In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, Amen. I, John Burghard, burgess of Bishop's Lynn, have set out my testament in the following manner. First, I commend my soul to Almighty God and the Blessed Virgin Mary, and my body to be buried in the church of St. Margaret, Lynn, before the altar of St. John the Baptist there. I bequeath one hundred shillings to the high altar of that church, for my forgotten tithes. Towards the fabric of that church, 20s. I leave £13.6s.8d towards the expenses of my funeral. For distribution to poor people on the day of my burial, £50. Towards the fabric of the chapel of St. James, Lynn, 20s. Towards the fabric of the chapel of St. Nicholas, Lynn, 10s. Towards the fabric of Stoke church, 10s. Towards the fabric of Wretton church, 40d. Towards the fabric of West Dereham church, 40d. Towards the fabric of Southery church, 40d. Towards the fabric of Hilgay church, 40d.

I bequeath to Richard, the husband of my sister Matilda, my best gown. To Matilda herself, £4. I bequeath 10s. to Geoffrey Drewe senior. To his wife Alice, 10s. To Geoffrey Drewe junior, 10s. I bequeath 10s. to John the son of Thomas Burghard. I bequeath one hundred shillings to be distributed among my poor relations and widows of Stoke, at the discretion of my executors; and 40s. to be distributed in the same way among my poor relations and widows of Burton. I bequeath 100s. to be distributed by my executors among the sickly poor of Bishop's Lynn. I bequeath 20s. towards repairs to the Setchey causeway. I bequeath 6s.8d to Thomas de Derham, my one-time associate. To his brother John, 20s. I bequeath 20s. towards the repair of Stoke bridge and causeway. I bequeath 10s. to [maintaining] the light of Stoke church. I bequeath 10s. to the light before the altar of St. John Baptist in St. Margaret's church, Lynn. I bequeath 10s. to William Colle of Lynn. Towards the fabric of Wereham church, 40d. To the chaplain of the parish church of St. Margaret, Lynn, 40d.

I bequeath £66.13s.4d. for anniversaries for my soul, the souls of my father and mother, those to whom I am beholden, and all the faithful deceased to be celebrated in St. Margaret's church, Lynn, in its charnel chapel, and in other places in Lynn dedicated to God, during the two years following my death, at the arrangements of my executors. I wish my executors to have freedom in selecting the chaplains for those anniversaries in the places mentioned.

I bequeath 70s. for the distribution of shoes to poor people of the town of Lynn, at the discretion of my executors. I bequeath 40s. towards the repair of bridges in the town of Bishop's Lynn, at the discretion of my executors. I bequeath 10s. to Margaret, the wife of Thomas Burghard. To Margaret's daughter Sarah, 10s. To the sacrist of St. Margaret's church, 40d. Towards the repair of causeways between Lynn and Wootton, 100s., at the discretion of my executors. To Marion, the wife of Henry de Derham, 10s. I bequeath to my poor relations all my funeral clothing (that is, linens and woollens), to be divided among them at the decision of my executors, as they think best. I wish that 15 wax torches, each of the weight of 6 lb. of wax, burn around my body and that 16 paupers, newly clothed, each hold in hand a torch around my body while mass is celebrated for my soul. And that after my burial whatever remains of the torches be distributed in equal portions among St. Margaret's church, the chapels of St. James and St. Nicholas the charnel, and the Friars (Preacher, Minor, Carmelite, and Augustinian) in Lynn, as well as the parish church of Stoke, to burn there at the elevation of the Host.

I bequeath to my daughter Alice, a nun at Ickleton, twenty shillings a year for life, to be received at Easter from [a rent from] a certain shop in Briggate lying between the tenement of Ralph le Wake on the north side and the tenement once of John Gigge on the south side, no matter into whose hands it comes. I bequeath to my wife Alice for her lifetime that entire tenement, with its buildings and appurtenances, that I recently acquired from Alan de Ripun; it is located in the town of Bishop's Lynn between the tenement of William de Blakene on the east side and the tenement of Alice, widow of William de Dockynge on the west side. It is my wish that after the death of my wife Alice this tenement, with its buildings and appurtenances, revert to my son Geoffrey and his direct, legitimate heirs.

