CLCLtiU anb Cobkil OF PETER PETERSON, CITIZEN AND GOLDSMITH OF NORWICH, 1603. {Norwich Archdeaconry , 1603, folio 190). COMMUNICATED BY THE REV. 0. R. MANNING, M.A., F.S.A., HON. SEC. The following Will of an eminent Norwich Goldsmith in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, contains so many interesting bequests of plate, that it is thought to he a suitable one to he printed in extenso in our volumes ; and for that purpose it has been carefully transcribed from the original by Mr. Tallack. Peter Peterson, the testator, was born in the parish of St. Andrew, Norwich, about the year 1518. It has been thought likely that his family was of Dutch origin, as the name is a more common one on the Continent than in England, and one of his legacies is “ to the poorest sort of the Dutch nation ” in the city. Another Peter Peterson, perhaps his grandfather, a hardwareman of Norwich, died in 2 1497, 1 and he may have been a settler from the Low Countries, as I have not met with the name earlier. Peter Peterson was apprenticed to John Basyngham, goldsmith, and took up his freedom in 1554. In 1574 he was Chamberlain of the City ; and in the same year, on being excused the office of Sheriff, he presented the Corporation with a silver-gilt tazza cup, still remaining in their fine collection of plate. This piece has been frequently exhibited, and was figured in Ewing’s Norwich Pageantries. A small photograph of it appears as No. 20, in the group of the Corporation Plate, in the Insignia and Plate of the city, lately published, 2 where it is described from the catalogue of Works of Art, exhibited at South Kensington in 1S62 : — “ A silver-gilt tazza cup on short baluster stem ; the stem and base ornamented with gadroons and other repousse work, and with stamped and chased borders ; round the edge is engraved in cusped letters — “ THE + MOST + HEEE + OF + IS + DYNE + BY + PETER + PETERSON. “ In the bottom of the bowl are engraved, within a circle, the arms of the City of Norwich. Two plate marks have existed on the edge of the bowl ; one of these seems to bear the city arms, and the other a cross mound. “ The early inventory calls its weight xvi. oz., and describes it as ‘a boll all gylte of the gyfte of Peter Peterson, Chamblyne of y e Cittie.’” 1 He was buried at the Black Friars, beside Alice his wife ( Blomefield , iv. 338). There was also a Cornelius Peterson, who had a daughter baptized at St. Andrew’s in 1558. 2 Norfolk Chronicle Office, Norwich, 1890. 3 The following entry from the Assembly Booh of 21st September, 1574, explains its history: — “ This daye, by the hole concent of this howse, at the . humble suit, request and desyer of Peter Peterson, of the same cittie, goldsmith, the same Peter Peterson is dispensyd with and descharged from beryng the office of Shrevaltie, and all other offices within the cittie, only the office of Chamblyne excepted, for the which dis- pensation the same Peter Peterson have agreed to geve one standing cupp gylte of the weight of xv. oz., and xl u in money, to be payed in forme following, viz., £20 between this and the purification of o r Lady next ; £10 at Michaelmas next after that ; and the other £10 that tyme twelvemonths.” The two “ Blenerhasset ” cups belonged to the Cor- poration, numbered 21 and 22 in the photograph already mentioned, are of very similar design and ornament ; and as they appear in the Elizabethan inventory, are, no doubt, of much the same date. It was in con- sequence of the orb and cross in a lozenge, or cross mound, appearing as the maker’s mark on the Peterson cup, that Mr. Wilfrid Cripps 3 attributed that mark to him. It was natural to suppose that the piece he presented would be his own workmen’s manufacture, and the inscription round it expressly states that he made most of it himself. The very numerous pieces of church plate throughout the county bearing the same mark have, consequently, all been believed to be his work ; for it was in the midst of his career that the change took place, 1565 — 1570, by which the bell-shaped cup and footed paten took the place, in the Diocese of Norwich, of the older form of pre-Reformation vessels. But in his Will, now printed, made twenty-nine years after his gift of the cup, there is no reference whatever 3 Old English Plate (Murray), 3rd edition, p. 83. 4 to the cross mound. In his numerous bequests of plate he is explicit in describing the articles as marked with “ the sonne.” Spoons with “ knoppes of the sonne ” occur frequently. It is not clear whether this was an impressed mark, or whether the handles of the spoons were fashioned at the seal end, like a sun. But, in some cases, he mentions not only the knop of ,the spoon, but the same article also graven and gilt on the back with the sun. There is also a garnish of pewter marked with the sun ; and leaden tokens marked with the sun for his gifts of coal to the poor ; and what is still more to the purpose, he gives to his very good friend and neighbour, George Birch, a silver pot, with a cover all gilt, called Hauncepott, graven upon the cover with the sun, the lion and the castle of Norwich touch, “ of my own making.” He seems even to have placed this mark on a piece of London manufacture, for he leaves to the Mayor and Citizens a silver cup, with a cover pownst, and all double gilt, to be used only as the city plate is, of London touch, which cover has the sun mentioned in the top thereof, with the goldsmith's arms and certain posies enamelled upon it. But the best piece of evidence that the sun was his mark in 1567, as well as in 1603, is that the cup at St. Mar- garet’s, Norwich, is marked with the sun, i.e., a human full face surrounded by rays ; and in the churchwardens’ accounts of that parish is an entry in 1567, of the payment to Peter Peterson, the goldsmith, for making the “ comunyon cuppe,” at sixpence for every ounce worken.” 4 In my list of the Norwich Church Plate, I have called this mark “ a head affront^e ” ; but it is clear, on re-examining the cup, that it is the conven- tional representation of a sun. It is interesting to 4 Norfolk Archceology, x. 392. 5 notice that among the seventeenth century copper tokens of Yarmouth, is one issued by Edward Peterson, vintner, perhaps a great nephew, whose device on the obverse is “a blazing sun,” on which Mr. E. A. Tillett notes he was admitted a freeman of Norwich, 14th August, 1634. 5 Mr. E. Skinner, of Norwich, has a specimen in his collection which he has kindly allowed to be used for the illustration here given. The same mark of the sun is not found on any other Norwich piece, but it occurs, or a mark very similar, on the plate at Banningham, Briston, Brampton, New Buckenham, Cawston, Fincham, Hindolveston, Houghton- on-the-Hill, Methwold, Stratton Strawless, and Tittleshall. The orb and cross may have been Cobbold’s mark. Of this there are three varieties, one in a lozenge, generally found on plate of 1565 — 1570; another in a plain shield, as at Haddiscoe St. Mary, “ made by John Stone and Robart Stone,” whose names are not in the list of Norwich goldsmiths” 6 ; and a third, probably somewhat later, in a shaped shield, with the orb a good deal larger in proportion than in the other case. Of this there are instances on the cups lately belonging to the Dutch Church, and on a cup at Deopham. A complete list of English goldsmiths, including Norwich, has been printed by 5 Eastern Counties Collectanea , p. 291; and Boyne’s Tokens. It was very likely a rebus, in Elizabethan fashion, for Peter's sun. 6 Norfolk Archaeology , x. 112. 6 Mr. R. C. Hope, in the Reliquary? The trade must have been a flourishing one in Norwich at this time ; and Peter became a man of substance, having lands to bequeath at Barnham Broom, Barford, and Bickerston, besides his mansion and other property in several parishes in Norwich, and his personal possessions. But it is probable that he was not born to much affluence, and rose by his own industry. He expresses his obligation to his “ son-in-law,” or stepson, Robert Witchingham, whom he makes his sole executor, the son of his first wife Millicent, “ the maker and upholder of me in the tyme of my beginning ; for the goodwill and gentle behaviour that he hath, doeth, and ever did shew unto me from his childhood hitherto.” A perusal of his Will leaves the impression of a religious, kindly-aflectioned man, desirous to provide permanent gifts to the poor of his native city, disposing his property to his nearest relatives, and his stock-in-trade to his nephew, Peter Peterson, junior 7 8 ; and anxious to be kept in memory by all his friends, among whom he distributes more than forty spoons, and a number of rings with mottoes of “ Peterson’s Gift,” or “ Remember Peterson.” It is to be regretted that his portrait, which he mentions, is not now known to be preserved. In connection with the goldsmiths of Norwich, and the cycle of date letters employed by them, opportunity may be taken to notice here that the years hitherto adopted, according to Mr. Cripps’ tables, must be shifted forward at least a year. Until the year 1565 the Goldsmiths’ Company at Norwich did not officially mark 7 New Series, iii. 245 ; iv. 24. 