t 77 )
RECTTLVEB, AND HOATH WILLS.
BY ARTHUR HUSSET.
INTEODTJCTTON.
THE following abstracts of the early wills proved in the
Consistory Court at Canterbury are of the parishioners of
Eeculver and Hoath, two parishes on the east side of Herne,
of which place the wills are printed in Archceologia Cantiana,
Vols. XXVIII. and XXX. The various forms of the names
are as they occur in the wills, and the testators are of
Eeculver unless otherwise stated. The customary commending
the soul to God and the Saints, etc., and bequests
to the high altar for tithes forgotten are omitted. In
Testamenta Cantiana (East Kent), the extra volume in 1904,
will be found particulars as to the altars, lights, etc., in the
church of Hoath, p. 167, and Eeculver, p. 253.
BECTTLVER.
Three parishioners desire to be buried in the church:
John Eechefield in 1462 and William Eichfield in 1491 in
the chancel. Also William Aleyn in 1489 in the church
against St. Ann's altar, leaving the usual 6s. 8d. for the
burial charge or fee.
The Rood.
Joan, widow of Henry Germyn, in 1489 gave 6s. 8d. to
the work of the new crucifix in the church.
Joan, widow of William Eichfield, in 1495 left to God
and the church two new images of St. Mary and St. John,
to stand on either side of the crucifix in the roodloft, and
to be made in proportion to the crucifix in wood by a carver,
and be set up within a year of her death.
78 RECULVER AN!) HOATH #ILLS>
Cross of Silver.
Nicholas Hawlott in 1505 gave 26s. 8d. to the buying
a silver cross for the church, and Eobert Pamplet in 1522
left the same sum. The price of a cross varied probably
according to workmanship, from £20 (at Newchurch in
1518), £10 (at Margate in 1499 and Gravesend in 1526), to
£6 13s. 4d. (at Eochester in 1471).
Service Books.
William Eichfield in 1491 gave to buy for Eeculver
Church: For a missal, £6 13s. Ad.; two antiphonars,
noted, £10 j a legend, £5 6s. 8d.; a gradual, 33s. Ad., and a
processional, £3.
Vestments.
William Eichfield in 1491, for a suit of vestments for
Deacon and Sub-deacon of red silk cloth, £6 13s. Ad.
John, the son of Thomas Jermyn (or Germyn), in 1484
gave £6 13s. Ad. for a new cope to be bought for the
church, to the honour of Our Lady, and for his soul to be
prayed for.
Eichard Lowes in 1499 left £13 6s. 8d. to the marriage
of his daughter, but if she died unmarried the money to buy
a cope for the church of Hoath.
Easter Taper.
Thomas Gylward in 1509 left three acres of land to
trustees who were to pay the yearly rent to the churchwardens
to maintain the Light of the Paschal, so that if any
poor parishioners were unable to pay their duty to the
Paschal Light it was to be paid from this money.
Money, Bread, etc., at Burials.
Nicholas Hawlott in 1505 ordered that there be distributed
among the poor and needy 6s. 8d., both on the day
of his burial and day of trental or month's mind.
RECUL'tER AND HOATH WILLS. ^
Thomas Gylward in 1509, at his burial in bread to poor
people to the value of 6s.
Simon Fariting of Hothe in 1524, eight bushels of wheat
to be made into bread and distributed among poor people at
his burial.
Thomas German in 1524, that bread to the value of two
bushels of wheat and in drink to the value of two bushels of
malt among his neighbours and poor people at his burial,
month's day, and year mind.
Eichard Cobbe, senior, in 1536 left 20s.' among poor
people in meat and drink at his burial.
Alexander Paramor in 1546, at his burying a bushel of
wheat to poor people of the parish.
Good Friday Gifts.
Eichard Lowes in 1499 gave to poor people yearly on
Good Friday, for three dozen of bread to be given them, 3s.
