Chapter D: A. Ogard.81.1 (4)

*[It]em, I will and ordeyne that all and singuler lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes, [ren]tes, and servisez, with here appurtenauncez, in whiche ony persone or personys are feffid in or have astat and possession to myn use, in whiche sum ever counteez or townez the said lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez bein withinne the ream of Englond; and that all the forseyd and senguler lordshepys, manerez, tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenaunce, in whiche ony person or personys been intitlyd to myn use be the lawe, shull be sold be my seyd executoris, except manerez, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenauncez, as shall be morteysyd to the seyd collage, if the fundacion thereof take effecte: And that the mony of the sale or salys comynge be disposed be my seyd executores in executyng of thys my last wyll and testament, and in othyr dedes of almesse as my seyd executores be here discrecion shal seme best to plese God for the helthe of my soule and for the soulys forseyd: And that happe the fundacion of the seyd collage to take to noon effecte, nor the seyd collage foundyd, that thanne the lordshepis, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servise, with here appurtenancez, whiche shul bee assygnid to the seyd morteysyng, also shull be sold [be my]n executores, and the mony thereof comyng to be disposed be [myn] executores in executyng and parformynge of my will and testament, and in othyr dedes of mercy, pite, and almesse as shal seme best to my seyd executores for the soulez afore seyd and the soulys undyr wretyn.]*

[_Second Draft._]

Item, I wyll, ordeyne, and graunte that all othir lorshepis, manerez, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenaunce, in whiche ony persone or personis been feffid in, or have astat or possession, or be in titlid to myn use be the lawe, except the seyd manerez, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with here appurtenauncez, in the shirez of Norffolk, Suffolk, and Norwiche, in the article next presedent specified, shull be sold be the seyd John Paston and Thomas Howys, ij. of myn executoris. And I will, graunte, and ordeyne that the seyd John and Thomas, and noon othir while they leve, shall have the sengler rewle, sale, and disposecion of all my londes forseyd, except before except, and execucion of this my last will and of every article there in; and I will that the seid John and Thomas shall have all the profitez and avaylez and emolwements of the seyd maneris, londes, and tenementes, rentes, and servisez, with all othir comoditeez thereof comyng, til be them they be sold, and the mony of the profites and salis thereof comynge, be them to be disposed for the welfare of my soule and of the soulez forseyd duryng the lyf of the seyd John and Thomas; and in cas this my will be not executyd in theyre [liv]es, that thanne the execucion be thereof doon be othyr myn executores that aftyr hem too shal have the mynistracion of my goodes.

[_First Draft._]

*[Item, I will and ordeyne that my seyd executoris shull take and have all the issews, avaylez, profitez, and emolwementes of all and senguler lordshepys, manerez, londes, tenementes, rentes, and servisez forseyd, with here appurtenaunce, excepte before except, to be geve to the seyd collage, on to tyme they be sold feithefully and trewly be my seyd executores; and on to tyme that they that shull be purchasorys be feithefull and trewe bargeyne thereof made be twene hem and my seid executorys, shull take and have the issewes, profitez, avayles, and emolwementes, withoute fraude or male ingyne. And also I wyll and ordeyne that my forseyd executores shull take and have all the issewys, profitez, avayles, and emolwementes of all and senguler aforn except l . . . . . londes, tenementes, rentes, servisez, with here appurtenauncez, on to tyme . . . . . and vj. religeous men or here successoris, if the forseyd admynistracion . . . . . . shull have and take lawefull and feithfull estat beforce of the seyd inmorteys[yng], or ellys that they be feithfully and trewly accordid with my seid executorys for the takyng and havyng of the issewes, profitez, and avayles, and emolwementes withoute fraud or male ingyne. And if the seyd inmorteysyng take noon effecte, I will and ordeyne that my seyd executores shull have and take all and senguler issewys, profitez, avayles, and emolwementes of the forseyd except lordshepys, londes, manerez, and tenementes, rentes, and servicez, with here appurtenaunces, tyl they be feithefully and trewly sold be my seyd executores, unto tyme that they that shalbe purchasorys thereof, be feithefull and trewe bargayne be twene them and my seyd executores thereof made, shull take thoo issewys, profitez, and avaylez, and emolwements thereof, withoute fraude or male ingyne. And I will and ordeyne that my seyd executores shull dispose all and senguler issewys, profitez, avaylez, and emolwementes afornseyd for my soule, and for the soulys aforn rehersyd, as they shall seme beste to the plesure of God.]*

Item, forasmyche as it is seyd that dyverse personis of dyverse desentes pretende . . . . . . at this day to be next heneritere [_inheritor_] to me aftyr my deseas, where . . . . . . . . . . . . knowe that no creature hathe title or right to inheryte ony . . . . . . . . . . . londes and tenementes, rentes, and servisez that ever I hadde, or ony persone or personys . . . . . . have to myn use; therfor I will and ordeyne that no persone nor personis as hey . . . me for no douteful or obskure materes conteynid in this my present will, nor for noon othyr, shall take ony maner of avauntage, benefice, or profit be ony manner meanys or weyes, of ony manerez, lordshepis, londes, tenementes, rentes, servisez, goodes, or catellys that were myn at ony tyme.

Item, I will and ordeyne and graunte that myn executoris [before namyd], or the more part of them[152.1] and noon othir, shall have the decleracion and interpretacion of all and senguler articles, chapetris, clausis, whiche and wordes in this my last will hadde and wretyn, in whiche articlis, chapetris, clausis, and wordes ony doute or doutez, dirknesse or dyversite of undirstondyng shall falle or happe to be founde, and that no persone or personys be reson of suche articlys, chapetris, clausys, or wordes, have or take ony profit or avauntage othyr wise thanne aftyr the maner and fourme of declaracion and interpretacion of my seyd [too namyd][152.2] executors.

Item, I will, ordeyne, and comaunde that all my dettes that is owynge [be] me be dewe examynacion be fully payd and contentyd to the creditoris, which can be foundyn dewe that is owynge be me; and also that all wronges, trespacis, offencis, and grevys be me doon or comyttid, if ony bee, that ony maner persone hathe been hyndryd or damagid wrongfully, if ony suche bee that can suffeciently and lawefully be previd and knowe, I wyll fyrst be fore all othyr thinges it be speed that myn executores do make amendes, restitucion, and satisfaction to thoo personys or to here executorys by me damagyd and hyndred as concience and good feithe requyreth.

