Brass Rubbing: William Tonge

From Horowitz. 2002. This shield brass has an inscription in Norman French in the raised Black Letter style. It is engraved on a scroll surrounding a shield with the arms of Tonge, a fleur-de-lis. William Tonge represented the city of London in the Parliament of 1376-77 and again in 1388. His will, dated 9 August 1389, and proved a month later, stated his desire to be buried in the church of All Hallows-Barking across from the Tower of London although he originally came from Higham Ferrers in Northamptonshire. His wife, Avice, was to receive property in London, and bequests were made to his two sons. Both boys were named John, a not entirely unusual practice in an age when infant and child mortality was extremely high. Each son was to receive over £66 sterling for seven years after the eldest son's 20th birthday if he went to grammar school and took up both the common law (lawyer) and good matters. The youngest son was commanded either to attend Oxford University or to become a merchant.

Horowitz, Mark R. The Monumental Brasses of England: The Horrowitz Collection. Morton Grove, IL: Portcullis Productions, 1980 (1979). p. 11-12. Horowitz, Mark R. The Monumental Brasses of England. The Horowitz Collection. New Edition, 2002. p.22.