I bequeath to my son Geoffrey and his direct, legitimate heirs that entire tenement, with its buildings and appurtenances, located in the town of Bishop's Lynn, that I recently acquired from Sir John Sefoul; it lies in Briggate between the tenement of Ralph le Wake on the north side and the tenement once of John Gigge on the south side. Also that entire tenement, with its buildings and appurtenances, located in the town of Bishop's Lynn in Wingate, between the tenement of John Bamme on the west side and the tenement of Adam de Walsoken on the east side. Also five shops, with their adjacent courtyard, in the town of Bishop's Lynn in Pillory Lane, which lie between the tenement once of Robert de Walsingham on the east side and the tenement of Roger de Buttelee on the west side. Also a tenement, with two shops and its buildings and appurtenances, in the town of Bishop's Lynn, lying in Briggate next to the tenement of Adam de Walsoken on its north side. Also a tenement, with its buildings and appurtenances, in the town of Bishop's Lynn in Briggate, that I acquired in the past from Joan Noon, lying between the tenement of Bartholomew le Coteler on the north side and the tenement once of Richard de Warewik on the south side. Also a tenement, with its buildings and appurtenances, that I acquired from Thomas Broun, located in the town of Bishop's Lynn on the corner opposite St. Margaret's church, Lynn, between the tenement of John de Tilneie butcher on the east side and the tenement of Lady Aveline de Tilneie on the north side. On condition that Geoffrey gives each year for his lifetime five shillings towards the maintenance of the light of St. John the Baptist in St. Margaret's church, Lynn. And also that entire tenement, with its buildings and appurtenances, that I acquired from the executors of the testament of dom. Walter le Seksteyn chaplain, recently deceased, located in the town of Bishop's Lynn on the south side of the priory, between the tenement of Thomas Bamme on the east side and the tenement of dom John de Folsham chaplain on the west side. Also that entire tenement with three shops and its buildings and appurtenances, that I acquired from John de Ely, located in the town of Bishop's Lynn next to the tenement of Peter de Folsham. Also four shillings annual rent due each year from the tenement of Stephen Foot located in the town of Bishop's Lynn; which rent [I acquired] recently from Alice de Wyrham. Also thirty two shillings annual rent due each year from a tenement, with its buildings [and appurtenances], located in the town of Bishop's Lynn in Briggegate, which dom. John de Tid chaplain holds and which lies between the tenement of Robert de Bichamwelle on the south side and the tenement of Roger Prat on the north side. Also two shillings annual rent due each year from the tenement of Ralph de Brunham, located in Bishop's Lynn to the rear of Lynn Priory. Should it happen that my son Geoffrey die without direct, legitimate heirs, then I wish all the above tenements and rents to be equally divided, by my executors, among my surviving sons and daughter.

