Archbishop Anselm grants privileges related to the land of Northfleet Church

Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury (from 1093-1109) grants to the church of St Andrews, Rochester, and to Bishop Gundulf, privileges related to the land of the church at Northfleet. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 179r by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Transcription

179r (select folio number to open facsimile)

De ecclesia de Norhfleta.
Anselmus gratia dei archiepiscopus cantuarie. Haimioni vice-
comita. et omnibus baronibus regis franci genis et anglishmen
domine sancti andree et episcopo Gundulfo de rouecestra omnibus
illas consuetudines et leges. Quas habuit de ante-
cessore meo. Lanfranco archiepiscopo. Inscoto et in
opere castri. et imponte. et omnia uira ep’alia. Illi
pertinentia. In manerus inris. et clericis. et laicus
sui episcopatus. Sicute unquam melius [?] honorabi-
lius habuit ea. Et monachis eiusdem ecclesie do de
ineo dominico ecclesiam de northflete et quicquid
ad eam pertinet. Interris et indecimis et in oblau
omnibus et in omnibus aliis rebus. Et de piscaria de
gillingheham unam monachis solebant dare . xl . solidos.
per annum antecessorum meo per dono eisdem mona-
chis . xxxv . solidos ut habeant eos aduictum eorum
et eidem superdicto episcopo. Gundulfo concedo quandam
terram udiente’ . xx . solidos. Per annum in nro’ dominico
manerio de heisa. Quad est in middelsferd. Test’
Ernulfo priore. Josephus. Eadmero in cantuar’
Baldeuuino de tornac in becceham. Willelmo archid’
cantudr’. Archetill’ rofensi archid . Willelmo de
emefford’. Godefrido de falchenham.

Archbishop Radulfus confirms privileges relating to Northfleet

Radulfus, Archbishop of Canterbury (from 1114-1122) confirms his predecessor’s grant to St Andrew’s, Rochester, of privileges relating to Northfleet, and adds further grants relating to land at ‘Gudelffeld’ (Guddlefield?). Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 179v by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Historical note: Radulfus is better known as Ralph d’Escures. Before becoming Archbishop of Canterbury, he was Bishop of Rochester between 1108-1114.

Transcription

179v (select folio number to open facsimile)

_Radulfus archiepiscopus cantuar; . omnibus xpi fidelibus
salutem. Notum sit omnibus tam presentibus qua’ fut-
ris. [?] ego conccedo et confirmo donationem uenerabilis
patris anselmi quam fecit monachis sancti andree
de Rouecestra de ecclesia de Nordflita : et omnibus
ad eam pertinentibus intris indermis in oblati-
omnibus, et in omnibus aliis rebus . Et de ineo dominico do eis
unam deram terrę in mea p’s culta’ in c’apo qui dr’ Gud-
leffold ad edificandas domos I solidos[?] et suo capellano ad
opus superdictę ecclię . et totam decimam de meo domini-
co. et omnis decimas a’iii’ uillanor’ qui hiit terra indu-
ne . nec non et alior’ omnium quorum decimę meo temperę
adquisitę st : ul quocumque temperę adquirent’. Concessi ęternam
eis in perpetuum . v . solidos . qui michi debebantet singlis an-
nis pro piscatoria quę uocatur niwe were . q: est
interritorio de Grean. Testes domino Arnulfo
Rofensi episcopo Joh’e Cantuar’ archidioconis. Herwiso ar-
chid Rofensi . Joseph . Ędmundo mon’ Cantuar’. Rodber-
to in’ sagiensi . Siluestro . hugo . m’ Roffensis auffrido
capellano. Auffrido dapifero. Rodberto filio Radulfus
clericus . et multis aliis de familia nra’ . et domini Ar-
nulfi episcopi.

Translation

Radulf, Archbishop of Canterbury, to all the faithful greetings. Let it be known to all, both present and future. [?] I agree and confirm the donation made by the venerable father Anselm to the monks of Saint Andrew of Rochester of the church of Northfleet, and to all the inner parts belonging to it in offerings, and in all other matters. And from the beginning of Sunday I give them one dera of land in my p's cult' in the place where Dr Gudlefold to build houses 1 solids [?] and to his chaplain for the work of the church. and the whole tithe of my Sunday, and all the tithes of those who went to the land without clothing. nor any other' of all those who have acquired a tenth of my temper; I granted them eternal life forever five shillings who owed me every year for the fishery which is called New Weir. q: it is an in the territory of Grain. Witnesses to Lord Arnulf, Bishop of Rochester, Joh'e archdeacon of Canterbury. Herwis, the archdeacon of Rome. Joseph Ęmundo monk of Canterbury. Rodberto in' Sagiensi. Sylvester hugo m' of Rochester auffrido chaplain. Auffrido the servant. To Rodbert his son Ralphus the clerk. and many others of the family. and Lord Arnulf the bishop.

