Sir Richard left a testament which was dated March 30, 1557 (largest wills).

Testament to the priest; Sir Richard Sommerscales dated March 30, 1557.

University of York ref v15 (1) f252

In the name of God, Amen.
In the year of our Lord one thousand five hundred and fifty-seven, and the thirtieth day of March.
I, Ric (hard) That (is) Schall, priest, in body sick, and spiritual recovery, glory be to God Almighty, draws my last will as follows.
First, and his will, my soul to almighty God, to Our Lady S (aint) Marie, and to all the saints in heaven, and my body I give to be buried in the cemetery S (aint) Alkild Virgin in Giggleswick.
So gear and his will, I see it as appropriate for the expenses of my funeral.
So his will, I 4 pence to each priest who says Mass for me the day I buried
So gear and his will, I £ 4 to Margin Right Som (s) Schall, my brother’s wife, and she should be able to use or give this to the one she wants when I’m gone.
So gear and his will, I 40 shillings to George Som (s) Schall and his wife.
So his will, I 4 pence to each of my godchild.

So his will, I 6 shillings 8 pence to buy a large (behaved) church bell if the parish agrees to do so.
So his will, I 2 shillings to Sir James Foster for him to pray for my soul.
So his will, I 12 pence to John (? Ie, Johann, Joan) Howghton, Alexander’s wife.
So I wish that half of reproduction in whole flock min should go to those who take care of them and that the other half will be divided among the poor, while some of them are alive.
So I appoint Thomas Som (s) Schaller’s, my brother’s son, to be the one to oversee this my Testament, my debts, expenses of the funeral and the payment to my heirs.
The rest of all my goods, and his will, I Giles Cokeson for the support of his children.
Then I said Giles Cockeson the sole executor of this my last will and testament.
These witnesses: Ric (hard) Coller, Thomas Twisilton and S (ir) Thomas Yeaden, priest and others.

The Thomas mentioned in this testament may be the son of Richard’s brother Robert. Jmfr.at it says “My brother’s son.” Our ancestor Thomas must have been his grandfather to the Thomas who would monitor Testament.

Probate of Will of Sir Richard Sommerscales 

1. The formulation is; “If I die att this tyme”.

2. The English term is “great”; can mean both “great” and “grand / epic.” With contemporary way to express themselves on, so it’s probably correct to use “magnificently”.

3. He must here aim to lambs flock produced; ie a kind of form of “rent return”. The time perspective seems to be as long as the original sheep alive.

In Latin

A vjto die mensis Maii Anno d [omi] nine p [re] d [i] c [t] o Decanus the Craven certificavit see app [ro] basse d [i] c [tu] m test [amentu] m etc per duos Prior tested no [m] in [n] that [os] iurat [os] etc
Co [m] missaq [ue] fuit Admi [nistrati] o bonoru [m] Egidio soli Execut [Orum] in eodem test [ament] o no [m] in [n] that [o] iurat [o] etc
Salvo Jure cuiuscunq [ue]

Translated from Latin to English

[And on the 6th day of the month of May in the year of our Lord aforesaid the Dean of Craven certified himself two have approved the said testament by the first two Witnesses named, They being sworn etc,
And administration of the goods was committed two Giles, the sole executor named in the same will, he having sworn BEEN etc.
Saving the right of any person whomsoever.]

William Somerscales. birth unknown, but possibly ca. 1490. Mother is unknown.

General Notes

Mentioned in “loan book” as Adam’s father (1522). It is said that he paid 10 shillings. Tenant at Earl of Cumberland in Settle.

His son Adam refers to his cousin Thomas in 1569. This must be Thomas, the son of Robert Settle. This means that William is Robert’s brother. William’s father is Thomas.
Famous children of William Sommerscales and wife NN

Richard Somerscales, was born ca. in 1515.
Adam Somerscales, was born ca. in 1510 and died March 2, 1570 at the age of about 60 years. Adam married Anne NN. Both were buried in Giggelswick.

General Notes

Described as the son of William Somerscales in “Loan book” of 1522, no payments. (William paid 10 shillings). As farmers in the Earl of Cumberland were valued at 20 shillings in Lekmannssubsidiene Settle in 1543. (His cousin valkeren Robert was valued at  £ 8). In the index from 1545 they were valued at 40 shillings.

