Lincoln diocese documents, 1450-1544 / edited, with notes and indexes by Andrew Clark

SIXTY-THREE LINCOLN DIOCESE DOCUMENTS,

1450-1544

I: Will, 1450, of Joan Buckland, widow of Richard Buckland, of Edgcott, Northamptonshire.

[ From bishop John Chedworth's Register at Lincoln, lf. 55 to lf. 56. In the same Register, at lf. 84 bk. to 85 bk., is a second copy of this will. In this second copy the surname always appears as 'Bokeland'; and the verb 'wol', or 'woll', is generally 'will', but sometimes 'wyll'. The chief other variants of the second copy are given in the footnotes. Some slight clerical errors in the first copy have been corrected from the second copy without comment.]

This Dame Buckland was a notable housemistress, and her enumeration of, and division of, her household and personal effects are pleasingly minute and distinct.

One of her phrases invites a note, since it touches on a point as to bed-linen which occurs in several other of these wills, but is now practically forgotten. Linen was then woven in a long narrow web, incapable of providing a sheet of sufficient width for any ordinary bed. The usual practice was to take three lengths from such a web and sew them together at their edges so as to form a sheet of the desired width. This arrangement had the advantage, from the point of view of household economy, that, when the middle strip grew thin by use, the long seams could be unpicked, and one of the less worn side-strips put in the middle, removing the original middle-strip to the edge. When this fresh middle-strip became thin in its turn, it changed places with the other side-strip. Each of these strips was called, in English, a 'leaf', or a 'breadth'; in Latin, a folium. Dame Buckland uses 'leaf'. Half-widths occur; e.g. sheets of 'two leaves and a half', some apparently for coverlets, others for narrower beds. Ancient beds were constructed for two, or even several, persons sleeping together. Shakespeare, in Twelfth Night, mentions the then proverbial 'great bed of Ware', in Hertfordshire, which required a sheet of twelve feet square.

Dame Bucklands's bequests include four service-books, catalogued, in the way then in universal use, by the first words of the recto of their second leaf. Such books, to begin their first leaf, had generally a more or less elaborate illumination, so that the first words of the second leaf supplied a simpler distinctive mark by which to recognize them.

[leaf 55]

Testamentum Iohanne Buckland.

In dei Nomine, Amen: in the yere of oure lord Ml cccclti the vj. day of the moneth of Maij, I, Iohane Bukland, ordeyn and dispose all this here vnderwritten for my last wille, at the making herof beyng in good helth thanked be god.

ffirst, I beqweth to the Churche of oure lady of Ochecote ij. Chaleys gilte; Item, a encensure, with a Ship therto, bothe of Syluer; Item, a grene appariell for the Auter, that is for to say, Reredose & frontell powdred with golde, & ij. Rydelles of Grenetarteryn; Item, ij. smale peces of the same sewte for the Sepulcre; Item, ij. Apparell of white for the ij. Auters, with Ryddelles, for lente, & ij. vestumentes of the same seute; Item, j. hole sewte of blew, that is to say, a Cope of Damaske, j. Chesiple, & ij. Tynicles, and all thapparell that longith therto; Item, to the said Churche, a Masseboke, the first worde of the secund leeff dei dixit; Item, j. grayle, the first worde of the secunde leef vel hoc; Item, a portevose, the first worde of the secunde leff ipso die; Item, j. processionary, the first worde of the secunde leffe Oremus. deus qui.

Item, xij. of my best bolle peces, to be departed in this wyse: — to sir Robert, Maister of sent Iohn hospitall of Bannebury, a pece & iiij. spones; Sir Richard Wymark, vicar of donkastre, j. pece & j. spone; Sir William Syleby, j. pece & j. spone; Sir Iohn Greyve, vicar of Blaconesley, j. pece iiij. spones; Maister Thomas Vicary, j. pece & j. spone; Agnes Bukland, j. pece; And to Maister William Rede, j. pece iiij. spones.

Item, to Richard kyddington, a Bolle pece new & vj. spones; Item, to the same Richard, my more sawter at Ochecote.

Item, to the house of Chesthonte, xij. smale spones marked with the towche.

Item, I besett to Richard Clarell a apparell for a auter, that is, a Reredose red of clothe of Sylk with a Crucifix therupon, j. frontell of the same seute, [leaf 55 bk.] j. pyllow for the Auter, j. Auter clothe (the frontell fringed sewed therupon) of the same sewte, ij. rede courteyns of Sylk; Item, to the said Richard, the lasse Chaleys of ij. that I haue at london; Item, a litell payre of salt salers gilt; Item, j. paire of Candelstykkes siluer for the auter; Item, j. litell Chafir of Syluer, with iij. fete; Item, xij. of my best spones that ben here.

Item, to the said Richard, j. rede Syllour and the Testour, three Curteyns & the hylling and all the Costres that longe to the same Chambir of Rede; Item, ij. qwysshyens of Red clothe of Sylk; Item, the best carpett of the twayne grete & j. the best of the litell Carpettes; Item, the best ffetherbed, & the best Matrasse with the best bolster, j. paire of the best ffustyans; Item, ij. of the best pyllows with the Beerys; Item, j. payre of Shetis of Raynes with iij. leues & closse seme; j. hedshete of the same, with ij. leues & dim.; Item, ij. large Bordclothes of knottes of oon sewte, j. longe towell of the same sewte; item, ij. smale towelles of Raynes playne; Item, ij. Surnapes of Raynes wroght, ij. potellers of Syluer of the ffrench Shape; Item, j. longe Settyll & j. Cheyer Coruen; Item, vj. peces Chased with the Coueracle, the Monethes enameled in the Bottom; Item, j. Chafir to hete watir in & my grettest basyn of latyn.

Item, to the said Richard, my litell Sawter; Item, j. paire of Gardeuyance, the best that I haue at london, & a standard that I haue here; Item, to the said Richard, j. paire of Botelles, a superaltare & j. Missall, with Syluer claspes.

Item, I beqweth to Thomas Clarell my grete Bolle pece with the coueracle & j. rounde table, j. litell paire of gardevviance & j. paire of Wynebotellys.

Item, to Pykeringes wyff, j. litell depe Bacyn of Syluer.

Item, I besett to Maister Iohn Trotter, the parson of Ochecote,

j. bed of Blew bokeram with a testour & iij. Courteyns of the same, with all the Costres longyng to the same Chambir; Item, j. good ffetherbed with j. large matrasse hilled with white canuase & j. bolster, a paire of the best blankettes, j. hilling of blew worsted, j. lytell Carpett; Item, j. bolle of Syluer; Item, my lytell Cipres table & j. spitte, suche as is moste necessary for him; Item, I woll that the parson a foresaid haue j. table, j. paire of the best Trestilles, the fairest fourme, j. Copbord; Item, the grettist potte & the grettist panne that is in my Kechyn.

Item, I besette to sir Robert Carleton, Maister of seint Iohns of Bannebury, the stayned bed with iij. Courtayns in the Chambre aboue Clarell, and all the Costres for the same Chambir; vj. qwisshens of Tapstre werk wrought with gootys, j. good fetherbed, j. good matrasse, j. good paire of blankettes & j. hillyng of Red & grene, j. good bolster, j. good pyllow, j. paire of Shetes of ij. leuys & dim.; Item, j. table, j. paire of trestilles, thre ioyned stolys, a Copberd; Also, my secunde grete potte & my secunde grete panne and a spitte suche as is necessare for his vse.

Item, I besette to Iacob, a spreuer of white, a paire of shetis of ij. leues & dim.; a matrasse, a bolster, j. pillow, a paire of blankettes, a gode qwylt.

Item, I besette to sir Iohn Greue, vicar of Blaconesley, a matrasse, j. bolster, j. paire of shetis, j. paire of Blankettes, j. blew hillyng, & iij. courtaynes sewte of the bed in his Chambir; j. Chist suche as is necessary for him, j. Chayer of beyend the see making, j. Chafir for to heete watir inne, & the grettest bason (sauyng oon) of laton.

Item, al my siluer vessell that I haue not beset neither in this testament nor in my Testament at london I vvol that it be solde.

Item, all my other bedding & napery, which I haue not besett in my testament, I wol that it be departed to suche frendis & seruauntes as be with me and to mewardes, after myn executours discrescion.

Item, I wol that al my pewtir vessell be departed among my seruauntes abyding in this Contre and also amonge my tenauntes.

And all my brasse remanentȝ for to be departed in lyke wyse after the discrescion of myn executours.

Item, all my spittes & Rakkes which I haue not besett in my Testament I wol that thei be leffte in the parsonage to my tenauntȝ ease perpetuell, And that thei be indented betwix the parson & the parishens.

Item, I wol that whosoeuer shall reioyse this Maner of Ochecote after my decesse that ther be leffte in the olde Chaumbir the sellure and the Testure enbrowdred and iij. Curtaynes of the same, and all the Costres of the same sewte, the federbed, & a matrasse, j. bolster, & j. paire of fustyance that lyeth on the same bed, and a hilling of the same sewte, j. grete Carpette (the secunde) and a litell Carpet (next the best), the new mattes that lyen in the same Chaumbir; Item, I wol that the Red wosted qwisshens abyde stille in the same Chaumbir, Also j. copeborde.

Item, in the halle, the Red halling lefte in the same, with all the Costirs and Bancours of the same sewte, xij. qwisshens of Red diapred with grene, j. copborde that standith in the halle; Item, a longe table coloured with grene, j. paire of trestilles longing therto, and the side Table with the Trestilles.

Item, I wol that all the Costeringes that longith to the parlour And the Bankers and xij. qwysshens that longen to the same parlour abyde therin; j. table for the high deice (the lenger) with the Trestilles, j. longe grene table with the trestilles, And j. playne forme, [leaf 56] j. Copeborde, & all other necessarijs that ar nayled fast in the said place I wol that thei abyde stille.

Item, all other necessaries as stolys Chistes or formes I wol that myn executours that been in this contre haue that is necessary for hem of the best that is not written afore to theire owne vse and the remenauntȝ to be departed amonge other frendis of myn here in this contree.

Item, as towching my horses that be here at the day of my departing, I wol that Richard Clarell haue the best next my mortuary, Iacob the thirde, Iohn Cook the iiijthe;

as touching my Carthorses, I wol that he that kepith hem at that day haue the best and j. Cowe the best;

the secunde I wol that hertwell haue, & ij. kyne & xij. ewen of thoo that I haue here.

Item, Alyson Swayn ij. kyne & xij. ewen that I haue here at my departyng And that she be well see to of clothing and bedding that is necessary vnto hir and wel rewarded.

Item, j. of the Carthorses to henry Cheyny & j. cowe.

Item, j. Carthorse to Iohn Bole and j. Cowe.

All the remenauntȝ of my kyne and my wedirs that be here in this lordship that thei be spendid amonge my tenauntȝ in mete.

Item, I wol that euery tenaunt of myn in Ochecote haue dim. quarter of wete & dim. quarter of Malt.

All the remenauntȝ of whete and Malt that it be departed in townes here aboute, that is to say, in Wardon, Byfeld, Wardyngton, Croppredy, Culworth, Eydon, Sulgrave, Stotesbury, and other poer townes that be here abowte.

Item, I wol that Iohn Cook haue a matrasse, j. bolster, j. paire of Blankettes, ij. paire of shetis & j. pillow.

Item all the meyny shetis that I haue here for to be departed amonge my seruauntȝ men & wommen.

Item, I wolle that Thomas Clarell haue j. paire of fyne shetis of three levys, with j. hedshete therto of ij. levys & dim.;

Item, to Richard kyddington j. paire of fyne shetis of ij. leuys & dim. with a hedshete of ij. levys.

Item, to my Goddoughter Thomas Clarell doughter j. paire of shetis of ij. levys & dim. & x li. to her mariage & j. bolle pece of Siluer.

Item, to Thomas Bylling j. paire of Gardevyaunce which be here & j. paire of wyne botellys.

Item, to the maister of seint Thomas of Acres my table of yvery that my lord of Bedford yave me.

Item, to Elizabet Richard Clarell wyff, j. violet gowne furred

with Amysse grey; Item, j. nother blak gowne furred with Matrons pollys.

Item, to Ionet Iacob wyff, j. violet Gowne ffurred with Gray.

Item, to Margarett Wlff, j. blak gowne furred with menyver.

All my other Gownes and kirtilles that thei be departed to my wommen seruauntes with me at my departyng.

Item, to eueryche of the iiij. orders of the freris at Oxford xx s. for to say placebo & dirige with masse of Requiem for my housbondsowle and myn oonys at my departyng and efte at my moneth mynde.

In lyke wyse, to the iiij. ordres at Northampton and the ij. ordres at Coventre.

Item, that ther be departed to euery Towne here abowte xx s. that is to say Wardon, Byfeld, Wardington, Cropredy, Culworth, Eydon, Sulgrave, Stotesbury, Bodyngton and other smale townes here abowte to euery towne vj s. viij d.

Item, to Issabell knyghtley, a pece of Arasse with the Salutacion.

Item, to Walter Mantell, j. sprever red and grene paled.

Item, to Iohn Chawce the Elder, j. Sprever white with the Courteynys abowte frenged with white Sylke and a fyne qwyllte of thoo that be at london.

Item, to Margarete Wlff v. li.

Item, to the Prioresse of penley, vj s. viij d. and to euery Nonne of the same howse, iij s. iiij d.; Item, to the said howse vj. smale sponys syluer.

Item, to the womman that is next me at my departyng C s., j. bolle pece, & ij. spones, and j. gowne furred with Mynkys.

Item, to Edward leek, C. wedres that be at Sewell and all my yonge hekfares that be at Sewell at my departyng; Item, to Edward leek, j. bolle pece & iiij. spones.

Item, to my Shepard at Sewell xx. wedres and xx s.

Item, to my Skryvener at london a flat pece gilt vncouered which is in a standard at london at seint Thomas of Acres.

Item, all my Syluer wessell (xxvj. platers) that I am serued

withall dayly & xxxij. sawcers which I am serued with all dayly I wol that it be smytten in koyne and to be departed amonge poere housbondes here in this Contre after my Executours discrescion.

Item, ther be iij. depe disshis of Syluer: I wol that pykringes wyff haue oon, Thomas Clarell oon, and Richard Clarell wyff the iijde.

Item, to the poer men of ffyshmonger Craffte in london to be departed after the discrescion of myn Executours xx li.

[Latin Record of Probate.]
Approbacio eiusdem.

Nouerint Vniuersi quod nos Iohannes permissione diuina lincolniensis Episcopus testamentum honeste mulieris Iohanne Buckland Relicte Ricardi Bukland armigeri nostre diocesis defuncti cum voluntate eiusdem defuncte de anterioribus datis presenti testamento annexis xvj die Iunij Anno domini Millesimo CCCClxijdo apud Oxoniam dicte nostre diocesis per Magistrum Iohannem Trotter et Ricardum Clarell executores in eodem testamento nominatos exhibitum approbauimus et insinuauimus ac pro vero testamento eiusdem pronunciauimus. Administracionem quoque omnium bonorum dicte defuncte infra iurisdiccionem nostram existencium prefatis executoribus in eodem testamento nominatis, in forma iuris iuratis, commisimus et Committimus, reseruata potestate consimilem administracionem committendi Thome Bylling co-executori in eodem testamento nominato cum venerit admissurus, compotum calculum et raciocinium dictorum executorum super administracione sua huiusmodi nobis reddenda specialiter reseruantes. Datum die loco et anno domini supradictis Et nostre Consecracionis Anno Decimo.

II: Will, 1450-1, of Sir Thomas Cumberworth, Knight, of Somerby by Glanford Brigg, Lincolnshire.

[leaf 43] [From bishop Marmaduke Lumley's Register at Lincoln, lf. 43 to lf. 46 bk. This document is in a somewhat difficult hand, and the reading in some words is quite doubtful. A feature of the deed is the abandonment of the old þ, to make use of 'y'. The testator disposes of a noteworthy collection of relics, of several devotional books, and of a MS. of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. The devotional books seem to have partly come from religious houses (Grace Dieu priory in Leicestershire, and an unnamed Friary). Special mention is made of a Latin Psalter (David sauter); of Walter Hilton's (died 1396) de vita contemplativa et activa, or, at least, of the second part of it; and of de vita Christi, possibly the treatise by Ludovicus de Saxonia, but see Bonaventura's Speculum vitae Christi (as noticed in Oseney English Register, E.E.T.S., 1913, p. ix.) Some slight peculiarities of the hand have been purposely omitted, e.g. a sort of contraction mark over will, several false starts, and a flourish at end of proper names.]

[leaf 43]

Anno domini 1450 : Testamentum domini Thome Cumberworth, Militis.

In the Name of gode and to hys loveyng, Amen. I, Thomas Cumbyrworth, knyght, the xv. day of ffeberȝer the ȝer of ouere lord Mllcccc and .l., in clere mynde & hele of body, blyssed be gode, ordan my last wyll in this wise ffolowyng.

ffurst, I gyff my Sawle to gode my lorde & my redempture, & my wrechid body to be Beryd in a chitte with-owte any kyste in the North yle of the parych kirke of Someretby be my wyfe.

and I will my body ly still, my mowth opyn, vnhild, xxiiij. owrys, & after laid on bere with-owtyn anythyng þeropon to couer it bot a Sheit & a blak cloth with a white crose of cloth of gold: bot I wyl my kyste be made & stande by; &, at my bereall, giff it to hym that ffillis my graue.

Also, I gif my blissid lord gode for my mortuary ther I am bered my best hors with my best Sadill and the hernas þerto, and at Stayn & arghum a mortuary as law will.

Also, I gyff to ouere blissyd lady & hir colage at lincoln, þar to byde, a hole westment of redveluet cloth of gold & blak palid with white cloth of gold etwyne & both copis of the sute & my best cote of armes.

Also, I gif to Sayn kateryn & to hir hous of lincoln a cope-with white veluet with grene Braunches yerin & with myne armes on the hode.

Also, I giff to the hous of thornton a cope of redde veluet opon Satyn orfrade with white damaske enbrouded.

Also, I giff to the chartirhows at hull my best chalis gilte.

Also, I will principaly that my dettys be qwyt & acordid with; and wher that I haue done any wronge or extorsion, & I not acordid yer for that may be knawen resonabily, I wil it be amend in al the hast that it gudle may.

Also, al my howsald seruants, & owt of owsald, & al my tenantes al that þe haue offendyd me & det they owe me wnchnane to any man bot to þame & me.

And of dettes of seruants knoiken & of the rent owyng to me of tenants, I will be for-giffyne to some the to-halfe, to some ye third parte or fourte parte, be discression of my secturis, as thay knowe I am holdyn yer ned & myne affeccion.

I for-giff al maner of men al that ye haue offendid me, prayng All men that I haue offendid to for-giff me, & my secturs to Aske for-gifnys for me for charite when or wher thay think it ned.

Also, I will that my lord Cardenal of yorke haue a pare bedys of gold meynghid with corall, a tabelit of gold enperlid & enameld with emaugde with-in.

Also, I will my lord of santasse haue a pare off bedys of xij. bedys, with the gaudys gilt as I gart make with a litill rounde scalbid ryng of gold to hing yam by with halfe lettre yar-in.

Also, I will my lord Cromwell haue a pare bedys of xij. bedys with the gaudes qwhilke my lord Cardenale gaue me & a ryng with al of a litill valo.

Also, I will that euere man that has fee or cloyng of me haue a pare bedys of pekok fedyrs or of bone or tre whilke I gart make & by thar-for.

& al othir gud frendes, as far as they may strech, in remembrauns to pray for me for charite.

Also, I will my Chauntre prests haue my lityll cros of gold & ther successours with the peis of the crosse yerin, a peis of the peler [leaf 43 bk.] that ouere lorde was Skowrged opon yerin, a pais of the Roche yat ouere lady mylk es in & the ele of Saynt kateryn & of sant hoght in glasie.

And I will the kirk of Stayn haue the littill halfe bruche that es with relikys.

Also, I will that the kirke of Someretby & my chauntre prests & ther Successurs haue ye chalis, bokys, vestmentes, copys, Surplys, ij. superaltares, Sensurs, crossys, candilstyks of laton or coper and gilt, as I in my life deuided yam be indenture.

Also, I will that al the onormentes ordend be me for ye auter, for the rode loft, for the crosses, & for obetes, with vestements & chalis & All othir things, be [by] indenture gyfen to my chauntre prest[s] to kepe, be ye awisse & owrsight of myn hayres, yai & it to worschip & serue gode in the qwer of Somerby kirke on heledays after the ordynall & yer poure, yer-to I ordand yer bokys & vestmentes als velle as to serue my chauntre prests dayle.

And I will al this ordand to my chauntres & to worschip gode with in the kirke & the quere of Someretby be kend be my chauntre prests as they es deuyded be indenture.

And my said chauntre prests & yer successers be ate Evynsonge Matyns & messe in the said qwhere of heledays to do the for-said seruice with note as I haue ordand. And I will athye answere to myne hayres of the kepyng of yer parte of yer godes gyuyne be me to yer chauntres & to yam & to yer successours deuydid.

Also, I will the parson of Someretby Erghum & stane & yer successorus haue the landes & rentis yat I haue gywyne yam for euere, payng my chauntre prests & yer successorus yer annewite ȝerly, & pray for me & my wiff in yer messe & in the bedes-bedyng on sondays & for al othir as after the will of gode we ar beholdyn to gar pray fore & kep my obit & my wiffs ȝerle with derige & messe & bells ryngyng.

And I wil it be doyn at Someretby with note be the parson & my chauntre prests if it may & that my said chauntre prests

Araye the autarus & ouere sepultures with blak auterclothis, & the Couerlid of Blak & the clothis of gold ordand yerto I will tha haue tham, & finde ij. serges burny[n]g opon ouere sepulturs dereges & ouere ij. messe tymes.

& I will my chauntre prests, he of the trinite auter haue my boke of grasdaw & he of oure lady auter my boke of gracedew of the sowde (sic) to yam & ther successurs.

And I will the parson of Someretby haue my gret boke of dauid sauter at was the ffrerys.

& ye person of Erghum haue my boke of actif life.

& the person of stayne haue my boke of uesseden Passion [that] thay Ilkone haue me in mynd & in yer meditaciouns.

& Dan willȝam Gaunsted will to haue my boke de vita christi.

Also, I will my lord of wells haue j. hors worth iiij. li. or the walaw; & my Maister Richard his Sone, a hors of iiij. li. or the valo; & Iohn Standrop a hors of xl s. or the valo, & this mony to be paid for this hors if i haue none so gode of my nowne, if the mene that my lord of wells awes me thay to fother & help my last will to be performed of my landys as they promyst me.

Item, I will my chauntre prests haue my hors mylne, & the thonne of yame [haue] ye [one of my] to almar & the tothir of yam the thothyr almare whilke er [leaf 44] ordand fo[r] kepyng of vestmentes and I will yat yai hafe landes renttys annuetes tenementes that I haue gyfyn yam & All thynges writtyn in this wille afor or devided be indenture to yame and yer successurs for euere more.

Also, I will my Nevew Robert Constabull hafe the blak bedys of xxij. yt [I] oft wered be my girdill & ij. old rynges with ij. gret safers in yam & my blak buke yat my wiff withid me & the gret boll of siluar with armys of Stayne in ye cep, he to leue it to ye right hAyres of someretby, & the best and hole armyng harnas yat I hafe & my best axe for werre. And I will he haf the whitte bede with merletes of silke with cousturs yerto for the canibur for the hall for the chapill & the auter & I will he haf on Someretby my best carte and j. of my best carthors & my best plogh and j. of my best plogh horrs & the best borde for the hye dese & all ye side burdes ligyng dessely in the hall & the best potte & pane in the kechyn & all the ledes standyng fast in the furnas so he haske noth[ing] of right, nor travers not with my secturs, bot se & help yam [so that] my will be performede; & I will he [have] in the same [way] in my manere at Stayne of al thynges yar-in, like as I haue hordand hym in ye maner of Someretby and vndyr the same condicion aforsaid.

And I will my nese Annes his wiffe haue a pare bedes of corall gawdid with gold & a ryng with A diademund yerin, & my boke of the talys of cantyrbury. I will my neis Dam Annas Constabull hafe a pare bedys of corall.

& my neysse Elizabeth hir Doughter & red gurdyll of gold & all the perill in the gret clout & All the whit pellur yt I haffe.

& my neysse Janet hir doughter haue a blak girdyll of gold, all thay to pray for me.

And I will that willȝam; Constabull haue j. hole harnas of plate best next the Baslard harnast yt I boght gilt.

Also, I will yt my newew Hugh Percy haue the baslard that his fadir withid me, & the xl s. that he haws me to by with a pare bedes to hym; & A nodyr pare to my nese his wife of gold to pray for me (I wol Sche haue yame or the mony): And I will my newew his sone haue a hole harnas of plate & a naxe of were & my nese his doghter ye perle & the opanges of my wifys knyttyd to gedyr in A cloute.

Also, I will that Hew cresse ye fadyr haue my bor spere & my

nese his wife hafe a pare bedes of gold & a gold ryng with a diademund yar-in & christofore cresse a hors best of my stabull safe iij. & a hole harmor of plate & my Swirde & I will his brodyr Hugh Cresse haue a horsse of my stabull best next saue his brodyr & a haburion ye best prikyng hate piscern yer-to & my dagar And I will his sister haue a russyt silke gridyll with gilt harnas.

Also the abot of thornton hafe a pare bedes & v marcs yt he Awes me, & I will the abbot of Neusome, of haunby, ye prior of markeby, of thornholm, of Newstede, & of elsam, [leaf 44 bk.] the prioris of Coton, of irford, of legburn, & of Grenefeld, haue Ilkon of yam a pare bedys of corall as far as that I haue m[a]y laste, & after yiff yam gette bedes.

& I will that my nese Dam Elizabet Melton hafe xl s. of the iij. pound that sche ows me to by hir a pare bedes with to pray for me, & sche to giff as my Maude & dam Johan wade & dam Elizabet Thorp to ilkon vj s. viij d. in hall the hast to by yam bedes with to pray for me opon.

Also, I will thar be gyfyn to the v. nones, Iohn of Cumberworth doghtyrs, & to my ij. cosyns nones in Stayn-feld & to dam Alys Bolman & to Ilkon of yam a pare bedys of gete & of mony trebull of almus that schall be gyfyn to odyr nones.

& I will the prior of Bridlington haue the Box for goddes body with the Coueryng ouere hit that hingys in the chapyll.

& ye reclus of ye grese fote at lincoln haf my roll of prayers & vj. ȝerdes of blanket & vj. ȝerdes of lynne cloth & trebull of almus that a prioris schall haue.

Also, I will that Roberd girdyk schall haue my litill rede

primer lynyd with blak bawdekyn & a ryng with a hart of ye pelar that ouere lorde was Skurged with & my best furred gowne & x. Skore schepe of the best at Someretby.

& I will that Iohn Bulman haue my gret bedes of laumber with a ryng of vnicorn horne by yam & my signet of golde & my furryd mantill & vixixj schepe of ye best at Stayn or lymber or bondby.

& I will that Iohn Broghton hafe x. schepe, halfe wedyrs, halfe yowes, of ye best next, & my ryng with the grene stone for the crampe, & my rede sawter lynyd with welwet, & my best dobull gowne.

Also, I will Stevyn chamberlayn & Iohn hobson, Iohn Grege, harre harde, hafe Ilkyn of yam A Iake & a salad & a bow & xij. Aros of the beste next my Iak, & Ilkyn of yam. xl. schepe.

Also, I will that Richard & hys Brodyr Iohn Thymelby Richard sargant haue Ilkon of yam A Iak & a salad & a Swerde & a baslard or a dagar & xx. schepe.

and I will that all odyr yomen of my howsald & the gromes of the wardrope & of the Bakhows haue Ilkon of yam a bow & xij. Aras & a doblet or A hode or a hat of my weryng & one of my grehondes or Spanells: & hew Bakare my Riding gowne.

& I will my child of the stabull hafe my botys and Spores; & the childe of the hale my hosys; & the child of the kechynne my nethir glofys; & Ilkon of this iij. & a childe in the schipyn a ȝeryng calf; And I will my scheperd hafe vj. wedyr hogges; & my Swynnard iiij. Swynne (schotes of halfe ȝere old); & I will Ilkon of my hynes of mannes Age haf a quye or a strike; & myn runian the day a cowe.

and I will my iij. Bedmen hafe Ilkon of yam a cowe & a pare of Bedes; & I will the parich clarke hafe, and Ilkon of the clarkes that I fynde to the scole, a longe gowne of myn dubull or ffurrid; & to Ilkon of my nowne clerkes x. yow hoges.

Also, I will that wilȝam tebly hafe a nax for wer [leaf 45] with the hede and a hande of yrne & one of my Smalest haknes.

& I will Iohn fferrer hafe my girdill with my cnyffes & my pursse with the mony that es yer-in to [buy] a horsse.

Also, I will that Swalow & Richard hornseh haf aythir of yam vj s. viijd. & iiij. schep.

Also, I will the abbot of Neusom bery my body, & do the seruices messe & deryge & hafe xx s.

& if yer come a-nothir abbot than I will he hafe a nobyll to pray for me.

& I will that Ilke prior & priores that comes to my beryall at yt day hafe iij s. iiij d.

& ilke chanon & Nune xij d.

& ilke prest & frere that comes to the Deryge & messe at my bereall hafe iiij d.

& to Ilke clerk ij d that helpys to syng or sais at Dirige.

and Ilke pore man childe & woman hafe iiij d.

& all men that come to my bereall hafe mete & Drynk with slkyke stufe as was ordand for my howsald & with helpe of iij li. of mony that I will be put yer-to at nedys.

Also, I will the prior of thyrnholm, of Elsham, of Neusted Do my Deryge & my messe on my vij. day, & haf a nobull; and Ilke of tham that comes with yam xij d. & Ilke prest & ffrere that comes to Dirige & messe iiij d, and Ilke clerke that Seynges or Says at Dirige ij d, & Ilke pore man ij d, & Ilke man that comes met & drynke with swylke stufe of vetell as was purwad for my howsald & with helpe of iij li. of mony qwylk I will be putte yerto at nedys.

& I will hafe x torchis (Ilkon of yam vij li. wax), & v. serges (Ilkon of iij li. wax at the leste), byrnyng opon me & about me at the said messes & dereges & I will the pore men that hold yam haf Ilkon of yam iiij d. beside dale of almus.

And I will the interment be made at my xxx. day & the abbot of thornton do the messe derege & the exequies, & hafe xx s. & the v marcs that he ows me aforsaide.

& I will the abbot of Neusom & the abbot of Welhow, yf thay both come to my xxx. day, haf athir of tham xiij s. iiij d.

& Ilke prior & priores that comes to the xxx. day hafe vj s. viij d.

& Ilke chanon or none that comes to the said xxx day haf xx d.

& Ilke prest & frere that comes that day to deryge & messe haf iiij d.

& Ilke clark yt helpes to syng or say at my derige haf ij d.

& I will Ilke pore man that comes that day to ye dayll haf j d.

& I will that the prestes haf xiij s. iiij d. & I will the ryngars hafe for yer ryngyng at Ilkon of the iij. days xij d.

Also I will that Ilke chanon of lincoln colage & beuerlay colage haldyng residens & bydyng yer haf xx d, & Ilke prest yt veres Abet haf vij d. to pray for me & do me a messe & a derege for me in the mynstre.

Also, I will that mayster kere, a gray frere at london, haf vij s. viij d.

Also, I will the Charterhows of wittam haf C s. of mony, & the Chaurterhous of hull C s. of mony, [leaf 45 bk.] And the chaurtyrhous of london C s., & ye Chartyrhous of Epworth C s. of ye x marcs yt tha Awe me & the hous of Bewarley C s. of mony, prayng the hous of wittam for charite bot not chargyng yam, & the hous of Beuerlay, to do emong yam Alsmany messes as a prest myst syng in A ȝer for dam William fitz William sowle & for his brothyr Sowle if it like yam & I pray ye hous of hull of london & of Epworth ilkon of yam for charite bot not chargyng yam, to do Alsmany messys as A monk may syng in A ȝer for my wyff Saule & for myne & All Cristyn specyally after the will of gode es & we be holden.

Also, I will hafe to syng for me a ȝer next after my dede or Als sone as ya be gettyn x. prestes yat es to say ser william Bekeby, or on of his ordinance, ser Iohn at hill or on of his ordinance, frere more or on of his ordinance, frere Richard or on of his ordinance, frere welby or one of his ordinance, & iiij. prestes seculers & I will ij. of yam syng at ye auter yer my wife

& my fadyr & modyr ar bered and thys x. prestes syng for my saule & my wyfys & for al the saules yt war in speciall, be ye will of gode, be holdyn to gar pray for & that Ilkon of yam haf C s. & say the grege trenthall for hus in Al the hast yt yay may be getyn yerto.

Also, I will yer be gyfyn to ilke parys of vij. plws, to the prest yt kepys the Cure vij d, to kyrk warke xx d, & to ye pore of ye parys xx d.

& to lytyll parysones of les plows, to ye prest yer-of vij d, & to kyrke [warke] xij d, & to ye pore of ye parys xij d. thorow owte lincoln & lyndesay.

& I will yer be gyfyne to Ilke abbot xx d. to Ilke prior & priorys & wardans xij d, & to Ilke chanon monke none & frere & prest in lincoln & lyndesay & to hilke frere in yorke hull beuerlay & boston vij d, & to Ilke syster & novys iij d, and I pray hilke prest in the colyge of lincoln to say [iij] messys of ouere lady & Ilke prest in the Cite to say iij. messys of ye trinite & Ilke prest in ye Cuntre iij. messys of requiem & Ilke chanon & monke iij. messys of ye natiuite of Ihesu, & Ilke frere iij. messys of ye holy gost, & Ilke prest in beuerlay Colage iij. messes of Al halows & Ilke ffrere of ȝorke iij. messes of saynt Iohn Baptist & sayn kateryn, & Ilke noues of sautre of dauid & Ilke lude frere & syster ye sauter of ouere lorde & yis pray yam in ȝorke schire alswele as in lincoln schire.

Also, I will the mynster warke of lincoln haf xiij s. iiij d.

Also, I will ye kirke of someretby, Erghum, & Stayne hafe Ilkon of yam xx s. & say for me a messe & Derige; Also I will ye Townys [leaf 46] of walkyngton, Tibthorpe, Rudstan, Thikene, hundmanby, Righton, flixton, haf Ilke of yam vij d. to ye preste yt kepis ye Cure, iij s. & to ye kirke, iij s. to ye pore of ye towne.

Also, I ordan at my xxx. day to haf vij. serges of v li. byrnyng ouere my body at derege & messe & Also ij. cheregis Ilkon of x li. to bryn at derege & messe & afterwarde to be gyvyn to ye pore kirkes as was at my wiff xxx. day.

Also I ordan xxij li. of mony with helpe of ordanyng of housalde to fede yam with at come to my xxx. day.

Also I ordan xx. marcs of mony to clothing of sectures, my seruantes, my pore men yat schal hold the torchis.

Also, I will my nevew Robert Constabull haf fifty li. of relage of tenantes in yorkschire & of odyr dettes whar it suffys not.

& my nese Elizabet his sister 1. marcs of mony to hir helpyng.

Also, I will Sir christofre Cresse and hugh Cresse haf x li. of mony & Elizabeth yer eldyst sister xx. marcs of mony to hir helpyng warde.

And I will my nevew hir Eldist son haf C s.

Also, I will Robert Girdyk haf C li. al of mony to do ye rerecharges yt I haf charchid hym.

Also, I will Iohn Bulman haf of mony xx li.

Also, I will Iohn Broghton haf of mony x li.

Also, I will my prestes haf xl s.

Also, I will Stevyn Chambyrlayn, Iohn hovson, Iohn Grege, & harre harde, haf Ilkon of yam iiij. marcs.

Also I will at wilȝam Coke & Richard his Brothir, & Iohn of Thymolby, haf Ilkon of yam ij marcs.

Also, I will Wilȝam Telby, Iohn hardy, Richard sergant, hugh bakar, […] prentoft haf Ilkon of yam xx s.

Also, I will Emond Sikirton, George […], Iohn Warderope, alan andrew, ilkon of yis haf vj s. viij d.

Also, I will yt my iij. pore clarkes, my iij. pore men, litill thom of ye hale, litill will oft stabull, my schepard, my runian ye Carter & iij. of the best plomen haf Ilkon of yam iij s. iij d.

Also, I will ye tothir iij. hynys yt dryfys the plogh, the Swynnarde, ye childe of ye kechyn, & my scepard of Stane haf Ilkon of yam xx d.

Also, I wil yt Iohn Tailbusse haf v. marcs.

Also, I will yt Roberd Schefeld haf v. marcs

so yt yai & Al that Aske ogth of my wittword be firtheras to my last will & pray for me.

Also, I will my tenauntes yt aw me rente haf forgyn yer of to

some ye thred parte to some the fourt parte by dyscrecion of my sectures or of ye more parte of yam.

And I wold my howsald wer holdyn forth a half yer after my dede with the revenus of my lyvelade a half ȝer & with the resedew of my dettes & relage if it may.

My executurs of my last will make I Robert Gyrdyk, Iohn Bulman, & Iohn Broghton, & yer protectures & suppowellorse my Neweu Robert Constabull, My cosyn Iohn Taylbusse, & Roberd Schefeld, prayng yam all for charite to tak yis deid opon yam.

Also, I wil yt Roberd girdik haf Ale of myne with-in the maner of someretby, al my othir godes excepte ye plate & whilk arnot vthirwisse disposid in this testament.

Also, I wil yt Iohn Bulman haf Al my gudes with-in the maner oft (sic) Stayn except plate or woll, & gudes not vthir wise disposid in yis testament.

And I wil Iohn Broghton haf Al the gudes in ye maner of Erghum except plate [leaf 46 bk.] or gudes vthir wise disposid in this testament,

ilkone fre to helpe yam selfe with-all & do for me as yam shelf thynke yam be holdyn.

Also, I will my newew Robert constabull hafe the gouernance of Thomas withirwike & ye profet of ye rent & landes yat I haf of his modyrs to fynde hym with & to fynde a prest to syng for hir Saule as far as it may suffys beside & to pay to Robert Girdyk vj. marcs ȝerly of Annewete.

Also, I will yat Steven Chambyrlayn, Iohn howson, Iohn Grege, harre hardy, Richard of kichyn, & Iohn Thymolbe haf Al the stuf yt es in my place at london except plate or harnas platyd to skift euyne emong yam to pray for me.

Also, I will that Elizabeth bulman haf al my lynne clothis & kerchifs & lynnyn yt es in my paynar in my cloth seke excepte lawne.

And I will yt all ye lawne in the said paynar & Al Curtynys & trawers of lawne with a pare schetes of Smal lyncloth yat es

white be Cute in Cherchiffes & gyvyn to my seruantes wifes & to my tenantes wifes.

and ye blak Curtyns of lawne be Cut in vailes & gyfyn to pore nones.

And if my thynge fal in trawers or in contrare consaytes of this my last will be-twen my sectures I wil it be expounid & performed after the consait of my nevew Robert Constabull.

Also, I wil my nevew Robert constabull haf Al my qwhite Swannes if so be he may reioys the maner of Stayne his live & els at yai be solde be my sectures.

Also, I will Al my Aras be solde & my bede of silke with Curtyns be solde & lede boght yer with to hill the qwere of Someretby & ye body of stayn kyrke And the surples of any lede to by vestementes & gar make to pore kyrkes aboute in ye cuntre.

Also, I wil that Al my horsys be kepid to my xxx. day be past for occupacion of myn interment to it be vtterly done.

& Also, to Ilkon of my seruantes haf yer fee for that quarter yat I dye in [and] for a quarter after, if so be at yai will bide & will be rewlid be my executurs.

III: Will, 1451-2, of Robert Sutton, son of Hamond Sutton, esquire, of Lincoln.

[From bishop Marmaduke Lumley's Register at Lincoln, lf. 41.]

[leaf 41]

Will of Robert Sutton.

Memorandum that this is the last Wule of Robert Sutton, the son of hamond Sutton of lincoln, Esquyer, made the xxiij. day of ffebruare the yere of oure lord a Ml cccclj.

In primis, I, Robert, by-witte my saule to almyghty god and to his moder saint Marie and my body for to be buryed in the kyrke of saint Andrew in Wykford in lincoln.

Item I be-witte vnto my wiff all my stuff of howswold; Item, my shippe.

Item, I wille that alle my corne be solde (except x. quartiers of whete and malte) to pay my dettes, and that x. quartiers for to be devided for my saule to the pover people.

Item, I be-witte to Elizabet tolton xx s. and her lyuerey and her hire.

Item, to Thomas Roo his lyuerey and his hire and x s.

Item, to Richard Bolcesby vj s. viij d. and my dowbelet of blak clothe.

Item, to my Sister Babyngton my yong gray Aumbelyng stagg at Grysby.

Item, to my Brother Iohn Sutton v. marcs.

Item, to my Brother hamond x. marcs.

Item, a hyndde calf skynne tewed and xl d. to William Ostiler.

Item, to my broþer Hamond a payre of blak hoses that Saxton hathe.

Item, to Thomas Rothley my wodknyffe.

Item, to Iohn ffairefax a sawre skynne tewed.

Item, to Iohn hennoure my furred iaket and my blak hode.

Item, I will that sir Iohn Sparow haue vj s. viij d.

Item, I will that Robert Cooke have vj s. viij d.

Item, my white mantelle to my fader.

Item, to my broþer hamond my bille.

Item, to litell Thomas, my man, vj s. viij d.

Item, to ayther of my sistres a plite of laune.

Item, to my ffader my hawke.

Item, to Alisone Barley, the seruaunt of my sister Babyngton, vj s. viii d.

Item, to Robert lincoln vj s. viij d. and his hire that is be-hynde and his liverey.

Item, to the other v. seruauntes beyng at Grysby theyre hyre and theire lyuerey and to ilkone of them xx d.

Item, I will that my fader and my wiff and my broþer Iohn and my broþer hamond be myn executours for to dispose alle my godes for the heale of my saule as thei wold I dyd for theym and thei where in like case.

Made the day and the yere afore said.

Certificate of Probate

[Certificate of probate, before the bishop of Lincoln's official, 18 March, 1451-2. Executrix (testator's widow) took oath that she would send in an 'inventory' (i. e. a detailed list of all items of the estate, with the value of each).]

Probatum fuit testamentum prescriptum coram officiali lincolniensi, & per ipsum probatum & approbatum xviij. die Marcij anno domini Millesimo cccc l primo; & commissa fuit administracio, &c., Vxori dicti defuncti, iurate de conficiendo Inuentarium, Reseruata sibi potestate committendi aliis executoribus in eodem testamento nominatis.

IV: Will, 1452, in Latin, of Robert, 6th baron Willoughby de Eresby, with codicil, in English.

[From bishop John Chedworth's Register at Lincoln, lf. 35 bk., and lf. 36.]

[leaf 35 bk.]

[I. Full Latin Text of Will.]
Testamentum domini de Wylloughby.

In dei Nomine Amen. Die martis, vjto die Junij, Anno domini Millesimo CCCCmo quinquagesimo secundo, Ego, Robertus Willoughby, miles, dominus de Eresby, in bona & sana memoria mea existens, condo, facio, et ordino presens testamentum meum tripartitum indentatum in hunc modum.

In primis, lego et recommendo animam meam deo omnipotenti, Creatori et saluatori meo, beateque marie virgini, matri eius gloriose, et omnibus sanctis, Corpusque meum sepeliendum in Capella Collegij mei siue Cantarie beate Marie de Metyngham; videlicet, inter magnum altare eiusdem et paruam Capellam ibidem nouiter situatam.

Item, lego eidem Collegio siue Cantarie pricipale vestimentum meum integrum, cum tribus capis melioribus de panno aureo, duas antiphonas meliores, et duo gradale (sic).

Item, lego Magistro siue custodi eiusdem Collegij siue Cantarie, quinque marcas sterlingorum; et cuilibet capellano confratri eiusdem Collegij, xiij s. iiij d., & cuilibet puero in choro dicti Collegij ibidem deo seruienti, xij d. ad orandum pro anima mea et animabus omnium fidelium defunctorum.

Item, lego Collegio siue Cantarie sancte Trinitatis de

Spyllesby, ad fabricam et sustentacionem eiusdem, xx li. sterlingorum.

Item, lego priori et Conuentui fratrum predicatorum de Boston in partem pro iocalibus suis impignoratis exonerandis x. marcas sterlingorum.

Item, lego tribus alijs ordinibus fratrum mendicancium in eadem villa, vt ipsi fratres deo animam meam habeant specialiter recommendatam, scilicet cuilibet ordini xl s. sterlingorum.

Item, lego monialibus de Aluyngham ad reparacionem edificacionem et emendacionem dormitorij sui et domorum interiorum suarum, x li. sterlingorum.

Item, lego Monasterio de hagneby vnum vestimentum ad valorem xx. marcarum.

Et Monasterium (sic) de Campesse vnum vestimentum precij x li. sterlingorum.

Et Gilde siue fraternitati sancti georgij martiris in Ecclesia parochiali de Boston fundate, pro vno vestimento sibi emendo, x li. sterlingorum.

Item, lego Alianore ffithhugh, consanguinee mee, ad maritagium suum (post debita mea soluta) Centum marcas sterlingorum.

Item, volo et requiro feoffatos meos, quod Magister siue Custos dicti Collegij siue Cantarie de Metyngham et confratres sui habeant et teneant, sibi et successoribus suis, Manerium de howe in Comitatu No[r]folchie cum pertinencijs, cum condicione quod habeant vnum alium confratrem, vltra numerum eorum qui nunc sunt, ad celebrandum in parua Capella ibidem nouissime situata pro anima mea et animabus vxorum mearum, et omnium fidelium defunctorum.

Item, volo quod omnes seruientes mei plenarie persoluantur de eorum vadijs que eis debeo, absque contradiccione aliquali.

Et volo quod omnia debita mea soluantur primitus et ante omnia.

Item, lego gentibus Capelle mee distribuendas inter eas pro earum regardis vltra earum vadia xxti li. sterlingorum.

Item, lego cuilibet generoso hospicij mei pro suis regardis, vltra sua vadia xl s. sterlingorum.

Et cuilibet valecto vltra sua vadia, scilicet xx s. sterlingorum,

Et cuilibet Garcioni hospicij mei, simili modo, x s.

Item, volo quod vna scedula que erit huic testamento annexa in omnibus perimpleatur, sicud istud testamentum, et tanquam parcella eiusdem.

Huius autem testamenti mei ordino, facio, et constituo Iohannem, vicecomitem Beaumont, Militem; Radulphum, dominum de Cromwell, militem; Magistrum Iohannem Derby, clericum; Iohannem haydon, Ricardum Benyngton, Iohannem Dymmok, Iohannem Dillewe, Ricardum ffendyk, et dionisum wylles, executores; vt ipsi faciant, ordinent, et disponant pro anima mea in execucione et performacione voluntatis mee, & huius testamenti mei, prout ipsi coram summo Judice voluerint respondere.

In cuius rei testimonium huic presenti testamento meo, tripartito & indentato, signo meo manuali signato, sigillum meum apposui.

datum die, loco, et anno domini supradictis.

[II. Full Text of English Codicil.]
Vltima voluntas dicti domini de Wylloughby. [The latin head of this codicil lies just above this section in the preceding section of the printed edition and was moved here for the electronic edition.]

I, Robert, lord willoughby, wol and pray my feoffes and executours that Iohn Oumfray, Thomas halbertoft, herry Botermouthe, Simon Iohnson, and Richard Walker, be saued harmelesse of the summe of money that thei be bownden in to thomas kyme for the matier betwix my nevev William Wylloughby and other my seruauntȝ and him as for the dethe of william kyme and other matiers that wer betwene hem.

Also, I wol that all maner of wommen to whome I haue granted any fees, annuetes, yerely rentis, or fermes, either for terme of lyve or terme of yeeris, haue and reiose the same fees, annuetes, yerely rentys, and fermes, after the fourme and tenour of theire grauntes, withouten any interupcion of myn heires in any wise.

Also, I wol that Iohan lowe, Robert Parys, william Wyte, and Thomas walsoken, haue and reioyse theire bargayn of the

tymbir and wod of willughby wod, which I haue solde to hem after the tenour and fourme of theire indenture, withouten any interupcion of my heires or any other persone in any wyse, and the mony dewe therfore to be delyuered to myn executours for to perfourme therwith my will and to pay my dettes.

