jan 1, 1582 - evidence chest

Description:

References to deeds in coffers or chests regularly feature in wills from the early 1500s. In 1543 William Arthington made the following bequest to William my son my evidence chist with all my evidence (Th19/84) in 1559 Robert Vescye left to his son one greate yron bonde evydens chiste, remaynynge at Ticchull [Tickhill] and one less chist with the name of Vescye graven of it (YAJ17/364). Even more explicitly, in 1582, Mr John Lacye of Leventhorpe wrote I bequithe one longe chiste standinge in a newe chamber with thre lockes withall the evidences in yt to the kepinge of Martyn Byrkhead, esquier, Richard Lacye and John Lacye his son, and every of them severallie to kepe his key, and … the thre above named persons shalbe present at the openinge thearof (YRS50/23). This conveys some idea of the security measures that were necessary.

Added to timeline:

Date: