Wills: 21 Richard II (1397-8)

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: 21 Richard II (1397-8)', in Calendar of Wills Proved and Enrolled in the Court of Husting, London: Part 2, 1358-1688, (London, 1890) pp. 328-336. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/court-husting-wills/vol2/pp328-336 [accessed 24 March 2024]

ANNO 21 RICHARD II.

Monday next before the Feast of S. Margaret, Virgin [20 July].

Maire (John), smith.—To Alice his wife all his lands and tenements within the liberties of the City of London for life; remainder to his sons and daughters in equal portions. To William Arnald he leaves his best anfeld and a best pair of Belewes, and to William Mosle similar chattels. Dated London, 25 June, A.D. 1389. Roll 126 (17).

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

Shalyngford (John), draper.—To be buried before the high cross in the church of S. Mary de Aldermarichirche near the tomb of Isabella his late wife. Bequests to the said church and ministers thereof, the church of S. Thomas de Acon, to the various orders of friars in London, the inmates of hospitals, the lepers at le loke, Hakeneye, and near the Hospital of S. Giles de Holbourne, the prisoners of Ludgate, Newgate, and the two Marshalseas, &c. Chantries to be maintained at S. Anne's altar in the church of Aldermarichirche for the good of his soul, the souls of Dulcia and Isabella his wives, Sir Nigel Loryng, Knt., and others. To Alice his wife he leaves his tenement in Watlyngstret in the parish of S. Mary de Aldermarichirche, now called "le Stulpes," for life by way of dower. To Henry Julian and Elena, wife of the same, the testator's daughter, his tenement called "le Swan on the hop," situate at the Shambles of S. Nicholas, in tail; remainder in trust for sale, and the proceeds to be distributed as directed. His leaseholds in Carterelane and Knyghtrederistret in the parish of S. Gregory to be sold to fulfil his testament and for pious uses. Pecuniary legacies to his wife, John and Cecilia, children of the aforesaid Henry Julian, Alice Shepstere de Shalyngford, and others. Dated London, 1 June, A.D. 1397. Roll 126 (23).

Monday next before the Feast of SS. Simon and Jude [28 Oct.].

Tykenore (Richard), draper.—To be buried in the church of S. Botolph near Billyngesgate. Bequests to the said church, the Fraternity of S. Mary therein, the rector and chaplains; also to the prisoners in Newgate, Ludgate, and Flete, the Marshalsea of the Bench, and the Marshalsea of the King's House; the inmates of various hospitals, &c. Numerous pecuniary legacies to John Weston, "irmongere," of the parish of S. Mary atte Hill, Thomas Blosse, merchant, Thomas Hawker, a man called "Hildebrande Hysplyncrode" of Almaine, and others. To a man called "Chiryngton," living in the Hospital of S. Thomas the Martyr in Suthwerk, Richard Websterre, William Wright, master clerk of the parish church of Crokedlane, and others, he leaves divers chattels and articles of apparel, comprising a coat parted with black fur, a coat with black fur together with a hood of the livery of the Drapers of London, a silver - mounted mazer, a coat of russet with fur of oteres, a coat of blue furred with ficheux, (fn. 1) and a red coat lined with fustiam. (fn. 2) To the church of Banstede (fn. 3) he leaves twenty shillings, his psalter and hymnal. Pardons Alice Upholdesterr her debt. Chantries to be maintained in the church of S. Botolph aforesaid and in the Hospital of S. Thomas the Martyr. His tenements and rents in the parishes of S. Michael upon Cornhill and S. Mary de Fanchirche to be sold to fulfil his testament. Dated London, 17 July, A.D. 1397. Roll 126 (51).

Wotton (William), merchant.—To be buried in the Collegiate Church of S. Laurence de Pulteneye near Candelwykstret. To Margaret his wife his tenements in Thamysestret and Wolsyeslane in the parishes of All Hallows the Great and All Hallows upon the Solar (super Solarium), in the lane and parish of S. Laurence aforesaid, and elsewhere for life; remainders over to Nicholas his son and to Robert Witherdeley, master of the collegiate church aforesaid, for keeping his obit, &c. Dated London, 24 August, A.D. 1391. Roll 126 (52).

