University of Virginia Library

Some Sixteenth-Century Stationers' Wills
by
Wayne H. Phelps

Information about stationers in England during the first hundred years of printing continues to be relatively sparse. Duff's Century of the English Book Trade (1905), containing "short notices of all printers, stationers, book-binders, and others connected with it" from 1457 to 1557, remains the single authoritative work on the subject. At its initial publication, Duff himself perceived the incompleteness of his book and invited assistance "in correcting the errors or in adding new names or facts." Even in reissuing the book in 1948, the Bibliographical Society saw the reprint as only "an interim measure" and recognized the necessity for new editions, not only of Duff, but also of the Dictionaries of McKerrow, Plomer, and others.[1]

Presented below are abstracts of the wills of thirteen stationers, all of whom practised their trade and died during the sixteenth century. The earliest will is that of William Breton, who began publishing in 1506 and whose will (prepared in 1517) was probated in 1526; the latest is that of James Gonneld, who died in 1594. Three of the men (James Gonneld, Stephen Kevall, and Randall Tyrer) appear in the list of 97 charter members of the Stationers' Company in 1557.[2] Duff includes entries for eleven of the men, while the other two (Jerome Glover and Henry Middleton) appear in McKerrow. The wills of eight of these stationers have not been noted before. Of the remaining five, Duff mentions the wills of James Gonneld, Stephen Kevall, Philip Scapulis, and Henry Taverner, and McKerrow cites Henry Middleton's will, but neither Duff nor McKerrow furnishes virtually any information beyond the dates of will and probate (except for Kevall, whose will was probated in two different courts). Plomer provides an abstract of Kevall's will, as probated in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, but both he and Duff missed Jane Kevall's will, which is dated much later than her supposed

death. In addition, Plomer lists the wills of Henry Middleton and John Taverner, but does not give any details from the documents.

In 1903, when Plomer published abstracts of forty stationers' wills, he observed "the value of wills as historical documents" and noted as his object the illustrating of "the history of printing and bookselling" by means of those documents. Plomer's wills revealed three things: the close association of the stationers with each other in the form of "a guild or brotherhood," the Stationers' Company's enormous wealth as a result of bequests from its members, and the availability of new information about the biographies of individual stationers and about the book trade in general.[3] While some intrinsic interest inheres in any stationer's will, its true value transcends any fascination with the document for its own sake. A stationer's will can be an important index to financial worth, family, and associates. Besides supplying a desired terminal date for publishing activity, the document can furnish an address where the stationer practised his trade, as well as the names of a wife and children—clues, in short, that can assist in future searches. It is in that spirit that the following abstracts are offered.

William Breton

Breton (or Bretton) was a publisher of six liturgical and other religious works, all printed at Paris for sale in London between 1506 and 1510: the Constitutiones of Lyndewode and Athon (1505/6, STC 17109), the Sarum Horae (1506, STC 15903), the Psalterium cum hymnis (1506, STC 16258), the Sarum Graduale (1507, STC 15862), the Pupilla Oculi of Joannes de Burgo (1510, STC 4115), and another edition of the Sarum Horae (1510, STC 15909). Duff (p. 18) adds to this list the Speculum Spiritualium (Paris: Wolfgang Hopyl, 1510), but omits the Sarum Graduale. From three wills in the Public Record Office (all probated in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury), it is clear that he was the son of Thomas and Agnes Breton. On 22 September 1485, "Thomas Bretenn Alderman of londonn" made his will, in which he specifies that he "be buried . . . in the chirch of saint mary at hille by billingesgate in londonn" (P.R.O., Prob. 11. 7/Logge 15). He divides his estate in three parts: one-third for charity, one-third for his wife, and one-third for his children. He makes a bequest to the fellowship of Ironmongers, designates William Horne overseer of the will, and names as his four executors his wife, his son, John Storke, and his cousin William Curle. All except his son (who was probably too young) probated the will on 15 November 1485.

