Medieval and Tudor Kent Wills

Leland Lewis Duncan (1862-1923). On his death many of his notebooks were deposited with the Kent Archaeological Society, of which he was a life-time member. What has been typed up below is all that seems to have survived. See Leland L. Duncan for fuller details of his work.

Duncan's transcriptions were in a series of 'exercise books' and bound quarto books, numbered from 1 to 61. In 1934 Rev Bennitt, the Vicar of East Peckham, compiled an index by parish of all the transcriptions in Duncan's books no's 1 to 46 .  This index, of over 1,622 entries, plus a further 566 entries from Books 47 to 61 has been typed up by Margaret Broomfield, Dawn Weeks and lately by Pat Tritton, amended in places by Zena Bamping using Duncan's original books where they survive. Below you will find two Indexes, the first by the name of the Testator, second the Place, as detailed by Duncan. This is followed by links to the individual Duncan books in number order, where those Will transcriptions that have survived are being typed up and added to this website. Where the individual page numbers are in blue and underlined, this indicates that the transcription has been added, and by 'clicking' on the 'link' the transcription can be viewed.

Index (jump to)

Index by Deanery (under construction)

Shoreham

Index by Surname

A B CDE F G H I, J, K L M N O P R S T U, V W Y

Index by Deanery

Shoreham

The following list of mediaeval wills for the Shoreham Deanery, which was a peculiar of the Archbishop of Canterbury, was compiled by Leland L. Duncan and recorded in six quarto volumes around 1895.  The wills at the time of his writing were all that remained prior to 1600 in the Registers of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury and in the Lambeth Palace Registers.

The 34 parishes which made up the Shoreham Deanery were as follows:- Bexley, Brasted, Chevening, Chiddingstone, Crayford or Eard, St. Mary Cray, Darenth, Downe, Eynsford, East Farleigh, Farningham, Gillingham, The Isle of Grain, Halstead, Hayes, Hever, Hunton, Ifield, Ightham, Keston, Knockholt, Lydsing, East Malling, Meopham, Northfleet, Orpington, Otford, East Peckham, Penshurst, Sevenoaks, Shoreham, Stansted, Sundridge, and Wrotham.

L. L. Duncan : Will Transcriptions in quarto exercise books held at the Kent Archaeological Society's Library in Maidstone. Examined by me, Zena Bamping, in March 2001, who made the following list of wills extracted by Mr Duncan. The originals are written in pencil and seem to be almost complete transcriptions with a few abbreviations, e.g. P for Parish.

Book 1

Book 2

Book 3

Book 4

Book 5

Book 6

Index of Names

Back to Index

A

Place

Christian Name

Surname

Date

Book No

Page No

Sutton	Robert		1382	24	362
Bishopsbourne	Joh'es		1410	26	669
Cranbrook	Joh'es		1442	23	254
Erith	William	ABELL	1525	09	275
Ringwould	John	ABERE	1516	44	154
Cranbrook	Robert	ABROOKE	1547	40	541
Cranbrook	ROBERT	ABROOKE	1547-02-13	49	75
Hoo	Alice	ABURFURTH	1532	20	448
Lydd	JOHN	ADAME	1497-04-13	58	5
Harietsham	Richard	ADAMES	1523	33	281
Harrietsham	RICHARD	ADAMES	1525-01-27	51	47
West Malling	Joh'es	ADAMS	1523	13	295
Sandwich	Gabriel	ADAMS	1556	46	360
Challock	Robert	ADANE	1558	35	359
Challock	ROBERT	ADANE	1559-10-15	52	87
Dartford	William	ADDESON	1605	14	377
Meopham	Richard	ADENE	1542	06	667
Maidstone	Thomas	AFORDE	1505	33	212
Maidstone	THOMAS	AFORDE	1514-05-08	47	41
Sandhurst	Thomas	ALARD	1481	38	253
Sandhurst	THOMAS	ALARD	1492-05-09	59	48
Lydd	HENRY	ALAYN	1457-11-04	58	7
Goudhurst	Thomas	ALCHORNE	1507	39	398
Goudhurst	THOMAS	ALCHORNE	1507-03-18	54	14
Lydd	AGNES	ALCHORU	1506	58	9
Lydd	JOHN	ALCHORU	1499-06-06	58	8
Lydd	JOHN	ALCHORU Senr	1471-10-07	58	7
Sandwich	Nicholas	ALDAY	1578	44	171
Ash	Thomas	ALDY	1534	37	117
Lydd	SIMON	ALEWEY	1463-12-15	58	10
Canterbury	Nicholas	ALEYN	1483	29	123
Lydd	WILLIAM	ALEYN	1485-02-09	58	6
Stone	William	ALEYN	1510	19	237
St. Nicholas atte Wade	William	ALEYN	1539	45	275
Chalk	Richard	ALEYN	1570	19	225
Lydd	HENRY	ALEYN Jnr	1484-03-11	58	6
Chiddingstone	John	ALFEIGH	1488	02	135
Lydd	SIMON	ALKEN	1506-06-15	58	9
Lydd	JOHN	ALKYN	1503-06-21	58	9
Hastingleigh	Henry	ALLARD	1578	44	184
Canterbury	Joh'es	ALLWYN	1491	29	162
Cray	Richard	ALPE	1483	08	149
Nutfield	Elizabeth	ALPHEFE	1502	18	173
Lydd	EDWARD	ALWAYE	1507-03-18	58	12
Lydd	BEATRICE	ALWAYS	1508	58	12
Lydd	JOAN	ALWAYS	1508	58	13
Lydd	ROBERT	ALWAYS	1508	58	13
Lydd	JOHN	ALWEY	1479-12-16	58	11
Wickham Breaux	Richard	AMBROSE	1554	46	347
Canterbury	Robert	AMBROYS	1315	25	578
Lydd	AGNES	AME	1507-04-19	58	15
Maidstone	John	AMO	1538	20	377
Godmersham	George	AMYAS	1552	46	367
Godmersham	GEORGE	AMYAS	1557-11-23	51	41
Leeds	William	AMYOTE	1492	33	159
Maidstone	WILLIAM	AMYOTE	1492-02-15	47	10
Lydd	JOHN	AMYS	1505-05-07	58	14
Otterden	Janys	ANCHER	1508	31	333
Milton	Robert	ANDREWS	1555	20	470
Darenth	Brian	ANNESLEY	1536	05	584
Crayford	Agnes	APPELTON	1437	01	056
Dartford	John de	APPLETON	1392	07	001
Dartford	Thomas	APPLETON	1483	08	145
Dartford	Roger	APPULTON	1529	09	301
Dartford	Henry	APPULTON	1545	10	383
Lydd	WILLIAM	ARDERU	1501-11-01	58	15
Rochester	Agnes de	AROUNDELL	1401	23	286
Rochester	William	ARUNDEL	1400	23	278
Rochester	Richard de	ARUNDELL	1417	17	023
Lewisham	William	ARUNDELL	1483	02	115
Appledore	Thomas	ASCHERYNDEN	1538	40	468
Appledore	THOMAS	ASCHERYNDEN	1539-11-03	53	42
Chiddingstone	John	ASHDOWN	1488	02	132
Milton	Richard	ASHELEY	1508	19	232
Appledore	John	ASHWELL	1531	37	179
Appledore	JOHN	ASHWELL	1531-06-02	53	37
Appledore	GYLIS	ASSCHERYNDEN	1521-04-28	53	45
Canterbury	William	ASSHELL	1540	31	351
Appledore	Gylis	ASSHERYNDEN	1541	41	664
Ightham	Richard	ASTALL	1546	06	671
Saltwood	Joh'es	ASTONE	1402	23	309
Yalding	William	ASTYN	1522	13	284
East Farleigh	Nicholas	ASTYN	1532	05	563
East Farleigh	Nicholas	ASTYN	1532	19	325
Hunton	Nicholas	ASTYN	1532	19	325
Linton	Mr.	ATTHERST	1513	33	211
Frindesbury	John	ATWOOD	1506	18	196
Ashford	Innocent	AUSTEN	1524	37	166
Charing	INNOCENT	AUSTEN	1528-05-23	51	16
Goudhurst	William	AUSTEN	1531	38	220
Goudhurst	Richard	AUSTEN	1534	40	510
Goudhurst	John	AUSTEN	1547	40	534
Goudhurst	RICHARD	AUSTEN	1555-09-19	54	67
Goudhurst	JOHN	AUSTEN	1567-11-28	54	59
Goudhurst	Percival	AUSTYN	1556	39	375
Goudhurst	PERCIVAL	AUSTYN	1556-02-27	54	69
Bexley	William	AWDEFELDE	1542	02	215
Erith	Thomas	AWNESLEY	1578	09	244
Goudhurst	WILLIAM	AWSTEN	1551-11-07	54	63
Lydd	THOMAS	AYLEWYN	1467-02-18	58	16
Tenterden	Richard	AYLOND	1515	39	444
Tenterden	RYCHARDE	AYLOND	1515-07-13	59	20
Lamberhurst	Joh'es	AYTHERST	1492	12	142

B

Place

Christian Name

Surname

Date

Book No

Page No

Lydd	BEATRICE	BACE	1505-04-10	58	28
Chislet	Thomas	BACHE	1409	22	211
Lydd	JAMES	BAGOT	1483-05-15	58	27
Lydd	THOMAS	BAGOT	1488-06-12	58	25
Boughton Monchelsea	LAURENCE	BAKER	1458-07-11	52	79
Cranbrook	Thomas	BAKER	1493	37	189
Cranbrook	THOMAS	BAKER	1497-03-04	49	17
Cranbrook	Richard	BAKER	1504	36	003
Cranbrook	RICHARD	BAKER	1504-11-15	49	26
Romney Marsh	CLEMENT	BAKER	1516-03-26	57	3
Canterbury	John	BAKER	1530	41	667
Chislehurst	John	BAKER	1538	39	401
High Halden	JOHN	BAKER	1543-06-12	53	6
Staplehurst	John	BAKER	1558	39	401
Wittersham	Lawrence	BAKER	1558	35	367
Cranbrook	JOHN SIR	BAKER	1558-01-30	50	112
Wittersham	LAURENCE	BAKER	1559-12-09	53	64
Maidstone	William	BAKERE	1416	21	074
Chislehurst	John	BAKERE	1557	41	636
Sandwich	William	BALDOCKE	1528	44	222
Greenwich	Gregory	BALLARD	1415	21	083
Wingham	William	BALLE	1450	21	050
Gillingham	Edmund	BAME	1505	03	266
Cranbrook	Nicholas	BANDGER	1596	26	697
Hever	William	BANSTRET	1523	04	394
Wrotham	John	BARBAR	1549	06	680
Romney	Clement	BARER	1575	36	024
Newenden	John	BARKER	1524	37	158
Newenden	JOHN	BARKER	1525-05-24	60	27
Ightham	William	BARLEY	1541	06	661
Boxley	Robert de	BARNE	1361	32	058
Langley	Ed.	BARNEFELDE	1501	33	188
Langley	EDWARD	BARNFELDE	1502-04-04	51	79
Cranbrook	THOMAS	BAROW	1507-05-06	49	30
Lydd	THOMAS	BARRE	1502-01-27	58	27
Cranbrook	Richard	BARRE	1538	40	466
Cranbrook	RICHARD	BARRE	1539-09-18	49	62
Cranbrook	Thomas	BARROW	1507	39	396
Yalding	William	BARWORTH	1510	13	244
Lydd	JAMES	BASE	1497-02-16	58	28
Lydd	WILLIAM	BATE	1478-06-18	58	24
Lydd	MARGARET	BATE	1491-01-17	58	23
Lydd	THOMAS	BATE	1491-03-03	58	24
Lydd	JAMES	BATE	1492-03-15	58	20
Lydd	JOHN	BATE	1498-06-21	58	20
Lydd	MARGERY	BATE	1499-06-06	58	21
Goudhurst	Roger	BATE	1506	38	284
Goudhurst	ROGER	BATE	1506-06-24	54	5
Sandhurst	John	BATE	1560	26	660
Horsmonden	Stephen	BATE	1721	16	613
Lydd	HENRY	BATE (BATH)	1478-08-14	58	18
Lydd	THOMAS	BATE Snr	1486-04-19	58	23
Dartford	Richard	BATTE	1488	08	158
Goudhurst	Richard	BAYKYNDEN	1512	39	399
Boxley	Richard	BAYLLY	1412	22	223
Boxley	EDWARD	BAYNBRIDGE	1500-05-16	52	27
Boxley	Ed.	BAYNBRIGG	1499	33	182
Greenwich	Thomas	BEAUFORT	1426	22	134
Maidstone	Margaret	BEAWLEY	1526	33	291
Maidstone	JOHN	BEAWLEY	1526-02-09	47	68
Maidstone	MARGARET	BEAWLEY	1526-02-09	47	70
Maidstone	John	BEAWLEY	1536	33	294
Hoo	John	BEDYL	1498	18	158
Sevenoaks	Walter	BEDYLL	1508	04	341
Boxley	Robert	BEE	1487	18	157
Rochester	Robert	BEE	1487	18	137
Tonbridge	Cuthbert	BEECHER	1537	15	473
Speldhurst	William	BEECHER	1543	15	568
Milton	Thomas	BEELE	1453	21	020
Sevenoaks	John	BEELE	1471	01	087
Southfleet	William	BEERE	1471	18	116
Stone	Thomas	BEKENDEN	1523	37	151
Lydd	THOMAS	BEKET	1486-06-07	58	29
Lydd	ROGER	BEKYNTON	1501-11-11	58	29
Lydd	RICHARD	BENEFELDE	1494-04-18	58	30
Lydd	WILLIAM	BENETT	1477-07-31	58	30
Minster	Thomas	BENETT	1501	43	103
Strood	William	BENTON	1508	18	211
Cranbrook	Elisia	BEREHAM	1381	24	435
Dartford	Kateryn	BERKELEY	1526	09	285
Selling	Joh'es	BERNES	1467	43	035
Middleton	John	BERY	1505	30	256
Cray	Richard	BERY	1508	04	341
Goudhurst	John	BESPICHE	1528	37	172
Goudhurst	JOHN	BESPICHE	1528-10-17	54	26
Farningham	Richard	BEST	1533	09	325
Ash	Robert	BEST	1538	38	280
Shorne	Joh'es de	BEUELE	1380	25	487
Headcorn	John	BEUERLE	1380	24	458
Maidstone	Richard	BICKENDEN	1515	33	256
Cranbrook	Richard	BICKENDEN	1571	33	256
Maidstone	RYCHARDE	BICKENDEN/BREKENDEN	1512-05-13	47	34
Chalk	Rdt.	BIFELD	1481	41	577
Appledore	ROBERT	BIFIELD	1482-05-24	53	23
Cranbrook	Richard	BIGGE	1533	37	101
Cranbrook	RICHARD	BIGGE	1533-08-05	49	56
Hawkhurst	JOHN	BIRKHED	1467-10-05	60	3
Hoo	William	BIRKLEY	1472	18	101
Bredgar	Stevyn	BIRLING	1551	31	404
Swingfield	Richard	BISCHOPE	1541	45	277
Borstall	John	BISHOP OF SALISBURY	1395	46	388
Yalding	Iden	BISSHOPP	1545	16	578
Bearsted	HENRY	BIXBIETH	1472-01-15	52	38
Bearsted	Henry	BIXGRETTE	1471	14	383
Newenden	JAMES	BLAKE	1553-04-12	60	30
Maidstone	Thomas	BLANKET	1573	33	214
Maidestone	THOMAS	BLANKETT	1513-07-09	47	38
Newenden	James	BLOKE	1553	42	730
Wrotham	Christopher	BLOOER	1551	06	682
Rainham	William	BLOORE	1530	28	014
Lydd	THOMAS	BLOSSOM	1483-11-06	58	30
Lydd	JOHN	BLOSSOM	1499-04-18	58	31
Meopham	Martin	BLOUNDELL	1483	02	116
Snodland	Richard	BLOUNT	1519	19	255
Rainham	John	BLOWER	1573	30	244
Cranbrook	John	BLUBERY	1517	37	143
Cranbrook	John	BLUBERY	1517	37	143
Cranbrook	JOHN	BLUBERY	1517-03-22	49	42
Lydd	WILLIAM	BOCHER	1492-12-13	58	32
Beckenham	Elys	BODLEY	1547	10	406
Cray	John	BODYAM	1572	08	231
Canterbury	John	BOKER	1530	41	667
Hever	William	BOLEYN	1505	08	223
Hollingbourne	JOHN	BOLLAY	1518-02-11	51	74
Hollingbourne	John	BOLLEY	1500	33	184
Hollingbourne	John	BOLLEY	1500	33	273
Hollingbourne	JOHN	BOLLEY	1501-06-08	51	71
Lydd	WILHAM	BOMFILDE	1509	58	32
Chiddingstone	William	BONDE	1523	04	387
Sevenoaks	Thomas	BONE	1486	02	122
Stone	Anne	BONEFANT	1497	18	165
Headcorn	Ed.	BOORMAN	1589	26	634
Crayford	Joh'es	BORLE	1372	25	543
Doddington	John	BORNE	1507	33	128
Tonbridge	William	BOROUGH	1529	13	327
Chalk	Thomas	BOSWYN	1500	18	184
Snodland	William	BOTELER	1466	17	076
Bromley	Randolf	BOTHE	1481	08	142
Lympne	William	BOTTESHAM	1399	23	272
Trottiscliffe	Joh'es	BOTTESHAM	1404	23	312
Sandwich	Thomas	BOUKELEY	1490	43	079
Woolwich	Thomas	BOULKELEY	1490	43	079
Rochester	John	BOULTON	1557	20	462
Leigh	Richard	BOURBAGE	1435	22	167
Boxley	THOMAS	BOURCGCHIER	1512-02-05	52	28
Boxley	Thomas	BOURGCHIER	1512	33	201
Linton	Joh'es	BOURGHARD	1482	32	051
Sittingbourne	Edward	BOURLAS	1543	28	032
Boxley	Robert de	BOURNE	1361	17	001
Trottiscliffe	Henry	BOUSFELL	1544	15	569
Eastling	Ed.	BOWDON	1545	31	425
Lydd	ROBERT	BOWNDE	1487-06-21	58	35
Chart	Robert	BOWREMAN	1460	32	078
Staplehurst	Thomas	BOWRYNG	1475	32	011
Staplehurst	THOMAS	BOWRYNG	1475-about	56	17
Bobbing	John	BOX	1494	30	221
Northfleet	Thomas	BOYDON	1508	04	355
Sandwich	John	BOYES	1532	45	232
Nonington	John	BOYS	1532	45	232
Biddenden	Thomas	BRADBRIGG	1467	11	058
Lydd	THOMAS	BRADFORDE	1479-01-27	58	33
Faversham	Johane	BRAMFELD	1504	30	279
Canterbury	Robert	BRAMLYNG	1492	30	227
Harbledown	Robert	BRAMLYNG	1493	30	227
Northfleet	Thomas	BRAMPSTON	1511	03	282
Knockholt	William	BRAMPTON	1406	01	010
Northfleet	John	BRAMSTON	1532	05	557
Boxley	Robert de	BRAUNCEPATH	1361	17	005
Rochester	Robert de	BRAUNCEPATH	1393	17	005
Hawkhurst	Ed.	BRAY	1557	32	001
Hawkhurst	EDWARD	BRAY	1558-04-14	60	20
Biddenden	Simon de	BREDON	1372	25	521
Lydd	THOMAS	BREGE atte	1443	58	34
Cranbrook	John	BREKENDEN	1504	36	011
Cranbrook	JOHN	BREKENDEN	1504-11-04	49	28
Milton	William	BREKESTON	1449	28	056
Brenchley	Johanna	BRENCHESLE	1453	21	025
Canterbury	William	BRENCHLEY	1406	23	333
Brenchley	Thomas Robert de	BRENCHLEY	1508	13	234
Canterbury	Roger	BRENT	1486	29	157
Charing	William	BRENT	1495	36	002
Charing	WILLIAM	BRENT	1495-02-19	51	1
Allington	Robert	BRENTA	1491	12	129
Sutton at Hone	William	BRESWELL	1544	10	399
Sandwich	John	BRIKLISWORTH	1420	22	101
Appledore	William	BRISKKILL	1519	41	580
Lamberhurst	Richard	BRODE	1525	13	303
Beckenham	William	BROGRAVE	1504	08	207
Sevenoaks	Clemens	BROKE	1510	04	370
West Malling	John	BROKE	1510	13	247
Harietsham	William	BROKE	1525	33	282
Preston	William	BROKE	1525	33	200
Harrietsham	WILLIAM	BROKE	1525-02-09	51	48
Cobham	Thomas	BROKE	1529	09	317
Stalisfield	Agnes	BROKE	1562	26	664
Lydd	WILLIAM	BROKER	1482-06-11	58	35
Lydd	JOAN	BROKER	1486-07-28	58	35
Lydd	RICHARD	BROKER	1494-07-17	58	36
East Peckham	Ralph	BROKES	1507	03	273
Lydd	ALICE	BROKHIL	1507-01-16	58	38
Lydd	THOMAS	BROKHILL	1502-01-27	58	36
Lydd	WILLIAM	BROKHILL	1505-11-13	58	37
Appledore	WILLIAM	BROKHILL	1519-02-01	53	26
Ivychurch	William	BROKKILL	1519	41	580
Lydd	JOAN	BROKMAN	1463-12-15	58	38
Saltwood	Joh'es	BROKULL	1383	24	366
Wingham	Robert atte	BROME	1372	25	532
Lydd	JAMES	BROME	1495-07-02	58	39
Rochester	Thomas	BRONS	1445	26	700
Marden	Stephyn	BRONYNGBURY	1479	32	043
Marden	STEPHEN	BRONYNGBURY	1479-10-25	56	2
Cowden	Joh'es	BROOK	1415	21	087
Cobham	Thomas	BROOK	1438	07	061
Maidstone	James	BROWN	1488	33	161
West Malling	John	BROWN	1488	11	109
Maidstone	JAMES	BROWN	1488/9-01-05	47	9
Canterbury	Raufe	BROWNE	1522	30	312
Aylesford	Ed.	BROWNE	1536	15	460
Romney	Johanne	BROWNFOLD	1504	30	279
Sandwich	Will	BRUGES	1449	21	058
Preston	Thomas	BRUMSTON	1424	22	125
Preston	Thomas	BRUNSTON	1424	22	125
Cranbrook	RICHARD	BRYKYNDEN	1511-03-15	49	36
Birling	George	BRYMLEY	1522	13	293
Faversham	John	BRYNGBORNE	1545	31	357
Rochester	Thomas de	BRYNTONE	1389	24	387
Aylesford	John	BRYSE	1588	26	609
Frindesbury	Johanna	BRYUYN	1462	17	063
Hartlip	William	BULBET	1432	22	158
Yalding	Joh'es	BURGEYS	1376	24	411
Goudhurst	John	BURGEYS	1509	36	047
Goudhurst	JOHN	BURGEYS	1509-10-10	54	18
Lamberhurst	William	BURGOYNE	1423	11	034
Halstead	William	BURGS	1444	21	032
Dartford	Richard	BURLETON	1504	08	211
Boxley	ROBERT	BURNE, DE	1385-04	52	21
Goudhurst	Alexander	BURR	1507	38	286
Goudhurst	ALLEXANDER	BURR	1507-03-05	54	12
Queenborough	Joh'es	BURTON	1419	28	071
Kingsdown	William	BURTON	1437	28	077
Orpington	Henry	BURTON	1464	01	075
Chiddingstone	Bartholomew de	BURWAYSCH	1369	25	496
Linton	Thomas	BUSSHOPP	1539	35	361
Penshurst	William	BUTCHIN	1552	06	702
Farningham	Otwell	BUTLER	1508	04	346
Chalk	Robert	BYFFELDE	1504	18	178
Canterbury	William	BYLLYNTON	1444	21	035
Herne	William	BYSMER	1453	43	021
Sutton East	Nycholas	BYSSOPPE	1559	35	365

C

Place

Christian Name

Surname

Date

Book No

Page No

C

Canterbury	William	CALONE	1485	11	082
Maidstone	Joh'es	CAMBERTON	1505	32	025
Maidstone	JOHN	CAMBERTON	1506-04-02	47	27
Wingham	Robert	CAMELL	1495	43	092
Milton	Thomas	CANDOUR	1475	18	113
Lydd	JOHN	CARBYE	1501-03-04	58	45
Thanet, Isle of	Thomas	CARDYFF	1510	44	152
Farningham	Gilbert	CARLETON	1500	03	257
Hartlip	William	CARPENTER	1517	30	236
Tenterden	William	CARPINTER	1530	37	176
Tenterden	WILLIAM	CARPINTER	1530-06-30	59	25
Tonbridge	Richard	CARTER	1488	12	126
East Malling	Esmond	CARTWRIGHT	1553	15	520
West Malling	Edmond	CARTWRIGHT	1553	15	520
Higham	Thomas	CASTELL	1459	17	045
Bexley	Henry	CASTILAYN	1407	23	334
Smarden	Thomas	CATCHPOOLE	1553	34	283
Smarden	THOMAS	CATCHPOOLE	1553-03-04	53	85
Leyborne	Thomas	CATELEYNE	1442	11	001
Rochester	John	CATELL	1481	18	135
West Malling	William	CATELYN	1499	12	168
Sandwich	Henry	CATHERELL	1425	22	130
Yalding	Joh'es	CATTYS	1488	11	098
Lydd	THOMAS	CAUSTON or CAXTON	1495-08-10	58	46
Woodchurch	William	CAVE	1413	21	070
Halling	William	CAWLEY	1425	17	028
Bexley	Robert	CAWODE	1464	01	070
Lydd	MARTYN	CAYSAR	1499-06-06	58	47
East Peckham	John	CAYSER	1491	02	168
Maidstone	RICHARD	CHALKHILL	1482-08-13	47	6
Maidstone	Richard	CHALKILL	1482	32	133
Faversham	William	CHALLOCK	1475	29	211
Wingham	Robert	CHALUER	1541	45	272
Adisham	Robert	CHALYNER	1543	45	310
Rochester	Elianor	CHAMBER	1533	31	417
Meresham	John	CHAMBER	1548	34	266
Cray	Walter	CHAMPION	1533	09	333
Charing	William	CHAPMAN	1431	22	153
Shorne	John	CHAPMAN	1544	20	469
Ivychurch	Robert de	CHARWELTON	1368	25	556
Brasted	John'es	CHAUNDLER	1431	22	154
Aylesford	John	CHEESEMAN	1505	12	202
Folkestone	Katherine	CHEESEMAN	1589	26	629
Lydd	STEPHEN	CHEESEMAN Snr	1489-04-30	58	49
Canterbury	Walter	CHELTENHAM	1385	24	371
Charing	Thomas	CHERELL	1540	38	304
Charing	THOMAS	CHERELL	1540-07-07	51	19
Yalding	William	CHERSOMDE?	1558	16	667
Rochester	Edmunde	CHERTSEY	1474	18	126
Lydd	WILLIAM	CHERYTON	1548-06-26	57	41
Lydd	PETER	CHESEMAU	1498-06-21	58	51
Stone	Roger of	CHESTER	1422	22	121
Eastchurch	William	CHEYNE	1441	22	206
Minster	Thomas	CHEYNE	1558	31	386
Otford	Isabell	CHEYNN	1508	04	372
Sittingbourne	John	CHEYNY	1527	28	007
Tonbridge	John of	CHILDERING	1524	13	298
Staplehurst	Stephyn	CHIRCHE	1484	32	040
Staplehurst	STEPHYN	CHIRCHE	1484-10-30	56	20
Faversham	Nicholas	CHOWNE	1493	30	231
Canterbury	Roger	CHURCHE	1524	30	311
Middleton	Radulph	CHYCHE	1504	30	259
West Malling	Joh'es	CHYNALER	1417	11	021
Canterbury	Thomas Duke of	CLARENCE	1417	22	123
Cobham	John de	CLAVERING	1408	07	033
Seal	Richard	CLEARKE	1585	27	733
East Farleigh	William	CLEEVE	1558	20	464
Sevenoaks	Robert	CLEMENS	1537	05	601
Gillingham	Joh'es	CLEMENT	1407	23	336
Newington	Thomas	CLEMENT	1471	29	186
East Malling	Richard	CLEMENT	1518	03	322
Ightham	Richard	CLEMENT	1538	05	605
Canterbury	Joh'es	CLENDON	1416	21	073
Penshurst	Joh'es	CLERK	1431	11	028
Lydd	ALEXANDER	CLERK	1492-10-25	58	52
Eynsford	William	CLERK	1508	04	339
Wrotham	John	CLERKE	1480	01	110
Lydd	ROBERT	CLERKE	1483-06-25	58	52
Bexley	John	CLERKE	1527	04	395
Coxheath	William	CLEVE	1558	06	735
Stone	Richard	CLIFFORD	1416	22	118
Canterbury	Kateryn	CLYCHE	1525	44	202
Crayford	Joh'es	CLYDEROWE	1434	22	168
Northfleet	Nicholas	CLYFFORDE	1546	06	693
Leeds	Thomas	CLYNTON	1415	21	071
Brenyett	Clement	COBBE	1557	42	722
Brenzett	CLEMENT	COBBE	1557-07-13	57	56
Newchurch	ROBERT	COBBES	1509-02-11	57	24
Cobham	Thomas de	COBHAM	1367	25	554
Chiddingstone	Johanna de	COBHAM	1369	27	758
Penshurst	William de	COBHAM	1375	24	417
Hever	Joh'es	COBHAM	1394	23	267
Cobham	Randulph de	COBHAM	1402	07	025
Boxley	Reginald de	COBHAM	1405	23	330
Chiddingstone	Reginald	COBHAM	1446	26	707
Charing	John	COCKES	1545	40	521
Egerton	John	COCKES	1545	40	521
Midley	JOHN	COCKES	1546-04-19	57	48
Erith	John	COCOCK	1523	09	259
Yalding	Thomas	CODDE	1494	12	185
Yalding	Joh'es	CODDE	1502	12	197
Adisham	John	CODINGTON	1369	25	506
Lydd	WILLIAM	COK	1477-03-08	58	53
Wye	Nicholas	COKE	1441	46	355
Smarden	Nicholas	COKE	1541	46	355
Lydd	MARGARY	COKERAM	1488-09-25	58	53
Lydd	ROBERT	COKERAM	1508-05-11	58	43
Lydd	WILLIAM	COKERED	1508	58	42
Lydd	ISABELLE	COKERYD	1508	58	42
Lydd	JOAN	COKERYD	1490-06-16	58	40
Lydd	JOHN	COKERYD Snr	1479-04-01	58	40
Lydd	RICHARD	COKRYDE	1455	58	39
Gillingham	John	COKSECHE	1533	05	585
Burham	Robert	COLBY	1460	17	046
Seal	Robert	COLBY	1460	17	046
Goudhurst	Constance	COLEPEPER	1541	42	689
Lamberhurst	Alex	COLLEN	1549	13	305
Chislet	Joh'es	COLLEWELL	1382	24	363
West Peckham	Galfridus	COLPEPER	1389	24	399
Tonbridge	Thomas	COLPEPER	1428	22	139
Combwell	Nicholas	COLPEPER	1434	22	173
Goudhurst	Thomas	COLPEPER	1537	42	763
Goudhurst	Alex	COLPEPER	1540	42	677
Goudhurst	ALEXAUNDER	COLPEPER	1541-10-04	54	28
West Peckham	Joh'es	COLPEPIR	1413	21	063
Goudhurst	CONSTANCE	COLPEPIR	1542-11-13	54	37
East Peckham	Thomas	COLT	1529	15	538
Yalding	Thomas	COLT	1529	15	538
Faversham	Robert	COLWELL	1589	26	621
Cranbrook	Thomas	COLYAR	1524	37	152
Cranbrook	THOMAS	COLYAR	1525-03-21	49	49
Wrotham	John	COLYN	1488	01	151
Lydd	STEPHEN	COLYN	1489-07-09	58	41
Lydd	MARGARET	COLYN	1494-04-18	58	53
Lydd	HENRY	COLYN Jnr	1481-07-27	58	41
Sutton Valence	Thomas	COLYNS	1502	33	196
Sheppey	Alice	COMBRETON	1474	29	195
St. Nicholas atte Wade	Nicholas	CONSAUNT	1519	44	173
Sevenoaks	William	CONSTABLE	1559	06	752
Beckenham	Joh'es	CONVERSE/KELSHULL	1439	07	053
Otford	Thomas	COOKE	1464	01	061
Bexley	Henry	COOKE	1551	05	624
Faversham	John	COOLE	1535	30	330
Rainham	Robert	COOTE	1579	28	038
Tenterden	Stephyn	COPER	1551	38	228
Tenterden	STEPHYN	COPER	1551-10-10	59	27
Davington	Rauffe	COPPINGER	1530	31	363
Sutton East	William	COPYNGER	1512	37	122
Longfield	Richard	CORDON	1452	21	014
Rainham	Thomas	CORNELL	1507	30	293
Marden	Thomas	CORNELL	1552	34	280
Marden	THOMAS	CORNELL	1552-03-16	56	11
Cranbrook	WILLIAM	COSSCHEMAN	1500-10-05	49	24
Cranbrook	William	COSSCHEMANN	1500	36	073
Aylesford	William	COSYNGTON	1464	11	054
Lydd	JOHN	COTER (COTTOR)	1497-02-16	58	54
Dartford	Thomas	COTYER	1504	08	213
Birling	William	COUMBYS	1452	17	012
Snodland	William	COUMBYS	1452	17	012
Linton	Margeria	COUNSELL	1485	32	054
Cranbrook	Alex	COURTHOP	1542	41	662
Cranbrook	ALEXANDAR	COURTHOP	1542-07-14	49	71
Teston	Thomas	COVENEY	1515	13	280
West Farleigh	Thomas	COVENEY	1515	13	280
West Farleigh	John	COVENEY	1551	15	479
East Malling	Thomas	COWHERT	1490	02	154
Herne	William	COWPER	1539	45	266
Hette	William	COWPER	1539	45	266
Hawkhurst	Joh'es	CRANE	1415	21	069
Hawkhurst	JOHN	CRANE	1415-10-30	60	24
Hever	Robert	CRANEWELL	1556	06	749
Rochester	Thomas	CRESSENT	1546	20	412
Eynsford	Joh'es	CRESSET	1415	21	072
Sutton at Hone	William	CRESWELL	1544	10	399
Warden	Thomas	CREWE	1546	28	036
Lydd	JOHN	CROCHEMAN	1495-03-09	58	54
Lydd	WILLIAM	CROCHEMAN	1499-06-06	58	55
Canterbury	Hugh	CROMPTON	1545	31	355
Erith	William	CROSBY	1458	07	080
Mereworth	Richard	CROSSE	1492	12	137
West Farleigh	Richard	CROSSE	1492	12	137
Brenchley	William	CROTYNDEN	1510	12	219
Chatham	John	CROWCH	1492	18	150
Rochester	John	CROWCH	1492	18	150
Lewisham	Elizabeth	CROWE	1589	26	722
West Wickham	William	CROWLAND	1521	09	253
Wingham	Joh'es	CRULL	1430	43	015
Langdon	Nicholas	CRYEL	1379	24	446
Westgate on Sea	John	CRYELL	1542	34	258
Rolvenden	Thomas	CRYOR	1513	37	120
Rolvenden	THOMAS	CRYOR	1513-04-27	59	36
Goudhurst	THOMAS	CULPEPER	1558-10-20	54	70
Speldhurst	Joane	CURDE	1613	26	679
Sittingbourne	Margaret	CURLE	1543	28	027
Wingham	William	CURTEIS	1508	44	143
Lynsted	Robert	CURTEYS	1464	28	100
West Malling	Joh'es	CURTHOPE	1418	11	016
Cranbrook	John	CURTOP	1527	37	163
Maidstone	John	CURTOP	1527	37	163
Cranbrook	JOHN	CURTOP	1527-01-07	49	54
Cranbrook	Thomas	CUSSH	1514	36	015
Cranbrook	THOMAS	CUSSHEMAN	1514-07-27	49	37
Rochester	Joh'es	CUSTE	1449	21	049
Crayford	John	CUTTE	1539	05	641

