Will of Thomas Cromwell

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: London, England
Surname/tag: Cromwell

Transcription

In the name of God, Amen, The 12th day of July, in the year of our Lord God MCCCCCXXIX., and in the 21st year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord, King Henry VIII, I, Thomas Cromwell, of London, Gentleman, being whole in body and in good and perfect memory, lauded be the Holy Trinity, make, ordain, and declare this my present testament, containing my last will, in manner as following: — First I bequeath my soul to the great God of heaven, my Maker, Creator, and Redeemer, beseeching the most glorious Virgin and blessed Lady Saint Mary the Virgin and Mother, with all the holy company of heaven to be media tors and intercessors for me to the Holy Trinity, so that I may be able, when it shall please Almighty God to call me out of this miserable world and transitory life, to inherit the kingdom of heaven amongst the number of good Christian people ; and whensoever I shall depart this present life I bequeath my body to be buried where it shall please God to ordain me to die, and to be ordered after the discretion of mine executors undernamed. And for my goods which our Lord hath lent me in this world, I will shall be ordered and disposed in manner and form as hereafter shall ensue.

First I give and bequeath unto my son Gregory Cromwell six hundred threescore six pounds, thirteen shillings, and four pence, of lawful money of England, with the which six hundred threescore six pounds, thirteen shillings, and four pence, I will mine executors undernamed immediately or as soon as they conveniently may after my decease, shall purchase lauds, tenements, and hereditaments to the clear yearly value of 331. 6s. 8d. by the year above all charges and reprises to the use of ray said son Gregory, for term of his life; and after the decease of the said Gregory to the heirs male of his body lawfully to be begotten, and for lack of heirs male of the body of the said Gregory, lawfully begotten, to the heirs general of his body lawfully begotten. And for lack of such heirs to the right heirs of me the said Thomas Cromwell, in fee, I will also that immediately and as soon as the said lands, tenements, and hereditaments shall be so purchased after my death as is aforesaid by mine executors, that the yearly profits thereof shall be wholly spent and employed in and about the education and finding honestly of my said son Gregory, in virtue, good learning, and manners, until such time as he shall come to the full age of 24 years. During which time I heartily desire and require my said executors to be good unto my said son Gregory, and to see he do lose no time, but to see him virtuously ordered and brought up according to my trust.

Item, I give and bequeath to my said son Gregory, (when he shall come to his full age of 24 years,) two hundred pounds of lawful English money to order them as our Lord shall give him grace and discretion, which 200l. I will shall be put in surety to the intent the same may come to his hands at his said age of 24 years. Item, I give and be queath to my said son Gregory of such household stuff as God hath lent me, three of my best featherbeds with their bolsters ; 2d, the best pair of blankets of fustian, my best coverlet of tapestry, and my quilt of yellow Turkey satin ; one pair of my best sheets, four pillows of down, with four pair of the best pillowberes, four of my best table-cloths, four of my best towels, two dozen of my finest napkins, and two dozen of my other napkins, two garnish of my best vessel, three of my best brass pots, three of ray best brass pans, two of my best kettles, two of my best spits, my best joined bed of Flanders work, with the best ----- and tester, and other the appurtenances thereto belonging ; my best press, carven of Flanders work, and my best cupboard, carven of Flanders work, with also six joined stools of Flanders work, and six of my best cushions.

Item, I give and bequeath to my said son Gregory a basin with an ewer parcel-gilt, my best salt gilt, my best cup gilt, three of my best goblets ; three other of my goblets parcel-gilt, twelve of my best silver spoons, three of my best drinking alepots gilt ; all the which parcels of plate and household stuff I will shall be safely kept to the use of my said son Gregory till he shall come to his said full age of 24, And all the which plate, household stuff, napery, and all other the premises, I will mine executors do put in safe keeping until my said son come to the said years or age of 24, And if he die before the age of 24, then I will all the said plate, vessel, and household stuff shall be sold by mine executors. And the money thereof coming to be given and equally divided amongst my poor kinsfolk, that is to say, amongst the children as well of mine own sisters Elizabeth and Katherine, as of my late wife's sister Joan, wife to John Williams; and if it happen that all the children of my said sisters and sister-in-law do die before the partition be made, and none of them be living, then I will that all the said plate, vessel, and house hold stuff shall be sold and given to other my poor kinsfolk then being in life, and other poor and indigent people, in deeds of charity for my soul, my father and mother their souls, and all Christian souls.

