Ecgberht of Wessex makes a general grant of privileges to Rochester Cathedral

Ecgberht of Wessex makes a general grant of privileges to St Andrew’s, Rochester (823). Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folios 137r-138v by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Campbell, no. 18. Fraudulent charter. Campbell: ‘This is a highly suspicious document. The title rex Anglorum [‘king of the English’] is not used by Ecgberht elsewhere, and the year and indiction do not agree. A vague, general grant of priviliges would be [of] most use in the post-Conquest disputes, and the document may be a forgery of that time.’ Scribal note: On 137v certain words are underlined in brown ink (later hand).

Transcription

137r (select folio number to open facsimile)

De libertate aecclesię
sancti andreę apostoli; + IN nomine domini nostri iesu christi, ego ecgberhtus gratia dei
rex anglorum, cum consensu episcoporum ac principum
meorum hanc libertatem donabi ęcclesiae quę
sita est in ciuitate hrobi et omnibus agellis quę

137v

ad ęcclesiam sancti andreę apostoli pertinent, pro remedio
animę meę et filii nostri aetheluulfi quem regem
constituimus in cantia, ut omnes >agros< sint libera ab
omni regali seruitio, a pastu regum et principum,
ducum et prefectum exactorumque, ab equorum et fal-
conum accipitrumque et canum acceptione, et illorum
hominum refectione quod nos festing menn
nominamus a parafrithis, et ab omnibus difficul-
tatibus regalis uel secularis seruitutis notis
et ignotis, cum furis comprehensione intus et
foris maioris minorisue, preter pontis constru-
ctione et expeditione, ęternaliter liberata per-
maneat. Hanc libertatem predicte ęcclesię donabi,
pro humili oboedientia uenerabilis episcopi beorn-
modi, et pro amore apostoli sancti andreę, et beati
paulini archiepiscopi cuius corpus in predicta ęcclesia
requiescit. Sic etiam >omnibus< successoribus uel heredibus
meis, necnon cuicunque gradu regibus seu princi-
pibus in nomine sanctę trinitatis et per tremendum
dei iudicium precipio ut hęc donatio mea fir-
ma et inlibata inconcussaque permaneat. Si quis
uero hoc beniuola mente obseruare uoluerit,
seruetur ei benedictio sempiterna, hic et in ęter-
num. Si autem quod absit aliquis insurrexerit

138r

tyrannica potestate fretus seu diabolica te-
meritate instigatus qui hanc libertatem infrin-
gere aut minuere uel maluit conuertere
temptauerit quam a nobis constitutum est, sci-
at se separatum a communione sanctę dei ęcclesiae et
a participatione omnium sanctorum dei et ęternis
ignibus esse nodatum nisi prius digne et perfe-
cte hic in seculo emendare uoluerit. Scripta
est hęc cartula anno dominicę incarnationis
dccc. xx. iii. indictione vi. his testibus con-
sentientibus et signo sanctę crucis christi confir-
mantibus, quorum nomina infra tenentur ascri-
pta. + Ego ecgberhtus rex anglorum hanc
donationem meam huius libertatis signo sanctę cru-
cis christi confirmaui et subscripsi. + Ego ae-
theluulf rex consensi et subscripsi. + Ego uul-
fręd archiepiscopus consensi et subscripsi. + Ego wig-
ðegn episcopus consensi et subscripsi. + Ego ealhstan
episcopus consensi et subscripsi. + Ego beornmod episcopus
consensi et subscripsi. + Ego wulfhard dux consen-
si et subscripsi. + Ego monnędę dux consensi et
subscripsi. + Ego osmod dux consensi et subscri-
psi. + Ego dudda dux consensi et subscripsi. + al-
dred. + Oshere. + ætheluulf. + duduc. + boba.

138v

+ Ealhhere. + Sigaesteb. + æðelhard.

Translation

Concerning the freedom of the Church of Saint Andrew the Apostle:

+ In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I, blessed by the grace of God, King of the English, with the consent of my bishops and princes, I grant this freedom to the church which is located in the city of Rochester and to all the flocks that belong to the Church of Saint Andrew the Apostle, for the remedy of my soul and that of our son Aethelulf which king we set in song, that all the fields should be free from all royal servitude, from the pasture of kings and princes, dukes and prefects and executors, from the reception of horses and falcons and hawks and dogs, and from the refreshment of those men whom we call feasting men from Parafriths, and from all the difficulties of royal or secular servitude, known and unknown, with the arrest of thieves within and without, greater or less, beyond the construction of the bridge and the expedition, may he remain eternally freed. I will grant this liberty to the aforesaid church, for humble obedience to the venerable Bishop Bernard, and for the love of the apostle St. Andrew, and the blessed Archbishop Paulinus, whose body rests in the aforesaid church. So also to all my successors or heirs, as well as to kings or princes of any degree, in the name of the holy trinity and by the terrible judgment of God, I command that this gift of mine continue firm and unbroken and unshaken. If any one is willing to observe this with a kind heart, he will receive an everlasting blessing, here and forever. But if any one who is absent, relying on tyrannical power, or instigated by diabolical recklessness, who has attempted to infringe or diminish this liberty, or who prefers to turn away from what has been established by us, let him know that he is separated from the communion of the holy church of God, and from the participation of all the saints of God, and that he is bound to the eternal fires only before He wills to make amends with dignity and perfection here in the world. This letter was written in the year of the Lord's incarnation 823, 4th indiction. These witnesses agreeing and confirming with the sign of the holy cross of Christ, whose names are written below.

+ I, Ecgberhtus, king of the English, have confirmed and subscribed my grant of this liberty with the sign of the holy cross of Christ.

I, King Aetheluulf, agreed and subscribed.

I, Archbishop Uulfraed, consented and subscribed.

+ I, Bishop Wigðegn agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Bishop Ealhstan, agreed and subscribed. + I, Bishop Beornmod, agreed and subscribed. + I, Duke Wulfhard, agreed and subscribed. + I, Duke Monnędę agreed and subscribed. + I, Duke Osmod agreed and subscribed

+ I, Duke Dudda agreed and subscribed.

+ Aldred.

+ Oshere.

+ ætheluulf.

+ Duduc.

+ Boba.

+ Ealhhere.

+ Sigaesteb.

+ æðelhard.

The same half a sulung and a marsh in Bromhey

King Ecgberht II of Kent again grants half a sulung and a marsh to Deora in Bromhey (779). Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folios 130r-130v by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Campbell, no. 10. The text begins with a red display initial ‘I’ and is marked by a large, black cross in the left margin.

Transcription

130r (select folio number to open facsimile)

Item de bromgehege;
+ IN nomine domini nostri iesu christi.
Cum quis religiosorum uirorum fideliter deo famu-
lantibus ex temporalibus terrenisque substantiis
donare decreuerit, hoc pro certo christo dona-
tori bonorum omnium redonare constat. Vnde
et ego egcberht rex cantię tibi uenerando
dioran hrofensis ęcclesię antistiti trado di-
midiam partem unius aratri contiguam uidelicet
eiusdem quantitatis terrulam, in regione uo-
cabulo bromieheg, a me antea traditae. Insuper et adiciam mariscem pertinentem ad aridam

130v

et ad aquę ripam iaenlade habentem quasi
quinquaginta iugerum, et ut in tua sit facul-
tate in perpetuum habendam possidendam traden-
damque cuicunque elegeris hominum, et si quis
tam ausus sit hanc donationem meam infringere
temptauerit, sit anathema maranatha. Hanc cartulam in sua stabilitate manentem con-
sentientibus religiosis personis et subscriben-
tibus signo crucis christi roboraui quorum nomina
cum propriis infra notentur signaculis. Actum
anno ab incarnatione christi dcclxxix. in ci-
uitate supradicta. + Ego ecgberhtus donator
signum crucis christi impressi. + Signum manus
boba. + Signum manus balthard. + Signum manus
uuealhard. + Signum manus banta. + Signum
manus billnoth. + Signum manus osuulf. + Si-
gnum manus bubba. + Signum manus balthard.

Translation

Likewise concerning Bromhey:

+ In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. When any of the religious men who faithfully serve God decides to donate from temporal and earthly goods, it is certain to give back this for certain to Christ, the donor of all goods. Whence also I, Egberht, King of Kent, in honouring the venerable Dioran, bishop of the church of Rochester, hand over to you one half part of an adjoining plow, namely a small piece of the same size, in the region under the name of Bromhey, which was formerly delivered by me. Moreover, I will also add a marsh that extends to dry land and to the waters bank of about fifty acres, and that it may be in your capacity in perpetuity to possess and deliver over to any man whatever you choose. And if anyone so dare to attempt to break this donation let him be accursed.

This document, which remains in its stable state, with the consent of the religious persons and those who signed it with the sign of the cross of Christ, validated their names with their respective seals below. Enacted in the year from the Incarnation of Christ 779, in the above-mentioned city.

+ I Egbert, the donor, signed with the cross of Christ.

+ Signed by the hand of Boba.

+ Signed by the hand of Balthard.

+ Signed by the hand of Wealhard.

+ Signed by the hand of Banta.

+ Signed by the hand of Billnoth.

+ Signed by the hand of Oswulf.

+ Signed by the hand of Bubba. Signed by the hand of Balthard.

Half a sulung and a marsh at Bromhey, Kent, 778

King Ecgberht II of Kent grants to Bishop Deora of Rochester half a sulung and a marsh at Bromhey, Kent (778). Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folios 129r-130r by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Campbell, no. 9. This was probably copied from the tenth-century, single sheet document, British Library, Cotton Charters, viii. 34. Campbell: ‘This charter seems genuine, although the extant single sheet may be later than the time of grant, and in any event the boundaries are a subsequent addition.’ The text begins with a green initial ‘I’ and is marked by a large, black cross in the left margin. The boundaries are written in Old English, beginning line 2, folio 130r: ‘on eastan’ (‘in the east’).

