A certificate certifying my 10th great-grandfather, Richard Hyckes, as being a yeoman of the Chamber of Queen Elizabeth I. Richard Hyckes was the head of the workshop which produced the Sheldon Tapestries in Barcheston, Warwickshire. Transcribed by myself, with thanks to Baroness Ysabella-Maria Vasquez de Granada for photographing the document for me.
vvijo die marche Ao. Ragni Regine Elizabeth nono/
I Willi[a]m lord haward of Effingham of the nobell order of
The garter knight and lord Chamberlayn of the
quenes ma[jes]t[ie]s most honerabell Chamber and Sir ffran[cis]
knotts knight vicechamberlayn of the Sayd Chamber
Comissioners named and apponnted amongest other of
hyr gracs Sayd Chamber of and for the firste Taxacia[n]
and payment of A Soubsidi grannted Unto hyr hyghnes
by hyr hygh[nes']s Courte of parylment houlden at westm[inster]
by progacions the Last days of September in the
Eight yer of hyr hyghnes Rayne Do Sartifi Unto
all other hyr ma[jes]t[ie]s Comissioner Unto whome yt
shall ap[urt]ayn [th]at Richard hyckes one of the
ordnari yeomon of the quenes ma[jes]t[ie]s chamber is vallud
be for us after the Ratte of xjo ijli xs in wages
The National Archives catalogue entry:
Certificate of residence showing Richard Hyckes to be liable for taxation in the Royal...
Reference: E 115/182/141
Description: Certificate of residence showing Richard Hyckes to be liable for taxation in the Royal Household.
(Details of which pouch this certificate was removed from are now lost.)
Date: 1567
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Public Record(s)
Closure status: Open Document, Open Description
Friday, 23 August 2019
Friday, 9 August 2019
Will of William Underhill - Newbolde Revell, Warwickshire - 1570
The will of William Underhill (c.1524 - 1570) of Newbold Revel, Warwickshire, uncle to my 9th great-grandfather, Humfrey Underhill, mentioned in this will. Transcribed by myself.
Source: UK National Archives, PROB 11/52/126
William is very much concerned that his lands should not be broken up and that the women should not be adulterous or carnal.
In the name of god amen the first day of December in the Twelueth yere
of the raigne of our sovraigne lady Elizabeth I william underehill of Newbolde revell in the countie of warr gent being whole
and of perfecte mynde and remembrannce thankes be given to almightie god amke this my testament and last will in forme
folowing ffirst I give and comende my soule into thands of almightie god my redeamer & saviour and my body to be buried by
my dearlie beloved wife ursula underehill in the pishe churche of neather Etington in the countie of Warr yf it
possible so be what chardge saver my executors shalle at and as concerning the disposicon of all my Land ten[emen]ts and
hereditaments first I leave to discende unto my heire or heires the thirde parte of all my mannors lands & ten[emen]ts
according to the Statute in that case provided for that my Mannor of Idlycote is holden in Capite, the residue of all my
Mannors lands ten[emen]ts and hereditaments within the realme of england together withall my leases goods cattells plate and
housholde stuffe whatsoever excepte suche parcells as hereafter by expresse name I do give and otherwise appointe
I do give them all wholey to my executors to thentent that they with the rente and proffitts of them shall in all points
performe and fulfill this my p[rese]nte last will and testament and pay my debts and bring up my children and and when
those same are fullie performed and done together with almanor of their costs rents and chardgs susteyned being recompenced
paied and allowed then I will that if william Underehill my said sonne then be oulyve and of full age and hath
not or will not marry before thaige of xxiiij yeres withoute the good will and liking of my brother John Shirley
my brother Brokesby and my brother Thomas Underhill my brother Congrave or their heires or the more
parte of them that he my said sonne william then shall have the residue and remanent of all my stocke of cattell
leases plate goods and Cattells before given in forme aforsaid to have to hym and his assignes forever more
And also the rest and residue of all my mannors lands and ten[emen]ts given in forme aforsaid To have and to
holde the same rest residue mannors lands and ten[emen]ts to hym and to the heires males of his very body
lawfullie begotten and to be begotten according to the stricte order of the comon lawe and not favorablie to be construed/~
According to a denyse untill suche tyme as they or any of them go aboute to alien or sell the same lands or ten[emen]ts or any
parcell thereof for any longer terme then onthe for terme of their lyves or of their wives lives and none other wife
excepte leases for to be made for xxj yeres or for thre lyves to begyn from the date of the same leases and no
manor of lease to be made in revercon And if it happen that my said sonne william or his yssue make to die
withoute yssue male of our very bodies lawfullie begotten acording as is aforsaid or that they my son Willm. or
his said yssue of my body or their heires make of their bodies or any of them go aboute to alien otherwise then nor aforsaid
or that my said sonne do marry before the forsaid aige of xxiiij yeres withoute their consente aforsaid Then I will that
his or their estate to be voide and be determyned and that then all my lands and ten[emen]ts to be charged and also to come
and remayne as hereafter is expressed that is to say I will that eny yssue female of my very body laufullie
begotten now being oulive or the heires of their bodies if suche yssue female be then deade shall have one annuitie
or yerelie rent of Twentie pounds to them and their heires forevermore to be paied yerelie oute of all my
Mannors lands and ten[emen]ts within the realme of england with a clause of distres/ the same payments to be made
by even porcons at two most usuall feasts of the yere to pray for their mothers soules and myne and
with condicon also that if they or their heires do alien the same annuitie or annuities longer then for the
lyves/ That then the same annutie or annuities so aliened shall cease and be utterlie determyned/ Also I will
that if my said sonne william or his said yssue male die withoute yssue male as is aforsaid or that
they or any of them to go aboute to alien otherwise then is aforsaid Then I give to my brother
John and the heires males of his very body begotten in forme as aforsaid and with like condicon and
untill suche tyme as is aforsaid my mannor of Idlicote with thappurtenncs and all my lands & ten[emen]ts
in Idlicote Loxley and hollington rating the same at one hundreth pounds yerelie when the leases
are determyned with this condicon/ So that also he or his heires do give unto eny one of his sonnes
Excepte his sonne and heire one annuitie or yerelie rent of foure poundes going oute of the same Manors lands ten[emen]ts for terme of
their lifes with clause of distresse and with condicon that they nor any of them shall not alien the same And then also I do give unto
my brother humfrey and to the heires males of his very body begotten in forme aforsaid and with condicons untill the tyme as is afore
said all my lands ten[emen]ts and hereditaments in kington, basset, hardewike, barton meryden Alspathe and Esenell in the Countie of
Warr rating the same at fiftie pounds yerelie when the leases are not So that he or his heire do give unto eny one
of his sonnes excepte his sonne and heire one annuitie or yerelie rent of fyve marks oute of the same lands for terme of their
lifes with condicon that they nor eny of them shall not alien the same And also then I do give to my brother Thomas untill
his sonne ffranncs underehill my godsonne be of the aige of xxiiij yeres and then onelie to the said ffranncs and to
the heires males of the very body of the said ffranncs lawfullie begotten as is aforesaid and with like condicon and untill suche
tyme as is aforsaid all my lands and ten[emen]ts with their appurtenncs in haselor, Stretforde upon Avon and Drayton in the
countie of warr and in the towne and pishe of wolv[er]hampton in the countie of Staff rating the same at lx li yerelie when
the leases are oute/ So that my said brother Thomas and the said ffranncs or one of them do grannte unto all the rest of my
brother Thomas sonnes his heires onelie excepted one annuitie or yerelie rent of foure pounds unto eny of them during their
lives with clause of distres and a condicon that they shall not alien the same// yf ffrancs underehill die withoute yssue male
as is aforsaid then those lands to remayne to George his brother and to his heires males of his body in suche forme and with
like condicon as ffranncs had the same// Provided always that my said lands and hereditaments equallie as they are rated
as aforsaid & rata x rata shalbe charged with the payment of my said daughters annuities when they do faule/ And if my
brother humfrey die withoute yssue male of his body laufullie begotten then I will his porcon gyven to hym of my said
Lands shall remayne unto humfrey underehill sonne of my brother Thomas and unto humfrey underehill sonne of John my
brother and unto the heires males of their bodies laufullie begotten as is aforsaid and with like condicon as my brother humfrey
had the same Also I do give unto eny of my daughters undell. Dorothie Margaret and Anne and to eny of them
ffyve hundred pounds a pece to be pased unto then by ny executor when they are fenallie maried yf my executor will so
agree upon the tyme of payment and so that they do marry and be ruled for their marriage by and with the consent
of my brother John Shirley my brother Brokesby my brother ffranncs Congrove my brother Humfrey
underehill or their heires or the more parte of them/ And if any of my said daughters happen to die before she or they be maried then
I will yje porcon & porcons aforsaid of her or them so dieng to survive remayne come and be equally devided and given to her other
sister or sisters overlyving yf they be ruled in marriage as is aforsaid by the discresicon of my said brothers// Provided
alwaie and for goddes sake have care and speciall regarde unto hit that if any of my daughters do marry contrary to my
determynacon and appointement as is aforsaid or that they do offende and mysuse them selfe in carnall or adulterous
lyving and the same duelie to be proved that then I will her and their parte and porcon so offending before to her
given in money/ And also her and there said annuitie or annuities before given to be frustrate and voide & to determyn