[^ Item, I give and bequeath to my daughter Anne an hundred marks of lawful money of England when she shall come to her lawful age or happen to be married, and 40l. toward her finding until the time that she shall be of lawful age to be married, which 40l. I will shall be delivered to my friend John Cook, one of the six Clerks of the King's Chancery, to the intent he may order the same and cause the same to be employed in the best wise he can devise about the virtuous education and bringing up of my said daughter till she shall come to her lawful age or marriage. Then I will that the said 100 marks, and so much of the said 40l. as then shall be unspent and unemployed at the day of the death of my said daughter Anne, I will it shall remain to Gregory my son, if he then be in life ; and if he be dead, the same hundred marks, and also so much of the said 40l. as then shall be unspent, to be departed amongst my sisters' children, in manner and form aforesaid. And if it happen my said sisters' children then to be all dead, then I will the said 100 marks and so much of the said 40l. as shall be unspent, shall be divided amongst my kinsfolk, such as then shall be in life] The clause enclosed between brackets is struck through

Item. I give and bequeath unto my sister Elizabeth Wellyfed, 40l., three goblets without a cover, a mazer, and a nut.

Item, I give and bequeath to my nephew Richard Williams (servant with my Lord Marquis Dorset), 66l. 13s 4d., 40l. sterling, my fourth best gown, doublet, and jacket.

Item, I give and bequeath to my nephew Christopher Wellyfed, 40l., my fifth gown, doublet, and jacket.

Item, I give and bequeath to my nephew William Wellyfed the younger 20l.

Item, I give and bequeath to my niece Alice Wellyfed, to her marriage, 20l. And if it happen her to die before marriage, then I will that the said 20l. shall remain to her brother Christopher, And if it happen him to die, the same 20l. lto remain to Wm. Wellyfed the younger, his brother. And if it happen them all to die before their lawful age or marriage, then I will that all their parts shall remain to Gregory my son. And if it happen him to die before them, then I will all the said parts shall remain [to Anne and Grace, my daughters] The clause enclosed between brackets is struck through to Richard Williams and Walter Williams, my nephews. And if it happen them to die, then I will that all the said parts shall be distributed in deeds of charity for my soul, my father's and mother's souls, and all Christian souls.

Item, I give and bequeath to my mother-in-law Mercy Prior 40l. of lawful English money, and her chamber, with certain household stuff; that is to say, a featherbed, a bolster, two pillows with their beres, six pair of sheets, a pair of blankets, a garnish of vessel, two pots, two pans, two spits, with such other of my household stuff as shall be thought meet for her by the discretion of mine executors, and such as she will reasonably desire, not being bequeathed to other uses in this my present testament and last will. Item, I give and bequeath to my said mother-in-law a little salt of silver, a mazer, six silver spoons, and a drinking-pot of silver. And also I charge mine executors to be good unto her during her life.

Item, I give and bequeath to my brother-in-law William Wellyfed, 20l., my third gown, jacket, and doublet.

Item, I give and bequeath to John Williams my brother-in-law, 100 marks, a gown, a doublet, a jacket, a featherbed, a bolster, six pair of sheets, two table-cloths, two dozen napkins, two towels, two brass pots, two brass pans, a silver pot, a nut parcel-gilt ; and to Joan, his wife, 40l.

Item, I give and bequeath to Joan Williams, their daughter, to her marriage, 20l., and to every other of their children 12l, 13s, 4d.

Item, I bequeath to Walter Williams, my nephew, 20 l,

Item, I give and bequeath to Ralph Sadler, my servant, 200 marks of lawful English money, my second gown, jacket, and doublet, and all my books.

Item, I give and bequeath to Hugh Whalley, my servant, 6l, 13s, 4d.

Item, I give and bequeath to Stephen Vaughan, sometime my servant, 100 marks, a gown, jacket, and doublet.

Item. I give and bequeath to Page, my servant, otherwise called John De Pount, 6l, 13s, 4d.

[Item. I give and bequeath to Elizabeth Gregory, sometime my servant, 20 l., six pair of sheets, a featherbed, a pair of blankets, a coverlet, two table-cloths, one dozen napkins, two brass pots, two pans, two spits,] The clause enclosed between brackets is struck through And also to Thomas Averey, my servant, 6l., 13s, 4d.

[' Item, I give and bequeath to John Cooke, one of the six Master Clerks of the Chancery, 10l., my second gown, doublet, and jacket. Item. I give and bequeath to Roger More, servant of the King's bakehouse, 6l., 13s, 4d., three yards of satin; and to Maudelyn, his wife, 3l., 6s. 8d.] The clause enclosed between brackets is struck through

Item, I give and bequeath to John Horwood, 6l., 13s, 4d.

[Item. I give and bequeath to my little daughter Grace 100 marks of lawful English money when she shall come to her lawful age or marriage; and also 40l. towards her exhibition and finding until such time she shall be of lawful age or be married, which 40l. I will shall be delivered to my brother-in-law, John Williams, to the intent he may order and cause the same to be employed in and about the virtuous education and bringing up of my said daughter, till she shall come to her lawful age or marriage. And if it happen my said daughter to die before she come to her lawful age or marriage, then I will that the said 100 marks, and so much of the said 40l. as shall then be unspent and unemployed about the finding of my said daughter at the day of the death of my said daughter shall remain and be delivered to Gregory my son, if he then shall happen to be in life ; and if he be dead, then the said 100 marks, and the said residue of the said 40l., to be evenly departed among my grown kinsfolk — that is to say, my sisters' children aforesaid.] The clause enclosed between brackets is struck through

Item, That the rest of mine apparel before not given or bequeathed in this my testament and last will shall be given and equally departed amongst my servants after the order and discretion of mine executors.

