131349 Alice __

131349Alice ___

Key Facts

Snapshot:	lived in 15th-century Kent, England
Parents:	unknown
Born:	unknown
Died:	between 26 December 1468 and 9 September 1474 presumably Cranbrook, Kent, England
Buried:	St. Dunstan's Church, Cranbrook, Kent, England church's coordinates: N51.0973 E0.5364

Note: I'd like to extend special thanks to researcher Jared Nathan for sharing his work pertaining to 131349Alice ___.

131349Alice ___'s maiden name may have been "Yue" (as reported by the 1574 heraldic visitation of Kent1), but I have no other evidence to affirm or disprove the visitation.

131349Alice's will proves that she married 131348John Bettenham, had a son 65674William, and lived in Cranbrook, Kent, England. Somewhat unusual, the will also mentions a few minor personal effects that 131349Alice owned (See the last few lines under "Image 1" below).2

A translation of 131349Alice's will is below, or see the register copy: 1, 2.2 Important phrases are highlighted yellow.

Image 1:
In the name of God, Amen, on the 26th day of the month of December in the year of the lord 1468, I Alice Bettenham, widow, relict of John Bettenham of the parish of Cranebroke, Canterbury diocese, found and make my testament, and I declare and make my last will in this manner, which follows. First of all, I commend my soul to omnipotent God, my creator, and my body to be buried in the parish church of Cranebroke, aforesaid. Item, I bequeath to the vicar of the same church in recompence of unpaid tithes 2s 4d. Item, to the parish priest in the same church 6d. And to the parish clerk 2d. Item, to every clerk and person celebrating in the funeral and mass on the day of my burial 1d. Item, to every raised who has been raised by me from the sacred font or at the hands of the bishop 4d. And I will that the rest of all my goods, my debts being first of all paid, are disposed for my soul and the souls of the aforesaid John my husband and the souls of my and his parents and of all the faithful deceased, towards pious uses by William Bettenham, my son, and master Robert Kent, my executors, below written, just as will seem to be best expedient to them. Item, I will that within a month after my decease 32 masses will be celebrated about Jesus for my soul and the souls of all the faithful deceased. Item, that within a year after my death there will be celebrated on one day 100 masses for the abovesaid souls. Item, I bequeath to the use of the parish church of Cranebroke, aforesaid, 6s 8d. And to the parish church of Feytynden 6s 8d. And to the parish church of Bydynden 6s 8d. And to the parish church of Smerden 6s 8d, and to the parish church of Tenterden 20s. Item, I bequeath to the maintenance of a light before the image of St Mary in the parish church of Cranebroke, aforesaid, 12d. Item, to the vicar of the parish church of Hedcron 20d and to lord Richard Mannyng 12d. Item, to John Gateman 6d. Item, to a priest to celebrate and pray for my soul and the abovesaid souls throughout two years in the church of Cranebroke, aforesaid, 20 marks. Item, I bequeath to William Martyn 20d. And to Alice Martyn 20d. To Thomas Martyn 20d. Item, to James Taylor two ‘sterebuddes’, one bedcover, two pairs of sheets. Item, to Alice Gateman 20d and one very good gown, lined with cloth. Item, to lord James Churche 6s 8d. Item, to William Freman 8d, to John Fox 8d. Item, to Stephen Hamond, servant of my son, 10 marks. Item, to Joan Elys, my gown, lined with rabbit skin. Item, to Agnes Swafham my black gown, not lined.

Image 2:

Item, to Alice Taylor my black kirtle, lined with the hide of white lambs. And I ordain, make and appoint the aforesaid William Bettenham, my son, and master Robert Kent my executors of this my testament and last will by these presents.

The present will was proved on the 9th day of the month of September in the year of the lord 1474, and there was committed the administration of the goods to William Bettenham, one of the executors, named before in the same will, only, with Master Robert Kent expressly refusing, etc.2

As you can see, 131349Alice requested to be buried in St. Dunstan's Church in Cranbrook, which is at coordinates N51.0973 E0.5364. The church is still active and has a website.

The interior of St. Dunstan's Church, where 131349Alice is buried. Bigger image.3

Sources Cited:

1: W. Bruce Bannerman, ed., The Visitations of Kent, Taken in the Years 1530-1 and 1574, Part 1 (Publications of the Harleian Society, volume 74, London, 1923), page 29.

2: Kent History and Library Centre archive reference CCA-DCb/PRC/17/2/341a (Canterbury Cathedral Archives / Diocese of Canterbury / Probate Court Records / Archdeaconry Court Wills [Registers] / Registers of Wills, 1469-1476), the will of Alice Bettenham of Cranbrook, dated 26 December 1468. FamilySearch (FHL microfilm 188918, images 379 and 380 of 523). FamilySearch restricts access to these images, so see copies here: 379, 380.

3: Wikimedia user Poliphilo, "St Dunstan's, Cranbrook, interior" (photograph taken 7 September 2013). Wikimedia, <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St_Dunstan%27s,_Cranbrook,_interior.JPG>, accessed 5 March 2022.