Six sulungs at Bromley to Rochester Cathedral with the use of forest in the Weald, 998
Æthelred II1 restores to the see of Rochester six sulungs at Bromley and the use of forest in the Weald.*, A.D. 998. Textus Roffensis, ff. 156v–159v. 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. 42–44.
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 998.
Transcription
156v (select folio number to open facsimile)
Omnipotens De Bromleage ;
Christus saluator mundi .
cuius coęternum cum patre sanctoque spiritu
regnum nec incipit nec desinit in seculum . qui
in extremo caducorum margine per uterum bea-
tę uirginis incarnatus . pro redemptione gene-
ris humani in ara sanctę crucis semetipsum
patienter in odorem suauitatis immolari
permisit . euangelicis nos edocet institutis .
ut quanto magis mundanę uolubilitatis
dies sicut umbra pretereunt . et caduca la-
bentis seculi momenta uelut fumus defici-
unt . tanto instantius illuc tendat nostrę men-
tis intentio . ubi non annua sed continua est
et ineffabili dulcedine referta pascalium
deliciarum refectio . ubi tranquilla est et
suauis sanctorum in secula seculorum exultatio . et sine
fine perpetua cum deo uiuo et uero omnium
bonorum possessio . Cuius gratuitę pietati
cum omni est affectu gratias agendum . quod
suorum corda fidelium sancti spiritus illustratione
in amorem sui nominis inflammat .
et ut sanctos eius pia mente uenerentur inspirat .
ut quod nostra possibilitate consequi nequimus .
eorum nobis suffragio posse donari speremus . qui
ei in illa diuinę contemplationis gloria aduna-
ti . aeternę beatitudinis sunt diademate
coronati . Quod in interioris animi secreto
pertractans ego Æðelred deifica annuente
clementia gentis Anglorum basileus . omnipo-
tenti Christo . sanctoque apostolo eius Andreę . germa-
no beati principis apostolorum Symonis Petri . quoddam
ruris æt Bromleage territorium . cuius
circuitus ambitum et distributionis funiculum
patria dimensione syx sulunga prouinciales
solent appellare . et utilitatem siluarum ad
eandem terram pertinentium in Andrede . quod
utrumque in tempore iuuentutis meę a Hrofen-
sis ęcclesię diocesi quibusdam instigantibus abs-
traxi . libens beniuolus ac deuotus restituo .
Cuius tamen rapinę predationem . non tam crude-
liter quam ignoranter . et maxime Æþelsino
quodam infelice . dei omnipotentis ac totius po-
puli inimico instigante . meque eius iniquę suasi-
oni incaute consentiente fieri iussi . Qui
inter cętera quę sepe commisit furti et rapinę
flagitia publicus hostis inuentus . in tantum
malitię suę frena laxauit . ut non solum uulgo
quoscumque posset inuaderet . sed ut meam quoque
puerilem ignorantiam calliditatis suę laqueo
circumueniens inretiret . et ut tantum flagi-
tii committerem . improbus prefati sancti loci predo in-
citaret . insuper idoneum et fidelem michi preposi-
tum mea ab eius inuasione defendentem occide-
ret . Vnde et iusto exigente iudicio disposui .
merito eum omni dignitate priuari . ut qui in-
iuste rapuit aliena . iuste amitteret propria . Nunc autem quia superna michi parcente clementia
ad intelligibilem ętatem perueni . et quę pueri-
liter gessi in melius emendare decreui · iccir-
co domini compunctus gratia quicquid tunc instigante
maligno contra sanctum dei apostolum me inique egis-
se recogito . totum nunc coram deo cum flebili
cordis contritione pęniteo . et quęque oppor-
tuna ad eundem locum pertinentia libenter
restauro . sperans pęnitentię meę lacrimas
suscipi . et prioris ignorantię uincula solui
ab eo qui non uult mortem peccatoris . sed ut
magis conuertatur et uiuat2 . credens me et
gratiam inuenire in conspectu apostoli . qui in
populo suo mitissumus apparuit . et pro crucifigen-
tibus se exorauit . Et ut toto corde pręfatum
rus ad ęcclesiam eiusdem beati apostoli me restitu-
ere ueraciter approbarem . hoc restitutionis te-
stamentum sanctę et indiuiduę trinitati scribere
concessi . et manu mea Godwino pręfatę ęcclesiae
antistiti . michi tota deuotione fideli . in con-
uentu et praesentia optimatum meorum tradidi . cum
diuinę maiestatis auctoritate et mea precipi-
ens . ut nullus successorum meorum qui post me re-
gnaturi sunt in gente Anglorum . sed nec ulla alia
cuiuslibet altioris aut inferioris dignitatis
persona hanc tellurem occasione qualibet inua-
dere presumat . sed semper in posterum portio ipsa
ad usum praefatę episcopalis sedis episcopi qui nunc
eam regit . et hoc renouationis testamentum
me donante impetrauit . et omnium qui ei in
episcopatum successuri sunt . ab omni terrena
seruitute cum omnibus ad se rite pertinentibus libera
permaneat . tribus exceptis . rata expeditione .
