Wills from History
Wills can be serious documents — but they can also reveal a surprising amount about the people who made them.
From famous bequests and family disagreements to touching gifts and unusual requests, historical wills give us a glimpse into the people, relationships and possessions behind the document.
This section is about the history and human side of Wills. The examples below are drawn from original records and research published by The National Archives.
William Shakespeare — the “second-best bed”
Shakespeare's will, held by The National Archives, is dated 25 March 1616. His wife Anne is mentioned only once, in the famous bequest of his second-best bed. The National Archives notes that this can seem insulting to modern readers, but that a bed was a significant household possession and could be specifically gifted in a will at the time.
Shakespeare left the bulk of his estate to his elder daughter Susanna Hall, while also making other gifts to family, neighbours and fellow actors.
Why it is interesting: a short or apparently unusual gift can look very different when understood in its historical context.
Jane Austen — a small Will with clear wishes
Jane Austen made her will on 27 April 1817, only a few months before her death. The National Archives describes it as just 90 words, written on a small sheet of paper. She left virtually everything she possessed to her sister Cassandra, apart from two £50 gifts.
It is an excellent reminder that a Will does not have to be long to make a person's main intentions clear.
Why it is interesting: Austen's Will also shows how a carefully chosen executor and a clearly stated main beneficiary can keep a document straightforward.
Samuel Pepys — when a Will changes
Samuel Pepys made a number of wills and later added codicils. The National Archives records how one codicil changed a gift to his nephew after Pepys objected strongly to the nephew's marriage.
His records also show how a Will can contain very personal choices: Pepys left his collection of model ships and other vessels to his executor William Hewer, recommending that they be preserved for public benefit. He also made provision for servants, including a year's wages and suitable mourning clothes.
Why it is interesting: circumstances and relationships can change. A Will may therefore need to be reviewed and, where appropriate, replaced or amended.
The Churchill family's “Blue Book”
In 1899, the Duchess of Marlborough left a reference in her will to a separate “Blue Book” containing directions about her possessions. She intended the notebook to help her children distribute personal items, while allowing them to exchange things if another item suited someone better.
Unfortunately, her attempt to make the process flexible led to disagreement within the family after her death. The National Archives says the notebook survived because it became evidence in a dispute about the administration of the will.
Why it is interesting: even a thoughtful attempt to make personal gifts flexible can create uncertainty if the relationship between the Will and other instructions is not clear.
Read the National Archives record of the Churchill family's Blue Book →
What these old Wills have in common
Although the language and customs have changed, the underlying purpose remains familiar: deciding who should benefit, who should deal with the estate, and what wishes should be recorded clearly.
At Wise Wills, we believe the same principle applies today. A Will should reflect the person's own wishes, and the drafting process should give them time to read the document, ask questions and make alterations before the final Will is prepared.