& so as ye said Rob't Gresham my son'e his heires executors or administrators doe pay or cause to be paid to Cicely my daughter ye wife of Thomas Fox ten pounds of lawful english money in ye porch of ye p'ish Church in Melton Cunstable aforesaid within one yeare next after my decease Provided alwayes & my minde & will is yt if my daughter Cicely shall happen to departe this naturall life before her legacie shall grow due to be paid that then her p'con or p'te thereof remayninge shalbe equally devided & paid to ye children of my daughter Cicely that shalbe then liveinge as they or any of them shall attaine and come to ye age of one & twenty yeares in ye porch of ye p'ish Church in Melton aforesaid Provided further & my will and minde is that if ye said Rob't Gresham my sonne his heires executors Administrators or assignes shall make default of payment of ye said legacie of tenn pounds or of any p'te thereof to my said daughter Cicely given or to her children if it shall so happen to them fall in such manner & forme as is aforesaid contrarie to ye true intent & meaning of this my last will that then & from thenceforth if it shall so happen it shall & may be lawfull to & for ye said Cicely my daughter or ye children of my said daughter Cicely if it shall to them fall or to eyther of them to whom default of paymt shalbe made into ye said howses and lands to my sonne Rob't Gresham by me herein given to enter ye same & to have hold use inioy & take ye meane p'ffitts thereof committinge no wilfull waste upon any of ye p'misses untill she or they be fully satisfied ye said legacie then due with ye arrerrages if any shalbe then iustly due Item my will & minde is that if Rob't Gresham my sonne shall dep'te this naturall life without issue lawfully begotten of his body then my will & minde is yt Cicely my daughter shall injoye ye said howses & lands to have hold them to her & to her heires for eu' Item I give to Cicely Gresham my grandchilde tenn pounds of good English money to be paid to her by my executor in this my last named wthin one yeare next after my decease in ye porch of ye p'ish Church in Melton Constable aforesaid Item I give unto Cicely Gresham my Grandchild so much of my household stuffe as containe to six & twenty shillings & eight pence, or ye six & twenty shillings & eight pence in ready money to be delivered or paid to her by my Executor hereafter in this my last will named within one yere next after my decease Also I give more to ye sd Cicely my Grandchild ye bedstead as it stand wherin ye sd Cicely my grandchild now lyeth on wth all ye beddinge thereunto belonginge to be delivered to her by my Executor hereafter in this my last will named ymediately after my decease Item my will & minde is y1 ye gd 268 8d to Cicely my grandchild before given to be paid in ye porch of ye p'ish Church in Melton Constable afores All ye rest my goods cattells chattells ymplements of houshold stuffe w'soeuer not before given & bequeathed in this my last will I give them wholly unto Robert Gresham my sonne whome I ordaine constitute & make sole & onely executor of this my last will & testamt Uppon Condic'on yt he shall prove this my last will and pay all such guifts & Legacies as I have in this my last will given & bequeathed & pay all my debts & take my debts & further to p'vide yt my body be brought in decent & comely manner to ye earth to be buried in ye Church or Church yard in Melton Constable afores or else where, where it shall please God, & thus revoking all other wills by me at any tyme heretofore made I have to this my testamt and last will written & Conteyned in one sheete & allmost a halfe of paper to each of them sette my hand & seale & publish ye same to (sic orig.) same to be my last will in the p'sence of John Curson-Thomas MeanesChristian Lowes.-Thomas Gresham.

[Proved in the Consistory Court of Norwich on the 20th day of April, 1644, by the oath of the sole Executor within named.]

WILL OF JOHN GRESHAM, VICAR OF HORNING, 1420.

