. Thomas More [? he whose Tomb is named abuv, p. 71, l. 7], Deane of Pauls, before named, re-edified or new builded this Chappell, and founded three Chaplaines there, in the reigne of Henry the fifth.'

This Pardon Church-yard of St. Paul's must not be confounded with that at the Charter-House, of which Stow says:

'This house [the Charter-house] he [Sir Walter Manny] founded upon this occasion: A great Pestilence [the Black Death] entring this Iland, began first in Dorsetshire, then proceeded into Devonshire, Somersetshire, Glocestershire, and Oxfordshire, and at length came to London, and overspread all England, so wasting the people, that scarce the tenth person of all sorts was left alive, and Churchyards were not sufficient to receive the dead, but men were forced to chuse out certeine fields for burials: whereupon Ralph Stratford, Bishop of London, in the year 1348, bought a piece of ground, called No mans land, which he inclosed with a wall of Bricke, and dedicated for buriall of the dead, builded thereupon a proper Chapell, which is now enlarged, and made a dwelling-house: and this burying plot is become a faire Garden, retaining the old name of Pardon Church-yard.'Stow's Survey, 1633, p. 477 b

—. yn London̛. Aƚƚ so y gif vnto þe warkes of Poules x ƚi. Aƚƚ-so y wuƚƚ that ther̛ be founden at þe vniuersitees of Oxonford̛ or Cambrigge, after þe discrecion of my wyf & executours, two gode honnest and vertuous preestes of conuersacioun, the terme of xx yere, prayenge for the soules of me, my fadyr, moder, broder, and for aƚƚ thoo that I am bounden̛ to pray for, eche of the saide preestes takynge yerly C s'., hauynge in Charge to seye euery friday a messe of þe trentaƚƚ, with Placebo and dirige, & the ix lessons. Item I bequethe xx marces vnto diuers preestes for to singe masses of the grete Gregorie trentale. See p. 31 abuv, note 1. Aƚƚ-so I woƚƚ þat there be leyde vpon my body a stone of Marble, witℏ the crest of my Armes þerupon̛, and aƚƚ-so witℏ thise wordes, 'Mercy and grace.' Aƚƚ-so y gif vnto the collage of saint Mary OttroyeSt. Mary Ottery. in Devenshire, xx ƚi, to be demened̛, xx s' þerof yerely in this wise: that euery yere durynge the terme of xx yere, my mynd, witℏ Placebo & Dirige & masse of Requiem to be doon oones, yevynge to euery chanon̛ beinge ther̛-at present viij d, to euery preest vj d, to euery secundary & clerc of the chircℏ iiij d, and to euery quarester ij d̛; And yf þer̛ leve any þynge of the said̛ xx s', to be delt to euery pouere man of that parissℏ ij d, and aƚƚ thoo pouere men to be at the Dirige & messe. Item y gif vnto the chirche of Alhalowen̛ the mor In Upper Thames St.yn London̛, where y am parisshen̛, x ƚi; And to the Personne of the same chircℏ, for myn oblacions forgeten̄, x ƚi. Item I gif vnto the warkes of saint Nicholas Coldabbey in London̛, 'Situate on the S. side of Old fish str. in the Ward of Queenhithe, within the Walls of London.... Mr. Stow says the word Coleabbey (which was added to distinguish this from other Churches of St. Nicholas) is corruptly so called, being more properly Cold bay (as a place exposed to the Weather), as Cold Harbour,' &c.—1708. E. Hatton, New View of London, ii. 440. 'It hath been called of many Colden Abbey, of some Cold Abbey, or Cold Bey, and so have the most ancient writings, as standing in a cold place, as Cold Harbor, and such like.'—Stow, p. 398. x marc̘. Item I beqwetℏ moneye for MlMl massesCan this mean 2000, and not 1,000,000? to be saide after my decesse, þat is to sey, to euery preest saynge for me þe dirige & a messe of Requiem, iiij d. Item I wol that the house of Freres prechours in London̛ haue euery yere durynge the terme of .v yere, xx s' to sey be note the dirige & messe of Requiem and ? 'and' for 'on my mynd day. And yn the same wise the saide som yerly vnto the white Freres, greye freres, & Austins,See note 1, p. 16 abuv. performynge the Dirige & messe a-foresaid̛. Item I gif to euery Prisoner beynge in Ludegate & Newegate iiij d; Item to the Abbottes prison̛ of Westmynstre xx s'; Item to the Prisoners of the Flete, xx s'; Item to the Prisoners of the Marchalse, xx s'.; Item to the Prisoners of the Kynggis bencℏ xx s'; Item to the seke peple beynge yn the spiteƚƚ houses of saint Thomas, saint Mary, & saint Bartilmeux of London̛, iij ƚi. Item to the howses of laȝare next aboute London̄, iij ƚi. Item I woƚƚ þat Dame Cicile Gifford̛, Prioresse of Chesthunt,Cheshunt 'occupies the S.E. angle of Herts,' and is 13 miles N. of London. Good fishing in the Reservoir there, says my boy. haue xl s'; and that euery nonne of the same house haue vj s' viij d, sayenge for me a dirige and a messe of Requyem by note. Item I woƚƚ þat sir Ioℏn Gifford̛, Chanon̛ of þe Abbey of Waltham,In Essex, 12 miles N. by E. of London. The 2nd Abbey was founded by Harold before 1060. haue xl s', & that euery Chanon̛ of the same house haue xx d̛, sayenge for me a dirige and a messe of Requiem by note. Item I woƚƚ þat my dougℏter Anneys Whityngham haue C ƚi and a stondynge cuppe gilt, shapp of a columbyn. The beautiful bell-like flower of Aquilegia vulgaris. Lin./ And also þat euery child̛ of hires lyvynge at the day of my decesse, haue xx ƚi. to there mariage. Item I wol þat my brother Cristofre Bokelond̛ haue xx ƚi, And his sone Thomas x ƚi. And to his other sone & a doughter, yf they lyve, eche of hem .v marces. Item that Ioℏn Yngram haue x marces; Item to William Cicil x marces; Item to Ioℏn Wanton̄ x marc̘; Item to Ioℏn Coggeshale x ƚi. Item I gif to maister Thomas Assℏweƚƚ xx s'. Item to Frere Wynchelsee xx s', Item to Frere Russeƚƚ of the Austins, xx s'. Item I wol to euery couple of man & wyf dwellyng at Ochecote, haue ij s', and to euery single man̛ & child̛ withyn the same parissℏ of Ochecote xij d. And to the Personne of the same parisℏ holdynge myn obbite durynge iij yere, Euery yere vj s', viij d. Item I gif to Thomas Yonge x ƚi, Item to Richard Clareƚƚ x ƚi, Item to Ioℏn Forest x marces, Item to Iacobo my seruaunt x marces, Item to Thomas Crouche v ƚi, Item to Ioℏn Cooke v marces, Item to William Pascaƚƚ xx s', Item to Ioℏn of the Stable xiij s, iiij d, Item to William of the Kechyn vj s', viij d, Item to Margaret of Ware xl s', Item to sir Robert Carlton̄ v marces, Item to Master Iohn̛ Trotter v marces, Item to sir Richard̛ my preest v marces. Item I wolle that the prioresse & the house of Chesthunt haue freely theire Weddys ayen withouten any mony payenge. And to the performynge of this my last wiƚƚ and̛ entent, I make myne executours,'Nomina executorum' in margin. Iohan my wyf, sir Ioℏn Tireƚƚ knygℏt, Maister Richard̛ Cawdray, clerc, Richard Quatermains, Ioℏn Melbourne, Thomas Rotheweƚƚ, Ioℏn Kempley, Thomas Pounde & Ioℏn Coggeshale. And I woƚƚ that eche of my said̛ Executours haue x ƚi, so that they be helpynge & assistynge vn-to my wyff for the execucion of this my last wille / And the Remenaunt of aƚƚ my godis, meuable and vnmeuable, I gif to the said̛ sir Ioℏn Tireƚƚ, maister Richard̛ Caudray, Richard̛ Quatermains, Iohn̛ Melbourne, Thomas Rotheweƚƚ, Thomas Pound̛ & Ioℏn Coggeshale. And y pray & Require aƚƚ you myn executours aforsaid̛, whicℏ I haue chosen, for true and parfayte Love, that ye fulfiƚƚ aƚƚ my wiƚƚ & entent aboue writen̄, truly & kyndely, for the loue of god, and as my trust is yn yow / Aƚƚ-so y wol that Thomas Rotheweƚƚ haue myn Prymour & myn purple goune furred with martrons.See p. 36 abuv, note 6. Aƚƚ-so I wol that Ioℏn Melbourne haue my scarlet goune furred̛ with martrouns. Aƚƚ-so y wol that my lord̛ Cromweƚƚ haue a pere of boteƚƚ of siluer & gilt / In witnesse of aƚƚ wicℏ þingis, I haue put herto my seal the day and yere aforesaid̛, beynge present in ferther wittenes, maister william Lycℏfeld̛, persone of Alhalowen the more, sir Iohn̛ Ioye, preest of the same chireℏ, Ioℏn Yngram, Thomas Yonge, and other.

Probatum fuit suprascriptum testamentum coram Magistro Iohanne Lyndefeld̛, Commissario &c̘, xvto die mensis Octobris, Anno domini Millesimo ccccmo xxxvjto. Et commissa fuit administracio Iohanne, relicte dicti defuncti, & discretis viris Thome Rotheweƚƚ, Thome Pound̛, & Iohanni Coggeshale, executoribus &c̘, Reseruata potestate &c̘. acquietati sunt.

RICHARD DIXTON, ESQ., OF SISCETRE, Cirencester: it used always to be pronounst 'Ciseter' till the name was printed in Railway Time-tables, and the Ry. Porters had to speak the name as it was spelt, to enable strangers to identify the place. It's 88 miles W. by N. from London.GLOSTERSHIRE, 1438.

[To be buried at Cirencester. Bequests of Vestments to Trinity Chapel there, and its Priests; also to the Convent at Usk, the Friars of Gloster and Hereford, the Abbots of Tewkesbury, Evesham, Malmesbury, &c.; Gifts of best Horse, Armour, coverd silver Cups, Gold Chain and Bracelet, Money, blue Cloth, furd Gowns, silver Arse-girdle, household Stuff, Horses, Clothing and Bedding, &c.]

(Luffenam, lf. 191 back.)Dyxton̄. [In margin.]