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

Atte Wode (Thomas).—Bequests to the minister of the church of S. Peter the Poor (parvi), whereof he was a parishioner, and the work of the church of S. Martin within Ludgate; also to William Rose, Simon Laverok, Agnes atte Wode, called "olde annot," and others. To William Kyngescote he leaves his horse called "Bayard Grenecobbe." (fn. 4) Alice his wife and John his son to have certain meadow lands in Braynford. (fn. 5) Also to his said son he leaves the reversion of a hostel called "le George on the hope" in the parish of S. Sepulchre near Holbourne Crosse. The reversion of a certain tenement in the baily in the parish of S. Martin without Ludgate to be sold by his aforesaid wife, and the proceeds devoted to the repair of roads between Kensyngton and Braynford, and between Padyngton and Eggeswere. Also to his wife he leaves a tenement in the parish of S. Margaret de Lothebery. Dated London, 16 August, A.D. 1396. Roll 126 (54).

Monday next after the Feast of S. Katherine, Virgin [25 Nov.].

Charteseye (John), draper.—To be buried in the monastery of Waltham Holy Cross, co. Essex. To William his son an annual rent issuing from his tenements and wharf called "Asselynswarf," in the parish of S. Dunstan towards the Tower, together with the reversion of the said property after the decease of Isabella his wife, for life; remainder to the Prior of Crycherche for the maintenance of chantries. To Margaret his daughter the reversion of certain tenements at Dowgate for life, charged with the payment of an annuity to Marion his daughter, a Minoress of the Order of S. Clare without Algate; remainders to William and John his sons for their respective lives in succession, with further remainder to the Abbey of the Order of S. Clare for pious uses. Dated London, the Feast of All Saints [1 Nov.], A.D. 1396.

Roll 126 (72).

Shiryngham (William), mercer.—To be buried in the church of S. Mildred in Bredstrete in the same tomb as Matilda his late wife. His tenement in the parish of S. Stephen in Colmanstrete to be sold for pious and charitable uses. William Shiryngham his brother, rector of the parish church of Holtmarket in the diocese of Norwich, appointed one of his executors. Dated London, 24 July, A.D. 1397. Roll 126 (73).

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

Vanner (Henry).—To be buried in the chancel of the church of S. Martin in the Vintry. Bequests for lengthening the body of the said church and raising the belfry, &c.; also to various orders of friars; the nuns of Clerkenwell, Halywell, and Dorteford, co. Kent; the Nuns Minoresses without Algate; the inmates of several hospitals; the lepers at the Hospital of S. Giles in Holbourne, le loke, and Hakeney, &c. Bequests for the maintenance of chantries in the church of S. Martin aforesaid. His feoffees of certain lands and tenements in the parishes of S. Martin in the Vintry and S. James de Garlekhithe are directed to convey to Margery his wife, daughter of John Stodey, an annuity of thirty pounds within three months after his decease, and further to enfeoff Thomas Byrlyngham and John, brother of the said Thomas, of the aforesaid lands and tenements. His feoffees of certain other lands and tenements in the said parish of S. Martin, together with a wharf and the advowson to a chantry in the said parish church, are directed to grant to his aforesaid wife an annuity of fifty pounds, and to convey the property to certain other feoffees, who in their turn shall enfeoff John Cornewaleys his brother thereof in tail, with remainder to William Vanner his brother in tail; remainder to Johanna his mother. His feoffees of the reversion of lands and tenements called "le Bernes" in co. Middlesex, of others in Algatestrete in the suburb of London, as well as in the parishes of Stebenhithe, S. Mary Matfelon, and S. Botolph without Algate, and elsewhere, are to convey the same to his aforesaid brothers and mother, with cross remainders. His tenements in co. Kent to be sold by his feoffees. Dated London, Tuesday, 9 February, A.D. 1394. Roll 126 (76).

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

Goldryng (John), chandler.—To be buried before the high cross in the great churchyard of S. Paul's. Bequests to the churches of S. Margaret Moisy in Fridaystrete and S. Matthew in Fridaystrete; to various orders of friars and to the Charterhouse for prayers and masses; to anchorites in London and the suburbs, &c. His lands and tenements in Distaflane in the parish of S. Margaret aforesaid to be sold, and the proceeds devoted to the maintenance of a chantry in the said parish church for the good of his soul and the soul of Isabella his late wife, and to the relief of prisoners in Neugate and Ludgate. Dated London, 29 December, A.D. 1397.

Roll 126 (84).

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

Davy (John) de Holbourne.—To be buried in the church of S. Andrew de Holbourne. Bequests to the said church and ministers thereof. To John Russell his servant he leaves a new gown of white russet. To Alice his wife his lands and tenements in Holbourne for life; remainder to John Osebern and Emma, wife of the same, the testator's daughter, in tail; remainder in trust for sale for the maintenance of a chantry in S. Mary's Chapel in the church of S. Andrew aforesaid for the good of his soul, the souls of Alice his wife and others. His goods to be divided into three parts: one part to be devoted to works of piety, a second part to go to his wife, and the third to the aforesaid John and Emma. Dated Saturday, 12 January, A.D. 1397.

