| Description | Will of Thomas Carter, citizen and clothier, of London, dated 11 August 1516, wherein he bequeaths to the Master, Wardens, etc, of the Clothiers' Company all his tenements in the parish of St Margaret, Lothbury, in the ward of Coleman Street. On the dorse, a Note that this Will was 'sealed and read on 26 May 1525 in the presence of Robert Warner and five other citizens and clothier of London, and two others'.
Others mentioned include: William Mannyngham, gentleman; John Pykering, mercer; Roger Thorney, mercer; Richard Hawke, founder; Thomas Cremor, draper; Robert Bolman, gentleman; William Gamme, draper; John Rudston, draper; William Calley, draper; Robert Warner, draper; Roger Dole, draper; John Smyth, draper; Thomas Richardson, draper; Edward Dee, draper; Thomas Chamberlyn, draper; Thomas Hill, sheerman; and John Cheveney, tailor.
(a translation of the will is as follows:)
In the name of God amen. On the eleventh day of the month of August in the year of Our Lord one thousand five hundred and sixteen (1516) and in the eighth year of the reign of King Henry the eighth after the conquest of England, I Thomas Carter citizen and draper and freeman of the city of London being of whole mind and sound memory, praise be given to the most high, form, make and ordain this my testament in this form which follows: Relating to the disposition of all those lands and tenements, gardens and shops with upper rooms built on them and with their appurtenances situated in the parish of St Margaret in Lothbury in Coleman Street Ward in London, namely between the tenement of William Mannyngham gentleman and the tenement and the tenement lately belonging to John Pykeryng, mercer, and now belonging to Roger Thorney, mercer, towards the East; the tenement lately of Richard Hawke, founder, towards the West, the high street called Lothbury towards the North and the garden belonging to the Society of Grocers of London towards the South. All of which premises I the aforesaid Thomas Carter lately acquired for me and for my heirs and assigns for ever by the demise, feoffment, handing down, delivery and confirmation of a charter of Thomas Cremor, draper, Robert Bolman, gentleman, William Gamme and John Rudston, citizens and drapers of London.
Further, for the disposition of those five messuages with all their appurtenances situated in the aforesaid parish of St. Margaret of Lothbury in the aforesaid ward of Coleman Street in London which lately belonged to the aforesaid William Mannyngham gentleman and afterwards to William Calley citizen and draper of London; which same five messuages with their appurtenances I the aforesaid Thomas Carter lately similarly acquired for me and my heirs and assigns forever by the demise, feoffment, handing over, delivery and confirmation of a charter of the aforesaid William Gamme and John Rudston, citizens and drapers of London, by authority of which I the aforesaid Thomas Carter, am now solely seized/seised all and each of the abovesaid messuages lands and tenements, gardens, shops, upper rooms in demesne as of fee.
I recommend my soul to God Almighty and to the blessed Virgin Mary and to all the saints and my body to be buried in church burial wherever God shall dispose. And further I the aforesaid Thomas Carter thus, as is aforesaid, being solely seized (of the properties) give and bequeath by this my present Testament all and every the abovenamed messuages, lands and tenements, gardens and other premises with their appurtenances to the Master and wardens, brothers and sisters of the guild or fraternity of the Blessed Mary of the drapers of London to have, hold and possess all and every of the messuages, lands and tenements, gardens and other premises with all their appurtenances to the aforesaid Master and wardens, brothers and sisters of the said guild or fraternity of the Blessed Mary of the drapers of London and to their successors the Master, wardens, brothers and sisters of the said guild or fraternity of the Blessed Mary of the drapers, aforesaid, forever. For the proper use of the same Master and wardens, brothers and sisters and of their successors forever, and to do and dispose of them according to their free will. In witness of which thing to this my present testament I have affixed my seal. Given at London the day and year abovesaid.
On turn-up: By me Thomas Carter [signature] |