Will of William Cowper, 1437

Herts RO 1AR29

[Translated from Latin]

In the name of God amen. I William Coup(er) of healthy mind and memory, anticipating[?] the imminence[?] of death, on Monday the feast of St Edmund [16 Nov] AD 1437 make my will in this way. First I bequeath my soul to almighty God, the blessed Mary and all the saints, and my body to be buried in the graveyard of the church of St Laurence of Wynslowe. Item I bequeath to each altar except the altar of the chancel 4d. Item to the light of St Christopher 2d. Item [...]d Michael 2d. Item I bequeath to John Coton and his wife to each of them 4d. Item to William son of John Cowper 2s. Item to John Couper my son 1 gown my best mobbeley[?], viz. a [..]poral gown [togam ..poralem] with a hood of s[?]ay. Item to each of my grandchildren 12d. Item to Richard Mandevile clerk 4d. Item to the picture of the Blessed Mary in the chancel 12d. Item I bequeath to Richard Scolesvylle 3s 4d. Item I bequeath to John Couper my son [illegible insertion] for his labour 6s 8d. The residue indeed of my goods not bequeathed I give and bequeath to Joan my wife, John Coup(er) and Richard Scolesvyl, whom I ordain and appoint to be my true executors so that they may pay my debts and fulfil and complete all my wishes in everything. Given the day, month and year written above.

Notes

William Couper made his wife Joan joint tenant of 6 acres of land in Shipton in 1436 (WMCB pp.580-1). His death is not recorded in the court books, because he had already transferred a messuage and virgate to his son John in a maintenance agreement in 1433 (WMCB p.551). Joan was the widow of John Loksmyth, and died in 1460.

mobbeley: probably from "moble", to muffle (OED), referring to a gown with a hood.