The West Family
Alyce (_____) West
James West
Alyce is mentioned in the will of her son, John West dated 24 July 1517 and
proved 18 September 1517, held at the
National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/18/550).
Item I bequeath to the parish church of
Millington in the countie of yorke where my ffather lyeth buried iij
coopes a vestyment a gospell and a pystell of grene satteyn of Bruges
thorfrayes redde satteyn of Bruges and to the parishe churche of
Everyngham in the said countie where my mother lyeth buried a cope of lyke
stuffe and goodes as is before ??? of thother iij coopes Item I wyll that
the parishe preest of Millington, where I was borne have the soule of me
the saules of James West and Alyce West, my ffadre and mother Sr
John Browne John West Elizabeth my wif our childrens soules and all
christian soules
Everingham, Yorkshire, England
Bridget (West) Palmer
John West
Elizabeth
(Oliver) West
Robert
Palmer
Bridget, her brothers John and William, and her parents were left legacies
in the will of Anne (Belwood) Browne (mother of Sir William Browne, mayor of
London), dated 12 January 1503.
The National Archives PROB 11/14/71 - transcribed
by Brian Hessick)
... Item: I bequeath to my cousin John WEST to
pray for my soul, a ring of gold of the value of 20s; and to Elizabeth,
his wife, another ring of the same value. ... Item: I bequeath to John
WEST the younger, William WEST, and Bridget WEST, 20s, that is to say, to
every of them 6s 8p.
Bridget is named in the will of her father, John, dated 24 July 1517 and
proved 18 September 1517, held at the
National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/18/550). This will names her as the
"wif of Robt Palmer mercer"
... I gyve and
bequeath one equall part or portion thereof unto Elizabeth my wif And an
other equall part of portion thereof I gyve and bequeath to my children
Wyllyam John James and Katheryn And I will that if the same my childrens
part and portions amount and be unto any of thing above the summ of cc
marks then the ??? or surplusage thereof shallbe equally ??? and divided
betweene my children afore named and Bridgytt their sister nowe wif of
Robt Palmer mercer so that of the same surplus the same Bridgytt shall
have her just part
... Item I bequeath to any of the persons folowing that is to saye
Master Hosyer my cosen Pyke and his wif Master Mundy and his wife Robert
Palmer and his wif Wyllyam John and James my sonnes and Katheryn my
daughter Wyllyam Colshill Wyllyam ??? and my Brother ??? ?? yardes of
blake cloth for a gowne
... Item I gyve and bequeath of my said part and portion unto the said
Elizabeth my wif c li in mony And to any of my foresaid children that is
to say Wyllyam John James Katheryne and Brygett xxli in mony And I
bequeath to Elizabeth Palmer doughter of Robt Palmer ?? li ?? s ??
d.
Robert and Bridget and their son Thomas are also remembered with yards of
black cloth in the will of Bridget's stepfather, Sir Thomas Exmewe, dated 6
January 1528(9) and proved on 9 March 1528(9) (National
Archives, Kew (PROB 11/23/55). Thomas also bequeathed "to
Maistres Palmer late my wifes doughter another lymned mattens boke covered
with blewe velvet." (i.e. an illuminated matins book)
Robert and Bridget are remembered in the will of Bridget's brother-in-law,
William Colshill, dated 28 March 1537 and proved 13 September 1540, held at
the
National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/28/206) " I bequeith to either of
Robert Palmer mercer and to his wif a blacke gowne"
- Bridget is named in the
will of her father, John, dated 24 July 1517 and proved 18 September
1517, held at the
National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/18/550); Visitations
of Essex in Publications of the Harleian
Society vol 14 p562 (1879)
- In the will of her
father, John, dated 24 July 1517 and proved 18 September 1517, held at
the
National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/18/550), Bridget is named as the
"wif of Robt Palmer mercer"; Visitations
of Essex in Publications of the Harleian
Society vol 14 p562 (1879); Visitation of Sussex, 1570 vol 6 p9
(18??); The pedigree of the ancient family of the Palmers
of Sussex, 1672 p16 (Roger Jenyns, 1867)
- Bridget West
Catherine (West) Colshill
John West
Elizabeth
(Oliver) West
William
Colshill in 1517 or 1518
This marriage had not occurred by 24 July 1517 - the date of the will of
Catherine's father, John West, but had occurred by 18 December 1518 - the
date of the will of William's mother which mentions his wife.
Catherine is named in the will of her father, John, dated 24 July 1517 and
proved 18 September 1517, held at the
National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/18/550).
... I gyve and
bequeath one equall part or portion thereof unto Elizabeth my wif And an
other equall part of portion thereof I gyve and bequeath to my children
Wyllyam John James and Katheryn And I will that if the same my childrens
part and portions amount and be unto any of thing above the summ of cc
marks then the ??? or surplusage thereof shallbe equally ??? and divided
betweene my children afore named and Bridgytt their sister nowe wif of
Robt Palmer mercer so that of the same surplus the same Bridgytt shall
have her just part
... Item I bequeath to any of the persons folowing that is to saye
Master Hosyer my cosen Pyke and his wif Master Mundy and his wife Robert
Palmer and his wif Wyllyam John and James my sonnes and Katheryn my
daughter Wyllyam Colshill Wyllyam ??? and my Brother ??? ?? yardes of
blake cloth for a gowne
... Item I gyve and bequeath of my said part and portion unto the said
Elizabeth my wif c li in mony And to any of my foresaid children that is
to say Wyllyam John James Katheryne and Brygett xxli in mony
William and Catherine are left legacies in the will of William's mother,
Elizabeth, dated 18 December 1518 and proved 17 June 1519
Somerset Medieval Wills: 1383-1500 p195
(Frederic William Weaver, 1903)
... To
my sonne William Colshill is wif a bee of gold with stonys, and to the
said William my two best salts of silver and gilt with the cover and oon
of my best stondyng cuppis gilte and chased of oon sorte
William and Catherine and their son Thomas are also remembered with yards of
black cloth in the will of Catherine's stepfather, Sir Thomas Exmewe, dated
6 January 1528(9) and proved on 9 March 1528(9) (National
Archives, Kew (PROB 11/23/55). Catherine also received "a lymned
mattens boke coveryd with crymsyn velvet" (i.e. an illuminated matins book)
St Stephen Colman Street, London,
England
In his will, dated 28 March 1537, Catherine's husband, William Colshill,
requests that he is buried in the "church of Saint Stephyn in colmanstrete
of London as nigh unto the grave there where the body of katheryne my wif
lieth buried as may conveniently be"
- Catherine is named in
the will of her father, John, dated 24 July 1517 and proved 18 September
1517, held at the
National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/18/550); Visitations
of Essex in Publications of the Harleian
Society vol 14 p562 (1879)
- Visitations
of Essex in Publications of the Harleian
Society vol 14 p562 (1879); in his will the son of
Catherine and William, Thomas Colshill, leaves a legacy of a standing
cup "which was my grandfather Westes"; date range derived from will of
Catherine's father at National
Archives, Kew (PROB 11/18/550) and will of William's mother
extracted at Somerset Medieval Wills: 1383-1500 p195
(Frederic William Weaver, 1903); "katheryne my wif" stated in William
Colshill's will at National
Archives, Kew (PROB 11/28/206)
- stated in William
Colshill's will at National
Archives, Kew (PROB 11/28/206)
- Catherine West
James West
Alyce
James is mentioned in the will of his son, John West dated 24 July 1517 and
proved 18 September 1517, held at the
National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/18/550).
