6^th day of August 1580 I Henry Freman of Archester in the county of Northampton being in good health and whole of mind etc yet fearing and dreading the uncertain hour of death make and ordain this my last will as follows. Soul to almighty God etc. I bequeath for my mortuary according to the laws of England. To the mother church of Peterborough 6d. To the vicar of Archester for tithes forgotten 12d. To the poor people of Archester 6s 8d, to the poor of Wellingborough 6s 8d, to the poor of Wollaston 5s, to the poor of Irthlingborough 5s, to the poor of Higham Ferrers 6s 8d, to the poor of Farndish 20d.

I give to my son Thomas Freman 20s and to each of his four children 6s 8d. To my son Blase Freman 20s and to each of his three children 6s 8d. To my daughter Elizabeth Bowse 20s and to each of her six children 6s 8d. To each of my daughter Mary’s seven children 6s 8d. To my daughter Anne Barnes 20 shillings and to each of her five children 6s 8d.

To Margaret Freeman late wife of my son Oswolde Freman deceased 20 shillings and to each of her five children 6s 8d. To my son George Freeman 20s.

I give to the repair of the Stable Bridge within the parish of Archester 2s. I give to the repair of Ditchford bridge in the same parish 2s. I give to each of my godchildren 12d. I give to my son George Freeman all that my (mese) set lying and being in London End in Archester and a croft called Meriwethers yard and also my lands, (meadows, leases, rents, ___ services) and all other my hereditaments as well freehold and copyhold in Archester, Knoston and Irthlingborough which sometime were in the tenure or occupation of one Margarett Freman late wife of Oswolde Freeman deceased: To have and to hold all the said (mese) lands, tenements and all other the premises with their appurtenances to the said George Freeman his executors and assigns for and during his natural life and after his decease I will that all the said mese lands, tenements and other premises in Archester, Knoston and Irthlingborough now in the occupation of Margarett Freeman shall remain and descend and grow to one Henry Freman son and heir of the said Thomas Freman if he be then alive and to his heirs forever to the proper behoof and use of the same Henry Freman.

I give to the said George Freeman one yardland called humberlonde in Archester with all the lands, meadows and pastures which were lately in the occupation of the said Margarett Freman which I have of the demise and lease of the right honourable William Vaux Lorde Harrowden and Lady Mary his wife To have and to hold the said lease [to go to] George Freman and if George happens to die before the said lease be ended Then I will that the said Henry Freman son of Thomas Freman shall immediately after the death of George have the lease for his use.

I bequeath to Thomas Freman my son all my meses, cottages, lands, tenements, meadows, lesures, pastures, rents and all other my hereditaments in Overdeane and Neterdeane in the county of Bedford and also in Archester and Knoston (except as before excepted). I give to my said son Thomas my lease of my parsonage in Archester and the lease of my windmill standing in the parish of Farndish And also my lease of a close called the duffehouse close and a dovehouse in the same and one yardland to the same close belonging and also one other close now being a hopyard and one cottage in Archester which I have of the demise and lease of William Vaux. And if shall fortune the said Thomas Freman to depart this life before the expiry of my lease of the said parsonage then the said Henry Freman son of the said Thomas shall have it.

I give to William Buttery my clerk [blank] And the residue of my goods I give to my executors with the intent that they will help and relieve such of my children as have or shall have most need thereof. As executors I appoint my well-beloved sons Blase Freman and Thomas Freman and supervisors my son in law John Barnes and [blank] and I give each of them 6s 8d.

And I desire that my executors shortly after my death deliver all such court rolls that are in my keeping the day of my death to the very Lords and true owners of the same (except such court roll as my son Thomas Freman shall hereafter fortune to obtain and get the Office of the Stewardship of the same).

Probate granted 29^th April 1585