Gc ^
929.72062 Su29h v.l 1289951
■TNE^^LOGY '-^OLL'^CTK
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC L'BRAFIY
N COUNTY PUBLIC
iillllil
3 1833 00855 4088
,J-/V^
d -xnr^
0 o^
D '
VISITATION OF SUFFOLKE,
1561.
PRINTED BY SAMUEL TY3IMS, 60, HIGH STREET, LOWESTOi
Jiatrierinc JfulJe wife a/Sr'r 'JJiomas C/c/^ton Jfn ? yhinica/jiass in M^firc^ CAurcA. of aboTj.i MT^. jiedncSdto abouir //si'
THE
VISITATION OF SUFEOLKE.
MADE BY WILLIAM HERVEY.
CLARENCEUX KING OF ARMS, 1561
FAMILY DOCUMENTS, OEIGINAL WILLS, JERMYN, DAVY, AND OTHER MSS., &c.
JOSEPH JACKSON HOWARD, LL.D., F.S.A.
HONORARY MEMBER OF THE SUFFOLK INSTITUTE OP AJSCHJEQ-LOOY, &C.
h.
9X^.1 ^0(e'X ■^^^•^-
LOWESTOFT' SAMUEL TYMMS, 60, HIGH STREET.
LONDON: ■WHITTAKER AND CO., AVE MARIA LAN]
1866.
'i , lB8995i
^^
^
PREFACE.
The earliest known Visitation of the County of Suffolk, is that made by William Hervey or Hai'vey, Clarencieux King of Arms, by vii'tue of a commission to visit his province, dated 5 and 6 Philip and Mary, and is now for tlie first time printed.
A folio volume, in the library of the College of Arms, marked G. 7. has been considered by the best authorities to be the original Visitation. Tlie descents in this vokmie are given narratively, that is, as they would be taken down from the mouth of inform- ants, but not reduced to the form of genealogical tables ; and the arms tricked in a very bold style. It bears the following title : —
" The Visitacon off Suffolke, made by "Wyllyam Heruye, esquyre, otherwyse called Clarenoiuls, principall herald and Kinge of Armes of the South, East, and Weat Parties of Englond, from the ryver of Trent sowth- warde, begon the xvijtli daye of July, Ano 1561, and the third yere of Queene Elizabtth."
But Httle is known of Hervey, no pedigree of his family having been recorded in the College of Arms. He was, it is believed, a native of Suffolk, and was made Bluemantle Pursuivant by patent, dated 18 Jime, 1544; and thence promoted to the office of Somerset ■ Herald, by patent, 19 Dec. 1545 ; afterwards became Norroy King of Arms, by patent, 4 Feb., 1550; and ultimately, Clarencieux King of Ai-ms, by patent, 6 Sept., 1557. He died 27 February, 1566, leaving beliind him the reputation of a learned and laborious genealogist.
The next Visitation was that by Robert Cooke, Clarencieux, in 1577, of which the original is in the library of the College of Anns, and copies in the British Museum {Ilarl MSS., 891, 151)0).
In 1611, William Camden, Clarencieux, by his deputy, John Raven, also visited Suffolk. Copies of this, the last Visitation, are in the College of Ai-ras and British Museum {Harl. MSS., 1560, 1820, f. 11).
Besides the copies of the Visitation of 1561 in the College of Arms, marked MSS. G. 14, H. 13, H. 14, and Vincent MS., No. 144, the following are to be found in the British Musemn, and have all been collated for the present edition.
Tlie earliest, and perhaps the best of these copies is numbered 1103 in the Harleian Catalogue. Tlu-oughout this book the descents are given narratively: and the pedigrees have additions made to them, in some cases as late as 1683.
In the yeai- 1618, Sampson Lennard, Bluemantle Pursuivant, made with his own hand the copy now marked Harl. 1177. Tlie pedigrees follow pretty exactly the consecutive arrangement of the first mentioned cojjy, No. 1103. Some few additional famihes are given (on what authority does not appear), and as in MS. 1103, the descents occasionally brought do\vn. This copy being very legibly wi-itten, and the work of a professional herald, has been em- ployed conjointly with MS. 1103, as the basis of the present text, the vai-ious readings fi-om the other copies bemg noted when im- portant.
Closely agreeing with Lennard's Book, and if not a transcript from it, still from the same source, is the 3IS. Lansdoume, 876.
A fourth copy of this Visitation exists in a volume {Harl. 1560), which differs from the foregoing copies in the arrangement of the pedigrees. Li several instances this copy (and the next), gives information as to dates in early descents, not to be foimd in the other MSS.
Harl. 1449, contains a large collection of Suffolk pedigrees, in- cluding most (if not the whole) of tlie present Visitation. Tlie text appears to be that of the last ai'ticle.
Lastly, a carefully written copy will be fomid also in the Harleian Collection, numbered 155. The arrangement of the pedigrees in this book, does not exactly agree with that of any of the others.
Tlie wills of the Prerogative Court of Canterbuiy, which have recently been tlu-own open to literary enquirers, fi-om their com- mencement in the latter part of the fom-teenth century, to the year 1700, will be examined for the pm-pose of illustrating the pedigrees contained in this Visitation ; Mr. W. H. Hart, F.S.A., having imdertaken to supply fi-om tliis source copies of all the Suffolk wills which were proved in that Com't, as well as other documents of a kindi-ed nature, which will lend additional value to the Visitation now published.
The Editor has derived much assistance from the valuable Suffolk Collections formed by the late D. E. Davy, Esq., of Ufford, which are now preserved among the Additional MSS., British Museum. His thanks are especially due to Richard Almack, Esq., F.S.A. ; the Rev. G. H. Dasliwood, F.S.A. ; Thomas W. King, Esq., F.S.A., York Herald; John Nieholl, Esq., F.S.A. ; and to Charles Spencer Perceval, Esq., LL.D., F.S.A., for much valuable infor- mation relatmg to many of the pedigrees, &c.
J. J. H.
*^* The Pedigrees as given in the Visitation of 1561 are printed in Italic, and the additions in Roman time.
CONTENTS,
EDEN FAMILY.
Pedigree in All Saints' Churcli, Sudbury . . Extracts from Eegisters of ditto WiU of Henry Edone, 1518 . .
Thomas Edone, 1543 ..
Harry Edone, of Barnyngliam, 1545
Richard Edone, Archdeacon of i
George Eden, of Sudbury, 1558 . .
Grissell Eden, of Sudbury, 1572 . .
Sir Thomas Eden, the elder. Knight, of Sudbm-y, 1613
of BaUidon, Knight, 1615 . .
■ Thomas Eden, Doctor of Lawe, 1643 .. ,, 13
Monument of Dr. Eden, in Trinity Hall, Camhs. . , . , 16
Notes to Eden Wills .. ., ., .. 16
Pedigree of Eden .. ., .. .. .. 18
CLOPTON FAMILY.
Arms of Clopton , . . . . , . . . , 20
Names of all such Families as Clopton hath matched withall .. 21
Shield of Clopton quartei-ings, from Monument of Sir- AVilliam ) „,
Clopton, and his fij-st wife Anne Barnardiston . . J
Clopton Portraits, Melford Church . . . , . . 24
Extracts firom Melford and Lavenham Eegisters . . . . 25
Groton Eegisters . . , . . . 26
Clare and Listen Eegisters . . , . . . 27
Will of Sir Thomas de Cloptone, 1383 .. .. .. 29
. Katherine de Tendryngge, 1404 . , . . - . . 30, 42
Administration of Felicia Clopton, 1409 . . . , . , 33
Charter of Eobert Clopton, and others, 17 Hen. VI . . . . 34
Willof John Clopton, of Melford, 1494 .. .. .. 34
Sir William de Clopton, 1376 .. .. .. 40
William Clopton, who died in 1446 , . . . 42
CONTENTS.
y^ia of Edward Clopton, 1504
Dorothy Clopton, 1508
William Clopton, 1518
1523
Will of John Clopton, 1524 . .
Sir WiUiam Clopton, 1530
John Clopton, 1541 . .
Inquisition on the Death of John Clopton, 34 Hen. VIII "Win of Francis Clopton, 1559 Administration of "WilUam Clopton, 1562 . , Inqiiisition on the death of ditto Will of Elizaheth Wythersby, 1563
George Clopton, 1565
Administration of William Clopton, 1569 . .
Inquisition upon the Death of Francis Clopton, Esq., 1579
Administration of George Clopton, 1587 ..
Win of William Clopton, Esq., 1588
Administration of Francis Clopton, Esq., 1589
WiU of Thomas Clopton, Esq., 1598
Inquisition on the Death of Thomas Clopton, Esq., 1598
Administration of Mary Clopton, 1600
WiU of EUzaheth Clopton, 1603
Inquisition on the Death of William Clopton, 1613 . .
Administration of Mary Clopton, 1613 ,. ,.
Will of William Clopton, 1615
Inquisition on the Death of Sir WiUiam Clopton, 1619
William Clopton, 1624 . .
1625 ..
1617 ..
1641 ..
Note on the service hy which the Manor of Listen t Inquisition on the Death of William Clopton, 1588-'
1538
WiU of John Clopton, 1570 . .
1590 ..
George Clopton, 1605
. Francis Clopton, 1630
Priscilla Clopton, Widow, 1632
Thomas Clopton, 1643
WUliam Clopton, 1671
Francis Clopton, 1689
Inquisition on the Death of John Clopton. Will of WUliam Clopton, 1623
iheld
CONTENTS.
IX
Clopton Charters . .
Additional Extracts from Parish Registers
Clopton Pedigrees..
Monuments, Melford . .
PAGE. 113
120, 136 121 135
CEANE FAMILY.
Arms of Crane . . . . • •
Monuments in Chilton Church , . . .
Extracts from Eegisters of Chilton
Crane Wais
Will of Rohert Crane, of Chilton, Esc^., 1551
Henry Crane, of Chilton, 1586 . .
Robert Crane, of Chilton, 32 Elizabeth
. Sir Robert Crane, Bart., 16-12 . .
'WiUiam Crane, of Beccles, 1651 . .
Crane Deeds
Crane Family of Norfolk, Exti-acts from Parish Registers Crane Pedigree
SPRING FAMILY.
Arms of Spring . . . , Spring Chapel, Lavenham Extracts from Parish Registers Will of Thomas Spring, 1486 . . 'William Sprynge, 1510
Thomas Spryng, 1523
Alice Sprynge, 1538 . , , ,
John Spring, 1544
Robert Spryng, 38 Henry VIII
1 Edward VI
Thomas Springe, 1556
Robert Springe, 35 Elizabeth
Elizabeth Springe, of Belsted, 40 Elizabeth
Robert Springe, of Darsingham, 1600
Christian Springe, 1605 , ,
Extracts from Parish Registers , ,
Account of the Spring Family , ,
Spring Pedigree . . • . • •
MARTIN FAMILY.
Arms of Martin impaling Ford . ,
Extracts from Melford Eegisters , ,
Martin Inscriptions, Melford Church . . Wai of Heniy Martin, 1435 . .
165 167 169 170 171 171 173 176 178 181 1S4 184 186 187 188
|
CONTENTS. |
|
|
Will of Richard Martyn, 1500 |
PAGB. 209 |
|
Laurence Martyn, 1516 |
211 |
|
212 |
|
|
John Martyn, 1545 . , |
219 |
|
Eohert Marten, 1564 . . |
220 |
|
Extracts from Parish Eegisters |
221 |
|
Monumental Inscriptions |
224 |
|
Martin Pedigrees .. |
225 |
DANIELL FAMILY.
Arms of Daniell quartering Baynard
Extracts from Acton Eegisters
Will of Edmund DanieU, 13 Henry VII
George DanieU, 1563 . .
Thomas Danyell, 1506
Edmund Daniell, 1569
John DanieU, 1583 ,.
Daniel Pedigrees . .
CORDELL FAMILY.
Anns of CordeU . .
Grant of Arms to John CordeU, of Melford
WiUiam CordeU, of Melford, 3 Edward VI
Extracts from M elford Eegisters Memoranda on the fly leaves of an old Bible WiU of Sir WiUiam CordeU, 1580
Dame Mary CordeU, 1584
Sir Eohert CordeU, of Melford, 1680
Sir John CordeU, 1690
Monuments in Melford and Flamsted Churches . ,
CordeU
FOLEY FAMILY.
Arms of Foley, 8 quarterings . .
Six John Foley's (of Wrongey) Proofs as to his Coat Armour
Extracts from Parish Eegisters
Deed of Eichard Foley, of Stoke Ash, 15 Henry VI
"WiU of Eohert Foley, of Worlingworth, 1478
Edmund Foley, of Badley, 1504 . .
1548 ..
Eichard Foley, of Boxted, 1559 ..
1541 .,
Anne Foley, of Boxsted, 1549
Sir John Foley, Knight, 1639
270 271 273 273 274 274 275 278 278 280
CONTENTS.
Epitaphs in Badley Church . .
Boxtead Church . .
Hitcham Church . .
St. Mary's Church, Bury St. Edmund's
Foley Pedigrees . .
rULNETBT FAMILY.
Arms of Fulnetby quartering Towers Pedigrees
WARBUETON FAMILY. Arms of Warhurton Pedigrees
APPENDIX.
Eden Pedigree Clopton Pedigree .
6 quarteiings
The Wills illustrating the Fedigrees of Eden, Clopton, Crane, Sphino, and Marttn, hm>e been furnished by Mr. W. S. Sort, F.S.A., as announced in the preface, Mia connection with the worTi has now ceased.
ILLUSTEATIONS.
Efflgy of Katherine Mylde, Wife of Sir Thomas Clopton, Knight, 4 )
Henry IV .. /
Arms of Eden
Arms of Thomas Eden, LL.B., Master of Trinity Hall, Camhridge . .
Seal -vrith Mark of Robert Clopton, 18 October, 17 Henry VI . .
Seal of William Tendeynge, 14 Eichard II . ,
Brass of Francis Clopton , . . . , .
Angel holding Arms of Say impaling J?ray, quartering Danvers . .
Seal of Thomas de Clopton 23 Edward III . .
Seal of Sir William de Clopton, 38 Edward IV
Seal of Sir William de Clopton, 22 Henry IV
Seal of William de Clopton, 13 Henry IV . .
Seal of William Clopton, Esq., 9 Henry VI . .
Anns of Clopton impaling Marrowe, 22 Henry VIII . . . .
Arms of Sir William Clopton, of KentweU, impaUng Barnardiston Seal of Henry Peryent, 6 EUzaheth . , . . , ,
Seal of Paul D'Ewes, of Stowhall , .
Arms of D'Ewes of 4 quarters, impaling Clopton of 4 quarters , . Arms of Clopton, quartering Mylde, Francis, and Say . . . .
Arms of Clopton impaling Peacock , . . . . . . ,
Brass of Margery Franceys, wife of Wm. de Clopton, ob. 2 Henry VI
Brass of a Lady of the Clopton Family . . . , , ,
Brass of a Member of the Clopton Family
Brass of Elizabeth Wiseman, in Stisted Church, Essex
Arms of Crane impaling Jermyn . . . . . • . •
Three Shields of Arms from the Crane Monument, Chilton Church
Crane Monument,. Chilton Church, Suffolk
Arms of Thomas Spring de Laynam
Three varieties of the Spring Badge, or Cloth Mark, from Tower of Laven
ham Church Arms of Flood impaling Spring Seal of Sir William Spring, Knight, t. Jac. I Arms of Calthrop impaling Spriny
PAGE.
frontispiece.
13 34 42 64 24 113 114 114 115 116 117 122 123 130
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
Arms of Spring impaling North, of 27 quarterings
Arms of Spking Casboene . .
Arms of Martin impaling Ford
Arms of Saniell quartering Bai/nard . .
Arms of Threel impaling Baniell
Arms of Cordell . .
Seal of Melford Hospital . .
Autograph of Sir William Cordell, 17 Elizatetli
Arms of Foley of eight quarterings
Autograph of Sir John Foley, of Wrongey . .
Arms of Foltij impaling Fespotine
Arms of Foley of 4 quarterings
Arms of J. G. Weller Polet, Esq., of Boxted
Arms of Foley, of Badley, of nine quarterings
Arms of Fulnethy quartering Toicers ..
Arms of Warburton, of six quarterings
An.
These arms-were granted temp. Henrytlie Eighth ; there is, however, no record in the College of Anna of the exact date.
The Eden arms, as tricked in the Visitation of Essex, are as foUows : — Quarterly 1 and 4, Eden ; 2, Azure, a sun in splendour Or, St. Clere ; 3, Gules, a fess Ermine, hetween three lions' heads erased Or. These quarterings were brought in by the marriage of Sir Thomas Eden, of Sudbury, Knt., with Eliza- beth, daughter and heiress of Sir John St. Clere, of St. Clere HaU, Essex.
On the East wall of AH Saints church, Sudbury, is painted a pedigree of the Eden family, which is now nearly defaced. The shields of arms can in some cases be made out, but the names are entirely illegible. The shields are arranged in four rows. The first row consists of three shields, with the crests of Ede», St. Clere, and Darci/, arranged alternately ; described as follows : —
Crest of Eden. — On a wreath Sable and Gules, a demi-dragon Vert, holding a slip of rose bush in flower Proper. 1 shield. — Eden and St. Clere (Aziu-e, a s Crest of St. Clere. — A Saracen's head in ] a fillet Or.
2. Eden impaling Waldegrave.—'PeT pale Argent and Gules.
3. Eden and St. Clere quarterly, impaling Argent, three cinqnefoils Gules — Sarcy. Crest of Darey. — A demi-virgin habited Or, holding in right hand a branch of cinque- foils all Proper, charged on breast with a crescent Sable.
In the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th rows, the shields are as follows : — 1. Eden, impaling Argent, a lion rampant Gules, debruised by a bend raguly Or, —
Or,) quarterly, file Proper, bound round the temples with
i engrailed Or, in the first quarter a mullet of the
Steward.
2. Eden, impaling Sable, last. — Peyton.
3. Blank, impaUng Peyton.
4. Eden, impaling St. Clere.
5. Eden, impaling Sable, a bend hetween six escallops Or, — Foljamb.
6. Or, on a bend Azxae, cotticed Sable, three cinquefoUs of the field — Harris im- paling Foljamb.
7. Quarterly ; Or and Vert — Berners impaling Eden.
8. Argent, a chevron Gules, hetween three (pheons reversed Sable) — Sulyard im- paUng Eden.
9. Eden impaling Steicard.
10. Eden and St. Clere quarterly ; impaling Argent, 2 bars Sable in chief, three pellets — G-rey.
11. Sable, three estoiles Or, (a hordure of the first,) impaling Eden and St. Clere, quarterly.
12. Edm and St. Clere quarterly, impaling Darcy.
! VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE.
13. (Azure) on a fesse (Or.) between three swans' heads (erased of the second) as lany cinquefoils (Gules) impaling Berneis.
14. Karris impaling Siilyard.
15 and 16. Siilyard impaling blank. 17 and 18. Blank impaling Siilyard.
19. iS<o(/(?ffcrf impaling blank.
20, 21, and 22. Blank impaling Stoddard.
23. Eden and St. Clere quarterly, impaling blank.
24 and 25. Bden and St. Clere quarterly, with label of 3 points Gules, impaling blank.
26 to 35. Blank impaling Eden and St. Clere quarterly.
EXTRACTS FROM STTDBURY (aLL S.UICTS) EEGISTEES.
1572. Elizabeth, the daughter of Mr.
Thomas Eden, was baptized the 18
of Marche. 1591. Elizabeth, da. of Mr. Thomas Eden,
was bapt. ye 2nd of Feby. 1595. Mary, da. of Mr. Thomas Eden, was
bapt. ye 19 of Jauuai-y. 1601. Dorothy, da. of Mr. Thomas Eden,
was bapt. ye 8 daye of April. 1607. John, the sonne of Sr. Thomas Eden,
Kaight, baptized the 5 of August. 1609. Eobert, the sonne of Sr. Thomas
Eden, Knight, was baptized
1611. Mris. Anne, the daughter of Sr.
Thomas Eden, Knight, was baptized
the 9th daye of October. 1613. Mrs. Penelope, the daughter of Sr.
Thomas Eden, Knight, was baptized
28 daye of November. 1615. Mr. WiUiam, the sonne of Sr.
Thomas Eden, Knight, was baptized
9 daye of December. 1617. Mrs. Elizabeth, the daughter of Mr.
Eoger Wentworth, baptized ye 18
September. 1631. Mary, daughter of Mr. John Eden,
baptized 2 of February. 1633. John, son of Mr. John Eden, Esq.,
■riz. his heyre, baptized 6 of Feb- ruary. 1635. Thomas, son of Mr. John Eden, Esq.,
bapt. 27 of August. 1637. Eichaid, son of John and Anne
Eden, babt. on ye 2nd of Maye.
MARRIAGES.
1574. Mr. Eichard Eden, and Mrs. Mar- garet Peyton, were maryed the 3rd of Januarye.
1589, Mr. Nicholas Stoddar, and Mrs.
EUzabeth Eden, were marryed the 9th of September. 1619. ilr. Eoger Thornton, and Mrs.Mary Eden, were maryed the 15th daie of Deer.
1.568. 1674. 1600.
1614. 1619.
Mr. Eden was buryed the 8th day
of August.
Mrs. EUzabeth Eden was buryed
the 2nd of Dec.
Thomas, the sonne of Mr. Thomas
Eden was buried ye 20 of Maye.
"William, the son of Mr. Wentworth
of Gosfield, Esquii-e, was buried the
20th day of November.
The Ladye Maiy, wiffe of Sr. Thos.
Eden, Knight, was bur. the 28 daie
of October.
Sir Thomas Eden, Knt., was burd.
the 1st daie of July.
Mr. Eobert Eden, the sonne of Six
Thomas Eden, Knt., was bur. the
3 day of Deer.
Mr. Saint Clere Eden, buryed 22 of
May.
1631. Mary, daughter to Mr. John Eden, Esquire, buryed 1 1 of February.
1634. John, sonne of Mr. John Eden, buryed 4 of June.
1637. Eichai-d Eden was buried on ye 1 1th of January.
1638. Mrs. Anne Eden waa buried on ye 22 of August.
1656. Mary the Lady Eden was buried
Feb. 10. 1663. Mrs wife of Mr. John Eden,
was bm-yed the 19tb of November. 1672. Mr. Thomas Eden was buried the
22 day of Febniary. 1675. Mrs. Anne, wife of John Eden,
Esquire, was buried the 18th day of
April.
VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE.
WILL OF HENRT EDONE.— 1518.
In Dei nomine Amen, I Henry Edone, marchaunt of the Staple at Caleis, beinge hole and parfite of mynde, thanked bo God, make, ordeyn, and declare my testament and last wille of all my goodes, catalles, dettea that I have, or herafter shalhave, and of my londes and tenementes wherof any persone or persones bene or herafter shalbe aeased or ought to be seased to myue use, or wherof I am or shalbe sole seased in my demeane as of fee within the citie of London, orelleswhere, etc.
First, I bequethe my soule to the mercy of Almighty Jhesu my maker, and my body to be buried at Ci-iste's Churche in Londone, nere my brother Assheby, where myne executours shal thinke moost conTeuient.
Item, I woU have a preest to singe for my sonle, and my fi-endes soules, by the space of V yeres next after my decesse, and the same preest to have for his stipende every yere x marcs.
Item, I woUe that my dettes whiebe I owe to any persone or persones in any maner of wise be fully content and paid according to rights and conscience. And, in caase I owe to make any restitucion to any persone for any injury, wrong, or trespasse by me doone, and that laufuUy proved, I woU that they be recompensed and satisfied therfor of my moveable goodes. And that doone, I woll, ordeyne, declare, and it is my full, complete, and pei-fite wille and mynde, that asweU the residue of my goodes, cataUes, and dettes, after my dettes beforsaid paid and restitucion made, if any shalbe requisite, as also all and singuler my said landes and tenementes be dispoased, bequethed, and ordeyned, as it shall please myne executours herin named, oreUes the executours of my brother Maister Richard Edone to ordre geve and dispoase, and such ordre, gyfte, and disposicion as my said executours or thexecutours of my said brother from tyme to tyme shall make of the said residue of my said goodes, cataUes, and dettes, and of every par- cel! therof, as of all and every parcell of my said londes and tenementes, shalbe my bequest, declaracion, gifte, and ordenaunce, and so to be taken and accepted as yf I my self by exprease wordes in this my present testament and last will had soo plenarly and parfltely willed, declared, biquethed and ordeyned.
Item, if I have aay other testament then this that I have made in wryting or declared by mouthe at any tyme hertofore I nowe revoke the same. And yf any suche be, I woUe and declare it to be voide and of noone effect.
Item, of this my testament and last wiUe I name and ordeyne to be myne executours my brother Maister Ricbai-d Edone, Archidiacone of Middlesex, and my speciaU goode Maister Robert Tonys. And I require my speciall good lorde my lorde of Armaohaue and Maister Thomas Larke to be my supervisours.
In witnesse wberof I have subscribed my name, and set to my seaU the xxviii day of July, in the yere of our Lord God ml. v^. and xviii.
_ Probatum fiiit testamentum suprascripti defuncti coram domino apud Lamehithe, nono die mensis Decembris anno Domini miUesimo quingentesimo decimo octavo, jurameuto magistri Ricardi Edone, executoris in hujusmodi testamento nominati, ac approhatum et insumatmn. Et commissa fuit administratio omnium et singulorum bononim et debi- tonmi dicti defuncti prsefato executori de bene et fideUter admiuistrando, ac de pleuo et fideli inventario citra festum Pm'ificationis Beatse Maria; Vii-giuis proximo futurum ex- hibendo,necnon deplane et vero compote reddendo ad Sancta Dei EvangeUa jurat' reservata potestate, etc., alteri executori, etc., cum venerit, etc.
(From the Registry of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. Ayloffe 12.)
WILL OF THOMAS EDONE.— 1543.
In the name of God, Amen, the thirde day of May, in the yere of our Lord God, a thousande fyve himdi-eth fourty and thre, and in the xxxv yere of the reigne of our Soveraigne Lord King Henry the Vlllth. I, Thomas Edone, Citezein and Salter of London, being sicke in body, but nevertheles of good and parfite mynde and remem- braunce, lawde and praise be unto Almighty God, make and dispoase this my testament and last wiU in founue folowing — that is to sey ;
■i VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE.
First, I geve and recommende my soule unto Almighty Jesu my Saviour and Ee- demer, in whom and by the merites of whose Missed deathe, passione, and resurectione I trust and beleve to be sarid, and to have full and clere remission and forgyvenes of my synnes. And I woll that my body' be buried in the Churcheyarde of Saint MigheU, at Quene Hithe, in Londone, where I am a parisshoner, with as Utle charge as may be. And after my body buried, than I will that all and singuler suche debtis, and dueties as I owe to any parsone or parsones shalbe truely paid, and after my dettes paid, than I woU that all and singuler my goodes, cataUes, housholde stuffe, and redy money, shalbe devided into thre partes, according to the custume of Londone, wherof one righte parte therof I geve and bequethe to Isaad my wife, to hir owne propre use, oon other parte therof to Anne Edone ray doughter, to be delivered hir at hir laufiiU age of xxi>' yeres or mariage, whiche shall first happen, and if the said Anne fortune to decesse before she come to hir laufull age or mariage, that than I woll that hir parte and porcione shall remayne to my wife, and the thlrde parte I reserve to myselfe towardes the perfour-- maimce of my wiHe.
Item, I geve and bequethe to the high awter for tithes by me forgotten iiijf/. The residue of all and singider my goodes, catalles, housholde stuiFe, and redy money, after my dettes paid, the costes of my buriaU doone, and this my testament fiilfilled,"l woll shall remayne to myn exeeutours, they to bestowe the same in deades of charitie, at their dlscrecions.
