The Almshouses at Shrivenham

This listing concerns an important statement made by Sir Henry Marten on the building of the Almshouses in Claypits Lane in Shrivenham. He explains where the money will be coming from and who is to benefit. Could this have been an attempt at gentle persuation on the king to pay his debts ?

BRO Ref D/EEL 26/2

Statement by Sir Henry Marten  31/8/1641

Whereas the King doth owe me £3000, which I lent his Majesty and which is to be paid with the use at Michelmas 1642, my intention being that there shall be 10 poor Alms houses at Shrivenham, 10 poor Alms folk and 5 poor Alms houses at Longworth for 5 poor Alms folk every of which to have 10/6 the week which is £6.10s the year a piece which is the whole will come to £97.10s the year. I do give and desire £2000 for the purchase of lands to this good use. And I do give more £400 for the erecting and building of those 5 Almshouses in Longworth and the perfecting of those 10 in Shrivenham which I am now about and propose to finish myself as soon as I can conveniently if God lend me my life. And these things had I done being since if the King had not borrowed my money from me, for I did never promise any man that would put off a good work to his executor that was in his own power to do by himself. But now find things are as they are and I hope the money will be instantly paid, and the good work accomplished according to my hearty desire.

This listing also includes a copy of an Indenture between Sir Henry Marten and his son Henry (known historically as Harry the Regicide), dated July 1642, whereby they transfer the ownership of the Almshouses over to several of the local gentry of Shrivenham. This is somewhat enigmatic as Sir Henry died a year earlier in September 1641. A copy of the Indenture in high resolution is available upon request.