Contents
Will of William Purchas
The Will
The sections directly referring to Deopham are highlighted.
In dei nomine Amen
the iiij day on the month of January in the yere of our lorde god mccccc and oon [i.e., 1502], I, William Purches, Alderman Citezein and mercer of the Citie of London, being of hole mynde and in good memorie, laude and praising be unto allmyghty god, make and ordeyne this my present testament in the forme that folowith.
First, I biqueith & recomannde my soule unto allmyghty [god] my maker and my redemer, and to the moost glorious virgin his moder our lady saint mary and to all the holy company of Saints, and my body to be buried In the parishe Churche of Saint Laurence in the olde Jury of London within in the Quere bitwene the two deskes there.
And I biqueith and wolle that myne expenses funeralle be made and done by myne Executors wele and honestely after there wise discretions forthwith atte burying of my (body). Saving I will have noon other Candilstiks to sett on the iiij tapres that shall brenne aboute my body but oonly iiij pouer persons to holde those iiij tapres during all the tyme of myne Exequis to be done for me at my said burying.
And no solempne month mynde to be kepte for me in no maner wise, the whiche I utterly forbede myne Executors in any wise for to kepe. And after my body be so buried and myne Exequies for me full done, Thanne I will furst and formost and before all other things, that all my detts & dewties the which I Awe to any maner personne or personnes of right or of conscience, be wele and trewly paide, or sett in a sure waye so to be paide.
And after that my detts and dewties be so paide, or sett in a sure waye so to be paide, that if any complaint be made to myne Executors by any personne or personnes of any wronge by me done unto him or theme, Thanne I will that att request of myn Executors Master William Doulte and Master William Groson bachelers of divinite have thexamination therof for the wele of my soule and discharge of my conscience.
And if the saide masters finde by there discretions that I have done wronge to any partie, thanne I will that restitucion be made by myne Executors of my goodes to the partie complaynyng for suche wronge so done according to the determination and discretion of the saide two maisters whatsover it be.
And I biqueith to either of theme for there labor to be hadde in that behalve v marc.
Item I biqueith to the high aulter of the saide Churche of Saint Laurence for my tithes and oblacons witholden or forgoten if any be so don, in discharge of my conscience and to thentent that the Curate there pray specially for my soule xls.
Item I biqueith for my buriall there to be hadde iij li vjs viijd.
Item I biqueith xxxiij li vjs viijd to be disposed by myne Executors, after there wise discrecions, in brede, flesshe, fisshe, drynk and money, as they shall seme moost convenient to be done at oon tyme or at severall tymes, among the pouer housholders dwelling in the Parishe of Saint Laurence aforesaid and in other parisshes next adioynyng, namely handecrafty men, willing theme to pray specially for my soule, and for the soules of my fader and moder, the soules of Geoffrey Bolleyne, John Norlange, John Sutton, Thomas Fabian, mercers, and of Alice Fabian Late wif of the same Thomas deceased, and all christen soules.
Item I biqueith to be disposed by myne Executors at severall tymes after my disceace a monge pouer housholders and bedrede people and other pouer people nedy, aswell within the Citie of London as the Subbarbes of the same, in redy money or in other stuffe convenient & necessarie unto theme as myne Executors by ther discrecions shall seme best to be done, to the pleasur of god and for the helth of my soule and other soules aforesaide l li.
Item it is my wille to have xx torches to bringe my body to the churche, and ther to brenne during all the tyme of myne Exequies to be done there for me forthwith at my burying.
And I will that xxiiij pour men holde and bere the xx torches and iiij tapres to brenne there in like wise during the tyme of my saide exequies to be done there for me. And that evereche of the pouer persones have for his suche labor vjd.
Item I will that myne Executors assone as they may goodely after my disceace bye asmuche wollen clothe of oon color, whether it be blake clothe or musterdwillers, as they shall seme best to be done for xxiiij gowne clothes therof to be made, of iij yerds a pece for xij men and xij women, price of every yerde of the saide clothe ijs iiijd or litell (more) or litell lesse as it wolle falle.
And I wolle that xij poure housholders craftymen of the saide Parishe of Saint Laurence if there thanne so meny pour craftymen therin, And if any of the pour xij craftymen thanne lak there, Thanne I wolle have other pour housholders craftymen in the next parishe by to fulfille the nombre of xij pouer housholders craftymen in the said Parishe of Saint Laurence.
