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Will of Walter CALCOTT of Williamscot Will 10 Nov 1574   Codicil 10 Jun 1582   Probate 19 Jun 1582
Source: TNA no. PROB11/64 Contributed by: Beryl Schumer Go to Translation Go to Transcript
Summary.
... I Walter Calcott of Williamscot... Merchant of the Staple ... in perfect health ... Name Relationship [Comments] or Major Bequests Walter CALCOTT   Williamscot Alice CALCOTT Wife William CALCOTT Brother [with unnamed ch legatees] Robert CALCOTT Brother [with unnamed ch legatees] Thomas CALCOTT Brother [with unnamed wife & 3 sons legatees] Julian CALCOTT Legatee [contributor says sister-in-law] William WAFORD Mention [with unnamed ch legatees] Jone WAFORD Mention [w William -- contributor says niece] Walter CARTER Mention [with unnamed ch legatees] Ami CARTER Mention [w Walter -- contributor says niece] Alice ROOKE Mention [with 3 sons legatees -- contributor says niece] Gybford ROOKE Mention [maybe decesaed husband of Anne] Richard COPER Schoolmaster Margery COPER Legatee [with unnamed ch legatees] Danyell HILLE Legatee Judithe CHAMBERS Daughter George CHAMBERS Son-in-law & Overseer William CALCOTT Cousin (Exec) [see Note] Anne WARDE Legatee Richard CALCOTT Legatee Hook Norton [contributor says nephew] Walter CALCOTT Legatee Hook Norton [contributor says nephew] Thomas CALCOTT Legatee Hook Norton [contributor says nephew] John CALCOTT Legatee Sibford [contributor says nephew] Thomas CALCOTT Legatee Sibford [contributor says nephew] Calcott CHAMBERS Sr Grandson (Exec) [s Judith -- under 21 -- see Note] Calcott CHAMBERS Jr Grandson [s Judith -- see Note] Robert CALCOTT Cousin & Overseer Brackley -- see Note unnamed Godchildren Anthony WALTHALL Mention London -- see Note Richard FOX Overseer & Witness to will Chacombe Thomas HOLLOWAY Witness to will & codicil [vicar of Cropredy] Henry WARDE Witness to will [schoolmaster of Williamscot] William WALSHALL Witness to will London John BUTLER Witness to codicil William ROSSE Witness to codicil William WILSON Witness tp codicil   Probate 19 Jun 1582 to George Chambers father of Calcott Chambers Sr, one of the executors, during his minority. The other executor William Calcott renounced.
Transcriber's Notes
Burial 5 Jul 1582 Cropredy [Really? About three weeks after death, in mid-summer?] He describes nephews and nieces as "cousins". It is not actually stated that George CHAMBERS is married to daughter Judith, but it seems clear. They appear to have two sons named Calcott CHAMBERS -- no reason known. The elder of them was named as an Executor, but was still under 21 when the testator died, so the job had to be done by his father. The appearance of Anthony WALTHALL in the codicil is odd, since he was not mentioned in the will. Maybe he is a mistake, and William was intended. The following details are believed to be true but should not be totally relied upon: Testator: Brother of William (1566 qv) and of Thomas (1567 qv)
Translated and paragraphed. with some of the standard preamble and "legalese" removed. Go to Glossary
... I Walter Calcott of Williamscot... Merchant of the Staple ... in perfect health ... My body is to be buried before my seat where I commonly sit on the south aisle of the church of Cropredy. I give to the maintenance of the church 40s. I give to six poor men six black gowns and six caps of the value of 15s per gown and cap, which men I will to go on every side of my corpse to the church, my Arms and the Staple Arms to be fastened on the corpse, and the south aisle of the church to be hung on both sides with cotton of 9d per yard or more, and my Arms set thereon, all which cotton after my funeral shall be given to the poor of of Cropredy and Bourtons by even portions (except those who have the above gowns). I give to every poor cottager in Williamscot, Wardington, Cropredy, both the Bourtons, Mollington, Claydon and Hook Norton, that have no land to their houses to live on, 12d. I give to the poor in Banbury 20s, to the poor in Chipping Norton 10s, to the poor in Bloxham 10s, to the poor in Deddington 10s and to the poor in Chipping Warden 10s, to be paid immediately after my death. To such of the poorest and neediest of them as seems good to my executors and other discreet persons of any of those towns, I give a further £100 to be bestowed as follows: My executors and their heirs etc for evermore shall put out the £100 annually to five or ten occupiers in Banbury or anywhere else in the county that will take it, either £20 or £10 apiece by the year. They that have £20 shall put in two sureties of 20 marks apiece, to return £21 at the year's end, and they that have £10 shall put in two sureties of 20 nobles apiece, to return £10 10s at the year's end, which is to be 12 Dec each year. So each year there will be a £5 gain, which I give yearly for evermore to be bestowed as follows: Two men shall be annually appointed by my executors on the feast of St Thomas the Apostle [21 Dec] before Christmas. On that day one of them shall take to the poor of Banbury 20s, to the poor of Bloxham 6s 8d, to the poor of Deddington 10s, to the poor of Chipping Norton 13s 4d, to the poor of Hook Norton 10s. The other shall take to the poor of both the Bourtons 6s, to the poor of Mollington 6s, to the poor of Cropredy 10s, to the poor of Chipping Warden 6s, to the poor in Wardington and Williamscot 8s. The total so given is £4 16s, leaving 4s, whereof I give to the person that goes to the farthest towns 2s 8d, and to him that goes to the nearer towns 16d. The two persons shall in every town call for the churchwardens or two other honest men of the town, to learn who are the poorest and neediest of relief, and make a list of their names, and so distribute the town's money equally. If there be any odd money anytime anywhere that cannot be fairly divided by the poll, it is to be bestowed in bread so that every person may have a similar portion. If any of the listed poor die before the next year, then to add another, if there are any. If my executors cannot find takers locally for the principal, they are to invest it in London or elsewhere. If it happens (as I pray God it may) that there is no need in any of the towns to give such alms, or that there are no poor who need it, then any unused money I give to the poorest marriages as shall next happen within Cropredy. I give to every godchild I have who is living at my death 12d. I give to the poor in Banbury a learned man to preach four sermons at and after my death: one at my burial in Cropredy church, another in Hook Norton on the next holy or sabbath day, the other two six months after my burial, one in Cropredy church and the other in Hook Norton on two holy days which come together at about that time. [Payment] for each sermon 10s and his charges at Willamscot. Yearly after those four sermons and during the continuance of the world two sermons are to be given by a similar learned man, one in Cropredy church and the other in Hook Norton, at a time when two holy days come together, he to have 10s for each sermon and his charges at Willamscot as before. I give 5s a year to be distributed to the poor of those towns, at each sermon. All which charges, to the preacher and to the poor, shall be paid by my heirs of my Manor of Williamscot for evermore. I give £3 to each of my cousins, my brothers' children, that are unmarried at my death, that is William Calcott's, Robert Calcott's and Thomas Calcott's children. I give Julian Calcott and my brother Thomas’s wife, if they outlive me, 10s each I give to every living child of William Waford's wife Jone, to Walter Carter's children by Ami his wife, to Alice Rooke's three sons she had by Gybford, and to the children of any of my cousins that are married at my death, one noble apiece. I give Margery Coper 5 marks if she outlives me; if not I give it equally between her children I give Danyell Hille 40s if he outlives me. I give every child of my daughter Judithe who outlives me and is unmarried £20 apiece (except my heir). I give my daughter Judithe £40 for her own use. If her husband takes it, he is to put in sureties to my executors to leave it to her if he dies before her. If she dies before him, I give the £40 equally between her children. I give Alice my wife (if she survives me) £100, one of my silver pots for ale, my parcel gilt salt, three of my best silver spoons, the bed she lies on with its furniture and all her apparel, to dispose at her pleasure. The £15 pa which I have excepted in my Deed of Entail and reserved for the Annuity of my Scholars [see below] and to pay for my above yearly sermons, shall be taken yearly out of my whole Lands. That £15 being allowed, I give my wife Alyce for life the third part of the rents of all my Lands, to be received at the usual times of the Annunciation and Michaelmas. Alyce shall have the use of my house for life, and the implements of household stuff, as they now appear on the Inventory which I have made. And she is to put in sureties to my