Wills: 20 Edward III (1346-7)

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.

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'Wills: 20 Edward III (1346-7)', in Calendar of Wills Proved and Enrolled in the Court of Husting, London: Part 1, 1258-1358, ed. R R Sharpe( London, 1889), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/court-husting-wills/vol1/pp484-492 [accessed 22 November 2024].

'Wills: 20 Edward III (1346-7)', in Calendar of Wills Proved and Enrolled in the Court of Husting, London: Part 1, 1258-1358. Edited by R R Sharpe( London, 1889), British History Online, accessed November 22, 2024, https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/court-husting-wills/vol1/pp484-492.

"Wills: 20 Edward III (1346-7)". Calendar of Wills Proved and Enrolled in the Court of Husting, London: Part 1, 1258-1358. Ed. R R Sharpe(London, 1889), , British History Online. Web. 22 November 2024. https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/court-husting-wills/vol1/pp484-492.

ANNO 20 EDWARD III.

Monday next after Feast of Annunciation of V. Mary [20 March].

Enefeld (William de), "fuster." (fn. 1) —To Agnes his wife for life the remaining term of John his apprentice, and certain rents issuing from a tenement in the parish of S. Botolph without Algate; remainder to Richard his son. Also to the said Richard the reversion of the said tenement, after the decease of William de Sutton, "pottere," and Johanna, wife of the same, in tail; remainder to Alice his daughter. The residue of all his goods to go to his aforesaid wife so long as she remain unmarried and chaste, otherwise she is to pay the sum of ten pounds sterling to the said Richard and Alice in equal portions. Dated London, Saturday next after the Feast of Purification of V. Mary [2 Feb.], A.D. 1345.
Roll 73 (17).

Enefeld (John de), chandler.—TO Margaret his wife his term in a shop at the corner of Old Jewry held under the Master and Brethren of S. Thomas de Acon, as well as all his other terms, goods and chattels. In the event of all his children predeceasing his wife a certain tenement in the parish of S. Mildred, Virgin, in the Poultry, is to be sold, and one moiety of the proceeds to go to his said wife, and the other to be devoted to pious and charitable uses. Dated London, Monday next after the Feast of Purification of V. Mary [2 Feb.], A.D. 1345.
Roll 73 (25).

Monday next after F. of S. John ante portant Latinam [6 May].

Bernes (Roger de), fishmonger.—To be buried in the church of S. Peter the Less. (fn. 2) To Thomas de Bernes, late his apprentice, a moiety of his shop at the Old Fish Market, in the parish of S. Nicholas Coldabbeye, for life; remainder to William de Bernes, the testator's son, in tail. Also to the said Thomas and William his share of a ship called "le Andreu," and twenty marks of silver for its maintenance and repair. Also to the said William his son all his other tenements in the parishes of S. Nicholas Coldabbey, S. Mary Magdalen at the Old Fish Market, and S. Peter the Less, in tail; charged with the payment of twelve marks for the good of his soul; an annuity of two marks to Hugh de Braybrok and Johanna his wife, the testator's daughter; and an annuity of twenty shillings to Roisia [the testator's ?] daughter. Dated London, Wednesday next before the Feast of Exaltation of H. Cross [14 Sept.] A.D. 1341.
Roll 73 (37).

Clif (Peter de).—To be buried in the churchyard of S. Dunstan West. To Margery his wife his tenement in Chauncellereslane (fn. 3) in the said parish of S. Dunstan for life; remainder to pious and charitable uses. Dated London, Monday next before the Feast of S. Peter in Cathedrâ [22 Feb.], A.D. 1345.
Roll 73 (39)

