Surrey Archaeological Collections/Volume 1/A Collection of Wills of Persons resident in Surrey between the years 1497 and 1522
XIV.
A COLLECTION OF WILLS OF PERSONS RESIDENT IN SURREY BETWEEN THE YEARS 1197 and 1522.
COMMUNICATED BY MISS JULIA R. BOCKETT.
Many years ago Miss Bockett's grandfather, Mr. Bradney, of Ham, found some wills in a chest in Kingston Church, Surrey. He copied several, one of which Miss Bockett sent to "Notes and Queries" from whoso pages the first of the following wills is transcribed.
"The Will of Richard Knyvet, Luter, tempore Hen. VII.
"In the name of God, Amen. The viii th day of the moneth of Aprill, theyere of our Lord God 1497, and in the xii th yere of the regne of Kyng Henry the Vllth. I, Richard Knyvet, of South werk in the countie of Surr', luter, beying in holl mynd and clere memory, thanked be our Lord God, make and ordeyn this my testament and last will in maner ensuyng. Eirst, I bequeth my sowll to Almighty God, my Maker and Savyour, and to the glorious Vergeyn, our Laclye Seynt Mary, his blesset Moder, and to all the holy company of hevyn, and my body to be buryed in the church hawe of my parysh church of Seynt Mary Magdalene, in Southwerk beforesaid, in such place or buryell that the cross there shall stand on the right syde of my burying. Item, I bequeth to the high awter of the said church for my oll'eryngs forgotten iiid. Item, I bequeth to Willm Wath my servant my hanger and my dager with all that longeth to theym, my whyt fustian doblet, a lute and the case thereto. Item, I bequeth to the comon box of the brethered of Seynt Antony xiid. The residew of all my goods not bequethed, after that my debts ben payed, my burying made, and this my will fulfylled, I bequeth holy unto Mawde my wife, therewith to do and dyspose at her own free will. And of this my testament I make and ordeyn the said Maude my hole executrix. In witness whereof hereto I have set my seall. Written the clay and yer' aforesaid. These witnesses, Syr Hugh Newton, prest, and William Camp, notary."
The following have since been communicated by Miss Bockett to the Surrey Archaeological Society, through Mr. Corner:—
The Will of Alice Nicoll, Widow, of Kingston, 12th July, 1515.
"In the Name of God, Amen. The 12th day of the moneth of July, the yere of our Lorde God 1515. I, Alice Nicoll, of Kyngston upon Theniys, in the countie of Suit', within the diocese of Winchester, calling to my remembrance the unstedfastness of this present transitory life, knowying the day of my departing from the same fast comyng, and not beyng in rediness nor provided for the same, according to the good and laudable custome amongste every gode Cristen man and woman used, and now beyng in perfect memory & stedfast mind, laud be Almighty God, make, ordeyne, & devyse this my present testament & last will concerning my goods and catells moveables, after the forme as followeth. First, I bequeth my soule to Almyghty God, my Maker and Rediemer, and to his blessed Mother our Lady Seynt Mary, and to all the celestial company of Hevyn, and my body to be burid in the churchyarde of Alhalowes, in the said Kyngston, beside my husband. Also I bequeth to the high altar of the same church for my tythes or offeryngs not done or negligently forgotton or withdrawn, in discharging of my conscience, 12d. Also I bequeath to the