Wills: 45 Edward III (1371-2)

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: 45 Edward III (1371-2)', in Calendar of Wills Proved and Enrolled in the Court of Husting, London: Part 2, 1358-1688, (London, 1890) pp. 138-144. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/court-husting-wills/vol2/pp138-144 [accessed 25 April 2024]

ANNO 45 EDWARD III.

Monday the Feast of S. Mathias, Apostle [24 Feb.].

Ramesey (John de).—To be buried in the church of S. Botolph. (fn. 1) Bequests for the maintenance of chantries in the same for the good of his soul, the souls of Master William de Rameseye, Christiana, wife of the same, William his brother, Hugh de Thinflitch and Christiana, wife of the same, and others. Also to the said church he leaves a missal, a portifory, and two Graduals. (fn. 2) To his three daughters he leaves one hundred marks in equal portions. To Ralph his son the reversion of all his tenements after the decease of Felicia his wife, to whom he gives a life interest in the same, together with the sum of one hundred marks, and all necessaries appertaining to his house, so long as she remain a chaste widow; otherwise she is to have only her dower. Releases Thomas his apprentice from two years' service of his term. Dated Monday next before the Feast of S. Rufus [27 Aug.], A.D. 1370.

Roll 99 (18).

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

Passeware (William), draper.—To be buried in Pardon churchyard (in cimiterio indulgencie) of S. Paul's, London. All his goods, after payment of debts, to be divided into two parts, whereof one part he leaves to Cristina his wife by way of dower, and of the remaining portion falling to him he leaves divers sums of money to the churches of S. John the Evangelist and S. Margaret in Frydaystrete, to certain orders of friars in London, the inmates of various hospitals and prisons, recluse anchorites in the City of London, the Fraternity of S. John of the Tailors of London (fn. 3) and chaplain and common sergeant of the same, lepers around London, the nuns of Haliwell and Kilbourne, the fabric of the church of S. Thomas "de Aquino," &c. To the two chaplains serving before the tomb of S. Erkenwald (fn. 4) in S. Paul's Church he leaves twenty shillings respectively for their prayers. Dated 9 March, A.D. 1369. Roll 99 (24).

Monday next after the Feast of S. Mark, Evangelist [25 April].

Wirhale or Wyrhale (John de).—To be buried in the church of S. George near Estchepe. Bequests to the said church and ministers and lights thereof; also to the poor inmates in the hospitals of S. Thomas de Southwerk, S. Mary without Bysshopesgate, S. Mary de Belhem (sic) without Bisshopesgate, S. Mary de Elsyngspitle, S. Bartholomew de Smythfeld, S. Giles without Holbourne, S. James near Westminster, and le lokes near Southwerk. Certain tenements in the Ward of Billyngesgate to be sold for payment of debts, &c., and the residue he leaves to Agnes his wife and to William Wirhale, goldsmith, his son. Dated London, 4 February, A.D. 1370. Roll 99 (40).

Bysshop (William), glover.—To be buried in the churchyard of S. Peter's upon Cornhull. Bequests to the church of S. Peter and ministers thereof, and instructions for funeral, masses, &c. All his personal clothing to be distributed among the poor immediately after his decease. To Leticia his wife he leaves certain tenements in the parish of S. Peter aforesaid, and shops belonging to a tenement called "le Horsmille" in the same parish, for life; after her decease the same to be in the hands of his executors for the space of ten years, and then to remain to Robert his son. To Katherine, wife of William Stoket, fuller, his best gold ring. Dated London, 4 November, A.D. 1370. Roll 99 (43).

Bradelee (Stephen de), leather merchant.—To be buried in the church of S. Michael de Bassieshauwe. Bequests to the said church and ministers thereof, and provision made for chantries therein; also to divers religious orders for masses, Placebo, and Dirige. Desires Isabella his wife to provide John his father with suitable maintenance for life, otherwise his said father is to have two shillings a week charged on certain shops situate within la Aleye in the parish of S. Michael aforesaid. Also to his said father he leaves two best cloaks (collobia (fn. 5) ), viz., one of scarlet and the other of Taune. Further bequests to Walter and Nicholas his brothers, his several apprentices, the inmates of various hospitals, the poor prisoners in Neugate, the work of the churches of H. Trinity the Great within Algate, S. Katherine near the Tower, and S. Michael aforesaid, to which last he leaves his best girdle of silver, besides one hundred shillings for consecrating a piece of land belonging to the churchyard of the same. To Isabella his wife he leaves tenements in the parishes of S. Michael aforesaid and S. Stephen de Colmanstret and also in Philippeslane for life; remainder to John his son in tail, to whom he also leaves a tenement called "le Cage" in the parish of S. Michael aforesaid; remainder to John de Bradele, the testator's brother, and to Philip, son of the said John. A certain tenement in Fletstrete to be sold for pious and charitable uses. Dated London, 22 February, A.D. 1370. Roll 99 (45).

