If the purpose of writing a will was to implement a part of what the testators thought necessary or possible after death, it becomes apparent that provisions made at the hour of death might be incomparable with what had already been made during a lifetime. It pays to be cautious when trying to slot testators into financial pigeon-holes determined by the apparent generosity or paucity of their bequests, for a will which contains little information about provisions for remembrance post mortem may be an example from someone who has planned well, making all necessary arrangements beforehand.

If we had first met Henry Everard socially, as a member of the armigerous Everard family from Linstead, we would have found him living as a country esquire on his Cratfield estate on the edge of the Waveney Valley. Knowing his standing in the community, we would have expected his will to have brimmed over with largesse. It didn't. As it is, we meet him as just another testator making his will in 1465, a will no different from hundreds of others being brief and to the point. The total sum of money to be paid out after his death amounted to £1 7s Sd, and he asked to be buried in Cratfield churchyard, both of which requests might easily have put him fairly low in our financial appraisal. Why does his will suggest otherwise, that Henry was well prepared for death rather than short of money?

He came from a family which held lands in Suffolk and Norfolk and, although it is possible that he was 'poor' gentry, the will suggests this was not so. It was proved at the Norwich Consistory Court, which ought to mean that he had goods worth at least £5 in more than one archdeaconry. So, although he did not ask for a church burial, such a request would have been socially appropriate. He left 6s Sd to Cratfield church, and 3s 4d to Metfield church.