In dei no'ie amen Ego Joh'es Gresham p'petuu' vic' eccl'ie de Hornyng iiijto die Nouembr' Anno d'ni Mill'imo ccccmo xxmo condo test'm meu' in hunc mod' In p'mis lego ai'am mea' deo b'e Marie om'ibus sc'is corp'q' meu' ad sepeliend' in cancello eccl'ie sc'i Mich'is eiusd' In p'mis lego sum'o altar' eiusd' eccl'ie xijd It' l'mi b'e Me eiusd' vjd It' l'mi beati Nich'i vjd It' lego fabric' eccl'ie de Hornyng xld It' lego residuu' bonor' meor' exec' meis Et hos ordino et constituo exec' meos v'z Joh'em Norman de ffylby p'ncipale exec' et Joh'em Crosby de Hornyng et Joh'em Dowty de Rowgton vt ip'i disponant p' me p'ut meli' vid'int deo placer' dat' die et Anno sup'dict'.-Proved 18 Nov. 1420.

WILL OF JOHN GRESHAM, VICAR OF ST. ANDREW, BUXTON, 1495.

In dei no'ie Amen Cum humana fragilitas quandoq' mortis cogitaco'e turbata minorem possit adhibere prudenciam in agendis Salubre igitur videtur remediu' vt vnusquisq' de bonis suis ordinet et disponat dum clare viget in ei indicium rac'onis Ea p'pter Ego ffr' Joh' Picto al' Gresh'm vicarius eccl'ie p'och' sancti Andree de Buxton Norwicen' dioc' compos mentis et bone memorie existens primo die Mens' Octobr' Anno d'ni Mill' mo cccc nonagesimo quinto condo testam meum in hanc modum In p'mis lego ai'am meam deo om'ipotent gl'iose virgini marie et o'ibus sanctis Corpusq' meum, sepeliend' in sum'o Cancello an' gradu' sum'i Altaris eccl'ie p'och' de Buxton p'dict' It'm lego ad repa'coem eccl'ie p'dict' vjs viija It'm lego gilde s'c'i Andree in ead'm villa iijs iiija It'm gilde beate Marie ib'm iijs iiijd It'm gilde s'c'i Joh' Baptiste iijs iiijd It'm ad sustentaco'em luminis vocat' le plowlote ib'm iijs iiijd It'm lego gilde b'te Marie in Stratton p'ua ijs It'm gilde sancte Margarete in ead'm ijs It'm lego gilde sancti Trinitatis lenn' Epi' xiijs iiijd delib'and' et plene p'soluend' cum omn' festinacoe' post sepulturam meam It'm volo h'ere vnu' Trentale sancti Gregorij post obitum meum celebrand' xs It'm lego cuili't lumini eccl'ie de Buxton p'dict viz. lumini s'c'i Andree ja lumini s'c'i petri ja lumi' s'c'e marie in capella ja eciam lumi' de le petyr ja s'c'i Thome ja s'c'e Trinitat' ja s'c'i Gregorij ja s'c'i Joh'nis Bapte' ja s'c'i Joh'nis Euangeliste ja s'ci Jacobi ja s'c'e Anne ja s'c'i Xpo feri ja s'c'i Mich' Archangeli ja It'm lego cuili't domin quatuorordinu' ffratr in Norwic' iijs iiija It'm volo li'ere vnu' le certeyn et diem anni'salem per discreco'em executor' meor' It'm lego Joh'm Rome iijs iiijd It'm lego cuili't p'sone filior' ac filiar' eiusd'm Joh'nis xijd It'm lego Joh'ni Bully xijd I'm Joh'ni ffunhale xija It'm Joh'ni Codenh'm xijd It'm filio Thome Cob xijd It'm Isabelle Hexh'm xijd It'm volo q' executores mei post meum obitum inveniant vnu' p'ob'm secularem ad celebrand' in eccl'ia de Buxton p'dict' pro a'ia mea et a'iab' parentum meor' p' vnu' annu' integrum It'm lego cuili't p'sone executor' meor' pro suo labore x It'm volo si co'tingat aliquem executor' meor' anteq' bona mea fidel'r et final'r disponantur (sic orig.) tunc volo q' illa bona in eius custodia existencia integraliter reddantur et deliberentur in poss'ne executor' meor' viuenciu' It'm volo q' in omn' anno viz die Anniu'sarij mei executores mei insimul co'ueniant et concordant et q' compotum inuicem reddant de bonis meis p' ip'os dispositis et solutis vna cum expensis necno' de bonis remanentib' et no' dispositis. Residuu' vero omn' bonor' meor' no'dum legator' com'itto discrec'onib' et consciencijs executor' meor' viz. Will'i Stevyns capellani Jacobi Jurdon Ed'i Suffeld et Rob'ti Mody quos constituo et ordino meos executores vt ip'i ordinant et disponant melius vid' deo placere et an' mee p'desse.-Proved 16 June 1498.

