Wills: 21-30 Elizabeth I (1578-88)

ANNO 21 ELIZABETH.

Monday next after the Feast of S. Benedict, Abbot [21 March].

Hudson (Richard), the elder, innholder, dwelling in the parish of S. Sepulchre without Newgate.—To be buried in Corpus Christi Chapel in the said parish church. To John, son of Greorge Depuppe, "inholder," the reversion, under certain circumstances, of his messuage or inn called "the Swanne" at Holborn Bridge, in tail; remainder to Eichard, son of the aforesaid Greorge. The said messuage charged with an annual payment of four pounds for the poor of the parish of S. Sepulchre, and for a recreation and drinking for the vicar and churchwardens. Also, if Richard his son happen to die before the expiration of certain leases, the same are to remain to the aforesaid John and Richard Depuppe. Bequests to the Company of Inholders in London for a banquet on the day of his burial and to the use of their hall. To Stephen Rogers, Joane and Elizabeth, daughters of Johane his wife, Richard his son, and others, he makes divers bequests, comprising gowns, his nest of goblets with the cover parcel gilt, silver spoons with one cover of silver parcel gilt, a cup with a cover gilt having "the rose and pounde granat (fn. 1) in yt," a little ring of gold with a "diamonde sparke," a pair of "demesens," (fn. 2) a triangle, a pair of hooks of silver and double gilt, his mazer with band of silver, six spoons of silver with "mayden heds," and a pair of "ambre beades gauded with silver." His wife to enjoy his inn aforesaid, with kine, cattle, household stuff, &c., for two years after his decease, provided she remain unmarried and behave herself well. Dated 19 October, A.D. 1558.
Roll 263 (25).

ANNO 22 ELIZABETH.

Monday next after the Feast of S. Wulstan, Bishop [19 Jan.].

Atkinson (Giles), "merchauntailor."—To the Master and Wardens of the "Merchaunttailors" of the Fraternity of S. John Baptist in the City of London he leaves an annual rent of five shillings and eightpence issuing from tenements in the parish of S. Mary Magdalen, Old Fish Street, and an annual rent of thirteen shillings and fourpence issuing from a tenement called "the Sonne," otherwise "the Salutacion," in the parish of S. Olave near London Bridge, to hold to them, by what name soever they be incorporated, and their successors for ever. Dated 19 June, 19 Elizabeth [A.D. 1577].
Roll 263 (48).

Monday next before the Feast of S. Scolastica, Virgin [10 Feb.].

Gresham (Thomas), (fn. 3) Knt., mercer and freeman of the City of London.—To be buried in "S^t Tellyns" in the parish where he resides. Bequests to Lady Ann Gresham his wife, his apprentices, to one hundred poor men and one hundred poor women, to his cousin Cissley Ciolle, his niece Elizabeth Nevell, and others Dated 4 July, A.D. 1575.

