Wills: 20 Henry VI (1441-2)

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: 20 Henry VI (1441-2)', in Calendar of Wills Proved and Enrolled in the Court of Husting, London: Part 2, 1358-1688, (London, 1890) pp. 491-499. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/court-husting-wills/vol2/pp491-499 [accessed 18 April 2024]

ANNO 20 HENRY VI.

Monday next after the Feast of S. Kalixtus, Pope [14 Oct.].

Kynder (Hugh), tailor.—Testament touching a quitrent issuing from a certain tenement in Pety Wales in the parish of All Hallows, Barking, which he leaves to the Abbot and Convent of the exempt (fn. 1) Monastery of the Holy Cross at Waltham, co. Essex. His executors to see that his will is enrolled in the Husting of London. Dated London, 4 April, 19 Henry VI. [A.D. 1441].
Roll 170 (5).

Chichele (Robert), grocer.—To be buried according to directions contained in his will touching his movable goods. To Sir William Huntyngdon, the rector, churchwardens and parishioners of the church of S. James de Garlikhithe, he leaves a tenement situate upon posts on a wharf (super postes super Wharvum) in the parishes of S. Martin in the Vintry and S. James de Garlekheth, between Stodyeslane (fn. 2) and Cressynghamlane, charged with the maintenance of a chantry in the aforesaid church for the good of his soul, the souls of Agnes and Agnes his wives, William More and Elizabeth, wife of the same, and others, and also with observance of his obit, with gifts to the poor of the parish, &c., in manner prescribed. (fn. 3) In case of default made in carrying out the terms of the legacy the property is to go over to the Mayor, Commonalty, and Chamberlain of the Guildhall to carry them out. Dated London, 17 December, A.D. 1438.
Roll 170 (6).

Redenhale (John), esquire.—To be buried in the church of S. Giles without Crepulgate. Certain lands and tenements acquired from Thomas Morstede and John Beford, and situate in the parishes of S. Giles without Crepulgate, S. Stephen in Colmanstrete, S. Margaret Moisi in Fridaystret, and elsewhere, to be sold by his executors. (fn. 4) Dated London, 15 August, A.D. 1438.
Roll 170 (8).

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

Barton (Henry), skinner.—To the rector and churchwardens of the church of S. Augustine at S. Paul's Gate an annual quitrent of forty shillings, charged on lands and tenements in the parish of S. Dunstan in le Est in Tourestrete, in aid of a chantry founded in the same church by Henry Rede, late armourer, and for other pious and charitable uses in manner prescribed. In case of default being made in maintaining the said chantry the quitrent is to go over to the Mayor or Warden and Commonalty of the City of London to the use and maintenance of London Bridge, to carry out the terms of the bequest. Ralph his brother appointed one of his executors. Dated London, 11 September, A.D. 1432.
Roll 170 (9).

Kyllyk (John), vintner.—To be buried in the church of S. Martin in the Vintry. To the Masters or Wardens of the Mistery of Vintners of the Fraternity of S. Martin in the Vintry and commonalty of the said mistery and their successors, he leaves divers lands and tenements in the parish of S. Edmund the King and Martyr in Lombardstrete, which he had jointly acquired with others, now deceased, by deed enrolled in the Husting, (fn. 5) to hold the same in pure and perpetual arms for the relief of the poor brethren of the mistery. (fn. 6) Dated London, 8 January, A.D. 1438.
Roll 170 (10).


Note.—The above will was made an exhibit in the Court of Chancery in re Attorney-General v. Fishmongers' Company.

Monday the Feast of S. Leonard, Abbot [6 Nov.].

Hunte (Andrew), girdler.—Testament touching two tenements and a parcel of land with entrance gate under the solar of Matilda, wife of Thomas Maundeville, in the parish of S. Michael de Bassyngeshawe, which he leaves to the vicar of the church of S. Laurence in Old Jewry and to the Wardens of the Mistery of Girdlers in the City of London and their successors, charged with the maintenance of certain tapers and observance of his obit within the aforesaid church. Two chambers on the ground floor to be reserved for two poor members of the mistery who have the livery of the same, and sevenpence to be paid weekly to the poorer of the two. (fn. 7) In case of default made in carrying out the terms of his will the property is to go over to the Mayor and Recorder of the City of London, in trust for sale for the good of his soul and for charitable gifts to the poor of the Mistery of Girdlers. Dated London, 24 January, A.D. 1431.
Roll 170 (13).

