God proyde a oneste marige for her, and 200 markes. To my brother Nycholas Baxter.1 To eache of my four sisters one angell for a token. To Ellynor Sanderson my wyf all my laundes, etc., and she to make a sure and sufficyent stayt of on house in the Clothe Market, or of the lease of Heghton to be taken to Essabell Sanderson, my dowghter. To my unkle, Roberte Lewen, 3 angells; the same to William Dente, they supervisors. My wife, executrix.

WILL OF THOMAS CRAMLINGTON.

July 7, 1550. I, Thomas Cra[m]lington of Newishame,2 maikes this my laste will and testamete in this mannor followinge: Firste I geve my sowle to God and our Ladie Saincte Marie et cetera. Also I geve my wif, Agnes Cramlington, the thriddes of all my landes and howses in Newishame. Also I geve unto my sonn, Lancelot Cramlyngton, my farmolde in Slekeburne and 26s. 8d. of rente out of Blythesnooke, for terme of his lif. Also I geve unto my sonn, Lamwell Cramlyngton, all my towne of Blythesnooke, landes, and pastures, and all other commodities thereto belongeinge, and he to pay his brother Lancelotte 26s. 8d. Also I geve unto my said sonne Lamwell all my fysheinges and coblegates in Blythesenooke together with the northe ende of my lynke frome Fullage apon the sowthe to Blythesenooke apon the northe, and frome the dyke on the west unto the see apon the este, for terme of his lyf. Also I geve unto my twoo sonnes Lancelotte and Lamwell a coblegate and fowre howses in Blythesenooke duringe thare lyves. Also I geve my sonn Lamwell my best horsse. And to my dowghter Elizabeth 20 kyee, 40 yeowes and lames, and 40 fleeses of woolle. Also I geve unto Ales Balif 40s. and twoo kyee. The reste of my goodes I geve unto my wyf and my twoo sonnes whoo I make my executores et cetera.3

WILL OF WILLIAM BEWICK.

Nov. 16, 1551. William Bewyke of Newcastell, merchant.4 To be buriede within Sainte Nicholas churche before Saynte Katheren alter as nigh my mother's grave as maye be convenientle. I make Cuthbert and William Bewyke my executors and I bequeth them my take or lease belonginge to the house of Carlyle, paying everye yeare

The will of Nicholas Baxter of Newcastle, merchant, is printed in Wills and Inventories, vol. i. p. 298.

2

An account of the family of Cramlington of Newsham, with a pedigree, is given in Arch. Ael. 2nd series, vol. xix. p. 1, and a revised account may be found in the new History of Northumberland, vol. viii.

4

3 This will is obtained from P.R.O. Chancery ing. p.m. vol. 142, No. 95.

A collateral ancestor of the family of Bewick of Close-house, who seems to have been admitted free of the Merchant Adventurers' Company circa 1520. Dendy, Merchant Adventurers, vol. ii. p. 194.

117. to the deanery of Carlyle; my house, barne and foure leises in Sydegate and thre free tenaments in Felton. To Percyvall, sone to Peires Bewyke, my brother, my house in the Meal-market to him and his heirs male; then to Cuthbert Bewyke and his heirs male (it never to be sold nor wedsett); then to Thomas Bewyke, sone to my brother John Bewyke, and his heirs male. To every brother's child and syster's child, 6s. 8d. To every one of Bartrame Bewyke's children, 3s. 4d. To Thomas Bewyk, my brother's sone, my best furyd gowne. To Robert Scott, smith, my next best furred gowne. To my brother Thomas Bewyke's chylde which my syster is with, when God sends it, the furryd gowne wich my brother Thomas did give me. To Peter, my brother Peares Bewyke's sone, my velvett dublet. To Percyvall, my brother Peter Bewyke's sone, my best chamlott jackott garded with velvet. To Thomas Johnson my damaske dublet and to every one of his children, 3s. 4d. To Henry Dallayhay my bright tauny gowne and my best clock and 37. 6s. 8d., and I chardge my executors to put him to a good crafte. To John Mowell my gowne lyned with black lambs skine and to his daughter, Agnes Mowell, 31. 6s. 8d. To Richard Benson, for a token, my velvett hatt and syx years of worsete. To my brother Thomas's wyf my best gold rynge and to Janet hir daughter a pair of crokes, also I will that my syster, Thomas Bewyk's wyf, has the quarter of Kynton and the quarter of Fenham tythes during hir wedowehead. To Cuthbert Bewike's wyf my second gold rynge. To Sir George Connyngham, my son, for a token, my third gold rynge. To my syster, Pyers Bewyke's wyf, a gown lyned with black shanks. To Leonard Whit, my hart lether dublet and my elder clocke. To my executors a sylver salt parcell gylt with a cover, and syx sylver spones with the madenheads of other syx sylver spones. The rest to Cuthbert and John Bewyk and they to dispone for my soule and all christen soules as theie think best to the honer of the Holy Trynity and the well of my soull. Amen. Witnesses, Symond Braccenbe, etc. I will to John Mowl the half tythe corne of West Bronton.

