Wills: 14 Henry VI (1435-6)

ANNO 14 HENRY VI.

Monday next after the Feast of S. Edmund, King [20 Nov.].

Haxham or Exham (John), cordwainer.—To be buried in the principal entry to the churchyard of the parish church of All Hallows in Lumbardstrete, where Johanna his late wife lies buried. To William Archer of London, cordwainer, and Margaret, wife of the same, the testator's daughter, he leaves lands and tenements in Lumbardestrete in tail; remainder in trust for sale for pious and charitable uses. To William Landwath, cordwainer, and Agnes, wife of the same, daughter of Johanna his late wife, other lands and tenements in the same street and parish in tail, with similar remainder. Dated London, 15 April, A.D. 1435.
Roll 164 (14).

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

Lemman (John), skinner.—To be buried near Johanna his late wife in S. Paul's churchyard. To Johanna his present wife he leaves two hundred pounds sterling and a moiety of all his goods and chattels movable, saving his coined money and his shop and its merchandise. Dated London, 24 September, A.D. 1435.— Also to Johanna his wife his tenements called "le Meriole" in Westchepe, parish of All Hallows in Honylane, near a tavern called "le Gote," for life; remainder in trust for sale, and twenty pounds of the proceeds to be devoted to the fabric of the new church of S. Stephen upon Walbrook. Also of the proceeds he leaves five pounds for the maintenance of the Fraternity of Corpus Christi of the craft of Skinners of London, and forty shillings for the maintenance of the Fraternity of the Blessed Mary of the same craft.
Roll 164 (24).

Monday next after the Feast of S. Vincent, Martyr [22 Jan.].

Chadde (John), cutler.—To be buried in the church of S. Mildred in the Poultry. To Johanna his wife he leaves his interest in a certain annual rent charged on tenements in the parish of All Hallows upon the Solar (super solarium). A certain tenement in Conynghopelane in the parish of S. Mildred aforesaid, situate near the tenement formerly belonging to Walter, Lord Fitz Wauter, which he and his aforesaid wife jointly had acquired, to be sold after the decease of his wife, and the proceeds distributed among poor householders, parishioners of the churches of S. Mary de Colchirche and S. Mildred aforesaid, and also poor cutlers for the good of his soul. Dated London, 10 February, A.D. 1434.
Roll 164 (28).

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

Knolles (fn. 1) (Thomas), senior, grocer.—Testament touching a tenement formerly belonging to Richard Odyham senior, grocer, in the parish of S. Antonin, which he leaves to Robert Wydyton, grocer, and Elizabeth, wife of the same, daughter of the aforesaid Richard and late wife of John Oxneye, grocer, for their lives. Also to Dame Johanna Welles, a nun in the convent of Sopwelle (fn. 2) near the vill of St. Alban, daughter of the aforesaid Elizabeth, he leaves an annual rent of thirteen shillings and fourpence issuing from the above tenement. The reversion of the said tenement he leaves to Johanna, wife of Thomas Saundres and sister of the said Elizabeth, for life, subject to the payment of the above annual rent; and after the decease of the parties interested the tenement to remain to the Wardens of the Mistery of the Grocery of the City of London and commonalty of the same for the relief of the poor of the said commonalty, (fn. 3) saving the annuity aforesaid. Dated London, 12 July, A.D. 1432.
Roll 164 (32).

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

Knolles (Thomas), senior, grocer.— Testament touching his brewery called "le Crane on the hoop" in Fletstret in the parish of S. Dunstan in the suburb of London, which he leaves to the Dean and Chapter of S. Paul's, together with a shop in the parish of S. Michael le Quern. To be buried in the church of S. Antonin. Thomas his son appointed one of his executors. Dated London, 29 June, A.D. 1435.
Roll 164 (33).

Middelton (Thomas), mercer.—To be buried in S. Mary's Chapel in the church of S. Laurence in Old Jewry under the stone where lies John Middelton his uncle. To Leticia his wife the reversion of certain lands and tenements in the parish of S. Laurence aforesaid, to hold absolutely; also the residue of his goods, movable and immovable, after discharge of debts, to be at her own disposal and for the good of his soul. Dated London, 25 November, A.D. 1434.
Roll 164 (34).

