Wills: 28 Edward III (1354-5)

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: 28 Edward III (1354-5)', in Calendar of Wills Proved and Enrolled in the Court of Husting, London: Part 1, 1258-1358, (London, 1889) pp. 675-684. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/court-husting-wills/vol1/pp675-684 [accessed 19 April 2024]

ANNO 28 EDWARD III.

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

Charteney (John).—To be buried before the altar of S. Mary in the church of S. Clement near Candelwykstrete. To Margaret his wife for life tenements and rents in the parishes of S. Clement aforesaid and S. Edmund the King in Lombardestrete; remainder to the maintenance of a chaplain to serve at the altar aforesaid, who is to be appointed by the Abbot and Convent of S. Mary de Stratford of the Cistercian Order. And whereas the testator was made co-executor, with Matilda, wife of John Ram, of the testament of Matilda, late wife of John atte Rose, of whose goods administration had not yet been made, he appoints and exhorts his said co-executrix, on peril of her soul, to undertake the administration of the same, and thus to absolve his soul before the throne of God. Dated London, Monday next after the Feast of S. Laurence [10 Aug.], A.D. 1352.
Roll 82 (2).

Okebrok (John de), chaplain, holding a perpetual chantry in the church of S. Michael atte Corn.—Bequests to the said church and ministers thereof and to the old and new work of the church of S. Paul. To his successors in the aforesaid chantry he leaves his portifory in two volumes; to Sir William de Okehrok, a canon regular of Derleye, (fn. 1) his kinsman, a small mazer, a gold ring with sapphire stone, and six silver spoons; and to Margery his godchild, daughter of Symon atte Holeweceler, eighteenpence. Also to the aforesaid church of S. Michael rents of a certain tenement within the parish, formerly belonging to William del Barnet, late cordwainer. His testament he has got sealed with the seal of the Jurisdiction of the Dean and Chapter of S. Paul's, his own being unknown to many. Dated London, Wednesday next after the Assumption of V. Mary [15 Aug.], A.D. 1351.
Roll 82 (3).

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

Atte Conduyt (Walteb), vintner.—To be buried in the church of S. Sepulchre without Neugate if he should happen to die in London. Bequests to the said church, to the work of the church of S. Paul, to the prisoners in Neugate, the poor in the hospitals, to each anchorite in London, for the repair of the chapel in Conynghoplane, and to the work of the church and hospital of S. James near Westminster. (fn. 2) To Avice his wife, by way of dower, thirty pounds and her entire chamber, with all vessels and utensils appertaining to his house, and also certain rents issuing from a tenement situate at the eastern corner of Bredstrete near Westchep in the parish of All Hallows, so that the said Avice maintain a chantry in the church of S. Martin Vintry for the first five years after his decease. Also a house and mansion in the parish of S. Mary atte Hull for life; remainder for pious uses for the good of his soul, the souls of John Red his father, Isabella Red his mother, and others. His executors are to recover against Thomas Potyn, his wife's father, a sum of money due for the marriage of the said Avice. Of the residue of his goods the said Avice his wife is to have one half, and the other is to he devoted to pious and charitable uses. Dated London, Sunday next after the Feast of S. Mark [25 April], A.D. 1349.
Roll 82 (6)

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

Mareschal (Robert), junior, goldsmith.—To be buried in the church of S. Andrew de Hobourne. To Margery his wife for life all his lands, tenements, and rents in the City of London and suburb thereof; remainder to Walter de Harewedon, horsedealer (mercatori equorum), in trust for sale for pious uses. The wardship of Johanna, daughter of David le Coffrer, he assigns to his wife and to the aforesaid Walter de Harewedon. Dated at S. Ives, 9 June, A.D. 1351.
Roll 82 (16).

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

Ditton (Benedict de) de Alvethele. (fn. 3) —To be buried in the aisle of the church [of Alvethele], before the altar of S. John the Baptist and S. Nicholas. To the work of the said aisle one hundred shillings. One of his best cart-horses to precede his corpse, in satisfaction of which he wills twenty shillings to be paid; (fn. 4) and to the ministers in the same church twelve pence apiece. To John Parkere de Alvethele a robe and four quarters of wheat. To Johanna his servant all his articles of bijouterie (minutas res), except fermails, (fn. 5) rings, and other things of value formerly belonging to Isabella his wife, and a girdle, which he leaves to John his son.
Roll 82 (25).