Also, I wol that al those persones to whom I haue graunted any manumyssion, thei reioyse theire fraunchese a[n]d fredom for euermore, like as I haue graunted hem, withouten any interrupcion of my said heires in any wise.

Also, I wol that all those persones the which be bounden for me in any summes of mony to any persone be saved harmelesse And that the said summes be payed by myn Executours with owte any Interupcion and hurt of the [leaf 36 bk.] said persones or any of thayme.

Also, I wolle and pray my Cosyn, Iohn Wylloughby, Esquier, to be oon of myn Executours with other that be lymyted in my testament, for to execute my said wille and testament.

Also, I wol that a bed of Ermynes and a nother Bed with Buckingham Armys and the Almysdisch of Syluer be leffte at Eresby and a-bide stylle theere to thaym that shall haue the same place.

Also, I wolle that the manoyers of fulstowe, Arsyk, Burgh, Parteney, ffodrynghey, and all other landis and tenementȝ that I haue purchased, be solde by my feoffies, and the mony therof commyng to be delyuered to myn executours to pay my dettes and to performe my wille and testament, that is to say, as wel in Northfolk, Southfolk, lincolnshire, and all other places within england.

Also, I wol that Mawde my wyffe haue ij. standing coppes couered, iiij. bolles with a coueryng, ij. small pottes and a grete potte, and xvj. peces of Syluer vessell in the kychyn, and a basyn and j. Ewer of syluer, A Red bed of Tapestrye and a grene Bed of worsted, iij. federbeddes (that is to say oon of the best and ij. meners), a twnne of Wyne, a grete salt seler couered, and a nother salt saler playne couered, and a yong palfray white.

And I wol that maistier Iohn depyng haue a bayed palfrey that I bought late.

Also, I wol that Iohn dillewe, styward of my household, be saved harmelesse as for al maner of vitayle that he hath taken for my houshold, that he be not Charged with more to pay to my creditours than he hath receyved.

Also, I wol that the ij. lordys myn executours haue for theire labours eyther of hem a Courser. Also, I wol that iche of myn Executours haue for their labours x li, so that thei take the charge; And thei that wol not take the Charge, that theire parte remayne to them that wol take the Charge; Also, I wol that if any of myn executours wol bye any of my goodes withoute any deceyt that they bye hit.

Also, I wol that euery yoman of my Chambre haue for theire reward xl s.; Also, Iohn prestbury xx s., And Richard legbourne x s.

[Note.]

[There is also a Latin will of Lord Willoughby, on lf. 42 bk. of bishop John Chedworth's register, dated January 9, 1448. He says he has already made a will, and requires his executors to act justly. He says the bishop of Lincoln, Viscount Beaumont, Lord Fitzhugh, Lord Cromwell, Iohn Portyngton, and others, are feoffed in various manors and tenements belonging to him. His wife is to have her dowry immediately on his death, from these manors, on condition that she makes Lord Cromwell stay any actions that he may have against his executors, on account of any writing, or cause, touching himself. And, if his feoffees in the manors he mentions refuse to perform his wishes, his wife is to have her dowry from other manors. He says also that Lord Leo de Wells might possibly bring actions against his executors on account of writings, or agreements.]

V: Will, 1453-4, of Richard Archer, of St. Andrew's parish, presumably in Lincoln city.

[From bishop John Chedworth's Register at Lincoln, lf. 21 and 21 bk.]

[leaf 21]

Testamentum Ricardi Archier.

In the name of god so be it, the xij. day of the moneth of Marche the yere of oure lord M1 CCCC liij, the Reyne of king henry the sext after the conquest xxxij., I, Richard Archer, [leaf 21 bk.] of good mynde and memory beyng, make and ordeyne this my present testament in this maner.

ffirst, I bewethe my sowle vnto almyghty god, to oure blessed lady his moder, and to alle the seintes of hevyne and my body to be buried in the Churcheyerd of saint Andrew.

Also, I wol first and principally above alle thinges that my dettys the which I owe be satisfied after my power.

Also, I beqwethe to the boke of the same Church xijd. & j. shep: Also, I beqweth to the sustentacion of all the lightes beyng in the same churche, iij s.

Also, I beqwethe vnto Alson Qwenehawe my doughter a shipchist.

The residew of alle my goodes not above beqwethen (after my sepulture honestly doon, my dettis payed, and my beqwestis fulfilled) I giff and beqwethe to Iohn Archier, Citezin of london, for to dispose it betwene my childern as him semeth best to plese god and to the profute of my sowle.

Of this my presente testament I make my principall Executour Iohn Archier my sonne.

In the wyttenesse of which I haue putto my seale; yeven the day and the yere foresaid, theis wittenesse Richard Archier the yonger, Iohn thressher, William Archier, Robert Archier and other moo.

Executor admitted by William Wytham, commissary of the Bishop of Lincoln, in his Lodging (of exempt jurisdiction) at the Old Temple, London, April 2, 1454.

VI: Official Letter, 1454, from Christchurch, in Hampshire, testifying that Margery, wife of John Simon alias Grice, is still alive.

[

From bishop John Chedworth's Register at Lincoln, lf. 20 bk. The letter was no doubt enrolled in respect of some matrimonial suit. The following notes taken from the official minute-book of the Archdeacon of Essex may serve, although of much later date, to suggest the nature and the frequency of such suits.

2 May, 1592: before the Official of the Archdeacon of Essex, in a Court held in Romford chapel, Essex, Susan Clarke of Barking, Essex, accused of bigamy, produced a certificate from householders of Tattershall, Lincolnshire, that her pretended husband … Bowlt, and also her pretended husband … Gryse, had both of them wyves lyving when they maryed with Susan: and afterwards, and by due order of lawe, she was separated from them both. She produced also a certificate that her husband, William Clarke, was recently deceased. The charge was withdrawn.

3 May, 1592: before the Official of the Archdeacon of Essex, in a Court held in Ingatestone church, Essex, John Wylson of Laindon Hills, was ordered to bring a certificate of his marriage with Joan Streates; and to answer the charge that, at the time of that marriage, he had another wif lyvinge.

5 May, 1592, Richard Weston, of Sutton, Essex, was brought into the Court of the Archdeacon of Essex, held at Maldon, because suspected to have two wives alive, and not lawfully maryed to her that he now kepeth. His defence was that his first wife (Ellen Browne) had died at Fulham beyond London.

24 April, 1593, Jaspar Harman, of Grays Thurrock, Essex, was prosecuted in a Court of the Archdeacon of Essex held in Romford chapel, on the charge that he hath ii. wyves. His plea was: about xvi. yeres agone he was married in Eastwood church, Essex, to Margaret Battell, with whom he continued about 10 or 12 yeares; and since that time, about a yeare last past, he was married in Rushmore parish church, neare vnto Ipswich in Suffock, to Agnes Ive, with whome he continueth; and that both the same women are yet living, and he not deforced from any of them.

He was ordered to stand in Romford market, next market-day, in a white sheet, with a writing on his head setting forth his offence. The Bailiff of the market was to see and certify that this was done.

]

[leaf 20 bk.]

testimoniale quod vxor Iohannis Simon alias Grice viuit.

This lettre, made at Cristchurche in the shire of Southampton, the laste day of December the yere of oure lord king herry vjt xxxiij. yere, berith wittenesse that Iohn Simon, ffuller, otherwise called Iohn Grice, in the towne of vvycombe

in the shire of Buckingham, sumtyme the seruaunt of John Righe, of the said towne of Cristchurche, Maried Margery the doughter of Galfrid smyth of the parisch of ffreschwatir in the Ile of wyght, the seruaunt of Thomas ffychett, the yere of oure lord king forsaid xiij. yere, the which Margery is lyvyng at Mylleford in the shire of Southampton forsaid within the hunderith of Cristchurche; to the which wytnesses vve setto oure sealis Iohn Shipman, Maire of the said towne of Cristchurche; Thomas ffychet, henry herdy, constabiles; William Brownyng, Bayly of the same Towne; Iohn Ryghe, Richard hamond, Richard Baker, Roger Bright, and Robert Mason, &c.

VII: Will, 1454-5, and codicil, of Joan Ralegh, widow of Simon Ralegh, of Elvedon in Goring parish, Oxfordshire.

[From bishop John Chedworth's Register at Lincoln, lf. 38 and lf. 38 bk. The will is a strange jumble of Latin and English, such as is often found in wills of this period.]

[leaf 38]

[I. Latin Text of Will.]
Testamentum Iohanne Ralegh.

In dei nomine Amen. xixo die mensis Ianuarij Anno domini Millesimo CCCCl quarto, Ego, Iohanna Ralegh, sana mentis, licet egra in corpore, condo testamentum meum in hunc modum.

In primis, lego animam meam deo omnipotenti, corpusque meum ad sepeliendum in Cimiterio beate Marie de Nettylcombe, iuxta sepulturam Simonis Ralegh marini mei.

Item, lego ecclesie predicte xviij li. ad emendandum Campanam.

Item, lego cuilibet of my Godchilderen, vj s. viij d.

Item, lego Iohanni Schalewyk j. lectum, j. par lodicum, j. par lintheaminum de flemmysh, j. pyllow cooperatum cum coreo.

Item, lego Willihelmo Gilbert iij. Cocliaria argentea, optimam mappam de Browne flemmysh, ij. towalles wrought non optima, xx. oues, j. vaccam, xl s., j. ollam eneam de melioribus, j. patenam eneam de meliore, iiij. platiers, iiij. disshes, iiij. saucers de optimis, ij. Candelstykkes de ij. optimis, j. brode basyn of latyn, j. lectum cum lodice lintheaminibus & materas, j. pyllough, optimam bigam cum j. equo optimo & le harnesse pro ipso, j. hoggeshed cum ij. kyuerys.

Item, lego Iohanne vxori sue j. vaccam, xx. oues, & xx s.

Item, lego ecclesie parochiali de Goryng, specialiter vt orent pro animabus Simonis Ralegh & Iohanne vxoris sue, xx s.

Item, lego Thome luffyngcote, j. lectum de Rubio cum j. selour & testour de eadem, j. materas, ij. lodices, ij. lintheamina de flemmyshclothe, j. hedshete, j. pillow, & xx s.

Item, lego Nicholao luffyngcote j. paire blankettes, ij. lintheamina, j. helyng, & xx s.

Item, lego Iohanne Saunderton, si viuit, j. peciam argenti cum volucri in le bottom, xl s., j. lectum de Blew worsted cum iij. Curtayns, j. hylling, iij. tapettys, j. paire lodicum de fustian de iiij. foliis, j. nouam fetherbed cum j. bolster de eodem, j. par lintheaminum de holandcloth de iij. folijs cum j. hedshete & j. pyllowgh de fustian cooperatum cum Raynes.

Item, lego Roberto perat secundum optimum equum iuxta willihelmum Gilbert cum toto apparatu pro ipso equo, j. vaccam, xx. oues, iiij. platers, iiij. disches, iiij. saucers, j. lectum, j. lodicem, j. par lintheaminum, j. mappam de Brownefflemmysh, & xx s.

Item, lego Iohanni hide xx s.

Item, lego ad conuentum de Goryng xx s.

Item, lego Mauricio Brewer vj s. viij d.

Item, lego Alicie ffaucon optimam materas cum j. pari de veteribus blankettis de ffustian, j. paire shetys de Holandclothe, de ij. leffes, secundum optimum Wrought bordcloth cum j. pari towalles de eadem, dim. dosene de peautre vesselles de optimis cum j. chargier, iiij. cocliaria argentea, & j. pillough de fustian.

Item, lego Thome ffaukoner, si transire voluerit ad curiam istis tribus annis sequentibus, quolibet anno iiijor marcas, aliter non.

Item, lego Radulpho ffauconer si transire voluerit ad seruicium istis tribus annis sequentibus, quolibet anno xl s., aliter non.

Residuum vero bonorum meorum non legatorum, post debita mea soluta, do et lego executoribus meis.

Ordino et constituo meos executores Thomam luffyngcote et Iohannem Schalewyk, vt ipsi disponant pro anima mea meliore modo quo sciuerint, Et ordino Edmundum Rede armigerum superuisorem vt omnia ista predicta sint fideliter acta & ipse percipiet pro labore suo xx s.

[II. English Text of Codicil.]
Vltima Voluntas dicte defuncte

Wite all maner men me Iohane Raleghe, that it is my laste wille that all my maner of Ilvendon, with his appurtenaunce, in the shires of Oxenford & Barkes (outetake Wodcote, with his appurtenaunce, the wich Thomas luffyngcote shall haue anon after day of my dethe to him and to his heires & assignes), And all that other deel shal be in my Executours handes xij. yeris and aslong till thei haue therof CC. marces to deel hit for my sowle and for the sowles that the manoire cam of; & after theke CC. marces comme vp, thanne the hole maner turne to Thomas luffyngcote & his heires & assignes for euer-more, owte take v. marces of a yeerly rent to Iohn haselden yeerly, terme of his liff, & x. marces in monye to Iohan Saunderton at the day of her mariage, with that it be to my worship and my profuet; Also xx s. yeerly who so haue the manoyer to do for my sowle and for the sowles afore said. And ouer all this

I charge the said Thomas as he wol answere before god, that, after CC. marces comme vp, that he deele, yeerly, as he may bere, asmoche monye as the place shuld be sold fore at the vttrest.

and all my houshold to be kept hole to Michaelmasse next commyng̛ after the day of my dethe.

Also I charge al my feoffes & Executours that thei wol perfourme this, for this is my laste wille, as thei wol answere tofore god, for this is my last wille, orellus thei to haue the same blessing that Crist yaff kayme.

Writte at Ilvenden the Sonday next after seint hillary day the yere of king henry the sext the xxxiijti.

[III. Text of Probate.]
Approbacio eorundem.

Tenore presencium Nouerint vniuersi quod nos Iohannes, permissione diuina lincolniensis Episcopus, testamentum honeste mulieris Iohanne Rayleigh, nuper nostre diocesis, defuncte et eius Codicillum vltimam voluntatem eiusdem defuncte concernentem presentibus annexum, xvijo die ffebruarij Anno domini Millesimo CCCC liiijto, infra nostrum hospicium apud vetus templum london, iurisdiccionis nostre exempte, exhibita et probata approbauimus & insinuauimus, et tenore presencium approbamus & insinuamus, ac pro valore eiusdem pronunciamus. Administracionem quoque omnium & singulorum bonorum, que eadem defuncta tempore mortis sue obtinuit, Thome luffingcote executori in eodem testamento eciam nominato, in forma iuris iurato, commisimus: et committimus similem Administracionem alij coexecutori in eodem testamento eciam nominato. Necnon compotum ca[l]culum & raciocinium administracionis huiusmodi bonorum nobis specialiter reseruantes. In cuius rei testimonium sigillum nostrum ad causas presentibus est appensum. datum die, loco, et Anno domini supradictis, Et nostre consecracionis Anno tercio.

VIII: Will, 1454-5, two codicils, of William, seventh baron Lovel of Tichmarsh, whereby provision was made for the foundation of a two-priest chantry-chapel in the Greyfriars Convent, Oxford, and there was laid down a complicated entail of testator's estates among his four sons and their heirs male.

[From bishop John Chedworth's Register at Lincoln, lf. 22 bk. to lf. 26. The estate was a large and complicated one; and the ultimate division of its members, under entail, between testator's four sons was far from simple. The intention of the will and codicils is also greatly obscured by the absence of information as to the most important item of the demise, viz. the estates settled on testator's eldest son (his successor in his baronies).]

The Lovel family was by origin of Minster Lovel, Oxfordshire. According to the Peerages accessible to me, the testator, Williamn Lovel, at the age of 17, succeeded his father John Lovel (6th baron), in 1414, as 7th baron Lovel (of Tichmarsh, Northamptonshire), and was summoned as a baron to Parliament from 1425 to 1453. He also succeeded his father in the barony of Holland (or Holand), which had been brought into the Lovel family by the marriage of Maud, granddaugther and heiress of Robert de Holland, 2nd baron Holland (1342-73), to John, 5th baron Lovel, testator's grandfather. The barony of Burnell, to which the testator here asserts his claim, seems to have been without official recognition. Edward Burnell, first baron Burnell, was summoned to Parliament 1311 to 1314, but died 1315, leaving his sister Maud as his heiress. At his death the barony of Burnell became, in law, extinct. Maud Burnell married, as her first husband, John Lovel, 2nd baron Lovel of Tichmarsh, who died 1314; and as her second husband, Sir John Haudlo, summoned to Parliament as baron Haudlo 1342. By one of the perplexing intricacies of the Peerage writs, the summonses to Parliament, 1350-1420, directed to baron Burnell, were sent to Maud Burnell's descendants by her second marriage, but the Lovel family seems to have obstinately, in word at least, persevered in its claim to the title.

The whole proceeding can best be understood by a rough pedigree:

[figure]

The Peerage problems are worked out in the larger modern Peerages. All that concerns us here is to note that these accumulated peerages brought into the Lovel family not only the ownership of the estates of those baronies, but also according to the ideas of the age, the obligation to provide and maintain intercessory services for members of the extinct families (supra 68/20). Hence, testator's intense desire for a perpetual two-priest chantry.

William Lovel, 7th baron Lovel, by a marriage which reminds us of the epigram Tu, felix Austria, nubes, had brought into his family, besides the two baronies he inherited, and the

barony he claimed, two other baronies. He had, therefore, an exceptional number of manors to dispose of in his will. If we had access to his marriage-settlement, we should probably find that it directed him to entail certain of his wife's manors on their younger sons.

The foundation of this chantry-chapel might well be used as a foot-note appended to a lament over the vanity of human wishes, as expressed in the telling lines of Robert Burns:

The best laid schemes o' mice an' menGang aft agley.

Greyfriars Convent in Oxford, by the fame of Roger Bacon, was the best-known house of the Order in England. Its church was one of the greatest. But, at the Dissolution, it was so completely destroyed, that all memory of the Lovel chapel was rooted out. Anthony Wood (City of Oxford, ii. 383), making his list of eminent persons buried in this church, has no mention of William, Lord Lovel. The fact was first brought to light by Alfred Gibbons in his list of Early Lincoln Wills, 1888. Even the admirable monograph on The Grey Friars in Oxford, by A. G. Little (O.H.S. 1892) could only add (p. 106) that in the arrangements made by lord Lovel for his burial here 'a bequest would no doubt be included'. Railway cuttings, botanists tell us, often bring back to a district plants long extinct there, and so now Dr. Furnivall's research has brought to light this long-forgotten Lovel chantry in Oxford.

[leaf 22 bk.]

[I. Full Text of the Will.]
Testamentum domini de lovell.

In the name of the blessed trinite ffader and son and holy gost, I, William lord lovell Burnell and of holand, hole of mynde & of body, make my testament in the maner and fourme that folowith:

ffirst, I beqweth my soule to allmyghty god my creature that bought me with his preciouse blode, and to his blessed moder saint Mary, and to all the holy seintes of hevyn, and my body to be buried at the Grayfreris of Oxenford in suche place as I haue apoynted.

And I wol that within viij. dayes after my dethe a Ml Messes be don for my soule.

Also I wol that my feoffies in and of all my Manourys landis and tenementes, with thappurtenaunce, in Acton Burnell, wotton, Croston, Sutton, holgote, Abbeton, Millynchop, Ewdon Burnell, Acton Raynard, longedon, vppynton, Rowton, Ambaston, Chatwall, wolstauton, Smethcote, Russhebury, hopebowdelere, and Condouer, with the membirs in the shire of Salop and in all my landis & tenementes in Nantewich in the shire of Chester not appoynted to my sone herry, the which I haue enfeoffed vppon grete truste, I wol that my said feoffies occupie and haue all my said Manoires landis and tenementes with thappurtenaunce after my decesse by the terme of ix yere and that ther be a sufficient persone ordeyned by the aduyse of my said feoffes and Executours to receyve all the Issueȝ and profutes of the said Manoyers landis and tenementȝ and therwith to pay CCxxij li. xiij s. iiij d. that I owe to diuerse persones as hit is conteyned in a papir, onlesse thanne I pay hit in my liff.

Also I wol þat a Chapell and a tombe be made for me and my wiff, conuenient for oure astateȝ that god hathe called vs to, of the same Issueȝ and profuteȝ, in the place where we shall be buried.

And where I haue apoynted xx li. of lyvelode to be purchased with the same Issues and profuteȝ (onlesse than I purchase hit my self in my liff) to be amorteysed for ij. Prestis to singe perpetuelly for the sowles of me, my wiff, and of oure Awncesters, I wol that, of the same Issueȝ and profuteȝ, all the costis aboute the said amortesment be had and borne.

Also, I wol that the same Grayfreris shall haue CC. marces or the valu. Wherof part shall be in redy monye and the remanent in ornamentȝ of their churche (by the discrescion of my wiff my feoffes and executurs or the more parte of theym), to pray specially for the sowles of me and of my wyff.

Also, I beqweth to the toder iij. orders of freris in Oxenford to ich of them C s. to pray specially for the sowles of me and my wiff and oure said Auncesters.

Also, to the Abbot and conuent of Breuer xl li.

Also, to Anne Ogard, my doughter's doughter, to her mariage if she be maried worshipfully and to such as is or shal be a lorde of name CC li., of the same Issueȝ & profuteȝ.

And I wol that he that so shal receyve the Issueȝ and profuteȝ of the said Manoirs landis and tenementes yerely accompt of them afore such Auditours as shal be assigned by my wiff Executours and feoffes or the more parte of them.

Also, I wol that anon after the said ix yere after my decesse determined that my said feoffies make astate of all the seyd Manoirs landis and tenementȝ with thappurtenaunce to my next heire and to the heires of his body lawfully begoten, And for lakke of such Issue the remander therof to my right heires.

And in case that the said Chauntry be founded in my lyff than I wolle that after the terme of vj yere next after my decesse determyned that my said feoffes of all the said Manoires landis and tenementes make astate vnto my next heire to haue and hold to him and to the heires of his body begeten And for lakke of such Issue the remaynder therof to my right heires.

Also, I wol that my feoffes in and of all my other manoyrs landis and tenementes that thei be enfeoffed in to myn vse & profuet (except thoo Maners landis and tenementes appoynted to william Robert and henry my sonnes and my maners landys and tenementȝ in Oxenford shire) anoon after my decesse make astate vnto my next heire and to the heires of his body begeton And for lakke of suche Issev the Remaynder therof to my right heires.

Also, I wol that my feoffes [leaf 23] of all my other Manoiers Landis and tenementis in the shire of Oxford, except afore except, after my decesse, of the Issueȝ and profutes of the same, paie xx li. yerly to the susteyning of my said Chauntrye and anniuersarie vnto the tyme my said Chauntery be full stabulisched and fownded, and suffir my next heires to haue the Issueȝ and

profuteȝ of all the same Manoiers landis and tenementis ouer that xx li.

And after the said Chauntery stabulisched and founded of xx li. of lyvelode, I wol my feoffies of the said Manoiers landis and tenementes in the said shire of Oxford, Except afore except, make astate to my next heire and to the heires of his body begoten, and for lakke of suche Issue the remaynder therof to my right heires.

Also, I wol that my goodis moveable and vnmoveable be disposed, after the good discrestion of my good executors, by the ouersight and sourvowe of my wyff.

Also, I charge all my sonnes, vpon my blessing and as thei wol answer to god, that thei be helpyng and assistyng to myn Executours to the executyng and performyng of this my testament and laste wille.

And Executours of this my testament I make Thomas Bylling, sergeaunt of the lawe; lucas laucok, Clerk; william Marmeon; William Brawnston.

Also, I wol that my Wiff, in whom I put my moste speciall faith & truste, be surveour of this my testament, prayng and requiring her that she wol do her trewe diligens and parte that my said testament may be trewly performed, accordyng to myn entent; And require and charge my executours that noon of hem do any grete thing touching the execucion of my said testament, withoute thei aske auyse of her before.

In wittenesse wherof, to this present writyng I haue putto my seale, yeven the xviij. day of Marche the yere of oure lord Ml CCCCliiij., And the yere of the Regne of king henry the sext after the conquest xxxiijti.

[II. Full Text of First Codicil.]
Codicillus dicti domini.

In the name of god amen I, William lord lovell Burnell and of holand, hoole of mynde, the v day of Iunn the yere of oure lord god Ml cccc lvti, And the yere of the Regne of king herry the sext after the conquest xxxiijti, declare my last wille and aduyse conteyned in my testament beryng date of the xviij.

day of Marche the yere of oure lord god Ml CCCC liiijti and the Regne of oure souerayne lord the kyng xxxiijti, And also adde to the same testament in Maner and forme as in this codicille foloweth.

first, that where I, in the said testament and last wille, ordeyned disposed and willed that my feoffes in and of all my Maners landis and tenementȝ with theire appurtenaunces in Acton Burnell, Wotton, Croston, Sutton, holgote, Abbeton, Millyngchamp, Ewdon Burnell, acton Raynard, longedon, Vppyngdon, Rowton, Ambaston, Chatwall, wolstauton, Smethcote, Russhbury, hopebowdeler, and Condouer, with theire membris, in the shire of Salop and in all my landis and tenementȝ in Nantewich in the shire of Chestir not appoynted to my soon herry, shuld occupie and haue all my said Manoiers landis and tenementis with thappurtenaunce after my decesse by the terme of ix yere to perfourme my said wille and testament, as it is in the same testament expressed, I wol that my said feoffees occupie and haue all my said landis Manoiers and tenementis with thappurtenaunces after my decesse by the terme of xij. yeere then next and continuall folowyng, to execute and performe with the Isseues and profutes therof my said testament And that my last wille, vnder forme as in the said testament is and in this my codicille shall be declared;

Also, where I, in my said testament, haue appoynted xx li. of lyvelod to be purchased with the said Issues and profutes, to be amorteysed for ij. seculer prestes to sing perpetuelly for the sowles of me my wiff and my Auncestres, I, in this my codicille, wol and declare that the said purchase and mortisment be so and in suche fourme had that hit be xx li. clere aboue all maner of Chargis, and suche lyflod as shal be of no lesse clere yerly valu be lyklyhode hereafterwarde: of the which xx li. I wol that my said ij. prestis haue yerly xx marces. And I wol that the Wardeyn and the Covent of the gray frerys of Oxford haue yeerly the residewe of the said xx li. therwith to kepe my yeerly obite & to reparell [leaf 23 bk.] my said Chapell after tyme it is sufficiently beeldid and performed

And pay yeerly to the Chaunceler of Oxford for the tyme beyng and Ofering at my said Obite, vj s. viij d., To his commissary so Offeryng in his absence, iij s. iiij d., and to eyther of the proctours of the vniuersite commyng with the said Chaunceler or his commissary and offeryng at my said obite, xx d.

And to the Maire of Oxford for the tyme beyng iij s. iiij d. and to either of the Bayles xx d., in case be that thei come and offre at my said yeerly obite.

Also I wol that my said executurs & feoffes, ouer the said xx li., purvey bokes, Chaleys, and vestimentes, with other ornamentes necessary to the said Chapell; and also for bred, vyne, and wex for all maner of prestis that wol say masse in the said Chapell for euer-more.

Also, I wol that the said ij. prestis be seculers, bachelers of diuinite or at the leste maisters of Arte, vertuose and wel disposed to lerne and for to procede in degree, And moreover to preche the worde of God in releeff of simple curatis and edificacion of cristen sowles

And thei, in theire open sermons, shall pray specially by name for the sowles of me, my Wiff and myn Aunceters.

And I wol that the sayd ij. preestis euery sonday and doble fest, after tyme the said Chapell is beeldide and fully perfourmed, at vj. of the belle in the mornyng begynne the matyns of the day in my said Chapell; and, after Matyns said, oon of them incontynently say masse of the day, onlesse thanne they be absent preching the worde of god; And if bothe be not so absent, than he, that is not so occupied, say the sayd matyns and masse

and onys in the Weeke day say Placebo and Dirige with a Masse of Requiem for the sowles of me, my Wyf and myn Auncestres and of all Cristen sowles.

Also I woll that the lord lovell for the tyme beyng name and present the said ij. prestis (so that thei be seculers and bachelers of diuinite or at the lest Maisters of Art) to the Chaunceler of Oxonford for the tyme beyng; And the said Chaunceler, in case he fynde hem by dew examinacion vertuose and of gode conuersacion and disposed to procede after my wyl before declared,

admitte theym to syng in my said Chapell after forme above by me rehersed; And yf by such examinacion or otherwise, the said ij. bachelers of diuinite or maisters of Arte, so named and presented by the lord lovell for the tyme beyng, be not fownde of suche condicions and vertu as it is in my wille before declared, that then thei be in no wyse admitted to syng in the said Chapell; but then, after notice had therof, the said lord Lovell name and present ij. other in semblable wise to be examined admitted or refused. Wherin I pray and straitly require and (also moche as in me is) I charge the said lord lovell and Chaunceler that thei, in namyng, presentyng, examyning, and admittyng the said ij. prestis, put aparte all maner of affectuouse percialite, favour, seruice, or reward.

Also, I wol and declare that in case the said ij. prestis, or eyther of them, be promoted to eny benefice, college, Chauntre, or other Office of perpetuete, otherellus be of viciouse gouernaunce or vnclene lyvyng befor the Chaunceler lawfully conuicted, that then theire places in my said Chapell, and either of them, so promoted or conuicted, be voyde, and the said lord lovell name and present other, in maner and fourme above rehersed.

Item, I woll and beqweth, in this my Codicill, to William my sonne a Bedd of Bawdekyn with qwischens and thapparrell thereto, payng x li.

Also that, where I wylled and ordeyned in my said testament that, anon after ix yeere after my decesse determined, that my feoffes shuld make astate of all the said Manoiers landis and tenementes, with ther appurtenauncz, vnder forme in my said testament conteyned, I wol that my said feoffes be not charged nor in noo wyse constrayned to make any astate vnto the terme of xij. yeere after [leaf 24] my decesse fully determyned

Also, I woll and adde to my said testament in this my Codicille that my seruauntes be rewarded vnder forme and sommes that folowen:

• ffirst, to Thomas lesseller and to his wiff, c s.;
• to henry Normanvyle, lxvj s. viij d.;
• To thomas Stotesbury, xl s.;
• to John Gyfford, lxvj s. viij d.;

• to Drew Streighley, lxvj s. viij d.;
• to Bernard Delamere, lxvj s. viij d.;
• to Thomas Conyers, lxvj s. viij d.;
• to Thomas Ingelfeld, iiij li. xiij s. iiij d.;
• Also, to Mawt Denham, of fee, so longe as she is soole, yeerly, x. marces; And, if she be worshipfully and wel maried, to her mariage, xiij li. vj s. viij d.
• Also Sybill ffowler, whanne tyme she shall be maried and worshipfully, xx li. to her mariage;
• Also, to the seruauntes of John Densell, liij s. iiij d.;
• Also, to Thomas Aunger, xl s.;
• to Iohn of Chambre, xl s.;
• to Iohn Appynton, xl s.;
• to Thomas Clerk, liij s. iiij d.;
• to William Aleyn, xl s.;
• to Iohn Aden, liij s. iiij d., of fee;
• to Iohn Benet, xl s. of fee;
• to Richard Whitfeld, xl s.;
• to Iohn Churche, xxxiij s. iiij d.;
• to William Wynfray, xl s.;
• to Wylliam Skynner, xls.;
• to William Grendon, xl s.;
• to Thomas Ormeston, xx s.;
• To Thomas Smyth, xl s.;
• to Thomas Selby, liij s. iiij d.;
• to William Blakbourne, liij s. iiij d.;
• To Thomas Selman, xl s.;
• to Edmund Blakhall, liij s. iiij d.;
• To Iohn Russell, liij s. iiij d., of fee;
• to Iohn Barby, xxxj s. viij d.;
• To Thomas hunt, xx s., of fee;
• to Richard Milton, xl s.;
• to William Trumpet, xl s., of fee;
• to Geffray taylour, xl s.;
• to Iohn Woderoff, xxxj s. viij d.;
• to Iohn Cransley, xl s.;
• to Iohn Whighill, xl s., of fee.;
• to henry yoxhall, liij s. iiij d.;
• to Iohn Donver, xxvj s. viij d.;

• ...
• to Iohn Gylford, liij s. iiij d., in hool fee;
• to Rauf herrys, for kepyng of a wode at Mynster lovell, xxvj s. viij d., of fee;
• to the Baily of mynster lovell, xl s.;
• To Rauff, Gardyner of Mynster lovell, xls. of fee yeerly, for kepyng of the Gardeyn theere, yeerly receyvyng and kepyng the frutes therof to the behoof of the houshold theere;
• To william kollyng, xx s., of fee;
• to ffrank Martyn, xxxiij s. iiij d.;
• to Iohn Morayn, xxvj s. viij d.
• to Iohn Culneham, xxvj s. viij d.;
• to Iohn Grene, xxvj s. viij d.;
• to Deryk of the kechyn, xx s.;
• to Richard of the Bakhouse, xxvj s. viij d.;
• To Edmunde of the Bakhouse, xxvj s. viij d.;
• To Iohn Skirs of the same, xxvj s. viij d.;
• to Iohn Carter, xx s.;
• to Iohn lane, xxvj s. viij d.;
• to Thomas Blakhalle, xxxiij s. iiij d.;
• to henry Gaddesby, xxvj s. viij d.;
• To William Broyne, xxvj s. viij d.;
• To Thomas of the Stable, xxvj s. viij d.

And I eftesones require my wiff, sonnes, & heires, in the way of Charite, and for the love of all-myghty god and in Eschewyng of dampnacion of theire sowles, that thei help and Assiste, with all suche power as god hath yeven them, my feoffes and myn Executours to execute my said testament & this my wylle, And that thei in no wise lett hit nor do for to be letted by no maner of meane nor colour.

Item, I wol that all my elther feoffes, if ther any bee in my said maners, landis, and tenementes, make a relesse vnto Thomas, Archiebisshop of Canterbury, and vnto his cofeoffies to perfourme my said testament and wille.

Beryng wittenesse herof: Maister Thomas Gascoyne, doctor of diuinite; Bartholomew Ardern, Thomas Sakvyle, Iohn Grayby, Esquyers; William Barnevile, Iohn Adeen, and Iohn Russell, with other mo.

[III. Text of Second Codicil.]
Vltima voluntas dicti defuncti.

To all trew Cristen people that this present wryting tri-partited endented shall heere or see, William lord lovell Burnell and of holand, send gretyng in oure lord everlastyng.

Where that I, the same William lord lovell, amonges other, haue enfeoffed, vppon grete faith and truste, the right reuerend faders in god Thomas Bourchiere, Archiebischop of Canterbury, primat of all England; William, Bisshop of Wynchestre; William lucy, [leaf 24 bk.] William Catesby, knyghtes; Robert Danuers (oon of the Iustice of the common place), and other

in and of my Manoiers of Bridelhurst, obdon, knoke, Erdescote, Estwamburgh, with thappurtenaunce, in the shire of Wyltshire and in all my other landis and tenementes in the same townes;

the Maner of Berley with thappurtenaunce in the shire of hertford;

the maner of Est wycham, with thappurtenaunce, in the shire of kent;

And Rotherhith, with thappurtenauncȝ in the shire of Surre;

the Maner of Wodford, with thappurtenaunce, in the shire of Gloucestre;

and in all my landis & tenementis in Bampton, litell Mynster, and elles where in the shire of Oxford, with thappurtenaunce, the which were sumtyme Alyenor hill;

and of a fee ferme of vij li. vj s. viij d. in the shire of Wyrcestre that the Priour of Wyrcestre payde to me for Trympley;

the maners of Stene, hynton, Polebroke, with thappurtenaunce, in the Shire of Northampton;

the Maner of Crawley with thappurtenaunce in the Shire of Buckes;

with all my other landis and tenementes in the same townes;

and in the Towne of Banebury in the shire of Oxonford;

the maners of welyngton and Pycheford, with thappurtenaunce, in the Shire of Salop;

the Maners of Bidford and Brome with thappurtenaunce in the Shire of warrwick; The Moyte of my lordship of woluuer-hampton, with thappurtenaunce, in the shire of Stafford, with all my other landis & tenementis in the same townes;

and in all my landes & tenementes Rentis and seruice with thappurtenaunce in Nauntwyche and ellus where in the shire of Chestre, late William Brownynges,

to haue and to hold to them and to theire heires for euermore.

I, the said william lord louell, declare my wille and entent of the said feoffament in maner and fourme folowyng:

That is to say, that my said feoffies anon after my decesse make astate in and of the said maners of Brideshurst, Vbbedon, knoke, Erdescote, Est wamburgh, Berley, Estwykham, Rotherhith, Wydeford, fee-ferme, and in all the said other landis or tenementis in the same townes, in all the said landis & tenementis in Bampton, litell minster, and ellus where in the shire of Oxford that were sumtyme Alianore hill, with all thappurtenaunce, to william my secunde sone and to the heires males of his body laufully begoten, vnder the forme and condicions folowyng, that if the same william my sone or eny of the heires males of his body begeten do or suffre any thing to be doo by the whiche the said taile shuld be discontynued and discontynued, in parte or in all, lenger or otherwise than for terme of the liff of the same william my sone or of the lyff of any of his heires males of his body begeton or duryng the lyff of any of the wyffes of my said sone or of any of the wiffes of the heires males of his body begeten, that thanne all the said maners of Brideshurst, Vbbedon, knoke, Erdescote, Est wamburgh, Berley, Est wykham, Rotherhith, Wydeford, fee-ferme, with all the said other landis and tenementes in the same

townes, and in the townes of Bampton and litell mynster and ells where, specified in the said tayle, Remayne vnto the right heires; and the said astate tayled vtterly to be voyde;

And I pray and require my said feoffes to be helpyng and assisting to my right heires in this behalff;

And in case the said william my sone die withoute Issew male of his body begeten, orellus that he or any of his said heires males (for lakke of other Issew of me) inherite me and be lord louell, and no such discontynuaunce made by him nor noon of his said heires males other wyse thanne is afore rehersed, that thanne the oon half of the same manoiers landis tenementes and fee ferme, with thappurtenaunce, remayne vnto Robert louell, my third sonne, and to the heires males of his body begeten, vnder sembelable forme and condicions to be obserued and kept by the same Robert and his said heires males as is afore rehersed to be obserued and kept by the said william and his heires [leaf 25] males of his body begeten. And in case the saide Robert die withoute issue maleȝ of his body begeten, or ellus that he or any of his said issue maleȝ inherite me and be lord louell, and no discontynuaunce be made be the same Robert nor noon of heires males of his body begeten, of the said halfendell nor of no parcell theroff otherwyse thanne is afore rehersed, that thenne the said halfendell remayne to henry louell my fourthe sonne and to the heires males of his body begeten, vnder semblable fourme and condicions to be obserued and kept by the same henry and his heires males (as is afore rehersed) to be obserued and kept by the said william & his heires males of his body begetyn; And for lacke of suche issue male of the said henry, the remaynder therof vnto my right heires, And that the oder half of the said Maners landis and tenementes with thappurtenaunce remayne vnto the same henry and to the heires males of his body begeten, vnder sembleable fourme and condicions to be obserued and kept by him and his said heires males (as is afore rehersed), to be obserued and kept by the said william and his heires males of his body begeten; And in case the said henry die withoute issue male of his body begeten, the remaynder therof vnto the same Robert and to the heires males of his body begeten vnder

semblable forme & condicions as is afore rehersed; And for lacke of suche issew male of the said Robert, the remaynder therof vnto my right heires.

Also I pray and require my said feoffes that thei, anon after my decesse, make astate vnto the said Robert my sone in and of the said Maners of Stene, hynton, Pokebred, Crawley, with all theire other landis and tenementes in the same townes, & in the Towne of Banbury, with thappurtenaunce, to haue & to holde to him and to the heires males of his body begeten, vnder the fourme and condicions folowyng; — that if the same Robert or any of the heires males of his body begeten do or suffre any thing to be do by the which the same taile shuld be discontyneued and discontyneued, in parte or in all, lenger or other wyse thanne for terme of lyue of the same Robert or terme of the liffe of any of his heires males of his body begeten or for terme of the liff of any of the wyffes of the said Robert or terme of lyve of any of the wyffes of the heires males of the said Robert body begeten, that thanne all the same Maners landis & tenementes remayne to my right heires and the said astate vtterly to be voyde.

And I pray and require my said feoffes to be helpyng and assistyng to my right heires in this behalff.

And in case the said Robert dye withoute issue male of his body begeten that thanne the oon halff of the same maners, landis, & tenementis, with thappurtenaunce, So yiffen to the said Robert, shall remayne to the same william my soon and to the heires males of his body lawfully begeten, vnder semblable forme and condicions as is afore rehersed to be obserued and kept by the same william and his said heires males, And if the said william die withoute Issue male of his body begeten orellus that he or any of his said issue male inherite me and be lord louell and no discontynuaunce be made be him nor noon of his said heires males of the said halfendell nor of no parte theroff otherwise thanne is afore rehersed, that thanne the said halfendell with thappurtenaunce shall remayne to the same henry and to the heires males of his body begeten vnder semblable fourme and condicions as is afore rehersed; and, for lacke of suche issue, the remaynder theroff, to my right heires; and that the oder halff of the said Maners landis & tenementes with

thappurtenaunce shall remayne to the same henry and to the heires males of his body begeten vnder semblable fourme and condicions as is afore rehersed. And in case the said henry die withoute suche issue of his body begeten the remaynder therof to the same william and to the heires males of his [leaf 25 bk.] body begeten, Vnder semblable forme and condicions as is afore rehersed; And for lacke of suche issue of the said William, the remainder therof to my right heires.

Also I pray and require my said feoffes that thei anon after my decesse make astate vnto the same henry my sone in and of the said maners of wyllington, Picheford, Bidford, Brome, and moyte of the lordship of Woluerhampton and of all other landis and tenementis in the same townes and in all landis and tenementis Rentis and fermes in Nantwich and ellus where in the shire of Chester late William Brownynges with thappurtenaunce to haue and to holde to the same herry & to the heires males of his body begeten, vnder forme & condicions folowyng: that if the same henry or any of the heires males of his body begeten do or suffre any thing to be doo by the which the same taile shuld be discontyneued and discontynued, in parte or in all, lenger or otherwyse thanne for terme of liff of the same henry or terme of the liff of any of his heires males of his body begeten or for terme of the liff of the wiffes of the said henry or terme of the lyff of any of the wyffes of the heires males of his body begeten, that thenne all the said Maners landis and tenementes remayne to my rigth heires, And the said astate vtterly to be voyde. And I pray & require my said feoffes to be helpyng and assistyng to my right heires in this behalf. And in case the said henry dye withoute Issew male of his body begeten, that thanne the oon half therof remayn to the same william my sone and to the heires males of his body begeten, vnder semblable forme and condicions as is afore rehersed, And if case the said william dye withoute Issew male of his body begeton, or ellus that he or any of his said Issue male enherite me and be lord louell and no discontinuaunce be made by him nor noon of his said heires males of the said halffendell, nor of no parte therof, otherwise thanne is afore rehersed, that thanne the said halffendell with thappurtenaunce shall remayne to the

same Robert my sone and to the heires males of his body begeten, vnder semblable forme & condicions as is afore rehersed, and for lack of such issue of the said Robert the remaynder therof to my right heires. And that the other halff of the said Maners Moite landis tenementis Rentis and seruiceȝ with thappurtenaunce so giffen to the said henry shal remayne to the said Robert and to the heires males of his body begeten, vnder sembleable forme & condicions as is afore rehersed And for lacke of such issue of the said Robert the remaynder therof to the said william my sone and to the heires males of his body begeten vnder semblable fourme & condicions as is afore rehersed, and, for lacke of suche issue of the said william, the remayndre therof to my right heires.

In wittenesse I haue setto my seale of myn Armes.

Wittenesse &c.

datum &c.

[IV. Official Record of Probate.]
Actum probacionis dictorum testamenti & codicillorum.

Primo die Septembris, Anno domini Millesimo quadringentesimo quinquagesimo quinto, infra Manerium de Bukden, lincolniensis diocesis, Coram Reuerendo in christo patre ac domino, domino Iohanne, dei gracia lincolniensi Episcopo, personaliter comparuerunt Magister lucas lancok, decretorum doctor, willhelmus Marmyon, armiger, et willhelmus Braunston, domicellus, executores (vt asseruerunt) Nobilis memorie domini willhelmi, domini de louell, Burnell, & holand, dicti Reuerendi patris (vt asseritur) parochiani defuncti, et tempore mortis sue eciam vt asseritur nonnulla bona in diocesi lincolniensi et alijs diuersis diocesibus Cantuariensis prouincie obtinentis, et ibidem quoddam testamentum vna cum duobus Codicillis ipsius defuncti vltimam voluntatem in se continentibus exhibuerunt, Vnde idem Reuerendus in christo pater ipsa testamentum et codicillos: publicauit, probauit, eaque (racione composicionis inter Ecclesias Cantuariensem & lincolniensem super approbacione testamentorum parochianorum infra diocesim lincolniensem decedencium inite, ac iure at prerogatiua ecclesie sue lincolniensis laudabili, legitimeque prescripta consuetudine, ac lege speciali legitime

prescripta, per tempusque, vt idem Reuerendus pater eciam asseruit, cuius contrarij memoria non existat, seu existit, vsitata & obseruata) approbauit, insinuauit, ac pro vero valore eorundem pronunciauit per decretum, Administracionemque omnium bonorum, dictum defunctum et eius testamentum concernencium, et infra iurisdiccionem lincolniensem existencium, ac ad ipsum Reuerendum patrem de iure, prerogatiua, consuetudine laudabili prescripta, ac lege speciali predictis pertinencium, eisdem Magistro luce, willhelmo, et willhelmo, predictis executoribus in ipso testamento nominatis, [et eos] in forma iuris de obseruando capitula subscripta, tactis per eosdem sacrosanctis dei euangeliis, iurare fecit: et iurarunt, videlicet, quod nullus ipsorum executorum bona ipsius defuncti, quocunque nomine censerentur, ab alijs coexecutoribus suis celabit, sed illa omnino ceteris coexecutoribus reuelabit, & ad noticiam eorum perferet, nec preter eorum consensum administrabit, donabit, alienabit, seu disponet, atque nullus ipsorum alicui pro aliquibus receptis seu recipiendis de bonis debitis seu arreragijs ipsius defuncti, acquietancias, liberaciones, perdonaciones, relaxaciones, seu remissiones, sine consensu et voluntate aliorum executorum, faciet quouismodo, vnde idem Reuerendus pater eisdem administracionem commisit.

Acta fuerunt hec in loco, anno, & die predictis: Indiccione tercia, pontificatus sanctissimi in christo patris et domini nostri, domini Calisti, diuina prouidencia pape tercij, anno primo.

Presentibus tunc ibidem Magistro Ricardo Ewan (in Artibus Magistro), willhelmo hornby, & willhelmo Barford, Sarisburiensis & lincolniensis diocesium, &c.

IX. Vow of celibacy, 1456, taken by Joan Stretton, widow, before John Chedworth, bishop of Lincoln, then celebrating Mass in Merton College Chapel, Oxford.

[From bishop John Chedworth's Register at Lincoln, lf. 20 bk.]

Viijo kalendas Iulij, in festo videlicet Natiuitatis sancti Iohannis Baptiste, Anno domini Millesimo CCCC lvjto, in Capella infra Martyn college Oxonie situata, Reuerendus in christo pater et dominus, dominus Iohannes, dei gracia lincolniensis

Episcopus, in pontificalibus indutus, votum per dictum Reuerendum patrem intra missarum solempnia admisit et recepit in hac forma.

Votum Iohanne stretton vidue emissum.

I, Iohan Stretton of lincoln diocesse, not wedded, promitte and avowe to god and to oure lady and to all the saintis of hevyn, in youre presence, Reuerend fadre in god, Iohn, by the grace of god Bisshop of lincoln, the purpose of Chastite aftir the rewle of Saint Paule, and with myn owne hand I subscribe here my selff — In nomine patris & filij & spiritus sancti Amen +; et cetera benediccionum insignia in hac parte requisita, fecit, et exercuit, coram populi multitudine inibi congregata, &c.

X: Will, 1456, and Codicil, of Gervase Rudd, of Stamford, Lincolnshire.

[From bishop John Chedworth's Register at Lincoln, lf. 70, and 70 bk.]

[leaf 70]

[I. Latin Text of Will.]
Testamentum Geruasij Rudde de Stamford.

