y son Gregory, and my said cousin
Richard, to die before the accomplishment of this my will touching the said
farm, then I will mine executors shall sell the said farm, and the money
thereof coming to employ in deeds of charity, to pray for my soul and all
Christian souls. Item. I will mine executors shall conduct and hire a
priest, being an honest person of continent and good living, to sing for my
soul by the space of seven years next after my death, and to give him for
the same L6 13s. 4d. for his stipend. Item. I give and bequeath towards the
making of highways in this realm, where it shall be thought most necessary,
L20 to be disposed by the discretion of mine executors. Item. I give and
bequeath to every the five orders of Friars within the City of London, to
pray for my soul, 20 shillings. Item. I give and bequeath to 60 poor
maidens in marriage, L40, that is to say, 13s. 4d. to every of the said
poor maidens, to be given and distributed by the discretion of mine
executors. Item. I will that there shall be dealt and given after my
decease amongst poor people householders, to pray for my soul, L20, such as
by mine executors shall be thought most needful. Item. I give and bequeath
to the poor parishioners of the parish where God shall ordain me to have my
dwellingplace at the time of my death, L10, to be truly distributed amongst
them by the discretion of mine executors. Item. I give and bequeath to my
parish church for my tithes forgotten, 20 shillings. Item. To the poor
prisoners of Newgate, Ludgate, King's Bench, and Marshalsea, to be equally
distributed amongst them, L10. Willing, charging, and desiring mine
executors underwritten, that they shall see this my will performed in every
point according to my true meaning and intent as they will answer to God,
and discharge their consciences. The residue of all my goods, chattels, and
debts not bequeathed, my funeral and burial performed, which I will shall
be done without any earthly pomp, and my debts paid, I will shall be sold,
and the money thereof coming, to be distributed in works of charity and
pity, after the good discretion of mine executors undernamed. Whom I make
and ordain, Stephen Vaughan, Ralph Sadler, my servants, and John Willyams
my brother-in-law. Praying and desiring the same mine executors to be good
unto my son Gregory, and to all other my poor friends and kinsfolk and
servants aforenamed in this my testament. And of this my present testament
and l