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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 February 2009
Nicholas Tylman, one of the famous yeomen of Kent, whose yearly income passed into a proverb, being “somewhat sick in body, but of good and perfect mind and memory,” made his last will and testament on the 26th March, 1577. On the 6th of April he died. His executors seem to have been good and honest men, and would, there is little doubt, have carried out the instructions contained in his will, even if left to themselves. Fortunately for us, they were not left to themselves. At Faversham, the parish in which Tylman lived and died, was established a court, called “The Court of Orphans.” To this court all executors seem to have had to give an account; in other words, to render an inventory of all the moveable property in the possession of deceased persons at the time of death, with the values of the articles attached. These inventories were entered in the Wardmote Books, and so have come down to us.
page 281 note * A fleece now weighs a little over 5 lbs.; 5 lbs. at is. 3d. = 6s. 3d.
page 282 note * Pod-ware; Peas, Tares, &c.
page 283 note * At this point a disturbing element comes in—the sale of 30 bushels of wheat for £3 13s 4d., or less than 20s. per quarter. Her Majesty's purveyors were not generous enough to pay even such a price: when wheat averaged 26s. 4d. they paid Tylman's executors 6s. 8d. per quarter. Perhaps the price was lower immediately after harvest. The next item to the one mentioned above is—
page 284 note * Unless bought by the “glass,” when 3s. 4d. seems about the price.
page 287 note * Powlings, old-fashioned shoes, held on the feet by single latchets running overthwart the instep, which otherwise were all open. See Cotgrave in v. Poulaine.
page 288 note * No doubt sold to “our vicar.”
page 288 note † Abel Pykes' boat also was sold by the executors. The particulars are—I Boat, 2 Cables, 1 Anchor, 1 Mainsail, 1 Foresail, 1 Hawser, 2 Oars, 1 Scoope, 1 Shovel, £5 os. od.
page 289 note * Iron skullcaps.
page 289 note † Small guns.
page 289 note † Hops are mentioned four times. First as above 30 lbs. of hops with
So that fourpence a pound, or thirty-seven shillings and fourpence per cwt., was the usual market price then.
page 290 note * I do not understand this. Erasmus's Paraphrase upon the New Testament was published in “1548–9, folio, 2 vols., £2 10 0.” This commentary was appointed to be placed in all our churches, and the churchwardens of Faversham spent “vjd.” on a desk for the Paraphrases. How the volumes were bought for 5s. I cannot explain, unless by supposing (an unlikely supposition) the State issued copies for churches at a reduced rate. See Bohn's Lowndes, Art. Erasmus.
page 291 note * This entry is not easily understood.
page 291 note † A bowl or goblet.
page 291 note ‡ Caldron.
page 292 note * Querne, a hand-mill.
page 292 note † Alice Bridge had two (shredding) knives.
page 293 note * The MS. has Bogges.
page 293 note † Seam, 8 bushels.
page 294 note * It need hardly be added the town gained its suit.
page 294 note † A kind of portmanteau.
page 295 note * The MS. is marked A xiv. in the Catalogue.
page 295 note † After this amount is written Alls, xvjijd.
page 295 note ‡ Ceruse.