| Thomasine Percyvale's (neé
Bonaventure) Will |
| Purchased from Sotheby’s Sale (Lot 25) 10th
July 1972 after a decision of the Reviewing Committee on the
Export of Works of Art on 13th October 1972 prevented its export
to the purchaser (Mr. H. P. Kraus of Liechenstein and New York).
Purchased with grant of £125 from the Friends of the National
Libraries. Total cost £190. Received 16th November 1972. |
Deed of endowment and foundation of a
chantry and obit and a grammar school.
By Thomasine Percyvale of London, widow,
formerly wife of Sir John Percyvale, Kt., formerly Mayor of the
City of London.
(Recital: Thomasine P. bought from Sir
John Lisle of Throkliston, Hants., Kt. The manor of Sympston
[Simpson in Holsworthy] with 2 messuages, 2 tofts, 150 acres of
land, 20 acres of meadow, 80 acres of pasture, 20 acres of wood
in Down, Westlake, Burescote [Burscott in Holsworthy],
Holdesworthy [Holsworthy] Estelake and Yeoldelond [Yellowland
alias Youldon in Holsworthy], Devon.
By recovery, fine, and releases John
Bonaventure, Esq., Nicholas Dynham, gent. And John Snawe seised
of property to use of Thomasine and to her will. Value of
property in Devon £12 4s 6d. Recital of lack of teachers and
priests in Week St. Mary).
Trustees of recital to convey property
(above) to John Trevilian, Kt., and his firstborn son John
Trevilian; Thomas Graynefeld, Kt., and his firstborn son, Roger
Graynefeld; Thos. Maris, Esq., and his firstborn son John Maris;
Hen. Trecarrel Esq.; John Langdon Esq., and his firstborn son
Robt. Langdon; John Talcarn; Thos. Penvown and his firstborn son
William Trevown; John Dynham and his firstborn son Wm. Dynham;
Richard Upcote and his firstborn son Thomas Upcote; Richard
Denys; Wm. Trebarfote and Wm. Whitstone.
These feoffees out of profits of the lands
(above) to appoint a priest who was a Master of Arts of Oxford
or Cambridge and not benefices to say daily mass at Week St.
Mary church praying for souls of Sir John Percyvale, Henry Gale,
Thomas Barnaby and their fathers and mothers and for Thomasine
Percyvale and for the souls of John Bonventure and Joan his
wife, her father and mother. Also for souls of Richard Nordon;
Master John Markewike, clerk and all her kindred, for good
estate of the feoffees and for their souls, for good estate of
every Abbot of Hartland and for their souls, for souls of
benefactors of school below.
Chantry priest, scholars and curate of
parish church to keep Thomasine P. anniversary or obit with
requiem mass on the day following.
Priest to look after scholars and see they
attended matins, mass and evensong on holy days.
Priest-Schoolmaster to have six weeks
leave of absence each year, and provide a deputy for that time.
Master John Andrewe appointed
priest-schoolmaster for life.
Priest-Schoolmaster to be chosen by four
first-named of the feoffees (above). Five feoffees to warn the
master to quit the post at the end of the quarter of the year
following the warning if he was unsuitable or neglecting his
charge. Next priest-schoolmaster to be chosen by first-named
four of the feoffees. If they cannot agree after 21 days Abbot
of Hartland to chose for that time only a secular priest who is
a graduate. If the Abbot deferred an election for 21 days the
Prior of Bodmin to choose for that time only.
Evidences of the endowed estates to be in
a box in Week St. Mary Church under two locks and keys. Wardens
of Week St. Mary Church to have one key and the Abbot of
Hartland the other.
Every third or fourth year Abbot of
Hartland, 2 Churchwardens and four of the feoffees living near
Week St. Mary to read the last deed to ascertain how many of the
feofees are living. When there are only four feoffees alive they
to make an estate of the properties in Devon to their heirs male
apparent and to heirs of deceased feoffees in trust to
performance of Thomasine Percyvale’s will. One part of indenture
to remain in box in Week St. Mary Church and the other at the
Abbey of Hartland.
Four feoffees inspecting deed every third
or fourth year to have 6s 8d to share between themselves. Four
first-named feoffees to appoint an overseer of the lands to see
to repairs and gathering of rents. Rent-gatherer to pay to
curate or parish priest of Week St. Mary for Thomasine
Percyvale’s obit 12d yearly, 8d to the parish clerk, 20 pence to
be shared by the two Churchwardens. Rent-gatherer to receive 6s
8d yearly. Rent-gatherer to put 5s yearly into the box in front
of the Churchwardens to help cost of renewal of feoffments and
payments of 6s 8d to feoffees.
Residue of rents, heriots, etc., to go to
priest-schoolmaster for his salary. Rent-gatherer accountable to
four first-named feoffees for this.
Copy of this deed always to remain in
Church of Week St. Mary.
Sealing clause… |
| 10th July 1506 |
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