I bequeath to my son Nicholas and his direct, legitimate heirs a shop in Bishop's Lynn with solar built above it that was once Adam Baude's, lying in the Gresmarket between the tenement of Adam Walsoken on the west side and the tenement recently of Mariota on the east side. Also a tenement, with its buildings and appurtenances, located in the town of Bishop's Lynn in the Gresmarket, between the tenement of John de Couteshale on the west side and the tenement once of Martin de Thorpe on the east side. Also a tenement, with its buildings and appurtenances, located next to the Guildhall of Bishop's Lynn, between the tenement of William Elys on the east side and the tenement of Hugh de Riggis on the west side. Also a tenement, with six shops and its buildings and appurtenances, located in the town of Bishop's Lynn in Damgate, between the tenement of John de Fordham senior on the east side and the public lane called Heukewaldeslane on the west side. Also forty shillings annual rent due each year from the tenement of John de Coumbes, located in the town of Lynn between the public lane called Austynes Lane on the south side and the tenement that was Walter le Barker's on the north side. Also twenty shillings annual rent due each year from the tenement of Robert de Tilneie lying in the Gresmarket between the tenement once of John de Cranehous on the east side and the tenement of Simon de Snoringe on the west side. Also sixteen shillings annual rent due each year from the tenement of John Luminour, located in Bishop's Lynn in Damgate, between the tenement of William de Denevere on the east side and the tenement of Alice de Welle on the west side. Also six shillings and eightpence annual rent due each year from the tenement of Henry de Bauseye, located in the town of Bishop's Lynn in the street called Ratton Row. Also fourteen shillings annual rent due each year from the tenement of John de Trunche, lying in Damgate; which rent I recently acquired from John Bamme. Also thirteen shillings and fourpence annual rent due each yar from the tenement of Eloise Burghard, located in Bishop's Lynn in Damgate, between the tenement of Eloise on the east side and the tenement of Simon de Lexham on the west side. Also four shillings annual rent due each year from the tenement of Katherine de Deneby, located in Bishop's Lynn in Damgate, between the tenement of Richard de Dockinge on the east side and the tenement of John de Derewent on the west side. Should it happen that my son Nicholas die without direct, legitimate heirs, then I wish that all the above tenements and rents bequeathed him be equally divided, by my executors, among my surviving sons and daughter Margaret.

I bequeath to my son Peter and his direct, legitimate heirs that entire tenement, with its buildings and appurtenances, located in the town of Bishop's Lynn between the tenement of Alan Sandy on the east side and the tenement of William de Blakene on the west side, and extending in length from the said tenement of William de Blakene to the north as far as the public waterway called Purfleet to the south. Also a tenement, with its buildings and appurtenances and with a quay belonging to the same, located in the town of Bishop's Lynn between the tenement of Peter de Waltone on the east side and the tenement and the tenement once of John de Frenge on the west side, and extending in length from the said tenement of Peter de Waltone to the north as far as the public waterway called Purfleet to the south; which tenement I recently acquired from Thomas de Lenna. On condition that my son Peter preserve and maintain a certain public privy built on the quay, adjacent to the tenement; the faithful performance of the same I place as a charge and obligation on the tenement, no matter into whose hands it may come. Also two shops with their buildings and appurtenances, located in Bishop's Lynn in Briggate between the tenement of Peter de Waltone on the north side and the tenement of John de Fordham senior on the south side; which shops I recently acquired from the executors of John Lamberd. Also a shop with its buildings and appurtenances located in the town of Bishop's Lynn in Briggate, between the tenement of Ralph Wake on the north side and the tenement once of Thomas de Hereforde on the south side; which shop I recently acquired from Thomas de Hereforde. Also that entire tenement, with its buildings and appurtenances, located in the town of Bishop's Lynn in the street called Jews Lane, between the tenement of Robert de Tilneye on the east side and the tenement of John de Coutishale on the west side. Also a tenement with four shops, with its buildings and appurtenances, located in the town of Bishop's Lynn in Stonegate, between the tenement of William de Waltone on the east side and the public road on the west side. Also thirty-six shillings annual rent due each year from three shops, with their appurtenances, lying in Briggate between the tenement of John de Massingham on the north side and the tenement of Ralph le Hattere on the south side. Should it happen that my son Peter die without direct, legitimate heirs, then I wish that all the above tenements and rents bequeathed him be equally divided, by my executors, among my surviving sons and daughter Margaret.