Sudbury (John de).—To be buried in the churchyard of S. Olave near the Tower. Bequests to the work of the cathedral church of S. Paul and to the old work of the same, to the work of London Bridge, to various religious orders for celebrating a trental for the good of his soul and the souls of Cristiana his wife and others, and to the work of the church of S. Olave aforesaid. His reversionary interest in a certain tenement in Martelane to be sold if possible, and if no one will buy it a moiety of its true value is to be expended on the maintenance of a chantry in the said church of S. Olave, and the other moiety to be divided among John, Edmund, William, Richard, Margaret, and Elizabeth his children. Divers bequests of household chattels, among them being that of a gold ring to Helewysia [his daughter ?], and a circlet for the use of women (circulum pro usu mulierum) to Elizabeth his daughter. Johanna his wife appointed one of his executors; and that the said executors might not find excuse for non-fulfilment of his testament and will in insufficiency of goods he directs them to sell his entire tenement in Estsmethefeld. Dated Sunday next after the Feast of S. Gregory, Pope [12 March], A.D. 1345.
Roll 73 (43).

Monday next before the Feast of S. Petronilla [31 May].

Sampford (Edmund de).—To be buried in the churchyard of S. Dunstan near the Tower. To John his son houses at Billynges-gate in tail; remainder to pious uses. To Mary his wife twenty marks, so that she claim not a third part of his goods, and also four shops in Tower Street for life; remainder to his children. To Petronilla, Isabella, Alice, and Johanna his daughters pecuniary bequests, and houses and shops in the parish of S. Dunstan aforesaid. Their persons and their property to be under guardians during minority, security being given at the Guildhall to answer for the same. Legacies to Edmund de Bery and to John Vinour and Alice his wife, sister of the testator. Dated London, Tuesday next after the Feast of S. Andrew, Apostle [30 Nov.], A.D. 1344.
Roll 73 (53)

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

Risslep (Peter de).—To be buried in the church of S. Botolph without Aldresgate. To Cristiana his wife for life, so long as she remain unmarried, his house with shops; upon her decease or remarriage the same to be sold and the proceeds devoted to pious uses, except the sum of six marks, which is to go to John de Writele. Dated London, 15 May, A.D. 1346.
Roll 73 (58)

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

Skynnere (John).—All his rents in the parish of S. Andrew upon Cornhull to be sold, together with his chattels belonging to his manors of Maundeville and Westhorne in co. Kent, and one hundred marks sterling of the proceeds to be paid to Sir John de Eccleshale, parson of Orleton. Simon Motoun, his brother-in-law, appointed guardian of his son Hugh and one of his executors. Dated London, in the house of Monsieur Johan de Pulteneye, his very dear lord, the vigil of All Saints [1 Nov.], A.D. 1341.


A note of an indorsement of the testament follows, to the effect that it had been proved before the Official of the Archdeacon of London the day before the Nones of May, A.D. 1346, and that administration was granted to certain persons on the understanding that they would do nothing without the assent and consent of Sir John de Pulteneye, Knt.

Roll 73 (66)

Gentil (Philip), senior, felmonger.—To be buried in S. Mary's Chapel in the church of S. Stephen de Colmanstrete. Provision made for a chantry in the said church for the good of his soul and the souls of Adam his father, Alice his mother, Alice and Alice his wives, Walter Ussher and Alice, wife of the same, and others. To Alice his wife, daughter of Richard Ussher, tenements and rents in the parishes of S. Margaret de Lothebury and S. Stephen aforesaid for life; after her decease the same to be sold and the proceeds devoted to pious uses, excepting twenty pounds sterling, which he leaves to Philip his son; if the said Philip be dead, one moiety of the said twenty pounds to go to Philip's son and the other for pious uses. Also to his said son a capital tenement in the said parish of S. Stephen, a part of which he acquired with Alice his wife, daughter of William Kyng; remainder to Philip, son of the aforesaid Philip. Also to Alice his wife all his beds, &c., except a certain cup of silver with an ancient escutcheon (scuto) of the lord the king on the bottom, which he leaves to Philip his grandson (filiolo). Dated London, Tuesday next before the Feast of Nativity of S. John Baptist [24 June], A.D. 1346.


Whereupon came William Gentil, son of John Gentil, junior, and put his claim upon the testament of the aforesaid Philip.