Touching his lands and tenements, he wills that after the determination of the estates referred to in a deed dated 20 May, 1575 (whereby he settled the buildings in London called the "Royal Exchange," with its "pawnes," (fn. 4) shops, &c., upon his wife for life, remainder to his surviving issue), the said buildings shall remain, as to one moiety, to the Mayor, Commonalty, and citizens of London, and as to the other moiety, to the Wardens and Commonalty of the Mistery of the Mercers of the City of London and their successors, for a term of fifty years, upon trust that the said Mayor, &c., shall expend yearly the sum of two hundred pounds, in manner as directed, towards the maintenance and finding of four persons suitable to read lectures on divinity, astronomy, music, and geometry within his own dwelling-house in the parishes of S. Helen in Bishopsgate Street and S. Peter the Poor, and further distribute yearly the sum of fifty-three pounds six shillings and eightpence among the inmates of eight almshouses in the parish of S. Peter aforesaid, and the sum of fifty pounds among the poor prisoners in certain prisons and compters. Also upon trust that the aforesaid Wardens, &c., of the Mercers shall expend yearly the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds for the finding and maintenance of three persons suitable to read lectures in law, physic, and rhetoric in his aforesaid dwelling-house in manner as directed, and further distribute yearly the sum of fifty pounds among the poor inmates of divers hospitals and prisons, and expend yearly the sum of one hundred pounds upon four quarterly dinners for their whole company in Mercers' Hall. Each moiety of the aforesaid buildings is appointed by this his will and disposed to the said mayor and commonalty, &c., and the said wardens and commonalty, &c., respectively. Touching his mansion house situate in the parishes aforesaid, he leaves the reversion of it, after the determination of estates limited by the aforesaid deed, to the Mayor, Commonalty, and citizens of London and to the Wardens and Commonalty of the Mistery of the "Mercerye" of the said City and their successors, upon trust that they suffer the seven persons to be appointed as aforesaid to occupy it, for the purpose of study and for daily reading the several lectures. None to be chosen to read lectures so long as he be married. He further wills that if the Corporation of London and the Mercers' Company, before the end of the said term of fifty years, shall procure sufficient licence, they shall enjoy the said Koyal Exchange, &c., for ever, by such moieties and propor tions and in such manner as thereinbefore limited, upon the said specified trusts. To Sir Henry Nevell, Knt., his cousin, and to the heirs male of Elizabeth, late wife of the said Sir Henry, and daughter of Sir John Gresham his brother, he leaves the reversion of his manors of Mayesfylld and Wardehurste, co. Sussex, on condition that his said cousin do pay all charges of wardship, livery, and primer seisin (fn. 5) due to the Crown for his estates upon his decease; in default remainder over. The residue of his lands and tenements he leaves to his aforesaid wife absolutely. In witness whereof he has written this his will with his own hand, and to each of the eight leaves has subscribed his name, and to a label fixed to the leaves has set his seal with the "greassopper." Dated 5 July, 1575.
Roll 263 (52).

ANNO 22 ELIZABETH.

Monday next before the Feast of S. Alphege, Abp. [19 April].

Jenyns (Thomas), fishmonger.—Touching his great messuage called "the Chequer" and his tenement called "the horsehead" (fn. 6) in the parish of S. Magnus near London Bridge he has already declared his will, which remains in the hall of the Company of Fishmongers of London and is to be still in force. To the Mayor, Commonalty, and citizens of London, governors of the revenues, &c., of the hospitals of Edward VI., called Christ's Hospital, Bridewell, and S. Thomas's, he leaves an annual rent of forty shillings issuing out of the above tenements, for the relief of poor children harboured in Christ's Hospital. To Margaret his wife he leaves the same tenements, subject to the above annual charge, for life; remainder to the Wardens and Commonalty of the Mistery of Fishmongers, charged with the yearly payment of six pounds thirteen shillings and fourpence for the poor of his native parish of Braughinge, co. Herts, a portion of the said money to be expended on the purchase of white and red herrings for the poor of the said parish, and also in gifts to the poor of New Fish Street, Old Fish Street, and others. (fn. 7) The aforesaid wardens and commonalty are further charged with the yearly payment of the sum of ten pounds to John Jenyns his son and the heirs of the body of the said son, failing which it is to go to Anne his daughter, wife of James Dixson, fishmonger, and her children; remainder to the daughters of his son Greorge. As soon as this payment shall cease from want of issue of the beneficiaries the aforesaid wardens and commonalty are to distribute yearly among the poor people in and about New Fish Street and Old Fish Street respectively as many coals as shall cost forty shillings, or forty shillings in money; and to and among the poor of the parish of Braughinge for their relief forty shillings yearly. Dated 31 March, A.D. 1579.
Roll 264 (8).

