Wills: 27 Edward III (1353-4)

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.

This free content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.

'Wills: 27 Edward III (1353-4)', in Calendar of Wills Proved and Enrolled in the Court of Husting, London: Part 1, 1258-1358, (London, 1889) pp. 667-675. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/court-husting-wills/vol1/pp667-675 [accessed 26 April 2024]

ANNO 27 EDWARD III.

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

Hardyngham (John de), clerk.—To be buried at the entrance to the chancel of the church of S. Christopher, London, under the rood (sub cruce), or elsewhere as his executors may ordain. Bequests to the high altar, ministers, &c., of the said church, and also to the church of Hardyngham, (fn. 1) charged on his crops and other goods in the vill of Hardyngham. To John his son divers household goods, including a mazer cup with the figure of S. John on the bottom; all his books except one called 'Veritas Theologie,' which he leaves to Master Edmund de Hengham, his nephew, together with a certain cup called "Grypesey," (fn. 2) with covercle to match, and all his utensils of wood, brass, and peautre, with chests and coffers found in his house, so that the said John deliver to his (the said John's) brother certain dishes, salt-cellars, &c. To John de Hardyngham, mercer, his executor, he leaves a cup of Albastre, with covercle to match; to Henry de Hardyngham, another executor, a silver-plated cup; to Henry de Wolston, chaplain, a new robe of mixed camlet (de camelino medleto) for his prayers; and to Richard de Bernham, his nephew, another robe. All his armour to be sold for the fulfilment of this his testament.—As concerning his tenements in the parish of S. Christopher he leaves them to the aforesaid John; remainder in default of heirs for pious uses. He wills and ordains, so far as in him lies, that Thomas his son become a religious and enter some order as soon as age permits, in which case he leaves him an annuity of twenty shillings; but if the said Thomas refuse to become a religious he is to have an annual rent of four marks. John de Hardyngham, mercer, to have the custody of his said sons during their minority. Dated London, at the dwelling-house of John de Hardyngham, Tuesday, 13 November, A.D. 1352.
Roll 81 (1)

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

Atte Cok (Adam).—To be buried in S. Paul's churchyard. Bequests to the church of S. Augustine in le Eide Ckawnge and ministers thereof, and to each of his sons and daughters. To Sabine his wife the residue of his goods movable and immovable, and his tenement near the aforesaid church for life; remainder to pious uses. Dated Sunday next after the Feast of S. Lucia [13 Dec.], A.D. 1336.
Roll 81 (9).

Monday next before the Feast of S. George [23 April].

Taleworth (Roger de), Rector of the church of Wotton near Northampton.—Pecuniary bequests to the nuns of Stratford near London; to every priest serving in the church of Bassyngeshagh, (fn. 3) London, and to William the clerk of the same a robe of bluet (fn. 4) (de blueto); to the high altars of the church of S. Mary de Aldermygbure, and of the churches of Preston (fn. 5) and Pydinton, (fn. 6) &c. To Thomas de Taleworth and Sir John Stele, perpetual vicar of the church of Hardyngesthorn, (fn. 7) the reversion of a rent issuing from tenements held by Johanna, wife of Arnald de Mounteneye, for her life by way of dower. Dated Tuesday next after the Feast of Apostles Peter and Paul [29 June], A.D. 1352.
Roll 81 (23)

Kelleshull (Roger de).—To be buried in the church of S. Mary de Wolcherchehawe, to which church and ministers thereof he leaves divers sums of money. To Johanna his wife and Richard de Berdefeld, chaplain, his tenements in the parish of Wolcherchehawe in trust for sale, and out of the proceeds, after payment of debts, his said wife to have forty pounds, and the residue to be devoted to works of charity. Dated London, Wednesday next after the Feast of S. Gregory, Pope [12 March], 27 Edward III. [A.D. 1352-3].
Roll 81 (24).

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

Hastyng (John de), baker.—To be buried in the churchyard of S. Peter's de Cornhull, to which church and ministers thereof he leaves certain sums of money. To Henry his servant forty shillings and a double cloak. To Alice his kinswoman, Margery and Philip his servants, William Petipas and Johanna, wife of the said William, pecuniary bequests. To Richard de Evre a cup with silver foot; to Robert de Manhale his nut (fn. 8) (Nucem meam) with silver stand, and to Agnes, wife of the said Robert, a nouche (fn. 9) (nucheam) of gold set with stones and pearls. Bequest for the maintenance of a chantry by the Brethren of the Guild of the Assumption of the V. Mary in the church of S. Botolph near Billyngesgate. All his other tenements and rents in London to be sold, and thirty pounds of the proceeds to go to the church of S. Peter upon Cornhull, twenty pounds to the church of S. Margaret de Breggestrete, and thirty pounds to the aforesaid church of S. Botolph for pious uses for the good of his soul and the souls of Johanna his wife, John his brother, and others. Dated Tuesday, 2 April, A.D. 1353.
Roll 81 (35).

