The Bodley Family
Denys (Bodley) Leveson
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Depiction of Denys (Bodley) Leveson from
monumental brass of Nicholas Leveson and Denys in St Andrew
Undershaft, London
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also spelled Denyse, Dionyse, Dionisia and Dionysia
Thomas Bodley
Joan
(Leche) Bodley
Nicholas
Leveson
Denys was mentioned in the will of her father, Thomas, dated 27 November
1491, indicating that she was a minor at this date.
Wynch,
Lyon, Coghill and others - A random walk through family history
(1492 Sir Thomas Bodley) COLLECTED
TRANSCRIBED WILLS
1492 Sir Thomas Bodley
ITEM; I bequeath to Denys
my daughter to be delivered in likewise when she shall come to
her lawful age or be married fifty
pounds sterling and four
pounds of the bequest of my said mother;
Denys was still a minor in March 1494/5 when Thomas Bradbury stood surety
for the children's estate, probably on his marriage to their mother.
Calendar of Letter-Books of the City of London: L,
Edward IV-Henry VII, folio 313 (1912)
Custodia
pueror' Thome Bodley Cis soris.
19 March, 10 Henry VII. [A.D. 1494-5], came Thomas Bradbury, George
Bradbury, mercers, Christopher Elyot, goldsmith, and Richard Thornell,
mercer, and entered into bond in the sum of £362 14s. 5d. for payment
into the Chamber by the said Thomas Bradbury of a like sum to the use of
John, James, Elizabeth, and Dionisia, children of Thomas Bodley, late
tailor, when they come of age or marry.
Since the age
of majority for a women in medieval times was generally 16, these two
documents would put Denys's birth between 1477 and 1490. She was married
after 9 January 1509(10), when she is named as Denys Bodely in her
stepfather's will.
Denys is left land in the will of her stepfather, Sir Thomas Bradbury, dated
9 January 1509(10), to be received after her mother's death.
Bradbury
Memorial pp36-40 (William Berry Lapham, 1890)
... Item. I will that Denys Bodely my wif's daught. Immediately
after my said wif's decees haue the manor lands and tents called Westcot
in the countie of Kent with theappurtences to hir and to hir heirs of hir
body and toward hir mariage. And for default of suche yssue I will the
said manor be sold by my executors and the money thereof comyng to be
disposed by my said wif for my soule and the soules of my said wif and all
lxpeñ soules as shall think best.
Denys and Nicholas received numerous legacies in the will of her mother,
Joan Bradbury, dated 2 March 1529(30) and proved 26 April 1530. Their
inheritance included the manors of Black Notley, White Notley,
Stampton and Willingale Spayne, all in Essex.
Wynch,
Lyon, Coghill and others - A random walk through family history
ITEM; I bequeath to my son
in law Nicholas LEVESON the lease and term of years which I have
in my house at Stratford and my household stuff in that house being.
Also I bequeath to the same Nicolas
Leveson the feather bed whereupon I currently use to lie and my
best Coverley and pair of sustenance blankets and the chest that my plate
is in and all the apparel of the chamber wherein I currently use to
lodge. ITEM; I bequeath to the said Nicholas
Leveson and Denys his wife my
daughter my two pottall pots of silver all gilt and my six
bowls of silver with the [roms] all gilt which he has already.
... ALSO I will that all my pewter vessels shall be equally divided by
weight and given that is to say the one half to my daughter Leveson and
the other half to be distributed and given by the good discretions of my
executors. ALSO I bequeath to my daughter Leveson these [xxx]
ensuing, that is to say my great kettle wherein I used to [soothe my
brown] my new great brass pot and two
of my brass pots being next in value to other two being the best pots my
best gown furred with foxes and [purcelled] with [xxx] my beads gold my
[xxx] of gold garnished with pearl and as well ruby in the middle thereof
and also the pair of sheets lying in my chest standing next the window in
my maid’s chamber and two my
best carpets, and I bequeath all my [droper] towels [droper] table cloths
sheets and all other my napery afore or hereafter bequeathed unto my said
daughter Leveson saving I will that she shall distribute and deliver to
every of my servants dwelling with me the time of my decease two
pairs of sheets by her discretion, also to certain of the poor people of
the said parish of Saint Stephen part of my old and coarse linen by her
whole discretion.
... ITEM; I bequeath to every of the children of my daughter
Leveson’s children being alive at the time of my decease except John
LEVESON twenty pounds
and if any of them die before they come to lawful age or marriage I will
that then the survivor or survivors of them that shall have the part and
[prepart] of him or her so decreasing.
... and of this my present testament and last will above written and
underwritten I make ordain and constitute my said son Nicholas Leveson and
my said daughter Denys his wife to be executors and Master Robert Norwich
one of the king’s sergeants at the law to be supervisor; and I give and
bequeath to either of the said Nicholas Leveson and Denys his wife for
their labours and pains to be sustained in the execution of my said
testament and will ten pounds of money;
This is the last will of me the said Dame
Johan Bradbury made in the said second day of March in the said
year of our Lord God 1529; and in the said twenty-first
year of our Sovereign Lord King Henry VIII containing all such manors
lands and tenements which I or any other person or persons have or be
seized of to my use. First I will that my Manors of Black Notley,
White Notley and Stampton with the appurtenances in the county of Essex
and all other my lands and tenements rents reversion and services and
other hereditaments whatsoever they be in Black Notley White Notley
Stanton Great Leighs Little Leighs etc forested in the same county parcel
of which premises I bought of John Fortescue Esquire and Phillips his
wife, and other parcels thereof I bought of William Aylnoth of Chelmsford,
immediately after my death shall remain to Nicholas Leveson my son in law
and to Denys my daughter his wife to be had to them and to their heirs of
their two bodies lawfully begotten, and for lack of such issue I will the
same manors and other the premises with the appurtenances shall remain to
the said Denys and to the heirs of her body lawfully begotten in manner
and form as I have made it sure both to them by the law as by a certain
indenture dated the eighteenth
day of January the twelfth year
of the reign of our said Sovereign Lord thereof made between me the said
Dame Johanne Bradbury on the one party and the said Nicholas and Denys on
the other party
... ITEM; I will that in convenient haste after my decease my manor of
Tendring in West Thurrock in Essex and all my lands and tenements which I
late bought of Sir Richard Fitzlowes, Knight, and all my stock of cattle
there by my executors and supervisor shall be sold in the best manner wise
and for as much money as reasonably may be had for the same, and the money
thereof received I will shall go and be applied toward the performance of
the bequests in my testament. And if my said son in law Nicholas Leveson
be minded to buy the said manor of Tendring and other the premises
thereunto belonging I will that then the same Nicholas have the preferment
of the sale thereof before any other persons he paying for the same as
much money as any other person without fraud or [xxx] will give and pay
for the same.
...
where by indenture tripartite indented
bearing date the eighteenth day of May
in the year of our Lord God [1525] and in the seventeenth
year of the reign of our said Sovereign Lord King Henry VIII made between
me the said Dame Johanne Bradbury by the name of Dame Johane Bradbury of
London widow sister and heir to John
LECHE clerk late vicar of Cheping Walden in the County of Essex deceased
on the one part and the Treasurer and Chamberlains of the fraternity or
guild of the Holy Trinity in the parish church of Walden aforesaid on the
second part and the Abbot and convent of the monastery of the same town of
Walden on the third part I have given and granted to the said Treasurer
and Chamberlains an annual rent of
twelve pounds sterling to be issuant provided devised and going
out of and in the manor of Willingale Spayne in the said county of Essex
whereof the Reverend Father in God Richard Bishop of Norwich and Nicholas
Leveson stand and have been seized in their demesne as of feeoffee to the
only use of me the said Dame Johanne and to the performance of my last
will to have hold and provide the said annual rent of twelve
pounds to the said Treasurer and Chamberlains and to their
successors for evermore to them to be paid at the said town of Walden
yearly and perpetually at two times of the year in manner and form and to
the intent and purpose expressed in the said indenture more plainly it is
my [xxx] I will that immediately
after my decease the said manor of Willingale Spayne with the
appurtenances shall remain to the said Nicholas Leveson and Denis his wife
to hold to them and to their heirs of their bodies lawfully begotten and
for lack of issue I will the said manor with the appurtenances shall
remain to the said Denis and to the heirs of her body lawfully begotten
Denys is also mentioned in the will of her daughter-in-law Ursula's father,
Sir John Gresham, dated 12 February 1552, in which she is described as "old
Mrs. Leveson".
Genealogy
of the Family of Gresham p34 (Granville Leveson Gower, 1883)
to Thomas
Leveson my sonne in law and Ursula his wiffe, to every of them a blak
gowne and a ringe of gold price xls, to the said Thomas and
Ursula xxli and to their sonne nowe living xxli,
and to olde Mrs. Leveson a ringe of golde price xls
Denys is bequeathed a ring in the will of her nephew, Thomas Wilkes, dated
16 August 1558, in which she is named as "my Aunte Dennys Leveson"
A Descriptive Catalogue of Ancient Deeds in the Public
Record Office vol 5 p561
... to
‘my Aunte Dennys Leveson, my cosen Sir Richard Leveson, knight, William
Hewet, and to my cosen Edwarde Leveson, esquyres,’ a ring of 4l.
apiece;
A Who's Who of Tudor Women
DENISE or
DIONYSE BODLEY (d. December 2, 1560)
Denise or Dionyse Bodley was the daughter of Thomas Bodley of Exeter and
London (1460-1492), a tailor (in some records he’s identified as a
grocer), and Joan Leche (d.1530). She was raised by her mother’s second
husband, Thomas Bradbury (1450-January 1510), a mercer who was Lord Mayor
of London in 1509. In his will, proved February 27, 1509/10, Bradbury left
a life interest in the manor of Westcot or Westcourt in Gillingham, Kent
to his widow, after which it was to go to Denise. Denise married another
mercer, Nicholas Leveson of London and Prestwood, Staffordshire (d. August
20, 1539). As her mother’s only surviving child, Denise received two more
manors upon that lady’s death, Black Notley and Staunton, both acquired by
Lady Bradbury during her second widowhood. Denise and Nicholas had
eighteen children, eight sons and ten daughters, including Jane or Joan
(d. before 1560), Grisel (d. before 1560), Mary (d.1581+), Alice
(1523-April 8, 1561), John (d.1551/2), Thomas (1532-April 21, 1576),
Nicholas (d. 1568), William (d.1593), and Denise. In his will, dated
November 7, 1536 and proved October 13, 1539, Leveson left his wife his
dwelling house and garden in Lyme Street in the parish of St. Andrew
Undershaft, London, land in Gillingham and Halling, Kent, a house,
tenements, and cattle in Essex, and the plate and furnishings of the
London house. As a widow, Denise took over her husband’s business, took
apprentices of her own, and exported wool as a merchant of the staple. She
was the largest mercer-shipper of wool in the first year of Edward VI’s
reign, shipping over 105 sacks. She received a license to ship wool to
Bruges in 1558-9, after the loss of Calais. When she died, she left £10 to
the Mercers for a “breakfast or other banquet” to be held within a month
of her death. Her will, written March 13, 1559 and August 1, 1560 and
proved December 20, 1560, can be found at www.oxford-shakespeare.com.
Portrait: effigy in small brass in St. Andrew Undershaft, London, with her
husband and eighteen children.
List of Early Chancery Proceedings vol 9 p244
(1963)
FILE 1241
(1547-1551)
36 Denise, late the wife of Nicholas LEVESON, mercer of London and
merchant of the Staple of Calais, v.
Elizabeth wife of George NORTON, knight, and late the wife of Thomas
Audeley, lord Audley of Walden, and others, executors of the said Lord
Audley.
Silver plate (described)
entrusted to the said Nicholas by Philippa Josselyn, deceased, which
complainant was compelled to surrender by the said Lord Audley as
Chancellor. LONDON.
The History and Topographical Survey of the County of
Kent vol 3 p389 (Edward Hasted, 1797)
There was a
FREE CHAPEL or CHANTRY in this parish, dedicated to St. Laurence, which
was suppressed by the act passed in the 1st year of king Edward VI. and
the lands and revenues of it given to the king. Queen Mary, in her first
year, let to ferme to Dionifia Leveson, widow, all that the scite of the
free chapel of St. Laurence in Halling, with several pieces of land
lately belonging to it in Halland and Snodland, containing fifteen acres
of land, or thereabouts, at the yearly rent of twelve shillings and
sixteen pence.
Transactions of the London and Middlesex Archæological
Society vol 4 p292 (1875)
His wife
Denys or Dionysia survived him for some years, and continued to take
great interest in the poor of the parish of St. Andrew. In the account
of the sale of the church vestments and furniture in the reign of King
Edward VI. she is mentioned as a purchaser:
Item, solde to Mysteris Leveson two aulter fruntes of Dornyke and res.
(received) therefore . . . . v s. viijd.
Item, solde to the saide Mysteris Leveson an aulter clothe frunte of
white Brydges satten, and res. therefore . . . . ix s.
Item, solde to the foresaid Mysteris Leveson a suder to bere the
crysmatory, and res, therefore . . . .ij s. viij d.
Item, solde to the saide Mysteris Leveson a clothe to hang at the high
aulter, and res. therefore . . . . vj s. viij d.
Item, solde to the saide Mysteris Leveson one other clothe for the same
purpose, and res. therefore . . . . vj s. viij d.
Item, solde to the forsaide Mysteris Leveson ij ffruntes of Dornix, and
res. therefore . . . . vs. viij d.
Harrison, Waples and allied families pp147-8
(William Welsh Harrison, 1910)
“Queen Mary, May 7th, in the first year of her reign, let to farm, to
Dionysia Leveson, widow, all that the scite of the free chapel of St.
Lawrence in Halling, with several pieces of land lately belonging to it
in Halling and Snodland in county Kent, containing fifteen acres of land
or thereabouts, to hold for twenty-one years at the yearly rent of
twelve shillings and six pence.”
Dionysia, the widow of Nicholas Leveson,
died September 10, 1561, “being possessed of the manor of Black Notley,
and of ten messuages, four hundred acres of arable, one hundred acres of
meadow, five hundred acres of pasture, two hundred acres of wood, and
ten pounds rent in the parishes of Black Notley and White Notley, as
also of three other messuages, three gardens, three tofts, one hundred
acres of arable land, twelve of meadow, twenty of pasture, twelve of
alder, sixty of wood, “£3, 5, 2, of rent, and two capons, in Black
Notley, Great and Little Leighs and Fayrsted, holden of the Queen, as of
her manor of Pleshie, parcel of the Duchy of Lancaster, in free socage,
value £40 per annum.”
Harrison repeats here the erroneous information, derived from Philip
Morant's The history and antiquities of the county
of Essex vol 2 p124 (1768), that Denys died on 10 September 1561.
This is disproved by the date on her tomb in St Andrew Undershaft (2
December 1560) and that her will was proved on 20 December 1560 (see The
National Archives PROB 11/43/645)
2 December 1560
9 December 1560, in St Andrew
Undershaft, London, England, "in the middle aisle of the same church at the
end of the pew that I commonly used to kneel in", as requested in her will.
The Diary of Henry Machyn in Works of the
Camden Society issue 42 pp245-6 (1848)
The ix
day of Desember was bered in sant Andrews undershaft mastores Lusun
wedow the wyff of master Lusun merser and stapoler and late shreyff of
London, with a lx in blake gownes, and her plase and the chyrche hangyd
with blake and armes, and a xxiiij clarkes syngyng; and she gayff xl
gownes to men and women of brod cloth, and evere woman had nuw raylles,
and ther was a sermon, and a iiij dosen of skochyons of armes; and after
a gret dole, and after a grett dener.
p383
NOTES.
P.245. Funeral of mistress
Luson or Leveson. This was the widow of “Nicholas Leveson,
mercer, sheriff 1535. Buried at St. Andrew's Undershaft.” Arms, Azure, a
fess undy argent and sable, between three leaves or. (List by Wm. Smith,
Rougedragon.)
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Monumental brass of Nicholas Leveson and
Denys (Bodley) Leveson in St Andrew Undershaft, London
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Shield displaying the arms of Bodley on
the monumental brass of Nicholas Leveson and Denys (Bodley)
Leveson in St Andrew Undershaft, London
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Shield displaying the impaled arms of
Nicholas Leveson and Denys Bodley on their monumental brass in St
Andrew Undershaft, London
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There is a monumental brass depicting Denys, her husband Nicholas Leveson
and their eighteen children, in St Andrew Undershaft, London.
The Antiquary vol 45 p141 (1909)
Monumental
Brasses in the City of London.
BY ANDREW OLIVER.
II. ST.
ANDREW UNDERSHAFT.
(1) 1538.—Nycolas Leveson, wife, eight
sons, ten daughters.
Three shields, two scrolls. Mural, east
wall, north aisle.
He is dressed in a long fur cloak, open
at the neck and the end thrown over the arm, showing an under-dress, and
a bag or purse worn round the waist.
The sons also wear cloaks and gowns.
The wife and daughters are dressed in
similar costumes—viz., a kennel head-dress and long flowing gown—and on
the wife's figure there is a long rosary attached to a belt worn round
the waist.
From the mouth of the man proceeds a scroll, bearing “Deus
miseratur mei,” and from the woman's, “et
benedicat nubis.” On the left side of the slab there is a
shield for Leveson, a canting coat, Gules,
a fess nebule argent, between three leaves slipped or.
Quartered with Prestwood: Argent,
a chevron between three cinque-foils vert.
On the opposite side there is a shield bearing Bodley, the family
arms of the wife:
Argent, five martlets in
saltire sable, on a chief azure three ducal crowns or.
In the centre of the slab, at the top, a shield bearing Leveson
and Prestwood, impaling Bodley. The inscription is as follows:
“Here under this tombe lyeth
buryed the bodyes of Nycolas Leveson Mercer sometime sheryffe of
London and Mchant of the Staple at Calys and Denys his wife which
Nycolas decessyd ye XX day of August Ano dm Modcxxxix
And ye said Denys ye secode day of Dceber Ao Mo
vclx whous soull Jhu prdn.”
Nycolas Leveson was buried, according to the instructions
contained in his will, made the 7th day of November, 1536, in the tomb
made before the upper pillar of the north side of the church, between
the high altar and the altar of the north aisle.
His wife died on the 2nd day of December, 1560, and, in
accordance with her will, was buried in the Church of St. Andrew
Undershaft, in the middle aisle, and at the end of the pew which she had
been accustomed to use (see Freemen
of London, p. 102).
The will of Dionyse Leveson, widow of
London, dated 13 March 1559 (will of lands) and 1 August 1560 (will of
goods), and proved 20 December 1560, is held at The
National Archives PROB 11/43/645
Modern spelling transcriptions (with minor variations) can be found at www.oxford-shakespeare.com/Probate/PROB_11-43-645.pdf
and at Wynch,
Lyon, Coghill and others - A random walk through family history
(1560 Dionyse Leveson).
Wynch,
Lyon, Coghill and others - A random walk through family history
(1560 Dionyse Leveson)
COLLECTED
TRANSCRIBED WILLS
1560 Dionyse Leveson
In the name of God, Amen. The first day of August in the year of our
Lord God 1560 and in the second year of the reign of our Sovereign Lady
Elizabeth by the grace of God Queen of England France and Ireland
defender of the faith, etc., I Dionyse
LEVESON widow late the wife of Nicholas LEVESON late citizen &
mercer of the City of London and Merchant of the Staple whose
soul Jesus pardon being of good and perfect memory laud and praise be
therefore unto Almighty God do make & ordain this my present
testament and last will in manner and form following, that is to wit.
First and principally I give and recommend my soul unto Almighty God my
maker and redeemer and to our blessed lady St Mary and unto all the holy
company of heaven, and my body to be buried in the
parish church of St Andrew Undershaft in the City of London
aforesaid in the middle aisle of the same church at the end of the pew
that I commonly used to kneel in. ITEM; I will that my body be not
feared but enclosed after a convenient manner within a coffin of boards
and so buried as abovesaid by the discretion of my executors and I will
that my said executors shall provide and buy to occupy at my burial one
dozen of staff torches with such other lights as they shall think meet
and convenient and as the time shall then require. And I bequeath to twelve poor men and householders
dwelling within the parish of Saint Andrew Undershaft to every one of
them a black gown price five
shillings the yard, and my will is that my executors shall have
all the parishioners of the said parish of St Andrew Undershaft at my dwelling house in Lime Street in London
as well the poor as other within two
days next after my burial, and there shall make them a convenient
dinner. ITEM; I bequeath to sixteen
poor widows dwelling in the said parish of St Andrew Undershaft to pray
for my soul sixteen black
gowns at five shillings the
yard, and also I bequeath to every of the said poor widows one all of
linen cloths at two shillings
the all to make every of them a kerchief. ITEM; I bequeath towards
the exhibition of poor scholars in the
University of Cambridge where my sons late went to school six pounds eight shillings and three pence
the same to be bestowed and distributed by the discretion of my
executors within one year next after my decease; also I give and
bequeath towards the exhibition of poor scholars in the University of
Oxford six pounds eight shillings and
three pence the same to be likewise bestowed and distributed by
the discretion of my executors within the said one year next after my
decease. ITEM; I bequeath unto the reparation and amending of the
highways at Islington and here about London twenty
pounds which sum of twenty
pounds I will shall be bestowed accordingly by the discretion
of my executors within one year next after my decease; also I bequeath six pounds eight shillings and three pence
to be distributed for my soul by my executors within one year next after
my decease unto the discharging out of prison of such poor prisoners
which shall then remain in Newgate and in the two
Counters in London only for their fees. ITEM; I bequeath six
pounds eight shillings and three pence to be distributed among
the poor householders of the said parish of St Andrew Undershaft by the
discretion of my executors at Easter Whitsunday and Christmas next after
my decease that is to wit to every of the said householders three
pence at a time. ITEM; I give and bequeath to the poor
people of St Bartholemew spittal six
pounds eight shillings and three pence to be paid within one
year next after my decease to the governors of the same house.
