Appendix 2: The will of Sir John Crosby

APPENDIX No. II.

(fn. 1) The WILL of Sir JOHN CROSBY, Knight. Extracted, in 1790, from the Registry of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury; 179, Wattis.

In the Name of God, Amen. The vi Day of the Month of Marche, the Year of our Lord mcccclxxi; and the Year of the Reign of King Edward the IIIIth after the Conquest xiith. I JOHN CROSBY, Knight, Citizen and Grocer, and Alderman of the City of London, being of whole mind and in good memory, laud be unto Almighty God, make and ordain this my present Testament of my moveable Goods, Cattles, and Debts, and containing therein my last Will of all my Lands and Tenements with their Appurtenances, the which I, or any other persons unto my use, have within the realm of England, in the manner and form that followeth:

First, I bequeath and recommend my Soul unto Almighty God, my Maker and my Redeemer, and to the most glorious Virgin his Mother our Lady Saint Mary, and to the blessed College of his Saints, and my Body to be buried in the chapel of the Holy Ghost within the parish church of Saint Helen's, within Bishopsgate of London, that is to wit, in the same place whereas the body of Annys, late my wife, lieth buried, in case it fortune me to decease within the realm of England, and I bequeath to every of tho iiii, v, or vi persons of the livery or clothing of my said craft, that shall bear my body to the church, and so to my sepultur, for his labour so to be had, vis. viiid. And if it fortune me to decease out of the realm of England, then I will, that my body be buried in some honest sepulture of Holy Church beyond the sea, whereas it shall please Almighty God to provide for me. And if it fortune me to be buried within the chappell of the Holy Ghost afore rehearsed, then I will, that my executors hereunder written, as soon as they shall mowe goodly after my decease, of my goods ordain and provide an honest tomb of marble to stand over the bodys of me and of the said Anneys, late my wife, with scriptures and images of me, my said late wife, and my children, to be made thereupon, making mention of our persons, and of the day and year of my decease, and with all other things according unto our degrees, as it shall seem to my executors honestly and conveniently, by their said discretions to be done; and if it fortune me to be buried beyond the sea, than I will that my said executors, as soon as they shall mowe goodly after my decease, provide and ordain some tomb of stone, honest and convenient to hue, and be sett, or laid, in the place where it shall fortune my said body to be buried beyond the sea, and one other tomb of stone, honest and convenient to hue, and be sett, or laid, in the said chappell of the Holy Ghost in the place there whereas the body of my said late wife lieth buried, and that upon my tomb or stone be made an image and scripture for me according to my degree, and that upon my said late wyve's tomb or stone be made an image for her, and a scripture making mention of her, and of our children there lying buried, such as shall be thought by my said executors convenient to be done. And I will first and formost, and byfor all other things, that after my said body be buried, under the manner and form aforesaid, and my funeral expences full done, that then my said executors provide and ordain such a meane by their wise discretions that my debts, the which I owe of right, or of conscience, to any manner persons as soon as they may be goodly, be well and truly paid or set in such a way as they may be surely paid; and after that done, then I bequeath to the high alter of the said church of Saint Helen's for my tithes or offerings restrained or forgotten, if any so have been done in discharging of my soul lxvil. 1s. viiid.

Item, I bequeath to the prioress of the house of St. Helen's within Bishopsgate of London to pray for my soul xls. and to every nonne of the same place under like form xxs. so that such of them the day of my burial say placebo and dirge specially for my soul.

Item, I bequeath to the parish priest of the parish church of St. Helen's annexed to the same place for his labour, being present at my burying in the said chapel of the Holy Ghost, and also at dirge and mass to be done for my soul in the same parish church, next after my decease iiis. iiiid. and to every other priest and clerk stipendiar of the same church under the said form iis.

Item, I will that my executors hold my month mind in the said parish church of Saint Elynes, with all manner observances pertaining into the same, in due and honest form, without any worldly pomp.

Item, I will that all the torches and tapers that shall be occupied about my body, as about the corps present after the common language the days of my interment and month's mind, within the said parish church of Saint Elynes, be holden by poor people, without any other candelstick, and that every man of them have for his labour in that behalf, and also to pray for me, xiid. And after my said month's mind be full done and finished, than I will that vi torches of the same torches be delivered by my executors unto the said church of Saint Elynes, in the same church to remain and serve to the laud and honour of Almighty God and his Saints, as long as they may endure thereto; and ii of the said torches I will that my executors deliver or do to be delivered unto the parish church of Handworth; and other ii torches of the said torches to the parish church of Feltham; and other ii torches of the said torches to the house of Houndeslowe, to serve in the church there, and all the remainder of the torches s'vyng at my said month's mind to be disposed by my executors unto other poor parish churches where they shall seem most expedient after their wise discretions for the wele of my soul.

Item, I bequeath to be disposed by my executors, after their wise discretions, among the poor householders and other poor people dwelling within the ward of Bishopsgate of London, the day of my decease, that is to wit, between the time of my decease and my month mind to be holden within the said parish church of Saint Elynes, xxxl. Provided always, that I will that every such householder and his wife have thereof at lest for their parts iiis. iiiid.

Item, I bequeath to the prior and convent of the house of the Fryars Augustines within the City of London, to the intent that they as soon as they may goodly after my decease do placebo and dirge and masse of requiem, by them to be sung by note for my soul, and for the soul of Anneys, late my wife, and for the souls of all my children passed to God, and for all christian souls in their convent church of their said house xls.

Item, I bequeath to the wardens and convent of the house of the Friars Menores within Newgate of London, under semblable form, xls.

Item, I bequeath to the prior and convent of the house of the Friers Preachours within Ludgate of London, under semblable form, xls.

