1582 the will of EDWARD BANDY (b. bef 1545) of Milton Keynes Bucks

The 18 day of June in the yere of our lorde God 1582 In the name of God, Amen.

I, Edward Bandy, of the towne of Myddeltu[n] Kaynes, sycke In body, but of hoole and p[er]fect memory, I gyve God thanckes, do make this my last wyll and testament, as In forme foloweth.

Fyrst I bequeth my soule to almyghty God, trustyng onely to be saved by the death and meryttes of Jesus Chryste. And I wyll my body to be buryed w[i]t[h]in the church yarde of Myddeltu[n] Kaynes.

I gyve to the mother Church of Lyncolne 4d.

I gyve to my wyffe Mary Bandy, all my housholde stuffe.

I gyve to my wyffe and to Rychard my sonne the lease of my howse, so longe as my wyffe is alyve, but yf she mary I wyll my sonne Rychard shall have my lease.

Yf Rychard dye, then I wyll Thomas my sonne shall have the lease.

Yf Thomas dye then I wyll John my sonne shall have the lease.

Yf John dye then I wyll th[a]t Jone my dough[er] shall have the lease.

Yf Jone dye then I wyll Margaret my dought[er] shall have the lease.

I gyve to Thomas my sonne a cowe, 2 ewes, 2 lambes, and a quarter of corne, all these to be delivered to hym when he com[m]eth to the age of 21 yeres.

I gyve to John my sonne 2 ewes, 2 lambes, to be delyvered to hym when he com[m]eth to the age of 15 yeres. I gyve to hym a cowe, to be delyvered to hym when he com[m]eth to the age of 21 yeres.

I gyve to Jone my daught[er] 2 shepe and a lambe, to be delyvered to her when she com[m]eth to the age of eightene yeres. I gyve her a cowe, to be delyvered to her when she Com[m]eth to the age of 16 yeres.

I gyve to Margarett my daught[er] 2 shep and a lambe, to be delyvered to her when she com[m]eth to the age of 15 yeres. I gyve to her a cowe, to be delyvered to her when she com[m]eth to the age of 21 yeres.

Yf any of these my chyldren dye, then I wyll the survyver to be theyr heyre.

And all the Rest of my goodes, moveable and unmoveable, not bequethed, I gyve to Mary my wyffe and to Rychard my sonne, whome I do make my Exequytours, to se my dettes payed, my legases p[er]formed, the bryngyng up of my chyldre[n], and my body honestly brought to the ground.

These beyng wytnesses to this my testament.

Laurens Smyth  Hugh Makant  wyth others

I do make Mr Bayly the overseer of this my testament.

translation provided by Brooke Westcott  westcott@ukonline.co.uk