Transcription

129r (select folio number to open facsimile)

De bromgehege; + IN nomine domini nostri iesu christi. Pietatis bene-
ficium quod quisque fidelium pro christi reuerentia
seruo dei fideliter domino seruienti misericorditer
contulerit, christo hoc conferre dinoscitur. Nam ipse in fine mundi ad electos suos loquens
dicturus est . Cum uni ex minimis meis feci-
stis, michi fecistis. Iccirco ego egcberhtus rex
cantiae, hanc dominicam sententiam memoriter re-
tinens, et piis operibus deo instigante adimple-
re curabo, tibi dioran hrofensis ęcclesię an-
tistiti aliquam partem terrę iuris mei liben-
ter concedo, id est dimidiam unius aratri par-
tem ubi nominatur bromgeheg, simul et ma-

129v

riscem uocabulo scaga, et ut per omne ab hac die
et deinceps subsequens tempus cum notissimis
terminis omnibusque utilitatibus ad eam rite pertinen-
tibus tuo proprio iuri ęternaliter habendam possiden-
dam tradendamque cuicumque hominum uolueris
hilari concedo animo. Huius autem marisci ter-
minus, est aqua pene undique circumperfusa. Si quis
ergo heredum successorumque meorum contra hanc piam
donationem meam uenire fuerit ausus et teme-
rare eam inuido maliuoloque temptauerit animo,
sit anathema maranatha. Manente hac car-
tula in sua nichilominus stabilitate, quam robora-
re propria manu curaui, et alios idoneos religio-
sosque testes ut id ipsum agerent adhibui, quorum
nomina infra caraxata continentur. Actum anno
dominicę incarnationis dcclxxviii. in ciuitate do-
rouerni. + Ego egcberhtus rex cantię, hanc
donationem meam signo crucis Christi roboraui.
+ Ego iaenberhtus archiepiscopus testis consentiens
subscripsi. + Signum manus escuualdi presbiteri.
+ Signum manus uban. + Signum manus boban.
+ Signum manus uualhard. + Signum manus ubban.
+ Signum manus aldhun. + Signum manus sigired.
+ Signum manus esni. + Signum eaniardi.

130r

Huic uero terrę adiacent pratę ubi dicitur hreodham,
in iiii.or locis. In uno loco xvii. agros, on eastan
clifwara gemære, ⁊ on suðan tucincgnæs,
⁊ on wæstan culinga gemære, ⁊ on norðan.
Et in alio loco xii. agros, on eastan is culinga
gemære, ⁊ on suðan clifwara gemære, ⁊ on
westan, ⁊ on norðan. Et in tertio loco vii.
agros, be eastan is mearcfleot, ⁊ be suðan,
⁊ be westan ⁊ be norðan is clifwara gemære.
Et in quarto loco vi. agros, be eastan is clif-
wara gemære, ⁊ be suðan is culinga gemære,
⁊ be westan is ⁊ be norðan clifwara gemære.

Translation

Concerning Bromhey:

+ In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The benefit of piety, that each one of the faithful has a reverence for Christ as the merciful servant of God, is determined to confer this on Christ.

For he himself will say at the end of the world, speaking to his chosen ones, "When you did it for one of the least of mine, you did it to me." For this reason I, Egbert, King of Kent, remembering this Sunday sentence, and will take care to fulfill it at the instigation of God's pious works, will willingly grant to you Dioran, bishop of the church of Rochester, some part of the land of my right; so that, from this day forward, one-half of the plow in the part named Bromhey, the same time as the marsh, by the name of Scaga, and as from this day and the following period, with the best known terms and all the interests duly pertaining to it, to your own right, I will for ever permit you to possess and deliver it to whatever people you want with a cheerful mind. But the boundary of this marsh is surrounded by water almost everywhere. If, therefore, any one of my heirs and successors has dared to come against this pious gift, and attempt to violate it with an envious and malevolent spirit, let him be accursed. While this document was nevertheless in its own stability, which I had taken care to strengthen by my own hand, I also summoned other competent and religious witnesses to do the same, whose names are contained in the letter below. Act in the year of our Lord's Incarnation 778 in the city of Canterbury.

+ I, Egbert, King of Kent, have validated my gift with the sign of the cross of Christ.

+ I, Archbishop Jaenbert, a consenting witness, signed.

+ Sign of the hand of Escuwald the priest.

+ Sign of the hand of Uban.

+ Sign of the hand of Boban.

+ Sign of the hand of Walhard.

+ Sign of the hand Ubban.

+ Sign of the hand of Aldhun.

+ Sign by the hand of Sigired.

+ Sign of the hand of Esni.

+ Sign of the hand of Eaniard.

But adjacent to this land, where it is called Hreodham, in four places. In one place 17 fields, on eastan Clifwara gemære, and on south Tucincgnæs, and on West Cooling gemære, and on the north.

And in another place 12 fields, on the east is Cooling gemære, and on the south Clifwara gemære, and on the west, and on the north. And in the third place of 12 fields, by east is Mearcfleot, and by south, and by west, and by north is Clifwara gemære. And in the fourth place fields, by east is Clifwara gemære, and by South is Cooling gemære, and by west and by North is Clifwara gemære.

Land with similar boundaries to the Rochester Cathedral foundation charter, purported date 761

King Æthelberht of Wessex and Kent (r. 860-866) grants to Bishop Deora of Rochester land with similar boundaries to that granted in the cartulary’s opening charter (purported date 761). Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folios 130v-131r by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Campbell, no. 11. Campbell, ‘The basis of this charter is obviously a charter of Æthelberht of Wessex (king of Wessex and Kent, 860-6) [...] The charter has been re-cast to appear to be a charter of 761, recording a grant to Bishop Deora of Rochester (elected c. 770). In the extant single-sheet copy [British Library, Cotton Charters, vi. 4], 761 has been altered to 781.’ The text begins with a green display initial ‘I’ and is marked by a large, black cross in the left margin. Note: The boundaries are written in English, beginning at line 2 of 131r. They are underlined.

Transcription

130v (select folio number to open facsimile)

+ IN nomine domini nostri
iesu christi, cui patent cuncta penetralia
cordis et corporis. Ego ethelberhtus rex
occidentalium saxonum necnon cantauuariorum
concedo hrofensis ęcclesię antistiti deoran ali-
quantulum terrę iuris mei intra moenia

131r

supradictę ciuitatis in parte aquilonali, id est
fram doddinc hyrnan oð ða bradan gatan
east be wealle, ⁊ swa eft suð oð þæt east geat,
⁊ swa west be stræte oð doddinc hyrnan, ⁊
ðreo hagan be eastan porte butan wealle, ⁊ ðar
to feower æceras mæde be westan, ee. Hoc
in augmentum monasterii tibi concessi sancti an-
dreę, ut mea donatio immobilis permaneat
semper. Et si quis hanc donationem meam au-
gere uoluerit, augeat dominus ei uitam. Si quis
uero tunc minuere presumpserit, sit separatus
a conspectu domini in die iudicii nisi prius emenda-
uerit ante eius transitum quod nequiter gessit.
Actum dominicę incarnationis dcclxxxi. + Ego
ethelberhtus rex hanc meam donationem si-
gno sanctę crucis confirmaui. + Ego geanberht
archiepiscopus corroboraui. + Ego deora episcopus con-
signaui. + Signum manus uualhard. + Signum
manus uban. + Signum manus udan. + Signum
manus ealhere. + Signum manus dudec. + Signum
manus wullaf.

Translation

+ In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom all the innermost parts of the heart and body are open. I, Ethelberht, King of the West Saxons as well as the Kentish, grant to the bishop of Rochester in the church of Deora a small part of the land of my right within the walls of the above-mentioned city on the north side, that is from Doddingherne as far as Broadgate east along the wall, and as far south as Eastgate, and so west along Street from as far as Doddingherne, and …eastern part of the wall, and as …west, ee. This I have granted to you for the growth of the monastery of Saint Andrew, so that my gift may remain forever. And if any one wishes to increase my gift, let the Lord increase his life. But if any one then shall presume to reduce it, let him be separated from the Lord's presence on the day of judgment unless he first amended before his passing what he had done wickedly. Enacted in the year of our Lord’s incarnation 781.

I, King Ethelbert, have confirmed this gift of mine with the sign of the holy cross.

+ I, Archbishop Geanberht, corroborated it.

+ I, Bishop Deora, have signed.

+ Signed by the hand of Walhard.

+ Signed by the hand of Uban.

+ Signed by the hand of Udan.

+ Signed by the hand of Ealhere.

+ Signed by the hand of Dudec.

Signed by the hand of Wullaf.

Six sulungs at Trottiscliffe with the right to pasture swine in three districts, 788

King Offa of Mercia grants to St Andrew’s and the bishopric of Rochester six sulungs at Trottiscliffe, Kent, with the right to pasture swine in three districts (788). Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folios 131r-132r by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Campbell, no. 12. The text begins with a purple display initial ‘I’ and is marked by a large, black cross in the left margin.

Transcription

131r (select folio number to open facsimile)

De trottesclyua; + IN nomine dei summi et saluatoris nostri iesu
christi, ipsoque in perpetuo regnante disponenteque

131v

suauiter omnia terrena quoque sceptra et regalia
iura temporaliter distribuerit. Vnde et ego
offa rex merciorum aliquam terram pro remedio
et salute animę meę tradam, id est sex ara-
trorum ubi nominatur trottesclib ad ęcclesiam
beati andreae apostoli et ad episcopium castelli quod
nominatur hrofescester ubi beatus paulinus
pausat, quam etiam episcopalem sedem modo
in presenti rite regit uuaermundus religi-
osus antistes. Hanc itaque supradictam terram
ad hanc condicionem perpetualiter habendam
et possidendam concedo cum omnibus ad eam rite
pertinentibus rebus cum campis siluis pascuis pra-
tis pastinationibus et cum propriis terminis. Huius
autem telluris termini sunt isti, ab oriente et
a meridie boerlingas, ab occidente uurota-
ham, ab aquilone meapaham. Ad hanc quoque
terram pertinent in diuersis locis porcorum pa-
stus id est uuealdbaera ubi dicitur holen-
spic bi suðan ee eppanhrycg non longe ab eo
loco langanhrycg. Quisquis uero contra hanc
donationis cartulam callido malignoque trac-
tatu contraire presumpserit, nouerit >se< quisquis ille
fuerit in discreto dei iudicio sinistrę partis

132r

socium fore et a christi et dei corpore sanguineque se-
gregandum. Manente hac cartula in sua nichi-
lominus firmitate propria manu signaculo cru-
cis christi roborare curaui, et testes religiosos
et consen>tienm agentes adhibui, quorum
nomina cum propriis cruciculis infra adno-
tentur. Actum anno dominicę incarnationis
dcclxxxviii. + Ego offa rex merciorum hanc
suprascriptam donationem meam hoc signum cru-
cis impressi. + Ego ecgfrid rex merciorum
testis consentiens subscripsi. + Ego cyne-
drith regina consensi et subscripsi. + Ego
iaenberhtus gratia dei archiepiscopus signum crucis
christi impressi. + Ego hygeberht archiepiscopus sub-
scripsi. + Ego ceoluulf episcopus subscripsi. + Signum
manus brordani prefecti. + Signum manus berhtuual-
di. + Signum manus eadbaldi. + Signum manus
ceolmundi.