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

Wakefeld (William de), Rector of the church of S. Michael in Bassyngeshawe.—To be buried in his said church if convenient. Provision made for his funeral, &c. To Johanna, wife of William Tydyman de Northampton, he leaves divers household chattels, including his best bed and two entire robes, one being red and the other of a mixed colour; also silver spoons both long and short, a cup of mazer (de mureto) bound with silver, table-cloths, &c. To William, son of the said Johanna, a small bikerwith silver covercle, and five marks of silver. To Thomas Godard, chaplain, he leaves for life the garden which he bought of Richard Elsyng, mercer, in the parish of S. Stephen de Colemannestrete; remainder to his aforesaid church, on condition that the said Thomas during his life, and after his decease the rectors of the said church, celebrate a mass every Friday with Requiemand collect Inclinaand collects De Cruce de Angelis (sic). Dated at the hostel of the Venerable Father in Christ John [Thoresby], Archbishop of York, near Westminster, Tuesday in Easter week [15 April], 28 Edward III. [A.D. 1354].
Roll 82 (51)

Twychene (Richard de), fishmonger.—To be buried in the church of S. Botolph near Billynggesgate, to which church he leaves certain sums of money. To Katherine his wife his dwelling-house for life; after her decease the same to be sold for the good of his soul and the souls of his said wife, Thomas Aleyn and Agnes wife of the same, and others. To William his brother forty shillings. Dated London, Wednesday next after the Feast of All Saints [1 Nov.], A.D. 1349.
Roll 82 (54).

Vaimere (Henry), vintner.—To be buried in the church of S. Martin Vintry. Bequests to the said church and ministers thereof, and also for funeral expenses, &c. The following are the chief beneficiaries:—the poor in the hospitals of S. Bartholomew de Smethefeld, S. Mary without Bysshopesgate, S. Thomas de Southewerk, and S. Giles without Holbourne; the Sisters Minoresses without Algate; the anchorites and. recluses of London; the work of S. Paul's Church and London Bridge. To Robert son of Robert his late brother, John May, Thomas son of Alice his sister, Henry his son, and others he leaves certain sums of money. All his tenements in the street of la Rioleare to be sold, and the proceeds divided between William his son and Margery and Elizabeth his daughters; certain shops also in the parish of S. Martin without Ludgate in the Baily to be sold for payment of debts, &c. To Johanna his wife for life tenements in the aforesaid parishes of S. Martin Vintry and S. Martin without Ludgate; remainder to Henry his son, charged with the maintenance of certain chantries. Also to his said wife his estate in the manor of Wrenstede in co. Kent, together with all his stock and movable goods and chattels therein. Pecuniary bequests to his apprentices, to the steward of the aforesaid manor, his cook, his daughter's nurse and other servants, the chaplains of the chapel of S. Thomas upon London Bridge, and others. Dated London, 18 April, A.D. 1354.
Roll 82 (60).

Wilchere (Thomas), girdler.—To be buried in the chancel of the church of S. Laurence Jewry. Bequests for funeral expenses, maintenance of wax torches at divers altars, chantries, &c. To Johanna his wife he leaves a certain tenement at the corner of "Seuehodeslane" in the said parish of S. Laurence for life; remainder to Stephen Edulf and Beatrix, wife of the same, the testator's daughter, in special tail; remainder to the said Beatrix in tail general; remainder to pious uses. Also to the said Stephen and Beatrix his term in another tenement in "Seuehodeslane," one hundred pounds of latone, one best coverlitand feather bed, a chest, and a second-best mazer. For a pilgrim to go to S. James (fn. 6) on his behalf he leaves forty shillings. To Robert Wilchere, his kinsman, and to Robert Mirourer a robe apiece. Dated London, Wednesday next before the Feast of S. Dunstan, Bishop [19 May], A.D. 1354.
Roll 82 (67).

Cros (Andrew), fishmonger.—To be buried in the churchyard of H. Trinity near the Tower. Bequests to church of S. Magnus de Briggestrete and ministers thereof for chantries for the good of his soul and the souls of Walter his father, Amicia his mother, and others, for funeral expenses, &c. He remits to his apprentices the remainder of their respective terms after account made with his executors. To Stephen his brewer he leaves ten shillings, and to his fraternity of S. Magnus a similar sum. To Beatrix his wife for life his tenement in the parish of S. Magnus aforesaid; remainder to John his son in tail; remainder to charitable uses. Dated London, Saturday in Easter week [12 April], A.D. 1349.
Roll 82 (68)

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

Shirbourne (John de), clerk.—To be buried in the church of S. Mary de Aldermannebury near the altar of S. Peter. Bequests of money and tapers to the said church. To Margery his wife he leaves all his goods in the City of London, with the exception of an entire new robe of red cloth of the livery of the Mayor (fn. 7) (ex liberacione Maioris), which he leaves to his clerk. To Richard his son, who is on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, he leaves his dwelling-house, if not otherwise disposed of by his said wife; and if his said son die abroad the same to go to Andrew his son. Also to his aforesaid wife his goods at Little Hallyngbury in co. Essex. Dated London, Thursday next before the Feast of Exaltation of H. Cross [14 Sept.], 28 Edward III. [A.D. 1354].
Roll 82 (69)

Cornewaille (William de).—His dwelling-house in the parish of All Hallows de Stanyngchurch and his rents wheresoever they are to be sold to pay his debts and for pious uses for the good of his soul and the soul of Alice his late wife. John Tyntegel, his kinsman, appointed guardian of Thomas his son. By this his last will he revokes any former testament. Dated at Stebenhethe, (fn. 8) VIL Kal. Sept. [26 Aug.], A.D. 1354.
Roll 82 (70).

