Wills are a particular valuable source of information for church history. The
memorials of the Compton family are mentioned above and a John Compton,
who made his will in January 1544/5 desired to be buried in East Lavant church
and he left, among other bequests, 12
d to the high alter there. Other testators,
from 1391 onward, left sums to the high altar and for the maintenance of lights
before the altars or statues of Our Lady, St. Katherine and St. Nicholas, and to
the light before the Rood. In 1547/8, Richard Cooper left 4
d 'to ye Belles';
others left money, sheep or wheat to pay for masses or for the benefit of the
poor. A brotherhood in East Lavant maintained a light in the church; testators
between 1391 and 1554 left money towards the fabric, e.g. the west door, the
north aisle, or general repairs. In 1539, John Standen bequeathed 12
d 'to the
mendyng of the brige in Estlavent' and 3
s 'to the reparacion of the Lavent
streme'. The brotherhood mentioned above was that of the Holy Rood whose
assets, when the revenues of chantries were seized in 1547, totalled 55
s 10d of
which sum 20d was the rent of 3
a land called Westlauant Crofte.