and utterlie to lose the same in all respects Any thing herein comprised to the contrary in eny wise notwithstanding/
And then also her and their porcon amd porcons so by the occasion aforsaid to be loste by dishonestie as aforesaid shalbe
gyven and bestowed to ger other sister or sisters that then honest are & do not offende in the said facte Also I will
that my said daughters be brought up and kepte by my executors untill they be maried upon the proffit rising of
there porcons but not to denyng sshe her or there porcon/ Also I will that my executors shall yerelie kepe
all my grounds stored with cattell as longe as the same grounds shalbe in their hands towards the performannce of
my will And then after that stocke to remayne unto my said sonne Also I do give unto eny of my said
daughters one fetherbed furnisshed in all points as shetes xcx/ And to eny of them one goblet new made with
there mothers stocke a table cloth one dozen of napkyne and one towell Also I do give unto william my sonne
my signet of golde when he cometh to full age, and to eny of my daughters one silver spone and to Dorothie
my daughter her mothers wedding ring and a paire of braceletts of golde to my second daughter my late most loving
wife Newports wedding ring my youngest daughter a litell chayne of golde and one other of my first wifes
rings/ And if william my said sonne die before he be of full age then I will all my said leases goods & cattell
stocke of cattell and plate after my will performed to be gyven and distributed amongest my said daughters yf
they be ruled as aforesaid when and after my executors have performed my will received there chardgs & paied
my debts and legacies/ And also if they do lyve honestlie as aforsaid otherwise she or they that are not ruled
or doth lyve dishonestlie to lose her parte and porcon of her legacie in all respects Also I do give amongest the children
of my brother John underehill equallie to be devided amongest them twentie marks to my sister Dalbyez children
amongest them vj li to the children of my sister wykeh[a]m x li to the mariage of Martha Rowley my wifes
god daughter when she is maried and marieth by the consent of my overseers vjli xiijs iiijd/ Also I do
give amongest the daughters of my sister Mynors xxli/ Also I do give to Elizabeth underehill
my god daughter iijli vjs viijd and amongest the daughters of my sister wynefyde xxli and to
the daughters of my sister Tawier iijli vjs viijd Also I do give to Willm. Newporte at his full
aige for his good mothers sake all the plate I had with her and the most parte also of all the housholde
stuffe I had with her trusting he will prove as good and as honest as his mother was and will pray for her soule and myne Also I do give
unto Edward Brokesby my godsonne one olde anngell and my gray ambling nagge I had at Derby Also to ffranncs Brokesby my
wyves godsonne one olde anngell and my bay mare my godsonne Richard wykam one olde anngell my gray nagge I had of my
brother Tawyer and to ffranncs underehill my godsonne one olde anngell and the litle nagge I had of John Clement Also I do give to
my man hanocke the lease of his house and do remyt unto hym xjli which I paied for the fyne thereof and forgive hym all the corne
he oweth me Also I do give unto his his wife being sometyme my wifes maide xls and amongest his children xls for her mystres sake to
pray for her soule and mine And to eny godchilde that I have other than above reated xxs Also I do give to Callowe my man one annuitie
of fortie shillings yerelie during his life going oute of my lands ten[emen]ts and hereditaments wheresoever with clause of distres & with proviso
that he shalbe servuntable upon my sonne and pleasure hym when he shall desire hym and to give hym frendlie advise and also
instructe my frends and helping them in the performannce of this my Will with his best advise and travell Also I do give
unto hym vjli xiijs iiijd and Nottingh[a]m my gelding to Symyns my man xls and twentie shepe to wener my man xls and my black
trotting nagge and xxs annuitie for his life oute of my lands with distres to Elnor my maide a cowe & xls to ffawkenee my man xls and
a horse or mare to Jackeman my man xls and my bay mare I had of Mr Dymocke orells xxs in money and to eny other of my
clarkes and Astley one colte horse or mare to Elizabeth Rogers xls and eny other of my servannts both man and woman to have their
hole yeres waige for the yere deducting somuche as they have received before my death Also I will shalbe given to the pore of the
parishe where I was borne during fyve hole yeres xijd wekelie, and to the pore of the parishe where I do dwell wekelie for one
hole yere xijd and to the pore people of the parishe of honyngh[a]m for one hole yere wekelie viijd And to the pore of Bynton wekelie for a
yere iiijd to pray for my soule my wifes soules and all christen soules Also I do give to the parson of Idlicote xxs to pray for all xpian.
soules And do release unto hym all covennte bonds agreaments and demannds betwene us Also I do release unto my brother Mynor
and to his heires all suche right title interest and demannde which I have to come of hym the Manor capitall mansion house and of and in all lands and ten[emen]ts in
blakenhall in the countie Staff ffurthermore I will that none of my tennts nor there wifes during their widowods yf they be of
honest and good behavior be put oute of their lyvings Provided alwaies & my full will intent & meaning is that if it shall so happen hereafter
and seame very nedefull by reason of eny extremitie and greate occasion or for a better comoditie that eny of my said lands or ten[emen]ts shalbe
aliened leased or sold by my said sone or eny other otherwise then I have before expressed That then I will licence therefore be first
asked had and obteyned in writing from my brother John Shirley my brother Brokesby & my brother ffranncs Congreve or their
heires under there hands and seales otherwise my will as is aforsaid still to stande and remayne in effecte according to my true
entent and meaning as is aforsaid And no alienacon then to be made of eny of my said lands and ten[emen]ts otherwise then is aforsaid
Also I will that if eny doubte or question shall or may use or growe hereafter by reason of eny legacie gifte grannte worde or arbele in
this my will before rehersed for lacke of playne explanacon for that they are not in all respects at lardge playnely set forthe according
to the due forme of lawe and according to my full intent and meaning Therefore my will and monde is that the trothe true and playne interpretacon
and my meaning & full intent therein and in eny suche doubte & question shalbe at all tymes and from tyme to tyme declared interpreted construed
and explaned by my most greate frende amd very good lorde and maister Sir James Dier knight lord chief Justice of the comon place
my brother Brokesby and my brother Sherley and their heires and by the overlyver of them and their heires and their declaracon
at all tymes and from tyme to tyme in eny suche question and doubte I will shall stande and be my perfecte will full mynde
intent and meaning/ And my desire to them is chiefly to forsee that none of me lands be solde nor done away unles it be though the
occasions before rehersed and by licence as is aforsaid and also that my daughters do not cast away them selfes in mariage Also I will
that suche legacies as my executors thincks most necessary to be first performed shalbe paied and performed in suche tyme as to them
shall seame most convenient/ Also I will that all the apparell & wering lynnenz of both my wifes be equallie distributed
amongests my daughters/ The rest of all my goods and Cattalls not before bequethed I give and bequeth unto my said sonne
willm. underhill and to be paied & delivered when my executors thincke necessary at suche tyme as he cometh to the aige of xxj yeres with condicon as is
aforesaid And if he die before then my daughters to have all suche goods and cattalles as I have given unto hym in this my will besides their
foresaid legacies upon the condicon aforesaid/ Excepte one Cli worthe of those goods to be given onelie amongest all the daughters of all
my sisters for to pray for my soule besides the foresaid legacies given by me Also I make my executors of this my last will & testament John
Shirley and Robert Brokesby Esquiers willing them to bestowe upon my fun[er]all as shall please them and to either of them I
do give for their paynes taking iijli vjs viijd/ Also I do make Thomas Callowe my trustie servannt and clarke one other of
my executors/ Also I do make overseers of this my will the forsaid Sir James Dyer knight and my naturall brothers Thomas underehill & Humfrey
Underehill and also my brother Congrave Esquier to helpe and assiste the due and true performannce of this my last will and testament And do
give to the said Sir James Dier for his paynes xli and my best gelding and do give to either of my said brothers Thomas Humfrey and ffranncs
xls a pece Also I do give to the churche of Etington xxs and to the churche of kirbye & bynton for my tithes forgotten iijs iiijd a pece/ ffurther
more I will in eny wise that Richard walforde be paied in eny wise oute of hande xxx or xlli yf he will have it for his lease I did get of
hym in Wilmecote And I aske god and hym forgivenes for that I did not well come by my converannce from Gilbert And this making
an ende and taking leave to die to this miserable worlde beseching all the worlde for charities sake of forgyvenes desiring them likewise to
pray for my soule my wifes solez and all christen soules amd put no feare but through the mercy of christ and merites of his passion I shall
enioy with my wifes the estate of grace and everlasting salvacon and at the day of iudgement to rise ageyne with my wifes in the bosome of
Abraham in the kingdome of god, before the throne of his most rouill and celestrall kingdome and into whose hands I do comende my soule
most humblie beseching hym to have mercy upon it and to take it to his mercy And also my wifes soles and all christen soles & to bring
our soles into that place of rest and eternall and celestrall blisse ioye & salvacon that nev[er] and nev[er] shall have ende amen In Witnes
Whereof that this is my last will and testament and that I do by the same revoke and renounce all other my testaments where
and whatsoev[er] they be or that at eny tyme or tymes by me were made Hanc meam ultimam voluntatem manu p[ro]pria scripsi
p[ro]priu[m]que nomen meu[m] subscripsi // William Underhill Roger Brasgyrdle Thomas Callowe /.
