Source 7b: Will of an apothecary in the City of London

This is a will from an apothecary in the City of London. An apothecary prepared and sold medicines and drugs. He leaves his wife Cecilia in charge of his apprentices [those learning the trade] and also leaves her his houses in the city. [Printed in R.R. Sharpe, Wills enrolled in the Court of Hustings, London II. (London, 1890) p. 299]. The original is at London Metropolitan Archives Catalogue ref: CLA/023/DW/01/120

Transcript

Offham (John), apothecary.—to be buried in the church of St Mary Magdalen de Milkstrete. Bequeaths [leaves gifts] of money and wax tapers [candles] to the said church as well as to his fraternity [religious club] at Brokham and the churches of S. Peter at the Cross of Chepe and of Bassingeshawe. Bequeaths to his apprentices, who are to continue to serve Cecilia his wife; to a chaplain saying divine service in the church of St Mary aforesaid for the good of his soul, the souls of Walter his father, Alice his mother, and others; to the Friars Minors of London, to Peter and Thomas his sons, and others. To Master Nigel Algar he leaves a silver cup with covercle having his sign [engraved lid with his initials]. To Gregory Fanelore his grey horse (equum meum gray). To Robert Herlawe a piece of silver with a mark of an abbot. To William Ponk, formerly his apprentice, a sword, a pair of plates [breast plate armour] and a pair of gloves of plate [armour gloves], his best basynet [helmet] and a painted box. To Cecilia his wife he leaves all his tenements [houses] in London for life; remainder to Thomas and Peter his sons in successive tail; remainder to the maintenance of a chantry [money for signing of masses for his soul] in the aforesaid church of St Mary Magdalen. A certain house towards Canongate in the city of Chichester he leaves to the Sub-Dean of Chichester [Cathedral] and his successors for ever for their prayers. Dated London, Friday next after the Feast of SS. Tiburcius and Valerian [14 April], A.D. 1361.

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Task 7 – Women in urban areas

  • What does it tell us about women’s working lives that Cecilia is left to run his business?
  • An apothecary was a medical professional, providing remedies and medicines for people. How do you think Cecilia would manage training John’s apprentices?
  • What items did this apothecary leave to his apprentices?
  • What can we learn about the importance of the church in medieval life?