executors to leave it in the same condition as she received it, without waste or spoil, and that which is in ruin or decay is to be mended. And if she keeps house in this manner after my death, she shall have my whole Tithe of Burtons, so long as they shall endure, provided that she performs all repairs of this my Manor and School house, and pays the rent of the tithe, and does not consent to or do any act or deed, by herself or by any other in her name, that may be detrimental to my heirs, nor take any person into my Manor to dwell here with her (except servants) apart from Judithe my daughter, her husband or my heir. I give out of my whole Lands an Annuity of £13 forever to a schoolmaster, to teach Scholars in the Schoolhouse I have erected in Williamscot, which £13, and 40s more for my yearly sermons, I have excepted as aforesaid in my Deed of Entail. My heirs shall always pay it, upon the penalty provided in my Deed of Entail. The Annuity is to be paid quarterly to the Master. If it is not paid at the day, then the faithfours? and others in this peculiar shall distrain for it according to my Deed. My heir(s) are to see that the schoolmaster does his duty and observes the rules which I have put in a table in the schoolhouse, and which are annexed to this will. And when any master shall be wanting, my heirs are to provide another. I give all my lands as laid down in my Deed of Entail to my heir(s) forever (excepting such lands and tenements as I have already given by my several deeds, my yearly Annuity for my School and sermons, and my wife’s part during her life); and if I happen to buy any more lands then they shall be tied to my heir(s) in the same way as those in my Deed of Entail. I give my heir £100 and my chain and ring, in consideration that he pays out the above yearly sums (unless during my lifetime I buy lands to the value of £10 pa), which £100, chain and ring I wish to be passed from heir to heir forever. I give my heir all my implements of household, as now provided and inventoried, except what I have given to my wife Alice. The household stuff (including my plate) is to remain from heir to heir. Every heir to have it valued at his entering, and is to leave it as good, and anything decayed or worn out during his time is to be replaced. And every heir during his time shall maintain and keep in repair this Manor House of Willamscot, and all its buildings, and my school house. To avoid various inconveniences and for more surety for my heirs, my deeds of lands etc shall not be kept in one man's keeping, but all such writings shall be put in a chest in one of my Free Tenants' houses, as I have now provided in my cousin William Calcott's house in a chest with three locks and three keys. The keys are to be always kept in three mens' hands: one where the chest stands, one in the executor's hands of each heir, the third in the hands of the present heir. So when there is need to see any evidence, there shall be two with the heir to see it taken out and to know what is taken and to what purpose, so that they may call from time to time for it to be replaced. I give to every servant that is with me at my death 10s and a black garment besides their wage, to each of my son's servants in the house with me a black garment, to wit, coats and cassocks, and to Anne Warde her keep during her life. I give black cassocks to my wife Alice , my daughter Judithe, Margery Coper and William Calcotte's wife, and black gowns to my Executors, my son George Chambers, my schoolmaster Richard Coper and the vicar of Cropredy. I give black coats and 20s each to Richarde Calcott, Walter Calcott and Thomas Calcott of Hook Norton, John Calcott and Thomas Calcott of Sibford and my brother Thomas Calcotte's three sons. To each of my daughter Judithe's children black garments. I give £10 to make my tenants, friends and neighbours a dinner after my death. My legacies being performed, my debts paid and funeral charges cleared, I give all the residue of my goods, money, leases, debts etc to Calcott Chambers Sr and to my cousin William Calcotte jointly to dispose for me as God shall put them in mind, and I make them my Executors My executors shall be accountable to one another. I mean that William Calcott (who is over 21) shall have no more than half my goods, and Calcott Chambers the other half. If Calcott Chambers Sr dies before me, or before he comes of age, then Calcott Chambers Jr and his next brother shall be in his place and have all that is given to his brother