And of this my present testament and last will I make and ordeyn Isaad my wife, and William Flecton, myne exeeutours. And I geve and bequethe to the said WiUiam for his labour and paynes, therin to be taken twenty shillinges. •
In witnesse wherof henmto I have sett my seall the day and yere above written, per me Thomas Edone, per me James Ketill, Robert Piatt, per me Thomam Piersone.
Probatum fnit testamentum suprasoripti defuncti habentis etc , vicesimo secundo die mensis Maii anno Domini miUesimo quingentesimo quadragesimo tertio coram domino apud Londoniam auctoritate domini nostri regis, etc., juramento relicta; et executriois in hnjusmodi testamento nominatae, ac approbatum et insimiatum. Commissaque fuit administi'atio onmitim et singulorum bonorum jurinm et creditorum dicti defuncti pro- fatoe executrici de bene et fideliter administrando, ae de pleno et fideli inventario secundo die post festum Sanctae Fidis virginis proximo fiiturum exhibendo, necnon de piano et vero compoto reddendo ad Sancta Dei Evangelia juratse, reservata potestate alteri execu- tori in hnjusmodi testamento nominate ciun venerit, etc.
(From the Registry of the Prerogative Com-t of Canterbury. SpeH 20.)
WILL OF HARRY EDON OF BARJTYNGHAM.— 1645.
In the name of God, Amen, the xxiii'h day of Decembr, in the yere of our Lorde God a thowsaimde {jve hundreth foiutie and fyve, and in the xxxviith yere of the reigne of our soveraigne Lorde King Hem-y the Vlllth etc, I Harry Edon of Bamyngbam within the dyocese of Norwiche, hole of mjmde and of goodd remembraimce, thanckes being imto Almightie Jhesu, make and ordeyne this my testament and last will in manner and fourme following.
First and principaHe before all thinges I geve commende and hequeth my soule to Abnightie God my Maker Creator and Redemer, by meritte of whose passion I whoHe trust to be saved, and to atteyne and come to his glory in heaven.
Item I geve and bequetb my karkase and body to the earthe, therein in some hoUe place whereas it shalbe thought mete by myne exeeutours to be bmryed soone aftre my decease.
Item I will that myne exeeutours shall dispende abowte my funeralles the day of my bmiaU, and to suche pore people being within the towne, as my exeeutours shall thincke moste charritable, the some of three poimdes.
Item I win that myne exeeutours shall doo one dirige and masse to be saide and kepte for me uppon my seventh day, and there to be expended abowte the same, the some of fomtie shillinges.
Item I geve and bequeth imto the highe aulter within the churche of Bamyngbam, for my tithes and offeringes by me necligently paide the some of fyve shillinges.
Item I will myne executors shall finde ymmediatly aftre my decease by the space and
VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE. 5
terme of one hole yere, one honnest priste to sing and pray for my soule, my father and mother soulea, and all cristeu soules, he receving for Us sallary and waiges for the saide yere the some of eight marcs, and that to be paide unto hym by myne executours quarterly, that is to say, foure termes of the yere.
Item I wiU myne executours as shortly as they convenyently may aftre my decease shall kepe within the churche of Bamyngham one dirige and masse for my soule and all cristen soules, and thereto be expended abowte the same and to the pore people there- aboute, the somme of tenne shillinges.
Item I will there be expended amonges the pore prysonuera within the gaUe of Bury, the some of fy ve shiUinges.
Item I geve and bequeth to Anne my doughter the some of fourtie poundes, if so yt be that the childe the whiche my wiife is nowe withaU be a sonne. And if it shaU for- tune to be a doughter, and to lyve tUl she shalbe of the age of xviii yeres, or elles till she shalbe marryed, that then my saide doughter Anne to have of the saide legacie of fourtie poundes the some of fom-tie marcs, and thoder xxti marcs I geve and bequeth to the saide doughter that shall so fortime to be borne by my saide wiffe and to lyve the tyme above expressed, and the saide legacies and bequestes as well to my saide doughter Anne and to the saide doughter the whiche my wiffe shulde so foi-time to briag fourthe to be delyvered to either of theyme at theii-e several! aiges of xviii yeres, or elles at theire severaU marriages.
Item I geve and bequeth unto my saide doughter Anne twoo peces of silver, thone of theyme being all gilte, and thoder parceU gilte with a cover, six silver spones, three fetherbeddes with the boulsters, three coverlettes, three peare of blanckettes, three paire of sheetes,"twoo dyaper table clothes, and twoo towelles, and aU the legacie to be de- IjTered unto her at her age of xviii yeres, or elles the day of her marriage.
Item I bequeth unto Joan my doughter the some of foiulie poundes uppon euche con- dicion as I have expressed in the legacye of Anne my doughter, or elles she to receve but fom-tie marcs, and that to be paide unto her at her age of xvui yeres, or elles at the day of her marriage, that is to meane whiche of theyme shall fortune to be firste. And if it shall fortune my wiffe to have a doughter and to ly^^e the tyme as is above ex- pressed in the legacye of the saide Anne my doughter, then I will the saide Joan have of the saide fourtie poimdes the some of fourtie marcs. And the twenty marcs residue of the saide fourtie poimdes I geve and bequeth unto the saide doughter that my saide wiife shall so fortime to bring fourthe, and that to be delyvered unto the saide doughter that my saide wiffe shall so fortime to bring fourthe the day of her marriage or elles at her age of xviii yeres. I geve and bequeth imto the saide Jone my doughter twoo peces of silver, and one dosen of silver spones, three fetherbeddes, three boulsters, iii coverlettes, three paii-e of blanckettes, iii paire of sheates, ii dyaper table clothes, and twoo towelles, and all this to be delyvered imto the saide Jone my doughter at her maniage, or elles at her age of xviii yeres, that is to meane whiche of bothe the saide tymes shall fortune to be firste.
And if it shall fortime that the saide Anne and Johane or either of theyme to dye before they be severaly maryed, or elles have atteyned to theire severaU aiges of xviii yeres, that then all the bequestes of her that shall so fortune to decease I geve and be- queth unto the childe that my wiffe is nowe with whether it shall fortune to be sonne or doughter. And if the saide Anne and Joane fortune bothe to decease before they have receved theii-e severaU legacies, that then I geve and bequeth aU the legacies to thejTn bothe bequethed unto the childe the whiche my wiffe is nowe M'ith. And if my saide wiffe shall fortime to bring fourthe twoo chUdeme at this one tj-me, then I wiU aU the legacies of the saide Anne and Johane so dying as is abovesaide shalbe evinly devyded betwene the saide twoo cluldeme that my saide wiffe shall so foitime to biing foiu-the.
Item if it shall fortime my wiffe to have a somie, I geve and bequeth imto hym my best coverlett of tapstery woorke with the } ictures of Adam and Eve, one fetherbedd with all thinges thereunto belonging, one pau-e of sheates, one paii-e of blanckettes. And if she shall fortune to have a doughter then I will the saide doughter to have thole legacie bequethed by this my last will unto the saide sonne, and the somme of fom-tie marcs as is above affu-med owte of the partes of my said doughters Anne and Joane.
Item I geve and bequeth unto Christofer MurieU my nephewe the some of fourtie shillinges, to be delyvered imto hym at the age of x-viii yeres.
Item I geve and bequeth unto Alice Sponer my sarvaunte yerely during her liffe the some of twentie shillinges, and that to be paide imto her yerely by myne executom-s at twoo termes of the yere, that is to say at the feaste of Ester and Saint Michael tharch- aimgeU by evin porcions.
6 VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE.
Item 1 bequeth unto my brother John Heigbam my godsonne a cupp called a nootte, being boimde with silver and gUte, and the cover being silver and gilte. Item I bequeth unto my brother Thomas Heigbam my flatt pece of aOver. Item I geve and bequetii unto my father in lawe Clement Heigham, a saulte of silver ■ndth the cover, uppon the whiche cover standith a bucte of silver.
All the residue of my gooddes, cattalles, plate stuffe of housholde come monye and all mydettes with all other my gooddes and cattelles, movables and unmoveables whatsoever they be, my debtes paide, and this my present testament and last will fulfilled, I wboUe geve and bequeth theyme unto Elizabeth my wiffe, she to have thejTne to her owen use with- out anny accompte maldng for theyme to anny parson or parsonnes, requiering her to bring fourthe as her poiu-e shall extende my saide childeme.
Item I geve and bequeth unto Elizabeth my wiffe all my howses, landes, tenementes, gardeynes and orchardes whatsoever they be sett lying and being within the towne of Biuy Saint Edmound, to have and to holde all the saide howses, landes, tenementes, gardeynes and orchardes to the said Elyzabeth her executours and assignes during her naturall Hffe, and aftre her decease to remaj-ne to the heires of me the saide Harry Edon for ever.
Item, I also geve and bequeth unto the saide Elizabeth my wiffe all my custumary and copie holde landes and tenementes, medowes and pastures, whatsoever "they be, sett lying and being within the townes and feldes of Bury Saint Edmounde aforsaide,. Fome- ham Marten, aswell all those whiche I holde of the king om- Soveraigne Lorde as of his graces manner of Estegeetebemys as those the whiche I holde of Sir Richarde Long and Dame Margaret his wifie; to have and to holde allthe saide custumaiye and copie- holde landes and tenementes, meddowes, pastures, to the saide Elizabeth my wiffe her executours and assigneis dining her naturall liffe, and aftre her decease to remayne to the heires of me the saide Harry Edon for ever.
The residue of all my gooddes and cattalles here in this my present testament and last will not bequethed I geve and bequeth to myne executours, whome I doo make Elyza- beth my wiffe and Mr. Clement Heigham my father in lawe.
In wittnes wherof I the saide Harry Edon have subscribed my name and sett my scale in the presence of Harry Hudson, Clark, William Deynes and other.
Probatum fuit hujusmodi testamentum coram domino arehiepisoopo Cantuarieusi apud Londoniam, octavo die meusis Novembris anno Domini millesimo quingcntesimo quad- ragesimo sexto, juramcnto WiUielmi Walker nominati publici procuratoris executorum in hujusmodi testamento nominatorum, quibus commissa fuit adiainistratio, ac approbatiun et insumahun. Et commissa fuit administratio omnium bonorum, etc., pra;fatis execu- toribus de bene et tideUter administrando eodem, ac de pleno et fideli inventario exhi- bendo, necnon de piano et yero compoto reddendo ad Sancta Dei EvangeHa in persona dicti procuratoris jurat'.
(From the Registry of the Prerogative Court of Canterbjiy. Alen 19.)
WILL OF RICHARD EDONE, ARCHDEACON OF MIDDLESEX.— 1549.
In Dei nomine Amen, This is the last wiU and testament of me Richord Edone, Arch- deacon of Middelsex, made the sixth day of Decembre anno Domuii millesimo qxiingent- esiino quadragesmo nono.
First, I beseche my merciful! Lord Jhesu to take my soule unto his mercye. And I will that my vrretchid bodye be hiu-yed on the southesideofthe quere of Saint Gregories Churche in Sudbiuy, nere unto the sumtyme Lorde Bisshope Jane. And I will that the prestes and clerkes being present at my buryall be honestly rewarded according to the diserecion of my executour.
Item, I will that the honest poure people of Sudbiuy, aforsaid, and other townes nere adjoynyng, discretely knowen and considered, be relevid assone after my deathe, as con- veniently may be asferre as the summe of tenne pormdes wiU extende. Also, I wiU that immediatly after my decease there be distributed to the honest poiu-e people of the to%vne of Burye Saint Edmunde, where I was borne, the summe of tenne poundes.
Item, I will that diuing the space of fyve yeres immediatly after my deceas, there be yerely distributed and gevyn to the honest poure people of the towne of Sudbmy, tenne markes.
Ifcui, I geve imto Trinitie Halle, in Cambridge, tenne poimdes.
VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE. 7
Item, I geve and bequeth imto the churche of Paules, towardes the reparacious there called the olde workes, tenne poundes.
Item, I geve and bequeth unto the parishe churche of Cranefelde xls.
Item, I bequeth unto the parishe churche of Moche Waldingfelde other xls.
Item, I bequeth to the parishe churche of Dyckleborough, xl.s.
Item, I bequeth to the parishe churche of Saint Gregories in Sudbury, xls.
Item, I remitte and forgeve unto Richard Edone the hundi-eth poundes whiche he hath allredy receyved and had of me. And in like maner I reraitte and forgeve to George Edone all suche money as he hath receyved of me and that he owith me.
Item, I geve unto Thomas Edone, sonne and heii-e unto my nevewe Thomas Edone, one hundreth poundes.
Item, I geve unto yonge Richard Edone my godsonne, the sonne of George Edone, twentie poundes.
Item, I geve unto my snster Bone, xxli.
Item, I geve to George Asshebye, sonne and heire of Thomas Assheby, tenne poundea.
Item, I geve imto my nece Anne Spryng, suche parcell of my plate as she shall chose herselfe to the value of tenne poundes at the lest.
Item, I geve unto my nece Elizabeth Chamberleyn and to her husbonde, xxti markes.
Item, I geve unto my nece Margaret Maynard, hkH.
Item, I remitte and forgeve unto her husbonde Thomas Majmard the dett that he oweth me.
Item, I geve unto William Foster of Yppeswiche, one^standing cuppe with a cover.
Item, I geve unto Nicholas Tavemer one other cuppe."
Item, I geve imto my servaimtes, that is to sey, Thomas Payne, John Mauwode, and Anthony Hubberstye, echo of them foure poundes, and that they my servauntes shall have their accustomable wagis for one yere after my deceas.
Item, I geve unto Thomas Paynes foure childeme eehe of themfyve markes, andeche of theym to be eche others heire yf any of them dye before the receipte therof.
Item, I revoke all other testamentes and wiUes that I have made before the date herof, and of this my present testament and last will I ordeyne and make my nevewe Thomas Edone to be my sole executour, trusting bothe in his discrecion and kyndnes in every behalfe
Item, I will that my said executour cause the highe waye from Balydone upwarde to Buhner Tye or thereaboutes, to be amended where as most nede is as shall be thought moost expedyeut. Other small gyftes and thinges to be doone to Goddes pleasure I re- mytte to the ordre and discrecion of my said executour.
In witnesse hereof I have subscribed this my present last will and testament with myne owne hande the day yere and moneth above written.
Per me Ricardum Edone.
Item, I geve and bequeth unto the thre doughters of Heniy Edone, late of Bury, deceased, twenty poundes, and eche of theym to be others heire, and to be paid unto theym and either of theym at the day ofmariage, or at the age of xxiti yeres, that is to witt, either of theym twentie nobles.
Item, I wfll and geve unto my nevewe Thomas Edone, of Sudbury, the thre acres of lande which I lately pui-chased of Thomas Fullour, to have and to holde the said thre acres of lande imto the said Thomas Edone, and to his heii'es for ever. And in like maner I wiU and geve unto the said Thomas Edone my nevewe and to his heires, a certeyne gardeyn callid Skalders gardeyne, adjoyning unto the orteyarde or gardeyne of the late College of Sudbury.
This is the verey true copye written by me Nicholas Tavemer, and conferred by me John Good.
Per me Ricardum Edone.
Prohatum fuit testamentum suprasoripti defuneti habentis, etc., secundo die mensis Mail anno Domini millesimo quingentesimo quinquagesimo prime, coram domino apud Londoniam, anctoritate domini nostri regis, etc., juramento Thomas Edone executoris in hujusmodi testamento nominati, ac approbatum et insumatum. Commissaque fuit ad- ministratio omnium et singulomm bouorum jurium et crcditorum dicti defuneti prsefato executoii de bene et fideliter administrando, ac de pleno et fideli inventario secundo die post festum Sanctse Fidis proximo futurum exhibendo, neenon de piano et vero compoto reddendo ad Sancta Dei Evangelia jurat'.
(From the Registry of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Bucke 14.)
a VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE.
VILL OF GEORGE EDEN, OF SUDBURY.— 1558.
In the name of God jimen, the twentythe daye of Decembre, in the yeare of om- Lorde God a thowsand tyre hundred fj'ftye and eighte, and in the yeare of the raignes of our soveraigue Ladye Elizabeth, by the grace of God of England, Fraunce, and lerland. Queue Defender of the Faythe, etc. : the fyrste, I, George Eden, of Sudbury, -H-ythein the countj-e of Suffolk, gentylman, beinge of hole mj-ude and perfecte remembraunce, thankcs be to God, make thys my presente testament and laste wyU, in maner and fourme followinge ; —
Fyrste, I bequeath my sowle into the haudes and mercye of Allmyghtye God ; my bodye to be bui-yed wheare yt shall please myne executor.'
Item secondlye, I -sryll all my debtes be trulye and justelye payde, and recompences to be made wheare yt shall justelye appeare that I have don any iujurye.
Item, I gyve unto my fower sonnes Rychard, Charles, Edward, and AVyllyam, all my landes, tenementes, and leases, in Wickhambroke, wythein the eountye of Suffolke, excepte that peace of lande called the Lampeland ; to have and to houlde fi-om the feaste of Seincte Mychaell, tharchaungell, whiehe shalbe in the yeare of our Lorde God a thousand fyre hundred fyftye and nyne, to them and to there heyres for ever ; wythe these two condycions followeinge, that ys to saye, that they and every of them paye yearlye, or cause to be payde unto myne executor, or thexecutors [of] myne executor, the somme of fyre poimdes yearlye, for the space of twentye yeares, whiehe I wyll shalbe yearlye bestowed amongest ye poreste inhabitauntes of Bury Sainete Edmond, Sudbiu"y, and Wyckhambroke, in maner and fourme followeinge, that ys to saye : to the poorest inhabytauntes of Bury, fourty shyllynges ; of Sudbury, fortye shiUinges ; and "Wickhambroke, twenty shiUinges, at Easter, yearlye : and allso that they and every of them permytte my sayd executor, yf he shall thinke so good, to cutt downe, fell, sell, and earrye awaye quyetlye, at any tyme, wythein the space of thre yeares nexte after my decease, all the woode and tymber nowe groweinge upon the too groves adjoyninge to my howse, in "Wyckhambroke, conteyninge nyne acres and on roode, and allso all that the woode and timber groweinge in that parte of the Pryor's ground whiehe WyUyam Ponde nowe occupyeth.
Item, I wyll that my sonne Rychard be payde the twenty pounde whiehe my imcle Archedeacon bequeathed hym, and I rccey^'ed to hys use.
Item, I gyre to my two daughters Brydgett and Anne, to eyther of them, on hundred poundes, and the stocke whiehe I have in Muscovia, and the proffectes thereof, to be delyvered unto eyther of them, at theare severall adges of xviiiten yeares, or dayes of maryadge. And yf eyther of my seyd daughters happen to decease before the seyd adges, or dayes of maryadge, than then 1 wyH that the survyvor have the others parte ; and [if] yt fortune bothe to decease before Uieyr seyd adges, or dayes of marj-adge, that then I wyll the seyd two hundred poimdes, and the seyd stocke in Musco-\-ia, be equallye devyded amongest my seyd children then survyvinge.
Item, I gyve imto Robai-te Smythe, of Wyckhambroke, and to hys heyres for ever, all that my peace of lande called the Lampeland, in Wickhambroke aforesayd, payeinge to myne executor at Seincte Margai-ettes daye nexte, tyften poundes of lawefull monnye of England.
Item I gyve unto Stephan Leyer fortye shiUinges.
Item I gyve unto Rychard Johnson tyve mai'kes.
Item I gyve unto John Jegon, to be payde to a master to trade hym upp in the coiu^e of the chauncery for three yeares, after liii s. iuid. a yeare, eyghte poundes.
Item I gyve unto Thomas Raynouldes fourtye shiUinges.
Item I gyve imto Wyllyam Reynes syxe and twentye shiUinges eyghte pence, or a ringe of that value.
Item I gyve to George Eden my godson fortye shiUinges.
Item I gyve to George Olyff my godson twentye shylfinges.
Item I gyve to mother Bettes xxs.
Item I gyve to mother Johine twenty shiUinges.
Item I gyve to John BaUai'd fortye shiUinges and my stawekinge mare.
Item to Maister Servington a ringe of fourtye shiUinges.
Item I gp'e unto John Cropley fourtye shiUinges, and unto hys wyeff syxe and twentye shiUinges eyghte pence.
Item I wyU there be bestowed the daye of my buryall fyve poundes, and at my monethe daye other fyve poundes.
VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE. \)
Item I gyve and bequeath uato Wyllyam Hiimberston, gentylman, my cosyn, fortye ponndeg.
The resydewe of aU and siu^iiler my laudos, teneraenteg, and heredytamentes before not bequeathed I wyU be soulde by rayae executor, and the monney thereof comminge to goe to the performacyon of thys my presente testament and laste wjU.
And I constytute, ordaine, and make the seyd "Wyllyam Humberston my soole executor of thys my presente testament and laste wyll, and he to have over and besydea hys legacye before remembred all hys reazonable chardges to be susteyned in and aboute thya my presente testamente and laste wyU.
George Eden.
Probatum fuit hujusmodi testamentum quarto die mensis Aprilig anno Domini millesimo quingentesimo quinquagesinio nono, apud London, coram Decano et Capitulo ecelesice motropolitica Christi Cautuariensis, jm-amento Justimani Kydd procuratoris 'WilUelmi Humberston executoris in hujusmodi testamento norainati, cui commissa fuit administratio omnium et singulorum bonorum de bene et fideUter administrando, ac de pleno et fideli inventario conficiendo, Uludque exhibendo et introducendo, secundo die post festum Johannis, etc.
(From the Registry of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Chei/nei/, 1) .
■WILL OF GRISSELL EDEN, OP SUDBURY.— 1572.
In the name of God Amen, the xxiith daye of the monneth of October, in the yeare of oure Lorde God 1572, and in the foiui;eneth yere of the raigne of our soveraigne Lady Elizabeth, by the grace of God Quene of England, Fraunce, and Ireland, defender of the faith, etc., T, Grissell Eden, thelder, of Sudbury, in thecountie of Suffolke, widoive, the late wife of Thomas Eden, Esquier, deceased, hole of mynde and in my good and perfecte remembraunce being, praised be God for all his benefites, do ordayne and make this my present testament and last will, utterUe revoking and adnulling all other former willes and testamentes by me at any tyme heretofore made, devised, or declai-ed, either by worde or writing, and confirmyng this onelie to stande and be taken as my hole true and last wiU, as foloweth : —
First and principaUie, I give and bequeth my soule into thandes of Almightie God, Maker and Redeamer, and I will my body to be bimed in the chappeU of the parishe churche of AU Saintes, in Sudbury, where the body of my good husband lieth buried, in suche sorte as shall seame best to myne executor.
Item, I give to the pore people dwelling in Sudbiuy, eight poundes, whereof I will that iiiili be gyven and disti-ibuted upon the day of my builaU, and thother iuili to be gyven and distributed within one yere next folowing, when my executor shall thincke the same most nedefuU.
Item, I give and bequeth unto Charles Ceasar, my godsonne, terine poundes, to be paied at his aige of x™i yeres, if he lyve so longe.
Item, 1 give unto Mr. Senter fort'ie sbillinges.'to be paied unto hym within one moneth nexte after my decease.
Item, I give unto the widowe of Heywarde a morning gowne, one of my best part- lettes and a paire of ruffes to it, and one of my fyne smockes.
Item, I give unto Robert Sharpe, her sonne, one bed fm-nisshed, standing in the Utle chamber within the parlour chamber, that is to say, a felde bedstede, with a tester of red and yeUowe satten of bridges, iii curteyns of red and yellowe say, thre curteya roddes, one good fetherbed, a paire of new blanckettes, one bolster, and one counter- pointe, or covering of tapistrie, which I will shalbe delivered imto hym within viii dales next after my decease.
Item, I give unto suche of my servauntes as hath dwelte with me sithens the death of my husband, and shall fortune to dwell with me at the tyme of my death, to eche of them fortie sluilinges.
Item, I will that my executor shall give and rewarde every one of my other servauntes, asweU maide servauntes as men servaimtes, that shall happen to dwell with me at the tyme of my death, according to his discretion.
Item, I give unto Edward 'Wistowe, the boy in my kitchen, if he dwell with me at
10 VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE.
the tyme of my death, xiiis. iiii!?., to be paied unto hym withia one moneth next after my decease.
Item, I give unto Margery, my litle maide, xx«., to be paled her ■srithiu one monetli after my decease, so that the said Margery shall serve my daughter Suliarde during the terme which she is bounde to serve me, yf my daughter Suliarde be content to kepe her.
Item, I give unto my said daughter Suliarde one paire of fyne shetes of thre bredethes, one damaske table cloth, stitched at both endes, a dozen of damaske napkyns belonging to it, wrought with blacke silke, and a damaske toweU likewise wrought with blacke silke.
Item, I give unto my daughter GrisseU Eden, a damaske table cloth, a damaske cup- borde cloth, and a damaske towell, a paire of fyne shetes of ii bredethes and a half, two fyne playne table clothes, one fyne playne cupborde cloth, and a dozen of playne table napkyns.
Item, I give and bequeaib to the said GrisseU Eden my daughter, all the appareU be- longing to myne owen person, as silke, velvet, woUen, cloth, IjTinen, furres, or whatso- ever other sorte or condioion the same shalbe, all which napery and appareU I will shalbe delyvered to the said GrisseU my daughter, within one moneth next after my decease.
AU the residue of ray goodes and catteUes, redy money, plate, jewelles, debtes, im- pleamentes, and housholde stuffe, for the true and faithfull execucion of this my present testament and last wiU, I give and bequeth them holly to Richard Eden, my sonne, whome I do ordeyn and make thoneUe and sole executor of this my said last wiU and testament. Theis being witnesses, MartjTi Coole, Charles Eden, Robert Sharpe, with other.
Fast Scriptum. Item, I give and bequeath to my nephewe Charles Eden, fortie shil- linges, to be paied unto hym within one moneth next after my decease.
Probatum fuit testamentum suprascriptum coram magistro Willielmo Drury legum doctore, Curiae Prerogativse Cautuariensis commissario, apud Londoniam, nouo die men- sis Februarii, anno Domini miUesimo quingentesimo septuagesimo secundo, juramento magistri Georgii Harryson notarii pubHci procuratoris executoris in testamento hujus- modi uominati, cui coramissa fuit administratio omnium et singiilorum bonorum, etc., de bene, etc., ad Sancta Dei EvangeUa jurati.
(From the Registry of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. Peter 6.)
WILL OP SIR THOMAS EDEN, THE ELDER, KNIGHT, OF SUDBURY.— 1613.
In the name of God the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy Ghost, the nyneth days of July, in the yeere of our Lord God One thowsand six himdred and thirteene, and in the eleaventhyeereoftheraigne of our soveraigne Lord Kinge James of England, Fraunce, and Ireland, and of Scotland the sixe and fortith ; I, Thomas Eden, of Sudbury, in |the Countie of Suffolke, the elder, Knight, aged threescore and nyneteene yeeres or there- aboutes, as I doe suppose, beinge of good and perfect mynde and remembrance, thankes be to God, doe ordaine and make this my last wiU and testament, in manner and forme foUowinge, revokinge aU other wUla and testamentes whatsoever, by me formerly made before the date of tihese presentes.
First, I commend and bequeath my soule to the mercy of Allmightie God, my body to be buried in the chappeU where 1 have accustomed to heere devine service, where my father, my mother, and two of my wyves lye buried, in the parish of AU Sainctes, in the towne of Sudbiu-y aforesaid, and I wiU my buriall to be done as it shaU seeme best to my executor.
Also, I give towardes the reparacions of the said parrish church twentie shiUinges.