Monday next before the Feast of S. Lucia, Virgin [13 Dec.].

Ryffawe or Reefhawe (John), "wodemonger."—To be buried according to directions contained in his testament touching his movables. To Roger and William his sons respectively a moiety of certain tenements and wharf in the parish of S. Andrew at Baynardescastell, in several tail with cross remainders. To Margaret his wife a mansion in Athelyngstrete in the aforesaid parish for life by way of dower; remainder to Johanna and Elena his daughters in successive tail; remainder in trust for sale for pious and charitable uses. If his wife decline to accept the above in satisfaction of dower, the devise is to be void, and she to take of his lands and tenements such dower as the law allows. Dated London, 5 January, A.D. 1440.

A codicil whereby he annuls the devise to his aforesaid sons of certain tenements and wharf in the parish of S. Andrew aforesaid in equal moieties, and leaves the same to Margaret his wife and Johanna his daughter, and to the heirs of the body of the said Johanna, with further remainders to his aforesaid sons. This codicil to be attached to his previous testament, and to be canonically approved and enrolled in the Husting of London. Dated Tuesday, 24 October, A.D. 1441.
Roll 170 (16).

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

Dursle (Thomas), fishmonger.—To be buried in the churchyard of the church of S. Margaret de Briggestrete. To Sir Henry Haunsard, the rector, and churchwardens of the said church, he leaves a certain shop in Briggestrete, charged with observing the obit of Hugh Reybreed and of Johanna, wife of the same, in manner prescribed; a portion of the issues and profits of the same to be devoted to the maintenance of a chantry, wax tapers, &c., as well as the repair of the image of S. Christopher in the churchyard aforesaid, and of the gateway beyond the said image. In default the property to go over to the Masters of the Fraternity of S. Peter in the church of S. Peter upon Cornhill and brethren and sisters of the same in aid of the said fraternity. Dated London, 10 March, A.D. 1428.
Roll 170 (40).

Dursle (Thomas), fishmonger.—Testament touching his lands and tenements in the City of London, he having already made a will disposing of his movables. To Johanna his wife all his lands and tenements in the parish of S. Edmund the King in Lumbardstrete for life; remainder to the rector and churchwardens of the church of S. Margaret in Briggestrete for the maintenance of a chantry in the said church for the good of his soul, the souls of John and Johanna his parents, Johanna his wife when dead, and others, so long as the issues and profits are sufficient. Dated London, 27 September, A.D. 1438.—His will touching a garden near Horssedoune (fn. 8) in the parish of S. Mary Magdalen near Bermondsey is that his feoffee in trust of the same shall make a good life estate in the same to Johanna his wife whenever desired; remainder to be sold for charitable uses.
Roll 170 (41).

Rykhurst (Robert), butcher, otherwise called "Brounesbury." —To be buried in the church of S. Nicholas at the Shambles. To Sir Robert Pyryngton, the rector, churchwardens and parishioners of the church of S. Leonard de Estchep, he leaves certain houses, &c., in the parish of S. Leonard aforesaid, in aid of a chantry in the said church for the souls of the brethren and sisters or benefactors, for the maintenance of certain lights, and charged with the observance of an obit once a year for the good of his soul, the souls of John Knyght, late butcher, Margery, wife of the same, and others. A further bequest of an annual rent of thirty-four shillings for maintenance of a chantry for the souls of John Brounesbury, Johanna, Alice, and Isabella, wives of the same, John the father and Eva the mother of the same, and others. Dated London, 20 July, A.D. 1434.
Roll 170 (42).

Monday next after the Feast of S. Agnes, Virgin [21 Jan.].

Colston (William), "plommer."—Testament touching a certain brewery called "le Bole on le hoop" at Tourhill in the parish of S. Botolph without Algate, which he leaves to Agnes, daughter of William Sampson, late fishmonger, for life; remainder to Dame Margaret, Abbess of the House of the Sisters Minoresses of the Order of S. Clare without Algate, and convent of the same. Mention made of Matilda his late wife. Dated London, 20 June, A.D. 1441.
Roll 170 (49).

