Cuthbert Bestoun, Citizen and Girdler.

Inquisition taken at the Guildhall, 14 August, 24 Eliz. [1582], before James Harvey, Knight, Mayor and escheator, after the death of Cuthbert Bestoun, late citizen and girdler of London, by the oath of Robert Dickenson, William Layer, John Irelande, John Jackson, William Styche, John Keblewhite, Edmund Owen, George Robartes, Francis Gunter, John Richardes, Griffin Johanes, Christopher Whytchcock and John Bonde, who say that

Adam Bestoun, late citizen and girdler of London, deceased, was seised in his demesne as of fee, of 1 capital messuage or Inn called the Cadge situate in the parish of St. Olave in the borough of Southwark in co. Surrey, now in the tenure of Bartholomew Newce; 7 messuages adjoining the said messuage called the Cadge, now or late in the several tenures of William Simpsoun, Lambert Wayes, John Richardsonn, Francis Hill, Joan Dawson, widow, and Roger Rabbendyne; 9 other messuages near Battlebridge in the said parish, now or late in the several tenures of John Dewsburie, Richard Askewe, Edmund Horssley, William Hills, John Atkinson, John Silvester, Robert Dewsburie, William Hoke and Nicholas Silvester; 1 house or stable near Battlebridge in the said parish, now or late in the tenure of Richard Harrison; 4 . . . or tenements situate in Barmondesie streat in the said parish now or late in the several tenures of William Fee, Christopher Fletcher, John Brasse and John Bell; 1 messuage called the Bishops Hedd late in the tenure of William Lewes and now or late in that of John Oldam, clothworker, situate in Westminster in co. Middlesex.

So seised, the said Adam Bestoun on the 17th day of May, 1545, made his will as follows [here given in English]: As to my lands, tenements, &c., within the borough of Southwark in co. Surrey and elsewhere in England, I will that my son Cuthbert shall have the same: to hold to him and the heirs of his body; for default, the said premises shall be divided into 5 equal portions whereof I bequeath the first part to John Bestoun and the heirs of his body, the 2nd part to William Bestoun and the heirs of his body; the 3rd part to Richard Bestoun and the heirs of his body; the 4th part to John Stockar my sister's son and the heirs of his body; and the 5th part to Randolph Gibsoun my sister's son and the heirs of his body; and for default, the same to remain to the right heirs of the said John, William, Richard, John and Randolph for ever.

Afterwards [date not given] the said Adam Bestoun died at Southwark, and the said Cuthbert entered the said premises and was thereof seised in fee tail, and so seised, he suffered the said messuages called the Bishopshedd in Westminster and the messuage called the Cadge, and the 7 messuages thereto adjoining in Southwark to be recovered and levied by fines and common recoveries to the use of himself and his heirs for ever, by virtue whereof he was seised of the same in his demesne as of fee.

The said Cuthbert was also seised in his demesne as of fee of a capital messuage or inn called the Wallnuttre with a garden thereto adjoining, now or late in the tenure of Edward Fowle, situate in the said parish of St. Olave; 15 messuages lying in Wallnuttre Lane alias Carter Lane in the said parish of St. Olave, now or late in the several tenures of James Mullenbeck, Valentine Banester, William Smyth, Rose Emous, Robert Beare, Thomas Huntt, Richard Barker, John Ferris, George Warde, James Gates, Francis Webb, Richard Coniar, Henry Mylam, John Simbole and William Brownesworde; 1 capital messuage and a small garden thereto adjoining on the east side late in the tenure of the said Cuthbert, and now or late in that of Alice Beestoun, widow, situate in Collmanstreat in the parish of St. Stephen in Collmanstreat, London; 3 messuages in the said parish of St. Stephen, now or late in the several tenures of Richard Smyth, Richard Wrench and James Watsoun; 1 garden lying next the alley called Mill Alley in the said parish of St. Stephen, now or late in the tenure of William Killigrew; 1 capital messuage called the Hand; 3 messuages near adjoining the same situate in the street called Thamistreet in the parish of All Saints the Great at the Hay Wharf in the ward of Dowegate, London, now or late in the several tenures of Nicholas Parkinsonn, Thomas Morgan, John Browne and Thomas Thomwoode.

So seised, the said Cuthbert made his will, 5 July, 22 Eliz. [1580], as follows [here given in English]: I give to Alice my wife for life all my messuages, lands and hereditaments situate in the Cities of London and Westminster, in the borough of Southwark and elsewhere in England, she paying all the quitrents going out of the same and keeping the same in good repair.

