The will of Guy Machell of Crackenthorpe

Date: 24 Oct 1536 [unknown]
Location: [unknown]
Surnames/tags: Machell Wills

In the 28 Hen. 8. the said Guy made his will ; which, as it shews perfectly the fashion and manner of those times, is transcribed below :

The Will of Guy Machell of Crackenthorpe

Transcription:

In the name of God, Amen. The 24th day of the month of October, year of our Lord God 1536.
I Guy Machell of Crackenthorpe, sick of my body, whole and perfect of my remembrance, in this
manner and form following make my last will and testament.
First, I give and bequeath my soul to almighty God, to our blessed lady clean virgin, to all the
company of heaven; and my body to be buried within the church of St. Michael of Appleby.
Also I give and bequeath for the portion of my mortuary 3s 4d.
Also I give and bequeath for my forgotten tithes, my soul to be discharged of the church 20d.
Also, if the said gift and legacy for the portion of my mortuary be not sufficient to the vicar, then I
will, on inventory of all my goods to be made by four sworn men prized and valued, that which
the law requireth to be fully and truly paid.
Also I give and bequeath to my son Thomas Machell my best jack.
Also I give and bequeath to my son Henry Machell my best steel coat, with my best sword.
Also I give and bequeath to my son Edward Machell my other steel coat, with one other sword.
Also I give and bequeath to my Ion Leonard Machell one bastard.
Item, I give and bequeath to my son Guy Macbell one little Sword.
The residue of all my goods, moveable and unmoveable, not given and bequeathed before, my
funeral expenses and debts paid, I give and bequeath to my wife Margaret Machell, and to my sons
Henry Machell, Edward Machell, Leonard Machell, Guy Machell, Wylfryde Machell, Gryllys
Machell, Myghtfell Machell, Robert Machell, and to my daughter Anne Machell; whom I
order and make my true executors, to disperse for my soul’s health, as they think best to please God and comfort to my soul.
Also I will that all my goods move" able and immoveable remain whole together, under the
government and rule of my wife Margaret, without any division, parts, or portions, till the youngest
of my forenamed sons come and be of perfect age and discretion; and then by the
fight of friends the goods left and unspended to be divided by even portions to my wife,
sons and daughter aforenamed.
Also I make and order supervisors of this my will the right honourable the lord Henry, earl of
Cumberland, his honourable son lord Henry Clifford, and my right worshipful friend Sir Thomas
Ch—— knight ; deferring of them all to see that my wife and sons afornamed
executors be not hurt nor harmed with wrongs ; but that they help and aid them in right, for the
love of God, as my great trust is therein. Records of this my last will and testament, Thomas
Hyll, John Shepperth, Henry Nelson with others more.

Guy died soon after the making of this will. And within a year afterwards the aforesaid (Henry) Machell died at Donnington : And Hugh Machell his brother claimed his effects as next of kin.

This transcription is taken from:

• E. Ballasis. The Machells of Crackenthorpe. Reprinted for the Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society. Pg. 457-458. Kendal: T. Wilson 28 Highgate. 1886.