Cannot read place name in will

[Gigi]

Hi All,

I cannot read the place name in this will. Could someone please have a look?

Looks like Choffeld?? It is most likely a place in Sussex.

Thanks

Gigi

[Stanwix England]

That's really tough isn't it.

Given how variable this sort of writing can be, I think there is an outside chance that it's a 'Th' rather than a 'Ch', but I didn't have any luck finding a place name under either of those.

[Gigi]

Thanks Stanwix

Having looked at the old writing guides, maybe it is Sheffeld? There is a Sheffeld in Fletching in Sussex. Been googling all morning and have found a reference in the Sussex Archaelogical Soc vol II p310 linking this manor to the Lewknors (whose will it is: Roger Lewknor).

[Annie65115]

I'd say Sheffield.

[Gigi]

Thanks Annie

You agree with the Sh then

[Annie65115]

Thanks Annie

You agree with the Sh then

Yep. Take a look at websites which show the alphabet in secretary hand, they can be very helpful!

[goldie61]

An 'S' in Secretary's hand usually has a loop at the bottom.
This letter doesn't.

I'm also not convinced the first vowel is an 'e'.
This scribe nearly always writes the typical 'backwards' 'e' of this hand. The first vowel looks more like an 'o'.
Is there another instance in the will of a capital 'S' and a capital 'C' for comparison?
It sounds like there might be the word 'Sussex' somewhere?

Added:
What year is this Gigi?
Goggle searches bring up Sir Roger Lewknor died 1404, born at 'Cuckfield', Sussex.
Is this the same man?

[Annie65115]

An "e" in secretary hand often did look like what we would consider a looped o". And secretary hand was not static, but developed over a couple of hundred years; I still think that the first letter looks like an S as any loop on the S was not fixed throughout the time period.

[JenB]

Goldie, the will can be seen on Ancestry, in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills.
Rogeri Lewkener, probate date 28 November 1478.