Translation

Concerning Trottiscliffe:

+ In the name of our supreme God and our Savior Jesus Christ, and in his perpetual reign and disposition all earthly scepters and royal temporal rights distributed. Whereupon I, Offa, King of the Mercians, will hand over some land for the relief and salvation of my soul, that is, the six plows where the Trottiscliffe is named, to the church of the blessed Apostle Andrew, and to the bishop of the castle, which is named Rochester, where Blessed Paulinus rests, which also the bishopric seat of the Waermund at present now duly governs a religious bishop. I, therefore, grant this aforesaid land on this condition to be possessed eternally and I grant to possess it, with all due to it properly pertaining to it, with plains, wood pastures, grazing meadows, and with their own boundaries. And the boundaries of this earth are these, on the east and on the south boerlingas, on the west Wrotham, on the north meapaham. They also belong to this land in different places feeding on pigs, that is, Wealdbaera where it is called Holenspic bi suðan ee eppanhrycg not far from that place langanhrycg. Whoever will presume to go against this gift by a clever and malignant design, let him know that whoever he was, shall be a partner in the discrete judgment of God on the left, and must be separated from the body of Christ and the blood of God.

While this document remained in its place, nevertheless, with the firmness of my own hand, I took care to strengthen it with the seal of the cross of Christ, and I summoned religious and consenting witnesses acting on it, whose names with their own crucifixions are recorded below. Act in the year of our Lord's Incarnation 788.

+ I, Offa, King of Mercia, have impressed my gift with this sign of the cross.

+ I, Egfrid king of the Mercians, a consenting witness, signed.

+ I, Queen Cynedrith consented and signed.

I, Jaenbert, by the grace of God archbishop, impressed on the sign of the cross of Christ.

+ I, Archbishop Hygeberht, subscribed.

+ I, Bishop Ceoluulf, subscribed.

+ Signed by the hand of Prefect Brodran.

+ Signed by the hand of Berhtwald.

+ Sign of the hand of Eadbald.

+ Signed by the hand of Ceolmund.

A sulung at Bromhey, 789

King Offa of Mercia grants a sulung at Bromhey to Bishop Wærmund and the church at Rochester (789). Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folios 132r-133r by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Campbell, no. 14. The text begins with a green display initial ‘I’ and is marked by a large, black cross in the left margin.

Transcription

132r (select folio number to open facsimile)

Item de bromgehege. + IN nomine domini nostri iesu christi >saluatoris<. Si ea quę secundum
decreta canonum ac statuta synodalia salu-
briter definiuntur, quamuis sermo solus ad te-
stimonium sufficere possit, at tamen ob incer-
tam futurorum temporum conditionem firmissimis
scripturarum indiciis et cautionem cyrographis

132v

sunt roboranda. Quoniam quidem sepe ex ignorantia, sepe
quod est execrabilius ex improbitate contingit,
ut denegatio rerum uere et recte gestarum
nascatur. Qua propter ego offa rex merciorum tibi
uuaermundo antistiti necnon et ęcclesię quae
sita est in castro quod nominatur hrofescaester
trado terram unius aratri ubi nominatur broom-
geheg cum certissimis terrę huius limitibus,
quę habet ab oriente uuiodafleot, a meridie
uero fons quidam et fossa circumdata, et ex inde
sepis quędam, itemque fossata ab occidente et no-
tis signis designatur, ab aquilone mariscem uo-
cabulo scaga, quam etiam circumfluit iaegnlaad.
Hanc autem terram tibi tradendam et possiden-
dam et ęcclesię usui mancipandam, quam tu iure
gubernas concedo. Si quis uero successorum meorum uel
principum hanc donationem meam immutare
temptauerit, sit anathema maranatha usque
dum dominus ueniat qui iudicaturus est orbem
terrę in aequitate. Hanc cartulam signaculo cru-
cis christi confirmare uolens proprio manu necnon
et alios religiosos adhibui testes quorum nomina
infra adnotentur. Actum anno dominicae incar-
nationis dcclxxxix. in loco ubi dicitur celchyð.

133r

+ Ego offa rex merciorum hanc supradictam do-
nationem meam signo sanctę crucis christi roboraui.
+ Ego iaenberhtus gratia dei archiepiscopus consensi
et subscripsi. + Ego hygeberht archiepiscopus sub-
scripsi. + Ego ceoluulf episcopus subscripsi. + Ego
heardraed episcopus subscripsi. + Ego unuuona
episcopus subscripsi. + Ego cyneberht episcopus subscri-
psi. + Ego ealghearhd episcopus subscripsi.
+ Ego eadgar episcopus subscripsi. + Ego ealgmund
abbas subscripsi. + Ego beonna abbas subscripsi.
+ Signum manus ecgfrithi regis merciorum. + Si-
gnum manus berhtuualdi. + Signum manus ead-
baldi. + Signum manus brordan. + Signum manus
aethilheardi. + Signum manus ceolmundi. + Si-
gnum manus ubban. + Signum manus heaberhti.
+ Signum manus forðredi. + Signum manus uuigcgan.
+ Signum manus ceolheardi.

Translation

Likewise concerning Bromhey:

+ In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ >savior<. If those things which are beneficially defined according to the decrees of the canons and synodal statutes, although speech alone may be sufficient for evidence, yet, on account of the uncertain future condition of the times, must be strengthened with the most solid evidence of the Scriptures and a bill of crypts[?].

Since, indeed, it often happens from ignorance, that which is more execrable from dishonesty occurs, so that the denial of things truly and rightly may arise. For which reason I shot the king of the Mercians, to you Waermundo the bishop and to the church which is situated in the castle which is named Rochester I hand over the land of one plow where it is named Broomgeheg with certain limits of this land, which has on the east uuiodafleot, on the south a certain spring and ditch surrounded and it is denoted some fences, and likewise ditches on the west and north denoted by signs, from the north marsh by the name of Scaga, which also flows around Iagnlaad.

This land is to be handed over to you, to be possessed, and to be handed over to the use of the church, which you are rightfully governer. But if any of my successors or princes should attempt to change this gift of mine, let him be accursed until he comes as the lord who will judge the world in justice. It was my desire to confirm this document with the seal of the cross of Christ in my own hand, as well as other religious witnesses whose names are to be recorded below. Enacted in the year of our Lord's Incarnation 789 in the place which is called Celchyð.

+ I, Offa, king of Mercia, have validated my gift with the sign of the holy cross of Christ.

+ I, Jaenbert, archbishop by the grace of God, agreed and signed.

+ I, Hygeberht, archbishop, subscribed.

+ I, Ceoluulf, bishop, subscribed.

I, Bishop Heardraed subscribed.

+ I, Bishop Unuuona, subscribed. + I, Bishop Cyneberht subscribed. + I, Bishop Ealghearhd subscribed.

+ I, Bishop Edgar subscribed.

+ I, Abbot Ealgmund, subscribed.

+ I, Abbot Beonna subscribed.

+ Signed by the hand of Egfrith, king of the Mercians.

+ Signed by the hand of Berhtwaldi. Signed by the hand of Eadbald.

+ Signed by the hand of Brordan. Signed by the hand of Aethilheard.

+ Signed by the hand of Ceolmund.

+ Signed by the hand of Ubban.

+ Signed by the hand of Heaberht. Signed by the hand of Forðred.

+ Signed by the hand of Wigcgan. Signed by the hand of Ceolheard.

A village and two yokes of land in Rochester, 765

King Ecgberht II of Kent grants to Bishop Eardwulf (of Rochester) a village and two yokes of land in Rochester (765), confirmed by King Heaberht of Kent and Offa of Mercia. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folios 126v-127v by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Campbell, no. 7. The text begins with a green display initial ‘I’ and is marked by a large, black cross in the left margin. The confirmation of Heaberht begins on 127v. The text for the confirmation is marked in the left margin by a small, black cross, indicating the king’s signature. The confirmation of Offa follows, and is marked by a large, black cross in the left margin.

Transcription

126v (select folio number to open facsimile)

+ IN nomine
summi saluatoris et domini nostri qui ubique dispo-
nit omnia, ego ecgberhtus rex cantię, tibi
eardulfo meo fidelissimo ministro atque episcopo,
tuae peticioni assensum prębui cum consensu
scilicet uenerandi archiepiscopi genberhti qui
>michi< in omnibus carus est, necnon et principum meorum
trado terram intra castelli moenia supra

127r

nominati id est hrofiscestri unum uiculum
cum duobus iugeribus adiacentem plateę quę est
terminus a meridie huius terrę quam tibi modo
in presenti possidendam habendamque, et cuicumque
uolueris te uiuente seu moriente dare ęter-
naliter perdono. Si quis autem hanc donationem
meam inuido maliuoloque infringere tempta-
uerit animo, sit separatus in hoc seculo a parti-
cipatione corporis et sanguinis domini nostri iesu
christi, et in futuro a coetu omnium sanctorum segregatus
nisi antea suam pręsumptionem digna satisfacti-
one correxerit. Manentem hanc kartulam in
sua semper stabilitate, suprascriptam donationem
meam signo sanctę crucis christi confirmare cu-
rabo, et alios religiosos uiros ut et ipsum
agerent adhibui quorum nomina cum signa-
culis dominicę crucis intra tenentur. Actum
anno dominicę incarnationis dcclxv. + Ego
egcberhtus rex cantię, hanc donationem meam
signo sanctę crucis roborare curabo. + Ego
gengberhtus gratia dei archiepiscopus, consensi et
subscripsi. + Ego badenoð episcopus consensi et sub-
scripsi. + Signum manus uban. + Signum manus
udan. + Signum manus aldhun. + Signum manus

127v

uuilheri. + Signum manus uualhardi. + Signum
manus tymbel. + Signum manus coenberhti. + Si-
gnum manus balhhardi. + Signum manus aethelno-
di. Confirmatio heaberhti regis cantię.
+ Ego heaberhtus rex cantię >testis< consensi et subscripsi.
+ Ego aldberhtus abbas subscripsi. + Signum manus
esni. + Signum manus badohardi. + Signum ma-
nus tidheah. + Signum manus baldhordi. + Signum
manus eadberhti. + Signum manus hetraedi.
+ Signum manus beornulfi. + Signum manus heara.

Confirmatio offae regis merciorum.
+ Ego offa rex merciorum ad peticionem earduulfi
episcopi hanc donationem in monasterio quod appel-
latus est medyhaemstede pręsidente abbate
botuuino meo manu atque impressione sanctę
crucis christi corroboraui, et licentiam dedi ha-
bendi seu tradendi cuicunque uoluisset.
+ Ego botuuine abbas consensi et subscripsi.

