Wm. Pell, Elstow. n.d., pr. 18 May 1505. (5)

Body to be buried in the church; principal as is customary; to the church of Lincoln 4d.; for a printed missal in the parish church 6s. 8d.; to a priest to celebrate for the souls of the testator, his wives and benefactors, 8 marks.

To w. Katherine for life, the house and garden at the end of the vill next to Bedford in which Wm. Byrde lived; on her death to be sold, and the money used for souls. Executors to sell the house where testator lives and brewing vessels, the tenements opposite with the house in which Roger Myllward lived and crops and timber, and all land in Elstow, Kempston and elsewhere, the money arising to be used for souls of testator and all the faithful departed.

To daughters Christine and Agnes 20 nobles each. Thos. Whyghtbrede to have the first offer of lands and tenements in Elstow and Kempston. All movable goods to be divided between w. and exors., except the brewing vessels. Residue to exors. for souls.

Exors. Jn. Pattman and Thos. Whightbrede. Witn. Ric. Kyng curate there, Robt. Bastard steward, Robt. Cowper, Wm. Sangrell.

Joan Studdley, Bedford. 31 July 1503, pr. 26 January 1505. (9)

Body to be buried in church of St. Paul, Bedford; to high altar for tithes forgotten 6d.; to the upkeep of the altar of St. Mary 12d.; for a secular priest to celebrate in St. Paul’s for her soul and all the faithful departed for one year 8 marks; to the friars minor of Bedford for a trental of St. Gregory 10s.

Her executors to place a marble stone over her body. To d. Joan Freeman, to Henry Freeman, Joan’s husband, and to the heirs of the body of Joan, her capital tenement in Bedford. If Joan die without heirs before her husband, he is to be allowed to buy the tenement for 20 marks less than its value. Should Henry die before he can do this, then own and daughter’s executors to sell the property, and use the money for charitable purposes, as celebrating masses, mending roads, alms to the ‘poor of Christ”, and other works of piety. Residue to executors for soul.