Preston (John, son of John de, late corder).—To be buried in the chapel of the Annunciation erected by his father in the church of All Hallows at the Hay, near the tomb of Roysia his late wife. Bequests to the said church and ministers thereof, the church of S. Thomas de Acon in Chepe, and various religious orders of friars. All his tenements and rents within the City which he had by gift or devise of his father to be divided equally between Alice his daughter by Roysia his late wife, daughter of John de Oxenford, and Petronilla and Margaret his daughters by Margaret Costantyn, his present wife. To William his apprentice he grants a release of the residue of term of service, and leaves a sum of money, his psalter and primar, together with his girdle and best pouche. To the aforesaid church of All Hallows a cloth of gold work for service therein upon solemn days, the same to be placed upon his tomb on the day of his obit. To Henry his cook his second-best robe and ten shillings sterling besides his wages, together with two small girdles, one having a black Bokil and the other a white. To Sarah his maid a brass pot and pan, six dishes, six sauceres of peautre, and six shillings and eightpence besides her wages. To John Page, 'of his kitchen,' one paltok, (fn. 10) one pair of hose, and two shillings besides his wages. To Peter de Preston the robe of his craft (fn. 11) (de mestero nostro), one mark of silver, and one pair of hose. To John Costantyn a dosser with dragon (fn. 12) (unum dozerum cum dracone), together with his best sword and body armour. To old Robert a surcoat with summer hood and three shillings and fourpence; and to his nurse a covercle powdered with pence (fn. 13) (poudratum de denariis) and three shillings sterling. To Margery his wife the residue of his goods, except a chalice which he leaves to Friar John de Norhampton of the Order of Preachers. Dated London, Wednesday next after the Feast of S. John ante portam Latinam [6 May], A.D. 1353.
Roll 81 (38).

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

Tarent (John), draper.—To be buried in the church of S. Augustine near S. Paul's Grate, to the high altar and ministers of which he leaves certain sums of money. Pecuniary bequests to Juliana, daughter of Margery his wife; Symon, son of Peter Brongor, and Johanna, sister of the said Symon; and others. To Margery his wife all his tenements in the parish of S. Augustine aforesaid for life; remainder to John his son. Provision made for the celebration of a trental within a year after his decease. Dated London, X. Kal. March [20 Feb.], A.D. 1353.
Roll 81 (45)

Barber (John).—To be buried in the church of S. Margaret near the tomb of his father. Bequests to the said church and ministers thereof. To Johanna his wife all his goods and money due to him as set out by parcels in his account book (per percellas in Papero meo); also a messuage and land in Abyngton in co. Cantebrigge, formerly belonging to Hamo le Barber, his father. Dated 10 April, A.D. 1353.
Roll 81 (46).

Sely (Laurence), skinner.—To be buried in the church of S. Stephen de Walbrok. To Katherine his daughter tenements in the parishes of S. Olave and S. Alban in Silverstrete in tail; remainder over. All his other rents and tenements in the City of London to go to Agnes his wife and her assigns for life; remainder to John his son in tail; remainder to the aforesaid Katherine; ultimate remainder in trust for sale for pious and charitable uses. Nicholas Bole, skinner, to be guardian of his said children in the event of his wife dying during their minority, he giving security at the Guildhall according to the custom of the City of London. Dated London, 23 April, A.D. 1349.
Roll 81 (47)

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

Russel (John).—To be buried in the church of S. Augustine near S. Paul's Gate, to which church and ministers thereof he makes bequests. To Agnes his wife for life a tenement called "le Wellehous" in the parish of S. Sepulchre without Neugate, and another in the parish of S. Nicholas Shambles opposite le Bolestak; (fn. 14) remainder to Roger Hautoft. His shops in the parish of S. Giles without Crepulgate to be sold for pious and charitable uses. To Sir William his son he leaves a tenement near "Tryllemelle." (fn. 15) Dated London, 17 February, A.D. 1352.
Roll 81 (51).

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

Halsted (John de).—To be buried in the church of S. Andrew in Holbourne, to which he gives certain sums of money. His dwelling-house situate near the lane called "Lemir Lane" (fn. 16) he leaves to Juliana his wife for life; remainder to their children. Dated at Holbourne, Monday next before the Feast of S. Gregory, Pope [12 March], A.D. 1348.
Roll 81 (57).

Monday next after Feast of Translation of S. Edward [13 Oct.].

