Twenty sulungs at Islingham, Kent, 764
King Offa of Mercia grants twenty sulungs at Islingham, Kent, to Bishop Eardwuld of Rochester, 764. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folios 123v-125r by Jacob Scott (pending review).
King Offa of Mercia grants twenty sulungs at Islingham, Kent, to Bishop Eardwuld of Rochester, 764. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folios 123v-125r by Jacob Scott (pending review).
Campbell, no. 6. The text begins with a green display initial ‘R’ and is marked by a large, black cross in the left margin.
Transcription
123v (select folio number to open facsimile)
De æslingeham,
siue freondesberiam; + Regnante in perpetuum domino nostro iesu christo,
ac cuncta mundi iura iusto modera-
mine regenti, ego offa rex merciorum
regali prosapia merciorum oriundus atque omni-
potentis dei dispensatione eiusdem constitutus
in regem, considerans et recolens quod uas
electionis ueracissimis innotuit uerbis, quod
istis temporibus instarent tempora periculosa. Iccir-
co unus quisque de semetipso plenius poterit a-
gnoscere, quod quanto quis in hoc terreno ha-
bitaculo longiorem protraxerit uitam, tanto
ueraciora esse omnia quę olim antiqui ua-
tes implenda esse prędixerunt. Iccirco ne-
cessarium duxi ut pro intercessionibus plurimo-
rum pro uenia meorum delictorum et requie perpe-
tua adipiscenda animę meę, aliquid ex his
quę michi largitor bonorum omnium christus dominus do-
nare dignatus est, id est terram aratrorum
uiginti, in loco cuius uocabulum est aeslin-
gaham, quę etiam iacet ad occidentalem par-
tem fluminis meduuuaeian, contigua ipso
fluuio, cum uniuersis terminis suis ad eam
rite competentibus, cum campis siluis pratis pa-
scuis paludibus et aquis, sicut olim habue-
runt comites et principes regum cantiae, et
cum omni tributo quod regibus iure competit,
tibi uenerabili earduulfo sanctę hrofensis
ęcclesiae episcopo, libenter in perpetuum perdono.
Et hoc cum consensu et licentia archiepiscopi nostri
bregouuini, atque heaberhti regis cantiae,
et principum nostrorum, ut possidendi uel uenden-
di uel etiam tradendi cuicumque uoluerit
liberam per omnia habeat potestatem. Et quia pro ip-
sius terrę recompensatione aliquam partem pe-
cunię nobis fideliter libenter optulit, ad pro-
merendam non solum specialiter michi a domino pi-
etatem, sed indulgentiam delictorum totius gentis
nostrę humiliter dominicam exorantes clementi-
am, ut liberet nos a malignis spiritibus et
importunis et malis hominibus. Terminos uero
huius terrę ideo latius non scribimus, quia
undique ab incolis absque ullo dubitationis
scrupulo certi sunt. Quicunque uero sequen-
tium regum aut principum aut aliquis seculari
fretus potestate hęc nostrę definitionis scri-
pta irrita facere quod absit nisus fuerit,
sciat se in presenti uita domini benedictione
esse priuatum, et in nouissimo maledictione
subiacere, ut a consortio sit separatus
sanctorum et cum impiis et peccatoribus flammis
ultricibus esse damnandum, excepto si digna
satisfactione emendare curauerint quod
iniqua temeritate deprauarunt. Manente
hac cartula in sua nichilominus firmitate
quam propria manu sacro signaculo roborare
curaui, et testes ut subscriberent rogaui,
quorum infra nomina asscripta tenentur.
Scripta est autem haec cartula in ciuitate
dorouerni anno dominicę incarnationis dcclxiiii. indictione ii.
+ Ego offa rex merciorum supra scriptam donati-
onem atque emptionem signo sanctę crucis robora-
ui. + Ego bregouuinus archiepiscopus, iuxta pe-
ticionem clementissimi regis ante prędicti,
consensi et scripsi. + Ego heaberhtus rex
consensi et subscripsi. Coherent uero huic terrę
in commune saltu denberi iii. holanspic, et
lindhrycg, et pædanhrecg. + Ego botuuini
humilis abbas, consensi et subscripsi. + Si-
gnum manus esne. + Signum manus uhtredi. + Si-
gnum manus broerda. + Signum manus eadbaldi.
+ Signum manus berhtuualdi. + Signum manus
bobba. + Signum manus cec. + Signum manus huuit-
hyse. + Signum manus esne fratris eius. + Signum
manus badoheardi. + Signum manus egbaldi.
+ Signum manus suithhuni. + Signum manus
eangesli.
