Will of William Cowper of Shipton, 1481

Herts RO 2AR40

[Translated from Latin]

In etc. on 20 November AD 1481 I William Cowper of Shepton of the parish of Wynselowe, sound of mind, make my will etc. Item I bequeath to the high altar 4 bushels of barley. Item I bequeath to the altar of the blessed Mary 1 bushel of barley. Item I bequeath to the altar of the blessed Mary in purification 1 bushel of barley. Item to the altar of St Nicholas 1 bushel of barley. Item to the altar of St Thomas the martyr 1 bushel of barley. Item to the repair of the torches 2 bushels of barley. Item to the light of the holy cross 2 bushels of barley. Item to the mother church of St Albans 8d. Item to the greatest use of the church of St Laurence 6s 8d. Item I wish that an ordained priest or ordinary [ordinat' seu ordinar'] should perform a trental. The residue indeed of all goods, etc., I give and bequeath to my executors. And I ordain, make and appoint Isabel my wife and Geoffrey my son my executors, and Walter Palmer the supervisor, to dispose for the salvation, etc.

Proved etc. 14 December in the year written above, and they were discharged.

Notes

William Cowper inherited a messuage and virgate of land in Shipton and an acre in Granborough from his father John in 1453; it was previously Richard Jankyn's and then William Coupere's (Winslow Manor Court Books, p.668). John left another half-virgate and 8 acres to his wife Alice and younger son Thomas (pp.674-5).

Isabel was the daughter of William Nasshe (d.1467).