Earls Colne Manor Court Rolls (ERO D/DPr91 checked with D/DPr74)

11.4.1575 (Monday 11 April 1575)

document 65901575

fine 40sit is found by the homage that Thos Bridge that held to him and his heirs of the lord by the rod to the will of the lord according to the custom of the manor etc one piece or parcel of customary land with appurtenances and one meadow with appurtenances called Rush Meadow containing in the whole by estimation 16a of land be it more or less as in the court roll here holden on tuesday in the week of pentecost 26.5.2PhM more at large appears out of the court and since the last court lying on his death bed surrendered into the lord's hands by the hands of Barth Churche instead of the bailiff and in the presence of Robt Peerson and Thos Culverton the lord's customary tenants the same witnessing the foresaid parcel of land and meadow with appurtenances to the use and behoof and for the performance of his last will and testament whereupon came Thos Bridge his elder son being here present in court and brought forth here in the court the foresaid last will of the foresaid Thos Bridge deceased dated 28.3.1575 by which it is witnessed that the foresaid Thos Bridge deceased gave and bequeathed the foresaid parcel of land and the meadow with appurtenances in these english words following viz item I give to Thos Bridge the elder my son all my lands and tenements whatsoever with this condition that he shall pay yearly to Agnes my wife 40s yearly during her natural life and also shall pay unto my son Jn Bridge 20li at his age of twenty one years and also shall pay unto my son Thos Bridge the younger 20li of lawful money at the age of twenty one years and also shall pay unto Agnes Bridge my daughter 20li of lawful money at her age of eighteen years all which foresaid sums of money I do give unto them by my last will and testament and therefore I have made a surrender of all my foresaid lands unto my said son Thos Bridge the elder unto this only end and intent and if it fortune any of my said children to die before they come to their several ages as aforesaid then I will either of them living shall be the others heirs to enjoy the same portion or portions so given and if it happen all my said children to die before they come to their ages aforesaid then I will my said son Thos Bridge shall pay Agnes my wife 20li by virtue whereof here came the said Thos Bridge the elder and prayed to be admitted to the foresaid parcel of land and meadow with appurtenances to whom by the lord's steward there is seisin thereof delivered to hold to him his heirs and assigns on the conditions in the testament aforesaid contained of the lord by the rod to the will of the lord according to the custom of the manor by the fealty rents and services therefore before due and of right accustomed and he giveth fine and made fealty and is admitted the lord's tenant