I give to Margery Warde, one of the daughters of my said wife, the great messuage with all the yards, gardens, &c, thereto belonging now in my own tenure, and the messuage in the tenure of Richard Smythe, Clerk, situate in the said parish of St. Stephen in Collmanstreet: to hold after the death of the said Alice, to the said Margery Ward for life; and after her decease the remainder thereof to the heirs of her body; for default, the remainder thereof to Trew Warde, another of the daughters of my said wife for life and to the heirs of her body; for default, the remainder thereof to Corte Warde brother of the said Margery and Trew for life and to the heirs of his body; for default, to George Warde brother of the said Corte for life and to the heirs of his body; and for default, to my right heirs for ever.

I give to the said Trew Warde my 2 messuages in the several tenures of Richard Wrcnche, gent., and James Watsonn, mercer, in the said parish of St. Stephen, and also a garden plot in Goughes Alley in the said parish of St. Stephen, now in the occupation of William Killigrewe, esq.: to hold after the death of the said Alice for her life; the remainder thereof after her death to go successively to the heirs of her body, to the said Margery for life and the heirs of her body, to the said Corte for life and the heirs of his body, to the said George Warde for life and the heirs of his body and to my right heirs for ever.

I give to the said Corte Warde the great messuage called the Sign of the Hand now in the tenure of Nicholas Parkinson, clothworker, and the 3 messuages in the several tenures of Thomas Morgan, John Browne and Thomas Thomwoode, lying together in the parish of Great Allhallows in Thames Street: to hold to him for life after the decease of the said Alice: the remainder thereof after his death to go successively to the heirs of his body, to the said George Ward for life and to the heirs of his body, to the said Margery for life and the heirs of her body, to the said Trew Warde for life and to the heirs of her body and to my right heirs for ever.

I give to Sara Ward, daughter of the said Corte Warde my great messuage or tavern called the Bisshoppshead in the tenure of Thomas Dicksey, citizen and vintner of London, situate in the City of Westminster: to hold after the death of the said Alice for her life: the remainder thereof after her death to the heirs of her body; and for default, then successively to the said Margery, Trew, George and Corte Warde and the respective heirs of their bodies; and for default to my right heirs for ever.

I give to the Master, Wardens and governors of the "Artt or misterie of guirdlers" of London, whereof I am a member, my capital messuage called the Cadge now in the tenure of John Fowle serjeant at arms, situate in the parish of St. Olave in Southwark in co. Surrey; also the 7 messuages in the several tenures of William Simpsoun, barber and surgeon, Lambert Wayes, shoemaker, John Richardsoun, John Hamlett, joiner, Frauncis Hill, joiner, Roger Robindyne, clothworker, and Joan Dawsoun, widow, situate in the said parish of St. Olave: to hold after the death of the said Alice my wife to them and their successors for ever, on condition that they give yearly for ever out of the profits of the said premises to the steward of the said Company to be employed for the amendment of every of the Quarter Dinners to be made for the Master, Wardens and Livery of the said Company of Girdlers; and also for 10 years after the death of the said Alice shall have a sermon preached quarterly in the parish Church of St. Stephen in Collmann street "yff the ghospell of our savior xpist shalbe sincerely preached as now yt is," and that 5s. shall be paid to the preacher of each said sermon; but if the Gospel be not so preached, then 20s. shall be distributed yearly to the poorest people of the said parish of St. Stephen; and shall also for 10 years distribute among the poor of the said parish 2 cartloads of great coals; and shall also pay yearly for ever to the clerk and "Bedyll" of the said Company for the time being 12d. The residue of the profits of the said premises (if any) after the death of the said Alice to be freely lent to the poorest men of the said Company who shall give surety for the repayment thereof within 1 year from the receipt thereof.

And whereas I am seised of an estate of inheritance in fee simple of the capital messuage called the Wallnuttre now in the tenure of Thomas Mylles, serjeant at arms, and all those messuages in the several tenures of James Mullenbeck and others [above named], situate in Carter lane in the said parish of St. Olave: I hereby give 2 parts of the said premises to the said George Warde my wife's son: to hold after the death of the said Alice to him and his heirs for ever, on condition that he shall yearly for 10 years cause a sermon to be preached quarterly in the said parish Church of St. Olave, and shall pay 5s. to the preacher of each said sermon. But if the Gospel be not truly preached, then the said money to be distributed amongst the poorest people of the said parish. The said George shall also quarterly for 10 years distribute amongst the poorest prisoners in the prisons of the King's Bench, the Marshallsey and the Whyte Lyon in Southwark 30s. in bread, that is to say, 10s. to each of the said prisons; also 10s. a piece each to 8 poor maidens, such as shall be known to be honest and of good name and fame, towards their marriage.