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

Hunte (Andrew), girdler.—To Master William Fallan, the rector of the church of S. Magnus, and the Wardens of the Fraternity of Salve Regina established therein and their successors, he leaves certain lands, tenements, and rents in the parishes of S. Magnus de Briggestrete, S. Mildred de Bredestrete, and elsewhere, to the use of the said fraternity and maintenance of its light, its ornaments, and its poor members. Dated London, 28 September, A.D. 1440.
Roll 170 (50).


Here follows a record of the admission of the testator—who is described as son of William Hunte, late pouch-maker (bursarius), and as having been apprenticed to Henry Northfolk, girdler—into the freedom of the City by redemption, 27 July, 10 Richard II. [A.D. 1386].

Perveys (John), fishmonger, and Alderman (fn. 9) of the City of London.—To be buried in the church of S. Margaret de Briggestrete. Bequests for the fabric, &c., of the said church, and for the maintenance of a chantry therein for the good of his soul, the souls of John his father, Alice his mother, and others, for a term of six years next after his decease. To John and Henry his sons two hundred pounds respectively; if they both die under age, the money to be devoted to pious uses, the seven works of mercy, and repair of roads near London, &c. To Robert his brother, residing at Abendon, co. Berks, forty pounds. To Johanna his wife, by way of dower of his movables, fifty pounds and her personal apparel and ornaments; also all his lands and tenements within the City of London for life, with remainder to John and Henry his sons in successive tail; remainder in trust for sale for pious and charitable uses. Bequests to his apprentices, servants, and others. Dated London, 25 March, A.D. 1434.—Also his will is that his feoffees of his manor of Benchesham in the parish of Croydon, co. Surrey, shall make an estate tail in the same to his son John; remainder to the said feoffees for sale, the proceeds being devoted to the seven works of mercy.—Also he wills that his feoffees of his lands and tenements at Biggyng (fn. 10) in the parish of Croydon aforesaid make a similar estate in the same to Henry his son, with similar remainder.
Roll 170 (51).

Ingram (John), fishmonger.—To be buried according to directions contained in his will touching his movables. To Ela his wife certain lands and tenements in Distaflane in the parish of S. Nicholas Coldeabbey, and in "Eldenelane," "Eldedeneslane," or "Elvedenelane" (fn. 11) in the parish of S. Faith, for life; remainder to Agnes his daughter in tail; remainder in trust for sale, and the proceeds to be devoted to pious and charitable uses as well as to the maintenance of the ornaments more especially of the church of S. Nicholas aforesaid, in manner prescribed. Also to his said wife his lands and tenements in the vills of Hampstede, Eccles near the sea, Happesburgh, and Ingham, co. Norfolk, and also his copyhold house called "Fysshows" at Lowystoft. Dated London, 5 October, A.D. 1441.
Roll 170 (52).

Megre (Emma, relict of John, "peautrer").—Testament touching her tenements in Shetebouruelane (fn. 12) in the parish of S. Mary Abbechirche, and in the parishes of S. Mary Wolnoth near Candelwykstrete and S. Mary Wolnoth in Lombardstrete, which she leaves to Sir James Forster, the rector, churchwardens and other parishioners of the church of S. Mary Wolnoth aforesaid, charged with the maintenance of certain torches and tapers; the residue of the issues and profits, after payments for repairs, &c., to be devoted to the ornaments of the chapel of S. John the Baptist and S. John the Evangelist, where she is to be buried, within the church aforesaid. In case of default the property is to go over to the Wardens of the Fraternity of S. Giles in aid of the perpetual chantry, and relief of poor members, of the said fraternity. Dated London, 4 October, A.D. 1435.
Roll 170 (56).

