Inquisitions: 1590

Thomas Kendall.

Inquisition taken at the Guildhall, 24 October, 32 Eliz. [1590], before Michael Sandes, William Lambard, esq., William Necton, gent., feodary of the said City, and Richard Vawdry, gent., commissioners, after the death of Thomas Kendall, senior, citizen and leatherseller of London, by the oath of Robert Dickenson, Thomas Russell, John Harrison, Thomas Seawell, William Harvie, John Bond, William Feake, James Roberts, William Croutche, Edward Pilsworth, George Roberts, John Tomson, Thomas Wigges, John Jackson, Christopher Dickenson and Hugh Ingram, who say that

King Henry VIII was seised in his demesne as of fee in right of his Crown of England of all that site and precinct of the late priory of St. Helen within the City of London; also of the Church commonly called The Nunnes Church of St. Helens, and all the messuages, houses, gardens, &c., within the said site, lying in the parish of St. Helen; also all the messuages, houses, lands, &c., lying in the said parish, now or late in the several tenures of William Baker, Jane Julian, Edmund Bremer, Guy Sturdy, and Lancelot Harrison, to the said late priory formerly belonging.

So seised the said King by Letters Patent dated 29 March in the 33rd year of his reign [1542], granted the said premises to Richard Williams alias Cromwell, knight, to hold to him and his heirs for ever of the King in chief by the service of the 10th part of one knight's fee and by the yearly rent of 17s. 4d. So seised, the said Richard Williams for the sum of £380 sterling to him paid by the said Thomas Kendall, by his deed dated 28 April, 35 Hen. VIII [1544], enfeoffed the said Thomas of the said premises to the sole use of him the said Thomas and his heirs for ever.

Afterwards, to wit, on the 7th day of May, 35 Hen. VIII, by charter of even date the said Richard Williams released all his right, title and interest in the said premises to the said Thomas Kendall and his heirs.

Afterwards, the said Thomas Kendall by indenture dated 22 June, 35 Hen. VIII, demised the said premises to the wardens of the mistery of the Leathersellers of London for 90 years, paying therefor yearly 1 red rose at Midsummer.

The said Thomas Kendall was likewise seised of 2 messuages in the parish of St. Leonard in Eastcheap, London, one whereof is called le Suyte, in the occupation of Thomas Hunt, and the other is called le Bottle, in the occupation of Henry Bowers.

So seised, the said Thomas made his will 13 June, 5 Edw. VI [1551], as follows [here given in English]: I Thomas Kendall, citizen and leatherseller of London, now of the parish of St. Mary Magdalene near Barmondsey in co. Surrey

I will that my wife be "gardeine" of all my lands as well in Southwark as elsewhere to the use of my children during their minority. If Elizabeth my wife marry before my 2 children come of age, then my overseers shall be guardians of my said children. If both my children die (as God defend) I will that the 3rd part of my goods to them bequeathed be divided into 4 parts, 2 whereof I give to Elizabeth my wife, the 3rd to the Wardens and Fellows of the Leathersellers, London, for the use of the poor of the same fellowship, and the 4th to Robert Rawlinson and Walter Kendall to be distributed among my poor kinsfolk.

I will that my 2 tenements called the Almes howses, which I have provided for the poor, lying in the said parish of St. Mary Magdalene, shall be to the use of the poor for ever, that is, "to them that shall lyve in the fear of God and that they be no drunkards nor vicious personnes nor Blasphemors of the name of God that shall enter, come or dwell in the same," and I will that Elizabeth my wife during the nonage of my children shall grant to the poor who live in the fear of God their dwelling free within the said almes-houses without paying any rent or duty therefor, and I desire my heirs to keep the said houses in repair for ever. If my said children Thomas and Grace "fortune to departe to the mercye of God" without issue, then I will that the children of Walter Kendall, my brother, shall hold the said lands, tenements and premises, to them and their heirs; for default, the same shall remain to the children of William Kendall, my brother, and the heirs of their bodies; and for default, to my right heirs for ever.