I wrote this my last will by my own hand and I signed my own name
Probatum fuit suprascriptu[m] testamentu[m] Coram Mag[ist]ro Waltero Haddon Legum Doctore Curie Prerogative Cant[uariensis] Comissar[io]
apud London Decimo die mensis Aprilis Ao. Dmi. Mill[es]imo Quingen[tesim]o Septuagesimo Juramento Thome Callowe personal[ite]r p[rese]ntis et Johannis
Shirley et Roberte Brokesbye in persona dicte Thome executor[um] Quibus comissa fuit admi[ni]straco bonor[um] etc De bene etc Ac de
pleno et fideli Inven[ta]rio etc exhibend[o] Necnon de plano comp[ut]o etc reddend[o] Ad Sancta dei Ev[a]ngelia Jurat
The above written testament has been proven before Master Walter Haddon Doctor of Laws Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury
at London on the Tenth day of the month of April Anno Domini One Thousand Five Hundred and Seventy By the oath of Thomas Callowe personally present and John Shirley and Robert Brokesbye executors To whom was commited administration of the goods etc well etc And of
a full and faithful Inventory etc to be produced And also of a clear calculation etc to be returned Sworn Upon the Holy Gospels of god
Source: UK National Archives, PROB 11/52/126
William is very much concerned that his lands should not be broken up and that the women should not be adulterous or carnal.
In the name of god amen the first day of December in the Twelueth yere
of the raigne of our sovraigne lady Elizabeth I william underehill of Newbolde revell in the countie of warr gent being whole
and of perfecte mynde and remembrannce thankes be given to almightie god amke this my testament and last will in forme
folowing ffirst I give and comende my soule into thands of almightie god my redeamer & saviour and my body to be buried by
my dearlie beloved wife ursula underehill in the pishe churche of neather Etington in the countie of Warr yf it
possible so be what chardge saver my executors shalle at and as concerning the disposicon of all my Land ten[emen]ts and
hereditaments first I leave to discende unto my heire or heires the thirde parte of all my mannors lands & ten[emen]ts
according to the Statute in that case provided for that my Mannor of Idlycote is holden in Capite, the residue of all my
Mannors lands ten[emen]ts and hereditaments within the realme of england together withall my leases goods cattells plate and
housholde stuffe whatsoever excepte suche parcells as hereafter by expresse name I do give and otherwise appointe
I do give them all wholey to my executors to thentent that they with the rente and proffitts of them shall in all points
performe and fulfill this my p[rese]nte last will and testament and pay my debts and bring up my children and and when
those same are fullie performed and done together with almanor of their costs rents and chardgs susteyned being recompenced
paied and allowed then I will that if william Underehill my said sonne then be oulyve and of full age and hath
not or will not marry before thaige of xxiiij yeres withoute the good will and liking of my brother John Shirley
my brother Brokesby and my brother Thomas Underhill my brother Congrave or their heires or the more
parte of them that he my said sonne william then shall have the residue and remanent of all my stocke of cattell
leases plate goods and Cattells before given in forme aforsaid to have to hym and his assignes forever more
And also the rest and residue of all my mannors lands and ten[emen]ts given in forme aforsaid To have and to
holde the same rest residue mannors lands and ten[emen]ts to hym and to the heires males of his very body
lawfullie begotten and to be begotten according to the stricte order of the comon lawe and not favorablie to be construed/~
According to a denyse untill suche tyme as they or any of them go aboute to alien or sell the same lands or ten[emen]ts or any
parcell thereof for any longer terme then onthe for terme of their lyves or of their wives lives and none other wife
excepte leases for to be made for xxj yeres or for thre lyves to begyn from the date of the same leases and no
manor of lease to be made in revercon And if it happen that my said sonne william or his yssue make to die
withoute yssue male of our very bodies lawfullie begotten acording as is aforsaid or that they my son Willm. or
his said yssue of my body or their heires make of their bodies or any of them go aboute to alien otherwise then nor aforsaid
or that my said sonne do marry before the forsaid aige of xxiiij yeres withoute their consente aforsaid Then I will that
his or their estate to be voide and be determyned and that then all my lands and ten[emen]ts to be charged and also to come
and remayne as hereafter is expressed that is to say I will that eny yssue female of my very body laufullie
begotten now being oulive or the heires of their bodies if suche yssue female be then deade shall have one annuitie
or yerelie rent of Twentie pounds to them and their heires forevermore to be paied yerelie oute of all my
Mannors lands and ten[emen]ts within the realme of england with a clause of distres/ the same payments to be made
by even porcons at two most usuall feasts of the yere to pray for their mothers soules and myne and
with condicon also that if they or their heires do alien the same annuitie or annuities longer then for the
lyves/ That then the same annutie or annuities so aliened shall cease and be utterlie determyned/ Also I will
that if my said sonne william or his said yssue male die withoute yssue male as is aforsaid or that
they or any of them to go aboute to alien otherwise then is aforsaid Then I give to my brother
John and the heires males of his very body begotten in forme as aforsaid and with like condicon and
untill suche tyme as is aforsaid my mannor of Idlicote with thappurtenncs and all my lands & ten[emen]ts
in Idlicote Loxley and hollington rating the same at one hundreth pounds yerelie when the leases
are determyned with this condicon/ So that also he or his heires do give unto eny one of his sonnes
Excepte his sonne and heire one annuitie or yerelie rent of foure poundes going oute of the same Manors lands ten[emen]ts for terme of
their lifes with clause of distresse and with condicon that they nor any of them shall not alien the same And then also I do give unto
my brother humfrey and to the heires males of his very body begotten in forme aforsaid and with condicons untill the tyme as is afore
said all my lands ten[emen]ts and hereditaments in kington, basset, hardewike, barton meryden Alspathe and Esenell in the Countie of
Warr rating the same at fiftie pounds yerelie when the leases are not So that he or his heire do give unto eny one
of his sonnes excepte his sonne and heire one annuitie or yerelie rent of fyve marks oute of the same lands for terme of their
lifes with condicon that they nor eny of them shall not alien the same And also then I do give to my brother Thomas untill
his sonne ffranncs underehill my godsonne be of the aige of xxiiij yeres and then onelie to the said ffranncs and to
the heires males of the very body of the said ffranncs lawfullie begotten as is aforesaid and with like condicon and untill suche
tyme as is aforsaid all my lands and ten[emen]ts with their appurtenncs in haselor, Stretforde upon Avon and Drayton in the
countie of warr and in the towne and pishe of wolv[er]hampton in the countie of Staff rating the same at lx li yerelie when
