Bristol

Bristol Wills

PCC = Prerogative Court of Canterbury

1455 (PCC) Thomas Mede of St.James, Bristol

1475 (PCC) Philip Mede of St. Mary Redcliffe, merchant, son of Thomas 1454

1491 (PCC) Richard Mede of St. Mary Redcliffe, son of Philip 1475

1496 (PCC) John Mede of St. Mary Redcliffe, weaver, cousin of Richard 1491

Thomas Mede 1454

Translated by Elizabeth Holliday

In the name of God Amen, on the twentieth day of the month of February in the year of our Lord 1454, I Thomas Mede, of the parish of St James in the town of Bristol in the diocese of Worcester, whole of mind, make my testament in this manner. First I leave and recommend my soul to almighty God and my body to be buried in the parish church of Saint Mary of Redcliffe in Bristol, that is to say in the north part of the new work in the same place. Item I leave to the mother church of Worcester 12d. Item I leave to the mother church of St Andrew, Wells, 12d. Item I leave to the fabric of the church of St Mary of Redcliffe aforesaid for having my burial in the same place, one pipe of woad of Toulouse and 40s sterling. Item I leave to the Prior of St James aforesaid, for my tithes and oblations forgotten, and to pray for my soul, 40s sterling. Item I leave to the vicar of St Mary of Redcliffe aforesaid, for my tithes and oblations forgotten, and to pray for my soul, 40s sterling. Item I leave to Sir Richard Burton,chaplain of the parish church of St James aforesaid, to pray for my souls, 13s 4d. item I leave to the parish clerk of St Mary of Redcliffe aforesaid, for ringing a peal of bells for me in the same place, 6s 8d. Item I leave to each order of mendicant friars in Bristol, for celebrating a trental for my soul, 10s. Item I will that my executors underwritten should find two suitable chaplains to celebrate divine service for my soul in the parish of St Mary of Redcliffe aforesaid for one whole year, to whom I leave twenty marks for their stipend. Item I leave to the fabric of the church of St James aforesaid 20s. Item I leave for thew fabric a certain cross, made of silver and gilded, to be made anew in the church of St Andrew in Bristol 6s 8d. Item I leave 16s 8d sterling to be equally divided amongst the paupers of the almshouses of Bristol. Item I leave to Philip Mede my son two pipes of woad, two whole woollen cloths, my best goblet with a cover, made of silver and gilded, and my best brass bowl. Item I leav to Joan, the wife of of Roger Ringeston, my daughter, one pipe of woad and 40s sterling. Item I leave to Agnes my maidservant five marks sterling. Moreover I ordain and make Margaret my wife and the aforenamed Philip Mede my son my true executors of this my testament, to which Margaret my aforesaid wife I leave half the residue of my goods not above bequeathed. And concerning the other residue of my goods not above bequeathed, I will that my same executors should dispose thereof for the health of my soul, just as may seem best to them to advance it, and I will that they, having God before their eyes, should execute and complete my present testament with full effect. In witness whereof I have affixed my seal to this my present testament. These being witnesses, the aforenamed Sir Richard Burton, and Master Robert Coore, the writer of these presents. Given on the day and year of our Lord abovesaid.

Will of Philip Mede, burgess of Bristol

Written January 11, 1471, proved before William Brid, Mayor, and Thomas Rowley, Sheriff, March 26th, 16 Edward iv. (1475) Previously proved at Lambeth. Translated from Latin.

In the name of God Amen, the 11^th day of January in the year of our lord 1471, I Philip, burgess of the town of Bristol, being of sound mind make my last will in this form. First I give my soul to almighty God and my body to be buried in the church of the blessed Mary of Redcliffe, by the altar of St. Stephen the Martyr. To the vicar of Redcliffe, for tithes and offerings, xx shillings. To the fabric of the same church a pipe of woad. To the mother church of St. Andrew of Wells xii pence. To the Church of St. Thomas the Martyr at Bristol £4 sterling, "de quibz dicta Eccl'ia michi debet £iii v shillings. To wife Isabel, for her life, lands, tenements, &c., in the County of Somerset and in Bristol; remnant to son Richard Mede and his lawful posterity; in default of issue, remnant to Maurice Berkley and his wife Isabel, testator's daughter, and their lawful issue; in default remnant to Philip Ryngston and his lawful issue; in default remnant to Robert Ricarde and his heirs and assigns. A fit chaplain to celebrate and pray for testator's soul, and the souls of his parents, and to be paid £40 sterling. Residue of goods to wife Isabel. She, and son Richard Mede, and Maurice Berkley to be executors. Witnessed by Master John Mede, rector of Wraxal, Robert baron, John Laurence, Edward Bracy, and others.

