Wills: 17 Richard II (1393-4)

Calendar of Wills Proved and Enrolled in the Court of Husting, London: Part 2, 1358-1688. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1890.

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'Wills: 17 Richard II (1393-4)', in Calendar of Wills Proved and Enrolled in the Court of Husting, London: Part 2, 1358-1688, (London, 1890) pp. 301-310. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/court-husting-wills/vol2/pp301-310 [accessed 17 March 2024]

ANNO 17 RICHARD II.

Monday next after the Feast of All Saints [1 Nov.].

Burford (William), "belyeter." (fn. 1) —To be buried in the church of S. Botolph without Algate. Bequests to the said church, ministers and lights of S. Mary and S. Katherine therein. Johanna his wife to maintain a lamp to burn before the high cross in the said church during her lifetime. Bequests also to the old work of S. Paul's, to each of the five orders of mendicant friars in London, the convent of the Minoresses without Algate, the convent of Haliwell, the inmates of divers hospitals, to poor bedefolk (pauperibus oratricis) at S. Katherine's near the Tower and Elsyngspitell, the prisoners in Newgate and Ludgate, &c. Bequest of one hundred pounds sterling for the maintenance of two chantries in the above church for the good of his soul, the souls of Elena his former wife and others. To Robert his son he leaves the tenement in the parish of S. Botolph without Algate which he acquired from Alice Pereris, all his craft implements, &c. Also to the aforesaid Johanna his wife all his vessels, utensils, jewels, &c., appertaining to his "houshold." Dated London, 12 February, A.D. 1390. Roll 122 (20).

Lincoln (William de), saddler.—To be buried in the church of S. Vedast near Amicia his wife. Bequests to the said church, its ministers, and the light of the Fraternity of the Holy Cross therein; also to the five orders of mendicant friars in London, the monks of the New Abbey near the Tower, the work of the church of S. Thomas de Acres near the Conduit, to every anchorite recluse within the liberty of the City, the Fraternities of S. Giles without Crepulgate and of the "Charnell" in S. Paul's churchyard, &c. For covering the roof of the church of S. Vedast with lead he leaves one hundred shillings, otherwise only thirteen shillings and fourpence. To the good men of the mistery (misteri) of "Sadellers" a sum of money on condition they build a common hall for the use of the mistery within three years next after his decease, otherwise the same is to be distributed among the members of the craft. To Alice his wife all his tenements in Chepe and Gudrunlane for life, charged with the maintenance of a chantry in the church of S. Vedast aforesaid for the good of his soul, the souls of Walter his father, Margaret his mother, John, Richard, and William his brothers, and others, and with providing certain tapers to burn during the singing of Salve and celebration of mass; remainder in trust for sale for pious and charitable uses. Sir John de Lynton, rector of the church of S. Vedast, appointed surveyor of his testament. Dated London, 20 November, A.D. 1392. Roll 122 (22).

Monday next after the Feast of S. Andrew, Apostle [30 Nov.].

Holbech (Matilda, relict of William, draper).—To be buried in the church of S. Dunstan "Est," near the window she lately made. To fifteen poor men and fifteen poor women she leaves sufficient cloth of Russet for a mantle and hood and a kyrtell of Blankette to each, and the sum of six shillings and eightpence. To Cecilia, daughter of Thomas Hauteyn, she leaves certain tenements in the parish of S. Benedict Schorhogge in tail; remainder in trust for sale for pious and charitable uses. Other tenements in the parishes of S. Benedict de Graschirch, S. Laurence near Candelwykstret, and S. Nicholas Hacon to be sold for like purposes. An annual quitrent of ten marks, issuing from tenements held by her and Hugh Southern her former husband, to be devoted to a chantry in the church of S. Dunstan aforesaid. To John Clee, draper, and "Senicla" his wife she leaves her leasehold interest in a tenement called "Sernetestour" (fn. 2) in Bokeleresbury. To the house of Chestehunte ten marks. To the house of Hethyngham (fn. 3) for a dormitory and for erecting stalls in the choir ten pounds. To the church of Little Totham (fn. 4) her new missal. Bequests also of three pairs of vestments, viz., one best pair for festivals, another white pair for Lent, and another pair for weekdays, together with her missal and silver chalice for use at the altar of S. Margaret in the church of S. Dunstan aforesaid. After many other bequests to individuals, she leaves the residue of her goods to assist poor students in the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, for repair of roads, marriage portions of poor maidens, &c. Dated London, 29 July, A.D. 1392.—Also to Amy living in the Convent of Stratford twenty marks, provided she take the veil.