Item I bequeath to the parish church of
Millington in the countie of yorke where my ffather lyeth buried iij
coopes a vestyment a gospell and a pystell of grene satteyn of Bruges
thorfrayes redde satteyn of Bruges and to the parishe churche of
Everyngham in the said countie where my mother lyeth buried a cope of lyke
stuffe and goodes as is before ??? of thother iij coopes Item I wyll that
the parishe preest of Millington, where I was borne have the soule of me
the saules of James West and Alyce West, my ffadre and mother Sr
John Browne John West Elizabeth my wif our childrens soules and all
christian soules
The following extract incorrectly names John West's father as John West, not
James, and his origin as Willington, not Millington, but hopefully the arms
described are more accurate.
The
pedigree of the ancient family of the Palmers of Sussex p16
(Roger Jenyns, 1867)
John Wesse, of
Willington, in Yorkshire, Esquire.
Arms, azure
three water bougets two and one or, or a chief of the last three
torteaux .
Millington, Yorkshire, England
James West
John West
Elizabeth
(Oliver) West
James is named in the will of his father, John, dated 24 July 1517 and
proved 18 September 1517, held at the
National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/18/550).
... I gyve and
bequeath one equall part or portion thereof unto Elizabeth my wif And an
other equall part of portion thereof I gyve and bequeath to my children
Wyllyam John James and Katheryn And I will that if the same my childrens
part and portions amount and be unto any of thing above the summ of cc
marks then the ??? or surplusage thereof shallbe equally ??? and divided
betweene my children afore named and Bridgytt their sister nowe wif of
Robt Palmer mercer so that of the same surplus the same Bridgytt shall
have her just part
... Item I bequeath to any of the persons folowing that is to saye
Master Hosyer my cosen Pyke and his wif Master Mundy and his wife Robert
Palmer and his wif Wyllyam John and James my sonnes and Katheryn my
daughter Wyllyam Colshill Wyllyam ??? and my Brother ??? ?? yardes of
blake cloth for a gowne
... Item I gyve and bequeath of my said part and portion unto the said
Elizabeth my wif c li in mony And to any of my foresaid children that is
to say Wyllyam John James Katheryne and Brygett xxli in mony
... And I will also that after my said wifes
decease all that my house and my Lands wt thapputenances ???
Wyllyam ??? ??? Golding and all the ??? and ??? wt their
appurtenances shall remayne unto James West my sonne and to his heires
forever
James is named as an executor of the will of his brother, William West,
dated 20 July 1518, and proved on 15 August 1518 (National
Archives, Kew (PROB 11/19/127)).
... I give and bequeth to John and Jamys my
brethren whom I constitute to be myn executours to see my detts paid and
to see my funerall expenses contented and to see that my last will
fulfilled And I constitute and ordeyn to be overseer of thys my last will
my lady my moder And I will that she and myn executours afore rehersed
have the ??? of thym a blak gowne
John West
about 1467, in Millington, Yorkshire,
England
John obtained the freedom of the Mercers' Company, by servitude, in 1489 (Records
of the London Livery Companies Online). Since apprenticeship was
typically seven years and entered in to around the age of fifteen, John was
likely born around 1467.
James West
Alyce (_____) West
Elizabeth
Oliver
Mercer
John was a mercer, of London. He obtained the freedom of the Mercers'
Company, by servitude to John Browne, in 1489 (Records
of the London Livery Companies Online). He was elected an Alderman
of London, representing Queenhithe ward, on 23 October 1515 serving until
his death in 1517.
The Aldermen of the City of London, Temp. Henry
III.-1908 p191 (Alfred B. Beaven, 1908)
QUEENHITHE WARD
October 23, 1515 [Sworn same day, Present July 14, 1517] John West, Mercer .. ..
..
[Nominated: R. Symonds, ex-Sheriff R. Smyth, T. Semer]
The nomination of Aldermen Jenyns and Acheley, ex-Sheriff R. Smyth and
R. Symonds had been rejected by the Court on October 19, and that of R.
Symonds, ex-Sheriff R. Smyth, R. Dodmer and S. Pecocke on October 22
(Letter Book M, fo. 255; Rep. 3, ff. 51, 52).
Died about August, 1517.
John "and his children" were left a legacy of five marks in the will of Sir
John Browne (Aldrman of London and father of Sir William Browne, mayor of
London), dated 3 November 1496, so at least some of his children had been
born by that date.
The
National Archives PROB 11/11/307
... Item I bequeath to John West mercer and to
his children to pray for my soule v mrē
John, his wife Elizabeth and children John, William and Bridget were left
legacies in the will of Anne (Belwood) Browne (mother of Sir William Browne,
mayor of London), dated 12 January 1503.
The National Archives PROB 11/14/71 - transcribed
by Brian Hessick
... Item: I bequeath to my cousin John WEST to
pray for my soul, a ring of gold of the value of 20s; and to Elizabeth,
his wife, another ring of the same value. ... Item: I bequeath to John
WEST the younger, William WEST, and Bridget WEST, 20s, that is to say, to
every of them 6s 8p.
John, his wife and his sons William and John were also left legacies
in the will of Sir
William Browne, Lord Mayor of London, dated 29 May 1514 and proved 1
July 1514. John is named an overseer of the will.
The National Archives PROB 11/17/1514 - modern
spelling transcript ©2013 Nina Green)
... Item, I
bequeath to my cousin, John West, mercer, a ring of gold of the value of
20s, and to my cousin, his wife, another gold ring of the value of 40s;
Item, to my godson, William West, their son, £3 6s 8d;
Item, to John West, brother of the same William West, 40s;
...
Item, I bequeath to Sir Thomas Lovell, knight, to th’ intent it
may please him to be one of th’ overseers of mine executors of this my
testament £10;
And to Richard Broke, serjeant at law, for like intent, other
£10;
Item, to the said John West, mercer, for the same intent, 5 mark;
The will of John's grandson, Thomas Colshill of Chigwell, Essex, dated 23
April 1593 and held at the
National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/85/243) contains a description of a
standing cup once owned by John West.
... Item I give and bequeath to Jasper Leeke my
sonne in lawe one standinge cupp of silver and gilte with a cover which
was my grandfather Westes conteyning fortie seaven ounces or there aboutes
to be delivered unto hym within one half yeare after my decease.
The
pedigree of the ancient family of the Palmers of Sussex p16
(Roger Jenyns, 1867)
John Wesse, of
Willington, in Yorkshire, Esquire.
Arms, azure
three water bougets two and one or, or a chief of the last three
torteaux .
... John Wesse, son of aforesaid.
Arms, Wesse impaling Oliver.
