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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: andyhewett on Thursday 25 April 13 15:44 BST (UK)

Title: Will of Thomas fowke 1599.
Post by: andyhewett on Thursday 25 April 13 15:44 BST (UK)
In the will of Thomas Fowke of Tewkesbury, draper, made in 1599, a certain phrase occurs three time in regard to legacies. I have transcribe it as 'silver ----- parcel gilt' which makes no sense whatever the missing word. Can anyone help?

Andy.
Title: Re: Will of Thomas fowke 1599.
Post by: stanmapstone on Thursday 25 April 13 16:02 BST (UK)
It is some kind of silver item parcel-gilt (partial gilt) i.e. gilded over part of the surface.

Stan
Title: Re: Will of Thomas fowke 1599.
Post by: Alexander. on Thursday 25 April 13 16:02 BST (UK)
I think it says 'Toune', meaning tun.

From the OED
tun, n.:
1a. A large cask or barrel, usually for liquids, esp. wine, ale, or beer, or for various provisions.

Alexander
Title: Re: Will of Thomas fowke 1599.
Post by: andyhewett on Thursday 25 April 13 17:02 BST (UK)
Hello and thanks for your prompt relies. Looking back at the transcript perhaps i ought to have added a litle morer to give context

I give to my daughter Elizabeth three score pounds in money and one silver [word 1] [word2 ] gilt. Item I give to my daughter Anne three score pounds in money and one silver  [word 1][word 2] gilt which three [word1 ] do weigh about twenty four ounces.

Whether that is the total weight or the weight of each is not clear but this seems to give some indication as to size and gives the impression that their weight may directly relate to their worth. At othe points in the will the weight of  certain legacies such as silver tankards also have their weight stated.

 Does that help throw any light on the subject.

Andy.
Title: Re: Will of Thomas fowke 1599.
Post by: Maggie. on Friday 26 April 13 12:53 BST (UK)
Word 2 looks a different word in the first occurrence than in the following examples, where it looks like 'prell'.

But I'm no expert at this unfortunately.

Maggie  :)
Title: Re: Will of Thomas fowke 1599.
Post by: veeblevort on Friday 26 April 13 13:05 BST (UK)
....looks like 'prell'.

The character which looks like 'r' is how 'c' was written at that time, so it
actually says 'pcell'. The curly tail on the 'p' indicates omitted letters, so
'p(ar)cell'. Note where the word is written out in full, the 'p' tail is straight.  :)

vv.

 
Title: Re: Will of Thomas fowke 1599.
Post by: Maggie. on Friday 26 April 13 13:10 BST (UK)
Thanks for that nice and clear explanation, vv.  So now I see that it's the same word in each instance.

Maggie
Title: Re: Will of Thomas fowke 1599.
Post by: andyhewett on Friday 26 April 13 15:39 BST (UK)
Thanks veeblevort,

The abbreviated word and the use of the curly 'p' is very common and usually not a problem like some of the abbreviated or missing endings used sometimes. Interestingly, Thomas Fowke was by trade a draper and the first time I came across the use of the curly 'p' was in another will where the word draper appeared to be written as dray but was in fact drap where the p was a curly one.

Andy.