ITEM; I give and bequeath twenty
shillings to be distributed in alms amongst the poor
householders of the parish of Halling in Kent within one month next
after my decease and other twenty
shillings to be likewise distributed unto the poor householders
of Cockstone parish in Kent. ITEM; I bequeath to every of these
wives under written dwelling in Cockstone aforesaid an all of linen
cloth price three shillings and four
pence to make every of them a kerchief that is to wit:
Baynard’s wife, Lyndall’s wife, Cosen’s wife the younger, and late wife
of Richard Allett. ITEM; I will that my executors shall upon my
costs and charge keep my house in London for all my servants with meat
and drink for them one month next after my decease or else until they do
otherwise provide for themselves. ITEM; I will that no black gowns
be given for me unto any other person than unto the poor people above
expressed and unto certain other hereafter named in this my present last
will and testament that is to say unto my friend John Southcote,
sergeant at law and unto my executors of this my last will and testament
and to their wives and unto the other of my children and their husbands
and wives unto every of which persons and to my said executors and their
wives and also my other children their husbands and wives I bequeath a
black gown cloth the price to be eighteen
shillings the yard or thereabouts and I bequeath to every of my
household servants in London being in my service at the time of my
decease a black gown cloth of ten
shillings price the yard and I bequeath two
cloak cloths of the same cloth, the one to Thomas Shepparde and the
other to John Aldely and also I bequeath to either of them two
shillings and ten pence to pray for my soul [xxx]. ITEM; I
bequeath to my neighbour Mr Swallow and to his wife to either of them a
honest black gown cloth. ITEM; I bequeath to Henry Edis and his
wife to either of them a black gown cloth and to all other my tenants in
Lime Street to every of them a black coat cloth. ITEM; I bequeath
to Henry Allen the younger a black coat cloth and twenty
shillings in money. ITEM; I bequeath to Byrden Hayes John
Byddyll Romney and to old Mayle my tenants to every of them a coat cloth
of nine shillings the yard and
to any of them three shillings and
three pence in money, and I will that four
of my said tenants shall bear my body to church, also I bequeath to John
Fallowfield my apprentice twenty
pounds to be employed by my executors in wool or fell at the
next shipping within one month after my decease unto the use of my said
apprentice if there be any shipping within one month next after my
decease, if not then my said executors to deliver the said sum of twenty pounds to the said John
Fallowfield within one month next after my decease to bestow to his most
advantage. ITEM; I bequeath to my cousin
COLDWELL and Diones his wife to either of them a black gown
cloth. ITEM; I bequeath unto my
cousin Ann BUTLER ten pounds
to be paid to her at the day of her marriage. ITEM; I bequeath
unto Thomas HEWET cloth worker, Edward
OSBURNE and to Lewis the tailor dwelling within Aldersgate in
London to every of them a gown cloth. ITEM; I give and bequeath to
Mrs Fisher a black gown cloth of the value of twenty
shillings and ten shillings in money. ITEM; I give and
bequeath to William Barret son of my
cousin Anne TYRRELL sometime [xxx] wife deceased twenty
pounds the same to be delivered immediately after my decease by
my executors to my son William LEVESON
to be kept for the said William until he come to his full age of twenty one years and I will that
from and immediately after my decease my
said son William Leveson shall find the said William meat drink
learning and all other necessaries during his minority and also I will
that my executors shall pay to my said
son William Leveson towards the finding of the said William
yearly after my decease until he the said William shall accomplish the
age of fourteen years five
pounds and I will that when he the said William shall accomplish the age
of fourteen years that then my said son William Leveson shall
take him to his apprentice and bring him up in such trade of [xxx] as my said son William Leveson now uses
and when the said William shall come forth of his apprenticeship or
accomplish the age of twenty one
years then my said son
William Leveson his executors administrators or assigns shall
bestow in wool or fell to and for the only use of the said William the
said sum of twenty pounds, and
if it happen the said William to decease before he shall come to and
accomplish the age of twenty one
years then as now and now as then I will that the said twenty
pounds shall be divided among the
children of my son William STRETE and of my daughter Dionice his wife,
and I bequeath to Dionys the girl of my kitchen forty
shillings to be paid to her the day of her marriage if she keep
herself honest and true; also I bequeath to Robert Allen tailor and Jone
his wife to either of them a black gown cloth of the value of twenty
shillings. ITEM; I bequeath to every of those persons to
every of those persons next hereafter written a plain ring of gold of
the value of forty shillings
to wear for a remembrance of me, that is to wit, to my
son William HEWET to my son
Edward CALTHORPE, my son William STREATE and my said friend
John Southcote, to my sons Thomas
LEVESON, Nicholas LEVESON and William
LEVESON. Also I bequeath so for every
of my daughters a ring of gold of the value of thirty
shillings for a like remembrance. Also I will and bequeath unto
every of those my loving friends hereafter written a ring of gold of the
value of thirty shillings.
That is to wit unto the Lady Dorothy Brooke late wife of Sir Robert
Brooke knight, to the Lady Dormer of London, to my
cousin Jone CRAYFORD, to my
cousin Thomas COLSHILL and to his wife either of them a ring to
the wife of Allen Wood of Snodland deceased, to my
[gossxx] HEWET brother to my son William Hewet and Edward
OSBORNE. Also I will that all and every the rings above
bequeathed be made like flat hoops and with convenient speed immediately
after my decease and to be given at my month’s mind at the furthest and
that within every of the said rings be engraved see ye forget not me.
And I bequeath to every of my
children’s children living at the day of my decease ten
pounds towards their marriages except Anne
HEWET and Dionys VAUGHAN
and also except the children of my son
Thomas LEVESON and except my
daughter DAWBENET’s children unto every of which Dawbenet’s
children I give a gold ring of thirty
shillings and also I bequeath unto every
of the children of my said son Thomas LEVESON now being born twenty pounds apiece; and if it
happen any of my children’s children to whom I have given ten
pounds apiece as is aforesaid to die or decease before their
lawful ages of twenty one
years or days of marriages that then the survivor or survivors of them
being brothers or sisters or brother or sister to them deceased shall
have and enjoy their parts so deceased equally among them to be divided.
Also I bequeath to my goddaughter Anne
HEWET one hundred marks to be paid to her by my executors at
the day of her marriage. ITEM; I bequeath to
Dionys VAUGHAN my goddaughter forty
pounds. Also I give and bequeath to my
goddaughter Dionys CALTHORPE daughter to my daughter Mary CALTHORPE
over and besides the ten pounds
to her bequeathed forty pounds
to be delivered to her at the day of her marriage or at the age of eighteen years by the discretion of
my executors, and John Fallowfield my servant to keep the same money
until her said marriage or age finding good securities for the payment
thereof if he live so long if not then my executors to keep the same
until her said marriage or age of eighteen
years as aforesaid. ITEM; I bequeath yearly to the
said Dionys Calthorpp five marks of lawful money of England to
be paid to her yearly by my executors towards her finding and godly
bringing up until the time her said marriages or age of eighteen
years. ITEM; I give and bequeath to my
cousin Arthur CRAYFORD, Nicholas CRAYFORD, and Edward CRAYFORD
ten pounds to be paid to them
equally and quarterly forty shillings until the same be lawful paid,
also I bequeath to my cousin John
CRAYFORD twenty pounds.
Also I bequeath to my said cousin
COLSHILL and his wife either of them a black gown. ITEM;
to my servant John [Finunden] six
pounds eight shillings and four pence. Also I bequeath to
Walter Danonks my late servant forty
shillings and a coat cloth and release and forgive unto him the
five pounds that he owes me by bill. ITEM; I bequeath to every of
my other servants in London being in my service at the time of my
decease twenty shillings.
ITEM; I bequeath to every of my servants being at Halling and in my
service at the day of my decease three
shillings and four pence in money. Also I give and
bequeath to my son Thomas LEVESON
all my household stuff and brewing vessels whatsoever at my house at
Halling in Kent, and I will that all my corn grain hay and cattle and
all other my goods and chattels whatsoever they be remaining at Halling
and Cockstone he said County of Kent except my said household stuff
shall be appraised and sold by my executors for and towards the
performance of this my present last will and testament except my three
best kine there which three kine I bequeath the one cow to one [blank]
Cose and another cow to John Dawesbury [servant] and the third to Thomas
Shepard. ITEM; I bequeath to my
daughter Dame Alice HEWET my tine of silver and gilt that Dame Jane BRADBURY my mother gave to
me and also a standing cup of silver and gilt with eight
pearls and wrought with flowers upon it and my chain of gold with
wreaths. ITEM; I bequeath to Edmonde
CALTHORPE twenty pounds of lawful money of England to be paid
to him by my executors immediately after my decease. ITEM; I
bequeath to every of the sons of my
brother James LEVESON a ring of gold of the value of ten
pounds. ITEM; I bequeath to Henry Planckney a black gown
cloth and a ring of gold of the value of thirty
shillings for the good friendship and diligence that I have
found in him. ITEM; I bequeath to Jenkins the tailor dwelling in
Fillpott Lane a black gown cloth. ITEM; I give and bequeath to
Roger Barney a black gown cloth. ITEM; I give and bequeath all my
rings and chains of gold and all other my jewels whatsoever they be
except before given and all my wearing apparel to my
daughters Dionys STRETE and Mary CALTHORPE to be divided among
them equally portion and portion like immediately after my decease. Also
I bequeath to my daughter Thomas
Leveson’s wife ten pounds
to buy her such a jewel as she thinks convenient to pray for my
soul. ITEM; I give and bequeath to my
daughter Mary CALTHORPE the bedstead and all the bedding
hanging chests and all other such implements of household goods and
chattels whatsoever they be now being in the tower chamber within my
house in Lime Street in London in which chamber the said Mary commonly
used to lie. ITEM; I bequeath more unto my
said daughter Mary Calthorpe the bedstead and all the bedding
whatsoever it be in the chamber where I the
said Dionys Leveson do commonly use to lie except hangings of
the same chamber which hangings I bequeath to my
son Thomas LEVESON. ITEM; I bequeath to my
said son Thomas Leveson all the hangings curtains ceiling and
portals in my parlour and hall in Lime Street aforesaid and four tables
there that is to wit the two
best tables in the parlour and the two
best tables in the hall and all the bedsteads hanging cupboards and
[testorns] of bedding in the great chamber where the chapel is and in
the chamber called Mr Roper’s Chamber being the next chamber to the said
great chamber and all the hangings in every of my other chambers in Lime
Street aforesaid except all those hangings in the tower chamber which I
have before given to my said daughter
Mary CALTHORPE. ITEM; I give to my
son William LEVESON all the bedding and other stuff whatsoever
in the chamber where the said William
commonly uses to lie within my house in London. Also I bequeath to the
Company of Mercers in London ten
pounds to make them a breakfast or other banquet as it shall
please the master and wardens to appoint within one month next after my
decease, and I make and ordain my
well-beloved son-in-law Sir William HEWET Knight and Alderman of
London, my cousin Edward LEVESON and John Southcote Sergeant at
Law my executors of this my present testament and I bequeath to every of
them for his labour in that behalf twenty
pounds of current money of England, and I make and ordain my sons Thomas LEVESON, Nicholas LEVESON,
and William LEVESON and my son-in-law William
STRETE and Henry Planckney supervisors or overseers of the same
with as much authority as can be devised for overseers to have and I
give and bequeath to every of my said overseers or supervisors twenty
pounds apiece for their pains to see this my present testament
faithfully and truly performed executed and done. The residue of
all and singular my goods chattels household stuff plate and other
moveables whatsoever they be, my debts, funerals and legacies being
performed paid and this my present testament and last will in all points
being performed I fully and wholly give to Thomas
Leveson, Nicholas Leveson and William Leveson my sons and to my
daughters Dyones Streete and Mary CALTHORPE equally and
indifferently amongst them to be divided by the oversight of my
executors or the survivors of them and also I will that if any of my
sons do attempt to break any part of their father’s will or [of] this my
present testament and last will by suite in the law entry [atton] or
seizure that then the same child so offending shall take no legacy
benefit or profit by this my present testament and last will anything
herein above expressed to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding, and
I the said Denys LEVESON do
utterly revoke and annul all and every other former testaments legacies
bequests executors and overseers by me in any wise before this time made
named willed and bequeathed concerning my goods. And I will that this my
present testament shall stand remain and abide only for my very
testament concerning my goods together with all the legacies bequests
executors and overseers by me herein made named willed and bequeathed
and none other in other wise. In witness whereof to this my present
testament I the said Diones Leveson
have put my seal [xxx] the day and year above written in the presence of
us whose names be here under written called as witnesses thereunto –
Henry Edesmark, John Fallowfield, William Welsh.
To all [christian] people to whom this present writing shall come Diones Leveson widow late wife of Nicholas
Leveson Citizen and Mercer of London and Merchant of the Staple
deceased sends greetings in our Lord God everlasting know all
people that I the said Diones Leveson
by these presents do make ordain and constitute my last will concerning
my lands tenements and hereditaments here under written in manner and
form following that is to say I will and bequeath unto my
right trusty and well beloved friends Sir William HEWET Knight
Alderman of London and now Lord Mayor of the said City, my cousin
Edward LEVESON and John Southcote Sergeant at Law and to their
heirs for ever all and singular my lands tenements meadows [bersiners]
pastures [fredings] woods rents reversions suits and premises and other
my hereditaments whatsoever with all and singular their appurtenances
set lying and being at Stamfeeld Hylles in the parish of Tottenham in
the county of Middlesex or elsewhere in the said parish which I late
purchased and bought of Jasper Ffessante and I will that the said Sir William HEWET Edward Leveson and
John Southcote or the survivor or survivors of them shall bargain and
sell the said lands tenements and other the premises with their
appurtenances to such as will gain most money for the same and the money
thereof coming and to be received I will that the same shall go and be
employed by my executors for and towards the performance of my last will
and testament touching and concerning my goods and chattels; also I will
and bequeath to William Leveson my son
all that my manor of West Court with the appurtenances and all those my
four four meases four gifts ijd acres of land one hundred acres of
meadow ijd acres of pasture forty
acres of wood and eight shillings and
ten pence of nt to have and to hold all and singular the said
manor lands tenements and other the premises with the appurtenances last
before expressed to the said William
Leveson and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten and for
default of such issue of the body of the
said William Leveson lawfully begotten I will that the same
manor and other the premises with their appurtenances last before
expressed shall remain to Thomas
Leveson and John LEVESON son of Thomas Leveson my son and heir
and to their heirs forever, and I give will and bequeath to the
said William Leveson my son all that my meases or tenements
with the appurtenances set lying and being in Lime Street in London and
now in the tenure and occupation of one Henry Edys with all shops
cellars seller’s chambers and other the appurtenances and all other the
premises with the appurtenances now in the tenure of the said Henry Edys
to the said William Leveson and
his heirs forever to the intent that the said William and his heirs
shall suffer Mary Calthropp my
daughter during her life to dwell and inhabit in the said mease
or tenement and to take her own use all advantages and profits thereof
and of all other the premises with the appurtenances thereto belonging
freely and without paying my rent or other thing for the time during her
life or else shall yearly pay or cause to be paid to the said Mary
Calthropp during her life at her election all those yearly rents and the
said mease or tenements and other the premises thereto belonging shall
or may then be let at without fraud or [cowyn] and I will that the said
Henry Edis shall not be put out of the said tenement under one year’s
warning; and I further will to the
said Thomas Leveson the son of Thomas Leveson my son for and
towards his finding all that my capital mease barn stable garden and
orchard with their appurtenances set lying and being at Limehouse in the
County of Middlesex and all my land meadow and pasture with the
appurtenances in Limehouse aforesaid to have and to hold the said
capital mease and all other the premises with the appurtenances in
Limehouse aforesaid to the said Thomas
Leveson the son of the said Thomas Leveson my son and to the
heirs of his body lawfully begotten and for default of such issue I will
the same to remain to my son Thomas
Leveson his father and to his heirs forever; and I give will
and bequeath to the said Thomas Leveson
my son all the cite of the late chapel of Saint Laurence in
Halling in the County of Kent and all my meases lands tenements and
hereditaments in Up Halling Nether Halling and Snodland to the said
chapel belonging and all my interest state and title which I have of and
in the same parcel of land called The Welde set lying and being in the
parish of Nether Halling in the said County of Kent which contains by
estimation eight acres more or less and all that parcel of land called
the Combe set lying and being upon and adjoining unto Wyngate Hill in
the said parish of Halling which two
parcels of land I have and hold by lease for ten of certain years yet
enduring under the yearly rent of twenty
shillings by year; also I give devise will and bequeath to the said Thomas Leveson my son all
my interest state title possession and term of years of and in the
meases tenements and land hereafter expressed that is to say which I
have to come of and in all that mease tenement and garden with the
appurtenances set lying and being in the said parish of Halling in the
said County of Kent which mease tenement and garden I have and hold by
lease for term of certain years enduring under the yearly rent of four shillings by year; and all my
interest state title possession and term of years which I have yet to
come of and in one piece of [m’she (marsh?)] land in Halling aforesaid
containing by estimation one acre and a half which piece of [marsh] land
I likewise have and hold by lease for term of certain years yet enduring
under the yearly rent of two
shillings by year and all my interest state title possession
and term of years which I have to come of and in all that ground land
and wood called Priests Down which I have and hold for term of certain
years enduring under the yearly rent of twelve
shillings by year to have and to hold all the said mease
tenements garden [marsh] land ground wood and other the premises with
the appurtenances which I have in lease and all my interest state title
possession and term of years of and in the same unto the
said Thomas Leveson my said son unto the end and [xx] of all
the residue of the years yet to come of and in the same. In
witness whereof I the said Diones
Leveson to this my present will conveying the premises have put
my seal this thirteenth day of
March in the year of the reign of our Sovereign Lady Elizabeth by the
grace of God Queen of England France and Ireland defender of the faith
etc. This will was sealed and subscribed by the
said Diones Leveson in their presence of us whose names are
here under written being called as witnesses thereunto – Henry
Edismarke, John Ffallowfelde, William Welshe
Proved twentieth day of December 1560 by William Hewet, Edward
Leveson and John Southcote
- Visitations
of Surrey in Publications of the Harleian
Society vol 43 p147 (1894); mentioned in the will
of her father "Denys my daughter" and in the will
of her mother, Joan (Leche, Bodley) Bradbury which mentions
"Nicholas Leveson and Denys his wife my daughter"
- Visitations
of Essex 1558 in Publications of the
Harleian Society vol 13 p114 (1879); Surrey archaeological collections vol 10
p403 (1891); in her
will, Elizabeth's mother, Joan (Leche, Bodley) Bradbury mentions
"Nicholas Leveson and Denys his wife my daughter"; monumental brass in
St Andrew Undershaft, London
- from monumental brass in
St Andrew Undershaft, London
- date and description
from The Diary of Henry Machyn in Works of the
Camden Society issue 42 pp245-6 (1848); place as requested in
Denys's will held at The
National Archives PROB 11/43/645; modern spelling transcriptions
(with minor variations) can be found at www.oxford-shakespeare.com/Probate/PROB_11-43-645.pdf
and at Wynch, Lyon, Coghill and others - A random walk
through family history (1560 Dionyse Leveson)
- held at The
National Archives PROB 11/43/645; modern spelling transcriptions
(with minor variations) can be found at www.oxford-shakespeare.com/Probate/PROB_11-43-645.pdf
and at Wynch, Lyon, Coghill and others - A random walk
through family history (1560 Dionyse Leveson)
- Denys Bodley
Elizabeth (Bodley) Tyrrell
Thomas Bodley
Joan
(Leche) Bodley
William
Tyrrell
Medieval London Widows, 1300-1500 pp219-20
(Caroline Barron, Anne F. Sutton, 1994)
The eldest
daughter, Elizabeth, had been married for some years to William Tyrell
of South Ockendon, Essex, a member of a large and influential family,
and she already had several children including a son and heir, Humphrey.
Bradbury seems to have paid a lot for this marriage and to have helped
William Tyrell financially. He and Joan had hopes that Humphrey Tyrell
and Joan Josselyn, the daughter of Thomas's sister, Philippa, would one
day marry and unite the Bradbury and Bodley families: he promised them
he manor of Bawdes after the life estates of his brother-in-law and
Joan, as an inducement.
Elizabeth was mentioned in the will of her father, Thomas, dated 27 November
1491, indicating that she was a minor at this date.
Wynch,
Lyon, Coghill and others - A random walk through family history
(1492 Sir Thomas Bodley) COLLECTED
TRANSCRIBED WILLS
1492 Sir Thomas Bodley
ITEM; I bequeath to Elizabeth my eldest
daughter to her to be delivered when she shall come to lawful age
or marriage fifty pounds and five pounds in old nobles of my said
mother’s bequest.
Elizabeth was still a minor in March 1494/5 when Thomas Bradbury stood
surety for the children's estate, probably on his marriage to their mother.
Calendar of Letter-Books of the City of London: L,
Edward IV-Henry VII, folio 313 (1912)
Custodia
pueror' Thome Bodley Cis soris.
19 March, 10 Henry VII. [A.D. 1494-5], came Thomas Bradbury, George
Bradbury, mercers, Christopher Elyot, goldsmith, and Richard Thornell,
mercer, and entered into bond in the sum of £362 14s. 5d. for payment
into the Chamber by the said Thomas Bradbury of a like sum to the use of
John, James, Elizabeth, and Dionisia, children of Thomas Bodley, late
tailor, when they come of age or marry.
Since the age
of majority for a women in medieval times was generally 16, these two
documents would put Elizabeth's birth between 1477 and 1490.
Elizabeth died between 18 January
1520(1), when an indenture was made regarding lands in Black Notley, and 2
March 1529(30) when the will of her mother specifically states that she is
deceased "since the making of the said indentures".
Wynch,
Lyon, Coghill and others - A random walk through family history
This is the last
will of me the said Dame Johan Bradbury made in the said second
day of March in the said year of our Lord God 1529; and in the said twenty-first year of our Sovereign
Lord King Henry VIII containing all such manors lands and tenements which
I or any other person or persons have or be seized of to my use.
First I will that my Manors of Black Notley, White Notley and Stampton
with the appurtenances in the county of Essex and all other my lands and
tenements rents reversion and services and other hereditaments whatsoever
they be in Black Notley White Notley Stanton Great Leighs Little Leighs
etc forested in the same county parcel of which premises I bought of John
Fortescue Esquire and Phillips his wife, and other parcels thereof I
bought of William Aylnoth of Chelmsford, immediately after my death shall
remain to Nicholas Leveson my son in law and to Denys my daughter his wife
to be had to them and to their heirs of their two bodies lawfully
begotten, and for lack of such issue I will the same manors and other the
premises with the appurtenances shall remain to the said Denys and to the
heirs of her body lawfully begotten in manner and form as I have made it
sure both to them by the law as by a certain indenture dated the eighteenth
day of January the twelfth year
of the reign of our said Sovereign Lord thereof made between me the said
Dame Johanne Bradbury on the one party and the said Nicholas and Denys on
the other party plainly it appears, and for as much as Elizabeth Tyrell my
daughter since the making of the said indentures is deceased whose soul
God pardon I will that for lack of issue of the bodies of the said
Nicholas and Denys and for lack of issue of the said Denys that the said
Manors and other the premises with the appurtenances shall remain to
Humfrey Tyrell son and heir of the said Elizabeth my daughter and to the
heirs of the body of the said Humfrey lawfully begotten;
Ellen (Bodley, Copland) Gresham
Richard Bodley
Joan (Warde) Bodley
William Copland
William was a merchant tailor, and Warden of the Guild of Merchant Taylors
in 1514. He was also described as a "purveyor of habiliments for the wars".
William was a business partner of Richard
Gresham, the younger brother of Ellen's second husband. He is likely
the "William Copland, tailor, the king's merchant" who gave the great bell
to the church of St Mary-le-Bow, which bell has been embedded in popular
culture both as a Cockney
being traditionally defined as born within the sound of the Bow bells, and
in the nursery rhyme "Oranges
and Lemons" which has the verse "I do not know, Says the great bell at
Bow". William died in 1518. His will, dated 15 August 1517, was proved on 10
December 1518.
A Survey of London p269 (John Stow, 1633)
William
Copland Taylor, the Kings Merchant, and Andrew
Fuller, Mercer, being Church-wardens 1515, and 1516. It is sayd
that this Copland gave the
great Bell, which made the fifth in the ring, to be rung nightly at nine
of the clocke. This Bell was first rung (as a knell) at the buriall of
the same Copland.
Gresham's
Law: The Life and World of Queen Elizabeth I's Banker p35
(John Guy, 2019)
In or
around 1507, Richard went into business in London and Antwerp with the
merchant-tailor William Copeland, a slick operator who knew how to
profit from the cheap credit available in Antwerp. Together they bought
fashionable silks such as velvet, satin and sarsenet at the Brabant
fairs, which alongside dyed and high-quality finished wollen cloths and
other luxury goods commanded high prices in London. And when Copeland
made his will in 1517 and died within a year, Richard carried on the
trade. Some moths before he had married Audrey, the daughter of William
Lynne, onr of the wealthier Northamptonshire gentry, and they went on to
have two sons, John and Thomas.
Precisely how much Richard received in Audrey's dowry we are not
told, but knowing Richard the settlement would have been generous. By
this time he had a lucrative sideline as a money-lender supplying
short-term credit to cash-strapped gentry and nobility. He pulled off a
second coup too, using his role as an executor of Copeland's will to
engineer a hasty marriage between his brother William and Ellen,
Copeland's grieving widow. This way, he kept most of his former
partner's business assts in the family.
Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, of the Reign
of Henry VIII vol 2 part 2 p1408 (1864)
1518.
26 Nov. 4608. For ELLEN
COPLAND, JOHN COPLAND,
junr., and RIC. GRESSHAM, and WM.
LOCKE of London, mercer.
Release, as relict and executors of Wm. Copland of London,
merchant tailor, and late purveyor of habiliments for the wars, of 8.600l. received from Sir John Daunce;
3,774l. 18s.
9d. from Sir Gilbert Talbot,
late Deputy of Calais; 1,200l.
from the Mayor, Constable and Society of the Staple of Calais; 475l. 18s.
4d. from Sir Sampson Norton;
and 420l. from John Calvocaunt,
stranger.
Del. Westm., 26 Nov. 10
Hen VIII.