Elisabeth, widow of John Ewell (in 15] 0 ?) : That her
ex'ors dispose for her soul three seams of wheat, every year
a bushel, to be baked and given to poor people every Good
Friday, as long as the three seams will last. A seam beingeight
bushels, or twenty-four bushels altogether, so that the
bequest would last for twenty-four years.
Isabella, widow of John Hikke (of Herne), in 1510:
That her son Thomas do .for her every Good Friday three
bushels of bread until eight seams (64 bushels) of wheat are
done, two bushels in the church of Herne and one bushel in
the church of Eeculver.
Laurence Hobb of Hoath in 1509 gave his tenement in
the parish of St. Paul in Canterbury to his godson William
Eedwode on condition he kept for seven years a yearly obit
in the church of St. Paul on the Monday after Palm Sunday,
also to deliver in alms to poor people of that parish
on Good Friday bread to the value of 3s. during the seven
years.
'80 RECULVER ANB HOATH WILLS.
Similar bequests occur at other parishes in Kent:—
Eichard Culmer of St. Peter's in Thanet, who died
in 1494 : From six acres of land at Brodsteyr Lynch in two
pieces, the rents for ever to be distributed yearly among
poor people most needy in the parish on Good Friday, for
the health of my soul and my friends. And the vicar to
have Ad. from the same rent yearly for ever, to remember
the soul of me the said Eichard in the Dominical Prayer in
the pulpett. (Archdeaconry vol. 6, 1.)
John Bryce of Ivy church, where he was buried in the
church in 1504: That at two Good Fridays after his death
the poor people have a bushel of wheat baked in bread.
(Consistory vol. 7, fol. 90.)
John Lilly of Tenterden, who died in 1504, gave to the
use of the church of Tenterden two cows, and the wardens
of the church for the time being distribute yearly on the day
called Good Friday, to twelve poor people for my soul 12c?.,
from the money coming from the same two cows, and
any residue to the use of the church.
(Archdeaconry vol. 10, 1.)
Thomas Eatcliff of St. John the Baptist in Thanet
[Margate], who died in 1507, also possessed lands, etc., in
Deal and Sholden : His ex'ors were to distribute every year
on Good Friday twelve pairs of sheets in the parish of
St. John [Margate] and twelve pairs in the parish of Deal.
(Consistory vol. 9, fol. 36.)
Stephen Cowper of Tenterden, who died in 1513, left:
To the use of the church of Tenterden two kine, price 20s.,
upon condition that the wardens of the same church for the
time being distribute to poor people yearly on Good Friday
for my soul, parents, etc., 12c?. (Archdeaconry vol. 12, 8.)
Eichard Aylonde of Tenterden, yeoman, in 1515, also
left two kine to be letten out by the year at a reasonable
price, and that 13cZ. of the rent from the same kine co ming
RECULVER AND HOATH WILLS. 81
and growing be given to 13 poor men of the same parish
every Good Friday for' evermore, if they will receive it,
or else to be disposed unto other poor folks.
(P.C.C., 8, Holder.)
William Gilmin of Whitstable, who died in 1528, being
buried in that church: That after the death of his wife,
then John Hokkin (who married Margery, daughter of this
William) and John Poort his ex'ors, or their assigns, shall
give yearly for five years to poor people in alms upon Good
Friday and in Eogation Week, 3s. Ad., for his soul, wife, etc.
(Archdeaconry vol. 18, 7.)
Widows.'
The most usual yearly payment left to the widow was 20s,,
but generally with the use of a house.
Eichard Fanting in 1495 left 53s. Ad. yearly to his wife.
Eobert Hawlott in 1515 40s. paid equally by his two sons,
and a room in the house. William Ivye of Hoath in 1526,
one daughter to pay 20s. and the other 26s. 8c?. yearly.
Aula, Camera, and Kitchen.
In none of the wills are these three rooms left to the
widow (see Archceologia Cantiana, Vol. XXX., p. 127), but
Henry Fanting in 1484 reserved one " camera" to his wife
Joane in his chief messuage, bequeathed to his two sons, and
they were to provide their mother with food and drink, also
pay her 5s. every quarter and the profit from the milk of
two good cows.