In Dei Nomine Amen. Sextodecimo die Nouembris Anno domini Millesimo CCCC lvjto, Ego, Geruasius Rudde de Stamford, videns michi mortis periculum imminere, condo testamentum meum in hunc modum.

In primis, lego animam meam deo omnipotenti, beate Marie matri eius, et omnibus sanctis; Corpusque meum ad sepeliendum in Ecclesia sancti Martini ville Stamford predicte.

Item, lego optimum meum indumentum pro mortuario meo, prout mos est ibidem; Item, ffabrice ecclesie predicte, pro sepultura mea, vj s. viij d.

Item, ordini ffratrum Carmelitarum, ij s. vj d.; Item, ordini predicatorum eiusdem ville, ij s. vj d.

Item, ffabrice ecclesie sancti Georgij eiusdem ville, vnum quarterium ordei.

Residuum vero bonorum meorum non legatorum do et lego Iohanne vxori mee et henrico Barton quos facio et constituo meos executores vt ipsi disponant pro salute anime mee prout eis videbitur melius deo placere.

Datum apud Stamford predictam die et anno supradictis; hijs testibus, Willhelmo Gyrdeler (Capellano), Iohanne Barker, et Waltero Cutteler.

[II. English Text of Codicil.]
Vltima Voluntas eiusdem.

This is the laste wille of me, Gervas Rudde of Stamford, made the xvj. day of Nouembre in the yere of the Regne of king henry the sext xxxvti, And in the yere of oure lord Ml CCCClvj.

ffirst, I woll that Ionet my wyff and henry Barton myn executours do perfourme my testament.

Item, I woll and giff to my said wyff place that I dwell in the terme of her lyff, and that she kepe yerly my yereday in honest fourme; and after her decesse, I wol that Robert my son haue it duryng his lyff & to his eyrys of his body laufully begoten if he haue any, in the same fourme as it is beforesaid, and vnder the same condicion, and also the yereday of both my wyffes; And if he kepe hem not yerely ne in dew fourme than I woll that, by the sight of the said herry barton, the said place be solde and the money that commyth theroff to be disposed for the helth of my sowle and of the sowlys of my said ij. wyffes, And in the same wyse if the said Robert haue no Isew.

Also, I woll that herry Barton haue the termes of the place that I holde of Iohn Apethorp, after the tenure of my Indenture the wiche I delyuere vnto him the day of makyng of this presentȝ.

Item, I woll that Alice my doughter haue after the decesse of my wyff a brasse panne of xxiiij. galons.

Item, to Robert my son a nother panne xxiiij. [gallons] conteynyng; Item, to kateryn my doughter, a panne of vj. galons; Item, to my doughter Agnes Bolt, a brasse potte of ij. galons;

Item, to my goddoughter Elizabet Bolt, a potte of a potyll.

And all the Residew of my goodis by me at this tyme not sett I gyff to Ionet my wyff terme of her lyff, she to pay my dettys,

and after her decesse thei to be solde and disposed for me and bothe my said wyffes: And Also, I woll that Ionet my wyff giff to the said herry Barton for his labour xx s. of mony.

And also, I wol haue at my dirige, when I am passed the worlde, v. prestis, and thei to giff euery prest iiij d. And in all otherwyse thei to do for the helth of my sowle, as shulde [leaf 70 bk.] be most plesure to all myghty Ihesu. Whom I dayly beseche of grace and mercy.

[III. Latin Record of Probate.]
Approbacio eorundem.

In dei Nomine, Amen.

Nos, Iohannes Sybely, clericus, Reuerendi in christo patris ac domini, domini Iohannis, dei gracia lincolniensis Episcopi, in Archidiaconatibus lincolnie & Stowie Commissarius generalis, presens testamentum, vna cum codicillo eidem annexo, coram nobis exhibitum in ecclesia parochiali sancte Marie iuxta pontem ville Stamford penultimo die mensis Nouembris Anno domini Millesimo CCCC lvjto, probamus approbamus et insinuamus. Administracionem quoque omnium bonorum dicti testamenti et codicilli contingentis committimus executoribus infrascriptis, onus administracionis bonorum huiusmodi in se admittentibus, in forma iuris iuratis, Compotum administracionis bonorum huiusmodi nobis specialiter reseruantes.

In cuius rei testimonium sigillum Officij nostri presentibus est appensum: datum die, loco, & Anno domini supradictis.

XI. Proceedings, 1457, against the brothers William and Richard Sparke, of Somersham, Huntingdonshire, Lollards, at the instance of John Chedworth, bishop of Lincoln.

[Extracted from bishop Chedworth's Register at Lincoln, lf. 12 bk. The records of the Ecclesiastical Court are, of course, in Latin, but inasmuch as the persons proceeded against were (p. 96) 'not lettered', the papers which specially concerned them were in English.]

[I. Articles exhibited against William and Richard Sparke.]

[leaf 12 bk.]

Hii sunt articuli et opiniones heretice publice tente per Willhelmum Sparke et Ricardum Sparke fratrem eiusdem, de

Somersham lincolniensis diocesis, et per eosdem coram Reuerendo in christo patre et domino, Domino Iohanne, dei gracia Lincolniensi Episcopo, publice recognite & confessate.

In primis, dicunt quod Cruces et ymagines in ecclesiis constitute venerari non debeant, nec coram eis oblaciones fieri debeant, cum [non] sint nisi ligna vel lapides: Sed quod pocius homo extensis brachiis tanquam vera Crux & ymago dei debeat ab homine venerari.

Item, quod non fierent peregrinaciones ad loca vbi sanctorum corpora requiescunt, et quod expense in eisdem facte sunt superuacue, inutilesque labores.

Item, quod puer de parentibus baptizatis procreatus baptismo non egeat nec baptizari debeat, cum parentum baptismus ei sufficiat.

Item, quod laici coniugati vel laborantes non tenentur ieiunare, cum christum huiusmodi ieiunia statuisse nullicubi reperitur; Et quod constitucio ecclesie in ea parte edita tantum ligat clericos & Religiosos.

Item, quod sepultura mortuorum in sacris locis defunctis non magis prodest quam si eorum cadauera in paludibus forent tumulata; Et quod huiusmodi sepulture solempnitas propter presbyterorum auariciam erat primitus adinuenta: Et quod melius foret huiusmodi expensa in pauperum elemosinas conuerti debere quam quod cum eis presbyteri debeant impi[n]guari.

Item, quod sacerdos maiorem potestatem conficiendi corpus christi non habet quam stramen vel festuca conficere possit; Sed quod post verba sacerdotis verus panis semper manet, et eo longe peior atque deterior efficitur ille panis quo super eo huiusmodi incantacionis verba proferuntur.

Item, quod triginta panes huiusmodi pro Vno Venduntur obolo, Vbi tamen christus venditus erat pro triginta denariis; Et quod huiusmodi fictione sacramentum propter auariciam sacerdotum erat primitus adinuentum.

[leaf 13]

Item, quod confessio facta vni fideli de secta eorum magis prodest saluti anime confitentis quam confessio facta sacerdoti.

Item, quod, cum deus scrutator sit cordium, et cunctorum cognitor secretorum, Oracio mentalis tantum prodest quantum vocalis, et quod oracio in campis & loco non sacro facta tantum prodest quantum si fieret in ecclesia.

Item, quod solus consensus inter virum & mulierem facit matrimonium; et quod sufficit, absque aliqua alia solempnitate, ad effectum quod tanquam vir et vxor cohabitare possint: Et quod solempnitas per ecclesiam ordinata propter auariciam sacerdotum erat constituta.

Item, quod extrema vnctio animabus hominum minime proficit ad salutem, sed quod humana corpora per huiusmodi linicionem, anglice Gresyng, sordidiora et deteriora sunt effecta.

Item, quod papa est antichristus, et sacerdotes sunt eius discipuli, & omnes ordinati sunt diaboli incarnati.

Item, quod quilibet homo dicitur ecclesia dei: adeo quod, si quemquam illorum coram iudice ecclesiastico euocatum ad hanc questionem respondere contigeret An in ecclesiam credis? tute tunc respondere posset, quod sit per hoc intelligens quod in ecclesia credit quia [credit] in homine qui est templum dei.

Item, vterque eorum, vt premittitur, publice recognouit & fatebatur quod, coram non paucis in eorum secta confederatis, eorum vterque super librum corporale prestitit iuramentum quod exactissiman faceret diligenciam quotquot ad hoc mouere possent eos ad eorum sectam semper inducere conarentur, Et quod nullus eorum sectam seu sequaces eiusdem nemini, nisi de eorum secta, quoquo modo reuelaret, quoad sufficientes existere possent ad destruendum antichristum predictum et eius discipulos vniuersos; quodque in breui futurum esse putare se vterque publice fatebatur.

[These Articles Englished.]

List of heretical tenets publicly maintained by William Sparke and his brother Richard Sparke, of Somersham, in the diocese of Lincoln, and afterwards publicly acknowledged by them before John, lord bishop of Lincoln.

• 1. Crosses and Images set up in Churches ought not to be worshipped; and offerings ought not to be made at them, since they are only stocks and stones. A human being had better worship a man with arms stretched out cross-wise, since that is a true cross and image of God.
• 2. Pilgrimages ought not to be made to places where the bodies of saints rest. The expenditure incurred in such pilgrimages is wasted, and the toil undergone is profitless.

• 3. A child whose parents have been baptized has no need of baptism, and ought not to be baptized, since its parents' baptism is sufficient for it.
• 4. Laymen who are married or who are engaged in manual labour are not bound to fast. Christ is nowhere found to have instituted fastings of this sort. The Canonical Rule of the Church put forward in this respect is binding only on clerics and on inmates of convents.
• 5. To bury a corpse in consecrated ground does the soul of the dead person no more good than if the corpse had been thrust into a bog. The solemnities of funerals were invented to provide fees for money-loving priests. It would be better if funeral expenses went in alms to the poor than to enrich priests.
• 6. A priest has no more power to make 'the body of Christ' than the wheat-stalk has. After the words of consecration the bread remains only bread as before; and, in fact, is debased by having had such spell-words pronounced over it.
• 7. Thirty breads of this sort are sold for one halfpenny, but Christ was sold for thirty pence. The sacrament after this fashion is therefore a figment devised to enrich priests.
• 8. Confession made to a believer of the Lollard sect is more soul-healing than confession made to a priest.
• 9. Inasmuch as God is the searcher of all hearts and the knower of all secrets, an unspoken prayer is just as good as a spoken prayer, and a prayer made in a field or other unconsecrated place is just as efficacious as if it were made in a church.
• 10. The sole requisite for a valid marriage is mutual consent between the man and the woman, and no other solemnity is needed to justify their living together as man and wife. The marriage-service was brought in solely to provide fees for priests.
• 11. Extreme unction does not benefit the soul of any man. The only result of this anointing ('greasing,' we call it in English) is to dirty and make vile the person's body.
• 12. The Pope is Antichrist; priests are the disciples of Antichrist. All persons in Holy Orders are incarnate devils.
• 13. Every human being is called 'the church of God'. Therefore, if any Lollard is brought before the judge of an ecclesiastical court and required to answer the question Dost thou believe in the Church? he may answer without scruple I do; since by his belief in the Church he states only that he believes in man, who is 'the temple of God'.
• 14. Each of the accused publicly admitted that, in a large meeting of Lollards, he had solemnly taken oath upon the Bible (i) that he would use his utmost diligence to bring into the Lollard sect as many as ever he could prevail upon, and (ii) that he would reveal to no outsider the existence of the sect or the names of its adherents until they were strong enough in numbers to destroy Antichrist and all Antichrist's disciples; and this (he at that time asserted) would soon be.

[Notes on the preceding Articles.]

1. That a man with outstretched arms is 'an image of God' seems to be a Lollard exposition of Gen. i. 27, 'God created man in his own image.'

A gift of money to a particular image, or to an altar dedicated to a particular saint in a church, was a recognized act of devotional charity. In many cases, a donor silently left a coin on the pedestal of the image or on the altar, just as nowadays a charitable visitor drops a coin into an alms-box in a church. At one time, it is on record that such offerings were of appreciable value. When Westminster Abbey, on 21 October, 1356, impropriated the rectory of Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, special covenant was made that 'all oblations in any wise so ever offered to the image of the Blessed Mary' in that church should go to Westminster Abbey, not to the vicar of Sawbridgeworth.

Lincoln College accounts have these notes in respect of this custom at All Saints Church, Oxford:

• '1505, Sexagesima week, 1-2d. was found on the altar of St. Anne.
• 1510, June, a stranger woman offered 1d. at the image of All Saints.
• 1517, received in oblations before the image of the Saviour, 3d.; in oblations before the image of St. Mildred, 2d.
• 1520, some one offered to the image of All Saints, 1d.
• 1527, Aug., received in several oblations at the image of the Saviour, 2d.'

2. The southern pilgrimage, from Southwark to the shrine of Thomas Becket at Canterbury had (1383), long before this, provided Chaucer with the framework of his Canterbury Tales. Huntingdonshire folk were probably more familiar with the pilgrimage to Walsingham in Norfolk. At Little Walsingham there was a chapel dedicated to St. Mary the Virgin, beside which was a spring (St. Mary's well or the Holy well). A cross stood on a stone slab under the edge of this spring. Here pilgrims knelt, while they secretly wished for what they wanted, and afterwards threw a piece of gold on the slab — A Description of England and Wales (1769), iv. 266. A popular tune ('Walsingham') took its title from this pilgrimage: Clark's Shirburn Ballads (1907), p. 245. Foreign pilgrimages, taken (at this period) to Compostella in Spain, to Triers or Cologne, or the Santa Casa at Loretto in Italy, were both toilsome and costly.

3. In their teaching as to the sacrament of baptism, these

Lollards took up an exaggerated 'Traducian' position. In orthodox doctrine it was maintained that original sin was transmitted from parents to child. The Lollards maintained that, in like manner, the grace conferred by baptism was transmitted from baptized parents to child. Baptism, in such cases, was therefore superfluous, since the grace it was supposed to confer had been inherited at birth.

4. The official canons of the Church, after some centuries of varying practice, had finally appointed, as of obligation, abstinence from flesh and fowl on Fridays and Wednesdays weekly; on the vigils (or eves) of Sundays and Festivals; on Saturdays (as well as on Wednesdays and Fridays) in the Ember weeks; and, especially, during the forty days of Lent. Transgressions of these fasts were sedulously sought out by the officials of the Ecclesiastical Courts, and the transgressors brought into Court and punished, often severely. The Lollard position was that these rules ought not to be imposed on the laity. It was perhaps emphasized by an exposition of St. Matt. ix. 14, 'thy disciples fast not.'

5. Burial within the walls of a church meant a considerable fee (latterly 6s. 8d.) to the rector of the parish, if the grave were in the chancel; to the churchwardens, on the parish account, if it were elsewhere in church. A grave in the churchyard meant a small fee to the churchwardens. There were also the fees of the parish-priest, the parish-clerk, and the ringer of the knell at the actual funeral. See the lease of All Saints Church, Oxford, 1539, and the notes about that church in the Forewords.

6. The Lollard position as regards Transubstantiation, a dogma made obligatory by the first Lateran Council, 1215.

7. An attempt at a reductio ad absurdum argument. If the host were the body of Christ it should be worth, even at Judas's valuation, 30 silver-pennies (St. Matt. xxvi. 15), how then could a wafer be the body of Christ when it could be bought for 1-60d.?

8. Apparently the Lollard exposition of St. James v. 16: 'Confess your faults one to another.'

9. 1 Chron. xxviii. 9; well known because taken into an introductory Collect in the Ordinary of the Mass in the use of Sarum, whence it has passed into the Anglican service-book.

10. This tenet fixed itself firmly in the minds of the lower

people. In Elizabeth's reign and later the Archdeacons' courts were constantly appealed to by churchwardens to deal with cases where a man and a woman, after publication of banns, lived together as man and wife, without marriage in church. An excellent example is found in the Archdeacon of Colchester's Court, held at Henham, Essex, 27 Nov. 1620, when action was taken against Nicholas Searle and Elizabeth Dye, of Saffron Walden, for `livinge together, the banes of matrimonye beinge asked longe since, and not married'. The legislation of the Commonwealth made this, for the time, legal and normal. See, e.g., Essex Arch. Soc. Transactions, vol. xiii. pt. 3 (Jan. 1914).

11. Unction might be recognized by St. James v. 14, but this use of oil was a frequent subject of popular gibes. It is so found as late as Sir Walter Scott's Waverley, chap. lxii.

12. The deadly hatred which later controversy directed against the Pope and Romanist clergy (see verses and woodcuts in Ballad Society's issues), as a dreaded foreign and hostile power, was felt by Lollards against the whole Church, Anglican as well as Roman.

13. This carefully-taught equivocation, by which Lollards were trained to meet the searching inquiries of Ecclesiastical Courts, is a remarkable addition to the history of casuistry. It rests on a Lollard exposition of 1 Cor. iii. 16 ('Know ye not that ye are the temple of God').

14. Is it possible that there was in 1457, in mid-England, a militant Lollard party, secretly mustering forces with a view to an armed rising? It is conceivable that traditions of the Peasants' Revolt of 1381 had been handed on from father to son and grandson. In the south, Henry V's ruthless proceedings against Sir John Oldcastle (1414-17) may have crushed the spirits and strength of the Lollards, only to leave smouldering fires of discontent further north.

[II. Text of the Recantation.]
Abiuracio predictorum Willhelmi Sparke et Ricardi Sparke fratris sui.

In the name of god Amen. Before yow, Reuerend fader in god, Iohn, by the grace of god Bisshop of lincoln, I, Richard Sparke of Somersham of youre diocyse, not lettred, make an open confession & knawlige in the presence of witnesse att this tyme

that I haue holden, taught, and affermed, certayn fals articles and opinions of heresy and errours, agayn many and diuers holy sacramentes and agayn the trewe christen faith and of the determinacion of holy Chirche;

and I haue bee present where suche articles and opinions haue bee taught, lerned, and affermed, by other persones, & yaf faith credence and beleve to hem att diuers tymes where suche conuenticles was maad.

att whiche tyme, I, sworn to kepe counsel of all suche conuenticlers in thise maters, wold neuer vtter nor knowlage, to this tyme that I was examined bifor yow, Reuerend fader.

the whiche fals articles and opinions, heresyes, and errours, I haue declared and openly confessed, iudicially sittyng in examinacion.

And forasmoche as I am certainly and credibly enfourmed by yow, Reuerend fader, that thes articles and opinions been heresy, errours, fals and not trewe, and agayn the determinacion of holy Chirche, I [am] willing in myn herte to for-sake thes articles and alle other articles, heresy, errours, and erronious opinions contrary to the determinacion of holy Chirche;

And I swere by this boke that I from hens forth shal not teche, preche, hoold, nor afferme, the saide heresyes, errours, opinions, nor noon other; nor I shal defend hem, nor the persones that bee of that thair opinion, by me, nor by any other meene person, openly or pryvatly,

nor I shal yef fauour, help, socour, assistence, or counsel to hem, nor hem receyve, nor to hem I shal yef credence, nor be in feliship with hem to [leaf 13 bk.] my knawlige, nor I shal gif nor send giftes to hem;

nor I shal hoolde nor receyue doctryne, bokes, quayers, nor elles, concernyng heresyes, errours, or opinions of hem, nor theym vse.

And I swere by this boke that, as soone as I can haue knawlige or vndirstandyng of any suche bokes or of any suche persones of suche heresy errours and of thair opinions, withoute fraude, gyle, or deceyte, I shal make knawlige to the ordinary

Bisshop of the diocyse wher thay be vsed, as god me help and these holy Euaungelijs.

In witnesse of thise premisses, I, Richard Sparke biforesaide, subscribe my self with myn own hand: et tunc debet facere crucem.

[III. Formal Act of Excommunication.]

Sentencia excommunicacionis super materia predicta.

[Richard Sparke and William Sparke having been convicted, on their own confession, of holding heretical opinions, have thereby ipso facto come under the sentence of the greater excommunication, which is therefore formally pronounced against them by John, bishop of Lincoln.]

In dei nomine Amen. Nos, Iohannes, permissione diuina Lincolniensis Episcopus, Vos, Ricardum Sparke & Willhelmum Sparke de Somersham nostre diocesis, heresim & errores ac opiniones hereticas coram nobis confitentes, ac confessionem vestram huiusmodi publice factam sequentes, in sentenciam excommunicacionis maioris, contra tales a iure latam, ipso facto incidisse, et exnunc excommunicatos fuisse et esse, declaramus in hiis scriptis.

[IV. Conditional Absolution from the Excommunication.]

Absolucio eiusdem sentencie excommunicacionis.

[In regard that Richard Sparke is sorry for his heresies, the bishop consents to remove the sentence of excommunication pronounced against him, so soon as he has made a public and solemn abjuration of his errors.]

In dei nomine Amen. Nos, Iohannes, permissione diuina Lincolniensis Episcopus, te, Ricardum Sparke de Somersham nostre diocesis, de commissis tuis hereticam prauitatem concernentibus penitentem, facta primitus per te solempni abiuracione in hac parte requisita, a sentencia excommunicacionis maioris quam tu in hac parte meruisti, absoluimus in hiis scriptis.

[V. Form of Solemn Abjuration to be read publicly by Richard Sparke at the time of his doing penance.]
Verba dicenda per penitentem, circa forum &c. (vt infra) suam penitenciam agentem.

I, Richard Sparke of Somersham, alle thes fals heresies, vntrew articles, and fals opinions, the whiche I haue long taught, holden, and yeven faith & credence to theym, agayn many and diuers holy sacramentes, and agayn the trew christen faithe and agayn the trewe determinacion of holy Chirche, the whiche I laate iudicially confessed and openly knawliched before the Reuerend fader in god, Iohn, now Bisshop of Lincoln; for the whiche of hym I was assoiled, and toke this penaunce, and them bifore hym forsoke, renounced, abiured, and openly forswore; and soo now, in this open audience, forsake, renounce, abiure, and forswere, and alle other contrarye to the determinacion of holy chirch; and for the horryble synne of heresy biforesaide that I haue long continued, I biseche yow mekely of peyn, and disciplyne, & correccion; and pray yow alle that stande here abowte to pray god for me.

[VI. Severe Public Penance enjoined by the Bishop's Consistory Court on the two Lollards.]

Mandatum ad vocandum hereticos ad penitenciam.

[The Latin text is given verbatim here; an English paraphrase follows. The marginal letters and figures, which are attached to the Latin text, refer to the sections and subsections of that English version.]

Iohannes, permissione diuina Lincolniensis Episcopus, Dilectis in christo filiis Decanis Decanatuum de Huntyngdon et de sancto Iuone, ac Rectori ecclesie parochialis de Somersham seu eius Capellano parochiali, necnon Capellano parochiali ecclesie parochialis de Ramesey nostre diocesis, salutem, graciam, & benedictionem.

Quia quidem Willhelmus Sparke de Somersham predicta, et Ricardus Sparke de eadem,

super heresibus et erroribus ac familiaritate hereticorum nobis detecti & delati ac denunciati,

ac penes nos verisimiliter suspecti,

ad certos diem et locum iam effluxos, coram nobis, super certis articulis heresim et errores ac opiniones erroneas concernentibus responsuri,

iudicialiter euocati, et personaliter comparentes,

huiusmodi articulos, eorum vtrique diuisim per nos iudicialiter obiectos, humiliter fatebantur, et pro eisdem articulis fidem adhibuerunt et doctrinis eorundem.

Et quia ijdem Willhelmus & Ricardus, per nos informati, et virtute informacionis huiusmodi recognoscentes et scientes huiusmodi articulos fuisse et esse hereticos [et] falsos, et suas opiniones fuisse erroneas et falsas, contra determinacionem sancte Romane ecclesie,

Et volentes propterea catholicam sequi doctrinam et ab omni huiusmodi heretica recedere prauitate, ac ad vnitatem ecclesie sponte et prona voluntate redire, cordis contricione,

per presumpcionem coniecturatam detestabantur huiusmodi articulos, hereses, et errores ac opiniones eorundem, tanquam contra fidem catholicam et ecclesiam Sanctam Romanam impugnantes, et eosdem articulos ac omnem hereticam prauitatem, & doctrinam eius, in forma in scriptis redactam, publice & solempniter abiurarunt,

et se nostre correccioni humiliter submittentes, absolucionem a sentencia excommunicacionis, quam occasione premissorum incurrebant, sibi impendi,

et condignam penitenciam pro suis huiusmodi commissis sibi merito iniungendam et infligendam petierunt, et eorum vterque petiit:

Nos, animaduertentes quod ecclesia nulli claudit gremium redeunti, et quod deus non vult mortem peccatoris, set vt pocius conuertatur et viuat, eosdem Willhelmum et Ricardum, prestito primitus per eos et eorum utrumque iuramento solempni quod similia imposterum non committent, vt in forma;

a sentencia excommunicacionis maioris, quam ea occasione incurrebant, absoluimus, in forma iuris,

et eisdem penitenciam iniunximus salutarem, videlicet,

quod eorum vterque, braccis et camisia tantum indutus, cum

vno fasciculo (anglice, a fagot) in collo et humeris suis posito, et candela cerea valoris j. d. in manu sua accensa,

vnica vice circa forum ville Huntyngdon, et alia vice in villa de sancto Iuone, tempore publici mercati, ac vnica vice in simili forma penitencie diebus dominicis & festiuis circa ecclesias parochiales de Somersham et de Ramesey predictis, coram processione dum maior affuerit populi multitudo, pacienter, humiliter, et deuote incedat,

& huiusmodi penitencia sic finita, suum cereum huiusmodi ad altare ecclesie, vbi finem penitencie fecerit, humiliter offerat, genibus flexis.

Quocirca vobis, tam communiter quam diuisim, in virtute obediencie et sub pena contemptus puniendi, firmiter iniungimus et mandamus quatenus quilibet vestrum in loco, more suo, existens, superpellicio et stola indutus, cum virga in manu sua,

dictos willhelmum et Ricardum, diebus dominicis et festiuis proxime post recepcionem presencium sequentibus, iuxta direccionem & discrecionem Dilecti in christo filii Magistri Iohannis leek, Commissarij nostri pro locis et temporibus assignandis eisdem, ad penitenciam antedictam in forma antedicta peragendam, euocet,

et in peraccione huiusmodi penitencie insequatur,

ac in quatuor cornibus cimiteriorum et mercati locorum predictorum fustiget et disciplinet, Necnon causam peraccionis huiusmodi penitencie exponet populo publice in vulgari.

De diebus execucionis presencium, et quid feceritis & dicti Willhelmus & Ricardus fecerint in premissis, nos (pro loco et tempore congruis & oportunis) debite certificetis, aut certificet ille vestrum qui presens nostrum mandatum fuerit executus, aut receperit exequendum, anglice, sub sigillo.

Datum nostro sub sigillo ad causas, in Manerio nostro de Bukden, xxvijmo die Maij Anno Domini Millesimo cccc lo septimo, Et nostre consecracionis Anno quinto.

[Simplified English rendering of the Public Penance imposed on the Somersham Lollards by the Ecclesiastical Court.]

• [A.] John Chedworth, bishop of Lincoln, issued a mandate to the Rural Dean of Huntingdon, the Rural Dean of St. Ives, the Rector (or his

• parochial deputy) of Somersham, and the parochial chaplain of Ramsey, all in Huntingdonshire.
• [B.] He informed them that William Sparke, and Richard Sparke, of Somersham, Huntingdonshire,
  • (i) had been informed against as holding Lollard opinions and consorting with Lollards;
  • (ii) had been, with reason, suspected by the bishop's court of these offences;
  • (iii) had been cited to appear before the Ecclesiastical Court, to answer articles involving charges of heresy;
  • (iv) had attended the Court; and answered in person, when their names were called out;
  • (v) and had admitted that the articles alleged against them represented, one by one, the heads of their teaching.
• [C.] Thereupon, William Sparke and Richard Sparke,
  • (vi) had been told that these tenets of theirs were false, heretical, and contrary to the decision of the holy Roman church;
  • (vii) had desired to abandon their heretical tenets, and in future to cleave to Catholic doctrine and observe the unity of the Church;
  • (viii) had expressed their abhorrence of their past heresies, as being in contradiction to the Catholic faith and the holy Roman church; and had done so publicly and in writing;
  • (ix) had submitted themselves to be dealt with by the Court, making humble petition to be absolved from the greater excommunication which they had, by these offences, brought on themselves;
  • (x) and had asked that such penance, as should be thought adequate to their offences, should be put upon them.
• [D.] Wherefore, the Ecclesiastical Court, remembering that the bosom of the Church is ever open to those who seek reconciliation, and that God willeth not the death of a sinner but that the sinner should rather be converted and live,
  • (xi) exacted of William Sparke and Richard Sparke a solemn oath that in future they would avoid like offences;
  • (xii) absolved them from the greater excommunication;
  • (xiii) and imposed upon them this following form of penance, viz. —
• [E.] William Sparke and Richard Sparke shall, each of them,
  • (xiv) clad only in his breeches and his shirt, bearing a fagot on his neck and shoulders, and carrying a penny wax-candle (lighted) in his hand;
  • (xv) once on the usual market-day, in full market-time, meekly, as a penitent, walk round the public market-place of the town of Huntingdon;

• ...
  • once, in the same way, walk round the market-place of St. Ives; once, on a Sunday or Holy-day (when the procession takes place and there is therefore a great attendance of people), in the same way, walk round the Churchyard of Somersham; and once, in the same way, round the Churchyard of Ramsey;
  • (xvi) and, when this penance has been fully done, shall, on bended knees, humbly offer what remains of his wax-candle as an offering to the altar of that church where his penance is concluded.
• [F.] Moreover, the Ecclesiastical Court, in the name of the canonical obedience due by them to the bishop, and under threat of punishment for neglect of this mandate, called upon each of the above-mentioned priests,
  • (xvii) to attend at the market-place or churchyard which was within his own special jurisdiction, each duly attired in surplice and stole, and having a rod in his hand, on the days appointed;
  • (xviii) to carry out the order of John Leek, the bishop's Commissary, by summoning the two Lollards to stand forth to undergo penance according to the form already set forth;
  • (xix) to follow them as they walked round market-place and churchyard;
  • (xx) and to beat and discipline them (with the rod) at each corner of the market-place or churchyard, proclaiming, publicly and in the vulgar tongue, the cause of this penance.
• [G.] Further, the four clerics are required to certify carefully, in English (?), in writing and under seal, what each of them did in this matter on each day of the penance and how the two Lollards bore themselves in doing it.
• [H.] This mandate was issued, under the Bishop's seal ad causas, at Buckden manor, in Huntingdonshire, 27 May, 1457, in the bishop's fifth year from his consecration.

[VII. Official Record of the conclusion of the case and the imposition of the assigned penance.]

Acta facta super Abiuracione.

[The Latin text is given verbatim, but broken up into paragraphs, with figures (entered in the margin) which refer to the corresponding paragraphs of the English summary which follows.]

Memorandum quod xxvijo die Iunij, Anno domini Millesimo cccc lo septimo, Et Anno Consecracionis Reuerendi in christo patris & domini, Domini Iohannis, dei gracia Lincolniensis Episcopi, quinto, In ecclesia prebendali de Bukden lincolniensis diocesis,

comparuerunt personaliter, coram dicto Reuerendo patre, Willhelmus Sparke et eius vxor de Somersham dicte Lincolniensis diocesis, ac Ricardus Sparke, ffrater dicti willhelmi Sparke, de eadem:

et interrogati [sunt] per dictum Reuerendum patrem, eisdem die, loco, et Anno domini supradictis, de articulis supradictis, quos quidem articulos omnes et singulos, coram dicto Reuerendo patre et testibus subscriptis, publice fatebantur, et eorum quilibet fatebatur,

ac eosdem articulos et omnes alios articulos, errores, et erroneas opiniones hereseos prauitatem concernentes, vt sibi publice abiurabant et renunciabant, ac eorum quilibet abiurabat et renunciabat,

quas vero abiuracionem & renunciacionem suprascriptas in lingua materna legebant, et eorum quilibet legebat, coram prefato Reuerendo patre;

et iniuncta [est] eis et eorum cuilibet per dictum Reuerendum patrem penitencia salutaris pro commissis, vt in manuscripto suprascripto,

[et emanauit mandatum ad quattuor presbyteros supradictos] ad vocandos prefatos Willhelmum et Ricardum ad penitenciam agendam, sicut in eodem plenius continetur.

Presentibus tunc ibidem, Magistris Thoma leger, Limiricensi Episcopo ac dicti Reuerendi patris, domini Iohannis Lincolniensis Episcopi, Suffraganeo; Ricardo Halle, decretorum doctoribus, Willhelmo Wytham, legum doctore; Thoma Estyngton et Edmundo Shiref, artium Magistris; Iohanne Rudyng, in legibus bacallario, Thoma Michell, in decretis bacallario, ac vicario perpetuo dicte ecclesie prebendalis de Bukden; Iohanne Bugg, Iohanne Tyssington, et laurencio Bartelott, publicis (auctoritatibus apostolica & imperiali) notariis; ac multis aliis.

[Abbreviated English rendering.]

• (i) On 27 June, 1457, in the fifth year of the consecration of John Chedworth, bishop of Lincoln, and in the prebendal church of Buckden in Huntingdonshire, in the diocese of Lincoln,
• (ii) William Sparke (and his wife) of Somersham, Huntingdonshire, and Richard Sparke (William's brother), appeared.

• (iii) When questioned by the bishop about the Articles preferred against them, they admitted that these set forth the tenets that they had maintained;
• (iv) but they, then and there, abjured these and all other heretical tenets,
• (v) and read aloud their abjurations in the mother tongue.
• (vi) Thereupon, the bishop assigned them soul-saving penance (as on pp. 100, 101),
• (vii) and directed certain priests (as on p. 99) to call upon William Sparke and Richard Sparke to do penance, as ordered them.
• (viii) Witnesses on this occasion were —
  • Thomas Leger, bishop of Limerick, and suffragan to John, bishop of Lincoln;
  • Richard Halle, Doctor of Decrees;
  • William Wytham, Doctor of Laws;
  • Thomas Estyngton and Edmund Shiref, Masters of Arts;
  • John Rudyng, Bachelor of Laws;
  • Thomas Michell, Bachelor of Decrees, and perpetual Vicar of Buckden;
  • John Bugg, John Tyssington, and Laurence Bartelott, notaries public by licence of the Pope and the emperor;
  • and many others.

[Note as to Penances imposed by the Ecelesiastical Courts.]

The severity, and unnecessarily humiliating features, of the punishments imposed in the Ecclesiastical Courts continued right on into Elizabeth's reign, or even later. From the official minute-books of the Court of the Archdeacon of Essex, I give some hitherto unpublished notices of these 'penances', which both illustrate the system and show how each individual penance differed at the discretion of the presiding judge. The conjunction of open penance in both market and church continued a long time, but was gradually replaced by open penance in church only.

15 December, 1569, a young woman of High Ongar, Essex, was sentenced by the Archdeacon of Essex

to appeare at Chelmsford to do open penaunce in the markett, in a sheet, and ther to confesse her offense penitently, and on Sunday after to do the lyke in Ongar church.

16 December, 1590, a young woman of Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, was ordered —

vpon Satterdaye nexte to come into Malden towne, where she shal be placed openly vpon some scaffolde, abowte xi. of the clocke in the forenoone of the same daye, and shall there stand vntill one of the clock in the afternoone of the same daye, in a white sheete, and a white wande in her hand;

and the next Sunday following she shall come into the church of Bradwell, at the beginninge of the first lesson for morning praier, attired in a whyt sheet, and shall there in penitent manner continewe vntyll the service and sermon be ended.

On 17 June, 1591, a parishioner of Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, received this sentence in the Archdeacon of Essex's Court:

He shall vpon the next Saboth, or vpon Sundaye come sevenighte, at the beginninge of morninge praier, come into the church of Burnham, apparrelled in a white sheete, and white wande in his hande, and there shal be placed in some conveniente place, neare the minister and in sighte of the congregation there assembled, and so stande vntill such tyme as the minister in the tyme of sermon (or of readinge of an homilie) shall call for him, and then [he] shall confesse and acknowledge that, whereas he hath byn called before the judge of this corte for suspicion of evil life, and by denieing therof hath had the benefytt of law to purge him selfe (if he so cold), wherein he hath fayld, and is therefore founde by lawe and pronounced for guiltye of the fact, he doth therefore acknowledg that he hath grevously offended the maiestie of God in his wicked life and adulterous lyvinge; for which his most wicked and adulterous life, he shall aske mercy at the hands of almighty God and desire him in his mercy to pardon him his former ill life, and desire the congregation presente also to forgyve him, and to pray with him that he may be forgyven his wickednes at God's hands; and promise amendment of his former wickednes; and shall then say some praier after the minister, at the minister's discretion.

12 December, 1592, in the Court of the Archdeacon of Essex held in Ingatestone Church, a parishioner of Downham, Essex, had this sentence:

On Sundaie next he shall come to Downham Churche at the last peale to servyce, and there stand in a white sheete at the church porche till the second lesson be redd, and then shall goe into the Church, and there stand and penitently confesse his fault and offence.

It was certified in a Court, held 19 January, 1592-3, that this penance had been performed.

This humiliating form of public penance became still more degraded when people of substance could purchase exemption

from it. It is one of the many indications of the great poverty of Elizabeth's reign that Ecclesiastical Judges are found readily assenting to 'commutation' of penance. Even where the Archdeacon did not feel authorized to allow such commutation, an appeal to the Bishop was generally successful in obtaining it. The following examples are all authentic, being taken from the official minute-books of the Court of the Archdeacon of Essex, and are, I think, fairly representative of this unpleasant feature of English social life. Wealthy people could buy commutation; poor people continued to be exposed to open shame.

13 December, 1569, the Archdeacon of Essex sentenced a parishioner of Leyton, Essex, to penance:

viz. that he should stande in Romford markett, the next markett daye, more penitentis, all the markett tyme, in a whyte sheate, and a rod in his hande, and in his parish church of Leyton, in the same way, on the Sunday following, and ther shall acknowledg his offens penitently.

But, on appeal of the man so sentenced, backed by entreaty of some of his neighbours, he was excused penance, on condition of giving 10s. each to three poor scholars of Cambridge, and 10s. towards the repair-fund of Leyton church.

29 February, 1591-2, a parishioner of Romford, who had been ordered public penance in Romford Chapel, on a Sunday, in the time of Morning Prayer, brought a petition in his favour signed by some parishioners, and was allowed to substitute semi-private penance before the minister and some parishioners selected by the minister, on condition of putting 20s. into the hands of the minister to be distributed by him among the poor of Romford liberty.

31 March, 1596, William Tabor, Archdeacon of Essex, who had ordered public penance to two persons, received a letter, dated 4 March, 1595-6, in which Richard Fletcher, bishop of London, in consideration of money paid to him 'to be imployed in godly uses', discharged both parties from obligation to do penance, and ordered all proceedings against them in the Ecclesiastical Courts to cease.

XII: Proceedings, taken 1457, against Thomas Hull of Hertford, for practising the Black Art.

[From bishop John Chedworth's Register at Lincoln, apparently from leaf 14 or lf. 14 bk., but presumably not the whole record.]

The belief in the power of 'necromancers' (adepts in the 'black art') to invoke evil spirits, and compel them to discover buried treasure, and render like services, continued so late that the practice became not only a favourite theme of the raconteur and novelist (see John Aubrey's Brief Lives, under Thomas Allen, i. 27, and John Dee, i. 213, and Sir Walter Scott's Waverley, ch. xiii), but an anathema of the Statute-books (both English, viz. 1563, 5 Eliz. cap. 16; and Scottish, see Sir Walter Scott's Waverley, chap. lxvii).

Charges of witchcraft, as being against the Canon Law, were constantly brought before the Ecclesiastical Courts. I give here a number of later authentic instances of such charges, taken from the official minute-books of the Court of the Archdeacon of Essex. They serve to illustrate this old Hertfordshire case, as mentioned in this set of papers; and also to indicate the wide range of this popular belief.

12 July, 1591, in the Court of the Archdeacon of Essex, held in West Ham Church, two widows of Woodford, Essex, were cited to answer charges of witchcraft. In both cases, since the charge is preferred by one person, it was probably brought in by a man who believed himself to have been bewitched.

Widow May, of Woodford, accused: she hath of long tyme byne suspected for a wiche, and nowe of late suspected by William Foxe.

Widow Coppres, of Woodford, accused: she hath of long time been suspected for a wiche, and nowe of late by John Poole.

In many cases recourse was had to the reputed wizard, in the belief that he could by his skill detect a thief:

3 February, 1591-2, in a Court of the Archdeacon of Essex held in Romford Chapel, John Munday, of Loughton, Essex, appeared, on a charge made by the Churchwardens there, that he 'went to a connyng man to learne of goods that were stolen or gon.' The case was dismissed.

16 June, 1595, in a Court of the Archdeacon of Essex, held in Romford Chapel, the churchwardens of Barking, in Essex, complained that — Carter, of that parish, is generally reported to be a cunning man, 'and dothe take monye of diuerse to helpe theim to things lost and stolen, viz. of one for 2 clokes stolen, <of another> for a ring lost.'

Another common reason of resort to conjurers, was to obtain their help to force spirits to reveal the position of buried treasure. There was an entertaining instance of this at Beeleigh Abbey, near Maldon, Essex, in 1591: see Essex Review, xvi. 68.

Frequently the supposed wizard, or cunning man, was consulted about illness, human or of cattle.

2 May, 1592, in a Court of the Archdeacon of Essex held in Romford Chapel, John Grave, junior, of Romford, was delated by the churchwardens there that he 'doth goe and seeke after witchery.' Accused said that his wife, without his consent, 'did goe to father Perfoche, to learne of him some medycyne for some cattell that he had sick, but he knoweth not that father Perfoche is a witche; and his wife (as he verely beleveth) did neuer thinke him to be a witche, and went not to him desirouse to obtaine any helpe for his cattell by any suche meanes.'

Grave was solemnly admonished against having recourse to sorcery; and was dismissed the Court on payment of 2s. Court-fees.

In the same Court, on the same day, on the same charge, proceedings were instituted against William Moushowe, of Romford, with the same result.

To repel a charge of this sort, the accused person, if allowed by the Court, might produce written testimony of good character.

2 May, 1592, in a Court of the Archdeacon of Essex, held in Romford Chapel, Alice, wife of William Foster of Barkinge, suspected by common fame to be a witche, brought a certificate of her innocency under the hands of the Churchwardens there. The case was dismissed, but the accused had to pay the Court-fee (12d.) and the apparitor's fee (4d.), as well as the expenses of the journey to Romford.

3 May, 1592, in a Court of the Archdeacon of Essex, held in Ingatestone Church, it was reported that one Whaple of Fobbing did make complaint against Joan Bell, of Fobbing, of suspicion of wytchcraft. She appeared in Court, and 'vtterly denieth' the suspicion to be true. She was ordered to bring to a later Court a certificate from 'fower of her honest neighbors' that she is reputed to be an honest woman and not at all thought to be a witch.

On 2 June, 1592, she brought into Court a certificate from honest women of Fobbing that she lay under no suspicion of witchcraft.

In other cases the Court refused to allow an accused person to clear himself, except by the cumbrous and expensive process of compurgation. A deed was drawn out, to be publicly read, on a Sunday, in the church of the parish where the offence was alleged to have been committed, announcing that at a Court to

be held at a given place and on a given day, the accused person proposed to purge himself of the charge by taking oath of innocence, and inviting all who objected to such purgation to attend the Court and give evidence against the accused. The accused then attended the appointed Court, bringing with him his compurgators (in number four, six, eight, or other number, as had been fixed by the Court), and exhibiting his parish-priest's certificate that the 'Intimacion' had been duly read. Objectors were then invited to appear, and, if any attended, were heard, and the case adjourned. If no objection was made, the accused person took oath openly that he was innocent of the charge, and each of the compurgators took oath that he believed that the accused person had sworn the truth. Compurgators for men had to be men of good repute, of the same (or neighbouring) parish as the accused; for women, honest women, of the same (or neighbouring) parish; for clerics, beneficed clergy of neighbouring parishes. On the strength of these oaths, the accused was acquitted, and granted a certificate to prevent any future proceedings on the same charge. The fees were considerable: 2s. 6d. for the Intimacio; 4d. for each oath taken; 13s. 4d. for the certificate; and, in addition, the usual fees to the Court and to the Apparitors. Besides, the accused no doubt had to defray the day's expenses of those who appeared as compurgators.

5 May, 1592. In a Court of the Archdeacon of Essex, held in All Saints Church, Maldon, Margaret Wiseman (wife of John Wiseman of Maulden) was delated by the Churchwardens, for that she is suspected by common fame of wytchcrafte. She claimed and was allowed purgation. 5 July, 1592, she appeared in Court with her Compurgatrices (Judith wife of John Cowrtnol, Margaret wife of Thomas Carter, Agnes wife of George Warner, Agnes wife of Robert Brierly, Agnes wife of Richard Flude, and Elizabeth wife of John Pratt — all of Maldon). Margaret Wiseman then took oath that she is 'altogether guyltless of the facte of witchcrafte and also of all occation of suspicion of witchcrafte'. Her six compurgatrices then took oath that Margaret Wiseman hath sworn a just and true oath, and that she 'hath not geven any cause of suspicion of witchcrafte'. Her purgation was then admitted, and the testimonial of its acceptance was signed; but the Judge of the Court solemnly admonished her to be most careful in future to give no cause, in any way, for like suspicion.

[leaf 14 or 14 bk.]

[I. Confession of, and Abjuration of, Acts of Necromancy by Thomas Hull, of Hertford.]
Abiuracio Thome Hulle de Hertford.

In the name of god Amen. I, Thomas hulle of Hertford, confesse afor yow, Reuerende ffader in god, Iohn, by the grace of god Bisshop of lincoln, that I haue yeven ayde, counsell, help, and fauour vnto oon Thomas Curteys, to thentent that he exercised and vsed nigromancy & heresy. Wherfore I abiure and forswer alle maner of heresies and errours, & promyt that I shal never (in tyme to come) yef ayde, help, favour, nor socour, nor counsell to any that holdeth heresies or vseth nigromancy in tyme to come. Soo help me god and the holy Euaungeliis: et iurabat supra librum, et fecit signum crucis &c.

[II. Latin Record of the Conclusion of the Case.]

Ista abiuracio lecta fuit per dictum Thomam Hulle coram dicto Reuerendo patre, Episcopo Lincolniensi, in ecclesia parochiali Omnium Sanctorum de Hertford predicte diocesis: testibus Magistris willhelmo wytham, legum doctore; Iohanne leek, in decretis licenciato; Thoma Estyngton, artium Magistro; Iohanne Boterwyke, in legibus bacallario; Iohanne Elveden & laurencio Bartelott, notariis publicis; ac multis aliis, xxijdo die Iunij, Anno domini Mo cccc lvijo, Et Anno Consecracionis dicti Reuerendi patris sexto.

[The above Record in English.]

This abjuration was read by Thomas Hull, before John Chedworth, bishop of Lincoln, in All Saints Church, Hertford;

in presence of

• William Wytham, Doctor of Laws;
• John Leek, licentiate in the Decrees;
• Thomas Estyngton, Master of Arts;
• John Boterwyke, Bachelor of Laws;
• John Elveden and Laurence Bartelott, notaries public;

and many others;

22 June, 1457, in the 6th year of the bishop's Consecration.

XIII: Agreement, 1458, between Ellis North, master of the chantry at Chalgrave, Bedfordshire, and John Dey, a chantry-priest of the same chantry.

[From bishop John Chedworth's Register at Lincoln, lf. 43 bk. There had been a lawsuit between these two as to their respective shares of the income from, and of the necessary outlay upon, the chantry-estate. The bishop of Lincoln had been asked to arbitrate between the parties to the suit. This agreement is in supplement of the bishop's award.]

[leaf 43 bk.]

Concordia inter Magistrum & socium de Chalgraue.

I, sir helys North, Maister of the Chauntry of Chalgraue, And I, sir Iohn dey, felaw of the same place, be fully agreed of all maner of matiers fro the beginnyng of the world vnto this day;

and I, the said sir helys, shall giff vnto the said sir Iohn dey by the sonday after lammesse day next commyng v. marces vj s. viij d.;

And I, the said sir Iohn dey, fro this day forward, shal bere half of al maner of chargies to the said Chauntry belongyng;

And I, the said sir helys, shal haue yerely xx s., where hit is but xiij s. iiij d. in the award of my lord of lincoln, and shall answere to sir Iohn dey for his parte of the ferme of Offlegh duryng the termes of william Sheppard, fermour there, and shal kepe the said award of my lord of lincoln (except the said xx s.)