the leases are oute/ So that my said brother Thomas and the said ffranncs or one of them do grannte unto all the rest of my
brother Thomas sonnes his heires onelie excepted one annuitie or yerelie rent of foure pounds unto eny of them during their
lives with clause of distres and a condicon that they shall not alien the same// yf ffrancs underehill die withoute yssue male
as is aforsaid then those lands to remayne to George his brother and to his heires males of his body in suche forme and with
like condicon as ffranncs had the same// Provided always that my said lands and hereditaments equallie as they are rated
as aforsaid & rata x rata shalbe charged with the payment of my said daughters annuities when they do faule/ And if my
brother humfrey die withoute yssue male of his body laufullie begotten then I will his porcon gyven to hym of my said
Lands shall remayne unto humfrey underehill sonne of my brother Thomas and unto humfrey underehill sonne of John my
brother and unto the heires males of their bodies laufullie begotten as is aforsaid and with like condicon as my brother humfrey
had the same Also I do give unto eny of my daughters undell. Dorothie Margaret and Anne and to eny of them
ffyve hundred pounds a pece to be pased unto then by ny executor when they are fenallie maried yf my executor will so
agree upon the tyme of payment and so that they do marry and be ruled for their marriage by and with the consent
of my brother John Shirley my brother Brokesby my brother ffranncs Congrove my brother Humfrey
underehill or their heires or the more parte of them/ And if any of my said daughters happen to die before she or they be maried then
I will yje porcon & porcons aforsaid of her or them so dieng to survive remayne come and be equally devided and given to her other
sister or sisters overlyving yf they be ruled in marriage as is aforsaid by the discresicon of my said brothers// Provided
alwaie and for goddes sake have care and speciall regarde unto hit that if any of my daughters do marry contrary to my
determynacon and appointement as is aforsaid or that they do offende and mysuse them selfe in carnall or adulterous
lyving and the same duelie to be proved that then I will her and their parte and porcon so offending before to her
given in money/ And also her and there said annuitie or annuities before given to be frustrate and voide & to determyn
and utterlie to lose the same in all respects Any thing herein comprised to the contrary in eny wise notwithstanding/
And then also her and their porcon amd porcons so by the occasion aforsaid to be loste by dishonestie as aforesaid shalbe
gyven and bestowed to ger other sister or sisters that then honest are & do not offende in the said facte Also I will
that my said daughters be brought up and kepte by my executors untill they be maried upon the proffit rising of
there porcons but not to denyng sshe her or there porcon/ Also I will that my executors shall yerelie kepe
all my grounds stored with cattell as longe as the same grounds shalbe in their hands towards the performannce of
my will And then after that stocke to remayne unto my said sonne Also I do give unto eny of my said
daughters one fetherbed furnisshed in all points as shetes xcx/ And to eny of them one goblet new made with
there mothers stocke a table cloth one dozen of napkyne and one towell Also I do give unto william my sonne
my signet of golde when he cometh to full age, and to eny of my daughters one silver spone and to Dorothie
my daughter her mothers wedding ring and a paire of braceletts of golde to my second daughter my late most loving
wife Newports wedding ring my youngest daughter a litell chayne of golde and one other of my first wifes
rings/ And if william my said sonne die before he be of full age then I will all my said leases goods & cattell
stocke of cattell and plate after my will performed to be gyven and distributed amongest my said daughters yf
they be ruled as aforesaid when and after my executors have performed my will received there chardgs & paied
my debts and legacies/ And also if they do lyve honestlie as aforsaid otherwise she or they that are not ruled
or doth lyve dishonestlie to lose her parte and porcon of her legacie in all respects Also I do give amongest the children
of my brother John underehill equallie to be devided amongest them twentie marks to my sister Dalbyez children
amongest them vj li to the children of my sister wykeh[a]m x li to the mariage of Martha Rowley my wifes
god daughter when she is maried and marieth by the consent of my overseers vjli xiijs iiijd/ Also I do
give amongest the daughters of my sister Mynors xxli/ Also I do give to Elizabeth underehill
my god daughter iijli vjs viijd and amongest the daughters of my sister wynefyde xxli and to
the daughters of my sister Tawier iijli vjs viijd Also I do give to Willm. Newporte at his full
aige for his good mothers sake all the plate I had with her and the most parte also of all the housholde
stuffe I had with her trusting he will prove as good and as honest as his mother was and will pray for her soule and myne Also I do give
unto Edward Brokesby my godsonne one olde anngell and my gray ambling nagge I had at Derby Also to ffranncs Brokesby my
wyves godsonne one olde anngell and my bay mare my godsonne Richard wykam one olde anngell my gray nagge I had of my
brother Tawyer and to ffranncs underehill my godsonne one olde anngell and the litle nagge I had of John Clement Also I do give to
my man hanocke the lease of his house and do remyt unto hym xjli which I paied for the fyne thereof and forgive hym all the corne
he oweth me Also I do give unto his his wife being sometyme my wifes maide xls and amongest his children xls for her mystres sake to
pray for her soule and mine And to eny godchilde that I have other than above reated xxs Also I do give to Callowe my man one annuitie
of fortie shillings yerelie during his life going oute of my lands ten[emen]ts and hereditaments wheresoever with clause of distres & with proviso
that he shalbe servuntable upon my sonne and pleasure hym when he shall desire hym and to give hym frendlie advise and also
instructe my frends and helping them in the performannce of this my Will with his best advise and travell Also I do give
unto hym vjli xiijs iiijd and Nottingh[a]m my gelding to Symyns my man xls and twentie shepe to wener my man xls and my black
trotting nagge and xxs annuitie for his life oute of my lands with distres to Elnor my maide a cowe & xls to ffawkenee my man xls and
a horse or mare to Jackeman my man xls and my bay mare I had of Mr Dymocke orells xxs in money and to eny other of my
clarkes and Astley one colte horse or mare to Elizabeth Rogers xls and eny other of my servannts both man and woman to have their
hole yeres waige for the yere deducting somuche as they have received before my death Also I will shalbe given to the pore of the
parishe where I was borne during fyve hole yeres xijd wekelie, and to the pore of the parishe where I do dwell wekelie for one
hole yere xijd and to the pore people of the parishe of honyngh[a]m for one hole yere wekelie viijd And to the pore of Bynton wekelie for a
yere iiijd to pray for my soule my wifes soules and all christen soules Also I do give to the parson of Idlicote xxs to pray for all xpian.