Also, I geve towardes the releife of the poore people dwellinge within the three parrishes (that is to say), of AU Sainctes, St. Gregories, and St. Peters, in Sudbury aforesaid, nyne poxmdes, to be distributed by my executor within five weekes after my death, vizt to the poore of every of the said pai-rishes three poundes.
Also, I wtU that my executor shaU make, or cause to be made, in the chappeU afore- said, a tombe for a memoriaU of my father, my mother, my two wives aforesaid, and myselfe, accordinge to his discretion, within one yeere after my death, if I doe not my-, eelfe make the same before I dye.
VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE. 11
Item, I give to the Lady Eden, my daughter in lawe, one himdi-eth poiuides, to be paid her within halfe a yeare after my death.
Item, I geve to every one of the children of my sonae and her the said Lady Eden, nowe liviuge, twentie poimdes a peece.
Item, I geve to my nephew Thomas Eden, of Cambridge, twentie nobles.
Item, I geve to my cozen, William Spi-inge, five markes.
Item, I gave to my servant, Robert Boram, fortie shiUingea, and to his wyfe, twentie shilUnges.
Also, the residue of my goodes and chatteUs, plate, money, stuffe, and fvirnitm-e of hjuse, and other thinges whatsoever, I geve imto Sii- Thomas Eden, Knight, my onely Sonne and heire, whome I doe make and ordayue my sole executor of this my last will and testament.
In wittnes whereof 1 have hereunto sett my hande and seale, the daye and yeere fii-st afore wiitten.
The marke of Sir Thomas Eden, the testator.
Bead over in the presence and hearinge of the testator, and by him sealed and sub- scribed, and delivered to the custodie of the executor herein named, the day and yeare aforesaid, in the presence of us, Elizabeth Stoddard, Thomas Eden, Cantebr', Thomas Darcy, Thomas Smith, Edward Newman.
Probatiun fuit testamentum suprascriptum apud London, coram venerabUi viro magistro WiUielmo Byrde legum doctore. Curiae Prerogativae Cantuaiiensis magistro eustode sive commissario legitime eoustituto, octavo die mensis JuKi anno Domini millesimo sexcentesimo decimo quarto, juramento domini Thomte Eden militis, filii naturaJis et legitimi et natu maximi ejusdem defuncti et executoris in eodem testamento nomiuati, cui commissa fuit administratio bonorum jurium et creditorum dicti defuncti de bene et iideUter administrando, etc., ad Sancta Dei EvangeUa jurati.
(From the Eegistry of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Lauw 74.)
WILL OF SIR THOMAS EDEN, OF BALLIDON, KNIGHT.— 1615.
In the name of God Amen, I Sir Thomas Eden, of BaUidon, in the Countie of Essex, Knight, beinge of perfect memorie, doe ordaj-ne and make this my last will and testa- ment, revokinge all other former wills.
Fust I bequeath my soule into the handes of AUmightie God, hopinge that through the merittes of my Saviour Jhesus Christ to have pai-don of all my synnes and to inheritt everlastinge life.
I doe hereby will that aU the rentes, profittes, and commoditie whatsoever, aswell underwoodes orotherwi.se (timber ti-ees and bowUnges excepted), of aU those the houses, laudes, tenementes, and hereditamentes whatsoever, which I have either in possession or revertion scituate lyeing and beinge in the parishes of Bumsted at the Tower, Bum- sted HeUon, Samford, Hempsted, FiachingfeUd, Stambome, and Bu-dbroke, in the said Coimty of Essex, and now in the occupacion of Josua Barners, gentleman, his assigne or assigues, shalbe imployed and goe from and immediateUe after my decease for and duringe the space of twentie and one yeares, for and towardes the raysinge of porcious for my daughters Elizabeth, Marie, Dorothie, Bridget, GryseU, An, Penelopie, and to the child my wyfe is now with child mth, if it be a daughter, the proffites of which foresaid landes, tenementes, and woodes, I wiU shalbe received by my lovinge wife Dame Maiie Eden, to be imployed as aforesaid, and my said severaU daughters to have one thousand merkes a peice at the day of their mariages, or the ages of xxi yeares, which happen first, marieinge with the consent and Ukinge of their mother.
I doe hereby also wiU and devise that ail those my landes, tenementes, woodes and hereditamentes whatsoever, which I have in St. Oseth, and Much BentKe, or else- where, within the himdi-eth of Tendering, in the coimtie of Essex, shalbe soldo by my said wife for the redeeminge of these landes, now in morgage to Sir Thomas Bendishe, Baionet, scituate, lyeing, and beinge within the parisshes of Bumstedd ad tm-rim, alias Steple Bumstedde, Bumsted Hehon, and Hempstedd, in the said county of Esses, which said landes, so morgaged and redeemed I wiU shalbe soldo for and towardes the payment of my debtes and the legacies of my said daughters by my uowe wife Dame Marie Eden. And if it should happen that the said morgaged landes should not be redeemed yet my
D
12 VISITATION OF THE COCTNTY OF SUFFOLKE.
meaninge is that the said landes within the himdred of Tendeiing, aforesaid, shalbe sould. by my said -n-yfe for and towardes my daughters portions and payment of my debtes. Alsoe, I will tiiat these particiilarre houses, landes, tenementes, and hereditamentes, here- after mencioned shalbe by my said wife sonlde for the payment of my debtes, my daughters porcions, and legacies given to my daughters, or other legacies herein men- cioned, videlicet, the house called the Friers in Sudburie, with the outhouses, gardeins, orchards and groimd ^rithin the river theareunto neai-e adjoyninge, conteyninge by estimacion, xss acres ; alsoe tenn acres of meadowe called the Friers medowe, nowe in my oceupacion, in the parish of St. Grcgorie, in Sudburie, in ihe countie of Suffolke ; also two acres of grounde next the wall of my said house called the Fryers, nowe in the oceupacion of Charles Abbott, nowe JIaior of Sudburie ; also foure acres of medowe in Midlefon, in the said countie of Essex, nowe in my owne occupation ; alsoe nyne acres of lande in Bidmer, in the said countie of Essex, adjoyning to Abries, in the oceu- pacion of John Emes of Bulmer, aforesaid ; also thirtie acres of lande called Church- feild, in Bulmer, in the said coimtie of Essex, in the possession of the said John Emes ; alsoe twentie acres of lande called Gowldinge feild, in the oceupacion of Edmond Marche, in the parish of Bulmer, in the said eoimtie of Essex ; alsoe my Ktle medowe and feild called Jlelfeild, in the possession of the said Edmond March, in Essex ; alsoe certaine landes called Rice Fenne, in the parish of title Hennie, in the said coimtie of Essex, nowe in the oceupacion of Thomas Paine ; alsoe nyne acres of lande in old feild, nowe in the occupation of Thomas Coe, in Bulmer, in the said county of Essex ; alsoe two acres of medowe in Jlidleton, nowe letten to the said John Emes, in the said oomitie of Essex ; alsoe one croft called Bushcroft, in Bulmer or elswhere, in the oceupacion of Eobert Boram, in the said countie ofiEssex ; alsoe certaine landes called JIabrum hUIes,
in Bulmer, in the said coimtie of Essex, now or late in the oceupacion of one
French ; alsoe one acre in the glebe of greate Heine, in the oceupacion of Edward Turner, in the saide coimtie of Essex.
And for my two yonger sonnes John Eden and Bobert Eden, I doe hereby will and devise to every of them and their heires one rent chardge of fortie poundes a peice yeerely, to be paid at the feastes of St. MichaeU the ArchangeU, and the Anunciation of our Ladie the vii-gin Marie by even and equaU poi-tions, issueinge and goeing out of all and every of those my landes, tenementes, or hereditamentes, whatsoever called or knowne by the name or names of the Eies, great TybaUes, litle TibaUes, and Eedinges, or by what other name or names soever, nowe or late in the oceupacion of Edward Tur- ner and John Digbye, theii- assigne or assignes, scituate, lyinge, and being in Midleton, litle Hennie, in the said coimtie of Essex, and out of all my landes in Bulmer, in Essex, not formerly devised, the first payment to begynne at or upon the next and immediate of either the said feastes that shall first happen after my decease. And if it shall happen the said severaU sommes or any parte therof to be behinde and unpaide in parte or in all after anie of the saide feastes by the space of thirtie dayes that, then it shall and maye be lawfull to and for them the said John Eden or Robert Eden, or ether of them, or for the heires or assignes of them and everie of them to enter into the said landes called the Eies, great Tiballes, and litle Tyballes, and Eeedinges, and the last recited landes in Bulmer, and into eveiy parte of them, and everie of them to distraine for the said rent or rentes, and the distres or distresses so taken to detaine and keepe untill they the said John Eden and Eobert Eden, or either of them, or the heires, executors, or assignes of them, or either of them shalbe fiom tyme to tyme fullie satisfied and paide ; and my will and meaninge is that my said wife shall receive to her use the said severall yearly sommes of 40//. a peice, giaimted as aforesaid to my said sonnes hn and Eobrt, untill they and everie of them shall severalKe attaine to the age of xviij yeare a peice, for and towardes the bringinge upp of them and my other children.
And if it shall fortime the child my wife is nowe with child mthall to be a sonne, I will to him at his age of xviij yeres, the summe of five hundi-ed markes, to be paid by my executor out of the landes to be sould, and my goodes.
And whereas I am by bond boimde to make upp the jointiu-e of my said wife, to the yearlie somme of two himdred poundes, for and dming her naturaU life, and also whereas my said wife at my request hath sould parte of her joynture, I doe hereby will and dense so much yearely rent out of all those landes as I leave to discend to my eldest soiuie St. Clere Eden, as shall amoimt unto to make upp my said wives jointure, two huntU-ed poundes a yere, with that she hath alreadie assured for and during her naturaU life, ;md that it shall and maye be lawfull to and for the saide Dame Marie Eden, or her assignes, during her said life, to enter into all or anie of the landes soe discended or to be discended
-ms cflTicm aslden LIJ). Master of Trmilj^Mallj^^ a Brass :„, Tnmli/mi Chapel, Ca?.
VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE. 13
to my said sonne St. Clere Eden, and yearly to distreine for soe much aa 'siall amoimt to make up my said wire's joyuter the full summe of two himdred poundes, and the dis- tres or disti-esses soe taken to detaine and keepe imtill shee shalhe ftdly satisfied, and payed soe much yearelie as shall amount unto the said siunme of two hundi-eth poimdes per annum.
Alsoe my will is that if my said sonne St. Clere Eden, or anie of my other sonneg, if they or any of them fortune to be my heire, shall not at their age or ages of twentie and one yeares coniirme the sale or sales of the severaU parcells of landes lymitted by my will to be sold as aforesaid, either by waye of joyninge in the grant, release, fine, or other reasonable assurance, or if he or anie that shalbe my heii-e shall make voyde my said will for or concerning-e anie the gifte or giftes given to my said yonger childi-en, or to my said wife, then I will that my wife shall make an absolute sale of all those my foresaid landes, tenementes, and hereditamentes whatsoever, in Bumstedd at the tower, Bumstedd HeUon, Staraborne, Hempstedd, Finchingfeild, Samforde, and Birdbroke, in the said coimty of Essex, for the performaunce of my will.
Also I give to every servaimt over and above that is due unto them halfe yeajea wages.
The residue of all my goodes and chatties whatsoever, I 'give to my lovinge wife, whome I make my sole executor, and for my funeraU I leave to her discretion.
Alsoe I give unto my said wife the parsonage tithes, yearely renueinge diu-ing her life of all those landes which she hath in joynture, and fiftie loads of wood yearely to be taken in anie of my woodes.
Alsoe I give imto my sister my bason and ewer, the lesser Uke a boate.
Alsoe I give to my sonne, St. Clere Eden, my bason and ewer which I bought of my cosen Thomas Siiliarde.
Alsoe I will that my kinsman Charles Eden shall have his diett and 5li. per annum, or 10^/. per annum at his choyt^e diu-inge his life.
In witnes whereof I have hereunto sett my hande and scale this xxi daye of Septem- ber, in the xiiith yeare of the reigne of our soveraigne Lord James, by the grace of God Kiuge of England, Fraimce, and Irelande, and of Scotland the nyne and fortith, Anno Domini, IClo.
Thomas Eden.
Sealed, published, and subscribed in the presence of us, John Darcey, Eichard Eeve, Conyers Southwell.
Probatimi fuit testamentum euprascriptum apud London coram venerabili viro domino Johanne Benet miUte legum doctore Curiae Prerogativae Cantuariensis magistro Custode sive commissario legitime constituto, secundo die mensis Februarii, anno Domini juxta ctirsum et computationem Ecclesise AngUcanse miUesimo sexcentesimo decimo quinto, juramento domince Maria3 Eden relictte dicti defimcti et executricis in eodem testamento nominatcB, cui commisa fuit administratio bonorxmi jiuium et creditonim dicti defimcti de bene et fidehter administrando, &c., ad Sancta Dei Evangelia vigore coniniissionis in ea parte alias emanatae jurate.
(From the Kegisti-y of the Prerogative Court of Canterbm-y, Cope, 15.)
WILL OF THOMAS EDEN, DOCTOR OF LAWE.— 1643.
In the name of God Amen, this xxiuith of January, anno Domini 1643, I Thomas Eden, Doctor of Lawe, Master of Trinitie Hall, in Cambridge, being [God be thanked] in usuaU health of bodie, doe make this my last will and testament, revokeing hereby all foi-mer wiUs by me made whatsoever.
First, I commend my soule into the mercie of God, hopeing, though I be a most sin- full, wicked man, yet thorough the mercie of God and the merrites of my deare Saviour Jesus Christ, yt shalbe receavcd into everlasting bUsse in heaven. My body I committ to the earth, desireing earnestly and without faUe to be buried in ye chappeU in Trinity Hall, in Cambridge, before the Treasure bowse dore there. And I desii'e that in the wiudowe above that place, a little monument or memoriaU of me may be placed, not cmious or costly, but lasting, of marble or such Uke, whereupon may be engi-aven my name and family, the tyme of my death and that I was a benefactor to that poore colledge.
14 VISITATION OF THE COtTNTY OF SUFFOLKE.
And whereas I have heretofore about ten yeares since, setled upon the Colledge by feoifees in trust eight and tsrentie poundes a yeare for erer by laudes to that value, and ■with the consent of all the then Fellowes of "that Colledge by an ordinance appointed how that money should yearely be devided amongst the Master, FeUowes, and SchoUers there, and what should be yearly by them performed, I doe nowe by this my will give unto the said CoUedge five hundred and foure poundes (soe much the land formerly bought for this purpose cost me) more to purchase soe much more lande, videlicet to the yearly value of eight and twenty poundes, and to settle it to the use of the Master,- FeUowes, and SchoUers of the said CoUedge by feoffees or otherwise.
And I wiU that every man's part or aUowance sett downe in the foimer ordinance be doiibled by this my guift, and the same thinges performed that are sett do\vne in that foimer ordinance and nothing else.
And whereas by the said ordinance some odd money of the said former 28/('. per arm um> is appointed for wax candles in the chappeU, I doe appoint that the odd money of this latter 2Sli. per annum shalbe imployed upon some provision of wyne and dyet, to be spent yearly upon the Master, FeUowes^ and SchoUers at supper the night of that day on which the commemoracion shalbe made.
Item, I give to the said Master, FeUowes, and SchoUers, fortie poundes to buy them a faire arras hanging for the upper end of their haU, and xli. to be bestowed on a peece of plate on which I desire my name and ai-mes to be sett. *
And I pray God preserve and prosper that poore societie.
Item, I give to the poore of the towne of Cambridge xx//. to be distributed on the day of my buriaU there ; and xx?/. to the poore of the towne of Sudbury, in SuffoUce, and twenty markes to the poore of the towne of St. Edmondesbiuy, in Suffolke. And twentie markes to the poore of the cittie of Elie, and twenty markes to the poore of the cittie of "Westminster : aU which simimes I desh-e my executor to take care they be soe distributed as that they be in addicion of releife to the poore, and not an ease to the rich.
Item, I give to my two neeces, videlicet, PbiUippa Eden, and Nan Eden, to each of them foiu-e thousand poimds, to be payed to either of them at their severaU ages of twenty yeares, or day of maniage, which shaU fii-st happen. And if either of them dye before the day of payment of their severaU legacies shaU come, I wiU that her part soe dyeing shalbe equally devided betweene the siu-vivor and my nephue Thomas Eden. And I desire my executor soe to dispose of the said moneys presently as that the two legatees may have such proffitt of their severaU legacies as may weU be made for their mainte- nance before the dayes of payment come. And yf both my said neeces dye before the several! dayes of payment of their severaU legacies, then my nephue Thomas Eden tp have both the said legacies of foure thousand poimdes a peece.
Item, I give to Eobert Richardson, my servant, a rent charge of fortie poundes per annum dureing his Ufe, upon aU my lands in Trumpington, neere Cambridge, with clause of distresse as is usuaU in such cases : the said xl//. to be paied yeai-ly at two payments, videlicet, xx?('. at the feast of Thannimciaeion yearly, and xx?/. at the feast of St. Mich- aeU yearly, with the power of distreyuing as I said before, the first payment to begin att that feast of the said feastes which shalbe first next after the day of my death.
Item, I give to the said Robert Richardson, three hundred poimdes in money, videUcet, one hundred poimdes which his wive's imcle, Mr. Pan-ot, of Shooe Lane, London, oweth
me by bonde, and twenty poimdes which B Botewright, of Cambridge, oweth me
upon bond (which bond is made to the said Robert Richardson, but the debt is due to me), the other himdred and eighty poundes to be payed out of my other estate.
Item, I give to Mr. Benjamine Thometon, of Trinity HaU, aU the money he oweth me ; also I give to him that Cli. which he hath appointed imto me, out of the 300?(. bond which Mr. Gibbon, and the Lord Gerge, and Mr. BampfeUd, are ingaged in to him.
Also, I give to the said Mr. Benjamin Thometon, the 200//. which the said Mr. Gibbon oweth me by bonde, wherein three other men are alsoe bound -n-ith the said Mr. Gibbon. Item, I give to my godsonne WiUiam Eden, sonne of Thomas Eden long since deceased, an hundreth poundes.
I give to Mris. Causabone, of Canterbury, sister imto Mr. AVilUam Harrison, late Fellowe of Trinitie HaU, aforesaid, the diamond ring which I did usuaUy weare in
* This piece of plate is stiU in the possession of Trinity HaU.
VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFEOLKE. 15
memorie of her said brother, and for thebu}'ing of which ring he gave me term poimdes in his will.
I give to my godson, the sonne of Mr. Robert Felton, late parson of Gransden Parva in the dioces of Ely, fyftie poundes ; yf my said godson be dead I give it to his brother whoe is now, or was lately FeUowe of Pembroke Hall, in Cambridge.
Item, I give imto my worthy frend Mr. James Bimce, Alderman, and nowe Sheriff of London, all the money which I lately sent over by his advice and direccion by bills of exchange to Rotherdam, in London, * which comes to about sixteene hundi-ed poimdes sterling, desireing he will accept of it as a recompence for the great burthen which by this will I shall impose upon him in committing unto his care the managing and calling in of my whoUe estate. I have, since my acquaintance with him aUwayes observed, and in some particulers seene by experience, his true care and iidelitie in discharging and really performing trustes of this kinde. I doe, therefore, by these presentes, make him my sole executor, and doe most earnestly inti-eate him to undertake yt, and performe it, and to devide equally among the three poore orphantes, my nephue Thomas, and my neeces PhiUippa and Anne ; the remainder of my personall estate, after my debtes and legacies payed, or after soe much defalked as is sufficient to pay my said debtes and legacies.
My reaU estate in houses and land I doe leave to descend upon my said nephue Thomas.
And I doe most humbly beseech the right honourable the Master of the Court of Wards, and all that honourablef Court that the wardship of my said nephue may be committed ujito my executor aforenamed, videlicet, Mr. Alderman Bunco, now sheriff of London.
In witnes of aU the premisses I have written aU this my will with my owne hand, the dave first above mencioned ; and I have alsoe acknowledged soe much, and that it is my wiU, in the presence and hearing of aU the wittnesses whose names are hereunder written ; and I have alsoe therewithal! in their presence sett my name, with my owne handwriteing to both pages of it, and my seale at thend of it. Thomas Eden ; the marke of Richard Kuighbridge, John KeUoway, Richard Lanham, Sara Pigott.
260 Maii, 164.5.
A codiciU to be annexed to my last will heretofore by me formerly made and wi-itten with myne owne hand.
Imprimis, I give my hatband of diamondes to my nephue Thomas, to be delivered to him at his age of xxi yeares, but I would have perfect note of the number and distinct quantitie of the diamondes delivered presently to him by my executor, to keepe by my said nephue.
Item, I give my gi-eat diamond ling sett in a greene roundeU, to my neece PhiUippa Eden, to be delivered her presently alter my death.
Item, I give one other of my two jeweUs of diamonds, the lesser in bulke of the two, to my neece Anne Eden, to be delivered to her at her age of eighteene years or day of marriage which comes first.
Item, I give the other of the ^ayd two jeweUs of diamonds, the bigger in bulke of the said two, with ten tables about it, to my worthie frend Mris. Bunce, wife to my executor.
Item, whereas I have given to Robert Richardson, a rent charge upon aU my landes in Trumpington of fortie poundes per armum, I will now yt shalbe five and fortie poundes per annum. And whereas yt is in my wiU given onely for himself dui-eing his life, I will hereby that he shall have power to make a joyntm-e of it to his next wife, to endure alsoe to her life.
And whereas I did liniitt one of the huudi-ed poimds I gave him in my said will to be paied out of my Unokle Parrote's debtes, I doe acknowledge that debt to be payed to me, and therefore I will the said hundi'eth pounds be payed to him out of my other estate.
I give to John Brotherton, tenn poimdes.
To^r. Calandrine, twenty markes.
Thomas Eden.
Signed and acknowledged to be all written with the testator's owne hand the day and yeare first above written, in the presence of us, AVilUam "VVeeley, Thomas Lancaster.
* Sic in MS. t Houonorable in the MS.
16 VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE.
Probatum fiiit testamenttun supradictum unacum codiciUo eidem aimexo apud London, coram dileoto subdito nostro "Wiliielmo Sames, legum doctore surrogato dilecti subditi nostri Nathanielis Brent militis legum etiam doctoris Curife nosti-ce Prerogativae Cantu- ariensis magistri custodis legitime coustituti, ricesimo primo die mensis Julii anno Domini millesimo sexcentesimo quadi-agesimo quinto, juramento Jacobi Bimce unius Aldermanorimi civitatis London et executoris in hujusmodi testamento nominati, cui comniissa fuit adniinistratio omnium et singulorum bonorimi, jiuiiun, etcreditorum dicti defuncti de bene et iideliter adniinisti'ando eadem ad Sancta Dei Evangelia jurati.* (From the Registry of the Prerogative Couj-t of Canterbiuy, Hii-ers, 96.)
[Dr Eden was buried at the north east corner of Trinity Hall chapel, in front of what formerly was the Treasury door, the spot which he selected for himself, as mentioned in his will, under a black marble stone, on which are his aiTns, on a brass plate {see Plate), and this inscription : —
" Hie spe certa resvrgendi in ehi-isto sepvltrs est, Thomas Edenvs, L.L.Dr., peritissi- mvs et hvjvs coUegii ollm dignissimrs prsefectvs."
Against the wall is a mural monument with this inscription : —
Suspice Lector, ac venerare, Hoc enim sub Marmore conditse jacent Reliquiae Thomas Eden, LL.D., Richardi Eden et Margaritse uxoris, de Anningfeild Austi-ali in Agro Essexiensi, FiUj natu minimi, Dioceseos EUensis CanceUarij, Westmonasteriensis, et Sancti Edmimdi de Biu-go Commissarij, unius etiam ex Magistris Almae Curiae Cancel- lariae ordinarijs, nee non hujusce Aulaj Custodis olim dignissimi, pariter ac muniflcent- issimi : Quo nemo turn Monmi eximia Sua^-itate, et Probitate, turn singulari etiam Le- gum Civilium, atque Ecclesiasticarum Scientia majore consecutus est laudem, unde Spartam, quam apud nos, honorum omniimi Consensu, merito nactus est, strenue oma- vit ; nostnunque Collegium tot, tantisque Beneticijs yivus moriensque devinxit, ut Parentis potius nomen, quam Custodis mereatur nos itaque Gustos et Socij, ne pereat Beneficionuu memoria, quae tiim aUis, tiim nobis praestitit, hoc sepulchi-ale marmor in cetemtun tanti Pati'oni Testimonium poni curavimus. ob. Londin, Jul : 18, & fuit Hie sepult : Aug : 2, 1645.
The following arms are in windows of Master's Lodge, Trinity Hall.
1. Eden arms and crest, a crescent Gules, for difference.
2. Sable, a crescent Ei-mine, a bordure Argent (Triiiify Sail), impaling Eden.
3. Eden, impaling Sable, a cross engraUed, in dexter quarter a muUet Or, Peyton.
4. Eden, impaling, per pale Ai-gent and Gules, a crescent for difference, Wiild^igrave. 0. Quarterly of six. 1. Pei/ton.
2. Giiles, three pUes wary meeting in base Argent.
3. Or, a fess GiUes.
4. Or, a chevron Gules, on a chief Azure, three m\illets Or.
5. Gules, a che-iTon engrailed Ermine, between thi'ee falcons'
Argent.
6. As 1. Over all, a crescent for difference.
Impaling Aigent, three lions' rampant Aziu-e, armed and langued Gules, Mild-
NOTES TO EDEN WILLS.
[T/tese brief notes are by no means to be considered as exhaustive of the subject; they are the result of an examination of the Patent Rolls from Henry J'JJI downwards, and will perhaps be interesting as illustrations, in some slight degree, of the preceding wills.— W. H. H.]
On the 17th December, 1 Hem-y VIII (1509) Thomas Seymer, John Aleu, and Henry Eden, of London, merchants, had licence to export woolst
On the 21st October, 4 Hem-y VIII (1512) Richard Eden, clerk, was appointed clerk of the King's Council, with forty marks a yearj
* It appears fi-om a marginal note here in the Register Book, that some administra- tion proceedings were taken imder this will, in the year 1672.
t Brewer's Catalogue of Letters and Papers of Henry VIII, voL i^ p. 106. J Ibid, p. 428.
VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE. 17
By letters patent dated October 14, 8 Henry VIII (1616) the custody of the person and lands of "WilUani Stenecle was granted to Eose Assheby, widow of (ieorge Assheby, clerk of the Signet, and Hem-y Eden, merchant of the Staple of Calais (1). This George Assheby is doubtless the " brother Assheby" mentioned in Hem-y Eden's wiU, ante p. 3.
