Yeovil's Virtual Museum

1569 Muster Roll

Who was called in time of war

 

In Tudor England, musters were periodic assessments of the availability of local militia to act as a defence force, should the need arise. The system was a somewhat outdated remnant of the feudal system, in which local lords had their own armies, provided for the King as required.

Below are the men of greater Yeovil listed in the Muster Roll of 1569, together with the arms and armour they were required to provide.

At the bottom of this page is a brief glossary of terms used.

 

Burgh of Yevell

ABLEMEN

John Willis John Trente Walter Maser John Mathewe Giles Russell John Plomly John Hore Thomas Newe William Beckitt Thomas Willes Robert Baker Robert Brodney John Galarde Ranolde Hardinge John Bonfester Robert Abbatte John Beton Anthony Traske John Frye

Billman Archer Archer Archer Billman Billman Billman Billman Billman Billman Billman Archer Archer Billman Archer Billman Pekeman Billman Billman

William Benette Thomas Rowe Walter Lewse William Becke John Eston Robert Ellys William Dene Micheel Nycoles Philip Hoskens John Pyckytt Heugh Harrys John Currye William Flowre Robert Nayle William Fathers John Belke William Belly Thomas James William Golding

Archer Archer Pekeman Pekeman Pekeman Gonnor Billman Billman Billman Archer Archer Billman Billman Billman Billman Archer Archer Archer Archer

ARMOR
One tythinge corslet furnished, one paire of almaine rivets furnished.

Androw Spurstow John Phelpes Thomas Phelpes William Stone John Hacker William Becke John Marchant Lyonell Harryson Henry Ranoldes Robert Eles with others John Trarke Christopher Baker with others

- - - ) )   ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

one corslet furnished a corslet furnished one corslet furnished one paire of almaine rivets one paire of almaine rivets 4 bills, 2 bows, 2 sheaf of arrows 3 swords, 3 daggers

Tithing of Stone cum Matravers (Manor of Hendford)

ABLEMEN

John Cowtre Stephen Hoskins William Miles William Potter William Jenninges Henry Wittynole William Stronge John Crocker

Billman Billman Billman Billman Billman Billman Billman Archer

Thomas Thomas Lawrens Phelpes John Wittynole Nicholas Michell Thomas Fevyn John Jyllyt John Bowcher Mathew Hatker

Billman Billman Archer Archer Billman Billman Billman Billman

ARMOR
One tythinge corslet furnished, one paire of almaine rivets furnished, for the tythinge.

Robert Riche Giles Salmon John Crocker Henry Whyttynole William Jennynges and others

) ) ) ) ) )

one paire of almaine rivets 2 bows, 2 sheafs of arrows, 6 bills, 3 swords, 3 daggers

Tithing of Preston

ABLEMEN

Richard Galard Henry Mower Thomas Whybby Thomas Turke Lyonell Harrison William Gallard

Billman Billman Billman Billman Archer Archer

Robert Ranoles Jas. Golde Thomas Farlye Walter Collins George Bysgood John Smethe

Billman Billman Billman Billman Archer Billman

ARMOR
One tythinge corslet furnished, one paire of almaine rivets furnished, for the same tythinge.

Lyonnell Harryson William Colmer John Whytby Alyce Whytby Lyonell Galard Andrew Galard with others

- - ) ) ) ) )

one corselet furnished one paire of almaine rivets one paire of almaine rivets 2 bows, 2 sheafs of arrows, 2 bills, 2 swords, 2 daggers

Tithing of Wigdon and Huntley

ABLEMEN

Thomas Collins William Sugge John Lane John Cole Nicholas Hill John Ember William Fowler John Stacye James Everden

Billman Billman Archer Archer Archer Pekeman Pekeman Archer Archer

William Forde Thomas Pynne John Bacheler John Sugge Henry Lane Geles Bentlye John Bayly William Smethe

Archer Archer Billman Pekeman Pekeman Billman Billman Billman

ARMOR
One tythinge corslet furnished, one paire of almaine rivets furnished, for the same tythinge.

John Durda George Haringe, Gentleman William Jennynges William Sugge with others William Forde Tristram Brok In the same tythinge

- - ) ) ) ) )

one corselet furnished one corselet furnished one paire of almaine rivets 2 bows, 2 sheafs of arrows 2 jacks, 1 harquebut, 4 bills, 4 swords, 4 daggers, 2 bows and 2 sheafs of arrows

Tithing of Marshe

ABLEMEN

John Marshe Thomas Pawly John Harvey John Howper Robert Strod William Hartwill Hary Holder

Billman Billman Billman Billman Billman Billman Billman

Thomas Wattes Thomas Lewellen Henry Goodman Thomas Geiles William Lopitt Harry Smethe

Archer Billman Archer Archer Archer Archer

ARMOR
One tythinge corslet furnished

Andrew Cowke Robert Strode with others

) ) )

One bow, one sheaf of arrows and one bill

Glossary

Almain rivet	An Almain rivet was a type of flexible plate armour originating in Germany in about 1500. It was designed to be manufactured easily whilst still affording considerable protection to the wearer. It consisted of a breastplate and backplate with laminated tassets. Almain rivets were generally of fairly low quality, but they were cheap.
Bill	The bill, also billhook, was a polearm weapon used by infantry. It had a hooked blade on the end of a long staff.
Billman	An infantryman who carried a bill as his main weapon.
Corslet	A corslet, also corselet, started as a simple breastplate. By the 16th century, the corslet was popular as a light half-armour for general military use. It comprised a gorget, breastplate, backplate, tassets, full arms and gauntlets.
Gonnor	A gunner. An infantryman who used a harquebus.
Gorget	A steel collar designed to protect the throat.
Harquebut	An harquebus, or arquebus; a form of long gun that appeared in Europe during the 15th century.
Jack	A hand weapon, typically consisting of a piece of leather-bound metal with a strap or short shaft for a handle (modern blackjack is a derivative).
Pekeman	A pikeman. An infantryman who carried and used a pike.
Pike	A pike is a pole weapon, a very long thrusting spear used extensively by infantry from the Late Middle Ages until around 1700, and were wielded by foot soldiers deployed in close quarters.
Tassets	Plate armour designed to protect the upper thighs. They are separate plates hanging from the breastplate.