In the name of oure Lord Ihesu, Amen̛! The Viij day of August, the yere of the regne of our̛ soueraigne lord kyng̛ Harry the sixte after the conquest, the xvje. [1438.] I Richard̛ Dixton̛, squyer, hauyng̛ gode and resonable witte & discrecion, make, ordeyne, and dispose my last testament in this maner̛: Furst, I bequetℏ my sowle vnto god almygℏty, vnto the Blessyd Virgine his moder sainte Marie, & to aƚƚ the compaigne of heuene, & my body to be buryed witℏyn the new Chapeƚƚ of the Trinite at Siscetre. Item I bequetℏ to the saide chapeƚƚ of Siscetre a clotℏ of Siluer, and a blak clotℏ of Damask sengiƚƚ, & a gowne of Goldsmythes werk̘, for to make vestimentes & a C gertiers. Item I bequetℏ vnto iij prestes for to synge and pray for me duryng̛ the space of a yere yn the saide chircℏ of Siscetre, xx ƚi. Item I be-quethe vnto the Prioresse & Couent of the House of Vsk, Usk, in the co. of Monmouth, 13 miles S.W. from Monmouth, and 144 (W. by N.) from London.—Lewis. for to pray for me, x markes. Item I be-quetℏ vn to prestes and clerkes for to doo my seruice & exquies, & for almes for poure men̛, xx ƚi. Item I bequetℏ vnto the frere prechours of Gloucestre, for to fynde iij prestes of the same house duryng̛ a yere for to synge for my moder & for me, xx ƚi. Item I bequetℏ to the Grey Freres of Hereford̛ for to doo semblably for my moder and for me, xx ƚi. Item I bequetℏ vnto Maistre Thomas Radnore, x markes. Item I bequetℏ to the Abbot of TeukysburyTewkesbury, in Glo'stershire, 10 miles N.N.E. from Gloster, and 103 W.N.W. from London.an couuered cuppe gilt. Item to the Priour and Couent of the same house, xx ƚi. Item to the Abbot of Siscetre a couered cuppe of siluer gilt. Item to the Priour and Conuent of the same hous, xx ƚi. Item to the Abbot of EueshamEvesham, in Worcestershire, 13 miles N.E. from Tewkesbury, and 96 N.W. by N. from London. Evves, a swineherd in the service of Egwin, third bishop of Huicca, is said to have seen the Virgin Mary on the spot where the Abbey was built 702—709.—Lewis.a couuered cuppe of siluer gilt. Item to the Couent of the same hous, xx ƚi. Item to the Priour of Brade-stoke This priory stood in the Deanery of Malmesbury, co. Wilts. See Bacon's Liber. Regis. a couuered cuppe of siluer gilt. Item to the Conuent of the same hous, xx ƚi. Item to the Abbot of MalmesburyMalmesbury, in Wiltshire, 42 miles N. from Salisbury, and 94 W. from London. a couered cuppe of siluer gilt. Item to the Couent of the same hous, xx ƚi. Item I bequetℏ for my mynde day, xx ƚi. Item I bequetℏ to my Lord of York̘ iij of my best hors, to be chosen̛ either at Vsk̘ or at Wotton̛,Wotton under Edge (or under Ridge: is situated beneath a range of wellwooded hills) is in Glostershire, 19 miles S.S.W. from Gloster, and 108 W. by N. from London.—Lewis.x& aƚƚ my armeure. Item I bequetℏ to Iane Barre a cuppe of siluer couuered̛. Item to Elizabetℏ Mortymer̛ a cuppe of siluer couuered. Item to dame Anneys Leucℏ a cuppe of siluer couuered̛. Item to Elizabetℏ Bowers a cuppe of siluer couuered̛. Item to Agas Flegge a cuppe of siluer couuered̛. Item to Robert Greyndoor, squyer, my Serpe? Fr. 'Serpe, Serpentine, Serpent, couleuvre; d'où serpentelle petit serpent.' —Roquefort. Hippeau also gives 'Serpe, serpent.'of siluer and my cheyne of goold̛. Item to Iane Greyndoor̛ his wyf, a couered̛ cuppe of siluer, the wich I was wont to drynk of, and a Bracelet of Gold. Item to the new chapeƚƚ at Siscetre xx ƚi. Item I bequetℏ vnto the Abbot of Lanternam & his monkes, x markes. Item to the Priour of Golcleve? Goldcliff, a parish in Monmouthshire, 4 1/2 miles S.E. from Newport. A prior and 12 black monks were placed here from the abbey of Bec in Normandy, to which the Church was given, at Henry I's desire, by Robert de Chandos, who founded and endowd it in 1113. 'In 1442, after the suppression of Alien priories, it was made a cell to the abbey of Tewkesbury, and at the Dissolution possessed a revenue of £144 8s. 1d.'—Lewis. Lanternam, co. Monmouth. & his monkes, xx markes. Item to euerycℏ of my lordes iij chapeleyns xx s'. Item to sir Iohn̛ Trebeƚƚ my confessour, xx markes, to synge for me ij yere in an honest place, where so euer he wooƚƚ, and iiij yerdes of blew clotℏ. Item to the yomen̛ of my lordys chambre, xx ƚi. Item to the officers of my said lord̛ haƚƚ, pantrie, Seler, Boterie & Kechyn̛, xx ƚi. Item to maistre Robert Beaumont a cuppe couuered̛, chased̛ witℏ Rosys, beynge at the Fasterne. ? One of Testator's houses, or my Lord of York's. Item to my saide lord̛ seruantes of his stable, x mark̘. Item to A Ientiƚƚ woman̛ called Ionet Hawys, xx ƚi. Item to William Reueƚƚ a gowne of Blake, furred witℏ ficheux See p. 34 abuv, note 3. beyng̛ at the Fasterne, & xl s'. Item to Iohn̛ Mody a gowne of grene Damaske lyned̛, & a nother gowne of Russet furred witℏ blak, & xl s'. Item to ij prestes for to synge & pray for me yn the chircℏ of Wotton̛ durynge a yere, xx markes. Item to the werk of the saide chircℏ of Wotton̛, x mark̘. Item to the chircℏ of Lydyerd̛? Lidiard Millicent, or Lidiard Tregose, near Swindon, Wilts. x mark̘. Item to Edmond of Cornewayle an ersgerdyƚƚCompare Fr. 'Ceincture à crouppière. A belt, arming girdle, or sword girdle of the old fashion.'—1611. Cotgrave. of siluer. Item to Ioℏn Russeƚƚ, squyer, a gowne of Rede Damaske furred witℏ martrens, & a cuppe of siluer couuered̛. Item to Thomas Barnaby a cuppe of siluer couuered̛. Item to my seruant Iohn̛ Buelt, vj markes, & I gowne of Russet medley furred witℏ blak. Item to my wyf, aƚƚ my stuff̘ beyng̛ at the Fasterne, except a sangwen̛ gowne furred witℏ martres, and the thyngys aboven̛ rehersed̛. Item my fuƚƚ wyƚƚ & entent is, that the saide Iohn̛ Russeƚƚ haue & reioyceenjoy. for euer more aƚƚ the lyuelode that meuetℏ of his moder after her̛ deces. Item aƚƚ myn̛ owne lyuelode to remeyne to my next heires. Item I woƚƚ that Edward Blundeƚƚ, squyer, of Worcestreshire, haue .L. mark, & vj cuppes of syluer, euery cuppe weynge a mark & a half of Troye, for to dispose the same gode for his sone Richard̛ Blundeƚƚ, of whos sowle god haue mercy. Item to Thomas Cleuche? Clenche. xl s'. Item to Richard of the Warderobe, xl s'. Item to Iohn̛ of Pantrye vj mark̘. Item to William Wasteƚƚ xl. s'. Item to William Estynton̛ vj mark̘. Item to Watkyn Hardyng̛ vj mark. Item to Hewe Dawesy .vj mark̘. Item to Harry Meyre vj mark̘. Item to Ibex, C s'. Item to Iohn̛ Hewys xl s'. Item to Iohn̛ Danyeƚƚ xl s'. & a litiƚƚ bay hors. Item to Edward xl s'. Item to Iohn̛ of Nokys xl s'. Item to Water Parker̛ xl s. Item to Liteƚƚ Pers xl s'. Item to Elizabetℏ Belliers a scarlet gowne furred witℏ foynes. 'Fouinne: f. The Foyne, wood-Martin, or Beech-Martin.'—Cotgrave. 'Marte: f. The beast called a Martin. Martes sabellines . . . Sables.'—ib. See p. 36 abuv, note 6.Item to Richard of the warderobe, the fourthe best hors that I have. Item to the saide Watkyn̛ Hardyng̛ a gowne of scarlet witℏ slyt slyues y-furred, and my cuttydgelded.hors. Item to the saide William Estynton̄ a scarlet gowne & a hors. Item, aƚƚ my clothynge & werynge harneys and beddynge at Vsk, I woƚƚ that the saide Watkyn̛ and William departe by-twene hem & here felawes, as they seme that goode ys, & that they delyuery to Hew Dausey an hoby & a gowne of grene damaske, and to euery of myn other men̛ an hors, whiles ther ben eny. Item y woƚƚ that my howke? hooke, huke, hamus. Pr. and Cath. of siluer be sold̛, and do for my sowle. Item to Iohn̛ Clerk, & Iohn̛ Cook, seruent to the saide Robert Greyndoor̛, xiij s' iiij d. And that this my last wyƚƚ & testament be fullfilled & acomplesshid of aƚƚ my goodys & catellesnot bequethyn ne specefied̛, I make & ordeyne Gyles of Brugge,Giles Brugge, alias Bruges (i. e. Brydges), of Coberley, now Cubberley, Gloucestershire, 4 miles from Cheltenham, afterwards knighted.—H. Round.squyer, sir Water Bagge, person̛ of Brynkewortℏ,Brinkworth, a parish in the hundred of Malmesbury, county of Wilts, 4 1/4 miles (W.N.W.) from Wootton-Basset.—Lewis. Richard Warneford and William Prelett of Siscetre, my trew and lawfuƚƚ executours; and to euery of hem for her̛ labour x mark̘, to ordeyne and dispose for my sowle yn the best wyse that hem semetℏ to be doon̛ / as they woƚƚ answere be-fore god. In witnesse of wicℏ thyng̛, to this my present testament I haue put to me seale.

Probatum fuit istud testamentum coram Magistro Iohanne Lyndefeld̛, xxjo die mensis Octobris, Anno domini Millesimo ccccmoxxxviijo. Et commissa fuit administracio Willelmo Prelet, executori, &c̘; Reseruata &c̘; ac vicesimo Nouembris tunc proximo sequenti acquietatus [fuit].

NICHOLAS CHARLETON, OF LONDON, SKINNER, 1439.

[To be buried before St. Paul's Cross. Gifts to St. Paul's and St. Augustine's churches, and to 3 Orders of Friars, for 3 Trentals of Masses. 1000 hapeny Loaves for poor men. Money to Brotherhoods of Corpus Christi and Mary in the Skinners' craft. Wax for lights in St. Austin's Lady-chapel. 20s. each to Apprentices and Servant. Gowns of Skinners' craft to friends. 3s. 4d. each to Brotherhoods of St. Nicholas of Parishclerks, and St. John of the Tailors. Residue: two-thirds to Wife; one-third for Testator's Soul.]

(Luffénam, lf. 202 back.)Carleton̄.

In the name of god, Amen̄! the xviij day of the monthe of May, In the yere of oure lord̛ Ihesu a Ml cccc xxxix, and yn the xvij yere of the Regne of kyng̛ Henre the sext, I, Nicholas Charleton̛, Citezein & Skynner of London̛, yn hole & good mynde beyng̛, thonked be aƚƚ myghty god̛, ordeyne And make my testament of my last wyƚƚ in this forme that folowetℏ. First I be-quetℏ my soule to aƚƚ-myghtty god, my maker, our̛ lady seynt Mary, and to aƚƚ seintes of heven̛, and my body to be buryed̛ in Powles grete chirchehawe of london̛ be-fore the crosse. It stood on the North side. And I bequetℏ to the new werk of the same chircℏ, xx d./ And to the higℏ auter of seynt Austyns chircℏOn the N. side of Watlin str., and the E. side of Old Change, in the Ward of Farrendon within, i. e. within the Walls of London, near St. Paul'sCathedral. II. The Denomination was given to this Church, in Memory of St. Austin (not the Father who was Bishop of Hippo in Africa, but as is most probable) the Monk, who was called by some the English Apostle; being by Gregory, Bishop of Rome, about the year 596, sent with Miletus and 40 more to England to convert the Pagan Saxons to Christianity.—1708. Hatton, New View of London, i. 136, a.Church burnt in the Great Fire, 1666, rebuilt by Wren. ther̛ y am paresshen, for my tithes and offryng̛ necligently for-yeten̛, vj s' viij d. And I wiƚƚ and ordeny, that yn aƚƚ hast possible after my decesse, that I haue iij Trentales of masses songen̛? MS. singen. for my sowle in thre howses of Freres of London̛, that is to sey, the prechours, white ffreres, and grey ffreresSee abuv, p. 16, note 1. / and I be-quetℏ þerfore to eche hous of thre, xl d̛. And I be-quetℏ a Ml of halpeny lovys to be yove to pore men be my executours withynne xij monthe after my decesse, þat is to sey, to euery pore man that cometℏ, a loof / Aƚƚ-so I be-quetℏ to the brederhede of my craft of Corpus Christi, to the comune Box þer-of, vj s, viij d, And to þe Comune box of the brederhede of oure lady yn my crafte, vj s'. viij d̛. All-so I be-quetℏ to euery prisoner yn the prison̛ of Ludgate, And ecℏ of the ij Countours of London̛,Counters, are 2 Prisons for the use of the City, viz. the Mayor and Sheriffs Courts [namely, 1.] Poultry Counter. A Prison situate in the Poultry, London, where not only Debtors upon Actions in the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs Courts, but such as disturb the Peace of the City in the Night, are committed. It hath been a Prison for some hundreds of Years past, and might possibly be called Counter,because those there detained were obliged to account for the Cause of their Commitment before they were set at liberty. [2. Bread St., later] Wood-street Counter. A Prison . . . for Debtors and Night-ramblers that disturb the Peace. This Prison was in Bread-str. till removed hither in the Year 1555, by virtue of an Act of Common-Council held the 19th of September, 3 and 4 of Phil. and Mary.—Hatton (A.D. 1708), New View of London, ii. 744, 759, 783. a loof of a pownde,MS. 'bb' with a line thru, like ƚƚ. to be delyd when corn is of resonable price withyn a yere after my decesse. Aƚƚ-so I devyse . & ordeyne a C ƚb wex to mynystere and̛ to serue to the vse of the SalueSalve Maria. For a history and examples of this devotion, see 'Our Lady's Dowry,' by Rev. T. E. Bridgett, pp. 168—170, 173, 174 (1st edit. 1875). (There is an interesting example of a promise of choir boys singing the Salve in Louth's 'Life of William of Wickham,' Appendix, xvi.) See also, for further information about the devotion, in 'Pietas Mariana Britannica,' by Edmund Waterton, F.S.A. 1879. Part I. pp. 139—141; Part II. pp. 76, 87, 88. Dr. Rock, in his 'Church of our Fathers,' also speaks of this devotion; see Vol. II. pp. 442, 443; Vol. III. pp. 275—279. The example given on pp. 442, 443, Vol. II., is also quoted in 'Our Lady's Dowry.'—M. L. See Notes below. of oure lady chapeƚƚ yn the said chircℏ of seynt Austyns, that is to sey, ij Tapers to stonde on the Auter of our̛ lady, eche of the ij taperys of a pownde weygℏt / þer to be lighte and brenne at SalueSalve Maria. For a history and examples of this devotion, see 'Our Lady's Dowry,' by Rev. T. E. Bridgett, pp. 168—170, 173, 174 (1st edit. 1875). (There is an interesting example of a promise of choir boys singing the Salve in Louth's 'Life of William of Wickham,' Appendix, xvi.) See also, for further information about the devotion, in 'Pietas Mariana Britannica,' by Edmund Waterton, F.S.A. 1879. Part I. pp. 139—141; Part II. pp. 76, 87, 88. Dr. Rock, in his 'Church of our Fathers,' also speaks of this devotion; see Vol. II. pp. 442, 443; Vol. III. pp. 275—279. The example given on pp. 442, 443, Vol. II., is also quoted in 'Our Lady's Dowry.'—M. L. See Notes below. tyme as longe as the saide C ƚb weigℏt of wex wiƚƚ dure / And I wyƚƚ that Thomas Gloucestre my brother, that is myn executour, and the wardeyns of Seynt Austyns chircℏ a-fore-saide sussessiffly beyng̛, haue the gouernance of the saide wex and ligℏt in maner̛ a-boue writen̛ / Aƚƚ-so I be-quetℏ to eche of myn apprentice dwellyng̛ & stondyng̛ witℏ me yn maner of a-prentys at tyme of my diyng̛ xx s'. Aƚƚ-so I be-queth to Thomas Bayle, my seruant xx s' / Aƚƚ-so I be-quetℏ to Thomas Dymmok̘, Skynner, of Glowcestre, my best gowne of the lyuere of Skynners craft, botℏ furre and cloth, yif he be alyve; And to Watkyn̛ Assℏweƚƚ my secunde best furre and gowne / Aƚƚ-so I wyƚƚ that Nicholas Wylde be holpen̛ and relyved̛ of my gode, after the avyse of Thomas Glowcestre my brother / And yf hit so be that eny of the saide personys that I haue made be-quest to, dye a-fore my decesse / than I wiƚƚ that the same goodys of hym or theym̛ that so deytℏ, be distribuyd̛ in to iij partyes by myn executours, that is to sey, oo parte to the almesse of the bretherhedes of Corpus Christi, and oure Lady, of my craft; the secunde part to the Wardeyns of Seynt Austyns chircℏ, to the vsé of the same chircℏ / And the thirde parte to be demenyd̛ and yoven̛ by Thomas Gloucestre, my brother and my Executour, to pore peple of the paressℏ of Seynt Austyns a-boueseid̛, and oþer paresshe, there as nede is / Aƚƚ-so I be-quetℏ to the brederhede of seynt Nicholas founded by paressℏ clerkes in London̛, iij s' iiij d / Aƚƚ-so to the bretherhede of seynt Iohn̛ of the Craft of Taillour[s] of London̛, iij siiijd // And the residue of aƚƚ my other goodes, catalles and dettes, that be not be-qwethen̛ above / after þat my dettes be paide, my byryng̛ aƚƚ-so, & expenses funeralx done, and this testament fulfilled̛ / I be-quetℏ and wiƚƚ þat hit be devyded̛ be myn executours yn-to iij parties, wherof ij parties I be-quetℏ to Iohan̛ my wyff, to haue and to hold̛ to her̛ for euermore, in the name of her part and dowyer of my godes to her yn eny wyse be-langgyng̛ / And the third party of the same residue, I bequetℏ to myn executours, be theym to be disposyd̛ in masses, almes, and werkys of charite for my sowle and aƚƚ tru cristyn sowlys, as they hope best pleyse god witℏ. And of þis testament I make myn executours, þat is to sey, Thomas Gloucestre, Clerk, my brother, William Allard̛ and Thomas Aston̛, Citezeins and Skynners of London / And y be-quetℏ to eche of my seide executours for his labor̛ in this party to be had̛, C s'. In-to the witnessyng̛ of wiche thyng̛, to this testament I haue set my sele. Writen̛ at London̛ the day and ȝere a-boueseyde / Aƚƚ-so, ouer the premisses, I, the saide Nicholas Charleton̛, ordeyne, assigne, and be-quetℏ be this testament, to þe saide Iohn̛ my wyf, the termys and state comyng̛ of & in aƚƚ the tenement with thappurten[au]ntȝ that I dweƚƚ ynne in Watlyngstrete yn the saide paressℏ of seint Austyn̛, the wich I hold̛ to fermeOn lease. of the mayster and couent of seynt Bartholomews spiteƚƚ be-side West Smytℏfeld̛ of London̛, to haue and to hold̛ to þe saide Iohn̛ the seide termes, state, and tenement witℏ thappurtenauntȝ, duryng̛ her lyf, oonly yf the termes þer-of last so longe, She beryng̛, yeldyng̛, payng̛ and supportyng̛ þerof þe ferme yerely, and oþer charges duryng̛ her̛ lyf, as I am bound to do be wrytyng̛ to þe said maister and Covent/.

