Elizabeth Fitzherbert is best known for her beautiful effigy, laid alongside that of her husband Ralph, in Norbury church. The couple lived in Derbyshire during the unsettled period of the later Wars of the Roses. The family owned lands around the Midlands along with cattle, and Ralph was also asked to intervene locally on behalf of Richard III in matters of local justice. Elizabeth witnessed rapid changes in rule as four events happened in quick succession. In 1483 Edward IV breathed his last, Edward V went missing and Richard III and his Queen Anne Neville were crowned - all within months. Unlike her husband, Elizabeth also lived to see Richard III defeated at the Battle of Bosworth by Henry Tudor, shortly afterwards crowned Henry VII, witnessing the very beginning of the Tudor dynasty.
The couple lived in Norbury, in a manor house in the village with their children and servants, and her will, made in October 1490, shows some of her personal possessions as well as her priorities as she prepared for the end of her life. We can see some of her favourite items of clothing, ornaments and furniture she would have used and known inside her home. We can also find out about her personal relationships with her children, in-laws and local residents. I love wills, they are always fascinating to read and so very revealing about a person - but I especially loved Elizabeth's for the incredible attention to detail and the hints of her organised, assertive personality that shines through.
Here, I've translated Elizabeth's will into modern English spelling for ease of reading, although a transcript of the original spelling can be found in the 1898 Journal of the Derbyshire Archaeological and Natural History Society. Any words that were unclear I've left unchanged in square brackets. Explanations of unfamiliar words follow in italics. I've included this post in the hope that others with access to other sources can look more fully into the life of Elizabeth and her family.
Exploring the lives and experiences of those who don't normally make the history books is a real passion of mine, and I discussed Elizabeth at some length in my book Forgotten Women of the Wars of the Roses. To coincide with the book's release I also created a colour portrait of her based on her stunning effigy in Norbury church (a cast of this monument can also been seen at the V&A in London, which is where the photo below was taken). If you're interested in Elizabeth's impact on the wider Wars of the Roses, you can order a copy of my book at the Pen and Sword website, Amazon, Waterstones and also of course your local bookshops.
Will of Elizabeth Fitzherbert, Norbury, Derbyshire. Previously published in the Journal of the Derbyshire Archaeological and Natural History Society, Volume 20, 1898.
In Dei noie, Amen, the 20th day of the month of October the year of our Lord God 1490. I, Elizabeth Fitzherbert Widow, steadfast of mind and of good remembrance make my testament in this wise: first, I bequeath my sole to almighty God. And to the blessed Virgin our Lady Saint Mary. And my body to be buried in the Church of Saint Barloke before the image of Saint Nicholas beside the body of Ralph Fitzherbert late my husband, or else in the chancel of Sebastian fast by my father and mother, by the advice and discretion of my executors. Also I bequeath in the name of my Principal as the man & custom asketh. Also I bequeath to every priest being at my burying, that is to witte at my dirge & at my mass, 4d, and to every clerk there being, 1d.
Also I bequeath in wax to be burned about my body in the day of my burying 6 li. in weight. Also I bequeath to the Cathedral Churches of our lady of Coventry and of Saint Chadde of Lichfield to either of them 12d. Also I bequeath to the forging of the Church of Sybbesdon 6s. 8d. Also I bequeath to the forging of the Church of Yoxall 3s 4d, also I bequeath to the forging of the Church of Duffield 3s. 4d. Also I bequeath to Calwych 12d. And to the Parish Church of Rochester 12d. Also I bequeath to the abbott and convent of Crokesdon to pray for my soul for a Trentall to be sung and said of them 10s. Also I bequeath to the Prior of the friars of Derby and to the convent to pray for my soul. And to sing and say a trentall 10s.
Item, I bequeath to the abbot and convent of the abbey of Derley to pray for my soul for a trentall to be said for my soul, 10s. Also I bequeath to the finding of a Priest to pray for the soul of Ralph Fitzherbert late my husband and for my soul 41s of money beside the rent of Calton. Also I bequeath to 7 Priests at the trust and disposition of my executors to pray for my soul 46s. 8d, that is to with to every Prest 6s. 8d, to say Placebo and dirge every night and mass on the morrow during that year , and every priest to be assigned to his day by my executors.
