The english register of Godstow nunnery, near Oxford : written about 1450 / edited with an introduction by Andrew Clark.

GENERAL CHARTERS

[1. By the bishop of Lincoln (the diocesan).]

[folio IIII(16)] A pryuylege I-grauntid by þ^e bysshope of lincolne to the churche of Godestowe for certeyn fredams & not to be visit.

1138/9. Grant to God|stow, by Alex|ander, bishop of Lincoln, with assent of Walter, arch|deacon of Oxford, of exemption from enter|taining the archdeacon on his visita|tion tour; of free hallow|ing of chrism and oil for extreme unction; of power to withdraw their chaplains from the juris|diction of archdeacon and rural dean, and dismiss them of their own authority; of subjection of the nuns to the sole au|thority of the abbess; of free election by the nuns at each vacancy of the abbess|ship. Anathema against infringers of this grant.

THE sentence of thys dede is, that, in the dedicacion of the churche of Godstowe, Alexander, bysshoppe of lincolne, in the presence of Stephyn Kynge of ynglonde & Malde quene, & a-fore Bysshopys & Abbotys, Dukys & Baronys, Clergye & also the Layfe that wher there, grauntyd to the same churche of Godstowe a liberte or fredam that sueth, I-wrete & confermyd by autorite of hym that was bisshop, walter archedecun of Oxenford beynge welwyllyd & praynge, the whiche that tyme had the offyce of archedecunrye of the same cuntre:—that is to sey, that the forseyd churche be free & vtturly restyd fro all exaccion or grevaunce of the archydiacon, as in hospitalites to be kepyd, or chapeleyns to be callyd in plee, or in othyr mynstyrsse of the same to be browht in-to plee: Also that the seyd churche haue oyle, creyme or crisme, and holy oyle, Also oyle of seke folke, with-out payment: The abbas also may sett her chapellayns so that, yf she wylle, they go not to seynys or to chapiters, nothyr that they answere the archedecun ne deene ne othyr ministers of hem but by her free wylle; &, if they wylle do frowardely, the Abbas may calle the prestys next whyche she lykyth to her owne churche, by whoos dome she may correcte hem or put hem awey: The Abbas also to haue cure & charge of her Mynchyns & correccion, with-out citacion

of the bysshop or archedecun: And, whenne that the Abbas is dede, that the Mynchyns chese a-nother of the same couent, as god inspirith hem, so that none Mynchyn of an-othyr churche be set vppe to be abbas a-yenst her wyll. If ony man wyllyth to be a defowler or destruer of thys liberte, be he a-cursyd & departyd fro god vn-to the day of iuggement or dome. Of thys be wytnes Robert, bisshop of Exetur, oþer bisshops, Abbotes, erlys & oþer pepul spiritual & temporal: & is with-out date.

[folio IIIIb(16b)] A chartur of fredams I-grauntyd by watur, archedecun of Oxenforde.

A.D. 1138/9. Grant to Godstow, by Walter, archdeacon of Oxford, of immuni|ties, as in no. 866.

THYS sentence is that Walter, archedecun of Oxenford, grauntyd to the chyrche of Godstowe, & to the Mynchyns there seruynge god, all fredam & liberte, aftur the same forme (word by word) as it is wrytyn in the graunt of Alisaunder bysshop of lincolne next a-fore thys.

[folio Vb(17b)] A confirmacion of watur bysshop of lincolne of our liberteis.

A.D. 1183. Confirma|tion to Godstow, by Walter de Con|stantiis, bishop of Lincoln (1183-84), of bishop Alexander's gift (no. 285), and of the immunities conferred by the same (no. 866). Anathema against violators.

THE sentence of thys confirmacion is that Walter, Bysshop of lincolne, wyllyth to be knowe to all cristyn pepul that he for the loue of god hathe grauntyd to the churche of oure lady seynt Marie of Godstowe, & to the Mynchons there seruynge god, C. shillings in the tolbowthe of Banbury yerly to be payd, & I-grauntyd by-fore of Alisaunder, bysshop, oure predecessor.

He grauntyd also the fredam I-grauntyd of the same ali|saunder to the same churche, & confermyd with hys chartur, with the forseyd C. shillings:—that is to say, that the forseyde churche be fre & vtterly quietyd fro all exaccion of archedecun, or greuynge, as in herberynges to be askyd, or chapleynys to

be browht in-to plee, or other mynystyrs of the same church to be ledde in-to plee. Oyle, creyme & holy oyle & oyle of seke folke, he grauntyd the same church for to haue with-out ony exaccion; the Abbas of the place may set her chapleyns so that, if she wyll, they shulle not go to seynys or to chapeturs, nother answere, but they wyll hem-self, to the archedecun, ne to the dene, ne to none of her ministirs. And yf her chapleynys do frowardly a-geynyst thys liberte, the Abbas may calle the prestis next dwellynge, whyche she lustythe, & by her iugge|ment she may correcte hem, other put hem a-wey. By thys confirmacion she hathe also cure & correccion of her mynchons, with-out citacion of bysshop or archedecun. Aftur the Abbas dethe, the mynchons may chese another of the couent of the same churche, as god inspiryth them, so that none of non other churche a-geynyst her wylle be set a-bove hem to be Abbas.

Who-so-euyr be destryer or defoyler of thys fredam, he gafe hym goddys curs & hys, but he left & dud dew satisfaccion; & that hys graunt shold not by ony shrewdnes be destroyde, he confirmyd hyt with hys seele, thes beynge wytnes, & cetera: and is with-oute date.

[folio IIIb(16b)] A confirmacion by hugh, bysshop of lincolne, of all our churchys.

About 1190. Confirma|tion to Godstow, by Hugh of Avalon, bishop of Lincoln (1186-1200), of bishop Alexander's gift (no. 285), and of the rectories of Wycombe (no. 87), Bloxham (no. 306), St. Giles', Oxford (no. 571), Dinton (no. 52), and the moiety of Pattishall church (in no. 4), all in the diocese of Lincoln, with leave to serve them by chaplains, and im|munity from charges.

THE sentence of thys dede is, that Hugh, Bysshop of lincolne, confermyd to the religius hows of our lady seynt mary & seynt Iohn baptiste of Godstowe, & to the Mynchyns ther seruynge god, to her sustenaunce in perpetuall vse, benefettes, to be in tyme comynge, the whyche hathe be grauntyd thorow largenes of trew cristin men & pepul. The namys of tho benefettes we here folowynge shal shewe:—that is to sey, an C. shillings yerly, of the gyft of alisaunder bysshop of lincolne, to be receyuyd in the tolle-bowthe of the market of banbury; of the gyft of kynge henry the sone of Mald the emperice, the churchys of Wycombe, & of Bloxham, with al ther purtenancys; of the gyft of Aylwyne the sone of Godgose, the churche of seynt Gile that standyth with-out Oxenford, with all hys purtenaunces;

Of the gyft of agnes, the dowhter of pagane the sone of Iohn, the churche of Dungtune, with all hys purtenaunces; of the gyft of Symond of wahylle, halfe of the churche of pateshyl, with all hys purtenaunces: That these benefettys, resonably I-grauntyd & yefe to the forseyd Mynchyns, to be turnyd to her vses, & to be seruid with her chapleyns, be ratified & confermyd by that autorite that he was bysshop. Also he grauntyd to the forseyd seruantes of crist that they sholde be free & quiete fro all exaccions, custome, & gref, sauynge the bysshop's ryht & the dignite of the churche of lincoln. And for to make it ferme & stedfast, he put to thys confyrmacion hys seele. These beynge wytnesses whoos names byn shewyd in the confirmacion: & is with-out date.

[folio V(17)] A confirmacion of william, bysshop of lincolne, of þ^e toll in banbury with oþer þynges.

About 1205. Confirma|tion to Godstow, by William de Blois (bishop of Lincoln, 1203-6), as in no. 869.

THE sentence of thys confirmacion is that William, bysshop of lincolne, wyllinge to gyfe fauor to the ryhtful desyrys of the religius pepul the Abbas of Godstowe & of hyr mynchons, hathe wyllyd to be knowe a-monge all folke, that he hathe ratified & confermyd to the hows of our lady seynt mary & seynt Iohn Baptist of Godstowe, & to the seruauntys of crist there dwel|lynge, to her perpetual vses, benefetys, to a-byde, & to profite, that haue be grauntyd thorow the largenes of trewe cristyn men, the whych we wylle & deme by her owne namys to be ex|pressyd & shewyd:—that is to say, of the gyft of that goode man Alisaunder bysshop of lincolne, C. shillings yerly to be payd in the tolle-bow [folio Vb(17b)] the of Banbury; of the gyft of henry, the sone of molde the emperice, the churches of wycombe, & of Bloxham, with all her pertinences; of the gyft of aylwyne, the sone of Godgose, the churche of seynt Gylys, the whyche is set with-out Oxenford, with all hys pertinences longynge to the same churche; of the gyft of agnes, the dowhter of pagane the sone of Iohn, the churche of dunnyngton, with all hys pertinences; of the gyft of the sone of william, the halfe of the churche of pattyshul, with all hys pertenences. The fore-seyde benefices, euyn like as they byn resonably gyf to the same Myn|chons a-fore-seyd, to be turnyd fullych in-to her owne vses,

& to be seruid with her owne chaplaynys, the fore-seyd bysshop william hathe ratified & confermyd. Furthermore he hathe [granted] to the fore-seyd seruaunt[s] of crist for to be free & quiete fro all exaccion, custom, & grefe, sauynge the bisshop's ryht, & the dignite of the churche of lincolne. And, for that it shulde be sure & ferme, he confermyd hit with hys wrytynge & seele: Thes beynge wytnes, as hyt is shewyd in the confermacion ther-of.

[folio IIIb(16b)] An ordynaunce I-made by hugh bysshop of lincolne of our churchys, wycombe, bloxham, & seynt Gylys.

A.D. 1221. Ordinance by Hugh of Wells, bishop of Lincoln (1209-34), by authority of the Lateran Council (1215), of vicars in the churches of Wycombe, Bloxham, and St. Giles', Oxford. In Wy|combe, the vicar is to have a lodging, half of the ordinary offerings, and most of the small tithe. Godstow to have all other tithes and offer|ings. In Blox|ham, the vicar is to have the offerings and most of the small tithes of Bloxham & Milcomb, 'church|scot,' and a lodging. In St. Giles', Oxford, the vicar is to have half the offer|ings, most of the small tithes, and a lodg|ing. These vicars, and their deputies, must take oath of loyalty to Godstow.

THE sentence of thys dede is that Hugh, Busshop of lincolne, ordeynyd, by the autorite of the councel, in the churchys of Wycombe, Bloxham, & of seynt Gylys with-out Oxenford, admittid, & set in hem so ordeynyd, perpetual vicarys at the presentacion of the wellouyd dowhtyrs in crist the Abbas of Godstowe & of hyr Mynchyns. The forseyd vicaragys byn sette & ordeynyd in thys maner:—that is to say, that the perpetual vicar of wycombe shall haue, in the name of hys vicary, a dwellynge-place assynyd to hym vppon the west syde of the hows of the Abbas of Godstowe; the half of all offerynges & vayles of the [folio V(17)] auter, with all the tethe of chese & all the eggys comynge forth to the churche in the vigil of hestur, & all tethes of gese & all the tethys of gar|deynys & orchardys with-in [the borowe] (except and out-take the offrynges & the vaylys of fowre days by the yere, that is to say, of Candylmes-day, Goodfryday, Hesturday, & Holy rode day in heruyst; & out-take all tethys of wolle, flex, lambys, pigge, & calues whenne a hole calfe comyth forth; & out-take all frutes of gardynys & of orchardys with-out the borowe, & all tethe of tesyls that longyn to the office of fullers, bothe with-in the towne, & also with-out the towne; out-take also all eggys comynge to the profit of the seyd churche, saue vppon hestur eve; & except alle offryng of candel thorowe the yere, save the

candel that is browth forthe with the holy love in the sonneday to the auter, The whyche, all a-boue except & out-take, shull longe & be hole to the Abbas & Mynchyns of Godstowe.

Furthermore, the perpetual vicar of the churche of Bloxham shal haue, in the name of hys vicariage, all the auterage of that churche & of the chapel of Myddylcombe, except the tethys of wolle & of lambys of the modur-churche of Bloxham; he shall haue also the corn that is wonyd to be gyf I-thresshe to the seyd churche of Bloxham & chapelle of Myddylcombe, the whyche is callyd cherset; & he shall haue a place that is set by-twene the place that was of pagane Berforde & the place that was of william Colman.

The perpetual vicar of seynt Gylys in Oxenford shall haue, in the name of hys vicariage, half of all the auterage of that churche, with alle the tethys of gardynys, except wolle, & flex, & lambys, & except candyl vppon candylmes day, the whyche the seyd mynchyns shul haue stylle. Furthermore, he shal haue a dwellynge-place, where the chapleyne of the churche was wonyd to dwelle, for the whyche the vicar shal pay to the same churche vj. d. yerly.