WILL OF ELLEN MUSCHAMP.

Το me

Jesus. December 15, 1551. Helyng Muschaunce.1 To be berryd in the chappell of Beforthe. My chylderyng, executors; my sonne in law Th. . . ; my dowghter Elsabethe. I gyffe to Sir Harry a sckyp. Witnesses, Francis Armorer,2 George Carr, etc. INVENTORY. Armorer for poste money James Bednell, 6s. 8d. Wyliam Beadnell, 10s. Post mony awyng to me in the kyng's hands, 67. I gyff to Roger Armorer, 31. To Agnes Horsley if schey mane with frends, 37. I awe to my sonn John To Maystrys Bednell

Carr.

1

2

Apparently the postmistress, or the widow of the postmaster, of Belford.

* Francis Armorer's will is printed in Wills and Inventories, vol. i. p. 404.

WILL OF AGNES CRAMER.

Dec. 7, 1552. Agnes Cramer, widowe, lat wyffe of Robert Cramer of Newcastle, merchaunte. To be burede within the churche of All Sayntes. To Cuthbert Rukebye, 207., a sylver goblett and thre sylver spones. To Robert Rukebye, 207., a sylver goblett and thre sylver spones. To John and James Rukebye, the same. To my sone, John Taylor of Londone, an olde angell of golde and to his sone, George Taylor, an olde angell of golde. To my sone-in-lawe, Laurence Rukbye one olde angell and one sylver salte with the cooverynge. his wyffe, a sylver potte. To Laurence Rukebye and Robert Ellysone, either of them, an olde ryall of gold, whome I make my supervisors. The rest to Cuthbert, Robert, John and James Rukeby, chyldren of my sone-in-lawe, Laurence Rukeby, falinge them to Laurence Rukeby, my sone-in-law and Elsabethe, his wyff. Witnesses, John Collyngwode, cordyner, Andro Surties, merchaunte, etc.

To

'THE TESTAMENT OF ISABELL BENETT THE LAYDYE OF KENTON.'

1553. I, Isabell Benett, wedow, hole off mynde and will although I be sycke in my bodye maketh my last will and testament in manner and forme followinge. Firste, I bequieth my soule to Almightie God, to our blessed Ladye and to all the sancts in heavon and my bodye to be buried in the churche of Gosforth within the quere besydes my husband. I gyve to John Heron of Symoborne 10 yowes and 10 lambs, 2 oxen that I bought at Mydsomar, -one redd and another blakhawked-and one graye meire. I gyve to my brother John's dowghter, Beill, one pott, 3 dublers and 3 dishes, 10 yowes and 10 lambes. I gyve to Agnes Eden one cowe, and also to Besse Gack, one other cowe. I gyve to my fyve servants 5 yowes. I gyve to Antonye Erington, my brother Georg sonne, 10s. and one cowe that he haith here within, and one oxe and one qwye. I will that Sir Hewgh Erington shall have one fetherbed off the best that ther as, one pair of sheitts, 2 pillowes and one coverlett off the best. I gyve to little Rauff Erington one whye. The reste off my goods moveable and unmoveable I gyve to Robert Fenwick, Lamwell Marche and Rauff Walles, whome I make myne executors all as one to dispose my goodds for the weill off my soule, and also I make Robert Wythrington and John Wythrington supervisors off this my will to se itt fulfylled in all poynts and degreis. Thes wyttnes, John Fenwick, Thomas Erington, Jarret Erington, Sir Hewgh Herington, Robrt Tompson, Robert Welche.

1 Michaelmas Term, 29 Hen. VIII. (1537). Hugh Heryngton, chaplain, plaintiff, and William Benett of Keynton and Isabella, his wife, deforciants. Twelve messuages in Keynton, Heddon-super-murum, West Hedwyn and Cowpen, and one messuage in Keynton in the tenure of Robert Thompson, of the yearly value of 20s., to hold to the said William and Isabella for their lives, and after their decease to remain wholly to Isabella and Margaret Benett and their heirs for ever. Feet of Fines, Northumberland.

WILL OF MARTIN TURPIN.