The said messuage called the Cadge and the 7 messuages near adjoining are held [of whom is not stated] as of the manor of the Liberty of the borough of Southwark, by fealty only, and are worth per ann., clear, £7. The said messuages near Battlebridge in the said parish of St. Olave, the said house or stable in the tenure of Richard Harrison and the said 4 messuages in Barmondesyestreat are held of the Mayor, Alderman, Commonalty and citizens of the City of London as of their manor of Southwark by fealty only, and are worth per ann., clear, £5. The said messuage called the Bisshoppshedd in Westminster is held of the Queen in socage in chief and by the yearly rent of 5s., and is worth per ann., clear, £4 6s. 8d. The capital messuage called the Wallnuttre, and the garden and the 15 messuages in Wallnuttre Lane are held of the Queen in chief by knight's service, namely, by the 20th part of a knight's fee, and are worth per ann., clear, £6. The said capital messuage late in the tenure of the said Cuthbert and the 3 messuages in the said parish of St. Stephen in Collmanstreet in the several tenures of Richard Smythe, Richard Wrenche and James Wattsoun are held of the Queen in free burgage of the City of London, and are worth per ann., clear, 40s. The said garden lying next to Mill Alley in the said parish of St. Stephen is held of the Queen in chief by knight's service, viz., by the fortieth part of a knight's fee and the rent of 10d., and is worth per ann., clear, 3s. The said capital messuage called the Hand and the 3 messuages thereto adjoining in Thames street are held of the Queen in free burgage of the City of London, and are worth per ann., clear, £5.

The said John Bestoun, Richard Beeston and John Stocker named in the will of the said Adam died without heirs of their bodies. The said Randolph Gibsonn named in the said will had issue Agnes, now the wife of William Bridgewater, who still survives.

The said Cuthbert survived them and died 1 February last past without issue of his body; Agnes Broke now the wife of William Broke is his kinswoman and next heir, viz., daughter and heir of William Beeston, son and heir of William Beeston, brother of the said Adam, father of the said Cuthbert, and is now aged 40 years and more.

Chan. Inq. p. m., 24 Eliz., part 1, No. 1.

George Mynne, Esquire.

Inquisition taken at the Guildhall, 8 December, 24 Eliz. [1581], before James Harvey, Mayor and escheator, after the death of George Mynne, esq., by the oath of John Harryson, William Povie, Thomas Russell, John Irelonde, John Jackson, William Styche, John Keblewhite, Arthur Rainescrofte, George Gynne, John Ricardes, Edmund Owen, Griffin Jones, Henry Webbe, George Robartes, John Oldam, Roger Hole, John Stoddard, William Feeke and Christopher Whichcot of the City of London, who say that

George Mynne was seised in his demesne as of fee of a capital messuage or mansion house called Gervis, situate in Hertingefordburie in co. Hertford, and certain meadows, lands, pasture, woods and hereditaments there to the said messuage belonging; the manor of Gawlden in Gawlden in co. Somerset; 1 mill in Gawlden; 1 wood called Gawlden Woode in the parish of Tollande in the said county; and divers other lands and hereditaments in Toland and Lydyard St. Lawrence in the said county.

So seised, the said George by indenture dated 24 April, 16 Eliz. [1574], made between himself of the one part and Peter Osbourne, Robert Wrothe, esq., William Wrothe and Thomas Wrothe, gentlemen, of the other part, agreed inter alia, for himself and his heirs with the said Peter, Robert, William and Thomas, that in consideration of a marriage then to be made between him the said George of the one part and Elizabeth Wrothe one of the daughters of Thomas Wrothe, Knight, deceased, of the other part, at his own proper costs before the feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist next following, by fine, to convey to the said Peter, Robert, William and Thomas and their heirs, the said manor of Gawlden and the said capital messuage and all other his hereditaments whatsoever in Hertingefordbury (a tenement called Nycolls and a farm called Fitz Johns and all lands, &c., to the same belonging alone excepted) to the use of the said George Mynne and his heirs until the said marriage, and afterwards to the use of the said George for life; after his decease, to the use of the said Elizabeth for life; and after the decease of both of them, then to the use of the said George and his heirs for ever.