Translation

+ In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Every man who lives according to God, and hopes and desires to be rewarded by God, must cheerfully offer his assent to pious prayers. For it is certain that the more easily one can achieve those things which he shall demand from God, the more readily he himself has rightly granted the demands of men.

About which I, Sigared, King of Kent, to you venerable Eardulf, Bishop, that you have carefully asked for some piece of land of my right, that is, as of one and a half an acre in the city of Rochester, to possess it eternally for the growth of your monastery.

This small piece of land lies at the north end of your monastery's gate and reaches as far as the northern wall of the aforesaid city within the lands which you previously from the east and west possessed, and therefore this is suitable for you because it was lying in the middle. If any one should at any time attempt to come up against this gift of mine with an envious and malevolent mind, let him be in the present separated from the communion of the holy church of Christ, and in the future separated from the fellowship of all the saints.

I validated this charter remaining in its firmness with the sign of the Lord's Cross, and summoned competent witnesses to do the same. Act in the 15th indiction In the year of our Lord's incarnation 762.

+ I, Sigared, King of Kent, have validated this gift with the sign of the holy cross.

+ I, Eadberht, King of Kent, consenting, confirmed it with my own hand.

+ I, Archbishop Bregouine, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Abbot Aldhuun have subscribed.

+ Sign of the hand Swithuun.

+ Sign of the hand of Ethilhuun.

+ Sign of hand of Esni.

+ Sign of the hand of Egbald

+ Sign of the hand of Wighaað.

+ Sign of the hand of Bunan.

+ Sign of the hand of Heabeorht.

+ Sign of the hand of Tiidheah.

Ten sulungs at Stoke in Hoo

King Eadberht I of Kent grants ten sulungs at Stoke in Hoo to St Andrew’s, Rochester; Æthelberht II of Kent confirms this, 738. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folios 119v-120v by Jacob Scott (pending review).

A sulung was a unit of land = approx. 240 fiscal acres.

Transcription

119v (select folio number to open facsimile)

De stokes quę antiquitus uocabatur
+ IN nomine andscohesham;
domini dei nostri iesu christi ego eadberht rex can-
tuariorum donaui aliquam partem terrę pro reme-
dio animę meę atque indulgentia delictorum
meorum episcopatui beati andreę apostoli ac ue-
nerabile uiro ealdulfo eius ęcclesię antistiti
in regione quę uocatur hohg in loco qui
dicitur, andscohesham id est decem arat>rm
iuxta aestimationem prouinciae eiusdem huius

120r

uero terrę possessionem ita predicto episcopo largitus
sum cum omnibus ad eum pertinentibus id est campis
siluis pratis piscariis salsilagine, atque omnibus
utensilibus eius iuxta notos terminos consti-
tutos hoc quoque pręcipimus ut nullus presu-
mat propinquorum eorum uel successorum eorum hanc do-
nationem meam minuere infringere quoquomodo Si quis uero quod non credimus contra preceptum meum huic do-
natione mea e malibolo animo contraire tempta-
uerit, sciat se in die iudicii rationem deo red-
diturum manentem ta-
men hanc cartulam nichilominus in sua fir-
mitate si quis uero magis defendere au-
gere uoluerit, addat deus bona eius in terra
uiuentium Hanc quoque donationem meam ego
eadberht rex cantuariorum propria manu
confirmaui et signum sanctę crucis infixi te-
stes quoque idoneos commites meos confir-
mari et subscribere feci. Ego uilbaldus
commites meos confirmari et subscribere
feci Ego dimheahac comites meos confir-
mari et scribere feci. Ego hosberht commi-
tes meos confirmari et scribere feci. Ego nothbalth commites meos confirmari
et scribere feci. Ego banta commites meos

120v

confirmari et scribere feci. Ego ruta commi-
tes meos confirmari et scribere feci. Ego
tidbalth >comites meos< confirmare et scribere feci.

Translation

Concerning Stoke, formerly called Andscohesham:

+ In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ our God, I, Eadberht King of Kent, have given a portion of the land for the relief of my soul and the indulgence of my offenses in the episcopate of the blessed Andrew the Apostle and I stood before a venerable man, Bishop Ealdulf of that church in the country which is called Hohg in the place which is called Andscohesham, that is, ten plowshares according to the valuation of the property of this same province, and I gave the possession of this land to the aforesaid bishop, with all those belonging to it, namely plains of wood, meadows, salty fisheries, and all its utensils, according to the known boundaries. We also order that no one of their kinsfolk or of their successors presume to infringe or diminish this gift to weaken my soul in any way.

But if anyone should attempt to counteract this gift of mine with an evil-minded soul, which we do not believe contrary to my precept, let him know that in the day of God’s judgment he will render an account but this charter is by no means in its firmness if one any one wishes to increase its defense, may God increase his goods on earth in the land of the living. This also is my donation Eadberht king of Kent, by my own hand, with the sign of the holy cross, you will allow also my fit witnesses to be confirmed and made.

I, Wilbald, commit my acts to be confirmed and signed.

I, Wilbald, commit my acts to be confirmed and signed.

I, Hosberht commit my things to be assured and I have done it in writing.

I, Notthbalth commit my things to be assured and I have done it in writing.

I, Banta, commited to confirm and subscribed.

I, Rota, confirmed and subscribed.

I, Tidbalth >my companions< confirmed and subscribed.

Free access of a ship into London, 734 AD

King Æthelbald of Mercia allows the free access of a ship into London to St Andrew’s Rochester, 734 AD; Berhtwulf of Mercia confirms this, c.845 AD. Translation of Textus Roffensis, folios 120v-122r by Jacob Scott (pending review).

This is likely a copy of the extant ninth-century document, British Library, Cotton Charter, xvii. The text begins with a red display initial ‘I’ and is marked by a large, black cross in left margin. The confirmation of Berhtwulf begins on folio 121v.

Transcription

120v (select folio number to open facsimile)

+IN nomine Quomodo alduulfus petierit confirmari hanc donationem.
domini dei summi. Ego alduulfus episco-
pus in primis penitus ignoraui quod a doro-
uernensis ęcclesiae pręsuli et rege, hac kar-
tula confirmata esse debuisset, postea agno-
ui et tam diligenter postulaui ab archiepiscopo
nothelmo et rege aethilberhto pręsidente
meo largitore eadberhto ut ipsi manu sua
hanc donationem corroborassent, et sic in metro-
politano urbe perfecte compleuerunt. Actum
mense aprillo, indictione vi. anno ab incarnatio-
ne christi dcc xxxviii. + Ego nothelmus
gratia dei archiepiscopus testis consentiens subscri-
psi kanonice. + Ego aethilberhtus rex pre-
fatam donationem signo sanctę crucis confirmaui.
+ Ego Beornheard testis subscripsi. + Signum
manus, tunan. + Signum manus balthardi.
+ Signum manus eanberhti.

De unius nauis libertate;
+IN nomine domini dei saluatoris nostri iesu christi. Si ea-
quę quisque pro recipienda a deo mercede hominibus

121r

uerbo suo largitur et donat, stabilia iugiter
potuissent durare superuacaneum uideretur
ut litteris narrarentur ac fulcirentur. Sed
dum ad probanda donata ad conuincendumque
uolentem donata infringere nichil prorsus
robustius esse uideretur quam donationis
manibus auctorum ac testium roborate non in-
merito plurimi petunt, utque eis conlata
dinoscuntur paginaliter confirmentur.
Quorum postulationibus tanto libentius tantoque
promptius consensus prebendus est quanto et il-
lis qui precatores sunt, utilior res secundum hoc
uisibile seculum nunc impertitur. Et illis qui con-
cessores existunt, pro impertito opere pietatis
uberior fructus secundum inuisibile postmodum
tribuetur. Quam ob rem ego ethilbaldus rex
merciorum praesentibus litteris indico me dedis-
se pro anima mea alduulfo episcopo ęcclesięque bea-
ti andreę apostoli quam gubernat, unius nauis
siue illa proprie ipsius siue cuiuslibet alte-
rius hominis sit, incensum id est uectigal, michi
et antecessoribus meis iure regio in portu lun-
donię usque hactenus competentem, quemadmo-
dum mansuetudinem nostram rogauit. Quae

121v

donatio ut in perpetuum firma et stabilis sit, ita
ut nullus eam regum uel optimatum uel telo-
niariorum uel etiam iuniorum quilibet ipsorum in
parte aut in toto in irritum presumat aut
possit adducere manu proprio signo sanctę cru-
cis subter in hac pagina faciam, testesque ut sub-
scribant petam. Quisquis igitur id quod pro anima mea
donaui aut donatum est illibatum permanere
permiserit, habeat communionem beatam cum pre-
sente christi ęcclesia atque futura. Si quis autem non
permiserit, separetur a societate non solum sanctorum
hominum sed etiam angelorum, manente hac dona-
tione nostra nihilominus in sua firmitate.
Actum mense septembrio die, indictione ii. anno
regni nostri xvii. + Ego ęthilbald rex sub-
scripsi. + Ego danihel episcopus subscripsi. + Si-
gnum manus oba. + Signum manus sigibed.
>confirmatio beorhtuulfi regis merciorum.<
Hoc etiam iterum confirmatum est a beorhtuulfo
regi merciorum in uico regali uuerburgeuuic.
Ego berhtuulf rex merciorum hanc meam dona-
tionem et predecessoris mei aethilbaldi regis
cum signo sanctę crucis confirmaui his testibus
consentientibus et quorum nomina hic conti-
nentur, ad indulgentiam delictorum meorum

122r

atque predecessoris mei aethilbaldi regis Si quis
autem successorum meorum regum aut principum
aut teloniariorum hanc donationem nostram in-
fringere uel minuere uoluerit sciat se sepa-
ratum a congregatione omnium sanctorum in tremen-
di die iudicii nisi prius digne emendauerit,
amen. + Ego berhtuulf rex merciorum sub-
scripsi. + Ego ceolnoð archiepiscopus subscripsi.
+ Ego seðrið regina subscripsi. + Ego celred
episcopus subscripsi. + Ego tatnoth episcopus subscrip-
si. + Ego hunberth dux subscripsi. + Ego
mucel dux subscripsi. + Ego hunstan dux
subscripsi.

Translation

How Alduulf asks for this donation to be confirmed.