1517
John's will held at National
Archives, Kew (PROB 11/18/550) extracted at Publications of the Surtees Society vol 116
p275 (1908) was dated 24 July 1517 and proved 18 September 1517, so
death was between these dates; John's successor as Alderman of London
representing Queenhithe was sworn in on 1 September 1517
St Mary Magdalen Milk Street,
London, England
The will of John West, Mercer and
Alderman of London, dated 24 July 1517 and proved 18 September 1517, is held
at the
National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/18/550). A rough transcription is:
In the
name of god Amen. The xxiiij daye of July The yere of our Lord
god ?? ?? ??? And the ixth yere of
the Reigne of kyng henry the eighth I John West citizen and mercer of
London and ??? of the Aldermen of the same being hole of mynde and in good
memorie lawd and prayse be unto allmighty god make ordayne and despoase
this my present testament conteynyng my Last will in manr and
forme folowing that is to saye ffirst I bequeath and recommende my soule
unto allmighty god my maker and redemr to the moost glorious
Virgyn his mother our Lady mary the Virgin and to all the holy company of
heaven And my body to be buried in the chauncell of the parishe churche of
Saint Mary Magdelen in milk strete of London in or nere the place where
the body of Sr John Browne Late my master was buried And after my body so
buried then I will that all such debts as I owe unto any personne or
personnes of right or in conscens be well and truly contented and paid.
And I will that in convenient tyme after my decease my executors
underwritten cause a stone of marble in the image of me my wif and
children wt scriptures con?? graveyng Lattyn to be layd uppon
my tombe or grave Also I will that my Executors and overseers
underwritten as soon as they may goodly after my decease make or cause to
be made an equall partition of all my goodes catelles and debts to me due
and belonging at the time of my decease unto three equall partes or
portions after the Laudable customs of the Citie of London Whereof
according unto the same customs I gyve and bequeath one equall part or
portion thereof unto Elizabeth my wif And an other equall part of portion
thereof I gyve and bequeath to my children Wyllyam John James and Katheryn
And I will that if the same my childrens part and portions amount and be
unto any of thing above the summ of cc marks then the ??? or surplusage
thereof shallbe equally ??? and divided betweene my children afore named
and Bridgytt their sister nowe wif of Robt Palmer mercer so that of the
same surplus the same Bridgytt shall have her just part And the thyrd part
or portion of my sayd goods cattalls and debts I ??? towards my self
thereof to pform and fulfyll my Legacies and bequests hereunder wrytten.
Whereof I bequeath to the pson of the parish churche aforesaid for my
burying in the chauncell aforesaid to be had and for my tythes and
oblations forgotten or neglygently wtholden in discharging of
my soule xxy s ??? d Item I bequeath to the said pson and to the
churchwardens of the same church to ??? of the said church and the holi
body of the parishe ??? for the mayntenance of godds ??? oon Saucer of
silver and gilt of the same weyht and value of the Saucers nowe remaynyng
in the said church and in mony xx marks Item I bequeath to the Blake
ffriars in London to thintent that ?? treyntalls of masses be done and
said wtin their conventuall church for my soule and all
christian soules in convenyent tyme after my decease xxl And I bequeath to
the ffriars of the house of Chelmsford for ??? treyntalls of masses wtin
their conventuall church ?? ??able ??? to be do?? xl s. and I
bequeath to the prior of the same house to pray for my soule a cope of
blake ??? . And I bequeath to any of the ?? Ordres of ffriars in London to
thintent that they sing dirge and masse of Requiem for my soule in any of
their conventuall churches as soon as they may goodly after my decease x
s. And the crossed ffriars of London for lyke intent x s.And I bequeath
for the ???? poore prisoners out of the prison houses of Newgate Ludgate
Marshalsey and the Kyngs Bench to pray for my soule xx? Also I bequeath
xx? to be bestowed in canvas of ??? the ??? and shirts and smocks thereof
to be made ??? shirts and smocks I wylle disposed and distributed amongst
poore house ??? persons and other poore folkes by the discretion of my
Executours underwritten Item I bequeath to any of the persons folowing
that is to saye Master Hosyer my cosen Pyke and his wif Master Mundy and
his wife Robert Palmer and his wif Wyllyam John and James my sonnes and
Katheryne my daughter Wyllyam Colshill Wyllyam ??? and my Brother ??? ??
yardes of blake cloth for a gowne Item I pdon and forgive unto Thomas West
and Robert West all such debts and summes of mony as they or eyther of
them owe unto me the daye of makyng hereof Item I bequeath to the
parish church of Millington in the countie of yorke where my ffather lyeth
buried iij coopes a vestyment a gospell and a pystell of grene satteyn of
Bruges thorfrayes redde satteyn of Bruges and to the parishe churche of
Everyngham in the said countie where my mother lyeth buried a cope of lyke
stuffe and goodes as is before ??? of thother iij coopes Item I wyll that
the parishe preest of Millington, where I was borne have the soule of me
the saules of James West and Alyce West, my ffadre and mother Sr
John Browne John West Elizabeth my wif our childrens soules and all
christian soules ??? recommended unto god and comitted to the prayers of
the ??? there any Sonday in the yere for ??? And I will that the same
preest for the tyme being shall have for his Labour yerely ??? for the
space of fyve yeres Item I bequeath to Adam Hyll and Robt Hyll and to
their children x markes equally amongst them to be divided Item where
there remayning in my chest in my ??? a byll of payment closed and
ensealed of lxxxli I will that the same lxxxli be part of my said part to
the ??? ??? of Sr John Browne Late Citizen and Alderman of London in x
yere next after my decease Item I gyve and bequeath of my said part and
portion unto the said Elizabeth my wif c li in mony And to any of my
foresaid children that is to say Wyllyam John James Katheryne and Brygett
xxli in mony And I bequeath to Elizabeth Palmer doughter of Robt Palmer ??
li ?? s ?? d. Item I bequeath to any of my Servants that is to say Mari??
Elizabeth twenty shillings in mony Item I ??? and forgyve unto Martyn ??
yeres of his apprenticeship Item I bequeath to any of the Spyttalls of
Saint Bartholomew in Lond. Saint Thomas in Southwarke and Saint Mary in
Shoredythe xij pair of shets and to any of the Spytall aboute London ??
pair of shetys. ffurthermore as to the disposition of all my Lands
and tents Lying in the parrishe of Hackney in the countie of Midl. ???
where ??? Realm of England I will that Elizabeth my wif shall have and
hold to his and her assigns for term of her lif naturrall all my lands and
tents with their appurtenances therein thereof makyng nither ??? ??
