Joan Lawson, Prioress of Nesham Abbey

In the name of God the Father Almightye, Amen. The seconde daye of June, in the yere of our Lord a thowsand fyve hundreth fyftye and seven, I, Jane Lawson, of Nesham, within ye countye of Durysme, not knowing ye hour of my deathe, provydethe for my soule's healthe, makyng my last will and testamente as followeth: fyrst I forsake this myserable worlde, the pompes, and all the glorye of it, and I gyve wth a free wyll my soule to the Father of Heaven, besechynge him for his gret mercy's sake, and for the love of his Sonne Jesus Christe, to have mercy upon me, pardon and forgyve me all my synnes that ever I have commytted and done agaynst the goodnes of God and all the worlde, which worlde I yet and ever more forsake, and I beseche the Blyssed Virgin Saynte Marye the Mother of Christe, and all the heavenlye companye in heaven, to praye for me; and I gyve my bodye to tlie earthe from whence it came, and to be beryed before the high aulter withyn the quyre of Hurworth Church; and also I gyve to the forsayd hyghe aulter one vestemente of blak velvet; and also my will is, that Sir John Fawcett, prest, pray and singe for my soule the space of one holle yere at Hurworth Church; his wages shall be vil. xiiis. iiijd. Item, I give and bequeathe to Robart Lawson, in the name of his chylde's porcyon, which is in my hands, xlvjl. one fether bedd, with shetts and all other clothes belonginge to the same, and sexe sylver spones. Item, I gyve to Barbara Midl'ton vil. xiijs. iiijd. two kye and ther calfes, and ij kuyes and calfes, or ells they being wth calfes. Item, I bequeth to my brother, George Lawson, two oxon, two kye, and iijl. vis. viijd. Item, I gyve to Marjare Lawson, dowghter to Thomas Lawson, in recompence of all such goods as [which] I had of hirs in my hands, xxvil. xiijs. iiijd..; and also my wyll is, that the forsayd Robart Lawson and Margaret Lawson and ther goodes, shall be at the order and government of my lovinge cosinge Henry Lawson unto they come to yers of full age, prayinge him to be specyall good frinde to them at all tymes, as my truste is in him. And also I bequethe to my eosinge Henry Lawson all my interest and ryghte of my lease at Cramelington endureinge my yeres; and also all my corn sowen upon tharthe at lytle Burdon, with the holle draught of oxen, with other things belonginge thereto husbandrye; and also I give him the best fether bede I have, with th' appurtenances belonginge therto, and six sylver spoones, and a mattresse, two shetts and other clothes belonginge unto a bede, for his servante. It'm, I bequithe to my cosinge William Middleton one meare which he will choise, and four oxon, and xxl. and one fether bed with gere belonginge thereto. Item, I gyve to my cosinge Edward Lawson xls. Item, I give to Elizabeth Harper, vis. viijd.. Item, I bequithe to Margaret Trollope vis. viijd. Item, to Jane Lowyck vis. viijd. To Elizabeth Hewgall vis. viijd. Item, I gyve to my syster Elizabethe xiijs. iiijd. Item, to her sone Francis one felye; and I gyve to my syster Annes xiijs. iiijd.; and I gyve to my syster Barbara xiijs. iiijd. Item, I gyve to my cosinge George Lawson, for a token, xxs. Item, to Elizabeth Fenwyke iijl. vis. viijd. Item, to Barbara Kyllyngworthe xs. Item, to Annes Rede xxs.; and to his doughter a cowe. Item, to my cosinge Morgayne one whye wth calfe. Item, to my syster Barbara Colingwode two oxon; and to Margaret Colingwode vis. viijd.; and to Sir Willm Melmerbye, for to praye for my soule, iijs. iiijd.; and to Dorate Staynton xs. Item, to Maryon Staynton xs. Item, to Allison Morgayn two yows and ther lames; and I gyve to ev'y servante in my house dwelling xiid. Item, I gyve to Mr. Redman's doughter which I helped to christen, xxs. Item, to John Kendall xxs.; to Rob'te Barker xxs.; and I gyve to ev'y one of my Godharnes within Hurworth Parish xiid.. This done, my debts paid and funerall expences maide, I gyve the reste of my goodes not bequested, frelye unto my right trustie and wel-beloved cosinge Henrye Lawson, whome I ordayne and make my holl executor of this my last will and testament, and he to dispose all things, as my singular trust is in him, to the pleasor of God and the helthe of my soule. In wytness hereof John Claxton, Sr Willm Melmerby, curat, Sir Robert Clerke, preste, wth others mor.” Seal of red wax, a large oblong with a female figure. Qu. The Seal of the House of Nesham?