Restoration to Rochester Cathedral of six sulungs at Wouldham and one mansa at Littlebrook, 995
Æthelred II1 restores to the see of Rochester at the request of Bishop Godwine six sulungs at Wouldham and one mansa at Littlebrook, 995. Textus Roffensis, ff. 152r–155r. Translated from Latin and Old English by Dr Christopher Monk.
Title and edition (with some modifications) from Charters of Rochester, edited by A. Campbell (London: Oxford University Press for The British Academy, 1973), pp. 39–42.
In the translation, place names which do not have modern day equivalents are written in italics.
This is an authentic charter and is securely dated to 995.
Transcription
152r (select folio number to open facsimile)
De Uuldeham . et de Lytlanbroce ;
Cum exigente
protoplasti piaculo · successionisque
eius promerente neuorum contagion . lubri-
ca mundanę uolubilitatis orbita · nunc infi-
mis summa . nunc uero summis infima uersare
conspicitur · et hunc modo prosperitatibus erigen-
do . nunc indiscreto cuiuslibet infortunii ictu
deiciendo solum adusque deludit · nec cui-
quam mortalium quis sibi finis maneat pa-
tet · unum procul dubio restat unicuique sol-
licita consideratione pensandum . eo scilicet
ardentius in ęternitatis amore spem figere .
quo uelocius omnia temporalis uitę prospera . uelut
umbra cernuntur elabere . et quod propriis quisque
nequit meritis . sanctorum mereatur optinere suffra-
giis · ut eos in illo tremendi iudicis examine
patronos inueniat . quos in hac uita uel pa-
trimonii sui hereditatibus ampliare . uel in
potestate sibi diuinitus prout ualuit
honorare sategit . Quapropter ego . Æþelred .
totius Anglorum nationis . summo rerum opifice
largiente regni gubernacula sortitus . superni
regis instinctu memor apostolicę beati Pauli
sententię . qua diuinę longanimitatem pa-
tientię sublimiter extollens . opacam uniuscuiusque
conscientiam uigore asperę inuectionis increpat
dicens. An ignoras quia patientia dei ad
poenitentiam te adducit? Ea quę negle-
genter iuuentutis meę tempore quae diuersis
solebat uti moribus excessi · dum me diuina
praeueniente gratia in uirilis robur aetatis eua-
si . totis uiribus ad melioris arbitrii cultum
mutare studui . ut et reatum prioris ignoran-
tię salubriter euaderem . et ne tantęe benigni-
tati ingratus sed tota mentis intentione gra-
tus existerem . Vnde et rogatu cuiusdam
michi admodum dilecti pontificis . ipsa non
minus actuum probitate quam naturalis uocabuli
impressione Goduuini . quandam ruris porti-
onem . duobus in locis sitam . sex quidem mansas .
quas cantuarii . syx sulunga nominare so-
lent . illo scilicet in loco . cui iamdudum gentis
eiusdem indigenę uocabulum . æt Wuldaham indi-
derunt . Vnam quoque mansam . solita Anglorum
uocitatione . æt Lytlandbroce celebriter ap-
pellatam · saluatori omnium domino nostro Iesu Christo .
eiusque sancto ac beatissimo Andreę apostolo . ad pon-
tificalem Hrofensis ęcclesię sedem · cum hoc presen-
ti eiusdem praefatę portionis cyrographo . in
perhennem hereditatem . et incommutabilem reno-
uare concessi libertatem. Hancque super additam
condicionem . tam mea quam supernę maiestatis
auctoritate cum sanctę crucis + impressione ui-
gilanter interponere iussi . ut nulla deinceps
altior inferiorue cuiuslibet dignitatis persona
uel ausu temerario . uel quolibet inuenticio
friuolae ac nouellae adinuentionis mem-
branulo . hoc omnipotentis dei nostrumque pręsu-
mat uiolare decretum · Sed ut iam praenomi-
natus antistes cum summę deuotionis et hu-
militatis industria a regia mea dignitate
uoti compos optinuit . eandem portionem cum omnibus
utensilibus quę deus omnipotens in illa prouenire con-
cesserit . in posterum semper et ipse cuius soller-
tia per me deo renouata est . absque ullo contradi-
ctionis obstaculo Christo auctore gubernet et
regat . ac post uitę suę terminum . omnes quotquot
ei ad regendam pręfatę ęcclesiam sedis praescia
Christi prouidente gratia successerint . Sit autem
prefata portio ab omni mundanę seruitutis
iugo libera2 . excepta expeditione . pontis .