Knolles (Thomas), senior, grocer.—To be buried according to directions contained in another testament touching his movables. To Friar John Snell, Warden, Preceptor, or Master of the House or Hospital of S. Antony, and brethren of the same, he leaves a certain shop in the parish of S. Benedict Fynk (which he and Thomas Knolles junior, his son, lately acquired by deed (fn. 4) from John Trubyk, called "Petresfeld," and others), for the maintenance of a lamp to burn in the chancel of the church or chapel of the said house, and for observance of the obit of the said warden, preceptor, or master when dead, with donations to the poor, &c., in manner prescribed. In every case of default the beneficiaries are to forfeit an annual sum of six shillings and eightpence. Dated London, 26 May, A.D. 1432.
Roll 164 (36).

Knolles (Thomas), senior, grocer.—To be buried in the church of S. Antonin. Bequests to the said church and ministers thereof, to divers orders of friars in London, the hospitals of S. Mary de Bedlem without Bysshopesgate and S. Mary without Bysshopesgate, the fabric of the church of Northmymmes (fn. 5) and parishioners thereof, the nuns of Soppewell (fn. 6) and Pray, (fn. 6) the inmates of various prisons, &c. Bequests also of money or goods to Thomas, William, Robert, and Richard his sons, Beatrix, Margery, and Margaret his daughters, Beatrix, daughter of his son Thomas, his servants, and others. Among other charitable bequests he leaves the sum of ten pounds to be distributed among the poor men of his mistery, and a similar sum to the poor of the parish of S. Antonin. Dated London, 20 May, A.D. 1435.—Also he wills that his feoffees in trust of houses, shops, &c., in the parishes of S. Antonin, S. Thomas the Apostle, S. Martin in the Vintry, All Hallows de Honylane, and elsewhere in the City of London, and also of the advowson of the said church of All Hallows, convey the same absolutely to Thomas his son. His feoffees in trust of his manor of Northmymmes, co. Herts, and of other lands and tenements in the same county, as well as in Lambhithe, co. Surrey, are to convey a like estate in the same to his said son.
Roll 164 (37).

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

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

Clopton (Clarice, wife of Robert, draper), relict of Thomas Scot, salter.—A certain tenement in Bredestrete in the parish of All Hallows to be sold, and a chantry to be maintained out of the proceeds in the church of All Hallows aforesaid for the space of four years next after his decease. Dated 3 February, A.D. 1435.
Roll 164 (45).