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

Turbelvylle (David), vintner.—Testament touching the disposal of a tenement in the parish of S. Margaret Patyns, which he leaves to Johanna his wife for life, charged with the yearly payment of ten shillings for the observance of his obit in the Baid parish church; remainder to Matilda his daughter in tail; remainder to Sir Richard Brak, the rector, churchwardens and other parishioners of the church of S. Margaret aforesaid, subject to the above charge. (fn. 13) In case of default made in carrying out the conditions of the devise the property is to go over to the Wardens or Masters and Commonalty of the Mistery of Vintners for the relief of its poor brethren. Dated London, 12 April, A.D. 1433.—Also his will is that his co-feoffees in trust of lands and tenements in the vills and parishes of Est Tillebury and West Tillebury, co. Essex, shall make a life estate in the same to Johanna his wife for the maintenance of a chantry in the church of S. Margaret aforesaid for the space of two years next after his decease, and another chantry in the church of S. Margaret de Tillebury for the space of one year, with remainder to Matilda his daughter in tail.
Roll 170 (61).

Hill (John), senior, "pynner."—Testament touching certain lands and tenements in the parish of S. Brigid in Fletestrete, which he leaves to Thomas Faukys, the rector, and churchwardens of the said parish church and their successors, except three shops which he devises to John Hill junior, esquire, charged with the maintenance of a chantry, observance of his obit, &c., in manner prescribed. Dated London, 7 October, A.D. 1437.
Roll 170 (64).

Footnotes

  • 1. 1 I. e. from episcopal jurisdiction, and subject only to the Pope.
  • 2. 1 "Next is Spittle lane, of old time so called, since Stodie's lane, of the owner thereof named Stodie. Sir John Stodie, vintner, Mayor in the year 1357, gave it..... unto the Vintners; the Vintners built for themselves a fair hall, and also thirteen almshouses there for thirteen poor people, which are kept of charity rent free" (Stow's 'Survey,' Thoms's ed., 1876, p. 90).
  • 3. 2 Stow says of the testator that he appointed by his testament that on his "minde day "a competent dinner should be ordained for 2,400 poor men, householders of the City of London, and that each man should receive twopence in money ('Survey,' Thoms's ed., p. 42). No such directions appear in either of the wills here enrolled, but there is a possibility of their having been inserted in his will touching his movables. He is further said to have given the site for the parish church of S. Stephen, Walbrook.
  • 4. 3 What is to be done with the proceeds does not appear.
  • 5. 1 Roll 149 (25).
  • 6. 2 No mention of this gift appears in Mr. Hare's Report on the charities of the Company in 1863, nor in the return made by the Company to the Livery Companies Commission of 1880.
  • 7. 3 The only real estate in the City owned by the Girdlers' Company appears to be in Basinghall Street, but how and when it was acquired the Company say they do not know (Return made to Livery Companies Commission appointed in 1880, vol. iii. p. 460).
  • 8. 1 Variously spelt "Horseydown," "Horsadown," "Horselydown," &c. So called from its being used as a grazing field for horses and cattle. A popular legend exists attributing its name to a belief that the horse of King John lay down with that monarch upon his back, hence horse-lie-down. It was at one time the name of a street, but is now that of a district. Near it was Horselydown Fair Street, described as a considerable street between Paris Street and Tooley Street and Five Foot Lane Southwark.
  • 9. 1 Of Castle Baynard Ward.
  • 10. 1 There appears to be a "Biggens Farm" at the present day in the vicinity of Norwood, and not far from Croydon.
  • 11. 2 Now Warwick Lane, leading into Newgate Street. Among the archives of S. Paul's there is preserved a demise by the Dean and Chapter to John Harpefeld, Archdeacon of London, of their great messuage" in the lane of old tyme cauled Alden's lane but now cauled Warwick lane," 10 May, 1555.
  • 12. 3 Now Sherborn Lane. As to the mode of spelling, see note supra, pp. 136.
  • 13. 1 Mr. Hare, in his Report on the charities of the parish of S. Margaret Pattens in 1860, says that the Commissioners of Inquiry were unable to ascertain the sources of the parish estate. He himself caused a search to be made in the parish church, which resulted in the discovery of a document dated 1470, setting out a record of a resolution made by the parson and churchwardens to have the parish evidences properly entered into a book. "This is followed," says Mr. Hare, "by four pages of writing in ancient court hand, and in Latin used at that day, which will require the assistance of persons professionally conversant with such writing accurately to translate; but they appear to be instruments under which the parish acquned or held portions of the real property" (Report City Parochial Charities Com., 1880, vol. iii. p. 228).