And the same xij pouer housholders craftymen to have frely of my gifte xij gowne clothes of the said xxiiij gowne clothes. And that they be charged by myn Executors to make them wering gownes thereof and were them by a yere next after my disceace to thentent that it wolle like them oones a weeke during the same yere to sey if they may for my soule and the other soules a foresaide our Lady Sawter. And I wolle that evereche of the same xij pour housholders craftymen have of my goods to make with all his saide gowne xxd.
And I wolle that the other xij gowne clothes residue of the said xxiiij gowne clothes be delivered by myne Executors of my gifte to xij pouer women of the saide Parishe of Saint Laurence of honest conversacion be they widowes or wifes of pouer craftymen or of bothe And that they be charged to make theme wering gownes therof and were theme the saide yere and to sey for my soule and the soules aforesaide oones in the weke if they may during the saide yere our Lady Sawter.
And I will that everyeche of the xij women have of my goodes to make with all her saide gowne xxd.
Item I biqueith to the Priour and Convent of the house of Charterhouse biside Shene in the Countie of Surrey to pray specially for my soule and the soules of my fader and moder and for all the soules of the saide Geffrey Boleyne, John Norlonge, John Sutton, Thomas Fabian and Alice his wif and for all christen soules iiij li.
Item I biqueith to the Priour and Convent of the house of Charterhouse be side London to pray specially for my soule and the soules aforesaide vj li.
Item I biqueith to the Warden and Convent of the house of Frires Minor of London under like forme xls to be paide and delivered unto theme within ij yeres next after my disceace, that is to sey either yere xxs.
Item I biqueith to the Prior & Convent of the house of the Frires Augustyns of the Citie of London under semblable forme xls to be paide & delivered unto theme within ij yeres next after my disceace that is to sey either yere xxs.
Item I biqueith to the Prior and Convent of the hous of Frires Prechours of the same Citie under like forme xls to be paide and delivered unto theme within ij yeres next after my disceace that is to witte either yere xxs.
Item I biqueith to the Priour and Convent of the house of Frires Carines in Fletestrete of London under semblable forme and to be paide as it is next aboverehersed xls.
Item where as I have endented that every house of the saide iiij ordres of frires Augustynes, Minors, Prechours and Carines being in the Realme of Englond, out of the saide Citie of London and subarbes of the same, shulde have other of gifte or of my biquests towards the releving of there pouer degrees to pray for my soule vjs viijd, It is so that every house of the saide order of frires of Austyns being in the saide realme out of the saide Citie of London and subarbes of the same, I have trwely performed my saide entent my selfe. And to diverse houses of the said Ordre of frires Minors in the same Realme and out of the saide Citie and subarbes of the same I have done in like wise my selve.
Wherfore it is fully myne entent and wille that all such houses of the said ij ordres of frires Prechours and frires Carines in the said Realme out of the said Citie and Subarbes, suche as I have hadde before the makinge of this my present testament no suche benefait of my gifte nor have noon hereafter of me by my life shalhave of my gifte, every house of theme, to be delivered to theme by myne Executors after my disceace to pray for my soule vjs viijd.
Item I biqueith to the Priour and Convent of the house of Crouched frires of London to pray for my soule xxs.
Item I biqueith toward the supportacion of the Fraternite of the Prests of Papey amonge whom I am a broder of there saide fraternite xls.
Item I biqueith to the reparacion of the Worke of the body of the saide parishe churche of Saint Laurence in the Jury of London, and of the ornaments of the same churche, to thentent that no pouer hande craftymen parisshoners of the same parisshe be taxed nor ceassed to any charges of the churche werks of the same churche by the space of v yeres nexte ensuyng after my disceace, willing the same pouer craftymen to pray specially for my soule, and the soules of my fader and moder, Geffrey Boleyne, John Norlonge, John Sutton, Thomas Fabian and Alice his wife xx li.
Item I biqueith toward the sustentation of the fraternite of the holy Roode founded in the same churche xls.
Item I biqueith toward the sustentation of the fraternite called the peny brethered founded in the same churche xls.