Thomas Yong in 1484 gave his tenement at Bishopston
to Isabel his wife, receiving for his mother Joane a chamber,
with free coming and going at all times necessary to her.
The contents or furniture, as " utensilia" probably
means, of these three rooms are mentioned in several of
the wills:—
John Eechefield in 1462; and Henry Germyn in 1476, to
bis wife and son.
William Berye of Hoath in 1484, to the three daughters
of his son.
VOL. xxxn, G
82 RECULYER AND HOATH WILLS.
Thomas Howlott in 1493, to his sister Eose.
Eichard Fanting in 1495, to his wife.
Eichard Werchenden in 1497, to his wife.
Thomas Butt in 1500, to his wife.
Nicholas Hawlott in 1505, to his wife.
House Building.
Thomas Haulet in 1537 left directions that a new hall
was to be built at his tenement called Stormayns, and the
other buildings repaired, and mentions where the timber was
to be felled.
Repair of Bad Roads.
Thomas Gylward in 1509 left 33s, Ad. to mend the way
between Newcroft gate and his house at Helbarowe (the
present day Hillborough).
Isabella Hikke, widow, in 1510, to the repair of the foul
way at Sandpit 13s. Ad.
Thomas Paramore, senior, in 1545, to repair the highway
between his tenement called Stermans and Horsysylit gate,
6s. 8d.
Alexander Paramore in 1546, to repair the highway
between Brente (i.e., Burnt) Mill and Helborow Cross, 20s.
Boats.
William Eichfield in 1491 bequeathed a boat (cimbam)
with its sails, anchor, and two cables.
Nicholas Hawlott in 1505 left his small vessel (naviculum)
called the Cache, with all thereto, to his sons Eobert
and John.
John Haulet in 1526, that his brother Thomas was to
buy John's part of the Kache, paying for it 46s. 8c?.
The " Cache " probably is a ketch, a vessel with two
masts.
RECULYER AND HOATH WILLS. 83
Weirs.
John Hawlott, senior, in 1479 left to his son Hamon one
weir in the sea called Upper Weir, near St. Mary Shelp.
Thomas Hawlott in 1493 left to James, the son of his
brother, one weir.
Hamon Hawlott, who died in 1499, left his weirs by the
land to his wife Joane, but his boat and deep weir to his son
John. Also if his ex'ors sold his part of the boat (cache)
then his brother John was to buy the same. This was
probably sold, as John Hawlott in, 1505 left to his wife Joane
half part of the boat called the Cache with all thereto, and
the other half to his son William.
Eobert Hawlott in 1515 left to his son Alexander a floodweir
and one ebb-weir; and to his son Peter the utter-weir.
John Jerinin in 1540 left his weir to his wife during her
life, and then to son Thomas.
HOATH.
This parish was known as the Borough of Hoath or
Hothe (which means Heath), and its church—the chapel
of Holy Cross of Hoath—was always annexed to Eeculver
Church. For on the 10th September 1348 a commission of
jurisdiction was granted concerning the parishioners of the
church of Eeculver and of the chapels of Hothe, of Herne,
and the Blessed Nicholas in Thanet dependent from the
same. (Eegister Q, fol. 204, Cathedral Library, Canterbury.)
Dom. Eichard Hoode, the chantry-chaplain, who died in
March 1500, was buried in the chancel, and he gave to the
altar of St. Margaret in this chapel two cruets.
William Ivye of Hothe in 1526 desired to be buried
in the porch of the chapel, aud gave 66s. 8d. to the reparation
of the chapel.
Anthony Meycott of Brooke, in 1533, in the middle path
before the quire.
G 2
84 RECULYER AND HOATH WILLS.
Eobert Hunte in 1542, in the church at the end of the
Trinity altar.
Thomas Brooke or Cobham in 1545, in the quire.
