4 ALMSHOUSE OF ELIZABETH, COUNTESS OF SHREWSBURY. 



The next document is an Indenture of 13th April, 1597. As 

 this is a deed of some interest, and is not printed by Simpson, I 

 have transcribed it at length : — 



This Indenture made the thirteenth day of April, in the nine & 

 thirtieth yeare of the reigne of our sovereigne ladie Elizabeth, by 

 the grace of god Queene of Englande France & Ireland, defender 

 of the faith, &''• Betwene the right honourable Elizabeth Countesse 

 of Shrowsberie dowager of the one parte, and Thoms Ilsley & 

 John Parker bail iff es of the borrowghe of Derbie in the countie of 

 Derbie, & the burgesses of the same borrowghe — Robert Stringer, 

 Henry Yorke, Thoms Walker, Thoms Campion, Richard Fletcher, 

 Willm Botham, Edward Smyth, Robert Woode, WilTm Bently. 

 Thoms Fitche, Robert Bruckhouse, Edmund Slighe, Ellyse Hakes, 

 Robert Brownell, James Osborne, Nicholas Slighe, Richarde 

 Porter, Thoms Bate, Thoms Berke, Richard Haughto, Robert 

 Bicherrast, Richarde Ilseley, & the rest of the burgesses of the 

 said borrowghe, & Edwarde Benett Clarke, vicare of the churche 

 of All-Saints in Derbie aforesayde, & Michaell Babington of the 

 said borrowghe of Derbie gentleman, & Roberte Bainbrigge of 

 Cawke within the said countie of Derbie, gentleman, of the other 

 parte. Witnesseth, that whereas the said righte honourable 

 Countesse moste christianlie consideringe the greate distresse & 

 wante that manie poore aged and impotent persons, especiallie of 

 the northe partes of this realme doe moste grievouslie endure, and 

 thereupon with lyke compassion in her moste godlie disposition 

 desireinge some reliefe therein, hath of her verie honoureable 

 affection towards the said borrowghe of Derbie made choise 

 from all other places, where it hath pleased god verie bountiefullie 

 to blesse her with liberall possessions, to erect & foundean Almes- 

 house neere to the said churche of All-Saints within the said 

 borrowghe of Derbie & to endowe the same with one hundred 

 poundes yearlie revenewe of her owne gifte for the perpetuall 

 rehefe of eighte poore men & foure poore women there & of some 

 other poore in the saide borrowghe of Derbie for evermore, and 

 hath further intended to place the monumente and memoriall of 

 her right honourable estate & buriall within the southward queere 



