The Last Will and Testament of Robert Cockeram
In 1592, Robert Cockeram, yeoman of Coleorton was contemplating mortality and drafted his will as follows:
In the name of God Amen the fourteenth day of the month of December in the year of our Lord God one thousand five hundred nynety two I Robert Cockeram of Coleorton in the Countie of Leicester yeoman being of whole and sound mynde and in good and perfect remembrance (thanks and praise be on to Almighty god) make and ordeyne this my present testament concerning herein my last will in manner and forme following that is to saie I first commend my sole unto almighty god and my bodie to be buried in the parish churche of Coleorton. Item I bequeath unto the same churche towards the reparacion thereof twenty shillings. Item I bequeath unto my sone Nicholas Cockeram fortie pounds to be paid unto hym at the year of twentie one with my finger signet and a rapier and dagger lastly I bequeath unto hym a Saltceller of silver and guilt, the whych saltceller he shall not enjoye duringe the term of his mothers life. Item I bequeath unto Henry Cockeram fortie pounds to be paid unto hym at the year of twentie one with my swarde and dagger. Lastly I bequeath unto hym four silver spoones the whych spoones he shall not have till after the death of his mother. Item I bequeath unto my sone Robert Cockeram fortie pounds to be paid unto hym at the year of twenty one with a young fillie of four years old and four pistolls. Lastly I bequeath unto the said Robt. Four silver spoones whych he shall not possess until the death of his mother. And if it happen that any one of my sons dyes unmarried I will then that the part and portion being in equal portions divided shall be given to the other two between them living, or if two of them chance to depart this life then I will that there pounds shall be given to the brother surviving. Item I bequeath unto my brother George Persee a bay mare with foal. Item I bequeath unto my Sister Anne Hurde one Cowe by the appointment of my wife. And unto Elizabeth Hurd her daughter two ??. Item I bequeath unto my master Henry Beamont Esquire my graye colt. Item unto my young master Mr Thomas Beamont a young ambling ?? colt. Item I bequeath unto James Stacy Rector of Coleorton my longe black cloak. Item I bequeath unto every godchilde twelve pence. Item I bequeath unto my servant Richard Towne my blewe coat. And unto my two maides a hogge sheep. Item I bequeath unto Elizabeth Cockram my wife (my legacies and debts being faithfully and truly discharged and paid) all and singular my goods movable or unmovable that remayne. And of this my present last will and testament I make and ordaine Elizabeth Cockeram my wife my sole Executrix named willed and bequeathed in the presence of these witnesses Edward Norton, George Persee, James Stacie Rector. Sealed by me Robert Cockeram.
I have been unable to find out when Robert Cockeram died or anything else about him, but I suspect since he describes Sir Henry Beaumont (1545-1607) as his master he may well have been Sir Henry’s steward. His ‘young master’ Thomas Beaumont is Henry Beaumont’s only son who succeeded his father as Lord of the Manor of Coleorton, was created a baronet in 1619 and became 1st Viscount Beaumont of Swords in 1622. Clearly Robert Cockeram was a gentleman of some wealth and importance with close associations with the Beaumonts. Robert Cockeram’s second son Henry, in turn became steward to Thomas Beaumont when he inherited his father’s title. Sir Thomas Beaumont died following injuries received in a duel in 1625. Also mentioned in the will is the rector James Stacie MA, who was the incumbent of Coleorton Parish from 1577 to 1601 and at some point also received a knighthood.
Note: some spellings are inconsistent e.g. Stacy/Stacie and Beaumont has no ’u’ in the spelling. George Persee is described as Robert Cockeram’s brother, but this term may have been used for what today we would call a brother-in-law.
Terry Ward
Member of Coleorton Heritage Group
June 2024