Item I biqueith to the Maister and bretheren of St Thomas of Acres of London to pray for my soule and the soules above rehersed iij li vjs viijd.
Item I biqueith to the Prior and Convent of Elsing Spittill of London for like intente xxs.
Item I biqueith to be disposed amonge the pouer prisoners being deteyned in Ludgate in London the daie of my disceace and afterwards, in brede or in other thing to theme necessarie and behovefull at tymes convenient within v yeres nexte after my disceace, after the discretion of myne Executors, by v equll portions vli.
Item I biqueith to be disposed amonge the pouer prisoners being deteyned in Newgate of London the day of my disceace and afterward at semblable tymes as by semblable portions v li.
Item I biqueith to be disposed in v yeres next after my disceace by v even portions amonge the pouer prisoners being deteyned in the kinges benche in Southwerk the day of my disceace and afterward liiijs iiijd.
Item I biqueith to be disposed in v yeres next after my disceace by even portions amonge the pouer prisoners being deteyned in the Marshalsee the daie of my disceace and afterward in forme aforesaide xls.
Item I biqueith to be disposed in v yeres next after my disceace by equall portions amonge the pouer prisoners being deteyned in like wise in the prison called the flete under semblable forme xxs.
Item I biqueith to be disposed in v yeres next after my disceace by v eqall portions amonge the pouer prisoners called Clerke convicte deteyned in like wise in the Abbotts prisonne of Westminster under semblable forme xiijs iiijd.
Item I biqueith to be desposed in v yeres next after my disceace by v even portions among the pouer sike people for the tyme being in Saint Bartilmewes Spittill p(ar)cell mele as they shall nede it, in money or other stuffe, after the discrecion of myne Executors, by thadvice of the susters there v li..
Item I biqueith to be disposed in v yeres next after my disceace by v even portions among the pouer people for the tyme being in Saint Mary Spittell Without Bisshoppisgate of London after my disceace p(ar)cellmele as they shall nede it, be it in money or bedding or in any other thinge to theme nedefull or necessarie, after the discretion of myne Executors, by thadvice of the susters there v li.
Item I biqueith to be disposed in v yeres next after my disceace by like portions amonge the pouer sike people for the tyme being in Saint Thomas Spittill in Southwerk after my diaceace p(ar)cellmele as they shall nede it, in money in bedding or in any other thinge to the nedefull or necessarie, after the discretion of myne Executors by thadvice of the susters there liijs iiijd.
Item I biqueith C marcs towarde the promotion of suche certeyne pouer and wele disposed scolers in the Universite of Cambrige, aswell Religious persons as seculers, unto the degrees of Bacheler of divinite and doctor of divinite, as have but litell wherewithall or elles but fewe frends to helpe theme toward there suche promotion, To be paide and delivered unto theme within x yeres next after my disceace by x even portions, that is to say, x marcs yerely. Provided allwey that no suche Scoler towarde his suche promotion in any wise excede therof the some of xls.
Item I biqueith l mark towarde the promotion of like Scolers in the Universitie of Oxenford, aswell Religious persons as seculers, unto like degrees, To be paide and delivered unto theme within x yeres next after my disceace, by x even portions, that is to witte yerely v marcs. Provided allwey that no suche Scoler towarde his suche promotion in any wise excede not the some of xls.
Item I biqueith to thabbesse and Convent of the house of Minoresses without Algate of London to pray specially for my soule, and the saide soules of my fader and moder, for the soules of the saide Geffrey Boleyne, John Norlonge, John Sutton, Thomas Fabian and Alice his wife Cs.
Item I biqueith to the Abbes and Convent of the house of Nonnes of Stratford att Bowe to pray specially for all the soules aforesaide iij li.
Item I biqueith to the Lazers of the Lazerhouse be yonde the Mile ende to pray specially for my soule and the soules above rehersed, To be paide and delivered unto theme in v yeres next after my disceace by eqall portions xs.
Item I biqueith to the Lazers of the Lazerhouse at Kingeslond under like forme To be paid and delivered unto theme in v yeres next after my disceace by v even portions xxs.
Item I biqueith to the Lazers atte loke by side Southwerk to be paide and delivered unto theme in semblable maner xxs.
Item I biqueith to the Lazers at knyght Brigge to be paide and delivered unto theme in like season and under semblable forme xxs.