On 21 September 1516, "Agnes Bretonn of londonn widowe late the wife of Thomas Bretonn decessed Citezein while he lyved and Aldremann of the Citie of londonn" had her will drawn (P.R.O., Prob. 11. 18/Holder 25). In it,

she requests burial within the parish church of St. Dionis Backchurch, London, in the Chapel of St. John the Evangelist, where her husband was buried, and she provides 50 marks for masses over a period of five years. Her residuary legatee is her son, William Breton, whom she names sole executor; she designates her son-in-law, Sir Laurence Aylmer, knight and Alderman of London, overseer of her will, which William Breton probated on 26 November 1516.

Finally, "William Bretonn of londonn grocer and merchaunt of the Staple of Caleis" made his will on 26 April 1517 (P.R.O., Prob. 11. 22/Porch 9). His charitable bequests include money for the Observant Friars at Greenwich, the London parishes of St. Dunstan in the East and of St. Dionis Back-church, the Fraternity of Our Lady Barking in London, the five orders of friars in London, the convent of Minors without Aldgate, and the prisoners in the Counters in London and Ludgate. He leaves 40s. each to Thomas Aylmer and Antony Burley; 20s. each to his servants Antony Crull, Robert Pynchebek, Alice Lawdys, and Jane; and 40s. to the Almshouse of Mariners in Deptford. He provides for a priest to sing for his mother, "Annes" Breton, for five years, in accordance with her will, and he bequeaths five marks toward reparations of the housing belonging to the Chantry of Master Darbys in the parish of St. Dionis, where his father Thomas Breton and his mother Annes Breton were buried. He leaves the residue of his estate to his then unmarried and under-age daughter, Anne Breton, and he names as his executors his brother-in-law, Sir Laurence Aylmer, knight and Alderman of London, and his sister Lady Julian Aylmer (Sir Laurence's wife). In his own hand, he added (probably at a later date) that if his sister Julian were to die before settling his estate, then his cousin Antony Burley was to administer his goods. On 23 July 1526, Burley renounced administration of Breton's estate, and on 14 August 1526 administration was granted to Sir Laurence Aylmer, knight, and William Basset, citizen and ironmonger of London (Lady Julian having died).

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.

Jerome Glover

Glover was a London bookseller between 1559 and 1568.[4] In 1558-59, Robert Holder presented "Jeronimo glover" to be freed; in 1562-63, Glover was fined 12d. for selling books by Nostradamus, and in 1564-65 he and sixteen others paid a total of 8s. 10d. "for Stechen of bookes." Humffray Cottrell was apprenticed to him for nine years, beginning 25 December 1564, and Thomas Cudner for seven years, beginning 24 August 1565. In 1567-68, he was licensed to publish Valentine Leigh's Surveying of Lands (cf. STC 15416, and see Arber, I, 99, 217, 255, 277, 286, 355).

This stationer can probably be identified with the "Ierome Glover of the parishe of Sentfaithes in the citie of Londonn sicke in bodye" whose undated will was probated in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury in 1569 (P.R.O., Prob. 11. 51/Sheffeld 14). He gives to his wife Margaret, and to the child with whom she was then pregnant, all of his goods and property, including some real estate in the parish of Wye, Kent. He names his brother, Richard Glover, residuary legatee and gives 40s. each to the children of his brothers and sisters. He asks that Mary Glover be paid the part of her portion still in his possession, and he leaves 2s. each to his three servants and to his aunt Holder (perhaps related to the stationer Robert Holder). John Bretton witnessed the will, which Glover's widow Margaret probated (as executrix) on 16 June 1569. (The register copy of the will shows that the document was signed "by me Richard Glover," apparently an error by the Court scribe; Jerome's brother Richard was probably another witness to the will.)

James Gonneld

Gonneld's name is one of the 97 in the Stationers' Company's charter of 1557. He was an important figure in the Company (as a Warden for four years between 1565 and 1576 and as Master for three years between 1579 and 1586), but he was neither a printer nor a publisher. In 1563, Robert Sysaye (see below) appointed Gonneld one of the supervisors of his will. Numerous references to him occur in the Stationers' Register. Duff (pp. 57-58) cites Gonneld's

will, which was probated in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury in 1594, but he does not provide any information from the document.