Archbishop William grants in perpetuum privileges related to Northfleet Church

William, Archbishop of Canterbury (from 1123-1136), grants in perpetuum to the monks at St Andrew’s, Rochester, the privileges related to the land of the church at Northfleet, and confirms Henry I’s grant to the church at Rochester of the privileges relating to the church at Boxley (Kent). Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 179v-180r by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Transcription

179v (select folio number to open facsimile)

Willelmus gratia dei cantuariensis archiepiscopus .
et sedis aplice legatus : omnibus xpi’ fideli-

180r

bus salutem. Sciatis me concessisse et confirmasse mo-
nachis ecclessię sancti andreę de rouecestra in perpetuum
eccliam de Northfliete et quicquid ad eam perti-
net . ficut uenerabilus pater anselmus dedit eis
et carta sud confirmauit . et successor eius
Radulfus. Predecessorum n’r. Ecclessiam quoque de boxle cum
omnibus beneficiis ad eam pertinentibus quam hen-
ricus rex in dedicatione perdicte rofensis ec-
die in dotem dedit . et iohannes eiusdem ecclię
episcopus . eisdem monachis concessit et dedit. Cum
omnibus possessionibus . et beneficiis . et csueaidi-
nibus . et libtatibus illis hacten’ rationabibit’ in
dutis : autoritate officii q’ fungim’ ipsis
confirmam’ . et presentis scripta testimonio co-
munimum. Siquis g’ et’ donationem . et confirmati-
ones tantorum patrum . et nra’ aligrido’ uenire
temptauerit . sic separat’ in presenti a comu-
nione sancte ecclę xpi’ . et in futuro a societate
s’corum omnium nisi ad satisfactionem uenerit :
Testiam’ . herewisi archidiaconis cantuary . Gaufridi
poris . Eadmeri . monacis cantuary. Fulconis prioris
de cic . Ricardi archidiaconis Norwic . Willi
uicecomitus . Anffridi dapiferi . haimoe’ filio
uttal’ . et aliorum multorum.

Translation

William, by the grace of God, Archbishop of Canterbury and as lieutenant at the crown of Christ’s throne: greeting to all the faithful. You may know that I have granted and confirmed to the monks of the church of Saint Andrew of Rochester, forever, the Church of Northfleet, and whatever pertains to it. as the venerable father Anselm gave to them and confirmed it by charter. and his successor Ralph. Predecessors n'r. The church also of the boxe, with all the benefits pertaining to it, which King Henry, at the dedication of the church of Rochester, hereby donated, and John bishop of the same church he granted it and gave it to the same monks. With all the possessions and by kindness and csueaidinibus, and in these libations he will reason in the dutis: by the authority of the office confirmed, and the written evidence of the present. If anyone has a gift and the confirmations of so many fathers, and to attempt to come in this way he is to be separated from the holy communion of the Holy Church of Christ. and in the future, unless he comes to the satisfaction of all the nations from the society of all nations: Witnessed by: herewisi archdeacons of cantuary of Geoffrey poris[?]. Eadmer monk of Canterbury. Fulco the Prior of Cic[?]. Richard Archdeacon of Norwich. William the viscount. Anfrid the servant. Hamo son Of Uttal, and many others.

List of grants to Rochester Cathedral from the foundation to Henry I, recorded c.1123

List of grants to St Andrew’s Church at Rochester, from the time of the foundation by King Æthelberht to Henry I, 604-1100. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 177r-178r by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Folio

Transcription

Translation (see Translation Notes)

177r (select folio number to open facsimile)

ANno ab incarnatione domini Sexientesi-

In the year of our Lord's Incarnation

mo. Rex Athelbertus fundaunt eccle-

six hundred, King Athelbert founded

siam sancti andree apostoli roffensi et dedit ei. Preste-

the church of St. Andrew the Apostle of Rochester and dedicated it.

feld . et omniem terram que est a meduwaie usque

Priestfields, and all the land which is from the Medway to

ad orientalem postam cantaur in australi perte

the east part of Kent in the south

et alias terras extra murum ciuitatis uersus

and all the land outside the walls…

pertem aquilonalem.

pertaining to aquilonalem.

Anno ab incarnatione domini septingesimo . xxx . viii .

In the year of our Lord's incarnation xxx viii.

Eadbertus Rex cantie dedit ecclesie sancti andree

Eadbert King of Kent gave to the church of St. Andrew

Stokes. Et anno ab incarnatione domini. Septin-

Stoke. And in the year of the Lord's incarnation.

gentisimo . lxiiii . Offa rex mertiorum et Sige-

Seven hundredth lxiiii Offa, king of the Mertians, and

redus rex cantie dederuit Frendesberiam.

Sigeredus, king of Cante, surrendered Frindsbury.

Esclingham et Wicham. Item rex offa et

Esclingham and Wicham. Also the king Offa and

Ecbertus dederunt bromheie. Item rex offa

Ecbertus gave bromhei. Again the king

dedit Trottescliue. Et Ck enulfus[?]

gave Trottescliue a shot. And Ck enulfus [?]

rex merciorum dedit Borchstalle.

the king gave goods to Borstal.

Anno ab incarnatione domini. Octingensimo . xxxviii .

A year from the Lord's incarnation. Eighteenth xxxviii

Ecbertus Rex Westsaxonum et Cantuariorum

Ecbert, King of the West Saxons and Canterbury,

dedit eccliae sancti magnas libertates

gave great liberties

et ista maneria. hallinges et Snodilande.

and these manors to the holy church, Halling and Snodland.

Athelwlfus rex filius Egberti regis. dedit

King Athelwulf, son of King Egbert, gave

Cuckelestane. et holenberghe.

Cucclestone, and Hollingbourne.

Eadmundus rex anglorum dedit Mallinges.

Edmund, king of the English, gave Malling.