Item I biqueith to the Lazers of Saint Giles in the felde to be paide delivered unto theme in like maner xs.
Item I biqueith to the lazers of hammersmyth to be paide and delivered unto theme in semblable maner xs.
Item I biqueith to the Lazers of the Highgate to be paide unto theme in like maner xs.
Item I biqueith to the Workes of the body of the Parishe Churche of Eltesley in the Countie of Cambrigge, to have my soule there specially praied fore iij li vjs viij.
Item I biqueith to be disposed amonge the pouer people moost nedy of the same Parishe of Eltesley, and also to be applied toward the mendyng of high waies theraboute, by the discretion of myne Executors and by theadvice of the curate there xls.
Item I biqueith to the works of the body of the parishe Churche of Weresleye to have my soule there specially praid fore lxvjs viijd.
Item I biqueith to be disposed amonge the pouer people moost nedy of the same parishe of Weresley, and also to be applied toward the mending of high weis theraboute, by the discretion of myne Executors and by theadvices of the substanciall parisshon(er)s of the same parisshe xls.
Item I biqueith the Somme of xl li to be applied by myne Executors to the finding of an honest and conneable prest of good name and fame, and of vertuous condicions, to singe or sey his masse and to do his other divine service in the saide Parishe Churche of Saint Laurence in the Jury of London, and for to pray specially for my soule, my Wives soule, the soules of my fader and moder, the soules of the saide Geffrey Boleyne, John Norlonge, John Sutton, Thomas Fabian and Aice his wife, and the soules of all my frends and good doers, and for all christen soules by the space of vj yeres next ensuyng after my disceace.
And I will that the saide prest have therof for his sallary yerely during the said terme at iij termes of the yere vj li xiijs iiijd by even portions.
Provided allweys that if the saide prest wille exercise the Universite of Cambrige by wyte of Lernyng, thanne I wolle that he be founde there during the saide vj yeres, and that he have the saide sallarie there.
Item I biqueith xl li to be disposed by myne Executors after there wise discretions to there mariages of pouer maidens of good name and fame and of honest conversation, aswell of the Citie of London as elles where, to be delivered and paide unto theme in v yeres next after my disceace, by v even portions, that is to witte, yerely therof viij li.
Provided allweye that any maiden p(ar)tener to my same biquest excede not to her mariage the some of iij li vjs viijd.
Item if in case be that I, the saide William Purches, pay not and deliver not in my life tyme the some of x li sterlinge towards the bielding and newe making of a kechen and other necessarie houses to be edified at the Guyldehall for the comon wele of this Citie of London, than I wolle that myne Executors after my diseace shall pay and deliver of my goods for the same intent the saide some of x li or asmuche therof as shall hapon to be unpaid the day of my disceace.
Item I biqueith to the Worksof the bodie of the Parishe churche of Saint Botulph and Saint Peter in Morley in the Countie of Northfolk by even portions lxvjs viijd.
Item I biqueith to be disposed among the pouer housholders and my pouer tenants in Depeham in the saide Countie after the discretion of Robert Fuller1 xxxs.
Item I biqueith in like wise to be disposed amonge the pouer housholders and my pouer tenants in the parish of Morley aforesaide after the discretion of the Curate there xls.
Item I biqueith to the children of John Snaithin vj li xiijs iiijd.
Item I biqueith to Isabell the wif of William Palmer vj li xiijs iiijd.
Item I biqueith to Nicholas Davy of Norwiche my best gowne save oon and in money lxvjs viijd.
Item I biqueith to the Susters of Robert Purches late my cosen nowe decessed x li.
Item I biqueith to the Comen boxe of the mistere of mercers of the Citie of London toward the supportation of the charges of the mistere xx li.
Item I biqueith to the comon boxe of the freternite of Saint John Baptist, founded by the taillors of the Citie of London towards the supportation of the charges of the same fraternitie, vj li xiijs iiijd.
Item I biqueith to the reparation and emending of High Weis within xx myles aboute the Citie of London where moost nede shalbe thought, by the wise discretions of myne Executors, in iiij yeres next after my disceace by iiij even portions l li.
