Wills: 26 Edward I (1297-8)

Calendar of Wills Proved and Enrolled in the Court of Husting, London: Part 1, 1258-1358. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1889.

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'Wills: 26 Edward I (1297-8)', in Calendar of Wills Proved and Enrolled in the Court of Husting, London: Part 1, 1258-1358, (London, 1889) pp. 130-139. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/court-husting-wills/vol1/pp130-139 [accessed 26 April 2024]

ANNO 26 EDWAED I.

Monday next after Feast of Purification of V. Mary [2 Feb.].

Basinges (Isabella de).—To Isabella her daughter houses in the parish of S. Michael Queenhithe in Hadestokeslane in tail; remainder for the maintenance of chantries in the said church of S. Michael. Similarly to Agnes her daughter and John her son houses and rents in the parishes of S. Mildred de Bredstrate and S. Benedict Shorrehogge. Bequest also of forty shillings quitrent in the parish of S. Thomas the Apostle to be devoted to similar pious uses. No date.
Roll 27 (1).

Causton (William de), merchant. (fn. 1) To Alexander his apprentice his houses in Westchep and in Old Change in the parish of S. Vedast. No date.
Roll 27 (3).

Hurewell (William de).—Rents in the parish of S. Michael "atte Corn" (fn. 2) to be sold by his executors. No date.
Roll 27 (14).

Oxon (John de), skinner.—His house in Walebrokstret in the parish of S. John de Walebrok to be sold by his executors No date.
Roll 27 (15).

Coumbe (William de).—Bequest of rents in Frydaystrete and in the parish of S. Dunstan towards the Tower for the maintenance of a chantry in the said parish church for the good of his soul and the souls of Petronilla his late wife and others. To John, the son of his brother, a tenement in the said parish of S. Dunstan; and to Edmund his son his capital tenement in the same parish for life; remainder to Peter his son. No date.
Roll 27 (20).

Osekyn (John).—To Isabella his wife for life all his tenements and rents in the City of London, except two tenements which he had demised by deed to Robert his son in the parish of S. Bartholomew; remainder to pious uses if the said Isabella should die within five years after the making of this his testament. To the aforesaid Robert tenements in the parish of S. Benedict Fynk formerly belonging to Sibil, wife of Thomas Osekyn. To Peter, Walter, and Richard his sons the reversion of tenements and rents in the parishes of S. Peter de Bradestrete, S. Clement de Candelwickstrete, and S. Edmund the King near Grescherche; and to Margery his daughter the reversion of rents at Cornhull and in the parish of S. Peter de Bradstrete. No date.
Roll 27 (21).

Essex (Roger de).—To Otho de Essex, his servant, shops in the parish of Honylane; remainder in default of heirs to London Bridge, charged with the maintenance of a chantry in the church of S. Mary le Bow, and with an annual payment of fourpence for socage to the king before Easter. No date.
Roll 27 (23).

Willehale (John, son of Richard).—Rents in the parish of H. Trinity the Less to be sold by his executors, and the proceeds to be delivered to the said Richard, his father, who is to be preferred as purchaser, and the sum of sixty shillings due from the testator to be taken into account. No date.
Roll 27 (28).

Monday next after the Feast of S. Mathias, Apostle [24 Feb.]

Otmongere (Juliana, daughter of Adam le).—To Beatrix her sister, wife of Henry Hauteyn, a third part of a messuage inherited from her said father in a street called "la Chaunge." No date.
Roll 27 (33).

Evere (William de), "Ferur." (fn. 3) —To Alice his wife his capital house in the parish of S. Martin Orgar for life; remainder to John his son. To Robert his son a house and shop in the parish of S. Magnus. To Alice his daughter a shop and solar in the parish of S. Mildred in Sporierstret, (fn. 4) and rents in the said parish of S. Magnus. No date.
Roll 27 (34).

Marescall (Simon). (fn. 5) —A house and rents in the parish of S. Brigid to be devoted to the maintenance of a chantry in the church of Bromfeld, near Chelmeresford, in co. Essex, for a term of four years; remainder to Sewall de Bromfeld, his brother. To Amabilia his sister a tenement in the parish of S. Sepulchre without Neuwegate. Rents in the parish of S. Mary de la Stronde to be sold by his executors and disposed of as they may think fit. No date.
Roll 27 (35).

Marescall (William), of the parish of S. Dunstan West.—To Agnes his wife one moiety of his rents and tenements for life; remainder to his child en ventre sa mèreat the date of his will. To Robert de Wengham and Margery, wife of the same, the other moiety of his rents and tenements for their lives, on condition that his daughter Margery live with them, and that they provide her with all necessaries; remainder to his said daughter for life; remainder to pious uses. No date.
Roll 27 (37).

Monday next before the Feast of S. Gregory, Pope [12 March].