Item, I will and ordeyne that in every town in which I or ony to myn use have lordshepys, manerez, londes, and tenementes that the pore pepyl of the tenure of the seyd town have ij. yeer to gethyr in reward after theyre afferaunt and quantite of the x. part of oon yeerly valewe and reveneuse of the seyd [lor]dshepis, manerez, londes, tenementes, and rentes, halfe to be departyd to . . [par]ishe cherchis for werkys, ornamentes, and othyr thynges necessarye to the seyd chyrchis, and half to be departyd amonges the seyd pore pepil that be tenauntes[152.3] of the seid lordshepis, maneres, londes, and tenementes soo to be disposed aftyr the discrecion of myn executores [before namyd],[152.4] aftyr my will approvid, and my dettes payd.

Item, I will and ordeyne that the pryour of the prioury of the parishe cherch of Jernemuth for the tyme beynge, and hese covent and hise successorys, observe and kepe yeerly and perpetualy to endure an annversary in the seyd parishe cherche for to preye for the soule of my fadyr, John Fastolf, Squyer, that lythe buryed there in the seyd chyrche, with _placebo_ and _derige_ and messe, be note the vigyl and day of hese obit, with the noumbre of prystes and clerkes accordyng in such a cause; and for to susteyne the kepyng of the seyd annversary, I will that be the avise of myn executorys [before namyd][152.4] that londes or teneme[ntes] . . . . . . . . . . ordeynid to the yeerly valewe of xx_s._, and that to be inmorteis . . . . . . . . swyr to the seyd prioury or parishe chyrche, oonly to susteyne and bere . . . . . and chargys of the perpetuall kepyng and susteyning of the seyd annversary.

Item, I will and ordeyne that if I have ony reliquis of Seyntes, also suche ornamentes for the chirche, that I have left as vestmentes, garlementes of sylke or velwet, of robis, and my gownys, that parcell of hem be yovin to the seyd monastery cherche of Seynt Benettes, where I shal be buryed, to remayne for ornament of the chapell there be me late edified; and also part of hem to be distrubited amonges the parishe chyrchis that be in suche townes that I have ony lordshipis, manerez, londes, tenementes, and rentes, provided that a resonable and a competent part of the seyd reliquis and ornamentes be kept and govyn to the seyd collage to be made at Castre, and this to be doon be the avise of myn executores be fore namyd.[153.1]

Item, I will and ordeyne that suche of my consanguinite and kynred whyche be pore and have but litil substaunce to leve by, that they be relevyd of my goodes . . . . . havyng consederation to thoo that be nerrest of my kyn and of . . . . . Also of here good disposecion too God ward and to me in here . . . . . othir of my kyn, that a consyderacion be hadde and yovyn to the relyf and prefer[ment] of my cosyn Robert Fitzraf, for hese good, trewe and long servise to me doon and contynwyd, and alsoo be reson of my consanguynite and kynred.

Item, I will and ordeyne that if ony persone make ony compleynt to myn executores that I have purchasyd ony taylid londes be this my will ordeynid to be sold,[153.2] and that thoo personys that so compleyne doo suffeciently and evydently prove and shewe withoutyn ony collucion, fraude, or male ingyne suche londes taylid; thanne I will that the right heyris purchase as be suche taylid londes, if ony be in my possession or in my feffeez handes, and that for a . . . . . . is thanne ony othir persone after the avyse and discrecion of the seid John Paston and Thomas Howis, clerk, and where there be no lawefull answere nor debarre of the tayle.[153.3]

Item, I will and ordeyne that the holy place of monastery and abbathye of oure Ladyiz chirche of Langley, in the diocise of Norwiche, for my soule to be more specialy recommendyd, and also for to kepe and susteyne, one day in the yeer, myn annversary solempnely be note the _derige_ and messe of requyem for ever to endure for the helthe of my soule and for the soule of Dame Milcent, my wif, the doutyr of Sir Robert Tibetot, Knyght, whiche was of the consanguynite and kyn to the foundorys of the seyd monastery, and she owyng a senguler affeccion and love of devocion to the preyeris of that place, that the Abot and Covent have a reward and a remuneracion of my mevable goodes aftyr the discrecion of myn executores before namyd.

Item, I will and ordeyne that be the avise of myn executorys before namyd, that prevecion and ordenaunce be made that the obit and annversary may be yeerly inperpetuite kept with _placebo_ and _derige_ and messe of requiem benote for the soule of Dame Mary, my modir, in the chirche of Attilburgh, *[and a fundacion of a messe there, or in othyr convenyent place to be morteysid, for ever to seye and preye for here soule and for here auncetryez aftyr the discrecion of myn executorys.]*

[_Second Draft._]

* and that oon of the monkis or pristes in the collage be me ordeynid in the mancion of Castre forseid shall synge specialy in perpetuite for the soule of my modir and all here auncestryez, and good dooerys.

[_First Draft._]

Item, I will and ordeyne that it be provided by myn executores before namyd a reward as a yefte be made to the chapell of Seynt Jorge in the Castill of Wyndishore, and to the collagyens of the same collage for to have my soule recomendid amonges . . . . . with an annversary to be kept yeerly and perpetualy amonges hem with _placebo_ and [_derige_ and] messe of requyem be note.[154.1]

Item, I will, ordeyne, and comaunde that myn [executores and][154.2] feffeez* porsewe lawfully my right and title that I have in xxv. marke of yeerly rente, with all the areragis that of right and concience is dewe to my feffeez feffyd there in to myn use to dispose for my soule helthe chargyd and payable out of a maner in Hiklyng, callid Nethyrhalle, with the priour and covent of Hiklyng for the tyme beyng, be bounden and astrict be wryting undyr here covent sealys to paye yeerly. And on lyke wise I wyll that pursewt be made be Parlement or othyrwise lawefull for redressyng of the wrong doon to me in the maner of Bradwell, in the hundrid of Lodynglond in Suffolk, whiche I purchasid trewly, and hadde a lawefull astat in the same maner, as myn evydence woll shewe of record, xl. yeer past; and for to redresse the wrong full entre doon . . . . . my feffeez in the maner of Dedham Nethirhalle by Willyam, late Duke of Suff[olk], as well as for the wrongfull entre eftsonys and late made upon serteyn personys feffyd to myn use in the seyd maner, now of latter tyme; And that myn executores doo dewly here deligence aboute the recovery and getyng ageyn of the seyd manerez, lond[es], and tenementes and rentes above seyd of my goodes to be born.