As to the said manor of Gawlden and other the premises in Gaulden and Lydyard in co. Somerset, to the use of the said George and his heirs until the said marriage, and afterwards to the use of the said George and Elizabeth and the heirs male of their bodies; and for default, to the use of the right heirs of the said George for ever.

The said fine was levied in Trinity term, 16 Eliz. [1574], to the said Peter, Robert, William and Thomas, according to the intent of the said indenture, and afterwards the said George Mynne married the said Elizabeth at Hertingefordbury; by virtue whereof and by force of the said indenture and fine and of the Statute of Uses the said George was seised of the said premises in Hertingfordbury, except as before excepted, for life, with remainder thereof to the said Elizabeth for life; and after their deaths to the said George and his heirs for ever. Of the manor of Gawlden and other the premises in Gawlden and Lydyard St. Lawrence the said George and Elizabeth were seised in their demesne as of fee tail, to them and the heirs male of their bodies; and for default, to the right heirs of the said George for ever.

The said George was also seised of 4 messuages in the parish of St. Buttolph in Aldersgate streate without the said City, and of a farm in Hertingfordbury called Fitz Johns and a tenement there called Nycolls.

So seised, the said George Mynne made his will on the 9th day of May, 1581, as follows [here given in English]:—

I give to John Mynne my second son an annuity of £10, issuing out of all other my lands in Hertingfordbury, during the life of Elizabeth my wife.

I give to the said Elizabeth my manor of Gawlden in co. Somerset for life, and I will that after her decease my said son John shall have for life the farm of Gawlden aforesaid now in the possession of Robert Selocke.

I also give to the said Elizabeth all other my lands, tenements and hereditaments in Hertingfordbury or elsewhere in cos. Hertford and Somerset for life; also to her and her heirs for ever all my houses in the parish of St. Buttophes without Aldersgate in the City of London, or elsewhere within the said City or the suburbs thereof towards the performance of this my will.

I give to Robert Mynne my eldest son my farm called Fitzjohns in Hertingfordbury for his minatenance and for the Queen's full third part if any of my lands should be held of the Queen in chief or by knight's service. If the said Robert when he comes of age shall refuse to assure to my said son John the said farm in Gaulden, now in the possession of the said Robert Sellocke, for life, then the said John shall have to him and his heirs for ever the said farm called Fitzjohns.

The messuages in the parish of St. Buttolph without Aldersgate are held of the Queen in chief by the service of the 20th part of a knight's fee, and are worth per ann., 40s. The manor of Gawlden and other the premises in Gawlden and Lydyard St. Lawrence are held of the Queen but by what service the jurors do not know, and are worth per ann., clear, £8. The farm in Hertingfordbury called Nycolls and all other the premises there except the farm called Fitz Johns are held of the Queen as of her manor of Hertingfordbury, but by what service is not known, and are worth per ann., £4. The farm called Fitz Johns is held of the Queen as of her said manor, but by what service is not known, and is worth per ann., clear, £14.

George Mynne died at Hertingfordbury 20 May last past; the said Robert Mynne is his son and next heir, and was aged 3 years on the 6th day of April last past.

The said Elizabeth late the wife of the said George still survives.

Chan. Inq. p. m., 24 Eliz., part 1, No. 2.

William Hobson, Citizen and Haberdasher.

Inquisition taken at the Guildhall, 27 October, 24 Eliz. [1582]. before James Harvey, Knight, Mayor and escheator, after the death of William Hobson, citizen and haberdasher of the City of London, by the oath of Robert Dickynson, Richard Smithe, Roger Hole, John Harrison, John Irelonde, John Juxson, John Keblewhite, Edmund Owen, Griffin Jones, William Povey, George Robertes, Christofer Wichcotte, Francis Gunter, John Bonde, John Richardes, William Styche and John Crowche who say that