by this will. If both brothers die before age 21 then their share shall go to Judithe, my daughter and their mother. If Judith has a husband and he takes it, then he is to put in sureties to my executors to repay it as above for her legacy. If Judithe dies before her husband, I give half of it equally amongst her children, and of the other half, half to the poor maids' marriages in Williamscot, Wardington and Cropredy by 20s apiece, and the other fourth part to the poor in Bourton, Mollington, Cropredy, Williamscot and Wardington. I request my friends to be my Overseers: my son George Chambers to whom I give £20, my cousin Robert Calcott of Brackley to whom I give a gown and 40s, and my friend Mr Richard Fox to whom I give a gown and 40s, plus their expenses. >br> Witnesses Richard Foxe of Chacombe; Thomas Holloway vicar of Cropredy; Henrye Warde schoolmaster of Williamscot; William Walshall Merchant of the Staple. If any of my overseers die before me, I desire Mr Thomas Hollwaye clerk Vicar of Cropredy and William Walthall of London to be in their places and each to have 40s and a gown ================= Codicil 10 Jun 1582 Note good readers that the date of this my will is so long before my death because I made it at this day, and gave notes and scripts to the witnesses, and therefore I will keep the said date although I should live this twenty years or more. Anthony Walthall of London shall not have any interest in this will, but is utterly discharged of all things Whereas I have bequeathed unto Alice my wife my Manor House only which I now dwell in. Now my will is that she shall have for life all such grounds, enclosures, gardens, orchards, feedings and profits as I now occupy, as I have described for the Manor House. Witnesses John Butler Thomas Hollway, William Rosse, William Wilson Probate 19 Jun 1582 to George Chambers father of Calcott Chambers Sr, one of the executors, during his minority. The other executor William Calcott renounced.
As transcribed from a copy of the original document. Original line- and page-breaks are not preserved.
In the name of god amen: I Walter Calcott of Willimskott in the countie of Oxford marchaunte of the Staple The tenthe daye of November Anno one thousande fyve hundred seaventye fower. And in the syxtene yeare of the raigne of oure soveraigne ladye Elizabethe by the grace of god of Englande Fraunce and Irelande Queene, beinge in perfecte healthe and memorie (thanks I give to god) and callinge to my remembraunce I shall departe this lyfe, the tyme and hower is uncertayne, and foreseeinge (as the wise dothe teache) to prevent sondry eviles whiche deathe may ensue by his sodaine comminge, Brieflye in manner and towcheinge worldly thinges whereof I am but a stewarde here, And the whiche I shall make accompte for before the heavenlye Auditor in the last daye, Doe make and ordaine this my last will and testament in manner and fourme following (that is to say) First and principallye I gyve and bequeathe my sowle unto allmightie god my creatoure, trustinge that the same onely by the deathe and passion of Jesus Christe the redemer of the whole worlde, I shalbe saved, And I will my bodye to be buried before my seate wheare I doe commonlye sitte on the sowthe Ile of the Church of Croppredye. Item I gyve to the maintenaunce of the saide Churche fortye shillings. Item I gyve to six poore men sixe black gownes and sixe cappes to be of the value of fiftene shillings everye gowne and cappe, which poore men I will to goe on everye side of my corps to the Churche, and my Armes, and the Staple Armes to be fastned on the corpes, and the sowthe Ile of the Churche to be hanged on bothe sydes with cotton of nyne pence the yarde or better, and my sayde Armes sett thereon, All whiche cotton after my funerall I will shalbe gyven to the poore of the Townes of Croppredy and Bourtons by even portions (excepte suche persons as have gownes aforesaide). Item I gyve to everye poor Cottenger in Williamskott, Wardyngton, Croppredy, bothe the Bourtons, Molenton, Cleydon and Hokenorton And That have no lande to their howses to lyve on, twelve pence. Item I gyve to the poore in Banbery twentye shillinges, To the like poore in Chippynnorton Tenne shillings. To the poore in Bloxam tenne shillings. To the like poore in Dedington tenne shillinges And to the like poore in Chippynwarden tenne shillings, to be paide theme ymmediatelye after my deathe. And to suche of the poorest and moste nedeste of theme, as shall seme good to any of