soules And do release unto hym all covennte bonds agreaments and demannds betwene us Also I do release unto my brother Mynor
and to his heires all suche right title interest and demannde which I have to come of hym the Manor capitall mansion house and of and in all lands and ten[emen]ts in
blakenhall in the countie Staff ffurthermore I will that none of my tennts nor there wifes during their widowods yf they be of
honest and good behavior be put oute of their lyvings Provided alwaies & my full will intent & meaning is that if it shall so happen hereafter
and seame very nedefull by reason of eny extremitie and greate occasion or for a better comoditie that eny of my said lands or ten[emen]ts shalbe
aliened leased or sold by my said sone or eny other otherwise then I have before expressed That then I will licence therefore be first
asked had and obteyned in writing from my brother John Shirley my brother Brokesby & my brother ffranncs Congreve or their
heires under there hands and seales otherwise my will as is aforsaid still to stande and remayne in effecte according to my true
entent and meaning as is aforsaid And no alienacon then to be made of eny of my said lands and ten[emen]ts otherwise then is aforsaid
Also I will that if eny doubte or question shall or may use or growe hereafter by reason of eny legacie gifte grannte worde or arbele in
this my will before rehersed for lacke of playne explanacon for that they are not in all respects at lardge playnely set forthe according
to the due forme of lawe and according to my full intent and meaning Therefore my will and monde is that the trothe true and playne interpretacon
and my meaning & full intent therein and in eny suche doubte & question shalbe at all tymes and from tyme to tyme declared interpreted construed
and explaned by my most greate frende amd very good lorde and maister Sir James Dier knight lord chief Justice of the comon place
my brother Brokesby and my brother Sherley and their heires and by the overlyver of them and their heires and their declaracon
at all tymes and from tyme to tyme in eny suche question and doubte I will shall stande and be my perfecte will full mynde
intent and meaning/ And my desire to them is chiefly to forsee that none of me lands be solde nor done away unles it be though the
occasions before rehersed and by licence as is aforsaid and also that my daughters do not cast away them selfes in mariage Also I will
that suche legacies as my executors thincks most necessary to be first performed shalbe paied and performed in suche tyme as to them
shall seame most convenient/ Also I will that all the apparell & wering lynnenz of both my wifes be equallie distributed
amongests my daughters/ The rest of all my goods and Cattalls not before bequethed I give and bequeth unto my said sonne
willm. underhill and to be paied & delivered when my executors thincke necessary at suche tyme as he cometh to the aige of xxj yeres with condicon as is
aforesaid And if he die before then my daughters to have all suche goods and cattalles as I have given unto hym in this my will besides their
foresaid legacies upon the condicon aforesaid/ Excepte one Cli worthe of those goods to be given onelie amongest all the daughters of all
my sisters for to pray for my soule besides the foresaid legacies given by me Also I make my executors of this my last will & testament John
Shirley and Robert Brokesby Esquiers willing them to bestowe upon my fun[er]all as shall please them and to either of them I
do give for their paynes taking iijli vjs viijd/ Also I do make Thomas Callowe my trustie servannt and clarke one other of
my executors/ Also I do make overseers of this my will the forsaid Sir James Dyer knight and my naturall brothers Thomas underehill & Humfrey
Underehill and also my brother Congrave Esquier to helpe and assiste the due and true performannce of this my last will and testament And do
give to the said Sir James Dier for his paynes xli and my best gelding and do give to either of my said brothers Thomas Humfrey and ffranncs
xls a pece Also I do give to the churche of Etington xxs and to the churche of kirbye & bynton for my tithes forgotten iijs iiijd a pece/ ffurther
more I will in eny wise that Richard walforde be paied in eny wise oute of hande xxx or xlli yf he will have it for his lease I did get of
hym in Wilmecote And I aske god and hym forgivenes for that I did not well come by my converannce from Gilbert And this making
an ende and taking leave to die to this miserable worlde beseching all the worlde for charities sake of forgyvenes desiring them likewise to
pray for my soule my wifes solez and all christen soules amd put no feare but through the mercy of christ and merites of his passion I shall
enioy with my wifes the estate of grace and everlasting salvacon and at the day of iudgement to rise ageyne with my wifes in the bosome of
Abraham in the kingdome of god, before the throne of his most rouill and celestrall kingdome and into whose hands I do comende my soule
most humblie beseching hym to have mercy upon it and to take it to his mercy And also my wifes soles and all christen soles & to bring
our soles into that place of rest and eternall and celestrall blisse ioye & salvacon that nev[er] and nev[er] shall have ende amen In Witnes
Whereof that this is my last will and testament and that I do by the same revoke and renounce all other my testaments where
and whatsoev[er] they be or that at eny tyme or tymes by me were made Hanc meam ultimam voluntatem manu p[ro]pria scripsi
p[ro]priu[m]que nomen meu[m] subscripsi // William Underhill Roger Brasgyrdle Thomas Callowe /.
I wrote this my last will by my own hand and I signed my own name
Probatum fuit suprascriptu[m] testamentu[m] Coram Mag[ist]ro Waltero Haddon Legum Doctore Curie Prerogative Cant[uariensis] Comissar[io]
apud London Decimo die mensis Aprilis Ao. Dmi. Mill[es]imo Quingen[tesim]o Septuagesimo Juramento Thome Callowe personal[ite]r p[rese]ntis et Johannis
Shirley et Roberte Brokesbye in persona dicte Thome executor[um] Quibus comissa fuit admi[ni]straco bonor[um] etc De bene etc Ac de
pleno et fideli Inven[ta]rio etc exhibend[o] Necnon de plano comp[ut]o etc reddend[o] Ad Sancta dei Ev[a]ngelia Jurat
The above written testament has been proven before Master Walter Haddon Doctor of Laws Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury
at London on the Tenth day of the month of April Anno Domini One Thousand Five Hundred and Seventy By the oath of Thomas Callowe personally present and John Shirley and Robert Brokesbye executors To whom was commited administration of the goods etc well etc And of
a full and faithful Inventory etc to be produced And also of a clear calculation etc to be returned Sworn Upon the Holy Gospels of god
Wednesday, 26 June 2019
Will of Jane Vnderhill nee Thrift - Crimscott, Warwickshire - 1647
The will of Jane Underhill (c.1575-1648) of the hamlet of Crimscote, Whitchurch, Warwickshire, my 9th great-grandmother, transcribed by myself.
Source: UK National Archives, PROB 11/207/219
A will listing much of the contents of the house and with locations.
In the Name of God Amen
I Jane Vnderhill of Crimscott in the countie of Warwick widdowe findinge
my self not well in bodie but of good and perfecte memorie doe make ordeyne and
appointe this my last will and testament the two and twentieth daie of October
in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand six hundred fortie and seaven in manner
and forme followeinge First I will and bequeath my soule unto Allmightie God my
Creator and redeemer by whose death and passion I hope to be saved And my bodie to be
buried within the parrishe Church of Whitchurch neere unto my deare he beloved husband
And for my worldlie goods I dispose them as followeth Inprimis I give to the Minister
that shall make my Funerall sermon ten shillinges Item I give unto the poore of Crimscott
as followeth To Timothie Caninge his wife and children five shillinges To Cornelius
Blackwell his wife and children five shillinges To Margarett Browne five shillinges
Item I give to my eldest sonne John Underhill the wainscott in the parlor, my greate barrells
in the Butterie The standards that all the barrells on, five shelves in the house where the
vessells stand, the Iron chaine that drawes water with the tumbrell of the well and the Iron
in itt, the wainscott in the Hall, the long table, and the forme that stands by itt, the benches &
the windowe ledds, the Irons in the Chimney that hang the potts with linkes, and pothookes
All the lockes belonginge to the dores that are mine, two bacon Fletches in the kitchen with
the greate pole to hange Bacon on A standard that beares the breweinge vate, another that
beares the bookeinge kowle, A cheese presse in the brewhouse, a Salting trough and the borde
that doth cover itt, the Maltmill, the mustard mill, a greate hennpenne, a saltinge trough in
the dari house five longe Cheesebords, a butter tubb, A flower tubb, a Candles tubb One
bedsted in the chamber where the children lye, two in the chamber where the men lye, one
in the chamber where the maides lye a Closestoole, and panne, a ragg gowne, six silver
spoones, and one greate brasse pan (Item) I give unto his sonne John two bedsteds
in my chamber, and the safe, Item I give unto my son Johns six younger children twentie poundes