pontis . arcisue reparatione . Siquis igitur hanc
diuinam pariter et meam auctoritatem . facibus aua-
ricię ęstuans . aut arrogantię fastu tumi-
dus inmutare presumpserit . aeternę maledicti-
oni subiaceat . et cum diabolo et angelis eius in in-
ferno sine fine damnatus intereat . nisi digne
pęniteat . quod iniqua praesumptione deliquit . His limitibus idem rus hinc inde gyrator . Þis synd þara syx sulunga landgemæra to Brom-
leage . Ærest on eastan Cyselhyrstesgemæra .
þonne on Croptunesgemæra . þonne þanon on
Rugebeorgesgemæro . þonne on suðhealfe
Cyssestanesmæra forð be weardsetlan .
þonne be westan Wichamesgemæra . 7 Beohha-
hamesgemæra . þonne be norðan Beringaha-
mesgemæra . 7 Modingahammesgemæra . 7
þanon eft east on cynges gemæra . þæt on
Cyselhyrst . Hęc utilitas siluarum ad
eandem terram pertinet in Andrede . Billanoran
be Lindhy‘r’ste . 7 on Gleppanfelda Scearnden . 7 þær-
ryhte wið Þornden . 7 Broccesham be eastan ea .
7 tannera hole . 7 Trinhurst . Anno dominicę
incarnationis . dccccxcviii . indictione . xi .
recurrente annua pascali solennitate . qua
uerus agnus pro nostra omnium redemptione im-
molatus . destructo mortis imperio resurre-
xit . et credentibus regna cęlorum patefecit · scri-
pta est hęc carta . et me donante in manus
episcopi Godwini . ad ęcclesiam Sancti Andreę apostoli tra-
dicta . his testibus unanimiter adclamationem
prebentibus . + Ego Æðelred diuina gratia fa-
uente rex Anglorum . huius renouationis testa-
mentum scribere concessi . + Ego Ælfric Dor-
uernensis ęcclesię archiepiscopus assensum prebui .
+ Ego Ealdulf Eboracensis ęcclesię archiepiscopus consensi .
+ Ego Ælfheah Uuintoniensis ęcclesię episcopus adquieui . + Ego Ælfheah episcopus corroboraui .
+ Ego Æscwig episcopus consignaui . + Ego Aþulf episcopus
consolidaui . + Ego Wulfstan episcopus consigilla-
ui . + Ego Alfwold episcopus confirmaui . + Ego Wulf-
sige episcopus consensi . + Ego Ordbirht episcopus corro-
boraui . + Ego Ealdred episcopus consignaui . + Ego
Ælfwine episcopus conclusi . + Ego Æþelstan clito .
+ Ego Ecgbirht clito . + Ego Eadmund clito . + Ego
Eadred clito . + Ego Eadwig3 clito . + Ego Ælfweard
abbas . + Ego Wulfgar abbas . + Ego Ælfsige abbas .
+ Ego Lyfing abbas . + Ego Æþelweard dux . + Ego Ælfric
dux . + Ego Leofsige dux . + Ego Ælfhelm dux . + Ego Leo‘f’wine dux . + Ego Byrhtwold mi-
nister . + Ego Æþelmær . minister . + Ego Ordulf
minister . + Ego Wulfget minister . + Ego Leofwine minister .
+ Ego Wulfric minister . + Ego Wulfheah minister .
