The will of Thomas Thrale
8 September 1600
Thomas Thrale's Broad Arrow mark from his will.. Click on image to enlarge.
Thomas Thrale's will was witnessed and written on 8 September 1600. On 23 September, an inventory of Thomas Thrale's possessions was written. Therefore we can conclude that Thomas died in the short period between these two dates, and that he bequeathed his worldly possessions from his death bed during the last few days of his life.
The most exciting thing about the will, is that it bears Thomas Thrale's unique mark. When I first saw his mark (in July 2004) I was astounded to see that his mark was nothing like the "x" mark commonly used, but instead was the mark of a broad arrow.
This is an important discovery. It provides evidence of the Thrale Broad Arrow legend from during Queen Elizabeth I's lifetime. Queen Elizabeth I, did not die until 24 March 1603, almost three years after Thomas Thrale made his broad arrow mark on his will.
Thomas Thrale's will. The original is stored at HALS. Click on image to enlarge.
All other previously discovered references to this family legend arrow did not occur until 280 years later in the late 19th century. This mark was made on 8 September 1600, about 40 years after Queen Elizabeth I's life was apparently saved and just 42 years or so since the Royal grant of the Broad Arrow was made to the Thrale family.
| Line | Transcription |
|---|---|
| 1 | In the name of God Amen, the viiith of September, in the xliith of her Mtis [Majesty's] most happie reighne 1600. |
| 2 | I Thomas Thrale the younger of the Parish of Sandridge w[i]thin the Countie of Hertf. Yeoman |
| 3 | beinge sicke of bodie but of sound remembrance praise be to Almightie god, do make and ordaine this |
| 4 | my last will and testament in manner and forme followynge. First and above all after dying, I |
| 5 | bequeath my soul into the hands of Almightie god who made it, hath revived it, and will rayse |
| 6 | it upp at the latter daye, and I confidently trust, make it partake of everlasting glorie. Item |
| 7 | my bodie & will to be buried in the Graveyard of Sandridge. And touching the disposition of my worldlie |
| 8 | goods my will and true meaning it as follows: Impremis [Latin for first or foremost] I will and bequeath onto my four |
| 9 |
children xx (20) pounds apiece to be payed but everyie of them as they shall come to the age of xxi (21) years |
| 10 | provided always that if any of them shall disease [meaning pre-decease] before the sayd age, that then the legacie |
| 11 | or legacies of the diseased shall be devided to the survivors. Item all the rest of my goods & chattels |
| 12 | moveables and unmoveables (my debts and funeral expemses discharged) I gyve and bequeath |
| 13 | unto Helen my wiffe whom I make the sole exectrix of this my last will and testament. Amen |
| 14 | I request of my father Thomas Thrale and my brother John Thrale to be overseerse of this my |
| 15 | last will and testament. |
| 16 |
Witnessed
|
| 17 |
William Westerman [the parish
priest]
|
| 18 |
Signed Thomas
Thrale
junior John Clark
|
