Leche Family

1509 Thomas Bradbury, Mercer, sonne to VVilliam Bradbury of Branghing in Hertfordshire: Lord Maior part of the yeare, ans Sir VVilliam Capell the rest, wherein dyed King Henry the seaventh, and Henry the eight his sonne, began his raigne the 22. of Aprill, 1509.

She was now in her forties and the man she chose, after about three years of widowhood, was Thomas Bradbury, a wealthy merchant and a bachelor, aged between fifty and fifty-six years. Neither of them was marrying in haste. They 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.
... Thomas Bradbury had been born about 1439, in Braughing, Hertfordshire, a younger son of William Bradbury and his wife Elizabeth Rokell. The family was armigerous and reasonably prosperous. All the younger sons, Thomas, George and Henry, became mercers of London and apparently only Thomas ever married. Their elder brother, Robert, inherited the family lands and one sister, Philippa, married well among local gentry.
Thomas served his apprenticeship with the wealthy Richard Rich, probably issuing from his term before Rich died in 1464. In his master's household Thomas met some important citizrns: Riche's sons-in-law included a recorder, a mayor and an alderman.

WILL OF SIR THOMAS BRADBURY,
MAYOR OF LONDON.
In the name of god amen the IX^th day of the moneth of January the yere of our lord god m¹v^e and IX and the first yere of the Reign of Kyng Henry the VIII^th. I Thomas Bradbury mayre of the citie of London beying in hole mynde and of goode memory thanked be our lord god make ordeyne and declare this my present testament conteynyng my last will as to the disposition of all my goods cattells lands and tents in manner and forme folowing that is to say
First I bequeath and Recomend my soule to almighty god our lady seynt Mary and all the seynts in heaven.
Item. My body to be buried in the pisshe church, of seynt stephen in Colman strete. Where I am pisshen, that is to say in the chapell of oure laydy in the said churche, if I happen there to dye orells in the pisshe churche where it shall fortune me to decease and passe oute of this world bifore thymage of our lady in the same churche etc.
Item. I will that mye executors hereunder named Immediately after my decesse cawse i j trentalls of masses to be songen and said by the freers (blank), praying for my soule and all cristen soules and I will and bequeath to the same freers for their labor aboute the same XX^s.
Item. I will and bequeath to evry of the IIIj orders of freers in the citie of London to bring my body to erthe and to be present at my burying praying for my soule XX^s.
Item. I bequeath to the said churche of seynt Stephen toward the reparacens of the same X^lb or more after the discretion of mye executors.
Item. I bequeath to the vicar of the said churche XX^s to pray for my soule.
Item. I will that evry off my lovenut sirvants being with me att the time of my decesse have a blake gowne after the discretion of myn executors.
Item. I will that Robert Blag of therche quier have a blake gowne and a ryng of the value of V mro, in money.
Item. I will that my broder-in-law John Josselyn and my sister his wife and either of theym, haue a blake gowne and either of theym a ryng of the value of II^li or II^li in money aft. the discrecion of myn executors.
Item. I will that Thomas Stoks, gent, haue a blake gowne and a ryng of the value of Xl^s or Xl^s in money after the discretion of myn executors
Item. I will that either of my brethren Henry & Thomas Leech haue a blake gowne.
Item. I will that myn executors giue unto as many of my kynsmen and frends as they shall think conveyent after their discretion, blake gouns.
Item. I will that my said executors provide all things for and about my funerall burying and moneths mynde as by their discrecion shall seme behoveful, nedeful and conveyent.
Item. I bequeath to the pisshe of brawing where I was borne a sute of vestments of the value of XX^li or more after the discrecion of myn exec.
Item. I bequeath to the pisshe church of Manceden in Essex, a single sute of vestments of the value of XX^li after the discrecion of my exec.
Item. I bequeath to the pisshe church of Stanstede Monfichet in Essex where my grandmother ys buried a syngle sute of vestments of the value of XX^li or more at the discrecion of myn exec.
Item. I bequeath to the poore people of the pisshe of Braughyng aforesaid Xl^s to be distributed by the discrecion of myn exec.
Item. To the poore folks of the pisshe of Mancenden aforesaid XX^s to be distributed by the discrecion of myn exec.
Item. I bequeath to the pisshe of Mountfichett aforesaid XX^s to be distributed in likewise aft. the discrecion of myn exec.
Item. I bequeath to my brother Henry XX^li.
Item. I bequeath to my sisters Illesleys daughters toward hir mariage Xl^li, evenly to be divided amongs theym, to be delivered to them by myn executors at the mariage of eny of theym, and if any of theym decease bifore mariage then the part or portion of hir so deceesed to the other enlyving equally to be devided betweene theym etc.
Item. I bequeath to my sister Yllsley vii^li or more after the discrecion of Johane my wif.
Item. The Residue of my goods and cattalls after my debts paid my funeralls doon and this my present testament in everything fulfilled and executed I holly giue and bequeath unto the said Johane my wife therewith to doo and dispose her free will.
And of this my present testament and last will, I ordeyne and constitute the said Johane my wif, Richard Bishope of Norwich and Richard Broke myn executors, and either the said Richard Bishop and Richard Broke to haue XX^li.
Item. This is the last will of me the said Thomas Bradbury made the day and year aforesaid as to the disposicion of all my lands and tents in the counties of Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and the citie of London and eleswhere within the Realme of England.
First I will that my said wif have all my manors lands and tents rents and services which I or any psons to myn use been seasid of wt. in the said counties and citie or eleswhere to have to hir term of life without empeschment of wast except the manor of Bawdes and my mylne in the countie of Essex which I will John Leeche have for term of his life.
Item. I will that Immediately after his death Humfrey Tyrell son of William Tyrell and Elisabeth his wife my wife's daughter, haue all that my moytie of that manor or lordship of Bekenham in the countie of Kent a^t theappurtences to haue to him and the heyres of his body, and for defaulte of suche yssue to the sisters of the said Humfrey begotten between the said William and my said wif's sayd daughter and to theyres of their bodyes. And for defaulte of yssue of any of their bodyes, hir part so decessing to remayn to the other surviving and the heyres of his body. And for defaulte of suche issue, the remaynder to the said William the fader and to his heirs forev.
Item. I will that the said Humfrey & Johane the daughter of my said brother and sister Josselyn his wife if the said Humfrey and Johane be content and doo mary theym self togider, then immediately after the deceese of my said wif and John Leech the said Humfrey and Johane haue the manor of bawdes and my mylees in the countie of Essex to theym and to the heyres off their two bodys lawfully begoten. And for defaulte of such yssue to my cosyn William Bradbury and his heyres forever. And if the said Humfrey and Johane will not mary togider when they bothe come to their lawfull age of consent of marriage but refuse to be married togider when they be required by my said executors or their assignes. Then I will the said my cosyn William haue the said lands to him and to his heirs after the decees of the said Johane myn wif and the said John Leeche. Forseen that my wif have the saide manor and mylees after the death of the said Leeche for time of his life etc.
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.
I will that my said wif shal haue my house whereyn I now dwell and all other houses and edeficious djoyning or beying aperment or pcell of the same for terme of hir life and the Reversion thereof to be sold by my said executor and the money thereof coming to be disposed by my said wif for the welth of my soule and hirs as she shall think best.
Item. I will that after the decesse of my said wif, Thomas Josselyn son of my said brother and sister Josselyn haue the manor of Mancenden and all those lands & tents that I late bought of Henry Woodcocks in the county of Essex. To haue to the said Thomas and to the heyres of his body. And for defaulte of such yssue the remainder thereof to the said William Bradbury and his heyres.
Item. Where certeyn lands and tents were lately recovered by certeyn p'cesses agaynst Thomas Nevell to thuse and entent that if an anuytie or annell rent of X^li were truly content and paied owte of the manor of Hanyngfield to me and my said wif covenanted and guarantied to be paid for term of our lives by the Lord of Burgeneny according to endentures of covenants thereof made that then the said Record of the said lands against said Thomas Nevell shuld be to them made of the said Thomas Nevell and his heyres males of his body. And for defaulte of such yssue the remaynder unto the said Lord of Burgeneny. And if defaulte were made contrary to the forme of the said indentures, that then the said lauds shuld be to me and to myn said wife and myn heyres. I will that if defaulte of payment be made of the said annual rent contrary to the forme aforesaid that the said lands to be to my said wife for term of hir life and the reversion thereof to be sold by my said executors & the money thereof coming to be disposed by my said wif for our souls as shall think best.