I bequeath to my daughter Margaret and her direct, legitimate heirs, that entire tenement, with its buildings and appurtenances and with a quay belonging to it, located in the town of Bishop's Lynn between the tenement of William Colle on the east side and the tenement of Nicholas de Pulham on the west side; its south end abutting on the public waterway called Purfleet. Also a tenement, with its buildings and appurtenances, located in the town of Bishop's Lynn in Webesteresgate, between the tenement of William le Webestere on the north side and the tenement once of John Teyntoure chaplain on the south side. Also a tenement, with its buildings and appurtenances, that I recently acquired from Thomas de Hereforde, located in the town of Bishop's Lynn between the tenement once of Peter de Thorendene on the east side and the tenement of Alan Spirling on the west side. Also eight shops, with their buildings and appurtenances, located in Bishop's Lynn in Ratton Row; which shops I recently acquired from Robert Boleghere. Also a garden situated in Ratton Row; which garden I recently acquired from Geoffrey Hors. Also twelve shillings annual rent due each year from that entire tenement, ith its buildings and appurtenances, located in the town of Bishop's Lynn between the tenement of Nicholas de Pulham on the east side and the tenement of Alan Souch on the west side. also four shillings annual rent due each year from the three shops of Alan Sandy, located in Bishop's Lynn between the tenement of John Mundesson on the east side and the tenement once of John Teyntour chaplain on the west side. Also thirty shillings annual rent due each year from the tenement of Peter Wake, which I acquired from Ralph Wake, located in Bishop's Lynn between the tenement of John Wake on the east side and the tenement of John de Dockinge on the west side. Also eight shillings annual rent received each year from a shop, with its buildings and appurtenances, which Thomas de Fransham holds in Briggate, located in the town of Bishop's Lynn between the shop once of John Gigge on the north side and the tenement once of John de Cranehous on the south side. Also two shillings annual rent due each year; that is, from the tenement of William Colle located in the town of Bishop's Lynn between the tenement of John de Tilneie, son of Sir Thomas de Tilneye, on the south side and the tenement of Stephen le Fourbour on the north side. Also twenty shillings annual rent due each year from that entire tenement, with its buildings and appurtenances, located in the town of Bishop's Lynn in Briggate, between the tenement of Thomas Costyn on the south side and the tenement of William Elys on the north side. Also twenty shillings annual rent due each year from the messuage and tenement, with its buildings and appurtenances, in which Thomas de Riburgh currently lives; it is located in Bishop's Lynn between my tenement on the north side and the tenement of Nicholas Norwich on the south side. Should it happen that my daughter Margaret die without direct, legitimate heirs, then I wish that all the above tenements and rents bequeathed her be equally divided, by my executors, among my surviving sons.

Should it happen that the aforesaid Geoffrey, Nicholas, and Peter, my sons, and Margaret, my daughter, die without direct legitimate heirs, then I wish that all the tenements and rents, with their appurtenances, bequeathed above in this testament be sold by my executors and the executors of Geoffrey, Nicholas, Peter and Margaret. And the money received from the same be distributed in the town of Bishop's Lynn for [the benefit of] my soul, the soul of my wife Alice, the souls of Geoffrey, Nicholas, Peter and Margaret, and the souls of those to whom we are beholden and of all the faithful deceased, at the discretion of those executors.

I bequeath to my son Geoffrey 1 gilded silver cup and £10 in cash. I bequeath to my son Nicholas 1 gilded silver cup and £10 in cash. I bequeath to my son Peter 1 gilded silver cup and £10 in cash. I bequeath to my daughter Margaret 1 gilded silver cup and £40 in cash. It is my wish that custody of my son Peter and my daughter Margaret, while they are minors, along with all the goods, moveable and immoveable, bequeathed them and each of them, as already indicated in my testament, be committed to my wife Alice, until Peter and Margaret come of legal age or Margaret is married.

I bequeath 10s. to the fabric of Ickleton nunnery. I bequeath 20s. to Alice, daughter of William Burghard junior. I bequeath 20s. to my niece Emma. I bequeath 20s. to her son John. I bequeath 20s. to William the son of my sister Matilda. To his son Roger, 20s. I bequeath 40s. to John, son of William Burghard junior. To Matilda, the wife of Peter Wake, 20s. I bequeath 20s. to Edmund, son of William Burghard senior. I bequeath 10s. to Simon de Lexham clerk, for his work on drawing up my testament. I bequeath to my wife Alice my entire bedroom, with each and every cloth, vessel and utensil it contains, of whatever kind, with the exception of the 4 silver cups bequeathed above in this testament to Geoffrey, Nicholas, Peter and Margaret. After Alice's death, I wish that those vessels and utensils remain to my son Geoffrey. I wish that the bed in which I die, wherever God arranges that this should happen, be handed over to my sister Matilda.