Translation
Concerning Islingham, and Frindsbury:
+ Reigning forever our lord Jesus Christ, and ruling all the rights of the world with just direction, I, Offa, king of the Mercians, sprung from the royal family of the Mercians, and appointed by the dispensation of Almighty God as their king, considering and recollecting that the vessel of election was made known by the truest words, that dangerous times were at hand in those times. For this reason each one will be able to acknowledge more fully of himself, that the longer he lived a longer life in this earthly dwelling, the more truthful are all the things which the ancient poets foretold of old would be fulfilled. For this reason I thought it necessary that for the intercessions of many to pardon my sins, and to obtain perpetual rest for my soul, some of those things which Christ the Lord, the Giver of all goods, deigned to bestow upon me, that is, the land of twenty plowmen, in the place whose name is Islingham, which also lies to the west part of the River Medway, adjoining to the river itself, with all its borders properly competent to it, with plains, woods, meadows, pastures, marshes, and waters, just as the earls and princes of the kings of Kent, and with every tribute which is available to kings rightfully, I willingly pardon you forever to the venerable Eardwulf, bishop of the church of Rochester. And this, with the consent and permission of our Archbishop Bregouini, and Heaberht, king of Kent, and our nobles, that he may by all means have the power of possessing, selling, or even handing over to whomsoever he wishes. And because he in return for his land some part of the money, willingly offered to us faithfully to merit not only the piety of our Lord, but the indulgence of our sins, we humbly beseech the Lord's clemency to deliver us from evil spirits and unreasonable and bad men. But we do not write the boundaries of this land at greater length, because they are assured on every side by the inhabitants without any scruple of doubt. But whosoever of the following kings, or princes, or any one relying on secular authority, has attempted to make these words of our definition invalid, God forbid, let him know that in the present life of the Lord he is deprived of the blessing of the Lord, and in his last curse, that he may be separated from the society of saints and with ungodly and sinners by the flames that they ought to be condemned by avengers, except if they had taken care to make amends with worthy apology, which they had slandered with unjust rashness. While this document remained in its stead, I nevertheless took care to strengthen it with a sacred seal by my own hand, and asked the witnesses to sign it, whose names are ascribed below.
This document was written in the city of Canterbury in the year of our Lord's incarnation 763. 2nd indiction.
+ I, Offa, king of the Mercians, validated the above donation and purchase with the sign of the holy cross.
+ I, Archbishop of Bregouinus, agreed and wrote it according to the request of the most merciful king before the aforesaid.
+ I, King Heabbert, agreed and signed. But they are bound together by this earth, and are bound together in a common forest, 3 Holanspic, and Lindhrecg, and Pædanhrecg.
+ I, Botuuini humble abbot, consented and subscribed.
+ Signed by the hand of Esne.
+ Signed by the hand of Uhtredi.
+ Signed by the hand of Broerda.
+ Signed by the hand of Eadbald.
+ Signed by the hand of Berhtuuald.
+ Signed by the hand of Bobba.
+ Signed by the hand of Cec.
+ Signed by the hand of Huuithyse.
+ Signed by the hand of Esne brother of Eius.
+ Signed by the hand of Badeherd.
+ Signed by the hand of Edbaldi.
+ Signed by the hand of Swithun.
+ Signed by the hand of Eangesli.
Agreement with Geldewine the moneyer concerning land at Rochester, 1115-1124
An agreement made between Geldewine the moneyer and Bishop Ernulf and the monks at St Andrews concerning land at Rochester (1115-1124). Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 193r by Jacob Scott (pending review).
An agreement made between Geldewine the moneyer and Bishop Ernulf and the monks at St Andrews concerning land at Rochester (1115-1124). Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 193r by Jacob Scott (pending review).
Transcription
193r (select folio number to open facsimile)
Hęc est conuentio quam fecit Geldeuuinus
monetarius cum episcopo ernulfo . et monachis sancti
andreę apostoli . uidelicet quod concessit mansionem suam
quę % iuxta cant’ui’ monachorum quietam et liberam . que reddit
et .iiii. acros terrea pertines ad borcstelle . et . vi .
pertines ad deltsam ęternalit’ possidendam sancto
andreę. et monachis ei’ proeo quod idem monachi
ipsum admonachatum receperunt. Huic con-
uentionis testes fuit . ecclesię sancti Andreę p’or orduuinus .
et totam conuent’ fr’m. Heruisus ei’ dem ecclesię archi-
diaconus. Radulfus clericus . et filius ei’ Rodbertus. Stephanus filius Goduuini. Haimo filius kenestani. Gudred filius leofgeti . et alii plures franci . et angli;
Translation
This is the agreement that Geldewine the moneyer made with Bishop Ernulf and the monks of Saint Andrew the Apostle. Namely, that he granted his own dwelling, which according to the Canterbury monks was quiet and free, which he rents and four acres of land pertaining to Borstal, and six pertaining to Delce to eternally possess by Saint Andrew and the monks proeo that the same monks they received him admonished. He was witness to this meeting. The church of Saint Andrew Prior Ordwinus and the whole will come together. Herusus, archdeacon of the church. Ralph the clerk and his son, Robert.
Stephen the son of Godwin. Haimo the son of Kenestani.
Gudred the son of Leofget, and many other French and English.
Robert, son of King Henry I, grants land
Robert, son of King Henry I, grants land to the church and monastery at Rochester. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 192r-192v by Jacob Scott (pending review).
Robert, son of King Henry I, grants land to the church and monastery at Rochester. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 192r-192v by Jacob Scott (pending review).
Historical note: Robert (before 1100-1147) was the first Earl of Gloucester, and was probably the oldest of Henry’s many illegitimate children.
Transcription
192r (select folio number to open facsimile)
Ego Rodbertus henrici
regis filius concedo ęcclesię et monachis
Rourecestrae pro meę animę et Roberti hamo-
nis filii animę salute terram illam et con-
suetudines ac quietudines quas idem Robertus
filius hamonis eis apud merlauam
in elemosina dedit et concessit, et uo-
lo ac precipio quod eas ita libere et quiete
teneant, sicut eas tempore prędicti
192v
Roberti liberius, quietius, melius, tenuerunt.