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

Holmes (John), "weyvor."—To be buried within the church of Blackrode, (fn. 8) co. Lanc., near his wife. To Anne his wife his lands and tenements in the parish of All Saints in Lumbardstrete for life, charged with the yearly payment of eight pounds to trustees for a schoolmaster of a free grammar school in the town of Blackerode, in the church there or as near unto it as may be deemed right; also with the further payment of five pounds for the exhibition, finding, and keeping of a scholar in the college at Cambridge called "Marye Valense," otherwise "Pembroke-hall." (fn. 9) After the decease of his wife his lands and tenements to go to the vicar and churchwardens of S. Sepulchre's, subject to similar charges. To John, son of George Holme of Blackrode, citizen and grocer of London, one hundred pounds with which to set himself up, and his livery gown of "browne blewe" faced with budge; and to Margaret Evans his wife's niece five pounds. If the said John and Margaret join in marriage he leaves them a tenement called "the Katherine whele" at Holborne Conduit. To Thomas his brother five pounds and his gown of "Sheepes collor faced with foynes." To Charles Cowperthwaite his best gown "garded with velvet and faced with gennettes." To others he makes various bequests, comprising his ring of gold called a "Comellin," (fn. 10) a gown furred with "shankes," (fn. 11) his "book of the monumentes," (fn. 12) &c. Towards the making of a stone steeple at Blackrode he leaves three pounds. Also he gives his chamber, "which lieth readye framed and unsett up," with the timber thereto belonging, to the schoolmaster of Blackrode, reserving to the priest of the church the loft of the said chamber, upon condition the town shall help the schoolmaster to build the said chamber and to set it up at the east end of the house. Numerous bequests of chattels, comprising platter dishes, pewter dishes, a "chaffinge dishe," saucers, pottle pots, pint pots, quart pots, a brazen mortar with a pestle, a feather bed, canvas sheets "with an old coveringe of ymage worke," "pillowberes," a "Turkie cushen," and a chair of ease of wainscot. Also to the aforesaid schoolmaster he leaves a new cupboard standing in his house, a "folden bord," two "bedstedes," and a form, to remain in the house, and also the "sawe," "buckett," and the "border of all the kinges," there to remain and not to be taken away, together with half of his "cowperstuffe." Bequests also to poor prisoners at Lancaster and London, &c. Dated 18 September, A.D. 1568.
Roll 264 (19).

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

Lambe (William), freeman and citizen of the City of London of the Mistery of Clothworkers.—To the master, wardens, and commonalty of freemen of the said mistery certain lands and tenements in the parishes of S. Mary Woolchurch and All Hallows Staining, to hold to them and their successors to their own proper use and behoof for ever. Dated 13 July, A.D. 1573.
Roll 264 (24).

Lambe (William), clothworker.—To the Master, Keepers or Wardens, and Commonalty of the Mistery or Art of the "Stacioners" of the City of London and their successors a yearly rent of six pounds thirteen shillings and fourpence, to the uses of an indenture dated 7 July, 9 Elizabeth [A.D. 1567]. Also to the Master, four Wardens, and Commonalty of the Guild or Fraternity of the Assumption of B.V. Mary of the Art or Mistery of Clothworkers in the City of London certain lands and tenements in the parishes of "S. James in the Wall" (fn. 13) near Cripplegate, S. Stephen in Colmanstrete, and S. Olave in Silverstrete, to the uses mentioned in a pair of indentures (fn. 14) dated 12 July, 10 Elizabeth [A.D. 1568], made between the said master and wardens, &c., and the Mayor, Commonalty, and citizens of London. If at any time the Corporation of the said Company of Clothworkers should happen to be seised into the hands of the Crown, the property is to go over to the President and Fellows of the College lately erected by Sir Thomas Whyte, (fn. 15) Knt. and Alderman, to the use of the poor scholars of the same college so long as the said corporation remain so seised. The property is similarly to go over to the President and Fellows of S. John's College, Oxford, in case of default made by the Corporation of Clothworkers in carrying out the terms of the devise. Dated 11 October, 16 Elizabeth [A.D. 1574].
Roll 264 (25).

