IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN THE tenth day of November I William Strudwicke Citizen and Alderman of the cittie of Chichester in the county of sussex being sick in body but of perfect remembrance thanks be unto almighty god do make and ordain this my last will and testament in wrighting in manner and form following
First I bequeath my soul into the hands of almighty God my heavenly Father and creator assuredly believing that through his mercy and the mercy of his dearly beloved son Christ Jesus my only lord and saviour that all my sins and disgressions are fully and absolutely forgiven and pardoned and that I shall enjoy everlasting life fortified in the kingdom of heaven and my desire and will is that after my death my body be buried in the church ground of the Cathedral Churche of the blessed and undivided trinity of Chichester as near as conveniently may be unto my first wife in comely and decent manner according to the disgression of my executors
And as for my personall affairs my will is that the same shall remain full and whole unto my executors herafter named for their security and redemption for that they as my kind and loving friends find engaged for me in diverse sums of money to xxx all xxx.
Item I give and bequeath unto my son Raphe Strudwicke all my freehold land in the weald of Sussex and called Shipbourne WG all and all manner of edifice, holding, property, commodities xxx and appertenances whatsoever thereunto belonging or in any way appertaining To have and to hold unto him my said son the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten or to be begotten and for want and in desire of further to the heirs male of my son John Strudwicke and for want of further issue to the right heirs of my said son Ralph forever.
I give and bequeath unto my daughter Alice, the sum of 100 marksof lawfull English money assigned out of my said freehold land called shipbourne WG the xxx to be payed unto her or her assigned one years after my death
I give and bequeath unto my daughter Hester the summ of fourthy ponds of lawful money of England assigned out of my freehold lands called shipbourne WG the xxx to be paid onto her or her assigned at the end and determination of four years next after my death
ITEM I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary one annuity oryearly rent of ten pounds of lawfull money of England for her maintenance during her life assigned out of my sayed lands called shipbourne WG the xxx to be paid unto her or her assigned after my decease quarterly by even portions at the four usual faiths or terms in the year (that is to say) the faith of the birth of the saviour Christ. The annunciation of the blessed virgin mary st john the Baptist and the faith day of St Michael the archangel.
The first payment thereof to begin at such of the said faithdays as shall next happen after my decease or within ten days next after every of the said faithdays.
And that is if shall happen the sayed anuuity or yearly rent of ten pounds or any part thereof be behind or unpaid after any of the days of payment aforesaid then my will is that from therafter it shall and may be lawful to and for her my said daughter Mary and her assigned into all and singular the paid lands and tenements called shipbourne WG there appertaining to enter and distrain and the same distress and distresses so taken to load and carry away and the same to detain and keep untill the said annuity or yearly rent with the arrears thereof if any be shall be unto her my said daughter Mary or her assigned well and truly satisfied contented and paid
ITEM I give and bequeath unto my loving brother Mr Symon Maxe the summ of ten shillings to be payed unto him within one month of my decease by my executors and I do ordain and appoint my loving friends and kinsmen Mr William Strudwicke of Hills Greene in the parrish of Kyrdford in the county of sussex and Henry Strudwick son and heir of the said William Strudwick my sole executors of this my last will and testament entrusting them to do this my last will and testament truly and faithfully performed according to the term thereof and my intent and meaning
And I specially xxx them in witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seals the day and year first above written in the presence of the witnesses whose names are subscribed
Wm. Strudwicke Witness John Cooper Sy. Maxe