Testimonibus, Gisleberto dapifero.
Translation
I, Robert, son of king Henry, grant to the church and the monks of Rochester for the saving of my soul and the soul of Robert son of Hamo, that land and customs and reposes which the same Robert son of Hamo gave at Merlauam and granted to them in alms, and I wish and order that they may hold them freely and peacefully, as they held them in the time of the aforesaid Robert more freely, more peacefully, and better. Witnessed by Gilbert the steward.
Archbishop Anselm grants privileges at Northfleet church, including fishing rights
Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury (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, folios 181v-182r by Jacob Scott (pending review).
Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury (1093-1109), grants to the community of monks at Rochester (i.e. St Andrew’s Priory) privileges related to the land of the church at Northfleet, including fishing rights.
Transcription
181v (select folio number to open facsimile)
De northfleota ęcclia . et . de pisca-
RIA ANSELMUS dei dispositione archi-
episcopus cantuarię . hamoni vicecomita
et . et toa hundret de tolcestrea . et to-
ti hundret in q’ est gillingeham . et omnibus
fidelibus xpi anis . sal’ . et benedictionem. Notum
sit uobis omnibus quod ego Anselmus gratia dei
archiepiscopus cantuariensis . concedo congrega-
tioni monachurum que in ęcclia rofensi do’
seruit et inp’sentri tempore et infuto’. Ęcclia
de northflete . cum omnibus per anendabus adean
de’ ęccliam. Int’ris et in decimis . et in oblati
onibus, et in omnibus aliis rebus. Et remiticto
decensu piscarię . qui census uulgo ferma dr’
quicq’d additu’ est super antiquum censu’ apposi-
tis de gillingeham . ad quod manerium pertinet
eadem piscaria quę est in mari. Erat autem
p’dictus census olim. q’nq; solich denariorum
tentum. Hanc su’ma’ constituo ut nullus suc-
cessorum n’rorum ul p’positorum eidem manerii insu-
turo transeat . nec plus aliq’d ap’dictis mo-
nachis p’ eadem piscaria persinglor annos q’n
tu’cu’q; ipsa piscaria p’ficiat unquam regrat.
Et hane perua’ largitionem facio p’animabus
eorum qui me in archiep’ali sede cantuariae
p’cesserunt . et eorum quisuccessuri sunt .
quatin’ ipsi hanc ipsam concessionem inuiola-
bile’ et ab omnium maliuolorum hominum concus-
sione q’etam c’seruent . insuper et p’ anima
mea si ds’ sua gra’ michi aliqua parte’ in
hac ipsa elemosina concedere digantur.
VALETE.
Translation
Concerning the church at Northfleet, and concerning fishing rights.
Anselmus, by the arrangement of God, Archbishop of Canterbury, Hamo the sheriff and, and toa a hundred from Tolcestrea. And the whole hundred in what is Gillingeham, and to all the faithful; Christ anis salt and a blessing. Let it be known to you all that I Anselm, by the grace of God, Archbishop of Canterbury. I grant to the congregation of monks that I have sown in the churches of Rochester and in the imp'cent time and in the future. Church of Northfleet, with all through the anendas they come from the church. Int'ris and in tithes. and in the offerings, and in all other matters. And with the return of the decency of fishing, which census was added by dr’ quicq'd to the ancient census of Gillingham. to which the manor belongs the same fishery as in the sea. Now there was a census once upon a time. so and so; holding solich denarii. I establish this su'ma' so that none of the successors of the ul p'positions of the same manor should cross the seam. and no more aliq'd ap'd to the said monks p' the same fishing per singular years as you did; The fishery itself is always regulated.
And now, I make a large donation to the souls of those who died before me in the archiepiscopal seat of Canterbury, and of those who are to succeed, how can they keep this very concession inviolable, and by the shock of all the great men of that age. moreover, and my soul, if they should grant me some part of their grace in this very alms.
FAREWELL.
William II confirms Countess Goda’s gift of the manor at Estuna
William II confirms Countess Goda’s gift of the manor at Estuna to St Andrew’s, Rochester, and to Bishop Gundulf. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 181r by Jacob Scott (pending review).
William II confirms Countess Goda’s gift of the manor at Estuna to St Andrew’s, Rochester, and to Bishop Gundulf. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 181r by Jacob Scott (pending review).
Historical point: Countess Goda was the half-sister of Edward the Confessor and the only woman mentioned in the cartulary that makes a donation independently of her husband.
Transcription
181r (select folio number to open facsimile)
Willelmus rex anglorum. Walterio
uicecomiti . et omnibus baronibus
suis francigenis et anglis de comitatu de
glocestra . salutem. Sciatis me de dis-
le ęcclesię sancti andreę de rouecestra et
episcopo gundulfo manerium estuna .
quod fuit godę comitissę . et quicquid
ad illud pertinet ita solidum et liberum
et quietum . sicut ipsa comitissa habuit
illud unquam melius . et sicut ego ipse
etiem illud habui in meo dominico cum
omnibus consuetudinibus quę anglice
nominantui . soca . et saca . toln . et team .
et infangene theof . et hoc facio pro ani-
ma patris mei . et matris meę . et pro a-
nima mea. Testimonio Walcelini episcopi
wintoniensis . et Rodbera episcopi lincolien-
sis . et Willelmi concentit . et Rannulfi
cappello . et eudonis dapiferi . et Roge-
ru bigot . et hugonis de evermou;
Translation
William, King of the English, to Sheriff Walter and to all his barons of France and England in the country of Gloucester, greetings. Know that the Church of Saint Andrew in Rochester and Bishop Gundulf have the manor of Estuna, which belonged to Countess Goda, and whatever pertains to it in shillings, free and peacefully, just as the countess had and better, and as I also had it in my domain with all the customs which I have in English named soca, and saca, toln, and team and the infringement thereof, and this I do for the soul of my father, and my mother, and for my soul. Witness by Walcelini Bishop of Wichester, and Robert Bishop of Lincoln. And William concentit, and Randulf of the chapel, and Eudonis the servant, and Roger Pigot, and Hugo of Evermou.
