This indenture made at Charlton Kings on the Tuesday next after the feast of the Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the 9th year of the reign of King Henry V since the Conquest [9th December 1421] between John Hore junior of Charlton Kings on the one part and Thomas Dowdeswelle of Codynhulle and Isabel his wife on the other part, witnesses that the said Thomas and Isabel or one of them living the longer shall find for the said John Hore for the duration of his life, food and drink as good and nourishing as usual for their own bodies. And also shall pay for the said John at the solemn feasts his oblations which he the said John is bound to offer to Holy Church.
Item the said Thomas and Isobel shall pay to the said John 4 1/2 marks of legal English money.
Item the said Thomas and Isobel shall mend or cause to be mended the boots and shoes of the said John when it shall be needful, at the expense of the said John. And the said Thomas shall make for the said John a pair of wheels, but the said John shall find all the tyres for making the wheels.
Item the said Thomas and Isabel shall keep for the said John in the winter time two pigs. And the said Thomas and Isabel or one of them living the longer shall arrange for washing the clothes of the said John both for his back and for his bed during the said John's life.
Item the said John shall have the chief room in the house called Walters at his pleasure, and shall also have the freedom in the hall of the said house for his own body as often as he shall please.
And if the said John survives the said Thomas and Isobel the said John shall occupy the aforesaid house and lands with all its appurtenances during his life, that is to say, the lands and house of which the said Thomas and Isabel were given possession by the said John. And if it shall happen to the said John to occupy the said lands and house as aforesaid, then after the decease of the said John they shall revert entirely to the heirs and assigns of the said Thomas Dowdeswelle for ever.
In witness whereof the parties aforesaid have severally placed their seals on these indentures. Given on the day and in the place and year aforesaid.
* The Isabel mentioned in this document is Isabel Hore probably John Hore juniors sister.
Copyright © 2002 - Malcolm Hoare |
Back to home page |