Quidam potensis[?] nomine Brichricus cum

A certain power [?] named Brichricus and his

177v

uxore sue Ciffwicha dederunt. Dantuna.

wife gave Ciffwicha. Denton,

et langefeld. falchenham et darente. quod

and Langefeld, Falchenham and

manerium quomodo ad archiepiscopatum

the manor

peruenerit ignoratur. Et Eadgarus rex

And Eadgar, king

anglorum dedit Bromlega. Athelredus

of the English, gave Bromleg. Athelred,

rex anglorum dedit Wldeham et litlebroc

king of the English, gave Wldeham and litlebroc

Stantune et hiltune. Scil’ . xv . mansas ter-

to Stantune and Hiltune. 15 shillings, mansa

rarum. Et Willelmus primus rex anglorum

of land. And William the first king of the English

reddidit has terras Roffensi ecclesie a principibus

restored these lands to the Church of Roffen, which had been

in iuste ablatas. Stokes uidelicet et Dennintu-

justly taken away by the princes. Stokes will see both

na et Falchenham. Preterea inter cetera bona

Dennington and Falkenham. Moreover, among the other great goods

magna que eidem ecclesie in uita sue fecit

which he did to the same church during his life,

imminente articulo mortis sue. centum

at the imminent moment of his death. He gave him a hundred

libras ei dedit et tunicam propriam regale,

pounds, and a royal coat,

et cornu eburneum. et alia plura ornamen-

and an ivory horn. and many other

ta. Et Willelmi Rex filius eisdem. dedit lam-

ornaments. And King William the son of the same. He gave

theham et hedenham ad uictum monachorum

Lamtheham and Hedenham to the slaughter of the monks

qui quide’ concessit libertates quas ecclesia

who had granted the liberties which the Church of

Roffensis huc usque obtinuit . et sua carta con-

Rochester had hitherto obtained. and by his charter

firmauit omnium perdictorum dona. Et No-

he confirmed the gifts of all the lost. And the

bilissimus Rex henricus multa bona contu-

most noble King Henry brought many goods.

lit. Scilicet ecclesias de boxle. de Gillefford.

Of course the churches of the Boxley. of Gillefford.

derenteford. Suttune. cum capellis de Wil-

Derenteford. Suttune with the chapels of

mintune et de kingesdune. Item ecclesias de

Wilmintune and Kingsdune. Also the churches

178r

chiselherste et de Wlewich. Item decimas

of Chiselherst and Wlewich. Likewise, the tithes

de strodes . et de chealkes. et alia multa.

of Strood. and of chealkes. and many other things.

Ælfwine grants a half burgage pertinent to Borstal

Ælfwine grants a half burgage to the monks at St Andrew’s, Rochester, pertinent to Borstal. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis folio 200r by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Transcription

200r (select folio number to open facsimile)

Similiter et Ælfuuinus filius dirgiuę dedit
dimidiam hagam pertinentem ad borchstel-
lam monachis sancti andreę, et ideo impe-
trauit in articulo mortis pannos mo-
nachicos, et totum seruitium ab eis sicu-
ti pro fratre.

Translation

Similarly, Ælfwine the son of Dirgue gave half a haga pertaining to Borstal to the monks of Saint Andrew, and therefore he obtained in the moment of his death cloths of the monks, and the whole service from them as for a brother.

Godric, son of Ælwine, gives a half burgage of the king’s land

Godric, son of Ælwine, brother of Ælric the priest, gives a half burgage of the king’s land to the monks at St Andrew’s, Rochester. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 200r by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Transcription

200r (select folio number to open facsimile)

Godricus filius æluuini frater etlrici
presbiteri dedit et ipse similiter dimidiam
hagam de terra regis pertinentem ad prępo-
situram ipsius, pro eo quod monachi sancti andreę
iuxta petitionem suam dederunt ei
pannos monachiles in articulo mortis
suę, et totum seruitium fecerunt pro eo sicuti
pro fratre et benefactore. De qua terra debent
monachi dare praeposito regis de gabla
xv. denarios in tercia feria pascę primae
septimanę, et sex ad festiuitatem sancti
petri mense augusto.

Translation

Godric, son of Ælwine, gave to the brother Etlric the priest, likewise and similarly gave half a haga of the King’s land belonging to his prefecture, because the monks of Saint Andrew, according to his request, gave him monastic cloths at the moment of his death, and did the whole service in his place as his brother and benefactor. On which land the monks ought to be the prefect of the king concerning gabla 15 pennies on the third Friday of the first week of September, and six at the feast of Saint Peter in the month of August.

Ernulf of Chelsfield confirms the gift of Pivindene and Godriscesdune

Ernulf de Chielsfelda (i.e. Chelsfield) confirms the gift of Pivindene and Godriscesdune, owned by ‘his man’ Ernulf de Strodes (i.e. Strood), to St Andrew’s and the monks at Rochester, with the consent of his wife Agnes and his sons, 1143. Transcription and translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 230v by Jacob Scott (pending review).

The hand is later than the original scribe’s. This gift was made with the proviso that Ernulf de Strodes’ son enter the monastic community at Rochester. The first person addressed in the document is Ascelin, Bishop of Rochester from 1142-1148.

