Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 with funding from Getty Research Institute https://archive.org/details/willsinventories49tymm WILLS AND INVENTORIES FROM THE REGISTERS OF THE COMMISSARY OF BURY ST. EDMUND’S AND THE ARCHDEACON OF SUDBURY. EDITED BY SAMUEL TYMMS, TREASURER AJNID SECRETARY OF THE BURY AND WEST SUFFOLK ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE. M.DCCC.L. LONDON: J. B. NICHOLS AND SON, PRINTERS, PARLIAMENT STREET. [no. xlix.] 1WEQETTV CENTER imm COUNCIL OF THE CAMDEN SOCIETY FOR THE YEAR 1850 . President , THE RIGHT HON. LORD BRAYBROOKE, F.S.A. JOHN YONGE AKERMAN, ESQ. Sec. SA. THOMAS AMYOT, ESQ. F.R.S., F.S.A. Director. WILLIAM HENRY BLAAUW, ESQ. M.A. F.S.A. JOHN BRUCE, ESQ. Treas. S.A. JOHN PAYNE COLLIER, ESQ. V.P.S.A. Treasurer. C. PURTON COOPER, ESQ. Q.C., D.C.L., F.R.S., F.S.A. WILLIAM DURRANT COOPER, ESQ. F.S.A. BOLTON CORNEY, ESQ. M.R.S.L. SIR HENRY ELLIS, K.H., F.R.S., Sec. S.A. THE REV. JOSEPH HUNTER, F.S.A. PETER LEVESQUE, ESQ. F.S.A. SIR FREDERIC MADDEN, K.H. FREDERIC OUVRY, ESQ. F.S.A. WILLIAM J. THOMS, ESQ. F.S.A., Secretary. THOMAS WRIGHT, ESQ. M.A. F.S.A. The Council, of the Camden Society desire it to be under- stood that they are not answerable for any opinions or observa- tions that may appear in the Society’s publications ; the Editors of the several works being alone responsible for the same. TO THE MOST HONOURABLE FREDERICK WILLIAM MARQUESS OF BRISTOL, CHIEF STEWARD OF THE LIBERTY OF ST. EDMUND, &C. &C. &C. THIS VOLUME is, WITH HIS LORDSHIP’S KIND PERMISSION, MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED. PREFACE. Prior to the dissolution of monasteries, the town of Bury St. Edmund’s being exempt from the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Norwich, within whose diocese it was locally situate, the wills of the burgesses were proved before the Sacrist of the monastery of St. Edmund; but, on the passing of the Act 31 Hen. VIII. c. 13, confirming the surrender of religious houses to the king, the town became subject directly to the Bishop. Remaining, however, exempt from the jurisdiction of the Archdeacon, the episcopal authority was deputed to a Commissary, in whose court the wills of persons deceas- ing in Bury w T ere proved till the year 1844, when, by an Order in Council issued under the powers of the Act 6 and 7 Will. IV. c. 77, the town was declared to form part of the Archdeaconry of Sud- bury, which, in 1837, by Order in Council, had been taken from the diocese of Norwich and made part of that of Ely. The registers of the Commissary and of the Archdeacon are pre- served in one and the same court at Bury St. Edmund’s. The ef Bury Wills,” proved before the Sacrist, commencing with the year 1354 and ending with 1566, are preserved in seven books, entitled — Osberne Hawlee . Pye Mason . 1354—1442 Hood 1443 — 1482 Hollond 1491 — 1509 Sunday 1510—1513 1514—1530 1530-1540 1550—1566 Those known as “ Country Wills,” proved in the court of the Arch Vlll PREFACE. deacon, are contained in the following volumes (the first six of which have no indexes) : — Baldwyne . 1439—1474 Hervey . 1473—1490 Fuller . . 1479—1525 Boner . . 1483—1517 Newton . 1517—1526 Johnson . 1519—1528 Kyrbycane . 1500—1533 Brydon . . 1520—1527 Brett . 1529—1538 Longe * . 1530—1540 Poope . . 1537—1541 Colman . . 1541 Cole . . 1540—1550 Buxton . 1551—1553 Woode . . 1552 & 1553 Markes . 1554 & 1555 More . 1556 Dooe . 1557 Bell . 1558 Sparrowe . 1559 Paynter . 1560 Baker . . 1561 Woode t . 1562 & 1563 Arnolde . 1564— 1567 Peade . . 1568 & 1569 In the following books the wills of residents in Bury are registered with those of the archdeaconry: — Aldrich . 1570 Everston . 1611—1613 Hum . 1570 & 1571 Steven . . 1614 & 1615 Large . . 1572 & 1573 Legate . . 1616 & 1617 Wroo . 1574—1578 Gibson . . 1618 & 1619 Browne . 1579—1582 Harrold . 1620—1623 Frende . . 1583—1585 Pearle . . 1624—1626 Bright . . 1586 &1587 Mason . . 1627—1629 Goddard . 1588—1590 Corner . . 1630 Bacon . . 1591—1594 Colman . 1631— 1635 Blomfield . 1595—1597 Gael . 1636—1638 Whiting . 1598—1601 Muriell . . 1639—1642 Coppinge . 1600—1605 Meadows . 1643—1647 Strutt . . 1606—1608 Ashton, pars T. . 1648—1652 Roger . . 1609—1611 * This volume contains some Bury Wills. J Wills of the years 1552 and 1553 are also registered in this book. PREFACE. IX No entries are made between the years 1652 and 1660; which is thus accounted for in one of the indexes : — “Cseteraab hoc anno desiderantur testamenta ; caepit jam Crom- welli vsurpatoris istius ambitio rabide saevire, cujus sub vexillo grassabantur vndicp seditio, violentia, rebellio, sacrilegiu, Et (quod horrendum dictu est) Hinc sequuta sunt, confusio in ecclesia, in republica militum insolentia, in parochijs factio, in familijs Atheismus. Et plebs miserrima cum maximo suo damno et detrimento apud (nescio quae tribunalia Londinensia) ad Cromwelli libitum, coacta est se sistere ad testamenta proband.” The Restoration of Charles the Second and the resumption of the registrar’s duties is also entered. “ Tandem misertus est tribulacoum nostraru Deus, et illuxit aus- picatissim 5 ille dies : vicesimus nonus Maij, anno incarnacois Christi 1660: “Quo die serenissimus noster l&tX <*TaVflhi0 defen- sor fidei, assertor libertatis, postliminio redijt, cujus faelicissimo ad- yentu et ecclesia religionem et ordinem suum, respublica leges et libertatem suam recuperavit : Et nos denuo ad officiu nrum regis- trale cum Deo revertimus; Ynde licitum est sine timore sequestra- toru, proditoru, regicidaru, seditiosorumq, homicidaru qui tarn nefarie in hoc regno nuper sasviebant, et in contemptu eoru omniu in modum sequen subscribere. “ Gulielmus Colman ) , J- Regrarius.” No rius Pub Cus S & To facihtate further researches into these registers it may be useful to give a list of the several towns and parishes within the archdeaconry of Sudbury: — CAMD. SOC. b X PREFACE. Fordham Deanery — Ashley with Silverly Barton Mills Brandon Burwell Cavenham Chevely Chippenham Downham Elden Eriswell Exning Fordham Heringswell Icklingham St. James Icklingham All Saints Kennett Kirtling Lakenheath Mildenhall Newmarket St. Mary Newmarket All Saints Snailwell Soham Tuddenham Wangford Wicken Wood Ditton Worlington Thingoe Deanery — Barrow Brockley Chevington Flempton with Hen- grave Fornham All Saints Hawstead Hargrave Horningsheath Ickworth Lackford Nowton Reed Risby Saxham, Great Saxham, Little Westley Whepstead Beackbourne Deanery — Ashfield Badwell Ash Bardwell Barnham St. Gregory and St. Martin Barningham Coney Weston Culford Elmeswell Euston Fakenham, Great Fakenham, Little Hepworth Hinderclay Honington Hopton Hunston Ingham Ixworth Knettishall Langham Livermere, Little Norton Rickinghall Inferior Sapistone Stanton St. John Stanton All Saints Stowlangtoft Thorpe by Ixworth Thelnetham Troston Walsham le Willows Wattisfield Weston Mercate Word well Thedwastree Deanery — ■ Ampton Barton, Great Beyton Bradfield Combust Bradfield St. George Bradfield St. Clare Drinkstone Felsham Fornham St. Geneveve Fornham St. Martin Gedding Hesset Livermere, Great Pakenham Rattlesden Rougham Rushbrooke Stanningfield Thurston Timworth Tostock Westow Whelnetham, Great Whelnetham, Little Woolpit Hartismere Deanery — - Aspall Bacton Braesworth Broome Burgate PREFACE. Cotton Eye Finningham Gislingham Mellis Mendlesham Occold Oakley, Great Oakley, Little Palgrave Redlingfield [dale Redgrave with Botes - Rickinghall Superior Rishangles Stoke Ash Sturston Thornham, Great Thornham, Little Thorndon Thrandistone Thwaite Westhorp Wickhamskeith Wetheringsett and Brockford Wiverstone Wortham Jarvase and Everard Yaxley Stow Deanery — Buxhall Combs Creeting St. Peter Creeting All Saints Finborough, Great Finborough, Little Harleston Haughley Newton, Old Onehouse Shelland Stowmarket Stowupland Wetherden Sudbury Deanery — Acton Aldham Alpheton Assington Bildestone Boxford Boxstead Brettenham Bures Cavendish Chelsworth Chilton Cockfield Cornard, Great Cornard, Little Edwardstone Elmsett Ely Combust Glemsford Groton Hartest Hitcham Kersey Kettlebastone Lavenham Lawshall Layham Lindsey Melford Milden Naughton Nayland Nedging Newton by Sudbury Polstead Preston Semere Shimpling Somerton Stanstead Stoke by Nayland Sudbury St. Peter Sudbury All Saints Sudbury St. Gregory Thorpe Morieux Waldingfield, Great Waldingfield, Little Wattisham Wattisfield Wiston Clare Deanery — Barnardistone Bradley, Great Bradley, Little Chedburgh Clare Cowlinge Dalham Depden Denham Denston Gazely Haverhill Hawkedon Hundon Ketton Kentford Lidgate ■ Owsden Poslingford Stansfield Stoke by Clare XU PREFACE. Stradishall Thurlow, Great Thurlow, Little Wickhambrook Withersfield Wixoe Wratting, Great Wratting, Little N.B. The two parishes in Bury St. Edmund’s are peculiar to the Com- missary of the said archdeaconry. The selection of wills forming the present volume has been made more with a view to illustrate the peculiar customs and language of the period than the topology or genealogy of the district. To the late and present Deputy Registrars of the Court — P. J. Case, Esq. John Greene, Esq. and Charles Wodehouse, Esq. the Camden Society is especially indebted for permitting the Editor to have the freest access to the registers under their care, and for allowing the transcripts to be made. To Albert Way, Esq. and John Gough Nichols, Esq. the Editor is under the greatest obligations. Both gentlemen kindly revised the notes, freely offered their suggestions, and gave him the most valu- able information. Bury St. Edmund? s , July 30, 1850. WILLS FROM THE COURT OF THE COMMISSARY OF BURY ST. EDMUND’S, &c. Ada de Stanton Capellanus. — 1370. Inventar q°ruda bonoj dni Ade de Stanton capeftni tempe dni Johnis de Lauenh a m Sacriste Monas?ij sci Edmi in festo Aptojp Philippi et Jacobi A 0 dni M mo ccc mo lxx m0 . In p^mis in pecunia vj s. viij d. et j. sigiit arg prei: ij §. It iij oft er et j. posnet pret xj s. vj d. Itm in pateft xxij d. ob. It pelui rotund cu lauator xviij d. It in instrumet fer? vj s. vij d. et vjd. In vasis de pewtre debit iiij s. ij d. It de vtesilib 3 ligneis iiij s. vij d. ' I£ j. portiforiu x It vn 9 lib de lege ?r et j. par statuto^ et j. lib de romauces. I? j. cinctoriu cu bursa et cultell y It j. par cultell p mensa xijd. It j . sella cu freno et calcar iij s. It de vestimtf lineis et laneis xxviij §. viij d. et xij d. It de cistis et forsar vj s. ij d. Sum a iiij ti. xv s. ij d. M d q d omia sup^scripta sut libata p fJceptu dni Jobis de Lauenh"m Sacriste Monij sci Edi Jobni Purchas de Yerdewell ad opus Henricj filij et hered Henricj Aunger de Stanton. Et vna ps hui 9 bille indentata remanet penes j!fatu dhm Sacrista et altera pars penes f>dcm Job Purchas. [Lib. Osbern, f. 34.] CAMD. SOC. B 2 WILLS FROM TIIE COURT OF Agnes Stubbard de Bury.— 1418. In dei noie Amen. Ego Agnes Stubbard de Bury sci Edi sana mente et bona memoria existens apud Bury fidicf die Sabbi px° post fm sci Ambrosij anno dni Millmo cccc m0 decimo octavo condo testa tu meu in hunc modu. In phnf lego aiam mea deo omipotenti beate Marie Virgini et omib3 scis corp 9 meu ecclias- tice sepultur. Itm lego sumo altari ecclie beate Marie Virginis de Bury pdict p decimis et oblacoibj meis oblitf seu minime psolutf et p salute ale mee xl s. Itm lego capeftno beate Marie in eadm ecctia ij s. It lego cuilt clico pocb eiusdm ecclie viij d. It sacre eiusd ecclie vj d. If lego dopno Ade Lester monacho de Bury j?dict vj s. viij d. It lego dopno Thome Geddyng monacho de eadm vill iij s. iiij d. Itm lego duobj capeliis gilde de dusje videlt dno Jacobo et dno Wal?o Browster vtriq^ illo^ iij s. iiij d. reliquis v° capellis eiusdm gilde cuilt eoip ij s. It lego Rico Baxster capeltno vli. annuati septe annis ad celeb^ndu p aia mea. It dno Job! Wat capeho vj §. viij d. Item lego fribj minorib3 de Babewell xls. Item lego Wiho Tompston fri eiusdm ordinis v marc 5 p vno anno ad celeb^ndu p aia mea. It lego Michaeli Manston fri eiusd ordinis vj s. viij d. It lego Henr Hawle fri ordinis carmelitajp de Gybwico vj s. viij d. If lego cuilt moniali de Thetford xxd. et p^orisse ij s. If lego cuilt moniali de Bungeye xij d. et dne Margaret Haulond ij s. If leg’ cuilt moniali de Ikelyngton xij d. et dne Alic Perye ij §. If leg’ cuilt moniali de Hedyngh a m xij d. If leg’ vtroc^ ordini ffm de Thetford x s. Ifm lego ffib3 j)dicatorib3 de Sudbury x s. It lego frib3 Augustinens de Clar x s. It leg’ Johi Peyton cleric exhibicone sua exceptf pficuis que sibi dant“~ ex capella see Margaret vsq> sit etatis viginti quatuor anno^ et q d celebret p aia mea p^o anno q° fu 9 it sacerdos si vero fu 9 it sacer- dos infra ilia etate volo q d heat exhibicom sua vsq, sit psbr et q d tuc p^o anno sui j 5 sbi?at celebret p aia mea. Ita q d sit gubnat 9 sedm raconabile disposicom executoru. It lego Johi Burre paupi iij §. iiij d. It leg 5 Agnef Sadeler iij s. iiij d. It lego Margaret THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. Blake iij s. iiij d. It leg’ cuitt capeftno ad exequias mei psenciatr existenti vj d. Residuu vero oim bono£ meoip mobiliu et Imobiliu catallojp et debito^ meoj quorucuqj comitto disposicoi executojp raeo^, Hui 9 aute testamti mei meos ordino facioetqstituo executores dilcos miclii in xpo Rogeru Lester Ricm Baxster capelin et Wal?u Bon de Bury f?dict vt ipi Deu ^ oculis bntes hanc vltima voluntate mea fidelr exequant"" Et leg’ cuibj executo^ meoj p labor suo xx s. In cui 9 rei testioniu huic ^senti testa t0 sigillu meu apposui. Dat loco die et anno sup“~dictf. Hec est yltima voluntas mei Agnetf Stubbard de Bury sci Edi fact die sabbi px ante festu sci Georgij M^ris anno r r Henr q*nti post coqm octauo. In p x mis assigno Rico Baxster capelt j. vesti- ment vidett j. casula j. alba j. amic? j. stol j. fanon j. zona j. corpale cu cooptorio ij pann lin sup altar j. supaltar puu j. pec argent j. antiq“m murr et ij. vel iij. vnc argent si indigeat ad faci- end bonu calice. It eid Rico opt pec argent j. pua murr j. mensa opt et opt scabella que vult eliger Ita q d Jobes Peyton capelt post obit jJdci Rici beat omia ista pdict It assigno eid Rico ij. acr terr iacent ap d Stanewelle bregg vj coclear argent j. peluim cu j. lauac°j. candelabr j. salsar di garnyssh de vas* peutr j. olla erf j. vrciot j. patella j. mappa j. manu?giu iij. puluinar j. cooptor j. tester j. par lintb j. doseyn panni camelini j. celo r cu iij. redet j. lect de plumis pannu p nig a tog et capic. It assigno pdict Jobi Peyton j. cooptor j. tester j. par lintb ij. blanketf j. culcitr opt j. peluim cu j. lauac 0 j. candelabrf j. salsar j. mappa j. manu?giu iij. puluinar j. olla enea j. vrciot j. zona argent j. longa et strict theca ligat ferro j. pateft xxii. p iiij. annis ad celeband p aia mea ad continuand scot et vj s. viij d. p tempib3 vacac p expens vij. vln de panno blod p tog et opt furrur et volo q d ilia tog bene et com- plete fiat de expnsf meis. It pannu p nig a tog et capicio. It assigno Sibill Chekyneye ?uient mee j. cooptor j. blanket j. par lintb j. par de wollecomb j. kembyngstok j. rot j. par de cardf j. olla enea j. vrciot j. patell j. furrur de pelt cuniculoip j. pelui 9cau j. candelabr j. theca ligat ferro j. par libraip cu omib3 pon- 4 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF dorib3 plubeis vno excepto vidett optio j. camisia j. flameot j. pur- peynt iiij. ston de peior lana xl s. et pannu p nig a tog. It assign o Margaret Tompston suient mee j. cooptor j. blanket j. par linth j. par de wollecomb j. kembyngstok j. rot j. par de cardf j. olla enea j. vrciot j. patelt j. candelabr j. camis j. flameot iiij. ston de peior lana xx S. et pannu p nig a tog et volo q d omia vasa peutr ex- cept ill que pdict Ric Baxster hebit diuidant^ in? jpdict Johni Pey- ton Sybil! Chekeyneye Margaret Tompston et q d omia alia vten- silia mea que no specificant“~ in ist voluntate diuidant^ in? j!dcm Ricm Baxster Johm Peynton (sic) Sibil! et Margaret suient meas. Ita q d de omi secta diet 9 Ricus p^o eligat et pxio dcus Jobs deinde Sybil! et tuc Margaret. It assigno Agnet ?uienti mee j. cooptor ij. blanket^ ij. par lintb xxvj s. viij d. et pannu de albo russet p tunica et j. camis. It Alicie vxori Rogeri Lester j. par j?cu de argent cu j. monili. It Amye Irmonger j. magna archa j. purpeynt et j. par libra^ pendent in aula mea et meu maxi m pond plubeu. It assigno Alic vxori Jobis Tye j. chafo r ita q d post eius obit Amya Lilia ei 9 beat id chafo r . Itm Jobi Yoxford de Botlysh a m xxs. Itm Thome fit eiusd Jobis vj s. viij d. It Issabeii fit eiusdm Jobis j. cooptoriu j. blanket j. par lintb j. par de wollecomb j. rot et j. par de cardf. It Margaret fit eiusd Jobis j. lect competent pannu de albo russet p tunica j. camis et xiij s. iiij d. It Jobi Tompston Taylo r ij. doseyn pani cameti et panu p nig a tog. It Alic vxor eiusdm Jobis panu p nig a toga et j. virid capic. It Robto fit eiusd Jobis vj s. viij d. It Alic vxori Wal?i Bon opt zona argentat j. cella j. frenu. It Alic fit dci Wal?i Bon vj §. viij d. et opti m flameot de coton. It Wiltmo Stubbard de Wykh a mbrok j. pec argent j. mappa vj. coclear argent et j. cooptor lecti de peit cunicto^. It Edo fit eiusd Willi iij s. iiij d. It Willo Blood xiij s. iiij d. It Ka?ine [? uxor] ei 9 dm Wiili j. lamina ferr opti m collobiu opti m capic et j. log can- delabr ferr. It Alic Watton j. par f?cu de aumb. It Matild Hurle- batt opt violett tog furrat et j. scarlet capic. It Agnet Swan ton j. olla enea. It Margaret Blake j. tunic j. camis et j. flameot. It Jobne West panu p nig a tog j. camis j. flameot j. busselt frument THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 5 et j. q a rt de bacon. It Helene Cobold j. violett tog j. camis j. flameot j. candelab? j. b 3 frumenf et j. q a rf de bacon. It Emme Golle j. collobiu russet j. tog russef dupplicaf et j. capic blod£. It Ade Ewell gardian 0 frm mino^ de Babe weft j. nouu habit. It Johi Tompston fri eiusdm conuent 9 j. nouu habit. If cuitt moniali de Cantabrig xij d. et priorisse ij s. I? Wiftmo Wryghte de Qwepstede vj s. viij d. de bonis que d 3 michi. It lazarf ext a le Rysbygate iij s. iiij d. It dompno Johi Bon xx §. It Ro^o Irby capeft vj s. viij d. Johi Redg a ue capeft vj s. viij d. It Margaret fit Godard de Dun stall xiij s. iiij d. It Johi Merymowth vj s. viij d. It Nicho Cokerel vj §. viij d. It Stephno fit Johis Breggf iij S. iiij d. It Helene Kek suient Wal?i Bon iij s. iiij d. It Rico Elueclen iij s. iiij d. Ifm Johi P’sely iij s. iiij d. It Johi Rakisiij §. iiij d. It Johi Wollebeter iij s. iiij d. It Johi Baxster j. vacca. It Rog 9 o Schal- deford j. comb brasij. It Wifto Goodchep j. comb brasij. It Johi Rokker jun j. comb brasij. It Robto Fuller j. comb brasij. I? Matild pryst j. comb brasij. It Ka?ine Newehawe j. comb brasij. It fit eiusd Kat j. comb brasij. It Alano Fuller de Stowe j. comb brasij. It Robto Stubbard fuller j. comb brasij. If Johi Co fuller j. comb brasij. If cuilt filiole mee cui nomeest Agnes ij. comb brasij et cuitt al?i filiolojp meo^ non hnti illucl nome j. comb brasij. If Margaref Gemetrye xij d. If Margaref cu mag a tibia xij d:. If Matild Botr xij d. et j. comb brasij. Ifm Ka?ine Derh a m xij d. Ifm Johanne Thruston xij d. [Lib. Osbern, f. 157 b .] Jofies Notyngh a m de Bury, grocer. — 1437. In Dei noie Amen. Ego Johes Notyngh a m de Bury sci Edi grocer sana mente ac bona memoria existens ap d Bury pdcam xx m0 die mens£ Martij anno dhi Miftm° cccc mo . xxxvij 0 . condo testmmeu in hue modu. In p^is lego aiam mea Deo oipotenti be Marie Virgini et oib 3 scis corp 9 q, meu eccliastic sepultur. Ifm lego sumo altari ecctie be Marie vift pdee p decis et oblac meis 6 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF oblitf seu minime psolutf xl s. Itm lego conuentui de sco Edo qua? marc ad duas pittanc inde bend vna scitt die sepultur mee et al?am p'mo anniusario die p me obseruand. Itm lego capetto pocb dee ecctie be Marie iij s. iiij d. Itm lego capetto qui dicit r Seyntemarypriest in ead ecctia iij s. iiij d. Itm lego cuitt psbi?o phnf exequijs meis in?essenti viij d. Itm lego cler meo pocb viij d. et vtriq duojp socio^ suo^ iiij d. Itm lego frib3 de Babwett xxvj s. viij d. Et lego frlbj pdicator de Thetford xx s. Itm fribj August de eadm villa xiij s. iiij d. I? lego Jobe Bonafaunt moniali de Thetford iij s. iiij d. et cuitt sorojp suajpi bm xx d. Itm lego fri meo Henr Notyngh a m monacho xx S. et zonam mea optima. Itm volo q d vn 5 capetts ydone 9 sustentet^ ad celebrand p aia mea et aiab3 quib 3 teneor in ecctia poebi pdict p quatuor ann continuos. Itm lego Jobe Jerveys filie mee xl. marc in octo ann post obitu meu p man 9 exec meojp sibi soluend scilt quoit anno ?mini illi 9 v. marc. Itm lego Isabel} et Jobe filiab5 pdee Jobe filie mee xl marc in? eas equalr diuidend et soluend q a mcito fuint maritate aut cu ipe tat etatf discrecois et libta? fSint q d ipam pecuniam sciant et valeant sagaci? appruar. Et volo q d si contingat al?am eajpdm Isabett et Jobe filia^ Jobe obire pticoe dee pecunie non facta tuc summa xl marc p 9 dca£ ea^ al?i ad tepus supi 9 limitat totali? psolua? volo tn q d si ipe ambe filie Jobe ante hmoi tepus solucois faciend morian? extuc xl marc ille p meos executores disponant a p aia mea in optt>3 pietatf. Itm volo q d q a mdiu Jobes Jerveys de Bury beneuolus intendens consulens et auxilians fu 9 it executorib3 meis put decet non inferens nec inferri peurans eis nec eo^ alicui iniuria molestia impediments neq3 grauamen quin meu psens testm et mea voluntatem fact seu faciend libe et quiete exequi valeant et implere^ acecia tali? se buit penes Jobam vxorem sua put vir honest 9 et moderat 9 vxori sue fideli honeste se here tene?, tamdiu exec mei respectuabut eundm Jobem Jerveys de soluendo eis illas centu et quadraginta marcas quas ipe michi debet. Itm lego ad constructura duoip portic ad ecctiam be Marie sup a dic? scitt in la?e australi et capite occid eiusdm faciend THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 7 xx libras. Itm lego ad nouu vestimentu integr emend sumo altari eiusd3 ecctie seruitur xx u . Itm volo q d vn 9 calix bon 9 et vnu vestimentu nouu pquirent r ad seruiend altari sci Jacobi in dca ecciia be Marie. Itm lego ad adquisicoem noue ymagis sci Jobis Bapte locande ppe sumu altar ecctie sci Jacobi dee ville v marc. Itm lego ad adquisicoem noui vestimenti suituri ecctie pock de Soh^m x marc. Ifm lego fabric ecctie de Wyken x\s. Itm lego dno Thome Conysby capelto xx s. et calice meu, missale meu, psal?iu meu, meu albu vestimentu et ce?a ornamenta mea p altari. Itm lego dnoThome Petyte cleric xx S. Et dno Joki Wodward cler 5 xx s. Et dno Joki Petyte cler* vj S. viij d. Et lego Joki Wyrmegeye xiij S. iiij d. Et lego Elene Lowene vj s. viij d. Et Margar 5 Welly s vj §. viij d. Et Joke Aleyn xiij S. iiij d. j. spynnyngwhel et j. par carpsa^. Itm volo q d die in?amenti mei paupes quiq3 recrean? et quilt recreat 9 keat vnu den 9 . Residuii v*o oim bono;p supi 9 no legat do et lego executor meis inferi 9 noiat^ et eo^ assign ad vendend et denarios inde leuaf disponend3 p aiab3 mei et diet Isabelt et p aiab3 oim pentu et bnfac? nrojp ac oim fideliu defuct in sustentacoe f?sbi?o^ visitacoe et releuacoe paupu et alio^ pietatf opu put ipi viderint aiab 3 nris salubri 9 expedire. Hui 9 aute test! mei meos constituo executores Thoma Cranewys capeftnu Wiftm Rycber et Wiltm Basse et lego cuitt eo^ p suo labor xl S. In cui 9 rei testioiu huic testo meo sigillu meu apposui. Dat loco die et anno sup a dict£. Omnib3 xpi fidelib3 ad quo^ noticiam psens scriptu pueflit Jokes Notyngh a m de Bury sci Edi grocer sattm in im saluator. Cum nup feoffau 9 im 9 Wiftm Rycber, Jokem Odeham, Wiftm Basse, Wiftm Ampe, Thomam Hert et Thoma Bienge de Bury j!dca de et in oib3 terris et ten meis reddit 9 et seruic cu eojp ptih que die dat 9 cui 9 dam carte sup hoc confect hui in villa et camp de Bury j?dca et alibi in com. Suff. ad exequend et pimplend inde meam vltiam voluntate nou 9 itis q d hec est mea mera voluntas sup disposicoe terr ten redd et servic pdcofc facienda p bonam deliberacoem aduisata que subsequit r videit q d jJfati feoffati mei infra vnu annu post obitu meu feoffari faciant Johanna Jerveys 8 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF filiam mea de toto mesuagio meo quod iniiito cu ptin suis excepta totapte mesuag’ illi 9 cu ptin que dicit^ Seynt Roberdf quod quidm mes* sit est in vico vocat th Spycerowe in? ten conuent 9 de sco Edo ex pte orientf et ten Johis Baret ex pte occid, aceciam de vno mesuag* cu ptin sit in eadm villa in vico vocat th Pul?y market quod nup fuit Wal?i Drawesuerd, necnon de quad g a ng cu gardio adiac et alijs ptin suis sit in ead villa in vico voc Lyttelbrakelond vna cu quinq3 solidat quiet reddit 9 exeunt de mes’ nup Ro§i Fysche Sou?e sit in ead villa in vico voc th Ratunrowe bend et tenend jJdca duo mesuag’ grangia gardin et reddit cu oib3 et singiis suis ptin except £ inde supi 9 except f eidm Jobe filie mee ad tota vita suam Et q d post decessu ipius Johanne dci feofFati mei feofFabut Isabellam et Johanna filias dee Jobe filie mee vna cu oib3 at filijs et filiab3 eiusd Jobe filie mee in?im lie pereandis in feodo simplici de et in jJdcis duob3 mes’ g“ng* gardio et redditu cu eo^ ptin ex 1 ’ p i9 exceptf cu ipi filij et filie dcam sua matre supuiuentes ad liam puenlunt etate reseruantes oes puent 9 inde ad comodu et vsu filio^ et filia^, Et volo q d si nulla pies dee Jobe filie mee ipam Jobam supuiuent ad bam etate puenire videat tuc dci feofFati vel eo-p hered seu assign* dca duo mes grang gardin et redditu cu eo-p ptin vendant et pe- cunia inde leuatam pro aia mea et aiab3 amico:p meojp ac oim fideliu defuct p man 9 meo^ execut disponi faciant. Volo tamen q d si Jobes Jerveys vir clce Jobe filie mee eandm Johannam feofFari faciat de et in toto man 9 io voc Suttons in Cokefeld et alibi in com SufF. p ?mio vite sue tuc ] 3 dci feofFati mei faciant eundm Jobem Jerveys here statu p ?mio vite sue de dcis duob3 mes’ grang* gardio et red- ditu cu ptin suis ex 1 ’ p l9 ex 1 ’. P 9 ?ea volo q d qncumq> Jfatus Jobes Jerveys inuen 9 it executoribj meis etem securitate de soluendo eis vi- ginti libras in quatuor annis px sequent die obit 9 mei sciit quoit anno centu solidos ad duos anni ?mios qualem ijdm exec p aduisu sui consilij censerint esse sufficients et postq'fin feoffari fecerit dcam Jobam uxore sua de et in pdeo maner de Suttons cu ptin vt sup a dcm est ijdm feofFati here facient eid Jobi Jerveys et Jobe vxori ei 9 copetente statu de grang’ et gardio meis sit in occidentali THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 9 suburbio ville de Bury ppe via due a le Rysbygate vsus Teyuen et eciam de xvj. acr ?re et pastur iac ppe Teyven et ppe hospitale sci Petri cu ptin in villa de Bury j)dca tenend et bend in feodo imppetuu. Itm volo q d qncumq^ idm Jobes Jerveys inuen 9 it eis- dm exec meis consilem securitate de soluendo sibi quadraginta marcas infra quatuor annos px sequent post festu Pascb iam px venturu scilt quoit anno decern marcas incipiendo p i mam inde solucoem ad festu Pascb px sequens post fiscriptu fest Pascb tuc ijdm feoffati here faciant eidm Jobi Jerveys et hijs quos ipe ad hoc denoIau 9 it competetem statu de vna pec terre comput p vi- ginti acris terr siue plus siue min 9 in ipa pec beat"" cu ptin iac ppe Hennoweheth infra Bury bend sibi in feodo imppetuu. Itm volo q d Willms Basse vn 9 executoip. meo^ et feoffat beat mes meu vocat Seynt Roberdis cu suis ptin sit in Bury j!dca in vico vocat Hat?estrete quod a me nup pquisiuit soluendo p eod mes coexec suis testi mei viginti libras leg monete Anglie in decern annis px sequent die obit 9 mei scilt quoit anno xls. Itm volo q d Jobes Baret beat mes meu sit in Bury pdea in vico voc Ratunrowe p suma quaterviginti et quindecim marcajp. Si tamen idm Jobes Baret cu dcis executor meis de ?rmo solut et securitate inde con- cordat possit. Act sunt bee ap d Bury pdict die lune ^x post festu Epbie dni A 0 dni Mibo cccc mo xxxix° Regni vo Reg^ Henr sexti xviij 0 . Eisdm loco die et anno ego j?fat 9 Jobes Notyngh a m testm meu amplificar ppono hoc modo qui sequit 1 '. In primis lego Isabelle filie Johis Jerveys vj. cocliar argent j. ciphu murr. j. cooptoriii rub j. p blankettf. j. p linthiam ij. ollas en j. patell en j. pelui j. lauacr en j. puu cacabu en j. vreiolu en vj. quissinf j. magn mortar lapidf j. tabula mensale ij. scabella j. cathedr j. craticlam ferr j. veru ferr j. quartpot de stangno et di garniscb pevt 9 vessell et di mappa mensale. Itm lego Jobe sorori j)dce Isa- bel! vj. cocliar arg j. ciphu murr j. cooptor cu j. testor de viride et glauc j. p blankettf j. p linthiam ij. ollas eh j. patell eh j. puu caldrone j. vreiolu j. caldrone maiore eh j. veru ferr j. cra- ticlam ferr j. mortar lapid j. pelui j. lauacr eh vj. quissin^ j. c CAMD. SOC. 10 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF mensam curt ij. scabella. j. cathedr. j. quartpot de stagno et di garnissh peut 9 vessel! et di rnappa mensale. Itm lego Jobi Jer- veys pileu meu de Brunettf et meu portifer. Et lego Jobe vxori ej 9 oia lana mea hostiliam et vtensilia hospic mei ext“~ cipb meis argent et j. par cultell quo:p manubria sunt de cornu vnicornij et j. cista cu oib3 cartf et munimentf in ea content £ j!? munimentf que spectant ad ter? et ten supi 9 vendit que tepore congruo sut libanda modo debito. Itm lego eid Jobe oia grana focalia ligna et carbones que remanebut post expensas inde faciend circa in?a- mentii meu et a! obseruancias fun 9 ales p me faciend et ext^ du- cent fagott que distribuent^ paupibj p man 9 exec meoip. Itm lego Thome Byenge mea togam nig? furrat cu j. capuco. Itm lego Willmo Basse mea tog rub ptica et optimu capiciii meu rub. maiore statera mea cu balanc et oia g°ssa pondera mea plubea et j. pua statera de ij. librf j. p rostyngrakk^ ferr. j. gospanne ereti. j. potelpot de pevtyr et meu primar. Itm lego Jobi Basse filiolo meo ij. q a rt brag et cuiit fratru et soro£ eiusd Jobis iiij. b3 brag uel ij s. p eisdm. Itm lego Gilbto Skut xx s. et toga mea de bluett fur? et meu pileu de scarlet et pileu meu nigr. ij. cistas in opella exist et omes tecas opelle mee. Itm lego Agneti of Park xl s. Itm lego Thome Conysby j. ciphu argen? cu pede. Itm volo qd Willms Basse beat tota ceram mea in domo vocat Seynt Rober- dis existent sciit quamlt centena inde ad 1 s. cui 9 ptin totale attingit sumam ducenta^ libra£ septe solid et decern denar vnde ipe sol- uet coexecutor suis dci mei tesfi quoit anno durant decern ann amodo px° sequent decern et octo libras ad festa Pascb et sci Micbis equis porcoib3 et vl?ius in anno px° sequenti post ipo^ decern anno£ complement ad festa cosilia viginti libras vij s. et x d. pimo ?mio soluc incipiente ad festu Pascb iam px ventur. Itm volo q d vn 9 capebus ydoneus jJsertim dns Thomas Conesby capebus beat quoit anno octo marcas durantib3 sexdecim annis post obitu meu immediate sequent ad celeb rand in ecclia be Marie j)dca p aia mea et aia Isabelle nup vxorf mee ac oim fideliu THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 11 defuncto^ si residuu bono£ meo£ vlt a legata et assignamenta mea ad hoc suffice? possit. Prob. 15 Feb. 1439. [Lib. Osbern, f. 244 b .] Robert, Bishop of Emly. — 1441. In dei nole Amen. Ego Rohtus pmissione Diuina Epus Imilicen sana mente ac bona memoria exist ap d Bury sci Edi iurisdict exempt vltio die mens£ Junij A 0 , dni Miftmo cccc m0 . xlj°. condo testm meu in hue modu. In p'mis lego aiam meam deo oipotenti he Mar Yirgini et oih 3 scis corp 9 q, meu ad sepeliend in ecctia fratru mino^ de Babewell. It lego sumo altari ecctie he Marie ville pdee p decis et oblac meis minime psolut iij s. iiij d. It lego couentui de Babewell pdict sex cocliar arg j. ciphu argent et ciphu meu de murra minore. Itm lego assigno Rohto Cok clerico meo mes meu nup Rici Bendeste cu ptin suis sit in Bury pdea in vico yoc Westgatestrete hend sibi hered et assign suis im- ppetuu uel salte decern marc monete de vendicoe eiusd mes leuand et lego eidm Rohto j. matras j. p blanketts j. p linthiam j. cooptor de bluettf j« p r poynt j. oft eh de ij. lag et j. vreiolu eh et ij. cocliar argent It lego Wifto Beton nup seru meo j. matras j. p blanket? ij. pia linthiam vnu nou cooptor et j. cocliar arg Residuu v 9 o oim bono^ meo^ comitto admistrat execut meo£ ad vendend recipiend et disponend p ala mea et alab 3 oim fidet defuct in pietat£ opib 3 put ipi viderint Deo coplacere. Hui 9 aute testi mei meos constituo exec sciit Galfrid Herry de Fornham Andr Grene de Rysby Edm Galyon. In cui 9 rei testioiu ^sens sigillu apposui. Dat loco die et a 0 , supdict. Prob. 2 July, 1441. [Lib. Osbern, f. 253.] 12 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF Alicia Langham of Snaylwell. — 1448. In Dei noie Amen. Anno dni Miftmo cccc m0 xlviij 0 die mensf ffebr die vicesimo. Ego Alic* Langham de Snaylwell copos et sane mentf existens in hue modu meu condo testamentu. In p'mis comendo alam mea Deo pri olpotenti ei 9 miseracoi corpus meu ad sepeliendii inf a scuariu eccie poch inf* cui 9 limites me mori De 9 disposu 9 it. Et lego sumo altari eiusdm eccie vj §. iiij d. It fabrice et emendacoi dee eccie vj s. iiij d. It lego Edeue filie mee optlam armilausa seu collobiu et vnu pann depictu cii historia Roberti Regis Cesilie. Itm lego Agneti filie mee moiali de Swafh^m pfesg duo cooptoria lecto ptin optla vno exempto. It ij. pa! 1 blanketts, ij. par linth de optif vno ex t0 , j. donge optimu vno ex to , j. pruce hutche, j. forcer, vna pec argentea cu cooptor argentea, iiij. cocliaf argentea, vna murra, j. manuPgiu, j. capiciii nigru, et viij. marc in pecunia si de bonis meis leuare poPint. It lego p’orisse de Swafh^m moialiu iij §. iiij d. Itm cuilibt moniali ibm pfess et no xij d. Itm lego m. Wiilo Hamond vj s. viij d. If lego Hugoni Agnyseye de Chyppenh^m iij s. iiij d. If lego Wiftmo Shakespere paupi de Snayleswell xij d. If lego Agnete vx 9 dci Willi j. tunica vl toga secundu auisamentii ex meoj subscriptoip. Ifm lego Margerie Seman famule mee vna toga optiam vna ex ta . j. cou 9 lyth, j. p blanketts, j. par linth et j. le frende pellure. Residuu vo oim bono;p meo:p no legato^ do et lego in manus M. Willi Hamond et dne Agnef moial de Swafh^m filie mee licencia sui supioip ex meoip vt ipi inde ordinet et disponat p aia mea et aiab 3 quib 3 teneor. Et concedo detf M. Wiilo et dne Agneti ex meis jJscripf plena potestate oim bono^ meo£ legato^ in testa- mento meo psenf contento^ augmentandi et dimuendi sedm discrecoem eoripd put meli 9 videbit r vel expedire Deo placere ac aie mee pdesse. In cui 9 rei testlon huic jisenti testamento meo sigillii meu apposui. Daf die loco mense et anno dni sup^dief. Prob. 22 May, 1451. [Lib. Baldwin, f. 126 b ]. THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 13 Lady Ela Shardelowe. — 1457* In Dei noie Amen. Ego Ela nup relicta Rohi Shardelowe militf sane mentis et bone memorie exist ap d Bury Sci Edi iij°. die men§ Novembr a 0 dhi M 1 iiij c lvij 0 condo testm meu 1 hue mod. In p is lego aiam mea Deo oipotent he Marie Virg et oib3 scis corp 9 meii eccliast sepultur. It lego sumo alt he Mar ecclie sue de Bury p 9 dict xij d. It lego sacre mon sci Edmi iij s. iiij d. It lego ad repac ornam in vestibulo ecclie p^dict vj s. viij d. It lego fFeretro sci Edmi vnu monile aureu cii figura cerui ip 9 ssa. It lego repac ornamet altar£ sci Martini in ead ecclia x §. Et lego dno Willo Feg 9 capellno ij §. It lego Mro Th. Cranewf x m^rc vnu psal?iu et vj. quissinos de blod sagone. Et dno Th. Sporle psal? iii meu vePum. It lego ad distfbuend inter sacerdotf fra?nitat sci Nichi in Bury vj s. viij d. It lego dno Ric Deye portiforiii meu et volo q d id Ricus heat annuat dur quiq, annis p 9 meu decessu imediat sequen viij. m“"c ad celebrand p aia mea et aiab3 quib3 teneor in ecclia pdict. It lego ad fafream noui campanilis mon 9 de Bury c s. soluend ad voluntat exec meo^. It lego gilde nois Jhu in Bury p susten- tat capelli huic ^uienti viij. m a rc et meu missale. It lego ecclie de Cavenh^m meu vestiment feriale cu ij. tueh et j. parura p al? et vnu corpale cu casa et pannos pictos c ! ca meu altare pendent. It lego ecclie de Berton Togryng vestimetu meu dnicale cu ij. tuell p altari et meii opt corpale cii casa eiusd. It lego ecclie oim sco} de Elmh^m vj s. viij d. It lego Margarete Loveday Como- ran ti cii fre suo v m"rc sibi soluend in quick ann et tog mea penulata cu croppf de grey. It volo q d Wills Loveday heat de boh meis xli. sibi soluendf post recepcoem oim den michi debit si tamen ipe interim se bn gerat et virtuose ac bone conu 9 sacoi et guhnacoi adhereat alioquin hnfico dicti meilegati nullaten 9 potiat 9 . It lego filio Rohi Cobbe filio meo spuali vj §. viij d. Et filie Joh Loveday filie mee spuali vj s. viij d. Et lego Johi Ede j. par linthiam et vj s. viij d. It lego Rico Loveday ^uienti meo viij. m a rc. Et lego Roh Cobbe suienti meo iiij. m a rc. Et lego Johne Gellyng 14 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF x m a rc. Et lego Johi Wyn? iiij. m a rc. It volo q d Agnes Sellyng heat xviij. cocliar mea arg si ipa velit dare exec£ meis valorem ponder £ eo^dm in mone? Angl. Et lego eidm Agneti j. murra cu coopculo et vna tabula picta stante sup altar men et vnu vas ereu p aqua hndict. It lego Anne Smyth vnu monile aureu. Et lego Elizabeth Drury anulu meu minorem cii diamante imjJssa. Et lego gilde see Anne in Bury capiciu meu penulat cu letuse 3 . Et volo ac fJcor et requiro feoffatos de et in man 9 io meo cu ptin voc Daventf in villis de Chedesh a m, Rumburgh, Wyssete, et alibi in com. Suff. ut totum suu statu inde hitu exhibeant exec meis q a mcito requisiti fuint quaten 9 ijdm execut mei man 9 iu illud vendere possint ac den de ipa vendicoe recipe et in execucoe pmisso^ et ai pietatf opu disponere in ex- pedicoe 3 aie mee et aiajp oim fideliu defunct. Et q 3 ^legate siime pec ad manii non hen? nec her pot 9 unt anq a m de debito- rib} meis seu de vendicoe pdict 9 man 9 ij recepte sint volo igit r q d si quis p aliq° legat meo supius facto meos execut vexar seu in- quietar psumat anq^m illud de bonf meis sibi valeant ronabilit 9 soluere legatu illud penit 9 amittat q d et residuu bon meojp supius non legat lego et comitto admistracoi exec meo^ ad ven d reci d et dispo d p salute aie mee et ala£ oim fideliu defunct in opib 3 caritatiuis put ipi viderint Deo melius complacere et dictf aiab 3 celerius expedire. Hui 9 aute testi mei meos constituo exec Johem Odeh a m draper et Johem Beneyt fit Ade Beneyt et lego vtfcjj eojp p suo labore xxvj s. viij d. Et volo q d exec mei supius noiati bona mea disponant cu consensu et auisamento superuiso^ meo^ videlt Joh Clopton Armig et dni Thome Cranewf Capelli aut saltern cu consensu eoip. al?ius. Et insup dejJcor j3fat supuisores fore meis exec intendentf consulentf et eos auxiliantes ac pte- gentes cont a eos qui execucoem j?missojp impedire seu ipos execu? p sua diligencia circa fimissa faciend grauare seu molestare voluint put mea fiducia in eo^ amicicia firmi? radical. In cui 9 rei tes- tioiu huic meo testo sigillu &c. Prob. 16 Nov. 1457. [Lib. Hawlee, fol. 57-] THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 15 John Baret of Bury. — 1463. In the name of Almyghty God, Amen. I, John Baret, of Seynt Edmudys Bury, of good mynde and memory e, beyng at Seynt Edmudys Bury the Satyrday next folwyng the feeste of the Natiuite of oure Lady, the yeer of oure Lord Cryst ALcccclx 11 and iij. make my testement in this wyse : First I be qwethe and corny tte my soule to oure Lord God Almyghty and to oure Lady Seynt Marie and to alle the Seyntes. And my body to be beryed by the awter of Seynt Martyn, namyd also our Ladyes awter, in Seynt Marye chirche at Bury, vnder the pcloos of the retourne of the candilbeem, be fore the ymage of oure Sauyour, and no stoon to be steryd of my graue, but a pet to be maad vnder the ground sille ther my lady Schardelowe was wont to sitte, the stoolys removyd, and the body put in as neer vndyr my grave as may be wythoute hurt of the seid grave. And I be qwethe vnto the high awter of the seid chyrche, in recompense of my dewtees to holy chirche not payed dewly, xx §. Itm I beqwethe to my lord Abbot of Bury a good purs and vj s. and viij d. ther in, and for a tokne of remem- braunce my bedys of white ambyr with the ring of syluir and ovir giltlongyng therto and my gilt stondyng cuppe, to hym and to his successours aftyr hym. Also I be qwethe to the Prio r a good purs and a halpenye of gold ther in, with a dowbift seel with two prentys hanggyng by a cheyne of syluer. Ifm to Davn John Wulfpet my best powdyr box of syluer and a ferthing of gold. Itm to Davn John Ixnyng my tablees of ivory with the combe and a peyre spectaclys of syluir and ouyr gylt. Itm to Davn John Crymplesh a m my smale tablys of ivory gravyn with ymages wiche were the pryour hooly John of Bredlyngtone and vj §. viij d. Itm to Davn Wiftm Boxforde my knyves that I veryd my selfe. Itm to Davn John Colchestre a peyre of smale bedys of jeet, the pat!- nostl of syluyr and ovyr gilt. Itm I beqwethe to Davn John Ratlysden a peyre bedys of ambyr with a ryng of syluir. Itm to 16 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF Davn John Harlowe and Davn John Attylburgh, eche of hem, a peyre bedys of ambyr. Itm to eche monk in the place to haue xij d. and a petauce a monges them, eche ma a french loof and a quart wyn. Itm I beqwethe to eche of my lord abbottf chapleyns a purs of silk and gold and to eche of them xij d. ther in. Ifm to eu' y gentylman of my lord abbottf wiche be comyng and goyng as officeres and menyal men longyng to the houshold of my felashippe, eche gentylman a purs of silke and gold and xij d. ther in. Itm to eche yoman of houshold viij d. and a peyre bedys of ambyr and jet. And to eche grome and page vj d. and peyre bedys of my still. Itm I beqwete to Adam Newhawe my girdyl of ledir barryd with siluir with bokyll and pendaunth and my lityll bagge of blakke ledyr with a cheyne and toret of siluyr. It to Raffe Otle sumtyme my man a blak gownne and xx d. to the makyng. And to Robert Otle a blak gownne and xx d. to the makyng. Itm to John Hert my gyrdyll with a bokyll and pendaunth of siluir, Grace me youerne wretyn ther in, and a bagge of grene silk with jemewys of green. Itm I geue and qwethe to Willm Hussher iij s. iiij d. and he to haue his indento^ of his prentished y e wiche I hadde in kepyng with a quetaunce of his mais? by sythe; and if John Hert and Willm Housher do seruyce at my interment, I will that they be revardyd be syde and alle tho that do seruyce there by the discrecion of my executours. Itm I beqwethe to the parish preest of Seynt Marie chirche vj s. viij d. Itm to Seynt Marie preest a blak gowne and as folwith. It to the parysh clerkej that longith to the warde I dwelle in xij d. If X wille that eche preest that be at fyrst dirige and berying haue iiij d. and eche of y e parysshclerke3 ij d. and eche chyld with a surplys j d. Also in leche wyse I will that euery preest that be at my solempne exequies haue a peyre bedys with a litel purs and ther in iiij d. freris and alle other that hath take the ful ordir of preesthod and eche of the parish prests to haue vj d. and eche of the Seynt Marie preestf vj d. and the chawntours eche of them vj d. Itm eche colet, dekne, and subde’kne, and parish or [ward ?] clerc, THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 17 ij d. a psone and eche chyld that hath a surplys a j d. Itm I wyll that Mais? Thomas Harlowe sey the sermon at my interment, if he wochesaft, and he to have vj S. viij d. to prey for me. And if he may not do it, be his avyce anothir to be chose at Cambridge to make the sermon and to have y e seid nobill and alle here coste 3 payd fore. It I will no comown dole haue, but on the evyn myn solempne dirige shalbe kept eche pore man and eche pore wouma beyng there haue j d. to prey for me, and ij. chyldren j d., to be delyd after the discrecon of my executours, and the same day be forn non eche bedred man and woma that can be fowunde within [fol. 96] Bury haue ij d. to prey for my soule. Itm I wille the presoneres in the Gayle haue o day brede, mete, and drynkke, and eche psone j d., and the kepere to haue ij d. Itm I wille that eche laseer of man and woma or child within Bury haue ij d. and a loof of brede and halpeny. Itm I wille haue at myn interment at my diryge and messe v. men clade in blak in wurshippe of Jhus v. woundys and v. wommen clad in whith in wurshippe of oure ladyes fyve joyes, eche of them holdyng a torche of clene vexe, the ovener of my place kepe y e vex y* lewyt for a stoke to fynde yerly ij. taperis lyght suyche tyme as folwith aftyr in wry ting. Itm I wille eche pore man and pore womman clad in blak and white, holdyingy e wex haue ij d. and here mete. If I wele the ij bellemen haue ij. gownys and be ij. of y e fyve to holde torches and ij d. and here mete, andy e Sexteyn of y e chirche to haue brede and drynkke and xij d. for his rynggyng and his mete. Itm I wele my exe- cutoures, my kynrede, my frendys, and my ^uauntf haue gownys of blak as many as ben expressyd be name in this my seid wille, and if my executours wille adde any moo thereto I graunte hem fulle pover. If I wille y t on the day of my intirment be songge a messe of prikked song at Seynt Marie auter in wurshippe of oure lady at vij. of y e clokke be the morve or sone aftir, y 1 y e messe of requiem may begynne forthwith whan y t is doo, to spede the tyme for y e sarmon, and y* my kynrede and executours offre at y e said messe of oure lady ; the wiche messe of oure lady I wille the CAMD. SOC. D 18 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF Seynt Marie preest kepe in a whith vestement wiche is redy made ageyn y 1 tyme, bought and payd fore, with a remembraunce of my armys and my reson therto, Grace me gouerne , and I wele haue anothir vestement made of white busteyn and my clot of gold to go y 9 to. For what day God fortune y 4 I desese y 1 day eche wyke in y e yeer I wille Seynt Marie preest sey or do seye a messe of oure lady at Seynt Marie avter in y® seyd vestement, and af? the gospel to stonde at y e awter is ende and reherse John Barettys name opynly, seying De profundis for me, for my fader and my mod, and for alle crysten sowlys, and to haue mynde on vs and on Edmond Tabour in his memento , and af? the seid messe to sey a memorie of requiem for vs and for alle cristen sowlys, and y e seid Seynt Marie preest yeerly to haue a revarde therefore ; and if the office of Seynt Marie preest fayle, as God defende, than I wille the parishe preest haue as moche, and to do as ye seid Seynt Marye preest shulde do accordyng to my wille as is expressid by wourdys y* folwyn aftyr be wryting ; wher vpon I wille y e seid Seynt Marie preest be gynne on the day of my interment with a messe be note, seyng De profundis aftir the gospell, rehersyng my name with a memorye of requiem , as is rehersid afore, and he to haue y e same day vj s. viij d. onward for y l folwyng, y* tyme twelve monyth another nobill, and so yeerly ij. noblys as folwith in writyng, and he to be chargyd with no mo messys be note but the day of my internement and a messe of oure lady eche wykke after withoute note, and to sey De profundis after the gospel with my name rehersid, as is seid be fore. Itm I wille y t eche man y* synggit prykked songe on y e day of my enterment at oure ladyes messe haue ij d. and y e pleyers at y e orgenys ij d. and eche child j d. and y l yei preyid to dyner the same day. It I wille the Alderman, Burgeys, gentilmen, and gentilwomme haue a [fol. 96 b ] dyner the same day that I am enterid, with other folkes of wour- shippe, preests, and good frendys, and also my tenawunts, to wiche I am moche be holde to do for hem alle, for they haue be to me ryght gentil and good at alle tymes, and therfore I wyl eche of THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 19 hem alle haue iiij d. to drynkke whanne they pay her ferme. It such psonys as my executours wylle bydde to dyner be syde I fully comytte it vnto there discrecon. It for ‘asmoche as I levyd wele euyn I wyl they haue j now, and that they fayle noon at my dirige ne at mete. It I wille y t there be wretyn on y e fore part of iren abowte my graue soone aftyr my dissees these vers, Sis testis xp’e tumulus non hie manet iste Corpus vt ornetur sed sp’us ut memoretur . And in sum couenient place by, the day and the yeer of oure lord of my departyng fro this wourld and the pardon the wiche I purchased to be wreten therewh If the bulle and the busshoppees seelys the wiche I get be set in a loker of burde for brekyng of the seelys and curyd ovir af? a loker on the syde ageyn the plombe of lede, y t it may be redde and knowe to exorte the pepill rathere to prey for me. If I yeve and be qwethe x. marks to the peyntyng rerdoos and table at Seynt Marie avter of the story of Magnified, that in caas be y* awter be seet aftir my entent, as is wretyn aftyr. And in the enner part of y e lowkys w^nne there be wreten the balladys I made therefore, and the pardon wrety there also, with other thinges wiche I graunte to Seynt Marye preest, his chargees and his rewardys expressyd as folwith aftyr in writyng, that here aftyr it may be knowe for an euydence in the seid tabyll there to be fowunde in wryting. If I wil that the ymage of oure lady that Robert Pygot peynted be set vp ageyn the peleer next y e pcloos of Seynt Marie awter with the baas redy therto and a hovel with pleyn sydes comyng down to the baas, and in the myddes of the baas my candylstykke of laten with a pyke to be set afore a tapir I haue assygned vnto y e v. taperes longgyng to the naty vite gylde wiche stant alofte be fore the aungelys, with chymes to be sette abowte our lady at the peler. It I wille y* John Elys serche sewrly and owyr se the chymes at Seynt Marie aw£, and the chymes in y e stepyll, therto make a newe barell wiche is redy, and to make plvmbys of leed and newe lynes and ropys and alle thing sewr that longith therto, and substancyaly wrought to endure. And I require my executours to 20 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF spare for no coste that this be doo, and that they reward so the seid John Elys for his labour that he be plesid and content. It I wille there be made a goodly newe crowune of metal gylte, or ellys wel doo in tymbyr, for the ymage of oure lady in the housyng of y e rerdoos of Seynt Marie aw? } and iij. merours of glas to be sette in the myddys of y e iij. woytej above my grave, wiche be redy with my other glasys and dyuerse rolles with scripture, as Henry Peyn- tour can sette hem there they shalle stonde. It I wylle the welle werke afore my place be reparid neve with the drawth and the stoon werk be made sewr. If I wil yt myn executours, be the avys of Thomas Ide, do make ovyr suych a werke of tymbyr [fol. 97] with iiij. postys and a cros as is at Eye, or ellys bettyr, sub- stancyally and wilkeverid to endure, and no grettere coste than nedith, and to considre other charges. It I wil y* my newe hous with the iij. tunys of chemeneyis with in the yeer aftir my disses be deseverid and ptyd froom the hefd place vndir this foorme fol- wyng : I wil the entre w 1 the stoon wal be the strete syde longe to y e neve hous as ferre as the chymeneys stretchith, and a deseuer- aunce maad of stoon wal ovir the entre, to parte the litil botrie vndir the gresys, to longe to the pi our wiche is redy maad; and also deseverid with a walle of tymbyr fro the hefd place be an entre maad out of the spynnyng hous. Itm to close in a good walle y e dore y* is out of y e plour into y e spynnyng hous, wiche spynnyng hous I wille eue r longe to my hefd place and the drawt chambyr above y e spynnyng hous therto. It I wil that y e newe prevy hous ovir the synkke be the dore in to the yeerd ward next the Facown wel closid and keverid to serve for the plour and chambir a loffte, and so the seid plour and chambyr a lofte with y e prevy and the closet a lofte to go evere to gidre hool vndir this forme, as folwith in wryting : that is to seye, I wille my feffees and my attornees put Seynt Marie preest of Seynt Marie chirche in possession of my seid hous with the chemene of ij. tunys next the facon with the apporten a nce longgyng therto, as is rehersid be fore, as soone after myn interment as may goodly be doo in reue- THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 21 fence of God and oure lady, he to haue it to hym and his succes- sors in the seid office for eve r , if it can be made sewr be conseyl and with cost of my goods as my executours shal puyde the menys therfore ; and as I declare a part onward in this my seid wille after my sympil consceyt ; the seid Seynt Marie preest and his successours to haue the seid place with a pencon yeerly be syde, as is exjJssyd in this wryting, so y t he pforme and fulfille diuse thinges as is rehersid be fore and as folwith aftyr in wry- ting, he to prey for my soule at eu 9 y meel, mete, or sopeer, and yif he gynne gracys and sey De profundis , he to reherse my name, J ohn Baret, opynly, that they y t here it may sey, God haue mercy on his soule , wiche greetly may releve me with here devout prey- ours. It I wil that the seid Seynt Marie preest ne his succes- sours shal not lete to ferme the seid place to no man nor woma, weddyd ne onweddyd, but he and his successours to logge there. Itm and if Seynt Marie preest of Seynt James chirche wil sey a messe oonys in y e wykke and af? the gospeel to reherse my name opynly with De profundis for my soule, he to haue the plour benethe ffre to his away lie, party d a tresaunce, and ellys the tothir to do there with as wel as he can, eue r puydyng y* he repare the seid place and kepe it drye alofte, and wysly to be ware of feer, that God and oure lady pserue saue it froom alle man 9 of hurt. It I wil y* my neve hous with the appvrten a nce wiche I haue assigned to the Seynt Marie preest pay yeerly ij d. at my yeerday of rente to my hefd place and to the owneer therof, and no more rente [fol. 97 b ] to no man as for that part. And the seid hefd place, or whoo that ocupyeth it, to paye the hool rente as hath be paiyd be fore, and to a qwyte the said Seynt Marie preest of the taske Abbott’s cope, and alle man 9 charges gen 9 ally at ony [time] askyd by ony man 9 of mene. And on a condicon y t he that owith my hefd place do this, and diligently and effectually take hede to the seid Seynt Marie preest and to his successours that my will be executyd and pformyd yeerly as I haue assignyd to be do, and also that dewly and yeerly he fynde ij. tapris of vax, oon right ovir my 22 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF graue, anothir be fore the ymage of oure lady at the pelir, and bothe taprys to be light o day eche wyke in the yeer suych tyme as the preest seyth messe of oure lady for me, and the same tapris to be light at dirige and messe eche yeer at my yeerday, at wich yeerday I wylle the owener of my place pay eche yeer viij d. to the resurreccion gilde that viij d. taperis may be light at the dirige and messe the same tyme. And this do, the owener of my place to haue my Cornell hous in the Cookrowe, and vij s. of rente that y e petauncere payeth me. Itm I will y t Jenete Whitwelle, my nece, haue hir d welly ng in a part of my hefd place terme of hire lyffe, that is to sey : — I will y t she chese if sche will haue the chambyr y t she hath loyn in, w* the drawght chambyr therto, or ellys the chambyr abovyn the kechene, with the drawgth chambyr longyng therto, with the esement of the prevy longgyng thereto. And I will she haue hire liberte at alle leffull tymes to go in to the chapell to seye hire devo- cyons, in caas be yt she chese the seid chambyr above the kechene, and if she chese that she to haue the storehous therto to leye in hire stuffe, and so alle y* severell to hire self terme of hire liff, and she to leve the chambyr she hath loyn in, wich I will and this be doo remayne to y* hefd place. It 5 I wille the seid Jenete terme of hire lyffhaue hire liberte of fre owth goyng and in comyng at the gate be the strete syde, and as welle at y e doore be the lane syde at alle lefull tymes, and esement of the kechene to make in hire mete, and esement of the welle in y e yeerd, and esement of the prevy in the same yeerd. And she to haue a keye of the grete gardeyn gate, to go in whan she wille, and hire suaiith and what ffrende she wille calle to hire, and a place of the gardeyn assigned to hire for herbys and for woode to lye in. And anoon aftir my interment I wille my executours delyue hire certeyne stuffe of ostilment that I be qwethe hire; that is to seye, my grene hanggyd bedde steynyd with my armys therin that hanggith in the chambyr ovir kechene, with the curtyne3, the grene keveryng longgyng therto ; another cou’lyte, ij. blanketts, ij. peyre of good THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 23 shetf, the trampson, the costerys of y t chambyr, and of y e drawgth chambyr next, tho that be of y e same soort, a greet pilve and a smal pilve, the fethirbeed is hire owne y* hire maistresse gaf hire at London, and a basyn and an ever of laten cownterfet therto, and more stuff I haue not ocupyed of hirs. It I wille she haue a long narevh table of Esterych burde w* ij. trestelys, j. pleyn boord- clooth, j. shorth washyng towayle, vj. napkyns. It my flat pece enchased [fol. 98] to make with a saltsaler of sylver, the grettere hoi basyn of ij. smale basynes, ij. lowe candylstikkej of a sorth, and the rowndde table, terme of hire liff, and aftyr remayne to the ownner of my place. It a chayer, iij. footyd stoolys, iij. of the cusslionys in the parlour, and iiij. of the olde grene kusshownes that lyn in hire chambyr, withe the costerys old grene wonostede, withe the grene testir and grene keverying therto, wiche been hire ownne. And I yeve here the selo 1 * and the steynyd clooth of the Coronacon of oure lady, with the clothes of my that longe to y e bedde that she hath loyen in, and the beddyng in the draugh chambyr for hire s 9 uaunth to lyn in ; and a banker of grene and red lying in hire chambyr with the longe chayer ; and a stondyng coffre and a long coffre in the drawth chambyr. And as for the prews coffre alwey I wille remayne to my hefd place and iij. of y e fotyd stolys therto. It I wille that Jenette my nece haue ij. ale stondys, a greet erthin potte y* was my moderis, vj. trenchowrs, a doseyn plateris, viij. dysshes, and viij. sawsers of old vessell, and a chargeour of the myldel syse. It a potel pot and a quart pot of pew?, ij. smale spetej, oon of hem for birdes, a droppyng panne, j. bras pot, a chetill, a panne, a litell chafour with a beyl and a lyd of laton, a morter, a trewd, a gredyle, a peyre tongys, and a peyre belwys, a litil ladyll of laton, the boord clothes to the rownd table, ij. stondyng cuppys of erthe the toon keverid, a barell with wergoys, and a hotel for wynne. Itm I receyvyd xx. marke of Isabel Bussy’s executours, wiche was the seid Jenettf maystresse of London, and y e seid executours charged me to putte it to noon othir vse, but oonly to hire maryage, of wiche xx. marke I haue 24 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF payid to the seid Jenete v. marke, in ^sence of Thomais Drury delyu 9 ed to the seid Jenete ; and so ther remeynyth x. li. wiche I wil she haue, and x. marke of my goods in mony therto such tyme as my executours may contente it with the siluir that they shal receyve for such goods of my as shalle be sold. Also I geve and be qwethe to Will a m Baret, sone onto Jeffrey Baret of Cratfeld, my neve, my hefd place, othir wyse callyd a mesuage, wiche I dwellyd in, with the gardynes, berne, and duffous that I purchasid therto, except the partys and dyuerse pcellys therof wiche I have assignyd as is expressid in this writyng, and xij s. of white rente wiche Robert Nunstedes place payid yeerly. I be qwethe to the owener of the seid place I dwellyd in the seid rente of xij S. It I wil my executours soone af? my decees, be good avys, delyu 9 e or do delyu 9 e v** acres and xiij of lond, in the Westegatefeld a part, and sum in Mekilhornyngiserd, Litilhornyngiserd, and Westele, wiche v** and xiij. acrys of lond I wil Will a m Baret haue with the hefd place and white rente above wretyn, to hym and to his eyris male lawfully be gotyn of his body, beryng yeerly dyuerse charges according to y e seid wrytyng and vndir diu 9 se condyconys that he stonde welle and cler in the kyngge 3 grace, and be gentyl to my executours, and in my wil fulfyllyng ; and he be obstinat or froward I wil he haue noon of all, but that my executours set John his brothir, he to haue as Will a m shuld haue, to hym and to his eyr male, and though Will a m rewle hy to haue it and his yssew male, for defawte of hem I wille y e seid John meryte next; and for the defawte of eyr male of the seid John, than Robert his brother and his [fob 98 b ] eyrys male to haue it; and for defawte of eyr male of the seid Robert, than Thom Baret, brothir to y e seid John and Robert, to haue it, to hym and to his eyris male ; and for defawte of eyr male of the seid Thomas than wil I John the sone of Robert Baret my neve haue it, to hym and his eyrys male ; and for defawte of issew male of the seid John, than to his oldest brother and his issew male ; and so fro oon to anothir as longe as ony yssew male be comyn of the said Robert Baret, my neve. THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 25 And for defawte of yssew male of the seid Robert than I wil John Baret, sone of old Jeffrey Baret of Cratfield, dwellyngw 4 the Abbot of Seynt Benyghtys, haue it, to hym and to his eyres male as longe as they laste. But I wil that in no wyse noon ydiot nor fool occupye the seid goods, but refuse hym and take anothir that is next, [that] the seid name of Baret may contynwe goodly as longe as God wochesaffe. It I yeve and be qwethe to the seid Will a m Baret, and to alle tho that shul succede hym to be ocupyers of my hefd place, my lowe chased pece of silvir, with a barnagge in the preente of the botme and with owtyn any cou 9 til, myn ij. stondyng pecys of silvir chasid with a coutil to oon of hem, a doseyn of my beste sponys, my ij. salt salers of silvir chased and oon of heem keverid. And my litel salt saler of silver Jenete my nece to haue it terme of hir lif, and aftir to remaigne to the occu- pyere of my hefd place whoo so occupye for the tyme. It the seid Will a m and thei shal succede hym to have iij. candelstykkes of laton whervpon is wretyn Grace me governe , with the clothes in the halle, costers of chambrys, alle the steyned clothes w 1 ymages, and othir consceytes longyng to the seid place, with tablys, tres- telys, cuppeburd bankers, kusshones, and alle the bankers, except tho I have assigned to othir, with al my napry, sillours, testers, curteynes, and keveryng of beddis, with fethirbedds, trampsownys, pilves, shetys, blankettys, potts of pew?, basynes, everys, potts of bras, pannys, pew? vessell, cofferys, and tubbes, wid alle othir ostilmentys genially, except that I have assigned and put in the reule and assigment of my executours as thei aftir here discrecion wil revarde suych psonys as I remembre in this my seid wil be name, and if ony other be that thei thynke haue disservyd a re- ward wich comyth not to my mynde I grawunte hem ful power to do it as though I did my self ; providyng alvey that who so eue r occupye, be it Will a m Baret or ony that shal succede to haue my hefd place, londe, and rente as I have assigned, that thei make an oth and be sworn be fore the Sexteyn of Bury, and also fynde sufficient sewrte bownde be obligacion to my lord of Bury CAMD. SOC. E 26 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF who so be for the tyme, to y e Secristeyn, and to the Priour of Dusgylde, the aldirman to be callyd to, and sum thrifty [fol. 99] man of seynt Marie paryssh to be at the selyng, wich obligacon must be maad at eu 9 y alyenacon in a notable sume that my wil of yeerly chargys as is rehersid in this writyng shall dewly and trewly be kept and pformyd. And for defawte of eyr male of the seid Barettys I wille my seid hefd place, rente, and londe remaygne to the yssew male com- yng of Thom Drury and Kateryne my nece, with an oth and a sufficient sewrte take be obligacon as is rehersid afore that the charges shalbe born and payid be hem yeerly accordying to this my seid wil. And if noon yssew male be neyther of Barettys nor of Druryes, I wille thanne the Sexteyn of Bury and the P*our of Dusgylde, w* helpe and avys of the Aldirman with a nothir man of wourshepe of Seynt Marie parysh, make a sale of my seid hefd place with alle pcellys, howsyng, lond, and rente, to suych a man as wille bey it to hym and to his eyres male, and no ferthere, he to be sworn and to fynde sufficient sewrte bownde be obligacon to my lord Abbot of Bury, who so be for the tyme, that he shal yeerly paye or do paye all the pencyowns and born all the charges as it is wretyn in this my seid wil, paying therfore xx ii. and no more ; pvyded eue 1 ' that he be bowunde to repacon ; and if he deye with owten yssew male, to be sold to anothir that wille take it vpon hym the same charges and paye xx ti. and so fro oon to anothir. And for defawte of yssew male to be alienyd and sold w 1 outen ende fre for the sume of xx 11 as ofte as it fallith, wiche xx ii. I wil as ofte as it is payid be devyded on this ptys ; 5 part to the repacon of Seynt Marie awter, to the chymes at the same aw?, and to the chymes in Seynt Marie stepill, and the secunde part to the repacon of my hous Seynt Marie preest shal haue, and to the repacon of the Cros be fore my place, and to the repacon of the BAsbigate, and to othir werkys that I haue assignyd to be maad in diu 9 se places. And if there nede ony more helpe to the seid werke 3 , than take sume of the thridde part of xx ti. and ellys to be THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 27 disposid in other almesse deeds as may be most to the pleeser of Almighty God. Itm I wil in alle maters rehersid before with other folwyng that my executours comown w* Will a m Jeney, if he vowchesauf, w t a wys of Heydon, and to yonge Thomas Heigh a m, to wich psonys I haue spoke to in the seid matere. And if thei wil consente I wolde the londe, howsyng, and rente shulde reste in xij. or xvj. feffees handys, that if my wil be nat devly executyd in eche part, they to haue pover to distreyne, whervpon I wil my ex- ecutours take here avys and be here counseyll and such other as they wil calle to hem to examyne alle the seid materis, vndir- stonde and comowne alle the dowtys and peilys therof, and be there awysem* [fol. 99 b ] and discrecon to fynde remydyes and weyes as by there wittes may be fowunde moost sewr in the lawe ppetuelly to endure. And the seid Will a m Jeney, Hey don, and yong Thomas Heigh a m to be rewardid be my executours in such wyse that they holde hem plesid. And so alle thinges to be in- grosed vp by ther avys that noon interrupcon falle aftir to hurte ony part of my seid wil. These been the charges that I, Will a m Baret, or John Baret, or ony that shal succede hem to ocupye my hefd place with the pcellys therto, shal yeerly kepe my yeerday, and with avys of the parysh preest, pkmr of Dusgylde, and Seynt Marie preest to purvey e v othir preests to hem, so there be viij. preests in all, they to kepe a dirige be noote and a messe of Re- quiem be note, and aftyr the messe the parysh preest, p*our of Dus- gylde, and Seynt Marie preest, eche of hem to haue vj d. and eche of the tothir v preests iiij d., and ech parish clerc ij d. : this mony not to be delyuerid to noon of hem tyl the messe of Requiem be endyd. Itm the seid preests to haue j d. oh. to offre at the messe, and the ocupyere of my hefd place to prey the aldyrman with a nothir wurshipfulman with other to offre j d., and the aldirman dye of Candilmesse gylde oh., and the aldirman of Bury to haue a galon of wyn the same day yeerly for a rememberaunce to se my wil executyd. It I wil that aftir the dirige yeerly ij s. be spent in breed and ale in my hefd place to do y e pepil and preestys drynkke. 