Walsingham Will 1590

Will of Sir Francis Walsingham

of London, Ex Kent


Source: Prerogative Court of Canterbury PROB 11/75
Submitted by Lisa Smith
In the name of god amen the 20th? day of December in the 32nd year of the reign of our most gracious sovereign Lady Elizabeth by the grace of god queen of England, France and Ireland defender of the faith &c.
I Francis Walsingham knight principal secretary unto her majesty being of good and perfect memory (praised be almighty god therefore) do make ordain and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say
First I bequeath my soul when it shall please the almighty god my creator and maker to separate the same from this my most sinful earthly and mortal body to be holy Trinity god the father my creator god the son my only redeemer and god the holy spirit the true comforter: assuring myself that Jesus Christ my true and only saviour of his great and infinite mercy and goodness will vouchsafe not only to protect and defend me during the time of my abode here in this transitory earth with his most merciful protection especially in this time wherein sin and iniquity doth so much abound but also in mercy to grant unto me by increase of faith strength and power to make a good and Christian end in perfect sense and memory And that my soul being separated from this mortal body may and shall be received into everlasting glory purchased by the death of the same true and only saviour Jesus Christ
And I will that my body in hope of joy resurrection be buried without any such extraordinary ceremonies as usually appertain to a man serving in my place In respect of the greatness of my debts and the mean state I shall leave my wife and heir in charging both my executor and overseers to see them duly accomplished according to the special trust and confidence I repose in them

Also I will and give to my daughter the Lady Frances Sydney over and besides the annuity of £200 which I have already given her by special deed already executed one other annuity of £100 to be paid unto her in lieu of her thirds of her late husband Sir Philip Sydneys lands in Lincolnshire appointed by me to be sold during the natural life of Dame Ursula my well beloved wife

Item all my debts and legacies being truly paid satisfied and performed the residue of all my goods chattels plate and jewels I do give unto Dame Ursula my most well beloved wife hoping and assuring myself that after the satisfying of all things payable by her as executor of this my last will and testament she will before or at such time as it shall please god to call her out of this life leave and bequeath all my leases or so many of them as then shall remain in her possession unsold and unexpired or that she shall be pleased to convey to the use of my foresaid daughter the Lady Frances Sydney

And I do make and ordain the said Dame Ursula my most kind and loving wife my trustie sole and faithful executor of this my last will and testament referring into her in regard of the trust I repose is her the whole and only interpretation of such doubt and ambiguities as may arise in the penning of the said will

Lastly I desire my most loving brethren Edward Carre, Robert Beale and William Doddington esquires (to every of which persons I bequeath also one piece of plate of £10 price in token of my good affection towards them) to be overseers of this my last will and testament most earnestly praying them with the best counsel advice and aid to help my executor in the execution thereof

In witness whereof to these presents I have subscribed my hand and name and set my seal in the presence of those witnesses whose names are also by them ... subscribed and set under this my present last will and testament given and declared the day and year above written
Fra: Walsingham

Memorandum that the will above written was found in a secret cabinet of the abovenamed Sir Francis Walsingham knight late her Majesties principal Secretary by us whose names be underwritten 7th April 1590 and in the 32nd year of her Majesties reign
Thomas Heneage - John Fortescue - Robert Beale - William Gerrarde - John James - William Stubbes - Peter Probye

Probate in Latin 27 May 1590

Note: PCC will of Dame Ursula Walsingham was probated 5 Jul 1602, PROB 11/100/92 (follows below).

Extract of the will of Dame Ursula Walsingham widow dated 30 Jan 1598/9
Item I will and bequeath to Thomas Flonynge esquire the Queen Majestie solicitor, given to my brother Bank and to Mr William Garrard to every one of them apiece of plate of 20 marks apiece
Item I give and bequeath to my cousin Henry ... £20
To Henry Horde £10
To Henry Walford £40
To him that shall be my minister in my house at my house at my decease £10
To the minister of Barnes £10
To Briton if he be with me at my death £20
To Bolt if he be with me at my death £20
To John Kingswell if he be with me at my death £10
To Henry Whitton if he be with me at my death £20
To John Gwyn if he be with me at my death £10
To Henry Calthorpe my cook by the year during his life £3
To John Cordell my cook by the year during his life £3
Item I give to Edward Rooke my daughters page £20
Item I give to John Little, John Willard and … Bilson to every of them £20 apiece if they be in my service at my decease
Item I give to Alice Pole my waiting woman £50
And I give to Ane Valley £10
my servant Lancelot Lancaster £6 13s 4d by the year during his life my will is that he shall have the said paid to him out of my lease of Brooke Marsh in the county of Suffolk now in lease to Humfrey Bagshaw who pay 3 score and £10 by the year for the same
my late husband Sir Francis Walsingham knight deceased
Frances Countess of Essex my daughter whom I do make and ordain sole executrix
lease of Alton Parsonage
Witness whereof Tho Goodman Mat Bacon Garrard Boothe


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Will of Sir Francis Walsingham
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