8 This Peter Peterson, Jun., was stated by me {Norfolk Archeology, x. 112), and in the Goldsmiths List by Mr. R. C. Hope, to have died in 1609. But the burial at St. Andrew’s is more probably that of his child Peter, two years old ; as he had other children born later. 7 their plate, in spite of the Act of 1423, requiring all assay offices to do so. Hitherto, the first cycle has been believed to begin in 1564, and plate with the letter A has been taken to belong to that year. But on October 2nd, 1565, an assembly of the Common Council was held at Norwich, Thomas Sotherton being mayor, when the Goldsmiths Company presented a complaint and statements to the Council ; and the ordinances resulting, which have been printed by Mr. R C. Hope, F.S.A., in the Reliquary for October, 1890, 9 assert that “no comon stampp or marke have thereto been used and occupyed w th in the said cittie, whereby the said works of sylver made and wrought w th in the said cittie, might be stamped and signed as well for the demonstracon of suche trew and perfecte fynesse as ought to be in the same works of sylver, as for a declaracon wheare the same works were made and wrought, and by whom.” They, therefore, pray that certain lengthy regulations, which they set out, with penalties attached, may be ordained and decreed ; and among them that “ from and after the feaste of St. Michaell tharchangell next coming, after the date of this assembly, every artificer. . . . shall, trewly and faithfully worke according to trew the and honestie,” and that “ the standerde towching the fynes of sylver, whereby the said artificers at all tymes hereafter shall worke all ther works of sylver within the said Cittie and suburbes of the same, shalbe accepted, reputed, and taken to be of souche and the same fynes and goodnes and better as the standerde of the lyberds hedde with the crowne, 1 ys, and hathe ben alwayes hetherto adjudged, And not under the same in enywyse, and that a comon stampe or towche of the Armes or Ensigne of the said cittie, beyng the castell and the 9 New Series, iv. 208. 1 The London Hall Mark. 8 Lyon, shall be provided to remayne in the custody and keepyng of the wardens of the said art for the time being, under two severall kyes,” &c. It is, therefore, clear that the first year of Norwich hall-marking was not 1564. But was it 1565, or 1566 ? Mr. R C. Hope thinks the cycle began at Michaelmas, 1566, as the ordinance distinctly says, “ from and after the feast of St. Michael next coming after the date of this assembly.” 2 But this is contradicted by the dates on some of the existing plate. The cup at St. James’s is dated 1567, and has c for the date letter. If the cycle began in 1566, c would represent 1568-9, while if it began (as I think) at Michaelmas 1565, the date and letter would agree for 1567-8. As the Assembly was held three days after St. Michael’s Day, October 2nd, it does not seem likely that a whole year would be allowed to pass before the ordinance came into force. I venture to hazard the explanation that the form was written out for an expected Assembly before Michaelmas, 1565, perhaps for the regular day on September 21st, and that the Meeting was postponed for some reason to October 2nd, and the wording remained unaltered. If this be correct the Norwich date-letters will stand as follows : — A Michaelmas 1565 to Michaelmas 1566. B „ 1566 „ >> 1567. C 1567 „ 1568. D „ 1568 „ )) 1569. E „ 1569 „ 1570. One of the testator’s bequests is to the Corporation, of a “silver cupp with a cover pownst, all doubble gilt, * The fourth edition of Mr. Cripps’ work has appeared while these pages are passing through the press, and in it he has adopted Mr. Hope’s view, and moved the Norwich cycle on two years. 9 of London tuch, waieng thirty ownces or therabouts, w ch cover hath the sonne mentioned in the topp therof, w th the gouldsmythes arms graven uppon it, and with certain verses or posies graven and enamyled uppon it.” Nothing further is known of this piece, and it is not now among the civic plate. Mr. Tallack informs me that he has examined the Assembly Book, 1603-4, and the Court of Mayoralty Book for the same years, and there is no mention of any plate being received by the city. There is no record of the brass he orders having been put down to him at St. Andrew’s, nor of the chest being provided at St. Peter Mancroft. Mr. Tallack thinks that something must have happened to prevent the will being carried out in its entirety. As regards the bequest of houses in the parish of St. Peter Permountergate, for providing doles of coals to the poor, there is a direction in the Assembly Book of 1603-4 to certain aldermen to view the grounds. Blomefield says 3 that in 1667 the premises were let at £11 per annum by the city, and the chamberlain paid £9. 15s. of it for coals, and the parson twenty shillings. The rent is still received by the churchwardens. Robert Witehingham, the sole executor, died within nine days of proving the will, and Margaret, his relict, took out letters of attorney, 12th August, 1603, constituting Robert Smyth, notary public, her proctor. Peter Peterson was twice married : first, to Millicent, widow of Witehingham, Gent., and mother of Robert Witehingham, the executor ; and secondly, to Dorothie, widow of Stephen Empson of North Walsham, and sister of John Guggle, Gent., of Gimingham, 4 who survived him. He appears to have had no children, or none were living at his death. The relationships disclosed 3 iv. 98. 4 Stephen Empson married Dorothy Guggle, 12th February, 1557-8. He was buried 20th January, 1574-5 . — North J^alsham Register. 10 11 by the will may be more clearly set out by a tabular form ; to which may be added: — Thomas Peterson, brother-in-law, who probably married a sister of Peter’s second wife, Dorothy (Guggle) ; John Guggle, Gent., of Gimingham, brother-in-law ; Margaret Lynsey, niece. For several of the names in the pedigree I am indebted to the kindness of the Rev. Canon Copeman, Vicar of St. Andrew’s, who has extracted them from the Register; as also: — Baptised. — 1558. Maria, daughter of Cornelius Peter- son, 26th August. Buried. — 1558. Cornelius Petersonne, 9th August. Married. — 1559. R. Richardson and A. Peterson. There are also in North Walsham Register : — Married. — 1557-8. Stephen Empson and Dorothie Gogul, ye xii of februer. Buried. — 1574-5. Stephen Empson, 20 January. Married. — 1601. John Peterson and Audry Adams, widow, 1 st Aug. The worthy goldsmith, having attained the age of “ fowerskore and five years or therabouts,” made his will, May 15th, 1603. He desired to be buried in St. Andrew’s church, in the chapel “whear I doe usually sitt ” ; and that a gravestone should be placed “right against the seate where I doe usually sitt,” on which he would have engraved in brass the following verses, which no doubt he felt to be a proper lesson to the reader, although to us something less hackneyed and more grammatical would have been welcome: — “ I, Peter Peterson, Gentleman, Gouldsmyth, dead and gone, Here lieth, buryed under this stone. As you be nowe soe sometymes was he, And as he is nowe soe shall you be. Inclosed in earth his bones doe rest, His soule w th Christ in Heaven is blest.” 12 I have already mentioned that nothing is known of this brass now. The above directions confirm the view that appropriated seats in churches were allowed in Elizabethan times. He died two months after making his will, and was buried as he directed, 11th July, 1603. The following list classifies the various articles of plate and jewellery to be found in the will ; omitting the furniture, clothes, &c. : — Bowls : — A gilt bowl of Antwerp touch, to drink sack in. A little bowl, parcel gilt. A silver porringer with two ears, marked with the sun. A silver bowl. Cups : — A little goblet for medicine, parcel gilt, of Antwerp touch. A silver tankard, marked with the sun. A white pownst cup of silver. A silver cup and cover pownst, of London touch, weighing thirty ounces, with the Goldsmith’s arms and posies, enamelled, double gilt, marked with th$ sun. Jewels : — A pointed great diamond. Two bracelets of gold. A gold rose, with rubies. A portion of gold weighing seven angels. A stone called a green Elyne, with a chain, silver gilt. A four square pointed diamond. Pots : — A stone pot, garnished with silver, gilt lip, cover, and foot. 13 A silver pot with spout, to pour wine out of. A silver pot with two ears, parcel gilt, of Cohbold’s making. A stone pot with silver lip and foot. A gilt hauncepot, one of three. A plain silver pot with one ear. A hauncepot of silver, parcel gilt. A stone pot with lip and foot of silver. A silver-gilt pot with two ears. A silver pot and cover, gilt, with ears. A hauncepot marked with the sun and lion and castle, of my own making. Rings A ring with a great sapphire. A fine gold Paternoster ring. A black enamelled ring. A ring with a death’s head and posy. Thirteen other posy rings. Salts : — A silver-gilt salt with cover, of London touch. A salt of silver, six or eight square, with cover, parcel gilt. A bell salt of silver with cover. A bell salt, parcel gilt. Two others, ditto. Spoons : — A spoon with the Name of Jesus on the top or knopp. A foult gilt silver spoon. Another. Six silver spoons. Four ditto. One ditto. Two silver spoons marked with the sun. 14 Two silver spoons with knopps of the sun. One ditto, ditto. One ditto, ditto. Two