By letters patent, dated May 26, 37 Henry VIII (1545) Richard Eden, Archdeacon- of Middlesex, had a dispensation from residence (2)
By letters patent, dated February 26, 1 Edward VI (1547), licence was gi-antcd to "William Harreys to alienate the rectory and church of All Saints, Sudbm-y, to Thomas Eden of Sudbiu'y, esqiiii-e, his heirs and assigns for ever. (3)
By letters patent, dated August 15, 1 and 2 Philip and Mary (1554) licence was granted to Gilbert Potter, of London, Vintner, to alienate lands and possessions in South Lynn, and WygenhaU, and the manor of Downehamhall, in N"orfolk, to George Eden, of Lon- don, esquire, and Thomas Eden, of Sudbury, esquire, their heirs and assigns for ever. (4)
By letters patent, dated August 31, 1 and 2 Philip and Mary (1554), licence was granted " unto oure welbelovyd subjecte George Eden, to appoynte at his wyU and pleasure, any one of his servauntes to shote in a crosbowe or haudgone att all mannor of dere, heron, shullard, wildeswane, mallerd, teale, crane, bustard, and aU other lande fowle or waterfowle whatsoever, and also to use, carrye, occupie, and kepe his said cros- bowe, or hand gonne for the pirrpose afore saide, within the counties of Suffolk and Cambridge, and the IjTiiyttes of the same." (5)
By letters patent, dated January 10, 1 and 2 Plulip and Mary (1555), the office of Surveyor of ail crown lands and manors, etc., in the county of Suffolk, was gi-anted to George Eden, esquire, for Ufe, together with an annuity of £13. 6s. 8d. (6)
By letters patent, dated January 2, 2 and 3 PhUip and Mary (1556), licence was granted to George Eden, of London, esquire, and Thomas Eden, of Sudbury, co. Suffolk, esquire, and Gilbert Potter, of London, Vintner, to alienate Downehamhall to John Druerye, gentleman, and Kobert Egeley, to the use of Egeley, his heirs and assigns for ever. (7)
By letters patent, dated March 2, 35 Elizabeth (1593), licence was granted to Thomas Eden the elder, esquire, to alienate the manor of BaUidon, in Essex, to Thomas Eden the yoimger, gentleman, and Maiy Darcey, daughter of Brian Darcey, esquire, deceased. (8)
By letters patent, dated 2 December, 36 Elizabeth (1593), Ucence was granted to Thomas Grimwade, to alienate lands in Brenteleye, co. Suffolk, to Charles Eden, gentle- man, his heirs and assigns for ever. (9)
By letters patent, dated March 2, 37 Elizabeth (1595), Ucence was granted to Edmimd Felton, gentleman, and Elizabeth his wife, to alienate certain lands in Brunden, Buhner, and Eallingdon, co. Essex, to Thomas Eden the younger, gentleman, his heiis and assigns for ever. (10)
By letters patent, dated 26 November, 12 James I (1614), licence of entry was granted to Sir Thomas Eden, knight, son and heir of Sir Thomas Eden the elder, late of Sud- bury, CO. Suffolk, knight, deceased. (11)
By letters patent, dated April 1, 13 James I (1615), licence was granted to Sir Thomas Eden, knight, and Maiy his wife to alienate certain lands in the parish of AU Saints, Sudbury, to Sir Robert Crane, knight, his heirs and assigns for ever. (12)
By letters patent, dated November 4, 21 James I (1623), licence of entry was granted to Sinckleer Eden, esquire, son and heir of Sir Thomas Eden, knight, deceased. (13)
(1) Pat. Roll, 8 Henry VIII, part 2. (7) Ibid. 2 and 3 Philip and Mary, part 4.
(2) Ibid. 37 Henry Vltl, part 2. (8) Ibid. 36 EUzabeth, part 2.
(3) Ibid. 1 Edward VI, part 7. (9) Ibid. 36 Elizabeth, pai-t 4.
(4) Ibid. 1 and 2 Philip and Mary, part 11. (10) Pat. RoU, 37 Elizabeth, part 8.
(5) Pat. Roll, 1 and 2 Philip and Mai-y, (11) Ibid. 12 James I, part 29 No. 1.
part 6. (12) Ibid. 13 James I, part 34, No. 98.
(6) Same RoU. (13) Ibid. 21 James I, part 27, No. 12.
^ 5'^
li
S S
"i!
■i:^'^
:ii
i!llsi
-big 111
^S^
_lllll-Jlyllll«-
i:a
-Is & '
_f^s^=s .S^f"^- r-aS-^
il|litii|lil
§ § § ^ 3 -g
°^J
ll.
|
>* |
|2|^ |
^ |
|
|
-1 |
1 |
||
|
3 Dorothy, aged 10. Mar- ried Ist-Bar- rett^ 2nd, Ro- bert Ban-ing- |
11 j |
if |
|
|
Oriien aged 6, 1617, married Adi-yan |
li |
111! |
II
Infill
-Slo
-III
e'^-'i
^-§1
«:5=s1^
Is
3S3S=3f^:f
E
II ^3
1M
VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE,
Cloptoit.
1, Clopton. 2, Mylde. 3, Francis.
4, Roydon. 6, Kneyitt. 6, Belhus,
NOTES.
In the original visitation three shields are tricked at the commencement of the pedigree.
1st shield, Clopton impaling Jermyn, Sable, a crescent between two mullets in pale Argent.
2nd, Clopton quartering Mijlde, Frauds, Soydoii, Knei'itt, and Belhm. Abore this shield the motto dor en avant.
3rd Clopton impaling Peryent, Gules, thi-ee crescents Or.
The crest is usually borne as represented in the woodcut, but on the monument of Foley Clopton, the last heii- male, in Lyston Chuich, Essex, in painted glass Clare Church (1617), and on the monument of Sir "William Clopton, in the Kentwell chapel, Melford church (1616), the wolf's head is represented issuing out of a ducal coronet Or. There is no record of a grant of this crest so differenced.
VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKB.
THE NAMES OP ALL StTCH FAMILIES AS CLOPTON HATH MATCHED WITHALL.
(Extracted from the Chitting MS.J
Clapton. — Sable, a bend Argent, between two cottices Or.
Workington. — Azui-e, a fess between six lyona rampant Or.
Tendering. — Aziu-e, a fess between two chevrons Argent.
Weyland. — ^Argent, on a cross Gules, five escallops Or.
Grey (of Bokenhani) . — Azm-e, a fess between two chevrons Or, a label of three points
Gules Idett. — Argent, on a cross Gules, five flower-de-Us Or. Cockrell. — Ermine, on a fess Azui-e, three lions rampant Or. Tnissell. — Argent, a fret Gules, bezanted upon every knot.
. ■ Azure, a bend between six cross crosslets fitched Argent.
Tiggott. — Gules, thi-ee pickaxes Argent (in some places Or).
Mylde. — Argent, a lyon rampant Sable, under a fess chequy Or and Azure.
Drury. — Argent, on a chief Vert, a letter tau between two muUets Or, pierced Gules.
Francis. — Gules, a saltire between four crosses pattee Or.
Darcy. — Argent, three cinqiiefoils Gules.
Marrow. — Azure, a fess engrailed between thi-ee maids' heads couped, the faces proper,
the heads garnished Or. Lunsford. — Azure, a che^Ton between three boars' heads couped Or. Knevet. — Argent, a bend Sable, a bordure engrailed of the same. May den. — Cheeky, Argent and Gules, a cross Azure {aliter a bend Azirre). Jermyn. — Sable, a crescent in pale between two mullets Argent. Peryent. — Giiles, three crescents Or. Barley. — Ermine, two bars uebulee. Sable.
Crane. — Argent, a fess between three crosses crosslet fitchy Gules. Blmes. — Ermine, two bai-s Sable, on each five elm leaves transposed Or.
Wanton. — Argent, on a chevron Sable, a cross crosslet Argent.
Cressnor. — Argent, on a bend engrailed Sable, three crosses crosslet fitched Or.
Tyrell. — Ai-gent, two che\Tous Azui-e, within a bordure engrailed Gules. Smje. — Parted per pale Azm-e and Gules, a chevi-on Ai-gent, voided and counterchanged of the field.
Mmrard. — Gules, a fess nebulee between three stars of six points Argent.
Blenerhasset. — Gules, a chevron Ennine, enti-e thi-ee dolphins hauriaut Argent.
Bozun. — Argent, three burbolts (birdbolts) in pale Gules.
Plater. — Argent, three bends wavey Azure.
Wentworth. — Sable, a che-VTon between three leopards' faces Or.
Walsingham.—PaXj of six Or and Sable, a fess Gules.
Broojcesby. — Barry of six nebulee Argent and Sable, a canton Gules.
Peacock. — Gules, on a fess Argent, thi-ee lozenges Sable, between three plates, every plate charged with a peacock's head erased Azure.
Dims. — Gules, a fess dancette Or, between thi-ee crescents Ermine.
Pawns. — Argent, three pales undee Gules.
Barnardiston. — Azure, a fess dauucette Ermine, between six cross croslets fitched Argent (not used fitched, but they are so on lady Clopton's monument).
Waldegrave. — Per pale Argent and Gules.
JLaunfield. — Or, a chevron Sable.
Oerberge. — Sable, a fess between two chevrons Or.
Gehynge. — Azure, an inescocheon within an orle of eight martlets Or.
Tendring. — Argent, a fess between two chevrons Azm-e.
Bardwell. — Gules, a goat saliant in pale Argent, altired Or.
Erpingham. — Vert, an inescocheon within an orle of martlets Argent.
Beauehamp. — Gules, on a fess between six martlets Or, a mullet Sable.
Walcat, — Azure, an inescocheon and an orle of martlets Ai-gent.
Broiighton. — Argent, a chevron between three mullets Gules.
Jerningham. — Argent, three buckles lozengy Gules, two and one.
Sarleston. — Argent, a fess Sable, voided Ermine.
22 VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUTFOLKE.
Bendish. — ^Argent, a ehevron SaWe [between] three rams' heads Azure.
Badwell. — SaWe, a chevron between three mullets Or.
Frewkesmore. — Sable, a griffin segreant between three cross croslets fitched Argent.
Cavendish. — Sable, [three] bucks' heads cabossed Argent, attired Or.
Gedney. — Argent, on a fess Azure, between three leopards' faces Gules, three eaglets
displayed Or. Lewes. — Sable, a chevron between three trefoils slipped Argent. Eokeioood. — Argent, six chesrooks Sable. Skergill. — Ermine, a saltire Gules.
Gates. — Per pale Gules and Azure, three Hons rampant guardant Or. Joseline. — Azure, on a round wreath Argent and Sable, four hawks bells Or. Foley. — Or, a Hon rampant Sable.
Hobert. — Sable, two fiaunches Ermine, over aU comet of seven points Or. Smith. — Argent, a ehevron Gules, between three cross crosslets Sable (quartered by all tbe early Cavendishes).
CordeH. — Gules, a chevron Ermine, between three griffins' heads erased Argent. Aldham. — On two flaunches Sable, two hounds in pale passant Or.
Tarasoy. — Or, a fess dancette Sable.
AppUyard. — Azure, a chevron Or, between three owls Argent.
Bishop. — Argent, on a bend between two cottices Gules, three bezants.
Ashfield. — Sable, a fess engraOed between three flower-de-luces Argent.
Brewster.- — Sable, a chevron between three estoUes Argent.
White. — Gules, a chevron between three boai's' heads couped Argent.
Stafford. — Or, a chevron Gules, a canton Ermine.
Claxton. — Gules, a fess between three hedgehogs Argent.
Martin. — Argent, a chevron between three mascles a border engrailed Or.
Cleve. — Argent, three mullets Or upon a fess Sable, between three wolves' heads erased Sable.
Smyth. — Ermine, three torteaux.
Reeve. — Ai-gent, on a fess engrailed Sable, between three escallops Azure, three eagles displayed Or.
Straiiijemaii. — Per bend Azure and Sable, a staff ragulee eouuterchanged.
Tyiidall. — jVi-gent, a fess dancette Gules, two crescents in chief of the same.
Wright. — Argent, on a chevron Aziire, iDetween thi-ee greyhounds courant Sable, three trefoils Argent (another has the field Or).
Th traytcs. — Argent, on a fess Sable, thi-ee bezants between three fleurs-de-lis Gules.
Vaughan. — Gules, three bezants, two and one, on each a lion's head erased Azure.
Baynard. — Sable, a fess between two chevrons Or.
Fitz-Langlcy. — Argent, a fess between six oak leaves Gules.
Wm. Clapton. — Or, on a bend Aziu-e, three crosses bottone Or.
Bcwes. — Or, a fess vaire between three quatrefoils Gules {aliter Or, three quatrefoils Gules).
VISITATION OF THE COtTNTY OF SUFFOLKE. 23
Clapton. — Sable, a bend Argent, between two cottices dancettee Or. TTey^awfi;.— Argent, on a cross Gules, five escallops [fleur-de-lis— TOfe^soM ifS.] Or. ilylch. — -Argent, a lion rampant Sable, over all a fess coimter-compony Or and Azure.
Francis. — Gules, a saltire between four crosses pattee Or. RoydoH. — Chequy Ai-gent and Gules, a cross Azure. Knevett. — Argent, a bend within a bordiu-e engrailed Sablo. Horton. — Ai-gent, a stag's head cabossed Sable, atth-ed Or. Engayiie. — Gules, a fesse dancettee between six crosses crosslet Or. Worth. — Gules, a saltire Argent, fretty Sable, between twelve cinquefoils Or. Basset. — Or, three pallets Gules, a bordiu-e Azure, bezantee. Castelyn. — Or, three towers Sable. Belhouse. — Argent, thi-ee Uons rampant Gules. Fitzwarren. — Quarterly, per fesse indented, Argent and Gules.
Or, a cross engrailed Azui-e [a martlet in dexter quarter. — Tillotsoit MS.I
Balingrigge. — Ai-gent, a cross engrailed Gules.
Lunsford. — Azure, a chevron between tbi-ee boars' heads couped Or.
Barrington. — Ai-gent, three chevrons Gules, in chief a label of three points Azure.
Mercy. — Argent, on a bend Gules, three lozenges of the field.
Manderillc. — Quarterly, Or and Gules, an escarbimcle Sable.
Ghetioynd. — Azure, a chevi'on between ttree mullets Or.
VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE.
CLOPTOX PORTRAITS.— MELFOED CHURCH.
Of the painted glass put up in Melford church, by John Clopton, about 1485, the
following portraits of Cloptons, or of their affinity, now remain. The figures are
kneeliag, most of them in their surcoat of arms. They were repaired and arranged in
three windows, about 1831 and 1862, hy Richard Almack, Esq. : —
;S;> Thomas Clopton, Kf.
Kailierine Myldf, his wife, and afterwards of Sir "William Tendring, Kt., by whom she had Alice Tendring, grandmother of the first Howard, Duke of Norfolk. '
" William Hoicard, Chef Jiisfis of Englond, and Eichard Figot and John Maiigh, Justis of the Zaue." — (See Dugdale's Juridiciales, and Foss's Judges.
Elizabeth, Countess of Oxford, daughter of Sir John Howard, Kt.
Robert Crane.
Anne, hia wife, daughter of Sir Andrew Ogard, Kt.
Sir Thomas Montgomery, K.G. (John Clopton was bis executor.)
Dame Anne Montgomery. Arms : — Montgomery impaling Darcy.
John Denston, husband of Catherine, sister of John Clopton. Arms : — Denston quar- tering Wanton.
Anne, their daughter and heiress, wife of John Broughton.
Thomas Bokewode.
Th4! Lady Soward ?
Dame Annes Fray, bom Danvers, widow of Sir John Fray ; and lastly, wife of Sir John Say, Kt. (John Clopton was her executor.)
Also her daughters by Fray, Dame Elizabeth Waldegrave, wife of Sir Thomas, who was Knighted on Towton field, and Dame Margaret Leynham.
Thomas Feyton.
Margaret, his wife, daughter and heiress of Sir John Bamai-d, Kt. Arms : — Feyton impaling Barnard, quartering LiUing.
Ralph Josselin, Lord Mayor of London 1462 and 1476.
Elizabeth (Barley), his wife.
Sir Robert Clifford, her second husband.
The wife cf Walter Clopton, daughter of John Peecot,* Kt.
Dorothy, daughter of John Clopton, wife of Thomas Curson.
John Ge'tney, Lord Mayor of London, 1427. A shield of arms : — Gedney impaling Clopton.
Elizabeth, wife of John, Lord Dynham, daughter of the Lord Fitzwalter.
Dame Eleanor Tyrell. Arms -.—Tyrell (with a label), impaling Darcy.
The Lady Anne Percy, widow of Sir Thomas Hungerford, and wife of Sir Laurence Reynesforth, Kt. She was daughter of the Earl of Northiunberland, who was slain at the battle of St. Alban's, and sister to the Earl who was slain at Towton. She lived to hare a third husband, Su- Hugh Vaughan, Kt. Arras on her dress ; — Reynesforth quartering Brokesbourne, and impaling Fercy (Brabant) quartering Lucy.
Elizabeth (Talbot), widow of the last Moubray, Duke of Norfolk. Arms: — Brotherton only, impaling Talbot. This Duchess has generally been taken for Elizabeth Fitz- aUan, on account of the similarity of the arms.
Elizabeth Tilney, -wife of Thomas Howard, afterwards Duke of Norfolk. Arms : — Soward quarteiing Brotherton and Mowbray, and impaling Tilney.
So named in the old inscription.
VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE. 25
EXTHACTs FE03I MELFOKD EEGiSTEES. — {Commencing 1559.)
1591. June. Elizab., dau. of Thos. Clopton, Esqre., the 21st.
1592. March. AVm. Clopto, sonn to Thomas Clopto, Esq., -«-as bap. the 13th of this
month, and home the 27th of ftebruary. 1594. December. Ma. da. to Thos. Clopto, Esq., tlie 4th. 1596. Aprill. Walter Clopto, son to Thos. Clopton, Esq., was bap. ye 14th. 1618. August. Richard, son to Mr. Francis Clopton.
1618. August. Edward, son to the Et. worshipful Sr Wm. Clopton, Knt., was
baptized ye 25th.
1619. September. William, son to Sir- Wm. Clopton, Knt., was bap. the fii-st day.
[This son was bom after his father's death. The widow being his 2nd wife, EUzabeth, da. of Sir Giles Allington, of Horseheath, Knt., and widow of Sir Henry PaUavicine, by whom he had two sons who died infants. She marr. a 3rd husband, Sir John Tracy, Knt.]
MARRIAGES.
1581. Febry. Charles Stowers and EHz. Clopton, manied ye 24th. 1615. April. Mr. Jerom Bayliffand Mrs. Eliz. Clopton, marr. the 18th.
1561. August. Townsend Clopton, the 24th. 1662. August. William Clopton, Esqre., the 17th. 1578. Franc Clopton, Esqre., ye 22nd.
1584. August. Mr. Thomas Clopton, burd. the 10th.
1587. July. George Clopto, bui-. ye 17th.
1588. December. Mr. Wm. Clopton, bur. the 18th. 1597. February. Thomas Clopto, Esqre., biu-. the 16th.
1615. February. The Lady wiffe of Sir Wm. Clopto' Knt., was bur.
[Anne, da. of Sir Thomas Bamai'diston, Knt., and mother to the fir-et wife of Sir Symonds D'Ewes.] 1618. September. Edward, the sonn to the right wors'p. Sir- Will. Clopton, Knt.,
was bur. ye r2th day.
1618. March. Sir- Wm. Clopton, Knt., was bur. the 12th.
[Inscription on monument in the Clopton chapel — Here lyeth interred the bodies of Sr. William Clopton, Knight, who died the — day of March, in the yeare of our Lord, 1618, and of his age 27 ; And of Dame Anne his first wife, the daughter of Sir Thomas Barnardiston, of Clare, Knt., who had by ye said Sr. William one daughter, and died the 4th day of Febru- ary, the 20th year of her age, 1615.]
1619. November. John, son to Mr. Franc. Clopton, ye 16th.
1661. Jime. The Honored Lady CicUla, and wife to Sii- Thomas Darcey, Knt.
and Barronett, biu-. ye first.
[U- ';- chad of Sir Symonds D'Ewes and Anne Clopton. In the Clopton chapel, MeLford church, on a black marble slab (with the arms of Darcy, impahng B'Hwes quartering Clopton) is the following inscription : — This preserves the memory of Dame SissiUia, wife of Sr. Thos. Darcy, Bart., whom he had by Anne, ye sole daughter and heire of Sir William Clopton, Knt., who deceased the 29th day of May, mdclxi.]
FEOM LAVENHAM EEGISTEES. — {Commencing 1558).
CHRISTENINGS.
1593. March 29. Anne, da. of Eic. Clopton, gent.
1595. November 23, Marie, da. of Eicd. Clopton, gent.
1597. June 29. Eic'e, son of Eice Clopton, gent.
1699. July 6. Robert, son of Rice Clopton, gent.
26 VISITATION OF THE COtTNTY OF SUFFOLKE.
1600. February IS. Frances, da. of Rice Clopton, gent.
1612. February 14. Mai-garet, da. of "William Clopton.
1614. July 19. "Wm., Sonne of Villiam Clopton.
1615. January 1. Anne, da. of WiUiam Clopton, gent.
1617. October 28. Robert, son of William Clopton.
1618. April 5. Jobn, son of Frances Clopton.
1620. June 8. WiUiam, the son of Mr. Francis Clopton.
1625. July 27. Thomas, son of Mr. Francis Clopton.
1628. April 1. Elizabeth, daughter of Francis Cloppon (.5!V)
1631. July 5. Clopton D'Ewes, sonne of Sr. Simonds D'Ewes, baptized.
March 25. Tymothe Gridlie and Susan Clopton.
1595. March 27. Thomas, son of Rice Clopton, gen : 1605. June 15. TTrsulie Clopton Wd. 1621. Oct. 8. Robert, the son of Mr. WiUiam Clopton. 1624. Aug. 26. William Clopton.
1631. July 10. Clopton, son of Sr. Simonds D'Ewes, Bart.
1632. March. Geerardt D'Ewes being the yoimger of two t-ninns, and the thirds
Sonne of Sr. Simonds D'Ewes, and Dame Anne D'Ewes, his wife, was buried March 12. Adiian D'Ewes, the elder twinne, and second sonue of the same Sr. Simonds and Dame Anne, was buried March 14.
1641. July 19. Grace, wife of Mr. Francis Clopton.
1651. Aug. 7. Francis Clopton, gent.
EXTRACTS FROM THE PARISH REGISTERS OF GSOTON, SUFFOLK.
{Commencing 1562.)
1580. Anna Clopton, the daughter of Mr. Willm., gent., and of Mra. Margery, was
baptized the 29th day of January. 15S1. Bridget Clopton, the "daughter of Mr. WiUm. Clopton, gent., and Mi's.
Margery, was baptised the 29th day of January. 1582. Teomasing Clopton, the daughter of Mr. WiUm. Clopton, gent., and of
Mistress Mai'gery his wife, was baptized the 18th day of Febnaary. [She
was married to John Winthrop, and died in childbed,"l616.]
1584. The 9th day of April, William Clopton, the sonne of WiUiam Clopton, Esq.,
and Mrs. Mai-gery his wife, was baptized the
1585. Walter Clopton, the sonne of Willm. Clopton, Esquii-e, and of Mrs. Margery
his wife, was baptized the last day of June.
1587. Waldgi-are Clopton, the sonne of WOlm. Clopton, Esquire, and Mrs. Margery,
was baptized the 18th May. Jolin Winthiop, the sonne of Adam Winthropp, and Anna his wife, was baptised the 16th of January. [First Goti-. of Massachusettes].
1588. Marye Cloptonn, the daughter of WOlm. Clopton, gent., and of Mrs. Margerj',
was baptised the 15th of January. 1590. Margery Clopton, the daughter of Mr. WiUm. Clopton, Esquire, and Mistress
Margery, was baptised the 18th Jime. 1593. Thomas Cloptonn, the sonne of Willm Clopton, Esquire, and Mrs. Margeiy,
was baptd. the 18th September. 1601. EUzabethe Cloptonn, the daughter of WiUm. Cloptonn, Esquire, and of Mrs.
Margery his -srife, was baptised the 9th day of Julye.
1620. Edmond Clopton, the sonne of WiUiam Clopton, gent., was baptized the Sth
of November.
1621. Marie Clopton was baptised the 10th of February.
1634. Richard Clopton, sonne of WiUiam Clopton, " Esquiie, and Alice his wife, baptised March the fii'st.
VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE. '2 i
1636. Thomas Clopton, son ofWillm. Clopton, Esqre., and Alice his wife, baptised
December 26tb. 163S. Alice Clopton, daughter of Willm. Clopton, Esqre., and Alice, 22nd April. 1663. Jamima Clopton, dagter of Willyam, and Brigget his wife, was baptized
Sept. 22nd. 1661. A Clopton, the daughter of WlUam Clopton, Esquire, and of Bridgett
his wife, baptized December the 12th.
lo9.S. John Samsone, gent., and Bridget Cloptonne were mamed the 27th day of Jime. 1613. John Winthrop, Esqre., and Thomaainge Clopton was married the 6th day of
Deer. 1617. Thomas Doggetrent, and Mrs. Margery Clopton were mai-ried the 22nd day of
April.
BUKIALS.
1616. 'WiUiam Clopton, Esqre., was buried the 19th day of August.
Misti-es Thomasin Winthrope the 2nd wife of John Winthrop, Esq., was buried the 11th day of December.
1617. A yonge chUd of George Clopton was bom and biu'ied the 5 April.
1620. Thomas Clopton, the sonne of George Clopton, was buried 28th September.
1622. Elizabeth Clopton, gentn., was buried the 6th of November.
1623. Marie Clopton was buried the 19th May.
1626. George Cloptone was bmied the seoonde day of Maye.
1633. Margret Clopton, wid. biu-ied Octr. 30th.
1639. Sept. 14th, Mr. Richard Clopton.
1640. Nov. 7th, AViUiam Clopton, Esqre.
1666. "William Clopton, Esqre., was bm-ied the 25th of Aprill.
1666. Mr. Thomas Clopton, son of Mr. Clopton, was buried July 4th.
1674. Mrs. Bridget Cloi>ton, buried March 20th.
EXTEACTS FEOM CLABE KEGisiEES. — {Commencing 1558).
Mistres Ann Barnardiston, filia to the right worshipftill Sir Thos. Barnardiston, knt., baptized the seventh day of November, in the year of oirr Lord 1605.
A.D. 1610. Januarii. Master "WiUiam Clopton, sone and heire to the right worship- full Master Thos. Clopton et Mistress Ann Barnardiston, daughter to the right worshipful Sir Thomas Barnardiston, knt., was married in Clare church, the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand six, hundred and ten.
Mystres Ann Clopton, daughter to Master "William Clopton, Esquire, was baptized in Clare Church, the 2ud day of March, A.D. 1612. [Married Su- Symonds D'Ewes.]
That verteous and righte worshipfuU Lady An Cloptone, w)-ffe and Lady to the righte worshipfuU Sir "William Cloptone, whiche Lade deaceased the fourth day of February, A.D. 1615, and Ueth buried in Melford Chapel.
EEOM THE EEGisTEE BOOKS, LiSTON, ESSEX. — {Commencing! 1599).
. May. Thomas, the sonne of Mr. "William Clopton, was baptized by Mr. Holland, the 28th of May, beinge Tuesday, Mr. Bates shoidd have preached.
;. "William, the sonne of Mr. "William Clopton, was baptized by Mr. Firmyn, the 10th day of March.
. John the sonne of Mr. "WUliam Clopton, was baptized the 23rd day of October.
1. Elizabeth, the daughter of Mr. Thomas Clopton, and Elizabeth his wife, was baptized the eight day of October.
;. "William, the sonne of Mr. Thomas Clopton, aud Elizabeth his wife, was bap- tized the 23rd of October.
i. Anne, the daughter of Thomas Clopton, Esq., and EUzabeth his wife, was baptized the 30th day of December.
. Martia and Thomas, ye sonnes of Mr. Thomas Clopton, Esqre., and Elizabeth his wife, was baptized January ye 13th.
28 VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE.
1637. Thomas, the sonue of Thos. Clopton, Esepe., and Elizabeth his wife, was
baptized March the 15th.
1638. Jane, ye daughter of Thos. Clopton, Esq., and Elizabeth his wife, was bap-
tized Febraarythe 21st. 1640. Mary, the daughter of Thomas Clopton, Esq., and Elizabeth hia wife, was
baptized December ye 15th. 1642. Lucy, the daughter of Thomas Clopton, Esq., and Elizabeth his wife, was
baptized August ye second.