WILL OF ELIZABETH GRESHAM, 1645.

In the name of God Amen. The seaven and twentieth daie of May in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand sixe hundred fortie five and in the one and twentieth yeare of the raigne of our Soverayne Lord Charles by the Grace of God of England Scotland ffrance & Ireland King defender of the ffaith &c. I Elizabeth Gresham (daughter of Sir William Gresham late of Croydon in the countie of Surrey Knight deceased) being in health of bodie and good and perfect memorie the Lord be therefore praised, yet knowing this world to be but a Pilgrimage and all things in it like shadowes full of mutability, and calling to minde that all fleshe must be dissolved doe make and ordaine this my last Will and Testament in manner followeing. ffirst I com'end my soule into the hands of the most glorious Trinitie and my bodie to the earth of which it was framed to be decentlie and christianly buried by the discretion of my executor hereafter named in this my Will. And for the disposeing of such goodes, chattells, monies, Jewells, plate, houshold-stuffe and estate whatso ever God Allmightie of his mercie hath given mee I give and bequeath in this manner. ffirst I give and bequeath to the poore of the parishe where I shalbe buried the sume of fourtie shillings of lawfull English money to be distributed according to the discretion of my Executor and the Churchwardens of the same parish. Item I give and bequeath vnto my louinge kinsman Mr. Gresham Woodhouse the sume of fourtie poundes of like Englishe money to be paid vnto him. within one yeare after my decease. Item I give vnto my loveinge kinsman Mr. Robert Haquill younger sonne to my cozen Mr. William Haquill Esqr the sume of fourtie poundes of like Englishe money to be paid vnto him within one yeare after my decease. Item I give vnto my goddaughter Elizabeth Barnard the sume of five poundes of like Englishe money to be paid vnto her within one yeare after my decease. Item I give vnto my loveing freind Doctor Samuel Barnard the sume of five poundes of like Englishe money to be paid vnto him within one yeare after my decease. Item I give vnto my goddaughter Elizabeth Wood of Croydon the sume of Twentie poundes of like Englishe money to be paid vnto her within one yeare after my decease. All the residue of my goods chattells monies Jewells plate houshould stuffe or whatsoever elce not disposed or given by mee before together with all those Debts which are oweing vnto mee and all rights to mee belonging my legacies being faithfully paid my funeralls discharged I give and bequeath vnto my loveinge kinsman Mr. William Haquill eldest sonne of my cozen Mr. William Haquill aforesaid whome I make and ordaine sole Executor of this my last Will and testament desireing him faithfully to performe whatsoever is therein by mee given and bequeathed according to my true intent and purpose. In wittnes whereof that this is my last Will and testament I have herevnto sett my hand and seale the daie and yeare first above written.-Elizabeth Gresham. Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of us-John Gonnard-The marke of Richard Benet.

A Codicill annexed to this my last Will and Testament conteyninge as followeth. I give vnto my loveinge freind Mr. ffrancis Butler of Croydon the sume of tenn poundes of law full Englishe money to be paid vnto him within one yeare after my decease.-Elizabeth Gresham.

Proved in London the 20th Feb. 1650, by Wm. Haquill Executor.

WILL OF THOMAS GRESHAM, 1658.