ditto, ditto. Two ditto, ditto. Two ditto with knopps of the sun. Two ditto, ditto. Two ditto, ditto. Two ditto, ditto. Two ditto, ditto. Six ditto with knoppes of the sun, and graven with the sun on the back. Two ditto, ditto, ditto. Two ditto, ditto, ditto. Two ditto, ditto, ditto. One silver spoon to every godson named Peter. Miscellaneous : — Three gold angels. A silver-gilt casting bottle with chain. A pair of knives with hafts, sheath, and chain, all silver. A flat piece of silver, pownst. A casting flagon of silver with chain, for sweet water. A little black dagger with locker, chape, and chain of silver, and the knife and bodkin. A pepper box of silver with a bird of silver on the top, gilt. A caliver of silver with a dragon’s head at the mouth, with flask and touch box. Pewter : — One whole garnish of pewter marked with the sun. Half a garnish, of London make. Half a garnish marked with the sun. 15 Four platters. Four dishes. Great tapestry hangings with the history of King David, to be lent to the Mayor’s feast yearly. A painted cloth of the Queen of the Harvest. Picture of Queen Elizabeth. Picture of Testator. THE WILL. i In the Name of God, Amen, the fiftene day of Maye in the yeare of the raigne of o r Souaraigne Lord James, by the grace of God Kyng of England, France, and Ire- land the first, and of Scotland the thirty-sixth, Defender of the Faith, &c. I, Peter Peterson of the City of Norwich, gentleman and gouldsmyth, of thage of fowerskore and five years or therabouts, free of the said city, and a commoner, being whole both of bodye and mynde and of good and perfect remembrance, praysed be Almighty God, doe make and declare this my present testament conteyning my last will in manner and forme following, That is to say, first and before all things I do commytt my soule into the rScifull hands of Almighty God my Creator, to Jhesus Christ my Redeemer, and to the Holy Ghost my sanctefier and Comforter, trusting and assuredly believing that in the latter day I shall arrise both bodye and soule unto eternall salvation and life everlasting through the meritts of Christ his Death and passion, and my bodye I commytt vnto the earth decently to be buryed in Christian bury all in the Chappell whear I doe usually sitt in the parrish of S* Andrew wher I was 16 borne w th in the Citty of Norwich, right against the seate where I doe vsually sitt, for w cl1 purpose I have preferred a gravestone uppon w cl1 stone I will that theis verses he written in brasse and fastened to the sayde stone, viz., I, Peter Peterson, gentleman gouldsmyth, dead and gone, here lieth buryed under this stone, As you be nowe soe sometymes was he, And as he is nowe soe shall you be, Inclosed in earth his bones doe rest, his soule w th Christ in Heaven is blest, with the date and yeare of our Lord (yf it please God soe to permytt it). Item, I give to the poormen’s box in the parrishe of S* Andrew aforesaide iij s and iiij d to be payde w th in one month next after my decease. Item, I give to the reparation of the parrishe church of S ct Andrew aforesaid xx s of lawfull mony of England to be payde w th in one yeare next after my decease uppon lawfull demaund made. Item, I give and bequeath vnto the chest called Cambridge chest 5 in the parrishe of S ct Andrew aforesayde xl s of like mony to be payde w th in one yeare next after my decease being lawfully demaunded to be vsed and employed as the stock of mony in the same chist is now vsed and employed. Item, I doe give unto the prysoners in the Guyldhall w th in the sayde Citty of Norw h iij s & iiij d to be bestowed and distrybuted amongest them in meate and wheete bread w th in eight dayes next after my decease. Item, I give vnto the prysoners in the Castle of Blanchflower with" the Citty of Norwich, x s to be bestowed and distributed amongst them in meate and wheate bread w th in eight dayes next after my decease. Item, I give to eavery of the lazerhouses about the Citty of Norw h xx d a peece to be payde vnto them w th in eight days next after my decease. Item, I give 5 John Cambridge, Alderman, left £10 in 1442, to be kept in a chest at St. Andrew’s, where he was buried, to be lent to the poor on security. — Blomefield, iv. 302. 17 and bequeath vnto Cornelius Kyddell and fyve other poore men within the ward of S ct Andrewe in Norw ch wher I was borne, that shall accompanye my bodye to the buryall, vnto eavery one of thorn one black freise gowne ready made, six pence a peice in mony, there dynners or suppers as the tyme of the daye shall serve, and everye of them a twopenny wheat loaf. Item, I give unto the Minyster of the parrish of S ct Andrew, beinge a preacher, for the making a sermon at my buriail, vj s viij d and my will is and I doe earnestly desier him to take for his theame or Text, Lord now lettest thou thy servaunt depart in peace according to thy word, for my eyes have seene thy salvation, &c., w ch saide theame or Text I will shalbe delivered by my Executor vnto the sayde preacher, and if he be not in the country then I will that my Executor shall appoynt such a one as he shall thincke meete and shall deliver to him the theame or text afore- saide in convenyent tyme in writyng. Item, I doe give vnto the sayde parrishe of S ct Andrew for and in consideration of breaking the ground wher my body shall soe be buryed as aforesaide, x s to be payde w th in one moneth next after my decease uppon lawfull demaund. Item, I will that my Executor or his assignes shall destribute unto such poore people as shall resort to the Newhall for reward the daye of my buryall to eavery of them one wheaten loafe of two pence. Item, I doe give and bequeathe unto Dorothie, my welbeloved wief, my Bible conteyning thold and new Testament, the booke of common prayer and Jenevea psalms. Item, I doe give more vnto the sayde Dorothie, my welbeloved wief, one fyne mourning gowne, kirtle, and hoode, my poynted great dyamond, my ryng w th the great saphare, one fyne gould ryng called a Pater- noster ring, one other gould ryng black enamyled that I gave her for a token, two bracletts of gould weyeng three owncg, one rose of gold w th rubies in or uppon it, one 18 portion of gould weyeng seven angells, three oulcl angells, one little yron chest, one guylt bowl chaste w Ul in, of Anwarpe touch, to drynck sack in, one stone pott gar- nished with silver and guylt lypp, cover, and foot, weieng eight ownces, one silver pott w th a spout to poure wyne. out of weyeng xviij ownces, one salt silver and guylt w th a cover; of London touch, conteyning in weight togeather xxiiij ownces, one casting bottle all guylt w th a cheane weyeng six ownces, one pott of silver w th two eares pcell guylt weyeng fifteene ownces, of Cobbold’s making; one payor of knyfes w th hafts, sheath, and cheane all of silver weyeng three ouncs and better, one little bowle pcell guylt weyeng tenn ownces, one tankard of silver graven uppon it w th the sonne in the cover weyeng xij owncs three quart rs , one silver porringer w th two eares graven with the sonne weieng six owncs, one silver spoone w th a knopp and the 'name of Jhesus sett vppon the topp or knopp weyeng one ounce and di, one little gobliett to drynck medicyns in pcell guylt, of Anwarp touch, weyeng fower owncs ; one salt, six or eight square, of silver w th a cover pcell guylt weyeng xviij owncs di ; one stone pott with lipp and foot of silver weyeng two ouncs di, one flatt peece of silver pownst weieng six or seaven owncs, one of the three guylt haunce potts. Item, I doe give and beqeathe more vnto the sayde Dorothie, my welbeloved wief, my best posted bedstead w th the curteyns of blew and yellow saye, my best downe bed, my best featherbedd, my two best boulsters, two of my best pillowes of downe, two of my best blancketts, three of my best pillowes, my best tappestry covering, six payer of my best sheets, my silke twilt, one trvndle bedstead w th the featherbedd to the same belonging. Item, I give and bequeathe vnto the sayde Dorothie, my wief, fifty pounds of lawfull mony of England to be payde vnto her w th in one quarter of 19 a yeare next after my decease at the now mansion house of Robert Witchingham, gent., w th in the Citty of Norwich vppon lawfull demaund made, vppon condition that shee the sayde Dorothie, my wief, shall not at any time hereafter make any clayme or challendg of any thirds or dower in or to any of my messuages, tenements, gardeyns, ortcliyards, and other my lands whatsoever, and if shee shall fortune to make any title or clayme any thirds or dower into any of saide messuages, lands, and tenements as aforesaide, that then the sayde Dorothie to be voyde of this my guy ft of fifty pounds before to her given and bequeathed, anything in this my psent testament and last will to the contrary notw th standing. Item, I doe also give and bequeathe vnto the sayde Dorothie my wief all and singular my hangings, presses, tables, and stool es covered with silke, my Cheast of Flandermake, two chairs covered, thone of cloth of tissue and th other is a lowe seate for a woman covered with redd velvett ; my coubourd, togeather w th all my stuff of howshold vsed or occupied in the sayde great chamber and not hereby given or bequeathed to any other pson or psons. Item, I doe give and bequeathe vnto the sayde Dorothie