my executors and to other discrete persons of either the saide Townes Item I gyve more one hundred pounde of money to be bestoweth as followeth, That is my executors and their heires and executors for evermore shall putte out the saide hundred pounde yearlie to fyve or tenne occupyers in Banberye or any other place here in the contyre, that will take the same either by twentye pounde or tenne pounde a peece by the yeare, And they that have Twentie pounde to putt in twoe suretyes to be bounde withe him, worth twentie markes a peece, to paie for the saide twentye pounde at a yeares ende one and twentye pounde, And they that have tenne pounde to putt in twoe Sureties to be bounde with him, worth twentye nobles a peece, to paye at the yeares ende tenne pounde tenne shillinges, And the same monneye to be letten that the ende of the yeare to be the Twelfe daie of December from yeare to yeare, So there riseth of the gaynes yearlie of the said hundred poundes fyve poundes, which fyve poundes I gyve yearlie for evermore to be bestowed after this sorte, That is, on Saincte Thomas Daye the Apostle before Christmas, Twoe men that shalbe from yeare to yeare appointed by my executors and their heires and executors forever shall on the said Sainte Thomas daye, The one shall carrye to the poor of Bamberye twentye shillinges, To the like poore of Bloxam six shillings eight pence, To the like poore of Dedington tenne shillinges, To the like poore of Chippinnorton Thirtene shillinges fower pence, To the like poore of Hokenorton tenne shillinges. The other person that shalbe appointed as aforesaide shall carrye to the poore of bothe the Bourtons sixe shillinges, To the like poore of Molenton sixe shillinges, To the like poore of Croppredye tenne shillinges, To the like poore of Chippenwarden sixe shillinges, To the lyke poore in Wardington and Willskott eighte shillinges. Somme so gyven is four pounds sixtene shillinges. Soe resteth fower shillinges of the saide fyve pounde, whereof I gyve to suche person that goeth to the said Townes farthest of two shillinges eighte pence, And to him that goest to the townes nerer sixtene pence. The whiche two persons shall in everye Towne aforesaide call for the Churchwardens or twoe other honest men of everie the saide Townes, and shall learne of theme whoe are the poorest and most needeste of relief within the said Townes, and make a bill of their names, and so gyve and distribute the monney amongest theme equallie, as is to everie Towne before gyven. And if there be anye odd monney at any tyme in anye Towne that it cannott be iustlye divided by the polle, The saide odd monnee to be bestowed in breade that everie person maye have porcion like. And if anye of the saide poore departe this life before the next yeare, Then to putt in other, if there be anye in the said Townes from tyme to tyme for evermore. Provided allwayes that it my executours aforesaid and theire heires and executors cannott fynde takers here as aforesaide, Then theie to putt it to the like use in London or else where Provided also that if it fortune (as I praie God it maye) there be no suche neede in any of the saide Townes to gyve anye suche alms or that there be no suche poore as shall need the same, Than any suche monneye that shall not so be occupyed I gyve yt to [the] poorest marriages as shall nexte happen within the parisshe of Croppreddy. Item I gyve to everie godchilde I have lyvinge at my death xij d. Item I gyve to the poore in Bamberye a learned man to preache fower Sermons at and after my deathe. That is to saye, at my burriall in Cropperdie churche one Sermon, The nexte holy or saboth daie one other Sermon in Hokenorton, And the other twoe at thende of Sixe monethes nexte after my buriall, one in Croppredye churche and the other in Hokenorton uppon two holy daies which aboute that tyme shall nexte come togither, Fortye shillings, that is to saie, for everye Sermon tenne shillinges in monneye, and his charges at Willamskott at the saide Sermons in Cropperdie, or for any other sermon that shalbe preached there afterwards as followeth. Item I will that yerly after the said fower Sermons and duringe the contyinewaunce of the worlde There shalbe two sermons made, the one in Croppredye churche, and the other in Hokenorton by the like learned man And at such tyme twoe holy daies comme together, and the saide learned man to have for everye Sermon tenne shillinges in monneye and his charges at Willamskott as aforesaide. And I gyve to be distributed