Transcription

230v (select folio number to open facsimile)

Domino ascelino Rofensi episcopo . et Radulfo castellano . et omnibus civibus
Roucestrie . toti, que hundred de scamele. Ernulfus de chiel-
esfelda salutem. Notum uobis sit quod ego ernulfus et Agnes uxor
mea . et Symon primogenitus et heres meus . et helyas cle-
ricus et hugo miles filii mei . donationem quam ernulfus de Stro-
des homo meus sancto andree et monachis de rouecestria pro
filio suo in ecclesia rofensi ad monachatum suscepto dedit . par-
tem scilicet terre sue . que piuindene uocator . et terram illam quam
in suo dominico habebat in alio loco qui uocator Godricesdune .
liberam ab omni seruicio et quietam ęterno iure monachis eisdem
possidendam concessimus . Quod si predictus ernulfus uel aliquis
heredum aut successorum eius a solito quod michi de feudo suo
debet seruicio defecerit : a relique quam de me tenet ter-
ra exigeter . elemosina autem ab omni exactione et querela et ca-
lumnia libera permaneat . Et hanc quidem concessionem pro salute anime
mee . et uxoris . et liberorum . et patris . et matris mee . bono et deuo
to animo feci . et signo sancte crucis . + proprioque signaui
sigillo. Cuius rei testes sunt Syuuardus presbiter Symon. Hu-
go. Elyas . filii ernulfi . et Agnes uxor sua . Samson frater . Ricar-
dus nepos domini . Adalulfus miles. Willelmi dapifer. Ernulfus
dispensator. Haimo brito. Ernulfus clericus . Rainaldus secretarius
Ricardus de clouilla . Elfuuinus catere. Rodbertus filius bunde. Go-
defridus nepos goislani . Robertus cognatus clementis monachi .
et alii multi. Anno ab incarnatione domini . m . c . xl . iii . hec…

Translation

To Lord Ascelin, Bishop of Rochester, and Ralph of the Castle and to all the citizens of Rochester, to all that hundred of Scamele[?]. Salutations to Ernulf of Chielsfeld. It is well known that I Ernulf and Agnes my wife, and Simon the first-born and heir-apparent, and Helias the cleric and Hugo Miles my son, the donation which my man Ernulf of Strood gave to Saint Andrew and to the monks of Rochester for his son in the church of Rochester when he was accepted into monasticism, part of his land, called Pivindene, and that land which he had in his lordship in another place called Godricesdune. We have granted to the same monks the freedom from all service and eternal rest. But if the aforesaid Ernulf or any heirs or successors fails in the usual service which he owes to me of his fee: from the remainder that he holds of me by demand. Let the alms of others be free from all exactions and complaints and slanders. And this concession is made for the sake of my soul, and wife, and children, and my father and my mother. I did it with good and god, and with the sign of the holy cross. I signed it with my seal. To this the king's witnesses are the presbyters Symon of Syward, Hugo Elyas, son of Ernulf, and Agnes his wife, Samson his brother, Richard, the lord's nephew, Adalulf Miles, William the servant, Ernulf the steward, Hamo Brito, Ernulf the cleric, Rainald the secretary.

Richard de Clovilla, Elfwin the cook, Robert son of Bunde. Godfrey, nephew of Goislan, Robert a relative of Clement the monk, and many others. A year from the Lord's incarnation 1143. This…

Goldwine, priest of Rochester, grants a half burgage pertinent to Frindsbury

Goldwine, priest of Rochester, grants to the Church of St Andrew’s, Rochester, a half burgage pertinent to Frindsbury. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folios 199v-200r by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Transcription

199v (select folio number to open facsimile)

_Golduuinus presbiter de rouecestra dedit
ęcclesię sancti andreę dimidiam hagam in roue-
cestra, pertinentem ad freondesberiam. Pro quo

200r

beneficio monachi sancti andreę iuxta pe-
titionem suam. >feceruit ibidem filium suum
monachum. Que terra reddit<

Translation

Goldwine, priest of Rochester, gave to the church of Saint Andrew half a haga in Rochester pertaining to Frindsbury, for the kindness of the monks of Saint Andrew’s, according to his request >he gave his son to be a monk there. That land’s rent […]<

Henry de Port grants financial gifts to the almshouse

Henry de Port grants financial gifts to the almshouse at St Andrew’s, Rochester, 1108.

Transcription

198v (select folio number to open facsimile)

De earhetha, et de halilei. Notum sit omnibus tam posteris quam pręsentibus
quod ego henricus de port anno ab incarna-
tione domini millesimo centesimo viii. indi-
ctione prima concedente uxore mea hathe-
uuis et filio meo hugone imperpetuum ut
elemosinam donaui deo et fratribus in ęcclesia
roffensi quę est constructa in honore sancti
andreę apostoli seruientibus xx. solidos de red-
ditione mea de earhethea et decimam totam
de halegele, de qua quidem prędictus sanctus dimi-
diam partem habuerat, cęteram uero pro amore Ra-
dulfi episcopi ut praedictum est supra taxato tempo-
re donaui. Hoc autem pro animabus tam predeces-
sorum quam successorum meorum donaui, et ex hoc
beneficium ipsius loci animę meę in fine ut
monacho concessum fuerit. Terminus uero dena-
riorum est in natiuitate domini, decimę autem
in augusto. Teste Hugone filio fulconis,
herberto de cænt, Ansfrido clerico, Ra-
dulfo clerico, Hosberno de mæruurthe.