To Robert Rawlinson 40s. and to my brother Walter Kendall £3. I make the said Elizabeth, my wife, sole executrix, and Nicholas Stockbridge, the elder, Bryan Streven and William Chaior overseers, and I give to each of them £6 13s 4d. and a black gown, and to each of their wives a black gown.

The said site and precinct of the said late priory of St. Helen are held of the Queen in chief by the service of the 10th part of a knight's fee by the yearly rent of 17s 4d., and are worth per ann., clear, during the said term 1 red rose only; the wardens of the said mistery of Leathersellers took the profits thereof from the death of the said Thomas Kendall up to the present time.

The said 2 messuages in Eastcheap, London, are held of the Queen in common and free burgage, and are worth per ann., clear, £4.

Thomas Kendall died 15 June, 1552, and had issue Thomas Kendall his son aged about 5 years, and Grace his daughter aged about 4 years. Thomas Kendall the son died without issue 1 December, 22 Eliz. [1579], aged about 32 years; the said Grace is his sister and the sole heir of the said Thomas Kendall named in the said commission and at the time of her brother's death was aged about 31: she is now aged about 41 years.

Chan. Inq. p. m., vol. 224, No. 16.

Baptist Bassany.

Inquisition taken at the Guildhall, 27 October, 32 Eliz. [1590], before John Harte, knight, Mayor and escheator, of the said City, Thomas Wade, esq., and William Necton, gent., feodary of the said City, commissioners, by virtue of a writ de melius inquirend, after the death of Baptist Bassany, by the oath of Robert Dickenson, Thomas Russell, John Harrison, Thomas Seawell, William Harvie, John Bend, William Feake, James Robinson, Edward Pilsworthe, George Robertes, Thomas Wigges, Robert Saunders, Christopher Dickenson, Nicholas Hawkesford, Hugh Ingram, Arthur Wrighte, William Croutche and John Jackson, who say that

Whereas by a certain inquisition taken at the Guildhall, 24 October, 26 Eliz. [1584], before Edward Osborne then Mayor and escheator after the death of the said Baptist Bassany, that the said Baptist was seised in his demesne as of fee, inter alia, of 1 messuage lying in the parish of St. Christopher near le Stockes, London, then in the tenure of Roger Rigbie, and so seised, by charter dated 5 January, 1575, gave the said messuage to Stephen Vaughan and John Austen of London, gent., to hold to them and their heirs to the use of Margaret Bassany alias Johnson for her life; after her decease to the use of Angela Holland then the wife of Joseph Holland, gent., and Emelia Bassany daughter of the said Margaret and the heirs of their several bodies; for default, to the use of Augustine Bassany grandson, nephew (nepotis) of the said Baptist and the heirs of his body; for default, to the use of Lewis Bassany brother of the said Augustine and the heirs of his body; and for default, to the use of the said Angela and Emilia and their heirs for ever.

Afterwards, to wit, on the 11th day of May next following, the said Baptist died in the parish of St. Botolph without Bishopsgate, London; Philip Holland son of Joseph Holland and Angela late his wife, deceased, one of the daughters of the said Baptist Bassany, and Emilia Bassany the other daughter of the said Bassany were his next heirs: the said Philip Holland was aged 6 years and more, and the said Emilia is now aged 13 years and more.

The said Margaret still survives.

Of whom the said messuage was held the jurors knew not: but now the jurors say that the said messuage is now in the tenure of Richard Adams and is held in free burgage of the city of London.

Chan. Inq. p. m., Ser. 2, vol. 224, No. 19.

Bridget Billingesley.