Roll 122 (27).

Monday next before F. of SS. Fabian and Sebastian [20 Jan.].

Boterwyk (John).—To be buried in the church of All Hallows de Bredestrete. Bequests to the said church and ministers therein; also to Thomas, son of Geoffrey Walpole, and others. To Alice his wife he leaves all his lands and tenements in the parishes of All Hallows aforesaid, S. Sepulchre without Neugate, and S. Nicholas at the Shambles for life; remainders to Robert his son and to John Ixnyng and Elizabeth, wife of the same, the testator's daughter. Dated London, 21 April, A.D. 1390.

Roll 122 (32).

Dymmok (John), "taillour."—To be buried in the chancel of the church of S. Mary de Bothhawe. Bequests to the said church, and provision made for a chantry therein; also to the mendicant friars of London, the prisoners in Newgate, Ludgate, the King's Bench, and la Flete; the Fraternity of the Resurrection, &c. Directions as to burning torches and tapers at his funeral, and their subsequent distribution among the churches of S. Mary aforesaid, S. Thomas de Acon near the Conduit, the chapel of the Fraternity of S. John of the Tailors, and the church of Wodesbury, where he was born. To William his brother he leaves his best robe of the livery of his lord (de liberata domini mei). To Henry Boude his kinsman a robe of the livery of the Lord Bishop of Chester, a long cloak of red and black, and twenty shillings. To John Gilbert his wife's brother a girdle of black silk harnessed with silver, a dagg' and a basilard harnessed with silver. To Robert Here his servant a long gown of striped cloth (de stragulo) furred with bever, a silver girdle, a baselard harnessed with silver, a doublet with coat of mail, a palet (fn. 5) with hood, and twenty pounds sterling, that he may consent to act as executor; and to John Mere his servant a gown furred with otter (cum otris) and twenty shillings on like terms. To Margery his wife a tenement called "le ship on the hope" in Tourstrete, parish of All Hallows de Berkyngchirche, for life; remainder to John Gilbert. His joint feoffees of lands and tenements in the parish of Stanwell, co. Middlesex, are desired to make a good estate of the same to his aforesaid wife for life; remainders to the aforesaid John Gilbert and Robert Here for their respective lives; remainder to John Partrich, Master of the Fraternity of S. John of the Tailors of London, and wardens of the same, for maintaining a chaplain and the brethren and sisters of the said fraternity, on condition that the said fraternity pay to Margery his wife the sum of twentyfour pounds due to the testator; otherwise the property is to be sold for pious and charitable uses. Dated London, 22 August, A.D. 1393. Roll 122 (33).

Monday next after the Feast of Conversion of S. Paul [25 Jan.].

Elys (Martin), Minor Canon of S. Paul's.—To be buried in the churchyard of the canons near Sir Simon Charulton. Bequests to the Major Canons Stagiary, (fn. 6) Minor Canons, chaplains, and others of the said church of S. Paul, for masses, &c., and also to the canons of the priories of S. Bartholomew, Elsyngspitel, S. Mary without Bisshopesgate, H. Trinity, London, and S. Mary de Suthwerk, the canonesses of Halywelle, Clerkenwell, and Keleburne, &c. To the church of S. Faith he leaves his chalice and portifory with music of the use of S. Paul. (fn. 7) To his brethren the Minor Canons living in their common hall (fn. 8) he leaves his books, viz., Decretales Summarum, and ecclesiastical stories of the weaknesses and virtues of the four Evangelists, with glosses; a book called Racionale Divinorum, a book, in quires and unbound, of divers treatises after the manner of concordances, a "Briton," (fn. 9) and a Legend of Saints; also his vessels of brass and pewter, table linen, a silver bowl with the name of Jesus on the bottom, a mazer cup having on the botton the passion of S. Thomas the Martyr, and another mazer cup with silver covercle called "Pardoncuppe"; also his houses in Ivylane. To the Dean and Chapter of S. Paul's he leaves all his rents and houses in Secollane in the parish of S. Sepulchre upon conditions specified. His image of silver gilt representing the Resurrection he bequeaths to the Monastery of S. Alban, to be borne in processions on stated occasions. To Alice, wife of Roger Elys, "wexchandeler," Roger Stokes, "wexchandeler," and Johanna, wife of the same, Juliana and Isabella his sisters, Master John Barnet, rector of the church of Leveryngton, Sir William Ryffyn, Sir Robert Dokesworth, and Sir John Lynton, Minor Canons of S. Paul's, and others, he leaves sums of money and household goods, comprising a bed coverlet of green, with tester powdered with dragons and birds, bed curtains, &c. Bequests also to the chapel of Walsingham, the altar of Wardon, co. Beds, every prior of the Carthusian Order in England, the fabric of London Bridge, &c. Dated London, 18 June, A.D. 1393.—At his special request the seal of the official of the Court of Canterbury was affixed to his testament in place of his own, which was but little known. Roll 122 (39).