William Gresham
William was the son of John Gresham and Alice Blyth. He was a mercer, of
London. William was buried in the Lady Chapel of St Pancras, Soper Lane,
London, on 20 March 1548. His will, dated 12 March 1547 and proved on 27
June 1548, is held at The
National Archives PROB 11/32/156, transcribed in:
Genealogical
Memoranda Relating to the Family of Gresham pp86-7 (Granville
Leveson Gower, 1874)
WILL OF WILLIAM GRESHAM,
1547.
Will of William Gresham 1547 In the name of god Amen The xijth
day of Marche In the yere of our Lord godd a thowsand fyve
hundreth fortye and seuen after the Computacyon of the Church of England
and in the second yere of the Reigne of our Souereigne Lord Edward the
sixte by the grace of godd Kyng of England ffraunce and Ireland Defendor
of the ffayth and of the churche of England and Ireland in erth the
supreme hedd I Wyllyam Gresham Cytyzin and mercer of London beyng syke
in bodye but neuerthelesse of good and perfyt mynde and Remembraunce
laude and prayse be geuen to Allmyghty godd do make ordayn and dyspoase
this my present testament and last wyll in manner and forme
followyng That is to say ffirst and pryncipally I geve and
recommend my soule to Allmyghtye Jhesu my Savyour and Redemer in whom
and by the merrits of whose moost blessed and Innocent death passyon and
Resurrectyon I trust and beleve only to be saued and to haue full and
clere Remyssyon and forgyvenes of my synnes And I wyll that my
bodye shall be buryed in the parysh church of saint pancrace in London
where I am a peryshoner in a conuenyent place by the dyscrecyon of my
executrix herevndre named And after my bodye buryed than I wyll
that all and singler such debtes and duetyes as I owe to anye parson or
parsons of right or in conscyence shalbe truelye contented and payd. And
after my debtes so paide and my bodye buryed and the ffuneralles thereof
dyscharged Then I wyll that all and syngler my goodes Cattalles
plate debtes juelles houshold stuffe and Redy mony shalbe devyded into
thre equall and Indyfferent partes accordyng to thuse and custom of the
cytye of London whereof one parte I geve and bequeath to Elyn my
wyffe The second parte thereof I geve and bequeath to my sonne in
Lawe John Marche and to my dawghter Alyce his wyffe Anny former
adunceme’t Lawe vse or custome had or vsed wtin
the cytye of London to the contrarye hereof in anny wyse notwth
standing And the thirde equall parte thereof I reserve to my selfe
and to my Executrix to performe and pay my legacyes
followyng. Item I geve and bequeath to the person of the said church of
saynt pancrace in recompence of my tythes iijs iiijd
Item I bequeath to xij honest poore householders to bryng my bodye to
church blake gownes of fourtye pence the yard at the dyscrecyon of my
wyffe Also I geve and bequeath to Ellyn and Katheryn my mayden
seruauntes xxs a pece and to either of them a blake
gowne And to Ellyn Copland my kynneswoman a blake gowne Item
I geve and bequeath to Symon and John my seruauntes to either of them a
blake gowne And to Thomas Clerke of puttenhithe xxs in
monye and a blake gowne Item I do perdon remyt and forgeue the
said Symon and John all such yeres of prentyshodd as they shall haue to
serue at the tyme of my deceuse And I geve to Alyce Goryng my
seruaunt a blake gowne And also I geve to Thomas Pyerson Scryvener
a blake gowne Also I geve and bequeathe to Ellyn my wyffe all and
singler my messuages Landes tenementes rentes and possessyons wt
their Appurten’nces lying and beyng in the towne of Leycester and in
Cosyngton in the said countye of Leycester and in Nedh’m market in the
countye of Suff: To haue and to hold to the said Ellyn my wyffe and her
Assygnes for terme of her naturall lyffe And after her decease I
wyll that ass well the said messuages Landes tenementes and other the
premysses as also all my copyhold Landes and tenementes wt
thappurten’nces wch my said wyffe hathe and holdeth for terme
of her lyffe shall remayn to the foresaid John March my sonne in Lawe
and to the said Alyce his wyffe my dawghter And to the heires of
the same Alice for ever The Resydue of all my thyrde parte to me
reserued holye I geve and bequeath to Ellyn my wyffe to her owne proper
vse wch Elyn I constytute and make my Sole Executrix of this
my presant Testament and last wyll And I ordayn and make the
foresaid John March my sonne in Lawe my ouerseer of this my testament
and last wyll And I geve and bequeath to the same John March for
his labor and paynes therein to bee hadd and taken fyue markes ster’
ouer and besydes the Legacye to hym and his wyffe before assygned and
geven And also I geve and bequeath to the same John March and to
his sayd wyffe to eyther of them a blake gowne In wyttnes whereof
to this my presant testament and last wyll I the sayd Wyllyam Gressh’m
haue sett my seale the day and yere aboue wrytten per me Will’m Gressh’m
per me Johannem Merch per me Rich’um Merch per me Thomam Pyerson.
Proved at London 27 June 1548 by Elene the relict and Ex’trix.
Putney, Surrey, England
dated 6 July 1550 and proved 22 June
1553, held at The
National Archives PROB 11/36/194, transcribed in:
Genealogical
Memoranda Relating to the Family of Gresham pp87-8 (Granville
Leveson Gower, 1874)
WILL OF ELYN GRESHAM, 1550.
In the name of god Amen. The sixte daye of July in the yere of or
Lorde god a thousand fyve hundreth and fyftie And in the fourthe
yere of the Reigne of or soueraign lorde Edward the vith
by the grace of god kinge of England ffraunce and Ireland defendor of
the faith and of the Churche of Eugland and Ireland in earth the supreme
heade I Elyn Gresh’m of London widowe being hole of mynde and in
good and p’fytt remembrance, laude and prayse be given to Almightie god
do make ordeyn and dispose this my p’nte testament and last will in man’
and forme following, that is to saye ffirst and principally I giue
and comend my soule vnto Almightie god my maker Savior and
Redemer In whome and by the merites of whose most blessed death
passion and glorious Resurrection I trust and beleve to be saved
and to have full and clere remission and forgivenes of my synnes
And I woll my bodye be buryed in the churche of Seynt Pancrace in london
yf I fortune to decease within the Citie of London in the place where
the bodye of Willyam Gresham my late husbonde lyeth buried or nere vnto
the same. Item I bequeathe to my doughter Mydelton my gowne of Clothe
lyned with Damaske and purfellyd with tawney veluet And a ringe of
gold wth a safyer stone in yt. And I bequeathe to my
doughter Mershe my Ringe of gold set with a square Dyamond. Item I
bequeathe to Rouland Wilson my doughters sonne a Ringe of gold worth
fourtie shillinges. And as towching all and singuler suche goodes
Implementes and necessaris of householde which I shall haue remayning at
and abowte my house at Puttenhith at the tyme of my decease Except my
Appparell Juelles plate and ready money I will shalbe equally and
indifferently praised Immediatly after my decease or so shortly after as
conueniently may be don And according to the praysement therof I
will that my sonne John Mersshe shall forthwith vpon the reasonable
request of my doughter Midelton paye to my said doughter Midelton or to
her assignes thone half of the money which the same goodes Implementes
and household stuf shall amounte vnto by the said praiseme’t ffor that I
woll and by theis presentes I do giue and bequeathe to my said sone
Mershe and to my doughter his wief to their owne proper vse foreuer all
the same goodes and household stuf holie as they nowe and then shall
stand and remayne. Item I give and bequeathe to xij pore women to be
appoynted by my Executours to attend vpon my bodye to the buryall to
euery of them a gowne of mantell freys And as for any other gowne
or gownes to be given to my frendes I refarre the gifte and ordering
therof to my Executours. Also I bequeathe to the poore prisoners being
in the two Counters in london Newgate, Ludgate, the kinges benche and
Marshalsee in Southwerk foure poundes that is to saye to euery of the
saide prison houses xiijs iiijd to be bestowed in
breade and meate within one moneth next after my decease. Item I
bequeathe to my lady Askewe a blacke gowne And I bequeathe to
Thom’s Clerk of Puttenhith a blacke Cote and fourtie shillinges in
money. Also I bequeathe to Katheryn Cruxton half a garnyshe of my pewter
vessell and my best Cassoke of clothe garded with veluet Also I
bequeathe to Alice my s’ru’nte twentie shillinges in money and one of my
Red peticotes at the discretion of my Executours. Item I bequeathe to
Elyn Batyns my late s’u’nte fourtie shillinges in money and myn old
cassok of worsted furred Also I bequeathe to Symon Cruxton all my
leaden weightes wt beame and Skales. And I woll that there be
prouided and preached for me thre sermondes by some well lernyd man in
the sacred worde of god to be preached in the Churche of
Seynt Pancrace in london one at my buryall or the next daye after and
euery Sondaye folowing one of the said Sermondes vntill the same three
sermondes shalbe so preached oute. Also I bequeathe to the poore mans
boxe in the churche of Seynt Pancrace vjs viijd.
And I bequeth to be distributed emonges the poore people in Puttenhith
xiijs iiijd. The residue of all and singuler my
goodes cattelles plate Debtes Juelles household stuf and redy money (not
before willed nor bequeathed) after my debtes paide the costes of my
buryall don and this my last will and testament fulfilled hoolye I giue
and bequeathe to my two doughters Midelton and Mershe equallye betwene
them to be deuyded. And of thexecuc’on of this my present testament and
last will I ordeyne and make my saide doughters Midelton and Mershe my
Executours And ouerseers of the same my will to se yt truly
accomplished accordingly I ordeyne and make Thomas Pierson my frende of
London Scryvener and I bequeathe to hym for his labor in that behalf
fourtie shillinges. In witnes wherof to this my last will and testament
I the aboue named Elyn Gresham haue sett my seale the daye and yere
above wrytten Elyn Gresham Witnesses hereunto Thomas Pierson John
Lee and other.
Proved at London 22 June 1553 by Alice Middelton and Alice Mershe
the Ex’ixes.
- The Lives of the Professors of Gresham College
p12 (John Ward, 1740); Genealogy of the Family of Gresham p161
(Granville Leveson Gower, 1883)
- Genealogy of the Family of Gresham p161
(Granville Leveson Gower, 1883); William occupation from The Early History of the Guild of Merchant Taylors
p340 (Charles Mathew Clode, 1888) and will at The
National Archives PROB 11/19/177; William partnership to Richard
Gresham from letter
from King Henry VIII addressing the treasurer of the chamber
and Gresham's Law: The Life and World of Queen
Elizabeth I's Banker p35 (John Guy, 2019); William death
from Genealogy of the Family of Gresham p161
(Granville Leveson Gower, 1883); William will from The
National Archives PROB 11/19/177
- The Lives of the Professors of Gresham College
p12 (John Ward, 1740), Genealogy of the Family of Gresham p161
(Granville Leveson Gower, 1883) and will of Ellen (Bodley, Copeland)
Gresham in Genealogical Memoranda Relating to the Family of
Gresham pp87-8 (Granville Leveson Gower, 1874); William
parents from The Lives of the Professors of Gresham College
p12 (John Ward, 1740) and Genealogy of the Family of Gresham p7
(Granville Leveson Gower, 1883), citing the Heralds Visitation of London
made in the year 1568; William burial from will of Ellen (Bodley,
Copeland) Gresham in Genealogical Memoranda Relating to the Family of
Gresham pp87-8 (Granville Leveson Gower, 1874) and Genealogy of the Family of Gresham p161
(Granville Leveson Gower, 1883); William will from The
National Archives PROB 11/32/156, transcribed in Genealogical Memoranda Relating to the Family of
Gresham pp86-7 (Granville Leveson Gower, 1874)
- Genealogy of the Family of Gresham p161
(Granville Leveson Gower, 1883). Although in her will, Ellen requests to
be buried next to William Gresham in St Pancras church, London, "yf I
fortune to decease within the Citie of London", Gower clearly states
that she was buried in Putney.
- The
National Archives PROB 11/36/194; Genealogical Memoranda Relating to the Family of
Gresham pp87-8 (Granville Leveson Gower, 1874)
- Ellen Bodley
Ellis Bodley
Richard Bodley
Joan (Warde) Bodley
Ellis appears to have earned the
degree of Doctor of Laws. He is referred to as "Master Doctor Ellis Bodley"
in the will of his brother Thomas Bodley, dated on 12 May 1537 and a list
of rectors of St Stephen Walbrook name him as "Eliseus Bodley, L.D.,"
Priest
Ellis was vicar of Braintree, Essex, from 3 September 1527 until 31 March
1530 and rector of St
Stephen Walbrook, London, from 13 July 1534 until his death - his
successor taking office on 24 March 1547. He was also instituted vicar of
Beckenham, Kent from on 4 March 1532 (The Parish Church of Saint Mary, Lewisham, Kent p45
(Leland Lewis Duncan, 1892)).
Repertorium
Ecclesiasticum Parochiale Londinense vol 2 p89 (Richard
Newcourt, 1710)
Braintree, Vicarage.
...
Eliseus Bodley,
pr. 3. Sept. 1527. per mort. Montroffe
Joh. Broke, S.T.B. 31. Mar. 1530. per resig. Bodley.
Repertorium Ecclesiasticum Parochiale Londinense
vol 1 p540 (Richard Newcourt, 1708)
S. Stephen
Walbrook, Rectory.
...
Eliseus Bodley,
L.D. 13. Jul. 1534. per resig. Joh Archiep.
Tho. Bekon, cl. 24. Mar. 1547. per mort. Bodley
History of the ward of Walbrook in the city of London
p322 (J. G. White, 1904)
Rectors of S. Stephen, Walbrook
...
ELISHA
BODLEY, LL.D., 1534. Presented by the Grocers' Company,
who continued to present until 1719. Vicar of Braintree, Essex, 1527-30
; Vicar of Beckenham, Kent, 1535 ; died 1547.
Ellis is likely the Ellis Bodley who was one of the brethren at the English
Hospice in Rome. This institution, more formally known as the Hospital
of Saint Thomas of Canterbury was established in 1362, most likely as a
result of the increased number of English pilgrims to Rome for the Jubilee
of 1350, and is the oldest English institution outside of England. Ellis was
the temporary administrator of the hospice from 1517 until 1519, in the
absence of an appointed Master (The English Hospice in Rome p268 (John
Francis Allen, 2005)). During the Sack
of Rome in May 1527 troops of the Holy Roman Emperor broke into the
Hospice and carried away the greater part of its gold and silver ware, its
movable property and its extensive archive of papers and manuscripts. This
may have been the impetus for Ellis to return to England - he began his term
as vicar of Braintree, Essex, on 3 September 1527.
Memorials of the Savoy pp172-4 (William
John Loftie, 1878)
Halsey was still at Rome in 1516, when, on the 14th
October, we find Thomas Colman writing to Wolsey to announce his own
election to the mastership of the Hospital of St. Thomas of Canterbury,
otherwise known as the English College ...
In February 1517 Bishop de Giglis of Worcester, the English Ambassador
at Rome, wrote to Ammonius, the Latin secretary of Henry VIII., to
announce the death of Colman and to regret that there was no person fit
to succeed him, the bishop of Leighlin being an idle voluptuary and
Pennant a fool. He makes the same announcement to Wolsey, and asks for
his instructions. ...
I need hardly say Halsey was never made Master, and long afterwards the
office was still vacant, the affairs of the College being administered
by Ellis Bodley, one of the brethren.
Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, of the Reign
of Henry VIII. vol 3 issue 1 p291 (1867)
1520 26
Ma.y R.O. 840 SILVESTER
GIGLIS BISHOP OF WORCESTER
to WOLSEY.
Writes in behalf of the bearer, Sir John Borobrigh, priest,
chaplain of St Thomas's Hospital, whom he has before recommended to
Wolsey, and who is leaving Rome on account of the great poverty of the
hospital. Has often written about the hospital, but received no answer.
Hopes Wolsey will give Borobrigh an audience. Since Bussett's departure,
a young man named Ellis Bodley has had the administration of the house.
“I cannot sye but he has done full diligently;” still his accounts and
those of the hospital should be looked into. Borobrigh is bringing
Wolsey two bonnets of the same make “as the thoders were of:” which, he
reported to Worcester, “were most just and consonant to your noble
purpose.”
Rome, 26 May 1520. Signed.
P. 1. Add.
February/March 1547(8).
Ellis's will was dated on 2 September 1547 and proved on 17 April 1548. His
successor at St Stephen Walbrook took office on 24 March 1547(8) "on the
death of Eliseus Bodley".
The will of Elys Bodley, Parson of
Saint Stephen Walbrook, City of London, dated on 2 September 1547 and proved
on 17 April 1548, is held at the The
National Archives PROB 11/32/83. The will has been transcribed by L.L.
Duncan and posted
by the Kent Archeological Society.
2 Sept. 1547 (1
Edw VI and in earthe supreme headd of the churche of Englonde &
Irelonde). I Elys Bodley parson
of Saint Stephens in Walbrooke in London and also parson of Beckinhem
(Beckenham) in the Diocs. of Rochester in Kent. My soule to almyghte God
my Redemer and maker to ower Blyssedd ladye the Virgyn Saint Marye and
to all the Saints in heven and my boddye to be buryed within the
parryshe churche where it fortune me to decase. My bodye borne by 4
poore folkes them to have 8d apece for their labours. I will that seven
of the poreste householders of the parryshe of Saint Stevens and 7 other
of Saint Buttolphes nye Billingsgate eache to have 20 pence apece and to
other poore persons of Walbrooke warde and Saint Buttolfs warde 4d apece
to the some of 53/4. To 20 of the poreste howsholders of the parrishe of
Beckingham eche half a busshell wheate and a bushell Rie and also to 13
other of the poreste of them 13d apece in the honour of God ower lady
and the 12 appostles and to other poore people twoo pence a pece to the
some of 6s8d and to seven poore maydens nexte there to be maryed in the
parryshe of Beckinhan 20d apece in the honor of God and ower blyssidd
Lady. To the buyldynge of the olde woorke of Powlys 4s.
If any parte of my brothers
testament Mr Thomas Bodley be founde not fulfilled as I truste to God
shall not dewlie be provyd by anny boddye my extours to fulfill it in
annye wyse above all thinges. I will the plate concernynge Fraunces
Bodley my brother Williams son geven unto him by my saide Brother Vicar
Maister Thos Bodley which remayneth in my ladys Askewys kepinge be geven
to him in dewe tyme accordynge to my brothers testament and lykewyse the
porcons of all his Systers remaynynge in my handes that is not delivered
all redye to be delivered at there marryage daye or when they come to
thage of 18 yeres.
All such plate of myne remaynynge
in my syster Gresham handes to be devyded to the saide Fraunces and his
three systers Katheryne, Alice and Gryssell Bodleyes equallye savinge a
dozenne spones whiche I will and bequeth to my said Syster Gresham.
To Katheryne Bodleye my shorte
skarlet gowne, a saulte of silver and parcell gilte, half a dozenne
spones and a nutt of silver and gilte with a cover besides the porcon
aforenamed of the plate aforesaid. To Andrewe Hubbarde sometyme my
servunt a fetherbedd, a bolster, a mattress etc. a brass pott, a
cobbarde at Bekinghan, twoo candelstickes, a grydyron, a spytt and
frynge panne. To John Chambre my gowne furrid with black lambe whiche I
do were at Bekingham, my beste dublitt and my shorte Frocke. To every
godchilde at London and Beckingham that berithe my name 3/4.
I will my extours shall provyde to
geve to everye house of the Parrishe of Saint Stephens and Saint B. iij
spice kaks and iij bunes accordynge to theire discrecon and other of my
freends and kynnesfolks more largelier and plentifull to geve.
I will my waytinge servunt shall
have 10s besids his quarters wages. I will that every housholde servunt
servinge me at Beckingham to have 5/- besides theire quarters wages and
my woman servunte there fyve shillings in money and a nolde gowne that
liethe on her bedd. And the tawny to be delivered to John Hall of
Lewsham that leyed them to me to plegg longe agoo.
To my Ladye Askewe for a token to
praye for my soule a ringe of golde that I have Redye made and my beste
horsse, the best cowe that I have, a quarter of wheate and haulf a
quarter of Rie.
To my syster Gresham a ringe
whiche I do were customable and to my Brother her husbande a ringe of
golde of fortie shillynges. To my syster Bodlaye at Billingsgate a hoope
of golde whiche was my fathers and a horsse. To my cosyn Edmonde Askewe
and to Richard his brother eche a golde ringe of 20s. To ?Eme Edmude
Askewes doughter and my god doughter 20s. To Xtofer my godson Richarde
Askewes sonne 20s. To my Cosyn Dennys Lewsson in Lyme strete and to my
cosyn Butler by the Stocks to eche a golde ringe of 13/4. To Sr Henrye
Cockes my furred frocke and a pottill pott, a candelstick and a chaver
nexte the Dore in my parsonage at London. To Sr Richarde my shorte
gowne. To Wm Sherneforde a bedd furnyshed and 40s when he is owte of his
yeres.
I bequethe all the lande and
tenements I have at Stretham or anny where ells to my cosyn Fraunces
Bodleye and his heires. The Residue of all the goodes, stuff of
householde at London and Beckingham my debts and Funeralls paid I geve
to my brothers foure children aforesaide and I make my extours my cosyn
Lawnslott Haryson grocer to whome I geve for his paynes takyng ij kyen,
tenne shepe, a horsse, a bedd furnyshed and my blacke gowne lyned with
damaske and my lovynge syster Bettris Bodleye and I make my overseer my
cosyn John Marshe of Mylkestrete and I geve to him for his labor a
pursse of velvet with the Ringes of silver and gilte. And to my cosyn
his wyfe a ringe of golde of twentie shillinges.
In wytnes wherof I have
subscribed this my ? testament and laste will with myne owne hande and
sealed with my seale these beinge presente By me James Strotell by me
Harry Blower.
Probate coram duo Cantuarien
Achiepoapud London 17 April 1548 by Lancelot Harryson and Beatricis
Bodley exors.
