Quarterly Journal of the Berks Archaeological and Architectural Society

The Quarterly Journal

OF THE

Berks Archæological and Architectural Society.

ITH this number the fourth year of our publication

W closes, and we trust that the Berks Archæological

Journal has been the means of preserving some important results of the researches and investigations of Antiquaries into the history of the Royal County. Many valuable records of the annals of our towns and villages have been published in these pages; many notes of archæological discoveries, traditions, legends, historical information and popular superstitions, have here found a permanent and enduring resting-place, and will ultimately prove to be of considerable use when a complete history of the County is contemplated. In concluding this portion of our work we desire to express our gratitude to those who have so kindly assisted us in this undertaking by contributing articles and notes to this Journal, and for their interest and co-operation, without which our task could scarcely be accomplished.

A Meeting of the Society was held in the Town Hall, Wokingham, on October 27th, when a paper was read by the Rev. C. W. Penny, on "The importance of the careful preservation of Parochial Records, Muniments and Antiquities." In the unavoidable absence of the President, Sir George Russell, Bart., the chair was taken by the Rev. J. M. Guilding, and there were present Lady and Miss

Russell, Mrs. and Miss Murdoch, the Rev. H. Salwey, the Rev. R. Tomlinson, General Bunbury-Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Melville, the Mayor of Wokingham and Mrs. Tyndale Heelas, Mrs. F. Goolden, Mrs. and Misses Gregorie, Mr. F. N. A. Garry, &c. The Rev. C. W. Penny read a very valuable and interesting paper which we hope to publish in a subsequent number of our Journal. A discussion followed in which the Rev. J. T. Brown, the Rev. P. H. Ditchfield, Mr. F. Garry, the Rev. H. Selwey and the Chairman took part. The municipal documents were exhibited by the Mayor; and at the close of the meeting the members of the Society were entertained at tea.

SCOURING OF THE WHITE HORSE.-The historic "White Horse," near Uffington, has recently undergone another scouring, by order of Lady Craven. The lover of ancient customs would have been glad to see the revival of the ancient rural festival which formerly accompanied the scouring, but in these days of enlightenment such a revival would probably be impossible. The thanks of the Society are due to Lady Craven for her careful preservation of this ancient and historical monument.

MUNICIPAL RECORDS OF READING.—Mr. N. T. Hone has published an intere-ting article in the "Reading Mercury" on this subject. We are glad to hear that Mr. Guilding has nearly accomplished his labours of editing these documents.

ROMAN ROADS.-Mr. H. F. Napper has written to the "Reading Mercury' on this subject a long letter, which evinces much careful thought and investigation. But surely he is in error in supposing that the derivation of Reading is from Rhyd, meaning a ford over the Thames. The name can only come from Redingas, a Saxon tribe; and we thought that it was now a settled question among antiquaries that Silchester was the Calleva Attrebatum.

OUR contributor Mr. Geo. F. Tudor Sherwood is compiling a genealogy of the Sherwood family in its various branches. He will be glad to receive any Sherwood notes from Parish Registers, Wills, &c. He also asks for odd numbers, and especially indexes, of genealogical works, MS. notes, and pedigrees of Berkshire people, and will gladly pay carriage on any such addressed to Petersham House, Walham Green, S. W.

Early Berkshire Wills, from the

P.C.C., ante 1558.

(Continued from page 156.)

19.

The Will of RICHARD A'MAN, of Redyng, draper.-20th Dec., 1538. Isabell my wife. To Luce my wife a hundred marks towards bringing up of her four children William, George, Mary and Agnes. My son Miles. To my son Thomas all my years and title which I have in my dyehouse and my tenement in Mynstere street called the Xpofer where I now dwell. I will that Luce my wife shall have the tenement wherein now dwelleth John Webbe for life and then to be divided between my sons William and George. Unto William and George my sons all that free Chapelle which I have of Sir John A'Man my brother during the term that I have the same. To my son Thomas the coffer with two locks bought of Henry Hothorne. My exors. to recover the £20 which Richard Rock oweth me. Residue to wife Luce and son Thomas executors. Robert Watlyngton and my son Myles supervisors. Witnesses, Sir John Whetham, vicar [? of St. Mary's], William Edmonds, Maister Style, Thomas Smyth, Robert Ellys.

Proved 17 July, 1539, by the exors. (29, Dyngeley.)

20.

The Will of WILLIAM ANDREW, of Maydynhode, gentilman.-14 Sept., 1503. To be buried at Cookham. Wife Margaret and John Grove, clerk, of Eton College, executors. Witnesses, Thomas Dene, John Dyblyn of Maydynhed.

Proved 10 Oct., 1503, by the exors. (31, Blamyr.)

21.