Agreement with Coc concerning land in Rochester
An agreement made between Coc and Bishop Ernulf and the monks at St Andrew’s concerning land in Rochester (1115-1124). Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 192v by Jacob Scott (pending review).
Transcription
192v (select folio number to open facsimile)
Hęc est conuentio quam fecit coc cum episcopo
ernulfo et monachis sancti andreę apostoli
uidelicet quod concessit terram illam in qua
manebat cum domibus quę super eandem ter-
ram erant sancto andreę et monachis eius
ęternaliter possidendam post obitum eius et
uxoris ipsius. Et hoc fecit pro filio suo quem
idem monachi ad monachatum receperunt. Testibus his, Rodberto et altero Rodberto hali-
man presbiteris, Radulfo clerico, Hugone, Willelmo, Radulfo de sancto claro, Rodberto filio
Willelmi de clouil, Hugone diacono et nigel-
lo praepositis de rouecestria, Letardo prae-
posito monachorum, Golduuino greco, Gu-
dredo, Eduuino fot, Godrico filio uuen-
nith, Heimone filio cenestan, Willelmo
le blund, Sinot mercatore, Willelmo porta-
rio, et multis aliis.
Translation
This is the agreement that Coc made with Bishop Ernulf and the monks of Saint Andrew the Apostle, namely that he granted that land in which he resided with the houses that were on the same land as that of Saint Andrew and his monks, to be possessed eternally after the death of him and his wife. And he did this for his son, whom the same monks received to monastic life.
Witnessed by: Robert and the other priests: Robert Haliman to presbyter, Ralph the priest, Hugh, William, Ralph of Saint Clair, Robert son of William de Clovil, Hugh the deacon, and Nigel the provosts of Rochester, Letard the provost of the monks, Goldwin the Greek, Gudred, Edwin Fot, Godric son of Wennith, Hamo son of Cenestan, William the Blund, Sinot the merchant, William the gatekeeper, and many others.
The cleric Ralf concedes land adjoining the cemetery
The cleric Ralf (Radulfus) concedes land adjoining the Rochester monks’ cemetery, as well as money, to settle a feud with Ernulf. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 198v-199v by Jacob Scott (pending review).
The cleric Ralf (Radulfus) concedes land adjoining the Rochester monks’ cemetery, as well as money, to settle a feud with Ernulf. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 198v-199v by Jacob Scott (pending review).
Mary Richards refers to the ‘aggressiveness’ with which Ernulf defended the rights of the monastery. Texts and Their Traditions, p. 59.
Translation
198v (select folio number to open facsimile)
Notum sit omnibus
tam posteris quam presentibus rofensis
ęcclesię amicis et fidelibus, quoniam Radulfus
clericus pro concordia et pace habenda de
multis querelis quas rofensis episcopus
Ernulfus aduersus illum habebat, eidem
episcopo concessit mansionem suam quę est
iuxta cimiterium monachorum quie-
tam et liberam, et liberationem quam in predi-
cta habebat ęcclesia, postquam a seculo de-
cesserit. Preterea redditum xx.ti solidorum,
uidelicet apud langeport de quodam
homine denarios xx. Ibidem de quadam
uidua, solidos ii. Alibi de Brichtrico et Ra-
dulfo, solidos v. Apud eastgate de Eluredo
cobi, denarios xii. De haga ante nouum
pistrinum, solidos iii. De quinque acris ad ęc-
clesiam de uuldeham pertinentibus pro cimiterio
de burcham, solidos vii. et denarios iiii. De quibus, Haimo filius chenestani reddere
debet denarios xvi. lifuuinus pistor, solidos
iiii. uulmerus rufus, solidos ii. si tamen ro-
fensis episcopus predictus uel alius, ęcclesiam de
uuldeham cum beneficiis ad eandem pertinen-
tibus filiis radulfi uel cęteris parentibus
ita in posterum tenendam concesserit, sicu-
ti radulfus eam in uita sua tenuit.
Sin autem, qui feudum radulfi habuerint,
de eodem feudo episcopo rofensi ęque ualen-
tem redditum restituant. Hęc autem
omnia utrimque concessa sunt hac condi-
tione, ut cętera omnia quę ipse radulfus
ab episcopo tenebat, quiete et in pace quam
diu in seculo fuerit teneat et habeat, et
quandocunque uoluerit filium suum in
ęcclesia sancti andreę monachum faciat, et
ipsemet siue pecuniam attulerit siue
non, ibidem monachus fiat. Huius con-
uentionis testes fuerunt, Albanus et
Guarnerius monachi cantuarienses, Hun-
fridus, Martinus, Rodbertus, Guillelmus, mo-
nachi refenses, Heruisus rofensis archidia-
conus, Rodbertus dofforensis canonicus, Brodo
presbiter, Fulbertus de cilleham, Geroldus filius
seram, Ansfridus dapifer, Rannulfus con-
stabularius, Symon, Adam, Paganus,
milites, Hunfridus portarius, Adelardus,
Gerbodus, Letardus, et alii plures.