And ichon of vs shall withdraw all temporell accions that either of vs have agayn other, at the propre costes of him that so sweth.

In wittenesse wherof ichon of vs to this bill haue subscribed his name, and promised by the faith of oure bodys to kepe and obserue for oure tymes.

there beyng presentibus ibidem: Magistro willhelmo witham, laurencio Bertlot, & me tyssington: xij. die Iulij Anno domini Mo cccclviijo.

XIV: Vow of celibacy, 1458, by Isabel Portyngton, widow, of Barton-on-Humber, Lincolnshire.

[From bishop John Chedworth's Register at Lincoln, lf. 46 bk. See in the Forewords.]

[leaf 46 bk.]

[I. English Text of the Vow.]
Votum castitatis Isabelle portyngton.

In the name of god, Amen; I Isabel portyngton, of the diocise of lincoln, wydowe, and not wedded ne to no man ensured, behote and make avowe to god & to oure lady & to all the company of hevyn, in the presence of you, worshipful fader in god, Iohn, Bisshop of lincoln, for to be chaste of my body, and treuly & deuoutly shall kepe me chaste from this tyme forward aslong as my lyff lastith, after the reule of saint poole. In nomine patris & filij & spiritus sancti, Amen.

[II. Formal Latin Record of the Vow.]

Die dominica, videlicet vltimo die decembris, Anno domini Millesimo cccc l octauo, in Ecclesia conuentuali domus fratrum predicatorum Oxonie, Reuerendus in christo pater & dominus, dominus Iohannes, dei gratia lincolniensis Episcopus, pontificalibus indutus, intra missarum solempnia, munus benedictionum honeste mulieri Isabelle portyngton de Barton super humbre, votum castitatis in scriptis redactum facienti & legenti, impendebat, ceteraque fecit in huiusmodi solempnitate requisita: presentibus, Magistris willhelmo wytham, legum doctore; Iohanne Rudyng, Archidiacono Stowie; Tyssington, laurencio norrys, & bugg.

XV: Vow of celibacy, 1459, by Joan Manfeld, widow.

[From bishop John Chedworth's Register at Lincoln, lf. 46 bk.]

[leaf 46 bk.]

[I. English Text of the Vow.]
Votum castitatis Iohanne Manfeld.

In the name of the fader son & holy gost, Amen. I, Iohne Manfeld, wydow, & not wedded, nor vnto no man ensured, behote and avowe to god & to oure lady and to all the holy company of hevyn in the presence of you, Reuerend fader in

god, Iohn, by the grace of god bishop of Lincoln, for to be chaste of my body, and (treuly and devoutly) shall keep me chaste from this tyme forward as long as my lyff lastith, after the reule of saint paule. In nomine patris & filii & spiritus sancti, Amen.

[II. Formal Latin Record of this Vow.]

In die Pentecostes, xiiii. videlicet Maij, Anno Domini Millesimo cccc l ixo, in Ecclesia conuentuali domus fratrum predicatorum Oxonie, Reuerendus in Christo pater et dominus, dominus Iohannes, dei gratia Lincolniensis episcopus, pontificalibus indutus, intra missarum solempnia, munus benedictionum honeste mulieri Iohanne Manfeld impendebat; presentibus, Magistris Willhelmo Wytham, legum doctore; Iohanne Rudyng, Archidiacono Stowie; Thoma Whitfeld, Edmundo Shireff, & laurencio Bertlot, ac multis alijs.

XVI: Confession of Richard Pyckard, followed by his formal expulsion from the list of Notaries public entitled to practise in the Consistory Court of Lincoln Diocese.

[

From bishop John Chedworth's Register at Lincoln, lf. 47. The story is not very clearly told in the Register, but this seems to be the substance of it. Two chief offences had been brought home to the culprit. First, he had accepted bribes to foist Robert Cade, priest, into the perpetual curacy of Aylesby (near Grimsby, Lincolnshire). The Bishop of Lincoln presented to the rectory of Aylesby 24 March, 1445-6 (Alnwick's Register, fol. 97), but the church was soon afterwards appropriated to Lincoln Minster. The date of the proceedings is uncertain, since the documents in the Register are out of order, the one before Pyckard's case is 1458, but the one before that is 1557. The one after Pyckard's case is 1564. So far as I can make out, bishop John Chedworth had claimed the right of presentation to the curacy on this occasion for himself, on some technical ground. The bishop had then caused his mandate for the institution of his nominee to be made out, and committed it to this notary (Richard Pyckard) for transmission to 'Master' Alexander, who was possibly acting as deputy of the Archdeacon of Lincoln. Richard Pyckard, thereupon broke open the sealed envelope ('pyxis'), removed the bishop's real mandate, and substituted for it (probably by erasure of the name in it and substitution of Robert Cade's name) a faked mandate, which deceived 'Master' Alexander, and procured the institution of Robert Cade to the benefice. Secondly, in some transactions, Richard Pyckard had represented himself to be a much-trusted local attorney, by name Roger Jordan, and, under cloak of that name, had executed fraudulent deeds, possibly in connexion with the advowson dispute.

The Ecclesiastical Court, which dealt with the case, under presidency of William Wytham, LL.D. (Archdeacon of Stow, 1458-72, but acting in his capacity as chancellor, and Commissary of the bishop), Richard Hall (Official principal of the bishop of Lincoln), and Richard Dyklun (President of the Consistory Court of Lincoln), met in St. Mary's church, Stamford.

guilty man, in St. Michael's church, Stamford, was divested of coat, shoes, and stockings, and led bareheaded, and barefooted, clad only breeches and shirt, from that church to appear before his judges in St. Mary's church.

]

[leaf 47]

[I. English Text of public confession of guilt on the first charge.]
Confessio Ricardi Pykard.

I, Richard Pyckard, be fore al this pepull here assembeled, openly confesse and knowlege that I haue falsly forged letteres by the which I haue falsly deceyued my lord Iohn, by the grace of god Bisshop of lincoln; And, by fals Symonye and wynnyng of the valour of xx li. that I haue receyued, I haue vntreuly put Sir Robert Cade, prest, in possession of the benefice of Aylesby perteynyng to the Collacion of my said lord of lincoln, agayn the trew order of lawe, and agayne the wylle and thentent of my said lord of lincoln: for the which I crye god mercy, and aske my said lord forgifnesse.

[II. Latin Record of Proceedings connected with this Public Confession.]

Hanc confessionem in Ecclesia parochiali beate Marie ville stamford (coram Magistris willhelmo Wytham, legum doctore, & Ricardo halle, Officiali lincolniensi, Ricardo Dyklun, presidente Curie Consistorij lincolniensis ac Aldermanno dicte ville, Willhelmo Broune, Thoma Gregory, Magistris willhelmo Rath, willhelmo Goodyere, & nonnullis alijs) idem Ricardus Pyckard braccis & camisia tantum indutus, & coram huiusmodi venerabilibus viris, ab ecclesia parochiali sancti Michaelis Stamford vsque eandem ecclesiam beate Marie incedens, more penitentis, publice perlegit, vna cum hac clausula —

[III. English Text of public confession of guilt on the second charge.]

Also I haue falsly feyned my selff to be a notary and called my selff Roger Iordan, the which is knowen for a notary (where that my name is Richard Pycarde) to thentent for to deceue men of theire goodes agayn the lawe & good conscience.

[IV. Latin Text of decision of the Court.]

Et confessione huiusmodi per dictum Ricardum Pyckard perlecta, idem Magister Ricardus halle (Officialis antedictus), tam de mandato domini lincolniensis Episcopi, quam vigore et auctoritate Officij sui huiusmodi, ipsum Ricardum pyckard ab officio & dignitate officij procuratoris generalis dicte Curie consistorij, qua prius fungebatur, priuauit et degradauit: presentibus ibidem, Magistro Willelmo Wytham, Johanne Boterwyk, Johanne Hare, et Tyssington, et aliis.

[V. Latin Record of the bribes received.]

Idem Ricardus coram Magistro Thoma legier, willhelmo witham, & bug, tyssington, & laurencio [Norrys], confessus fuit quod recepit obligacionem xx li. a Willhelmo Ryddyng commoranti cum Nevport de Ryby, ad effectum quod dominum Robertum Cade in beneficio de Aylesby faceret intitulari, et habuit xxj. quarteria brasii et oues, ad valorem illius summe, & retradidit ei obligacionem.

Item, idem Ricardus habet aliam obligacionem xl li., in qua dictus dominus Robertus Cade prefato Ricardo est obligatus, confectam ante induccionem pretensam ad effectum ut in eadem ecclesia debeat intitulari.

[VI. Latin Record of how the fraud was effected.]

Idem Ricardus confessus fuit, quod aperuit litteram Magistri Alexandri, & aliam confici fecit, quam tradidit Magistro Wytham,

vt tam dominum lincolniensem quam Magistrum Alexandrum, Capitulum, & wytham de ecclesia predicta deciperet.

Item, confessus est quod recepit litteras institucionis & induccionis clausas in pixide, ad deferendum & deliberandum Magistro Alexandro, quam quidem pixidem fregit & aperuit, & per eas fecit dictum dominum Robertum Cade in ipsa ecclesia intrudi; & quod nunquam huiusmodi litteras nec pixidem Magistro Alexandro tradidit vt debuit.

XVII: Will, 1459, of Henry Philip, alderman of Oxford.

[From bishop John Chedworth's Register at Lincoln, lf. 50.]

Testamentum Henrici Philyp de Oxonia.

[leaf 50]

In the Name of oure lord god, Amen. The x. day of October the yere of our lord Ml cccc lix, I, herry Philyp, of Oxford, Alderman, hauyng good mynde and trust in god, ordeyn & make my testament in this wyse.

ffirst, I beqweth my sowle to the mercy of oure lord god my maker and fourmer of noght, And to his blessed moder oure lady seint Mary, and to all the company of hevyn, And my Body to be buryed in the Churche of seynt Petres in the Baylly of Oxford vnder the Rode.

Item, to the Moder Churche of lincoln I beqweth vj d.

Item, to the high Auter of the said Churche of seint Petres xl d.; Item, I beqweth to the Trinite Auter in the said churche A Masse Boke, a vestument, and A Chaleys, there I and my Wyff to be prayed fore, she to haue terme of her lyff the kepyng and gouernaunce of them; And after her decesse, at her will and discrescion, to remayne in the kepyng of the Churchewardeyns of sent petres.

Item, I beqweth to the Conuent of the frerys mynours of Oxford to comme to the said Churche of seint Petres in the day of my sepulture to Dirige and Masse, v s.;

Item, to the Conuent of the frerys Prechiers to comme and pray lyke wyse, ij s. vj d.;

Also, to the Conuent of the freres Carmys to say and pray, vnder the same fourme, ij s. vj d.

Item, to the freres Augustin conuent, vnder the same fourme, ij s. vj d.

Item, I beqweth to sir Robert, prest of the Trinite withoute the Est gate of Oxford, iij s. iiij d.

Item, I beqweth to the parson of the said Churche of saint petres, beyng present at the Dirige & Masse, vj d.

Item, to viij other prestes, being well disposed, there present to syng and Rede at the Dirige and Masse in the day of my Sepulture, to euery of the viij. prestis, iiij d.

And the Residew of all my other goodis, meveable and Vnmoveable, I yeff and beqweth to Alys my wyff, she to dispose for me and her and oure Childern, after her wyll and discrescion, to the plesaunce of god and merite to oure soules.

Also, I giff graunt and beqwethe to Alys my wiff all my place, with thappurtenaunce, that I haue in the pariche of seint petres in the Bayly of Oxford (I-sett betwene the tenement of Benet Stokys, Bydell, of the Est party; And the tenement that was late Thomas Tanfelde, and now is Richard Spragett, of the west partye) to haue and to holde the forsaid tenement, with his Appurtenaunce, to the said Alys, to her heires and her Assignes, of the Chiff lordis of that fee, by the seruice dew and accustumed therof for euermore.

Also, I bynde my heires to waraunt the said tenement, with all his Appurtenaunce, to the forsaid Alys my wiff, to her heires and to her Assignes, Agayns all almaner folk foreuermore.

Of this my Testament I make and ordeyn the said Alys my wyff my Executrice alone.

And Maister Thomas Whitfeld (in whom my trust is, and hath be all way) I haue prayed to be ouerseer of this said Testament, assistent and helper of her, and perfourmyng of this simple my last wille (date herof the day and yere above said).

In wittenesse of this my last wille I haue put herto my seale.

Item, I beqweth to the Reparacion of the Est bryg of Oxford, vj s. viij d.

Item, to the Churche werk of the same Churche, vj s. viij d.

Wittenesse of this my said testament: Iohn Clerk, now Maire of Oxford, William Blakbourne the elder; Iohn ffrankeleyn, glasyer; William Daguale; Richard Bustard; and other beyng there present.

[Latin Record of Probate.]
Approbacio eiusdem.

Probatum fuit huiusmodi testamentum coram Reuerendo patre Iohanne, Episcopo lincolniensi, xxvijo die Ianuarij, Anno domini Millesimo quadringentesimo quinquagesimo nono: Et commissa fuit Administracio bonorum dicti defuncti Alicie Executrici, in eodem testamento nominate. Et quia calculando idem Reuerendus pater Inuenit ipsam Executricem fideliter administrasse, ipsam ab officio suo dimisit quietam.

XVIII: Will, 1465, and Codicil of Richard Welby, of Moulton (near Spalding), Lincolnshire.

[From bishop John Chedworth's Register at Lincoln, lf. 72 bk.]

[I. English Text of Will.]

[leaf 72 bk.]

In the Name of the fader sone and holy goste, I, Richard Welby, the secund day of August, beyng in hole mynde, make my testament in maner that folows:

ffirst, I beqweth my sowle to the moste eternall god that made it and with his bitter passion redemyd it and to oure lady seint Mary and to all the felaship of hevyn; my body to be buryed in seint katerin qwere.

Item, x li. to the high Auter, pro Decumis oblitis; Item, xx s. to the kirk wark; Item, xl d. to euery light.

Item, to the kirkwark of weston, vj s. viij d.

Item, to oure lady werk of lincoln, vj s. viij d.

Item, to the Sisters by seint kateryn's, iij s. iiij d.

Item, to the kirkwark of ffarlesthorp, vj s. viij d.

Item, for my Mortuary my Bay fole that goth in to the marsche.

The Residue of my goodis I put in disposicion of myn executours, which shall be Ionet my wiff, sir Iohn Welby, Richard Welby my sone, and sir Robert Swet — thei to dispose my goodis to the plesyng of god & to the helth of my soule.

[II. English Text of Codicil.]

This is the last wille of Richard Welby of Multon, made there, the xij. day of the moneth of August the yere of oure lord Ml cccc lxv.

ffirst, I wol haue cc. masses doon and al so many dirigies for my soule, vpon day (if it may be), and ellus al so shortly as thei may be don after my deth; And euery prest or man of Religion to haue for synging of them, iiij d.; Item, I wol that oon c. of the said Masses be said of the Trinite and a other c. of oure blessed lady.

Item, I wol that the iiij. howses of the Chartirhows haue euery howse, for synging dirige and masse for my sowle, xl s.; And, ouer that, that euery prest of them to say a masse for my sowle of the which iiij. howses Mountgruce to be oon (which is content), The Chartirhows at london a nother, the Chartirhowse at Shene, & the Chartirhowse at hull.

Item, I wol haue ij. prestis to sing for my sowle in Multon kirk the space of ij. yere, euery prest to haue for his salary c s.; And, ouer that, thei or ich of them dayly to say dirige, if thei be disposed, for my soule.

Item, I wol haue c. gownes giffen, in holand and in other places where my lyflode lygges, to the moste poer men, withoute any favour shewed.

Item, I wol that ther be bought as many shetis and

couerlectes, and thei to be giffen in maner and fourme as is afore rehersed, to the somme of xxviijti markes.

Item, I wol that my dettis be payed before all other bequestis, And if any man can prove that I haue had any godis of him vnrightwisly I wol he be restored agayn.

Item, I woll that any mony that Breknok owith to me for wolle, sumtyme bought by Thomas heire, of my ffader and me, go to the ffulfilling to the last wille of my said ffader in that he bequethed to my ij. sisters part theroff, and the other parte to by ij. Copis to the said kirk of Multon.

Item, I wol that the Conuent of the Monastery of Croyland haue giffen to them for doyng of a Dirige and Masse for my sowle, xl s., And, ouer that, euery prest of them to say a masse of Requiem for my sowle.

And also, I wol that the Couent of the Monastery of Spalding do in maner and fourme as is before rehersed, and thei to be rewarded in lyke wyse.

Item, I wol that the Conuent of the Monastery of Bardney haue for doyng of the same obseruaunce, xxvj s. viij d.

And also, I wol that the couent of the Monastery of Stykeswold do syng a dirige and masse for my sowle, and thei for to haue for theire reward, xxvj s. viij d.

Item, I wol that the iiij. orders of ffreris in Boston do the same obseruaunce, and thei to haue euery order, xviij s. iiij d.

Item, I wol that myn Executours giff after my decesse, yerly, by the space of 6 yer, xij. gownes of ffrice for my sowle.

Item, I wol, as for my land, that my feoffies suffer myn Executours to entir in all the Meses landes and tenementes within holand that thei haue to my vse within holand; and, ouer that, halsted, with thappurtenaunceȝ, Carleton and other townes longing to the said halsted in those parties, thei to receyue the profutes of the same, payng yerely to my brother sir Iohn xxxvjti. markes at iiij. termes of the yere, And also thei to fynde with the said profutes ij. of my sones which I fynde at Cambrige, and other ij. that I haue at home to the scole, as theire naturell disposicion is giffen to them, And my sone Morys to be fownde at london.

Item, I wol that a Chist be ordeyned, with ij. lokkes & ij. kayes, and set in the Abbey of Croyland, the Abbot for to haue j. kay, & myn executours the other; And the ouerpluse that commyth yerely of the said lyvelod to be put in the said chiste, and this to be continued to all my Childern comme to playne age, And all the Issueȝ & profutes of the maner of ffarlesthorp to be put in the same chist by the space of v. yer.

Item, I wol that my feoffies suffer Richard my son to entir in Wynthorp, immediately after my decesse, with all thappurtenaunceȝ.

Item, I wol that, if my wyff can fynde sufficiant sewerty to myn executours that she shall nevir haue housbond after my decesse, that thanne she be my chieff executrix; and ellus to be noon, nor to haue no more but her Ioynter and the oon halff of my stuff of howshold (except plate and that Napery that I bought of the Executours of my lord Cromwell: wich Napery I wol be sold: it cost me xxti markes, & I had it as it was preysed).

Item, I wol that, if my wyff wol not dwelle in my place & kepe housholde, that than Richard, my sone, inmediatly after my decesse, haue the said place & all the landis & tenementes that I haue in Multon by the decesse of my fader.

And, ouer that, when all my Childer that be lyvyng comme to theire playne age that thanne my feoffies make astate to the said Richard in all my landis & tenementes that I had by my fader.

And as for ffarlesthorp, to the said Richard my sone, not bydinge [leaf 73] the age of the said Child.

Item, I wol that Morys, and my feoffies se that he wol thryue & be vertuously disposed, haue halsted to him & to his heirs; And ellus Iohn my sone to haue it, in like wyse, if Iohn be no prest.

And if he be a prest, he to be presented, when it fallith, to the Churche of gedney; And if he haue not halsted, nor be no prest, that then he haue a Mese in Gosberkirk called Belneys, with all other landis & tenementes that I haue in the same

Towne, And also the ij. saltcotys that I haue in quadring, with a Cotage that I purchased in Spaldyng, to him and to his heirys.

Item, I wol that Maister Thomas my sone be presented to the Churche of Pynchebek, when it fallyth.

Item, I wol that William my sone, if he haue not all that lyuelod that my lord of wynchester hath in Saltfletby (other ellus al so good by his lordship), that then he haue Wynthorp, to him & to his heirys, when he commyth at his playn age.

Item, I wol that Robert my sone (if Iohn be a prest) haue all those landis & tenementes beqwethen to the said Iohn, And (if Iohn be no prest) he to haue the said benefice of Gedney.

Item, I wol that Roger my sone haue my mese in Quadryng, with all other landis that I haue in the same Towne, except before beqwethed; And, ouer that, Barnewell, with thappurtenaunce, and all those landes & tenementes that I purchased of Thomas Erle & of Richard Barbour of Boston, And the landis that I purchased of Thomas Skirbek in Multon & of Coker in Whaplode & of Tyryngton in fflete, to him & to his heirys.

Item, I wol that Richard my sone haue my saltcote that I haue made in Multon, to him & to his heirys.

Item, in case that Iohn haue halsted, that than Roger haue those landis & tenementes to Iohn beqwethed & his owne beqwest also, so that Robert be a prest; and ellus Robert to haue that parte beqwethed to Iohn in Gosberkirk & quadring.

Item, I wol that euery Child haue xl li. of monye when he comme at his playne age, And that all the goodis leide in the Chist afore said, before thabbot of the said place and myn Executours, be euenly devyded among my said Childern, except the eldist.

Item, that Richard haue all maner stuff perteyning to housbondry, as hors, carte, plough, with all theire apparelles; And also xij. kye & bulles.

Item, I wol that the other halff of my stuff be euenly devyded among my Childern, provided alway that if my eldist sone wol by any parte theroff, that he haue it, giffing therfore as it is preysed to him that owith hit.

Item, I wol if Richard dye (as god forbede) that then his brother that hath halsted haue that that is beqwethed; And halsted to go to him that is next in descender; And so, in lyke wyse, if any of them dye, it remayne to his brother in descendyng, not resortyng so that oon haue not ij. partes; And if all dye except the eldyst, all to resorte to him, he forto haue it to him and to his heyris.

Item, I wol that my eldest sone haue all the stuff of my Chapell, except plate and the hole vestument of Sateyn figury.

Item, in case that my Executours & feoffies se that any of my Childer to whom any thing I haue beqwethed to, wille not thryve nor be vertuouse, that then his parte to be taken fro him, and to be giffen to him that wol thryve, hauyng regard to noon.

Item, I wol that myn Executours kepe vp my yereday and my Auncestours, aslong as thei haue the profet of my lyvelod (And after that my heire to kepe it vp), spending at my yereday, xx s.

Item, I wol haue all my plate leid in the said Chist at Croyland, there to be kept to my Childern comme at playn age, if case any purchase falle, And if myn Executours can make any purchase to the valour of v. or vj. c. markes that then the said plate by them to be sold to pay for the said purchase, And that so purchased to be giffen among my Childern where as moste nede is; And in case ther can noon be goten or thei come at playn age, that then my plate to be devyded amonge my childern after theire age by theire discrescion, hauyng a speciall ye to my eldist sone.

Item, I wol my Naunte haue, xx s.; my sister haugh, xx s.; my sister Braunche, xx s.

Item, I wol that euery executour have v. markes for his labour; And when he laboreth anything aboute me, for to haue for his costes, and to take for his labour, after his discrescyon; And that myn Executours onys in the yere take accomptes of the bayly.

Item, that euery yoman that I haue, haue a Iak & Salet & his hole yere wages; Item, that Solhed haue xl s. and my horse I ride vpon and oon of my gownes; Item, that Sargeaunt haue xxvj s. viij d. & j. horse of my stabull &c.

[III. Latin Text of Probate.]
Approbacio eiusdem testamenti cum codicillo.

Probatum fuit suprascriptum testamentum, vna cum codicillo eidem annexo, coram Reuerendo patre, domino Iohanne, lincolniensi episcopo, in Castro suo de Sleford; & commissa fuit administracio executoribus in eodem nominatis (domino Iohanne welby duntaxat excepto) viz. […] die mensis […] Anno domini Millesimo cccc lx quinto; & iurati sunt; & habent acquietanciam.

XIX: Affray, 1468, in the churchyard of Grantham, Lincolnshire, with proceedings thereon.

[From bishop John Chedworth's Register at Lincoln, lf. 91. The date is apparently the last days of December, 1468. The greater part of the narrative is in Latin, of which only a summary is here given. For this summary I am responsible.]

Ordinary cases of breach of peace and assault were dealt with, in most parishes, by the leet-courts of the several manors, and, in most municipalities, by the borough magistrates. But, if the altercation took place in a church or a churchyard, the case passed out of the jurisdiction of any civil court, and came before the Ecclesiastical Court, generally that of the Archdeacon. Too frequently these cases were trivial matters that could have been smoothed over without legal procedure, except for the apparitor's keen search for fees. To illustrate this Grantham case, from later years, I give a few (hitherto unpublished) notices of such cases, from the official minute-books of the Court of the Archdeacon of Essex.

15 July, 1591, in a Court of the Archdeacon of Essex held in Prittlewell church, Thomas Peerse, of All Saints, Maldon, was indicted, at the instance of the Churchwardens there, because he 'brake the pease and made a blood-shedd vpon Ralph tiler in the church of All Sainctes in the time of the sermon'.

Peerse brought a certificate from Robert Palmer, vicar of All Saints, Maldon, that 'there was a lewde and vngratious boye that, in the tyme of the sermon, did disturbe the people; and Thomas Peerse, sytting neare him, did gyve him a stroke vpon the cheeke, after which the boye was quiett'.

Thomas Peerse offered 'to make faithe that he did not strike the boye anie other wise, nor in other manner, nor vpon anie other intente'.

Peerse was sentenced to pay 8d. to the poor, and excommunicated until further order.

15 January, 1591-2, in the Court of the Archdeacon of Essex held at Romford, Richard Fynson of Loughton appeared to answer a charge of striking John Monday in Loughton churchyard on Sept. 26, 1591. He admitted that `in gest and sport and not upon any collor or anger, he did tripp vpp his heeles, as he was sytting vpon the Church rayles'. He was ordered to confess publicly, before the minister and the congregation, `that he hath vnorderly behaued himselfe', and to pay 12d. to the poor of the parish.

3 June, 1592, in his Court held at Great Baddow, the Archdeacon of Essex had before him five parishioners of South Hanningfield, Essex, on a charge of scolding and brawling in the churchyard there. Henry Sowche admitted that he had used some words of strife (being moved thereto), but now they are agreed and all things are quiet, and no contention restethe amongst his neighbors. For his offence, he was ordered to make public apology in South Hanningfield Church. William Bennet's wife admitted having `vsed some words of strife, and vnkynde words, towards some of her neighbors'. She escaped on payment merely of the Court-fee (12d.). Widow Holland was discharged, without paying fee, being very poor.

12 May, 1595, in the Court of the Archdeacon of Colchester, held in Saffron Walden church, Essex, John Waylett of Ugley, Essex, was proceeded against because he said to Robert Meade, church-clerk, in service-tyme in the churchyard that `he was a pickthanck Knave to say that his boy (John Waylett) dyd wrastle in the churchyard in the tyme of divine service at morning prayer'. Waylett admitted calling Meade `knave' in the churchyard, but pleaded that Meade `urged hym therto, brawling with hym in the churchyard'. On this confession, in terms of the statute, Waylett was excommunicated.

[leaf 91]

[I. English Summary of Latin Narrative.]

[The milestone marker has been included even though this is a summary of the latin narrative.]

There had been a conflict in the churchyard of the town of Grantham, between Thomas Wortley, Corvyser, and Edward Singer, a minister of that church. It was presumed that the churchyard had thereby been polluted, and the matter was referred to the Vicar (Richard Dawe) and John Tyssington, acting as Commissaries for the bishop. This Commission took the sworn evidence of Thomas Wortley himself, of Sir Thomas Wynneway and Sir William lempster (priests), and of William lempster and William Welbourne (ministers of the church). They found that Wortley had struck Singer violently with a stick, who shed blood from his nose in no small quantity, in the churchyard. The Commissaries further declared that the churchyard had thereby been polluted, and excommunicated Wortley. On January 31, 146 8-9, Wortley confessed his deed

before John Chedworth, the bishop, in the house of Henry Curteys of Grantham; and took oath on the gospels to do penance as would be ordered him. The Bishop appointed Master John Goule, bachelor in the decrees, to absolve Wortley from the excommunication which he had incurred. The penance was that Wortley should go with bare shins (tibiis) and feet at the time of the reconciliation of the churchyard by the bishop, and, humbly and in penitent wise, minister holy water, at the bishop's nod, to the bishop in the 'reconciliation' ceremony. On Purification (2 February), i.e. on the second day after this verdict, Wortley was also, clad only in shirt and breeches, and carrying in one hand a wax taper and in the other a pair of beads, to walk humbly at the head of the procession which was to take place on that Feast, to kneel down at the four corners of the churchyard or of the church (according as the weather allowed the procession to be in the open air or not), and to be disciplined by the rod by the curate who was in charge of the procession. After the procession was over, at the time of High Mass, Wortley was to be waiting in the baptistery, engaged in private prayer, and, when the offertory of the Mass was made, was to place his taper in the hands of the celebrant. Like penance was to be made on Sundays, February 7 and 14, at the time of the procession on those days. Further, on Saturdays, February 6, 13, 20, and 27, at the hour when the market was fullest of people, Wortley, attired as a penitent, and with wax taper and beads, accompanied by the curate (in surplice and stole, and carrying a rod), was to walk round Grantham market-place, and at each of the four corners to submit himself to correction. On each of the four Saturdays, after the penance was done, the curate was to make public declaration, in English, of the cause why it had been imposed. The formula to be used by the curate is as follows:

[II. Full English Text of the Recital made by the Curate at the times when this Penance was done.]

All Cristen people here assembled and gadred shall vnderstand that Thomas Wortley, here present, doth this his penaunce Inioyned him by the Reuerend fadir in god Iohn, by the grace of god bisshop of lincoln, for this cause: ffor asmoch as the said

Thomas Wortley in the nyght tyme smote violently oon Edward Syngar, a minister of the Churche of grantham, and drew blod of him within the Churcheyerd of grantham; Wherby the said Churcheyerd was polluted and of administracion of all sacramentes and sacramentalles suspendid, to the grete displesure of god, contempt to oure moder holy Churche, and grete noyanse and offense to all this pariche; by occasion wheroff he stode accursed. And sithen full penitently cam byfore my said lord of lincoln & his ministirs iudicially sitting, and there confessed playnely his said defaute and trespasse, and submitted him vnto my said lordis correccion; for which trespasse, he hathe in parte satisfied his penaunce, and is in will to performe the review of the same. Wherfore he besechith all this pariche to forgiff him thoffence doon vnto hem in this behalff; And prayeth all yow people of the contre here at this tyme gadred to pray god for him in the waye of Charite, etc.

[III. Summary of Latin statement of further Penance.]

In addition, the Bishop enjoined Thomas Wortley that on all the vigils of the Blessed Virgin, for seven years following, he was to have only bread and water, beginning these fasts on the vigil of the Purification (1468-9); and warned him peremptorily that he must continue to perform this penance, unless sufficiently dispensed, on pain of the Greater Excommunication.

XX: Petition, 1464, by the Cistercian Abbey of Bruern, in the county and archdeaconry of Oxford, to King Edward IV, to have again the impropriated rectory of Wootton, near Woodstock, formerly granted them by King Henry VI, but afterwards resumed by the Crown.

[

From bishop John Chedworth's Register at Lincoln, lf. 240. The long reign of Henry VI (1 September, 1422, to 4 March, 1460-1) had been very fruitful both in benefactions to older secular colleges and religious houses, and in new foundations for educational or religious purposes. The recognition by Parliament of Edward IV on 4 March, 146 0-1, followed by the Yorkist triumph at Towton, 29 March, 1461, threatened the very existence of all recent foundations, and the impoverishment of many older foundations, e.g. Eton College, and several colleges in Oxford and Cambridge, as well an monasteries. The Crown lawyers of the new sovereign seemed to be resolved to show in the law-courts the like mercy to grants made by Henry VI (now designated 'king of England de facto but not de iure') as his troops had shown in the field in their savage slaughter of the vanquished Lancastrians. The present petition is a representative of many hundreds of the sort which were sent up to Edward IV in these first years of deadly fear. It is not for a moment to be supposed that these details came within the King's personal supervision or added anything to the revenues of the Crown: they were processes which brought considerable fees to the law-officers of the Crown, and abundant payments to their underlings for transcription, sealing, and registration.

On 2 Aug. 1140, Henry VI, by grant under Privy Seal, gave to Bruerne Abbey the patronage of Wootton Church, with licence to impropriate it, but reserving £8 yearly to the Exchequer. The Pope and the Bishop of Lincoln would not allow the impropriation, and, on 18 June, 1445, Henry VI forgave the arrears of the £8 charge, and cancelled future payments, until the impropriation had taken effect.

The petition is prefixed to an Institution to Wootton, 18 Aug., 1464, on presentation by Edward IV.

]

[leaf 240]

[I. Full Text of Petition in English.]

To oure liege lord the king.

Mekely bisecheth vnto youre highnesse youre humble and continuell oratours, Iohn, Abbot, and Couent of the Abbey or hows of Brewerne in youre Counté of Oxonford, of the Order of Cistyeux, whiche haue but litell lyfloode to lyve by but only by husbondry, That where henry the vj., late kyng of this Royaume (in dede and not of right), hauyng consideracion of the exilite and pouerte of the saide hous, and theire grete hospitalite and contynuell keping of dyvyne seruice that youre saide bisechers there had to theire importable costis, by his lettres patentes graunted vnto your saide oratours the Advouson of the parisshe Chirche of Wotton withoute Wodestoke, in the Counte abouesaide, thanne beyng of his patronage (in dede and not of right), Paying therfore yerely to hym, and to his heirs, in his Escheker, viij li.

Of whiche advouson youre saide Oratours were peisibly seised vnto the tyme that the same advouson, by auctorite of parliament holden in the tyme of the saide late kyng at westmynster, was resumed, So that from that tyme hidertoo youre seide Oratours had neuer eny profyt ne avayle by the same advouson.

And, sith the begynnyng of youre reign, the saide aduouson hath been stylle in youre gracious handys, and yit is.

That, Notwithstondyng, youre saide oratours … in termely called in issues in youre Escheker at westmynster, and dyuers tailles there stryken owte vppon the[m] for the paiement yerly to yow of the saide viij li.; Wherthurgh youre saide Oratours been grevously vexed and sued, like to be the vtter vndoyng of the saide pore hous, and diuine seruice & hospitalite there perpetuelly to cesse, withoute youre moste habundaunt grace to theim herin be shewed.

Please hit youre highnesse these premisses tenderly to consider, And thervppon of youre moost noble and benygne grace by your gracious lettres patentes in due fourme to be made vnder youre gret seale, to pardon, forgife, and relesse vnto youre said Oratours alle arrerages claymed of youre saide Oratours of the saide viij li. yerly, And youre gracious lettres vnder youre pryué seale in due fourme to be made, directe to youre Tresorier and Barons of youre saide Escheker, Charging and commaunding theime, and eueryche of theime, by the same that they at alle tymes herafter cesse of calling of eny issues or stryking of any tailles ayenst youre saide Oratours or theire successours of or for the saide viij li. yerely or any parcell therof.

And also, of youre more habundaunt and specialle grace, to graunte vnto youre saide Oratours and theire successours for euermore youre gracious lettres patentes, in due fourme to be made, vnder your saide grete seal, of the saide advouson, after the fourme, tenure, and effecte ensuyng.

And they and theire successours shal continuelly and specially pray for youre most noble and prosperous reigne long to endure, and for the soules of youre noble progenitours, and in way of Almes and charite.

[II. Latin Text of proposed grant to be submitted to the King.]

Rex Omnibus ad quos, &c., salutem. Sciatis quod nos, de gracia nostra speciali, dedimus et concessimus, ac per presentes damus et concedimus, dilectis nobis in christo Iohanni, Abbati domus siue Monasterij de Brewerne, in Comitatu Oxoniensi, et eiusdem loci Conuentui, aduocacionem ecclesie parochialis de Wotton iuxta Wodestoke in Comitatu predicto, que de patronatu nostro existit, habendam et tenendam eisdem Abbati et Conuentui, et successoribus suis, de nobis et heredibus nostris, in puram et perpetuam elemosinam, Et quod ipsi Abbas et Conuentus ecclesiam predictam appropriare, et sic appropriatam in proprios vsus suos habere possint, et tenere sibi et successoribus suis predictis, in Auxilium et sustentacionem Abbathie predicte, et pro diuinis seruicijs ibidem melius manutenendis, ac ad exorandum pro statu nostro Regio quamdiu egerimus in humanis, et pro anima nostra cum ab hac luce migrauerimus; ac animabus nobilium progenitorum et predecessorum nostrorum, imperpetuum, Statuto de terris et tenementis ad manum mortuam non ponendis edito non obstante. In cuius rei, &c.

[Abbreviated English version of grant, as proposed.]

The King, to all to whom these letters patent may come, sends greeting.

We, of our special favour, grant to John, abbot of Bruerne, in Oxfordshire, and his abbey, the advowson of Wootton parish church, near Woodstock, in Oxfordshire, which is of our patronage, for ever, to be held of the Crown by the abbey in pure alms. We give leave to the abbey to impropriate the church, and to hold the impropriation to its own uses, i. e. to increase its revenue and thereby make fuller provision for divine services in the abbey. The abbey is to pray for our welfare during our life, and for our soul's health after our death, and for the souls of our ancestors and predecessors. This grant is to override the Statute of Mortmain.

XXI: Agreement, 1509, by which Barlings Abbey, as rector of Reepham parish, Lincolnshire, grants the vicar an increase of yearly stipend for his life-term.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 240.]

[leaf 240]

Repham vicarie augmentacio.

This Indenture berith witenes that thabbott and covent off the monastery off our lady off barlinges off thordre

off premonstratenses, proprietaryes of the parishe chirche off Repham, with oon assent and consent, hathe graunted to ser Robert wilkynson, perpetuall vicar of the foresaid parishe chirche off Repham, in augmentacion off his vicariage, ten quarters off barley, and foure quarters off peyse, with oon loode off tithe hey, yerely to be taken off the fruytes off the personage off the for-said chirche as long as the for-said ser Robert shalbe vicar in the for-said chirche.

The said abbott and covent also hathe graunted to the fore-said ser Robert Agystment, without and with-in the pasture off the fore-said Monastery, for vj. beastes (that is to say, oxen, kye, and bullockes and yong beastes), as well in wynter as in somer, by all the foresaid tyme.

And moreouer the for-said Abbott and covent hathe graunted to the for-said ser Robert oon litle laithe, sett in the north parte off the personage, with an aisament within the closse off the forsaid parsonage, with a free intrest and out-gate to his laithe by the same closse as ofte and whenne itt shalbe necessary to the said ser Robert or his seruauntes during the forsaid terme, whiles that itt shall nott be preiudice nor noying ne harme to the forsaid abbott or covent.

And the forsaid ser Robert wilkynson shall reparell the fore-said house, buylded with thackyng and walle, att his own propre coste and expenses duryng the forsaid terme, And, att thende of his terme, well and suffyciently repareld in thack and walles, shall leve the forsaid house, excepte that the forsaid abbott and covent shall fynde to the forsaid house thack for reparacion off the forsaid house as ofte tymes and whenne itt neade shalbe, att coste off cariage of the forsaid Sir Robert.

Moreouer, the for-said abbott and covent graunteth, and by ther present wryting byndeth them to pay, xx s. off good and laufull money off Englond to the forsaid ser Robert wilkynson, all & euery yere, in the feaste off the Natyuite off our lord,

duryng the naturall liffe off the for-said ser Robert wilkynson, without eny furdre delay.

In witenes of all and euerychone off thise premysses, the for-said parties, [eche] to the other, haue putto ther seales to thise present Indentures: yeven the last day butt oon off the moneth of Iunn in the yere of our lord god a thousand five hundrith ix and the reigne off kyng Henry the eight first yere.

XXII: Latin Will, 1526, and English Codicil, 1533, of John Denham, rector of Barnack, Northamptonshire, and Prebendary of Lincoln Minster.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 242 bk. and lf. 243. The will was proved at Oxford, 28 February, 1533-4. John Denham had been a Fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford, where he made provision for a commemorative service.]

[I. Abbreviated note of the Will, which is in Latin.]

[leaf 242 bk.]

In the name of god, Amen. Anno a natiuitate eiusdem Millesimo Quingentesimo xxvjo. festo sancti hugonis, Ego, Iohannes denham, Rector de barnake, sanus mente et corpore, etc. His body to be buried before the high altar of Saint Iohn of Barnack, near Stamford.

[II. Text of English Codicil.]

Memorandum, that the ffyrst day of August the yere of our lord god A thowsand ccccc xxxiij, in the presens of Iohn cottysford, rector off Lincoln college in oxford; and Thomas Rockes, yeman, dewllyng yn Lyndford in Buckynghamshere; and oþer; I, Iohn denham, pryst, declared my testament ferder in maner and forme folowyng:

ffyrst, I will that þer be xxli bestowed to bryng me on erthe, at the monethe mynd, and the tewlue monethe mynd.

[leaf 243]

Item, I will that the churche wardyns and parischeners of barnake haue xlti shyllinges towardes the reperacions of the Stypell; Item, to the mayntenans of the belles and the bell ropys, vjs viijd; Item, to the mayntenans of the lygthes in the

churche, vjs viijd; Item, I geue for A peyre of vestymentes to the churche of barnake, xxs.

Item, fabrice ecclesie Lincolniensis, iijs iiijd.

Item, I will that all the bokes in my custody be distrybute by the discrecyon of doctor cottisford & christofer bell.

The Resydewe of my goodes not bequest I geue vnto christofer bell, my kynsman, to be-stowe for the welth of my sowle.

And I make the same christofer bell my full executor, witnessyng doctor Cottisford, ser Launselot twynhome, and Thomas Rockes, with other mo.

XXIII: Inventory of John Asserby, 1527.

[From the Lincoln Consistory Court Wills, Book 1520-31, lf. 59, 59A, 60. Part of this transcript had been lost from the E.E.T.S. bundle, but was most obligingly replaced by Canon Foster, F.S.A., Secretary and Editor of the Lincoln Record Society. This inventory will be included in a volume of Lincoln Wills which Canon Foster is preparing for the press. The will is dated 14 November, 1527, and was proved 21 December, 1527. Asserby is corrupted from Asfordby. The pedigree of Asfordby of Bilsby, Lincolnshire, is in Harleian Society's Issues, vol. L, 45-47.]

[leaf 59]

Invitory off all the household stuff wych was bequethyd to be heyr-lomes to Andrew asserby & to the Ryght heyrys off John Asserby wych was bequethyd by the sayd John Asserby whose soule Jhesu pardon.

Parler.

ffyrst, in the parler, j. pentyd hyngyng off Canwes; Item, on long Saddell; Item, on Cownter off the lest sorte; Item, too gret carrod chysts; Item, on borden chare; Item, on forme; Item, on bordenyd bed stede; Item, on lyttyll chyst.

[leaf 59 A]

littill parler.

Item, ij. bed steds, the on bordenyd, & the oþer not; Item, on saynt John hede off Alibaster.

Chamber ouer the parler.

Item, on chyst with evidence boune with yren; Item, on plane chyst; Item, on bordenyd bed, with j. trundell bede; Item, on yelow sperver off dornyx; Item, on payntyd hyngyng off canwes; Item, iij. thrawyn charys; Item, j. hole garnysche

off vesselle off the new turne; Item, on basyn and on euar off pewter.

halle.

Item, on grene payntyd hyngyng off canwes at the high dese; Item, on carvyd Cupbord with ij. awmbres and on slotte; Item, on carved long Sadle off wanescott; Item, ij. thrawn longe sadells; Item, on thrawn chare; Item, on fowldyn tabylle; Item, on forme.

Gallore Chamber.

Item, ij. bordenyd bed stedes; Item, ij. Spervers off dornyx; Item, ij. new fether beddes garnysshyd; Item, on hold fether bedde with iij. bolsters; Item, on payntyd hynging off canwes; Item, iij. cownter poyntes of verde warke; Item, on fustyan pillow and ij. other pillows; Item, on Redde couerlyd with byrde warke; Item, on grene couerlyd with verde warke; Item, on yalow couerlyd with warke; Item, iij. holde whyte couerlydes; Item, iij. pare off blankyttes; Item, v. mattressys; Item, ij. couerynges off wholyn for tables; Item, on bancker for the halle; Item, vi. coschyns with bestes vpon them; Item, on fowldyn table.

Law parler.

Item, ij. pare off bed stokkes; Item. on payntyd tester for A bedde.

Botre.

Item, ij. gret bolle candylstykes and on lesser; Item, on lattyn basyn with A rose in the myddes; Item, on chaffyng dyshe, without horys; Item, iij. holde platters; Item, ij. holde dyshes; Item, on holde candylstyke; Item, on tabylle in the botre.

[leaf 60]

Kytchyn.

Item, ij. gret pannes; ij. lesse pannes; on Mydlyng panne; on gret brasse pott; iij. lesse brasse pottes; ij. lytle brasse pottes; j. posnet with a stert; on other with broken fete; on chauffer with a brokyn mouthe; on panne, with a sterte; Item, on lattyn ladelle; Item, on gret spyt; Item, ij. lesse spyttes;

Item, on byrd spyt; Item, on pare off lytylle yrne Cobberdes; Item, on led, on mashe fatt, on gyle fatt, and on stepe fatt, with a kylne heire; Item, on hold Cawthorn; Item, on kymmylle, with a coueryng for saltetyng flesshe; Item, on polle axe.

Napre ware.

Item, ij. lyn towells; Item, on towelle lyke dyaper warke; on Napkyn off dyaper; Item, on lyn table-clothe off v. yerdes; Item, ij. harden table-clothes of ij. yerdes and dimid. the pece; Item, on herdyn Towelle off ij. yerdes and dimid.; Item, vij. table napkyns; Item, on pare lyn shettes off iij. bredes; Item, on schet for A woman that lyes in chyld bed; Item, ij. hedschettes; Item, vij. pare lyn schettes; Item, on pece off lyn (for towels) of xiiiitn yerdes; Item, ix. pare off harden schettes.

ffor the fyre herthe.

In primis, on pare off gret tonges, tynned; Item, j. yren forgan for the fyre, tynd; Item, a fyre skomer, tynnyd.

XXIV: Will, 1529, of John Aldridge, of Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 263 bk., and lf. 264.]

[leaf 263 bk.]

Testamentum Iohannis Aldridge.

In the name of god amen. The xxijti daye of Iulij in the yere of our lorde god a thousande five hundrede and nyne and twenty, I, Iohn Aldridge, of bekonesfeld in the countie of

Buckyngham, hoole of mynde and in good remembraunce beinge, make my testament in this wise.

ffirste, I bequethe my soule to almighty god, to our ladye saynte mary, and to all the hoole companye of heuen; and my bodye to be buryed in the chirche yarde of Bekenesfelde aforesaide.

Also, I bequethe to the highe aulter ther, for my tithes and offerynges forgotten, iiij d.

Also, to the chirche of Lincoln, ij d.

Also, to euery light in the chirche and chappell of Bekonesfelde, ij d.

Also, I bequethe to euery oon of my bredren and sustren children oon shepe.

Also, to echeone of my godchildren, iiij d.

Also, I will that my executours, immediately after my decesse, entre vpon all my landes and tenementes that I haue in the parishes of Taplowe, burnham, and Beckonesfelde, and in all my leases durynge my termes, as in sundre Indentures dothe more playnly appere of the saide termes.

I will also that margerye my wiffe haue, oute of my saide landes and tenementes, yerely duringe hir liffe, xiij s. iiijd. sterling.

And after hire decesse, I will that all my saide landes and tenementes hooly remayne to Iohn Aldridge my sone, and to his heires, att the age of xxiiij. yeres.

I will that my executours and feoffes doo suffre Iohn my sone peaseablye to entre into all my saide landes and tenementes, withoute any maner Interrupcion or delaye, paynge to margerye my saide wiffe yerely as aforesaide xiij s. iiij d. durynge hir liffe.

And iff itt happen that Iohn my sone decesse withoute heyres of his bodie laufully begotten, livynge the other my children, then I will that all the foresaide landes and tenementes to be equally deuyded emonges my children livinge.

And if itt happen that all my saide children decesse, then I will that all my fore saide Landes and tenementes maye be equally deuyded emonges the children of my brodre Rauff Aldridge and [leaf 264] William Aldridge.