my welbeloved wife, two of my best diaper table cloathes, one dozen of my best diaper napkyns, my best diap towell, two dozen napkyns striped w th blew, two of my best playne table cloathes, my drawne table w th the frame, two carpetts to the sayde table belonging when the same table is in the square, six buffet stooles covered with velvet, being in my great plour or ther vsually occupied ; six of my best cushins of redd velvett, my carving table, the picture of the Queene and my own picture, w th the table, a paynted cloth of the Qweene of the harvest, and all other my furnyture in the saide parlo 1 ’ being and not hereby given or bequeathed to any other person or psons ; one whole garnish of pewter marked 20 w th the sonn, half a garnish of pewter of London make, the edges stamped w th anticworke, togeather with my two great brasse potts and two little brasse potts, fower of my best kettles, one cawdron w th two ears of yron, and one yron jack standing in the kitchen called a turn speete, and the speets thertoe belonging. Item, I doe further give and bequeath vnto the sayde Dorothie my welbeloved wief, my great presse of waynscott standing in my great hall pcell of my mansion howse, one long cushin of purple velvett and one little cushyn of purple velvett, both of the saide cushins being ymbrodered w th flowers of the one make, and thirty shillings in gould to make her a ryng w th a death’s head, in w ch I will have written or engraved this posie or words following, viz., “ the guyft of Peter Peterson my husband.” Alsoe, I give and bequeathe unto my saide welbeloved wief all and singular such vtensills, stuff of howshold, and moveable goods by what name or title soeever they be called, w ch were my saide wiefe’s before I marryed w th her, inventoried to be the late goods of Stephen Empson, late of North Walsham in the county of Norff, being in Norwich. Item, I doe further give and bequeathe vnto the sayde Dorothie my welbeloved wief during her naturall life, all those my messuages, tenements, yards, gardens and grounds, with all and singuler ther appurtennes scituat, being, and being in the parishes of S ct Edmund and S ct Martyn at the pallace w th in the Citty of Norw ch or either of them, w ct I sometyme purchased of one Robert Gibson, gent., shee keeping them in good and sufficient repation and vppon condition that shee the sayde Dorothie my wief shall not at any time hereafter make any clayme or chalenge of any thirds or dower in or to any of my messuages, tenements, gardyns, ortchyards, and other my lands whatsoever; and after her decease I will and bequeath the sayde messuages, 21 tenements, yards, gardens, and grounds, with all and singular their appurtennes vnto Peter Peterson, sonne of Anthony Peterson, and to his heires for ever. Item, I doe further give and bequeathe vnto the saide Peter Petersonn one playne silver pott w th one eare weyeng xiij or xiiij ownces or therabouts, one long table of weynscott w th fower feete, a coubbourd of waynscott, a carving table standing w th in my long plour, a chaier and fower formes in the said parlor, he to have them presently after my decease. Itm, I gyve and bequeath vnto Peter Peterson, gouldsmyth, the sonne of Anthony Peterson, one posted bedstead paynted black as it now standeth w th the tester and vallance of redd silk, w th one good featherbedd and boulster, two blancketts, two payer of sheets, and one coverlett of Pulham worke w th one good pillow and pillowbeere, and also fower pewter platters, four pewter dishes, and four sawsers, one brasse pott, one brasse kettle, together with all my gouldsmyth’s tools, stifles, hammers, ingotts, gouldsmythe’s bellows, and all other my saide tooles and patterns of leade belonging to my science, all which I have layde in my great iron chist now standing in my little hall ; and also I give unto him fy ve pounds of lawfull mony of England all w ch I will to be payde and delivered unto him upon the feast of the Appostells Phillipp and Jacobb, commonly called Maye Daye, come twelvemonth, being the daye of the determination of his prentisehood upon lawful demand made to my executor, and alsoe if he soe long doe lyve. Item I give and bequethe unto Thomas Peterson my brother-in-lawe two silver spoones weyeng two ounces and di, a mourning cloake and a mourning gowne for his wife, and a ryng of gowld w th bres Peter Peterson’s guyft, to he presently delivered him after my decease by my executor. Item, I give and bequeath unto Katheryne Howse, wife of James Howse, 22 my half-sister, two silver spoones w th knopps of the sonne, weieng togeather two owncs di, to be delivered by my executor w th in a short tyme after my decease ; and alsoe to her and her husband to each of them one gould ryng w th my saide posie, Peter Petersons guyft, to be delivered to either of them w th in one moneth next after my decease yf they be then livyng, vpon lawfull demaund made at the saide mansion house of the sayde Robert Witchingham. Item, I give and bequeath vnto Robert Witchingham, gent., my foult guylt silver spoone with the sonne weieng one ownce, one haunce pott of silver with a cover pcell guylt weyeng xvj owncs and one quarter of one ownce, one stone pott with a foote and lipp of silver weieng two ownces di ; and to Margaret his wife one casting flagyn of silver, all guylt, with a cheane for sweete water ; half a garnish of pewter marked w th the sonne, one diaper table cloth, one playne table cloth, one dozen table napkyns striped w th blewe, one long playne towell. Item, I give and bequeath vnto Margarett, now wife of the said Robert Witchingham, one white pownst cupp of silver weieng three ownces three quarters, and one gowld ring w th my posie afore written. Item, I give and bequeath vnto Peter Witching- ham my god sonne, sonne of the said Robert Witchingham, gent., one silver salt called a bell salt w th a cover to it, weieng six owncs ; six silver spoons weieng seaven owncs di, one silver bowle that his father hath in keaping weieng tenne owncs, and one silver spoone beinge a foult spoone weieng one ownce. Item, I give to Ann my neice, the daughter of my late brother Henry Peterson, deceassed, one silver spoon with a knopp of the sonne weieng one ownce, and xl s of lawfull mony of England, all w ch to be payde and delivered vnto her at the saide mansion howse of the saide Robert Witchingham w th in one quarter of a year next aft r my decease vppon lawfull 23 demaund made and shee then livyng. Item, I give and bequeath vnto Margarett my neece, the late wife of Aggas, one silver spone w th a knopp of the sonne weieng one ownce, and xl s of lawfull mony of England, to be payde and delivered vnto her at the saide place vppon lawfull demaund w th in one quarter of a year next after my decease, yf shee be then livyng. Item, I give and bequeathe to the children of the sayde Margarett, viz., to Ann and Margarett her daughters, to either of them xl s a peece, to be payde to either of them as they shall accomplish their severall ages of one and twenty yeares within one quarter of a yeare next after my decease at or in the sayde mansion howse of the said Robert Witchingham, vppon lawfull demaunde made and they then livyng. Item, I give and bequeath vnto Peter Lardg and Thomas Large, sonns of Rose Lardg, and to either of them xl s a peece, to be payde unto them at the saide place w th in one yeare next after my decease, vppon lawfull demaund yf they soe long lyve. Item, I give and bequeathe to Willm. Bland and Margarett Punt, daughter to one Hooke of Laistoff, dwelling in Harborne’s rents, to either of them forty shillings of lawfull mony of England, to be payde vnto them w th in one quarter of a yeare next after my decease at or in the sayde mansion howse of the sayde Robert Witchingham vppon demaund made by them. Item, I give and bequeathe vnto Will” Petersonn my nephew two silver spoones with knopps of the sonne weieng two owncs and a half, to be payde and delivered vnto him w th in one yeare after my decease, at or in the sayde place, vppon lawfull demaund made and he then livyng ; and also I give vnto him one mourning cloake to be delivered him vppon demaund against my buriall daye ; and I give unto the wief of the saide William one gould ryng with my posie, Peter Peterson’s guyft, to be given and delivered vnto 24 her at the saide place vppon demaunde made, w th in one yeare next after my decease yf shee doe so long lyve. Item, I give and bequeath vnto Anthony Petersonn my nephew, two silver spoones w th knopps of the sonne weieng two owncs di ; and I give vnto his wife one gould ryng w th my posie, Remeber Peterson, to be delivered vnto them w th in one quarter of a yeare next after my decease, at or in the sayde place, vppon lawfull demaund and they then livyng ; and also I give vnto the sayde Anthony one mourning cloake to be delivered him against my buriall vppon lawfull demaund. Item, I give and bequeathe vnto Spencer Peterson my nephew two silver spoones w ,h knopps of the sonne weieng togeather two owncs di, my black cloth gowne with a gard of velvett faced w th damask, to be delivered vnto him within one moneth next after my decease, at or in the sayde mansion howse of the sayde Robert Wichingham, and one mourning cloake against my buriall daye ; and I doe give vnto