The Will of ALICE ANGER, of Hagburne, widow.-15 Feb., 1539. To be buried by my husband in the chauncell at Hagburne. To every brother and sister that I have 7/6d and to every daughter's child 12d To Annes Whystler my da. 100 shepe &c. To Crystyan Yong 6 shepe. To Joane Smyth 100 shepe. To Mawde Kepe 100

shepe. To Thomas Edwards, William Clak, John Hall, Thomas Adains, Elyn Bew, John Homys, William Mayde, to Joan and Katheryn my servants, sundry bequests. William Keyt and Elynor his wife my assigns and sole executors. John Hand, vicar of Hagburne, and Robert Torrold, overseers.

Witnesses, Nycholas Harward, Stephyn Baker.

Proved 23 Feb., 1539, by the exors. (3, Alenger.)

22.

The Will of JOHN ANGER, of Hagburne.—6 Jan., 1538. To be buried in the chancel of Hagburne. To Christyan Flodear, 20/-. To William Anger of Dydcote. To Elizabeth my da. all my shepe &c. which be in the custody of her husband. Also I the said John Anger and Alyce my wiffe by one assent make Elnour our doghter the wyfe of William Keyte our assigne to enjoy the farm of Hagborne, and for lack of the said Elnor to Christian our doghter the wife of Edward Yonge, and for lack of the said Christian to Agnes the wife of Ruffe Wysker, and for lak of Agnes to Jone Smyth the wife of William Smythe, and for lack of Jone to Mawde Kepe the wife of Andrew Kepe, and so to the longer liver during the said terme. Residue to wife Alice, executrix. Richard Sayntons, Overseer. Witnesses, Sir John Hande, vicar of Hagburne, Edwarde Clarke, Roberte Tarreld, John Sayer.

Proved 7 Feb., 1538, by the relict and exix. (12, Crumwell.)

23.

The Will of JOHN ANGER, of Wantage.-7 Dec. 1549. To my eld. son Stevyn two acres of arable land in Letcombe Rege and a half lyeinge in est challowe felde. To son Nicholas the shepehouse and an acre in the Whitefelde. To Edmonde my son two Casbarke acres, the one in the Whitefelde of Wantage and the other in the fowre londe in Charleton felde. To John my son 3 halfes in small marshe. To Robert my son two acres in Whitemeade in parish of letcombe rege. To my da. Margett when married £4, &c. To my da. Agnes when married £3, &c. To my da. Elizabeth when married £3, &c. Residue to wife Alice, executrix.

Witnesses, Sir Thomas Heode [Head?] Nichas Redysshe, Andrew Garratt, Richard Talbott.

Proved 30 April 1550 by the relict and exix. (II. Coode.)

24.

The Will of THOMAS ANNSLEY of the Kyngs Buttry.-18 May, 1514. To be buried at St. Peter's, Cornhill. Richard Barwell,

executor, and Thomas Parkar, overseer. My modere Alice Annsley shall have all my landis and tenements lying wtin Wynsou' and Chertsey during her life, and after her decease to Richard Barwell to be sold to pray for the soullis of Hew Annsley my fadere and Alice Annsley modere and for me Thomas Annsley. Unto Richard Barwell the yeres of my patent of the ferme of Saint Margett Fretton. Unto William Hogekyns of the buttry a halbert. Unto William Fitton of the Buttry a halbert. Unto the ffryers of Houns

low where I am a brother iijs. iiijd.
Proved 30 May, 1514. (33 Fetiplace.)

25.

The Will of THOMAS ANTAN of Stratfild Sey. co. Hants, clerke of the Court of Wards and Liveries.-2 Aug. 1556. My wife Katherine. exix. My farm of Stratfeld Say held of Eton College. My lease granted by William, Lord Marques of Wynchested, Lord Thresorer of England of the Manor of Turges in Stratfeeld-turgis co. Hants and another lease of grounds in Stratfeeld-turgis called Great Pytham and Little Pytham granted by the late prior and convent of Marton Abbey. Richard Avenall of South Moreton his obligacon to pay me 20 quarters of malt yerely. My grant from Edward Capell, Esq., of Foxhills granted to my wife and Thomas and George Antan my sons for ten years of their three lives according to the custom of the Manor of Beames. My lands, &c., of which I am seized in fee in Swallowfield, Eversleigh and Fynchehampsted co. Barks and Southt., and in Castilford co. York. My brothers John Chambrelayn, James Chambrelayn and Henry Chambrelayn, executors. And to the intent that no variance may hereafter rise about the ages of my children, I have therefore truly set furthe the daies of the birthe of every of them as hereafter followeth :

Alice myn eldest daughter was borne 27 Sept., 1535. 27. Hen. VIII.

Thomas myn eldest son