28 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF Itm I wil whan the messe is do on my yeerday as moche ferthyng white breed as comyth to iiij s. ij d. be delyd to poore folke apart to hem that be redy to take it stondyng in the strete abowte my place, and a part to bedrefolke, and a part to the psownerf and to the laserys at the Risbygate. Itm I wil yeerly he payd viij d. for viij. tapers stondyng at the grawe of resurreccon gylde that they be lyght eche yeer at my dirige and messe. Itm I wil that the belle meen haue iiij d. to go yeerly abowte the town at my yeerday for my soule and for my faderis and my modrys. Itm I wil that the Sexteyn of Seynt Marie chirche haue att my yeerday xij d. so he rynge wil and fynde breed and ale to his ffelashippe, and eche yeer what tyme my yeerday fallyth that at twelve of the clokke at noon next be forn my dirige he do the chymes smythe Requiem eternam, and so to contynwe sevene nyght aftir tyl the Vtas of my yeerday be passyd, and eue al lenton Requiem eternam, and in lykvyse such day as God disposith for me to passe I wil the seid chymes smyth forthwith Requiem eternam, and so day and nyth to cotynwe with the same song tyl my xxx ti day be past for me and for my freends that holpe therto with ony goods of here. Itm I wil yeve and be qwethe yeerly to the Sexteyn of Seynt Marie chirche viij s. to kepe the clokke, take hede’ to the chymes, wynde vp the peys and the plummys as ofte as nede is, so that the seid chymes fayle not to goo thourgh the defawte of the seid sexteyn who so [fol. 100] be for the tyme, and yif he wil not take it vpon hym the owner of my hefd place, the parysh preest, and the Seynt Marie preest to chese oon of the parysh, such as wyl do it for the same money, tyl such a sexteyn be in the office that wil vndyrtake to do it and to cotynwe, for I wolde the sexteyn hadde it be fore a nothir, for his wagys be but smale, so he wil vndirtake to do it and not fayle. Itm I wil that the Seynt Marie preest haue yeerly x §., who so euer be for the tyme, he to sey or do seye a messe of oure lady o day in the wyke thorugh out the yeer on such a day as God disposith for me to dissese ; and to sey De prof undis for me, for my fadir THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 29 and modir, with other thinges as is expressid be fore in wrytyng in what foorme it shalbe do. Itm I wil the seid Seynt Marie preest and his successours haue yeerly iij s. iiij d. delyu 9 yd to hym by the owener of ray hefd place to the repacon of the chymes as wel tho that been in Seynt Marie stepill as tho that been at Seynt Marie aw? ; and if there nede no repacon to neyther of the seid chymes thanne the seid Marie preest to haue the seyd iij s. iiij d. to the avmentacon of his lifloode, but as ofte as repacon nedith to eyther of the seid chymes, I wil the seid iij S. iiij d. go therto, or part therof as the case requireth, and if grettere cost be doo the seid Seynt Marie preest paye more, and if grettere nede be, who so euere be ocupyere of my hefd place to be contributarye therto what so eue r it coste, for my wil is that the chymes shal neuer fayle for defawte of helpe, though certeyn lond of my be bowunde or assigned outh therfore be my executours bothe for y * and the sexteyn vagys be the syde the bonde of them that shall be ocupyers of myn lond and my place to fulfille my wil, as is be fore wretyn. And I wil that the berere of the paxbrede longyng to Seynt Marye aw?, who so be for the tyme, haue yeerly viij d. so he take hede to kepe my grave clene, the chymes, and Seynt Marie awter, to wynde vp the plvmme of led as ofte as nedith and to do the chymes goo at y e sacry of the messe of Jhu, at the sacry of Seynt Marie messe on the Sunday, and in lik wyse at the sacry of oure ladyes messe y t Seynt Marie preest seye or do seye for me and for my fadir and modir o day in the wyke, as is rehersid afore to be doo, and the seid chymes to goo also at the avees, at the complyn eche Satirday, Sunday, and hooly day thourgh out the yeer ; and if the seid Seynt Marie preest or berere of the paxbrede be not jJsent, or do not the chymes goo hem self, thanne they to make attorne and to speke to sume psone to do it for the tyme for hem. And Seynt Marie preest to haue a keye of my cost of the vys dore goyng vp to the candilbem, the same keye to be leyd in an almarye with other longyng to the chymes as many keyes as pteyne to the seid werke, that the berere of the paxbrede may 30 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF come therto with a keye assignyd and delvu 9 yd hym of the almerye where the seid keyes [fol. 100 b ] shal lyn in. Itm I wil the seid Wilhm Baret and alle tho that shal succede hym paye yeerly to the sexteyn of the monasterye of Bury, who so be for the tyme, iij s. iiij d. for a sangrede, that my soule, my fadrys and modrys sowlys, and my frendys, may be preyd fore in the pulpet on the Sunday, and the parysh preest to do as moche as a sangrede requerith. Itm I wille my lord abbot of Bury, who so be for the tyme, haue yeerly at my yeerday, or ellys at his next comyng to Bury af? my yeerday, a galon of rede wyn and ellys xij d. therfor at his owne choys, to be good lord and se that my wille be executyd trewly. It who so eu 9 be ptour of Bury to haue at my yeerday a galown of rede wyn, to take hede and se that my wille be pformyd, and yif he wille haue no wyn xij d. therfore. Itm I wille that the Sexteyn of the Monasterye of Bury, who so be for the tyme, haue yeerly at my yeerday a galon of rede wyn or ellys xij d., to chese of bothe, to take hede that for alle these charges rehersed in this wryting he take sufficient sewrte of the ownener of my place, as is rehersyd afore. Itm I yeve and beqwethe and wil that yeerly at the purificacon of oure lady callyd candilmesse gilde that the brethryn haue a galon wyn rede, or viij d. therfore, at ther dyner or drynkyng such as they arn vsyd to make, and the Aldir- man and dye of the same gilde offre at the messe on my yeerday and to reseyve an oh of my ownener of my place fore here offryng, and for the Aldirman of Bury to reseyve j d. for hym and a thrifty man of the parysh, the preests j d. oh and the owner of my place j d. — iiij d. in all. Itm I wil that the priour of dusgylde, who so be for the tyme, haue yeerly at my yeerday a rewle be syde with the parish preest and Seynt Marie preest to do here part at my yeerday and to take hede and calle vpon that these charges above wretyn be yeerly payid and executyd. Itm I wil that the good men of Seynt Marie parysh chosen be the Aldirman, Seynt Marie preest, and the owner of my place, as is for rehersid, haue yeerly iiij d. to a pot of wyn to helpe speke and to se that alle these THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 31 charges abowe wretyn be dewly and trewly eche yeer pformyd, and that he offre at my yeerday with the Aldirman and the owner of my place : the hoole sume of alle these pcellys of chargys abowe wretyn comyth but to evene yeerly xliij s. iiij d. and viij d. more to resurreccon gilde, wiche sume the v**. and xiij. acrys of lond, an acre lete for xij d. wil a quyte and bere out alle charges, and lx s. cleer yeerly comyng to hyrn that shal haue the lond for his labour, and thanne the howsyng, rente and othir londs that is gove and grawntyd to helpe to the seid yeerly charges be syde. Itm there is vij. acres lond lying by the hih weye toward the grendyll, not ferre from Herdwyk, wich vij. acres lith in ij. pecys, the endys abbuttyng to ward the sexteyn^s medwe, wiche lond my fadir gaf to my sustyr Alis Whitwelle and to the issew comyng of hire, and for defawte of issew the seid lond to remayne to me infysympill, wiche lond Katerine and Jenete my necys be in possession and here eyres comyng of hem [fol. 101] must succede. And if noon issew be of Katerine nor Jenete, thanne the seid lond to remeyne to me and my eyres in fysympil, as is expressid in my fadrys wil, wiche vij. acres of lond I yeve and be qwethe my righ therof to Will a m Baret and to hem that shal succede hym suche as shalbe ownerys of my hefd place, who so be for the tyme, as is^ wretyn and expressyd in diuerse place} in my seid wil. If I yeve and be qwethe to my seid hefd place, and to hem that shal ocupyen it, my voyd grownd with oute the Westegate, where as my berne and duff hous sutyme stood, to helpe to the charges yeerly above seid, eue r to remeyne to my hefd place. Itm I yeve and assigne to my hefd place and to alle the ocupyers therof, and specially Will a m Baret to be gynne with, my gardeyn with the long tylid hous, fysympil grownd, in punchyslane, except a part of the gardeyn wiche I assigne to the hert of the hop, and whan the place of the hert of the hop is soold I wil my ffeffes and executours, so it hurte not the sale, reserve the gardyn that it may longe to the longe tyled hous, as it did of old tyme, for it longith not to the same place of the hert, wiche I put in the discrecon of my exe- 32 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF cutours. Itm I grawnte and assigne to Will a m Baret, or to hem shalle ocupye my hefd place, the yeers that I haue vndir the coventys seel,payng yeerly iij s. iiij d. to the Sexteyn, for a tenement in punchyslane w* a gardeyn therto, except the halle, the ij. chambrys with the soler above in the ende of the halle toward my gardeyn, and a part of the gardeyn with the prevy, wich part of the gardeyn I put in discrecon of my executours to assigne to be leyd out, to this entent I wil that Jone Crattefeld, othir wyse callyd Jone Baret, my nece, dough tir to Will a m Baret, my brothir, of Cratfeld, that she haue the seid halle, chambrys, prevy, and the pcelle of gardeyn ?me of lyf, and the seid Will a m Baret, or he shal ocupye my hefd place, to paye yeerly to my seid nece Jone Baret x s. yeerly terme of hire lif, and he that payith that pencon to haue the wayl y* comyth ovir of that part and of fysympil ground therto of the long tylid hous and gardeyn. And in caas be the seid Jone Baret my nece kepe hire sool vnmaryed, because she is agyd, and wil not holde hire content with this, I will thanne she haue terme of hire lif hir dwellyng and hire chambyr in my hefd place, that is to seye in the chambyr next the welle with a dore openyng in to the lane, with esement of the prevy be syde, and esement in leeffull tyme to make hire mete in the chymeny and to warme hire by wwte issue, than I will that alle the seide mesuagf, londf, and tenemetys remayne to the seyd John 3 axle, sone and heyre of the seyd Richard, and to his heyre3 for euer. If I beqwethe to Raff Duke vjs. viijd. Also I beqwethe to Elezabeth Theloth my suaunte v. marke. And qwere also I the seid John Smyth afore this tyme have maad and declarid my will of all myn messuage3, londf, tenemetys, rentf, and suysis in the townnys and felds of Bury aboveseyd, Berton, Fornh^m Seynt Martyn, Rowh^m, and Now- ton byside Bury, w 1 all thapportenaunce3, beyng in feoffe3 hands, that alle the issue3 and pfitf comyng and grovyng of the seid meeses, londf, and tenement^ schulde be liouly couertyd and applyid to thuse and pfitys of thynhabytauntys of the seid town of Bury, and of their successoure3 for euer, to discharge certayn yposicionej and chargf wonte to be boryn be the seid inhabitaunte3, and y* ffeoffamentys thereof shulde be made from tyme to tyme whanne the cas shuld require to the same intente as in certayn indenture3 trypartyte indentyd, coprysing the seyde will, wherof the date is the x. day of the monyth of Auguste, the yere of our Lord God M^cccMxxiij. wdiere it more pleynly aperith. And I the seyd John Smyth, wyllyng the seid will in eueri article to take pleyh effecte, and not in any wyse here afP to be reuokyd, but ppetually to stande ferme and stable, the same will so make of the seid meese3, londf, and tenement^. And where also as I the seid John Smyth have ordeynyd and declarid my will of myn maner of Hepworth, callyd Brettys, be feoffe3 handys to thentent to fulfille that same myn will for the sustentacion of a chapeleyn ppetually to synge for myn sowle, and for the soule of Anne myn wyff, and for alle cristen soulys, accordyng to the tenoure and effecte of my camd. soc. 1 58 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF seid will tryptyte indentyd, that the collacion of my seid Chaunterie whan it shall happen in any man 9 wyse to be woyde, that than the priour of the Monasterie of Bury be fore seyde shuld have the gyfte and collacion of the same, as in the same indenture} more pleynly is declarid. I now the seid John Smyth, for diuse cause} and consyderacyonys shevyd vnto me, will ordeyne and declare by this my f?sent testament and last will that whan so euer the colage of prestf of Bury be incorporat and have a maister, presydent, or other reuler, that than the seid maist r , presydent, or other reuler, with myh othir chaunterie prist synggyng at Seynt Marie aughter, in the seid chirche of oure Ladye, and the chapelyn of the gylde of the holy name of Jhu, have the collacion of the seyde chaunterie to them and to their suceessoure} for euer. And moreouer I will that [when] someuer the seid collage be so incorporat and have licence of the king to purchas to them and thir successoure 3 , than I will that all my feoffe3 in seid maner of Hepworth, vpon due request to them by the seid maist r , psedent, or reuler, and phelaschep of the seid collage made, deliuere vnto them a suer and sufficient astatte of and in the seid maner, with thapparten a nce3, to have to them and to their successoure3, for the sustentacio of the seyde chaunterie prist for euer. And where also I the seid John Smyth, by indenture, have shewed, notyfied, and declared myh mynde, will, and intent vpon a ffeoffament made to Harry Hardman clerk, William Duff- elde clerke, and other specified and named in a dede of my maner callyd Swyftys, w t thapporten a nce3, wheche I woll to be conuertyd to thuse of the seid colage, to remayn in feoffe3 handf vnto suche tyme as the seyd collage as is above seid be incorporate and have licens of the kyng as is aboveseyd, and than the seyd feoffe3 to make astate therof to the maist r , jJsedent, or other reuler, and felaship of the said collage for the tyme beyng, for the sustentacion of a ppetuall chapeleyn to syngge at Seynt Marie aughter, in the seid chirche of oure Lady, for the solle of me the said John Smyth and Anne myh wyff, and other ; and for other chargf and charge- THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 59 able dedys to be doon, as in the seyd indenturys more largely yt is conteynyd ; I the seyd John, neu 9 wyllyng my seyd mynde, wyll, and intent, so be me published, notified, and declared vpon the seyd ffeoffament, in any man 9 of wyse to be changyd, lessyd, or reuokyd, but fermaly without any in?rupcion to be holden so y l it, ne no pcell therof, be conuertyd to noon other vse. And for the more fermete and stedfastenes therof, and that yt ppetually shulde indure, I the seyd John Smyth, by this my f!sent testament and last wyll, my seyde mynde, will, and entent so made, shewyd, and declarid be the seyd indenture3, approue, ratifie, and conferme ; and will and ordeyne that the collacion of the seid Chauntrie at Seynt Marie aughter in lyke wyse be longyng vnto the seyd prio r vnto such tyme as the seyd colage in like wyse be incorporate And than the seid maist 1 , jisedent, or other rulere, with the chapeleyn of myn chaunterie at Seynt John is aughter, and the seyd chapeleyn of the gylde of Jhu, have the collacion of the seid ch a unterie, to them and to their successourej for eu 9 . And morlouer I will and geue full powre to my executoure3 and supvisoure3 of this myn testament to ffunde and stabylissh my seid chaunterie3 ; and to make rewlys, constitucionys, and ordinaunce3 for the rule, gou 9 n- aunce, and good continuance of the same. And moreor? I will, ordeyne, and declare by this myn seyd testament, that if myn sone John, or ony other psone or psones named in the same testament and last will, and to whom I made ony legate or gyfte, in?rupte my executoure3 so that they may not resabely execute the same, or othirwyse vexe, trobele, or let them in pformaunce of my laste will, or any article therof, that than he or they so lettyng, wexing, or trubling, to lese and forfete his seyd legate; and will and charge myne executoure3 that they and euery of them vt?ly kepe and restayn from hym or them there legatf and byquestf to them made, notwithstandyng ony feoffament, state, or possession takyn beforn in ony godf that arn myn or were myn. And morVu I require and charge all the ffeoffe3 in the seyd manere3, londf, rentf and tenement^ to relese to my executoure3, qwanne they be required 60 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF by them, if suche cause fortune to happe. And for the due executyn and pformauns of this my testament, and for the playne and true disposicon of my goodf and catallys, I will and streyly charge all suche of my executoure3 as shall take vpon them the charge of the same, as they will answere afore God, that they nor non of them ministir or dispose any of my seyd goodf by them selff withoute the comen assent of alle ther co-excutourej. And that alle suche of my goodf as schall come to any of ther handf, whed 9 it be in dettys or in ony other thyngg^, I will and charge that they immediatly aft? the reseyte therof be brougte in to the towune of Bury, and ther be the come assent of alle my seyd executourej be put in a place by them there for to be ordeynyd and assynyd, where they alle ioynly may have recurse thereto, there safly to be kept by them to suche tyme that by all theyre assentf they ben fully distribute and disposyd for the wele of my sowle, and hertely I p a y and desire the ordenary, afore whom this my testa- ment schall be puyd, and also the supvisour of this my seid testa- ment, that the seyd executoure}, by there solempne othej, amonge othir thynggs be specially chargyd and sworyn to fulfill and kepe the entent of this my article and laste will ; and that he or they that will refuse to make the seyd oth, or ellys afterward to do the contrarie of the same, I wil that he or they be dischargyd of any ferther deylyng of the seyd testament, and also to be compellyd, by the seyd ordinarie, and by the supuysour, to make restitucyon of alle suche goodf kept contrarie to the entent of this myn arti- cule and laste will. If I desire and require myne cofeoffes that they deliuere astate in alle my manere} and londf and tenement^ vnto my executoure3 whansumiuer they be desiryd by them. The residue of alle my goodf and catallys, not beqwethyn, I geve and be qwethe unto my executoure3, they for to dispose them for the welefare of my soule and for alle the sowlys that I am be holdyng for to prey for as they thynkke may be most plesure to God and welefare of my soule. Off this my testamet and laste will I put and ordeyne executoure 3 , Sere Thomas Ampe, Adam Newhawe, THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 61 and Raff Duke. The supuisoure3 of this my testament I ordeyne and put the priour of the monasterie of Bury beforn seyde, Richard 3axle gentilma, and Clement Clerk. Into wittenesse wherof of this my j)sent testament I have put to my seale. Youyn the place, the day, and the yeere abovesaid. I, John Smyth, of Bury Seynt Edmuds, Esquyer, by this parcell of my laste will tripartite indentyd, yeve, assigne, and be- qwethe after my decesse my maner cleped Brettys, in Hepworthe, with all thappurtenaunces therto pteynyng, with all othere londes and tenementes, rentes and suices, medewes, pastures, woodes, with thappurtenaunces and with all othere comoditees to the seid maner or to any of the seyd londes or tenementes in any maner pteynyng, lyeng in the towunes of Hepworthe aboveseid, Ber- nyngham, Stanton, Ixworthe, Berdewell, Watlesfeld, Thelnetham, Weston, and Coneweston, in the shire of SufF, to the entent to have a chauntry priest and a lawefull, with thissues and pfites therof com- yng withouteende in maner and fourme as herafter folweth, that is to sey : — for to sey divyne sluice in the chirche of oure Lady in Bury Sevnth Edmuds aboueseid, and other preyours, and to prey for me the seid John Smyth, the soules of Anne sumtyme my wyf, my ffader John Smyth, Hawise his wyf, and Rose my doughter, and all the soules that I am bounde to praye for. And j wole that the said chauntry prest sey by the dayes in the wyke messe in the chapell of oure Lady beside the chauncell in the said chirche, and alle other daies in the wyke yerely to sey hys messe at the auter of seynt John in the same chirche. And I wole y 1 the seid chauntry priest haue for his stipende yerely x. marc of lawfull money of the issues, pfites, and revenevs comyng of the forseyd maner, londes, and tenementes, rentes and sluices, medewes, pastures, woodes, with ther appurtenaunces and comoditees afor- seid. And to be reseyved by hymself or by hys assigne by the handes of the ocupyers of the seid maner, londes, tenementes, rentes, s 9 uices, medewes, pastures, woodes, with ther seid appur- 62 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF tenaunces and comoditees withoute ony contradiccion of them, or in euery pcell therof to the seid maner pteynyng. And the residue of thissues and pfites, comyng of the same maner, londes, tene- mentes, rentes, suices, medewes, pastures, woodes, with thappur- tenaunces and comoditees aboueseid, over the seide sume of x. marc, shalbe receyved by the handes of my seid cliauntry priest, to thentent to kepe the obite yerely withouteende of me the seid John Smyth, and of the soules aboueseid. And by the supvision of the Pour of the Gylde of Seynt Nicholas holde withyn the ton of Bury Seint Edmuds, and the seyd priour of the seyde gylde to have yerely ij s of the revenevs comyng of the seid maner, londes, tenementes, rentes, suices, medewes, pasture3, and woodes. And the residue therof over the charges aboueseid, the charge} of the reparaciouns and the charges to the cheef lordes therof ; and the residue of the revenevs and pfites comyng of a pece of me- dewe inclosed at the Turret in Bury Seynt Edmuds aboueseid, whiche is assigned to the repacion of the newe eles in thaforseyd chirche made by me thaforseyd John Smyth, over the seid repa- ciouns to them do, and over the charge to the chief lord therof, be disposed and distributed by the discrecion of my chauntry priest and of the priour of tliaforsaid gylde, to poure people of the seid ton of Bury Seint Edmuds at the seid obite, orels on the day next be fore, to pray for the seid soules. Also I wole that yef the feoffes of the seid maner, londes, tenementes, rentes, sluices, medewes, pasture3, and woodes, with thaforseyd appurtenaunces and comoditees, decesse, wherof viij. or vj. psones of the seyd feoffes be levyng, that than my seid chauntry priest for the tyme beyng, wiche is assigned to pray for the seid soules, shall have auctorite and power to make the feoffes so levyng of and in the seid maner, londes, tenementes, rentes, s 9 uices, medewes, pastures, and woodes, with thappurtenaunces and comoditees aboueseid, and them to require to make a new estate and to enfeoffe xx. other psones at the leste noumbre of the most substanciall psones, inhitantes withinne the seid town of Bury Seynt Edmuds, of and THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 63 in the seid maner, londes, tenementes, rentes, sluices, medewes, pastures, and woodes, with the seid appurtenaunces and comodi- tees, wherof my seyd chauntry priest to be one of them at his liberte. And also I wole that whansoeuer it fortune that my seid chauntry priest decesse, or any priest in my seid chauntry hereafter comyng, thanne I wole that the priour of the monasterie of Bury Seint Edmuds, andhise successoures withoute ende, with- inne a monethe next suyng after decesse of the priest of my seid chauntry, shall psent and yeve the seid chauntry to ano- ther onest priest, and yeve him charge with the divine s 9 uice pmisses in maner and fourme aboueseid. And if the priour of the seid monasterie for the tyme beyng psent no priest to pray for the soules aboueseyd withinne a moneth, as is aforeseyd, than I wole that my next heyre or next of my blode psente an honest priest to the seid chauntry in maner and fourme aboueseid withinne iij monethes next suyng af? decesse of my seid chaun- try priest. Also I wole that the priest of my seid chauntry for the tyme being and his successoure3, with the priour of the aforeseid gilde, make yerely thir bille of acounte of all charges and expenses of thissues and revenevs aboveseid receyvved, orels ow- yng over the seid yerely x. marc by them, do deliuer it after the seid obite to the priour of thaforseid monas?ie for the tyme beyng, that it may be vnderstande whether y t the seid revnevs be dis- posed af? thentente of the seid will or nought. And the seid priour of the same monas?ie to refourme and to make a direccion therof. And the same day and tyme the same p’our of the same monas?ie to have of the seid revenevs at that audite a galon of wyn. Also I will that euery of my chaunterie priestes, one after another, by hymself or by his assigne withoutteende duryng and for his tyme ther beyng, shall have the reule and gouernaunce by the supvision of the priour of thaforseid gylde af? decesse of my executours of the seid maner, londes, tenementes, rentes, ?uices medewes, pastures, and woodes, with the seid thappurtenaunces and comoditees, to lete them to ferme as is most behovefull 6*4 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF to my seid chauntry, and to receyve thissues and pfites therof comyng, and to pay and bere almaner of rentes and charges therof dewe, withoute cotradiccion and in?rupcion of any of the feoffes theryn infeoffed. And the feofFes not to dele therwith but as feoffes of trust. Also I wole that this pcell as a pcell of my laste will be pved and annexed to the resude of my will. And one parte of these tripartite endentid to remayne with the priest of my seid chauntry and hise successoure3, and other parte therof with the priour of the seid monasterie. And alle the resude of the seid will with myn executourej. Providyng alwey that as longe as myn executoure3 be levvyng, yf any thyng nede and is behovefull in any parcell of myn will to be refourmed for the better entente, I wole that my seid executoure 3 refourme it after there discrecion, as they will answere before God. And I pray and requir alle my feoffes of alle myn maners, londes, and tene- mentes withynne the shire of Suff., and in any other shire, to make or do make a lawfull estate at the request of myn executours, accordyng to myn will and testament, whan they or any of them be requyred. In the name of God Amen. To alle true cristen people to whom this psent writyng indented shall come, John Smyth of Bury Seynt Edmud, in the counte of Suff., Esquier, gretyng in oure Lord God eu 9 lastyng. Knowe, that where as I the seid John Smyth very owener of the maner of Swyftys, with alle londes, tenetes, rentes, and suices with thappurtenaunce3 and other como- dietees to the same maner belongyng, lying in the townes of Pres- ton, Ketilberston, Brent Illegh, Monkes Illegh, Brethenh a m, Thorp Morieux, and Cokefeld, in the counte of Suff. forthwith Robert Webbe clerk and John Steuenson clerk, my cofeffes to myne vse of and in the seid maner, late beyng seasid of the seid maner with thapp r ten a nce3, by oure chartre beryng the date of thees psentes have dimised, assigned, deliuered, and by the same our chartre confermed to Henr Hardman clerk, William Duffeld THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 65 clerk, William Mathewe clerk, Thomas Amp clerk, Rog 9 Drury esquier, Robert Drury, John Coket theldere, John Coket the yong 9 , William Twheyte theldere, William Thweyte the yongere, John Drury, Symonds Clerk, Clement Clerk, John Cote, Thomas Edon, Adam Newehawe, William Baret, Laurence Smyth, Thomas Felys, Thom a s Kyng, John Helpston, James Mayhewe, John Basse, and John Smyth, the forseid maner with thappte- n a nc£ by the name of alle the londes, tehtes, rentes, and ?uices with all thapp r tenaunces in the seid townes of Preston, Ketilbers- ton, Brent Xlligh, Monkes I High, Brethenh a m, Thorp Morieux, and Cokefeld, in the seide Counte of Suff., to have to theym, their heires and assignes for euer, as in the seid dede more pleynly ap- perith ; X the forseid John Smyth, specialy remembryng the helth of my soule, notife, publissh, and playnly declare my mynde, will, and intent of and vppon the seid feffement, neuer to be re- uoked, in maner and forme as folowith : Furst, that is to sey, that the seid Feffes of and in the seid maner with thapp r tenaunce3 shall suffar the mais?, pcedent, or othir reuler of the colage of preest^ newe bildid within the town of Bury, for the tyme beyng, to haue, take, and holy pceyve alle thissues, rentes, pfitees, and alle other re- venues comyng and growyng of the seid maner, with thapp r ten a nce3, paiyng yerely to me the seid John Smyth or myn assignes duryng my lif natural! of the seid issues and pfittf of the seid maner x. mark of good and laufull monye of Ynglond, at the festf of Estern and Seynt Migheli th arch aun gill, by euen porcionis, and the resi- due therof to be holly applied and conuertyd to the bildyng, sus- tentacion, and repacion of the seid collage; and af? my disceas I will that all the seid issues, pfittes, rentes and all other comoditees of the seid maner holy remayn to the seid mais?, president, or other ruler of the seyd Collage, oon parte therof to be applied and conuerted to thexibicion and sustentacion of a ppetuall chap- leyn to syng and sey dyvyne ?uices at the aulter of oure moste blessid Lady withyn the parissh chirche of our moste blessyd CAMD. SOC. K 66 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF Lady wythyn the seyd town of Bury to pray specially for the soule of me the seyd John Smyth, and the soules of Anne my wyff, our children, and the soules of all oure auncestrees and benefactours, and all cristen soules ; and that othir parte therof to be applied and conuerted to the mayntenaunce and supportacion of the seid collage, in bildyng, rep a ciouns, and other chargf neces- sarie in the seid collage, for eu, and other werkf and dedes of charite to be doon there, after the rule, ordinaunce3, constitucons, and establishment by the seid mais?, president, or othir ruler of the seid collage for the tyme beyng, and iiij. or v. of the most substanciall of the fore named feffes, with the aduys of myh executours in that by halue, to be made and establisshed ; and more ou I will that all the seid feffes so beyng seasid to the use and intent aboue specified stond and be feffes to the same vse and intent vnto such tyme as the seyd mais?, president, or othir ruler of the forseid collage haue by the kyngf licence founded the seyd collage and corporat theym self and made theym self psonable, to haue succession and capacite in the lawe to purchase, take, and resceyue by the name of mais?, or president, and felischip of the seyd collage, of gifte, biyng, by quest, or odirwise, of any man that will give, sell, or by queth to theym and to their succes- soure3, londes, tenementes, rentes, annuitees, or othir possessiouns, what so euer they be, in fee and ppetuite into mortmayne ; and if it fortune the seid feffes, no we beyng of the nombre of xxiiij. to disceas to the nombre of xij. by for any suche fundacion, cor- poracion, or licence goten by the seid mais?, president, or othir ruler of the seid collage, that than x. of the seyd xij. feffees sur- vyvyng to reles and quyteclayme all their right, title, and in?est in the seid maner, with thapp r ten a nces, to ij. of theldest of theire co- feffes ouerleuyng, and tlieruppon to take astate ayen to theym and to xiiij. othir sufficient psones to be named by the seyd mais?, f!sident, or othir ruler, and iiij. or v. of the most substanciall psones of the seyd feffees, to have to theym, their heyres, and THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 67 assignes for euer, to thuse and entent above ex^ssed ; and this to be doon as ofte as such case xall require, till the seyd col- lage be founded, stablisshed, and incorporat, and haue their licence to purchas as is aboueseid. And I will that all the seyd ffeffees that now and here af? shalbe, and euy of theym, ymmediatly af? due request to theym made be the seyd mais?, j)sident, or ruler, af? the shewyng of the kyngs ires of foundacion and licence of purchasyng, make a sure, sufficient, and laufull astate of the seid maner, with thapp^tenaunce3, to the seid mais?, {Jsident, or ruler, and to the felischip of the seid collage, by what so euer name or names he or they in their foundacion shalbe named ; to have and to holde to theym and their successoure3 for the sus- tentacion of the seyd ppetuall chapleyn in the seyd chirche, and for the continuaunce, mayntenaunce, and rep a cion of the seyd collage and other werkes and dedes of charite, as is aboueseyd, for euer, after the rule, ordynaunce, and constitucion of the seid mais?, p 9 sident, or othir ruler of the seyd collage for the tyme beyng ; and iiij. or v. of the seyd nowe feffees, or of the feffees that hereafter, if the cas so require, shalbe, with the ousight of my seid executoure3 in that by halue to be made, any will, pmys, bargeyn, g a unte, or sale heretofore to the contrarie made not wit- stondyng ; ffor if any there were I vtterly reuoke and, inasmoche as in me is, I adnull theym. And I will, pray, require, and straitly charge all myh seid feffes and executours, and all other psones to whom it shall pteyn, that they, as they will answere afore God at the dredfull Day of Jugement, in?upt not nor breke this myh in- tent and will made by me vppon the seid man 9 , so that it be not couerted to noon othir vse, but accordyng to this myh intent and will aboue rehersed. And for the pfitte wittenes and know- lege that this is my very will and intent by me the seyd John Smyth made vppon the seyd feffement, and that it shuld be vn- douted to all men, I haue to this f>sent writyng putto my seel and subscribed it with my owne hand. And for as moche as my seell to many folkys is vnknowen, therfor at my request the Secristen of 68 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF the Monas?ie of Bury Seynt Edmiid, Ordinarie of the same place, to this psent writyng also hath putt^) his seell. Yeuen at Bury forseyd, the xviij. day of Decembr, the xx th yere of the reigne of kyng Edward the iiij th . In Dei noie Amen, Hec fisens pagina triptite indentata facta apud villam de Bury Sci Edmudi in com SufF. decimo die mensis Augusf anno dni Millmo cccc mo lxxiij 0 et anno regni Regis Ed- wardi quarti post conquestum Anglie xiij° testat 1 ' q d hec est firma pfecta et ppetua voluntas mei Johis Smyth de dicta villa de Bury Sci Edmudi in com. SufF. jJdict armig’i, p me nunc^ reuocand, de omib3 mesuagiis, terris, tenementf,redditib3,et Puicijs meis, cu suis ptin, in villis et campis de Berton iux a Bury, Fornh a m SciMartini, et in campis de Bury } 3 dca vocat Estefeld, Southfeld, et Vynefeld, necnon in villis de Noweton et Rough a m ; que quidm mesuagia, Pras, tenemeta, redditus, et seruicia, cu suis ptin, Robtus Gardyner nup Aldermannus eiusdm ville de Bury Sci Edmudi, Johes Ayle- ward, Thomas Brette, Wilts Thweyte, Henricus Banyard, Cle- mens Drury, Johes Foster, Wilts Buntyng, Andreas Skarbot, Johes Furseney, Thom a s Bunnyng, Johes Reggeman, Simon Clerk, Robtus Rose, Robtus Burgeys, Walterus Thruston, Johes Mey, Thomas Emmys, Johes Gouty, Witts Copyng 9 , Edmudus Lorymer, Laurencius Smyth, Robertus Creppyng, et Johes Sal- man, hent ex dono et feofFamento mei fJfati Johis Smyth p quan- dam cartam mea tripartite indentata decimo die Septembris anno regni pdci dni Regis decimo apud Berton fJditf: datam et con- fectam; necnon de quodam alio mesuagio meo situato in villa de Rough a m et de decern et octo peciis Pre arrabilis, vna pecia prati, et vna pecia bosci, cu libtate falde, et omib3 alijs suis ptin in dicta villa de Rougham, que quidm mesuagiu, Pram, pratum, boscum, cu libtate falde, et aliis suis ptin, in dicta villa de Rough a m, Johes Forster nup Aldermanus dee ville de Bury, Robtus Gardener, Johannes Aylleward, Thom a s Brette, Will Theweyte, Clemens Drury, Wills Buntyng, Andreas Skarbot, Johes Furseney, Thom a s THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 69 Bunnyng, Jok Reggema, Simon Clerk, Roktus Burgeys, Wal? Thruston, Jokes Mey, Thom a s Emmes, Jokes Gouty, Witt Copyng 9 , Laur Smyth, Roktus Creppyng, et Jok Salman kent ex dono et feofFamento mei Jfati Jokis Smyth p quandam alia carta mea siti? triptite indentata vicesimo die Julij anno regni dci dni Regis terciodecimo apud Rough a m j 5 dict da? et confect. Ea intencione ad hanc vltima voluntate mea in omibj et p omia put in psen? pagina subscribit 4 ^ et continet"'' debite exequend, pfi- ciend et pimplend. In primis ad laudem, gloriam, et honore oipotet^ Dei et gloriosissime virginis matris eius Marie gloriosiq, martiris et Regis Sci Edmudi, ac in releuamen et auxiliu Alder- manni Comburgenciu tocius coitatis et paupu inkitanciu dee ville de Bury Sci Edi et in supportacoem on 9 um eisdm in dies incumbenciu, vt ipi heredes et successores sui p salute aie mee ac p aia Anne nup consortis mee, necnon aiabj parentu et bene- factor meo^ et oim fideliu defunctor futuris ppetuis tempibj apud altissimu specialius descent"" et exorent. Yolo q d ego pdictus Jokes Smyth keam et pcipia ad totam vitam mea omia exitus et pro- ficua de omib3 fJdictf’ mesuag, terris, tenementis, pratis, pasturis, boscis, cu liktate falde et cu omib3 et singulis suis ptih sup a dic? puenieh et crescen absq^ impedimento seu contradiccone aliquali. Et post decessum meu volo q d dci Aldermanus, Burgenses, et feofFati integre keant et pcipiant omia exitus et pficua omiu et singior mesuagior, ?ra^ tenementor, prati et bosci jldict cu liktate falde et ceteris ^missis cu suis ptih, sibi, heredib3 et success suis imppm. Ea intencone vt ijdm Aldermannus, Comburgenses et feofFati, vel dicti comburgenses et feofFati in defectu Aldermanni, heredes et successor sui qui p tempe fuerint singulis annis imppm anniuersariu mei dci Jokis Smyth et dicte Anne nup vx 9 is mee in eccfia parochiali kte Marie Virg de Bury pdict pro aia mea et aiab} dicte Anne paretu et benefactor nror et omu fideliu de- functor cu f 3 sbi?is, capellanis, et cticis solempni? et deuote celebrari faciat, videit in vigilia dci anniusarij mei deuote decantant et dicen- tib3 Placebo et Pirrge et in die dci anniusarij mei missam de Requiem 70 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF solempnit p notam cu aliis fJcib}, sufFragiis, et obsequiis in huius- modi anniusariis mortuoru vsitatis. Et volo et requiro dictos Aldermannu, Burgenses, et feofFatos q d ipi singfis annis imppm teneant dictum anniu 9 sariu meu eodm die eiusdm mensis quo me ab hoc seculo decedere contig’it nisi causa legitim a in?sit sic q d id fieri nequeat, tunc aliquo die fJcedente vel subsequete quo id celius fieri possit. Et quod residuu fu 9 it exituu et pficuoip dictoru mesuagiojp, Fraip, ten, prati, pasture, bosci, reddituu, seruicioip, cu libtate falde, et ce?o^ pmisso^ cu ptiri, volo q d reseruet r et saluo et secure custodial p dcos Aldermannu, Comburgeses et feofFatos, vel p dictos Comburgenses et feofFa- tos inde p tempe existed in defcu Aldermanni. Ea intecione quod quado et quociens infutur abbathiadeBury Sci Edmudi p morte alicui 5 Abbtis p tempe existed vacauerit et nouus abbas ibm post eius morte legitime electus et jJfectus foret, q d tunc de exitib3 et pficuis pdict psoluat r p>dicto nouo Abbi p tempe existeti tantu quantu inde pcipi et resuari poterit in satisfaccone et recompensacoem cuiusdam summe dco nouo Abbi rone nove creaconis sue p inbitantes dicte ville de Bury sci Edi put moris est soluend et solui cosuet, et sic tociens quociens contig 9 it dcm nouu abbtem ibidm post morte alicuius Abbatis de nouo eligi et fSfect fore imppm. Et si quid inde tunc vltra dicta sua remanserit volo q d disponat 1 ’ et applicet r ad solucoem quinta^ decima^ taxa^ et tallagio^ et aliajp imposicionu et on 9 um quo- rucumq3 ab eisdm Burgensib3 et Coitate ville j?dicte, heredibj, et successoribj suis,cunctis futuris tempib3 exigend, et sibi imponend, in releuamen et exon 9 acoem Burgesiu et Coitatis ville j 3 dce imppm de et sup omib3 et singtis pmissis. Et insup volo q d cum dci vi- ginti et quatuor feofFati mei quatuordecim eo^dm ad minus sup- uiuentes decesserint et obierint q d tunc vel antea si dictis feofFatis opus visum fu 9 it et expediens duodecim dedcis quatuordecim feof- fatis vel plures si supuixerint remittent, relaxabunt, et omho p se et heredib3 suis imppm quietum clamabunt duob3 dco^ cofeofFato^ suoru totu ius, titulu, clameu, in?esse, et demand que bent vel bere THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 71 poPunt rone quacuq3 de et in mesuagiis, ?ris, ten, pratis, pasturis, boscis, cu libtate falde, redditibj et seruiciis ^dictf et ce?is suis ptih, bend et tenend sibi her et assign suis imppm de capitalib3 dnis feod iit pPuicia inde debita et de iure consueta. Qui quidm duo feofFati sic in plena et pacifica possessione mesuagiojp, ?ra^, ten, et cePo^ j?miss cu pertin existen refeofFabunt dcos duodecim secum pprius feofFatos vel plures qui supuixerint si casus exigi? cu aliis de pbiorib3 et magis sufficientib3 hoib3 de Comburgensib3 et inbi- tantib3 ville jJdicte vsq 7 ad plenu numeru viginti et quatuor hoim feofFatojp in toto attingenciu p Aldermannu et Burgenses ville pdicte p tempe existen seu p eosdm duodecim prius feofFatos et Burgen- ses eiusdm ville p tempe existen in defcu Aldermani eisdm supui- uentib3 eligend noiand et associand, bend et tenend sibi, heredib3 ? et assign suis imppm de capital^ dnis feod ilt p Puicia pdict, ad hanc vltima voluntate mea in forma pnotata firmi? pimplend. Et sic quocienscumq3 ppetuis futuris tempib3 contig’it huiusmodi feofFatos in et de mesuag, Pris, tentis, redditib3, et ceteris p'missis, cu ptinen, jJ? quatuordecim eo^dm ad minus supuiuentes vt pdicit^ obire et decedere, q d tunc vel antea si vt pmittit"" dictf tunc feofFatis opus visum fuit et expediens duodecim de dcis quatuordecim vel plures qui sic supuix ; int in forma plibata, remit- tent, relaxabunt et omnino p se et heredib3 suis imppm quietuclamabuntduob3 dco^ cofeofFato^ suoip totu ius, titulu, clameu, inPesse, et demand que tuc bebunt vel bere poPunt rone qua- cuc^ de et in pdict 9 mesuag, Pris, tentis, p a tis, pasturis, boscis, cu libtate falde, redditib3 et s 9 uicijs et aliis suis ptin, bend et tenend sibi, heredib3, et assign suis p suicia j 3 dict imppm. Qui quidm duo feofFati sic in plena et pacifica possessione mesuagiojp, Praru, et tenemeto^, et cePo^ j)missojp cu ptih existen refeofFabunt dictos duo- decim vel plures viginti et quatuor hoim feofFato^ in toto attingere per Aldermanu et Burgenses ville j?dce p tempe existen seu p dcos feofFatos supuiuentes et Burgenses eiusdm ville p tempe existentes dictis prius feofFatis eligend, noiand, et associand, bend et tenend sibi, heredib3, et assign suis in forma ^dicta imppm, ac hanc vltima 72 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF voluntate mea simili? pimplenda. Et p eo q d pfati feoffati mei ad omia in hac vltima voluntate mei contenta in omibj et singtis suis articulis bn et fideli? exequend et pimplend sup sacrosca Dei eu a n- gelia sacrametu pstiterunt corporate. Sic volo q d qmcikp futuris tempibj in mesuagiis, ?ris> tenemetis, redditibj, et ee?is pmissis^ cd ptin^ feoffati erunt simili? sup sacrosancta Dei eu a ngelia cora Alder- mano et Burgensib3 eiusdm ville p tempe existen seu cora pfatf quatuordecim hoib3 vel plurib3 qui supuixerint et Burgesib3 p tempe existentib3 p defcu Aldermani ad omia et singula in hac vltima mea voluntate contenta et specificata in singulis suis articulis vt pdicit“~ exequend et firmi? pimplend sacrm prestabunt corporate. Et volo et requiro dcos feoffatos meos nuc et futuros vt hec vltima voluntas mea semel in anno plane et publice legatur. Item volo quod post decessum meu singulis annis imppm eligant“~ quatuor pbi hoes de feoffatis pdictf p tempe existed p Aldermanu et Bur- genses eiusdm ville p tempe existen vel p feoffatos pdictos et Bur- gen ses p tempe existen p defcu Aldermanni. Qui quidm quatuor probi holes in forma pdca de anno in annu electi imppm hebunt supuisum et gubnacoem oim dco-p mesuagio^?ra^ 5 t enenfien f 0 ^P ra “ to^ pastur, boscij cu libtate falde, reddituu, seruicio£ et aliojp ptin quorucumcp cu ptin et exitus et pficua inde noie cofeoffato^ suo^ p tempe existen ad pimplend omia pmissa annuati imppm pcipient et recipient et debitum et fidelem compotu inde Aldermarmo et Burgensib5 eiusdm ville p tempe existen vel residuis cofeoffatis suis pdictf et Burgensib3 p tempe existen p defectu Aldermanni singuf annis imppm reddant. Et quod pecunia inde ad fine cuiuslibt anni de claro recept et reseruaf ponatur in quadam cista vel aliquo loco conuenienti iux a discrecoem pdco:p Aldermanni^ Bur- genciu^ et feoffatoru 5 aut dco^ Burgensiu et feoffato^, ordinand ibm saluo et secur custodiend sic q d ad nullu aliu vsum pterq^m ad execucoem et pimplecoem hui 9 mee voluntatis conuertatur. Et hoc sicut ante tribunal dni nri ihu xpi respondere voluerint. In quojp omu et singfos fidem et testimoniu et vt hec vltime volunta- tis mee psens pagina triptite indentata ppetue firmitatf robur opti- THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 73 neat cuntis qj innotescat earn et quamlibet ptem eiusdm sigilli mei im^ssione corroboram et manu mea pp*a subscripsi die, loco, et anno sup a dict. Hiis testibj, reuerendo in xpo pre Robto abbte rao- nasterij de Sco Edmudo de Bury, Jobe priore dci mon, et Jobe sacrista eiusdm mon, Jobe Broughton armig’o, Jobe Clopton ar- mig’o, Thoma Drury armig’o, Rog’o Drury armig’o, Thoma Heig- ht junior, Jobe Coket de Ampton senior, Jobe Coket junior, Rico Batayle, Thoma Symond, Thoma Tyllot, Thoma Germeyn, Wifto Honyburne, et multis alijs. Prob. 20 Sept. 1481. [Lib. Hawlee, f. 304.] Margarete Odeham, of Bury. — 1492. In the name of God Amen. I, Margarete Odeham, of Bury Seynt Edmud’s, wedowe, w* an hooll and clere mende, beying at Bury aforseid the viij day of Octobr the yere of our Lord God a M^ccclxxxxij, make my testament and last wyll in this wyse : Fyrst, I bequethe my soule to God Almyghty and my body to holy chirche to be buried in the chauncell of the chyrche of Seynt Jamys be myn husbond. Itm I bequethe to the hygh aughter in the chyrche of Seynt Jamys vj §. viij d. Itm I bequethe to the covent to (sic) the monastery of the chyrche of Seynt Edmude in Bury v. m"rc for a dirige and a messe of Requiem. Itm I bequethe to euy hows of ffryerf in Cambredge, Lynne, Norwiche, Thetford, Clare, Sudbury, to eche of thes howses vj s. viij d. Itm I bequethe to the covent of Babbewelle by Bury iij li. Itm I bequethe to euy nunne in the howsys of the townys of Thetford, Shuldham, Wygnale, Blakbowr, Cambredge, Chaterys, Swaffh^m, Denney, Iklyngton, Crabows, Broseyerd, Campsey, and Flixton xij d. Itm I bequethe to the howsys of ffrerys in Colches?, Ipswyche, and Walsyngh a m, to eche of them vj S. viij d. Itm I be quethe to the couent of Ixworthe xiij s. iiij d. this I wyll haue do as hastely af? my deth as it may covenyently be don or ellys be fore my deth. Ifrn I wyll that eu 9 y pst beyng at my diryge at my CAMD. SOC. L 74 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF buryeng day and at my xxx li day haue xij d. savyng I wole that the paryssh f)st£ and Seynt Mary pstf of botbe cbyrcbes haue eche of them xvj d. Itm euy paryssh clerke vj s. Itm euy other clerke at mannys age ij d. Itm euy chylde w* a surplyce j d. and euy chylde wkmte surplice ob. Itm I wyll that myn executors vysite the pore men and other that be dysposed to take almes eche man and woman and chylde to haue ob. and euy bedredman j d. as hastely as it may be don af? my deth. Itm I wyll that myn executo r s do make a good dyner as hastely as thei may coueniently af? my dethe to my neyghbourf and other good lou 9 s. Itm I wole that the p j soners be refresshed w* mete and drynke at the day of my dener, and I wole that eu 9 y p^soner haue j d. Itm I wole that the torchys that shall leve af? my yeere day be depted iij. to Seynt Jamys chirche, oon at the aughter of our Lady, oon at the aughter of Seynt John, and on at the aughter of Seynt Lauerens ; and iij. to Seynt Mary chyrche, oon at the augh? of our Lady, oon at the augh? of Seynt Petyr, and oon at the aughter of Seyt Thomas. Itm I wole that vj poore women haue vj blak gownes lyned wyth blanket and vj. blak dobylt hoodys, and the cloth that it be j d. ob in wode. Itm I be- quethe to eu 9 y su a nt that is dwellyng w t me whanne I dey haue a blak gowne and vj s. viij d. Itm I bequethe to the wyffe of John Banyard a blak gowne. Itm I bequethe to John Malbourgh my sone my best sylu 9 salt w 1 the curyeng, my best standyng pece of gylte, and my best doseyn syluer sponys, vpon this condicon, that he pay suche dettf as he oweth vnto me, or ellej the be quest to hym be voyde. Itm I bequethe to John Ansty my sylver salt w* the curyeng that I vse dayly at my tabyll. Ifm I bequethe to a jJst for to go to Rome x ti., and I wyll that the seid pst go the stacyons and sey massys as is accordyng for a pylgryme, and in especial! I wole that the seyd j^st sey v massys as scala cely , and I wole that the seyd pst abyde in Rome alle Lenton. Itm I wole that Syr Edmud Castyr shall contynue in hys suyse alle the dayes of hys lyffe if he wyll. Itm I bequethe to my systyr Isabel! my THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. J 5 best stondyng gowne furred w 1 bever and my best kertyll. Itm I bequethe to my Lady Hogard my narowe gilte gerdyll and innamyld. Itm I be quethe to the wyffe of Roger Drury of Haus- tede, for the loue that I haue vnto her, my gerdyll that ys velvett vppon saten. Ifm I bequethe vnto Mais? John Halowe my kynnysman a flatte pece of sylu 9 , a blak gowne, and an hood. Itm I bequethe to Robt Halowe vj. sylu sponys and a blak gowne* Itm I be quethe to the wyff of Robt Halowe my best lyned gowne and my cloke. Itm I be quethe to Maistrej Tendale my flatte gylte cuppe w 1 the curyeng, Itm I bequethe vnto the wyff of my sone Malbourgh my lytell gylte gyrdell. Itm I bequethe to myn sone Ansty my grene worsted cou^lyght. Itm I bequethe to Constans Aleyn a peyr of my best shetf. The resydue of all my goodes aboue not bequethed I geve and bequethe to my execu- toures, to dyspose for the sowle of me and myn husbond, and for the sowlys of them that I am bounde to prey fore, whom I make and ordeyn myn executours John Aleyn gentylman, Edmude Castir clerk, and George Watton clerk; and I wole that eche of them shall haue a blakke gowne, and ther rewarde for ther labo r to be takyn as they thynk in ther conscyens and be the advice of the ordenary. In wytnesse wherof I haue putto my seall. Thee 3 wytnesse, Jone Brett wedowe, Ry chard Kyng mercer, John Brond, John Barnyard, and Thomas Basse. Wretyn the day and yeer aboueseyd. Prob. 8 Nov. 1492. In Dei noie Ame. Thys jJsent wrytyng indentyd made att Bury Seynt Edmond the xij day off Januar the yer of the reigne of Kyng Edward the iiij te , aftyr the Conquest of England xvij. wytneseth that this is the parfyth and last wyll of me Margaret late the wyff off John Odeham of Bury Seynt Edmund aboue seid, in my pure wedowed, made of alle the lond^ wyth an hows set in Bury aforseyd in the Skynn 9 Rowe, the whych londf lyen in the feeldf of Bury aforseyd, that is to say, in the est feldf, south feld, and 76 WI IjLS from the court of west feld, and in the feldf of Berton be syde Bury, in the feldf of Nowton, Hornyngisherth the Lesse,Hornyngisherthe the More, and Westle, the which londf lying in the3 places rehersyd, wyth the hows in the Skynner Row aboueseyd,Igeue to Walter Thruston, aldyrman of the towne of Bury Seynt Edmond, Robt Gardyner, William Twaytf the older, Thomas Edon, Clement Clerk, John Foster, Symond Clerk, Thomas Bunnyng, John Mey the older, Thomas Emmys, John Gowty, William Copynger, Laurens Smyth, Robt Cryppyng, John Salman, William Twaytf the yong 9 , John Sal?, John Hempston, William Sygo, John Berewey goldsmyth* Reynold Chardero, John Sergeaunt, John Basse, John Sporle, William Lyenge, and to John Mey the yong 9 , To haue and to hold the seyd hows, with all the seyd londf, medowes, pasture}, w 4 all the app r tennce}, as they be sett and lyen in the townes and feldf aboueseyd, to them and to ther heyeres and to ther assigner 9 for eu 9 more, of the lordf of that ffee, be the suice3 therof by ryght dewe and accustumed, for that entent to fulfylle and execute thys my wyll in all thyngf as ys wretyn and conteyned in thys wrytyng folwyng : Fyrst I wyll that the seyd Margaret haue and receyue duryng my lyff all the yssues, reuenues, and pfytes of all the for- sayd londys, wyth the hows and ther app r tennc£, wythoutyn any contradyccon, lette, or in?rupcion of the seyd feoffees or any in her namys. And afftyr my dyscees I wyll that my seyd feffes haue and receyue all man 9 yssues and pfytes of the seyd hows and londf , wyth all ther app r tenncf, for eu 9 more, to that entent that my seyd feoffes shall in the worshyppe and honour of God, oure Lady Seynt Mary, and all the holy company off Hevene, ffynde a lampe brennyng be fore the holy Sacramet in Seynt Jamys chyrche contynually bo]? e day and nyght. Also I wyll that the seyd ffeffes shall fynde and hyre an honest pest of good conu 9 sacyon, in the maner of a chauntry preest, ppetually to pray and synge for the sowlys of John Odeham and Margaret hys wyff, and for the sowlys of Margaretc and Alys sumtyme wyffes of the seyd John Odeham, our ffadyrs, our modyrs, and our ij. doughters Margarete THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 77 and Anne, John Ansty and John Malburgfr ther husbondf, Rofet Wyset, our benefactours, and for all crysten sowlys, thes seyd preest to haue ix marc of laufull mony off Englond yeerly to hys hyre and pencion, the wheche preest shall sey messe at the aughter of Seynt Laurens in the chyrche of Seynt Jamys aforeseyd. Also the seyd preest for evyrmore in eu 9 y prynsypall ffest thoroughoute the yeer, and eu 9 y Sunday, and at othyr festf that he thynk necessary or expedyent, shall sey messe in the chapelt of the gaole l Bury afore the prysoners ther, yewyng to them hooly watyr and hooly bred on Sundays. Also I wyll and ordeyn that ther be youe to the prysoners of y e longe warde of the seyd gaole euery weke vij. fagotes of woode from Halowmesse vnto Eaister yeerly, the p 5 ce of the c fagotf iij s. vj d. And the seyd fagotf to be layde and kepte in the seyd hows in the Skynn 9 Rowe. Also I wyll that the same ffeoffees the whyche arh and her af? shall be in the hows, londf, and tenement^ youen to the town of Bury by John Smyth, esquier, shall also in lyke wyse be enfeoffed in all my londf and hows aboue rehersyd, wyth ther app^en^ncf, and the alenacion of that oon alway to folowe that othyr. Also I graunt to the seyd feffee3 and brethern off Candylmesse yilde eu 9 y yer on Candylmesse day ij s. of mony to drynk in wyne, and I wyll the resydue off yssues and pfytes of my seyd londf be delyd in almesse and othyr dedf of mercy. Also I wyll the aldyrman, dye, and auditours of the sayd Candylmesse yilde haue supuysy°n, gou 9 naunce, and eleccon off the preest, and also of all the yssues and pfytes of the seyd londf and hows aforseyd, to fulfylle and pfo r me thys my wyll a forn rehersyd, and the seyd feoffes shall make an oothe to fulfyll thys my wyll afore rehersyd before thoo psones and feoffes whych arn sworn to the wyll of the sayd John Smyth. Also I wyll the sayd feoffes in my londf and hows abouesayd, wyth ah the brethern of Candylmesse ylde, bepartyners of the sayd merytes of the sayd lampe founde be fore the Sacrament, and preest ppetually synggyng, and of the almesse youen in to the gaole aforn sayd, and othyr dedys off mercy that shall be dysposid 78 WILLS FROM TIIE COURT OF of the seyd yssues growyng of the seid londf in tyme to come for euyrmore. Also I wyll that thys my wyll eu 9 y yeer att Candyl- messe yilde be redde whan the wyll of John Smyth esquier is redde be forn the seyd brethirn of that yilde. Also I wyll that in the stede of an aldirman, dye, or auditours of the seyd yilde faylyng, than iiij of the lyklyest than leuyng of the seyd ffeoffees shall haue the eleccyon of the seyd preest, supvysion, and gou 9 naunce of all the londf and hows wyth ther app r tennc£, yssue 3 , and pfites aforseyd comyng of the same, dysposyng them accordyng to my wyll afore rehersyd, hauyng a special! regard for repacion of the sayd hows whan nede shall be. Also I wyll that my seyd feoffees in the londf and hows aboueseyd haue the kepyng of the dedys cocernyng the same, the terrere wyth that oon partye of thys indentur be putte and kepte in the hutche of the Gyldehalle and the pest for the tyme beyng to haue and kepe that othyr of the indentur in testimony of the trought. Also I wyll that if the seyd preestbe nat vertuously disposyd, as is conuenyent to the ordyr of preesthood, that vpon hym dewly preuyd withoute malice or evill wyll, that than the seyd aldyrman, dye, or audytours and feoffees in the stede of them faylyng, shall af? resonable warnyng and ther monycion avoyde hym and purvey a nothyr prest of good gydyng and disposycion, the whyche preest I wyll shall calle vpon, meve, and store that all thyngf in my seyd wyll be pfo r myd and doon eu 9 y yere yf he se othyr be slakke or necligent. Also I wyll that all the seyd tenntf be partytakers of the merytes afore re- hersyd. And also I wyll that my preest be no comon debite but an helper att nede to devyne Suyce. Also I w'yll that yff the preest dyscees, and