COLLECTED TRANSCRIBED WILLS
1510 Sir Thomas Bradbury
In the name of God Amen the 20^th day of the month of January the year of our Lord God 1509 and the first year of the reign of King Henry VIII, I Thomas Bradbury Mayor of the City of London being in hole mind and good memory thanks be our Lord God make ordain and large this my present testament containing my last will as to the disposition of all my goods chattels and debts lands and rents in manner and form following that is to say: First I bequeath and recommend my soul to almighty God our Lady Saint Mary and all the saints in heaven. ITEM; my body to be buried in the parish church of Saint Stephen in Coleman Street where I am parishioner, that is to say in the Chapel of our Lady within the said church if I happen there to die or else in the parish church where it shall fortune me to decease and pass out of this world before the image of our Lady in the same church. ITEM; I will that my executors here under named immediately after my decease [xxx] of masses to be sung and said by the [priests] praying for my soul and all [casten] souls; and I will and bequeath to the same [priests] for their labours about the same twenty shillings. ITEM; I will and bequeath to any of the [7?] orders of freemen in the City of London to bring my body to earth and to be present at my burying praying for my soul twenty shillings. ITEM; I bequeath to the said church of Saint Stephen toward the reparation of the same ten pounds or more after the discretion of my executors. ITEM; I bequeath to the vicar of the same church twenty shillings to pray for my soul. ITEM; I will that any of my covenant servants being [with] me at the time of my decease have a black gown after the discretion of my executors. ITEM; I will that Sir Robert Blag of the Exchequer have a black gown and a ring to the value of [xxx] in money. ITEM; I will that my brother in law John JOSSELYN and my sister his wife and either of them have a black gown and either of them a ring to the value of [xxx] or [xxx] in money after the discretion of my executors. ITEM; I will that Thomas Stoke, gent have a black gown and a ring of the value of [xxx] or [xxx] in money at the discretion of my executors. ITEM; I will that either of my brethren Henry and Thomas LECHE have a black gown ITEM; I will that many of my [beneficiaries] and friends as they shall think convenient after their discretion black gowns. ITEM; I will that my said executors provide all things for and about my funeral burying and months mind as bob their discretion shall serve behoveful needful and convenient. ITEM; I bequeath to the parish church of Braughing where I was born a suit of vestments of the value of twenty pounds or more after the discretion of my executors. ITEM; I bequeath to the parish church of [Aymelloden] in Essex a single suit of vestments of the value of twenty pounds or more after the discretion of my executors. ITEM; I bequeath to the parish church of Stansted Montfitchet in Essex where my grandmother is buried a single suit of vestments of the value of twenty pounds or more at the discretion of my executors. ITEM; I bequeath to the poor people of the parish of Braughing aforesaid forty shillings to be distributed by the discretion of my executors. ITEM; to the poor folk of the parish of [Manelloden] aforesaid twenty shillings to be distributed at the discretion of my executors. ITEM; I bequeath to the parish of Montfitchet aforesaid twenty shillings to be distributed in like wise after the discretion of my executors. ITEM; I bequeath to my brother Henry twenty pounds. Item; I bequeath to my sister Illesley’s daughters for and toward her marriage forty pounds evenly to be divided among them to be delivered to them by my executors at the marriage of every of them and if any of them decease before marriage then the part or portion of her so deceased to be delivered to the other surviving equally to be divided between them etc. ITEM; I bequeath to my said sister Illesley twelve pounds or more after the discretion of Johanne my wife. ITEM; the residue of all my goods and chattels after my debts paid my funerals done and that my present testament in every thing fulfilled and executed I wholly give and bequeath unto the said Johanne my wife therewith to do and dispose her free will and this my present testament and last will I ordain make and constitute the said Johanne my wife Richard Bisshope of Norwich and Richard Brooke my executors and every of the said Richard Bisshop and Richard Brooke to have twenty pounds.

ITEM; this is the last will of me the said Thomas Bradbury made the day and year aforesaid as to the disposition of all my lands and tenements in the counties of Essex Hertford Kent and in the City of London and elsewhere within the realm of England. First I will that my said wife have all my manors lands tenements rents and fines which I or any persons to my use been seized of within the said counties and city or elsewhere to have to her for [tenure] of life without [impeachment of most], except the manor of [Ballodes] and my [xxx] in the county of Essex which I will John LECHE have for tenure of his life. ITEM; I will that immediately after her death Humfrey TYRRELL son of William TYRRELL and Elizabeth his wife my wife’s daughter have all that my moiety of that manor or lordship of Beckenham in the County of Kent with the appurtenances to have to him and to heirs of his body and for default of such issue to the sisters of the said Humfrey begotten between the said William and my said wife’s daughter and to the heirs of their bodies and for default of issue of any of their bodies his part so deceasing to remain to the other surviving and to the heirs of her body and for default of such issue the remainder to the said William the father and to his heirs forever. ITEM; I will that the said Humfrey and Johanne the daughter of my said brother and sister Josselyn his wife if the said Humfrey and Johanne be content and do marry them self together then immediately after the decease of my said wife and John Leche the said Humfrey and Johanne have the manor of [Ballodes] and my [xxx] in the county of Essex to them and to the heirs of their two bodies lawfully begotten and for default of such issue to my cousin William Bradbury and his heirs forever and if the said Humfrey and Johanne will not marry together when they both come to their lawful age of consent of marriage but refuse to be married together when they be required by my said executors or their assigns then I will the said my cousin William have the said land to him and to his heirs after the decease of the said Johanne my wife and the said John Leche [for seen] that my wife have the said manor with [xxx] after the death of the said Leche for tenure of her life etc. ITEM; I will that Denys BODLEY my wife’s daughter immediately after my said wife’s decease have the manors lands and tenements called [Moescot] in the County of Kent with the appurtenances to her and to her heirs of her body and toward her marriage and for default of such issue I will the said manors be sold by my said executors and the money thereof coming to be disposed by my said wife for my soul and the souls of my said wife and all Christian souls as she shall think best. ITEM; I will that my said wife shall have my house wherein I now dwell and all other houses and edifices adjoining or being appurtenant or parcel of the same for term of her life and the reversion thereof to be sold by my said executors and the money thereof coming to be disposed by my said wife for the wealth of my soul and hers as she shall think best. ITEM; I will that after the decease of my said wife Thomas JOSSELYN son of my said brother and sister Josselyn have the manor of [Manouden] and all those lands and tenements that I late bought of Henry Woodcock in their County of Essex to have to the said Thomas and to the heirs of his body and for default of such issue the remainder thereof to the said William Bradbury and his heirs. ITEM; where certain lands and tenements more lately seconded by certain persons against Thomas Newell to the use and intent that if an annuity or annual rent of sixty pounds more truly content and paid out of the manor of [Hammonfield] to me and my said wife Covenanter and granted to be paid for tenure of one [halves] by the Lord of Burgeberry according to indentures of covenants thereof made that then the said revenues of the said lands against the said Thomas Newell made should be to those of the said Thomas Newell and his heirs males of his body and for default of such issue the remainder unto the said Lord of Burgeberry and if he defaults more made contrary to the form of the said indenture that then the said lands should be to me and to my said wife and my heirs. I will that if default of payment be made of the said annual rent contrary to the sum aforesaid that then the said lands to be to my said wife for tenure of her life and the reversion thereof to be sold by my said executors and the money thereof coming to be disposed by my said wife for all souls as she shall think best. ITEM; I will that annual rent or annuity of twenty pounds in Braughing which the parson of Caste church pays my wife to have etc. ITEM; all other wills I revoke.