moder church of Winchester 4d. Also I bequeth to the light in our Lady chapell 21b. of wax for a tapier. Also I bequeth to the light of the iii Kyngs of Colyn, within the said church of Kyngston, a lb. of wex for a tapier. Also I bequeth to the light of St. Anne a tapier of a pound of wex. Also I bequeth to the light of our Lady of Pity 2 pounds of wax for to make a tapier. Also I bequeth to the ymage of Seynt Sonday v pound of wax for a tapier, to burne every Sonday in service time as long as it will endure. Also I bequeth to the said church of Kyngston a tuell of playne clothe for the behove of the church. Also I will that there be seede for my soul and all Christian souls, in the chapell of Skaly Celi[1] at Westmynster v masses of the v wounds of our Lord God. Also I bequeth to Jone Northrygge two new silver spoons, two pair of sheets, two dyaper napkins, two platters, 4 dishes, two saucers, my red harvest gurdill, my large brasse pott, and two bell candlesticks. Also I bequeth to Agnes Berell two silver spoons of the new sorte, a pair of shetes, a dyaper napkin, a platter, two pewter dishes, a sawser, a bell candlestick, a feather bed, a new bolster, a pair of blankets, a coverlid, a grete pott with a brokyn legge, a harvest gurdill with a murrey course and a posnet. Item, I bequeth to Isabell Nicoll my table standing in the hall. Also I bequeth to Alice Kemp a pair of sheets, a pewter platter, a pewter dishe, a sawcer, my best gown, & my best beyds. Also to Harry Mademor, my servant, 3s. 4d. Also to Mawde Call my best smocke and a good kerchef. Also I bequeath to every of my godchildren 4d. The residue of all, my detts paide and this my testament and last will fulfilled, I give and bequeth to my iii daughters. And I ordain for my executors, Harry Nicoll and Harrye Northrege, they to dispose for the welth of my soule as they shall think most best God to please, and every of them to have for his labor 3s. 4d These witness, John Dering, curate, William Morer, Thos Jestelyn, with other mo'."
The Will of John Bannoh, Mynstrell, 22nd November, 1514.
"In Nomine Dei, Amen. Be it knowne to all men by this present writyng, that I, John Bannok, mynstrell, make my will, with a hole mynde unto God and to the world, the 22nd day of Novembre, and in the yere of the reigne of Kyng Harry the VIIIth the iiiith yere. The first part, I bequeth my soule unto God and to our Blessed Lady, and to all the holy company of Hevyn; the seconde pt, I bequeth my body to be buried in the holy grave, where as my last mynde is for to be burid; the iii d pt, I make my wife my hole executrix, and she for to fulfill my will, and for to receyve my detts, and she for to pay my detts, and my gode Maistr, William Brown, merchant of the stapell, for to be overseer, for to se my will fulfilled, and he for to have for his labor, vis. viiid. Also I bequeth to the brotherhod of Mynstrelles of our Lady & Seynt Antony in London iiis. iiiid. Also I bequeth to the high awter where as I am buried 3s. 4d. Also I bequeth to my father & to my mother xs. Also I bequeth to my child William all my reyment, and all my other thyngs I comyt unto my wife. In witnes hereof I, the saide John, hath writ this will with my hand. Gevyn the day ut supr' Anno 1514."
The Will of Gyffray Gough, Yeoman of the Guard to King Henry VIII., dated 1th October, 1520.