Item if a conduyt be made conveide in Busshoppesgate strete of London within iij yeres next after my disceace, then I wille and biqueith l marc to be bistowed by myne executors towarde the making and conveying of suche a conduyt of new to be made.
Item I relese and pardone to John Parett mercer all suche dewties and sommes of money as the same John owith to me the day of the date of this my present testament. And I will that this my present testament be unto him sufficient discharge in that behalve. Provided allwey that the same John Parett geve and deliver of that dewtie and sommes of money by me unto him so pardoned to every childe that he nowe hathe of his body begoten, aswell men children as women children, whanne they come to ther laufull age or be maried, if the saide John Parett be thanne of pouer therto v li.
Item I biqueith to John the sonne of the same John Parett vj li xiijs iiijd.
Item I geve and biqueith to of myne owne goodes to every of the other children of the same John Parett over and a bove all the saide dewties and sommes of money by me to him above pardoned to be delivered unto theme when they come to ther lawfull age or be maried xls.
Item I geve and biqueith to the saide John Parett all myne estate and terme of yeres the whiche I have for to come of and in all that Wyndemyll with theappurtenances whiche I have and holde to ferme for terme of yeres of the Chamber of London sett in a place beside London called no manys londe. To have and to holde all the saide mille with theappurtenances, and all myne astate and terme of yeres of and in the same to the saide John Parett, to his executors and assignes, from the day of my disceace forthward unto thende and full accomplisshment of all myne astate and terme of yeres thanne for to come of and in the same, to the saide John Parett his executors or assignes, yelding, paing and doing therfore during the same terme as I am bounde for to yelde, pay or do for the same.
Item I relesse and pardon to John Smyth, late my servannte, xiiij li xd sterlinge of a rest of an olde rekenyng bitwen him and me. And I will that this my present testament be sufficient discharge to him in that behalve. Provided allwey that the same John Smythe geve and deliver of the same dewtie of xiiij li xd by me unto him so pardoned to every childe that he hathe nowe of his body begoten, aswell men children as women children, whanne they come to ther laufull age or be maried if the saide John Smyth be of power therto xls.
Item I biqueith to the same John Smyth and his wif over and above the said xiiij li xd, xx li.
Item I biqueith to my cosen Isabell wif of John Botomseve v li.
Item I biqueith to John Botomseve sone of the same John Botomseve and Isabell To be paide to him whan he comyth to laufull age x marc.
Item I biqueith to either of ij doughters of the saide John Botomseve the fader to be delivered to theme whanne they come to laufull age or be maried xls.
Item I biqueith to Margarete my wif in the name of her dower and purpart belonging unto her, or the whiche that she may clayme after the lawe usage or custome of the Citie of London or after any other law usage or custome, of all my goods, catells and detts m marc in redy money, and as muche plate of myne of goldsmythes werke as will extende to the value of l li. And the halvedele of all myne hustilments and stuffe of householde longing unto my hall, parlor, Pantry, Botery, kechyn and Chambres at this daie being in my dwelling place within the Citie of London, The residue of my saide plate excepted and reserved.
And I biqueith and will that the saide Margarete my wif shalhave & receyve yerely by thands of myne Executors, from the daie of my disceace forthwarde during her naturall life, xl marc sterlinge at ij termes of the yere, that is to witte, on Feste of Estern and Saint Mighell tharcangell by even portions. The furst terme of payment therof to be gynne at the fest of the said ij feste which shall happen to falle next after the disceace of me, the saide William Purches. And I will that the same yerely xl marc be hadde of the money comyng and growing of the sale of my manors, londs and tenements in Depeham and Morley with theappurtenances in the Countie of Northfolk.
Provided allwey that if the saide Margarete my wife, or any other persone or persones for her, or in her name, right, title or interest after my disceace, clayme and wilhave of myne Executors any more of my goodes, catalles and detts for her part, right or interesst after the lawe, usage or custome of the saide Citie of London or after any other Lawe, usage or custom, thanne I have above biqueithed unto her, thanne I will that all my biquests unto her above made, aswell of the saide yerely xl marc as of all other my goodes in all maner degrees, be voide and hadde for nought.
And than I wille that the saide Margarete my wif have for her part of my movable goods, catelles and detts but suche part only as she or any other personne or persones for her or in her name or Ryght shall mawe obteyne by any Lawe or custome and no more.
