Harley MS 4640

This manuscript contains two identical copies executed by the same scribe and decorated by the same illuminator an indenture that was made in 1529/1530 for the execution of the last will of Hugh Denys of Osterley (b. c. 1440, d. 1511), a courtier of King Henry VII and King Henry VIII. In his will, Denys makes detailed arrangements for the commemoration of his soul at the chapel of All Angels at Brentford and an almshouse, where, respectively, priests and poor men are to pray daily for his soul.

The two copies were originally attached to one and another together with a third (and possibly fourth) copy. This is indicated by the wavy upper edges of the manuscript's leaves, which have the word 'chirographum' written along their cuts. The indenture states that the copies were made for three parties: 1. his executors Roger Lupton (b. 1546, d. 1539/40), lawyer and cleric and chaplain of Henry VII, Gyles Capell, and Mary, Hugh's wife; 2. Agnes Jordan, the last abbess of the Bridgettine monastery of St Saviour and St Bridget of Syon [also known as Syon Abbey] (1520-1539); 3. and John Jobourn, Prior of the Carthusian priory of Jesus of Bethlehem of Sheen [also known as Sheen Priory] (1504-1534). Each of the three parties has received a single copy of the indenture and all of the three parties have attached their seals to each of the three copies. It is unknown for which parties the two copies in this manuscript were designed, but the historiated initials (described below) may suggest that the first copy was made for Sheen Priory, and the second one for Syon Abbey.

Contents:

ff. 1r-14v: An indenture with the last will of Hugh Denys of Osterley, dated to 10 March in the 21st year of the reign of King Henry VIII (1529/30), beginning: 'This indenture triptite made the tenth dey of March the xxjte yere of the Raigne of King Henry the viijte betwixt Roger Luptoun clerke executor of the testament of Hugh Denys Esquier deceased and Gyles Capell knight and Mary his wyf executrix with the seid Roger of the testament of the seid Hugh Denys of the ton parte. And Agnes Abbes of the Monastery of Sent Saviour and of the Seyntes Mary the virgin and Byrgitt of Syon of the order of Seynt Austen Sent Savyour called and the Covent of the same place of the second parte. And John Joborne Prior of the howse of Jhesu of Bethelem of Shene of the Order of Cartusien and the Covent of the same of the third parte'.

ff. 15r-26r: An indenture with the last will of Hugh Denys of Osterley, dated to 10 March in the 21st year of the reign of King Henry VIII (1529/30); identical to the copy on ff. 1r-14v.

The manuscript contains a later addition:

f. 1*verso: An English (?) poem, beginning: 'I Rodam of Rodam'; added in the 16th or 17th century.

Decoration:

2 historiated initials in colours and gold enclosing a scene in grisaille, combined with a full border in colours and gold with acanthus leaves and flowers, of the Nativity and Christ (f. 1r) and St Bridget of Sweden at her writing desk looking up to a vision of Christ as Salvator Mundi (f. 15r). Some ascenders decorated with brown pen-flourishing and cadels. Capitals marked in yellow. Running titles in brown ink have been trimmed and are now only partially visible.