the su 9 yce of the seyd chaun?y stonde voyde any ?me, shorte or longe, the mony that is gadryd for the seyd preest of the forseyd londf be dysposed to the poore folkf in the town of Bury aboueseyd. And I wyll that they that shall haue the labour yeerly for the gadryng of the rentf, yssues, and pfytes growyng for the seyd londf shall haue for their labour suyche re- ward as the aldyrman, dye, and auditour3 for the tyme beyng, by THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 79 ther discrecious wyft reward hem of that shall remayne more than s 9 ue and content the preest, the lampe, and the woode. Also I wyll that as ofte as any of my seyd feoffees assemble to gedyr for any speciall mater concernyng thees jJmysses at the Gyldehalle or ellys where, they shalle haue for to drynk among them vj d. of mony, to be takyn of the yssues and pfytes of the seyd londf aboueseyd. Also I geue and bequeth to Wylliam Thweytf the older, gentylman, Thom a s Edon gentylman, William Baret gen- tylman, Rychard Morysby gentylman, Robt Gardener, Thomas Langham, Thomas Bunnyng, William Copynger, John SalP, John Meye, Reynold Chardero, John Berewey goldsmyth, John Gowty, Thom a s Larke, John Salman, John Sergeaunt, John Basse, Rey- nold Chyrche, John Elys, Wylliam Honyborne, William Lenge, and Thomas Strayles, ij. tenement^ wyth thapp r ten a unce3 to gedyr sette and lyeng wythynne the burgh of Bury Seynt Edmud in a strete callyd the Chyrchegatestrete, wyth dyus other ten a ntryes sette and lyeng in the markett stede, as the dedys and a state therof made make mencion, to them, there heire3, and assignes, to be hadde and holdyn for euyrmore, to thys intent, that aftyr myn decesse, wyth the yssues and profytes of the same, wyth thapp r te- n a ncf, yerely wythoutenende, on the day next aftyr the purificacon of oure Lady Yyrgyne, in the chyrche of the ffrerys of Babbewelle* by the couent of the same place for the tyme beyng, Placebo and Dirige with othyr p^yerys and obs 9 u a ncf to them pteynyng, and vpon the next day aftyr that a messe of Requiem shalbe seid and songyn for the sowlys of John Odeham, late myn husbond, the sowle of me the seyd Margarete, the sowlys of our ffatherf and motherf, the sowlys of Anne and Margarete our doughterf, and the sowlys of the bretheryn and susteryn of the gylde callid Candyl- messe Gylde, holdyn wythynne the burgh aforseyd, ffor the whych Placebo , Dirige , prayerf, obs 9 uancf* and messe of Requiem the seyd ffrerys for the tyme beyng, to the vse and profite of ther howse, shall haue yerely, wytnouteende, vj s. viij d. of the aldyrman and dye of the gylde aforseyd. Also I wull that aftyr myn decesse, of 80 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF the yssues and profytes of all the londf and tenement^ aforseyd yerely wythoute ende to the couent of the ffrerys of Babbewelle, that ys to seye, to eu 9 y ffrere for hys part be delt a loof p*ce ob, and to pore and nedy pepyll the s resydue of xx §. be delt in brede at the Gyldehalle of the burgh aforeseyd, to praye for the sowlys aforeseyd. Also I wyll that the ffrerys of Babbewelt haue a copy of this myn j5sent [writing] and wyll, ther to remayne for euyr- more. Also I wull that aftyr myn decesse be song and kepte yerely wythoute ende in the chyrche of Seynt Jamys of the same burgh a sangrede for the sowlys of the seyd John Odeham, Mar- garete hys wyff, Anne and Margarete ther doughterf, the soule of John Forster, and for the sowlys of the bretheryn and susteryn of the seyd gylde, for the whyche sangrede shalle be payed yerely wythoutend iij s. iiij d. Also I wull that myn chaunterye preest for the tyme beyng haue hys hool dute and sallarie, as well seke as hey 11, ?me of hys lyff, so that the p'soners of the gaole of the seyd burgh be wele s 9 uyd of messe vpon the Sunday. Also I wull that myn seid chauntery preest for the tyme beyng, what so evyr he be, shall be a brothyr in the gylde aforeseyd. Also I wull that the al- dyrman of the seyd gylde, dye, auditorys, feoffys infeoffyd in the seid tenement^ and tenauntryes aforeseyd, ner non of the brethe- ren of the forseyd gylde, shall selle nor putte aweye the tehtf and tenntryes aforseyd vnto that tyme that they haue p r chasyd as moche londe, medewe, or pastur as is to the yerely value of the tentf* and ten a ntrye 3 aforeseyd. Also I wull that aftyr myn decesse the aldyrman and dye of the seyd gylde for the tyme beyng haue yerely wythoutende for ther labour ij s. and the clerk for redyng of the statutes of the seyd gylde and of my last wyll, whan the last wyll of John Smyth, late of Bury, esquier, owethe to be redde, iiij d. Int wyttnesse of these fimysses in thys cedule contentid the same cedule is annexid to myn testament and last wyll indentyd, with my seat! asselid, wyttnessyng the ryght reu 9 ent and wurchep- full psonys in the forseyd testament and last wyll indentyd playnly namyd. In to the seight and testymony of all thees thyngf, and THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 81 that this f^sent wrytyng indentyd in ij partes of this my last wyll may haue strenghte alway to abyde and knowe opynly to all men, I haue sealyd eythyr parte therof in the day, place, and yer aboue- seyd, wyttnessyng, the right reuent fFadvr in God, Rychard, Abbott of the monastery of Seynt Edmude in Bury, and Thomas, Priour of the same, wyth many moo. [Lib. Pye, f. 8.] WiirTn Honyboorn, of Bury, dyer. — 1493. In the name of God Amen. I, Willem Honyboorn, of Bury Seynt Edmude, dyer, the first day of June, the yeer of our Lord God M^ccclxxxxiij. beyng in hooft and plight inende, at Bury afor- seid, make and ordeyn this my f?sent testament and last will in the man 9 and fourme foluyng : First, I bequethe my soule to God Almyghty, his most blessed moder our Lady Seynt Mary, and to all the hooly cumpany of lievyn, and my body to be buried in the chirche yerde of Seynt James. Also I will and ordeyn that p*ncy- paly be fore all thyngf my dettf, truly knowen and pved, ben paid wkmten ony delay. Also I bequethe to the high aughter of Seynt James, in Bury afornseid, for my tythes and offryngf forgetyn and not paid, iij s. iiij d. Also I bequethe to the gilde of the holy name of Jhu, holden at the collage, xij d. Also I bequethe to Kateryn my wyff my best sylu 9 pece, vj sylu 9 sponys of the best sorte, my cupbord stondyng in my halle, my best ffetherbedde w* the traunsome, a whyte selour and a testour theron, w* iij white curteyns therto, a cou 9 light white and blewe lyeng on the same bedde, w* the blankettf, halff a garnyssh of counterfete pew? vessel!, ij the grettest ketylles, ij the best sylken gerdelys har- neysed w* sylu 9 , and my werst sylken gerdyll, harneysed w* sylu 5 , w* this condicon, that she bye another for Anneys my doughter to halff the value of the werst gerdell ; a hutche, oon of my best candelstykf, w 1 another flatt candelstyke of laton, w* an c s. in mony. Also I bequethe to Kateryn my wyff my countour stond- CAMD. SOC. M 82 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF yng in my plour, w t this condicon, that she bye another for my dough ter Anneys, to the value of viij s. Also I bequethe to Tho- mas my son iij syiu 9 sponys of the werste sorte, a pew? basyn, a basyn of laton, a copho r stondyng at the north gate w t a cheyr therby, ij peyr shetys, a peyr blankettf, a matras, a bolster w 1 a cou 9 light therto. Also I bequethe to Anneys my dough ter vj sylu 9 sponys of the best sorte, a ffetherbedde next the best, a mate- ras lyeng vnd 9 the same, iiij peyr shetys, iij pelowes, a peyr blankettf, an holow basyn of laton, ij fflat basyns of laton, wherof on is w t bolyons, my best pewter basyn, my best hangyng lauour stondyng in my plour, a sars of laton, a chaffyng dysshe of laton, halff a garnyssh of counto v fete pewter vessell, iij ketelys of the smallest, a brast potte, my sylu 9 pece next the best, a lowe candil- styke of laton, oon of my candelstykf and ij. high candilstykf of laton, a whyte selour and a testo r w* a dobyll valaunce, iij white curteyns, a grene cou 9 light, a peyre bedys of jeete, gaudied w* co- rail, pater nosters sylu 9 and gilt, a litell spruce forcer, my blewe gerdell next the best, harneysed w* sylu 9 , a stondyng chafour to hete in water, a close cheyr, a flatt stoole, a spruce hutche, a cha- four w 1 a stele, a trevid, a speete w* an aundeiren, iiij. cusshons w 1 a banker of tapstrywerke. Also I bequethe to the seid Anneys my dough ter my ij. tenement £ set in the Northgatestrete, the wiche I p r chased of John Smyth esquyer, to hold to her in fFe foreu 9 . The residue of my goodes not gevyn nor bequethed I geve and bequethe vnto the disposicon of myn executo r s vnder- wretyn, to selle, receyve, and distribute in almes and other dedys of charite as shalbe thought to them most best for the wele of my soule. Also I p r y and requyre all my coeffeffes, the wiche ben infeffed in my forseid ij tenementf, that thei delyu 9 an estate vnto Agnes my dough? whan so eu 9 thei be requyred. And of this my ^sent testament and last will I make and ordeyn myn executo r s the forseid Kateryn my wiff and John Boole. And I bequethe to the seid John, for his labo 1 ', vj s. viij d. In to witnesse of the wiche thyng to this }3sent testament and last will I haue sette my THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 83 seale. These witnesses Richard Emmys, Richard Stok, John Cokett, and other. Yoven the day and yeer abouewretyn. Prob. 10 Sept. 1493. [Lib. Pye, f. 19 b .] John Bawde, of Woolpett. — 1501 . In Dei noie Amen. I John Bawde, of Woolpett, whn the dios of Norwich, the xvij day of the monyth of Apryll, in theyer of our Lord Jhu Crist Mcj°. by the g a ce of God beyng in full [mind] and p r pose to seke the holy place wher the blyssyd and holy Apostyll Seynt Jamys lyth, alle tho wyllys abieured and revokyd byfor thys day mad stondyng att no effect, now graunte thys my last wyll and testament, in thys wyse : Fyrst I bequethe my sowle to Almyghty God my maker, our blyssyd Lady the Virgine, and all seynts, my body to reste jn sweche place as God hath pro- uydyd for jt. Also I bequethe to the hye avter of the sayd chyrche of Wolpett in recopesyng my tythys and offerynggf n e ligetly payd xij d. Also I bequethe to the ffryers att Babwell for a trentall to be songe for my soule x s. Also I wyll that the tabernacle of Seynt Jamys weche I ded make jn the north yle, and the troues of the auter ther by, be well and suffycietly peyntyd and a cloth bougth to saue the sayd tabernacle fro soyle; also the stooll weche I ded make, coloord and garnyschyd w t scalepps and othyr sygnys of Seynt Jamys. Also I bequethe to the gylde of our Lady in Woolpett xij d. Also I bequethe to s r Nycholas Kyng my godson vj S. viij d. and to eche othyr of my godsonys xij d. Also I wyll and desyr that my executors see that Margaret my wyff haue her yerly pension and dewte growyng fro Will a m my son, lyke as the jndenturf of couenauntf betwen hym and me mad more pleynly declaryth, duryng the ter me of the lyff of the sayd Margett, and also the yerly valew of my tenemet jn Wolpett, and my londf, medewys, and pasture, and feedynggf "weche I holde in the townys of Wolpett and Elmesett be trouly content 84 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF to the sayd Margarett my wyff duryng the ?me of her lyff. Also I wyll that my qwyk catalt weche I have jn the handf of John my sone be renewyd jn tyme, sauyd and kept jn as good valew as I leve them jn at my deptyng, and the yerly valew ther to be truly cotent to the sayd Margarete my wyff duryng the terme of her lyff, except I charge my feffoo r s that they delyu 9 strengthe jn as moche londe as jt most redyest mony to be had for to my execu- too r s, as they may pfyghthly pforme thys my last wyll and testa- ment. Also I bequethe to Alvs my doughther on cors gyrdyll of cooloo 1 ' blew, harnest w 4 sylu. Also I bequethe to Jane my doughter jn lawe on cors gyrdyll, coolo r blew, harnest w t sylu 9 and gylt. Also I bequethe to Margarett Barbo r late my ?uaunt on cors gyrdyll reed, harnesid w 1 sylu 9 . Also I bequethe to the Image of our Lady jn the chapell of Wulpett on cors gyrdyll of coloo r blak, harnest w 4 sylu 9 , her to hono r jn that place as longe as it inayjndure. Also I bequethe to Robt Coorio r othyrwyse callyd Tyler on doblett. Also I bequethe to Raff Pie on doblett, on peyr of hosyn. Also I bequethe to Margarett my wyff all my stuff of houshold, as brass, beddyng, and all othyr movable thyngf, ex- cepte my werkyng toole, weche I wyll that John my sone haue. Also I wyll all sweche clothys as I haue, and my wyff also sweche as she may spare att her laist day, bee egally deuydyd betwen John my sone and Alys my dougther. Also I wyll that att the deth of Margarete my wyff be spent xl s. to brynge her to the erthe and jn remebraunce of me. The residew of my goodf, movable and onmovable, then sparyd, I wyll they holy remayne to John my sone, to holde to by, hys eyrs, and hys assignes eu 9 last- yng. Moreou 9 ,if it happe Wyll a m my sone to dye w 4 out eyrs of hys body lawfully begotyn, than I wyll that the tenemet namyd the Cok, w 4 all the ptynaunce therto belongyng, be solde by the handf of my executoo r s, and the mony therof comyng, the fyrst pt, I wyll jt be gwovyn to a pryst to synge for me and all my be- nefactoo r s by the terme of a holl yer, and the ijd e pte of the mony, as fast as jt may be receyuyd, I wyll ther be bougth on peyr THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 85 of orgonys to the chyrche of Wulpett ; and all the resydew of mony comyng of the sale of the sayd tenemet, I wyll jt be be- stowyd vpon the lengthyng of the north yle of the sayd chyrche, if the town be dysposyd to helpe forward that werk, or ellys ony othyr werk necessary to the sayd chyrche. All this my request^ byfor rehersyd I graunt to be pfo r myd by the handf of my exe- cutoo r s, whom I ordeyne and make my welbelouyd jn Crist Thom a s Bakou r , s Nicholas Kyng, and my reuent Lord Abbott of the monastery of Seynt Edmude of Bury to haue the supui- sion, so that they ordeyne and dyspose for the helthe of my soule as they se best God be plesyd, takyng for tlier labou r acordyng to good coscience. In whiess wherof to thys my last w r yll and tes- tamet I haue putt to my seale. Gwouyn att Wolpett byfor sayd the yer and daye abovewretyn. Probat. 10 Nov. 1503. [Lib. Bonor, f. 136 l> .] Nicholas Talbot. — 1501. In the name of God, so be yt. In the yeer of oure Lord Jtiu Criste Mcccccj. the viij th day of the month of June, the xvj yeer of kyng Herry the vij th . I, Nicholas Talbot, beyng in myn hoole mende, make my testament in thys maner as folowth : — Fyrste, I bequeth my soule to Almyghty God my maker, to oure blyssed Seynt Mary, and to alle the seyntf in hevyn, and my body, if it happy t me to depte whn vij. myle of gret Berkehniste, to be buryed tlier whn the chapell of oure Lady, betwyx the ymage of our Lady of Pyte and the ymage of oure Lady of G tl ce, whn the parysclie chyrche of the seyd town. Itm I bequeth to y e hyght aughter of the seyd chyrche vj S. viij d. Itm I bequeth to the chyrche warkej of the same chyrche for the buryng of my body, if it be buryed tlier, xx S. It I wyll that a good and vertuse prest 86 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF rede and synge for me af? my decesse the space of vij yeers ; and yf he benot vertuose, I prey you that be myn executo r s let hym be changyd. It I will that a prest syng for Jane my wyff the space of an hole yeer. If I will that a jJst syng for my lady Cecyle, late Duches of Yorke, the space of a hole yeer. If I will that a prest syng and rede fo r Dauyd Gryffyn, the ffyrst husbond of Jane my wyffe, the space of ij yeerf. If I wyll that a prest syng the space of ij yeerf for my brothyr Edmudf soule and alle my brethern and susteren sowlys. It I wyll that a prest immediatly af? my decesse rede and synge in Slaeboory in Bollond the space of an hoole yeer, and to p a y for all tho that I am dette bownde to do. If I will that a p'st syng at Stedde in Lancastyr sheyre, where as my ffader and modir is buryed, by the space of an hoole yeer, and to prey for all tho that I am dette bownde to do and p a y for, and for my ffatherf sowle and motherf and godfather^ and godmother^ and my brederyn and susteryn, and for all the sowlys that I haue ony god of [any goods of], rygthwysly and specyally for thos sowlys that Nicholas, Jane, and Dauyd hath hade ony goods of wrongfully. If I wyll that a pst syng by the space of a hoole yeer for the sowlys of Syr Wilim Ioies late pson of Blygthburght, Syr Herry Mathew late pson of Berkeh a mstede, Syr John Moyr late pson of the same, and also late pson of the North chyrche, and Syr Thomas Ly late pson of Berkeh a mstede, and for Syr Herry Hymnorth nowe pson of Blythburght, and for all the sowlys that I haue do ony wrong on to or fare the bettyr by. And to all curatf that I haue don ony wrong in payng of my tithej. And I bequeth to the ornametf of the chyrche of Blythburght xxxiij s. iiij d. If I bequeth to the chargf of the taxe that shall falle af? my decesse to the inhitoo r s in the seydtownefor sweche wrongf as I haue don wyth my catell, and I bechese them that ben on lyve to p a y for them that ben deptyd that I haue don wrong vnto, vj s. viij d. Ifm I bequeth iij quarters of malt to be distrybute to the porepeopyll of the seyd chyrche orpysche, or as myche mony as iij THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 87 quarters shall drawe to, af? iij S. iiij d. the quarter. It I bequethe [to the curate ?] of the same town for the tyme beyng xij d. Ifm I bequeth to the pyschoons of the town of Greyngh a m iij quarters of malt, to be distribute amonge the pore peopyll of the same towne. It I bequeth to ward the charge of the taxe next folowyng af? my decesse, for sweche wrongf as I haue don to them w fc my catell, v §. and I bechese them that ben on lyve to p a y for them that ben de- ptyd that I haue don wrong onto. It I bequeth to the curate of the same towne for the tyme beyng xij d. Itm I bequeth to the towun of Wyllyngton, towards the charge of the taxe, or as them semyth beste for them, for sweche wrongf as I haue do to them w 1 my catell, vj S. viij d., and I bechese them that ben on live to prey for them that ben deptyd that I haue don wrong onto. It I bequeth to the curate of the same towne for the tyme beyng xij d. It I bequeth to y e town of Waddyngh a m, toward the taxe, for sweche wrongf as I haue don-w 1 my catell, iij §. iiij d., and I bechese them that been on lyve to prey for them that ben deptyd that I haue don wrong onto. If I bequeth to the curate of the same chyrche callyd Seynt Mary chyrche in the same towun for the tyme beyng vj d. Itm I bequeth to the curate of Seynt Petyr chyrche in the same towun for the tyme beyng vj d. Ifm I bequeth to the vilag of Snerterby, for sweche chargf as I haue takyn of them wyth my catell, x S. If I bequeth to the curate of the seyd vilage for the tyme beyng xij d. Itm to the curate of Kyrktoon, in Lyndese, for the tyme beyng xij d. Itm I bequeth to the vicar of Bushthop Norton for the tyme beyng, to prey for my sowle, xij d. and I bechese and p a y all the forseyd curatys for the tyme beyng to bechese all ther pyschyners af? my decesse to p a y for my sowle, and to forgeue me that I haue trespasyd agyn them, and to p a y for the sowlys that was of ther pyscheners that ben past that I haue trespasyd on to. Ifm I bequeth to my lady Kateryn, my lord Will a m of Suff. wyff, a ryng w* a dyamond therin. Ifm I bequeth to John Sowthword, my lord Will a m seruaunt, a doblet of veluet. Ifm I bequeth to Antony, my lord 88 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF Will a m ^uaunt, vs. It I bequeth to Mystres Elizabeth, dwellyng w 1 my lady Kateryn, a relyke that hangyth a bowt my necke w 4 ij ymagf ther vpon, that on of our lord the othyr of our lady. It I bequeth to Maysteres Anne Ewelm, dwellyng w* my seyd lady Kateryn, a ymage of gold of the ffigure of Seynt Yryeos. It I bequeth to my lady Anne Sulyard of Wethyrden a Seynt Gregorius pyte of gold enamelyd and a lyt.yll boke that she gaue me. It I bequeth to my neve Gylis Talbot iij ii. It I bequeth to my neve Edmud Talbot xl §. It I wyll that my neve Geylys Levesey haue xl s. It I bequeth to Edmude Leuesey xx s. And to Nicholas Levesey x s. It I bequeth to my cosyn Richard Batyrsby a long gown worth xx s. or ellys xx s. in mony, to prey for my sowle. It I bequeth to Raff Ashton xx tl ewys. Ifm I bequeth to Richard Ward, my ?uaunt, that tenement, wyth the apptenaunce3, in Blyburght, wyche I purched of Billyall, in the weche the seyd Richard dwellyth, to whom I geue and bequeth the same ffor sweche true ?uyce as he hath don to me, and trust that he wyll do to my soule. It I bequeth to the seid Ric Ward xx tl ewys and my syde tawyney gown. If I bequeth to Gylbert Talbot iij li. vj s. viij d. in mony or in mony worth. If I bequeth to John Nyxson late of Barkh a mstede x s. Ifm I bequeth to Robert Franke v S. Ifm I bequeth to John Herryson, yf he lyue af? me, vj s. viij d. If I bequeth to W T illm Kyrkeby iij s. iiij d. Ifm I bequeth to Herry Tompson iij s. iiij d. Thes forseyd psones dwellyng w 1 my lady Cecile Duches of Yorke, on whos soulys Iku haue mcy. Itm I bequeth to S r Thomas Ryle f?st, late of Berk- h a mstede, vs. If I bequeth to Will a m Ryche of the seyd Berk- h a mstede iij s. iiij d. Ifm I bequeth to John Lavrence of the same town iij S. iiij d. Itm I bequeth to Owayn Will a m Receyu of Berkh a mstede ij yerds of damaske. Itm I bequeth to the pson of Berkh a mstede a Seynt Antony crosse. If I bequeth to Will a m Petit x s. Ifm I bequethe to Nicholas Eu^ard, my suaunt, x s. Ifm I bequeth to Mas? Richard Hyndmche pson of Bliburght x s. Ifm I bequeth to Thomas my suaunt, Thomas Smyth, x s. Ifm THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 89 I bequeth to Herry Hernes my suaunt and to hys wyff the ij. howsys w 4 the closse w*owt the Estgate of the maner of Bly- burght duryng the lyffe of my lady Elisabeth the duches of Suff* Itm I bequeth to the seyd Herry Hernes iiij. kye and xx li ewys, sweche as he wyll take, and a doblet of leder. Itm I bequeth to Robert Novell and Alys his wyff v s. Ifm I bequeth to Thomas West my suaunt xx s. and hys wags and my rydyng gown, furryd as y 1 is. If I bequeth to Will a m Graunte that was my Suaunt, he dwellyth in Abyngton, vs. If I bequeth to John Arundell late my suaunt vj §. viij d. It forgevenes of iiij ±i. weche he owyth me and more mony. If I bequeth to George Tendall, late my suaunt, xiij §. iiij d. and my tawney gown furryd w 1 ffoxe. If I bequethe to the wardens of the chyrche of Suthwell, to eche on of them viij d- Ifm I bequethe to the vicars and to ' the chawhery |?stys in the seyd chyrche, to sey Diryge and messe for my soule, to eche of them vj d. and to mynysters and queresteres af? the rate. Ifm I bequeth to Thomas Borowe, late Suaunt wyth my brothyr Mas? Will a m, vj s. viij d. It I bequeth to Janet Glover dwellyng in Cledro in Lancastyr iij §. iiij d. And to be distribute for hyr fader soule and hyr moder soule iij S. iiij d. and if she be deptyd, that then the seyd vj s. viij d. be distribute for all ther soulys. Itm I bequeth to the iiij. orders of ffryers in London 1 §., that is to sey, the blake ffryers xx §., and grey ffryers and to the wyte ffryers and to the austen ffryers, to eche of them x s. Itm I bequeth to the psoners in Newgate, Ludgate, to the Kyngs Benche, and to the Marshalsy, to eche of them vj s. viij d. and to be delyuyd to them in brede. It I will the tenemet wythe appten a nce3 lying in the town and fields of Grengh^m aforseyd, the weche I purchased of Robert Novell, af? my decesse remaynyng to heyre3 of Willem Roger and to the heyres of hys body lavfully begotyn for eumore, Itm I will that if the forseyd Robert Novell decesse before me. that than immediatly the forseyd tenement, w* all the apptenaunce3 therto be longyng, remayne to y e right heyre3 of the forseyd Wiftm Roger of hys body lavfully begotyn for eu 9 more. Ifm camd. soc. N 90 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF I will that my tenaynts in Grengh a m, that is to sey, Sempryngh a m Barbyr and John Stevenson, be depdond of y e half of all ther rents that xall be due oh to me to the Mychelmesse next aft my decesse, if thei be my tenantf at that tyme. It I will that all suche londs as I haue in Sledboy-Wodhuse in Bollond, at Michelmesse aft the day of my dicesse, remayne to Gylys Talbot and to hys heyres of hys body lawfully begotyn for eu 9 more ; and for defavte of heyreys, retorne to the yssue of my sustyr Anne Levesey and to hyr heyrers of hyr body laufully begotyn. Ifm I bequeth to Wiiim Levesey iij score of shepe as he hath wyth hym of myn. Itm I will that Syr John Talbot knyth haue my best gown. It I bequeth to Ed mud Talbot, the heyer of Basehall, my blake gowun lyned w t sarsenet. It I will that ther be disposyd in almesse, in a recompense of suche mony as I haue wanne or loste in gamyng, xx s. If I bequeth to John Wythe x s. It to Richard Esmond my blake gowun lyned, and vj s. viij d. If I bequeth to Richard Grey v s. ; and to Arthur Cotell v s. ; and to Robert Thorn vs.; and to Robt Donne v s. ; and to Walter Eve- nott iij s. iiij d. If to Jamys Hunnter vj s. viij d. If to Mastres Norsh v§. If to Elizabeth Putnh a m iij s. iiij d. If to Will a m Pynner v s. Itm I bequeth to Richard. Sutton iiij ti. If to Herry Tetyngworth iiij ti. ; and to Richard Ward xl s. ; and to Syr John Pecoke xl s. If I bequeth to Mast 1 ’ Doctor Curteys, the p*or of the Fryers Austyns in Norwysche, vj s. viij d. Ifm I bequeth to the brethern in the same howse of the Fryers Austeyns, to be distributed among them, vj s. viij d. It I bequeth to John Cham- byr, prentyse w* my cosyn Chatherall in London, xx d. It I be- queth to the Whyte Fryers in Aylysfford xxvj S. viij d. that I lent to the p*or of the same howse, and to the seyd sume I geue them iij s. iiij d., and so the hole sume is xxx s., for the weche xxx s. I will that the forseyd ffryers sey for the helth of my soule iij trentalls. Ifm I will that Mas? Raff Werney haue my gret ryng w 1 a diamond therin ; and my mystres his wiff a lityll chyst of yvery. If I will that Syr Thomas Markf haue THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 91 vj s. viij d. ; and Masf Hedyngton v s . ; and to John Penyng ij §. It to Syr Thom a s, my lord Wiftm pst, iij s. iiij d. It I will that ther be distribute for the soule of my ?uaunt Robert Blakall late decessed vj. §. viij d. It I will that all suche howsys and landf as I haue wftn the towne or felds of Grengh a m be sold by the advise of myn executo r s, and to be disposyd for my soule and Jane my wyff, my ffatherf soule, my mother^ soule, my godfathyrf soule, my godmother^ soule, my bretheren and susterens sowlys, and Dauy Gryffyn sowle. It I will that my cliene of gold and my crosse of gold, contevnyng in weyte xvj vncf and di., be sold by myn executo r s, and the mony therof comyng to go to the pformance of thys my testament. If I will that John Etoon haue alowyd iij ii. to hym of the laste payment of mony that he owyth on to me. The residue of all my goodf, catallf, and dett£ what so eu 9 thei be, not bequethed, af? my dettf payd, my funerall ex- pens done, and these my legattf herin conteynyth truly fulfyllyd, I geue and bequeth hooly to Richard Suttoon, to Herry Tetyng- worth, Richard Ward, and to Syr John Pacoke prest, whom I make myn executo r s, thei to distribute the seyd residue for the helth of my soule in dedf of m 9 cy, pety, and scharite, as thei will answere afore Jhu our maker and redemer, and I bequeth them for ther labo r that is aboue bequethed to them. And of thys my jpsent testament, I ordeyn and make my lord Wiftm of Suff. supviso r ; and I bequeth to the seyd lord Wiftm for hys labo r a ryng of gold w* a toorkes set in. If and a sperver of sylke w t a cowntyr poynte of the same. Witnesse of thys my Jsent testa- ment and last wyll, Wiftm of Moor, of Bury Seynt Edmuds, yoman. Probat. 4 Aug. 1501. [Lib. Pye, f. 114 b .] John Coote. — 1502. In the name of God Amen. The xviij th day of Decembyr, the yer of our Lord God M'ccccc and ij, I, John Coote, beyng in 92 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF good and ryght mende, make my wyll and testament in thys wysse : Fyrste, I bequeth my soule to Almighty God, to our lady Seynt Mary, and to all the seyntf in hevyn, and my body to be buryed in the chyrchejerde by my fader and moder, and myn chyldren, and by the grave of Mas? John Mosse, f)st. Also I be- queth to the hight aught r in Seynt Mary chyrche for fawte of thithyng and offryng nectlygently forgotyn iij s. iiij d. Itm I be- queth to Seynt Nicholas Gild, named Dusse Gild, holden in the colage iij s. iiij d. Itm I bequeth to the fryers of Babbewell xx d. Also I bequeth to Margete Davy, Elyzabeth London, and Mawte Midilton, eche of them xij d. Also I wole so af? my decesse to haue ij crossys goodly of tymbyr, oh at my hede the tother at my feete, wyth my armys y 9 upon, and also a wrytyng to p a y the peo- pyll of ther charite to p a y for my soule. Also I wyll that at my thyrtyday the |Jstf of the colage to haue a dyner among them- selffe in the colage, af? the discression of myn executo r s & supviso 1 ’. Also I wyll the same day my neyghbours dwellyng aboute my place haue a dyner in my seyd place. Ferthermore, I will that at my buryng day y 9 be delte xl §. in brede at my dore, or ellf in some other convenyent place. Also I will the day beforn my thyrtyday vj s. viij d. to be delte in bedred men or women, and ther where it xalbe moste nedefull ; and also the day aforn or the day af? my thyrtyday the prisoners in the jayle to haue as moche mete and drynke as cometh to the valewe of ij s. ; and the day of my thyrtyday I will neyther ryngyn nor belman goynge, bute thys to be don in secrete man 9 vndyr thys forme afore rehersed. Itm I will yat my wyff haue, terme of hyr lyffe, alle my plate, brasse, pewter, hanggyngf, celers, testers, fetlierbeddf, traunsoms, coulytes, blankettf, shetf, pelous, and all other stuff of hussold ; and I bequeth to Willm Coote, af? my decesse and hys moders, myn sylu 9 salt wyth y e cure, and Alys Coote the other w t oute the cure ; also Will a m Coote to haue my beste p e ce wyth the cur, and Alys Coote to haue the ij de pece wtowte the cur ; and Willm Coote the iij de pece, and Alys Coote THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 93 the iiij th . Also I will that Will a m Coote haue vj. beste sponys, and Alys Coote vj. sponys next the beste, and vj. other olde sponys. Also I wole that Alys Coote haue my powder boxe of sylu 9 . Also I will that Will a m Coote haue my beste hanged bede, celer, testor, and curteyns longgyng to the same, the beste fetherbede, the beste cou 9 lyght, the beste peyer of blankettf, the beste peyer shetf ; and Alys Coote to haue the next hanged bede, celer, and testo r , wyth the ij de fetherbede, blankettf, and the ij de peyer shetf ; and so depte brasse, pewter betwyx them after the discression of myn supvisor. Ferthermore I will that Will a m Coote haue my ij beste sprus chestf, and Alys Coote the iij de , wyth the beste cofer in the olde chambyr. Also I will that Will a m Coote haue the hanggf in the halle, and also the con- ter standyng in the plo r ; and Alys Coote the beste faldyng table next that. The residue of my goode 3 not bequethed I comete to the discression of myn executors, whom I make Mar- garete my wyff, yff she fortune to ou 9 lyve me, and Will a m Coote my sone ; and I make Thomas myn supviso r , &c. Probat. 4 Mar. 1502. [Lib. Pye, f. 123.] William Baret of Bury, Gent. — 1502- In the name of God Amen. I Will a m Baret of Bury Seynt Edmond gent, w 1 an hool and good mynde, beyng at Bury forseid, the first day of August, in the yeer of our Lord God M^ccccij? make my testament and last will in man 9 and forme folowyng: First I bequethe and comende my sowle to Almyghty God, to his most blessid modir our lady Seynt Mary, and to all the seyntes in heven; and my body to be beryed in Seynt Mary chirche by the grave of John Baret myn vnkell; and I will ou my grave be leid a graveston of marbull. lfm I bequethe to the chirch aforseid, for my tithes and offerynges forgoten and to litill payed, and for the helthe of my sowle, vj S. viij d. Itm I will myn exec shall fynde a prest to go to the court of Rome, and there to prey for my sowle. 94 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF and the sowle of Geffrey Baret my ffader, as oderprestes do that go to Rome, and whan he comyth horn from Rome, I will the same prest shall kepe and make vp a yeer 3uyse at Cratfeld, ther to prey for the seid soules after his comyng horn. And I will he haue for his labo r as myn exec and he can agree. Itm I bequethe to the ffreres of Babbewell for to sey a trentall of Seynt Gregory for my soule x s. Itm I bequethe to y e beldyng of the newe stepill in the monas?y of Seynt Edmond in Bury forseid, x §. Itm I bequethe to Anne my wyff all my londs, tents, medewes, pasturf, woodes, ffedyngf, rentf, and suyses, w t all ther apportennts, ffree and copy, that I haue w^yn the townes of Cratfeld and Lynsted, in the counte of Suff., to haue and to holde to the seid Anne, her heirf, and asseignes for eu 9 . Itm I bequethe to the seid Anne my wyff my tenement, w 1 the apportyn a nces, stondyng in the gret market in Bury forseid, w 1 the bernes and gardynes therto belongyng whiche ar sette and lyen on the bakside, callid the diches,ou and ayen the seyd tenement, and ij tenement^ stondyng in the seid gret market ou ayen the seid tene- ment, to haue and to holde them to the seid Anne, her heirf, and as- signes, toward the charges of this my testament. Itm I bequethe to the seid Anne my wyff all myn hostilmentf, vtensiles, and jowellf to me in ony wyse belongyng. The residue of all my londf, tentf, medewes, ffedyngf, pasture, rentes, and suyses, ffree and copy, that I haue w*thyn the seid town of Bury or in ony oder town w*thyn the sheres of Suff. and Norff., and all my goodes and catell mevable and vnmeuable not bequethid, and all my dettf, I geve and bequethe them ffrely to the seid Anne my wyff, to take, selle, and resseyve, and to dispose in payng of my dett£, pformyng this my testament and last will, and to do for my soule and all my ffrendf soules that I am bounde to pray fore as she shall thynke best to the most plesur of God. Itm I pray and requyre all my cofeffees that ben enfeoffed of and in ony of my seid londf, tentes, medewes, ffedyngf, pasturf, rentf, and ?uyses w t thapporten a nc£, to dely3e all suche estate and possession as they haue therin accordyng to this my will whan so eu they be therto requyred. And of this my testa- THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 95 ment and last will I make myn executrix the seid Anne my wyff. Also I constitute and ordeyne my right reuend ffader in God lord Will a m Codenh a m, abbot of the seid monas?y, Supviso r of this my testament and last will, besechyng hym to be myn especiall good lord to aide and helpe myn executrix that this my testament and last will may be truly executid and fulfillid. Into witnesse herof to these jJsentes I haue put my seale. These witnessen, John Sampson, Will a m Mey, Thom a s Brown, and other. Probat. penult. Julij, 1504. [Lib, Pye, f. 154.] Anne Barett, of Bury. — 1504. In the name of God Amen. I Anne Barett, of Bury Seynt Edmund, wedowe, w 1 an hole and a good mynde, beyng at Bury aforseid, the xxj li day of August, in the yeer of ou r Lord Mhniij, yer make my testament and last wyll in this man 9 , wyse, and forme folowyng : Inpimis I bequeth my soule to God Almyghty, to ou r lady Seynt Mary, and to all the Seyntf in hevyn ; and my body to be buryed in Seynt Mary churche, by the grave of Will a m Baret late my husbond. Itm I bequeth to the hyght augh? in the churche of ou r lady in Bury aforseid, for my tythe 3 and offeryngf forgotyn and not payd, and for the helth of my soule xx s. Itm I wyll that an honest j?st and a queerman shall syng for my soule, and for the soule of Will a m Barett late myn husbond, and for the soullys of Thom a s Lytyll and John Appylby, and for my ffaders and moderys soullt', and all my good ifrendf soullys that I am bownd or indett to p a y for, by the space of xx tt yeerys, in the churche of ou r Lady in Bury aforseid, at the Resurreccon augh?, and takyng for hys stypend as myn executo r s and he can agre. Itm I bequethe to the ffryers of Babbewell, for to make a glasse wyndowe or twayne, vj li. or more, af? the dyscression of myn executo r s. Itm I bequeth to the newe werk at Seynt Jamys churches ende x li. Itm I wyll that myn executo r s shall by a messbook suffycyent, w l all other thyngf necessary for a prist to syng messe yn, w* curteyns 96 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF and augh? clothes necessary, which messebook, chalys, vestment, and othyr stuff I wyll it shall remayn at the Resurreccon augh? aforseid to the woorshyppe of God as longe as yt may endure. Itm I wyll that all my londys and tents, medows, fedyngf, and pasturs, woodf, rent£, and s 9 uycf that I haue in Watton, in the counte of Norff., shall remayn to the pformacon of the pstf s 9 uyce duryng the seid xx ti yeerys. Itm I wyll that myn executo r s shall immedyatly af? my decesse, asson as thei can purchase as mych lond more as shall makuppe the valo r of xj marc by yeer w 1 the seid londf in Watton, wherof I wyll the seid pryst shall haue hys yeerly stypend duryng the seid terme of xx u yeers, as myn executo r s and he can agre. And the resydue of the seid xj marc by yeer, af? the pryst be suyd and the repacons kepyd, I wyll yt be dysposyd to poor ffolkf wher most neede ys duryng the seid xx tJ yeers ; and af? the seid xx ti yeerys, and the pstf seruyces ended, I wyll the pfyttf of all my seid londys and tentf in Watton aforseid, and all the londys, tent£, that my executo r s shall purchasse af? my dyscesse to make uppe the seid xj marc by yeer, shall remayn forth in the feoffe3 handf for eu, to this entent folowyng, wheroff I wyll the p^oners beyng in the gayle shall haue iiij marc, to be gevyn them in thyngf most necessary for them at iiij tymys in the yeer at ther most neede. And xl S. of the same xj marc be yeer I wyll yt be gevyn amongf poore scolers, to help them to ther exibicon and lernyng, tho that be good and honest ; and the resydue of the seid xj marc by yeer, af? the charges and the repacons be born, I wyll a part be gevyn to poore maydyns that be honest and good at ther maryage, and a pte to be spent in by weyys; and thus, af? the seid foorme to be orderyd, eu af? that xx !i yeer of the j)ste be ffynysshed. Km I wyll that all the seid londys and tents, w* the premyssej in Watton aforseid, as weele all the londf which my executo r s shall purchace to the yeerly valo r of xj marc, shall eu remayn in xx honest persons beyng of the town of Bury, to be ffeoffes of the ^mysses ; and asson as xij of them be dede, I wyll the viij beyng alyve shall cause a newe alyefiacon to be made upp THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 97 to the hole rmmbyr of xx tj psones as yt ys be forseid, and so to be orderyd for eu v af?. And af? the dyscease of myn executo r s I will the seid feoffe3 shall chose ij of the seid fFeofFees so to be supvysers and ouseers of the pmisses, and to reseyue the pfyttf and to dyspose them as ys beforseid. And the ij psonesthatbe supvysors to have for their labors yche of them yeerly iij s. iiij d. And I wyll eu 9 y yeer that thos ij psones which for the tyme beyng that shall haue the ou 9 syghtof the seid londf and teritf, w* the pmysses, shall make ther acompte in Seynt Mary church to the other pte of the feofFees, w* a pte of sbstancyall folkys of the seid parych, how they haue dysposyd the seid xj marc be yeer ; and thus to be orderyd yeerly forth for eu 9 . And I wyll, yf y t fortune that the Kyng heraf? wyll not sufFyr the seid londys and tentf to contynu af? the forme aforseid, I wyll the seyd londf and tentf shalbe sold be myn executo r s, and by them to be dysposyd for my soule, and all my fFrendf soullf, jn suche dedf of charyte as thei shall thynk most plesur to God and profyte to my soule, Itm I wyll that immedyatly af? my dyscease that the p*st shall begynne of the xx ti yeers ?uyce, as ys aforseid, tyll Edmund Goodbody my godson be a pst, and than T wyll he shall haue the seid suyce, w*out he be otherwyse promotyd, and yf he be pmotyd I wyll another pst shall haue the seid suyce. And I wyll the seid Edmund Goodbody shall be fownd to scoole w t my goodf tyll he be of lawfull age to be prystyd. Itm I bequeth to the byldyng of the newe stepyll in the mon of Seynt Edmund v marc. Itm I wyll my executo r s shall do keepe a comon Dyryge and a messe of Requiem in the mon of Seynt Edmund. Itm I bequeth to Stansted Church an hole vestment and a cope to the valo 1 ' of x li. And to Belcham Churche in lyke man 9 . Itm I wyll that myn executo r s shall geve to xx t} maydens that be honest to ther mary- age, tho that haue neede, to yche of them xij pecys of pewtyr,that ys to sey, iiij platers, iiij dysshys, and iiij sawssers, and ych of them a pew? basyn, an ewer therto, or els a quart pott of pew? or of a pottell. Itm I bequethe to ych of my godcheldern vj s. viij d. Itm I bequeth to Elyano my su a nte v. marc, to be payd hyr at camd. soc. o 98 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF xx li yeer of age, and yf she be maryed or that tym, I wyll she haue y t at hyr maryage. If m I bequeth to Avyse my su a nte x marc, a ffether bedd, a traunsom, a payre shetf, a payre blankettf, a coulyght, to be delyuyd hyr at hyr manage, yf she wyll be gounyd af? myn executo r s, orellf I wyll she shall not haue her bequestf. Ifm I bequeth to Kateryn my russett gown furryd, and my rede corse gyrdyll harneysyd w* sylu 9 . Ifm I bequeth to Kateryn Cook my sangweyn gown furryd, and my corse gyrdyll grene and rede, and my corall bedys, the byggest. Ifm I bequeth to the same Kateryn Cook my coffyr of syprys. Ifm I bequeth to Elizabeth Jeage my goddought r r, a payr bedys of corall of thryse sexty, and a brode corse gyrdyll of purpyll colo r harneysyd w* syluyr and gylt. Ifm I bequeth to Mary Jermyn my goddough? a brode corse gyrdyll of blewe harnesd w* syluyr and gylt. Ifm I bequeth to John Cook a baggryng of sylu 9 , and my countyr stondyng in the new hall. Ifm I bequeth to John Goodbodys wyff my gyrdyll of blak veluett. Ifm I bequeth to ou r Lady of Walsyngh^m my corall bedys of thrys fyfty, and my maryeng ryng, w 1 all thyngys hangyng theron. Ifm I bequeth to Willm Mannyng vj s. viij d. and my cobord stondyng in my parlo 1 ' be the wey. Ifm I bequeth to Wiilm Powle, cappar, a fetherbed and a tabyll callyd a counto r . Ifm I bequeth to my lord abbott of Bury Saint Edmund my grete bedys of whyght ambyr. Ifm I bequeth to John Goodbody my counto r stondyng at my other howse. Ifm I bequeth to Kateryn Goodbody vj s. viij d. Ifm I bequeth to Thomas Cook, the sune of John Cook, my tenement and closys that I haue in Hornynges- erth the Mor, to hold to hym and to hys heirf foreu 9 . Ifm I wyll that the seid Thom a s Cook shall be fownd w* the pte of my goodys that shall be sparyd and my testament fulfyllyd. Ifm I wyll all my tentf, barnys, gardeyns, and closys that I haue whn the town of Bury Seynt Edmund shall ben sold to the best p*ce thei canne, be my executo r s, for to pform thys my testament and last wyll. Ifm I wyll that John Plandon shall by my howse that I haue in Garlond Streete for xl ii. yf he lyke yt, to be payd in THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 9.9 resonabyll yeerys as he can agre w 1 myn executo r s. The resydue of all my goodys and catallys, meveable and vnmeveable, w* all my jowellf and dettf nor geven nor bequethed, I bequethe and assyngne them vnto myn executo r s, to take, sell, receyve, and dyspose* payng of my dettf and pformyng thys my wyll and testament, and to do such good dedys as they shall thynk most plesur to God and pfyt to my soule and all my good ffrendys soullys. Itm I wyll myn executo r s shall pform my husbond Barettys wyll that ys for to do. Itm I p a y and require my cofeoffes that be infeoffed of and in ony of my seid londys and tentf, w t all the jpmisses, to delyu 9 all ther astate and possession that thei haue ther in vnto myn executo r s, and to such psons as thei wyll name, whansoeu thei be required therto, accordyng to thys my wyll. And of this my testament and last wyll I make and ordeyn myn executo r s John Cook and John Goodbody. And I bequeth to yche of them for ther labo r xl s. And also I constytute and ordeyn to be supvyso 1 ' of this my testament and last wyll the ryght woors'hupfull my lord Abbott of Bury, and I geve onto hym for hys labo r xl g. In wytnesse wherof to thes Rentes I haue putto my seale. Thes wytnesses, M. Robt Stylyard, Will a m Hunne, Herry Brown, rough mason, Thom a s Godfrey, and other. Itm I wyll that Rose Plan- don shall haue x marc. Itm I wyll that Mas? Jowell shall haue vj s. viij d, Prob. 4 Mart. 1504. [Lib. Pye, f. lG2 b .] John Hedge, of Bury. — 1504. In Dei noie Amen. I Johan Hedge, of Bury, in the county of Suff. beyng in good and hole mynd, at Bury aforseid, the xxviij day of App4 in the yeer of oure Lord God M^iiij, make my wyll and testament as y 1 apparyth folowyng : Fyrst I beqweth my soule to Almyghty God, to our Lady Seynt Mary, and to all the seyntf in hevyn ; and my body to be buryed in the church of Seynt Jamys. 100 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF And I beqweth to the seid churche for my sepultur vj s. viij d. Itm I beqweth to the Curat of the seid church iiij s. iiij d. for a sangred to be p a yed for in the bedroule for my soule and all my good ffrendf soul! by the space of a yeer complete. Itm I be- qweth to the awter of the seid church, for my tythe3 and dewte3 neglygently don and forgoten, xl s. Itm I beqweth on to Agnes my wyff my tent in Bury in the Shypm 9 ket by twyn the tent of Robt Punder on the south part and the tent late Robt Croftf on the north parte, w 1 the bern and gardyn lyyng att the bak gate in the west part of y e same tent, in the suburbys of the seid borow, as long as she leuyth as a wedow, w*all the hostylmentf and meveabyll goods, except tho y 1 bene except as y* apperith folowyng, that ys to sey, I beqweth to my iiij chyldern ych of them a maser bownd w* sylu 9 and gylt, a pece of sylu 9 , and vj sponys, a ffethyrbed, a bolster, a pylow of down, a payyer of shetf , a payyr of blankettf, and to ych of them a coulyght. Itm I wyll that all my brasse, pewter, latyn, spytts, rakks, cobnys, aundernnys, treuettf , tongs, w* all other iryn werkf moueabyll wtin my how T se longyng, to be deptyd betwen my chyldren, by the pownd, by myn executo r s, and that ych of them haue of lyke value as ny as y 1 can be deuyded, as I wyll y 1 myn exec shall mak them a delyu 9 y whn xij dayes off my dyssesse and my wyffes, except y 1 Agnes my wyff wyll delyu 9 y 1 hyr own hondf, accordyng vnto the indenture therof mad. Itm I will that Agnes my wyff shall haue a key of my bern and gardyn that ys afornamyd, yf she be [un] maryed, ther for to haue herbys y 1 shalbe nessessary for hyr howse, and half y e ffrutf eu 9 y yeer as long as she lyuyth, w 4 owt ony geynseyyng of pson orpsones. And I will that my ffeoffe3 shall make hur a lawful astate therof duryng hyr lyff whan y 1 they be reqhed by hur or by ony in hur name, and the evydence to be made to hur at my cost and charge, and delyuyd on to hyr or to hur assygnes. And yf my wyff be maryed, then I wyll and beqweth vnto Robt my son my tent, bern, and gardyn befor namyd, to hym and to hys issu lawfully begotyn, and I wyll that he shall entyr and take possessyon by y e space of THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 101 iij monthys complet next af? the day of my wyffys maryage, wkiwt ony geynseyyngof hur or of ony in hur name, vppon thatcondycon y* my sonne Robt be of good dyspocyon and do to the plesur of my wyff and myn executo r s, or ellf he for to entyr at asslgmentf. Also I wyll that my wyff nor non other pson nor psones shall remeue owt of the seid tent non implyments nor nessessarys as y 1 apperyth vnd 9 wretyn at hur deptyng, nor no tyme befor. And yf Robt my sonne dyssesse w*owt yssue lawfully begotyn, then I wyll that Margaret my doughter shall haue yt vnto hur issue lawfully begoten, as ys befor namyd. Also I wyll that my sonne which shall entyr in to the seid tent w* the ptinentf, or ony dough? of myn, or ony other issue for lak of jssu of my sonnys, I wull that they shall haue all brewyng ledys, growt brasse bruyng vessel!:, tonnyng vessel!, the hall tabyll and trystellf in the hall, plurrf , and chamburf, except fait tabellf ; also ij cheyrf, on turnyd and the other closse, w 1 a sete, ij boffett stolys, all bedstedf , vj long formys, vj cusshonys, v bankarf, tho yHyth nowe vpon the benchys in the seid place. And yf ther be ony ot£, hey, or straw in the place, then I wyll y 1 he or she that enteryth shall haue half of ych, also half the wood y* leuyth, also vj ladderf, long and short, and all the trowys, except tho y l my wyff will haue y* be nessessary for hyr house. Also I will y t my wyff shall haue tonnyng vessel! and bruyng vessell that ys nessessary for hur howse frely for to geue and sell. Also I wyll that my wyff shall haue of the iryn werkkf aboue namyd, and brasse, pew?, and latyn, as much as shall be nessessary for hur house, duryng hur lyff. And I wyll y 1 of the seid stuff shalbe made a payer byllys indentyd betwen hyr and my chylderyn, that af? hur dyscease the shall receyve ageyn by the byll indentyd the seid stuff, and depte y t egaly among them, as ys be for wretyn. Also I wyll y t my wyff shall haue iij or iiij bed- stedf, yf she need so many, and yf he or she y l enteryth the place may not forber so many, then I wyll y 4 he or she shall make or do to be mad iij or iiij at hur own cost for hur howshold. Itm I beqweth on to Margett my dough? my tenement late Wal? 102 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF Croftys, to hur and to hur issu of hur body laufully begotyn, and she for to haue a playn astate af? my dysseasse and my wyffes, and to hur issu of hur body lawfully begotyn, and to non other; and yf Margaret my dough? dyssesse w 4 owte ony yssu lawfully, than I wyll y*" Robt my son shall haue yt frely to geue and to sell ; and yf y e seid Robt dyssesse befor hys ffad 9 and hys mod 9 , or he come on to y e age of xx w yerf complete, then I wyll y 1 y e seid tent be sold be myn executo r s, and the mony therof ciimyng be yeer be receyuyd be myn executo r s, and therw^ll I wyll haue a p*st or p x st^ to go to scoole at Cambryge, to art and to non other sciens, and so to contynue as long as y e mony therof laste of y e seid tent; and I wyll y l y e seid p^te or pastes shalbe Suffolk men or Norfolk men born, and of non other sheere, the which shall haue y e seid ?uyce. Also I wyll in lyke forme y t y e tent lat Carowys, otherwyse callyd Coke, y t yt shalbe sold to y e best p*se, and y e mony therof takyn and receuyd be myn executo r s or ther assignes to be dysposed onto a p*st or p^tes as ys befor wretyn. And I wyll y 1 y e seid p*st or pistf shall haue for ther labor be yeer viij ma r ke vj S. viij d. of lawfull money of Yyglond weell and truly payd, and he or they for to svnge for my soule, my ffathyrs soule, my mothyrs soule, and for all the soullf y l my wyff and I be bownd for to p a y, and for all crysten soullf . Also I wylly* yf my p*st or p^stf be not weeldysposyd and of good conu 9 sacon, then I wyll y* they shalbe put owt, and other in ther rome, as ys befor wretyn ; and yf yt fortune y 1 ' I haue a sonne or sonnys y* bene p i stf, and haue no bnfyce, then I wyll y l my sonne or sonnys shall haue the seid ?uyce befor ony other p i stf ; and I wyll y 1 he or they shall keep at Cambryge at scoole, as ys befor namyd. Also I beqweth to Agnes my wyff my tenement late Wittm Barettf gentylman, the which tent syttyth and lyyth by y e tent of John Clerk, of Halsted on the northe parte, and y e tent lat callyd Wat? Croftf on y e south pty ; thys tent I wyll my wyff shall haue yt as long as she lyuyth, be she wedowe or wyff ; and af? hyr dysseasse, I wyll y t Margaret my dough? shall haue yt, and to hyr issu in lyke forme ; and yf Margaret dyssesse w t owt THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 103 issu lawfully then I wyll y 4 Robt my sonne shall haue yt frely for to geue and sell af? my dyssesse and my wyfFys. And yf yt for- tune all my sonnys and dough?ys dyssesse w l owt issu of ther bodys laufully begoten be for me and my wyff, then I wyll y t my tentf late Wa? Croftf and y e tent Wiffm Barettf be solde be myn executor, and they to dysposyt and pay yt as yt apperyth her vndyr wretyn and befor. Also I wyll, yf all my chyldern dysseasse w t owt issu laufully begotyn, then I geue and beqwethe vnto Robt Hedge my brod 9 my tent, my gardyn, and the beerne, and to hys issu male of hys body laufully begotyn, and to non other. And I wyll y 4 my brod 9 Robt shall haue yt duryng hys lyff frely, and then to hys issu male laufull, so y 4 that hys issu male pay or do to be payyd lx. ii. on to myn executo r s and assygnes of laufull money of Ynglond, as thus : Whan hys issu male enteryth, he for to pay or do to be payyd and x ii., and y e day xij monyth imme- dyatly folowyng vii., and so to to pay or do to be payyd eu 9 ry yeer next folowyng vii. tyll y e hole sume full content and payyd. And I wyll y* af? y e dyssesse of my brod 9 Robt that hys chyld male shall haue yt, and non othyr, and so to go furth as long as ony of y e issu male be on lyve laufully begotyn ; allwey myn exe- cutor to have regard to the paymetf abouenayd, y 1 y e dayys be weell and truly kept ; and yf so be y 4 my brother hath payyd parte or all y e some afornamyd, lett y en my brother and hys issu male agre betwen them seifs for ther payment^, allwey remem- bryng my payment^ that I haue assignyd weell and truly to be kept w 4 owt any delay. And I wyll y* y e seyd paymentf be payd vnto myn executo r s and assignes, and yf they be dyssessyd, or y e tym of payment cum owt, then I wyll y t yt be payyd vnto the executo r s of them, and so furth from executory to executory tyll y e hole sm be cotent and payyd. And I wyll y 4 y e mony y e which myn executor shall receyue of the seyd tent y 4 they dyspose yt in almes dedf, repacons of churchys, amendyng of hy weyes, and other charytabyll dedf. Also I wyll y 4 yf my brother Robt ys issu male dysseasse w 4 owt ony issu lawfull, then I wyll y 4 y e seyd tent 104 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF be sold be myn executo r s, and they for to dyspose the mony therof cumyng as ys befornamyd. Also yf yt be so y 1 I and my wyff be infortune of losse of goodf and fall to pou 9 te, and may not leue honestly, then I reuoke all gyft£ and bequest^ y* I haue beqwethed my chyldern befor namyd, and for nowght to be hade to them, nor to non other issuys for eu 9 mor, nor to my brother, nor to hys issu male, and I and my wyff, or ou r assignes, to sell them at ou r own wyll w*owt ony geynseyyng of them or of ony in ther namys. Itm I beqweth to ych of my godchyldern iij s. iiij d. Itm I beqweth to ych of my su a nt£ now dwellyng w* me iij s. iiij d. Itm I beqweth to ych y* be now alyve and hath dwellyd w* me in tymes past xij d. Itm I beqweth to John Dealt, fremason, x s. Itm I beqweth to ych of my brothers doughters y 1 be not my godchyldern xx d. Itm I beqweth vnto Robt Hedge, y e sonne on to my brother John Hedge, xx d. yf yt may be born. Itm I beqweth to the gyld of y e holy name of Jhu hold in the churche of Seynt Jamys xls. for to helpe to bey w^ll lond to the sustentacon and contynuance of the seid gyld. Itm I beqweth on to the gyld of Seynt Buttolph vj S. viij d. Itm I wyll y 4 y e brotherhod of Candylmess Gylde shall haue ij galownys of wyn yeerly be the space of xij. yeerf copleet, vpon thys condycon, that my brother Robt Hedge may haue the good fauo r of the bretherh of the seid gyld, and to be takyn as on of them in tyme to com in the seid ffraternyte. Itm I beqweth on to y e chap- pell of ou r Lady whn y e mon 9 a sute of auter cloth ys w t curteyns, whyght, payntyd, or steynyd. The resydue of all my goodf not gevyn nor beqwethen I geue and beqweth to Agnes my wyff, to dyspose, and geue, and make hyr testament of, w l owt cont^dyccion of ony of myn executo r s vnd 9 wretyn ; the which Agnes my wyff I ordeyn myn executryx, and my ij sonnys John and Wiftm? clerk and Robt Hedge, my brther, w* my seid wyff coexecutor. I pvyd allwey y l what soeu ; daunger or expence fall on to ony of myn executo r s be reson of minist^con of my testament, y l yt be alowyd to my executo r s be my wyff of my ppyr goodf; and THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 105 also M. Thom a s supvysor of the seid wyll and testament, and I wyll that he shall haue for hys labor xx s. In wytnesse herof I haue putto my seale y e day and yeer above wretyn. Prob. 14 Jun. 1504. [Lib. Pye, f. 146 b .] William Place, priest. — 1504. In the name off God Amen. I, Willm Place, p*st, mas? of the hospytall of Seynt John Eu a ngelyst, w^wt the South gate of Bury Seynt Edmund, w 1 an hole and a good mynd, beyng at Bury aforseid, the xxj day of Jullj, in the yeer of ou r Lord God M^iiij, be lycence of Damp Robt Myldenhall, P*or of the moh of Seynt Edmund, mak my testament and last wyll in forme folowyng : Fyrst I beqwethe my soule to Almighty God, to ou r Lady Seynt Mary, and to all hys seyntf ; and my body to be buryed in holy sepulture. Itm I be qwethe to the hyght augh? in the church of ou r Lady in Bury forseid, in recopens of my duties to holy churche to lytyll paid, and for the helth of my soule, xij d. It I wyll that Fryer Willm, y l ys an anker in Lynne, haue x s. to dis- trybute amongf hys bredern y t be ffryers in the place of Lynne forseid, that thei may p a y for my soule and all my good ffrendf soullf. If I beqwethe to the same Fryer Wittm x §. to hys own vse, so y c he en? my name into the gyld of the Trynyte in Lenne, that I may haue ther a Diriye and messe of Requiem don for my soule. Itm I beqwethe to the seid Fryer Willm a blak vestment and a blak clothe steynyd w* an ymage of deth. And I wyll the sam cloth be set vpon my hers in the day of my bury- yng. If I beqwethe to the seid Fryer Willm a red cloth that lyeth on my bed. It I beqweth to the monastery of Seynt Ed- mund forseid my book of the dowtf of Holy Scryptur, to ly and remayn in the cloyster of the seid moh as long as yt wyll ther indure. Itm I beqweth to S r Raff Stanton, j3st, my book of the exposicons of holy Scryptur. Ifm I wyll that Damp Willm Car- CAMD. SOC. P 106 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF sey, Baroner of the seid mon, shall assyng ij chyldern for to sey De p’fund' att my graue for my soule eu 9 y day fro my buryeng day tyll my xxx t} day be past, and they to haue yche day for ther labo r j d. betwyx them. Itm I reuoke and adnull all olde wylles and testamentf be me made afor the date herof, and wyll y l no pson nor psones shall tak non advantage ner pfyght by reson of them. The resydue of all my goodf and catall, meveable and vnmeveable, not beqwethed, and all my dettf, I assyng and be- qwethe them vnto myn executo r s, to take, sell, resceyve, and dys- pose in payng of my dettf, fulfyllyng thys my testament and last wyll, and other good dedf to be don, as they shall thynk best to the plesure of God and most pfyte to my soule and all my good ffrendf soullys. And I make myn executo r s the seid Damp Witlm Karsey and S r Rychard Frost, ]3st; and I beqwethe to yche of myn executo r s for ther labo r vj §. viij d. Itm I con- stytute and ordeyn supvyso r of y is my testament and last wyll the Ryght Reu 9 end and myn especyall good lord Willm Codenh a m, abbott of the seid monastery ; and I beqwethe to hym for hys labo r x s. Into wytnesse herof to thej |5sente3 I haue putto my sceale. The 3 wytnessen, S r Rauf Stanton, John Payn, Herry Fur- mage, and other, the day and yeer abouwretten. Prob. 12 Oct. 1504. [Lib. Pye, f. 158 b .] Maister Herry Rudde, doctor. — 1506. In the name of God Amen. I, Maister Herry Rudde, of Bury Seynt Edmonds, docto 1 *, the xxiiij day of August, in the yeer of our Lord MDvj, w* an hootl and pfyte mynde, beyng at Bury for- seid, make and ordeign this my psent testament and last will biptite in this man 9 and form folowyng : Fyrst, I byqueth and comende my soule to God Almyghty, his most blissid mod r o r Lady Seynt Marie, and to all the holy company of heven ; and my body to be buried in the monas?ij of Seynt Edmond byfor Seynt Crystofer. THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 1(>7 Itm I byqueth toward the makyng of ij blynde wyndowes in the seid monasfij and be syde Seynt Cristopher xii. Itm I by- quetli to the chapell of Seynt Nicholas at the Estgate townes ende a vestement of whyte sateyn and poudrid w l Seynt Nicholas armes, to the value of v mark. Itm I byqueth to the monas?ij of Peterborough 1 ti. w l this condicion folowyng : that the abbot o^ the seid monastij, or his successores, paye or do to be payed vnto myn executors vnderwretyn 1 ti the whiche is owyng me, be side that I bequethed them. Itm I byqueth to the parissh chirche of Wyntyrton, where as I was born, x marc, to bey w t a cope. Itm I byqueth to the chirche of Caster be side Peterborough x marc, to bye w l a cope. Itm I byqueth to the chirche of Pycheley x marc, to bye w l a cope. Itm I byqueth to the Blak Fryres of Cambregge, toward the peyntyng of ix ordrys of aungelis, xx marc. Itm I byqueth toward the makyng of an lie in Seynt Andrewes chirche in Cambregge x ti. Itm I will that S r James Cartenell synge for my soule be the space of iij yeerf after my discese, where it shall please hym for to synge, and he for to liaue for his labo 1 ' euy year viij marc. Itm I will that myn executours geve for my soule at my buriyng day, or ellis on the morow after that, to pore folkes at horn at ther howses, in bred and flcssh to the value of x ti. And I will that myn executo r s shall spende oder xti. abowte my funerall. Itm I will liaue songyn for my soule a M 1 messys as shortly as my executo r s can cause them to be songyn ; and euy prest to liaue for his labour to sey Placebo , Dirige , comendacon, and messe, iiij d. Itm I byqueth Will a m Rudde my brodyr x ti. Itm I byqueth to John Rudde mynevyvii. Itm I byqueth to John Wareyn of Castyr, and to his wyff, xl g. Itm I byqueth to Thom a s Massen- ger, my *§u a nt, xl 3., and xxvj 3. viij d. for the wages for the yeer folowyng, and an hors. Itm I byqueth to John Waleys, my ?u !l nt, xl 3. and xxvj 3. viij d. for his wagys for the yeer folowyng, and an hors. Itm I byqueth to Ilerry Gannok xx 3. Itm I byqueth to his wyff xx 3. Itm I byqueth to Nicholas Styles, su a nt w fc 108 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF maister Berkyng, iij s. iiij d. Itm I will that if myn executo r s be trowblid, whyrby that this my will may not be fulfillid, than I will that myn executours shall mynysshe as they thynke accordyng to conciens. Itm I anulle and revoke all the villes mad by for this date* outher by mouthe or by wrytyng. The residue of my good f not byquethed I assigne and byquethe vnto the disposicion of myn executours vnderwretyn, to selle, resceyve, and to geve in almes and oder dedys of chari te as shalbe thought to them most best for the weell of my soule. And of this my psent testament and last will I make and ordeyn myn executours Maister Doctour Candelyh of Cambryge, Maister John Belt of the same town, and Dame John Barkyng, pytauncer of the monas?ij in Bury; and I bequeth to eche of them for there labour v marc. In wit- nesse herof I haue setto my seall. These witnesses Will a m Copynger, Thom a s Godard, Herry Gannok, and othyr. Yoven the day and yeer abouewretyn. Prob. 8 Nov. 1506. [Lib. Pye, f. 180 b .] John Perfay, draper, of Bury. — 1509. In the name of God Amen. I, John Pfay, of Bury Sent Ed- mund, draper, w* an hoolle and pfyt mynde, beyng at Bury the forseyd, the xxviij th day of Maij, in y e yer off o r Lord God M ] Dix^ make and ordeyn thys my jJsent testamet and last wyll in thys man 9 and fovrme folwyng : Fyrst I byqwethe and commend my sowle to God Allmyghti, hys blyssyd moth 9 our Lady Seynt Mary, and to all y e holy company of hewyn ; and my body to be buryed in Seynt Mary chyrch vnd 9 y e grave stone off marbyll ther by me layd jn y e sowth yle off y e sam chyrch. Alsoo I byquethe to y e hygh aw? in y e said chyrch, ffor my tythys forgotyn and offryngys not payd, and for helth of my sowle, xx s. prayng my ordi- nary to excuse my conscyens for alle necclygencys. Also I byqwethe to eche of the pyshe prystys beyng at my dyryge and masse xij d. Also to euy other pryst beyng at my dyryge and buryyng iiij d. Also to euy clerke beyng at mannys state ij d. Also to euy THE COMMISSARY OF IMJRY, ETC. 109 chyld j oft. Also in lyke wyse prystys, clerkys, and children at my xxx 11 day. Also I byquethe to vj poore men holdyng torchys about my herse on my buryyng day and my xxx 11 day, to eche off y m ablakke gowne. Also I beqweth toward the makyng ofF Seynt Jamys chyrche in Bury Seynt Edmund xx marcys. Also I be- quethe to y ,! fryers of Thetford in Bredgegate strete, to synge for my sowle a Dyryge and a messe off Requiem, x 8. Also I beqweth to y° fFrercs off Thetford, in y <; market stede in Thetford, in lykcwyse x 8. Also I beqweth to y‘ : nunnys off y‘‘ same town in lykewyse x 8. wherof ys payd vj 8. viij d. Also I beqweth to y° hows of rnunkys in Thetford in lykwyse x 8. Also I byqueth to y the wich ys set and lyeth in Lytyll Saxh a m, the which I purchasyd ofF Robt Hall, whansomeu she be requiryd by myn executors. 