In these thre vicariages thys wyse ordeynyd, the forseyd mynchyns shul bere all burduns ordynarie dewe & wonyd of tho thre seyd churchys, out-take dewteys þat longyn to the seyne, the whyche the vicarys shul pay. Also all the vicaryes, al so sone as they byn admittyd to the forseyd churchys, they shul make to the mynchons a-fore-myndyd an othe to be trewe. Also the chapleynys, in case that the fore seyd vicarys take ony vn-to theyre helpe for to do seruise in the forseyd churchys, shul swere also a-fore the vicaryes, & a-fore the procutur of the mynchons, the whyche the seyd mynchons wyllen to sende, that the for-seyd vicaryes & chapellaynys shul be trewe to the Myn|chons a-fore-rehersyd, al so longe as they a-bydyn there in the forseyde churchys seruynge, in tho thynges that towchyn & be dewe to the Mynchons a-fore seyde, sauynge in all cases the bysshopys ryht & dewtes, & the dignite of the churche

of lincolne. And in-to wytnes of thys he put to hys seal: & the date was the xij. yere of hys bysshopryche.

[2. By the Sovereign.]

[folio II(14)] The confirmacion of kynge Stephyn of all thynges byfore rehersyd.

A. D. 1138/9 Confirma|tion by King Stephen, of no. 4, with full manorial rights.

THE sentence of thys chartur is, how Stephyn kynge yeuyth & confermithe to the seyd Mynchyns & her successours of God|stowe all the yftys, landis & possessions, rentys, tenwrs, that byn rehersyd in the next dede a-fore, that begynnyth Alex|ander, in pure quiet fre & in perpetual almys from all seculer seruice & customis, and her courtys to be holde with sok & sake, tol & team, with infange & outfange [folio IIb(14b)] theyf, as wor|sheply & frely as eny chyrche in englond or bettur or freer may holde in all thynges.

[folio III(15)] A chartur of the feyre of Godstowe, I-made by dame Molde the emperyse.

About 1142. Confirmation to Godstow, by empress Maud, of the fair at God|stow on June 24 and two next days, with protec|tion to traders.

THYS Chartur makyth mension how that the emperice Mald hath graunt in perpetual almys that the Mynchyns of Godstowe

mowe hold & haue her feyre there at the fest of seynt Iohn Baptist & iij. days aftur, commaundynge to haue pese & rest to all men that woll com & goo for hem & all her mar|chaundes, and no dystrubylauns vnryhtfully vpon hem be made, in payne of forfetynge of x. lj.

[folio 162] A Charter of Moolde the Emperesse confermyng to the mynchons of Godestowe lij. shillings vj. d. in Shillyngworthe, & cetera.

About 1143. Confirma|tion to Godstow, by empress Maud, of the estates at Shilling|ford (no. 716, 718) and at Walton (in no. 4).

THE sentence of this charter is, that Moolde, the Emperesse, willed to be know to henry her sone, and to the bisshop of lyn|colne, Erles, and Barons, and to all her trew men, frenssh and Englissh, bothe at that tyme and in tyme to be, in Oxenforde|shire, that she, for the love of god and for the sowles of her fadir and modir and for her owne helth and of her children and astate of the Reame of Englond, yaf, & cetera, to god & cetera and to the mynchons of Godestowe, into perpetuel almesse, lij. shillings vj. d. of lond in Shillyngford; And an hundred shelyngworth of lond at Walton, the which kynge Stephyn yaf to the same place. And because that she willed hit to be sure, She willed and comaunded surely that the mynchons of the abouesaid place shold haue and hold tho londis wele fully and pesibly frely worshipfully and quyetly, as hit is I-said, for euer, these beyng witnes.

[folio 161b] A Charter of Moolde the Emperesse, I-made to the mynchons of Godestowe, for ij. hydes and j. half and half a yerde of londe in Shillyngforde, and for an C. shillyngworth of londe in Walton.

About 1143. Confirma|tion to Godstow, by empress Maud, of Shilling|ford (no. 716, 718); Walton (in no. 4); Eaton near Cricklade (no. 847), with full manorial perquisites and juris|diction.

MOOLDE the Emperesse willed to be know to henry her sone, Archebisshopis, Bisshopis, Abbottis, Erles, Barons, Iustices, Sherefis, Mynystres, and to all her trew men frenssh and Englissh of all Englond, that she, for the love of god and the

sowles of henry her fadir, kyng of Englond, and of her modir Moolde, quene, and for the helthe of her owne sowle and the welthe of her husbond and lord Geffrey duke of Normandie and erle of Aunge, and of her children, yaf and graunted, & cetera, to god & cetera and to the mynchons of Godestowe ther seruyng god, the lond of Shillyngford, that is to sey, ij. hydes and an half and half a yerde that Raaf vicounte helde for lij. shillings vj. d; and an C. shillyngworth of lond in Walton for euer, in perpetuel almesse, as she had hit whan she was I-segid at Oxenford. And therfor she willed and comaunded surely that the lady of the abouesaid place shold hold and haue the londis and her lond of Eaton, and all other londis longyng to her chirch, wele and pesibly, frely quyetly and worshipfully, in medys and in waters, in fedyngis, and in wode and playne, and Mylles, and all other thynges and fre customes and fredoms, with sok and sak, tol and theum, Infangtheef, and of hundred and danegolde and all yelde and all quarels and exaccions fre and quyte, as ony cherch in Englond held best most fre and quyte ther possessions, that no man do in ony thyng to them wronge or dispyte. And she toke that house and all thyngis that longed to hit in her honde, kepyng, and proteccion, evene as her fadir and she had I- [folio 162] founded hit, and hit had be of ther owne almesse. And that hit shold be sure, & cetera.

A Charter of Moolde the Emperesse, confermyng to the mynchons of Godestowe, ij. hydes and j. half and half an Acre of lond, [held at] lij. shillings vj. d; an hundred shillyngworth of lond in Walton; a fysshe-were in Charwelle, and water; and all the tythe of all frutis of Wodestok; and the fayres that durith iij. dayes at Godstowe.

About 1143. Confirma|tion to Godstow, by empress Maud, of land at Shilling|ford (as in no. 875); of land in Walton (as in no. 875); of a fishery in Cher|well, with attached meadow|strips (no. 540); of tithe of fruit of Wood|stock; of the fair at Godstow (no. 873); of Water|eaton, Wiltshire (no. 847); of Wyke near Oxford (in no. 4); of St. Giles', Oxford (in no. 4); of Boy-mill, with attached meadows (in no. 4): all with full manorial rights, and exemp|tions from royal taxes.

THE sentence of this charter is, that Moolde the Empresse willed to be know to her sone kyng, Archebisshoppis, Bisshopis,

Abbottis, erles, Barons, Iusticis, Sherefis, Mynysters, and to all her trew men, Frenssh and Englissh, of all Englond, that she, for the loue of god, and for the sowles of her fadir, kyng henry of Englond, and of her modir Moolde, quene, and the helth of her owne sowle, and the welthe of her lord Geffrey, duke of Normandie and heire of Aunge, and of her children, yaf and graunted into perpetuel almesse, to god & cetera and to the mynchons of Godestowe there seruyng god, ij. hides and an half, and half a yerde lond, that Raaf Scribe held by yere for lij. shil|lings vj. d., with medys and pasturis; and an hundred shillyng|worth of lond in Walton, al so holy all as they had hit whan she was I-segid at Oxenford; and a fysshwere in Charewell, and water, with ther pertynentis also with medis and pastures; and all the tythe of all frutis of Wodestoke; and the Feyris, the which dure iij. dayes fully at Godestowe, at the birth of Seynt Iohn Baptist, And she comaunded surely that all they that come to the faires shold haue there sure pease, and all ther goodes, in comyng, tariyng, and goynge ayene, that no man distrouble vnrightfully them or ther goodes: wherfor she willed and comaunded surely that the forsaid chirche of Godestowe and the mynchons shold haue and hold, wele and in pease, tho londes, and ther lond of Eaton; and Wyke in portmanneit, the which the Citeȝens of Oxenford yaf to them; and the chirch of seynt Gyle beside Oxenford, the which Ailwyn fitȝ Godegose yaf to them; and ther mylle that is I-called boiem[i]ln, with medis pasturis and londis and other pertynentis; and all other londis perteynyng to ther chirch, in [folio 162b] perpetuel almesse, and all maner other thyngis I-gete by the yifte of god, with alle fredoms and fre customs, with soke and sak, tol and theam, and infangenthef, wele and in pease, frely and worshipfully, vttirly, quyetly, and fre fro shire, hundred, and gelde, and danegelde, and pleys, and helpis, and assises, and scuagis, fro murther thefte and all gelde, also all quarels or playntis and exaccions and all other thynges; that no man do to them wronge or greef in ony thynge. For the forsaid chirche of Godestowe and the myn|chons ther seruyng god and all ther goodes and possessions and

ther men and all thyngis that longe to them were more specially in her owne honde, proteccion, and kepyng, than ony other. These beyng, & cetera.

[folio III(15)] a chartur of kynge henri fitȝ emperyse of Walton & delingyscrofte.

About 1154. Confirma|tion to God|stow, by Henry II, of their lands in Walton and Shilling|ford (as in no. 874).

THYS chartur makyth mensyon how kynge Henry wrote a commandment to the shyryf of Oxenford-shyre that he shold do & make the Mynchyns of Godstowe to hold & haue in pese, frely & quietly in perpetual almys, her lond of walton and delingescroft, the whyche my modyr the emperice hath gyf & graunt; & is with-out date.

[folio 185] A Confirmacion of kynge Henry Fitȝ Emperesse, & cetera.

1156. Confirmation to Godstow, by Henry II, of— (1) the island in which the nunnery stands; (2) Godstow, i.e. the site of the abbey church (no. 3), (3) land at Shillingford (no. 716); (4) land at Walton (in no. 4); (5) tithes of the fruits of Wood|stock (no. 876); (6) Godstow fair, for three full days, with protection to traders (no. 873); (7) Wolver|cote mill, King's-weir, 3 meads, the island, half Lambey (772): (8) half Lam|bey, and dole from Oxford Castle mills (no. 512); (9) rent-charge on Banbury market (285); (10) pensions in churches of Farringdon and St. Mary|le-Crypt, Glou|cester (nos. 207, 163); (11) land in Halso (no. 269); (12) Water|eaton (no. 847); (13) Duntis|bourne church, (no. 154); (14) moiety of Pattishall church (no. 4); (15) tithe in Rollright (no. 713); (16) land in Rissington, (no. 186); (17) Hodycote, Knoll, and Swanton (232); (18) Sandford, Wilts.; (19) 50 acres in Bletchingdon (nos. 287, 288); (20) yardland in Bletching|don (no. 290); (21) Hugh of Tew's rent|charge in Oxford (513); (22) Wyke, near Oxford (no. 4); (23) Ambrose fitz Gerald's rent-charge in Winchester; (24) St. Giles' Church, Oxford (no. 4); (25) Baldwin fitz Ingeret's rent|charge (11s.) in East-cheap, Lon|don; with full manorial jurisdiction; and exemption from royal taxes.

THE sentence of this confirmacion is, that Henry, kyng of Englond, & cetera, graunted and confermed, into perpetuell almesse, to god & cetera and to the mynchons of Godestowe ther seruyng god, the lond and the place in the which the chirche was I-founded, and all the yiftis that were I-do to them; And of the yifte of Raynold of Seynt Walerye, the place that is I-called Godestowe, in the which ther chirch was I-founded; Of the yifte of the Empresse and his, the lond of Shillyngford, that is to sey, ij. hydes and an half [and half] a yerde-lond, with medis and pastures, the which Raaf Scribe held for two and fifty shillyngis and Sixe pens by yere; And an hundred shillyngworth of lond in Walton, as they had hit whan the Emperesse was I-seged in Oxenford; And all the tythes of all the frutes of wodestoke; And the faires, the which shold dure thre fulle dayes, at Godestow, at the natiuite of seynt Iohn Baptist, And comaunded surely þat

all they that come to tho fayres shold haue ther sure pease and all ther goodes in comyng and goyng alwey, that no man wrongfully distrouble them nother ther goodes; Of the yifte of Reynold of seynt [folio 185b] Walerye, the mylle of Wolgare|cote, and one Fyssh-were that is called the kyngis were, and medys that ben called heryngis ham, Boie-ham, and liches-ey, And the lond that lieth bitwene the two watirs, And half a mede that is I-called lambeye; And another half parte of the same mede, of the yifte of Robert Doylle, And one busshell of whete of the mylles that ben vndir the Castell of Oxenford yerely to be paid; Of the yifte of Alisaundre, bisshop of lyncolne, an hundred shillyngworth by yere of the Tolle of Bannebury; of the yifte of Robert, Bisshop of Exetir, xl. shillings yerely to be paid, that is to sey, xx. shillings of the chirche of farendon, And xx. shillings of the chirche of oure lady in Gloucestre; Of the yifte of Robert, Erle of leyceter, thre poundeworth of lond in Halso; Of the yifte of Reynolde, the sone of the Erle, and Emelyne his wyf, and of his heires, Eton, with [all] that longith therto; Of the yifte of Raaf Bloet, and of his modir and of his brethern [the church of] Dantesburne, with the londes and all his pertynentis; Of the yifte of Symond wadhill, half of the chirch of Patishille; Of the yifte of Symond Spensere, the tithe of Rollendrith; Of the yifte of Nicholas Basset, one hyde of lond in Rysyndon; Of the yifte of Richard Baanc, all the dowrye of his modir, that is to sey, Hodycote al so moche as his predecessours had in possession, that is to sey v. hides, And cnolle and Swanton, with all ther pertynentis; Of the yifte of Arnulphe Bolde, the lond that is I-called Sanford; Of the yifte of Roger Dalmary, fyfty acres in Blechesdon; Of the yifte of walter Pery, in the same towne, one yerde of londe and x. acres; Of the yifte of hugh of Tywe, ix. shillyngworth of lond in Oxenford; Of the yifte of the Citeȝeyns of Oxenford, the wyke the which Sagryne held, in portmanheyt beside Oxenford; Of the yifte of Ambrose fitȝ Gerolde, v. shillyngworth of rent in wyn|chestir; Of the yifte of Eylwyne fitȝ Godegose the chirch of seynt Gyle beside Oxenford; Of the yifte of Baldewyn

fitȝ Ingeret, in london in Estchepe, xj. shillyngworth of lond: wherfor he willed and comaunded that the forsaid Chirche, and mynchons ther seruyng god, shold have and hold, into perpetuell almesse, all these aforsaid thyngis, and all other that have ben gote by the yifte of god, with all liberteis and free customs, with soke and sake, tol and team, and Infangenthief, wele [folio 186] and in pease, frely and worshipfully, and vttirly quyte fro Shire and hundred, pleys and helpis, assises and yelde, danegelde and Scuage, fro Murther and Theft, and all yelde and all other thynges, that no man shold do them wronge ne greef in ony thynge. For the forsaid chirche of Godestowe, and the mynchons ther servyng god, and all ther goodes and possessions, and ther men, most specially thenne all other in Englond, shold be in his owne hande, proteccion, and kepyng, Themperice his modire beyng Witnesse, & cetera.

