Will of William Pygot of Little Horwood, 1505

Herts RO 2AR126

[translated from Latin]

In the name of God Amen. On the last day of April 1505 I William Pygott of Little Horwod, seeing that the peril of death is imminent, make my will in this way. First I bequeath my soul to almighty God, the blessed Mary and all his saints, and my body to be buried in the graveyard of the church of St Nicholas the bishop of Horwod aforesaid. Item I bequeath to the high altar for tithes forgotten three bushels of malt. Item I bequeath to the light of the sepulchre of our lord Jesus Christ three bushels of malt. Item I bequeath to the light of the blessed Mary in the chancel two sheep. Item I bequeath to the light of the blessed Mary in the chapel of the church two sheeps. Item I bequeath to the light of the holy cross two bushels of barley. Item I bequeath to the aforesaid church 2 torches. Item I bequeath to the lights of all the saints of the aforesaid church 8 bushels of barley. Item I bequeath to our mother church of St Albans 12[d]. Item I bequeath to the prior of Snelsale 4 bushels of barley. Item I bequeath to the bells 4 bushels of malt. Item I bequeath to Joan Helb[ery] my daughter 4 bushels of malt. Item I bequeath to the same Joan Hewery 8 bushels of barley. Item I bequeath to Joan daughter of William Helbery three sheep. Item I bequeath to Alice daughter of the aforesaid William Helbery 3 sheep. Item I bequeath to Marjory H[ - - ] 4 sheep. Item I bequeath to Hugh Aukyns my godson 1 bushel of malt. Item I bequeath to Alice Hobbys my goddaughter 1 bushel of malt. The residue indeed of my goods not bequeathed I give and bequeath to Joan my wife for the expenses of performing my burial and paying my debts, and so that she may dispose of everything for me as she will answer before God, for the salvation of my soul and for the souls of all my benefactors as will seem most expedient to them [sic]. Item I make and ordain the same Joan my wife and William Helbery my executors by the present documents, to carry out all and singular justly and faithfully as stated above. Item I make and ordain Master John Rose Vicar, John Wodeman and Richard Cowper my overseers. With these witnesses: Thomas Creke, W. Rose & H. Hobbys. Given the year and day aforesaid.

[Probate granted 22 June 1505]

Notes

According to the court rolls for 1505, William Pygot, son of Robert, made a deathbed surrender of 1.5 virgates of land to his wife Joan, who made their daughter Joan Eldebury co-tenant.

William was a brother of Thomas Pigott (1460-1520), serjeant-at-law, of Whaddon and Doddershall.