Also, I will that myn executours entre vpon all my goodes moveable, to and for the intente of performaunce of my will as hereafter foloweth; And also to perceive [and] receive all maner my rentes, reuercions, revenues, and debttes to me owinge by any maner persone or persones.

Also, I will (after my debttes and funeralles paied and my will fulfilled) I give and bequethe to margerye my wiffe the oon halffe of my moveable goodes.

And the other halffe I will itt maye be equally devyded and savely kepte by myn executours to the vse of all my children, therwith to see them guyded (and as well the childe that my wiffe goeth with-all as other), vnto the tyme that they be att lawfull yeres of discrecion: Thenne they to enioye the reste of the saide moveable goodes, oonly excepte and allowed for suche chardgies for the guydynge and kepynge of the saide children.

Iff any of my saide children decesse, livynge the other, then I wille that echone of them to be others heyre in all the saide moveable goodes.

Iff all my saide children decesse, I will that the saide goodes to them bequethed (all maner chardgies and expenses allowed) to be bestowed in charitable deades and warkes for the helthe of my soule.

To the performynge of this my testament and laste will, I ordeyne william Aldridge my brodre and Robart Dawbeney myn executours, they to ordeyne and dispose as maye be mooste expedient for the helthe of my soule, my ffrendes soules, and all christen soules.

Also, I will that Robert wallar be ouersear of this my testament and laste will.

I will that echone of myn executours and ouerseare haue, for their labour and busynes, xx s.

Thise wittenes: Sir Richard Bolde (curate ther), Thomas Aldridge, Symon Irby, & other.

Latin Record of Probate

Probatum fuit huiusmodi suprascriptum testamentum coram Reuerendo patre, domino Iohanne Lincolniensi Episcopo, xiiijmo. die mensis decembris, Anno domini Millesimo quingentesimo xxxvto, commissa administracione bonorum et debitorum dicti

defuncti executoribus in eodem testamento nominatis, in forma iuris iuratis.

XXV: Will, 1529, and codicil, 1533, of Sir John Digby, knight, of Eye-Kettleby, Leicestershire.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 232 bk. to lf. 235.]

[leaf 232 bk.]

[I. English Text of the Will.]
Testamentum domini Iohannis Digby, militis.

IN the name of god, amen: be itt knowen to all men by thies presentes that I, ser Iohn digby of Eketilby in the county of leicestre, knight, the first day of Auguste in the xxj. yere of the reigne of our souereigne lord kyng henry the eight and in the yere of our lord god ml. vc. xxixti, ordeyn and make this my last will and testament, aswell concernyng thordre and disposicion of all and singuler my maners landes and tenementes within the realme of englond, as of all my goodes and catalles that I haue within the same realme, Calis, orelles where, in maner and forme folowing:

that is to saye, ffirste, I bequeth my soule to almighty god, beseching hym to accepte the same to his mercy; Also I will that my body shalbe buryed in the chirche of melton mowbrey, if I die in leicestre shire; and if I die out of leicestre shire, then my bodye to be buryed ther as my executours shall thynk moost conuenyent.

Also, I bequeth to the chirche of lincoln, iij s. iiij d.

Also, I bequeth to the highe aulter of melton mowbrey vj s. viij d.;

And I will that my mortuary be paied according to the custome.

Also, I renounce and forsake all other will or willes by me before this tyme made, and affirme all thinges conteyned within this present wryting to be my last will and testament.

And, where I, the said ser Iohn digby, by my deade (bering date the xxiiijti daye of october in the nynth yere of the reigne of our souereigne lord kyng henry the eight), hath given and

graunted and by the same deade confirmed to Iohn willoughby of willoughton in the county of Nottingham, Iohn harrington of Exton, george mackwourth of Empingham, Euerard digby of stoke drye, Iohn toky of southluffenham in the county of Rutland, Iohn brokesby off ffrisby, and Iohn digby off olleby in the county off leicestre, my manour of south luffenham, with thappurtenaunces, in the county of Ruthland, And also all my manoures, landes, tenementes, medowes, lesues, pastures, and other myn heredytamentes, with ther appurtenaunces, in south luffenham, north luffenham, Sculthorpe, and pilton, To haue to the said Iohn willoughby and other his said cofeofes, and to their heires and assignes, for euer, to the vse of dame sanche digby, wiffe to me the same ser Iohn digby, for terme of liffe of the same dame Sanche, and after hir decesse to thuse of me the same ser Iohn digby, myn heires, and assignes, for euer, ther with to perfourme my last will and testament as by the same deade more att lardge itt apperith, I will that my said wiffe dame Sanche shall haue all the said manoures, landes and tenementes in northluffenham, southluffenham, Sculthorpe, and pilton, for terme of hir liffe, according to the said vse conteyned in the said deade.

And after hir decesse, I will that my sonne Symon digby shall haue all the said Manoures, landes, tenementes and other the premysses, in northluffenham, Southluffenham, sculthorpe, and pilton, to the same Symon, and to the heires males of his body laufully begotten;

And for defaulte of suche yssue, the remaynder to Iohn digby sonne and heire of william digby, & to the heires mailes of his body laufully begotten,

and for defaulte of suche yssue, the remaynder therof to the heires mailes of my sonne william digby laufully begotten, and to the heires mailes of their bodyes laufully begotten,

and for defaulte of suche yssue, the remaynder to the heires mailes of the body of me the said ser Iohn [leaf 233] digby laufully [begotten] and to the heires mailes of their bodies laufully begotten; and, for defaulte of suche issue, to right heires of me the said ser Iohn digby for euer.

And, where I, the same ser Iohn digby, seth the making of the said deade of feoffement, to the said Iohn willoughby and other the said cofeoffes, of and in all the said manoures, landes, tenementes, medowes, lesues, pastures, and other the premisses, with their appurtenaunces, in southluffenham, northluffenham, sculthorpe, and pilton aforesaid, haue purchased dyuerse other landes, tenementes, and heredytamentes, in northluffenham aforesaid, to me and to my heires in fee; And also haue other meses, landes, and tenementes, in Tikesore, Morcott, barrowdon, Seyton, thorpe, and Pisbroke, orelles where, whiche I, the same ser Iohn, haue within the said county of Rutland, nott conteyned in the said deade bering date the xxiiijti day off octobre in the said nynth yere of the reigne of our souereigne lord kyng henry the eight, I will that my said sonne Symon digby shall haue, immediately after my decesse, as well all the said meses, landes, tenementes, and heredytamentes by me soo purchased sith the makyng of the said deade within the county of Rutland, as well all other my meses, landes, tenementes, and heredytamentes, that I haue in the said county of Rutland, nott conteyned in the said deade bering date the xxiiijti daie off octobre in the said nynth yere of the reigne off our said souereigne lord kyng henry the eight, to the said Symon, and to the heires mailes of his body laufully begotten.

And for defaulte of suche issue, remaynder therof to Iohn digby sone and heire of william digby, and to the heires mailes of his body laufully begotten.

And for defaulte of suche issue, remaynder therof to the heires mailes of the body of my said sonne william digby laufully begotten, and to the heires mailes of there bodies laufully begotten.

And for defaulte of suche issue, the remaynder therof to the heires mailes of me the said ser Iohn digby laufully begotten, and to the heires mailes of their bodies laufully begotten.

And for defaulte of suche issue to the right heires of me the said ser Iohn digby for euer.

And I will that my said sonne Symon digby shall and may att his pleasour make or cause to be made astate for terme of liffe in possession or vse of or in all the said manours landes and tenementes in the said county off Rutland or in eny parte

of the same to eny wiffe or wiffes that he the same Symon shall hereafter mary, enything conteyned in this my will to the contrary nott withstanding.

And I will that my said wiffe dame Sanche, shall haue immediately after my decesse, all my Manour place, capital mesuage, and mansion place, of eketilby in the county off leicestre, with all the housing belonging to the same, and all my gardeyns, orchardes, woodeyardes, and neeteyardes, waiter-mylne and mylne-holmes belonging to the same waiter-mylne, And also the parke (with the poles within the same), cranwell close, the ueste leys, the ueste medowe on the west side of the same manour place, the este medowe in twoo closes of the north side off melton lane, and all landes, tenementes, medowes, lesues, and pastures in eketilby aforesaid, with all the hedges about and within all and euery the premysses from the este ende off Melton lane to kirkeby bridge of the north side down to the river ther, to the same dame Sanche for terme of hir liffe.

Also, I will that my doughtour Elene Mountague, late wiffe to my sone william digby of lubbenham (nowe decessed) and doughtour of Iohn Rooper (late generall attorney to our souereigne lord the kyng), shall, immediately after my dethe, haue twoo closes in ekettilby aforesaid, whereof oon of them is called the hall close, and the other close of them is called the fogge ffelde, with all the hedges about and within the same closes, to haue and to holde to the said Elene Mountague, for terme of hir liffe, in [leaf 233 bk.] recompence off suche landes and tenementes to the yerely value off xxli as the same helene is intitled to haue in Eketilby and Sysonby after my dethe, by reason off a feoffement by me (the said ser Iohn digby) and my said sone william digby and Iohn Wymerke made to ser Iohn diue, knight, and other, in fee off all my landes and tenementes in eketilby and Sysonby to dyuerse vses, as by the same deade bering date the xiijth daye off May the xvth yere off our said souereigne lord more playnly itt apperith.

Also, I will that all the manoures, landes, and tenementes, medowes, lesues, closes, and pastures before appoynted to the same dame Sanche in Eketilby for terme off hir liffe, immediately after the dethe of the same dame Sanche, and all the said

landes, tenementes, medowes, closes, lesues, and pastures before appoynted to the said helene mountague for terme of hir liffe in eketilby aforesaid, immediately after their seuerall decesses, shall remayne & come to the said Iohn digby, sonne and heire of my said sone william digby, and to the heires mailes of his body laufully begotten;

And for defaulte of suche issue, to the heires mailes of the body of my said sone william laufully begotten, and to the heires mailes of their bodies laufully begotten;

And for defaulte of suche issue, the remayndre therof to my sone Symon, and to the heires mailes of his body laufully begotten;

And for defaulte off suche issue, to heires mailes of the body of the said ser Iohn digby, and to the heires mailes of their bodyes laufully begotten; And for defaulte of suche issue, to the right heires off me the said ser Iohn digby for euer.

And I will that the said Iohn digby, sonne and heire of my said sone William digby, shall, immediately after my dethe, haue a close in eketilby aforesaid called the high felde, and all my Manoure, landes, tenementes, and heredytamentes in Sysonby in the county off leicestre, to hym and to his heires males of his body laufully begotten,

And for defaulte of suche issue, the remaynder therof to the right heires mailes of the body of my said sone william laufully begotten, and to the heires of their bodyes laufully begotten,

and for defaulte of suche issue, the remaynder therof to my sone Symon digby, and to the heires mailes of his body laufully begotten,

And for defaulte of suche issue, the remaynder therof to the heyres mailes of me the said ser Iohn digby laufully begotten, and to the heires mailes of their bodies laufully begotten; And for default of suche issue, the remaynder therof to the right heires of me the said ser Iohn digby, for euer,

to thvses, intentes, and vpon condicions hereafter ensuyng, that is to say, that the said Iohn digby, sone & heire of my said sone william digby, and all other in remaynder aforesaid of the said close called the highe feld and Sysonby, shall yerely from hensforth content and paye to george lacells of storton and to

his heires and assignes xiijli sterling, And also to kyrton yerely iiijli.

And also, yerely, acquite, dischardge, or saue harmeles, all the said manour, meses, landes, tenementes, and other the premysses before appoynted, to the same dame Sanche and helene mountague, or to eny of them for terme of their lives, or for terme off liffe of eny of them, of and for all maner of rentes, charges, and Incumbraunces, wherewith the said manour, landes, and tenementes, and other the premysses before appoynted to the same dame Sanche and helene for terme of their liues as is aforesaid, shalbe charged with, duryng the liffe naturall of the same dame Sanche and helene or of the longer liver of them.

And also, to the vses, and intentes, and vpon condicion, that the same Iohn digby, sone of the said william and his heyres, and all other in remaynder of the said close called the highe [leaf 234] felde & Sysonby afore said, frome hensforth peaseably suffre the said dame Sanche and helene, and also my said sone Symon digby and the heires mailes of his body laufully begotten, and also peaseably suffre all suche my landes and tenementes in claxton herby and Stathern in the county off leicestre, to be vsed and bestowed vpon and to the fynding of a preste in melton in maner and forme, as by this my will here after is appoynted and ordeyned, without lett or interrupcion or disturbacion of the said Iohn digby, sone of the said william, or of the heires of his body, or of eny of the other before in remaynder aforesaid.

and in case the said Iohn digby and his heires, or eny other in remaynder aforesaid, doo not paye the said rentes, nor doo nott acquite or saue harmeles the said dame Sanche and helene and euery of them and the said landes and tenementes before appoynted to the said dame Sanche and helene and to euery of them, or doo lett or disturbe or will nott suffre the said dame Sanche and helene and Symon digby and his heires mailes peaseably to inioye the said landes and tenementes to them before appoynted, or doo vexe or trouble suche persones as is or shalbe seased of the said land hereafter to be appoynted to the fynding of the said preste, or doo eny other acte or actes to the disturbaunce or brekyng of this my will or contrary to

the same, then I will that my said [son] Symon and his heyres shall frome hensforth haue, occupye, and inioye, to his own vse, the said ffelde called the highe ffelde, and all the landes and tenementes in Sysonby aforesaid, during the natural liffe of the said Iohn digby, sonne of the said william, eny thing in this my will here be-fore specifyed to the contrary nott-withstandyng; And if eny of them in remaynder aforesaid doo disturbe the said dame Sanche helene and Symon or eny of them, or breke this my will, or paye nott the said rentes as is aforesaid after the dethe off Iohn digby (sone of the said william digby), that then the said Symon and his heires shall haue the said close called the highe ffelde and sysonby aforesaid during the liffe off suche person in remaynder as shall disturbe or breke this my will.

And I will that all my gownes of veluett, saten, and damaske, shalbe made in vestymentes and copes to be distrybuted to poore churches suche as my executoures shall thynk moost conuenyent.

And I will that all the reuenues, issues, and prouffettes of all my landes and tenementes and heredytamentes in Claxton, herby, and Stathern in the county off leicestre, shall yerely for euer be bestowed vpon fyndyng off a preste to syng in the parishe chirche off Melton mowbrey in the county off leicestre att the aulter off our lady in the south side off the said chirche, ther to sing and pray daily for the prosperite and good helthe of me (the said ser Iohn digby, knight), dame Sanche my wiffe, and all our children, while we be on live; and, after we been discessed, to pray for our soules and for the soules off my graundfadre and graundmodre, my fadre and my modre, and for the soules off Iohn bellers, and off dame katherine digby, william digby, Iohn stirley, Roos digby, and parnell asheby, and their children, and all christen soules for euer; and the said preste to helpe to serue and syng in the quere daily ther; And the said preste to haue for his stypend or wagies eight markes by yere off good and laufull money, to be taken out off my said mese, landes, and tenementes, in claxton, herby, and Stathern, with thappurtenaunces, in the county of leicestre, to be paied halff yerely by euen porcions, And the residue of the reuenues, issues, and proufettes of the said mese, landes, &

tenementes, in Claxton, herby, and Stathern, to goo and be to the reparacion and mayntenaunce off the said landes and tenementes for euermore.

And [leaf 234 bk.] iff itt happen eny parte off the reuenues, issues, and prouffettes of the said mese, landes, and tenementes in Claxton, herby, and stathern, to remayn ouer and besides the eight markes appoynted for the said prestes wages and the reparacion and mayntenaunce of the said landes, I will that all suche parte as shall remayn, shalbe in the kepyng off the chirchewardens off melton aforesaid for the tyme being, and for the mayntenaunce and keping off the same reparacions whenne nede shall requyre.

And I will that the said preste shall ones in the weke for euer say masse off Requiem for the soules aboue remembred, and for all christen soules, hauyng noo laufull impedyment; And also wekely for euer the said preste to say masse of the name off Ihesus, hauyng noo laufull ympedyment; Also, I will that the said preste shall say (att euery masse by hym doon within the said chirche) before the firste lauatory, de profundis, with the collect ffidelium deus omnium etc. for the soules aboue remembred and for all christen soules;

And I will that the said preste shalbe for euermore named by the chirchewardens off melton aforesaid for the tyme being;

And the said preste nott to be absent ouer xviijth dayes in the yere;

And, if the said preste be worthy to be putt frome his said seruice, by reason of eny incontynence of lyving or mysbehauiour by hym doon, or be nott resident vpon the same (noo laufull ympedyment hadd), then I will that the said preste shalbe putt from the said seruice and wagies, and an other laufull preste to be putt into the same seruice in maner and forme aforesaid.

And if the said seruice att eny tyme hereafter be voide by

dethe, negligence, or by other meayne, by the space of xxj. dayes, Then I will that my next heire maile, within xxj. dayes next after eny suche voydaunce, shall for that tyme name and appoynte a suffycient and an hable preste to the same; And the same preste to kepe this my will (as is before said), and to haue like wagies (as is aforesaid).

Also, I will that all persones that maye be seased, or that hereafter shalbe seased, of all and singuler the premysses, shall doo and suffre to be doon, make or cause to be made, all and euerything that shalbe for the mooste assurance and performance of this my last will and testament.

And I will furdre that ther be spent att my buryall and att my monethes daie fifty poundes of laufull money off Englond, and more, as my executours thynk conuenyent by their discrecions.

And I will that my wiffe, dame Sanche digby, haue to hir own vse all the household stuff in eketilby, desyoring hir to be good to Iohn digby (the sone of william digby, my sone).

Also, I will that my sone Symon digby haue all maner of stuff belonging to husbandry.

Also, I will that my wiffe dame Sanche digby haue the vse of all my plate as long as she liveth, and, after hir decesse, to be bestowed to my children, that is to say, to my sone Symon, to my doughtour Alice, and to my sone ser Rouland.

Also, I will that my seruauntes haue forty poundes amonges them, as my wiffe, dame Sanche digby, thynkes best.

Also, I will and bequeth that Iohn digby (sone and heire of william digby) haue immediately after my decesse vj. oxen x. kye and ijc. shepe as they ronne, to putt in his pasture.

and sole executrix of this my last will and testament I ordeyn and make my welbeloued wiffe, dame Sanche digby, to whome I commytt the hole order and disposicion of this my last will and testament, charging hir as she will answere afore [leaf 235] god to se itt treuely performed and executed, as my especiall truste is in hir.

And superuisoures hereof I make my sone ser william skevington, my cosin ser Everard digby, knightes; my sone ser Rouland digby, clerke; and my cosin Iohn digby off olleby: and for their payne takyng I will that euery off them haue xl s.

In witenes whereof, I, the said sir Iohn digby, to this my last will and testament haue putto my seale and subscribed my name, the daye and yere abouesaid; Thies names folowing bering witenes.

And where I haue appoynted before, in this my last will, that my wiffe dame Sanche shuld haue the vse off all my plate as long as she shall liue, and after to be bestowed to my sone Symon and ser Rouland and daughtour alice, I will that my saide wiffe shall, att hir free liberte and pleasour, give and bequeth to eny person or persones thies parcelles of my said plate, hereafter folowing, that is to say, a basyn and an ewer parcell gilt, iij. syluer pottes, a standing cupp with a couer gilt, twoo bolles with a couer, ij. gilt spones, a dosen siluer spones, a litle double salt, thre goblettes with a couer of the best, eny thing before bequethed by this my last will to the said Symon, Richard, or Alice, to the contrary nott-withstandyng.

[Witnesses of the Will.]

Iohn digby, knight; William asheby; Rouland digby, clerke; Iohn digby, off lobenham; Richard brokesby, clerke; Iohn digby, off olleby; Richard butterworth, clerke; Anthony brokesby; William Mere; henry barns, clerke; Edward mountayn; Iohn Wymarke; Simon digby; Iohn campynett.

[II. English Text of the Codicil.]

And for bycause that dame Sanche digby, my wiffe, whome by my last will and testament I made my sole executrice, is departed and deade, I will nowe, this present fourtene day of Maij in the xxvth yere of the reigne off our said souereign lorde kyng henry the eight, that my last will (whereunto this scedule is annexed), and this scedule thereunto adioyning, shalbe in euery poynte fyrme & stable as my last will and testament, the articles concernyng the aforesaid Dame Sanche onely excepte, whiche articles I will, by this my present will, shalbe clerely voide and of noon effecte;

And that, by this my present will and testament, I ordeyn and make my sone ser Rouland digby, clerke; my sone Symon

digby; and my cosin Iohn digby off oleby, to be myn executours of this my said last will; and superuisoures hereof I make my sone ser william skevington and my cosyn ser everard digby, knightes; and either of them to haue for his labour, xl s.

Thies names folowing being witenes:

Iohn digby, knight; Richard Butterworth, clerke: Thomas Smyth; William Mere; henry barns, clerke; Iohn myllington; Iohn Wymarke; Iaspar hunt; Richard herdern; Iohn moresley; Iohn fullwood; william Crobbe.

[III. Latin Record of Probate.]

Probatum fuit huiusmodi testamentum suprascriptum, coram venerabili viro magistro Iohanne Rayne, vtriusque Iuris doctore, Reuerendi in christo patris et domini, domini Iohannis, permissione divina Lincolniensis episcopi, vicario in spiritualibus generali et officiali principali, Sexto die mensis Iunij, Anno domini Millesimo quingentesimo xxxiijo; Et commissa fuit administracio omnium et singulorum bonorum et debitorum dicti defuncti, domino roulando digby, executori supranominato, in forma iuris iurato, Et admisso atque accepto per eundem, die et anno predictis, Reseruando potestatem consimilem committendi administracionem alteris executoribus, quum venerint eam recepturis.

XXVI: Will, 1532-3, of William Knight, of Norton, Northamptonshire.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 231.]

[leaf 231]

[I. English Text of Will.]
Testamentum Willelmi Knight.

In dei nomine, amen. in the yere of our lord god a Ml ccccc xxxiijti in the xxti day of Marche in the xxiiijti yere of the reigne of our souerayn lord kyng henry the eight, I, william knight off norton, being in good mynde and good remembraunce, make this my last will.

ffirste, I bequethe my soule to almighty god and to our lady saint mary and to all the holy company off heuen; and my bodye to be buryed in the chirche of all halowes in Norton.

Also, I bequeth to the mother chirche of Lincoln, viij d.; And to the highe aulter of norton, iiij d.

Also, I bequeth to Iames my sone x li,; To Anne my doughtour, x li.; To besse my doughtour, vj li. xiijs iiijd; and to elizabeth my doughtour, other vj li. xiij s. iiij d.; And I will that if eny of my said children departe before they come to laufull age that then the porcioun of hym or her soo departyng be deuyded emongest the other of my children then being in live.

Also, I will that my fadre haue my landes for terme of his liffe; Also, I bequeth to my fadre a bedde with all thinges perteyning; Also, I bequeth to my fadre a russett gowne furred and ij. elles of blacke karsey.

Also, I will that my lorde abbott of sanct Iames of north[ampton] haue the rule of Iames my sone.

And the residue of my goodes vnbequethed (my dettes payde, and my body brought vnto the grounde) to be distributed for the welth of my soule and all christen soules att the discrecion of Agnes my wiffe and william kyng the whiche I make my full executoures.

Also, I will that my lorde of saint Iames off northampton be my ouersear that my will be performed, And for his payne takyng to haue xx s.

hijs testibus; my lorde abbott of saint Iames of Northampton; Ser Iames Ryder, preste, william kyng, and other moo.

[II. Latin Record of Probate.]

Probatum fuit huiusmodi testamentum coram Reuerendo in christo patre et domino, domino Iohanne, permissione diuina Lincolniensi episcopo, quinto die mensis Iunij, Anno domini Millesimo quingentesimo xxxiijo, Commissa administracione bonorum et debitorum willhelmo kyng executori supranominato, in forma iuris iurato; Reseruata potestate similem committendi administracionem Agneti relicte, alteri executori, quum venerit eandem in debita iuris forma recepture.

XXVII: Will, 1533, of Robert Griffith, cleric, of Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 249 bk., and lf. 250.]

[leaf 249 bk.]

[Full Text of English Will.]
Testamentum domini Roberti Gryffyth de Henlye.

In the name of god, Amen, of whom, and by whom, and by the mereties of chrystes passyon, and by the intercessyon of hys blessed mother our lady saynt Mary the virgin, the xxj. day of Apryell, in the yere of our lord god a thowsand v hundred thertie and three, And in the xxiiijti. yere of our souerayn lord kyng henry the viijth, I, ser Robert Gryffyth, of hendlye vpon Thamys in the countie of Oxford and the dioces of Lincoln, beyng of good and hole mynde and of parfytt memorye (Laudes, prayses, and thankes be vnto allmygthy god), neuer the lesse syke of bodye, make my testament and last wyll for the welth, helth, and profytt of my sowle, my kynsfolkes and ffryndes, in maner and forme as here after ensuengly folowythe.

ffyrst, I bequeth my sowle vnto my creator, maker, and redemer, allmigthy god, vnto his blessed mother and to all the blessed companye of hevyn; my corpes or body to be buryed with-yn the parische churche of our lady of hendlye afore sayde.

Item, I geue to the mother churche of Lincoln, iiijd.

And to the hye aulter of the churche of hendlye, iiijd.

And also, I do geue and bequeth vnto Margery gough, my kynswoman, in redy monye, lxvjs viijd; And to Margaret gouthe, my kynswoman, xls; And also, I geue to my brother Nowell gryffyth xxs. And also, I geue and bequethe all the landes, tenementes, meades, pastures, and lesus, with all there appurtenaunces, sett, lyeng, beyng, in Caderelweth in the countie of Dannarwan, wiche did discend, happen, or come vnto me by inherytance, purchese or otherwise, vnto Robert gryffyth my sayd brother's sone, to haue and to hold, to hym his heyres and assignes, for euer more; Also, I wyll þat my cosen Iohn goughe of hendlye aforsaide and all other my feoffes, wiche now stond

feoffed and seasede of and yn þe premysses to the vse of the performans of my last wyll, shall from hensforth be feoffed and stonde seased to the vse of the sayd Robert gryffyth and of hys heyres [leaf 250] for ever.

And also, I ordeyn and make my sayde cosen Iohn goughe, my sole executor of this my testament and last wyll, vnto whom I geue all the reste of my goodes after this my present testament and last wyll performede, he to dispose them after hys good discretyon.

In wytnes wherof to this presentes I haue set my seale, the day and yere aboue wrytten.

These beyng present, Richard Massam, Wyllyam loueles, willyam Smythe, with diuers other.

XXVIII: Will, 1533, of William Wolhede, of North Marston, Buckinghamshire.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 238.]

[leaf 238]

[I. English Text of the Will.]
Testamentum Willelmi Wolhede de Marston.

In dei nomine, amen: in the yere of our lord god Mll vc xxxiijti, the xiijth daie off Maij, I, william wolhede, seke in body, hole off mynde, doo make my testament and last will in this maner and forme folowing:

ffirste, I bequeth my soule vnto almighty god and vnto our lady saint mary and to all the saintes in heuen, and my body to be buryed in the chirche yard off Marston.

Also, I bequeth and give vnto the iiij. ymages off our lady in the said chirche ij s. & viij d.; and also to our lady off pyte, a shepe; Item, I bequeth also vnto the rode light, xxd; and also vjd in waxe, vnto saint Iames; and <to> saint margarett and to saint katheryn, viijd; Item, vnto saint Anne, iiijd in waxe; and to all halowes, vjd; Item vnto the highe aulter xx d., for tithes forgotten; vnto our hede chirche of Lincoln, iiij d.; and vnto saint christofer, iiij d.

Item, vnto mother bastarfete and hir doughter, iiij d.; Also, to Iohn sauage, Iohn warde, Iohn mychell, Iohn wolhede, george shelley, william pope, william newman, and william squyre, vnto eche off thies before named, ij d.

Also, I notifye and knowlege vnto myn executoures off oon burre off dunstaple, detter to me of xx s., wylling to fogiue the oon halff, the other halff to be paied.

Item, I bequeth vnto the chirche off wotton, xl d.

Item, I do giue vnto my doughter-in-lawe alice a kowe and a calffe and vnto hir iiij. children iiij. shepe, and also to margarett doughtor a wenyng calffe.

Item, I do give agnes and margaret ij. heckfordes betwene them; Item, vnto eche off ther boyes ij. shepe.

Also, I bequeth to eche off my doughters ij. couerlettes betwene them.

Also, vnto William Weuer and to Alice his sister ij lambe betwene them.

Item, vnto Iohn my sone, x shepe.

Also, I bequeth vnto eche off my doughters vj s. viij d.

Item, I bequeth vnto euery oon of my sones ij. heckfordes betwene them.

Also, I bequeth vnto henry my sone my house and land, he payng vnto Iohn wolhede his brod̄re v li.: off the whiche v li., l s. to be paied att Mighelmas day tweluemoneth after my departyng and att that day tweluemoneth the rest to be paied.

Also, I make Robert wodell myn executour; and my wiffe ouersear to whome I giue ij. kyne.

witenes: ser walter done, Robert wall, Robert wodell, Iohn wolhed, and henry wolhede, with other moo.

Item, certeyn money whiche dothe remayn in a bagge I will ther be asmoche off itt spent as will honestly bryng me on erthe, And the rest to remayn to my wiffe.

Also, I will that henry my sone shall stand charged with the kepyng off his modre and william wolhed my seruaunte duryng ther lives and att ther departyng to bryng them on erthe.

my debtes & legacies performed and paied, I will the rest off my goodes remayn to my sone henry wolhede.

[II. Latin Record of Probate.]

Probatum fuit coram magistro henrico Morgan, legum Doctore, commissario generali Reuerendi patris Lincolniensis episcopi, xxvto die mensis Nouembris, anno domini Mo quingentesimo xxxiijo, commissa administracione executori iurato, &c.

XXIX: Will, 1533, of William Gray, of Wolverton, Buckinghamshire.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda, lf. 238 bk.]

[leaf 238 bk.]

[I. English Text of the Will.]
Testamentum Willelmi Gray.

In the name of god, amen. The xvjth day off August in the yere off our lord god Mll vc xxxiijth, I, william gray, hole in mynd, seke in body, make my Testament on this wise:

ffirst, I bequeth my soule, etc.

Item, I bequeth to my foure doughters iiij li.; And, iff eny off them departe, the goodes to remayn to the lengest lyuer.

Also, I bequeth to my fyft doughter ij. houses after the dethe off my wiffe.

Also, iff my wiffe doo mary, I will that the childer goodes shall remayn in Thomas Elyatt handes to the behoue of my childer.

And, iff all the childer doo departe, I will my wiffe haue ther goodes.

Also, I bequeth to the mother chirche off Lincoln, ij d.

Also, I bequeth to the highe aulter off woluerton, A stryke off barley for oblite tythes; Also, to the belles, ij. strykes off barley; Also, to the torches, ij. strykes off barley; Also, to the trynyte, A stryke off barley.

Also, to euery oon off my god childer, a stryke off barley.

Also, I make my wiffe and Thomas Elyatt myn executours; and Edward newman the ouersear off this my last will.

Thies witenes: Thomas Elyatt, Iohn Smyth, Edward newman, with other moo.

[II. Latin Record of Probate.]

Probatum fuit quarto nouembris, anno domini Millesimo quingentesimo xxxiijo, administracione commissa executoribus iuratis, &c.

XXX: Will, 1533, of Ralph Barker, of Stoke-Goldington, Buckinghamshire.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 240 bk. and lf. 241.]

[leaf 240 bk.]

[I. Abbreviated English Text of Will.]
Testamentum Radulphi Barker.

In the name of god, Amen. The yere of oure lord A thowsand ccccc xxxiij, the xth day of september, I, Raff barker off Stokegoldyngton, &c.

Item, I bequeyth to iche of my ij. chyldryn, xxs.

Item, to the eldest of my ij. cheldryn my best cotte; Item, to the yonger my newe fetherbed; And, if either of them decesse before suche age as they shalbe hable to haue the same goodes, then I wyll the oþer (beyng A liffe) haue bothe there partyes,

And, if they bothe departe before the sayd ayge, than I wyll my wiffe shall dispose all suche legacyes and bequestes as [she] shall thinke best to plesse god,

And the same margeret I make myne executryx, and geue hire the resydewe of all my goodes.

[leaf 241]

And make Raffe wotton executor with hire, And for his labor I geue hym the best lambe I haue and in monye iijs iiijd, etc.

Wytnes: Master Iohn Aras, parson there, ser henry Smyth, ser Robert gelys, prystes; with other.

[II. Abbreviated Record of Probate.]

Probatum fuit iiijto die nouembris, Anno domini Millesimo quingentesimo xxxiijtio, administracione commissa executoribus iuratis, &c.

XXXI. Will, 1533, of Richard Lauford, of Sherington, Buckinghamshire.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 283 bk.]

[leaf 238 bk.]

[I. Abbreviated English Text of the Will.]
Testamentum Ricardi Lauford.

In the name of god, amen. The yere off our lord god Mll ccccc xxxiijti the xiijth day off october, I, Richard Lauford off Sheryngton, &c.

Item, I will that, after my debtes be payd and my will performed, that then all my goodes be deuyded euenly in twoo partes, And the oon halff off my goodes to be praysed att the discrecion off yndifferent men to the vse and prouffett off my iiij. childern and to be kepte in savff kepyng, att the pleasour off my master and land-lorde (master Antony Catisby), Soo that my iiij. doughters parte be in like porcion.

And my sone to haue preferrement in the same goodes, as my master shall thynk best.

And, iff soo be that eny off my childern doo dye or decesse or that they come to the yeres off discrecion, Then I will that the parte off the childe soo decessed shall remayn to the prouffett off all my childern beyng alive; And so, from oon to anoþer, to the last.

And iff they all decesse before the yeres off discrecion, Then I will that my Master and land-lorde (Master Antony Catisby) shall haue the disposicion off all suche goodes and legacyes as were bequethed to my childern.

And the other halff off my goodes I doo giue and bequeth to margery my wiffe, soo that she doo kepe my childern, and euery off them, vnto suche tyme as they shalbe able to doo seruyce:

whiche margery my wife I make myn executrixe, with Iohn hoghton hir fadre; And Master Antony Catisby, ouersear &c.

witenesses: Thomas chibnall, william fisher, william everend, and other &c.

[II. Abbreviated Latin record of Probate.]

Probatum fuit die et loco predictis, commissa administracione executoribus iuratis, &c.

XXXII. Will, 1533, and Codicil, or Ralph Wooton, of Stoke-Goldington, Buckinghamshire.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 241 and lf. 241 bk.]

[leaf 241]

[I. Abbreviated English Text of Will.]
Testamentum Radulphi Wooton.

In the name of god, Amen, The xxj. day off october the yere of owre lord a thowsand v. hundred xxxiij, I, Raff wooton of Stokegoldyngton, &c.

my body to be buryed in the churche of Stokegoldyngton afor sayd before the holy rode; and, for my buryall þer, vjs viijd.

Item, I bequeyth to the churche of lincoln iiijd.

Item, to the aulter, for tithes forgotyn, xxd; Item, to the belles, xxd; Item, to iiij torches, xijs.

Item, one lond to the towne to dyge stone for reparacyons of hye ways in the towne and fyldes of Stokgoldyngton aforsayd for euer more; Item, to the towne, for reparacyons and mayntenans of the same, vjs viijd, goyng owt off A certayn howse and lande in stoke aforsayd callyd mors howse and lande for euer more, yf the kynges lawes wyll suffer hit, or els for as many yeres as the lawe wyll suffer, so that the ij. cunstabelles for the tyme beyng euery good fryday shall deyll vd in honor and worship of the v. wondes of our lord to the v. porest folkes in the towne.

Item, I wyll that euery yere, for euer, or els long as the lawes wyll suffer hit, that there shall go out of the same howse and land (callyd moores howse and land) to kepe an obite vijs, so that there be v. prystes present at dyryge, and to saye masse on the morowe; and euery of them to haue for there labor & charyte, vjd; And the curat, viijd; with iij, clerkes of the same towne (yf there be any) or els other, And euery one of them to haue iijd for the same diryge and masse; and the resydewe of the same monye to be in bred, ale, & chesse, to the ryngers and oþer that wyll come to the same dyryge; Allway prouydyng þat vd of the same vijs be delt to v. poyre folkes of the same towne at the same obite in the worshipe of the v. wondes of owre lord.

Item, I bequeth to euery bryge with-in iiij. myles of Stoke goldyngton afor sayd one busshell of barley.

Item, to my mayde callyd Agnes fyssher, iiij. markes in monye & monye worthe, & vijs to bye hire A panne.

Item, to Iamys wooton, one quarter of barley.

Item, I will þat my feoffes stand seasyd for the performans of my wyll.

Item, I wyll þat Sybell my wife shall haue all and singuler my londes And tenementes, with the appurtenans, in the towne And fylde of Stokegoldyngton afor-sayd and fylgraue for the terme of here liffe, so that she kepe hire Sole; or els I will the same Landes and tenementes be applyed to cuthbert my Sone tyll he commyth to his full age (the howse And the land afornamyd and to that vse before bequethid, allwaye except); and, after the decesse and dethe of Sybell my wiffe, I will [leaf 241 bk.] all to cuthbert my Sone, and to the heires of his bodye lawfully begotyn, ffor euer.

and [if] the same cuthbert my son shall (as god forbede) decesse and dye with owt heres of his body lawfully begotyn, that then I wyll that ffrances waren, my nephewe, shall haue all and singuler my sayd londes and tenementes, with the appurtenances, for ever, payng for them as selffe dyd bye and purchesse them, iff he be able (the sayd howse and lond callyd moores house and londes all way exceptyd to the vse before namyd and expressyd), And all the same and suche mony as shall growe by reson of Sayle off the sayd londes [and] tenementes I will that hit be orderyd after this maner folowyng: That is to say, I will that sume honest prest shall syng in the churche of Stokegoldyngton Aforsayd certayn yers, after the discretyon of myne executors, And there to pray for my Sowle, my wiffe's, my father's and moþer's and benefactors', and all christen Sowles, hauing for his waiges vli vjs viijd by the yere; and some part of the same monye I will that Some vertuous Clerke of oxon. shall haue for certayn yeres to pray for my sowle and all christen Sowles: And so my will is that my sayd londes and tenementes shalbe vsid after this, if my sayd son cuthbert decesse with owt heyres of his body lawfully begoten.

Item, I bequeyth to my cheld whitsaye, xxs.

Item, one Tryntall to be don one day at northampton at all the orders off frears, and Saynt Iohn's and other.

Item, I geue and bequeyth to Sybell my wife all and synguler my goodes moveable, not bequethid, for terme of hire liffe, so that the same Sybell kepe hire allway sole; And if the same Sybell do marye, þen I will she shall haue xxli in monye and monye worthe, and my howse (with þe appurtenans) that Thomas lydyngton now dwellithe in, for terme of hire liffe; And then the resydewe off my goodes not Bequethed and the same howse I geue and bequeyth to cuthbert my Sone.

and of this my testament and last will I make my executors Sybell my wiffe, Iohn waren my broþer, Iohn whittenell, and ffrances waren; And to the same Iohn waren and Iohn whittenell I geue for there labor to iche of them, xs.; And to ffrancis waren, iijs iiijd.

These beyng witnes: Mr Iohn Aras, parson, þer; ser henry Smyth, prest, Thomas hardwike, with oþer moo.

[II. English Text of Codicil.]

Item, I will that ser henry Smyth do syng in Stoke churche for my ffather and mother soules, my sowle, my wiffe's, and all christen Soules by one hole yere, And to haue for his wayges vli vjs viijd, And hit to be don immedyatly after my dethe.

Item, to euery god chyld one Lambe.

Item, will in lent next, every sonday, there shalbe deld xv. qr Loves and xv. herynges to xv. poyre folkes in Stoke, and lyk-wise apon good fryday, and þat day to v. the porest in the towne vd in worship of the v. wondes of our Lord.

Item, I bequeyth to helpe to bye A cope to the churche of Stoke, xxs.

Item, I will þat þer be kept one obit in Stoke euery moneth this xij. monethes.

theis beyng wytnes: Mr Iohn Aras, &c., vt supra.

[III. Latin Record of Probate.]

Probatum fuit coram Magistro Iohanne Rayne, cancellario, &c., iiijto die nouembris Anno domini Millesimo Quingentesimo xxxiijtio, Commissa administracione executoribus iuratis, &c.

XXXIII: Will, 1533, of William Emery, of Fenny Stratford, Buckinghamshire.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 242 and lf. 242 bk.]

[leaf 242]

[I. Abbreviated English Text of Will.]
Testamentum William Emery.

In dei nomine, Amen: the xxij. day of october in the yere of oure Lord god a thowsand v. hundred xxxiij, I, willyam Emery of ffenye stretford, etc.

my body to be buryed with-in the churche off owre blessyd lady of blecheley; And I bequeth to the same churche, iijs iiijd.

Item, I bequeth to the moþer churche of lincoln iiijd.

Item, to be bestowed at my buryall, xxs.

Item, I bequeth to the Abbay of Come for A Tryntall of masses to be sayd and song þer for my sowle, my fryndes soules, and all christen soules, xs, and A kercher to make A corperys clothe.

Item, I bequeth to the hye aulter of the Abbay of bathe, vjs viijd.

Item, I bequeth to the pariche church of westbramche, iijs iiijd; Item, I bequeth for v. masses to be song at the Scala celi, ijs. jd.

Item, I bequeth to wenddynbury where as I was boren, xxd;

Item, to the churche off mokkylson, xxti d.

Item, I bequeth to Margaret Emery, vjs viijd And a peyre of Shetes; Item, to walter Emery my Sone xls; Item, to Humfery Emery my son all my weryng gere, [leaf 242 bk.] and vjs viijd.

Item, to Saynt Margaret and saynt katheryne in ffeny stretford, A pounde of wax.

Item, To Elizabeth Emery my wiffe all the stuffe that she brought with hire and xxs in monye or monye worth.

Item, I bequeth to willyam Emery my Sone, xxs.

the resydewe of all my goodes not bequethyd I bequeth and

geue to Thomas Emery my son and willyam Emery my son whom I make and ordeyn myn executors, they to dispose my goodes to the honor off god and for the welth of my soule And all chrystyn sowles.

wytnes: ser Robert Chadoke, my gostly father; Thomas burdes; Roger Ansty; with oþer moo.

XXXIV: Will, 1533, of Richard Bradley, of Slawston, Leicestershire.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 242.]

[leaf 242]

[I. Abbreviated English Text of Will.]
Testamentum Ricardi Bradley.

In the name of God, Amen; the x. day of nouember the yere of owre lord god a thowsand ccccc xxxiij, I, Richard bradley, etc.

my body to be buryed in the churche yard of all halowys in Sclaweston.

To our moder churche of lincoln, ii d.

To the gyldyng of the trelyse yn Sclaweston, iijs iiijd.

To henry bradley my sone, A gret chest, a gret troff, A gret pan, A payr of coberd, and A mare; To euery chyld off my Sone henry bradley, A Shepe; To euery chyld of my dowghter Alice Tailer, a shepe; To euery chyld of willyam Mason, A shepe, Providyng allway that the shepe aforsayd shall remayn vnto [the] longest levyng, if hit happyn any of the chylderyn aforsayd to depart before they come to the age of xij. yeres; To willyam Tayler, A mare, And all the howyll ware stondyng at the southe yend of the berne; To Alice Tailer, a bulloke, ij. pottes, a pan, and a stryke of malt; To every chyld of Thomas tailer, j d.; To euery chylde of Thomas bradley, my Cosyn, j d.; To every one of my god chyldryn, ij d.; To euery man dewllyng in A cottage having no plowe, ij d.

The resydewe off my goodes not bequethyd I geue only to margaret my wiffe, whom I mak my executryx, And henry

bradley my sone; and he to haue only all suche legaces as ben expressyd afore in my will for his Labors.

Also, I make ser Thomas Ello, vycar of Sclaweston, to be Supervisor of this my last will, þat my executors aforsayd do performe hit in every part.

wytnes herof: ser Thomas Ello, vicar of Sclaweston; Gregory Bradley; with oþer moo.

[II. Latin Record of Probate.]

Probatum fuit vltimo die Mensis Nouembris Anno Domini Millesimo Quingentesimo xxxiijo, administracione commissa executoribus iuratis.

XXXV: Will, 1533, with Codicil, of John Lee, shop-keeper, of Stamford Lincolnshire.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 243 and lf. 243 bk. The codicil contains a clear statement of the three funeral service-days: (a) the actual day of interment; (b) the service a week later; (c) a month later.]

[leaf 243]

[I. Abbreviated Text of the Will.]
Testamentum Iohannis Lee.

In the name off god, Amen, the yere of owre lord god a thowsand ccccc xxxiij, I, Iohn Lee off Stamford, &c.

my body to be buryed in the chyrche yerd off Saynt Maryesse in Stamford, nere vnto the northe dore, and there A stone to be set iij. quarters hee.

Item, I bequeth to the Sacrament of the aulter, xiijs iiijd; Item, to owre Lady of Lincoln, xxd; Item, to the ancrysse of poulys, viijd.

Item, I bequeth to my wiffe my best syluer salt with one couer of Syluer; Item, I bequeth to the wiffe all the ware in my shope, withowt any interruptyon; And iij. fetherbeddes with all thing longyng to them; The one halffe of þe pewtter

and brasse and xij. peyre of Shettes; Item, I bequeth to my sayd wiffe, syx of my best syluer spones and of the second sorte vj. syluer spones, and a powncyd pece of syluer.

And she to haue my house duryng hir lyffe.

And she also to deall euery goodfryday vs in bred so long as she leuith; And I will my heyres after her to deylle euery good fryday vs my soule for [leaf 243 bk.] ever more.

I bequeth to hugh hepallsyx syluer spoynes of the second sort, And A syluer salt, and a fetherbed (with all thinges longing vnto hyt), And xixs of Syluer and gold.

Also, I wyll that tabyll and formes with bedstedes in the chambers stond as eyrelomys to my son harry and his heyres; I bequeyth to herry my sone all the ware in my ware chamber and all my Tymber.

Also I wyll þat my sone harry pay my dettes and receue my dettes, And forsayd harry to be my executor to dispose the goodes not bequethyd for the helth of my soule and all chrysten soules.

Also, I wyll þat my cosyn herry Lacy be supervisor of this my wyll, þat hyt be fulfyllyd, and he to haue xxs.

These beyng wytnes: willyam haryson, pryst; hew heppall; Thomas Iackson; with oþer more.

[II. Text of what seems to be a Codicil.]

Item, I bequeth to my dowghter Elizabeth hynde A syluer pot with A keuer þat was Iohn Cybbeys.

Item, I bequeth to euery order of the freers of Stamford to pray for my soule, iijs iiijd.

Item I bequeth to corpus christi gyld my newe chales, with þe patent.

Item, I wyll þat my executor shall distrybute for my soule after my decesse xli in forme folowyng, that ys to say, the day of my buryall, iijli vjs viijd; on my seuuenth day, iijli vjs viijd; and one my thurtie day, iijli vjs viijd.

Item, I bequeth to Agnes cokkes, one fetherbed, a mattresse, and all that longith to A bed.

Item, I bequeyth to ser willyam hurwodde, a yaberd and hys bord for one quartter.

The wytnes aforsayd beyng present.

XXXVI. Will, 1533-4, of Thomas Normanton, of Tinwell, Rutlandshire.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 244, The scribe of this part of the register puts a dot over both limbs of the letter y: thus, 'ij.']

[leaf 244]

[I. Somewhat abbreviated Text of the Will.]
Testamentum Thome Normanton.

In the name of god, Amen. The xxiij. day of ffebruarij In the yere of owre lord god A thowsand v. hondred xxxiij., I, Thomas normanton of Tynwell, &c.

my body to be buryed within the churche yard of Tynwell aforsayd; Item, for my mortuarij, accordyng to the acte of the kynges parlament.

Item, to our Mother churche of Lincoln, viij d.

Item, to the hye auter at Colyweston, iiijd.

The resydewe of my goodes vnbequethed I wyll hit be deuided in iij. partes by the discretyon of margat, my wiffe, and Richard and Iohn, my Sonnes, whom I ordeyn and make my executors to se this my last wyll and testament to be performyd and don in this maner folowyng:

That ys to say, one part in funerall expenses and legacyes aboue sayd; The second part to my sayd wiffe holly; The iijde part to my Chylder.