to be paid to there Father for them within two yeares after my decease equallie to be devided
Item I give to my son Thomas Underhill, one Featherbed, two Featherboulsters, two paire of
blancketts which are all marked with G and V, a greate chest that standes by the truckle
bed in my chamber, one sett of curtaines blewe, and yellowe, and the greate Truncke that standes
upon itt with all that is in them both the truncks marked with J and V, the table borde
in the parlor and the forme that stands by itt, the double gardiner in the lamer howse,
the silver Jugge, my bible, and thirtie poundes in money Item I give unto Jane Vnderhill
the daughter of my son Thomas one little Truncke marked with J and V, and all that
is in itt Item I give to my sonne Thomas his children twentie poundes equallie to be
devided amongest them and to be paid within two yeares after my decease Item I give
unto my sonne Humfrey one Fetherbed, one Fetherbolster, one Flackeboulster, one downe
pillowe, my best coverlett, six turkie marke Cushions, the greate cogned chest, in my chamber
one truncke marked with F and C two chaires in my chamber, afforme, and a Cubboard
The pin chest, in the chimney in the Hall a presse in the chanber, over the Hall, a greate
Iron bound chest, in the same chamber and all that is in the Iron bound chest Item I give
unto my sonne Humfrey in money twentie poundes, and to his children twentie poundes
to be equallie devided amongst them, and both twentie poundes to be paid unto him within
two yeares after my decease Item I give unto my daughter Ems her children Fiftie pounds
that there Father oweth mee which Fiftie poundes I give to be equally devided betwixt
them, And I give to my daughters children my cogned chest, which standes without my
Chamber, and all thinges therein, one Truncke that standes under my bed, and all that
is in itt, the bigger truncke that is in my chamber wherein my weareinge Lynnen lyeth
Item I give to my daughter Ems her children twentie poundes more, which money I
appointe to remaine in my son Thomas his handes, till hee be dischardged of a bond
wherein she standes bonnd with their Father Anthony Emes to mr Henri Clerke, and
after that to remaine in the handes of my sonne Thomas till hee be paid such moneyes
as my sone Ems oweth him. and then to be disposed for the childrens good by him in placeing
of them or otherwise to hsinpleasure Item I give to my daughter Ems all my wearinge
Apparrell, one sute of Damas, one box, one deskem a box in the truncke wherein my wearinge
lynnen lyeth, which I desire to be buried in one silver bowle, one silver salt, and one gold
ringe, which I value att ten poundes, which sute of Damas, silver bowle, silver salte
and gold ringe I appointe to be kept by my sonne Thomas till hee be paid such moneyes as my
son Emes oweth him Item I give to my daughter Emes my dowle bed, whereon I lye marked
with A and E, my side sadle, my pillion, my rideing sute, and apparrell Item I give to my
sonne Georges two daughters tenn poundes apeece to be paid within one moneth after my
decease And if either die, the other to enioye the whole twentie poundes, And if both die before
they marrie or come to the age of eighteene yeares, then the said twentie poundes shall returne to
any executor, and in the meane time I appointe the same moneys be imployed by my overseers
for there good Item I give them more fortie shillinges to be bestowed upon them in necessarie
apparrell att my death And my will is that all the goods that I have given might bee
delivered within three monethes after my deathe, except such goods as I have appointed to
remaine in my sonne Thomas his handes for the secureinge of him, for such moneyes as my Son
Emes oweth him, or hee standeth bound for my Sonne Ems And whereas the moneyes that
I have given are in the handes of other men, my will is that my sonne John, and Humfrey
should ioyne together with my son Thomas in gaineing of the same, and bee sharers in
paieinge of the charges in the suite in lawe, and sharers in the lesse answeareable proportanably
to the money geven them, and theirs herein All the rest of my goods, and moneyes moveables
and unmoveables, not given nor bequeathed herein I give and bequeath to my sonne
Thomas Vnderhill, and make him my sole, and whole executor of this my last will, and
testament And I appointe my cozen Mr Edward Vnderhill of Over Ettington and
Richard Amge of Halford my overseers, and I give them five shillinges to buy them
gloves, And in testimonie that this is my last will and testament I have hereunto set my hand
and seale the daie and yeare above written The mark of Jane Vnderhill Sealed and
signed in the presence of us Will: Thornburgh The marke of Richard Smith The marke of
George Rawlins/
Probatum fuit Testamentum suprascriptum
apud London coram venerabili viro Domino Nathaniele Brent milite legum doctore
Curiae Prerogat[ive] magistro sive Custode legitime constituto vicesimo septimo die, mensis Januarii
Anno Domini (iuxta computacaem ecclesia Anglicana) millesimo, sexcentesimo quadra[gesi]mo
octavo Juramento Johannis Vnderhill filii dicte defuncte et executoris in huiusmodi testam[en]to
nominati Cuicomissa fuit administraco omnium et singulorum bonorum, iurium et creditoru[m]
dicte defuncte De bene et fideliter administrando eadem ad sancta Dei evangelia
vigore Comiss[io]nis in eaparte alias emanata Jurat/ Extur
The above written Testament has been proven
at London before the venerable Sir Nathaniele Brent doctor of laws
master or warden of the Prerogative Court lawfully constituted on the twenty seventh day, of the month of January
Anno Domini (calculated according to the Anglican church) one thousand six hundred and forty
eight By the oath of John Vnderhill son of the said deceased and the executor named in this testament
to whom was commited the administration of all and singular the goods, rights and loans
of the said deceased The same to be administered well and faithfully sworn upon the holy gospels of God
by the power of the commission on the part of another by the law.
Source: UK National Archives, PROB 11/207/219
A will listing much of the contents of the house and with locations.
In the Name of God Amen
I Jane Vnderhill of Crimscott in the countie of Warwick widdowe findinge
my self not well in bodie but of good and perfecte memorie doe make ordeyne and
appointe this my last will and testament the two and twentieth daie of October
in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand six hundred fortie and seaven in manner
and forme followeinge First I will and bequeath my soule unto Allmightie God my
Creator and redeemer by whose death and passion I hope to be saved And my bodie to be
buried within the parrishe Church of Whitchurch neere unto my deare he beloved husband
And for my worldlie goods I dispose them as followeth Inprimis I give to the Minister
that shall make my Funerall sermon ten shillinges Item I give unto the poore of Crimscott
as followeth To Timothie Caninge his wife and children five shillinges To Cornelius
Blackwell his wife and children five shillinges To Margarett Browne five shillinges
Item I give to my eldest sonne John Underhill the wainscott in the parlor, my greate barrells
in the Butterie The standards that all the barrells on, five shelves in the house where the
vessells stand, the Iron chaine that drawes water with the tumbrell of the well and the Iron
in itt, the wainscott in the Hall, the long table, and the forme that stands by itt, the benches &
the windowe ledds, the Irons in the Chimney that hang the potts with linkes, and pothookes
All the lockes belonginge to the dores that are mine, two bacon Fletches in the kitchen with
the greate pole to hange Bacon on A standard that beares the breweinge vate, another that
beares the bookeinge kowle, A cheese presse in the brewhouse, a Salting trough and the borde
that doth cover itt, the Maltmill, the mustard mill, a greate hennpenne, a saltinge trough in
the dari house five longe Cheesebords, a butter tubb, A flower tubb, a Candles tubb One
bedsted in the chamber where the children lye, two in the chamber where the men lye, one
in the chamber where the maides lye a Closestoole, and panne, a ragg gowne, six silver
spoones, and one greate brasse pan (Item) I give unto his sonne John two bedsteds
in my chamber, and the safe, Item I give unto my son Johns six younger children twentie poundes
to be paid to there Father for them within two yeares after my decease equallie to be devided
Item I give to my son Thomas Underhill, one Featherbed, two Featherboulsters, two paire of
blancketts which are all marked with G and V, a greate chest that standes by the truckle
bed in my chamber, one sett of curtaines blewe, and yellowe, and the greate Truncke that standes
upon itt with all that is in them both the truncks marked with J and V, the table borde
in the parlor and the forme that stands by itt, the double gardiner in the lamer howse,
the silver Jugge, my bible, and thirtie poundes in money Item I give unto Jane Vnderhill
the daughter of my son Thomas one little Truncke marked with J and V, and all that
is in itt Item I give to my sonne Thomas his children twentie poundes equallie to be
devided amongest them and to be paid within two yeares after my decease Item I give
