Catalogue description Legal document   (19th-century copy)   Will and testament   Copy by Dr George Oliver of...

Legal document

(19th-century copy)

Will and testament

Copy by Dr George Oliver of the last will and testament of John Arundell, knight, dated 18th Apr 1433, and proved before Bishop Lacy at Chudleigh Palace (now Place) on 7th Jun 1433.

Soul to God and Blessed Virgin Mary, and body to be buried in the middle of the new chapel joined to the chancel of the church of Sancta Columba Major. £20 to the new work and maintenance of a bell-tower and bells.

60s to the store of the church of Sanctus Ermes in Pydro [sic?].

20s to the rector of that church, for tithes forgotten.

60s to the store of the church of Sanctus Mauganus de Lanhern.

20s to its parish, to maintain lights in the church.

40s to its rector, for tithes forgotten.

20s to the rector of the church of S. Ewa, for tithes forgotten.

26s 8d to the rector of the church of Sanctus Mauganus iuxta Carmynow.

13s 4d to the rector of Sancta Wynwola [sic?], for tithes forgotten.

13s 4d to the light of Sanctus Michael in Monte.

13s 4d to the work of building the chancel there.

40s to the parish of Sanctus Pyeranus in Zabulo, for enclosing the head of S. Pieranus finely and the best they know how (ad claudendum capud S. Pierani honorifice et meliori modo quo sciunt).

4 marks to the store of the chapel of Sancta Wynwola [sic?] iuxta Carmynow.

£13 for celebrating 3,000 masses for my soul forthwith after my death.

10 marks to Richard Cleghar, chaplain, or another, for celebrating a trental of St Gregory [?] ('trecennale Sancti Gregorii') for my soul and my ancestors' and all benefactors.

20 marks to Joan my daughter at Camalye [= Cannalyse?].

4 marks to Isabel Bevylle my cousin.

£10 to provide a chaplain to celebrate for my soul in the Church of S. Mauganus de Lanhern, for 2 years.

10 marks to John Tresithny. 4 marks to Thomas Guly. 5 marks to William Langeston. 5 marks to John Mychell. 5 marks to Oliver Chamberlyn. 5 marks to Mark Knyght. 6 marks to Thomas Paubelle alias Paulebelle. 4 marks to William Coly. 4 marks to William Panter. 20s to Pascoe Conk. 20s to Simon Walisse.

£10 to repairing the bell in the new work for the bell-tower of S. Mauganus de Lanherne, if it occurs during the next 2 years.

To Remfrey my son a gilded cup (chiphus deauratus) called 'okyn coppe', 2 best gilded salt-cellars (one square with my arms engraved, the other of 2 salt-cellars and 2 silver bottles), and a silver basin and ewer (pelvis et lavacrum).

All my remaining goods to my executors, to dispose faithfully for my soul.

Appointment of Bishop Edmund [Lacy], Thomas Arundell knight and Remfrey Arundell esquire, my sons, John Copleston, Oto Tregoney, Nicholas Ayssheton and John Tresithny as executors; Bishop Edmund to receive 10 marks for his work and each other 100s.

Witnesses Brother William, rector of S. Columba Major, William Hendre, rector of S. Mauganus, Richard Cleghar chaplain, Michael Rutford, John Michell.

4 marks also to Roger Cu'swos [?].

Plus 5 notes of Dr Oliver:

1. Date of proving the will; 'Q. Is not this the Sir J. Arundell, who is said by Knyghton (p.1015 T.R. II) to have had no fewer than 52 complete suits of cloth of gold?'

2. 'the Arundells bore swallos on theier shield tempore R. H. II. In the "Philippeis" an Arundell is thus described encountering William de Barr: Vidit Hirundela velocior alite quae dat [verbar] Hoc agnomen ei, fert cujus in Aegide signum [verbar] Si cupit agminibus mediis clypeoque nitenti [verbar] Quem sibi Guillelmus laeva praetenderat ulna [vbar] Immergit validam praeacutae cuspikis hastam. (p. 207-8, Cambden's remains 1637).

3. Lanherne was held of the See of Exeter [references to Register of Bishop Stapledon, 1308-26, 1315-16, fols. 102, 115 and 116, and Register of Bishop Brantingham, 1370-94 vol. I, fol. 131].

4. [Bronesc. 1266, appointment of Roger de Dertaford at presentation of Sir Ralph de Arundel.]

5. [Lacy fol. 250, Jane Arundell elected Prioress of Canonsleigh, 10th Mar 1449.]

Plus a letter from Dr Oliver to Lord Arundell of Wardour, dated 27th Oct 1818, sending the memoranda and concerning family history. 'I have a copy of verses which a Lord Arundell (I suppose Henry the 3d Lord) composed in the tower. Most probably you have them. The subjects are -- a valediction to the world; persecution no loss; quem amat, castigat deus; considerations before the crucifix and upon the pains of hell. If you are not in possession of them, I will cheerfully send you a copy.'

A copy of the will was entered into the register of Bishop Edmund Lacy, and is printed thence in Lacy (ed. Dunstan), IV, 20-22.