Causton (William de), mercer.—To be buried in the church of S. Pancras near Soperslane in the tomb of Dionisia his late wife. Bequests for the maintenance of chantries for the good of his soul and the souls of the said Dionisia, his father and mother, William de Causton his uncle, Edith Palmer, and others, charged on his houses, shops, &c., situate near the gate of the great seld of the late Roisia de Coventre (fn. 9) and elsewhere towards Soperlane in the said parish of S. Pancras. To Christina his wife he leaves all the aforesaid houses, shops, &c., for life or until remarriage; remainder to pious uses. Further bequests to chantries in the said church of S. Pancras, charged on tenements in la Bowelane, parish of S. Michael de Paternostercherche, and in the parishes of S. Mary de Stanynglane, S. Matthew de Frydaiestret, S. Michael atte Corne, S. Nicholas Coldabbey, and others. To John atte Berne a place in la Brodeselde. Dated London, Wednesday next after the Feast of Translation of S. Thomas [3 July], A.D. 1354.
Roll 82 (73).

Peyntour (William le) de Derby, notary.—To be buried in Pardon Churchyard (in Cimiterio venie) of S. Paul. Bequests to the altar of the church of S. Faith and for the purchase of wax tapers to be placed in divers churches. To Alice his daughter his term in a house in Ivilane, parish of S. Faith aforesaid. His lands in the vill and fields of Derbye and in the diocese of Covyntre and Litchfield to be sold, and divers sums of the proceeds left to Alice and Johanna his daughters; to the work of the bridge called "Ebrugge beyond Derewent," Derebeye, as well as the repair of the bridge lying between his tenements and the church of S. Wereburga, Dereby; to the Preaching Friars of the vill of Derebye for the good of his soul and the souls of his father and mother, Isabella his wife, John de Stratford, late Archbishop of Canterbury, and others; and to John Pent de Derby. Also to Alice his daughter a silver cup with covercle, six silver spoons, his largest cup of mazer, and other household goods; and to Antonine her son silver spoons and a small psalter covered with cloth of Tars (cum panno de Tars). (fn. 10) To William de Olepenne a silver cup, on the bottom of which is written "Ciphus Isabelle Derby"four silver spoons, and his tables of yver (fn. 11) which he carries at his girdle, together with a silver stile; also to Magota, daughter of the said William, six shillings and eightpence. To Sir Geoffrey de Weineford and John de Wydenham forty pence apiece. Dated London, 21 March, A.D. 1353.
Roll 82 (75)

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

Atte Brome (John), tanner.—To be buried in the churchyard of S. Sepulchre's Church. Bequests for funeral expenses, tapers, and chantries. To Juliana his daughter bequests of money and of household chattels, and also the reversion of his tenements in Secollane in the parish of S. Sepulchre and in the parish of S. Alphege near London Wall after the decease of Avice his wife; remainder in default of heirs in trust for sale for pious uses. To his said wife he leaves twelve Dykeres (fn. 12) of bullock and calf skins lying in his tannery, her entire chamber, and certain lands and tenements at Newenton in trust to sell for payment of his debts. Bequests of money or measures of corn or other grain to Katherine Shorne his kinswoman and her children, Alice Donner and her children, the children of Cristina Shorne, the poor of the vill of Newenton, the Fraternity of Cordwainers, John de Bristowe, and others. Dated London, Thursday next before the Feast of SS. Simon and Jude [28 Oct.], A.D. 1353.
Roll 82 (80).

Bruera (fn. 13) (Gilbert de), Dean of S. Paul's.—A fresh last will or testament as touching his immovables acquired in the City of London; but inasmuch as a former testament made by him is not contrary to the present one, it is still to hold good. To be buried in the chapel of S. Katherine in the church of S. Paul which he had newly built. He leaves his tenements and wharf, commonly called "Pauliswharf," to the Dean and Chapter of S. Paul's and their successors, so that they maintain a chantry in the said chapel of S. Katherine for the good of his soul and the souls of others; failing which the same are to be disposed of by his executors as they may think best for the good of his soul. Dated at his dwelling-house, Saturday next after the Feast of Purification of V. Mary [2 Feb.], A.D. 1353.
Roll 82 (82).