D

Place

Christian Name

Surname

Date

Book No

Page No

D

Erith	Richard	DADDY	1505	08	215
Cobham	John	DAGVILE	1477	43	041
Lydd	THOMAS	DANIELL Snr	1484-07-01	58	58
Lydd	WILLIAM	DANYELL	1463-12-15	58	55
Lydd	JOHN	DANYELL	1487-06-21	58	56
Lydd	JOAN	DANYELL	1490-05-13	58	57
Lydd	WILLIAM	DANYELL	1501-12-12	58	58
Lydd	RICHARD	DANYELL	1502-01-27	58	59
Lydd	THOMAS	DANYELL	1502-01-27	58	59
Chart	John	DARELL	1509	36	061
Little Chart	JOHN SIR	DARELL	1509-02-04	51	24
Lamberhurst	Henry	DARELL	1536	14	450
Lamberhurst	Thomas	DARELL	1537	16	650
Chart	Joh'es	DARELLE	1438	22	193
Penshurst	Walter	DARKNOLD	1505	03	280
Westwell?	John	DARRELL	1509	06	755
Westerham	Brian	DARTTINOLL	1608	27	739
Northfleet	Richard	DAVEY	1490	02	160
Northfleet	Alice	DAVEY	1531	05	559
Tenterden	Joh'es	DAVY	1467	40	495
Tenterden	JOHN	DAVY	1468-10-22	59	2
Maidstone	Thomas	DAVY	1509	33	225
Maidstone	THOMAS	DAVY	1509-07-13	47	28
West Malling	Robert	DAYLL	1522	13	294
Lydd	JOHN	DECON	1497-05-11	58	60
Woolwich	Philip	DENE	1448	21	049
West Malling	Alicia	DENE	1455	11	038
Maidstone	THOMAS	DENLEY	1493/4-03-06	47	12
Canterbury	John	DENMAN	1535	31	365
Rochester	John	DENMAN	1535	31	365
Seal	John	DENMAN	1535	31	365
West Wickham	Thomas	DENYS	1479	08	147
Queenborough	Andrew	DEVYMYSH	1533	30	318
Leysdown	Andrew	DEVYNYSHE	1533	30	318
Barham	Roger	DIGG	1375	24	432
Bishopsbourne	Joh'es	DIGGE	1375	24	421
Barham	James	DIGGES	1535	05	647
Lympne	William	DILNOT	1509	46	376
Faversham	William	DILNOT	1539	46	374
Faversham	William	DILNOT	1559	46	374
Southborough	Joh'es	DODDE	1488	12	119
Eltham	Walter	DOGET	1387	24	378
Thanet, Isle of	John	DOKELYNG	1508	44	140
Romney	Waulter	DOLMAN	1393	39	417
Romney Marsh	WAULTER	DOLMAN	1449-10-15	57	1
Eynsford	John	DONETT	1465	01	065
Beckenham	John	DONS	1535	09	323
Dover	William	DORCESTRE	1409	43	001
Chiddingstone	Richard of	DOVER	1544	45	293
East Peckham	Thomas	DOWNE	1487	02	152
Yalding	Johane	DOWNE	1541	15	544
East Peckham	John a	DOWNE	1542	06	662
Lydd	JOHN	DOWNE a	1505-06-18	58	60
Lydd	LAWRENCE	DOWNE a	1505-06-18	58	61
Brenchley	William	DOWNER	1469	11	051
Wickham Breaux	James	DOWNES	1528	44	216
Cranbrook	STEPHEN	DRANER	1539-12-15	49	69
Erith	Thomas	DRAPER	1520	09	251
Cranbrook	Stephen	DRAUER	1539	40	477
Horton	Richard	DRAYTON	1464	43	030
Faversham	William	DRYLOND	1492	30	235
Brasted	Stephen	DUMMERIGHT	1557	06	715
Swanscomb	William	DUNE	1550	20	442
Maidstone	Stevyn	DUNHOWE	1524	34	216
Maidstone	STEVYN	DUNMOWE	1524-02-23	47	62
Dartford	William	DUNSTAPLE	1404	23	328
Lydd	MARION	DURDSON	1499-06-06	58	61
Newington	Thomas	DYGGIS	1543	31	360
Canterbury	Anne	DYGGS	1509	30	240
Lydd	ELIZABETH	DYNE	1498-12-20	58	62
Lydd	ROBERT	DYNE	1508-09-23	58	63
Shipburne	John	DYNE	1517	13	265
Middleton	Peter	DYNGLEY	1486	29	151
Benenden	John	DYNGYLDEN	1535	37	111
Rolvenden	John	DYNGYLDEN	1535	37	111
Rolvenden	JOHN	DYNGYLDEN	1535-07-02	59	39

E+F

Place

Christian Name

Surname

Date

Book No

Page No

Sevenoaks	William	EASTLANDER	1633	27	757
Horsmonden	Robert	EDMEDE	1538	16	626
Monkton	Stephen	EDMOND	1425	22	128
Brenyett	Robert	EDOLFF	1539	39	360
Brenzett	ROBERT	EDOLFF	1557-03-18	57	51
Lydd	THOMAS	EDRYK	1503	58	63
Lydd	JOHN	EDRYK	1494-	58	63
Lydd	MARGARET	EDRYK	1507-02-04	58	64
Thanet, Isle of	William	EDWARD	1487	43	074
Benenden	William	EDYNDEN	1508	38	297
Benenden	WILLIAM	EDYNDEN	1508-05-17	60	42
Rochester	Thomas	ELBREBBE	1459	17	044
Wouldham	Thomas	ELBRIGGE	1459	17	044
Yalding	Robert	ELFEGH	1526	14	341
Rayham	Jaffrey	ELMYSTON	1576	29	143
Lydd	LAURENCE	ELYS	1503	58	68
Maidstone	Joh'es	ELYS	1467	32	131
Otham	John'es	ELYS	1467	32	104
Cliffe	Richard	ELYS	1468	01	081
Lydd	WILLIAM	ELYS	1480-06-22	58	68
Chart	John	ENGEHAM	1514	39	458
Great Chart	JOHN	ENGEHAM	1517-04-25	53	75
Rochester	Richard	ENGISTE	1544	20	438
Tenterden	Mary	ESSON	1558	38	255
Tenterden	MARY	ESSON	1559-05-03	59	31
Saltwood	Joh'es	ESTCOURT	1427	22	136
Benenden	ROBERT	EVENDEN	1558-01-14	60	62
Chiddingstone	Ed.	EVERIST	1615	26	676
Benenden	Robert	EVERNDEN	1558	41	653
Yalding	William	EVOT	1403	11	024
Yalding	Joh'es	EVOTE	1435	11	036
Dartford	Thomas	EWEN	1501	08	175
Canterbury	Thomas	EYER	1505	30	296
Tonbridge	Joh'es	FANE	1488	11	091
Tonbridge	Thomas	FANE	1532	14	408
Hadlow	Henry	FANE	1533	14	423
Hadlow	Richard	FANE	1541	15	470
Tudeley	Richard	FANE	1541	15	470
East Peckham	John	FANE	1542	15	545
Tonbridge	John	FANE	1542	15	545
West Malling	John	FARM	1501	12	188
Hope	Joh'nes	FASTOLFE	1417	39	430
Sandwich	Joh'es	FAYRHOOD	1419	43	010
Biddenden	Stephen	FEENSCHE	1508	36	053
Cray	Thomas	FEERBY	1464	07	096
Maidstone	Thomas	FELD	1419	21	089
Canterbury	John	FENKYLL	1529	29	117
Seal	James	FENYS	1449	26	702
Cray	Thomas	FEREBY	1531	09	299
Lydd	JOHN	FERMOR or GODFREY	1510-09-09	58	81
Lydd	SIMON	FERMOR otherwise called Godfrey	1463-12-15	58	75
Cray	Andrew	FERREBY	1505	08	225
Hadlow	Edward	FERRES	1535	05	586
Halling	John	FETPLACE	1464	17	066
Burham	Richard	FEYDAY	1544	20	424
St. Margaret at Cliffe	William	FINNES	1589	26	731
Maidstone	Richard	FISSHER	1523	34	218
Maidstone	RICHARD	FISSHER	1523-01-08	47	61
Aylesford	Elizabeth	FISSHER	1526	33	297
Maidstone	Elizabeth	FISSHER	1526	33	297
Maidstone	ELIZABETH	FISSHER	1526-11-07	47	64
East Malling	Edmund	FLATCHERE	1540	05	638
Benenden	John	FLETE	1556	41	653
Biddenden	JOHN	FLETE	1560-07-12	55	27
Ashford	THOMAS	FOGGES	1512-10-16	52	3
Canterbury	Johanna	FOOG	1419	22	100
Bapchild	David	FORMYGER	1512	37	125
Appledore	THOMAS	FOSTER	1544-05-21	53	47
Goudhurst	Thomas	FOULE	1513	39	451
Goudhurst	THOMAS	FOULE	1514-03-31	54	21
Lamberhurst	Thomas	FOWLE	1525	13	300
Saltwood	Joh'es	FRAUNCEYS	1411	23	225
Tonbridge	Richard	FRAYE	1534	15	516
Penshurst	Richard	FRECOK	1468	01	083
Wittersham	RICHARD	FREND	1557-05-16	53	61
Biddenden	STEPHEN	FRENSCHE	1508-03-16	55	5
Gillingham	Ed.	FRENTE	1556	06	728
Wittersham	Richard	FREUD	1556	35	322
Aldington	Walter	FRILOND	1375	24	437
Wouldham	Joan	FRITH	1540	20	384
Burham	Joan	FRITHE	1570	20	384
Ashford	WILLIAM	FRYTH	1527-02-15	52	13
Leigh	William	FRYTHE	1527	37	175
Hythe	Alice	FULCOMBE	1588	26	640
Middleton	Thomas	FYGGE	1518	44	177
Hollingbourne	Johanna	FYLCOTE	1453	21	022
Faversham	William	FYLPOTT	1523	30	314
Wye	Edward	FYNCHE	1528	44	220
Maidstone	Mary	FYNCHE	1537	35	338
Sandhurst	HERBERT	FYNCHE	1553-05-12	59	52
Maidstone	MARY	FYNCHE	1558-08-21	48	91
Harbledown	John	FYNENX	1525	44	187
Canterbury	John	FYNEUX	1525	44	187
Maidstone	William	FYSCHER	1506	33	260
Maidstone	WILLIAM	FYSSHER	1506	47	49

G

Place

Christian Name

Surname

Date

Book No

Page No

Lydd	JOHN	GALAUNT	1486-05-23	58	69
Lydd	THOMAS	GALLWEY	1501-05-27	58	70
Lydd	JAMES	GALWEY	1477-05-08	58	70
Lydd	JOHN	GARARD	1501-11-11	58	72
Lydd	RICHARD	GARARD	1505-04-10	58	72
Romney	Joh'es	GARDYNER	1402	23	305
Sevenoaks	Henry	GARDYNER	1509	04	353
Lydd	STEPHEN	GARRARD	1501-07-05	58	71
Sittingbourne	Thomas	GARRARD	1506	30	295
Sandwich	William	GARRARD	1542	45	285
Yalding	John	GARTFORDE	1517	13	267
Ickham	John	GASON	1558	46	371
Lydd	THOMAS	GATE a	1501-11-11	58	73
Wrotham	Thomas	GAUGE	1470	01	085
Westerham	Richard	GAVELL	1529	13	310
Lamberhurst	Thomas	GEFFRAYE	1510	13	242
Charing	Agnes	GEFFREYE	1539	26	648
Southfleet	John	GEGGE	1467	17	078
Leysdown	William	GERMAN	1507	30	289
Lydd	WILLIAM	GERRAD	1496-06-21	58	71
Ashford	John	GERYN	1438	39	435
Ashford	JOHN	GERYN	1438-10-09	52	1
Erith	Thomas	GIBSON	1532	09	326
Romney	Richard	GIBSON	1534	37	109
Romney Marsh	RICHARD	GIBSON	1534-12-19	57	8
Benenden	John	GILBERT	1589	26	609
Rolvenden	Edward.	GILDEFORD	1448	21	051
Bromley	Thomas	GILES	1428	07	049
Tenterden	John	GILFORD	1493	38	249
Tenterden	JOHN	GILFORD	1493-08-25	59	13
Marden	Robert	GIRDELER	1540	34	259
Marden	ROBERT	GIRDELER	1545-11-13	56	7
Hope All Saints	John	GISORS	1380	24	456
Maidstone	ROBERT	GLOBE	1513	47	42
Benenden	Joh'es	GLOVER	1459	38	207
West Malling	Robert	GLOVER	1487	11	074
Benenden	JOHN	GLOVER	1498-10-14	60	35
Benenden	Thomas	GLOVER	1511	37	135
Benenden	THOMAS	GLOVER	1511-11-13	60	45
Norton	John	GLYN	1534	45	228
Faversham	James	GODDE	1464	29	113
Romney	Thomas	GODEFRAY	1436	22	157
Chelsfield	Roger	GODESTRE	1368	25	563
Gillingham	William	GODFRAY	1525	04	422
Penshurst	Oliver	GODFRAYE	1550	06	686
Lydd	THOMAS	GODFREY	1511	58	84
Lydd	William	GODFREY	1453	36	029
Lydd	JOHN	GODFREY	1485-11-03	58	76
Lydd	MICHAEL	GODFREY	1497-04-14	58	77
Lydd	THOMAS	GODFREY	1499-06-06	58	78
Lydd	JOHN	GODFREY	1505-11-13	58	80
Lydd	JOHN	GODFREY	1511-01-13	58	84
Tenterden	John	GODFREY	1589	27	736
Lydd	Austine	GODFREY	1649	36	001
Lydd	WILLIAM	GODFREY or FERMOR	1504	58	79
Lydd	WILLIAM	GODFREY otherwise called Fermor of Westbroke	1455	58	74
Lydd	JOHN	GODFREY otherwise called Fermor of Westbroke	1484-06-03	58	76
Cliffe	Joh'nes de	GODWYK	1397	23	264
Maidstone	Robert	GOLBE	1513	33	217
Boxley	Joh'es	GOLD	1406	23	333
Faversham	John	GOLDFINCH	1541	29	132
Faversham	John	GOLDFYNSHE	1541	31	352
Crayford	Thomas	GOLDSMITH	1526	04	383
Biddenden	John	GOLDWELL	1557	39	348
Biddenden	JOHN	GOLDWELL	1558-05-06	55	31
West Malling	John	GONNE	1527	13	319
Otterden	William	GOODIN	1559	26	658
Wrotham	John	GOODWYN	1495	02	188
Maidstone	Joh'es	GOOLDE	1406	23	319
Horsmonden	John	GORDE	1537	16	634
Brenchley	John	GORDE	1557	16	634
Appledore	JOHN	GOSEBORNE, DE	1410-10-01	53	21
Ash	Otto de	GRANDISON	1358	25	592
Ivychurch	William	GREENSTREET	1480	37	185
Romney	William	GREENSTREETE	1430	37	184
Hollingbourne	Robert	GREGORI	1413	23	233
Harietsham	John	GREGORY	1549	34	298
Otterden	John	GREGORY	1549	34	298
Headcorn	JOHN	GREGORY	1549-02-04	51	64
Charing	Joh'es	GRENE	1434	22	164
Sundridge	Thomas	GRENE	1505	04	349
Lydden	Joh'es	GRENEFORD	1473	43	055
Ivychurch	WILLIAM	GRENESTREETE	1480-06-17	57	18
West Malling	Thomas	GRESSENT	1546	20	412
Yalding	William	GRETFORD	1502	12	195
Mereworth	Anne	GREY	1558	16	670
Horsmonden	John	GRIGGE	1533	15	485
Maidstone	WILLIAM	GROCYN	1522-07-20	47	60
Maidstone	William	GROCYN	1579	33	277
Horsmonden	Sarah	GROFHERST	1371	25	578
Lydd	JOAN	GROOSE	1508	58	88
Tonbridge	Richard	GROPEHURST	1456	11	039
Lydd	WILLIAM	GROS?	1464-06-06	58	85
Lydd	LAWRENCE	GROS?	1498-01-18	58	87
Lydd	THOMAS	GROSE	1501-11-11	58	87
Ivychurch	STEPHEN	GROVE	1451-05-22	57	17
Greenhithe(Garlykhithe)?	Roger	GROVE	1496	33	197
Maidstone	ROGER	GROVE	1504-08-06	47	25
Stone	John	GROVE	1505	18	193
Swanscomb	John	GROVE	1505	18	193
Swanscomb	Nicholas	GROVE	1520	19	259
Dartford	John	GROVEHURST	1472	07	113
Hawkhurst	Richard	GULDEFORD	1508	37	125
High Halden	RICHARD	GULDEFORD	1508-05-10	53	3
Sittingbourne	Richard	GUSTON	1533	30	320
Otford	George	GUSTON	1536	05	602
Tenterden	Thomas	GYBON	1460	39	439
Tenterden	THOMAS	GYBON	1460-11-06	59	1
Eynsford	Nicholas	GYBSONNE	1528	04	412
Chalk	Jacobus	GYFFORD	1473	18	097
Lydd	WILLIAM	GYLBERD	1490-06-16	58	88
Rochester	Gilbert	GYLDEWYN	1369	25	520
Willesborough	Agnes	GYLYT	1587	26	732

H

Place

Christian Name

Surname

Date

Book No

Page No

Chevening	John	HACCHE	1541	05	656
Aylesford	Robert	HADDE	1519	13	269
Headcorn	Richard	HADDE	1589	26	639
Eythorne	William	HALDEN	1384	24	376
Bromley	Edmund	HALE	1446	07	050
Brenchley	Thomas	HALER	1556	16	615
Wootten	William	HALL	1448	46	390
Lydd	THOMAS	HALL	1493-05-23	58	89
Stone	Nicholas	HALL	1589	27	734
Maidstone	William	HALLE	1500	33	190
Maidstone	WILLIAM	HALLE	1501-08-27	47	20
Deptford	William	HALPENNYE	1589	26	617
Biddenden	Stephyn	HALSENOTH	1548	40	538
Biddenden	STEPHYN	HALSENOTH	1548-12-22	55	11
Brabourne	Hugo	HALSHAM	1441	23	241
Lenham	Joh'es	HALYS	1459	32	082
Lydd	JOHN	HAMMOND	1503-07-13	58	90
Biddenden	Richard	HAMON	1531	42	742
Sandwich	Alexander	HAMON	1537	45	270
Tenterden	Richard	HAMON	1551	42	742
Biddenden	RICHARD	HAMON	1553-11-24	55	21
West Peckham	William	HAMPTON	1492	02	173
Isle of Grain	Richard	HANCOCK	1526	04	417
Folkestone	George	HANDFEL	1532	46	340
Bexley	Thomas	HARDING	1494	02	178
Canterbury	Clement	HARDYNG	1507	30	300
Woodchurch	Roger	HARLAKYNDEN	1520	37	161
Woodchurch	ROGER	HARLAKYNDEN	1523-05-15	53	15
Woodchurch	Thomas	HARLAKYNDEN	1557	39	355
Woodchurch	THOMAS	HARLAKYNDEN	1558-08-30	53	17
Crayford	Henry	HARMAN	1501	03	243
Crayford	William	HARMAN	1547	06	681
Staplehurst	Rychard	HAROLDE	1558	32	019
Staplehurst	RYCHARD	HAROLDE	1558-08-06	56	40
Chart	George	HARPER	1538	35	351
Hadlow	George	HARPER	1558	35	351
Maidstone	Jone (Joan)	HARRENDEN	1515	33	251
Maidstone	JONE (Joan)	HARRENDEN	1515-05-16	47	45
Tenterden	Margaret	HARREYS	1490	38	197
Bromley	Thomas	HARREYS	1549	10	413
Crayford	John	HARRY	1504	03	269
Lydd	JOHN	HARRY	1505-04-10	58	90
Marden	Richard	HARRYE	1535	34	287
Marden	RICHARD	HARRYE	1555-06-21	56	13
Tenterden	MARGARET	HARRYES	1490-10-04	59	11
Lydd	JAMES	HARRYS (HARRYE?)	1483-12-18	58	90
Snargate	Nicholas	HART	1589	27	733
Folkestone	Nicholas	HARYNGTON	1593	43	049
Sittingbourne	Henry	HASEE	1407	22	209
Dartford	William	HASELL	1423	07	045
Frittenden	William	HAVYNDEN	1514	39	449
Bexley	Thomas	HAWLE	1526	04	397
Lydd	MATHEW	HAWLER	1502-01-26	58	90
Bishopsbourne	WILLIAM	HAWTE	1538	61	3
Bishopsbourne	William	HAWTEKT	1538	45	239
Yalding	Nicholas	HAYMAN	1517	13	263
Yalding	Thomas	HAYMAN	1526	14	348
Bexley	John	HAYNES	1554	06	700
Maidstone	Thomas	HAYTE	1548	34	273
Maidstone	THOMAS	HAYTE	1548-05-11	47	80
Lydd	WILLIAM	HAYTON	1485-03-15	58	91
Lydd	JOHN	HAYTON	1505-07-16	58	91
Milton	John	HAYTON	1517	19	253
Gravesend	John	HAYTON	1577	19	253
Hawkhurst	JOHN	HEANSYLL	1464-02-01	60	1
Hawkhurst	MARGARET	HEANSYLL	1473-03-29	60	4
Hunton	William	HEEDE	1513	03	289
Ickham	William	HEGHREDBURY	1372	25	513
Chatham	William	HELE	1524	19	279
Godmersham	Gilbert de	HELLES	1364	25	601
Herne	Agnes	HELWOLDYNG	1430	22	152
Herne	Nicholas	HELWOLDYNG	1430	22	151
Maidstone	Richard	HELY	1538	35	345
Maidstone	Elizabeth	HELY	1558	35	347
Maidstone	ELIZABETH	HELY	1558-11-17	48	98
Cranbrook	Gervase	HENDIE	1534	37	105
Cranbrook	Joh'es	HENDLE	1472	37	182
Cranbrook	Walter	HENDLE	1550	41	611
Sutton East	Walter	HENDLE	1550	41	611
Cranbrook	JOHN	HENDLE (Y)	1472-12-02	49	6
Cranbrook	GREVASE	HENDLEY	1534-05-06	49	59
Cranbrook	WALTER SIR	HENDLEY	1550-04-26	49	80
Cranbrook	THOMAS	HENLE (Y)	1495-02-11	49	12
Lydd	JOHN	HENXELL	1505-10-16	58	92
Boxley	Robert	HEREFORD	1463	38	245
Newchurch	Robert	HEREFORD	1463	38	245
Newchurch	ROBERT	HEREFORD	1463-01-11	57	23
West Farleigh	Richard	HERENDEN	1516	13	253
Maidstone	Walter	HERENDEN	1536	35	325
Maidstone	WALTER	HERENDEN	1556-01-04	47	86
Cranbrook	Thomas	HERMAN	1547	40	543
Cranbrook	THOMAS	HERMAN	1548-06-07	49	77
Canterbury	John	HERON	1515	44	161
Selling	William	HERTLE	1539	45	250
Boughton Monchelsea	Thomas	HERUNDEN	1534	34	230
East Farleigh	Thomas	HERUNDEN	1534	34	230
Loose	Thomas	HERUNDEN	1534	34	230
Boughton Monchelsea	THOMAS	HERUNDEN	1534-09-30	52	79
Lydd	JOAN	HEUGLOT	1484-10-21	58	91
Cranbrook	Thomas	HEULE	1495	40	488
West Wickham	Henry	HEYDON	1503	08	218
Selling	Peter	HEYMAN	1553	46	343
Bethersden	Richard	HEYWARD	1468	32	101
Shaddoxhurst	RICHARD	HEYWARD	1468-07-01	53	76
Westerham	Richard	HEYWARD	1529	13	312
Cranbrook	Joh'es	HIKKYS	1479	41	573
Cranbrook	JOHN	HIKKYS	1482-08-07	49	7
Westenhanger	Robert	HILL	1453	21	026
Wye	Christophre	HILLIS	1528	44	221
Pluckley	William	HILLS	1589	26	728
Rayham	Thomas	HODDESTON	1471	29	197
Lydd	EDMUND	HOGAN	1498-09-19	58	94
Folkestone	Clement	HOGBEN	1552	46	337
Lydd	JOHN	HOGELOTT	1507-06-10	58	92
Lydd	STEPHEN	HOGGE or CHEESEMAN	1505-05-07	58	95
Cranbrook	Joh'es	HOGRIGGE	1464	17	060
Lynsted	Joh'es	HOGRIGGE	1464	17	060
Milton	Joh'es	HOGRIGGE	1464	17	060
East Peckham	Richard	HOGYN	1490	02	157
Chatham	Richard	HOLBROOKE	1549	20	421
Lydd	LAURENCE	HOLDERNESS	1507-	58	98
Lydd	THOMAS	HOLDERNESSE	1485-05-04	58	96
Lydd	THOMAS	HOLDERNESSE	1506-06-15	58	96
Newington	Joh'es	HOLFORD	1507	30	237
Sandhurst	Thomas	HOLMAN	1537	38	215
Sandhurst	THOMAS	HOLMAN	1551-11-11	59	49
Lydd	THOMAS	HOLME	1504	58	100
Lydd	JOHN	HOLME	1496-07-28	58	99
Lydd	GREGORY	HOLME	1506-07-30	58	100
Milton	John	HOLT	1503	30	263
Cobham	Thomas	HOLT	1523	09	260
Brasted	John	HOLTE	1546	06	670
Sevenoaks	Thomas	HOLWEY	1512	03	300
Pluckley	Edmunde	HOMMERSAM	1552	34	303
Cranbrook	Robert	HONEDEN	1557	39	344
Lydd	WILLIAM	HOORNE	1507-02-04	58	101
Lydd	JOHN	HOOW	1475-05-11	58	102
Otford	Thomas	HOPE	1487	02	129
Woolwich	William	HOPKYNS	1513	44	157
Goudhurst	Thomas	HORDEN	1532	42	727
Northfleet	Edward	HORDEN	1538	05	608
Goudhurst	THOMAS	HORDEN	1552-01-28	54	65
Warehorn	Roger	HORNE	1543	39	339
Romney Marsh	ROGER	HORNE	1543-02-12	57	9
Dartford	John'es	HORNLEE	1477	07	103
Brenchley	Richard	HORSEMONDEN	1532	14	357
Upchurch	Richard	HORSHAM	1399	23	270
Goudhurst	Stephen	HORSMONDEN	1499	36	084
Goudhurst	STEPHEN	HORSMONDEN	1500-05-30	54	15
Goudhurst	William	HORSMONDEN	1517	39	453
Goudhurst	WILLIAM	HORSMONDEN	1517-10-09	54	25
Horsmonden	William	HORSMONDEN	1538	16	630
New Romney	JOHN	HOULL	1517-01-02	57	5
Romney	John	HOULL	1577	37	145
Maidstone	GEORGE	HOUTON	1474-10-09	47	5
Cranbrook	ROBERT	HOVENDEN	1558-04-27	50	132
Frittenden	WILLIAM	HOVYNDEN	1515-07-13	53	91
Lydd	ELENA	HOWE	1499-01-24	58	104
Lydd	JOHN	HOWE	1501-05-27	58	105
Lydd	THOMAS	HOWGH	1460	58	101
Lydd	ROBERT	HOWGH	1487-06-21	58	102
Lydd	AGNES	HOWGLYN	1488-03-06	58	106
Lydd	THOMAS	HOWSTYD (HOWSLYD)	1483-02-20	58	106
Rolvenden	William	HUBBERD	1516	37	148
Rolvenden	WILLIAM	HUBBERD	1517-05-13	59	37
Tenterden	STEVEN	HUBBERDE	1558-02-21	59	29
Shoreham	Nicholas	HUBERD	1496	02	192
East Peckham	Richard	HUGELET	1404	23	325
Canterbury	William	HUGHAM	1416	21	075
Lydd	RICHARD	HUGLETT	1497-05-11	58	91
Chartham	Joh'es	HUGWET	1420	22	110
Appledore	Steven	HULBERDE	1558	41	659
Ruckinge	Alan	HUMLETON	1407	23	350
Cliff	Robert	HUNDELBY	1406	24	360
Erith	John	HUNDELL	1464	07	080
Lydd	JOHN	HUNT	1463-11-04	58	106
Frittenden	RICHARD	HUNT	1484-04-06	53	89
Frittenden	Richard	HUNT	1485	41	575
Lydd	JOHN	HUNT	1488-07-08	58	107
Northfleet	Joan	HUNT	1551	05	555
West Wickham	Thomas	HUNTLOW	1544	02	217
Wittersham	Richard	HUNTYNGTON	1430	32	073
Wittersham	RICHARD	HUNTYNGTON	1430-03-15	53	58
Lydd	RICHARD Dom.	HUSBUNDE	1487-10-25	58	108
Boxley	Peter	HUSE	1499	33	185
Headcorn	PETER	HUSE	1499-01-31	51	63
Graveney	Richard	HYLLE	1459	28	096
Biddenden	John	HYLLES	1508	36	057
Biddenden	JOHN	HYLLES	1508-03-16	55	2
Biddenden	John	HYLS	1540	38	308
Biddenden	JOHN	HYLS	1540-08-24	55	8
Higham	Elys	HYLTON	1528	19	303
Rochester	Elys	HYLTON	1528	19	303
Appledore	Thomas	HYNXSTENDE	1545	38	231
Appledore	THOMAS	HYNXSTENDE	1545-12-10	53	49

I, J, K

Place

Christian Name

Surname

Date

Book No

Page No

Stoke	Thomas	IDEN	1511	18	213
Penshurst	Powle	IDEN	1514	03	312
Westgate on Sea	Alexander	IDEN	1514	33	250
West Farleigh	Robert	IDEN	1546	15	505
Lydd	STEPHEN	IDERYKKE	1508	58	66
Tenterden	Thomas	ILAND	1529	37	177
Tenterden	THOMAS	ILANDE	1529-09-23	59	24
Halden	Andrew	INCENT	1588	26	651
Wickham Breaux	Johanna	INGALDESTHORPE	1494	43	088
Lydd	JAMES	INGLOTT	1508-09-23	58	108
Hawkhurst	WILLIAM	IREGE	1515-02-13	60	12
Patricksbourne	John	ISAAK	1500	43	104
Sundridge	John	ISELE	1494	02	179
Canterbury	Radulphus	ISLEP	1420	22	097
Sundridge	Joh'es	ISLEY	1375	24	424
Sundridge	Ed.	ISLEY	1525	04	400
Sundridge	Thomas	ISSLEY	1518	03	317
Maidstone	Elyne	JACKSON	1492	33	175
Canterbury	William	JACKSON	1554	31	368
Chiddingstone	Robert	JACKSON	1594	26	697
Hunton	Valentine	JACOB	1485	32	045
Marden	Valentine	JACOB	1485	32	045
Marden	VALENTINE	JACOB	1485-10-17	56	3
Maidstone	ELYNE	JAKSON	1494-05-25	47	15
Leigh	John	JAMES	1559	26	652
Blackmanstone	Henry	JAMYS	1501	36	068
Blackmauston	HENRY	JAMYS	1502-05-14	57	27
Ash	Robert	JASPAR	1389	24	406
Crayford	John	JEBBES	1494	02	190
Goudhurst	Gyles	JEFFREY	1558	16	664
Lydd	ROGER	JEKEN	1463-09-23	58	109
Folkestone	John	JENCKYNS	1544	45	297
Brenchley	Robert	JENDUR	1536	14	453
Horsmonden	Gyles	JEOFFRY	1538	16	665
Chatham	Roger	JERVEYS	1487	18	136
Penshurst	Andronicus	JESSOPE	1615	26	683
Stourmouth	Richard	JODE	1539	45	254
Tenterden	WILLIAM	JOHN	1532-02-14	59	26
Tenterden	William	JOHN	1533	37	178
Lydd	JAMES	JOHNSON	1500-10-01	58	110
Aylesford	John	JOHNSON	1532	14	368
Rayham	Rauf	JOHNSON	1556	29	128
Maidstone	Ed.	JONYS	1511	37	119
Tenterden	EDWARD	JONYS	1512-04-30	59	19
Yalding	John	JOP	1493	12	157
Tonbridge	Joh'es	JUDD	1492	12	145
Tonbridge	Henry	JUDD	1554	15	526
Dartford	John	JUDDE	1527	09	340
Tonbridge	Thomas	JUDDE	1533	45	225
Tonbridge	Andrew	JUDDE	1558	42	757
Ashford	ANDROW Sir	JUDDE	1558-10-15	52	15
Ashford	Andrew	JUDDERT	1558	42	757
Swanscomb	William	JUGELER	1516	19	242
Cranbrook	Stephen	KARKEREGGE	1498	36	076
Cranbrook	STEPHEN	KARKEREGGE	1500-06-05	49	20
Faversham	Joh'es	KEER	1510	30	253
Milton	Joh'es	KEER	1510	30	255
Headcorn	JOHN	KELSHAM	1432-07-22	51	53
Headcorn	Joh'es	KELSHAM	1434	32	068
Beckenham	John	KELSHYLL	1432	07	052
Boxley	JOHN	KEMBAR	1489-01-11	52	26
Bredhurst	William	KEMMYSLEY	1515	30	282
Lydd	JOHN	KEMPE	1508	58	111
Staplehurst	Thorne	KEMPE	1488	32	037
Staplehurst	Thorne	KEMPE	1488	33	149
Staplehurst	THOMAS	KEMPE	1489-10-22	56	24
Lydd	JOHN	KEMPE	1495-12-03	58	110
Wye	William	KEMPK'T	1535	45	268
Milton	Allicia	KEMPTON	1464	17	065
Gillingham	John	KEMSLEY	1530	04	435
Boxley	Joh'es	KENBAR	1487	32	057
Stone	William	KENDALE	1413	23	235
Lydd	JOAN	KENET	1506	58	112
Lydd	NICHOLAS	KENETT	1498-07-14	58	111
Greenhithe(Garlykhithe)?	Thomas	KENT	1434	32	068
Headcorn	Thomas	KENT	1468	32	097
Headcorn	THOMAS	KENT	1468-03-15	51	55
Headcorn	Robert	KENT	1483	21	001
Sandwich	William	KENYNGTHORP	1470	43	039
Southfleet	John	KETYLL	1505	18	192
Gillingham	Andrew	KEYMSLEY	1530	04	438
East Peckham	William	KEYSER	1510	04	362
Brenchley	William	KIPPYRYNG	1509	13	240
Westenhanger	Joh'es	KIRIEL	1376	24	449
Meresham	John	KNACHEBULL	1540	34	250
Meresham	Richard	KNATCHBULL	1581	14	390
Meresham	Richard	KNATCHBULL	1590	14	455
Meresham	Susan	KNATCHBULL	1602	14	420
Maidstone	Elenor	KNATCHBULL	1634	15	486
Meresham	Norton	KNATCHBULL	1682	17	085
Newchurch	John	KNATCHBULL	1682	17	085
Meresham	William	KNECHEBULL	1522	41	600
Midley	WILLIAM	KNECHEBULL	1522-11-13	57	45
Meresham	Richard	KNEECHEBULL	1522	41	604
Erith	Lucy	KNIGHT	1444	07	064
Chiddingstone	John	KNIGHT	1490	02	156
Canterbury	Thomas	KNIGHT	1532	31	371
Lynsted	Thomas	KNOTTE	1560	26	657
Newington	Joh'es	KNYVETT	1476	29	121
Langdon	Letitia	KRYEL	1408	22	216
Teynham	Johanna	KYNG	1464	28	104
Strood	Robert	KYNG	1505	18	181
Crayford	Thomas	KYNGESTON	1505	03	269
Westenhanger	Cecilia	KYRRELL	1472	32	123
Cray	William	KYRTON	1464	07	100

L

Place

Christian Name

Surname

Date

Book No

Page No

Two medical recipes recorded at St Andrew’s Priory, Rochester, c.1235

Clearly unrelated in subject matter to the custumal, which is a survey of tenants’ rents, services and customs, they were nevertheless deemed important enough to preserve. It is very likely that the monks of St Andrew’s Priory were prone to suffer from common health problems. This may partially explain why the following medical recipes for urinary and skin conditions were preserved by the monks and, at some point, bound with the custumal. Among the monks there would likely have been individuals who at some point had studied medical texts that were circulating in England at the time the recipes were penned. These monks would have been practiced in using herbs grown in the priory gardens (and possibly beyond) in order to treat the sick. They would have collaborated with the priory’s infirmary attendants, the duties of whom are outlined in a further section added to the custumal on the subject of the priory’s lay servants. The method of the first recipe for treating strangury and dysuria – painful urinary conditions – is self-evidently for male patients, which is of course what we would expect in a community of monks. The second recipe for ulceration and abrasions may have been relevant to the treatment of ‘leprosy’ – an umbrella term in medieval medicine that corresponds today to a number of diseases affecting the skin, but evidently also Hansen’s Disease, the preferred modern name for leprosy.¹ The significance of this is that the priory established the hospital of Saint Bartholomew in Chatham (on the outskirts of Rochester), at least as early as the 1120s, which according to one contemporaneous source was ‘built for lepers’.² Pertinently, symptoms of tuberculoid leprosy may include ulceration and fissured skin – cuts, sores and abrasions – which easily become infected.³ The two medical recipes are completed by a short invocation in a mix of Anglo-Norman French and Latin and an instruction to recite the Lord’s Prayer. It is likely that these would have been said whilst the treatments were being administered.