Probatum fuit istud testamentum coram Magistro Iohanne Lyndefeld̛ / Commissario &c̘, tercio die mensis Iulij, Anno domini Millesimo ccccmo tricesimonono. Et commissa fuit administracio bonorum huiusmodi &c &ctee; executoribus in eodem testamento nominatis, et habent [&c].

COUNTESS OF WARWICK, 1439.This will is abstracted in Testamenta Vetusta, 1826, i. 239.

[To be buried in Tewkesbury Abbey, to which, Testatrix gives her head-jewels. Her Statue to be made naked, with Mary Magdalen, St. John, and St. Anthony near, and poor Men and Women about her Tomb. Gifts to the shrines of Tewkesbury, Caversham, Walsingham, Wo'ster, &c.; Other Jewels to be sold for the purposes of the Will. Gifts of Brooches and Money to legatees. Tewkesbury to be endowd with 100 marks. Reparation to be made for Testatrix's wrong-doing, if any.]

(Luffenam, lf. 212, back.)Comitissa Warr. In a later hand. Non acquiet[ati].

In dei Nomine, Amen. This is the testament and last wyƚƚ of Dame Isabeƚƚ, Countesse of Warrewyk̘, Isabel, daughter of Thomas Despencer, 2nd Baron Despencer (Earl of Gloucester, 1397, beheaded at Bristol by the rabble, 1400), by a grand-daughter of Edward III. Heiress to her brother Richard 1414. Married (1) Richard de Beauchamp, Lord Abergavenny (Earl of Worcester, 1420), and (2) his cousin Richard de Beauchamp, 5th Earl of Warwick (Earl of Albemarle, 1417), Lt.-Genl. of France and Normandy 1435 (d. 30 Ap. 1439. See, for a note of his will, p. 134). She was mother of Henry, Duke of Warwick (1444) and King of the Isle of Wight, and mother-in-law of Warwick the King-maker.—J. H. Round.made at London̛ the furst day Decembr, the yere of oure lord̛ Ml CCCC xxxix. Furst I bequetℏ my sowle to aƚƚ-myghty god̛, and my body to be beryed̛ In the Abbey of Tewkesbery, yn sucℏ place as I haue assyngned̛.Her husband was buried in St. Mary's, Warwick, where his magnificent monument is still to be seen.—J. H. Round. And that my grete temply Fr. Templettes: f. Fillets, or head-bands for women; also, Jewells hanging vpon their forheads by bodkins thrust into their haire.—1611. Cotgrave. with the BaleysPale or peach colourd rubies.—Dugdale. A Balass Ruby is a term derived from the French "un rubis balais," i. e. couleur de vin paillet (light red wine). Balais is now used as an adjective, but was, in the 15th century, a substantive. See P. de Commines' account of the rout of Morat (1476): "Ils gagnèrent trois balais pareils, appelés les trois frères; un autre grand balai appelé la hotte; un autre, appelé la balle de Flandres," &c., &c.—J. H. Round.be sold̛ to the vtmest pryse, and delyueryd̛ to the sayde Abbat and the howse of Tewkesbery, so they groche noȝt with my lyenge, and witℏ suche thyng̛ as y woƚƚ haue done a-bowt my body. And my Image to be made aƚƚ naked̛, and no thyng̛ on my hede but myn̛ here cast bakwardys, and of the gretnes and of the fascyon̛ lyke the mesure that Thomas Porchalyn̛ hatℏ yn a lyst, and at my hede Mary Mawdelen̛ leyng̛ my handes a-crosse, And seynt Iohn̛ the Evangelyst on the ryght syde of my hede; and on the left syde, Seynt Anton̛, and at my fete a Skochen̛ of myn Armes departyd impaled.—J. H. Round.witℏ my lordys, and ij Greffons to bere hit vppe;Supporters were then coming into fashion, but were not yet strictly hereditary, being often, as in this case, selected by individuals. The Griffin was a monster in much favour. Simon Segar says of it, "This beast, havinge attayned unto his full strength & growth, somuch disdaineth vassalrey and subjection, That hee will never be surprised alive, Thereby lively sheweinge forth his magnanimous twofold kingely spirit, as well of ye Lion as of ye Eagle."—J. H. Round. And aƚƚ a-bowt my tumbe, to be made pore men̛ a[n]d wemen̛ In theire pore Array, with their̛ bedys In theire handes. Aƚƚ so I woƚƚ ther̛ be made of my grete sharpe,Sharpe. Halliwell—Glossary: Sharp (5)—guesses it as 'a sword'! A nice article for Lady Warwick to wear, and order to be turnd into a Chalice! It must be a gold or silver baldrick, girdle, or collar. Fr. 'Escharpe: f. A Scarfe; a Baudricke.'—Cotgrave.A Chaleys, and offryd̛ to our̛ Lady In our̛ lady Chapeƚƚ of the Howse of Tewkesbery. Aƚƚ-so I woƚƚ oure lady of CauershamCaversham (pronounst Cawsham) in the co. of Oxford, 7 1/4 m. S.W. by S. from Henley upon Thames, and 1 1/2 m. N. from Reading, in the County of Berks. 'The Church here was Part of the first Endowment of the abbey of Notteley in Buckinghamshire, A.D. 1162, and afterward the Manor and a good Estate coming to them, here seems to have been a Cell to that Monastery, which was enriched by the Offerings made in the Chapel of Our Lady here, wherein (saith Dr. London, one of the Visitors, temp. Hen. VIII) was a famous Relic shown by one of the Canons, viz. the Angel with one Wing, which brought to Caversham the Spear Head that pierced Our Saviour on the Cross.'—Tanner's Not. Mon. in Carlisle's Topogr. Dict. That 'one Wing' is hardly beaten by any modern advertisement. It would be workt from side to side like a scull in the stern of a skiff, I suppoze.haue a crowne of gold̛ I-made of my cheyne that weytℏ xxv ƚi, witℏ-yn my panyer̛, and witℏ other broken̛ gold̛ that is ther In, and ij tabelettes, the tone of seynte Katryne, And the tother of seynt George; And the stonys that bene In hem, to be sett yn the saide Crowne. Aƚƚ so I woƚƚ the tabelet with the Image of oure lady with a glasse to-fore hit, be offred to our̛ lady of Walsyngham,Little or New Walsingham, in Norfolk. 'The famous Chapel here, dedicated to the Annunciation of our Lady, was built A.D. 1061, by the Widow of Richoldis de Favarches, in Imitation of that at Nazareth, and therein was placed a Prior and Convent of Black Canons by her son Geffrey, temp. Will. Conq.... Robert Pigot of Little Walsingham, by his Will dated A.D. 1492, gave an House in or near this Town, for the Use of two leprous Persons of good Families. And from that Time the Hospital or Lazar House of Walsingham is often mentioned in the old Will Books.—Here was an House of Franciscan or Grey Friars, founded about the year 1346, by Elizabeth de Burgo, Countess of Clare, the Foundress of Clare Hall, Cambridge.'—Tanner's Not. Mon. in Carlisle's Top. Dict. and my gowne of grene Alyr̛? Alyre. cloth of gold̛ with wyde sleves, And a tabernacle aƚƚ-so of syluer, lyke as the tymbur is In maner ouer oure lady of Cauersham / Aƚƚ-so I woƚƚ the grete Image of wex that is at London̛ be offred to our̛ lady of Worcestre. and my weddynggown̄ And aƚƚ my clothis of gold̛, and clothis of silke, with-oute ffurrereur, euerychon, I woƚƚ the howse of Tewkesbery haue hem, saue my Russet vellewet, I woƚƚ Seynt Wynfryde haue. Aƚƚ-so I woƚƚ that aƚƚ my stonys and perles be sold̛ to parforme my wyƚƚ, And̛ aƚƚ myn̛ other syluer vesseƚƚ and godys, saue ? MS. what.that is profitable for pore folkes. Aƚƚ-so I woƚƚ that euery man̛ and person̛ that hath estate In eny land̛ by wey of graunt or feeffement to myn̛ vse, or In my name, make an estateof aƚƚ hit, or Relese aƚƚ hit, to suche personys that I woƚƚ and ordeyne to haue the execucion̛, & ben the executours, of this my last wiƚƚ and testement̘ / Aƚƚ-so I woƚƚ that Iane Newmarcℏ haue CC mark̘ in gold̛, And I to bere aƚƚ Costes as for her̛ bryngynge yn-to seynt Katrens, or where-euer she woƚƚ be elles. And aƚƚ-so I woƚƚ my sone Harry haue myn oyche'an Ovche; limula, limule, monile.'—Catholicon. See Mr. Herrtage's note, p. 262-3: 'a carcanet, or ouch to hang about a gentlewoman's neck, segmentum.'—Baret. Fr. ouche, 'oche, coche, entaille; ocher, cocher, faire des entailles.'—Hippeau. 'Oche: f. A nicke, nocke, or notch.'—Cotgrave. with my grete diamond̛, and my NoycℏSee Way's long note on 'Nowche, Monile,' in the Promptorium, p. 359: 'Nouche, or broche, afficquet.'—Palsgrave. witℏ my Baleys. Item I woƚƚ Elysabetℏ Keston̛ haue xxiiij [= 80] marke paid to Norman Waschebourne for her̛ mariage. And yef he gruche therwith, the mater so to be laboryd / and sewyd / that he be constrayned̛ ther to do hit / Aƚƚ-so I woƚƚ the saide Elizabeth haue, for the labour sche hatℏ had̛ a-bowot me yn my Sekenysse, xx markes. Aƚƚ-so I woƚƚ Margaret Morgan̛ haue C markes. Aƚƚ-so I woƚƚ that the maister of devenyte haue xx ƚi for hym self̘, & to dispose wher̛ hym lyst. Aƚƚ-so I woƚƚ Colyer haue C ƚi. Item I woƚƚ Halfhide haue C ƚi. Aƚƚ-so I woƚƚ Basset haue C mark̘. Aƚƚ-so I woƚƚ Wiltshire haue C mark̘. Aƚƚ-so I woƚƚ Colyn̛ of my Chambre haue xx ƚi. Aƚl-so I woƚƚ ther be fownde a prest syngyng̛ for me vij ȝere at Mary Maudelene of the holt. Aƚƚ-so I woƚƚ ther be delyueryd to the Bishope of Herford̛ C markes, & more and hit nede be, to parforme suche thynges as I haue prayed̛ hym̛ to do for me. Aƚƚ-so I woƚƚ that myn̛ executours enmorteseFr. amortir . . to graunt, alien or passe away, in Mortmaine.—1611. Cotgrave. Lat. 'Admortizatio, Prædiorum translatio in manum mortuam, seu prædiorum acquisitio facta a monasteriis et collegiis religiosis, vel etiam laicis.'—D'Arnis.vnto the howse of Tewkesbery C mark̘, or xl ƚi of gode lyvelode, to fynde certayne prestes sertayne almes and sertayne observaunce that I woƚƚ haue done for me In the saide howse / Aƚƚ-so I woƚƚ that they that haue, or schuƚƚ haue, estate in my land̛ to the execucion of this my last will, Restore and make dew assitheSatisfaction, reparation. for aƚƚ maner land̛ that is holden̛ by me or yn my name wrongfully, yef eny be, (whecℏ god for-bede and defende;) And aƚƚ-so that the[y] repare aƚƚ maner extorcion̛ by me doon̛, yef eny be / And aƚƚ-so that my dettes be furst paide of eny thyng̛, and that my seruantes that haue no fee of me, terme of lyf, be rewarded̛ after the discrecion̛ of the executours of this my last wiƚƚ. And aƚƚ the gode and money that is dewe to me at this tyme, I woƚƚ be delyueryd̛ to myne executours to parforme my wiƚƚ. Aƚƚ-so I woƚƚ, ordeyne, assigne and name, to parforme and fullyche to execute and to done this my present wiƚƚ, and aƚƚ that is conteyned ther-yn, sir William Mountfort, Iohn̛ Nansan̛, Iohn Norreys, and William Menston̛; And I require hem aƚƚ, and eueryche of hem, that they do trwly and feithfully theyre part and dever [? MS.] to execute and parforme this my last wiƚƚ, as they aƚƚ and euerycℏ of hem woƚƚ Answere a-fore god at the day of dome. In witnessyng̛ and verrey a-prefAprooval, confirmation. wherof, my last wiƚƚ by me examyned̛ and closid̛ at London̛ the furst day of Decembre, the xviij yere Rengnyng̛ of our̛ souereyn̛ lord̛ Kyng̛ Harry the vjth, I haue put the seaƚƚ of my Armes.