Also, I wyll and geue all my londe closses to Richard my Eldest son, and to his heyres of his body lawfully begotyn; And iff he depart with owt issue lafull, then I will that the sayd lond and closse shall remayn with my son Iohn, And to his lawfull heyres,

so that the sayd Richard and his heyres and the said Iohn

and his heyres successiue shall kepe yerly my Annyuersy at the churche of ketton for euer more, in this maner folowyng: ffyrst, to the vicar for diryge and masse, iiijd; Item, to the belles, ijd; Item, to the Clerke, ijd; Item, to the ryngers, ijd; Item, to v. pore folkes, vd; and the masse peny.

Item, I will that willyam Stannerd And margaret my seruantes shall haue iche of them A lambe.

Prouided that I will that the sayd lond and closse shall remayn to my sayd wiffe vnto the tyme that one of my sayd sonnes shalbe xviij. yeres of age.

Also, I ordeyn and make my broþer willyam normanton superuisor of this my testament and Last will, to se hit performyd and don, as my faythfull trust ys in hym, and he to haue for hys labor my best doblet & my gowne.

These beyng witnes: Sir hue Too, my gostly faþer; mr Thomas witham notarij, Iohn smyth of Tynwell, etc.

[II. Latin Record of Probate.]

Probatum fuit xiijo die Aprilis, Anno domini Millesimo Quingentesimo xxxiiijo, Commissa administracione relicte, et reseruata potestate committendi alijs quum peruenerint ad etatem legitimam.

XXXVII. Will, 1533-4, of Robert Astbroke, of High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 248 to lf. 249 bk.]

[leaf 248]

[I. Full Text of the Will.]
Testamentum Roberti Astbroke, de Chepyng Wicombe.

In dei nomine, Amen: the thyrde day of marche in the yere of our lord god a thousand ccccc xxxiij, I, Robert Astbroke, of chepyng wycombe in the countye of buckes, with-yn the diocesse of lincoln, hole of mynd & memorye, make my Testament and last wyll in this forme and maner folowyng:

ffyrst, I bequeth my sowle to allmygthy god, our blessed lady, and all the hole companye of hevyn; my bodye to be buryed in

our lady chapell with-yn the churche of all halowys of chepyng-wycombe aforsaid.

Item, to the reperatyons of the mother churche of Lincoln, xijd.

Item, to the hye aulter yn my pariche churche, for tithes and offrynges neclygently forgoten, xs; Item, to the lygth of our lady, the lygth of our lady [of] pitie, The lygth of saynt george, the lygth of Saynt Clement, and the lygth of Saynt katheren, vs by equall porcyons.

Item, to the mendyng of the hye ways about wycombe as it shalbe thougth neccessarye, xiijli vjs viijd.

Item, to euery one of my god children, xijd.

Item, I wyll that there be spent emonges preistes, clerkes, and pore pepell at my buryng and monthe mynd tene poundes at lest.

Item, I wyll that A preist be founde to syng and say masse in the churche of wicombe befor saide, at Ihesus aulter, for my sowle and all cristen sowlles, and the same priste shall helpe to mayntayne the seruys off god in the quere, by the space of x. yers; and he to haue euery yere for his stipend vjli xiijs iiijd (that commythe to lxvjli xiijs iiijd), and that there be no preiste admyttyd to the saide seruys but that can syng at lest his playn songe substancyally.

Item, I bequeth to Clemens buknell, now [leaf 248 bk.] the wiffe of Robert Bennet, lxvjs viijd; Item, to the said Clemens, the moyte of the brygg myll, to haue and to hold to hire and hire heyres, duryng the yeres specyfied in a peyre of Indenturs made betewne the deane and Chanons of the kynges college in the castell of wyndesore and Thomas Jarrede, the which moyte I bougth of willyam Jarred hys brother.

Item, I bequeth to henry bennet, the sonne of Jane bennet (my dougther), in redy monye lxvjs viijd.

Item, I bequeth to the sayd henry all my Landes called Nakeles and crowchfyld, with all the landes belongyng to the same in the Tounes fylde of wycombe; and the closses called Hampdens now in the occupyeng of me (the sayde Robert), Henry lytell-paygge, Roger Coke, and Iohn standische; and a tenement, with the appurtenaunces, sett and lyeng in Crounden

lane in Wycombe, that Roland Moundy nowe occupyeth, to haue and to hold, to the sayd henry and to the heires of his bodye laufully begoten, and for defanlt of suche heires of his bodye laufully begotten to the rygth heires of the sayd henry for euer.

Item, I bequeth to Robert bennet, a nother Sone of the sayd Iohan, too acres of land in wycombe feld, Ioynyng to bosham, nowe occupied by Thomas padleygth; a closse and medewe, Ioynyng to Carters fullyng mill, now in the holdyng of Thomas pusey; a Tenement in the bowrogh that Thomas plowman Latte dewllyd yn and occupieth it, To haue & to hold vnto the sayd Robert Bennet and to hys heires of his bodye laufully begoten; And, for default of suche heires, to the Rigth heire of the sayd Robert for euer.

Item, I bequeth vnto Roger bennet, xiijli vjs viijd of redy monye.

Item, I bequeth vnto willium Astbroke, the tenement and howse that he now dewllithe yn, to haue of hym [and] to hys heires for euer.

Item, I bequethe to Alys Lee, my doughter, a tenement with the apportenaunces, late bought to Richard byrche by exchaunge for other lande, the which Coke and Penley nowe occupieth and holdith; and the tenament and garden þat Litelpayge late dewlled yn, to haue to the saide Alys and to the heyres of hire bodye laufully begoten betewne Thomas Lee and hire; and, for default of suche heyres, to the rygth heyres of the said Alys for euer.

Item, I bequeth to Rauffe Lee hire sone, lxvjs viijd.

Item, I bequeth to Thomas Lee, my Sonne in Lawe, my gowne furred with foyns.

Item, I geue and bequeth to Clemens my wiffe the howse that I nowe dewll yn, with all thappur[te]naunces on bothe sydes the water; and the landes and Tenementtes callyd lokes, with all the appurtenaunces therto belonging (now, or yn any tyme paste), with all the howsses therto lyeng & adionyng that I late purchesed of Thomas Clerke and Isake sybyll and dyuers other persons; the newe baron in Saynt Marys strett and the landes called pennys landes and the late humfrye wellisborn (the which I bougth of Mr Dormer), to haue to the saide clemens duryng here natural liffe, and after the decesse of the sayd Clemens to

remayne to Thomas Lee and Alys his wiffe and to the heires of ther too bodyes lawfully begoten; and, for default of suche heyres, to remayne to the rygth heires of the sayd Alys for euermore; And further, I wyll that the said Clemens my wiffe shall kepe and mayntayn all the reparacyons of the sayd houses bequethed vnto hire, And further do no wast nor spoyll in fellyng of woddes groyng and beyng vpon the sayd grounde but onlye suche as shalbe necessary for hir fewell and reperatyons.

And, further, [leaf 249] I wyll the sayd Clemens my wiffe haue the iijde part of all my plate, ouer and aboue all the playt I had with hire (the which lykwise I geue vnto here); and the other ij. parttes (resydewe of my owne playt), one of them I geue vnto Thomas Lee, And the other part I will it shall go vnto the performans of this my will (except ij. spones of the xij. apostelles the which I geue vnto my wiffe).

Item, I will that Clemens my wiffe shall haue xlli in redy money, of the wiche I wyll that xxli therof she shall pay vnto Robert Cuttes for the bequest of Richard cuttes his father.

Item, I wyll that the sayd Clemens my wiffe shall haue all my howshold stuffe vnbequestyd, and corne remaynyng in the baron and yn the feldes and howsses, and my horse and my cart and plowes and the apparell therto belongyng, and suche shepe and bestes as I haue nowe at Wycombe or in the parische the day of makyng of this will.

And further, I wyll, by thys presenttes, that if the sayd Clemens embesyll any part of my money, or playtt, oblygatyons, Evydenses, or wryttyng concernyng my landys aboue bequethed, or interrupe or lett, vex or troble, my executors or any of them, or by any maner of means hynder that this my last will may not be trulye executed and performed accordyng to the intent therof, Then I will that all the legaces, bequestes aboue specyfyed, and euery parcell of that made vnto the saide Clemens, shalbe voyde and of none effect.

Also, I forgeue vnto wyllyam Astbroke all the dettes that he owyth me from the begynnyng of the world vnto this day, excepte the annuite owt of Iohan Astbroke landes hys wiffes the which conteyneth days of payment the wiche I wyll it shall contynewe the payment vntyll the tyme I depart the world,

then to cesse and no more to be payd, And I bequeth to the maryage of eche of the sayde willyam Astbroke chyldren xxs of redy monye.

Also, I wyll that my executors shall bye a Stone of marbull with my wiffe and our cheldren in Laten there yn made and graved, etc.

Also, I bequeth to Alys markam my seruant in redy moneye xls; Item, to Richard Ienyns my seruant, xxs; Item, to Iohn hare my seruant, vjs viijd; Item, to Alys hokett, xiijs iiijd; Item, to Isabell my seruant xiijs iiijd.

Item, to ij. of my godchyldren at Thomas Eylbarne, each of them, vjs viijd.

The resydewe of all my goodes, not bequethed, I leue them to Thomas lee, wyllyam Ioncken, and Iohn Raunys, to dispose for the helth of my sowle, my wiffes sowle, and all christen sowlles, whom I ordeyn and make my executors of thys my Laste will, and eche of them to haue for there labors xls, with all expences that they make concernyng any troble of my wyll testament and Landes duryng my wiffes lyffe;

And further, I make ouerseers of this my last wyll Roland messynger (mr of art and vycar of wycombe), and wyllyam Chalfont, gent., nowe mayre of wycombe at the makyng of this will; and eche of them to haue xs. for to call dylygently of my Executors to dispose my goodes, And that my executors no thyng retayne to there owne vse, as is aboue wrytten.

In wytnes wherof this present wyll, Roland Messynger, [leaf 249 bk.] maister of art and vicar of wycombe; Edmunde Clerke, preyst; Iohn blake, preiste; and Iohn nasche, parische Clerke.

wryttyn the day and yere aboue sayd.

And further, I wyll that ther be an obit kepe by my executors or ther assignes by the space of xxti yers and euery yere to be spent emonges pristes, Clerkes and poure peopell xs. (which commyth to xli).

Item, I wyll and bequeth Thomas Eylbarn and his wiffe xxs.

[II. Latin Record of Probate.]

Probatum fuit […] die Mensis Iunii, Anno domini Millesimo Quingentesimo xxxiiijto, apud wooborn coram magistro Henrico

Morgan, legum doctore, commissario generali Reuerendi in christo patris, Lincolniensis Episcopi; Commissaque administracione executoribus iuratis, &c.

XXXVIII: Will, 1534, of Richard Womacke, of Bourn, Lincolnshire.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 243.]

[leaf 243]

[I. Summary of the English Will.]
Testamentum Ricardi Womake.

In the name off god, Amen: the yere of owr lord god a thowsand v hundred xxxiiij. the second day of Apryell, I, Rychard womake, of burne, &c.

I bequeth to the churche of Lincoln, ijd.

To the hye aulter of Burne, iiijd; To the trinyte gyld, iiijd; to Saynt Iohn gyld, iiijd; To the belles, iiijd.

And I geue and bequeth to Iohn womake my sone, one gyldyng; To willyam my son, one calffe; To Elizibeth my dowghter, one calffe.

The resydewe of my goodes not bequethyd I geue and bequethe to Iane my wiffe, whom I make my full Executryx, to pay my dettes, and my goodes to dispose as she shall thinke best to the plesure of god and welth of [my] soule.

wytnes: Robert haryson, vicar; Thomas feryby; & Iohn wokman.

[II. Summary of the Latin Record of Probate.]

Probatum xijo die Aprilis Anno domini Millesimo quingentesimo xxxiiijto apud burne, administracione commissa executrice iurate, &c.

XXXIX: Lease, 1534, of the Manor of Walton in Buckinghamshire, being an estate attached to the prebend of Haydour cum Walton in Lincoln Minster.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 282 and lf. 282 bk.]

[leaf 282]

[I. Full Text of the Indenture.]
Haydour prebende Indentura.

This Indenture made the xixth day of Maye In the xxvjth yere of the Raigne of oure soueraigne lorde kynge [Henry] the eight

betwene Master william ffranckleyn, Clerke, prebendary of the prebend of haydour in the countie of Lincoln, of the oone partye,

And william ffrancklyn of Thyrley in the countie of Bedford gentleman And katheryn his wiffe on the other partye:

witnessith that the said master william ffranklyn, Clerke, hathe dymysed graunted and to fferme letten, and by these presentes graunteth dymyseth and to fferme letteth vnto the said william ffranklyn and katheryn his wiffe, his Manour place of walton in the countie of buckes, percell of the said prebend of haydour, with all the mansyon houses, Messuagies, landes, tenementes, buyldynges, Rentes, Reuersions, medowes, mores, pastures, ffedynges, leases, servyces, wardes, marygyes, relieves, eschetes, ffynes, haryottes, sutes, and perquesites of courtes and leyttes, surrenders, Amercyamentes, and all other commodyties, Ryalties, and advantagyes whate so euer thei be, vnto the same manour apperteynyng or in eny wise belongyng.

To haue and to hold, and peassebly to occupye and inioye, the said manour of walton and other the abouesaid premisses and euery of them, with all and synguler ther appurtynaunces what so euer they be, vnto the said william and katheryn his wiffe, ther executours and assignes, ffrom the ffeaste of Saincte Michaell tharchangell next commyng and ffolowyng the date herof vnto ende and terme of Three score and oone yeres then next after ensuyng and ffolowyng ffully to be complett and ended,

yeldyng and payng yerely therfore duryng the said terme vnto the said Master william ffrancklyn, Clerk, his successours or assignes, prebendaryes of the said prebend of haydour ffor the tyme beyng, Twentie poundes sterling in manour and fforme ffolowyng, That is to saye, att the ffeaste of thannunciacion of our lady And saincte Michaell tharchangell by even porcions.

And if itt happen the said yerly rent or fferme of twentie poundes, or eny parte or parcell therof, to be behynde vnpaid, in parte or in all, by the space of ffortie dayes next after either of the said twoo ffeastes in the whiche itt ought to be payd att, And if itt be laufull[y] asked, Then itt shalbe laufull vnto the said master william ffranklyn, Clerke, his successours or assignes, into the said Manour of walton and other the aboue-said premisses, with ther appurtynaunces, or in eny parte or parcell of the same, to entre and distreyn, And the distresses soo taken in the same to lede, drive and carry away, And itt to withholde vnto suche tyme as the said master William ffrank[l]yn, Clerke, his successours or assignes, of the same yerly rent or fferme of xxli, with tharreragies of the same (if eny suche be), be fully satisfyed, contented, and payd.

And Alsoo, if itt ffortune the said yerely Rent or fferme of xxli or eny parte or parcell therof to be behynd vnpayd by the space of oone moneth next after the said xlti dayes next after either of the said twoo ffeastes in the whiche itt ought to be payd, And if itt be laufully asked, Then itt shalbe laufull vnto the said master william ffrancklyn, Clerk, his successors or assignes, into the manour and lordshippe or eny parte or parcell of the same, to reentre, And the same peassebly to occupye and inioye agayn as in his fformer estate: And the same william ffrancklyn and katheryn ther executours and assignes ffrom thense clerely to expulse, putt oute, and dischardge ffor ever, this indenture or eny thing conteyned therein to the contrary not withstandyng.

And also, itt is couenaunted and agreed betwene the sayd parties, that the said william ffrancklyn and katheryn his wiffe, ther heyres and executours, shall bere allmaner of chardgies of Reparacions apperteynyng and belongyng to the said manour.

And moreouer, itt is agreed and couenaunted betwene the saide partyes that when soeuer the prebendary of the said prebend ffor the tyme beyng, duryng the said yeres, shalbe disposed to see and vysyte his said manour and landes, or to come thether to preche the worde of god, that he shall haue the best chamber and lodgyng ffor the space of xiiijth dayes twise in the yere, And also stabelyng and haye ffor three horses duryng the said xiiijth dayes twise in the yere, as is aforesaid.

And alsoo, the said william ffranckleyn and katheryn his wiffe couenaunte and graunte by thiese presentes, to and with the said master william ffranklyn, Clerke, that he and the said william ffrancklyn and katheryn shall permytte and suffer oone Iohn hogys peasebly to inioye and occupye ffor terme of Twentie yeres A water Milne within the lordshippe of walton aforesaid.

And also, to suffer oone Iohn Coly nowe beyng ffermour of [leaf 282 bk.] the Manor of Walton with the appurtynaunces peassebly to occupye, and inioye the same withouten vexacion, lett, disturbaunce, or impedyment of the said william and katheryn, ther executours or assignes, ffrom the ffeaste of saincte Michaell tharchangell next commyng vnto the ende and terme of an hole yere then next ffolowyng, accordyng vnto the course of husbandry, paying ffor the same the Rentes and ffermes accustomed vnto the said william ffranklyn and katheryn his wiffe, ther executours and assignes.

ffor the true performance of all and euery the abouesaid premisses, of either of the abovesaid parties to be observed, performed, fulfylled, and kept, either of them byndeth them selffe to other in seuerall obligacions of oone hundrith poundes sterlinge, as in the same obligacion (beryng date the daye and yere abouesaid) more playnly appereth.

In wytnes wherof the parties abouesaid to these indentures interchangeably haue sett ther seales the daye and yere above-said.

[II. Full Text of the Confirmation.]

Et Nos Iohannes, permissione diuina Lincolniensis Episcopus, Concessionem, dimissionem, et locationem, in indenturis presentibus annexis specificatas, ratas habentes, et gratas, eas pro nobis et Successoribus nostris, quantum in nobis est, ratificamus, approbamus, et confirmamus pro terminis in eijsdem expressis, iuxta omnem vim, formam, et effectum concessionis, dimissionis, et locationis huiusmodi (Iuribus nostris, et ecclesie nostre cathedralis beate marie Lincolniensis consuetudinibus et dignitate, in omnibus semper saluis).

In quarum quidem Ratificacionis, approbacionis, et confirmacionis, fidem et testimonium, sigillum nostrum ad causas

presentibus apponi fecimus . datum in hospitio nostro apud vetus templum London, xvjto die mensis ffebruarij, Anno domini Millesimo quingentesimo xxxvijmo, Et nostre consecracionis Anno xvijmo.

XL.: Agreement, 1534, between the rector of Syresham, Northamptonshire, and Biddlesden Abbey in Buckinghamshire as to tithes of certain lands in Syresham parish.

[

From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 264, lf. 264 bk., and lf. 265.

The explanation of the enrolment of this agreement is most aptly given in a charter, dated Monday before All Saints' day (29 October), 1274, found among Westminster Chapter Muniments, and brought to my notice by Dr. W. Warde Fowler.

The Priory of Hurley, Berkshire, agreed to allow, in consideration of the payment of 10s. half-yearly, the Rectory of Kingham, Oxfordshire, quiet possession of certain tithes which the Priory used to collect in that parish. But the Priory made this agreement conditional on the rector's obtaining, at his own costs, both from the Bishop, and from the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln, a full ratification of the agreement so as to ensure its due observance in future. Clearly, in this Syresham case, Biddlesden Abbey must have followed the same course.

A second stipulation made by Hurley Priory was even more drastic, and is most suggestive of the multitudinous trouble incident to collection of tithe. This stipulation was that (by the authority of the Bishop and Chapter) the rector of Kingham and his successors should bind themselves to allow the Archdeacon of Oxford (or his Official), if they had omitted to pay this ten shillings in any year, to compel them, by excommunication in the Archdeacon's Ecclesiastical Court, on mere production of this agreement, to pay this tithe-rent-charge, with any arrears that had arisen, and all expenses incurred in connexion with the case; and should expressly renounce all right of appeal to any other law-court.

]

[leaf 264]

[I.] Compositio inter Abbatem et conventum de byttilsden et Rectorem de Sirisham.

To all Christen people, to whome this present wrytyng indentyd shall come to be seen, rede, or harde: We, Richard, thabbott of bittilsden in the countie off buckyngham, and the covent of the same place, And Arthur Lowe, Clerk, person of

the paryshe churche of Syrysham in the countie of Northampton, send gretting in oure Lorde euerlastyng.

fforasmoche as Controversy, varyance, and debate hath been mouvd, steryd, and dependyng betwext vs, the foresayd Richard, Abbott, and covent of the monastery of Bittilsden before named in the countie of buckingham on the oon partie, And Arthur Lowe, person of Syrysham above named in the countie of Northampton in the other partie, as well of and for right, title, and perception of tithes commyng and renewyng and that hath come and bene percevyd within the sayd peryshe of Sirisham vpon xij. yerdes of Launde called mary Launde, and vpon certeyne other landes called stockyng close, stockyng leese, stable yeates, westorne hill, tyle house Lande, and the tythe [leaf 264 bk.] of A mede called dole mede (parcell, as it is said, of the sayd xij. yerdes of Lande named mary Lande), as for other causes and maters dependent and incidente to this premisses,

for thappesing of all and singuler wiche varyance, contention, and debate, we, either the sayd parties, by medyation of owre ffryndes, for thauoydyng of expenses, labours, and charges in this behalf, and for A fynall determynacion and perpetuall peace to be hade, haue, by owr bothe consentes and assent, conuentyd and agreed in like manour and fforme as hereafter dothe ffolowe.

Inprimis, the sayd Abbott and covent, and there successours, from hensforthe pesable, ffrelye, and quyetly, withoute contradiction or interruption of the sayd Arthur or his successours or eny man in there right or title, shall enioye, perceve, and take all and singuler tithes of Corne, haye, wulle, and lambe, commyng, growyng, and renewyng of and vpon xij. yerdes of Lande called mary lande, and vpon asmoche of the medowe called dole mede as apperteynyth to the xij. yerdes of lande called mary lande (that is to say, the one half of the sayd medowe, the oon yere; & the other half, the other yere; and so forthe frome yere to yere), as the sayd Abbott and covent be wonte to haue, take and perceue; and also, all maner tithes commyng and renewyng of and vpon A close called stockyng close, stockyng leese, westurne hill, and stable yeattes, Whether the said groundes be in the occupacion of the said Abbott and covent or there

successours, or in the occupacion of eny other ther seruauntes for the tyme beyng.

And the sayd abbott and covente, and ther successours, to perceyve take and enioye for evermore allmaner of tithes commyng, growyng, or renewyng of and vpon certeyne londes called tylehouse lande, when and as often as the said Abbott and covent or there successours shall kepe the sayd landes, or eny parte therof, in ther owne handes; And when and as often as the said tyle house landes, or eny parte therof, shalbe lett to eny tenaunte or tenduntes, then and as ofte the sayd person and his successours to enioye the tithes commyng, growyng, or renewyng of and vpon asmoche of the said tyle house landes as shalbe so lett to farme for euermore.

Item, it is agreed that the said abbott and covent, and there successours, shall, in like manour as is before rehersed, ffor euermore enioye, perseve, and take all and singuler tithes of corne, hay, wull, and Lambe, Callfe, and mylke, and allmaner other tithes, predyall or myxt, growyng, commyng, or in eny maner of wise renewyng vpon stockyng lese, or falling there at eny tyme, as well when the said grounde called stockyng lese is or shalbe in the occupacion of the said Abbott and covent or of ther successoures, or in the occupacion of eny there tenaunte or tenauntes there for the tyme beyng, withoute contradiccion or interrupcion of the said Arthur or his successours or eny man pretendyng ther right or title for euermore.

Item, that the sayd Abbott and covent and there successours & there ffermors or Tenauntes of the said stockyng lese shall, at there pleasure at all tymes, take the Ingistementes in the said stocking lese [of] eny bestes of the parischners of Sirisham, or of eny other persons of whens so euer they be, as ofte and when they will, for euermore ffrom hensforthe, and that the sayd Abbott and covent and there successours for euermore shall enioye all and allmaner of tithes ffalling, chaunsyng, or

renewyng in þe sayd stockyng lese, to be percevyd aswell of straungers cattelles as of the parishners of Sirisham, with-owt contradiction or interruption of the sayd Arthur [or] of eny his successours or eny person or persons pretending his or ther right or title there.

Item, it is agreed betwixt the forsaid parties that the above named Arthur and his successours in the churche of Sirisham foreuermore [leaf 265] shall buylde, repayre, and mayntayne the parsonage and the Chaunsell of the sayd Sirysham and all thinges therto belongyng as he is wonte to do.

And also fu[r]thermore, that the sayd person, and his successours frome tyme to tyme for euermore, shall susteyne and bere all proxis and Sinodalles, all dismes and all subsides, and all and singuler other Charges, aswell ordynary as extraordynary, what so euer they be or shalbe hereafter, to be payd owt of the sayd churche of Sirisham.

Item, it is furdre agreed, for the advoydyng of striffe, not onlye of the foresayd parties but also there successours for euer, that this present composition shalbe confirmed, aswell by the consente of thabbott and covent of Leicester, patrons of the sayd chirche of Sirisham, as by aucthorite of the bisshope of Lincoln ordynary of the same; And that, whan so ever the forsayd Abbott and covent of bittilsden, or eny man in there name, shall procure the sayd confirmacion, the foresaid Arthur shall, at all convenyent tyme, be redy, present (by hym selfe or his sufficiente proctour), and agrey to all these premisses, with oute contradiction.

In wytnes of all and singuler the premisses, we, either of

the sayd parties (aswell of thabbott and covent of bittilsden, and the foresayd Arthur, person of the churche of Sirisham), hath putt here-vnto owre seales.

Gevyn at Bittilsden the vijth day of Decembre the xxvjth yere of the raigne of owre soueraigne Lorde king henry the viijth.

[II. Approbation of this Agreement by St. Mary's Abbey, Leicester, patron of Syresham Church.]

Et nos Iohannes boucher, alias bowser, miseracione diuina Abbas monasterii beate marie Leicestrie, ordinis sancti Augustini, Lincolniensis diocesis, et eiusdem loci conuentus, veri et indubitati patroni ecclesie parochialis de Syrysham [Lincolniensis diocesis] predicte, pro finali pace et perpetua concordia inter prefatos Abbatem et conuentum de Bittelsden, et successores suos in eodem monasterio, Ac prelibatum Arthurum Lowe, rectorem modernum ecclesie parochialis de Sirisham predicte, et successores suos in eadem ecclesia parochiali, perpetuis futuris temporibus habenda, premissa omnia et singula rata habentes et grata, Eijsdem omnibus et singulis prescriptis ad omnem Iuris effectum qui exinde sequi poterit in futurum. Et, vt ista compositio realis existat et perpetua, nostros assensum et consensum patronales prebuimus atque prebemus confirmacioni eorundem auctoritate ordinaria faciende consentientes et consentimus per presentes. In quorum omnium et singulorum fidem et testimonium, Sigillum nostrum commune presentibus apposuimus.

Datum in domo nostra capitulari, vicesimo quinto die mensis ffebruarij, Anno domini Millesimo Quingentesimo xxxiiijto.

[III. Approbation of this Agreement by John Rayne, LL.D., official principal of John Longland, bishop of Lincoln; followed by official registration of the above confirmation by the patron of Syresham rectory.]

Et nos, Iohannes Rayne, iuris doctor, Reuerendi in christo patris et domini, domini Iohannis, permissione diuina

Lincolniensis Episcopi vicarius in Spiritualibus generalis et officialis principalis, Auditis, intellectis, ac plenarie discussis allegacionibus partium predictarum coram nobis hinc inde habitis et factis, Ac iuris ordine in omnibus debite obseruato, pro finali pace et perpetua concordia, inter prenominatos Abbatem et conuentum monasterii de bittilsden, et successores suos in eodem monasterio, ex vna [parte] Ac prefatum Arthurum lowe, Rectorem modernum ecclesie parochialis de Sirisham suprascripte, et successores suos in eadem ecclesia parochiali, parte ex altera, futuris temporibus habenda, Premissa omnia et singula rata habentes et grata, Eijsdem omnibus et singulis ad omnem iuris effectum qui exinde sequi poterit infuturum, Et vt ista compositio realis existat et perpetua, nostros prebentes consensum pariter et assensum, Ea omnia et singula, Ac etiam confirmacionem religiosorum virorum, Abbatis et conuentus monasterii beate marie Leicestrie, ordinis sancti Augustini, Lincolniensis Diocesis, patronorum ecclesie parochialis de Sirisham predicte, suprascriptam, auctoritate ordinaria dicti reuerendi patris Lincolniensis Episcopi, ratificamus, approbamus, et confirmamus pro perpetuis temporibus futuris per presentes sigillo officij nostri sigillatas.

Datum xviijo die mensis Decembris, Anno domini Millesimo Quingentesimo Tricesimo quinto.

XLI: Will, 1534-5, of Thomas Fisher, of Wooburn, Buckinghamshire.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 254 bk. and lf. 255.]

[leaf 254 bk.]

[I. Full English Text of the Will.]
Testamentum T. ffysher de Wooborn.

In the name of god, amen. The vjth day of Ianuary in the yere of oure Lorde god a thousand five hundrith thirty and and foure, I, Thomas ffisher of the parishe of wooborn in the county of buckyngham, sycke in body and hole of mynde, ordre and make this my laste will.

fyrste, I bequethe my soule to almighty god, and to our lady saint mary, and to all the hole company of heven; my body to be buryed within the chirche yard of Wooborn aforesaid.

Item, I give and bequethe to the modre chirche of Lincoln, ijd.

Item, to the highe aulter of wooborn, iiijd.; Item, to the thre lightes vpon the rode beame, vj d.; Item, to all soulen light, ij d.; Item, to the torche light, a bushell off barley.

Item, I do give and bequethe to christofer my sonne five quarters of barley, and a redde cowe and a platter of pewder.

The rest [leaf 255] of my goodes, nott bequethed, I doo give to Agnes my wiffe and to Thomas my sonne, whome I doo ordeyn and make my executours.

Item, I will that william Manfeld be ouerseer of this my laste will and he to haue for his labour, xxd.

Item, I give to hugh my son a bullock of twoo yeres of age; Item, I do give to hughe and William, my sonnes, a quarter of barlye; Item, I do give to my doughter Ione manfeld, thre busshyls of ootes; Item, I give to my doughtour katheryne hawthorn twoo busshilles of barlye; Item, to Elezabeth hornblowe a busshyll of barlye; Item, to Iohn my sonne a sleveles cote.

Witenesses of this my laste will, William Manfeld, henry baven, Edward Hunt, Iohn hawthorn, william hornblowe, Thomas kynge, Iohn kynge, with other moo.

[II. Latin Record of Probate.]

Probatum fuit huiusmodi testamentum coram Reuerendo patre Iohanne, permissione diuina Lincolniensi Episcopo, pendente visitacione metropolitica Reuerendissimi in christo patris et domini, domini Thome, permissione diuina, Cantuarensis Archiepiscopi, totius Anglie primatis et metropolitani infra diocesim suam Lincolnie, decimo quarto die mensis Ianuarij, Anno domini Millesimo quingentesimo xxxiiijto, Ac per eundem Reuerendum patrem, Lincolniensem Episcopum, approbatum et insinuatum legitimeque pronunciatum pro viribus et valore eiusdem, Commissa administracione omnium et singulorum bonorum et debitorum eiusdem defuncti Agneti relicte, in persona Roberti

waller, litterati, procuratoris sui, in ea parte litteratorie constituti, et Thome ffisher, filio suo naturali, executoribus in dicto testamento nominatis, et in forma iuris iuratis, &c.

XLII: Will, 1535, of Gilbert Wigan, a native of Lancashire, vicar of Great Gaddesden, Hertfordshire.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 255 bk. and lf. 256.]

[leaf 255 bk.]

Testamentum domini Gilberti Wigan, vicarii de Gaddisden magna.

In the name of god, amen. Be itt knowen that I, Sir gilbert wigan, priste, and vicar of grette gaddesden, being of good memorye and sicke in body, this present viith day of ffebruary in the yere of our Lorde god Ml vc xxxiiijti doo make this my last will.

ffyrste, I bequethe my soule to almighty god, our Lady saynt mary, and all the hole company of heuen; my bodye to be buryed in the said chirche of gaddesden in the space nye vnto the chauncell afore the crucefixe, nere there as my brodre Iames wigan lieth, orels where itt shall please god.

Also, I bequeth vnto the said chirche of gaddisden, vli; and to euery pryncipall light in the said chirche, xijd; And to the torches of the said chirche, xij d.

Also, I bequeth vnto the parishe chirche of Leylond to bye a grette bell to tenour those iiij. other belles that be ther att this present day, xlli. Desyoring ser henry ffarington, knight, and mr Swansey, to se that this my will be performed in that thing.

Also, I bequeth vnto the parishe chirches of Hemmylhampstede, fflamstede, Stodham, little gaddisden, to either of the said chirches, iijs iiijd.

Also, I bequethe vnto the monastery and bredren of Asherudge for a tryntall to be said for me, x s.

And also, to the monastery and nunnes of saint margarittes, other x s.

And to the monastery and nunnes of saint gyles, other x s.

Also, I bequethe vnto ser Nicholas Never, priste, to pray for me, x li.

Also, I bequethe vnto william longley and gilbert Adlington, my godsones, to either of them xli, to be delyuered vnto william yonge to be kepte for ther behove and vse towardes the fynding of them to the scole.

Also, I bequethe vnto my cosyn Roger Wigan, xx s.

And vnto Ione adlington, wedowe, other xx s.

Also, I bequethe vnto Sir gilbert wigan, priste, my cosyn, x li.

The residue of my moveable goodes (this my will performed) I will itt be disposed vnto my [leaf 256] kynnesfolke, aswell in Lancastre shire as els where, att the advise of myn executours, whome is Sir gilbert wigan aforesaid and Sir Nicholas neuer.

And also, I desiour and make my faithefull ffrende Richard pare thelder superuisour of this my laste will, to whome I doo give therefore x s.

Also, I doo bequethe and give vnto my cosyn Ione Charnok, vli.

furthermore, I will that, if soe be that the abouenamed william longley and gilbert Adlington doe fortune to departe oute of this worlde afore they be xxjti yeres of age, that then all suche money as I haue aboue bequethed vnto them, att the tyme of ther departing to be vnspended to ther vses, that itt be ordered for ther soules helthe and myn by the discrecion of myn executoures and suche as haue the foresaid money in ther keping, withouten any accompte makyng to the frendes, executours, or heyres of the sayd william and gilbert.

In witenes whereof: william chambre, george welles, with other moo.

[II. Record of Probate.]

Probatum fuit huiusmodi testamentum coram magistro doctore morgan, commissario generali Reuerendi in christo patris et

domini, domini Iohannis, permissione diuina Lincolniensis Episcopi, secundo die mensis marcij anno domini Millesimo quingentesimo xxxiiijto, pendente visitacione metropolitica Reuerendissimi patris, domini Thome, Cantuarensis archiepiscopi, in diocesi Lincolniensi. Commissa fuit administracio omnium et singulorum bonorum et debitorum dicti defuncti domino Nicholao neuer, executori iurato de reddendo compotum, &c. Reseruata potestate consimilem committendi administracionem alteri executori, &c.

XLIII: Will, 1535, of Richard Baven, of Wooburn, Buckinghamshire.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 259 bk. and lf. 260.]

[leaf 259 bk.]

Testamentum Ricardi Baven de Wooborn.

In the name of god, amen: the xxiiijti daye of ffebruary and in the yere off our lord god Mll vc xxxiiijti, I, Richard baven, make my testament etc.

ffirste, I bequethe my soule to almighty god &c.

Item, I bequethe to the highe aulter of wooborn, iiij d.; Item, to the rode light, ij d.; Item, to saint Nicolas light, ij d.; Item, to saint katheryn light, ij d.

Item, I bequethe to Mawde my wiffe all my goodes and catelles, whome I doo ordre and make my executrice.

Item, I will that henry my sonne haue a grette panne.

Item, I do give vnto hughe and henry my sonnes a bullock.

Item, I will that Mawde my wiffe shall haue my house and landes twoo yeres daye after my dethe.

Item, I will that nicolas my sone shall paye vnto my sone Iohn bauen, xx s.; and [to] hugh my sone, vj s. viij d.; to henry my sone, vj s. viij d.; and [to] Agnes my doughter, vj s. viij d.; and to katheryne my doughter, vj s. viij d., All this money to be paied oute of my landes.

Item, I will that my feoffees shall nott give my sone nycolas noo state in my house and Landes till suche tyme as he hathe paied my debtes and bequestes.

Item, I will that my sone Nicolas shall beare all the chardgies att my buriall and monethes mynde.

Item, I doo give to Ione my doughter a redde cowe.

Item, I doo give to nycolas my sone my horse and carte.

Item, I will that my sone Nicolas eyre all my landes.

Item, I bequethe to Elezabeth my doughter a litle brasse pott.

Item, I bequethe to Nicolas my sone a table in the hall.

Item, the ij. bullockes to be solde to kepe my house and the reste of the money to my buriall and monethes mynde.

Item, I give to my godsone Richard baven a lambe.

Item, to my brodre henry a shepe.

Item, I doo ordre and make ouersears of this my laste Will Iohn Redynge and christofer coke, [leaf 260] and to have for their paynes, xx d.

wittenes of this my laste will: william manfelde, … Hornblowe, and Roger ffenton.

Brief Latin Record of Probate

Probatum fuit coram Reuerendo patre, domino Iohanne Lincolniensi Episcopo, Duodecimo die mensis Iulij Anno domini millesimo quingentesimo xxxvto, Commissa administracione executrici supranominate iurate, &c.

XLIV: Will, 1534-5, of Richard Vicars, of Thurlby, Lincolnshire.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 243 bk.]

[leaf 243 bk.]

[I. Abbreviated English Text of Will.]
Testamentum Ricardi vicars.

In the name of god, Amen. The fyrst day off marche The yere of owre Lord god a thowsand vc xxxiiij, I, Richard vycars, of Thurlibye, in the diocesse of Lincoln, &c.

my body to be buryed in the churche aforsayd; Also I bequeth to the hye auter, a stryke of barley; Item, to the belles of Thurlibye churche, A stryke of barley.

Item, to owre lady of Lincoln, iiij d.

Also, I bequeth to Iakan my son my howse that I dewlle yn, with my cart and cart-geyre, my plougth, and plough-geyre, And my crope on the ground: to enter on my howse at myd-somer, And he to pay the lordes rent.

Also, I bequeth to Iohn my sone all my free londe with-in the lordshipe of obthorpe in the pariche of Thurlybye aforsayd, one cowe, one awue, and A lambe.

Item, to nycholas, my son, A cowe, an awe, and A lambe.

Also, I bequeth to henry my son, my howse þat Iohn clerke dewllyth in, one cowe, one Awe, and A lambe.

Item, to willyam my son, one cowe, an awe, and a lamb.

Item, to Elezibeth my dowghter, one cowe, an awe, & A lambe.

To my awnt harby, an awe, and A lambe.

The resydewe of my goodes vnbequethyd I geue and bequeyth to willyam harbye, my Cosyn, whom I ordeyn and mak my hole executor, he to dispose hyt for the helth of my soule as he thinkyth best.

wytnes, Thomas Eldred þe Elder, willyam fraye, Iohn bakestare, with oþer more.

[II. Brief Latin Record of Probate.]

Probatum xiijo. die Aprilis Anno domini 1534, apud stamford, Commissa administracione executori iurato, &c.

XLV: Lease, 1535, of the prebendal estate at Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, belonging to the prebend of Leighton Buzzard in Lincoln Minster.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 265 bk. This prebend is now called Leighton Ecclesia, because mainly endowed by impropriation of the rectory of Leighton-Buzzard.]

[leaf 265 bk.]

Indentura Prebende de Leighton bosserde.

This Indenture made the viijth day of Apriell, The xxvjth yere of the raigne of kynge henry the viijth. betwene Iohn Chambre, Clerke, person and prebendary of

the paryshe chirche and prebend of leighton bosserd in the countie of Bedford, on the oon partie,

And william Iohnson, of Leighton bosserd aforesaide, gentilman, on the other partie,

Witnessyth that the sayd Iohn Chambre, by and with the assent and consent of the Reuerend ffadre in god Iohn bisshope of the Cathedrall chirche of owre lady Saincte Mary of Lincoln, And the deane & Chapitor of the same Cathedrall chirche, hath dimised graunted and by these presentes to ferme letten vnto the said Willyam all that his personage and prebend aforesayd, with the Mansyon Howses, bildynges, and edifies of the same, and all the glebe londes, and other tenementes, medowes, leses, pastures, and ffedynges, with the baylywikes, and all maner rentes, profyttes of courtes temporall, with allmaner tithes, oblacions, emolumentes, offerynges, profyttes, and other commodities what so euer they be, with there appurtenaunces, to the said personage and prebend in eny maner of wyse apperteynyng and belongyng

(Except and allway reserved vnto the sayd Iohn Chambre and his successours the advoson of the vicarige of the sayd parishe churche and prebend as often as it shall happen to fall voyde duryng the said terme; And excepte and also reserved vnto the same Iohn and his successours duryng the said terme the hall with twoo Chambers and sufficient stabellyng for x. horses when and as often as it shall pleasse the said Iohn Chambre and his successours to repayre and come to the same).

To haue and to holde all the said personage and prebend, Mansion-howses, bildynges, edifices, londes, tenementes, medowes, leses, pastures, feydynges, baylywykes, rentes, proffytes of the said courtes temporall, tithes, oblacions, emolumentes, offerynges, proffyttes, and other commodyties, with all and singuler there appurtenaunces (Except before excepted) to the said wyllyam from the feste of thannunciacion of owre lady saincte mary laste paste before the makyng hereof vnto the ende and terme of xxxvj. yeres then next ensuyng and fully to be complett

yeldyng and payng therfore yerly, duryng the sayd terme, to the sayd Iohn Chambre and his successours lxxvjli xiijs iiij d.

of good and laufull monye of Englonde at twoo termes in the yere, That is to say, at the feste of the Natiuite of our lorde Ihesu christe, And the Natiuite of saincte Iohn baptiste by even porcions.

And the sayd Iohn Chambre covenauntith and grauntyth to the sayd willyam that the same Iohn and his successours at there propre costes and charges shall well and sufficiently, from tyme to tyme duryng the sayd terme (as often as nede shall requyre), repayre, amend, and make tenauntable all and singuler the said Mansion-howses, bildynges, edifies, and the Chauncell of the sayd parishe chirche and prebend.

And also bere and pay all and singuler rentes, Dismes, and other chardges, what so ever they be, aswell now graunted or hereafter to be graunted to owre soueraigne lorde the kynge, as other Ordinary chardges to eny person or persons due or to be due, goyng owt of the said Prebend and parishe chirche or other the premisses; and therof clerely acquyte, discharge, saue and kepe harmeles, the sayd William and his executours duryng the said terme,

except only that the sayd willyam and his executours, at there propre costes and Chardges, shall as often as nede requirythe, duryng the sayd terme, mayntayne kepe and supporte the walles of the sayd Mansion-howses, bildinges, and edifies, hornhighe, and them so to leue in thende of the said terme:

And if it fortune the sayd yerely rente of lxxvjli xiijs iiijd. or eny parte therof to be behynde and not payde by the space of vj. weykes next after eny of the sayd festes in the which itt owght to be payde, That then it shalbe lefull vnto the sayd Iohn Chambre and his successours into all the sayd personage and prebend, Mansion-howses, and into euery other of the premisses, with ther appurtenaunces, holy to reenter, and the said william therof vtterly to expell, and them to haue and repossede in his fyrste astate, this indenture not withstondyng.

Provyded allway, that if it fortune the said william to dye within the said terme of xxxvjti yeres, and the executours of the sayd Willyam do not offre them selve to do and pay as moche mony yerely to the said Iohn Chambre and his successours for the fferme of the premisses as eny other person or persons will do and paye for the same, That then the sayd terme

to cesse and be voyde; And it shalbe laufull to the sayd Iohn Chambre and his successours into the sayd personage and prebende, and into all and singuler other the premisses, holy to reenter, this Indenture not withstondyng.

In wytnes wherof the parties above sayd to these presentes Indentures interchaungeably haue setto there seales the day and yere aboue Wrytten.

XLVI: Orders, 1535, by John Longland, bishop of Lincoln, for the publication throughout the diocese of Lincoln of Henry VIII's repudiation of the Pope's Supremacy in the Church of England.

[

From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 260 bk. and lf. 261.

A 'locus exemptus' was a parish, or religious house, which was not subject to the ordinary jurisdictions of the Bishop of the Diocese and the Archdeacon of the Archdeaconry in which it lay, but was under the jurisdiction of an external authority. Thus, in Essex, certain parishes were not subject to the Bishop of London (the diocesan), or to the Archdeacon of Essex (or Colchester), but to the Archbishop of Canterbury; others, to the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's, London. Such places were also called 'Peculiars'. Occasionally, in virtue of special orders issued by the Crown or the Primate, the Diocesan assumed authority, for some definite purpose, over these loci exempti, or 'Peculiars', and so here.

]

[leaf 260 bk.]

[I. Directions contained in bishop John Longland's covering letter.]
declaratio expulsionis vsurpate iurisdiccionis episcopi Romani.

Iohannes, permissione diuina Lincolniensis Episcopus, Vniuersis et singulis Abbatibus, Prioribus, Decanis, Prepositis, Gardianis, Rectoribus, Vicariis, Capellanis, Curatis, et alijs quibuscunque Ecclesiasticis personis, vbilibet intra Diocesim et Iurisdiccionem nostras existentibus, tam in locis exemptis quam non exemptis, Salutem graciam et benedictionem.

Acceptis litteris serenissimi, illustrissimi, et potentissimi principis et domini nostri, domini Henrici octaui, dei gracia Anglie et ffrancie Regis, fidei Defensoris, et Domini hibernie, Ac in terris supremi ecclesie anglicane capitis, nobis directis

ac eiusdem regie maiestatis ad infrascripta exequenda mandata continentibus.

Vobis ex parte eiusdem regie maiestatis mandantes, quibus etiam nos firmiter iniungendo mandamus, quatenus singulis diebus dominicis et solempnibus festis proxime post intimacionem presentium sequentibus, intra missarum aut vesperarum officia, dum maior affuerit populi multitudo, in Ecclesijs vestris publicetis seu publicari faciatis populo, Verbis anglicanis, integrum et perfectum tenorem verborum sequentium:

[II. Form of English Declaration to be publicly read in all churches.]

Ye shall vnderstande that the vnlaufull Iurisdiccion, powre, and aucthoryte, of longe tyme vsurped by the bisshope of rome in this realme, who then was called 'pope', is nowe by gods lawe, iustely, laufully, and vpon good groundes, reasons, and causes, by aucthorite of parliament, and by and with the hole consent and agrement of all the bisshops, prelates, and bothe the vniuersities of oxforth & Cambridge, and also the hole clergie of this realme, extincte and ceased for euer and of [no] strenghe, value, or effecte, in this realme of England.

In wiche realme the sayd hole clergie, Bisshops, prelates, and either of the convocacions of bothe provinces, with also the vniuersities of oxforthe and Cambridge, haue, accordyng to godes lawes, and vpon good and laufull reasons and groundes, knowleged the kynge's highnes to be supreme hede in erthe immedyatly vndre god of the chirche of Englande;

whiche there knowlege confessed, beyng nowe by parliament establisshed and by gods lawes Iustifiable to be iustely executed, Soo ought euery true christen subiecte of this realme not oonly to knowlege and obedyently to recognise the kynges highnes to be supreme hede in erthe of the churche of England, but also to speke, publisshe, and teache there children and seruauntes the same, and to shewe vnto them howe that the sayd bisshope of Rome hath heretofore vsurped not onlye vpon god, but also vpon princes of this realme and there progenitors;

Wherfore, and to thentent ye shold the better beleue me, and

and take [leaf 261] and receue the truthe as ye ought to do: I declare this vnto you, not onely of my selffe, whiche I knowe to be true, but also declare vnto you tha[t] the same is certified to me ffrom the mowthe of myn ordinary the bisshope of Lincoln vndre his seale, Whiche I haue here redy to shewe you.

[III. Latin order to all Schoolmasters to teach the King's Supremacy.]

Mandamus preterea, quatenus singulis ludi-Magistris in vestris Abbatijs, prioratibus, aut parochijs existentibus, et alijs qui pueritiam docent grammaticam, nomine nostro, similiter mandetis, vt de premissis pueritiam instruant quatenus captus ingenij patiatur.

