Annor Gilberd 1466 wife of John Gilberd of Norwich, Norfolk

Annor Gilberd (Anna Gilbert) make her will the day before her husband John Gilbert (Will 1466). She mentions a wide circle of relatives and friends and details of her possessions, including many now unfamiliar words (see the Glossary for help). She makes her brother Robert Aylmer an executor, but it is unclear whether this is …

Richard Lany 1539 of London, scrivener

Richard Lany is a widower when he makes his will and dies the following year in September 1539. His orphan children appear in the 1541 City of London Subsidy Rolls. His daughter Ann and Edward Willey married in January 1538/39. The mention of his sister Johan links him to the Lany family of Tilney/Terrington in …

Susan Flowerdew 1660 of Hethersett, Norfolk, widow

Susan Flowerdew, nee Susanna Hunt, is the widow of Ralph Flowerdew (Will 1658) and had earlier been married to Francis Williamson of Lincolns Inn. Her Will shows her to be comfortably off and mentions many personal and household items (for which you may need the Glossary). Summary Will Date:23 June 1658Executor:Kinsman Henry LuceWitnesses:Henry Bedingfield, Richard …

Mary Harrison, 1589, of Salisbury, widow

Mary Harrison, nee Wotton, is the widow of Christopher Harrison (Will 1579). She mentions many of her own and her husband's family connections. Summary Will Date:20 April 1589Executor:Robert Ashborne of Sherborne goldsmithOverseers:Gregory Malyn Alias Cooke and Henry LuxmoreWitnesses:Robert Brian, Joane Luxmore, Roger LuxmorePeople:Cousin Robert Ashborne of Sherborne goldsmith.Cousins Emme Ashborne, Christopher Ashborne.Cousins Anstys Thatcham, Elizabeth …

Margaret Deke 1569 of Hundon, Suffolk, widow

Margaret Deke describes her personal effects which include a silk hat and adds a list of debts.

Elizabeth Robsert 1536, of Syderstone, Norfolk, widow

Elizabeth is the widow of Sir Terry Robsart who died in 1496 (Will 1501). Her granddaughter Amy Robsert, mentioned here in the Will, was born in 1532 to her son John (Will 1554). Amy married Robert Dudley, later to become Earl of Leicester and favourite of Queen Elizabeth, and is known for the disputed circumstances …

Margery Horton 1564 of Bradford, Wiltshire, widow

Margery Horton (nee Barkesdale) was the wife of Thomas Horton of Iford, clothier (Will 1549). Her Will mentions weavers in her employment, so it appears that she ran the business after her husband's decease. The success of the Hortons business is also apparent from her possessions. She has put much thought into her Will, making …

Anne Wygans 1615 of London, widow

Anne Wygens is the daughter of Anthony Wiggens (Will 1586). She is the widow of John Van Soldt (1603 Will), but retains her maiden name - a more common practice in the Dutch community. Her surname is variously spelt Wygans, Wiggens and Wijgants. She describes a variety of personal possessions and clothes that she bequeaths to …

Zacharie Ruytinge 1647 of East Greenwich, Kent, Merchant

Zacharie Ruytinck is the son of Jan Ruytinck a leading Calvinist in Ghent who was forced to leave Flanders because of his religious belief and settled in Norwich around 1571. The Will mentions many relatives living in both England and the Netherlands. His possessions include Dutch and French books, pictures and a looking glass. His …

Henry Acton 1530 of Salisbury, mercer

Henry Acton gives two antiphonaries to his church and arranges singing for his soul, as was the practice of the time. He has a collection of colourful and furred gowns, fitting his occupation of mercer. His daughter Margaret is probably the nun mentioned by William Kent (Will 1553) and John Kent (Will 1557). Summary Will …