Monday next after the Feast of S. Michael [29 Sept.].

Jennyns (Thomas), fishmonger.—To the Wardens and Commonalty of the Mistery of Fishmongers of the City of London a shop in Bridgestreete, alias Newfishstrete, in the parish of S. Magnus the Martyr, and also an annual rent of assise of thirteen shillings and fourpence, from another tenement in the same parish, charged with giving yearly the sum of four pounds thirteen shillings and fourpence, or the value thereof in coals, to the poor of the parishes of S. Mary Magdalen, Old Fish Street, S. Nicholas Colde Abbey, S. Mary Somerset, S. Michael in Crokedlane, S. Margaret in Bridge Street, S. Magnus the Martyr, and S. Ethelburga in Bishoppsgatestrete. (fn. 16) One moiety of the annual rent aforesaid is to go to the masters of the bachelors of the said mistery towards the charges of their dinner, whensoever the same may be kept, and the other to the wardens and commonalty aforesaid to their own proper use and behoof. Dated 20 August, A.D. 1572.
Roll 264 (31).

Heron (William), of the parish of Clerkenwell, co. Middlesex, gentleman.—To Elizabeth his wife for life a yearly rent of twenty pounds issuing out of his house called "the mayden head" and other lands in the parish of S. Sepulchre, on condition she claim not dower, "franckebanck," (fn. 17) or wife's part of his lands or goods. To Thomas Herne of Newe Castell a yearly rent of five pounds issuing from the same lands and tenements. To two poor colleges in the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, viz., to University College in Oxford and Peterhowse in Cambridge respectively, a similar yearly rent of five pounds towards the education and bringing up of poor scholars. To the poor of the parish of S. Sepulchre a similar rent of four pounds. Bequests of other rents issuing from the same lands and tenements for the repair of the churches of S. Sepulchre and Clerkenwell, for the repair of the highway between the "Spittle howse" and Highegate, and the corner of S. Jones's wall and the common highway leading from Highegate through Kentishe Towne to Battle Bridge; (fn. 18) also to Katherine Basset, alias Popleton, his first wife's daughter, Joane Hall, alias Popleton, another daughter of his first wife, and others. Bequests also of money and gowns. For the better carrying out his several devises he directs his executors to convey his lands and tenements to the corporation of the Woodmongers or of the Clothworkers. (fn. 19) Dated 12 July, A.D. 1580.
Roll 264 (33).

ANNO 23 ELIZABETH.

Monday next before the Feast of Purification of V. Mary [2 Feb.]

Bolte (Henry), of the parish of S. Bride in the suburbs.—His dwelling-house to be sold to pay his debts, &c. To Margaret, wife of John Cleypoole, ten shillings and a "tawnye mockadowe kertell fringed and laide abowte the skirtes with lace." To Nicholas and Robert his brothers twenty shillings each; and to his brother John twenty nobles. The residue of his goods he leaves to Anne his daughter. Dated 9 December, A.D. 1574.
Roll 265 (6).

Monday next after F. of SS. Tiburcius and Valerian [14. April]

Hewar (Edward), draper.—To the parson and churchwardens of the church of S. Greorge near Estecheape he leaves two tenements in S. Botolph Lane in the parish of S. Greorge aforesaid, to be employed on the necessary repairs of the said church for ever. Dated 8 February, A.D. 1572.
Roll 265 (13).

ANNO 24 ELIZABETH.

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

Leonard alias Jacksonne (William), mercer.—To the Wardens and Commonalty of the Mistery of Mercers of the City of London the reversion of certain rooms, buildings, and soil in the parish of S. Andrew Undershaft, to hold to them and their successors to their only use and behoof for ever. Dated 2 November, 14 Elizabeth [A.D. 1572].
Roll 265 (83).

ANNO 25 ELIZABETH.

