The Cartulary of Leeds Priory
THE CARTULARY OF LEEDS PRIORY
By LESLIE SHERWOOD
INTRODUCTORY
THE cartulary of Leeds Priory (or, more accurately, a part of it),
was presented to the Kent County CouncU anonymously in April, 1947.
In 1798, according to Hasted, the cartulary was in the possession
of Sh Beversham Filmer of East Sutton Park; and it seems likely
that this document was the one now in the Archives Office, and that
it arrived at East Sutton through the agency of the ArgaU family.
For the surviving portion of the cartulary has special relevance for
the manor of Densted, in Chartham, which was held by the ArgaUs for
some fifty years, from 1549 until early in the reign of James I.
The outer cover bears the inscription : " I n thys booke emongest /
other graunts ys registred the graunt of / the Tythes of Densted given
unto the / Prior and Chanons of Leeds. And / the saide graunt confirmed
by divers Archbishopps of Caunterbury and by./ the Deane
and Chapter there. Whereby / the Manor of Densted ys freed from
/ the payment of aU Tythes • . . / Memorandum that the Leaves /
contayned in this Booke were parcell / of an Auncient Lydger [?]
belonging / to the monastery of Leeds." They were—so that the
inscription was made, and perhaps also the cover was put on, after
the manor of Densted had passed out of the possession of the Priory
in about 1539. The leaves of this portion of the original cartulary
are numbered from 1 to 12, and so were evidently regarded for the
purposes of the numerator as an entity. Throughout the twelve leaves
each of the nine references to the tithes of Densted (on folios 3a,
5a, 5b, 8b and 9b) is emphasized by a pointing finger in the margin.
The Priory itself, after its suppression in about 1539, reverted
to the Crown, and thereafter passed to the St. Leger family, who
retained it until 1573. By far the greater part of its possessions
were settled by Henry VIII in 1541 on the Dean and Chapter of
Rochester ; but the possessions so bestowed did not include Densted,
granted to the Priory by Hamo de Crevecoeur in 1262. This manor was
in 1545 granted to John Tufton, who in about 1549 alienated it to
Richard ArgaU of East Sutton Park, in whose family it remained until,
early in the reign of James I, John Argall alienated it to Sh John
CoUimore. Meanwhile Richard Argall's daughter had become the wife
of Sh Edward Filmer, lately of Otterden, but now of Little Charlton,
24
THE CARTULARY OF LEEDS PRIORY
East Sutton, and he in 1611 also acquired of John ArgaU her brother
the manor of East Sutton.
It therefore seems not unreasonable to suppose that our portion
of the cartulary formed part of the ArgaU muniments, and so, whether
by accident or design, was transferred to Sir Edward Filmer when he
took over the East Sutton estates from John ArgaU. Such an
explanation would sufficiently account for Sh Beversham FUmer's
possession of the " cartulary " in 1798.
The cover inscription, the foho numbers, underlinings, pointing
fingers and marginal dates (in fact aU marginalia except the original
section headings) were added to the monastic manuscript, presumably
in or about 1545, for the guidance of the, by then, secular landlords of
Densted.
For the rest, the twelve leaves appear to have been written (though
I make no claim to authoritative knowledge on this point) early in the
14th century. The leaves measure 30-5 by 20-8 cm. The ruling
of the leaves gives 39 horizontal lines, of which the top one is left empty,
and vertical lines on either side of each page leave an inner margin
of about 2 • 0 cm. and an outer margin of about 2 • 8 cm.
There can be no doubt as to the incompleteness of the 12-folio book,
since it begins in the middle of the recital of a series of grants confirmed
by a person not specified, and breaks off in the middle of a sentence.
The foUowing account is not offered as a detailed translation of
the " cartulary " : the intention is only to give a reasonably good
idea of its contents, and to point the way for more detailed investigations
to those who may be interested.
The section-numbers in the left-hand margin are my own. The
headings hi capitals are translated more or less hteraUy from the Latin
of the original.
ABSTRACT OF THE CONTENTS
1. [fo. la] Confirmations (incomplete at beginning) of:
(a) Advowson of church of St. John the Baptist, Wateringbury,
and lands there granted by Bartholomew, son of Gilbert of
Wateringbury.
