I hope to do a major article on it if Rod approves
Errrrrmmm, let me think

In appreciation
Rod

Unfortunately Holles doesn’t mention any of these three places anywhere other than in this will.

Finally winding up his entry for Little Cotes, Holles explaines whose arms the seal represents and then describes the heraldic devices in some of the windows thus:

“….But this Coate of Armes wch I find [also] in litle Cotes Church-windows, and is G[ules]. a Crosse engrayled Argent belongs to ye Family of Inglethorpe, who heyr Cotes marryed.

1. Gules, a plaine Crosse Argent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cotes
2. B.{lazon?] 2 Barrs nebuly Argent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Del See
3. B.{lazon?] 3 Barrs nebuly Argent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Del See
4. G. a Crosse sarcely d’Or empaled with [blank]
5. B.{lazon?] 2 Barrs nebuly Argent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Del See”

Perhaps Peter would let us know if any of these Arms still exist in the church; I rather suspect not.

Which way to head next East or West? As the Grimsby entry is really extensive I shall shy away from it for the time being and head West to Cotes Magna, then Healing.
Stallingborough is rather special to me for several reasons, so I shall reserve that one as I hope to do a major article on it if Rod approves

Regards,
Neville

Ahem!, I said ‘John’, not ‘Sir John’….

Sir John’s will continues in declaring that he gives his feoffees, lands and tenements and their appurtinences in the village and fields of ‘Teuelby‘, (Tealby?) to Elizabeth, his wife, for life and then to his son, Peter, and his heirs. He instructs his wife to sell all of his lands and appurtinences in ‘Imyngham, Haburgh et Gowsill’ to ‘diversorum hominum‘ to meet his debts and any surplus to be given to charity for the good of his soul!

The above John West and John Cromthorpe, he names as his wife’s co-executors and John Barnaby junior of Barton is to be administrator.

Holles then remarks that “The Seale to this Testament is a very fayre Seale and very curiously cutt, and noe inscription about it, as commonly is seen in old Seales. It carryed in an Escocheon, a playne Cross engrayled, wch is not ye paternall Coate of this Family; for they bore Argent a Crosse sarcely engrayled Sables.”

My knowledge of heraldry is limited to basics but I think the above means a black cross on a silver background with a wavy top edge to the shield. I invite anyone more versed in the terms to correct my assumption.

I shall pause there as this identifying of the heraldic devices then runs into the arms displayed in the windows of St. Michael’s!

Willingly yours,
Neville

I forgot to mention that Holles compiled his manuscript account between 1634 and 1642.
So pressing on with Holles’ account of Cotes Parva….

In the above will of 1421, Sir John Cotes of Little Cotes declares that he is sane and commends his soul to Almighty God, the Virgin Mary and all the saints, (England of course was still Catholic at that time), and his body to be buried in the church of the Augustinian Friars of Grimsby, (i.e. St. James’). He bequeaths two good oxen to the Abbey, six shillings and eight pence to the altar of St. Michaels, Little Cotes and a gold ring to the Mother Church of Lincoln.

To Robert Batelay of Grimsby he leaves a new black gown with a black lambswool collar and John Attehall of Little Cotes receives a ‘flekkit’[?flecked, i.e. brindled?], cow, and his, (John’s), wife Elizabeth gets a fine pig!
Not to be outdone, Mother Beatrice of the Nuns of Grimsby gets a cow and a calf while William Brigham of Grimsby, cleric receives a goodly sheep and a pig.

Sir John was even-handed with his beneficiaries, giving equally to Lord John West, rector of Bradley and Lord John Cromthorpe, vicar of St. Michael’s, Little Cotes, thirteen shillings and four pence, (2/3 of a pound), however he stipulates that in the case of the latter that it is to assist and support the underscribed executrix, his wife!

Tomorrow I shall wind up the will and continue with Holles’ description of the windows of St. Michael’s at that time, almost 400 years ago, including coates-of-arms!

Regards,
Neville

Without re-reading all 107 comments above, I can’t be certain that I am not retracing a path already trod but I will assume that it is not the case and proceed with my latest gem…

Gervase Holles in his monumental manuscript accounts for Little Cotes thus:

“ COTES PARVA

In Dei nomine, Amen - Die Dominica in festo S. Matthei Apostoli, A.D. mccccxxi, Ego Johannes Cotes de parva Cotes, Armiger, ……”

There, for the time being, I shall end the quote as the will that he reiterates is all in Latin and quite lengthy. It is indeed fascinating and tomorrow, if I have time, I shall read through it and extract the ‘juicy bits’ and translate.

Be warned folks, there is likely to be a Holles fest in the next few days! I shall though feed it in small doses as I know that is the way King Rod likes it

Regards,
Neville