Proved 27th February 1509 (1510)

Lady Bradbury was born Joan Leche, about the year 1450, the daughter of Denis Leche of Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, and Elizabeth, his wife. She had at least three brothers, Henry, Thomas and John, of whom John, considerably her senior, was educated at Winchester, Oxford and Cambridge, and became a priest. That Joan's father, of whom nothing is known, was able to educate one son in this way and dower Joan well enough to secure her a match with a prosperous citizen of London indicates that the Leche family were in comfortable circumstances.
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.
... 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.)
... 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.
... She was now in her forties and the man she chose, after about three years of widowhood, was Thomas Bradbury, a wealthy merchant and a bachelor, aged between fifty and fifty-six years. Neither of them was marrying in haste. They 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.
... Joan's life estate [in the will of Thomas Bradbury] consisted of a spacious mansion fronting Catte Street (now Gresham Street), adjacent to the churchyard of St Stephen Coleman Street and lying between Coleman Street and Basinghall Street; one Essex manor, two in Kent and another in Hertfordshire; an annuity of £60 out of the manor of 'Haryngfeld' paid by George Neville, Lord Abergavenny, and another of £20 from the prior of Holy Trinity Aldgate. She also receieved the residue of the estate which included a prosperous mercery business, 'at her free will'.

Finding herself a widow once again, Joan faced the decision to remain a widow or to remarry. Although she was wealthy, she would not have access to any civic life if she remained a widow, but she could have far more control of her own life. Deciding that she could do far more for her family as a widow, Joan did not remarry. Within one year of Thomas Bradbury's death, Joan had begun work to establish a chantry in her late husband's name in St. Giles and St. Martin's. She bought the lands and obtained the licenses needed from Henry VIII in 1515. Joan also worked with her son John to establish a grammar school at Saffron Walden in Essex. By 1525, she had successfully turned over the home that she and Thomas Bradbury shared to the Mercer's Company, with the agreement that they would look out for the family in London.

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 FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL at SAFFRON WALDEN owe it's Foundation to the “good intente, mynde, and godlie purpose” of The Revd. JOHN LECHE, Vicar of Walden, which was partly effected during his life-time, and fully accomplished after his decease, “by his Suster and Heire, Dame JOHAN BRADBURY, of London, Widow.”
He became Vicar of Walden (then Chepyng Walden), in 1489, and died in the year 1521. He was also a Member of “The Gilde or Fraternite of THE HOLY TRINITE,”—as was likewise his Sister, Lady BRADBURY,— which was established by Letters Patent from King HENRY the Eighth, dated at Westminster the 24th of March, in the Fifth year of his reign, 1514.
... It appears from an Indenture tripartite, now preserved in the Council Chamber at Saffron Walden, “made the eighten day of Maye, 1525, and in the 17th year of HENRY the 8th., between Dame JOHANE BRADBURY, on the oon partie,—and the Treasorer and Chambreleyns of the Fraternitie or gilde of the Holy Trinite in the Parish Churche of Walden, on the seconde partie,—and the Abbott and Covent of the Monastery of the same town, on the thred partie,”—that a House and School-room were built by the “saide Dame JOHANE and Master LECHE, opposite the Lane. called ‘The Vicar’s Lane,’ in the Town of Walden. And further, that Lady BRADBURY thereby granted a rent-charge of £12. per annum, out of the Manor of “Willynghall Spayne, in the Countie of Essex”, to the Gild of Walden “for the supportacion of a Priest to say Mass, and to teach Children Grammar in the School, after the order and use of Winchester and Eton.”
He was to be chosen by the Gilde, and examined by the Abbot and Vicar.
After a year’s probation he was to retain the situation for life, except in case of delinquency, or being promoted to any “benefice with or without Cure of Souls.”
In case of Infirmity he was to provide an Usher, at his own charge.LecheJial license of the Vicar.

Walden, Essex. Licence to the treasurer and chamberlains of the guild of Holy Trinity, in the parish church of Walden, Essex, (in consideration of the intention of Joan Bradbury, of London, widow, to found a boys' school at Chepyng Walden,) to acquire lands to the yearly value of 10l., for support of a chaplain as schoolmaster, and for divine services for the King, Queen, the cardinal of York, Ric. Nyx, bp. of Norwich, the said Joan, Ric. Broke and Anne his wife, Nich. Rutland and Clemantia his wife, and Hen. Fyncham, and for the souls of John Leche, clk., late vicar of the said church, Kath. Semar, Th. Bradbury, Th., John and Jas. Bodley, and others.—S.B. Pat. p.2, m.21.