(b) All grants of Gilbert and his ancestors, and a rent of 2s. for
a road leading over land of the Canons to a wood of
Bartholomew's.
(c) Grant from Roger, son of WiUiam of Wateringbury, of land
in Wateringbury.
(d) Grant from Robert de Vere, son of Peter of Wateringbury,
of 4 acres in Wateringbury.
(e) Grant from John of Evesham, clerk, of lands in Rainham and
Borden and a watermill in West Rainham.
25
THE CARTULARY OF LEEDS PRIORY
[fo. lb] COMPOSITION BETWEEN MONKS OF BATTLE AND CANONS
OF LEEDS. N.D. [But c. 1250.]
Reciprocal agreement between Odo, Abbot, and Monks of Battle,
and Nicholas, Prior, and Canons of Leeds, regarding funeral
rites (which are specified) for one another's dead.
CONFIRMATION OF CERTAIN CHARTERS BY JOHN OF SANDWICH.
N.D.
(a) -Charter of Hugo de KenebeUe, granting land " apud
Boclonde " and " de terra Widbnis," for a rental of one
pah of gilt spurs or 6d. a year. 30 marks of silver as
" gersuma."1
(b) [fo. 2a] Charter of Hugo de Kenebelle, granting land held
of Hugo by Salomon, son of Edric of Stapinberghe, for
which Salomon shaU render annuaUy to the Canons of Leeds
7s. 3d., 3^ fowls and 2 dozen eggs.
(c) Charter of John de KenebeUe, granting a rent issuing from
land in " vaUe de Boclonde," viz. 4s. 8d. a year, with 2 fowls
at Christmas and 9 eggs at Easter. For this charter the
Canons paid 3 \ marks.
The foregoing grants confirmed and the annual rental of gilt
spurs remitted by John of Sandwich.
[fo. 2b] TITHES OF CHELDESTONE [IN BOUGHTON MALHERBE].
N.D.
Grant from Wilham, son of Hamo [de Crevecoeur] of tithes of
Childestune in corn, fruit, hay, poultry, calves, flax, pannage,
lambs, fleeces, cheese, piglets and aU other things pertaining
to the lordship.
CONFIRMATION BY THEOBALD, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY.
1138.
Confirming grants of church of St. Mary, Woodnesborough, with
tithes of " Sum'felda " and of Harthanger ; church of St. Giles,
Sarre, and half tithes of Canterbury castle ; churches of St.
Margaret, Rainham, St. Mary, Chatham, St. Mary, Lamberhurst
and great and smaU tithes of Curtehope and Ewehurst [in
Speldhurst]; churches of All Saints, [West] Farleigh, St. Peter,
Teston, Holy Cross, Bearsted and of Chart; [fo. 3a] a mill and a
virgate in Brasted, with a house and a half (" mansionem unam
et dimidiam ") in the market place there ; 20s. [presumably of
rent] in the marshes of Grain ; and the tithes of Densted [in
Chartham] and Chfidistune.
A fine paid to the lord on taking over a holding.
26
THE CARTULARY OF LEEDS PRIORY
6. CONFIRMATION BY HUBERT [WALTER], ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY,
OF FORMER CONFIRMATION BY THEOBALD. 1193.
Substantially the same as the foregoing, but with the addition
of the church of St. Mary, Aflinges, and land granted to the Priory
by Elena, wife of Aufridus of Dover.
7. [fo. 3b] CONFIRMATION BY ARCHBISHOP ROBERT [KILWARD'BY],
OF CHURCHES GRANTED BY BARON [ROBERT] CREVEOOEUR.
1272.
Churches of Leeds (with chapel at Broomfield), Chatham, Rainham,
Goudhurst, Lamberhurst, Farleigh and Teston.
Embracing earher confirmations by Archbishops WiUiam [Corbofi],
1122, and Hubert, 1193.
8. [fo. 4a] CHURCH OF WOODNESBOROUGH. 1122.
Notice by Archbishop WiUiam of a grant through him by Ascehna,
patroness of the benefice, of the church of Woodnesborough.