??? And after her decease I will that my place in Hackney aforesaid
with thappurtnances ??? Thomas North now holdyng remayne to John West my
sonne to have and to hold to hym and his heires for ever. And that
the house and land that John ??? now holding in hackney aforesaid shall
remayne after my said wifes decease unto Wyllyam West my son to have
and to hold to the same Wyllyam amd to his heires for ever And I will also
that after my said wifes decease all that my house and my Lands wt
thapputenances ??? Wyllyam ??? ??? Golding and all the ??? and ??? wt
their appurtenances shall remayne unto James West my sonne and to his
heires forever And the residue of all my foresaid part of all my
goods cattalls and debts what soever they be my debts ??? ??? payd my
funerall expenses fully done the Legacies conteyned in this my present
testament and all other thyngs ??? the sale fully performed and done I
holy and freely give and bequeath unto the foresaid Elizabeth my wif
whiche Elizabeth my wif of that my present testament and Last wyll I make
and Ordayne my sole executrixe And hir Overseers of the same I make and
ordayne the foresaid John Mundy and Robert Palmer And I bequeath unto
either of them for his labour in the ??? to be hadd ??? sterling
These wittenes John Temple parrishe preest of Saint Mary Magdalene in
mylkestrete John Hosyer Henry Hyll Thomas Neest ??? ??? Robt Sedge
of ??? per me Johann Temple ??? per me Robert Palmer mercer per me
John West mercer per me William Colshill mercer
Publications of the Surtees Society vol 116
p275 (1908)
24 July,
1517. JOHN WEST, citizen and mercer, of
London, Alderman. To be buried in the chancel of St Mary
Magdalen, Milk St. Wife Elizabeth, children William, John,
James, Katheryne, Bridget, now wife of Robert Palmer, mercer. To the
parish churche of Millington in the Countie of York, where my father
lyeth buried, iij cupes, a vestyment, a gospell, a pystell of grene
satteyn of Bruges, thorfrayes redde satteyn of Bruges, and to the
churche of Everyngham, where my mother lyeth buried, a cope of lyke
stuffe, and I wyll that the parisshe priest of Millington, where I was
borne, have the saule of me, the saules of James West and Alyce West, my
fadre and mothre, Syr John Browne, John West, Elizabeth my wif, our
childern. Pr. 18 Sept., 1517 (Holder, 33).
- John obtained the freedom
of the Mercers' Company, by servitude, in 1489 (Records
of the London Livery Companies Online). Since apprenticeship was
typically seven years and entered in to around the age of fifteen, John
was likely born around 1467; place from John's will held at National
Archives, Kew (PROB 11/18/550) extracted at Publications of the Surtees Society vol 116
p275 (1908)
- named in John's will
held at National
Archives, Kew (PROB 11/18/550) extracted at Publications of the Surtees Society vol 116
p275 (1908)
- wife named in John's
will held at National
Archives, Kew (PROB 11/18/550) extracted at Publications of the Surtees Society vol 116
p275 (1908); Visitations
of Essex in Publications of the Harleian
Society vol 14 p562 (1879); A Descriptive Catalogue of Ancient Deeds
vol 2 p557 Deed C.2786 (1894)
- John obtained the
freedom of the Mercers' Company, by servitude, in 1489 (Records
of the London Livery Companies Online); alderman from The Aldermen of the City of London, Temp. Henry
III.-1908 p191 (Alfred B. Beaven, 1908)
- John's will held at National
Archives, Kew (PROB 11/18/550) extracted at Publications of the Surtees Society vol 116
p275 (1908) was dated 24 July 1517 and proved 18 September 1517,
so death was between these dates; John's successor as Alderman of London
representing Queenhithe was sworn in on 1 September 1517
- A Survey of London p306 (John Stow,
1633); as requested in John's will held at National
Archives, Kew (PROB 11/18/550) extracted at Publications of the Surtees Society vol 116
p275 (1908)
- National
Archives, Kew (PROB 11/18/550); Publications of the Surtees Society vol 116
p275 (1908)
- John West
John West
1496
John was admitted to the Mercer's Company by patrimony in 1517 (Records
of the London Livery Companies Online). This admission usually
occurred when the new member reached the age of 21 (see City of London Livery Companies' Commission vol
1 p69n) indicating John's birth in 1496.
John West
Elizabeth
(Oliver) West
Mercer and later a monk, being a
Friar
Observant of the Franciscan order at Greenwich, and an agent of
Cardinal Wolsey (History of the Reformation of the sixteenth century
pp823-4 (Jean Henri Merle D'Aubigne, translated by Dr. H. White, 1856)
John, his siblings William and Bridget, and his parents were left legacies
in the will of Anne (Belwood) Browne (mother of Sir William Browne, mayor of
London), dated 12 January 1503.
The National Archives PROB 11/14/71 - transcribed
by Brian Hessick)
... Item: I bequeath to my cousin John WEST to
pray for my soul, a ring of gold of the value of 20s; and to Elizabeth,
his wife, another ring of the same value. ... Item: I bequeath to John
WEST the younger, William WEST, and Bridget WEST, 20s, that is to say, to
every of them 6s 8p.
John, his brother William, and his parents were also left legacies in the
will of Sir
William Browne, Lord Mayor of London, dated 29 May 1514 and proved 1
July 1514.
The National Archives PROB 11/17/1514 - modern
spelling transcript ©2013 Nina Green)
... Item, I bequeath to my cousin, John West,
mercer, a ring of gold of the value of 20s, and to my cousin, his wife,
another gold ring of the value of 40s;
Item, to my godson, William West, their son, £3 6s 8d;
Item, to John West, brother of the same William West, 40s;
John is named in the will of his father, John, dated 24 July 1517 and proved
18 September 1517, held at the
National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/18/550).
... I gyve and
bequeath one equall part or portion thereof unto Elizabeth my wif And an
other equall part of portion thereof I gyve and bequeath to my children
Wyllyam John James and Katheryn And I will that if the same my childrens
part and portions amount and be unto any of thing above the summ of cc
marks then the ??? or surplusage thereof shallbe equally ??? and divided
betweene my children afore named and Bridgytt their sister nowe wif of
Robt Palmer mercer so that of the same surplus the same Bridgytt shall
have her just part
... Item I bequeath to any of the persons folowing that is to saye
Master Hosyer my cosen Pyke and his wif Master Mundy and his wife Robert
Palmer and his wif Wyllyam John and James my sonnes and Katheryn my
daughter Wyllyam Colshill Wyllyam ??? and my Brother ??? ?? yardes of
blake cloth for a gowne
... Item I gyve and bequeath of my said part and portion unto the said
Elizabeth my wif c li in mony And to any of my foresaid children that is
to say Wyllyam John James Katheryne and Brygett xxli in mony
... ffurthermore
as to the disposition of all my Lands and tents Lying in the parrishe of
Hackney in the countie of Midl. ??? where ??? Realm of England I will that
Elizabeth my wif shall have and hold to his and her assigns for term of
her lif naturrall all my lands and tents with their appurtenances therein
thereof makyng nither ??? ?? ??? And after her decease I will that
my place in Hackney aforesaid with thappurtnances ??? Thomas North now
holdyng remayne to John West my sonne to have and to hold to hym and his
heires for ever.
John is named as an executor of the will of his brother, William West, dated
20 July 1518, and proved on 15 August 1518 (National
Archives, Kew (PROB 11/19/127)).
... I give and bequeth to John and Jamys my
brethren whom I constitute to be myn executours to see my detts paid and
to see my funerall expenses contented and to see that my last will
fulfilled And I constitute and ordeyn to be overseer of thys my last will
my lady my moder And I will that she and myn executours afore rehersed
have the ??? of thym a blak gowne
John West was commissioned by Cardinal
Thomas Wolsey and sent first to Antwerp in August 1528 and then on to
Cologne in September 1528, in an attempt to find and arrest William
Tyndale, author of the first English translation of the Bible, and his
assistant in that task, Observant Friar William
Roy, considered by Wolsey to be heretics and traitors.