Translation

Concerning Earith and concerning Halgel[?]:

Let it be known to all, both to posterity and to those present, that I, Henry de Port, in the year from the incarnation of our lord 1108, in the first indiction granted with my wife Hathewis and my son Hugo for ever as alms. I gave to God and the brothers in the church of Rochester, which was built in honor of the service of Saint Andrew the Apostle. Twenty shillings from my payment from Earith and the tithe of the whole of Halgel[?], of which the aforesaid saint had one-half part, the rest however, for the love of Radulf the bishop, as was given above, at the time assessed. And this I have given for the souls of both my predecessors and my successors, and from this the benefit of that place was granted at the end of my soul as a monk. The time of payment is at the birth of the Lord, and the tithe in August. Witnessed by Hugo the son of Fulco, Herbert of Kent, Ansfrid the priest, Ralph the priest, Hosbern of Mæruurthe[?].

The church at Rethavelda in Sussex

William II confirms Gilbert of Tunbridge’s gift of the church at Rethavelda (Sussex) to St Andrew’s, Rochester. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 182v by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Transcription

182v (select folio number to open facsimile)

De rethrauelda. Willelmus rex anglorum, episcopo de suthsexa,
et uicecomiti, et cęteris baronibus suis
francigenis et anglis, salutem. Sciatis me
concessisse et confirmasse donum Gisleberti
de tonebrige quod dedit ęcclesię sancti andreę
de rouecestra, scilicet ęcclesiam de rethrauel-
da, et quicquid ad illam pertinet, siue in decimis,
siue in uenationibus, uel in aliis quibuslibet
rebus, testimonio Rogeri bigot, et haimonis uicecomitis,
apud uuentoniam.

Translation

Concerning Rethavelda:

William, King of the English, to the bishop of Sussex, and the sheriff, and to his other barons French and English, greetings. Know that I have granted and confirmed the gift of Gilbert of Tonbridge which he gave to the Church of Saint Andrew of Rochester, the very same church of Rethavelda, and whatever pertains to it, whether in tithes, or in hunting, or in any other circumstance, by the testimony of Roger Bigot, and Hamo the sheriff at Wenton.

The Church of St Felicity, Walton (Suffolk)

William II confirms Roger Bigot’s gift of the Church of St Felicity, Walton (Suffolk), to St Andrew’s, Rochester. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 182r-182v by Jacob Scott (pending review).

St Felicity’s later became a cell of Rochester, and may have housed a small collection of books (Richards, Texts and Their Traditions, p. 58).

Transcription

182r (select folio number to open facsimile)

De Waletuna; WILLELMVS rex anglorum, episcopo de
suthfulca, et uicecomiti, et aliis
baronibus suis francigenis et anglis,

182v

salutem. Sciatis me concessisse et confirmas-
se donum Rogerii bigot quod dedit ęcclesię
sancti andreę de rouecestra, scilicet ęcclesiam
sancti felicis de waletuna, cum decimis et omnibus
aliis rebus quę ad illam pertinent, testimonio
eudonis dapiferi, apud wentoniam.

Translation

Concerning Walton:

William, King of the English, to the bishop of Suffolk, and the sheriff, and my other French and English barons, greetings. Know that I have granted and confirmed the gift of Roger Bigot, which he gave to the church of Saint Andrew of Rochester, namely, the Church of Saint Felicity of Walton, with tithes and all other things which pertain to it, by the testimony of Eudon the servant, at Wenton.

Grant by Godwin of half his abode

Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 192v by Jacob Scott.

Transcription

192v (select folio number to open facsimile)

Goduuinus filius edith dedit dimidiam man-
sam suam ęcclesię sancti andreę et monachis pro
filio suo ibidem facto monacho pertinentem
ad borcstelle. Testibus, Golduuino presbitero, Eaduui-
no fot, Gudredo filio diringi, et multis aliis.

Translation

Godwin son of Edith gave half his abode to the church of Saint Andrew and the monks, for his son having been a monk there, pertaining to Borstal. Witnessed by: Goldwin the presbyter, Edwin Fot, Gudred son of Diring, and many others.

The Church at Dartford

King William confirms his steward Haimo’s gift of the church at Dartford to St Andrew’s, Rochester. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 181v by Jacob Scott. Commentary and notes by Dr Christopher Monk.

This charter was not copied by the main Textus Roffensis scribe, who was writing around 1123, but was added on a replacement folio sometime later in the twelfth century, possibly around 1170. It may not be a copy of an authentic charter.

It concerns the grant of the Church at Dartford, 15 miles from Rochester in the north-west corner of Kent. Domesday book shows that the church was held by the Bishop of Rochester in 1086.¹ The bishop at that time was Gundulf, who was also the prior of the community of monks at St Andrew’s, Rochester.

According to the charter, the gift was made by Haimo Dapifer (died. c.1100), the sheriff of Kent (1077 until his death), royal steward of both William I (‘the Conqueror’, reigned 1066-1087) and his son William II (‘Rufus’, reigned 1087-1100). It is unclear which King William is (purportedly) doing the granting in this charter.²

It is important to note that in the 1170s a dispute arose between the monks of St Andrew’s and their bishop, Walter, who was not also the prior of the community, as Gundulf had been. Bishop Walter gave the church to Roger, his nephew, but the monks claimed it had been granted to them in proprios usus, ‘for their own use’ (Flight, p. 219, n. 7). As Gundulf was both bishop and prior, this seems quite a reasonable claim: documents in Textus Roffensis demonstrate that the livelihood of his brothers was of utmost importance to Gundulf. Since Domesday confirms the bishop held the church, he as monk would have benefitted from the income generated from it, and so would have his fellow monks.

