University of Virginia Library

Randall Tyrer

Duff (p. 156) states three facts about "Randall Tirer": (1) he was imprisoned in October 1554, according to Foxe, for selling books sent to England by Marian exiles; (2) he was an original member of the Stationers' Company; and (3) he died in "1558/9." On 13 October 1556, Tyrer presented Henry Croker and John Bradeshawe as his apprentices. The Stationers' Register records assessments of, contributions from, and fines for him between 1555 and 1558, the latest being a fine of 4d. "for byndynge of mediante bokes in shepes lether." Duff's dating of Tyrer's death derives from an entry between 10 July 1558 and 10 July 1559 concerning the payment of 12d. "ffor occupynge of the herse clothe for Randall Tyerer" (Arber, I, 40, 47, 49, 50, 69, 100, 102).

In fact, Tyrer died in late March or early April 1559, when his will was probated in the Archdeaconry Court of London (Guildhall Library MS. 9051/2, fol. 269rv; Tyrer's Christian name appears as "Randalph" in the margin of the register book). In the document, dated 25 March 1559, "Randall Tyrer Stacioner of london being sick of bodye" asks that he "be buried . . . within the parrishe churche of Saynt Michaell in the Qwerne in london" (the parish registers of St. Michael le Querne are lost before 1685/6). He leaves 10s. each to his brothers Hvon Tyrer, Percivall, and Thomas, and to

his sisters Sibble, Margaret (dwelling in Warwick), and Jane. He bequeaths 40s. each to his apprentices, Harry Croker and William Spier, upon completion of their respective apprenticeships, and he asks that they be true and faithful servants to his wife Elizabeth, to whom he leaves the residue of his estate and whom he names sole executrix. James Burrell and Richard Handford witnessed the will, which Elizabeth Tyrer probated on 9 April 1559.