+ In the name of the Lord supreme God, I, Bishop Alduulf, did not know at first that the church at Rochester, I took it and the king, this charter should have been confirmed, afterward I recognized and requested so carefully from Archbishop Nothelmo and King Ethelbert, my presiding officer, that they themselves had by their own hand corroborated this donation, and thus in the metropolitan city completed it perfectly. Enacted in the month of April, sixth indiction, in the year from the incarnation of Christ 838.

+ I, Nothelmed by the grace of God, archbishop, consenting to be a witness, signed canonically.

+ I, Ethelberht, have confirmed the aforesaid donation with the sign of the holy cross.

+ I, Beornheard, subscribed.

+ Sign of the hand of Tunan.

+ Sign of the hand of Baldhard.

+ Sign of the hand Eanberht.

Concerning the freedom of one ship:

+ In the name of the Lord God our Savior Jesus Christ. If those things which each man bestows and grants to men by his word he bestows and gives, though stable and could have continued to endure, it seemed unnecessary to tell the story and support it in writing. But as long as he is willing to infringe on the gifts to prove the facts and to prove the gift, nothing at all would seem to be more robust than to confirm the donation at the hands of the authors and witnesses, and that, when combined with them, they are known to be confirmed by page.

The more willingly and the more willing the consent to be given to those who are prayers, a more useful thing is now bestowed on this visible world. And to those who exist as concessions, for the work of piety imparted, a more fruitful fruit will be afterwards distributed according to the invisible. Wherefore I, Ethelbald, King of the Mercians, in the present letter, declare that I had given for my life to Alduulf, bishop of the church of Saint Andrew the Apostle, the one he commands, one ship whether that be the property of himself or of any other person, that is a tribute to him and to my ancestors in the port of London competent up to this point, just as he requested our peace. This gift may be permanent and stable, so that none of the kings, nobles, or customers, or even any of the juniors, either of them in part or in whole, may presume to be void or be able to bring with my own hand the sign of the holy cross under this page, and request witnesses to sign. Whoever, therefore, permits what I have given for my life, or has been given, shall remain unaltered, let him have blessed communion with the present and future church of Christ. But if any one does not permit, let him be separated from the society of not only the holy men but also of the angels, while this gift of ours remains in its steadfastness.

Enacted in September, second indiction, in the 17th year of my reign.

+ I, King Æthelbald, subscribed.

+ I, Bishop Daniel, subscribed.

+ Signed by the hand of Oba.

+ Signed by the hand of Sigibed.

Confirmation by Beorhtwulf, king of Mercia:

This also was again confirmed by Beorhtuulf, King of the Mercians, in the royal village of Werburg.

I, Berhtulf, king of the Mercians, confirmed this gift of mine and of my predecessor, king Ethilbald, with the sign of the holy cross, with the consent of these witnesses, and whose names are included here, for the forgiveness of my sins and of my predecessor, King Ethelbald. But if any one of my successors, kings, princes, or any persons this gift of ours is infringed or diminished, let him know that he was separated from the congregation of all the saints on that terrible day of judgment, unless he had first amended it worthily, amen.

+ I, Berhtuulf, king of the Mercians, subscribed.

+ I, Ceolnod, archbishop, signed.

+ I, Queen Sedrid, subscribed.

+ I, Bishop Celred subscribed.

+ I, Bishop Tatnoth, subscribed.

I, Duke Hunberth, subscribed.

I, Duke Mucel, subscribed.

I, Duke Hunstan, subscribed.

One and a half yokes at Rochester, 762

King Sigered of Kent grants one and a half yokes at Rochester to Bishop Eardwulf (of Rochester) for enlarging the monastery, 762. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folios 122r-123r by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Campbell, no. 5. Scribal note: There is a drawing of a ruffle-sleeved hand with index finger pointing to the text. This is in a lighter ink, and is in a later hand.

Transcription

122r (select folio number to open facsimile)

+ IN nomine domini nostri
iesu christi. Omnem hominem qui secundum deum uiuit
et remunerari a deo sperat et optat, oportet
ut piis precibus assensum hilariter ex animo
prebeat. Quoniam certum est tanto facilius ea quae
quisque a deo poposcerit consequi posse quanto et
ipse libentius hominibus recte postulata con-
cesserit. Quo circa ego sigiraed rex cantiae
tibi uenerabili earduulfo episcopo ut diligenter
postulasti aliquam particulam terrę iuris mei
id est quasi unius et semis iugeri in ciuitate

122v

hrofi ad augmentum monasterii tui ęternali-
ter possidendam concedo ac describo cum omnibus
scilicet ad eam pertinentibus rebus. Hęc autem
terrula ab aquilonali portę monasterii tui
iacet, et pertingit usque ad septentrionalem
murum prefatę ciuitatis intra terras uide-
licet quas antea ab oriente et occidente pos-
sedisti et ideo hęc tibi satis accommoda quia in
medio iacebat. Si quis autem contra hanc do-
nationem meam aliquando uenire inuido maliuo-
loque animo temptauerit, sit in presenti separatus
a communione sanctę aecclesię christi, et in futuro
a societate sanctorum omnium segregatus. Manen-
tem hanc kartulam in sua semper firmitate sig-
no dominicę crucis roboraui et idoneos testes
ut et id ipsum facerent adhibui. Actus, indi-
ctione xv. anno dominicę incarnationis dcclxii.
+ Ego sigiraed rex cantiae, hanc donationem meam
signo sanctę crucis roboraui. + Ego eadberht
rex cantiae, consentiens propria manu confirmaui.
+ Ego bregouuine archiepiscopus, consensi et sub-
scripsi. + Ego aldhuun abbas subscripsi.
+ Signum manus suuithuun. + Signum manus
aethilhuun. + Signum manus esni. + Signum

123r

manus ęgbaldi. + Signum manus uuighaað. + Si-
gnum manus bunan. + Signum manus heabeorhti.
+ Signum manus tiidheah.

Translation

+ In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Every man who lives according to God, and hopes and desires to be rewarded by God, must cheerfully offer his assent to pious prayers. For it is certain that the more easily one can achieve those things which he shall demand from God, the more readily he himself has rightly granted the demands of men. About which I Sigared, King of Kent, to you venerable Eardulf, bishop, that you have carefully asked for some piece of land of my right, that is, as of one and a half an acre in the city of Rochester, to possess it eternally for the growth of your monastery. This small piece of land lies at the north end of your monastery's gate and reaches as far as the northern wall of the aforesaid city within the lands which you previously from the east and west possessed, and therefore this is suitable for you because it was lying in the middle. If anyone should at any time attempt to come up against this gift of mine with an envious and malevolent mind, let him be in the present separated from the communion of the holy church of Christ, and in the future separated from the fellowship of all the saints. I validated this charter remaining in its firmness with the sign of the Lord's Cross, and summoned competent witnesses to do the same. Act in the 15th indiction in the year of our Lord's incarnation 762.

+ I, Sigared king of Kent, have validated this gift with the sign of the holy cross. + I, Eadberht, King of Kent, consenting, confirmed it with my own hand.

+ I, Archbishop Bregouine, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Abbot Aldhuun have subscribed.

+ Sign of the hand Swithuun.

+ Sign of the hand of Ethilhuun.

+ Sign of hand of Esni.

+ Sign of the hand of Egbald

+ Sign of the hand of Wighaað.

+ Sign of the hand of Bunan.

+ Sign of the hand of Heabeorht.

+ Sign of the hand of Tiidheah.

Twenty sulungs at Islingham, and the right to pasture swine in four districts, 761-764

Sigered, king of half Kent, grants to Bishop Eardwulf of Rochester twenty sulungs at Islingham, and the right to pasture swine in four districts, 761-764; confirmed by Eanmund of Kent. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folios 125r-126v by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Campbell, no. 8. Note how ‘-di regis’ is squeezed vertically into the right margin.

Transcription

125r (select folio number to open facsimile)

Item de aeslingeham.

125v

+ IN nomine domini dei saluatoris nostri iesu christi. Quan-
uis parua et exigua sint quę pro ammissis of-
ferimus, tamen pius omnipotens deus non quantitatem
muneris sed deuotionem offerentium semper in-
quirit. Qua de re ego sigeredus rex dimi-
dię partis prouincię cantuariorum, tam pro ani-
mę meę remedio quam pro amore omnipotentis
dei, terram aratrorum xx.ti quę appellatur aes-
lingaham tibi reuerentissimo episcopo earduul-
fo sanctę hrofensis ęcclesię, cum uniuersis ad se
pertinentibus, campis siluis pratis pascuis pa-
ludibus et aquis et cum omni tributo quod regibus
inde dabatur in potestatem cum consilio et con-
sensu principum meorum libenter in perpetuum perdo-
no, ut possidendi uel habendi siue uen-
dendi uel etiam tradendi cuicumque uolu-
erit liberam per omnia habeat potestatem.
Sane quia cauendum est ne hodiernam dona-
tionem nostram futuri temporis abnegare
ualeat, et in ambiguum deuocare pręsump-
tio, placuit michi hanc paginam condere,
et una cum cespite terrę praedictę tradere tibi,
per quam non solum omnibus meis successoribus re-
gum siue principum, sed etiam michi ipsi penitus

126r

interdico, ne aliter quam nunc a me constitutum est
ullo tempore de eadem terra quippiam agere
audeant. Quod si qui forte obseruare negle-
xerint, et absque digna satisfactione praesentis
uitę impleuerint infelices dies, audiunt
uocem ęterni iudicis sub fine mundi dicentis
ad impios, discedite (a me) maledicti in ignem ęter-
num qui pręparatus est diabolo et angelis eius.
Qui uero curauerint custodire, nichilque inro-
garint aduersi, audiunt uocem clementissi-
mi arbitri inquientis ad pios, Venite bene-
dicti patris mei percipite regnum quod uobis
paratum est ab origine mundi. Adiectis iiii.
dænberis in commune saltu, hoc est uueald
se uuestra, billincgden, cealcbyras, meosden,
rindigsel. + Ego sigeredus rex hanc dona-
tionem a me factam signum sanctę crucis propria
manu scribendo firmaui coram bregouuino
archiepiscopo. + Ego bregouuinus archiepiscopus ad pe-
ticionem donatoris ante praedicti consensi et
subscripsi. + Signum manus hereberhti ab-
batis. + Signum manus baere abbatis. + Signum
manus bruno abbatis. + Signum manus aescuualdi
presbiteri. + Signum manus ecghaldi comitis

126v

atque prefecti. + Signum manus ealdhuuni. + Sig-
num manus esne. + Signum manus badohardi.
+ Signum manus aethelnodi. Confirmatio eanmundi regis
+ Ego eanmundus rex hanc piam donationem
supra scriptam propria manu roborandam
hoc signaculo sanctae crucis expressi, in loco
cuius uocabulum est godgeocesham, presente
uenerabili archiepiscopo bregouuino et consen-
tiente, consilio quippe atque consensu omni-
um optimatum et principum gentis cantuari-
orum. + Ego iaenberhtus abbas consentiens
testis affui et subscripsi. + Ego huuaetred
abbas consensi et subscripsi. + Signum manus
egesnoði. + Signum manus balthhardi. + Si-
gnum manus aldhuni. + Signum manus uda.
+ Signum manus puda.