This right of burial, both in the chapel and churchyard,
may possibly date from 1411, when Archbishop Arundel
dedicated the chapel and burial-ground.
5 June 1410. Mandatum d'mi Archie'pi ad contribuend.
fabrice ecclesie de Eeycolvre, cum Capellis ab eadem ecclesia
dependentibus—fol. 119.
20 January 1410-11. Dedicatio Capelle de Hothe, ab
ecclia de Eacolvre dependent, et Cimiterii ejusdem per dnm.
Archie'pum—fol. 128 (Eegister of Archbishop Arundel).
But the chapel of Hoath was built long before that time,
and had an endowed chantry with resident priest, founded
in 1355.
The Roodloft, etc.
Agnes Bery in 1484 gave to the repair and renovation of
a pair of silver shoes for the Holy Cross in the chapel 12c?.
Also William Bery and Eichard Kenett a similar bequest.
Laurence Hobb in 1509 gave 3s. Ad. to the roodloft, and
Eichard Spencer in 1516 gave to the reparation of the
roodloft 6s. 8c?. Nicholas Ive in 1518 to the painting of
the roodloft 6s, 8c?., and Eobert Kennett in 1519 to the
gilding of the roodloft 6s. 8d.
Antiphonar,
Henry Fanting in 1484 gave towards buying a certain
book called Antifoner 6s. 8d.
Bells.
Eichard Lowes in 1499 : To the new bells to be bought
for the church of Hoth forty-two sheep of the age of
two teeth.
RECULYER AND HOATH WILLS. 85
Seats.
Eobert Hunt in 1495 gave towards the pewing of the
church of Hooth 20s.
CHAPLAINS OP HOLT CROSS CHANTRY, HOATH.*
The chantry was founded by Thomas Niewe, a former
Vicar of Eeculver, who in 1355 endowed two chantries in
Eeculver Church. The Archbishop was the patron and
appointed the chaplains, who had a residence, which in 1511
the chantry-priest said was in need of repair.
28 June 1371. Confirmatio ordinationis trium Cantariarum;
duarum videlicet in ecclesia de Eecolvere, et
tercie in Capella de Hothe eidem annexa, per d'nm Tho.
Niewe, rect. de Godmersham, dudum ecclie de Eecolvere,
vicar, fundat. (Eegister of Archbishop Whittlesey, fol. 45.)
1393—. . . . Eobert Wymark.
(Coll. 18 Jan. 1392-3. Eeg. Courtenay 11,
fol. 210.)
1414—. . . . William Leek.
(Coll. 17 Oct. 1414. Eeg. Chichele, fol. 61.)
. . . . John Wasseyl.
(Mentioned in 1422. B. M. Harl. Ch. 78, D 21.)
1422— John Cokkow.
(Coll. 8 June 1422. Eeg. Chichele, fol. 133.)
—1423 John NorthiU.
1423—26 Thomas Kymberlee.
(Ex. with the former 27 Aug. 1423. Eeg.
Chichele, fol. 142.)
1426—30 Thomas Pende.
(Coll. 20 Oct. 1426, on resignation of the last
chaplain—fol. 164.)
* This list of ohaplains and the other iuformation from, the Registers of the
Arohbishops at Lambeth Palaoe Library has been kindly suppliod by the
Eev. T. S. Erampton.
86 °RECULYER AND HOATH WILLS.
1430—. . . . Stephen Porchet.
(Ex. with the last 11 Feb. 1429-30. Eeg. Chichele,
fol. 181.)
1447— William Eussell.
(Coll. 16 June 1447. Eeg. Stafford, fol. 94.)
. . . .—1457 John Ive.
1457—66 Geoffrey Dawe.
(Coll. 20 Nov. 1457, on the death of John Ive.
Eeg. Bourchier, fol. 68.)
1466—82 Christofer Altham.
(Coll. 4 Dec. 1466, on the death of the former
chaplain—fol. 94.)
