This document is an Administration Bond from the Diocese of Lincoln, dated 9 October 1593. You are looking at a legal instrument used by ecclesiastical courts when an individual died intestate (without a valid will).
The document is divided into two parts:
- The Latin Obligation (top): This section binds the widow, Bridget Lorke, and her bondsman, German Smithe, to the Bishop of Lincoln for the significant sum of £100. This acted as a financial penalty to ensure she performed her duties honestly.
- The English Condition (bottom): This section outlines the specific duties Bridget must fulfill to render the £100 penalty void. These duties include properly administering the estate, paying debts, submitting a true account of the inventory, and distributing the remaining assets to the deceased’s “naturall children” as directed by the court.
The handwriting is a classic example of late 16th-century Secretary hand, typical of the Elizabethan era.
Noverint universi per presentes nos Brigittam Lorke de Carebie in com[itatu] Lincoln administratricem omnium et singulorum bonorum Roberti Lorke nuper dum vixit de eadem ab intestat[o] decedentis et Germanum Smithe de [blank] in com[itatu] Lincoln husbandman teneri et firmiter obligari venerabili viro domino domino Willelmo providencia divina Lincoln Epo [Episcopo] et Johanni Barefoote clerico artium magistro in centum libris legalis monete Anglie solvend[is] eisdem reverendo patri et Johanni Barefoote aut eorum cert[o] attornat[o] executoribus sive assignatis suis ad quam quidem solucionem bene et fideliter faciendam obligamus nos et utrumque nostrum per se pro toto et in solido heredes executores et administratores nostros firmiter per presentes Sigillis nostris sigillat[um] Dat[um] nono die mensis Octobris Anno d[omi]ni millesimo quingentesimo nonagesimo tertio.
The condicion of this obligacion is suche that if the above bounden Brigitte Lorke doe well and trulie administer the goodes and cattells of the above named Robert Lorke late of Carebie aforesaide w[i]thin the countie of Lincoln her husband deceased in payinge his debtes and legacies if anie suche bee so farre as the goodes will extende And make a true and perfecte accompte of her said administracion whensoever shee shalbee lawfullie requyred by the ordinarie of the dioces of Lincoln for the time beinge and also save and keepe harmelesse the said Byshoppe and the ordinarie of Lincoln and all their officers and ministers for all thinges concerninge the grauntinge of the said l[ett]res of administracion and if neede shalbee distribute and dispose to the naturall children of the said deceased suche parte and porcion of the goodes and cattells of the said deceased as the ordinarie of the dioces aforesaide shall appointe by his discretion That then this p[re]sente obligacion to be voide and of none effecte or els to bee in full force power and vertue.
Principal Individuals:
- Bridget Lorke (Brigitte Lorke): Widow of Robert Lorke. Role: Administratrix of the estate. Residence: Careby (Carebie), Lincolnshire.
- Robert Lorke: Deceased husband of Bridget. Role: Subject of the estate administration. Residence: Careby, Lincolnshire. He died intestate (without a will).
Associated Individuals:
- German Smithe: Role: Bondsman/Surety. Occupation: Husbandman. Residence: Lincolnshire.
- William: Role: Bishop of Lincoln (Official granting administration).
- John Barefoote: Role: Clerk, Master of Arts (Official).
Key Events:
- Event Type: Probate / Administration Bond
- Date: 9 October 1593 (nono die mensis Octobris Anno d[omi]ni millesimo quingentesimo nonagesimo tertio)
- Location: Careby, Lincolnshire, England
Wayne and Sandra's Family History 