This is a modern
spelling transcript of the will ©2015 Nina Green
T{estamentum} Elizei Bodley cl{er}ici
In the name of God, Amen. The second day of September in the year
of Our Lord God a thousand five hundred forty and seven and in the first
year of our Sovereign Lord Edward the Sixth by the grace of God King of
En[g]land, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, and in earth
Supreme Head of the Church of England and Ireland, I, Ellis Bodley,
parson of Saint Stephen’s in Walbrook in [-in] London, and also parson
of Beckenham in the diocese of Rochester in Kent, being in whole and
good mind, thanks be God, make and ordain this my present testament and
last will in manner and form following:
First, I bequeath my soul to Almighty God, my Redeemer and Maker,
to Our Blessed Lady the Virgin Saint Mary, and to all the saints in
heaven, and my body to be buried within the parish church where it
fortune me to decease, my body borne by 4 poor folks, the[y] to have 8d
apiece for their labours;
Item, I will that seven of the poorest householders of the parish
of Saint Stephen’s and seven other of the poorest householders of Saint
Botolph’s parish nigh Billingsgate, each of them to have twenty pence
apiece, and to other poor persons of Walbrook ward and Saint Botolph’s
ward by Billingsgate 4d apiece to the sum of 53s 4d;
Item, I give and bequeath to 20 of the poorest householders of
the parish of Beckenham, to each of them half a bushel wheat and a
bushel rye, and also to 13 other of the poorest of them thirteen pence
apiece in the honour of God, Our Lady and the 12 Apostles, and to other
poor people two pence apiece to the sum of six shillings eight pence;
And to seven poor maidens next there to be married in the said
parish of Beckenham twenty pence apiece in the honour of God and Our
Blessed Lady;
Item, I will and bequeath to the building of the old work of
Paul’s four shillings;
Item, I will that if any part of my brother’s testament, Mr
Thomas Bodley, be found not fulfilled, as I trust to God shall not duly
be proved by anybody, my executors to fulfil it in any wise above all
things;
Item, I will the plate concerning Francis Bodley, my brother
William’s son, given unto him by my said brother vicar, Master Thomas
Bodley, which remaineth in my Lady Askew’s keeping, be given to him in
due time according to my brother’s testament;
And likewise the portions of all his sisters remaining in my
hands that is not delivered already, to be delivered at their marriage
day or when they come to th’ age of eighteen years;
Item, I will all such plate of mine remaining in my sister
Gresham’s hands to be divided to the said Francis and his 3 sisters,
Katherine, Alice and Grissell Bodley, equally to be divided amongst
them, saving a dozen of spoons which I will and bequeath to my said
sister Gresham;
Also I will and bequeath to Katherine Bodley my short scarlet
gown, a salt of silver and parcel gilt, half a dozen spoons, and a nut
of silver and gilt with a cover, besides the portion aforenamed of the
plate aforesaid;
Item, I bequeath to Andrew Hubbard, sometime my servant, a
featherbed, a bolster, a mattress, a covering, a pair of sheets, a pair
of blankets, a brass pot, a cupboard at Beckenham, two candlesticks, a
gridiron, a spit and a frying pan;
Item, I bequeath to John Chamber my gown furred with black lamb
which I do wear at Beckenham, my best doublet,and my short frock;
Item, I bequeath to every godchild at London and at Beckenham
that beareth my name, to each of them three shillings four pence;
Item, I will that my executors shall provide to give to every
house of the parish of Saint Stephen’s and Saint Botolph’s at
Billingsgate 3 spice-cakesand 3 buns according to their discretion, and
other of my friends and kinfolks more largelier and plentiful to give;
Item, I will that my waiting servantshall have ten(?) shillings
besides his quarter’s wages;
Item, I will that every household servant serving me at
Beckenhamto have every one of them five shillings besides their
quarter’s wages;
And my woman servant there five shillings in money and an old
gown that lieth on her bed, and the tawny to be delivered to John Hall
of Lewisham that laid them to me to pledge long ago;
Item, I give and bequeath to my Lady Askew for a token to pray
for my soul a ring of gold that I have ready made, and my best horse,
the best cow that I have, a quarter of wheat, and half a quarter of rye;
Item, I give and bequeath to my sister Gresham a ring which I do
wear customable, and to my brother, her husband, a ring of gold of forty
shillings;
Item, I give and bequeath to my sister Bodley at Billingsgate a
hoop of gold which was my father’s, and a horse;
Item, I give and bequeath to my cousin, Edmund Askew, and to
Richard, his brother, and to each of them a gold ring of 20s apiece;
Item, I bequeath to Emme, Edmund Askew’s daughter, and my
god-daughter, twenty shillings;
Item, I bequeath to Christopher my godson, Richard Askew’s son,
twenty shillings;
Item, I bequeath to my cousin, Dionyse Leveson in Lime Street,
and to my cousin Butler by the stocks and to each of them a gold ring of
13s 4d apiece;
Item, I bequeath to Sir Henry Cockes my furred frock and a pottle
pot, a candlestick, and a chair next the door in my parsonage at London;
Item, I bequeath to Sir Richard my short gown;
Item, I bequeath to William Sherneforde a bed furnished and forty
shillings in money when he is out of his years;
Item, I will and bequeath all the land and tenements that I have
at Streatham or anywhere else to my cousin, Francis Bodley, and his
heirs;
The residue of all my goods, stuff of household at London and
Beckenham, chattels, debts, movable and unmovable unbequeathed, my debts
and funerals paid, I give and bequeath to my brother’s four children
aforesaid;
And I ordain and make my executors of this my present testament
and last will my cousin, Lancelot Haryson, grocer, to whom I give for
his painstaking 2 kine, ten sheep, a horse, a bed furnished, and my
black gown lined with damask, and my loving sister, Beatrice Bodley;
And I make my overseer of this my present testament and last will
my cousin, John Marshe of Milk Street, and I give to him for his labour
a purse of velvet with the rings of silver and gilt, and to my cousin,
his wife, a ring of gold of twenty shillings;
In witness whereof I have subscribed this my present testament
and last will with mine own hand and sealed with my seal, these being
present. By me, James Stretell. By me, Harry Blower.
Probatum fuit suprascriptum testamentum Coram D{omi}no
Cantuarien{sis} Archie{pisco}po apud London xvijo Die mensis Aprilis
Anno d{omi}ni Mill{es}imo quingentesimo xlviijo iuramento Lanceloti
Haryson et Beatricis Bodleye ex{ecutorum} In h{uius}mo{d}i testamento
nominatorum Ac approbatum et insinuatum Comissaq{ue} fuit administracio
o{mn}i{u}m et sing{u}lorum bonoru{m} Iurium et creditorum D{i}c{tu}m
defunctum et eius testamentum qualitercunq{ue} concernen{tium} prefatis
executoribus de Bene et fideliter administrand{o} eadem Ac de pleno et
fideli Inuentario exhibend{o} Ad sancta dei Eu{a}ng{e}lia Iurat{is}
[=The above-written testament was proved before the Lord Archbishop of
Canterbury at London on the 17th day of the month of April in
the year of the Lord the thousand five hundred 48th by the
oath of Lancelot Harrison and Beatrice Bodley, executors named in the
same testament, and probated and entered, and administration was granted
of all and singular the goods rights and credits concerning the said
deceased and his testament whatsoever to the forenamed executors, sworn
on the Holy Gospels to well and faithfully administer the same, and to
exhibit a full and faithful inventory.]
Emma (Bodley, Pratt) Askew
Richard Bodley
Joan (Warde) Bodley
_____ Pratt
- Nicholas Pratt ( ? - 1539)
Christopher Askew
Christopher was the son of John Askew, of Edmonton, Middlesex. He was a
draper and an alderman of London. Christopher was also sheriff of London in
1525 and Lord Mayor of London in 1533. He was knighted on January 18, 1534.
Christopher was buried in the church of St
John the Evangelist Friday Street, London. His will, dated 25 February
1534/5, was proved on 29 August 1539.
A Briefe Chronicle, of the Successe of Times, from the
Creation of the World, to this Instant p600 (Anthony Munday,
1611)
1533 Sir
Christopher Askew, Draper, son to Iohn Askew of Edmonton in Middlesex;
Lord Maior; one yeare.
The aldermen of the city of London temp. Henry
III.-1908 vol 2 p25 (Alfred Beaven Beaven, 1913)
CHRONOLOGICAL
LIST OF ALDERMEN.
1524, Aug. 5 CHRISTOPHER ASCUE,
. . Tower, 1524-34, S. 1525-6, . . vice Aylmer
(and sworn) Draper
Cheap, 1534-9 M. 1533-4
Knighted January 18, 1534; Auditor 1533-5; Master Drapers 1524-5,
1530-1, 1534-5. Died c August,
1539; Will [P.C.C. 30 Dyngeley] February 25, 1535; proved August 29,
1539.
Encyclopaedia
Heraldica vol 2 p34 (William Berry, 1828)
Askew,
[Lord Mayor of London, 1533,] gu. on a fesse ar. betw. three asses’
heads couped or, as many mullets az.
The
Religious Allegiance of London's Ruling Elite 1520-1603 p242
(David Hickman, 1995)
The duty
to invest in the propagation of true religion by supporting the training
of preaching clergy had been present throughout the early sixteenth
century; Sir Christopher Ascue in 1534 had left funds to support two
poor scholars at Oxford and Cambridge 'famous graduate men, used to
preach, and preach according to mother Church'.
Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII,
vol 16 p359 (1898)
32 HENRY VIII. [1541]
Payments by Decrees.
...
15 Dec., Emma Ascue, widow, and other
executors of Sir Chr. Ascue, 80l.,
decreed 10 June, debt of St Albans.
Emma is mentioned in the will of her father, Richard, dated 27 October 1491,
held at The
National Archives PROB 11/9/28; modern
spelling transcript ©2015 Nina Green
Item, I
bequeath to Emme, my daughter, my primer
Emma gave money towards the provision of conduits for the River Thames in
1543, and in her will she established a foundation to support almhouses for
widows of the Drapers Company, in London.
A
Survey of London p14 (John Stow, 1633)
The River of
Thames.
The Lady Ascue,
widdow to Sir Christopher Ascue,
1543. gave towards the Conduits, 100.l’.
p318
Creplegate
Ward.
On the North side of this Beech
lane towards White-crosse
street, the Drapers of London
have lately builded 8, Almes-houses of bricke and timber, for eight
poore Widdowes of their owne Company, whom they have placed there
rent-free according to the gift of the Lady Askew,
Widdow to Sir Christopher Askew,
sometime Draper and Maior 1533.
proved 13 September 1554, held at The
National Archives PROB 11/37/124, names Emma as "Dame Emma Askewe,
Widow of Saint John the Evangelist, City of London"
- the will of her
father, Richard, dated 27 October 1491, held at The
National Archives PROB 11/9/28; modern spelling transcript at www.oxford-shakespeare.com/Probate/PROB_11-9-8.pdf
- Wikipedia entry
for Thomas
Lodge (Lord Mayor of London), Medieval London Widows, 1300-1500 pp210
(Caroline Barron, Anne F. Sutton, 1994); Child William from Wikipedia
entry for Thomas
Lodge (Lord Mayor of London) and William death from will of
William Pratt held at The
National Archives PROB 11/27/485
- Medieval London Widows, 1300-1500 pp210
(Caroline Barron, Anne F. Sutton, 1994); Christopher father from A Briefe Chronicle, of the Successe of Times, from
the Creation of the World, to this Instant p600 (Anthony
Munday, 1611); Christopher occupation
from Londinium Redivivum vol 2 p14 (James
Peller Malcolm, 1803) and The aldermen of the city of London temp. Henry
III.-1908 vol 2 p25 (Alfred Beaven Beaven, 1913);
Christopher burial from A Survey of London p395 (John Stow,
1633); Christopher will from The
National Archives PROB 11/27/529 and The aldermen of the city of London temp. Henry
III.-1908 vol 2 p25 (Alfred Beaven Beaven, 1913)
- The
National Archives PROB 11/37/124
- Emma Bodley
Isabelle (Bodley) Butler
Richard Bodley
Joan (Warde) Bodley
William Butler
Isabelle/Elizabeth was the first wife of William Butler, a grocer, who was
later knighted and elected mayor of London in 1515. He was the son of
Richard Butler of Bydenham, Bedfordshire, and Grace Kyrton.
A Briefe Chronicle, of the Successe of Times, from the
Creation of the World, to this Instant p598 (Anthony Munday,
1611)
1515 Sir
William Butler, Grocer, son to Richard Butler, of Bindenham in
Bedfordshire, Lorde Maior one yeare.
Some Account of the Citizens of London & Their
Rulers, from 1060-1867 p123 (Benjamin Brogden Orridge, 1867)
1515. SIR WILLIAM BUTLER,
(alias Boteler,) Grocer, by virtue of his prerogative migrated from
_____ Ward to Cheap. Sheriff, 1507. Mayor, 1515. Son of Richard Butler,
of Biddenham, Bedfordshire. Buried in the Mercers’ Chapel. A benefactor
to the Grocers’ Company.
William was married three times - secondly to another Elizabeth, the widow
of John Saunders, and thirdly to Agnes (Bradman) Basford. His will,
dated 27 November 1528 and proved 11 February 1533/4, is held at The
National Archives PROB 11/22/672. It has been transcribed in modern
English at:
Wynch,
Lyon, Coghill and others - A random walk through family history
(1533 Sir William Butler) COLLECTED
TRANSCRIBED WILLS
1533 Sir William Butler
In the name of
God Amen, the 27th day of the month of November the year of
our Lord God (1528) thousand five hundred 28th and the 20th year of the
reign of King Henry the eighth, I William
BUTLER, Knight, Citizen and Alderman of London being off whole
mind and in good and perfect remembrance, laud and praising be to God,
make and ordain this my present testament and last will in manner and
form ensuing, that is to say: First and principally, I bequeath and
recommend my soul unto Almighty God my creator and redeemer to his
glorious mother our Lady Saint Mary and to all the holy Company of
heaven, and my body to be buried within the collegiate church of Saint
Thomas Avon where Elizabeth my late
wife lies buried. ITEM; I bequeath unto the high altar of
the parish church of Saint Mildred in the Poultry of London where I am
parishioner for my tithes and offerings forgotten or negligently
withheld, if any such be, in discharge of my soul 20 shillings.
ITEM; I bequeath to like intent unto the high altar of Our Lady of Bow
in London where sometime I was a parishioner 20 shillings. ITEM; I
bequeath unto the high altar of Our Lady of Colechurch in London where I
was late a parishioner to like intent 20 shillings. ITEM; I will
that first and principally above all things as speedily and as
conveniently my be done all and singular my debts which I owe of right
or conscience be fully satisfied contented and paid. ITEM; I
bequeath towards the support and maintenance of the place of Greyfriars
in London 20 shillings. I bequeath to the warden and covent of the
same place, to pray for my soul as a brother of their chapter house 20
shillings. ITEM; I bequeath to every of the houses of the black
friars wheresoever and Augustine friars of London to pray for my soul 20
shillings. ITEM; I bequeath to either of the 2 houses of
observance of Greenwich and Richmond to pray for my soul 20 shillings,
Sum 40 pounds. ITEM; I bequeath toward the relief and comfort of
the poor prisoners of Newgate 30 shillings to be bestowed in bread and
other victuals by the discretion of my executors. ITEM; I bequeath
unto the prisoners of the prisons of Ludgate and the Fleet, that is to
say, to either of the said prisons 13 shillings 4 pence, Sum 26
shillings and 8 pence, to be delivered amongst them in like manner and
form as is above rehearsed. ITEM; I bequeath unto the poor
prisoners of the Kings Bench and Marshalsea, that is to say, to
the prisoners of either of the same 2 houses 30 shillings, Sum 60
shillings, to be distributed amongst them in like manner. ITEM; I
bequeath unto the poor sick people being within the place of Our Lady of
Bethlehem of London to be bestowed amongst them in likewise 20
shillings. ITEM; I bequeath to every of the 6 (lasen houses)
ensuing, that is to say, the house beyond Mile End, the (lake) beyond
Southwark, Kingsbridge, Saint Giles, the house at Highgate and the house
of Kingsland 20 shillings, Sum 6 pounds, to and amongst the poor people
of the said 6 houses by the discretion of my executors at sundry times
to be distributed. ITEM; I bequeath to the altar of Allhallows in
the Wall of London to pray for my soul 10 shillings. ITEM; I
bequeath to the (anresse) without Bishopsgate 6 shillings and 4
pence. ITEM; I will that my executors shall provide and
ordain as much linen cloth as shall amount to the sum of 60
shillings and the same shall do to be made into sheets and shirts
and other necessaries for the relief and comfort of the poor people at
Saint Bartholemews Spital. ITEM; I bequeath for three trentals to
be sung for my soul in three several churches immediately after my
decease, that is to say, Saint Thomas at Avon, Our Lady of Colechurch
and Saint Mildred in the Poultry 33 shillings. ITEM; I will that my
executors will within a month next after my decease distribute to and
amongst poor households and dwellers within my ward of Chepe by their
discretions in ready money (5 pounds). ITEM; I bequeath to the
marriages of 20 poor maidens of London 20 pounds, that is to say, to
every of them 20 shillings of the which maidens I will that 6 shall be
of them that dwell in the said ward in Chepe and the 14 maidens residue
I will shall be of such parishes and wards in London as shall seem best
to my executors by their good discretions. ITEM; I bequeath to the
said parish church of Saint Mildred in the Poultry two candlelight’s of
silver part gilt (weight) together [24 16 ounces] there to [serve]
to honour of God and Blessed Lady and Saint Mildred. ITEM; I will
that one of the brothers being a pupil of Saint Thomas of Avon shall
daily and weekly say mass for my soul, the
souls of Joan, Elizabeth and Elizabeth late my wives, the souls of my
father and mother and all Christian souls at the altar in the
new chapel by my tomb in Master Shaw’s Chapel or at Saint Thomas altar,
at or nigh the hour of 8 of the clock, and so to continue by the space
of three whole years, and the said priest to say before the first
[lavatory] in every of his said masses for the souls aforesaid ‘de
profundis etc…’ with the collect [upenstowed] and this mass to be kept
by a whole week by one of the said brethren, and so to continue one
brother after another weekly unto the full accomplishment of the said
three years, and I bequeath to the same brother for every week 20
pence. ITEM; I will that my executors weekly every Sunday by the
space of 3 years (xxx) and immediately ensuing after my decease deal and
distribute unto 6 poor honest persons 7 pence in money whereof the first
year I will shall be distributed and dealt in the said parish of Saint
Mildred, the second year in the parish of Bydenham in the County of
Bedford, and the third and last year in the foresaid parish of
Colechurch, Sum 4 pounds 11 shillings. ITEM; I will that yearly
during the space of 7 years next after my decease my executors shall
distribute and deal to and amongst the poor dwellers within the ward of
Chepe and especially in the parish of Saint Mildred 6 loads of coals
accounting 20 3 quarters to the load whereof 3 loads I will shall be
dealt yearly against the Feast of Allhallows, and the other 3 loads
yearly against the Feast of Christmas. Sum by estimation 20
pounds. ITEM; I will that one of the monks of the Abbey of Warden
before abovesaid shall daily and weekly say mass for my soul and other
the souls aforesaid at the altar in the said Abbey nigh unto the burying
place of my father and mother by the space of two years complete next
after my decease, and I will that the same priest afore the first
lavatory at entry of the said masses shall say the psalm of de profundis
etc with the collect accustomed for my soul and other the souls
aforesaid, and I bequeath to the said monk so doing for his wages and
salary every week to be paid every Saturday upon the altar 20 pence,
also I will that one of the novices of the said place weekly by course
shall help and sire the said pupil at mass during the said 2 years, and
I bequeath to the said novice for his Labour weekly 4 pence, Sum 10
pounds 8 shillings. ITEM; I bequeath to the Abbot of the same
monastery for (the) good and toward mind to be had in that behalf 13
shillings and 4 pence which Abbot I desire to assign and command a monk
of the same place to pay weekly as well to the said monk so saying mass
his 20 pence as also to the said novice his 4 pence in manner and form
abovesaid, and I charge and command my executors that within half a year
next after my decease they deliver unto the said Abbot money for the
same intent taking of him sufficient (bond) by writing (sealed) for the
sure performance of the said masses. ITEM; I bequeath to the house
of the grey friars of Bedford to pray for my soul and to sing a solemn
dirige and mass of requiem for my soul and other the souls aforesaid and
for all Christian souls 20 shillings. ITEM; I will that my
executors within a year after my decease distribute and deal to and
amongst the poor dwellers within the aforesaid parish of Bydenham
specially to such persons as have most charge of children and most need
by their discretions with the advice of such discrete persons of the
same parish as my said executors shall call unto them 6 pounds 13
shillings and 4 pence. ITEM; I bequeath to the chapel at the
(Bridge) of Bydenham an ornament that shall be thought most expedient
for the same chapel to the value of (xxx). ITEM; I bequeath unto
the ornamentation of the chapel and altar where my chantry past shall
sing within the same parish church of Bydenham as shall be thought best
and most expedient by the discretion of my executors 6 pounds 13
shillings and 4 pence. ITEM; I bequeath toward the repairing and
support of Bydenham Bridge 10 pounds. And I will that my executors
(call) unto them good counsel with the advice of 6 of the most
substantial men of that town to see and ordain that the said 10 pounds
be bestowed in the best manner for the maintaining of the long
bridge, and this to be done within the space of 4 years next after
my decease. ITEM; I bequeath to every of my servants as well
mankind as womankind being in service with me at the time of my decease
40 shillings without fraud or covenant. ITEM; I will that my
(hearse xxx and other lxxx) and the manner of my burial be ordered after
the manner fashion and proportion of the hearse (xxx) and (xxx) of Sir
James Yarforde Knight and Alderman late deceased. The residue of
the order manner and charges of my funerals and burial I remit and refer
to the good discretions of my executors and overseers, and (they)
therein do I hold and approve all for my full will in that behalf (xxx)
I will that my dinner shall be kept at (Grocers) Hall. ITEM; I
will that my executors keep an obite for my soul and other the souls
aforesaid yearly upon the day that it shall happen me to die if that day
be thought convenient or within 8 days before or after the same day
yearly during the term of 7 years within the said parish church of Saint
Mildred a placebo and dirige (overnight) and mass of requiem on the
morrow following (xxx) by rite, and which the warden and other of the
(xxx) of the grocers be yearly desired to come to the same, and I will
that every of the said obits my executors shall pay and deliver to
the wardens of the said company 20 shillings to the intent that they
shall provide some convenient drinking for the said company at Grocers
Hall by the good discretions of the said wardens, Sum in 7 years 7
pounds, and I will that my executors shall deliver yearly at the said
obit to priests and clerks being at my said obite was burning at my
hearse and for convenient repast to be ordered against the (xxx) mass be
done for my kinfolks and
friends calling to them some of Colechurch parish and for alms to be
given to poor folks of the parish of Saint Mildred at the said obit by
the discretion of my said executors (53 shillings and 4 pence), Sum in 7
years 18 pounds 8 shillings and 4 pence. ITEM; I bequeath to Nicholas LEVESON and my cousin his wife
either of them a black gown, praying them to be good (comisiters) and
(lovers) to my executors and children. ITEM; I bequeath to Johan the late wife of my brother Edward
BUTLER a black gown to pray for my soul. ITEM; I bequeath
to Elizabeth her daughter (18
pounds) to her to be delivered at her marriage or lawful age.
ITEM; I bequeath to every of the other
two daughters of the said Johane, that is to say Helen and Alice,
(10 pounds) unto them to be delivered in like manner, and I will that if
any of the same 3 daughters decease before her marriage or lawful age I
will that then the survivor or survivors of them shall have the said
bequest and part of her so decreasing. ITEM; I will that all my
wool now being in Calais or at my decease shall happen there to be shall
be kept to the most increase and advantage that can be and to be
sold as the rents grow and for such part and portion of my said wool as
may be reasonably (tarried) and no hindrance or breach of this my
testament and last will I will shall be tarried and respited unto the
time that the same wool be grown to their full value and profits.
ITEM; I bequeath to John Clerk, Draper, and to his wife either of them a
black gown and 5 marks between them both. ITEM; I will that all my
debts to me of right belonging be called in as speedy time as may be
after my decease, and all such debtors as in conscience my executors
shall think not able to pay their debts at one time I will that they by
the discretions of my executors shall have days limited unto them for
payment so that they find sufficient sureties to perform their
payments at the days to them appointed. ITEM; I bequeath to Dame Agnes my wife for her
reasonable part and full portion to her belonging of all my goods
chattels and debts after the custom of the City of London one thousand
six hundred three score and six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence
sterling, also I will that the same Dame
Agnes shall have and hold to her for term of her life the place
with the appurtenances wherein I now dwell and truly pay the yearly rent
due and going out of and for the same, and also keep and sustain the
same in and by all things in good and competent reparations and I will
that it shall be lawful to my executors to have the lawful occupation of
all the said place with the appurtenances for the stowage of my goods
and chattels within the same and for the safeguard of the same by the
space of 4 months next after my decease my said wife nevertheless to
have her necessary and convenient dwelling in the same by all the same
time, and I will that my executors once every quarter of the year during
the time and years that she shall so hold the said place with the
appurtenances shall lawfully enter into the same in good and peaceable
manner and every house of the same to survey and oversee, and of such
defaults of reparation needful and necessary to be amended as they then
and there shall happen to find to give knowledge and warning to the said
Dame Agnes that the same
defaults within a quarter of a year then next ensuing be amended, and if
the said Dame Agnes within a
quarter of a year after such said warning to her so given do not amend
the said faults or if the payment of the yearly rents of the said place
within 28 days after it be lawfully asked or if she fortune to marry and
take another husband or if she hold her not content with the said
bequest of 3,666 pounds thirteen shillings and four pence and refuse to
take the same for her said reasonable portion and will stand to her
adventure in that behalf and claim her portion by the same custom I will
that then as well my said bequest to her made of the said 3,666 pounds
13s 4d as also my said gift grant and legacy to her before made of the
said place with the appurtenances shall be utterly void and of none
effect, and that then, that is to say, in any of the said my (cases) and
also after the decease of the said Dame
Agnes if she enjoy my said place with the appurtenances during
her life according to the effect of my said bequest and legacy thereof
to her afore made I will then and bequeath my said place with the
appurtenances and all the estate and term of years which I shall have
then to come of and in the said place with the appurtenances unto William BUTLER my son to have and to
hold to the same William my son
and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten unto the full end and
plain accomplishment of the said term of years which I shall have to
come of and in the same, and if it happen the said William
Butler my son without heir of his body lawfully begotten to
decease or such his heirs to decease before the said term of years which
I now have to come of and in the said place with the appurtenances be
fully expired and ended I will and bequeath then the said place with the
appurtenances and all the term of years which I shall have then to come
of and in the same unto [blank]. ITEM; I bequeath to William
Brothers a black gown and a gold ring in value of 40 shillings.