Transcription

4r

_Contra⁴ stranguriam et dysuriam. Accipe
radicem Raffani, et tere, et deinde decoquo-
que in uino albo et oderifero cum Radice vismalue⁵
usque ad tertiam partem liquoris decoque. In fine decoc-
tionis, appone furfur triticeum et fac emplastrum,
et circumliga uirilem uirgam, ita calidum quam
paciens pati possit. Istud emplastrum faciendum est
per triduum ad cubitum. Istud emplastrum per furfur suf-
ficienter inspissetur.

_Contra ulceracionem et excoriaconem. Accipe
tapsum barbastem quod gallice dicitur moleine⁶
et summitates rumminis⁷ salicet, Runce, et tanacetum
agreste, et consolidam maiorem, et centinodium.
Istis herbis optime decoctis in bersise; bibat paciens
mane et sero. Sed prius inungat paciens locum dolen-
tem oleo laurino. _Deus te feznerent oil e buche treis te destez-
nent pere e fiz e seinte espirit.⁸ In nomine pa-
tris et filij et spiriti sancti. Amen. Pater noster. Hoc-
ter dicendum est.

Translation

To counter strangury⁹ and dysuria.¹⁰ Take and grind a radish root, and then boil it in white spiced wine along with the root of marsh-mallow until you reduce the liquor to a third. Into the final decoction add wheat bran and make a poultice, and wrap around the virile rod,¹¹ as hot as the patient can endure. This poultice should be applied for three days at rest. The poultice may be sufficiently thickened by bran.

To counter ulceration and abrasions. Take tapsus barbastus, which in French is called mullein, and the tops of the bramble, namely blackberries, and wild tansy and comfrey and knotgrass. These herbs are best decocted in a barley malt liquor. The patient should drink this in the morning and evening; but first the patient should rub the painful spot with laurel oil.

God bless you and open your eye and mouth entirely [to the]¹² Father and Son and Holy Spirit.

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. The Our Father must be said today.¹³

Footnotes

1 See Winston Black (ed.), Medicine and Healing in the Premodern West: A History in Documents (Peterborough, Ontario, Canada: Broadview Press, 2020) p. 201.

2 Though Gundulf, monk-bishop of Rochester (1077-1108), is traditionally seen as the founder of St Bartholomew’s Hospital, this is a fourteenth-century attribution. An early thirteenth-century register from Rochester priory (similar in content to and slightly earlier than Custumale Roffense), located now in the British Library (Vespasian MS A. XXII), attributes the building of the chapel associated with the hospital to Hugh of Trottiscliffe (’Hugo de Trotescliue’), a Rochester monk and later abbot of St Augustine, Canterbury (1126-1151). See Colin Flight, The Bishops and Monks of Rochester 1076-1214 (Maidstone: Kent Archaeological Society, 1997), p. 211; and Richard Sharpe, David X. Carpenter, and Hugh Doherty, ‘Chatham Hospital: Hospital of St Bartholomew; dependency of Rochester cathedral priory’, Charters of William II and Henry I Project, actswilliam2henry1.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/h1-chatham-hosp-2014-1.pdf.

3 Carole Rawcliffe, Leprosy in Medieval England (Woodbridge: The Boydell Press, 2006), p. 2.

4 A scribe would have completed the medical texts by inserting large red initials (C, C, and D) into the spaces that have been left, but this was clearly forgotten.

5 ‘vismalue’, a corrupt medieval Latinisation of Anglo-Norman wimalve (variant of guimave), i.e. the marsh-mallow plant (Althaea officinalis); cf. Bismalva in Tony Hunt, Plant Names of Medieval England (Cambridge: D. S. Brewer, 1989), p. 52.

6 The scribe has made an untidy correction to give what is probably meant to be ‘moleine’, i.e. Old French for ‘mullein’.

7 ‘rumminis’ appears to be an error. The intended meaning is ‘of the bramble’; see rhamnus in the online Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources [accessed 27 July 2023].

8 The transcription of the Anglo-Norman is not entirely satisfactory, due to the creases in the manuscript at this point.

9 Strangury is blockage or irritation at the base of the bladder resulting in very painful urination and a strong desire to urinate.

10 Dysuria is painful or difficult urination.

11 A euphemism for the penis.

12 Due in part to the transcription difficulties related to the creases in the manuscript, the translation of the Anglo-Norman to this point is somewhat unsatisfactory and at some stage may need amending.

13 The ‘Our Father’ (Latin, ‘Pater noster’), i.e. the Lord’s Prayer, or Paternoster.

St Andrew’s Day food payments to Rochester Priory, c.1235

The list below provides the breakdown of the special customary payment – or xenium – made to the court of Rochester Priory on St Andrew’s Day (30th November). Payments came from the manorial estates held by the monastery and took the form of piglets, hens, geese, eggs, sturgeon, lampreys, as well as grain. The manors owing these food payments are listed as Frindsbury, Denton, Wouldham, Southfleet, Stoke, Haddenham and Darenth. All but Haddenham were (and still are) in Kent; Haddenham was (and is) in Buckinghamshire.

Transcription

66r (select folio number to open facsimile)

De exennio sancti Andree. Frendesberj. De frendesberia : v frecingas, et unum quarterium et quater
uiginti, et iiij gallinas, et xx et unam aucam, et
duo millia et centum ouorum. Inde episcopo quingenta oua, et
celerario quingenta oua, et residua in curiam, et
iij partem de sturgun et de lampridis, et sexaginta¹
fasciculos de furra. Denintune.² De denitune : unam frecingam et tria quarteria

66v

unius frecinge et xxiiij gallinas, uno anno et altero
xxv, et unam partem de sturgun, et de lampridis, et sex³
uiginti et tria oua. Wuldeham. De Wuldeham : tres frecingas et dimidiam et xl gallinas, et
duas partes de sturgun et de lampridis, et xl fasciculos de
furra, set hoc contra cartam Gundulfi episcopi. Et notandum quod
super manerium de Wuldeham constituti fuerunt olim de firma⁴
duo menses cum centum solidis, de suthflete. Suthflete De suthflete: tres frecingas et dimidiam et centum
gallinas et duas partes de sturgun et de lampridis.⁵ De stokes: duas frecingas et xxxvi gallinas et ix⁶
aucas et quingenta oua, residua in curiam et xii
summas auene, et unam partem de sturgun et de⁷
lampridis. Hadenham. De Hedenham⁸ : piscem ualentem xx sol’.⁹ Derente. De Derente¹⁰ : dimidium millenarium de lampridis.

Translation

Concerning the customary payment of Saint Andrew.¹¹ Frindsbury.

Concerning Frindsbury: 5 piglets¹² and six quarters [of wheat grain];¹³ and 4 hens, and 21 geese;¹⁴ and two thousand and one hundred eggs.¹⁵ Of these, to the bishop fifty eggs, and to the cellarer fifty eggs, and the remainder to the court [of the priory]; and three parts of sturgeon and of lampreys;¹⁶ and sixty bundles of spelt.¹⁷ – that is, for 1 month –¹⁸

Denton

Concerning Denton: one piglet and three quarters [of wheat grain], a single piglet;¹⁹ and 24 hens one year, and on the alternate [year] 25; and one part of sturgeon and of lamprey; and 123 eggs.²⁰

Wouldham

Concerning Wouldham: three piglets, and a half,²¹ and 40 hens, and two parts of sturgeon and of lampreys, – that is, for 1 month –²² and 40 bundles of spelt – but this is contrary to Bishop Gundulf’s charter.²³ And it should be noted that the above manor of Wouldham there were formerly established two months of rent with a hundred shillings from Southfleet.²⁴ – that is, for 2 months –²⁵

Southfleet

Concerning Southfleet: three piglets and one hundred and fifty hens and two parts of sturgeon and of lampreys. – that is, for 2 months –²⁶

Stoke

Concerning Stoke: two piglets and 36 hens and 9 gees and fifty eggs, the remainder to the court, and 12 seams of oats,²⁷ and one part of sturgeon and of lampreys.

Haddenham

Concerning Haddenham: fish, equivalent value of 20 shillings.²⁸

Darenth

Concerning Darenth: half a thousand of lampreys.

Footnotes

1 A note in the margin records ‘i.e. pro j mense.’

2 ‘Denintune’, an error for ‘Denitune’.

3 A note in the margin records ‘i.e. pro j mense’.

4 A note in the left margin records ‘i.e. pro ijbus mensibus’.

5 A note in the left margin records ‘i.e. pro ijbus mensibus’.

6 A note in the left margin records ‘Stokes. ’

7 A note in the left margin records ‘i.e. pro j mense’.

8 ‘Hedenham’, variant spelling of ‘Hadenham’.

9 The case ending of solidus is unclear so I have left it abbreviated.

10 The scribe made a mistake which he corrected: in the manuscript it reads ‘Derente’ with a superscript ‘de’ above.

11 The exenium (or xenium) of the text was the customary offering or payment brought to the priory on the feast day of Saint Andrew, i.e. the 30th November. According to Colin Flight, in his discussion of the priory’s fraudulent charter that was supposedly written by Bishop Gundulf (see note 23, below), this ‘gift’ (as Flight translates it) was the food, or cash in lieu, that was delivered to the incumbent bishop on St Andrew’s Day. Here though, in Custumale Roffense, the focus is on what the monks should receive, though the bishop is mentioned in a few entries. See Flight, The Bishops and Monks of Rochester 1076-1214 (Maidstone: Kent Archaeological Society, 1997), p. 109.

12 Or ‘suckling pigs’.

13 Literally ‘one quarter and a quarter of twenty’. Wheat is implied as the quarter was a unit of weight for grain. It equalled eight bushels; see ‘Quarter 3.’ in Christopher Corèdon with Ann Williams, A Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases (Cambridge: D. S. Brewer, 2004).

14 Literally, ‘twenty and one geese’.

15 Most probably meaning hen’s eggs, though goose eggs or a mixture of both are possibilities.

16 We should probably understand the use of Latin pars ‘part’ to mean a set amount of the fish referred to, though the amount is not explicitly specified; however, see my comments below in note 12. In the charter of Bishop Gundulf, alluded to later in the Wouldham section, the manors of Wouldham, Frindsbury, Denton, Southfleet, Stoke and Lambeth are to provide a thousand lampreys each, which suggests we should not be thinking of small numbers of fish. Likewise, Darenth, the last manor of the present text, is required to pay 500 lampreys. Though fish were often salted to preserve them, lampreys and sturgeon, as with some other varieties of fish, may have been first stored and then transported live; see Richard C. Hoffmann, ‘A Brief history of aquatic resource use in medieval Europe’, Helgoland Marine Research 59, pp. 22-30 (2005), at p. 24; the article is available online here. The late-fourteenth-century cookery treatise of Richard II specifies that lampreys were to be killed ‘with vinegar or white wine and salt’ implying they arrived at the royal kitchen alive; see ‘Launpreys in galentyne’ (‘Lampreys in galentine sauce’), recipe 124, Fourme of Cury, Manchester, John Rylands Library, English MS 7, folio 63 (my own translation).

17 ‘bundles of spelt’. The word I’ve translated as ‘spelt’ is furra which the Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources states is a variant of farra, the plural of far, meaning ‘spelt or emmer wheat’: logeion.uchicago.edu/far [accessed 14 July 2023]. The Latin word for ‘bundle’ – fasciculus – is more often associated with sticks, that is, a faggot, used for fires: logeion.uchicago.edu/fasciculus [accessed 15 July 2023]. This, along with the fact that grain would ordinarily have been threshed and transported in quarter sacks, as is already implied in the text, makes me doubt somewhat that the meaning is spelt, but it is difficult to put forward an alternative for furra.

18 It seems the marginal notes ‘for 1 month’ and ‘for 2 months’ throughout this section relate to the quantities sufficient for either one or two months. Here, ‘for 1 month’ is next to the line referring to sturgeon and lampreys.

19 The scribe appears to have repeated himself regarding the piglet – understandable, since he had turned the page and probably lost his concentration.

20 Literally, ‘six twenty and three’.

21 Perhaps meaning a half unit (half of a quarter) of wheat grain.

22 The marginal note is next to the line concerning sturgeon and lampreys.

23 Gundulf’s charter states it was to be 60 bundles of spelt. I hope to write a piece on Gundulf’s charter in due course. Colin Flight observes that the monks forged a charter which purportedly made Bishop Gundulf grant favours to the monks, including their right to keep the whole exenium, or customary payment, should the bishop not be present on the feast day: Flight, Bishops and Monks of Rochester, p. 109.

24 The meaning of the Latin in this sentence is unclear to me; I have translated it quite literally. It is possibly saying that Wouldham had at one time made a monetary payment rather than a food rent. See the comment on commutation in note 22, below. The ‘de suthflete’, which I’ve translated as ‘from Southfleet’, may be a scribal mistake, anticipating the ‘De suthflete’, ‘Concerning Southfleet’ that follows, and therefore should be ignored.

25 The marginal note is placed alongside the line concerning the manor of Wouldham’s former rent.

26 The marginal note is next to the line about sturgeon and lampreys.

27 The seam (summa) was identical to the quarter for dry products; see the entry for seam in A Dictionary of Weights and Measures for the British Isles: The Middle Ages A Dictionary of Weights and Measures for the British Isles: The Middle Ages ... - Ronald Edward Zupko - Google Books.

28 Twenty shillings is probably what is known as the commutation or commuted value, where a monetary payment is made in lieu of produce (or services), in this case fish. There are other commutations for food payments in Custumale Roffense and it is possible that at the time of its writing, in the fourth decade of the thirteenth century, there was beginning a more general shift towards this form of payment, replacing food rents, though it is difficult to be certain. See Denis Stuart’s introduction on custumals in his Manorial Records (Chichester: Phillimore, 1992), p. 63.

The Peace of Edward and Guthrum forgery, c.1002-23

The Peace of Edward and Guthrum (hereafter Edward-Guthrum) is an infamous forgery of a Viking Age treaty text, supposedly between two kings, Edward the Elder (r.899-924) and Guthrum. It is well known among historians of the early medieval period because it was only discovered to be a fake in 1941 by Dorothy Whitelock.³ Up to that point, according to Patrick Wormald (p. 389), it had been considered a genuine text by many leading scholars in the field since at least 1568, including Felix Liebermann (the brother of the German impressionist artist, Max Liebermann), Benjamin Thorpe, and Frederick Levi Attenborough (the father of Sir David and Lord Richard Attenborough).⁴

Edward-Guthrum was created by Wulfstan, who was archbishop of York from 1002 until his death in 1023. In addition to his religious duties and responsibilities, Wulfstan of York became an influential figure within the court of Æthelred II, or ‘the Unready’, (r.978-1014 and 1014-1016) and helped to produce many of the King’s genuine law codes. Edward-Guthrum seems to have been created by Wulfstan to uphold the security and, to an extent, the authority of the Church in northern England, where Danish law was enforced.⁵ According to Wormald (p. 390), this appears to be evident from the second half of the preamble to Edward-Guthrum:

And they set worldly punishments also for those things for which they knew they might not otherwise regulate for the majority, knowing many a person would not otherwise submit to sacred remedy as they should. And thus they set a worldly remedy, in common with Christ and king, wherever a person would not submit legally to a sacred remedy as the bishops determine.⁶

Whitelock (pp. 7-9) highlights two reasons why Edward-Guthrum is a forgery. First, it uses many distinctive expressions, or formulae, which were frequently used by Wulfstan within his writings, including other law texts and homilies (Whitelock, p. 7). Second, the text uses terms not seen in any law code dating to before 1008, such as sibleger and leohtgesceot (Whitelock, pp. 8-9). Sibleger, meaning ‘incest’ in Old English, was an offence which features solely within the law codes of King Cnut (r.1016-1035), but also within Wulfstan’s writings (Whitelock, p. 8). Leohtgesceot was a church due, or payment, for lighting churches; this due also featured within Wulfstan’s works. There exist several lists of tenth-century church dues, and examples are found in Æthelstan’s Tithe Edict, Edmund’s First Law Code and Edgar’s Andover Code. Not one of these contains the term leohtgesceot (Whitelock, p. 9).

Yet before 1941, historians had good reason to believe Edward-Guthrum was genuine. After all, they had ten surviving land-granting charters,⁷ dating to the tenth century, which refer to a man called Guthrum who had the title dux or King. Some historians – for example, Thorpe (p. 166) and Attenborough (p. 97) – thought this could not have been the Guthrum, King of East Anglia, who had agreed the original peace with Edward the Elder’s father, Alfred the Great (r.871-899). This peace agreement is arguably found across two texts: the Treaty of Wedmore, which is a text with no surviving copies and which we only know about from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles,⁸ and the Treaty of Alfred and Guthrum (hereafter Alfred-Guthrum).⁹ As Guthrum died in 890, the land grants, and consequently Edward-Guthrum, must have been referring to a second Guthrum (Thorpe, p. 166, note a), and it was this assertion which provided much of the rationale behind the idea that Edward-Guthrum was genuine.

The Textus Roffensis version of Edward-Guthrum is very closely related to a copy of the text found within the manuscript known as Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 383 (Wormald, p. 390).¹⁰ It also features within the Quadripartitus collection – a series of nine manuscripts¹¹ which in part provide a foundation to the Laws of Henry I, or the Leges Henrici Primi.¹² Edward-Guthrum features within seven of these manuscripts.¹³

Within Textus Roffensis, Edward-Guthrum is the only Danish peace document – a feature it shares with the manuscript known as British Library, Royal MS 11 B.ii. Textus Roffensis may not have included the genuine Alfred-Guthrum for two reasons. First, there may have been an unintentional omission by the scribe. Second, Textus Roffensis also includes the text known as Wergeld, which seems to be related to the earlier blood-feud laws of King Edmund (r.939-946) (Wormald, p. 390).¹⁴ Wormald explains that:

[Textus Roffensis] followed ‘Edward-Guthrum’ by Wergeld with no break, as if the two had become inextricably entwined, and it had no copy of Alfred-Guthrum at all. [Textus Roffensis’] copy[…], evidently disordered in that Wergeld came so hard on ‘Edward-Guthrum’, may just have lost Alfred-Guthrum, to which its rubric for ‘Edward-Guthrum’[…] should have applied (Wormald, p. 390).

It would therefore seem that the reasons behind Edward-Guthrum’s inclusion and Alfred-Guthrum’s exclusion from Textus Roffensis relied on the scribe and the texts’ transmission – the transmission being the way in which the texts were copied by scribe to scribe and from manuscript to manuscript.

In contrast, the aforementioned Cambridge manuscript has Edward-Guthrum following Alfred-Guthrum, which might suggest the scribe believed Edward-Guthrum was a successor to Alfred-Guthrum (Wormald, p. 390). Yet within Quadripartitus, Alfred-Guthrum and Edward-Guthrum are separated by a distinct third text, known evocatively as the Alfred-Guthrum Treaty Appendix.¹⁵ It is not clear why the scribe ordered these texts in this way within Quadripartitus; nevertheless, in this way, Edward-Guthrum is presented as a successor to Alfred-Guthrum (Wormald, p. 390).

The Peace of Edward-Guthrum may be a forgery by Wulfstan of York, but it provides a valuable insight into the importance, the peculiarities, and the occasionally complex transmission of early English laws.

Dr Alexander Thomas

Transcription

40r (select folio number to open facsimile)

Þis syndon þa domas ðe ælfred cyncg ⁊ guþrum
_AND þis is seo gerædnis, cyncg gecuran.
eac þe ælfred cyng, ⁊ guðrum cyng,
⁊ eft eadward cyng, ⁊ guðrum cyng
gecuran ⁊ gecwædon, þa þa engle ⁊ dene to fri-
þe ⁊ to freondscipe fullice fengon, ⁊ þa witan
eac þe syððan wæron oft ⁊ unseldan þæt seolfe
geniwodon, ⁊ mid gode gehihtan. Ðis ærest
þæt hig gecwædon, þæt hi ænne god lufian woldon,
⁊ ælcne hæþendom georne aweorpen.¹⁶ ⁊ hig
gesetton woruldlice steora eac for ðam þingum
þe hig wistan þæt hig elles ne mihton manegum
gesteoran, ne fela manna nolde to godcundre
bote elles gebugan swa hy sceolde. ⁊ þa woruld-
bote hig gesetton gemæne, criste, ⁊ cynge, swa
hwar swa man nolde godcunde bote gebugan
mid rihte to bisceopa dihte. ⁊ þæt is þonon æ-
rest þæt hig gecwædon, þæt cyricgrið binnan
wagum, ⁊ cyninges handgrið stande efne un-
wemme. ⁊ gif hwa cristendom wyrde, oððe
hæþendom weorþige, wordes oððe weorces,
gylde swa wer swa wite, swa lahslitte, be þam
þe syo dæde sy. ⁊ gyf gehadod man gestalie,
oððe gefeohte,¹⁷ oððe forswerige, oððe forlicge,

40v

gebete þæt be þam þe¹⁸ seo dæde sy, swa be were, swa be
wite, swa be lahslitte, ⁊ for gode huru bete swa
canon tæce, ⁊ þæs borh finde, oððe carcern¹⁹ ge-
buge. ⁊ gif mæssepreost folc miswyssige æt freol-
se, oððe æt fæstene, gylde xxx. scillinga mid englum,
⁊ mid denum þreo healf mare. Gif preost to riht-
andagan crisman ne fecce, oððe fulluhtes for-
wyrne, þam þe þæs þearf sy, gylde wite mid en-
glum, ⁊ mid denum lahslit, þæt is twelf oran. ⁊æt
syblegerum þa witan geræddan, þæt cyng ah þone
uferan, ⁊ bisceop þone nyþeran, butan hit man
gebete for gode ⁊ for worulde, be þam þe seo dæ-
de sy, swa bisceop getæce. Gif twegen gebro-
ðra, oððe twegen genyhe magas wið an wif for-
licgan, beten swyþe georne swa swa man geþafige,
swa be wite, swa be lah(slitte), be þam þe seo dæde sy. Gif gehadod man hine forwyrce mid deaþscyl-
de, gewilde hine man, ⁊ healde to bisceopes dome. ⁊ gif deaþscyldig man scrift spræce gyrne, ne
him man næfre ne wyrne. ⁊ ealle godes gerih-
to, forðige man georne be godes mildse,²⁰ ⁊ be þam
witan, þe witan toledan. Gif hwa teoþunge for-
healde, gylde lahslit mid denum, wite mid englum. Gif hwa romfeoh forhealde, gylde lahslit mid

41r

denum, wite mid englum. Gif hwa leohtgesceot ne
gelæste, gylde lahslit mid denum, wite mid englum. Gif hwa sulhælmyssan ne sylle, gylde lahslit mid
denum, wite mid englum. Gif hwa ænigra godcun-
dra gerihto forwyrne, gylde lahslit mid denum,
wite mid englum. ⁊ gif he wigie, ⁊ man gewundie,
beo his weres scyldig. Gif he man to deaþe ge-
fylle, beo he þonne utlah, ⁊ his hente mid he-
arme, ælc þara þe riht wille. ⁊ gif he gewyrce
þæt hine man afylle, þurh þi hine man gean godes
ryht, oððe þæs cynges geonbyrde, gif man þæt
gesoðige, licge ægylde. Sunnandæges cypinge
gif hwa agynne, þolie þæs ceapes, ⁊ twelf orena
mid denum, ⁊ xxx scillinga mid englum. Gif frigman
freolsdæge wyrce, ðolie his freotes, oððe gylde
wite lahslite. Ðeowman þolie his hyde, oððe hyd-
gyldes. Gif hlaford his þeowan freolsdæge
nyde to weorce, gylde lahslitte inne on deone
lage, ⁊ wite mid englum. Gif frigman rihtfæ-
sten abrece, gylde wite, oððe lahslite. Gif hit
þeowman gedo, ðolie his hyde, oððe hydgyldes. Ordel ⁊ aðas syndon tocwedene freolsdagum, ⁊
rihtfæstendagum, ⁊ se ðe þæt abrece, gylde
lahslit mid denum, wite mid englum. Gif man

41v

wealdan mage, ne dyde man næfre on sunnandæ-
ges freolse ænigne forwyrhtne, ac wylde ⁊ he-
alde, þæt se freolsdæg agan sy. Gif limlæweo
lama þe forworht wære weorþe forlæten, ⁊ he
æfter þam ðreo niht alibbe. Siððan man mot
hylpan be bisceopes leafe, se ðe wylle beorgan
sare ⁊ saule. Gif wiccan oððe wigleras, manswo-
ran, oððe morðwyrhtan, oððe fule afylede
æbære, horcwenan, ahwar on lande wurðan
agytene, ðonne fyse hi man of earde, ⁊ clæn-
sie þa ðeode, oððe on earde forfare hy mid eal-
le, buton hig geswican þe deoppar gebetan.²¹ Gif man gehadodne
oððe ælðeodigne þurh enig ðing forræde
æt feo oððe æt feore, þonne sceal him cyng be-
on oððan eorl ðær on lande, ⁊ bisceop ðere þeo-
de for mæg, ⁊ for mundboran, buton he elles oðer²²
ne²³ hæbbe, ⁊ bete man georne be ðam þe seo dæde sy,
criste ⁊ cyninge, swa hit gebyrige, oððe þa dæde
wrece swiðe deope, þe cyning sy on ðeode.²⁴

Translation

These are the judgements which King Alfred and King Guthrum approved.²⁵

And, moreover, this is the decree which King Alfred and King Guthrum,²⁶ and afterwards King Edward and King Guthrum, approved and proclaimed when the English and the Danes fully entered into peace and friendship; and the counsellors also,²⁷ who were later, often and frequently renewed the very same, and augmented it with good.²⁸

This is the first thing which they proclaimed, that they would love one God, and each would earnestly cast off heathendom. And they set worldly punishments also for those things for which they knew they might not otherwise regulate for the majority, knowing many a person would not otherwise submit to sacred remedy as they should.²⁹ And thus they set a worldly remedy, in common with Christ and king, wherever a person would not submit legally to a sacred remedy as the bishops determine.³⁰

And, therefore, this is first which they proclaimed, that the right of church sanctuary,³¹ and likewise the king’s protection, should stand unviolated.

And if anyone should violate Christianity or honour heathendom, in word or deed, that one should pay either wergild³² or a fine – or lahslit –³³ according to what the deed is.

And if an ordained person should steal, or fight, or falsely swear or fornicate, he should atone for it according to what the deed is, either by wergild or by a fine [Old English (OE) ‘wite’] – or by lahslit – and should atone especially before God as canon [law] teaches,³⁴ and should find surety for this or else go to prison.

And if a mass-priest should mislead the people with respect to festival or fasting,³⁵ he should pay 30 shillings among the English, and among the Danish three half-marks.³⁶

If a priest should not fetch the chrism at the right time or should refuse baptism, even though it is necessary, he should pay a fine [OE ‘wite’] among the English, and among the Danish lahslit, that is twelve oras.³⁷

And for incest the counsellors are to judge – the king has authority over the higher-ranked; a bishop, the lower-ranked – unless a person atones before God and before the world, according to what the deed is, as the bishop directs.

If two brothers, or two near relatives, lie with one woman, they should atone with great earnestness,³⁸ accordingly as one may decide, either by a fine [OE, ‘wite’] or by lahslit, according to what the deed is.

If an ordained person should become guilty himself of a crime deserving death, one should rule over him and hold to the bishop’s judgment.

If a condemned person should earnestly wish to confess, no one should ever refuse him.

And one should earnestly carry out all of God’s laws according to God’s mercy, and according to the penalty³⁹ which the [king’s] counsellors bring forth.

If someone should withhold a tithe payment, one should pay lahslit among the Danes, a fine [OE ‘wite’] among the English.

If someone should withhold Rome-money,⁴⁰ one should pay lahslit among the Danes, a fine [OE ‘wite’] among the English.

If someone should not meet the payment of ‘light-tax’,⁴¹ one should pay lahslit among the Danes, a fine [OE ‘wite] among the English.

If someone should not give plough-alms, one should pay lahslit among the Danes, a fine [OE ‘wite’] among the English.⁴²

If someone refuses any sacred dues, one should pay lahslit among the Danes, a fine [OE ‘wite’] among the English.

And if he should fight and wound someone, he should be liable for his wergild.

If he should put someone to death, he should then be an outlaw; and each of those who wishes justice may pursue and seize him with authority.⁴³

And if he should himself slay someone – through which he himself would strive against both God’s law and that of the king – if one may prove it to be true, he shall lie [dead] without compensation.⁴⁴

If someone should begin Sunday trading, that one should suffer the loss of the goods, and pay twelve oras among the Danish and 30 shillings among the English.

If a freeman should work on a feast day,⁴⁵ he should suffer the loss of his liberty, or pay a fine [OE ‘wite’] or lahslit. A slave should suffer the loss of his hide or [pay] a fine in lieu of flogging.⁴⁶

If a lord should oblige his slave to work on a feast day, he should pay lahslit within the Danelaw, and a fine [OE ‘wite’] among the English.

If a freeman should break a lawful fast,⁴⁷ he should pay a fine [OE ‘wite’] or lahslit. If a slave does this, he should suffer the loss of his hide or [pay] the fine in lieu of flogging.

An ordeal⁴⁸ and oaths shall be forbidden on feast days and lawful fasting days, and he who breaks that should pay lahslit among the Danes, a fine [OE ‘wite’] among the English.