William Hobson was seised in his demesne as of fee of 1 messuage newly built called Corpus Christi Chappell, wherein he dwelt, with 2 shops or stalls (soldis) thereto adjoining, lying in the parish of St. Mildrede in the said City; 1 tenement lying in a certain lane called Conyhopplane in the said parish, now or late in the tenure of William Ellys; 1 messuage called the Fryenge Panne lying in the said parish, formerly in the tenure of John Hodeshall and now in that of William Ramsay, citizen and grocer of London; 1 other tenement situate in the said lane, late in the tenure of the said William Hobson which was "les Warehouse"; 1 other tenement lying there late in the tenure of William Killinworth and now in that of William Kente; 1 tenement called the Redd Cocke lying in the said parish, formerly in the tenure of Henry Carewe and late in that of the said William Hobson; 1 other tenement in the said Conyhopplane, in the tenure of Anthony Hobson, 1 tenement lying in the said Lane, now in the tenure of Edward Lane; 1 other tenement there in the tenure of Bartholomew Fielde; 1 tenement lying in the parish of St. Bartholomew, London, now or late in the tenure of John Owtinge; 1 tenement called the Mayden Heade in the parish of the Blessed Marie Cole-Church, London, in the tenure of Nicholas Slanynge; 2 tenements lying in the parish of St. Botolph without Aldgate, London, in the several tenures of Francis Singwell and John de Grave; 3 closes of land or pasture lying in the parish of St. Pancras in co. Middlesex now or late in the several tenures of William Rooper, Richard Cliff alias — and Edward Saunders; 2 tenements with certain lands thereto adjoining, lying in the town of Edmonton in the said county, now or late in the tenure of John Taylor and Thomas Kettell; 1 tenement and 1 close lying in the town of Estham in co. Essex now or late in the tenure of George Justice; 1 tenement with the yards thereto adjoining situate in the town of St. Neotis in co. Huntington, now or late in the tenure of Gabriel Dennye; 1 close of land or pasture lying in the town of Beverley in co. York, now or late in the tenure of Roger Lawndys; and of divers tenements situate in the parish of the Blessed Marie Magdalen within the borough of Southwark in co. Surrey, now or late in the several tenures of Thomas Ellatt, — Gardiner, widow, John Lynton, Thomas Beven, William Holmes, — Tevidale, widow, William Gibson, George Roberts, Robert Prentice, Robert Baxter, Richard Rychardson, Matthew Harmonson, Robert Pyttes, George Warde, William Mugworth, Robert Atkinson, William Adams, Richard Melson, Gilbert Grene, Robert Hilles, Thomas Colloppe, John Anell, William Grene, Robert Rycharson, John Tempell, William Easte, Robert Dodson, William Standen, Arnold Balle, Adam Spencer, Thomas Gibson and Michael Deldar.

So seised, the said William Hobson made his will 6 January, 1581, as follows [here given in English]: I give all my lands and tenements in London or elsewhere in England to my sons John Hobson and Bartholomew Hobson and to their heirs for ever, and the residue I suffer to descend to Anthony Hobsonne my son and heir for his full third part of all my lands and tenements according to the schedule hereunto annexed: viz. to John Hobson and his heirs for ever the tenement newly built called Corpus Christi Chappell with 2 shops or sheds before it in the parish of St. Mildreds, London; 1 tenement in Conyhoppe Lane in the said parish now or late in the tenure of William Elles; 1 tenement in the parish of St. Bartholomew, London, now or late in the tenure of John Owting; 2 closes of land or pasture in the parish of St. Pancras in co. Middlesex in the several tenures of William Rooper 10 acres and Rychards alias — 12 acres; 1 tenement and close in Eastham in co. Essex; and divers tenements in the parish of St. Mary Magdalen of Barmondsey in co. Surrey in the several tenures of Thomas Ellates, Wydow Gardiner, John Lynton, Thomas Beven, William Holmes, Widow Tevidale, William Gibson, George Rogers, Robert Prentice, Robert Baxter and Rycharde Rychardson, weaver, the said John paying £4 6s. 8d. by the year, namely, 20d. weekly every Sunday to the poor prisoners in the Hole in the Poultry for ever.

And to my son Bartholomew and to his heirs for ever I give a tenement called the Fryenge Panne in the said parish of St. Mildred, in the tenure of William Ramsay, grocer, a tenement in Conyhoppelane in the said parish, in the tenure of William Hobson, which is his warehouse; another tenement there late in the tenure of Nicholas Kyllenworth; a tenement called the Maydenheade in the parish of St. Mary Colechurch, in the tenure of Nicholas Slanynge; 2 tenements in the parish of St. Buttolphes without Algate, London, in the several tenures of Francis Singwell and John Degrave; a tenement in the town of St. Neotes in co. Huntingdon; 2 tenements in the parish of St. Mary Magdalen of Bermondsey in co. Surrey in the several tenures of Matthew Harmonson and Robert Pyttes, the said Bartholomew paying £4 yearly out of the tenement in the said parish of St. Mary Colechurch, called the Maydenheade to Briget Calton for life.