Probatum fuit istud testamentum coram magistro Iohanne Lyndefeld̛, Commissario &c̘, quarto die mensis Februarij, Anno domini Millesimo CCCC xxxixo, Et commissa fuit administracio &c̘ domino Willelmo Mountfort militi, & Willelmo Menston̛ &c̘, Reseruata postestate &c̘; & habent xiijm diem mensis Maij proximum futurum. Inuentarium exhibitur̛ coram Reuerendissimo in christo predicto, &c.;

SIR RALPH ROCHEFORT, 1439.

[Personalty. Best Horse as a Burial-fee. 20s. each to Lincoln Cathedral, and St. Giles's, Cripplegate. Gold sapphire Ring to the Bishop of Lincoln. Vulture's-egg cup to Lord Cromwell. Money to a Convent and 2 Churches. Residue to Executors, for Testator's Soul. (Will of Realty, p. 121.)]

(Luffenam, lf. 215, bk.) [Latin Testament of some Personalty.]

In dei Nomine Amen. Vicesimo sexto die mensis Marcij, Anno domini Millesimo CCCCmo tricesimonono, Et Anno regni Regis Henrici sexti post conquestum Anglie decimo septimo, Ego, Radulphus Rochefort, Miles, in bona et sana memoria existens, condo, facio, ordino & constituo presens testamentum meum in hunc modum: In primis lego & recomendo animam meam deo omnipotenti, creatori et saluatori meo, beateque Marie Virgini matri eius, & omnibus sanctis, corpusque meum ad sepeliendum vbicunque deus, ex sua gracia speciali, pro me disponere voluerit. Item lego nomine mortuarij mei, meum optimum equum. Item lego matrici ecclesie Lincolnie, xx s'. Et lego fabrice ecclesie sancti Egidij extra Crepulgate,'Now without the Posterne of Creplegate [London], first is the Parish Church of Saint Giles, a very faire and large Church, lately repaired, after that the same was burned, in the yeere 1545.'—Stow's Survey, 1633, p. 312 b.Here was Oliver Cromwell marrid (Aug. 20, 1620), and these folk burid: Milton (1674), his father (1646), Sir Martin Frobisher (1594-5), Fox the Martyrologist (1587), and J. Speed the Topographer (1588).—Cunningham. xx s' argenti. Item lego Reuerendo patri ac domino meo, domino Willelmo, dei gratia, Lincolnie episcopo, vnum anulum auri cum uno magno saphiro. Item lego domino Radulpho Cromweƚƚ, Sir Ralph de Cromwell, Knt., of Tatteshall, co. Linc., 4th Lord Cromwell, and Treasurer of the King's Exchequer: died sine prole, 1455.—J. H. R. domino de Tateshale, Thesaurario Anglie, meum ciphum vocatum 'grypys ey.'A Gripe's or Vulture's egg. See two like bequests by the priest John Sturgeon, to his sister and cousin, in the last Will, below, A.D. 1454, p. 133, 1. 4, 5. Item lego sororibus et pauperibus sancte Katerine, extra barras lincolnie, xiij s' iiijd. Item lego fabrice ecclesie de Stoke,? South Stoke or Stoke Rochford, in the Soke of Grantham, Parts of Kesteven, Co. of Lincoln . . . Church ded. to St. Andrew and St. Mary . . . It is 2 m. N.W. by N. from Colsterworth.—Carlisle.x ƚi. Item lego reparacioni capelle sancti Michaelis in le Fenne prope Boston̄, x ƚi. Residuum vero omnium bonorum meorum non legatorum, do & lego executoribus meis, quos facio, ordino, et constituo, Iohannem Tamwortℏ, Iohannem Langholme, Ricardum Leek, Willelmum Massyngham, Iohannem Rayncok clericum, Robertum Caileflete & Willelmum Stanlow. Superuisores vero huius testamenti & mee vltime voluntatis, prefatis executoribus per me recitatis & declaratis, ordino, constituo, rogo & specialiter requiro, predictum venerabilem patrem meum, Willelmum, Lincolnie Episcopum, & Radulphum dominum de Cromweƚƚ & de Tateshale, Thesaurarium Anglie, vt ipsi ordinent & disponent pro anima mea, prout melius viderint deo placere, & secundum exigenciam & declaracionem voluntatis mei [so] predicte. In cuius rei testimonium, huic presenti testamento meo sigillum meum apposui. Datum apud Manerium meum de Fenne, die & Anno supradictis.

[English Will of the Real Estate and Residue of Personalty.]

[Wife to have her Dower in his inherited Lands and a Rent-Charge of £20 a-year, if she behaves properly or marries well. If she claims Dower out of purchast Lands, her Rent-Charge to cease. Surplus Rents of 2 Lincolnshire Manors to go to Executors for 7 years. Sons to be traind at School, and then at Court.This was the alternativ to the University, and generally chosen in preference to it, for Gentlemen's sons. Entail of 3 different Estates on Sons Ralph, John, and Henry, with cross remainders between them; and if they die, their Mother living, remainder to her, with ultimate remainder to Testator's right heirs, or to be sold for the benefit of his Soul. Son Ralph to have 4 Lincolnshire Manors (p. 123); John, the lands bought of Sir Wm. Malery (p. 123); Henry, the lands bought of Sir Jn. Biron and others (p. 124),—but not till 8 years after Testator's death,—and also the lands in Southend, Boston (p. 125). Rent-charges given or confirmd to certain Servants and other folk. Profits of 2 Manors, and Personalty, to be uzed for Burial, Payment of Debts, Priests and Poor to sing and pray, keep Obit, give Wife 200 marks, and one-third his Plate and Moveables; son Ralph 500 marks to get a Wife, and John and Henry 300 marks each. Another third of Plate and Moveables, for the benefit of Sons; the last third for the purposes of the Will, and Testator's Soul. Executors to have £100 between em (p. 128). Sons interfering with the Will, to lose benefits under it. Old Will of 1436 to be referd to.]

