ABP/R13/60

Folio 41d - Gyles Lawrens of Bedford, mercer, made 3 pr. 25 Feb. 1556 [?1556/7] “First I bequethe my sowll to allmightye god our blessyd Lady Sainct Marye the Vergen and to all the holy company of heaven trusting and desiring through Jhesus Christ to be raised at the Last daye and emoungst all his faithfull soules to be set on his Right hand therfore in this hope and stedfirst Trust I will that my bodye shalbe honestly bured within the parish church of Sainct Pawll in Bedford when yt shall please allmightye god to take and seperate my sowll and bodye from this wiked world” To the high altar of St. Paul’s 12d.; to the Sepulker 12d.. To son Gefferie Lawrens 2 acres of lays and half an acre of meadow lying under Kinges in Bletso in a field called Roode Feld which testator purchased of Robert Stratton charged with the yearly payment to the Bedesmen of Bedford 6d. a quarter; and to the Great Bridge in Bedford 12d. a year; and to the vicar of Poles 12d. a year to say mass and dirige on the anniversary of testator’s death. £4 is to be spent on his funeral. A yearly sum of 6s. 8d. is charged on lands at Clyfton late Badhams to be given every Good Friday among the poor people so long as it shall please his natural son Henrye Lawrens and his heirs to continue it. To son Gefferie Lawrens and his heirs and assigns for ever the tenement where Gefferie now lives in Bedford next Spicerie Lane with all cellars, solars, shops, standings and commodities; also testator’s messuage in the Bocherowe of Bedford late in the tenure of Thomas Kyrke and a toft with a curtilage lying in the parish of Bedford St. Mary with all the timber in it. Testator’s wife Johanna is to have her dwelling with Gefferie in the said messuage as long as she pleases. To natural son Nycolas Lawrens all his lands and holdings in Overstendoon and Nether Stondon in parish of Shitlingtoon to him and the heirs of his body for ever and also the sum of 20 marks, and should Nycholas die without issue, then the lands to remain to Gefferie Lawrens and John Lawrens testator’s natural sons and their heirs for ever. To the said Nycholas a brass pot sometime belonging to the late abbey of Lawnden and 6 pieces of pewter, 3 pair of sheets, a towel, a table cloth and a napkin. To son John Lawrens 40 marks in English money to be paid him by son Henry Lawrens. Regarding the rest of the money for the tenement in Bedford in Shepischeping where testator now lives “and xx markes of lyke mony to be paid to the said Jhon by the handes of my executors uppon condicion that the said Jhon do by his suffisient dede of Release remise and convey to the said Henry and his heyres for ever whehn the same Jhon shalbe of the pleyne age all such Right tytle interest seyson and possession as he the said Jhon hath” after the death of Gyles in the whole tenement where testator now lives in Shepischepinge, and this property which testator devises to Henry and his issue, in default of issue to son John and to his issue, and in default of such issue to Gefferie Lawrens and Nycholas Lawrens and their heirs. To son John a brass pot late belonging to Mr. Patenams, 6 pieces of pewter, 3 pair of sheets, a table cloth, a towel and a napkin. To natural daughter Elizabeth £20, a feather bed, a bolster, 2 pillows, 2 pillow beres, the best coverlet, a pair of blankets, 6 pair of sheets, 3 table cloths, 2 towels, 4 napkins, a pewter basin and ewer, 12 other pieces of pewter, a chafing dish of latten, a great pan, 2 brass pots, a posnet, “my great Treadd”, a frying pan, 2 spits, a pair of cobirons, an iron dripping pan, a fire shovel, a pair of tongs, 3 candlesticks, all these to her on condition that she is ruled and ordered in marriage by the consent and council of all her brothers, or the majority of them. To all the children of son Humfrey Lawrens 5 marks. To son Hugh Lawrens 40s.. To wife Jhoanna all the female clothing he owns. To son Hugh his fox furred gown and his best doublet, and best jacket. To son Hugh his blue gown and a doublet. If son Henry Lawrens die without bodily heirs then after death of Henry and his wife Agnes, the lands and tenements in Clyfton called Bromhams to remain to testator’s sons Gefferie Lawrens and Nicholas Lawrens and their issue, in default to testator’s son John and his heirs and assigns for ever. Should any child die before they are married then their legacies to be divided between Gefferie, Nycholas and John, testator’s children by his second wife. Residue to son Gefferie, executor. Witnesses sir Edward Tayler vicar of Polles church in Bedford, Thomas Heywet, Humfrey Lawrens, Henry Lawrens with others more.

3 - 25 February 1556

From: 1556 To: 1556

item

Lawrens, Gyles,
Lawrens, Gefferie,
Stratton, Robert,
Lawrens, Henrye,
Kyrke, Thomas,
Lawrens, Johanna,
Lawrens, Nycolas,
Lawrens, John,
Patenams,
Lawrens, Elizabeth,
Lawrens, Hunfrey,
Lawrens, Hugh,
Tayler, Edward,
Heywet, Thomas

Gyles will: Lawrens, mercer, burial, CHURCH, money, AGRICULTURE, Bedford fields, vicar, masses for the dead, funerals, POVERTY, charity, shops, timber, DEATH, household furnishings, pewter, household furniture, MARRIAGE, CHILDREN, clothing, BEDFORD, Bedford St.Paul's, Bedford St.Mary's, BLETSOE, Bedford Town Bridge, CLIFTON, Lower Stondon, Upper Stondon, SHILLINGTON, London, Bedford Sheeps Cheaping