Inquisition of Sir Thomas Blanke, Mayor of London

Date: 22 Oct 1589 [unknown]
Location: London, England
Surname/tag: Blanke, Blancke, Blank, Altham

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Inquisition

Inquisition taken at the Guildhall, 22 October, 31 Eliz. [1589],[1]

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before Matthew Cracherod, esq., William Necton, gent., feodary, and Edmund Ferrand, gent., to enquire after the death of Thomas Blanke, knight, citizen and alderman of London, by virtue of a commission to them and to Matthew Dale, esq., and Arthur Forthe, gent., directed, by the oath of Robert Dickenson, John Harrison, Thomas Sew ell, John Bonde, John Jackson, Robert Eldar, James Robinson, William Crowche, William Cooke, George Robartes, John Tompson, Edward Swayne, William Povye, Hugh Ingram, Thomas Wigges, Arthur Wright and William Harvye, who say that

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Thomas Blanke father of the said Thomas Blanke, knight, was seised in his demesne as of fee of 2 messuages situate in the parish of St. Leonard next Eastchepe in the ward of London Bridge, then in the tenure of the said Thomas Blanke the father and now or late in that of Lewis Simpson, grocer, and James Battle, draper; 1 tenement or cottage situate in the said parish and ward sometime in the tenure of Joan Lanymon, widow, and now or late in that of John Spencer; 1 messuage formerly called Abbottes Inne, situate in the parish of St. Mary Athill in the ward of Billingsgate, late in the occupation of the said Thomas Blanke, knight, and Dame Margaret his wife and now in that of the said Margaret; 1 large messuage, now divided into 3 tenements, being in Peter Lane next Paules Wharf in the parish of St. Peter in the ward of Baynardes Castle, London, formerly in the tenure of Richard Stafferton and now in that of Nicholas Toke, William Parryc and Edward Ager.

The said Thomas Blanke had issue the said Thomas Blanke, knight, his son, and Elizabeth his daughter married to James Altham, esq., and afterwards made his will dated 2 June, 1562, as follows [here given in English]:

I give to Johan my wife the 2 messuages wherein I now dwell and my little tenement wherein Lanymon's widow now dwells lying in Grace Church Street in the parish of St. Leonard nigh Eastcheap for her life only; and after her decease, I give the same to my son Thomas Blanke for his life, after his decease, to Thomas Altham my Godson, son of the said Mr. James Altham and Elizabeth his late wife my daughter, and to the heirs male of his body, on condition that he does not alienate any of the said premises: if he die without issue or alienate any of the said premises then Edward Altham brother of the said Thomas shall have the said 3 messuages, to him and the heirs male of his body, on like condition: if he die without heirs male of his body, or make such alienation, then James Altham brother of the said Thomas and Edward to have the said premises to him and the heirs male of. his body, on like condition; if he die without heirs of his body or make alienation, then I give the said premises to John Altham brother of the said Thomas, Edward and James and to the heirs male of his body, on like condition; if he die without such heirs or alienate, then I give the said premises to Matthew Altham brother of the said Thomas, Edward, James and John and to the heirs male of his body, on like condition; if he die without heirs male of his body, or alienate, then I give the said 3 messuages to my next heirs for ever.

I will that such persons as shall have the said 3 messuages shall distribute every year for ever in the month of September amongst poor householders within the bridgeward of London either in money or coals the sum of 40s. with which sum I charge the said 3 messuages for ever.

I give to the said Thomas Blanke my son and Margaret his wife my great messuage called Abbottes Inne wherein they now dwell with all cellars, yards, warehouses and other buildings lying in the parish of St. Mary Athill, and my messuage in Peter Lane, viz. the whole purchace I made of Sir Thomas Challinar, knight, which cost me £300 and I paid towards the building of the said great house £900 of my own money, making in ready money £1,200. "I give God thanckes for yt, prayinge allso unto God that my sonne Thomas Blanke and his said wiffe maye longe dwell in the saide greate house and to serve God therein accordinge to their dutyes ": to hold to the said Thomas and Margaret and the heirs male of the body of the said Thomas, on condition that he does not alienate the said premises: if he die without such heirs or make alienation, then I give the said premises to the said Thomas Altham son of the said James and to the heirs male of his body, on like condition, with other remainders as above. And I will that the persons enjoying my said 2 messuages shall bestow every year for ever in the month of April amongst the poor householders of the said parish of St. Leonard or in the bridge ward of London or there abouts £3 in ready money and 40s. in coals: with which said sums I charge my said 2 messuages for ever.

The said Thomas Blanke, the father, died so seised 20 Nov., 5 Eliz. [1562], in the said parish of St. Leonards, after whose death the said Joan his wife entered into the said 2 messuages and was thereof seised in her demesne as of free tenement: she died in the said parish the . . . day of . . . 21 Eliz.

All the said premises (except the said messuage formerly called Abbottes Inn) are held of the Queen in free burgage, and the said messuage called Abbotts Inn is held of the Queen in chief by the 50th part of a knight's fee and by the yearly rent of 5s. 4d.: all the said premises are worth per ann., clear, £6.

Thomas Blanke died 28 October, 30 Eliz. [1588]; Thomas Altham late of London and now living at Oxford in co. Oxford is his kinsman and next heir and is now aged 38 years and more.

The said Margaret late the wife of the said Sir Thomas Blanke alias Dame Margaret Blanke still survives at London.

Chan. Inq. p. in., vol. 222, No. 40.[2]