If one has the power to govern, one should never put to death a criminal on any Sunday festival, but one should subdue and hold him until the feast day is passed.

If a criminal, who was maimed of limb, should be left [for dead], and after that he lives three nights, afterwards he who wishes to spare suffering and soul may help him, by the bishop’s leave.

If witches⁴⁹ or sorcerers, perjurers or murderers, or foul, polluted, notorious whores should be found to be anywhere in the land, then one should drive them from the country and cleanse the nation, or destroy them altogether in the country, unless they cease and then repent deeply.

If one should plot, through any means, against an ordained person or a foreigner,⁵⁰ with respect to property or life, then the king – or a jarl there in [Danish] land⁵¹ – and a bishop of the people shall be as kin and as protector, unless he may have someone else. And one should, as is fitting, atone earnestly according to the deed that has been done to Christ and king,⁵² who is king among the people; or one should punish the deed very severely.

Websites

Bosworth-Toller. Bosworth Toller’s Anglo-Saxon Dictionary online

Early English Laws, Early English Laws: Home

Sawyer, The Electronic Sawyer: Online Catalogue of Anglo-Saxon Charters, Electronic Sawyer: The Electronic Sawyer (cam.ac.uk)

Bibliography

Attenborough, F. L., The Laws of the Earliest English Kings (Russell and Russell, 1922).

Baker, P. S. (ed.), The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: A Collaborative Edition (MS F) (D. S. Brewer, 2000).

Bately, J. M. (ed.), The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: A Collaborative Edition (MS A) (D. S. Brewer, 1986).

Charles-Edwards, Thomas, ‘The Penitential of Theodore and the Iudicia Theodori’, in Archbishop Theodore: Commemorative Studies on His Life and Influence, ed. Michael Lapidge (Cambridge University Press, 1995), pp. 141-74.

Corèdon, Christopher, with Ann Williams, A Dictionary of Medieval Terms & Phrases (D. S. Brewer, 2004).

Cross, J. E. and Andrew Hamer, ed. and trans., Wulfstan’s Canon Law Collection (D. S. Brewer, 1999).

Cubbin, G. P. (ed.), The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: A Collaborative Edition (MS D) (D. S. Brewer, 1996).

Cubitt, Catherine, ‘Bishops, Priests and Penance in Late Anglo-Saxon England’, Early Medieval Europe 14 (2006), pp. 41-63.

Downer, L. J. (ed.), Leges Henrici Primi (Clarendon Press, 1972).

Irvine, S. (ed.), The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: A Collaborative Edition (MS E) (D. S. Brewer, 2004).

Jayakumar, S., ‘Some Reflections on the “Foreign Policies” of Edgar “the Peaceable”’, Haskins Society Journal 10 (2002), pp. 17-38.

Jurasinski, Stefan, The Old English Penitentials and Anglo-Saxon Law (Cambridge University Press, 2015).

Keynes, Simon, ‘Alms’, in The Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Anglo-Saxon England, ed. Michael Lapidge, John Blair, Simon Keynes and Donald Scragg (Blackwell Publishing, 1999), p. 31.

Lambert, Tom, Law and Order in Anglo-Saxon England (Oxford University Press, 2017).

Liebermann, F., Die Gesetze Der Angelsachsen Hrsg. Im Auftrage Der Savigny-Stiftung (Niemeyer, 1903). Available at Early English Laws.

Miglio, Viola Giulia, ‘Old Norse and Old English Language Contact: Scandinavian Legal Terminology in Anglo-Saxon Laws’, Nordicum-Mediterraneum 5 (1), available as an open access article at Old Norse and Old English Language Contact: Scandinavian Legal Terminology in Anglo-Saxon Laws - Nordicum-Mediterraneum (unak.is)

Monk, Christopher J., ‘Framing Sex: Sexual Discourse in Text and Image in Anglo-Saxon England (Manchester University, unpublished PhD thesis, 2012), available here.

Nightingale, Pamela, ‘The Ora, the Mark, and the Mancus: Weight-Standards and the Coinage in Eleventh-Century England: Part 2’, The Numismatic Chronicle, vol. 144 (1984), pp. 234-48.

O’Keeffe, K. O. (ed.), The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: A Collaborative Edition (MS C) (D. S. Brewer, 2001).

Staffrod, Pauline, ‘Ealdorman’, in The Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Anglo-Saxon England, ed. Michael Lapidge, John Blair, Simon Keynes and Donald Scragg (Blackwell Publishing, 1999), pp. 152-53.

Taylor, S. (ed.), The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: A Collaborative Edition (MS B) (D. S. Brewer, 1983).

Thorpe, B., Ancient Laws and Institutes of England: Comprising Laws Enacted Under the Anglo-Saxon Kings from Aethelbirht to Cnut (Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1840).

Whitelock, D., ‘Wulfstan and the So-Called Laws of Edward and Guthrum’, The English Historical Review 56 (1941), pp. 1-21. Available at JSTOR.

Wormald, P., “Quadripartitus”, Law and Government in Medieval England and Normandy Essays in Honour of Sir James Holt, ed. Hudson J. and Garnett G. (Cambridge University Press, 1994), pp. 111-147.

Wormald, P., The Making of English Law: King Alfred to the Twelfth Century, Vol. 1 Legislation and Its Limits (Blackwell, 1999).

Yorke (a), B. A. E., ‘Councils, King’s’, in The Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Anglo-Saxon England, ed. Michael Lapidge, John Blair, Simon Keynes and Donald Scragg (Blackwell Publishing, 1999), pp. 124-25.

Yorke (b), B. A. E., ‘Guthrum’, in The Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Anglo-Saxon England, ed. Michael Lapidge, John Blair, Simon Keynes and Donald Scragg (Blackwell Publishing, 1999), p. 223.

Footnotes

1 An imposture, or forgery, written by Wulfstan, archbishop of York (1002-23), thus giving us the eleventh-century date.

2 Sincere thanks to Elise Fleming for proofreading this introduction, translation and notes.

3 See Whitelock’s paper “Wulfstan and the so-called Laws of Edward and Guthrum” (1941). See bibliography for the full reference.

4 See for references to Edward-Guthrum, Felix Liebermann, pp. 128-134; Benjamin Thorpe pp. 166-176; and Frederick Levi Attenborough, pp. 102-109. Please refer to the bibliography for full references.

5 See the introduction for Edward-Guthrum on Early English Laws [accessed 8th March 2023].

6 Translation by Christopher Monk; see his full translation below.

7 See Sawyer, charter numbers S393, S400, S405, S412, S413, S416, S417, S418, S418a and S434 [accessed 8th March 2023].

8 The Treaty of Wedmore (also known as the Treaty of Chippenham) established a peace between the West Saxons and the Danes following a decades long conflict. It also resulted in Guthrum, King of East Anglia, and several of his men being baptised in the Christian faith personally by Alfred the Great. For various accounts of the Treaty of Wedmore, see Taylor, pp. 36-37, for the Abingdon I Chronicle; Bately, pp. 50-51, for the Winchester or Parker Chronicle; Cubbin, p. 27, for the Worcester Chronicle; Baker, pp. 71-72, for the Bilingual Canterbury Epitome; O’Keeffe, pp. 61-62, for the Abingdon II Chronicle; and Irvine, pp. 50-51, for the Peterborough or Laud Chronicle. Full references are given in the bibliography.

9 In contrast to Wedmore, copies of Alfred-Guthrum still exist. The text established a boundary between south-west and north-east England and introduced new regulations to aid relations between the two sides. See Early English Laws [accessed 9th March 2023] for more information on this text. Alexander Thomas’ doctoral thesis, which examined the boundary Alfred-Guthrum created, can be found within the British Library’s EThOS catalogue.

10 Within his The Making of English Law book (see bibliography for full reference) Wormald follows Liebermann’s system of assigning sigla (abbreviations) to early English manuscripts and law texts. For example, Textus Roffensis is given the siglum H, Edward-Guthrum is abbreviated to EGu, and the Cambridge manuscript is referred to as B.

11 For this introduction, the four manuscripts known as the “London Collection” are also included. See Patrick Wormald’s chapter on the Quadripartitus, pp. 111-147, for a fuller explanation. A full reference can be found within the bibliography.

12 The Laws of Henry I provide a record of those enforced during the reign of the King. The Laws contain aspects of pre-Norman Conquest texts among other evident sources. See L. J. Downer’s book and Early English Laws [accessed 9th March 2023] for more information on this text. Full references can be found in the bibliography.

13 This includes a manuscript within the “London Collection” as well as Textus Roffensis itself.

14 A transcription and translation of Wergeld is being prepared for the Textus Roffensis pages on this website; see also Early English Laws [accessed 9th March 2023].

15 See Wormald, pp. 379-80; and Jayakumar, p. 23, note 30.

16 The first ‘e’ in ‘aweorpen’ is inserted above the line.

17 The ‘o’ in ‘gefeohte’ is inserted above the line.

18 ‘þe’ is inserted above the line.

19 The second ‘r’ of ‘carcern’ is inserted above the line.

20 The ‘l’ of ‘mildse’ is inserted above the line.

21 ‘þe deoppor gebetan’ appears in the left margin. The scribe provides an insertion mark after ‘geswican’ with a corresponding mark alongside the text in the margin.

22 ‘oðer’ appears in the right margin.

23 ‘ne’ appears in the left margin.

24 In the manuscript the text known as Wergeld – beginning ‘Twelf’ – has been appended as if it carries straight on from Peace of Edward and Guthrum; however, the two are discrete texts. A transcription and translation of Wergeld is forthcoming for the Textus Roffensis pages of this website.

25 The heading was likely provided by the Textus Roffensis scribe, rather than included in the manuscript he was copying.

26 Barbara Yorke explains that, ‘Guthrum was the leader of a Viking force which joined the Great Army in England in 871. He came close to overcoming King Alfred of Wessex in 878 when he forced him into hiding after a surprise attack. Later in the same year Guthrum was decisively defeated at the battle of Edington and agreed to be baptised with Alfred as his godfather. Guthrum retreated to rule the Viking settlers in East Anglia and issued coins in his baptismal name of Æthelstan. The text of a treaty survives which Guthrum made with Alfred between 878 and his death in 890.’ See Yorke (b) in the bibliography.

27 The king’s counsellors or advisers were known collectively in Old English as the witan, literally ‘wise ones’ or ‘wise men’; we might use the modern term ‘king’s council’ to approximate the collective role. Those advising the king included members of the royal house, archbishops and bishops, prominent abbots, ‘ealdormen’ and other leading laymen, such as thegns. Occasionally, the queen or queen-mother and abbesses would have been consulted; for further information, see the overview in Yorke (a); details in bibliography.

28 Wulfstan rather cunningly alludes to later royal counsellors augmenting the decree with ‘good’. It would seem that such ‘good’ included his own fabrications! Perhaps the fact that Alfred and Guthrum had actually produced a peace treaty, which included various laws relating to criminal and legal matters (this treaty is not preserved in Textus Roffensis), gave the archbishop enough truth upon which to build his fictional set of laws.

29 ‘remedy’, or ‘penance’.

30 ‘sacred remedy as the bishops determine’. The allusion is probably to the use of penitentials – handbooks used by priests – for determining the amount of fasting due as penance for a wide variety of sins. For the role of bishops in the practice of penance, see Cubitt. A number of English penitentials were circulating from as early as the eighth century, including one Anglo-Latin penitential attributed to (though not actually written by) Theodore, archbishop of Canterbury (668-90), and, during Wulfstan’s time, several vernacular penitentials. For more on the vernacular penitentials, see Jurasinski, and, especially in the context of sexual sins, Monk; for the penitential of Theodore, see Charles-Edwards, and, especially in the context of sexual sins, Monk, appendix 2, pp. 254-60; see the bibliography for all references.

31 ‘church sanctuary’, literally, ‘church-peace within the walls’.

32 ‘wer’ is used in the text, an abbreviation for wergild, which is the monetary value placed on the life of a free person, used in early English laws in matters of compensation and fines.

33 ‘or a fine [OE ‘wite] or lahslit’. Attention is paid from this point in the law-code to the corresponding English and Danish terms, wite and lahslit, which in this context both mean ‘fine’. Viola Giulia Miglio explains concerning the term lahslit: ‘The term is of Scandinavian origin, and enters OE as lahslit […]: it means “breach of the law” or “fine for perturbing the peace/ for a committed crime”. […] A cognate is not found in ON [Old Norse], but this OE term is equivalent to ON lögbrot “breaking of the law”.’ (Miglio, 4.3; see the bibliography)

34 Wulfstan seems to be alluding to his ‘Canon law’ collection, a collation of religious and moral laws and regulations written by or attributed to figures of authority in the Christian Church; an edition and translation of Wulfstan’s collection is available, written by J. E. Cross and Andrew Hamer (see Cross in the bibliography).

35 ‘festival or fasting’, referring to Christian festivals – or feast days – and fasting periods assigned by the Church.

36 The Danish mark was a weight-standard measurement, composed of eight oras. Pamela Nightingale observes that ‘there is no evidence’ that it ‘was adopted in England outside the Danelaw before Cnut’s conquest’. The ‘half-mark’ is first referred to in English sources in the treaty of Alfred and Guthrum where it is used as the weight for gold. She continues to note its appearance in the law-codes of the Danelaw but that ‘even there it seems to have survived more as a traditional fine, rather than as the normal accounting unit or standard of weight’ (Nightingale, p. 235; see bibliography).

37 There were eight oras in the Danish mark (Nightingale, p.234; see bibliography), so this is the same fine as in the previous clause.

38 To understand this, we need to take into account Canon law, which forbade the marriage of a surviving brother to his deceased brother’s widow, as she was considered the surviving brother’s sister (Cross, pp. 153-54, no. 139; see bibliography). Moreover, Canon law stated that the man who married his brother’s wife or the wife of a ’blood-relation’ was to be excommunicated (Cross, p. 154, no. 140). With this clarification, the ‘they’ evidently means the unlawfully married couple, who according to Canon law would be expected to separate, (Cross, p. 102, no. 85), not simply atone with acts of penance. We see, then, with this clause, that the theme of incest of the previous clause is continued.

39 ‘according to the penalty’: reading OE ‘þam witan’ as ‘þam wite’.

40 Alms payments to Rome began in England at least as early as the eighth century when Offa, king of the Mercians (r. 757-96) promised a sizeable sum (365 mancuses) each year to the pope for supporting the poor and for the provision of lights. In the time of Alfred, king of Wessex (r. 871-99), the practice of sending payments to Rome appears to have continued, though there is no clear evidence that at this point individual households contributed to this. That romfeoh, ‘Rome-money’, was expected to be paid by all Christian men by the mid-tenth century is clear – essentially, it developed into the tax known as ‘Peter’s pence’, levied at one penny per household payable annually by St Peter’s Day, August 1st (Keynes; see bibliography). The inclusion in this present set of laws of a punishment against anyone not paying this Church due supports the conclusion that Wulfstan was its author.

41 i.e. a tax to fund church candles.

42 ‘Plough alms’ evidently refers to a penny taxation at Easter for each plough within a village; see sulh-ælmesse in Bosworth-Toller, and Eleemosyna carucarum in Corèdon (see bibliography).

43 This alludes to the legally acceptable practice of feuding – taking vengeance through killing – by the family members of the victim in order to satisfy justice. Feuding, using violence, including killing, to avenge an affront to one’s honour, was culturally ingrained in early medieval societies in England; a useful discussion of how feuding was integrated into social order can be found in chapter 5 of Lambert (see bibliography).

44 That is, the family of the man committing homicide cannot claim compensation when vengeance is taken against him.

45 Or ‘festival’, i.e. on a religious holiday.

46 ‘loss of his hide [OE ‘hyde’], or ‘skin’, i.e. the slave is to be flogged; ‘a fine in lieu of flogging’, literally, the ‘hide-payment’ or ‘skin-payment’ (OE ‘hyd-gyldes’); the same penalty appears below.

47 In the sense that the fast is appointed according to Christian law or tradition, for example, the fasting period associated with Lent.

48 i.e. trial by ordeal.

49 Or, ‘wizards’.

50 Perhaps meaning a foreigner on pilgrimage.

51 ‘jarl’, translating OE ‘eorl’; eorl began to replace ealdorman during the reign of Cnut, king of England (r. 1016-35), both terms broadly meaning ‘nobleman’ (see Stafford, p. 153). In the context of this present law, where the focus is on distinguishing English and Danish legal terminology and practice, ‘jarl’ seems the most appropriate translation, as it was the title given to Danish chieftains within the Danelaw.

52 As the victim is under the protection of the king and bishop, the deed is, in effect, an assault on the honour of both Christ and the king.

Æthelstan’s Grately Code, c.926-c.930

Æthelstan’s Grately Code, dating to c. 926-c.930¹, concerns thievery, treachery to lords; the selling and buying of goods, Sunday trading, the punishments for arson and ‘secret’ murder by means of witchcraft; and the treatment of slaves. Transcription and translation from Old English of Textus Roffensis folios 32v-37r by Dr Christopher Monk.²

Background

Æthelstan was ‘king of the Anglo-Saxons and the Danes’ from either 924 or 925 to 927, and subsequently ‘king of the English’ from 927 until his death in October of 939 (Keynes, p. 514). He is often considered ‘the first English monarch’ (Foot, p. 10). Æthelstan’s major set of laws, known today as the Grately Code, survives in full in its original Old English only in Textus Roffensis. A truncated copy is found in an important compilation of Old English laws in a contemporaneous Cambridge University manuscript;³ and a few charred fragments from an early eleventh-century manuscript survive in the British Library.⁴ The text is known as the Grately Code because Grately, Hampshire, is the place from where the laws were probably issued. Though Grately is not mentioned in Textus Roffensis, the Latin version of the laws, that survives in the extensive legal collection known as Quadripartitus, produced during the reign of Henry I (r.1100-1135),⁵ does contain the statement that, ‘All this was established at the great assembly at Grately, at which Archbishop Wulfhelm was present and all the nobles and councillors whom King Athelstan could gather together.’ Dorothy Whitelock, whose English translation this is, suggests this may have come from a lost prologue to the law code (Whitelock, p. 422, and n. 1).

Content and themes

The main theme of Æthelstan’s Grately Code is thievery, but there are others too, including treachery to lords; the selling and buying of goods – Sunday trading is legislated against; the punishments for arson and murder, specifically ‘secret’ murder by means of witchcraft; and the treatment of slaves in various contexts is also touched upon. Within the Textus Roffensis web pages there is huge scope to develop further interpretive work about Æthelstan’s impact on law and order in early medieval England. For now, I would like to draw attention to two highlights within the Grately Code: the judicial process of the ordeals, and the concept of disobedience to the king.

The ordeals

I will be writing a more detailed post on the nature and significance of the judicial ordeals in early English laws but at this point I want to explain the basic principles of those ordeals mentioned in the Grately Code. The subsequent action taken against a ‘guilty’ person once the ordeal had finished varied significantly, depending on the circumstances of the crime and the person committing the crime; this is quite clear from reading Æthelstan’s pronouncements, below. I will endeavour to explore this aspect, too, in my future post. The ‘water-ordeal’, sometimes called the ‘cold water’ ordeal, refers to the plunging of an accused individual into cold water, probably a natural body of water, to the depth of one and a half ells, an ell probably being 45 inches or 114 cm (Zupko, p. 119). If the person sank, they were deemed without guilt; if they did not sink, then guilt was established.⁶ The ‘iron-ordeal’, sometimes called the ordeal by hot iron,⁷ involved the accused carrying in hand a piece of iron that had been heated on coals; it was carried for nine of his or her feet. This information is provided in the slightly later, anonymous law code known as Ordal; for my translation of this text go to Trial by Ordeal, mid-10th century — Rochester Cathedral. The Grately Code states that ‘there should be three nights before one undoes the hand’, an allusion to the part of the judicial process that involved the sealing – wrapping up in cloth – of the accused’s burnt hand and subsequent inspection of it for signs of innocence or guilt. Ordal is more explicit in its explanation of this part of the ordeal, stating that it should be determined on the third day ‘whether it be foul or clean inside the seal’. Neither text, however, clearly identifies the judicial significance of this: that if the hand is ‘foul’, then guilt is established; and if ‘clean’, then the individual is innocent. What is very interesting on this matter is the repeated use in the Grately Code of the Old English (OE) word ful to mean guilty. Sometimes, ful is used with direct reference to the ordeals, and at other times the judicial process of the ordeals is only implied. The core meaning of ful is ‘foul’, and in the context of disease and wounds means ‘festering’;⁸ this is how it is used in Ordal. Clearly, from the body of Old English legal texts, we can appreciate that the word also takes on a broader sense of ‘guilty’. Every time, however, that we read ful in the Grately Code, and elsewhere, we are tapping into a darkly visceral moment from early medieval history, to that point when the burnt hand of an accused had become infected, its foulness not merely indicating the beginnings of putrefaction but, more profoundly, guilt.

The threefold ordeal

It’s important to briefly look at the phrase ‘threefold ordeal’ that appears in the Grately Code, as its meaning is not explained therein. It is used directly in connection with the specific crimes of treachery to a lord, breaking into a church, and the deployment of witchcraft and sorcery leading to ‘murders’ – what might be usefully thought of as ‘secret’ killings.⁹ The use of the threefold ordeal is also implied for the crimes of arson and avenging a thief. We need, however, to turn to another Textus Roffensis law code, Be blaserum ⁊ be morðslihtum (‘Concerning arsonists and murders’), to grasp the meaning behind the use of ‘threefold’. Be Blaserum is an anonymous law code, and was perhaps a reformulating by local officials of Æthelstan’s commands about arson and murder – ‘at ground level’, as Wormald puts it (Wormald, pp. 367-38). You can find my translation of this law code here. Be blaserum shows that the ‘threefold’ aspect relates to two things: the accused must find three times as many ‘oath-supporters’ in order to avoid the ordeal; and, if unsuccessful in this, must face the iron-ordeal using a piece of iron three times as heavy as that used for the so-called ‘single’, or ‘simple’,¹⁰ ordeal. That is, the burning hot piece of iron would have weighed three pounds instead of the usual one. Though not part of the Grately Code, I should also mention another ordeal that had a ‘threefold’ aspect, namely the judgement by hot water.¹¹ The aforementioned Ordal explains that this required the accused to plunge the hand or arm into a cooking pot of boiling water to grasp a stone at the bottom, either ‘as far as the wrist’ for a ‘single’ ordeal or ‘up to his elbow’ for a ‘threefold’ ordeal. This three-fold feature of ordeals points to certain circumstances wherein more stringent measures were considered as necessary in the judicial process, something I will explore further in my future post.

The concept of disobedience to the king

There are numerous references within the laws of both Æthelstan and his predecessor, his father Edward the Elder (r. 899-924), to the payment of a fine for ‘disobedience’ (oferhyrness) to the king. It appears six times in the Grately Code. Tom Lambert observes regarding this ‘ideological concept’ that ‘[i]t seems to imply a royal right to issue commands not to engage in certain types of wrongdoing and to punish those who disobeyed’ (Lambert, p. 213). The types of wrongdoing associated with the ‘disobedience’ fine, argues Lambert, ‘could be characterised as breaches of legal procedure’ and ‘are all related to the proper functioning of legal structures’ (Lambert, pp. 213-14). In the example of the Grately Code, the fine is to be issued for those who refuse to attend assemblies; for the refusal to ride out on an enforcement raid (where a guilty person has his goods removed by the senior men of the borough and he is put under forced surety); for the receiving of another lord’s man who has been charged with a crime (thus helping him evade punishment); and finally, mentioned toward the end of the set of laws, it is to be issued against royal reeves who fail, fully or in part, to carry out the laws of the Grately Code. Lambert goes on to make the astute observation that we must not think that the ‘disobedience’ fine meant that that ‘kings had a general right to command their subjects and to punish disobedience’ outside the specific area of legal procedure (Lambert, p. 214).¹² He continues,

We certainly have no grounds for thinking that kings felt it appropriate to issue more sweeping commands encompassing forms of serious wrongdoing – commands that nobody commit theft or homicide, for example – and then to justify royal punishment of those acts with the theory that they constituted disobedience (Lambert, p. 214).

In other words, a king may issue a code of laws, but things like theft and homicide were viewed as crimes against the peace of the realm – everyone’s peace, we might say – not direct acts of disobedience to the king. Where certain duties to participate in communal legal procedures were not met, however, such was indeed viewed, at least by Æthelstan and his advisors, as disobedience to the king.

A note on reconstructions in the transcription

Water damage has affected the tops of all the Textus folios for the Grately Code, causing some of the text of the first few lines of each page to fade. Though most of the text is still legible, especially when using the zoom facility on the digital facsimile, some words are very difficult to make out. Therefore, the badly faded words in the opening few lines have been reconstructed in the transcript below by comparing the Cambridge University manuscript. Other reconstructions of other folios are guided by a sixteenth-century transcript of the British Library manuscript,¹³ made before it was largely destroyed in the infamous Cottonian fire of 1731.¹⁴ Reconstructions are shown in grey, rather than black, font.

Transcription

32v (select folio number to open facsimile)

Æþelstanes gerænesse. ¹⁵

33r

Ærest þæt man ne sparige nænne þeof ðe æt¹⁶
hæbbendre handa gefangen sy, ofer xii ¹⁷
winter, ⁊ ofer eahta peningas, ⁊¹⁸ gif hit hwa do,
forgylde ðone þeof be his were, ⁊ ne beo þam þeofe
na ðe geþingodre, oþþe hine be þam geladie. ¹⁹ Gif he hine þonne²⁰ werian²¹ wille oððe
oðfleo, ðonne ne sparige hine man.
Gif man ðeof on carcerne gebringe, ðæt he beo
xl nihta²² on carcerne, ⁊ hine man ðonne alyse²³ ut
mid cxx scillingum ⁊ ga seo mægþ him on borh ðæt he
æfre geswice. ⁊ gif he ofer ðæt stalige, forgildan hy
hine be his were, oþþe hine eft ðær inne gebrin-
gan. ⁊ gif hine hwa²⁴ forstande, forgilde
hine be his were, swa þam cyninge swa ðam ðe hit
mid ryhte togebyrige, ⁊ ælc man²⁵ ðara ðe þær mid
stande, gesylle ðam cyninge cxx scillinga to wite. Ond we cwædon
be þam hlafordleasan mannum, ðe man nan
ryht ætbegytan ne mæg, þæt man beode ðære
mægþe, ðæt hi hine to folcryhte gehamette,
⁊ him hlaford finden on folcgemote. ⁊ gif hi
hine ðonne begytan nyllen, oððe ne mægen to þam andagan, ²⁶
ðonne beo he syþþan flyma, ⁊ hine lecge for
ðeof se þe²⁷ him tocume, ⁊ se ðe hine ofer ðæt
feormige, forgylde hine be his were, oþþe he

33v

hine be ðam ladige. be ryhtes wærnunge.
Se hlaford se ryhtes wyrne, and for his yfelan
man²⁸ licge, ⁊ man ðone cing foregesece,²⁹ forgilde þæt
ceapgild, ⁊ gesylle þam cynge cxx scillinga. ⁊ se ðe
ðone cyng gesece³⁰ ær he him ryhtes bidde, swa oft swa him to gebyrie,³¹ gilde ðæt
ilce wite þe se oþer sceolde gif he him ryhtes
wyrnde. ⁊ se hlaford þe his ðeowan æt þyfþe ge-
wita sy, ⁊ hit him on open wurðe, ðolige ðæs þeo-
wan, ⁊ beo his weres³² scyldig æt frumcyrre. Gif he hit ofter do, beo he ealles scyldig þæs he
age, ⁊ eac swilce cynges hordera oððe ure gere-
fena swilc ðære ðeofa gewita wære ðe staledon,
beo he be ðam ilcan. be hlafordsearwum. Ond we cwædon be hlafordsearwe, ðæt he beo his
feores scyldig, gif he his ætsacan ne mihte, oþþe
eft on þam þrimfealdum ordale ful wære. ⁊ we cwædon be ciricbryce, gif he ful wære on ðam
ðryfealdan ordale, bete be þam þe seo domboc
secge. be wiccecræftum.
Ond we cwædon be þam wiccecræftum, ⁊ be libla-
cum, ⁊ be morðdædum, gif man þær³³ acweald wære,
⁊ he his ætsacan ne mihte, þæt he beo his feores
scyldig. Gif he þonne ætsacan wille, ⁊ on ðam
þrimfealdum ordale ful weorðe, þæt he beo cxx.

34r

nihta on carcerne, ⁊ nimen þa magas hine siððan
ut, ⁊ gesyllan þam cynge cxx scillinga, ⁊ forgildan
ðone wer his magum, ⁊ gangon him on borh,
ðæt he æfre swylces³⁴ geswice. be blæserum. Ða blysieras, and þa ðe ðeof wrecon, beon þæs il-
can ryhtes wyrðe, ⁊ se þe ðeof wrecan wille, ⁊
nanne man ne gewundige, gesylle þam cyninge
cxx. scillinga to wite³⁵ for ðan æthlype.³⁶ ⁊ we cwædon be ðam
anfealdum ordale æt þam mannum þe oft be-
ti_htlede wæron, ⁊ hy fule wurdon, ⁊ hy ni_ton
hwa hy on borh nime, gebringe man hy³⁷ on carcer-
ne, ⁊ man hy don ut swa hit her beforan gecweden³⁸
is. be landleasum mannum. Ond we cwædon gif hwylc landleas man folgode
on oþre scire, ⁊ eft his magas gesece, þæt
he hine on þa gerad feormige, ðæt he hine to
folcryhte gelæde,³⁹ gif he þær gylt gewyrce, oþþe forebete.⁴⁰
Se ðe yrfe befo, be yrfes ætfenge.
nemne him man v men his neahgebura, ⁊ begite
ðara v, i ðæt him midswerige, þæt he hit on folc
ryht him toteo, ⁊ se þe hit him geagnian wille,
nemne him man x men,⁴¹ ⁊ begite þara twegen, ⁊ sylle
þone að þæt hit on his æhte geboren wære,
butan þam⁴² rimaðe, ⁊ stande þæs cyreaþ ofer xx

34v

be hwearfe. penega.⁴³ ⁊ nan man ne hwyrfe nanes yrfes bu-
tan ðæs gerefan gewitnesse, oððe þæs mæsse-
preostes, oððe þæs landhlafordes, oþþe þæs
horderes, oððe oþres ungelygenes⁴⁴ mannes. Gif
hit hwa do, gesylle xxx scillinga to wite, ⁊ fo se land-
hlaford to þam hwearfe.⁴⁵ be wohre⁴⁶ gewitnesse.
Gif man þonne afinde þæt heora⁴⁷ ænig on wohre⁴⁸
gewitnesse wære, þæt næfre his gewitnes eft
naht ne forstande, ⁊ eac gesylle xxx scillinga to wite. Ond we cwædon, se ðe scyldunga⁴⁹ bæde æt ofslage-
num þeofe, ðæt he eode ðreora sum to,⁵⁰ twegen on fæde-
ran maga, ⁊ þridda on medren, ⁊ þone aþ syllen
ðæt hy on heora⁵¹ mæge⁵² nane þyfðe nyston, ðæt
he his feores wyrðe nære for ðam gilte, ⁊ hy gan
siððan xii sume, ⁊ gescyldigen hine swa hit
ær gecweden wæs. ⁊ gif ðæs deadan mægas ðider
cuman noldon to ðam andagan, gilde ælc ðe hit
ær sprece cxx scillinga. Ond we cwædon þæt man nænne ceap ne gecea-
pige butan porte ofer xx penega, ac ceapige
ðær binnan on þæs portgerefan gewitnesse,
oððe on⁵³ oþres unlygenes⁵⁴ mannes, oððe eft on þara
gerefena gewitnesse on folcgemote. Ond we cweðaþ ðæt ælc burh sy gebet xiiii.

35r

niht ofer gangdagas.⁵⁵ Oþer þæt ælc ceaping sy bin-
nan porte.⁵⁶ Þridda þæt an mynet, sy ofer eall ðæs
cynges onweald, ⁊ nan man ne mynetige butan on
porte. ⁊ gif se mynetere ful wurðe, slea man of
þa hand, ðe he ðæt ful mid worhte, ⁊ sette uppon⁵⁷
ða mynetsmiððan. ⁊ gif hit þonne tyhtle sy,
⁊ he hine ladi_an wille, ðonne ga he to þam hatum
isene, ⁊ ladige þa hand mid ðe man tyhð ðæt he
þæt facen mid worhte. ⁊ gif he on þam ordale ful
wurðe, do man þæt ilce swa hit ær beforan cwæð. On cantwarabyrig
vii myneteras, iiii ðæs cynges, ⁊ ii þæs⁵⁸ biscopes, i
ðæs abbodes. To hrofeceastre ii cynges, ⁊ i þæs⁵⁹ bi-
scopes. To lundenbyrig viii. To wintaceastre vi. To læwe ii. To hæstingaceastre i. Oþer to cisse-
ceastre. To hamtune ii. To wærham ii. To exece-
astre ii. To sceaftesbyrig ii. Elles to þam oþrum
burgum i.
Feorðe, þæt nan scyldwyrhta ne lecge nan scepes
fellon⁶⁰ scyld, ⁊ gif he hit do, gilde xxx scillinga.
Fifte, ðæt ælc man hæbbe æt þære syhl ii ge-
horsede men. Syxte, gif hwa æt þeofe medsceatt⁶¹ nime, ⁊
oþres ryht afylle, beo he⁶² his weres scyldig.

