Will of Richard Harford of Bosbury, Esquire, 1575

Richard Harford was a very wealthy man, whose father John had aquired much former religious propety after the Reformation, including leasing the manor of Bosbury from the bishop of Hereford.

Richard died childless, leaving a very detailed will itemising many personal bequests to family and friends as well as giving a lot of detail about his property. Unusually, the body of the will contains an inventory of the household goods which were to be left to the use of his wife, Martha. They are listed room by room, giving an insight into the internal arrangement of the house, now known as the Crown, in 1575.

Another remarkable feature is that he says that he wishes to be buried in the chancel of Bosbury churchin the tomb  'which I have of late made there for me and my wife'.