unto my sonne Humfrey one Fetherbed, one Fetherbolster, one Flackeboulster, one downe
pillowe, my best coverlett, six turkie marke Cushions, the greate cogned chest, in my chamber
one truncke marked with F and C two chaires in my chamber, afforme, and a Cubboard
The pin chest, in the chimney in the Hall a presse in the chanber, over the Hall, a greate
Iron bound chest, in the same chamber and all that is in the Iron bound chest Item I give
unto my sonne Humfrey in money twentie poundes, and to his children twentie poundes
to be equallie devided amongst them, and both twentie poundes to be paid unto him within
two yeares after my decease Item I give unto my daughter Ems her children Fiftie pounds
that there Father oweth mee which Fiftie poundes I give to be equally devided betwixt
them, And I give to my daughters children my cogned chest, which standes without my
Chamber, and all thinges therein, one Truncke that standes under my bed, and all that
is in itt, the bigger truncke that is in my chamber wherein my weareinge Lynnen lyeth
Item I give to my daughter Ems her children twentie poundes more, which money I
appointe to remaine in my son Thomas his handes, till hee be dischardged of a bond
wherein she standes bonnd with their Father Anthony Emes to mr Henri Clerke, and
after that to remaine in the handes of my sonne Thomas till hee be paid such moneyes
as my sone Ems oweth him. and then to be disposed for the childrens good by him in placeing
of them or otherwise to hsinpleasure Item I give to my daughter Ems all my wearinge
Apparrell, one sute of Damas, one box, one deskem a box in the truncke wherein my wearinge
lynnen lyeth, which I desire to be buried in one silver bowle, one silver salt, and one gold
ringe, which I value att ten poundes, which sute of Damas, silver bowle, silver salte
and gold ringe I appointe to be kept by my sonne Thomas till hee be paid such moneyes as my
son Emes oweth him Item I give to my daughter Emes my dowle bed, whereon I lye marked
with A and E, my side sadle, my pillion, my rideing sute, and apparrell Item I give to my
sonne Georges two daughters tenn poundes apeece to be paid within one moneth after my
decease And if either die, the other to enioye the whole twentie poundes, And if both die before
they marrie or come to the age of eighteene yeares, then the said twentie poundes shall returne to
any executor, and in the meane time I appointe the same moneys be imployed by my overseers
for there good Item I give them more fortie shillinges to be bestowed upon them in necessarie
apparrell att my death And my will is that all the goods that I have given might bee
delivered within three monethes after my deathe, except such goods as I have appointed to
remaine in my sonne Thomas his handes for the secureinge of him, for such moneyes as my Son
Emes oweth him, or hee standeth bound for my Sonne Ems And whereas the moneyes that
I have given are in the handes of other men, my will is that my sonne John, and Humfrey
should ioyne together with my son Thomas in gaineing of the same, and bee sharers in
paieinge of the charges in the suite in lawe, and sharers in the lesse answeareable proportanably
to the money geven them, and theirs herein All the rest of my goods, and moneyes moveables
and unmoveables, not given nor bequeathed herein I give and bequeath to my sonne
Thomas Vnderhill, and make him my sole, and whole executor of this my last will, and
testament And I appointe my cozen Mr Edward Vnderhill of Over Ettington and
Richard Amge of Halford my overseers, and I give them five shillinges to buy them
gloves, And in testimonie that this is my last will and testament I have hereunto set my hand
and seale the daie and yeare above written The mark of Jane Vnderhill Sealed and
signed in the presence of us Will: Thornburgh The marke of Richard Smith The marke of
George Rawlins/
Probatum fuit Testamentum suprascriptum
apud London coram venerabili viro Domino Nathaniele Brent milite legum doctore
Curiae Prerogat[ive] magistro sive Custode legitime constituto vicesimo septimo die, mensis Januarii
Anno Domini (iuxta computacaem ecclesia Anglicana) millesimo, sexcentesimo quadra[gesi]mo
octavo Juramento Johannis Vnderhill filii dicte defuncte et executoris in huiusmodi testam[en]to
nominati Cuicomissa fuit administraco omnium et singulorum bonorum, iurium et creditoru[m]
dicte defuncte De bene et fideliter administrando eadem ad sancta Dei evangelia
vigore Comiss[io]nis in eaparte alias emanata Jurat/ Extur
The above written Testament has been proven
at London before the venerable Sir Nathaniele Brent doctor of laws
master or warden of the Prerogative Court lawfully constituted on the twenty seventh day, of the month of January
Anno Domini (calculated according to the Anglican church) one thousand six hundred and forty
eight By the oath of John Vnderhill son of the said deceased and the executor named in this testament
to whom was commited the administration of all and singular the goods, rights and loans
of the said deceased The same to be administered well and faithfully sworn upon the holy gospels of God
by the power of the commission on the part of another by the law.
Tuesday, 25 June 2019
On the SC 8 Series of Records at the UK National Archives
SC 8- Special Collections: Ancient Petitions, Henry III - James I
What the collection is
I'm just going to quote directly from the National Archives for this bit:
The series of
Ancient Petitions draws together a large number of petitions addressed
to the king, to the king and council, to the king and council in
parliament, to the chancellor, and to certain other officers of state.
The earliest petitions date to the reign of
Henry III, and the latest example has been identified as belonging to
the reign of James I. The vast majority of the petitions date to the
period between the late thirteenth century and the middle of the
fifteenth century; there is a particular concentration of documents
which date to the reigns of Edward I, Edward II and Edward III. The
majority of petitions are written in Anglo-Norman French, although some
early examples are written in Latin, and English was used increasingly
as the fifteenth century progressed.
The majority of petitions were presented by
named individuals (both men and women), singly or in groups. Although
there are examples of petitions presented by members of the peasantry,
most petitioners tended to be members of the gentry, the nobility, the
urban elites and the higher clergy. In addition to petitions presented
by individuals, a significant number of cases were presented in the name
of communities and corporations: many examples exist of petitions
presented by villages, towns, ecclesiastical institutions and mercantile
associations. There are also petitions which claimed to speak in the
interests of the whole realm, and were accordingly addressed from the
'commons' or 'people'. Most of the petitions came from individuals and
communities within England, but a significant minority were from other
lands, especially Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Aquitaine and other parts of
France.
Why is it useful?
The quick answer is that the entire set has been digitised and is freely viewable via the UK National Archives Discovery catalog. This means we can examine the original records easily and no charge.
It's usefulness within the SCA context is for English (mostly) naming patterns in a period before parish records. The only other commonly digitized record sets tend to be wills and they are relatively sparse even when they have been scanned, and not freely available, either charged at £3.50 at the UK National Archives or on sites like Ancestry requiring a subscription.
The names available cover people, places, objects and some animals. Boats are well represented as there seem to be a lot of disputes regarding sharp practice and plain piracy. Inn names are poorly represented. I think it reflects a pattern that inns may not have been widely named at this point, but I haven't rigorously investigated this. You will find numerous variant spellings. As an example, the entirety of my documentation on compound locatives and double locatives was from this series of records (and this a decade ago).
Contributed Profiles on WikiTree
A list of relevant profiles (people born in 1600 or before) on WikiTree to which I have contributed:
Managed by myself:
Addams, Walter (1564 - Jul 1632)
Huckvale, Christopher (c.1505 - Jul 1577)
Huckvale, Cuthbert (c.1566 - Mar 1637)
Huckvale, John (c.1534 - Feb 1606)
Huckvale, William (1594 - aft. 01 Oct 1668)
Hyckes, Alice (1567 - aft. 19 Apr 1637)
Midwinter, Edward (c.1582 - May 1618)
Managed by others:
Hyckes, Richard (c.1524 - Nov 1621)
Managed by myself:
Addams, Walter (1564 - Jul 1632)
Huckvale, Christopher (c.1505 - Jul 1577)
Huckvale, Cuthbert (c.1566 - Mar 1637)
Huckvale, John (c.1534 - Feb 1606)
Huckvale, William (1594 - aft. 01 Oct 1668)
Hyckes, Alice (1567 - aft. 19 Apr 1637)
Midwinter, Edward (c.1582 - May 1618)
Managed by others:
Hyckes, Richard (c.1524 - Nov 1621)
On sharing Genealogical Research
A perennial problem with genealogy is sharing research, both your own and knowing that other stuff you find online is accurate. Unfortunately a lot of online genealogy trees are just people sharing the same inaccurate and/or unsourced trees.