Causton (John de), mercer.—To be buried in the church of S. Pancras near Soperslane. To James Andreu and Matilda, wife of the same, his niece, tenements in the parishes of S. Pancras aforesaid and S. Antony for life; remainder to the Prioress and Convent of Haliwelle, charged with the maintenance of a chantry in the said church of S. Pancras for the good of his soul, the souls of his father and mother, Basilia and Eva his late wives, John de Langeton, and others; Thomas de Langeton to have the right of presentation to the same for life after the decease of the aforesaid James Andreu and Matilda, and in case of default further provision made. Also to the said Thomas de Langeton tenements and rents in the parishes of S. Mary atte Hull, S. Andrew Hubert, S. Botolph without Alegate, and elsewhere for life; remainder to the aforesaid prioress and convent, charged with the maintenance of chantries in the said church of S. Mary atte Hull (fn. 17) for the good of his soul, the souls of Simon de Abyndon and Stephen son of the said Simon, William the testator's son, William de Causton his kinsman (cognati mei), and others; and also charged with the maintenance of certain tapers in the said church, [+] a (sic). Also to the Prior and Brethren of the Order of H. Cross, London, he leaves certain tenements in the parishes of S. Dunstan towards the Tower and All Hallows at Graschurche, one being called "le Cardinalshat," subject to similar charges; to the Master and Brethren of the Hospital of S. Bartholomew de Smythefeld shops in Temestrete in the parish of All Hallows upon the Cellar in aid of the poor of the said hospital; and to the Fraternity of S. Anne in the chapel annexed to the parish church of S. Antony (S. Antolini (fn. 18) ) certain rents in the parish of S. Christopher in aid of the maintenance of the chaplain to the fraternity. Thomas de Langeton appointed principal executor; John de Causton junior, John de Stouton, the testator's apprentice, and Hugh de Hegham, chaplain, appointed co-executors; Adam Fraunceys and James Andrew supervisors of his testament. Dated London, 30 July, A.D. 1353. [+] b (sic). Also to the church of S. Mary atte Hull he leaves his brewery and houses in the parish of S. Mary aforesaid in aid of a chantry in the said parish church for the soul of Henry Bernard.
Roll 81 (71).

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

Gille (Alan).—To be buried in the church of S. John Clerkenwell near London. To Beatrix his wife all his tenements in the parish of S. Mary atte Hulle near Billyngesgate for life, with power to sell the reversion of the same, the proceeds of which are to be devoted to pious and charitable uses for the good of his soul and the souls of Juliana and Sibil his wives; otherwise the same to be sold by his executors, after the decease of his said wife, for similar uses. Dated at Clerkenwell, 3 September, A.D. 1353.
Roll 81 (89)

Neel (fn. 19) (Walter), blader. (fn. 20) —Provision made for chantries in the church of S. James de Garlechuth for the good of his soul and the souls of Katherine his former wife, Alice his wife, his father and mother, John de Oxenford, and others, charged on his tenements in the parishes of Castle Baynard, S. Mary de Aldermarichirche, H. Trinity the Less, and elsewhere. To Friar John de Shepeye, late prior of the church of Roucestre, and to Alice the testator's wife his tenement in the parish of S. James aforesaid; and after their decease the same to go to Robert Neel, his kinsman, together with other tenements in the parishes of S. Michael de Paternostercherche and S. Thomas the Apostle, charged with the maintenance of a chantry and with the following annual payments, viz. to the Mayor for the time being six shillings and eightpence; to the Recorder six shillings and eight-pence; to the Chamberlain of the Guildhall, London, forty pence; to the Common Sergeant forty pence; and to the Sergeant at Arms for the time being forty pence, such payments to be made in the aforesaid church of S. James upon the day of his obit, provided they are present to maintain the said chantries, otherwise the said legacies to be void. Further bequests to the ministers of the said church of S. James, and for the repair of highways between Neugate and Wycombe, between Algate and Chelmesford, between Bisshopesgate and Ware, and between Suthewerkebarre and Roucestre. To Johanna Medelane, his kinswoman, and to Thomas her son lands, tenements, and rents in Sporoneslane (fn. 21) in the Ward of Queenhithe, they paying to Robert Neel, his kinsman, an annuity of forty shillings sterling. Also to John Neel, his kinsman, a house upon Queenhithe which the testator acquired from William le Trompur. Dated London, Friday the morrow of Nativity of V. Mary [8 Sept.], A.D. 1351.
Roll 81 (91)

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

Blithe (Peter de), potter.—To John his son a tenement in the parish of S. Peter de Cornhull in tail; remainder to Alice his daughter in tail; remainder to pious and charitable uses. Also to his said daughter certain rents issuing from tenements formerly belonging to Cambin Fulbert (fn. 22) [or Fulberti] the Lumbard, in the parish of All Hallows de Grascherche, in tail; remainder to the aforesaid John in tail; remainder to the use of the churches of S. Peter upon Cornhull, S. Michael [upon Cornhill], and All Hallows de Grascherche; also rents issuing from tenements formerly belonging to Katherine his sister, called "le Horsmelne," in the parish of S. Peter aforesaid. Dated London, Monday next before the Feast of S. Edmund, King and Martyr [20 Nov.], A.D. 1353.
Roll 81 (112)