Translation

Similarly concerning Islingham:

+ In the name of the Lord God our Savior Jesus Christ. Although the things we offer for those who are lost may be small, yet the pious Almighty God always inquires not for the quantity of service but the devotion of those who offer them. For this cause I, Sigered, King of half the province of Kent, both for the relief of my soul and for the love of the Almighty God, the land of twenty plowshares, which is called Islingham, to you most reverend Bishop Earduulf, of the holy church of Rochester, with all things that pertain to them, in plains, woods, meadows, pastures, marshes, and waters, and with every tribute which was given to kings I freely pardon them forever, with the advice and consent I willingly pardon my children forever, so that to whomsoever he may have the power of possessing, or of selling, or even of handing over, to whomever he so wishes, he has liberty in all things.

Certainly, because we must take care that he may not be able to deny the present day our gift of the future, and to call its presumption into ambiguity, it has been decided for me to build this page, and to deliver it to you along with the turf of the above land, through which not only to all my successors, kings, and princes, but also to me altogether I forbid that they should at any time dare to do any thing of the same land as it has now been established by me. But if they who perchance have neglected to observe, and have filled the unhappy days of this life without worthy apology, they hear the voice of the eternal judge at the end of the world saying to the ungodly; “Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels”.

But those who take care to guard and inflict nothing against us, hear the voice of the most merciful arbiter saying to the pious, “Come, you blessed of my father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world”. The addition of iii. Dænberis will be placed in the common forest, that is, your weald is yours, Billincgden, Cealcbyras, Meosden, Rindigsel.

+ I, King Sigered, signed this gift made by me with my own hand, in the presence of Archbishop Bregouinus.

+ I, Archbishop Bregounus, agreed and signed it at the petition of the donor before the aforesaid.

+ Sign of the hand of the Abbot hereberht.

+ Sign of the hand of Abbot Baere.

+ Signed by the hand of Abbot Bruno.

+ Signed by the hand of Escuwald the priest.

+ Sign of the hand of Count Ecghaldi and his prefect.

+ Sign of the hand of Ealdhuuni.

+ Sign of the hand of Esne.

Signed by the hand of badohard.

+ Signed by the hand of Ethelnodus. Confirmation by King Eanmund:

+ I, Eanmundus, the pious gift written above is to be strengthened in my own hand, reproduced with this seal of the holy cross, in the place of which the name is Godgeocesham, in the presence of the venerable Archbishop Bregouinus, with the advice and consent of all the nobles and princes of the Kentish nation.

+ I, Abbot Jaenbert, a consenting witness, was present and subscribed.

+ I, Abbot Huuaetred, agreed and subscribed.

+ Sign of the hand of Egesnodi.

Signed by the hand of Balthhardi.

Signed by the hand of Aldhuni.

Signed by the hand of Uda.

Signed by the hand of Puda.

The right to pasture swine in three districts, 762 for 747

King Eardwulf of Kent grants to St Andrew’s, Rochester, the right to pasture swine in three districts, 762 for 747. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folios 123r-123v by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Campbell, no.4. Likely genuine, though note Campbell: ‘A charter on swine pasture alone is unusual.’

Transcription

123r (select folio number to open facsimile)

De pascuis porcorum
+ In nomine xii. gregum;
dei summi. Multi quidem in hoc seculo constitu-
tionem et narrationem antiquorum pro huius uitae
fauore et concupiscentia deprauare cona-
ti sunt, qui istius erumni seculi laudem querunt,
et multo magis hominibus placere quam deo di-
ligunt sicut ipse procurator nomine uualhhun
contra episcopum hrofensis ęcclesię sine intermissi-
one congressum discrimini fecit circa porco-
rum pascua in silba quę appellatus est caestru-
uarouualth. Iccirco + ego earduulfus rex can-
tuariorum conflictionem eorum ad nichilum redi-
go quia coram testibus et optimatibus meis concedo
ad ęcclesiam sancte andreę pro remedio animae
meę atque meorum patruum xii. greguum porco-
rum ad serbandum in publicis locis idest ut
incoli nominandi dicunt, holanspic, alius
paetlanhrygc, tercius lindhrygc. Hoc autem
numerus xii. gregum in istis tribus parti-
bus singulariter in uno quoque teneatur. Si
quis uero quod absit heredum meorum hanc do-

123v

nationem infringere aut minuere presumat sci-
at se ab omnipotenti deo et a sanctorum angelorum con-
sortio separatum et in ęterna perditione damnatum,
manente hac donatione mea, in sua nichi-
lominus firmitate perseueret. Anno ab incarnatione
christi dcclxii. indictione xv. + Ego earduulfus
rex cantuariorum supradicta omnia uolens
confirmabi et signum sanctę crucis impressi.
+ Ego cuthberchtus gratia dei archiepiscopus ad peti-
cionem earduulfi episcopi consensi et subscripsi.
+ Ego aethilberchtus rex cantię consensi et
subscripsi. + Ego balthard consensi et subscri-
psi. + Ego duunuualla subscripsi. + Ego
aethelhun subscripsi. + Ego aldberht subscri-
psi. + Ego ruta subscripsi. + Ego folcuuine
subscripsi. + Ego uuiohtbrord subscripsi.
+ Ego balthhard supscripsi. + Ego badoheard subscripsi.
+ Ego beagnoth subscripsi. + Ego
uualhhun subscripsi.

Translation

Concerning the pasture-land of 12 herds of pigs:

+ In the name of the supreme god. Many in this century have conspired to discredit the constitution and accounts of the ancients for the favour and lust of this life, who complain of the praise of this ancient man, and love much more to please men than God; as the procurator, by name Walhhun, against the bishop of the church of Rochester, made a meeting without ceasing to endanger the pasture of pigs in the silba called Caestrwarowalth[?]. Therefore + I, Eardwulf, king of Kent, reduce their conflict to nothing, because in the presence of my witnesses and nobles I grant to the church of Saint Andrew for the relief of my soul and for the relief of the soul of my uncle, twelve herds of pigs to be pastured in public places, that is, as inhabitants say, Holanspic, another Paetlanhrygc, the third Lindhrygc. But this number of the twelve herds in those three divisions is held separately by one tenant. But if any one believe that the absense of my heirs presumes to infringe or diminish this gift, separate them from the Almighty God and the fellowship of the holy angels, and condemned in eternal perdition, while this gift of mine remains, he will nevertheless maintain in his firmness. In the year from the incarnation of Christ 762, 15th indiction. + I, Eardulf, King of Kent, wishing that all the above-mentioned things be confirmed and signed with the sign of the holy cross.

+ I, Cuthbert, archbishop by the grace of God, at the petition of Bishop Eardulf, consented and subscribed.

+ I, Ethelbert, King of Kent, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Balthard, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Duunuuula subscribed.

+ I, subscribed Aethelhun.

+ I, Aldberht subscribed.

+ I, Ruta subscribed.

+ I, Folcuuine have subscribed

+ I, Wiohtbrord have subscribed.

+ I, Balthhard signed it.

+ I, Badoheard subscribed.

+ I, Beagnoth subscribed.

+ I, Walhhun subscribed.

Twenty sulungs at Islingham, Kent, 764

King Offa of Mercia grants twenty sulungs at Islingham, Kent, to Bishop Eardwuld of Rochester, 764. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folios 123v-125r by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Campbell, no. 6. The text begins with a green display initial ‘R’ and is marked by a large, black cross in the left margin.

Transcription

123v (select folio number to open facsimile)

De æslingeham,
siue freondesberiam; + Regnante in perpetuum domino nostro iesu christo,
ac cuncta mundi iura iusto modera-
mine regenti, ego offa rex merciorum
regali prosapia merciorum oriundus atque omni-

124r

potentis dei dispensatione eiusdem constitutus
in regem, considerans et recolens quod uas
electionis ueracissimis innotuit uerbis, quod
istis temporibus instarent tempora periculosa. Iccir-
co unus quisque de semetipso plenius poterit a-
gnoscere, quod quanto quis in hoc terreno ha-
bitaculo longiorem protraxerit uitam, tanto
ueraciora esse omnia quę olim antiqui ua-
tes implenda esse prędixerunt. Iccirco ne-
cessarium duxi ut pro intercessionibus plurimo-
rum pro uenia meorum delictorum et requie perpe-
tua adipiscenda animę meę, aliquid ex his
quę michi largitor bonorum omnium christus dominus do-
nare dignatus est, id est terram aratrorum
uiginti, in loco cuius uocabulum est aeslin-
gaham, quę etiam iacet ad occidentalem par-
tem fluminis meduuuaeian, contigua ipso
fluuio, cum uniuersis terminis suis ad eam
rite competentibus, cum campis siluis pratis pa-
scuis paludibus et aquis, sicut olim habue-
runt comites et principes regum cantiae, et
cum omni tributo quod regibus iure competit,
tibi uenerabili earduulfo sanctę hrofensis
ęcclesiae episcopo, libenter in perpetuum perdono.