Grymesby (Edmund de), Rector of the church of Barewe (fn. 14) in the diocese of Norwich.—To John de Derlyngton, his clerk, sixty shillings and a robe, with all garniture of Burnet (fn. 15) (de Burnetto) which he had of the King's livery. To John de Digby, clerk, Adam de Kynyardby, William de Bradelee, Walter de Swalclif, and others, his servants, divers sums of money. To Margaret and Agnes his sisters, John his son, Agnes daughter of Thomas Faune, and others, bequests of money and clothes. To the chaplain of his chantry at Grymesby he leaves a missal and a gilt chalice. To the Prior and Convent of the church of S. Bartholomew de Westsmythefeld his tenements in the parish of S. Leonard in the street of S. Vedast and in the parish of S. Botolph without Aldresgate; also shops in the parish of S. Sepulchre without Newgate in the lane called "Wendegayneslane," and elsewhere, on condition that they maintain a chantry for the good of his soul; failing which the same are to go over to his chantry at Grymesby aforesaid. Dated London, 10 October, A.D. 1353.
Roll 82 (83)

Poulesholt (Robert de), tyler.—To be buried in the churchyard of S. Sepulchre without Neugàte, to which church and ministers thereof he leaves certain sums of money. His tenement in Secollane in the parish of S. Sepulchre to be sold to pay his debts. To Agnes his wife he leaves the residue of his goods and the remaining term of service of his apprentice. Dated London, Monday next before the Feast of Nativity of V. Mary [8 Sept.], A.D. 1354.
Roll 82 (86).

Monday next after the Feast of S. Hilary [13 Jan.].

Berkyngge (William de), fishmonger.—To be buried in S. Paul's churchyard near the tomb of Lucy his wife. Bequests to ministers of the churches of S. Nicholas Coldabbeye and S. Thomas de Acon, the Canons of Lesnes, the Abbess and Convent of Berkyngge, the fraternity of the church of S. Margaret de Berkyngge, the work of London Bridge, &c. To the shrine of S. Ethelburga de Berkyngge he leaves a gold ring and forty pence. A certain silver cup and a sum of money then in the hands of Agnes Grene to be enjoyed by her for life, but after her death to be devoted to charity for the good of his soul. To John Seman, his apprentice, he leaves forty shillings and his best robe; to William de Kendale, saddler, his tenement in the parish of S. Nicholas Coldabbeye in the Old Fish Market; and the residue of his goods to pious uses. Dated London, Tuesday next after the Feast of S. Luke [18 Oct.], A.D. 1354.
Roll 82 (94).

Footnotes

  • 1. Little Derby or Darley, co. Derby. (See Tanner's 'Notit. Monast.,' p. 79.)
  • 2. See note supra, p. 415.
  • 3. Alveley, co. Salop.
  • 4. Mention has already been made of the custom of leading the best horse of a deceased person at his funeral, which afterwards served for burial or mortuary fee. (See notes supra, pp. 489, 611.) In this case it is uncertain whether the testator intended that the sum of twenty shillings should be given instead of the cart-horse in discharge of the fee, or that the sum mentioned was to be paid, by the person claiming the horse.
  • 5. Buckles or clasps.
  • 6. See notes supra, pp. 454, 657.
  • 7. It was customary in former times for the Mayor and also the Sheriffs to give liveries on their election. The clerks of the several companies returned the names of such as wished to have the Mayor's livery, the sum of twenty shillings at least being placed in a purse and forwarded, together with their names, by way of a "Benevolence," in return for which every man received four yards of broadcloth of various colours. These were called "raygowns" from their being striped. In after years gowns of one colour only became substituted for them. Sir Thomas Lodge when Mayor [A.D. 1562-3] discontinued the gift of cloth for gowns, and gave three yards of satin to make doublets instead, and this in its turn was afterwards changed for a gift of a silver spoon (Stow's 'Survey,' Strype's ed., 1720, bk. v. p. 164). The custom survives to this day in the gift of "livery cloth" once a year to certain high officers of State and the chief officers of the Corporation.
  • 8. Stepney.
  • 9. See note supra, p. 62.
  • 10. According to Du Cange a fine sort of cloth brought from Tars or Tarsia, a country bordering on Cathay and Turkestan. Riley surmises it to be identical with the China silk crape of the present day. See his exhaustive note on the subject in the glossary to the 'Liber Custum.' (Rolls Series), s.v. tarteni panni.
  • 11. Ivory.
  • 12. See note supra, p. 529.
  • 13. His will is preserved among the archives of S. Paul's Cathedral. (See appendix to Ninth Report of Hist. MSS. Com., p. 47b, and Dugdale's 'Hist. of S. Paul's Cath.,' ed. 1818, p. 23.)
  • 14. Barrow-upon-Humber, co. Linc.
  • 15. Cloth made of dyed wool. It is said that in a "burnet" cloth the wool must necessarily have been dyed, whereas a cloth of brown colour (brunus) may be made of undyed wool, and is called a "medley" or "russet."