Testament to Adam Somerschalles 25th October 1569 (13 June 1570 proved)

Will of Adam Somerschalles, 1569

In the name of God, Amen, the twenty-fifth day of October Anno domini 1569,

The English term is “lay Subsidy”; “Lay” stands for “layman”. Subsidy account for monetary help, (government) grant, subsidy, subsidy.

I, Adam Som (s) Schaller, the body sick, but of perfectly good recollection ability, glory be to God Almighty, draws this my last wish and testament as follows.
First of all I entrust my soul to God Almighty and to Himma delightful hosts, and my body I leave to be buried in the cemetery of the parish church in Gygleswicke.
And then gives his will, and I see it as befits to cover expenses incurred in connection with my departure and all the other fees that the Church should have.
And then gives his will, and I Richard Som (s) Schaller, my son, occasion and the right to lease my property, with the consent of the lord, in my and my wife Anne demise, or after she is widowed.
And so it is my wish that my son Richard and Anne my wife to have and possess all my farming implements, and that when she is widowed so shall my son have all the aforementioned agricultural implements.
And so it is my wish that Richard my son, for my wife must have big closet (Awmerye) and that the said Richard should buy a wooden coffin to 10 shillings or more, so that Isabell my daughter can get the aforementioned wooden chests.
And so it is my wish that Anne my wife and my daughter Isabell will stay together if they can agree on this.
And so it is my wish that Anne my wife will give as much as she can impart to my two children who are in London, albeit without it degrades her own way of life.
And so I give four lambs to the four children of Will (ia) m Meddoppes.
Furthermore, it is my wish that Thomas Somershcalles my cousin should support and help my wife with her rights as described in this my last testament.
The rest of my worldly goods, when my debts and my funeral expenses are paid and made up, giving his will, and I to Anne and Isabell my daughter, and I do Anne my wife of only executor.
These witnesses; Richarde Somerschalles medius, Richarde Cookson medius, Will (iam) informs Oppenheim and Richarde Somerschalles my son, and others.

Probate of the Will of Sir Richard Sommerscales

LATIN

A decimo Tertio die mensis Junii Anno d [omi] nine Mill [esi] mo qui [n] gent simo Septuagesimo Decanus the Craven cert [ificavit] they approbac [in] one h [uius] mo [d] in the Test [ament] ip [is] Ric [is your] m Cookson a Will [ielmu] m informs Upstairs, Testes sup [ra] no [m] in [n] that [os] iurat [os] etc
Com [m] issaq [ue] fuit Admi [nine] strace [i] o bonoru [m] eiusd [em] Anne rel [i] c [t] ed [i] c [t] in the defunct [i] soli Execut [Rici] in EOD [em] test [ament] o no [m] in [n] that [e] iurat [e] etc
Salvo iure cuiuscu [n] q [ue] etc.

Translated from Latin to English

[And on the thirteenth day of the month of June in the one thousand five hundred and seventieth year of our Lord the Dean of Craven certified approval of thiswill by Richard Cookson and William informs Upstairs, The Witness abovenamed, They having BEEN sworn etc,
And administration of the goods of the same was committed two Anne the relict of the said Deceased, the sole executrix named in the same will, she having BEEN sworn etc, Saving all right etc.

1. The English term is “The Lord”. I assume this refers to the owner of the property and not the Lord in meaning Lord / God.

2. I imagine this as a large freestanding cabinet in dark wood (oak). Jmfr image of a chest of the time, so this could have been a coffin that stood on a little high legs and with beautiful carvings.

3. Whoever shall ensure that the will be consummated in accordance with the deceased’s last wish.

Famous children of Adam Sommerscales and Anne NN

Isabell Somerscales, was born ca. 1535.

William? Somerscales, was born in 1553 in Giggleswick Parish.
General Notes
William served at William Sparke, notary in London, May 3, 1575 when he was asked if he had ironed out something from a document (?). (TNA C24 / 116). It looks as though he was employed by him in 1572 at the age of 18 or 19 years.

Robert Somerscales, was born in 1545 in Settle and died in 1609 in Gainsborough 64 years old
General Notes
Robert son of Adam Somerscales (approximately 1542 to 1545 .. to 1569) was baptized in about 1545 and died in Gainsborough in 1608 about 63 years old.

He worked with Henry Burdock (notary) in 1573 and was recorded in the company / guild in 1578. Robert was one of Adam’s two children as his will was said to reside in London.

