COOK, William II

Cook is difficult to distinguish from the many other individuals of this name who were active in the south and south-east of England in this period, none of whom can be shown to have had links with the Surrey borough of Reigate. Possible candidates include the William Cook of Lambeth who was involved in a number of transactions in and around London in the first decade of the century,1 CCR, 1399-1402, pp. 401, 529; 1405-9, p. 276. and the man who made his brief will at Woking in Surrey on 14 Mar. 1443. The latter asked to be buried in the parish church at Woking, but his bequests for works at the London church of St. Benet Paul’s Wharf and St. Paul’s cathedral, as well as his nomination of Andrew Kebell* the Exchequer official as one of his executors, are suggestive of concerns beyond his home town.2 Guildhall Lib. London, commissary ct. wills 9171/4, f. 116v.