Dorothy Barrow 1531 of North Charford, Hampshire, widow

Dorothy Barrow is the widow of Maurice Barrow (Will 1521). Her will contains the unusual bequest of swans. All unmarked mute swans belonged to the crown, but land owners could be granted the privilege of owning and marking swans. The birds were marked on their beaks and registers of kept. Summary Will Date:10 December 1531Executors:      …

Marion Spilman 1510 of Norwich, widow

Marion Spilman makes a brief will leaving all to her son to be helped by her brother. She mentions the church of St Audrey which maybe an alternative name for St Etheldreda. Summary Will Date: 22 March 1509Executors: Brother Richard HamsPeople:  Husband deceasedSon John SpilmanBrother Richard HamsInstitutions:Austin Friars of NorwichChurches: St Audrey, St ClementsProbate: 12 June 1510 The Will …

Agnes Segrym 1474 of Norwich, widow

Agnes Seagrym is the widow of Ralph Segrym and survived him by nearly 20 years. She and her husband are commemorated in a monumental brass in St John Maddermarket in Norwich, and panels from the Rood screen he commissioned are now in the Victoria and Albert Museum. Agnes leaves further items to St John Maddermarket …

Joan Underwood 1473 of Norwich, widow

Joan Underwood is the widow of William Underwood, brazier. She mentions no other relatives and leaves everything to charity and religious institutions. Her Will uses interesting terminology. Her executors may be the Sir William Swetman the elder (Will 1504) who was appointed in 1460 rector of All Saints, Timberhill, otherwise known as All Hallows, and …

Katherine Santen 1680 of London, widow

Katherine Santen is the widow of Christian Pauwells Santen (Will 1667) and daughter of Lucas Jacobs (Will 1656). She was buried in St Andrew Undershaft in London, as was her husband, but the register entry says she died in Totteridge. Could Sir William Russell, the executor and sole beneficiary, be the politician Lord Russell who was executed …

Katherine Mason 1573 of Heacham, Norfolk, widow

Katherine Mason is the widow of John Mason of Heacham. She bequeaths property in Heacham but does not explain her relationship to the recipients. Summary Will Date:  28 April 1566Executor:   William Raven the elder of HeachamWitnesses: Robert Canman[?], William Audley, Thomas Sunckton and Nicholas RixePeople:Late husband John Mason deceasedThomas Sunckton, Margery his wife and their niece Avelyn MasonJohn Water …

Margaret Jacobs 1570 of London, widow

Margaret Jacobs is the widow of Henry Lyvens (Will 1569). Her beneficiaries include a school mistress and her bequests include children's clothes, though neither she nor her husband mention having children of their own.  Summary Will date: 11 June 1570Executors: Melchior van As, Gyles van HieleWitnesses:Anne Gorret, the wife of Martin de Visser, Katharine the wife of John …

Margaret Furbisher 1466 of Norwich, Norfolk, widow

Margaret is probably the widow of Robert Furbisshor, citizen and alderman of Norwich (Will 1463). She owns property and her will focuses on charitable bequests. Summary Will Date: 10 November 1466Executors: Nephew John Furbisshor of Norwich, grocerSupervisor: Edward Cutteler Citizen and Alderman of NorwichPeople: Late husband Robert FurbisshorGoddaughters Margaret Furbisshor  Goddaughters the daughters of Nicholas Pygon and AlyardesElizabeth SybbysInstitutions:St …

Agnes Gresham 1520 of Little Walsingham, Norfolk, widow

Agnes Gresham (nee Porter) is the widow of William Gresham. The plaque for her husband in Little Walsingham church says she is buried at Holkham. Her son James died a few years later (Will 1526). Summary Will Date: 23 August 1520Executors:  Daughters Ursula and SusanneOverseer: Son James GreshamWitnesses:John Robyns priest and curate James Gresham, William BonhamPeople: Late husband …

Joan Fursby 1608 of Weeke in Downton, Wiltshire, widow

Joan Fursby is the widow of Morris Fursby (Will 1595). Her father was John Gauntlett the elder of Pensworth (Will 1558). She has few possessions apart from her livestock. Summary Will Date: 19 October 1600Executor: Son Thomas FursbyOverseers: John Puxton and Rowland FursbyWitnesses: Robert, John Eastman and Rowland FursbyPeople: Son William and his son John and 2 other children            Daughter Annis, …