[_Second Draft._]

* be the avise of myn executores before namyd

[_First Draft._]

Item, I will and ordeyne that the wardeyn and the procutoris for the tyme beyng of the parishe chirche of Seynt Oloff in Suthewerk, be London Brege, beyeng to the use of the seyd chirche of Seynt Oloff, be preferryd, in beyeng and purchasyng of myn executorys before namyd, a tenement with a warff thereto longyng, set be the seyd chirche, callyd the Bukheed, before ony man, and for a lesse valewe than it is worthe withine the sum of xx_li._

Item, I will that a convenyent stoon of marbill and a flat fygure, aftyr the facion of an armyd man, be made and gravyn in the seyd stoon in laton in memoryall of my fadyr, John Fastolf, Squyer, to be leyd upon hese toumbe in the chapell of Seynt Nicholas, in the parishe chirche of Jernemuth, and with my skochonys of armys of hym and hese auncestryez, with a scripture aboute the stoon makynge mencion the day and yeer of hise obite.

Item, I will that in semblable wise a marble stoon of a convenyent me . . . . . . . . . . made to be leyd upon the toumbe of Dame Mary, my modyr, in the . . . . . . . . foundid in the parishe chyrche of Atilburgh, and that a figure . . . . . . . . . . of a jentilwoman with here mantil, with a scripture made of laton in on . . . . . . . iiij. skochonys of armys of here iij. husbondes, as the skochon of Thomas Mortimer, Knight, [John] Fastolf, Squyer, the seconde husbonde, and of John Farwell, Squyer, the thridde husbonde, auncetryez in the seyd toumbe, and the day and yeer of here obite to be wretyn aboute.

*[Item, I will that a provecion be made for swerte of the maner of Cowlynge in Suffolk, accordyng to the last wyll of Dame Marget Braunche, my sustir, in whiche maner I stond enfeffed in to here use, and serteyn londes in the seyd Cowlynge that Dame Mary, my modir, purchasyd to here and to hire heirez, that Herry Braunche, my neweu, here son . . . . seyd maner, provided that he be oblygid to preye for hise fadir, Sir Philip Br[aunche, and his] modir, Dame Marget, serteyn preyeris and messez, with a prist, to be contynw[aly] seyd [be] the discrecyon of myn executorys.]*

[_Second Draft._]

Item, that myn executores before namyd helpe that the maner of Cowlynge be disposed and guydid aftyr the will of Dame Marget Brannche, my sastir, if my executoris thynke it be to doo.

[_First Draft._]

Item, I will and ordeyne that the executores of John Wellys, aldreman of London, whiche hadde gret goodes of myne in hise governaunce whil I was in the partyez of Fraunce and Normandye, and hadde never opyn declaracion to whos handes of my resseyvoris atturnyez, or servauntes of myne the seyd goodes were delyvered particlerly, and for that cause to be aserteynid of the trouthe in this be halve, as well as for the dyscharge of the seyd John Wellys soule, his executores and attornyez may yeve accompt, soo declaryng of my seyd goodes accordyng to the trouthe and concience.

*[Item, to be providyd, if it be thowght comodiously that it may be doon be myn executores, that a chauntry may be foundyd in the chyrche of Seynt Oloff, be London Brege, in Southewerk, to prey for my soule perpetualy.]*

Item, I will and requyre that it be knowyn to all pepill present and for to come that where afore thys tyme whil I dwellyd and excersysed the werrys in Fraunce, Normandye, Angoy, and Mayne, as in Gyen, havyng undir the Kyng, myn sovereyn Lord, officez and governauncez of cuntreez and placis, as of castilys, fortreys, citeez, and townes be xxx. yeer and more contynwed, be reson of whiche officez . . . . . many sealis of myn armys gravyn with my name wretyn aboutyn . . . . . . . . . . . course (?) in the seyd castilys and fortreycez that my lef tenauntes and . . . . . officerz beyng in dyverse suche placis ocupied undyr me the sealys and sygnettes to seale saf conduytez and billettes of saf gardes, and othyr wrytinges of justice longyng to suche officez of werre; and I doutyng that summe of the forseyd sealys of armys or sygnettes remayne stille amonges myn officeres or personys not delyvered to me ageyn, and that with the sealys of armys and signettes ony monwements, chartrys, dedes, letterys patentes, blankes chartrys in parchemyn or paper, or othyr evydence forgyd and contryved withoute my knowynge or assent, myght soo be sealyd ageyn all concience and trouthe and ryghtwisenesse; and for these causez, and for doute of ony inconvenyent that myghte falle be this my wrytinge, I sertefie for trouthe and afferme on my soule, I swere and proteste that sethe I cam last out of Fraunce and Normandye, xix. yeere passed, I never sealyd wrytinge of charge, yefte, nor graunte with noon othyr seal of armys nor sygnet thanne *[with this same seal of armys and sygnet . . . . . . . . . this my present will and my last testament],* and overmore that I have enselyd no [charge] yefte, nor graunte be the space of xix. yeer with noo seal nor sygnet, of noo lordshype, maner, nor manerez, annuite, reversionis, nor of no yiftes nor grauntes of goodes and cattellys, mevable and on mevable, nor mony, excepte suche as I have made opynly to be knowyn, executyd, and put in pocession be fore this day. Wherfore I requyre . . . . . . all Cristyn peple to yeve noo feithe nor credence to ony pryvat wryting not opynly declarid nor provid in my lif tyme, nor to blanke chartrys sealyd in my . . . . . . . whereof I remembre me well that oon John Wyntir, Esquyer, late my servaunt, hadde (?) in kepyng a blanke letter in parchemyn ensealyd ondyr my seal, and never delyvered it me ageyn, but seyde he hadde lost it at hyse confecion, as wryting ondyr hise owyn hande maketh mencyon or he deyde.

[_Second Draft._]

* I have usyd this ij. yeer day last passed.

[_First Draft._]

Item, I will and ordeyne that myn houshold be holdyn and kept with my menyal servauntz be the space of half yeer aftyr my deseas, soo as they wyll be trewe to me and obedyent to myn executorys, and here wages for that tyme payd, and that in the meane tyme they purvey hem for othyr servise as they lyke best to avise to leve in trouthe; and if ony servaunt be well governyd and holde ageyns my . . . or ageyn myn executorys to breke my good disposecion, I wy[ll that he shall be?] remevyd, and that he abyde noo lenger among the fel . . . . . . . . . . trewly avoydid withoutyn ony reward of me or of myn ex[ecutores].

