Medieval & Tudor Kent Wills at Lambeth - Book 23  Page 312

John BOTTESHAM,  Will 15 April 1404

Return to Book 23 Contents Page      Return to Lambeth Wills Index Page

JOHN BOTTESHAM, by Divine Permission Bishop of Rochester. Tuesday on the morrow of Saints Tiburcius and Valerian, martyrs viz 15^th April 1404 in my manor of Trottescliue. My soul to Almighty God, the most blessed Virgin Mary his Mother and Blessed Andrew mpatron and all the Saints of God and my body to be buried in the Cathedral Church of Rochester. To the said church a hundred marcs of silver to be placed in a certain chest as a store for my church at the beginning of the year for necessaries so that the sum be replaced by the feast of the Nat: of St. John Baptist next following there to remain until the feast of St. Michael next etc. To the same my Cathedral my mitre and my pastoral staff that whoever, seculars or regulars, be my successors shall have the use during their life and immediately after death they shall be restored to the Cathedral Church. And if it happen any one of my successors be of the Mendicant Order I wish him to have the use of them in the Cathedral Church and City of Rochester only. To my most special Lord Thomas, Dei Gratia Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of All England and Legate of the Apostolic See as before Master Robert Hallum and others my executors more fully I have declared that he may be father and protector to my executors. I leave to the Cathedral church of Canterbury one memorial cope price £20 with that intention and no other that it is exacted from my executors. I leave to the reparation of the walls of the City of Canterbury as a defence of the glorious Martyr there 100 marcs of silver. To the College of St. Peter, Cambridge all my books as well of civil as canon law except the books "Johannis in Nouella" in two volumes which is owed to the monastery of Croulond. I wish however and concede that if Nicholas Swafham my nephew intends to attend the Schooles there he may have the use of the said books for his life putting in sufficient surety to the College for them and if he cannot give security for all then at least for those he receives.
I leave to the four Orders of Medicants at Cambridge to each 10 marcs. To each provincial of the Orders of their Vicars 20s.
To the monastery of Crovlond Lincoln diocese 100 marcs in the same form as those to Rochester. To the parish church of Yngoldesby a vestment price £10.
To the parish church of Kemsale the same and to the p. ch.of Brampton.
To Sir William Barnefader, chaplain of the Chantry in the Church of Christ Canterbury for the soul of Sir John Bukyngham sometime Bishop of Lincoln my best missal which sometime was his. To the same Chantry my new little missal. To the chapel of the Bishop of Rochester for the time being a missal and I wish it to be entered among the other books of the said chapel. I wish that the grange of the Rectory of Fryndesbery by me begun anew may be finished. The residue of my goods not given I give to my executors to dispose for my soul. I make Master Robert Hallum, Sir Roger Cherch rector of the p:ch: of Bromlegh Master Robert Ely, John Bosham and John Hoke, clerks executors and Robert Rycroft. Dated as above in the 4^th year of my Consecration. 
Proved 28 April 1404 by above executors. (206a Arundel I).

This website is constructed by enthusiastic amateurs.  Any errors noticed by other researchers will be to gratefully received so
 that we can amend our pages to give an accurate record as possible. Please send details too research@kentarchaeology.org.uk