Wills and Testaments in Medieval England from the Thirteenth to the Sixteenth Century

This volume explores the will-making process in late medieval England for all levels of society. Wills are some of the most studied records of the late Middle Ages and capture the evidence of what people owned and the patterns of family relationships. These documents, compiled from several archives and city records, cast a light on many aspects of medieval life, including gender distinctions and the heavy influence of the church. Included are wills from widows, tradespeople and artisans, clergy, and high-ranking wealthy people, and through these sources he shows how wills, inventories, and testaments prepared people and their souls for the afterlife.



Robert A. Wood is an independent researcher working on late medieval society in London and Norwich. He also holds an M.A. degree from the University of York in Medieval Studies. He is currently working on a detailed study of the College of St. Mary in the Fields, Norwich.



Illustrations Abbreviations Acknowledgements Roman Numerals Medieval Currency The Spending Power of Medieval Money Measurements and Weights The Social Hierarchy in Late Medieval England Introduction: Wills and Will Making List of Testators The Wills and Inventories Glossary Suggestions for Further Reading