MERCERS' COMPANY
Lady Bradbury's Estate.
King Henry VIII., by letters patent dated the 4th March, in the 4th year of his reign, granted licence to the Mercers' Company to hold lands to the yearly value of 20l. from Dame Joan Bradbury (who was the widow of Sir Thomas Bradbury, citizen and mercer, and Lord Mayor of London in the year 1509, in which year he died); and by letters patent dated the 24th October, in the sixth year of his reign, granted licence to Richard Bishop of Norwich, Sir Richard Broke, Knight, and others, to grant to the said Company 29 acres of land in the parish of Marylebone, and 20 acres of land, 40 acres of meadow, and 60 acres of pasture in the town of Westminster, in the parishes of St. Giles and St Martin's-in-the-Field's, in part satisfaction of the said 20l. of land, &c. And the said king further gave licence to the said Company to hold the said lands, the Statutes against putting lands into mortmain, or any other Statutes notwithstanding. The said Bishop of Norwich and others by Indenture, dated the 12th May, 8 Henry VIII., granted to the said Company the lands mentioned above, to be held in such manner, and according to such ordinances as the said Lady Bradbury should declare.
Lady Bradbury, by Indenture dated the 2nd March 1523 (15 Henry VIII.), made certain ordinances for the maintenance of a perpetual chauntry in the Lady Chapel of the parish church of St. Stephen, Coleman Street, and for other works of piety as follows:—

I. That the Company, after her death, should cause a priest to say mass daily in the said Lady Chapel, and to pray for the souls of herself and others, with the provisions usual in founding chauntries at that time.
II. That the said Company should for ever pay to the said priest, or to his successor, 7l. 13s. 4d. per annum.
III. That the said Company should, yearly after her death, keep an obit or anniversary in the said Church of St. Stephen, and annually pay, in or about the said obit, to the parson of the said Church of St. Stephen, and certain other priests, the sum of 1l. 6s. 8d., including 15s. to the wardens of the Mercers’ Company, and 1s. 8d. to the clerk.
IV. And, further, that the said Company, out of the rents of the said lands, should distribute 30s. per annum, so far as the same should extend, among the poor householders or inhabitants of the parish of St. Stephen, Coleman Street, at the discretion of the wardens.

Lady Bradbury is believed to have died about the year 1528; the Company came into the possession of her estate in Middlesex in the year 1529, but only received in that year part of the income. In the next year, 1530-31, the Company received 13l. 4s. 8d. for one year's rent of the Middlesex property, and paid for quit rent 6s., for the salary of a priest 7l. 13s. 4d., for an obit 1l. 16s. 8d., and ’“for coals distributed unto poor folk,” 1l. 9s., making altogether 11l. 5s. In 1531-32, the Company came into possession of Lady Bradbury's house in the Old Jewry (afterwards sold by them), which was let for 10l. per annum. The total income of her estate was therefore 21l. 15s. The Company paid in that year for a priest 7l. 13s. 4d., for an obit 1l. 6s. 8d., for coals 1l. 9s., quit rents 6s., as above, and 1l. out of the house in the Old Jewry, total 11l. 15s. The payments to the master wardens and clerk do not appear to have been made at this time.
Lady Bradbury's house in the Old Jewry, which was left to the Company, appears to have been conveyed by them to Sir Rowland Hill and Thomas Leigh, not long after her death.

Dame Joan Bradbury, of London, widow. Will dated March 2, 1529/30.
“My son-in-law Nicholas Levenson and my daughter Denys his wife to be my executors, and I devise to my said executors my manors of Black Notley and Staunton, with remainder to Humphrey Tyrrell, son and heir of my daughter Elizabeth Tyrrell, deceased, with remainders over. My land in Newport, Essex, to George Hall and Mary his wife, daughter to William Tyrrell by my late daughter, Elizabeth. To Anne Tyrrell, daughter of my said late daughter Elizabeth Tyrrell, 100l. at eighteen or the day of her marriage.”
This will was proved in the Prerogative Court on April 26, 1530 (17, Jenkyn), and the date of the probate proves that Morant is inaccurate in his statement that Dame Joan Bradbury died on May 11, 1530 (History of Essex, ii. 123).
Dame Joan Bradbury's parentage has not hitherto been recognized, and Morant suggests (Hist. of Essex, i. 123, 480) that she was heir of the family of Spice of Black Notley; but he might have known from his own account of the foundation of Chipping Walden School (History of Essex, ii. 552) that Dame Joan was the sister of John Leche, who was Vicar of Walden 1489 to 1521, and the chief contributor to the erection of the parish church. Dame Joan endowed the school in 1522 with rents of 10l. per annum. The deed was made between Joan Bradbury, widow, of the first part, the Guild of Holy Trinity of the second part, and the Abbott and Convent of Walden of the third part, and contained a proviso that the kinsfolk of the foundress should be taught free of all charges. Dame Joan's second husband, Thomas Bradbury the Lord Mayor, mentions in his will his “brethren Henry, Thomas, and John Leche.”

Medieval London Widows, 1300-1500 pp237-8 (Caroline Barron, Anne F. Sutton, 1994)
Joan's last illness took place in her London house during the winter of 1530. She had to attend her, Dr Richard Bartlett, 'famous for his medical knowledge and great experience' (doctrina et largo medicinae usu insignis), a past president of the College of Physicians and a future physician to Henry VIII. On 2 March 1530 Denise and her husband were in the house as well as her granddaughter Joan with her husband, Guy Crafford, when Joan's old friend from Saffron Walden, Nicholas Rutland, attended to draw up her will and testament. She made it 'for the helthe of my soule and the profittis of my consanguinitie and frindis', instructing that her debts be paid and any wrongs done by her be righted, 'if proved' before her executors. The indenture of 1526 had prepared the way and the family already knew where the lands were going. It is a clear-headed, admirable document setting down every necessary detail in a positive manner. To perform her testament she specified one year's rent from her house and the proceeds of the sale of her land at West Thurrock.
She died about the end of March, and was buried at the side of Thomas Bradbury in the Lady Chapel of St Stephen Coleman Street.

Inquisition held in Chelmsford, county Essex, June 10, 1530, after the death of Joan Bradbury, relict of Thomas Bradbury, late of the city of London, merchant. She died May 11, 1529, at Coleman street, London. Mentions her daughter, wife of Thomas Crofford, and their daughter Joan; daughter of Elizabeth, wife of William Tyrell, and their son Humphrey. No Bradburys are named in the inquisition.