As things turned out, Roger retained the church but acknowledged that it was held from the monks (Flight, p. 219, n. 7, and p. 259, Appendix 3, no. 108).³ It is quite possible this Textus copy of a charter, transcribed and translated below, was fabricated and inserted around the time of the dispute in order to support the claim of the brethren. Sadly, for the monks, the church at Dartford continued to be a bone of contention with another of their bishops, Gilbert (Flight, p. 219 and p. 231, incl. n. 23).

Transcription

181v (select folio number to open facsimile)

De ęcclesia de tarenteford Willelmus dei gratia rex anglorum.
fidelibus suis francis et anglis salutem.
Sciatis me concessise eam donationem
quam haimo dapifer meus fecit ęcclesię quę
est in tarenteford manerio meo . et filii
ipsius haimonis . Rodbertus . et haimo .
me pręsente concesserunt eandem patris
sui donationem . Testes . Rodbertus
comes mellen .⁴ Rodbertus comes
de moritolio⁵ . et alii multi;

Translation

Concerning the Church of Dartford:

William, by the grace of God King of the English, to his faithful, French and English, greetings. Know that I have granted that gift which Haimo my steward has made of the church which is in my manor at Dartford, and the sons of Haimo himself, Robert⁶ and Haimo, in my presence conceded⁷ the aforesaid gift of their father. Witnesses, Robert, Count of Meulan⁸ Robert, Count of Mortain,⁹ and many others.

Cited Works

Colin Flight, The Bishops and Monks of Rochester 1076-1214 (Maidstone: Kent Archaeological Society, 1997).

Footnotes

1 Dartford | Domesday Book (opendomesday.org)

2 British History Online states it was William I: Parishes: Dartford | British History Online (british-history.ac.uk)

3 In Appendix 3, Flight lists a document (no. 108) which relates the settling of the Dartford church dispute by the bishop of Winchester and Baldwin, abbot of Ford, dating this document to c. 1170-c1180; he notes the document is not extant but is mentioned in the fourteenth-century Registrum temporalium.

4 Punctus mark added. There is an erasure at this point in the manuscript.

5 A scribal error for ‘moritonio’, Mortain.

6 Aka, Robert fitz Haimo (or, Fitzhamon), died 1107; he is a character in the Haddenham narrative, for which see Bishop Gundulf builds Rochester Castle for the king in return for the manor of Haddenham, c.1108-c.1114 AD — Rochester Cathedral.

7 Or ‘granted’. The sense here is that the two sons relinquish any claim to the church of Dartford.

8 Robert de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Leicester, Count of Meulan (c. 1040/1050-1118), a powerful Norman nobleman.

9 Robert, Count of Mortain, 2nd Earl of Cornwall (c. 1031-c.1095), half-brother (on their mother’s side) of William I, a great landholder in England.

Godric of the Delce grants an annual tithing

Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 192v by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Transcription

195r (select folio number to open facsimile)

Godricus de delcsa accepit sotietatem
nostram. Et ideo concessit nobis singulis
annis decimam de annona sua.

Translation

Godric of the Delce has received our society, and so he has given us a single tenth of his produce every year.

William I grants liberties from the time of Edward

William I grants to the church of St Andrew’s in the city of Rochester liberties from the time of King Edward (the Confessor). Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folios 174v-175r by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Transcription

174v (select folio number to open facsimile)

Concessio uuillelmi magni regis;

175r

Vvillelmus dei gratia rex anglorum, haimoni
dapifero et omnibus suis teignis in episcopatu
rofensi salutem. Mando et praecipio, ut eas con-
suetudines quas ęcclesia sancti andreę rofen-
sis ciuitatis habuit in terris uestris seu in
annona, seu in porcis, uel aliis rebus tempo-
re eduuardi regis, habeat, et uos exol-
uatis.

Translation

William, by the grace of God king of the English, to Haimo the steward and all his theigns in the bishopric of Rochester, greetings. I command you to have those customs which the church of Saint Andrew in the City of Rochester, had in your lands, or in corn, or in pigs, or other things in the time of King Edward, let him have it and you will be paid the price.

Henry I's commemoration of the feast of St Paulinus

Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 187v by Jacob Scott (pending review).

Transcription

187v (select folio number to open facsimile)

De feria sancti paulini. Henricus rex anglorum, Anselmo archiepiscopo,
et haimoni uicecomiti, et omnibus hominibus de cænt,
et omnibus baronibus suis totius anglię, salutem. Scia-
tis me dedisse et concessisse ęcclesię sancti andreę
apostoli, et sancti paulini confessoris, et episcopo Gundulfo
et monachis eiusdem ęcclesię, unam feriam omni
anno celebrandam duobus integris diebus in ci-
uitate rouecestra, id est ipsa die festiuita-
tis sancti paulini, et priori die ante ipsam festi-
uitatem, et totum theloneum quod inde eueniet
quietum cum omnibus consuetudinibus feriae tam
extra ciuitatem quam infra, in honorem praedictę
ęcclesię et ipsorum sanctorum. Testibus, Willelmo de Wereluuast,
et eudone dapifero, et haimone dapifero, et Willelmo peurel, et
haimone peuerel.

