1489 Joan, wife of Roger Twynyho, wrote her will on December 2. [1]
1489.
2nd December, A.D. 1489, I, Joan, daughter of Thomas Rooley, and Margaret, is wife, late of Bristol,
"marchaunt," and wife of Roger Twynyhoo, of Cayfforde, co. Somerset, esquire, with the licence (licencia) of my said husband, make mywill in this manner:--
I bequeath my body to holy burial, to be buried in the chapel of St. Nicholas in the parish church of St. John the Baptist of Frome in Selwood, or in the chancel of the parish church of Teffownt Evias [Wilts.] at the end (finem) of the altar there, before the image of St. Anne, at the will and pleasure of my husband aforesaid.
Item, I bequeath to the fabric of the cathedral church of Salisbury, 2s.
Item, to the reparations of the parish church of St. John the Baptist of Bristol, in which church my said father and mother are buried, 6s. 8d.
Item, to the reparations of the chapel of St. Nicholas in Frome aforesaid, 6s. 8d.
Item, to the reparations of the parish church of Teffownt Evias, 6s. 8d.
And further, with the permission of my said husband, I will that immediately after my death and burial he shall find a suitable chaplain to pray for my soul, in one of the churches aforesaid, for one whole year next after my decease.
And moreover, by this my present will, I bequeath and devise to the said Roger Twynyho all my messuages, lands, and tenements, &c., in the town of Bristol and the suburbs thereof, as fully and wholly as the aforesaid Thomas Rooley and Margaret, his wife, by their la^t wills disposed and devised the same to me, my heirs and assigns;
to hold to my said husband and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten ; and, for default of such issue, to remain to the right heirs of my said father and mother.
Item, I will that my husband shall dispose of my utensils to William Twynyho and Stephen Payne, esquires, and to Cibille his wife, and to their sons and daughters, to pray for my soul, according to my last communication expressed to my said husband. And I make the said Roger my executor, to dispose for my soul as shall seem best to him.
In witness whereof I have affixed my seal to these presents, these being witnesses: William Twynyho, Stephen Payne, esquires, Robert Payne, Giles South, Simon Mayho, Sir Robert Goddisgrace, chaplain, rector of Teffownt, Richard Homer, Kypnell, John Dove, Lawrence Hobyet, and many others.
Proved at Lambeth, 26th November, 1493, and administration committed to the executor.
1497 Roger Twynho wrote his will on May 25. [2]
25th May, A.D. 1497, I, Roger Twynho, make my will in this manner:--
I bequeath my body to be buried in the chapel of St. Nicholas in the church of Frome Selwood, co. Somerset,
next my father.
Item, I bequeath to the fabric of the church of Wells 3s. 4d.
Item, to the maintenance and reparation of the chapel of St. Nicholas aforesaid, 20s.
Item, I give and bequeath to George Twynyho, my brother, all my lands and tenements which I have in fee simple
in the town of Bristol and in the suburbs of the said town, and in co. Gloucester, to hold to him, his heirs and assigns for ever.
Item, I bequeath to John, my godson, 20s. for the exhibition of the said John at the schools; and if he chance to die before the age of 20 years, then the said sum shall be disposed at the discretion of the said George Twynyho, my brother.
The residue of all my goods not bequeathed I give and bequeath to the said George, whom I make my executor.
These being witnesses : Lady Margery Twynyho, Abbess of Shafton; Christopher Twynyho, clerk; Sir Thomas Blacked,
chaplain; and many others.
Proved 21st November, 1497, by William Potkyn, proctor, &c., and administration committed to the executor named.
[1] Frederic William Weaver, ed., Somerset Medieval Wills (1383-1500), Somerset Record Society, Vol. 16 (London: Harrison and Sons, 1901), 284, 3 Vox. Fol. 23, [HathiTrust].
[2] Frederic William Weaver, ed., Somerset Medieval Wills (1383-1500), Somerset Record Society, Vol. 16 (London: Harrison and Sons, 1901), 352, 15 Horne, [HathiTrust].