COLLECTED TRANSCRIBED WILLS
1530 Dame Johanne Bradbury
In the name of Almighty God and the Holy Trinity in whom I steadfastly believe and by whom and by the merits of the [xxx]and most bitter and painful passion and death of Jesus Christ our Saviour and Redeemer and by our holy church, I Dame Johanne BRADBURY of London widow late wife and executor to the testament of Thomas BRADBURY late Mayor of the City of London deceased, trusting to be saved and to be partaken of the joys of Heaven, and I being of whole mind thanks be to Jesus in the second day of March in the year of our Lord God 1529 (1530) and in the twenty first year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King Henry VIII by the grace of God King of England and of France defender of the Faith and Lord of Ireland lauding and praising thereof be to Almighty God; and considering that there is nothing so certain in this world to man as death and that the time thereof is most uncertain wherefore I for the health of my soul and the profits of my unsanguinity and [xxx] make and ordain this my present testament and last will in manner and form following, that is to say: First I bequeath my soul unto Almighty God our blessed Lady Saint Mary and to all the holy company of Heaven; and my body to be buried in the tomb where as my said late husband Thomas Bradbury lies, that is to say in the Chapel of our Lady within the church of Saint Stephens in Coleman Street of London. ITEM; I will that my executors under named in the day that it shall please God to take me out of this transitory life or on the morrow shall cause to be sung and said at every of the five orders of friars within the City of London and triquintal of masses and I require the same orders of friars that they come to my burial and there to pray for my soul and all Christian souls and I will that every of them priors or wardens of the same five orders shall have for the same twenty shillings. ITEM; I will and bequeath to him that shall be vicar of the church of Saint Stephen in Coleman Street at the time of my decease for my offering [xxx] forgotten twenty shillings. And I bequeath to the parish priest there being the time of my decease a black gown cloth to pray for my soul and all Christian souls. ITEM; I will that in the same day that I shall decease or on the morrow following my executors shall cause to be sung and said in the said church of Saint Stephen in Coleman Street a quintal of masses for my soul and all Christian souls by secular priests that be void and destitute of favours as near as they can be gotten and being of honest life and conversation. ITEM; I bequeath to the seven gaols or prisons in and about London that is to say the two Counters Ludgate Newgate the Fleet the Kings Bench and the Marshallsea seven pounds among them to be distributed in bread and other vital within a month next after my decease by the discretion of my executors. ITEM; I will that all debt making I shall owe to any person or persons at the time of my death shall be to them paid by my executors in a short time after as conveniently may be; also I will that if I have done any injury or wrong to any person or persons and have not therefore made satisfaction or amends to the pain and that proved before my executors and overseers then I will that my executors shall make due recompense to the parties grieved. ITEM; I will that my executors fulfil and perform any the testament and last will of my said late husband Thomas Bradbury in everything thereof not executed performed nor done. ITEM; I bequeath to my lady Reede a black gown cloth and a ring of mine of gold of the value of ten pounds. ITEM; I bequeath to my cousin Sir William BOTILLER and to my lady his wife each of them a black gown cloth. ITEM; I bequeath to Sir John Allen Alderman and to my lady his wife either of them a convenient black gown. ITEM; I bequeath to my cousin Guy CRAFFORD and my cousin Johanne his wife each of them a black gown cloth. ITEM; I bequeath to the prior of Christchurch in London a black gown cloth and twenty shillings of money and to the Convent of the same place twenty shillings to pray for my soul and all Christian souls. ITEM; I bequeath to the abbot of Stratford to buy him a black cope twenty shillings. ITEM; I bequeath to and among the convent of the same place for a dirge and mass to be sung in the convent church for soul immediately after my decease twenty shillings. ITEM; I bequeath to Bawde’s widow a black gown cloth. ITEM; I bequeath to every of my household servants as well men and women being with me in service at my decease a black gown cloth and ten pounds of money. ITEM; I bequeath to my Lord Bishop of Saint Asse ten pounds to buy [them] such apparel as shall please him and to wear it for my sake. ITEM; I bequeath equally to be divided among the twelve sisters of Elsinore spitball twelve shillings to pray for my soul. 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 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. ITEM; I bequeath to Mary the daughter ten pounds over and above her part of the said thirty pounds and if any of them decease before heir full age and marriage the survivor or survivors of them to have the said whole ten pounds. ALSO, I bequeath to Johanne Herne my little maid twenty nobles to be paid to her at her marriage if she [xxx xxx] and in the mean season dwell with my said son Nicholas Leveson and be [revalid] by him and to use herself honestly as a good maid ought to do till she be able to be married. ITEM; I will that my executors or the executors or survivors of them shall make Stephen my lad free of his bondage if I do it not in my lifetime so that he conveniently after my decease dwell with my said son Nicholas Leveson or be otherwise [revalid] by my executors or their executors till that he shall be at [xxx] estate and then I will to be paid unto him of my bequest ten pounds. ITEM; I bequeath to [blank] Bradbury so an heir apparent of William Bradbury twenty pounds to him to be paid in seven years next ensuing after my decease that is to say quarterly thirty shillings towards his exhibition and learning. ITEM; I bequeath to either of Maude Hille of Perham and Isabell Parker of Stratford late my [xxx] a black gown cloth and to either of them toward making of her gown ten shillings kind. 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. 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 bequeath to Humfrey TYRELL the featherbed and bolster being in the [Sparver] silk chamber with the [sparver] of silk the coverlet with the park and the pair of blankets belonging to the same bed. Also I bequeath to the same Humfrey my gilt cup with the [xxx] garnets and my coffer which stands in my dry larder house beneath. Also I bequeath to [mrs] Roper a black gown cloth. Also I bequeath to [blank] the widow of John Smyth fishmonger a black gown cloth and to her daughter being wife of James Beke another gown cloth of black. ITEM; I bequeath to her that was Pemburton’s wife to pray for my soul a black gown lined of my own[xxx] and twenty shillings in money. ITEM; I bequeath to Phillippis Ball’s widow six shillings and eight pence to pray for my soul. ITEM; I bequeath to [Myles’s wife] the founder a black gown of five shillings the yard. ITEM; I bequeath to the School master teaching grammar in Walden a gown cloth of black. ITEM; I bequeath to John Ward collar maker and John Smyth draper of Walden each of them a convenient black gown cloth; also I will that my executors cause to be expended between the days of my burying and month’s mind in the church of Wellingborough in the country of Northampton for an obituary there to be done and alms to be given for the souls of me my husbands and of my father and mother ten pounds. And in likewise in the church of Braughing in Hertford these ten pounds. And in likewise in the church of Manuden in Essex twenty shillings. And in likewise in the church of Black Notley twenty shillings. And in likewise in the church of Walden in Essex ten pounds. Whereof I will that every of the poor folk in the almshouse there shall have twelve pence. And where the said Nicolas Leveson my son has in his possession and keeping of my money two hundred and fifteen pounds sterling which I have preferred to the intent it shall be expended to the honour of Almighty God for the help of my soul, I will and ordain that the sum of two hundred and fifteen pounds shall be expended and stowed in the days and upon the mercies of my burial and funerals and of my money this mind. And thereof I will that they shall distribute to every poor household dwelling in the parish of Saint Stephen in Coleman Street by their discretion six shillings that is to say to every of them in the day of my burying twelve pence. And to every of them in the day of my month’s mind twelve pence. ITEM; I bequeath ten pounds to be bestowed by my executors in all goodly haste after my decease for and about the repairing of the ferry at West Thurrock in Essex for the use and comfort of the people passing the same ferry. 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. ITEM; I bequeath to every of the poor bedemen and bedewomen to whom I gave every Sunday one penny a black gown of the same cloth where with my torchbearers shall be clothed. ITEM; I will that twenty poor men of the said parish of Saint Stephen Coleman Street shall hold sixteen torches and four tapers to be provided for my burial. And I bequeath to every of them a gown and a hood of such black cloth as is convenient for such poor men to wear and to them to be delivered ready made and to wear them at my funerals I remit the doing and ordering thereof to the good discretion of my executors and overseers under named and as they shall do therein I hold and accept it for my full will in that behalf. ITEM; I bequeath to Anne TIRRELL daughter to my daughter Elizabeth TIRELL a hundred pounds sterling to her to be delivered in plate the day of her marriage if she marry by the counsel of my executors and after the decease of the same Anne if she die sole and unmarried I will the same hundred pounds in plate shall be sold by my executors and all the money coming of the sale thereof I will they shall bestow immediately after her decease upon reparation of the water work and amending of the highways most needful to be amended in the parish of West Thurrock in Essex. ITEM; I bequeath to John Keball my old servant a black gown. ITEM; I bequeath to Richard Rowland and Clemence his wife either of them a convenient black gown. The residue of all my goods debts chattels ready money and fuels afore not hereafter bequeathed after my debts paid my funeral charges borne and paid and this my present testament fulfilled I bequeath to my executors under named they to dispose the same in deeds of charity for the health and comfort of my soul by their good discretions; 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; also I give and bequeath to the said Robert Norwich for his advice and counsel towards the exertion aforesaid from time to time as shall be requisite or expedient ten pounds of sterling now and a black gown; and I bequeath to Mrs Norwich his wife a black gown. ITEM; I bequeath to Mary daughter of my Lord Bergavenny my goddaughter my devise or collar of gold weighing seven ounces or thereabouts and god blessing and mind. ITEM; I bequeath to my doctor Bartley a black gown. ITEM; I bequeath to the wife of Edward Reste grocer a black gown. These being witnesses Nicholas Rutland, Richard Lang, notaries public, Guy Crafford, gent, John Blakesley, draper, William Middleton, mercer, William Veer, leather seller, citizens of London and Richard Mansell. Written the day and year above said per me Nicholas Rutland, notary public; per me Richard Lang, notary public; Guy Crafford, John Blakesley, by me, William Middleton, per me William Veer, per me Richard Mansell.