his wief one gould ryng with my saide posie, Remeber Peterson, to be delivered vnto her at the sayde place w th in one moneth next after my decease, vppon lawfull demaund made shee then being livyng. Item, I doe also give and bequeathe vnto the sayde Spencer Peterson a silver pott guylt w th two eares, to be delivered vnto him at such tyme as the guyfts before given vnto him is appoynted. Item, I give and bequeath vnto Peter Peterson, gouldsmyth, the sonne of Anthony Petersonn, one paper booke conteyning the Bailiffs, Maiors, and Sheriffs of the Citty of Norw ch , to be delivered vnto him by my executor within one moneth after the deter- mination of his prentishood. Item, I give and bequeathe to Robert Petersonn, sonne of Anthony Petersonn, two silver spoones w th knoppes of the sonne, weyeng two owncs di, to be delivered vnto him w th in one yeare next after my decease, if he be then living, at or in 25 the now mansion liowse of the saide Robert Witchingham. Item, I give and bequeath vnto Robert Witchingham, the sonne of Robert Witchingham of the Citty of Norwich, gent., two silver spoones with knoppes of the sonne waying togeather two ounces and di, and a bell salt pcell gilt waying fower ounces, to be delivered unto him at his age of xxi li yeares if he then be livyng. Item, I give and bequeath unto Milicent Witchingham the daughter of the said Robert two silver spoones with knoppes of the sonn weyeng togeather two ownces and di, a bell salt pcell gilt waieng fower ownes, and a stone called a grene Elyne w th a silver and gilt cheane, to be delivered unto her at her age of xxi yeares yf shee be then living. Item, I give and bequeathe to Dorothie Witchingham, one other of the daughters of the sayde Robert, two silver spoones w th knopps of the sonne weyeng as afore, and a bell salt pcell gilt waieng ut supra, to be delivered unto her at her age of xxi yeares (if shee be then living). Item, I give and bequeath unto John Witchingham, one other of the sonnes of the sayde Robert, two silver spoones w th knoppes of the sonne waieng two ownces and di, and a bell salt pcell gilt waieng fower ownces, to be delivered unto him at his age of xxi yeares (if he be then living). Item, I give and bequeathe unto eavery of the daughters of Spencer Peterson which ar unmarry ed fower silver spoones waieng fyve ownces in the whole, to be delivered unto either of them at their severall ao-es o of xxi yeares or the daye of ther marriage w ch commeth first (if they shal be then livyng). Item, I give and bequeathe vnto Michell Peterson sonne of Thomas Peterson the some of xl s of lawfull mony of England to be payde unto him at his age of xxi yeares if he shall then be livyng. Item, I give vnto Margarett Dvnks, the late wife of Richard Duncks of Norw ch , deceased, one gould ryng with my saide posie, to be delivered 26 vnto her w th in one moneth next after my decease at the saide place, and uppon lawfull demaund, shee then beinge livyng, and also one mourning whood against my buriall daye. Item, I give to Nichas Mayes, my fearmor at Barnham Broome for the time beinge, one cloake cloth to be delivered him against my buriall daye yf then he be my fearmor. Item, I give to Thomas Empson, my fearmor of North Walsham for the tvme beinge, one cloke cloth to be delivered him against my buriall daye yf then he be my fearmor. Item, I give and bequeathe to Peter Mayes, sonne of the foresaied Nichas Mayes, one silver spoone waieng one ownce, to be delivered vnto him by my Executor at his age of xxi yeares. Item, I give and bequeathe unto the Maior, Shreives, Citizens, and Comonaltie of the Citty of Norwich for and in con- sideration of ther paynes hereafter to be taken, and my requests to be pformed (onely to be vsed in all respects as ther Citty plate is vsed by the Maior of the saide Citty for the tyme being), one silver cupp with a cover pownst all doubble gilt of London tuch waieng thirty ownces or therabouts w ch cover hath the sonne mentioned in the topp thereof w th the gouldsmythe’s arms graven vppon it and with certen verses or posies graven and enamyled uppon it, to be delivered by my Executor the next daye of meeting at the Guyldhall uppon an assembly after my decease to the Mayor for the time being in the presence of the Shreives and other of the citizens thear assembled, and the sayde Mayor vppon the sayde delivery to give to my saide Executor an acquittance for it. Item, I give and bequeathe to George Birch , 6 my veary good frynd and neighbour, one silver pott with a cover all gilt with eares, called Hauncepott, graven vpon the covers w th the sonne, the 6 Sheriff, 1604 ; Mayor, 1621. 27 Lion and the Castle of Norwich tuch, of my owne making ; my fyne cloth cassack with a broade yard of velvett uppon it and new lyned with fyne furr, to be delivered unto him presently after my decease, and my little black dagger with the locker, chape, and cheane of silver, and the knyfe and bodkin, soe that he will weare it for my sake ; and to his wife a pepper box of silver w th a bird made of silver vppon the top of it all guylt, and a gould ryng with Ires, to be delivered her presently after my decease. Item, I give unto Peter Long, a calendar , 7 xx s in respect of his good will shewed unto me comming from S 4 Fayes ats S* Fayth to Norwich, to be payde vnto him within one half yeare next after my decease at or in the now mansion house of the sayde Robert Wichingham uppon lawfull demaund made, yf he shall be then living. Item, I give and bequeathe unto Peter Peterson, the sonne of Anthony Petersonn, a calyver with a spryng locke w th in the match and home frynged, and my caliver of silver with a dragon’s head at or on the mouth therof, flask and touch box theretoe belonging, one murryn 8 headpiece, a rest of black velvett layd on w th gould lace, with my two scarfs of greene and white silke frynged, and one sword and a dagger therevntoe belonging, to be delivered unto him within one moneth after the said Peter shall come out of his prentishood by my Executor. Item, I give and bequeathe to the porest sort of the duche nation within the Citty of Norw ch xl s , to be payde y mediately after my decease. Item, I give and bequeathe vnto Margery Lynsey, my neice, dwelling w th in the parrish of Andrew with one Henry Alborn, xl s of lawfull mony of England to be payde vnto her presently after 7 Calender : a person whose trade is to press, smooth, and put a gloss upon linen. 8 Moryon ? 28 my decease vppon demaund made at the sayde mansion howse of the saide Robert Wichingham. Item, I give to eavery of my godsonns whose names bene Peter one silver spoone weieng one ownce, to be delivered vnto them and eavery of them as they and eavery of them shall accomplish their age of 21 years, at or in the sayde mansion house of the said Robert Witchingham vppon lawfull demand made and yf they so long live. Item, I give vnto fower men being gouldsmythes that shall take the paynes to carry my bodye to the church to be buryed, they beinge appoynted by my Executor, to eavery of them a black coate. Item, I give and be- queathe to Rob'ert Gibson and John Silver 9 to either of them a ring of gould w th my posey uppon it, Peterson’s guyft, to be presently delivered vnto them after my decease by my Executor. Item, I give and bequeathe vnto John Peterson, the sonne of Anthony Peterson, fyve pownds of lawfull mony of England w th in one yeare after my decease, and to his wief xx 8 in mony and a gould ryng w th letters being Petersonn’s guyft, to be delivered unto her w th in one yearC after my decease uppon demaund by them to be made. Item, I give and bequeath vnto Spencer Peterson, sonne of the sayde Anthony, fyve pounds of lawfull mony of England, to be payde vnto him at his age of xxi yeares by my Executor uppon demaund. Item, I give and bequeathe to Joan Dickerson and Elizabeth Stocking, my servants, to either of them xx s a peece and as much holland cloth as will make either of them a kercher yf they shall serve and continew with me vntill the daye of my decease. Item, I give and bequeathe vnto the Mayor, Shreives, Cittizens, and Comonalty of the Citty of 9 Robert Gibson, Alderman and beerbrewer ; founder of Gibson’s Conduit. John Silver, Sheriff and Deputy Recorder in 1602. See Nor/. Archy. x. 186 ; Blomcf. iii. 370. 