On 16 November 1594, "Iames Gonnelde Citizen and Stacioner of London being at this present sicke in my bodye" made his will (P.R.O., Prob. 11. 84/Dixy 85). He mentions his wife Katherine (whom he names sole executrix), his son Benjamin Gonneld (whom Duff notes as being in holy orders), and his four daughters—Dorothy Baker, Katherine Gonneld, Sara Gonneld, and Dorcas Gonneld. (His three younger daughters were under 21 and unmarried at the time.) According to his will, Gonneld held the reversion of certain property in Chick Lane near Smithfield pens, in the parish of St. Sepulchre, London, and he lived in his mansion house near Smithfield Bars, London. He declares himself free of the Company of Stationers, to whom he leaves 40s. to make merry, and he leaves the same amount each to the poor of Christ's Hospital in London and to the poor of his own parish (St. Sepulchre's). He also makes bequests to his servant Nicholas Byfonte, his maidservant Alice Harris, and his cousin Epham Westis, wife of Thomas Westis. As overseers, he designates Mathew Marten and one Mattingley; witnesses to the will included Mathew Marten, George Needler, Richard Cooper, Brian Garvie, and Alice Rolfe (the last two signing by marks). Catherine Gonneld (through a notary public) probated the will on 10 December 1594.

Gonneld's son Benjamin (also called Gunnell and Goonald) matriculated at Cambridge from St. John's College in 1581, received his B.A. in 1584/5 and his M.A. in 1588, and was vicar of Takeley, Essex, from 1598 until his death in 1629.[5] The Stationers' Register records payments to him from 1586 to 1595, including money for delivering sermons before the Company. On 26 June 1589, he was admitted to the freedom of the Company, "per patrimonium" (Arber, I, 514, 519, 525, 533, 554, 566, 575; II, 705).

Stephen Kevall

Duff (p. 86) summarizes Kevall's activities as a stationer from 1535 to 1571, primarily as an official of the Stationers' Company, of which he was a charter member in 1557. Numerous references to him occur in the Stationers' Register in his official capacity. Duff notes that he died on 13 April 1571, and Plomer (pp. 18-19) prints an abstract of his will (supposedly dated 28 October 1570), as probated in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on 20 April 1571. The parish registers of St. Mary at Hill record the burial of "Stephe [sic] Kevall" on 17 April 1571 (Guildhall Library MS. 4546). Another copy of his will, this one dated 20 October 1570, was probated in the Archdeaconry Court of London by his widow Jane on 24 October 1572 (Guildhall Library MS. 9051/4, fol. 20v). The content of this will is the same as that in Plomer (from P.R.O., Prob. 11. 53/Holney 17). The following names from the will are in addition to those in Plomer: Alice, wife of Hugh Woodcock, citizen

and salter of London; Stephen, son of John Adiann, citizen and fishmonger of London; and Israhell, son of John Portlet, butcher of Newbury.

Duff (p. 86) says that Jane Kevall died in 1573, but this information derives from Plomer's statement (p. 19) that Kevall's bequest to the Stationers' Company "did not come into the hands of the Company till the death of Jane Kevall, the widow, in 1573." The registers of St. Mary at Hill in fact record the burial of "Ianee Kevall widdow" on 14 July 1580 (Guildhall Library MS. 4546). On 22 March 1575/6, "Iane Kevall of London widowe, beinge at this presente in healthe of bodye," made her will, in which she asks "to be buryed within the parrishe church of saincte Marye at Hill in London, wheare I am a parishioner . . . nere the place where my late husbande Stephen Kevall lieth buried" (P.R.O., Prob. 11. 63/Darcy 25). Among her bequests is 20s. for a repast to the Livery of the Stationers' Company in London for accompanying her corpse to burial. As sole executrix, she names her cousin Alice Woodcock, wife of Hugh Woodcock, salter. She adds that she has devised to the Stationers' Company a message that her husband had purchased from William Kelley (and that Stephen Kevall had mentioned in his own will). Through a notary public, Alice Woodcock probated the will in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on 13 June 1581.

Simon Martynson

Martynson was a stationer who flourished in London between 1535 and 1538. Duff (pp. 101, 174) thinks that he may be the servant "Simon" to whom Wynkyn De Worde made a bequest in his will of 1534. Martynson did not die until 1552, when his will was probated in the Archdeaconry Court of London (Guildhall Library MS. 9051/2, fol. 66v). On 24 July 1552, he described himself in the document as "Symonn Martynsonn of the parryshe of saincte magnus Stacyoner sycke in bodye" (the extant parish registers of St. Magnus Martyr begin in 1560). He leaves £3. 6s. 8d. to his kinswoman Mary Jacobbe on the day of her marriage, and the residue of his estate to his wife Agnes, whom he names sole executrix. Witnesses to the will were George Myllman, leatherseller, and John Leavyn, tallowchandler. Martynson's widow probated the will on 18 October 1552.