Robert would have been 24 years old when his father died and could not be admitted as a notary until 1573, when he was 28 years old. It may look as if he was an apprentice somewhere else before this. In his subsequent career is evident that he had skills in law and justice, and he may have gotten his education at one of the legal institutions before 1573. He may have studied at Barnard’s Inn in 1604 although this also may have been his son.

1. The English term is “Scrivener”. Translated by “notary” or “mediator”. From the context I have chosen notary. Notary was one who wrote documents by hand. I have a source who believes that the notary was perhaps something more legal, which presumably also is possible in this context.

2. The text reads “company / guild”. As far as I can see, the term “company” used on the individual guilds. It may sound as if he was caught up in the guild for notaries (Scrivener). It is said that any subject / profession had their craft guilds who decided the price of goods and services. The impression is that the guilds were strong interest groups that had some privileges and power. It sounds as if this was a byfenomen. If this is correct, then it sounds like peace judges had a similar function in rural areas in addition to their other duties. Or that the state had taken control from the medieval corporations / guilds and exercised it through peace judges. Jmfr footnote 46.

3.  Termen ”Inn” står her for juridisk kollegium, juridisk skole. ”Inns of courts”. Det sies at ved universitetene og ”Inns of Courts” forberedte sønnene til de velstående av kledesfabrikantene seg til arbeid i statens tjeneste. Dette var nyrike som gjerne hadde giftet seg inn i fattige adelsfamilier og slik grunnet nye ”county families”.

In 1575 he witnessed a deed where Richard Frankland, gent of York sold some property, Hugh Frankland was also witnessed (Beverly Borrough records: DDBC / 15/338). It is likely that he met Frankland family in London where William Frankland was civil and produced cloth. Richard and Hugh was William Frank Land’s sons. William’s third son Ralph had two own sons; William who built out Frankland property Thirkelby and Richard who married Bridget Somerscales (daughter of Henry of Stockdale). Later Robert Somerscales get involved in Frankland family’s acquisition of land. In July 1580 sent Percival Brooke a letter to Robert at his address in Fleet Street near Belle Savage Inn where he described him as his cousin, asked after the health of his “close connected” and asked him to appear in court for mr. John Stanhope Esq in connection with any business question. Robert was described as particularly competent for this kind of work. (“The York Mercers and Merchant Adventurers 1356-1917”: Surtees Society vol 129 (1917). Robert’s wife was Jane, but it is uncertain whether she at this time was his “close linked”.

In the early 1580’s bought Robert estates and estate in Yorkshire, but this may have been in his capacity as agent because the only properties he had when he died, was described in the legal ruling postmortem.

In 1589, he bought a farm, stables and lands in Smeathle y, Womwell, Woodhead and Worsborough of Thomas and Frances Wombwell and their son and heir William. It was either this Robert (or Robert Giggleswick) as in 1584 and together with Leonard Caston, secured property in Beamsley and Somerscales of George and Elizabeth Clapham, their son Gresham-law, Ann and grandson George (Claphamfamilien were sellers and Frankland family were buyers in this area).

Robert, Richard Frankland, Anthony Wright and Anthony Pulleyn (which sold Blubberhouses to Frankland family) bought a house with land in York of William and Mary Watkinson in 1581 (Watkinsonfamilien had married into Somerscalesfamilien already in 1561).

Robert Sommerscales and John Nicolls bought 12 farms with land in Brocksey in 1581 by a group of 12 families that included William Catterall. Before October 1584 stayed Robert Gainsborough where he this month witnessed a deed regarding land property in

1. The term “gent” I guess stands for “gentleman”, ie man with a certain social status; formed and distinguished.

2. The term used is “cloth worker”. This can translate with “person who produces cloth”. As mentioned tekstiltilvirkningen important for England. It created a hitherto unimagined prosperity of the people. In the 14th and 15th centuries flourished it up especially in East Anglia and Norwich who was very wealthy districts. Later followed Taunton and the western Cotswolds, Kendal and Yorkshire dales. Everywhere grew up new life and new business. The impact on rural areas was not only a good thing. In several districts meant that the commons were enclosed and laid out to pasture. This led to a plethora of farm workers had to make way for a few shepherds. This was long before the industrial revolution, ie before the invention of mechanized looms etc and before textile factories. The tekstiltilvirkningen declared would therefore have been the hand weaving – and fulling etc.