Monday next after the Feast of S. Wulstan, Bishop [19 Jan.].

Harvye (Sir James), Knt., Lord Mayor of the City of London. —To the Master, Wardens, and Commonaltye of the Mysterye or Arte of Iremongers of London and their successors certain lands and tenements in the Old Jewry, Love Lane, and Sylverstreete, which Sir William Denham, late Alderman, formerly had purchased of the late King Henry VIII. by letters patent dated Westminster, 30 June, 36 Henry VIII. [A.D. 1544]; to hold the same to the said master, wardens, &c., for ever, to their only proper use and behoof. Dated 4 October, 24 Elizabeth [A.D. 1582].
Roll 266 (1).

Est (Robert), "iremonger."—To the Master, Wardens, and Commonalty of the Mistery or Art of Iremongers of London and their successors his capital messuage called "the horsehed," with alley called "the horsehead Alleye," in the parish of S. Sepulchre without Newgate, to their own use and behoof for ever, they paying to the Crown, under which the property is to be held by fealty, an annual sum of fifty-three shillings and fourpence. Dated 5 October, 24 Elizabeth [A.D. 1582].
Roll 266 (2).

ANNO 26 ELIZABETH.

Monday next before the Feast of S. Edmund, K. [20 Nov.].

Nycholas (Dame Elizabeth, relict of Sir Ambrose, Knt.).—To be buried in the church of S. Mildred, over the vault where her late husband lies. Bequests to the inmates of divers hospitals and prisons. To the Company of Salters she leaves the sum of one hundred pounds, to remain with them as a stock for ever, to be lent to two young men of the company, to each of them fifty pounds for three years, they paying yearly for the use of the loan twenty shillings each, which are to be distributed among the poor of the parish of S. Mildred, London, at Christmas and Easter; also a further sum of one hundred pounds, (fn. 20) to be lent to two young men of the company for two years, they paying for the use of it yearly six pounds thirteen shillings and fourpence, to be distributed among the poor of the parishes of Nedyngworthe and St. Ives, co. Huntingdon, to wit, one year to the former and the next year to the latter parish. To the poor of the parishes of Longston (fn. 21) and Ayno (fn. 22) respectively forty shillings. To the universities of Oxford and Cambridge sixty pounds for the benefit of poor scholars. To her daughter Anne she leaves one thousand five hundred pounds, being her said daughter's orphanage portion due from her father Sir Ambrose aforesaid, for payment of which sureties had been put into the Orphans' Court; the same to be paid to her daughter on arriving at twenty-one years of age or marriage. If her said daughter should die before reaching that age or before marriage, the money is to be divided among her five children, viz., Frauncys Elkyn, Walter Marler, Ester Powell, Grace Hardynge, and Mary Jarvys, as directed. Bequests also to Jane Boxe and Elizabeth Grylborne her daughters; to her sisters, her servants, and others. To Robert Shakerley, her uncle Shakerley's son, she gives twenty pounds towards repairing Longston Hall, co. Derby. To the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the City of London she leaves two dozen silver trenchers parcel gilt, to be engraved with her arms and those of her husband. Other bequests of gold rings, black gowns, &c., to numerous individuals. Her household stuff to be sold by the "owtroper" (fn. 23) for the best value for the advancement of her children and payment of legacies. Dated 24 January, 25 Elizabeth [A.D. 1582-3].
Roll 266 (27).

Monday next before the Feast of S. Martin, Bishop [11 Nov.].

Morrys (Richard), sen., "iremonger."—To the Master, Wardens, and Commonalty of the Mistery or Art of Iremongers of London certain lands, tenements, &c., in the parishes of S. Mary Staynynge and S. Olyve in the Old Jewry, which Sir William Denham, late citizen and Alderman of London, purchased of King Henry VIII. by letters patent under the Great Seal, dated 30 June, 36 Henry VIII. [A.D. 1544]; to hold to the said master, wardens, &c., and their successors, to their own use and behoof for ever. Dated 18 July, 26 Elizabeth [A.D. 1584].
Roll 266 (69).