1644. John the Sonne of Thomas Clopton, Esq., and Elizabeth his wife, was bap-
tized March the 31st.
1645. Frances, the daughter of Mr. Thomas Clopton, and Elizabeth his wife, was
baptized January ye 1 8th. 1647. Matthew, the sonue of Mr. Thomas Clopton, Esq., and Elizabeth his wife, was
bajitized November ye 14th. 1649. Frances, the daughter of Thomas Clopton, Esq., and Elizabeth his wife, was
baptized February ye 17th. 1651. Waulter, the sorme of Thomas Clopton, Esqre., and Elizabeth his wife, was
baptized Oetr. ye 12th. 1654. Bamardiston, the sonne of Thomas Clopton, Esqre., and Elizabeth his wife,
was baptized December the 15th. 1656. Wiseman, the sonue of Mr. Thomas Clopton, Esqre., and Elizabeth his wife,
was baptized April ye 1 9th. 1659. Margarett, the daughter of Thomas Clopton. Esqre., and Elizabeth his wife,
was baptized February the 12th. 1665. Clopton Thomas, sonn of AViDiam Clopton, Esqre., and Elizabeth his wife, was
baptized Novr. 27th.
1667. Clopton William, the sonne of William Clopton, Esqre., and Elizabeth his wife,
was bapt. Aug. 25th.
1668. Clopton Elizabeth, the daughter of WiUiam Clopton, Esqre., and Elizabeth his
wife, was bapt. November 8th. [Married Edward Crisp, of Bury, 1698.]
1670. Clopton Jane, ye daughter of WiUiam Clopton, Esqre., and Elizab. his wife,
was baptiz. Nov. 25.
1671. Clopton Foley, ye sonn of Will. Clopton, Esqre., and Elizabeth his wife, was
baptized Febru. 16th, 1673. Clopton Foley, ye sonn of Willm. Clopton, Esqre., and Elizabeth his wife, was
bapt. February 13. 1677. Thomas Clopton, son of William Clopton, Esq., and Elizabeth his WTfe, was
baptized December 27th. 1679. Cecilia Clopton, daughter of William Clopton, Esqre., and Elizabeth his wife,
was borne Dec. 25th, and baptised Jany. 5, 1680.
MAKSIAGES.
1654. Robert Dalloson, of Aey, in Suffolk, gent., and Mrs. Anne Clopton, the daugh- ter of Thomas Clopton, Esq., were marryed February ye 27, being Shrove Tuesday yt year.
1658. John Bacon, of Colchester, gent., and Mrs. Jane Clopton, the daughter of Thomas Clopton, of Lyston, Esq., were marryed May the 25th.
1661 Mr. Thomas Cheyney, of Eye, and Mrs. Elizabeth Clopton, of Listen, were man-yed by license upon Tuesday, June 1 1 .
1662. Mr. Philip Goodwin, of Moulton, Cleric, and Mrs. Lucy Clopton, were marryed Oct. 21.
1671. Mr. James Coker, of Braynti-e, and Mrs. Mary Clopton, were man-yed May ye 9th.
1698. Edward Crisp, gentleman, of Bury Saint Edmund's, and Elizabeth Clopton, daughter of William Clopton, Esqre., were manyed May 22.
Mrs. An Clopton, the wife of Mi-. Willm. Clopton, of Lyston, Esqre., and sister of Sir Thomas Barnardiston, was buried in the chancel, on the 21 of
VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE. 20
1623. Mr. ■William Clopton, -n-idoiver, having thi-ee sons, Tho., 'William, and John,
was buried in the chancel of Listen, the last day of Nov., beinge the Sabboa-
the, and St. Andrewes day falling yat day. 1625. Mistrees Anne Clopton, the wife of Mr. Frances Clopton, of Listen, was buried
in the chancell, the 30th day of October. 1*37. Thomas ye soone of Thomas Clopton, Esqre., was buryed ApriU the 30th. 1647. Francis, ye daughter of Thomas Clopton, Esqre., and Elizabeth hia wife, being
drowned, was buiyed November ye 7tli. 1667. Thomas Clopton, ye son of Thomas Clopton, Esq., was buryed Septr. 22, 1667, 1694. Thomas Clopton, Esq., was bm-yed Oct. 22. 1670. Clopton Jane, the daughter of 'Willm. Clopton, Esqre., and Elizab. his wife,
was biu-ied Novr. 27. 1672. Foley Clopton, the infant son of William Clopton, Esqre., and Elizab. his wife
was buried April 23. 1675. Clopton Thomas, the sonne of "William Clopton, Esqre., and Elizabeth his wife,
was buried June 18th.
1679. Martin Clopton, the sonne of Thomas Clopton, Esqre., was buried September 16.
1680. Wiseman Clopton, the sonne of Thomas Clopton, Esqre., was buried Nov. 20. 1682. Cecilia Clopton, daughter of WiUiam Clopton, Esqre., was buried Nov. 20. 1696. Mrs. Elizabeth Clopton, the relict of Thomas Clopton, Esq., was buried 23rd
day of October. 1698. William Clopton, Esq., was buried the 7th day of Mai-ch.
1704. Elizabeth, ve daughter of William Clopton, Esq., and Ann his wife, was buried
July 24th.
1705. William, the sonne of William Clopton, Esq., and Ann his wife, was buried
March 17. 1715 Mrs. Elizabeth Clopton, the relict of the late William Clopton, Esqre., was
bm-ied 7th Deer., 1715. 1730. Foley Clopton, M.D., was buried Nov. 7. [Founded the Alms Houses at Bury
St. Edmunds. Last male.]
WILL OF SIR THOMAS DE CLOPTONE.— 1383.
In Dei nomine Amen, octavo die Martii, anno Domini millesimo trecentesimo octo- gesimo secimdo, ego Thomas de Cloptone, miles, in sana memoria mea existens, condo testamentum meum in himc modum.
Inprimis lego animam meam Deo Omnipotenti et Beatae Marias, et omnibus Sanctis ejus, et corpus meum ad sepoUendum in eoclesia BeatEe Marise prioratus de Chippeleye, videlicet, in chore inter tumulum matris mese et uxoris mese.
Item, lego xxxiii.?. iiiirf. pro cera emenda pro hercia mea, et pro albo panno laueo emendo ad ponendum super corpus meum, et postea dandum pauperibus.
Item, lego priori de Chippeleye qiu pro temporo fuerit xius. iuirf.
Item, lego fratribus et conventui de BabbeweU, ad celebrandum pro auima mea et pro animabus quibus teneor, xxs.
Item, lego domino Johanni capeUano parochiae de Melford vis. viiirf.
Item, lego prierissae de Ridelyngfeld quae pre tempore fuerit vis. viiid.
Item, lego conventui ejusdem loci xiiis. iiiic?.
Totum vero residuum bonorum et cataUorum meerum lego Katerinae uxori meae pro sustentatione sua et liberoriun suorum.
Hujus autem testamenti mei executeres constitue, Katerinam uxorem meam, Lau- rentium Porterese, et WilUelmum Scott de Wykharabrook, qui circa prajmissa et in prfemissis faciendis Deum prae oculis habentes celeriter procedant.
In cujus rei testimonium huic praesenti testamente meo sigillum meum apposui.
Datiun apud Melford die et anno supradictis.
Frobatum fuit istud testamentum apud Gipwicum coram nobis offioiali etc. xii. die mensis Octobris anno Domini millesimo trecentesimo octegesimo tertio, et commissa est administratio omnium bonorum, etc. WiUielme Scott de Wykhambrook, et Laurentio Porterose executeribus, etc., reservata potestate conunittendi alii* executrici, &c.
* So in MS.
.)IJ VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE.
[From Harleian Charter, Brit. Mus., 58. H. 22. This document is a sheet of fools- cap, containing a copy of the foregoing will, taken from a book in the Norwich Eegistry, entitled Haydon (fol. 177. a). This copy was compared with the original book by Sir Simond Dewes, as appears by the following note, in his handwriting, at the foot of the page. " I compared this faithfullie with the Register, on Saturday, the 20th day of May, 1637; Simonds Dewes."
In Harleian MS. No. 10, which is a volume of transcripts made by Sir Simond Dewes, from the wills proved at Norwich, there is another copy of this wiU, with the following note by Dewes: — " Fuenmt iste Thomas de Cloptone miles, et domina Katherina filia "WiUielmi Mylde armigeri, antecessores dominie Annie D'Ewes, charissimie uxoris me£e, in linea directa. Fuit enim iUa filia unica et heeres WiUielmi Clopton militis defiincti anno 16° Jacobi regis, filii et haeredis ThomEe Clopton armigeri defuncti anno 40 reginje Elizahethse, filii et hceredis Willielmi Clopton armigeri defuncti armo 4o reginse EUzabethue, filii et haeredis Johaimis Clopton armigeri defuncti armo 33o Henrici 8, filii et hasredis WiUielmi Clopton militis defuncti anno 22o Henrici 8, filii et hseredis Johannis Clopton armigeri defuncti anno 13° Henrici 7, fiUi et hoeredis Williel- mi Clopton armigeri defimcti anno 25o Henrici 6, filii et ha^redis supra memoratonmi Thomae Clopton militis defimcti anno 6o Ricardi 2 et dominse Katherinse ultimae suae conjugis defunctae anno 4o Henrici 4, dictus dominus Thomas fi-atrem hahuit seniorem
WiUielmmn de Clopton miUtem, cujus testamentum , unde patet quod pater
eorum fuit 'Walterus de Cloptone de "Wichambrook qui obiit anno 20° Edwardi 2, qui quidem Walterus fihus fiiit WiUieLnii de Cloptone de Wichambroke qui obiit tempore Edwardi 1 et fiUus fiiit Walteri de Cloptone filii Willielmi de Cloptune in vivis, uli col- ligo, tempore Henrici 2 et Eicardi 1 fiUi Walteri de Cloptune filii Willielmi de Cloptunne qui visit, uti coUigo, ex antiquissima carta Walteri filii sui tempore Willielmi Eufi et Hem-ici 1 ; et hucusque hoc stemma indubitate vindicavi ex ipsis originaUbus chartis Cloptonorum, cujus Olustris familije historicam et araplam genealogiam inserere heic potui ciun omnibus eorum consortibus usque ad tempera Henrici 3. Opinor istiunWil- lielmum de Cloptunne fiHum j uniorem fuisse WiUielmi Peccatiun (cujus posteri cogno- minati Pecche), et a patre sibi donatam terram in Cloptuna in hundredo de Risbridg in comitatu Suffolk a dicto patre suo tentam in Domesdey, tomo 2^" Sutfulc tit. xxt., et inde ipsum primo assumpsisse nomen de Cloptunne sive de Cloptune quod mutatum est circa tempora regis Johannis o in ultima syUaba supposito pro u, in Cloptone."]
WILL OF KATHEEINE DE TENDRTNGGE.— 1404.
In Dei nomine. Amen. Ego Katerina de Tendryngge, vicesimo quarto die Februarii, anno Domini miUesimo quadringesimo tertio, condo testamentum meum in hunc modum.
Inprimis lego animam meam Deo, et Beatae Marias Virgiri, et omnibus Sanctis, et corpus meum ad sepeliendum in capeUa ecclesiae de Stokeneylond ex parte australi ejus- dem ecclesiae coram altari dictae capellae.
Item, lego summo altari praedictae ecclesiae xls.
Item, summo altari de Melford xiiis. xaid.
Item, summo altari de Chippelegh xxs.
Item, summo altari de Wykhambrook vis. viiic/.
Item, summo altari de Shymplyngge vis. viiirf.
Item, lego viginti pauperibus majus egenis in ^-illa de Stokeneylond xxs. cuilibet eorum xiifi. statim post obitum meum distribuendoa.
Item, Thomffi capellano domini met vis. raid.
Item, Margaretae ancillae meae xiiis. mid.
Item, duabus camerariis utrique eorum xW.
Item, Johanni coco domini mei xlrf.
Item, Thomse Bakere xlrf.
Item, lego ad reparationem ecclesiae de Boxford iinli.
Item, ad repai'ationem ecclesiae de Polstede xxs.
Et residxium omnium bonorum et catallorum meorum do et lego domino J^ohaimi Lyncolne personte ecclesiae de Hadleye, magistro Henrico Tompstone vicario ecclesitB de Stoke, magistro Johanni Dix clerico, et WiUielmo Brook de Holtone, quos instituo exe- cutores nieos ad disponendum pro anima mea, ut melius viderint expedire, per visum domini Johannis Howard militis, et Willielmi Cloptone filii mei, quos constituo super- visores dictorum executorum :
VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE. 31
In cvijus i-ei testimonium huio testamento meo sigUlum menm apposiii.
Datum apud Stoke prsedict' die et anno supradictis.
Haec est ultima voluntas mei Katerinse de Tendryngge memorata et scripta vicesimo quarto die Februarii, anno regni regis Hemici quarti post conquestum quai'to.
In primis volo quod omnia legata in testamento meo fldeliter perficiant secundum formam ibidem contentam.
Item, volo quod Willielmus Clopton iilius mens, statim post festum Sancti Miohaelis Arcbaugeli proximo post diem meum extremum habeat manerium vocatum Kentewelle- halle, cum omnibus pertinentiis suis, sibi hajredibus et assignatis siiis, sub hac eouditione, quod idem Willielmus nou impediat prtesentem meam voluntatem nee ejusdem seu meum testamentum.
Item, volo quod idem Willielmus, statim post dictum festum Sancti Micbaelis habeat omnia ilia terras et tenementa qua) vocant Lutones cum pertinentiis, sibi et hajredibus suis, ciuu toto stauro meo dicto feato Sancti Micbaelis ibidem existente, et cum toto bosco ibidem, sub conditione prEedicta, et salvo et reservato executoribus meis quodam annuo redditu decern marcarum inde percipiendarum ad terminum decem annorum proximo post proedictum iestum Sancti Micbaelis annuatim solvendarum fi-atri Edmundo Cavenham et fratri Johanni Byntre sequaliter, videlicet, utrique eorum per annum quinque marcas durante termino dictorum decem annonim ad celebrandum pro auima mea, anima ThomsB Clopton nuper viri mei, et animabua parentum meoi-um et omnium quibus teneor habere in memoriam et orationes ; et si proedictus Edmundus et Johannes vel eorum alter infra eimdem terminum obieiint vel obierit, quod tunc solvantur ahis duobus ydoneis fratiibns quorum unus de Sudbury et alter de Clare celebratmnis, ut prsedictum est, hac conditione addita, quod si prsedictus WUlielmus filius mens meam voluntatem in aliquo perturba- verit vel impedierit, quod tunc bene liceat feoifatis in eisdem priEdictis terris et tene- mentis vocatis Lutones cum pertinentiis, et cum toto praidicto stauro existente ibidem mediante consensu et voluntate exeoutorum meorum vendere ut melius viderint expedire, et quod moneta inde percepta per eosdem executores expendatur pro anima mea et ani- mabus praedictis ut salubrius eisdem executoribus videatur.
Item, volo quod ■WiUielmus de Tendryngge maritus mens habeat de bonis meis xl. marcas ad usum suum propriimi, ita quod non impediat attornatos vel executores meos de aliquo in testamento meo vel iu mea ultima voluntate perficiendo.
Item, volo quod mater mea habeat ad terminum vita; suce illas terras quas tenet ad fii-mam jacentes in Poselyngforthe sine aliquo inde reddendo, et post decessum suum remaneant pra;dicto WUlielmo Clopton et haeredibus suis impei^petuum.
Item, quod prasdicta mater mea habeat decem libras pro sustentatione sua una vice solvendas citius quo solvi poterint.
Item, volo quod omnes exitus et proventus terrarum et tenementorum vocatorum Sprottislond et Boiu-hous remaneant domino meo WOlielmo de Tendryngge ad terminum vitfe suffi, et post decessum suum remaneant executoribus meis ad terminum decem annorum time proximo sequentiiuu et plenarie completorum expendendi pro animabus dicti domini WiUielmi de Tendryngge et mei Kateriuce uxoria ejus et anteceaaorum nostrorum, et post terminum dictorum decem annorum omnia preedicta terras et tenementa vocata Sprottislond et Bourhous cum eorum pertinentiis remaneant Alicice Howard filise meffl de pr^dicto WUlielmo de Tendryngge et hseredibus de corpore ejusdem AJiciae legitime procreatis ; et si contingat prasdicta Alicia sine hserede de corpore suo, etc., obire, quod tunc omnia prEedicta terras et tenementa vocata Sprottislond et Bourhous maneant WiUielmo Cloptone filio meo et hoeredibus de corpore suo legitime procreatis, et si idem "Willielmus obierit sine hserede de corpore suo, etc., tunc prjedicta terrae et tenementa vocata Spottislond et Bourhous revertantur feoffatis, et per eoa vendantur, et moneta inde recepta et executoribua supradictis b-adita iu pios uaus expendatur pro animabus ut supra.
Item, volo quod omnia terrte et tenementa vocata Bachonns cum pertinentiis remaneant in manibus feoifatoriun eorundem ad terminum viginti annorum, quorum proventus et exitus per idem tempus inde provenientes, per executores meos integre percipiantur et expendantur quolibet anno durante eodem termino in stipendium iinius capellani cele- bratm-i pro animabus proedictis, et si quid superfuerit distribuatm- in elemosinam pau- perum per discretionem exeeutorimi meonrm, et post termimrai prsedictorum viginti annorum praedicta teiToe et tenementa vocataBachouns remaneantprasfatfo Alicia) filiae meae et ha;redibus de corpore suo legitime procreatis. Et si eadcni Alicia obierit sine hserede
32 VISITATION OF THE COTTNTT OF SUFFOLKK.
de corpore suo, etc., quod tunc maneant praedicto 'WilLielmo Clopton filio meo et Bsre- dibus de corpore suo legitime procreatis. Et si idem WiUielmus Clopton obierit sine haercde de corpore suo legitime procreato quod tunc prasdicta terrae et tenementa vocata Bachonns prfedictis feoffatis hteredibus et assignatis eonuu integi-e revertantur, et per eosdem vendautur, et moneta inde percepta per executores meos vel eorundem attomatos in missis celebrandis et aliis elemosiuis distribuatur.
Item, volo quod praedicta AJicia filia mea habeat totum apparatum pro capite meo, exceptis duobus filettis de perle miuoris valoris quae assigno et volo quod uxor Petri de Boxsted habeat, et exceptis omnibus keverchefs, quorum quatuor par de Parys lego matri mese, et residuum dictorum keverchefs lego Margaretae Peyntor.
Item, domino Johanni Howard unam peciam argenti vocatam flatpec et deaiu-atam cum uno covercle pro eadem, et quod condonetur eidem domino Johanni totum debitum de eo mibi contingens, si benevolus fuerit non impediendo testamentiun meum nee nltimam meam voluntatem.
Item, Willielmo filio meo imam peciam argenti sive covercle cum sex coclearibus argenti, unum lectum de albo worsted stejned cum viris et faeminis, imum lectum viri- dem videlicet coverlyt et tester, imum matras bluet, unam mappam de Parys cimi imo longo towayle de eodem artiflcio, unum vestimentum viride pro capellano cum imo calice et cum missali libro, et unum librmn vocatum Byble.
Item, eidem AViUielmo imam peciam argenti vocatam stondynggepec exim imo covercle ejusdem cum capite leopardi, et unam cistam vocatam gretcofre pro lect' im- ponend'.
Item, volo quod praedicta Alicia filia mea habeat unam longam cistam in qua peUur' meae solent jacere, et omnia alia lecti, naperioe, et cistae remaneant praedicto domiao "Wniielmo de Tendryngge.
Item, quod prsdicta Alicia filia mea habeat duas furr' de Optimo eligendas et cloke furratiun, et quod mater mea duo optim' gounes quorum furrar' assignantur Aliciae filiae meae ut supra.
Item, matri meae duo alia gounes forrata.
Item, volo quod decern libri liberentur ad reparationem ecclesiae de Stokeneylond, et pro una petra pro sepultura mea cooperienda quinque marc».
Item, volo quod triginta pauperes homines in villa de Stokeneylond praedicta, Melford, et aliis villis habeant die sepulturae meae, quilibet eorum quatuor virg' panni pro gounes dicto die inde habend', et quilibet eorum habeat pro factura earundem sex denarios.
Item, volo quod Margareta Peyntor habeat ii gounes furrat' cum peUur', et imum par orac' de geet.
Item, quod distribuantur cmlibet pauperi mendicanti et advenienti ad diem sepulturae meae duos denarios.
Item, quod executores mei habeant et disponant pro exequiis meis et pro mea sepul- tura facienda viginti libras.
Item, quod quilibet capellanus apud Stoke praedict' habeat vis. vm.il., et quilibet clericus ministrans in ecclesia ibidem siiii., et quod Johannes Onewyne nuper serviens domini mei WilUelmi de Tendryngge habeat vis. viiid.
Item, supplico executoribus et attomatis meis quod statim post obitum meum fiat proclamatio in Stoke prajdicta et in Melforthe si aliquod debitum vel injuria per dom- inum Thomam Clopton, dominum "Willielmum de Tendryngge vel per me acta fuerint aliquo tempore praeterito et inde prius non competens restitutio quod tunc inde fiat plena satisfactio secundum discretionem dictorum executorum et attomatorum meomm.
In cujus rei testimonium prajsentibus sigillum meiun apposui.
Datura apud Stoke prcedictam die et anno supradictis.
Item, quod Thomas Bakere habeat tenementum vocatum Reddes sibi et haeredibus imperpetuum.
Probatum fuit praesens testamentum una cum codiciUo eidem annexo apud Norwicum coram nobis officiali domiui Norwiceusis episcopi xviii die mensis Junii anno Domini millesimo quadringcsimo tertio. Et commissa est administratio omnium bonorum, etc., magistro Henrico Thompson et Willielmo Brook executoribus in eodem testamento
VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE. 33
iftominatia una cum supervisione domji^orum Joharmis Howard et Willielmi Clopton* sailitum in forma juris juratis. In cujua rei testimonium, etc. (From Harleian MS. 10, fol. 158.)
Omnibus Chiisti fidelibus, etc., Johannes dominus de Cobham miles, Rogerus Asste- bomham, Thomas Brokhull, Thomas Preston, rector ecclesise de Tunstall, salutem in Domino.
Noveritis nos reniisisse Katerinae uxori Thomae de Clopton militis, Roberto de Bock- yng, rectori de Stonhara, Thomae rectori ecclesia; de Hawkedon, Roberto Clerk capel- lano, et Willielmo Scott, totum jus, &c., in manerio de Kentewell, in coraitatu Suff, &c.
Hiis testibus Ricardo Waldegrave, Johaune Shardelowe, Willielmo Asshebrok militi- bus, Johanne Rookwode, Willielmo alte Lee, et aliis.
Datum apud Melford decimo die ffebruarij anno regni regis Ricardi secundi post con- questum tertio.
(Harleian Chai-ter, Brit Mus. 48, E. 35.)
ADMINISTRATION OF FELICIA CLOPTON.— 1409.
Johannes Perche clericus, curite Cantuariensis Registrarius reverendissimi in Christo patris et domini domiui Thomee, Dei gratia Cantuariensis archiepiscopi totius AngUae pri- matis et apostoUcte sedis legaticommissarius generalis ad infra scriptasuiEcienteret legitime deputatus, discretis viris domino Roberto Brythlem capellano, et Johanni Wawe ciyi et pannario Londoniae, salutem in Domino.
Cum nuper Felicia Clopton, alias Skete, dum vixerat muUer et vidua Londoniae, ut nobis suggeritur, abintestato deoesserit, quae dum superstes erat, et tempore quo diem ,suum clausit e.xtremum, quamplura et diversa bona notabOia in diversis dioecesibus pro- vinciae Cantuariensis notor' obtinuit, cujus occasione et praetextu, dispositio sive admmis- trationis bonorum quorumcunque ipsius Felicise, ut praefertur, abintestato decedentis ubi- cunque iufra dictam provinciam Cantuariensis existentiimi commissio ao compoti sive calculi administrationis hujus auditio, discussio, et finaUs liberatio ab eodem, ad dictum reverendum pati-em dominum Cautuariensem Archiepiscopimi, etc., usque peitinere ; volentes prout nobis incumbit ex officio prospicere ut bona hujus debite administrentur ad plene et fideliter admiuistrandum bona hujus dictae defunctae omnia et omnimoda de eis quae disponenda, prout ad animae suae salutem melius videritis expedire, de quo ves- ti-as iu Domino firmiter oneramus conscieutias ac debita quEecunque ipsius defuuctas petenda, colligenda, et reoipienda, qu* ad eam mortis suae tempore pertinuerunt, necnon ad solvendum sea alienum iu quo dicta Felicia, tempore quo ab hac luce migravit, extitit obUgata. Vobis conjunctim de quorum fideUtate et industria coniidimus auctoritate dicti reverendissimi patris qua fungimur in hac parte, committimus plenam potestatem prestito primitus per vos coram nobis ad Sancta Dei Evangelia corporaliter tacta jurato eorporali de pleno et fideli inventario omniiun et singulorum bonorum praefatae deftmctae et ipsam qualitercunque ooncementium ubicunque infra dictam provinciam Cantuariensis existentium conficiendo, ac nobis realiter exhibendo, necnon de vero oompoto nobis red- dendo cimi in ea parte congrue ftieritis requisiti, ac vos bonorum hujus administratores praeficimus et deputamus per praesentes datos Londonise sub sigiUo officii nostri octavo die mensis Martii anno domini mUlesimo quadringesimo octavo. Ac idem commissarius assignavit eisdem administratoribus quindenam Sancti MichaeUs ad exhibendum iuvent- arium, etc. Ac subsequenter, videlicet, vicesimo secundo die mensis Aprilis, anno Domini nullcsimo quadringesimo decimo, praefatus commissarius acquietavit dictos ad- ministratores in forma communi, etc.
(From the Registry of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Mat-che 144.)
* WiUielmus Cloptone heic vitio librarii appellatiu- miles, istum enim gradum nim- quam suscepit. (Note by Dewos.)
34 VISITATION OF THE COHNTr OF SUFFOLKE.
Sciant prossentes et futiiri quod ego Eobertiis Clopton, ciris et pannarius Londoniae dedi, &e., Galfrido Clopton, Johanni Clopton filio ethasredi dicti Galfridi, domino 'Willielmo BnBok capellano, et Thomce Odyham, manerium meum vocatnm Codenhamhalle in villa de Boxforde, &c., quod quidem mane- rium ego pra;dictus Robertus Clopton nuper habui conjunctim cum Felicia iiHa Johannis Alevn oUm de Boxforde nuper uxoic
\
mea jam defimcta, ex eoncessioue Eadulphi Chaumberlevn, &c.
Datum apud Boxford decimo octavo die mensis Octobris, anno regni regis Henrici Sexti post conquestum decimo septimo.
To this deed is appended a small seal of red Tvax, on which is the mark used by Robert Clopton {see -n-oodcut).
(Hai-leian Charter, Brit. Mus. 48, D. 18.)
WILL OF JOHIST CLOPTON, OF MELFORD, 1494.
In Dei nomine Amen, by whome all kinges reyne, and all princes have dominacian, and every creatom-e leveth, 1 John Clopton, knowing my seKe mortall, remembring also and daUy havj-ng in mynde the uncerteyne of this transitory liffe, and that dethe is certeyne to me and to all mankynde, and the home of it is moost uncerteyne, willing therfore that dethe conunytli sodenly as a thife fj-nde me not unpurveied to die, therfore besheehing the Fader, the Sone, and the Holy Gost, of whome Allmyghty wisdome and gi-ace procedith, at this tyme to geve me gi-ace and wisdome to make my testament to the pleasure of God, and my discharge of the goodes of fourtune that he hathe geven me, and that it may take suche effecte to my meiytte, that whan I departe oute of this present pUgremage and the unstabull liffe, that I may come to the hevenly bUsse where I may geve laude, honour, worship, and praysing to my Maker and Eedemer impei-petuite.