Barton (fn. 7) (Henry), skinner.—To be buried in the chapel of le Charnel of S. Paul's. To the Master and Brethren of the Guild or Fraternity of Corpus Christi and to the rector of the church of S. John upon Walbroke he leaves divers tenements situate in Watlyngstrete in the parish of S. Mary de Aldermarichirch and in Westchepe, and a messuage called "le Rede lyon" in Wodestrete in the parish of S. Alphege, for the purpose of erecting almshouses. Also to the same he leaves an annual rent of four marks issuing from lands and tenements called "Romaynsrent" in the parish of S. Mary de Aldermarichirch. Directions given at great length for keeping his obit in the chapel of le Charnel, with instructions to supply the Mayor and Aldermen who attend with two shillings of bread called "Maindbrede," (fn. 8) six gallons of wine, and a barrel of beer containing thirty gallons. Sums of money to be given to the Mayor, Recorder, Sheriffs, Chamberlain, and others attending mass on the morrow of the Feast of All Saints, as also to the Common Clerk of the City for the time being for proclaiming the terms of his testament. The master and brethren and rector aforesaid to maintain a chantry in the chapel of the Guildhall. The chaplain of the fraternity to be provided with a livery gown for the festival of Corpus Christi, and to attend every meeting of the guild or fraternity held for the purpose of observing the obit or anniversary of any brother or sister of the same. To the Prior and Convent of Elsyngspytell in the parish of S. Alphege within Crepulgate he leaves an annual rent of six shillings and eightpence, on condition they send two canons to attend his mass on All Souls' Day, and provide two pounds of wax to be made into small candles called "Syngyngcandelles," for masses to be said so long as the said candles shall last. (fn. 9) Also to the aforesaid master and warden and rector aforesaid he leaves his complete vestment of black velvet with orphreys of feather work and others of cloth of gold, also auterclothes comprising a frount, (fn. 10) countrefrount, (fn. 11) and curteyns (fn. 12) to match; a cross of silver enamelled and gilt, weighing 3 lb 8½ oz. troy, with crossestaf of coper gilt, and a silver-gilt coupe for reserving the Host, weighing 2 lb 7 oz. troy; also large silver cups called "Bolpeces" or "Bolcuppis," weighing 7 lb 10 oz. troy; also eweris, chargeours and platers marked with his arms. The said bolcuppis or bolpeces to be used for serving wine to the Mayor, Aldermen, or Sheriffs attending his obit, and whenever the members of the guild or fraternity of the Skinners of London are summoned to meet at their hall. To the rector and churchwardens of the church of S. Mary de Aldermarichirche and their successors he leaves all his lands and tenements called "Romaynsrent" aforesaid, subject to the above charge, on condition the said rector for the time being prays for the souls of Richard Barton, the testator's father, Dionisia his mother, and others. To Johanna his wife, by way of dower, houses, shops, &c., in the parish of S. John Zakary and S. Anne and the parish of S. Mary Stanyng, which he acquired from the executors of Drugo Barantyne by deed enrolled; (fn. 13) also his manor of Yonges in the vill or parish of Staundon, co. Herts, his lands and meadows near Wadismyln, co. Herts, his manor called "Marshall" at High Cross, co. Herts, and his place called "Sotes" in the parish of Staundon aforesaid, to hold to the said Johanna for the term of her life, provided she make no further claim for dower; remainder in trust for sale for charitable uses. Also to his said wife he leaves divers goods and chattels by way of her share, if she be content to receive them as such. To Ralph his brother he leaves two silver jugs, his Basinet his palet garnished with silver, and his Jakke of red Velewet. To twenty-four poor men of the art of Skinners in the City of London, being householders and very poor, six shillings and eightpence respectively and a quarter of coals, in return for their prayers; and to every apprentice to the Skinners' craft twelve pence. Bequests also to those receiving alms of the Fraternity of Corpus Christi of the testator's craft, and of the Fraternity of the Blessed Mary of the same craft. Gowns and hoods of best Welsh grey cloth (fn. 14) (de optimo panno roceto Wallensi') and linen vests to be distributed among the poor of Mildenhale, Staundon, and the City of London. Bequests to divers orders of friars, the inmates of hospitals and prisons, the lepers at Hakeney, S. Giles, and S. Thomas Wateryng, as well as to his apprentices and numerous other individuals. Dated London, the last day of July, A.D. 1434.
Roll 164 (46).

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

Game (Hugh), "peautrer."—To be buried in the church of S. Mildred in the Poultry, to the rector, churchwardens, and parishioners of which he leaves a certain tenement situate near le Scaldynglane within the parish, together with shops in the parish of S. Leonard de Estchep and in Candelwykstrete in the parish of S. Mary de Abbechirch, charged with the maintenance of a chantry for the good of his soul, the souls of Agnes and Matilda his late wives, Margaret his present wife, and others; also with the observance of his obit, with gifts of bread and cheese and beer, &c., in manner directed. In default the property is to go over to the Prioress and Convent of Kylbourne for similar uses. Devises a certain tenement in Graschirchstret in the parish of S. Leonard de Estchepe to certain "peautrers," whom he appoints executors, to the intent that they shall immediately after his decease convey the same to Margaret his wife, to hold absolutely. (fn. 15) Dated London, 10 June, A.D. 1435.
Roll 164 (47).