Philippa Russell and the Wills of London's Late Medieval Singlewomen

Abstract

Never-married women were common in the streets and lanes of late medieval London, but few of their wills survive. Philippa Russell is one of only 15 such testators recorded in London probate courts between 1450 and 1500, and her will is especially long and informative. Providing readers with a translation of Russell's will, this article examines what it reveals about Russell's piety, charity, civic-mindedness, wealth, and personal and familial relations. It also discusses the varied meanings of the new term 'singlewoman' (Russell's chosen self-identification) and compares Russell's last provisions with those of other singlewomen, maidens, puellae and virgines in late medieval London.