Translation
Let it be known to all, the friends and faithful of the church of Rochester, both to posterity and those present, that Radulfus the cleric, in order to have concord and peace, concerning the many complaints which Bishop Ernulf, had against me, granted to the same bishop my mansion, which is near the cemetery of the monks, peacefully and free, and the liberation which in he had the aforesaid church, after he had died a century ago. Moreover, the rent of 20 shillings, namely, at Langeport from a certain man 20 pence. In the same place about a certain widow, 2 shillings. Elsewhere of Brichtricus and Ralphus, 5 shillings. At the east gate of Eluredo I received 12 pence. Of the haga before the new bakery, 3 shillings. Of the five acres belonging to the church of Wouldham for the cemetery of Burch, 7 shillings and 4 pence.
Of these, Haimo son of Chenestan must pay 16 pence. Lifwin the baker, 4 shillings, ulmerus red, 2 shillings. If, however, the aforesaid bishop of Rochester or another, has granted the church of Wouldham with the benefices belonging to the sons of Radulf or to the other parents in the same way as Radulf held it during his lifetime.
If, however, those who had a fief of Radulf, restore the same fief to the bishop of Rochester and a pay rent. All this, on both sides, was granted on this condition, that he should hold and have all the rest that Radulf himself held from the bishop, in peace and quiet as long as he had been in that century, and whenever he wanted to make his son a monk in the church of Saint Andrew, and he himself or he should bring money, he must become a monk there. The witnesses of this meeting were Alban and Guarneri, monk of Canterbury, Hunfrid, Martin, Rodbert, William, monks of Rochester, Heruis the Archdeacon of Rochester, Rodbert of Dofforensis[?] the canon, Brodo the presbyter, Fulbert of Cilleham, Gerold the brother of Seram, Ansfrid the servant, Rannulf the constable, Symon, Adam, Pagan, soldiers, Hunfrid the porter, Adelardus, Gerbod, Letard, and many others.
Agreement between the reeve of Frindsbury and the citizens of Rochester
An agreement made between the reeve of Frindsbury and the citizens of Rochester, commuting the customary payment of malt and meal for a rent of six pence from each property (possibly later than 1115). Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 193v by Jacob Scott (pending review).
An agreement made between the reeve of Frindsbury and the citizens of Rochester, commuting the customary payment of malt and meal for a rent of six pence from each property (possibly later than 1115). Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 193v by Jacob Scott (pending review).
Transcription
193v (select folio number to open facsimile)
Hęc est conuentio inter prępositum frendesberię
et ciues rofenses propter opus brars . et grut.
Omni anno unaqueaq; mansura reddet sex .
denarios. Huius conuentionis et reddititio-
nis testes sunt. Orduuines p’or. Clemens
monachus. Martinus monachus. Hund-
fridus monachus. Anffridus dapifer. Roge-
rus de hallingis. Radulfus clericus. Kene-
stanus. Goffridus paruus. Lifuuinus
dore. Rodbertus monetarius. Eaduuardus
dan. Ricardus batnoise. Oimidium huic
census reddendum est ad festiuitatem Sancti
michaelis . et altera pars ad purificationem
Sanctę Marie.
Translation
This is the agreement between the reeve of Frindsbury and the citizens of Rochester on account of the work of the brars, and grt Every year each he will continue to pay six silver coins. Here are the witnesses for this agreement: Prior Ordwin. Clement the monk. Martin the monk. Humphrey the monk. Anfrid the servant. Roger of Halling. Radulf the clerk. Kenestan. Godfrey younger brother. Lifuinusdore Robert the moneyer. Edward dan[?]. Richard Batnoise. All must pay tribute at the feast of Saint Michael, and the other part for the purification of Saint Mary.
Archbishop Lanfranc confirms the grant of Freckenham, 1087
Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury confirms the grant of Freckenham to the church of Saint Andrew’s, Rochester, 1087. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 171r-172v by Jacob Scott (pending review).
Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury confirms the grant of Freckenham to the church of Saint Andrew’s, Rochester, 1087. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 171r-172v by Jacob Scott (pending review).
This follows on from the previous charter, but is a forgery (see Rodney M. Thomson, The Life of Gundulf, Bishop of Rochester 1977, p. 76). The rubric extends vertically into the right margin.