29 Norw ch all that my inclose and tower tenements, together w th the howses, yards, ortchyards and gardyns to them belonging w th all and singuler ther appurtennes w ch I purchased of Mrs. — Raynbowe, wyddow, sett lieng and being in the parrishes of S fc Vadasts ais St. Fasts and S 1 Peter pmountegate ais S* Peters of Cunsford or any of them w th in the Citty of Norwich, w th all the deeds, charters, writyngs, and evidences onely concerning the sayde premises or any part thereof, to have and to hold the sayde Inclosse, and fower tenements with the howses, yards, ortchyards, and gardyns w th all and singular ther appurtenns to the sayde Mayor, Shreives, Citizens, and Comonalty and Successors for ever, to the uses, entents, and purposes herafter mentioned, and to no other vse or vses, that it is to say that the sayde Maior, Shreives, Citizens, and Comonalty shall under the comon seale make and deliver to my welbeloved wief and her assigneis one lease or demyse of the said inclosse, fower tenements, howses, yards, ortchyards, and gardens w th all and singular ther appurtenns for the terme of xxi yeares (yf shee shall soe long lyve) other but untill the feast of S ct Michell the Archangell next after her death, the said lease to begynn at the said feast of S fc Michael Tharkangell next after my decease, reserving only to the said Maior, Shreives, Citizens, and Comonalty one yearly rent or farme of v s of lawfull mony of England to be alwayes paide to the said Maior, Shreives, Citizens, and Comonalty or ther assignes during the sayde terme at the said feast of S* Michael tharkangell with sufficient covenaunts to them for the repayring, maynteyning, keaping of the howses, two shudds, walls, and fenses belonging to the said premisses, and for maynteyng, keaping, and renewyng the fruyte trees of eaverye kynde now ther growing and in default of any of them to plant others, and also for the payeng of 30 v* yearely to the Minyster for the herbage at Lammas dave, and alsoe for the true pay eng yearely during the saide terme tyf shee shall soe long lyve), otherwise soe long as shee shall enioye the same by vertue of the said demyse vnto the Churchwardens and overseers of the pore of the parrish church of S ct Peter p mountegate ats S ct Peters of Cunsford for the tyme being soe much lawfull mony of England in and uppon the feast of S* Peter ad vincula commonly called Lammas daye as they maye presently after the said daye provyde, buye, and laye into the lower vestery of the said parrish church two chalder of good sea cole full measured by a water bushell for the provision of the poorest and most needy psons dwelling and inhabiting w th in the said pisshes of S l Peter of p mountegate ats Peters of Cunsford and the parrish of S ct Yedas ats S ct Fassts soe as every of them maye have one bushell of the said sea cole delivered vnto them by a water bushell measure in and uppon the feast of S 4 Thomas the Appostle yearly during the said terme or soe long as shee shall occupie or enioye the same, soe far forth as the said two chalder will amount unto ; and that the said churchwardens and overseers for the tyme beinge shall yearely, before the said feast of St Thomas, deliver vnto eavery of the said poore people appoynted to receave the said cole, one token of lead stamped w th the stame [stamp] of the sonne and before thend of the said xxi yeares or the feast of S ct Michaell tharkangell next after the death of the said Dorothie my said wief w ch of them shall first happen. I will that the Minyster of the said pish of S ct Peter of pmountage ats S ct Peter of Cunsford for the tym beinge and the greatest number of the then owners and freeholders of the same pishe shall assemble themselves togeather and make choise of two of the honestest and fittest freholders inhabiting the said pish (not being Aldermen) to become fearmers for 31 the said premises and every part thereof, and the names and surnames of them soe by them elected and chosen shall deliver in writyng before the determination of the said lease unto the Maior, Shreves, and Comonalty of the said Citty, and upon the delivery of the said names they to graunt a demyse or lease of the said premisses and eavery part thereof unto one of the said two psons soe to be namyd, w ch of them they shall best like of yf he soe namyd will give the best price or ferme fer the same, or els to some other of the said Inhabitaunts that will give most for the said ferme to he to buye fower ch alder of coales at the least, to be employed as before, or more yf the mony will extend to take his beginnyng from the daye of th expiration of the said lease to be made to my said wief for the terme of ten yeares then next following, w th reservation to them the said Maior, Shereves, Citizens, and Comonalty of the yearely rent or ferme of v s yearely as abovesaid and no more, and w th sufficient covenaunts for the sufficient repayring, mayn- teyning, and uphoulding of the houses, shudds, -walls, and fences, now belonging to the said premisses, and payment of the herbage for the same as abovesaid, and also for the maynteyning, keeping, and renewing the frute trees of eavrey kinde now ther growing, and in defalt of them to plant others of the same kynde soe decayed, and alsoe for the payeng yearely vnto the churchwardens of the said parrisshe for the tyme beinge at the feast of S ct Peter ad vincula, commonly called Lammas daye, soe much lawfull mony of England as shall well serve to buye and provyde for the neadiest and poorest people of the said parrish, fower chalder of good sea cole or more as the fearme of the same will paye for, measured by a lawfull bushell, and the saime cole so provyded and brought to be layd upp as above- said and before the feast of S ct Thomas the Appostle, the 32 said churchwardens yearely to make choise of the said poorest psons for the receipt of the said cole on S ct Thomas day following, and to deliver vnto them and eavery of them a token of lead stamped w th the stamp of the sonne, and in and vppon the said feast of S ct Thomas yearly the poore people soe appoynted as aforesaid to come unto the said vestry and eavery of them to redeliver his, her, or ther token unto the said churchwardens and overseers, and to receive every of them one bushell of cole measured by a water bushell soe far forth as two chalder pcell of the said fower chalder will amount and thother two chalder remayning to be delivered unto the same poore people betwene the said feast of S ct Thomas and the purification of our Lady commonly called Candlemas daye as the hardnes of the yeare and necessity of the tyme shall requyre as to the discreations of the said church- wardens and overseers for the tyme beynge and two of the best freeholders and Inhabitants of the said parrish shall be thought best and before thend and expiration of the said ten yeares the like choise to be made as abovesaid and the like demyse and provision for the pore for other ten yeares and soe forth ever after from tyme to tyme so long as the world shall endure. Item, I will and bequeathe that twenty pownds of lawfull mony of Eng- land shalbe by my Executor payde with 111 one yeare after my decease vnto the churchwardens of the pish church of S* Peter of Mancroft within the Citty of Norwich for the tyme being, to be lent out, ordered, and disposed in such manner and forme as hereafter in this my present will is expressed, sett downe, and appoynted, viz., I do hereby appoynt, order, and determyn that the said twenty pownds see by me given, bequeathed, or appoynted to be payde as is abovesaid w th one great chist bound w th yron w th two locks and two keyes to the same belonging, with one pyle of gouldsmyth’s weights and two payer of ballances, 33 thone to waye gould and silver and thother to w eye other things, shall for ever remayne as the free guyft of me the sayde Peter within the said parrish of S ct Peter of Mancroft w th in the sayde Citty, to thnse of the said pishners for the tyme beinge, and that the said chest shalbe called by the name of Petersonn’s chest for ever, and alsoe the said chist shalbe used for and about the keaping of the said twenty powndes, and such pawnes as shalbe layd in and delivered vpon the lending of the said twenty powndes or any part thereof, and that the said ballancs and weights shall be likewise used for the weieng of the said pawnes as occasion shall serve, and I doe also appoynt and requyre hereby that the said cheast shall stand and remayne within the chamber called the little vestry over the north porch of the said parrish church and be called by the name of Peterson’s chest for ever. And I doe also hereby appoynt, order, and decree that the said pishners and the church- wardens of the said parrish for the tyme being, or the more part of them, shall yearly and every yeare for ever upon the feast day of the circumsicon of our Lord, commonly called New Yeare’s day (yf it be not Sondye), and if it be Sonday then uppon the Monday next after the said feast day, chose three men of the said pishners, every of them being then able to dispend w th in the said citty in his owne righte or in the right of his brief of freehold xl s by the yeare, of w ch three men one to be a gouldsmyth, yf ther shall then be anye such dwelling in the said pish, which said three men shall be called clavers of or for the said chest, which said clavers shall vppon or ymediatly after they shall soe be chosen at the fyrst tyme receive and take of the said churchwardens or some of them the said xx 11 and shall also have to eauery of them delivered a severall keye fitt to and for the said cheast by the said parrishioners or some of them, w ch sayd keyes shall remayne from tyme to tyme to the clavors of the said chist for the tyme 34 being for ever, w ch sayde clavors for the tyme being shall for ther yeare freely lend and delyver the said twenty pounds and every part thereof unto such of the said parrishners as shall desire to have of the same to them lent soe as such of the said parrishners as shall from tyme to tyme desire to have thereof be not then valued in the subsidy booke above four pounds in goods or xl s in or by lands (the said clavors for the tyme being not to have any part therof), and that none of the said pishners shall have above five pounds thereof