In the name of God Amen. I Thomas Gresham of the Citty of Peterborough Inholder being sicke in bodye but of p'fect minde and sound memory Doe this nynth day of November in the yeare of our Lord God One thousand six hundred fiftie eight make this my last Will and testament in manner and forme followeing. First I render upp my soule into the handes of Allmighty God hopeing for salvac'on through the meere merittes of my blessed Saviour Jesus Christ, And my body to be interred in decent manner at the discrec'on of my Executrix hereafter named.

And all my goods rights, credittes and Chattells whatsoever my debts being paied and funeralls discharged, I leave and give vnto my lovelng wiefe Elizabeth and doe make her Executrix of this my last Will and testament. In witnes whereof I have putte my hand and seale the day and yeare first above written.-Thomas Gresham. Witness herevnto Robert Rowell-Christopher Bird.

This will was proved at London 2 Feb. 1658, by the oath of Elizabeth Gresham, the relict and sole Executrix.

ELIZABETH GRESHAM 6 EDw. VI.

In Dei nomine Amen. Enquiry by William Cooke Commissary as to the Will of Elizabeth Gresham defunct on the suit of Thomas Gresham her brother and the Lady Christian Thinne her sister.

In the name of God Amen. The xxii daye of ffebruary in the Sixte yeare of the Reygne of oure soueraigne Lorde Edwarde the Sixte by the grace of god Kinge of Englande ffraunce and Irelande defendor of the faithe and of the Churche of England and also of Irelande Supreme hedd Elizabeth Gresham mayde being of pfytt mynde and Remembraunce made hir testament and last will in maner folowing first she com'endyd her soule to the mercy of god and her body to be buryed in Christian buryall Scundaryly she being moved to dispose her goods and substance sayd I shall no great adoo in that behalf for as understand my father hath teyd my lands after my death in suche sorte that I can noothinge dispose of yt And as for the Rest of my goodes I will give them to my brother Syr John Thynn and my syster his wief who hath been very good unto me this foure yeres. And I will that they give to Besse my mayde Tenne pounds to her mariage and Reward my man John leigh for his syvice unto me at their discretion Wytnes Thomas Ennes and Katheryn Ratclyf.

[26 March, 1522, 6 Ed. VI. Sentence was pronounced by the Court that the said Elizabeth Gresham died intestate and administration of her goods and effects was granted to her brother Thomas Gresham.] Powell 5.

WILL OF THOMAS GRESHAM, CLERK, 1558.

Testamentum THOME GRESSHAM, CLICI, 1558. In the name of God Amen The xxiiith daye of the moneth of Augurste in the yere of or lorde god A thowsande fiyve hundreth ffiftie and eighte Mr Thomas Gressh'm parson of Sowthe Reppes beinge of good and perfighte Reme'braunce made and declared his last will and testame't nuncupatyve in mannor and forme ffollowinge that ys to saye ffirste he willed his Sowle to Almightie God and his bodie to be biruyed in the Channcell of the p'ishe Churche of Sowthe Reppes aforesayed and he ded nomynate Edmunde Gressh'm gente To be his Executor and doer for hym Thes beinge witnes will'm beck gente St John Wilson p'ishe priste Johan Sefoall widowe Richarde Sefoall.

[Proved in the Consistory Court of Norwich on the 16th day of September 1558, by the oath of the sole Executor.]

WILL OF FRANCES GRESHAM, 1580.*

GOD THE FATHER GOD THE SONNE and god the holie ghoste three psonns and one god be with me now and ever so be it fforasmuche as the sowle of man and woma' hath no perpetuall dwellinge in the carnall bodie but is seperable. from it at the will and pleasure of Almightie god Requiset expedient and moste She was daughter and heir of Sir Henry Thwaites of Lounde, co. York.