3. Here I believe that the “Inn” possibly standing for inns. Jmfr context and the rest of the name ‘Belle Savage “; “The beautiful wild woman” – if I think proper.

4. The English term is “bedfellow”. Literally it means bed buddy. The word is about the employee or person one is closely related to or allied with. In the next sentence says that it is uncertain whether the request is for his wife Jane in the capacity of wife / someone close, or if it comes to another person.

5. The English term is “inquisition”; this can also mean “investigation”. I’ve chosen “judicial order”.

East Stock With, Linconshire. Robert sent a petition to Queen Elizabeth I and is remembered as the founder of Queen Elizabeth Grammar School (grammar school) in Gainsborough. The school was founded in 1589.

Within 17 July 1593 was employed by Robert Earl of Shrewsbury (Gilbert Talbot) as manager. He wrote to the Earl of Gainsborough. The letter refers to business questions that revolved around that Sir George Saville was remitted by Mr. Wray. He mentions his “own secret and very good friend Mr Hamerton” who had married the sister of John Ellis from Retford. There was something underhand was going on and one of the statements reads “sawra is prepared to refrain from and to suppress any use of violence”. Hamertonfamilien came from Hellifield near Giggleswick until the Pilgrimage of Grace, they were landlords faced a branch of Somerscales family Settle.

The person sawra mentioned above may well be William sawra who in 1592 was a servant of Lord Burghley. He had complained that the dams on the river Trent ruined for fishing. William earned parchment and Robert Somerscales wrote a request and endorsed it. A Nicholas Taylor sent the request to Robert that he would forward it to someone who had authority (probably a justice of the peace), but he forwarded it to his master, the Earl of Shrewsbury, who used it in another dispute over the dams near Nottingham. (A Calendar of the Shrewsbury and Talbot papers in Lambeth palace library and the College of Arms, vol H folio 405).

The August 9, 1603 wrote to Robert Earl of Shrewsbury from York. He mentions that Sir Edward Stanhope is dying and that he refuses to write Testament. If he dies, “God’s will be done”, so recommend Somerscales that Earl apply to be appointed as Judge in Doncaster.

1.  The English term is “steward”; Means “steward, hushovmester, butler, steward, economist”. I would think nominee is right here.

2. The English term is “relase” inter alia means “release, løslating, acquittal, liberation, liberation”. A similar concept is “draw” which means to “forgive”. More specifically, this may refer to debt forgiveness or punishment, ie that one got away. Another significance of the draw “make over two another” or transfer of liabilities, rights or property. I have chosen to translate “relase” with “forgive”, it said nothing about what was remitted.

3. I would think this should mean that the branch of Somerscalesfamilien referred to here were farmers and that Hamertonfamilien was they who owned the earth and the buildings on it.

4. The English term is “weir”; ie dam; fish pond.

5. It is written acronym JP standing for Justice of the Peace; Justice of the Peace. In the 1400s had the crown made it necessary to renounce to have a permanent bureaucracy in the countryside. As peace judges were rather taken out unpaid and therefore independent people of landed aristocracy. During each new regent got peace judges new tasks and at Elizabeth I’s death ruled those for virtually every district’s affairs. They kept roads, bridges and prisons alive, handing out rights to inns, they let criminals arrest. They exercised the control that the state had taken over from the medieval corporations (guilds)? The fixed wages and prices, the established relationship between master and apprentice. Moreover, they did watch over how the new poor law was practiced. It is said that even Elizabeth’s persecution of Jesuits, dissidents and non-conformists largely depended on peace judges will to lead it into practice. Fred judges were the local authorities, while the Privy Council monitored that they performed their tasks in a timely manner.

6. The English term “recorder ship”; “Recorder” translates to “writes down”, “records the”; “Scorekeeper”, “Judge”. I have chosen to use the “Judge” because the earl’s social status.

He also mentions that Michael Wentworth from mansions in Woolley and notton refuses to show loyalty and obedience. He is a “non-communicant” and dissenter 48 and has everything to excess annexed Staincross Moor and chased away the self-owning farmers. (A Calendar of the Shrewsbury and Talbot papers in Lambeth palace library and College of Arms, Vol M folio 106). A branch of the Wentworth family were resident in Ashby Puerum where Robert Somerscales (The youngest of Giggleswick) lived.
The January 9, 1602, while he was manager at Pontefract Manor Court, so farmers complained that he took exorbitant prices for copies of court records, copies of vindicated wills and education of minors. (Sheffield Archives BFM / 2 / 159-161). He held this position during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and James I. He shared the position with Matthew Kay.
Robert and his wife had several children, many of them died. He left his widow Jane everything he had acquired; farms, small living rooms (cottages), lands in Gainsborough and all party revenues, tithes of corn, hay, wool and lamb, agriculture, meadows and pastures in Lincolnshire.