[folio 184] Here begynneth the Carters of kyng henry fitȝ Empresse, & cetera.

About 1165. Confirma|tion to Godstow, by Henry II, taking Godstow under his special pro|tection, of (stated in a different order) the properties mentioned in no. 878; (26) two houses in Wolvercote (cp. no. 770 and 774); (27) Sige|resham (?); (28) 7s. rent|charge outside North Gate of Oxford; (29) in Knowle, land called Sandford (no. 231); (30) Robert of Wy|tham's meadow (no. 32); (31) Eilwyn son of Godgose's gift outside South Gate of Oxford; (32) Perry(?); (33) Walter of Perry's land in Oxford; (34) 'Blech|esworth' mill; (35) Boy|mill (no. 4); (36) tithe of Sewcourt mills, with a meadow (no. 25); (37) Clare prevet, Hampshire (no. 216); (38) Combe mill (no. 861); (39) land near St. Martin's church, London: with full manorial rights. Protection of Godstow, as being a convent founded by Henry I, furthered by Maud empress, and loved by Henry II.

THE sentence of this charter is, that henry, kyng of Englond duke of Normandye and Erle of Angye, willed to be know to Archebisshoppis, Bisshoppis, Erles, Barons, Iusticis, Sherifis, Mynystres, and his trewe men, Frenssh and Englissh, of all Englond, that the monastery of oure lady blissed marye the virgyne and of seynt Iohn Baptist of Godestow, and the abbesse and the holy mynchons of the same place, and all þere possession and goodes, and ther men, wher-so-ever they be, they ben in myne honde and kepyng and in my proteccion: that is to sey, the Ile in the whiche the monastery is I-founded with the londis therto; the lond [folio 184b] or grounde that is I-called Godestowe, with his appendauntis or mansions; The mylle of wolgarecote,

with his appendauntis; ij. dwellyng placis or mansions in wolgarecote, with his pertynentis; The Ile that lieth bitwene þe two watirs afore the yate of the monastery, the which is I-called licheseyt; thre medys, that is to sey, Boyham, Lichesham, Heryngesham; one Fysshewere in the Themyse with his appendauntis; A mede that is I-called lambeye, and one busshell of whete by all yeris to be paid of the mylle vndir the Castell of Oxenford; The chirche of seynt Gyle with-out Oxenford; Fyve hide lond in Sigeresham; in walton, C. hun|dred shillyngworth of lond; in the fest of the birthe of Seynt Iohn Baptist, Faire of thre dayes of Godestowe; Eton, with alle his pertynentis; In halso, thre pounde worthe of lond; the lond that is I-called the wyke, in portmanheyt; what-so-ever right and all þat they had in the chirch of patishulle; In Oxenford, nyne shillyngworthe of lond; with-oute the north gate, Sevene shillyngworth of lond; In Rysyndon, j hyde of lond; In Blechesdon, fyfty acres, and j. yerde lond, and ten acris; in knolle, londe that is I-called Sanford; beside Godestowe, parte of a mede the which Robert of Wytham yaf; The chirche of Dantesborne; with-oute the South-yate of Oxen|ford, one mansion that Eylwyne fitȝ Godegose yaf, with the pertynentis; In wynchester, fyve shillyngworth of lond; In the towne that is I-called Shillyngford; the right in the tythes of Rollendrith; In the chirch of Farendon, xx. shillings by euery yere; And of the chirche of our lady of Gloucestre, xx. shillings by euery yere to be paid; The towne that is I-called Pery and all the rightes of the same towne in all thyngis; In Oxenford, the lond that Walter Pery yaf; Of the yifte of Richard Labaanc, all the dowry of his modir, that is to sey, cnolle and swanton, the whiche perteyneth to the same, and hodicote al so moche as his predecessours possessed, that

is to sey, fyve hydes of lond frely and quyetly fro all seculer service, with all ther pertynentis; The mylle of Blechesworth, of the yifte of Roger bisshop of Salisbury, The mylle that is I-called Boiemylle, with the londis and all his pertynentis; beside Oxenford; the tythes of the mylles of Sewcourte, with the mede I-called the hert; the lond of Clare prevet [folio 185] by name; the mylle of Cumbe, with all that longith therto; In london, in Estchepe xij. shillyngworth of lond; In london by seynt Martyne chirch, in soca of the bisshop, vj. shillyngworth of lond: All these thyngis resonably purchased, and all other thyngis resonably I-goten to the forsaid chirche and to the holy mynchons ther servyng god, he willed that they shold be to the same chirche and to the holy mynchons he confermed, Also surely comaundyng that they shold hold, wele and in pease, frely and quyetly and worshipfully, with tol and team, soke and sak, Infangen-thef and out-fangenthief, and with all other customs and liberteis with the which ony chirch and almesse was I-hold in Englond most freist quyetyliest and best. And they, that is to sey, the Archebisshop and bisshoppis, & cetera, shold kepe and maynteyne them, and all there goodes, as they loved hym, that is to sey, the kyng, evyne as that chirche that kyng henry his grauntesire founded and furthered and gretly loued, and his modir the Emperesse afterward, And he hym-self gretly loued, And not suffre that ony man did to them wronge or greef in ony thynge: for yf ony did gretly, hit shold hevy hym gretly. These beyng witnesse, & cetera.

[SOME MINOR CHARTERS OF HENRY II.]

[NOTE.—It is impossible to fix the dates of the following charters from the evidence available. No. 880 was given at Oxford; witness, Roger, the king's chaplain. Nos. 881 and 882 were given at Woodstock; witness, Richard, archdeacon of Poitiers. No. 883 was given at Woodstock; witness, Richard de Humeȝ, con|stable. No. 884, at Woodstock; witness, John Cumin.]

[folio 187b] A Charter of kyng henry fitȝ Empresse for the Ferry of Godestowe in the Faire tyme, & cetera.

About 1165. Protection to God|stow, by Henry II, of traders coming to the fair (as in no. 873).

[folio 188] THE sentence of this charter is, that henry, by the grace of god kyng of Englond, & cetera, comaunded to all maner of men that they shold maynteyne kepe and defende all mar|chaundis comyng to the Faire of thre fulle dayes at the Natiuite of Seynt Iohn Baptist at Godestowe, So that they shold do to them no wronge nother greef, nothere they shold not suffre that they were I-troubled, but they shold haue sure pease in doyng there customs. These beyng witnesse, & cetera.

A charter of kyng henry for tol, passage, and poundage þurgh Englond.

About 1165. Grant to Godstow, by Henry II, of exemp|tion from highway dues.

THE sentence of this charter is, that henry, kyng of Englond, & cetera, charged that the mynchons of Godestowe, and all ther goodis the which ther men may swere to be ther owne, shold be quyte fro tol, passage, and pountage, and all custome thurgh all his lond of Englond; and he forbede that no man shold dis|trouble them wrongfully, vndir the payne of x. li. These beyng Witnesse, & cetera.

A Charter of the same kyng forbedyng þat no man hold ther bondmen.

About 1165. Grant to Godstow, by Henry II, of powers to recover all serfs who have become fugitives from their lands since 1135.

THE sentence of this charter is that henry, kyng, & cetera, charged alle manere statis and mynysters that they rightfully with-out delaye shold make and haue to the mynchons of Gode|stowe all ther natifs or bondemen or fugitifs with ther catallis, where-so-euer they were I-founde in ther baillifshippis, that flowe fro them aftir the deth of kyng Henry his graunt-sire. And he forbode that no man shold hold them, vndir the peyne of x. li. These beyng witnesse, & cetera.

A charter protectorie for the mynchons of Gode|stow and all ther goodis.

About 1170. Protection to God|stow, by Henry II, against Robert of Slaughter, and all others.

THE sentence of this charter is that Henry, kyng of Englond, & cetera, charged to all statis and to the baillifs of Gloucestre that they sholde maynteyne, kepe, and defende the londis and

men and all goodes of the holy mynchons of Godestowe, not suffryng Robert Selothire or other [to] vexe them or ther men or ther seruauntis wrongfully of londis or pasturis or other goodis in his baillyf-shippis or to do them wronge or greef. And yf ony man do to them wronge or greef, with-out ony delay they shold make to them hit to be amended. And yf they did hit not, his Iusticis shold do hit, that he herde no more clamoure for defaute of right and Iustice beryng. These beyng witnesse, & cetera.

[folio 188b] Another charter, that they shold not be impleyd with, but in the kyngis Courte, for her tenuris and possessions, & cetera.

About 1170. Privilege to Godstow, by Henry II, that they may not be sued about lands held by them except in the royal courts.

THE sentence of this charter is, that henry, by the grace of god, & cetera, comaunded to all Sherifs, baillifs and mynystris in whos bailly-wykis the mynchons of Godestowe helde all theire tenuris and all theire tenementis, that they shold hold hem wele and in pease, and they shold not be pleyd of ony of theire tene|ment but afore hym or his Iusticis. For the forsaid mynchons and all theire possessions were in his honde and kepyng and proteccion: witnesse, & cetera.

[folio 186] A Confirmacion of kyng henry fitȝ Emperesse, for all almesse and all maner thyngis that were I-yeve or shold be yeve to the mynchons of Gode|stowe, & cetera.

About 1175. General confirma|tion to Godstow, by Henry II, of all their property.

THE sentence of this charter is that henry, kyng of Englond, & cetera, graunted, and confermed with this present charter, to the mynchons of Godestowe, all the almesse, in chirches and londes and tythes and in alle other thyngis, that were resonably I-yeve to them or shold be yeve. Wherfor he willed and comaunded surely that the forsaid mynchons shold haue and holde all ther almesse and possessions, bothe of chirch [and lay] fee, [in wood and plain, in meadows and pastures, in waters] and mylles, in pondis and maryse, in weyes and pathis, and in all other placis and other thyngis perteynyng to

them, wele and in pease, frely and quyetly, holy and worship|fully, with all fredoms and fre customs. Witnesse thise, & cetera.

[folio 186] A Confirmacion of kyng henry fitȝ Emperesse confermyng all maner of yiftis afore I-yove, & cetera.

About 1182. Confirma|tion to Godstow, by Henry II, at its re|foundation as a royal abbey, of the pro|perties mentioned in no. 878 and no. 879, and, in addition to them, of (40) Wy|combe church (no. 87); (41) Blox|ham church (no. 306); (42) cow|house and pasture at Pattishall; (43) fishery in Cher|well, with adjacent meads (no. 540); (44) Pekes|ey mead, with 2s. rent-charge in Yarnton and 2s. in North Leigh (no. 772); (45) rent|charges in Brackley and Far|thingho, Northts. (no. 269); (46) shop in West|cheap and land in London (no. 243); (47) a hide in Walton (no. 516); (48) mill in Empshott (no. 202); (49) land at Winchester (no. 236); (50) land & house at Gloucester (no. 165); (51) houses at Winchester (no. 237); (52) rent|charge at Petham (no. 864); (53) yardland in Bletching|don (no. 290); (54) rent-charge in Tormarton, (no. 193); (55) rent-charge in Knighton (no. 16); (56) meadow called Paderis|ham (no. 33), (57) Easington church(no.438); (58) Lamyat church(no.780); (59) rent-charge on Highworth mill (see no. 863); (60) Frampton mill, and salt|rights(no. 156); (61) salt-pit at Wiche (no.200); (62) Dinton church (no. 52); (63) rent|charges in Winchester; (64) rent-charge at (? Glouces|ter or Win|chester); (65) rent-charge at Brackley; (66) Rus|monger's rent-charge outside North Gate, Oxford; with manorial privileges; and with exemptions from royal imposi|tions.