Henry Middleton

McKerrow (p. 192) summarizes Middleton's career as a printer in London between 1567 and 1587, when his shop was in St. Dunstan's Churchyard. Numerous references to him occur in the Stationers' Register. The parish registers of St. Dunstan's in the West record his burial on 9 September 1587: "Henrye Midletonn buryed" (Guildhall Library MS. 10,342). On 6 September 1587, "Henrye Middleton citizen and stationer of London beinge sicke in bodie" made his nuncupative will (P.R.O., Prob. 11. 71/Spencer 53),[6] in

which he divides his estate (after payment of debts) into three parts: one-third for his wife Jane, one-third for his children (unnamed), and one-third for other relatives (the residue falling to his wife Jane, whom he names sole executrix). He leaves £20 to his brother-in-law John Danwood, gentleman, for the use and relief of the wife (apparently Middleton's blood sister) of Garratte Heathe, goldsmith (this £20 to be paid out of debts owing to Middleton before he married Jane). He bequeaths £10 to Danwood's wife (apparently also Middleton's blood sister), as well as £8 to Elizabeth Stacye (or Stacie), the eldest daughter of Danwood's wife by her late husband Robert Stacye. Witnesses to the will were John Danwood, Richard Peacock, and William Benedick. Through a notary public, Jane Middleton probated the will on 13 September 1587.

Thomas Petyt

Petyt is known to have been a printer in St. Paul's Churchyard between 1536 (STC 16795) and 1561 (STC 12106), but another book printed by him (STC 11392) may date as early as 1530. Duff (p. 120) notes his imprisonment in 1543 for printing unlawful books. Petyt's 1547 edition of Dean Richard Smith's Brief Treatise Setting Forth Divers Truths (STC 22818) appears in a list of unlawful books found in John Stowe's study in 1568/9 (Arber, I, 394). According to Petyt's will, dated 18 May 1565, he was a member of the Drapers' Company; he describes himself in the document as "Thomas Petyt Citizen and draper of London beinge sicke of bodie" (P.R.O., Prob. 11. 48/Crymes 4)[7] and leaves to his wife Joane his property in the parishes of Greenstead and Stanford Rivers, Essex. He bequeaths a silver pot and spoon to his kinswoman Agnes Vincent (wife of one Vincent) in the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, and a similar gift to Alice Birde (wife of one Birde) of London. He leaves to the wife of the London stationer Ryddall (i.e., William Riddell) a little silver pot parcel gilt with Roman letters about the midst of it, together with a spoon with a maidenhead. He makes additional silver-pot-and-spoon bequests to four of his wife's daughters by a previous marriage: Marie Wood (or Wodd), Margaret Wood, Dennys Wood, and Elizabeth. He gives a featherbed to his godson John Marchall of Greenstead, Essex, and makes a further bequest to William Wood, his wife's son-in-law (i.e., step-son).

Petyt mentions at least five other stationers (besides Riddell) in his will: his kinsman Anthony Kydson (i.e., Kitson), Abraham Veale (to whom a goblet parcel gilt), John Wight (to whom his best furred gown and damask cassock), John Cawood (to whom his lesser hoop of gold), and Thomas Wight (John's son and Petyt's godson, who was to publish from 1590 to 1608).[8] Other

persons mentioned in the will are his wife's son John Wood, William Bull, Steaven Tenaunte (the Lord Treasurer's chaplain), his servant Margaret White, and Thomas Vincent (son of Vincent of Sheppey). He forgives his old tenant Benton part payment of debts due. Petyt notes that he receives 10s. annually out of certain property in Stanford Rivers that he purchased from King Edward VI, 20s. of which (two years' rent) is to go toward repairing the steeple of Greenstead. He leaves money to the poor of Greenstead and Stanford Rivers, and bequeaths the residue of his estate to his wife Johane (Joane) Pettit, whom he names sole executrix. He designates Gefferey Finche of Greenstead as supervisor of the will, which was witnessed by Thomas Fynche, John Tymon(d), Anthony Pepper (all three of Stanford Rivers), Robert Shingleton alias Le, and Thomas Alsopp. His widow Joanne Petyt probated the will in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on 13 February 1565/6.

