Wills: 4 Richard II (1380-1)

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: 4 Richard II (1380-1)', in Calendar of Wills Proved and Enrolled in the Court of Husting, London: Part 2, 1358-1688, (London, 1890) pp. 216-224. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/court-husting-wills/vol2/pp216-224 [accessed 19 April 2024]

ANNO 4 RICHARD II.

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

Fulham (Johanna, relict of William, late fishmonger).—To be buried in the church of S. Andrew Hubert near her husband. Bequests to the said church for lights, &c., to the churches of S. Margaret de Briggestret and S. George near Estchep, divers orders of friars, the inmates of certain hospitals, the lepers of Hakeneye and Loke, &c. Provision made for chantries for the good of her soul. To Andrew Benet de Jernemouth her brother, Geoffrey Fulham and Leticia his wife, Richard atte Gate, and others, she leaves sums of money and chattels, comprising prayerbeads (fn. 1) of aumbre, pieces of coerchiefs, dishes, chargeours, candelabres of latten, and mazers. Dated London, Wednesday the Feast of Exaltation of H. Cross [14 Sept.], A.D. 1379.

Roll 109 (13).

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

Kyllyngworth (Richard de), draper.—To be buried in the churchyard of S. Michael de Crokedlane. Bequests to the church of S. Michael and ministers therein, and provision made for two trentals. The reversions of his tenements in the parish of S. Peter the Less (fn. 2) in Bradstret, of a quitrent of Berneseld in the parish of S. Peter de Westchepe, and of rents of certain tenements in the Poultry to be sold by his executors, and one moiety of the proceeds to go to Katherine his wife, and the other to be devoted to pious and charitable uses. Dated London, 3 May, A.D. 1380. Roll 109 (24).

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

Orleaux (John), brewer.—To be buried in the tomb of Isabella his late wife in the church of S. Michael in Bassyngeshawe. Bequests to the said church and ministers thereof for chantries, &c. A piece of russet cloth to be bought to be put over his corpse on the day of his funeral, the same to be afterwards distributed among the poor of the parish of S. Michael aforesaid. Two trentals of S. Gregory to be celebrated immediately after his decease for the good of his soul, the souls of Isabella aforesaid and others, for which he leaves the sum of twenty shillings, as well as six shillings and eightpence for providing lights (lumen oportorium (fn. 3) ) around his corpse on the day of his funeral and his month's mind (et in mense), and two marks for a stone to be erected over their corpses. Bequests to divers orders of friars and to the Fraternity of S. Giles without Crepulgate. A certain tenement called "la Bel on the Hop" in the parish of S. Botolph without Algate he leaves to trustees, after the decease of Katherine his wife, for providing a chantry priest in the church of S. Michael aforesaid; and in case of default the same to go to the Mayor and Recorder of London for the time being for like purpose. Two leaden vessels called "Brueledes" and a leaden trough, which are in the tenement aforesaid, to always remain there, and to be kept the same weight or greater whenever they are repaired. Dated London, 9 May, A.D. 1380. Roll 109 (38).

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

Nichol (Robert).—To be buried before the altar of S. Katherine in the church of S. Botolph without Aldrichesgate. To Alice his wife he leaves his brewery called "le Pecok on the houp" in the parish of S. Botolph aforesaid for life; remainder to Thomas Willesdon and Margaret, wife of the same. Bequests to the fabric of the aforesaid church, its chaplains, and the fraternities of H. Trinity, S. Sebastian, and S. Katherine therein. Dated London, Easter Monday [18 April], A.D. 1378. Roll 109 (65).

Hownere (Robert), brewer.—To be buried in the church of S. Martin within Ludgate. Bequests to the rector and clerks of the said church, and provision made for the maintenance of a chantry therein, charged on his brewery and other tenements within the parish. Bequest also to the Fraternity of the Blessed Mary in the said church. To Margery his wife he leaves his estate in the above tenements, and certain rents in the parish of S. Martin Pomer in Isemongerlane, for life; remainder in trust for the maintenance of a chantry in the church of S. Martin within Ludgate. His best silver girdle he leaves to be converted into a cross for the said church. To Alice Midewyf a piece of silver and silver spoons. To William Temple and John Canoun six shillings and eightpence respectively. Dated London, 3 December, A.D. 1380. Roll 109 (66).

Monday next after Feast of SS. Fabian and Sebastian [20 Jan.].