ANNO 27 ELIZABETH.

Monday next before the Feast of S. Faith, Virgin [6 Oct.].

Johnson (William), goldsmith.—To his father-in-law John Bull and Grace, wife of the said John, the testator's natural mother, all his lands and tenements in the parish of S. Botolph without Alegate. Dated 1 July, A.D. 1585.
Roll 267 (29).

Bragge (Edmund), haberdasher.—A nuncupative will, the testator being in extremis. Upon Roger his son asking him, "What will yow geve my mother?" meaning Elizabeth, wife of the testator, he then and there replied, "I have saide already threescore poundes a yeare yf my lande will soe farre extende, she to be owner of the lande." And the aforesaid Elizabeth then asked, "What will you geve your sonne Edwarde?" to which the testator replied, "I will geve him thirtie poundes a yeare, I can geve him noe lesse." Dated 16 June, A.D. 1585.
Roll 267 (30).

ANNO 28 ELIZABETH.

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

Skidmore alias Skiddie (Stephen), vintner.—To be buried in the church of S. Stephen in Colemanstrete. To Hellen his wife a moiety of his goods and chattels, according to the laudable custom of the City of London. Pecuniary legacies to John his brother; Anne, daughter of the said John; Katherine and Anne his sisters, and other relations and friends. Bequests to the poor of the parishes of S. Stephen in Colemanstrete, S. Mary at Hill, S. Foster, S. Faith, and others. Leaves twelve crowns for twelve sermons to be preached monthly on Sunday in the church of S. Stephen aforesaid. Bequests to the Company of Vintners, their almsfolk, and to poor prisoners. Also to the Master, Wardens, Freemen, and Commonalty of the Mistery of Vintners he leaves the reversion of his lands and tenements situate within the precinct of the late dissolved Priory of the Black Friars near Ludgate, (fn. 24) charged with the yearly payment of twenty shillings to the poor of each of the following parishes, viz., S. Anne in the Black Friars, S. Bride, S. Andrew in Holborne, S. Sepulchre, S. Botolph without Alegate, S. Botolph without Aldersgate, S. Giles without Creplegate, S. Botolph without Bishopsgate, S. Leonard in Shorediche, S. Mary Matfellon in White Chapell, S. Olive in Southwarke, S. Katherine's Hospital by the Tower, S. Saviour in Bermondseystreete, commonly called "Mary Mawdlen," S. Greorge in Southwarke, S. Mary Overyes beyond the water, S. Giles in the Field, and Clerkenwell; charged also with the yearly payment at their Common Hall of the sum of twenty-four pounds to the mayor for the time being of the city of Cork in Ireland, the testator's native place, or to the deputy of the said mayor, to be bestowed upon the poorest of the said city; and further with the yearly payment of fifty-two shillings to the churchwardens of the parish of S. Stephen aforesaid, the same to be distributed in bread every Sunday to twelve of the poorest people of that parish. (fn. 25) Dated 20 March, A.D. 1584.
Roll 267 (53).

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

Parkinges (Henky), of the parish of S. Sepulchre without Newgate, weaver.—To Margery his wife all his goods and lands for life. Pecuniary legacies to William Larkinge her son, Mary her daughter, wife of Thomas Walwyn, Christopher Parkynes, and others. His brother William Taylor appointed an overseer of his will. No date.
Roll 267 (59).

ANNO 29 ELIZABETH.

Monday next after F. of Nativity of S. John Baptis [24 June].

