in the name of god amen the 26.12.1592 I Reginald Bowtell of Earls Colne in the county of Essex yeoman calling to mind the certainty of death the end of every living creature and the uncertainty of the hour thereof and therefore having a special care now whilst my senses be perfectly serve me I thank god therefore to dispose those goods whereof almighty god of his merciful goodness hath lent me the use in this transitory life whereby I shall have no cause to be disquieted touching the leaving of the same when my weak and feeble body shall be grievously vexed with sickness but that I then as I ought at all other times wholly set my thoughts upon heavenly things and cry to my saviour for mercy and forgivenesses for all my sins which in number are infinite and great beyond measure do ordain and make my last will and testament in manner and form following first and principally I surrender and bequeath my soul to almighty god my creator beseeching him of his unspeakable goodness to receive the same into his hands not in respect of any desert tha t is or can be in me a miserable and wretched sinner nor in any other creature in heaven or in earth but for his innocent and guiltless bloodshedding on the cross whereby and by no other way or means I firmly trust to enjoy everlasting life in constant hope whereof I do very willingly leave this sinful world and valley of misery when it shall please god to call me humbly praying my saviour to take my poor soul which he hath so dearly bought to his mercy my body I willingly yield to the earth from whence it was taken to be decently buried in such place by the discretion of mine executor shall be thought meet item I do give and bequeath unto Ann my wife all my customary messuages lands tenements and hereditaments whatsoever situate lying or being in West Wyckham in the county of Cambridge holden of the manor of Laves and Stretley in West Wyckham aforesaid or else either of them to have and to hold to her the said Ann and to her assigns for term of her natural life item all my goods chattels debts and implements of household stuff whatsoever I do give and bequeath unto the said Ann my wife whom I do ordain and make executor of this my lat will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal in the presence of these persons whose names are under written Reginald Bowtell Simon Ive Edm Potter the mark of Rich Wade witness