+ Ego Sigred minister . + Ego Sigweard minister . + Ego
Fræna minister . + Ego Leofwine minister . + Ego Wyn-
nelm minister . + Ego Æþelmær . minister . + Ego Ælfgar
minister . + Ego Ælfweard minister . + Ego Leofric minister .
+ Ego Æþelric minister . + Ego Æþelweard minister . + Nos
omnes optimates consensimus .
Translation
Concerning Bromley:
Omnipotent Christ, Saviour of the world, coeternal with the Father and the Holy Spirit, whose kingdom neither begins nor ever ends, who, having been made flesh at the outermost edge of fallen things through the womb of the blessed Virgin, patiently allowed himself to be sacrificed, for an odour of sweetness,4 on the altar of the holy cross for the redemption of humankind, instructs us through evangelical decrees that the more the days of this fickle world pass by like a shadow and the doomed moments of this sliding world disappear just like smoke, so the intent of our mind should more urgently press on to that place where there is the refreshment filled with ineffable sweetness of paschal delights – not annually but continually – where, in the world of worlds, there is the exultation of the holy saints, tranquil and without end, perpetual with the living God, and, verily, the possession of all good things.
We must give thanks with all affection for his freely-given goodness, because by the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit he kindles the hearts of his faithful ones to the love of his name, and he inspires so that they may venerate his saints with a pious mind, so that what we cannot win with our own ability we may hope can be given to us with the backing of those who, united by him in that glory of divine contemplation, are crowned with the diadem of eternal blessedness.
Touching in secret that part of my inner spirit, I Æthelred, glad, benevolent and faithful, and, by the granting of divine mercy, king of the English people, restore to the omnipotent Christ and to his holy apostle Andrew (full brother of the blessed chief of the apostles, Simon Peter), a certain area of land at Bromley – whose parameters, circuit and rope measurement5 the provincials are accustomed to call, by ancestral dimension, six sulungs – as well as the use of forest, appurtenant to that same land, in Andred,6 both of which, due to certain incitements in the time of my youth, I dragged away from the diocese of the church of Rochester. In fact, its despoilment by plunder I ordered to take place – though not so much cruelly, more ignorantly, and especially due to the urging of a certain wretched enemy of Almighty God and all the people, Æthelsige, and myself incautiously agreeing to his unjust exhortation.
Having been discovered as a public enemy involved in other shameful acts of theft and plunder, which he often committed, he loosened the bridle of his malice to such an extent that not only would he publicly attack whomever he was able to, but also that wicked robber of the aforementioned sacred place would incite me, so that he might entangle me, encircling my boyish ignorance in the noose of his cunning, and so that I would commit so great a sin. Moreover, he killed my able and faithful reeve who was defending what was mine from his encroachment. Wherefore, and as fair judgement requires, I arranged for him to deservedly be deprived of every honour, so that he who unjustly plundered another’s property might justly lose his own.
But because I have now reached the age of understanding, having been spared by heavenly mercy, I have resolved to make amends for what I carried out in the age of boyhood. Therefore, stung by the grace of God, I think upon whatever then, by spiteful instigating, I had iniquitously done against the holy apostle of God. Now, in the presence of God, with tearful contrition of heart, I repent it all, and every advantage pertaining to that same place I freely restore, hoping my tears of penance will be received, and the bonds of my former ignorance be loosed by Him who does not desire a sinner’s death but rather that he might convert and live,7 and trusting grace to come upon me in the sight of the apostle who appeared the gentlest to his people and who pleaded for those crucifying him.
And so that with all my heart I might commend to restore the aforementioned land to the very same church of the blessed apostle, I granted to write this charter of restitution to the holy and indivisible Trinity and by my hand delivered it to bishop Godwine of the aforementioned church, in agreement with and in the presence of my good men, with full allegiance to me, instructing, with the authority of divine majesty and my own, that none of my successors who will reign among the English people after me, nor any other persons of any rank whatsoever, high or low, should presume on any pretext whatsoever to take possession of this land, but forever in posterity that very portion is for the use of the aforementioned episcopal see of the bishop who now rules over it, and this charter of renewal he, and all who will follow him in the bishopric, obtained by grant from me. It should remain, along with everything duly pertaining to it, free from all earthly servitude, except the three: fixed military service, bridge repairing and repairing of defences.