Item, I bequeath to the prior and convent of the house of Freres Carmes in Fletestreet of London, under semblable form, xls.

Item, I bequeath to the prior and convent of the house of the Freres called the Crowched Freres, beside the Tour of London, under semblable form, xls.

Item, I bequeath to the werkes of the church of the hospital called Saint Mary Spittle without Bishopsgate of London, to the intent that the prior and convent there do placebo, dirge, and mass of requiem, by them to be sung by note in their convent church there, like as I have affigned before to be done in the convent church of such of the houses of Freres aforesaid, and beside forth that they have my soul recommended to God in their other devout prayers, cs.

Item, I bequeath to be bestowed by my executors, after their wise discretion, after my decease, among the poor and sick people being then within the Spitall of Saint Mary Spitall aforesaid, xxs.

Item, I bequeath to be bestowed in like among the distract people being then within the hospital of Bedlam, without Bishopsgate of London, either in ready money, or in victuals, good and wholesome for them, or in otherwise necessary for them, be it at one time, or at several times, after the discretions of my executors, xxs.

Item, I bequeath to be disposed in like wise, among the poor and sick people then being within thospital of Saint Thomas Spittell in Southwark, xxs.

Item, I bequeath to be disposed in like wise, among the poor and sick people then being within thospital of Elsing Spittell within Crepulgate of London, xxs.

Item, I bequeath to be bestowed in like wise, among the poor and sick people for the time being within thospital called Saint Bartholomews Spittell in Smithfield of London, xxs.

Item, I bequeath to the abbess and convent of the house of the Minoresse without Aldgate of London, where my cousin dame Syble Christemas is a nonne professed, to pray specially for my soul, xxs.

Item, I bequeath xl. by my executors to be applied and converted to the use and behoof of the said dame Syble, my cousin, after her will and desire, whether she will have it at one time, or at divers times, and whether in money, other in other stuff, such as shall be needful and necessary for her, by her desire and to her own use.

Item, I bequeath to the prioresse and convent of the house of Holywell, beside Sorditch, without Bishopsgate of London, to pray specially for my soul, xxs.

Item, I bequeath to the prioress and convent of the house of Stratford at Bow, in the county of Middlesex, to pray specially for my soul, xxs.

Item, I bequeath to the prior and convent of the house of Charterhouse, beside London, towards the supportacion of the charge of the same house, to the intent that they, as soon as they may goodly after my decease, do placebo, dirge, and mass of requiem by them to be sung by note for my soul, and the other souls above rehearsed in their convent church of their said house and also that they otherwise have my soul specially recommended unto o^r Lord God among their devout prayers, xls.

Item, om'i, that I bequeath to the prior of the same place, to pray specially for my soul, cs. And to the procurator of the same place under like form, iiiil.

Item, I bequeath to the abbess and the father, brethren, and sisters, of the monastery of Syon, under semblable forme that I have made my said bequest to the said prior and convent of Charterhouse, beside London, xll. Ane on'e, that I bequeath to the abbesse of the same monasterie under like form, cs.

Item, I bequeath to the old work of the cathedral church of Saint Paul of London, cs.

Item, I bequeath to Master Godard the elder, doctor of divinity, to pray for my soul, cs.

Item, I bequeath to Master John Bury, doctor of divinity, priour of the Freres Augustynes of London, to pray for my soul, cs. And to Maister Thomas Pencaer, doctor of divinity, and provincial of the same order, to pray for my soul, cs. And to Maist. Domynyk, a frere Itallyan of the same order receant in the same house, under like forme, cs.

Item, I bequeath to Maister Piers Baxter, under like form, cs.

Item, I bequeath xls. to be bestowed by myn executors in bread and drink, or other victuals, necessarie and behoufull for the prisoners being detained at my decease, and after, within the gaol of Newgate of London, and to be ministered unto them at one time, or at divers times, as it shall be thought most convenient and necessary to be done, after the wise discretions of myn executors.

Item, I bequeath xls. to be bestowed and ministred in semblable wise for and to the prisoners being detained at my decease, and after, within the gaol of Ludgate of London.

Item, I bequeath xls. to be bestowed and ministred in semblable wise for and to the prisoners being detained in like wise within the goal of the King's Bench in Southwarke.

Item, I bequeath xls. to be bestowed and ministred in semblable wise for and to the prisoners being detained in like wise within the gaol of the Marchalse in Southwark aforesaid.

Item, I bequeath cccc marc sterling, therewith to find a covenable priest of good name and same, and of virtuous conversation, to sing and say his mass and other divine s'vice, and to pray specially for my soul, and for the souls afore rehearsed, and for all Christian souls, in the said parish church of Saint Elynes, by the space of xl years next ensuing after my decease, or else as soon as the xl years may reasonably be completed and performed after my decease; and I will, that the said priest so admitted to the said service, and every priest succeeding him in the same service, be nt in his proper person, and helping at all manner matyns, hours, masses, evening song, and complenes, to be done by note within the said parish church of Saint Elynes, on every Sunday and other festival days in the year, and also at other divine services to be done in the same church on other days, as the seasons and times of the year shall require, during the said term of xl years, of less that the same priest, or any other priest succeeding him in the said service have a reasonable cause to excuse him to the contrary; and I will that the said priest and every priest succeeding him in the said service during all the time that it shall like my wife to be dwelling and abiding within my dwelling place that I occupy at this day, within the said parish of Saint Elynes, be obedient unto my wife in all things lawful and honest, and give his attendance upon her in singing of divine service afore her, at such due times as she shall reasonably desire him; and I will, that if the said priest be found debateful, or of unclean life, or of other unhonest conversation, and will not correct nor amend himself after warning thereof to him made by my said wife, or by my executors, that than that priest, and every such priest of such condition, be removed from the said service, by my said executors, and another priest of good name and fame, and of honest conversation, by my said executors be chosen and admitted to the said service, as often as any such case so shall fall, alway forseen that I will, that if any priest of good name and fame, and of honest conversation, be toward my said wife, or of her acquaintance, and be destitute of a service she being receant and abiding within my said dwelling place, and by her be desired of my executors to be preferred to the said service, the same service than standying voyd of a priest, that then her such priest be preferred and admitted by my said executors to the said service before any other.

