This standard will, retrieved from the National Archives, interested me for a number of reasons:
John Shaterden was Vicar of Ashbury at a time when the survival of the break from Rome was far from certain; he was one of the first Protestant incumbents following the reinstatement of Catholicism under Queen Mary and his will was written as the Armada was preparing to sail.
He was married, unlike Catholic clergy, though apparently without (surviving) offspring.
Frances, his wife, inherited all his Kentish property except the “great timber”. This was principally oak and already in short supply for warships. The Crown asserted rights over such massive, high quality trees and was presumably in the process of appropriating it.
Will of John Shaterden [Shetterden Shoterden] c.1522-1589 Vicar of Ashbury 1581-88
In the name of God, amen. The fourth day of July in the thirtieth year of the reign of our sovereign lady Queen Elizabeth and one thousand five hundred eighty eight I John Shaterden, Clerk, Vicar of Ashbury in the county of Berks, being sick in body but of good and perfect remembrance thanks be to almighty god do make my last will and testament in manner and form following first I consign my soul into the hands of my redeemer Jesus Christ who of his (mere?) mercy hath redeemed me from the bondage and thraldom of the devil by his right precious blood shedding and my body I bequeath to be buried in the chancel of Ashbury aforesaid. Item I give to the church of Sarum twelve pence Item I give to the church of Ashbury three shillings four pence and to the poor three shillings four pence Item I give to my three godchildren John Tayler John Hargate and John Joafye to every of them twelve pence Item I will and devise and my very intent and meaning is that Frances my wife shall have and enjoy during her natural life all my lands tenements meadows and woods great timber only excepted in Great Chart and Shadoch Hurst (modern Shadoxhurst), Bourne Marsh (modern Burmarsh) within the county of Kent
The rest of my goods and chattels as well moveable as immovable my debts being paid my legacies fulfilled and my funeral expenses discharged I give to the said Frances my wife whom I make the sole executrix of this my last will and testament.
The overseers of this my last will and testament I constitute and ordain John England Edward and Richard Mills gent as my friends in trust to see the same performed and done and for their pains I give them twenty pence the pair. Witnesses to this last will and testament of the aforementioned John Shatterden are Raphe Repingham(?) and John England Edwards and Robert Wilkins.
(Signed) John England Edwards Clement Coborowe, Thomas Coborowe.
Probate 7 Nov. 1589.
Further information on John Shaterden (sic)
From British History on line:
John Shetterden of London pleb; fellow of All Souls Coll. 1573 BA 8 Oct 1573 matric entry under date 20 Sept 1575 age 23 from Jesus Coll MA 10 June 1577.
CCEd database confirms his institution as perpetual vicar on 10th June 1581.
Of interest:
Canterbury Martyrs
July 1555 Nicholas Shetterden and three others in Kent were burnt at the stake under Mary 1, one of a group of the Canterbury Martyrs. The surname is rare at this time and John Shaterden’s link with Kent (see also below*) suggests a family connection. John was Vicar only a few decades after Henry’s break from Rome and was born when Mary had reimposed Catholicism. Nicholas Shetterden was probably of his father’s generation.
John Bland was Vicar of Rolvenden. Three men were burnt along with him. One of them was a local man, Nicholas Shetterden, who had been imprisoned for a number of months for preaching Protestant doctrines. In a farewell letter to his mother, written the day before he was burnt, he pleaded with her to ‘beware of the great idolatry and the blasphemous mass’, and to follow God’s word, trusting in Christ for salvation.
Foxe’s Book of Martyrs records John Bland, John Frankesh, parson of Adisham and Humphrey Middleton of Ashford, along with Nicholas Shetterden.
Other 16th century Sheterdens
*John Sheterynden the younger ob. 1511 of Great Chart. Will in the Calendar of Wills Probate Register at Canterbury 1396-1558
Also John Sheterynden 1544 Charing Cross. Will-also at Canterbury.
There is a Hatchment* to a later John Shetterden 1645 in Chiddingstone church.
* This is a diamond shaped panel bearing the coat of arms of the deceased and other details.