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; and for lack of such issue to remain to Johanne Crafford wife of Guy Crafford and daughter of my son James BODLEY late of Walden deceased to hold to the same Johanne and to the heirs of her body lawfully begotten; and for lack of such issue then I will that all the same manors lands and tenements shall be sold by the minister and wardens of the Company of Mercers of the City of London for the time being and the money thereof coming I bequeath forty pounds to those of the [routine] of the same company, and the residue coming of that sale I will shall be bestowed by them in making of highways in Essex specially in the [xxx] highways there where most need shall be. 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. 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. Also my will is that every heir male of the body of any such person which shall be inheritable or entitled to any of all the manors lands and tenements before or hereafter expressed by this my last will when he shall come to his full age and have any lands and tenements before of this my last will shall have full power and authority by this my last will to make or cause to be made jointure thereof or any part thereof to such woman or women wife or wives any of them shall happen lawfully to have for term of life of every such woman only and of no further or larger estate. 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. ITEM; I will that immediately after my decease my messuages with the appurtenances lying in the parish of Saint Margaret in Southwark shall remain to Thomas LEVESON son of my said daughter Denys to hold to him and to his heirs upon condition that he and his heirs shall pay out of the same yearly twenty shillings to Elizabeth TYRELL daughter of William TYRELL during her life to be paid quarterly at the four terms in the City of London as well by even portions and 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 and for lack of issue of the bodies of the said Nicholas and Denis and for the lack of issue of the body of the said Denis I will that the manor of Willingale Spayne with the appurtenances shall remain to the said Humfrey Tyrell son of the said Elizabeth my daughter and to the heirs of the body of the same Humfrey Tyrell lawfully begotten and for lack of issue of the said Humfrey to remain to the said Johanne Crafford daughter of my said son James to hold to the same Johanne and to the heirs of her body lawfully begotten and for lack of such issue I will that the said manor of Willingale Spayne with the appurtenances shall remain to the Treasurer and Chamberlains of the said god or fraternity of the Holy Trinity for the time being to hold to them and to their successors forever they doing and performing yearly and perpetually of the issues and revenues thereof coming with all such charges and payments as they have been bound to do specified and expressed in the said indenture tripartite in manner and form as in the same indenture plainly is contained and where I have lately given to George HALL and Mary his wife daughter to William Tyrell and Elizabeth his wife my daughter all the lands and tenements with their appurtenances as well free as copy which I late had in Newport and Wedington in the said county of Essex in which lands and tenements free and copy with the their appurtenances Robert Norwich one of the King’s sergeants at the law John Baldwin Nicholas Leveson and divers others standing and being feeoffed and seized to the use of the said George Hall and Mary his wife and of the heirs of their bodies lawfully begotten and for default of such issue to the use of the said Mary and of the heirs of the body of the same Mary lawfully begotten and for default of such issue to the use of the right heirs of me the said Dame Johanne Bradbury thereupon I the same Dame Johanne will by this my present last will that for lack of issue of the bodies of the said George Hall and Mary his wife and for lack of issue of the body of the same Mary all the said lands and tenements with their appurtenances in Newport and Wedington as well free as copy shall remain to Thomas Leveson son of the said Nicholas Leveson and Denis and to the heirs and assigns of the said Thomas Leveson forever. Written the day and year abovesaid these being witnesses Nicholas Rutland Richard Lang notaries public, Guy Crafford, gent, John Blakesley, draper, William Middleton, mercer, William Beer, leather seller, citizens of London and Richard Mansell.

Proved twenty fifth April 1530

1458 d. John Leche, adm. 1 July 1458, vac after autumn 1459; determined as B.A. autumn 1462

PAGE 23. John Leche, perhaps a Sarum Fellow see Hutchins’ Dorset iii 428, instit. to Edmundsham 3 Ap. 1464

John Leche, sar., adm. 1 July 1458, vac after autumn 1459; B.A. 1462; Hutchins iii 428

LECHE, JOHN. Incorp. as M.A. 1490-1. S. of Denys and Elizabeth. Perhaps scholar of Winchester, 1445. V. of Saffron Walden, Essex, 1489-1521. R. of Copford, 1499. R. of Little Chesterford, 1499-1521. Founder of the Grammar School, and the Guild of the Holy Trinity, Saffron Walden. Aided in rebuilding the parish church. Died Nov. 8, 1521. M.I. at Walden. Benefactor to the parish of Saffron Walden. (G. M. Benton.)

An expanded entry can be found at the
Cambridge University Venn ACAD search facility:
John LECHE
John LECCH'
John LECH
Approx. lifespan: 1423–1521
Updated from Venn I
, fell., adm. 1458:07:01 ;
vac. 1459
[Ex. Coll. Rectors' Accts; Reg. Coll. Exon. (OHS), p. 43]
All Souls' College [Oxford], fell., adm. 1460 ;
still in 1469 ;
artista
[Warden of All Souls' College [Oxford] MS. 3]
B.A., determined 1462 ;
M.A., inc. 1467
[Reg. Cancell. Oxfordshire . (OHS), ii. 78, 247]
Incorpd at Cambridge 1490-91
[CUGBk Β, i. 31]
Ord. acol. to title of fellowship;
subd. 1 Apr.;
d. 27 May;
pr. 1469:09:23, to same title
[Reg. Beauchamp, Sarum, i, pt ii, fos 198, 198 v, 199]
R. of Brixton Deverill, Wiltshire , , coll. 1472:03:14 ;
vac. by 1487:09
[Reg. Beauchamp, i, pt i, fo. 164; Reg. Th. Langton, Sarum, pt ii, fo. 17; Phillipps, 161, 171]
r. of Winfrith Newburgh, Dorset , , vac. by 1472:03
[Reg. Beauchamp, i, pt i, fo. 164; Hutchins, i. 445]
v. of Bishops Cannings, Wiltshire , , adm. 1473:01:03 ;
exch. 1489:06
[Reg. Beauchamp, i, pt i, fo. 169; Reg. Th. Langton, pt i, fo. 26v; Phillipps, 162, 172]
can. of Hereford, [Herefordshire], and preby of the Bishop's preb., coll. 1480:06:06
[Reg. Myllyng, Heref. (CYS), 190]
v. of Ludlow, Shropshire , , exch. 1489
[ibid. 202]
v. of Saffron Walden, Essex , , adm. 1489:06:20 ;
till death
[Reg. Th. Kempe, Lond., fo. 223v; Newcourt, ii. 626]
r. of Copford, Essex , , adm. 1499:07:22 ;
vac. 1499:08
[Reg. Savage, Lond., fo. 32; Newcourt, ii. 192]
r. of Little Chesterford, Essex , , adm. 1499:08:01 ;
till death
[Reg. Savage, fo. 32v; Newcourt, ii. 134]
d. by 1521:11
Arranged for his obit to be observed at Catharine Hall 1513:11:14
[St Catharine's College MR xxxvii/3 (4); Philpott, 68]
Buried in Saffron Walden ch., which he largely rebuilt;
memorial brass
[Newcourt, ii. 626; Stephenson, 131]
Gave a gradual and a breviary to Catharine Hall
[Jones, 380]
With his sister, Dame Jane Bradbury, generously contributed to the fabric of Saffron Walden ch. and the formation of the Holy Trinity Guild there;
his plans for the endowment of the grammar school carried into effect by his sister after his death
[Hist. of Essex (VCH), ii. 519-20]