Item, I will have my obite be holden and done solemnly by note in the said parish church of Saint Elynes every year, on the day that it shall fortune me to depart out of this world, during the term of xl years next suyng after my decease, that is to wit, doing every even placebo and dirge, and on the morn mass of requiem, solemnly by note for my soul, and for the souls of the said Anneys, late my wife, and for my children souls, and for all Christian souls; and I desire that it will like the maister and wardens of the craft of the grocery of the city of London for the time being, with all the co'nalty of the livery or cloathing of the same craft yearly for to come unto my said obite, during the said term of xl years, under like manner and form as they use to go to the obites of other men of worship of the said craft deceased, and being buried within the said city; and for my said obite to be holden and done in the said church of Saint Elynes yearly, during the said term of xl years, I bequeath c marc sterling.

And I will that my executors as long, and while they, or any of them be alive, within the said term of xl years, keep and do hold my said obite themself, or which of them shall fortune longest to live in the said parish church of St. Elynes, in manner and form aforesaid; and if, and whensoever it shall fortune them all to decease within the said term, that then, during the residue of the same term after deceases, I will that the wardens of the said craft of the grocery, for the time being, if it like them, or else they refusing it, then some other persons, whom my said executors, or he of them which shall fortune longest for to live, shall provide there to hold my said obite yearly, during the said residue of the said term, in the said parish church of Saint Elynes; and I will, that my executors at such time, and as soon as they shall think season convenient after my decease, offer the said cccc marc, which I have assigned before to the finding the said priest, and also the said c marc, which I have assigned before to the keeping of my said obite, unto the master and wardens of the said craft of the grocery for the time being, they, by my will and desire, if they will assent thereto, to take it into their keeping, and to remain with them and their successors successively for the time being, by the assent and agreement of the comonalty of the same craft unto time that the same v^c marc particularly be occupied and bestowed in manner and form hereunder written. And oz' my executors depart with the said v^c marc out of their hands, I will that the said wardens of the said craft of the grocery, which shall fortune to receive the said v^c marc into their keeping, if they like so to do, by the assent and agreement of the comonalty of the same craft, or of such other persons of the same craft as beth ordained, named, and called Associates to the wardens of the same craft, for to give their advises to the chargeable matiers of the same craft, make and deliver unto my said executors all such writings under their common seal of the same crafte, as shall be desired by my executors to be had of them by the advises of the learned council of my said executors, for to relieve and to depart again the same v^c marc, or other v^c marc, from them in manner and form following: that is to wit, that they and their successors wardens of the said craft of the grocery, for the time being, deliver, or do to be delivered, to my said executors while they be alive, and to which of them that longest shall live, yearly, during the said term of xl years, at such terms or days of payment as shall be comprized in the said writings viiil. vis. viiid. sterling, by my said executors to be paid and disposed yearly, in the form suing: that is to wit, thereof to the priest that shall sing for me in manner and form aforesaid in the said church of Saint Elynes, for his salary yearly at iiii terms of the year, by even portions, x marc; and to be disposed and spent yearly in my obite aforesaid, to be holden and kept in manner and form, and during the term aforesaid, xxxiiis. iiiid. under the form suing, that is to wit, thereof to be delivered and given to the upper master or upper warden of the iii wardens of the said craft, if he be p'nt in his p're p'sone at dirge and mass of requiem done for me in his time of wardenship in my said obite, vs. and to either of the other ii wardens under semblable form iiis. iiiid. and to either of the clerks and bedell of the same craft, for to warne the wardens and comonalty of the same craft for the time being for to be at my said obite, viiid. and to every priest stipendiarye and clerk of the same church of Saint Elynes, being present and helping at divine service and other exequies done in my said obite viiid. and the residue of the said xxxiiis. iiiid. whatsoever it be than remaining, togider with such wages afore-rehearsed, as by me beth assigned to the said wardens for their said presences at my said obite, being restrained from them, or from any of them, by means of their absences from thence, I will it be bestowed by my executors yearly, in the hire of a covenable light to brenne about my body at service time don in my said obite, and in bread, ale, cheese, spices, and wine, or such of them as the season and time of the year shall require, to the refreshing of the said wardens and comonalty, and of others coming to my said obite, and of the said priests and clerks being present, and helping at divine service done in my said obite, and in distribution in ready money to be made among the poor people dwelling for the time in the said parish of Saint Elynes, and namely householders, as far forth and in such wife as the said residue, with such wages, as are afore-rehearsed of the said wardens so restrained from them, or from any of them, if any fortune so to be, will extend thereto after the discretions of my executors, saving in the first obite that shall so be kept and holden for me, which shall be called myn anniversary, or xii months mind, I will that my executors hold the same my xii months mind, in honest form, as shall be thought convenient to be done after their wife difcretions, and that they spend of my goods in the same my xii months mind so to be holden, over and above the xxxiiis. iiiid. aforesaid assigned unto the same as it is above rehearsed, as much money as they shall seem expedient to be done after their wife discretions, as well for a dinner or repast to be ordeined for my wife and them, and other whom they shall seem expedient as otherwise; and if it fortune my said executors all for to die within and before the end of the said term of xl years, then I will that the wardens of the said craft of the grocers, for the time being, from the time of the decease of all my said executors unto the full accomplishment of the said term of xl years, make payment to the said priest of his said salary of v marc by year, and also hold my said obite in the said parish church of Saint Elynes, and bestowe, pay, and distribute in the same, xxxiiis. iiiid. yearly, in all manner degrees after the tenor and form above written that have assigned my said executors to make payments to the said priest of the said salary, and to hold my said obite and bestowe and pay and distribute xxxiiis. iiiid. yearly therein; and in case it fortune the wardens of the said craft of grocers to refuse for to make and deliver to my said executors such writings under their common seale as I have afore rehearsed, than I will not that the said c^? marc be delivered unto them, but then I will that the said v^c marc be offered unto the prior and convent of the said house of Charterhouse beside London, or into some other sufficient house of religion, they to have it in the keeping of them and of their successors, and to make and deliver unto my said executors for the repayment of the same such and semblable sureties and writings under their common seale, as I have desired above, to be had of the wardens of the said craft of grocers, if the custody of the same sum should remain towards them.