Transcription
171r (select folio number to open facsimile)
Quomodo lanfrancus terras extractas ęclesię sancti andreę,
PRęterea notandum et alias acquisitas monachis >contradidit, et de gundulfo episcopo.
ac fidelibus omnibus futuris maxime tem-
poribus quantę ualentię quantęue ęcclesię christi
cantuarberię necnon et ęcclesię sancti andreę hroue-
cestrię hic pię memorię lanfrancus archi-
episcopus utilitati et honori dum uixit extiterit
sciendum est. Hic nanque non solum illas quae
superius nominatę sunt terras ęcclesię christi, ue-
rum etiam ex diuersorum dominatione tyrannorum
ęcclesię hrofensi suę ratione prudentię ac
sapientię adquisiuit, a>d
uisitas uero ęcclesię unde
antiquorum neglegentia fuerant extractę
atque dispersę contradidit. Videlicet dænitu-
nam, stoches, falcenham, et fracenham de manibus
praedicti baiocensis episcopi et hominum suorum et ali-
orum hominum, quasi quadam placitorum uiolen-
tia extorsit. Et hęc non solum sed et alia bona
ad opus monachorum quos eidem ęcclesię ipse
primum instituit, quoad uixit impendit,
institutis uero seruitio dei et sancti apostoli andreę
omnia quę illorum uictui uel uestit>ui< neces-
saria fore uidebantur certo apparatu prę-
parare procurauit. Annitente tamen ac per omnia
suffragante beatę memorię gundulfo episcopo
quem ipse monachum et sacristam sanctę mariae
beccensis ęcclesię dum ipse quoque prior eiusdem
fuit ęcclesię merito sanctitatis ac beatę religi-
onis prae cęteris omnibus adamauit, adamatum
uero post se in angliam quoque quam citius potuit
uenire fecit, et eum omni domui suę, immo
rebus omnibus suis quas in archiepiscopio
habuit solum post sese prae omnibus aliis pręposuit.
Prępositum autem atque in omni sapientię et pru-
dentię sensu diu probatum, tandem diuino ad-
monitus instinctu a sese deuote consecratum
praedictę ęcclesię praefecit antistitem. Qui xxx.ta
et uno annis inibi superstes existens, ęcclesiam
sancti andreę pene uetustate dirutam, nouam
ex integro ut hodie apparet ędificauit.
Officinas quoque monachis necessarias prout
loci capacitas pati potuit omnes construxit,
ipsos etiam monachos >xxii< suscepit, suscep-
tos uero sanctę religionis habitu induit, indutos
postmodum sacris ordinibus aptos uel sanctę religi-
onis benedictione dignos ipsemet benedixit
consecrauit, et quantacunque ualuit diligen-
tia et per se et per alios in dei timore et amore semper
instruxit, instructos quidem post deum super
omnia amauit honorauit, atque in eo quod potu-
it omnibus diebus uitę suę beneficiis multimo-
dis augmentare non cessauit. Et cum non amplius
in introitu episcopatus sui quam quinque inuenisset
in ęcclesia sancti andreę canonicos, die qua seculo
pręsenti decessit, plusquam sexaginta >monachos< bene le-
gentes et optime cantantes in seruitio dei
et apostoli sui deum timentes et super omnia aman-
tes reliquit. Sed inter cętera quę illis beneficia
nonnulla contulit, unum illis dignum memoria
fecit, fracenham quod ut supradictum est ab
alienorum iniusta potestate archiepiscopus pru-
dentię suę ratione lanfrancus extorsit,
et ad uictum monachorum ęternaliter fore consti-
tuit, gundulfus episcopus quia ipsum manerium
longinquis regionibus a hrouecestra nimis
erat remotum, ipsum manerium in sua ac suorum
omnium retinuit manu successorum, atque pro illo
licentia et consilio sepedicti archiepiscopi lan-
franci, Wldeham monachis ęternaliter dedit,
malens quidem sese ac suos successores annu-
is laboribus equitando uictum ibi tam longe
quęritare, quam monachos uel eiusdem uillę pau-
peres homines singulis annis in annonam de-
portando fatigare.
Translation
How Lanfranc handed over the extracted lands of the church of Saint Andrew, and other items acquired by the monks, and from Gundulf to the bishop:
Moreover, it is to be noted and to all the faithful to come, especially in times it is to be known how great the value of the Church of Christ of Canterbury as well as the Church of Saint Andrew at Rochester, here in memory of Archbishop Lanfrancus, stood for utility and honour while he lived. Here, too, not only the lands of the Church of Christ which have been named above, but also the Church of Christ, from the dominion of various tyrants, the church of Rochester acquired prudence and wisdom by its own account, he acquired the church from which the negligence of the ancients had drawn it and scattered it. Evidently, he wrested the Denton, Stoke, Falcenham, and Fracenham from the hands of the aforesaid Bishop of Bayeux and of his men and other men, as if by a kind of violence of the pleas. And not only this, but also other goods for the work of the monks whom he himself first established in the same church, as long as he lived, he expended, having established the true service of God and the holy apostle Andrew, he managed to prepare with certain equipment everything that seemed to be necessary for their feeding or clothing. However, cheering and supporting in everything the blessed memory of Gundulf the bishop, whom he loved as a monk and sacristan of the church of Saint Mary of Becce, while he was also the prior of the same church, because of the merit of sanctity and the holiness of religion above all others, he made the beloved come after him also to England as quickly as he could, and He preferred him to all his house, and indeed to all his possessions which he had in the archbishopric, only after himself above all others.
Now the prefect, having long been proved in all sense of wisdom and prudence, at last, prompted by divine instinct, presided over the aforesaid church, devoutly consecrated by himself. Having survived there for 30 years and one year, the church of Saint Andrew, which was almost demolished in old age, built a new one from the whole as it appears today.
