What exactly will I find in a typical 16th – 18th century testament?

If it is a ‘testament dative’ you will find three distinct parts, that is, the introductory clause followed by the inventory of the deceased’s possessions and thirdly the confirmation clause. In the case of a ‘testament testamentar’ you will find four parts, all of these plus a copy of the deceased’s will, which is inserted between the inventory and the confirmation.