"In Dei Nomine, Amen. The 7 day of October, in the year of our Lord God 1520, in the 12th yere of the reign of Kyng Henry the VIIIth. I, Gyffray Gough, of St. Mary Magdalene Overy parishe, in Southwerk, in the county of Surry, on of the yeomen of the gards unto our sovereign lord the Kyng, have ordeyned and made this my last will, in this wise & form folowyng. First, I bequeth my soul to Almighty God & to our Blessed Lady Virgene Mary, Quene of Hevyn, and to all the holy seynts and blessed company of Hevyn, and my body to be buried in erth at my pew dore, within our Lady chapell, of my parish church of Mary Magdalene aforesaid. And I bequeth unto the blessed and holy sacrament of the high awter within the same church 4d. Item, I bequeth unto the broderhood of St. Catryne in the same church viiid. Item, I bequeth to the same church, for brikying of the grounde where my body shall ly, vis. viiid. The residue of all my goods and chattels movable and unmovable, dettes, and other my detts for my months wages, be it more or less, remayning in the Kyngs hands, and vis. viiid. in the hands of my felow Roger Whitton, usher of the Kyngs chamber, and vis. viiid owing to me by my felow John A'Morgan, and xiid owing me by Ffilypp of the Wodyard, grome of the Kyng's hall, lent hym in redy money out of my purse; all these my goods and detts, in whose hands some ever they be, or can be found, or known, and other vis. viiid. owyng me by Alice Brown, the wife somtyme of Bryan Swynbank of the iii Crownes in Southwerk, for a lode of hay, I give and bequeth them all unto Catryn my wife, and Elizabeth my daughter part thereof when she cometh to her marriage (at the dyscretion of her mother); and if the said Elizabeth my daughter fortune to dye before she come to her day of marriage, then I will the same Elizabeth my daughter's part be disposed for my soule and all Cristene soules. And to the performyng of this my will I have ordeyned and made Catryn my wife and Elizabeth my daughter my executors, to se my body honestly burid and done for after my deceyse. And I have ordeyned my frende William Molynes to be my overseer. And I bequeth hym for his labor my russet gown furred with ffox. In witnes of this my last will beyng present John Dover, baker, William Molynes, the Kyngs sporyer, William Vynkn, Thomas Bramefeld, and other, the day & yeare aboveseide."
The Will of Robert Sutton, of Ham, dated 20th November, 1522.
"In the Name of God, Amen. The 20 day of the month of November, the year of our Lord 1522. I, Robert Sutton, of Ham, within the parish of Kyngston upon Themys, in the county of Surry, within the diocese of Winchester, being in good mind, lett, make, and ordain this my present testament and last will, in manner & form as followeth. First, I bequeath my soul to Almighty God, my Maker and Redeemer, to his blessed Moder our Lady Seynt Mary, and to all the celestial company of Hevyn, & my body to buried in the church yerde of Alhallowys y Kyngston aforesaid. Also I bequeath to the mother church of "Winchester 4d. Item, I bequeth to the high altar of the said church of Kyngston, for my tithes or offerings negligently forgotton or withdrawn, in discharging of my conscience, 16d. Item, I bequeath to the reparation of every other altar within the said Church of Kyngston 4d. Item, to every of my godchildren being alive 4d. Item, I will that my diaper table cloth to be cut in the middle, and the one half to be delivered to Petersham Chapel, for an altar cloth, & the other half to Stretham Church. Item, I will that all my corn being in my barne be divided by even portions betwen Thomas Sutton, John Staford, Richard Aden, and Alice Lydgold. Item, I bequeth to Thomas Sutton a flokbed & 3 pair of sheets. Item, I bequeth to Agnes Sutton, the wife of Thomas Sutton, all my shepe and xxs. of money. Item, I bequeath to Isabell Garatt 20s., and if she decease before she be maryed, to remayn to the next of her kin. Item, I bequeth Abrey Lidgold, my goddaughter, 20s., and if she decesse before she be maryed, to remayne to the next of her kin. The residue of all my goods & catells not bequeathed, my sepulture made & content & this my present will fulfilled, I gyffe and bequeth to John Sutton, my cosyn, he to dispose for my soul as he shall thinke most best God to please. And I will that Richard Chapman & Richard Fowler be overseers, they to have every of them for their labour 10s., & their reasonable expensis.—Witness, Henry Bird, John Atwell, of Hitche, Henry Parkyn, with many other mo'." The Will of Harry Lutman, of Kyngston, dated 21st February, 1522.