to the poore of either of the saide Townes, at either of the saide Sermons fyve shillinges yearlie, All which laste charges aforesaide as well to the preacher, as to the poore, shalbe paide by my heires, of my Manor of Williamscott for evermore. Item I gyve to everie one of my cosens, my bretherne children that are unmaried at my deathe three pounde, that is to say to William Calcotts Robert Calcotts and Thomas Calcotts children. Item I give to Julian Calcott and to my brother Thomas’ wiffe, if they be lyvinge at my deathe, everie of theme tenne shillinges. Item I gyve to everie child that William Wafords wyffe Jone hathe lyvinge and likewise to William Walter Carters children by Ami his wiffe, and to Alice Rookes three sonnes she had by Gybford and to everie childe that anye of my cozens shall have that are married at my death one Noble in monney a peece. Item I gyve to Margery Coper fyve marks in monney, if she be lyvinge at my deathe, if not Then I gyve the saide fyve marks equallie to hir children, equallye to be divided amonngste theme. Item I gyve to Danyell Hille if he be lyving at my deathe fortye shillinges. Item I gyve to everie childe my daughter Judithe hath lyvinge at my deathe and unmaried twentie poundes a peece, (excepte my heyre). Item I gyve to the saide Judithe my daughter fortye poundes in monney to her owne use. And if her husband be lyvinge and will have the same, Then he to putte in sureties to my executors to leave itt to hir if he fortune to decease before her. And if it fortune the said Judithe to decease before hir husbande, Then I gyve the saide forty poundes to her children, equallye amongst theme. Item I give to Alice my wife, if she survive me, one hundreth poundes in monney, one of my silver pottes for ale, my parcell guilte Salte, and three of my beste silver spones and her bed she lyeth on with the furniture to yt and all her apparrell, to dispose all the same at her pleasure. Also my will is that my fyftene pounds by the yeare, whiche I have excepted yn my deede of Intaile and reserved it for the Annuytye of my Scholars, and for the charges of my yearlye Sermons aforesaide shalbe owte of my whole Landes deducted by the yeare, The which fiftene poundes being so allowed, Then I gyve to Alyce my wife, duringe her lyfe, the Thirde parte of the Rentes of all my saide Landes, And duringe her life to receive the saide thirde parte of the saide Rentes, at the daies that Rentes be usuallie payde, That is to saye, at the Feast of Thannunciation and at Michaelmas. Also I will the saide Alyce shall have duringe her liffe the use of my howse, and the ymplementes of that my househould stuff, as they be nowe together uppon my Inventorye I have made. And the said Alyce to putt in Suretyes to my executors to leave the same in lyke order as shall she receyvyth theme withoute waste or spoyle done to theme. And that which is in rewyn or decaye to be amended. And further yf Alyce my wyfe doe keepe howse in this manner after my decease deathe, Then I will she shall have my whole Tythe of Burtons, so long as theye shall indure. during her life. Provided allwayes that she shall keepe all manner of Reparations of this my Mannor and Schoole howse, And paye the Rente of the said tythe, And also she shall not consente or doe, to any manner acte or actes, deede or deedes by herself or by anye other in her name that maie be hurte, damage or detriment to my heyres, nor shall take any other person into my said Mannor to contynewe and dwell here with her (except Servauntes) but onelie Judithe my daughter, her husbande or my heire. Item I gyve and bequeathe for ever owte of my whole Landes one Annuitie of Thirtene poundes by the Yeare to a Schoolmaster, to teache Schollers in my Scholehowse I have erected in Willamskott, which saide Thirtene poundes, and fortye shillinges more for the charges of my Sermons yearlie, I have excepted as aforesaide in my Deede of intayle. And I doe will myne heires ever to paye and performe the same uppon the penalty provided in my deede of Intaile. And the same Annuytye to paie it quarterlye to the Maister. Provided allwayes, yf the sayde Annuytye be not paide at the daie, That then my will is, the faithfours and others that are in this peculier shall strayne for it accordinge to my deede I have made theme for that effecte and purpose. Item I will my saide heire and heires to see the schoolmaster doe his dutye and to observe suche rules I have putt in a table in my saide schoolhowse, and after to