Title
[f. 247d]William Hawlsey of Bedenham, husbandman, made 2 May 1547. No probate act but note of date 17 August.
Burial where executors shall think most convenient. For his mortuary according to the king's laws. To mother church of Lincoln 4d.; to church of St. James of Bedenham 3s. 4d.; to the poor folk householders in the same town 2d. a piece with a peck of malt, and another peck of barley, and to every other poor body in the parish 2d.. To twenty of poorest folk of the parish of Hemsted and to twenty of the poorest people of North'nnyes 6s. 8d. in like manner, and to 20 of the poorest people of the parish of Stowghton 6s. 8d. evenly to be distributed among them.
To his three sons John Hawlsey, Thomas Hawlsey and William Howlsey testator's lease of his manor of Bowelles in Bromeham in the county of Bedford, for the years yet to come in the lease which sir Phillippe Butler merchant, John Butler his son, and [?]Coristell his wife made to testator. To sons John Hawlsey 5 marks sterling, Thomas Hawlsey 5 marks sterling; William Hawlsey 5 marks sterling, and each son to have also 2 ewes and 2 lambs, and should any son die then the others to have his part. To daughters Ane, Alys, Elsabeth and Jelyan 5 marks sterling, 2 ewes and 2 lambs each. To son Richard Halsey £6 13s. 4d. sterling, 2 ewes and 2 lambs, and if any of the four daughters or son Richard die before they have had their legacy then their part to be divided between the survivors of the five, and not among the older sons. But should all five die, then their legacies to go to the first three sons.
To godson Robert Stanperer 20s. and a quarter of malt, 2 ewes and 2 lambs.
To wife £20 of money and her Chamber, and four kine, and remainder of testator's lease of Bedenham while she remains single, but if she marry again then John Hawlsey to have the remainder of the lease. Should wife remain single she is to have the custody of all the goods bequeathed to son Richard Hawlsey, and daughters Julyan and Elzabeth until they marry or come to age of 20 years unmarried, but if wife remarry then executors to have custody of goods. To every godchild not named above 6d.. To wife Elzabeth for life while she remains single all his messuage or tenement, orchards, gardens, back grounds, and a barn lying together in the parish of Sanct Paull in Bedford next to Caltes Layne on the south side, and the tenement of Cristopher Baker, Gylys Lawrence and [?]Master Barne Luke on the north part, extending from Safron Dyche otherwise called Kinges Diche to the King's highway towards the east, which was sometime the property of Thomas Smythes, tanner, which testator lately purchased of Richard Wayneman as may be seen by certain writings, which property on her death or second marriage is to go to son John Hawlsey, and the heirs of his body, in default to son Thomas Hawlsey and the heirs of his body, in default to son William Hawlsey and the heirs of his body, in default to son Richard Hawlsey and the heirs of his body, in default to testator's right heirs.
Remainder of goods to son John Hawlsey to perform will and the codicil, should there be one. To his brother John Hawlsey 40s., and he makes his brother John and son John his executors, and Master John Williams otherwise called John Scott, the mayor of Bedford, to be Supervisor, to whom 40s..
Witnesses John Williams, Henry Laghton, William Sutton, Thomas Huett.
Codicil. To wife Elzabeth four acres of arable land in Bedford Fild towards Clopham which testator lately purchased of John Weste the younger, tanner, to hold to her for her life while she remains single, reversion to son John Hawlse and his issue, in default to son Thomas Hawlse and his issue, in default to son William Hawlsey and his issue, in default to son Richard Hawsey and his issue, in default to right heirs of William Hawlse the elder.. Made 12 July, witnesses the vicar of Bedenham, John Williams with others