In the name of Allmyghty God, I, John Clopton, esquier, of MeUbrde, in the Cormtie of Suffolk, being in helthe of body and in restfull peace in my soule, make my testa- ment the fom-th day of the monith of November in the xth yere of King Hem-y the Tilth, and in the yere of our Lorde God Ml.cccdxxxxiiiith, touching my lowse goodes, all other by me testamentcs beforne made annulled and dampned.
Furst I bequeith my soule to Allmyghty God, oure Lady Saint Mary, and to all the blessed company of heven, and my body to be buried in the lytell chapell in MeUbrde ehiurche, there my grave is redy made, even by my wif.
And I bequeith to the high awter of the saide churche xls. in recompence of my tithes forgoten, praying my curate to forgeve me if I be indetted any more to hym for my said prevey tithes.
Also I wull that the parson have my best hors at his eleccion for his mortuary ac- cording to the lawdabill custome of the toime.
Also I will that all my dettes be ti-ewly content and paide, whiche as ferre as I canne remembre me, I have made of theme a bUl, they be not muche ; neverthelesse, if it canne be truly proved that I have for yett any of my dettes that it be paied by the discrecion of myne executours, also as ferre as it kanne be ti-ewly and laufuUy proved that I have wronged or hurte any person, that it may be restored by the discrecion of my executours ; howe be it, as ferr as I canne remembre, I am clere of all wronges done to any person, and forasmuche as I kuowe well that prayers is a singuler lemedie for the deliverance of soules in purcatoiy, and specially the offering of the Blessed Sacrement of our Lorde's body, therfore I -n-ill that there be disposed for me and Dame Margarete Leynham,* within a monith next after my discease 1. marcs for ii. thousands masses and diiiges imder this fotmne folowing : —
Furst, I will that the fader of Sion have ris. xiiit!., praying hym to remembre in xxti of his masses my soule, the soules of my wif, my fader, and my moder, myne auncet-
* She was one of the daughters of Dame Anne Fray.
VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE. 35
oiirs and my cHIch-en, and of Sir John Leynham and Dame Margarete his wiff, and for aU the soiJes that the saide John Clopton is bonde or indette to pray fore, and all cristen soules ; also I wiU that every prest in Sion, Shene, and the Charterhouse of London, that eche of theme have xxrf., praying theme to remember the saide soules in x of ther masses ; also I will that the house of Sion have xiii*. iiiirf., and that they sey dirige and a masse for me according to there graimte, consideryng that I am a broder of the place. Also I win that Dame Anne Drury have vis. viiid., and Mai-garete, doughter to Swayne vis. viiid. Also I will that the Chaterhouse of London have xiiis. iuie?., prayng theme to sey a diiige and a masse for me, according to there graunte of the broderhode. Also I will that every broder that is not a prest, being within Sion, Shene, and the Chater- house of London, have xiid. a pece, praying theme to sey vi. diriges for me and my wif, and for the saide soules. Also that every prest in Hounslowe have xxd., prayng theme to remembre the saide soules in v. of there masses ; and I bequeith to the saide house xs., prayng theme to sey a dirige and a masse for me, according to there graunt of broderhode. Also I vnU. that every frire that is in the Menerys to have xiirf., to re- member the saide soules in thi-e of ther masses, and thabbes of the saide place have iiis. uiirf., and my nece Marye TiireU* iiis. uiir^. ; and that eveiy noune of the saide place have x's.d., praying eche of theme to sey x dii-iges for me. Also I bequeith to the hou3 xs., prayng theme to sey a dirige and masse for me according to there graunte of broderhode. Also I will that every prest in the fi'ii-es of Sudbmy, the frires of Clare, the fiii-es of Babwell,t the Grey frires of Colcestre, the AVhight frii-es of Maldon, the Elake frires of Chelmesford, the Blake frires of Thetforde, and the Austyns there, iche prest have siid. ; and the yong frires that are no prestes, eche of theme vid., praiing the prestes to remember me and the saide soules in vi of there masses, and to sey iii. dii'iges for me and the saide soules, and the yong frii-es to sey vi. diiiges for me. Also I wull that Master Goddarde have vis. viiid. And I wull that Master Breteyn have xiiis. iuirf., and Master Chapman vis. viiid., prayng theme to remembre my soiJe, and my wifes and Sir John Leynham and Dame Margarete his wif, in there sermones, a yere after my disceace, and that they will remember me and thoe that I am bonde to, in there masses as it pleasith theme.
Also I woU that frii-e Stoke have xiiis. iiiirf., to remember me in his sermones, and my wif, and Sir John Leynham, and Dame Mai'garete his wif, a yere after my disceace, and in his masse as it pleasith him.
Also I will that every monke in Bury have xiid., and the abbot, the priour, the sexten, the seUerer, the hospiteUer, eche of theme uis. iiiirf., prayng theme to sey a dirige and a masse for me. Also I wull that the hous of Sudbiuy have of me xxs., the house of Clare xxs., the house of Babwell xiiis. iiii^?., prayng eche of them to sey a diiige and a masse, according to there graimte of broderhodde. Also the parson of Weston, xs. to sey a trentaU for me, and to Sii- John Lolatt, Cokettes prest,}: xs. to sey a trentall for me.
Also I wiU that the nonnes of Thetforde have xiiis. iiud., the noimes of Hodiugton xs.
Also I win that the anker of Bushoppesgate, and eche of the ancors of Norwiche have vis. viiid.
Also I wUl that Dame Johan Lampett, auncores of Carewe, have iiis. iiii^., to pray for me, and for the saide soules.
Also I will that Master GutteUer and Master Horneby, iche of theme xiiis. iiii(?., to remember me a yere after my disceace in there sermones, my soule, and my wif, Sir John Leynham, and Dame Margarete his wife, and also to remember in xx'i masses the fore- saide soides.
Also I will have no greate a doo at my burying, nor at my monith day, save every prest that is at my burying and at the masse uppon the morowe have viiid., and every clerke of the moost statoe have iirf., and of the least statm-e id., and every pouer man that comyth at my burying have id. And at my monith day, I woD have noone a doo, save oonly a sermone, and a dynner for thisj men of Melford, and for strangers that comyth, but in recompence I wuU that every prest in Melford have vis. viiid., so that there be kepte a dirige and a masse daily dirring all my monith, till my monith day be
* Probably niece to testator's wife. i O v3 tJO ^I <
t BalweU in MS. -^ '*»■ ^ ^' ^"^ "^ J-
t John Cockett founded a chantry for one priest, at Ampton, near Bury St. Edmund's, in U79. ^ Query.
36 VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE.
past te note in Melforde churche. And I wull that the sesten, and the parishe clerkes, everych of theme have vs., to helpe theme, and that there be chosen other iiii clerkes to helpe theme, everych of them have iiis. iiii*?. And whan the sermon shalbe doone on the same day, I wiill there shalbe disposed amonges iche of the pouer housholders in Melford, a pece of beffe and a loffe of brede, and in money xls. And I vniil that the same day that my monith day is, there shalbe a dirige ovemyght by note, and uppon the morowe a masse in the churches folowing, even as it shalbe, at Melforde, in Laven- ham chui-ch. Saint Gregories, Saint Peters, and Alhallow, in Sudbury, in Clemesforde church, Cavendisshe, Boxsted, Hertoft,* Shimpling, LawshuU, Hawsted, Alphetone, Stansted, Aketone, Waldingfelde the lesse, and the more, Chiltone, Listone, Foxherde, and Clai-e. And I bequeith to every prest of the same churches that shalbe at the saide diriges and at the saide masse iiii;?., and everych of the pariche clerkes, and the sesten iid. a pece, and the sexten vid. to ring but oone peele whan the dirige is, and at the masse. And I will that there be disposed to pouer housholders the same day, to Sud- bury xls., to Lavenham, xxvi*. viiii^., to Glemesforde, xs., to Cavendishe, xs., to Box- stede, and to Hertist, vis. viiirf., to ShympUng, vis. vvid., to Laushull, vs., to Hawsted, yiiis. iiiirf., to AUphetone, vs., to Cokefelde, vs., Aketone, vs., "Waldingfeld the more and Chiltone, vis. viiirf., 'Waldingfeld the lesse, vs., Listone, and Foxherde, vis. vijid., to Clare, xuis. imd., to Stanifelde, iiis. iiii(^.
Also I will that there be disposed amonge the pouer housholders Poselingford, Chipley, Stanefelde, Wikehambroke, and Couling, xls., and xls. I mil shalbe disposed at Asshe- dene to pouer people.
Also I will that Shimpling churche shall have xls. to pray for Debenham's soule.
I Willi that Hawsted churche have v. marcs, to pray for Sir Gflbard Milde, and for Longe's soule of LaushuU, that was slayne with thimder.
Also I will that if the parsone of Alphetone wull pray for my fader and me all the Sondays in the yere next after my disceace, I will that there be spente in the same churche, xxvis. Tuid., for some good memoriaU.
Also I win that aU my servanutes shalbe rewarded as I have made a bill of myne owne hande.
Also I win that my doughter Cursone have my prymer, which was hir moders ; also I will that she shal have my greate goblett whiche my fader Darce gave it imto hir moder; also I win that John Cursone hir sone and also my godsone have xl. of my shepe, desiryng his fadre and his modre to put theym to encrasce as weU as fortune will.
Also I wiU that John Eukwode my godsonne have other xl. shepe, desiryng Clement Higham, and Johanne his wife, who is doughter with Goddis grace the saide John shall wed, and that they wUl put it to encreasce to hym as fortime will.
Also I bequeth to Thomas Eukwode, and to his wife, my blak notte of silver and gilt that Dane WUlyam Babyngton yave me.
Also I will that all the residue of my shepe, besides tho that be bequethen and tho that shalbe spent at my buryng day, and at my monethis daye and within the moneth, to kepe the howshold, be egally devydid betwene the yonger sonnes of my sonne WiUyam, and Katheryne, Dorothe, and Elizabeth, doughter of the saide WiUyam, and theire fadre, and to Edwardes sonne, to put it in proument to theire profit and use.
And I wfll that my sonne WiUyam's wife have my owche, with the iii perils, and iii stones, and a gret stone in the myddes, which was my fadres, desiryng her to leve it to Fraunccs her sonne, if he Ufe after her day, or to some issue male of my sonne Willy- ams, so that it may contynewe in the blode of Cloptons.
Also I gife and bequeth my sonne Edwardis wife an owche, with a hert.
Also I bequethe and yefe to Anne Foley, my blew hert of golde, with certeyn perils.
Also I will that suche clothes of velwet, with all maner braunches, flowres, and all maner oder stuff that I have set abowte the sepulture at Ester, over my grave, as well the grene as the red, I yefe and bequeth it alwayeto the same use of the sepultiu-e, and I win that the blak vestyment, and that longeth" to decone and subdecone, that I have at home, be yovene to Melford churche, that it may be kepte for obite dales.
Also I will that the monster that I have made to here in the Sacrament, be yovene to Melford chiu'che.
* So in MS.
VISITATION OF THE COXINTy OF SUFFOLKE. 37
Also I yefe the red velwet yestyment to Saynt Anne's aulter in Melford churclie, to pray for my brodre Harlistone and his wife ; also a tlake vestyment of velwet, with leves of golde whiche EUzaheth hath to kepe, I yeve it to serve at the aulter of my chapeU in MeUbrde ehtirche.
Also I will that the ui heve goblettes that were my Lady Laynham's, be surely kepte and xxv?;. in money for Margaret, the doughter of Humfrey Staiford, accordyng to the will of my saide Lady Laynham, and she life till she be maried ; I will the saide Mar- garet have the owche of Seynt George that was my saide Ladies, and if the saide Margaret dey or tharme she come to her fall age, or to be maried, that thanne the saide goblettis and owche to be solde, and for to be disposed for my saide Lady Laynham's sowle, provyded alwey that if my Lady Latymer her suster, wilhave the saide goblettes for the same xxvW., that she sholde have by the wUl of my saide Lady Laynham, if the saide Margaret her suster died within age, she to have the goblettes, and to make my executours a discharge of the said xxv?t.
Also I will that the vi. children that my nevew Lewis had by my nece Alice, eche of them have x., with a pater noster of my bedis of golde, and the iiii. children of my nece Margarete Darce, iche of them have x., with a pater noster of the saide bedis, and that my nece Letis doughter that dweUith with my Master Veer, and another that dwellith my suster Anne Mongomerye, eche of them have odre x., with a pater noster of the saide beedis.
Also I will that the prior of Colne have X's.d., and everyche monk that is a preeste ■siid., and eche nonys viurf., to saye a diryge and a masse for me, and specially I will and requvre my executours that all redy money that I have at the day of my dethe be dely verid to Sir WiUyam Eigtone bi bill endentid bytwene my executours and hym, and the residue of my plate, by me not yeven to my sonues by my life, nor in my testament assigned, to this entent that it may be solde and go to the execucion of my testament, save I will if any of my sonnes will bey any therof that they shalhave it for xld., an unce to be paied in redy money ; it is not moche plate. Also the saide Sir "Willyam Eigtone shall receyve up all my dettes, excepte all my dettes that all my tenaimtes of Chipley oweth me, I yeve them to Willyam, and aU my dettes that my tenauntes owe me in Cowlynge, I yeve them Edwarde, and all the remanent of my dettes I will that Sir WHlyam shall receyve them, and kepe it within my place in his chambre, with my redy money, and thenne to execute my wiU and testament, and the residue that shall remayne over this my will and testament performed shalhe devyded in iiii. partis, whereof ii. pai-tis to go to sad prestes and vertuous to syng a trentaU for me, and to fynde vertuous scolers to scole, and the third part to hey with frise and lynone clothe for gownes, shirtes, and smokkes, and for pesonne, heryng, and coles, for to help the pouer people hereabowte in Lenton seasonne ; and the fourthe parte shall goo to the mendyng of high waies betwix this towne and Bmy, except I will that the friers of Sudbery, the friers of Clare, eche of the howses shaUiave a hareU of heryng in Lentone, and xl. stokfisshes, and the novis of the saide howsis, eche hous a cade of sperlyng.
And I wfll and charge my executours that within iii. or iiii. daies after my moneth day, that they take a clere rekenyng of the saide Sir "WiUyam what is spente and what remayneth ; I doubte not but that he wUbe redie, and thanne my executours to make hym a boke whatte shalbe done in the yere foloyng, and ones in the yere as many tymes as my executoirrs wiU come and take his accomptes, and that remayneth to assigne what shalbe done with all the next yere after, and that every executour shalhave for his comyng to take accomptes vis. viiirf., and the said Sir WUlyam to have for every ch accomptis makyng xiiis. iiiirf., and I charge my sonnes upon my blessyng that they se this redy money and dette be treiily executed for the welth of my sowle, consideryng that I have kept no more for the weUe of my sowle, but that I have yeven them aU the residue of my godes over my will and testament performed.
Also I will that the anker of Bury have xxs. for ii. trentalLia, and Maister Sir Thomas Grene that is with my cosyn Grene, have xs. for to syng a trentall for me. Also I will that immediatly after my deceasce my godsone. Sir John TiuTiour, have xxs. for to syng ii. trentaUis for me, and for Sir John Laynham, and Dame Margaret his wife, and that Master Cookis' brother, and Sir vViUyam Canon, the chanone of Hethengham, eche of them have xs. for to syng a trentaU for me, and I will that after my accomptis made after the moneth day, and all my servauntes with all other that is in my testament above written be paied, and if there leve any resonable some, that they yeve it to the parsonne
38 VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE.
of Westone, Master Thomas with my cosynne Grene, with my master selerer, with the aimsyr* in thahhey, Sir WiUyam that was parisshe preest of MeUbrde, Sir John Thom- sone, my sonne WUlyam's preest, eche of them xs., to syng a ti-entall for me, and Sir John Laynham, and for Dame Margaret his wife, and all tho that the saide John is honnde to pray for.
And all the residue of all my goodes and cataUis, over the plate and stnffe of hoiis- olde which I have yevene to my sones in my life, and tins my testament and wiU per- formed, I yeve frely to my sonne WiUyam, and to my sonne Edward the thirde pai-te, it is of no grete Talne, alwey provydyng that my sonne WiUyam and my sonne Edward upon my blessyng take no profittes of aU suche money, plate, and dettis that I have as- signed in Sir WiUyam Eigtone handes, nor that they medle not therewith, save only to thexecucion of my testament and will, and the residue to do for the profit of my sowle. And I make my executours to se this my will and testament performed, and that shalhe in Sir WiUyam Eigtone handes to be treuly disposed, my sonne WUlyam Clopton, my sonne Edward Clopton, my suster Agnes Mongomery, Eobert Crane, James Hobert, Clement Higham the elder, and Thomas Appiilton, and I yeve WiUyam for his laboure my relik of the peler of oure Lorde, desiryng hym to leve it alwey in the blode. And I yeve Edwarde for Ms laboure, my Jhesus, with aU the relickis therein, and my suster Anne for her labom-e, my Agnus Dei, with aU the reUckis therein, praying her if it may please her to yeve it after her daye to some of my children, or to my children children, as it plese her, for there be many grete reUkis therein.
I yeve to my brodi-e Crane for his laboui-e my rynge with my grete turques, and I yeve James Hobert for his laboure a grete ryng that SeUard yave me whanne he waa made Sergeant, and my rynge -ndth Sayntes that I were daily, and I yeve Clement Higham my grete hope of golde that I wore daily, with a shefe of wete graved therein. And I yeve Thomas Appeltone anodre hope of golde with Seynt Johannes hed graved therin, lowly besechyng my mooste assured good Lorde my Lorde of Oxenford, and my especiaU gode Maister WUlyam Pykenham, that they wilbe supervisours of this my laste testament, and to se that my executoui-s performe my will, and if any man wiU wronge them to help them and comforte them. And I yeve my Lorde of Oxenford for a pore remembraunce a paire of karvyng knyves, the haftis gUte and enameled, and a rynge of gold wherein is set a grete counterfet diamant. And I yeve to Master Pikenham my Bible in Englisshe.
Memorandiun this is the laste wUl and testament of me, John Clopton, subscribed with my owne hande the vth day of Novembre, the yere above wi-itten, and I yeve to the parsonne of Melford my bedis of ambur of x. Also I pray and beseche my master the selerer of Bury to say the servise at my moueth day, wherefore I will he shaU have xls.
Memorandum that I, John Clopton, red over this my testament the sxii day of February, the sii yere of Kyng Henry the vii, whiche I wiU shaU stonde in everye poynte. Also the saide John Clopton wole that whereas by the jugement of the parsonne of Mel- ford, and by thassent of thexecutours of John HiUe, the saide John Clopton shalhave c. marcs for to relese his interest that he and his feoffes have in the maner of Bowre HaH, in Pentley, the saide John Clopton will that the saide c. marke he spent on the gai-nysshyng of oure Lady ChapeU, and of the cloister ther abowte that the saide John Clopton bathe done new made in Melford churcheyard, and that there bee made a speciaU rememhraxmce for to pray for the sowle of the saide John HUl, and for the sowle of the saide John Clopton, and for the sowles that hothe the saide Hill and John Clop- ton ar mooste boimde to pray for. Also I wUl that the chales with Harlestonnys armes he yeven to Melford ehurche, and to serve the prestis that shall syng at the aulter in my hcele there I sit and there my suster Harlestone lieth, and that the preste that shall syng at the saide aulter pray for the sowles of John Harlestone, and iUis his wife, and for aU theire cluldi-en.
These be the rewardes that I, John Clopton will that my servauntes have after my deceasce ; first I wUl that Eichard BotUler have xxs. in money, beside his annuyte of xxs. yerely dm-yng his life owte of my maner of Wodehous, and xiu.s. iiiif/. duryng ™ yere owte of Geffrey Gates landis if Geffrey leve so longe in recompense of that which I owe hym of his hii'e.
* The scribe was, evidently, in doubt in penning this word ; it is exceedingly obsciu'e in the MS. I beUeve the " almoner " is the othcial aUuded to.
J
VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE. 39
Item, in like wise I will that Elizabeth Machyn have xxs. in money, beside her annuyte of xx«. that she hathe cute of the manour of 'Wodehous terme of her life and of Geffrey Gatis londes duryng vii yere xiiis. iiiirf. if she leve so long in recompense for her hii'o that I owe her.
Item, I win that John Man have xx'i quarters of grete mesure of goode malte, and the home that was Piper's, which he may kepe as a Jewell, and xiiis, iiiicl. in money.
Item, I will that Coudde and WUlyam Audeley echo of them have xxs.
Item, I will that More have xxvis. viiid.
Item, I wUl that Thomas EUce, if he dwoU with me when I dey, have xxs.
Item, I will that "WiUyam Hunte have xxs., and Culpeper have xxs., and Thomas Staple xiiis. iuid.
And as to the residue of my eervauntes that dweUith with me the day of my deth, I \rill that eche of them have vis. viu«?.
'Writen with my owne hande the iiiith daye of December, anno decimo Hem-ici septimi.
This is the declaracion of me John Clopton, esquyer, of my wUl made the xxti day of February, in the xii yere of Kyng Heniy the ra, for Geffrey Gates landes, and for his mariage whiche I have of the graunte of the Kynge* duryng his nonage which is a ix yere to come.
Furste, I wiU that he shall marie with Elizabeth, oon of the doughters of my son WiUyam, if she Uve, and if she dey, if he wiU marie with any of my saide sonnes doughters, I holde me content, and if he wUnot than my executom-s to seU his mariage to some good blode, and to geve to the saide Geffrey of his mariage money a hondreth nobles, and that it may be disposid for his mooste profit to pray for me alweys, provydyng that my executours to dispose the proflttes of the landes as hereafter shall folowe, alwey provyded that if case be that the saide Geffrey die within age, as God de- fend, than I wiU that his suster Anne do marie with WiUyam the eldest sonne whoso- ever he he, or ellis with some of his yongest children, and as for the disposicion of the proflttes of his landes, I will that Geffrey shalbe founde to scole and to courte honestly duryng his noneage, and in case he that he marie with any of my sonnes WiUyam doughters, I wUl that aU the proflttes of his landes shalbe kepte ii yere afore, or that he come unto his full age, and the reparacions resonable kepte, and over his resonable fyndyng to bey hym therwith stiiffe of housold ageynste that he come to his faU age, and if it happe the saide Elizabeth die, if he wiUnot marye with none of ray saide AViDyam sonnes doughters, than if he will marie with my sonnes Rokwode's doughter, my doughters doughter, or ellis with any of the doughters of my doughter Uorothe C arsons, I holde me content that he shalhave the saide proflttes of the saide ii yeres, and if he wilnot marie with none of theym, than his mariage to be sold as I have declared be- fome the landes alweys reservyd unto my executours over his resonable fyndyng, and my executours shaU tfdio up aU the proflttes tiU he come to his lawfuU age of the saide landes, and to dispose them yerely as I shaU after declare.
Furst, I will that with the parceUis of the saide profittis that Anne Gatis his suster be founde honestly tiU she be marled or come to xxi yere of age, so that she be with my Sonne WUlyam, or with my son Edward, and wilbe rewled by my executours, and if the saide Geffrey lyve tiU he come to his fuU age, I wOl that she shalhave 1. marcs unto her mariage of the saide proflttes, and I wiU that Margery Este shalhave of the saide proflttes yerely duryng his nonage if she lyve so long xls. in recompence of her annuyte that she sholde have owte of the manom- of Hanstede, WeynelUa, and Mansers. And if she leve longer or eUis the landes go owte of handes, she to have the saide xls. owte of the saide manom- of Hausted as I have made my will thereof. Also I will that of the eaide proflttes that the nonnes of SopweU of Seynts Albonys have yerely a sorte of fruyte of figges and resons, and a cade of sprot, and aU the residue of the proflttes over the resonable fyndyng of the saide Gefiey and Anne, and the reparacions kepte I will that Margery, the doughter of Horafrey Stafford have xxvli. that Dame Margaret Layn- ham bequethid her, and of the residue of the proflttes durjTig vii yere, I will yerely that George PoUeis have xiiis. iiiir^. if he wiU go to Cambrigge to scole. Also I will that of the saide profittes yerely that yonge WiUyam Clopton and Eobert Clopton eche
* By letters patent dated May 22, 1 Hem-y VII (1486) the custody of aU the laws, and the marriage of Geoffrey, son and heir of WiUiam Gate, esquire, were granted to John Clopton and WiUiam Waldegrave, esquiics, during the minority of the same Geoffrey. (Patent RoU, 1 Henry VII, part 3, m. 14).
40 VISITATION OF THE COimTY OF SUFFOLKE.
of them jdid. a weke, so that they will go to granimer scole, still for their horde. Also I will that xxxixs. yerely diuyng vii yere of Geffi-ey Gatis lyve be spent in Seynt Marie's chuTche, and Seynt Jamys churche, in Bury, at Hadlegh chm-ch, at Laynham church, at Melforde, at Seynt Gregoris in Sudbury, Seynt Peters, Alhalo-wn, and Clare, cche of the curates iiis. iiiii^. to remember in theire hedis biddyng erery Sondey in the yere the BOTvles of Sir John Laynham, and Dame Margaret his -wife, John Clopton, and Alice his •wife, and for all the sowles that the saide John Clopton is bo\mde to prai for. And I will that duryng the saide tu yere if the saide Gef&ey lyre, that there be disposed in Shalforde, Highstern, and Longbemes, sis. in Lentone in heryng and pesone to the pore housholders and to bie xxs. worth of frice, and to dispose it in gownes and peticotis in the same townes. Also I will that if my sonne Edward will dwell at Gamettes duryng the noneage of the saide Geffrey, that thanne he to have his t merke yerely within the price so that he se the reparacions suerly kepte, and to the helpyng asmoch to GefEi-ey Gates as he can, as I verely deme that he will. Also I will duryng the saide yeres that if Figge win kepe the courtes and receyre aU the rentes of the saide landes, and bryng it home to Melforde, and make yerely a trew accomptes to my executours I will that he have his fee of iui meres still, and I will that Hem-y Eobson have vi.?. viiirf. yerely, duryng the saide terme of vii yere, and that Elizabeth Mathon have xiiis. iiiirf. beside her annuyte of xx.s. that I have graunted her owte of AVodehous, and in Hke wise duryng the saide terme of vii yeres, that Richard ButtiUer have xiiis. iiiirf. besides his annuyte of Wodehoug. Also I will that Jane, Elizabeth Mathone's doughter have v merke of the saide profittea to her use, and aD the residue of the proiittes that shall growe io the saide yH yeres, all the premysses abovesaide performed, I will yerely hit shalbe brought to Mel- forde, to Sir WiUyam Eigton, to have the kepyng thereof in his chamber, as he shalhave of my owne, and at thend of vii yere I will it shalbe egaUy devyded by twixt Willyam Clopton's yonger children, and Edwarde's than alyve, excepte tho that be maried.
(shaU kepe the landys duryng the nonage of the seid Geffirey, except his resonable fyndyng. And my seid executours nt supra.) *
Probahun fuit suprascriptum testamentiun coram domino apud Lamehith decimo sexto die mensis Novembiis anno Domini millesimo quadringentesimo nonagesimo septimo, ju- ramento 'Willielmi Clopton et Thomte Clopton esecntoi-um, ac approbatum et insiunatum, etc. Et commissa fuit adminisfa-atio omnium et siagulorum bonorum et debitorum dicti defimcti dictis executoribus in hujusmodi testamento nominatis de bene et fideliter ac sub unanimi consensu et assensu administrando eadem, ac de pleno et fideU inventario, etc., citra festum Sancti Andrese Apostoli proximo futuri exhibendo necnon de piano et vero compote, etc. ad Sancta Dei Evangelia, etc. reservata potestate similem commis- sionem faciendi Agneti Mongomery, Roberto Crane, Jacobo Hobert, et Clementi Higham seniori executoribus etiam in hujusmodi testamento nominatis cum venerint, etc. Ed- wardo Clopton alio executore, etc. expresse refutante. Datum die mensis, etc. nos- traeijue translationis anno duodecimo.