I give to Anthony Hobson and his heirs for ever as his full third part of all my lands and tenements, a tenement called the Redd Cocke in the parish of St. Mildred, London; a tenement in the same parish in the tenure of the said —; a tenement there in the tenure of Barthelmewe Fyelde; 2 tenements with land in the parish of Edmonton in co. Middlesex; 1 close in the parish of St. Pancras in the said county, in the tenure of — Saunders, containing 15 acres; 1 close in Beverly in co. York; and divers tenements in the parish of St. Mary Magdalen in Bermondsey in co. Surrey.

The messuage called Corpus Christi Chappell, with the shops or sheds thereto adjoining, in the parish of St. Mildred within the City of London, and all other the tenements lying in Conyehopplane in the said parish, now or late in the several tenures of William Hobson, William Ellys, William Hobson [sic], Nicholas Killingworth, William Kente, Anthony Hobson, Edward Lane and Bartholomew Fielde are held of the Queen by fealty only, in free burgage of her City of London, and not in chief, and are worth per ann., clear, £31 10s. 0d. The tenement lying in the parish of St. Bartholomew, now or late in the tenure of John Owtinge, is held of the Queen in free burgage and common socage by fealty only, and not in chief, and is worth per ann., clear, £4. The tenement called the Maydenheade now in the tenure of Nicholas Slanynge, lying in the parish of the Blessed Mary, Colechurch, is held in free burgage of the said City and is worth per ann., clear, 53s. 4d. The 2 tenements lying in the parish of St. Botolph without Algate are held of the Queen by fealty only in free burgage and not in chief, and are worth per ann., clear, £8. The 2 tenements one of which is called the Redd Cocke, late in the tenure of William Hobson, and the other of which is called the Frying Panne, now in the tenure of William Ramsay, lying in the said parish of St. Mildred, are held of the Queen in chief, by knight's service, viz., by the 10th part of a knight's fee and by a yearly rent of 12s. 4d., and are worth per ann., clear, £13 7s. 4d. The 3 closes in the parish of St. Pancras in co. Middlesex in the several tenures of William Rooper, Richard Cliff, alias — and Edward Saunders are held of the Queen in chief by knight's service, viz., by the 40th part of a knight's fee, and are worth per ann., clear, £19 10s. 0d. The tenement and close lying in the town of Estham in co. Essex are held as of the manor of Estham Burnells by fealty only, and are worth per ann., clear, 30s. The tenement in the town of St. Neotes in co. Huntingdon is held of the Queen as of her manor in the said town of St. Neotes by fealty only, and is worth per ann., clear, £3 1s. 8d. The 2 tenements lying in the town of Edmonton in co. Middlesex are held of the Queen in socage as of her manor of Edmonton, by fealty only, and are worth per ann., clear, £4 10s. 0d. The close in the town of Beverly in co. York is held of the Queen as of her manor of East Greenwich in co. Kent, by fealty only, in free socage and not in chief, and is worth per ann., clear, 26s. 8d. All the premises in the parish of the Blessed Mary Magdalen of Bermondsey in co. Surrey are held of the Queen in socage by fealty only and not in chief, and are worth per ann., clear, £80 3s. 4d.

William Hobson died 7 January last past; the said Anthony Hobson his son and next heir was then aged 48 years and more, but after the death of his said father, and before he had entered into the said premises, and before the taking of any inquisition after the death of the said William or delivery of the premises out of the hands of the Queen he died in the said parish of St. Mildred on the 8th day of January last past; William Hobson son of the said Anthony is now the next heir of the said William Hobson named in the writ as well as of the said Anthony, and at the time of the death of the said William Hobson, his grandfather, was aged 21 years and more.

Chan. Inq. p. m., 24 Eliz., part 2, No. 4.

John Scott, Citizen and Salter.