Chippestede (Gilbert de), tailor.—To John Fader, chandler, his tenement in the parish of S. Nicholas Hacoun situate near la novele Feyre, (fn. 6) charged with supplying one wax torch annually in the said church of S. Nicholas at the elevation of the Host, or paying five shillings by the year for maintenance of the said torch if the same be not properly supplied. No date.
Roll 27 (46).

Hereford (William de).—To William and Robert his sons his capital messuage and rents in the parish of All Hallows at the Hay. To Matilda and Ydonea his daughters tenements in the parishes of S. Pancras and S. Benedict Schorhog. To John his son rents upon Walebrock and at Smethefeld. To Margery his wife by way of dower his term in a tenement in the said parish of S. Benedict Schorhog, and the custody of his children as also of the children of Nicholas de Wynton, then in the custody of the testator. No date.
Roll 27 (47).

Kanefeud (Roger de).—To Alana his wife by way of dower his tenement in S. Nicholas Hakoun Lane and elsewhere for life; remainder to Walter his firstborn son for life. To the same Walter other tenements in the vills and fields of Welewych and Canefeld. To William his son tenements in Abbecherche Lane and in the parish of S. Mary de Wolcherchawe. . To Laurence his son a house in the parish of S. Nicholas aforesaid which extends to the tenement of the Hermit of Crepelgate; (fn. 7) and to Roger his son a house and shops in the same parish, and a tenement in the lane of H. Trinity the Less. No date.
Roll 27 (48).

Monday next after the Feast of S. James, Apostle [25 July].

Wautham (William de), cordwainer.—To the Abbot and Convent of Wautham (fn. 8) and their successors his rents in the parish of Berking Church in Chikenelane. No date.
Roll 27 (60).

Cornmetere (Hugh le).—All his tenements in the parish of Allhallows de Grescherch to be divided into two parts, and one moiety to go to Margery his wife and John his son, and the other moiety to be devoted to pious uses. No date.
Roll 27 (61).

Monday the Morrow of the Feast of All Souls [2 Nov.].

Ripton (Thomas de).—To Emma de Carleby, his niece, his houses in Limstrette, parish of S. Dionisius. No date.
Roll 27 (66).

Senescal (fn. 9) (Robert le).—To the church of S. Paul his dwelling-houses for one of the minor canons to reside in, so that the said canon distribute on the day of his anniversary twenty shillings among the canons, minor canons, and choir. Also to the said church all his rents in the City, towards the maintenance of the chantry of Symon de Herlingge. No date.


J. de Camera (fn. 10) on behalf of the Commonalty of the said City challenged the aforesaid testament, and said that it was made contrary to the Statute of Mortmain. (fn. 11)

Roll 27 (67).

Storteford (John de).—To Laura his wife his dwelling-house in the parish of S. Dunstan towards the Tower for life; remainder to John his son. Also to the said John his brewhouse in the parish of S. Giles without Crepelgate. To Adam his son houses and rents in the same parish in Grubbestrete, and also in the parishes of Staningchurche and All Hallows de Berkingchurch. To Gilbert his son a house in the said parish of S. Giles and rents in Bezèterslane, (fn. 12) with remainder to Cecilia and Margery his daughters. To Juliana his daughter rent of house called "le Taninghus" without Crepelgate. To Amisia and Juliana his daughters in equal portions the rent which he had with Alice his wife, their mother. No date.
Roll 27 (68).

Basingges (Sir Robert de), Knt.—To Gregory his son his houses and rents in Melkstrate and Wodestrate in the parishes of S. Mary Magdalen, S. Michael de Hoggenecherch, and S. Laurence, paying to Robert, brother of the said Gregory, an annual rent of ten pounds until the said Robert shall have been advanced by some friend to an annual rent of fifty marks of lay fee or ecclesiastical benefice, when the said rent is to cease. Also to the same Gregory his house in S. Nicholas Hakon Lane, and rents in the parish of S. Magnus at London Bridge. No date.
Roll 27 (70).

Monday next after the Feast of SS. Philip and James [1 May].

Box (Hamo).—To John his firstborn son his tenements in the parish of All Hallows at the Hay. To Margery his daughter his tenement called "Beaurepair" in the same parish. To Alice his daughter his tenement in the parish of Fenchyrche. Bequest of certain rents for the maintenance of a chantry in the parish of S. Michael upon Cornhull. To Margaret his daughter his tenement in the said parish of S. Michael. To Isabella his daughter rents in the parish of Paternosterchyrche. To Benedicta his wife by way of dower one hundred marks sterling, and her free-bench of his dwelling-house situate in the above parish of All Hallows; also the custody of his children. No date.


At a subsequent court came Margaret, wife of John de Camoya, and put her claim on the above testament, &c.

Roll 27 (82).