110 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF Also I byqwethe to the seyd KaPyn my wyfe xxx 11 li. in mony, and I wyll y 1 she hawe euy yer a cteyn as yt may be born, whan my howsyng and lond which I hawe in Feltwell be sold. Also I byqnethe to Wylliam my son x li. in mony, and I wolle y x he be payd be myn executours yerly aff? my discesse xl s. tyll y e sayd xii. be payd. Also I bequeth to y e sayd Wiltm my son my tenement set in y e Northgate strete y 1 was somtyme Levesons, except y e tenement whiche I solde to John Wall, mylner, to hold to hym for terme off hys lyfe, and after hys dyscese I wole y 4 y e sayd tenement be solde by myn executors to y e best avayle y* they kan, and the mony theroff comyng go toward y e pformacon off this my last wyll. Also I bequeth to Ysbell my dow? x li. in mony w* this condicon ffolwyng, that yff her husbond mak good her joyntvre accordyng to his pmyse to the value off x li. Also I beqwethe to John Femnale, my sonlawe, my tawny gown furryd w l shankys. Also I wyll yt myn executours shall gyve and deale ffor my sowle in my bryeng day to eu 9 y man and woman that comyth to y e place assygned by myn executors j d., to eu 9 y chyld oh. And in lykwyse at my xxx ti day. Also I pray and requyr myn executors to pay and content my dettys trewlye knowyn and proyd. Also I byquethe to Thom a s Tyse x li. in mony. Also I wole y 4 ij closys, callyd Bashamys and Marchallys, w 1 iiij xx akres of medowe and lond, the which I purchasyd of Mas? Fynch a m of Hockwolde; j c and xx akres of lond and medow which I purchasyd of Thom a s Dey off Lynne and of John Mathew ; a tenemet callyd Edwardys, w t xxviij li akres of lond and medow the which I purchasyd off Thom a s Dey of Lynne ; a tenemet callyd Barettys, w 4 thappte- naunce3, in Feltwell ; a tenement callyd Monys, w t y e londys therto, in the same towne ; a tenemet in Lytyll Saxh a m, late Robt Hallys, w l thappten^nce3 ; a close y e which I purchasyd off Thom a s Ou 9 sooth, lying in the same towne ; a tenemet in Bury, the fforseyd sette in the Cyrchegate Strete, the which I purchasyd off y e execu- tours of WylF'm Odham, draper ; my tenemet sett in Northgate Strete, late John Wallys ; a tenement sette in Estegate Strete, late THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. Ill lone Hodgeson ; a bochers stalle the which John Marletoune holdeth ; and oth 9 dyv*se pecys of lond lying in Feltwell the which I purchasyd off dyyse men, be solde be myn executours to the best avayle y* they can, and y e mony therof to go to y c pformacon off this my wyll. Also I wyll y* yff ony off my childern happyn to cume in pou 9 te, than I wylle y l myn executours shall hellpe them and relewe them w l a pte off my goodys not bequest after y er dis- cressio ; morou 9 I wylle that y e mony y e which I hawe befor be- qwethid and herafter beqwethyd be payd yerlye to eu 9 y man and woman a 2tyn, as yt may be takyn and resseyvyd by myn executours yerly comyng for swych londys, tenementes, medwys, and pasturys, as I have befor bequethid to be solde, and after as pleynly doth apper in this my wyll. Also I wyll y l myn execu- tours, which off them leve lengest, shall yerly lete to fferme my new tenemet set in y e Northgate Strete and my taynto r yard next my chapell, and w 1 a pte off y e monye cummyng therof I wyll y t thei shall repayr my chapell and y e seyd tenemet, w* y e almesse howsyn therto longyng, whan soeu 9 they hawe nede ; and ye residwe off the mony that shall clerly remayne I wole y l myn executours shall gyve y l in almes to the seyd poor dwellyng in y e seyd almeshowsyn, and to oth 9 wher y* shalbe thowght to the moste best for y e weele off my sowle ; and af? y e discesce off myn executours I wole y l y e wardeyns off the gylde off the holy name of Ihu in Seynt Jamys Cyrche for the tyme beynge, and iij or iiij off the pyshe, have the rwle and supvision off them, and to gyve the seyd almes- howsyn to a broth 9 or a syster off y e seyd gylde whan they cumme to pou 9 te, and to non other. Also I will that yff Kafyn my wyff, ony off my children, ony off my kynred, wolde bye and purchase ony off my tenementys or londys that I have assygned in this my wylle to be solde, not assygned, nor bequethyd, that they have y e jJferrement befor ony oth 9 pson, and w* in the p 5 ce, an he or they to have respyte be the space off x wekys. Also I pay and requif all my coefeffyes that be infeofyd off and in ony off my seyd tene- mentys, londys, medvys, pasturys, fedyngys, w l thapptenance 3 , 112 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF that they delyver ther estate and possession that they have therin accordyng to this my last wyll, whansoeu 9 they be therto requyryd by myn executors. Also I wole that my close which ys holdyn by copy off my lord abbot of Bury Seynt Edmund, and ye which I purchasyd of Thom a s Russell gentylma, my lord payd the resy- dwe, I gyve toward y e ryngers charge off the gret belle in Seynt Mary Chirche, callyd corfew belle, and I wylle y l the chirche revis for y e tyme beyng shall take yt vpp by copy to the seyd vse affter my dyscesce. Also I beqweth toward the ffyndyng of Iks p*st iiij** m a rc, and v. the which Thom a s Tyse shall pay yerlye, that ys to sey, theroff v m a rc at y e fest off EsP next comyng after ye date of this my last wyll, and so yerlye at the fest of Ester v m a rc, tyll the summe off iiij** marc and v be contet and payd. Also I beqwethe to the pson off Seynte Mary in Feltwell, for my tythys [forgotten] or to lytyll payd, ij s. Also to the pson off Seynt Nicholas, in ye same town, ij s. Also I wole that eu 9 y poor hous- holder in the seyd town iiij d. in mony, or ellys j b3 off come. Also I byqueth to eu 9 y my clowghPs chylde beyng on lyve af? my dyscesce xx s. when they comme to the age of xviij yer. Also jn lykewyse my sunnys children beyng onlyve after my discesse xx S. when they cvmme to y e age off xviij yer. Also I wyll that y e hygheway from y e lyme kylle vppe toward the heth ledyng toward Ipswych be made and levelde at my cost and charge w 1 grawell and stonys, and that to be don by the advyse off my executours, when they have ony mony in stor, and no soner. Also I wyll y 1 eu 9 y poor man and woman dwellyng in my almesse howsyn have onys in ij yer duryg the space of xx yer after my discesse a ffrysed rosat gown. Also I wyit that myn executours shall do make a cope off cloth off tysswe, lyke the cope that Adam Newehawe bowght, to the valve off xx ti. and I wole have in the whod theroff the salutacon off o r Lady, and so in y e orfwes, and y e cope to remayne jn the chirch off our Lady, as long as yt wole indur. Morou 9 I wyll y t yff Wylm mak ony cleyme or inPesse off and in ony off seyd howsys, londys, medowys, pasturys, as ys THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 113 above rehersyd mor than in on tenement the which I have above byquethyd hym, or vex or trubuft ony off my executours contr^y to this my laste wyll and testamet, that then I wole the seyd Wyllm, hys eyrys, nor assignes have non avauntage off this my wyll, noth 9 off the x ii., nor off y e tenement the which I have befor wylled and bequethed hym, but vt?ly be voyd, and y e tenemet to be solde by my executours immediatlye af? my dis- cesse. Also I anule and revoke all y e wylles by me mad afor this date, owth 9 by movth or by wrytyng. And I wyll y t no pson nor psons take non avantage off them. The residue off all my goodys and cataif, mouable and on movable, not byquethyd, I assigne and byqueth vnto the dispocon off myn executovrs vndirvrytyn, to selle, receyve, and to gyve in almes and oth 9 dedis off charite, as shalbe thowght to them most for the weele off my sovle. And off thys my jJsent testamet and laste wyll I make and ordeyn my executours y e for seyd Ka?yn my wyfe, Thom a s Edon gentylma, Thom a s Tise my sonlaw, and John Cokat of Bury ; and I bequeth to ych off them for ther labor xx s. in mony and a blak govne. Morou I constitut and ordeyn John Alen, on off the barons off the Excheker off o r Lord the Kyng, of thys my last wyll supvisor; and I bequeth to hym for hys labor xx S. in mony and a blak gowne : into wittnes wherof I have setto my seale. Thes witnesses, John Haukyn, John Hempston gro2, John Smyth yonger, mercer, and oth 9 . Yovyn the day and yer abovesayd. Prob. 30 Sept. 1509. [Lib. Pye, f. 214 b .] John Wastell, of Bury. — 1515. In the name of God Amen. I, John Wastell, of Bury Seynt Edmonds, beyng of good and hool mynde, the iij de day of May, in the yer of o r Lord God Mdxv, make my testament and last will in man 9 and forme folowyng : First I bequeth my soule to Almyghty God, to o r Lady Seynt Mary, and to all his seyntf ; and my body CAMD. SOC. Q, 114 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF to be beried in holy sepultur. Itm I bequeth to the high auter of o r Lady, for my tithes forgoten, or to lytel payed, and for the helthe of my soule, x s. Itm I will that Kichard Pynson, of Lon- don, pren?, and Frensheman, haue, in recompense for rekenyngf betwyn hym and me xxxiij s. iiij d. Itm to Nicholas Colyn, Frensheman, in Cambrygge, in lyk man 9 x s. Itm to Ka?yn Kayns iiij s. in lyk man 9 . Itm to ffryre Potter iiij d. if he be levyng. Itm to the helpyng of some ornament in the Kyngf Colage x s. Itm to Jane my wyfe y markf, and all myh apparell to my body. Itm to my moder x s. Itm I will ther be disposid a tretell of messes for my soule amongf the pstis in Seynt Mary chirche of Bury forseid x s. Itm to ffryre Eswell iiij d. Itm to the Austyn Fryre 3 in Cambregge xij d. Itm to the Whyte Fryrej in Cambridge xij d. Itm to or Lady of G a ce in the Blak Fryres in Cambridge xij d. Itm I will that in recompense of my vowes mad to certeyn pylgrymagf vs. to be goven to pore folkf, and v s. to the peyntyng of an ymage of Seynt Dorothe, whiche my ffader lately hath goven to Seynt Mary chirche. Itm I will all my bokf at Cambredge to be sold to the pformynge of this my last will. Ifm to Mr. S telly ard to prey for me iij s. iiij d. Itm I will there be delt to pore pepuft by the discrecion of myn execu- trices x s. Itm to eu 9 y of my sistres vj s. viij d. The residue of all my goods, movabill and vnmovabill, I geve and bequeth to the disposicion of myn executrices, whom I ordeyn Jane my wyfe and Margarete my moder, they to selle, take, and resseyve, to pforme this my will, and dispose in other dedis of charite as shall seme to them most plesur to God and pfyte of my sowle. Probat. 25 Maii, 1515. [Lib. Hood, f. 15 b .] Agas Herte of Bury. — 1522. In the name of God Amen. The secunde day of the monyth of September, in the yere of owr Lord God M 1 ccccc xxij, I, THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 115 Agas Herte, of Bury Seynt Edmunds, wedow, holl of mynde and good remembraunce, at Bery forseyd, make and ordeyn thys my fJsent testament and last will in man 9 and forme folowyng : Fyrst I bequethe my soule to God Almyghty, to owr Lady Seynt Mary, and to all the holy compeny of heuyn ; my body to be buryed in holy sepultur in the chyrche yard of Seynt Jamys, nere by the g a ue of John Herte, late my husbond. Itm I bequethe to the hygh augh? in the chyrche of Seynt Jamys in Bury for- seyd, for ony tithis or offryngf forgotyn and to lytyll payd, and for the helth of my sowle, xx d. Itm I will haue a trentall of Seynt Gregory don at Babbewell for my sowle and my husbonde sowle ; and I assign therefore x s. Itm I bequethe to the chyrche of Pakenh“m a pelow of blew sylke. Itm I bequethe to Richard Jaxson, my son, a ffetherbed, ij trawnsoms, a matras, ij pelowes, iiij payer of schetf, a payer of blankett^, and a cou 9 yng of arasse, and a secunde cou 9 lyght, a selo r and a testo r steynyd w 4 fflowers, and iij curteyns, and the steynyd clothes hangyng abowte the plo r be hynde the halle chemny, iij bras pottf, oon the grettest, and ij next the secunde, ij ketyllys, a braspanne, the ij de , a chafur of laten w 4 thre fette, a frying panne, a spete, a gredern, a tawny jaket lyned w 4 yelow, a payer of hand- erns, iiij platers, iiij dyssys, and iiij sawcers of pew?, iij poregers of pewter, a chafyng dysshe of laten w 4 a fote, ij belle canstykf and a lesser canstyke, a Seynt Johis hede of alabas? w 4 Seynt Pe? and Seynt Thom a s and the fygur of Cryst, w 4 a choche of red sarsnet and grene ffrengyd, and a thre pynt pott of pewter w 4 bonds, a peynt pott of pewter of the olde ffasshon, and a hallyng of steynyd clothe w 4 rynnyg vynys and leves w 4 bestf and birdf, a new coberd, a tabyll of waynskott w 4 to joynyd trestellt', ij joynyd stolys of the best, a gret joynyd cheyre at the deyse in the halle, a peynt pott for ale of pewter w 4 bondf, a pleyn latyn basyn, a grett pewter basen and a latyn lavo r , the grettest close cheyre, ij fote stoles, joynyd, ij tabyll clothes, vj napkyns, iiij pleyne and to of diap, a salte saler of pewter, a lytyll 116 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF pewter basen and a pleyn towell, ij pelow beres, a grett clieste in the shoppe, iij kusshons, ij w 1 hartf and on of other worke, wyche parceftf to be delyued the seyd Rychard at the age of xxj yerys ; and yf it fortune the seyd Rychard to discease before the seyd age, that than the parcetlf to the seyd Rychard bequestyd to be sold be myn executo r s, and the mony thereof cumyng to be dysposyd for my sowle and hys. Itm I bequethe to Jone Jaxson my dowgh? a fetherbed, a matras, a bolster, ij pelowes, iiij payer of schetf, a payer of blankettf, a coulyght w 1 fflowre delyce, a selo r and a testo 1 ’ steynyd w* Seynt Kateryn at the hed and the crusifix on the selo r , ij tabell clothes, vj napkyns, iiij pleyn and ij of di a p, and a pleyn towell, a rownde tabyll of waynskott w 4 lok and key, the secunde joynyd cheyer, ij joynyd stolys, a se- cunde cou 9 lyght, ij pelowberis, the steynyd clothes abowte the chamber where I ly, and a golde corse w l belettf harnes lesse, iiij paters, iiij dysshys, iiij sawsers, and iij poregers of pewter, a chofyng dysshe of laton, a powsyd basyn w l a rose, a ewer of latyn, a pewter basen w* bolyonns, ij bell canstykf, a lesser can- styk, a wyne pott, a ale pott of a peynt, a pece of pewter, a q^rte pewter pott, ij brasse pottf, a grett brasse panne, ij ketellf, a more and a lesser, a frying panne, a payer of awndernes, a spete, a gredern, a chafur of laten w* iij fete, a chofor of brasse w l a stele, a salte saler of pewter, a grett chest corvyn on the oute syde, a banker, iij kusshons, oon of the harte and to of other worke. Itm I bequethe to the chyrche of Seynt Jamys a basen and a ewer of pewter hamerd, to be vsyd at crystnyng of chyldern in the seyd chyrch as long as it will indure. Itm I bequethe to Fraunces Wrethe a ffetherbed, a bolster, a payer of blankettf, my best carpet, a new cou 9 lyght w l fflowers, ij payer of schetf, ij pelows wt the berys, ij bell canstykf, a potell pewter pott ledles w l ij erf, a char^ of pewter, a q a rte wyne pott of the olde fasshon, a lytyll Seynt John’s hed of alabaster w l a scriptur, Caput S’c’i JoKis Baptiste , w l a clothe of golde w l romayn letters of blacke weluet, a brasse pott, a brasse panne, a ketyll, a ffry- THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 117 ing panne, a gredern, iij kussh°ns w l hartf, a banker, a tabyll clothe of diap, iij platers, iij dysshys, and iij sawsers of pewter, and vj napkyns, iiij pleyn and to of diap ; wyche pcellf to be de- lyued on to the seyd Fraunces whan he comyth to the age of xxj yerf ; and yf it fortune the seyd Fraunces to dyscease before the seyd age, that than I will the seyd pcell to hym bequestyd to be sold be myn executors and the mony therof comyng to be don for my sowle and hys. Itm I bequethe iij fyne elle kerchers to be vsyd for corporas clothes in the chyrche of Seynt Jamys afor- seyd, oon at the hyght augh?, another at Jhus augh?, and the iij de at owr Ladys augh?, there to remayn as long as they will indure. Itm I bequethe to Annes Cage, the wyf of Harry Cage, a ffether- bed, a bolster, a payer of schetf and a cou 9 lyght, a brode cheste of wayneskott. Ifm I bequethe to John Bullok, my brother in law, a fetherbed, a bolster, ij pelowes, a cou 9 lyght, and a payer of schetf. Itm I will that John Launde, dark, or sume other onest prest at hys assignment, shall syng and prey for my sowle, the sowle of John Hart my late husbond, the sowles of my father and mother, the sowles of Roberd Wrethe and Alys hys w T yf, owr frendf and benefacto r s sowles, in the seyd chyrche of Seynt Jamys, be the space and ?me of a yere and a q a rter, w^n a conuenient tyme after my dyscease to be gynne, takyng for hys stypend by yere viij marc vj §. viij d. and for the q a r? aftyr the rate. Itm I bequeth to the hyght au? in Seynt Jamys chyrche, a au? clothe of diap and a towelly. Itm I bequethe to the augh? of owr Lady in Seynt Mary chyrche a augh? clothe of diap. Itm I bequethe to the augh? of Seynt John in the seyd chyrch of Seynt Jamys an augh? clothe of diap. Itm I bequethe to Fryers of Babbewell an augh? clothe of diap. The residue of all my goodf and catellf, moveable and vnmoueabill, aboue not bequethed nor assigned, w l all my dettf to me dew, I assign to myn executors to pay dettf, pforme my husbondf will and myn, and bryng my body honestly to the erthe. And of thys my testament and last will I make myn executo r s John Bullok of Thurston and Thom a s 118 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF Stacy of Bury thelder, surgeon ; and I bequeth to eche of them for ther labo r vj s. yiij d. Also I constitute suj>viso r hereof John Lawnde, clarke ; and I bequeth to hym for hys labo r x s. These witnesses Richard Tassell dra$, Rog* Barbur mere, John Lacy scribe, and other, the day and yere aboue seyd. Probat. 20 Oct. 1522. [Lib. Hood, f. 97-] John Cole, of Thelnetham. — 8 May, 1527. .... Itm I will have a newe crosse made accordinge to Trappettf Crosse at the Hawelanesende and sett vpp at Short Groves ende, where the gospell ys sayde vpon Ascension Even, for y e w ch I assigne x s. Itm I will and assign e w th the yearlie ffearme of iij acres londe lyenge in Hopton fylde and Thelneth a m in iij peecf, that ys to saye, v roodf lyenge in y e furlonge cleped Langsake, half an acre lyenge neare therbie, and v roodf lyenge and abbuttinge vpon Ratonslane, to fynde yearelie a busshell and halffe of malte to be browne and a busshell of whete to be baked to fynde a drinkinge vpon Ascention Even everlastinge for y e prisshe of Thelneth a m to drinke at the crosse aforenamed ; and yf the sayde drinkinge expende not the fearme of y e sayde iij acres londe euerie yeare yearelie, then I will that the ou 9 plus of the sayde yearelie fearme be delte emongeste the poore people of Thelneth a m where moste neade ys. Neverthelesse I will in annye wysse y* whosoeu 9 here- after shall holde and occupie my tenemete and londf in Thelnet- h a m aforesayd that theye shall [have] the saide iij peecf of londe and occupie the, and neuer to be solde from the saide tenemete, but alonlie w th the yearelie fearme of the same to fynde everie yeare the sayde drinkinge at the crosse as yt ys above rehersed. Probat. ap. Ixworthe, 5 Dec. 1527. [Lib. Brydone, f. 269 b .] THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 1 10 Inuentoriu Margarete Baxster sent testament and last wyll in maner and forme folowing : Ffirst, I bequethe my sowle to Almyglitye God, my maker, redemer, and sauyour, and my body to holy sepulture, and my goodes to be dysposed and vsed in forme and maner folowinge : In primis I geue vnto my mother Margaret Tomlynson, the wyfe of Rychard Tomlynson, 140 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF dwelling in Trynyte pyshe in Colchyster, xx s. of lefull monye, and one syluer spone. Itm I bequethe vnto my brother Robt King thelder xx s. and one syluer spone. Itm I geue to my brother James Tomlynson, the son of Rychard Tomlynson, xxS. and one sylu 9 spone. Itm I geue vnto Katheryne Bat xx s. and one sylu 9 spone. Itm I geue unto Elyzabethe Chamber xxs. and one syluer spone. Itm I geue vnto my brother Robt thellder all my lynnen except my too best shirts. Km I geue to my brother Robt the yonger, one pyllow. Itm vnto my syster Katheryne one pyllowe. Itm vnto my syster Elyzabethe one pyllowe. Itm to my brother James one pyllowe. Itm I geue onto my father in lawe Rycharde Tomlynson a peace of syluer of v s. Itm I geue vnto my hostyes Cheston my cobbornes, the fyer pany, and the tonges. Itm I geue vnto Thomas Andrues my best fetherbed and my best boulster. Itm I geue to mother Butcher one ioyned forme. Itm I geue vnto Thomas Larke my best cote, my best dublet, my petycote, my best capp, my best hoses, my best shoes, my best slepers. Itm I geue to Robt Hall ij ioyning stoles. Itm I do geue for implements to remayne vnto the scholle the hangyns in my chamber, one table, one ioyned forme, one sede, Pline de naturali historia, Virgilius cum commento, Oratius cum comento, Ouidius cu commento. Itm I geue to Mr. Sterman, Euse- bius ecciiee historia. The resydue of my goodes, of what nature so- euer they be, mouable or vnmouable, I geue vnto Wiftm Cheston, of Bury Saynt Edmond, tanner, to haue them and hold them, dyscharging this my last will and pforming the same, whome I constytute and make my sole executour of this my last will and testament. Thes being wytnes, John Sterma pryst, Stephane Cheston, Robt Hall, Bartylmewe Davyson, and Thomas Larke. Proved 15 Aug. 1552. [Lib. Sunday, f. 247 b .] Gilys Levyt, of Bury. — 1552. In the name of God Amen. This is the laste will and pfyt THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 141 testament of me Gilys Levyt, of Bury Saynt Edmund, in the counte of SufF. made and wrytten w th my owne hand, vnder the fere of God, being in good and pfyttremembraunce, the viij th daye of November, in the yere of o r Lord God M.ccccclij, and in the sixte yere of y e raynge of o r most dread Soverayne Lord Edward y e vj th ., by y e grace of God, of Inglond, Ffraunce, and Ireland King, Defender of the Faithe, and in erth of the Churche of Inglond, and also of Irelond, the su^me head, as hereafter follow th and ensuythe : Ffirst I yeld, gyve, and bequethe my sowll to y e All te God y e blyssyd Trynite, trustinge and most faythfully beleving y* by and thoroughe y e merytf of Soveour Christy most blessyd and bitter passyon and bloud shedding y 1 my sowle after y is j)sent lyfe shall rest w th Abrah a m, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdome of Heaven for ever more. And also I comytt my body to be buryed in the churche erthe, and y e ministers of the churche to be synging or saying y e psalme of Miserere w th other good psalmes or prayers, even from y e place where I shall leve this my mortall lyfe vnto my sepulture, and the mynisters to be rewardid for ther paynes by my executrix honestly. And farther I will y* S r John Starma, or some other, make at my buryall daye a smale collacon of the Scripturf, desyering all psones to forgeve me y* I have offendyd, and he to have for his labor ij s. Also furthermore I denull, disalow, and sett att nothing, all former wills and testaments w ch I have made or cawse to be made sence y e beginning of the worlde vnto this jJsent daye and owre. And that this psent will shall allwaies be excepted and taken for my ryght, just, and trew wyll and testamt for euermore. Furdermore I geve and beq e the vnto Elysabethe my wyfe my howse at Rysbygate, callyd y e King’s Head or Saynt Edmiids Head, w ch I bowght and purchased of mayster John Eyer esquyer, to have and to holde to her and to her heires for ever more. And all my howshold stuffe or move- able goods, saving all those howshold stufe, moveable goods, and implemets, w ch ar and be letten w th y e said howse vnto Christofer Foustone by inventory, w ch howshold stuffe, goods, and imple- 142 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF ments, I geve and bequethe vnto Kateryne Levytt my dowgliter, or monye for the same according as y ei be p*sed w th in the said inventary, at her wyll and pleasure after her mothers decease. Also I gyve vnto y e said Kateryne Levyt ij fetherbedds, ij bolsters, ij coverlyts, iiij paire of shetts, iiij pillowes, iiij cusshines, one chayer, and sixe newe joynyd stolys, syxe pewter platters of the best, iiij or pewter disshes, sixe sawcers, iij poddingers, ij bell can- delstycks of latten, and too smale candilstycks. If to basons of lat- ton, and one ewer, iiij pewter potts, ij quartes, and ij pyntes. Itm iij brasse potts, one great pott, y e other sumwhat smaller, one posnett, too brasse pannys, to kattylls, one skyllet panne, too spytts, too brand irons, one pott hanger, one cownter, one forme. Itm I also geve her sixe siluer sponys, thre tabull clothys, whereof one dyap, sixe napkines, one carpytt, one dryppine panne of iron. Itm I geve also to the said Kateryne nyne pownds viij s. of monye w c h I will she shall receyve of, and by the too last obligacons of the sixe w ch Christofer Fustone ys bownd to me in for certeyne stuffe w ch he bowght and had of me. Also I gyve her my best gowne of pewke, and also after her mother’s decease I gyve her my newe cubbord w th y e presse in yt, and too great books, y e Bybyll and the New Testament, w th y e booke of y e Kings Statuts. Itm I geve to Rofet Carles one gowne, and to Lawrence Canvys one other, and to mother Harvy, my syster in lawe, the thurde w ch I last made. The rest of all my moveable goods vnbeq e thed w th in this psent will and testamet I gyve to Elyzabethe my wyffe, whom I ordeyne and make my sole executrix, and she to receyve my detts and paie my detts and all my legaces and bequethes, according to the trwe [meaning] and effect of this my said will and testament. Furder, I ordeyne, constitute, and make to be overseer and supvisor, to se this my fisent will and testament pformid and don in euy poynt accordyng as is rehersed herein, Mayster John Holte, of Cockfyld, yf yt plese him to take so muche payunes for me, and he to have for his payunes too aungell nobles and all his costs and charges in traveyling for the same. Itm I will that THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 143 Elyzabethe my wyffe shall have my tenement duringe her lyfe, w ch I bowght of Robert Jacobb, lying in Long Breklond, and after hir decese I geve yt to Kateryne Levyt my dowghter and her heires. And I gyve to the said Kateryne tenne pownds of money, and xij S. to make vpp y e full of xx n w th in this wyll resytted, w ch I will shall be paid her by my executrix at y e daye of hir mariage. And if ytt fortune y e said Kateryne to dye and depte this worlde before her maryage, y en I will y* y e said tenne pownds be equally devyded betwene my ij brothers sonnes, w ch were w th me at Bury, Thom a s Levyt and John Levyt, and to my said wyffes children w th in this psent namyd, by equall porcons. I geve also vnto Lawrence Canvas xx s. and also to Margaret Carlys xxs. and to Steven Skott’s wyfe, my wyfes dowghter, xiij S. iiij d. and to my wyvys syster Jone Harvy, and Willem Harvy her sonne, either of them vj s. viij d. Ifm I also gyve vnto my kynsman Thom a s Levyt and John Levyt beforesaid, to eyther of them xx S. and to every godchild I have syxe pence. Teste Wiltmo Rokitt, Wiftmo Tassell, Martino Boltone, Willmo Baker, drap, Johne Butry 5 Joke Starman, chapleine. Proved 15 June, 1553. [Lib. Sunday, f. 56 b .] Agnes Hals, of Bury. — 1554. In the name of God Amen. In the xij th day of December, in the yere of o r Lord God 1554, I, Agnes Hals, of Bury St. Edmond, wedow, beinge of hole mynde and pfitt remembrance, at Bury aforeseid, thanked be God, do ordeyne and make this my jJsnt testament and last will, in maner and forme followinge : That is to say, ffirst I bequeath and commend my soule to Almightie God my maker, redemer, and savio r , and trustinge in the blessid and bitter passion of Jesus Christ to be saved ; and my body to be buryed in holy sepulture. Itm I bequeth to the repacon of St. Mary’s Churche in Bury aforseid xx S. Itm I will that myne 144 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF executors shall distribute and deale to the poore people and for other charge at my buriall day vj u . And in like maner at my thirty day iiij u . Itm I geve and bequeath to my sone John Xpofers5 my best bed of downe, and a bolster, w 1 a paier of fustian blakets, oon paire of fyne shetis of iij bredis, and oon paire of fyne shetis of ij bredes and a halfe, and oon paier of two bredes, ij pillowes of downe, and ij fyne pillow beres, and my best coveringe of the Passion, with the celler and tester of skarlet. And a table cloth, and a towell of damaske worke, with xij napkins belongeinge to the same, two other table clothes of diaper, oon fyner then the other, two towells, oon dussen of plaine napkins, and oon garnishe of pewter yesseh marked with J. and C. and a charger. I bequeath also my seid sonne my best syluer salt w* the cover, hauinge a borrall in the bottome, and a George on the toppe, and my gilt truncke w* glasses rond about it w 1 the cover, and thre gilt goblettf w* the cover, and my best syluer potte, and the great rynge that was his fathers of gold. I bequeath also my seid sonne and Elizabeth his wief my beades gauded gold, and after the decease of my seid sonne I will that Olyver Xpoferson shall haue the seid gilt salt w* the cover. Itm I will that my mesuage or tent w * thapp r tinancf in Bury aforeseid, wherin I now dwell, to be sold by myne executo r s, and the money therof cominge I will shalbe evenly devided emonge the thre children of my seid sonne John Xpofersoun. And further, if it fortune any of the seid thre childre to dye before they come of lawfull age, then I will the lenger lyver of the to inioye all the hole. And further I bequeath my seid sone and my daughter his wief vj siluer spones, halfe of the xij Apostles. Itm I geve and bequeath my sone-in-law George Everton, and my daughter Mary his wief, the next best bed of downe, with the bolster, oon paier of fustia blanketts, oon fyne paier of shetes of thre bredes, oon other fyne paier of ij bredes and a half, and oon other fyne paier of shetes of ij bredes, two pillowes of downe, and two fyne pillow beres. I geve and bequeath my seid sonne also my thre great bolles with the cover peel gilt, and THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 145 halfe a dussen of siluer spones that he haue of myne already, and my little silver salt w t the cover, and halfe a dussen of silver spones of the xij Apostells, and my pomander of gold, oon table cloth, and a towell next to the best of diap, oon other table cloth of diap of a courser sorte, oon dusseof diap napkins and a towell of diap, and halfe a garnishe of pewter vessel! next to the best, and my rynge of the Passion of gold, and my silver pot wkrat eares gilt w* the cover. And to my daughter Mary, my ringe with the emerod, and my best violet gowne, and a dussen of porringers marked with J and A, and vj great old quisshins. Ifm I geve and bequeath to my daughter Anne Knap, to be delivered hir by myne executo rs whesoeu she shall fortune to be wedow, if she so long lyve, oon fetherbed, and a bolster, oon paire of fyne shetes, and ij other good paier of holland, ij pillowes of downe, and ij fyne pillow beres, my great coveringe of huntinge, oon table clothe, and a towell of diap, and oon dussen of playne napkins. And further, if it fortune the same Anne to dye before the receyte of my legacy and bequest, then I will the same to be equally devided? bestowed, and delyvered, to my seid daughters ij sonnes, that is to saye : Wiiim Morkelowe, when he comith out of his yeres of prentiswood, and to hir younger sonne George Knap when he shall accomplishe thage of xxj yeres or be maried. Ifm I bequeath to Wiftm Morkelowe, son of my daughter Anne, a fetherbed, a bolster, and ij paier of flaxen shetes, a paier of blanketts, and a paier of course shetes, and a coveringe, a table cloth, a towell, and a dussen of playne napkins, and halfe a garnishe of pewter, a brasse potte, ij panes and a spete, and vj u . xiij s. iiij d. in ready money. Ifm I bequeath to my good lady and nece dame Johan Warren, of London, my salt inamyled, fora poore token of remembrauce, to the intent and desyeringe her to be good vnto my children. Ifm I bequeath to my nece Mary Gifford, wief vnto Wiftm Gifford of London, mercer, my ringe with the wepinge eie. Ifm I bequeath to my sister Elizabeth Trotter, oon gold ringe w* a saffer, oon flat silver pece w 1 a colliibyne in the camd. soc. u 146 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF bottome, ij paier of flaxen shetes, oon table cloth, and a towell of diap, my best cassocke gawded w* velvet, and my tauny satten kirtell. Itm I bequeath to my good lady dame Margaret Blen^hesset, a goblet w* the cover pcell gylt, and a folted table w 1 iron. Itm 1 bequeath to Mr. John Eyer of Burjr, esquier, my best gylt pott w 1 ij eares and the cover. Itm I bequeth vnto good Mistris Eyer his wief my leyver of siluer pcell gilt. Itm to my son Augustyne Steward my ringe with the dead manes head. Itm to my good neighbo 1 ' Thom a s Cage my litle silver pott w 1 the cover havinge a marchunts marke. Ifm I bequeath to my good neighbo r his wief my best velvet ptlet and my myll. Itm I bequeath to my neighbo 1 ' Mr. Nicholas Paines wief oon charger. Itm I bequeath to my godson Ffrancs Lucas oon paier of holland shetes. Itm to my god daughter Dorothe Hanh a m a table cloth. Itm to my godson Henry Cage, son of Robt Cage, oon good paier of shetes. To my godson Thom a s Allen, oon course paier of shetes. To Elizabeth Sparke, wedow, my euy day kirtell, oon smocke, oon of my night kerchers, and oon of my night railes. To Mary Petergill, my mayde, if she fortune to be w t me whe it shall please God to call me, oon paier of shetes, two night kerchers, my worky day cassocke, iiij neckerchers and vj s. viij d. in ready money. Itm I bequeath to Alice Harma, my mayde, if she fortune to be w th me when it shall please God to call me, oon matteras, a paier of shetes, a bolster, my old violet gowne, and vj §. viij d. in ready money. Itm I bequeath to Ffrancf Goldingh a m iij s. iiij d. To Robt Markes iij s. iiij d. To Robt Marche iij s. iiij d. To Water Stanton iij s. iiij d. Granger xij d. Edward Bardwell xij d. To Thomas Blosse iij s. iiij d. Thomas Smythe iij S. iiij d. The residew of my goodf, both mouable and vnmouable, not gyven, bequeathed, or assigned, I will shalbe sold by myne executo rs for the pformaunce of this my seid testament and last will, my debtf, charge, funerallf, and legacf, herof discharged and paied. The residew of my goods then remayninge I will my executo rs shall equally devide between them. And I ordeyne and THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 147 make my executo rs my seid son John Xpoferson and George Everton, gent. And I ordeyne and make the seid John Eyer, esquier, and my son-in-law Roht Knappe, and my neighbo r Thomas Cage my supviso rs of my seid testament and last will. And I will that all my other willes, gyftes, geven or bequeathed, hertofore made, shalbe voide and of none effect. And also I geve and bequeath to my daughter Anne Badby my little asshen pece of syluer. And also I geve and bequeath my neighbor good Mistris Andrewes, my spone with a forke in the end, of silver, for a poore toke of remembrauce. And also to Mother Huntma a new rayle and alockerom kercher. Witnes to the same, Robt Wattn, preist, Thomas Cage, and Edmond Bright. Prob. penult. Apr. 1556. [Lib. Sunday, f. 277 b .] John Booking, cooper, of Mildenhall.— 155/. In the name of God Amen. The xxviij li daye of October in the yeare of o r Lorde God 1557, I, John Booking, cooper and Ducheman, dwelling in the paryshe of Myldenhall, in the countie of Suff. and in the dyocess of Norwich e, being in hole mynde and perfect remembrans, do make this my phte testament and last wyll, in manner and forme folowing : Fyrst I commende my sowle to Almyglitie God, to o r Ladie Saynt Marye, and to all the blessed companye of heauen ; my bodye to be buryed in the churchyarde of Myldenhall aforesayd. Itm I bequethe to the reparacons of Myldenhall churche ij s. vj d. Itm I gyue to Audrye Walton, my maide, fourtie shillings, to be payd by the hands of my exe- cutryx. Item I gyue to Jane my wyfe twentye pounds that is owing me in Freselonde, in a towne named Grouye, and yf my sayd wyfe be at this psent w th chylde, I wyll that my chylde shall haue the same twenti pounds, and yf she be not w th childe then I gyue it to hir freelye. Also I wyll that Jane my wyfe resorte vnto Mr. Lawrence, a Duche man, dwelling on the Towre Hill at Lon- 148 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF don, and to desyer him to laboure ernestlye to Mr. Berner, who shall bryng hir the sayd twentye poundf out of Freselande, for he do knowe the men that do owe me the sayd monie the same very debte. Also I wyll that Jane my wyfe shalbestowe for me at my buryall daye in deedes of charytie to the pore people twelue shillings. The resydewe of all my goods, of what kynde or sorte so euer they be, eyther of thys syde the seae or beyound the seae, I do gyue them to Jane my wyfe, whome I do make my sole and faythfull executrix, she to paye my debts and to haue my debts, to bryng my bodye honestlye to the grounde, to delyuer my lega- syes, and to performe this my pnte testament. These being wyt- nesses, Wyllrn Godfraye, Thomas Byggman, John Walden, w th other moo. [Lib. Doo, f. 250.] Andrew Cranewise, barber, of Bury. — -1558. In the name of God Amen. The xxiij. daie of September, in the yeare of o 1 ’ Lorde God, 1558, and in the v and vjth yeares of the reigne of o r Souereigne Lorde and Ladie kinge Philippe and Queen Mary, I, Andrewe Cranewise, of Bury St. Edmunde, in the countie of Suff., barbor, being of good minde and pfecte remem- braunce, thauncked be God, mak this my laste will and testament in maner and forme ffollowinge : Firste, I vtterly revoke and ad- null all maner of testaments, willes, legacies, and bequests before this tyme by me willed and declared : and I will that this only my laste will and testament, and the bequests hereafter in the same expressed, only to take effecte. Itm I bequeath my soule to Allmightie God, and my bodie, after my departur ffrome this |>sent life, to be buried in xpen buriall, accordinge to the discreacon of my executrix. Itm I giue to the hie aultare of St. James thappos- tell in Bury aforesaide, for my tythes negligently forgotton xij d. Itm I giue, will, and bequeath to Elizabeth my wife all that my mesuage and tente in Bury aforesaid wherein I now dwell, and THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 149 the yarde nexte adioyninge, w ch I purchased of Agnes Dandy, wedowe. Itm I bequeath to my saide wife all that my stable and tenement, and the gardine, sytuate, lyeng, and being in Bury aforesaide, in the streate there called OldeBaxtres Streate, to haue and to holde my saide mesuage and tenement w th the yarde, and the saide stable or tente and gardene withe thapp r tnunc£, to the saide Elizabeth my wife and her assignes dueringe her naturall life. Itm I will that my saide wife shall kepe the saide mesuage and tenements and other the ^misses in sufficient reparacons. Itm I giue, will, and bequeath to Elizabeth my wife, her heires and as- signes for ever, all that my tent w th thapp r tehnc£ sytuate and being in Bury aforesaide, in the streate there called the Cok Rowe, w cl1 I purchased of John Herst, to thentent that my saide wife, when she shall thinck moste conuenient, shall sell the same and w th the money therof coming paie my debts and legacies. Itm I will, giue, and bequeath all that my saide mesuage and tenement w th th ? app r tennc£ wherin I nowe dwell, and the saide yarde, and also my saide stable or tent and gardine w th tffiapp r tnnc£ in Olde Baxtres Streate aforesaide, to Wiilm Smethe, merser, and Robt Jolly, the sonne of my saide wife, there heires and assignes for ever, immediatly after the deathe of the saide Elizabeth my wife. To thentent that the saide Wiilm and Rofet, there heires and as- signes, shall sell the saide mesuage and tentes, stable and gardeine, w th there app r tenncf, by thaduise of Thomas Andrewes supuiso 1 ' of this my last will and testament, yf he shalbe then lyvinge ; and yf the saide Thomas Andrews be not then lyvinge, then by there owne aduise only, as they shall best like ; and the money therof cominge, immediatly and forethwith vppon the receipt of the saide money, or any pcell therof, bestowe, giue, and delyver the same money and euery pcell therof to my foure children : that is to saie, John Cranewise, Thomas Cranewise, Agnes Cranewise, and Jone Cranewise, yf they at the tyme of the sale of the saide me- suage, tentf, stable, and gardeine, be then lyvinge ; and yf any of them shalbe departed before the saide sale, then to those my saide 150 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF children that shalbe then lyvinge, by even and equall porcions amongest them to be delyvered. And if it shall happen all my aforenamed iiij children to dpt this j!sent lyfe before the sale of the f>misses, then I will that the auncient inhabitors of the pishe of St. James in Bury aforesaide shall distribute by there good discreacons amongest the poore and neadie inhabitaunts of Bury aforesaide so muche woode yearely as shall extende to the sume of tenne pounds, vntill the holl sum and sumes of and for the pmisses, and euery of them, receyved by the saide Wiltm and Robt, or there assignes, be in maner above declared wholly bestowed. Itm I giue, will, and bequeath to my sonne John Crane wise all that my tent w th thapp r tehnc£ in Bury aforesaide, in the streate there called the Mustowe, wherin Robt Jolly e, the sonne of my saide wife, now teachethe children, to haue and to holde the saide tent w th thapp r tehncf to the saide John my sonne, his heires and assignes for ever. Itm I giue and bequeath to the saide John, my sonne, syxe hanginge basons of latton, iij wasshinge basons of latton, iij barbors potts of latten, tenne shavinge clothes, one hone, and my case w th knyves holle. Itm I giue and bequeath to the saide John my sonne my brasen morter and my leaden morterw th the pestells, the bedde holle complet that he lieth in, iij barbors chaires, a dryeng bason as it standeth, my case w th instrument^ pteyninge to surgery, w th all my glasses and boxes belonginge to the same. Itm I giue and bequeath vnto the saide John my sonne a great cofer in his custodie all readie, and a meane cofer standinge at my beddes feet in my chamber, w th locke and key there vnto, also my foulte table in the ploure, ij molver stones w th the runners, one postnet of brasse y* I boile my salve in. (All theise pticuler things to him before bequeathed to be delyvered to him the saide John whn a quarter of one yeare after my dept are.) Itm I giue to my sonne Thomas my best featherbedde w* a bolster of feathers belonginge to the same, one of my best pillows, one wasshinge basone of pewter, a platter, a disshe, and a sawcer of pewter of the beste sorte, one candlestick of latten, and my round chaire THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 151 table in the plour. Ifm I giue to the aforesaide John my sonne one cubborde standing in the buttry, also one disshe, a platter, and a sawcer of pewter, and one postnet to seath meat in. Ifm I giue to Agnes my daughter one featherbedd, a matteras, and a bowlster, w th all things belonginge thereunto, as yt standeth nowe, wherein the saide Agnes lyeth. Also two disshes, two platters, and one sawcer of pewter, one chafing dishe of latten, one latten candlesticke of the best, one salte sailer, one brasse potte, one post- net, one cofer w th locke and key. Ifm I bequeath to Jone Crane- wise my daughter my featherbedde that I nowe lye on, w th a boulster and a matteras, and all things holle as yt stande therto belonginge, w th one pellowe of feathers to the same, ij disshes, ij platters, and a sawcer of pewter, one candlesticke of latten, one porringer of pewter, one brasse pott, one chafor of brasse to seath fishe in, one possenet, and one gyrte bedstede holly as yt standeth, my little cupborde in the plo r , and my beste chafinge dishe w th the fot; and I will that theise pcells to her bequeathed shalbe delyvered to her the saide Johane after the decease of the aforesaide Eliza- beth my wife, and not before. Ifm I bequeath to Agnes my daugh- ter one cupborde in the hall, one plaine table w th one leafe, to be delyvered to her after my wifes decease ; and all other things to her before bequeathed I will they shalbe delyvered to her w th in one yeare after my decease. Ifm I bequeath to Robt Jolly my wifes sonne, vj hanginge basons of latton, ij wasshinge basons of latton, ij harbor’s potts of latton, one rounde molvor stonne w th a runnor, ij harbors chaires, and one fyne hone ; all w cl1 things I will to be delyvered to the saide Robt w th in one moneth after my decease. Ifm I giue to the saide Robt Jolly my beste folte table in the hall and ij great hutches, to be delyvered to him after my wifes decease ; and if it shall happen any of my saide children, John, Agnes, or Jone to decease before the receipte of there legacies to them before bequeathed, then I will that the pte so deceased be equally deuided amonge thother of them afore- named then lyvinge. Ifm I giue to Jone Cranewise my god- 152 WIL^S FROM THE COURT OF daughter xl g. to be paide to her immediatly after my howse be soulde by my executrixe, as is aforenamed. Itm forasmuche as Robt Cranewise, my eldest sonne, hathe dyverse tymes bene benefited by me before this tyme, w ch notwithstandinge hath shewed himself vnthanckfull vnto me, contrary to the duetie of a childe, therefore my minde, will, and intente is that my saide sonne Robt shall haue no maner of benefite of the aforesaide money, but only my saide iiij children or the lenger lyver of them, as is afore declared. The residue of all my goodes, moveable and vnmoveable, before not bequeathed nor assigned, of what name or condicon so ever they be of, I give them vnto the afore- named Elizabeth my wife, to bringe my bodie honestly to the yearthe, whome I ordeine and male my sole executrix of this my last will and testament, and I desier and ordeine Mr. Thomas Andrews aforesaide to be my supuisor hereof, and for his gentle paines takinge herein w th my wife I give him vj g. viij d. Wit- nesse hereof, James Wright gent., John Smithe, Thomas Water- ton, and John Skett, w th other. Prob. vij Dec. 1558. [Lib. Sunday, f. 334.] Wiliam Hercle, of Bury, shepherd. — 1559. In the name of God Amen. The vth daie of the moneth of Marche, in the yeare of o r Lorde God 1559, I, Witlm Herde, of Bury St. Edmund^s, sheperde, holle of minde and of good remem- braunce, thauncks be to God, do make and ordeine this my jJsent testament and last will in man and forme followinge : Ffirst I bequeath my soule, &c. and my bodie to be buried in holy sepul- ture. Itm I giue to Elizabeth my daughter, my best bedd in the hall complet w th all the steyned clothes hanginge about yt. Itm I giue to Rose my daughter a flockbedde standinge in the plo r , w th a paire of sheats, a couerlet, a boulster, and the stayned clothes about yt. Itm I giue to Margaret my daughter, my bedd at Westley, THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 153 a paire of sheats, one of the best and an other of the other, a couerlet, w th the greatest panne. Itm I giue to Rose my daughter my best coat, a lyttle keatle, a fryeng panne, a skomer, a paire of cobyornes, a gredyron, a pewter platter, a sawcer, a salt seller, two candlesticks, a hutche on the soller. Itm I giue to Elizabeth my daughter my panne, a skommer, a gredyron, a spitte, a skillet panne, a pewtir platter, two candlesticks, a pewter pott, a sawser, a salteseller, w th a cofer in the plo r . Itm I giue to Margaret a keatle, a pott, a frieng panne, a skommer, a spet, a gredyron, two platters, the best salteseller, a sawser, two candlesticks, a hutche in the hall. Itm I wdll my cowe, my bullocke, xx olde shepe, and x hoggs to be sould by thaduise of my executo r s, to tak my debts to paie my debts, to bringe my bodie honestly to the grounde. The resydue of my money to be equally devided amongest my three children. I will there holle ptes to be delyvered to them at there xviij yeares of age. Itm yf it fortune any of my children do departe afore that age, I will these goods be geoven to thother. Of this my last will and testament I make my executo r s Thomas Willes thelder, and John Fellows thelder, in wittness wherof I haue sette my seale the daie and yeare abouew'ritten, and they to haue for there labo r s xij s. Theise being wittnesses, Wiitm Fox, Water Godderde, and John Parker. Proved 6 Oct. 1559. [Lib. Sunday, p. 351.] Sir William Paynter, of Bardwell. — 1559. In the name of God Amen. The yere of oure Lord God M^cccclix^, the xiij tcn daye of Octobre, I, Sir Wiftm Paynter, parryshe preest of Bardwell, in the countye of Suff. hole of mynde and good memorie, w t all vnderstanding of good and eveb, make this my last will. Furst I giue into thandf of my Lorde God my spryte and my sowle, who hathe redemed yt w l hys moost pcious bloode ; my bodye to be buryed in the chawnsell where yt shall please God my bodye to be separated ffrom this terrestyal! CAMD. SOC. X 154 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF w T orlde, and my sayd bodye to be browght to the erthe wythe out pompe or pryde, honestly as a mynister and a pryste owte to be : yf the lawes of the realme do serve and the procedyngf of the heyghe powers wyll suffer by the order of the lawe, to haue the obseruatyons and ryghtes of the catholyke churche. Itm I wyll that all my dettes be trewly contentyd and payed, all thyngf layd apart. Itm I wyll the pouertye to haue meate and drynke suffy- cyent, and the clarkes and ryngars lykewyse. Itm I gyue and bequeth to the noysome hye wayes where most nede requyre ther to bestowe tenne shyllyngf. The resydewe of my goodes not bequethed I gyue them all to Elynor my seruant, sauyg thes peells I gyue to my neuye Rychard Warde, my best jacket, and one of my gownes to make hym a cote therof ; and I wyll that the sayd Elynor shall take all my dettes and paye my dettes, and put w* hyr a coaiutor superuysor Mr. Vykar of Northelmeham, S r John Barker. Wyttnesses to thes my handwryghtyngf thes men whose names folowe, Rofot Yeruys, John Clarke. Prob. xxviij Martij, 1560. [Lib. Paynter, f. 1.] Thomas Wade, of Bildeston. — ] 569. In the name of God Amen. I, Thomas Wade, of Bildeston, in the cownty of Suff. and dyoces of Norwyche, beynge of good and perfyt remembraunce, yet sycke in bodye (thanks be to Allmyghti God) doo ordeyne and make this my last will and testament in maner and fourme followynge : Imprimis I comende my sowle into the handes of Allmyghti God my maker and redemor, hopinge to be saued by his grace throughe the merytts of Jesus Chryst my Lorde God and onely sauyour ; and my body to the earthe, whense I was taken owt, in hope of the blyssed and glorvous resurrection from deade at the gloryous appearinge and comynge of our sauyour Chryst Jesus to judge bothe the quycke and the deade. Item I gyue and bequethe to my brother John Wade my frease gowne, my best cloke, my spanyshe lether jerken. THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 155 my lether dublet, my blacke hose, my russet hose, my best hat, my capp, my dagger, and my girdill. Item I gyue to my brother William Wade my rode sadell and bridell withe the furnyture that longethe therevnto, my best pack sadell withe a newe wante and wantyrop withe the best girt, a malyn lyne withe my woadfat coveryngs, my hardell, and my haulfe hundred weight. Item I gyue to Samuell Cole my blacke cote, and my russet cote. Item I gyve to the pore of Bildeston twenty shillings, to be dystributed vnto them within sixe dayes after my discease, at the discretion of my executor, and my brother William Wade, withe the collectors or the mynister. Item I gyve to Nicholas Warde, mynister of Bildeston, vj s. viij d. Item I gyve to John Houlden, of Watesham, vj s. viij d. Item I will that theas implements, the benche in the parlour, the benche in the hall, the portall, and the skryne, the glasse lattases and bourdes belonginge to the howse, the two stakes in the buttrye, the dores and locks withe yron worke belonginge vnto them, withe the shine and tyle in the howse or yarde, shall remayne in and withe the howse to the vse of my brother William Wade. Item I will and bequethe to Margery my wyfe fre dwellinge in my howse that I nowe dwell in tell the feast of Saynt Michaell next after my disceace, without eny distur- bance, naye genst, or sale made of the same howse not with- standinge. All the rest of my moueable goods, detts, and others wheresoeuer thei maye be fownde, I gyue and bequethe to Margery my wyfe, whome I make my sole and alone executor, to paye my detts and legacyes in this my present will conteyned and specyfied, and thus I ende this my last will and testament made the thre and twenty daye of January, the twelfthe yeare of the reigne of our Souereigne Lady Elizabethe, by the grace of God, of Englonde and Irelonde quene, and in the yeare of our Lorde God 1569, by me Thomas Wade, testator. Theas beynge witnesse, John Houlde, Nicholas Warde, Ambrose Carboulde, John Wade of Framesden, Robert Marten. Prob. at Bury, 18 Sept. 1570. [Lib. Aldrich, f. 45 b .] WILLS FROM THE COURT OF 150 Itycharde Kanam, of Soham. — 1570. In the name of God Amen. The x th daye of January, in the yeare of our Lorde God a thousandc fyve hundrethe threskore and tonne, I, Rycharde Kariarn, of the towne of Some, in the cownty of Cambrydge, laborer, beynge in [>fy tt myndo and good rernem- braunce, thancks bo to God, thus makethe my lasto will and testa- ment as hereafter followethe : Fyrst I bequethe my sowle vnto Allrnyghti God; and my body to be buryed in the churehe yarde of S. Andrewe, in Some aforesaide. Fyrst I gyve and bequethe vnto John Kanam my sonne one blaeke stored heckforde of the age of two yeres and the ad uantage, and one payer of slietes of hemptre, and one payer of harden shetes, two pewter platters, and one candlestycke. Item I gyve and bequethe vnto Anne Kenarn my dawghter one blaeke heckforde of two yeares age and the vantage, and one payer of sheets of hemptery, and one payer of sheets of burden, two pewter platters, and one latten candlestycke, and a lyttie coffer. Item I gyve and bequethe vnto Ioane Kenarn my daughter one bed as hit stondethe in my chamber, withe a vnderclothe, and my best coverlet, withe a payer of shetes withe the hanginge of the same bed, and one payer of shetes of hempteren, and one berynge sheet, ij pewter platters, and one latten candlestycke, and my grete brasse pann, one owldc kavc stondynge in the buttre, one table withe a payer of tressclls, and a thicke forme. Item I will that my brown mere and my geldinge shall be sowlde by my executrix, and the rnony for them shall be equally deuyded betwyn my wyfe and my thre children by my supuisor. Item I gyue vnto Thomas Wyllamsori y‘ ! younger my sorrell meare coult. Item I gyve vnto John Durrant the younger my best cote. All the rest of all my goods and cattails that 1 haue vnbequethed I gyve wholy vnto Agnes my wyfe, wliorne I doo ordeine and make my full executrix, and she to paie my detts and reeeyue my detts, and fulllill this my last wyll, and to brynge vpp my children withall, and to proue this my lastc will, and to see THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 157 me honestly brought to the grownde, as my trust ys in her. Item I doo ordeyne and make Thomas Wylliamson the elder my supuisor or overseer to see this my last will be fulfylled. Wytnes to this my last will, Thomas Wylliamson, John Durrant the elder, John Durrant the younger. Prob. at Myldenhall, 12 Apr. 1570. [Lib. Aldrich, f. 7 b .] Agatha Borrowdale, of Bury.