Roll 126 (94).

Whelple (William), cordwainer.—To be buried in the church of S. Alban in Wodstrete near Isabella his late wife. Among other bequests he leaves eight dozen pairs of best shoes to be given to the poor, if there be that number in his house at the time of his decease; if not, then so many as are in his house at that time are to be so distributed. To the Prior and Convent of Holy Trinity within Algate the reversion of certain tenements in the parish of S. Alban aforesaid after the decease of Elena his wife. Dated London, 20 February, A.D. 1385. Roll 126 (103).

Monday next before the Feast of S. Valentine, Martyr [14 Feb.].

Waltham (Richard), cutler.—To be buried in the church of S. Martin near Ludgate. Bequest of twenty pounds for the maintenance of a chantry in the said church for three years next after his decease. Pecuniary legacies to Philip, George, and John his sons, and Johanna his daughter. His tenement in the parish of S. Sepulchre in Holbourne to be sold after the decease of Alice his wife, and the proceeds divided between his aforesaid sons. Dated London, 2 November, A.D. 1397. Roll 126 (115).

Clapshethe (John), poulterer.—To be buried in S. Mary's Chapel in the church of S. Andrew upon Cornhull near Johanna his late wife. Bequests to the said church, the church of Uggele and vicar thereof; to the five orders of friars in London; the priory church of Holy Trinity within Algate; also for providing a chaplain to make the circuit or stations of the Roman court, and to celebrate for one whole year at the Scala Celi (fn. 6) and other holy places, for the good of his soul. To Emma his wife forty pounds sterling, all his store and household goods, and his leasehold shops in the parish of S. Peter upon Cornhull; also a tenement in the parish of S. Andrew aforesaid for life; remainder in trust for sale for pious and charitable uses. Bequests also to the inmates of hospitals and prisons, and to the fabric of the chapel of the Fraternity of S. Giles without Crepulgate and chaplain thereof. Dated London, 18 October, A.D. 1397. Roll 126 (116).

Norhampton (fn. 7) (John), draper and freeman of the City of London.—To be buried in the church of the Hospital of S. Mary de Elsyngspitel within Crepelgate. (fn. 8) To the said hospital he leaves certain lands and tenements in the parish of All Hallows the Great at the Hay in the Ropery upon certain conditions, one of those conditions being the maintenance of a chantry for the good of his soul, the souls of James Andrew and Matilda, wife of the same, Thomas his father and Mariota his mother, Johanna and Petronilla his wives, and others, and the observance of his obit as directed. In default the aforesaid property is to go to the Mayor or Warden and Commonalty of the City for the maintenance of chantries in Guildhall Chapel. To the church of Holy Trinity, Chesthunte, co. Herts, and the nuns serving God there, he leaves certain shops in the parish of S. Mary le Bow for pious uses for the good of the souls of the before-mentioned persons, whose names he desires to be entered on their bead - roll (in martilogio (fn. 9) ). To James his son lands and tenements in Pentecostlane in the parish of S. Nicholas Shambles in tail; remainder to the church of the house of the Salutation of the Mother of God of the Carthusian Order near London and convent of the same for pious uses as above set out. On the day of his obit half a mark of silver of the profits of the aforesaid tenements is to be expended on a pittance for the convent, and each monk is to have half a pound of ginger. Also at every Lent each monk is to have a pound of dates, a pound of figs, and a pound of raisins, beyond his usual allowance. In case of default made in carrying out his wishes the aforesaid property is to go to the Mayor and Commonalty as before. Also to James his son tenements called "le hood" in the parish of All Hallows the Great in the Ropery in tail; remainder to William, son of William Comberton his brother, in tail; remainder to Johanna, Petronilla, and Agnes, sisters of the said William, son of William his brother, in tail; remainder to John Comberton, son of William his brother. Bequests also to Roger Comberton his brother, John Comberton his kinsman, William his brother, Petronilla and Agnes his sisters, and others, and to the Fraternity of Drapers in the church of S. Mary le Bow, the church of Shordich, &c. Dated London, 17 December, A.D. 1397.—Also he wills that James his son have an estate tail, with remainder over, conveyed to him in all his lands and tenements at Hoggeston in the parish of Shordich, by indentures to be enrolled in the King's Chancery; and John Comberton is to have a fee simple estate in his lands and tenements in the parish of Iseldon. Several bequests made by way of codicil. Roll 126 (118).

