MEDIEVAL LATIN WILLS OF FISHLAKE RESIDENTS

 

Almost all the Wills featured below were originally written in Latin and the translations have been made possible using Google translator. Therefore they may not be entirely faithful to the original due to inaccuracies of the original Will writer whose knowledge of classical Latin may have been limited. The ability of Google translator to cope with the aforementioned limitations and also the quality of the transcription of the Latin. Nevertheless this is a worthwhile exercise as it at least gives a strong indication about the testators wishes and informations of interest to local, family and church historians. Some of the Wills below are only extracts of interest.

 

This first extract from a Will is worth including due to it early and curious content.

 

Taken form Surtees Society Testamenta Eboracensia. A selection of wills from the registry at York Vol 111. No 45. 1864. P318.

 

1402-3 Feb3. Dispensation for Richard Jonson, son of John Richardson of Fishlake, and Evott dau. of Robert Palmer, who have married, although related in the 4 th degree. Issued from Rome by Francis, cardinal of St Susanna, 30th March 13th Boniface ix. Ibid 121. (Related in the 4 degree is 1st Cousin which was and is a prohibited relationship).

 

[The next Will contains a rare reference to the Hermit of Lindholme, Hatfield Levels].

 

Will of John Simson of Fishlake 1407. Probate 20 June 1408.

Transcribed by Dr J Addy of York.

In the name of God Amen.23rd day of March A.D.1407. I John Symson of

Fyshelak, of sound mind conclude my testament in this manner.

First I commend my soul to the Almighty and to the holy Virgin Mary and all the saints (of heaven) and my body to be buried in the cemetery of St. Cuthbert, Bishop and Confessor of Fyshelak. I also bequeath to my best dialogue in the name of my mortuary as is customary. I also bequeath to two candles to be burned around the said body on the day you bury me. I also bequeath xiid at the top of the altar of the same church. I also bequeath xijd to light of the holy cross of the said church. I also bequeath xijd light of the holy Mary of the said church. I also bequeath iiijd to altars of the same church. I also bequeath iijs iiijd to new buildings of the church

The Cathedral of St. Peter of York. I also bequeath xijd to Lord John Forton, vicar of the said church. I also bequeath vjd Lord Walter, chaplain. I also bequeath iiijd to William Wortelay, chaplain. Item I bequeath iiijd to William Dautre Item I bequeath vjd to the Keeper of the bridge to the blessed Mary of Doncaster.

Item I bequeath viijd to the hermit of Lyndeholm. Item I bequeath the three vices to the three children of John of Warremme. Item I give and bequeath the residue of all my honours not legatees to Cecilia my wife and William Malleson and I make and appoint them Executors custom in all my lands.

 

 

Will of Alice Shirwod 25 August 1451.

Transcribed by George Ornsby.

 

Alice Shirwod widow Richard Shirwod late citizen and Alderman

of York - desires burial at S Martin's Mikelgate -"in the tomb of Thomas Balneroft of my father".

Item bequeath for my tithes forgotten at Fifshelake vis viijd

Item bequeath to the increase of the salary of the chaplain said lady prest celebrant in the church of Fifshelake vjs viijd Item bequeath to distribute among the poor Parochians of the same town xls. Item bequeath to distribute among the poor men and women remaining in Fifshelake be yonde ye wodd where the chapel is situated vjs viijd

 

Will of John Pynder of Fisshelack.  6 May 1459. Probate 28 July 1459.

Transcribed by George Ornsby.

I also bequeath to Richard Wilsewik, vicar of Ffisshelack,

to Richard Skynner, chaplain of the same place, xijd, so that he may have me a proper and merciful way in the secret of his masses.

To the residue of Alice, my wife - executrix with the relief and counsel of John Pynder my son and Robert Palmer.

 

Will of Thomas Farbarn vicar of Fishlake 1496.

Vicar 1564-1496

Probate 6 October 1496.

Transcribed by George Ornsby.

 

The Testament of Thomas Farbarn, now vicar of Fishelake, deceased.

In the name of God, Amen, the 12th day of May, 1496 I Thomas Farbarn, vicar of Fishelake, in good health of body and mind, make this my testament in this manner.

In the prisms I bequeath and commend my soul to God the Almighty Father, the blessed Mary the Virgin, the blessed Cuthbert and all the saints, and my body to be buried in the chapel of the Holy Trinity in the parish church of Fishelake and with the body in the name of my mortuary according to custom, and in wax to be burned around my body on the day of my burial and on the eighth day.

I also bequeath to the repair of the high altar of the same church on the sixth day. I also bequeath to the light of the blessed Mary the Virgin on the same day on the seventh day. .I also bequeath to the light of the Cross on the same day on the seventh day.