Inquisition taken at the Guildhall, 27 October, 24 Eliz. [1581], before James Harvye, Knight, Mayor and escheator, after the death of John Scott, citizen and salter of London, by the oath of Robert Dickynson, Richard Smith, Roger Hall, John Harrison, John Ireland, John Jaxson, John Keblewhite, Edward Owin, Griffin Jones, William Povey, George Robertes, Christopher Wichcocke, Francis Gunter, John Bonde, John Ricardes, William Stiche and John Crowch, who say that

A certain Edward Martyn of the Middle Temple in London, gent., long before the death of the said John Skott, was seised in his demesne as of fee of 1 large messuage late called the Signe of the Blewe Boore and now called the Bolte and Tunne and late divided and made into 2 tenements with shops, cellars, solars, "Romeis" and other houses and easements thereto belonging lying in the street called Fridaye Streete in the parish of St. John the Evangelist in a street called Watlingstreete in London now or late in the several tenures of Margaret Duckington, widow, and William Sadocke, severally or jointly, which premises the said Edward Martyn purchased to him and his heirs together with Anthony Martyn, citizen and grocer of London, now deceased, of a certain Thomas Lovelace of Kingesdowne next Franningham in co. Kent, esq., son and heir of John Lovelace, late of Kyngesdowne, deceased, as by a charter thereof made by the said Thomas Lovelace dated 27 November, 1 and 2 Philip and Mary [1554] more fully appears.

So seised, the said Edward Martyn by his deed enrolled in the court of Common Bench and dated 16 May, 2 and 3 Philip and Mary [1556] gave the said premises to the said John Scott and to Elizabeth his wife and to the heirs of the said John Scott for ever.

The said John Scott was solely seised of 3 other messuages then or late in the several tenures of himself and Richard Wallis situate in the parish of St. Margaret Moyses in Fridaye strete in the City of London which he late purchased to him and his heirs of John Hulson and William Prendred.

And so seised, the said John Scott made his will dated 3 July, 1578, as follows:—

I give to Elizabeth my wife all my lands, tenements, &c., in the parish of St. John the Evangelist, for her life, and after her decease the same to go to John Crowche and Joan his wife for their lives. And after the decease of my said wife and of the said John and Joan I give the said premises to the Companye or Misterye of Salters of London and to their successors for ever, to the use of the said Company for ever, on condition that the Wardens of the said Company shall pay out of the profits of the said 2 houses weekly for ever to 6 poor "Almesmen" of the said Company 12d., viz., 2d. to each of them; and shall yearly for ever give "unto ffyve score of the poorest of the yomanrye of the same Company" 12d. each. And I will that the 2 Wardens of the said "misterye" for the time being shall have for their pains every year 3s. 4d. And the "Clarke or bedell" of the same mystery shall have 20d. yearly for ever, to be paid out of the profits of the said 2 tenements. And the Wardens of the said Company shall yearly for ever provide "one Carte loode of greate Coles," and shall distribute the same among the poor of the parish of "All Allhowes" and St. Margaret Moyses, "somewhat before the ffeast of the Nativity of our Lord God," which shall also be paid out of the same.

I also give to the said Elizabeth my wife the said house wherein I now dwell, sometime being 3 houses, together with all shops, &c, thereto belonging, for her life; and after her death the same to remain to Thomas Crowch son of John Crowch, my son-in-law, and to his heirs for ever if he survive my said wife; but if not, then the same to remain to John Crowch my Godson and his heirs for ever.

The messuage called the Signe of the Blew Boor and now called the Bolte and the Tunne, lying in the street called Friday Street, is held of the Queen in free burgage of the said City and is worth per ann., clear, 20 marks. The 3 tenements lying in the parish of St. Margaret Moyses are held of the Queen in free burgage of the said City by fealty only and not in chief, and are worth per ann., clear, £4.

John Scott died 23 June, 21 Eliz. [1579]; Joan now the wife of John Crowch is his only daughter and next heir and was then aged 35 years and more.

The said Elizabeth late the wife of the said John Scott still survives in Friday street in the said parish of St. Margaret Moyses.

Chan. Inq. p. m., 24 Eliz., part 2, No. 5.

William Humberstone, Esquire.

Inquisition taken at the Guildhall, 24 March, 24 Eliz. [1582], before James Harvey, Mayor and escheator, after the death of William Humberston, late of Dunwich in co. Suffolk, esq., by the oath of Robert Dickenson, William Layer, John Haurisson, John Irelande, John Jackson, John Kyblewhite, Edmund Owen, George Gynne, Griffin Jones, William Typper, William Curteis, John Stoddarde, Christopher Whichcotte, John Ricardes, John Bonde and William Stytche, who say that

William Humberston was seised in his demesne as of fee of 1 messuage situate in the precincts called the black Fryers late in the occupation of Nicholas Harecourt and now in the tenure of John Leigh; and 1 garden late in the tenure of Peter Benivall and a certain way or lane leading to the said tenement and garden, lying together in the parish of St. Anne, viz., within the said precincts and within the walls of the late priory or house of the Friars Preachers of London and late belonging thereto.