this will are annexed. And when any master by any meanes shalbe wantinge, to provide another incontynentlie from tyme to tyme forevermore. Item I give and bequeathe forever accordinge to my deede of entaile (excepting such landes and tenementes as I have before gyven by my severall deedes, and excepte my yearlie Annuytie for my Schole and Sermons, and likewise my wyffe’s parte during her liffe All my landes I nowe have or shall have within this Realme of Englande), and if I doe fortune to dye buye any more landes, Then my will is, all the same Landes shalbe tyed to my heyre and heyres in like manner and sorte as I have tyed my landes in my dede of Intaile forever. And my said heyre and heyres to have houlde and enioye the same accordinge to my saide deede and none other wayes. Item I gyve more unto my said heire and heyres for ever, in consideration he paieth owte the yearlie Sommes aforesaide (if I doe not during my lyfe tyme buye to the value of Tenne poundes of landes by the yeare) One hundred pounde my chaine and ringe, which saide hundred pounde, chaine and Ringe, I will to remain in stock from heire to heire forever. And in like sorte I gyve to my heire and heires all my ymplements of howshould stuff, as they be nowe together provided and Inventoried, Except that I have before gyven to Alice my wife, The same household stuff, by what name soever they bee, as I do accompte my plate parcel thereof, to remayne from heire to heire, And every heire to have theme valued to him by praisemente at his enteringe, and so good to leave theme, And that which shalbe decayed or worne oute by my heires tyme, he to provide newe for it in their places. And likewise everye heyre for his tyme shall maintayne and keepe well in repaire this mannor house of Willamskott, and all the edifices to yt and lykewise my schole howse, For which cause I have tyed all my saide howshold stuffe to remaine for standarde for evermore, for the better preferment of my saide heire and heires forever. Item to avoid dyvers inconveniences that may happen in tyme to comme. and for the more surety for my heires from tyme to tyme, my will is that, my deedes of lands and evidence shall not be kept in one mans keepinge, But that all suche writinges shalbe putt and remaine in a cheste in one of my Free Tenant’s howses, as I have nowe provided for the same in my cossen William Calcotts house in a cheste withe three lockes and three keyes to yt, Which saide keyes shalbe kepte allwaies in three mens handes, To witt, one keye in his handes wheare the saide cheste standeth, One keye in the executors handes allwaies of everye heire, And the thirde keye in the handes of the heyre present. So that when anye neede shalbe to se any evidence, there shalbe twoe with the heire to see it taken owte and to knowe what is taken and to what purpose, that theye maie call for the puttinge in the same agayne from tyme to tyme. Item I give to everie Servaunte that is withe me at my deathe tenne shillinges and a blacke garmente besides theire waige. And to everie of my Sonnes servauntes in howse withe me a black garmente, To witt, coates and cassockes, And to Anne Warde her findinge duringe her liffe. Item I will Alice my Wife, Judithe my daughter, Margery Coper, William Calcottes wife, either of theme blacke cassockes. And to my Executors, my sonne George Chambers, Richard Coper my scholemaster and the vicar of Croppredye, either of theme blacke gownes. To Richarde Calcott, Walter Calcott and Thomas Calcott of Hokenorton, John Calcott and Thomas Calcott of Sybford, my brother Thomas Calcottes three sonnes, either of these a blacke coate and twentye shillinges in monneye. And to either of my daughters Judithe children blacke garments. Item I will and gyve Tenne poundes in monneye to make my Tenantes, frendes and neighbours a Dynner after my deathe. This my legacies beinge performed, my debtes paide and my charges of my funerall cleared, All the Residue of my goods, stock of monneye, Leases, debtes, or anye thinge to me belonginge or apperteyninge I give and bequeathe theme to Calcott Chambers senior and to my cosen William Calcotte iointlie betwene theme to dispose for me as God shal putte theme in mynde, Which saide Calcott Chambers and William Calcott I doe ordaine and make my whole executors of this my last will and Testamentev. Provided allwaies that my executors shalbe accomptable one to a nother. I meane he that is of age William Calcott shall have no more of my saide goodes than the moytye of