Will of John Warde of Shipton, 1453

Herts RO 1AR67

[translated from Latin]

In etc. 24 April 1453 I John Warde of Shepton, of sound mind and memory, make my will in this way. First I bequeath my soul to God almighty and the blessed virgin Mary and all his saints, and my body to be buried in the graveyard of the parish church of Wynslowe. Item I bequeath to the mother church of St Albans 12d. Item I bequeath to the high altar 3 bushels of barley, and to the other altars, namely to each of them 2 bushels of the same. Item I bequeath to the vicar of Wynselowe 4 bushels of malt and to the parish clerk 2 bushels of the same. The residue indeed of all my goods not bequeathed I give and bequeath to my executors to dispose for my soul as seems (best) to them. And to this will I ordain, make and appoint master John Browne vicar of Wynslow and John Davy my executors.

[Probate 12 June]

Notes

John Warde made a deathbed surrender of a messuage and half-virgate in Shipton to Robert Lane. He gave the rest of his holdings to his executors, who sold them off: a toft next to Wynslowcrosse, 11 acres in Winslow and Shipton, a cottage and half-acre in Shipton (WMCB pp.666-7, 675).