Inquisition taken at the Guildhall, 26 May, 32 Eliz. [1590], before Matthew Cracherode, esq., William Necton, gent., feodary, and Edmund Ferrand, gent., commissioners, after the death of Bridget Billingesley, late the wife of Henry Billingesley, citizen and alderman of London, by the oath of Robert Dickenson, Thomas Russell, John Harrison, Thomas Sewall, William Harvey, John Bond, John Jackson, William Fecke, James Robinson, Richard Veale, George Robertes, Robert Saunders, Thomas Wigges, Arthur Wright and Christopher Dickenson, who say that

Bridget Billingsley long before her death was seised in her demesne as of fee of the 3rd part (in 3 parts to be divided) of 1 large messuage called Ashelingwarff, sometime called Packman's wharf and afterwards called Cree Church wharf and lately called Guibson's Key, situate in the said parish of St. Dunstan's in the East, London, which is held of the Queen by the service of the 3rd part of the 20th part of 1 knight's fee, and is worth per ann., clear, 53s. 4d.

Bridget Billingsley died 28th Sept., 30 Eliz. [1588]; Christopher Woodrooff is her son and next heir, and was aged 21 years on the 8th day of March, 31 Eliz. [1589].

Chan. Inq. p. m., Ser. 2, vol. 225, No. 97.

Thomas Randolphe, Esquire.

Inquisition taken at the Guildhall, 14 November, 32 Eliz. [1590], before John Allott, Mayor and escheator, after the death of Thomas Randolphe, esq., by the oath of Robert Dickenson, John Harrison, William Harvye, John Bond, James Robinson, William Crowtche, Richard Veale, Edward Pilsworthe, Nicholas Hawkeshead, Peter Noxon, Edward Swayne, Thomas Wigges, George Roberts, John Adlin and Robert Saunders, who say that

Thomas Randolphe long before his death was seised in his demesne as of fee of 1 messuage in the parish of St. Peter on the Hill next Paul's wharf, London, sometime called the Abbott of St. Mary's of Yorkes place and now divided into 2 messuages, and so seised made his will dated 1 April, 1589, as follows [here given in English]: Whereas I have the fee simple of a house in the parish of St. Peter upon the Hill near Paul's wharf, the tenure whereof being in capite and my son and heir being within age shall be in wardship to her Majesty; I therefore humbly beseech Lord Cobham, Sir Francis Walsingham and Sir Walter Mildmay, knight, to be means to the Lord Treasurer of England now Master of her Majesty's Wards, to grant the wardship of my said son to his mother.

I give to Ursula my wife the said house for her life without paying anything therefor.

The said messuage is held of the Queen in chief by the 20th part of a knight's fee and by the yearly rent in the name of tithe of 4s., and it is worth per ann., clear, 40s.

Thomas Randolphe died 8 June last past; Thomas Randolphe is his son and next heir and was aged 14 years on the 22nd day of November last past.

Chan. Inq. p. m., Ser. 2, vol. 226, No. 132.

Mary Barnes.

Inquisition taken at the Guildhall, London, 27 October, 32 Eliz. [1590], before John Harte, knight, Mayor and escheator, after the death of Mary Barnes, by the oath of Robert Dickinson, Thomas Russell, John Harrison, Thomas Sewell, William Harvie, John Bonde, John Jackson, William Feake, James Robinson, William Crowche, Edward Pilsworth, John Thompson, George Robertes, Thomas Wigges, Arthur Wright, Hugh Ingeram, Robert Saunders, Christopher Dickinson and Nicholas Hawkesford, who say that

Mary Barnes long before her death was seised in her demesne as of fee of 1 messuage in the parish of St. Michael Bassyshawe, London, now or late in the tenure of Thomas Barnes and John Willett, which is held of the Queen in chief by knight's service, but by what part of a knight's fee the jurors know not.

Mary Barnes died 27 July, 31 Eliz. [1589]; Giles Barnes is her brother and next heir and is aged 30 years and more.

Thomas Barnes father of the said Mary occupied the said messuage and took the profits thereof from her death up to his death, to wit, for 4 months and more by virtue of a certain demise to him made by Henry Awdeley of London, gent., for 99 years, as by the same demise dated 21 February, 1543, more fully appears.

The said Thomas Barnes by his will dated 20 Sept., 1589, bequeathed the residue of the said lease to Giles, Thomas and Robert Barnes his sons equally, who took the profits of the premises from the death of the said Thomas Barnes the father.