Lute (fn. 26) (John), clothworker.—To be buried within the cloister of the parish church of S. Michael in Cornhill in the place where his great gravestone then lay. To Margaret his wife a moiety of his goods and chattels, and a leasehold garden in the parish of S. Botolph without Bishopsgate. One cake and one "bunne" of spicebread to be delivered to every householder, rich and poor, in the Ward of Cornhill on the day of his burial. Bequests of mourning gowns and of gold rings engraved with a lute and the letters I. L. on either side thereof for his name; also for thirty sermons to be preached in the church of S. Michael aforesaid within two years next after his decease. Richard Sleforde appointed overseer of his will, for which he leaves to the said Richard the gold ring with a "Todestone" (fn. 27) in it which he was in the habit of wearing. To Thomas Watts, carpenter, his gold ring with a "Cornelion" therein. Touching his lands and tenements, he leaves certain of them lying in the parish of S. Dyonise Backchurch, a tenement called "the Leaden porche" in the parish of S. Laurence in the Old Jewry, and his dwelling-house called the sign of "the Lute and maydenheade" (fn. 28) in the parish of S. Michael in Cornhill, to Margaret his wife for life; remainder to the Master, Wardens, and Commonalty of Freemen of the Art or Mistery of Clothworkers of the City of London and their successors, in trust to apply the sum of one hundred pounds out of the issues and profits to loans for three years to five young men free of their mistery, to each of them twenty pounds, and a like sum of one hundred pounds to ten householders free of their handicraft for the same term, to each of them ten pounds, and so from three years to three years for ever; (fn. 29) and further charged with providing a learned man to preach a sermon in the church of S. Michael, Cornhill, yearly on S. Luke's Day, he receiving for his pains six shillings and eightpence, and with the distribution in the church after the sermon of gowns, shirts, smocks, and shoes to twelve poor men and twelve poor women, of which number six men and six women shall be parishioners of S. Michael aforesaid and the rest shall be of the Company of Clothworkers dwelling elsewhere. The rest of the revenues issuing yearly out of the lands and tenements aforesaid to remain towards the necessary reparations of the same, and towards the charges, affairs, and relief of the said Company of Clothworkers, according to the good discretion of the master, wardens, &c., of the same. In case of default the property is to go over to the Master, Wardens, and Company of Drapers within the City of London. Dated 12 May, 1685.
Roll 268 (22).

ANNO 30 ELIZABETH.

Monday next before the Feast of S. Mildred, Virgin [20 Feb.]

Hilles (Richard), "marchaunttailor."—To the Master and Wardens of the Merchaunttailors of the Fraternity of S. John A.D. the Baptist in the City of London and their successors his messuages in the parish of S. Botolph without Algate, to hold, until the decease of Grerson his son, in trust for his "nephewe" Daniel Hilles, son of his son Daniel, and for Elizabeth, daughter of his son Barnabas; and after the decease of his son Grerson, in trust to pay five pounds yearly (fn. 30) to six poor aged men of their fraternity "then occupienge or such as before shall have occupied sheringe with broade sheres or rowinge at the perche"; (fn. 31) and failing these, to so many widows as do not marry again and have been the wives of such men as aforesaid; and again, failing these, to so many aged men of the fraternity occupying, or who shall have occupied, making of garments, or any other lawful art, mistery, or manual occupation, as are necessary to make up the deficiency of men or widows who did "shere and rowe" woollen cloths. Dated 28 June, A.D. 1586.
Roll 269 (24).

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

Waynam or Wayman, citizen and "iremonger."—To be buried either in the church of S. Botolph without Aldrichgate or S. Mildred in Breadestrete, where he was then a parishioner. To Elizabeth his wife the residue of his goods, &c., after discharge of debts and funeral expenses; and all his lands and tenements in the parishes of S. Mildred and S. Botolph aforesaid for life, with remainder to Thomas Griffin, Richard Griffin, and his cousin Anthony, son of Robert Porter, in fee. Dated 18 January, A.D. 1584.
Roll 269 (39).

Sweet are the uses of adversity, Which, like the toad ugly and venomous, Wears yet a precious jewel in his head.
'As You Like It,' II. i.