This is the last wiƚƚ of Rauf Rochefort, Knygℏt. This is the second will in the 3rd person. See the first at p. 43.First, the saide Rauf wiƚƚ and ordeynetℏ and prayetℏ aƚƚ his ffeffees of aƚƚ his maners, londes and tenementes, rentes and seruices, withMS. will.aƚƚ theire appurtenaunces, in the Countes of Lincoln̛ and Warrewyke and elles where, to performe and fulfille his wiƚƚ yn̛ the forme ensuyng̛. First, he wiƚƚ that Margarete his wyf haue hir̛ laufuƚƚ dower̛ of aƚƚ his maners londes and tenementes, rentes and seruices, of his enheritaunce in the Countes for-saide, for terme of hir lif. Aƚƚ-so he wiƚƚ that the saide Margarete haue xx markes of laufuƚƚ money yerly out of the maners of Fenne and Skreynge, with their appurtenaunces, yn the Counte of Lincoln̛, ouer hir̛ dower forsaid, for terme of hir̛ lyf. Vnder this condicion, that she kepe hir̛ in honeste and worshupfuƚƚ gouernaunce, or elles that she be maried̛ to hir̛ worshipe and to hir̛ estate, by assent and Counsaiƚƚ of aƚƚ or of the most partye of his executours and Surveyours of his testament. And aƚƚ-so that she clayme no dower nor Ioyntfeffement, nor no thyng̛ do, ne wirke (that migℏt greue his heires or his executours) In no maner degree contrarie his wiƚƚ, nor that she claime no Iointestate in none other of his londes ne renteȝ of his purchace, nor in no londes ne tenementeȝ of his purchace, nor in no londes, tenementes nor annuities wicℏ he hatℏ graunted̛ to eny of his seruaunteȝ for terme of lyf or othir wyse. And if she doo the contrarie to eny thyng̛ of this his last wiƚƚ, or make eny clayme yn the contrarie ther-of, Than that she haue oonly but hir dowere of aƚƚ his maners landes and tenementes of his enheritaunce forsaid̛. And aƚƚ-so he wiƚƚ that all profytes and issues of the maners of Fenne, Skreyng̛, Stoke, and Arleye, with aƚƚ theire appurtenaunces, that levetℏremain. clerely ouer the dower̛ and the xx marc̘ forsaid by his graunte to the saide Margarete yn the forme forsaide, and ouer annuites wiche he hatℏ graunted̛ to eny of his seruauntes for terme of theire lyves, or other wyse, yn the saide maners,—wiche he wiƚƚ that thei stande yn their strenketℏ, after the forme of his graunte made by his lettres and his seal,—that the same profites and issueȝ be kept and delyueryd to the Executours handes for the terme of vij yere after his decesse. Item he wiƚƚ that his sonnes be susteyned̛ and kepte to scoles, and aftir to courte, by ouersigℏt and gouernaunce of his executours tiƚƚ they come to fuƚƚ age. And aƚƚ-so if the saide Margarete his wyff decesse or tyme Rauf his son̛ comme at full age, thanne aƚƚ her̛ dower̛, and the xx marc̘ yerely forsaid̛, to be kept to the sustenaunce of aƚƚ his Children̛ yn the maner and̛ fourme forsaide. And when Rauf his sone cometℏ to his fuƚƚ age, than he wiƚƚ that he haue aƚƚ the saide maners of Fenne, Skreynge, Stoke, and Arleye, in the fourme forsaid̛, witℏ aƚƚ theire appurtenaunceȝ, witℏ all other reuersions, what so euer they bee, wanne they falle to hym, and to the heres of his body laufully be-goten̛. And if he discesse without heires of his body laufully begoten̛, Thanne aƚƚ the saide maners, witℏ aƚƚ the saide Reuersions, witℏ their appurtenaunceȝ, in the fourme forsaid̛, remayne to Iohn̛ his son̛, and to the heires of his body laufully comyng̛. And yf the saide Iohn̛ decesse withoute heires of his body comyng̛, Than̛ he wiƚƚ that aƚƚ the maners forsaide, yn the saide fourme for-saide, remayne to Henry his sone, and to the heires of his body comyng̛. And if the saide Henry discesse witℏoute heires of his body comyng̛, Thanne he wiƚƚ that aƚƚ the maners for-saide, with aƚƚ their̛ appurtenaunceȝ in the fourme aforesaide, remayne to the saide Margarete his wif, if she lif; she to haue aƚƚ the saide maners, londes and tenementes, with aƚƚ their appurtenaunceȝ, for terme of hir lif / so that she kepe hir in honest and worshupfuƚƚ gouernaunce, and in suche maner and condicion as is before written̛. And aftir hir discesse, aƚƚ the saide maners, londes and tenementes, rentes and reuersions, to remayne to his next heire. Aƚƚ-so he wiƚƚ that aƚƚ the maners, londes and tenementes, rentes & seruices wicℏ he bougℏt of Sir William Malery, knygℏ[t], liyng̛ in Nortℏstoke,Stoke, North, in the Wapentake of Winnibriggs and Threo, Parts of Kesteven, Co. of Lincoln; in the Parish of Stoke . . . It is 2 3/4 m. N.W. by N. from Colsterworth.—Carlisle.with all their̛ appurtenaunceȝ, be keppit in his feffees and executours handes, Vnto tyme Iohn̄ his sone comme to fuƚƚ age; And the profitȝ ther-of comyng̛ in the mean tyme, ouer reparacions & expenses, to be keppid to his profite, and to be delyueryd vnto him whan he cometℏ at fuƚƚ age / with aƚƚ the saide manere, londes, tenementes, rentes and seruices, witℏ all the appurtenaunceȝ, to haue to hym and to the heires of his body comyng̛. And if [John] discesse witℏoute heire of his body comyng̛ / than he wiƚƚ that aƚƚ the same maners, londes, tenementes, rentes & seruices, with the appurtenaunces, remayne to Henry his sone in the fourme be-fore saide. And if he die witℏoute heires of his body comyng̛, or tyme he come to fuƚƚ age or aftirward̛, Thanne the saide maners, londes, tenementes, rentes & seruices, with the appurtenaunces, to remayne to Margarete his wyf for terme of hir lif; And̛ aftir hir discesse, to be sold̛ by the executours. And aƚƚ the money that may be resceyued̛ therof, that hit be done for his soule, by aduys of the executours, as they wiƚƚ answere be-fore god, to prestes and pore men̛, in almes dede, and other wise as hem thenk that best is for hele of his soule. And aƚƚ-so that aƚƚ those maners, londes, tenementes, wicℏ he hatℏ purchased̛ of Sir Iohn̛ Biron̛ in StokeSouth Stoke, or Stoke Rochford is 6 miles from Grantham, in Grantham Soke, Lincolnshire. and Obthorpe Obthorpe and Northorpe are 2 hamlets in the Parish of Thurlby, 6 miles N. from Market Deeping.—Moule, Engl. Counties Delineated, ii. 201 a. & Thurleby There are 2 Thurlbys in Kesteven: 1. Thurlby, in the Lower Division of the Wapentake of Boothby Graffo, Parts of Kesteven, Co. of Lincoln . . . 10 m. S.W. from Lincoln. 2. Thurlby, in the Wapentake of Ness, Parts of Kesteven, Co. of Lincoln . . . 5 1/4 m. N.N.W. from Market Deeping. (A third Thurlby is in the Wold Division of the hund. of Calceworth, Parts of Lindsey, Co. of Lincoln . . . 2 1/2 m. E. from Alford.)—Carlisle.& DemblebyDembleby, in the Wapentake of Aveland, Parts of Kesteven, Co. of Lincoln . . . 6 m. N.W. by W. from Folkingham.—Carlisle.in Kesteuen̛ / and of other diuers men in Arleye, Fenne, and Skreynge, aftir suche annuytes boren̛ out of hem seuerally like as he hatℏ graunted to diuers men̛, that thos same maners, londes & tenementes, viij yere aftir his decesse, remayne and̛ abyde in the feefes handes. And the rentes and profiteȝ ther-of to be receyuyd̛ by the executours, and expendid̛ in the fulfillyng̛ of his wiƚƚ; And aftir the saide viij yere to be / to the vse of the saide Rauf his son̛, and to the heires of his body comyng̛. And if he die witℏoute heires of his body comyng̛, than the same maners, londes and tenementes forto remayne to Iohn̛ and Henry, his brether,Brothers. aither aftir othir in the taile, in the forme aforsaide. And if aƚƚ thre sonnes die withoute heires of their̛ bodies, theire moder than lyuyng̛, then she for to haue aƚƚ the same maners, londes and tenementes duryng̛ her̛ lif; And after hir̛ decesse, to be sold̛ by the Executours, and disposid̛ for his sowle, like as hem shaƚƚ seme that best is, and most meritoire Fr. 'Meritoire: com. Meritorious, well deseruing, worthie of reward.'—1611. Cotgrave. & behouefuƚƚ in that partye. And as touchyng̛ aƚƚ the londes, tenementes and rentes in Soutℏende in Boston̛,Boston, a large, well-built town, of Lincolnshire, seated on both sides of the river Witham, by means of which, much assisted by navigable canals, it carries on a considerable trade to London, and some to the Baltic, &c.; The church spire is very lofty, and a noted sea-mark . . . Boston is 37 miles S.E of Lincoln, and 115 N. of London.—Walker's Gazetteer, 1801. beyng̛ in his feffees handes, he wiƚƚ that his executours shaƚƚ haue the issues and profiteȝ vnto the tyme that Henry his sone comme to fuƚƚ age, to the vse of the same Henry, And than for to delyuery the same londes, tenementes and rentes vnto the same Henry, to haue to hym and the heires of his body comyng̛. And if he die witℏouten̛ heire of his body, than to Rauf his brother, and his issue; And aftir him and his issue, to Iohn̛ his brother, and his issue in the taile. And for defaute of issue of hem aƚƚ thre, then the same londes, tenementes and rentes for to remayne to their̛ moder, if she than liff; And elles to remayne to the next heires of the saide Rauf, yn way of enheritaunce. Aƚƚ-so as touchyng̛ the maners of Stoureprewe and Newton̛-Longvile,? The Newton 4 miles N.W. from Folkingham, or that between Gedney-Fen and Cambridgeshire (Walker), or that by Toft, 4 1/2 miles from Market-Rasen (Moule). The only Newton Longville in Moule, i. 165 a, is also cald 'Newington,' and is in Bucks, 3 1/2 miles S.W. from Fenny Stratford.wherin he hath certayn termes to endure, as hit apperitℏ seuerally by the kyngges lettres patentes, he wiƚƚ that of the issues, profitȝ and reuenues of thos two maners with the appurtenaunceȝ, that certayne annuities borne oute of hem, wicℏ are expressed̛ here-aftir in this wiƚƚ to diuers of his seruantys, that is to say, to Margery Lougℏton̛ yerely out of Stoureprews duryng̛ the termes therof, xxvj s' viij d; And oute of Newton̛ Longvile, to Robert Caileflete duryng̛ the termes therof, lfifty shillings. s'; to Iohn̛ Newbery, xxvj s' viij d; Iohn̛ Cornwaiƚƚ, xxvj s' viij d; Iohn̛ More, xxvj s' viij d; William Basse, xxvj s' viij d; Nichoƚƚ Penbroke, xxvj s' viij d; Iohn̛ Iohn̛son̛, xx s'; Ienyn Bavenger̛, xiij s' iiij d; Ioℏn Pallyng̛, xiij s' iiij d; Richard Skott, vj s' viij d, yerely, duryng̛ the saide termes of Newton̛-Longvyle. Aƚƚ-so that Richard Leke haue stiƚƚ his annuite yn Arley for terme of his lif, accordyng̛ to his dede of annuite that he hatℏ ther-vpon̛. Also he wiƚƚ that Robert Cailflet and Iohane his wyf haue and reioys rejoice, enjoy. for terme of their lyves, and of eyther of them lengest lyvyng̛, the place in Eston̛ Easton, Lincolnshire, between Stamford and Grantham.—Walker. sumtyme callyd̛ Botiller Place, in such manere and fourme as the dede of grawnt of the saide Robert and Iohane makitℏ mencion̛ in that partie. Aƚƚ-so that William Stanlow reioys peisibely and haue confermyd̛ vnto hym by the feffees of the saide Rauf, a mese of londes & tenementes in Dembleby & Waterwilugℏby,Willoughby, Scots, or Water, Lincolnshire, N. of Folkingham.—Walker. to haue to the same William Stanlowe and his assignes for terme of xx yere. Aƚƚ-so that Jenyn̛ Beranger̛, his seruant, haue for terme of his life a place in Fenne Amutyme (?), called Burton̛ Place, by way of reward̛ for his long̛ seruice, ouer the xiij s' iiij of Annuite. Aƚƚ-so that Iohn̛ Coke, his seruaunt, haue in Stoke a place called Prestplace, for terme of his lif, the wycℏ is yerely of rent x s', in reward for his long̛ seruice. And aƚƚ-so he wiƚƚ that the saide Robert Caileflete haue Obthorpe and Thurleby in Kesteuen̛, that was purchased̛ of sir Iohn̛ Biron̛, in the name of annuite of .l. s' for terme of lif of the saide Robert. And aƚƚ-so he wiƚƚ that, of the issues and profiteȝ of the saide Manere of Stoureprewe and Newton̛ Longevile witℏ the appurtenaunces, the saide annuites born̛ and deduit oute of hem, that the executours haue and receyue aƚƚ the same issues and profitȝ duryng̛ the saide terme, that they may therwitℏ, and with aƚƚ the othir reuenues and profites of aƚƚ the Maners, londes and tenementes that they shaƚƚ haue and receyue by this wiƚƚ aftir his decesse, And witℏ aƚƚ othir dettes beyng̛ due to hym at the day of his detℏ, and aƚƚ his other godes and stuffesor 'stuffe.' meveable that he levetℏ vnto hem as to his executours, First brynge hym to the Erthe honestly, as his Estate asketℏ; And than next for to ordeyne and paye aƚƚ his dettes; And also to bere Charges of sucℏ prestes and poor men̛ as ensuytℏ: That is to say, at Stoke, a prest and iij bedmen̛ / a prest at Newton Longvile, and a prest at Fenne, for to synge and pray for his sowle dailly. And yf Fryre Barton̛? MS. Bacton'. wiƚƚ a-bide stiƚƚ and synge att the Fenne, than he wiƚƚ that the same Barton̛, for sucℏ tyme as he wiƚƚ synge there, haue yerely .V. nobles for his salarie for that diuine seruice. Also he wiƚƚ that his obyte be kept yerely for̛ euermore yn the parissℏ Chircℏ of Stoke; and for sustenaunce therof, he wiƚƚ that his executours ordeyne yerely xx s' to be receyued̛ of a place that he purchased̛ of the executours of Iohn̛ Symond̛, sumtyme called Eleward̛ Place in Fenne, and to be expended̛ to þe vse of the saide obyte for euermore. And than of the residue that so shaƚƚ remayne of the saide issues and profiteȝ of the maners, and of other godes witℏ the executours, ouer aƚƚ the saide charges resonably to be consideryd / and to be born̛ as is afore, and shaƚƚ be here-aftyr in this wiƚƚ rehersed̛, that Dame Margarete his wyf, if she gouerne hir worshipfully, like as is aboue rehersed̛, haue CC mark of money, or elles x ƚi yerely of the issues and profitȝ of the saide maners of Stoureprewes and Newton̛-Longvile duryng̛ the termes ther-of. And ouer that, she to haue oon̛ party of aƚƚ his plate and other godes moevable, yf she be gouernyd̛ worshipfully accordyng̛ to his wiƚƚ in the fourme a-fore-saide. And that Rauf, his sone, haue ordeyned̛ for to by him a mariage .V.c marc̘; And either of his two brethern̛ Iohn̛ and Henry CCC marc̘, if hit wiƚƚ suffice ther-to, and so ferre strecℏ ouer aƚƚ othir charges forsaide to be borne / and thes sommes for to be reysed̛ of the saide dettes, and of the saide issues and profitȝ of the saide maners of Stoureprewes & Newton-Longvile / Also as touchyng̛ a-nothir parte of his saide plate and othir stuff of godes moevable, that his executours, by aduys of the Surveyours, demene, gouerne & distribute of that parte to ychone of his saide sonnes in releyung̛ and preferryng̛ of hem, like as [by] their̛ discrecions it shaƚƚ seme hem nedefuƚƚ and resonable / hauyng̛ consideracion to aƚƚ othir charges that most algates be born̛ yn paymentys of his saide dettes / and other wyse to the ease of his sowle. And as touchyng̛ the parte of aƚƚ the saide plate, and of his othir̛ stuffe of godes mevable so then remaynyng̛, he wiƚƚ that his saide executours gouerne and dispose that third parte in sucℏ maner and fourme / as in diuine seruices, almes dedes, and othir werkes of charite, payment of his dettes, and aƚƚ othir dueez and gouernances for the performyng̛ of his wyƚƚ / like as by theire discrecions, by the aduys of the saide Survyours, it shaƚƚ seme most necessarie and spedefuƚƚ to the hele of his sowle. Also he wiƚƚ that his executours haue of the saide godes, for their̛ reward̛ and labour, .C. ƚi. to be distribute and departid amonges hem, to ychon̛ of hem aftir his charge and labour. And þat wicℏ of hem that no charge of mynistracion of his testament in execucion of his wiƚƚ takitℏ ne workitℏ, shaƚƚ no reward̛ haue of the saide .C. ƚi. And aƚƚ-so wicℏ of hem as labouretℏ for the execucion̛ of his wiƚƚ, and taketℏ vpon him mynystracion̛, shaƚƚ haue for his resonable costes that he detℏ yn that partie at aƚƚ tymes. Also he wiƚƚ that if his wyf or eny of his saide sonnes worke the contrarye of this his present wille, in lettyng̛ or distourbyng̛ the saide executours of fulfillyng̛ ther-of, that than þey shaƚƚ lose aduantage and benefite of this his present wiƚƚ. Aƚƚ-so if ther be eny clause or matier in his olde wiƚƚ made the xiiij yere of the kyng̛ that now is, to the wicℏ it shaƚƚ seme to the saide executours, by aduys of the Surveyours, for to be necessary to resorte, and to take remembraunce of, for the more playne execucion of this his present wiƚƚ / that in sucℏ case the saide executours haue fuƚƚ power, by the aduys of the said Surveyours therof, to put in execucion, in rewardys of seruauntes, and othir wyse yn aƚƚ maner̛ poyntes, like as in that partye after their̛ conscience and good discrecions it shaƚƚ seme hem necessarie for to be done and executed̛ for the most ease of his entent. And yn witnesse of this his present last wiƚƚ, the forsaide Rauf here-to hath sette his seale the xijth day of Marcℏ In the yere of oure lord̛ god M1 CCCC xxxixte And in the xviij 'decimo septimo,' the Latin Testament says rightly, and March 26 for the day. The 17th of Henry VI. was from 1 Sept. 1438, to 31 Aug. 1439. yere of the reigne of Kyng̛ Henry the sext.