Item I biqueith to Bartilmewe Rede Citizein and Alderman of London to thentent that he take upon him to be oon of thexecutors of this my present testament xx li.
Item I biqueith to Thomas Filding gentilmean under like forme for his part xx li.
Item I biqueith to William Banknett Citezein and mercer of London under like forme for his parte xx li.
Item I biqueith to Avery Rawson mercer under like forme xx li.
Item I biqueith to Master Edward Charnebroke clerke under semblable fourme xx li.
Provided allwey that if any of the saide Bartilmew Rede, Thomas Felding, William Banknott, Avery Rawson, Master Edward Charnebroke wilnot take upon hym the charge of thexecution and performannce of this my present testament, thanne I will that he so refusing the same charge be and stonde as oon of the Overseers of this my present testament, and be helping and ayding myne Executors in and aboute the trewe performannce of this my present testament. And that he have for his labor in that behalve of my bequest of xx li the some oonly x li and no more.
Item I biqueith to master John Chapman doctor of divinite to be oon of the overseers of myne Executors of this my present testament Cs.
Item I biqueith to William Holibrande Citezein and taillor of London to be an other of the same Cs.
Item I biqueith to Barbara Lovell my servannt x li.
And the Residue of all my goodes, catelles and dettes whatsoever they be after my funerall expenses fully done, my detts fully paide, the whiche I owe to any personne or persones, my biquests conteyned in this my present testament, And also all other things concernyng the same fully performed and executed, I wolle and bequeith to be devided by myne Executors aforesaide in to iiij equall parts, and the same iiij equall parts to be disposed by myne Executors in deds of charity here suyngly writen, that is to witte, oon part therof to be converted to the deliverance of pouer prisoners out of prison suche as may be delivered and redemed for the some of xxs at the moost or within or of other such as may be delivered or redemed by lesse sommes of money, as farforthe as that same oon part will extende therto.
And other part of the same residue to be converted to the being of clothe wollen and lynen, and to be made in to garments, Shirts, breches and Smoks, and they so redy made to be disposed and geven to pouer housholders and other pouer people dwelling in the Citie of London and Subbarbes of the same, and also in the Countrey after the saide discretions of myne Executors, aslong as that parte will extende therto.
And other part of the saide Residue to be converted to the repairing and amending of Ruynous and feble high weyes, briggs and passages about the Citie of London and elleswhere, where as my saide Executors by there wise discretions shall seme moost nede to be done, aslong as that part will extende therto.
And an other parte of the saide Residue to be converted to the funding of pouer scolers to the Universitees aforehersed in to the tyme that they be promoted there to the degrees of Bacheler of divinite and doctor of the same, as far as the same part will extend therto.
Moreover it is fully myne entent and last wille that if there falle any dymynition of my goods, catelles and detts, as by losse of my goods and catelles, or elles by losse or by none payment or by insufficiency of my detts owing unto me, wherethrough all my goodes, catelles and detts wilnot suffice to the performyng of my Legacies aforesaide as god it defende, Thanne I woll that my saide Executors there be made an equall defaltation of all my Legacies above rehersed, pounde pound like peny and penny like.
And I will that after my funeralles expenses in forme aforerehersed be fully paide, And that all other ordinary charges be borne and done for me that owen to be borne and done, that thanne all the Residue of my saide goodes, catelles and detts whatsoever, they be converted and applied towarde thexecuting and performyng of my legacies aforesaide. So that to every persone legatorie, distribucion to be made rate rate like asmuche as is his part of my saide legacie so may extende unto after the saide defaltation deducted.
And of this my present testament I make and ordeyne myne Executors:
– the saide Bartilmew Rede Citezein and Alderman of London,
– Thomas Felding gentilman,
– William Banknott,
– Avery Rawson Citizeins and mercers of London, And
– master Edward Charnbroke, Clerke.
And there Overseers of the same, I make and ordeyne the saide Master John Chapman, doctor of divinite, and William Halibrande, Citezein and taillor of London.
In witnesse wherof to this my present writing & testament I have sett my seale and subscribed it with myne owne hande. Geven the day and yere above rehersed. And all other testaments and willes by me made afore this I utterly revoke and adnulle by this my present writing, and none other testament or wille of myne to take any effect or strenght except this present writing allone.
