University of Virginia Library

Martin Deyter

Martin Dature, or Datier, or Dotier, flourished as a London bookbinder and stationer between 1543 and 1556, though he is mentioned as early as 1527. His edition of the Sarum Manual (STC 16150) was printed at Rouen in 1543 (Duff, p. 37). According to the Stationers' Register, "marten Detter" was assessed 12d. for Bridewell in February 1555/6, and he presented "William pore" as his apprentice on 15 October 1556 (Arber, I, 41, 48). That he died in September 1563 is clear from his will, which was probated in the Archdeaconry Court of London that month (Guildhall Library MS. 9051/3, fols. 72v-74v). In his will, dated 8 September, he describes himself as "Martyn Deyter of London bookebynder being syck in bodie" and asks to be buried in the "parrishe Churche of saint marye magdalen besydes oldefyshestreete in London whereof I am a parishener." (The parish registers of St. Mary Magdalen's, Old Fish Street, are lost before 1664.)

His principal beneficiaries are his son Martyn Deyter (then under 21), his late manservant William Poore (i.e., his apprentice in 1556), and his late

maidservant Julian King—all of whom are bequeathed specified household items. He gives his apprentice James Blankes 5s. and one year off the term of his apprenticeship, and he leaves 6s. 8d. to the poor-men's box in the French Church in London. Others named in the will are the widow Alice Gare, Goodwife Knight, his godson Martyn Sawyer, Jervis Sawyer and his wife, Margaret Sallowaye, his nurse and servant Helen, his servant James Swyeson, and William Pollyn, a haberdasher beside the Little Conduit. He leaves the residue of his estate (including goods, paper, boards, and movables) to his servant Richard Pickeryn (Pickerene, Pickering), whom he designates sole executor; as overseer, he names his friend John White, draper. Witnesses to the will were William Pollyn, John White, and Nicholas Pawlyn, scrivener, who prepared the will. Pickering probated the will on 18 September 1563.