— 1613. In the name of God Amen. The sixteenth daie of October, Anno Dhi 1613, I, Agatha Borowdale, of Burie Sh Edmonds, in the countie of Suff., wydowe, beinge in good and perfect memorye, thancks be to Almightie God, doe make and ordeine this my present last will and testament, in manner and forme followinge : First, I bequeath and comend my sowle vnto Almightie God my maker, Impinge of the pdon of all my sinnes in y e riche merites and deathe of Jesus Christ my Saviour ; and my bodie to be buried wher it shall please God to dispose of the same. Alsoe I giue and bequeath vnto the poore of Newmerkytt, in the countie of Cambridge, one anuytie or yerelie rent of tenne shillinges yerelie, imediatlie after my decease, to be yssueinge and growinge owte of my tente wdi thap^tenncf in Burie Saint Edmonds, in the countye of Suff. w c h I purchased of Edmond Myllesonne, gent, scituate in the Crowne Streete, als Churchgovell Street, betwene y G tenement of Sir Witim Poolye, knight, and Dame Anne his wyfe, on the northe, and the comon streete called Westgate Streete on the sowthe, yerely for ever, to be paid vnto the churchwardens and overseers of the poore of the said towne for y e tyme being, att the ffeast of the Anutyacon of the Virgine Marie ; and yf it shall happen y e said anutye or yerely rent, or any parte theirof, to be behinde and vnpaid, it shall and maye be law- full for the overseers and churchwardens aforesaid for the tyme beinge and their successors, to enter in to the said tente, or anye 158 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF thapp r tenhcf, and to distreine for the same soe often as the same shall happen to be behinde and vnpaid, and the distres or distreses to deteine vntill the said anuytie and the arrerag^ of the same shalbe truely paid. Alsoe I giue another anuytie or yerely rent of tenne shillinges, ymediatlie after my decease to be yssueinge owte of the same, and for ever shalbe, vnto the poore people of the pishe of St. Maryes in Burie aforesaid ; and for defalte of payrn*, the overseers and churchwardens of the pishe aforesaid to enter and distraine for the same in suche sorte as I have lymitted for y e poore of Newm 9 kytt aforesaid. Alsoe I giue and bequeath a nother anuytie or yerelie rent of tenne shillinges, yssueinge owte of the premisses, and ymediatlye after my decease yearelie payable, vnto suche learned preacher as shalbe provyded by the inhabitants of Newmerkytt aforesaid, to preache in y e chappell of the said towne, onlye for suche tyme or tymes as a preacher shalbe by them or some other good meanes their prouided, and shall ther preache. And for suche tyme as noe preacher shalbe their puided, by all that tyme my will is the same be yerelye bestowed vpon repayringe of the comon waye leadinge from Saxon Streete in Woodedytton, in the said countie of Cambridge, vnto the churche of Woode- dytton aforesaid; but when and soe often as a preacher shalbe prouided for at the chappell aforesaid, then my will is the same to be paid vnto the said preacher toward^ his better maynetenance for ever. Also I giue another anuytie or yerelie rent of tenne shillinges, ymediately after my decease yssueinge owte of the premisses and payable towards y e mayntenance of the preacher of Sainte Maryes pishe, in Burie aforesaid, to the hands of the alderman and assistaunce of the same towne for the tyme beinge and ther successors for ever. All w ch paym ts to be yerelie made at y e ffeast of the Anutyacon of the Virgine Marie. And yf it fortune the said twoe last anuyties or yerelye rents, or either of them, to be behinde or vnpaid at the daies aforesaid, then and soe often as it shall soe happen to be behinde or vnpaid it shall and maie be lawfull to and for the ald e rman, assistaunce, and chiefe THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 159 burgesses of the towne of Burie aforesaid for the tyme beinge, or any other by their appointment, and my desire is they wolde be pleased soe to doe, into the premisses from tyme to tyme, soe often as neede shall require, to enter and distreine, and the distres to detine vntill the said anuities or yerely rents shalbe fullye paid ; w cl1 last rent for Newemerkett I desire the saide alderman, assis- taunce, and chiefe burgesses from tyme to tyme, soe often as they shalbe constrained to distraine for the same, to see it paid to suche as they shall vnderstand of righte ye same to be due vnto, whether towards ye mayntenance of a preacher in Newmarkett, or towards the repayringe of y e waie aforesaid, yerelie as the same shall happen to be due, accordinge to my true intent and meaninge. Also I giue and bequeath vnto my grandchild Susan Myleson my said tente, w th all and singler ther app r tenhc£, to have and to houlde to her and the heires of her bodie for ever ; notwdistandinge my will and meaninge is that the said Edmond shall have the same duringe suche tyme as he shalbe sole and vnmarried, as it was agreed betweene vs at the purchase of the same. And in de- falte of suche yssue to Agatha Mileson her sister, and the heires of her bodie for ever. And for defalte of suche yssue to Borow- dale Myleson, and the heires of his bodie for ever. And for defalte of suche yssues asbovesaid, my will is that the fowre severall anuyties aforesaid shall cease, and then I will that the tentes aforesaid, w th thapp r tenhc£, shall remaine and be vnto the aforesaid Edmond Mileson duringe his naturall life ; and after his decease I will the same remayne and be vnto Frauncis Foulkes clarke, Robert Lukyn of Cambridge gent, and Robert his sonne, Thom a s Kilborne of Woodedytton, and Thom a s Kilborne and George Kilborne his sonnes, Symon Foulkes of Westlie, and Symon Foulkes his sonne, John Hasell of Bottisham, and Richard Hasell his sonne, and to their heires for ever, vpon trust and confidence that they from tyme to tyme shall keepe the same in sufficient re- pacons, and shall demise the same at a valewable rent, and to the best profite, and make noe lease of y e same for anie longer terme 160 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF then seaven yeres, and shall yerelie for euer devide the pfites therof, y e charges of necessarie repacons defalked, into five equall parts : one parte therof my will is shall for ever yerely be distri- buted amongest the poore people of Newmerkitt aforesaid, by the chiefe inhabitants of the same towne ; another pte thereof amoungst the poore people of the parishe of Saint Maries in Burie aforesaid; another parte therof towards the mayntenanceof a learned preacher in the chappell aforesaid ; another parte theirof towards the mayntenance of a lerned preacher in the churche of Sh Maries afore- said; and the other pte towards the repayringe of the waie aforesaid, and other comon wayes whim the pishe of Woodeditton, to be be- stowed by the discrecon of the inhabitants of the said towne of Woodedytton aforesaid, owte of w ch profits notw^standinge my will and mynde is that at eyerie seaven yeres end the said Frauncis Foulkes, Robte Luken, Robte Lukyn, Thom a s Kilborne, Thomas Kilborne, George Kilborne, Symon Foulkes, Symon Foulkes, John Hasell, and Richard Hasell, and everie of them w c h shalbe then above the age of one and twentie yeres, shall have for their paines a ringe of goulde of the price of thirtie shillinges, and yerelye suche reasonable charges as they shalbe at in repayreinge of the same messuage, and over that for their paynes and travell : proui- ded alwayes, and nevertheles my will and mynde is, y l yf the said inhabitants of Burie and Newmerkitt aforesaid, or either of them, doe not prouide, or if by other meanes ther happen not to be provyded, in the said chappell and churche respectively learned preachers, that then those that shall fayle therin, their parte respecttively of the whole profits of the tents aforesaid, bequeathed as abouesaid towards the maynetenance of the same preachers, in default therof, shalbe distributed amoungest the poore people of Newmerkytt, in the countie of Cambridge, and of Woodedytton aforesaid, yerelye for suche and soe longe tyme or tymes onlye as the said places, or either of them respectively, shall happen to be soe vnprovyded. And alsoe my will is that, the same beinge provyded, everie of the said preachers neglectinge or not preachinge THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 161 by him selfe or some other learned man, and not letted by sicknes, shall for everye Sondaye soe omyttinge to preache loose twoe shil- linges and sixe pence owte of his said exhibicon, towards the releife of the poore of Saint Maryes in Burie and of Newmerkettin Cam- bridsheire, to be defalked owte by the said feoffes in trust, and paid over accordinge to my true intent and meaninge. Alsoe my will and earnest desire is, that yf it shall please God all my said graundchildren doe dye wdiowte yssue, that they, my said freinds to whome I have hereby lymitted the remainder in trust, as is abovesaid, when the nomber of them shalbe decreased and broughte to three or lesse, that then the survyvo r s doe convey the said tente vpon trust and confidence as aforesaid to them selves and seaven or more suche other honest and able persons of credit and reputation as shalbe likely to imploye the profites of the same accordinge to my meanige, as they in ther discrecons, w*h the assistaunce of the preachers of y e churche and chappell aforesaid, shall seme fittest ; and when those feoffes shall decrease and drawe vnto the nvmber of fowre or lesse, my will is that those survivinge shall elect seaven or more like feoffes vnto them, and that the same lie conveyed againe to the said survyvors and the newe elected feoffes, vpon trust and confidence as abovesaid ; and soe from tyme to tyme soe often as the feoffes shall decrease to the nvmber of three or lesse, my will and desire is that a like newe nvmber of feoffes as abovesaid, and for the purpose abovesaid, shalbe elected, and the premisses to them conveyed, desiringe them all in the feare of God to see y e same revenewes dulye imployed accordinge to this my present last will and testam te , as my truste is in them, and as they will aunswere when we shall meete at Gods judgm te seate. Alsoe I giue and bequeathe vnto the said Borowdale Mileson his greate grandfather’s, Mr. Richard Borowdale’s, seale ringe of gould. Alsoe I giue and bequeath vnto the said Agatha Myleson all that hundred poundes w c h the afore- said Edmond Mileson standeth bound to paie vnto suche of his children as I shall lvmitt and appointe the same vnto by my last CAMD. SOC. Y 162 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF will ; but if she die before she have receyved the same, I will and bequeathe the same vnto Suzan Mileson her sister ; and if she dye before she have receyved the same, then I will and bequeath the same to be paid to the saide Borowdale Myleson. Alsoe I giue and bequeath vnto John Foulkes, sonne of Roger Foulkes, clarke, deceased, the some of sixe pounds, thirtene shillings, and fowre pence, to be paid him owte of the said teiite at his age of one and twentie yeres, or at suche tyme as he shall be preferred to the vniversitie as a scoller, or be bound owte an apprentice to some good trade of life, w c h shall first happen ; and for defalte of paymt e my will and mynde is y t he enter into the said teiite and hould the same vntill owte of the revenewes therof he shall have levyed the same. Alsoe I giue and confyrme vnto the said Agatha Myleson all suche plate, lynnen, pewter, brasse, beddinge, and howsehold stufe, as I and the said Edmond longe agoe did give vnto her by a jointe deede of guift, and suche other howshold stuffe as is marked w% the letters of her name. Alsoe I giue and bequeathe vnto the said Susan Mileson all suche other my plate, lynnen, pewter, brasse, and other howshould stufe, as was not conteyned in the said deede of guifte, or w c h I boughte synce the makinge therof. The residue of all my goods and chattells, my debtes paid and my funerall expenses discharged, I giue and bequeath vnto the said Agatha, whom I hereby noiate and appointe my sole executrix, and my aforesaid welbeloved kinesman Mr. Robte Lukyn the overseer of this my present last will and testam te , w c h overseer I desire to have a care to see this my f?sent laste will and testam te pformed, as my trust is in him. In wittnes wherof I have hereunto sett my hand and seale, the daie and yere first above wrytten, anno dni 1613. Redd, published, sealed, and subscribed after y e enterlynig in the presence of Edmond Milleson, Martin Fookes, Elizabeth Elsegood, Emond Frost. [Lib. Stevens, f. 8? b .] THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 163 William Cooke* gent, of Bury. — 1614. This is the last will and testament of me, Wiftm Cooke, of Burie St. Edmond, in the countie of SufF., w^in the dyoces of Norw c h, gent, wrytten w*h myne owne hande, beinge of whole mynde and pfect remembrance, thancked be God, made and declared the twentie daye of Aprill, in the yere of the reigne of our sovereigne lord James, by the grace of God kinge of Ingland, Fraunce, and Ireland, defendo r of the ffaithe, &c. the twelv^, and of Skottland the seaven and fortie, and in the yeare of our Lord a thowsaund sixe hundred and fowreteene, hereby revokinge all other wills and testaments heretofore by me made ; and above all thinges I wholie and fullye comend and giue my soule into the handes of Almightie God, the Father, the Sonne, and the Holye Ghost, havinge full hope, trust, and confydence of pdon and forgyvenes of all my synnes and offences, and that onlye by the merites of my onlye Savio r Jesus Christ, his passion, resurrection, and assen- tion, and therby to be one of his elect ; and my bodie to the earthe, to be buried, as my desire is, in the churchyarde of Burie aforesaid, neere to my children, in seemely manner, therin avoyd- ing, as mvche as maye convenientlie be, all vsuall owteward and vayne ostentacon. And of this my last will and testament I make and ordaine Margarett my wyfe my sole executrix. And I gyve and bequeath to the said Margarett my messuages, or tentes, scituate and beinge in or neere the streete called or knowne by the name of the Colledge Streete, ais Barnewell Streete, ais Hen- cote Streete, in Burie St. Edmond aforesaid, wfft all the howses, buyldinges, edyfices, cellers, chambers, yards, gardens, orchards, grounds, easements, comodityes, and priueledges to the same, or either or anye of them, belonging, wffi all and everie ther or anye of their appurten a nc£, and the reucon and reversions of the same, to haue and to houlde the same messuages, tentes, and premises, w^h the appurten a nc£, to the said Margarett my wyfe and her assignes for and duringe all the terme of her naturall 164 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF lyfe, and alsoe for the terme of fowre yeres nexte and imediately after her decease, for her the same Margarett, her exor or assignes, to sell, vse, and dispose the same terme of fowre yeres for her and y er best comoditye and profyte. And, havinge had longe expe- rience of the malycious disposicon of Richard Cooke my sonne towards the saide Margarett my wyfe, and fearinge he will be troublesome, and molest and disturbe her after my decease, as well in her possession as by col r of a request or desire mentyoned in the last will and testam te of Henrie Payne of me deceased, dated in the moneth of June, in the tenthe yere of the reigne of o r late sovereigne ladie Queene Elizabeth, that one peece of plate and some other thingf gyven to me by the same last will and testam te might be left to the said Richard overlyvinge me, some of w c h thinges are worne, and y e said peece of plate have byne owte of my possession by the space of a dozen yeares and more, and nowe come to the possession of suche one as I knowne not, and soe owte of hope of the havinge againe of the same, and havinge a care to prouide for the quiett of the said Margarett my wyfe against y e said Richard, whoe was of longe tyme verie chargable to me in his education and bringinge vpp in learninge, and the same peece of plate and other thinges beinge at my free disposicon to bestowe at my will ; I will, therfore, that the said Richard my sonne shall and doe make sale and delyver as his deede to the saide Margarett, her exor or adminstrato r s, wdiin twoe monethes nexte after my decease, accomptinge either of the same monethes after the rate of eighte and twentie daies to the monethe, a good and a suffycient release of all accons, suytes, and demaunds psonall whatsoever ; and then I will that, w^in fowreteene daies nexte after such release made and deliued as ys aforesaid, vpon request to be made to the said Margarett by the said Richard my sonne, the same Margarett shall delyver or cause to be delyvered to the same Richard all my bookes w c h I shall have at the tyme of my decease, concerninge the comon lawe or statutf of this realme of England, and in defalte of the THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 165 makinge and delyveringe of suche a release as is aforesaid, in manner and forme aforesaid, my intent and meaning is, that the same Richard shall not have y e same bookes, nor anye of them. And further I will that yf the same Richard my sonne shall or doe at anye tyme trouble, disquiet, molest, or anye waies disturbe, vex, or sue the seid Margarett, or take anye goods, chattells, plate, howshould stufe, or other things w c h I shall leave, con- trarie to my true meanige herein, then I will and deuise that the said messuages, houses, buyldinges, and premises, wfti all and singler ther and everye of ther appurtenncf, shall remayne and be to and for the benefyte, profyte, and comoditie of the said Mar- garett, her exer, administrators, or assignes, for the terme of sixe whole yeres over and besydes the aforesaid fowre yeares before deuised to her nexte and imediately ensewinge the same fowre yeres ended, for the same Margarett to sell or dispose in her lyfe, or to be sould, vsed, or disposed by her exer, admistr, or assignes, for her or their best benefyte, profyte, and comoditie for the same terme. All the rest of my goods, chattells, plate, ymplenftf, howsholde stufe, and other goods whatsoever not herein gyven or otherwyse disposed, my debtes beinge paid and other neces- sarie thinges pformed, I doe wholie giue and bequeath vnto the said Margaret my wyfe, and soe I end. In wyttnes wherof I have herevnto sett my hand and sealed y e same. Dated the daye and yeare first above written, per me Wiftm Cooke. Wittnesses hereof, John Shawberye, John Jewell. Memorand, that the xvj th of Maye 161 7 , the testator above mentyoned did acknowledge and publishe y e writinge before in this presence conteyned to be the last will and testament of him the said above mentyoned William Cooke, beinge in noe part therof raced or interlyned, in the presence of vs wittnesses thereto especially called, Wiftm Be- dell, Edward Page. Prob. 8 Sept. 1618. [Lib. Gibson, f. 118.] 1 66 WILLS FROM TIIE COURT OF Lady Anne Drury, of Hardwicke. — 1621 . In the name of the blessed Trynitie, I, Anne Drewry, of Hargett alius Hardwick, in the countie of SufF. wydowe, doe hereby revoke and disanull all former wills, and doe make and ordaine this my last will and testam* as followeth : First, I bequeath my sowle vnto my mercyfull Creator, trustinge by the onlye merites of my blessed [Lord] and Savio r to have all my synnes pardoned, and this mortall bodie to be clothed w th ymortallitie. Next I will my bodie to be laid in the tombe at Hasted by my deere husband and dawghter Dorothie, vppon w ch I desire to have no funerall pomp bestowed, nor any black, but onlye to my servauntf. Con- cernige my temporall estate, I will first that my owne debtes, and any iust debtf w ch canne be challenged to be due from my husband, be paid next. I giue my manner of Malkins Hall to my brother Nicholas Bacon and his heires forever, condiconallie that he paie vnto my cosen Will a m Drurie of Hedgeley in Buckenham sheire soe manye hundred pounds as he shall proue to have bene paid to me synce my husband^s deathe, vppon the composicons betweene my sisters and his father and my selfe ; yf he not lyvinge, then I bequeath it to his next heire ; and if my said brother shall not paie him the money w th in a yeare after my deathe, that then anye of the rest of my brothers, after my eldest brother S r Edmond shall refuse it, shall enter it and holde it to them and heires vppon the same condicon, w ch if they alsoe fayle to pforme, then I will my said cosen William Drury or his heires shall enter and keepe it to him and to his heires forever. Next I give unto my nephew Robert Bacon my leases of Hencote and Burie ; to my neece Anne Gawdie, a hundred poundf ; to my neece Barmaston, a hundred poundf ; to my sister Gawdie, my agett and pearle chain e w ch was my mothers ; to my sister Waldgrave, the diamond ringe w ch was my grandmothers ; to my Ladie Ceaser, my crosse of diamonds ; to all my brothers wyves, ringes to remember me ; tenne poundes THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 167 a peece to all my howshold servantf whom I bequeth nothinge else ; tenn pounds a peece to my s r vaunt Thomas Cornishe and his wife ; twoe hundred pound f, and two of the ordinarie lyverie fetherbedf, w th the blankettf, cou 9 lettf, and bedstedf, as they stand, and sixe paire of flaxen or course holland sheetes, to Anne Cornishe her dawghter ; a hundred marke to Anne Peter ; all my wearinge clothes, excepte a gowne and a pettycote, to Eliza- beth Godbolde ; and to Anne Peter twentie pounds in money ; to Bartholomew Cooke, one hundred markes. Item I bequeath to honorable lord Burley 210 u , w ch he oweth me for horses ; to his noble ladie, my clothe bedd of my owne workinge, w th the furniture to yt ; to my dere sister Cecill, all the furniture in my brewe howse, and all the hogshedf, and the furniture and plate of my chappell ; to my sister Wraye, that suyte of hanginges w ch hanges in my greate chamber toward f the fynishinge of Hawsted. I giue also vnto Judeth Stalleng fortie pounds, condicionallie that she delyver in the bond she hath of my husbandf . I giue alsoe to my cosen James Bacon and his wyfe twentie poundf, to bestowe in some plate to remember me ; to Mrs. Harvye, fyve pounds a yeare duringe her lyfe. All the rest of my goods vnbequeathed, except fortie poundf w ch I giue to Mr. Brabon, I giue vnto my dere brother S r Edmond Bacon, knight, desiringe him if, after he have [paid] my debtes and legacies, yf he fynde anye plentie remay- ninge, he would bestowe some of my howsholde of my brother Nicke, whom I knowe he loveth as derely as my selfe, and there- fore he shall neede noe bondf to lye him to it. Lastlie I ordaine my executo r s to this my last will and testam* my dere and worthie brother S r Edmond Bacon, knight, and Mr. Nicholas Bacon, of whose love and integritie I am soe confidente that I am assured they will [not] fayle to pforme accordinge to intention. And I alsoe bequeath, w ch I had forgotten, tenne pounds a peece to all my brothers to buye them ringes, and twentie pounds to be bestowed in ringes of tenne shillinges amongest my freindf , whom they shall thinke fitt. In wyttnes that this is my last will and testament, I 168 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF have setto my hand and seale to everie syde of this paper, the first of June, 1621, in the presence of (I desire my brother S r Edmond Bacon that he woulde take Bouzer Giles into his care and provide for him. A. Drury.) sealed and delyvered in y c |5sence of Thomas Ruse, Martha Bacon. I bequeathe alsoe to my twoe brother-in-lawes tenne poundes a peece to buy them ringes. This is a true coppie of the will of the ladie Anne Drury, examined by the originall vppon the fourth daie of June, anno dhi 1624, by John Gibbon and Richard Peade. [Lib. Harrold, f. 722.] Richard Elsden, of Bury. — 1637. Mr. Petchy, of Bury, drap, owe me ffourtene poundf twelve shilling^. Goodman Howes, of Bury, yarneman, owe me xx ii., and I owe hym three yard£ of cloth for a paire of britches. Ro- bert Petchy, of Mildenhall, drap, owe me twelve poundf ten shil- ling^. Mr. Brownesmyth, of Bildestone, owe me nyne pound f. Mr. Howlett, of Brandone, owe me tenn poundf eight shilling^. Mr. Aldham, of Hingham, owe me iij li. x s. Goodman Bird, of Mildenhall, owe me xxxvs. Mr. Coldham, of Norwiche, owe me fiftie shilling^. My cosin Bug, of Mildenhall, ffive and thirtie shillingf. Goodman Raie, of Barrowe, owe me fortie shilling^. In all threscore and eighten poundf w ch is oweng me. Off the good^ w ch it hath pleased the Lord to lend me, then I haue at Forneham eight peeces of course cloth, most twoe dussen peeces, and foure peeces of fyne cloth, and twoe peeces of Ne r ginatos. Then there is at goodman Goslines at Icklingham sixe twoe dussen peeces, and at goodman Crosses of Lackford twoe peeces. And there is of weaving at goodman Lowes four peeces of cloth, and goodman Parker haue of weaving foure dussens, and good- man Kendall haue a twoe dussen peece in weaving. And there is at my sisters six peeces, and at goodwife Bolderow’s twoe THE COMMISSARY OF I5URY, ETC. lf,<> pecccs. And there is in the house drest and raw thirty peeccs ; and there is twoe broad clothes and as much yarne as will make another broad cloath ; and there is some sixe and thirtie grosse of small yarne. And I haue in the chamber of yarne and at spyn- ners as much as will make eight or nyne peeces. Soe in all there maye he threscore and fifteen e peeces besides the broadcloaths and the wooll that is in the chamber of wett and dried. Goodman Hindes owe me xxiiij 8. Goodman Weeding, of Dunstall Green, owe me some xx 8. ; and goodman Allen, of this towne, owe me x 8. And I haue a great deale oweing me amongst my spynners ; and there is a great deale of topworke abroad at spynners. And I owe John Brightall for combeing of ten skore pound f and ten of tops, w c h comes to xxxj 8. viij cl. And I owe Danyell Whitacre for twoe loadf and a halfe of wood, and for three loadf of brushe wood, and goodman King for a load of brushewood. And you shall haue Mr. Cages bill in the truncke ; there is other bills of his, but they are all paide. And I owe goodman Bird of Denham iiij li. xiij 8. And I giue my vnckle Petchy xx 8., and goodwife Bolderowe and her kinswoman fortie shillingf, and I owe her money for Burling, her tally will shew it, but there is a good . . . . to sett vp. My cosin Margaret Pctchy xx 8. I giue, and my co8in Bell and Lidia fortie shilling^ betwene them. And John Mount and John Muske x8. peece, Margaret Texall xx 8. But now these, w th the some of that w ch I haue giuen, and the some of those thinges that are in the bill, I bequeath it as my last will and testament into the handf of my [brother] James and sister Anne. And these twoe are as witnesses w ch will set toe their hands, John Brightall, Mary Johnson. Now of this that it shall please God I shall leaue behinde me, I giue it to my brother James and sister Anne ; but one lye sick ; if it please God to take hyr the other shall haue it. But they shall paie twelve tenn poundf out of it to my mother lawes children of Mildenhall, to be parted amongst them, and to my twoe weavers x 8. a peece. And Georg Johnson shall haue as much cloth as will make hym a suite ; and CAMD. SOC. Z i7o WILLS FROM THE COURT OF John Brightall shall haue xx S. And amonge my spynners I giue twoe poundf ; and amongst my poore neighbours you shall giue fortie shillings ; but goodwife Howes in the Aimes Rowe shall haue x s. of it. And Edward Elsden shall haue tenn poundf . Ther is in the trunck . . . pounds of money ; and my vnckle Oliver Hovell shall haue hue poundf, and my vnckle Stephen Hovell shall haue xx §., and my aunt Hovell shall have iij ii. ; and my three cosins Oliver, Elizabeth, and Sara, shall haue fortie shillings a peece. Prob, 28 Oct. 1637. [Lib. Gaell, f. 198.] Francis Pynner, of Bury, Gent. — 1639. In the name of God Amen. The six and twentieth daie of Aprill, in the ffiftenth yere of the raigne of our sou 9 aigne Lord Charles, by the grace of God of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. and in the yere of our Lord God 1639, I, Francis Pynner, of Bury St. Edmund's, in the county of SufF. gent, being of good and pfect minde and memory, praised bee my Heavenly Father for the same, hereby revoking and makeing void and frustrate all other former wills andtestam ts here- tofore by me made (either nuncupative or in writeing) doe make and ordaine this to bee my last will and testam 1 , in mann 9 and forme following: (that is to saie) First and before all things I comend my soule into the mercifull hands of God, assuredly trusting and confidently beleiveing that by the pcious bloud- shedding of my onely saviour and deare redeem 9 Jesus Christ I shall haue free pardon and remission of all my sinnes, and after the end of this vayne and transitory life to be received into his blessed kingdome, amongst his hcly angells, elect saints, and chosen children, with them to remaine in ppetuall joyes and vnspeakable felicitye for ever. My bodie I comitt to the earth, whence it was first taken, to be buried in a xpian manner, according THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 171 to my place and ranke wherin I live and wherevnto I am called in this world, nothing doubting of a happie resurreccon vnto eternall salvacon. And whereas I haue already settled by covenants the greatest part of my lands, tenements, and hereditam ts , according to my minde and good likeing in that behalfe, I doe hereby declare my will and minde for and concerning the rest and residue of my lands, tenem ts , and hereditam ts , as followeth : (that is to saie) First I giue and bequeath my messuage called the Colledge, wherein I nowe dwell, and my two messuages therevnto adioyn- inge, whereof one is in the occupacon of Henry Booty, or of his assignes, and the other of them in the occupacon of John Hynes, or of his assignes, w th their and eu 9 y of their appurtenances, vnto such pson and psons as at the tyme of my death shalbe the right heire or heires vnto mee the said Francis Pynner, to remaine to my said right heires and to their heires and assignes for ever : provided alwaies, and my will and minde is, and I doe hereby devise and appoint, that my loving cosen Mr. Jeremy Burrow, clerke, shall haue the private vse of the chamber w th in the said messuage called the Colledge, wherein the said Jeremy Burrowes hath vsually abode and lodged in when he hath come to the said messuage called the Colledge ; and also the private vse of all the bed and bedding comonly vsed in the said chamber, w th free ingresse, egresse, and regresse into and from the said chamber, and into and from the yards belonging to the said messuage called the Colledge, for him the said Jeremy, or for anie other pson that he shall think fitt to accompany him, for the enter- taining vse, and lodgeing, of him the said Jeremy Burrowe, and his freind whom he shall thinke fitt to accompany him, from time to time and at all times, at the will and pleasure of the said Jeremy, dureing his naturall life, when and as often as hee the said Jeremy shall come to kepe and lodge in the same chamber. Item I giue and bequeath all my tenem ts , as well freehold as copyhold, w th their appurten cs , now or late time being in the tenure or occupacon of John Harrison, or of his assignee or assignes, scituate and being WILLS FROM TIIE COURT OF 1/2 in or neere to the place called the Fishmarkett, in Bury aforesaid, vnto my grandchild Rebecca Browning, dureing her naturall life, and after her decease the same to be and remaine vnto her sister Dorcas Browninge, and to her heires and assignes for ever. Item I give and bequeath my twoe meadowes now or late in the occupacon of the said John Harrison, or of his assignee or assignes, w th thappurtenances, vnto my grandchild Vallcntine Elsden, the sonne of my sonne-in-lawe Yallentine Elsden, and to the heires and assignes of the said Yallentine Elsden my grandchild for ever. Item I giue and bequeath vnto Jeremy Elsden, my grandchild, and his heires and assignes for ever, my messuage or tenem 1 , w th thappurtencf, scituate and being in or nere to the streete called the Whiteinge Streete, in Bury aforesaid, now in the tenure or occupacon of one Elizabeth Smith, widowe, or of her assignes. Item I giue and bequeath my meadow w ch I purchased of Willm Heyward, gent, vnto my kinsman Timothie Atkinson the yonger, and the heires of his body lawfully begotten for ever (if the said Timothy Atkinson shalbe abideing w l h me at the time of my decease), and for defalt of such issue, then the same to remaine to the right heires of me the said Francis Pynner for ever. Item, whereas my late wives kinsman Francis Potter, of Bury St. Edmund, baker, at the late heavy visitacon did take great paines about me in the time of my trouble, in reguard I cold gett noe body to helpe me, and that all my houshold fledd from me and left me both comfortlcs (in respect that at that time I had my man dyed of the sicknes) when my selfe and my wife were booth lame ; in consideracon thereof I haue infeoffed the said Francis Potter and his heires for ever in twoe messuages or tenem ta in Bury St. Edmund aforesaid, in thoccupacon of the said Francis Potter and JohnKinge, the said Francis Potter payeingvnto meethe said Francis Pynner, or my assignes, dureing my naturall life the siime of ten pounds p annu of lawfull money of England (as by the feoffm 1 thereof made more at large it may and doth appeare). Item, whereas Elizabeth Pell, the wife of Willm Pell tlielder, and THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 1 73 John Pell their sonne, did take like paines about me, as is before menconed, in the time of my great callamity and heavie visitacon, as is aboue specified, I doe giue and bequeath vnto the said Willm Pell and John Pell all and singler suche sume and sumes of money as the saide Wiltm and John doe owe vnto mee either by bonds, bills, or any waies or means whatsoeu 9 . Item in consideracon that John Newgate, of Bury St. Edmund, malster, diuers and sondry times hath come and resorted to comfort and conferr w th me in the time of my sorrowe and heavines, I doe giue and bequeath vnto him the said John Newgate the sume of fFoure pounds of lawfull money of England, to be paid vnto him w th in one yere next after my decease. Item, whereas Robt Walker, of Bury aforesaid, stationer, was somewhat helpfull vnto me at the said time of my visitacon, I doe giue and bequeath vnto the said Robt Walker the sume of ffortie shillings of laufull money of England, to be paid vnto him within one yere next after my decease. Item I giue and bequeath vnto my cosen Cicely Godfrey ffive pounds of lawfull money of England, to be paid vnto her w th in one yeare next after my decease. Item I giue and bequeath vnto my godson Mr. Richard Baker, of London, and his sonne, foure pounds a peice of lawfull money of England, to be paid vnto them within one yere next after my decease. Item I giue and bequeath vnto my said cosen Mr. Jeremy Burrows tenn pounds of lawfull money of England, to be paid vnto him within one yere next after my decease. Item I giue and bequeath vnto Francis Burrowes ffiue pounds of lawfull money of England, to be paid vnto him within one yeare next after my decease. Item I giue and bequeath vnto Samuel Burrowes ffiue poundes of lawfull money of England, to be paid vnto him w th in one yere next after my decease. Itm I giue and bequeath vnto Frances Atkinson, the wife of Timothy Atkinson thelder, ffive pounds of lawfull money of England, to be paid vnto her wffiin one yere next after my decease. Item I giue and bequeath vnto Timothy Atkinson, the sonne of the said Timothy, the siime of fiue pounds of lawfull money of England, to 174 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF be paid vnto him within one yere next after my decease. Item I give, will, and devise vnto my grandchilde Robt Gooderich, and his heires and assignes for ever, all those my lands, both copy and free, w th thappurtencf, lyeing in the townes and feilds of Barton Magna, in the comity aforesaid, or Bury St. Edmund abovesaid, or in either of them, w ch I lately bought and purchased of Willm Nutt, of Barton aforesaid, and doe containe together by estimacon sixtene acres, be there more or lesse, vpon condicon notw th standing that the said Rofot Gooderich, his executo rs , administrator, or assignes shall well and truely paie vnto the said Mr. Jeremy Burrowes, John Newgate, Robt Walker, Mr. Richard Baker, and his sonne, Cicely Godfrey, Francis Burrowes, Samuel Burrowes, Frances Atkinson, and Timothy Atkinson, if they come and de- mand it of him, all the said legacies and sumes of money before herein by me pticularly giuen and bequeathed vnto them and eu 9 y of them, in such mann 9 and forme, and at such times, as before are menconed and expressed. Item I giue and bequeath vnto such jJsons as within foure monethes next after my decease shalbe new elected ffeoffees of the lands, tenem ts , and hereditam ts , belonging to the comon proffitt of Bury St. Edmund aforesaid, by what name or names they or any of them are or shalbee called or knowne, all that my messuage or tenem 1 , w th thappurtenancf, scituate and being in or neere the streete called the Whiteing Streete, in Bury St. Edmund aforesaid, nowe being in the tenure or occupacon of Richard Randall or of his assignes, being of the yerely rent of twentie markes of lawfull English money p annu, by him paid vnto me quarterly for the same, to haue and to hold to the said psons w cl1 shalbe newly elected ffeoffees, as aforesaid, and to their heires and assignes for ever, vpon trust and confidence neu 9 - theles that the said ffeoffees and all and eu 9 ry pson and psons w ch fromandafter the timeof my departure outof this world shalbeseised of the said messuage, w th thappurtencf, in thoccupacon of the said Richard Randall or his assignes, shall yerely and every yeare for ever from and after the feast of St. Michaell tharchangell next THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 1 75 after my decease, out of the said yerely rent and proffitts of the said messuage, w th thappurtencf, provide and giue to ffoure skore poore people of the pish of St. Mary, in Bury aforesaid, for the time being (whereof tenn to be men, thirty women, and fortie to be children), alwaies in the moneth of Novemb r yearelie, as of my charitable guift and benevolence, one shirt or a smock, according to their seu 9 all sorts and sexes. And shall alsoe out of the yerely rents, revenewes, and pfitts of y e same messuage, w th thappurtencf, vpon the last Friday in euy moneth throughout the yere, yerely and euy yere for ever, from and after the feast of St. Michaell tharchangell next after my decease, provide and give one twoe- penny wh eaten loafe to and for ffortie poore people that shall then come to the pish church of St. Marie, in Bury aforesaid, and then inhabiteing in the same pish of St. Mary, and then be catachised in the same church by the then minister of the same church, or by some other sufficient learned minister of the word, to be by him from time to time in that behalfe deputed or appointed, (that is to say,) to euy one of the said forty poore people one twoe- penny wheaten loafe. And my will and minde is that all the said bread shalbe from time to time be made, baked, and sent to the said church by my late wives said kinsman Francis Potter, soe longe as he shall live, and shalbe distributed amongst the said poore people at the times aforesaid by the clarke, sexten, and bedell of the said pish of St. Mary for the time then beeing, or by some of them, and the said clarke, sexton, and bedell, or soe many of them as from time to time shalbe j!sent at the said catechising, to haue the inbread of the said bread w ch shalbe brought and provided as aforesaid. And I will that out of the yerely rents and proffitts of the said messuage, w th thappurtencf, the minister of the said pish of St. Maries for the time being, and catechiseing of the said poore, or causeing them to be catechised as aforesaid, shall haue yerely for ever twenty shillings out of the said rent for his and their paines taking in catechiseing as afore- said. And my will and meaning is that, if any overplus shalbee of 176 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF the rents and proffitts of the said mess^ 0 , w th thappurtencf, more then shall suffice for the pformance of the said godly and cha- ritable vses herein before limitted and appointed, and for the repacons of the same messuage, w th thappurtencf, and the paymt of the lordf rent due for the same from time to time, that the same over- plus shall from tyme and to time, by the said new elected ffeoffees of the said messuage for the time then being, be imployed to and for the buyeing and provideing of home bookes and primers to be giuen to poore children of the said pish of St. Maries, in Bury aforesaid. And whereas I am possessed of a certaine lease for the terme of thirty or fortie yeres or thereabouts, therein yet to come and vnex- pired, of and in fowre seSall houses or tenem t9 (lately by me newly builded),w th their apptencf, scituate and being in or neere to the streete or place called the Mustowe, in Bury Saint Edmund afore- said, now or of late tyme being in the seuall tenures or occupacons of Henry Clarke, liofet Parker, Peter Newman, and John Dickenson, or of their or some of their assignee or assignes, the yerely rents of w ch said fowre houses or tenem ts due and payable to mee together doe amount to eleaven pounds p annu or thereabouts, I doe hereby give and bequeath all the said foure tenem t9 and eu 9 y of them, with their appurtencf, vnto such psons as within fowre monthes next after my decease shalbee newly elected ffeoffees of the lands and tenem ts belonging to the comon proffitt of the inhitants of Bury St. Edmund aforesaid, to haue and to hold to them and their assignes from and after the feast of St. Michaell tharchangell next comeing after the daie of my depture out of this world, for and dureing all the rest and residue of the said lease and terme of yeres, w ch shalbe therein to come and vnexpired, vpon trust and confidence alsoe that they and all those w ch from and after my decease shalbe possessed of the said lease and terme shall yerely and eu 9 y yere from and after the feast of St. Michaell tharchangell next after my death, dureing all the continuance of the said lease and terme, imploy the yerely rents of the said foure tenem ta according to my will and minde herevnder expressed and declared : THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 177 (that is to saye), the yerely sume of ffiue pounds pcell of the said yerely rents to be bestowed in wheaten bread,, to be made into penny loaves, and vpon eu 9 y Lord’s day, called Sonday, throughout eu 9 y yere of the said terme, fowre and twenty loaves of the said bread, w th the inbread allowed by the baker for those twoe dosens of bread, to be timely brought and sett vpon a forme towards the vpp end of the eh an cell of the said pish church of St. Mary (or where the minister of that pish for the time being shall appointe), in the mornings of the same daies, before the beginning of divine service in the said church vpon those seu 9 all dayes ; and after the end and finishing of diuine service and sermon in that church that day, the same twoe dosens of bread to be giuen and distributed by the minister, churchwardens, and overseers of the poore of the said pish, or any twoe of them, for the time then beeinge, whereof the minister of the said church for the time then being allwaies to be one (if he shall soe please), to and amongst fowre and twenty poore people w ch shalbe then inhabiting in the said pish of St. Maries, and shalbe knowne to bee that day at the church of St. Maries afore- said, at diuine service there, and before the first lesson for that day shalbe read in the said church. And my will and minde is that the pish clarke and sexton of the said church, and the beadle of the said pish of St. Marie for the time then being, shall alwaies be three w ch from time to time shall haue their shares and parts in the said bread. And they, the said clarke, sexton, and bedell, shall alwaies haue the inbread of all the bread aforesaid, ov r and besides their shares in the said twoe dosens of bread from time to time, and I will that all the said bread shall from time to time be bought and taken of and from the said Francis Potter, as long as he shall live. And I doe hereby earnestly intreate the said ffeoffees and others trusted and w ch shalbe trusted and imploied in and about the bestowing of the saide charitable guifts or any of them, that (as much as in them shall lye) they imploy the same to and for the comfort and reliefe of all impotent and honest poore people inhabiteing or w ch for the time then being shall inhabite camd. soc. 2 A 178 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF and dwell within the pish of St. Maries, in Bury aforesaid, and that no bastard, whoremonger, nor any pson vehementlie suspected of whoredom or vncleane life shalbe ptaker of my said charitable guiftes, or any of them. And 1 will my grandchildren or any of them (if they will) shall from time to time haue the noiation and appointm t of such poore people as they or any of them shall thinke well of, inhabiteing, or w ch for the time being shall inhabite, w th in the said pish of St. Marie, in Bury St. Edmund aforesaid, to haue the benefitt of my said charitable guifts. And further my will and minde is that, from and after thend and expiration of the first yere next after my depture of this world, the said ffeoffees, and those psons w ch from time to time dureing the continuance of the said lease and terme shall for the time then beeing be possessed of the said lease and terme, shall yerely and eu 9 y yere dureing all the rest of the said lease and terme w ch shalbe then to come and vnexpired laye out and disburse ffive pounds of lawfull English money in and about puttinge out of ffive poore children, borne in the said pish of St. Maries, to be appntices or to service, wherein I wold that the children w ch from time to time for the time then beeing shalbe in the corhon workinghouse of Bury aforesaid shalbe pferred to be bound out or putt to service w th the helpe of my said guift (if it may be done convenientlie) before such children or childe as shall not before that time haue bene kept and trained vp to work in the said workinghouse. And I will that the overplus of the yerely rents of the said foure tenem ts shall from time to time goe and bee imployed for and towards the payrffi of the chiefe rent reserved in and by the indenture of lease thereof to me made, and for and towards the repacons of the same houses as neede shall require. And whereas divers doners haue of their great loves bestowed vpon the said burgh of Bury St. Edmund, not onely divers sumes of money, but also certaine landes, tenemt s , meadowes, and pastures, to bee for a ppetuall remembrance for ever, and did noiate divers ffeoffees to be putt in trust for a succession for ever, and that from time to time there shold be a THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 179 perpetuall nominacon of those feoffees, especially when the num- ber was come to ffourtene ; yet notw th standing, by the negligence of those that were putt in truste, the nominacon, although from time to time and yere to yere they haue bene importuned there- vnto, and I thinke it is to noe good intent, but howsoeu 9 I knowe it is a great losse to the poore and the inhabitants vpon mine owne knowledge, by guifts given by my selfe and some others that are not paid accordingly; and besides I had an intent to bestowe somewhat to some charitable vses, w ch I knowe not well how to doe because the feoffm t is drawne to soe fewe a number, w ch divers times hath bene promised to be renued, but yet is not; and therefore my will and minde is that, if the said feoffm* be not renued w th in fowre monethes next after my decease, then all my said legacies heretofore or hereafter in these psents given and bequeathed to the said feoffees shalbe vtterly void, frustrate, and of none effect. And then I give and bequeath all the said legacies w ch I have bequeathed vnto the said ffeoffees vnto my executo rs of this my last will and testam 1 , and they to pforme all such guifts and bequests as my said feoffees shold haue done if they had enioyed my said legacies (anie matter or thinge herein contained to the contrary thereof in any wise notw th standinge). And whereas I haue bene, am, and ever shalbee, a feeleing member and most sensible above others of the great losse and calamity w ch of late yeres hapened to mee and many others by the miserable mis- fortune of fire within the said towne of Bury, I doe hereby, for a ppetuall memoriall and a caveat to bee for ever hereafter kept thereof, I doe giue and bequeath vnto such psons as shalbe newly elected as aforesaid ffeoffees of the towne lands of Bury aforesaid fforty pounds of lawfull English money, for and towards the charge of erectinge and making of a conduilt or cisterne to receiue water, to be brought vnto it ; and the same conduit to be sett in some convenient place in the markett place in Bury aforesaid, for the better supply of water, to be vsed when any casualty of fire shall happen within the said towne, and other necessary vses, as shalbe 180 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF thought fitt and convenient. And I will that twenty pounds of the said forty pounds shalbe paid to the said ffeoffees when they shall really begin the said worke, and thother twentie pounds of the said forty pounds to be paid vnto the said feoffees when the said worke shalbe finished and brought to perfeccon (soe as the said worke be reallye taken in hand and finished within seaven yeres next after my decease). Item I giue and bequeath vnto my daughter Joice, the wife of Vallentine Elsden thelder, all my houshold stuff and goods w ch I haue at mine inne and taverne called the Grayhound, wherein the said Yallentine now dwelleth, in Bury aforesaid. And I doe alsoe giue her my licence to drawe wine in the said inne or taverne, and my great Bible, to haue and to hold all the said houshold stuff, goods, licence, and bible, for terme of her naturall life. And after her decease I give all those things vnto her twoe daughters Frances and Mary, my grand- children, to bee equally divided between them, part and pt like. Item I giue and bequeath vnto the said Yallentine Elsden, my sonne-in-lawe, my best gowne, and my best cloake. Item I give vnto my sonne-in-law Mr. Jeremy Browning my second best gowne, my second best cloake, and my inlaid playeing tables. Item I giue and bequeath vnto Yalentine Elsden my grandchilde my licence for drawing of wines at the towne of Mildenhall, in the county of Suff. aforesaid. Item I giue and bequeath vnto my grandchilde Dorcas Browninge all my houshold stuff and goods that I haue at my twoe houses, the one called the Golden Bushell, and the other called the Beare, in Bury aforesaid. Item, whereas I, the said Francis Pynner, by my deed of feoffm* haue infeoffed and confirmed vnto the said Dorcas Browninge, and to the heires of her body lawfully to be begotten, and for want of such issue vnto Rebecca Browninge her sister, and to the heires of her bodie lawfully to be begotten, all that my said messuage or tenem 1 called the Golden Bushell, w th all and euy the houses, edi- fices, buildinges, barnes, stables, orchards, gardens, waies, water- courses, easem ts , ewse-dreepes, and appurtenances, vnder such THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 181 mann 9 , forme, and proviso as in the said deed of feoffm* is ex- pressed (as by the said deed of ffeoffm 1 more at large it may and doth appeare). And also that I, the said Francis Pynner, by my deed of ffeoffm* have infeoffed and confirmed vnto the said Joyce Elsden my daughter, for terme of her naturall life, and after her decease to Mary and Fraunces Elsden (twoe of the daughters of the said Joyce), and to their heires for ever, all that my said inne and taverne called the Greyhound, w th all the houses, stables, yards, and easem ts to the same belonging, w lh all and eu 9 y of their appurtencf, vnder such mann 9 and forme as in the said deed of ffeoffhfiis men coned (as by the said deed of ffeoffm* is menconed). And also whereas the said Jeremy Browninge, my sonne in la we and father vnto the said Dorcas, hath of late devulged and given forth that the said messuage and pmisses called y e Greyhound was pmised and agreed to be assured and conveyed in advancem 1 of marriage wfith Cicely my daughter vnto the said Jeremy and Cicely, and their heires, w ch promise (if any such was made) was vpon condicon that the said Jeremy shold also in his life time haue likewise pformed and done divers other acts for the better advancem* of the saide Cicely my said daughter in marriage w th the said Jeremy (w ch were neu 9 pformed), and therefore, for the finall endinge of all differences, controusies, and suites that may be raised thereby vpon the said ^tended promise and agreem*, and that all pties maie haue and peaceably enioye their seuall estates according to my true intent and meaninge herein expressed in this my last will and testament, I doe hereby will, devise, and declare that if the said Jeremy Browninge, his heires, or assignes, shall at any time after my decease make any title, claime, or chal- lenge any interest of, in, or to the said inne or taverne called the Grayhound, conveyed as aforesaid to the said Joice my daughter and her twoe daughters as aforesaid, by colour of any ^tended promise or agreem 1 as abovesaid, whereby both shee the said Joice and her said twoe daughters shalbe molested or troubled by suites or otherwise, and shall not peaceably and quietlie haue, 182 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF hold, and enioye the same according to their sen 9 all estates in the said deed expssed, and according to my true intent and meaning herein declared ; and alsoe if the said Jeremy Browninge, his heires, or assignes, shall at anie time after my death molest or trouble or cause to be molested or troubled the executo rs of this my said last will and testamt for any goodes, chattells, or any other implem ts of houshold, whereof I or my assignes are lawfully possessed or interessed therein at or before the time of my death, that then the saide guift and devise of the said messuage and ^misses called the Golden Bushell, by my said deed heretofore granted and confirmed to the said Dorcas Browninge, shalbe vtterlie voide and of none effect (the said deed and feoffm* or any matter or thing therein contained to the contrary thereof in any wise notw^standinge) ; and that then my will and minde is that that the said Joice my daughter and the said Mary and Frances her twoe daughters shall haue, hold, and enioy the same in lieue of the said inne and taverne and ^misses called the Greyhound, to them and their heires, in such manner and forme and vnder such estates as are limitted by the said deed concerninge the said inne, taverne, and ^misses called the Greyhound, as aforesaid. Item I giue and bequeath vnto my great-grandchilde Francis Goodrich my stone pott (w ch was my father’s) footed and tipt, and coued w th silver w th letters for my father’s name graven vpon the cover. Item I give and bequeath unto eury of the seuall psons herevndernamed these seuall legacies herevnder menconed (that is to saye): to Mr. Edmund Merchant, late of London, ffiue pounds (if he be in England at the time of my decease) ; to Tho- mas Goodale ffowre pounds; to Jeremy Goodale foure pounds; to my goddaughter Frances, the daughter of Charles Shawe, foure pounds ; to eu ; y one of the children of Willm Fincke (w ch he had by his first wife) ffoure nobles a peice, to be paid vnto them at their seu 9 all ages of fowre and twenty yeres ; to every one that shalbe my houshold servant at the time of my death, twenty shillings a peice, and eu 9 ry of them a paire of gloves. Item I THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 183 desire Mr. Edmund Cailamy that he wilbe pleased to preach at my fun 9 all ; and I doe giue him for his paines to be taken therein thirty shillinges and a paire of black gloves of the best sort. Item I will that my said daughter Joice and her twoe daughters, Frances and Mary Elsden, and my two grandchildrene Dorcas and Rebecca Browninge, shall eu v y one of them haue a mourning tire on their heads, such as gentlewomen weare at the time of ffune- ralls. Item I will that ffiue pounds shalbe distributed amongst the poore people of the pish of St. Maries aforesaid (whereof ffortie shillinges to be distributed amongst the poore people in the Colledge Street, and the other three pounds to the rest of the poore people w th in the said pish) ; and ffiftie shillings more I giue and bequeath vnto the poore people of the pish of St. James in Bury aforesaid ; and all the said sumes to be paid and distri- buted to the said poore either at the tyme of my ffunerall or w th in seaven daies then next followinge, by the churchwardens and ou 9 seers of the said seu 9 all pishes. Item I doe giue and bequeath vnto the said Robert Gooderich all the debt and money that is oweing and comeing to mee by and from Martha Gooderich (being by her owne acknowledgem 1 twenty pounds, but in trueth eight and twenty pounds) if hee the said Robt Gooderich, his executo 1 ' 3 , admstrat rs , or assignes will beare the charges of suite for the recou 9 y of the said money. Item I giue and bequeath vnto my said grandchilde Valentine Elsden and to his heires and as- signes for ever all those my landes, containing by estimacon ffour- tene acres, being freehold, lyeing and being in the feilds of Bury aforesaid and Westly in the said county of Suff., w ch I purchased to mee and mine heires of Francis Remes gent, and Elizabeth his wife. Item I giue and bequeath vnto the said Francis Potter boeth those my twoe copihold meadowes late in the tenure or occupacon of one John Butler or his assignes, and lyeing and being in the Taiffen, Bury aforesaid, dureing the terme of his naturall life; and after the decease of the said Francis Potter, the same to bee and remaine vnto my said grandchilde Valentine 184 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF Elsden and to his heires and assignes for ever. Item I doe give and bequeath all the rest, residue, and overplus of all my goods, chattells, and psonall estate whatsoeu 9 , not given in this my last will and testamt (the guifts, legacies, and bequests in this my said last will and testarffi paid and pformed, and all charges and ex- pences that the executo rs of this my said last will and testanff shall laye out or be putt vnto concerning their said executorship being allowed and deducted), I doe give and bequeath the said overplus vnto the said Joice my daughter, and to my said twoe grandchildren Dorcas and Rebecca Browninge, and to my said great-grandchild Francis Gooderich, to be equally diuided betwene them by three or foure sufficient and indifferent men, by the dis- crecon of mine executo rs and supvisors of this my last will and testam 1 , or the greater part of them for the time then beeing to be elected and chosen. And for the better pformance of this my said last will and testanff, I will that my executo rs , when it shall seeme best vnto themselves, or the suruivo 1 or survivo rs of them, sell, convey, and assure, or cause to be sold, conveyed, and assured, all those landes, containing by estimacon eleaven acres and an halfe of land, being the same more or lesse, lyeing and being in the feilds of Bury St. Edmund aforesaid, and Westly in the county aforesaid, w ch I latelie purchased of one Thomas God- frey, to anie pson or psons, and to his and their heires and as- signes, for the best price that they or any of them can gett for the said lands ; and the moneyes comeing and ariseing of and vpon the sale of the said landes to be imployed for and towards the pformance of this my said last will and testamb And I do make and constitute the said Joice my daughter, Robert Gooderich, and Dorcas Browninge, executo rs of this my last will and testam 1 . And I doe giue to eu 9 y of them for their paines to be taken in the true execucon thereof, ffiue nobles a peice, and a paire of gloves. Item I desire Mr. Elliott, Minister of the pish of St. James in Bury, and my loving freind Mr. Thomas Lincolne of Thetford, to be supviso rs of this my last will and testanff; and I doe giue to THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 185 either of them for their paines to be taken in assistinge of mine executo rs twentie (sic), and to each of them a paire of gloves. In witnes whereof I, the said Francis Pynner, have vnto every sheete of this my said last will and testam 1 , being term in number, sett my hand, and haue sett my seale to the topp thereof being afiled together, the third day of May, in y e yere first abouewritten, Fra. Pinner. Sealed and published and declared by the saide Francis Pynner to bee his last will and testam 1 in the pteence of John Hyne, George Booty, Timothy Atkinson, and Rob 1 Walker. Probat. SI Aug. 1689. [Lib. Muriel, f. 61 b .] William Mordeboice, of Hepworth, blacksmith. — 1644. In the name of God Amen, I, William Mordeboice, of Hep- worth, in the countie of Suff. blacksmyth, being in perfect health and memorie, for the which I doe give to God Almightie most humble and heartie thankes, doe make and ordaine this my last will and testament, sundry good occasions me therevnto moveinge. First and before all thinges, I doe give and bequeath my soule into the hands of Almighty God my creator, and am stedfastly perswaded that my sinnes shall be remitted, and my soule shall be saued through Jesus Christe my redeemer. And as for my worldly goods, I doe give and bequeath as followeth. Item I doe give and bequeath to Mary my daughter that my bedd whereon I doe vsually lye on compleat as it stands, as namely, the bedstead, canopie, the curtins of colour blue, the feather bed, the flock bedd or wooll bedd, the bolster of feathers, and the bolster of fiockes or wooll, therevnto belonging, the cou^lett and blanketts, and one pillowe of feathers. Item I doe give vnto Mary my daughter, one paire of pillow beers, two paire of sheets, one payre finer then an other. Item I doe give vnto Mary my daughter, halfe a dozen of table napkins, three of them damaske, and three other tare of the best sort, and one table cloath which my wife shall thinke fittinge CAMD. SOC. 2 B 186 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF to give to her. Item I doe give to Mary my daughter, the tranche which was her mothers, and what else my wife shall thinke fitt to bestowe vpon her. Item I doe give and bequeath vnto Rose my daughter, my Byble, my beareing cloath such linnen as is belonginge to infants at their tyme of baptisme. Item I doe give to Rose my daughter, a silver whissell w th the currell and chaine of silver. Item I doe give and bequeath vnto Alice my wife, my casting sheet, as alsoe all other my moveable goods and chattells whatsoever I haue or hereafter shall enioy. Item I doe give with my owne hands vnto Alice my wife, my castinge sheet, and I doe alsoe give with my owne hands vnto Rose my daughter, my silver whisle with the chayne and currell, which two thinges I doe give to them, that is to say, to my wife and my daughter Rose, in pte of all the other my goods, which I haue by this my will given to them, and in the jJsence of Mr. Abbott, minister of God 5 s word, and alsoe in the jpsence of William Brandish, yeom, both of Hepworth, and in the county of Suff. ; to the intent that my said wife Alice shall quietly enioy all such my goods as by this my will I haue given to her dureing her nrall life ; and after her decease my will and mynd is, that then my daughter Rose haue and enioy all those my goods and chattells, which before I haue given to Alice my wife, to her and to her heires for ever. In wittnes whereof I haue herevnto sett to my hand and seale. Item I doe make and ordaine Alice my wife the only executrix of this my will and testament, to see my will pformed, my debts dis- charged, and my body decently brought to Xpian buriall. Written with my own hand the 28th of January, Anno Regni Caroli nostri the xix th annoq 3 dhi 1644 ; by me William Mordeboice. Tho. Abbott, clef., William Bundishe. Prob. 4 Julij, 1648. [Lib. Ashton, pars I. f. 55 b .] Thomas Wright, of Hartest, gent. — 1646. Bone Jesu pone passionem crucem et mortem tua inter luditiu tuu et anima mea nunc et in hora mortis mee. THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 187 In the name of God Amen, the two and twentieth day of March, anno dhi 1646, and in the two and twentieth yeare of the reigne of our most gratious sou 9 aigne Lord Charles, by the grace of God, now King of England, &c. I, Thomas Wright, of Hartest, in the countie of SufF. gent, doe make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and forme hereafter folio winge, humbly, joy- fully, and willingly yeildinge my soule into the hands of Almightie God my maker, and my body I comitt to the earth whereof it was framed, knowing it must returne to its first principles soe to con- tinue vntill the generail awakeninge day, when by the mightie power of my God I hope to reassume the same my body, which being then vnited to my soule againe, through the vnspeakeable mercie of my Lord and alone Sauio r Jesus Christe, shall I trust inheritt everlastinge blessednes in the kingdome of Heaven, not for any meritts of myne (for I acknowledge myselfe the worste of all men), but for the most glorious meritts, bitter death and passion of my most gracious and mercifull Sauio r and Redeemer Jesus Christe, to whom be all glory and praise for ever. Amen. Imprimis. Whereas I stand seised in fee simple of and in a mesuage or tenem* called Penns, or otherwise, w th certaine lands and pastures freehold, lyeinge next or nere therevnto, together with the waies thereto adjoineinge, vpon which sayd wayes two cottages for the habitacon of two poore widdowes are newly by me erected and builded, scituate, lyeinge, and beinge in Hartest afore- said, abbuttinge at the one end vpon the tenem* and orchards of Tempest Dickerson, and at the other end vpon the freehold tenem* of Andrew Byat, gent, called of auncient time Smithes, and doe con- teyne together by estimacon three acres, be there more or less, I doe give devise and bequeath all and singuler the sayd pmisses, and all other my freehold lands and tenements in Hartest aforesaid, w th their apptnncs (exceptinge the sayd two cottages) vnto Mary my wife, for terme of her life, (if she shall soe long keepe her selfe sole and vnmarried,) remainder thereof from and ymediately after her decease or marriage, which of them shall first happen, vnto Thomas 188 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF Browne my grandsonne, and the heires of his body begotten, and for default of such heires, then to my righte heires for ever. Item I give and bequeath to my sayd wife, in such manner and sort as is before menconed, three closes or peeces of land and pasture, cdhteyninge by estimacon four acres more or less, with their apptnncs, being copihold, lyeinge together in Hartest afore- said, adjoininge to the land of the sayd tenement Penns ; the one whereof I purchased of Henry Smyth, another of Tempest Dicker- son, and the third which abbutteth vpon the rectory of Hartest, of William Lowe ; remainder of the same copihold pmises after my sayd wifes decease or marriage, which shall first happen, vnto the sayd Thomas Browne my grandsonne, and the heires of his body begotten, and for default of such yssue then to my righte heires. Item I give and bequeath to Mary my now wifes daughter, after the death or marriage of my said wife, all those coppihold lands and tenem ts which I had or purchased of Henry Griggs, and Susan his wife, sometimes Martins, scituate, lyeing, and being in Hartest aforesaid, and conteyninge together by esti- macon seaven acres, with their and every of their apptnncs, now in my owne occupacon, to haue and to hold the same vnto the sayd Mary, the daughter, and the heires of her body begotten ; and for want of such yssue I will the same shall remay ne vnto Thomas Browne aforesaid, the sonne of Mary my daughter by my first wife, and to the heires of his body begotten, and for default of such yssue then to my right heires for ever. Item I give and bequeath vnto the said Mary my wife for terme of her life, if she shall soe longe keepe her selfe sole and vnmarried, two closes or peeces of copyhold land and pasture, conteyninge by estimacon five acres, with th apptnncs, lyeing together in Hartest aforesaid, late pcell of Millfields, and now in tlPoccupacon of John Herrington or of his assignee or assignes, together with the way thereto belonginge ; and from and ymediately after the death or marriage of my sayd wife, I give and bequeath the same two closes or peeces, with the sayd way and apptnncs, vnto her sayd daughter Mary, and the heires THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 189 of her body begotten, and for default of such yssue then to my righte heires for ever. Item I give and bequeath vnto Mary my daughter, the wife of Francis Browne, all my lands and tenem ts whatsoeuer, scituate, lyeing, and being in Brockly, in the sayd county of Suff. with their and every of their apptnncs, to haue and to hold the same vnto the said Mary my daughter, for and dureinge the terme of her nrall life ; remainder theireof after her decease vnto the sayd Thomas Browne my grandsonne, and the heires of his body begotten, and for default of such yssue then to my right heires for ever. Item I will, devise, and bequeath those two cottages aboue menconed to be excepted, with the yards thereto belonginge, vnto James Sparke my cosin, Robt Cronshaye the sonne of Robert Cronshaye of Hartest aforesaid yeoman, William Coppinge sonne of Edmund Coppinge of Hartest aforesaid yeoman, Philip Hamond the sonne of my sonne in lawe Philip Hamond, Richard Cronshaye the sonne of Richard Cronshaye of Hartest aforesaid yeoman, Ralph Twids the younger of Hartest aforesaid my cosin, and to the aforesaid Thomas Browne my grandsonne, their heires and assignes for ever, vpon condicon and to the intents and purposes hereafter menconed and declared, (vizt.) for the benefitt and habi- tacon of two poore widowes of the towne of Hartest aforesaid, for soe longe time as the world shall endure ; the same widowes nor any of them, at the time of their placeing there, not to be such as are or haue bene a charge or chargeable to the said pish of Har- test. Touching the placeinge of which sayd widowes, I will that the instructions, articles, and rules, in this my last will and testa- ment expressed, be duely and justly from time to time and for ever observed, vizt. 1. That the same widdowes and every of them shall constantly repaire to the church of Hartest aforesaid, at the times of all publique exercises of religion, and shall there behaue themselves orderly from the beginninge of such exercises vntill the end 190 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF thereof, without any excuse whatsoever to be admitted, saueing only sicknesse or decrepite age. 2. That the same widowes and every of them shall receive the Eucharist twice at least in every yeare, (vizt.) once at or aboute the time of Easter, and once at or about the feast day of the birth of our Lord and Sauio r Christe, if the same be soe often administered. 