The Will of Lady Phillipa Smyth

215t May 1578

I make James Altham of Latton esquire my sole Executor. To him and the Lady Judd his wife each a black gown of 20s, the yard, a chafing dish of silver and 12 yards of black raised velvet, and to two of his servants each a black coat of 10s the yard.

To my brother John Wilford and his wife each a black gown of 15s the yard, and one bedstead of walnut tree carved in the Great Chamber, a mattress of linen cloth, a featherbed, a blanket of white woollen, a red Spanish blanket, a coverlet of tapestry, a testern²⁶ of red velvet fringed with silk and copper silver, the curtains of red taffeta sarcenet²⁷ like wise fringed, a bolster and two pillows, a long cushion of red velvet with copper fringed, the covering of buckram for the testern, a cupboard cloth of Spanish work, a damask table cloth and a towel, a dozen of damask napkins, 2 pairs of fine sheets and 2 pillowberes, a long table cloth of Holland and a short table cloth; and £40.

(Nearly every legatee is to have either a black gown or a black cloak, value 15s a yard for relations, 10s a yard for others including servants, but servants of husbandry to have a black coat of 8s and maid servants a black cassock of 8s the yard. In addition, most relations are to receive bed and table linen, whether also given a bedstead or not, and some other legatees are to get a pair of sheets and a table cloth.)

To Agnes Nashe, my sister, in the Green Bedchamber a French bed of Walnut Tree, a testern, a quilt of green sarcenet, 5 curtains of green sarcenet, a chair and 2 stools, a cupboard of Walnut Tree, a table of wainscot, along cushion of tissue and £20.

To my sister Copland and her husband, in the High Gallery a bedstead of Walnut tree, 2 white rugs, a court cupboard, a chair and two stools, a square table of Walnut tree; in the Great Chamber, a quilt of red satin with copper silver fringe, a chair of yellow velvet with 2 stools to the dame, the hangings of tapestry that was John Hamden's, 6 old needlework cushions; and £40; in my own chamber one great chest of fir board and another chest called a ship chest; and the lesser press of the Armoury.

To my cousin John Nashe, son of my sister Nashe, and to his wife, in the Compass Gallery a bedstead with a testem of blue damask and the curtains of the same, a table and a chair of Walnut tree, a cupboard cloth of Spanish work with 2 creepers of iron; and £20.

To my God daughter Mistress Philippa Fewilliams, daughter of Sir William Fewilliams, my best bracelet of gold fro remembrance.

To my cousin Jane Lucas and her husband, in my chamber a home made coverlet, a testem and curtains of blue say, a quilt of green sarcenet, a chair of red velvet and 2 stools suitable appertaining to the Great Chamber, a cupboard pane of damask edged with silver and £20.

To John Wilford, the eldest son of my brother £20; to Jessam, his other son, £15; and to William Wilford, his youngest son, £15. To Humphrey Nashe, son of my sister NAshe, £20. To Elizabeth Wilford, my brother's eldest daughter £40, and the fir chest in my own chamber, to Joan Wilford, his second daughter £30; and to Margaret Wilford, his third daughter £20. To Elizabeth Lewcas, daughter of Jane Lucas £13.6s.8d. To my cousin Elizabeth Lyllingsley £13.6s.8d. To Margaret Arthur, wife of one Arthur, a gilt silver pot with cover which Sir Thomas Smith had of gift from the inhabitants of Walden, and one of my French gilt salts.

To my brother George 10 quarters of wheat and 10 quarters if oats, so that he be no let or impediment to the quiet taking away of any the goods I have left my friends, remaining at Hill Hall or on the ground there, or elsewhere, which, if he be, then this my gift to be void. To John Smith, his eldest son, and to Richard Kirby, each a black cloak. To my sister Petytt one of my tin parcel cups. To my cousin John Wood a cap of velvet set with aglets and a brooch of gold. To Richard Lewter and his wife a bedstead of walnut tree in the Inner Chamber to the Great Chamber, a testem of green and red sarcenet, and am old chest with iron bars in my own chamber. To Mr Cheveley and his wife, a stone jug footed with silver. To my cousin William Heyward, a gilt wine silver pot. To Katherine Bartley, 2 partlets²⁸ and a pair of sleeves of velvet. To my cousin George Nicholls of Walden a little chain of gold. To parson Shawe the bedstead in one of the chambers over the workhouse. To John Wybard 40s. To Walter Rawlyns £6.13.4d, the warrener's bedstead, and a barrel chest in my own chamber.

To my servants Robert Dawkes one of my parcel gilt cups. John Trapps 30s. and John Lightfoot 40s. and a cow.

To Mr Archdeacon Mullens to preach at my burial a black gown, and if he should die then to some other good preacher.

To Robert Westlowe a young heifer and 2 young shots. To John Wilson 20s. and I remit to his wife the 40s. she oweth me

To Philippa Wilson, my god daughter, a heifer and 2 young shots

To the poor people of (Theydon) Mount 40s. Theydon Garnon 40s. and Stapleford Tawney 20s. To the poor people at the time of my burial £4. To the amendment of highways where most need is, to be bestowed at the discretion of my executors, £40. To poor maid's marriages £6.13.4d.

Tp Philip, son of Widow Taylor £3. To Elizabeth Taylor £4. A bedstead of wainscot in one of the chambers over the workhouse. To Philip Board 40s. To John Andrews and his wife my gilt silver cup.

To every of my servants half a year's wages from the quarter before my death, if they be then in my service, i.e. William Clarke, William Woodruff, John Buggs and Samuel Howell. To these my other servants half a year's wages, i.e. Thomas Ayestropp, Thomas Reve, Thomas Rewle, John Drenter (Dreuter?), Phlip More, John Sharp Francis Wybard and Edward Price.

To my servants of husbandry half a year's wages, i.e. Thomas Browne and besides 2 ewes, 2 lambs and 2 shots, Philip Boerd and besides 1 weanling calf, and Harry Paltock, John Jackson, Thomas Dymsdalle and Richard Asterfeye. To my maidservants, a black cassock, i.e. Elizabeth Taylor, Amy. Agnes, Amy Dosset, Katherine Rawlyns and Philippa Bord, and more to Elizabeth Taylor a little fir chest and a wainscot chair in my own chamber.

To Philip Rawlyns, my godson, 2 ewes and 2 lambs. To the wife of Walter Rawlyns a smock, a kercher" and a table cloth of my own spinnings. To goodwife³⁰ Taylor a smock, an ewe, 1 lamb, a kercher and a table cloth. To goodwife Ededropp 1 ewe, 1 lamb a smock and a kercher.

To Mr Archer the lawyer one of my white silver wine pots.

I will that the charge and order of my funeral shall be at the discretion of my executor. The residue of all my goods to be distributed to his discretion. I ordain my brother Richard Copland overseer.

Witnesses: Robert Marbeck in medicino doctor. William Hayward, grocer. Proved 13h July 1579.