ITEM; to his wife a black gown. ITEM; I will that my executors
yearly during the space of 5 years to begin within the years next after
my decease buy or cause to be bought 100 (ells) of good Normandy canvas
after 40 shillings the 100 and the same to doo make in shirts and
(smocks) and the same so made to distribute and give unto poor honest
dwellers as well within my said ward of Chepe as within the said town of
Bydenham or in some other places after the discretion of my said
executors at two terms of the year that is to say at the feasts of
Christmas and Easter yearly during the said term of 5 years complete,
Sum 10 pounds. ITEM; I will that my executors shall distribute and
dispose unto the prisons of Newgate, the Marshalsea and the King’s Bench
by the space of 2 years after my decease certain alms in the form
following, that is to say, in every of the said 2 years at the feast of
All Hallows Christmas Easter and the Ascension of Our Lord or two days
before every of the said feasts to every prison a side of an ox to be
cut in pieces and every poor person being prisoner within any of the
said prisons to have piece of beef and a penny in wheaten bread, Sum in
flesh by estimation 8 pounds, Sum in bread by estimation 8 pounds.
ITEM; I will that my executors distribute and dispose to and amongst the
sick persons at Our Lady of Bethlehem by the space of 2 years next after
my decease either year at every of the said 4 feasts a quarter of beef
to be soaked in (xxx) and sodden and delivered to every of the said sick
persons a piece of beef and a penny in wheaten bread, Sum in beef 26
shillings and 8 pence, Sum in bread by estimation 14 shillings, and I
will that my executors shall cause a good honest parson to see the said
alms truly to be divided and (dealt) in manner aforesaid, and the same
man to have for his Labour going to the said prisoners about the
premises at every home for visiting Newgate 6 pence, for the Marshalsea
8 pence, for the King’s Bench 8 pence, and for Bethlehem 4 pence, Sum 12
shillings. ITEM; I will there be given to the house of the
(minors) of Minories without Aldgate of London yearly during the space
of 5 years next after my decease after the feast of Purification of Our
Lady towards the refreshing of the convent there a bottle of good white
(herynge) and 2 (rades) of good red (heringe), Sum by estimation 5
pounds. ITEM; I bequeath in like manner to the poor house of
crossed friars in London like (herynge) for like 5 years, Sum by
estimation 5 pounds. ITEM; I will that every parson preaching at
Poole’s Cross every Sunday which sermon is Good Friday, Monday,
Christmas, Ash Wednesday at Saint Mary spital in Easter Week shall have
at every time 4 pence during the term of 7 years next after my decease
to pray for my soul my wives souls and the souls of my father and mother
and all Christian souls, Sum by estimation 6 pounds. ITEM; I will
that immediately after my decease there be delivered by my executors
unto every Alderman of the City of London 20 shillings and that it may
please to assign in their several wards an honest parson to distribute
and dispose the same money to and amongst the poor householders within
their several wards and this to be done instead of alms used to be
giving to common beggars, Sum 24 pounds. ITEM; I will that my
executors quarterly deliver and pay unto John
BUTLER my son 5 marks in money towards his living which is
after the rate of 20 marks by year and so continue every quarter of the
year during his natural life, that is to say, at the feasts of the
Nativity of our Lord, the Annunciation of our Lady, the Nativity of
Saint John the Baptist, and Saint Michael the Archangel, the first
quarter of payment thereof to begin at the first of the said 4 feasts
that shall next follow after my decease. ITEM; I bequeath to
Andrew Francis a ring or 40 shillings and a black gown. ITEM; I
will that all such hangings as be now hanged about my said House and
place which I dwell in and all such bedsteads, standards, chests,
presses, portals and all other necessaries there fastened and also all
manner glass windows and lattices thereunto belonging shall in no wise
be removed nor taken away but (xxx) to remain and abide still within the
said house (with) implements and (keystones) pertaining and belonging to
the same house, and I will that if my executors misuse and discord
themselves contrary to this my present testament and true meaning of the
same in any part thereof that then my overseers hereafter named from
thenceforth to join with my my said executors and with them to minister
duly and truly as though I had named them executors in deed in
performance of the my testament. ITEM; I bequeath to Margaret
my brother Richard’s daughter 10 marks to her to be delivered
within 2 years after my decease. The residue of all and singular
my goods debts and chattels merchandises ready money plate and jewels
whatsoever they be after my debts paid my funeral charges borne and paid
and this my present testament fulfilled I will shall be divided into 4
equal parts whereof two equal parts I bequeath unto my
fore said son William Butler to his own proper use, and one
whole part of the said 4 parts I give and bequeath unto my
son in law John FAYRY and Mary my daughter his wife, and
another and last whole part of the said 4 parts I will shall be
distributed dealt and disposed by my said executors by the oversight and
counsel of my overseers in charitable deeds and works of pity and
charity for the health and comfort of my soul as shall be thought best
by their good discretions, and of this my present testament and last
will I make and ordain the said William
Butler my son and my said son in law John Fayrey my executors,
and their overseers of the same I make and ordain my trusty friends Nicholas Leveson and Nicholas
Rutland and I bequeath to either of them for his labour and sustenance
and good counsel herein to be had 6 pounds 13 shillings and 4 pence, Sum
13 pounds 6 shillings and 8 pence. These being witnesses: Sir John
Brugge Knight and Alderman of London, Giles Brugge, and Nicholas Rutland
before named, written the day and year first above specified.
This is the last will of me William
Buttler Knight Citizen and Alderman of the City of London made
the 26th day of November in the year of our Lord 1528 and in
the 20th year of the reign of King Henry VIII as touching and
concerning all my lands and tenements rents reversions and (fines) as
hereafter follow, that is to say, first I will that William
Buttler my son have all those my messuages lands and tenements
rents reversions and fines meadows seedings and pastures woods
underwoods with all and singular their appurtenances set lying and being
(casurell) in the town parish and fields of Bydenham in the County of
Bedford as also within the fields of the town of Bedford in the County
of Bedford or elsewhere within the County of Bedford, to have and to
hold all the said messuages lands and tenements rents reversions and
fines meadows seedings and pastures woods underwoods with all and
singular their appurtenances to the same William
Buttler my son and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten
and their heirs forever, and if the same William
Buttler my son decease without heirs of his body lawfully
begotten then I will that all those my said messuages lands and
tenements rents reversions and fines meadows seedings and pastures with
all and singular their appurtenances shall remain wholly to John
Farry my son in law and Mary my daughter his wife to have and
to hold all the same messuages lands and tenements and all other the
premises with their appurtenances to the same John
Fayre and Mary and to the heirs of their two bodies lawfully
begotten and to their heirs forever, and also I will that the said William Butler my son have as well
that my messuage or tenement with the appurtenances set lying and being
in (Paternoster) Row wherein Thomas Croppe now dwells in the parish of
Saint (Michael the Great) near West Chepe of London, and also all that
my alley called (Lege) Alley in the parish of Saint Katherine the Little
in London to have and to hold all that my said messuage or tenement with
the appurtenances set lying and being in Paternoster Row as is aforesaid
and also all that my said alley called Legge Alley with all and singular
lands and tenements rents and fines and their appurtenances to the
foresaid William Buttler my son
and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten and to their heirs for
evermore, and if the said William
Buttler my son decease without heirs of his body lawfully
begotten then I will that all my said messuage or tenement in
Paternoster Row with the appurtenances and all that my said alley with
all and singular lands and tenements rents reversions and fines with
their appurtenances in the said parish of Saint Kathryn shall remain to
the foresaid John Fayre my son in law
and Mary my daughter his wife to have and to hold all the same
messuage or tenement in Paternoster Row with the appurtenances and all
that my said alley with all and singular lands and tenements rents
reversions and fines with their appurtenances in the said parish of
Saint Kathryn to the same John Fayre
and Mary his wife and to the heirs of their two bodies lawfully
begotten and to their heirs forevermore. In witness whereof to this my
present last will I have put my seal the day and year above written –
(Latin) William Wyatt notary public, Henry Cocks curate of Saint Mildred
in Poultry London, Edward Lightfoot (xxx) George Gold
Proved 20th February 1533
These children are known to be children of William Butler, named in his
will, although it is not clear which of William's three wives is their
mother.
Children:
- William Butler
- Mary Butler
Isabelle is referred to as "Elizabeth" in her husband's will. Isabelle and
Elizabeth are variants of the same name, and Isabelle is used in her
father's will, and so preferred as her birth name.
Isabelle and her husband are mentioned in the will of her father, Richard,
dated 27 October 1491, held at The
National Archives PROB 11/9/28; modern
spelling transcript ©2015 Nina Green
Item, I
bequeath to William Boteler[=Butler], husband of Isabelle, my daughter,
my third best gown and best doublet;
...
Item, I bequeath to Isabelle, my daughter, my finest psalter;
- the will of her
father, Richard, dated 27 October 1491, held at The
National Archives PROB 11/9/28; modern spelling transcript at www.oxford-shakespeare.com/Probate/PROB_11-9-8.pdf
- Will of Richard
Bodley, dated 27 October 1491, held at The
National Archives PROB 11/9/28; modern spelling transcript at www.oxford-shakespeare.com/Probate/PROB_11-9-8.pdf;
William parents from A Briefe Chronicle, of the Successe of Times, from
the Creation of the World, to this Instant p598 (Anthony
Munday, 1611) and
The Visitations of Bedfordshire: Annis Domini
1566, 1582, and 1634 vol 19 p6 (William Harvey, 1884);
William 2nd and 3rd marriage from his will at The
National Archives PROB 11/22/672, transcribed in modern English at
Wynch,
Lyon, Coghill and others - A random walk through family history
(1533 Sir William Butler) and The
Boteler Family of Biddenham; William mayor from Addenda:
The Mayors and Sheriffs of London in A
New History of London Including Westminster and Southwark
pp889-93 (1773); William will, probate from his will at The
National Archives PROB 11/22/672, transcribed in modern English
at: Wynch, Lyon, Coghill and others - A random walk
through family history (1533 Sir William Butler)
- Isabelle Bodley
James Bodley
Thomas Bodley
Joan
(Leche) Bodley
Joane
Strachey
The Bodley pedigree in Visitations
of Surrey in Publications of the Harleian
Society vol 43 p147 (1894) list two children of James
Bodley and Joane Strachey in addition to John and Joane, namely Elizabeth
and Mary. Anne Sutton, in Medieval London Widows, 1300-1500 p211
(Caroline Barron, Anne F. Sutton, 1994) lists three children, John, James
and Joan, with the additional information that James died before 1530, and
later that these three were minors when James died in 1514:
Medieval London Widows, 1300-1500 p227
(Caroline Barron, Anne F. Sutton, 1994)
... The same year saw the death of one of the youngest and most
energetic campaigners for this license: James Bodley, who left three
children, all minors, to the care of his wife and executrix, Joan
Strachey.
Mercer
Medieval London Widows, 1300-1500 pp213-4
(Caroline Barron, Anne F. Sutton, 1994)
[Joan (Leche)
Bodley and Thomas Bradbury] probably married about March 1495 when
Thomas and his younger brother, George, also a mercer, with Christopher
Elyot, an overseer of Thomas Bodley's will, stood surety for the sum of
£362 14s. 5d., the estate of the Bodley children, all still minors.
About the same time Thomas Bradbury took one of his step-sons, James, as
his apprentice.
p219
James had been
apprenticed to Bradbury himself and was to be admitted to the Mercers’
Company later in 1510
James was mentioned in the will of his father, Thomas, dated 27 November
1491, indicating that James was a minor at this date.
www.oxford-shakespeare.com/Probate/PROB_11-9-374.pdf
(modern spelling transcript ©2015 Nina Green)
Item, I
bequeath to John and James, my sons, to them to be delivered when they
shall come to their lawful ages, that is to wit, to either of them £50
sterlings, and either of them of the goods which late were my mother’s
£4 sterling;
James was still a minor in March 1494/5 when Thomas Bradbury stood surety
for the children's estate, probably on his marriage to their mother.
Calendar of Letter-Books of the City of London: L,
Edward IV-Henry VII, folio 313 (1912)
Custodia
pueror' Thome Bodley Cis soris.
19 March, 10 Henry VII. [A.D. 1494-5], came Thomas Bradbury, George
Bradbury, mercers, Christopher Elyot, goldsmith, and Richard Thornell,
mercer, and entered into bond in the sum of £362 14s. 5d. for payment
into the Chamber by the said Thomas Bradbury of a like sum to the use of
John, James, Elizabeth, and Dionisia, children of Thomas Bodley, late
tailor, when they come of age or marry.
Medieval London Widows, 1300-1500 pp225-7
(Caroline Barron, Anne F. Sutton, 1994)
James Bodley,
the mercer, had married Joan, the daughter of Thomas and Joan Strachey
of Saffron Walden, before 1510. The Stracheys were part of the town's
ruling clique which exercised its power mainly through the chantry guild
of Our Lady of Pity which administered the town's almshouses. James
swiftly became part of this clique: he became ‘Jamy Bodley of Chepyng
Walden’ and apparently preferred provincial life, leaving London to his
mother and his sister, Denise.
All three of them were closely involved in one of the most
important ventures in the history of Saffron Walden: its campaign to
achieve self-government. It was part of the king's duchy of Lancaster
and as a consequence it had several charters of privileges but no
corporate status. From the 1490s its trade had increasingly suffered
from royal enforcement of manorial rights of toll which drove traders to
patronise the rival market of Newport. In 1513 John Leche, Joan, her son
James, his father-in-law and other leading townsmen failed in a petition
to Henry VIII offering to redeem the tolls for a substantial sum of
money: the king's rights could not be bought. On advice it was decided
that a new religious guild of the Holy Trinity should be set up to which
the tolls and other manorial rights could be granted by the king. The
new guild would be able to operate just as if it was the town
incorporate and its basis would be the chantry already envsiaged by
Katherine Semar, a wealthy widow of the town. The king's license
directed to Thomas Strachey, James Bodley and two others, permitting the
establishment of a Holy Trinity guild in the church of Saffron Walden
with land worth 20 marks a year, arrived in March 1514 - Joan's chantry
in London was being planned at this time and personnel and expertise
were used to the common benefit of the two projects, James Bodley being
an energetic factotum in both.
The list of those to be prayed for and the lavish decoration of
the license sets out graphically and precisely who had contributed most
to the ‘freedom’ of the town and what position Joan occupied in this
heirarchy. Katherine Semar headed the list (after the king, queen and
Wolsey), Joan came second, followed by John Leche, Thomas Strachey and
his wife, James Bodley and his wife, and then a long list of others,
both alive and dead, including Thomas Bodley.
... The same year saw the death of one of the youngest and most
energetic campaigners for this license: James Bodley, who left three
children, all minors, to the care of his wife and executrix, Joan
Strachey. He asked his mother to be overseer of his will, leaving her a
pound of saffron as a token payment. Joan had lost a son who had been
one of her active business representatives.
Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII,
vol 1 part 2 pp771-2 (1862)
5 HENRY VIII. [1514]
24 March. 4911. For KATHARINE
SEMAR, late of Cheping Walden, widow, THOMAS
STRACHY, JAMES BODLEY, WILLIAM
BIRR and NICHOLAS RUTLAND,
all of Walden aforesaid.
Licence to found a guild in honor of the Trinity, in the church
of St. Mary, Walden, to consist of one treasurer, two chamberlains,
brethen and sisters, of the parishioners of Walden; with mortmain
licence to acquire lands to the annual value of 20 marks, for a chaplain
to pray daily for the King and Queen Katharine, for Katharine Semar,
Thomas Wulcy, late almoner to the King, Joan Bradbury, widow, John
Leche, vicar of the said church, the said Thomas [Strachy] and Joan his
wife, James Bodley and Joan his wife, William Bird and Anabella his
wife, and Nicholas Rutland and Clemence his wife; and for the souls of
Thomas Bodley, William Lawnselyn and Alice his wife, Walter Cook and
Katharine his wife, Roger Pyrk and Joan his wife, Thomas Semar and
Margery his wife, Nicholas, Thomas and Katharine, children of the said
Katharine Semar, George Thoorne and Florence his wife, John Strachy and
Alice his wife, Thomas Thoorne and Joan his wife, and Richard Mynott . .
. . . . . . .5 Hen. VIII. Del.
Westm., 24 March.
Pat. 5 Hen.VIII. p.2, m. 24.
The History of Audley End p251n (Richard
Lord Baybrooke, 1836)
This
deed has an illuminated border. The initial letter represents the
Trinity. In the centre are the arms of France and England, with the
supporters, the dragon and greyhound; on the right side is the Blessed
Virgin covering the Confraternity with her mantle ; on the left, Saint
Catherine; roses and pomegranates between these figures. On one side is
a coat, Gules, five martlets Argent, on a chief indented Or, three
crowns Azure, for Bodley.
Another coat has the arms of St. George; another the Maid's head,
probably the Mercers' cognizance, and another, a merchant's mark.
James was a witness to the will of Katherine Semar on 26 May 1514 (Transactions of the Essex Archeological Society
New Series vol 3 pp285-6 (1899))
27 October 1514
The
Essex Review vol 15 p53 (Edward Arthur Fitch, Charlotte
Fell-Smith, 1906)
Kalendar
of the Holy Trinity Gild Saffron Walden.
—The Corporation of Walden succeeded to the municipal powers which had
been exercised by the old fraternity, or gild, and consequently took
over part of the archives of the gild. Among these is a beautifully
illuminated Kalendar of fine fifteenth century work, with the special
Gospels used at celebrations of mass before the gild. The binding is
singular, one side being almost entirely occupied by a convex metal
plate. It is probable that this was once painted over or enamelled with
a sacred picture, but it has now no trace of ornament. The Kalendar
itself is of the Sarum type, but the double mention of St. Erkenwald
(deposition, April 30; translation, Nov. 14) gives it an Essex
colouring. Various 16th century hands have jotted notes in it.
... on October 27, “death-day of James Bodley, first treasurer of this
fraternity of the Holy Trinity.”
The will of Jamy Bodley, of Saffron
Walden, dated 27 October 1514, is held at the Essex Record Office (D/ACR
2/22/1).
James makes bequests to the church's "next newe worke" and to the new Holy
Trinity guild in the church of Saffron Walden, and more if all his children
died. His eldest son, John, got his "corner house" against the market cross.
James's mother, Joan Bradbury, is named as the overseer of the will.
- Visitations
of Surrey in Publications of the Harleian
Society vol 43 p147 (1894)
- Visitations
of Surrey in Publications of the Harleian
Society vol 43 p147 (1894)
- Notes
on the will of Thomas Bodley; Medieval London Widows, 1300-1500 p225
(Caroline Barron, Anne F. Sutton, 1994)
- date from The Essex Review vol 15 p53 (Edward
Arthur Fitch, Charlotte Fell-Smith, 1906); year from Medieval London Widows, 1300-1500 p227
(Caroline Barron, Anne F. Sutton, 1994)
- Essex
Record Office (D/ACR 2/22/1); Medieval London Widows, 1300-1500 pp227n
(Caroline Barron, Anne F. Sutton, 1994)
- James Bodley
Joane (Bodley) Crafford
James Bodley
Joane
(Strachey) Bodley
Guy
Crafford
Joan was the granddaughter of Dame Joan Bradbury, and is mentioned a number
of times in Joan Bradbury's will, dated 2 March 1529(30).
Medieval London Widows, 1300-1500 pp234-5
(Caroline Barron, Anne F. Sutton, 1994)
Joan's house
was next to the churchyard of St Stephen Coleman Street and large enough
to be used for banquets by the Mercers' Company. When she died she had a
clear idea of its contents down to the last diapered linen tablecloth.
It had several commodious chambers available for guests, one of which
was used by the Craffords, to whom its bedding, hangings and furniture
was left.
... Joan Crafford got her covered ‘mawdelyne goblet’, the parcel
silver-gilt salt used daily by her, and a dozen silver spoons with
‘sleppis’ (slip-ended).
... Joan dressed to suit her station and not in widows' weeds. Joan
Crafford got her two best, lined gowns
Wynch, Lyon, Coghill and others - A random walk
through family history (1530 Dame Johanne Bradbury)
COLLECTED
TRANSCRIBED WILLS
1530 Dame Johanne Bradbury
... ITEM; I bequeath to my cousin Guy
CRAFFORD and my cousin Johanne his wife each of them a black
gown cloth.
... Also I bequeath to the said Guy Crafford and Johanne his wife the
featherbed bolster camelet hanging and all other stuff lying and being
in the chamber where the same Guy and Johanne now use to lie with [xxx
xxx xxx xxx] and all other goods and stuff there being. ITEM; I
bequeath to the same Guy Crafford and Johanne his wife a dozen of silver
spoons with [xxx] at the end and my salt seller with the cover all gilt
called the [xxx] goblet. ITEM; I bequeath to the
children of the same Guy Crafford and Johanne his wife and to
the child that she goeth with among them equally to be divided and
delivered at their full age or marriage thirty
pounds in ready money.
... Also I bequeath to Johan Crafford six
pairs of sheets lying in the chest standing next unto the chest
aforesaid, also two plain table clothes two
plain towels two pillows of
down, also the feather bed which here in my mother’s chamber with the
[sparves] being over it, also a pair of new blankets lying upon the same
bed a pair of new woollen blankets with [embroidery] the best coverlet
that I have except two and two my best lined gowns.
... Also I will that the said Guy Crafford and Johanne his wife shall
have the manor of Bawdes in the parish of Wold in Essex and all my lands
and rents which were purchased of Sir Thomas Bawde, Knight, to be had to
the same Guy and Johanne his wife and to the heirs of their bodies
lawfully begotten so that the said Guy and Johanne hold them therewith
content and at no time after my decease attempt make or procure any
business or ruffling by any manner [of] suit in the law or otherwise
against my executors or agents any of my kinsfolk or friends who by this
my last will or otherwise I have willed given assigned or devised any
manors lands tenements or rents for the recovering or obtaining of any
of the same manors lands tenements and rents or any part or parcel of
the same contrary to this my last will and for lack of such issue of the
two bodies of their said Guy and Johanne lawfully begotten I will that
the said manor of Bawdes and other the premises by me to the said Guy
and Johanne assigned shall remain to the said Johanne and to the heirs
of her body lawfully begotten and for lack of such issue or if the said
Guy and Johanne or any of them at any time after my decease attempt make
or procure any such business or ruffling as is afore rehearsed contrary
to this my last will and against my intent and true memory of the
same, I will that then my said gift legacy and bequest to them
thereof made shall be utterly void and none effect, and I will also that
then the said manor of Bawdes and other the premises by me assigned to
the said Guy and Johanne shall be sold by my executors or by the
executors of the survivor of them, and the money thereof coming to be
bestowed in making of highways nigh unto all my lordships in the county
of Essex that be of my purchase where as most need shall be after their
discretion and that it be done within one year or two years next after
the decease of the said Guy and Johanne or of the same Johanne lawfully
begotten.
In 1539, Guy and Joan were allowed to buy part of the land of the Priory of
St Helen, in London, confiscated by Henry VIII.
Transactions of the London and Middlesex Archeological
Society vol 2 pp195-6 (1864)
On the
3rd of October, 31st Henry VIII. 1539, the King granted to Guy Crafford,
Esq. and Joan his wife, in consideration of the sum of £54, a messuage
or tenement, with cellars, solars, stables, gardens, &c. situated in
the parish of S. Helen's, and within the close of the late Priory,
formerly in the tenure of Thomas Benolt, then in that of Sir Arthur
Darcy, knt. and lastly in that of the aforesaid Guy. Also another
messuage adjoining the same on the west, and lately in the tenure of
George Taylour, gent. Both were among the possessions of the late
Priory, and were to be held from Lady Day last past by the service of a
twentieth part of one knight's fee, and a yearly rent of six shillings
and eight pence by name of tithe payable at Michaelmas. The grant was
made without fine great or small, and was dated, witness the King at
Westminster, on the day aforesaid.