The said premises are held of the Queen in chief by the service of the 20th part of 1 knight's fee. [Value not given.]

William Humberston died at Dunwich 15 December, 17 Eliz. [1574]; William Humberston, gent., is his eldest son and next heir, and was then aged 15 years, 2 months and 25 days.

Richard Arnoulde of the City of London, haberdasher, and Barbara his wife occupied all the said premises and took the issues and profits thereof by virtue of a certain demise made to Francis Pitcher and Barbara his wife, now the wife of the said Richard, by the said William Humberston, deceased, reserving to him and his heirs 1 grain of pepper yearly as by indenture thereof made dated 4 July, 17 Eliz. [1574] appears.

Chan. Inq. p. m., 24 Eliz., part 1, No. 12.

Thomas Marston, Haberdasher.

Inquisition taken at the Guildhall, 3 February, 24 Eliz. [1582], before James Harvye, Mayor and escheator, after the death of Thomas Marston, haberdasher, by the oath of Robert Dykenson, Richard Smyth, Roger Holle, John Harryson, Thomas Russell, John Irelond, John Jackson, John Keblewhite, George Ginne, John Ricardes, Griffin Jones, William Curtes, Griffin Robertes, William Feake and Francis Gunter, who say that

Thomas Marston was seised in his demesne as of fee of 1 messuage and curtilage called the Bell, situate in the Street called Colman Streete in the parish of St. Stephen in Colmanstreete in the City of London, late parcel of the lands and possessions of the College of Acon of London now dissolved lying between the messuage called the Armorers Hale on the north side and the tenement of Thomas Offley merchant tailor on the south side and the tenement late appertaining to the Master and Brethren of the said College of Acon on the east side and the high street on the west side: all which premises were purchased of the Guardians and Commonalty of the "Mistery" of the Mercers of the said City.

Long before the death of the said Thomas Marston a certain Robert Austen, citizen and grocer of London, was seised of 1 messuage and tenement then in the tenure of a certain John Wendon and late in that of the said Thomas Marston lying in the parish of St. Mary Colechurch of the said City: which said premises were late parcel of the lands and possessions of the late Monastery of Chickesande in co. Bedford, now dissolved, or the late priory of Shuldham in co. Norfolk now dissolved.

So seised of the said premises last recited the said Robert Austen by his deed dated 20 October, 4 and 5 Philip and Mary [1557], in part fulfilment of certain covenants specified in certain indentures dated 14 October, 4 and 5 Philip and Mary [1557], made between himself of the one part and the said Thomas Marston of the other part, sold to the said Thomas and to Sibilla his wife all the said premises last recited: to hold to them and to the heirs of the said Thomas Marston to their sole use for ever: by virtue whereof the said Thomas and Sibilla were thereof seised, viz., the said Thomas in his demesne as of fee and the said Sibilla in her demesne for life, with remainder to the heirs of the said Thomas for ever.

And so seised of all the premises above recited the said Thomas Marston made his will dated 26 October, 1581 [in English], as follows: I give to Sibilla my wife and executrix and to her heirs for ever my messuage called the "Signe of our Ladye" wherein I now dwell, in the Poultrye of London with all the shops, cellars and solars thereto belonging, and all other houses whatsoever which I purchased to myself and the said Sibilla and to my heirs of Robert Austen, citizen and grocer of London; also my messuage or inn called the Bell in Colmanstreete in London, with all the profits thereof for life; after her decease, I give the said messuage called the Bell to William Marston my son and to the heirs of his body; for default, to Nicholas another of my sons and to the heirs of his body; for default, to Vincent, another of my sons and to the heirs of his body; and for default, to my right heirs for ever.

The messuage and curtilage called the Bell lying in the said parish of St. Stephen in Colman street are held of the Queen in chief by knight's service, but by what part of a knight's fee the jurors do not know, and are worth per ann., clear, £6. The messuage and tenement lying in the parish of St. Mary Colechurch are held of the Queen in chief by the service of the 40th part of a knight's fee, and are worth per ann., clear, £6.

Thomas Marston died 27 October last past; William Marston is his son and next heir and was then aged 30 years and more.

The said Sibilla still survives in the said parish of the Blessed Mary Colechurch.

Chan. Inq. p. m., 24 Eliz., part 1, No. 14.