1482—1500 Eichard Hoode.
(Coll. 16 Jan. 1481-2, on the resignation of the last.
Eeg. Bourchier, fol. 128.)
By his wUl, dated 7 March 1499—1500, Eichard Hoode
desired to be buried in the chancel of Holy Cross of Hoth,
and gave to the Light of Holy Cross in the chapel 4c?.; and
to the altar of St. Margaret two cruets. To the church of
St. James, which is called Abattiswasborowe, which is distant
two miles from the church or place called Haylls, a chalice
of silver and gold, price 40s. Joane Olyfe have my best
cloak or 6s. 8d. Dom. John Michell, chantry-chaplain of
St. Mary in the church of Eeculver, my horse. Ex'or John
Michell, and the Eector of" Stourmouth overseer. Probate
6 April 1500. (Consistory vol. 5, fol. 64.)
1501—1511 William Hyghmore.
(By the Prior of Canterbury, "Sede Vacante"
after the death of Archbishop Morton. Eegister E,
fol. 63, Cathedral Library, Canterbury.)
1511—. . . . John Chalcott.
(Coll. 8 May 1511, on the death of the last
incumbent. Eeg. Warham, fol. 342.)
(? 1516-17)— John Walker.
(On the death of the last incumbent—fol. 362.)
RECULYER AND HOATH WILLS. 87
1525—. . . . Eichard Latymer, M.A.
(Coll. 8 Sept. 1525, on the death of the last
incumbent. Eeg. Warharn, fol. 385.)
. . . .—1547 William Deacon.
(Mentioned in the Valor Ecclesiasticus of 1534,
and, as the late incumbent of the Chantry of Hoath,
in 1556 was receiving a yearly pension of £6.)
JOAN, wife of WILLIAM ALEXN.
26 Feb. 1468-9. Buried in the churchyard of St. Mary,
Eeculver. Daughter Joys have one pair of amber prayer-beads,
with one ring and cross of silver. Joane my elder daughter have
one red cloak. Between the three HOUBBS of Friars in Canterbury
for my soul, and that of Margaret, wife of John Ayleward, formerly
of Eeculver, 8s. That "William my husband have four acres of land
in the Borough of Beltinge, one acre being next the common road
which leads to the king's street from the Mays, the other three
acres at Donstonys, during the life of William my husband, and
after his death to William my son, Joys and Joane my daughters,
their heirs and assigns for ever, but if they die before legal age,
then the four acres to John Ayleward, but if he be dead, then to
be sold and the money disposed for my soul, parents, etc. Also
one acre of land to be sold and money disposed for my soul, and
another acre of land to William my husband and his heirs for ever,
near the road abovesaid. Joane my elder daughter have one acre
of land or 26s. 8d. Alice my daughter half an acre of land near
Sperkynwood. Eesidue of goods after paying debts, etc., to
William my husband and John Ayleward, my ex'ors, to dispose for
my soul, etc. Probate 6 March 1468-9. (Con. vol. 2, fol. 193.)
WILLIAM ALEXN.
20 August 1476. Buried in the churchyard of Eeculver. To
the fabric of the church, six ewes; to the Light of St. Mary,
two ewes; to Phillip LyncoU 16 ewes, and to Margarete LyncoU a
quarter of corn and barley. All moveable goods to be sold and
money to pay debts, etc. Ex'ors: Thomas Butte and John
Germin, with Eobert Smith or Clerk, overseer. Feoffees: Thomas
88 RECULYER AND HOATH WILLS.
Butte, Thomas Germin, and James May. That Joane and Joys
my daughters have to their marriage three pieces of land of five
acres and half—one piece of land at Gawonnys croft, another
called Newcroft, and another near Lamplands, and to their heirs,
etc. Son William have all other lands and tenements when of the
age of twenty years, and to his heirs. Probate 18 November 1476.
(Con. vol. 2, fol. 343.)
WILLIAM ALEYN.