[IV. Latin order to correct all Church books, and reduce them to obedience to this mandate.]

Mandamus insuper, vt, in quibuscumque libris, sacris siue prophanis, intra Ecclesias vestras existentibus, et in quacumque earundem parte textu siue rubrica, nomen 'pape' nominatum aut signatum vt nominetur reperiatis,

et quicquid in publicis secretisve collectis et oracionibus, sentenciaque generali quotannis quater declarari solita, legi dici aut commemorari solet aut posset, quo ad potestatis, Iurisdiccionis, aut authoritatis eiusdem conseruacionem aut ampli[fi]cacionem pertinere, siue iurisdiccioni sacratissime regie maiestatis predicte quouis pacto derogare posse videatur, id omne, quam celerrime, omni cum diligentia, expungatis ac deleatis, aut expungi et deleri faciatis,

Omniaque et singula predicta vt superius explicauimus, facere non omittatis, sub pena contemptus.

Datum nostro sub Sigillo, In Manerio nostro de wooborn, Decimo nono die mensis Iunij, Anno domini Millesimo Quingentesimo Tricesimo quinto, Et nostre Consecracionis Anno decimo quinto.

XLVII: Will, 1535, of William Gybbyns, farmer, of Hambledon, Rutland.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 263 and lf. 263 bk.]

[leaf 263]

Testamentum Willhelmi gybbyns de Hamulden.

In the name of god, Amen. In the yere of our lorde god a thousande five hundrede five and thirty and the xxiiijth daye of Iulij: I, william gybbyns, of hoole mynde, maketh my testament and will in this maner, of forme folowinge. —

ffirste, I bequethe my soule to almighty god, fadre of heuen; to our ladye saynte marye; and to all the company in heuen; my bodye to lye in the chirche of hamulden afore the fonte stone.

Item, I bequith to the modre chirche off lincoln, ij d.

Item, I bequeth to the highe aulter in the chirche of Hamulden, xx d.; Item, to the rode light, iij s. iiij d.

Item, to our ladye light in the [leaf 263 bk.] chauncell, iij s. iiij d., if soo be that any of the parishe will give more therto that itt maye be maade suche a stocke that the chirche boxe be nomore chardged with that light.

Item, I bequethe to euery light within the chirche of hamulden that hathe a stocke, iiij d.; Item, to all soulen light, xij d.

Item, I bequethe to Iohn Clerke, oon calffe, called a weyner.

Item, I bequethe to Rauff, my sonne, all my horses, with my ploughes, cartes, and all that belongeth therto.

Item, I will that Rauff my sone shall haue halffe of all maner of graynes and corne growinge in my fferme, soo that his own parte shalbe counted to make the halffe of the saide graynes and corne.

Item, I will that Rauff my sone shall haue the thirde parte of all maner vessell belonging to the kitchyn, bothe of pewder vessell and of brasse.

Item, I bequethe to Rauff, my sonne, oon bason of tynne, oon chaffingdishe, twoo candelstickes, oon bedde called the maydens

bedde with all that belongeth to the saide bedde, with the paynted clothes hanginge in the hall and in the parlour.

Item, I bequethe to Rauff, my sonne, x. landes and all my hogges excepte oon boore.

Item, I bequethe to margarette adeyn oon paire of shetes, and twoo siluer spones.

Item, I bequethe to Issabell Mallett oon paire of shetes, and twoo spones.

Item, I bequethe to margery Aldridge oon paire of shetes, and x. shepe.

Item, I bequethe to william my sonne, x. shepe of bothe kyndes (ewes and wedres), and oon brasse potte.

Item, I bequethe to euery godchilde of myne within the parishe of Hamulden, iiij d.

Item, I bequethe to euery childe of my children begotten and nott maryed, iiij d.

Item, I bequethe to Iohn my sonne, x. shepe.

Item, I bequethe to Thomas my sonne, x shepe.

The residue of my goodes, nott willed nor bequethed, I will and bequethe to Iohn my sonne and to Thomas my sonne, whome I ordeyne and make myne executours.

And I will that the saide Iohn and Thomas shall vse and occupye the halffe of my ferme with my sonne Rauff, frome the tyme of my departynge frome this present worlde vnto the feaste of saynte mighell next folowinge; And I will that my sonnes Iohn and Thomas shall mynystre and dispose the prouffett that cometh of halffe my fferme, With my goodes nott given nor bequethed, for my soule and for the soule of my wiffe.

And I will and ordeyne david Almgill, chauntrye priste in Hamulden, ouersear of this my will; and he shall haue iij s. iiij d. for his labour.

Thise wittenes: david Almgill, chauntry priste; william gibbyns; Rauff gibbyns; Iohn Roccold, with other moo.

Brief Latin Record of Probate

Probatum fuit presens suprascriptum testamentum coram Reuerendo in christo patre et domino, domino Iohanne, permissione diuina Lincolniensi Episcopo, xiiijto die mensis decembris,

Anno domini Millesimo quingentesimo xxxvto; commissa administracione bonorum et debitorum dicti defuncti executoribus in huiusmodi testamento nominatis, in forma iuris iuratis, &c.

XLVIII: Will, 1535, of William Balon alias Benett, of Amersham, Buckinghamshire.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 263.]

[leaf 263]

Testamentum W. balon de Agmondesham.

In dei nomine, amen. Anno domini Millesimo quingentesimo xxxvto tertio die octobris, I, william balon otherwise called benett, of a hoole mynde, make my will on this maner.

ffirste, I bequeth my soule to almighty god; and my bodye to be buryed in the churche off Agmondesham.

Also, I bequethe vnto the mother chirche off Lincoln, ijd.

Also, I bequethe vnto the highe aulter, iiij d.

Also, I bequethe my godes moveable and vnmoveable (after my dettes be paied and my will fulfilled) betwyxte Alice my wiffe, Iohn, and William my sonnes, equally to be devyded betwene them thre persones.

And iff any of my sonnes dye or euer they come to age, the longer liver to haue the other his parte; And they be both deade or that they be come to age, I will that the goodes goo to the prouffett off my soule and all christen soules to the mayntenaunce of a priste to singe for my soule and all christen soules.

Also, I doo make Alice my wiffe and Iohn my sone my full executours; and Roger benett and Richard Cuttler, ouersears to see this my will be fulfilled.

Wittenes to this: Sir Iohn polkyns, curate of Agmondesham; Iohn balon; Roger benett; and Richard Cuttler.

Brief Latin Record of Probate

Probatum fuit huiusmodi testamentum coram reuerendo in christo patre et domino, domino Iohanne, permissione diuina Lincolniensi Episcopo, tertio die mensis Nouembris, anno domini Millesimo quingentesimo xxxvto, commissa administracione bonorum alicie relicte, executrici nominate, Reseruata potestate consimilem committendi administracionem Iohanni filio suo, alteri executori, quum venerit eandem recepturus, &c.

XLIX: Two letters, 1535, 1536, addressed by John Longland, bishop of Lincoln, to the Archdeacons of his diocese, in connexion with Henry VIII's orders as to Preachers and as to Bidding-Prayers.

[

From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 266 bk. By a singular oversight the dates of both letters are omitted. No copy of the Orders referred to is contained in the Register, but their import may be gathered from the letters themselves, as well as from the summary given in Froude's History.

]

The first letter contains an odd bit of indirect evidence as to the slowness with which even those in authority recognized the usefulness of the printer's art. Although it was clearly of importance that every cleric should know exactly the terms of the Orders he was called upon to observe, no printed copy of these Orders was distributed, but individual clerics were invited to write out each a copy for himself. In 1536-7 (No. LV) printed copies of the King's Orders were provided for distribution.

The Orders issued as to preachers were intended to prevent pulpit handling of the controversy as to the supremacy of the King or of the Pope over the Church of England. To that end, preachers were forbidden to handle controversial topics in their sermons, and to confine themselves to exhortations to fear God and honour the King. This was the precedent followed by Laud and Charles I, 1630 and onwards, in respect of the fierce controversy then waged as to predestination, when they forbade preachers to discuss the burning question of the hour. In both instances, authority was defied. Preachers and congregations were too keenly interested in the forbidden topic to leave off discussing it.

Further, no cleric was to presume to preach unless he had had a licence to preach granted him by his Bishop or Archdeacon. Care would, of course, be taken to refuse a licence to any cleric who was notoriously opposed to the King's claims.

Because of the general contempt shown to these Orders, in his second letter, a year later in date, the bishop ordered the provision, and due keeping, of a register of preachers in every church, with a note of the subject touched on in each sermon. Following up this idea, the Archdeacons, till quite recent years, at their every Visitation, were very urgent with the

Church-wardens of each parish to provide 'a Book of Strange Preachers' and see that entries were duly made in it.

Each sermon was at this time preceded by the Bidding-prayer, so called because in it the preacher asked the congregation to pray for the persons, or the souls of persons departed, whom he specially commended to them. The terms of this prayer were left very much to the preacher himself, as he might feel himself directed by the statutes of the College to which he belonged or of the Chantry which he served. No doubt, preachers, up till now, had been in the habit of beginning their bidding-prayer with the words, 'Ye shall pray for the holy father, the pope'; and this was now forbidden. The bidding-prayer is still in use in Oxford before University Sermons in St. Mary's Church and City Sermons in the church of All Saints and St. Martin's, but in both cases the prayer now follows a printed form.

In the Register, on lf. 267, immediately after the two letters, two inhibitions are enrolled, one addressed to John Vyall, Warden of the Friars Minors of Bedford, the other to Edmund Philipes, rector of Maulden, Bedfordshire, cancelling their licences to preach and forbidding them to preach; dated, Old Temple, London, 11 March, 1535 [5-6].

[First Letter: 1535 (?).]

[leaf 266 bk.]

I commende me vnto you. And here doo sende vnto you certeyn wrytinges de modo predicandi et in sermonibus orandi, whiche euery busshope hathe in commaundement to cause itt to be shewed and notyfyed to the clergye of his dyoces, as well to seculer as reguler, exempte and nott exempte, with spede, And by them to be putt in the execucion accordinge vnto the tenour therof.

And if ye shall knowe any persone refuse this ordre, to give notyce therof vnto me.

Sende ye forthe your apparytours that they maye call euery deanry by ther selves, And where they doo appere, Rede ye itt openly vnto them.

And if any persone will haue the copye therof, lett hym haue itt. ye muste haue present ther, att the leste, all the heedes or

seniours of euery religiouse house of men, And the prystes of religiouse houses of women.

These saide wrytinges that I nowe sende you ar subscribed manibus Episcoporum.

This cause ye to be doon spedyly thrughoute your office, And offre an example of the saide wrytinges vnto euery priste that will write them oute.

[Second Letter: 1536(?).]

I commende me in harty wise vnto you: And where I sent vnto you, the laste yere, my lettres, with certayne wrytinges inclosed in the same de modo predicandi et in sermonibus orandi, with many other Instruccions in the same, whiche I doubte nott butt ye haue in your good remembraunce and also in your custodye, Commaundinge you to giue notyce and knowledge thereoff vnto all the clergie within your Archedeaconry, as well exempte as nott exempte, And that if ye didde knowe any persone to refuse that ordre, or otherwise behave hym selffe, to give me knowledge thereof: yett, that commaundement nott withstandinge, I am enformed that some temerouse, presumptuouse, and vndiscrete persones there be within your office that dothe to the contrary,

And in ther sermondes dothe treate and dispute suche opynytive matters and doubtes as dothe radre gendre contraryetie and dissencion, than necessarye thinges apte for his audience or for the encrease of vertue and truthe,

And many of them nott auctorized to preache, And yett ar, by you and the curates, permytted and suffrede, contrarye vnto the said commaundement.

In consideracion whereof, I chardge you frome hensforthe to haue suche an eye, dyligent ouersight, and inquyrye in these premysses, that I maye with spede be certefied by you the names, aswell of all suche as hathe transgressed the saide ordre and commaundement, as of them that dothe preache any contencyous doubtefull matters, or without authoryte;

And also of all suche curates that dothe admytte or suffre any suche nott auctorized persones to preache within ther chirches; And all suche as settithe forthe the busshope of

Rome his vsurped iurisdiccion or authorytie, if any suche be, To thintent suche transgressours maye be knowen and ordrede accordingely.

And that ye giue especiall commaundement to all curates frome hensforthe to noote in a bill the names of euery oon that shall hereafter preache within ther chirches, and by whose authorytie they doo come, And howe they doo vse ther selues in ther sermondes; And to certefye you by ther wrytinges oones euery terme: And you to sende vnto me, or to my chancelour, ther saide certifycates, to thintent itt maye be knowen howe euery oon dothe vse them selves.

Thus fayle ye nott to doo with spede, as ye will aunswere therunto.

L: Lease, 1535-6, of the estate at Cropredy, Oxfordshire, belonging to the prebend of Cropredy in Lincoln Minster.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 283 to lf. 284 bk. The provisions as to security are exceptionally precise. The special proviso as to the place of payment attests the insecurity of the roads, then infested by footpads and mounted highwaymen. The landlord avoids the risk of being robbed of the rent in its conveyance to his house from the place where the estate is, and imposes on the tenant the liability for its safe carriage.]

[leaf 283]

[I. Full Text of the Indenture.]
Cropredy prebende Indentura.

This Indenture made the xxth daye of ffebruarye In the xxvijth yere of the Raigne of our soueraigne lorde kynge henry the eight

Betwene Master Richard Wolman, clerke, prebendary of the prebend of Croperedy in the countie of oxon of the oone partye, And william gifforde of thrope moundyvyll in the countie off Northampton and george Gifforde brother vnto the said william gifforde, gentlemen, of the other partye,

Witnessyth that the said master Richard wolman hathe demysed graunted and to fferme lett, And by these presentes dothe demyse graunte and to fferme lett, vnto the aforesaid

william gifforde and george gifforde, his said prebend of Cropredy, with all the houses messuages landes Rentes tithes and all other oblacions emolumentes and prouffettes therunto belongyng, reputed, and taken as parte and parcell of the same prebend (as woodes, the spirituall iurisdiccion, the advouson and gifft of the vicarage of Cropredy aforesaid, to the said master Richard and his successours excepted and reserued);

To haue & to holde the foresaid prebend, houses, Rentes, tythes, and all other emolumentes and prouffettes aforesaid (except before excepted), to the said william gifforde and george gifford and to ther assignes, ffrom the ffeaste of thannunciacion of our lady next ensuyng after the date hereof vnto thende and terme of Thyrtie yeres then next ffolowyng ffully to be complet and ended,

yeldyng and payng therfore yerely duryng the terme aforesaid vnto [leaf 283 bk.] the said master Richard wolman and to his successours ffyfty poundes sterlinge att twoo ffeastes in the yere, that is to saye, att the ffeaste of saincte Michaell tharchangell and thannunciacion of our blessed lady saincte Mary by euen porcions, or within three wykes next after euery of the said ffeastes, The same Rent to be payd yerely duryng the liffe of the sayd master Richard wolman att the mansion houses of the said master Richard within the towne of westminster in the countie of Middlesexe.

And if itt happen the said yerely Rent of ffyfty poundes or eny parte therof to be behynde vnpayde in parte or in all vnto the said master Richard wolman duryng his liffe att the said mansion house within the said towne of westmester after eny of the foresaid ffeastes in whiche itt ought to be paide by the space of three monethes, or after the decesse of the said master Richard woleman to be behynde vnpayd vnto eny of his successours by the foresaid tyme and space of three monethes & a daye, att the parische chirche of Cropredy aforesaid, that then and ffrom-thensforthe ytt shalbe laufull vnto the said master Richard woleman, and his Successours, into the said prebend and all other the premisses afore letten, And into euery parcell therof, to reentre And the same to repossede and inioye as in his or ther former

estate, these indentures or eny thing therin conteyned to the contrary notwithstondyng.

And alsoo the said william and george couenauntyth and graunteth and ether of them Seuerally couenaunteth and graunteth by hym selffe for hym his executours and assignes with the said master Richard woleman and his successours that they the said william Gyfford and George gifforde ther executours and assignes shall yerely duryng the said terme of thirtie yeres att the proper costes and chardgies of the said william and george, bere, content, and paye aswell A certyn yerely pension or annuell Rent called a sept disme yerely goynge out of the said prebend vnto the deane and Chapitour of the Cathedrall churche of lincoln, As also all other chardgies whiche of olde tyme hathe bene due and customably payd vnto the deane and chapitre of the said chirche of lincoln And of all the same shall clerly acquyte and dischardge the said master Richard and his successours duryng the said terme.

And that the said william and george, ther executors and assignes, att ther own propre costes and chardgies, shall yerely duryng the fforesaid terme of xxxti yeres repare vpholde mayntene and susteyne all the houses and buyldynges of the said prebende in all maner of Reparacions, And in all hedgyng and dychynge belongyng vnto the said prebend or eny parte therof, And the same houses byldynges hedgys and dyches, soo suffycyently repared maynteyned and susteyned, in the ende of the said terme of yeres shall leve and yelde vppe, Except in gret tymber whiche the said master Richard and his successours att the resonable requeste of the said william and george, and ether of them, there executours and assignes, shall ffynde and delyuer att his or there propre costes and chardgies duryng the said terme when and as often as nede shall requyre.

Provyded allwayes that itt shall not be laufull vnto the said william and george, nor to ether of them, ther executors, or assignes, att eny tyme within the foresaid terme of thirtie yeres to ffell, cute downe, or carry away, eny tree or trees standyng or growyng in or vpon eny of the premisses to them before lett, withoute the lycence and consent of the said master Richard woleman or of his deputye duryng his liffe, And (after his discease) of his Successours ther, therein before hadde and obteyned.

Provyded allwayes, and the said william and george covenaunte and graunte and ether of hym by them selffe (sic) couenaunteth and graunteth for him and his executours by these presentes to and with the said master Richard woleman and his successours that if itt happen ether of the said william and george to dye within the said terme of thirtie yeres that then the Suruiuour and longer lyuer of the said william and george within oone quarter of a yere next after the decesse of hym that ffirste dothe soo decease shall ffynde vnto the said master Richard woleman or his Successours for the tyme beynge oone other hable & suffycyent [leaf 284] person to be bounde with hym that dothe soo survyve Ioyntly and Seuerally vnto the said master Richard wolman, or to his successours, in the some of oone hundreth markes sterlinge, aswell for the true contentacion and payment of the said yerely rent off ffyfty poundes to be due and payable after the decesse of hym that soo dothe ffirste decease duryng the Residue of the fforesaid terme of yeres whiche shalbe then to come, As also for the true performance of all and euery the couenauntes grauntes and agrementes comprised in this indenture, whiche vpon the behalf of the said william or george soo survyvinge shalbe then to be performed and kept.

Provyded alsoo, and the said william and george couenaunte & graunte and ether of them by hym selffe covenaunteth and graunteth for hym and his executors to and with the said master Richard woleman and his successours that, if itt fortune the said william and george bothe to decease duryng the foresaid terme of thirtie yeres, that then the executours administratours or assignes of the survivor of the said william or george, within one quarter of A yere next after the decease of the survivour of the said william and george, shall ffynde vnto the said master woleman or his successours for the tyme beynge oone other suffycyent hable and laufull person, whiche with the said executours, admynystratours, or assignes of the foresaid survivour of the said william and george, shalbe bounde Ioyntly and seuerally vnto the said master Richard wolman or to his successours for suche [time] beyng in the sume of one hundrith markes, aswell for the true contentacion and payment of the annuall rent of ffyfty poundes to be [due] and payable after the

decesse of the longiste lyver of the said william and george duryng the residue of the foresaide terme of yeres then to come, As also for the true execucion and performance of euery of the foresaid couenauntes, grauntes, [and] agrementes comprised in this indenture beyng then vpon the behalf of the said executours admynystratours or assignes duryng the residue of the foresaid terme of yeres to be performed fulfylled and kept, Accordyng vnto the purporte and effecte of this indenture. And soo euery executor, admynystratour, assigne or graunte of the premisses before letten or of eny parcell therof ffrom tyme to tyme afterwarde shall ffynde like suerty vnto the said master Richard woleman and his successours after the decease of eny suertye whiche shalbe bounde as is before said and after ffortune to decease within the said terme of yeres, Soo that ther shall twoo suffycyent persons ffrom tyme to tyme staunde allwayes bounden in the foresaid some of oone hundrith markes ffor the payment of the said annuall Rent of ffyfty poundes att the dayes and places before lymytted, And for the performance of all the couenauntes grauntes and agreementes before expressed, accordynge vnto the true meanyng and intent of the said partyes.

And ffurthermore the said Master Richard woleman couenaunteth and graunteth, that if the said william gifforde & george gifforde, ther executours and assignes, on this or ther parte or parties doo well and truely content and paye yerely vnto the said master woleman the fforesaid annuall Rent of ffyfty poundes att the aforesaid mansion house of the said master Richard wolman in the towne of westminster within the fforesaid tyme of three monethes next after ether of the said dayes of payment; And if the said master Richard woleman fortune to dye within the said terme of xxxti yeres, And, after that, the said william and george and ther assignes doo well and truely content and paye the said Rent of ffyfty poundes and euery parte therof vnto the Successors of the said master Richard att the dayes before lymytted or within three monethes and oone daye then next ffolowyng att the chirche in Croperedy before said; And observe, performe, fulfyll and kepe, all and euery the

other couenauntes grauntes and agrementes comprysed in this Indentures whiche on the behalf of the said william and george ther executours [leaf 284 bk.] and assignes ar to be obserued, performed, fulfylled, and kepte, accordyng vnto the purporte and effecte of this indenture, that then a obligacion aforesaid berynge date in the daye of thise presentes wherin the said william and george ar and stande bounden vnto the said master Richard woleman and his successours in the sume of oone hundreth markes to be voyde and of none effecte orels to stande in his full strenghe vertue and power.

In witnes wherof the parties abovesaid to thiese indentures interchangeably haue sett ther seales.

Yoven the day and yere abovesayd.

[II. Summary of the Confirmation.]

[

Bishop John Longland's confirmation made use of the same formula as above, p. 173; but the blank spaces left for place and date of affixing his seal have not been filled in.

]

Abbreviated Confirmation

Et Nos Iohannes, permissione diuina, lincolniensis Episcopus, Concessionem, dimissionem, et locacionem, Ceterasque conuenciones, in indenturis presentibus annexis specificatas, ratas habentes et gratas, Eas pro nobis et successoribus nostris, quantum in nobis est, ratificamus, approbamus, et confirmamus pro terminis et annis in eijsdem specificatis et expressis, iuxta omnem vim, formam, et effectum concessionis, Dimissionis, locacionis, et conuencionum huiusmodi. Iuribus, &c. … Datum […] die mensis […] Anno domini Millesimo quingentesimo xxx […].

LI: Lease, 1536, of St. John Baptist Hospital, Mere, Lincolnshire.

[

The Hospital not being legally a body corporate, the Warden for the time being could grant no lease which would be binding on his successor; and, therefore, in order to effect a valid lease for years, he had to call in, exactly as a prebendary had, the dominating authority of the bishop. The stipulations as to re-modelling of the buildings deserve special attention. So also those as to legal proceedings to be taken to repel encroachments on the estate.

From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 272, lf. 272 bk., lf. 273.

Mere hospital (an extra-parochial place) was founded at Dunston (southeast of Lincoln city) by Simon de Roppele before A. D. 1246. The Mastership was in the gift of the bishop of Lincoln, or, if the see were vacant, of the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln. After the Reformation, the property was settled on Lincoln Grammar School. — Dugdale, Monasticon, vi. 766; Victoria County History (Lincolnshire), ii. 233.

]

[leaf 272]

[I. Full Text of the Indenture.]
Hospitalis de Mere Indentura.

This Indenture made the xxiijti day of Apriell In xxviijth yere of the raigne of our moste dreade souereigne Lorde henry the viijth, kyng of Ingland, of ffrance, defendour of the faith, lorde of Irland, And in the Erthe supreme hede of the churche of Ingland,

Betwyne Sir Iohn Lounde of mere in the countie of Lincoln, chapeleyne and keper of thospitall of Saynct Iohn baptiste of mere before said, of the oon partie,

And Thomas Hall off Colby besyde Navenby in the said countie of Lincoln, gentleman, of that other partye,

Wytnessythe that the forsaid Ser Iohn Lounde, chaplayne and keper of the sayd Hospytall, hathe graunted dymysed and to fferme letten and by these presentes grauntyth dymysyth and to fferme lettyth to the fforesaid Thomas Hall his manour and hospitall of Mere beforesaid with allmaner of landes, rentes, Closes, medowes, pastures, ffennys, ffedynges, sheipe-gaittes, ffyshinges, woodes, rentes, prouffyttes of courtes and lettes, of ffynes, Amercyamentes, wayffes, extrahies, with all and singuler rightes, avauntagies, and commodyties to the same manour and hospitall in eny wise apperteynyng or belonging.

Excepte and reserued allway to the said chaplayne & keper and to his Successours keapers and chaplayns of the said hospitall for the tyme beyng oone honest Chamber with A Chymney in the same ffor the lodgyng of the said Chaplayne and keaper and his seruaunte, with stable Rome ffor twoo horses and Lytter for the same horses att suche and all tymes as he shalbe resydent and abydyng vpon the same hospitall.

To haue and to holde the said maner and hospitall, with the

appurtenaunces, and other the premisses, except before except, to the sayd Thomas hall and his assignes, ffrom the day of the date of theis present Indentures vnto the ende and terme of Twentie and oone yeres then next and immediately ffolowyng, ffully to be accomplyshyd and endyde.

Yeldyng and paying yerely duryng the said terme, for the same, to the sayd Ser Iohn Lounde and to his Successours, Chaplayns and keapers of the sayd hospitall, ffive poundes six shillinges and eight pense of good and Laufull money of Englande att the ffeastes of Sayncte mychaell tharchangell and thannunciacion of our lady yerely by euyn porcions to be payd.

Also, the foresaid Thomas hall dothe couenaunte and graunte that he his executors and assignes shall beare & susteyne the chardges of all and synguler paymentes of owt rentes and other resolucions (aswell ordynary as extraordinary), Excepte the yerely payment of the kinges tenthe[s] and of the ffirst ffructes of and for the same hospitall whan soeuer they shall chaunce to be due, whiche tenthes & ffirst ffructes shall alway be paid by the said Chaplayne and keaper and his Successours.

And, moreouer, the said Thomas hall his executours & assignes shall beare & susteyne the chardges of all and singuler reparacions to be maide in & vpon the sayde hospitall and of the howses and byldynges belongyng to the same, at his and there propre costes and chardges, duryng the said terme; and in the ende of the said terme the said Thomas his executours and assignes shall leiffe and give vp the said hospitall suffycyently reparyd, as is beforesaid.

Neuerthelesse itt is couenaunted & agreed betwyne the said parties that the foresaid Thomas hall his executors or assignes shall and may haue power and libertye to allter and chaunge & transforme the howses and buyldynges of the said hospitall att his or thaire [leaf 272 bk.] own will and pleasour, and for his and thaire moste prouffite and commodytie, soo and forsean allway that he and they leiff suffycyent howses & buyldynges vpon the soylle and grounde within the syte of the fforesayd hospytall, meite, necessary and conuenyent for the same, well and suffycyently repayred, as is beforesayd.

Also, itt is couenaunted & agreed betwyne the said parties

that the fforesaid Thomas hall his executors & assignes shall and may at thaire own proper costes & chardges diche, hedge, and quyksett the groundes & soille belongyng to the said hospitall att Mere to his and thaire moste prouffit, so & fforesean allway that the sayd Thomas hall his executors and assignes do not therby offende the kynges statute in suche case prouided by conuertyng of landes lately vsed in Tillaige into pasture, contrary to the tenor of eny suche statute: but if eny suche thing there be don it shall allway be att the peryll & chardge of the said Thomas hall his ex[e]cutours and assignes duryng the said terme.

Moreouer, the said Thomas hall his executours and assignes shall take and haue, duryng the said terme, to and for thaire necessarye ffewell, reparacions, and buyldynges, woode & Tymber, aswell in Mere okes as els where, soo that the same be spente occupyed & imployed vpon the same hospitall & in no other place, withoute eny Escrippe or waste to be made of the same in eny wise by the said Thomas hall his executours or assignes.

Also, itt is covenaunted & agreed vpon the partie & behalf of the foresaid Ser Iohn Lounde, that he shall allway duryng his interest in the fforesayd hospitall commense mayntayne & iustyfye in his own name all singuler laufull accyons sewttes and pleys, and defend the same, for the conseruacion of the rightes of the said hospitall and of eny parcell of the same, and for the recoueryng agayne of the landes rentes and other rightes ffrom the sayd hospitall heretofore withdrawen and taken away, And the costes & chardges in the lawe of the same sewtes shall allway be boren & susteyned at the propre costes and chardges of the said Thomas hall his executours & assignes; And, for and yn recompence of the same costes & chardges, the said Thomas hall his executors and assignes shall haue and inioye the sayd landes rentes and other rightes so laufully to be recouered as parcell of his said ferme duryng the foresaid terme of xxjti yeres.

And if it happen the sayd yerely rent of vli vjs viijd to be behynde & not payd in parte or in the hole by the space of ffourty dayes next after eny of the said feastes when it owght to be payd, then itt shalbe laufull to the said Ser Iohn Lounde,

Chaplayn and keaper of the said hospitall and to his Successors, chaplayns & keapers of the same, to entre & distrayne ffor the said yerely rent & for eny parte & parcell of the same so beyng behynde & not paid as is before said, with tharreragies therof, if eny suche there be.

And if itt happen the said yerely rent of vli vjs viijd to be behynde and not payd, in the parte or in the hole, by the space of ffoure monethes next after eny of the said ffeastes when itt owght to be payd as is beforesaid, if it be Asked at Mere beforesayd and no suffycyent distresse there ffounden, That then it shalbe laufull to the said ser Iohn Lounde Chaplayne & keaper [oþer the sayd Iohn hall] and to his Successours chaplayns and keapers of the same to reentre to the same Manour & Hospitall of Mere beforesaid with oþer the premisses and appurtenaunces beforesaid, And the said Thomas hall his executours & assignes to put oute & expell ffrom þe same, this present Lease or Indentures in enywise not withstandyng.

In Wytnes of all and synguler premysses, either of þe parties abouenamed to this presente Indentures interchaungeably haue put there Seales, the day & yere aboue wrytten.

[II. Full Text of the Confirmation.]

Et nos Iohannes, permissione diuina Lincolniensis episcopus, ex certis causis nos in ea parte iuste mouentibus, Concession em, dimissionem, et locacionem, in indenturis presentibus annexis specificatas, ratas habentes et gratas, eas pro nobis et successoribus nostris, quantum in nobis est, ratificamus, approbamus, et confirmamus pro terminis in eijsdem expressis, iuxta omnem vim formam et effectum Concessionis, dimissionis, et locacionis huiusmodi (Iuribus nostris episcopalibus, et ecclesie nostre Cathedralis beate marie Lincolniensis consuetudinibus ac dignitate in omnibus semper saluis).

In Quorum quidem ratificacionis, approbacionis, et confirmacionis fidem et testimonium, Sigillum nostrum and causas presentibus apponi fecimus. Datum in hospitio nostro apud

vetus templum London xxviijmo die mensis ffebruarij, Anno domini Millesimo Quingentesimo xxxvjto, Et nostre consecracionis anno decimo Sexto.

LII. Lease, 1536, of the estates of the prebend of Carlton Kyme (otherwise called the prebend of Carlton cum Dalby) in Lincoln Minster.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda, lf. 282 bk., and lf. 283. This lease brings into prominence an especially bad feature of all impropriated parishes where no provision had been made for a permanent vicar. The impropriator, whose only interests were to get as large a rent as he could, and to spare himself trouble as to his statutable church liabilities, made his bargain with his tenant that the tenant should be wholly responsible to the archdeacon and bishop for supply of the cure. Inasmuch as the lessee was, in most cases, the principal man in the place, there was little opening for criticism or complaint on the part of the parish.]

[leaf 282 bk.]

[ I. Full Text of the Indenture.]
Carlton kyme prebende Indentura.

This Indenture made the xxijth day of Iune In the yere of our lorde god A thousand ffive hundreth and xxxvjth,

Witnessyth that master william ffleshemonger prebendary of Carlton kyme in the cathedrall churche of Lincoln hath graunted demysed and to fferme letten vnto Thomas dymmoke, esquyer, his prebend of Carlton kyme aforesaid (otherwise called the prebend of Carlton cum Dalby), with all houses theron buylded, glebe Landes, medowes, pastures, communes, ffedynges, places, tythes, oblacions, Rentes, pensyons, proffettes, and all other and singuler commodyties and aduantagies, with ther appurtynaunces, in eny maner of wise to the said prebende or eny parte or porcion therof belongyng or apperteynyng, in the countie of lincoln, in as ample and lardge maner as euer the saide Thomas dymmoke or eny other ffermours of the said prebend euer hadd vsed or occupyed the same.

To haue and to holde the said prebend and all other and singuler the premisses with ther appurtynaunces in the countie aforesaid vnto the said Thomas Dymmoke, esquyer, his executors, or assignes, ffrom the ffeaste of saincte Michaell tharchangell

next commyng after the date herof vnto the ende and terme of ffortye yeres then next and immedyatly ffolowyng and ffully to be complette,

Yeldyng and payng therfore yerely vnto the said william ffleshmonger, prebendary aforesaid, and his Successours, ffive poundes sex shillinges and eight pence of laufull englishe money: that is to say, att the ffeastes of thannunciacion of our lady and sainct Michaell tharchangell by euen porcions.

And more-ouer, the said Thomas dymmoke couenaunteth and graunteth to and with the said Master william ffleshemonger, and his successors, that he and his assignes shall yerely duryng the said terme ffynde twoo prestes to syng seuerally, oone at Carlton kyme, And the other att Dalby aforesayd, And to mynyster sacramentes and sacramentalles ther, att his or there propre costes and chardgies.

And also shall paye yerely to the deane and Chapitour of the cathedrall churche of Lincoln all sepdismes and mynystracions, that is to say, xxj s. v d., And for the admynystracions iij s. ij d., due of and for the sayd prebend duryng the said terme.

And also the said thomas Dymmoke couenaunteth that he and his assignes shall stande chardgied with thacke, morter, and wallyng of all the said mansions of the said prebend duryng all the said terme, att his and ther costes [leaf 283] and chardgies, And soo suffycyently repayred with thacke morter and wallyng att the ende of the said terme shall leve them.

And if itt happen the said Rent of vli vjs viijd to be behynde and not paide att eny of the said ffeastes that itt ought to be payd att And after by the space of xvth dayes, That then itt shalbe laufull vnto the said master william ffleshmonger clerke and his successours to entre and distreyne And the distresse so taken laufully to dryue carry awaye and empounde. And the same to witholde vnto suche tyme as he or they of the said Rent with the arreragies and the costes ffor the withholdyng of the same be fully content, satisfyed, and payd.

And if itt happen the said Rent or eny parte or parcell therof to be behynde and not paid att eny of the said ffeastes that itt ought to be payd at And after by the space of oone moneth, And noo suffycyent distresse ther to be ffounde, Than itt shalbe

liefull vnto the sayd master william ffleshmonger and his successours into all the premisses to reentre And the same to haue and holde as in ther ffirste and former estate, And the same thomas dymmoke and his assignes to expell amove and put oute for euer, This Indenture or eny thing in the same conteyned to the contrarye in enywise not withstondyng.

In wytnes wherof the said parties to thiese present indentures interchangeably haue sett ther seales the daye and yere abovewriten.

[II. Full Text of the Confirmation.]

Et nos Iohannes, permissione diuina Lincolniensis episcopus, concessionem, dimissionem, et locacionem, Ceterasque conuenciones in indeturis presentibus annexis specificatas, ratas habentes et gratas, Eas pro nobis et Successoribus nostris, quantum in nobis est, ratificamus, approbamus, et confirmamus, pro terminis et annis in eijsdem specificatis et expressis, iuxta omnem vim formam et effectum concessionis, dimissionis, locacionis, et conuentionum huiusmodi (Iuribus nostris Episcopalibus et successorum nostrorum, ac ecclesie nostre cathedralis beate marie lincolniensis consuetudinibus, dignitate, et honore, in omnibus semper saluis.

In quarum quidem ratificacionis, gratificacionis, approbacionis, et confirmacionis fidem et testimonium, Sigillum nostrum ad causas presentibus apponi fecimus. Datum in Castro nostro apud Sleforde, quinto die mensis Septembris, Anno domini Millesimo quingentesimo xxxviijuo, Et nostre Consecrationis Anno xviijuo.

LIII: Celibate vow, 8 September, 1536, by Agnes Wigston, widow, of Leicester, taken before John Longland, bishop of Lincoln, in the chapel of Buckden manor, Huntingdonshire.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 269 bk. The vow is attested by the 'mark' (i. e. sign of the cross) made by the witness, who apparently could not write.]

Latin and English Texts of Vow

[leaf 269 bk.]

Memorandum, quod octauo die mensis Septembris, anno domini Millesimo quingentesimo xxxvjto, in capella infra

Manerium de bukden, coram Reuerendo in christo patre et domino, domino Iohanne, permissione diuina Lincolniensi [episcopo], celebrante, Agnes wigston de Leycestre professa est solempniter votum castitatis vidualis in hec verba:

I, Agnes wigston, wedowe, nouther disponsed ne contracted to eny man, butt single woman, with suffycyent deliberacion, with a good contynuance of tyme hadd, doo here promysse and make myn avowe, to god, and to our lady, and to all his sainctes: In presence of you, Reuerend ffadre, my lorde Iohn bisshoppe of Lincoln myn ordynary, ffull purpose, ffrom this day fforwarde, to kepe viduall contynence and chastyte, In the name of the ffadre, and of the sone, And of the holye gooste. Amen. And in wytnes of this my profession I doo signe this bill with my own hand, +.

LIV: Lease, 1536, for 51 years, of the prebend of Welton Brinkhall, Lincolnshire.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 271 and lf. 271 bk. Brinkhall was a manor in Walton parish, near Lincoln.]

[leaf 271]

[I. Full Text of Indenture.]
Welton brynckehall prebende Indentura.

This Indenture, made the xixth day of Septembre the xxviijth yere of the Raigne of kyng henry the viijth, betwixt master Iohn harden, channon of the Cathedrall churche of Lincoln and prebendary of the prebend of welton brynkhall within the Countie of Lincoln of the oone partie, And Gawen Skelton of welton in the sayd Countie yoman of the other partie:

Wytnessyth that the said master Iohn harden hath dymysed graunted and to fferme latten to the said gawen Skelton his foresaid prebend, with all and singuler houses, tythes, Rentes, libertes, and other commodyties and proffettes therto belongyng,

To haue, holde, and occupye the sayd prebend with all the premysses therto belongyng, vnto the sayd gawen Skelton and his assignes, ffrom the feaste of thannunciacion of our lady last past afore the date hereof vnto thende and therme of ffyvehty and oone yeres then next and immedyatly ffolowyng fully to be complett & ended,

yeldyng and payng therfore yerely, vnto the foresayd Master Iohn harden and his Successours or assignes, ffive poundes of lefull money of England att twoo termes in the yere, that is to say att Whitsonday & saintte Martyn [leaf 271 bk.] in Wynter, by even porcions, att Oxforthe in the Colledge of Brasynnose to the pryncypall or oon of the ffelowes of the said place duryng the naturall lyve of the said master Iohn harden.

And the foresayd gawen promysyth, and by thiese presentes graunteth that he and his assignes shall yerely supporte maynteyn and beyre all maner costes and chardges of thakke and mortar to the houses (with thappurtenaunces) to the sayd prebend belongyng, duryng all the said terme of ffyvehty & oone yeres; And, in thende of the sayd terme, them suffycyently repayred shall leve at their propre Costes and chardges.

And the sayd master Iohn harden couenaunteth and graunteth to and with the foresaid Gawen Skelton that he and his Successours shall yerely pay, supporte, and maynteyn all other chardges belongyng to þe said prebend duryng all the terme beforesayd.

And if itt ffortune the said Rent of ffive poundes in parte or in the holle to be behynd vnpaid after eny of þe foresayd ffeastes that itt owght to be payd att by the space of oone moneth, than itt shalbe lefull to the sayd master Iohn harden and hys Successours into the sayd prebend and euery parcell therof to enture and distrayne And the dystresses soo taken to leyde, dryue and Carry away and them to hold and occupye to suche tyme as the sayd Rent with costes and chardgies made aboute the same then be fully contentyd, Satysfyed and payd.

And Iff itt ffortune the sayd Rent in parte or in the hole be behynd vnpayd after eny of the said ffeastes that itt owght to be paid att by the space of three monethes, or the said Reparacions nott suffyently don, That than itt shalbe lefull to the fforsaid master Iohn Harden, and his Successors, into the beforesayd prebend, with thappurtenaunces, to Re-enture and into there handes the same to take ayen as in there fformer

Astate, And the said Gawen Skelton and his assignes ffrom the same to expell, put-forthe and remoue away, This Indenture or eny thing therin conteyned to the contrary not-withstondyng.

In Wytnes wherof the parties abovesayd to thies Indentures haithe interchaungeably putt there Seales, the day and yere above sayd.

[II. Full Text of the Confirmation.]

Et nos Iohannes, permissione diuina Lincolniensis episcopus, ex certis causis nos in ea parte iuste mouentibus, Concessionem, dimissionem, et locacionem in indenturis presentibus annexis specificatas, ratas habentes et gratas, eas, pro nobis et Successoribus nostris, quantum in nobis est, ratificamus, approbamus, et confirmamus, pro terminis in eijsdem (sic) expressis, iuxta omnem vim, formam, et effectum concessionis, dimissionis, et locacionis huiusmodi (Iuribus nostris episcopalibus, et ecclesie nostre Cathedralis beate marie Lincolniensis consuetudinibus ac dignitate in omnibus semper saluis).

In Quorum quidem ratificacionis, approbacionis, et confirmacionis fidem et Testimonium, Sigillum nostrum ad causas presentibus apponi fecimus.

Datum In hospitio nostro apud vetus Templum, London, xxiijtio die mensis ffebruarij, Anno domini Millesimo Quingentesimo xxxvjto, Et nostre Consecracionis Anno decimo Sexto.

LV: Henry VIII's Decree, 1536-7, abolishing several Festival Days.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 275 bk. and lf. 276.]

The trouble about Holy-days was not that there were several of them in each month in Church Calendar, and that the bells rang for service on these days, morning and evening; but that attendance at such Holy-day services was compulsory on all parishioners, and non-attendance was punishable at the discretion of the Ecclesiastical Courts. Consequently, work on these days, however urgent in the interest of the farm, was contrary to Canon Law, and punishable.

To show the working of the system, I give some examples,

from authentic and unpublished records of Elizabeth's reign, preserved in the official minute-books of the Court of the Archdeacon of Essex. It is to be remembered that, in all such cases of prosecution for working on Holy-days, the odium and the severity of the proceedings went far beyond the actual fine imposed, or the actual apology ordered. There were —

(a) the Court fees: at least 4d. to the apparitor for serving the citation, and at least 12d. to the Court for hearing the case; and, often, like fees for recording the performance of the order made by the Court, so as to have a formal conclusion of the case;

(b) the day taken up to attend the Court, which, generally, was held at some centre a long way from the accused man's abode; and the expenses incurred in the journey;

(c) the disgrace of being herded, on a mere charge of doing work or taking part in athletics, with a crowd of parish offenders, brought into court because of gross offences against decency and morality.

7 November, 1586, a young man of Romford was brought into the Court of the Archdeacon of Essex on the charge of 'plaieinge at stoole-bawle on holie Thursdaie last in service tyme, and gave crewell wordes to the churchwardens for demaundinge 12d. of him for his absence from church'. He admitted that he had been at stool-ball that afternoon, but asserted that he had been at Evening Prayer. He was sentenced to pay 12d. to the poor; and (of course) had to pay court and apparitor's fees.

5 May, 1592, Richard Jeffercy, of Asheldham, Essex, was brought before the Court of the Archdeacon of Essex, on the charge that he 'had procured company together, and plaied at foote-ball' in Hackwell, Essex, on Easter Monday, in Evening Service time. He pleaded that he 'did not knowe that there was at Hackwell any eveninge prayer' on that day. He was ordered to pay 4d. to the poor of Asheldham.

8 May, 1591, Richard Jeppe, of Chignall Mary and James, Essex, was charged before the Archdeacon of Essex, with having carted and carried hay on our Lady Day last. He admitted

that, on the day, 'a boye of his did fetch home a lyttle haye with his carte and horse.' He was ordered:

On Sunday nexte, immediately after the seconde lesson is red at eveninge praier, to come into the bodye of the churche, and, before the minister, to acknowledge his falte, and shew himselfe sorie for that his seruante did breake the queen's law, and promise that there shall not be the like falte committed againe.

On June 15, 1591, this Richard Jeppe paid 4d. to an apparitor of the court, to have his certificate of having duly made apology (as ordered) put on record.

14 September, 1591, Thomas Sorrell, of Woodham Ferrers, Essex, attended the Court held in Ingatestone Church, to answer the charge that he 'went to ploughe vpon Bartholomew daye last in the forenoone'. He was ordered to pay 2s. to the use of the poor.

Before Henry VIII's decree, the burden of Holy-days was especially grievous, because several of these fell within the busy weeks of harvest, when, in view of the scarcity of food (each harvest being barely sufficient for the needs of the country), and of the uncertainty of the weather, every effort ought to have been made on favourable days to get the grain safely into barn. So far as Henry VIII's Order in Council dealt with this national trouble, it is most laudable. It is even to be regretted that a like measure of relief was not extended to the equally important, and equally weather-troubled, season of haymaking, if not also to ploughing and sowing in years when the weather hampered these works.

If such reasonable relief had been given in these respects, there would have been no need for the abolition of certain distinctive local Festival-days, as by this Order in Council was ruthlessly enjoined.

Every parish had its own two local Holy-days; (i) the day of the patron-saint to which the church was dedicated; (ii) the day of the dedication of the church.

This second festival probably perpetuated, by unwritten but

continuous tradition, the actual day of the dedication of the building, as originally consecrated. As a result of Henry VIII's Order the dedication-day of most churches is now irrecoverable.

Two examples of the two parish festival-days may be given:

At All Saints, Oxford, the patronal-day was, of course, November 1, All Saints day; but it is on record that the dedication-day of the church was November 18. At St. Michael's North Gate, Oxford, the patronal-day was September 29 (St. Michael and All Angels), but the dedication-day of the church was October 16, a later St. Michael festival (St. Michael in monte tumba).

The Order in Council appointed (infra, p. 218) four days, one at the end of each quarter, to be 'the foure generall offeryng dayes'. I hazard the opinion that this was done to reduce to uniformity the practice of different churches in keeping their yearly masses in commemoration of their founders and benefactors.

My information about these comes from the Bursars' Accounts in the Archives of Lincoln College, Oxford.

At All Saints Church, Oxford, this mass was said once a year, generally about the end of January, but apparently on a day chosen at random each year. The churchwardens, I assume, paid the charges out of the moneys they had in hand.

1506 [beginning of February], recept. in obitu pro benefactoribus ecclesie, 1d. [i.e. the one-penny oblation at the mass.]

1514 [end of November], recept. in anniversario benefactorum Omnium Sanctorum, 5d.

1517 [end of January], recept. pro conductione cere benefactorum ecclesie, 6d.; pro exequiis de benefactoribus ecclesie, 6d.

1520 [late in January], pro Compositione cere in exequiis benefactorum, 12d.; pro oblationibus in missa, 1d.

1525 [late in January], in anniversario benefactorum ecclesie, 1d.; pro compositione luminis in anniversario benefactorum ecclesie, 12d.

At St. Michael's, Oxford, this mass was said once a quarter, but, apparently, not on fixed days. The charges for it were generally 3d., viz 1d. for the offering at Mass, and 2d. for the

use of the wax-tapers. It is referred to in the College accounts under a great variety of names.

1505 [once in each of the four quarters], in obitu pro ecclesia, 1d.; pro cera, 2d.

1508, in communi obitu, 3d. [about 27 February, 14 May, 23 July, 3 December].

1510 [about 21 January], for the town dyrg, 2d.; [about 17 June] pro compositione exequiarum communium, 3d.

1512, in exequiis communibus, pro cera et oblatione, 3d. [about 28 February, …. 1 August, 28 November].

1513 [about 19 June], for the quarter deryge, 3d.