HENRY, by the grace of god kyng of Englond, graunted and with his charter confermed, into perpetuel almesse, to god & cetera and to the mynchons of Godestowe there servyng god, the towne of wolgarecote and the place in the which the chirch was I-founded and all the yiftes that were I-made to them, that is to sey, of his yifte, the towne of wolgarecote and the place that is I-called Godestowe in the which the chirch was I-founded, with the assent and graunte of Bernard of Seynt Walerye and of his heires, the which, that is to sey, Bernarde of Seynt Walerye yaf the forsaid towne and the forsaid place and graunted hit to kyng henry and seisyned hym (by a silken cloth, wherof was a chesible I-made) with the lordship and the right of the Avowery of the same Abbey that he had afore in hit, So that the forsaid abbey shold be free for ever, and in chief of his crowne, as the Abbey of Seynt Edmond and other riall Abbeyes that ben I-sette in Englond; Also of his yifte, the chirch of wycombe, with all his [folio 186b] pertynentis; And the chirche of Bloxham, with all his pertynentis; Also of his yifte, the vicariage of Patishulle, with the pasture, as he had hit in his owne hande; And the londe of Clare by name prevet, the which he bought of Manasse Sandevyle for xxv. mark; Of

the yifte of the Empresse and his, the lond of Shillyngford, that is to sey, ij. hydes and j. half yerde, with medys and pasturis, the which Raaf Scribe helde for lij. shillings vj. d by yere; and an hundred shillyngworthe of londe in Walton, as they had hit whan the Empresse was I-seged in Oxenford; And a fisshewere in Charewelle watir, with medis, and pas|tures, and all ther pertynentis; And all the tythe of all the frutis of wodestok; And the faieris that shold dure thre fulle dayes, at Godestowe, at the Natiuite of seynt Iohn Baptist, And he comaunded surely that all they that come to tho faires shold have there sure pease in comyng and goyng away, that no man distrouble wrongfully them nother theire goodes; Of the yifte of Raynold of seynt Walery, the mylle of Wolgarecote, and one fysshwere that is I-called the kyngiswere, and the medys that ben called Heryngesham, Boieham, and Licheseye, and the lond that lieth bitwene the two watirs, and half a mede that is I-called Lambeye; And the other half of the same mede, of the yifte of Robert Doylle; Of the yifte of Alisaundre, bisshop of lyncolne, an hundred shillyngis by yere of the tolle of Banbury; Of the yifte of Bernard of Seynt Walerye, a mede that is I-called Pekeseye, And to mowe the same mede iiij. shil|lings by yere at the fest of seynt Iohn Baptist (ij. shillings in Erdynton and ij. shillings in lye); Of the yifte of Robert, Bisshop of Exetir, xl. shillings by yere to be paid, that is to sey, xx. shillings in the chirche of Farendon, and xx. shillings in the chirche of our lady of Gloucestire; Of the yifte of Robert, Erle of leycetire, thre poundeworth of lond in Halso; Of the yifte of Amye, Countesse, his wyf, and with the graunte of hym, ij. marke by yere, one in Brakley and another in farnyngho; Of the yifte of Raynold, the Erles sone, and of Emelyne his wyf, and his heires, Eaton, with alle his pertynentis; Of the yifte of Symond Wadhille, half of the chirche of Patishulle; Of the yifte of Robert Bluet and of his modir and of his brethern, the chirche of Dantesburne, with the [folio 187] londes and his pertynen|tis; Of the yifte of Symond Spenser, the tythe of Rollendrith; Of the yifte of Nicholas Basset, one hide of lond in Rysyndon;

Of the yifte of Richard Labaanc, all the dowery of his modir, that is to sey, Hodycote al so moche as his predecessours had in possession, that is to sey v. hides, and Cnolle and Swanton with all that longith therto, that is to sey, ther pertynentis; Of the yifte of Arnulphe Bolde, the londe that is I-called Sanford; Of the yifte of Roger Dalmary, fyfty acris in Blechesdon; Of the yifte of Walter Pyrye, in the same towne, one yerde of lond and x. acris; Of the yifte of hugh Tywe, nyne shillyngworthe of lond in Oxenford; Of the yifte of Rogere, Bisshoppe of Salis|bury, a mylle that is I-called Boymylle, with the lond that lieth to the same; Of the yifte of the Citeȝens of Oxenford, the wyke the which Segryne helde, in portemanheyt beside Oxenford; Of the yifte of Eylwyne Godegose, the chirch of seynte Gyle, with his pertynentis, the which he founded, the which is with|out Oxenford; And of the other parte of the same Citee, vpon the Southe Brigge, xviij. shillyngworthe of lond; Of the yifte of Ambrose fitȝ Gerolde, v. shillings in wynchestir; Of the yifte of Raaf fitȝ Ingerid, in london in Estchepe, xj. shillings; Of the yifte of Edward fitȝ Sewyne, vj. shillings, vpon Corn|hull; Of the yifte of hugh, Archidekon of leyceter, one shop in westchepe, And ij. shillings with-out the west yate of Seynt Poule; Of the yifte of Anstede Bendeville, the mylle of Benchesworde; Of the yifte of henry of Oxenford, one hide of lond in walton; Of the yifte of william vennȝ, one mylle and his lond [in Imbesette; of the yifte of Robert of Meysy, in Wynchestir all the londe] with-oute the northe yate, And in Shedewritstrete and Flesshmongerstrete; Of the yifte of Robert Euersy, his tofte with-oute Gloucestir at the kyngesham, and one dwellyng place; Of the yifte of herebert of seynt Quyntyn, in Wynchestir, ij. dwellyng placis with-in the walle and one with-oute; Of the yifte of Aleyne of lye, half a marke in putham; Of the yifte of Robert fitȝ Nigell, one yerde of lond

in Blechesdon; Of the yifte of Nicholas Sutton, ij. shillings in Thormerton; Of the yifte of wydon of Seynt Walerye half a marke in Cumberton; Of the yifte of the Abbot of Abendon and of all ther Couente, by theire peticion, v. acres called Poderesham by name; Of the yifte of William of Sewkeworth, the chirch of Esyndon; Of the yifte of [Baldwin of] Columbers, [folio 187b] the chirche of Lameth; Of the yifte of Hugh Mortymere, one Marke by yere of the mylle of Worthe; Of the yifte of Walter Clyfford, the mylle of Framton, with all his pertynentis, And in the wyche xiiij. myttes of Salte, and one mese; Of the yifte of Osbert fitȝ hugh, one Salyne, that is to sey, a salte pitte in the wyche, the which is I-called a Cowe; Of the yifte of Anneys mount|chenesy, the chirche of Donyngton, with all his pertynentis; Also in Wynchestir of the yifte of Herebert fitȝ westman, xvj. shillings ix. d, Of the yifte of Edyue, the wyf of Thurstey[n] Osyere, iij. shillings viij. d. obolus, Of the yifte of Herbert Reve, v. shillings, Of the yifte of william, Preest of Seynt Pancrace, ij. shillings with-oute the Est yate, Of the yifte of Humfrey, the Abbesse chapelayne, in Wynchestir in Chesshull, ix. shillings vj. d. obolus, Of the yifte of Alisaundre, preest of Gloucestre, xij. d.; Of the yifte of Thurkille Reve in Brakeley, iiij. shillings; Of the yifte of Aleyne Rusmongere and of Edithe his wyf, half a marke by yere with-out the north yate of Oxenforde: Wherfor he willed and comaunded that the forsaid abbesse of Gode|stowe, the which was his owne almesse, and the mynchons ther servyng god, all the fore-named thyngis and what-so|ever other thynge were I-gete by the yifte of god, they sholde have and holde hit, into fre and perpetuell almesse, wele and in pease, frely and quyetly, holy and worshipfully, in wode and in playne, in medys, in pasturis, in watirs and

mylles, in weyes and pathes, in pondis and stewis, with-in burgh and with-out burgh, and in all othere placis, with sok and sak, tol and team, and infangetheef, and vtterly quyte fro shires and hundredis, pleis and playntis, helpys and assises, yelde and danegelde, of Murthere and of theeft, of scuage, yiftis, scottis, and workes of Castels and howses, walles, parkes, stywys, dichis and briggis, of summage and cariage, of warde peny, and averpeny, hundredepeny, and thederyngpeny; and they shold be quyte þurgh all Ingelond [and] by watir fro tol and passage and pountage and stallage and lastage and of all other customs, as the charters of the yevers witnesse. These beyng witnesse, & cetera.

[folio 190b] A proteccion of kyng Richard, worde by worde, after the proteccion of kyng henry afore I-writte.

A.D. 1190. April 8. Protection by Richard I.

[NOTE.—The 'proteccion ... afore I-writte' may be that of Henry III (no. 893), which is erroneously regarded as being by Henry II. An Inspeximus and con|firmation, by Richard I, of no. 886, is printed in Monast. iv. 364. This is dated at Danfront, 8 April, 1 Richard I, i.e. 1190, and witnessed by Hugh [Pudsey], bishop of Durham [1153-95]; Richard [Fitz-neale], bishop of London [1189-98]; Godfrey [de Luci], bishop of Winchester [1189-1204]; Hubert [Walter], bishop elect of Salisbury [1189-93]; &c.]

A Charter of kyng Richard, chargyng that the mynchons of Godestowe sholde haue all the tenauntryes in goode pease, that no man shold vexe them wrongfully.

A.D. 1190, May 31. General protection by Rich|ard I.

[NOTE.—Richard I had left England to go on crusade. The charter refers to 'the day when he last left England,' and is dated 'at Aquileia, 31 May,' 1190. Godstow perhaps felt that, during the king's absence, it was desirable to have a general charter, covering new acquisitions of property.]

A Charter of Iohn, Erle of Morteyne, confermyng the yiftis that his fadir kyng henry yaf to the myn|chons of Godestowe, that is to sey, the chirche of wycombe with all his pertynentis and liberteis; and a lond in Clare, prevet I-called by name, that his fadir bought of Manasses Saueruille for xxv. marke; and forthe, even like worde by worde, as hit is I-writte a-fore.

About 1191. Confirma|tion, by prince John, of no. 886.

[NOTE.—In Oct. 1191 prince John drove out William de Longchamp, Richard I's chancellor, and laid hold on the administration. Godstow, no doubt, thought it necessary to secure a fresh confirmation. Among the witnesses are Stephen Bidell, prince John's chancellor; William of Wevenall; Roger Planes.]

A proteccion of kyng Iohn to the mynchons of Godestowe I-made for ther men, londes, and goodes, and possessions, to be defended, worde by worde as in the proteccion of kyng henry afore is I-writte.

1199, June 13. General protection by King John.

[NOTE.—Dated at Medestan (Maidstone), June 13; H[ubert Walter], archbishop of Canterbury, chancellor. The reference is to no. 893, Henry III's (wrongly supposed to be Henry II's) deed. King John was at Canterbury on June 12, 1199.]

A Charter of kyng Iohn, to the mynchons of Godestowe, I-made for tol, passage, pountage, and all custome thurgh all Englond, even as hit is I-writte afore in the charter of kynge henry.

About 1199. Grant of exemption from tolls, by King John, as in no. 881.

[NOTE.—Dated at Hallon, June 16; Hubert, archbishop, chancellor.]

[folio 188b] A confirmacion of kyng henry, confermyng the yifte of kyng henry his graunte sire, made to them and with his charter confermed, [and] all the yiftis that were I-made to theym, & cetera.

About 1217. Confirma|tion to God|stow, by Henry III (in a differ|ent order), of the properties enume|rated in Henry II's third charter (no. 886), and, in addition, of (67) two carts carry|ing fire|wood daily out of Shot|over wood (apparently granted by Henry II); (68) rent|charge in Ickford, Bucks (no. 67); (69) of Jeffrey son of Durand's rent-charge in north suburb of Oxford (no. 517); with full manorial perquisites and juris|diction; and exemp|tion from royal taxes and im|positions.

THE sentence of this confirmacion is that Henry, kyng of Englond, & cetera, graunted, & cetera, into perpetuel almesse, and confermed with his charter to god, & cetera, and to the mynchons of Godestowe ther seruyng god, that yifte that henry his graunte sire made to them and with his charter confermed,

and all the yiftis that were I-made to them, that is to sey, of the yifte of Henry his graunte sire, the towne of Wolgarecote, and also the place that is I-called Godestowe in the whiche the chirche was I-founded with the assente and graunte of Bernard of Seynt Walery and of his heires, the whiche, that is to sey, Bernard, graunted to henry his graunte sire the forsaid towne and place, and yaf and resynyd hym (by a silken threde, wherof was I-made a chesible) also with all the lordship and right of the Avowry of the same Abbey that he had afore in hit, So that the forsaid abbey shold be free and in chief of his crowne as the Abbey of seynt Edmond and other riall Abbeyes that ben I-ordeyned thurgh Englond: Also of the yifte of henry his graunte sire, the chirche of wycombe with all his pertynentis, And the chirche of Bloxham with all his per|tynentis, and the vicariage of Patishulle with the pasture as kyng henry his fadir had hit in his owne hande, and [folio 189] the londe [Clere] by name called prevet the which his fadir bought of manasse Samhulle for xxv. mark: Of the yifte of the Empresse his graunte dame and of his fadir, Shillyngford that is to sey, two hydis and half a yerde with medys and pasturis the whiche Raaf Scribe held for lij. shillings vj. d. by yere, and an hundred shillyngworthe of lond in walton as they had hit whan Moolde the Empresse was I-seged at Oxenford, and a Fyssh|were in Charwelle and the watir with mede and pastures and all his pertynentis, and all the tythe of all the frutis of wodestok, and the Faires the which shold dure thre fulle dayes at Gode|stowe at the natiuite of seynt Iohn Baptist, And he comaunded surely that all they that come to tho feires shold have ther sure pease and all theire goodis in comyng and goyng awey, that no man shold be hardy wrongefully to distrouble them nother ther goodes. He graunted also and confermed, to the forsaid myn|chons for ever, two cartis to go euery day in the wode of Shottore to carye wode to there nede. Also of the yifte of Rey|nold of Seynt Walery, the mylle of Wolgarecote, and the fyssh|were that is I-called the kyngiswere, and the medis that ben I-called Heryngisham Boieham and licheseye, and the lond that lieth bytwene the two watirs, And half the mede that is I-called