20 Sept. 1489. Buried against St. Anne's altar in the church
of Eeculver, and to the church 6s. 8d. To St. Katherine to
paint her, AOd.; to the reparation of Our Lady, 6s. 8d.; to the
church work, 6s. 8^. To the Light of Our Lady 12d., and of
St. Katherine one ewe. That daughter (? wife) Joane have new
croft beside Consant croft, and if she be with child, and a girl,
they two shall shift together one acre and half of land at Gibbis
Lane; if one of them die the other to have but new croft. A
piece of land at Stowoks field be sold, also three rods under the
wood side in Lytyll Wood field, and the money to pay my debts,
etc. If wife be with child, and a son, when he is 18 years old
have all the whole tenement, but until that age the mother to have
the same, and when son is eighteen he to pay his mother 20s. yearly.
If wife not with child, then at her death the tenement to be sold
and the money—to the roodloft of Eeculver 10 marcs (£6 13s. Aid.),
and the residue for my soul. That my sister Jone a Churche have
6s. 8d., and my brother Eichard Ayler 6s. 8d. Ex'ors : Lawrence
Hobbes and my wife, and wife have residue. Witnesses : Sir John
Guysborne, Thomas Consaunt, Thomas Butte. Probate 26 October
1489. (Con. vol. 3, fol. 231.)
THOMAS ALTN.
18 August 1522. Buried in the churchyard of Eeculver. To
the Light of the Cross and of Our Lady 8A., and to every Light in
the church, separate, Ad. At my burying, five masses. That son
Alexander have 12 lambs and one efer (heifler) at the next Feast
of St. Michael; son Thomas and daughter Joane each have six ewes;
also Thomas Love, Eichard Love and Cristian Love, the sons and
daughter of my wife, each have six ewes and a cow. That my wife
deliver to my son Thomas a cow, price 10s., and to Joane my
daughter a cow, price 10s., and 6s. 8d. in money. Wife to have
RECULYER ANT) H6ATH WILLS. 8§
charge of the cows and ewes to her own profit until delivered to
the children. Eesidue of goods to wife Alice and Thomas
Paramore my ex'ors, with Alexander Cobbe overseer. Witnesses:
Dom. Stephen Bryan, curate, Thomas Paramore, Simon Playn.
Probate 20 October 1522. (Con. vol. 13, fol. 121.)
[For the Wills of Aleyn of Heme, see Archceologia Cantiana,
Vol. XXVIII., pp. 106, 107; Vol. XXX., pp. 94, 97, 105. There
were also Aleyns at Whitstable.]
THOMAS AI L WARD.
3 June 1460. Buried in the churchyard of Eeculver. To the
fabric of the church, 20s.; and to each Light a bushel of barley.
Margarete Pamor have one young ox of a year, six ewes, and 20s.
to her marriage. Thomas Ootmor have one young ox of a year,
eight sheep and 6s. 8d., on condition he remains with my wife until
he is 16. Daughter Joane have a cow of red colour; daughter
Alice have one young ox; son John have a black cow, 12 sheep,
one young horse, the corn of one acre of land, and the grain in
Badcokk's field. Eesidue of other goods and chattels to wife
Joane and son Eobert, also if wife with child and a son, equally
between them. To each child of William Germeyn, a lamb.
Feoffees: John Geywode, cleric, John Hikks, and Thomas Butt.
That daughtex-s Joane and Alice have a piece of land called le Hoke
when of lawful age, but my wife receive the profit from the land
until then. Son John after my death have five acres of land for
ever, whereof two acres are between the land of William Aleyn and
Hamo Aldiff east and south; one acre and half near Gibbiscroft;
another acre at Newcroft; one virgate near the land of Thomas
German; and all my part of one piece of land in le Hokke, containing
a virgate and half of land. That one piece of land called
"Wisedane which William Germeyn bought, the money therefrom
to provide a chaplain for my soul, etc., in Eeculver Church for one
whole year, 10 marcs (£6 13s. 4
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