3. That none of these widowes there to be placed shall be vnder the age of ffifty yeares at the time of such their placeinge there ; and if they or any of them doe marry, then their place to be voyd, and such to be forthwith remoued and displaced. 4. That noe such widowe shall maintaine, keepe, or suffer any of her children, or any other person or persons whatsoeuer, to be resident, abide, or be sheltered there, saueing that it shall be law- full for euery suche widowe to haue with her one of her owne daughters, being vnder the age of sixteene yeares and not aboue (yf she shall haue any such daughter), but if such daughter shall once haue atteyned to the age of sixteene yeares, then shall such daughter be remoued from her vtterly ; but in case of sicknes or other extreme necessitie eu 9 y such widowe may haue one to helpe her dureing that time. 5. That eu 9 y such widowe there to inhabite, shall be of good life, fame, and conusacon, and shall live peaceably and quietly w th [out] quarrelling or clamo r . 6. That noe such widowe nor any other person for them or any of them, or by their or any of their appointment, shall cutt, croppe, fell, haue, or take any wood, vnderwood, trees, or bushes, which are or shall be growinge at any time hereafter in or vpon the way or lane wherein the sayd almes house is erected, vpon payne of removeall from thence vtterly vppon the first offence. And if any such widow or widowes shall offend in any of thaforesaid first five rules or articles herein menconed, then they and eu 9 y of them soe offendinge, after one admonicon, shallbe forthwith displaced and put out of the sayd almes house by the THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 191 feoffees or trustees thereof for the time being, and never afterwards to be restored againe. Item I will that the widow Walker, and the widow White, whom I haue placed in the said house, shall continue therein dureing their lives, they and either of them obserueing the instructions, articles, and rules before menconed. Neu 9 thelesse my will and desire is, that if any of myne, or either of my two wiues linage or kindred, hereafter inhabiting in the said pish of Hartest, and being widowes or single women of the age of thirtie years or more, shall be in want and povertie, that then they or any of them shall from time to time be jSferred to the said house and place before any other, yet subject to the rules, instructions, and articles before menconed ; and to the end that the aforemenconed condicon, intents, and purposes, may forever hereafter be the better pformed and fullfilled, my will and desire is that whensoever the aforenamed James Sparke, Robert Cronshaye, William Coppinge, Phillip Hamond, Richard Cronshaye, Ralph Twid, Thomas Browne, feoffees before appointed, shall happen to depart this life to the number of three or two of them, that then those three or two which shall survive shall speedily infeoffe and assure to five, six, or seaven of the chiefe inhabitants of the said towne of Har- test, and their heires, or to the sonnes of such inhabitants and their heires, the sayd two cottages, with the yards and apptnncf therevnto belonging, of a good and perfect estate in fee simple, ac- cording to the condicon and intencon aforesaid, and in such man- ner and sort as is before menconed ; and that such feoffment and assurances shall from time to time, soe longe as the world continue, be renewed by the feoffees of the sayd two cottages, when and soe often as the feoffees thereof shall dye, and not aboue two or three of them be left alive, or oftner if occasion shall serue, according to the purport, true intent, and meaninge of this my last will and testament, and in such sort as is here in before menconed. And further I will and devise that the same tenem* Penns, with the lands thereto adioyninge, be absolutely and fully charged w th the 192 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF paym 1 of ten shillings p annum, soe long as the world shall endure, for and towards the repacons of the aforesaid two cottages or almeshouse, the same ten shillings p annum I will to be payed halfe yearely by even porcons into the hands of the feoffees of the sayd two cottages for the time being, or the major pte of them ; and what shall remaine thereof over and aboue repacons made, such surplus to be distributed betwene the poore widowes inhabi- ting and to be inhabiting in the said cottages from time to time equally by the feoffees thereof. Item I give and bequeath vnto Richard Gardner, my cosin and clerke, all my wearinge apparell, and all my bookes, papers, and pchments vnsealed, excepting such English bookes as Mary my wife, and Mary Browne my daughter, shall make choyce of for their seuall vses, which said English bookes I will they shall haue, and excepting six of my best bookes in folio, which I give to the sayd Thomas Browne, and alsoe my dictionary in quarto. Item I give and bequeath vnto Mary my wife the vse of all my houshold stuffe, bedds, bedding, and of all my ymplements and vtensells of houshold stuffe and husbandry, for and dureinge the terme of her life, (if she shall soe long keepe her selfe sole and vnmarried,) and after the death or marriage of my said wife, which of them first happen, then I give and bequeath the same vnto Mary my daughter. Provided that if the sayd Mary shall depart this life without yssue of her bodie begotten, and before she shall haue accomplished her age of one and twenty yeares, then I give and bequeath all my aforesaid houshold stuffe, bedds, bedding, implements, and vtensills of houshold and husbandry, vnto the sayd Mary my wife. Item I give vnto Frances Browne, my grand- childe, fifty pounds, to be payd into her father’s hands soone after my decease, and to be improued by him for her vse, and to be payd to her at her age of sixteene years by her said father. Item I doe nominate and appoint the sayd Richard Gardner my cosin sole executo r of this my last will and testament, and I doe give him for his paines to be taken therein ten pounds, over and aboue THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 193 all his charges and expences. Item I give to my cosin Elizabeth Whittacre, fortie shillings. Item I give to the poore people of Hartest, twenty shillings ; to the poore people of Boxted, ten shillings ; to the poore people of Glemsford, fortie shillings ; to the poore people of Stansted, twenty shillings ; and to the poore people of Somerton, ten shillings. Item I give and bequeath to my sonne in lawe William Griggs, five pounds ; to my sonne in lawe Philip Hamond, ten shillings ; to my sonne in lawe Henry Griggs, ten shillings ; to my sonne in law John Griggs, ten shillings, to be payed to them and every of them within six moneths next after my decease. Item I give to my cosin James Sparke a peece of gold of twenty shillings. Item I give to every of my aunt Gardner’s children, to eu 9 y of my aunt Manning’s children (except Elizabeth), to every of my aunt Raye’s children, and to every of my aunt Holditch children, five shillings a peece ; and to Elizabeth the wife of Richard Albone, twenty shillinges. The residue of all my goods, chattells, and psonall estate, I give and bequeath vnto the sayd Mary my wife, for and towards the payment of the fines for her and her daughters admittance to the copihold lands and tenements to them by me herein devised and bequeathed, and for the increase of her said daught rs porcon, saveing onely my ring of gold, and my seale of silver w ch I give to my grandsonne Thomas Browne, together with my best sword ; provided allwayes that if my sayd wife shall happen to marry again e, then I will that she shall not be guardian to her said daughter Mary, neither shall haue the vse of any of the goods, stuffe of houshold, chattells, psonall estate, or thinges by me herein given to her, but then and in that case I will my said executo r shall be her guardian vntill her age of one and twentie yeares, and shall then deliu 9 the sayd houshold stuffe and goods, chattells, and thinges to the said Mary ; and further.Iwill that my executo 1 ' in that case shall haue and take the whole rents, yssues, and profitts of the same lands and tenem ts devised to my said wife, from and ymediately after my said wiues entJmariage for the edu- camd. soc. 2 c 194 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF cacon and benefitt of the said Mary her and my daughter, and he to be guardian vntill her age aforesaid, and then to be answerable to her for the rents and pfits thereof, deducting for her educacon and maintenance. Item I give and bequeath vnto Joane Plampin my goddaughter, ten shillings ; to Henry Hible thelder, of Brockley, and to George Hible of Speeds in Hartest, to either of them fortie shillings a pece. In wittnes whereof to this my last will and testament, conteyned in five sheets of paper, I the said Thomas Wright haue subscribed and sealed, the day and yeare first aboue written. Fiat voluntas tua Ihu. Itm I give vnto John Wiseman, of whom I p r chased Googins laye, if he be leveing at the time of my death, twentie shillings. Tho. Wright. Sealed, published, and declared in the Jsence of Phillip Hamond, William Hible, Benjamin Boy don. Item I give and bequeath vnto my cosin William Copin, some- times of Hartest aforesaid, yeoman, five pounds ; and to Benjamin Boyden of Hartest aforesaid, ten shillings. Item my will and meaning is that my executo r shall haue, take, and receive the rents, yssues, and pfitts that shall be due for my lands in Brockley at the feast of S 1 Michaell tharchangell now next cominge and fourteene dayes after, for and towards the performance of this my last will and testament. In wittnes whereof I the sayd Thomas Wright haue added this codicill to this my last will and testament, and haue herevnto sett my hand and seale the eight day of September, in the three and twentieth yeare of the raigne of our said sou 9 aigne Lord King Charles, annoqj dhi 1647, Tho. Wright. These "whose names are subscribed being witnesses, Phillip Hamond, James Sparke. Probat. 12 Julij, 1648. [Lib. Ashton, pars I. f, 5j b .] James Bacon, of Burgate, clerk.— 1647. In the name of God Amen. Whereas it is most true, especially THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 195 to every true Christian, that the day of death is better then ones birth, eu 9 y Christian therefore hath as famiiierly of the day of his death as any one vseth to doe on the day of his birth, and as willingly to jipare in a readiness against the time of his departure out of this world as our parents doe willingly provide all thinges needfull against the time of our comeing into this world, for by our nativitie we doe but descend into a valley of teares and misery, and by death euery faithfull Christian ascends into a mounteyne of tranquilitie and rest, soe that his death is not soe properly termed a death as a gate and enterance into life, or as it were the suburbs of heaven and happinesse. Now, whereas this life is nothing else but a jorney vnto death and the graue, and such a journey where a man is continually goeing on without intermission day and night, even when he thinkes not of it, and yet a man knoweth nothinge lesse then when he shall come to the end of this jorney, the day of death being as vnctaine as death it selfe is certaine. It is the dutie therefore of euie Christian soe to ^meditate of that day, and soe to dispose of his earthly affaires, that he may be allwayes in a readinesse when soeu 9 the Lord of life and death shall call for him, soe that although his death may be suddaine yet it may not come vnexpected vnto him, nor fynd him vnj?pared for it. Wherefore that I might be the better ppared for that day of my death wherein I hope to see lyfe, I, James Bacon, of Burgate, in the countie of Suff. clarke, being in my wonted health and enjoying (through God’s mercie) the vse of my vnderstanding and memory, doe make this my last will and testament} and before I vndertake to dispose of any thinge, I doe acknowledge my selfe with all that belonges vnto me to be altogether in the hand and power and at the disposing of my God, whoe is the onely supreme and vpper Lord of all ; and therefore cravinge leaue of him whose secrett pvidence overruleth all, and submitting to his good will (whose will is the rule of allgoodnesse), my will and desire is as followeth, vizt. First, I commend my spirit into the hands of Christe Jesus my Lord and Sauio r , who being the second person in the Holy Trinitie, the 196 WILLS PROM THE COURT OF eternall and nrall sonne of God, assumed manhood vnto his god- head, that soe being true God and true man in one and the same pson, he might bee a fitt mediateto r betweene God and man ; into his hands I comend my soule, because I confidently beleeue that he hath pformed and accomplished whatsoeu 9 the justice of God required for the redempcon of man, and by his holynesse and inocensie, by his rigliteousnes and obedience, by his death and sufferings, I beleeue (Lord help my vnbeleife) that I shall attaine to that redempcon and salvacon of my soule and body, which he hath merited for me, for he was holy, innocent, and vndefiled, that I might be freed from that originall sinne wherein I was conceived and borne ; he hath pfectly fulfilled the lawe of God, and obeyed his will, that by his righteousnes imputed vnto me I might be made righteous ; he hath subjected himselfe to vndergoe and indure that wrath of God, both in body and soule, which was due to my sinne, for he being just and innocent willingly offered him- selfe to be appended, that I, who was the offendo 1 , might escape, he being bound, was publiquely arraigned and accused before the tribunall of an earthly judge, that I might not be accused before the throne of God in the jisence of his holy angells ; he was con- demned for those sinnes whereof I was guilty, that I might be acquitted and absolued ; he was whipped, derided, and crusifyed, which were the contumely, curse, and punishment due to my sinnes, that soe by his ignominie I mighte attaine to eternall glory; by his derision of an affected earthly kingdome I might inherite a heavenly kingdome, and by his crosse be exalted to heaven and hapinesse; he hath by his death vanquished death for me, and taken away the curse that was therein, that my death [may be] amyable vnto me ; he hath fastened Sathan and sinne vnto his crosse for me ; yea he is risen againe and hath triumphed over all my spirituall enimies; for me he is ascended into heaven to jJpare a place for me. Into the hands therefore of this my Redeemer I cofhitt my soule, hopeing that by him it shall haue entrance into that eternall habitacon which he haue Spared for those who beleeue in THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 197 him. For my bodie, when death shall have made sepacon betweene my soule and that, my desire is that my executrix here- after named would give it (if God pmitt) decent buriall, that soe it may rest in the grave as in a bedd perfumed by the buriall of my Sauio r vntill the day of resurreccon, for although my body be made deformed by death, yet I haue learned firmly to beleeue that at the last day, by the power of God and vertue of Christes Resurreccon, it shalbe raysed out of the dust, a glorious body, when all the faithfull shall rise againe to eu 9 lastinge life ; and this faith which I haue mow testified, I hope the spirite of my Sauio r (by whose assistance I will pray for it) will confirme in me and teach me more cleerely to vnderstand, and more vndoubtedly to apply to my selfe whatsoeu 9 my Lord hathe done for me, vntill I shall attaine to the end of my faith, even the salvacon of my soule and body. And for those goods and possessions which God hath given me, together with a liball vse of them, desireing the Lord to continue vnto me both them and the comfortable enjoying of them, (soe long and soe farre as may be for his glorie,) I doe acknowledge my selfe to be but a fiduciarie possessor of them vnder God, who is the most vpper Lord and possessor of all, and as I haue libtie to take my owne pte and porcon of them, soe it is my dutie faith- fully to dispose of the other part of them to such persons and vses as my Lord hath appointed ; wherefore my desire is to distribute my substance and goods as neere as I can according to the will of him whose steward I am, and to whom I must give an accompt of the dispensacon of that which he hath comitted vnto me : First therefore, because I conceive that my great Lord and Master doth esteeme whatsoeu 9 is rightly bestowed vpon his faithfull children as bestowed vpon himselfe, I give tenn pounds to be equally devided and distributed betweene ten such poore Christians as are in want, and which by their lives doe testify themselues to be the true and faithfull children of God, from whom I haue received all, and in whose hands and power it is to translate all that he hath giuen me from me and mine to whomsoeu 9 he pleaseth. My will 1.98 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF and desire is that John Symonds of Gislingham, in the countie of Suff. clarke, and Clement Raie of Watisfield, in the county afore- said, clarke, shall assigne the said ten psons and distribute the said ten pounds. And whereas I haue vndertaken to pay the sume of five hundred pounds of lawfull English money to Mr. Richard Tomes, marchant of London, for Nathaniell Bacon my sonne, who is now in France, and haue sold certaine lands lyeing and being in Sternfield, in the said countie of Suffolke, which were valued to be cleerely worth twentie and five pounds p annu, vnto the said Richard Tomes, for foure hundred pounds, pcell of the said sume of five hundred pounds, and haue paid to the sayd Richard Tomes the other hundred pounds, residue of the said five hundred pounds ; therefore as concning the disposition of such lands, tenem ts , and hereditaments as it hath pleased God to blesse me with, I give and devise the same in manner and forme following : that is to say, Xmpris, whereas I haue assured vnto Martha my wife, for terme of her nrall life, all that my manno r of Pirleys, and diverse lands, tenem ts , and hereditam ts , in Sternfield, in the countie aforesaid, that after the decease of the said Martha my wife X give and devise my said manno r of Pirleys, and alsoe all the said lands, tenem ts , and hereditam ts , soe as aforesaid assured vnto the said Martha my wife for her life, unto the said Nathaniell Bacon my sonne, and to Elizabeth, Martha, and Anne my daughters, and to their heires for eu 9 , equally to be devided amongst them ; and if it shall happen that the said Nathaniell my sonne, or any of my said daughters, shall depte this life without issue of his or her body lawful 1 y begotten, then I will and devise that the pte of him or her soe dyeing shalbe equally devided amongst the rest of my sayd children which shalbe then liveing. Item X give and devise vnto Martha my daughter all those my lands and tenem ts which X lately purchased of Anthony Baker, gent, scituate, lyeing, and being in Snape and Friston, in the countie of Suff. now in the occupacon of Robert Dymyngton, or his assignes, to haue and to hold the same, with all and singtr their apptnncf, vnto the said THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 199 Martha my daughter, and to her heires for eu. Item I give and devise vnto Anne my daughter all that my meadowe comonly called Saxmondham meadowe, ats Sedgfen, or by any other name ornames whatsoeu 9 , lyeing and beinge in Saxmondham, in the county afore- sayd, conteyning by estimacon five acres and one roode, and alsoe one little meadowe therevnto adjoyning, conteyning by estimacon one acre, which twoe meadowes were lately in the occupacon of Nathaniell Bacon of Friston aforesaid. Esq. and are now in the occupacon of Anthony Flemynge, or his assignes, to haue and to hold the sayd two meadowes, with all and singuler their apptnncf, to the said Anne my daughter, and to her heires for eu 9 . And if it shall happen that eyther of my said daughters Martha and Anne shall depte this life without yssue of her body lawfully begotten, then I give and devise the lands and tenem ts which I haue before herein given and devised to my said daughter soe dyeing, vnto my other daughter survivinge, and to her heires for ever. Item I give and bequeath vnto the sayd Martha my wife all my readie money, jewells, and debts. Item I will and my mynd and desire is, that all my plate, and all my other goods, chattells, and howshold stufFe whatsoeu 9 shall after my decease be devided into two equall ptes, and then the one part thereof I give vnto the said Martha my wife, and the other pte thereof I give and bequeath vnto Martha and Anne my daughters, to be equally devided betweene them. Item I give and bequeath vnto Elizabeth my daughter, now the wife of Mr. Thomas Burrowes, my bookes of Mr. Perkins workes, beinge conteyned in three volumes. Item I give and bequeath vnto the poore people of the towne of Burgate aforesaid the surae of six pounds of lawfull English money, to be distributed amongst them. Item I give and bequeath vnto the poore people of six seu 9 all townes next adjoineing to the towne of Burgate aforesaid, the surae of six pounds of lawfull English money, that is to say, to every one of the same six townes twentie shillings to be distri- buted amongst them. And now vpon the great trust and confi- dence which I haue and doe repose in the said Martha my wife, I 200 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF doe ordeine and make her, the said Martha my wife, my sole executrix of this my last will and testam 1 , acknowledging that I haue found fauour from the Lord, whoe in his pvidence provide soe faithfull a companion, and soe fitt a helper for me, desireing her to be carefull to see this my will pformed according to my true intent and meaninge before herein expressed and declared ; and I doe hereby revoke all former wills by me made, and I doe publish and declare this to be my last will and testament, being conteyned and written in five sheets of paper, wherevnto I haue sett my seale, and to eu 9 ry sheete thereof subscribed my name, the foure and twentieth day of September, in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand six hundred forty and seaven ; in the ^sence of those whose names are herevnder written. James Bacon. Robert Harris, Tho. Alexander. Probat. 23 Jan. 1649. [Lib. Ashton, pars I. f. 279.] Jasper Despotin, of Bury, M.D. — 1648. The thirteenth day of December, A 0 . Dni 1648, I, Jasper Des- potin, of Bury St. Edmunds, in the countie of Suffi, Docto r of Phisicke, an alien borne, but divers yeares since by the king’s favo 1 ' made free denizen, being by the grace of God in sufficient health of body, and in full vnderstanding and memory, and of a disposeing and testamentary mind, considering the divers accidents that happen to men vnexpectedly taken out of this world, that they haue not time to dispose of theire affaires in theire life time, and alsoe that if I should dye without makeing and publishing my last will my estate shold goe otherwise then I intend it, doe make, publish, and declare this my last will and testament, thereby re- vokeing, countermanding, and anulling all form wills by me at any time heretofore made : First, I give and bequeath in the Holy Ghoste my soule to Christe, the creato r and redeemer of it, and by him to God the Father, praying him which gaue his onely THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 201 begotten sonne that the world should not perish, but haue ever- lasting life by the onely meritts of his sonne ; to grant me free remission of my many and grevious sinnes, and convert her and me to be a preist to singe eternally Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabboth.” My body I leaue to the grave in faith and hope of the resurreccon of the just in the same Christe Jesus, Amen. In the meane space to be buried in the night privately by the body of my daughter Isabell, if my executrices of this my will be able to obteyne it, otherwise as my said executrices shall appoint. And for my worldly estate I dispose therof as follow- eth : I give to the poore of Bury St. Edmund’s tenne pounds sterling, to be payd within six dayes after my departure, and to be distributed at the discrecon of my executrices. And to the poor of Nedging, in the said countie of Suff., I give five pounds sterling, to be payd and distributed alsoe by my execu- trices within six dayes after my decease. Alsoe I give to my ser- vants that at the time of my death shall be actuall in my service, and shall haue serued me the space of six moneths then last past, halfe a yeare’s wages over and aboue what shalbe then due vnto them. And if they haue not then served me by the space of six moneths then last past, then I give to such of them as shall not haue serued me soe longe, soe much as theire wages shall then come too over and aboue theire wages which shall then be due. The said legacies to my servants to be payd within fifteene dayes after my decease. Alsoe I doe will and appoint ten rings of gold to be made of the value of twenty shillings a peece sterling, with a death’s head vpon some of them, within one moneth after my depture, and to be disposed of amongst my friends as my execu- trices shall thinke meet. Yet soe soone as the surviving feoffees of my manno r of Nedginge and theire wiues, that is to say, John Brand, of Edwardston, in the said countie of Suff. gent., and his wife, and John Bruninge, of Semer, in the said countie, clerke, and his wife, shall haue each of them one. Alsoe I give vnto Mr. Clegatt, Minister of St. Maries parish in Bury St. Edmunds, three camd. soc. 2 D 202 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF pounds sterling ; and to Mr. Gibbon, Minister of the parish of St. Maries in the same towne, fortie shillings sterling, to buy him a ring for a memoriall of me ; the sayd ministers legacies to be payd to them within a moneth or two after my decease : provided that if the said ministers, or either of them, shall remove from their said places, or shall not at the time of my death be in actuall possession and exercise thereof, then the legacie or legacies of him or them that shall not then be minister there to be voyd. Alsoe I give to Mr. William Bedle of Rattlesden, clerke, five pounds sterling, to be payd vnto him within one moneth after my de- cease. And whereas the said John Brand and John Bruninge, by virtue of a feoffment made to them and others since deceased, are lawfully seized to them and theire heires in fee simple, of and in all that the mannor of Nedging and the advousion, dona- tion, and free disposicon of the church and rectory of Nedging aforesaid, and diverse mesuages, lands, tenem ts , and hereditaments in Nedginge aforesaid in trust, neuthelesse in confidence, and to such intents and purposes as by the deed of feoffm* thereof made are expressed and declared, or should at any time after, by any wryting by me signed and sealed in the p> sence of foure credible wittnesses, or by my last will and testam 1 in writeinge be expressed or declared. Now I doe hereby, in pursuance of my sayd power, and for further declaracon of the said trust, will, devise, and ap- point, and doe desire the said John Brand and John Bruninge, my sayd feoffees, vpon reasonable request on that behalfe to be made soe soone after my death as conveniently maybe, to convey and assure vnto Susan Despotin, my welbeloued wife, and to Catherine Despotin and Anne Despotin, my onely daughters, and heire apparent, and theire heires, all that the said manno r of Nedging, advousion, and all other the said messuages, lands, tenem ls , and hereditaments in Nedging aforesaid, with all and singuler their appurtenances, to the vses, intents, and purposes, and vnder the provisoes, condicons, and limitacons in and by this my psent last will and testament hereafter limited, declared, de- THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 203 vised, or appointed ; that is to say, for and touching the demesnes of the said manno r of Nedginge, and all other the sayd mesuages, lands, tenem ts , and hereditaments in Nedging aforesaid, with thapjJthncP, to the use of my sayd welbeloued wife, for and dureing the terme of her nrall life. And from and after her de- cease, then for and touching all that the manno r house, or man- con house, or capitall mesuage in Nedging aforesayd, now or late in the occupacon of Stephen Chaplayn or his assignes, and all other the mesuages, lands, tenem ts , and hereditaments in Nedging afore- said, now or late alsoe in the occupacon of the said Stephen Chaplayn or his assignes, with the apjJthncp, to the vse of the said Catherine Despotin my daughter and her heires for eu ; to the intent and purpose neuthelesse that it shall and maybe lawfull to and for the sayd Anne Despotin my daughter, and her heires, to haue, take, and receive out of the same one anuity or yearely rent of thirtie pounds per annu of lawfull money of England, payable at the two vsuall feasts of St. Michaell th’archangell and Th’annunciacon of the blessed Yirgine Mary, by even and equall porcons ; the first payment thereof to beginne at such of the s d feasts as shall next and imediately happen after the decease of my said wife, with power to distreine for the same in case it shall happen to be behind and vnpayd by the space of eight and twentie dayes next after any of the s d feasts ; with provisoe neuthelesse and condicon in the sayd conveyance to be conteyned, that in case the said Katherine Despotin, her heires or assignes, shall at any of the said feasts, or within one moneth after any of the said feasts, accompting eight and twentie dayes to the moneth, pay or cause to be payd to the sayd Anne Despotin, her heires or assignes, the full sume of five hundred pounds of lawfull money of England, at or in the then mancon house or place of habitacon of the said Anne Despotin, that then and from thenceforth the sayd anuity or yearely rent of thirty pounds per ahum shall cease and be determined. And for and conSninge that mesuage or tenem 1 in Nedging aforesayd, called or knowne by the name of 204 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF Smythlands, and all other mesuages, lands, tenem ts , and heredita- ments in Nedginge aforesayd, now or late in the occupacon of Robert Rose or his assignes, from and after the decease of the sayd Susan Despotin my wife, to the vse of the sayd Anne Despotin my daughter, and her heires foreu. And for and conSninge the royallties, services, quitt-rents, courts, and perquisitts of the said manno r of Nedginge, and the advousion of the church of Nedg- inge, to the vse of the sayd Catherine Despotin my daughter, her heires and assignes foreu 9 , as shalbe reasonably devised or ad- vised and required ; and vntill such conveyance and assurance shall be made by my sayd feoffees as aforesayd, I doe hereby devise, limitt, and appoint the said manno r of Nedginge, and aduousion, and all other the said mesuages, lands, tenem ts , hereditam ts , and ^misses in Nedginge aforesayd, to my sayd wife and daughters respectively, for such estate and estates, and to such vse and vses, and to the intents and purposes, and vnder the provisoe and con- dition hereby before limited and declared ; and that the sayd John Brand and John Bruninge shall from and after my decease stand and be seised thereof in trust, for the vse of my said wife and daughters respectively for such estate and estates, and to such intents and purposes, and vnder such provisoe and condicon as aforesayd. Alsoe I give and devise vnto the said Susan Des- potin my welbeloued wife, all and singuler my houses, lands, tenements, hereditaments, and appurtenances whatsoeu 9 , freehold or leasehold, in Bury St. Edmunds aforesayd, to haue and to hold to her the said Susan dureinge soe longe time as she the said Susan shall live. And after her decease, I will and devise the same to the said Anne Despotin my daughter, her heires, exe- cuto rs , and assignes respectively. Alsoe I give and devise vnto the sayd Anne Despotin my daughter, her heires and assignes, all and singuler my mesuages, houses, lands, tenem ts , and here- ditam ts whatsoeu 9 , freehold or copyhold, in Stanton, in the sayd countie of Suff., or in any other towne therevnto neare adjoyne- inge, now or late in the occupacon of John Pennell, or his as- signes. And whereas alsoe in or aboute the fifteenth yeare of the THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 205 reigne of our sou 9 raigne king Charles, I did convey and assure vnto my said two daughters Catherine and Anne, and to Isabell theire sister, then liveing, and theire heires, divers lands, tene- ments, and hereditam ts in OrfFord, in the sayd countie of Suff., which I had in mortgage from William Sanhope, Esq. for seaven hundred pounds of lawfull money to him formerly lent, which moneys then were and still are vnpayd, and thereby the estate therein was and is become absolute. And alsoe one mannor and diverse lands, tenements, and hereditaments in the countie of Essex called or knowne by the name of Carbonells, which I alsoe had in mortgage from S r Robert Crowe, knight and Baronett, for eight hundred pounds of like money, which sume of eight hun- dred pounds being payd by the said S r Robert Crowe, was after- wards put out vpon mortgage alsoe to Isaacke Appleton, Esq. and being payd by the said Isacke Appleton, hath since been put out to Stephen Soame, Esq. vpon securitie of a lease for yeares made by him the sayd Stephen Soame and S r William Soame, knight, his father, of the manno r of Brockford, ats Brockford Hall, and other lands, tenem ts , and hereditam * 9 in Brockford, in the sayd county of Suff., and other townes adjoyneing, for divers yeares therein yet to come and vnexpired. And whereas by the death of the sayd Isabell my daughter the estate and interest in the said mortgaged finises in OrfFord aforesayd is survived and come to the sayd Catherine and Anne my daughters, and the said eight hundred pounds alsoe payd in by the sayd S r Robert Crane [sic], and now secured by mortgage from the said S r William Soame and Stephen Soame, Esq. is of right belonging to my sayd daughters Catherine and Anne, howbeit my name is vsed on theire be- halfe in the takeing of the said mortgage as securitie for the same. Now I doe hereby, for the further ratifying, confirmeing, and establishing the tytle of my said daughters Catherine and Anne to the sayd mortgaged premisses, and to the moneys there- vpon respectively due, give, will, and devise to my said daughters Catherine and Anne as well the sayd mortgaged pmisses in Or- fFord aforesayd, as alsoe the sayd jWsses in Brockford aforesaid, 206 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF or in any other towne near adjoyneinge, wherein my name was vsed as aforesayd. And all the said seu 9 all sumes of seaven hundred pounds, and eight hundred pounds, thereby secured as aforesayd, w th the proceed thereof, to haue and to hold the same to them the sayd Catherine and Anne, their heires, 6xecuto rs , and assignes respectively. And for further supply of jpsent porcon and meanes of livelyhood for my sayd daughters, I doe alsoe hereby give and bequeath vnto my said daughters the sume of five hundred pound sterling out of my personall estate, to make vp theire psent por- tions a thousand pounds a peece or vpwards. Alsoe I give vnto my said daughters all and singuler my plate, jewells, bedding, linnen, brasse, pewter, houshold stuffe, vtensills, and implem ts of house whatsoever (my bookes allwayes excepted), to be deliu 9 ed and equally to be devided betweene my sayd daughters after the death of my sayd wife. In the meane time I will and appoint that my said wife shall haue the vse thereof. And of this my last will and testament I make, constitute, and ordaine the sayd Susan Despotin my welbeloued wife, and my sayd daughters Catherine and Anne Despotin, my executrices. Provided allwayes, and my will is, that the said Catherine and Anne my daughters shall, vpon reasonable request, joyne in any such assurance or conveyance as shall be reasonably devised or advised for settleing my manno r , lands, tenements, and hereditaments, with thap- jJtnncf in Nedging aforesayd, and every parte thereof, to the vses, intents, and purposes aboue limited, and declared : or, in case either of them shall refuse and deny to doe such acts as shalbe reasonably required for settling the same and every pte thereof asaf oresayd, that then such of them soe refuseing shall haue noe benefitt by this my last will and testament, nor of any legacie thereby given. In wittnes whereof I haue herevnto sett my hand and seale, and published and declared this to be my last will and testament, the day and yeare first aboue written, and in the jJsence of Tho. Fletcher, Abraham Wright, sen., Francis Godfrey, Roger Bridon. Jasper Despotin. Prob. 22 Julij 1650. [Lib. Ashton, pars II. f. 330.] THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 207 William Fiske, of Pakenham, gent. — 1648. In the name of God, Amen. The twentieth day of March, in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand sixe hundred forty and eight, I, William Fiske, of Pakenham, in the countie of SufF. gent., being in good health and perfect memory, (I thanke God for it,) doe make this my last will and testament in manner and forme following, renownceing form wills : First, I comend my soule into the hands of Almighty God, hopeing and praying that onely through the mercie and meritts of Jesus Christe my Re- deemer, I may receive remission and pdon of all my sinnes, and may be made ptaker of eu 9 lasting life and salvacon, and my body after death I comitt to the earth to be buried in decent manner at the costs and discrecon of my executo r s hereafter named. And as touching my temporall goods and possessions, which God haue blessed me withall, I dispose of them in manner and forme fol- lowing : First, I give and bequeath vnto John Fiske, my eldest sonne, my manno r or capitall mesuage in Norton, called Hardings, together with my tenem* called Finches, wherein one William Syer now dwelleth, with all the lands, rents, and appthncf to them belonging, lyeing and being in Norton aforesaid, and in the occu- pacon of one William Muskett, to him and his heires for ever. Itm I give vnto the sayd John Fiske my sonne, one close of pasture, called Norton pasture, conteyning by estimacon therof ffortie acres, lyeing in Norton aforesaid, and holden by copie of Co rt Roll of the manno r of Norton Hall, to him and his heires foreu 9 . Itm I give vnto the said John my sonne, my mesuage or tenem 1 in Elmswell, called Marriotts, wherein one Robert Rose now dwelleth, with all the lands, and app r tnnces thereto belong- ing, together with all other my lands in Elmswell aforesayd, to him the said John and his heires foreu 9 . Ifm I give and be- queath vnto the same John my sonne, my tenement of mesuage in the towne of Sibton, in Suffolke, with the lands therto belong- 208 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF ingj now in the fearme and occupacon of one Symon Hayles, to him and his heires foreu 9 ; and he to enter all the lands before bequeathed to him fJsently after my decease. Itm I give and bequeath vnto the said John my sonne, the reu 9 con of a tenem 1 or capitall mesuage in Darsham, in the countie of Suff., with all the lands and appertenances to the sayd mesuage belonging, lye- ing in Darsham, Bliborow, and Westleton, which I lately pchased of William Hart of the said towne of Darsham, gent., to him and his heires foreu 9 . Iim I give and bequeath also vnto the said John Fiske my sonne, all that rent-charge of sixe pounds, thir- teene shillings, and foure pence, by the yeare, issuing out of my said sonnes moitie of Coldhall, in Woolpett, in the countie of Suff. which I bought of Gardener Webbe, esq., to have and to hold to my said sonne John and to his heires foreu 9 . Itm I give and bequeath unto Thomas my sonne, my tenem*, or capitall mesuage in the towne of Wramlingham, in the county of Norff., with all my lands, both free and them which are holden by copie of Court Roll, lyeing in the said towne of Wramlingham, and which I pchased of Christopher Herne, gent., and is now in the occupacon of one John Lawrence, gent., together with all thap- p r tuncf whatsoeu 9 , to him the said Thomas and his heires foreu 9 , and he to enter the same psently after my decease, and to take and enioy the rent and profitts that shall arise out of the said lands from the feast of St. Michaell the archangell next before my decease. Ifm I give and bequeath to Martha Bright, my eldest daughter, one hundred pounds of lawfull English money, to be payd vnto her by my executo r hereafter named within three moneths after my decease ; and, if shee shall thinke good, to be disposed of by her to the vse of Katharine her daughter, as she shall see cause or most convenient, my sonne-in-law, Mr. Henry Bright, makeing a true accompt and payment of such moneys as shall then be owinge to me or my executo r by reason of money lent or otherwise. Itm I give vnto the aforenamed Thomas my sonne, a silver beeker, which I vse in my chamber. I give alsoe THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 209 vnto him my horse and horse armo 1 ’, pistolls, and the other furni- ture belonging thereto for service and remaining at Pakenham. And alsoe one of the three musketts which are there, with the head peece, sword, and bandeleers. Itm I give alsoe vnto him a Geneva Byble, and eight volumes of my bookes in folio, namely, Mr. Perkyns, in three volumes, Purchas his Pilgrimes, in foure volumes, and Doct r Willett’s Sinopsis Papismi, in one volume, and alsoe Mr. Dent and Mr. Barnard theire Exposicons on the Revelacons ; onely, vpon further thoughts, my mynd is that one of Mr. Perkins volumes standing belowe in the parlor shall re- main e there still for the vse of the house, and instead thereof, I give him Gualther on the Acts. And I bequeath and leaue with my sonne John a Manuscript, or written booke in folio, which I desire he may not soe lend it to any man as to loose it or spoile it, but to keepe it as a monument of my readings, and may serue for private vse, as the first copie thereof may serve for vse to my sonne Thomas. And all the rest of my bookes which are in my studdie, together with my globe, mapps, boxes, and what- soeu 9 beside I haue in my studdie, I give vnto the said John Fiske my sonne, together with a great chest of elming borde, stand- ing in the lower gallerie, for to putt therein the bookes, and alsoe a long box in the vpper gallery to put in the great mapp, being rolled vp. Itm all my linnen, bedding, and whatsoeu 9 houshold stuffe beside, not before bequeathed, which I haue re- maining at Pakenham, whereof I made an inventorie at my come- inge hither, and which may be found amonge other papers, I give vnto my sonne John Fiske and Martha Bright my eldest daughter, to be equally devided betwixt them. The rest of my houshold stuffe elsewhere, together with all my moueable goods vnbequeathed, bills, bonds, and debts, both private and publike, I give vnto my executo 1 ’ and his heires to enioy the same psently after my decease. And I alsoe bequeath vnto him twoe hundred pounds of lawfull English money and the profitts thereof, which 200 ti. was payd at twise into the Chamber of London for the camd. soc. 2 E 210 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF service of Ireland, according to an ordinance or ordinances of the king and both houses of Parliament. Itm I give vnto Mary Fiske and Margarett Mead owes, my two youngest daughters, five pounds a peece, to be payd within one moneth next after my decease by my executo r . Itm I give vnto John Alby of Nor- wich, my cosen, forty shillings of lawfull English money, to be payd vnto him yearely by my executo r dureing his life, that is to say, without demand, ten shillings to be sent him every quarter, except he shall obteyne the benefitt of liveing in the hospitall. And whereas, in anno 1630, I beganne a guift of a dozen of bread weekely to be given to the poore of the towne of Norton in Suff., my mynd and desire is that the same guift may continue to the world’s end. And therefore I doe appoint and ordeyne that within one yeare next after my decease, my said sonne John shall to that end conveigh and assure into certaine feoffees hands, such feoffees as my said sonne John and my cosen Charles Tur- ner of that towne shall nominate and appoint, two peeces of mea- dow lyeing together within Ixworth, and sett out by dooles, con- teyning about two acres and an halfe, which meadow ground I pchased of William and John Parker of Ixworth aforesaid, at the price of fifty-five pounds. And the said two peeces of meadow to be thus conveyed and assured, vizt. Twelve pence a weeke to goe out of it for eu 9 , to pay weekely for one dozen of bread, which comes yearely to fiftie and two shillings $ and the residue of the rent or profitts of the said meadowe ground to remaine to the sayd John and his heires, to be disposed of as they shall thinke good. And my mind is that the dozen of bread weekely to be sent in shalbe such bread and soe provided as the minister and two cheife officers of the same pish shall thinke fitt and conve- nient. And shall alsoe be weekely given vnto twelue or thirteene such persons as they shall thinke most worthy and to haue most need ; and if by alteracon of tymes the said yearly sume of 52 s. shall fall short, my mynd and will is that my said sonne John and his heires by supply shall make such provision by good THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 211 security, as that the said guift may euer be continued. And iny desire is that the bounds and dooles of the said two peeces of meadowe and euery pte thereof may be carefully kept and ctainely knowne. Item I doe nominate and appoint John Fiske my sonne, often before named, to be sole executo r of this my last will and testament for the probate and due execucon thereof. And in wittnes that this is my last will and testament, I have subscribed my name and affixed my seale in the psence of these wittnesses vnderwritten. William Fiske. Witnessed by vs, Walter Callow, Nathaniell Pricke. Prob. 9 Jan. 1649. [Lib. Ashton, pars I. f. 284.] Sir Edmund Bacon, Bart. — 1648. Since, by the mercie of Almightie God, I am at this time in per-* feet memorie and vnderstanding, I haueing occasion to make this my last will and testanfi, I sett it downe as followeth : humbly beseeching the Lord of all mercie and compassion to cleare me from all my sinnes and iniquities by the bloud of Jesus Christe, that by the imputacon of his righteousnesse my soule may be saued in the day of accompt and glorified amongst the elect. For my body, I desire it may be layd in the vault vpon the north syde of the chancell of Redgraue church, vnder the monument I haue erected for my deare wife. And I will that noe funerall pompe be bestowed at my buriall ; and I desire that afterwards the passage into the vault be bricked and filled up. For my personall estate, I give as followeth : I give vnto my brother Mr. Robert Bacon, of Riborowe, all my guilt and silver vessell, plate, and spoones, not otherwise bequeathed, which appeares sett downe in an inventary. I give him alsoe all the wine and beere I shall leaue in my house at the time of my death, and all my corne either in my house or standing abroad, and all the hey, together with all the bedds of what kynde soever I shall leaue at the time of my death, not 212 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF otherwise disposed of, and all the deere in my parkes at Redgraue and Thornage. I give also vnto my sayd brother Mr. Robert Bacon all my houshold stuffe, as well linnen as otherwise, not otherwise bequeathed, bedding, hangings, and carpetts belonging to my houses at Redgraue and Thornage, and whatsoever vtensills belong- inge to my milhouse, stables, barnes, and all the outhouses, cart- houses, buttry, vessells in the cellars, pastry, kitchen, larder, brew- house, bakehouse, and the gardens, and the netts for fishinge, and all my vessells of brasse, copper, pewter, and lead, and my houldbards. I give further vnto him all my armo 1 ', peeces, pistolls, swords, and saddles, and whatsoeu 9 belonges to armes, not otherwise be- queathed, being either in the armory or the little roome adioneinge to it. I give also vnto him my blacke velvett footcloath layd with good and silver lace, with the furniture to it, and the best bitt I shall leaue, and my guilt stirropps. I give alsoe vnto my brother Mr. Robert Bacon my white marble bason, and what stood forrn ; ly aboute it, in the parlo r garden. I give vnto my cozen Mr. Maurice Barrowe my silver standish. Item I give vnto the towne of Redgraue, and to the townes of Botesdale, ffifty pounds, to be bestowed as my executo rs shall thinke best, to the vse of the poore in each parish ; and my will is that the overseers of each parish doe give an account of the benefitt of it layd out to the poore yearely before the Justices, which shall take the accompt within a moneth after Easter day. And my will and meaninge is that it be delinked as an increase of the benefitt of the poore, and not to lessen any part of the colleccon which shall be allowed otherwise for the supporting of the poore in each parish. Item I give to John White, my servant, and to his heires for ever, my messuage called Purdyes, with thapf?tuncf, and one peece of ground called Tynkers, sometimes a messuage, now wasted, both which lye in Botesdale, sometimes Anthony Fales, and lately belonginge to Mrs. Anne Butts, my grandmother, deceased, and now are in the possession and occupacon of the sayd John White, my steward, or his assignes. I give vnto the town of Halstead THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 213 neere Bury, thirty pounds, to be disposed of to the best profitt that shall be thought fitting by mine executo rs , and the benefitt thereof to goe to the sexten of that parish, or some other appointed by six of the cheife inhabitants of that towne, the minister being one, for the well looking to the two toombes in that church, the one being the tombe of S r Robert Drury and my deare sister his wife, and thother that of my neece Elizabeth their daughter. The like sume I give vnto the towne of Redgraue of thirty pounds, vpon the condicon, for the keeping cleane and maintaininge in good repacons the tombe of my deare wife and the isle I budded to place it in, adioyning to the chancell on the north part, and is to be disposed on alsoe as mine executors shall thinke fittinge. And whereas my late deceased father, by his last will and testand, after paym 1 of other legacies devised as well the residue of ctaine plate, as alsoe certaine moneys therein menconed, vnto my brothers Mr. Robert Bacon and S r Butts Bacon, which seu 9 all legacies, albeit I have truly sattisfied with a great overplus and advantage to either of them, in the incumbrances since happened and well known to my said brothers, being desireous to pvent all future questions which may arise betwixt them or either of them and mine executo rs , concerning the same, for the sake of mine executo rs in that behalfe. And that this my last will and testa- ment may be duely pformed, I doe herein and hereby, as well in pformance of the seu 9 all provisoes, powers, and authorities by me saued and reserued in and by one indenture triptite, beareing date the tenth day of September, in the sixteenth yeare of the reigne of our sou 9 aigne Lord King Charles of England, &c . ; as alsoe to declare my true intent and meaninge, touchinge all and every the vses and estates respectiuely limitted vnto my sayd brothers Robert Bacon and S r Butts Bacon, in and by the sayd indentures ; as alsoe all and every the legacies by this my last will and testam* to my said two brothers devised are all meant and intended, and hereby so deemed to be, aswell in full recompense and satisfaccon of all legacies, guifts, and bequests, in and by the sayd last will 214 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF and testam* of my sayd late ffather to them seuall devised as aforesaid, as in testimony of my intire loue and affeccon to them, in which respect my further will, intent, and meaninge is, and I doe hereby further manifest and declare, that before such time as any of my said brothers, Mr. Robert Bacon and S r Butts Bacon, shall take any benefitt by this my last will and testam*, shall seu 9 ally and respectiuely vnder their hands and seales release to my sayd executo 1 ’ 3 all and all maner of legacies, sume and sumes of money, to them or either of them devised or bequeathed by the last will and testam 1 of my late father ; and such of my said two brothers as vpon reasonable request of my sayd executo rs shall refuse to make such release, and shall neuthelesse sewe, molest, and trouble mine execu- to rs or the executo rs of mine executors, touching or con2ninge such legacie or legacies or overplus money, to him devised by the last will and testament of my said late ffather, which neu 9 thelesse I am confident he will not doe, that then and from thence forth the estate and estates to him and his heires males of his body, in and by the sayd indenture triptie Unfitted, to cease, determine, and be vtterly voyd. Now whereas $ r Nicholas Bacon, my grandfather, Lord Keeper of the great Seale of England, did by his indenture dated the seaven and twentieth day of May, in the eight yeare of Queene Elizabeth, convey to diverse ffeoffees, in the same indenture men- coned, the moyetie of the mannor of Burgate with thappthncf (inter alia) to the vse of himselfe for life, the remainder to S r Nicholas Bacon his sonne for life, the remainder to the first be- gotten sonne in tayle, with diverse provisoes and remainders ; and further (inter alia) that it should be lawfull for every of the psons inheritable by force of the sayd indenture and limittacons of vses therein expressed, haueing and being in seisin in the sayd mannor with the appurtenances aforesaid, to make his last will and testa- ment of the same, and thereby devise and bequeath the issues^ revenews, and profitts of the said rnanno 1 ’ with thapp r tnncf afore- said, and all and singuler the lands, tenem ts , and hereditam* 3 , what- soeu 9 accepted, reputed, and taken, as pte and pcell or member of THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 215 the sayd mannor, for and dureing the space of seaven yeares next after his decease soe estated, as by the sayd indenture appeareth ; and whereas the said Lord Keeper, by his indenture dated the tenth day of Aprill in the fifteenth yeere of the sayd Queene Elizabeth, conveyed and assured the other moyetie of the said manno r of Burgate, with ttdapp r thncf, to diuerse other ffeoffees in the same indenture menconed, to the same or like effect, vses, and provisoes, in the same first indenture menconed appeareth, now I, $ r Edmund Bacon, haueing an estate and interest of inheri- tance of the pmisses by virtue of the sayd sen 9 all conveyances made as aforesaid, doe hereby and herein, according to the seu 9 all and respectiue provisoes, powers, and authorities in and by the sayd two last seu 9 all resited indentures, devise, bequeath, limitt and appoint the sayd mannor and lands w th the app r tnnc£ for the terme of seaven yeares next ensewing after my decease vnto my brother Mr. Robert Bacon, and his heires. I give vnto the poore of the townes wherein I dye seised of any farme or farmes the sume of threescore pounds, to be proporconably devided, soe neare as may be, vnto the number of the poore of the seuall places ; but the poore of the parishes of Redgraue and Botesdale are to haue nothinge of it, in regard I haue bestowed other- wise vpon them. I desire my servants, who haue a mind to it, may remaine at my charge at Redgraue hall six weekes after my decease, which time I intreat my brother Mr. Robert Bacon, and his heires, to allowe them ; and that they who will not stay, may haue a reasonable proporcon in money payd them for their dyetts by mine executo rs for that time ; and that vpon the six weekes end or before they shall haue their wages payd them which shall be due at the time of my death. And the legacies which I haue given them and others, I would haue discharged soe soone as may be after my decease, I leaueing them ready money to doe it withall. Among the rest of my debts I owe vnto the towne of Botesdale tenn pounds, which 1 will shall be paid w*hin a moneth after my decease, and soe much interest for the money, according to eight 216 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF in the hundred, as shall be due at that tyme (the interest of it was payd at Hallowmas, 1647). I would haue within a moneth after my decease a barrell of good gunpowder of a lOO 11 waight, deliued vnto one of the cheife constables of the hundred of Hartesmere, I haueing receiued it for the vse of my company, and not haueinge vsed it I desire it may be put into the magazine. I give vnto the right hono Me the Lady Wootton, widowe to the Lord Edward Wotton deceased, Baron of Marly, one hundred pounds, together with the limned picture of my wife, which I knowe will be accep- table vnto her in regard of the great loue which was betweene them. I give alsoe vnto her La pp , the landskipp inamiled vpon gold which is in the Dutch cabinett in my closett. To my neece the Lady Howell, daughter to the Lord Thomas Wotton deceased, I give my diamond ring, given my wife by my lord her ffather. I give vnto my Lady Mentice, daughter to my brother S r Nathaniell Bacon, the box with pearle, sealed vpp, with the name of my sister Waldegraue vpon it. I give vnto the eldest daughter of my nephew Robert Bacon, sonne to my brother Mr. Robert Bacon, of Riborowe, my feather sett wffi diamonds, being in the iron chest. I give vnto my neece Mrs. Jemimah Cletheroe, daughter to Mr. Henry Cletheroe, ffifty pounds. I give vnto Mr. Bacon Gawdy, my nephew, three hundred pounds, willing him to pay ffifty pounds of it to his sonne Francis Gawdy, soe soone as he hath received the money. I give vnto the widowe Susan Gawdy, my nephew Captaine Gawdyes widowe, who was slayine at Mastricht, ffifty pounds. To her daughter Susan, ffifty pounds, and to Bassingborne her sonne, ffifty pounds. I give vnto my brother, S r Butts Bacon, Baronett, eleaven dozen and six buttons of gold that are sett vpon a sute that I weare. I give him alsoe five hundred pounds of money, and five hundred pounds worth of plate. I give him alsoe my achate with the picture of the butterfly in it, and the pendant hanging on it, the stonne found in Botesdale streete. I give him alsoe ffifteene clasps of gold like scallop-shels, which are in Arthur’s keeping. I give him alsoe THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 217 the chayne it hangeth at. I give vnto my nephew Mr. Henry Bacon, sonne to my brother S r Butts Bacon, one hundred pounds. I give vnto Mr. Payton Bacon, my nephew, sonne to my brother Mr. Robert Bacon, of Riborowe, twenty pounds. I give vnto my nephew Mr. Butts Bacon, sonne of my brother Mr. Robert Bacon, of Riborowe, one hundred pounds, and my great limbecke, in the laboratory. I give vnto my nephew Mr. Nicholas Bacon, of Gislingham, my little black stocked peece in- layed with silver, and my case of redd stocked pistolls, and my flaske to them, inlayed with silver. I give him alsoe my achate with Queene Elizabeth’s picture in it, and the chaine of achate it hangs at of thirty beads. I give him alsoe my Iseland cornelian stonne sett in gold, with the antike figure in it. I give alsoe vnto him my meddall of the synode at Dort, which is in the hands of George Gardiner. I give him alsoe my chaine of beads with scrues. I give vnto my nephew Mr. William Brooke my guilt wrought sword and the girdle and hangers to it. I give vnto James Har- vey my servant, and to his heires, all that my mesuage w th the apptnancef, called Cotterells, in Botesdale, and one peece of land adjoineing to the same, sometimes Anthony Fales, and lately be- longing to Mrs. Anne Butts, my grandmother. I give vnto Mr. Phillip Jacob, minister of Nether Rickingale, who in my ffather’s tyme did often supply the place of a chaplyn vnto me, twenty pouuds. I give vnto Captaine Bokenham my good friend, ten pounds, and my damaske sword, with the handle of perfect gold, with the girdle and hangers to it. I give vnto Mr. John Crad- docke, minister of Barrowe, my great grinding-stonne of purfure with the muller to it, and the little grinding-stonne of purfere with the muller to it. I give him alsoe my two perspectives of Saint Marke, hanging in the chamber of my laboritary. I give vnto my servants and some others as followeth : I give vnto Mr. Coppyn, my chaplyn, one hundred pounds, and all the bookes he hath in his hands of mine. To George Gardiner, my clarke, I give two hundred pounds, and the best gelding of mine CAMD. SOC. 2 F 218 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF he can choose. To John White, my steward, threescore pounds. To Bowser Gyles one hundred pounds. To Mrs. Anne Brampton, my servant, one hundred and ffifty pounds. To Arthur Marsh I give one hundred and ffifty pounds, and all my weareing apparrell not otherwise disposed of, and the linnen whatsoeu 9 I vse to weare about my body. I give also vnto him the cuppord in my chamber. I give vnto Mr. Richard Hinsloe, the phesicon, dwelling in Wortham, ten pounds besides whatsoeu 9 is due to him for phisike for myselfe, my houshold, and others by my appointment. I give him alsoe my great herball, bound in leather, composed by Mr. John Parkinson, appothecary. To John Flood fourescore pounds. To Leonard Goodburne, my cooke, fforty pounds. To John Nelson, my coachman, ffourescore pounds. To Wiftm Tevis my brewer, thirty pounds. To James Harvey, my servant, ffortie pounds. To Thomas Mayor three- score pounds. To Henry Bond, my gardner, fourescore pounds. To Thomas Coppyn, my servant, threescore pounds. To Eliza- beth, the wife of Arthur Marsh, ffifty pounds. To John Lymber fforty pounds. To Anne Disney, ais Pett, thirty pounds. To goodwife Mayor, who helps in the dayrie, three pounds. To Ed- mund Steggell five pounds. To Edward Toi lifer five pounds. To old John Tollifer of Rickingalle, tenne pounds. To Anne Bed- wall, my servant, twenty pounds. To Thomas Tevis, who helps in the garden, ten pounds. To Robert Amys, the brick-burner, of Redgraue, ten pounds. To James Stearne, one of my butlers, twentie pounds. To William Trower twentie pounds. To Rich- ard Eng twenty pounds. To Martyn Turner twentie pounds. To Nicholas M alley, the boy in the stable, three pounds. To John Last, my warriner, thirty pounds. To William Padnall, my servant, ten pounds. To William Lumnis, my kitchen boy, three pounds. To Samuel Cooper, the bayliffe, ten pounds. To John Bond, the baker, five pounds. To Robert Worlidge, the husband- man, five pounds.’ To James Yonge, the husbandman, five pounds. To George Betts, my keeper, five pounds. To Edward THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 219 Bally, my servant, three pounds. I give towards the maintenance of the lecture vpon the markett day in the towne of Botesdale, three pounds and ten shillings a yeare, to be issuing out of my closes called Barker’s field, in Botesdale, to be payd quarterly to the churchwardens of Botesdale for the time being, soe longe as the Protestant religion continueth that is now professed in the church of England. And of this my last will and testament, I make my executo rs , my brother Robert Bacon, of Riborowe, and my nephew Robert Bacon, of Thornage, his sonne, and my cozen Mr. Francis Bacon of Ipswich, not doubting, out of the love that hath been betwixt us, but that they will pforme and execute what is in the same with what speed conveniently may be, there being money enough left to pay all the legacies given in money by this my last will ; and my debts, legacies, and charges of my buriall being discharged, I give vnto my said executo rs , Robert and Ro- bert, all my goods, plate, jewells, moneys, houshold stuffe and personall estate not forrSly bequeathed ; and to my cozen Mr. Francis Bacon I give one hundred pounds. And my will and meaning is, that I give it him to be an assistant to my other exe- cuto rs , and that he meddle not with any pte of the estate ; but if it shall fall out that my sayd cozen hath any charge about the businesse of my will, my will is that he be payd it by my two other executo rs . And in wittnes that this is my last will and testam*, I haue subscribed to euery leafe thereof and setto my seale, being in number nine. And hereby revokeing all former wills, I doe constitute and make this my last will and testam 1 , and doe publish and declare the same this second day of Octo- ber, anno Dni 1648, annoq, regni regis Caroli nunc Angliae, &c. vicesimo quarto, in the j^sence of Will. Morris, James Betts, Ro- bert Pleasance. Edm. Bacon. Probat. apd London, 2 Maij, 1649. [Lib. Ashton, pars I. f. 182.] 220 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF Mary Chapman, of Bury, widow.— 1649. In the name of God, Amen. I Mary Chapman, of Bury St, Ed’s, in the countie of Suff., widowe, and relict of Thomas Chapman, grocer, deceased, being in disposeing memorie, doe make and ordeine this my last will and testament in manner following : Inpris, I give vnto my daughter Mary Chapman, my posted settworke bedstead and liu 9 ry cupbord to it, together with a feather bed, a feather bolster, two pillowes, a greene rugg, a paire of vallence and curtaines, two blanketts, a chaire and two stooles, a little flockbedd and my best flocke bolster ; alsoe one trundle bedstead and an halfe trundle bedstead, a cribb, a glas- case, a leafe table, a forme, a great kettle, a great skillett and a little square table, a frying-pan ; also a greene chaire and two stooles wrought ; alsoe two fine towells and a course one ; alsoe one long table cloath and a short table cloath, and a fine holland cupbord cloath ; alsoe a fine paire and a course paire of sheets ; also halfe a dozen plaine napkins ; also three fine pillow beers } alsoe a long darnisle carpett, a little darnisle carpett and curtaine of the same ; alsoe my watered grogerin gowne and watered gro- gerin petticoate with a silver lace ; alsoe my coloured tawny gowne and rose-coloured tawny petticoate, a little truncke, a paire of cobjrons, fire-pan, and tonges with brasse heads, and my Byble. Item I give vnto my sonne Thomas Chapman my great caldron, alsoe a great flockbedd and a little flockebed, a blew rugg, and a blankett, an old kiverlett, a feather bolster, and my great truncke. Item I give vnto my sonne John a featherbed, a feather bolster, and a flocke bolster, a blew kiverlett and a blankett, a paire of mustard quearnes ; also my muskett, rest, bandileers, sword and headpeece, my jacke, a fine paire of sheets, and a hutche. Item I give vnto my daughter Anna my greene bedstead, a paire of greene vallence and curtaines, a featherbedd, bolster, and two pillowes, a yellow rugg and two blanketts, a greene chaire and THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 221 foure laced stooles ; alsoe a trundle bedsted, a liu 9 y cupbord, a keepe, two wrought chaires, my two lesser kettles, my brasse pott, two little skilletts, a little round table, halfe a dozen diap napkins, a fine to well and two course ones, a fine paire of sheets and a course paire, two diap table cloaths, a short table cloath, and three course pillow beers. Item I give vnto my daughter Martha two wrought backchaires, my silver bodkyn, my blacke silke hood, my wrought wastcoate and wicker chaire. And my will is that all my pewter be equally divided by waight betweene foure of my children, viz*. Mary, Thomas, John, and Anna. Item I give to my sister Fuller my silke gowne and my best crosscloath, handkerchiefe, and paire of foresleeues, which she shall chuse, to be deliu 9 ed to her within one moneth after my decease. And I will that my beareing cloath should be for the vse of my said sister and my daughters Mary and Anna, each of them to haue it when they haue occasion to vse it, and she that last beare children to haue it for ever. Itm I give vnto my sonne Thomas and to his heires foreu 9 , my mesuage or tenem 1 in the great mkett place in Bury, over against the Crosse, with the garden an|l all other thapfJtnncf therevnto belonging, as the same is or lately was in the possession of William Carter, ironmonger, and Robert Docking, barber. And if it shall happen that my s d sonne depart this life before his accomplishment of the age of one and twentie years, and dye without issue of his body lawfully begotten, that then the same mesuage with th’app r - tnnc£ to be sold by my executo rs hereafter named and to be equally devided betwixt those of my children that doe survive ; onely to my daughter Martha, I give but ffortie pounds out of it, she being well pvided for by her grandmother, and their seuall pts to be payd vnto them at their age of one and twentie yeares, or day of marriage, which shall first happen. And if it shall soe fall out that the sayd house be sold for the payment of their pte that comes first of age, my will is that the profitts of the re- maininge pte be imployed towards the maintenance of those who 222 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF shall not then be of age, till they shall receive their legacies as abouesaid. And my will is that the rent of the sayd mesuage be imployed towards the maintenance of my children which my father or mother shall keepe. And my will is, that if any of my said children depart this life before his, her, or their accomplish- ment of the age of one and twentie yeares, or die without issue lawfully begotten, then the pte or ptes of houshold stuffe, linnen, and apparell aboue bequeathed, of him, her, or them soe deceasing, to be equally devided amongst my children that doe survive. And I doe nominate, constitute, and appoint my fiather John Fran eke, and my brother Charles Francke, executo rs of this my last will and testament. And in case my ffather depart this life before my mother Mary Francke, then I will that my said mother should be executrix with my said brother. In wittnes whereof I have herevnto sett my hand and seale the xij* 11 day of November, in the yeare of our Lord God 1649. The m 9 ke of Mary Chapman, Signed and sealed in the pnee of Frances Harrison, Edward Oxborough. Probat. 17 Apr. 1650. [Lib. Ashton, pars II. f. 309.] Robert Bacon, of Redgrave, Esq. — 1650 . In the name of God Amen. On the xxx th day of May, in the yeare of our Lord, accordinge to the computacon of the Church of England, one thousand six hundred and ffiftie, I, Robert Bacon, of Redgraue, in the countie of Suff., Esq. being in goodhealth and of sound and perfect memory, God be thanked therefore, yet considering the ffrailtie and incertaintie of this life, and being desireous to settle a course for payment of my debts, and provision for my wife, and my children yet vnprovided for, and for other good causes me therevnto moueinge, doe make and ordaine this my last will and testament in maner following : First, I bequeath my soule into the hands of Jesus Christe my Redeemer, who soe THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 223 dearely hath bought it even with his most precious bloud, and doe hope by his mercies to receive everlasting happines, and my body I will to be buried at Redgraue aforesaid, and to be layd in the vault there wherein the body of S r Nicholas Bacon, knight and baronett, my grandfather, was layd. And whereas I haue by ffyne and recovery, and by certaine indentures, caused divers manno rs , lands, tenem ts , and hereditam ts , to be conveyed to S r John Hobart, baronett, S r Wiliam Doily, knight, my sonne-in-lawe George Reve, esq. George Gardiner, gent, and John Spendlowe, vpon trust for payment of my debts and legacies, as in the said indentures now fully appeareth, I doe hereby desire my said freinds soe trusted to se my debts payd and trust pformed, according as 1 haue directed the same to be done. And whereas by indenture quadrptite, beareing date the twentieth day of May, in the yeare of our Lord one thousand six hundred and ffiftie, made betweene S r Robert Bacon, baronet, my father, and Phillip Bacon, my sister, of the first part ; me the said Robert Bacon, on the second pte ; Isaac Appleton, esq., my sonne Edmund Bacon, and Mrs. Elizabeth Crane, on the third pte; and the said Roger Reve, esq. on the fourth pte ; and by fine accordingly levyed by me and my said ffather, to the said Isaac Appleton and his heires, the manno rs of Thornage and Briston, with all the lands, tenements, meadowes, pastures, woods, and hereditaments to the said manno rs , or either of them, belonging, or in any wise appteyninge, with theire and every of theire rights, members, and appurtenances, and all other the lands, tenem ts , meadows, pastures, woods, and hereditam ts of me or my said ffather, scituate, lyeing, and being in Thornage^ Briston, Brimingham, Sharpington, and Letheringsett, or in any of them, with thapp r ten^ncf ; except the lands in Briston, Brinton, and Brimingham aforesaid, then forrSly conveyed to the vse of me the said Robert Bacon and my heires ; and except eight acres of land in Thornage, in the occupacon of Richard Cleve, are conveyed and limited to the j mediate vse and behoofe of my selfe for my life, and after my decease for and touchinge all 224 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF such and soe much of the said manno r , lands., and pmisses as I the said Robert Bacon should by any wryting or wrytings vnder my hand and scale, or by my last will in wryting, lymmitt or appoint for joynture or estate of Catherine my wife, or any other wife or wiues which I should after happen to marry, to the vse and behoof of the said Catherine or such other wife or wiues, for and dureing the terme of theire seu 9 all and respective life or lives, or other terme, and in such manner and forme and with such condicons and limitacons as by such wryting or wrytings, or last will, as aforesaid, should be limitted and appointed, as in the said indenture quadrapertite fully appeareth. Now by virtue and in psuance of the intent and meaning of the said indenture, and the said power therein to me as afore limitted, and out of my especial! loue and affeccon vnto the said Catherine my now wife, and for her better livelyhood and maintenance and increase of her joynture, and that she may be more able to educate my children as she shall think fitt, I doe by this my last will in wrytinge will, limitt, and appoint, all the said manno rs , lands, ten ts , hereditaments, and ^misses, (except as is before excepted,) shall imediately from and after my decease goe remaine, and be by force and virtue of the said inden- ture and ffyne, vnto the said Katherine my beloued wife, for and dureing her widowhood, and that the said ffyne be and inure accordingly. Item, I give vnto my wife two thousand pounds, to be payd by my said ffeoffees or trustees of my estate within a yeare after my death, that if she please she may give it to my daughter Anne, if she shall marry to her likeinge. And I give vnto my wife all my houshold stuffe at Thornage, with my stocke and goods there, soe that within a moneth after my dejith she enter bond to my trustees of my estate to leaue the stocke at her death to my sonne Edmund soe good in value as she shall find the same at my death. And if she shall refuse to enter such bond, then my said bequest to her of the stocke shalbe voyd. And my desire is that she shall not entermarry with any, but live singly, soe that she may be better able to provide for my children, which THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 225 I leaue to her care. And if she shall marry with any, then my will is that she shall not haue the said houshold stuffe, stocke, or goods bequeathed to her as aforsaid any longer then vntill her day of marriage, nor shali haue that increase of joynture and estate in Thornage which I haue heretofore given to her longer then she shall live and continue a widowe without marrying of her selfe after my death to any other pson whatsoeu 9 . Item I give vnto my two daughters Jemima and Frances seu 9 ally, to either of them two thousand pounds of currant money of England, to be payd to them within one halfe yeare after my death, if I shall live vntill they atteyne the age of eighteene yeares or more. And if it shall happen that I shall dye before that time, then my will is that theire said porcons shalbe payd at theire ages of eighteene yeares respectively. And my will is the feoffees in trust which I haue made for the paying of my debts and legacies, by the sale or profitts of those lands and goods which I haue intrusted them with, shall rayse and pay the said porcons, and employ them after the raising thereof vnto the vse of my said two daughters respec- tively, vntill they come to theire ages of eighteene yeares old, and shall allowe to my said daughters but after the rate of six pounds in the hundred pounds for the interest or profitt of theire said porcons after the raising of them. And my desire is that my wife should haue the bringing of them vp vntill theire seu 9 all ages of eighteene yeares, if it shall please God to give my wife life soe long, and that they shall either of them haue payd by my said friends trusted, to my said wife soe longe as they shall be vnder her educacon, thirty pounds for theire cloathes, educacon, and dyett yearely, and every yeare, soe long as they shalbe vnder the age of eighteene yeares aforesaid, and vntill they shall receive profitt of theire said porcons ; the said thirtie pounds to be payd halfe yearely by equall porcons. And if my said daughters Jemima and Frances, or either of them, happen to dye before the age of eigh- teene yeares and marriage, then my will is that the porcon of her soe dyeing shall cease and be voyd, and the moneys raised or CAMD. SOC. 2 G 226 WILLS FROM THE COURT OF to be raised for the same, shalbe imployed for the performance of the trust reposed for the payment of my debts. Item I give to my said ffather S r Robert Bacon my browne colt, that one of his servants hath now to bring to a pace. Item I give to my sonne Edmund his wife ffiftie pounds, to buy her a jewell withall. Item I give vnto my sonne Edmund Bacon all my plate, brasse, pewter, linnen, woollen, bedding, hangings, wood worke, houshold stufFe, and furniture, at the house at Redgraue aforesaid, with all my rideing horses, hawkes, and doggs, and theire furniture. My coach and coach horses I give vnto my wife. Item I give vnto my said sonne-in-lawe Mr. George Reve ten pounds, and to my daughter his wife twentie pounds to buy a ring or jewell withall. Item I give to either of my sisters ten pounds a peece to buy them jewells withall, to be payd to them within one yeare after my death. Item I give vnto my brother Paxton Bacon twenty pounds, to be payd within three yeares after my death to him, or to whom he shall appoint it. Item I give vnto my servant John Youngman twenty pounds, to be payd him within one yeare after my death. Item I give vnto Mr. Foster, minister of God’s word, of Redgraue, fforty shillings, to buy him a ring withall. Item I give vnto Christopher Seaman, minister of God’s worde at Little Snoreing, ffortie shillings, to buy a ring withall. Item I give vnto my cousin Mr. Richard Newton, of great Snorrige, twenty pounds, to be payd within one yeare after my death. Item my mynd is that Thomas Norton, my groome, shall haue ffiftie pounds payd to him within one yeare after my death, if he shalbe then liveing ; and that my brother Butts Bacon, whom I haue in- trusted with the estate of the house or cottage in which the said Norton now liveth, shall surrender the said house and cottage to the vse of the said Norton and his wife, and the longer liver of them, for terme of their lives and after to my heires. I meane the house onely and the yard. Itm I give vnto my servant John Spendlowe twenty pounds, to be payd to him two yeares after my death. Itm I give vnto Thomas Ringer, my servant, ten pounds. THE COMMISSARY OF BURY, ETC. 22/ to be payd within three yeares after my death. Item, I give vnto John Hargraue my servant, ffive pounds, to be payd within one yeare after my death. Item, I give vnto William Clarke my ser- vant ffive pounds, to be payd within one yeare after my death. Item, I give vnto the poore of Redgraue and Botesdale twentie pounds. And to the poore of Thornidge ffive pounds. Item, I give vnto my true friend S r John Tracy, of Stifkey, twenty pounds. The rest and residue of all my goods and personall estate what- soeu 9 in this my will not before given or disposed of, I doe will vnto my executo rs towards the paym 1 of my debts and legacies aforesaid. And I doe ordaine and make my sayd beloued wife, my sonne Edmund, my said sonne in lawe George Reve, and the said George Gardiner, my executo rs of this my will, desireing them to see the same performed. In wittnes whereof I haue to this my last will, conteyned in six sheets of paper, subscribed my name and putte my seale the day and yeare first aboue written, Robert Bacon. Subscribed, sealed, and published by the said Robert Bacon, to be his last will and testament, in the psence of Fra. Bacon, Fr. Bacon, Jo. Barker. Proved in London, 30 Sept. 1652. [Liber Ashton, pars II. 555, et seq.] NOTES. P. 1, 1. 12. j. portiforium. A book containing the antiphonal service, sometimes accompanied by musical notes. In 1396 Robert Stabeler, priest, bequeathed “ magnum portiforium notatum, excepto tamen quod diebus dominicis etalijs diebus festivis predictum portiforium ponatur in choro ad deserviendum ibidem.” [Lib. Osberne, f. 66.] In 1899 Galfridus Glemesford “assignat pro j portiphorio de novo faciendo in cancellis ecclesise sancti Jacobi Apostoli, x. marcas, sub condicione quod portiphorium secundarium ibidem ad presens existens deibi amoveatur et ponatur coram altari Sancti Johannis Baptiste ad per- petuum usum ejusdem altaris.” [Ibid. f. 95.] In 1503 Christopher Sekker, priest, be- queathed to ‘ ‘ William Breggs, that gooth to scole with me, myn portoose and all my gramer bokys, yf so be he be a preest.” [Lib. Pye, f. 124.] And in 1509 syr William Taylour, priest, bequeathed his “ whyte portos coueryd with white ledyr to the chapell in the college [at Bury St. Edmund’s], ther to be cheynyd in the same, and to contynue.” [Lib. Mason, f. 9.] 1. 18. Forsariis. Forcers or caskets; French forcier. P. 2, 1. 5. Ecclesiastical sepultures. What is now understood by the phrase “ Christian burial,” in which form it occurs in the will of Cecilia wife of John Coolyn, 1427. The addition, in some instances, of the words “ in cancellis” has led authors to consider it to refer to the “ holy sepulchre ” in which the host was reserved from Good Friday to Easter; and Sir John Cullum [Hist. Hawsted, 2d edit. p. 16.] quoting from the will of “ John Meryell, of Hausted, 1480,” the direction to be buried “ in the holy sepulchre that is in the cherch yerd of Hausted,” remarks, in a note, on the extraordinary position of “ the holy sepulchre” in that parish. The passage, however, was not extracted with due care. The will has no reference to Hawsted, but Stansted, and the direction is that his body is to be buried “ in the holy sepulture, that is, in the cherche yeerd of Stansted; ” and is a literal translation of the common latin form. The will of John Sergeaunth, chaundler, of Bury, 1496, expressly says “ in the holy sepulture of the cherche yeerd of Seynt Marie.” 1. 13. Oilde de dusze. A leaden token in the possession of the Rev. H. Hasted, Bury St. Edmund’s, bears on the obverse a mitred head and the legend SIGNYM GILDE 230 THE BURY WILLS. SCI NICHO, and on the reverse the letter T between S and N of a smaller size, with the legend CONGREGACIO DYSSE. We learn from the will of John Baret (p. 35) that this was “ the gild of the Translation of St. Nicholas othirwyse callyd Dusgilde;’* and from that of John Coote (p. 92) that it was holden in the college at Bury. It was governed by a prior (p. 26), had many chaplains, and many distinguished brethren. The meaning of the word dvs — variously written dus, dusze, dvsse, and doosse — is not clear. It has been suggested that it may refer to a council of twelve forming its governing body, — the douze gild ; and by others, as there were two gilds in the town in honour of the same saint, — the patron of merchants and travellers, — it might have been the distinctive mark of the gild ol foreign or travelling merchants, hawkers or pedlars, who were commonly known by the name of “ Dusty Foot,” pie poudreux, and for whose relief the court of pie poudre was erected. The circumstance of the gild being held in the college of priests called Jesus College, again, has induced the belief that it is a vulgar adoption of the word Deus. Can this be the “ sacerdot’ fraternitatis sancti Nicholai ” mentioned in the will of lady Ela Shardelowe (p. 13), incorporated as a college of priests at the beginning of the 16th century ? St. Nicholas was a favourite saint with the people of Bury. To his honour there was a hospital, and two gilds; and on the pulling down of some priests’ stalls on the site of the chapel in St. Mary’s church, in which one of the gilds used to worship, a variety of leaden tokens having reference to the saint were found. See Tymms’s History of St. Mary’s Church, pp. 62—67. P. 2, 1. 20. Gybwico. Ipswich. P. 3, 1. 13. Fanon. The maniple. See Way’s Prompt. Parv. 149. 1. 14. Corporate. See Way’s Prompt. Parv. p. 93. 1. 15. Murra. Mazer, a wood of mottled grain much in favour for making drinking cups. On this subject see notes to the memoir on archbishop Scrope’s Indul- gence cup, in the Transactions of the Archaeological Institute at their York Meeting, and notes to Promptorium Parvulorum, p. 328. — — 1. 21. j. mappam,j. manutergium. Mappam, table cloth, sometimes written nappa, French nappe , whence napry , used in p. 25, and napkin. Manutergium , hand napkins. 1.22. Celour cum iij redels. A canopy with three curtains. See p. 136. The “selour ” of an altar occurs in p. 40; and the will of Robert Thurston, of Mekyll Waldyng- field, 1494 [Lib. Bonor, f. 23], directs his executors to “ provyde and ordeyn a clenly seler for to be born ouyr the Sacrament on Palme Sonday and on Corpus Xp’i day.” Ridel, from the Fr. rideau, is a small curtain. 1. 22. Camelini. Camlet, a stuff originally made of camel’s hair. 1. 29. De panno blodpro toga , etc. “ vj quissinos de blod sagone ” occurs in p. 13; a “ sangweyn ” gown, p. 98; and a “sangweyn” sheath, p. 40. It is sometimes latinized into “ blodium.” P. 5, 1. 25. Johannes Notyngliam. The very beautiful porch on the north side of St. Mary’s church, Bury St. Edmund’s, known as the Notyngham porch, bears this inscription NOTES. 231 over the doorway : “ Orate pro animabvs Johannis Notyngham et Isabelle uxorissue.” In the memoirs of the Professors Martyn, of Cambridge, this wealthy and pious grocer is said to have been steward of the abbot of Bury; but the statement requires confirmation, as does the alleged claim of the Martyn family to be his representatives, derived in the following pedigree, obligingly communicated by D. E. Davy, esq. of Ufford. John Nottingham, steward of the Abbot of Bury; built the=^ S. porch of St. Mary’s church there. r — 1 William Nottingham, Bailiff of Ipswich.-,-. . . . Rose N.=pRev. Richard Proud, 1555. Rector of Bourton on Dunsmore, co. War- wick, 1561. ' 1 _ Richard Proud, citizen and-|- goldsmith of London. r L Rev. Richard Proud, Rector of Thrandeston, Suff. 1622. Expelled 1662. Thomas Nottingham, of Dalingho, Suff. 10 Eliz. 1568, son of William. : Isabel, dau. of ... . James N.=p. son of Wm. dau. of Thomas N. 3rd son, 34 Eliz. 1592. — I Sarah Proud, =pRev. Thos. Martyn, Vicar 2nd dau. mar. of Little Houghton, co. 1627. | Northampt, From whom descended Rev. John and Thomas Martyn, Professors of Botany at Camb. John Notyngham would appear from his will to have died without male issue, as he makes mention only of a daughter and her two children, Isabella and John Jerveys. William Nottingham, who successively filled the offices of portman, bailiff, claviger, and justice of Ipswich in the time of Henry the Eighth, was most probably the son of John Nottingham of Bury (whose will, dated 24 Aug. 1503, and proved 13 Jan. following, is preserved in Liber Pye, f. 142) and his wife Rose, daughter of Thomas and Agnes Dunne; the following children being enumerated therein: 1. William, eldest son ; 2. Robert; 3. Agnes; 4. Margaret. P. 6, 1. 5. Seyntemary priest. The priest who officiated at the altar of St. Mary. In the will of Johanna, relict of sir Roger Drury, 1446 [Lib. Hawlee, f. 19], he is mentioned as “ capellano vulgariter nuncupate seyntmaripriest.” P. 8, 1. 2. Seynt Roberd. See also p. 9, 1. 14. It is alleged that the Jews of Bury St. Edmund’s crucified a child, named Robert, on the Good Friday of 1181, in contempt and derision of the sufferings of the Saviour. The monks caused the body to be interred in the monastery with great ceremony and ostentation, and his shrine speedily became renowned for the miracles said to be there effected. Jocelin of Brakelond wrote a book of these miracles. A guild in his honour existed in the town. Isabella Teryngtone, widow, by will 10 Oct. 1468, bequeathed “ad sustentacionem gilde sancti Roberti in Bury, xije?. 1. 9. Ratunrowe. A raton in East- Anglian dialect was either a weasel or a water-rat. [Prompt. Parv.] Ratun or raton, rato, sorex. (Sorex est mus aquaticus, a ratte. Ortus Vocabulorum.) Sir John Mandeville says of the Tartars, “ Alle maner of 232 THE BURY WILLS. wylde beestes they eten, houndes, cattes, ratouns,” &c. Ratun-rowe may have been a street infested with such “ wylde beestes,” either very near a stream, or a butchery, or sewer — whereby they abound. It must be remembered, however, that there was a woollen stuff called rateen, but perhaps not made so early as the 15th century; that Bury was a great cloth mart; and that its streets were usually named after the trade principally carried on in them. Thus we had “ Hatter Street,” “ Glover’s Street,” “ Skynner Rowe,” “ Lyndraper Rowe,” “ Spycer’s Row,” &c. &c. P. 8, 1. 14. Lie , legitime; and 1. 16, Liam, legitimam. 1. 28. Elem , eligibilem. P. 9, 1. 1. Teyuen. The Tay fen. A place so called in Bury St. Edmund’s, on the bounds of Fornham, indicates the site of the old fen. 1. 29. Et di. garnisch p enter vessell. Half a service of pewter. The garnish, accord- ing to Harrison, who wrote his Descr. of England about 1580, “ usuallie dooth conteine 12 platters, 12 dishes, 12 saucers; ” and he adds, “ in some places beyond the sea, a gar- nish of good flat English pewter, of an ordinarie making, is esteemed almost so pretious as the like number of vessels that are made of fine siluer.” The garnish was the suite or service, and varied according to the rank of the party, as in modern times. The garnish of sir Thomas Kytson, contemporary with Harrison, consisted of “ three dozen of platters and dishes, and one dozen of saucers, every six dishes and platters varying in size.” [Hist. Hengrave, 195.] See Way’s Prompt. Parv. p. 187. P. 10, 1. 4. Par cultellorum quorum manubria sunt de cornu vnicornij. Raine [Hist. North Durham, i. 104] says that it was the tooth of the monodon, or sea unicorn, which was imposed upon the world as the horn of the unicorn, and was sold at an extravagant price, as a supposed preservative against poison. In 1531, Thomas Mosse bequeathed two cushions to St. James’s church, Bury, “ w l the pyghtur of y e unicorn.” [Lib. Hollond, f. 3.] This was the favourite medieval fable of the capture of the unicorn, attracted by the fascination of a virgin, so often pourtrayed in ancient works of art. See, for example, Carter’s Painting and Sculpture, pi. 113. P. 11. Robert Bishop of Emly. In Wharton’s list of the Chorepiscopi Diocesis Nor- wicensis, occurs “ Robertus Ep’s Imelicensis, 1424;” and a subsequent entry has “ Ime- lacensis, Cassel,” i. e. bp. of Emly in the province of Cashel in Ireland. In Ware’s list of the Bishops of Emly are three bishops named Robert, if indeed they are all different persons, at this period. 1 . Robert Windel, Franciscan friar, appointed by the pope 1423, but never consecrated. Then follows the name of Thomas Burgh. 2. Robert Portland, Franciscan friar, 1429, but not consecrated. The name of Thomas occurs again as suc- ceeding in 1431; and then follows 3. Robert of England, also a Franciscan friar, ap- pointed by the pope on Thomas’s death, 1444, but rejected, or appointed bishop of Tiberias, in Galilee. The Robert whose will we print died titular bishop of Emly in 1441. P. 12, 1. 8. Armilausa seu collobium. Probably a garment partaking of the character of a cloak and a sleeved tunic. NOTES. 233 P. 12, 1. 8. Vnum pannum depictum cum historia liolerti Regis Cesilie. The patron of Petrarch, who died in 1343. Can the story have any reference to the wasting away of his flesh, which he witnessed for some time before his death (Yit. Petrarc. lib. v. epist. i. 639, and lib. vi. epist. v.), and so be connected with the history of those wasted figures which are frequently met with on sepulchral memorials ? 1. 11. Donge. A mattress. Way’s Prompt. Parv. p. 127. 1. 12. j. pruce hutche. In John Baret’s will (p. 23), occurs this item : “ And as for the prews coffre alwey I wille remayne to my hefd place, and iij. of the fotyd stolys therto.” “ A prewce cofer ” is mentioned in the will of Wm. Bevill, of Chesterton, Hunts, dated 1487 [Nicolas’s Test. Vet. 781]; and in the will of Johan Warde, of Glemsford, widow, 1520 [Lib. Johnson, f. 78], occurs “ my prosse and myn hutche on the soler.” It ap- pears to signify a chest or coffer of foreign construction, imported probably by way of the Baltic, from Prussia. 1. 21. Etj. le frende pellure. Foreign fur. See Way’s Prompt. Parv. v. Fremyd, or Strawnge. P. 13, 1. 1. Lady Ela Shardelowe. An account of this knightly family may be seen in Gage’s Hist. Thingoe, p. 59. The lady Ela’s gravestone, stripped of its brasses, remains in the south chancel aisle of St. Mary’s church, Bury St. Edmund’s. In Weever’s Funeral Monuments the name is erroneously printed “ Shantlow .” 1. 9. Monileaureumcumfiguracerviimpressa. The badge of Richard II. John Baret mentions (p. 35), his “ best herte of gold with aungellys,” the supporters of that prince. It was a very favourite ornament with the inhabitants of Bury (vide Index), pro- bably from the visit of that prince to their abbey in 1383, and the authority exercised by Michael de la Pole, earl of Suffolk, his favourite. 1. 17. Adfabricam novi campanilis mon' de Bury. See Archseologia, vol. xxiii. 329. 1. 27. Togam meam penulatam cum cropps de grey. Trimmed with the fur from the cropps, or stomachs, of the grey, or badger. Way’s Prompt Parv. 104, 209. P. 14, 1. 7. Capicium meum penulatum cum letuse$. Chequered or paned with lattice work, commonly called lettuces. “ Red lattice ” and “ red lettuce ” are terms frequently used by antient writers to signify an alehouse, in allusion to the chequered table generally painted on the outside. 1. 15. John Baret. Nothing further is known of this pious and liberal church decorator, beyond what may be gathered from his will, than that he was the son of Geoffrey Barett, or Baret, of Cratfield in Suffolk, and Bury, who died in 1416, [Will in Lib. Osberne, f. 142.] leaving considerable property in Bury to his two sons, William and John. John appears to have filled some office under the abbots of Bury; probably that of camerarius , or thesaurarius , as the tradition that he resided in the since demolished house called the Exchequer, or Audit house, is confirmed by entries in the contemporary list of Hadgovel tenants, dated 1433, [Harl. MSS. 58, f. 25.] and in the rental of the Sacrist of the monastery for the year 1533. It is probable that he received the right of wearing the CAMD. SOC. 2 H 234 THE BURY WILLS. collar of SS., referred to in p. 41 as “ my colers of silver of the king’s livery,” on the occasion of Henry the Vlth’s visit to St. Edmundsbury in 1433, when that sovereign passed some months between the abbot’s palaces at Bury and Elmswell; in which latter house Baret had a chamber (p. 33.) By marriage he was allied to the knightly families of Drury and Clopton; his wife, described as Elizabeth Drury, being probably a daughter of sir Roger Drury, kt. who removed from Thurston to Rougham, and died in 1400. Dying without issue, Baret bequeathed his property to his nephews and to pious uses; and directed his body to be buried under a tomb which he had prepared in his lifetime, and which still remains, in St. Mary’s church, Bury St. Edmund’s. It is an altar or high tomb, with a cornice of Purbeck marble, surmounted by a recumbent figure in stone of a corpse in a winding sheet, which is laid open to exhibit the havoc which death has made upon the body. On the “ selure ” around the head are these words Ego nuc in pulvere dormio ; and under the head and along the side of the body a large scroll inscribed in red letters with blue initials : D’ne secundu actu men noli me judicare. Nihil dignu i consjpectu tuo feci. Ideo dejprecor magestate tud id tu deus deleas tiquitaie meam. John Baret. On the end of the stone on which the figure is recumbent are these verses, in blue letters with red initials : j on Ho that wil sadly beholde me with his ie Baret May se hys owyn merowr a lerne for to die. And underneath, on the pedestal, these verses : W rappid in a selure as a ful rewli wrecche No mor of al myn good to me ward wil strecche From erthe I kam, and on to erthe I am browht; This js my natur, for of erthe I was wrowht; Thus erthe on to erthe to gedir now is knet, So endeth each creature Q’d John Baret. Qwerfor pepil in weye of charite Wt 3 o r good p a yeris I prey ju help me, For lych as I am right so schal $e all be, Now God on my sowle haue m’cy & pite. Amen. The north front of this tomb is divided into seven square panels; the first and seventh of which contain, within a quatrefoiled lozenge, the monogram of the de- ceased, a j placed transversely through a b. The colour of the f is blue, and that of the b is red. The second and sixth panels have a shield within a quatrefoil. The shield appears to have formerly had the arms thereon in brass, as the rivets remain. Within a quatrefoiled lozenge in the third panel, is a scroll with the word 45l*ace in blue letters with red initial ; and within a quatrefoil in the fourth or centre panel is the figure of a man in the costume of the period, — long furred gown, hood, &c. and decorated with the collar of SS. ; with both hands he holds before him a scroll inscribed me in blue letters. NOTES. 237 This figure was probably designed for a portraiture of John Baret himself. The fifth panel resembles the third, the word on the scroll being gou’ne; thus finishing the motto or “ reason ” of the deceased, “ Grace me Govern.’ ’ The east end of the tomb has three panels; the centre adorned with a very beautiful glorified Agnus Dei, within a scroll disposed as a quatrefoil, and bearing these words, alternately blue and red : Deus propitius esto michi peccatori. To the east of this monument, against the south wall, is a fine piscina, under a deeply recessed cinquefoil canopy; the back of which is adorned with collars of SS. inclosing the monogram J.B. The roof of this chantry, splendidly adorned with panels of foliage, &c. is still in ex- cellent preservation. The colours are well preserved, and the whole forms a most inte- resting remnant of church decoration. The timber roof is divided into six panels; in each of which are the monogram and collar of SS. as shown in the opposite engraving, and the motto, Graceme Gouerne, in large characters, disposed diagonally from N.W. to S.E. the initial G. being of gold. At the intersections of the panel architraves are bosses with the arms of Baret : Argent, a bend sable, between three square buckles gules;* and at each corner of the foliated border within the panel was a tinsel star nailed on to the wood- work. On the eastern face of the north-western principal of the roof are these words : In D’no gaudebit aia mea; and on the western face of the north-eastern principal : Laudens D’n’m Gloriose. On the front of the north-western principal : Quae sursum sunt quaerite. Over the arch separating the nave aisle from the choir aisle : Orate pro anima Johan’is Baret. the initials of which are very rich. * The same arms, the buckles being lozengy instead of square, are to be seen on the monument, in St. Helen’s, Norwich, of Thomas son of Christopher Baret, of Yarmouth, gent. 1721. This family was of Horstead. See Blomefield’s Norfolk, iv. 378. 238 THE BURY WILLS. Over the south window : Alleluia. Soli Deo Honor et Gloria. and over the nave arch, Nos cum prole pia benedicat Virgo Maria. Amen. The spandrils of the arch are powdered with collars of SS. inclosing the monogram J.B. That portion of the roof of the nave which is in line with the roof of this chapel, and “overshadowed the rood,” appears to have been decorated and painted by John Baret. On the west face of the curved brace under the hammer beam, on the north side, is God me Gide. and on the corresponding curved brace on the south side Grace me Gouerne. P. 15, 1. 10. Percloos. Perclose, a screen, inclosing part of a church for a chantry chapel, or for other purposes. The subjoined cut is believed to represent one of the carved panels of the perclose to Baret’s chantry. It was lately discovered among some rubbish in a painter’s workshop in Bury St. Edmund’s. 1.11. Candilbeern. The rood-loft or rood-beam was so called from the great candles, set on high candlesticks, placed on each side the rood or cross. Much emulation was shewn by the faithful in supplying these high candlesticks. John Busshe, of Bury, mason, by will dated 24 Aug. 1508 [Lib. Pye, f. 204], directed his executors to “ make a tapeer of wex of halfe a pounde, and sett it on his doble candelstyk of latn, and that to stonde as the highest in Seynt Mary chirche.” In 1517 John Rawlyns, tailor, of Bury [Lib. Hood, f. 94], bequeathed xx li. of wex to brenn vpon the rode lofte before the crucifixe as long as it will indur, in the honor of God and owr lady and good seynts and in 1536 John Hawkyn, hardwareman, of Bury [Lib. Hollond, f. 40], directed “ a tapyr of j lb. waxe to brenne on the rode loft, as they vse the lights ther, the space of ten yers.” The candle- beam was not confined to the sacred edifice. Agnes Ridges, of Bury, widow, 1492 [Lib. Pye, f. 39], mentions “my candylbeme that hangyth in my hall w l vj bellys of laton standyng thereon.” NOTES. 239 P. 15, 1. 14. Graue. The raised tomb of the testator is invariably called a graue in this will. 1. 24. Powder box of silver. Probably for perfumed powder, which was much used for clothes; or, a caster, like a modern pepper-box, for powdering, or seasoning meat. 1. 22. Halpenye of gold. The half of a rial, or a piece of gold that passed for 5s. was so called. The fourth part of the rial was called a rial-farthing, as appears by an indenture of the Mint, dated 1 Hen. YI. “A ferthing of gold” occurs in line 24. A “penny of gold” was struck in Henry III.’s reign, which weighed two, but was worth twenty, silver pennies. Only one or two specimens are known. The word “half- pence ” appears in a remarkable way in the will of Thomas Balkey, otherwise called Thomas Teryngton, butcher, of Bury, in 1497; he directed his executors “ to kylle iiij . bullocks at my vijth day, and do them smyte in peces better than halfpens; and every pore body, as ferre as it wyll stretche, have a pece of the same ffleshe, and an halpeny whete loff and a fagott.” [Lib. Pye, f. 54.] His intention seems to have been that each poor person should have meat to the value of at least one halfpenny : but the phrase grew to be used to describe any minute division, as in Shakspere’s “ Much Ado about Nothing,” Act ii. sc. 3, we find the Governor of Messina exclaiming, “ O ! she tore the letter into a thousand halfpence ! ” 1. 30. A peyre of smale bedys ofjeet. In the will of Robert Fysher, 1478, occurs “j. payr bedys le geet vocat’ langget cum divers’ iocal’ dependent’.” [Lib. Hawlee, f. 251.] Beads of jet were regarded as gifted with extraordinary virtue; and to this belief Bp. Bale appears to make allusion, Kynge Johan, p. 39. “ Blessynges with black bedes wyll helpe in every evyll.” P. 16, 1. 11. Mystill. Beads of different materials; from A.S. mist l, various or dif- ferent. Twenty comb of “mestelyn” occurs in the will of Robert Stanton, of Bury, 1499. [Lib. Pye, f. 86]; and “an acre of mastelyn,” in that of Edward Colbye of Cotton, 1538. [Lib. Poope, f. 172.] “ Meslin ” bread, made with equal quantities of wheat and rye, was common, says Forby, in Suffolk, 50 years ago. A kind of metal was also called mastlin or mestling. Ang.-Sax. mceslenn, brass. In an inventory taken at Wolverhampton in 1541, occur two great candlesticks of mastlin, weighing 120 lbs. (Shaw’s Staffordshire, ii. 160.) 1. 18. Jemewys of green. In p. 37 the testator mentions his “ iij. bagges, the jemews and the rynges of syluir.” The will of Thomas Trewynard, of Bury, priest, 1492 [Lib. Pye, f. 13], bequeaths a “ purpyll corse ” girdle, “ with a lytell gemewe of goold.” The gemews , it will be perceived, were the metal fastenings. Forby has “ Gimmers, small hinges, as those of a box or cabinet, &c.” in which sense Chaucer uses gimmews. Fr. gemeau. See Way’s Prompt. Parv. 194, note. 1. 33. Chawntours. Choristers. 1. 34. Colet. Acolite, an ecclesiastical officer next in rank below the sub-deacon. P. 17, 1. 5. Nobill. The year following the date of this will, 1464, the value of the noble was declared to be 8s. 4 d . ; and in 1465 raised to 10s. 240 THE BURY WILLS. P. 17, 1. 6. 1 will no comown dole haue. That is, he would have no indiscriminate distri- bution of alms, as was too often the case on these occasions, when the poor, who attended in large numbers, scrambled for small pieces of money or loaves of bread. 1. 18. Oure ladyes fyve joyes. The five joyful mysteries were, the Annunciation. the Visitation of Elizabeth, the Nativity, the Purification, and the Finding of the infant Jesus in the midst of the Doctors in the temple. 1. 19. Ovener. Owner. Ibid. That lewyt. That is left; A.S. leue , to leave. “ Half the wood thatleuyth” occurs in p. 101. 1. 22. Bellemen. Bellmen went round the town to call upon the inhabitants to pray for the soul of the departed, that they who heard the name might say, “ God have mercy on his soul,” p. 21. In p. 28 the testator requires them “ to go yeerly abowte the town at his yeerday, for his soule and for his faderis and his modrys.” In 1510 Jone Mason, of Bury, widow, [Lib. Mason, f. 1,] directed “the belleman to go abowte the paryssh ” at her anniversary and earth-tide, “ to pray and reherse the sowles ” of all the persons she recited. John Coote (p. 92) “ will neyther ryngyn nor belman goynge,” but his alms- givings and dinners on his thirty-day “ to be don in secrete manner.” 1. 30. A messe of prilclced song. A mass sung from pricked or written musical notes. A “ messe be note ” occurs in the following page. 1. 31. At vij of ye clolclce be the morve. Morrow was the old English word for morning. The priest who said early mass was called the Morrow-mass priest. P. 18, 1. 1. Whith vestement. The colour for the altar at all the festivals of the Virgin Mary, according to the ritual of the church of Rome, is white : the vestments of the priest take the colour of the altar. The complete suit is comprehended in the word “vest- ment.” 1. 3. My reson. Motto. Fosbroke, on the authority of Gough, erroneously calls the scroll on which the motto was inscribed the “ reason.” 1. 4. Vestement made of white busteyn. Busteyn, bustiam or bustian, a kind of tissue, the same, says Jamieson [Suppt. Scott. Diet.] as fustian. In Ayrshire bustine still signifies fustian. 1. 11. Edmond Tabour. See also p. 38. The cause of the testator’s anxiety to have the soul of Edmond Tabour specially prayed for appears in p. 41. P. 19, 1. 1. Her ferme. Their rent; old French. 1. 4. jnow. Enow or enough, still generally so pronounced in the East Anglian district. 1. 11. The bulle and the busshoppees seelys. i. e. papal and episcopal indulgences. Ibid. Loher of burde. A box or closet of wood to prevent injury to the seals. 1.15. Rerdoos and table. Reredos or screen at the back of the altar, in the centre of which was the triptych or folding picture, of a centre and two leaves. The “ story of Magnificat” was probably painted on the centre compartment, or the table, and the “ balladys” or rhymes, and the record of the pious deeds of the donor, on either leaf or NOTES. 241 lowkys (Ang. Sax. loc ) ; so that they might be read whenever the triptych was opened, which was done on all festivals. P. 19,1.25. Hovel. A canopy or niche. The word “housing” in p. 20, 1. 4, is another name for a niche, from housse, a cover or case. 1. 27. CandylstyJche of laten. A hard mixed metal much resembling brass, the pre- cise composition of which is, it is believed, unknown. It was most extensively used. In the will of Margare Yeere, of Eye, 1540, “ white laten ” and “ redd laten” occur [Lib. Poope, f. 276], and “ counterfeit laten ” is mentioned in p. 23. P. 20, 1. 6. iij woytez above my grave. Probably waits, who used horns or trumpets. The angels with musical instruments in the cove of the roof over his tomb. 1. 15. Horn with the iij tunnys of chemeneyis. The passage of the chimney was called a tunnel till the beginning of the present century, and the chimney shaft is still called a tun in some parts of the west of England. Clustered chimney shafts were intro- duced about the date of this will. 1. 16. Hefd 'place. A principal residence, what is now understood as “ a capital mansion”; Ang. Sax. hcefd, head. In the will of Agnes Lark, widow, of Bury, 1503, mention is made of the alienation of a tenement from “'the heed place” [Lib. Pye, f. 164]; and John Basse, draper, in his will, 1506, alludes to his “ hedhowse ” [Ibid, f. 176]. 1. 20. Gresys. The plural of gre, a step. Stairs are still called in Norfolk grissens. Hence the Grecian Stairs mounting the hill at Lincoln ; see a Memoir by Rev. F. Massingberd in the Trans. Archseol. Inst, at the Lincoln meeting. 1. 27. A house bearing the sign of the Falcon, a badge of the House of York. Another badge of this royal house is described in p. 37, “ a litil fetirlok of gold, with a lace of perleand smal bedys therto of blak.” Camden (in his Remaines) states that Edward the IVth bore the fetterlock open with a falcon within it, to show that he had obtained the crown : his great-grandfather having borne a falcon in a fetterlock shut, to indicate that he was locked up from the crown; but see this story examined by Mr. J. G. Nichols, in the Gentleman’s Magazine, 1842, vol. xvii. p. 379; where it is shewn that the falcon and fetterlock were not combined in one device until the reign of Edward IY. P. 21, 1. 19. Awaylle. Profit or use. In p. 40 it is directed that he that payeth the pension shall have “ the wayl that comyth ovir.” From this word perhaps come the “ vails” claimed by servants, though that word has been generally derived from vale, farewell. See Way’s Prompt. Parv. p. 17. • 1. 29. Abbott's cope. A tax levied on the town for providing a new cope for every fresh abbot. In 1499 William Fish, of Bury, bequeathed a tenement “ to the payment of the Abbott’s cope, as oftyn as a new election of the Abbot of Bury is hadde.” [Lib. Pye, f. 84.] See also p. 70. P. 22, 1. 8. Cornell house. The Prompt. Parv. explains Cornell by the word frontis- CAMD. SOC. 2 I 242 THE BUEY WILLS. picium. It was probably a corner house. In the dialect of Herefordshire cornel still sig- nifies a corner. P. 22, 1. 9. Petauncere. An officer of the monastery, whose duty it was to distribute the pitancia, or pittances of meat and drink (see pp. 6 and 16) allowed to the monks and others connected with the monastery on particular occasions, over and above the stated commons . 1. 31. Ostilment. Sometimes written hostiliaments and hustilmentys, household furniture; from old Fr. oustillement , movables. Way’s Prompt. Parv. p. 255. P. 23, 1. 1. Trampson. The transome is usually considered to be that part of the bedstead which is between the two head-posts, and is frequently elaborately carved; but the general association of the word with feather beds would lead us to think the bolster was meant; in which sense Cullum [Hist. Hawsted, 119] explains the synonymous word traversin. Agas Herte, in her w 7 ill, 1522, mentions (p. 115) “a ffetherbed, ij. trawn- soms, a matras, ij. pelowes, iiij. payer of schets,” &c. ; and also (p. 116) “ a fetherbed, a matras, a bolster, ij. pelowes,” &c. See also p. 136. No instance has been met of the use of the two words in directing the bequest of one set of bed furniture. 1. 1. Costerys. The hangings of the walls. 1. 2. Greet jpilve. Pillow. 1. 6. Esterych burde. In the will of Johanna Stevens, of Bury, widow, 1459, occurs “duo scabella de estryche boord.” Phillips has “ Estregbords, boards, deal or fir, brought from the Eastern parts for wainscoting and other uses.” 1. 8. The grettere hoi basyn. Ang. Sax. hoi, cavus. Hollow basons occur in p. 82. Shallow basons were called “ flat ” basons. In the will of Margareta Thruston, wydow r e, 1471, is this item: “ j. peluem laton voc’ anholbasyn, j. peluem laton voc’ a flatbasyn.” [Lib. Hawlee, f. 164.] • 1. 9. ij. lowe candylstikkes of asorth. Like one another, a pair. 1. 16. The coronacion of oure lady. This was a very favourite subject in medieval sculpture and art. The Virgin is usually represented seated, by the Saviour’s side, on a throne or seat of similar elevation as his, and the Saviour places a crown on her head. A specimen, from Ely Cathedral, is engraved in Carter’s Painting and Sculpture, sculp, pi. iii. 1. 18. Banker. A covering, generally of tapestry, for a chair, form, or bench, so explained in p. 101; Fr. banquier. Bankers for cupboards occur in p. 25. 1. 25. Chargeour. The dishes in which joints of meat were served, sometimes called “fiat peces.” See Way’s Prompt. Parv. v , Charyowre, p. 70. 1. 27. Chetill. A kettle. Ang. Sax. cetil. Ibid. A litell chafour with a beyl. A handle; Fr. bailler. Handles are still called bails in East Anglia. 1. 28. A trewd, a gredyle. The “ gredyle” was an iron plate upon which bread was baked. “ Trewd,” a trivet ? 1. 29. Boord clothes. Table cloths. Way’s Prompt. Parv. p. 44. P. 24, 1. 8. Duffous. Dovehouse. NOTES. 243 P. 24, 1. 10. xij s. of white rente. Quit rent. In the “ Anturs [Adventures] of Arther’’ white is spelled “ Quyte'.” 1. 15. Melcilhornyngiserd , Litilhornyngiserd. The now consolidated parishes of Great and Little Horningsherth, commonly called Horringer. 1. 24. And though William rewle hym to haue it. See also p. 30, 1. 28, and p. 33, 1. 27. A very rare use of the word rule, as of a convention or order appointed. The order of a judge is still called a rule. P. 25, 1. 9. Barnagge. Alexander Neceham, who died in 1227, gives in his treatise de naturis rerum a curious account, “ de ave que vulgo dicitur bernekke,” which grew, as he asserts, from wood steeped in the sea, or trees growing on the shore. Yide Prompt. Parv. p. 32, note. 1. 24. Cofferys. Chests, trunks, or boxes of all forms and uses, were called coffers, from Fr. cojfre. Still used in East Anglia. P. 26, 1. 2. Thrifty man. A curious use of this word. It is synonymous with “ man of wourshepe ” in 1. 15; a “ wurshipfulman ” in p. 27; “ most notable and wurshipfull men” in p. 40; and “ probioribus et magis sufficientibus hominibus ” in p. 70. It means well-to-do, “ thryfty, vigens .” Prompt. Parv. 1. 16. Howsyng. Housen, old Eng. plural of house. P. 27, 1. 3. Comown all the dowtys and pereilys. Commune. Way’s Prompt. Parv. 1. 4. A wys. Advice; written also avys, avyse , avyce. In the same page occurs awysement, from avisamentum; and in p. 39, “ be wyse of good masonys.” 1. 31. The Aldirman , dyeof Candilmesse gild. In p. 77 the “ Aldyrman, dye, and auditours,” of the gild are enumerated; and in p. 80, “ the aldyrman and dye of the seyd gylde for the tyme being” are to have, under the will of Margaret Odiham, dated 1492, tl yerely wythoutende for ther labor ijs.” In the accounts of the Guildhall Feoffees, Bury St. Edmund’s, for the year 1570, the Alderman “ prayeth allowance for iiij li. paid to the Dee for bringinge forthe of the dynner; xls. for his owne ffee, and xls for the Dee's fee.” Similar entries occur in each succeeding year till 1583 ; the fee, differing in amount in different years, being always the same for the Alderman and the Dee. In the Registr. Pynchbeck, f. 228, (Pub. Lib. Camb.) is a copy in old French of “ the charter extorted by force of arms and fear of death from the Abbot and Convent by John de Bar- ton, tailor, who conducted himself as alderman of the town of Bury. This charter, which was annulled by the justices of the king in the 2d of Edward III. (1328), after granting to the alderman and commonalty the wardship of children and orphans, “ with sufficient surety to render account to the alderman,” authorises “ the alderman and com- monalty, by their dyes and officers, to distrain the surety to render account of the said things, and to make execution thereof,” &c. Mr. Way suggests that “ the term dye, as used in Baret’s will, may be the Angl. Sax. dugeth, or duguth, honorable, probus ; ealder-duguthe, the chief magistrate; the probi homines , or prudhommes of the Nor- mans, being much the same as our aldermen.” 244 THE BURY WILLS. P. 28, 1. 6. Grawe of resurrection gylde. The holy sepulchre, which was under the care of a gild that derived its name from assisting at the ceremonies observable there at Easter tide. 1. 15. Vtas. Octaves. Ibid. Al lenton requiem. The short requiem. Shakspere makes Maria exclaim, in reply to the Clown in “ Twelfth Night,” “ a good lenten answer one that comes short of what might have been expected. 1. 22. Wynde vp the peys and the plummys. The greater and lesser weights, the latter being probably formed of lead; from Fr. poids and plpmbs. P. 29, 1. 17. The berere of the paxbrede. The osculatorium, , or piece of wood or metal, with the Crucifixion thereon, which the priest presented to the people at the conclusion of the mass, to be kissed by them “ in token of the peace, unity, and amity of all the faith- ful, who in that manner, and by its medium, kissed one another with the kiss of charity.” The instrument was therefore called a pax, and, being commonly of wood, the word pax- brede, or pax-board , became applied to the pax, of whatever material it was made. Nares’s Glossary, voce Pax. Archaeological Journal, vol. ii. 144 — 151. 1. 30. They to malce aitorne. Appoint a substitute; whence the word attorney. 1. 31. Vys dore. The door of the newel staircase leading to the rood gallery. Prompt. Parv. has “ Vyce, rownde grece or steyer, coclea .” Thomas Bereve, of Bury, clothmaker, in the year 1525 bequeathed “ to the byldyngand fynysshynge of the vise of Seynt James’s Chirche xv tonne of ston, and my lord abbot, prior, and the convent, to pay for the caryage of it, vpon this condicion that the vice go forward vpon the said chyrche accordyngly to the covenaunt mad on the behalf of my said lord and the convent, or ellys not.” [Lib. Hood. f. 137.] 1. 33. Almarye. A small cupboard in the wall. A. S. Almerige , repositorium, scrinium. P. 31, 1. 10. The higliweye toward the grendyll. A place near the spot indicated is still so called; and one or two other places in the town fields are so denominated. Forby has “ Grindle, a corruption of drindle, a small and narrow drain for water;” and Ray has “ Grindlet ” in the same sense. But it might have reference to the site of a mill, which was called a “ grindyn” in the 15th century ; and grindstones, according to Nares, were called “ Grindle-stones.” 1. 30. The Hert of the Hop. An inn with the sign of a hart upon a hoop, situated in Mustowe Street, Bury St. Edmund’s. It is “ Hert of Hoop ” in p. 40. In the will of the testator’s father, Geoffrey Baret, of Bury, 1416 [Lib. Osbern, f. 142], this house is bequeathed to his son as his tenement “ in le Mustowe vocatus le inne atte herteP Many an old sign consisted of a carved figure set in a hoop. The “ Mitre upon the Hoop,” “ Angel upon the Hoop,” &c. occur in old documents; and the common phrase “ Cock- a-hoop ” has its origin in this practice. P. 32, 1. 5. The soler above in the ende of the hall. See Prompt. Parv. 192 ; Arch. NOTES. 245 Journal, i. 218, 370; Notes on the Memoir on the Icknild Way, by Mr. Taylor, Trans. Archseol. Inst. Norwich; and Fosbroke’s Encyc. Antiq. 