Considering the local importance of the fellow in question (at that time, anyway -- 1471 -- though the family later disappeared from Norfolk entirely), it seems like he would have had a more complicated will. I only recently found for certain which John Blakeney this was, hence the new questions.
Here is Matt's transcription and original comments, with my questions to this group following:
Hello Rhonda,
I'll reply about the will first.
A quick and dirty translation is:
"In the name of God Amen John Blakeney esquire of sound mind and good memory
on 20th September 1470 made his will in this manner. First he bequeathed
his soul to almighty God the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints and he
left all his goods, moveable and immoveable, to Joan his wife to provide for
their sons and to dispose of as seems to her most fit which certain Joan my
wife [sic] he ordained and constituted his executrix
The above written will was proved at Lambeth 6 November 1471 and approved
etc and administration of all the goods of the said deceased was granted to
his relict and executrix Joan etc [the rest is just standard form wording]"
It does seem a little short, even for that period, so I suspect it is a
paraphrase rather than a verbatim copy.
Matt
This John Blakeney was well connected and had a considerable estate at Honingham and other places. The widow, Joan, is the sister of Sir Roger Townshend I. A book by C.E. Moreton about the Townshends suggests that Joan "married UP" with respect to John and that Roger's career benefited greatly from John's influence. John had been a clerk of the signet and a royal servant as well as active in local government in Norfolk.
So why, with all this considered, would the 1471 will consist of that tiny paragraph? And why would a paraphrased record of a will be recorded? And why would it be paraphrased in the third person? Where might the original be?
I am very surprised that the sons were not even mentioned by name. John and Joan did have at least two sons, the younger being Thomas. Moreton states that "Both Blakeney and his second son, Thomas, were trustees for Roger I [Sir Roger Townshend]." But as John Blakeney Sr. died in 1471, and Sir Roger T. died in 1493, it might actually have been John Jr. here referenced. That would account for the name of the elder son.
I will appreciate any input.
Sincerely,
Rhonda