Lambey: and the other half of the same mede, of the yifte of Robert Doylle. Of the yifte of Alisaundir, bisshop of lyn|colne, C. shillings by yere of the Tolle of Bannebury. Of the yifte of Bernard of Seynt Walery, a mede that is I-called Pecheseye, and to mowe the same mede iiij. shillings by yere, at the fest of the natiuite of seynt Iohn Baptist (ij. shillings in Erdynton and ij. shillings in lye). Of the yifte of Robert, Bisshop of Exceter, xl. shillings yerely to be paide, that is to sey, xx. shillings in the chirche of Faryndon, and xx. shillings in the chirche of our lady of Gloucestre. Of the yifte of Robert, Erle of leyceter, thre pounde-worthe of lond in Halso; Of the yifte of Amye, Countesse, his wyf, and by his graunte, ij. marke by yere, in Brakeley one marke and another in Fernyngho; Of the yifte of Reynold, the sone of the Erle, and of Emelyne his wyf and of his heires, Eaton, with all his pertynentis; Of the yifte of Symond of wadhulle, half of the chirche of Patishulle; Of the yifte of Raaf Bluet and of his modir and of his brethern, the chirche of Dauntesburne with the londis and his pertynentis; Of the yifte of Symond Spenser, the tythe of Rollendrith; Of the yifte of Nicholas Basset, one hide of lond in Rysyndon; [folio 189b] Of the yifte of Richard Labaanc, all the dowery of his modir, that is to sey, Hodycote al so moche as his predecessours had in possession, that is to sey, v. hides and Cnolle and Swanton with all ther pertynentis; Of the yifte of Arnulphe Bolde, the lond that is I-called Sanford; Of the yifte of Roger Dalmary, fyfty acres in Blechesdon; Of the yifte of Walter Pery, in the same towne, one yerde lond and x. acris; Of the yifte of hugh Tywe, ix. shillings of lond in Oxenford; Of the yifte of Roger, Bisshop of Salisbury, a mylle that is called Boyemylle, with the lond that lieth to the same; Of the yifte of the Citeȝens of Oxenford, the wyke or wyke crofte, the whiche Segryne held, in portman|heyt beside Oxenford; Of the yifte of Eylwyne fitȝ Godegose the chirche of seynt Gyle, with his pertynentis, the which chirch he founded, whiche is with-out Oxenford, And, of the other parte of the same Citee, vpon the south brigge, xviij. shillyng|worth of lond; Of the yifte of Ambrose fitȝ Gerald, v. shillings in wynchestir; Of the yifte of Baldewyne fitȝ Ingerid, in london in Estchepe, xj. shillings; Of the yifte of Edward fitȝ Sewyn,

vj. shillings vpon Cornhille; Of the yifte of hugh, Archidekon of leyceter, one Shoppe in Westchepe and ij. shillings with-out the west gate of seynt Poule; Of the yifte of Alurede Bendeuille, the mylle of Blechesworde; Of the yifte of henry Oxenford, one hide of lond in Walton; Of the yifte of Bartholomew Hicford, half a marke of lond in Hicford; Of the yifte of Gefferey Durante and Moolde his wyf, one marke of rente in Oxenford; Of the yifte of william vennȝ, his mylle and londe in Imbesette; Of the yifte of Robert Euersy, in wynchestir, all þe londe with|oute the northe yate and in Sheldwirthstrete and Flessh|mongerstrete; Of the yifte of Robert Euersy, his tofte of Roddis with-out Gloucestir, at the kyngesham, and one dwellyng place; Of the yifte of herbert of Seynt Quyntyne, in wynchestir, ij. dwellynge places with-in the walle and one with-oute; Of the yifte of Aleyne of lye, half a marke in Putham; Of the yifte of Robert fitȝ Nygelle, j. yerde of londe; Of the yifte of Nicholas Mutton, ij. shillings in Thormerton; Of the yifte of wydo of seynt walery, half a marke in Cumbreton; Of the yifte of the Abbot of Abendon and his Couente, thurgh the peticion of henry his fadir, v. acris by name pederesham; Of the yifte of william of Sewkeworthe, the chirche of Esyndon; Of the yifte [folio 190] of Baldewyne of Columbers the chirche of Lameth; Of the yifte of hugh Mortymer, one marke by yere of the mylle of Worthe. Of the yifte of Walter Clyfford, the mylle of Fram|ton, with all his pertynentis, And in the wyche xiiij. myttis of salte, And one mese. Of the yifte of Osbert fitȝ hugh, one salyne that is called a salte pitte, in the wyche the which is I-called a Cowe. Of the yifte of Anneys Mountchenesy, the chirche of Donyngton, with all his pertynentis. Also in wyn|chestir, of the yifte of the wyf of Thurstane Oser, iij. shillings viij. d. obolus. Also in wynchestir, of the yifte of Osbert fitȝ Westmanne, xvj. shillings xj. d.; Of the yifte of herebert Reve, v. shillings; Of the yifte of william, preste of seynt Pancrace, ij. shillings with-out the Est gate; Of the yifte of Humfray, Chapeleyne of the abbesse of Godestowe, in wynchestir vpon Chesse hulle, ix. shillings v. d. obolus, Of the yifte of Alisaundir, preste of Gloucestir, xij. d. Of the yifte of Thurchehille Reve, in Brakeley, iiij. shillings. Of the yifte of Aleyne Rusmonger

and Edithe his wyf, half a mark by yere with-oute the northe yate of Oxenford. Wherfore he wold and surely charged that the forsaid Abbesse of Godestowe and the mynchons ther ser|uyng god shold haue and hold all the forsaid thyngis and all maner thynge I-gote by the grace and yifte of god, into fre and perpetuell almesse, wele and in pease, frely and quyetly, fully holy and worshipfully, in wode and in playne, in medys and pasturis, in watirs and mylles, in weyes and pathis, in pondys and stewys, with-in borough and with-oute borough, and in alle other placis, with soke and sake, and tol and team, and infangen|theef, vtterly quyte, and [that their] fre tenauntis ought ther to be quyet fro shire and hundred, pleys and playntis, helpis and assises, yelde and daneyelde, fro Murdre and theeft, of Scuage and hydage, yiftis and scottis, and workynges of Castell howsis and wallis parkis stewys dichis and briggis, and of summage and cariage, of wardepeny and of Averpeny, and of hundrede|peny and thedyngpeny, and to be quyte (thurgh all his londe and by watir) of tol and passage, of pountage and tallage and lestage, and of all other customs that longed to hym, with all [their] liberteis and fre customs. And he forbede that no man shold do them wronge noþer greef in no wise. For the forsaid chirche and mynchons of Godestowe and all theire goodes and possessions and theire men, more specially than all other in Englond, [ben] in oure hande, proteccion, and kepynge, [folio 190b] These beyng witnesse, & cetera.

[folio 188] Another charter for them and all ther goodis and possessions, & cetera.

1229, Sept. 8. Protection to Godstow, by Henry III.

THE sentence of this charter is, that henry kyng of Englond, & cetera, toke into his proteccion and defence his abbesse and mynchons of Godestow, [folio 188b] And all ther men, londes and rentis, goodis and possessions. And therfor he comaunded that all statis and mynystres, & cetera, shold maynteyne, kepe, and defende the same Abbesse and mynchons, and all ther men, londis and rentis, goodis and possessions, doyng to them, nother

suffryng to them, wronge, greef, harme or vexyng. And yf any man forfettid to them, they shold make hit to be amended to them with-oute delaye; witnessyng, & cetera.

[folio 190b] A Charter of kynghenry the thirde, confermyng to the mynchons of Godestowe all that parte of wode of hildesdene in-to an eschaunge of ij. cartis walkyng every day to busshyng in Shottore, for all the tythe of huntyng in wodestok and wychewode, and the tythe of Elys of his stewys.

1235/6, Jan. 20. Ratifica|tion to God|stow, by Henry III, of King John's grant of part of Hildesdene wood, in lieu of two carts daily in Shotover (no.892 §67). Grants to Godstow, by Henry III of (70) tithe of king's quarry in Woodstock park and Wychwood forest; (71) tithe of eels from Woodstock ponds at each 'valson.' Confirma|tion also of privilege to be sued, about any tenement held of the crown, only before the Chief Justice of the King's Bench (as in no. 884).

THE sentence of this charter is, that kyng henry, by the grace of god kyng of Englond, & cetera, willed to be know to Archebisshoppis, & cetera, that he yaf, & cetera, to god & cetera and to the holy mynchons of Godestowe there seruyng god and to serue for ever, all that parte of wode of hildesdene with his pertynentis the whiche kyng Iohn his fadir in his day graunted to them, and assigned, into an eschaunge of ij. cartis the which they had every day walkyng to busshyng in his wode of Shot|tore, as the forsaid parte of the wode is dyvyded fro a parte of wode of the Abbot and Couente of Oseney by the ledyng of a watir rynnyng bitwene: To be had and to be hold, of hym and his heires, to them and to ther successours, into fre and perpetuel almesse, quyte fro wast and [folio 191] rewarde. He graunted also to the same abbesse and holy mynchons of Godestowe, for hym and his heires, they shold haue and take for ever the tythe of the huntyng (all that they shold take in the tyme to come) in his parke of wodestok and in his forest of wychewode: Also and the tythes of Elys of his stewys of wodestok al so ofte

as the valson of elys happened of the same his stewys. He graunted also to them, for hym and his heires, that they shold not [be] put into plee of ony of ther tenement that they held in his demayne, but afore hym or his chief Iustices and afore his heires and chief Iusticis of his heires. Wherfore he willed and surely charged, for hym and his heires, that the forsaid Abbesse of Godestowe, and the holy mynchons ther seruyng god and to serve for ever, shold haue and hold for ever the forsaid parte of wode of hildesdene with his pertynentis, quyte of wast and rewarde, wele and in pese, quyetly and holy, into fre and perpetuell almesse. And that they shold haue and take for ever the tythe of all huntyng, the which they shold take in the tyme to come in his parke of wodestok (that is to sey, he and his heires), and in ther forest of wychewode also, and the tithe of elys of his stewys of wodestok al so ofte as the valson of Elys happenyd of the same ther stewys, and that they shold not be put into plee of ony of there tenement that they held in his demayne but afore hym or his chief Justice, and afore his heires and ther chief Justices, as hit is I-seid afore. These beyng witnesse, & cetera.

[folio 191b] A confirmacion of kyng Henry, the sone of kyng Iohn, confermyng all that kyngis Henry fitȝ Emperice and kyng Iohn confermed and that worde by worde: loke the one of them and se the other of hem, & cetera.

1251, July 11.

[NOTE.—At Woodstock: July 11, 35 Henry III.]

A confirmacion of kynge Edward, aftir the same forme, worde by worde, & cetera.

1273, Oct. 17.

[Granted at Winchester, Oct. 17, 1 Edw. I, i. e. 1273, by the Chancellor.]

[folio 192b] Another licence to morteyse londes and tenementes to þe valew of C. shillings.

1312, Aug. 9. Licence in mortmain, granted to Godstow, by Edward II, to acquire lands up to £5 yearly value.

EDWARD, by the grace of god kynge of Englond, & cetera, willed to be know that he of his speciall grace graunted and yaf licence for hym and his heires al so moche as was in hym to his welbeloued in crist the abbesse and mynchons of Godestowe,

that they myght purchase and holde, to them and to ther suc|cessours for euer, londis and tenementis to the valew of a C. shil|lings by yere after the verry valew of the same, bothe of his owne fee and of other fee except londis and tenementis that were I-hold of hym in chief, [folio 193] The statute not-with-stondyng I-made of londis and tenementis not to be put to morte-mayne. So nathelesse by Inquysicion to be do þerof in dew forme, and to be returned in his Chauncery, hit be founde that hit myght be do withoute his harme and preiudice and of all other. Into witnesse of the which thynge, he made to be made these his lettres patentis, hym-self beyng witnesse, at Dovere, the nynthe day of August, the vj. yere of his reigne.

[folio 192] A confirmacion of kyng Edward, worde by worde as kyng Henry Fitȝ Emperice confermed afore.

1316, Dec. 27. [Issued 10 Edward II.]

[folio 193] A Charter of kyng Edward, confermyng all the liflode of Godestowe, worde by worde, as hit is I-writte afore, & cetera.

1330, July 24. EdwardIII.

A Charter of kyng Richard confermyng all that other kyngis before hym confermed, and that worde by worde, and noþer more ne lesse, & cetera.

About 1378. Richard II.

[3. By the Pope.]

[folio 195b] A-nother confirmacion of pope Eugenye, I-graunted the yere of our Lord god a thousand a hundred and xlv^ti.