35v

Seofoðe, þæt nan man ne sylle nan hors ofer sæ, butan he
hit gifan wille. Ond we cwædon be þeowan men gif he ful wurþe
æt þam ordale þæt man gulde þæt ceapgild, ⁊
swinge hine man⁶³ ðriwa, oððe þæt oþer gild sealde, ⁊ sy
þæt wite be healfum wurðe æt þam ðeowum. Gif hwa gemot forsitte
þriwa, gilde ðæs cynges oferhyrnesse, ⁊ hit beo
seofon nihtum ær geboden ær ðæt gemot sy. Gif he þonne ryht wyrcan nylle, ne þa oferhyr-
nesse syllan, þonne ridan þa yldestan men to ealle
þe to⁶⁴ þære byrig hiron, ⁊ nimon eall ðæt he age, ⁊
setton hine on borh. Gif hwa þonne⁶⁵ nylle ridan mid
his geferan, gilde cynges oferhyrnesse. And⁶⁶ beode man on þam gemote ðæt man eall⁶⁷ friþi-
ge þæt se cyng friþian wille, ⁊ forga þyfðe be his
feore, ⁊ be eallum þam þe he⁶⁸ age, ⁊ se þe be witum
geswican nylle, ðonne ridan þa yldestan⁶⁹ men to ealle
þe⁷⁰ to þære byrig hyron, ⁊ nimon eall ðæt he age,
⁊ fo se cyng to healfum, to healfum ða men
ðe on þære rade beon, ⁊ setton hine on borh. Gif he
nite hwa hine aborgie hæfton hine. Gif he nylle hit⁷¹
geþafian, leton hine licgan⁷² butan he ætwinde. Gif
hwa hine wrecan wille, oððe hine fælæce, þonne

36r

beo he fah wið ðone cyng ⁊ wið ealle his freond. Gif he ætwinde, ⁊ hwa hine feormige, sy he his
weres scyldig, butan he hine ladian⁷³ durre, be þæs flyman were⁷⁴
þæt⁷⁵ he hine flyman nyste.
Gif hwa þingie for ordal, ðingie on ðam ceapgilde
þæt he mæge, ⁊ naht on ðam wite, butan hit
se gifan wille, þe hit togebyrige. ⁊ ne underfo nan
man oþres mannes man butan his leafe þe he
ær folgode. Gif hit hwa do agife þone man, ⁊ bete
cynges oferhyrnesse, ⁊ nan man ne tæce his ge-
tihtledan man fram him, ær he hæbbe ryht
geworht. Gif hwa ordales weddige, ðonne cume he þrim
nihtum ær to þam mæssepreoste þe hit halgian
scyle, and fede hine sylfne mid hlafe, ⁊ mid wæ-
tere, ⁷⁶ ⁊ sealte, ⁊ wyrtum ær he togan scyle, ⁊ ge-
stande him mæssan þæra þreora daga ælcne,
⁊ geoffrige⁷⁷ to, ⁊ ga to husle ðy dæge þe he to ðam
ordale gan scyle, ⁊ swerige ðonne þane að, þæt
he sy mid folcryhte unscyldig ðære tihtlan,
ær he to þam ordale ga. ⁊ gif hit sy⁷⁸ wæter, ðæt he
gedufe oþre healfe elne on þam rape. Gif hit
sy ysenordal, beon ðreo niht ær man þa hand
undo, ⁊ ofga ælc man his tihtlan mid foreaðe

36v

swa we ær cwædon, ⁊ beo þæra ælc fæstende on ægþera⁷⁹
hand⁸⁰ se ðær mid sy, on⁸¹ godes bebode, ⁊ ðæs ærcebi-
scopes, ⁊ ne beo ðær on naþre healfe⁸² na⁸³ ma manna
þonne xii. Gif se getihtloda man ðonne⁸⁴ maran we-
rude beo þonne twelfa sum, þonne beo þæt ordal
forad, butan hy him fram gan willan. Ond se þe yrfe bycge on gewitnesse, ⁊ hit eft
tyman scyle þonne onfo se⁸⁵ his, þe he hit ær ætbohte,
beo he swa freoh swa ðeow, swa hweðer⁸⁶ he sy. ⁊ ðæt
nan cyping ne sy sunnan dagum. Gif hit ðon-
ne hwa do, þolige ðæs ceapes, ⁊ gesylle xxx scillinga to wite.⁸⁷ Gif minra gerefa⁸⁸ hwylc þonne⁸⁹ þis don nylle, ⁊ læs
ymbe beo þonne we gecweden habbað, þonne gyl-
de he mine oferhyrnesse, ⁊ ic finde oþerne
ðe wile. And⁹⁰ se biscop amanige þa oferhyrnesse
æt þam gerefan, þe hit on his folgoþe sy. Se ðe of ðissa gerædnesse ga, gilde æt frum cirre
v pund, æt oþrum cirre his were,⁹¹ æt þriddan
cirre ðolige ealles þæs þe⁹² he age, ⁊ ure eal-
ra freondscipes. Ond se ðe man að swerige, ⁊ hit him on open
wurþe, ðæt he næfre eft aðwyrþe ne sy, ne
binnan nanum gehalgodum lictune ne licge
þeah he forðfare⁹³ butan he hæbbe ðæs biscopes

37r

gewitnesse ðe he on his scrift⁹⁴ scire sy, þæt he hit swa
gebett hæbbe swa him his scrift scrife, ⁊ his scrift
hit gecyþe þam biscope binnan xxx nihta
hweþer he to þære bote cirran wolde. Gif he swa
ne do, bete be þam þe se biscop him forgifan
wille.

Translation

Æthelstan’s laws

First, that one should not spare any thief who is caught red-handed, [who is] over 12 years, and [the value is] over eight pennies; and if one does so, he should pay for the thief according to his wergild⁹⁵ – and it will not be settled for the thief – or let him clear him [by an oath] by that [amount].

If he [the thief] wants to resist or flee,⁹⁶ then one should not spare him.

If one brings a thief into prison, in that case he will be in prison forty nights, and one may then redeem him with 120 shillings,⁹⁷ and the family will act as guarantor for him,⁹⁸ so that he should desist evermore.

And if he steals after that they should pay for him with his wergild, or bring him there again.

And if anyone stands up for him, he should pay for him with his wergild, whether to the king or to the one to whom it rightly belongs; and each one of those who stands by him, let them give to the king 120 shillings as a fine.

And we spoke concerning the lordless men, from whom one cannot obtain justice, that one should bid their family, so that they bring him home to [face] justice,⁹⁹ and find him a lord in the public assembly.

And if they then will not, or cannot, bring him on the appointed day, then he will afterwards be an outlaw, and he who comes upon him may kill him as a thief.¹⁰⁰ And he who harbours him after that, should pay for him with his wergild, or clear himself [by oath] to [the value of] that.¹⁰¹

Concerning refusal of justice¹⁰²

The lord who refuses justice, and takes the part of his evildoer,¹⁰³ and appeals to the king, he should pay back the market-price [of what is stolen], and give to the king 120 shillings.

And he who appeals to the king before he demands justice from him [the wrongdoer] – as often as it becomes him¹⁰⁴ – should pay the same fine as the other would have,¹⁰⁵ if he had refused him justice.¹⁰⁶

And the lord who is an accessory to theft by his slave, and this becomes known about him, should forfeit his slave,¹⁰⁷ and should be liable to his wergild in the first instance.¹⁰⁸

If he does it often, he should be liable for all that he owns; and, likewise, any of the king’s treasurers or of our reeves, who were accessories of the thieves who stole, should be subject to the same.

Concerning treachery against one’s lord

And we declared concerning treachery against one’s lord that he should be liable to forfeit his life if he is unable to deny it [the charge] or if he were afterwards found guilty at the threefold ordeal. And we declared concerning breaking into a church,¹⁰⁹ that if he were found guilty at the threefold ordeal, he should pay according to what the lawbook says.¹¹⁰

Concerning witchcrafts

And we declared concerning witchcrafts, and concerning sorceries,¹¹¹ and concerning murders,¹¹² if one were thereby killed, and he is unable to deny it, then he should be liable to forfeit his life.

If he then wishes to deny it, and at the threefold ordeal is found guilty, [we declared] that he be 120 nights in prison, and then the [guilty person’s] family will take him out and give to the king 120 shillings, and pay the wergild to his [the murdered person’s] family, and go surety for him so that he hereafter should desist from such.

Concerning arsonists

The arsonists and those who avenge a thief should be measured by the same judgment,¹¹³ and he who wishes to avenge a thief, but no one is wounded, should give to the king 120 shillings as a fine for the assault. And we declared concerning the single ordeal,¹¹⁴ with regard to those persons who often were accused and were found guilty, and they know no one to stand surety for them, one should bring them to prison, and one should release them as it was stated here before.

Concerning landless persons

And we declared that if any landless person took service in another shire and afterwards seek his family,¹¹⁵ he [the family member] may take him in [the landless man] on the condition that he lead him to justice, should he carry out an offence there, or else pay compensation.¹¹⁶

Concerning the taking possession of property¹¹⁷

He who seizes property, one should obtain for him 5 persons from his neighbours, and from the 5 get one who should swear with him that he claims it according to public law;¹¹⁸ but he who wishes to declare it as owned by himself,¹¹⁹ one should take for him 10 men, and from them two [oath-supporters], and he should give the oath that it was born on his land – the oath of all is not needed¹²⁰ – and this selected oath is to be valid [in cases] over 20 pennies.¹²¹

Concerning exchange [of property]

And no one is to exchange any property without the witness of the reeve, or the mass-priest, or the land-lord,¹²² or the treasurer or other trustworthy person.

If such is done, one should pay 30 shilling as a fine, and the land-lord is to take the exchanged property.

Concerning false witness

If one should then find that any of them gave false witness, never again shall his witness be valid; and also he should pay 30 shillings as a fine.

And we declared that he who may demand payment for a slain thief should come forward with three others,¹²³ two from the father’s kin and the third from the mother’s; and they are to give the oath that they have not known of any thievery in their relative – for which guilt he would not be worthy of life. And they [the slayers of the man]¹²⁴ shall then go with 12 others, and shall prove him [the slain thief] liable as it was declared before. And if the dead person’s family does not come forward at the appointed day, each one who spoke before of it [those demanding the payment] should pay 120 shillings.

And we declared that no one should trade any goods over 20 pennies outside the town,¹²⁵ but should trade there inside with the witness of the town-reeve,¹²⁶ or other trustworthy person; or thereafter with the witness of the reeves at a public assembly.

And we declare that each borough be repaired 14 nights after Rogationtide.¹²⁷

Second, that each market be within a town.

Third, that a single coinage be over all the king’s realm, and no one may mint outside of a town. And if the minter be found guilty, one should cut off the hand with which he committed the crime, and set it above the mint.¹²⁸

And when there is an accusation, and he wishes to clear himself, then he should go to the [ordeal] of hot iron, and he should redeem the hand with which he was accused of committing the crime.¹²⁹ And if he be found guilty in the ordeal, one should do the same as is stated before.

In Canterbury [there are to be] 7 minters, 4 of the king, two of the bishop,1 of the abbot. At Rochester, 2 of the king and one of the bishop. At London, 8. At Winchester, 6. At Lewes, 2. At Hastings, 1. Another at Chichester. At Southampton, 2. At Wareham, 2. At Exeter, 2. At Shaftesbury, 2. Otherwise, in the other boroughs, 1.

Fourth, that no shield-maker may lay sheepskin on a shield, and if he does he should pay 30 shillings.

Fifth, that each person should have in respect to the plough two mounted men.¹³⁰

Sixth, if anyone takes a bribe from a thief, and another’s rights are suppressed, he should be liable for his wergild.

Seventh, that no person may sell any horse overseas, unless he wishes to gift it.¹³¹

And we declared concerning an enslaved person, if he is found guilty at the ordeal, that one should pay the market value [of the stolen goods],¹³² and one should beat him three times, or else a second payment should be given; and the [public] fine with respect to slaves should be at half the rate.¹³³

If someone fails to attend an assembly three times, one should pay [a fine] for disobedience to the king; and it should be announced seven nights before the assembly happens.

If he then will not carry out what is right, nor will pay the disobedience fine, then the most senior men shall ride there, all who belong to the borough, and take all that he owns, and place him under surety.¹³⁴ If, however, anyone will not ride with his fellows, he should pay [a fine] for disobedience to the king.

And one should announce in the assembly that one should be at peace with all that the king should wish to be at peace with,¹³⁵ and refrain from theft on pain of death and by all that he may own. And he who does not wish to cease, [even] for [such] penalties, then the most senior men shall ride there, all who belong to the borough, and take all that he owns; and the king should take possession of half, and half to the men who are on the raid; and they should set him under surety.

If he does not know anyone to stand surety for him, they should imprison him. If he will not allow this, let him lie [dead] – unless he should escape.

If anyone wishes to avenge him or carry on a feud for him, then he will be at enmity with the king and with all his [the king’s] friends.

If he should escape, and someone harbours him, he should be liable for his wergild, unless he dares to clear himself – by the [amount of the] fugitive’s wergild – that he did not know him to be a fugitive.

If someone should make terms for the ordeal, he may make terms [based] on the market value, and not on the penalty, unless he, to whom it belongs, wishes to grant it.¹³⁶

And no one should receive the man of another without the permission of him whom he served before. If someone does so, he should give back the man, and pay [the fine of] disobedience to the king; and no one may dismiss from himself an accused man of his own before he has rendered justice.

If anyone should pledge [to undertake] the ordeal, then he should come the third night beforehand to the mass-priest who shall consecrate it [i.e. the ordeal], and he should sustain himself with bread and with water and salt and vegetables before he shall go thereto; and he should be present at mass each of those three days, and should make his offering, and go to the housel on the day on which he shall go to the ordeal;¹³⁷ and he should then swear the oath that he is, according to public law, innocent of the charge, before he goes to the ordeal.

And if it is [the ordeal of] water, that he should sink one and a half ells on the rope.¹³⁸ If it is the iron-ordeal, there should be three nights before one undoes the hand.¹³⁹ And let each person begin his accusation with a preliminary oath just as we declared before; and each of those, of both sides,¹⁴⁰ who are there should fast, according to God’s command and that of the archbishop; and there should not be on either side any more than 12 persons. If then the accused person be one in a company of more than twelve, then the ordeal should be void, unless they be willing to go from him.

And he who buys property before a witness, and afterwards has to vouch warranty for it, then he from whom he previously bought it should take back his [goods],¹⁴¹ be he free or slave,¹⁴² whichever he is.

And [we declared] that there be no trading on Sunday. If then anyone does this, he should forfeit the goods, and pay 30 shilling as a fine.

If any of my reeves is then unwilling to do this,¹⁴³ or does less than we have declared, then he should pay [the fine] of disobedience to me, and I shall find another who will. And the bishop, in whose district it be,¹⁴⁴ should exact the [fine of] disobedience from the reeve. He who departs from these laws should pay in the first instance 5 pounds, and on the second occasion his wergild; on the third occasion he should suffer the loss of all that he owns, and the friendship of us all.

And he who swears a false oath, and it comes into the open about him, [we have declared] that he never afterwards be oath-worthy, nor should be laid within any holy cemetery should he die,¹⁴⁵ unless he would have the testimony of the bishop in whose confession-shire he is,¹⁴⁶ that he has repented for it just as his confessor has prescribed for him. And his confessor should make it known to the bishop within 30 nights whether he was willing to turn to atonement. If he does not do so, he should pay according to what the bishop will allow him.¹⁴⁷

Bibliography

Bartlett, Robert, Trial by Fire and Water: The Medieval Judicial Ordeal (Clarendon Press/Oxford University Press, 1986).

Clark Hall, J. R., A Concise Anglo-Saxon Dictionary, fourth edition (University of Toronto Press, 1960).

Foot, Sarah, Æthelstan (Yale University Press, 2011).

Gilbey, Walter, Horses Past and Present (Vinton & Co., Ltd, 1900), available via Project Gutenberg EBook

Gittos, Helen, Liturgy, Architecture, and Sacred Places in Anglo-Saxon England (Oxford University Press, 2013).

Keynes, Simon, ‘Appendix: Rulers of the English, c.450-1066’, in The Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Anglo-Saxon England, ed. Michael Lapidge, John Blair, Simon Keynes, and Donald Scragg (Blackwell Publishing, 1999).

Lambert, Tom, Law & Order in Anglo-Saxon England (Oxford University Press, 2017).

Liebermann, Felix, Die Gesetze der Angelsachsen, 3 volumes (M. Niemeyer, 1903–16) (edition available via Early English Laws website for each law code).

Whitelock, Dorothy, English Historical Documents, Volume I, c.500-1042, second edition (Eyre Methuen/Oxford University Press, 1979).

Wormald, Patrick, The Making of English Law: King Alfred to the Twelfth Century (Blackwell Publishing, 1999).

Zupko, Ronald E., A Dictionary of Weights and Measures for the British Isles: The Middle Ages To the Twentieth Century (American Philosophical Society, 1985).

Websites

Bosworth & Toller dictionary Bosworth-Toller Anglo-Saxon Dictionary online (bosworthtoller.com)

British Library, Medieval manuscripts blog, Medieval manuscripts blog

Colin Flight’s website, Durobrivis

DOE. The Dictionary of Old English: A to I; limited free access here

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Footnotes

1 This is Dorothy Whitelock’s date: Whitelock, p. 417.

2 Many thanks indeed to Elise Fleming for kindly proofreading the commentary, translation and notes.

3 Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 383, folios 14v-15v; the text starts at the bottom of 14v with the heading, ‘Be ðeofum.’ and ends abruptly at the bottom of 15v. Thus only about one fifth of the Grately Code is preserved in the Cambridge manuscript. The digital facsimile can be found here [accessed 22 February 2023].

4 London, British Library, Cotton MS Otho B.xi.

5 For more on Quadripartitus, see Wormald, pp. 236-44.

6 See the index in Bartlett, p. 178, ‘for specific historical examples of the use of the ‘cold water’ ordeal.

7 See the index in Bartlett, p. 178, for specific historical examples of the use of the ‘hot iron’ ordeal.

8 See DOE, fūl adj., 1, 1.a.ii and 1.a.iii; and for the legal meaning of ‘guilty’, see 4c.

9 Whitelock, p. 418, translates ‘be morðdædum’ (literally, ‘deeds of murder’) as ‘concerning[…] secret attempts on life’; similarly, Wormald, p. 367, in translating the law code Be blaserum ⁊ be morðslihtum, gives ‘about[…] underhand killings’ for ‘be þam morþslyhtum’ (literally, ‘concerning murder-slaughters’).

10 Bartlett, p. 31, uses ‘simple’ rather than ‘single’. The OE word anfeald, literally ‘one-fold’, can be translated either way, though DOE offers ‘simple’ in legal contexts: see ān-feald 2.f., ‘in legal phrases referring to the usual form of an oath, charge, ordeal, etc. without amplification or modification: anfeald aþ / lad / ordal / spræc / tihtle / wegild “simple oath / purgation / ordeal / suit / charge / compensation”. My view is that in the context of ordeals, anfeald specifically relates to measurement (a one pound weight in the iron-ordeal); moreover, where ordeals can also be þrimfeald – threefold, it makes good sense to translate anfeald as ‘single’ rather than ‘simple’.

11 See the index in Bartlett, p. 178, for historical examples of the use of ordeal by ‘cauldron’.

12 My own emphasis.

13 The transcript (London, British Library, Additional MS 43703) was made in 1562 by the antiquarian Laurence Nowell; a digital facsimile of the transcript is available on the Early English Laws website, here [accessed 22 February 2023]. Colin Flight’s transcript of the laws of Textus Roffensis has also proved useful in reconstructing illegible words, and is available here [accessed 22 February 2023].

14 A British Library blog post on the fire is available here [accessed 22 February 2023].

15 ‘gerædnesse’ is the more expected spelling, as is noted by Liebermann, Early English Laws: Liebermann edition [accessed 15 December 2022].

16 There is water damage at the top of the folio, which makes some words on the first six lines difficult or impossible to read. The affected words are shown in grey font and have been reconstructed based upon the text in Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 383, folios 14v-15r. Also, in the top right margin, there is what appears to be a Latin annotation in a later, non-medieval hand; I cannot make out most of the words.

17 Flight has ‘xx’, but with the benefit of the zoom feature on the digital facsimile it is possible to see that ‘xii’ is written. This corresponds with both the Cambridge manuscript and the Nowell transcript, both of which have ‘twelf’ (‘twelve’).

18 ‘7’ is inserted above the line.

19 ‘þingodre.’ is followed by an insertion mark; the corresponding insertion mark in the right margin has the text (lines 5 and 6), ‘oþþe hine be þam geladie’, so I have inserted the text accordingly. Though the inserted text is faded, I can make out the spelling of the last word as ‘geladie’ and so have opted not to use the different ‘geladige’ from the Cambridge manuscript.

20 ‘þonne’ is inserted above the line.

21 There is an erasure between and a line connecting ‘weri’ and ‘an’.

22 There is a line written between ‘ni’ and ‘hta’.

23 ‘ne a’ is inserted above the line to correct ‘ðone lyse’ to ‘ðonne alyse’.

24 There is a space left after ‘hwa’.

25 ‘man’ is inserted above the line.

26 ‘to þam andagan’ was evidently added as a correction of an omission as it extends into the margin.

27 ‘þe’ is inserted above the line.

28 ‘man’ is inserted in the margin, to the side of ‘licge’.

29 The ‘ge’ of ‘foregesece’ is inserted above the line.

30 The ‘ge of ‘gesece’ is inserted above the line.

31 ‘swa oft swa him to gebyrie,’ appears in the left margin, along with an insertion mark, now badly faded; the corresponding insertion mark in the main body is inserted after ‘bidde,’.

32 Old English wer is used in this context as an abbreviation for wergild.

33 ‘þær’ is inserted above the line.

34 ‘swylces’ is inserted above the line.

35 ‘to wite’ is inserted above the line.

36 The ‘t’ of ‘æthlype’ is inserted above the line.

37 ‘hy’ is inserted above the line.

38 The ‘ge’ of ‘gecweden’ is inserted above the line.

39 The ‘ge’ of ‘gelæde’ is inserted above the line.

40 ‘oþer forebete’ is added later, extending into the margin.

41 ‘men,’ is inserted above the line.

42 ‘þam’ is inserted above the line.

43 The words ‘penega’, ‘[bu]-tan ðæs’ and ‘preostes’ at the beginning of the first three lines, shown in grey font, have been reconstructed by comparing Nowell’s transcription.

44 The second ‘e’ of ‘ungelygenes’

45 The ‘fe’ of ‘hwearfe’ is inserted above the line.

46 The ‘h’ of ‘wohre’ is inserted above the line.

47 The ‘o’ of ‘heora’ is inserted above the line.

48 The ‘h’ of ‘wohre’ is inserted above the line.

49 A mark along the line splits the word ‘scyld¬_unga’.

50 ‘to,’ is inserted above the line.

51 The ‘o’ of ‘heora’ is inserted above the line.

52 The ‘e’ of ‘mæge’ is inserted above the line.

53 ‘on’ is inserted above the line.

54 The first ‘e’ of ‘unlygenes’ is inserted above the line.

55 Comparison with the Nowell transcript has helped to clarify some of the faded words – those shown in grey font – at the top of this page.

56 The ‘e’ of ‘porte’ is inserted above the line.

57 The second ‘p’ of ‘uppon’ is inserted above the line.

58 ‘þæs’ is inserted above the line.

59 ‘þæs’ is inserted above the line.

60 The second ‘l’ of ‘fellon’ is inserted above the line.

61 The final ‘t’ of ‘medsceatt’ is inserted above the line.

62 ‘he’ is inserted above the line.

63 ‘man’ is inserted above the line.

64 ‘þe to’ is added in the left margin to correct an omission.

65 ‘þonne’ is inserted above the line.

66 The ‘A’ of ‘And’ is an alteration of ‘O’.

67 The second ‘l’ of ‘eall’ is inserted above the line.

68 ‘he’ is inserted above the line.

69 The ‘e’ of ‘yldestan’ is inserted above the line.

70 ‘þe’ is inserted into the left margin to correct an omission.

71 ‘hit’ is inserted into the right margin to correct an omission.

72 ‘gan’ of the word ‘licgan’ is inserted above the line.

73 A space with an ‘¬_’ splits the word ‘ladian’.

74 ‘þæs flyman were’ is inserted into the right margin to correct an omission.

75 The abbreviation for ‘þæt’ is inserted into the left margin to correct an omission.

76 The first ‘e’ of ‘tere’ is inserted above the line.

77 The ‘ge’ of ‘geoffrige’ is inserted above the line.

78 ‘sy’ is inserted above the line.

79 The ‘þera’ part of the word ‘ægþera’ is inserted into the right margin as a correction.

80 The words in grey font on this and the previous line have been reconstructed by comparing the Nowell transcript; however, ‘fastende’ is not clear in Nowell (Nowell has a rather untidy hand) but is just about decipherable using zoom on the Textus digital facsimile.

81 ‘on’ is inserted above the line.

82 The final ‘e’ of ‘healfe’ is inserted above the line.

83 ‘na’ is inserted above the line.

84 The first ‘n’ of ‘ðonne’ is inserted above the line.

85 ‘se’ is inserted above the line.

86 The ‘hwe’ of ‘hweðer’ is inserted above the line.

87 ‘to wite’ is inserted into the right margin to correct an omission.

88 The ‘a’ of ‘gerefa’ is separated from the rest of the word by the extended bar of the ‘f’.

89 ‘þonne’ is inserted above the line.

90 The original ‘O’ of ‘Ond’ is altered to ‘A’ (‘And’).

91 The final ‘e’ of ‘were’ is inserted above the line.

92 ‘þe’ is inserted above the line.

93 The ‘ð’ of ‘forðfare’ is inserted above the line.

94 ‘scrift’ is inserted above the line.

95 That is, the wergild of the thief. The wergild was the value of the life of a free person according to their rank; it was used in matters of law with respect to payment of compensation and fines.

96 ‘resist’, or ‘defend himself’, as Whitelock, p. 417, renders it. The sense, however, is not that the thief wishes to legally defend himself but rather that the thief, who has been caught in the act, attempts physically to resist capture.

97 120 shillings appears to equate to the wergild of a free person of the lowest class.

98 ‘family’, or ‘kindred’.

99 Compare DOE, ‘folc-riht noun […] 1. public law, customary law […] 2. to folcrihte lædan ‘to lead (someone acc.) to justice’.

100 More literally, ‘lay him as a thief’, with the sense of causing him to lie dead.

101 Following Liebermann, ‘oder reinige sich [durch Eid] im Werthe dieses [Wergelds]’, ‘or purify himself [by oath] to the worth of this [wergeld]; Early English Laws: Liebermann edition [accessed 16 December 2022]; Whitelock, p. 418, gives: ‘or to clear himself by an oath of that amount’. The basic sense is that the one accused of harbouring an outlawed thief must pay a wergild as a fine or clear himself from the accusation by swearing an oath; see the entry for ladian in the online Bosworth & Toller dictionary: Bosworth-Toller Anglo-Saxon Dictionary online (bosworthtoller.com) [accessed 16 December 2022].

102 The refusal of justice relates to a lord’s denial or prevention of prosecution at his own court of an individual under his jurisdiction (a freeman who has sworn fealty to his lord), either by the lord taking the side of the culprit and then appealing to the king, or by ignoring or pre-empting due process at his own court by directly appealing to the king first.

103 See Clark Hall, ‘licgan […] 1. for take the part of’; Clark Hall cites this line in Æthelstan’s law as the example for this rather specific use of the verb. Literally, the meaning is that the lord ‘lies (down) for’ the evildoer. As an alternative, we could read ‘licge’ (‘lies’, as in ‘lies down’) to be an error for ‘leoge’ (‘lies’, as in ‘tells a lie’), giving us the sense that the lord lies for the culprit, in other words, he defends a guilty man who is under his jurisdiction.

104 Alluding to the importance of the lord regularly holding court.

105 ‘the other’, here, is referring back to the lord of the previous sentence who stands up for one of his guilty men.

106 In the sense of refusing to bring the criminal to justice.

107 It is unclear what happens to the slave.

108 The lord must pay a penalty fine equivalent to his own wergild – a slave would not have a wergild.

109 DOE also suggests cyric-bryce could perhaps also mean ‘sacrilege in a wider sense’.

110 Here referring to pre-existing laws, specifically, it would seem, to the laws of Alfred which state that if one steals anything in church one would pay compensation and a fine, and lose one’s hand; see Whitelock, p. 418, n. 3.

111 Other uses of lyblac ‘sorcery’ in Old English texts point to acts that cause harm; Bosworth & Toller define it as ‘the art of using drugs or potions for the purpose of poisoning, or for magical purposes’, bosworthtoller.com/21921 [accessed 12 February 2023].

112 The ‘murders’ here are, contextually, associated with the foregoing ‘witchcrafts’ and ‘sorceries’ and so may perhaps best be understood as surreptitious killings. Note that Whitelock (p. 418) gives ‘secret attempts on life’ and observes (p. 418, n. 4), ‘literally, “murders”. Open killing was not regarded as murder in Anglo-Saxon law.’

113 Presumably meaning that those accused of arson or who avenge a thief should face the threefold ordeal.

114 Or ‘simple ordeal’. The ‘single ordeal’, in the context of the ordeal by hot iron, refers to the one pound weight of the hot iron, as opposed to the three pound weight of the ‘threefold ordeal’.

115 In the sense of ‘if he should return to his family’, his kin group in the shire from where he originated.

116 Presumably, ‘there’ refers to ‘another shire’ in the earlier clause. Thus the one who takes in the returning landless relative, if it turns out they have committed an offence in the other shire, must be prepared to either take him back to face justice or pay the compensation on his behalf.

117 A more modern legal term would be ‘attachment’.

118 DOE, folc-riht 1, ‘public law, customary law’.

119 This is referring to the one who is accused of stealing the property.

120 More literally, ‘without the number-oath [OE rim-að]’, that is, the oath of the whole number of support witnesses.

121 DOE cyre-āþ, ‘selected oath, an oath sworn by an accused man and a selection of oath-takers nominated by the judge or the adversary of the accused man, in contrast to an oath butan cyre’; cyre A.1.a, ‘butan cyre “without selection (of the oath-takers by the judge or adversary)”’.

122 Or, ‘lord of the estate’, Whitelock, p. 419; i.e. the lord of the persons wishing to make the exchange.

123 This relates the circumstance of contested guilt after a person has been slain as a thief; the demand of the family members would be for the slain person’s wergild. Most likely this is the context where the victims of theft acted in vengeance against the thief, as they had the right to do if he was caught in the act, but where the family of the thief contest the guilt and provide three family members as compurgators and testify to his innocence.

124 Following Liebermann, who reads ‘they’ as the party who has slain the man, whereas Whitelock suggests it could possibly mean that the family of the slain person must prove him to be liable to be paid for, which I personally find too awkward; see Whitelock, p. 419, ns. 3 and 4.

125 OE port has the sense in this context of a town with market rights, perhaps one with a harbour; see Clark Hall, port.

126 Or, ‘port-reeve’.

127 OE gang-dæg, literally ‘walking day’, in the plural meaning Rogationtide, the three days preceding the Feast of the Ascension. Rogationtide in the early medieval period was associated with penance and prayer but also the blessing of crops and the local community by clergy, who would lead the laity in a procession around the landscape, walking barefoot and holding relics, crosses and holy books. There is evidence for less sombre celebrations among the laity: games, huge feasts and even horse-racing. For more information, see Gittos, pp. 134-39.

128 Literally, ‘mint-smithy’. Presumably, the hand would stand as a visible sign to all in the community that the particular metalworker responsible for illegal minting was dishonest.

129 Here, the order is confusing but it seems logical that the accusation and ordeal take place before guilt is established and the minter loses his hand. The redemption of his hand is therefore the saving of his hand.

130 The meaning of the Old English is not entirely clear. Liebermann in his German translation gives a ‘probable’ reading meaning ‘that everyone who owns a plough should keep 2 mounted men/warriors’; see Lieberman, p. 159 [accessed 24 February 2023]. Similarly, Whitelock, p. 420 and n. 3, translates it as ‘every man is to have two well-mounted men for every plough’ and notes that ‘If this refers to military service, the demand is much heavier than in later times, when there is some evidence that one man went from five hides.’ On balance, this probably does relate to the obligation of lords, who hold plough-lands, to provide horsemen to the king.

131 Walter Gilbey (1831-1914), a well-known horse-breeder of the Victorian period, offers his perspective on Æthelstan’s forbidding of the export of horses in his work Horses Past and Present (available online as a Project Gutenberg EBook): King Athelstan (925-940) is entitled to special mention, for it was he who passed the first of a long series of laws by which the export of horses was forbidden. Athelstan's law assigns no reason for this step; but the only possible motive for such a law must have been to check the trade which the high qualities of English-bred horses had brought into existence. At no period of our history have we possessed more horses than would supply our requirements, and Athelstan's prohibition of the export of horses beyond sea, unless they were sent as gifts, was undoubtedly due to a growing demand which threatened to produce scarcity. This king saw no objection to the importation of horses: he accepted several as gifts from Continental Sovereigns, and evidently attached much value to them, for in his will he made certain bequests of white horses and others which had been given him by Saxon friends.

132 The responsibility for recompensing the victim of theft with the market value of the stolen goods lay with the slave’s owner, though other early English laws suggest slaves themselves may have had personal money, in which case we may assume that this money would be used first. This payment may be read as additional to returning the goods.

133 This is alluding to the fine that goes into the public coffers; it is in addition to recompensing the victim of the theft. The slave’s owner is responsible for this.

134 Likely with the sense that he will be imprisoned if no-one stands surety for him; see the next law, below.

135 DOE gives for friþian ‘to be at peace with, protect, preserve, defend’; so the sense here appears to be that all should defend and uphold the king’s position in a judicial matter.

136 This appears to relate to someone interceding (see þingian in Bosworth Toller) in order to settle a dispute relating to theft; that is, the trial by ordeal does not take place because the intercessor is able to get the accused/thief and the accuser/victim to reach a settlement, though this settlement has to be based on the true value of the goods, not on the payment of a fine (which may be of less value), unless the accuser/victim grants the latter. This intercession thus guarantees that the accused/thief is spared the horror of the ordeal – which at any rate may well lead to a monetary penalty – and the accuser/victim obtains recompense.

137 OE husel survives in the archaic housel, meaning the administering and/or receiving of the Eucharist, i.e. holy communion.

138 ‘oþre healfe’, ‘one and a half’, following Whitelock, p. 421. An ell was a measurement for cloth in the late medieval period, ‘generally containing 45 inches (1.143m)’ according to A Dictionary of Weights and Measurements for the British Isles: The Middle Ages To the Twentieth Century, ed. Ronald E. Zupko (American Philosophical Society, 1985), p. 119.

139 The hand is bound after the ordeal of carrying the hot iron bar. It is then inspected three days later: if it is not infected, the person is deemed without guilt; if it is infected, guilt is established.

140 Literally, ‘of both hands’; Whitelock, p. 421, gives ‘of both parties’; it would seem, however, that the phrase alludes to the practice of the advocates of both the accused and the accuser physically lining up on the left-hand and right-hand sides inside the church, where the ordeal takes place; see by way of comparison, the instructions in the law known as Ordal.