With many a gift the sacred shrinehe filled,
Prompt to design and sedulous to build.

Joan made considerable financial contributions as well, and the profits of the manor of Bawdes that John received from Thomas Bradbury in 1510 must have largely gone to church works. John did not live to see the church finished (about 1526), but Joan did.

Dame Joan Bradbury's parentage has not hitherto been recognized, and Morant suggests (Hist. of Essex, i. 123, 480) that she was heir of the family of spice of Black Notley; but he might have known from his own account of the foundation of Chipping Walden School (History of Essex, ii. 552) that Dame Joan was the sister of John Leche, who was Vicar of Walden 1489 to 1521, and the chief contributor to the erection of the parish church. Dame Joan endowed the school in 1522 with rents of 10l. per annum. The deed was made between Joan Bradbury, widow, of the first part, the Guild of Holy Trinity of the second part, and the Abbott and Convent of Walden of the third part, and contained a proviso that the kinsfolk of the foundress should be taught free of all charges. Dame Joan's second husband, Thomas Bradbury the Lord Mayor, mentions in his will his “brethren Henry, Thomas, and John Leche.”

The vicar of the church was John Leche, who may possibly be the John Leche who became a scholar of Winchester in 1445, though if so he was now eighty-seven years old; his sister Jane (Johane) Bradbury, twice widowed and possessed of much wealth, lived with or near him. Each had contributed largely to the expenses of founding and maintaining the gild and the enlargement of the church. By deed 3 December 1517, made between the said John Leche and the treasurer and chamberlains of the gild, it was ordained that out of the residue of the said twenty marks, besides the priest found by Katherine Semar’s endowment, ‘another covenable priest shalbe founde to sing, praye, and saye dyvyne service perpetually in the said church.’ For the finding of this priest John Leche granted his copyhold land in Newport Pond and Widdington, of the yearly value of [blank in MS.] ‘to syng . . . at the Trinitie aulter orels at Seynt Nicholas aulter,’ and assist the vicar, pray for the king and queen Katherine, and his sister, ‘my Lady Dame Johane Bradbury, the which hath been special benefactrix in the purchasing and obteynyng the said lettres patent,’ and others, including ‘James Bradley his nevewe, speciall laborer for the patent.’ The salary of the priest was to be £6 a year, but ‘when so ever it shall soe fortune that the threasourer, the chamberleyns and brethern be abill to make the seid service worthe x^li a year to the seid chapleyn, that then the seid preest shalbe a profound gramarion to thintent that he may teche gramar within the towne of Waldeyn after the fourme of the scole of Wynchester or of Eton; and that the seid Scolemaister so elect, named, ordeyned and admytted, shall have and enjoye the same service during his lyf, after a yere of probacion, and shall have for his labour x^li paied at ij tymes of the yere by equall porcions, so that he be of good rule and honest conversacion and also that he fulfil and do all things specified in his ordynance.’ The schoolmaster was to be personally resident, and acceptance of other preferment, or his own ill-behaviour, might entail deprivation. His residence was to be a ‘messuage sett on the N. syde of Castell streate, against a little lane there, called Vicar's Lane, ledyng from the said streate into the chirche yarde,’ and he was bound to teach ‘his children contynually in a Scole-house within the said messuage, which Scolehouse the said Dame Johane and Master Leche caused to be new bielded to and for the same purpose.’
In point of fact Leche’s gift never took effect. In this deed of 18 May 1525, known as the ‘Indenture tripartyte for the Scole,’ and made between Dame Jane Bradbury, sister and heir to John Leche, of the first part, the Gild of the 2nd part, and the abbot and convent of Walden, as the school authority, of the third part, it is stated that Leche found the parcels too scattered, or as it is put, ‘lyen sperfled abrode’ in the common fields, and being copyhold, burdened with fines and other copyhold incidents; so he never gave it; but ‘havyng a grette zeale and mynd to have the seid priest to be a maister of grammar and to have the said grammar schole to be preferryd and go forthe, and havying thereof often communycatyon and colloquy with Dame Johane Bradbury, in whome not only his Trust and confydence was that yf she should chaunce to overlyve hym she should then supply performe and make up the seid iiij^li and to make the seyd yerly salary for the seyd preste fully x^li, specyally to tech gramar in the sayd towne; which Dame Jane of her godly disposytyon and towardly mynd, which she then did here towards her sayd brother, and specyally to and for the godly purpose of the foundatyon, contynuaunce and supportacyon of the same preste to tech grammer, grauntyd to the seid Master Leche that she entendyd and was in full purpose that yf she overlyved him she would perform and fulfyl his mynd and desyre and entent in that behalfe.’
The deed then reveals the curious fact that as he neared his end, Leche became more keen for education and less for prayer:

wherefor and for the consyderacyon aforesaid the said Master Leche, not long before his dethe, before the said Threasorer and chamberlaynys and diverse other honest persons inhabytants of the seyd towne, . . . made a specyall revocatyon of dyverse prayers and other obsequies, which the sayd preste should have done, by his fyrst mynd and purpose, and shewyd hym self to be contentyd that the seid prest shuld applye (to) the techying of his scolers and to syng masse.