Also I bequeath to John Fitzherbert my eldest son the best standing piece of silver with a silver with a cover, the best standing salt of silver with a cover. Also my best table cloth of [dyapur] the 2 the best towels & 4 of the best napkins and the best bredpayne (bedpayne?) and the best pair of sheets of 3 webbes in breadth. Also to my daughter Benet (wife of son John Fitzherbert) my best girdle and a new [brasyn] mortar and a pestle. Also I bequeath to Henry Fitzherbert my son 40s. in money and to his wife a pair of sheets of 3 webbes also I bequeath to Thomas Fitzherbert my son a goblet of silver with a cover, a pair of flaxen sheets an ell broad, 3 cushions, a short boardcloth of diaper with 2 short towels of diaper. Also I bequeath to Richard Fitzherbert my son 40s in money. Also I bequeath to William Fitzherbert my son a maser (bowl) with a band of silver and gilt, a nut harnessed with silver and gilt with a cover of silver and gilt, 3 spoons of silver of the 2, a pair of flaxen sheets an ell broad, 2 blankets, 2 coverlets, a best and a worse. A mattress with a bolster of feathers, a browed (borrowed?) chest at Pollesworth and a white hanging bed that is in the old chamber. Also I bequeath to my son Anthony Fitzherbert a flat piece of silver, 3 silver spoons of the dozen, a pair of flaxen sheets an ell broad, 2 blankets, 2 coverlets, a best and a worse. A mattress, a bolster and the black chest in the parlour, a white hanging bed that is in the parlour, also I bequeath to Edithe Babyngton my daughter my best [prym], a curtain of black tuke (netting) and a ring of gold with images. And Anne Babyngton her daughter a gown cloth and a curtain and a pair of sheets a yard broad and a heifer calf of 2 years. Also I bequeath to Margery Purfrey my daughter a featherbed with a bolster in the chamber, 2 blankets, 2 coverlets, one is of red in the chamber with a covering of red say (woollen cloth). A white hanging bed in the same chamber and a pillow. Also a mattress with a bolster with the hanging of red say in the in the best chamber. Also a pair of sheets flaxen a yard broad. Also a board cloth of diaper with a long towel of diaper that come from Norbury. 4 napkins of diaper and a coverpayne, a plain board cloth of flaxen a yard broad. Also a hemp board cloth with 2 towels of canvas. Also a silver piece pounced (decorated) with a cover, 4 silver spoons 3 of the twelve and one of the other. The little broken salt cellar of silver, 3 cushions, the chest that stands in the maidens chamber, also half a garnish of pewter vessel of the worst sort, 2 candlesticks a best and a worse, a basin and a ewer and the greatest brass pot containing eight gallons, a great pan containing 24 gallons and the less pan containing six gallons. And the [lasse] fire dish, a great brand iron, a spit of four yards in length, a great [landeyron], a new [throwone leed], also ii [throwen] stools, a stepying fate (steeping tub), a yeleyng fast (brewing tub) and 2 ale comes (ale tubs).
Also I bequeath to Dorothy Cumberford my daughter a featherbed with a bolster, 2 blankets, 2 sheet of an ell broad, 3 coverlets and a hed sheet, 2 pillows, a green hanging bed that is at Duffield, also 4 mattress with 3 bolsters 2 blankets, 2 sheets of an ell broad, 2 coverlets, the hanging of green say in the parlour with a covering of green say for the bed, also 2 pair of canvas sheets, a board cloth of diaper that is at Pollesworth with 2 towels of the same, a plain board cloth of flaxen an ell broad, with the towels of the same, 2 hemp board cloths, with 2 hemp towels, six napkins of diaper, and also my violet gown furred with grey, a long gown purfled with damask, a flat silver piece with a cover and the second salt cellar with six silver spoons, 3 of the twelve and three other, if there be so many, six cushions, also the chest that was at Wellesborowe, and a painted chest, and a [steyned] bed, and 3 throwen stools, and a great vat, also a garnish of pewter vessel and 3 [leeds in forme] that been at Duffield. Also a basin and a laver, the new hollow basin, with a little basin and ii candlesticks, a best and a worse, also a great pot containing six gallons and a little pot containing a gallon, a cauldron bounden with iron containing four gallons, a great pan containing twenty gallons, a pan containing six gallons, a brass ladle with a brass [scom] and the last skillet.
Also I bequeath to the said Dorothy 2 racks of iron to roast withall, two little andirons that are occupied in the parlour chimney, and iron broch (spit) three yards and a quarter in length, with a brand iron. Also I bequeath to Agnes Lyster my daughter my long puke (brownish red) gown purfled with shanks, and a pair of flaxen sheets a yard broad, and to Richard Lyster a gown cloth of violet. Also I bequeath to Thomas Babyngton a gown cloth of violet. Also to Robert Jakes ten shillings for a gown clothe and to his wife a round gown purfled with damask. Also to Henry Prynce parson of Norbury twenty shillings for gown cloth. Also to Sir High and Gefferey my chaplains every of them a black gown cloth.
And Sir John Savage a pair of flaxen sheets. Also to John Grenehep my servant a gown cloth black with a pair of [hoseclothe] with a black trotting horse. Also to Henry skotte a gown cloth black. And to every one of them a calf of this year. Also I bequethe to Johan Scatergoode my servant a pair of canvas sheets and to Cecile my servant a smock of mine own or else nine pence to buy her one with. Also to Alice my servant a board cloth canvas, and a calf, Also to Thomas Janyn my servant a shirt a gown cloth, a bonnet, also to every other of my household servants each of them a sheep.
Also where it is so that my sons William & Anthony as yet have no part of their father's goods but their bare finding, I will that every of them have x [mars] of my goods that is to wit x [mars] apiece for such part as they ought for to have had of their father's goods and the residue I bequeath unto mine eldest son and heir. Also I bequeath to John Lyster a bullock of 2 years age, And a gown clothe and fustion to make him a coat. Also I bequeath to Bradfeld's wife a gown of black furred with shanks, and to him a gown cloth, the price five shillings. And for a bed by the discretion of my executors.