I also bequeath to the light of St. Anthony on the same day on the seventh day. I also bequeath to the light of St. Cuthbert on the seventh day. I bequeath to the same church to each of them 4d. I bequeath to the said church of Fifeslake two books, Pupill and Catholicon, to remain in the same church for ever. I bequeath to John Adam, chaplain, one book called the lee Bible. I bequeath to Thomas Croft, parish priest, one murray gown with lee blak frese linen. I bequeath to my daughters and each of them 4d. I bequeath to my cousin William Jackson 10 sheep and 10 lambs and my best chest. I bequeath to my brother William Fairbarn together with his son John one mare with her foal. I also bequeath to the daughters of my brother William one chest of my late father Robert Fairbarn, with all the napreware inside and a cage containing 3 sheep. I bequeath to my brother Robert one horse with a stag. I also bequeath to Nicholas the son of the same Robert to be exhibited with the schools of Oxonia seven marks six eighty. I also bequeath to Faith Nicholas three rods of blue-coloured cloth and two rods of blanket. I also bequeath to Thomas the son of the aforesaid Robert my brother six sheep. I also bequeath to the aforesaid Robert my brother together with the aforesaid Thomas his son one mare with a foal. I also bequeath to the daughters of the aforesaid Robert my brother to be distributed among them twelve pieces of lee pewter. And their three sheep. I also release and release to the same Robert Fairbarn my brother fourteen marks good and legal money which he owes me. I also will and grant that the same Robert my brother and his aforesaid descendants may have and peacefully enjoy all the aforesaid legacies to them and to each of them as aforesaid under this condition that the aforesaid Robert my brother shall in no way subsist or impede my last will and testament, both written and unwritten, and I do not otherwise release or grant it, but my executor shall recover from the said Robert both the aforesaid debts and legacies. But the residue of all my goods I freely give and bequeath to Richard Jackson, chaplain, my kinsman, whom I appoint and appoint executor of this present will, to dispose of thence for my soul as shall seem best expedient to the said Robert. To these witnesses Mr. Richard Skynner, chaplain, Mr. John Adam, chaplain, John Richard deFyshlake, John Perkyn and Thomas Crofte de Cadem, with others. 

 

I have included this interesting Will of Richard Clerk 20 October 1500. Probate 6 November 1500. Born in Fishlake but lived at St Magnus, which I understand to be a parish at London Bridge within the City of London. Not originally in Latin but I have retained the old English spellings which I believe is still understandable.

 

From Surtees Society. North Country Wills.1908. No 116. Page 268.

 

Richard Clerk of Seynt Magne, citezen and bowyer. To be buried within the parisshe churche of Seynt Magne. To every of my children, John, Richard, Antony, Thomas, and Oustyn, ten poundes, a flate pece of silver parcell gilt and a brasse platte, when they come to lawful age. To Margarete my suster al s. To Cecily my suster xx s and a pece of silver parcellas gilt, and to every of their children xiij s iiig d. To Geffrey Lyngard, presst, all thadvantage that I have to come in the benefice of Seynt Magne. To Crystyn my moder in lawe my ryng of golde called a hoope.

To the high aver of the parisshe of Fishlake in Yorkshire, wher I was borne, an awter clothe steyned, price xxvj s viiij d. The residue to Johane my wiff, my executrix. As to the disposicon of my lands in the towne and parisshe of Fishlake, I will my Geoff ex in all that tenements which sometime was John Clerk my fader make a lawfull estate of all the same unto John Clerk my son. Item, I will my said ffeoffez in lyke wise of my tenemente with a croft called Hudcroft in Fishlake, which I late purchaced of John Perkyn, make a lawfull estate unto William Cantlowe. (Moore 17).

 

 

Will of Johannes Perkins of Fyshlake. 2 November 1504.

Transcribed by George Ornsby.

(To be) buried in the church of St. Cuthbert of Fyshlake on the top of the altar for tithes forgotten xijd

lights of the S. Cross iiijd.lights of S. Mary iiijd. lights of S. Trinity iiijd

I bequeath to one vestment called by sewte vs -Agnetae Whitehouse iiijs

Witness dom. Ric Marshall, , Vicar dom. John. Adam, chaplain of the same.

 

 

Will of Richard Marshall vicar of Fishlake. 19 December 1505.

Probate Feb 5 1505. Vicar 1496-1505

 

 Transcribed by George Ornsby.

 

In the name of God, Amen. I Richard Marshall, vicar of Fishelake, of sound mind, make my testament in this manner.

First I bequeath my soul to Almighty God, blessed Mary and all his saints, and my body to be buried in the chancel of St. Cuthbert's parish church of Fishelake, before the image of St. Cuthbert.

Also I bequeath to the light of the holy cross 4s., to the light of St. Mary 4s.

Also I bequeath to the light of St. Catherine 4s., to the light in the aforesaid church 4s. Also I bequeath to the lord prior of Durham and his convent 4s. for my funeral and one thirtieth mass for my soul 12s. Also I bequeath to lord Edward Savage, for a good and special master of the mitre, 20s. I also bequeath to the chaplain to celebrate for my soul for one whole year, and for the souls of my father and mother, and for the souls of all those for whom I am bound to pray, and for the souls of all the faithful deceased, eight marks if my goods suffice for that. I also bequeath to the repair of the way between the church and the pynfold, xld. I also bequeath to the service of the Holy Trinity, xld. I also bequeath to the great bells named Cuthbert, xld. I also bequeath to my nephew John Marshall, xxs. I also bequeath to any order of friars of Doncaster, xd. The residue of all my goods not given I give and bequeath to my brother Robert Marshall, and John Adam, chaplains, and my appointed executors, to dispose for the salvation of my soul, Witnesses Mr. Whittyn, chaplain, Alice Perkyn, John Marshall, and others.

 

Will of Edmund Jenkinson of Fishlake 15 May 1523.

My best beast for a mortuary. To the high Alter vid to the light of the cross ijd

To the light of our Lady ijd To light of the Holy Trinity ijd To the covering of the rebels try xijd.