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Will of John Davy, 1464
Herts RO 1AR111
[translated from Latin]
In etc. On 8 September [1464] I John Davy of Wynslowe, sound of mind, make etc. First I bequeath my soul to God etc. and my body to be buried in the churchyard of the parish church of Wynslowe aforesaid. Item I bequeath to the high altar 4 bushels of barley. Item to the light of St Mary 1 bushel of barley. Item to the light of the Blessed Mary in purification 1 bushel of barley. Item to the light of St Nicholas 1 bushel of barley. Item to the light of St Thomas the martyr 1 bushel of barley. Item to the repair of the torches 6s 8d. Item I bequeath for a certain veil [velum] as much as it is worth. Item I bequeath to the church of St Albans 6s 8d. Item to the church of Swanburn 6s 8d. Item to the church of Greneburgh 6s 8d. Item to the church of Great Horwood 40d. Item to the church of Little Horwood 40d. Item to the Prior of Snelsale 6s 8d. Item I bequeath to the fraternity of Buk(ingham) 40d. Item to the church of Myddelclaydon 40d namely for the repair of the small bell(s) [ca(m)panul']. Item I bequeath to the church of Adyngton 12d. Item I bequeath to the maintenance of the porch of the aforesaid church of Wynslowe 6s 8d. Item I bequeath to the light of the cross 4 bushels of barley. Item for a certain ornament of the high altar 6s 8d. Item I bequeath to Alice wife of William Hawkyns 1 cow. Item to Thomas Davy 1 cow and 1 ewe [ovis matrix] with lamb of the best. Item I bequeath to each of my goddaughters [filiolar'] 1 sheep. The residue etc. I give and bequeath to my executors and Joan my wife, William my son, Richard Hawkyns and William Perkyns I ordain, make and appoint my executors to dispose etc. Given etc.
[Probate 10 Nov 1464]
Notes
John Davy was remarkably generous in his bequests for someone with a wife and at least one son. He is mentioned in the court books as being active from 1405/6, so must have been aged 80 or more when he died. His holdings listed in 1448 (WMCB p.637) included 2 messuages, a cottage, a forge and a virgate and over 16 acres of land in Winslow and Shipton. These were all acquisitions rather than inheritance, making him by far the most active buyer in the land market.
Snelsale: i.e. Snelshall, near Whaddon. This is the only evidence of anyone in Winslow taking any interest in Snelshall Priory.