 

Richard Somerscales, was born ca. 1538 and died August 23, 1612 at the age of about 74 years. Richard Sommerscales and his wives Ellena and Elisabeth Foster are all buried in the churchyard in Giggelswick. Richard Sommerscales ‘widow Elizabeth Foster was buried 16 August 1623 and it is probably Richard Sommerscales’ death recorded August 23, 1612.

General Notes

The Sept. 4, 1569 married Richard Somerscales with Eleanor (Ellen) Foster. Richard and Eleanor’s daughter Agnes was baptized July 30, 1570. They received no more children and Eleanor died Dec. 13, 1575. Her sister Elizabeth comforted the grieving Richard. Her care and forståelsesfullhet went far beyond what might be expected and they fell in love. They were so eager to start a family that Elizabeth was five months pregnant when they married on Sept. 30, 1576.
In 1587 appointed Robert’s cousin, Richard Somerscales of Settle, Richard as the one to supervise her will 49. Richard was also involved in a local real estate trading with Henry Somerscales, Robert’s cousin. These conditions match that Richard was the son of William who was in London when his father Thomas of Stockdale died.

1. “Non-communicant”; person who does not receive Holy Communion. Here; presumably not belonging to the new state religion Church of England. “Dissenter” stands for a person who claims a divergent opinion and (here) who are members of a dissenterkirke / congregation. I reckon that dissent means deviation from the new state religion Church of England. This was the very beginning of James I’s reign. James wanted to steer the church through bishops who were chosen by him. This enjoyed neither Catholics who saw the pope as the church’s highest authority, the English Puritans who wanted the church to govern itself, or the Scottish Presbyterians. In addition, there was a sect called “independent” and other small sects. It is said that no one who stood outside the church had the right to practice their religion. What Michael Wentworth professed is not so easy to say, but it may look as if he was an opponent of state religion and that he had no right to go to communion.

2. The term used is “supervisor”, ie not “executor”. I understand this as two different things.

Got the best summer pony and the best audience of his brother Robert of Gainsborough when this died in 1608.
Along with Henry S (omerscales) he was involved in these trade between D’Arcy and Billingsley, Somerscales and Armistead. PRO C54 / 1419 CP 3572.

November 29, 1591

Binding contract 51 between Nicholas D’Arcy of London Esq. and Henry Billingsley citizen and councilman 52 of London as one party. And Henry Somerscales of Stockdale in Giggleswick Parish (Parish) in the County of York 53, gentleman Richard Somerscales Settle in the same parish 54, self-owning farmers and peasants 55 Willmar Armistead and Christopher Armistead of Stainforth in the aforementioned counties York, as the other party.

 

Binding contract 51 between Nicholas D’Arcy of London Esq. and Henry Billingsley citizen and councilman 52 of London as one party. And Henry Somerscales of Stockdale in Giggleswick Parish (Parish) in the County of York 53, gentleman Richard Somerscales Settle in the same parish 54, self-owning farmers and peasants 55 Willmar Armistead and Christopher Armistead of Stainforth in the aforementioned counties York, as the other party.
The water-powered flour mill with accessories that go under or are known by name Langcliffe Mill. And the pond and waterways that operates the said mill and all the associated fees that must be paid by those who cross the property, agreements etc. 56
And also that little clump of trees or grove called Langcliffe grove with “adjacent delights” which is fenced by a steinmur57 and consisting of more or less five acres and the soil and the ground belonging to 58. Certain utstykkede allotments or pastures (arable land ) in the woods or groves, is or was recently leased or in possession of several; thats Lawrence Swainson, Anthony Armistead, Willmar Carr, widow Margaret Iveson, Willmar Kidd, John Browne, Thomas King, John Brayshaw and Richard Kidson or their representative or the person they have designated. This, together with the small walled grazing area that is more or less a “rood” 59 and west boundaries of said grove or thicket recently leased by Lawrence Swainson and now