1517 [about 25 January], pro conductione cere benefactorum, 3d.; [about 21 June], pro obitu benefactorum ecclesie, 3d.; [about 9 August], pro obitu benefactorum ecclesie, 3d.; [middle of December], pro obitu benefactorum ecclesie,….

[leaf 275 bk.]

[I. Full Text of Official Covering-letter.]
Breve regium pro abrogacione dierum festiualium.

Henricus Octauus, dei gratia Anglie et ffrancie Rex, dominus hibernie, et in terra supremum caput Anglicane ecclesie, Reuerendo in christo patri, Iohanni, Lincolniensi Episcopo, eiusue in absentia vicario suo in Spiritualibus generali salutem.

Vobis mandamus quod, immediate post recepcionem presentium, quoddam decretum per nos et consilium nostrum conceptum & factum, quod vobis mittimus papiro impressum presentibus interclusum, in singulis ecclesijs, tam parochialibus quam alijs, infra diocesim vestram Lincolniensem predictam, quando maior affuerit accessus populi, ex parte nostra publicari et solempniter denunciari faciatis. Et hoc, sicut nobis inde respondere volueritis, diligenter fieri curetis.

T[este] meipso apud westmonasterium, xvjto die ffebruarij, Anno Regni nostri xxviijuo.

Reuerendo in christo patri, Iohanni Lincolniensi episcopo, eiusue in absencia vicario suo in spiritualibus generali, de publicacione facienda.

pexsall.

[II. Full Text of the Decree.]
Decretum pro huiusmodi abrogacione dierum festiualium.

fforasmoche as the nombre of holydayes is so excessyuely growen, and yet dayly more and more by mens 'devocion' (yee, rather, 'supersticion') was like further to incresse, that the same was (and shuld be) not only preiudicyall to the commune weale by reason that itt is occasion as well of moche slouthe and ydelnes (the very nourishe of theves, vagabundes, & of dyuers other vnthriftynes and inconvenyences) as of decaye of good mysteryes & artes (vtile and necessary for the commune weale), and loosse of mans foode (many tymes beyng clene destroyde throught the superstitiouse obseruance of the said holydayes in not taken the oportunytie of good and serene wether offred vpon the same in tyme of haruest): but also pernytyouse to the soules of many men, whiche, beyng intysed by the lycentiouse vacacion & libertie of those holydayes, doo vpon the same commonlye vse and practize more excesse, ryote & superfluyte than vpon any other dayes; And, sith the sabbote day was ordeyned butt for man's vse, and therfore ought to give place to the necessyte and behove of the same whan so euer that shall occure, moche moche (sic) rather any other holyday institute by man: It is therfore, by the kynges highnes aucthorite, as supreme hedde on erthe of the chirche of England, with the commune assent and consent of the prelates and clergie of this his realme in convocacion laufully assembled and congregate, (emonges other thinges) decreed ordeyned and establisshed

ffirst, that the feast of Dedycacion of the churche shall in all places throught-oute this realme be celebrate and kept on the ffirst sonday of the moneth of octobre for euer, and vpon no other day.

Item, that the feaste of the patrone of euery churche within this realme (called commenly the churche holyday) shall not ffrom hensforthe be kept or observed as a holyday, as heretofore hath bene vsed, butt that it shalbe laufull to all and singuler

persons resident or dwelling within this realme to go to there worke occupacion or mysterye, And the same truely to exercise and occupye vpon the said ffeaste, as vpon any workie day, Except the said feaste of churche holyday be suche as must be els vniuersally obserued as a holyday by this ordynaunce ffolowyng.

Also, that all those ffeastes or holydayes whiche shall happen to fall or occurre ether in the harvest tyme (whiche is to be counted ffrom the ffirst day of Iulie vnto the xxixth day of Septembre), or els in the terme tyme att westmynstre, shall not be kept or observed from hensforthe as holydayes, butt that itt may be laufull for euery man to go to his worke or occupacion vpon the same, as vpon eny oþer workye day (Except alwayes the feastes of thappostelles, of oure [leaf 276] blessyd lady and of sayncte george, And also suche feastes as wherin the kynges iudges att westmynster hall do not vse to sitt in Iugment, All whiche shalbe kept holy and solempne of euery man, as in tyme past haue been accustomed).

Prouided allways that itt may be laufull to all prestes and Clerkes, aswell seculer as Reguler, in the fforsaid holydayes nowe abrogate, to synge or say there accustomed seruice for those holydayes in there churches, So that they doo nott the same solempnly, nor do ringe to the same after the maner vsed in highe holydayes, ne doo commaunde or indicte the same to be kept or observed as holydayes.

ffynally, the ffeastes of the Natyuyte of oure lorde, of Easter, of the Natyuyte of saynte Iohn the baptist, and of saincte Michaell tharchangell, shalbe from hensforthe counted, accepted, and taken for the ffoure generall offering Dayes.

And, for ffurdre declaracion of the premisses, be itt knowen that

Easter terme begynnythe allways the xviijth day after Easter day (rekeynyng Easter day for oone) and endyth the monday next after thascentyon day.

Trinite terme begynnyth allways the wensday next after thoctaues of Trinite sonday, and endeth the xjth or xijth day of Iulie.

Hillarye terme begynneth the xxiijti or xxiiijti day of Ianuary and endeth the xijth or xiiijth day of ffebruary.

In Easter terme, vpon the ascention day;

In Trinite terme, vpon the natyuyte of saincte Iohn baptist;

In Michaelmas terme, vpon Alholon day;

In Hillarie terme, vpon Candelmas day;

The kynges Iuges att westmynster hall doo nott vse to sit in Iugment, nor vpon eny Sonday.

LVI: Dispute, 1537-8 (?), as to right of common in common-ground called Brent, between the duchy of Clarence tenants in Uppingham manor and the bishop of Lincoln's tenants in Lyddington manor, Rutlandshire.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 279 bk. The year is not given, but is probably 1537-8.]

The attribution of these letters, by the copyist who enrolled them in Bishop Longland's Register, is at first sight puzzling; but is readily explained by his having put down 'duke of Clarence' for the 'duchy of Clarence office'. The facts are sufficiently stated in James Wright's History and Antiquities of … Rutland (1684), pp. 130, 131. Uppingham manor belonged to Anne Beauchamp, sister and heiress (1449) of Henry, 15th earl and 1st duke of Warwick, and wife of Richard Nevil, 17th earl of Warwick. After her husband's death on Barnet field, 1471, Uppingham (with other of her estates) was settled on her elder daughter Isabel, wife of George, Duke of Clarence (brother of Edward IV). After the attainder of 'false perjured Clarence' in January 1477-8, his estates were forfeited to the

Crown, and were retained by the Crown till Elizabeth's reign. The Crown managed them by a Steward. In 1484 the Stewardship of the lordship of Uppingham, and of other lordships and lands which formerly had belonged to George, Duke of Clarence, was granted to Simon Digby (afterwards Sir Simon, of Coles Hill, co. Leicester), who died 27 February, 15 19-20. In 1546 the manor of Uppingham was temporarily granted by Edward VI to his sister Elizabeth (afterwards Queen), the rents being then collected by Richard Darrington, the King's Receiver in Rutland.

[leaf 279 bk.]

Lettre of the duke of Clarence for the comyn of the brente in Lydington.

Welbelouede, we grete you well. And howe beit that heretofore we toke direccion that ye shulde suffre the tenauntes of Lydington to entrecomyne with you in a comyn callede Brente till the mater of variaunce dependinge betwixte you and them were determynede, Yett nathelesse we bene enformede that, contrarye to the same our direccion and our commaundemente therupon to you yeuen, ye disturbe them in the same, to our grette meruaile and displeasour. Wherefore we eftesones write vnto you, chardginge you neither to doo or attempte from hensforthe anythinge contrarye to our saide commaundemente, as ye will answere; butt that ye suffre the said tenauntes of Lydington to entrecomyne in the same comyn till the saide mater be determynede. Yeuen vndre our signet att London the xvth daye of Marche.

Suprascripcio dicte littere.

To our welbelouede our tenauntes of our lordeshipe of Vppingham, and to euery of them.

Alia littera eiusdem.

Welbelouede, we grete you well. And forasmoche as the reuerende fadre in god and our righte welbelouede, the busshoppe of Lincoln, hathe offrede vnto vs tabide the Iudgemente of vs and our counsaile in suche variaunce as is late fallen betwene you and his tenauntes of Lydington for suche comyn as his saide tenauntes

claymethe to haue in brente; We, hauinge consideracion vnto his reasonable offre, desyeringe righte, equytie, and peaxe to be betwene you, woll and chardge you nott onely to be of good peaseable and restfull demeaninge annenste the saide tenauntes, butt as well suffre them to comune in the saide brente in peaxe vnto the tyme as by vs and our saide councell suche direccion as shall mowe accorde with righte and reason maye be sette and hadde betwene you. Nott faylinge hereof as ye woll eschue our displeasure. Yeven, &c.

LVII: Will, 1538, of John Joseph, a servant of the Bishop of Lincoln.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 277 bk. and lf. 278.]

[leaf 277 bk.]

Testamentum Iohannis Ioseph.

In the name of god, amen: the xxijti daye of Marche in the yere of our lorde god a thousande five hundrede thirtye and seven, I, Iohn Iosephe, seruaunte with my lorde of Lincoln, make my testamente and laste will in forme folowinge.

ffirste, I bequethe my soule to almighty god, and to our blessyde seincte marye, and to all the blyssede companye of heuen, and my bodye to be buryede where itt shall please my lorde of Lincoln.

Also, I will that my modre shall haue all my landes as longe as she liffe, and after hir decesse I will that itt shall goo to hir children.

Also, master Lee hathe a hundrith marke of money of myn in kepinge, the whiche hundrith marke I will that my lorde of Lincoln shall haue att his disposicion as he thynkethe beste.

Also, william Sowthall hathe x s. of myn the whiche x s. I will that my lorde of Lincoln shall haue att his disposicion.

And all the reste of my goodes nott given, I putt them att the disposicion of my Lorde of Lincoln.

These beinge witenes: ser Iohn white, curate of seincte andrewes in holborn; and thomas Tilworthe, with other moo.

[leaf 277]

[I. Appointment of Administrator.]
Constitucio episcopi Lincolniensis ad recipiendum administracionem bonorum.

Vigesimo septimo die mensis marcij, Anno Domini Millesimo quingentesimo xxxviijuo, reuerendus in christo pater et dominus, dominus Iohannes, permissione diuina Lincolniensis episcopus, constituit dominum Nicolaum Smyth, clericum, procuratorem suum ad petendam approbacionem testamenti dicti Iohannis Iosephe, et ad acceptandam administracionem omnium et singulorum bonorum et debitorum eiusdem defuncti, ac ad prestandum iuramentum de fideliter administrando, &c.

[II. Record of Probate.]
Approbacio eiusdem.

Probatum fuit huiusmodi testamentum coram venerabili viro magistro Roberto Clise, legum doctore, dicti reuerendi patris vicario in spiritualibus generali et officiali principali, xxviijuo die mensis predicti, anno domini supradicto; commissa administracione omnium et singulorum bonorum et debitorum prenarrati defuncti supradicto reuerendo patri, domino Iohanni, episcopo lincolniensi, in persona procuratoris sui huiusmodi. Et admissa atque accepta per eundem, die et anno predictis.

LVIII: Will, 1538, of Thomas Buck, chantry-priest of Dorney, Buckinghamshire.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 277 bk.]

[leaf 277 bk.]

[I. Abbreviated Text of Will.]
Testamentum domini Thome Buck presbyteri.

In dei nomine, amen. The xth daye of the monethe of May in the yere of our Lorde god a thousande five hundrede thirty and eighte: I, ser Thomas bucke, the chauntrye priste of dorney, &c., make my laste will and testamente in forme folowinge.

ffirste, I bequethe my soule to almighty god, &c.; and my bodye to be buryede in the bodye of the chirche of dorney.

Item, I bequethe to the modre chirche of Lincoln, ij d.

Item, I bequethe to the highe aulter in the parishe chirche of dorney, xij d.; Item, I bequethe to the roode lighte, viij d.; Item, to seincte Iames lighte, vj d.

Item, I will that a honeste priste doo singe for the soule of master william butler, sometyme canon of the colledge of seincte george in wyndesore, by the space of oon hoolle yere; and he for to haue for his wagies vjli xiij s. iiij d., prouyded that if ser Robert norres maye haue licence of thabbesse of burnham for to singe in the abbey aforesaide for the soules of the foresaide Mr. William butler and of ser Thomas buck twoo yeres, thenne he for to haue the saide vjli xiij s. iiij d. for his twoo yeres wagies, and he for to saye thre dyriges in euery weke, and de profundis in euery masse, for the soules of Mr. william butler and ser Thomas bucke duringe the saide twoo yeres.

Item, I will that euery oon of my godchildren haue vj d. for to praye for my soule.

Item, I bequethe to pristes and clerkes att my buryinge and att my monethes mynde xl s.

Item, I bequethe to the poore folkes of dorney in bredde ale and chese to the valour of xx s. to be delte att my buriall and att my monethes mynde.

The residue of my goodes (my debtes paide, my legacies fulfillede) I geve and bequethe to my executours, for to dispose them in charitable dedes as they shall thynke beste.

Item, I ordeyne and make my executours of this my laste will & testamente Thomas Manfelde, gentleman, and Mr. william bolton, vicar of dorney.

And I give and bequethe to either of them for there laboures xl s.

These beinge witenes: Iohn goldwyn and Robart goldwyn, with many moo.

[II. Record of Probate.]

Probatum fuit huiusmodi testamentum coram magistro Antonio Draicotte, doctore, reuerendi patris Lincolniensis episcopi vicario in spiritualibus generali et officiali principali, xixo

die mensis Iulij, anno domini predicto, commissa per eundem administracione omnium et singulorum bonorum et debitorum dicti defuncti executoribus supranominatis, iuratis, &c.

LIX: Lease, 14 March, 1538-9, by Lincoln College, Oxford, of the revenues of All Saints Vicarage, Oxford, to the Churchwardens of All Saints parish.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 285 bk. to lf. 286 bk. The transaction required the assent to the Bishop of Lincoln, as being both Visitor of the College and Diocesan of the parish.]

See in the Forewords, p. 22, supra. The special proviso that the parish-priest appointed by the parishioners shall minister to all residents in Lincoln College was required by the fact that some rooms in the College were within the bounds of St. Michael's parish, so that, except for this proviso, the All Saints parish-priest might have judged them outside his cure.

The fact that one penny was an accustomed and usual offering at a mass is shown on many occasions in Lincoln College documents. It will be enough to cite one special instance, and to refer to the general instances of the church-obits at All Saints, Oxford, and St. Michael's, Oxford (supra, p. 215 and p. 216).

On 30 June, 6 Henry VIII (1514), Lincoln College agreed with Sir William Finderne, knight, of Childrey, Berks., to keep a yearly obit at Childrey, at which the College should give to the rector of Childrey (if present) 8d.; for wax-light, 4d.; pro oblatione, 1d.; and to the parish-clerk for tolling the great bell at the mass and the exequies, 4d.

[leaf 285 bk.]

[I. Full Text of the Indentures.]
Indentura ecclesie omnium sanctorum Oxonie.

This Indenture, made the xiiijth daye of marche in the xxxti yere of the reigne of our moste dredde souereigne lorde kinge henry the eighte,

betwene hughe Weston, bacheler of dyuynitie and Rector of Lincoln colledge within the vnyuersitie of oxon, and the fealowes and scolers of the same colledge, on the oon partie

and william paw and william Tylcokes, chirchewardens of the parishe of all seinctes within the towne of oxon,

and the holle parisheners of the saide parishe, on the other partie

witenessethe that the saide rector, fealowes and scolers of the saide colledge, with their oon assente and consente, have, for them and their successours, dymysede, grauntede, and to ferme lett and by thes presentes dothe dymyse, graunte, and to ferme lett vnto the foresaide william and william and to their successours, chirchewardens of the saide parishe chirche, all that their parsonage and vicarage sette, lyinge, and beinge within the saide parishe of all seinctes within the towne of oxon aforesaide, with all maner of oblacions, tuythes, emolumentes, all other prouffettes and commodyties whate soeuer they be, with their appurtenaunces, thereunto belonginge or in any maner of wise appertayninge.

To have and to holde the said personage, vicarage, and other the premysses and euery parcell thereof, with their appurtenaunces, vnto the foresaide william paw and william Tylcoke and their successours, chirchewardens of the saide chirche, to the oonly vse and behove of the saide chirche and the holle parischeners of the saide parishe, frome the feaste of the Natyuitie of our lorde god laste paste before the date of thes premysses vntill thende and terme of thirtye yeres thenne nexte ensuinge fully to be complete and endede.

Yeldinge and paynge therefore yerely duringe the saide terme to the saide rector, fealowes, scolers and their successours, liij s. iiij d. of good and lawfull money of englond (above all chardgies), to be paide att twoo vsuall termes in the yere within the saide parishe chirche of all seinctes, That is to saye, att the feaste of Easter and the feaste of seincte mighell tharchaungell by even porcions.

Also, the saide william and william couenauntethe and graunthethe by thes presentes for them and their successours, chirchewardens, proctours, rulers or gouernors (by whate soeuer name here after in tyme to come they shalbe namede and callede by), to and with the saide rector, fealowes, scolers and their successoures that they the saide william and william and their successours or other above namede, or assignes, chirchewardens of the saide chirche, proctours, rulers or gouernours or by whate soeuer other names they or their successoures shalbe namede

hereafter, shall kepe, susteyne, repayre, mayntayne, and vpholde well and suffyciently all manner of reparacions belonginge to the chauncell of the saide rector fealowes and scolers

with the chardgies and expenses of synginge bredde, wyne, waxe, and oyle, with all other necessaryes and chardgies (ordynarye and extraordynarye) appertayninge or belonginge to the saide chirche, att their own propre costes, chardgies and expenses duringe the saide terme.

Also, the saide william and william covenauntethe and grauntethe by thes presentes, for them and their successours chirchewardens, to and with the saide rector, fealowes, and scolers, and their successoures, that they the saide william and william chirchewardens and their successoures chirchewardens, proctours, rulers or gouernours or by whate soeuer oþer name in tyme to come they or their successours shalbe namede and callede by, shall beare and paye all maner of dueties and chardgies that hereafter shalbe due to the busshope of the dioces and to tharchedeacon of the same shire or to any persone or persones duringe the saide [term].

Also, the saide rector fealowes and scolers covenauntethe and grauntethe by thes presentes, for them and their successours, to and with the foresaide william and william and their successours chirchewardens proctours gouernours and rulers of the saide chirche and with the holle parisheners of the same parishe, that they the saide rector (accordinge to his statute) and the fealowes and scolers of the saide colledge and their successours shall kepe, euery sondaye, holydayes, and pryncipall feastes and other festyuall holidayes & all other holydayes that fallethe within the yere, dyvyne seruice within the saide chirche as they be nowe accustomede and haue vsede of olde tyme to doo, excepte in tyme of infyrmytie and sekenes.

Also, the saide rector fealowes and scolers couenauntethe and grauntethe by thes presentes, for them and their successours, to and with the foresaide william and william [leaf 286] and their successours chirchewardens and also with the holle parisheners that be nowe presente and hereafter to come, that the said rector fealowes and scolers and their successours shall assigne

& appoynte oon of the fealowes of the saide colledge (beinge a priste) to ayde and helpe the parishe priste of the saide parishe for the tyme beinge, in case and necessytie of infyrmytie and sekenes and in vysitinge of any seeke persone or persones, when and as oftentymes as nede shall soo requyre more thenne oon priste, if nede be.

Also, the saide rector, fealowes and scolars covenauntethe and grauntethe by thes presentes for them and their successours to and with the foresaide william and william and their successours chirchewardens, and with all the holle parischeners of the saide parishe beinge nowe presentt and with them for to come that the saide rector fealowes, scolars and their successours shall att all tyme and tymes hereafter duringe the saide terme doo [and] suffre and cause to be doon and suffrede all and euery thinge and thinges that shalbe advysede by the saide william and william and their successours chirchewardens of the foresaide chirche or their councell lernede, for the more and further assuraunce and sure makinge of the premysses vnto the saide william and william and their successours chirchewardens for and by all duringe the saide terme of thirtye yeres. And likewise the saide william and william chirchewardens and their successours chirchewardens and the holle parisheners of the saide parishe shall at all tyme and tymes hereafter doo and suffre to be doon all and euery thinge and thinges that shalbe advysede by the saide rector, fealowes, scolers, and their successours for the further assurance and [sure] makinge of the premysses.

Moreouer, itt is agrede betwene the saide parties that the saide rector fealowes and scolers nor their successours nor noo inhabytauntes within the saide colledge shall paye att any tyme duringe the saide terme any maner of tuythes, oblacions, alteragies concerninge the saide personage to noo maner of persons or persones, butt shalbe thereof clerely dischardgede duringe the saide terme,

And also shall have free buryall and funeralles within their chauncell (the whiche is on the sowthe syde of the saide chirche) and within the chircheyarde for the saide rector, fealowes, scolers and their successours and for all other inhabytauntes that be nowe within the saide colledge or hereafter shalbe duringe the saide terme withoute any maner of paymentes, chardgies, exaccions, or any other dueties susteyninge for the same, excepte dueties to the parishe priste and clerke, and for rynginge of the belles, burninge of tapurs, wexe, and other dueties perteyninge to the clerke of the chirche and to the parishe priste, and the offeringe of the masse penye whenne any of the saide colledge shall fortune to dye.

Also, the saide william and william couenauntethe and grauntethe by thes presentes, for yem and their successours and for all the holle parisheners of the saide parishe that nowe be presente and for them hereafter to come, to and with the foresaide rector fealowes, scolers and their successours, that they the saide william and william and their successours chirchewardens shall att all tymes duringe the saide terme prouyde procure and gette oon honeste priste of good name and fame to serve and have chardge of the cure of the saide parisheners of all seinctes (suche a oon as shalbe att all tymes examynede allowede and admyttede by the saide rector and his successours rectors of the saide colledge, And likewise the saide priste to be amovede, advoydede, dischardgede and putte forthe frome his seruice of the saide parishe as oftentymes as itt shalbe thoughte expediente and conuenyente by the saide rector or his successours): whiche priste for the tyme beinge shalbe bounde to vysite and mynistre all sacramentes and sacramentalles [leaf 286 bk.] to the saide Rector fealowes scolers and their successours and to all other inhabytauntes within the saide colledge duringe the saide terme.

ffurthermore, the saide william and william couenauntethe and grauntethe by thes presentes for them and their successours chirchewardens to and with the foresaide rector, fealowes, scolers and their successours that they and their successours

hereafter in tyme to come duringe the saide terme shalbe bounde to paye the saide priste his stypende and wagies, requyringe nor demaundinge nothinge of the said rector, fealowes, scolers and their successours,

savinge oonly the saide preste shall have his shavynge free of the barbour of the colledge duringe the saide terme.

Provydede allwayes that the saide william and william and their successours chirchewardens shall provyde the saide preste an honeste chambre within some honeste mans house within the saide parishe.

And if itt fortune the saide yerely rente of liij s. iiij d. or any parcell thereof to be behynde vnpayde in parte or in all after any feaste of the saide feastes att the whiche itt oughte to be paide and is nott paide by the space of seven wekes and lawfully requyrede of the foresaide william and william and william (sic) and their successours chirchewardens, that thenne itt shalbe lefull vnto the saide rector fealowes, scolers and their successours or assignes into the saide chirche of all sayntes to entre and into all other landes and tenementes of the saide chirche and all other the goodes of the same as plate Iewelles ornamentes of the saide chirche and to the same belonginge in whate place soeuer they maye be founde to entre and distreyne and the distresse ther founde and taken lawfully to beare lede and carye awaye and the same to with-holde vntill the saide rente with the arreragies if any fortune to be, be thenne fully satisfyede, contentede and paide.

And for the performance of all and singuler couenauntes aboue rehersede to be well and truely obseruede performede fulfillede and kepte aswell on the partie of the saide Rector fealowes scolers and their successours, as on the partie of the saide william and william and their successours chirchewardens and the holle parisheners of the saide parishe nowe beinge alyve and for to come, the saide parties standethe bounden either to other in twoo seuerall obligacions conteyninge the somme of forty poundes, whiche obligacions bearithe date the daye and the yere of thes presentes.

Provydede always that whenne and as often as ther shalbe noo suffyciente curate to serue the cure, or that the curate ther for the tyme beinge shall mysordre hym selffe contrarye to the

lawes, that itt shalbe allwayes lefull to the busshope of Lincoln and his offycers to depute and assigne an honeste suffyciente curate to serue the saide cure from tyme to tyme as necessytie shall requyre duringe the saide terme.

[II. Summary of the Bishop's approbation.]
Confirmacio eiusdem.

Et nos Iohannes permissione diuina Lincolniensis episcopus, auctoritate excellentissimi in christo principis et domini nostri, domini henrici octaui, dei gratia anglie et francie regis, fidei defensoris, domini hibernie, et in terra sub christo supremi capitis ecclesie anglicane auctoritate fulcitus, Concessionem, &c. … In quarum quidem ratificacionis gratificacionis approbacionis et confirmacionis fidem et testimonium, sigillum nostrum presentibus apponi fecimus. Datum in manerio nostro de Wooborn. xxiiijto die mensis Ianuarij. Anno domini Millesimo quingentesimo xxxixo Et nostre Consecracionis anno decimo nono.

LX: Will, 1540, of Richard Newcome, yeoman, of Toynton St Peter's, near, Spilsby, Lincolnshire.

[

From the Lincoln Consistory Court Book (1541), lf. 164 to lf. 165 bk.

This will, like John Asserby's Inventory (supra, p. 134), is from the records of the Lincoln Consistory Court. There is no apparent reason why Dr. Furnivall should have chosen this particular will out of the dozens of similar wills in that set of records. They are being edited by Canon C. W. Foster, F.S.A., and the volume which contains the wills prior to 1528 is nearly ready.

]

[I. Full Text of English Will.]

[leaf 164]

In ye name of god amen. Ye iij. day of september in ye yere of our Lord god Ml ccccc xlti ye xxxijti yere of ye reyne of our sufferant lord kyng henry ye eyght, wytnessethe yt I, richard newcome, dwelling in nether tointon within ye cowntie of lincoln, yoman, with a holle mynd and good remembrance, make this my last wyll and testament, with my owne hand, in this maner and forme here after foloynge:

fyrst, I bequethe my soull to god almyghty to our blessyd lady sent mary and to all ye holy company of heven, and my body to be buryed within ye churche of saynte peter in nether toynton, in ye myddell yell, and my mortuary to be gyuyn after ye custome of ye countre.

Item, I bequethe to ye hye alter of nether toynton for my tythes forgotten, xij d.

Item, to our lady Wa[r]ke of lyncoln, xij d.

Item, to the churche of nether toynton for my buryall, vj s. viij d.

Item, to over toynton, for to be gyven to poore people ther beyng, xx d.;

Item, to gretham, to be delte amonge poore people ther dweling, xx d.; Item, to folowby, to be delte among poore peple, xx d.; Item, to asby, for poore peple, xx d.; Item, to horncastel, for poore people, ij s.

Item, to Thomas newcome, my sonne, my violett gowne, one great bras pott, one chyst callyd a huche, and ten sheppe, iiij. semmys of maltt; and ij. sterres of ij. yeres olde, and A gray stagge.

Item, to Iohn newcome, my sone, my rusyt [gown] with fur, and ye fourt bras potte after my wyffe, iiij. steres, and iij. kye, and x. sheppe, and iiij. quarters of malte.

Item, to wylliam newcome, my sonne, x. sheppe, ij. sterres, and iiij. quarters of malte.

Item, to richarde newcome, my sonne, ij. sterres, x. sheppe, and iiij. quarters of malte; Item, to emme newcome, my dowghter, x. sheppe, ij. quyes, and iiij. quarters of malte, and my wyffe worste gyrdyll.

Item, to Anne newcome, my dowghter, ten sheppe, ij. quyes, iiij. quarters of malte, A rede chyste and my fyrst wyffes beste gyrdyll.

Item, I wyll yt thomas newcome, my sonne, haue ye pleace in nether toynton and all my landes and medows in nether toynton and ouer toynton to hym and to hys heres of hys body lawfully begotten, after ye decese of margytt my wyffe; and yf yt fortune yt god take my sonne thomas newcome without [leaf 164 bk.] [The footnotes indicates that an additional milestone, leaf 165, should be marked after this milestone but before the page-break. The text lacks any indication of where this milestone occurs and is therefore omitted. The next milestone is leaf 165 bk.] heres of hys body lawfully begotten, then I wyll yt ye nexte sonne beyng alyue haue All ye landes to hym and hys heyres of hys body lawfully begotten; and yf yt all my sonnes departe with-owt heyrres of ther bodyes lawfully begotten, then I wyll yt all my lande remayne unto my dowghters (emme newcome and anne newcome) and to ther heyres of ther bodyes lawfully

begotten for euer; and yf yt fortune yt god tayke all them vj. chyldren withowt heyres and yt my [wyfe] fortune to haue no moo chylder to heyre my lande in nether toynton after hyr decese, then I wyll yt yt be soald and yt a preste be hyryd to pray for hyr father and mother soulles, and me and my wyffe and all our gud frendes, and in good dedes of pety to be bestowede, so longe as ye money doth laste; and I wyll ye preste to sing at neyer toynton.

Item, I wyll yt thomas newcome, my brother, haue my russytt cotte and my buckskyn dowblett.

The residewe of my goodes not bequethed (my dettes paide and ye legacies within namyde) I wyll yt margaret my wyffe haue to dyspose and order for my soull and hyrs.

Item, I wyll yt all my inward stuffe yt was myne before I maried my wyffe margaret be equally devyded among my chylder at ye discretyon of margaret my wyffe and thomas my sonne.

Item, I wyll yt ye ij. lynne shettes wiche robert dawsons wyff of lincolne haithe in hyr kepinge of fynne clothe be delyuered ye one to william browne, and ye other to thomas browne.

Item, I wyll yt ye viij. sponnys and ye harnest gyrdyll with ye bedis yt my oste's robert dawson wyffe of lincolne haithe in kepyng be delyuered unto ye said willyam browne and thomas browne; Item, I wyll yt my oste dawsonne do take a generall quyttance of ye said wyllyam browne and Thomas bothe for me and hym selfe or elles kepe ye sponnys and gyrdyll with bedis to ye profyt of my heyres yt they may sell them and dyspose them in charytable dedes for ye soull of Thomas browne, wiche was ther father.

Also, I do owe vnto wyllyam browne wiche Edmunde atkynson of lincolne hade and was deliuered vnto me, iijli sterlinge wiche iiili my executors shall pay trewly vnto ye said wyllyam browne yf he will thryue, to haue ye iijli all holly att one tyme delyuered [leaf 165 bk.] yf he wyll play ye honest man in honest spendinge of yt to hys profytt and honestie, or elles to be gyuen hyme by portyons as he shall stand moste nede of yt at ye syght of hys best fryndes.

Item, I wyll yt Elizabethe cootes my goddowghter dwelling

in conysby haue one of my qweys of [ij.] yeres olde and upwarde.

And of ys my laste wyll I gyue full power and strength vnto margarete my wyffe and Thomas my sonne, whome I constitute and make my full executors to performe ys testament as ys here before saide, wherof I hertely pray and desyre whome I apoynte and make superuisor of yis my wyll the Ryght worshopfull mayster Edwarde dymoke to ayde and secure my wyffe with hys councell at hyr nede, And he for hys payns takyng to haue xiij s. iiij d.

thes to record, Edward taylyer, preste; wyllyam kynge, Robert Smarte, charles barrytt.

[II. Latin Record of Probate.]

Penultimo die mensis Maij Anno domini Millesimo quingentesimo xljmo, coram magistro Iohanne pope, in ecclesia parochiali de horncastell presens testamentum fuit probatum, commissaque fuit administratio bonorum executoribus in forma iuris iuratis.

LXI: Lease, 1541-2, of the prebendship of Langford Ecclesia (of Lincoln Minster) to William Genyver, Langford.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 292 bk. to lf. 293 bk. See for this prebend Godstow English Register [E.E.T.S.], p. 341.]

[leaf 292 bk.]

[I. Abbreviated Text of the Indenture.]
Indentura Prebende de langford ecclesie.

THis Indenture made the xxijth daye of marche In the xxxiijti yere of the reigne of our souereigne lorde kynge henry the viijth, by the grace of god kyng of England, ffraunce and of Irelande, defendor of the ffaithe, and supreme hede of the churche of Englande and Ireland,

Betwene Thomas berrett, Clerk, prebendary of the prebende called Langford ecclesia in the countie of oxon, of the one partye, And william Genyuer, of Langford aforesaide in the said countie of oxford, gentleman, of the other partye:

Wytnessyth that the said Thomas berrett hathe demysed graunted and to fferme letten, and by these presentes dothe demyse graunte and to fferme lett, vnto the said william Genyver, his executours, and assignes, all that his saide prebend of the Churche of Langforde aforesaide, with all the landes tythes fructes commodytyes and advauntagyes, with all and singuler thappurtynaunces, vnto the sayde prebend belongyng or in enywyse apperteyning,

Except and allwayes reserued to the said thomas berrett and his Successours, the patronage and gyfft of the vicarage there, with all the rightes therunto belongyng.

To haue and to holde all the foresaid prebende of the said churche of Langforde, with all the landes tithes fructes commodytyes and advauntages, with all and singuler thappurtynaunces, Except before excepted, vnto the saide william genyver, his executors, and assignes, ffrom the ffeaste of [leaf 293] thannuntyacion next commyng after the date herof vnto thende and terme of xxxti yeres from thense next ffolowyng fully to be complete and ended,

the said William genyver or his assignes yeldyng and payng therfore yerely duryng the said terme vnto the said thomas berrett, his Successours, there executors, and assignes, Twentie poundes sterlinge att twoo feastes of the yere, that is to say, at the ffeaste of seincte Mighell tharchangell and thannunciacion of our lady by even porcions to be paid duryng all the said terme.

And the said William Genyver covenaunteth and graunteth to and with the said Thomas berrett prebendary that the said william his executors and assignes duryng all the said terme shall yerely content and paye or cause to be contented and paide to the Cathedrall churche of lincoln iiijli xiijs iiijd for the Septisdymes and other duetyes yerely to the said churche, And to the prebendary in the laye fee in langford aforesaid for the tyme beyng a yerely rent of iiijs to be paid by the said william genyver his executors or assignes att suche termes as itt hathe bene heretofore accustomed.

And also the said william Genyver couenaunteth and graunteth by these presentes to and with the saide Thomas berrett his Successours and assignes that if itt happen the saide yerely Rent of xxli sterlinge or eny of the other paymentes before expressed to be behynde vnpaide in parte or in all after eny of the said ffeastes and dayes of payment before lymyted by the space of xiiijth dayes in which itt ought to be paide, That then itt shalbe laufull vnto the said thomas berrett his successours or there assignes into the said prebende and euery parcell therof to entre and distreyne, and the distresse and distresses there so taken to leade dryve beare and carry awaye, and itt to withold and kepe vntill suche tyme he the said thomas his successours or assignes be of the said rente, with tharreragies of the same (if eny be), fully contented & payd.

And if itt happen the said yerely rente of xxli or eny of the other paymentes before expressed to be behynde vnpaide in parte or in all by the space of twoo monethes, That then itt shalbe laufull vnto the said thomas his Successors or assignes into the premisses and euery parcell therof hooly to reentre, and as in there ffirst estate to haue agayne and possede, This Indenture or enything therin conteyned to the contrary notwithstandyng.

And the said thomas berrett covenaunteth and graunteth for hym and his successours and assignes to dischardge the said william genyver his executours and assignes of allmaner of chardges and paymentes due to the kynges highnes duryng the said terme.

And the said william Genyver … covenaunteth … to bere and pay all other chardgies aswell ordynary as extraordynary concernyng the said prebende, except Reparacions.

And that the said william genyver … shall pay for the workmanshipe of allmaner of necessarye reparacions, that is to saye, wallyng, lathyng, slatyng and thakkyng of the barne and stable and all other buyldynges therunto belongyng, duryng the said terme,

And the said thomas berrett … to fynde allmaner of stuffe necessarye for the said reparacions duryng the said terme.

Providede allwayes that itt is agreed betwene the said parties that the said thomas Berrett … shall well and suffycyently att … own propre costes and chardgies repare and amende

the Chauncell of [leaf 293 bk.] the churche of langforde aforesaid, And after the said chauncell so well and suffycyently repared the said William Genyver … to kepe the same … repayred … duryng All the saide terme.

In wytnes wherof the parties abovesaide to these present indentures haue setto there seales the daye and yere above-wryten.

[II. Summary of the Confirmation, by John Longland, bishop of Lincoln, in his lodging at Old Temple, London, 28 March, 1542.]
Confirmacio eiusdem.

Et nos Iohannes, permissione diuina lincolniensis Episcopus, Illustrissimi in christo Principis et domini nostri, domini Henrici Octaui, &c. … Datum in hospitio nostro apud vetus templum London., xxviijo die mensis martii, Anno domini millesimo quingentesimo xlijdo.

LXII: Lease, 1543, of pasture-land belonging to Leighton Bromeswold prebend, for forty years, with sanction of Dean and Chapter of Lincoln.

[From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 299 to lf. 299 bk. This prebend is now called Leighton-Beaudesert.]

[leaf 299]

[I. Text of the Indenture.]
Indentura pasture pertinentis prebende de Leighton Bromeswolde.

This Indenture made the twelueth daye off Maye in the xxxv. yere of the reigne of oure souereigne Lorde kinge Henry the eighte by the grace of god kinge of Englande ffraunce and Irelande defendoure of the faithe and of the chirche off Englande and also of Irelande in earthe the supreme hedde,

betwene master gilbert Smyth, clerc, prebendarye of the prebend of Leighton Bromeswolde within the cathedrall chirche of Lincoln in the countie of huntington, on that one partie,

and Thomas Ashetone, of olde Weston in the countie of huntington aforesaide, yoman, on that other partie,

Witenessithe that the saide prebendarye, with the consentes and agrementes of the deane and chapitoure of the saide cathedrall chirche of Lincoln, hathe demysede grauntede betaken & to ferme letten and by thies presentes dymysethe … to the saide Thomas Ashetone all that his closse, with thappurtenaunces, nowe in the tenure of Robart Saye, belonginge to the saide prebendarye as in the righte of the saide prebend lyinge and beinge in the parishe of Leighton in the saide countie of Huntington:

That is to saye: againste hamerton felde on the northe partie, and nexte vnto a nother closse of the sayde Gilbert lately in the tenure of Robart Thurlby on the southe partie, whereof the one hedde abbuttethe ayenste Salome wodde on the este partie, and thother hedde vpon weston felde on the weste partie, with all other prouffites and commodities to the saide closse belonginge or appertayninge,

To haue and to holde the saide closse, with thappurtenaunces, to the saide Thomas and his assignes, frome the feaste of seincte mighell tharchaungell next cominge after the date hereof vnto thende and terme of ffourtie yeres than nexte ensuinge and fully to be completede and endede:

yeldinge and painge therefore yerely duringe the saide terme to the saide gilbert his successours or assignes ffive poundes of lawfull money of englond att twoo termes of the yere, that is to saye, att the feastes of the Annunciacion of oure ladye seincte marye the virgine and seincte Mighell tharchaungell by euen porcions.

And if itt shall fortune the saide yerely rente … to be behynde … by the space of one monethe if itt be reasonablye requyrede, Than itt shalbe lefull vnto the saide gilbert … to come into the saide closse and ther to distreyne, and the distresses so taken to … kepe vnto suche tyme as the saide yerely rente aud euery parte and parcell thereof with thearreragies of the same be fully contentede and paide.

And if the foresaide yerely rente or anye parte thereof fortune to be vnpaide after anye of the saide feastes in which itt oughte to be paide duringe the saide terme by the space of Sixe wekes and noo distresse founde vpon the saide grounde sufficiente for the rente, than itt shalbe lefull to the saide gilbert … into the

saide closse with thappurtenaunces to reentre and haue ayen and them as in their firste estate to repossede, and the saide Thomas … thereof to expell and putte oute, this indenture or anye thinge therein conteynede to the contrarye notwithstandinge.

And the saide gilbert for hym and his successours covenauntethe and grauntethe by thies presentes that itt shalbe lefull vnto the saide Thomas … to stubbe grubbe shrede and plashe att all tymes within the saide terme, Soo that the saide Thomas … kepe the ffence of the saide closse with thappurtenaunces for and duringe that terme of the saide ffourtye yeres.

And also the saide gilbert … covenauntethe … that . . the saide Thomas … for the foresaide yerely ferme of five pounde … shall … enioye the saide closse with thappurtenaunces duringe the saide terme of ffortie yeres by thies presentes.

In witenes whereof the saide parties to thies indentures enterchaungeably haue sette their seales. Yeven the daye and yere aboue Writen.

[leaf 299 bk.]

[II. Summary of Confirmation, by John Longland, bishop of Lincoln, at Buckden manor, 24 July, 1543.]
Confirmacio eiusdem.

Et nos Iohannes, permissione diuina Lincolniensis Episcopus, auctoritate invictissimi in christo principis et Domini nostri, domini henrici octaui, dei gratia Anglie ffrancie et Hibernie Regis, fidei defensoris, et in terra, [etc.] … Datum nostro sub sigillo In manerio nostro de Bugden, vicesimo quarto die mensis Iulij. Anno Domini Millesimo quingentesimo quadragesimo tercio, Ac nostre Consecrationis anno vigesimo tercio.

LXIII: Lease, 1544, of the prebend of Stoke, near Newark-on-Trent, with its members in the shires of Nottingham and Lincoln.

[

From bishop John Longland's Register of Memoranda at Lincoln, lf. 229 bk. to lf. 230 bk.

The lands and churches which endowed this prebend in Lincoln Minster lie to the east and south-east of Newark-on-Trent, and partly in Nottinghamshire and partly in Lincolnshire. Their dispersed character suggest particular inquiry as to the conditions which prevailed when this prebend was so endowed. It is possible that, to account for them, we may have to go back to a time when the uncertain activities of Trent made it doubtful what lands were in Notts. and what lands in Lincs. Compare the shifting of the shire-line between Oxon., and Berks, south of Oxford, due to the change of its main stream by the Thames: Wood's City of Oxford i. 415.

]

[leaf 229 bk.]

[I. Slightly abbreviated text of the Indenture.]
Indentura Prebende de Stoke.

This Indenture made the seven and twentithe daye of Aprill in the xxxvj. yere of the reigne of oure souereigne Lorde Henry theighte, by the grace of god of Englande ffraunce and Ireland kinge, defendoure of the faithe, and in earthe of the chirche of England and Ireland the supreme hedde,

betwene Iohn pope, clerc, Chaunceloure of the cathedrall chirche of Lincoln, prebendarye and parson of the prebend and personage of Stoke in the countie off Notingham, with other porcions and appurtenaunces therto apperteyninge and belonginge in the counties of Notingham and Lincoln, on the one partie,

and Anthonye fforster of Newarke in the saide countie of Notingham, gentilman, on the other partie,

Witenessithe that the saide Iohn pope, clerc, hathe covenaunted, grauntede, dymysede, and to ferme letten, & by thies presentes … to ferme lettithe, vnto the saide Anthonye fforster … all his saide prebend and personage of Stoke in the countie of notingham with all and singuler the porcions, tuythes, landes and prouffites of Elston, Surston, the personage of Coddington, the litle tuythe of Newarke, the tuythe hey of Tolney with a closse and rentes of assise ther, the porcions of ffarendon, Balderton and Thorpe, with the moytie tuythes and prouffites of the personage of Rawceby in the counties of Notingham and Lincoln aforesaide, with all and all maner of other portions, tuythes, with their appurtenaunces, belonginge or appertayninge to the same, or that of right oughte to belonge or appertayne vnto the saide prebend of Stoke, with all and singuler the glebe lande pastures meadowes inclosures tuythes oblacions prouffites emolumentes hereditamentes and commodities belonginge to the saide prebend and portions aboue saide

or whiche bene reputede taken acceptede or knowen as parte or parcell of the said prebend:

Excepte and reseruede vnto the saide Iohn pope, prebendarye, the patronage and gyfte of the vicarage of Stoke aforesaide as often as itt shall fortune to fall voide duringe the saide terme.

To haue and to holde all the sayde prebend and personage of Stoke in the countie of Notingham aforesaid with the porcions of Elston, Syreston, the personage of Coddington, the litle tuythe of Newark, … and all and singuler the premysses (excepte before exceptede) to the saide Anthonye fforster … frome the feaste of the Inuention of the holie crosse nexte … ensuinge after the date of thies presentes vnto thende and terme of ffyftie yeres than nexte folowinge …

yeldinge and paynge therefore yerely … to the abouenamede Iohn pope … ffourtie and thre poundes twelue shillinges and sixe pence of good and laufull money of England att twoo termis of the yere by equall porcions. That is to saye att the feaste of the Inuencion off the holie crosse and seincte Martyn in wynter within the precincte [leaf 300] of the Cathedrall chirche of Lincoln, The firste paymente thereof to begynne in the feaste of the Inuencion of the holie crosse nexte after the date hereof at the firste entre of the saide Anthonye and his assignes in and to the prebend and personage of Stoke and other the premisses.

And itt is covenauntede and agrede betwene the sayde parties that if itt happen the saide rentes or anye porcions or parte thereof to be behynde vnpaide after anye of the saide feastes att the whiche itt oughte to be paide by the space of sixe wekes, than itt shalbe lefull to the saide Iohn pope and his successours … to entre and distreyne in all and euerye porcion and parte of the said prebend … and the distresses soo taken to leade dryue and carye awaye and the same to deteigne vnto suche tyme as the saide rentes … be fully contentede … and paide.

And if itt fortune the saide rentes to be behynde vnpaide … after anye of the saide termes by the space of twoo holle monethes and be laufully demaunded . . , than itt shalbe lefull to the saide Iohn Pope … into the saide prebend and

personage … to reentre and the saide Anthonye fforster … clerely to putte oute and expell and them to haue and enioye in as good estate and condicion as if noo suche lease thereof hadde bene made.

And the saide Anthonye fforster covenauntethe and grauntethe that he … shall well and suffyciently repayre sustayne and mayntayne all maner of reparacions of thack and morter hedginge and dichinge of all maner of housinges buyldinges walles hedges and diches belonginge to the saide prebend & the porcions aboue mencionede contynually frome tyme to tyme as necessitie shall requyre duringe the saide terme And att thende of the same terme shall leave all the premysses in like maner honestly and sufficiently repairede

and shall fynde an honeste sufficiente priste contynually duringe the terme abouesaide att his and their own propre costes … to serue the cure in the moytie of the parishe chirche of Rawceby aforesaide.

And also shall beare … all oþer chardgies … appertayninge to the prebend of Stoke and the porcions above specifiede yerly from yere to yere duringe the terme abouesaide.

(Excepte dismes tenthes subsidies firste fructes due or to be due or comethe … of or for the premysses … duringe the terme aforesaide vnto oure souereigne lorde the kinge or his successours, the reparacions of the chauncell of Stoke, Codington, Sireston, and Rawceby aboue mencyonede, and excepte also sepdismes and all other dueties or chardgies whiche shalbe yerely due vnto the vicars chorall and the choristers of the chirche of Lincoln duringe the same terme. All whiche the afore namede master Iohn pope and his successours their executours and assignes shall sustayne beare and yerely paye att his and their onely propre costes and chardgies duringe the saide terme, and the saide Anthonye and his assignes thereof to be dischardgede and acquytede.)

In witenes whereof the parties abouesaide haue enterchaungeablye to thies indentures putt their seales the daye and yere abouesaide.

[II. Summary of Confirmation, by John Longland, bishop of Lincoln, at Wooburn Manor, Buckinghamshire, 20 August, 1544.]
Confirmacio eiusdem.

Et nos, Iohannes, permissione diuina Lincolniensis Episcopus, auctoritate illustrissimi in christo principis, etc. Concessione ad exercendum iurisdictionem ecclesiasticam infra diocesim nostram Lincolniensem … Concessionem dimissionem et locationem … in indenturis presentibus annexis specificatas ratas habentes et gratas, etc. … Datum in manerio nostro de Wooborne vicesimo die mensis Augusti . Anno domini Millesimo quingentesimo xliiijto, Et nostre consecracionis anno xxiiijto.