Probata fuerunt dicta testamentum & vltima voluntas coram Magistro Iohanne Lyndefeld̛, xix die mensis Maij, anno domini Millesimo CCCC quadragesimo, et commissa fuit administracio &c̘ discretis viris Willelmo Massyngham & Roberto Caileflete executoribus & c̘, Reseruata potestate & c̘, & habent citra festum Michaelis ex futuro ad exhibendum Inuentarium & c̘.

SIR THOS. BROOK,Son of Sir Thomas Brook, Knt. (see p. 26). Married Joan Braybroke, great-granddaughter and heiress of John of Cobham, 2nd Lord Cobham.—J. H. Round. KNIGHT, OF COBHAM, 1438-9.

[To be buried in Thorncomb Church; 13 poor men to hold a torch each at the Obit; all poor blind or lame folk there to have 4d. each, and other needy ones 1d. Wife to defend Testator's Servants from prosecution by his Children and others. Residue to Wife, for herself and the true Servants, and to marry Testator's unmarrid Children with.]

(Luffenam, lf. 217, bk.)Testamentum Thome Brook̘, militis.

In the name of the Fadyr & of the sonne & of the holy goost, so be hit now & evyr! the xij day of Februare, the ȝere fro the Incarnacion of our̛ lord̛ ihesu cryst Mo ccccmo xxxviijo. I. Thomas Brook̘, knyȝte & lord of Cobham,Cobham Hall, Kent, 3 miles W. of Rochester, now the seat of the Earls of Darnley.—J. H. Round. (At Cobham in Surrey, on the river Mole, 19 miles S. by W. of London, I once saw a friend pull out a 41b. perch.)beyng̛ yn hole mynde & goode witte, make my testament in this wyse. Fyrste I by-seche the most blessid Trinyte to haue mercy on me, And that thorow the prayer of the blessid Virgyne Marye, the moder of oure lord̛ ihesu cryst, & of aƚƚ the sayntys that ben in hevyn̛, that I, wrechid synner, myȝt the rather to haue grace worthily to be-wayle my synnys or that my sowle departe owte of this world̛, so that hit may be fownde clene & worthy, thorow trwe repentaunce & contynuaƚƚ for-thenkyng̛, to be resseuyd in to the blysse that euyr shaƚƚ last. More-ouer hit is my wiƚƚ that my body be buryd̛ yn the nortℏ yle of the chircℏ of Thornecoumbe.Thorncombe, Devonshire, N.E. of Axminster.—Walker. It is locally situated in Dorsetshire, in an insulated part of Devonshire, and is 8 miles W. from Beaminster. (See also p. 26.) And that at the day of my buryng̛ ther be saide iij masses, And aƚƚ-so that þer be xiij pore men̛ clothid in white, holdyng̛ eche of hem a torghe brennyng̛ at the dirige & at the masse yn the day of my obyte. And afterward̛ the torgis to be dalt .iij. of hem to the Chircℏ of Thornecombe, & the remaynande of the torgis to x of the nedyest paryschirches yn the Cuntre by sidys. Aƚƚ-so it is my wiƚƚ that euery pore blynde, or lame man̛ or woman̛ that cummytℏ to myne obite, haue iiij d. Aƚƚ-so it is my wiƚƚ þat euery pore nedy man̛, woman or child̛ that cummytℏ to my obyte haue .I.d Aƚƚ-so it is my wiƚƚ that euery man̛ or woman̛ that commytℏ home to HoldycheSee p. 27.yn the day of my obyte after the masse is do at Thornecumbe, that thay haue sufficiante mete & drynke. Aƚƚ-so hit is my wyƚƚ, that if þer be eny of myne owne childryn̛, or eny other man̛, that wiƚƚ trouble, disese, or pursew of my trew seruandys, & yn speciaƚƚ, Iohn̛ Battiscoumbe, Wiƚƚ Tavern̛ or Iohn̛ Corbrigge, that my wyff, with alle the lordeshipe and frendshipe that she may gete, socour hem, helpe hem, & defende hem, from the malice of myne owne children̛ & of aƚƚ oþer, whiles she hatℏ eny gode wherwitℏ to withstande herher = their. Summoned to Parliament as "Edwardo Brooke de Cobham, Chiv," 13 Jan.1445.—H. Round. Ivyƚƚ wyƚƚ. Aƚƚ-so hit is my wiƚƚ that Clowys haue .v. mark̘. And the residue of aƚƚ my godys that be not be-qwedyt yn this my testament, I ȝeue and by-qwetℏ to my wyf, to helpe hir witℏ, & my trwe seruandys a-foresaide, And̛ aƚƚ-so to helpe for to mary my children̛ that ben noȝt maryd̛. And that this my testament may truly be executyd̛, I make and ordeyne my wyfe myn executrice / and yf she wiƚƚ, Edward̛ my sone,3 sir Iankyn Byschope witℏ hir / Probatum fuit. [In margin] acquietati sunt vere.

[The other English wills in "Luffenam" are those of Thomas BURTON of "Lughtburght," 27 March 1447, (mixt English and Latin, and imperfect,) leaf 222, back. Robert SAYKYN, draper, of London, 20 Septr. 1444, leaf 230, back. Sir Wauter LUCY, knight, 18 July, 1444, lf. 231, back (2 pages long). William WHARPLOD of Chalfhunt Seynt Gyle (? Berkshire or Bucks), proved 27 November, 1447. John THROCKMARTEN (of Fladbury in Worcestershire?), 12 April, 1445. leaf 248. Richard SHIPLEY, 26 Jany. 1444 ("Also y wille and charge that myn exequies be not outragely done in expenses of vanites of Candilstikkes, torches, and suche other, but deuoutely, And the coste that shal be doo thanne, be yeue to pouere men̄, and that [so] that haue nede"), leaf 250, back. Joℏn̄ WYNTER, Squyer, of the shire of Sotheray, 20 May, 1445: leaf 252, back. ("Also to Herry Perreur a new gowne of Russet furred with blak lambe, that y had new at Crystenmesse, and also my wode knyf, and a lyned gowne of russet of my maistre Fastolf liuerey," lf. 253.) William BABTHORP, Baron of the King's Exchequer, 26 Oct. 1442. leaf 258 (bk: "Also I wille that the kirkerevys of the parish chirch of Clerkenweƚƚ haue xiij s' iiij d̛ for to spend on the onourmentȝ of the same kirke"). John MALTON, gentleman. 6 Aug. 1447, lf. 274. Richard KETRYCH, Grocer, of London. 4 Oct. 1447 (26 Hen. VI). Richard ALRED, Squire, of Boreham, Essex, 8 May, 1446, leaf 275, back. Roger LOVEDEN of Bristol, Merchant, 18 July, 1447, leaf 279 (back: "Also I bequethe to my wyfe all my store of howsold̛ of beddyng, helyng Costurs of hallys and chambrys and kechyn,").] NICHOLAS STURGEON, PRIEST, 1454.

[To be buried in the Lady-Chapel at the N. door of St. Paul's. Goods to be uzed for Testator's Soul; but bequests given, of Money, a Chalice, Vestments, Bed of green silk, gilt Piece jeweld, silver Pots, 2 Vulture's-egg Cups, green worsted Bed, Costers, Hall-hangings, Silver Cups, 6s. a year for a Boy's Schooling, a blue Bed with Sheets, &c.;, Gowns, &c.; A Priest to sing for 7 years for Testator.]Rous (Prerog. Court), lf. 76, back.

Sturgeon̛. [In margin.]

In the blessyd name of the holy trinite, the Fader, the sone, the holy gost, three persons in oon substaunce, the last day of the Moneth of May, In the yere of Incarnacioun of our lorde Ihesu Crist a M1cccc liiij, And in the yere of the Reigne of Kyng Harry the vj after the conquest xxxij, I, Nicholas Sturgeon, preest, most vnworthy tohaue that wurshipful name & office, beyng in good bodely helth, with hole & stedfast mynde ordeyne & make my testament in this wise. In the first, y bequeth my sowle to the grete mercy of al myghty god, my wrecchid body to the erthe sanctified and halowed̛, to be buryed̛ in the Chapeƚƚ of our blessyd lady & seynt Nicholas now of new edefied̛ atte Northdore of the Cathedral cherche of seynt pawle of london̛;The prezent architect of St. Paul's, Mr. F. C. Penrose, says this is the first authority he has seen for the situation of the Chapel of St. Nicholas in old St. Paul's. And aƚƚ my wordly goodes to be demened for the merites of my sowle withouten̄ eny vayn̛ glorie, by the wise avise of myn̛ Executouris, my dettes and duetes to be payed̛ next after the costes don̛ in myne entierement; Reparacions and implementis dwe to the seyde Cathedral Chirche of seynt powle, truly to be content after the maner and forme as y receyved hem. Item, y bequeth to the makyng of the Steple of the paryssh cherche of seynt Awstyns in london̛, nexte powles chircheyerd, The Parish Church of St. Augustine, and one house next adjoyning, in Watheling streete, is of this Ward called Faringdon. This is a faire Church, and lately well repaired.—Stow's Survey, 1633, p. 351 a. Burnt in the Great Fire of 1666, and rebuilt by Wren. See p. 113 abuv, note 2. xl s'. Item y bequeth to the parissℏ cherch of Henstrygge,Henstridge, Somersetshire, E. of Milborn Port.—Walker. On the borders of Dorsetshire, 9 miles S.W. from Shaftesbury, and 6 miles N.E. from Sherbourn. Church dedicated to St. Nicholas.—Moule. (Eastward from Kelston or Kelweston (on the borders of Glo'stershire, 4 miles N.W. from Bath) is Henstridge or Kelston Round Hill, which commands an extensive prospect. —Moule, i. 415 a.) a chalyce of the price of lxvj s' viij d̛. Item y bequeth to the parissh cherche of seynt Andrewe in Aysperton̛, Asperton, Herefordshire, near Stow-Chapel and Stretton.—Walker. a vestement of blak̘ for prest, deacon̛, and subdeacon̛, of the prys of x. ƚi, or within; myne exequyes and obite day to be kept solempny ther duryng the terme of vij yere; for the expenses of the which y bequethe xlvj s', viij d̛, that ys to sey, for euery yere vj s' iiij d̛. Item y bequethe to the wursshipful Monasteryes of Cristchircℏ of Caunterbury, of seynt Awstyn in the same towne, and of seynt Albanes, In Hertfordshire. xxli myle from london̛, lx s', by evyn porcyons, to euery hows xx s'. in remembraunce of my Fraternite, the more specially they to pray for me. Furthermore, y bequethe to my cosyn Iohan Frowyk, my bed of grene sylke, wiþ the testour & Canape ther-to, palid tartyn̛? for 'tarteryn, tartaryn,' a kind of silk.white and rede, And the gilde pece wiþ smale stones sett ther-on. Item y bequethe to my suster Bartrice my syluer pottes, And the beter cuppe of the grypes eye.See Sir Ralph Rochefort's Latin Testament abuv, p. 120. Item y bequethe to my cosyn Margrete Shipton̛ that other gripes eye, and bed of grene wurstede, with the costers longyng ther-to. Also y bequeth to my brother Iohn̛ Sturgeon̛ the hallyng witℏ the ix wurthy,Compare in Shakspere's Love's Labour's Lost, V. i. 124-5, "Sir, you shall present before her the Nine Worthies." And Doll's opinion of Falstaffe: "thou art as valorous as Hector of Troy, woorth fiue of Agamemnon, and ten times better than the nine Worthies."—2 Hen. IV, II. iv. 236-9. Quarto 1. And vj cuppes of Sylver stondyng on low fete, with the coueryng therto. And as tochyng my brother Richard, y can̛ not assigne no thyng of my good recompensible to his good brotherhede, wherfor notwithstondyng this, my wiƚƚ thus disposid: If ther be eny thyng that he wold̛ desire ther-of to his vse, terme of his lyff, y wuƚƚ that he haue it. Item y bequeth to my cosyn Thomas Ryke, a stondyng cuppe gilde, with chased werk. Item y bequethe to myn cosyn Richard Ryke, a cuppe of syluer couered; And for to fynde to gramer scole my cosyn̛, his sone William, xx iiij s for the tyme of iiij. yere. Item y bequethe to my cosyn Margrete Dowrigge a stondyng pece of syluer couered. Item y bequethe to Iohn̄nglesey my seruaunt x ƚi, And a blew bed with the lyoun Curteynes, Couerled, blankettis, a peyre of shetis and a gowne. Item y bequeth to Bartlet my seruaunt, xx s' and a gowne. Item I bequethe to Thomas Bisshoptre, xl s'. Item y bequethe to Thomas Gylbert, xl s'. Item I bequethe to Iohn̛ Gardyner, xxvj s', viij d̛, and a Riding gowne with the hode. Item y bequethe to sir William Iulyan̛, xij mark̘ for to syng for me with a special Colett. Item y bequethe to Iohn̛ of the kechyn, vj s' viij d̛, And to be new arayd. Item y bequethe to Iohn̛ Wylkynsone of the kechyn, vj s' viij d̛, and his wages beyng be-hynde. Item y bequeth to Richard̛ Bamvile, xiij s'. viij d̛. Item to Iohn̛ Wichard, vj s' viij d̛. Item to Iohn̛ Wemme, xiij s'. iiij d̛. Item to Thomas, Thomas my Cooke, oweth me xx s', the whiche y pardon̛ and foryeve hym. Item y bequethe xl s' euenly to be departyd bytwene Iohn̛ Saymour, to Iohn̛ Meryco, and William Clere. And all myne other goodes what-so-euer they fortune to be, in valour, dettis, and aƚƚ after my dettis weƚƚ and truly payed̛, myn̛ expenses and costes funeraƚƚ done, and all my bequestes comprysed in this my testament fufilled & performed, And yf they may suffice ther-to, for to fynde a preest able and honest of conuersacyon, and of good rule, to syng for me in the forseide chapel of new edefied, atte awter ther, be vij yere. And ellys yf my seide goodes, Residues, and dettis may not suffice ther-to, than y wul that myn̄ Executours, be ther good discrecons, modere and modefye suche thynggis as ys set and lymet afore, For it is not myne entent to charche hem eny ferther than my goodes wil strecche to and suffice. The whiche myn̛ Executours y ordeyne and name, Richard Sturgeon̛, Ioℏn Sturgeon̛ thelder, Thomas Frowyk̘, son̛ of harry Frowyk̘, and Thomas Ryke. And to euerych of hem y bequethe C s'. Into the witnessyng of whiche thyng, to this present my testament y haue set my seale: y-youen̛ at london̄ the day and yere aboueseide. / Probatum fuit dictum testamentum coram Commissario predicto, octauo die Mensis Iunii, Anno Domini predicto. Et commissa est administracio omnium bonorum &c.; Iohanni Sturgeon̄, Thome Frowyk, & Thome Ryke, executoribus in dicto testamento nominatis &c.; Reseruata potestas Ricardo Sturgeon̛ &c Et dimissi sunt, &c.;

[Other English wills in Rous.A.D. lf. 78, Wylliam Cressener, 1454. lf. 89 bk., Thomas Morstede (long), 1442. lf. 118 bk., John Hotoft, 1442. lf. 89 bk., Thomas Morstede (long), 1443.. lf.146, Richd. Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, prov'd 1439.]