Also to the old vicar of Duffeld 6s 8d, also I will that all such goods as I have bequeathed any money or other goods abide the deliverance and payment of the same to such time as my executors may conveniently sell such goods and cattle as I have signed, that the sell the same to the best intent without any haste or hindrance of the same. The residue of my goods of this not bequeather, I put unto John Fotzherbert, Thomas Babyngton, Thomas Fitzherbert my sons, and Robert Jakes whom I ordain & make my true and lawful executors, that they as I trust them dispose my said goods and chattels as they think most [medfull] to my soul. Also I bequeath to each one of my said executors twenty shillings for their labours.
These witnesses Thomas Purfrey, Sir Nicholas Irpe parish Preste of Sybbeston, Sir Hugh Pemburton with other. Given at Upton the year and day above written.
Furthermore where I [by my dede burying date] at Norbury the tenth day of the month of February the first year of King Richard the III enfoeffed John Purfrey, Robert Jakes Thomas Powtrell, Thomas Babyngton and Richard Lyster in fee of all my [Manes Meses], lands, tenements, rents and [suice] with their appurtenances which were sometime John Marshal's my father in Upton and Stoke within the county of Leicester, Sedsale in the county of Derby, Calengewodde and Roddelowe in the Countie of Stafford of confidence and trust to perform my will. And after that by my deed [triptite] indented bearing date the last day of December in the year of our lord god 1484 and the ii year of the reign of King Richard, declared my will to my said feoffees upon the same feoffment as well for the marriage of my daughters as for other estates aft to be made of the same, the which will and estates to be made, I revoke and annul by this my last will, And will that it in all things stand as void and of non effect and that the said deeds indented be cancelled in whose hand that ever they come. And that my feoffees stand & be seized of the said [Mars] lands and tenements to my behove during my life, and after my decease that they make such estate to mine eldest sone & heir of the same as descended to me from my father for such estate as descended to me, I will shall be made to hym & in non other man changed by tail nor other wise. but I will all way that such will as my husband Ralph Fitzherbert made, stand, & be in his strength this my will not withstanding.
Also where my said husband by his last will would that lands and tenements in Norbury & Rossyngton to the yearly twenty [mars] should be divided among his young sons for term of life, and that division to be had by the discretion of his executors as in his said will more plainly appeareth, of the which executors, I am one - this is mine advice and counsel. And assent that the said twenty [mars] be divided under this form, that is to wit, that my sons Henry, Richard, William and Anthony have now forthwith every of them five [mars] to the tome the said Richard be [pferred to is comaudre], and after my decease I will that my son John suffer my said sons peaceable to have 4 [Oxgang] of land purchased by my said husband and me in Sedsall, or else that he make them sure for term of their lives. And lands and tenements to the yearly value of 4 [mars] off all charges at the liberty of the said John and when the said Richard my son is [pferred] to a [Coundre] or if he decease before that time, then I will and give mine assent that the said lands of the which the said Richard shall take the [pfett] be divided in this form, that is to wit 26s 8d to the said William for term of his life and 4s and 4d to the said Anthony my son for term of his life so that my said son Henry shall have for term of his life lands and tenements to the yearly value of 6 [mars], William for term of his life 8 [mars], and Antony for term of his life 10 [mars], Also I require my said son John Fitzherbert that he make unto my son Antony a sufficient and lawful grant of lands and tenements, or else of rents to the clear yearly value of 5 [mars] toward his exhibition at court upon condition that he continue his learning at the same and else to hold him content with 10 [mars] when it falleth, the which so to do and perform, my said son John hath promised before my sons Thomas Babyngton, Thomas Purfrey the said Antony Fitzherbert, Robert Jakes & other. Also I will that my said feoffees retain and keep in their hands lands and tenements to the yearly value of 20s to find an obit yearly at Norbury for my said husband's soul, my soul, our father's and mother's and all Christian souls. And that the said 20s, be disposed in this wise :—first to every priest there being at dirge and mass 3d. And to every clerk there being 1d. And that at remaineth of at any time to be wared in bread and divided among the poor persons of Norbury by the discretion of my said son and heir and curate of the Church for the time there being. And if any contrariness, difficulty or doubt fall in construction or exposition of any parts of this my will, I will that the same be construed and determined by John Fitzherbert, Thomas Babyngton, Thomas Fitzherbert, Thomas Pufrey & Robert Jakes which know the true meaning & the intent of me in the [pmisses]. And I exhort me and also charge all my said sons that they & every of them hold them content according to this my will without making further strife suit or debate for the same as they will have God's blessing and mine, and avoid the contrary.
(Endorsed) Elizabeth Fitzherbert
Liked this? You might also like Medieval Residents of Reading: Elizabeth and Thomas Clerk, Warwick Castle During the Wars of the Roses, and Visiting the Tomb of Alice Chaucer, Ewelme.
You can find out more about Elizabeth, Ralph and her children, along with many other overlooked women who lived and worked during the Wars of the Roses in my book Forgotten Women of the Wars of the Roses, published by Pen and Sword Books. Order your copy here.
Comments
Post a Comment