Will of Richard Mede of St. Mary Redcliffe, Bristol, 1491

Parents: Philip Mede & Isabella

Wives: Elizabeth and Ann, daughter of Thomas Pauncefoot of Hussefeld

Kinsman: Thomas Mede

Witnesses: Nicholas Pitt, John Pollard, Roger Hay

Others: Randolph Sporyer, John Sharpe & Elizabeth his wife

In the name of God Amen, the fourth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand four hundred ninety one, I Richard Mede of Bristol, gentleman, being of sound mind and healthy memory, make my testament in this form. First I give my soul to Almighty God and my body to be buried in the church of Redcliffe Bristol in the chapel of St. Stephen the martyr in the tomb at the foot of my parents in the north part. Item I bequeath to the mother church of Wells xii d. Item to the vicar of the aforesaid church for my tithes forgotten viii d. Item I give and bequeath to Anne daughter of Thomas Pauncefot of Hussefeld, in the county of Gloucestershire, esquire, all my lands and tenements, rents and services which I have in Bristol and in its suburbs and franchises of the gift and enfeoffment of Elizabeth Sharpe, to have and to hold all the aforesaid lands and tenements, rents and services to the aforesaid Anne for term of her life. Item I will and ordain that my fiefs ___________ with all the land and tenements, rents and services pertaining, in Bedmister Feyland Wraxall and Middle Tickenham in the County of Somerset, to have and to hold the said lands and tenements, rents and services immediately after the death of me, the said Richard Mede, to the said Anne, her heirs and assigns, to hold of the chief lord for the services owed. Item I give and bequeath to the aforesaid Anne all my lands and tenements, rents and services which I have in Bristol and its franchises which were of John Sharpe, former husband of Elizabeth, to have and to hold all the said lands and tenements, rents and services thereto pertaining, to Anne, her heirs and assigns to hold of the chief lord. Item I give to the said Anne all my lands and tenements, rents and services thereto pertaining which I have in Bristol, its suburbs and franchises which I inherited from Philip Mede my father, to have and to hold all the said lands and tenements, rents and services thereto pertaining, to the said Anne, her heirs and assigns forever, of the chief lord. Item I give and bequeath to the proctor of the church of Redcliffe __________ one messuage and one garden ____ situated on the hill of Redcliff between the tenement of me, the said Richard, in which Ralph Sporier inhabits on the north side and a tenement of the parish of Saint John the Baptist Bristol on the south side and extending to the garden of Master Nicholas Pitt _______ to have and to hold the said messuage and garden to the same proctor and his successors, upon this condition that the said proctor and his successors ______________ in the cemetery of the church of Redcliffe for the souls of Thomas Mede, Philip Mede and Isabel his wife, John Sharpe and Elizabeth his wife, and Richard Mede and Elizabeth and Anne his wives and for the souls of all the faithful departed

The residue of my goods not bequeathed I give and bequeath to the aforesaid Anne to order and dispose for my soul and to pay my debts and funeral expenses, the said Anne to be my executrix of this my testament. To this testament I affix my seal. These being witnesses master Nicholas Pitt vicar of the church of Redcliffe and my confessor, John Pollard, Roger Hay and others on the day and year above written.

John Mede of St. Mary Redcliffe, 1496

wife: Alice

kinsmen: John Ringston, John More, Richard Mede

witnesses: Henry Moyle, William Ogill, William Banger

vicar of Redcliffe: Nicholas Pitt

In the name of God Amen, the fourteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand four hundred and ninety six, I John Mede of Bristol, being of sound mind and healthy memory, make my testament in form following. First I give my soul to God almighty, to the Blessed Mary and to all the Saints, and my body to be buried in the church of Saint Mary Redcliffe in the town of Bristol in the aisle of St. Stephen. Item I bequeath to the mother church of Wells twelve pence. Item I bequeath to the church of Saint Mary Redcliffe ten shillings. Item I give to Nicholas Pitte vicar of Redcliffe, my curate, for my tithes forgotten iii s iiii d. Item I bequeath to Philip Ryngstone my kinsman all that my testament situated in the town of Bristol in Redcliffe Street in the parish of Saint Thomas with all my gardens and with three tenements in Bristol which all my gardens and tenements in Bristol situated in Saint Thomas Street in the parish of Redcliffe, which aforesaid tenement with garden I the aforesaid John Mede have from Richard Mede of Bristol, gentleman defunct, in fee simple, to have and to hold, all the aforesaid tenements with gardens to the aforesaid Philip Ringstone, his heirs or assigns. Item I bequeath to Alice my wife all my estate and term which I have in all lands, tenements and pastures situated within the city of Bristol and its suburbs __________________ I give to the aforesaid Alice my wife _______ which I have with all my gardens outside Lafford Gate within the hundred of Barton Regis in the county of Gloucester, which garden for term of years to have and to hold to Alice during the term remaining _______________ and if Alice should die within the said term, then I will that the estate should immediately after her death _______ remain to John More my kinsman and his assigns during the aforesaid term. The residue of all and singular my goods not bequeathed, my debts and funeral expenses paid, I give to the aforesaid Alice my wife and to John More my kinsman, whom I make my executors, and the said Philip Ringstone my kinsman my supervisor. To this testament I have set my seal. These being witnesses, Henry Moyle, William Ogill, William Banger and others, given the day and year above written.