Translation

Concerning the feast of Saint Paulinus:

Henry, king of the English, to Anselm the archbishop, and Hamo the sheriff, and to all the men of the church, and to all his barons of the whole of England, greetings. Know that I have given and granted to the church of Saint Andrew the Apostle, and Saint Paulinus holy confessor, and Bishop Gundulf and the monks of the same church, one holiday to be celebrated every year for two days in the City of Rochester, that is, on the very day of the feast of Saint Paulinus, and the first day before the festival, and the whole toll which will result in peace with all the customs of the holiday both outside the city and within, in honor of the aforesaid church and their saints. Witnessed by: William of Werelwast, and Eudone the chief steward, and Hamo Dapifer, and William Peverel, and Hamo Peverel.

Agreement with Stephan Bidel concerning tithing

Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 232r by Jacob Scott (pending review).

The script is a later hand than the primary scribe of Textus Roffensis.

Transcription

232r (select folio number to open facsimile)

Ita conuenit inter nos et Donom Stephanus Bidel de decima de
Ifeld . got nos habebimus diminidium frumntum . et ettiam partem ordei . et auene .
Ipse uol de auena . de pisis . de fabis . et uescis : nil perapiet .solidos nos totum.

Translation

So it was agreed between us and the donor Stephen Bidel on the tithing of Ifield. We are to receive half of the grain, and also part of the barley, and oats. He wants the wheat, peas, beans, and feed: nothing will pass one shilling from us in total.

Agreement between Bishop Gundulf and Gilbert concerning land belonging to St Andrew’s, 1086-1088

An agreement, made in the presence of Lanfranc, between Gundulf and Gilbert concerning land held by Gilbert belonging to St Andrew’s Church (1086-1088). Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 175r by Jacob Scott.

Transcription

175r (select folio number to open facsimile)

De conuentione inter gundulfum et gislebertum;
Hęc est conuentio quę facta est cantuarię
in presentia domni archiepiscopi lanfranci, atque
eo precipiente scripta, inter gundulfum episcopum,
et gislebertum de tunebrigge. Iudicio ipsius
domni archiepiscopi debet gislebertus unoquoque
anno dare .L. solidos domno episcopo gundulfo
pro terra sancti andreę quam ipse gislebertus habet,
quo adusque dabit ei tantum de alia terra
sua unde habeat per singulos annos l. solidos,
uel ualens. Testante eodem archiepiscopo lanfran-
co, et episcopo Willelmo de dunhelma, et abbate
Gisleberto westmonasterii, et abbate paulo
sancti albani, et haimone uicecomite de cantor-
beria, et bertranno de uirduno, et maxima
parte de familia ipsius domni archiepiscopi.

Translation

Concerning the agreement between Gundulf and Gilbert:

This is the agreement which was made at Canterbury in the presence of lord Archbishop Lanfranc, and written by that order, between Bishop Gundulf and Gilbert of Tunbridge. At the judgment of the lord archbishop himself, Gilbert must each year give 50 shillings to the lord Bishop Gundulf for the land of Saint Andrew, which Gilbert himself has, until he will give him that land from which he has to pay every year 50 shillings, or of that value. The same Archbishop Lanfranc, and Bishop William of Dunhelm, and Abbot Gislebert of Westminster, and Abbot Paul of Saint Albans, and Haimo, sheriff of Canterbury, and Bertranno of Verdun[?], and for the largest part of the family of the lord archbishop himself.

Sulungs of the manor of the monks and bishop c.1235

A sulung is a measurement of land used during the medieval period in the area of Kent. The term originates from the Anglo-Saxon period but obviously continues into the later medieval period. A sulung was approximately twice the size of a hide, the typical land measurement used elsewhere in England. The modern equivalent to a sulung is about 60 acres. Dictionary of Medieval Terms, ‘sulong’.

Transcription

10r (select folio number to open facsimile)

De sullingis ist maniorum monachorum et episcopi Roffensis. Suthfliet defendit se pro V sulingis cum dimidium
sulingii de Pole. Hoc manerium est in hundredo de
Hakestane. Denuit defendit se pro sulingis. Frendesberi
defendit se pro septem sulingis. Cum uno sulingis de Bromhethe,
et cum dimimdium sulingis de Heselingeham, et dimidium sulingis
de Wicham, et cum Adam pincerna et Grenestrete dimidium
sulingum Thorindini, dimidium sulingum. Stanes defendit
se pro II squatuor. Longefeld pro uno. Faucheham defendit se pro
duobus sulingis. Hec maneria sunt in hundredo de Hacstane.
Brumlega defendit pro tribus sulingis, et hoc idem est maneri-
um est ipse hundredus Mallinges defendit se pro sulingo et
dimidio. Rotesclive defendit se pro uno sulingo. Snodilande
defendit se pro tribus sulungis.
Hec maneria sunt in hundredo

10v

de Lanerkefeld. Hallinge defendit se pro duobus sulingis
et dimidium. Coclestane defendit se pro duobus sulingis.
Hec maneria sunt in hundredo de Schamele. Borestalle
defendit se pro sulingo et dimidio. Wldham defedendit
se pro tribus sulingis cum sullino de parua Wldham.
Et dimidio sullino Robertus nepotis. Stokes defendit se
pro tribus sulingis et dimidium cum terra hugonis.