Item, whereas the prioress and convent of the house of Saint Elynes aforesaid stand greatly indebted at this day in divers and notable sums of money, to divers their creditors, as well within the city of London as elsewhere, to their right grievous charge and pain; where also as 1 the said John Crosby have done great and notable cost in building in and upon certain lands and tenements, the which I have and hold of them at this day, within the parish of Saint Elynes aforesaid, for the term of certain years yet coming unto me and to my executors of and in the same : I John Crosby aforesaid, considering the great damages that the said prioresse and convent stand in by the mean of the great duties that they owe, of my very pure charity and good zeal that I bear towards them bequeath xll. to be converted and applied by my executors at such time as they shall seem expedient by their wise discretions towards the contentation of such creditors of the said prioresse and convent as the same prioresse and convent will assign, or be agreeable unto, in mitigation, diminishing, and discharging of so much money of the said notable sums of money that they owe as the said xll. will extend unto, or more as the said creditors for their such ready payment may be entreated unto, under this condition, and to the intent that the said prioresse and convent, in consideration of my said notable cost and charge, the which I have born and done in building upon their said ground, at such time as they shall be required by my said executors, enseal and deliver, or do to be delivered to my same executors, such writings sufficient in the law, under their common seal, as my said executors shall desire to be had of them, and to be made by the advise of the learned counsel of my said executors, by the which writings the said prioresse and convent shall approve, ratify, and confirm, for them and their successors, to my said executors, or to whom they will name and assign, all such estate and term or years as then shall be coming of the estate, and term of years, the which I have at this day of the grant of the said prioresse and convent, of and in all the said lands and tenements with their appurtenances, the which I hold of them at this day, within the parish of Saint Elynes aforesaid ; and if the said prioresse and convent refuse to enseal and deliver every such writings under their common seal to my said executors, and so take no regard to my said chargeable cost in building as is aforesaid that I have done, then I will that my said bequest of xll. by me before appointed towards the contentation of their duties aforesaid be utterly void, and of no force nor effect, and that the said prioresse and convent and their successors and also their creditors be utterly excluded from the same for evermore.

Item, I will that my said executors, if and when my goods and debts shall come reasonable unto their hands or possession, spend of my same goods and debts upon then renewing and reforming of the parish church of Saint Elynes aforesaid v^c marc sterling.

Item, I will that my said executors of my goods do the costs of the glazing, garnishing, and apparailyng of the chancell of the parish church of Haneworth in the county of Middlesex, though the costs extend unto the sum of xll. or somewhat more.

Item, I bequeath to the reparation and reformation of the gate called Bishopsgate of London, and of the town walls next adjoining the same gate, cl. under this condition, that if the mayor, aldermen, and comonaltie of the city of London, at any time within x years next suing after my decease will set upon the reparations and reformations of the gates and walls of the said city, and do them effectually to be repaired and reformed, that then I will that the said cl. be bestowed upon the reparation and reformation of the said gate called Bishopsgate, with the town walls adjoining thereto, as far as the same cl. will extend thereto, willing that the said mayor, aldermen, and comonaltie, perform up the remnant of the costs of the same; and if the said mayor, aldermen, and comonalty within the said term of x years set not upon the reparations and reformations of the gates and walls of the aforesaid with effect, then I will that my said bequest of the said cl. be void and of none effect, and utterly had for nought.

Item, I bequeath towards the making of a new toure of stone, to be set and stand at Stulpes, at south end of London bridge, or there about, toward Southwark, as communication hath been had between the said mayor and aldermen of such a new tour of stone there to be made and sett, cl. under this condition, that if the said mayor and aldermen or their successors for the time being, at any time within the said term of x years, do and ordain the said new toure of stone chere to be made and set up according to the said communication hereof before had, then I will that my executors be ready to lay down the said cl. towards the making of the said tour peelemele, as the work thereof go forthward after their discretions, and like as the mayor and aldermen shall ordain other sums of money to be laid down unto the same ; and if the said tour of stone be not begun to be made in the place, manner, and form aforesaid, within the said term of x years, then I will that my said bequest of the said cl. thereto be void and had for nought.

Item, I bequeath to the reparation of the brigge at Rouchestre, xl.