History of the Reformation of the sixteenth century
pp823-4 (Jean Henri Merle D'Aubigne, translated by Dr. H. White, 1856)
It was a
catholicity of another sort that Wolsey desired to uphold. He did not
reject certain reforms in the church, particularly such as brought him
any profit; but, before all, he wished to preserve for the hierarchy
their priviliges and uniformity. The Romish Church in England was then
personified in him, and if he fell, its ruin would be near. His
political talents and multiplied relations with the continent, caused
him to discern more clearly than others the dangers which threatened the
popedom. The publication of the Scriptures of God in English appeared to
some a cloud without importance, which would soon disappear from the
horizon; but to the foreseeing glance of Wolsey, it be tokened a
mighty tempest. Besides he loved not the fraternal relations then
forming between the evangelical Christians of Great Britain and of other
nations. Annoyed by this spiritual catholicity, he resolved to procure
the arrest of Tyndale, who was its principal organ.
Already had Hackett, Henry's envoy to the Low Countries, caused
the imprisonment of Harman, an Antwerp merchant, one of the principal
supporters of the English reformer. But Hackett had in vain asked Wolsey
for such documents as would convict him of treason
(for the crime of loving the Bible was not sufficient to procure
Harman's condemnation in Brabant); the envoy had remained without
letters from England, and the last term fixed by the law having expired,
Harman and his wife were liberated after seven months' imprisonment.
And yet Wolsey had not been inactive. The cardinal hoped to find
elsewhere the co-operation which Margaret of Austria refused. It was
Tyndale that he wanted, and everything seemed to indicate that he was
then hidden at Cologne or in its neighbourhood. Wolsey, recollecting
senator Rincke and the services he had already performed, determined to
send to him one John West, a friar of the Franciscan convent at
Greenwich. West, a somewhat narrow-minded but energetic man, was very
desirous of distinguishing himself, and he had already gained some
notoriety in England among the adversaries of the Reformation. Flattered
by his mission, this vain monk immediately set off for Antwerp,
accompanied by another friar, in order to seize Tyndale, and even Roy,
once his colleague at Greenwich, and against whom he had there
ineffectually contended in argument.
While these men were conspiring his ruin, Tyndale composed
several works, got them printed, and sent to England, and prayed God and
day to enlighten his fellow-countrymen. “Why do you give yourself so
much trouble,” said some of his friends. “They will burn your books as
they have burnt the Gospel.” They will only do what I expect,” replied
he, “if they burn me also.” Already he beheld his own burning pile in
the distance; but it was a sight which only served increase his zeal.
Hidden, like Luther at Wartburg, not however in a castle, but in a
humble lodging, Tyndale, like the Saxon reformer, spent his days and
nights translating the Bible. But not having an elector of Saxony to
protect him, he was forced to change his residence from time to time.
At this epoch, Fryth, who had escaped from the prisons of Oxford,
rejoined Tyndale, and the sweets of friendship softened the bitterness
of their exile. Tyndale having finished the New Testament, and begun the
translation of the Old, the learned Fryth was of great use him. The more
they studied the word of God, the more they admired it. In the beginning
of 1529, they published the books of Genesis and Deuteronomy, and
addressing their fellow-countrymen, they said: “As thou readest, think
that every syllable pertaineth to thine own self, and suck out the pith
of the Scripture.” Then denying that visible signs naturally impart
grace, as the schoolmen had pretended, Tyndale maintained that the
sacraments are effectual only when the Holy Ghost sheds his influence
upon them. “The ceremonies of the law,” he wrote, “stood the Israelites
in the same stead as the sacraments do us. We are saved not by the power
of the sacrifice or the deed itself, but by virtue of faith
in the promise, whereof the sacrifice or ceremony was a token
or sign. The Holy Ghost is no dumb God, no God that goeth a mumming.
Wherever the word is proclaimed, this inward witness worketh. If baptism
preach me the washing in Christ's blood, so doth the Holy Ghost
accompany it; and that deed of preaching through faith doth put away my
sins. The ark of Noah saved them in the water through faith.”
The man who dared address England in language so contrary to the
teaching of the middle ages must be imprisoned. John West, who had been
sent with this object, arrived at Antwerp; Hackett procured for him as
interpreter a friar of English descent, made him assume a secular dress,
and gave him “three pounds” on the cardinal's account; the less
attention the embassy attracted, the more likely it would be to succeed.
But great was West's vexation, on reaching Cologne, to learn that Rincke
was at Frankfort. But that mattered not; the Greenwich monk could search
for Tyndale at Cologne, and desire Rincke to do the same at Frankfort;
thus there would be two searches instead of one. West procured a “swift”
messenger, (he too was a monk,) and gave him the letter Wolsey had
addressed to Rincke.
It was fair-time at Frankfort, and the city was filled with
merchants and their wares. As soon as Rincke had finished reading
Wolsey's letter, he hastened to the burgomasters, and required them to
confiscate the English translations of the Scriptures, and, above all,
to seize “the heretic who was troubling England as Luther troubled
Germany.” “Tyndale and his friends have not appeared in our fairs since
the month of March 1528,” replied the magistrates, “and we know not
whether they are dead or alive.”
Rincke was not discouraged. John Schoot of Strasburg, who was
said to have printed Tyndale's books, and who cared less about the works
he published than the money he drew from them, happened to be at
Frankfort. “Where is Tyndale?” Rincke asked him. “I do not know,”
replied the printer: but he confessed that he had printed a thousand
volumes at the request of Tyndale and Roy. “Bring them to me,” continued
the senator of Cologne. “If a fair price is paid me, I will give them up
to you.” Rincke paid all that was demanded.
Wolsey would now be gratified, for the New Testament annoyed him
almost as much as the divorce; this book, so dangerous in his eyes,
seemed on the point of raising a conflagration which would infallibly
consume the edifice of Roman traditionalism. Rincke, who participated in
his patron's fears, impatiently opened the volumes made over to him; but
there was a sad mistake, they were not the New Testament, not even a
work of Tyndale's but one written by William Roy, a changeable and
violent man, whom the reformer had employed for some time at Hamburg,
and who had followed him to Cologne, but with whom he had soon become
disgusted. “I bade him farewell for our two lives”, said Tyndale “and a
day longer.” Roy, on quitting the reformer, had gone to Strasburg, where
he boasted of his relations with him, and had got a satire in that city
printed against Wolsey and the monastic orders, entitled The
Burial of the Mass : this was the book delivered to Rincke. The
monk's sarcastic spirit had exceeded the ligitimate bounds of
controversy, and the senator accordingly dared not send the volumes to
England. He did not, however, discontinue his inquiries, but searched
every place where he thought he could discover the New Testament, and
having seized all the suspected volumes, set off for Cologne.