Philip Scapulis

Scapulis was a member of the Stationers' Company before the charter of 1557; in February 1555/6, he was assessed 6d. for Bridewell (Arber, I, 48). Duff (p. 143) cites his will, which was probated in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury in 1590, but quotes only Scapulis' identification from the published index to P.C.C. wills. In the document itself, dated 9 August 1589, he describes himself as "Philipp Scapulis Stacyoner borne in Germany in the Auncyent Cittie of Trier and dwellinge in Brustoe [i.e., Bristol, Gloucestershire] in England in Wyne Streate in the parishe of the holie trinitye" (P.R.O., Prob. 11. 75/Drury 36; the will is signed "By me Phillipp Scapulis [merchant deleted] stacioner of Bristowe"). He asks "to be buryed . . . in the parishe churche of the holie Trinitye before the pewe wherein I was wont to kneele." He makes a number of ten-shilling bequests: to John Ball, a poor cripple; to John Tanye, bowyer, and his wife; to a poor, lame man named Hewes, one of the almsmen of the Almshouse within Lawfourdes gate,[9] and Anne his wife; to poor Goodwife Gere, who dwelt with him in London and nourished him as a child and who was now living in Bristol; to Robert Goodyere, smith, and Margaret his wife, in St. Peter's parish; to the poor prisoners in Newgate (5s. in bread); to old Richard Rudge, shoemaker; to old John Faye, grocer, dwelling upon the Bridge; to fifty poor men or women that are known to be true protestants (6d. each); to George Brumley, gardener, and his wife; to the wife of Goodman Risse, deceased, formerly a shearman dwelling in Temple Street (5s. to his wife, then in one of the Almshouses within Lawfordes Gate); to the two maids then living with him (Alice and Elizabeth Yeomans); and to poor old Goodwife Ellen, living in the Almshouse on Michellhill.

He leaves the residue of his estate to his wife Elizabeth, whom he names sole executrix. As overseers, he names his cousin Thomas Tyler, hooper, dwelling in Ballance Street, and his friend Hugh Harvey, schoolmaster and scrivener. He mentions three godsons: Philip, son of Thomas the gardener;

Philip, son of Lewes Taylor; and Philip, son of Anthony Symons, tailor, deceased. Other bequests are to his cousin Thomas Tyler's kinswoman Margaret, who has come to dwell with Scapulis and his wife; the parson, Master Jones; and the poor widow of Amkoras Knight, pointmaker, dwelling in Leons Meade.

The most interesting bequest is to Richard Fourde, stationer, of Bristol, who was formerly Scapulis' apprentice and who is mentioned as owing Scapulis some money: "I do giue vnto Richard ffourde stacyoner which was sometymes my prentise my great presses which standethe in my garden and my three mouldes made of latten wyer to make paste bordes withall. And I doe giue hym all my cording Bourdes which hange vppon strings in my workinge chaumber." He leaves to his neighbor Nicholas Wolfe, cutler, his longest riding sword, and to his cousin Henry Nayler his other long riding sword. The will, which Scapulis says he wrote on both sides of a lease, was not witnessed until 20 February 1589/90, by Henry Nayler and Richard Fourde. Through a notary public, Elizabeth Scapulis probated the will on 21 May 1590.