Land once owned by Guy and Joane in Southwald, Essex, is mentioned in a
later court proceeding (around 1668) in which the history of the land
ownership was fully explored.
The Reports of the Most Learned Sir Edmund Saunders,
Knt. vol 85 pp251-255 (Edmund Saunders, 1807)
Took versus
Glascock. Case 38.
Hil. 19 & 20 Car. II. Regis, in Comuni Banco, Rol. 1512.
... the tenements aforesaid with the appurtenances, by
the name of one messuage or tenement, with a garden and backside, and
two parcels or closes of land to the same adjoining, containing by
estimation four acres, be the same more or less, and also one wind-mill
with the appurtenances, commonly called by the name of Bentley-Mill,
next adjoining to the said messuage or tenement; which said messuage and
premises were situate, lying, and being in Southwald
...
dame Johanna Bradbury afterwards, to wit, on the 2d day of March,
in the 21st year of the reign of our late Sovereign Lord Henry
the Eighth, late King of England,
at Southwald aforesaid,
ordained and made her last will and testatment in writing, and thereby
gave and devised that one Guy
Crafford, and Johanna
then his wife, should, amongst other things, have the said tenements
with the appurtenances, specified in the said declaration, to them and
the heirs of their bodies lawfully issuing; and afterwards, to wit, on
the same day and year, she the said dame Johanna
Bradbury died at Southwald
aforesaid; after whose decease the said John
Rooper esquire, Humphrey
Tyrrell gent., William
Rooper gent., son of the said John,
Nicholas Levison merchant of the Staple,
and Henry Fincham, by virtue
of the said last will and testament of the said Johanna
Bradbury, became seised of the tenements aforesaid with the
appurtenances, above specified in the said declaration, in their demesne
as of fee, to the use and behoof of the said Guy
Crafford and Johanna
his wife, and the heirs of their bodies lawfully issuing, and remained
and continued so seised thereof, to the same use and behoof, until the
4th day of February, in the
27th year of the reign of our late sovereign lord Henry
the Eighth, late King of England;
on which day, by virtue of the said act made and provided in the
parliament of the said late King Henry
the Eighth at Westminster, in
the county of Middlesex, on
the same 4th day of February,
in the 27th year aforesaid, for transferring uses into possession, the
said Guy Crafford, and Johanna his wife, were seised of
the tenements aforesaid, with the appurtenances above specified in the
said declaration, in their demesne as of fee-tail, to wit, to them and
the heirs of their bodies lawfully issuing; and being so seised thereof,
the said Guy Crafford and Johanna his wife, afterwards, to
wit, on the 1st day of November,
in the 18th year of the reign of our late sovereign lady Elizabeth,
late Queen of England, died at
Southwald aforesaid, being so
seised of such their estate therein; after whose decease, the tenements
aforesaid with the appurtenances above specified in the said
declaration, descended to Arthur
Crafford as son and heir lawfully begotten of the bodies of the
said Guy and Johanna
his wife, whereby the said Arthur
entered into the tenements with the appurtenances, above specified in
the said declaration, and was seised thereof, in his demesne as of
fee-tail, (that is to say) to him and the heirs lawfully issuing of the
bodies of the said Guy Crafford
and Johanna his wife;
Joane was mentioned in the will
of Edward Dormer (dated 21 January 1539), in which she is bequeathed
"a black gown of the price of 13s 4d the yard", and in the will
of her aunt, Dionyse Leveson (dated 1 August 1560) in which she is
bequeathed £20.
Joan Crawford, widow, was assessed
a tax of £10 in the 1582 London Subsidy Roll for St Ellyns parish.
1584
The Reports of the Most Learned Sir Edmund Saunders,
Knt. vol 85 p255 (Edmund Saunders, 1807) cites a court
proceeding from around 1668 which seems to state that Joane died on 1
November 1575 in Southwald, Essex, but this cannot be correct given Joane's
burial and probate dates, as well as a taxation document in 1582, even
though I believe the document refers to the same Joane Crafford,
grand-daughter of Dame Joan Bradbury.
31 August 1584, in St Helen's
Bishopsgate, London, England
The will of Johan Crafford, widow of
London, dated 10 December 1583 and proved on 22 October 1584, is held at the
National Archives, Kew, (PROB 11/67/367). It has been transcribed in modern
English at:
Wynch,
Lyon, Coghill and others - A random walk through family history
(1584 Joane Crafford widow)
COLLECTED
TRANSCRIBED WILLS
1584 Joane Crafford widow
In the name of God Amen, I Johan
CRAFFORD widow, late wife of Guy Crafford of London Esquire,
having my perfect health and memory (thanks be given to Almighty God) do
make and ordain this my present last will and testament in manner and
form following (that is to say) first and principally I commit my soul
into the hands of my maker and redeemer Jesus Christ by whose death and
passion I trust to have remission and pardon of all my sins, and my body
to be (buried) within the parish church of Saint Ellyns in Bishop Gate
Street where I am presently a parishioner under the same stone which
lies over my said husband. ITEM; I give and bequeath unto my
cousin Mr Richard CRAFFORD
Esquire one ring of fine gold being a flat hoop with this posie on the
outside “Rex Lege Gubernat”. ITEM; I give and bequeath unto my son in law Mr Thomas COLSHILL
Esquire one black gown with the hood piece eighteen shillings the yard,
and also one ring of gold with a death’s head weighing three quarters of
an ounce of twenty crown gold, and also one standing cup of silver and
gilt with a cover. ITEM; I give and bequeath to my
daughter COLSHILL a black gown with the hood piece eighteen
shillings the yard, and also one ring of gold with a diamond three
square set in the same ring, and also one chain of fine gold weighing
two ounces quarter and a half, and also I give and bequeath unto her my
two best gowns and two of my best (kyrtles) the one of satin and the
other of damask, and my best hood never as yet worn with my best
(boneygrate) and other the appurtenances. ITEM; I give and
bequeath unto her one Flanders chest barred with round bars of iron and
locked with two locks now standing in my bedchamber with certain parcels
of linen in the same which are expressed in a certain writing remaining
in the same chest. ITEM; I give and bequeath unto my son
in law John WATSON one black gown and a hood price eighteen
shillings the yard and one hoop of fine gold with the name of (Jhus)
enamelled on the outside. ITEM; I give and bequeath unto my son Arthur CRAFFORD one black gown with
the hood price eighteen shillings the yard, and also one ring of gold
engraved with a (falcon’s) head, and one brooch of gold enamelled and
also one ring of French crown gold with a death’s head. ITEM; I
give and bequeath unto my son Nicholas
CRAFFORD one black gown with the hood price eighteen shillings
the yard, and one ring of French crown gold with a death’s head
enamelled with the posie “nosce te ipsum”, and also I give and bequeath
unto my said son Nicholas Crafford
all that my messuage with a cottage thereunto adjoining and with all and
singular their appurtenances set lying and being in the town of Rainham
in the County of Essex adjoining near the bridge there, and also all the
writings and evidence concerning and belonging to the same, to have and
to hold the said messuage and cottage with the appurtenances together
with all the said evidence to him the
said Nicholas Crafford and his heirs and assigns forever, which
said messuage and cottage with their appurtenances my
late husband gave unto me the
said Johan freely to give sell and bequeath unto whom I like as
by a deed bearing date the tenth day of October in the eight and
twentieth year of the reign of the late king of famous memory Henry the
eighth more at large does and may appear, and for as much as the said
messuage and cottage with the barn with other their appurtenances are
very old and greatly (suynous) and decayed my mind and will is that my said son Nicholas Crafford shall
have as much good oak timber and other necessary wood from time to time
as shall be requisite and necessary for the repairing and amending of
the premises at any time during the space of three years next after my
decease, the same to be felled and taken at seasonable times in and upon
my grounds belonging to my Manor
called (Buddes) or Downsettes in the County of Essex without
any let denial or interruption of my
said son Arthur Crafford his heirs executors or assigns or of
any of them, and further I give and bequeath unto my
said son Nicholas Crafford all the interest and term of years
which shall remain after my decease of certain grounds adjoining upon
the said messuage and cottage called Rainham (Rayneham) Brooks
containing by estimation five acres. ITEM; I give and bequeath
unto my said son Nicholas Crafford
one of my best feather beds, one bolster, two pillows, one grounded with
orange tawny and one other needlework cushion with
my late husband’s arms and mine wrought therein, and also one
carpet with flowers which carpet is five yards and three quarters long
and two yards broad. ITEM; I give and bequeath unto my
daughter Dorothy CRAFFORD his wife a black gown and a hood
price eighteen shillings the yard and one hoop of fine gold weighing
half an ounce lacking twenty grains wherein is enamelled these words
“see ye forget me not”, also I give and bequeath unto her my best gown
that is in goodness next to the two gowns that I have given to my
daughter Colshill and my (kyrtle) of taffeta and my holiday
hood. ITEM; I give and bequeath to my
son Edward CRAFFORD one black gown with the hood price eighteen
shillings the yard, and one ring of gold with a death’s head with this
sentence: “Nosce te ipsum” which weighs half an ounce and half a
quarter, and also one salt of silver gilt with a cover. ITEM; I
give and bequeath unto the said Edward
Crafford six silver spoons and six pairs of sheets whereof
three pairs are of canvas and the other three pairs are of a finer sort
and six pillow beres. ITEM; I give and bequeath unto his
wife one black gown of fifteen shillings the yard and a hoop
ring of gold and eight and twenty skeins of yarn to make them some linen
cloth containing by estimation about four and twenty pounds weight, but
if my said son Edward Crafford
his heirs executors or assigns or any other for him or them do at any
time after my decease sue vex or trouble my said executors or do
interrupt my last will and testament for any other benefit portion or
legacy than herein is expressed or do refuse to deliver them a
sufficient acquittance or lawful discharge at the receipt of these
parcels aforesaid to him given and bequeathed that then my will and mind
is that my gift and bequest of every of them shall be unto him utterly
frustrated and of none effect. ITEM; I give and bequeath unto
Cicely Coldwell one black gown price fourteen shillings the yard, and to
Mary Coldwell her sister a black gown of like price, and also I give and
bequeath unto the said Mary to be paid to her by the hands of
my son Arthur Crafford his heirs executors or assigns at the
date of her marriage or within one month after his decease which shall
first happen the sum of ten pounds of lawful money of England to be
answered out of such goods as I shall leave unto my
said son Arthur also I give and bequeath all the residue of my
apparel (which shall remain unbequeathed at the time of my death, and
all the linen which I do usually wear. ITEM; I give and bequeath
unto my maid servant one black gown of ten shillings the yard.
ITEM; I give and bequeath unto four poor men shall bear me to church
each of them a gown at the discretion of my executors hereafter
named. ITEM; my will and mind is that all such my plate and jewels
as shall remain at the time of my death unbequeathed shall be equally
divided between my two sons Arthur
Crafford and Nicholas Crafford whom I name ordain and make my
full and only executors of this my present last will and testament to
see it executed according to the true meaning thereof, and also I will
and my mind is that the residue of my goods and household stuff which
shall remain at the time of my death unbequeathed shall wholly remain to
the use of my said son Arthur
so that he the said Arthur do
not only perform this my last will but also bear and pay the whole
charges of the funeral and other debts and duties growing by me or for
me, and for the better performance and execution of this my present
testament and last will I make and ordain my
well-beloved son in law Mr Thomas Colshill to be overseer of
the same, trusting that he with my said executors will see this my said
testament and last will in all things truly performed. In witness
whereof I the said Johan Crafford
to this my present last will and testament have put my seal proven the
tenth day of December in the year of our Lord according to the
computation of the Church of England on thousand five hundred four score
and three, and in the six and twentieth year of the reign of our
Sovereign Lady Elizabeth, by the grace of God of England, France and
Ireland Queen, Defender of the Faith, etc, and in the presence of the
persons hereunder subscribed – Johan Harlow, Hugh Kenrick
Proved 2nd October 1584
John Bodley
Thomas Bodley
Joan
(Leche) Bodley
John obtained the degree of
Bachelor of Canon Law from Oxford University in 1514
Alumni oxonienses : the members of the University of
Oxford, 1500-1714 p143 (Joseph Foster, 1891)
Bodley,
John, Benedictine ; B.Can.L. (sup. 15 June) 1514
Monk
John was a Benedictine monk at the monastery
at St Albans.
Medieval London Widows, 1300-1500 p219
(Caroline Barron, Anne F. Sutton, 1994)
John had become
a Benedictine monk at St Albans and was studying for his mastership in
arts at Oxford before proceeding to canon law studies.
John was mentioned in the will of his father, Thomas, dated 27 November
1491, indicating that John was a minor at this date.
www.oxford-shakespeare.com/Probate/PROB_11-9-374.pdf
(modern spelling transcript ©2015 Nina Green)
Item, I
bequeath to John and James, my sons, to them to be delivered when they
shall come to their lawful ages, that is to wit, to either of them £50
sterlings, and either of them of the goods which late were my mother’s
£4 sterling;
John was still a minor in March 1494/5 when Thomas Bradbury stood surety for
the children's estate, probably on his marriage to their mother.
Calendar of Letter-Books of the City of London: L,
Edward IV-Henry VII, folio 313 (1912)
Custodia
pueror' Thome Bodley Cis soris.
19 March, 10 Henry VII. [A.D. 1494-5], came Thomas Bradbury, George
Bradbury, mercers, Christopher Elyot, goldsmith, and Richard Thornell,
mercer, and entered into bond in the sum of £362 14s. 5d. for payment
into the Chamber by the said Thomas Bradbury of a like sum to the use of
John, James, Elizabeth, and Dionisia, children of Thomas Bodley, late
tailor, when they come of age or marry.
John Bodley
Richard Bodley
Joan (Warde) Bodley
John is shown in a Bodley pedigree in Visitations
of Surrey in Publications of the Harleian Society
vol 43 p147 (1894) and described as the vicar of Brentwood Weld (or in
Surrey archaeological collections vol 10 p403
(1891) as "Johan'es Bodley, vicarius de Brentwood Weald". I believe these
descriptions to be incorrect. Brentwood was a village in the parish of South
Weld, and John's brother, Thomas, was vicar of South Weld from 1499 until
1537 (Repertorium Ecclesiasticum Parochiale Londinense vol
2 p645 (Richard Newcourt, 1710)), which may the source of confusion.
John is not mentioned anywhere in Repertorium Ecclesiasticum Parochiale Londinense vol
2, which covers Essex parishes, and Sutton states flatly the John died
young (Medieval London Widows, 1300-1500 pp210
(Caroline Barron, Anne F. Sutton, 1994)).
John Bodley
James Bodley
Joane
(Strachey) Bodley
John was left a bequest in the will of his father, dated 27 October 1514,
held at the Essex Record Office (D/ACR 2/22/1). John is documented to have
been a minor at the date of this will.
James makes bequests to the church's "next newe worke" and to the new Holy
Trinity guild in the church of Saffron Walden, and more if all his children
died. His eldest son, John, got his "corner house" against the market cross.
John was also left a bequest in the will of his grandmother, Dame Joan
Bradbury, dated 2 March 1529(30)
Wynch,
Lyon, Coghill and others - A random walk through family history
(1530 Dame Johanne Bradbury)
COLLECTED
TRANSCRIBED WILLS
1530 Dame Johanne Bradbury
... ITEM; I will that my three messuages with their
appurtenances at [Pawlbridge in Cornwall] immediately after my decease
shall remain to John BODLEY son of my
son James to hold to the same John Bodley and the heirs of his
body lawfully begotten and for default of such issue I will that the three messuages with their
appurtenances shall be sold by my executors or the executor of the
survivor of them in the best wise they can and the money coming of that
sale I will they shall bestow in deeds of charity to the health and
comfort of my soul my husbands’ souls and all Christian souls.
Medieval London Widows, 1300-1500 p229-232
(Caroline Barron, Anne F. Sutton, 1994)
The
lands that Joan held from her first marriage were small compared to
those she acquired later. The three messuages at Battle Bridge in
Southwark were profitable and they duly passed by her will to the Bodley
male heir, John, son of James.
... She pointedly ignored the male heir of the Bodleys - John already
had property in Saffron Walden from his father, but at Joan's death he
only got what his Bodley grandfather left and nothing more, not even a
remembrance.
John is possibly the "Jan Bodley" who traded across the English Channel and
had a ship's cargo confiscated in Veere in 1539. Although John Bodley had a
safe conduct certificate for the goods, the ship's catain was not carrying
it when the ship stopped in Veere.
Bronnen tot de geschiedenis van den handel met
Engeland, Schotland en Ierland 1150-1585 Tweede Deel p488
(H. J. Smit, 1942)
633.
Voor het Hof van Holland wordt een proces gevoerd tusschen Jan Bodly,
koopman uit Engeland, en Dominicus
van den Nyeuwenhoven, baljuw van Vere, waarbij de
eerstgenoemde het volgende mededeelt: daar er in 1536 en 1537 geen
oorlogstoestand, doch verkeersvrijheid heerschte tusschen Engeland en
Schotland aan de eene en het gebied van den keizer aan de andere
zijde, besloot hij met eenige andere Engelsche kooplieden goederen uit
Frankrijk naar Antwerpen te zenden; hoewel het nu volgens het
keizerlijk plakkaat van 1536 Augustus 25 aan de Engelsche kooplieden
geoorloofd was in 's keizers gebied te verkeeren, vroegen de, bedoelde
kooplieden nog een keizerlijk vrijgeleide, dat hen echter pas na het
laden der goederen bereikte; zoo zonden zij [15]36 November met het
schip van den Schot Robbrecht
Dausson een hoeveelheid wynen,
ciropen, pruymen, damast ende anders van Dieppe naar
Antwerpen, doch het bedoelde vaartuig werd bij Vere gearresteerd; het
gerecht van Vere verklaarde daarop de goederen der Engelschen
verbeurd. Tegenover dit alles merkt de baljuw van Vere op, dat 1536
Augustus 11 alle handel met Frankrijk verboden was, tenzij men een
keizerlijk vrijgeleide had verworven, en dat Bodly
een dergelijk vrijgeleide niet had kunnen toonen. Het Hof bevestigt
het vonnis van het gerecht te Vere en veroordeelt den Engelschman tot
betaling van de proceskosten 1).
1539 December 22.
Algemeen Rijksarchief, Den Haag: Sententiën van het Hof 1539—1540,
170.
1) Volgens de Rol van crimineele en civiele zaken van
Vere 1537—1541 (Rijksarchief, Middelburg), fol. 16, werden de goederen
van Jan Bodley, Ingelsman, gecommen van Diepe sonder saufconduyt in
den scepe van Robert Davisson, Scotsman, 1537 April 27 te Vere
verbeurdverklaard; zij waren reeds in November 1536 te Vere
gearresteerd (Rol van crimineele en civiele zaken 1534—1537, fol. 233,
233 vo., 234, 234 vo., 237 vo., 241).
Uit een uitvoerig stuk in het Register van crimineele en civiele zaken
van Vere 1535—1562, fol. 20 vo., blijkt, dat het keizerlijk
vrijgeleide voor Bodly gedateerd was 1536 October 1 en dat hij het aan
het gerecht van Vere toonde; de baljuw van Vere verklaarde echter, dat
de Schotsche schipper dit vrijgeleide niet bij zich had, toen hij te
Vere aankwam, en dat de keizerlijke plakkaten dit eischten.
which translates as:
Sources to the history of trade with England, Scotland
and Ireland 1150-1585 part 2 p488 (H. J. Smit, 1942)
633.
A lawsuit is being brought before the Court of Holland between Jan
Bodly, a merchant from England, and Dominicus
van den Nyeuwenhoven, bailiff of Vere, with the former
announcing the following: since in 1536 and 1537 there was no war, but
freedom of movement prevailed between England. and Scotland on one side
and the Emperor's territory on the other, he decided to send goods from
France to Antwerp with some other English merchants; although according
to the imperial safe conduct of August 1536, it was lawful for the
English merchants to be in the imperial territory, the merchants in
question asked for an imperial escort, who only reached them after
loading the goods; so they sent on 15 November, with the ship of the
Scot Robbrecht Dausson, a
quantity of wines, cypresses, prunes,
damask and others from Dieppe to Antwerp, but the vessel in
question was arrested at Vere; the court of Vere then declared the
property of the English forfeited. Faced with all this, the bailiff of
Vere notes that on 11 August 1536, all trade with France was prohibited
unless an imperial escort had been acquired, and that Bodly
could not have shown such an escort. The Court confirms the judgment of
the court in Vere and orders the Englishman to pay the costs of the
proceedings 1).
1539 December 22.
National Archives, The Hague: Sentiments of the Court 1539-1540, 170.
1) According to the Roll of Criminal and Civil Matters of Vere
1537-1541 (State Archives, Middelburg), fol. 16, the goods of Jan
Bodley, Englishman, coming from Dieppe without safe conduct in the ship
of Robert Davisson, Scotsman, were forfeited at Vere on 27 April
1537; they had previously been arrested in Vere in November 1536 (Roll
of criminal and civil cases 1534-1537, fol. 233, 233 vo., 234, 234 vo.,
237 vo., 241). From an extensive document in the Register of Criminal
and Civil Affairs of Vere 1535-1562, fol. 20 p., It appears that the
imperial safe conduct for Bodly was dated 1 October 1536 and that he
showed it to the court of Vere; however, the bailiff of Vere stated that
the Scottish skipper did not carry this safe conduct when he arrived at
Vere, and that the imperial declarations required it.
Richard Bodley
Thomas Bodley
Joan Warde
Joan was the daughter of Richard Warde of Holden, Yorkshire and is also
stated to be of Hinxworth, Hertfordshire, where her brother, John, Lord
Mayor of London in 1484, had bought the Manor
of Pulters. Joan married, secondly, William Holybrand, gentleman and
tallow chandler of London, whose will was proved on 27 January 1506. William
was possibly the William Holybrand, councillor to King Henry VII whose role
in controlling the finances of the widowed Catherine of Aragon is described
in Catherine Of Aragon (Garrett Mattingly,
1942). Joan is buried in the chapel of the Holy Trinity in the church of Saint Botolph
beside Billingsgate, London, along with both of her husbands.
Grocer
Richard was elected a warden of the Grocers' Company in 1488.
Medieval London Widows, 1300-1500 pp210-3
(Caroline Barron, Anne F. Sutton, 1994)
About
1470-75 Joan was married to Thomas Bodley, a citizen and tailor of
London who came originally from Devon. They lived in the parish of St
Botolph Billingsgate, and so did Thomas's brother, Richard, a grocer.
Thomas and Joan had two boys and two girls, while Richard had four sons
and three daughters. Both brothers made their wills within a month of
each other and died within eight months of each other, between November
1491 and July 1492, when most of their children were still minors. Taken
together, their careers and wills give considerable information about
the social milieu of Joan Leche's first marriage and the degree of
interest taken in religion and education by their families. Both of them
had served as warden of their respective companies within a year of each
other; both were below the aldermanic class, but might have attained it
had they lived. Thomas left the larger movable estate, over £1,000, but
Richard had the more impressive civic relations, including a
brother-in-law who was an alderman (from 1478). Both brothers wanted to
be buried in the Trinity chapel of their parish church and both wanted
two-year chantries there, Thomas specifically requesting Master Thomas
Driffield to be his priest if he was free, at 11 marks the year. Richard
had several primers, a psalter and two sets of beads to leave, while
Thomas bequeathed a mass book, a private altar and its furnishings. That
the Bodley families were genuinely involved in religion, and not merely
observing social conventions, may be borne out by the fact that of
Richard's four sons, two became priests, including the eldest, and of
Thomas's two sons, one became a monk of St Albans.
Wynch,
Lyon, Coghill and others - A random walk through family history
(1492 Sir Thomas Bodley)
COLLECTED
TRANSCRIBED WILLS
1492 Sir Thomas Bodley
ITEM; I bequeath to every child
of Richard BODLEY my late brother six
shillings and eight pence.