The residue of all my goods, wherever found, after my debts are paid and this testament is fulfilled, I bequeath to be spent in the town of Bishop's Lynn on the celebration of masses, bread, cloth, shoes, and other pious uses, at the discretion of my executors, as seems to them most productive and useful for the good of my soul. I make, designate and appoint as my executors of this my testament, or last will, my wife Alice as chief [executrix], my son and heir Geoffrey, Simon de Byterynge, Simon de Snoringe, and Robert de Dockynge, burgesses of Bishop's Lynn; may they faithfully distribute my possessions for my soul, in the sight of God. I bequeath to that Simon, Simon, and Robert, for their labour on the execution of my [testament], £6 to be divided equally among them. I bequeath 5s.to John the clerk, writer of this testament. Drawn up at Bishop's Lynn on 5 April 1339.

Memorandum that the late John Burghard, after having made and concluded his testament, altered his will as written down in that testament. Whereas he had bequeathed in that testament £66.13s.4d. for anniversaries for the souls of himself, his father and mother, and all the faithful deceased to be celebrated in St. Margaret's church, Lynn, in its charnel chapel, and in other places in Lynn dedicated to God, during the two years following his death, at the arrangements of his executors, as is more fully set out in that testament. He [subsequently] wished that the £66.13s.4d. be put towards five suitable chaplains, to be chosen by the decision of his executors, celebrating in the charnel for the seven years following his death, with the remaining cost of those anniversaries provided by his executors from his goods. Another addition to that testament was his bequest of 2s.6d to each monk in Norwich priory at the time of his death. Also, to the Prior of Norwich, 6s.8d. To the cellarer there, 40d. To each canon of the houses of West Dereham and Shouldham, 4s. To each lay brother of those houses, 2s. To the Abbot of West Dereham, 5s. To the Prior of Shouldham, 6s.8d. To each nun of the same, 18d. To each lay sister of the same, 12d. He bequeathed 4s. to each of the four alms-collecting orders – the [Friars] Preacher, Minor, Carmelite, and Augustinian – that shall announce his death throughout England. To the three alms-collecting monasteries of Dereham, Shouldham and the cathedral church of Norwich, 5s. He bequeathed 40d. to the Prioress of Ickleton. To each nun there, 2s. He bequeathed 3s. to each canon in the religious houses of West Acre and Pentney. To each brother of the houses of Flitcham, Massingham, Petirston and Beeston, 3s. I bequeath [sic] 26s.8d to the Friars Preacher of Lynn. to the Friars Minor of Lynn, 26s.8d. To the Carmelite Friary of Lynn, 26s.8d. To the Augustinian Friary of Lynn, 26s.8d. He bequeathed to his daughter Margaret £20 over and above what he bequeathed her in his testament. To Godfrey de Dampgate, 13s.4d. To Walter le Coteler, 10s. To Ralph de Egemere, 10s. To Reginald le Sopere, 6s.8d. To Marion, wife of Henry de Derham, 6s.8d. To Alice, daughter of the late William Burghard junior, £6.13s.4d. He arranged that Alice, wife of the deceased, might have from their common goods £200, his entire bedroom, and half of the grain, malt and other victuals in the house in which he lived at the time of his death, to support her and her household, along with everything bequeathed her in the testament, by way of her entire widow's portion (due her under the name of dower) of their common moveables.

I, the aforesaid Alice, declare myself to be content with the portion assigned me by the deceased, as indicated above; and before the venerable lord's official with jurisdiction at Lynn, have in consequence voluntarily given a corporal oath that I will not harrass or trouble the deceased's executors for that portion. As for the document setting forth the portion, as indicated above, of Alice, wife of the deceased, it is appended to the testament. In testimony to which, we the official of the jurisdiction of Lynn, at the request of the executors of the testament, have set our seal of office to the codicil.