arcisue restauratione. Siquis uero mortalium
huius cyrographi renouationem qualibet oc-
casione temerarius infringere pręsumpserit .
omnibus ueteris ac noui testamenti maledi-
ctionibus strictus in hac uita permaneat . et
post mortem omnibus gehennalium tormentorum
poenis sine fine puniatur . nisi citius ad con-
gruam satisfactionem conuolare maluerit.
His terminis eadem portio gyrator . + Þis
sint þara . vi . sulunga landgemæro to Wul-
daham. Ærest hit fehð on easteweardum
Cethæmamearce . Suð þonon of Cethæma-
mearce on Burhhæmamearce. Þonne west
þonon be Burhhæmamearce ut andlang
Medwæge . be middeweardum streame oþ þara hiwe-
na land to Hrofeceastre . þonon norð be þara
hiwena mearce on Hyscendenesmearce . Of
Hyscandenesmearce eft on Cethæmamearce .
7 þære mæde þe to Wuldaham gebyrað on Cing-
mæde . x . æceras . 7 on Burhham on þam mædum
viii . æceras . 7 on myclan wysce . v . æceras .
7 þæt den æt Cildanspic . 7 þæt den on Powes-
hyrste . 7 hundteontiga swina ingang æt Hors-
hyrste on þam snade . 7 mid eallum þam mannum
swa swa hit stod þa ic hit ær hæfde . + Þis synt
þa landgemæra to Lytlanbroce . þæt is ærest
seo eastmearc of Tæmese . suð andlang ðæs bisceo-
pes mearce to Beorhtflædemearce: andlang
Beorhtflædemearce to Tryflingesmearce .
andlang Tryflingeshagan to þære portstræte .
þonan west andlang weges to þam wearhbeorge .
norð andlang weges to Bicanpole . þanan andlang
fleotes ut on Temese oð midne stream . east
andlang streames oð þæs bisceopes mearce .
7 þysne mylenstede þe þær to gebyreð æt Leo-
feres hagan ; Þis is seo wudung þe þær to ge-
byreð . ælce geare fiftig foðra . 7 an hund of
þæs cinges acholte . 7 husbot . 7 þa mæde3 flod‘mæde’
to Wullafinglande . 7 Mædwægan hop . 7 Wassan-
mæde oð þone þreordic . 7 þas dæn . lwas4 . Hocge-
twisle . Lindhyrst . Heanhefer ; Anno dominicę
incarnationis . dccccxcv . indictione . viii .
carax‘a’ta5 est hęc renouationis pręfatę car-
tula . et cum uiuificę signaculo crucis im-
pressa . his idoneis testibus unanimitatem
prebentibus . quorum uocabula secundum uniuscuiusque dignitatem hic inferius scripta adesse uiden-
tur . + Ego Æþelred rex Anglorum praenotatam
terrarum portionem . deo omnipotenti Sanctoque An-
dreę apostolo libentissime renouari concessi .
+ Ego Ælfric Doruernensis ęcclesię electus episcopus .
adquieui . + Ego Ælfheah Uuintoniensis ęc-
clesię adultus episcopus . corroboraui . + Ego Ealdulf
Eboracensis ęcclesię electus episcopus . consignaui .
+ Ego Ælfstan Lundoniensis ęcclesię episcopus . as-
sensum prebui . + Ego Æscwig Dorkecensis ęc-
clesię episcopus . non rennui . + Ego Ælfheah Licet-
feldensis ęcclesię episcopus . consentaneus extiti . + Ego
Aðulf Herefordensis ęcclesię episcopus . confirmaui .
+ Ego Þeodred Orientalium Anglorum episcopus . consy-
gillaui . + Ego Ælfwold Cridiensis ęcclesiae
episcopus . libens adfui .
+ Ego Sigar Uuillensis
ęcclesię episcopus . consensi . + Ego Ordbirht Seolesen-
sis ęcclesię episcopus . consolidaui . + Ego Wulfsige Scir-
burnensis ęcclesię episcopus . consensum indidi + Ego
Ealdred Cornubiensis ęcclesię episcopus conclusi .
+ Ego Goduuinus eiusdem pręfatę Hrofensis ęcclesię
episcopus . + hoc crucis sanctę uexillo munitus . hoc do-
num uoti compos optinui . + Ego Æþelweard
dux . + Ego Ælfric dux . + Ego Ælfhelm dux .
+ Ego Leofsige dux . + Ego Leofwine dux . + Ego
Ælfsige minister . + Ego Ordulf minister . + Ego Beorhtwold minister .
+ Ego Æþelmær minister . + Ego Wulfget minister . + Ego Leofwine minister .
+ Ego Wulfric minister . + Ego Æþelric minister . + Ego Æþelweard minister .
+ Ego Wulfnoð minister . + Ego Fræna minister . + Ego Wulfsige minister . + Ego
Æþelnoð minister . + Ego Siweard minister .
+ Ego Sigred minister . + Egp Ælfhelm minister . + Ego Wynnelm minister .
Translation
Concerning Wouldham and Littlebrook:
With the driving out to sin of the first created man – and of his heirs, deserving of the mark by contagion6 – it is observed that the orbit of slippery, worldly fate keeps turning, at one moment at the lowest to the highest, and the next moment, verily, at the highest to the lowest; and by this manner it raises to prosperity and, then, with a single indistinguishable stroke of misfortune, it completely deceives. Nor to anyone of the mortals, to whom themselves the end shall wait, is it knowable. Without doubt, it remains for each one, with anxious contemplation, to be weighed.7 Therefore, certainly, in the hope of eternity, be you passionately fastened to love, so that you will more swiftly prosper, will escape all things of the temporal life – as a shadow they are perceived.
And, properly, one cannot, with whatever particular merit, be deserving of obtaining the election of the saints – whilst at that time it comes upon them, the patron saints, through the test of the terrible judge. One endeavoured to honour these ones in this life, as far as he was able, either through the power divinely bestowed on him or by augmenting the inheritance of his patrimony.
Therefore I, Æthelred, of the whole English nation, having been appointed by the Creator of things by the bestowing of royal power, by the instigation of the heavenly king, mindful of the apostolic judgement of the blessed Paul which, whilst extolling highly the forbearance of divine patience, rebukes the dark conscience of each one with the vigour of cruel invective, saying: Do you not know that the patience of God leads you to repentance?8
Such patience I heedlessly exceeded in the time of my youth – a youth accustomed to enjoying diverse pursuits – whilst I left behind the surpassing divine grace, when both the guilt of former ignorance I was evading advantageously and, indeed, to kindness so great I was proving thankless, though not with complete intent of mind. However, in the age of maturity, with my whole strength, I strove by better judgement to change my religion.
And whence to me came a certain one, of the pope greatly esteemed, by the name of Godwine, no less by the very probity of his deeds than the bestowal of his birth name,9 to request a certain portion of land, situated in two locations, that is six hides10 (which the Kentish people are accustomed to call six sulungs) distributed at Wouldham, indeed in that place which from long ago bore the name of the same indigenous people;11 and one hide also at the place which is usually called, solemnly, by the English, by the name of Littlebrook.
With this present charter,12 I have agreed to restore liberty of the same aforesaid portion of land, in perpetual and immutable inheritance, to the pontifical seat of the church of Rochester, dedicated to the saviour of all, our lord Jesus Christ, and his holy and most blessed apostle Andrew.
And so, by both the authority of heavenly majesty and my own, with the impressed mark of the sacred cross, I decreed to insert carefully this agreement attached above, in order that, hereafter, no higher or lower person, of whatever rank, or by reckless daring, or by whatever fictitious little document13 of frivolous and new inventions, should presume to violate this decree of our omnipotent God.
But now the afore-named bishop, with diligence of the highest devotion and humility, obtained with dignity from my court what he desired, the same portion of land with all useful things, which the omnipotent God had there granted to come forth; and with the skill of this very one it is restored in perpetuity through me to God.
He may govern and rule with authority by Christ, without any obstruction of contradiction, and, likewise, after the end of his life, all those who may follow, however many, as rulers of the see of the aforementioned church, with the foreknowledge of Christ, foreseen with grace.
Moreover, the aforesaid portion is free from every yoke of worldly servitude, except military service and the restoration of the bridge or defences.
Truly, if any reckless mortal presumes to undermine this charter’s restoration, on whatever pretext, may this bound one suffer in this life all the curses of the Old and New Testament, and after death be inflicted with all the punishments of the torments of hell without end, unless quickly he prefers to make amends.
These are the boundaries of this very portion of land:14
+ These are the boundaries of the 6 sulungs at Wouldham. First it is fixed eastward at Chatham boundary. South then from Chatham boundary onto Burham boundary. Then west from Burham boundary out along the Medway,15 by the middle of the stream,16 as far as the land of the brethren at Rochester; then north by the boundary of the brethren onto Nashenden boundary.17 Then from Nashenden boundary onto Chatham boundary. And 10 acres is furnished in Cingmæd,18 to the meadow which is at Wouldham; and in the meadow in Burham, 8 acres; and in the big marsh,19 5 acres; and the den20 at Cildanspic;21 and the den in Poulhurst,22 and right of entry into pasture23 for a hundred swine at Horshyrst,24 and with all the people,25 just as it stood when I formerly had it.
These are the boundaries at Littlebrook: that is, first the eastern boundary of the Thames; south along the bishop’s boundary to Beorhtflædemearc;26 along Beorhtflædemearc to Tryflingesmearc;27 along Tryflingeshaga28 to the public way, then west along the way to the rood hill;29 north along the way to Bicanpol;30 then along the river out on to the Thames as far as mid-stream; east along the stream as far as the bishop’s boundary and the mill-stead at Leoferes haga,31 which is furnished thereto.32 This is the timber-right33 which is furnished thereto:34 each year fifty cartloads, and one hundred from the king’s oak wood, as well as wood for house-repair. And the water meadow at Wullafingland,35 and Medway marsh,36 and Wassanmæd37 as far as the þreordic,38 and these dens or groves: Hocgetwisle, Lindhurst, Hever.
In the year 995 of the Lord’s incarnation, in year 8 of the indiction, this charter of the aforementioned renewal was written, and impressed with the sign of the life-restoring cross by these suitable witnesses, showing unity and seen to concur, whose names, followed by rank, are here written below.
+ I Æthelred, king of the English, by the omnipotent Lord and Saint Andrew the apostle, willingly granted the aforenoted portion of land to be restored.
+ I Ælfric, bishop elect of the church of Canterbury, acquiesced.
+ I Ælfheah, established bishop of the church of Winchester, corroborated this.
+ I Ealdulf, bishop elect of the church of York, certified this.
+ I Ælfstan, bishop of the church of London, offered my assent.
+ I Æscwig, bishop of the church of Dorchester, did not refuse this.
+ I Ælfheah, bishop of the church of Lichfield, extended my consent.
+ I Athulf, bishop of the church of Hereford, confirmed this.
+ I Theodred, bishop of East Anglia, joined in signing this.
+ I Ælfwold, bishop of the church of Crediton, willingly supported this.
+ I Sigar, bishop of the church of Wells, consented.
+ I Ordbirht, bishop of the church of Selsey, consolidated this.
I Wulfsige, bishop of the church of Sherbourne, gave consent.
+ I Ealdred, bishop of the church of Cornwall, concluded in agreement.