at anye one tyme nor for any longer tyme then for two yeares at the most, and none of them to have of it agayne before thend of two yeares then next ensueng after the said two yeares shalbe expired, and that no alyn borne out of this Realine and inhabiting in the said parrish shall at any time have to him or them anye part of the said mony lent. Provyded always and I doe also by theis presents appoynt, order, and determyne that the said clavers for the tyme being receive of every such of the said parrishners as shall have to them lent any of the said money at the time of the lending and delivering thereof a sufficient pawne of gould in coyne well knowne to the said clavors or some of them silver plate or gilt plate at iiii s viij d the ownce, silver plate not gilt at iiij 8 and ij d the ownce and not at any great rates or value, and that yf any such pson or psons as shall borrowe or have to them any of the said mony soe lent as aforesaid shall fayle and make defalt of or in the repay ement thereof, agayne at thend of the said two yeares, that then the said clavors for the tyme being, or some of them, shall cause that open warning shalbe given or published by the curate or dark of the said parrishe for the tyme beinge uppon some Sondaye or Holydaye ymediately after the end of the said two yeares to come in with and make payment of ther mony and to redeem their pawnes within fifteene 35 da}^es next after such warning given or published as aforesaide. Or ells the sayde pawnes soe layde in or mortgaged and not redeemed shalbe sould by the sayde clavors, churchwardens, and parrishners or some of them openly uppon some holidaye or weeke daye unto such as will give most for the same, and that the mony due to the said chist or lent as aforesaid shalbe first deducted and then the overplus thereof to be restored to the pson and psons to whome the said pawne or pawnes that shall so he sould did first apperteyne. Item, I doe further by this my present will, order and decree for the better preservation and continuing of the said xx u without losse or diminishing thereof, and for good orders to be kept and continewed in the vsing thereof that the said clavers for the t}^me beinge shall at thend of every two yea res uppon the said feast da}^e of the circumsition of our Lord (if it be not Sondaye), and beinge Sondaye then vppon the Monday next after the said feast, in the presence of the saide churchwardens and pishners or of the most part of them for the tyme beinge, make in the said parrish church a just and true accompt of the said xx 11 chest, ballance, and weights, and of such pawnes as shall then be remayning in their or any of their custody or chist, and the saide accompt soe made and finished one of the said clavers to be putt of and a new to be chosen in his stead and place for the yeare then to come, and he to have vppon the said choise the key of the ould claver that shall soe be putt of (belonging to the saide chist) to him delivered in the presence of the said pishioners or the more part of them, this order to be done, pformed, and kept yearly, and every yeare for ever according to my true, symple, and good entent and meaning herein. Item, I doe further by this my present will order, determyne, and appoynt that yf any of the clavers for the tyme beinge shall chaunce to depart this 36 present life, or to depart out of the said parrishe of S l Peter of Mancroft to dwell elsewhere before thend of the yeare wherin he or they shal be clavor as aforesaid, That then the said churchwardens and overseers, or the most part of them for the tyme being with the rest of the said clavors for the tyme beinge shall demaunde the key and keyes of such clavor and clavors as shall soe be departed out of this present life, or out of the said parrish to dwell as aforesaid, or of the Executors or Administrators of them, or any of them w ch shall happen to be in ther or any of ther custody at the tyme of such departure as aforesaid, and to the said chist belonging or appertayning, and that the said key and keys shalbe safely kept by the churchwardens and overseers or some of them untill the next accompting or reckoning daye to be held as aforesaid, and then to be delivered unto such pson or psons as shall then be new chosen to be clavor or clavors of the said chest for the yeare then next ensuing in manner and forme aforesaid, and according to my good and true entent and meaning herein. Item, I give and bequeath unto my brother-in-lawe, John Guggell, gentleman, of Gimmyngham, within the county of Norfolk, my best black cloake, to be delivered unto him by my Executor presently after my decease. Item, I give and bequeathe to Michell Peterson the sonne of Thomas Petersonne, Three pounds of lawful money of England, to be payde by my Executor at his age of one and twenty yeares. Item, I give and bequeathe xx h of lawfull money of England, to be delivered by my Executor within three years after my decease, unto the Maior, Shreives, and Comonaltie of the said Citty of Norwich, to be by them lent unto two freemen gouldsmythes of the said City, to either of them x 11 , and to no other men of any other trade, other then gouldsmythes, for three yeares freely without paying anything for the same, to 37 be ordered by tbe said Maior and Justices of peace of tbe saide Citty in such sort as Mr. Terry’s 1 mony is employed and used, and not otherwise, and the said gouldsmiths that shall have the said xx h to enter into bond w th two sufficient sureties as they doe that have Mr. Terrie’s mony, and vppon the same daye. Item, I will and my mynde, entent, and meaning is that all and every the legacies in this my last will and testament named, shall vppon the true payements of ther and every ther legacies, guyfts, and bequests, seale and deliver as ther deade in the lawe unto my saide Executor one sufficient acquittance tendered by my said Executor unto them or any of them for his discharge of and for the receipt of eavery ther legacies, guyfts, and bequests, by thands of my said Executor, his Executor or assign eis (w ch if they or any of them shall wilfully refuse to doe and pforme) then he, my said Executor, to retayne in his hands such legacie, guyft, and bequest, as is given unto such wilfull and refusing pson or psons w th out preiudice, hinderaunce, or breatch of the condition before mentioned in this my said last will and testament concerning the true payement of the legacies, guyfts, and bequests, in this my said last will and testament, by my said Executor. Item, further I will and my mynde is that my Executor shall, within one moneth next after my decease, prove this my testament and last will, within the Dioceis of Norwich, before some competent Judge in that case as- signed, and this my last will to be in writing in fayre paper, and to be layde in the Guyldhall, thear to continew for ever in the ould Councell Chamber. Item, I give and bequeath unto Thomas Petersonne, my brother-in-lawe; Will™ Petersonne, Anthony Petersonne, Spencer Peter- sonne, and Robert Petersonne, my nephewes, sonnes of Anthony Petersonn, my brother, to eavery of them xx n of 1 Blomejield , iv. 291. 38 lawfull mony of England a peece, To be payde unto them w th in one yeare after my decease uppon lawfull demaunde made by them or either of them, and if any of them shall depart this present life before the said daye of payement That then the guyft of that pson or psons so dieing shall be equally divided amongst the rest that shall then be livyng. Item, I doe will, and by this my present testament and last will appoynt that all my messuages, houses, lands, and tenements lieng and beinge in Burnham Broom, Barford, and Dickerson ne als Bicker sonn, within the said Countie of NorfF, shall be presently sould after my decease by my Executor to the full valeu and unto such pson or psons as will give most for the said lande, and the mony thereof comming to be wholly employed by my said Executor towards the payement of the legacies and bequeathes specified and conteyned in this my present last will and testament and not to any other entent, use, or purpose. Item, I will and my mynde and meaning is that all the rest and residue of my goods, mony, cattell, chattell, utensiles, and ymple- ments of household plate and iewells of what nature, kynde, or qualitye soever the same be and herein not by me given or bequeathed, I give them wholly unto the said Dorothie, my welbeloved wife, and to Robert Witchingham, my wel beloved sonne-in-lawe, to be equally divided between them by John Silver, Gent , and George Byrch, my very good frynds (my saide wief to be at the choise w ch part shee will take and best like of), Provyded alwaye and my mynde, entent, and meaning is that if it shall fortune my Executor to be from home and not present at the tyme of my depture That then I will have him sent for with as much convenyent spede as may be, and my bod}^e not to be buryed before he doth come home, and that no part of my goods be delt with or stirred untill he commeth But such as of necessity must be. And for the good will and zeale w ch I bare to Milicent, my first welbeloved wiefe, in the tyme of o r lyves (mother 39 unto the said Robert Witchingham, who was the maker and upholder of me in the tyme of my beginning) the more rather in conscience