Stephen 1480-1540

The Last Will & Testament of Stephen Swan of Ickleton

In the name of God Amen. The 24h day of August in the year of our Lord God. A thousand five hundred and forty and in the 32 year of the reign of our sovereign lord King Henry the eighth. I Stephen Swan of Ickleton in the county of Cambridge and within the Diocese of Ely being of whole mind and memory thanks be to God make this my testament and last will in manner and form following: first I commit my soul wholly unto the mercy of Almighty God through the merits of Christ’s passion my body to be buried within the churchyard of Ickleton aforesaid. Item, I bequeath unto the high alter there for my tithes negligently forgotten xxiid Item, for the light before the sacrament xxd. Item, to the rood light xiyd. Item to the (sopulort) light xiyd. Item, to the reparacions of the church xxd. Item, I bequeath to John Swan the son of John Swan my son v marks sterling, one quarter of barley and three ewes sheep to be delivered unto him at the age of 20 years. Item. I bequeath to Isabell the daughter of the said John my son xl sterling , one quarter of barley and three ewes sheep to be delivered unto her at the age of 18 years and if it fortune the said John and Isabel to die before they come to the age expressed then I will that the longer lyver of them to be the others heir of the said legacies and bequests and if both the said John and Isabel to die before they come to the age aforesaid I bequeath that Robert my son shall have the said legacy and bequest to dispose them at his discretion. Item, I will that Isabel my wife shall have every year during her life one quarter wheat.and 6 quarters of malt and one half acre of saffron grownde of twelve months set..and I will that the said Robert my son shall yearly during the life of my said wife set prepare pick and set at his proper costs and charge. Item, I bequeath to the said Isabell my wife 11 wether sheep. And I will that the said Robert shall see them kept as well as his own and maintain the flocks from all casualties to her use and profit. Item, I bequeath to the said Isabell my wife one cow. Item, I will that my said wife shall have her chamber during her life and I give first to her all the stuff that belonging and all the implements belonging to the house to dispose of at her will and pleasure.
I bequeath to Margaret Holder my daughter a quarter of barley. I bequeath and give unto Johanna Thriplowe my daughter…..roode.of saffron grown of 2 years sett lying by the lands of the (Doramis?) and I will that the said Robert my son shall set for her with the same head one half an acre saffron grown the next year after my decease of his own proper cost and charge. And then for next year after that I will that the said Robert my son shall set her half an acre by Fyndynhead all other charge thereto belonging of his own proper costs.