*[Item, I will and ordeyne that amonges othyr lordes, frendes, and kynesmen that I desyre, [for] the discharge of my concience, be put in remembraunce of preyeris for the [good] affeccion I hadde on to them that I desyre shuld be preyed fore, is the soule of that blyssyd prynce, Thomas Bedford,[156.1] late Duke of Excestre, the soulys of the Lord Tibtot, Rauff, Lord Crumwell, Sir John Radclife, my brothyr-in-lawe, and Dame Cisly, late hyse wiff, my sustyr, whiche lithe buryed at Burdeux; Sir Philip Braunche, Knyght, my brothyr-in-law, that deyde and was slayn in Fraunce, and Dame Marget, late hyse wif, my sustyr, buryed at Cowlynge; also John Farwell, Squyer, my fadyer-in-lawe; Sir Herry Inglose, Knyght, of my consangwynite; Sir Hewe Fastolf, Knyght, that deyde in Cane in Normandye; Sir Robert Harlynge, Knyght, my neveu, that was slayn at the sege of Seynt Denys in Fraunce; John Fitzraf, Squyer, my neveu; Cisly, late the wif of Herry Fylongley, my nese, also late desesyd; Dame [_Dan_] Willyam Fastolf, of my consanguynite, prophessyd in the monastery of Seynt Benettes, and aftyr Abot of Fescamp in Normandye, whiche deide at Parys; Mathew Gowgh, Squyer, Thomas Gower, Squyer, John Sak (?), marchaunt of Paryse, my trusty frend and servaunt, and for the soule of John Kyrtlyng, parson of Arkesey, my right trusty chapeleyn and servaunt domysticall xxx. wynter and more, Thomas Hoddeson, a trusty servaunt of myne, John Lyndford, and William Gunnour.]*

[_Second Draft._]

Item, I will and ordeyne that amonges othir that I have put in remembraunce be this my will to be preyed fore that suche as shalbe bounden to preye for me, and be rewardid of myn almesse, shalbe chargid be myn executoris be fore namyd to preye for the welfare of m[y] soverayn Lord the Kyng, and for the soulys of all my good lordes and kynsefolk, and of thoo I am b[ounden] to preye fore or doo preye fore, and for hem that I have hadde ony goodes of.

[_First Draft._]

Item, I will, ordeyne, and streyghtly charge myn executorys that noon of hem shall [give] quyetaunce nor rellesse in no wise be hym self, nor be noon othir, to noon of my detorys, nor to dettour of myn executoris, of what so ever of astat or condecion that he be of, withoute the *[knowynge, plessaunce, and assentynge of all myn executorys, or the more part of hem.]*

[_Second Draft._]

* full wyll and assentynge of the seyd John Paston and Thomas Howys, clerk.

[_First Draft._]

Item, I will, ordeyne, and streightly charge that none of myn executorys, be him self, nor be noon othyr, in ony maner or condecion cautelous, colour . . . . . . . shall sell, nor doo selle, alyen, nor doo alyen, withdrawe, or do be [withdra]we, my londes and tenementes, jowellys of gold or sylvir, dettes or cattelys, vesselys or vestmentes of sylke, lynen, or wollyn, or ony othyr utensylez, to my persone or houshold perteyning, nor noon othyr goodes of myne, mevable or on mevablys, quyk or ded, generaly or specialy, withoute *[the knowyng, plessaunce, and assentynge of all myn executorys, or the more part of hem; and if it be soo that ony of myn executores attempte maleciously the contrary in effecte, he fallith in the centense of excommunicacion, doyng the contrary to my last will.]*

[_Second Draft._]

* the very will and assentyng of the seyd Paston and Howys, and that noon othyr attempte there in nor in noon othir cause in this my will to doo the contrarye to hem in effecte I require hem in Goddes be halve.

[_First Draft._]

Item, I will, ordeyne, and streyghtly charge that all my feffeez feffyd of trust on to myn use of and in all my manerez, lordshepis, londes, tenementes, and rentes, and servisez, and profitez, be me or othyr to myn use purchasyd *[in all maner of counteez, citeez, or burghes or townes with in the ream of Eng[lond] . . . . . ]* they that have astat, pocession, or tythe to myn use, with all the goodly haste, . . . . and withoute delay aftyr they be requyred be myn executores* aftyr my deseas, that they shall feffyn and make lawefull astat in fee symple *[of and in all maner lordshipys, londes, tenementes, meswages, rentes, servisez, and profitez forseyd, or of every parcell of the same]* to that persone or personys to whom or to whiche *[my seid executores in accomplisment of my last will, the said maneres, lordshepys, londes, tenementes, mecis, rentes, and servisez, or ony parcell of the same,* shall sell, or doo sell aftyr the declaracion of this my last will * for the helthe of my soule, *[Dame Milcent, my wif, with all my progenitorys, cosynes, and benefactorys, and all my frendes.]*

[_Second Draft._]

* except before except, be me grauntid to the seyd John Paston or hese assygnes.

* before namyd.

* the seid John Paston and Thomas Howys.

* except before except.

* to dispose.

* and for the soulis above seyd.

[_First Draft._]

*[Item, I will, ordeyne, and streightly charge, aftyr be the grace of God I be desesed out of thys world, also myn executores willynge in effecte to accepte the charge upon hem of execucion of my testement and of mynistracion of my last will, all the articlis there in conteynid they shall ransakyn besyly and discussyn soo discretly in here remembraunce, that both in will . . . . . . . . shal not omyttyn for to complishe the seyd articles in . . . . . . . . . . Seynt Poule the Appostyll seithe he that is ignoraunt . . . . . . . . God Almighty shall hym not knowyn to hise savacion[158.1] . . . . . . this article to otherys that ignoraunce shuld not been on to myn execu[torys] in hurtynge of my soule, occacion of trespacynge, nor God offendyng.]*

*[Item, I wyll, I ordeyne, and hertely desyr, that if it soo be be the grace of the Holy Gost, or of my good Aungill, or ellys be the verteuous devocion of ony good man, or be lyberte of fredam of myn owyn will, it happe ony good werkes and profitable to the helthe of my soule necessarye or avayleable to come be favour or swetnesse in to my remembraunce, as oftyn as I wryte or doo wryte suche thyngs worthy to be remembryd in ony codicill or codicilles for to be conyoinid to my testament or to my last will, thanne I will and preye with gret instaunce of al myn executorys that alle thoo poyntes or articlys be me expressyd and conteynid in the seyd my codicill or codicillys that they may have strengthe and vertwe of observaunce in effecte, as if the hadde be wretyn in the code of my testement and my last will.]*