Robert Sysaye (Sysaie)

"Robert Sysay" was a member of the Stationers' Company before the charter of 1557, and references to him occur between 1559 and 1562. In 1558—59, he presented "Thomas Sysay" to be apprenticed for seven years, and on 1 November 1561 Nicholas Smith for ten years. He was fined 6d. for nonattendance on 13 January 1561/2 (Duff, p. 155; Arber I, 98, 169, 184). In his will of 8 September 1563, "Roberte Sysaye in the parrishe of sainte botholf without Allgate London stacioner" requests burial "in the churche yeard of sainte Butholfes aforesaid or elles where" (Guildhall Library MS. 9051/3, fols. 34v-35). The parish registers of St. Botolph's, Aldgate, record the burial of "Roberte Scissor" on 24 October 1563 (Guildhall Library MS. 9222/1). His will provides for money for the poor-men's boxes of St. Botolph's, Aldgate, and of the township of Conisholme, Lincolnshire, where he was born. He identifies Thomas Sysaie, son of John Sysaie, as his apprentice, to whom he gives one year of his apprenticeship and, at the conclusion thereof, his marble riding coat; his best hat; his sword, dagger, and sword girdle; his saddle and bridle; the fur and lining that was in his nightgown; and his best cloak. To his brother Nycolas Sysaie of Ludney, Lincolnshire, he gives his best riding coat, his worst cloak, and plain black hose. He leaves to his brother Raffe Sysaie of Conisholme all his empty barrels remaining there; Raffe's wife is to receive one silver ring double gilt, worth 2s. 6d.

Sysaye mentions three children (Robert, Mary, and "Eamm"—apparently Emma), who are all unmarried and under twenty, and his wife Margaret, whom he names sole executrix. As supervisors of the will, he names James Gonneld, stationer (see Duff, pp. 57-58, and the section above on Gonneld), and Henry Woodcock, bowyer (Woodcock is to get either Sysaye's copy of Fabian's Chronicle or 3s. 4d.). He acknowledges certain debts to Gonneld, as well as to John Wadd, sadler, and provides for his apprentice, Thomas Sysaye,

to have the lease of the house in which he (Robert Sysaye) dwells, in the event of his wife and children's decease before her remarriage. Sysaye concludes by noting that he wrote the will with his own hand; it was witnessed by James Ryland, minister of St. Botolph's, Aldgate. Margaret Sysaye probated the will in the Archdeaconry Court of London on 12 November 1563.

Sysaye's apprentice, Thomas Sysaye, apparently died shortly thereafter, if he is the "Thomas Scissor" who was buried at St. Botolph's, Aldgate, on 17 November 1563 (Guildhall Library MS. 9222/1). A note in the parish register indicates that the plague began in July 1563 and subsided by January 1563/4, so that perhaps both Robert and Thomas Sysaye were numbered among its victims.

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

estate to his wife Anne and son Nicholas, whom he names his executors. As overseers, he nominates Master Doctor Bright and John Clampart, citizen and haberdasher of London. Among the witnesses to the will were Master Sharnbroke, Sir Richard Sill, Richard Dalcoy, sir David Owen junior (the priest), and Master William Falke. Anne and Nicholas Taverner probated the will in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on 30 November 1531.

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).

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.

Dunstan Whaplod

This stationer, whose surname appears in a number of spellings (Whaplane, Whaplade, Whaplett, Whapplodd), flourished in London between 1566 and 1577 and was apparently a member of the Stationers' Company before the charter of 1557 (Duff, p. 168). In 1566-67, he was licensed to publish The Epitaph of Sir Martin Bowes (Arber, I, 329). On 14 June 1571, "Dunston Waplod and Joan Sutton" were married by license at St. Mary Woolnoth; she was presumably the widow of "Edwarde Sutton, Stacioner," who was buried there on 30 January 1568/9.[11] William Kynge, formerly apprenticed to Joan Sutton, was transferred to Whaplod on 14 January 1576/7, and Whaplod was fined 12d. on 13 January 1578/9 for failing to attend on the Lord Mayor seven days before (Arber, II, 673, 849). On 5 April 1582, "Dunstane Whaplett of the parrishe of saincte Olave in the Borowghe of Sowthwark in the countie of Surreye, beinge sicke in bodye," made his nuncupative will, in which he leaves all of his goods to his wife Jone Whaplett, whom he names sole executrix (P.R.O., Prob. 11. 64/Tirwhite 14). One witness to the will was Christopher Style, preacher of St. Olave's, Southwark. Joanne Whaplett probated the will in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on 21 April 1582. Then, on 9 September 1583, "Thomas Goffe, of the Parish of St. Olaves, in Southwark, and Johan Whaplett, Wydow," of St. Mary Woolnoth, were married by license at the latter church (Registers . . . of S. Mary Woolnoth . . . , p. 129).

Notes