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

Atte Chambre (William).—To be buried in the church of S. Brigid. Bequests to the said church, its altar, lights, and ministers. His tenement in Fletestrete to be sold, and the proceeds devoted to pious uses for the souls of Henry atte Chambre, Agnes, wife of the same, William Burdevyll and Anabilla, wife of the same, William atte Chambre and Isabella, wife of the same, and others. Dated London, Tuesday next before the Feast of Purification of B.V. Mary [2 Feb.], A.D. 1370. Roll 99 (46).

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

Flynt (Walter), dyer.—To be buried in the churchyard of S. Mary Somersete near his children. To Cristina his wife all his tenements and rents in the City of London for life; remainder in trust for sale for pious uses. Dated London, Saturday next before the Feast of S. Dunstan, Bishop [19 May], A.D. 1370.

Roll 99 (71).

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

Weston (Thomas de), chandler.—To be buried in the churchyard of S. Swythin de Candelwykstrete. Bequests to the church of S. Swythin and ministers thereof, and provision made for chantries for the good of his soul, the souls of William his brother, William de Salesbury, chaplain, and others. Further bequests to lepers near S. Giles without Holbourne, poor prisoners in Neugate, and the inmates of various hospitals. To Johanna his wife a life interest in a certain tenement at the corner of S. Swithin's Lane, which he and his said wife jointly acquired from Robert de Hatfeld, "burler," (fn. 6) to hold to him (the testator), his heirs and assigns; remainder in trust for sale for pious uses if his said wife shall not have previously sold the same, which he empowers her to do. To Agnes his daughter twenty shillings. Dated London, Tuesday next before the Feast of S. Barnabas, Apostle [11 June], A.D. 1371.

Roll 99 (97).

Blood (Thomas), fishmonger.—To be buried in the church of S. Nicholas Coldabbeye. Directions for providing a chantry in the same for the space of one year after his decease. The residue of his goods and chattels, after payment of debts and funeral expenses, and all his estate in lands and tenements in the City of London as well as in the parishes of Kyngesdom and Fremyngham, co. Kent, he leaves to Juliana his wife. Also to his said wife a certain shop for life; remainder in trust for augmentation of a chantry in the aforesaid church for the good of his soul, the souls of his said wife, John Syward, and others. To John, rector of the aforesaid church of S. Nicholas, twenty shillings. His servants to be remunerated for long service. Dated London, 9 May, A.D. 1370.

Roll 99 (98).

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

Koo (Gilbert) de London.—To be buried in the church of All Saints, Writle, (fn. 7) and for mortuary fee (fn. 8) he leaves his best horse. Bequests for torches and taperes to burn in the said church; also for maintenance of fabric, &c., of the same church, and the church of S. Andrew in London, such bequests being charged on his property in the parish of S. Andrew aforesaid, in the Ward of Baynardecastel. To Katherine his daughter he leaves all his houses and rents in the parish of S. Andrew aforesaid in tail; remainder in trust for sale for pious uses in the church of Writle for the good of his soul, the souls of Katherine his late wife and others. Also to his said daughter all his lands, tenements, and rents in Writele, Wynlynghal, (fn. 9) Rokayl, (fn. 10) and Wynlynghal Spayn, on condition that she pay to his executors within one year after his decease the sum of fifty marks sterling, to be expended by them as directed. Further bequests to poor men and women of cloth for coats and hoods, shoes, chemises, &c. To the friars of Chelmesford (fn. 11) he leaves twenty shillings. To John his brother, John his kinsman, Michael Blache, Richard Wolim, John his son, Katherine his aforesaid daughter, and others, he leaves sums of money and divers chattels, including bed furniture, pots, pans, ewers, spoons, &c. Dated 27 October, A.D. 1369. Roll 99 (120).

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

Stokes (John de) de Theydon Gernoun. (fn. 12) —To be buried in the church of Theydon Gernoun. Bequests to the rector and church of S. Dionisius de Bakcherche near Grascherche. To Lucy his wife his tenement in Lymstrete in the parish of S. Dionisius aforesaid for life; remainder to Thomas his son in tail; remainder to John his son in fee. Dated London, Wednesday next after the Feast of S. Katherine, Virgin [25 Nov.], A.D. 1371.

Roll 99 (146).

Monday next after the Feast of S. Nicholas, Bishop [6 Dec.].