Besevile (John de), tailor.—To be buried in the church of S. Thomas de Acon near the Conduit. Bequests to the said church and the churches of S. Mary de Colcherch, S. Mary le Bow, S. Margaret de Lotheburi, and S. Paul. To the work of London Bridge six shillings and eightpence. Bequests also to his poor kinsfolk in the county of Somerset; to John son of John de Whitchirche, and Alexander Dovere; various orders of friars in London; the Abbot and Convent of Westminster; the Abbot and Convent of Waltham Holy Cross; the Prior and Convent of Newark (fn. 23) and the Prior and Convent of S. Mary Overe; to the poor prisoners in Neugate, the sick poor in the hospitals, and the lepers in and around London. Among other legatees are the following: Geoffrey de Ledeford, Ralph de Beseville, John de Whitchirche, John atte Ford, and John son of Ralph de Beseville. To the Master and Brethren of S. Thomas de Acon he leaves certain rents at Castle Baignard; and to the Prioress and Convent of Clerkenewelle a shop in Westehepe, parish of S. Mary le Bow, a tenement in Holbourne near the hostel of the Bishop of Ely, (fn. 24) and a tenement in the parish of S. Michael de Bassieshawe for maintenance of chantries, &c. Dated London, 14 March, A.D. 1352.

A codicil follows in which the testator leaves to the Master and Brethren of S. Thomas de Acon near the Conduit an entire suit of vestments, viz. a choir cope (fn. 25) (capam chori), a chasuble, (fn. 26) and two tunics. Dated London, 16 March, A.D. 1352.
Roll 81 (122)

Footnotes

  • 1. Co. Norfolk.
  • 2. See note supra, p. 661.
  • 3. S. Michael Bassishaw.
  • 4. Blue cloth.
  • 5. Preston Deanery, near Hardingstone, co. Northampton.
  • 6. Piddington, co. Northampton.
  • 7. Hardingstone, co. Northampton.
  • 8. A cocoa-nut used as a drinking vessel. Cf. "Nothte," p. 196.
  • 9. See note supra, p. 626.
  • 10. A doublet or cloak, descending to the middle of the thigh. Riley suggests that it may have been the forerunner of the "paletot" of the present day. It was much worn by priests ('Memorials,' p. 283, note).
  • 11. I.e., the "livery" of his company.
  • 12. Dossers were tapestry hangings. The subject of the bequest appears to have had the figure of a dragon embroidered on it.
  • 13. Ornamented here and there with (silver) pennies.
  • 14. The Bull Stake, at which the animals were probably slaughtered.
  • 15. Or "Turnemill" Brook, formerly known as the River of Wells, which ran under Holborn and Fleet Bridges into the Thames (Stow's 'Survey,' Thoms's ed., 1876, p. 7). Cf. "Tryllemellegardyn," "Trellemellegardyn," or "Trillegardyn," in the parish of S. Sepulchre—Rolls 39 (1) (46), 42 (123).
  • 16. For "Lither Lane" (?), which was probably a corruption of Leather Lane: "Next beyond this manor of Ely house is Lither Lane, turning into a field" (Stow's 'Survey,' Thoms's ed., 1876, p. 145).
  • 17. From an 'Account of the Parish of S. Mary-at-Hill, its Church Estates and Charities' (privately printed in 1878), it appears that most, if not all, of this property came into the possession of the parish, notwithstanding the terms of the will. This did not, however, occur without considerable litigation, a lawsuit between the parish and the Convent of S. Helen having been protracted over three years. The writer of the account states that no records of the suit exist in the parish books, except as to costs, which include a great many presents of wine, &c., to the judges, "My lordes Hussey and Bryant." In the margin, opposite this devise to Thomas de Langeton, &c., there are written the words "Hio lege," probably as an instruction to counsel engaged in the suit.
  • 18. The church was popularly known as S. Antonin or Antholin; and here we see how the letter lcrept in.
  • 19. Sheriff in 1337-8.
  • 20. Riley, in his translation of Aungier's French Chronicle (p.272n.), styles him "bladesmith," evidently at that time considering this to be synonymous with "blader"; but in his 'Memorials,' published five years afterwards (Introd., p. xviii), he finds fault with Stow for calling the testator a "cutler," on the ground that "blader"="corndealer." See note supra, p. 533.
  • 21. See notes supra, pp. 120, 132.
  • 22. His will enrolled supra, p. 488.
  • 23. See note supra, p. 573.
  • 24. See notes supra, pp. 90, 138.
  • 25. See note to cantelcope, p. 617.
  • 26. A conical - shaped vestment with a hole in the centre for the priest's head to pass through, worn over his other vestments when celebrating.