Gille (John), draper.—To be buried in the middle of the processional way (fn. 4) (in medio iteneris processionis) of the church of S. Christopher, London, in case the parishioners wish to construct a north aisle (insulam) in the said church, for the making of which he leaves twenty marks sterling; otherwise he is to be buried before the cross in the churchyard near his children, and the said sum of money is then to go to the work of the Conduit of London. Bequests to the said church for lights, &c., to divers orders of friars and every anchorite in London, to the hermit near the house of S. Katherine by the Tower, the inmates of various hospitals, the lepers at Hakeneye and at S. Thomas Wateryng, (fn. 5) and the prisoners in Neugate and Flete; to the works of S. Paul's and S. Peter's upon Cornhull, and of the church of Wynpole, co. Cambridge; to the boxes of the fraternities of S. Christopher, of Bedelehem, and of the Drapers. To Margaret his daughter he leaves a cup called "Byker," a gilt cup of three leaves, twelve silver spoons, and two hundred pounds sterling. Johanna his wife appointed guardian of his said daughter, she giving security at the Chamber of the Guildhall for safeguarding his daughter's property. Also to his said wife he leaves all his lands and tenements in the parish of S. Christopher in the wards of Cornhull and Bradstrete, and his brewery and garden in the parish of S. Peter upon Cornhull, for life; remainders to his aforesaid daughter, Isabella his sister, and Richard, son of William Robynet, in successive tail; remainder to pious uses in the church of S. Peter aforesaid. Bequests also to Robert Gille his father, his servants, apprentices, and others. To the box of the Fraternity of S. John of the Tailors of London twenty shillings. Dated London, 1 January, A.D. 1380.—By a codicil annexed he leaves to Johanna his wife the reversion of lands and tenements in the parish of S. Andrew upon Cornhull, coming to him upon the death of his father, for life; remainders over.

Roll 109 (67).

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

Chichestre (John de), goldsmith.—His tenement in the parish of S. John Zaker' at the corner of Godronlane, together with a shop in Chepe at the corner of Fridaistrete, and solars in the parish of S. Matthew in Fridaistrete, he leaves to John Frenssh, goldsmith, in tail; remainder to Johanna Frenssh, wife of John Markeby, goldsmith. Also to the said John Markeby and Johanna, wife of the same, he leaves a shop in the parish of S. Peter in Westchepe in tail; remainder over. To Sir Edmund Pencrich, rector of the church of S. Edmund in Lumbardstrete, and parishioners of the same, certain rents in Westchepe in the parish of S. Vedast, in le Reole in the parish of S. Michael de Paternostercherche, and issuing from a tenement formerly called "le Culver on the hope," and now "le Swan," in Temestrete in the parish of S. Dunstan Est, in trust for maintenance of chantries, torches, &c. To the Master, Brethren, and Sisters of the Hospital of S. Katherine near the Tower he leaves all his lands and tenements in Est Smethefeld without Algate in the parish of S. Botolph, together with others in the parishes of S. Mary de Abbechurch, S. Edmund in Lumbardestrete, and S. Nicholas Acon, one being called "le Taverne atte Belle," so that they pray for the souls of King Edward and of Philippa, wife of the same, the souls of John de Hermesthorp, clerk, master or warden of the said hospital, the testator, and others. To Alice his wife tenements and shops in S. Clement's Lane in the parish of S. Edmund aforesaid, one being called "le Sarezynesheved," and a tenement called "Topfeldes In" in Fletestrete, parish of S. Brigid, for life; remainder as to the last-mentioned tenement to William his son and John Frenssh aforesaid in successive tail. The rest of the above tenements to be sold after the decease of his wife and the proceeds devoted to pious and charitable uses. Dated London, 14 May, A.D. 1380. Roll 109 (73).

Monday next before the Feast of S. Peter in Cathedrâ [22 Feb.].