Baterell alias De Flete (Mary).—To be buried in the churchyard of S. Brigid in Fletestrete. Bequests to the rector, chaplain, &c., of the church of S. Clement without "Templebarre." To William de Ledes, Canon of the Collegiate Church of H. Cross, Criditon, all her lands and tenements in Fletestrete. To Alice Maschall, Alice Mery, and others, she leaves divers kerchiefs (flammeola); and to Alice her servant an old bed of green, red, and blue colour, with blankets and sheets. Dated 5 October, A.D. 1393. Roll 122 (40).

Sandherst (John), chandler.—To be buried in the church of S. Magnus near London Bridge. Bequests to the said church and ministers therein; and to each of the four orders of friars in London, and the Friars of the Cross near the Tower, for prayers for his soul and the souls of Cristina his former wife and others. To Cecilia his wife he leaves all his lands, tenements, and rents in the parishes of S. Benedict de Graschirche and S. Edmund de Lombardstret for life, she paying an annuity to Margery his daughter, a nun in the isle of Shepeye; remainder to Richard and William his sons in equal portions. In the event of his said sons dying without issue the same to remain to Elianora and Johanna junior, his daughters, for their lives; remainder in trust for sale for pious and charitable uses. Also to William his son the reversion of a tenement situate at le Hole in the parish of S. Magnus aforesaid, in tail, with remainders to the aforesaid Richard, Elianora, and Johanna junior. Cecilia his wife to have the custody of his children during minority, she giving surety at the Guildhall. Dated London, 20 September, A.D. 1393.—Also after making the above testament he wills that if all his aforesaid children die without leaving issue, the above property is to remain to Johanna senior his daughter (if surviving) for life, and after her decease sold as is aforesaid. Roll 122 (41).

Monday next after the Feast of S. Agatha, Virgin [5 Feb.].

Leycestre (John), merchant.—Bequests to the rector and clerks of the church of S. Nicholas Acon. To Margaret his sister his lands and tenements in the parish of S. Laurence Pulteneye in tail; remainder to the Mayor and Commonalty of the City of London and their successors for the maintenance of the City's conduits. Dated London, 19 May, A.D. 1391. Roll 122 (45).

Monday next after the Feast of S. Valentine [14 Feb.].

White (Walter).—His tenements in the parish of S. Dionisius de Bakcherche to be sold for pious and charitable uses, repair of roads, &c. The reversion also of his lands and tenements in Wadesmeln (fn. 10) and in the parish of Staundon, co. Herts, accruing after the decease of Isabella his wife, to be likewise sold for pious uses. Dated London, 1 October, 17 Richard II. [A.D. 1393].

Roll 122 (52).

Monday next after F. of SS. Perpetua and Felicitas [7 March].

Vynent (Thomas), mercer.—To be buried in the chancel of S. John the Evangelist in the church of S. Laurence in Old Jewry. Directions for providing cloth and wax tapers at his funeral and as to their subsequent disposal. Bequests to the aforesaid church and ministers thereof, to the church of S. Paul and the fabric of the shrine of S. Arkenwald therein, and to the house of the Minoresses without Algate; also to Henry Aleyn, John Pynk, "Chapman," John Chamberleyn, his apprentices, servants, and others. To Roger Wryngesworth he leaves a cup harnessed with silver gilt called "Note in Cristemasse." His executors to give assistance to any trusty merchant or mercer (mercator vel mercerus) who had been a customer of the testator and had come to poverty. Bequests for the maintenance of chantries for the good of his soul, the souls of John his father, Juliana his mother, and others, and also for the maintenance of chantry priests in the churches of S. Stephen in Colmanstrete, S. Olave in the Old Jewry, and S. Laurence aforesaid. Cristiana his wife to have a life interest in his tenement in the parish of S. Michael, Queenhithe; remainders over. Dated London, 18 March, 16 Richard II. [A.D. 1392-3]. Roll 122 (67).

Monday next after the Feast of S. Benedict, Abbot [21 March].