If someone, therefore, puffed up with pride, burning with the flame of greed or with the disdain of arrogance, presumes to counter this authority, both divine and mine, may he be subject to the eternal curse and be damned with the Devil and his angels in Hell without end, unless he should repent appropriately that unjust thing which he presumptuously committed.
Thenceforth these are the boundaries of this very land:
These are the land boundaries of the six sulungs at Bromley. First eastward to Chislehurst boundary, then onto Crofton boundary, then from there to Rugebeorgesgemaere, then onto the south side of Keston boundary forwards by the guardhouse, then by west Wickham boundary, and Beckenham boundary, then by north Bellingham boundary, and Mottingham boundary, and then afterwards east to the king’s boundary, that is in Chislehurst.
This is the use of the forest8 in Andred, appurtenant to the same land: Billanora near Lindhurst, and Shernden in Gleppanfeld, along with Thornden, and Broxham east of the river, and to the tanners’ cavern, and to Trinhurst.
In the year 998 of the Lord’s incarnation, in year 11 of the indiction, at the recurring annual ceremony of Easter – through which the true lamb was sacrificed for the redemption of all, was resurrected with supreme power having conquered death, and to the faithful opened up the kingdom of heaven – this charter was written and, by my granting into the hands of bishop Godwine, entrusted to the church of Saint Andrew the apostle, with these witnesses unanimously rendering their acclamation:
+ I Æthelred, by divine grace king of the English, granted to write this charter of renewal.
+ I Ælfric, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, offered my assent.
+ I Eadulf, archbishop of the church of York, consented.
+ I Ælfheah, bishop of the church of Winchester, acquiesced.
+ I Ælfheah, bishop,9 corroborated this.
+ I Æscwig, bishop,10 certified this.
+ I Athulf, bishop,11 consolidated this.
+ I Wulfstan, bishop,12 joined in signing this.
+ I Alfwold, bishop,13 confirmed this.
+ I Wulfsige, bishop,14 consented.
+ I Ordbirht, bishop,15 corroborated this.
+ I Ealdred, bishop,16 certified this.
+ I Ælfwine, bishop,17 concluded in agreement.
+ I Æthelstan, atheling.18 + I Ecgbert, atheling.19 + I Eadmund, atheling.20 I Eadred, atheling.21 + I Eadwig, atheling.22 + I Ælfweard, abbot. + I Wulfgar, abbot. + I Ælfsige, abbot. + I Lyfing, abbot. + I Æthelweard, ealdorman. + I Ælfric, ealdorman. + I Leofsige, ealdorman. + Ælfhelm, ealdorman. + I Leofwine, ealdorman. + Byrhtwold, thegn. + I Æthelmær, thegn. + I Ordulf, thegn. + I Wulfget, thegn. + I Leofwine, thegn. + I Wulfric, thegn. + I Wulfheah, thegn. + I Sigred, thegn. + I Sigweard, thegn. + I Fræna, thegn. + I Leofwine, thegn. + I Wynnelm, thegn. + I Æthelmær, thegn. + I Ælfgar, thegn. + I Ælfweard, thegn. + I Leofric, thegn. + I Æthelric, thegn. + I Æthelweard, thegn. + We all good men consent.
Footnotes
1 Commonly known as Ethelred the Unready, r. 978–1016.
2 Ezekiel 33: 11
3 ‘g’ added later
4 Ephesians 5:2: ‘And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us and hath delivered himself for us, an oblation and a sacrifice to God for an odour of sweetness.’
5 Latin funiculus: ‘measuring rope used in determining allotment of land, lot’ and ‘portion (of land) allotted w[ith] measuring rope’. Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, available here (accessed 19.09.17).
6 Known today as Weald
7 Compare Ezekiel 33:11.
8 The use of woodland swine-pasture
9 Bishop of Lichfield
10 Bishop of Dorchester
11 Bishop of Hereford
12 Bishop of London
13 Bishop of Crediton
14 Bishop of Sherbourne
15 Bishop of Selsey
16 Bishop of Cornwall
17 Bishop of Wells
18 Or ‘prince’; son of Æthelred II
19 Son of Æthelred II
20 Son of Æthelred II
21 Son of Æthelred II
22 Son of Æthelred II