and for the good will and gentle behaviour that the same Robert hath, doeth, and ever did shew unto me from his childehood, hithertoe assureth me in hart that he will pforme this my present last will and testament according to my trust reposed in him and according to the true entent and meaning of the same, and therefore I do hereby constitute, nomynate, appoynt, and make the said Robert Witchingham, Gent., my son- in-lawe, to be my soale Executor of this my present last will and testament, he to pay my debts and legacies, and to see my body decently brought to the earth, and to enter bond in the some of fyve hundred pounds to the use of my supervisors within one moneth after my decease for the faithful pforming of this my present testament and last will, and I do also constitute and appoynt my welbeloved frynds John Silver and George Birch to be my supvisors of this my present testament and last will. And I doe also earnestly desier them and either of them that according to the trust in them reposed they will as much as in them lieth see to the due performance of this my present last will and testament according to the true entent and meaning thereof, and for their paynes therein to be used and employed I doe give unto either of my said supvisors xxs. of lawfull mony of England, over and besides all chardges and expenses by them to be disbursed in and about the same, and to either of them a mourning cloake against the daye of my buriall. In witness whereof 1 have caused thes presents to be written, and I do acknowledge the same to be my veary true testament and last will, conteyning in it nine sheets of paper whereof this is the last, and I have alsoe subscribed my name to eavery of the said sheets, and further have vnto them being fyled together with a parchment labell setto my seale the daye and 40 yeare first above written. Theis being witnesseis, Nicholas Whorlow, Thomas Olyet, Andrew Cock, and William Skottowe. Item, I Peter Peterson of Norwich, gent., the xxii th daye of Maye, in the first yeare of the reigne of o r Gratious Kyng James, doe appoynt and my will and meaning is that theis grafts and legacies here following by me bequeathed and given shall be of good force, and this to be annexed as a Codisell to my will. Item, in consideration of the love and kindnes I have received from the right Wor. the Maior and Cittizens of Norwich when I purchased my lands at Barnham Broom, in lending me the some of six skore pounds, to requyte that love and kvndenes of theirs I doe give and bequeath to the Bight Wor. M r Mayor, the Sheriffs, Cittizens, and Comonalty, one C u of good and lawfull mony of England, to be employed and used to such use and uses as followeth : first my will and mynde is that xx u pcell of the hundred pounds, shalbe freely lent to two freemen, to either of them the somme of x u , and those two men to be of the trade and mystery of gouldsmyths, w ch men shall inhabit and dwell within the parrishes of S ct Andrew, S* John, and S l Michael’s, and not elswhear, w ch two gouldsmyths shall use and occupy the somes of x 1 ' for three years, and at thend of three years the same some of x H to be lent to other two gouldsmyths inhabiting in the same ward in like manner and this to continew for ever, to be lent to such men inhabiting in those parrishes beinge gouldsmyths and not els whear. Item, my will and meaning is that the fowerscore pounds, pcell of the said hundred pownds, 41 shalbe likewise lent to eight freemen inhabiting in the ward of Middle Wymer w th in the parrishes of Set Andrew, S ct John, and S ct Michael’s and not elsewheer, neither to anye other persons not being resident and dwelling w th in the same ward of myddle Wymer, w ch eight freemen shall have lent to either of them the somme of x K pcell of the C u for three yeares freely w th out paieng anything for the use of the said somes of x h . Provyded alwaye that all and either of the aforesaid psons whoe shall have the use of the same mony shall putt in such good assurance and security as shalbe thought good by such as I will appoynt to putt forth the same, and my will and mynde is that after the aforesaid psons have occupied the aforesaid somes three whole yeares that then they shall paye in the same to the Mayor, Sheriffs, Cittizens, and Comonalty to be by them putt forth to other eight persons freemen inhabiting and dwelling within the warde of Wymer in the parrishes aforesaide for three yeares, and so for ever in like manner to such psons ther dwelling and not elswher, w cli mony shalbe lent to the psons before appoynted by the Mayor for the tyme being, the justices of the peace and my Executor during his life, and the Aldermen of the Ward of Middle Wymer at such tyme and such assurance to be taken as is now for Mr. Terryes mony and my will and meaning is that if any of the personns who shall vse the mony aforesaide shall depart this life or remove their dwellings out of the ward of Myddle Wymer, that then it shall be lawfull for the Mayor w th the psons beforenamed to call ene the same mony and cause it to be lent to such persons as doe dwell in the ward and that they shall enter such covenaunts in ther bands when they receive the money, that if they shall not tarry .and be resident and dwelling in the Ward, that then they shall forthw h paye ene the same to be lent as is before specified. Item, my will and mynde is that William Barker, servaunt to the Bight Wor. Mr Thomas Layer, 42 shalbe one of the first that shall have the vse of one tenn pounds before mentioned, and my will and mynde is that my Executor shall pave the foresaide some of one hundred pounds in the Guyldhall w th in the Citty of Norwich w th in three yeares next after my decease w ch mony shalbe pcell of the mony for w ch he shall sell my lands in Barnham Broome. Item, I give unto Dorothie my loving wief the some of xvj u xiij s iiij d , more then before I have bequeathed to her to make vpp the former some being togeather the iust some of one hundred marks to be payde by my Executor out of the mony for w ch he shall sell my landes in Barnham Broome, to be paide her after the first fifty pounds, and when he shall have sould my lands. Item, I give unto Peter Peterson, sonne of Anthony Petersonne, the some of xxxiij 11 vj s viij d to be payde to him by my Executor when he shall accomplish or have served the tyme of his apprentishood, w ch mony shalbe likewise payde out of such mony as shalbe received for my lands at Barnham Broome. Item, I give vnto my good frynd, George Birch, my best black cloth gowne faced with fyne black budg, to be delivered unto him by my Executor presently after my decease. Item, I give and bequeath to the wyddow Cobbould one gould rynge with the posey, Peter Peterson’s guy ft. Item, I give and bequeath to John Birch, sonne of George Birch, my fower square poyncted dyamond. Item, I give Richard Guggle, gent., one black mowrning cloake and xx s of lawfull mony of England. Item, I give vnto John Guggle one black mowrning cloake and xx s of lawfull mony of England. Item, I give vnto Mary Guggle a black mowrning gowne and xx 8 of lawfull mony of England. Item, I give vnto Henry Marling, tailor, xx s of lawfull mony of England. Item, I give unto Elizabeth Hendwick, daughter of Richard Punt, the some of iij u to be payde out of the mony received for my lands at Barnham Brome. Item, I give unto the Mayor, Sheriffs, Cittizens, and Comonalty my great tappestr}' hangings with the history of Kyng Davyd, to be yearly lent to such men as shall beare the chardg of the Maior’s feast to hang vpp at the Hall, But I give it conditionally that if Mr. Alderman Stokes will likewise give one other cloth w ch he hath of Tappestry somewhat like vnto myne, But if he will not give his to the like vse Then this guyft of myne to be voyde; and my will is that he that shalbe the Alderman of the feast called the Mayors feast shall have the keaping of the same cloth during his yeare and at the yeares end to be delivered to the next Alderman and so successively to the same vse. Item, I give vnto George Downing, gent., one of the Aldermen w th in the saide Citty, a gould ring with the posey, Peter Peterson’s gift. Item, I give vnto every of the daughters of Spencer Peterson xx s a peece. Item, I give vnto Dorothie, my welbeloved wief, six silver spoones with knoppes of the sonne and graven and guylt on the back side w th the sonne. Item, I give vnto Spencer Peterson and to his wief, to either of them, a silver spoone w th the knoppe of the sonne and graven and guylt on the back sid w th the sonne. Item, I give and bequeath vnto Robert Witchingham and his wiefe, to either of them, a silver spoone with the knoppe of the sonne and graven and guylt on the back side w th the sonne. Item, I give and bequeath vnto George Birch and his wief, to either of them, a silver spoone w th the knopp of the sonne and graven and guylt on the back side with the sonne. In the presence of us, Nicholas Whorlow, Thomas Olyet, Andrew Cock, and William Skottowe. 44 Proved at Norwich by the Executor, 1st August, 1603. Following in the Register is a Letter of Attorney, dated 12th August, 1603, by Margaret Witchingham, relict of the said Executor, constituting Robert Smyth, Notary Public, her proctor. Norwich Archdeaconry , 1603, folio 190.