A.D. 1145. Bull of pope Eugenius III, granted to Godstow, in the time of the foundress, at the request of Robert de Gant, Lord Chan|cellor (died 1153). Rule of St. Benedict is to be kept. Godstow empowered to retain present possessions and acquire others. Godstow properties named:— (I) the nun|nery and its site (no. 2); (II) the land called God|stow (no. 3); (III) in Wolvercote (a) the mill, (b) two houses, (c) an island, (d) three meadows, (e) King's-weir, (f) half Lamb-ey (no. 771) (IV) the other half of Lamb-ey, and a dole from Oxford Castle mills (no. 512); (V) St. Giles' Church, Ox|ford (no. 4); (VI) rent-charge on Ban|bury market (no. 285); (VII) land in Walton (no. 4); (VIII) Godstow fairs (no. 873); (IX) Boy-mill (no. 4); (X) two mansions in St. Clement's (no. 510); (XI) Watereaton, Wilts. (no. 847); (XII) land in Halso (no. 269); (XIII) the Wyke near Ox|ford (no. 4); (XIV) moiety of Pattishall church, Northnts. (no. 4); (XV) Hugh of Tew's 9s. rent-charge in Oxford (no. 513); (XVI) Sewar's 7s. rent|charge outside North Gate, Oxford (no. 4); (XVII) land in Rissington, Gloucestershire (no. 186); (XVIII) 50 acres in Bletch|ingdon (no. 288); (XIX) yardland in Bletch|ingdon (no. 290); (XX) Ralf Wafre's land in Knoll (no. 231); (XXI) land called Sanford; (XXII) Robert of Wytham's meadow (no. 32); (XXIII) Ailwyn's land out|side South Gate, Oxford; (XXIV) 17s. in London, i.e. (a) 11s. and (b) 6s., as in p. 679, l. 12; (XXV) Ambrose's 5s. in Winchester; (XXVI) Shillingford estate (no. 716); (XXVII) Rollright tithes (no. 713); (XXVIII) pensions in the churches of Farringdon, and of St. Mary-le|Crypt, Glouces|ter (no. 207 and no. 163). Godstow to supply the head in any community founded from it, under Bene|dictine rule. Godstow to enjoy free choice of an abbess at every vacancy. Wilful wrongers of Godstow are placed under sen|tence of the greater excommu|nication, except they make satis|faction.

THE sentence of this confirmacion is, that Eugenye, Bisshoppe, seruaunte of the seruauntis of God, willed to be know to his wel|beloued

doughtirs in criste, Edyue, Abbesse of the monastery of Seynt Iohn Baptist of Godestowe, and to her susterne bothe at that tyme beyng and to be, professed reguler lyf, that, to that [folio 196] entente the Cure of all the Chirche was I-commytted to hym of God, prouisor of all goode peple, that he sholde love religious peple and labour to sprede to god Religion wele pleasyng in all wises, For ther is never kynde or good seruyce do to god, but service comyng forth of the roote of charite be I-keped of the purenesse of Religion. For this cause hit is nedefull that all cristen men, lovers of cristen feith, to love Religion and to norissh worshipfull places, with there persones I-sette to goddis seruyce, that they be not made vnrestfull or greved or I-weried with importune grefis. Therfore welbeloued in god doughtirs, he, bowed with the praiers of his welbeloued Robert, preeste Cardenall and Chauncellere, graunted to youre rightfull askyngis mekely, and toke the forsaid monastery of seynt Iohn Baptist, in the whiche ye bene sette to goddes seruyce, vndir his protec|cion and seynt Petir, and defended by the priuilege of this writyng:

And first trewly ordeynyng that the ordire of Mynchons be kepid there clennely, in tymys perpetuell, aftir the rewle of Seynt Benette.

Furthermore, all possessions and all maner goodes that now rightfully and lawfully ye possesse, or myght purchase, by the grace of god, or in tyme to come, by the graunte of Bis|shoppes, liberalnesse of kyngis, largenesse of prynces, offryng of cristen peple, or by ony other rightfull maners, shold abide to them and to ther successours sure and vntastid.

In the whiche he willed these to be expressed [by] ther owne names:—The same monastery of our lady and of Seynt Iohn Baptist, with the possessions, and the Ile in the which the monastery Is I-founded, with his other pertynentis. Of the yifte of Iohn of seynt Iohn and of Reynold of Seynt Walerye, the lond that is I-called Godestowe, with the pertynentis; The mylle of wolgarecote; ij. mansions in wolgarecote, with ther pertynentis; The Ile that lieth bitwene the two watirs afore the yate of the monastery; thre medis, that is to sey, Boyeham,

Licheham, and Heryngesham; One Fysshwere vpon Themyse, with his pertynentis; Half a mede that is I-called Lambeye. And the other half of the same mede, of the yifte of Robert Doyle, with one busshell of whete yerely of the mylle vndir the Castell of Oxenford. The Chirch of seynt Gyle, the which is without Oxenford. Of the yif[t]e of Alisaundre, Bisshop of [folio 196b] Lyncolne, an hundred shillyngis of the Tolle of Bannebury yerely to be paid to theyme. Of the yifte of kynge Stephyne, an hundred shil|lyng-worthe of londe in walton, the Feyres of thre dayes at the Natiuite of Seynt Iohn Baptist at Gode|stowe. Of the yifte of Roger, Bisshoppe of Salis|bury, a mylle that is I-called Boyemylle, with his londis and pertynentis, ij. mansions at Seynt Cle|mentis. Of the yifte of Raynold the Erles sone and of Emelyne his wyf, Eaton, with all his pertynentis. In Halso, thre pounde worthe of lond, the which Robert, Erle of Leyceter, yaf. Of the yifte of the Citeȝens of Oxenford the lond that is I-called the wyke in portemanheyt. And all the right that they had in the chirch of wadhille. Of the yifte of Hugh Tywe, nyne shillyngworth of lond in Oxenford. Of the yifte of Seware, seven shillyngworth of lond with-out the northe gate. Of the yifte of Nicholas Basset, one hide of lond in Rysyndon. Of the yifte of Roger Dalmary, fyfty acres in Blechesdon. In the same towne, one yerde of londe and x. acres, of the yifte of Waltere Pery. In knolle, the lond that Raaf wafere yaf to them. The londe that is I-called Sanford. Of the yifte of Robert Wytham, a parte of mede beside Godestowe. Of the yifte of Ailwyne fitȝ Godegose xviij. shillyngworthe of lond with-oute the South gate of Oxenforde. In Estchepe at london, xvij. shillyng-worthe of londe. In Wynchestir v. shillyngworthe of lond of the yifte of Ambrose. Of the yifte of Raaf Shreue and moolde his wyf, Shillyngforde. Alle the rightis in the tythes of Rollendrith. xx. shillings of the chirche of

Farendon, Of the yifte of Robert, Bisshop of Excetir, yerely to be paid. Of the yifte also of the same, xx. shillings of the chirche of oure lady of Gloucestre yerely to be paid.

Beside all this he ordeyned that in abbeyes that come out of them and keped ther rewles that none abbesse of anothere ordire or prioresse be preferred aboue yow.

And that when the abbesse at that tyme, or ony othere succedyng, deyed, he charged that none shold be made abbesse there by violence or wylynesse of surrepcion, but suche one as the Susterne with the commune assente, or elles the most parte of the sadde counseil of Sustres, prouide to be chose aftir the drede of god and the reule of Seynt Benette. Also he decreed that hit shold not be lawfull [folio 197] to ony man to trouble the forsaide place frowardely or to take away theire possessions, or to holde theyme I-take awaye, lessen them, or to wery them with ony vexacions, but that they sholde be keped hole for there gouernyng and susteynyng for the which they were I-graunted to profite in all maner vsis, Savyng his auctorite and the lawfull right and reverence of the Bisshoppe diocesane, And yf ony persone of the chirche or seculere, knowyng the writyng of thise lettres his ordeynyng, tempte frowardly ayenst hit, twyes or thries I-warned, yf he correcte not his gilte with couenable satisfiyng, he shold lakke the dignyte of his worshippe and powere and know hym-self to be gilty to the Iuggemente of god of his wikkednesse I-do, and that he is aliene fro the most holy body and blode of god and of oure lord agayne-byere Ihesu criste, and to be subiected to streight vengeaunce in the last dome. But pease of oure lorde Ihesu criste shold be to all men kepyng the rightis of the same place, that they myght here bothe take the frute of goode doyng, and fynde rewardes of everlastyng pease ayenst the streight Iugge, & cetera.

[folio 193] Here begynneth the bulles of popis, and of pope Celestyne confermyng all thyngis that were I-yeve to the mynchons of Godestowe, & cetera.

About 1192. Bull of pope Celes|tine III, renewing to Godstow the pro|tections granted by popes Eugenius III (1145|53), Alexander III (1159|81), Clement III (1187-91); making the same pro|visos as in no. 901; mentioning properties recited in no. 901, with others recently acquired, viz.:— (XXIX) Wycombe church (no. 87); (XXX) Bloxham (no. 306); (XXXI) tithe of fruits of Woodstock (no. 876); (XXXII) Duntisborne (no. 154); (XXXIII) Lamyat (no. 780); (XXXIV) Easington (no. 438); (XXXV) Din|ton (no. 52); (XXXVI) Wolvercot town (no. 5); (XXXVII) the 'cowry' in Pattis|hall (no. 886 § 42); (XXXVIII) Clereprevet (no. 216); (XXXIX) two carts daily in Shotover (892 § 67); (XL) fishery in Cher|well (no. 540); (XLI) Peches|ey, with rent|charges (no. 886 § 44); (XLII) rent|charges in Brackley and Far|thingho (no. 260); (XLIII) Hodycote, Knoll, and Swanton (no. 234); (XLIV) shop in Westcheap and land near St. Paul's (no. 243); (XLV) Bothes|worde mill; (XLVI) a hide in Walton (no. 516); (XLVII) mill at Empshot (no 202); (XLVIII) land in Winchester (no. 236); (XLIX) land atGlou|cester (no. 165); (L) houses at Win|chester (no. 237); (LI) rent-charge in Petham (no. 864); (LII) yardland in Bletchingdon (no. 290); (LIII) rent-charge in Tormarton (no. 193); (LIV) rent-charge in Knighton, Berks. (no. 16); (LV) meadow called Pederisham (no. 33); (LVI) rent-charge on Highworth mill (see no. 863); (LVII) Frampton mill, salt rights, &c. (no. 156); (LVIII) a salt|pit in Wiche (no. 200); (LIX) rent|charges in Winchester; (LX) in (? Glou|cester); (LXI) in Brack|ley; (LXII) (Bras|monger's) out|side Oxford; (LXIII) and at Ickford (no. 67); (LXIV) mes|suages in Cat-street; (LXV) and in St. Edward's Street, Oxford; (LXVI) fitȝ Durand's rent|charge in Ox|ford (no. 517); (LXVII) meadow at Wytham (no. 32). Exemption from paying tithe of (a) 'novale,' (b) cattle, (c) fruit-trees, (d) fisheries. Privileges to accept novices, and to retain pro|fessed nuns, except they have leave to enter a stricter rule; to have services during interdict; to have from the diocesan (without fee) chrism, oil for extreme unction, consecration of altars and churches, and ordination of their chaplains; and to im|propriate churches. Exemption (no. 866) from arch|deacon's jurisdiction in respect of hospitality, and calling chaplains into his court or to his visitation. Right to elect their own abbess at every vacancy. Excom|munication against all who com|mit crimes in their houses or barns, or take away their possessions, and against all, lay or cleric, who obstinately oppose this bull.

CELESTYNE, bisshop, seruaunte to the seruauntis of god,

willed to be know, that [he] owed to yeve help to his wel|beloued in crist doughters, abbesse of the monasterie of our lady and of seynt Iohn Baptist of Godestowe and to her sustern bothe now beyng and to be, I-professed [folio 193b] regularre lyfe for ever, wise virgynes, the which vndir the habite of religion, with lampes I-tended, araied them-self besely by the workis of mercy to go ayenst ther spouse, lest perauenture to comyng of ony frowardnesse other shold reuoke fro ther purpose or strengthe of the holy religion be broke, that god forbede. Therfore, he graunted mercyfully to the rightfull askyngis of his welbeloued in criste doughtirs, and toke the forsaid monastery of oure lady and of seynt Iohn Baptist of Godestowe in the which they were I-sette to the seruyce of god, at the exemple of his predecessours of blissed mynd, Eugeny, Alisaundre, and Clement, popis of Rome, and defensed hit with the privilege of this present writyng, he toke hit vndir his proteccion.

And first he ordeyned that the ordir of mynchons the which is I-know I-ordeyned after god and the rewle of seynt Benet in the same monastery shold be keped for ever ther inuiolably.

Furthermore that all possessions all goodis that the monastery at that tyme rightfully and lawfully had in possession or in tyme to come by graunte of Bisshoppes, yiftis of kyngis or of prynces, by the offeryngis of trew cristen men, or by ony other rightfull maners, by oure lordis graunte, myght be pur|chased, shold abide to them sure and clene, and to ther predecessours.