Chan. Inq. p. m., Ser. 2, vol. 226, No. 151.

William Mylls, Citizen and Grocer.

Inquisition taken at the Guildhall in the City of London, 2 May, 32 Eliz. [1590], before John Hart, knight, Mayor and escheator, after the death of William Mylls, citizen and grocer of London, by the oath of Robert Dickinson, Thomas Russell, Thomas Sewell, John Stevins, William Harvy, James Robinson, William Feake, Thomas Wigges, George Roberts, William Crouche, John Dickson, Edward Pensworthe, Nicholas Maddox, Robert Saunders, Arthur Wrighte and Christopher Dickinson, who say that

William Mills was seised in his demesne as of fee of a certain messuage and garden lying in Myll Alley in the parish of St. Stephen in Colmanstreet in London, and so seised, by indenture dated 7 April, 28 Eliz. [1586], in consideration that a certain Richard Mylls at the request of the said William Mylls for the debt of the said William was bound by 2 several obligations to Peter Blundell of Tyverton in co. Devon, merchant, of the date of the said indenture, to wit, by the first obligation in the sum of £80 for the payment of £50 to the said Peter on the 18th day of October then following, and by the other obligation in the sum of 50s. on condition that on the 7th day of October then next following the said William shall give to the said Peter £50 for the space of 6 months then next following—demised to the said Richard Mylls the said messuage and garden: to hold for the term of 81 years, paying therefor yearly to the said William and his heirs 1 grain of pepper if demanded, on condition that if the said William Mills should pay to the said Peter Blundell the said £50, and also shall for all time at his own costs exonerate the said Richard Mylls against the said Peter Blundell concerning the said obligations that then the said indenture and demise shall be altogether void.

The said William Mylls was seised of 1 capital messuage, which was formerly 3 messuages, in the parish of St. Mildred the Virgin in the Poultry in London which descended to him by right of inheritance by the death of Elizabeth his mother; and of the 4th part and portion of another messuage late in the occupation of the said William Mylls called le Harrowe and of all the shops, cellars, sollars, entries, &c. to the said messuage belonging.

The said William Mills made his will 23 January, 32 Eliz. [1590], and thereby gave to Elizabeth his wife and her heirs for ever all his lands and tenements whatsoever in the realm of England.

The said messuage and garden in Colman Street are held of the Queen in chief by the service of the 40th part of a knight's fee and by the rent of 2s. by the name of tithe, and are worth per ann., clear, 20s., because the said William did not fulfil the conditions specified in the said indenture. The capital messuage and the 4th part of the said messuage called le Harrowe are held of the Queen but by what services the jurors know not, and are worth per ann., clear, £4 10s.

William Mylls died 1 February, 32 Eliz. [1590]; John Mills is his son and next heir, and was aged 14 years on the 25th day of April last past, and so he is now aged 14 years and 6 days.

Chan. Inq. p. m., Ser. 2, vol. 226, No. 178.

William Ridgley.

Inquisition taken at the Guildhall, 27 November, 32 Eliz. [1589], before Matthew Cracherde, esq., William Necton, esq., feodary of the said City, and Edmund Ferrand, gent., commissioners, by virtue of a commission to them and to Matthew Dale, esq., and Arthur Fqrthe, gent., directed, after the death of William Ridgley, gent., by the oath of Robert Dickenson, Thomas Russell, Thomas Seawell, John Harrison, John Bonde, William Harvy, John Jackson, William Feake, John Thompson, James Robinson, William Crowche, Richard Veale, Thomas Wigges and Christopher Dickenson, who say that