Cuver (John le).—To Alice his wife his dwelling-house for life; remainder to pious uses. To Elena his daughter his tenement in Bradestrate, parish of S. Bartholomew the Less. No date.
Roll 27 (92).

William, (fn. 13) Rector of Westillebyri.—His house in the parish of S. Matthew de Frydaystrate to be sold, and a portion of the proceeds devoted to a chantry in the church of S. Paul, and to providing a pittance for the canons, minor canons, secondary chaplains, rector of schools, vicars, clerk of the vestibule, collector of rents, and others of the said church, on the day of his obit. No date.
Roll 27 (93).

Cary or Cray (Thomas), called "le Marchai of the Conduit."—To Roger Brunne the moiety of a tenement in the parish of S. Mary de Colchirche, to hold for a term of sixteen years from the day of his death; remainder to Johanna his daughter in tail if she should survive, otherwise the same to be sold for pious uses. No date.
Roll 27 (94).

Monday the Morrow of the Feast of H. Trinity [1 June].

Ware (William de).—To John, clerk, his nephew, his tenement in the parish of S. Michael Queenhithe, charged with the maintenance of a chantry; also tenements in the parishes of S. Brigid in Fletestrate and S. Margaret upon Lothebury. To Alice, sister of the said John, a tenement in the said parish of S. Margaret. No date.
Roll 27 (102).

Plomer (Walter le).—Bequest of rents for the maintenance of a chantry in the church of S. Martin Orgar de Candelwykstrate for the good of his soul and the souls of Benga and Agnes (sic). To William his son his house in S. Nicholas Lane near Candelwykstrate in tail; remainder to Isolda his daughter; remainder to pious uses. Isabella his wife mentioned with his executors. No date.
Roll 27 (104).

Rokesle (Robert de).—To Margery his wife various tenements and rents in the parishes of H. Trinity the Less, S. Augustine at S. Paul's Grate, S. Stephen Colemanstrete, S. Michael de Cornhull and S. Andrew de Cornhull, and All Hallows le Petytfor life, rendering an annuity of twenty shillings to Avice his daughter, a nun of Clerkenewell. To Idonea his daughter the reversion of a tenement in the said parish of H. Trinity, subject to a similar charge; remainder to Isabella her sister. To Margery, daughter of the said Idonea, the reversion of a tenement in the said parish of S. Augustine, with remainders over. No date.
Roll 21 (105).

Monday next before the Feast of S. Barnabas [11 June].

Brounig (Roger), fish merchant.—To Richard de Hautboy (de alto bosco) and William, brother of the same, his nephews, all his houses in Riderestrate in parish of S. Mary de Mounthaut (de monte alto). No date.
Roll 27 (106).

Ludgate (Richard de), marshal. (fn. 14) —To Alice his wife his smithy (domum fabricam) in the parish of S. Martin within Ludgate for life; remainder to Thomas Stanes. No date.
Roll 27 (107).

Cardoil (fn. 15) (Thomas de).—To Alice his wife all his houses, rents, and tenements within the City of London for life; remainder to pious uses. No date.
Roll 27 (108).

Monday next after the Feast of S. Barnabas [11 June].

Haverynge (William de).—His tenement in the parish of S. Botolph without Alegate to be sold for the maintenance of a chantry in the said church of S. Botolph; William de Manhale and Juliana, the daughter of the testator, to be preferred as purchasers, on condition that they continue to provide a wax taper of one pound weight which he (the testator) used to maintain before the altar of the Blessed Virgin in the said church, and another taper in the church of S. Leonard in the vill of Strateford. To Agnes his wife another tenement in the above parish for life. No date.


Whereupon came Agnes, relict of the testator, and challenged the said testament, inasmuch as she claimed her free-bench of the capital messuage of the said William, with its appurtenances.

Roll 27 (111).

Wolf (Gilbert le).—To William Reyner and Constance de Newenham, wife of the same, his niece, a tenement in the parish of S. Swythin de Candelworthstrete. No date.
Roll 27 (117).

Monday next before the Feast of S. Luke, Evangelist [18 Oct.].

Munetere (Amigia la).—To John, called "le sekesteyn de Godechestre," her nephew, land and houses in the parish of S. Dunstan West. Her capital tenement to be sold by her executors to pay her debts and legacies. To John le Convers, son of Roger le Convers and of Sibil his wife, the reversion of a tenement in le Bail, parish of S. Sepulchre without Neugate, on condition that he cause two annuals (fn. 16) to be celebrated in the said churches of S. Sepulchre and S. Dunstan for the good of her soul and the souls of Hamo her late husband and others. No date.
Roll 27 (121).

Mortone (William de).—To William his son his capital messuage in the parish of All Hallows in Bredstrete; remainder in default of heirs to pious uses. To Cecilia his daughter shops in the same parish. Henry le Hore and Alice de Berdefeld to continue holding their respective shops for life. No date.