9. CHURCH OF SARRE. 1138.
Notice by Archbishop Theobald of a grant through him by Ralph
Picot and Ehas de Crevecoeur of the church of St. Giles, Sarre.
The benefice to be held during his lifetime by one Norman, clerk,
in recognition for which he shall render to the Canons 2s. annuaUy.
10. CHURCHES OF GOUDHURST AND BOUGHTON. 1162.
Confirmation by Thomas [a Becket], Archbishop of Canterbury, of
grants by Daniel de Crevecoeur and Henry de Bocton respectively,
of churches of Goudhurst and Boughton [Monchelsea].
11. [fo. 4b] Confirmation of the foregoing by Archbishop Edmund
[de Abingdon], 1234.
12. CHURCH OF BORDEN. 1173.
Confirmation by Archbishop Richard of a grant by Simon son of
Peter de Borden of the church of Borden.
13. CHURCH OF BEARSTED. 1183.
Grant by Archbishop Baldwin of the church of the Holy Cross,
Bearsted, for maintenance of hghts (lumiharia) and other ornaments
in the Priory church.
14. TITHES OF CHILDESTONE.
Repetition of 4.
15. [fo. 5a] TITHES OF HARTHANGER [IN BARFRESTON]. N.D.
Grant by Sibfi de Watemle of a rent of 2s. in Ringfiton [in
Woodnesborough], and the tithes of Harthanger.
16. TITHES OF DENSTED [IN CHARTHAM]. N.D.
Grants by Emma de Horsburdenne and by John, lord of Densted,
of the tithes of Densted.
27
THE CARTULARY OF LEEDS PRIORY
17. TITHES OF CURTHOPE. N.D.
Grant by Lambert de Scotney of all ecclesiastical rights in his
lands of Curthope (due to the benefice of St. Mary, Lamberhurst).
Confirmation by Archbishop Richard that aU tithes of Curthope
and Ewehurst due to the church of Lamberhurst, and therefore
to the Canons of Leeds.
18. CONFIRMATION BY ARCHBISHOP THEOBALD. 1138.
Repetition of 5.
19. [fo. 5b] CONFIRMATION BY CANTERBURY CHAPTER. 1278.
Confirmation by John, Prior, and Convent of Christ Church,
Canterbury, in consideration of the unvarying charity of the
Prior and Convent of Leeds towards pilgrims and the poor, of
grants of the church of St. Mary, Woodnesborough, with the
tithes of " Som'feld " [in SeUing ?] and Harthanger ; church of
St. Giles, Sarre ; half the tithes of Canterbury castle ; church of
St. Mary, AUinges[?]; church of St. Margaret, Rainham ; church
of the Holy Cross, Bearsted, with the tithes of Strutton ; church
of St. Michael, Chart [Sutton]; 20s. in the marshes of Grain
and the tithes of Densted; the tithes of Childestone and half
the tithes of Leghes ; 20s. from the church of Crundale ; church
of St. Mary, Goudhurst; church of St. Peter, Boughton [Monchelsea]
; church of St. Mary Magdalene, Stockbury ; church of
St. Peter, Borden; church of St. Martin, Acrise ; church of
St. James, Elmleigh ; church of St. George, Ham ; church of
AU Saints, Chfilenden.
20. [fo. 6a] Confirmation by Archbishop Robert of grant by Archbishop
WiUiam, at.request of King Henry I, of the church of
St. Michael, Chart Sutton ; and of grant by Archbishop Richard
of aU tithes issuing from the lordship of Chart, together with an
annual pension of 20s., payable by the rector for the time being,
for the support of sick Canons.
21. [fo. 6b] CONFIRMATION BY BALDWIN OF CHURCH OF ACRISE.
1185.
Confirmation by Archbishop Baldwin of a grant by WiUiam of
Cosintone of the church of Acrise ; and grant by Baldwin of an
annual pension of 40s. from the church of Acrise.
22. CHURCH OF ESLINGES. 1193.
Confirmation by Archbishop Hubert [Walter] of a grant by
Theobald, at request of Alicia de Eslinges [Eastling], wife of
Ralph de Cycostri, of the church of Eastling.