"In the Name of God, Amen. The 21st day of February, the yere of our Lord God m fivehundreth xxii. I, Harry Lutman, of the parish of Kyngston upon Thamys, hole of mynde & of gode memory, make this my last will as in manner folowith. First, I bequeth my soule to Almighty God, my body to be burid in the church yarde of Alhalowes, of Kyngston aforesaid. Item, I bequeth to the high altar 12d., to the cathedral church of Winchester 2d. Item, I bequeth to Robert my son a bullok. Item, to Isabell my daughter a bullok. Item, to William my son a bullok. Item, to Agnes my daughter a bullok. Item, to Alice my daughter a bullok. Item, to Sance my daughter a bullok. The residue of all my goods not bequethed, I bequeth to Margaret Lutman my wife, who I make my executrix. Witness of this my last will—Syr William Huntter, curat, Thomas Jestlyn, & other mo'. Writyn at Kyngston the day & the date ut supr'."
The Will of William Smyth, of Ham, dated 29th August, 14 Henry VIII.
"In the Name of God, Amen. The yere of our Lord God a thousand five, hundred and twenty two, the 29th day of August, the 14th year of the reigne of Kyng Henry the VIIIth. I, William Smyth, of Ham, in the parish of Kyngston upon Thames, in the countie of Surry, husbandman, being in good mind and hole memory, make and ordeyn this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First, I bequeath my soul unto Almighty God, and to our blessed Lady the Virgin, and unto all the holy company of Hevyn, and my body to be burid in the churche yerde of All Hallows, of Kyngston aforesd, where my father and mother being buryed, when it shall please Almighty God to take me unto his marcye. Also I bequeath unto the mother church of Winchester vid. Item, I give and bequath unto the high altar of Kyngston, for my tithe and oblations forgotten, 12d. Also I give and bequeath unto the holy Rode of Cumfort a taper of a pound of wex. Also I gyff and bequethe unto the light of the Blessed Trinyte 6d. Also I give and bequeath unto the bason lights of Kyngston 4d. Also I give and bequeath unto the building of the Rode loft 12d. Also I give and bequeath unto Jone, my daughter, to her marriage, v marks in money or money worth. Also I give and bequeath unto Sence, my youngest daughter, to her marriage, x marks. And as touching the disposition of my londs and tenements, set and lying in the parish off Kyngston aforesd, hereafter folowing. First, I will that Agnes my wife have all my lands and tenemts, with all appurts, sett and lying in the parish of Kyngston aforesd, to have and to hold for the terme of her liffe; and after her decease, I will that John Smyth, my son, shall have my tenement which I dwell in, with all the lands unto the said tenement belonging, to have and to hold unto the said John Smyth, my son, and to his heirs for evermore. Also I will that Robert Smyth, my son, have my tenement called Prymys, with all the lands unto the said tenement belonging, to have & to hold unto the said Robert, and unto the heirs of his body lawfully begotten, for evermore; and if it happen the said Robert to die without heirs of his body lawfully begotten, then I will that the said tenement & lands do remain unto Thomas, my son, for evermore. Also I will that Raffe, my son, have my tenement called Lambards, with all the lands unto the said tenement belonging, to have and to hold unto the said Raffe and to his heires for ever. And also I will that Agnes my wife have my Hemestale Ground,[2] sometime Deodall, with the lands unto the said Hemstales belonging, to have and to hold unto the said Agnes & her heirs for evermore. All other my goods & catell not bequeathed, after my debts paid, I give and bequeath unto Agnes, my wife, to distribute as she think best, which Agnes I make & ordeyn my executrix, and John Pynchester, and John my son, overseers of this my last will and testament. These witness, John Hunt, Thomas Clarke, John Pynchester, Thomas Alyn, William Mychell, & John Smyth, & many other mo'."
- ↑ In the Conventual Church of the Augustine Friars or Eremites at Norwich, the place of the greatest profit was the chapel of our Lady, called Scala Cceli, to which pilgrims were continually resorting, and making their offerings there, on account of the many pardons and indulgences granted by the Pope to that chapel, being the only chapel (except that of the same name at Westminster, and another of our Lady at St. Botolpb's Church, at Boston) which enjoyed equally extensive privileges with the chapel of Scala Cœli at Rome.
- ↑ Homestall ground. (?)