Yet he was not satisfied He wanted Tyndale, and went about asking
every one if they knew where to find him. But the reformer, whom he was
seeking in so many places, and especially at Frankfort and Cologne,
chanced to be residing at about equal distances from these two towns, so
that Rincke, while travelling from one to the other, might have met him
face to face, as Ahab's messenger met Elijah. Tyndale was at Marburg,
whither he had been drawn by several motives. Prince Philip of Hesse was
the great protector of the evangelical doctrines. The university had
attracted attention in the Reform by the paradoxes of Lambert of
Avignon. Here a young Scotsman named Hamilton, afterwards illustrious as
a martyr, had studied shortly before, and here too the celebrated
printer, John Luft, had his presses. In this city Tyndale and Fryth had
taken up their abode, in September 1528, and, hidden on the quiet banks
of the Lahn, were translating the Old Testament. If Rincke had searched
this place he could not have failed to discover them. But either he
thought not of it, or was afraid of the terrible landgrave. The direct
road by the Rhine was that which he followed, and Tyndale escaped.
When he arrived at Cologne, Rincke had an immediate interview
with West. Their investigations having failed, they must have recourse
to more vigorous measures. The senator, therefore, sent the monk back to
England, accompanied by his son Hermann, charging them to tell Wolsey:
“To seize Tyndale we require fuller powers, ratified by the emperor. The
traitors who conspire against the life of the king of England are not
tolerated in the empire, much less Tyndale and all those who conspire
against Christendom. He must be put to death : nothing but some striking
example can check the Lutheran heresy.—And as to ourselves,” they were
told to add, “by the favour of God there may possibly be an opportunity
for his royal highness and your grace to recompense us.” Rincke had not
forgotten the subsidy of ten thousand pounds which he had received from
Henry VII. for the Turkish war, when he had gone to London as
Maximilian's envoy.
West returned to England sorely vexed that he had failed in his
mission. What would they say at court and in his monastery? A fresh
humiliation was in reserve for him. Roy, whom West had gone to look for
on the banks of the Rhine, had paid a visit to his mother on the banks
of the Thames; and to crown all, the new doctrines had penetrated into
his own convent. The warden, father Robinson, had embraced them, and
night and day the Greenwich monks read that New Testament which West had
gone to Cologne to burn. The Antwerp friar, who had accompanied him on
his journey, was the only person to whom he could confide his sorrows;
but the Franciscans sent him back again to the continent, and then
amused themselves at poor West's expense. If he desired to tell of his
adventures on the banks of the Rhine, he was laughed at; if he boasted
of the names of Wolsey and Henry VIII., they jeered him still more. He
desired to speak to Roy's mother, hoping to gain some useful information
from her; this the monks prevented. “It is in my commission,” he said.
They ridiculed him more and more. Robinson, perceiving that the
commission made West assume unbecoming airs of independence, requested
Wolsey to withdraw it; and West, fancying he was about to be thrown into
prison, exclaimed in alarm: “I am weary of my life!” and conjured a
friend whom he had at court to procure him before Christmas an obedience
under his lordship's hand and seal, enabling him to leave the monastery;
“What you pay him for it,” he added, “I shall see you be reimbursed.”
Thus did West expiate the fanatical zeal which had urged him to pursue
the translator of the oracles of God. What became of him, we know not:
he is never heard of more.
This is the letter written by John West to the English ambassador, John
Hackett from Antwerp on 2 September 1528.
Letters and Papers Henry VIII vol 4 part 2
pp2037-8 (1872)
2 Sept. R.O.
4693. JOHN WESTE
to JOHN HACKET.
Master Governor saw yesterday Ric. Harman's letters from England,
with four letters of certain persons: two from London, and two from
Cranebroke in Kent, where Harman was born. The first is from Ric. Hall,
ironmonger, of London, dated 14 Oct., desiring two books of the New
Testament in English. The second is from John Saddelere, dated 3 Sept.
1526, stating that the news in England was that the English Testaments
should be put down and burnt. The third is from Thos. Davy, of
Cranbrook, urging Harman to have patience in the true faith in Christ,
and stating that no man may speak in England of the New Testament in
English on pain of bearing a faggot. The fourth is from John Andrews, of
Cranbrook, dated 20 Feb. 1527, about the New Testament. The said Andrews
is in prison in the Fleet. The Governor tells him that those who have
the custody of Harman's letters “made many great cracks to Master
Governor, and many high words, and Richard's wife also.” Advises him to
get a letter from the lady Margaret to have the letters delivered.
The priest that is in prison is sick of the ague, and has no
refreshing of meat or drink. Therefore I pray you that he may have some,
for I would he should not die here. By a letter of your hand to the
Margrave, I trust to catch another priest come out of England, called
Constantinus, who dresses like a secular. Will send them both to
England. I have spoken to Francis Brykman, bookbinder, of this town, and
he tells me that Petygnele, Roye and Jerome Burlowe, friars of our
religion, and Hucthyns, otherwise Tyndall, made the last book that was
made against the King and my lord Cardinal; and that John Scott, a
printer of Straysbourg, printed them. There is a whole pipe of them at
Frankfort; and he desired me to write him a letter whether he should buy
them or not. If so, he intends to send Roye with the other two to
Cologne, to receive the money for the books, where I and Herman Ryng, of
Cologne, shall take them. Our convent at Antwerp, 2 Sept. 1528.
P.S.—Mr. Crane took shipping for England on Tuesday se'nnight.
Hol., p. 1. Add.
John West and another monk from his order, Friar Flegh, set off from Antwerp
for Cologne on 11 September 1528, as related in this letter from Hackett to
Wolsey.
Letters and Papers Henry VIII vol 4 part 2
p2051 (1872)
12 Sept. Galba,
B.IX. 186. B.M.
4725. JOHN HACKETT
to WOLSEY
... Yesterday after dinner Friar West and Friar Flegh,, an Englishman of
his order, set out for Collen, with a true man for guide, to whom
Hackett has given money for their costs. Will furnish West with what
money he requires to execute Wolsey’s commission. Trusts he will bring
it to a good perfection. He intends at Collen to change his raiment.
Having failed to locate William Tyndale or William Roy, John West returned
to England bearing a letter dated 4 October 1528, from Herman Rinck to
Wolsey.
Letters and Papers Henry VIII vol 4 part 2
p2083 (1872)
4 Oct. Vit.B.XXI.43
B.M.
4810. HERMAN RINCK
to WOLSEY
Received on . . . Sept., at Frankfort, his letters, dated Hampton
Court, Aug. 5, sent by Friar John West, an Observant, concerning buying
up English books, and arresting Roy and Huckynck (Tyndall). Neither they
nor their accomplices have been seen at Frankfort since Easter. John
Schott, of Strasburg (Argentinensis),
their engraver, knows nothing of them. Heard that their books, full of
heresy and slander of Wolsey and the King, had been pledged to Jews at
Frankfort. Obtained from the senators and judges, by gifts, power to
collect them; and believes he has them all, except two, which John West
asked for. It was intended to send them packed in bales of linen to
Scotland and England. Thinks few or none have been sent. The magistrates
have promised that they shall not be reprinted, and the engraver will
send him the copy. Will do all he can to arrest Roy and Huckyng, as
West, Herman Rynck, his son, and John Geilkyrche, his servant, will
testify.
In this letter, dated 17 December 1528, possibly to Sir
Brian Tuke, John notes the restrictions being placed on him at his
monastery and that his warden was attempting to have his commission from
Wolsey revoked.
Letters and Papers Henry VIII vol 4 part 2
p2194 (1872)
17 Dec. Vit.
B.x. 171. B.M.