141 The context appears to be where an accusation is made, subsequent to the sale, that the goods (quite possibly referring to livestock) were stolen, and the buyer then has to vouch that he bought them in good faith; and due to the fact that the sale was witnessed by an official, the buyer can return the goods and the seller is obliged to take them back. Thus the person unwittingly buying stolen goods is saved from being accused.

142 That a seller or buyer – which is not clear – may be a slave seems to imply that a slave, perhaps on behalf of his lord, may have been involved in the process of selling and/or buying.

143 The ‘this’ appears to refer to the upholding of the entire set of laws of the Grately code, rather than just the preceding law of Sunday trading; see the reference to those who deviate from ‘these laws’ (OE ‘ðissa gerædnesse’), which follows shortly after.

144 ‘district’, OE folgoþ; Whitelock, p. 421, gives ‘diocese’.

145 ‘die’, more literally, ‘go forth’.

146 ‘confession-shire’, a literal translation of ‘scrift-scire’; Francesca Tinti (Tinti, p. 34) explains that ‘the use of the term scriftscir indicates the importance of confession’ in defining the territories over which a church holds spiritual jurisdiction.

147 In other words, the oath-breaker may pay a monetary payment in lieu of an act of penance, the amount being determined by the bishop.

Concerning arsonists and murders, probably 10th century

Thought to be the earliest of the anonymous Old English law codes,¹ this text concerns the judicial process for those accused of arson or murder,² and it relates some of the particulars of trial by ordeal.³

It is this brief law that enables us to understand that a ‘threefold’ ordeal of iron, referred to elsewhere in the Old English laws (see, for example, Æthelstan’s Grately Code), involved increasing threefold the weight of the iron bar, to be carried by the accused, from one to three pounds. In another anonymous law, known as Ordal,⁴ we learn that the iron bar was heated upon coals and was carried by the accused for a measurement of nine of his, or her, feet.

This text is also important for showing that the crimes of arson and murder required greater support of one’s oath – the declaration of one’s innocence – if the accused were to escape the ordeal. The deepening of one’s oath threefold meant the accused had to find three times the usual number of people to publicly stand as ‘oath-supporters’.

Transcription

31v (select folio number to open facsimile)

_We cwædon be þam blaserum, cxxi⁵
⁊ be þam morþslyhtum, þæt man dypte þone
aþ be þryfealdum, ⁊ myclade þæt ordalysen
þæt hit gewege þry pund, ⁊ eode se man sylf

32r

to þe man tuge, ⁊ hæbbe se teond cyre, swa wæter-
ordal, swa ysenordal, swa hwæþer him leofra
sy. Gif he ðone að forþbringan ne mæg, ⁊
he þonne ful sy, stande on þæra yldesta man-
na dome, hweþer he lif age þe nage, þe to ðære
byrig hyran.

Translation

See Translation Notes

We declared concerning arsonists and concerning murders that one should deepen the oath threefold,⁶ and one should enlarge the ordeal-iron so that it should weigh three pounds, and the person who is the one accused should walk themself;⁷ and the accuser should have the choice, whether the water-ordeal or the iron-ordeal,⁸ whatever is pleasing to him.

If he [the accused] is unable to bring forth the oath,⁹ and he then be guilty [after the ordeal], it should stand on the judgement of the most senior men that belong to the borough court whether he keeps his life or not.

Bibliography

Wormald, Patrick. The Making of English Law: King Alfred to the Twelfth Century (Blackwell, 1999).

Website

Early English Laws, Early English Laws: Home

Footnotes

1 See the introductory comments on the Early English Laws website.

2 Wormald, p. 367, gives ‘underhand killings’.

3 Many thanks to Elise Fleming for kindly proofreading the introduction, translation and notes.

4 Ordal follows this text just a few lines after it finishes, there being the fragmentary text known as Forfang in between the two.

5 The number (121) indicates that this short law is integrated into the law code of King Ine of Wessex (reigned 688-726), which itself is appended to the laws of Alfred the Great (reigned in Wessex 871-899).

6 That is, the accused person must find three times the usual number of people to act as supporters of his oath of denial.

7 OE man signifies a person of either sex. There was to be no representative serving as substitute; the accused person themself had to hold the heated iron and walk the length of the ordeal.

8 It is unclear whether the ‘water-ordeal’ here refers to the so-called ‘hot water’ ordeal (plunging one’s hand or arm into boiling water), described in Ordal, or the so-called ‘cold water’ ordeal (being plunged into a body of water to a certain depth), outlined in Æthelstan’s Grately Code.

9 That is, he is unable to assemble the increased number of oath-supporters.

Forfang: a reward for retrieving stolen property, probably 10th century

Forfang: a reward for retrieving stolen property. Anonymous, probably 2nd quarter of the 10th century. Transcription and translation from Old English of Textus Roffensis folio 32r by Dr Christopher Monk.

The three lines of this fragmentary text is the ‘summary clause’ of an anonymous code known today as Forfang,¹ which deals with the reward for retrieving stolen property, both human (i.e. slaves) and animal (specifically, horses). The Textus Roffensis scribe seems to have been working from a truncated exemplar, so he did not include the remaining text of this law (Wormald, p. 369). In fact, Forfang, a little peculiarly, is presented as if it is the final part of the previous law, which concerns arson and murder (which can be found here).²

The summary clause in isolation is confusing. It begins to make sense once we take into account what it is summarising. The full text of Forfang is found in the manuscript Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 383, at folio 9v, and the late Patrick Wormald’s interpretation of this is as follows:

The gist is that ‘wise men have ordained (witan habbað gerædd)’ that the reward is to be fifteen pence, whether for men (i.e. runaways) or horses, throughout the whole land, regardless of the number of shires traversed in the search. It had once been the case that rewards were proportionate to the distances involved, and paid at the rate of one penny for every shilling’s worth of goods stolen, but it was now thought unfair to burden the ‘small man’ with the cost of an excessive reward as well as extended travel. (Wormald, p. 369.)

The summary clause thus specifies that the reward the owner was to pay the finder for retrieving his stolen goods was now to be fixed at 15 pennies in every case.

Transcription

32r (select folio number to open facsimile)

Forfang ofer eall, sy hit on
anre scipe,³ sy hit on ma, fiftyne peningas,
⁊ æt ælcon smalon orfe, æfre æt scyllinge penig.

Translation

See Translation Notes

The reward everywhere, be it over one shire or more, [shall be] fifteen pennies, and so with the property of any small [man], ever before at one penny [per] one shilling[‘s worth of goods].

Bibliography

Wormald, Patrick. The Making of English Law: King Alfred to the Twelfth Century (Blackwell, 1999).

Website

Parker Library On the Web: Manuscripts in the Parker Library at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, Parker Library On the Web Home

Footnotes

1 Many thanks to Elise Fleming for proofreading the introduction, translation and notes.

2 For more on the transmission of Forfang, see Wormald, p. 370.

3 ‘scipe’ is an error for ‘scire’.

Æthelstan modifies the penalties for theft (c.930-39)

Concerning both the age at which a thief could be executed and the lower limit of the value of property stolen for which a thief could be put to death. Translation from Old English of Textus Roffensis folios 92v-93r by Dr Christopher Monk.

This text,¹ found only in Textus Roffensis, is a modification of King Æthelstan’s legislation on the penalties for theft.² It concerns both the age at which a thief could be executed and the lower limit of the value of property stolen for which a thief could be put to death.

In his first known pronouncements on theft, recorded in what is known as the Grately Code (issued at Grately, Hampshire, c.926-c.930),³ Æthelstan stated: ‘First, that one should not spare any thief who is caught red-handed, [who is] over 12 years, and [the value is] over eight pennies’.⁴ The modification, made by the king during a meeting with his counsel at Whittlebury,⁵ changes the age to 15 and the property value to 12 pennies.

Legal and cultural context

That thieves caught in the act could legitimately be killed was well established before Æthelstan; however, he insisted ‘on a stricter implementation of existing punishments’, as Tom Lambert notes in his study, Law & Order in Anglo-Saxon England (Lambert, p. 175).

After first granting an amnesty for thieves (seen in the Exeter Code, which also appears in Textus Roffensis), ‘such that those who committed theft could for a specified period compensate their victims without suffering any punishment’, the king, at Thunderfield (Surrey), ushered in what Lambert calls ‘the dawn of a new, distinctly merciless order’ (Lambert, p. 175). The Thunderfield Code states:

And if there is a thief who has committed theft since the council was held at Thunderfield, and is still engaged in thieving, he shall in no way be judged worthy of life, neither by claiming protection nor by making monetary payment, if the charge is truly substantiated against him – whether it is a freeman or a slave, a noble or commoner, or, if it is a woman, whether she is a mistress or maid – whosoever it may be, whether taken in the act or not taken in the act, if it is known for certainty [sic] – that is if he shall not make a statement of denial – or if the charge is proved in the ordeal, or if his guilt becomes known in any other way. (Lambert, pp. 175-76.)

The extension of execution to those not caught in the act was radical. And the removal of protection and monetary compensation was brutal. This is the context, then, in which the Whittlebury modification falls.

Æthelstan’s punishment of those who committed thievery was, indeed, ‘distinctly merciless’. However, we learn from the modification that the king found the execution of persons ‘so young’ – as young as twelve – and for ‘so little’ – as little as eight pennies – just a little uncomfortable. It seemed to him ‘too cruel’, we are told.

Lest, however, we are tempted to think of Æthelstan as a kind-hearted ruler, the modification still allowed for the killing of children younger than fifteen in certain circumstances, namely, where they put up a fight in resisting capture or attempted to flee.

If the child had his life spared, he was either to be imprisoned or his family were to redeem him with the full value of his wergild, that is, the legal price of his life, which was something every free person was granted according to their rank. Unfortunately, should the wergild payment not be forthcoming – perhaps the family could not afford it – then the child had to become enslaved.

Upholding peace

We may wonder why punishment for theft was so disproportionate and brutal. In the broader context of law and order in the centuries before the Norman Conquest of England, the treatment of thievery is a complex subject that merits more than a few sentences. However, we might summarise one key reason for the legislating of harsh punishment for thieves by referring to the final words of this modification law, in which King Æthelstan states: ‘If we uphold it thus, then I trust to God that our peace [‘frið’] will be better than it was before’.

The peace here alluded to might be best understood as communal – ‘our peace’ – the peaceful state of all the people, the whole kingdom. In Anglo-Saxon laws the supressing of theft is closely associated with this peace, as if there were a collective responsibility to remove the tyranny of thieves (see Lambert, pp. 207-210). We may thus read the ‘evermore frightening punishments’ for thieves (Lambert, p. 210) as an attempt at deterrence, and as the king taking the lead in upholding the peace of the kingdom.

At some point in its transmission the modification text was appended to another of Æthelstan’s law codes, also unique to Textus, which was issued at London, sometime after Thunderfield. You will notice that it begins with ‘Twelfthly’, following on from the previous eleven sections in the London Code.

Transcription

92v (select folio number to open facsimile)

_Twelfte, þæt se cyng cwæð nu eft at witlanby-
rig to his witan, ⁊ het cyðan þam arcebiscope be þeo-
drede biscop, þæt him to hreowlic þuhte, þæt man
swa geongne man cwealde oððe eft for swa
lytlan swa he geaxod hæfde, þæt man gehwær dyde. Cwæð þa þæt him þuhte, ⁊ þam þe he hit wiðrædde,
þæt man nænne gingran mann ne sloge þonne xv.
wintre man, buton he hine werian wolde, oððe
fleoge, ⁊ on hand gan nolde, þæt hine man þonne
lede, swa æt maran, swa æt læssan, swa hwæðer
hit þonne wære. ⁊ gif he þonne on hand gan
wille, þonne do hine man on carcern, swa

93r

hit æt greatanlea gecweden wæs, ⁊ hine be þam
ylcan lynige.⁶ Oððe gif he in carcern ne cume,
⁊ man nan næbbe, þæt hi hine niman be his ful-
lan were on borh, þæt he æfre ma ælces yfeles
geswice. Gif seo mægð him ut niman nelle,
ne him on borh gan, þonne swerige he swa him
bisceop tæce, þæt he ælces yfeles geswycan wille,
⁊ stande on þeowete be his were. Gif he þonne
ofer þæt stalie, slea man hine, oððe ho, swa man
þa yldran ær dyde. ⁊ se cyng cwæð eac, þæt
man nænne ne sloge for læssan yrfe þonne
xii. pænigas weorð, buton he fleon wille, oððe hine
werian, þæt man ne wandode þonne þeah hit læsse
wære. Gif we hit þus gehealdað, þonne gely-
fe ic to gode, þæt ure frið bið betera, þonne hit
æror wæs.

Translation

See Translation Notes

Twelfthly, that the king now spoke once more to his council at Whittlebury, and made it known to the archbishop,⁷ through Bishop Theodred,⁸ that to him it seemed too cruel that one so young a person should be slain, or for so little, as he had learned was done everywhere.

He then said that it seemed to him, and to those with whom he had discussed it, that one should not slay a young person less than fifteen years old,⁹ unless he wishes to fight,¹⁰ or flees, and does not wish to submit; in that case one may lay him low,¹¹ whether for a greater or lesser [offence], whichever it then might be.

And if, however, he wishes to submit, then one should put him in prison, as it was agreed at Grately, and, according to the same, let him be redeemed.¹²

Or if he does not go to prison, or none is available,¹³ that they take him under surety of his full wergild,¹⁴ that he for evermore cease from all evil.

If the kindred is unwilling to take him out [from prison], or stand surety for him, then he should swear as the bishop directs him, that he will cease from all evil, and he should stand in slavery for his wergild.¹⁵

If then he should steal after that, one should slay or hang him, as one would do with an older person.

And the king also said that one may not slay anyone for less than property worth 12 pennies; unless he wants to flee, or fight, in which case one should not hesitate, even though it were for less.

If we uphold it thus, then I trust to God that our peace will be better than it was before.

Bibliography

Lambert, Tom, Law & Order in Anglo-Saxon England (Oxford University Press, 2017).

Lapidge et al, The Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Anglo-Saxon England, ed. Michael Lapidge, John Blair, Simon Keynes, and Donald Scragg (Blackwell Publishing, 1999).

Whitelock, Dorothy, English Historical Documents c.500-1042, second edition (Eyre Methuen/Oxford University Press, 1979).

Websites

Early English Laws, Early English Laws: Home.

Bosworth Toller’s Anglo-Saxon Dictionary online, Bosworth-Toller Anglo-Saxon Dictionary online (bosworthtoller.com).

Further reading

Wormald, Patrick, The Making of English Law: King Alfred to the Twelfth Century (Blackwell, 1999).

Footnotes

Use your browsers 'back' button to jump back to the text.

1 Many thanks to Elise Fleming for proofreading the introduction, translation and notes.

2 Æthelstan was regarded as ‘king of the English’ from 927 until his death on 27 October 939. Prior to being king of the unified kingdom of the English, he was recognised as king in Mercia and his brother Ælfweard as king in Wessex, following the death of their father, Edward the Elder on 2 Aug. 924. As Ælfweard did not long survive his father, Æthelstan became king ‘of the Anglo-Saxons’, being consecrated as ‘king of the Anglo-Saxons and of the Danes’ on 4 September 925 (Lapidge et al, p. 514).

3 Whitelock’s date, p. 417.

4 ‘Ærest thæt man ne sparige nænne þeof þe æt hæbbendre handa gefangen sy, ofer xii winter, ⁊ ofer eahta peningas’, Textus Roffensis, folio 33r, opening lines. A full translation of the Grately Code is available on the Textus pages of this website.

5 Whittlebury today is a village in the south of Northamptonshire, close to the border of Buckinghamshire.

6 ‘lynige’ appears to be an error for ‘lysige’, as noted by Felix Liebermann: see Early English Laws: Liebermann edition [accessed 14 December 2022]. The verb, therefore, is lisian ‘to redeem’: see the entry at Bosworth-Toller Anglo-Saxon Dictionary online (bosworthtoller.com) [accessed 14 December 2022].

7 Wulfhelm, the archbishop of Canterbury, was appointed c. 926; his term ran until his death on 12 February 941.

8 Theodred, the bishop of London, was consecrated between 909 and 926; his term ran until his death, which was between 951 and 953.

9 Literally, ‘less than fifteen winters’.

10 Or, ‘defend himself’; Whitelock, p. 427, gives ‘unless he tried to defend himself’.

11 Or, ‘kill him’; Whitelock, p. 427, gives ‘in that case he was to be struck down’.

12 That is, according to the same agreement at Grately.

13 More literally, ‘or/and one has none’.

14 The ‘they’ here refers to those redeeming the criminal; we can presume this typically would have been the child’s parents or other relatives; see the clause that follows. The wergild (Old English wer is an abbreviated form of wergild) was the established monetary value of a free person’s life according to their rank. This amount would have to be paid in order to redeem the criminal.

15 That is, the child must become a slave in lieu of the unforthcoming wergild payment.

Concerning a woman’s betrothal, early 11th century

Be wifmannes beweddung (‘Concerning a woman’s betrothal’) (early-11th-century). Translation from Old English, commentary and notes on Textus Roffensis folios 94v-95r by Dr Christopher Monk.

This is a legal formula, probably originally dating to the early eleventh century, that establishes the prenuptial rights of a betrothed woman in England in the decades before the Norman Conquest, including her property entitlement on the death of her husband. It also provides us with insights into the betrothal practices of the period, such as the roles of kinsmen for both the woman and the man; and it addresses the obligation to have a priest present at the marriage, not only in order to bless the union but also to ensure the couple are not too closely related.

Transcription

94v (select folio number to open facsimile)

_Gif man mædan Be wifmannes beweddunge.
oððe wif weddian wille, ⁊ hit swa hire, ⁊ freon-
dan gelicige, ðonne is riht ðæt se brydguma
æfter godes rihte, ⁊ æfter woroldgerysnum
ærest behate, ⁊ on wedde sylle ðam ðe hire
forsprecan synd, þæt he on ða wisan hire ge-
ornige ðet he hy æfter godes rihte healdan
wille swa wær his wif sceal, ⁊ aborgian his frind
ðæt. Æfter ðam is witanne hwam ðæt foster-
lean gebyrige, weddige se brydguma eft þæs,
⁊ hit aborgian his frynd. Ðonne syððan cyþe se
brydguma hwæs he hire geunge wið þam ðet heo
his willan geceose, ⁊ hwæs he hire geunge gif
heo læng sy ðonne he. Gif hit swa geforword bið,
þonne is riht ðæt heo sy healfes yrfes wyrðe, ⁊
ealles gif hy cild gemæne habban bute heo eft
wær ceose, trymme he eal mid wedde þæt þæt
he behate, ⁊ aborgian frynd þæt. Gif hy þonne
ælces þinges sammæle beon, ðonne fon magas
to, ⁊ weddian heora magan to wife, ⁊ to rihtlife
ðam ðe hire girnde, ⁊ for to þam borge se ðe ðæs
weddes waldend sy. Gif hy man ðonne ut of
lande lædan wille on oðres þegnes land, ðonne
bið hire ræd ðæt frynd ða forword habban

95r

ðæt hire man nan woh to ne do. ⁊ gif heo gylt
gewyrce ðæt hy moton beon bote nyhst, gif heo
næfð of hwam heo bete[.]¹ æt þam giftan sceal mæsse-
preost beon mid rihte se sceal mid godes bletsun-
ge heora gesomnunge gederian an ealre gesund-
fulnesse. Wel is eac to warnianne ðæt man
wite ðæt hy ðurh mægsibbe to gelænge ne beon,
ðe læs ðe man eft twæme ðæt man ær awoh
tosomne gedydan.

Translation

See Translation Notes

Concerning a woman’s betrothal.

If one wishes to betroth a maiden or woman,² and it is pleasing to her and her kinsmen,³ then it is right that the [prospective] bridegroom, according to God’s laws and to worldly customs, should first make a promise, and give a pledge to those who are her spokespersons, that he desires her in such a way that he shall keep her as his wife, according to God’s law; and his kinsmen are to stand surety for it.

After that, it is to be known to whom the payment for [her] maintenance belongs:⁴ the bridegroom shall give a pledge as before, and his kinsmen stand surety for it.

Then, afterwards, the bridegroom should declare what he would give her should she accept his wish [to marry her], and what he would give her if she outlives him. If it be agreed upon, then it is right that she be worthy of half the property, and all of it if they have a child together, unless she were to choose another man; he should confirm all that he may promise with a pledge; and his kinsmen will stand surety for it.

If they then be in agreement over all these things, then the kin may take and betroth their kinswoman as wife, and to a lawful life, ⁵ to him who desired her, and he who is head of the betrothal shall be granted the surety payment.

If one should then wish to lead her out of the land into another thegn’s land, then it is advisable that kinsmen obtain for her the assurance that no one will do any harm to her; and, if she should commit a wrong, that they be allowed to substitute for paying compensation, if she does not have anything with which to make compensation.

At the marriage there shall be by law a mass-priest, who shall with God’s blessing join them together in all prosperity. It is also well to take heed that one knows that they are not through kinship too close, lest afterwards one must destroy what previously was wrongfully joined together.

Cited works

DMLBS. Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, available here

DOE. The Dictionary of Old English: A to I; limited free access here

Whitelock, Dorothy, English Historical Documents c.500-1042, second edition (Eyre Methuen/Oxford University Press, 1979).

Footnotes

Use your browsers 'back' button to jump back to the text.

1 Clearly, this is the end of the clause concerning the matter of the bride being taken to a new land. For some reason the scribe has not indicated that a new clause, relating to the marriage ceremony, follows.

2 Implicit, perhaps, is that the ‘woman’ (‘wif’) is a widow; see Whitelock, p. 467.

3 Old English freond, ‘friend’, takes on the sense of ‘kinsman’ in certain contexts. Freond is used in the interlinear gloss of the Lindisfarne Gospels, corresponding to Latin cognatus ‘kinsman or relative by marriage’ (see DOE, frēond, 3; and DMLBS, cognatus, c).

4 The fosterlean, ‘payment for maintenance’ (DOE), appears to refer to a payment by the prospective husband that represents the cost to her parents of bringing up the woman as a child.

5 Whitelock, p. 468, offers ‘in lawful matrimony’.

Confirmation of the privileges of St Andrew’s Priory by Archbishop William de Corbeil, c.1123-1136

Confirmation of privileges to Rochester by William de Corbeil, Archbishop of Canterbury (from 1123-1136). Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 203r by Jacob Scott (pending review).

No rubric or display initial.

Folio

203r (select folio number to open facsimile)

Willelmi dei gratia cantuar archiepiscopus. Fedis
aplice legatur. Omnibus hominibus et amicis
suis ta’ perlatis quam subditis. Cui’ cunque con-
ditionis sint ęcclę filiis salutem, deique benedicti-
onem et suam. Noscant presentes et profuturi me
reddidisse et firmit’ concessisse. et ex parte
dei et beati petri et n’ra uire in concusso hoc
presenti scripto meo confirmasse consilio et affen-
su clericorum et laicorum n’rorum ecclesie sancti An-
dree roffensi et dilecto filio n’ro Iohi’ episcpopo
omnem potestatem et iura episcopalia illi per-
tinentia in maneriis n’ris et clericis et
laicis sui episcopatum sic’ unque meli’ ut honora-
bili’ tenuerit antecessores sui Gundul-
fus ut Arnulfus episcpopi. Testibus hele wis archiepiscopus
cant’. et fulc’ p’ore sancte ofide. et Abel cano-
nico. Alueredo priore sancti gregorii. Rad-
cadus cum multis aliis clericis et laicis
apud canto roberiam.

Translation

William, by the grace of God, Archbishop of Canterbury, read the following pledge. To all men and their friends in the areas in which they are subjects. To whom no matter what condition, those things are sufficient for the children of God and his and his blessing. Let them know that I have repaid and strengthened the present and the advantage to have granted them. and on the part of God and blessed Peter and n'ra, in concusso my present writings, the council of the clergy and the laity of n’rorum church of Saint Andrew in Rochester and to our beloved Bishop John all the power and episcopal rights that pertain to him in the manors, n’ris[?], clergy, and laymen of his bishops sic’ always meli’ that that Gundulf held as honorable as his predecessors, like Arnulf the bishop. Witnessed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and fulc’ p’ore sce’ ofide, and Abel the canon. Aleredo the Prior of Saint Gregory. Radcad with many other clerics and laymen in Kent roberiam[?].

Confirmation of the privileges of St Andrew’s Priory by Archbishop Theobald of Bec, c.1139

Confirmation of privileges by Archbishop Theobald of Bec(1139-1161) September 29, 2022 Confirmation of privileges to Rochester by Theobald of Bec, Archbishop of Canterbury, from 1139-1161. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folios 131r-132r by Jacob Scott (pending review).

There are annotations in a later hand in the right margin of folio 205v, along with some underlining of place names on this page.

Transcription

204v (select folio number to open facsimile)

TEODBALDUS gratia dei cantuar archiepiescopus et to-
tius britannię primas omnibus sancte ęcclessię
fidelibus salutem. Notum uobus e’e’ uolo quod omnibus
donationes et concessiones omnium mane-
riorum et omnium terrarum . et omnium ęcclessiaru-
cum omnibus redditibus et rectitudibus suis .
et omnium decimarum quę hactenus concessę
et donatę st’ ęcclessę sancti ANDREĘ apli’ quę sita
est in ciuitate roucestra aquilibus cunq;
fiue regibus five arep’is uel epis seu comi-
tibus seu aliis quibus libet hui regni nobilibus
concessę sint aut donatę . ego teodbaldus
gratia dei cantuar arep’s et toti’ britannię primas
auctoritate m’ a deo collata . omnimodo
ratas et in perpetuum stabiles e’e’ confirmo.
Et eas nominatim quas GUNDVLFUS illi’
ęcclessę episcopus ut ad usum monachorum illorum
qui in eadem ęcclessia domino xp’o et prędicto aplo
deuote famulantur permaneant ordi-
nauit : ego eidem ęcclę et eisdem monachis
uire ęternę hęreditaus habendas et libe
atq: quiete confirmo possidendas. Et
sicut ipse pręnominat’ episcopus qui ęccl’am
illa’ fundauit et monachos illos illic

205r

congregauit . et ipsa maneria et terras q’s
insuo dominico habebat . ipsis monachis a
suo p’po uictu

Translation

THEOBALD, by the grace of God, Archbishop of Canterbury, and all the people of Britain, all the faithful of the holy church greetings. I want to make known to you all the gifts and concessions of all the manors and all the lands. and all the church and all rents and righteousnesses, and of all the tithes that have hitherto been given and donated to Saint Andrew's situated in the city of Rochester, aquilib' cunq; to the five kings, five arepis or bishops or counts or to others whom they pleased were granted or given to the nobles of this kingdom. I, Theobald, by the grace of God, can sing arep's and all Britannia's foremost authority given to me by God, in every way approved and permanently stable by him confirmed.

And those in particular which Gundulf, the bishop of that place, ordered to continue for the use of those monks who in the same place serve the lord Christ to be held as an heir and to be possessed at will; And as he pre-names the bishop who founded that church and gathered those monks there. and she herself had manors and lands that belonged to her own domain. And as he pre-names the bishop who founded that church and those monks there gathered, and she herself had manors and lands that belonged to her own domain. the monks themselves were defeated by their pope.

Henry I confirms the division of lands, c.1123

Henry I confirms the division of lands and privileges between the monks and the bishop at Rochester, followed by a confirmation by Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, and one by Bishop Gundulf (who made the initial proposal) (dated 1103). Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folios 218r-220r by Jacob Scott (pending review).

There are sixteen signatories to the agreement: these are on 220r and are represented by black crosses. The date is given after this: 1103.

Transcription

218r (select folio number to open facsimile)

Henricus gratia dei rex anglorum,
Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, abbatibus, comiti-
bus, cęterisque omnibus baronibus suis fran-
cigenis et anglis, totius regni anglorum,
salutem. Notum uobis omnibus esse uolo, quod
omnes donationes et concessiones omnium
maneriorum et omnium terrarum et omnium
ęcclesiarum cum omnibus redditibus et rectitu-
dinibus suis et omnium decimarum quę hac-
tenus concessę et donatę sunt ęcclesię sancti
andreę apostoli quę sita est in ciuitate ro-
uecestra, a quibuscunque siue regibus siue
archiepiscopis uel episcopis seu comitibus seu ali-
is quibuslibet huius regni nobilibus conces-
sę sint aut donatę, ego henricus dei
gratia rex anglorum potestate regię digni-
tatis michi a deo collata, omnimodo fir-
mas et in perpetuum stabiles esse concedo.
Et eas nominatim quas Gundulfus illius
ęcclesię episcopus ut ad usum monachorum illorum qui
in eadem ęcclesia domino christo et praedicto apostolo
deuote famulantur permaneant, ordina-
uit, ego eidem ęcclesię et eisdem monachis

218v

iure ęternę hereditatis habendas et li-
bere atque quiete confirmo possidendas. Et sicut ipse pręnominatus episcopus qui ęcclesiam
illam fundauit et monachos illos illic
congregauit et ipsa maneria et terras
quas in suo dominico habebat ipsis mona-
chis a suo proprio uictu discreuit et dis-
cretas iam dedit, uidelicet Vldeham
cum omnibus appenditiis suis, Frandesbe-
riam cum omnibus appenditiis suis, Sto-
ches cum omnibus appenditiis suis, Suth-
fletam cum omnibus appenditiis suis, Danitu-
nam cum omnibus appenditiis suis, Lamhetham
cum omnibus appenditiis suis, Hedenham cum
cum manerio quod appendet Cudintuna no-
mine, et cum omnibus quadraginta hidis terrę
quę appendent, et omnes alias minutas
terras et omnes redditus omnium terrarum ubi-
cunque sint quas suo tempore acquisiuit
et illis dedit, cum soca, et saca, et tolne, et
teame, et omnibus aliis consuetudinibus et
rectitudinibus et libertatibus quas ipsemet
unquam melius habuit in terris et in aquis et
in siluis et in uiis et in omnibus locis, ita

219r

firmiter et stabiliter in omnibus, omnia
ista monachis illis concedo et confir-
mo. Et hanc confirmationem meam pro
anima patris mei et matris meę et pro
anima mea et uxoris meę et omnium pa-
rentum meorum stabilio, et stabilitate si-
gni sanctę crucis domini nostri iesu christi propria
manu mea et sigillo meo consigno. ET ego anselmus non meis meritis
sed gratia dei cantuariensis archi-
episcopus hanc confirmationem regia aucto-
ritate confirmatam confirmo, ut et
ipsi praedictae ęcclesię et monachis prędi-
ctis atque post illos in perpetuum uicturis,
firmiter stabilis et stabiliter firma et il-
libata permaneant sancio, et sancitam si-
gno dominicę crucis christi consigno, et au-
ctoritate dei omnipotentis patris et fi-
lii et spiritus sancti et omnium sanctorum eius exco-
mmunico omnes illos qui de prędicta
ęcclesia aliquid horum omnium quę hactenus
ei sunt concessa et donata, et a rege
henrico et a me nunc confirmata

219v

abstulerint, uel auferre temptauerint,
uel ab aliis ablatum cognita ueritate re-
ceperint, uel retinuerint. Hoc etiam ad ul-
timum superaddo, ęterna cum iuda proditore sit
illis poena, nisi ad satisfactionem uene-
rint. Amen amen amen. Ego autem Gundulfus licet indignus
mitissimi sanctorum andreę apostoli uicarius
rofensium tamen uocatus episcopus, hanc nostrae
deuotionis institutionem, et regię aucto-
ritatis confirmationem, immo domni an-
selmi archiepiscopi sanctionis excommunicati-
onem, et ore et toto corde confirmo. Et ut
in perpetuum integra et inuiolata permaneat,
signo crucis christi uice piissimi sanctorum andreę
apostoli eam consigno et corroboro. Quicunque
ergo audaci temeritate aut temeraria prę-
sumptione illam ulterius scienter uiolaue-
rint, apponat ac praeponderet dominus illam eorum
sacrilegii iniquitatem super omnes alias iniqui-
tates eorum. Et nisi ad satisfactionem uene-
rint, deleantur de libro uiuentium, et cum
iustis non scribantur, et in die iustę et ęter-
nę retributionis, cum sinistra parte positis

Translation

Henry, by the grace of God, King of the English, to the archbishops, bishops, abbots, counts, and all the rest of his barons, French and English, of the whole kingdom of the English, greetings. I want it to be known to all of you that all the donations and concessions of all the manors and all the lands and all the churches with all their rents and rights and all the tithes that have hitherto been granted and donated to the church of Saint Andrew the Apostle which is in the City of Rochester, by whatever kings or archbishops or bishops or counts or other nobles of this kingdom may have been granted or given, I Henry, by the grace of God, king of the English, by the power of the royal dignity bestowed upon me by God, grant that they are in every way firm and forever stable.

And those specifically which Gundulf, the bishop of that church, ordained to continue for the use of those monks who in the same church devoutly serve the Lord Christ and the aforesaid apostle, I confirm that the same church and the same monks shall have the right of eternal inheritance and freely and quietly possess them.

And as the aforesaid bishop himself, who founded that church and assembled those monks there, and the very manors and lands which he had in his dominions, disclaimed from his own possession to the monks themselves, and gave them already disreputable, he will see Wouldham with all its appurtenances, Frindsbury with all its appurtenances, Stoke with all its appurtenances, Southfleet with all its appurtenances, Denton with all its appurtenances, Lamberhurst with all its appurtenances, Haddenham with the manor which is attached by the name of Cuddington, and with all the forty hides of land which is attached, and all other small lands and all rents of all lands wherever which he acquired in his own time and he gave them, with soca, and sacks, and take away, and fear, and all other customs and the rights and liberties which he himself he never had better things on land and in water in the woods and on the roads and in all places, so firmly and stably in everything, everything I grant and confirm these things to those monks. And this is my confirmation for the soul of my father and my mother and for my soul and that of my wife and of all my parents the stability of mine, and the stability of the sign of the holy cross of our Lord Jesus Christ I sign with my hand and seal.