Item, I bequeath to the warders and comonalty of the said craft of grocers of the city of London, two large potts of silver chased, half gilt, weighing xiii^lb v ounces or thereabouts of troy weight, willing and desiring the same potts to remain in the treasury, and to the use and behoof of the same comonalty, and to be occupied to the worship of God, and of the same comonalty, in their hall, and elsewhere, whereas the wardens with the assent of the same comonalty shall seem expedient and behovefull, as long as they may endure, to the intent that the comonalty of the same craft for the time being may have mind of my soul.

Item, I bequeath to each of the sons and daughters of William Chedworth, my wife's father, being alive to the time of my decease, my said wife alvonly except, xxl.

Item, I bequeath to Margarete Chedworth, my wife's cousin, dwelling with her and me, xxl.

Item, I bequeath to William Parys, xl. and to Anneys his wife, some time my servant, towards her coverchiefs, xl.

Item, I bequeath to Johanne Crosby, otherwise called Johanne Talbott, my daughter, cc marc, to be delivered unto her by my executors, when she shall come unto her lawful age, or be married ; and then that I will, that she be found by my executors in all manner degrees of my goods into time that she come unto her lawful age, or be married ; and I will that the said cc marc remain in the keeping of my said executors, or else in other sure keeping whereas they can condescend upon, into time that the said Johanne come unto her lawful age, or be married, of less than it happen the said Johanne to dye before that she come unto her lawful age, or before that she be married ; and if it happen so, then I will that the same cc marc be disposed by my executors for my soul and for her soul, and for all christian souls, in good deeds of charity, such as they hope to best please God withall.

Item, I bequeath to Petro Christemas, my cousin, and my apprentice, cl.

Item, I bequeath to my cousin, Elyne Christemas, xl.

Item, I bequeath to my cousin Johanne, the wife of Thomas Turke, cs.

Item, I bequeath to Jerom Fristobald, merchant, of Florence, for the good faith and truth that he hath born towards me afore this time, and hereafter intendeth for to do, as my confidence thereof is right especial in him, ll.

Item, I bequeath to Thomas Wynham, for the good service that he hath done unto me, and intendeth to do for the time that he hath and shall stand my factor or attorney, ll.

Item, I bequeath to Hugh Bennyngton, my servant, under like form, xx marc.

Item, I bequeath to Robert Baynh'm, my servant, under like form, xl.

Item, I bequeath to Thomas Apulby, my servant, under like form, v marc.

Item, I bequeath to Thomas Fisher, my apprentice, v marc.

Item, I bequeath to Richard Southworth, my apprentice, v marc.

Item, I bequeath to Thomas Roche, my apprentice, v marc.

Item, I bequeath to John, my cook, xxs.

Item, I bequeath to John Adamson, my servant, xxs.

Item, I bequeath to Richard Thorneby, my servant, xxs.

Item, I bequeath to John Bee, childe of my kitchen, xls.

Item, I bequeath to Kateryn, my woman servant, xls.

Item, I bequeath to the p'sone of Haneworth, to pray for my soul, xxs.

Item, I bequeath to William Person, my farmer of my manor of Haneworth, v marc, to be allowed and deducted unto him by my executors out of such duties as he oweth me.

Item, I bequeath unto his wife, towards her coverchiefs, xxs.

Item, I bequeath to William Westwood of Haneworth, late my servant, xls.

Item, I bequeath to Roger Chadwyk, haberdasher, of London, xxl.

Item, I bequeath to Elizabeth, late the wife of Lyndesey, late grocer of London, now dead, xl.

Item, I bequeath to Thomas Hoo, grocer of London, xl.

Item, I bequeath to John Parker, scrivener, of London, xl.

Item, I bequeath to Henry Nicole, clerk of the craft of Grocers of London, xls. to be allowed and deducted unto him by my executors out of such duties as he oweth me; and in case it can be found, by due reckoning with him to be made, that he oweth me not fullieth xls. then I will that he have allowed unto him by my executors towards the said xls. such money as he oweth me under the sum of xls. and the remnant I will that he have of my goods, to the performing of the full bequest of the said xls.

Item, I bequeath to the beadle of the same craft such a gowne of mine as the usage is for him to have of an alderman of the same craft departing out of this world, or else I will that he have such money therefore as can be accorded between my executors and him.

Item, I bequeath to the child the which at this time is, or the which hereafter may fortune to be in my wife's womb, of my begetting, if any such child now be therein, or fortune hereafter to be, and that the same child live unto the time that it come to the lawful age thereof, or till that it be married, all such part of my moveable goods, cattels, and debts, as the same child for the proper part thereof ought for to have after the law, usage, or custom of the city of London.