William Ridgley was seised in his demesne as of fee of 1 messuage wherein Robert Bryan now dwells or lately dwelt, situate in a certain street called Fleetstreate, London, and within the parish of St. Dunstan in the West there; 2 other messuages, with shops, rooms, &c., lying in Fleetstret in the said parish, now or late in the tenure of John Palmer and William Turner; 1 garden lately divided into 3 gardens, lying in Fewter Lane in the said parish, now or late in the several tenures of John Ive, esq., William Turner and Thomas Warde; and 14 other messuages or cottages now in ruins and decayed with divers gardens lately 7, now divided into 15, situate in Fewter Lane in the parish of St. Andrew in Holborn in the suburbs of London, now or late in the several tenures of Richard Jackson, Richard Hollis, Benedict Jackson, clerk, Edward Blythe, Robert Cullen, Henry King, Robert Baite, Thomas Scarlett, Leonard Todd, Thomas Shawe, John Evans, Ralph Burche, Hugh Wansworth and Pederice Harwood.

The said messuage in Fleet street is held of the Queen in chief by knight's service, but by what part of a knight's fee the jurors know not, and it is worth per ann., clear, 40s. The 2 messuages in Fleet street are held of the Queen in free burgage and common socage by fealty only and not in chief, and are worth per ann., clear, £9. The said garden in Fewter Lane is held of the Queen in free burgage and common socage by fealty only and not in chief, and is worth per ann., clear, £3. The 14 messuages or cottages and gardens in Fewter Lane are worth per ann., clear, £5, but of whom or by what services they are held is not known.

William Ridgley died 18 December last past without issue of his body; Joan Ware now the wife of Henry Ware is his sister and next heir and was then aged 25 years and more.

Margery late the wife of the said William Ridgley still survives.

Chan. Inq. p. m., Ser. 2, vol. 226, No. 180.

Edmond Walsingham, Esquire.

Inquisition taken at the Guildhall, 2 May, 32 Eliz. [1590], before John Harte, knight, Mayor and escheator, after the death of Edmond Walsingham, esq., by the oath of Robert Dickinson, Thomas Russell, Thomas Sewell, John Stevyns, William Harvye, James Robinson, William Feake, Thomas Wigges, George Roberts, William Crowche, John Dickson, Edward Pensworthe, Nicholas Maddox, Robert Saunders, Arthur Wrighte and Christopher Dickinson, who say that

Edmond Walsingham, knight, grandfather of the said Edmond Walsingham, esq., named in the said writ, was seised in his demesne as of fee tail, to him and the heirs male of his body of 8 messuages situate in the parish of the Blessed Mary of Bow of the Arches (de Arcubus) in the ward of Cheap, London, now or late in the several tenures of Richard Graunger, Ralph Carkett, Ralph Blackmore, Thomas Herbert, William Bonner, George Hewes, Andrew More and Henry Field, to the late monastery or priory of Newarke in co. Surrey formerly belonging; and 1 other messuage lying in the parish of St. Nicholas Coldabbi in the ward of Queene hithe, London, now or late in the tenure of William Penyngton, to the said monastery also formerly belonging. The said Edmond Walsingham, knight, died seised of the said premises having issue male of his body Thomas Walsingham his son, then esq. and afterwards knight, who then entered into the said messuages and was thereof seised in his demesne as of fee tail, to him and the heirs of his body, and died thereof seised having 2 sons, to wit, the said Edmond named in the writ, and Thomas Walsingham. After the death of the said Thomas the said Edmond Walsingham, esq., elder son of the said Thomas entered into the said premises and was thereof seised in his demesne as of fee tail.

The said premises are held of the Queen in chief by the 20th part of 1 knight's fee and by the yearly rent of £4 11s. 4d., and are worth per ann., clear, £40 6s. 8d.

Edmond Walsingham (named in the writ) died 16 November, 31 Eliz. [1589], without issue of his body; Thomas second son of the said Thomas Walsingham, knight, is the kinsman and next heir of the said Edmond Walsingham, knight, to wit, brother and heir of the said Edmond Walsingham, esq., son and heir of the said Thomas Walsingham, knight, son and heir of the said Edmond Walsingham, knight, and was then aged 26 years and more.

Chan. Inq. p. m., Ser. 2, vol. 226, No. 181.