50 Elsewhere it is said that he died in 1609.
51 The English term is “indenture”; translates to “bind by contract”, “contract” and “put in learning.”
52 The English term is “alderman”; translated as “city manager”, “Presidency member”. I do not know if “Councilman” is the correct term for this historical era.
53 Thats York County.
54 Gentleman; translated as “noble man”, “gentleman”, “formed man”, “man of honor”.
55 The English term is “yeoman”; see footnote 26 in which it referred to that this was self-owning farmers; they ran the smaller items.
56 “Soke tolls”. This refers to a tax that had to be paid if one wanted to pass another’s property; For example, the church, the nick. It was usual with “toll roads” at this time. It was also common to have to pay “seek toll” to pass through a city. “Soke tolls” is a legal term that refers to a right exercised by the local jurisdiction and administration.
57 “Wall”; I reckon that this is a tørrsteinsmur.
58 area was on 5 acres, ie a little over 20 goals. The English terms are “soil” and “ground”. If this is not just two ways of saying the same thing (and they seem to have had the habit of the time), then you may “soil” (“soil”) refers to the transfer of ownership which included “the cultivation of the earth,” while “ground” (“reason”) may decided to invoke the transfer of ownership beyond this.
59 The term “rood” is a measure of length. As acreage equivalent to 3/4 acre or 0.10 hectare.

possession of the said Henry Somerscales and Richard Somerscales. And also all timber 60 in the undergrowth and trees growing or located within said thicket or grove and the little corral mentioned above.
And also a farm with “adjacent delights” in the aforementioned Langcliffe and all houses, buildings, gardens and walled mark pieces 61 thus used, possessed or that it enjoyed from. And also more or less six acres of arable land and pastures within reason and the areas to the aforementioned Langcliffe, now or recently leased by Thomas King and Richard King.
And also an “acre” of land located in the aforementioned Langcliffe and otherwise borders the south side of the wall in that grove running uninterrupted and rises eastward from (“the Yeats”) called (“lee Yeats”) 62 and which was recently measured by a Willmar Freeman appointed by the aforementioned Nicolas D’Arcy.
And also sixteen “acres”, half “acre”, half “rood” and seven “poles” of length for each “rood”. 63 corresponding to a third of fifty acres with grazing area which is located in the aforementioned Langcliffe in the aforementioned county York. Grazing area be divided into three parts. These fifty acres was recently measured by said Willms Freeman to be disposed of and sold by Nicholas talked to mentioned Richard Somerscales and Bryan Cookson and Thomas Newhouse. These fifty acres located in the southernmost part of Langcliffe hills where the landscape rises from perimeter fences Langcliffe fields, who goes under the name Flatheads wall, toward a place called carlae. From carlae on the north side of the fence reaches the area to Warnedale Head. Then sloping downwards and westwards to a huge rock right over lammekveet and extending therefrom to a stone wall called Stubbyn wall. These fifty acres was recently measured and prepared by said Willms Freeman for said Richard Somerscales Bryan Cookson and Thomas Newhouse for a period of five hundred years. 64

 

Famous children of Richard and Elizabeth Foster Sommerscales

• Robert Somerscales, was baptized September 5, 1576 and died March 3, 1607 30
  years old, before his father Richard.
• Thomas Somerscales, was born February 23, 1578 in Giggleswick Parish and died November 20, 1583 in Giggleswick Parish 5 years old.

60 The English term is “Underwood’s”. That undercurrent has genitivsendelse. Woods could mean wood, firewood, timber. I opted for the “timber”. It might also decided to invoke to recover completely by the fallout and twig.
61 The English term is “croft”. Translated with smallholding, fenced mark piece. From where word is in order, so I have chosen to use “walled mark pieces”.
62 I have not found the word “Yeats” in dictionaries. The audible something like “jetty” stands for pier, but then in conjunction with water, ie breakwater, pier. “Jetty” also stands for “black, coal black”. The word “lee” means “leeward side” or “sheltered”. Can “Yeats” refers to a projection of the terrain, possibly a black stone? (This is perhaps to be a long shot).
63 These are units of measurement. A “rood” stands for 0.10 hectares. The term “pole” stands for “rod, measuring rod”.
64 The whole section was written as a sentence. I’ve split it up to make a more understandable. 16 acres equals about 64 goals, while 50 acres equals approximately 202 targets.