124*. The enumeration of racks and hutches on the soller, in pp. 130, 153, would indicate that the landing, lighted by an oriel window, was the soler. William Coker, of Nayland, “ cordiner,” in his will, 1570 [Lib. Aldrich, f. 39], enumerates “ one chist stondynge at my bed’s head vppon the soller.” P.33,1.19. Aldirbest. The Promptorium Parvulorum has Aldyrbeste , optimus ; aldyrleste, minimus: aldyrmes^e, maximus, &c. Shakspere uses “ alder-liefest,” dearest of all. 1. 20. 1 tendyr here the more. In p. 37 the testator directs that his debts “ in especial be tendryd ” before all things. “The shepherd tends his flock;” cares for them, waits on them. Waiters were called tenders in East Anglia till recently (Forby) ; and the word is now used to designate the truck that waits on the railway engine with coals. 1. 22. A long grene coorse of sillce. The coorse or body girdle (the latter word being frequently omitted) was that which went round the body immediately above the hips. It was frequently very costly. 1. 23. Steynyd cloth with vij. agys. One of those paintings which were used for hangings of rooms ; the design representing the Seven Ages of Man, which is supposed to have suggested Shakspere’s memorable passage in As You Like it, act ii. scene 7. The Promptorium gives the following account of“ The vij. agys. Prima infancia, quae continet vij. annos; secunda, puericia, usque ad quartumdecimum annum ; tercia, adolescentia, usque ad xxix m annum ; quarta juventus, usque ad quinquagesimum annum ; quinta gravitas, usque ad lxx m annum; sexta senectus, que nullo terminatur termino (non ter- minatur certo numero. p.); senium est ultima pars senectutis. Septima erit in resurrec- tione finali.” See a dissertation by Lady Calcott in “ The Seven Ages,” published by Van Voorst, 1840. 1. 29. Kercliys. Fr. couvre chief, or creveche, a covering for the head, but after- wards applied to the same material whether worn on the head, neck, &c. “ Night kerchers ” occur in p. 146. P. 34, 1. 23. Alle the best harneys for oon hors. In 1513 John Fodryngey, of Bury, cook, bequeathed to his son his “ hooll harneys called almoos revett, with the codde pece therto and the salett, a bowe of ewe oon of the best, and j. sheff arows.” [Lib. Mason, f. 29.] Almaine, or German, rivets were a sort of light armour having sleeves of mail, or iron plates, riveted, with braces for the defence of the arms. [Hist. Hengrave, p. 29.] 1. 20. Array. Articles of dress; raiment. In the will of John Plandon, of Bury, 1491, occurs “ myn arraye to my body perteynyng.” [Lib. Pye, f. 16.] 1. 22. John Aleyn my child. Probably a page. 1. 27. Palyd ofbukram blew and better blew. Striped, heraldically termed, paly, (Fr. 'pal, a pale or palisade), light and dark blue. 1. 28. That I vsed to trusse with me. To trusse, to pack. Beds used in travel- ing were called “ Trussing Beds.” 246 THE BURY WILLS, P. 34, 1. 34. Myhousholdto be kept hool togedyr with alle mymeyne. Dependents; from mesnie, old Fr. which Roquefort defines “ famille, maison, tous ceux qui la composent.” Nares’s Gloss, and Prompt. Parv. In the “ Anturs of Arther,” the word is spelt menne, in Shakspere meiny. “ Menyal men ” occurs in p. 16. P. 35, 1. 18. Baselard. A long dagger or sheathed knife, worn by all classes. In armed figures of the 14th and 15th centuries it is sometimes attached to the sword belt; in those of civilians it is suspended to the girdle in front. A baselard in “a sangweyn schede,’* or sheath of blood colour, occurs in p. 40. See also Prompt. Parv. 1. 19. Maseer with a beend and afoot. The maser, macer, or mazer (Dutch maeser ) was a drinking bowl originally made of the maple wood, whence its name, which was afterwards applied to all bowls of the same form, or for the same purpose, of whatever material made. Those mentioned in the Bury Wills are all of wood, with bands or bonds round the edge, of silver gilt. In the will of Johan Brette, of Bury, widow, 1496, occurs a maser “called the maser with the grette bonde.” [Lib. Pye, f. 106 ] The value of a “ beste maser ” is stated in the will of Water Rowte of Bury, 1510, to be 20s. [Lib. Mason, f. 4.] Two masers, one with a cover, are engraved in Archaeological Journal, ii. 262. 1.21. My book with the sege of Thebes in Englysh. The work of his versatile contem- porary Dan John Lidgate, a monk in the same monastery in which the testator held some lay office, and was probably presented to him by the poet, whose death took place two years before the date of Baret’s will. “ij. Inglyshe bocks, called Bochas, of Lydgat’s makyng,” occurs in the will of Roger Drury, Esq. of Hawsted, 1493. [Hist. Hawsted, 119.] 1. 23. A knoppe of gold with perle. Any protuberance, as a button or bud; from Angl. Sax. cncep , a top. In p. 36, 1. 24, it occurs as “a knoppe, othir wyse callyd a tufft, of blak sylke. ” 1. 24. A rowund ryng of the kyng's silver. A ring blessed by the king? Cf. p. 41. 1. 25. My heavy peys noble ivich weyeth xxs. My heavy weighing noble, Fr . poids. At the date of this will the noble was current for 6s. 8 d. (see p. 17), and its weight by the Mint indenture 108 grains; but Henry IY. coined a noble before his 13th year which weighed 120 gr. as did Richard II. ’s noble, and that struck in Edward III.’s 27th year. The latter king in his 18th year struck a noble weighing 138-^-th gr. and in his 20th year another weighing 128^ths gr. The first of these two, known to numismatists as the heavy noble, is doubtless the one referred to. “An old noble which is worth ixs.” was be- queathed to the same shryne of St. Edmund by Walter Rowte of Bury, in 1510. [Lib. Mason, f. 4.] “ A red nobyll ” occurs in the will of Elizabeth Howe, of Preston, 1537. [Lib. Poope, f. 28.] 1. 29. j Fertrerys. The keeper of the shrine was called a feretrarius, and the shrine itself a feretrum. See also Prompt. Parv. v. Feertyr, p. 157. P. 36, 1. 1. A ryng of gold \ with bolyonys. In p. 116 we have “ a pewter basen with bolyouns,”and in p. 82 “ ij. flat basyns of laton, wherof one is with bolyons,” Ornamented NOTES. 247 with semi-round knopps. Ang. Sax. Bcelig , a bulge. The ring probably resembled the decade rings figured in Arch. Journal, vol. iii. p. 198, vol. v. pp. 63, 64. P. 36, 1. 8. A spoon of berell. The beryl is a precious stone of a sea-green colour; but a finer description of green crystal glass was so called in the 14th and 15th centuries. Speght’s Glossary to Chaucer, and Prompt. Parv. 1. 25. A Util nowche of gold with smal perle and stoonys. The nowche or ouche was a stud or setting for jewels of any form or material, derived, says Tyrwhitt, from nocchia, a boss, clasp, or buckle. The nowche of the text might have been in the form of a buckle, the testator bearing for his arms three buckles. P. 37, 1. 4. A byl. A kind of halberd. 1. 16. My best gypcer with iij. bagges, dec. Fr. “ gibbecitre, a pouch, bag, poake, budget” (Cotgrave), properly such as was used in hawking, &c. but commonly worn by the merchant, or with any secular attire. Chaucer says of the frankelein, or country gentleman, “ An anelace [dagger] and gipsere all of silke Hing at his girdle, white as morow [morning] milke.” In the inventory of valuables the property of Hen. V. a.d, 1423, is enumerated “ j.gipcer de noier velvet, garnizd’ or, pris 66s. 8c?.” [Rot. Pari. iv. 215.] See Promptorium Parvu- lorum, edit. Way, and Archaeological Journal, i. 251. From the mention of the tes- tator’s “ whistel of silver,” in p. 41, 1. 18, and the separate bequest (ib. 1. 20) of his merchant’s pouch, it was most probably his hawking gypcer : the whistle was used to send off and recall the hawk. 1. 32. Avers. A worse. 1. 34. Calyon and moorter. The ordinary flint and boulder walls of the Suffolk churches. Fr. caillou. See Prompt. Parv. v. Calyon. P. 38, 1. 10. Whoos bodyes I have causyd to lese sylvir. The word lese is used in the “ Anturs of Arther ” for lose. “ To lose silver” meant to sustain any loss; the expres- sion worth but “little silver” is still, says Forby, occasionally used in East Anglia to denote anything of little value ; but in the case of the testator it may perhaps have a literal sense. Seep. 41. P. 39, 1. 4. Bette here ageyn the bowtell. An old English term for a round moulding or bead; also for the small shafts of clustered pillars, window and door jambs, mullions, &c. probably from its resemblance to the shaft of an arrow or bolt. [Oxf. Gloss.] The bowtell in the text is the single shaft or column rising between two windows and sup- porting a corbel of the timber roof. See Professor Willis’ Architectural Nomenclature, Trans. Camb. Antiqu. Soc. 1. 8. Foorme of stoon that longith vnto the wyndowe. The window sill. . 1. 16. Awoydid. To be removed so that the place be a void or clear space. 1. 23. The bem there the iij. Icynges be. Figures of the three kings who went to Bethlehem to offer gifts to the infant Jesus. 248 THE BURY WILLS. P . 39, 1. 23. The Jesse. A genealogical tree, proceeding from a reclining figure of an old man (Jesse), our Lord’s genealogy being represented by figures in the branches, and terminating with the figure of the Virgin with the infant Jesus in her arms. The most remarkable example remaining in England is one of the chancel windows at Dorchester, Oxfordshire. Ibid. Our lady with the virgeneys afore her. Apparently some conventional sub- ject of ancient art : perhaps one in which a group of virgins with several musical instru- ments were represented worshipping the Virgin. P. 40, 1. 10. My owune seel of silvir, therin a egle with scripture. His secretum, or private seal, with, perhaps, the emblem of St. John. His “ signet of gold with a pellican and his armys grave therin,” is noticed in p. 38. L 29. My silver forlce for grene gingor. Pots of green ginger were frequently sent as presents. [Fosbroke’s Encyc. Antiq. i. 397.] Coryat, in his “ Crudities,” would make it appear that the use of forks at table dated from a much later period than the times of the testator. An earlier instance of the use of this implement may be cited, from the Wardrobe Book of 25 Edw. I. 1297. See further in Archaeological Journal, iii. 179. P. 41, 1. 11. My crampe ring. Cramp rings were used as preservatives against fits, having been first consecrated on Good Friday with peculiar ceremonies by the king or queen regnant. Miss Strickland (iv. 206) claims it as the peculiar privilege of the queens. In Burnet (vol. ii. p. 266 of Records) is to be found the whole Latin formula of this office as written for the use of Queen Mary I. It is said to owe its origin to the virtues of the ring given by Edward the Confessor to the pilgrim, and which ring always appears as the symbol of the royal saint. The superstitious use of these rings is not entirely abandoned in Suffolk. A recent instance occurred at Hengrave, where nine young men of the parish each subscribed a crooked sixpence to be moulded into a ring for a young woman afflicted with fits. [Hist. Thingoe, xxvi.] See Nares and Brand’s Popular Antiquities. 1. 16. My girdyl of tawny silk 'with poyntes of nedihverk, Opus punctatum, worked with the needle, a variety of which was counterpoint. 1. 19. My botorecle set in gold with nedil werk. Probably a buckle; the testator’s arms being a bend between 3 buckles. 1. 21. My best gay cup of erthe kevvryd, or ellys oon of the frerys , to chese of bothe. This, Mr. Way informs me, is an early instance of the use of any fictile vessel as an object of luxury or estimation in domestic use. Was the “gay cup” of oriental ware, or the gay painted crockery of Italian manufacture ? “ Oon of the frerys” was probably a vessel made in the similitude of a friar. There is one earlier instance of pottery men- tioned as an object of estimation prior to the 16th century. In the inventory of valuables of Edw. III. and Ric. II. taken at the accession of Henry IV. occurs “un cruskyn (or small cruse) de terre blank, hernoisej d’argent endorree, ove un covercle enbatelle, enaymellej dedein3 ove j. babeuyn, pois’ ij lb.” This was probably the old pure white porcelain, for it occurs with cups of oriental origin, the “gripesei,” or ostrich egg, NOTES. 249 attributed to the griff or griphon, and the “nutte” or cocoa nut. [Kalendars of the Exchequer.] P. 41, 1. 25. Both my colers ofsilvir, the kyngs lyfre. The livery collar of Edward the Fourth, the reigning sovereign when John Baret made his will, was composed of roses and suns with the lion of March as a pendant. John Baret’s collars, however, which are displayed in his chantry chapel, are those of the house of Lancaster, composed of esses, with no other pendant but a trefoil ring. On collars of the royal livery see some interest- ing papers in the Gentleman’s Magazine for 1842, by Mr. J. G. Nichols. P. 44, 1. 32. Unam vaccam sufficient ’ pro ijbz cereis ardent ’ coram imagine heate Marie. A very frequent bequest, often accompanied with express directions as to the letting and renewing. John Cleris, of Ampton, in 1580, bequeathed “to the sepulchre light in Ampton Church, to continew for evyr, too melche nete to be leten by y e church- wardens for the tyme beyng, and halfe part of the mony comyng yeerly of the letage of the sayd nete to go to the fyndyng of the seyd light, and the other half to bye another melche neete, so that the stoke may evyr be renewyd and encresyd, and the mony comyng of the letage of every and all thes seme nete to go to mayntenance of the sayd light to contynew perpetuall.” [Lib. Brett, f. 54.] In 1537 Elyzabethe Howe, widow, of Preston, gave “to the hole townsell of y e town of the parrysshe of Preston, iij. neat for to kepe an obytt perpetually, and the same neat to be let by the townsell of the hole towneshype of Preston aforsayde for xvjcL a yere a pese of them.” [Lib. Poope, f. 28.] In 1542 Water Howlet, of Woodditton, bequeathed “two bullocks euer quicke and neuer deade,” for an obit for ever. [Lib. Leme, f. 66.] These were most probably milch cows, for “ melche bullocks ” occur in one will, and “ my blacke bullocke y* is with calfe,” in that of William Rought the elder, of Rickinghall, 1 Eliz. [Lib. Payn- ter, f. 122.] P. 51, 1. 1. To euery housold Jceper in the town iiijd. Margaret Yeere, of Eye, widow, 1540, in directing a similar distribution of iiij d. to each of 40 householders of Eye, adds this condition, “ that dothe not gether dbrode in the cuntrey .” [Lib. Poope, f. 276.] P. 53, 1. 16. A brasse potte. The will of Philip Cowper, of Bury, weaver, 1512, dis- poses of a “ bras potte called a scrayfote potte. [Lib. Mason, f. 15.] P. 55. John Smyth. Alderman of Bury St. Edmund’s 3 Edw. IV. 1464. His be- quest of lands to the use of the inhabitants of that town originated the extensive charity known as the Guildhall Feoffment. A portrait of this benefactor is preserved in the guildhall; and a gravestone in St. Mary’s church, with the effigies in brass of a man and his wife, are believed to be his memorial. A gravestone by its side records the death, in 1650, of his last descendant, John Smyth, of the Middle Temple, gent. P. 57, 1. 26. Eueri article to take pleyn effiecte. Fully carried out, plene ; “ playne ” occurs in p. 60 in the same sense. CAMD. SOC. 2 K 250 THE BURY WILLS. P. 75, 1. 12. My grene worsted coverlyght. In the will of Margarete Cowbregge, widow, 1480, occurs “ j couerlighte of Bukkeshorne grene.” P. 78, 1. 28. Mere and store. Move and stir. Forby has stoor , to stir, from Teut. stooren , movere. P. 79, 1. 17. Markett stede. Stede, Angl. Sax. a place. “In the stede of an alderman,’ ’ occurs p. 78, 1. 5. Homestead and Fairstead are still generally used in Suffolk. 1. 23. Placebo and Dirige. The anthem “ Placebo Domino in regione vivorum,” with which the vespers for the dead open ; and the anthem to the first nocturne in the matins of the office for the dead, (i Dirige, Domine Deus meus, in conspectu tuo viam meam.” The term dirge is an abbreviation from the Latin dirige. [Gage’s Hist. Hen- grave, 112.] P. 82, 1. 4. Cophor stonding at the North gate with a cheyr therby. Probably provided for a hermit. There were hermits at all the Bury gates. 1. 11. A sars oflaton. A sieve or cullender. “ j sarche of tre,” a wooden sieve, occurs in the Fastolfe Inventory. [Arch. xxi. p. 27.] 1. 16. A peyre bedys ofjeete , gaudied with corail. “ Gauded gold ” occurs in p. 144. A pair of beads was the term for a string of beads, used as a mechanical help to ascertain the number of their prayers, from Ang. Sax. bede, a prayer. Every tenth bead was suc- ceeded by one larger and more embellished than the rest, and called a gaude. The gauds were for Paternosters, the beads for Ave Maries. P. 84, 1. 6. My feffoors to delyuer strengthe jn as moche londe. A curious use of the word in the sense of power and authority. Another instance occurs in the will of John Bewcliyr, of Ixworth, 1530. “ I gyve all my strength that my mother gaue me, Mar- garet Bewcher by name, I gyve nowe all my strength to John Wallgore for to gyve or to sell all the goods, houses, and londes, &c.” [Lib. Longe, f. 42]. P. 86, 1. 5. Lady Gecyle, late Duches of YorJce. Daughter of Ralph Neville first Earl of Westmerland, wife of Richard Duke of York, slain at the battle of Wakefield in 1460 ; and mother of King Edward IY. and King Richard III. 1. 12. To pray for all tho that I am dette bovmde to do. Peter Frere, of Wickham- skeith, gentleman, a century later, thinking prayers for the living preferable to those for the dead, directed that the poor to whom the burial dole should be delivered were to be desired to pray “ to God for his blessing upon his posterity.” [Lib. Stevens, f. 296.] P. 87. My lord, William of Suffolk. This person, who is not mentioned by Dugdale, in his Baronage, was the younger son of William de la Pole, first duke of Suffolk. His wife the lady Katharine was the third daughter of William second Lord Stourton. See NOTES. 251 the pedigree of De la Pole in Frost’s Notices of the Early History of Hull, 4to. 1827, p. 31. P. 88, 1. 19. My syde tawney goivne. Ang. Sax. sid, ample, broad, spacious ; in which sense Shakspere uses “ side-sleeves ” in Much Ado about Nothing, act iii. sc. 3. Modern East Anglians, according to Forby, strangely depart from the ancient meaning ; saying, “ This sleeve is too side, it must be let out.” 1. 31. A seynt Antony crosse. A tau cross. In the will of Thomas Clerk, of Bury, gent. 1506, [Lib. Pye, f. 190] “ a tau crosse of gold weyng iij lid’ is be- queathed to his wife; and in that of Katryn Smere, of Bury, widow, 1527, occurs “ my best towelly w fc y e crosse of Seynt Antony.” The tau cross was borne in the armorial coat of the Drurys of Hawsted, near Bury; having been assumed, says Sir John Cullum, by Nicholas Drury, as an augmentation, in consequence of having been in the expedition to Spain with the Duke of Lancaster in 1386. [Hist. Hawsted, p. 131.] P. 89, 1. 3. Lady Elisabeth the Duches of a Suffolk. Daughter of Cicely, Duchess of York, before-mentioned; sister of King Edward IV. and King Richard III.; and wife of John de la Pole, created Duke of Suffolk in 1463. P. 91, 1. 25. A sperver of sylke. In p. 135 “ spurver curtanys” occur ; and in the will of Elizabeth Drury, 1475, is “a white bedde made sparverwyse.” [Hist. Thingoe Hund. 283.] The etymon of sparver is uncertain. Can it be from Ang. Sax. sparran, abdere, to shut or close ? The tents in the arms of the Company of Upholsterers are called in their patent, 5 Edw. IV. Spervers. Horman, in his valuable Vulgaria, says, “ Some haue curteynes, some sparuers aboute the bedde to kepe awey gnattes — conopeum lectum circumspergunt.” Thomas’s Italian Dictionary, 1548, has “ Padiglione (Italian), the pauilion or the sparuiour of a bedde.” In an account of the expenses of the King of Scotland, 1474, is this item : 46 For 4 elne & ane halue of tartane for a sparwort abouin my lord princes cradill, price elne 10s.” [Maitland’s Scotland, i. 327.] In Nichols’s Leicestershire, iii. 265, note 1 : “ Then every of them [4 yeomen] stuck up the aungells about the bedde and lette down the corteynes of the bed, or sparver.” 1. 26. A cowntyrpointe. A coverlet composed of counter points or panes of various colours, contrasting with each other. Counterpane is the same thing. P. 92, 1. 18. At my buryng day there be delte xls. in brede at my door. The door of the house of mourning was crowded by beggars. Laurence Smyth, 1481, directs “ j d. and a ferdyng lof,” to be given to “ every poure and nedy coming to the dore suyng.” [Lib. Hawlee, f. 325.] P. 93, 1. 29. A graveston of marbnll. John Gallaunt, of Bury, tailor, 1526, directed to “be bought a marbull ston to ley on my grave to the value of xls.” [Lib. Hood, f. 132.]; and Robert Heynes, the elder, of Sudbury, one to the place of “ xxvjs. viijeL” [Lib. Brydone, f. 160.] 252 THE BURY WILLS. P. 94, 1. 16. Ayen. Against. In p. 54 occurs “ dischargyng ther concyens ayens God.” P. 96, 1. 26. A part be gevyn to poor maydyns at ther maryage. Marriage gifts of pewter vessels are bequeathed in p. 97 ; and William Walker, of Bury, fletcher, 1539, directed all his “ peyntyd clothys to be gevyn vnto pore yong copylls y 1 be newly maryed.’ ’ [Lib. Hollond, f. 54.] 1. 27. A parte to be spent in hy weyys. The following item in the will of John Cowpere, late of Hawsted, 1522, will give some idea of the way in which even the principal streets of a town were dependent on private benevolence for being at all in order : “I will that myn executors shall gader and carye, or do gadyr or cary, sex score lods of smale stones w‘ tho & suche as I have gadyrid all redy, and those I will shalbe leyed in the highweyes betwyx the Southgate and Seynt Mary chyrche where most nede shalbe. And that to be don xx lods yerly til it be don.” [Lib. Hood, f. 110.] P. 98,1. 10. My coffyr of syprys. Cyprus chests used for keeping linen clothes in, mentioned in the will of the Countess of Bath, 1561 [Hist. Hengrave, 136]; and in the will of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, “ a little box of Cypress wood ” is the deposi- tory of “rings, diamonds, rubies,” &c. [Test. Yet. 141.] Shakspere makes Gremio, in “ Taming of the Shrew,” act ii. sc. 1, keep his arras in cypress chests. 1. 18. My corall bedys of thrys fyfty. The Abbe Prevost (Manuel Lexique) says the rosary consists of fifteen tens (or 150 Ave Marias and 15 Paternosters) in honour of the fifteen mysteries in which the Virgin Mary bore a part. Ibid. My maryeng ryng with all things hangyng thereon. Mr. Whincopp, of Woodbridge, who has a large and curious collection of rings, has one, silver gilt, with ten smaller rings thereto, which he says was a decade ring, used instead of beads for num- bering prayers. The passage in the text suggests a different use. The will of Marion Chamber, of Bury, 1505, describes her “ maryeng ryng ” as having “a dyamond & the rubie therin.” [Lib. Pye, f. 171.] Inscriptions and posies on wedding rings were com- mon. One found a few years since in the neighbourhood of Bury had this inscription on the inside, “ Mulier viro subiecta esto.” 1. 21. A tabyll callyd a counto x . See Way’s Prompt. Parv. p. 98. P. 100, 1. 3. A sangred to be prayed for in the bedroule. The particular service known by this name is not ascertainable. Thome Pakenham, of Ixworth Thorpe, 1504, be- queathed “ to the sepulkyr lyght vj hyves of beene to pray ffor me and my wyffe in y e comon sangered.’ 1 ’ 1 [Lib. Fuller, f. 70]. The bead roll was a catalogue of those who were to be mentioned by name in the prayers for deceased benefactors. It was always read on All Saints’ Day. 1. 17. Cobernys, anndernys. Cobirons were those which supported the spit. In the inventory of “ certeyne parcels ” at the Guildhall, Bury St. Edmund’s, 1584, is this item : “ ij cobyrons weighing together cl pounds.” Phillips has “ Cob-iron, an iron on which a spit turns ;” and Forby says the irons hung on bars of the kitchen range to support the NOTES. 253 spit are called cob -irons. Aundirons consisted of two upright standards with a bar between for resting the burning wood upon. The standards were frequently much ornamented; and in the time of James I. were sometimes made of silver. “ A pair of handerns ” occurs in p. 115. They were frequently in two parts, supported by feet in the middle. P. 101, 1. 16. ij. boffett stolys. An oval wooden stool, without a back, but with a hole in the seat for the convenience of taking it up. [Cullum’s Hawsted, p. 25.] The Prompt. Parv. has “ Bofet, thre fotyd stole;” but Forby describes the buffet stool in Norfolk as “ a four-legged stool set on a frame like a table, and used as the poor man’s sideboard, table, or stool.” “ Buffett formes ” as well as stools occur in the inventory of Katharine Lady Hedworth, 1568, in Wills, &c. of Surtees Society, i. 282. As the buffet was a cupboard or sideboard, in France termed also the credence, Forby is perhaps correct. P. 105, 1. 26. Clothto be set vpon my hers. The term is derived from the frame for support- ing the lights (called hercia or her pica, from its resemblance in form to a harrow) customarily placed around the coffin on the day of burial. At the date of this will the bier on which the coffin rested was called the herse. In p. 109 “ holdyng torches about my lierse ” occurs. 1. 29. My book of the dowtes of Holy Scryptur to ly and remayn in the cloyster. R. G. in “ Notes and Queries,” i. p. 154, considers this to have been a copy of the “ Liber Qusestionum Yeteris et Novi Testamenti,” formerly ascribed to St. Augustin. In 1519, Robert Same, of Bury, chaplain, bequeathed to the church of Wetheringsett 11 a book called Fasiculus Mors, to lye in the chauncell, for priests to occupye ther tyme when it shall please them, praying them to haue my soule in remembraunce as it shall please them of their charite.” [Lib. Hood, f. 62.] In 1509, John Hoore, of Bury, priest, directed his “ book called Speculum Sacerdotum to lye vpon the deske before the ferterers at the hygh aughter in the monastery of Seynt Edmunde.” [Lib. Pye, f. 203.] A “ portos to be cheynyd in the chapell” occurs p. 229. P. 106. Maister Henry Rudde, doctor. Mr. C. H. Cooper obligingly communicates the following note on this learned person ; — Dr. Henry Rudde appears to have been em- ployed by the University of Cambridge in a negociation between that body and the town. In the roll of accounts of the treasurers of the town of Cambridge, from Michaelmas, 16 Hen. VII., to Michaelmas, 17 Hen. VII., is this item : “ Paid for a breakfast in the inn called the Dolphin, at the time of the meeting had for the matter between the Univer- sity and the town of Cambridge, there being assembled for the same Mr. Doctors Rudde and Sokebone, Mr. Burgoyn and Wood, 19c?.” There was a hostel in Cambridge called Rudd’s hostel, but it did not derive its name from this Dr. Henry Rudde, being mentioned as early as temp. Edw. I. P. 107, 1. 1. ij. blynde wyndowes. The triforium or series of arches between the nave and clerestory are ailed “ le blyndstorys ” in the life of Bp. Cardmey. [Oxf. Gloss, p. 57.] 1. 14. Toward the peyntyng of ix ordrys of Aungelis. According to S. Dionysius 254 THE BURY WILLS. the nine orders of celestial spirits were — seraphim, cherubim, thrones, dominions, prin- cipalities, powers, virtues, angels, and archangels. P. 110, 1. 15. My tawny gown furred with shankys. The skin of the leg of a kind of kid, which bears the fur called budge. Phillips. P. 112, 1. 6. Toward y ® ryngers charge off the corfew belle. The origin of this bequest is thus related by Mr. Gage Rokewode [Hist. Hengrave, p. 11] : “ John Perfey, a tenant of the manor of Fornham All Saints, is said to have lost his way in returning from the court to Bury, and to- have recovered himself from a perilous situation by accidentally hearing the striking of the clock or bell at St. Mary’s Bury. This circumstance, if we are to believe a tale not uncommon, led to his devising certain pieces of land which took the name of the Bell Meadow, parcel of the manor of Fornham All Saints, to the churchwardens of St. Mary’s, in order that the bell might be tolled in summer regularly at four o’clock in the morning and nine in the evening ; and in winter at six in the morning and eight at night. And upon condition that the churchwardens should furnish annually at the lord’s court six bottles of French and two of Spanish wine. It is not to be doubted that this endowment for ringing the morning and evening bell of the parish church was to excite the people to repeat the Angelus, according to the general custom in Catholic countries. It may be observed that the Italians call the Angelus bell, AveMaria delV Aurora and Ave Maria della Sera." Mr. Gage Rokewode had not seen the will, which annexes no condition to the bequest. The payment of so much wine was the customary tenure of the land, which formed part of the Babwell lands, appropriated by Abbot Hugh, “ad mensam et ad cameram abbatis.” [Hist. Thingoe Hund. 245.] The land is still held in trust for the purposes of the will, and the customary payment is annually made. 1. 28. Euery jpoor man and woman in my almesse howsyn . . a ffrysed rosat gown. An inferior kind of woollen cloth, first made by the Frisons. Phillips. In 1599 the Bury St. Edmund’s Guildhall Feoffees paid “ vs. for fryse to make the bedell a coate.” 1. 7. Ghirche revis. Churchwardens, Ang. Sax. gerefa , a steward ; still retained in sheriff (shire-reve) , dike-reve, &c. 1. 31. In the orfwes. Orphreys, orfray, aufrigium, fringe, facing, or border, of gold tambour work. See Archaeological Journal, i. 319. P. 113, 1. 19. John Alen, on off the barons off the Excheker. He was constituted fourth Baron of the Exchequer, 18 Feb. 1503-4, [Pat. 19 Hen. VII. p. 1, m. 29,] and his appointment was renewed on the accession of Henry VIII. 25 April, 1510. [Pat. 1 Hen. VIII. p. 2, m. 31.] P. 114, 1. 3. Richard Pynson, of London , prenter , and Frensheman. He acquired his knowledge of the art of printing from Caxton, and succeeded Wynkyn de Worde as the third royal printer. He printed several editions of the English translation of Boc- caccio, by Lydgate the monke of Bury ; and in 1499 an edition of the Promptorium Par- vulorum, an East Anglian dictionary. NOTES. 255 P. 114, 1. 5. Nicholas Colyn , Frensheman , in Cambrygge. Query, a relative and agent of Colinaeus the Paris printer of Greek and Latin authors. P. 115, 1. 24. A Seynt Joh’is hede of alabaster with Seynt Peter and Seynt Thomas and the figure of Cryst. This describes one of those alabaster carvings of the head of Saint John surrounded by figures of other saints, of which one specimen has been engraved in Stukeley’s Palseographia Britannica, another in Schnebbelie’s Antiquaries’ Museum (also given in the History of Leicestershire, vol. iv. pi. lxx. and in Fosbroke’s Encyclopedia of Antiquities), and two more in the Gentleman’s Magazine for September, 1824. One of these last, which formerly belonged to Mr. John Carter, is in the possession of John Bowyer Nichols, esq. F.S.A. together with a second which has not been engraved, and which Mr. Nichols received from the late Sir S. R. Meyrick, in exchange for another carving which had belonged to Mr. Carter — it is thought also of the same character, but this is not certain. However, still another carving of this design is described in the Gen- tleman’s Magazine for Oct. 1824, by T. A(dderley) of Great Surrey-street, which had belonged about 50 years before to the Rev. Mr. Wickham, of Horrington, in Somerset- shire. In all of them the head of Saint John of a large proportionate size occupies the centre ; it has been mistaken for the image of Edessa, for that of Saint Veronica, and for the first person of the Holy Trinity. The figure placed beneath appears to have been generally Christ rising from his tomb ; who in the first example above mentioned (which belonged to Samuel Gale, esq.) is a naked figure seated, the hands tied with cords, and Stukeley thought it represented Saint John bound in prison. In the fourth example (now in the possession of Mr. Nichols,) and in that which belonged to Mr. Adderley, it is the Holy Lamb instead of the human figure of Christ. The saints on either side, figured at whole length, are, in every instance but one, the same as those described in the will here quoted, viz. Saint Peter and Saint Thomas of Canterbury: in Stukeley’s specimen, the second is represented as Saint Paul (probably the draughtsman’s misappre- hension, from the crosier of Saint Thomas having been broken in the original,) and in the rear are placed Saint Katharine and Saint Helen. In the Rev. Edward Duke’s specimen (Gent. Mag. ubi supra) the same figures in the rear also occur : Saint Katharine with her wheel, and Saint Helen bearing three nails of the cross. In Mr. Wells’s carving (that engraved by Schnebbelie) is also Saint Katharine, and a fourth figure has been broken away. At the summit of the whole design was represented a soul conveyed to heaven by angels. Such is doubtless the true explanation of the constituent parts of these carvings, which have been much discussed and greatly misinterpreted : but the reason or meaning of their being put together in this particular way still remains to be discovered. — J.G.N. 1. 25. A choche of red sarsenet and grene ffrengyd. The Glossary to “ Wick- liffe’s Apology for the Lollards,” has “ chouche, a couch.” (?) 1. 30. A gretjoynyd cheyre at the deyse in the halle. The raised platform at the upper end of the hall, whereon sat the host and his principal guests at festivals, was termed the dese; Fr. deis or daix. See Way’s Prompt. Parv. p. 119. 256 THE BURY WILLS. P. 116, 1. 1. Pelow beres. Cloths for laying over the pillow, sometimes of very rich material and work. In Chaucer’s “ Dreme ” we have, “ And many a pillow, and every here Of cloth of Raynes, to slepe on softe.” In the Fastolfe Inventory, Arch. xxi. p. 27, “ ix. berys for fetherbeddys ” are errone- ously explained to mean bedsteads. 1. 2. iij. Tcusshons, ij. with harts, and on of other worTce. Cushions “ of forest work ” are mentioned in the will of Agnes Gippes, of Bury, widow, 1560 [Lib. Sun- day, f. 357]; “ with redde bucks,” in that of Jane Holt, 1555 [lb. f. 286] ; “ with the pyghtur of y e unicorn,” Thos. Mosse, 1531 [Lib. Hollond, f. 3]; and “ of tapessery werk with braunches,” Eliz. Drury, 1475 [Lib. Hawlee, f. 219]. 1. 15. A golde corse with beletts. The ornaments of the girdle were frequently of the richest description. Margaret Newha we, of Bury, widow, in 1519, bequeathed “j. corse gyrdill of Yenyse gold, herneysid with silver and parcell gilt. [Lib. Hood, f. 71.] ■ 1. 23. A grett chest corvyn on the oute syde. Corvun or kutte, corvone, scissus, sculptus. Way’s Prompt. Parv. 94. P. 119, 1. 15. A qwern, iijs. iiij d. Quern, a handmill; Angl. Sax. cwyrn. Mustard quearns occur in p. 220; and malt querns in the will of Thomas Astye, of Weston, 1557. [Lib. Dove, f. 305.] Alice Pechye, of Soham, 1525, directed his quern to be “ common to euerie poore man when he hath neede and helpinge to the reparacyon of the same.” [Lib. Brydone, f. 310.] The will of William Toly, “ quernepykker, ” 1441, is in Lib. Osbern, f. 247. P. 122, 1. 7. For the dome peynted. A representation of the Doom, or Day of Judg- ment, a frequent subject on fresco in parish churches. P. 126, 1. 7, One nevj thrombyed hate. Probably a hat with very long nap resembling a hat of shaggy fur. They appear often in illuminations: “ Thrumm of a clothe, filamen, villus, fractillus." [Prompt. Parv.] ^Irto (Italian), thrommed, rough, heavie.” [Thomas’s Ital. Diet. 1548.] A “ sylke thrummed hatt ” occurs in the will of Elizabeth Bacon, of Hessett, 1570. [Lib. Aldrich, f. 40.] 1. 6. My valentyn Agnes Illy on, xs. John Aldham, of North Cove, in 1626 bequeathed “ to my valentine old Mrs. Beere one ringe of goulde of xs." [Lib. Corner, f. 158.] It was customary to draw lots on St. Valentine’s Eve for valentines. Accord- ing to Bourne and Brand [Pop. Antiq. i. 31] “ the names of a select number of one sex are, by an equal number of the other, put in some vessel; and after that, every one draws a name, which for the present is called their valentine, and is looked upon as a good omen of their being man and wife afterwards.” The custom is alluded to by several of the early dramatists; and in the Autobiog. of Sir Simonds D’Ewes, ii. 162, is a letter from Mr. Wm. Boswell to Sir Wm. Waldegrave vindicating his pupil, Mr. Clopton, and himself, from a report arising from the custom that the former was married or contracted to one of NOTES. 257 Dr. Duport’s daughters. “ About a quarter of a yeare since (he writes), Mr. Clopton was amongst other fellowes and gentlemen of our [Jesus] colledge drawne by paper lotts to be valentine to one of Dr. Duport’s daughters : which being tould unto Mr. Clopton he came presently and asked mee what he should doe. I resolved him as the other company did ; which afterward giving gloves unto their valentine, wee also bought a paire costing 2s. 6d. and bestowed them uppon her, which (God is my witness) was done without any such intent as the report falsely carrieth. Neyther did the gentleman or myself ever speake twice unto those daughters in our lives.” It appears to have been a fruitful cause of slander. The Diary of Walter Yonge [p. 51] relates in 1621-22, that “it was reported that the King was married to Sir John Croste’s daughter: which speech grew upon cross- ing of valentines as is reported.” P. 127, 1. 22. My portygewe of gold. A gold coin worth three pounds ten shillings. 1. 25. My Kendall cote. Made of cloth for which Kendal in Westmerland was famous, usually of a green colour. Falstaff’s ** three misbegotten knaves in Kendal green ” [Hen. IY. act ii. sc. iv.] will readily occur to the reader. P. 128, 1. 24. lyte brynning before the sacrement. The sacrament or consecrated wafer was reserved in a ciborium or pyx, suspended over the altar, before which was a lamp continually burning. P. 129, 1. 8. All my boles, excepte the play boles. Copies of some of the Moralities, or dramatic allegories, which hold the intermediate place between the Mysteries and the regular drama, at this time much used by the Romanists to satirise the Reformers. Three or four of these Moralities, written before 1550, are printed in Hawkins’s Ancient Drama and Dodsley’s Old Plays. See also Hallam’s Literature of Europe, i. chap. yiii. P. 130, 1. 3. The tramely yn the chemney. A moveable iron bar over the fire to hang pots on. 1. 11. Mybowe and my shaftes. The will of John Fodryngey, of Bury, cook, 1513, mentions “abowe of Ewe, oon of the best, and j. sheff arowys.” [Lib. Mason, f. 27.] P. 133. Barbara Mason, Prioress of Marham. Blomefield [Norfolk, vii. 392] says that Barbara Mason occurs as Abbess of Marham in 1511, and was the last abbess. At the Dissolution the following crime was laid to her charge : “ Barbara Mason peperit semel et fatetur se cognitam a priore de Pentney.” P. 134, 1. 9. The twylt couerlyt. A quilted coverlet. A quilt is called a twilt in East Anglia, as well as in the North. Forby. Or it may be twilled, from a peculiarity in the number of threads either in warp or woof, bilix, double in one or other direction. 1. 21. A dyeper towell of vij yards longe. In 1512 John Brymley bequeathed to CAMD. SOC. 2 L 258 THE BURY WILLS. the church of Grazeley, in Suffolk, his “large dyaper towayle to hosyll the pepull w‘all at Estern tyme ” [Lib. Mason, f. 18.] ; that is, to be used at the administration of the Sacra- ment. In a petition to King Edward the Sixth from the parishioners of Leominster, it is stated that there are in that town 2,000 husselling people — persons who received the Com- munion. The “holy housel called Christ’s body and blood” occurs in Strype’s Life of Abp. Parker, 238. P. 135, 1. 22. Curtanys of dornyTcs. A kind of stuff used for curtains, carpets, and hangings, so called from Doornick, or Tournay, in Flanders, where it was first made. There was a celebrated manufactory of dornecks, hats, and coverlets at Pulham, in Nor- folk. Agnes Plerryes, widow, of Bury, 1560, bequeathed, “ j couerlyglit of Pulhamworke” to the church of St. James, in that town, “ to serue at the mynystration of the cSmunyon.” [Lib. Sunday, f. 31.] 1. 26. The bowche of the letter in the botom. Boss, or projection, caused by stamping a letter on the outside of the bottom. Palsgrave has : “ To booce or boce out, as workemen do a holowe thynge to make it seem more apparent to the eye, endocer. This broderer has boced this pece of worke very well.” - — 1. 31. New pounced pece. In p. 116, 1. 17, occurs “ a powsyd basyn with a rose and in the will of John Helpston the elder, of Bury, grocer, 1502, “my best pownsyd peece.” [Lib. Pye. f. 139.] Pounsonnez , indented or pricked with sharp pointed in- struments, a method of ornamenting plate used by the Morescoes, or Moors in Spain, in patterns or shapes of flowers, but principally for letters. [Test. Yet. vol. I. xxxii.] See in Archseologia, xxix. p. 55, Mr. J. GL Nichols’s detailed remarks on this term. P. 136, 1. 12. vj sylver sponys wyth Jcnopyys on thende. An ornament of any kind at the end. “Knopped with the ymage of our Lady,” occurs in the will of Anne Woode, of Bury, 1525. [Lib. Hood, f. 125.] A very favourite ornament on spoons of the age was the bud of a tree or flower, a bunch of leaves about to expand. 1. 19. Gyrdyll of golde callyd a dymysent. Demi-ceinte, probably a girdle orna- mented only in front. P. 142, 1. 19. Gown of pewke. The same as puce, a sober brown colour. 1.21. The Bybyll and the New Testament. Probably Coverdale’s Bible, printed abroad in 1532, and the first English Bible which contained the New Testament. P. 144, 1. 7. My best coverings of the Passion. The weaving of coverlids was a distinct trade. They were frequently bequeathed by ladies, to be used as altar carpets. Joan Drawswerd, of Bury, widow, in 1533, directed her “ rede couerlight to lye afore the high auter, at good tymes, and to do other thyngs necessary to be don therwith.” [Lib. Hol- lond, f. 11.] And in 1560, Agnes Herryes, widow, bequeathed to the church of St. James, in Bury, “ j couerlyght of Pulhamworke and iij cusshines to serue at the mynys- tration of the comunyon.” [Lib. Sunday, f. 31.] 1. 34. My thre greatbolles with the cover. Ang. Sax. bolla, any round vessel, cup, pot, or bowl, whether with or without cover or foot. NOTES. 259 P. 145, 1. 3. My 'pomander of gold. Pomme d'aumbre , originally an apple of amber, but afterwards applied to balls of any perfume, and to the utensil in which perfumes were carried about the person. The “ muske bal of gold ” in p. 35 was a pomander. Cardinal Wolsey’s pomander was an orange, with the substance taken out, and filled up with sponge and aromatic vinegar [see his Life by Cavendish] ; and the balls resembling oranges which in old portraits and monumental effigies appear in the hands, attached to the wrists, or suspended from the girdle, are pomanders. A silver vessel, like an apple, filled with warm water, for the priest to warm his fingers during excessive cold, to prevent acci- dents in handling the chalice, was called a pomander. [Pugin’s Eccl. Arch. 146.] 1. 34. Flat silver pece, with a collumbyne in the bottome. In the Fastolfe inventory [Archseologia, xxi. p. 27] are “ iiij cuppes gilt, like founteyns, with j columbyne floure enameled in the myddes.” The columbine was one of the badges of the House of Lan- caster and Margaret of Anjou. Like the willow, it was a token of unfortunate love. P. 146, 1. 5. Mr. John Eyer, of Bury, esquier. At the dissolution of the Monastery of St. Edmund he became occupier of the abbatial palace; and, in 1560, in consideration of the sum of 412Z. 19s. 4 d., obtained a grant under the great seal of all the site of the mo- nastery, churchyard, &c. [Yates’s Bury, 245.] 1. 9. My good neighbour Thomas Cage. He was one of the churchwardens authorised by the parishioners of the two parishes in Bury St. Edmund’s to dispose of the superstitious church plate,” 1 Edw. YI. The produce, says the “ Description of Bury,” edit. 1771, amounted to 480L, “ a great part of which one Mr. Cay sacrilegiously per- verted to his own use — the fatal effects of which spoil his family and descendants are said to have had the sad experience of.” 1. 11. My best velvet partlet. The loose collar of a doublet, to be set on or taken off by itself. 1. 18. Oon of my night railes. A gathered piece of cloth worn by women about the neck in their bed rooms. Angl. Sax. Nihtes-hrcegel , a night-gown. P. 147,1. 11. A lockerom lcercher. A “ lockrome smocke ” occurs in the will of Rachell Aggas, of Melford, widow, 1644. [Lib. Meadowes, f. 325.] In Beaumont and Fletcher’s “ Spanish Curate,” “ two hundred ells of lockram ” are mentioned as being given annually “ to poor maiden’s marriages;” and in Shakspere’s “ Coriolanus,” “ The kitchen malkin pins Her richest lockram bout her reechy neck.” It was probably a coarser kind of linen. 260 THE BURY WILLS. P. 150, 1. 1<. Syxe hangmge basons of latton. The use of the hanging bason is shewn in the annexed representation of the interior of a German barber’s shop, by Jost Amman; the use of which has been permitted by the Committee of the Bury and West Suffolk Archaeological Institute; where a man, whose head has been shaved, appears kneeling on the second step of a piece of furniture resembling modern bed-steps, and holding his head over a large basin let in the top of it, while water trickles down upon it from a bason hanging by a hook to a peg projecting from the wall, and the barber rubs it with a cloth. 1. 27. ij. molver stones with the runners. The stone which is held in the hand in grinding colours, &c. is called the muller; Fr. molleur. P. 153, 1. 6. A slcillet panne. “ Skillet, a small pot of iron or copper with a long handle.” Forby. Gage Rokewode explains the word by “ vessels usually made of bell metal.” Hengrave, p. 36. Phillips has “ Sceletta , a little bell for a church steeple, whence our vessels called skillets, usually made of bell metal.” New World of Words. The modern stewpan is called a skillet in East Anglia. 1. 12. xx. old shepe and x. hoggs. Sheep a year old, after the first shearing, are still called hogs and hoggets; N. Fr. hogetz. Forby. P. 154, 1. 1. My bodye to be browght to the erthe wythe out pomp or pryde. Particular NOTES. 261 requests touching the manner of burial are frequent. (See Index.) In 1425 William Calf, capellanus, directed his body to be buried “ in linthiamino et non in cista.” [Lib. Osbern, f. 177.] Thomas Brown, of Bury, shoemaker, 1535, directed his “ body to be caryed vpwards in the strett, and not downwards, as my predecessors bathe ben born towards the churche befor me.” [Lib. Hollond, f. 31.] Thomas Medowe, of Bury, scri- vener, 1498, required his body to be “ fette to chirche with v. preysts and with the iij. parysshe clerks.” [Lib. Pye, f. 65.] In 1527 Thomas Chirche, of Bury, bell founder, directed 12 233 Tombs, bequests to uphold, 213 Tongs, 23, 100, 140 with brass heads, 220 Tonnyng vessell, 101 Toorkes, 91 Top work, abroad at spinners, 169 Torches, 74 held by men and women clad in black and white, 17 about the herse, 109 Toret, of siluyr, 16 To wells, 13 Towels, of diaper, 7 yards long, 134, 257 short washing, 23 Tubbes, 25 Tunic, de albo russet, 4 Tramely in the chimney, 130, 257 Trampson, 23, 242 Transoms, of a bed, 23, 25, 53, 81, 115, 242 Trees, not to be cut down, 46 Trenchowrs, 23 Trental of masses, 50, 83, 114, 115 of St. Gregory, 94 Trestles, 23, 25, 101 a pair, 156 joined, 115 Treuetts, 100 Trevid, 82 Trewd, 23, 242 Trinity, image of, 36, 138 Triptych, 240 Trivets, 82, 100 Troues of the auter, 83 Trought, 78 Trowys, 101 Trunk, gilt, with glasses round about it, w l the cover, 144 Trusse, 34, 245 Tunica vel toga, 12 Tunnys, of chimneys, 20, 241 Twilt, 257 Vacation time, expenses in, 3 Vacca, 44 Vails, 241 Valaunce of scripture, 36 double, 82 Valentines, 126, 256 Vas, ereum pro aqua benedicta, 14 Veils, 4 Vestimentum dominicale, 13 feriale, 13 hole, 97 novum, 7 Vestments, white, for the altar, 7, 240 for our Lady’s mass, 18 of white busteyn, 18, 240 of white satin, powdered with St. Nicholas arms, 107 green silk betyn w l goold, 134 Virgilius, cum commento, 140 Virgeneys, the, 39, 248 Vtas, 28, 244 Vys dore, 29, 244 Unicorn’s horn, handles of knives made of, 10, 232 Urciolus, 3, 4, of brass, 9, 44 Wages, servant’s for a yeer, 107 Waits, 241 Wante and wantyrop, 155, 261 Ward clerks, 16 Wardens of gilds, 111 Water, brass vase for holy, 14 Wax, 10, 17, 44 Wayl, 40, 241 Ways, repair of, 96, 112, 132, 154, 158, 160 Weights of lead, 4 heavy, of lead, 4 Well, reparation of, 20 cros over, 20 esement to the, to dra we water, 32 Wergoys, barrell with, 23 Wheel, 3, 4 Whistle, silver, 41 with the coral and chain of sil- ver, 186 White rent, 24, 243 Widowhood, pure, 75 Willett’s Sinopsis Papismi, 209 300 INDEX IV. — RERUM. Wills made before going on a pilgrimage, 83 — copy of to be kept by the Friars of Babwell, 80 •— one part to be kept by chantry priest, 64 to be read every year att Candle- mas Gild, 78 to stand ferme and stable, 57 never to be changyd, lessyd, or reuokyd, 59 may be reformed by executors, 64 • — tripartite indented, 61 bipartite, 81 Window, of glass, 95 blind, 107, 253 form of stone to, 39, 247 Wine, 63, 211 gallon of red, value of, 30 pot of, value of, 30 licence for drawing, 180 botell for, 23 gallon of, yearly to the alderman of Bury, 27 to the Prior to audit accounts of chantry priest, 63 — — — - a pot of, to help speke, 30 Wife, not to be vexed by children, 165 if fall to poverty, bequests to chil- dren to be voyd, 104 Wife, stipulation against second mar- riage, 45, 101, 187, 193 may marry at friends’ will, 46 residences set apart for, 45, 100, 155 not to have bequest till husband has infeoffed lands for her life, 48 bequest to, to call upon her hus- band to do his part under the will, 36 catall’ ad sustentacionem, 45 Woadfat coverings, 155, 261 Wood, vessels of, 1 brush, 169 to be distributed to poor, 150 a place in the garden to lay it in, 22 Woolcombs, 3, 4 Wonostede, 23 Working house, common, 178 Worship, folks of, 18 Wounds, our Lord’s five, 17, 130, 136,138 Women, clad in black and white, 17 Woytez, 20, 241 Writers, 42 Wrongs done by cattle, 86, 87 Yeerday, observances at, 22, 27, 129, 138 Zone, 3, 6 silver, 4 de ceria, 44 London : J. B. Nichols and Son, Printers, 25, Parliament Street. CAMDEN SOCIETY. FOR THE PUBLICATION OF EARLY HISTORICAL AND LITERARY REMAINS. At a General Meeting of the Camden Society held at the Freemasons’ Tavern, Great Queen Street, Lincoln’s Inn Fields, on Thursday, the 2nd of May, 1850, The Lord BRAYBROOKE, the President, in the chair, The President having opened the business of the Meeting, The Secretary read the Report of the Council agreed upon at their meeting of the 17th of April, whereupon it was Resolved, That the Report of the Council be received and adopted, and that the Thanks of the Society be given to the Council for their services. Resolved, That the Thanks of the Meeting be given to the Editors of the Society’s publications for the past year, and to the Local Secretaries. Resolved, That the Thanks of the Meeting be given to the Rev. Edward Ryder, for his kindness in permitting the Society to publish the Original Letters of Queen Elizabeth and King James ; and that this expression of their thanks be accompanied by the wish, that he will add to the obligation he has conferred upon the Society, and the service he has already rendered to Historical Literature, by permitting the Council to make a further selection from the valuable historical documents in his possession. The Secretary then read the Report of the Auditors, agreed upon at their Meeting of the 27th of April, whereupon it was Resolved, That the said Report be received and adopted, and that the Thanks of the Society be given to the Auditors for their services. 2 ANNIVERSARY MEETING OF 1850. Thanks having been voted to the Treasurer, the Meeting proceeded to the election of a President and Council for the year next ensuing ; when. The Right Hon. Lord Braybrooke, F.S.A. was elected President ; and John Yonge Akerman, Esq. Sec. S.A. Thomas Amyot, Esq. F.R.S., F.S.A. William Henry Blaatjw, Esq. M.A. F.S.A. John Bruce, Esq. Treas. S.A. John Payne Collier, Esq. Y.P.S.A. Charles Purton Cooper, Esq. Q.C., D.C.L., F.R.S., F.S.A. William Durrant Cooper, Esq. F.S.A. Bolton Corney, Esq. M.R.S.L. Sir Henry Ellis, K.H., F.R.S., Sec. S.A. The Rev. Joseph Hunter, F.S.A. Peter Levesque, Esq. F.S.A. Sir Frederick Madden, K.H. Frederic Ouvry, Esq. F.S.A. William John Thoms, Esq. F.S.A. and Thomas Wright, Esq. M.A. F.S.A. were elected as the Council ; and Edward Foss, Esq. F.S.A. William Richard Drake, Esq. F.S.A. and Edward Hailstone, Esq. F.S.A. were elected Auditors of the Society for the ensuing year. Thanks were then voted to the Secretary, and to the President, for the warm interest always taken by him in the proceedings of the Society, and for his kind and able conduct in the Chair. ELECTION OF OFFICERS, 1850. At a Meeting of the Council of the Camden Society held at No. 25, Parliament Street, Westminster, on Wednesday the 8th May, 1850, the Council having proceeded to the Election of Officers, — Thomas Amyot, Esq. was elected Director; John Payne Col- lier, Esq. Treasurer; and William J. Thoms, Esq. Secretary, for the Year next ensuing. REPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CAMDEN SOCIETY, ELECTED 2nd MAY, 1849. The Council of the Camden Society, elected on the 2nd of May, 1849, while obliged to repeat the admission of their predecessors, that, in common with every other literary society of a similar nature, the Camden has suffered a diminution in its ranks from the operation of public causes, are happy to announce that the same feeling which led to the successful establishment of the Society still exists, and that, although the causes to which allusion has been made have led to a reduction of the Society’s annual income, there remains every prospect of its continuing its course of usefulness for many years to come. Acting upon this conviction, the Treasurer has invested a composition paid during the past year in lieu of future annual payments, by which means the sum standing in the name of the Trustees has been increased from £911 11s. to £921 18s. The Council have added to the List of Local Secretaries the name of Major Parkinson, who has consented to undertake that office for Ystrad and South Wales ; and, when they remember the number of gentlemen spread over the country who are now interested in historical and archceo- logical studies, they cannot but believe that if Members resident in districts for which Local Secretaries have not yet been appointed could be induced to take upon themselves an office entailing little trouble, but capable of being rendered most serviceable to the Society, no difficulty would be experienced in supplying those vacancies in our ranks which have been produced by the progress of years and the operation of public causes. 4 REPORT OF THE COUNCIL, 1850. The Council have to regret the deaths, during the past year, of — Arthur Biggs, Esq. Rev. William Blunt, B.A. Rev. Thomas Byrth, M.A., F.S.A. The Very Reverend the Dean of Hereford, F.S.A. The Rev. John William Hughes, M.A. The Lord Bishop of Llandaff, F.S.A. Edward Raleigh Moran, Esq. John Noble, Esq. F.S.A. Arthur Palmer, Esq. Louis Hayes Petit, Esq. F.R.S. and F.S.A. T. Powell Powell, Esq. Sir Cuthbert Sharp, Y.P.S.A. Newc. John Stirling, Esq. William Wordsworth, Esq. To this list must be added the names of Mr. J. Stockdale Hardy, F.S.A. for some years the active and efficient Local Secretary for Leicester, and Mr. Thomas Stapleton, late Vice-President of the Society of Antiquaries. The interest which Mr. Stapleton always displayed in the welfare of the Camden Society, in the formation of which he took an early part, was manifested not only by the punctuality with which he attended the Meetings of the Council, of which he continued a Member until the close of the past year, but by the readiness with which he employed his stores of genealogical knowledge in editing for the Society the Plumpton Correspondence, the Liber de Antiquis Legibus, and the Peterborough Chronicle. He was busily engaged upon the last-mentioned work when seized with the fatal illness which eventually deprived the Society of an accomplished and zealous labourer, and the Council of a most respected and efficient colleague. The Council have, during the past year, added the following works to the List of those proposed to be published by the Society : — I. The Trevelyan Papers. A Selection of Family Papers illustrative of Irish History, from a.d. 1595 to the Restoration. To be edited by Sir W. C. Trevelyan, Bart. II. Privy Purse Expenses of Charles II. and James II. To be edited by J. Y. Akerman, Esq. Sec. S.A. REPORT OF THE COUNCIL, 1850. 5 The books issued during the past year have been — I. Chronicon Petroburgense. Nunc primum typis mandatum, curante Thoma Stapleton. This work, commenced and nearly completed by the late Mr. Stapleton — for the editing of the Chronicle and the Appendix had been fully super- intended by him — was rendered available by the exertions of Mr. Bruce, who, when Mr. Stapleton’s labours were interrupted, kindly undertook, out of his personal respect to Mr. Stapleton, and his willingness on this as on many other occasions to do anything in his power for the service of the Camden Society, to complete the Introduction and Index. To the same Gentleman the Society is indebted for editing the second book issued during the past year : viz. — II Inedited Letters of Queen Elizabeth, addressed to King James VI. of Scotland between the years 1581 and 1594. From the originals in the possession of the Rev. Edward Ryder of Oaksey, Wilts. Edited by John Bruce, Esq. Treas. S.A. A work which has already been recognised as well calculated to throw great light on an eventful period in our national history, and, being chiefly founded upon documents preserved in private hands, it would probably have remained unpublished and unknown but for the existence of the Society, furnishing another instance of the benefit which this Institution has been the means of conferring upon our National Literature. The Meeting will probably think it right to testify their obligations to the Rev. Edward Ryder by a vote of thanks. III. The Chronicle of Queen Jane, and of Two Years of Queen Mary, and especially of the rebellion of Sir Thomas Wyat, written by a resident in the Tower of London. Edited, with Illustrative Documents and Notes, by John Gough Nichols, Esq. F.S.A. This work has been so recently completed that it is at present in the hands of but few of the Members. The Council believe that it will be found a work of great historical interest, and an interesting companion to the volume of Machyn^s Diary ; and that it has been edited with the same scrupulous care and fidelity for which that work is distinguished. In closing this Report the Council would remind the Members that the Camden Society was the first to apply the great principle that “ union is strength w to the production of works which although of great historical value do not possess sufficient popular interest to justify their publication 6 REPORT OF THE COUNCIL, 1850. in a merely commercial point of view. Its object is the dissemination of sound historical knowledge; and the Council feel that while this object is kept steadily in view and the funds of the Society are carefully adminis- tered in the manner best calculated to promote it, the Camden Society will never want the support of all who delight to investigate the social, political, or literary history of our fatherland. By Order of the Council, Thomas Amyot, Director. William J. Thoms, Secretary. REPORT OF THE AUDITORS Dated April 27, 1850. We, the Auditors appointed to audit the Accounts of the Camden Society, report to the Society, that the Treasurer has exhibited to us an account of the Receipts and Expenditure of the Society, from the 28th of April, 1849, to the 27th of April, 1850, and that we have examined the said accounts, with the vouchers relating thereto, and find the same to be correct and satisfactory. And we further report that the following is an Abstract of the Receipts and Expenditure during the period we have mentioned. £. s. d. Balance of last year’s account .... Received on account of Members 121 0 10 whose Subscriptions were in ar- rear at the last Audit 86 0 0 The like on account of Subscrip- tions due 1st May, 1849 By composition received from one 596 0 0 Member One year’s dividend on £911 lls.0£ 10 0 0 3 per Cent. Consols, standing in the names of the Trustees of the Society, deducting property-tax 26 10 10 £. s. d. Paid for the purchase of £10 7s. Three per Cent. Con- sols, invested for the benefit of the Society 10 0 0 Paid for printing and paper of 1,000 copies of “Twys- den on the Government of England ” 139 6 8 The like for 1,000 copies of “ Letters of Elizabeth ” . . 112 5 9 The like for 1,250 copies of “ Peterborough Chronicle ” 143 18 0 Paid for binding 1 ,000 copies of “ Huntingdon Visitation ” 38 0 0 The like for 800 copies of “ Smith’s Obituary ” 30 8 0 The like for 800 copies of “ Twysden on the Govern- ment of England ” 33 12 0 The like for 800 copies of “ Letters of Elizabeth ” . . . . 32 0 0 The like for 800 copies of “ Peterborough Chronicle ” . 30 8 0 The like for 50 copies of “ Smith’s Obituary,” and 50 of “Twysden” 4 0 0 Paid for Transcripts connected with works published or in progress 16 9 3 Paid for delivery and transmission of 800 copies of “Smith’s Obituary,” “ Twysden’s Considerations,” “ Letters of Elizabeth,” and “ Peterborough Chro- nicle,” with paper for wrappers, &c 38 10 10 Paid for Miscellaneous Printing, Lists of Members, Reports, &c 16 1 7 0 One year’s payment for keeping Accounts and General Correspondence of the Society 52 10 0 Paid for the expenses of last General Meeting 2 7 0 Paid for postage, carriage of parcels, stationery, and other petty cash expenses 11 17 1 Balance 127 2 1 .£839 11 8 £839 1 1 8 8 REPORT OF THE AUDITORS, 1850. And we, the Auditors, further state, that the Treasurer has reported to us, that over and above the present balance of £127 2s. Id. there are outstanding various sub- scriptions of Foreign Members, of Members resident at a distance from London, &c. which the Treasurer sees no reason to doubt will shortly be received. On consideration of the great inconvenience attached to the present system of closing the annual Account at an indefinite day previous to the General Meeting, and the palpable advantage of adopting the termination of the year as the termination of the annual Account, we beg to recommend that for the future the annual Account shall be closed on the 31st of December in each year, and that a note of the fact shall be added to the Account of 1850, explaining the reason for the apparent diminution of Receipts in that year. J. Y. Akerman,\ Geo. L. Craik, (Auditors. Edw. Foss, j Westminster: printed by john bowyer nichols and son. 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