Will of William Lye, 1391

A translation into English by Duncan Harrington from a Latin abstract made by Leland L. Duncan.

No Probate   3 Rous PROB 11/1 folio 19v Prerogative Court of Canterbury will register at National Archives

With the licence of my lord the Archbishop of Canterbury. I William Lye dated 9 Jan 1391. My soul to God and the blessed Mary and All the Saints and Saint Botolph my patron. And my body to be buried in the chancel of Northflete [Northfleet] before the stall of the Rector of the same.
   I bequeath for a perpetual memory of the matter to the use of the celebration of divine service one wooden chest bound with iron with one pair of new vestments of red cloth of gold with the whole equipment of one silver frankincense burner with an incense boat of the same set with an ornamented border of gold.
   I bequeath to the same church one chalice by name of silver and principally of good gold. I bequeath one good silk cloth to cover the body of the said William and remain in the possession of the church. I bequeath to the said church two surplices. I bequeath to the church one principal mass book.
   For having all the bequeathed goods it is this intention that every year the churchwardens shall make my anniversary solemnly with ringing the bells.
   On the day of my burial each priest being present to have 6d All the clerks ministering the clerk so much. I wish that my executors arrange one suitable wax taper at my head and another at my feet.I bequeath to be bestowed in expenses one hundred shillings and more according to the discretion of my executors.
   I bequeath to Master Adam Mattromy Archdeacon of Canterbury my best horse. I bequeath a great cup of maple-wood with a cover of silver and gold well and competently garnished to be used for the refectory of the Priory of Canterbury as long as it shall be suitable. I bequeath to Master John Prophete one silver cup with a cover.
   Executors Geoffrey Maston rector of the church of Wynchlesham [Winchelsea] and Walter Rector of the church of Stapulherst [Staplehurst] to each of them one cup of silver with a cover, and John Spren[ger] and John Lacoc one cup of silver. Residue in the disposition of my executors