124v

Et hoc cum consensu et licentia archiepiscopi nostri
bregouuini, atque heaberhti regis cantiae,
et principum nostrorum, ut possidendi uel uenden-
di uel etiam tradendi cuicumque uoluerit
liberam per omnia habeat potestatem. Et quia pro ip-
sius terrę recompensatione aliquam partem pe-
cunię nobis fideliter libenter optulit, ad pro-
merendam non solum specialiter michi a domino pi-
etatem, sed indulgentiam delictorum totius gentis
nostrę humiliter dominicam exorantes clementi-
am, ut liberet nos a malignis spiritibus et
importunis et malis hominibus. Terminos uero
huius terrę ideo latius non scribimus, quia
undique ab incolis absque ullo dubitationis
scrupulo certi sunt. Quicunque uero sequen-
tium regum aut principum aut aliquis seculari
fretus potestate hęc nostrę definitionis scri-
pta irrita facere quod absit nisus fuerit,
sciat se in presenti uita domini benedictione
esse priuatum, et in nouissimo maledictione
subiacere, ut a consortio sit separatus
sanctorum et cum impiis et peccatoribus flammis
ultricibus esse damnandum, excepto si digna
satisfactione emendare curauerint quod

125r

iniqua temeritate deprauarunt. Manente
hac cartula in sua nichilominus firmitate
quam propria manu sacro signaculo roborare
curaui, et testes ut subscriberent rogaui,
quorum infra nomina asscripta tenentur.
Scripta est autem haec cartula in ciuitate
dorouerni anno dominicę incarnationis dcclxiiii. indictione ii.
+ Ego offa rex merciorum supra scriptam donati-
onem atque emptionem signo sanctę crucis robora-
ui. + Ego bregouuinus archiepiscopus, iuxta pe-
ticionem clementissimi regis ante prędicti,
consensi et scripsi. + Ego heaberhtus rex
consensi et subscripsi. Coherent uero huic terrę
in commune saltu denberi iii. holanspic, et
lindhrycg, et pædanhrecg. + Ego botuuini
humilis abbas, consensi et subscripsi. + Si-
gnum manus esne. + Signum manus uhtredi. + Si-
gnum manus broerda. + Signum manus eadbaldi.
+ Signum manus berhtuualdi. + Signum manus
bobba. + Signum manus cec. + Signum manus huuit-
hyse. + Signum manus esne fratris eius. + Signum
manus badoheardi. + Signum manus egbaldi.
+ Signum manus suithhuni. + Signum manus
eangesli.

Translation

Concerning Islingham, and Frindsbury:

+ Reigning forever our lord Jesus Christ, and ruling all the rights of the world with just direction, I, Offa, king of the Mercians, sprung from the royal family of the Mercians, and appointed by the dispensation of Almighty God as their king, considering and recollecting that the vessel of election was made known by the truest words, that dangerous times were at hand in those times. For this reason each one will be able to acknowledge more fully of himself, that the longer he lived a longer life in this earthly dwelling, the more truthful are all the things which the ancient poets foretold of old would be fulfilled. For this reason I thought it necessary that for the intercessions of many to pardon my sins, and to obtain perpetual rest for my soul, some of those things which Christ the Lord, the Giver of all goods, deigned to bestow upon me, that is, the land of twenty plowmen, in the place whose name is Islingham, which also lies to the west part of the River Medway, adjoining to the river itself, with all its borders properly competent to it, with plains, woods, meadows, pastures, marshes, and waters, just as the earls and princes of the kings of Kent, and with every tribute which is available to kings rightfully, I willingly pardon you forever to the venerable Eardwulf, bishop of the church of Rochester. And this, with the consent and permission of our Archbishop Bregouini, and Heaberht, king of Kent, and our nobles, that he may by all means have the power of possessing, selling, or even handing over to whomsoever he wishes. And because he in return for his land some part of the money, willingly offered to us faithfully to merit not only the piety of our Lord, but the indulgence of our sins, we humbly beseech the Lord's clemency to deliver us from evil spirits and unreasonable and bad men. But we do not write the boundaries of this land at greater length, because they are assured on every side by the inhabitants without any scruple of doubt. But whosoever of the following kings, or princes, or any one relying on secular authority, has attempted to make these words of our definition invalid, God forbid, let him know that in the present life of the Lord he is deprived of the blessing of the Lord, and in his last curse, that he may be separated from the society of saints and with ungodly and sinners by the flames that they ought to be condemned by avengers, except if they had taken care to make amends with worthy apology, which they had slandered with unjust rashness. While this document remained in its stead, I nevertheless took care to strengthen it with a sacred seal by my own hand, and asked the witnesses to sign it, whose names are ascribed below.

This document was written in the city of Canterbury in the year of our Lord's incarnation 763. 2nd indiction.

+ I, Offa, king of the Mercians, validated the above donation and purchase with the sign of the holy cross.

+ I, Archbishop of Bregouinus, agreed and wrote it according to the request of the most merciful king before the aforesaid.

+ I, King Heabbert, agreed and signed. But they are bound together by this earth, and are bound together in a common forest, 3 Holanspic, and Lindhrecg, and Pædanhrecg.

+ I, Botuuini humble abbot, consented and subscribed.

+ Signed by the hand of Esne.

+ Signed by the hand of Uhtredi.

+ Signed by the hand of Broerda.

+ Signed by the hand of Eadbald.

+ Signed by the hand of Berhtuuald.

+ Signed by the hand of Bobba.

+ Signed by the hand of Cec.

+ Signed by the hand of Huuithyse.

+ Signed by the hand of Esne brother of Eius.

+ Signed by the hand of Badeherd.

+ Signed by the hand of Edbaldi.

+ Signed by the hand of Swithun.

+ Signed by the hand of Eangesli.

Agreement with Geldewine the moneyer concerning land at Rochester, 1115-1124

An agreement made between Geldewine the moneyer and Bishop Ernulf and the monks at St Andrews concerning land at Rochester (1115-1124). Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 193r by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Transcription

193r (select folio number to open facsimile)

Hęc est conuentio quam fecit Geldeuuinus
monetarius cum episcopo ernulfo . et monachis sancti
andreę apostoli . uidelicet quod concessit mansionem suam
quę % iuxta cant’ui’ monachorum quietam et liberam . que reddit
et .iiii. acros terrea pertines ad borcstelle . et . vi .
pertines ad deltsam ęternalit’ possidendam sancto
andreę. et monachis ei’ proeo quod idem monachi
ipsum admonachatum receperunt. Huic con-
uentionis testes fuit . ecclesię sancti Andreę p’or orduuinus .
et totam conuent’ fr’m. Heruisus ei’ dem ecclesię archi-
diaconus. Radulfus clericus . et filius ei’ Rodbertus. Stephanus filius Goduuini. Haimo filius kenestani. Gudred filius leofgeti . et alii plures franci . et angli;

Translation

This is the agreement that Geldewine the moneyer made with Bishop Ernulf and the monks of Saint Andrew the Apostle. Namely, that he granted his own dwelling, which according to the Canterbury monks was quiet and free, which he rents and four acres of land pertaining to Borstal, and six pertaining to Delce to eternally possess by Saint Andrew and the monks proeo that the same monks they received him admonished. He was witness to this meeting. The church of Saint Andrew Prior Ordwinus and the whole will come together. Herusus, archdeacon of the church. Ralph the clerk and his son, Robert.

Stephen the son of Godwin. Haimo the son of Kenestani.

Gudred the son of Leofget, and many other French and English.

Robert, son of King Henry I, grants land

Robert, son of King Henry I, grants land to the church and monastery at Rochester. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 192r-192v by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Historical note: Robert (before 1100-1147) was the first Earl of Gloucester, and was probably the oldest of Henry’s many illegitimate children.

Transcription

192r (select folio number to open facsimile)

Ego Rodbertus henrici
regis filius concedo ęcclesię et monachis
Rourecestrae pro meę animę et Roberti hamo-
nis filii animę salute terram illam et con-
suetudines ac quietudines quas idem Robertus
filius hamonis eis apud merlauam
in elemosina dedit et concessit, et uo-
lo ac precipio quod eas ita libere et quiete
teneant, sicut eas tempore prędicti

192v

Roberti liberius, quietius, melius, tenuerunt.
Testimonibus, Gisleberto dapifero.

Translation

I, Robert, son of king Henry, grant to the church and the monks of Rochester for the saving of my soul and the soul of Robert son of Hamo, that land and customs and reposes which the same Robert son of Hamo gave at Merlauam and granted to them in alms, and I wish and order that they may hold them freely and peacefully, as they held them in the time of the aforesaid Robert more freely, more peacefully, and better. Witnessed by Gilbert the steward.

Archbishop Anselm grants privileges at Northfleet church, including fishing rights

Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury (1093-1109), grants to the community of monks at Rochester (i.e. St Andrew’s Priory) privileges related to the land of the church at Northfleet, including fishing rights. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 181v-183r by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Transcription

181v (select folio number to open facsimile)

De northfleota ęcclia . et . de pisca-
RIA ANSELMUS dei dispositione archi-
episcopus cantuarię . hamoni vicecomita
et . et toa hundret de tolcestrea . et to-
ti hundret in q’ est gillingeham . et omnibus
fidelibus xpi anis . sal’ . et benedictionem. Notum
sit uobis omnibus quod ego Anselmus gratia dei
archiepiscopus cantuariensis . concedo congrega-
tioni monachurum que in ęcclia rofensi do’
seruit et inp’sentri tempore et infuto’. Ęcclia
de northflete . cum omnibus per anendabus adean

182r

de’ ęccliam. Int’ris et in decimis . et in oblati
onibus, et in omnibus aliis rebus. Et remiticto
decensu piscarię . qui census uulgo ferma dr’
quicq’d additu’ est super antiquum censu’ apposi-
tis de gillingeham . ad quod manerium pertinet
eadem piscaria quę est in mari. Erat autem
p’dictus census olim. q’nq; solich denariorum
tentum. Hanc su’ma’ constituo ut nullus suc-
cessorum n’rorum ul p’positorum eidem manerii insu-
turo transeat . nec plus aliq’d ap’dictis mo-
nachis p’ eadem piscaria persinglor annos q’n
tu’cu’q; ipsa piscaria p’ficiat unquam regrat.
Et hane perua’ largitionem facio p’animabus
eorum qui me in archiep’ali sede cantuariae
p’cesserunt . et eorum quisuccessuri sunt .
quatin’ ipsi hanc ipsam concessionem inuiola-
bile’ et ab omnium maliuolorum hominum concus-
sione q’etam c’seruent . insuper et p’ anima
mea si ds’ sua gra’ michi aliqua parte’ in
hac ipsa elemosina concedere digantur. VALETE.

Translation

Concerning the church at Northfleet, and concerning fishing rights.

Anselmus, by the arrangement of God, Archbishop of Canterbury, Hamo the sheriff and, and toa a hundred from Tolcestrea. And the whole hundred in what is Gillingeham, and to all the faithful; Christ anis salt and a blessing. Let it be known to you all that I Anselm, by the grace of God, Archbishop of Canterbury. I grant to the congregation of monks that I have sown in the churches of Rochester and in the imp'cent time and in the future. Church of Northfleet, with all through the anendas they come from the church. Int'ris and in tithes. and in the offerings, and in all other matters. And with the return of the decency of fishing, which census was added by dr’ quicq'd to the ancient census of Gillingham. to which the manor belongs the same fishery as in the sea. Now there was a census once upon a time. so and so; holding solich denarii. I establish this su'ma' so that none of the successors of the ul p'positions of the same manor should cross the seam. and no more aliq'd ap'd to the said monks p' the same fishing per singular years as you did; The fishery itself is always regulated.