(From the Registry of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Home, 17.)
WILL OF SIR WILLIAM DE CLOPTOxY.— 1376.
Testamentum domini Willielmi de Clopton militis, commorantis in Wychamhrooke. _
In Dei nomine Amen. Die Jo^-is in festo Sancti Vincentii martins, anno Domini nuHesimo trecentesimo septuagesimo sexto, ego WiUielmus de Clopton, Alius Walteri de Clopton de Wykhambrok, compos mentis et in sanitate constitutus, condo testamentum meum in himc modum.
In primis lego animam meam Deo Omnipotenti, BeataD Marite, et omnibus Sanctis, et corpus meiun ad sepeUiendum in ecclesia fratrum minorum de BabeweU.
Item, lego fratribus ibidem ad celebrandum pro anima mea et pro animabus parentum meanmi viginti marcas.
Item, lego fi-atri Johannia Cros quinque marcas.
Item, lego fratri Eicardo de Rougeton duas marcas.
f it were an omission in some part
VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE. 41
Item, lego fratribus priedicatoribiis in Sudbiiria ad celebrandiun pro anima mea quia- que marcas.
Item, lego fratribus prEedicatoribus Thefford quinque niaixas.
Item, lego fratribus proedicatoribus Cantabrigia; quinque marcas.
Item, lego fi-atribus Augustinis de Clare quinque marcas.
Item, lego fratribus minoribus Cautabrigia; qiiinque marcas.
Item, lego ad opus fabrica3 ecclesiffi de Stratford Atebowe decem libras.
Item, lego ecclesite de Wykhambrok ad summum altare unam marcam.
Item, lego ecclesiiB de Dennardistone ad summum altare dimidiam marcam.
Item, lego ecclesiae de Hakedone ad summiun altare imam marcam.
Item, lego eoclesiue de Halsted ad summum altare unam marcam.
Item, lego Roberto camerario meo decem libras.
Item, lego Margerise \ixori Johannis Godiewe quadraginta solidos.
Item, volo quod Mai'ia uxor mea habeat dimidiam omnium bonorum meorum mobilium.
Volo etiam preeter htec quod eadem Maria habeat omnia vasa mea argentea ima cum. omnibus utensilibus et ornamentia cuicimque officio spectantibus, videlicet capellsej camerse, botillariae, eoquinee et pistrinae.
Item, lego Willielmo filio meo in mesuagio meo de Haukedone unam carucam cum bestiis et toto apparatu, decem quarteria frumenti, decem quarteria hordei, decem quar- teria pisarum, et decem quarteria avenae.
Item, lego 'Waltero filio meo in manerio de Toppisfeld in villa de Hadleye unam carucam cum bestiis, et toto apparatu, decem quarteria friunenti, decem quarteria hordei, decem quai-teria pisai-um, et decem quarteria avenae.
Item, lego Edwardo filio meo in manerio de Neucham in villa de Aschdone imam cai-ucam cum bestiis et toto apparatu, decem quarteria frumenti, decem quarteria hordei, decem quarteria pisarum, et decem quarteria avena3.
Item, volo quod Eobertus camerarius mens habeat totum tenementum vocatum Gobi- lionns cum omnibus pertinentiis in villa de Boxsted ad terminum vitse sicut ei ante fuerat concessum per me.
Item, lego cuilibet exeoutorum meorum subscriptorum quinque libras.
Item, volo et assigno quod si alicui libere tenenti vel nativo danmum injm-ia vel gravamen irrogatiun fuerit per me, fiet satisfactio de bonis meis prout evidenter rations probari potest.
Item, volo quod omnes boni servientes mei sint remunerati et emendati jiro mora sua juxtameritum.
Et ad istam meam ultimam volimtatem bene et fideUter complendam et exequendam ordino et constituo bos executores meos Mariam uxorem meam, Robertum de Kedytone, Galfridum Hundene, dominum Thomam rectorem ecclesiae de Hakedone, dominum Johannem Bedeford rectorem ecclesiae de Halsted, dominum JohannemFynchcapellanum , ad disponenduni et ordinandum de caeteris bonis meis non legatis prout animas meae melius viderint expedh-e.
Probatum fuit istud testamentmn apud Norwicum coram nobis officiali domini Nor- wicensis episcopi die decimo quarto mensis Januarii anno Domini millesimo ti-eceutesimo septuagesimo septimo. Et commissa est administratio omnium bononum dictum testa- mentum contingentium et infra jurisdictionem dicti reverendi patris existentium dominae Mariae relictie dicti defuncti et domino Thomae rectori ecclesiae de Haukedone executoribua infranominatis, resei*vata nobis facilitate committendi hujusmodi administrationem Roberto de Kedytone, Galfi-ido de Hundene, et domino Johanni Berford* rectori ecclesiae de Halstede aUis executoribus in dicto testamento nominatis cum venerint et onus administrationis hujusmodi subu-e voluerint in forma jiu-is, domino Johanue Fynch capellano alio coexecutore infrascripto subire onus dicti testamenti coram nobis expressa recusante.
In cujus rei testimonium, etc. ; et commissa fuit potestas per officialem per unam commissionem ad recipiendum juramentum dictae Maiise reUctas dicti defuncti offic' domini archidiaconi Sudbiu-ise et domino Thomas rectori ecclesia; de Hawkedone con- junctim et divisim.
(From a copy penes W. H. H.)
On the 18th December, 1636, an exempKiication of this will was made from the Norwich Registry, at the request of Sir Simonds D'Ewes. This exemplification now remains among the Harleian Charters, British Museum, 43, I. 27.
* Bedeford in the will.
42 VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF STJFFOLKE.
NOTE TO THE WILL OF KATHERINE DE TEXDEYXGGE.
Since printing this vnll from Sir Simonds D'Ewes' copy, the original with seal at- tached has been discovered among the Harleian Charters (56 H. 37) ; this should have been taken as the text, but as it is now too late to remedy the eiTor, a table of variations is here given. The seal of Katheiine de Tendryngge is appended to the will, but the impression is almost obliterated.
Page 30, line 7, for Melford read Meleforde.
Page 31, 6, — perfciaiit read perficianiur.
10, — iiec eJHsdemreaAnec aliquam parc-ellam ejiisdem.
21, — p>-<gdietus letxA prtedicti.
22, — ijdoiieis read idoneis.
25, — tenementis read tenemeiita.
30, — guod Willielmus read qttod domiiim TVilUehims.
— 31, dele meos.
44, for Boiirhotis read Burhous.
— remaneant read maneaut.
50, — SpoUislond read Sprott island.
Page 32, 9, — par reai pa n'a.
15, — sive read sine.
— coeleartbiisTcaicocliai-ibits.
16, — icoisfed leai wrsted.
21, insert h- before gretcofre.
26, for et dohe read uiiHm doke.
27, — fun-af read /«;■!■«)■•.
32, — Stokeneylond read Stoke.
51, — Seddes read Medes.
The probate act also is fuller, but the variations are not ■worth recording.
Harleian Charter, 66, H. 36, is a document in French, dated at Stokeneylond, the 8th of July, 14 Eic. II, by which the husband of the testatrix, "William Tendrynge expresses Ms assent to her will, and confirms whatever bequests she may make. His seal is attached. {See woodcut.)
WILL OF WILLIAM CLOPTON.— UK-DATED.
Htec est ultima voluntas mei WiUielmi Cloptone, de Melforde.
In primis volo et rogo quod feofati mei in manerio de Kentewelle dimittent Mar- geriae iixori mea) quod habeat proficuum praedicti manerii ad terminum vitae suae sub conditione quod i-ivat sine marito, et si pifefata Margeria habeat maritiun, tunc volo quod una pensio novem marcarum durante vita ejusdem Margerite habeatur de eodem manerio pro uno idoueo presbitero in eeclesia de Jlelford pnedicta celebrando pro anima mea et animabus parentnm meorum, et si proefata Margeria vel maritus suus aut aUqms alius nomine sue contradicant vel impediant prsedictam pensionem vivente proefata Mar- geria, tunc volo quod pra)dicti feotfati mei disponant totum proficuum ejusdem manei-ii cum pertinentiis per discretionem executorum meorum pro anima mea et animabus parentiun meoriun ut melius eisdem -sadeatur disponere.
Item, volo quod pra;fata Margeria habeat ad terminum vita; suce omnia teixas et ten- ementa mea in Chippeleye, Poselyngforde, Stradesylle, Wynkhambrook et Atteltone pro pueris meis bene et honeste inveniendis, et sub conditione quod Alicia filia mea habeat de pncfata Margeria unam annuitatem decern marcanim, et Katerina filia mea habeat unam aliam annuitatem sex marcarum tarn cito cum raaiitata fuerint durante vita pra^dictLO Margeria;.
Tamen volo quod si pra;fata Margeria se solam et sine marito teneat, quod tunc habeat omnia prsedicta ten-as et tenementa in Chippeleye, Poseljmgforde, Stradesylle, Wyk- hambrook et Atteltone pra;dictis ad terniimmi vitic sua; sine aliqua pensione inde im- pendenda non obstante voluntate mea pra;dicta.
VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE. 43
Item, volo quod prfedictum manerium de Kentewelle et tenementum vocatiim Lutones cum omnibus eonun pertinentiis post decessum prjefatse Margerite remaneant prasfatse Alicife filiae meoe* et hseredibus de corpore suo legitime procreatis, et si priedicta Alicia sine hoerede de corpore suo legitime procreate obierit, quod tunc praedictiun manerium da Kentewelle et tenementum vocatum Lutones cum pertinentiis remaneant Katerinse filiae meso praedictse et ha^redibua de corpore suo legitime procreatis, et si prsefata Katerina sine hajrede de corpore siio legitime procreato obierit, tunc volo quod prsedictum maner- ium de KenteweUe et tenementum vocatum Lutones cum omnibus suis pertinentiis ven- dantur, et moneta inde recepta disponatur pro anima mea, animabus patris et matria meee et animabus Willielmi de Tendrynge et "Walteri Cloptone mUitum per discretionem executorum et feoffatorum meorum.
Item, volo quod Katerina fUia mea babeat omnia terras et tenementa mea in Chyppe- leye, Poselyngforde, Stansfelde, StradesUle, Wykhambrook et Atteltone post decessum praefatse Margeriae uxoris meas eidem Katerina; et hoeredibus de corpore suo legitime procreatis, et si pra;dicta Katerina sine hEerede de coi-pore suo legitime procreato obierit, tunc post decessum praefatae Katerince praedicta terrtc et tenementa cum per- tinentiis remaneant Alicia filiae meae et baeredibus de corpore suo legitime procreatis, et si coutingat praedictam Aliciam sine haerede de corpore suo legitime procreato obire, quod tunc praedicta terrae et tenementa in Chippeleye et Atteltone cum pertiuentiis re- maneant rectis baeredibus Thomae Cloptone militis.
Item, volo quod pr^dicta Margeria uxor mea habeat omnia iitenciUa mea infra motam domus meae vocatae Lutones in Melforde, exceptis duabus peciis deauratis majoria pretii, quarum volo quod Alicia filia mea habeat unam, et Kateiina filia mea habeat alteram.
Item, volo quod praedicta Margeria uxor mea habeat de stauro meo, videlicet equis, carectis, et carucar', ovibus et bobus, frimiento, brasio, et alio stauro, vivo et mortuo, tam infra motam meam praedictam quam extra in viUa de Melforde ad valentiam centum marcanmi, et si praedictum staurum meum non extendat ad centiuu marcas, tunc volo quod pnefata Margeria habeat de moneta centum marcas ad electionem suam propriam ; proviso tamen quod si eUgat centum marcas, non habeat de stam-o prajdicto, sed dispona- tiu- per executores meos ad pios usus.
(Harleian Charter, Brit. Mus. 58, G. 28.)
(This ia evidently a portion of an imexecuted or cancelled wiH of WUliam Clopton, who died in I4i6.
On the back is the following note in the handwriting of D'Ewes : " Pars ultimae volun- tatis WiUielmi Clopton armigeri filii Thomae de Clopton militis confecta; uti * * * ante mortem MargeriiB Drury primte uxoris sua; ex qua imum filium sine prole defunctum, et duas fiUas gonuit. Sed htec voluntas proculdubio revocata nam ex Margeria filia et hajrede Elya; Francis armigeri uxore secunda quam etiam aupervixit, prolem habuit magnam.")
WILL OF EDWARD CLOPTON.— 1504.
In the name of God Anion, the iliith day of May, in the yere of our Lord, MlVciiii. I Edward Clopton, of Glemaford, in the coimtie of Sufiblk, in the diocise of Norwich, hole beyng in mynde, with good remembraunce, and in restfuU peace of my eoule, thanked be Jhesu my Saveour, ordeyne and make my testament and last wiU in maner and forme folowing : —
Fm-st, I bequeth andf commaunde my soideto Almighty God, our Lady SeyntMary, and to all the holy company of heven ; and my body to be buried in the churche of Melsford. And I will that the parson of Glemsford be compowned -svith for myne oft'er- ynges that he shuld have had if I had been buried there. And I bequeth to the parson for my tithea and offerynges necHgently forgoten and not duely to Almighty God done, vis. viiirf., and I praye my wif to burye me honestly and to aee my dettea that I owe, the whiche she knoweth, orelles hereafter may knowe, be truely content and paid according to the promesse that she made me the day before the making of this my testament and last will, for the whiche I geve hii- aU my goodes moevable and unmoevable.
* Me in MS. t Bequeth and bequeth, MS.
44 VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE.
And as touoliyng my lond and tenementes ■with aU their appurtenaunces in Glemsford beforesaid, I will that my said wif have theym for terme of hir lif, and after hir deceas, I will, if God fortune that I have any issue male of my body laufully begoten, the eldest to have them ; yf I have noon issue male theu I will myn yssue general! have theym. And if I have noon yssue of my body lauiuUy begoten, then I wiU the same londes and tenementes, with aU thappurtenaunces be solde for Cli., and that to be dis- posed for me, my wif, John my son, my fader, my moder, my lady Dercy, Jane Grein, Thomas Mildes wif, and for all cristen soules. And I will and requp'e all my feoifez and every con of theym that they and either of theym delivere their astate and posses- sion whiche they have in the saide londes and tenementes to suche persone or persones as they shalbe therto convenyently requyred by my said wif, according unto thuse and perfourmacion of this my testament and last will.
And I ordeyn and make my saide wif myn executrice, and my supervisour Sir 'WiUiam "Waldegrave, knyght ; and I bequeith unto hym for his labour, the crosse of gold whiche I was wont to were on my cape, praying hym to be goode maister unto my saide wif, to helpe hir whan she hath nede about thexeoucion of this my last wiU and testament, and for to call upon hu- truely for to pay my dettes. And as for my maner of Sharlowis I win my saide wife have it terme of hir Uf, accordiag to my fader's will.
In wittnes wherof unto this my testament and last wOl I have sett my scale, the day and yere abovesaid.
Probatum fiiit testamentum supradicti defiincti habentis dum lixit et mortis suae tempore diversa bona et debita in diversis dio3cesibus provincise Cantuariensis, etc., decimo die mensis Februarii anno Domini millesuno quingeutesimo decimo juramento Ricardi Gytford procui-atoris in hoc parte ac approbatum et insumatum. Et commissa fuit administi-atio omnium bonorimi et debitorum dicti defuncti [ ] relictae et
executrici in hujusmodi testamento nominatse in persona dicti procuratoris de bene et fideliter administrando ac de pleno et fideli inventario citra festum Sancti David episcopi proximo futuriun exhibendo, necnon de piano et vero compote reddendo ad Sancta Dei Evangelia in debita juiis foi-ma jui-atae.
(From the Registry of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Bennett, 36.)
WILL OF DOROTHY CLOPTON.— 1508. Thies bene the bequestes of me Maistres Dorothee Clopton. First, I woU the parson of Long Melfordo have a pep-e of bedys of gette gaudeyd
vfith jesperes, and a purse of blake velvet, not fuUy fynysshed, lying in a eoifer of myne.
Item, I geve unto my fader a serpentyne bede, and a broche of gold with an ymage in it, and a tablet of silver and gilte, beseching hym of his daiely blissyng, and to be so good fader to me to do suche goodes as I have to be delivered unto such persones as I have put in trust, and they to delivere theym that I have geven unto.
Item, I geve to my lady Clopton a ryng, with a daysy and a double frontlet of blewe velvet, the which my lady Browghton gave unto me.
Item, I geve imto my suster Foley my best frontlet of crymsyn velvet, and half a dosen yerde kercheres, the which she hath in hii- kepyng ; also I geve hir a payer of corall bedes, the longer bedes of the ii. payer, and a bonet of blak velvet.
Item, I geve to my suster Gattes my best bonet of blak velvet, gamyshed with crymsen velwet, and a frontlet of orenge colour, and a blake goune furred with blake, and my best kyrtill of worsted.
Item, I geve my broder John a payre of bedes and white ambyr, gaudyed with sEver and gilt.
Item, I geve unto my suster Kateryn a bonet of blake velvet that is at Nettylsted, with my purled frontlet and my best tawny gowne, the best.
Item, I geve to my cosyn Kateryn Froxmer my bedes of corall, gawdyed with x. bedes of gold, and a derke tawny velvet fi-ontlet, and a gette of mynkes, the which she gave me Mr self.
Item, I geve to my broder William, a payi'e of bedes of blake gette, gawdyed with ivery.
Item, I geve to my broder Robert, my gret bedes' of whit yvery, and xx nobles, which mjTi unkiU Marowe gave me.
VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE. 45
Item, I geve to my troder Fraimceys my pomandyr of silver.
Item, I geve iinto my brother Richard my litell ryng of gold.
Item, I geve imto litell John Poley my ryng, with the visage.
Item, I geve to my broder Poley my golofer, with a saffir.
Item, I geve litell John Gattes a payre of agglettea of silver.
Item, I geve to my suster Anne Darsy, my best medley tawney gowne, lyned with blake velvet, and a pap-e of hokes of silver and gilte, and a payre of bedes of jasper, gaudyed with amber.
Item, imto Ilenry Clovyle, a typpett of sarsnett.
Item, I geve to his wif my best tawny gownes, lyned with, blate velvett, and a front- let of violett saten.
The whiche I putt in trust to be myn executor Maister William Skeme, the parson of Long Melford, to fulfill thies my bequestes, and to dispose the residew of my goodes for my soule.
Probatum fuit snprascriptum testamentum coram domino apud Lamehithe xxvi'o die mcnsis Septembris anno Domini millesimo quingentesimo octavo juramento executore onus executionis ej usdem testamenti in se aasiuuere refutante. Et commissa fuit adminis- tratio omniiun bonorum dictffi defiinctse magistro WOlielmo Skeme, ad viara intestati pro eo quod executionem refutavit, de bene et fideUter administrando, ao de pleno et fideli inventario citra festiim Sancti MichaeUs archangeli proximo fnturum exhibendo, necnon de piano et vero compoto reddendo ad Sancta Dei Evangelia in debita juris forma jurato.
(From the Registry of the Prerogative Coiu-t of Canterbury, Bennett, 5.)
"WILL OF WILLIAM CLOPTON.— 151S.
In Dei nomine Amen.
I WUliam Clopton being of good mynd and memory, God be lawded, make my testa- ment and last will the viiith day of Decembre, anno Domini 1518 on this wyse.
In primis I commend my sowle to God Almyghty, our Lady Seint Marj- my adovery, my body to be buryed in the chiu'chyard of my parish church, to the wmch high alter I bequeth for my tythea negligently forgotten xxrf.
Item, for a trentaU to be songe in my parishe church ss.
Item, to the high alter of AH Seintes siid.
Item, I bequeth to Johane my dowghter xxs.
I woll that Johanne my wyffe whom I straytely charge and req\iire afore God to ful- fill my father is last will and testament in the which testament I stond charged and bownd in every poynt therof to fulfill, that is for to aay, oone prest seciilar whan tyme shall require per spatiimi dimidii anni as more playnly in the said testament is ex- pressyd.
Item, to Johane my moder, thre kene and mete and drinke during her naturall lyfe of the costes and charges of Johane my wyffe, and also the vii marcs which all at large more playnly is conteyned in the said testament of my father.
Item, to John Clopton his money.
Item, to Johane Clopton my sister her money.
Also, to Alice my sister the money before to her hequethid.
Item, to Maryon my sister her money, which parcell at large more playnely the testa- ment of my father shewith and declarith, which parcell I charge and requii-e my seid wyffe by the vertue of my testament and last will to fulfill in every condicion as I shold have done yf God had gevyn me tyme to lyve.
Item, to the high alter of Seint Mai-y, and the high alter of AHesentt, as it ia in my father is will expressyd, etc.
Item, I woU and also bequeth to the said Johane my wyffe my messuage wherin I dwell, with all my londes and tenementes, as woU fre as bond, lying in the to-\vne of Multone, or elswhere ; to have and to hold to her and her assignes for ever sub ea con- ditione ji the said Johane my wyffe may fulfill this my last testament and will, and my father is wyU, and yf the said Johane my wyffe cannot pay my dettes, and my father is dettes, and also fulfilling all those said legaces a fore rehersyd, then I woU that my messuage, landes, and tenementes, both fre and bownd joyntly and not severally be sold
4G VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE.
by myne executrix or feoifers to the good and treTe performaimce and fulfilling of this my last testament and will, and also my father is will with thadvyse of Johane my mother, evermore reserved to her her dwelling during her lyff natnrall.
The residue of my goodes not hequethed I commyt to the good disposlcion of Johane my wyffe whom I make, ordeyn, and constitute myne executiice, etc. ■
Prohatum fuit prtescriptiim testamentiun coram reverendo patre Ricardo Norwicensi episcopo in manerio suo de Hoxne vicesimo prinio Januarii anno Domini mUlesimo quingentesimo decirao octavo, et dicti Ricardi patris anno decimo octavo. Et eommissa erat administratio executrici nominataj in juris forma.
(From a copy penes W. H. H.)
TVILL OF WILLIAM CLOPTOX.— 1523.
In Dei nomine Amen, In the yere of our Lorde Ml-Vcxxiii. The xvith day of Novem- ber, I William Clopton, of a good and pariite memory make this my testament in forme hereafter folowing.
First, I hequeth my soule to Almighty God, and to his moder Our Lady Saint Mary, and to all the company of hevyn, my body to be buried where as it shaU please God for to sende for me ; and if I dye in London, I wiU that my body be buried in the parishe church of Saint Margaret in Lothebery, where as it shall seme unto myne executours a place convenient.
Item, I will that all my goodes serve for the performacion and paying of my dettes ; and yf that any thinge avaimce I 'wiU that it be bestowed in good dedes according imto the mynde of myn executours.
And to the performacion of this my last wiU I doo make Kateryn Clopton, my mother, my soole executrice, -svithout any overseer or any thinge, for all 1 doo remitte unto her the day and yere above written.
Prohatum fuit testamentiim suprascripti defuncti coram prsefatis commissariis in ecclesia Cathedrali Divi Pauli Londoniae quinto die mensis Martii anno Domini mille- simo quingentesimo vicesimo quinto juramento Katerinae Clopton executricis in hujus- modi testamento nominatie, ac approbatum et insumatum. Et conmiissa fuit adminis- tratio auctoritate praBfatonim reverendormn patrum omnium et singulorum bonorum jurium et creditonim dicti defimcti prsfatae executrici de bene et fideliter administrando ac de pleno et fideli inventario secundo die post festum Annunciationis Beatai Marioc Virginis proximo futimmi exhibendo, neonon de piano et vero compoto reddendo ad Sancta Dei EvangeUa jurataa.
(From the Eegisby of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Porclie, 4.)
WILL OF JOHN CLOPTON.— 1524.
In the name of God Amen, the vith day of the moneth of July, the yere of our Lord God, a thousande fj-ve hundred twenty and foure. I John Clopton, merchaunt of Lou- don, hole of mynde, and in my good memory being, lawde and praising be unto Almighty God, make and ordeyn this my present testament in this wise.
First, I bequeth and comitte my soule to Almighty God my Maker and Eedcmer, to oxa Blissed Lady Saint Mai-y Virgyn his mother, and to all the blissed company of hevyn ; and my body to be buried in the next holy place, where it shall please God to sende for me.
And I bequeth to the chm-ch where I am buried, for my burying vis. viiirf..
Also, I bequeth to the high awter of the church of Saint Margaret in Lothbury, in London, in discharging of my conscience for oblacions forgotten iis. \^i\d.
Also, I wille an honest prest and habuU to singe for my soule, and for the soules of my father, my brethem, and susters, within the parishe chui-ch of Saint Margaret in Lothebury, in London, by the space of half a yere next and iramediatly folowing after my deceas. And I bequeth to the same preest for his hyer for the halfe yere mii. xiiis. Uiifl'.
VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE. 47
Also, I bequeth to the foure prisons in London, Newgate, Ludgate, and the two compters iis. viiirf. to eche prison in bred, to be delivered to the pour prisoners.
Also, I bequeth to be delivered amonges pour housholders dwelling in the parishe of Saint Margaret in Lothebery xxs. in money, to pray for my soiile by the good diacrecion of niyu executonrs.
Also, I wUl that there be saide for my sonle and all Cristen soules, a trigintall of masses in the parishe churche of Saint Margaret in Lothobnry.
The residue of all my goodes and dettes, after my dettes paid, my funeraU expenses, and this my present testament fulfilled, I geve and bequeth freely unto my wife Alice. • And of this my present testament I make and ordeyn my executour my mother Kateryne Clopton.
In witnesse wherof the day and yere aboveaaid, I, the foisaid John Clopton have affermed this and all the premisses for my very hole and ti'ue will and testament.
Quarto-decimo die mensis Januarii anno Domini millesimo quingentesimo vieesimo octavo coram praefatis eommissaiiis in ecclesia CathedraU Divi Pauli, Londonios, Katerina Clopton executrix nomiuata in testameuto proescripti Joannis Clopton defuncti renunciavit oneri executionis testamenti ipsius defimcti, etc. Et coramissa fuit adminis- tratio auctoritate prsefatorum reverendoiiim patruni omnium et singnlorum bonorum jurium et creditorum dicti defuncti per viam iutesiati Alicia; relictae de bene et iideliter admiuistrando ac de plero et fideli inventario secundo die post festum Sancti Blasii epis- copi proximo futiunim exliibendo necnon de piano et vero compote reddendo ad Sancta Dei EvangeUajuratae.
(From the Registiy of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Jaiili/ii, 1.)
"WILL OF SIR "WILLIAM CLOPTON.— 1530.
In Dei nomine Amen.
I William Clopton, knyght, of Longmelforth, in the Countie of Suffolk, the xiiii dale of October, in the xxiith yere of the regne of our soverane Lord King Henry the viiith, and the yere of our Lord God Mcoccc and xxx, being hole in mynd and of good and perfighte remembrance, thanked be God, make and ordayne this my present testament in maner and forme insuciug, revoking and adnulling all other testameutes by me here- tofore at any time had, made, or spokyne, and this to be my first and last testament concerning my moveable goodes, comes, cattelles, playte and redy money.
First I gyve and bequeth my soule to AUmyghty God my Maker and Redemer, and to his gloriosse mother our Lady Sainot Marie, and to all the holy company of Ilevyn, and my body to be buried within the parich church of Melford, nyhte unto the places whereas Jane and Dame Katherine, late my wyffes lieth bui-ied.