5043. Friar JOHN WESTE
to [TUKE ?]
“Right Worshipful Sir,”
The father minister and father William Robinson, warden of
Greenwich, went yesterday or today to complain of him to my lord’s
Grace, that my Lord should take away his commission. They will not let
him come to London to inquire where Roy was when he was in England with
his mother, and to do the rest of his commission. Many of them are
guilty of Lutheranism, and they speak ill of the King and Wolsey, and do
all they can to put him to trouble for reproving them. They have taken
away his f[ellow who] came with him from beyond sea, and sent him in . .
. in a ship alone without a fellow, “and all because that I . . . .
about none of my business, but they will know it . . . . will not obey
the King’s broad seal.” Begs him to a[ssist] him with the dispensation
as soon as possible, and if it cannot be done before Christmas, to get
him a [letter] of an obedience under my Lord’s broad seal for himself
and his fellow Cornelius Hewtssam, a Dutchman, whom West intends to
take, as he knows little English, so that West will be able to act with
more secrecy. He can get the letter of obedience from Mr. Steward,
master of my Lord’s faculties. They will put him in prison, unless he
helps him to see Wolsey at Greenwich. At our convent, 17 Dec. 1528.
Asks him to send a letter of comfort by the bearer.
Hol. pp. 2.
John West wrote a letter on 8 February 1528(9) to Cardinal Wolsey in which
he complains that Thomas Exmewe, his stepfather, withheld rightful
inheritance from him and his sister Catherine.
Letters and Papers Henry VIII vol 4 part 3
pp2323-4 (1876)
8 Feb. R. O.
5275. JOHN WEST,
Friar Observant, to WOLSEY.
As touching Ric. Harman’s matter, it is time I were gone.
The last day is Friday fortnight, 26 Feb., as John Hacket writes, when
Harman will be delivered, and Hacket cast in the costs; a great
encouragement to Lutheranism. My father-in-law, Sir Th. Exmew, died
Saturday last, 6 Feb., and held from me and my sister, Kath. Colswell,
certain evidences of lands in Middlesex, which I sold her and her
husband William at the death of my mother, lady Eliz. Exmew, who died 14
Feb. 1528. He also withheld from my sister 20l.
sterl., also a chalice and vestment, a chain of gold of 42 oz., 6 rings
of gold set with stones, and 5l.
6s. 8d.
bequeathed me by Wm. Browne, late alderman of London. My father-in-law,
Exmew, promised that my sister and her husband should be his executors;
but his executors, Th. Kyttson, mercer, and one Brokett, goldsmith,
retain all his goods. Greenwich, 8 Feb. 1529.
Hol., p. 1. Add.:
To my lord legate of England's grace. Endd.
This letter was written by John West to Cardinal Wolsey about 28 March 1529.
Letters and Papers Henry VIII vol 4 part 3
p2374 (1876)
Cott. App. XLVIII.
48, B.M.
5402. JOHN WEST,
Friar Observant, to WOLSEY.
Asks him to make ready the letters and articles following, “for
the tyme drawythe nere off exspyration and the tyme drawythe nere off
Frankford Martte,” which begins on the Annunciation.
Information and instructions of the treason touching Ric. Harman;
letter to Mr. John Hakett of the same; to Hakett and Sir John Stylle,
governor of the [Eng]lyshe merchants beyond sea, to send Wm. Claye,
mercer of London, and Wm. Dawnsye, with a sure guard, as rebellious
fugitives; Claye has taken 1,000l.
belonging to John a Poole, mercer of London, keeps company with Harman,
and rails on the Pope, Wolsey, and the whole Church, with Lutheran
opinions and opprobrious words; to Harman Ryncke, of Colleyn, with a
bill for the payment of the books, 63l.
4s.; to the bp. of Colleyn, for
the delivery of heretics; to the bp. of Maguntia, for the delivery of W.
Roye and W. Hutchyns, otherwise Tendalle, traitors and heretics; two to
the card. bp. of Lucke, otherwise called Le . . . . . from Wolsey and
the Legate Laur. Campecy[us, who] is here now in England, about the
delivery of Ric. Harman; to the lady Margaret and the Emperor’s council,
with one from the King for the same, and others to the lord of Barowe,
as Harman will be at Passe Marte at Barow now at Easter.
“I praye your Gracce to dyspencce with . . . . . that I
schall see necessarye for to be done in this bessynes . . . . . . .
Rincke serwant John Gelger and I may go togyther pryve[ly] . . . . . . .
. Gracce more opon Mondaye.”
Hol., pp. 2, mutilated.
Add.: “To the lord Legate’s grace of England.” Endd.
These two letters were written by John West to Cardinal Wolsey about 13
April 1529.
Letters and Papers Henry VIII vol 4 part 3
pp2405-6 (1876)
R.O.
5462. JOHN WEST,
Observant Friar, to WOLSEY.
Requests him to appoint a day when he may speak with him on the
following topics:—
1. Touching Ric. Harman, now out of prison under sureties. Unless
Wolsey can get other particular declarations of treason laid against
him, he is likely to be set at liberty altogether in three weeks, and
will do more mischief than ever. 2. Touching William Roye, who has
been in England with his mother at Westminster. 3. What we have
done with John Scotte, the printer of the books. 4. To show Wolsey
where Will. Tyndalle, otherwise called Will. Hutchyns, and Jerome
Barllow are. 5. How they are to be taken. 6. That West and
Mr. John Crane may be despatched; for in their absence “they that have
loitered in the town of Antwerp, with other places, go now abroad, and
doth seducte many moo of their affinity.” 7. Mr. John Crane, who
has lain here so long, “is at an exigent for money,” and likely to lose
his service with the merchants beyond sea. If Wolsey will help him with
a benefice he will spend it in the taking of these heretics. 8.
Herman Ryncke’s servant and son remain here to know Wolsey’s pleasure
what shall be done with the books.
P. 1. Add.:
To my lord Legate. Endd.:
Certain articles of Friar West, concerning certain Englishmen, being
Lutherans, in Flanders and Almain.
R.O.
5463. FRIAR JOHN
WEST, to WOLSEY.
Asks
that he may speak with him secretly before he sees brother Alysander
Barkley, who has called Wolsey a tyrant and other opprobrious and
blasphemous words.
Hol., p. 1. Add.: To my lord Legate. Sealed. Endd.
This letter, written by John West and John Lawrence to Cardinal Wolsey on 12
June 1529 provides an interesting account of a follow up attempt to
apprehend William Roy.
Letters and Papers Henry VIII vol 4 part 3
pp2503 (1876)
1529. 12 June.
R.O.
5667. JOHN WEST
and JOHN LAWRENCE, Observant Friars, to WOLSEY.
