Lionel's Will 103 



by the executors — Violante his wife, Bartholomew Pycot, and 

 John of Capella/- to whom is added John of Bromwych, not as 

 executor, but as coadjutor. 



The witnesses were Nicholas Beaconsfield, Robert Bradway, 

 John Bray, and others. 



Nicholas of Hadley, clerk of the diocese of Meath, was the 

 notary who drew the will, and affixed his seal. 



The will was admitted to probate at Lambeth Palace, June 8, 

 1369, William Whittlesea being" Archbishop of Canterbury. 



last mentioned (Rymer). In December, 1368, the king sends word to 

 Edward Despenser and John of Bromwych (see p. 97) to save every- 

 thing possible for the discharge of Lionel's debts (Kervyn 18. 490) : 



'Item ils dirront as dits sire Le Despenser et monseigneur Johan et 

 leiir chargeront depar le roi qu'ils mettent leur peine et diligence que 

 si bien les joialx come monnoie, et tons autres biens et chateux qui 

 feurent a monseigneur le due par dela, soient sauvement gardes et si 

 entierement come Ten purra par aucune voie, pur acquiter ses dettes 

 en descharge de sa alme.' 



On Feb. 17, 1370, the king speaks of the large sums Lionel owed to 

 various creditors, during his lifetime and at his death ('in non modicis 

 pecuniae summis diversis creditoribus, dum vixit et tempore mortis suae, 

 tenebatur). Cf. Hist. Background, p. 188, note i. It cost $13,400 merely 

 to transport his retinue, on his journey to Italy, from Dover to Calais, 

 39 ships and 13 boats being required for 457 men and 1280 horses (Rymer, 

 account of May 10, 1368). His total expenses for the journey to Milan 

 were computed as $475,000 (Devon, Issues of the Exchequer, p. 192) ; but 

 it is true that Violante's dowry was, in money, 100,000 florins = £15,000 := 

 $1,125,000. The contrast between Lionel's poverty at his death and the 

 property of the Black Prince will be apparent on consulting the latter's 

 will (Nichols, pp. 66 ff.). 



^' Pycot (known also as Pygot) and Capella (also called Capell) are 

 mentioned together as executors on Feb. 17 (Rymer) and Feb. 20, 1370, 

 and on April 22, 1371 (Cat. Pat. Rolls). On Jan. 19, 1367, Capella is 

 mentioned as being near Paris (Rymer), and on Sept. 4, 1367, Pycot 

 receives protection till Feb. 2 to go abroad on the king's service (Cal. 

 Pat. Rolls). 