He also built all the workshops necessary for the monks, as the capacity of the place could bear, and he received the monks themselves; he always trained others in the fear and love of God, indeed, he loved those trained after God above all things, he consecrated, and with all his diligence always in the fear and love of God, both by himself and by others he arrayed himself, indeed arrayed after God above he loved and honoured everything, and in what he could he did not cease to increase his life in many ways every day as much as he could. And when, at the beginning of his episcopate, he found no more than five canons in the Church of Saint Andrew, on the day he died in the present century, he left more than sixty "monks" who read well and sang very well in the service of God and his apostles, fearing God and loving God above all. But among the other benefits which he brought to them, he did one thing worthy of their memory, that of Francenham, which, as has been said above, the Archbishop Lanfranc, with his prudence, extorted from the unjust power of foreigners, and determined that it should be eternally at the disposal of the monks, Bishop Gundulf, because the manor itself was too far away from Rochester removed, he retained the manor itself in the hands of his successors and those of all his people, and for that license and advice of the late Archbishop Lanfranc, he gave Wldeham to the monks in perpetuity, preferring indeed that he and his successors should suffer as far as the monks or the poor people of the same town to tire every year by bringing in the goods.
William I affirms his grant of Freckenham to Archbishop Lanfranc, 1071
William I affirms his grant of Freckenham (in Suffolk) to Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1071. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 170v-171r by Jacob Scott (pending review).
William I affirms his grant of Freckenham (in Suffolk) to Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1071. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 170v-171r by Jacob Scott (pending review).
The Latin document begins on 170v with a purple display initial ‘W’ (‘Willelmus gratia dei rex Anglorum’, etc: ‘William, by the grace of God the king of the English ...’) and continues to line 3 of 171r (jpeg 351). This is immediately followed by a translation in Old English, beginning with an enlarged red-and-black ‘W’ (‘Willelm kyng’, etc: ‘William king ...’)
Transcription
170v (select folio number to open facsimile)
Willelmus De frachenham.
gratia dei rex anglorum, episcopo erfasti, Balduino
abbati, picoto et rotberto malet uicecomitibus,
et cęteris fidelibus meis salutem. Sciatis quod
ego concessi archiepiscopo lanfranco manerium
qui uocatur frachenham, sicuti heroldus tene-
bat ea die quando ( ) mare transiui, et
sicuti turbertus et gotinus ab ipso heroldo
tenebant, in omnibus terris, pratis, paschuis,
syluis, rusticis et sochemannis, et cęteris omnibus.
Willelm kyng gret erfast biscop, 7 baldewine abbod,
⁊ picot scirgerefan, ⁊ rodbært malet, ⁊ eal-
le þa þegenas þær þis gewrit to cymð fre-
ondlice, ⁊ ic kyðe eow þæt ic an lanfrance ar-
-cebiscope þæt land æt fracenham swa full ⁊ swa forð
swa harold hit fyrmest hæfde þæs dæges
þe ic fyrmest fram ofer sæ com, ⁊ swa swa
þurbearn ⁊ goti of harolde heolden on eal-
lan landan, ⁊ mæde ⁊ læse, ⁊ weode, ⁊ genea-
tas ⁊ socnmen, ⁊ ealle þing þe þær to geby-
riað.
Translation
Concerning Freckenham:
William, by the grace of God the king of the English, the bishop of Erfastus, Baldwin the abbot, the sheriffs, Picotus and Robert, and the rest of my faithful, greetings. Know that I have granted to Archbishop Lanfranc the manor which is called Frachenham, as the Herald held on that day when I passed the sea, and as Turbert and Gotinus held by the Herald himself, in all the lands, meadows, pastures, woods, peasants and sochemen, and all the rest.
William the Great, Bishop Erfast, Abbot Baldwin, and Picot scirgerefan, and Robert malet, and all the rest of my… faithful, and know that I have granted to Archbishop Lanfranc part of the land at Frackenham, as Herold held on that day when I passed the sea, and of that that Gotinus held by Herold in all the lands, meadows, pastures, woods, peasants, socheman, and all…
Archbishop Lanfranc grants Fawkham (in Kent)
Lanfranc grants Fawkham (in Kent) to St Andrew’s, Rochester. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 172v-173r by Jacob Scott (pending review).
Lanfranc grants Fawkham (in Kent) to St Andrew’s, Rochester. Translation from Latin of Textus Roffensis, folio 172v-173r by Jacob Scott (pending review).
Text begins with a red display initial ‘I’ and is marked in the left margin by an ornamented symbol (probably an uppercase Greek gamma or “gallows-pole”).
Transcription
172v (select folio number to open facsimile)
De falchenham.
Inter cętera beneficia ipsius archiepiscopi, falchen-
ham quoque sicut supra diximus ab iniusta
extorsit baiocensis episcopi potestate, partim
auxilio magni regis uuillelmi, pro qua re
radulfus cadomensis monachus eius tunc
existens capellanus ad regem ipsum pro ipso auxi-
lio in normanniam fuit transmissus, par-
tim pactione pecunię uidelicet .LX. libra-
rum quas archiepiscopus regi illi promisit se datu-
173r
rum, unde .XXX. libras accepit, XXX. ei condo-
nauit, tandem litteris regis quas secum
radulfus episcopo detulit, ac pecunia promissa
adeptus est archiepiscopus ipsum manerium, statim
illud constituens ad uictum monachorum XV.
reddens firmam dierum.