23. [fo. 7a] PENSION OF THE SAME. 1205.
Grant by Archbishop Stephen [Langton], with consent of WiUiam
28
THE CARTULARY OF LEEDS PRIORY
de Eslinges, patron of the benefice, of an annual pension of
20s. from the church of Easthng.
PENSION OF STOCKBURY.
Confirmation (1193) by Archbishop Hubert of a grant by WiUiam,
son of Helto, of the church of St. Mary Magdalene, Stockbury :
Canons to receive 1 mark annually, payable by the vicar.
This pension increased c. 1237 by Archbishop Edmund [de
Abingdon] to 10 marks annually.
[fo. 7b] CHURCH OF HAM. 1236.
Confirmation by Archbishop Baldwin of a grant by Wilham de
Norfuco, knight, lord of the manor (fundi), of the church of Ham.
CHURCH OF CHTLLENDEN.
Confirmation by Archbishop Baldwin of a grant by William de
Northwico of the church of ChiUenden.
PENSION OF THE SAME AND OF HAM.
Grant by Archbishop Edmund of an annual pension of 40s. from
the benefice of Ham and of 8s. from ChiUenden, for the use of the
infirm.
CHURCH OF CRUNDALE.
Grant by Gunn. and Reulandus de Waluine of the church of
Crundale, otherwise Dromewrda [Tremworth].
PENSION OF THE SAME.
Notice by Archbishop Richard of settlement of a dispute between
Canons of Leeds and David de Tymbdene, clerk, and Walter,
priest, over the church of Crundale, as foUows :
Walter aforesaid, perpetual vicar of the said church, to
pay to the said A[rchbishop] 2 seams [6 or 8 bushels each] of
corn yearly, one seam to be retained by A[rchbishop], the
other payable to the said Canons within 8 days of the nativity
of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In the event of Walter's decease, or of his taking monastic
vows, A[rchbishop] to hold the church subject to payment of a
annual pension of 25s. to the said Canons.
[fo. 8a] Confirmation by Archbishop Hubert of a grant by Hamo
de Valon [Valencia ?] of annual pension of 25s. from the church of
Tremworth [i.e. Crundale], the advowson of the church being
reserved to the said Hamo.
CONFIRMATION BY NICHOLAS, PRIOR, AND CHAPTER OF CHRIST
CHURCH, CANTERBURY, OF CERTAIN TITHES AND PENSIONS. 1256.
Confirmation of the foUowing pensions :
29
THE CARTULARY OF LEEDS PRIORY
From the church of St. Mary, Easthng 20s. p.a.
St. Mary Magdalene, Stockbury, 11 marks p.a.
Chart Sutton 20s. p.a. (with
a " cultura " in the parish, and the tithes of
Chart and of Hedenesham).
Ham 40s. p.a.
ChiUenden 8s. p .a. (with
the tithes of Densted and " Stonpete marsh,
which was Robert Malet's, with the land they
possess there.")
[fo. 8b] Confirmation by Archbishop John [Peckham] of decisions
given in favour of the Prior and Convent of Leeds over certain
tithes and pensions, as foUows:
DISPUTE BETWEEN LUCAS, RECTOR OF ST. MICHAEL'S, HARBLEDOWN,
AND PRIOR AND CONVENT OF LEEDS, OVER TITHES AND
OTHER MATTERS. 1250.
Settled by Archdeacon of Canterbury at the instance of Pope
Innocent.
Lucas claimed :
(a) The tithes of a certain piece of land in the east of Helminge
(" de Helminge versus orientem.")
(b) The tithes of 10 acres of Helminge within his parish.
(c) The tithes of lands of Alice and Margaret de Lese.
(d) The tithes of Old Densted.
(e) That the servants of the Priory residing in Old Densted
should attend Harbledown church.
(f) That divine service should not be celebrated any more in the
Convent's chapel in Densted, to the prejudice of the parish
church.
(g) The tithes of land granted to the Priory by Thomas de Densted.
The Archdeacon ruled :
(a) That Lucas should receive the tithes from the lands of Alice
and Margaret de Lese, and that the servants of the Priory
should attend his church.