In the which he willed to be expressed these thyngis by ther owne names, that place in the which the mon|astery is I-sette with the Ile and all his pertynentis; The chirche of wycombe, with all his pertynentis; The chirche of Bloxham, with all his pertynentis; all the tythe of all the frutes of wodestok; The right that they had in the chirche of Patishulle; The chirche of Dauntesburne, with the londes and ther pertynentis; The tythe of Rollendrith; The chirch of Seynt Gyle, that is with-out Oxenford, with his pertynentis; The chirche of Lamyeth; And the chirche of Esendon, with his pertynentis; The

chirche of Donyngton, with all the pertynentis; Also of the yifte of kynge henry the seconde, the towne of wolgarecote, with all his pertynentis. Also of the yifte of the same, the Cowerye of pacheshale with pasture; and lond in Clere by name Prevet. And of the yifte of the same kyng henry and of kynge Richard his sone, two cartis every day walkyng in the wode of Shottore to cary busshes to the nede of the mynchons. Of the yifte of Moolde the emperice his modir and his, the lond of Shillyng|ford, that is to sey, [folio 194] two hides and half a yerde, with his other pertynentis; And a hundred shillyngworth of lond in Walton; And one Fysshwere in Charewelle, with medis and pastures and all there pertynentis; And the Faires that dure by thre hole dayes at Godestowe at the Natiuite of Seynt Iohn Baptist. Of the yifte of Reynolde of Seynt Walerye the mylle of Wollegare|cote, and one Fysshwere that is I-called bynsilwere; And medis that bene called Heryngisham, Boyeham, and Licheseye; And a lond that lieth bitwene the two waters; And half of a mede that is I-called Lambeye. And the other half of the same mede, of the yifte of Robert Doylle. Of the yifte of Alisaundre, somtyme bisshoppe of Lyncolne, an hundred shil|lynges by yere of the Tolle of Bannebury. Of the yifte of Bernard of Seynt Walerye, a mede that is I-called Pechesey, and to mow the same mede iiij. shillings by yere At the fest of Seynt Iohn Baptist (ij. shillings in Erdyngton And ij. shillings in lye). Of the yifte of Robert, Bisshoppe of Excetere, xl. shil|lings yerely to be paid, that is to sey, xx. shillings in the chirche of Farendon, And xx. shillings in the chirch of oure lady of Gloucestre. Of the yifte of Robert, Erle of leyceter, thre pounde worthe of lond in Halso; Of the yifte of Amye Countesse, his wyf, ij. marke by yere, one in Brakeley and another in Farnyngho. Of the yifte of Raynold, the Erles sone, and of Emelyne his wyf, and of his heires, Eaton with all his pertynentis. Of the yifte of Nicholas Basset, one hyde of lond in Rysyndene. Of the yifte of Richard Labaanc, all the dowerye of his wyf, that is to sey, Hodycote al so moche as his predecessours had in possession, that is to sey, v. hides and Cnolle and Swanton with all ther pertynentis. Of the yifte of Arnolphe Bolde, the londe that is I-called Sanford.

Of the yifte of Roger Dalmarye, fyfty acres in Blechesdon; Of the yifte of Walter Pery, in the same towne, one yerde of lond and x. acris. Of the yifte of hugh Tywe, nyne shillyngworthe of lond in Oxenford. Of the yifte of Roger, Bisshoppe of Salisbury, a mylle that is I-called boymylle, with the lond that lieth to the same. Of the yifte of the Citeȝens of Oxenford wyke or wyke crofte, the which Segreue held in portemanheyte beside Oxenford; And of the other parte of the same Citee vpon the Southbrigge, xviij. shillyngworth of lond. [folio 194b] Of the yifte of Ambrose Fitȝ Gerolde, v. shillings in wynchestir. Of the yifte of Baldewyne fitȝ Ingelot, in london in westchepe, xj. shillings. Of the yifte of Edward fitȝ Sywyne, vj. shillings. Of the yifte of hugh, Archidekon of Leycetir, one Shoppe in westchepe ij. shillings, and ij. shillings with-in the west yate of Seynt Powle. Of the yifte of Alurede Bendeuille, the mylle of Botheworde. Of the yifte of henry of Oxenforde, one hide of lond in walton. Of the yifte of william vennȝ, a mylle and his lond in Hymbeset. Of the yifte of Robert Meysy in wynchestir, his londe with-oute the north yate, And in Selwithstrete and Flesshmongerstrete. Of the yifte of Robert Euersy, his tofte of Roddys (in Latyne virgultum) without Glou|cestre at the kyngesham, and one dwellyng place. Of the yifte of herebert of Seynt Quyntyn, in wynchestre two dwellyng placis, with-in the walle one, and one with-oute. Of the yifte of Aleyne of lye, half a marke in Putham. Of the yifte of Robert fitȝ Nigelle, one yerde of lond in Blechesden. Of the yifte of Nicholas Motton, ij. shillings in Thormerton. Of the yifte of Gye of Seynt walerye, half a marke in wynchestir. Of the yifte of the Abbot of Abendon and of all the Couente, v. acris by name called Pederesham. Of the yifte of hugh of Merton, one marke by yere of the mylle of worthe. Of the yifte of walter Clyfford, the mylle of Framton with all his pertynentis, And in wyche xiiij. mittis of Salte and one mese. Of the yifte of hubert fitȝ hugh, one Salyne,

(anglicè, a salte pitte) in wiche that is I-called a Cowe. (Also in wynchestir, of the yifte of herberte fitȝ westman xvj. shillings ix. d.; Of the yifte of Edeyue the wyf of Thursteyne Osere, iij. shillings viij. d. obolus; Of the yifte of hereberte Reve, v. shillings; Of the yifte of william of Seynt Pancrace, ij. shillings with-oute the Est yate; Of the yifte of humfrey, Chapeleyne of the abbesse of Godestowe, in wynchestir vppon Cheshulles, ix. shillings v. d. obolus; Of the yifte of Alisandire, preest of Gloucestire, xij. d. Of the yifte of Turkille Reve in Brakeleye, iiij. shillings. Of the yifte of Aleyne Bras|monger and of Edithe his wyf, half a marke by yere with|out the north yate of Oxenford. Of the yifte of Bartholomew Ickeforde, halfa marke. Of the yifte of Roger fitȝ Sewyne, one mese at Oxenford in Catstrete. Of the yifte of Iohn Bisshoppe of Norwyche, ij. mesis in Seynt Edwardis strete. Of the yifte of Geffrey fitȝ Durande [folio 195] and of Moolde his wyf, one marke in Oxenforde. Of the yifte of Vyncente knyght of Wytham, v. acris of mede by name Ruenth, with the pertynentis.

Furthermore no man shall presume to take or aske of yow tythes of youre noualle that ye tele with youre hondes or costis, or of the norisshyng of youre bestis, or of the frutes of youre trees, or of the vsis of Fisshyngis.

And hit shall be lawfull to yow to resceive fre persones and lowsid fleyng fro the worlde to conuersion, and to holde theyme, with-oute ony agayne-seiyng. More-overe he forbede that to none of her sustern shold be lawfull to go a-wey after profession I-made in the same place, with-oute licence of the Abbesse of the same place, but by cause of streighter religion: And that no man holde none that gothe away, with-oute the writyng of there commune lettres.

And whan that ther is a generall entirdityng I-made, Hit shold be lawfull to them, the yates I-shitte, cursed peple I-excluded or I-shitte oute, and also suche as be entirdited,

the belles [not] I-ronge, with lowe voice to sey goddis service.

Also he comaunded to yeve to them with-oute ony exaccion creyme and holy oyle, halewyngis of auters or of chirches, ordeynyngis of clerkis the which ben to be promoted to holy ordirs, and other sacramentis of the chirche, by the Bisshoppe diocesane.

And in parissh chirches that they haue, hit shall be lawfull to theyme to chese preestis and presente them to theire dio|cesane Bisshoppe, to the which yf they be covenable, he shalle commytte to them Cure of sowles, that they aunswere of dewte to hym of spirituall thyngis, and to yow of the temper|alteis.

Also he confermed by his auctorite the liberteis and the immynumentis the whiche somtyme Alisaundre, bisshoppe of Lyncolne, resonably yaf, with the consente of the Archidekon, to ther monastery, with good deuocion, vppon hospitaliteis not to be asked of the Archidekon of the place, Chapeleyns and other mynystres wrongfully to be impleyd nother to be com|pellyd to go to Seyne, as hit is I-conteyned in the autentikes of the forsaid Bisshoppe, and hidir to be ordre.

And whan the abbesse at that tyme of that place, or ony of theyme that succede, [died] none shold be made abbesse there by ony wylynesse of surrepcion or violence but suche one which the [folio 195b] Sustirs, with the commune assente, or the more parte of the sad counseille of Sustern, aftir the love of god and the rewle of Seynt Benette prouide to be chose.

Also, he willyng with his fadirly besynesse to prouide to pease and rest fro that tyme forthe, forbede, by his auctorite of the appostles, that no man with-in the closyng of ther howses or graungis do violence or Rauysshynge or theft, sette to fire, take man or sle, or frowardely be bolde to do violence. Ther|for (or for these causes) decreid that hit shold not be lawfull to no man vttirly to trouble the forsaid monastery frowardly, or to take away theire possessions, to with-hold them I-take

away to lessen them or to vexe them with ony vexacions but that they shold be keped hole for theire sustenaunce and gouernynge for the which they were I-graunted to profite in all manere vsis, Savyng the auctorite of the pope and the reguler right of the diocesane Bisshoppe. And yf ony in the tyme to come, of the Chirche or of the seculer parte, knowyng this his writyng, tempte frowardely to come or do ayenst hit twyes or thries I-warned, but he correcte his gilte with dew satis|faccion, he shold lakke or be depreved of his dignyte, worshippe, and powere, and know hym to be Iugged of god for that his wikkednesse that he did, And that he stondith departed fro the most holy body and blode of god and of oure agayne-byere Ihesu crist, and be subiected to streight vengeaunce in the last dome. And all this is no more to sey after my symplenesse, but that suche persones bene accursed. And he wolde that the pease of oure lord Ihesu crist shold be, to all kepyng of the same place theire rightis, that is to sey, they shold have cristis blissyng, that they doyng so myght take the frute of ther good doyng and to fynde the rewardes of everlastyng pease at the streight Iuggement. Amen, & cetera.

[folio 197] A confirmacion of Boneface the nynthe, grauntyng that þei myght sette to ferme all frutis, availes, rentis, tythis, offryngis, porcions, & cetera.

1401/2, Febr. 18. Bull of pope Boniface IX (el. 1389, Nov. 2; died 1404, Oct. 1), empower|ing God|stow to lease out, give, or sell, the yearly proceeds of their different possessions, without obtaining licence of the ordin|ary, and in spite of pro|visions of the canon law. No papal decree hereafter obtained by any bishop is to be of power to annul this grant, unless the revocation expressly recites the grant and expressly repeals it.

THE sentence of this confirmacion is, that Boneface, bisshop, servaunte of the seruantis of god, willed to be know to a per|petuell myndyng or memorie, that al so ofte as hit was I-asked of hym that was accordyng (or semed to acorde) to the holy religion and honeste, he graunted and thought to graunte with a good wille and to graunte to the desiris of the askers con|venyent helpe. This was the cause that he inclyned to the supplicacions of his welbeloued in crist the abbesse of Godestowe and of the Couente of the same monastery of the ordire of Seynt Benette of Lyncolne Diocise in this behalf, that they myght lawfully and frely arendre, sette to ferme, yeve or selle, all frutis, rentis, prouentis, tythis, and offeryngis of chirches, chapelles, porcions, pensions, and of othere possessions longyng

then to them and to there monastery or afterward to be longed, to clerkes or to laye men, Ioyntly or departyngly, as hit semyth best to them, and also afore or these manere of [folio 197b] frutis, rentis, prouentis, porcions of tythes, and pensions, they were departed fro the grounde or the nyne parties. And also to the forsaid clerkis or Layemen, that they myght gadre the frutis, rentis, prouentis, tythes, pensions, porcions, and resceive them to ferme, and put theyme in Clerkes grounde or Layemennes frely and lawfully, and dispose of them after ther owne lust and wille, By the auctorite he yaf licence by the tenoure of this present writyngis, no licence of the ordinaries or of ony othere requysite or gete, Notwithstondyng statutis of the forsaide ordre contrary, And also legatinis of Othon and Octobon and Synodall and other constitucions strengthed by the pope or by ony other suerte. And yf hit happened that his worshipfulle brothere, Bisshoppe of Lyncolne beyng for the tyme, or ony other, wold gete lettres of the pope or of his legatis ayenst this manere of graunte, or happened in tyme to be in generall or in speciall, hit shold not be of no strengthe nor of surete but mension were had in them of these present lettres fulle and expressed and fro worde to worde, decreyng, fro that tyme, to be nought, and in vayne, yf hit happened to be attempted beside vpon these thyngis of ony man, knowyngly or ignorantly, by ony auctorite, And that hit sholde not be lawfull to no man to breke this pagyne or writyng of this his grauntyng of wille and decree, or to go ayenst hit with frowarde boldenesse. And yf ony man presume or attempte hit, Lette hym knowe that he rynnythe in-to the indignacion of god and of his blissed appostles Petir and Paule. The date at Rome, at Seynt Petir, xij. kalendis of marche, the xiij. yere of his Bisshophode.

