James Leveson's Will: Family

Description:James Leveson’s will tells us that he married twice, first to ‘Alys’ (Alice Wrottesley, daughter of Sir Richard Wrottesley of Wrottesley) and secondly to ‘Margery’ (Margery Michell, nee Offley). He had three sons, Richard, Walter and Edward. The will also mentions three daughters, Elizabeth, Joan and Anne. It is significant that he also makes many bequests to his extended family, including his cousins and relatives by marriage.

James Leveson’s will includes many bequests of gold rings and black gownes to his immediate and extended family, such as the gold ring which he gives to ‘my cosen John Leveson’ and a bequest which states simply ‘I give to Roger Pett that maryed my Sister’s daughter an ring of gold’. James also bequeaths his married daughter Joan and her husband William Skevington ‘a cup of silver’ and ‘to either of them a ring of gold…and a blacke gowne’.

Later in the will James states ‘I give to my sonne Richard Leveson two hundredth poundes and to Anne Leveson my daughter two hundredth poundes’. He also bequeathes ‘to Margery my wif all my plate and household holy as it standith and in money a Thousande markes’. The money which he leaves to his family alongside the donations he makes to local parishes indicates his wealth and prominence as a local merchant.

Many of the bequests made in James Leveson’s will indicate that he was interested in ensuring the financial well-being of his family after his death. The will states that his daughter Joan is married to William Skevington. James bequeathes ten pounds to ‘every childe’ that William Skevington has, but this money is bequeathed on the condition ‘that he make my said daughter his wif a joynture of land to the value of xxxli’. The terms of this bequest ensure that Joan would be sufficiently provided for through a land jointure.

Attachments

Transcription of James Leveson's Will, 1547 (44 KB)