Broun (Margery, relict of Thomas).—To be buried in her mantle and veil in which she became professed, without any coffin, in the chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the church of S. Dunstan near the Tower, near her late husband. Particular directions as to her funeral, which is to be nevertheless conducted without much array, pomp, or feasting. Bequests to the church of S. Dunstan and ministers of the same, comprising a chalice and gilt paten engraved with the arms of her husband, a pair of vestments, whereof the chesiple is of cloth of gold diapered with birds (fn. 6) (distempartum cum gallis aureis), a towel with frontal to match the chesiple, two other towels, one of melynges (fn. 7) and the other of crucicul, (fn. 8) and a fourth towel for the lavatory (fn. 9) (pro lavacro); the rector of the said church enjoined to pray for the souls of Thomas, John, (fn. 10) and Simon her late husbands. Bequests also to the common box of the Fraternity of S. Katherine which used to be in the church of S. Katherine de Colman, but now is in the monastery of Newchirchehawe, (fn. 11) the church of S. Mary atte Hull and ministers therein, the inmates of Newegate, the lepers near London, divers orders of friars, the priors and convents of H. Trinity within Algate, S. Bartholomew in Smythefeld, and S. Mary without Bussupesgate; to every anchorite and hermit in the City, the old fabric of S. Paul's, the works of S. Thomas de Acon and of London Bridge; the convents of S. Clare without Algate, of Haliwell, Clerkenwelle, Kelborne, Chesthunte, and Stratford, the house of S. Antony near Fynkeslon', (fn. 12) and the chapel of S. Antony at Stratford. For the use of the church of S. Katherine de Colman she leaves two pairs of vestments, one of white Fustien (fn. 13) for weekdays, and the other of silk, in imitation of baudekyn (fn. 14) (ad modum de baudekyn), for festivals; an ancient missal, chalice and paten, a chest for preserving the said ornaments, and a book of the service of S. Anne. To Alice her daughter a mantle dyed with murre in grain furred with Gris (pellucatum de Griso), and all her clothes to match; a bed powdered with Boterflyes, sheets, a materas covered with Borddalisandre, (fn. 15) towels, &c. To Margaret Berkyng and Johanna atte Penne similar goods, comprising a good gown well furred with putes, (fn. 16) a materas of blue, a mantle of a colour called "violette" with fur of Gris and hood of the same suit. Her ring with one large pearl with which she was made a professed sister is to be placed upon the tomb of King Edward at Westminster. To Margaret her daughter she leaves tenements in the parish of S. Mary de Colchirche in tail; remainder to Alice her daughter for life; remainder to the Abbot and Convent of Evesham. Bequest of ten marks for hiring some one to make a pilgrimage to the town of S. James (fn. 17) immediately after her decease. Dated Tuesday after the Feast of Translation of S. Thomas the Martyr [7 July], A.D. 1376. Roll 109 (89).

Hervy (William), brewer.—To be buried in the church of S. Andrew de Holbourne. Bequests to the said church, its ministers, and the Fraternity of S. John founded therein; to the Friars Minors for a trental of masses, and the Carmelite Friars. To Sir William his son, chaplain, he leaves his best cloak, an iron-bound chest with lock and key, silver spoons, &c. Gifts to be made to the poor on the day of his funeral and on the commemoration of his month's mind and obit. To Sarah his wife a tenement with shops in the parish of S. Margaret de Lothebury for life, so long as she remain chaste and unmarried; remainder to William his younger son in tail; remainder in trust for sale for pious uses. To Alice his daughter sixty-six shillings and eightpence and a brass vessel holding two gallons; and to the aforesaid William his younger son divers household chattels. His wife to have charge of the said William during minority, so long as she remain chaste and unmarried. If his said son die within the next eleven years, all his goods are to be divided into two parts, one of which he leaves to his aforesaid wife, and the other to pious and charitable uses. Richard Hervy his brother appointed surveyor of his will, to whom he bequeaths six shillings and eightpence for trouble taken in that behalf. Dated London, the Feast of S. Thomas, Apostle [21 Dec.], A.D. 1380. Roll 109 (90).

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

Aubrey (John).—To be buried in the monastery of the Carthusian monks near London. To Matilda his wife he leaves all his movables. To the church of S. Antonin twenty pounds sterling, out of which the rector is to have eight pounds and therewith to be content. Each of his servants to be rewarded according to merit. Dated at Shenley, co. Herts, Saturday the Feast of Conception of V. Mary [8 Dec.], A.D. 1380. Roll 109 (98).

Cornerthe (Elena, relict of Thomas, late mercer).—To be buried in the church of S. Michael in Bassynggeshaghe near the tomb of Roger Madour her former husband. Leaves all her goods, movable and immovable, to Sir John Haitfeld, clerk, John Shadworthe and William Shiringham, mercers, to dispose of for the good of her soul. Dated London, 17 February, A.D. 1380.

Roll 109 (102).

Wendelyngburgh (John de), "pouchemaker."—To be buried in the church of S. Botolph without Aldrychegate. Bequests to the said church and ministers of the same, and for the maintenance of tapers in the chapel where is sung the antiphon Salve Regina; also to the new work of S. Paul's and for tapers therein, as well as for a taper to burn before the image of the Virgin at the north door of the monastery of S. Peter at Westminster. Bequests for chantries to be sung in the church of S. Botolph aforesaid, and at Oxford or Cambridge, for the good of his soul. To Eva his wife forty pounds and various articles of furniture. Bequests also to the fraternities of the craft of Skinners of Sarum, of S. Katherine in S. Paul's Church, of Pouchemakers of London, and of SS. Fabian and Sebastian in the church of S. Botolph aforesaid; to William Hyne de Wendlyngburgh and Agnes, wife of the same, his sister, John Pere, his servants, and others. His aforesaid wife to enjoy a life interest in all his tenements in the parishes of S. Botolph aforesaid and S. Giles the Abbot without Crepulgate; remainder to pious and charitable uses. Dated London, Friday the Feast of S. Edmund, Confessor [20 Nov.], A.D. 1380.