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

Clerk (John), poulterer.—To be buried in the church of S. Andrew upon Cornhull. Bequests to the said church, its ministers, the light of the Holy Cross upon the high beam, &c.; to his fraternity in the chapel of Corpus Christi in the Poultry and chaplain thereof; the old work of S. Paul's; the five orders of friars in London; the inmates of various hospitals; the prisoners of Ludgate, Newgate, Flete, and the two Marshalseas; the lepers at le loke, S. Giles's in Holbourne, and Hakeney; poor bedefolk (pauperibus oratricis) of Elsyngspitell and at S. Katherine's near the Tower, &c. Provision made for a chantry for the good of his soul, the souls of John his father, Alice his mother, and others, and also for sending a pilgrim to Rome on his behalf. Bequests to the nuns of Catesby, co. Northampton, and to the parish church there, and also the nuns of Higham, co. Kent. To Cecilia his sister he leaves an annual rent issuing from his tenement called "le Forge" in Basynglane, parish of S. Mildred de Bredstrete, for life, which tenement he leaves to Agnes his daughter, wife of Robert de Beteyne, goldsmith, in tail; remainder to Richard Clerk, grocer (grossar'), his son. His feoffees of rents in the parishes of S. Botolph without Bisshopesgate and All Hallows de Stanyngchirche, of meadow land in the parish of Westhamme, co. Essex, and of tenements in the parish of S. Olave de Suthwerk, are directed to sell the same to fulfil his testament. Bequests for the repair of roads near London. Dated London, 3 August, A.D. 1397. Roll 126 (137).

Footnotes

  • 1. 1 The fur of the foul marten, fitchet, or polecat. John Chelmyswyk, by will dated 1418, leaves to John Baldok, citizen and wax chandler of London, ten marks and his furre of Fycheux ('Earliest English Wills,' ed. by Dr. Furnivall, p. 34).
  • 2. 2 Fustian at the present time takes two forms, that of velveteen and that of corduroy. According to Dr. Rock ('Textile Fabrics,' p. 73), its name is derived from Fustat on the Nile, where it was originally woven. Alexander Neckam in his vocabulary of the twelfth century ('De Utensilibus,' Wright's Voc.), identifies "fustaine" with cloths fuscotincli, or fusticotincti, "dyed tawny" or "brown"; in favour of which may be adduced the following item in the accounts of Roger Radclyff, steward of the household of William Worseley, Dean of S. Paul's, 1480-1481, "in precio j pecii fusti tincti vocati fustyon de Osbernes, 13s." (Appendix to Ninth Report Hist. MSS. Com., p. 42 b). On the other hand, there are instances where the material is expressly described as white (supra, p. 221). Riley suggests as its derivation the name of the village St. Fuscien near Amiens ('Lib. Cust.,' Glossary, s.v. "Fustayn").
  • 3. 3 Co. Surrey.
  • 4. 1 Bayard strictly speaking means a bay horse, but it is also used in a general way for any coloured horse. "Grenecobbe" is more difficult to explain; it can scarcely refer to the animal's colour.
  • 5. 2 Brentford.
  • 6. 1 See note supra, p. 234.
  • 7. 2 Or "Comberton." Sheriff 1377, and Mayor both in 1381 and the following year. In 1377 he was also elected with three others to represent the citizens in the Parliament held at Gloucester. Was a violent opponent of Sir Nicholas Brembre and Nicholas Exton, who favoured the monopoly of the Fishmongers. During Brembre's mayoralty, in 1383, he was proscribed, and sent a prisoner first to Corfe Castle, and then to Tintagel Castle in Cornwall. His sentence, however, was afterwards reversed, and he was restored to his former position, whilst his rival eventually met his death at Tyburn (Higden's 'Polychron.,' ix. 30, 93).
  • 8. 1 According to Herbert, he was buried in the church of S. Alphage, Cripplegate ('Twelve Livery Companies,' i. 435).
  • 9. 2 The Martilogium, or Martyrologium, was originally a register of names of saints and martyrs. It at a later period denoted a register, preserved more especially in monastic establishments, of the obits and benefactions of those who had been received into the fraternity of the congregation, and whose names were thus in due course brought to mind. Such register was sometimes called Necrologium, and also the Liber Vitæ, or Book of Life (see Part I. p. 663, note 2).