END NOTES.

p. 3, l. 10. a serteyn (weekly allowance). This expression occurs in 3 later wills in the Probate Registry, from Worsted, Norfolk, as meaning, in one case a sum of money; in two others, a religious service:— John GLAVEYN (Worsted, Norfolk), in his Will, A.D. 1505 (42 Holgrave), refers to a "perpetual serteyn" which was assigned by the Will of one Thos. Glaveyn, "that is to say, iiijs iiijd to be distribute to xij powre persons on seynt Brices day." John BURGH (Worsted, Norfolk), in his Will, A.D. 1496 (31 Vox), says: "I bequeith xxxs iiijd for to have a certeyn rehersed in the church ... by the prest or Curate ... fore my soule and my frendes soules during the terme of vij yeres." John BOLT, by his Will, A.D. 1499 (39 Horne), bequeaths money "pro uno le certeyne celebrando" in the church of Worsted (Norfolk).

p. 4. Lady Alice West: she was the daughter of Reginald Fitz-Piers, and Widow of Sir Thomas West, knight, who died 3 Sept. 1386.—J. H. Round.

p. 4, l. 5. Hynton Marcel: Hinton Martel, Badbury Hundred, Dorset.—J. H. R.

p. 4, l. 11. Thomas, my sone: Sir Thomas West, knight, summoned to Parliament, 21 June, 1402.—J. H. R.

p. 5, l. 1. Costers. These were also used in Churches: "Costers. A name given to hangings for the sides of an altar or choir."—Pugin.

p. 5, l. 3. A Widow's Wedding to God. p. 60, l. 24; p. 61, l. 5: And if she take þe mantel and þe rynge, and auowe chastite.—The form of the Ceremony —Benedictio Vidue—is given in the Liber Pontificalis of Edmund Lacy, Bp. of Exeter (appointed A.D. 1420He was with Hen. V. at Agincourt in 1415, as Dean of the Chapel Royal., ed. R. Barnes, 1847, p. 122-6. Between the Epistle and Gospel, the Widow kneeling during Service, before the Bishop (who sits on a faldstool), is askt whether she wishes to be the spouse of Christ, and give up the lusts of the flesh. She then puts in the Bp.'s hands the following Profession: 'I. N., Wedow, avoue to God perpetuell chastite of my body from henceforward, and in the presence of the honorable fadyr in God, my Lord N., by the grace of God, Bishop of N., I promytt stabilly to leve in the Church, Wedow. And this to do, of myne own hand, I subscribe this wrytyng. (And after, let her make the sign of the Cross.)" The Bishop then prays, and blesses the Mantle and puts it on the Widow. Then he blesses the Ring, sprinkles it with holy water, and puts it, as the sign of her marriage to Christ, on the Widow's finger, saying: "Accipe, famula Christi, anulum, fidei signum, connubii indicium, quem devota deferas, casta custodias, quoad amplexus divini sponsi coronanda pervenias. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Oremus." He says 3 Prayers accordingly, and the matter is ended. Miss Mary Lambert kindly referd me to this Pontifical.

p. 5, l. 13. bokes of latyn, englisch, and frensch. Compare the earliest bequests of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and Boece known to Mr. Challenor Smith in John Brinchele's Will, 1420 (Commissary Court of London, More, lf. lxiiijo, back):—

July 4, 1420. "Ego, Johannes Brynchele, Ciuis & Cissor Londonie .....

Item relaxo et condono Johanni Broune totum illud debitum in quo michi tenetur de meis bonis proprijs. Et volo quod habeat illum librum vocatum Boecius de Consolatione Philosophie in latinis, quem habui pro vadio Alterius libri Angliam,? Anglici.vocati Boecius de Consolacione Philosophie. Item lego David Fyvyan, Rectori ecclesie sancti Benedicti Fynke supradicti, vt sit superuisor presentis testamenti mei, vj s' viij d, et vnum librum in Anglicis vocatum Boecium de Consolacione Philosophie. Item lego Willelmo Holgrave, vt sit vnus executorum meorum, vj s' viij d, et optimum Arcum meum, et librum meum vocatum Talys of Caunterbury" .....

Will proovd, "xiij kalendarum Septembris, Anno domini M1 CCCCmo xxmo"

p. 5, l. 21. Chales. "Chalice. The vessel in which the sacred Blood of our Lord is consecrated."—Pugin.

p. 5, l. 22; 76/4. "Crewetts, small vessels of glass or metal, to contain the wine and water intended for consecration at the Altar.... The body of the crewetts should be made of crystal, glass, or some transparent substance to enable the celebrant to distinguish readily between the wine and water .. although ... in the old English inventories they [the crewetts] are generally described as of silver, whole or parcel gilt."—Pugin, Gloss. of Eccl. Ornament. The difference was no doubt markt by the differing shapes of the 2 crewetts. Even the two crystal ones engraved in Pugin are of different size and shape.

p. 10, 4th line of heading.[of "argument" in this electronic edition.--cp] for Helmdon read Hillingdon.

p. 10, last line of footnote, read "Hillingdon is 14 m. W. of Hyde Park Corner, 1 1/4 m. S.E. of Uxbridge Station."

p. 10, note 2. Illustrated London News: of Dec. 27, 1873.

p. 11, 1. 18. for Helmdon read Helindon.

p. 14, l. 4, for huius read huiusmodi; 1. 6, for venerunt read venerint.

p. 15, l. 12; 17/3, &c.; Deryge be note. (Placebo.) Vespers for the dead were "known by the term 'Placebo,' because such is the first word of that service, the anthem before the first psalm being 'Placebo Domino in regione vivorum.'See 'The Office and the Masses for the Dead, with the Order of Burial: from the Roman Breviary, Missal, and Ritual. In Latin and English . . London: T. Jones, 63, Paternoster Row, Catholic Publisher, 1853.' p. 1. Mortuary solemnities always began with even-song in the afternoon; on the early morrow, matins and lauds were chanted, after which Mass was sung." .. "As the first anthem at matins commenced with 'Dirige' ... the whole of the morning's service, including the Mass, came to be designated a 'Dirige' or 'Dirge.'"—Rock, Church of our Fathers, II., 503.—M. L.

p. 15, l. 12. Masse of Requiem. In the Rom.-Cath. Office and Masses for the Dead, 1853, the 'Requiem' (Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis Eternal rest give to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine on them.) occurs thrice in 'The Mass for all the Faithful departed,' p. 65—71.

p. 16, l. 20, percyd.—The copy of this Will of Robert Averay in Brown(C. C. London), leaf 200 back, reads 'partyd.'

p. 17, l. 24.—The copy in Brown, lf. 200 bk, has the record of Proof more fully thus:

Probatum est hoc testamentum coram nobis Iacobo Cole clerico, Commissario &c.; iij. kalendarum Iunij, Anno domini Ml CCCCmo xj. Et Commissa est administracio omnium bonorum Executoribus in dicto testamento nominatis, & admissa per eosdem in forma iuris. Et ije Idus Iulij, Anno supradicto, commissa fuit administracio omnium bonorum dicte Iohanne Executrici nuper ab intestato decedenti, Executori supradicto.

p. 18. William Langeford, Knt. Knight of the Shire for Berks, 17 R. II. and 5 H. IV., and Sheriff of Berks and Oxford, 6 H. IV., died 13 H. IV. (Sept. 1411-12: Esch. 13 H. IV. n. 32). He held one-third of the Manor of Mendysdene (now Minsden) in Hitchin, co. Herts, in capite, in right of his wife Anne, daughter and coheiress of John de Beverlée of Hitchin (Esch. 4 Rich. II. n. 11). As his widow's name was Lucy, she would seem to have been his second wife, and probably the mother of the younger sons mentioned in the will.

p. 19, l. 1. Robert myn heldest son. Robert Langeford, Knt., son and heir (Claus, 10 H. VI. m. 6), aged 22 in 13 H. IV. (Sept. 1411-12: Esch. 13 H. IV. n. 32), died 7 H. V. (March, 1419-20: Esch. 7 H. V.).

p. 19, l. 13. my lady lovell. Alianore, daughter of William Lord Zouche of Haryngworth, and wife of Sir John Lovell, Baron Lovell and Holand.

p. 19, l. 27. Schyffeld, Burfeld, and Sulhamstade Abbis. Shivefield, Burfield, and Sulhamstead Abbots, are three parishes lying together in a line south of Reading.

p. 23, l. 1. Canterie should be Cantarie.

p. 23, l. 11. There's a Preston north of Hereford, but this Preston adjoins Little Marcle, as also do Putley and Ledbury. Woolhope, Sollers Hope, and Howcaple are west of Marcle; Aylton Chapel adjoins Putley; and Kempley and Dimock are in Glo'stershirè, south of Marcle.—J. Horace Round.

p. 26. Sir Thomas Broke: knight, of Thornecombe, co. Devon, son and heir of Sir Thomas Broke, knt., of Ivelchester, co. Somerset, and father of Sir Thomas Broke of Cobham, whose will, 1438-9, is on pages 129-130 below.—J. H. R.

p. 27, l. 11. Holdych: Holditch Manor in Thornecombe, Devon.—J. H. R.

p. 27, l. 12. Cotteleygh: Cottleigh near Thornecombe.—J. H. R.

p. 28, l. 1. Iohane my wyfe: Joan, 2nd daughter and coheiress of Simon Hanape of Co. Gloucester, and widow of Robert Chedder of the City of Bristol.—J. H. R.

p. 28, heading before l. 20. for leaf 337 read leaf 329.

p. 31, l. 10. Wodehouse. Woodhouse, Shropshire, E. of Oswestry.—Walker.

p. 33, l. 1, 4. Chalices. The a looks much like i in the MS.; but Mr. Challenor Smith reads it a.

p. 38, l. 32. Bowdens, Sayres, Spengolds, &c.—'I am quite sure that Mr. Round's answer to your query in Notes and Queries (Oct. 1882) about these names, is the correct one. The names are those of tenants of certain farms. A curious coincidence is to be found in the municipal business of Derby, just over. The two successful candidates for Babington ward were Boden and Sayer!'—Alfred Wallis, Friars Gate, Derby.

'I have found a singular confirmation of my view of Bowdens, which I told you I believed to be the corruption of an owner's name. The Irish named their townships as we do our farms, after the owners, adding "ton" after the name. I found a 'Bowdenston' in hunting through some Irish Chancery Records at the Record Office. Sayer was a well-known Essex name.'