Roll 73 (84)

Pulberti (Cambin (fn. 4) Guidonis), of Florence.—A nuncupative will, (fn. 5) whereby he desires to be buried in the church of All Hallows de Grascherche. Instructs his heir and executors to restore to John, son of the late Cambin Fantini, forty marks of silver which he had borrowed; and to Boniface, brother of the said John, a similar sum, retaining, however, certain specified sums which the testator had disbursed upon the said Boniface's behalf. In order to carry out these instructions he wills that all his possessions in the district of San Donato in Pulverisa; (fn. 6) near the city of Florence be sold, and if these be not sufficient then his tenements in the parish of Grascherche are to be also sold. His brother Guittus to continue to enjoy a certain annuity, or to elect to take the rents and profits of his possessions at Ghagliano, in the county of Florence, for life. To Cristiana his wife all his tenements in the aforesaid parish of All Hallows for life, so long as she remain unmarried, otherwise she is to take only her dower; remainder to James his son. To Walter, son of the late Fulberti Nigri, five marks of silver. Dated 25 April, A.D. 1346.
Roll 73 (85).

Monday next before the Feast of S. James, Apostle [20 July].

Worstede (Thomas de), mercer.—To be buried in the church of S. Laurence Jewry. Pecuniary bequests to Thomas, Simon, and Isabella his children; Alice his bastard daughter (filie mee Bastard); Cecilia, daughter of William Dippelee de Farnham; and to John, son of John de Worsted, deceased. Also to Richard, son of Robert de Worsted, an aumbry (unum Almariolum) with three chests standing before the same in the seld of Richard Costantyn. To Isabella his wife six other chests standing in the same seld, and the remaining term of his apprentices. To Thomas his aforesaid son his tenement in the churchyard of S. Laurence Jewry in tail; remainders over. The residue of his goods not otherwise disposed of to be divided into two parts, one moiety going to his wife and children, and the other being devoted to pious and charitable uses. Dated London, Sunday next after the Feast of All Saints [1 Nov.], A.D. 1345.
Roll 73 (86)

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

Pavy (Gilbert).—To Cristina his wife a brewery and houses in the parish of S. James de Garlekhithe for life; remainder to pious and charitable uses. To Alice, daughter of the said Cristina, for her marriage ten marks; and a similar sum to Agnes his daughter. Dated London, Tuesday next after the Feast of S. Gregory, Pope [12 March], A.D. 1345.
Roll 73 (119).

Monday next after the Feast of S. Martin [11 Nov.].

Langeford (Sir William de), Knt.—To be buried in the church of Clerkenwell. To the prioress and convent of the same he bequeaths his best horse with equipment for one man by way of principal (fn. 7) (nomine principalis), also crops and stock found upon the manors of the Hospital of S. John of Jerusalem held by him, and the Prioress's manor at "Blaneford"; bequests to officials in the said hospital; acquittance for debts due from certain individuals; bequests to various religious orders, the page (pagetto) of his chamber, the page of his stable, his clerk, and others. To his sister living at Bircestre five marks. To Sir Henry de Eibbestan a portifory, (fn. 8) an entire vestment, and a psalter with glosses (glosatum), together with certain houses at Holebourn. To John de Dyngelee a cross and relics; and to the church of Clerkenwell a silver vessel containing the blood of Christ crucified. To Beatrice Basset, daughter of Henry Basset de Berkyng, and William her son houses upon Hundesdiche without Neugate for their lives [with remainder to the heirs of the body of the said William (fn. 9) ]; remainder to the Guildhall Chapel. Also to the said William houses near Cokkeslane (fn. 10) in the suburb. The residue of his goods not otherwise disposed of to be devoted to pious uses. Dated at Clerkenwell near London, 11 October, A.D. 1346.


Upon the said testament being examined for probate, evidence was produced upon oath showing that the testator intended that the above tenements upon Hundesdiche should immediately upon the death of the aforesaid Beatrice and William her son remain to the Commonalty of the City of London, for the purpose of providing a chantry in the Guildhall Chapel, and not be entailed to the heirs of the body of the said William. Accordingly it was considered by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Sheriffs that the fee tail should be annulled.
A note (in a later hand) follows to the effect that the tenor of the above testament had been sent into the King's Chancellery by virtue of a writ directed to the Mayor and Chamberlain of London, as appears in Rolls of Memoranda, temp. John Fressh, Mayor, anno 19 Richard II.