Codicil to the Will of William Purchas
In the name of god Amen,
by this present writing made by me, William Purchas, late Allderman, Citezein and mercer of the Citie of London, the xxvij daie of January the yere of our lorde after the course and countyng of the Churche of Englande a thousand fyve hundreth and two [ie, 1503], The whiche I wille as a codicell to be added and annexed unto my testament made the fourthe daie of the month of January the yere of our lorde m ccccc i, I will make and odeyne John Reede of London, notary publike and Bacheler of bothe Lawes, oon of the Overseers of my saide testament and of this my last will.
And furthermore for the trewe performannce of all and singular suche Legacies, dispositions and ordinannces whiche bey conteyned in my saide testament and in this my last will, that is to sey, that I will that aswell the redy money, plate and Juelles which shalbehapen me to be possessed of the day of my discease, as all suche sommes of money as my saide Executors or any of theme shall afterwarde happen to receyve of any of my dettours, or for any other moveable goodes of myne owne by reason of execution of my saide testament, shalbe gadered to giddere, conveid and put in to oon chest with foundrye lokke theruppon, to remayn within the house or hospitall of Saint Thomas of Acres in the Warde of Chepe of London, assone as it may be goodely after my disceace.
And that aswell every of myne Executors named in my saide testament, as master John Chapman, doctor of divinite, and William Halybrande, Citezein and taillor of London, overseers of my said testament named Also in my same testament, and the said John Reede, thre overseers herin named, shalhave a keye unto the same cheste and that no parte of the saide money, plate or Juelles so conveide and put in the saide cheste be minished or hadde out therof by my saide Executors or by any of theme, without the vewe and oversight of the saide master John Chapman, William Halibrande and John Rede there, overseers, or two of theme.
Item I will and charge all and everyeche of my said Executors that they and everyeche of theme assone as they may, or any of theme shalhappen to receyve Levie, or come to the posssession of any suche money, Juelles, plate or any other of my goodes or detts as is aboverehersed in all goodly hast assone as they, or any of them, by diligence therin to be made, can have the presence of the other then or his coexecutor or coexecutors and of the saide Overseers or two of theme, or att the uttermost within xij daies next and Immediatly suyng, shal make delivere of the same money, plate, Juelles, goodes and detts in to the saide chest so by theme to be made, and to be sett in the saide house or hospitall of Saint Thomas of Acres.
And also I will in any wise that if any of my saide Executors by colour, craft, studye or any subtile meane, breke or enforce to breke any poynte or parte of my Last will conteyned in my saide testament and this my codicill, or be aboute to lett, trouble or vexe his coexecutor or coexecutors or the saide Overseers in or aboute the trewe performyng of this my last will, or aboute thexecution of my goodes according to the playne and trewe comen understonding of the sam, that thanne the executor so doing be compted for a breker of my last wille, and reputed and taken for a person suspect in his administration.
And that the saide master John Chapman, William Halibrande and John Reede, Overseers, and every of them thanne leving, denownce and shewe the same executor so doing unto the ordinary whome it shalhappen to have the probate of my saide testament and last wille, or his successour in that his office. And that the saide Ordynary without any solempnite of processe in the lawe, knowing summarily of the promisses, discharge and utterly remove the executor or Executors so doing for his suspitious dealing in that behalve from all thadministration and execution of my saide testament and last wille.
So that the executor so doing never after have pouer to intromitte nor medle in the same but utterly be excluded forever.
And I biqueith to the saide John Reede Notary overseer abovenamed for his labor to be hadde in the premisses v li.
In witnesse wherof herunto I have putte my seale. Thise being witnesses of Sir Robert Chillingham Chapelayne, John Barnarde mercer, John Rawson, mercer and other.
Probate before master Roger Churche DD on the 6th April 1503
With thanks to James Brown for this transcription of the will and codicil of William Purchas.
The probate copy is held by Canterbury Cathedral Archives, ref: CCA-DCc/Register/F, folios 202r-205r
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Footnotes
- Robert Fuller became a lessee of the Manor of Deopham in 1505 with Thomas Kersay & John Alexander – CCA U63/72888 ↩︎
| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| 9/11/26 | Published |