(b) That divine service should be celebrated in the chapel as
and when the Prior and Convent pleased.
(c) That perpetual sfience should be imposed on the subject of
Old Densted and the other tithes enumerated in the Rector's
complaint.
[fo. 9a] MORE ON THE SAME SUBJECT AGAINST THE REOTOR OF
CHARTHAM. 1277.
Dispute between Thomas of Canterbury, rector of Chartham, and
the Prior and Convent of Leeds, over the great and small tithes
30
THE CARTULARY OF LEEDS PRIORY
and the burial of the dead in the manor of Densted, referred by
the Prior and Convent from the court of the Dean of St. Mary
of the Arches, London, to the Archdeacon's Court at Canterbury.
Decision: Tithes and burial alike the right of the Prior and
Convent, and perpetual silence imposed on the Rector ; but
he and his successors to have the right to graze six cows and
two-year heifers on the Convent's pasture in Densted, in the charge
of the Convent's herdsman, free of charge.
34. [fo. 10a] PENSION OF CRUNDALE. 1225.
Decision of the Prior of Lesnes and the Prior and Archdeacon
of Rochester (at the instance of the Pope), on a question raised
by the Rectors of Crundale and Elmsted and certain other clergy
of the dioceses of Canterbury of Rochester, over certain annual
pensions.
John de Nerford, rector of Crundale, through Richard de Sanford,
proctor, disputes with the Prior and Convent of Leeds an annual
pension of 25s. payable out of the benefice of Crundale.
Decision in favour of the Prior and Convent.
35. [fo. 10b] EXECUTION OF THE SAME JUDGMENT.
The foregoing judgment corroborated, at the instance of the
Prior of Lesnes and the Prior and Archdeacon of Rochester, by
H. de Sandford, Archdeacon of Canterbury.
36. [fo. 11a] ANOTHER JUDGMENT ON THE SAME MATTER. 1283.
On renewal of the same dispute by Thomas, rector of Crundale,
pension acknowledged by Thomas before the Archbishop's
commissary (commissarius) at Canterbury to be the due of the
Prior and Canons of Leeds.
37. TITHES OF GARDENS IN WOODNESBOROUGH. 1267.
Decision of the Prior of Rochester (at the instance of the Pope)
on a dispute between the Prior and Canons of Leeds, rectors of
the church of Woodnesborough, and Adam, vicar of the same,
over the great tithes issuing from crofts and curtilages lying
within the parish of Woodnesborough.
Decision : Prior and Convent to receive all great tithes of barley,
hay, beans, peas and all sorts of corn from the lands in question,
but to pay annuafiy to the said Adam and his successors half
the sum of barley and beans.
38. ANOTHER JUDGMENT ON THE SAME MATTER. 1284.
Dispute renewed by WiUiam, vicar of Woodnesborough, and
again decided, in the Archdeacon's court of Canterbury, in favour
of the Prior and Convent.
31
THE CARTULARY OF LEEDS PRIORY
39. [fo. lib] TITHES AND PENSION OF CHART-NEXT-SUTTON. 1289.
Decision of Richard, Archdeacon of Canterbury, on a dispute
between the Prior and Convent and Walter de Maldon, rector of
Chart-next-Sutton, over a pension of 20s. a year payable out
the great and small tithes issuing from the lands of WiUiam
de Valencia in Chart-next-Sutton, and from lands in Hadenesham,
formerly belonging to Roger de Schirland.
Walter to refer his claim to the Dean of the church of St. Mary
of the Arches, London.
The Dean adjudged the Prior and Convent to be in the right.
40. [fo. 12a] AGREEMENT OVER TITHES OF SLEYHULL MARSH. 1288.
The Dean of St. Paul's, London, bidden by Pope Honorius to
resolve a dispute between the Abbot and (Premonstratensian)
Convent of Insula Dei on the one hand and the Abbot and Convent
of Boxley and others of the dioceses of Canterbury and Rochester
on the other, over certain tithes and other dues of the parish of
Upchurch.