And now, I make a large donation to the souls of those who died before me in the archiepiscopal seat of Canterbury, and of those who are to succeed, how can they keep this very concession inviolable, and by the shock of all the great men of that age. moreover, and my soul, if they should grant me some part of their grace in this very alms.

FAREWELL.

William II confirms Countess Goda’s gift of the manor at Estuna

William II confirms Countess Goda’s gift of the manor at Estuna to St Andrew’s, Rochester, and to Bishop Gundulf. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 181r by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Historical point: Countess Goda was the half-sister of Edward the Confessor and the only woman mentioned in the cartulary that makes a donation independently of her husband.

Transcription

181r (select folio number to open facsimile)

Willelmus rex anglorum. Walterio
uicecomiti . et omnibus baronibus
suis francigenis et anglis de comitatu de
glocestra . salutem. Sciatis me de dis-
le ęcclesię sancti andreę de rouecestra et
episcopo gundulfo manerium estuna .
quod fuit godę comitissę . et quicquid
ad illud pertinet ita solidum et liberum
et quietum . sicut ipsa comitissa habuit
illud unquam melius . et sicut ego ipse
etiem illud habui in meo dominico cum
omnibus consuetudinibus quę anglice
nominantui . soca . et saca . toln . et team .
et infangene theof . et hoc facio pro ani-
ma patris mei . et matris meę . et pro a-
nima mea. Testimonio Walcelini episcopi
wintoniensis . et Rodbera episcopi lincolien-
sis . et Willelmi concentit . et Rannulfi
cappello . et eudonis dapiferi . et Roge-
ru bigot . et hugonis de evermou;

Translation

William, King of the English, to Sheriff Walter and to all his barons of France and England in the country of Gloucester, greetings. Know that the Church of Saint Andrew in Rochester and Bishop Gundulf have the manor of Estuna, which belonged to Countess Goda, and whatever pertains to it in shillings, free and peacefully, just as the countess had and better, and as I also had it in my domain with all the customs which I have in English named soca, and saca, toln, and team and the infringement thereof, and this I do for the soul of my father, and my mother, and for my soul. Witness by Walcelini Bishop of Wichester, and Robert Bishop of Lincoln. And William concentit, and Randulf of the chapel, and Eudonis the servant, and Roger Pigot, and Hugo of Evermou.

Agreement with Coc concerning land in Rochester

An agreement made between Coc and Bishop Ernulf and the monks at St Andrew’s concerning land in Rochester (1115-1124). Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 192v by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Transcription

192v (select folio number to open facsimile)

Hęc est conuentio quam fecit coc cum episcopo
ernulfo et monachis sancti andreę apostoli
uidelicet quod concessit terram illam in qua
manebat cum domibus quę super eandem ter-
ram erant sancto andreę et monachis eius
ęternaliter possidendam post obitum eius et
uxoris ipsius. Et hoc fecit pro filio suo quem
idem monachi ad monachatum receperunt. Testibus his, Rodberto et altero Rodberto hali-
man presbiteris, Radulfo clerico, Hugone, Willelmo, Radulfo de sancto claro, Rodberto filio
Willelmi de clouil, Hugone diacono et nigel-
lo praepositis de rouecestria, Letardo prae-
posito monachorum, Golduuino greco, Gu-
dredo, Eduuino fot, Godrico filio uuen-
nith, Heimone filio cenestan, Willelmo
le blund, Sinot mercatore, Willelmo porta-
rio, et multis aliis.

Translation

This is the agreement that Coc made with Bishop Ernulf and the monks of Saint Andrew the Apostle, namely that he granted that land in which he resided with the houses that were on the same land as that of Saint Andrew and his monks, to be possessed eternally after the death of him and his wife. And he did this for his son, whom the same monks received to monastic life.

Witnessed by: Robert and the other priests: Robert Haliman to presbyter, Ralph the priest, Hugh, William, Ralph of Saint Clair, Robert son of William de Clovil, Hugh the deacon, and Nigel the provosts of Rochester, Letard the provost of the monks, Goldwin the Greek, Gudred, Edwin Fot, Godric son of Wennith, Hamo son of Cenestan, William the Blund, Sinot the merchant, William the gatekeeper, and many others.

The cleric Ralf concedes land adjoining the cemetery

The cleric Ralf (Radulfus) concedes land adjoining the Rochester monks’ cemetery, as well as money, to settle a feud with Ernulf. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 198v-199v by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Mary Richards refers to the ‘aggressiveness’ with which Ernulf defended the rights of the monastery. Texts and Their Traditions, p. 59.

Translation

198v (select folio number to open facsimile)

_Notum sit omnibus
tam posteris quam presentibus rofensis
ęcclesię amicis et fidelibus, quoniam Radulfus

199r

clericus pro concordia et pace habenda de
multis querelis quas rofensis episcopus
Ernulfus aduersus illum habebat, eidem
episcopo concessit mansionem suam quę est
iuxta cimiterium monachorum quie-
tam et liberam, et liberationem quam in predi-
cta habebat ęcclesia, postquam a seculo de-
cesserit. Preterea redditum xx.ti solidorum,
uidelicet apud langeport de quodam
homine denarios xx. Ibidem de quadam
uidua, solidos ii. Alibi de Brichtrico et Ra-
dulfo, solidos v. Apud eastgate de Eluredo
cobi, denarios xii. De haga ante nouum
pistrinum, solidos iii. De quinque acris ad ęc-
clesiam de uuldeham pertinentibus pro cimiterio
de burcham, solidos vii. et denarios iiii. De quibus, Haimo filius chenestani reddere
debet denarios xvi. lifuuinus pistor, solidos
iiii. uulmerus rufus, solidos ii. si tamen ro-
fensis episcopus predictus uel alius, ęcclesiam de
uuldeham cum beneficiis ad eandem pertinen-
tibus filiis radulfi uel cęteris parentibus
ita in posterum tenendam concesserit, sicu-
ti radulfus eam in uita sua tenuit.

199v

Sin autem, qui feudum radulfi habuerint,
de eodem feudo episcopo rofensi ęque ualen-
tem redditum restituant. Hęc autem
omnia utrimque concessa sunt hac condi-
tione, ut cętera omnia quę ipse radulfus
ab episcopo tenebat, quiete et in pace quam
diu in seculo fuerit teneat et habeat, et
quandocunque uoluerit filium suum in
ęcclesia sancti andreę monachum faciat, et
ipsemet siue pecuniam attulerit siue
non, ibidem monachus fiat. Huius con-
uentionis testes fuerunt, Albanus et
Guarnerius monachi cantuarienses, Hun-
fridus, Martinus, Rodbertus, Guillelmus, mo-
nachi refenses, Heruisus rofensis archidia-
conus, Rodbertus dofforensis canonicus, Brodo
presbiter, Fulbertus de cilleham, Geroldus filius
seram, Ansfridus dapifer, Rannulfus con-
stabularius, Symon, Adam, Paganus,
milites, Hunfridus portarius, Adelardus,
Gerbodus, Letardus, et alii plures.

Translation

Let it be known to all, the friends and faithful of the church of Rochester, both to posterity and those present, that Radulfus the cleric, in order to have concord and peace, concerning the many complaints which Bishop Ernulf, had against me, granted to the same bishop my mansion, which is near the cemetery of the monks, peacefully and free, and the liberation which in he had the aforesaid church, after he had died a century ago. Moreover, the rent of 20 shillings, namely, at Langeport from a certain man 20 pence. In the same place about a certain widow, 2 shillings. Elsewhere of Brichtricus and Ralphus, 5 shillings. At the east gate of Eluredo I received 12 pence. Of the haga before the new bakery, 3 shillings. Of the five acres belonging to the church of Wouldham for the cemetery of Burch, 7 shillings and 4 pence.

Of these, Haimo son of Chenestan must pay 16 pence. Lifwin the baker, 4 shillings, ulmerus red, 2 shillings. If, however, the aforesaid bishop of Rochester or another, has granted the church of Wouldham with the benefices belonging to the sons of Radulf or to the other parents in the same way as Radulf held it during his lifetime.

If, however, those who had a fief of Radulf, restore the same fief to the bishop of Rochester and a pay rent. All this, on both sides, was granted on this condition, that he should hold and have all the rest that Radulf himself held from the bishop, in peace and quiet as long as he had been in that century, and whenever he wanted to make his son a monk in the church of Saint Andrew, and he himself or he should bring money, he must become a monk there. The witnesses of this meeting were Alban and Guarneri, monk of Canterbury, Hunfrid, Martin, Rodbert, William, monks of Rochester, Heruis the Archdeacon of Rochester, Rodbert of Dofforensis[?] the canon, Brodo the presbyter, Fulbert of Cilleham, Gerold the brother of Seram, Ansfrid the servant, Rannulf the constable, Symon, Adam, Pagan, soldiers, Hunfrid the porter, Adelardus, Gerbod, Letard, and many others.

Agreement between the reeve of Frindsbury and the citizens of Rochester

An agreement made between the reeve of Frindsbury and the citizens of Rochester, commuting the customary payment of malt and meal for a rent of six pence from each property (possibly later than 1115). Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 193v by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Transcription

193v (select folio number to open facsimile)

Hęc est conuentio inter prępositum frendesberię
et ciues rofenses propter opus brars . et grut.
Omni anno unaqueaq; mansura reddet sex .
denarios. Huius conuentionis et reddititio-
nis testes sunt. Orduuines p’or. Clemens
monachus. Martinus monachus. Hund-
fridus monachus. Anffridus dapifer. Roge-
rus de hallingis. Radulfus clericus. Kene-
stanus. Goffridus paruus. Lifuuinus
dore. Rodbertus monetarius. Eaduuardus
dan. Ricardus batnoise. Oimidium huic
census reddendum est ad festiuitatem Sancti
michaelis . et altera pars ad purificationem
Sanctę Marie.

Translation

This is the agreement between the reeve of Frindsbury and the citizens of Rochester on account of the work of the brars, and grt Every year each he will continue to pay six silver coins. Here are the witnesses for this agreement: Prior Ordwin. Clement the monk. Martin the monk. Humphrey the monk. Anfrid the servant. Roger of Halling. Radulf the clerk. Kenestan. Godfrey younger brother. Lifuinusdore Robert the moneyer. Edward dan[?]. Richard Batnoise. All must pay tribute at the feast of Saint Michael, and the other part for the purification of Saint Mary.