1491
in the chapel of the Holy Trinity in
the church of Saint
Botolph beside Billingsgate, London, England
Medieval Londoners p257 (ed. Elizabeth A.
New and Christan Steer, 2019)
William Bodley,
1540, asked for burial ‘under the door as they [sic] go into the Trinity
chapel where my father and my mother and Elizabeth my wife lie on the
left hand of my father’s tomb’.
The will of Richard Bodley, dated 27
October 1491 is held at The
National Archives PROB 11/9/28; modern
spelling transcript ©2015 Nina Green
In the
name of God, Amen. I, Richard Bodley, grocer, of sound mind and good
memory, make my testament in this manner:
Item, first I bequeath my soul to Almighty God, my Creator &
Redeemer, my body to be buried in my parish church in the chapel of the
Holy Trinity, viz., in the place where the body of Richard Phillips is
buried;
Item, to the high altar of the said parish church I give and
bequeath 6s 8d;
Item, I bequeath to Thomas Bodley, my eldest son, £33 6s 8d;
Item, to each of my other sons and daughters not yet married I
bequeath £33 6s 8d;
Item, my immovable possessions, viz., lands and tenements, I
bequeath to Joan, my wife, for term of her life, after whose decease I
will [+they?] be divided by equal portions among my sons and daughters
not yet married;
And if it happen my wife to make any
alienation of the said possessions for term of her life, I will that at
least half of my said possessions remain always whole and saved, to be
divided by equal portions(?) among my sons and daughters not yet
married, as is aforesaid, and it is therefore not permitted to my said
wife to alienate more than half of my foresaid possessions;
Item, I bequeath to Thomas Bodley, my brother, my best gown and
best hose;
Item, I bequeath to Thomas Warde, my wife’s brother, my second
best gown;
Item, I bequeath to William Boteler[=Butler], husband of
Isabelle, my daughter, my third best gown and best doublet;
Item, I bequeath to Thomas Bodley, my son, my deep red/blue gown
and the tawny gown furred with fox;
Item, I bequeath to the same Thomas, my son, my beads(?) of
amber;
Item, I bequeath to William, my son, all my English books;
Item, I bequeath to Isabelle, my daughter, my finest psalter;
Item, I bequeath to Emme, my daughter, my primer;
Item, I bequeath to Sir William Claryvaunce my beads(?) of
bloodstones;
Item, I bequeath to Sir Ellis, anchorite in London wall, my two
best gold rings or their value in money;
Item, I leave to William, my servant and apprentice, all the
beams, scales or(?) weights which I lately had for the debt of William
Clerke, grocer, and I bequeath to the same William forty shillings on
condition that he bear himself humbly and courteously towards my wife,
his mistress;
Item, I remit to Nicholas, my apprentice, three years of his
apprenticeship, to whom I also bequeath 20s on condition that he bear
himself well to my wife, his mistress;
Item, I bequeath to Agnes, my servant, 13s 4d;
Item, I will that some honest priest be found to
celebrate[=sing?] for the space of two years in my parish church to pray
specially for my soul, the souls of my parents and for the souls of all
my benefactors, to which priest, celebrating[=singing?], as is
aforesaid, for the said years, I bequeath £3 6s 8d;
Item, I bequeath to Sir Ellis, anchorite at London wall, to
specially celebrate[=sing?] and pray for my soul, as is aforesaid, for
the term of one year £6 13s 4d;
Item, I will that in all and singular
bequests to my sons and daughters, one be the other’s heir;
The rest of my true(?) goods whatsoever I bequeath and commit to
the disposition of Joan, my wife, my debts fully paid, which said Joan I
make and constitute my executrix;
And overseers of this my testament Master John Ward, alderman,
and Thomas Bodley, my brother;
Made(?) this 7th year of the reign of King Henry the
Seventh on the 27th day of the month of October, in testimony
of which thing my seal is affixed to these presents, these witnesses:
Thomas Bodley, William Scalder & Richard Rogers.
One of the books in this part of Richard's will "I bequeath to William, my
son, all my English books" is likely the manuscript MS
142 held at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and another is a Book
of Hours held at The
University of Edinburgh Archives Online MS 39: Book of Hours
Hagiography and the History of Latin Christendom,
500-1500 p407 (Lewis, 2019)
Cambridge, Corpus Christi College 142, like the Oxford manuscript,
contains a life of St Margaret
of Antioch alongside that of St Katherine. It also includes Nicholas
Love's very popular Mirror of the
Blessed Life of Jesus Christ, a work of affective theology that
provides guidance on pursuing a mixed life of contemplation and action.
Other items are a form of confession and a treatise on spiritual battle.
It bears the inscription "Thys Booke ys Wylliam bodleys & Elzabethe
hys wyffe" on the last flyleaf. William Bodley (d. 1450) was a London
grocer. His father, Richard Bodley, was also a grocer, warden of the
Grocer's company in the late 1480s, and very wealthy. Richard's will
mentions several books, including a number in English, which he
bequeathed to William. Corpus Christi College 142 may be one of these,
in which case it is notable that he left it to his grocer son, rather
than either of his two sons who were priests. This suggests that it was
deemed a particularly suitable book for lay domestic devotions.
|
|
One of the historiated initials in the
Book of Hours likely owned by Richard Bodley, now held at the
Edinburh University library MS 39
|
Medieval Londoners p257 (ed. Elizabeth A.
New and Christan Steer, 2019)
John
Reynewell and St. Botolph Billingsgate by Stephen Freeth and John
Schofield
... Richard Bodley, grocer, 1491, left all his English books (omnes
libros meos anglicos), frustratingly unnamed, to his son; his
beautiful (finest?) psalter (meum
pulchrum psalterum) to his daughter Isabella; and his primer to
his daughter Emma. He was from the same family as the founder of the
Bodleian Library in Oxford and was warden of the Grocers’ Company in
1488–9. From their inscriptions, two or possibly three of his books
survive as Cambridge, Corpus Christi MS. 142 (Nicholas Love’s Life
of Christ and a Life of St. Katherine); and Edinburgh
University Library MS. 39 (a very fine London-made book of hours). The Life of Christ was a ‘canonical’
text of the fifteenth century of which more than twenty copies survive
in libraries. The book of hours, according to a catalogue of the
Edinburgh University library manuscripts, shows ‘English illumination of
the early part of the 15th century at its best’. It contains eleven
historiated initials; that for the office of the dead shows mourners and
two priests around a coffin draped with a hearse-cloth and surrounded by
candles, with other clergy in the background
-
Thomas's will at Wynch, Lyon, Coghill and others - A random walk
through family history (1492 Sir Thomas Bodley); Visitations
of Surrey in Publications of the Harleian
Society vol 43 p147 (1894)
- Genealogy of the Family of Gresham p161
(Granville Leveson Gower, 1883) and Medieval London Widows, 1300-1500 pp210-3
(Caroline Barron, Anne F. Sutton, 1994) and wife Joan mentioned in
Richard's will at www.oxford-shakespeare.com/Probate/PROB_11-9-28.pdf;
Joan father from The Topographer vol 3 p289
(1790) and Transactions of the East Herts Archæological
Society vol 4 part 1 p162
(1910), which name Richard as the father of Joan's brother, John Warde,
Mayor of London in 1484, that Joan was sister to mayor John from Genealogy of the Family of Gresham p161
(G.W.G.L. Gower, 1883) - John Ward was also an overseer of the will of
Thomas Bodley, Joan's 1st husband; Joan 2nd marriage from Medieval London Widows, 1300-1500 p214n
(Caroline Barron, Anne F. Sutton, 1994); William occupation from
William's will at The
National Archives PROB 11/15/21; William burial from Medieval London Widows, 1300-1500 p214n
(Caroline Barron, Anne F. Sutton, 1994); Joan burial from Medieval Londoners p257 (ed. Elizabeth
A. New and Christan Steer, 2019) and Medieval London Widows, 1300-1500 p214n
(Caroline Barron, Anne F. Sutton, 1994)
- List of the Wardens of the Grocers' Company from
1345 to 1907 p13 (1907); Medieval London Widows, 1300-1500 pp210-3
(Caroline Barron, Anne F. Sutton, 1994)
- Medieval London Widows, 1300-1500 pp210-3
(Caroline Barron, Anne F. Sutton, 1994)
- Medieval London Widows, 1300-1500 p214n
(Caroline Barron, Anne F. Sutton, 1994); as requested in will at www.oxford-shakespeare.com/Probate/PROB_11-9-28.pdf;
Medieval Londoners p257 (ed. Elizabeth
A. New and Christan Steer, 2019)
- The
National Archives PROB 11/9/28; www.oxford-shakespeare.com/Probate/PROB_11-9-28.pdf
- Richard Bodley
Thomas Bodley
Richard Bodley
Joan
Leche
Tailor.
Thomas was elected a warden of the Guild of Merchant Taylors in 1489 (The Early History of the Guild of Merchant Taylors
vol 2 p338 (Charles Mathew Clode, 1888)).
Thomas was originally from county Devon (Visitations
of Surrey in Publications of the Harleian Society
vol 43 p147 (1894))
Medieval London Widows, 1300-1500 pp210-3
(Caroline Barron, Anne F. Sutton, 1994)
About
1470-75 Joan was married to Thomas Bodley, a citizen and tailor of
London who came originally from Devon. They lived in the parish of St
Botolph Billingsgate, and so did Thomas's brother, Richard, a grocer.
Thomas and Joan had two boys and two girls, while Richard had four sons
and three daughters. Both brothers made their wills within a month of
each other and died within eight months of each other, between November
1491 and July 1492, when most of their children were still minors. Taken
together, their careers and wills give considerable information about
the social milieu of Joan Leche's first marriage and the degree of
interest taken in religion and education by their families. Both of them
had served as warden of their respective companies within a year of each
other; both were below the aldermanic class, but might have attained it
had they lived. Thomas left the larger movable estate, over £1,000, but
Richard had the more impressive civic relations, including a
brother-in-law who was an alderman (from 1478). Both brothers wanted to
be buried in the Trinity chapel of their parish church and both wanted
two-year chantries there, Thomas specifically requesting Master Thomas
Driffield to be his priest if he was free, at 11 marks the year. Richard
had several primers, a psalter and two sets of beads to leave, while
Thomas bequeathed a mass book, a private altar and its furnishings. That
the Bodley families were genuinely involved in religion, and not merely
observing social conventions, may be borne out by the fact that of
Richard's four sons, two became priests, including the eldest, and of
Thomas's two sons, one became a monk of St Albans.
... The will of Joan's husband shows that she had been taken into his
affections, along with her mother and brother. Joan was left a third of
his movable estate (£362), to which she was entitled by the custom of
London, the residue, and a life interest in Thomas's lands in Southwark
so long as she 'peaseably suffyr Elizabeth Leche hire moder to have and
to hold to hire assignes during hire lif all that my tenement' in the
parish of St Margaret. (Joan's mother survived to share Thomas
Bradbury's great house and her room there was still being referred to as
hers by Joan in 1530.) Joan's brother, John, vicar of Saffron Walden
since 1489, acted as one of Thomas Bodley's overseers and received his
private altar with its apparel, vestments, candlesticks and mass book.
To each of his children, Thomas left the customary third of his
estate, and a further £50 each when they came of age or married. They
were all minors: John, James, Elizabeth, probably the eldest, and
Denise, a baby. He chose one executor, his wife Joan (and two
overseers), and expected her to make all the arrangements for his
chantry, and if Thomas Driffield was unable to be his priest she was to
find someone else; she was also to arrange his funeral in the Holy
Trinity chapel of St Botolph Billingsgate and to see to everything
according to his earlier, verbal instructions.
As a widow with four young children Joan was comparatively well
off. There is no precise evidence that she continued to run her
husband's business, but it is probable that she did. It was not a small
household: there were at least two apprentices, several 'covenanted'
servants, both 'men kynde' and 'wopmen kynde'. It is only the size of
his estate and lands which indicate that he was more of a merchant than
a craftsman tailor.
1493
Thomas was a member of the Fraternity of St Nicholas (admitted
1481) and is found on the death
roll of the fraternity for 1494.
in the chapel of the Trinity in the
church of Saint
Botolph beside Billingsgate, London, England
Wynch,
Lyon, Coghill and others - A random walk through family history
(1492 Sir Thomas Bodley)
I bequeath and
recommend my soul to almighty God my maker and saviour to his blessed
Mother Mary the Virgin and to all saints; and my body to be buried in
the Parish Church of Saint Bololph beside Billingsgate of London where I
am parishioner in the chapel of the Trinity there. ... ITEM; I will that
Johanne my wife the day of my
burying ordain and buy ten new torches of wax to fire and burn about my
body the same day and on the morrow after at Mass and that day I
bequeath two torches of them to fire at the high altar of the said
parish church to the pleasure of God while they will endure. ITEM;
I bequeath other two of the same torches to the high altar of our Lady
in the said parish church, and the residue of the said ten torches I
will that the said Johanne my wife distribute them according to my mind
as I have showed unto her.
The will of Thomas Bodley, tailor of
London, dated 27 November 1491 and proved 1 August 1493 is held at The
National Archives PROB 11/9/374
Modern spelling transcriptions (with minor variations) can be found at www.oxford-shakespeare.com/Probate/PROB_11-9-374.pdf
and at Wynch,
Lyon, Coghill and others - A random walk through family history
(1492 Sir Thomas Bodley). The main part of Thomas's estate was left to
his wife, Joan, who was also named executrix of the will, with John Leche
and Christopher Elyote as overseers.
Wynch,
Lyon, Coghill and others - A random walk through family history
(1492 Sir Thomas Bodley)
COLLECTED
TRANSCRIBED WILLS
1492 Sir Thomas Bodley
In dei nominee Amen the 27th day of the month of November the
year of our Lord God 1491 and in the 7th year of the reign of King Henry
VII, I Thomas BODLEY citizen and
tailor of London being in my good and whole mind thanks be God
make ordain and dispose this my pure testament containing my last will
in manner and form following: that is to mortal stuff I bequeath and
recommend my soul to almighty God my maker and saviour to his blessed
Mother Mary the Virgin and to all saints; and my body to be buried in
the Parish Church of Saint Bololph beside Billingsgate of London where I
am parishioner in the chapel of the Trinity there. ITEM; I bequeath to
the works of the Cathedral church of Saint Paul of London five
shillings; ITEM; I bequeath to the high altar of the said
parish church of Saint Botolph for my tithes and obligations forgotten
or negligently withheld in discharging of my soul thirteen
shillings and fourpence; ITEM; I will that Johanne
my wife the day of my burying ordain and buy ten new torches of
wax to fire and burn about my body the same day and on the morrow after
at Mass and that day I bequeath two torches of them to fire at the high
altar of the said parish church to the pleasure of God while they will
endure. ITEM; I bequeath other two of the same torches to the high
altar of our Lady in the said parish church, and the residue of the said
ten torches I will that the said Johanne my wife distribute them
according to my mind as I have showed unto her. ITEM; I bequeath to John and James my sons to them to be
delivered when they shall come to their lawful ages that is to wit to
either of them fifty pounds sterling
and either of them the goods which late were my mother’s four
pounds. ITEM; I bequeath to Elizabeth
my eldest daughter to her to be delivered when she shall come
to lawful age or marriage fifty
pounds and five pounds
in old nobles of my said mother’s bequest. ITEM; I bequeath to Denys
my daughter to be delivered in likewise when she shall come to
her lawful age or be married fifty
pounds sterling and four
pounds of the bequest of my said mother; and if any of my said
children die before they come to their lawful age or marriage then I
will that the part of him or her so decreasing remain to [those] of them
then being alive and [so] of any of them; and if all my said children
die before they come to their lawful age or be married then I bequeath
the one half of all the said sums of money to my said children afore by
me bequeathed to the fore said Johanne my wife there with to do her so
well and the other half of the said sums of money I will that the said
Johanne my wife distribute and dispose it in deeds of charity and pray
for my soul. ITEM; I will that Master Thomas Driffield priest sing
for my soul in such place or places in London as maybe about London by
the space of two years next suing after my decease and I bequeath to him
for his salary for either of the said two years eleven
marks and if the said Master Thomas refuse to sing for my soul
then I will that the said Johanne my wife ordain and find an honest
priest to sing and pray for my soul in such place or places as the said
Johanne my wife shall assign him by the space of the said two years
taking for his salary by the year eleven
marks. ITEM; I bequeath to every of my apprentices and covenant
servants being with me the day of my death as well mankind and womankind
so that they be diligent and do their services according as they ought
to do forty shillings.
ITEM; I bequeath to Master John LECHE
priest my Mass book vestment super-altar candle sticks altar
cloths and all the apparel of my altar. ITEM; I bequeath to every
child of Richard BODLEY my late brother six
shillings and eight pence. ITEM; I bequeath to every alms
man and alms woman within the alms houses of Walden in the County of
Essex to pray for my soul twelve
pence. ITEM; I bequeath to William Arnold of Southwark my
tawny gown [singlet] and my doublet of red [chambelet]. ITEM; I
bequeath to Philip Elyott the wife of
Christopher Elyot and to her children forty
shillings. ITEM; I bequeath to the said Christopher Elyot my
blue gown furred with shanks and my hood to the same and twenty
shillings in money. ITEM; I will that the foresaid
Johanne my wife have all my lands and tenements rents and fines with the
appurtenances which I have in the burgh of Southwark in the foresaid
county of Surrey or elsewhere within the realm of England to have and to
hold for the same Johanne my wife to her heirs and assigns for evermore
so that the same Johanne my wife peaceably suffer
Elizabeth LECHE her mother to have and to hold to her assigns
during her life all that my tenement in the parish of Saint Margaret in
Southwark aforesaid. The residue of all my goods chattels and debts
whatsoever they be after my debts paid the costs of my burying done and
this my present testament containing my last will in all things
fulfilled wholly I give and bequeath to the foresaid Johanne my wife
therewith to do ordain and dispose her free will; which said Johanne my
wife of this my present testament containing my last will I make and
ordain my executrix; and her overseers I make and ordain the foresaid
Master John Leche and Christopher Elyot. In witness whereof to
this my present testament containing my last will I have set my seal
given the day and year above said.
Proved at Lambeth on the first day of
August [no year stated specifically for the probate but believed to be
1492]
On 18 March 1494/5 (OS/NS), Thomas Bradbury entered into a bond of £362 to
the use of Thomas's children when they come of age or marry, probably their
inheritance under the terms of Thomas's will, and likely at the time of
Joan's re-marriage to Thomas Bradbury.
Calendar of Letter-Books of the City of London: L,
Edward IV-Henry VII, folio 313 (1912)
Custodia
pueror' Thome Bodley Cis soris.
19 March, 10 Henry VII. [A.D. 1494-5], came Thomas Bradbury, George
Bradbury, mercers, Christopher Elyot, goldsmith, and Richard Thornell,
mercer, and entered into bond in the sum of £362 14s. 5d. for payment
into the Chamber by the said Thomas Bradbury of a like sum to the use of
John, James, Elizabeth, and Dionisia, children of Thomas Bodley, late
tailor, when they come of age or marry.
Thomas Bodley
Richard Bodley
Joan (Warde) Bodley
Cambridge University, graduating
B.A. in 1493 and M.A. in 1497/8.
Alumni Cantabrigienses part 1 vol 1 p172
(John Venn, 1922)
BODLEY, THOMAS.
Scholar at KING'S HALL, 1492. Resided till
1531. S. of Richard, of St Botolph, Billingsgate. B.A. 1493; M.A. 1497-8.
Ord. priest (Ely) Sept 24, 1496. V. of South Weald, Essex, 1499-1537. Will
(P.C.C.) 1537; to be buried in St Botolph's. (J. Ch. Smith.)
An expanded entry can be found at the
Cambridge
University Venn ACAD search facility:
Thomas BODLEY
Thomas BODDELEY
Thomas BODELEY
Thomas BODLEE
Thomas BODLEYGH
Thomas BOODLEY
Approx. lifespan: 1439–1537
Updated from Venn I
S. Botolph's par., Billingsgate, London , . King's Hall, sch., adm.
1492-93 ;
fell., 1493-94 ;
vac. 1531-32
[ATCC, i. 127; Trinity College Munts, KH Accts xvii, fo. 17v; xviii, fo.
151-xxi, fo. 141v passim]
Quest., adm. 1494:03:06 ;
Inc.A., adm. 1497-98
[CUGBk Β, i. 58, 61, 110]
M.A. Ord. subd. 1496:04:02
[Reg. Hill, Lond.]
pr. 1496:09:24
[Reg. Alcock, Ely, fo. 241v]
V. of S. Neot, Cornwall , , vac. 1499:10
[Reg. Redman, Ex., fo. 12]
v. of S. Weald, Essex , , adm. 1499:10:30 ;
till death
[Reg. Savage, Lond., fo. 34v; Newcourt, ii. 645]
d. 1537
Will dated 1537:05:12 ;
proved 1537:06:26
[PCC, 8 Crumwell and 7 Dyngeley]
Requested burial within the 'presyncte' of S. Botolph's, Billingsgate,
London , , in the chapel where his father and mother lay.
Priest
Thomas was ordained priest on 24 September 1496. He was instituted vicar of
St Neot, Cornwall,
on 28 April 1498, resigning in October 1499, and then vicar of South Weald,
Essex from 30 October 1499 until his death in 1537, his successor becoming
vicar on 26 May 1537. As vicar of South Weald, Thomas was involved in a
dispute involving his attempt to tithe trees allegedly more than 100 years
old, which had been prohibited by tradition (Selling the Church p62 (Robert C. Palmer,
2003))
Repertorium Ecclesiasticum Parochiale Londinense vol
2 p645 (Richard Newcourt, 1710)
South-Weld, Vicarage.
...
Tho. Bodley,
A.M. 30. Oct. 1499. per mort. dicti Episc.
Ric. Ewer, S.T.B. 26. Maii 1537. per mort. Bodley.
Thomas was mentioned in the will of his father, Richard, dated 27 October
1491, held at The
National Archives PROB 11/9/28; modern
spelling transcript ©2015 Nina Green
Item, I
bequeath to Thomas Bodley, my eldest son, £33 6s 8d;
...
Item, I bequeath to Thomas Bodley, my son, my deep red/blue gown
and the tawny gown furred with fox;
Item, I bequeath to the same Thomas, my son, my beads(?) of
amber;
May 1537
Thomas's will was dated on 12 May 1537 and proved on 26 June 1537. His
successor as vicar of South-Weld took the position on 26 May 1537 "per mort.
