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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: Edward Scott on Friday 12 April 19 14:59 BST (UK)
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as some people have kindly offered to translate this will for me, I am attaching the first few lines. There will be 9 sections in total and they will overlap by a line or 2.
The testator is John Coket of Hampton or Ampton in Suffolk
A massive thanks in advance
Edward
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[margin] The will of John Coket the elder of Hampton
In the name of God Amen. I, John Coket the elder, being of healthy mind and good memory, at Ampton on the 20th day of the month of February in the year of the Lord 1445 make my will in this manner. First, I commend and leave my soul to Almighty God, the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints, and my body to a church burial, that is, in the church of Sts Peter and Paul of Ampton aforesaid. Item I leave to the high altar of the said church of Ampton, for debts and offerings forgotten or underpaid, 20 shillings. Item I leave to the fabric of the same church of Ampton, 100 shillings. Item I leave to the fabric of the church at Great Livermere, 20 shillings. Item I leave to the fabric of the church at Little Livermere, 6 shillings 8 pence. Item I leave to the fabric of the church at Sporles[?], 6 shillings 8 pence ...
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Thanks
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Here is a lawsuit from 1434 that identifies John Coket of Ampton as a woolmonger.
Second half of second line:
John Coket de Ampton in com Suff, wolmonger.
He is one of the executors of John Holgate, of Bradefeld Senclere/Bradfield St Clare. This is from 1434, so I suppose this must be the elder John Coket, rather than the one who left a will in 1483.
Second entry, Essex in the left margin:
http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT1/H6/CP40no692/bCP40no692dorses/IMG_1850.htm
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This is from 1434, so I suppose this must be the elder John Coket, rather than the one who left a will in 1483.
That would be consistent with the large number of sheep and lambs referenced in this will.
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In 1437 he is called yeoman when he, Walter of Great Livermere, Walter of Ingham, and several others were sued for taking rabbits and pheasants.
Easter term 1437
d 1767
Suff. William Curteys, abbot of Bury St Edmunds Abbey versus Nicholas Fysshere, of Hemgrave, clerk; Nicholas Bacot, of Ikelyngham, clerk; Walter Coket, of Magna Levermere, clerk; John Chaundeler, of Bury St Edmunds, yeoman; Brice Bocher, of Bury St Edmunds, yeoman; William Burgeys, of Bury St Edmunds, yeoman; John Blankpayn, of Bury St Edmunds, yeoman; Giles Braksted, of Bury St Edmunds, smith; John Coket, of Ampton, yeoman; Walter Coket, of Ingham, yeoman; John Crosse, senior, of Bury St Edmunds, butcher; Henry Gatle, of Berton, yeoman. Trespass: free warren and taking rabbits, pheasants and other small game.
Fourth entry:
http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT1/H6/CP40no705/bCP40no705dorses/IMG_1767.htm
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The 1483 JC is also certainly his son as he mentions "my father John Cokett & my mother Margarete"
I am guessing that he had already looked after John junior during his life which is why he wasn't mentioned in this will or he is the John Coket the younger of Ampton mentioned.
I am astonished by the amount given to the churches, friaries, etc in order to smooth his access to heaven. I know it happened but it is not until one reads a document like this that the scale becomes apparent. Certainly explains why the church was so wealthy & influential.
Edward