Herewith the will which was the subject of the indecipherable marginal note with which the OEL and Yorksgen lists helped. Paragraphs are added to give a little more clarity. The PCC probate note is a first shot. The transcription is from the version appearing on the PCC website - compared with a transcription from another source there are numerous spelling differences (interchanges of 'y' and 'ie' etc) and occasionally a word added or lost but no significant variations in meaning. Henry's widow was previously married to Richard Taylforde of London (but with Yorkshire land interests). Other characters are John Starkey (servant but in some documents 'gent') who seems to stick like a leech; Lawrence Fishenden (servant who died in Kent in the 1650s, by then a yeoman); Hellen S/Center (a London girl as far as I can make out); Edward Hoppey, nephew, from the Guiseley area of Yorkshire but with Halifax antecedents; and Sir Christopher Wren from Binchester, County Durham - Henry was godfather to his son Lynley Wren. I wonder how north and south and the different social levels interacted in the melée? The string of memoranda in the space of a few hours are noteworthy, emphasising that poor Sir H was still alive and of perfect memory as he made them - it reminds me of an academic case where the wordings were so careful that a tutor commented that is smelled strongly of Dettol (a disinfectant for those outside the UK). Most get their cut, and the lesser servants or relatives remain around to witness the later ones. Was he prodded? Was he suffering a lingering death with repeated crises and hoping to stave off eternal judgement? Poor man, whatever our interpretation. It seems that his widow was not up to sorting it out, and a relative had to tidy up a decade later. Any comments always appreciated. Text follows signature. John Lindley Wigginton NRY . . Will of Sir Henry Lindley of Middleham 1609 In the name of God amen the seaventh of November Anno Domini one thousand sixe hundred and nine. I Henry Lyndeley knighte of Middleham castle beying sicke in bodye but of sound and perfect remembrance do make this my last will and Testament in manner and forme followinge. First I give and bequeath my soule into the hands of god my maker and redemer trusting assuredlie to be saved by the merittes and mercies of Xpiste [Christ] and my bodye to be buryed in the churche or chancell of Middleham. For the due ordering of my goodes First I give and bequeathe unto Jeronima my wife and Ladye all my p[ar]ke and possessions of Middleham and the castle of Middleham with all my goodes moveable and unmoveable and all the Leases and possessions therunto belonging of what kynde soever duringe her [naturall] life wittnesses hereof S[i]r Charles Wren knight, Henry Pagett. Memorandum that the said seventh daye of November one thousand sixe hundred and nyne abowte one quarter of an houre after the making of the will abovewritten the said S[i]r Henry Lyndley being of perfect memorye did give and bequeathe unto his nephue Edward [inserted afterwards] Hoppie three score poundes by yere to be payed yerelie to hym out of Wodruffe in the countie of Kent during all the tearme of his Leases thereof which bequest was then in the lifetyme of the sayed S[i]r Henry Lyndley put in writing Witnesses hereof Henrie Paggett, John Starkey. Memorand[um] allso that the same daye aforesaied abowte eleven of the clocke the saied S[i]r Henry Lyndley beyng of perfect memorye did give and bequeathe to his Servant John Starkey the somme of one hundred poundes to be payed out of the Leases of Kent which bequest was allso then put in writing: Witnesses thereof Thomas Holdesworthe, John Hartley, Richard Taylor and Laurence Fishenden. Memorand[um] allso that the same daye above sayed a litle after the bequest made to John Starkie as is above written the sayed Sir Henrie Lyndley beyng of p[er]fect memorie did give unto John Cox his servaunte the Lodge in the west parke of Middleham and eight gates wynter and sommer in the saied west parke for and during his naturall life and did allso give him two cowes which bequest was allso then put in wrytinge: Witnesses thereof Thomas Holdesworth, John Hartley, Richard Tailor. Memorand[um] allso that on the same daye abowte one of the clocke in the after noone the sayed S[i]r Henry Lyndley beyng of perfect memorye did give unto William George Lawrence Fishenden and Thomas Denison his servaunts to every of them fortie poundes and to Thomas Dodd twentie poundes: which legaceys he willed to be payed by his Ladye and wife and the same bequests were then allso written in his life tyme: Witnesses thereof William Blackett and Thomas Holdesworthe. Memorand[um] allso that the same daye a litle after the promisses the saied S[i]r Henry Lyndley beyng of perfect memory did give to his Sister Mrs Stubbs the somme of fiftie poundes : Witnesses thereof Thomas Holdesworthe Willm Blackett and Hellen Center and others. Memorand[um] allso that the same daye the sayed S[i]r Henry Lyndley beyng of perfect memorye did give to every one of his woman servaunts Fyve poundes a peece. Witnesses thereof Thomas Holdesworthe and Edward Hoppey. PCC Probate note: Decime die mensis May 1610 emanavit comissio Domine Jeronome Lyndley relicte Dni Henrici Lyndley militio Defuncti ad administr[?] bona Jura et creditas dicti Defuncti infra provinc Cant constitu nixta tenorem testamenti et codicilloru[?] ?dom armex praeo quod millum in eodem nominavit executorem De bene ec vigore Commissionis in ea parte abo Emanat Jurat. Marginal note 1619 (unravelled with help from he OEL and Yorksgen lists): mense decembris 1619 undecimo die emanavit comissio Arthuro {or Nichus} Lindley nepoti &c fr[atr]e dicti def Ad ami'strand bona iura et Cred dic def iuxta tenorem et [?effectum] pred testi per domina[m] Jeromima[m] Lyndley def non plene admi'strate de bene &c Iurat ---end---