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Wikipedia says about the Legal History of Wills in England:

the Statute of Frauds (1677) dealt with the formalities of execution. Up to this time simple notes, even in the handwriting of another person, constituted a sufficient will, if published by the testator as such. The Statute of Frauds required, inter alia, that all devises should be in writing, signed by the testator or by some person for him in his presence and by his direction, and should also be subscribed by three or four credible witnesses. The strict interpretation by the courts of the credibility of witnesses led to the passing of an Act in 1751-1752, making interested witnesses sufficient for the due execution of the will, but declaring gifts to them void.

1751-1752 is later that your interest but suggests that before then it was possible (if perhaps viewed as somewhat dodgy and in need orof sorting out by the mid 1700s) for a beneficiary to witness a will, or for a will not to be witnessed at all.

Prior to the Statute of Frauds, the Statute of Wills seems to be the relevant legislation, introducing the need for witnesses among other things.

Wikipedia says about the Legal History of Wills in England:

the Statute of Frauds (1677) dealt with the formalities of execution. Up to this time simple notes, even in the handwriting of another person, constituted a sufficient will, if published by the testator as such. The Statute of Frauds required, inter alia, that all devises should be in writing, signed by the testator or by some person for him in his presence and by his direction, and should also be subscribed by three or four credible witnesses. The strict interpretation by the courts of the credibility of witnesses led to the passing of an Act in 1751-1752, making interested witnesses sufficient for the due execution of the will, but declaring gifts to them void.

1751-1752 is later that your interest but suggests that before then it was possible (if perhaps viewed as somewhat dodgy and in need or sorting out by the mid 1700s) for a beneficiary to witness a will, or for a will not to be witnessed at all.

Prior to the Statute of Frauds, the Statute of Wills seems to be the relevant legislation, introducing the need for witnesses among other things.

Wikipedia says about the Legal History of Wills in England:

the Statute of Frauds (1677) dealt with the formalities of execution. Up to this time simple notes, even in the handwriting of another person, constituted a sufficient will, if published by the testator as such. The Statute of Frauds required, inter alia, that all devises should be in writing, signed by the testator or by some person for him in his presence and by his direction, and should also be subscribed by three or four credible witnesses. The strict interpretation by the courts of the credibility of witnesses led to the passing of an Act in 1751-1752, making interested witnesses sufficient for the due execution of the will, but declaring gifts to them void.

1751-1752 is later that your interest but suggests that before then it was possible (if perhaps viewed as somewhat dodgy and in need of sorting out by the mid 1700s) for a beneficiary to witness a will, or for a will not to be witnessed at all.

Prior to the Statute of Frauds, the Statute of Wills seems to be the relevant legislation, introducing the need for witnesses among other things.

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user104
user104

Wikipedia says about the Legal History of Wills in England:

the Statute of Frauds (1677) dealt with the formalities of execution. Up to this time simple notes, even in the handwriting of another person, constituted a sufficient will, if published by the testator as such. The Statute of Frauds required, inter alia, that all devises should be in writing, signed by the testator or by some person for him in his presence and by his direction, and should also be subscribed by three or four credible witnesses. The strict interpretation by the courts of the credibility of witnesses led to the passing of an Act in 1751-1752, making interested witnesses sufficient for the due execution of the will, but declaring gifts to them void.

1751-1752 is later that your interest but suggests that before then it was possible (if perhaps viewed as somewhat dodgy and in need or sorting out by the mid 1700s) for a beneficiary to witness a will, or for a will not to be witnessed at all.

Prior to the Statute of Frauds, the Statute of Wills seems to be the relevant legislation, introducing the need for witnesses among other things.

Wikipedia says about the Legal History of Wills in England:

the Statute of Frauds (1677) dealt with the formalities of execution. Up to this time simple notes, even in the handwriting of another person, constituted a sufficient will, if published by the testator as such. The Statute of Frauds required, inter alia, that all devises should be in writing, signed by the testator or by some person for him in his presence and by his direction, and should also be subscribed by three or four credible witnesses. The strict interpretation by the courts of the credibility of witnesses led to the passing of an Act in 1751-1752, making interested witnesses sufficient for the due execution of the will, but declaring gifts to them void.

1751-1752 is later that your interest but suggests that before then it was possible (if perhaps viewed as somewhat dodgy and in need or sorting out by the mid 1700s) for a beneficiary to witness a will.

Wikipedia says about the Legal History of Wills in England:

the Statute of Frauds (1677) dealt with the formalities of execution. Up to this time simple notes, even in the handwriting of another person, constituted a sufficient will, if published by the testator as such. The Statute of Frauds required, inter alia, that all devises should be in writing, signed by the testator or by some person for him in his presence and by his direction, and should also be subscribed by three or four credible witnesses. The strict interpretation by the courts of the credibility of witnesses led to the passing of an Act in 1751-1752, making interested witnesses sufficient for the due execution of the will, but declaring gifts to them void.

1751-1752 is later that your interest but suggests that before then it was possible (if perhaps viewed as somewhat dodgy and in need or sorting out by the mid 1700s) for a beneficiary to witness a will, or for a will not to be witnessed at all.

Prior to the Statute of Frauds, the Statute of Wills seems to be the relevant legislation, introducing the need for witnesses among other things.

Source Link
user104
user104

Wikipedia says about the Legal History of Wills in England:

the Statute of Frauds (1677) dealt with the formalities of execution. Up to this time simple notes, even in the handwriting of another person, constituted a sufficient will, if published by the testator as such. The Statute of Frauds required, inter alia, that all devises should be in writing, signed by the testator or by some person for him in his presence and by his direction, and should also be subscribed by three or four credible witnesses. The strict interpretation by the courts of the credibility of witnesses led to the passing of an Act in 1751-1752, making interested witnesses sufficient for the due execution of the will, but declaring gifts to them void.

1751-1752 is later that your interest but suggests that before then it was possible (if perhaps viewed as somewhat dodgy and in need or sorting out by the mid 1700s) for a beneficiary to witness a will.