—J. H. Round.

p. 39, note 3. Hadley and Eastwood adjoin Lee.—J. H. R.

p. 46, 1. 20. tamsery: probably tamisery, a made-up word from E. tammy = F. estamine (in Cotgrave), called tamine and tammy in English. Apparently confused with F. tamis, a sieve. Scheler, in treating of F. tamis, notices the Eng. tammy, but rightly remarks that tammy and F. tamisare totally unconnected. Probably from Lat. stamen: see tammy in my Dictionary. But this is all guesswork.—W. W. Skeat.

p. 47, l. 10. Weston Underwood, 2 miles w. of Olney, in Newport Hundred, co. Bucks.—J. H. R.

p. 47, l. 10. John Olney purchased lands in Weston, 4 Rich. II.; died 21 March, 1395. There is a brass to him in Weston Church.—J. H. R.

p. 49, l. 16 a flat basyn: p. 56, l. 5, flat gilt peces. "A Wine-celler, with his Vessels and instruments . . . A flat peece, Patera, rœ. A standing cup, Crater ris, crara [? cratera] rœ, calix." 1608, Withals' Dict., by W. Clerk, p. 179-180.

p. 50, l. 18. The Pore Caitiff. This is described in Lewis's Life of Wiclif, pp. 202-204. It is in 21 divisions. He gives the incipit of each. The tracts which make up the collection are often found separately.

p. 50, l. 21. Cristy gray. (I read it 'Crisly' first.) This 'Cristy grey' fur is often mentiond: see Hall.'s Gloss. I suppose it was some tufted, crest-like or plume-like fur. Fr. 'Creste: f. A crest, cop, combe; also, a tuft, or little plume standing on the top of. Cresté . . . Crested, copped, adorned with a combe.'—Cotgrave.

p. 51, l. 4. quayres: sermons (or comments). 'Fyrst I shall beseche you not to misconstrue myn entent, in puttyng forthe this queare to be printed, but that ye take it to the best.' 1532(?). Bp. Fisher, Sermon or 'Epistole.' Works, E. E. T. Soc., part II, (1883?) p. 429.

p. 54, l. 14. William Kylwolmerssh, Clerke. He was Treasurer of England, and Prebendary of St. Paul's. His Will, A.D. 1422, is at Lambeth.

p. 55. Roger Flore: Son of William Flower, alias Flore, Sheriff of Rutland 6 Ric. II. Was Knight of the Shire 20 Ric. II; 1, 4, 6 Hen. IV; 2 Hen. V; and 1 Hen. VI; and Speaker of the House of Commons. He was patron of the old Hospital of St. John and St. Anne in Oakham (called 'þe Almeshouse of Okeham,' p. 62, l. 23-4), in right of his wife Catherine, daughter and heiress of William Dalby of Exton, its founder.—J. H. R.

p. 56, l. 3. Thomas my sone: Thomas Flore of Oakham, Esq., mar. Agnes, daughter and heiress of Peter Saltby of co. Linc. He was Sheriff of Rutland 9, 20, 29, 35 Hen. VI. and 5, 10 Ed. IV; buried at Oakham 1483. This must have been a subsequent wife, not mentioned in the Flore pedigree. —H. R.

p. 57, l. 34; p. 120, l. 10. my principal. The Principal (sometimes calld Mortuary, Corse-present, or Foredrove) was the deceast person's best horse, which followd the corpse at the funeral, and became the property of the priest. A survival of the custom may be seen at State funerals.

p. 57, l. 35. Sir Herre Plesyngton: Sir Henry Plessington, Knt., of Burley, co. Rutland (1 m. N.E. of Oakham), Knight of the Shire for Rutland 1 and 3 Hen. VI, and Sheriff 5 Hen. VI. He married a daughter of testator. —J. H. R.

p. 58, l. 14. Westminster: The Abbot of Westminster was Patron of Oakham.—J. H. R.

p. 58, l. 30. koc kook. Perhaps Cokok: there are three or four early wills of men of that name.

p. 60, l. 30. Mastorpe. There's a Martinsthorpe in Rutlandshire.—H. R.

p. 62, l. 23. Þe Almeshouse of Okeham: This is the Hospital named in the note on p. 55, Roger Flore, p. 139, above.—J. H. R.

p. 65, l. 12. Thomas Fawkys. He was Rector of St. Bride's, Fleet St. See Newcourt's Repertorium, ii. 316.

p. 70, l. 25. Laffarebrugge. "Laver, the name of 3 contiguous parishes in Essex, lying between Harlow and Ongar, and distinguished by the appellations of High, Magdalen, and Little. They are about 21 miles N. by W. of London."—Walker's Gazetteer, 1801.

p. 71, l. 7. A tumbe like sire Thomas More: Dean of St. Paul's, p. 71; p. 104, note 1; p. 105, note. Thomas Moor, fellow of Pembroke Hall, Cambr. Treasurer to Anne, queen of Richard II, Preb. of Shipton in Salisbury Cathedral, 9 Nov. 1389; Preb. of Newington in St. Paul's, 6 June, 1391; Archdeacon of Colchester, 3 Nov. 1398. Dean of St. Paul's, Jan. 1406; d. 1421. Buried in a cloister on North side of St. Paul's, called Pardon Churchyard, where formerly stood a chapel said to have been founded by Gilbert Becket, who was buried there. (See p. 105, note, above.) It was rebuilt by this Thomas Moor, who obtained a License from Henry V to found a Chantry of Three Priests, but died before it could be accomplished. His executors, however, carried out the foundation, and his Obit was regularly kept on 23 December.—J. Horace Round.

p. 74, l. 2, 3. Þe Cok and þe Garlond in Colman-strete.—No sign of this name occurs in Larwood and Hotten's Hist. of Signboards. There. the fellows of the Cock, are the Anchor 212, Bear 212, Bell 211, Blackbird 202, Bottle 207, 211, Breeches 212, Bull 212, Crown 212, Dolphin 212, House 212, Key 471, Lion 151, Magpie 382, Pie 382, Pynot 383, Trumpet 211, and Swan 212.

p. 75, l. 17. Þe cowe heed in Chepe.—Probably the sign of some gold-smith's or other shop. The Bull-hed is mentiond by Hy. Machyn in 1560, as Larwood and Hotten note, Hist. of Signboards, p. 186: "The xij day of June dyd ryde in a care a-bowtt London ij men and iij women; one man, for he was the bowd [bawd], and to brynge women unto strangers; and on woman was the wyff of the Bell in Gracyous-strett, and anodur the wyff of the Bull-hed be-syd London stone, and boyth wher bawdes and hores; and the thodur man and the woman wher brodur and syster, and wher taken nakyd."—Diary, p. 238. (Camden Soc. 1848.) The Cow has these signs in the same Signboard book: Cow and Calf, 177; Cow and Hare, 449; Cow and Snuffers, 444; Cow and Two Calves, 177; Cow in Boots, 442; Cow Roast, 378; Cow's Face, 186.

p. 78, l. 19. The Mermaid.—"As early as the fifteenth century, it was one of the haunts of the pleasure-seeking Sir John Howard, whose trusty stewardrecords, anno 1464:—'Paid for wyn at the Mermayd in Bred Stret, for my mastyr and Syr Nicholas Latimer, x d. ob.' [? Howard Household Books, Roxb. Club]. In 1603, Sir Walter Raleigh established a literary club in this house, doubtless the first in England. Among its members were Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, Beaumont and Fletcher, Selden, Carew, Martin, Donne, Cotton, &c.; . . . There was another Mermaid in Cheapside, frequented by Jasper Mayne, and in the next reign by poet laureate, John Dryden. Mayne mentions it in 'The City Match' (1638):— 'I had made an ordinary, Perchance at the Mermaid.'"The sign was also used by printers. John Rastall, for instance, brother-in-law of Sir Thomas More, 'emprynted in the Cheapesyde at the sygne of the Meremayde, next to Poulysgate, in 1527;' and in 1576 a translation of the History of Lazarillo de Tormes, dedicated to Sir Thomas Gresham, was printed by Henry Binnemann, the queen's printer, in Knightrider Street, at the sign of the Mermaid."—Larwood and Hotten, Hist. of Signboards.

p. 80, l. 15. quadringentesimo octauo. Between these two words, vicesimo must have been left out by the copier. The Will is dated 1428, and was undoubtedly made in the year of the testator's death.

p. 82, l. 17. Mynde. Month's Mind. In the Rom.-Cath. Office and Masses for the Dead, 1853, there is a form of Mass 'for the third, seventh, or thirtieth day after the Decease,' p. 99-100, and another, on p. 100-102, for "the Anniversary of the Dead," the Year's Mind. The late guess that a 'Month's mind' meant a Memorial Service every day for a month, is mere nonsense, originating seemingly with Polidore Virgil and some Dictionary-makers. See my letter in Notes and Queries, about October, 1882.

p. 83, l. 1. sir William Wright, rector. See his Will in the Commissary Court of London, 1430-1.

p. 92, l. 17. Westsmythfeld. Smythfeld = Smeth (smooth) field. In the Will of J. Lughtburgh, Commissary Court, 1429, it is "in plano Campo."

p. 93, l. 21. Monkes chirch. Monken Hadley, now Hadley. "The manor belonged to the Mandevilles till the middle of the 12th cent., when it was alienated by Geoffrey de Mandeville to the Abbey of Walden—whence the designation Monken (or Monks') Hadley."—Thorne, Environs of London, i 265.

p. 114, l. 2. Salve of our Lady.—ANTIPHONS.

"Another favourite devotion of our forefathers was the singing of antiphons in honour of our Lady.

"An antiphon or anthem derives its name from the custom of singing in alternate choirs; but the name is also given to certain short hymns, metrical or not, even when sung by one choir only. In the present Roman Breviary are four antiphons in honour of the Blessed Virgin, to be said at the different seasons of the year, at the conclusion of certain parts of the office. They begin respectively with the words, 'Alma Redemptoris Mater,' 'Ave Reginacœlorum,' 'Regina cœli lætare,' and 'Salve Regina.' From First Vespers of Trinity Sunday to Advent. Salve, Regina, mater misericordiæ; Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve. Ad te clamamus, exules filii Hevæ; Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes in hac lacrymarum valle. Eia ergo, Advocata nostra, Illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte; Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, Nobis post hoc exilium ostende, O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria. V. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genitrix. R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi. Oremus.

Omnipotens, sempiterne Deus, qui gloriosæ Virginis Matris Mariæ corpus et animam, ut dignum Filii tui habitaculum effici mereretur, Spiritu Sancto co-operante, præparasti; da ut cujus commemoratione lætamur, ejus pia intercessione ab instantibus malis et a morte perpetua liberemur. Per eumdem Christum, &c.

R. Amen. V. Divinum auxilium maneat semper nobiscum. R. Amen. Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy; Our life, our sweetness, and our hope, all hail. To thee we cry, poor banished sons of Eve; To thee we sigh, weeping and mourning in this vale of tears. Therefore, O our Advocate, Turn thou on us those merciful eyes of thine; And after this our exile, shew us Jesus, the blessed fruit of thy womb, O merciful, O kind, O sweet Virgin Mary. V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray.

Almighty, everlasting God, who, by the co-operation of the Holy Ghost, didst prepare; the body and soul of Mary, glorious Virgin and Mother, to become the worthy habitation of thy Son; grant that we may be delivered from instant evils and from everlasting death by her gracious intercession, in whose commemoration we rejoice. Through the same Christ, &c.

R. Amen. V. May the divine assistance remain R. Amen. always with us. They were first introduced into the Roman Breviary in 1520, but were used by the Franciscans from the year 1249. (Merati in Gavantum, tom. iii. p. 215.) Antiphons in honour of the Blessed Virgin were ordered to be sung at the end of Complin by a general chapter of the Benedictines held at Northampton in 1444, 'in order before sleep to implore her help by whom the serpent's head was crushed.' This was only a renewal of a more ancient decree.

"The singing of antiphons soon became a favourite devotion with priests and people, even apart from the office, and foundations were made, and even confraternities instituted, for this purpose. The music seems to have been sometimes very elaborate, since we find such notices as the following. 'At the abbey of Evesham, chaplains are to be assigned to our Lady's altar, skilled in her antiphons.'"Tindall's Evesham, p. 112.—p. 168.

"Henry VI., the founder of King's College, Cambridge, and of Eton, prescribes in the statutes, 'That every day of the year, at a fitting hour of the evening, all the choristers of our royal college, together with the master in chant, shall enter the church at the sound of a bell, which shall be always rung except on Holy Thursday or Good Friday; and these wearing surplices and ranged around a statue of the Blessed Virgin. with the candles lighted,"Many bequests occur of candles to be lighted during the salve."—Pietas Mariana Britannica. By Edmund Waterton, F.S.A. London: 1879. p. 139.shall sing solemnly and to the very best of their skill an antiphon of the Blessed Virgin with the verse "Ave Maria," &c., and the prayer "Meritis et precibus,"' &c."

..... "The evening antiphon seems to have occupied with our Catholic forefathers almost the same place that is now filled by the evening Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament—a form of devotion not then established."

"By the statutes for the collegiate church of Whittington College, London, it is ordained that even on ferial days, throughout the year, about or after sunset, when the poor labourers and those who live near the church are giving up work and business, when there is no reasonable hindrance, the chaplains, clerks, and ehoristers of the college who are at home, after the ringing of a small bell set apart for that office, shall meet in the chapel of St. Mary in the said church, and there sing to the honour of our Saviour and His Mother an antiphon with versicles and prayer.Quoted by Dr. Rock, vol. iii. p. 278. To keep up this custom many guilds were established. StowSurvey of London, vol. i. p. 495. tells us of one such called the 'Salve,' in St. Magnus' Church, near London Bridge, which was flourishing in A.D. 1343. Certain citizens, 'of their great devotion to the honour of God and His glorious Mother, our Lady Mary the Virgin, began and caused to be made a chauntry to sing an anthem to our Lady called "Salve Regina" every evening; and thereon ordained five burning wax lights at the time of the said anthem, in honour of the five principal joys of our Lady aforesaid .... and thereupon many other good people of the parish ... proffered to be aiders to support the said lights, and the said anthem to be continually sung, paying every person every week a halfpenny.'" ..... "To many of my readers will have already occurred the memory of Chaucer's beautiful picture of the village school and of the boys learning to sing our Lady's antiphon ..... but before giving it, I will translate from the works of St. Peter Celestine the original tale which Chaucer has developed."—pp. 169, 170.

[Here follows St. Peter Celestine's Tale, which Father Bridgett says is at least a century older than that of Chaucer.]

"One more illustration of the popular use of antiphons I may mention; for though insignificant in itself, it is associated with an honoured name. It seems that the street-singers appealed to Christian piety and charity by these popular hymns. In allusion to this custom, Sir Thomas More, after resigning the chancellorship, called together his family, and telling them that they would still live together, though they would have to reduce their expenditure, added merrily, that if it came to the worst, 'may we yet with bags and wallets go a-begging together, and hoping that for pity some good folks will give us their charity, at every man's door to sing Salve Regina, and so still keep company and be merry together.'" Roper's Life of More.—

Our Lady's Dowry. By Rev. T. E. Bridgett. (London: 1875.) p. 173. [Fr. Bridgett gives an old English version of the Salve Regina about 1400.] —M. L.

p. 120, l. 11, 13. Lincolnie may be 'Lincolniensi.'

Any Corrections or Additions for the Lists and the volume generally will be thankfully received.—F. J. F., 3, St. George's Sq., N.W.