Roll 109 (103).

Monday the Feast of S. John ante portam Latinam [6 May].

Wendelyngburgh (Eva, relict of John de, late "pouchemaker").—To be buried in the church of S. Botolph without Aldrichesgate. Bequests to the said church and ministers of the same, and for the maintenance of a trental of S. Gregory (fn. 18) and other religious services therein. To Isabella Haliwell, Johanna her servant, Agnes, sister of her late husband, her godchildren, and others, she leaves sums of money and articles of apparel, comprising a cloak of russet with fur, and a blue tunic furred with black lambs-wool. Her tenement in the parish of S. Giles without Crepulgate to be disposed of for the good of her soul. Dated London, in Aldrichesgatestrete, 12 March, A.D. 1380.

Roll 109 (109).

Hatfeld (Robert), pepperer.—To be buried in S. Anne's Chapel in the church of S. Antonin near the tomb of Alice his late wife. Bequests to the said chapel, and for the maintenance of a chantry priest for three years; to divers orders of friars in London, the inmates of Neugate and of several hospitals, to lepers living around and near London, &c. Johanna his wife to have charge of Robert his son and of property left to him, and if she marry again, she and her husband are to give security at the Guildhall for his son's goods. To each of his daughters, viz., Agnes, Juliana, and Johanna, he leaves one hundred shillings for kerchiefs (ad capitergia) and ornaments. To the ordinaries (sic) whose duty it is to take probate of this his will he leaves twenty shillings for their reward and fee. Also to Johanna his wife his silver seal with chain and a fermail; also his leasehold interest in his dwelling-house in the parish of S. Antonin; remainders to Robert his son and to Geoffrey Crymelford and Agnes, wife of the same. Testament sealed with his business seal (sigillum quo fungor in marcandizis). Bequests to his servants and others. Dated London, Monday next after the Feast of S. John ante portam Latinam [6 May], A.D. 1379. Roll 109 (123).

Footnotes

  • 1. 1 j par prccum de aumbre.
  • 2. 2 Now known as S. Peter le Poor.
  • 3. 1 An unusual word, perhaps connected with opertorium, a sepulchre or tomb (Du Cange); unless it be a mistake for offertorium.
  • 4. 1 See note supra, p. 157.
  • 5. 2 Or "St. Thomas of Waterings" (Strype's Stow), in Southwark. Cf. Chaucer, Prologue to the 'Canterbury Tales,' 825-826:— And forth we riden a litel more than paas,Unto the waterynge of Seint Thomas.
  • 6. 1 Dr. Rock ('Textile Fabrics,' p. 33) calls attention to the frequent mention in church inventories of diapered silks for vestments, the most elaborate specimen of diaper-weaving on record being probably that which Edmund, Earl of Cornwall, gave to S. Paul's Cathedral, described as "a cope of a certain diaper of Antioch colour, covered with trees and diapered birds, of which the heads, breasts, and feet, as well as the flowers on the trees, were woven in gold thread."
  • 7. 2 Perhaps meaning a mixture of colours (Fr. mélange), or medley.
  • 8. 3 This may mean powdered with little crosses (de cruciculis), whence stauracin (Gr. [stauros]), the name of a silken stuff so figured; or, on the other hand, ornamented with the chrysoclavus, or golden nail-head so often to be found on ecclesiastical vestments ('Textile Fabrics,' pp. 35-36).
  • 9. 4 For washing the hands of the celebrant at mass.
  • 10. 5 John de Cavendich, who is mentioned in another part of the will as having been one of her husbands.
  • 11. 6 Or New Abbey near the Tower. See note supra, p. 143.
  • 12. 7 Finch Lane, on the north side of which was situate the Hospital of S. Antony, sometime a cell to S. Antony's Monastery at Vienne.
  • 13. 1 This appears to refute the opinion held by some that it is identical with panni fuscotincti, i.e., cloths dyed "tawny" or "brown." Other derivations are mentioned in a note later on.
  • 14. 2 Cloth made of silk interwoven with gold thread.
  • 15. 3 Or Bourde de Elisandre, as it is sometimes spelt. According to Dr. Rock it is probably a kind of striped cloth made at Alexandria and other places in the northern and eastern parts of Africa ('Textile Fabrics,' pp. 72-73).
  • 16. 4 Skin of the wild cat or weasel, Fr. putois.
  • 17. 5 Santiago of Compostella.
  • 18. 1 See note supra, p. 137.