Leche died 8 November 1521, leaving his sister to settle the details of the school. She obtained letters patent from the king 24 August 1522, by which, ‘consydering the meke purpose of the said Dame Joan by the name of his beloved Dame Jane Bradbury of his cyte of London, Wydowe, for the foundation of a schole in Cheping Walden aforesaid for chyldren to be taught grammer and good maners and literature,’ and the grant of property to the value of £10 a year for support of ‘the pryste to tech children grammer in the sayd schole and on festival days to syng devyne service for souls;’ Lady Bradbury therefore granted to the treasurers and chamberlains of the gild a rent-charge of £12 a year out of her manor of Willingale Spain, out of which £2 was at the obit of herself and her brother, to be divided between priests, choir, treasurer and chamberlains, etc., ‘for a perpetuall preste, beyng a master of grammer and an able singing man, to sing or saye masse and other dyvyne servyce and to tech chylderyn grammer.’
The licence and Leche’s will were carried out by the deed of 18 May 1525, by Dame Jane Bradbury, widow, as ‘Sister and heir to John Leche,’ the treasurer and chamberlains of the gild as the governors of the school, and the abbot and convent of Walden, who as lords of the manor and ordinaries had, as we saw, the control of education. The deed recited with the assent of William Urmston, the vicar who succeeded Leche, and Richard Welman, the then vicar, that ‘William Dawson, clerke,’ ‘had sayd masse and divine service and towght chyldren grammar . . . by the space of 4 yeres at the only costis and chargis of the sayd Dame Jane, whereby the same W. Dawson is approvyd an able syngyng man and a suflicyent chapelayn and a profound gramaryon accordyng to the mynd’ of Master Leche and the rest. So he was appointed to ‘have and enjoy the said service duryng his lif.’ The master in future ‘not beyng benefyced or avaunced to any spyrytuall or temperall promotyon, beyng a sufiicyent grammarion to tech chyldren grammer after the ordre and use of techyng grammer in the Scolys of Wynchester and Eton, and that can syng suffycyently playn song to syng and say masse,’ was to be appointed by the Treasurer and Chamberlains, ‘by the examynatyon of the said Abbot and Vycar.’ The boys qualified to receive instruction were to be natives of ‘Walden, Newport, Wadyton [Widdington] and Little Chesterford,’ and ‘chyldren also of the kynsfolkes or tenants of the said Dame Jane.’ These were to be taught freely, the only payment being the sum of 4d. ‘for every suche childe at his first comyng to the scole for the writing of his name into the Scolemasters boke’; other children he might charge for as he and theire frendes can agree.’
The deed contains further the usually minute provisions as to the scholars saying De profimdis for the founders’ souls at the end of afternoon school and for an obit for Dame Bradbury and Master Leche on 20 June, but the masters’ personal service in the church is now restricted, as at Winchester and Eton, to Sundays and holy days.
Mention is only made of any assistant master in the provision that, if the master is absent more than twenty days in a year, or is ill, he is ‘to fynd a suflicyent Usher.’
As the school was to be after the use of Winchester and Eton, the ‘use’ of these schools was obtained from their head masters and entered in the mayor’s book.
The first leaf of the Winchester use has unfortunately disappeared; the Eton paper is intact. Mr. Leach has described both these documents at length in his history of Winchester College, and set right the curious mistake of attributing these orders and regulations to Walden school itself, which was made by Thomas Wright, who printed them in Archaeologia as ‘Rules of the Free School of Saffron Walden in the Reign of Henry VIII,’ a mistake perpetuated by other writers since. The names of the masters, John Twichener (misread Twithener) of Winchester, and Richard Cox of Eton, signed to the documents, furnish absolute proof that they are the ‘Orders’ of those schools, not of Walden School.
The directions and the ‘orders’ entirely dispose of the notion that the grammar schools before the Reformation were mere psalm-learning establishments, or that there was any difference between the country grammar schools and the so-called great public schools. What with Æsop’s Fables and Cato’s Moralia in the second form; Terence and Virgil's Eclogues in the third and fourth; Lucian in the third at Winchester; Virgil's Æneid in the fifth; and at Winchester, Ovid also in the fourth and fifth; Horace, Cicero and Virgil in the sixth and seventh forms; writing of Latin prose, Latin verses and themes, orations and epistles and repetition—there was, apart from the absence of Greek, uncommonl little difference between the curriculum of 1530, to which date these orders can be fixed, and the curriculum of 1830. The boys of Walden would receive precisely the same kind and degree of instruction as those of Winchester and Eton, tempered only by the facts that a larger proportion left school at an earlier age, and that a smaller number went to the University. The manners, on which Mr. Leche insisted, were inculcated chiefly by the Quos decet in mensa, a code of etiquette in Latin verse, the substance of very great antiquity, the form emanating from Sulpicius, a Roman schoolmaster of the late fifteenth century. It told the youth how to behave at table, not to blow his nose without a pocket handkerchief, or to pick his teeth, drink with his mouth full, and so forth—in short, the behaviour of a gentleman.
Dame Bradbury died in 1530. By her will, 2 March 1530, she confirmed her grants to the school and left ‘to the schoolmaster teaching grammar in Walden a gown cloth of black.’

Here lieth interred under an antient monument very ruinous, the body of one LECHE, a great benefactor to this church, as appeareth by this his broken epitaph:
Quo non est, nec erit, nec clarior extitit ullus;
..... clausam hoc marmore ..... habet
Huic LECH nomen erat, diuine legis amator,
Huius quem templi curam habuisse palam est.
Iste huic multa dabat sacro donaria Fano
Inceptique operis sedulus author erat.
Pauperibus suit inde pius, pauit miserosque,
Et me qui timere hec carmina composui.
Sit huius ergo anima ... celum .... ut altum
Huc qui ades instanti pećtore funde preces.

He was distinguished for his Piety, Benevolence, and Munificence, as appears, among other circumstances, from the following Epitaph which is engraven on a fillet of brass, running round an altar tombstone of granite now remaining entire in the Church of Saffron Walden,—

“Quo non est, nec erit, nec clarior extitit ullus
Unctorum clausum hoc marmore pulvis habet,
Huic LECHE nomen erat, divinæ legis Amator,
Hujus quem templi curam habuisse palam est,
Iste huic multa dabat sacro donaria fano,
Inceptique operis sedulus auctor erat,
Pauperibus fuit inde pius pavit miserosque,
Et me qui temerè hæc carmina composui—
Hujus sit ergo animæ cælum jam munus ut altum,
Huc qui ades instanti pectore funde prcces
Spes mea in Deo est.”

An incorrect copy of this Inscription is given in WEEVER’S Funeral Monuments.

Between the piers of the two windows on the north side is an altar tomb-stone of granite, round which the following epitaph is engraved on a fillet of brass, in memory of John Leche, of whom some account will be found among the Vicars of Walden.

Quo non est nec erit nec clarior exstitit ullus
Unctorum, clausum hoc marmore pulvis habet.
Huic Leche nomen erat, divinæ legis amator,
Hujus quem Templi curam habuisse palam est.
Iste huic multa dabat sacro donaria fano,
Inceptique operis sedulus auctor erat.
Pauperibus fuit inde pius, pavit miserosque,
Et me qui temerè hæc carmina composui.
Hujus sit ergo animæ cœlum jam munus ut altum,
Huc qui ades instanti pectore funde preces.
Spes mea in Deo est.

This monument was removed, during the great repair, from its former situation against the most eastward column on the north side, but nothing was found enclosed, and no appearance of any grave or vault below.

Some Additions to Newcourt's Repertorium.
Joh. Leche. Probate Act, Jan. 13, 1521 (V.G. fo. 21). His sister, Joan, was the wife of Thomas Bodley, ob. 1491 (1493); and afterwards of Thomas Bradbury, Lord Mayor—her will P.C.C. 1530. She and her son-in-law, Nicholas Leveson, were executors of John Leche.

The Leche Family

Denis Leche

Elizabeth (_____) Leche

Henry Leche

Joan (Leche, Bodley) Bradbury

John Leche

Thomas Leche