Have obeyed his commands touching Wm. Roye at Yarmouth. From
information given by John Stanleye, sometime the familiar of our convent
at Richmond, we have made diligent inquiry for Roye in the Grey Friars
and in the town of Yarmouth, but can obtain no knowledge of him. A
schoolmaster of the same town spake and drank with Roye betwixt Lestoe
(Lowestoft) and Yarmouth, in Ascension week, and showed us the features
and the secret marks of his face, the manner of his speaking, his
apparel, “and how he does speak all manner of languages.” On asking Roye
whence he came and where he was going, he said he came from over sea,
and would go to the North parts; so we took our journey from Yarmouth to
Norwich, supposing to gain more knowledge of him. But coming to Langley
Abbey we met a young man, come out of the North parts, from
Lincolnshire, and we asked if he had seen such a person, and he said
that two days before he had met the said person a little beyond
Attellbryge, on the way to Lyne, and another with him, who had a red
head, which by all likelihood should be Jerome Barlowe, his companion.
When they approached his company, Roye left the highway, and hid his
face, but the fellow with the red head demanded of this young man the
way to Lyne, and then they made great speed, which made the young man
suspect that they had done some mischief. Considering that we could not
pursue them on foot, we had recourse to the abbot of St. Benett’s, of
Holme, brother to Mr. Dean of Ipswich, to whom we disclosed our purpose,
and found him diligent and faithful. For immediately he knew of your
pleasure, he sent one of his servants on horseback to Lynn, and another
to Walsingham, and offered us all the help necessary. We have heard from
the servant who went to Lynn that Roye and the other took ship for
Newcastle, where we intend to follow them. Had we received our
instructions but three days before, we should have brought them both to
you. Great as the labor is, we endure it for Christ’s sake. Will want
another letter in the event of Roye having gone to Scotland. St.
Benett’s of Holme, 12 June 21 Hen. VIII.
P. 1, Hol., in West’s
hand. Add. and endd.
Robert West
James West
Alyce (_____) West
The Visitations
of Essex in Publications of the Harleian Society
vol 14 p562 (1879) states that Robert was "of Millington", Yorkshire,
and gives both West and Wesse as spellings of his last name.
Robert was probably the Robert West whose debts were forgiven in the will of
his brother, John dated 24 July 1517. If so, it also gives rise to the
possibility that there was a third brother, Thomas.
National
Archives, Kew (PROB 11/18/550)
... Item I pdon and forgive unto Thomas
West and Robert West all such debts and summes of mony as they or eyther
of them owe unto me the daye of makyng hereof
William West
1496
William was admitted to the Mercer's Company by patrimony in 1517 (Records
of the London Livery Companies Online). This admission usually
occurred when the new member reached the age of 21 (see City of London Livery Companies' Commission vol
1 p69n) indicating William's birth in 1496.
John West
Elizabeth
(Oliver) West
Mercer
William was a mercer, of London. He obtained the freedom of the Mercers'
Company, by patrimony, in 1517 (Records
of the London Livery Companies Online), although he died a year later.
William, his siblings John and Bridget, and his parents are left legacies in
the will of Anne (Belwood) Browne (mother of Sir William Browne, mayor of
London), dated 12 January 1503.
The National Archives PROB 11/14/71 - transcribed
by Brian Hessick)
... Item: I bequeath to my cousin John WEST to
pray for my soul, a ring of gold of the value of 20s; and to Elizabeth,
his wife, another ring of the same value. ... Item: I bequeath to John
WEST the younger, William WEST, and Bridget WEST, 20s, that is to say, to
every of them 6s 8p.
William, his brother John, and his parents were also left legacies in the
will of Sir
William Browne, Lord Mayor of London, dated 29 May 1514 and proved 1
July 1514.
The National Archives PROB 11/17/1514 - modern
spelling transcript ©2013 Nina Green)
... Item, I bequeath to my cousin, John West,
mercer, a ring of gold of the value of 20s, and to my cousin, his wife,
another gold ring of the value of 40s;
Item, to my godson, William West, their son, £3 6s 8d;
Item, to John West, brother of the same William West, 40s;
William is named in the will of his father, John, dated 24 July 1517 and
proved 18 September 1517, held at the
National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/18/550).
... I gyve and
bequeath one equall part or portion thereof unto Elizabeth my wif And an
other equall part of portion thereof I gyve and bequeath to my children
Wyllyam John James and Katheryn And I will that if the same my childrens
part and portions amount and be unto any of thing above the summ of cc
marks then the ??? or surplusage thereof shallbe equally ??? and divided
betweene my children afore named and Bridgytt their sister nowe wif of
Robt Palmer mercer so that of the same surplus the same Bridgytt shall
have her just part
... Item I bequeath to any of the persons folowing that is to saye
Master Hosyer my cosen Pyke and his wif Master Mundy and his wife Robert
Palmer and his wif Wyllyam John and James my sonnes and Katheryn my
daughter Wyllyam Colshill Wyllyam ??? and my Brother ??? ?? yardes of
blake cloth for a gowne
... Item I gyve and bequeath of my said part and portion unto the said
Elizabeth my wif c li in mony And to any of my foresaid children that is
to say Wyllyam John James Katheryne and Brygett xxli in mony
... And that the house and land that John ??? now
holding in hackney aforesaid shall remayne after my said wifes decease
unto Wyllyam West my son to have and to hold to the same Wyllyam amd
to his heires for ever
July-August 1518
William's will was dated 20 July 1518, and proved on 15 August 1518.
St Mary Magdalen Milk Street,
London, England
The will of William West, dated 20
July 1518, and proved on 15 August 1518, is held at the
National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/19/127). A rough transcription is:
In dei nomine
amen. In the yere of our Lord god ?? fyve hunderth and xviij The
xx Day of July, I William West being in good and pfect mynde make and
ordeyn this my last wille and testament in this maner folowyng ffirst I
bequeth my soule to almighty god to our Lady saint mary and to all the
company of hevyn my body to be buried in the church of Mary Magdaleyn in
milk strete And I give to the high altar ??? the same iijs iiijd Also I
give to the high altar in saint Laurence in the Jewry ??s ??d Item to the
high altar in saint Antonynis in ??? ??? ??s ??d Also I will that myn
executours distribute to pour prople and prisoners xli.Also I bequeth to
Sir Robert Lovonde my gostly fader xls And I will that myn executours give
to the said Sir Robert xli the which I will that he shall dispose after
the maner that I have shewed hym betwixt ??/??? Item I bequeth to John
Conagh xxs Item I give to Thomas Wall ???? Item to Martyn myn Apprentice
xxs Item to ff??? John ??? xxxs Item I give to John Elder and Johane hys
wife xiijs iijd Item I give to ??? kyinge vjs viijd Itm to petyr ??? vjs
viijd Item I give to ffran?? West ?? ??? Item to Margaret ??? xxs Also I
will that there be songed a Terntall of masses for my soule the day of my
burying in the church of Mary Magdalyn aforesaid The residue of my goodes
moveable and immoveable ??? ??? that I give to the bylding of the said
church of Saint Mary Magdalyn xls I give and bequeth to John and Jamys my
brethren whom I constitute to be myn executours to see my detts paid and
to see my funerall expenses contented and to see that my last will
fulfilled And I constitute and ordeyn to be overseer of thys my last will
my lady my moder And I will that she and myn executours afore rehersed
have the ??? of thym a blak gowne Item I give to John Charlet iijs iiijd I
give also to John Rydley iijs iiijd These witnesse Robert Lamonde John
Ridley John Charlet Thomas Wall Johan Basset ??? other
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