I keep my own tree local using Family Tree Maker, which isn't perfect but is quite powerful. I regularly export snapshot gedcoms from this and keep everything in multiple backups, both locally and in the cloud. The advantage of FTM is that it also allows synchronization within Ancestry, although I personally keep it all one way from local to Ancestry. My experience is that two way synchronizations can go badly wrong (not with Ancestry but in other systems) and I'm not trusting automatic imports into my 'source of truth' file. I keep my Ancestry tree private to avoid my data getting mixed into the background noise, but anyone who wants to view it should just ask me. You don't need to be a paid member to see trees, just have an account.
I looked at WikiTree many years ago, and back then it suffered all the same problems of indiscriminate copying. However, in the years since then, the editing process has changed and tightened up noticeably. These days entries must be manual and are tracked. Whilst you can upload a gedcom for ease, it can only be merged into the WikiTree on an individual by individual basis. There is also now a requirement for sources to be recorded. There is still some clearly dodgy data from its early days, but it is being tidied up and there are further restrictions on people adding data for people as you go back in time. As a result this has the potential to be a valuable resource with its intention being to create one common tree.
I don't have the time to dedicate much of myself to it, so I don't have the pre-1500 editor access which does require some time to acquire. This means I can't create new profiles for people born prior to 1500, which is a useful restriction generally. However, I, and others, can propose changes which existing editors can make or merge. There is a less rigorous restriction for people born prior to 1700.
As a result, I have started copying some of my data across to WikiTree. I strongly suspect I will never get the time to copy even the majority of my data across, but it does seem to be a useful resource of itself and a good pointer for new avenues. As such it only seems fair to add back the data I have on the lines that I have used WikiTree for, as far as I'm allowed. I may well add people going back before 1500 as entries in this blog at various times.
I keep my own tree local using Family Tree Maker, which isn't perfect but is quite powerful. I regularly export snapshot gedcoms from this and keep everything in multiple backups, both locally and in the cloud. The advantage of FTM is that it also allows synchronization within Ancestry, although I personally keep it all one way from local to Ancestry. My experience is that two way synchronizations can go badly wrong (not with Ancestry but in other systems) and I'm not trusting automatic imports into my 'source of truth' file. I keep my Ancestry tree private to avoid my data getting mixed into the background noise, but anyone who wants to view it should just ask me. You don't need to be a paid member to see trees, just have an account.
I looked at WikiTree many years ago, and back then it suffered all the same problems of indiscriminate copying. However, in the years since then, the editing process has changed and tightened up noticeably. These days entries must be manual and are tracked. Whilst you can upload a gedcom for ease, it can only be merged into the WikiTree on an individual by individual basis. There is also now a requirement for sources to be recorded. There is still some clearly dodgy data from its early days, but it is being tidied up and there are further restrictions on people adding data for people as you go back in time. As a result this has the potential to be a valuable resource with its intention being to create one common tree.
I don't have the time to dedicate much of myself to it, so I don't have the pre-1500 editor access which does require some time to acquire. This means I can't create new profiles for people born prior to 1500, which is a useful restriction generally. However, I, and others, can propose changes which existing editors can make or merge. There is a less rigorous restriction for people born prior to 1700.
As a result, I have started copying some of my data across to WikiTree. I strongly suspect I will never get the time to copy even the majority of my data across, but it does seem to be a useful resource of itself and a good pointer for new avenues. As such it only seems fair to add back the data I have on the lines that I have used WikiTree for, as far as I'm allowed. I may well add people going back before 1500 as entries in this blog at various times.
Monday, 24 June 2019
Will of Cuthberte Huckvale - 1635
The will of Cuthberte Huckvale (c.1566-1636) of Over Norton, Oxfordshire, transcibed by myself. Cuthberte is my 9th great-grandfather. Unfortunately the tabs from my original transcription are ignored, which screws up the type-setting a bit.
Source: Oxfordshire Wills Index, 1516-1857, Oxfordshire Archives, 31/4/28
Original Will:
In dei nomine amen The foure and twenteth day of June in the Twelfe yeare of the Reigne of our
Sovereigne Lorde Charles by the grace of god of Englande Scotlande France and Ireland kinge defender
of the Fayth etc. and in the yeare of our Saviour Christe one thousande sixe hundred thirty and five I
Cuthberte Huckvale of Overnorton, within the parishe of Chippingnorton in the County of Oxon gent beinge
Sicke in body but yett of perfett memory thanks be geven to almyghty god for the same, doe make and
Ordayne this my laste will and testamente revockinge all former willes by me heretofore made In
maner and forme folowinge Firste I comende my sowle unto Almigty god my creator amd Redemer
hopinge amd assuredly fru?tinge to be saved, by the merites of the death and passion of his sonne our
Saviour Jesus Christe, and my bodye, I will to be buryed in suche semely sorte & maner in the church as
By my executrixe shalbe thought fytt and convenyente Itxd I doe give & bequeth unto my sonne Thomas
Huckvale, all suche my goods, that nowe I have att Brayles in the County of Warwick Itm I doe give
And bequeth unto my sonne Richarde Huckvale the some of five pounds, the which I doe stande
Joyntly bounden with hyme unto Bayliffs and Burgesses of the burrowe of Chippingnorton, and the use
Of the sayde such beinge eighte shillings att the daye I doe paye for hyme Itm I doe give & bequethe
unto my sonne in law Richarde Busbye and to his heyres for ever after my decease & my wyffes, all suche
parte of a certayne diche quicke sett hedge & grounde, lyinge & beinge, one the northe syde of sevenhill
By the grounde, of the sayde Cuthberte Huckvale, the which I boughte of his Father John Busbye and
payde, for the same thirty shillings of lawfull monye of Eglande Itm I doe give and bequeth unto my
Godddaughter Judeth Sheephyrde Alias Langhton the some of Five pounds of lawfull monye of
Englande, to be payde and sett forthe to her use, within sixe monethes, after my decease, into sure
menes hands untill suche tyme, as she shall accomplishe, the full adge of xxi years, and yf that
She, shall fortune, to dye, before that she be of the adge of xxi yeres, that then my mynde & will is
That the sayde some of such shall remayne and come, to her two systers Alice & Marye, equally to
Be devided betwne them bothe, Itm my mynde and will is, And I doe give and bequethe unto my
Lovinge wyffe Alice Huckvale, my debts beinge payde, and my Funerall expencs discharged
All my goods and cattalles moveable and unmoveable whatsoever, whom I doe make my sole and
Full executrixe of this my laste will and testamente, for her better preferment of as?mge In Wyttnss
wheareof I have wytten this my presente laste will and testamente, with my owne hande & sales
the same the day and yeare above wrytten in the presents of x me Cuthberte
Huckvale mann
xia
Probate from the Registered Will:
Probatu[m] erat hoc Test[ament]um apud
Chiping Norton in Visitaco[n]e d[omi]ni
Archi[diaco]ni Oxon[iensis] ib[ide]m tento 13 Aprilis
1637
coram ven[erab]li viro Egidio Sivert L[egum]
d[o]c[t]ore ac d[omi]mi Archi[diaco]ni Archi[deaco]nato oxon[iensis]
Offi[cia]le princ[ipa]le l[egi]time constituto &c
Commis[a fuit] ad[ministrac]e &c eiusq[ue] Test[ament]um qual[ite]r
cu[m]q[ue] conc[er]nen[tium] Alicie Rel[ict]re et Ex[ecu]t[r]is &c
in forma Juris iurat[e] saluo Jure cuiuscu[m]q[ue]
It was proved, this Testament, at
Chipping Norton in a Visitation of the lord
Archdeacon of Oxford held in the same place 13 April
1637
before the venerable Giles Sivert doctor
of Laws and legally appointed principal
Official of the Archdeacon of the Archdeanery of Oxford etc.
Administration was committed etc. and concerning his Testament
by whatever means, to Alice Widow and Executrix etc.
sworn in the form of the law, preserving the right of anyone
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