Andrew (John).—To be buried in the churchyard of the church of S. Elena, London. Bequests to the Prior and Convent of S. Elena aforesaid; to various religious orders; to the inmates of divers hospitals, the lepers at la lokes near Southwerk and of S. Giles without Holbourne, the Prior and Convent of the new Abbey of S. Mary near Smythfeld, (fn. 13) the Minoresses of the new abbey without Algate, each anchorite in the City of London and suburbs, the work of the chapel of S. Katherine near the Tower, and the house of S. Leonard at Bedeford. (fn. 14) Provision made for a chantry in the church of S. Elena aforesaid. Further bequests to Adam Fraunceys his lord (domino meo) and Adam and Matilda, children of the same; to his servants; to William Andrew his brother and Agnes, wife of the same, Isabella his sister and Johanna her daughter, and others. His estate in a certain tenement in the parish of S. Martin without Ludegate to be sold for pious and charitable uses. Dated London, Friday the Vigil of All Saints [1 Nov.], A.D. 1371. Roll 99 (155).

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

Kilbourne (Andrew).—To be buried in the churchyard of S. Bartholomew the Less. Bequests to the church of S. Bartholomew aforesaid and ministers thereof, and the church of S. Edmund in Lumbardestret. Provision made for maintenance of chantries and tapers. His estate in certain tenements and rents in the parish of S. Bartholomew aforesaid he leaves to Isabella his wife; remainder in trust for pious uses. Also to his said wife a shop in Westchepe in the parish of S. Pancras for life, with power to sell the same and enjoy one moiety of the proceeds if she will, the other moiety being devoted to works of charity. To William Averey his apprentice he leaves at the end of term of service a Bylte, (fn. 15) a chipax, (fn. 16) a Twyble, (fn. 17) an augour, (fn. 18) a squire, (fn. 19) and a sawe. Dated London, Friday the Feast of S. James, Apostle [25 July], A.D. 1371. Roll 99 (179).


For, sire and dame, trustith me right wel,
Our orisons ben more effectuel;
And more we se of Goddis secre thinges
Than borel folk, although that they ben kinges.
We lyve in povert and in abstinence,
And borel folk in riches and dispence
Of mete and drink, and in her ful delyt.

'The Sompnours Tale' (161–167).

Footnotes

  • 1. 1 There were four churches dedicated to S. Botolph, each of them situate at a City gate, viz., Aldersgate, Aldgate, Billingsgate, and Bishopsgate. There is nothing in this will to show to which of these four the testator refers.
  • 2. 2 "Gradals" or "Grailes"; service books containing the responses or gradalia, so called because sung in gradibus, or by course. They appear among similar books belonging to the chapel on London Bridge, 1350.
  • 3. 1 The tailors and linen armourers of London were incorporated by charter in the first year of Edward III. by the title of the Fraternity of Tailors and Armourers of Linen Armour of S. John the Baptist in the City of London.
  • 4. 2 His body was brought to S. Paul's with great solemnity on 14 Nov., 1148. His tomb was always held in great veneration, even after the Reformation, and his festival was the great day of the year at the Cathedral ('London,' "Historic Towns" series, p. 157).
  • 5. 1 According to the dictionary of John de Garlande of the thirteenth century, collobia are properly hoods worn by countrymen: Colobia capucia sunt bubulcorum (Wright's 'Vocab.,' p. 133). Others, however, describe them as a cloak or coat with short sleeves or none at all, resembling a tabard or rochet.
  • 6. 1 Bureller, or maker of a coarse cloth called "borel" or "burel." "Borel men" or "folk," as mentioned by Chaucer and other early English writers, says Riley, were humble laymen, customarily dressed in this cloth (see 'Lib. Cust.,' Glossary, s. v. burellarius). And yet this hardly seems to accord with the following extract from Chaucer:—
  • 7. 1 Writtle, co. Essex.
  • 8. 2 See Calendar, Part I. pp. 489 n., 611 n.
  • 9. 3 There are two places in the county of Essex known respectively as Willingale Doe and Willingale Spain.
  • 10. 4 Roxwell, (?) co. Essex.
  • 11. 5 A house of Dominican or Black Friars was situate in this town, or rather in an adjoining hamlet called Fulsham or Mulsham (Tanner's 'Notit. Monast.,' p. 134).
  • 12. 6 Theydon Garnon, co. Essex.
  • 13. 1 "On the east and by north of the Tower, lieth East Smithfield and Tower hill, two plots of ground so called, without the wall of the City; and east from them both was sometime a monastery called New Abbey, founded by King Edward III. in the year 1359" (Stow's 'Survey,' Thoms's ed., 1876, p. 47). The chronicler proceeds to state the reason of its foundation, namely, a vow made in time of peril by the king to build a monastery, and his taking a liking for the chapel built in the cemetery devoted to the burial of those dying of the Black Death. (Cf. supra, p. 131 n.)
  • 14. 2 Little is known beyond the fact that before 30 Edw. I. an hospital dedicated to S. Leonard, in which were six chaplains, was founded by some townsman, in the south part of the town (Tanner's 'Notit. Monast.,' p. 9).
  • 15. 1 Qy. billet (chopping block).
  • 16. 2 A small axe.
  • 17. 3 Twibill or twybill, a two-edged bill or mattock. Lat. bipennis.
  • 18. 4 Auger or wimble.
  • 19. 5 Square.
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