the same And Calcott Chambers the other moytye to be equallye devided. Provided also that if Calcott Chambers the elder doe departe this life before me, or before he come to age to use the saide goodes, Then I will that Calcott Chambers the younger and his next brother shalbe in Calcott Chambers thelders place and have all that is given to his brother by this my will. Provided also that if the saide twoe Impes being brethren doe depart this life before yeares of discretion Then I will other of their partes that theye shall have by this executorshippe shall remaine and be to Judithe my daughter and theire mother. And if the said Judith have an husband and will have the same, Then he to put in Suretyes to my executors lyvinge to repaye the same to her as is before provided for that I have legated to hir. And I will that if the said Judithe do decease this world before her husband, Then I gyve the one halfe parte beinge of that she shall have after this sorte, equally amongeste her children, And the other halfe, the one halfe parte of it, I give to the poore maids mariages in Wylmskott, Wardington and Croppredye by twentie shillings a peece, And the other halfe parte, being, as yowe would saye, the fourthe parte, I give to the poore in Bourton Molenton Croppredie Wylmskott and Wardyngton. And I doe requeaste my freendes to be my Overseers of this my laste will and testamente, my sonne George Chambers, to whome I give Twentie poundes in monneye, my cosen Robert Calcott of Brackley to whom I give the like gowne and fortye shillings in money, and my frende Mr. Richard Fox, to whom I give the like gowne and fortie shillings in monney. And to either of theme I gyve theire charges in annye thinge that theye shall travaile abowte the execution of this my will etc. Thus desiringe of god to be mercifull to me, and to be my protector unto and at my deathe (as I truste he will) I make an ende. In witnes hereof I have written this withe my owne hand, sette my seale, and the same is written in the table withe the Terroyor of my Landes provided for that purpose, and for the more creditt thereof, The daie and yeare in the first part thereof specified. etc. per me Walter Calcott Witnesses of this my will I have required the persons to putte theire handes etc.. By me Richard Foxe of Chacombe: By me Thomas Holloway vicar of Cropperdye,. By me Henrye Warde Scholemaster of Williamskott. By me William Walshall Marchaunte of the Staple. Item I will more that if anye one or twoe of my overseers before herein named doe decease before me, Then I will and desier Mr. Thomas Hollwaye clerk Vicar of Cropperdye and William Walthall of London to be in theire places and to have either of theme fortye shillinges and a gowne yf theye have none by this will etc. theire charges as is before expressed etc.per me Walter Calcott ============================= Note good readers. for the date of this my will, To be so longe afore my deathe, is for that I had, and did make it at this daye, and did give notes and scripts of the same to theme that are witnesses hereof, of this same date, and therefore and suche like cawses I do kepe the saide date and will do, althoughe I shoulde lyve this twentie yeares or more. Provided alwaies that Anthony Walthall of London shall not clayme or have any righte title or interest of any thinge specified in this will, nor any goodes or dealinge for anye thinge within this will contayned as overseer or any other thinge that was given him, but to be utterlye discharged of all thingses. Witness hereof I Walter Walcott [sic] have written this. Note yowe that whereas I have under my hande writinge in this my laste will and testamente bequeathed unto Alice my wife my manner howse onelie whiche I nowe dwell in, my mynde and will is the saide Alice my wife shall have all suche groundes closures gardinges orchardes feedinges and profittes to the same belonginge as I nowe occupye the same, for and duringe such time as I have lymitted in the same will the saide Mannor house, duringe her naturall life. In witness hereof I have hereunto sett my hande the tenthe daie of June Anno 1582. And as trewe meaninge annexed the same to my saide will and testamente. By me Walter Calcott in the presence of us John Butler, Thomas Hollway, William Rosse, William Wilson with others. [Probate granted 19th June 1582 to George Chambers, father of Calcott Chambers senior, one executor, during the minority of the said executor. The other, William Calcott, renounced executorship.]