*[Item, I will, I ordeyne, and I hertely desyre, sethe that every mortall creature is soget to the lymitez or merkys of mutabelyte and chaungeableness, and mannys levynge in frelte and condecion is caduke and casewell, therfor on the behalve of Almyghty God, and be the weye of entyer charyte, I exhorte, beseche, and preye all myn executorys, in the vertwe of oure Lord Jesu Cryst, and in the vertwe of the aspercion of Hise holy blood, shed out graciously for the savacion of all man kende, that for the more hasty delyveraunce of my soule from the peynefull flawmes of the fyre of Purgatory, on suche maner and wise they dele and departe my goodes feithfully be here discrecion and prudence and polytik,]* the yeer of my buryeng, in exspence of myn entyrement and othyr almesse, the same yeer, and dedys of pyete (?) for the holsum estat of my soule amonges pore peple and nedy to [be p]artyd and distributid plenteuously and hastely, the sum of m^ll marke *[. . . . . . . . the space of v. or vij. yeer immediatly folwyng by yeer Dxxxiij_li._ vj_s._ viij_d._ in almessefull deds and charitable wirkys, with all goodly possibelyte that they shall soo dispose my goodes in effecte feithefully that my soule, vexid in peynefull angwyshis, with holy Job, be not compellyd to sey with gret lementacion and mornyng, Have mercy on me, have mercy on me, namely yee that my frendes shuld bee, for the hande of Goddes punysshynge hathe grevously touchyd me. These be the articlys, xxxj. be noumbre, concernith the intent and purpose of my last will be the handes of myn executores, whiche I charge hem streytly, prey hem, and beseche hem enterly feithefully to execute, as they will have helpe of God and of hise holy Gospell. And soo I requyre hem as wysdam, justice, and concience to doo for me as they wolde I shuld doo for hem in cas lyche. In tokene and witnesse whereof, to this my last will I, Sir John Fastolf, above[160.1] . . . . . . . . . . .]*

[_Second Draft._]

* Item, I wyll and ordeyne that John Paston and Thomas Howys, clerk, geve and dispose.

* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . of the salis of my londes and my goodes be my will . . sygnid to be sold, be fully disposid for the well of my soule in almessefull dedes [and] charitable werkes with all goodly possibelite.

[_The following new clause at the end._]

Item, I will and ordeyne that the seyd John Paston, for the payment of iiij. m^ll. marke forseid, shal bere and paye to the seyd Thomas Howys, clerk, or to suche as shall aftyr them have the mynistracion of my my goodes, the seid sum [of] viij^c. marke iche othyr yeer of the forseyd yeerrys in whiche that sum is ordeynid to be distributid til he . . . . . be tho paymentes born and payd the seyd sum of iiij^ml markes, and that soo paid to be disposed be the seyd [John Pa]ston and Thomas Howys, or be hem that shal aftyr them have the mynistracion of my goods in executyng [my] will in awmesse full dedes in fourme afore seyd soo that my mevable goodes be mean of that . . . . . . . shall the lenger indure in dedis of almesse.

[Footnote 147.2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This document is
printed from the original draft, in which a great part of the
text has been crossed out, and other paragraphs substituted in
the margin. The passages thus cancelled are enclosed within
brackets with asterisks. Those substituted for them or inserted
in a later hand are printed in a parallel column on the right.
The passages bracketed without asterisks, and also the dotted
spaces, are lost by mutilation.]

[Footnote 147.3: The date was originally ‘the xiiij. day of the
moneth of June.’]

[Footnote 152.1: _Or the more part of them._--These words are
crossed out. The words ‘before namyd’ are an interlineation
substituted for them by the second hand.]

[Footnote 152.2: Interlineation by second hand.]

[Footnote 152.3: ‘fermors’ inserted in a different hand.]

[Footnote 152.4: Interlined by second hand.]

[Footnote 153.1: _be fore namyd._--These words are an
interlineation by another hand.]

[Footnote 153.2: _be this my will ordeynid to be sold_,
interlined by another hand.]

[Footnote 153.3: _after the avyse--tayle._--These words are an
interlineation by the second hand.]

[Footnote 154.1: _with an annversary--note_, erased.]

[Footnote 154.2: Erased.]

[Footnote 156.1: Beaufort.]

[Footnote 158.1: _See_ 1 Cor. xiv. 38. The translation of this
verse in the Vulgate-- ‘Si quis autem ignorat ignorabitur’
--conveys a materially different sense from that of our English
version.]

[Footnote 160.1: The original draft ends with this word at the
bottom of the page. Apparently the last few words of the draft
were written on a flyleaf, which is now lost.]

386

WILL OF SIR JOHN FASTOLF[160.2]

Anno Domini millesimo quadringentesimo quinquagesimo nono, mensis Novembris, videlicet, die Sabbati proximo post Festum Omnium Sanctorum, Johannes Fastolff, miles, de comitatu Northfolch, Norwicen Dioc’, in manerio suo de Castre, dictæ Diocesis, quoad bona sua immobilia suam ultimam declaravit voluntatem prout sequitur:

John Fastolff, Knyght, the secunde and the thirde day of the moneth of Novembre, the yere of the reigne of King Henry the Sexte after the Conquest, xxxviij. yers, being of longe tyme, as he said, in purpos and wille to founde and stablissh withynne the gret mansion at Castre, by hym late edified, a college of vij. religious men, monkes or seculer prestes, and vij. pore folke, to pray for his soule and the soulys of his wife, his fader and modir, and other that he was beholde to, imperpetuite. And forasmuch as he had, as he rehercid, a very truste and love to his cosyn, John Paston, and desired the performyng of the purpoos and wille forsad to be accomplisshed, and that the said Sir John shulde not be mevid ne sterid in his owne persone for the said accomplisshing of the said purpoos and wille, ne with noon other wordly maters, but at his oune request and plesire, wolde, graunted, and ordeyned that the said John Paston shalle, withynne resonable tyme aftir the dissese of the said Sir John, doo founde and stablisshe in the said mansion a college of vij. monkes or prestes and vij. pore folke, for to pray for the soulys above said imperpetuite; so that one of the said monkes or prestes be maister, and have x_li._ yerely, and ich othir monke or preste x. marc yerely, and ich of the pore folke xl_s._ yerely; and that the said John Paston shalle make sure to the said collegions a sufficient roume and a competent and an esy duelling place in the said mansion, the said collegions nor her successours bering no charge of reparacion therof. For which, and for othir charges and labours that the said John Paston hath doon and take uppon hym, to the eas and profite of the said John Fastolf, and for othir consideracions by hym rehercid, the said Sir John Fastolff wolde, graunted, and ordeyned that the said John Paston shalle have alle the maners, landes, and tenementes in North[folk], Southfolk, and Norwich, in which the said John Paston or any other are or were enfeffed or have title to the use of the said Sir John Fastolf; and at [_that_] alle the feffees infeffed in the said maners, londes, and tenementes shalle make and deliver astate of the said maners, landes, and tenementes to such persones, at such tymes, and in such forme as the said John Paston, his heirs, and his assignes shalle requere thaym or any of thayme. And that the said John Paston shall pay to othir of the said Sir Johns executours iiij^ml. [4000] marc of laufulle money of England in the forme that folweth, that is to say: Where the said Sir John hadde apointed and assigned that his executours shalle, the first yere aftir his disses, dispoos for his soule and performyng his wille a m^l. marks or a m^{l}_li._ [£1000] of money, and yerely aftir, viij^c. [800] marc, tille the goodes be disposed, the said John Paston shalle pay iche othir yere the said summe of viij^c. marc till the summe of iiij^m. [4000] be paid; so that the said mevabill goodes shall the lenger endure to be disposed, by th’avise of his executours, for the said soulys: And also the said Sir John said, forasmuch as it was the very wille and entent of the said Sir John that the said John Paston shulde be thus be avauntaged and in no wise hurte of his propir goodes, therfore the said Sir John wolde graunted that if the said John Paston, aftir the dissese of the said Sir John, by occasion and unlaufulle trouble in this reame, or by mayntenaunce or myght of Lordes, or for defaute of justice, or by unresonable exaccions axid of hym for the licence of the said fundacion, withoute coveyne or fraude of hym selve, be lettid or taried of the making or stablesshing of the making of the said fundacion, that thanne he fynde or doo finde yerely aftir the first yere of thus dissese of the said Sir John, vij. prestes to pray for the said soulys in the said mansion, if he can purvey so many, or els for as many prestes as faile, yeve yerely aftir the said first yere, by th’avise of his executours, to bedred men and othir nedy true pepille, as much money in almose for the said sowlys as the salary or findyng of the prestes so faillyng is worthe or amounteth to, unto the tyme he may laufully and peasably founde the said college and doo his true devir for the said fundacion in the meane tyme. And the said Sir John Fastolf wolde, graunted, and desired faithfully alle the residewe of his executours and feffees to shewe the said John Paston favore in the said paymentes and daies, and help hym for the Kinges interesse and the eschetours, and furthir hym in that they may in alle othir thinges as they wolde doo to hym selve, and not vex ne inquiete hym for the said fundacion in the meane tyme. Ande where the said Sir John Fastolf made his wille and testament the xiiij. day of June in somer last passed, he wolde, graunted, and ordeyned that this his wille touching thes premissez, as welle as the said wille made the said xiiij. day, except and voided out of his said wille, made the said xiiij. day, alle that concerneth or perteyneth to the fundacion of a college, priory, or chauntery, or of any religious persones, and all that concerneth the sale or disposing of the said maners, landes, and tenementes, wherof this is the very declaracion of his full wille, stand and be joyntly his very enteir and last wille, and annexed and proved togedir. Also the said Sir John Fastolf, Knyght, the Tuysday next before the fest of Alle Saintes, and in the moneth of Septembre the said yere, and the iij. day of Novembre, and diverse other tymes, at Castre aforesaid, wolde, ordeynyd, and declared his wille touching the making of the said college, as welle as the graunte of the said maners, landes, and tenementes in Norffolk, Suffolk, and Norwich, in fourme, manere, and substance aforeseid. Also the said Sir John wolde and ordeyned that if the said John Paston, by force or myght of any othir desiring to have the said mansion, were letted to founde the seid college in the said mansion, that thanne the said John Paston shulde doo poule down the said mansion and every stone and stikke therof, and do founde iij. of the said vij. prestes or monkes at Saincte Benettes, and one at Yermuth, one at Attilbrugh, and one at Sainte Oloves Church in Southwerke. Also the said Sir John Fastolf, the iij. and iiij. daies of the moneth of Novembir abovesaid, desired his said wille or writyng, touching the fundacion of the said college and the graunte of the said maners, landes, and tenementes to the said John Paston, to be redde unto the said Sir John; and that same wille redde and declared unto hym articulerly, the said Sir John Fastolffe wolde, ordeyned, and graunted that the said John Paston shulde be discharged of the payment of the said iiij^ml. markes, and noght pay therof in case he did execute the remenaunte of the said wille.

Also the said Sir John Fastolf, Knyght, aboute the tyme of hervest the yere of the reigne of King Henry the Sexte, xxxv^th yere at Castre faste by Mikel Yermuth, in the shire of Norffolk, in presence of divers persones that tyme called to by the said Sir John, did make astate and feffement and liverey of the seasin of the maner of Castre aforesaid, and othir maners, landes, and tenementes in Norffolk, to John Paston, Squier, and othir; and at that lyverey of season therof delivered, as welle by the handes of the said Sir John as by other, the said Sir John Fastolfe by his owne mouth declared his wille and entente of that feffement and liverey of season made to the use of the said Sir John asfor during his live onely, and aftir his decese, to the use of the said John Paston and his heirs. And also the said Sir John said and declared that the said John Paston was the best frende and helper and supporter to the said Sir John, and that was his wille that the said John Paston shulde have and enherite the same maners, landes, and tenementes and othir aftir his decese, and there to duelle and abide and kepe householde; and desired Daun William Bokenham, Priour of Yermouth, and Raufe Lampet, Squier, Bailly of Yermuth, that tyme present, to recorde the same. Also the said Sir John Fastolf, the vj. day of July next aftir the tyme of the sealing of his wille made the xiiij. day of June, the xxxv. of King Henry the Sexte, and aftir in the presence of Daun William Bokenham, that tyme Prioure of Yermouth, and other, wolde, ordeyned, and declared by wille that the said John Paston shulde have alle thynges as the said Sir John had graunted and declared to the said prioure and othir at the tyme of the said [asta]te and feffement made to the [said] John Paston, the said xxxv. yere of King Henry the vj^th, the said John seyng [_saying_] that he was of the same wille and purpoos as he was and declared at the tyme [of the] said astate takyng. Also the said Sir John wolde that John Paston and Thomas Howes, and noon othir of his executours, shulde selle alle maners, landes, and tenementes in whiche any persones were enfeffed to the use of the said Sir John, excepte the said maners, landes, and tenementes in Norffolk, Suffolk, and Norwich; and the same John Paston and Thomas Howes shalle take and receyve the profites, ysshueys, and emolumentes commyng of the said maners, landes, and tenementes, excepte before except, tille they may resonably be solde; and that the said John Paston and Thomas, the money comyng of the same sale, as welle of the said proufites, ysshuys, and emolumentes, shulde dispoos in dedys of almose for the soule of the said Sir John and the soulys aforesaid, and in executyng of his wille and testament: And also the said Sir John wolde that alle the feffees enfeffed in the said maners, landes, and tenementes assigned to be sold, whanne thay be required by the said John Paston and Thomas Howes, shall make astate to persone or persons as the said John Paston and Thomas shalle selle to, the said maners, landes, and tenementes, or any parte therof, and that noon othir feffe [_feoffee_] nor the executours of the said Sir John shall make any feffement, relece, ne quitance of any londes befor assigned to be solde that wer at any tyme longing to the said Sir John, withoute the assente of the said John Paston and Thomas Howes. Datum anno Domini, mense, die et loco supradictis.

