1382 John Ropere and Thomas Elys were named as the collectors of the subsidy on exports and imports of wine and wool in the port of Sandwich. [1]
November 15. The like [Order to deliver to Robert de Assheton constable of Dovorre castle and warden of the Cinque Ports, or to his deputy, all moneys in their hands, and from time to time as by him required all hereafter arising from the said subsidy, to be by him laid out upon the safe guard of the strait between Dovorre and Calais and of the sea in the northern parts, although in their commission it is contained that they shall deliver the same to John Philipot and Hugh Fastolf chief receivers of the same] to John Ropere and Thomas Elys collectors in the port of Sandewich and from thence to Gravesende and Dovorre [of the subsidy of 2s. upon every tun of wine and 6d. in the pound upon woollen cloths and all other merchandise exported and imported, wool, hides and woolfells excepted, granted by the lords and commons in the parliament last holden at Westminster in 5 Richard II].
1401 John Ropere quitclaimed property to Ralph Ropere, John Rollynge, and Edmund son of Ralph Ropere. [2]
June 10. John Ropere of Westgate by Canterbury to Ralph Ropere, John Rollynge and Edmund son of the said Ralph, their heirs and assigns. Quitclaim with warranty of all the manors, lands, farms, rents and reversions in Kent which they have by his late feoffment. Dated Westgate, 10 June 2 Henry IV. Witnesses: Thomas Fogge, William Septvaunz knights, William Makenade, William Elys, Thomas Ikham, John atte Cherche the younger, Walter Delueday, John Russell 'ropere,' Robert Boklonde. Memorandum of acknowledgment at the parish of St. Dunstan by Canterbury on Sunday before St. John Baptist before Thomas prior of Christ Church Canterbury, by virtue of a dedimus potestatem which is on the file for this year.
1401 John Ropere wrote his will on June 16. [3]
John Ropere of the parish of St. Dunstan outside Canterbury. Thursday next after the feast of St. Barnabe the Apostle 1401. To be buried in the church of St. Dunstan before the altar of St. Nicholas. To the work of the said church £10. To the Vicar 20s. To the parish clerk 6s. 8s. [sic, in abstract] On the day of my burial, month's day and anniversary 100 marcs for my soul. To the Prior and Convent of Christ Church Canterbury 40 marcs, Abbot and Convent of St. Augustine 20 marcs, P & C of St. Gregory Canterbury 10 marcs. Friars Preachers £5, Friars Minors £5, Augustine Friars 5 marcs. To the Prioress of the nuns of St. Sepulchre Canterbury 13s. 4d., to each nun 6s. 8d. Prioress of St. James Canterbury 6s. 8d., to each sister 5s. To the Brethren and Sisters of Northgate 40s., of Harbaldoune 40s.
To John Love 40s., Nicholas son of the said John 20s. Between my servants 20 marcs. To mending muddy ways around Canterbury £20. To Isabell Hall and her son 100s. To each of my godsons 6s. 8d. To Sir John Beden rector of the church of Blessed Mary de Bredman 20s. To John Rollyng senior of the parish of St. Dunstan 100s. To Edmund Ropere son of Ralph Ropere of the same 100s. To John Rollyng junior of the same 40s., John Collay Esquire 20s., Walter Delueday 6s. 8d. To the works of the church of Habyton (?Hackington) 6s. 8d. To the church of Hwitstapill 6s. 8d. To the works of the church of Herne 6s. 8d., and of Stourmouth 6s. 8d., and of Bocton subtus Bleen 6s. 8d. To the P & C of Bilsyngton 100s. To the parish church of Bilsyngton 6s. 8d.
To Katherine who was wife of Edmund my son 50 marcs on condition she does not impede my executors in disposing of "croppys" and other goods in the Manor of Bredlee. To Katherine Yue, my maiden 6s. 8d. To John Treek my attendant (famulo) 20s. and my bed in which I lye. To John Yue 13s. 4d. To Alice wife of Ralph Ropere 13s. 4d. To Isabell wife of John Rollyng 13s. 4d. To Sir Richard Cook, chaplain 40s. To the Abbot and Convent of St. Radegund 40s. To Richard Ropere 13s. 4d. To each brother and sister of the Hospital of Mayners, Canterbury 2s. To the Prioress of St. Laurence 6s. 8d. and each sister there 5s. Residue to my executors: John Rollyng senior, Ralph Ropere and Edmund (?son of) Ralph aforesaid.
Proved 1 April 1402 and administration granted to John Rollyng senior, Ralph Ropere and Edmund of the said Ralph executors. (189b Arundel I).
1402 The will of John Ropere was proved on April 1. [4]
[1] H. C. Maxwell Lyte, ed., Calendar of the Close Rolls, Richard II, Vol. 2, 1381-1385 (London: HMSO, 1920), 192, [InternetArchive].
[2] A. E. Stamp, ed., Calendar of Close Rolls, Henry IV, Vol. 1, 1399-1402 (London: HMSO, 1927), 399, [HathiTrust].
[3] Leland L. Duncan, Medieval & Tudor Kent Wills at Lambeth - Book 23, 300, [KentArchaeologicalSociety].
[4] Leland L. Duncan, Medieval & Tudor Kent Wills at Lambeth - Book 23, 300, [KentArchaeologicalSociety].