Item, I bequeath to Ann my wife, in the name of her dower, and purpart to her belonging of my moveable goods, cattels, and debts, after or by the law, usage, or custom of the said city of London, or by any other law, usage, other custom mm^ll li. in ready money; and all her array, gurdles, broches, beads, and rings, to her own proper body, for her own proper wearing, pertaining ; and also all my household whole, as it is within myn dwelling place in the parish of Saint Elynes aforesaid : All my plate of gold, and of silver gilt and parcel gilt, and of silver white ; and also all my armours, as well curaces, bregandynes, and jakks, as all other whatsoever it be ; and also all my wearing cloths, broches, beads, and rings, and all other gear to my own proper person pertaining for my own proper wearing; and also all my ware and merchandize, whatsoever it be, being within my dwelling place aforesaid, and in all other places elsewhere excepted, and to my said executors towards the performing of my other legacies contained in this my present testament always reserved. And I will that the said Anne, my wife, have the said MM^llli. delivered and paid unto her by my said executors at such times and terms of respite as my debts can be reasonably levied, and come unto the hands and possession of my said executors; and that she have the same MM^llli. delivered unto her, either in ready money, or part thereof in money, and part thereof in plate, such as she will chuse to have, of my said plate of gold, and of silver gilt and p'cel gilt, and of silver white, or which thereof that she had levest have, after her own election, at such reasonable price as that plate she will choose to take shall be worth reasonable to be bought and sold for ready money between merchant and merchant in the said city of London. Also I bequeath to the same Anne my wife, as in the name of her dower and purpart aforesaid, all the estate and term of years the which I have yet coming of and in all the said lands and tenements, with their appurtenances, sett and being in the parish of Saint Elynes aforesaid, the which as it is aforesaid I hold of the prioresse and convent aforesaid, to have and to hold all the same lands and tenements with the appurtenances, and all my said estate and term of years yet coming unto me of and in the same to the same Anne my wife and her assigns, during the nonage of the said child the which at this time is, or the which hereafter may fortune to be in my said wife's womb, of my begetting, if any such child now be therein, or fortune hereafter to be therein; and if no child at this time be therein, nor hereafter fortune to be therein, to have and to hold all the said lands and tenements with the appurtenances to the same Anne my wife, and to her assigns, during all the estate and term of years to me yet coming of and in the same, in case the said Anne live so long ; and I will that as long as it shall fortune the said Anne my wife to have and to hold the said lands and tenements by virtue of this my bequest, that so long the same Anne and her assigns shall pay, bear, and support well and truly, every year, all manner rents, ferms, reparations, and all other charge whatsoever they be, chargeable of for and upon the same lands and tenements with the appurtenances, and that in as ample form, and in all manner degrees, as I and my executors stand bound to the said prioresse and convent and to their successors for to do, and om'i that I will that the said Anne my wife, within a quarter next suing after my decease, find sufficient surity to my said executors, such as they will be agreeable unto, that she and her assigns well and truly shall perform and fulfill all the said payments, and other charges whatsoever they be, so that in the default of her or of her assigns the said prioresse and convent, or their successors, have no cause of re-entry into the lands and tenements aforesaid, with the appurtenances, nor into any part of the same, during all the estate and term of years yet coming unto me of and in the same ; and if it fortune the said Anne my wife to decease before the end of the said term of years yet to me coming of and in the lands and tenements aforesaid, no child in the mean time being in her wombe of my begetting, then I will that all the estate and term of years growing or belonging to the said Anne my wife, of and in the said lands and tenements, by virtue and reason of this my bequest, from the day of the decease of the same Anne forthward cease, and be no longer of any strength nor effect ; but I bequeath to my executors, by this my present testament, all the estate and term of years the day of such decease of my said wife coming of and in all the lands and tenements aforesaid, to have and to hold to my said executors and to their executors from the day of such decease of the said Anne my wife, during all the estate and term of years then coming of and in the lands and tenements aforesaid, to the intent that whensoever the said lands and tenements by reason of this my bequest shall come into the possession of my said executors, or of their executors, that then my said executors or their executors shall sell all their such estate and term of years then coming unto them of and in the lands and tenements aforesaid, to whom they shall seem expedient, and dispose the money coming of the sale of them, for my soul, and for the souls of the said Anneys and Anne my wives, and for our children souls, and all christian souls, in deeds of charity, such as the said sellers hope to please God withall for the well of our souls ; and if their be any child at this time, or at any time hereafter ther fortune to be any in my said wife's womb of my begetting, and then if it fortune the said Anne my wife to decease, my said child being of nonage and unmarried, then I will that all the estate and term of years growing or belonging to the said Anne my wife, of and in the said lands and tenements, by virtue and reason of this my bequest, from the day of the decease of the said Anne my wife forthwith cease, and be no longer of any strength or essect; but then I will that the said lands and tenements remain to my said executors, to have and to hold to them and their executors from the day of the such decease of the said Anne my wife, unto the time that my said child born to the lawful age thereof or be married ; and by all the mean time I will that my executors and their executors pay, bear, and support well and truly all the rents, farms, reparations, and all other charge whatsoever they be, of and for the same lands and tenements, of the issues, profits, rents, and farms, in the mean time growing and coming of the same, in like manner and form as I stand bound for to be; and I will and ordain by this present testament that whensoever my said child shall come unto the lawful age of it, or be married, whether my said wife Anne then be alive or dead, that then it shall be lawful to my said child for to enter into all the lands and tenements aforesaid, with their appurtenances, to have and to hold then to my said child and to the heirs of the body of it lawfully begotten, during all the estate and terms of years then coming of and in the same, my said child and the said heirs thereof yielding, paying, bearing, and supporting, of and for the same by all the mean time all rents, services, reparations, and charges of and for the same, in like manner and form as I am bound for to do; and if my said child die without any heir of the body of it lawfully begotten before the end of the said term of years yet to me coming of and in the lands and tenements aforesaid, then I will that all the estate and terms of years growing or belonging to my said child, of and in the said lands and tenements by virtue and reason of this my bequest, from the day of the decease of it forthward cease, and be no longer of my strength or effect ; but I bequeath to my said executors, by this my present testament, all the estate and terms of years the day of such decease of my said child coming of and in all the said lands and tenements, to have and to hold then to my said executors and to their executors from the day of such decease of my said child, during all the estate and terms of years then coming of and in the same, to the intent to make sale thereof, and to dispose the money coming of the same sale in manner and form in all degrees as it is afore rehearsed ; and if the case fortune so that the said Anne my wife hold her not contented and pleased with my bequest aforesaid to her by me after made as to take them in full contentation and plain satisfaction of her dower and purpart above rehearsed, then I will and ordain by this my present testament that all my said bequests to the said Anne my wife by me before made be utterly void, and of no strength nor effect ; but I will that the said Anne have then for her said dower and purpart of my said goods, cattles, and debts, such parts alvonly as the law will then give her, without any other manner favor to be shewed unto her.