Roll 73 (125)

Hardy (Thomas), saddler.—To Emma his wife all his tenements in the parish of S. Sepulchre without Neugate for life; remainder to pious uses; also all his tenements in the parish of S. Giles without Crepelgate for life; remainder to Roger Madour, mercer. Dated London, Saturday next after the Feast of S. Valentine [14 Feb.], A.D. 1345.
Roll 73 (126).

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

Rumburgh (John de), "armurer."—To Agnes his wife tenements in the parish of S. Nicholas de Coldabbeye for life; remainder to John de Coppeham, "armurer," and Cristina, wife of the same, in tail; remainder over, charged with the maintenance of six chantries in the said church of S. Nicholas for one year next after his decease. Bequests to William his son, John his brother, Oliver his kinsman, Adam Cherteseye, Elena Cosyn, and others. His tenement at "Brakenquarf" (fn. 11) in the parish of S. Mary de Somersete to be sold to pay his debts and fulfil his testament. Dated London, Thursday next after the Feast of S. Dionisius [9 Oct.], A.D. 1346.
Roll 73 (147).

Gloucestre (William de).—To Isabella his wife he leaves Alexander de Depedene, his apprentice; also all his tenements in Fletestrete for life; remainder to Robert his son in tail; remainder to pious uses. Dated in the parish of S. Martin, London, Thursday the Feast of Holy Innocents [28 Dec.], A.D. 1346.
Roll 73 (148).

Doo (William le), leather-seller.—To be buried in his parish church of S. Michael de Bassyngeshawe. To Alice his daughter four pounds of silver, one counterpane which had belonged to his mother, two sheets, three silver spoons, and his small cup of mazer. To Alice his wife his capital tenement in the said parish of S. Michael for life, so long as she remain unmarried; upon her remarriage or decease the same to remain to Alice his daughter in tail; remainder to pious uses. Dated London, Wednesday next after the Feast of S. Mark, Evangelist [25 April], A.D. 1346.
Roll 73 (158).

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

Merk (Richard le), "tapicer." (fn. 12) —To be buried in the church of All Hallows de Stanyngchirche. To Matilda his wife her entire chamber, and a tenement in the parish of S. Mary de Fancherche for life; remainder to Alice his daughter in tail; remainder to pious uses. Also to the said Alice shops, &c., in the said parishes in tail; remainder to the maintenance of chantries in the said churches of All Hallows and S. Mary for the good of his soul and the souls of Alice his late wife and others. His brewery and shops in the said parish of All Hallows to be also sold for similar uses. The residue of his goods to be divided into three parts: one part to be devoted to pious uses, and the other two to go to his said wife and daughter respectively. Dated in the Ward of Langebourn, 24 June, A.D. 1346.
Roll 73 (169).

Footnotes

  • 1. Maker of saddle-trees.
  • 2. Otherwise called S. Peter's, Paul's Wharf.
  • 3. Chancery Lane.
  • 4. The testator was possibly a money-changer (cambiatore) by trade.
  • 5. Hoc suum nuncupatirum sine scriptis condidit testameitum.
  • 6. There was a monastery called "di S. Donato in Polverosa," situate in a suburb north-west of Florence.
  • 7. The Principal (sometimes called Mortuary) was the deceased person's best horse, which followed the corpse at the funeral, and became the property of the priest. See 'Fifty Earliest English Wills,'ed. by Dr. Furnivall, p. 139.
  • 8. Or Breviary for carrying about.
  • 9. A line drawn through this, and the following note in margin: "Vacat per judicium Curie prout Patct Postca."
  • 10. Parish of S. Sepulchre without New-gate. To this quarter common courtesans were publicly conducted, and there made toabide ('Lib. Albus,' Rolls Series, p. 459).
  • 11. Brokenwharf.
  • 12. Maker of tapices or tapestry, and probably of some kind of carpets. Ordinances of the Tapicers made in 1331 are set out in Riley's Memorials,' p. 178.