Translation

Concerning the Sulungs of the manor of the monks and Bishop of Rochester:

Southfleet is assessed at 5 sulungs with half a sulung from Pole.

This manor is in the hundred of Hakestane.

Nuuit is assessed at one sulung.

Frindsbury is assessed at seven sulungs.

With one shilling of Bromhethe, and with half a shilling of Heslingeham, and half a shilling of Wicham, and with Adam the butler and Greenstreet half a sulungs of Thorindin, half a shilling.

Stanes is assessed at 2 sulungs. Longefeld for one. Faucheham is assessed at 2 sulungs.

These are the manors in the hundred of Hacstane.

Brumlega is assessed at for three sulungs, and this same manor in the same hundred Mallinges is assessed at one shilling and a half.

Rotescliff is assessed at for one sulung. Snodilande is assessed at three sulungs.

These manors are in the hundred of Lanerkefeld.

Halling is assessed at two and a half sulungs.

Coclestane is assessed at two sulungs.

These manors are in the hundred of Schamele.

Borstal is assessed at one shilling and a half.

Wouldham is assessed at three sulung with a short sulung from Wouldham. And a half-sulung to his nephew Robert.

Stokes is assessed at three and a half sulung with the land of Hugo.

The wine custom of St Andrew’s Priory, c.1235

The text outlines the customary payments of wine – the best wine available – made to St Andrew’s Priory by the ‘keepers’ and tenants of its various manors.¹ This ensured a regular supply to the monastery. Wine was needed in the celebration of Mass, but it was probably also consumed as a beverage on certain occasions.

The wine custom was set up in 1228 when Richard de Derente (Darenth) was the prior; this was just a few years before the Custumale Roffense was written. The text states that it was established that the wine should be given on the anniversary of the ‘blessed memory’, or death, of Gundulf, bishop of Rochester (1077-1108), which was commemorated on the 10th March. However, the arrangement that follows seems to imply that a system of monthly payments was set up, each manor providing a quantity of wine according to custom and the size of the manor. Some tenants would supply wine for one month, some for two, and it may have been different again for others.

Transcription

27v (select folio number to open facsimile)

Anno gracie millesimo ccxxviij, statutum est
in capitulo de uoluntate R. prioris ibidem tunc
Presidentis, et de consensu tocius conuentus hoc ipsum an-
nuentis, ut omni anno in anniuersario felicis memorie
Gundulfi episcopi, detur uinum sub hac forma. Custodes
Maneriorum et firmarij, de quolibet mense reddent di-
midium sextarium uini optimi quod fuerit in ciui-
tate, hoc ordine. Videlicet qui duos menses facit;
det integrum sextarium, qui autem unum men-
sem; det dimidium sextarium uini Conuentui; et

28r

sic de ceteris
iuxta consuetudinem et quantitatem firmarium.
Preterea sacrista dabit integrum sextarium, et Camera-
rius similiter. Celararius uero dabit sextarium
ad seruitores.

Translation

In the year of grace 1228 it was established in chapter,² according to the will of R[ichard de Derente],³ the prior presiding there at that time, and with the consensus of the whole monastery with nodding assent, that each year on the anniversary of the blessed memory of Bishop Gundulf, wine would be given following this pattern:

Keepers of the manors and tenants will render, for each month, half a sester⁴ of the best wine that there is in the city, according to this arrangement, that is to say, whoever does two months should give a whole sester but whoever [does] one month, should give half a sester of wine to the monastery; and of the rest, according to the custom and number of the tenants.⁵ In addition, the sacristan will give a whole sester, and the chamberlain likewise.⁶ The cellarer will certainly give a sester to the servants [of God].⁷

Dr Christopher Monk

Monk’s Modern Medieval Cuisine

Footnotes

1 Latin custos, ‘keeper’, probably meaning the local official responsible for the day-to-day running of a manor, which would indicate either a reeve – annually elected from amongst the tenants – or a bailiff, whose salary would have been paid by the monks; see Mark Bailey, The English Manor c.1200–c.1500 (Manchester and New York: Manchester University Press, 2002), pp. 241 and 245.

2 i.e. the chapter house of the priory.

3 Richard de Derente, prior of Rochester 1225-1239; see Henry Wharton, Anglia sacra, etc., part 1 (London: Richard Chiswel, 1691) p. 393, available online at Anglia sacra : Henry Wharton : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive [accessed 18 July 2023].

4 A sester of wine was generally 4 gallons; see sester 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.

5 This appears to suggest that there was some leeway in the amount of wine each manor had to provide.

6 The sacristan was a senior monk in charge of the sacristy and so responsible for the care of sacred vessels and vestments. The chamberlain was the senior monk responsible for the provision and repair of the monks clothing, shoes and bedding. The offices of the sacristan and chamberlain both received their own rents directly from the manors and so the sacristan and chamberlain were to provide wine from those funds.

7 The cellarer was a senior monk responsible for the food supplies of the priory. He would receive the wine as it was brought to the priory court. This final sentence suggests that the cellarer would provide wine for the monks to be used in the refectory. In this context, servitors ‘servants’ signifies the monks, not the lay servants of the priory, who are dealt with separately in Custumale Roffense and are only allowed ale to drink.