Translation
Concerning Fawkham:
Among other benefits of the archbishop, Fawkham which as well as from the unjust Bishop of Bayeux extorted the power, partly with the help of King William the Great. For this cause Ralph of Caen, his monk, being then chaplain, was sent over to Normandy for his assistance to the king, partly by an agreement of 60 pounds which the archbishop of the king promised to give to him; he received 30 pounds, he forgave him 30, at length by the king's letter, which Ralph brought with him to the bishop, and the money promised, the archbishop obtained the manor itself, immediately setting it up for the victory of the monks after fifteen days returning it.
List of grants to Rochester Cathedral from the foundation to Henry I
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).
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).
Transcription
177r (select folio number to open facsimile)
ANno ab incarnatione domini Sexientesi-
mo. Rex Athelbertus fundaunt eccle-
siam sancti andree apostoli roffensi et dedit ei. Preste-
feld . et omniem terram que est a meduwaie usque
ad orientalem postam cantaur in australi perte
et alias terras extra murum ciuitatis uersus
pertem aquilonalem.
Anno ab incarnatione domini septingesimo . xxx . viii .
Eadbertus Rex cantie dedit ecclesie sancti andree
Stokes. Et anno ab incarnatione domini. Septin-
gentisimo . lxiiii . Offa rex mertiorum et Sige-
redus rex cantie dederuit Frendesberiam.
Esclingham et Wicham. Item rex offa et
Ecbertus dederunt bromheie. Item rex offa
dedit Trottescliue. Et Ck enulfus[?]
rex merciorum dedit Borchstalle.
Anno ab incarnatione domini. Octingensimo . xxxviii .
Ecbertus Rex Westsaxonum et Cantuariorum
dedit eccliae sancti magnas libertates
et ista maneria. hallinges et Snodilande.
Athelwlfus rex filius Egberti regis. dedit
Cuckelestane. et holenberghe.
Eadmundus rex anglorum dedit Mallinges.
Quidam potensis[?] nomine Brichricus cum
177v
uxore sue Ciffwicha dederunt. Dantuna.
et langefeld. falchenham et darente. quod
manerium quomodo ad archiepiscopatum
peruenerit ignoratur. Et Eadgarus rex
anglorum dedit Bromlega. Athelredus
rex anglorum dedit Wldeham et litlebroc
Stantune et hiltune. Scil’ . xv . mansas ter-
rarum. Et Willelmus primus rex anglorum
reddidit has terras Roffensi ecclesie a principibus
in iuste ablatas. Stokes uidelicet et Dennintu-
na et Falchenham. Preterea inter cetera bona
magna que eidem ecclesie in uita sue fecit
imminente articulo mortis sue. centum
libras ei dedit et tunicam propriam regale,
et cornu eburneum. et alia plura ornamen-
ta. Et Willelmi Rex filius eisdem. dedit lam-
theham et hedenham ad uictum monachorum
qui quide’ concessit libertates quas ecclesia
Roffensis huc usque obtinuit . et sua carta con-
firmauit omnium perdictorum dona. Et No-
bilissimus Rex henricus multa bona contu-
lit. Scilicet ecclesias de boxle. de Gillefford.
derenteford. Suttune. cum capellis de Wil-
mintune et de kingesdune. Item ecclesias de
178r
chiselherste et de Wlewich. Item decimas
de strodes . et de chealkes. et alia multa.
Translation
In the year of our Lord's Incarnation six hundred, King Athelbert founded the Church of Saint Andrew the Apostle of Rochester and dedicated it. Priestfields, and all the land which is from the Medway to the east part of Kent in the south and all the land outside the walls… pertaining to aquilonalem. In the year of our Lord's incarnation xxx viii. Eadbert King of Kent gave to the church of Saint Andrew Stoke. And in the year of the Lord's incarnation. Seven hundredth lxiiii Offa, King of the Mercians, and Sigered, king of Cante, surrendered Frindsbury. Esclingham and Wicham. Also the king Offa and Ecbertus gave bromhei. Again the king gave Trottescliue a shot. And Ck enulfus [?] the king gave goods to Borstal. A year from the Lord's incarnation. Eighteenth xxxviii Ecbert, King of the West Saxons and Canterbury, gave great liberties and these manors to the holy church, Halling and Snodland. King Athelwulf, son of King Egbert, gave Cucclestone, and Hollingbourne. Edmund, king of the English, gave Malling. A certain power [?] named Brichricus and his wife gave Ciffwicha. Denton, and Langefeld, Falchenham and the manor. And Eadgar, King of the English, gave Bromleg. Athelred, King of the English, gave Wldeham and litlebroc to Stantune and Hiltune. 15 shillings, mansa of land. And William the first king of the English restored these lands to the Church of Roffen, which had been justly taken away by the princes. Stokes will see both Dennington and Falkenham. Moreover, among the other great goods which he did to the same church during his life, at the imminent moment of his death. He gave him a hundred pounds, and a royal coat, and an ivory horn. and many other ornaments. And King William the son of the same. He gave Lamtheham and Hedenham to the slaughter of the monks who had granted the liberties which the Church of Rochester had hitherto obtained. and by his charter he confirmed the gifts of all the lost. And the most noble King Henry brought many goods. Of course the churches of the Boxley. of Gillefford. Derenteford. Suttune with the chapels of Wilmintune and Kingsdune. Also the churches of Chiselherst and Wlewich. Likewise, the tithes of Strood, and of chealkes, and many other things.
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).
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).
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).
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-
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
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 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 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.
177v
178r
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).
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).
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).
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).
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 […]<
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