• Margaret Somerscales, was baptized December 28, 1572.
• Adam Sommerscales, was baptized September 28, 1579 and died May 20, 1621. “Right investigation postmortem held in Skipton regarding Adam Sommerscales, last resident in Settle 14 May 1622” shows that the estate included significant lands etc.
• Anna (Ann) Somerscales, was baptized May 18, 1582.
• Henry Somerscales, was born 28 September 1584 in the town of Settle Giggleswick Parish and died March 29, 1664 in Trondheim (Buried at the Cathedral farm) 79 years
  old. This is our ancestor Henry ” Englishman ” Sommerscales.

 

 

This farm in Settle in Yorkshire is where our ancestor Henrich “Englishman” Sommerscales was born on September 28 1584. Settle is an accompanying annex underlying Giggelswick parish. And farm looks today as it did over four centuries ago. The buildings are enough maybe slightly bigger than ever, and roofs, windows and the like are also of course changed, but the walls and the walls standing there likens as they have always done.

 

 

The most characteristic landscape is green, high-altitude pastures, where sheep and cattle graze, divided by stone walls without mortar. The valleys are both ‘V’ and ‘U’ shape, most of them dug out by glaciers during the last ice age. The mountain is mostly limestone, with some shale and sandstone. Forests and trees are deficient in this distinctive habitat that characterizes this part of Yorkshire in northern England.
There are also some high-altitude moorland with heather growth, where there is extensive grouse hunting in the fall.

General Notes

Our ancestor Henry Sommerscales lived at some point in Linconshire, probably together with his uncle Robert in Gainsborough. Robert’s son Henry and “our” Henry traveled both to London in 1605. Gainsborough-Henry went to Gray’s Inn and “our” Henry was apprenticed to John Toy (surname is possibly Taylor) in Bassinghall, he was tailor and guild member.

The September 9, 1609, then there was a court case in the High Court of the Admiralty (HCA) where he testified in the case Richard Nottingham (a merchant near the Kings Bench in Southwark) versus Andrew Pawlyn who had incurred debt in connection with a shipload.

In his explanation says Henry that he was born in the small town of Settle and that he had lived in London for four years. Before that he lived in Lincolnshire and in Settle. He says that he is 22 years old, unmarried and relegated to live on what his father might want to bestow him.

If he was 22 years old then, so he must have been born in 1587 or 1588 and not in 1584. However, the experiences of English Biographies show that at this time was not so careful to specify their age appropriate. Thus, this is not so different from Norway. It was named one Henry “son of Robert” in Gainsborough on 15 December 1587. (He is the son of “Robert” and not of “Robert gent” who all Robert Gainsborough’s children, he was too important to let this be overlooked . Anyway, another Henry, “son of Robert Gainsborough gent”, carried to the baptism in 1590). There was also a Henry, son of Robert Settle. Based on Robert’s Testament, he appears to have been born in 1593, although there is nothing about him in the registers. Both Robert’ene were dead within 1609, so Henry was not forced to wait for their legacy. The life of both the other Henry’ene is also clarified. One can assume that Henry is the son of Richard Settle and that his age is incorrectly registered or disclosed incorrect.

In October 1612 he finds himself again in the High Court of the Admiralty, this time he testifies regarding the profits can be obtained by importing pine plank from Norway. (HCA 13/42). The following year he is mentioned in the customs registers of Trondheim when Jacob Albrethsson led a ship of 60 “lester” (tonnage) that arrived Trondheim November 22. The ship drifted shipping for Henry Somerscales. There is evidence that he also traded from Amsterdam at this time.

His ship left Trondheim 10 January 1614, but was captured by English pirates. Henry and the pirates were then captured by the Spaniards and kept in custody in a Spanish galleon. A trader from London who heard about the predicament he was come in, wrote to Sir John Digby, English ambassador in Spain. He explained that Henry was not pirate and requested his release.

Henry was released, but went to Norway where he 18 August 1614 bought a small ship (one Kreiger). There are records from Trondheim showing that he was resident there in 1620. One of his servants were then fined one valleys to trade with Arne Olufsen. He mentioned again in 1639-1640 when Claus Tollefsen from Ashford had taken dotting his by mistake and then in 1646 to 1647 when Henry bailed Esten Sivertsen and biretta Pedersdotter who was imprisoned for having had sexual intercourse (leiermaal).