Item. I will also that mine executors shall take the yearly profits above the charges of my farm of Carberry, and all other things contained in my said lease of Carberry, in the county of Middlesex, and with the profits thereof shall yearly pay unto my brother-in-law William (Wellyfed) and Elizabeth his wife, mine only sister, twenty pounds ; give and distribute for my soul quarterly 40 shillings during their lives and the longer of them ; and after the decease of the said William and Elizabeth, the profits of the said farm over and above the yearly rent to be kept to the use of my son Gregory till he be come to the age of 24 years. And at the years of 24 the said lease and farm of Carberry, I do give and bequeath to my son Gregory, to have the same to him, his executors and assigns. And if it fortune the said Gregory my son to die before, my said brother-in-law and sister being dead, he shall come to the age of 24 years, then I will my said cousin Richard Williams shall have the farm with the appurtenances to him and to his executors and assigns ; and if it happen my said brother-in-law, my sister, my son Gregory, and my said cousin Richard, to die before the accomplishment of this my will touching the said farm, then I will mine executors shall sell the said farm, and the money thereof coming to employ in deeds of charity, to pray for my soul and all Christian souls.

Item. I will mine executors shall conduct and hire a priest, being an honest person of continent and good living, to sing for my soul by the space of seven years next after ray death, and to give him for the same 6l., 13s. 4d. for his stipend.

Item. I give and bequeath towards the making of highways in this realm, where it shall be thought most necessary, 20l., to be disposed by the discretion of mine executors. Item, I give and bequeath to every of the five orders of Friars within the City of London, to pray for my soul, 20 shillings.

Item, I give and bequeath to 60 poor maidens in marriage, 40l., that is to say, 13s, 4d. to every of the said poor maidens, to be given and distributed by the discretion of mine executors.

Item, I will that there shall ' be dealt and given after my decease amongst poor people householders, to pray for ray soul, 20l., such as by mine executors shall be thought most needful.

Item. I give and bequeath to the poor parishioners of the parish where God shall ordain me to have my dwelling place at the time of my death, 10l., to be truly distributed amongst them by the discretion of mine executors.

Item. I give and bequeath to my parish church for my tithes forgotten, 20 shillings.

Item, To the poor prisoners of Newgate, Ludgate, King's Bench, and Marshalsea, to be equally distributed amongst them, 10l.

Willing, charging, and desiring mine executors under written, that they shall see this my will performed in every point according to my true meaning and intent as they will answer to God, and discharge their consciences. The residue of all my goods, chattels, and debts not bequeathed, my funeral and burial performed, which I will shall be done without any earthly pomp, and my debts paid, I will shall be sold, and the money thereof coming, to be distributed in works of charity and pity, after the good discretion of mine executors undernamed. Whom I make and ordain, Stephen Vaughan, Ralph Sadler, my servants, and John Williams my brother-in-law. Praying and desiring the same mine executors to be good unto my son Gregory, and to all other my poor friends and kinsfolk and servants aforenamed in this my testament. And of this my present testament and last will I make Roger More mine overseer; unto whom and also to every of the other mine executors I give and bequeath 6l., 13s, 4d. for their pains to be taken in the execution of this my last will and testament, over and above such legacies as herebefore I have bequeathed them in this same testament and will. In witness whereof, to this my present testament and last will I have set to my hand in every leaf contained in this book, the day and year before limited,

Thomas Cromwell.

Item, I give and bequeath to William Brabazon, my ser vant, 20l., 8s., a gun, a doublet, a jacket, and my second gelding.

It, to John Avery, Yeoman of the Bedchamber with the King's Highness, 6l., 13s, 4d., and a doublet of satin.

It, to Thurston, my cook, 6l., 13s, 4d.

It, to William Body, my servant, 6l., 13s, 4d.

It. to Peter Mewtas, my servant, 6l., 13s, 4d.

It, to Ric, Sleysh, my servant, 6l., 13s, 4d.

It, to George Wilkinson, my servant, 6l., 13s, 4d.

It. to my friend, Thomas Alvard, 10l., and my best gelding.

It. to my friend, Thomas Rush, 10l.,

It. to my servant, John Hynde, my horsekeeper, 3l., 6s, 8d.

Item. I will that mine executors shall safely keep the patent of the manor of Romney to the use of my son Gregory, and the money growing thereof, till he shall come to his lawful age, to be yearly received to the use of my said son, and the whole revenue thereof coming to be truly paid unto him at such time as he shall come to the age of 24 years.^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ History of England from the fall of Wolsey to the death of Elizabeth; by James Anthony Froude. New York : C. Scribner, 1865-1873. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=yale.39002005516878&view=1up&seq=120