Potenham (William), "girdeler."—To be buried in the church of S. Laurence in the Jewry before the image of S. Katherine, where lies the body of Christina his late wife. Bequests to the said church, its vicar and chaplains, and the chaplain of the Fraternity of the Holy Cross therein; for providing cloth, tapers, and torches at his funeral; to each of the four orders of mendicant friars in London, viz., the Minors, Augustinian and Preaching Friars, and Carmelites; also to John Copelyn his brother, residing in Potenham, and John his brother, residing in Wynchestre; to Idonia, Matilda, Katherine, Johanna junior, and William, children of John Potenham, Alice Dawe, and others. To Thomas and William his sons, and to Alice his daughter, he leaves a certain tenement in the parish of S. Laurence aforesaid in successive tail; remainder in trust for sale for pious uses. Alice his wife appointed guardian of his children and of their property up to the age of sixteen years without rendering any account for the same. Two chantry priests to be provided for the church of S. Laurence aforesaid, and one for the church of S. Alphege near Crepulgate. Dated London, 26 September, A.D. 1393. Roll 122 (81).

Monday next after F. of Annunciation of V. Mary [25 March].

Boseham (John), mercer.—His rents and tenements in the parishes of S. Michael de Bassynggeshagh and S. Pancras, and in "Sevenhodlane" (fn. 11) in the parish of S. Laurence in Old Jewry, to be sold by his executors, and the proceeds devoted to pious and charitable uses for the good of his soul, the souls of Felicia his late wife and others. Dated London, 8 October, A.D. 1393.

Roll 122 (86).

Monday next before the Feast of S. Dunstan, Bishop [19 May].

Waltham (Thomas), late burgess of Kyngeston upon Hull.—To be buried in the chapel of the H. Trinity of Kyngeston upon Hull. Leaves his best horse by way of mortuary. To Friar John Richemond five marks sterling for celebrating an annual (fn. 12) (unum annuale) for the good of his soul. To Katherine his wife all his lands, tenements, rents, &c., within the City of London and neighbourhood for life; remainder to his right heirs. Dated at Kyngeston upon Hull, Tuesday next after the Feast of S. Martin in Yeme [11 Nov.], A.D. 1392.


Be it remembered that the devise of tenements in the above will appearing to the Mayor and Aldermen to be too general, they ordered John Byngelee and Katherine his wife, relict and executrix of the testator, to specify the tenements aforesaid, which they did, as appears by deed of Stephen, son of Hugh de Waltham, made by Thomas de Holcote, rector of the church of All Hallows de Stanyngchirch, and enrolled in the Husting of Pleas of Land held on Monday next before the Feast of S. Botolph [17 June], 11 Edward III. A.D. 1337]. (fn. 13)

Roll 122 (102).

Monday next after the Feast of S. Petronilla, Virgin [31 May].

Blakeneye (John), fishmonger.—To be buried in the church of the Carthusian monastery near Westsmethefeld, to which monastery he leaves all his lands and tenements in the parishes of S. Nicholas Coldabbey and S. Mary Somerset, so that the monks say weekly a De Profundis, &c., for the good of his soul. Also to the said monks he leaves the sum of thirty pounds sterling for the masonry of their new chapter house, together with a vestment and a chalice. Bequests also to the work of S. Paul's, the church of Charneton (?), co. Norfolk, the churches of S. Nicholas and S. Mary aforesaid, and others; to divers orders of friars; the lepers at le loke, Hakeneye, and S. Giles without Holbourne; the convents of Haliwell and Clerkenwell, and the house of H. Trinity within Algate. Provision made for chantries in the churches of Cleye, (fn. 14) Wyveton, Blakeneye, (fn. 15) Sheryngton, (fn. 16) and Brynnyngham, co. Norfolk, and bequests of vestments, chalices, and missals for the same. Bequest of twenty marks for hiring some chaplain to go to Rome and there remain for one year to pray for his soul, and ten pounds for getting two men to travel to S. James in Galacia (sic) in fulfilment of his vow. Among other bequests are the following:—to the poor of the vills and parishes of Cleye, Wyveton, Blakeneye, Charneton, Brynnyngham, Stodeye, and Honeworth, (fn. 17) a bushel of salt (salis grossi); to Richard Newenton, the King's Sergeant, his best horse; to John Wade, fishmonger, his best sword and bokeler covered with plates of silver; and to Sewall Hodesdon, fishmonger, his best bed with tester. Bequests also to the prior and others of the house of S. Saviour de Bermundesseye. Dated Suthwerk, 10 February, A.D. 1393. Roll 122 (112).

