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John Taverner
An entry in the accounts of Henry VIII for April 1521 records a payment to John Taverner, a London stationer, "for binding, clasping and covering 41 books for the King's chapel" (Duff, p. 156). Duff cites Taverner's will, but gives only its date and the date of probate, apparently from Arber.[10] In his will of 27 November 1529, "Iohn Tauerner cytizin and Stacioner of londonn" asks that his "sinfull body be buryed in the chapell of saint Anne and saint Thomas the martir within pardon churche yarde of the cathederall churche of saint paule of londonn in the south side of the same chapell vnder the new tombe there whiche I haue made to my costes and charges" (P.R.O., Prob. 11. 24/Thower 11). He divides his estate into three parts: one-third for his wife Anne, one-third for his son Nicholas and daughter Margaret, and one-third for miscellaneous bequests. He leaves 6s. 8d. to the high altar of his parish church of St. Faith's and £20 for his funeral (including £6 for the poor). He also makes bequests to the parish churches of Hatfield Broad Oak, Essex (where he was born), and of Takeley (also in Essex). Other London parish churches that he remembers are those of St. Michael le Querne and St. Gregory's beside Paul's. He leaves 10s. to the Blackfriars and Greyfriars, provided they are present at his burial.
Taverner mentions his mother as still living, and he seems to have had a brother named John Taverner—which is unusual, though not impossible; perhaps he was a half-brother by an earlier or later marriage of his father's. He remembers this brother John and his wife and sons John and Thomas, as well as his brother Henry Taverner and wife, who also have a son named Nicholas. Others mentioned in the will are Nicholas Clerke and his wife, Henry Clerke and his sister, Robert Austen of Aldgate, John Tourner, Thomas Symon, the priests David Owen and William Rayne, Taverner's kinsman John Stonard and his wife, Master Curleis, and Master Welles.
He leaves five marks to his apprentice William Wallys, when he comes out of his apprenticehood, and a black gown to his apprentice Roger. He also leaves 6s. 8d. to the Stationers' Company, and he bequeaths the residue of his
Anne Taverner died six years later. On 3 December 1537, "Anne Taverner widowe, of the parishe of Sainct ffeith in the Cytie of London late the wife of Iohn Taverner Citizen and Stacioner of Londonn decesid" made her will, at a time when she was "sicke in body" (P.R.O., Prob. 11. 27/Dyngeley 12). She asks "to be buried in the Chappell of sainct Anne in pardon churche yarde next vnto the Cathedrall churche of sainct Paule in Londonn where my saide late husband lyith buried in the chappell of sainct Anne." She leaves 6s. 8d. to the high altar of her parish of St. Faith's, and 5s. to the brotherhood of "pappy" (presumably priests) to be at her burial. She bequeaths 3s. 4d. to the company of clerks, and 10s. each to the Blackfriars and Whitefriars. She leaves one black gown each to her son Nicholas Taverner and his wife Mary. Also remembered are her son-in-law William Bull and Margaret his wife (Anne Taverner's daughter); her brother Harry's wife of Writtle, Essex, and the latter's daughter Agnes; Mrs. Bollter; Hickman's wife and son; Henry Clerke's wife and their children; and Joane, late her servant, now dwelling in Chancery Lane. She leaves the residue of her estate to her son Nicholas, whom she names her executor. Nicholas Taverner probated the will on 12 December 1537 in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. Nicholas and his wife Mary are mentioned in a deed of March 1538, and his name appears in the Stationers' Company's charter of 1557 (Duff, p. 156).
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