[Footnote 160.2: [From Add. MS. 22,927, B.M.]]

[[the said John Paston shulde be thus be avauntaged
_text unchanged: superfluous “be” or error for “shulde he”?_]]

387

SIR JOHN FASTOLF’S WILL[163.1]

Anno Domini [millesimo][163.2] quadringentesimo quinquagesimo nono, mensis Novembris, videlicet, die Sabbati proximo post Festum Omnium Sanctorum, Johannes Fastolffe, miles, de com’ Norfolk, Norvicen’ dioc‘, in manerio suo de Castre, dict’ dioc’, suum condidit testamentum, et ipsius ultimam declaravit voluntatem, prout sequitur:--In primis, commendavit et commisit animam suam Deo Omnipotenti, Creatori suo, ac gloriosæ Virgini Mariæ, matri Domini nostri Jesu Christi, et omnibus Sanctis. Item, legavit corpus suum, postquam ab hac luce migraverit, sepeliendum in ecclesia conventuali monasterii Sancti Benedicti in Hulmo, Norvicen’ dioc’, sub arcu novæ capellæ per ipsum ibidem de novo constructæ, ex parte australi chori sive cancelli, sub tumba marmorea, juxta corpus Milicenciæ olim consortis suæ ibidem sepultæ; ac voluit quod abbas et conventus monasterii prædicti, antequam corpus suum ibidem sepeliretur, securitatem facerent quod dabunt et concedent Johanni Paston et aliis per ipsum nominandis, licentiam dandi et concedendi septem monachis vel presbyteris et eorum successoribus in quodam collegio apud Castre prædict’ per prædictum Johannem Paston stabiliendo et dotando, terras et tenementa quæ idem Johannes Paston et alii feoffati per ipsum Johannem Fastolf seu suos feoffatos de dictis abbate et conventu tenent, vel tantum inde quantum idem Johannes dictis monachis vel presbyteris dare voluerit. Item legavit, ordinavit, et præcepit omnia debita sua fideliter persolvi et quæcumque per ipsum forisfacta de quibus constare poterit, emendari, restitui,[164.1] et satisfieri cum effectu. Item legavit ad reparationem et sustentationem portus villæ Magnæ Jernemuth’, ac ad renovationem et sustentationem murorum dictæ villæ pro bono commodo reipublicæ, salva tuitione villæ prædictæ et patriæ adjacentis, centum marcas sterlingorum, sub conditione quod burgenses seu gubernatores dictæ villæ sine mora seu dilatione perficiant[164.2] reparationem portus et murorum prædictorum quamdiu dicta summa a se extendet, ut gentes ibidem commorantes habeant animam suam in suis orationibus specialiter recommendatam. Item, cuilibet ecclesiæ parochiali singularum villarum in quibus habuit, aut aliquis ad suum usum habet, domum seu manerium, terras, et tenementa pro speciali recommendatione animæ suæ, unum vestimentum de serico panno pro missis ibidem celebrandis, et quod fiat in eodem scutum armorum suorum brodinatum secundum discretionem executorum suorum et indigentiam dictarum ecclesiarum. Item, legavit et ordinavit servientibus[164.3] suis et familiaribus domesticis remunerationem condignam seu competentem de bonis suis mobilibus juxta statum suorum [_sic_] ad summam tres centum marcarum, ita quod quilibet generosus habeat duplicem ad valentiam, et sic descendendo successive juxta statum eorum seu exigentiam meritorum ministrorum suorum ac fidelium laborum, habita tamen consideratione ad certos servientes[164.4] circa personam suam attendentes diebus et noctibus in laboribus, angustiis et vigiliis, tam in sanitate quam in infirmitate, circa præservationem corporis sui ac sanitatem celerius obtinendum. Item, legavit cuilibet ordini Fratrum religiosorum et domorum Mendicantium, tam in villa Magnæ Jernemouth quam in civitate Norwici, pro recommendatione animæ suæ, summam competentem secundum discretionem executorum suorum limitandum, cum nihil in proprio habeant unde sustentari valeant nisi de caritate et elemosina devotorum Christianorum. Residuum vero omnium bonorum suorum mobilium legata sua excedentium, ac catallorum suorum vivorum et mortuorum, ac debita singula quæ sibi debeantur, dedit et legavit executoribus suis infrascriptis juxta modum, formam et potestatem eisdem per eum superius limitatam, specificatam et ascriptam, ut ipsi eisdem modo et forma, per inde omni pondere discretionis et sani consilii, ea distribuant pro salute animæ suæ inter maxime debiles et pauperes, claudos et cæcos, ac alios impotentes in eorum lectis decumbentes, se et suos sustentare commode non valentes; habita consideratione speciali ad pauperes de consanguinitate et affinitate sua intimos et propinquos, et præsertim in locis ubi quondam possessiones, prædia, redditus et sua dominia fuerunt situata, et præsertim in villis et locis ubi habent, seu aliquis ad usum suum habet, dominia, maneria, terras, tenementa, et etiam ad emendationem pauperum ecclesiarum villarum prædictarum, viarum turpium et pontium communium reparationem, et in aliis piis elemosinariis usibus et caritatis operibus, specialiter in comitatibus Norfolk’ et Suffolk’; et quod circa funeralia et legata sua ac elemosinas supradictas primo anno post decessum suum mille marcæ seu mille libræ disponantur, et annuatim postea quingentæ libræ, triginta tres libræ, sex solidi et octo denarii, quousque bona sua mobilia et pecuniæ de venditione terrarum ac bonorum suorum vendendorum provenientia modo et forma prædictis plenarie disponantur, sicut coram Deo in die extremo Examinis voluerint respondere; et ad hoc eos exhortabatur in Domino Jesu Christo taliter pro[165.1] ipso singula fideliter peragere vellent cum pro eis in casu consimili faceret juxta conscientiam, rationem, et justitiam. Et