And I, Anselm not by my own merits but by the grace of God the Archbishop of Canterbury this confirmation by royal authority I confirm confirmed, as et and after them you will win forever, firmly fixed and firmly fixed and unbroken I sanction them, and I signal them to be sanctioned on the holy cross of Christ, I entrust it, and by its authority the holy cross of Christ confirmed, and authority of the omnipotent God the father and son and spirit and all the saints excommunicate all those mentioned above the church is something of all these things which have hitherto been they were granted and given to him, and by King Henry and now confirmed by me have taken away, or attempted to take away or, knowing that they had been taken away from others, they received them in truth, or have retained. This also to the last I add, eternal since Judas is a traitor punishment to them, unless they come to satisfaction. So be it. So be it. So be it.

I, Gundulf, although unworthy of the most kindly holy apostle Andrew, vicar of Rochester, having been called bishop, I confirm this institution of our devotion and the confirmation of our royal authority, and indeed the lord Anselm, Archbishop, sanctions the excommunication, and with my mouth and whole heart I confirm it. And that he may remain forever intact and inviolable, I sign and strengthen it with the sign of the cross of Christ, on behalf of the most pious of the holy Apostle Andrew. Whosoever, therefore, who further knowingly violated it by bold rashness or reckless presumption, let the lord add and outweigh that iniquity of their sacrilege above all their other iniquities. And unless they come to an apology, let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the just, and in the day of just and eternal recompense, with those placed on the left hand.

List of individual benefactors and their donations to Rochester Cathedral, recorded c.1123

List of individual benefactors of St Andrew’s Priory, Rochester, and description of their donations. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folios 182v-186v by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Subsequent benefactor’s names generally begin with display initials, the colours of which alternate between red, green and purple, though not in a fixed order. The documentation finishes with the first two words on the first line of 186v.

Included as a benefactor is Eadmer (c.1060-c.1126) (bottom of 83v), the biographer of St Anselm, who is mentioned in the account of the meeting between Gundulf and Haimo, below.

Folio

Transcription

Translation (see Translation Notes)

183r (select folio number to open facsimile)

( ) illic deo seruientibus unum mariscum

( ) there to those who served the god one sea-shell

infra insulam de grean pro anima sua in perpetuum.

below the island of Grean for his soul forever.

Quod donum concessit libenter

This gift was gladly granted

archiepiscopus anselmus, de quo tenuit illum.

by Archbishop Anselmus, of whom he held it.

Et monachi habent inde singulis annis,

And the monks have thence each year,

xxx.ta solid ( )

xxx.ta solid ( )

Ægelnothus quidam probus homo regis de hou,

Ægelnothus, a certain honest man of the king of Hou,

similiter dedit aecclesiae sancti andreae et monachis

likewise gave to the church of St. Andrew and to the monks

unum mariscum in eadem insula pro filio suo quodam

one sea-shell in the same island for his son, whom

quem fecit monachum ibi. De quo marisco habent

he had made a monk there. The monks have concerning the sea,

monachi xv. solidos unoquoque anno. Et hoc

xv. solids each year. And this

donum quoque concessit anselmus archiepiscopus.

gift also was granted by Anselmus the archbishop.

Osbernus de b(i)liceham

Osbernus of bilyceum

accepit societatem monachorum aecclesiae sancti an-

received the association of monks of the church of Saint

dreae, et ideo concessit eis decimam de geddinge

Andrew, and therefore granted them a tenth of their

terram suam aeternaliter, de qua habent (per) singulos

land in perpetuity, of which (per) each

annos duodecim solidos monachi.

year twelve solidos for the monks.

Lyafrun quae fuit

Lyafrun, who was the

uxor syuuardi de hou dedit aecclesiae sancti an-

wife of Syward of Hoo, gave to the church of Saint

dreae et monachis ibidem deo seruientibus

Andrew and to the monks there who were serving God

post mortem ipsius uiri sui syuuardi unum

after the death of her husband, one

mariscum infra insulam de grean pro anima

marsh under the island of Grean, for her soul,

sua, et pro anima ipsius syuuardi mariti sui

and for the soul of her husband, to be

aeternaliter possidendum, et hoc donum fecit

eternally possessed, and she made this gift in the

183v

in tempore Gundulfi episcopi. Post mortem uero ipsius

time of Bishop Gundulf . After the death of the

episcopi, quidam uulfuuardus cognomine henricus

bishop himself, a certain Uulfuardus, surnamed Henricus

de hou calumniatus est ipsum mariscum

de Hou, slandered the marshal

dicens suum esse debere, per consanguinitatis pa-

himself, saying that he must be his own, by consanguinity.

rentelam. Sed infra calumniam illam infirmatus

But under that slander he was weakened

est ad mortem, unde requirens monachiles

to the point of death, whereupon he demanded monastic

pannos a monachis sancti andreae, et quia

cloths from the monks of Saint Andrew, and because

impetrauit quod petiit, calumniam illam

he had obtained what he asked for, he dismissed that slander

pro amore dei et redemptione animae suae

for the love of God and the redemption of his soul.

dimisit, et ipsum mariscum aecclesiae sancti andreae

and the sea captain of the church of St. Andrew

et monachis eius omnino quietum clamauit

and his monks cried out in complete silence

in secula seculorum. De quo singulis annis habent

for ever and ever. From which every year the

monachi inde, quadraginta solidos.

monks have forty shillings.

Wlfuuardus de hou

Wulfuardus de hou,

cognomine henricus accepit societatem monachorum

surnamed Henry, received a company of monks

aecclesiae sancti andreae, pro qua dedit eis totam

of the church of St. Andrew, for which he gave them all his

decimam suam de cobbeham. Postea uero alia uice

tithes of Cobbeham. After that he gave them another

decimam suam de hou dimidiam concessit eis,

after that he gave them at Hoo another half of his tithes,

et terciam parte suae substantiae post mortem

and a third of his property after his death.

suam. Quod uxor illius et filius suus Rodbertus, et fratres

Which his wife and his son Rodbertus, and his brothers,

sui, hereuuardus uidelicet et siuuardus et eaduuardus,

hereuard videlicet and siuard and eduard,

libentissime concesserunt.

most willingly consented.

Eadmær de tarente dedit monachis aecclesiae sancti

Eadmær of Tarentum gave to the monks of the church of Saint

andreae dimidiam decimam suam de clæidune,

Andrew his half-tenth of the cleidune,

184r

pro filio suo quem fecerunt monachum.

for his son whom they made a monk.

Arnulfus de cilesfelda dedit

Arnulfus de Cilesfelde gave to

episcopo gundulfo et monachis sancti andreae

Bishop Gundulf and the monks of Saint Andrew

rofae totam medietatem totius decimae suae de ciles-

of Rofa the whole half of his whole tithe of

felda, annonam scilicet et agnos, et porcellos,

Cilesfelde, that is to say, lambs, and piglets,

et caseos, et uitulos, et pullos si ibi sunt equarum,

and cheeses, and heifers, and chickens if there are any mares there,

et unum uillicanum cum quinque acris terrae,

and one Willican with five acres of land,

pro anima patris sui et matris suae, et pro se ipso.

for the soul of his father and mother, and for himself.

Et episcopus et monachi susceperunt ipsum arnulfum

And the bishop and the monks received Arnulf

cum uxore sua et homines suos quos et quot

himself with his wife and his men, as many as he wanted,

uolebat in fraternitatem et in societatem totius beneficii

into the fraternity and fellowship of the whole

ipsius aecclesiae, et super (hoc) fecerunt unum annuale

church itself, and on (this) they held one of the annual

missarum pro defunctis patre et matre.

masses for the deceased father and mother.

Et isti sunt testes huius rei, Anscetillus archidi-

And these are the witnesses of this matter, Anscetillus the

aconus, Radulfus prior cadomi, Hunfridus monachus,

archdeacon, Radulfus the prior of the cadom, Hunfridus the monk,

Radulfus clericus, Simon dapifer episcopi,

Radulfus the cleric, Simon the servant of the bishop,

Atheloldus frater eius, Wido biset, Haimfridus dapifer

Atheloldus his brother, Wido Biset, Haimfridus the servant of

arnulfi, et alii multi.

Arnulf, and many others.

184v

cantuarberiae decimam, de langeleia decimam de

the tithe of cantuarberia, the tithe of langeleia,

caseis et de porcis, de suttune de caseis et de bestiis,

the tithe of cheeses and pigs, of suttune, of cheeses and game,

de le(l)eburna de caseis et de bestiis, de readlega

of le(l)eburna, of cheese and game, of readlega,

de caseis et de bestiis, de culinga et de mere-

of cheese and game, of culinga and

lea ( ) de omnibus rebus.

merelea ( ) of all things .

Eudo dapifer regis dedit sancto andreae omnes

Eudo the dapifer of the king gave to St. Andrew all

illas decimas quas adam frater suus quondam

those tithes which his brother Adam had once

dederat anschetillo archidiacono cantuarberiae,

given to Anschetillus, archdeacon of Canterbury,

et quas idem anschetillus postea concessit

and which the same Anschetillus afterwards granted

sancto andreae.

to Saint Andrew’s.

Rodulfus pincerna eudonis dedit (monachis sancti andreae)

Rodulfus the butler gave to Eudon (the monks of St. Andrew)

quandam decimam suam (de culingis) ualentem v.

a certain tithe (of the culings) worth 5

solidos per annum pro anima patris et matris.

Shillings per year for the soul of the father and mother.

Rodbertus de hede(n)ham omnem suam decimam

Rodbert de Haddenham gave all his tithes

de hede(n)ham dedit sancto andreae.

of Haddenham to Saint Andrew.

Rodbertus de langeleia cum uxore sua habet societatem

Rodbert de Langeleia has our company with his wife,

nostram, et dedit nobis suam decimam

and he has given us his tithe

de langeleia, et quando obierint sepeliemus eos,

of Langeleia, and when they die we will bury them,

et habebimus partem suae substantiae quantum un-

and we will have a part of their substance

cuique pertinet.

according to each one's share.

Adeloldus frater Balduini nostri monachi, dedit

Adeloldus, the brother of Baldwin, our monk, gave

nobis omnem suam decimam, etiam de mobili pecunia,

us all his tithes, even of movable money,

et quando de hac uita migrauerit,

and when he departed from this life,

omnem suam partem totius pecuniae suae, et praeter

all his part of all his money, and besides

185r

hoc suos equos et sua arma, et concessimus ei

this his horses and his weapons, and we granted him

fraternitatem et societatem nostri monasterii.

the fraternity and fellowship of our monastery.

Hugo de port habet nostram societatem, et de-

Hugh de Port has our company, and

dit nobis concedentibus filiis suis unoquoque

he has given to us as grantors to his sons

anno xx. solidos ad pasca uidelicet pro decima

each year 20 shillings at Easter for the tenth

de suo manerio quod uocatur ærhetha, et

of his manor, which is called Eretha, and

hanc donationem posuit super altare sancti andreae

he placed this donation on the altar of Saint Andrew,

ipse et uxor eius et filii eius per cultellum

himself, his wife, and his children with his

suum.

knife.

Rodbertus de sancto amando accepit societatem

Rodbert de Saint Amando took our partnership

nostram et dedit sancto andreae medietatem decimae

and gave Saint Andrew half of his tithe

suae de hescendena. Postea dedit nobis

of Hescendena. Afterwards he gave us another

aliam medietatem cum aecclesia quae ibi est pro filio suo

half with the church which is there for his son whom we

quem fecimus monachum.

made a monk.

Geroldus homo haimonis uicecomitis concedente

Geroldus the man, granting to the herd of the vicecount,

eodem haimone dedit nobis quandam

the same Hamo, gave us a certain

decimam quae ualet per annum xx. solidos pro filio

tithe, which is valid for 20 years. solid for his son

suo quem fecimus monachum.

whom we made a monk.

Vulmerus homo arnulfi de hesdinc consilio

The man Arnulf of Vulmer received our company

adeloldi fratris balduini nostri monachi

from this day by the advice of Adelold, our brother Baldwin, our monk,

accepit nostram societatem et dedit nobis suam

took our company and gave us his

decimam, quae ualet per annum decem solidos.

tithe, which is worth ten shillings a year.

185v

Rannulfus filius uualterii concessit sancto andreae

Rannulfus the son of Ualterius granted to Saint Andrew

suam decimam de sesmundeham quae unoquoque

his tithe of sesmundeha, which will be worth

anno ualebit nobis octo millarios

eight thousand herrings

de harenc et hos harengos faciet nobis ha-

eight thousand herrings

bere radulfus del bosc, testes radus filius

to us every year, and Radulfus del Bosc will make us have these herrings, witnesses Radus son of

uuillelmi, et rauennarius et radus picot,

Uuillelm, and Rauennarius and Radus Picot,

et ælmerus monachus cantuariae.

and Ælmerus, the monk of Canturia.

Haec est conuentio

This is the agreement

quam haimo filius uitalis fecit uersus gun-

which Haimo, the son of Uital, made towards

dulfum episcopum de rouecestra, quod ipse haimo

Gundulf, bishop of Rouecestra, that Haimo

dedit episcopo et monachis aecclesiam de sturmutha

gave to the bishop and the monks the church of Sturmutha

et suam dominicam decimam totam cum omnibus

and the whole of his Sunday tithe with all

consuetudinibus quae ad eandem aecclesiam pertinent,

the customs that belong to the same church,

et iiii.or acros terrae qui in aecclesia sunt,

and four.or acres of land that are in the church,

et in eodem manerio pasturam ad centum

and in the same manor I will pasture to one hundred

oues. Et hoc fecit pro anima patris sui et

ewes. And this he did for the souls of his father and his

matris suae et pro sua, et propter hoc quod quendam

mother and for his own, and because he made a certain

fratrem suum fecit monachum in aecclesia sancti andreae.

brother of his a monk in the church of St. Andrew.

Et haec ipsa conuentio fuit facta coram

And this very meeting took place in the presence of

anselmo archiepiscopo, ita quod ipsemet affuit,

Archbishop Anselm, so that he himself was present,

et ita fieri concessit. Et isti sunt testes

and allowed it to be so. And these are the witnesses

qui affuerunt, Baldeuuinus monachus,

who were present, Baldeuuinus the monk,

Wido monachus, Ansfridus clericus, Radulfus

Wido the monk, Ansfridus the cleric, Radulfus

camerarius, Iuo de mala uilla, et

the chamberlain, Joo de Mala viilla, and

186r

Radulfus malesmæins accepit societatem

Radulfus Malesmæins received the association

monachorum aecclesiae sancti andreae, et ideo concessit

of monks of the church of St. Andrew, and therefore granted

eis suam decimam de stoches. Post mortem

them his tenth of the stoches. After his death,

uero ipsius, Rodbertus malesmæins filius suus

indeed, his son Rodbertus Malesmeins granted this

pro salute animae suae, et pro animabus patris et

for the safety of his soul, and for the souls of his father

matris hoc concessit imperpetuum.

And mother in perpetuity

Willelmus de cloeuilla dedit aeternaliter ( ) monachis sancti andreae rofensis

William of Cloeuilla gave eternally ( ) to the monks of the church of Saint Andrew of Rochester

aecclesiae pro filio suo quem ibi fecerunt

for his son, whom they made a

monachum. Et hoc Gosfridus talebot dominus suus

monk there. And this Gosfridus the talebot his master

concessit.

granted.

Godefridus de scræmbroce et uxor eius

Godefrid de Scræmbroce and his wife

acceperunt societatem monachorum aecclesiae sancti

accepted the fellowship of the monks of the church of Saint

andreae, et ideo dederunt illis monachis suam

Andrew, and therefore gave to those monks their

dominicam decimam aeternaliter.

Lord’s tithe eternally.

De Wicham terra sancti andreae quam episcopus

Of Wicham, the land of St. Andrew, which bishop

Gundulfus dedit goisfrido talebot,

Gundulphus gave to Goisfrid Talebot,

retinuit idem episcopus omnem decimam omnium

the same bishop retained every tenth of all things

rerum ad opus monachorum suorum, quam et

for the work of his monks, which he

dedit illis aeternaliter possidendam.

gave to them to possess eternally.

Gotcelinus de hænherste accepit societatem

Gotcelinus de Hänherst took the company

monachorum sancti andreae rofensis aecclesiae,

of the monks of the church of St. Andrew of Rochester,

et ideo dedit eis suam dimidiam decimam de

and therefore gave them his half tithe of his

terra sua illic, et totam decimam suam de terra

land there, and his whole tithe of the land

sua in freondesberia.

In Frindsbury.

List of Royal Donations to Rochester Cathedral from 604 to the reign of William II, recorded c.1123

List of royal donations to the church of St Andrews at Rochester from the year 738, starting with Æthelberht II of Kent, to the reign of William II (r. 1087-1100). Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folios 215r-216r by Jacob Scott (pending review).

This list appears to have been used as a basis for the one which appears in the inserted bifolium on 177r-178r, above. Latin annotations in a later medieval hand are written in the margins of 215r and 216r.

Transcription

215r (select folio number to open facsimile)

Anno ab incarnatione domini nostri iesu
christi dcc. xxxviii. Eadberhtus
rex cantuariorum dedit ęcclesię sancti andreę
apostoli hrofi, terram decem aratrorum in hou, quę
uocatur andscohesham, et commendauit ealdul-
for episcopo. Anno ab incarnatione domini
dcc. lxiiii. offa rex merciorum, et sigeredus >ii. idus augusti obiit Offa rex anglorum.<
rex cantuariorum donauerunt ęcclesię sancti an-
dreę, Æslingeham cum omnibus appenditiis su-
is, scilicet freondesberiam et uuicham, uide-
licet xx. aratrorum, et commendauerunt eard-
uulfo episcopo. Ecgberhtus rex cantię
dedit ęcclesię sancti andreę, heallingas, id est
terram decem aratrorum, et commendauit episcopo
dioran. Offa rex merciorum, et
ecgberhtus rex cantuariorum, dederunt ęcclesię
sancti andreę bromgeheg, et commendauerunt
episcopo dioran, et postea episcopo Waermundo.
Anno ab incarnatione domini dcc.
lxxxviii. offa rex merciorum dedit ęcclesię
sancti andreę trottesclib, et commendauit
Waermundo episcopo. Coenuulf rex
merciorum dedit ęcclesię sancti andreę borcste-
alle, et commendauit beornmodo episcopo.

215v

Anno ab incarnatione domini dccc. xxxviii.
ecgbert rex dedit ęcclesię sancti andreae
snodigland, et commendauit episcopo beorn-
modo. Anno ab incarnatione
domini dccc. xli. ætheluulf rex occidenta-
lium saxonum, dedit ęcclesię sancti andreę ho-
lanbeorgestun, et commendauit episcopo be-
ornmodo. Anno dominicę incarna-
tionis dccc. lxxx. Ætheluulf rex sa-
xonum, dedit ęcclesię sancti andreę cucolan-
stan, et commendauit suuiðuulfo episcopo.
E admundus rex anglorum, dedit
ęcclesię sancti andreę meallingas, et commen-
dauit episcopo burhrico. Quidam prę-
potens ac probus homo nomine brihtricus,
cum uxore Ælfsuuitha dederunt ęcclesię sancti
andreę, danitunam, et langafeldam, et dæren-
te, et falcheham, et commendauerunt Ælfsta-
no episcopo. Anno dominicę incarnatio-
nis dcccc. lv. Æthelred rex anglorum dedit
ęcclesię sancti andreę bromleage, et commenda-
uit Æl>fiscopo. Anno dominicę
incarnationis dcccc. xcv. Æthelred rex
anglorum dedit ęcclesię sancti andreę, Wldeham,

216r

et litlanbroc, et commendauit episcopo Goduui-
no. Æthelred rex anglorum dedit
ęcclesię sancti andreę Stantun, et hiltun, sci-
licet xv. mansas terrarum, et commendauit
episcopo Goduuino. Willelmus primus rex >v. idus septembris obiit Willelmus
primus rex anglorum.< v. That September died William the first king of the anglorum, reddidit fraceham terram sancti an-
dreę lanfranco archiepiscopo quam iniqui in-
iuste abstulerant, et ipse iuste reddidit
Gundulfo episcopo. Sic etiam stoches terram sancti
andreę eripuit ipse lanfrancus de in-
uasione tyrannorum, et reddidit predicto
gundulfo episcopo, et monachis eiusdem.
Willelmus filius willelmi regis dedit ęcclesię sancti >iiii. nonnes augusti obiit Willelmus secundus rex anglorum.<
andreę manerium suum lamhytham, et com-
mendauit Gundulfo episcopo. Lan- >v. kalends Iunii, obiit Lanfrancus archiepiscopus<
francus archiepiscopus dedit ęcclesię sancti andreę
manerium hedenham ad uictum monachorum,
quod concessit predictus Willelmus filius willelmi re-
gis. Estunam manerium, idem
rex Willelmus filius Willelmi dedit ęcclesię sancti
andreę, et commendauit episcopo Gundulfo.

Translation

In the year from the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ 738, Eadberht, King of Kent, gave the church of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Rochester, land of ten plows in Hoo, called Andscohesham, and commended it to Ealdulfor the bishop.

In the year from the incarnation of the Lord 764, Offa king of the Mercians, and Sigered > On the 2nd ides of August, Offa, king of the English died< King of Kent gave to the church of Saint Andrew, Islingham with all the with his appendages, of Frindsbury and Wicham, videlicet of the ploughs, and they commended it to Eardulf the bishop. King Ecgberhtus of Kent gave a chantry to the church of Saint Andrew, Halling, that is, the land of ten ploughs, and commended it to the bishop Dioran. Offa, king of the Mercians, and Ecgberht, King of Kent, gave the Church of Saint Andrew Bromhey, and commended it to Bishop Dioran, and afterwards to Bishop Waermund.

In the year from the incarnation of the Lord dcc 788. The king of the Mercians gave to the Church of Saint Andrew Trottescliffe, and commended it to the bishop of Waermund. Coenuulf, King of the Mercians, gave the church of Saint Andrew Borstal, and commended it to Bishop Beornmode.

In the year from the incarnation of the Lord 838, King Ecgbert gave the church of Saint Andrew Snodland, and commended it to Bishop Beornmode.

In the year from the incarnation of the Lord 841, Æthelwulf, King of the West Saxons, gave the Church of Saint Andrew Hollingbourne, and commended it to Bishop Beornmod.

In the year of the lord’s incarnation 880, Æthelwulf, King of the Saxons, gave the church of Saint Andrew Cucclestone, and commended it to Bishop Suiðuulf.

Eadmund, King of the English, gave the Church of Saint Andrew in Malling, and commended it to the bishop of Burch. A certain noble and honest man named Brihtricus together with his wife Ælfsuuitha, gave the church of Saint Andrew, Danituna, and Langafeld, and Darenth, and Falcheham, and commended it to Bishop Ælfstan.

In the year of the Lord’s incarnation 855, Æthelred, king of the English, gave the Church of Saint Andrew to Bromleage, and commended it to the bishop of Æl>f

incarnation 995, Æthelred, king of the English, gave the church of Saint Andrew, Wouldham, and Litlanbroc, and commended it to Bishop Godwin.

Æthelred, king of the English, gave the church of Saint Andrew, Stantun, and Hiltun, namely 15 manas of the world, and commended it to Bishop Godwin. William the first king >v. That September died William the first king of the English. He restored the rent of the land at Frachenham of Saint Andrew to the archbishop of Lanfranc, which the wicked had unjustly taken away, and he justly restored it to the Bishop Gundulf. Thus Lanfranc himself rescued the land of Saint Andrew from Lanfranc after the invasion of the tyrants, and restored it to the aforesaid Bishop Gundulf, and the monks of the same William, son of William the king, gave the church of Saint >Andrew the manor at lamhytham, and commended to Bishop Gundulf. Archbishop Lanfranc, gave to the church of Saint Andrew the manor of Haddenham for the maintenance of the monks, which the aforesaid William son of William the king. As for the manor at Estuna, the same King William, son of William, gave the church of Saint Andrew, and commended it to Bishop Gundulf.

List of various donors and their gifts to Rochester Cathedral and Priory, recorded c.1123

List of various donors and their gifts. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folios 201r-202v by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Sawyer suggests folio 202 (i.e. 202r-202v) may be a later twelfth-century addition to the manuscript: See Peter Sawyer, Textus Roffensis Part II, Early English Manuscripts in Facsimile, 11, p. 12.

Transcription

201v (select folio number to open facsimile)

Ricardus bellus et ernulfus de strodes
cum uxoribus sius acceperunt societatem
nram’ et dederunt nobis omniem decimam
suam etiam de mobili pecunia et sepetiem’. Godingus de hou in infirmitate qua et mor-
tuus est int’ cęta’ sua quę co’mendaiut
et distribuit . affensu uxoris sue et filiorum atq;
[ ] amicorum suorum qui presentes fuer’t’. concessit
nob’ singlis annis quataior solidos. Qd’ eius
donum uxor illi’ cristina per cultellum super altare
sancti andreę posutt et omnium anno hos ipsos quattuorr
solidos. In die festiuitatis sancti Paulini a se et asuis
heredibus in perpetuum reddendos et super altare po-
nendos statuit. Similiter fr’ ipsius godingi > hugo < in ipsa festiutate
a fe et heredibus suis dandos concessit duos solidos Pulco filius hugonis de niwweham quando acce-
pit societatem n’ram cum uxore sua concessit nobis
affentiente ipsa uxore sue singlis annis decem
solidos in festiuitate sancti michalis qs’ dabit alexander
et heredes ei’ de terra de blecemere . sicut ipsos debebant
dare ipsi hugoni pro ipsa terra singlis annis. Q’d si
ipse alexander heredebus n’ habuerit . ut ipsa terram

202r

tenere n’ potuerit ut’ noluerit : habebim’ ipsa terram
loco decem solidorum quieta’ ab omnibus censu et c’suetudine Rannulfus constabularius dedecime n’ra
quam tenet : dat nobis per annum octo soli-
dos ad mediu’ quadragesime. Hugo de stochers dat nobis per annum de nra’
decima qua’ tenet . v . solidos ad festiuitatem
sancti Andree . et . v . ad pascha. De aslingham terra sancti andreę . quam
episcopus Gundulfus dedit goiffrido talebot.
retinuit idem episcopus omne’ decimam omnium
rerum ad opus monachorm suoru’ . quam
et dedit illis ęternalit’ possidendam;
[ ]cotlandus de ęscedene . seputas a nobis honorifice
tribus filius ei’ sub breui tempore defuncus . uenit in
caplin nrin cum uxore sua et plibus amicus suis . et
dedit nobis in ętuii’ possidendam quandam terram uxta
murum umeę nre’ ad orientalem plaga’ solida’ et
quieta’ ab omnium censu et consuetudine . excepto qd’
quando ciuitas scotabit decem libras tune et
nos scotabim’ p’ ipsa terra ad idem scotu’ tres denarios. Ipse autem et heredes ei’ acq’etebunt ea’ cum cęt’o feudo
suo qd’ tenent de heltone erga ipsu’ heltonem et
hęredes ei’ . De q’da q’q; prato qd’ [ ] Stephanus

202v

filius goduini tenebat de illo unde habebat singulis
annis sedecima denarios . octo denarios concessit nobis.
qa’ ahof[?] octo ante dederat hospitali domui infir-
moru’ Pretea’ quia plimo tempore et suo et patris sin
haberani’ decima’ sua; de annona tantum : ipsa die
nobis concessit et super altare cum memoratis donis posuit
tune et deinceps in perpetuum totam decimas sua’ sicut
de annona ita et de itulis et agnis et porcellis. Has donationes dedit nobis pro anima sue et coniugis
suę . et patris et matris suę . et liberorum fuorum.

Translation

Richard Bellus and Ernulf of Strood with their uxoribus received the company of the nram and gave us all their tithes also of the movable money and the fence.

Godingus de Hou died in sickness among his company, which he ordered and distributed. in spite of his wife and children; of his friends who were feeling sorry for him. He granted us four hundred solids every year. What was his gift to him, his wife Cristina put with a knife on the altar of Saint Andrew, and in the year of all these very solidos. On the day of the feast of Saint Paulinus, he decreed that the heirs of himself and his heirs should be returned in perpetuity and placed on the altar.

In the same way, Hugh, brother of Goding himself, on the festival itself, granted two shillings to be given by faith and to his heirs.

Fulco, the son of Hugh of Niwweham, entered into partnership with his wife, he granted to us, in the presence of his wife, ten solidos every year on the feast of Saint Michael, which Alexander and his heirs will give him from the land of Blecemere. just as they had to give the land itself to the Hugos for individual years. What if Alexander himself had no heirs? that she was not able to hold the land because she did not want to: I will have the land instead of the ten solidi that was given to all the census.

Randulf the constable, ten of the land he holds: he gives us eight shillings a year at the mid-forties.

Hugh de stochers gives us for a year the tithe of which he holds five shillings for the feast of Saint Andrew and 5 at Easter

Of Aslingham, the land of Saint Andrew. Which Bishop Gundulf gave to Goiffrid Talebot. The same bishop retained every tithe of all things for the work of the nuns. Which he gave them to possess eternally; [ ]Cotland of Escedene buried by us with the honor of his son, who was buried in a short time, he came to Caplin with his wife and many of his friends, and he gave us a certain piece of land to be possessed in Ætuii, near the wall of the ume, on the eastern side, solid, and that which was according to the census and custom of all. except that when the city will collect ten pounds then and we will collect from the land three pennies at the same price. But he and his heirs shall receive it with his own fee, which they hold from the helton to himself, the helton and his heirs. About what gives what; the meadow which [ ] Stephen the son of Goduin held of it, from which he had every year sixteenth of denarii, he gave us eight pence, qa' ahof[?] had given eight weeks before to the hospital for the sick at Pretea's house, q'a prime time, both his own and his father's without Haberani's tithe; of the allotment: he granted it to us on the same day and placed on the altar with the mentioned gifts then and thereafter forever his whole tithe, as well as of the allotment and of the goats and lambs and piglets.

He gave us these gifts for his soul and for his spouse, and his father and mother, and the children of the children.

Offices and masses for monastic houses in confraternity with St Andrew’s Priory, Rochester, c.1123

A list of services to be said for members of monastic houses in confraternity with Rochester. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folios 222r-223v by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Unusually, it begins with a green-with-red-dots display initial.

Transcription

222r (select folio number to open facsimile)

Quid pro defunctis sociis nostris facere
debemus. Pro monachis
ęcclesię christi cantuarię, vii. offi-
cia plenaria, et xxx. diebus uerba mea, et
unusquisque sacerdos vii. missas, alii psalmos.
Pro monachis sancti augustini anglorum apostoli
tria officia in conuentu. Pro sanctimonialibus de mellingis, quantum pro monacho
ęcclesię christi cantuarię. Pro monachis sancti martini be bello, iii.a officia
in conuentu sine uerba mea, et unusquisque frater vii.
missas, alii psalmos, pauperes tres reficiantur
una die. Pro fratribus bermund>esiensibus, tria officia in
conuentu, unusquisque sacerdos unam missam, alii
L. psalmos, pauperes iii. reficiantur una die. Pro monachis sancti petri uuestmonasterii, iii.a
officia in conuentu, unusquisque sacerdos i. missam,

222v

et alii L. psalmos. Pro monachis sancti iohannis colecestrię, iii.a offi-
cia in conuentu, quisque sacerdos unam missam,
alii L. psalmos. Pro monachis sancti eadmundi, iii.a officia in con-
uentu, quisque autem sacerdos vii. missas, alii
psalmos, pauperes tres reficientur die una, uer-
ba mea non dicatur. Pro monachis eliensibus, quantum et pro mona-
chis sancti eadmundi facimus in conuentu et extra. Pro monachis sancte trinitatis noruuicensis
cenobii, vii. officia plenaria, et xxx.a die-
bus uerba mea, unusquisque sacerdos vii. mis-
sas, alii psalmos. Pro monachis sancti albani, vii. officia plenari-
a, et xxx.a diebus uerba mea, et unusquisque sa-
cerdos tres missas, alii psalterium unum. Pro monachis de egnesham, vii. officia in
conuentu, et xxx.a diebus uerba mea, et unus-
quisque sacerdos iii. missas, alii psalmos. Pro monachis sancti petri de batha, iii.a officia
in conuentu, et xxx.a diebus uerba mea, quisque
sacerdos iii. missas, alii psalmos. Pro monachis sanctę marię de malmesberia,

223r

tres missas in conuentu, quisque sacerdos iii. mis-
sas, alii psalmos. Pro episcopo autem nostro ipsi facient
vii. officia in conuentu, et xxx.a diebus uerba
mea, quisque sacerdos iii. missas, alii psalmos, et
nos itidem pro abbate ipsorum. Pro fratribus ęcclesię sancti petri gloacensis, vii. plena-
ria officia in conuentu, et xxx.a diebus uerba
mea, quisque sacerdos iii. missas, alii psalmos. Fratribus rofensis ęcclesię debent Wincelcumben-
ses unusquisque priuatam unam missam, in conuentu uero
tria officia plenaria, panis et potus uno tantum
die dabitur. Pro monachis tethochensibus, vii. officia in con-
uentu. Pro episcopo autem nostro illi vii. officia et xxx.a
diebus uerba mea, et nos itidem pro abbate ipsorum.
Pro monachis Wigornensis ęcclesię, iii.a plenaria
officia in conuentu. Et pro episcopo utroque, et pro
magistro priore, vii. officia plenaria in con-
uentu, et xxx.a diebus uerba mea. Fratribus ęcclesię rofensis debent persorenses vii.
plena officia in conuentu, et unusquisque frater
iii. missas, alii psalterium unum. Pro monachis de abbendune, vii. officia in con-
uentu, et xxx.a diebus uerba mea, et unusquisque

223v

sacerdos iii. missas, alii psalterium unum.
Pro monacho beccensi, iii.a officia in conuentu,
et xxx.a diebus uerba mea, singuli tres missas,
et alii psalterium unum. Pro monachis sanctę trinitatis fiscanni, iii.a offi-
cia in conuentu, quisque frater vii. missas, alii psal-
mos, uerba mea non dicatur. Similiter et pro monachis sancti audeni rotoma-
gensis cenobii. Pro monachis sancti martini sagii, agimus iii.a of-
ficia in conuentu cum breuis inde aduene-
rit. Siue autem breuem habuerimus siue non, u-
noquoque anno iii.a officia in conuentu post
octauas pentecostes. Similiter et pro monachis sancti martini
troarni. Similiter et pro monachis sancti petri
pratellis. Similiter et pro monachis sancti taurini
ebroicensis. Pro monachis milidunensibus, iii.a officia
in conuentu.