Item, I bequeath to George Irland, Knight, Citizen and Grocer and Alderman of London, xll.

Item, I bequeath to Thomas Rygby of London, gentleman, under condition that he take upon him the charge of execution of this my present testament, lxl.

Item, I bequeath to William Bracebridge, citizen and draper of London, under the same condition, lxl.

And the residue of all my goods, cattals, and debts, whatsoever they be, after my debts paid the which I owe, and after my legatees above written full contented after such form as is made mention in my will hereunder written, I bequeath to be disposed by my executors for my soul, and the souls afore rehearsed, in such deeds of charity and pittie as beth contained in my will hereunder written, and like as they hope to please God and profitt for my soul.

MEMORANDUM, that hereunder followeth the last will of me the said John Crosby, made the day and year aforesaid, as to the disposition of my manor of Haneworth, with the appurtenances, in the county of Middlesex, and of all my other lands and tenements with the appurtenances, the which I with other or any other unto my use have in Haneworth aforesaid, and in Feltham and elsewhere in the same county of Middlesex ; (that is to wit,) First, I will that my executors keep the said manour, lands, and tenements, with the appurtenances, at their rule and disposition, and also perceive and have all manner serms, rents, revenues, and profits of the same, by the space of two years next suing after my decease; and if the case so fall in the mean time, or before, that through the infortuny of the world, such non-sufficiency or loss fall of my goods, cattels, and merchandises, and also such feeble recovery or feeble payment, or so great loss fall of the debts unto me due, wherethrough my goods, cattels, merchandizes, and debts, such as shall come to the possession or rule of my executors, will not, after the payment or agreement made of such duties as I owe, extend to the contenting or fulfilling of my legacies contained in my testament above rehearsed, and so clearly founden and proved by my executors afore their and my ordinary in that behalf, within the said two years next suing after my decease, then I will that my said executors convert and apply all the said farmes, rents, revenues, and profits, by them provided and to be provided in the mean time, that is to wit, such of the fermes, rents, revenues, and profits, as shall vest in their hands, or be under their rule, and the ordinary charge of the same manor, lands, and tenements by them before the hand paid and borne, towards the contentation of such duties as I owe ; and om'i, that if it may be towards the contentation of my bequest contained in my testament above rehearsed, under the manner and form hereunder written ; and moreover I will, that my said executors at the end of the said ii years, or sooner, or after, as soon as they shall seem expedient after their wife discretions, sell my said manor, lands, and tenements, with the appurtenances, to whom it shall like them, and at as good a price as they shall reasonably now do it, and the money coming of the same sale that they apply and count, if need be, as well toward the payment and contentation of such duties as I owe, as towards the fulfilling and contentation of my said legacies contained in my said testament, as far as the same money, with my other goods, catals, merchandizes, and debts aforesaid, will extend thereto ; and if the money coming of the said sale of my said manor, lands, and tenements, with the appurtenances, together with my other goods, cattals, merchandizes, and debts aforesaid, will not extend, after such debts paid as I owe, to the fulfilling and contentation of my said legacies contained in my said testament, then I will and ordain by this my present testament and last will, that my said executors, by the advice and authority of mine and their ordinary in this behalf, as soon as they shall seem time and season convenient make an equal defalcation or diminution, pound, pound-like, penny, penny-like, and rate, rate-like, of all the legacies aforesaid contained in my testament aforesaid, after their good consciences and sadd discretions, the two legacies by me made to my said executors, by my said testament hole as they beth without any diminishing, alvonly except, and to my same two executors so saved and reserved ; for so it is my full will and intent in any wife for to be : and after the said defalcations and diminutions so made of all my said legacies, except and saved tho that before be excepted and saved, then I will that all the residue of all my said legacies, over the said defalcations and diminutions so made of them, be well and truly paid and contented by my said executors of the money, goods, catals, merchandizes, and debts aforesaid, according to right reason and good conscience ; for it is full will that they be so paid : and if my goods, catals, merchandizes, and debts, which shall come unto the possession and rule of my said executors after my decease, be of such quantity and value that as well my debts which I owe to any persons, as all my said legacies contained in my testament above said, may be well and truly and wholly paid, contented, and fulfilled, as they stand in my said testament, without any necessity of sale to be made of my manor, lands, and tenements aforesaid, after the forme aforesaid, then I will, that if the said Anne my wife hold her fully contented and agreed and pleased with my said legacy by me assigned unto her by my said testament, as in full contentation and plain satisfaction of all her dower and purpart before rehearsed, that then the same Anne my wife, and her assigns, under that condition observed, and else not, shall have and hold my manor, lands, and tenements aforesaid, and also perceive and have to her own proper use and behoof all the farmes, rents, revenues, and profits yearly coming of the same, during the nonage of my said child now being in her womb, or fortuning hereafter to be, of my begetting: and if no such child at this time be in her womb, nor hereafter fortune to be, then I will that the said Anne my wife, and her assigns, under the condition afore rehearsed observed, and else not, have and hold my said manor, lands, and tenements, and also perceive and have to her own proper use and behoof all the former rents, revenues, and profits yearly coming of the same, during the life of the said Anne my wife ; and I will that as long as the said Anne my wife, and her assigns, by reason and vertue of this my present will, shall have and hold my said manor, lands, and tenements, and also perceive and have all the farms, rents, revenues, and profits yearly coming of the same, that so long the same Anne and her assigns, with their own proper costs and expences, well and sufficiently shall repair, sustain, and maintain all the houses, edifications, and closures of my said manor, lands, and tenements, as often as need shall require ; and I will, that whensoever and as