prædicti testamenti ac ultimæ voluntatis suæ suos executores ad exequendum, disponendum et ministrandum modo et forma per eum inferius limitatis et subscriptis, constituit, ordinavit, fecit et elegit Willelmum Wintoniensem episcopum; Johannem, Dominum de Beauchamp; Nicholaum, abbatem de Langle; Johannem Stokes, legum doctorem; Fratrem Johannem Brakley, doctorem theologiæ; Willelmum Yelverton, unum justiciariorum Domini Regis; Johannem Paston, armigerum; Henricum Filongley, armigerum; Dominum Thomam Howes, presbyterum; et Willelmum Worcester; quos modum et formam executionis et administrationis bonorum suorum per executores suos fiend’ sic limitavit, voluit, disposuit, et modificavit; videlicet, quod prædicti Johannes Paston et Thomas Howes solum et ante alios executores prædictos subeant et habeant administrationem et dispositionem omnium bonorum mobilium, catallorum ac denariorum ex venditione omnium terrarum et tenementorum suorum vendendorum et proficuorum eorundem terrarum et tenementorum provenientum, ut ipsi duo soli ea disponant pro salute animæ suæ, et quod alii executores supradicti abstineant se ab omni administratione dictorum bonorum suorum, nisi pro modo, forma, causa, loco, et tempore quibus per ipsos Johannem Paston et Thomam Howes ad eorem juramenta pro dicta administratione fuerint evocati pariter et rogati; et quod nullus dictorum aliorum executorum suorum sine consensu et voluntate ac advisamento dictorum Johannes Paston et Thomæ Howes capiat aliquid seu distribuat de bonis suis mobilibus et catallis prædictis, nec venditionem eorundem neque terrarum nec tenementorum prædictorum faciat, nec aliqua sibi debita recipiat, neque aliquos creditores suos quovis modo acquiet et, neque, prædictis Johanne Paston et Thoma Howes viventibus et administrare bona sua volentibus, aliquis alius executorum prædictorum administrationem bonorum suscipiat suorum, sed quod quantum dicti alii sui executores ad [_sic_] eorem singuli prædict’ Johanni Paston et Thomæ Howes in quibuscunque egibilibus [_sic_] quæ hujusmodi testamentum et ultimam voluntatem concernentibus, favorabiliter assistant et succurrant cum per eosdem fuerint ad hoc requisiti. Voluit tamen quod si alter prædictorum Johannis et Thomæ recusaverit onus administrationis bonorum hujusmodi subire, vel ante administrationem functam obierit, quod tunc ille dictorum duorum executorum suorum administrare volens eligat unum de executoribus prædictis sibi associandis quem putaverit in hiis sibi magis idoneum, et ita voluit fieri de omnibus aliis executoribus præscriptis; videlicet, quod uno moriente vel deficiente de duobus, alter loco ipsius ad electionem administrationem incumbent’ substituatur et assumatur. Si autem ambo executores prædicti onus recusaverint subire administrationis prædictæ, vel ambo executores administrationem incumbentes moriantur antequam substituantur executores alii, voluit quod tunc illi duo executores viventes prædictam administrationem subeant et habeant quos major pars executorum viventium sui testamenti duxerit eligendos, et quod illi duo administrationem subeuntes ad dictos Dominum Episcopum et Dominum de Beauchamp, Nicolaum Abbatem de Langley, Johannem Stokes, Fratrem Johannem Bracley, Willelmum Yelverton, Henricum Filongley, et Willelmum Worcester recursum habeant pro eorum consilio et advisamento obtinendo in causis arduis et materiis requisitis. Supervisores vero dicti testamenti reverendissimum in Christo patrem et dominum, Dominum Thomam Dei gratia Cantuariensem Archiepiscopum, Walterum Episcopum Norwicensem, Magistrum Robertum Popy clericum, et Hugonem Fenn, Domini Regis auditorem, ordinavit et constituit, et voluit quod dicti duo executores onus administrationis subeuntes remunerarentur secundum merita laborum suorum et diligentiam in præmissis expediendis juxta discretionem dicti Domini Episcopi Wintoniensis et Magistri Johannis Stokes, seu majoris partis aliorum executorum viventium. Supervisores vero prædicti et cæteri executores remunerarentur secundum merita laborum suorum per discretionem duorum executorum dictæ administrationi incumbentium. Et voluit quod si quis prædictorum per eum superius nominatorum dictos Johannem Paston et Thomam Howes in officio suo hujusmodi seu circa administrationem bonorum ejusdem defuncti quoquomodo impediverit, turbaverit, vexaverit, molestaverit, vel inquietaverit, aut aliquid prædictorum facere præsumpserit vel conatus fuerit, ab administratione bonorum suorum omnino removeatur, et si quid præmissorum ante susceptionem administrationis hujusmodi attemptaverit, ipsum ad administrationem hujusmodi nullatenus admitti voluit et declaravit. Datum anno Domini, mense, die, loco supradictis.

[Footnote 163.1: From a modern copy among the MSS. at Narford,
in the possession of Andrew Fountaine, Esq. The original of this
document has not been met with, and the copy from which it is
printed is unfortunately very corrupt; but no other text is
obtainable. The more obvious inaccuracies have been corrected,
but some obscurities remain, on which the reader may exercise
his own judgment. For a knowledge of this document I am indebted
to Mr. Tyssen Amhurst, of Didlington Hall, Brandon, to whom it
was lent by the owner.]

[Footnote 163.2: Omitted in MS.]

[Footnote 164.1: restum, MS.]

[Footnote 164.2: proficiant, MS.]

[Footnote 164.3: finentibus, MS.]

[Footnote 164.4: finentes, MS.]