necessarie it is that euerie christian man and woman prepare and make themselves readie at all times to departe from it Soe that whensoeu' he or she shalbe called for they be not founde sleepinge and unprepared Therefore I ffraunces Gresham the Twentiethe Daye of October in the yeare of oure lorde god a Thousande ffiue hundred and flouerscore And in the Twoe and Twentiethe yeare of the Reigne of our Sou'eigne Ladie Elizabethe by the grace of god of Englande ffraunce and Irelande Quene Defendor of the faith &c. Beinge perfecte of memorie and whole in bodie moste humble and hartie thankes be therefore giuen unto almightie God intendinge by his grace to prepare and make my selfe readie to goe forwarde in the uniu'sall journey when soeu' it shall please him to call for me Doe ordaine make and declare my Testamente and laste will in such sorte and forme as followethe ffirste because I have nothinge more precious then my soule nor nothinge presentable unto god besides it I present and bequeathe the same to his mercie most humblie beseechinge his goodnes of his infinite m'cie not to impute unto me the multitude of my sinnes but that it will please him for the m'ittes of his sonne and oure Savioure Jhesus christe in whome is myne onelie truste to forgiue me the same and to receave me into his euerlastinge kingdome Secondarily concerninge my bodie which as it was made of earthe soe must it returne to earthe againe I desier and requier mine executors to cause the same to be buried in the parrishe churche of Lawrence Walthame in suche sorte as shalbe seemelie and requisite for a Christian womans bodie by the discrec'on of the same mine Executors Thirdlie concerninge the orderinge and disposition of my Landes and Tenementes goodes and substaunce I give and bequeathe the same in mannor and forme followinge That is to witt as touchinge my Landes and Tenementes I will that the same shall discende and come to the righte heires imediatlie after my decease And as concerninge my goodes and cattells moveables and vnmoveables debtes dueties and demanndes whatsoeu' I giue and bequeathe the ffoure hundred poundes then of which St Harrie Neuell Knighte hath of mine in his custodie unto Edwarde Nevell ffrauncis Nevell William Nevell and Katherin Nevell the children of my sonne in lawe the saide Sr Henry Nevell Knighte and Elizabeth my daughter his late wief deceased to be equallie divided amongest them as they shall come and be of the seu'all age and ages of one and Twentie yeares the men children and fouretene yeares the woman childe or els at the seu'all daye or dayes of theire seu'all mariage or mariages wch shall firste happen Item I will that all the money that shalbe due vnto me mine Executors or Assignes by reason of a recognizaunce made from Sr Thomas Gresham Knighte my late brother in lawe deceased shalbe equallie devided amongest the same ffoure children of the said S Henrie Neuell Knighte at the same dayes and times as they and eech of them shall have theire saide seu'all partes of the saide ffoure hundred poundes before expressed. And I doe desire the saide Sr Henrie Nevell Knighte to prosecute the lawe against the executors of the saide Sr Thomas Gresham Knighte aswell for mine Executors after my decease to the use abouesaide as he nowe doeth for me by vertue of a l're of Attourney whiche I haue made vnto him in that behalf Item I giue and bequeathe unto Henry Nevell the sonne and heire of the said Sr Henry Nevell Knighte by the saide Elizabeth my daughter deceased the fifte parte of all my Diaper cloathes and to his sister Katherine Nevill all the Childes Bedd geare ou' and aboue her parte aboue specified And I give to Richarde Temple of Newe Windesor Three poundes six shillinges and eight pence And to Mr Edwarde Nevell of Newton Seintlowe in the Countie of Soms' Esquier the Sum'e of Tenne poundes And to myne Ou'seers Tenne poundes apece The reasidue of all my goods and Cattells (my debtes beinge paide and my funerall expences legacies and costes of suite in Lawe dischardged) I giue vnto the saide Edward Nevell ffraunces Nevell William Nevell and Katherine Nevell the Children of the said Sr Henry Nevell Knighte to be equally devided amongest them at such dayes and times as they shall receave the saide seu'all partes and porc'ons aboue giuen And I doe make and ordaine the saide Edwarde Nevell of Newton Seintlowe Esquior to be myne executor touchinge so muche of this my last will and Testament as doth concerne the debts due or to be due unto me myne executors or assignes by vertue of the saide