+ I Godwine, bishop of the same aforementioned church of Rochester, + defended by this symbol of the sacred cross, this gift, granted by a vow, I obtained.
+ I Æthelweard, ealdorman. + I Ælfric, ealdorman. + I Ælfhelm, ealdorman. + I Leofsige, ealdorman. + I Leofwine, ealdorman. + I Ælfsige, thegn. + I Ordulf, thegn. + I Beorhtwold, thegn. + I Æthelmær, thegn. + I Wulfget, thegn. + I Leofwine, thegn. + I Wulfric, thegn. + I Æthelric, thegn. + I Æthelweard, thegn. + I Wulfnoth, thegn. + I Fræna, thegn.
+ I Wulfsige, thegn. + I Æthelnoth, thegn. + I Siweard, thegn. + I Sigred, thegn. + I Ælfhelm, thegn. + I Wynnelm, thegn.
Footnotes
1 Commonly known as Ethelred the Unready, r. 978–1016
2 Corrected from liberum.
3 The scribe has written mæde flod for flodmæde. He then added mæde in the margin, producing mæde flodmæde, but forgot to delete the first mæde: see Campbell, Charters, p. 41, n. a.
4 Perhaps read as ‘uel bearwas’, ‘or groves’: see Campbell, Charters, p. 41, n. b.
5 The ‘a’ is inserted by the manuscript’s scribe.
6 An allusion to the mark of original sin
7 In the sense of being judged
8 See Romans 2:4.
9 This is wordplay on the meaning of the bishop’s Old English name: god + wine, ‘good friend’. My thanks to Prof. Robert Stanton for bringing this to my attention and making this particular clause easier to translate.
10 Or mansas
11 Wouldham, meaning ‘Wulda’s homestead’; the charter here alludes to the people who sprang from Wulda.
12 Or ‘chirograph’; a chirograph is a medieval charter that has been written in duplicate or triplicate (occasionally quadruplicate) and is subsequently cut into two or three pieces, one piece to be kept by each interested party.
13 Literally, ‘little membrane/parchment’, Latin membranula
14 More literally, ‘With these limits the same portion [of land] is encircled.’
15 The River Medway
16 At this point the Medway is narrow in relation to its size at Rochester and especially so at the point its estuary joins the Thames.
17 See Judith Glover, The Place Names of Kent (London: Batsford, 1976), p. 133, ‘Nashenden Farm’.
18 ‘King-meadow’, unidentified
19 Old English, ‘on misclan wysce’, possibly meaning ‘in the big marsh’, wysc possibly being a synonym of mersc ‘marsh’; see Bosworth-Toller Anglo-Saxon Dictionary: http://bosworth.ff.cuni.cz/060612 (accessed 22.08.2017).
20 Woodland pasture for swine
21 Unidentified
22 See Poweshyrst, Campbell, Charters, p. 66.
23 Old English, ‘on þam snade’: ‘into the clearing’; a snæd is a clearing in a wood.
24 ‘Horse-wood’, unidentified
25 i.e. the people who worked the land
26 Unidentified; the mearc element means ‘boundary’.
27 Unidentified; the mearc element means ‘boundary’.
28 Unidentified; the haga element means ‘enclosure’ or ‘dwelling in a town’.
29 Probably gallows set upon a hill: Old English, wearhbeorg, likely a composite of wearh or wearg meaning ‘outlaw’, ‘criminal’ or ‘rood’ and beorg meaning ‘hill’
30 Unidentified
31 Unidentified
32 i.e. the mill is part of Littlebrook’s land restored to the see at Rochester.
33 The right to cut timber in a wood
34 To Littlebrook
35 Unidentified
36 Old English, mædweg hop: the hop element means ‘enclosed land in a fen or marsh’. It has been suggested that the Medway here does not refer to the river on which Rochester stands but a smaller river by the same name: see Campbell, Charters, p. 41.
37 Unidentified; the maed element means ‘meadow’.
38 The meaning of þreodic is unknown. However, dic means ‘dike’ or ‘ditch’, and so þreordic likely refers to such a feature of the landscape.