Item, I gyve to the bye auter of the same parish chirche, for my tythes and offeringea by rae forgoten, or necligently mthholden in discharging of my soule xxs.
Item, I gyffe for brekiug of the crownde for my sepiilture and buriall xxs.
Item, I gyve and bequeth to John Clopton my sonne all the hanginges within the haule, parlirre, and greate chamber, with the bedding, quysschjns, tables, formes, stoles being within the same haule, parlure, and greate chamber.
Item, I gyve to the said John Clopton my sonne, the stuffe of my chapeU as auter clothes, boke, chalcsso, and vestementes, being and servyng on and for the workyndays within the saide chapcll ; and the halfe of all maner off implementes, as pewter, brasae, and laten, belonging and being within my kechin.
Item, I gyve imto the said John Clopton my sonne, six horses going with one of my plowes or plowe, with the teme of yron and colors being to the same, with a cart and a tumbreU.
Item, I gyve to the saide Johnne Clopton my sonne, the haUe of all maner of imple- mentes being within my bruehouse and bakhouse or kelers, tubbes, bravelles, trowes, fattes, and hogeshedes.
Item, I gyve to my doghter Anne Pooley my silver pease, with a rose in the bottom.
Item, I gyve unto Dorothe Chamber my woman iili. xiiis. iiiii?., to be paide unto hir be my executors within iiii yeres nexte after my desseasse.
Item, I gyve unto John Cordell my servant sis.
Item, I will that every servant in ray bouse being a yoman have off my gyfte vis. viiirf., evei-y carter and plowman iiis. iiiif/., and every woman servant iiis. iiiiti!.
48 VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE.
Item, I will that my executors and other assignes dispose in dedes of c-haritie for the veale of my sowle and all eristen soules within the to\vne of Melford, prestes, clarkes, and poore pepill, within a moneth after my decesse, xl//. of lawfnll money of Englond, yff chifte maie he made therfore by myne executors of suche goodes, comes, and catteles, or els as schortly after possible maie : the resideu of aU my goodes, moveable and un- moveable, houshold stuffe, playte, yewelles, cattelles, tilthe of landes, comes, as well being within my place as all such as be bowing upon my landes, and before imbequethed after my debtes first and principaUie payd, my buriaU done, and this my present testa- ment fulfilled, I gyve them fi-eely and cierely imto Dame Thomasine Clopton my w}'ff6 she to do ther-ndth [ at ] hyr freewill and pleasru-e.
And of this my present testament I make, ordayne, and constitute to be my executors this same Dame Thomsyne my wyife, Frances Clopton, Richard Clopton my sonnes, and Sir William Bretener, parson of Haustede ; and I gyre to every of the same Frances, Eichard, and Sir "William Bretener, for ther labors and busynes therin to be had and sustened xxs.
And overseer of this my saide testament and last will I hartlye desire and praye Sii- Eoger Tounhend, Knyght, to be ; and I gyve to hym, for his labor and besynes herin to be hadde and sustened, a hogeshede of vryne.
And whereas I have diverse peses of broderid workes of sUke, and gold to fomesch and serve for the hole suete of westymentes as well for a coope vestymeut, diacone and sub- diaeone, I will that my executors do bye cremysyn welwett or cloth of golde, yf my goodes will extende unto it for to accomphssch this same suete of vestmentes in forme before wi-iten, which suete of vestymentes, every parcell thero, I gyve and bequeth to Melford chirch, so that this same coope, vestimentes, and every parceU therof schaU be at the commandement of hym that God schaD provide to be my heyre male and dwell at my place at Lewtons, and such tyme as schall fortune to be any marige at my saide place, and immediatly after to be delivered imto the chirch wai'dens ayen.
Item, I gyve unto the above writen John Clopton my sonne, my crosse of gold which I where dayly abowtte my necke after the deasse* of my wyffe ; and after the decesse of this same John Clopton my sonne, I will this same crosse schall remane imto the heyres males of the body of this same John Clopton lawfully begoten ; and for defauta of such usche, to heres males of the body of me the same William Clopton, knyght, lawfully begoten, upon the condicion that they and every of them dow lenne this some crosse unto women of honeste being with child the tyme of ther laboure and immediatly to be surely delivered unto howrs ayen.
And forther I will that no clause'nor article eontening and inspeciaUy in my last will concerning my manners and landes and tenementes with the appm-tenances date the dale yerely above writen be hurtfuU or in anywyse prejudiciaU to any ai-ticle or clause con- tenyug and specified in my will concerning my prestes serves iu Melford called Jhesus, and our Lady serves, but I wDl that the same be fii-me and stabiU iu every thyng and thingea according to the same purpose and latent as in this same at lai'ge is writen and declared.
Thes witnesses Thomas Palmer clarke, WiUiam Parson clarke, Edward TiiTell Clarke, WUliam Munson, John Cordell, John MarschaD, John Clarke, Edward Watson, Eoger Hardy, and other.
This is the last wiH of me William Clopton, knyght, made the xiuith dale of October, in xxiith yere of the regno of oui" soverant lorde Kynge Henry the viiitb being of hole mynd and perfight memorie, thanked be God, do orda)-ne and make this my present testament and last will off, for, and opon, aU such my maners, landes and tenementes, rentes and services, with all and singuler ther appurtenaunces sett and lying -within ray townnes, fildes and pariches of Long Melforde, Stausted, Schimpling, Cowling, Asheton, Hensted, Chipley, or els where within the cuntres of Suffolk and Essex or other townnes or counties within the realme of Englond wherof any person or persones stond and bo seased to the use of me the same William Clopton, knyght, in maner and forme here- after folowing, that is to saye : —
First, I will that Eichard Pooley, Francis Clopton, my sonnes, and other my feoffes of and in my manner of Woodhouse, in Stansted, the medow called Neyles medow, otherwyse called Gyffordes, in Melford, my tenement called Blakes, my manners of
* So in MS.
VISITATION 0¥ THE COUNTr OF SUFFOLKE. 49
Wood fowles, and Schavdlows in Cowlyng, with all and singuler ther appurtenances in the Countie of Suffolk schaU stond and be seased and infeoffed ; the thyrd parte therof and off every parceU therof to the use of Dame Thomsine Cloptou my wyffe that sche schall have the said thirde parte of aU the said manners, landes, tenementes and other the premisses and appurtenances for the terme of hir natiu-aU lyffe, in satisfaccion and alowance of hir dowre which the same Dame Thomasine is intitillcd to have of the same maners and other the premisses by reason that I myselfe was therof subseased diuiug the espowsclles betwene me and the said Dame Thomasyne, and of all the residewe of the said maners, landes, and tenementes, and other the premisses, with appurtenances caUed Woodhouse, Woodfoles, Schardelowes in Cowling, Neles, and Blakes tenament, I wiU that my said feoffes schaU stond and be seased therof to the use of John Clopton, sunne and hejTe of me the same William Clopton, knyght, during his naturall lyffe, and after his decesse, to the use of the heyres males of the body of the same John lawfully begoten ; and for defaute of such ysschue to remaine to the heyres males of the body of me the same William Clopton, knyght, lawfully begotten.
Item, I win yf my feoffes of and in my marmere of Kentewell, with appurtenances sehall stond and be seased therof to the use of the same John Clopton my sonne duryug his naturall lyffe, and after his decesse, to the use of the heyres males of the body of the same John Clopton lawfully begotten, and for defect of such issue, to remane to the heyres males of the body of me the same William Clopton, knyght, lawfully begoten.
Also, I will that my feoffes of and in my place and manor of Lewtons, with thap- purtenances, wherein I dwell, schall stond seased thereof to the use of the same Dame Thomasine, my wiffe, during hir naturall lyffe, keping the reparacions sufficiently.
And after her deceasse, I will that my said feoffes and theyr heyres shalbe and stand seased and enfeoffed of and in the same manner of Lewtons, with the appurtenaunces, to thuse of the same John Cloptou, my sonne, diu-yng his naturall liffe ; and after his decesse, to the use of heyres males of body of the same John Clopton, lawfully begoten ; and for defaute of such issue, to remayne to the heyres males of the body of me, the same William Clopton, knyght, lawfully begoten.
Also, I will that the same Dame Thomasyne, my wyffe, schall have my manor of Newinham HaUe, in Ashedon, with thappm-tenaunces, in the Coimtye of Essex, for the terme of hir liffe, according to such wryting as to fore thereof his unto hir, and after to hii- use maide, and after hir decesse, I will the saide manor of iS'ewenham Halle, with thappurtenaimces, remane unto the same John Clopton, my sonne, for terme of his lyffe, and after his decesse, to the heyres males of the body of the same John Clopton, lawfully begoten ; and for fawte of such issue to remane to the heyres males of the body of me the same William Clopton, Knyght, lawfully begoten.
Also I will that my feoffes of and in my manor of Henstede, with appurtenaunces, and the advowson of the chii'ch of the said manor of Hensted, schaU stond and be seased and enfeoffed of the yerly revenues and profettes of the same maners of xx. markes by yere, and the saide advowson to thuse of the same Dame Thomasyne my wiffe, during hir naturall Uffe.
And of all the residew of issues and profeghtes of the same manor, during my said wyffes lyffe, and also of the saide xx. markes by yere after hir decesse, I will that my said feoffees of the same manor of Henstede with appurtenaimce, and ther heyres, shall stand seased and enfeoffed therof to thuse of my executors, unto such tyme as my executors have resaved of thissues, revenues, and profettes of the same manor of Hen- stede, the summe of two hundreth powndes of lawfull money of Englond, to dyspose for me in dedes of charite, for the weale of my soule, and all cristen soules.
And after the decesse of my said wyffe, and also after the receyte of the same summe of two hundreth poundes to be receyved of the revenues, issues, and profettes, of the same manor of Henstede, item, I will that my saide feoffees and ther heyi-es schall be stond seased and disposed of and in the same to thuse of the same John Clopton for the terme of his lyffe, and after his decesse to thuse of the heyres males of the body of the same John Clopton lawfully begoten ; and for lacke of such issue, to remayne to the heyres males of the body of me the same WiUiara Clopton, knyght, lawfull begoten.
And whereas I have enfeoffed Richard Clopton my sonne. Sir Roger Townsheud, knyght, Robert Crow, esquier, and other of and in a tenement with thappurtenaunce, sett and lying in Chipley, in the countie of Suffolk, sumtyme Malbornes to thuse of this same Richai'd Clopton my sone, and also Sir William Bretoner, of Henstede, be enfeofed of the manner of Chipley, with thappurtenauuces, and [ at ] ray commandement, request, and desu-e, have made an astate of this same manor of Chiiiley, with thappm-tenaunces, unto the same Richard my sonne, Sir Roger Townshend, laiyght, Robert Crow, and other,
50 VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE.
to thuse of the said Eiohard my sonne during the naturall lyffe of this same Eichard my Bonne, I -srill that he and his assignes during his saide naturall lyffe schaU have this same manor of Chipley, with thappm-tenances, as this same tenement with thappm-te- naunce sumtyme Milbume, and after the decesse of this same Richard my sonne, I will that the feoffes of and in this same stond ther heyres schal be and stond seased and dis- pose to thiise of this same John Clopton my sonne during his naturall lyffe ; and after Ms decesse to Ihuse of his heyres males of the body of the said John Clopton lawfuUy begotten ; and for defaut of such issue to the heyres males of the body of me this same ■William Clopton, knyght, laufuUy begoten.
And where also I have a lesse of the monasterie of Sainete Edmimdesbury of and in eerten landes, medowes, pastures, woodes, and tythes in the towne of Melford as it ap- perith by an indenture therof mayd under the convent scale for therme of Isxx yeres, I will that this said same Dame Thomasyne my wyffe, Frances Clopton and Richard Clopton my sonnes, ther executors and assignes schall have of t«rme of xx. yeres next insueing after my deth parcell of the saide Ixxxti yeres of all the saide landes, medowes, woodes, and tythes, with pastures, paing yerely the rent and ferme reserved upon this same lesse of Ixxxti yeres at such daies as be lymyted, and in the same lease, and also keping an ohett for me and aU Cristen soules ia Melford church in such forme as I ac- custumably use to kepe for the soule of John Clopton my father, sa«ng I will that the said Richard Clopton my sonne schall have all the thythes being parcell of the saide lease coramyng and renuyng of all such landes and medows as lieth on the iirsyde of the hie waye that ledith from Melford to Bury Sainct Edmunde, from the tenement in Melford called Buchers, unto the untermost parte of Melford that the same lease wiU here, and sue during all such yeres yet to cum of the said lease of Ixxx'i yeres, and he to paye yerly for the same during the tei-me of all such yeres as he yett to cum of the said lease of Ixxxti yeres, xxxiiis. iiiiA parcell of the rent and ferme reserved upon the same lease of Ixxxti yeres as at such daies as be lymited in the sade lease and after the saide terme of xsti yeres so exspirate I will that my saide sone John Clopton schall have the resideu of all the yeres than being to cum of the saide lease of Ixxx'i yeres, except and reserved unto the same Eichard Clopton my sonne and his executors all such tythes as I have before gyven and assigned unto hym, the same John Clopton my sonne paying yerly such rent and ferme reserved upon the same lease of Ixxx'i yeres at such daies as bee lymyted in the same and also keping my obete in such maner and forme as I have assignett the same Dame Thomasyne Clopton my wyffe ; and I will yf the sayd John Clopton chance to die anytyme before thend of the said terme of Ixxx'i yeres then I will the said residew of the said teime after the saide xx. yeres so gyvin to my said wyff, Frances and Eichard my sonnes he exspiret schall be to the next heyres males of the body of the said John Clopton my sonne resei-ving unto the saide Eichard my sone his executors or assignes all such tythes as I have before gyvin and assignett unto hym the heyres males of the saide John Clopton my sonne paing for his parte v posvndes of lawful money of Englond by yere at such daies as be limited in the same lease and the same Richard Clopton my sone his executoi-s and assignes to pay yerely and by the yere xxxiiis. iiii(?. being the residue of the rent reserved upon the saide lease.
Item, I gyve to Richai-d my sonne and his heyres all my copieholde landes, medows, and pastures, in Melford, with thappurtenaunces belonging to my tenantrie.
I will that John Cordell my servant, and Emme his wyfe schall have the tenemente, with the grounde called the Saffron pane and other thappurtenaunce which Robert Heudson dwellith in, to them and ther heyres according to the copie of courte rowle unto them theroff mayd, providith always that yf the same John Clopton my sonne, Wimam Clopton sunne of the same John Clopton, or any other person or persons for them, or in ther name or names of any of them or be ther procxu'ement, consent, storing or abbetting wiU, interupt, vere, trouble, distm-be, or lett the same Dame Thomasyne my wy£Fe, Frances Clopton and Eichard Clopton my sonnes or any of them, to have peasible, levye, percey^'c and enjoye and take aU the issues and pi-ofettes of the premisses or any parte or perceU therof to them and every of them before geven and assigned, or doith interupte or lett my saide will to be performed in any poynt or condicion in maner and forme as is before writen and declared, or that the same John Clopton, or William his Sonne, or any other be ther names, doith interupt, or take any of my goodes, catteles, or other thinges other then be my testament maide concerning my moveable goodes be gyven and bcquethed be my saide testament unto the same John Clopton my sonne, then 1 will that my feoffes of and in my manor of Hensted, with appurtenance, and the ad- vouson of the same chirch of Hensted schalbe and stond and seased and enfeoffed therof to thuse of the same Dame Thomasyne my wyffe, during hir naturall lyffe ; and after
VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF STJFFOLKE. 51
hir decesse to thuse of Frances Clopton and Richard Clopton mysonnes, and to thuse of every of them to seale, and the mony therof cmnmyng of the same sale, I will schalbe disposed by the same Frances and Richard my aonnes, in dedes of charite for the weale of my soule and all cristen soules by ther discrecions, and the same John Clopton my sonne and his heyres therof to be utterly excluded ; and than I will that the tenementes, with all and singular thappurtenaunces sett and being in Chipley and Poslingford, sumtyme Milbumes, before by me geven and assigned unto Richard Clopton my sonne for terme of his lyffe, the feoffes of and in the same I will that they schall stond and be seased and enfeoffed therin to thuse of the same Richard Clopton my sunne and of his heyres for ever. And also that all the residew of aU the yeres, after the said terme of xxti yeres so gyvin to my said wiffe, Frances Clopton and Richard Clopton my sonnes be exspired, that then all the same residew of the said yeres and terme of the same lease schall be to thuse of the same Frances and Richard my sonnes, ther executors or assignee ; and the same John Clopton and his heyres, males, in maner and forme before saide geven, to be therof clerely excluded, and to have no parte nor parcell therof, nor yet of no moveable goodes gyven by my testament unto the same John Clopton my sonne, but the same to be at the disposiciou of my executors whom I ordayne and make the same Dame Thomasyne my wiffe, Frances Clopton, Richard Clopton, and Sir William Bretyuer. Thes witnesse, Thomas Palmer clarke, "William Peyrson clarke, Edward Tirrell clarke, William Munson, John Cordell, John MarschaU, John Clarke, Edward Watson, Roger Hardy, and other.*
(From a copy penes W. H. H.)
WILL OF JOHN CLOPTON.— 1541.
In Dei nomine Amen, the vth day of the monnyth of October, yn the yere of our Lorde God, Mlccccc. xli. I John Clopton, of Long Melford, yn the Countey of Suffolk, esquyer, beyng of hole mynd and parfyte remembrance, thankyd be to God, make and ordene this my present testament and last wyU yn manner and forme folowyng, revok- yng and anuUyng all oder my wylles or testamentes, and this to be my fyrme and last wyll.
Fyrst, I bequeth my soiile to Allmyghty God, my Maker and Redcmer, and my body to be buryd withyn the parishe churche of Long Melford, aforsaid, withyn the northe ylde.
Item, I geve unto the hy aulter ther, for tythes and offerynges neglygently forgottou or withholden iiis. iiiirf.
Item, I geve imto the same churche, for brekynge of the grounde for my sepulter, vi.?. Yuitl.
Item, I wyll ther he bestowyd at my bui-yall day to prestes and clerkes, poore pepull, and oder necessarys iiii/i.
Item, at my viith day and xsti day iiii//.
Item, I geve unto Elisabeth my wife one C shepe, xx'' seayme barly and v. seayme whete.
Item, I geve and bequeth imto the same Elisabeth, the hangynges, heddynge, testorea, and all oder the appurteuauncez withyn the grett chamber, and as muche brede come and ale corne as shall fynd hyr howse oone hole yere after my decesse. And also I geve hyr all my hostyhuentes and uteuseUes of howsehold, except the ledes and brasse withyn my bakehowse, whiche shall remayne to my sonne and heyr.
Item, I geve and bequeth unto my son and heyr vi. horses and a carte, and I geve hem xx'i seame barley and v. seame whete, or mystelen.
Item, I geve unto my said sou William, the hangynges, hede, and testour, with all the appurtenaunces, belongyng to my chamber callyd my Lorde ys chamber ; also I geve hem the hangynges of my hall and my parler.
Item, I wyll he have my crose of golde that my lady Clopton hath accordyng to my fathers wyU.
Item, I geve unto my son John Clopton xxti seame barley and v. seame whete or mystelyne, and xxti shepe.
Item, I geve imto my son Anthony, xx seame barley, and v seame whete or mystelene, and xx'i shepe.
Item, I geve unto my son George Clopton, xx. seame barley, v seame whete or mys- telyne, and xxti sheope.
* There is no probate act recorded of this wiU.
52 VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE.
Item, I geve to my doghter Dorothe iiii?(.
Item, I geve unto my dogMers, Gresell and Elisateth, eche of them vi raylche leese, and eche of them xx shepe. And I wyll that the x^li. that is deye unto me by enden- tour made betwene Sii- Thomas Jermyn and me and my son William, shalbe devyded betwene my said too dowghters Gresell and Elisabeth at my wyffes discretion, as sortely as my son "WiUiam may be hable to pay it to my said wyfe.
Item, I -n-ill that my yonge ware yn my pasturs, that is to say, yonge horses and mares be devydyd* betwene my younger cbyldeme.
Item, I give and bequeth unto John Clopton and WiUiam Clopton my godsonys, \li., to be devydyd betwene them by equayll portions.
Item, I geve to Magerete MTiite v/j'., as it may be sparyd of my goodes at my wyffe's discretion.
Item, I geve unto my godson John CordeU, a merlyg or wevell.
Item, I geve unto my servaunt John Roose, iiis. iiiiff.
Item, I geve unto my servaimt Thomas Spendlow, iiis. mid.
Item, I will that my said bequestes be paid as my executours may recover my dettes, and make shyfte therfore of suche cornys and catteUis as I have.
The resydew of all my goodes not before bequethyd, after my dettes fyrst and princi- pally payd, and my buryall and this my presente testamente fulJFyllyd, I geve them fi-ely and clerely unto my wiffe EUsabeth Clopton, whome I make my executrix, together with my son John Clopton and Edward Tyrell.
And I geve to echo of the same John and Edwarde xls. a peese, and to my said wife iiiili., for theyr paynes heryn to be hade.
This be my wyttenes, Mathew Leye, Thomas Galaunt, Sir John Geyeton, prestes, and Oder.
Tenore prajsentium nos Thomas permissione divina Cantuariensis archiepiscopus totius Anglic prlmas et Meti-opolitanus illustrissimi in Christo principis et domini nosti-i domiui Hem-ici octavi Dei gi-atia Anglife et Franciae regis Fidei Defensoris domini Hibemiae et in terra supremi capitis AngUcanae ecclesiae auctoritate legitime fulcitus, notum facimus universis quod quinto die mensis Novembris anno Domini millesimo qujngentesimo quadi'agesimo piimo apud Londoniam probatum fiiit coram nobis ac per nos auctoritate dicti domini nostri regis approbatum et insimiatum testamentum Johannis Clopton Norwicensis dioecesis defuncti prsesentibus annexum, habentis dum vixit et mortis suae tempore bona, jura, sive credita in diversis dioecesibus sen jmisdictionibus eujus obtentu ipsius testamenti approbatio et insumatio, ac administrationis bonorum, jurium, et creditoriim suorum commissio, necnon compoti, calculi, sive ratiocinii adniin- isti'ationis hujusmodi finaUs, quia liberatio sive dimissio ab eadem ad nos soliim et insolidum, et non ad alium nobis inferiorem judicem notorie dinoscitur pertinere. Com- missaque fuit administi'atio omnium et singulorum bonorum, jiu'ium, et ereditormn dictum defunotmn et ejvis testamentum qualitercunque concernentiiun Elizabethas Clopton relictte et executiici in hujusmodi testamento nominatse de bene et fideUter ad- ministrando eadem, ac de pleno et fideli inventario omnium et singulorum bonorum et creditorum hujusmodi conficiendo, et nobis secundo die post festum Conversionis Sancti Pauli proximo futurum exhibeudo, necnon de piano et vero compoto calculo sive ratio- cinio nobis aut successoribus nostris in ea parte reddendo ad Sancta Dei Evangelia in persona magistri Johannis Talkeme notarii public! procuratoris sui in hac parte legitime constituti jurati, reseiTata potestate sinulem commissionem faciendi Johanni Clopton et Edwardo TyrreU executoribus etiam in hujusmodi testamento nominatis, eos cum venerint in debita jmis forma admissur'.
Datum die mense, anno Domini, et loco prajdictis, et nostrte cons' anno nono.
ThO. ARG.4.LL.
(Harleian Charter, 43, G. 41). On the back of this document is the following note in the handwiiting of D'Ewes. " Upon my search in the Prerogative Court for this wiU or testament of John Clopton, esquire, upon the 12th day of April, 1637, it could not be foimd : but I was assured by an ancient Clarke ther that the Register in which this ^^^ll with divers other wills of the same age and time weere entred had perished by fire. And therefore this copie long since taken out under the office Scale is the moore highlie to be valued. — Simonds D'Ewes."
* Be devydyd ] rep. in MS.
VISITATION OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLKE. 53
INQUISITION ON THE DEATH OF JOHN CLOPTON.
Inqmsitiomdentatacaptaapud Baberghhethe secimdo dip M,,-; or, -^ •■
regis Henrici octavi Dei gratia AngU«,, Pranci^ TmLr„L ■ ^? ■%^ '^°"^ et in terra, E.elesice AngUean^ ei ffibeniic^ su^Z "'^y' I'-'' .°'^f<^"^°ris, coram Thoma Halse anm|ero escaetore dTcti doSiTo" ^^'*" *''•'"'"''" 'J"'^'" virtute brevis ejusdem dom^ regis de d^em .l^n^Jt ^ ® ' "" conutatu prtcdieto Cloptonannigeiieidemescaetori^eotiet^uSrdsMonTr ^T' '"°''^'^ ^"^"^^^ etc., qiudicunt super sacramentum euum qiZ p^Sta^Jorn^^ ^n ^f ^^"'<''^tuin, brevi nominatua fuit seisitus in dominico suo ,.t alfZT^-^^- *^^°P'°° ™ <licto de KentweU cum pertinentiis in iSd ^00^1!?,, 1,1 ,^f •I™ ?^"' '^^ ^' ■'^ ^^''^^o de Lutons cum pertinentiis in MeHord nrXt^Pt ^ pra^dicto, acetiam de et in manerio pertinentiis in Melford prs^Stf ac de et hfun'' '* "*• ''^."^^f "o de Woodfoules cum cimi pertinentiis in MeLd prXa et i^erjoSef ITV'^^'^^''' ^?"^''' ^^^^'^ statu obiit inde seisitus, post cuius mortem ^/nn^.^ ^- f'^'' '^''''"' <'^''''e°s de tali
pertinentiis discendebaAtetde jCS^ento^Lbent Wmtlmn'pf'"":? P™'^?^'' """^ filio et bteredi prasdicti Jobannis Clopton WiUielmo Clopton armigero ut
foeruntseisiti in dominico suo ut de feodoTe et in tinerfo de fcf ^ ''^'' '"P''""°^ in comitatu pra^dicto ad opus et usmn cuiusdam^^rpvS? de Chyppley cum pertmentiia patris prasdieti Jobannis Clopton et basrX dM W bvT; n '^' ^ ™^''? J^"" ^''^'^"^^ Willielmus_ Clopton miles p^er ultiTam vowX ^u^ ^ °P'^^^^ bujus mqmsitionisin eyidentus ostensam dSrconc^s/tur-^dtr '^P"' "?P'^™'' Chypp ey cum pertmentiis euidam Eicardo Clopton geneioifiC^ffW-?^ '^^
ton mihfas; babendum et tenendtmi sibi pro termino rit^ eUisdem I^p /^'^^^ C °p- post mortem ejusdem Rieardi hs'redibusmascuHs cor^Scti J^bannT P^ cujus donatioms pra^dicti Williebnus Bretnare et jX^es Pet^pT ?P'°?'- "^"^'^ m pra^dicto manerio de Chypley in dominico suo ut dp Zl. f^ ^"''■™* ^"'^'^ de et que quartmn diem Februarii anno re^do Jni le^fs nl ' "'^ P'-^'dict.un quous- p.asfatus Eicardus Clopton fuit seisitS .t nT, p !% ?™o vicesimo septimo quo die de Cbypley in dominico'suo ut de'll £0 e,e-ento lema^^^^^^ ^'1^*° ^^-™
corporis dicti Jobannis Clopton enemento, remanere mde haeredibus masculis
e^^l^^^S cSt*j pSto^-^"^ ^™^^*"^ ^^-'^^ «0Pt0n in plena vita
Babui;ghe, quodqmdam bimdi-ediun nuper fuit parceuT monf Iw • f t""^S'^° ""' '^'^ mimdi per iidelitatem et xyi.;.