The Dean summons the Prior and Convent of Leeds, who dispute
the right of the Abbot and Convent of Insula Dei to the tithes
of Sleyhull marsh, and decides that the tithes shall be divided
equaUy between the two parties.
32
THE CARTULARY OF LEEDS PRIORY
APPENDIX A
Edward I's Letters of Inspeximus of 12th June, 1285 (Archives
reference A/G 47(62)) confirm the foUowing charters :
1. Original endowment by Robert de Crevecoeur, granting the site
of the Priory, with water and woodland, free of aU secular obligations,
and the forstal before the Priory gate.
2. Charter of Robert de Crevecoeur, grantmg aU the churches on
his hands, viz. Leeds (with the chapel at Broomfield), Chatham,
Rainham, Goudhurst, Lamberhurst, [West] Farleigh and Teston.
3. Charter of Daniel de Crevecoeur, confirming the foregoing, and
granting further 10 acres of land in free alms for the good of the
soul of his sister Gunnor ; the land of Brocdena, a mill at Eastwode
and land of Ordric Clamp adjoining the wood; the church of
Harlecton and 2 vhgates in the same vfil, for the soul of IsabeUa
his wife ; and twenty measures of salt a year.
4. Charter of Daniel de Crevecoeur, granting the mfil of Brudesoam.
5. Charter of Helyas de Crevecoeur, granting the church of Thanet
[Sarre], the.church of Eclingham and a carucate of land.
6. Charter of Helyas, granting 20s. from mills in Lamberhurst,
to be expended in rites for his soul and the souls of his family ;
also the tithes of mfils, bakeries and orchards in Lamberhurst.
7. Charter of Robert de Crevecoeur, granting aU rights in Chatham
fair; leave to pasture cattle in his fright at Leeds; aU the inheritance
of Henry, son of Norman of Leeds; the right to catch hares
and rabbits anywhere on theh estates; the power to govern
their own affahs in the event of the resignation or death of any
of their Priors; and the advowsons of the churches of Leeds,
Goudhurst, Lamberhurst, [West] Farleigh, Teston, Chatham,
Rainham, Sarre and Halctune.
8. Charter of Hamo de Crevecoeur, confirming aU grants of Robert
bis father, and of his ancestors; granting further pannage for
ten pigs in the autumn in Bockingefaude wood, and the tithes of
herbage and from a mill there; 5£ acres at Herst [in Otterden 1],
2\ acres with a messuage which were WiUiam de ViUa's, 3 acres
and three vhgates of land, the gift of Simon Smith (Simonis
Fabri); aU the foregoing for the support of the poor and of guests.
9. Charter of Ascelina de Woodnesborough, granting the church of
Woodnesborough.
10. Charter of Hugo de Bergestedie, granting the church of Bearsted.
11. 1276. Charter of Robert de Crevecoeur, son of Hamo the younger,
confirming aU the grants of his ancestors; granting further
that the Canons should have the right of eleoting theh own
33
THE CARTULARY OF LEEDS PRIORY
Prior, subject to the approbation of Robert and his descendants;
granting leave to acquire land anywhere within the fee of Crevecoeur,
and to distrain on arrears of rent; confirming the grant of
Chatham fah.
The King confirmed all the foregoing grants, with the exception
of Chatham fah, " which the said Prior and Convent have by theh
charter given to ourselves and our most beloved consort."
APPENDIX B
THE CREVECOEUR FAMILY
(based on a pedigree among genealogical papers in the Filmer coUection,
County Archives reference A/G 120).
Hamon de Crevecoeur,
High Sheriff of Kent 20 WiUiam I,
when Domesday Book was made.
Letard or Etard de Crevecoeur.
Robert de Crevecoeur, = Rhosia
founder of Leeds Priory. |
Daniel de Crevecoeur, = IsabeUa
created Lord and Baron
of Leeds by Henry II.
Robert de Crevecoeur, = Margaret
Baron of Leeds.
Hamon de Crevecoeur, = Matilda, sister and heir of
Baron of Leeds and
Folkestone, d. 1242.
Wilham of Averenches, Baron
of Folkestone.
William de Crevecoeur
(see grant no. 4).
34