To

April 1, 1554. Martine Turping of Langley.1 To be buried in the parishe churche of Hadenbrighe. To my moither, Margaret Turpyng, the farmhold of Howghton and my elder whytt horsse. To my brother, a gray gellott, etc. To Elizabeth Turping, my dowghter, all the yong notte I have at Morpeth. To my unkell, Arthure Fenwyk, a bay horsse wiche was Percevell Pawston, and all raknings betwene hym and me, and a yong cowe for remembrans. To Georg Fenwik, my servand, a lod off otts and ten lames. my servand, Gilbert Crage, all raknings betwene hym and me and 20s. in corne to by hym a nag. To my son, John Turping, mye cheyne of goold, with the implements of Witchester howsse, who I mak my hayre and he to be ordret by my Lord Dacre, who he is ward unto during his noneage. To my yong master, Sir Thomas Dacre, a payre of gloves of maille. To Mr. Henry Percye, my sword. To Mr. Lanard Dacre, my bow and my quyver. To Robert Erington, my servand, all raknyngs betwene hym and me. I give my best whyt horsse unto my brother, Mr. Parson Dacre. To my curat, John Oliver, prest, 20s. To Janet Shaiftoo of Stanfurham, a yong cowe. I will that such leces, etc., as I had with my wyff, Agnes Turping, to returne to her seylff agane. To George Turping, my son, all such raknyngs as is betwene my Ladye Elsabeth Dacre and me, beseching her ladyship to implowe the same to his usse and prefarment and to be good ladye unto him. The rest to Agnes, my wyff, George, Thomas, Elsabeth and Agnes Turping, my children, they executors. The right worshipfull Mr. John Dacre, parson of Morpath, Georg Fenwik of Brenkburne, John Shaiftoo of Bevington, esquires, and my son, John Turping, supervisors. Witnesses, Mr. John Dacre, etc.

WILL OF RALPH HARDING.

To

April 28, 1555. Rauffe Hardynge of Newcastell, maryner, hoole of mynde, etc. To be buryed in the church of All Hallowes. To Edward Johnson suche goods as I left in the house which he now dwelleth in. To Thomas Shawdfurthe, a damaske dublet. Christopher Shawdfurthe, my silver qwystle and my chyne. To Nicholas Tomson, on courslet jaket gardyd, and a clothe jakit, and a blew worslet doublet. To Jane Smorquet, two brasse potts and six pece pewder wissell. To my servant, Lawrence Mylborne, all my see clothes. My wife, Elizabeth Hardynge, executrix. Witnesses, William Wylkynsone, George Swynborne, Edward Tynmothe, Robert ... Edmunde Fyeffe, Robert Harle, curat, with others more.

' Martin Turpyn headed the Whitchester muster roll in 1538, and in 1552 he was an Enclosures Commissioner. The family owned Houghton in the parish of Heddon during the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, and after that estate passed by marriage to Thomas Read of the Close, a cadet line continued to hold Whitchester. Cf. Arch. Ael. vol. xi. p. 256.

INVENTORY. 7 brasse potts and a posnet, 14s. 4d. 14 pore pewder vessell, 5 pottyndgers and 5 sawsers, 20s. 14 pewder potts, small and grey[t] on bassynge and 2 , 12s. 9 candylstyks, 7

bassynges, a morter, a pestyll and one fyshe spone, 10s. 5 lavers, 3 candylstyks, 3 borsyngs, 10s. 4 chysts, 20s. 4 conters, 10s. 12 cussyngs, 8s. 3 federbeds, 31. 5 coverynge for bedds, 10s. 5 coverletts, 7 blanketts, 20s. 11 payre sheytts with other nappery wayre, 30s. 2 paynted clothes, 5s. 1 copper ketyll, 10s. On lancettle, 2s. On riall and on old angell nobill, on payr say courtyngs, 10s. 211. 6s. 4d. [sic].

WILL OF AMBROSE MIDDLETON.

Aug. 4, 1555. I, Ambrose Midelton of . . . . Cumberlande, esquier. My wretched and sinful bodye to be buried in the parishe churche of Kyrkland1 if I dye within twenty myles thereof; and if I dye nere to Barnard-castle, then to be buryed in the churche or chapell there, emonge my poore auncestors, or ellis in christian buriall, where it shall happen the bodye to dye, with the oblacons and mortuaryes there due, and such divine service to be songe or said in the daye of my burial as shall appertain to the order and custome of the churche and christian buriall, and the ministers thereof to be rewarded for there paynes by the discretion of my executors. Also I will there be distributed in the parishe or congregacon of the said churche or chappell of Barnard-castle and in the parishe of Kyrklande, in either of the same places, within twenty dayes next after my buriall, 40s. and at the yere's ende, in the weke byfore Easter so moche, and so yerly duringe thre yeres next after my decease, to be distributed and paid by my executors, after the rate, to the [poore] aged, crased or impotente people, 4d. or 6d. the pece. And to poore crased or impot[ent] children, 2d.

chair, 6s. 8d. next to the quere 8d., to be paid by end entered unto

or 1d. the pece, by the advise and discrection of the curate and church-wardons of either of the same parishes. Also I geve and bequithe to the amending of [the] highewaye or tram frome the west ende of Bridgegait in Barnard-castle [afore]said. . . . brydge-. ende there, 20s. To the amendinge of the cawsy. And to the amendinge of the rofe of the . ende, 20s. And to the churche work . my said executors, the one halfe thereof the same wor . . . the other halfe . . . . Also I geve . . . . to everye of my said sons, 20 . . con of my goods and cattalles and to be. . . . them by myne executors after they shall come to there severall ages of 21 yeres . . . 8d. by yere or more for there preferment by there discrectione if they will ... . . e the

The parish of Kirkland is situated on the river Eden and is about nine miles east of Penrith.