Translation

See Translation Notes

That which must be done for our deceased members:

For the monks of Christchurch in Canterbury, seven full services, and 30 days my word, and every priest seven sacred masses, and other psalms.

For the monks of Saint Augustine, the apostle of the English, three services in the community.

For the nuns of Malling, as much as for the monks of Churchchurch at Canterbury.

For the monks of Saint Martin of the Bellouse, three services in the community without my word, and each brother seven masses, other psalms, and the poor should be served three times each day.

For the brothers of Bermondsey[?], three offices in the convent, each priest one mass, others fifty psalms, restoration for the poor three times on one day.

For the monks of Saint Peter's in Westminster, three services in the community, each priest one mass, and fifty psalms.

For the monks of Saint John's Church, three services in the community, each priest says one mass, and fifty psalms.

For the monks of Saint Edmund, three services in the community, and every priest 7 masses, other psalms, and the poor will be fed three times on one day,

For the exiled monks, we do as much as for the monks of Saint Eadmund in the community and outside.

For the monks of the Holy Trinity at Norwich monastery, seven full services, and 30 days of my word, every priest 7 masses,

For the monks of Saint Albans, 7 full services, and 30 days my word, and each priest three masses, and one psalm.

For the monks of Egnesham, 7 services in the community, and 30 days my word, and every priest 3 masses, and other psalms.

For the monks of Saint Peter of Bath, three services in the community, and 30 days my word, every priest 3 masses, and a psalm.

For the monks of Saint Mary of Malmesbury, three masses in the community, each priest three masses, and other psalms. But for our bishop they themselves will do the 7 services in the community, and 30 days my word, every priest three masses, other psalms, and we likewise do this for their abbot.

For the brethren of the Church of Saint Peter in Gloucester, 7 full services in the convent, and 30 days my word, every priest 3 masses, and other psalms.

The brothers of the church of Rochester owe the people of Wincelcumbens[?] one private mass each, during three full services. Bread and drink will be given on one day only.

For the monks of Tethochens[?], 7 services in the community. But they perform for our bishop seven services and 30 days my word, and we likewise for their abbot.

For the monks of the church in Wigorn, 3 full services in the community. And for both bishops, and for the previous teacher, seven full services in the community, and thirty days my word.

The brethren of the church of Rome owe the Persorenses[?] seven full services in the community, and each brother three masses, and one other psalm.

For the monks of Abbendune, 7 services in the community, and 30 days my word, and every priest three masses, and one other psalm.

For the monks of Bec, three offices in the community, and 30 days my word, each three masses, and one psalm.

For the monks of the holy trinity of Fiscan, three services in the community, for each brother seven masses, other psalms. My word is not said.

Likewise for the monks of the monastery of Saint Auden of Rotomagen[?].

For the monks of Saint Martin the Wise, we perform the three services in the community with the brethren arrived from there. And whether we have brethren or not, in each year three services in the community after the eighth Pentecost.

Likewise for the monks of Saint Martin in Troy.

Likewise for the monks of Saint Peter's Pratel[?].

Likewise for the monks of Saint Taurine in York.

For the monks of Milidun[?], three services in the community.

Donation to Rochester Cathedral of ten yokes of land and a village with rights in meadow, forest, and marsh near Rochester, 855

Æthelwulf of Wessex grants to his minister, Dunn, ten yokes of land and a village, together with rights in meadow, forest, and marsh near Rochester (855). Dunn’s will is added. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folios 139v-140r by Jacob Scott.

Campbell, no. 23. The text begins with a red display initial ‘I’ and is marked by a large, black cross in the left margin. Dunn’s will begins on 140r with a green display initial ‘I’ is marked by a large, black cross in the left margin. The will is written in Old English.

Transcription

139v (select folio number to open facsimile)

+ In nomine trino
diuino, ego oeðeluulfus rex occidentalium saxonum
necnon et cantuariorum, pro decimatione agrorum quam
deo donante cęteris ministris meis facere de-
creui, tibi dunne ministro meo dabo unam
uillam, quod nos saxonice an haga dicimus in me-
ridię castelli hrobi, et decem iugera a meridia-
no plaga uilluli illius adiacentia, necnon et duo
iugera prati, et x. carros cum siluo honestos
in monte regis, et communionem marisci quę
ad illam uillam antiquitus cum recto pertinebat, et
hoc ipsum tibi ad habendam et possidendam con-
cedendo donamus, et post dies tuos cuicunque
herede tibi placuerit derelinquendam cum ple-
na libertate habeas potestatem. Hanc predictam
donationem et libertatem ego oeðeluulf rex
deo donante perfeci anno dominicę incarnationis
dccclv. indictione iii.a hoc est diuina gratia
largiente qua>ndo< ultra mare romam perrexi, coram
his testibus qui hoc mecum consentiendo subscri-
pserunt. + Ego aeðeluulf rex hanc meam

140r

donationem et libertatem cum signo sanctę crucis christi
roboraui et subscripsi. + Ego ceolnoð archiepiscopus
consensi et subscripsi. + Ego aeðelberht rex con-
sensi et subscripsi. + Ego lullede dux consensi et
subscripsi. + Ego aeðelmod dux consensi et subscri-
psi. + Ego ælfred filius regis consens>i< et subscripsi. + Ego eadred dux consensi et subscripsi. + Ego
æðelric dux consensi et subscripsi. + Ego cineheh
miles consensi et subscripsi. + Ego milred miles con-
sensi et subscripsi. + Ego ceolmund miles con-
sensi et subscripsi. + Ego lulla miles consensi et sub-
scripsi. + Ego æðelred miles consensi et subscri-
psi. + Ego wulflaf miles consensi et subscripsi. + Ego æðelred miles consensi et subscripsi. + Ego
wæhtgar miles consensi et subscripsi. + Ego duduc
miles consensi et subscripsi. + Ego osberht miles
consensi et subscripsi. + Ego sigenoð miles consensi
et subscripsi. + IN nomine domini. Dunn hafað þas boc gesald
his wife ⁊ ðæt land þe þær an gewriten is
an godes ęst, ðæt hio hæbbe hire dæg ⁊ his
bruce, ⁊ efter hire dæge, geselle hit on
ðæs halgan apostoles naman sancte andreas

140v

ðam hirode >in< mid unnan godes ⁊ his ha>l
for unc buta ⁊ ealle uncre eldran butan hi
hit mit unnan hiredes of gan to rihtan gafo-
le swaswa hyt hy geðingian magan, butan ælcen
bræde, oððe beswice,⁊ hy ðonne se hired hit geearnian
mid heora godcundnæsse ofer twelf
monoð, ⁊ stande simle mid cwide seo boc on ðæs
hiredes handa.

Translation

+ In the name of the divine Trinity, I, Æthelwulf, King of the West Saxons as well as of the Kentish, for the tithe of the fields which, by God's grace, I have decreed to give to my other ministers, I will give to you, Dunne, my servant, one village, which we Saxons call "haga," situated to the south of Rochester Castle, and ten acres on the southern side of that village, as well as two acres of meadowland, and ten honorable loads of wood from the forest on the king's mountain, and the shared use of the marshland which has traditionally belonged to that village by right. This gift I grant to you for your possession and enjoyment, and after your days, you shall have the right to bequeath it to any heir of your choosing with full freedom. This donation and freedoms I, King Æthelwulf, with God's help, have completed in the year of the Lord's incarnation 855, in the third indiction. This is by the divine grace that was bestowed upon me when I journeyed beyond the sea to Rome, in the presence of these witnesses who have agreed and subscribed with me. I, King Æthelwulf, have confirmed and subscribed to this gift and freedoms with the sign of the holy cross of Christ.

+ I, Archbishop Ceolnod, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, King Æðelberht, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Duke Lulled agreed and signed.

+ I, Duke Aeðelmod, agreed and signed.

+ I, Ælfred, son of the king, consented and subscribed.

+ I, Duke Eadred, agreed and signed.

+ I, Duke Edelric, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Cineheh the knight, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Milred the knight, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Ceolmund the knight, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Lulla the knight, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Ædelred the knight, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Wulflaf the knight, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Ædelred the knight, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Waehtgar the knight, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Dudoc the knight, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Osberht the knight, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Sigenoð the knight, agreed and subscribed.

In the name of the Lord… his wife ⁊ ðæt land þe þær an gewriten is an godes ęst, ðæt hio hæbbe hire dæg ⁊ his bruce, ⁊ efter hire dæge, geselle hit on ðæs halgan apostoles naman sancte andreas ðam hirode >in< mid unnan godes ⁊ his ha>l gena for unc buta ⁊ ealle uncre eldran butan hi hit mit unnan hiredes of gan to rihtan gafo-le swaswa hyt hy geðingian magan, butan ælcen bræde, oððe beswice, ⁊ hy ðonne se hired hit geearnian mid heora godcundnæsse ofer twelf monoð, ⁊ stande simle mid cwide seo boc on ðæs hiredes handa.

Donation of land to Rochester Cathedral partly within and partly to the north of Rochester, 868

Æthelred I of Wessex grants to Cuthwulf, bishop of Rochester, land partly within and partly to the north of Rochester (868). Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folios 131r-132r by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Campbell, no. 26. Probably genuine, but note Campbell: ‘This charter is of unusual form’. No rubric. The text begins with purple display initial ‘R’ and is marked by a large, black cross in the left margin. The boundaries are written in Old English, beginning on the first line of 141r, marked by a black cross, and continuing for another thirteen lines.

Transcription

140v (select folio number to open facsimile)

+ Regnantem in perpetuum domino deo nostro omnipoten-
ti sabaoth, cui patent cuncta penetra-
lia cordis et corporis, terrestria simul et
caelestia, necnon super aethera regnans in sedibus al-
tissima, et alta omnia sua dicione gubernans, cuius
amore et ęternis premiis ego aeðered rex occi-
dentalium saxonum necnon et cantuariorum, dabo et
concedo amico meo cuðwulfo hrofensis ęcclesię
episcopo aliquam partem terrę iuris mei hoc est in
duo loco, alia in ciuitate dorobroeuia, alia
in aquilone ciuitate marisco et prata longe et
lato alta et aquęflua, usque ad flumine modico
et magno meadowege flumina, uocatus et
ueribracho et fretos circulo et cingulo. In-
cipiunt pellati, pirigfliat, et scipfliat,

141r

pausunt in flumine. + Her sint ða gemæra
oð miadowegan fram dodding hyrnan west
andlanges stræte, ut oð weall ⁊ swa be norðan
wege ut oð liabinges cota, ⁊ swa be liabinges
cotum oð þæt se weall east sciat, ⁊ swa east bin-
nan wealle oð ða miclan gatan angæn dodding
hirnan, ⁊ swa ðanne suð an geriaht fram
ða gatan andlanges weges be eastan ði lande
suð oð doddinghyrnan. Þanne be norðan weal-
le mers ⁊ maeða, oð mediwægan sindan þa gemæra.
Fram miadawegan binnan twam fliatum tiala
sint genemde, pirifliat, ⁊ scipfliot, ða gescea-
dað æt land westan ⁊ eastan oððæt weallfæ-
stenn. Þus >hit< is befangen mid friodome, amen >soð<.
+ Ego æðered rex hęc omnia dabo et concedo cuð-
wulfo meo dilecto fratre et episcopo in sempiternam he-
reditatem sibi habendum et possidendum, feliciterque
in dies eius perfruendum, et post dies eius cuicunque
ei herede placuerit ad derelinquendum liberam
ab omni seruitute >et< regali subiectione liberrima,
quam diu christiana fides in terra serbatur ęternaliter
permaneat, hoc ipsumque omnibus successoribus nostris
in nomine omnipotentis dei obserbare precipimus.
Et si quis hoc serbare uoluerit, seruet eum

141v

omnipotens deus. Si quis uero per tyrannicam potestatem frin-
gere aut minuere uoluerit, sciat se maledi-
ctum esse a christo nisi emendare boluerit deo et ho-
minibus. Manente hac kartula in sua nichilo-
minus firmitate roborata, his testibus consen-
tientibus, quorum hic, illic, nomina infra scripta
sunt, et signo sanctę crucis corroborata.
+ Ego æðered rex confirmationem cum uexillo
sanctę crucis christi corroborabi et subscripsi. + Ego
alhferð episcopus consensi et subscripsi. + Ego heah-
mund episcopus consensi et subscripsi. + Ego wulfhere
dux consensi et subscripsi. + Ego eadred dux con-
sensi et subscripsi. + Ego ælfstan dux consensi
et subscripsi. + Ego wigstan dux consensi et sub-
scripsi. + Ego ælfstan dux consensi et subscripsi.
+ Ego drihtwald dux consensi et subscripsi.
+ Ego ecgbearht minister consensi et subscripsi.
+ Ego beorhtnoð minister consensi et subscripsi.
+ Ego ordulf minister consensi et subscripsi. + Ego
æsca minister consensi et subscripsi. Actum est
autem anno ab incarnatione domini nostri iesu christi
dccclxviii.

Translation

Reigning eternally our Lord God the Almighty of Hosts, to whom all the interior parts of the heart and body, both terrestrial and celestial, as well as over the ether reigning in the highest seats, and governing all high things by his dominion, are revealed to him, by whose love and eternal rewards, I, Æthelred, King of the West Saxons as well as of Kent, will give and grant to my friend Cuðwulf, bishop of the church at Rochester some part of the land of my right, this is in two places, one in the city of Rochester, the other in the north of the city of Marisco[?], and meadows far and wide, high and flowing, as far as the little river and the great meadow rivers, called, and the arm, and the belt, and the girdle. They begin to be driven, to Pirigfliat and Scipfliat, they pause in the river. oð miadowegan fram dodding hyrnan west andlanges stræte, ut oð weall ⁊ swa be norðan wege ut oð liabinges cota, ⁊ swa be liabinges cotum oð þæt se weall east sciat, ⁊ swa east binnan wealle oð ða miclan gatan angæn doddinghirnan, ⁊ swa ðanne suð an geriaht fram ða gatan andlanges weges be eastan ði lande suð oð doddinghyrnan. Þanne be norðan wealle mers ⁊ maeða, oð mediwægan sindan þa gemæra. Fram miadawegan binnan twam fliatum tiala sint genemde, pirifliat, ⁊ scipfliot, ða gesceadað æt land westan ⁊ eastan oððæt weallfæstenn. Þus >hit< is befangen mid friodome, amen >soð<.

+ I, King Ered, will give all this and grant to Cuðwulf, my beloved brother and bishop, to have and possess as an eternal inheritance for himself, and to enjoy it during his days, and after his days to whomsoever he pleases as an heir to leave free from all servitude >and< free from royal subjection, as long as the Christian faith is preserved on earth, may it continue eternally, and this very thing we command all our successors to observe in the name of Almighty God.

And if anyone wants to keep this, let him keep it, Almighty God will keep him. If any one wishes to break or diminish by tyrannical power, let him know that he is cursed by Christ unless he is willing to make amends to God and man. Remaining in this charter, strengthened in its firmness nonetheless, with the consent of these witnesses, whose names here and there are written below, and strengthened with the sign of the holy cross.

+ I, King Ælthelred, with the sign of the holy cross of Christ confirmed and subscribed.

+ I, Bisop Alhferð, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Bishop Heamund, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Duke Wulfhere, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Duke Eadred, agreed and signed.

+ I, Duke Ælfstan, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Duke Wigstan, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Duke Ælfstan, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Duke Drihtwald, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Ecgbearht the minister, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Beorhtnoð the minister, agreed and signed.

+ I, Ordulf the minister, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, æsca the minister, agreed and subscribed. Enacted in the year from the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ 868.

Three sulungs at Cuxton to Rochester Cathedral with the church of St Michael, 880

Æthelwulf of Wessex grants to St Andrew’s and Bishop Swithwulf three sulungs at Cuxton with the church of St Michael (880). Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folios 141v-142v by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Campbell, no. 27. Fraudulent charter. Campbell: ‘This is a very doubtful charter. King Æthelwulf died in 858, but this charter is dated 880, the indiction agreeing. [...] the charter is [...] the work of a reckless compiler, who did not disturb himself to ascertain the dates of a king so well known as Æthelwulf, nor recall that 880 would fall in the reign of Ælfred the Great.’ The text begins with a green display initial ‘R’ and is marked by a black cross in the left margin. ‘ The boundaries, beginning at line six and finishing at line 12 of 142r, are written in Old English mixed with the Latin terms ‘in meridie’ (‘in the south’), ‘In occidente’ (‘in the west’), and ‘In aquilone’ (‘in the north’).

Transcription

141v (select folio number to open facsimile)

De cucolanstane.
+ Regnante in perpetuum domino nostro iesu christo, ego

142r

aeðelulf rex saxonum, dabo pro remedio animae
meę terram ad ęcclesiam sancti andree apostoli christi et
suuiðuulfo episcopo aliquam partem in illo loco quę dicitur
cucolanstan atque ęcclesiam sancte michaelis archan-
geli. Hęc sunt termina trium aratrum circumia-
centia. In oriente miodowæge, in meridie healling
wara mearc up wið halles meres. In occidente
briogoning wara mearc oð norðdune norðan.
In aquilone east and langnes dune oð cinges
mear’, ⁊ ut fram cingesmerce, oð ða aldan
stræt east be ðare aldan stræte oð hlið, ⁊
þanan ut be ðan hliðe oð þa ea medewegan,
ut habeat et possideat et cuicumque uoluerit
illo uiuente seu moriente derelinquat, et post
se tradendum concedamus liueram ab omni seruitu-
te cum omnibus ad eam rite pertinentibus, cum furis
comprehensione et cum omnibus rebus quę ad ęcclesiam
sancte andreę pertinent cum campis siluis pratis pa-
scuis paludis, in minimis et in maximis notis
et ignotis. Si quis uero quod absit heredum successo-
rumque nostrorum donationem immutare aliter uel
minuere studeat, sciat se in primis omnipo-
tentis dei iram incurrere, et uiuentem in hac
uita benedictionem carere, et in nouissimo

142v

maledictione subiacere. Qui uero hęc augenda cu-
stodierit nichilque inrogarit aduersi, sit be-
nedictus in secula seculorum, amen. Scripta est hęc
kartula anno dominicę incarnationis domini nostri
iesu christi dccclxxx. indictione xiii. his testi-
bus consentientibus et subscribentibus quorum
hic nomina infra tenentur ascripta. + Ego
æðelred archiepiscopus cum signo sanctę crucis christi confirma-
ui. + Ego swiðuulf episcopus consensi et subscripsi.
+ Ego æðelwald dux consensi et subscripsi. + Ego beorn-
uulf dux consensi et subscripsi. + Ego ealhmund
miles consensi et subscripsi. + Ego beornuulf miles
consensi et subscripsi. + Ego beorhtuulf miles consen-
si et subscripsi. + Ego deoruulf miles consensi et
subscripsi. + Ego ceolbald miles consensi et subscri-
psi. + Ego ealhhere miregus consensi et subscripsi.
+ Ego deoring miregus consensi et subscripsi. + Ego
beornhelm minister regis consensi et subscripsi.
+ Ego osmund minister regis consensi et subscri-
psi. + Ego beorhtred minister regis consensi
et subscripsi. + Ego noðhelm minister regis
consensi et subscripsi. + Hęc sunt prata æt
cetham duos agros. Æt scite cocce, oðer healf
æcer mæde.

Translation

Concerning Cuxton:

Reigning perpetually, our lord Jesus Christ, I, Æthelwulf, king of the Saxons, will give for the remedy of my soul land to the church of Saint Andrew the Apostle of Christ and to Swithwulf the bishop some part in that place called Cuxton and the Church of Saint Michael the Archangel. These are the boundaries of the three ploughs: In the east miodowæge, in the south Halling wara mearc up wið halles meres. In occidente briogoning wara mearc oð norðdune norðan. In aquilone east and langnes dune oð cinges mear’, ⁊ ut fram cingesmerce, oð ða aldan stræt east be ðare aldan stræte oð hlið, ⁊ þanan ut be ðan hliðe oð þa ea medewegan, that he may have and possess it and leave it to whomsoever he wills, living or dying, and after surrendering himself let us grant freedom from all servitude with all that properly belong to it, with the arrest of thieves and with all things that belong to the church of Saint Andrew with fields, forests, meadows, pastures, marshes, in the least and in the greatest known and unknown. If anyone, who is absent from our heirs and successors, endeavours to change or diminish the gift in any other way, let him know that he will be the first to incur the wrath of Almighty God, and that he will be deprived of a living blessing in this life, and will be subjected to a very new curse. He who shall keep this thing to be increased, and nothing shall be questioned against him, may he be blessed for ever and ever, amen. This letter was written in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ’s Incarnation 880, indictment 13. To these consenting witnesses and subscribers whose names are here below written.

+ I, Archbishop ædelred, confirmed with the sign of the holy cross of Christ. I, Bishop Swiðuulf, agreed and subscribed. I, Duke Edelwald, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Duke Beornuulf, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Ealhmund the knight, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Beornwulf the knight, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Beorhtwulf the knight, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Deorwulf the knight, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Ceobald the knight, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Ealhhere Miregus, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Deoring Miregus, agreed and signed.

+ I, Beornhelm the king's minister, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Osmund, the king's minister, consented and subscribed.

+ I, Beorhtred the king's minister, agreed and subscribed.

+ I, Noðhelm the king's minister, agreed and subscribed. Here are meadows and two fields. And Scite the cook, took care[?]

Three plough-lands at Malling to Rochester Cathedral, Kent 942-946

Edmund I grants land at Malling, Kent, to Bishop Burhric of Rochester (c.942-944). Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis folios 143r-144r by Jacob Scott (reviewed by Dr Christopher Monk). Translation of Old English, commentary and notes by Dr Christopher Monk.

The authenticity of this charter of King Edmund (or Eadmund) is uncertain. A. Campbell, in his Charters of Rochester, explains its difficulties:

The date clause has been omitted, and the style rex Anglorum necnon et Merciorum [‘king of the English and also/indeed of the Mercians’] can be due only to scribal addition of necnon et Merciorum, because Angli would naturally include Mercii. […] The language and formulae of the charter recall the Rochester charters of the period before 900, and Eadmund’s favourite formulae are not introduced.’ (Campbell, p. xxvi)

Campbell's argument, that the formulation of the charter seems old-fashioned and is lacking in Edmundian characteristics, is well made. If the Textus Roffensis copy does derive from an authentic original, then we would have to agree with Campbell that ‘it is not well preserved’ (Campbell, p. xxvi); it has possibly been corrupted during its transmission, or it may be a copy of a fraudulent charter.

Campbell’s querying of the monarch’s style ‘king of the English and also the Mercians’ needs closer analysis, however, and may be an unnecessary criticism of the charter in view of the history of Edmund’s reign.

Edmund I reigned from 939 to 946. He was ‘king of the English’ on succeeding his half-brother, King Æthelstan, as king of all England.¹ However, by the end of his first year, he lost Northumbria and part of Mercia. He reconquered Mercia in 942 and Northumbria in 944 (Lapidge et al, p. 159). We should, I suggest, interpret necnon, in relation to the Mercians, as the emphatic ‘and indeed’; and thus we might understand that Eadmund, via his scribe, is emphasising the recent reconquering of Mercia: I am in fact the king of the Mercians, we might be hearing him say.

The boundary clause, with its appended list of seven swine pastures, is written in Old English, as is typical of charters of the period. The gifted three ‘ploughs’, or ‘ploughlands’, best understood as not simply a measurement of land but a unit of land used to calculate taxation, relate to an area around the modern-day market town of West Malling, south-west of Rochester. Some of the place-names of the boundary clause can be identified; several of the swine-pastures, however, cannot be pinpointed with accuracy. Unidentified place-names appear in italics in the translation; and some of the more obscure ones have also not been transliterated into modern English.

Transcription

143r (select folio number to open facsimile)

+ IN nomine dei summi, De meallingas.
et saluatoris nostri iesu christi, ipso quoque in perpe-
tuo regnante disponenteque suauiter omnia. Quapropter ego eadmundus rex anglorum necnon
et merciorum, meo amabili episcopo nomine burhric,
concedo aliquantulum mei telluris, ubi dicitur
meallingas, trium uidelicet aratrum pro reme-
dio animę meę in sempiternam hereditatem,
ad augmentum monasterii eius quę est dedica-
ta in honore sancti andreę apostoli germanus petri,
et socius in passione, cum omnibus rebus ad eam per-
tinentibus cum campis, siluis, pratis, pascuis,
necne et aucupiis, et hoc quoque cum consilio
optimatum et principum meorum quorum nomina
infra scripta reperiuntur. Vnde adiuro in no-
mine domini dei nostri iesu christi qui est omnium iustus
iudex, ut terra hęc sit libera ab omni regali ser-
uitio in perpetuum. Si quis uero minuere uel frau-
dare presumpserit hanc donationem, sit separatus
a consortio sanctorum, ita ut uiuens benedictione
dei sit priuatus, et sit damnatus in inferno in-
feriori, nisi satisfactione ante eius obitum
emendauerit quod inique gessit, manente tamen

143v

hac cartula nichilominus in sua firmitate. Qui
uero tunc augere uoluerit dona nostra, augeat
illi dominus cęlestia dona, et ęternam uitam tribuat. Ðis syndon ða landgemæro ðæs bufan cwede-
nan landes. Ærest on suð healfe oð cincges
firhðe, of cincges fyrhðe on offahames ge-
mære, ðanan on here-stræt, andlang stræte
ofer lylleburnan oð east meallinga gemære,
⁊ swa riht suð be eastan ðam cwyllan² oð þa
wyde stræte, suð andlang stræte on geriht
oð cincges fyrhðe. Ðænne syndon þis ða den-
bæro, east lindrhecg,³ ⁊ otanhyrst, >xxx porci<⁴ ⁊ fræcincg-
-hyrst, ⁊ sceorfestede, xxx porci. ⁊ wihtherincg-
faladsto, gafol, ⁊ holanspic, >xxx borda<⁵ ⁊ pætlanhrycg.
+ Ego eadmundus rex anglorum signo crucis con-
firmaui. + Ego eadred frater regis roboraui. + Ego
eadgife mater regis adfui. + Ego oda archiepiscopus
subscripsi. + Ego ælfeh episcopus consensi. + Ego
ðeodred episcopus. + Ego wulfstan archiepiscopus.
+ Cenwald episcopus. + Ego ælfred episcopus. + Ego ælfric
episcopus. + Ego æthelgar episcopus. + Ego ælfgifu con-
cubina regis affui. >+ Wulfgar dux. + Æðelstan dux.<⁶ + Eadmund dux. + scula
dux. + Sigferð minister. + Wulfric minister. + Ealdred
minister. + Ælfstan minister. + Ordeah minister. + Eadwerd

144r

minister. + Wulfric minister. + Odda minister. + Ælla minister. + Ælf-
gar minister. + Osferð dux. + Wihtgar minister. + Wulf-
sige minister. + Birhtwald minister.

Translation

Concerning Malling:

In the name of the supreme God, and of our saviour Jesus Christ, he who also in perpetuity is reigning and ordaining all things sweetly .

Therefore, I, Edmund, king of the English and also the Mercians, to my beloved bishop named Burhric,⁷ grant a portion of my land, which is called Malling, that is to say three ploughs,⁸ for the deliverance of my soul into an everlasting inheritance, for the enlarging of his monastery which is dedicated in honour of Saint Andrew the Apostle, the brother of Peter, and companion in [Christ’s] Passion, with all things pertaining to it, fields, woods, meadows, pastures and also fowling,⁹ and this also with the counsel of my nobles and leaders whose names are found written below. Wherefore I swear in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the just judge of all, that this land may be free from all royal servitude in perpetuity. Moreover, if anyone presumes5 to diminish or defraud this gift, let him be separated from the company of the saints, so that he may be deprived of the blessing of God while alive, and be damned in hell below, unless through penance before his death he has made amends¹⁰ for what he has done unjustly, abiding yet, nonetheless, by this charter in its validity. Whoever, in truth, then wishes¹¹ to increase our gifts, may the Lord increase his heavenly gifts and grant him eternal life.

These are the boundaries of the above-mentioned lands. First, on the south side as far as King’s Wood,¹² from King’s Wood to the Offham boundary, then onto High Street,¹³ along this street over the Leybourne¹⁴ as far as the East Malling boundary; and so due south, with the well/spring to the east,¹⁵ as far as the wide street, south along this street right on as far as King’s Wood. Then, these are the swine-pastures:¹⁶ East Lindridge and Otanhurst,¹⁷ 30 pigs;¹⁸ and Fræcincghyrst¹⁹ and Sceorfestede,²⁰ 30 pigs; and Wihtherincgfaladsto, gavel,²¹ and Holanspic, a herd of 30,²² and Petteridge.²³

I, Edmund, King of the English, with the sign of the cross made confirmation.

+ I, Eadred,²⁴ brother of the King, made ratification.

+ I, Eadgifu,²⁵ mother of the king, was present.

+ I, Archbishop Oda,²⁶ signed to confirm.

I, Bishop Ælfheah,²⁷ agreed.

I, Bishop Đeodred.²⁸

+ I, Archbishop Wulfstan.²⁹

+ I, Bishop Cenwald.³⁰

+ I, Bishop Ælfred.³¹

+ I, Bishop Ælfric.³²

+ I, Bishop Æthelgar.³³

+ I, Ælfgifu,³⁴ [queen] consort of the King.

+ Wulfgar, duke.

+ Æthelstan, duke.

+ Eadmund, duke.

+ Scula, duke.

+ Sigferð, minister.

+ Wulfric, minister.

+ Ealdred, minister.

+ Ælfstan, minister.

+ Ordeah, minister.

+ Eadwerd, minister.

+ Wulfric, minister.

+ Odda, minister.

+Ælla, minister.

+ Ælfgar, minister.

+ Osferð, duke.

+ Wihtgar, minister.

+ Wulfsige, minister.

+ Birhtwald, minister.

Cited works

Campbell, A., Charters of Rochester (Oxford University Press, 1973).

Corèdon, Christopher with Ann Williams, A Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases (D. S. Brewer, 2004).

Glover, Judith, The Place Names of Kent (B. T. Batsford Ltd, 1976).

Lapidge, Michael, John Blair, Simon Keynes and Donald Scragg (eds.), The Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Anglo-Saxon England (Blackwell Publishing, 1999).

Sinclair Williams, C. L., 'The cwylla of King Edmund's West Malling Charter', Archaeologia Cantiana 89 (1974), pp. 135–39, available here

Whitehead, Annie, Women of Power in Anglo-Saxon England (Pen & Sword History, 2020).

Footnotes

1 Æthelstan reigned as ‘king of the Anglo-Saxons’ from 924/5 to 927, and as ‘king of the English’ from 927 to his death in 939; see ‘Athelstan’ in Lapidge, p. 16.

2 For a discussion of the boundary and particularly its reference to cwylla, see Sinclair Williams.

3 There is a scribal alteration of the spelling: from ‘lindrhycg’ to ‘lindrhecg’.

4 The scribe, probably the main scribe, has written ‘xxx p’ above ‘⁊ otanhyrst’.

5 The scribe, probably the main scribe, has written ‘xxx borda’ above ‘holanspic’.

6 The scribe provides an insertion mark after ‘affui.’ and a corresponding mark in the bottom margin followed by ‘+ Wulfgar dux. + Æðelstan dux.’.

7 Burhric (or, Burgric), bishop of Rochester, c. 933/934-c.946-964.

8 Or, ‘ploughlands’.

9 Fowling, that is, land for and the right to hunt game birds. Implicit with the mention of the other types of land is the granting of rights associated with the lands, for example, the rights to gather fuel for wood and take timber, and the right to pasture animals.

10 Or ‘will have presumed’, translating ‘presumpserit’ in the next line.

11 Or, ‘will have made amends’.

12 Or, ‘will have wished’.

13 Or ‘the king’s wood’. This is not the Kingswood east of Maidstone, which is too far away from Malling.

14 Or, ‘the highway’; Sinclair Williams prefers ‘Army street’: see Sinclair Williams, p. 136, and n. 7.

15 Leybourne, here, seems to refer to the name of the stream that runs between West Malling and the village of Leybourne; see Sinclair Williams, and Glover, p. 117.

16 Sinclair Williams (p. 138) identifies the cwylla of the charter with a pond just east of the boundary between West Malling and East Malling.

17 On the swine pastures in Rochester’s charters, including those named in this particular charter, see Campbell, pp. xvii-xix.

18 The ‘-hyrst’ element of the name means ‘wood’. The archaic English hurst, deriving from the Old English, means a wooded rise or hillock.

19 ‘30 pigs’, meaning the swine-pasture is sufficient for 30 pigs. The same number of pigs is stipulated for some of the other swine-pastures, below.

20 This may correspond to the modern place-name Frenchhurst; see Glover, pp. 75-6.

21 The ‘-stede’ element of the name has the sense of an occupied place; stede survives in the modern English word ‘farmstead’.

22 Old English gafol (‘gavel’), broadly meaning ‘rent’, may here be short for gafol-land and as such refer to the Kentish form of land tenure known as gavelkind, for which rent was paid rather than service due; see ‘Gavelkind’ in Corèdon. See also Campbell, p. 34, n.1; Campbell implies an amount for the rent may have been inserted at some point in the charter’s transmission history.

23 I’ve tentatively translated ‘xxx borda’ as ’a herd of 30 (pigs)’. The meaning of ‘borda’ is unclear; it is likely an error of transmission; Campbell suggests it is an error for hiorda, a Kentish variant of heord meaning ‘herd’. The intended meaning of sufficient pasture for a herd of 30 pigs seems most likely.

24 Literally, ‘Pætla’s ridge’; see Glover, p. 147. A different hand has written ‘pechelinge recg’ above.

25 The future King Eadred, king of the English from 946 to 955.

26 Eadgifu’s landed power and role in royal politics is notable; her story is opened up in Whitehead, esp. pp. 76-83.

27 Archbishop of Canterbury, 942-58.

28 Bishop of Winchester, 934-51.

29 Bishop of London, c.915-c.960.

30 Archbishop of York, 931-56.

31 Aka as Coenwald, bishop of Worcester, 929-57.

32 Or Alfred; most probably bishop of Selsey, appointed between 940 and 943 and died between 953 and 956.

33 Most probably bishop of Hereford, appointed either 934 or between 937 and 940 and died either between 949 and 958 or in 971.

34 Bishop of Crediton, 934-53.

35 The first wife of Edmund, died 944.