Will of Nicholas Derell of Marksbury

The will begins at the foot of the first page, beside the margin title “Test[amentu]m Nich[ola]s Derell”: “I Nycholas Derell of Marksbury,” 22 July 1546, in the 38th year of Henry VIII.

The rest of the will is on the second page. Ten pounds “in the handes of Thomas Holbroke of Norton Malerward”; a yearling “which is with Thomas Holbroke”; 6s. 8d. each “to John Holbroke and Johane Holbroke”; and “Thomas Holbroke of Norton and John Richman of Stanton” are the overseers. These are the earliest records of Thomas Holbrooke of Norton Malreward and of his two eldest children.

The will was entered in the register twice. The second copy (PROB 11/35/101) is fuller: its extra legacies name Thomas Holbroke as a witness and as a trustee.

A second, fuller register copy of the same will, with the margin note “T. Nich[olas] Derell. See another Will folio 3.” Its extra legacies end with twenty pounds to Robert Derell, the goods to stay “in the handes of Thomas Darnbody, parson of ffarnborowe, and Thomas Holbroke of Norton,” who are also its witnesses.