Grenyngham (Avice, late wife of William).—To be buried near her late husband in the porch of the church of S. Margaret de Lothebury. Bequests to the said church and various chaplains therein, and to divers orders of friars; also to William Kyng her brother, Nicholas Bedyngton, mercer, her kinsman, and others. To Alice, wife of William Kyng aforesaid, and to Agnes, wife of Nicholas Bedyngton aforesaid, respectively, she leaves a pair of paternostres with silver fermails hanging thereto. To Johanna Therlawe her best furred gown and her best basin and ewer. Provision made for a chantry in the church of S. Margaret aforesaid for the space of six years next after her decease. To John Stebbenheth her kinsman she leaves her quitrents in Colmanstret in the parish of S. Stephen. Dated London, 22 November, A.D. 1386. Roll 122 (113).

Footnotes

  • 1. 1 I.e. bell-founder, an early instance of the English form, which gave the name to a street corruptly called Billiter Street. The craft was originally represented by the Potters. The Latin form campanarius occurs in a deed, probably of the twelfth century, preserved among the archives of S. Paul's, and as early as A.D. 1216 in the 'Liber de Antiquis' of the City Records. Burford's will has been printed by the late Mr. Stahlschmidt in his work on 'Surrey Bells and London Bell-Founders' (Elliot Stock, 1884).
  • 2. 1 To the various modes of spelling this name already mentioned (supra, p. 104n.), another may be added, namely, that of "Sylvestretour," found among the archives of S. Paul's Cathedral.
  • 3. 2 Hedingham, co. Essex, where there was a nunnery of the Benedictine Order.
  • 4. 3 Co. Essex.
  • 5. 1 Usually described as a kind of headpiece or skull-cap. If that be the meaning here the addition of a hood would seem superfluous. Among the jewels deposited with the Corporation in 1379 for a loan of 5,000l. by King Richard II. was a palet of gold; and again in the following year, when the king desired a further advance, he deposited among other royal jewels "a palet of gold called 'the Palet of Spain,' garnished with divers pearls and precious stones, weighing 100 nobles and 80 pounds, and valued in all at 1,708 pounds." Riley is inclined to think from the weight here given that the palet may not have been so much a head-piece as a coat of mail ('Memorials,' pp. 429, 444, note).
  • 6. 2 Or residentiary canons.
  • 7. 1 As to this use see Calendar, Part I. p. 644 n.
  • 8. 2 The Minor Canons of S. Paul's were not incorporated as a college till the year after the testator's death, viz., 18 Richard II. They anciently, says Newcourt, dwelt in separate houses, some within the precincts of the churchyard and some without, but afterwards met together in a common hall or refectory which stood on the north side of the church, near Pardonchurch-haw ('Repertorium,' i. 232).
  • 9. 3 Unum Britonem; probably meaning a treatise on law written in French, attributed by some to John Breton, Bishop of Hereford, and a judge. The bishop, however, died anno 3 Edward I., and the treatise notices statutes made anno 13 Edward I., and this circumstance has led others to consider the treatise as nothing more than an abridgment of Bracton's work, with additions made to the law since Bracton's time. It is further supposed that it came to be called "Briton" as being one of the names of Bracton himself (Reeves's 'Hist. of the English Law,' ii. 280-1).
  • 10. 1 A convent was founded at Minster, on the island of Sheppey, co. Kent, by the mother of King Egbert, circa 675. It suffered much from invasions of the Danes, by whom at last the house was destroyed. It was, however, rebuilt and replenished with Benedictine nuns circa 1130.
  • 11. 1 Wades Mill, near Thundridge, co. Herts, situate a little to the south-west of Standon on the Ermin Street. Perhaps connected with Lat. Vadum.
  • 12. 1 Variously spelt "Sevehodeslane," "Sefhodlane," and "Sofhodlane"; a lane not easy to identify at the present day. Mr. Maxwell Lyte mentions it in his Calendar of the Archives of S. Paul's Cathedral as being within the parish of S. Martin Pomer. Its situation in or near the Jewry suggests the possibility of a Hebrew root to the name.
  • 13. 2 Service for the dead held on the anniversary of the day of their decease; a year's mind.
  • 14. 2 From this deed, enrolled in Hust. Roll 64 (84), the property here devised appears to have been situate in the parishes of S. James Garlickhithe, S. Stephen de Colmanstrete, and S. Michael de la Crokedelane.
  • 15. 1 Cley-next-the-Sea, co. Norfolk.
  • 16. 2 Or Suitterley.
  • 17. 3 Sharrington.
  • 18. 4 Hunworth.