Will and inventory of Bartholomew Aires of Up Nately, 1651

Aires had possibly retired and lent money hence the good debts of £15. A fascinating probate entry which demonstrated that the probate court continued to function in Winchester after the abolition of the bishops in 1646. John Holloway working for Rt Worshipful Robert Mason, Dr of Laws proved this nuncupative will. Robert Mason in 1636 was the legal officer and a vicar general of the diocese of Winchester and continued in the civil war period and even after the abolition of bishops in 1646 - stating he was responsible for administering probate in the county of Southampton, rather than the old form of the diocese of Winchester. This poses the question of how widespread was such a practice which was contrary to the law which specified southern wills should be proved in the PCC after 1646.