Bodley."
in the chapel of the Trinity in the
church of Saint
Botolph beside Billingsgate, London, England
The will of Thomas Bodley, vicar of
South Weald, Essex, dated on 12 May 1537 and proved on 26 June 1537, is held
at the The
National Archives PROB 11/27/81. This is a modern
spelling transcript ©2015 Nina Green
Test{amentu}m
Thome Bodeley cl{er}icus
In deinomine amen. The 12th day of the month of May in
the year of Our Lord God a thousand five hundred thirty and seven and
the 29th year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King Henry
the 8th, I, Thomas Bodley, vicar of South Weald in Essex of
the diocese of London, lauded be God being of good mind & perfect
memory, make my testament and last will following:
First I bequeath my soul to Almighty God, which redeemed with his
precious blood, and to Our Blessed Lady, and to all the holy company of
heaven, my body to be buried within the precinct of the parish church of
Saint Botolph’s at Billingsgate in London where I was born and in the
chapel where my father and mother lieth;
Item, I will the day of my sepulture 20s for two trentals to be
said at convenient time for my soul and all Christian souls;
Item, I bequeath to the said church £6 13s 4d, to be applied to
some necessary thing after the discretion of my executor;
And at my burial, after my chesting, I will such torches, tapers
and other funeral expenses to be had and provided for as shall be seen
convenient for me at the discretion of my executor, whom I charge to be
done honestly as it requireth;
Item, I will the Brotherhood of the Papey to accompany my body to
be buried, they to have for their labours and to make me a brother among
them 13s 4d;
Item, I will five trentals of Masses to be celebrate for my soul
& all Christian souls as shortly after my departing as can be
convenient;
Item, I bequeath to every godchild 12d apiece;
Item, I bequeath Katherine Scott forty shillings, a pair of amber
beads gauded with silver, a slender ring, hoop fashion, and two pair of
sheets;
Item, I bequeath to Thomas Bryte 6s 8d;
Item, to the Five Orders of Friars in London in the honour of the
Five Principal Wounds of Christ, 5s to every place;
Item, I bequeath to 40 poor householders in my parish of South
Weald 12d apiece;
Item, I will during the space of a year every Friday five poor
men to have each of them a penny apiece in the honour of the Five Wounds
to pray for my soul and all Christian souls;
Item, I will five priests to say five Masses of the Five Wounds
& dirge at my parish church, they to have 12d apiece, and all other
priests that shall be there within my month’s mind or at the same to
have 8d apiece, the clerks and children to be recompensed according to
the discretion of my executor;
Item, I will my executor to pay all my debts that can be demanded
of right and sufficient proofs(?) had, supposing them to be little or
none;
Item, I bequeath to my keeper in London my bed in my chamber in
London as it standeth saving the upper covering, a cupboard and two
forms, and 40s to be paid to her as she shall need it or require it;
Item, I bequeath to my woman at my benefice 5s, and my nightgown
furred with fox, and a pair of sheets;
Item, I bequeath to the wench 5s;
Item, to my servant, John Fox, half a year’s livery, 4s, and for
his wages that resteth 12d;
Also I bequeath him 2s;
Item, I bequeath to the old works of Paul’s 3s 4d;
Item, I bequeath to the parish church of South Weald my copes
that hath been there worn, the churchwardens for the time being to
entitle in their book them to be of my gift to the laud and praising of
Almighty God to pray for my soul and all Christian souls;
Item, I will for 12 prisoners to be released in the honour of God
in hope of release and comfort of my soul, the valor and sum as it shall
be seen to my said executor;
Item, I will that my three kine to be farmed, and the yearly farm
to be given to poor people yearly to pray for my soul and all Christian
souls;
Item, I bequeath to every prison in London and spital houses and
in the suburbs of the same 3s 4d apiece;
Item, I bequeath to my godson, Francis Bodley, my dwelling-house
and all other houses, tenements, possessions, what hold soever they be
of, being and lying within the parish or any part of the same called
South Weald or Brentwood after manner and form of the lordships the
same. . . .
. . . yearly by the space of 20 years a trental of Masses
to be kept at Saint Botolph’s in London aforesaid, and also 10s to be
distribute among poor people there for my soul and all Christian souls;
Item, I bequeath to the said Francis Bodley two salts, a standing
piece of silver and gilt, a standing mazer and ten marks of money, a
whole complete bed, and all manner of household stuff, part of the best
of everything, the custody and ordering of the premises to remain and to
be in the hands and order of my brother, Master Doctor Ellis Bodley, my
executor, till he be of th’ age of 20 years or more;
And if case should happen, as God forbid, that the said Francis
should depart this present life or he come to the age of the same, I
will my executor to distribute the same to the next of the kindred,
portion and portion like, according to the discretion of my executor;
Item, I bequeath to Alice Bodley, Katherine Bodley and Grisell
Bodley, my brother Master William Bodley’s children, to each of them 40s
apiece, each of them to be other’s executor;
And to the said Grisell also I bequeath a salt and six spoons of
silver;
Item, I bequeath to my brother, Master Doctor Ellis Bodley, and
my brother, Master William Bodley, grocer, and to my sisters, my Lady
Askew, my sister Gresham, my sister Bodley, and to my brother Master
Askew, knight, Master William Gresham, [f. 54r] to them and each of them
a ring of gold, value 30s apiece;
Item, I bequeath to my brother, Master Doctor Ellis Bodley, my
bag with silver and gilt rings, a velvet girdle and a leather girdle
garnished with buckles of silver and gilt, and another leather girdle
garnished with silver, and my bed in my parlour chamber as it standeth,
four pair of sheets, a pounced basin with a ewer of pewter, the election
of my books, my best black gown, a dozen of cushions, two tablecloths of
diaper, two towels of diaper, a dozen of napkins of diaper, two plain
tablecloths and 2 plain towels;
The rest of all my goods and chattels, whatsomever they be, I
will my executor to distribute and give them in deeds of mercy and
charity as shall seem to him most convenient for the wealth of [-of] my
soul and all Christian souls as he will answer afore God at the dreadful
Day of Judgment;
And I ordain and make of this my last will and testament my
brother, Master Doctor Ellis Bodley, parson of Saint Stephen’s in
Walbrook in London, my sole executor;
And my overseer of the same I ordain and make my brother, Mr
William Bodley, grocer;
In witness whereof and in presence I have subscribed this present
testament and last will with my own hand, these being present: Sir John
Martyn, priest, Sir John Dalton, priest, and Andrew Hubbard, layman,
with divers other.
The above-written testament was proved before the Lord at Lambeth on the
twenty-sixth day of the month of June in the year of the Lord the
thousand five hundred thirty-seventh by the oath of Ellis Bodley,
executor named in the same testament, and probated and entered, and
administration was granted of all and singular the goods, rights and
credits of the said deceased to the forenamed executor, sworn on the
Holy Gospels to well etc., and [+to prepare] a full and faithful
inventory etc., and also to render a plain and true account.
William Bodley
Richard Bodley
Joan (Warde) Bodley
Elizabeth (_____) Massett
Elizabeth was the widow of William Massett whose will was made in 1501. She
was possibly born Elizabeth Byrrell, hinted at in William's will which
refers to property from "my mother Byrrell" which could be a reference to
his mother-in-law. Elizabeth was buried in Trinity chapel in the church of Saint Botolph
beside Billingsgate, London. William's will requests "my body to be
buried under the door as they go into the Trinity chapel where my father and
my mother and Elizabeth, my wife, lie, on the left hand of my father’s tomb"
Beatrice Sadler
Beatrice was the daughter of Roger Sadler, draper of St Mary Abchurch,
London. She was the sister of John Sadler, draper and alderman of London,
who married Grisell Leveson, the daughter
of William Bodley's first cousin, Nicholas
Leveson. This would be the "well-beloved brother, John Sadler" made an
overseer of her will. She was buried in Trinity chapel in the church of Saint Botolph
beside Billingsgate, London. The will of Beatrice Bodley, widow of
London, dated 1 January 1556/7 and proved on 19 December 1558, is held at
the The
National Archives PROB 11/42A/149. This is a modern
spelling transcript ©2015 Nina Green:
T{estamentum}
Beatricie Bodley
In the name of God, Amen. The first day of January in the year of
Our Lord Jesus Christ a thousand five hundred fifty and six and in the
third and fourth years of the reigns of our Sovereign Lord and Lady
Philip and Mary by the grace of God King and Queen of England, Spain,
France etc., I, Beatrice Bodley of London, widow, late wife of William
Bodley, late citizen and grocer of London, deceased, being whole of mind
and memory, laud and praise be to Almighty God, make, ordain and dispose
this my present testament and last will in manner and form following,
that is to say:
First and principally I bequeath and recommend my soul into th’
hands of my Maker, Saviour and Redeemer, trusting and faithfully
believing through the merits of Christ’s most precious passion my sins
be clearly forgiven, my body to be buried in the parish of St Botolph’s
beside Billingsgate of London by the corps of my said late husband if I
decease within the city, and if I decease out of this city then to be
buried where it shall please God to take me;
And I will that all such debts and duties as I owe of right or in
conscience to any person or persons shall within convenient time after
my decease be well & truly contented and paid by mine executors
under-named without delay or contradiction;
Item, I bequeath to and amongst the poorest people of Walthamstow
in the county of Essex ten shillings;
Also I give and bequeath to and amongst the poorest people of
Streatham in the county of Surrey ten shillings;
Item, I bequeath to my tenants of Whitecross Street without
Cripplegate of London 10d(?) to every house;
Item, I bequeath to Marie Sadler, my god-daughter, a little mazer
with a boss in it(?) weighing 5 ounces and a half;
Item, I bequeath to my son-in-law, Vincent Amcottes, and
Katherine his wife, my daughter, £4 to make each of them a gown;
Item, I bequeath to the same Katherine, my daughter, my best
kirtle, a furred cassock of cloth or worsted, whether she will, my best
bonnet and partlet;
Item, I bequeath to my son-in-law, Lancelot Harrison, and his
wife £4 to make each of them a gown;
Item, I bequeath to Marie Harrison, my god-daughter, for her
preferment forty pounds of good and lawful money of England to be
delivered to her by my executors at the day of her marriage, if she do
marry with the consent of her friends; if not, then to be delivered to
her when my executors shall think best;
Also I bequeath to the said Marie Harrison 2 pair of fine sheets
which be marked with her mark, a gilt cup of bell fashion weighing 25
ounces, 6 silver spoons with small apostles weighing 8 ounces and more,
which cup and spoons remain in her father’s hands;
More to her, a diaper towel 6 yards long, and more, a fine diaper
napkin and a fine double rail;
And if she happen to decease before her marriage, then to remain
to Ellis, her brother;
Item, I bequeath to Ellis Harrison, her brother, £6 13s 4d to be
paid to him at his lawful age of 21 years, which doth remain in his
father’s hands;
And if he happen to decease before his lawful age, that then the
said £6 13s 4d to remain to Marie, his sister;
Item, I give to the goodwife Birde a little gemew with a red
stone;
Item, I bequeath to Nicholas Dowson at th’ end of his years of
apprenticehood10s;
Item, I bequeath to Beatrice Hacker(?), my god-daughter, certain
things as appeareth by a bill within them;
The residue of all my goods and chattels whatsoever they be after
my debts paid, the costs of my burial done, and this my present
testament and last will in all things fulfilled, wholly I give and
bequeath to the said Francis Bodley, my son;
And of this my present testament and last will, all other
heretofore by me made being void and of none effect, I make and ordain
the same Francis my full and sole executor;
And overseers of the same I make and ordain my well-beloved
brother, John Sadler, and my son-in-law, Vincent Amcottes.
This is the last will of me, the said Beatrice Bodley, made the
day and year first abovesaid concerning all my messuages, lands and
tenements hereafter expressed and mentioned, that is to say:
First & principally I will that my son, Francis, aforesaid,
shall have my 2 messuages or tenements lying and being in the said
parish of St Botolph’s by Billingsgate, whereof thone is commonly called
the Ball in the which John Sikellmore now doth inhabit, and thother is
called the Bell, in the which I, the aforesaid Beatrice, now do inhabit
and dwell;
And also all that my garden plot lying and being in St Katherine
Colman parish by Aldgate of London now in the tenure and occupation of
me, the said Beatrice;
And also all that my garden plot now in the tenure of Henry
Gardyner;
To have and to hold all the same two messuages or tenements and
gardens with th’ appurtenances to the same Francis, my son, for term of
his life;
And after his decease the same two messuages or tenements and
gardens to remain to the Masters and Wardens of the Mystery of the
Grocers of the city of London for the space of ten days;
And after the said ten days be expired, then the said messuages
or tenements and gardens with th’ appurtenances to remain to th’ heirs
of the body of the said Francis lawfully begotten;
And if it happen the said Francis to decease without issue of his
body lawfully begotten, that then the said two messuages or tenements
and gardens with th’ appurtenances to remain to Vincent Amcottes and
Katherine, his wife, and to th’ heirs of the said Katherine lawfully
begotten;
And for lack of such issue the remainder thereof to the heirs of
Alice Harrison, my late daughter, of her body begotten;
Provided always and my will is that the said Vincent and
Katherine, his wife, and their heirs in tail and such other persons
after them to whom I have bequeathed the said two messuages or tenements
in the parish of St Botolph’s aforesaid by this my present will shall
yearly pay and distribute from such time as that shall come into their
hands and possessions forthwards forever unto poor people, whereas most
need shall be, four pounds yearly of the rents, revenues and profits
coming out of the said two tenements aforesaid;
Item, I give and bequeath to the same Vincent and Katherine, his
wife, and to th’ heirs of the same Katherine lawfully begotten, all that
my gardenplot now in the tenure and occupation of Thomas Howe;
And for lack of heirs of her body, then I will the same garden
plot to remain to the said Francis Bodley, my son, and to his heirs
forever;
Item, I give and bequeath to the said Vincent Amcottes and
Francis Bodley, my son, all that my message or tenement lying and being
at Bread Street corner of London;
To have and to hold the same messuage or tenement with th’
appurtenances to the same Vincent and Francis during the term of 7 years
next after my decease upon condition following, that is to say, that the
said Vincent and Francis or their assigns shall pay or cause to be paid
yearly during the said term of 7 years to the Masters & Governors of
th’ Hospital of Christchurch beside Newgate of London to the relief of
the poor there the sum of forty shillings every year to be levied and
received of the rents, revenues and profits of the said messuage or
tenement at Bread Street corner;
And also that the same Vincent and Francis or their assigns shall
pay or cause to be paid likewise to the Masters and Governors of th’
Hospital in Southwark to the relief of the poor there yearly the sum of
forty shillings during the said term of 7 years next after my decease,
to be levied and received of the rents, revenues and profits of the said
messuage or tenement at Bread Street corner aforesaid;
And also that the said Vincent and Francis shall pay or do to be
paid to the poorest people of the parish of St Botolph’s aforesaid
yearly the sum of ten shillings during the said term of 7 years next
after my decease to be levied and received of the rents, revenues and
profits of the said messuage or tenement in Bread Street corner
aforesaid;
And the overplus of the said rent shall be bestowed by the said
Vincent and Francis as they shall think best;
And after the said 7 years be expired, then I will the same
messuage to remain to Francis Bodley, my son, and to his heirs forever;
Item, I will that John Siklemore and Agnes, his wife, shall have
and enjoy the said house called the Golden Ball during their lives and
the longer liver of them, to inhabit and dwell in and upon the same, and
paying th’ accustomed rent of four pounds by the year and keeping and
bearing the reparations of the same, and that it shall not be lawful for
the said John or Agnes to let or set the same house to any person or
persons without the special licence or consent of the said Francis or
his heirs;
In witness whereof to this my present testament and last will I
have set to my seal the day and year first above-written. Per me, John
Syklemore. Per me, Nicholas Hecker.
The above-written will was proved before Master Henry Cole, Doctor of
the Laws, Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury of
the archiepiscopal seat there now vacant, on the nineteenth day of the
month of December in the year of the Lord the thousand five hundred
fifty eighth by the oath of Francis Bodley, executor named in the same
testament, to whom administration was granted of all and singular the
goods etc., sworn on the Holy Gospels to well and faithfully administer
the same, and to prepare a full and faithful inventory etc., and to
exhibit the same etc., and also to render a plain and true account etc.
(It is not clear which of William's two wives was the mother of these
children, although likely Alice was the daughter of Elizabeth from hints in
William's will and Francis's
mother is stated to be Beatrice). William children are also mentioned
in the will
of his brother, Ellis:
Item, I will the plate concerning Francis Bodley,
my brother William’s son, given unto him by my said brother vicar, Master
Thomas Bodley, which remaineth in my Lady Askew’s keeping, be given to him
in due time according to my brother’s testament;
And likewise the portions of all his sisters remaining in my hands
that is not delivered already, to be delivered at their marriage day or
when they come to th’ age of eighteen years;
Item, I will all such plate of mine remaining in my sister
Gresham’s hands to be divided to the said Francis and his 3 sisters,
Katherine, Alice and Grissell Bodley, equally to be divided amongst them,
saving a dozen of spoons which I will and bequeath to my said sister
Gresham;
- Francis Bodley (1532 - 1566)
- Alice Bodley
- Katherine Bodley
- Grissell Bodley
Grocer
William was elected a warden of the Grocers' Company in 1521, 1522, 1523 and
1532.
William was mentioned in the will of his father, Richard, dated 27 October
1491, held at The
National Archives PROB 11/9/28; modern
spelling transcript ©2015 Nina Green
Item, to
each of my other sons and daughters not yet married I bequeath £33 6s
8d;
...
Item, I bequeath to William, my son, all my English books;
|
|
Example page of MS 142 (f.2v) held at
Corpus Christi College, Cambridge contains a life
of St Margaret of Antioch alongside that of St Katherine. It also
includes Nicholas Love's very popular Mirror
of the Blessed Life of Jesus Christ
|
|
|
Inscription by William Bodley "Thys
Booke ys Wylliam bodleys & Elzabethe hys wyffe" in MS
142 f.127v held at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
|
 |
|
Inscription by Beatrice Bodley "Thys ys betrys bodleys book" in MS
142 f.126v held at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
|
A book owned by William and likely one of the books mentioned in the bequest
to William in his father's will is the manuscript MS
142 held at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. An inscription on the
flyleaf of the book reads "Thys Booke ys Wylliam bodleys & Elzabethe hys
wyffe", and on another page we see "Thys ys betrys bodleys book". Another
book owned by William and likely part of the bequest is a Book of Hours held
at The
University of Edinburgh Archives Online MS 39: Book of Hours which
contains a signature on the flyleaf recording the birth of his son, Francis,
in 1532: "Franciscus Bodley natus fuit in
anno domini millesimo quingentesimo trecesimo secundo" (Francis
Bodley was born in the year of our Lord 1532).
Hagiography and the History of Latin Christendom,
500-1500 p407 (Lewis, 2019)
Cambridge, Corpus Christi College 142, like the Oxford manuscript,
contains a life of St Margaret
of Antioch alongside that of St Katherine. It also includes Nicholas
Love's very popular Mirror of the
Blessed Life of Jesus Christ, a work of affective theology that
provides guidance on pursuing a mixed life of contemplation and action.
Other items are a form of confession and a treatise on spiritual battle.
It bears the inscription "Thys Booke ys Wylliam bodleys & Elzabethe
hys wyffe" on the last flyleaf. William Bodley (d. 1450) was a London
grocer. His father, Richard Bodley, was also a grocer, warden of the
Grocer's company in the late 1480s, and very wealthy. Richard's will
mentions several books, including a number in English, which he
bequeathed to William. Corpus Christi College 142 may be one of these,
in which case it is notable that he left it to his grocer son, rather
than either of his two sons who were priests. This suggests that it was
deemed a particularly suitable book for lay domestic devotions.
|
|
|
One of the historiated initials in the
Book of Hours owned by William Bodley, now held at the Edinburgh
University library MS 39
|
 |
|
Inscription "Franciscus
Bodley natus fuit in anno domini millesimo quingentesimo
trecesimo secundo" (Francis Bodley was born in the year
of our Lord 1532) in the Book
of Hours (f.2r) owned by William Bodley, now held at the Edinburgh
University library MS 39
|
Medieval Londoners p257 (ed. Elizabeth A.
New and Christan Steer, 2019)
John
Reynewell and St. Botolph Billingsgate by Stephen Freeth and John
Schofield
... Richard Bodley, grocer, 1491, left all his English books (omnes
libros meos anglicos), frustratingly unnamed, to his son; his
beautiful (finest?) psalter (meum
pulchrum psalterum) to his daughter Isabella; and his primer to
his daughter Emma. He was from the same family as the founder of the
Bodleian Library in Oxford and was warden of the Grocers’ Company in
1488–9. From their inscriptions, two or possibly three of his books
survive as Cambridge, Corpus Christi MS. 142 (Nicholas Love’s Life
of Christ and a Life of St. Katherine); and Edinburgh
University Library MS. 39 (a very fine London-made book of hours). The Life of Christ was a ‘canonical’
text of the fifteenth century of which more than twenty copies survive
in libraries. The book of hours, according to a catalogue of the
Edinburgh University library manuscripts, shows ‘English illumination of
the early part of the 15th century at its best’. It contains eleven
historiated initials; that for the office of the dead shows mourners and
two priests around a coffin draped with a hearse-cloth and surrounded by
candles, with other clergy in the background
1539-40
in Trinity chapel in the church of Saint Botolph
beside Billingsgate, London, England. William's will specifically
requests "my body to be buried under the door as they go into the Trinity
chapel where my father and my mother and Elizabeth, my wife, lie, on the
left hand of my father’s tomb"
The will of William Bodley, grocer of
London, dated 1 December 1539 and proved on 26 November 1540, is held at the
The
National Archives PROB 11/28/311. This is a modern
spelling transcript ©2015 Nina Green:
T{estamentum}
Will{el}mi Bodeley
In the name of God, Amen. The first day of the month of December
the year of Our Lord God a thousand five hundred thirty and nine and the
31st year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King Henry the
Eight, I, William Bodley, citizen and grocer of London, whole in mind,
thank be to Our Lord Jesus Christ, my Redeemer, make this my last will:
First I bequeath my soul to Almighty God, my Redeemer, and to Our
Blessed Lady his Mother, and to all the holy company of heaven, my body
to be buried under the door as they go into the Trinity chapel where my
father and my mother and Elizabeth, my wife, lie, on the left hand of my
father’s tomb;
And I bequeath to the high altar 3s 4d for my tithes negligently
forgotten in this my parish of Saint Botolph’s;
And also I bequeath to the brotherhood of Our Lady and Saint John
in this parish 6s 8d;
Also I will that my house at Bread Street corner be sold, and the
money thereof made that my daughter, Alice, shall have it according as
my mother Byrrell [=Burrell?] willed me to give her;
Also I will that my part be divided among my children;
Also my debts paid;
And as for the debts that my brother asketh of me for my brother
vicar, he hath forgiven me the one half and the rest he hath taken of
me, and as their conscience will, so let them do for me;
Of this my last will I make Beatrice, my wife, and my brother
Master Doctor overseer, and I give him forty shillings;
In witness I have writ this my last will and set to my name. Per
me, William Bodley.
Also I will my Company have £4 to make them a recreation at hall.
The above-written testament was proved before the Lord at London on the
twenty-sixth day of the month of November in the year of the Lord the
thousand five hundred fortieth by the oath of the relict and executrix
named in the same testament, and probated and entered, and
administration was granted to the executrix aforesaid of all and
singular the goods, rights and credits etc., [+sworn] on the Holy
[+Gospels] etc. to well and faithfully etc., and also to prepare and
exhibit a full and faithful inventory, and also a plain and true account
etc.
- Visitations
of Surrey in Publications of the Harleian
Society vol 43 p147 (1894); mentioned in the will of his
father, Richard, dated 27 October 1491, held at The
National Archives PROB 11/9/28
- Will of William
Bodley at www.oxford-shakespeare.com/Probate/PROB_11-28-311.pdf
and inscription on the flyleaf of MS
142 held at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge that reads "Thys
Booke ys Wylliam bodleys & Elzabethe hys wyffe"; Elizabeth surname
from Medieval London Widows, 1300-1500 p212n
(Caroline Barron, Anne F. Sutton, 1994);
William Massett will date from The Order of the Hospital of St. John of
Jerusalem, and its Grand priory of England p57 (1916);
Elizabeth burial from William's will at www.oxford-shakespeare.com/Probate/PROB_11-28-311.pdf
- Visitations
of Surrey in Publications of the Harleian
Society vol 43 p147 (1894); Beatrice father from Sixteenth-Century Readers, Fifteenth-Century Books
p34 (Margaret Connolly, 2019);
Beatrice death from will date and probate date from www.oxford-shakespeare.com/Probate/PROB_11-42A-149.pdf;
Beatrice burial from Medieval London Widows, 1300-1500 p214n
(Caroline Barron, Anne F. Sutton, 1994) and as requested in will at www.oxford-shakespeare.com/Probate/PROB_11-42A-149.pdf;
Beatrice will from www.oxford-shakespeare.com/Probate/PROB_11-42A-149.pdf
- List of the Wardens of the Grocers' Company from
1345 to 1907 pp16-7 (1907); William's will at The
National Archives PROB 11/28/311
- between date will was
made on 1 December 1539 and date will was proved on 26 November 1540
from www.oxford-shakespeare.com/Probate/PROB_11-28-311.pdf
- Medieval London Widows, 1300-1500 p214n
(Caroline Barron, Anne F. Sutton, 1994); as requested in will at www.oxford-shakespeare.com/Probate/PROB_11-28-311.pdf
- The
National Archives PROB 11/28/311; modern spelling transcript at www.oxford-shakespeare.com/Probate/PROB_11-28-311.pdf
- William Bodley
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