A FIFTEENTH CENTURY WILL

New Zealand Tablet, 30 March 1916, Page 36

A FIFTEENTH CENTURY WILL

INTERESTING DOCUMENT. At a meeting of the York Archaeological Society, held at York Museum recently, Mr. R. B. Cook continued his series of transcripts of York wills, filed in the York Registry, giving some interesting details of the bequests of Lord Mayors of York in the early fifteenth century. He said that perhaps the most interesting will in the whole collection was one hitherto unpublished of Thomas Bracebrigg, weaver, who was Lord Mayor- in 1424.. Bracebrigg was Chamberlain in 1411, and Sheriff in 1416; he figured very prominently in the York Memorandum Book second series.

The will, which was proved in May, 1437, was of enormous length, and after providing for his burial in St. Savfour’s Church ‘next to'the bodies of my, wives and children lately buried there,’ there are detailed provisions for wax candles and torches, some of the former to be renewed yearly for fifteen years after his death. There are bequests for Masses in'many churches, to every rector and chaplain regularly celebrating of every church in the city and suburbs 4d, for which he gave 100 shillings as sufficient (an estimated number of 300 clergy), to every parish clerk 4d to ring the bells (45 parish clerks). Also to the ‘ anchorite recluses ’ (women) in St. Anne’s Churchyard, Fishergate; at All Saints’ Churchyard, North street; and St. Margaret’s Churchyard, to pray for his soul; and to the hermit of St. Catherine’s Chapel. ' There were large distributions of alms to poor and needy and ample provision for funeral expenses ‘ that my worthy friends and neighbors to the number of 30 shall on the eighth day after my death come to lunch that shall suitably be served to them at the care and discretion of my executors.’ On the day of the funeral his-‘.poor neighbors of the parish and other indigent ’ were to be given ‘ luncheon at the choice of my executors, 50s with bread and drink and suitable food.’ The Guild of Weavers and ‘ the Society of the Lord’s Prayer ’ received bequests, while bread and drink and suitable food was to’ be given to the prisoners in York Castle, in the Archbishop’s Prison (Peter Prison), and in the Kidcote, and they were also to receive a penny a week each for fifteen years.

A most curious direction to the executors was; 1 As soon as I am infirm and keep my bed my executors shall order and buy a thousand white loaves, called farthing loaves, and distribute them to the poor according to the good opinion of the executors.’ Pie provided that all his debtors able to pay should be compelled to pay, but those-unable should not be sued or molested; if evidence were not forthcoming of a debt, ‘ then my executors shall give credence to the assertion and fidelity of my debtor committing all such debts to the Divine ■ will.’ Among bequests to relatives he made provision that failing issue to his children by his two former wives the property which these mothers brought him should revert to their families. He also enjoined his son to hold himself humbly and graciously to his mother in agreeable conversation and good manners. ?