The above testament was examined and proved before Geoffrey de Northampton, Thomas Romeyn, and Adam de Rokeslee, Aldermen.

Roll 27 (122).

Monday next after the Feast of S. Luke, Evangelist [18 Oct.].

Luda (Master William de), Bishop of Ely.—To the bishopric of Ely all his houses at Holeburn in the suburbs of London, except the vines and croft, which are not of the liberty of the City, (fn. 17) but are of the county, conditionally on payment to his executors of the sum of one thousand marks sterling by his successor within three months of confirmation; otherwise the same to be sold for pious uses. His houses which formerly belonged to Robert de Dorsete he leaves for residences for three chaplains, with two hundred marks for the maintenance of chantries in the chapel of Holeburn. No date.
Roll 27 (126).

Hendon (Walter de), clerk.—All his houses and rents in the City of London and suburbs to be sold for the maintenance of chantries in the churches of S. John Sakary and S. Andrew de Holeburn for the good of the souls of Gilbert de Clare, late Earl of Gloucester, and others. No date.


Whereupon came Roger le Rus, Kut., and said that the testator could not make such devises, inasmuch as he was at the time of his decease the villein of the said Richard (sic), in proof of which one Robert declared himself to be the whole brother of the testator, and his next heir, and a villein of the said Richard (sic). And the same Richard (sic) said that after the decease of the testator the said Robert had entered upon the aforesaid tenements, and that the said Richard (sic) had received the same into his hand as his villeinage, &c., and that the said Walter had never been admitted to the freedom of the City; and that although the said Walter might devise the said tenements, he could not devise them in mortmain contrary to the statute; (fn. 18) and so challenged the aforesaid tenement, and asked that execution of the same should not be given to his prejudice, &c., and contrary to the form of the statute, &c. And the executor demanded execution, &c. Accordingly a day was given, when the said Richard (sic) and Robert did not appear; and inasmuch as they had never denied that the testator died seised of the aforesaid tenements as of fee, administration was granted to the executor.

Roll 27 (132).

Footnotes

  • 1. Mercenarius, or mercer.
  • 2. Or "le Quern." See note supra, p. 3.
  • 3. Ironmonger.
  • 4. See note supra, p. 120. There was also, as we have already seen (supra, p. 122), a Sporicreslane in the parish of Allhallows, Barking, afterwars called Water Lane, from its running down to the Water Gate by the Custom House (Stow's 'Survey,' Strype's ed., 1720, book ii. p. 53).
  • 5. Called in the margin Simon of the New Temple.
  • 6. Not to be confounded with "The Neue Feyre," which used to be held after dinner in Soper Lane, and was ordered to be abolished in 1297, owing to its being frequented by thieves, cutpurses, and others (Riley's 'Memorials of London,' p. 33). It probably refers to the fair or market known as the "Stocks," which had recently been erected in the neighbourhood for the sale of fish and meat.
  • 7. The Hermitage was situate in Mogwell or Mugwell (now corrupted, into Monkwell) Street.
  • 8. Waltham Holy Cross, co. Essex.
  • 9. An abstract of his will is given in the Ninth Report of the Hist. MSS. Commission (p. 46 a), from a document among the archives of S. Paul's Cathedral.
  • 10. Perhaps John de Dunstaple, who is spoken of as late Chamberlain of the Guildhall of London in 1303 (City Records, Letter-Book C, fol. 71).
  • 11. See note supra, p. 116.
  • 12. So called from being occupied by bell-founders; now corrupted into Billiter Street.
  • 13. Probably William de Hareworth, who is described in a deed dated 30 Edw. L, preserved among the archives of S. Paul's Cathedral, as "late Hector of West Tilbury." A will of a certain William, Rector of West Tilbury, is also preserved among the same archives, but is stated to have been enrolled in 1228 (1298?). See Hist. MSS. Commission, Ninth Report, pp. 46 a, 54 b.
  • 14. Or farrier.
  • 15. Or Carlisle; see note supra, p. 10.
  • 16. See note supra, p. 89.
  • 17. The testator's predecessor, John de Kyrkeby, had, as we have already seen (supra, p. 90), devised all his houses, with gardens, vineyards, &c., at Holborn to the see of Ely, and exception had been taken by his heir to the gift of the vineyards so devised as being situate without the liberty of the City. The question whether Ely House stood within or without the liberties of the City has more than once given rise to dispute. In 1781 it was decided, in a trial before Lord Mansfield about poor rates, that Ely Place did not lie within the parish of S. Andrew, Holborn, but was extra-parochial (Loftie's 'Hist. of London,' vol. ii. pp. 184-195).
  • 18. See note supra, p. 116.