Notes

• 'Walter, archdeacon of Oxenforde' followed, but is partially erased: see next paragraph.
• '… the fredom þat we have of þ^e bisshop,' in margin.
• Sic.
• Latin is: 'oleum quoque, crisma et oleum sanctum et oleum infirmorum.'
• Latin is: 'ad sinodos.'
• '¶ marke welle þys poynt': marginal note.
• [NOTE.—In the Exchequer MS. the witnesses are given: viz. Robert (Chichester), bishop of Exeter (1138-55); Robert, bishop of Bath (1135-66); Roger, bishop of Salisbury (died Dec. 4, 1139); Algar, bishop of Coutances; Simon, bishop of Worcester (1125-50); Walter, archdeacon of Oxford; Reginald, abbot of Evesham; Walter, abbot of Egenesham (Einsham); Robert (de Bellomont), earl of Leicester (1118-68); Milo of Gloucester, constable; Robert of Olley; John of St. John; Engelram of Sai.]
• In the Latin: 'ad sustentationem earum, perpetuis usibus profutura, beneficia fidelium Christi largitate concessa.'
• Lapse into first person of the Latin.
• '… for þ^e vicar of Wycombe,' in mar|gin.
• The 'h' is erased. There are also many instances of 'h' being erased, in this way, in words which elsewhere begin with the erased letter.
• Purificatio B. V. M., 2 Febr.
• The 'h' is erased. There are also many instances of 'h' being erased, in this way, in words which elsewhere begin with the erased letter.
• Exaltacio Crucis, 14 Sept.
• The Latin is: 'carduorum qui ad offi|cium fullonum pertinent.'
• The 'h' is erased. There are also many instances of 'h' being erased, in this way, in words which elsewhere begin with the erased letter.
• 'praeter candelam que pervenit die dominica ad altare cum pane benedicendo.'
• '… for the vicar of bloxham,' in margin.
• 'Cherecheset,' in the Latin copy.
• '… for þe vicar of seynt gylys,' in margin.
• '… & take heede for þ^e hoth of þ^e vicars & chapeleyns,' in margin=oath.
• '… Yowre fredomys in alle placis,' in margin.
• [NOTE.—In the Exchequer MS., on a leaf of the table of contents, an annotator has noted, from 'William de Shareshulle' [C. J. K. B., 1350-7], that socha is 'secta curiae,' i. e. a lord's right to attendance of his tenants at his court and to try their causes in it; 'sacha' is 'amerciamentum tenentium,' i. e. a lord's right to retain to his own use the fines imposed in his court; toll is 'taxatio nativorum ad voluntatem Domini, Anglice scuse vel yelde'; team is a lord's right to retain in serfdom the issue of his serfs; infangethef is a lord's right to take cognisance, at the suit of the injured party, of thefts committed within his demesne if the thief be taken within the demesne, cum manuopere (mainour or manour, i. e. the stolen goods) found in the thief's possession, but if the thief is not indicted within three days, both he and the mainour shall be handed over to the king's gaol. Out|fangethef is not explained. Cowell's Interpreter (1607) makes it a 'priviledge, whereby a lord is inabled to call any man dwelling within his owne fee, and taken for felonie in any other place, and to judge him in his owne court.' In the valuation (Escheat 14 Edw. III. 67, no. 2), 10 April, 1340, of the Castle and Manor of Fotheringhay, Northts., note is made that the manor possessed Infangenthef et Outfangenthef,' but 'nichil valent per annum eo quod magis cadunt in onere quam in aliquo alio valore,' i. e. they are burdens, not sources of profit. Outfange-theyf is absent from most charters of Godstow; and its mention here, and on p. 658, is probably due to a clerical error. It was a power rarely conferred.]
• Otherwise explained in Oseney Regis|ter, no. 10.
• In error for 'ij. days.'
• '… agaynst þe distrobulers of the feyere, the peyne,' in the margin.
• [NOTE.—The Exchequer MS. shows that the charter was given at Oxford. The witnesses were [Nigel] bishop of Ely (1133-69), William [Fitzgilbert] chancellor (1142), and Robert (Consul), earl of Gloucester (1109-47). The date was probably the summer of 1142, before the siege of Oxford Castle by Stephen, Sept.-Dec. 1142.]
• [NOTE.—At Devises. Witnesses:—Herebert, chaplain (of Godstow); [Robert] earl of Gloucester; Milo of Gloucester; Brian fitz-count.]
• [NOTE.—At Devises. Witnesses:—Robert, earl of Gloucester; Milo (de Gloucester), earl of Hereford; Brian fitz-count; Humphrey de Bohun. This and the next charter involve a difficulty of date. Geoffrey of Anjou is styled Duke of Normandy, a title not assumed till April, 1144, but Milo of Gloucester, one of the witnesses, was killed 24 Dec. 1143.]
• Read 'half a yerde.'
• The Latin is: 'M. Imperatrix, r. Henr. fil., Archiepiscopis' etc., i.e. regis Henrici filia.' The translator has wrongly ex|panded it to 'regi Henrico filio.'
• In error for 'erle.' Latin is: 'et comitis Andegavensis.'
• Latin is: 'piscaria in Chiarewell.'
• [NOTE.—The witnesses are Bernard, bishop of St. David's (1115-47); Robert, earl of Gloucester; Milo, earl of Hereford; Brian fitz-count; Humphrey de Bohun. Maud withdrew to Normandy, Nov. 1145.]
• [NOTE.—'Delingys-crofte' is an error of the translator. In the Latin the initial letter is plainly 'S', the end of the word is indistinct: 'Selingeft' = Shillingford. Henry II succeeded 25 Oct. 1154; the precept was perhaps sent out before his departure for England, Dec. 1154.]
• Added from the Latin (Exchequer MS. leaf 164).
• Read 'Thomas.'
• Read 'more': cp. 654/1.
• [NOTE.—Although put second in the Register the preceding charter is the earliest in date. It was given at Rouen, probably in 1156, at the time of his first French visit. The witnesses are:—Maud, his mother (died 1167); Philip, bishop of Baieux; Arnulph, bp. of Lisieux; Thomas (Becket), chancellor (1154-62); Robert de Novo|burgo; Richard de Humez, constable; Warin fitȝ-Gerald, chamberlain; Manasses Biset, dapifer; and Robert de dunest.]
• Put first in the Register, but certainly second in order of time.
• Latin has 'Boi-ham.' At the dissolu|tion, 1540, Godstow owned (Monast. iv. 370) 'Beynam' (? in error for Boy-ham), 5 acres, valued at 2s. 4d. an acre; as also Great Ham (4 acres) and Little Ham (2 acres) in Wolvercote mead, which, as being common after the first hay (vestura) was removed, were valued at only 1s. 8d. an acre. They are, no doubt, the two 'hams' mentioned here with Boy-ham.
• So also in the Latin copy, but either in error or descriptive of property afterwards alienated. It is neither Shillingford nor Swanton, which are both mentioned in this confirmation.
• Sic, repeated by a slip.
• Latin 'Cnolla.' Possibly this is the same as no. 878, § 18.
• Omit 'In.' It is an error in translation.
• So also in the Latin, but how did it come? Perhaps in error for Walter of Perry's gift in Bletchingdon (no. 290).
• Latin has 'Bcheswurth.' This property has not been identified.
• Read 'heit.'
• xxis. in the Latin.
• [NOTE.—Eyton gives April 1157 as the date of the foregoing charter. The witnesses are: Rodbert (de Bellomont, second) earl of Leicester (1118-68); Richard de Canuill.; Warin, son of Gerold; Henry son of Ger.: apud Lundias. Warin fitz-Gerald died about end of 1157.]
• 'to the sheriff,' in Latin copy.
• Probably questioning Godstow title to lands at Rissingdon, see no. 190.
• Added from the Latin copy.
• Added from the Latin copy.
• 'in vivariis et mariscis.'
• [NOTE.—Directed to 'all archbishops,' &c. Witnesses are:—G[eoffrey Ridel], bishop of Ely [1174-89]; Hugh [Pudsey], bishop of Durham [1153-95]; and G[eoffrey Plantagenet], bishop elect of Lincoln [1173]; Walter, archdeacon of Oxford; Roger, the king's chaplain; Richard de Luci; Reginald de Curtenai; &c. The explanation of this charter, as of its immediate predecessors, may be that Godstow felt the need of additional protection for lands acquired since no. 879; and so we are led on to the next charter, which enumerates by name both the old properties and those lately acquired.]
• The Latin text in the Monasticon, iv. 364, is from the Inspeximus of Richard I.
• A slip of the translator. Latin is 'vaccaria de Pautheshale cum pastura,' a cow-house. See no. 902, § xxxvii.
• 'Sannerville.'
• 'piscaria.'
• 'disturbare iniuste.'
• At the dissolution, 1540, Godstow still possessed (Monast. iv. 370) Pyxsey, 40 acres, valued at £3 (i.e. 1s. 6d. per acre), which was common after removal of the first hay-crop (vestura).
• 'Leyga.'
• Latin 'virgata': Monast. iv. 364.
• 'Baldwin,' ibid.
• 'filii Siwimeri': ibid.
• 'Aluredi': ibid.
• 'Becheswrde': ibid.: 'Benchesworda' in the Exchequer MS. See note 1, p. 658.
• In Richard I's Confirmation (Monast. iv. 364), there appear at this point two clauses, probably omitted here by accident: 'of the gift of Bartholomew of Yckeford one half-marc of land in Ikeford (no. 67); of the gift of William (son of Durand) and Maud his wife one marc of rent in Oxene|ford.' But William is in error for Jeffrey (no. 517).
• Line omitted in MS., supplied from the Latin copy.
• 'Yutton' or 'Nutton' (ill-formed letter) in Exchequer MS.; 'Murton,' Monast. iv. 364; in error for Mutton.
• 'Cumbreton' also in Exchequer MS.; 'Cnicheton,' Monast. iv. 364. Knighton in Berkshire is meant.
• 'per petitionem domini Henrici patris nostri' in Richard I's confirmation: Monast. iv. 364.
• 'Pederissam' in Exchequer MS.
• 'ex dono Hugonis le Morton,' Monast. iv. 64, in error.
• Latin has: 'et in Wichia xiiii. mittas salis et unam messuagium': Monast. iv. 365, and Exchequer MS.
• Latin has: 'salinam unam in Wichia quae dicitur vacca': Monast. iv. 365.
• Latin: 'praepositi.'
• Latin: 'praepositi.'
• 'hundreder peny,' in the Latin.
• [Given at Winchester. The witnesses fix the date as not earlier than 1181. They are:—Richard [Tocliffe], bishop of Winchester [1173-89]; G[eoffrey Ridel], bishop of Ely [1174-89]; B[aldwin], bishop of Worcester [1180-84]; G[eoffrey Plantagenet], his son, chancellor [1181-89]; master Laurence, archdeacon of Bedford; Master Walter de Constantiis; Bertram de Verdon, &c.]
• This confirmation is treated as given by Henry II. It is plainly by Henry III. The Latin has, correctly, 'Henrici filii regis Iohannis.'
• 'vaccaria': see note², p. 661.
• grandfather.
• grandfather.
• great-grandmother.
• grandfather.
• See note ⁶, p. 663.
• See note ⁶, p. 663.
• grandfather.
• Added from the Latin.
• Added from the Latin.
• [NOTE.—The preceding charter is put among those of Henry II, but as it bears date 'at Westminster, Sept. 8, the 13th year of his reign' (Exchequer MS.), it is plainly of Henry III.]
• In Buckinghamshire: see Rot. Hundred. i. 22, col. 1. temp. Henr. III. 'Dominus abbas de Oseneya tenet medietatem bosci qui vocatur Hildesdene. Et abbatissa de Godestowe tenet aliam medietatem de Hil|desden ex dono domini Regis Iohannis in perpetuam elemosinam.'
• Marginal note: the tythe of huntinge in wodstoke parke and wychwode forest. At the dissolution (Monast. iv. 372), 1540, Godstow was leasing the tithes of Wood|stock manor and park for £2 6s. 8d.
• i. e. the king and his successors.
• Latin (Exchequer MS.) has: 'quotiens aualatio anguillarum contigerit'; i. e. (per|haps) as often as the eel-bucks are taken up. In the Calendar of Charter Rolls of Henry III the word is given as 'abalatio,' and explained as letting the eels come down from the eel-ponds.
• This clause should follow 'they' in preceding line.
• [NOTE.—We know from other sources that Edward II was at Dover, August 9, in the sixth year of his reign, i. e. 1312. This fixes the date, and removes the possibility of the licence belonging to Edward I's reign.]
• Put second in the Register, although first in point of time.
• 'A good seiyng,' in margin.
• The order of the items is arbitrary, and differs from that in the royal charters already given.
• 'For the eleccion,' in margin.
• The heading of lf. 197 is 'A bulle of pope Bonyface to take to ferme ther tythes,' referring to no. 903, which follows no. 901 in the MS.
• In the Register, Celestine III's bull is put first, as being the fullest confirma|tion, but it is second in point of time.
• 'Marke wele,' in margin.
• Read 'successours.'
• 'Binsilwere' also in the Latin; in both cases in error for King's-weir.
• 'Botheswurda' in the Latin copy: see note⁵, p. 663
• In the Latin copy 'Ciheton,' in error for 'Knighton.'
• Highworth.
• 'for tythes,' in margin. The Latin is: 'Sane novalium vestrorum quae propriis manibus vel sumptibus colitis, sive de nutri|mentis animalium vestrorum, seu de fru|ctibus arborum vel usibus piscationum, nullus a vobis decimas exigere vel extor|quere presumat.'
• 'for generall enterdityng,' in margin.
• The second participle is (as is frequent with the translator) an alternative render|ing of the Latin word. The clause runs: 'persons excommunicate and interdicted being shut out.'
• Added from the Latin.
• In the Latin: 'suppressa voce celebrate divina officia.'
• 'grete priuylege,' in margin.
• In the Latin is 'immunitates.'
• 'for to chese the abbesse of the same place,' in margin.
• 'Marke wele,' in margin.
• The Latin is: 'in posterum spectan|dorum, clericis sive laicis, coniunctim vel divisim, prout ipsis videbitur expediens, et eciam antequam huiusmodi fructus, reddi|tus, et proventus decimarum, porciones, ac pensiones a solo vel a novem partibus sepa|rentur seu oblaciones offerantur, arrendare, locare,' &c.
• 'Afore or' = before that.
• i.e. before the tenth (tithe) sheave is brought into the tithe-barn, or even separ|ated from the shocks in the field.
• MS. 'yf.'
• [Leaf 198 is blank.]