soon as my said child now being in my said wive's womb, or fortuning hereafter for to be of my begetting, come unto the lawful age thereof, or be married, that then and so soon the said manor, lands, and tenements, with their appurtenances, shall remain unto my said child, and to the heirs of the body thereof lawfully begotten ; and for default of such issue, the remainder of the same manor, lands, and tenements, with their appurtenances, to my daughter Johanne Crosby above named, and to the heirs of her body lawfully begotten ; and for default of such issue, the remainder of the same manor, lands, and tenements, with their appurtenances, to my said cousin Petro Christemas, and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten; and furthermore I will that if it so fall that no child at this time be in my said wife's womb, nor none hereafter fortune to be of my begetting, that then after the decease of the said Anne my wife, and no other of the said manor, lands, and tenements, with their appurtenances, shall remain to my said daughter Johanne Crosby, and to the heirs of her body lawfully begotten ; and, for default of such issue, the remainder of the manor, lands, and tenements, with their appurtenances, to my said cousin Petro Christemas, and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten; and for default of such issue, the remainder of the said manor, lands, and tenements with their appurtenances, to the master and wardens of the craft of Grocers in the city of London at that time being and to their successors, master and wardens of the same craft for the time being for evermore, to the intent and under this condition, that whensoever and how soon that it shall fortune the said master and wardens of the said craft of Grocers, or their successors, by the means of this my present will, to come unto the possession of the said manor, lands, and tenements, with the appurtenances, that then and so soon, or as soon after as they may goodly, they shall sell the said manor, lands, and tenements, with their appurtenances, by the advice, assent, and agreement, of the aldermen of the same craft, and of the persons of the same craft called associates, to whom it shall like them, and at as good price as they shall mowe reasonably do it. And the money coming of the same sale they shall dispose and demean by the advice, assent, and agreement in the form suing ; that is to wit, that they shall take out of the same money xxvl. and thereof xl. put in the common box or treasury of the comonalty of the same craft, and to be occupied towards the sustynance and supportation of the poor alms men of the same craft, and the xvl. remaining of the same said xxvl. I will that the said master and wardens depart evenly between them by even portions, and have it for their labour, that they shall have as well about the said sale of the said manor, lands, and tenements, as about the disposition of the money coming of the said sale ; and the residue of all the money coming and to be perceived of the same sale on the said xxvl. deducted and taken out thereof and converted to the uses aforesaid, I will that it be disposed by the said master and wardens, sellers of the said manor, lands, and tenements, by the advice and assent and agreement of the said aldermen and associates, for my soul, and for the soules of the said Anneys and Ann, my wives and for our children souls, and for all christian soules, in doing of masses, in making or buying of books, vestments, chaleyes, and other apparelment or the church, and to be given unto poor churches where need shall require, in relieving of poor prisoners and getting some of them out of prison, in marriage of poor maidens of good name and fame, to each of them xls. at least, in amending of broken bridges and of foul, noyous, and perilous high weies, and in other deeds of alms, charity, and pity, after the discretions of the said sellers, by the advises aforesaid, as they hope best to please our Lord God, and most to profit unto our souls ; and I will, that my feoffees of and in all my manors, lands, and tenements aforesaid, whensoever they shall be reasonably required by my executors, make, or do to be made, a sufficient estate or sufficient estates in the law of and in the manor, lands, and tenements aforesaid, with their appurtenances, unto such a pe on, or to such persons, as they shall be advised by my said executors, as well with estates of remainder as otherwise, according to my said will thereof above made, and also in such wise as may be according with the law. Also I will and desire and require my executors named in this my present testament and last will, and I give unto them plain power and full authority in as much as in me is by this my present testament, that if any clauses, matters, or words, comprized in this my present testament and last will, by the negligence, simpleness, ignorance, or lack of science or of cunning of the writer hereof, be found hereafter not sentenciall in themself, but contrarieng or repugnant in themself, or any of them against other, wherethrough my bequest and will above rehearsed in any part or parts of them might be distourbled, broken, or not fulfilled, after my true meaning and plain intent in them, that then my said executors, by the assent and agreement, and under the authority of myn and their ordinary in this behalf, and by the advice of such learned counsell as they shall like to call unto them, do and cause all such defaults so founden in this my present testament and last will, be it in clauses, matters, or words, or in which of them soever it be, well and sufficiently to be reformed, corrected, and amended. Specially also I desire and require the said ordinary, on the behalf of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is Father and Head of all science and truth, that it will like him to suffer, give comfort, and aid, and plain authority to my said executors, that they by the advice of such learned council as they will call unto them, if they like so to do, and cause all such defaults as beth afore rehearsed well and sufficiently to be reformed, corrected, and amended, after the effect of my said testament and last will, according to my true intent and plain meaning of and in the same : and of this my present testament and last will, I make and ordain my executors the said Thomas Rygby of London, Gentleman, and the said William Bracebrigge, Citizen and Draper of the said City of London : in witness whereof to this my present testament, containing therein my last will, I have set my seal and my sign manuel the day and year aforesaid.

Probatum fuit p'ris test'm apud Lamehith cora' Domino, sexto die mens' Februarij, ano Dni mcccclxx^mo quinto, ac app'batum ; et commissa fuit administracio bonorum executoribus in testamento nominat' de bene et fideliter ac sub unanimi consensu admĩstrand' ac de pleno inventario bonor' et debitor' citra festum Nativitatis Sancti Johannis Baptiste proxim' n^cnon de plano compoto in debita juris forma jurat'.