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

NORTH MORETON.

[NOTE.—The Godstow lands in North Moreton were held by tenants on payment of quit-rents, which are returned at £5 6s. 8d. a year, both in 1291 in pope Nicholas IV's Taxatio Ecclesiastica and in 1540 at the dissolution (Monast. iv. 374-5).]

[Exchequer-MS. folio 92b] Charter of Osbert Turpin and his wife Ioan of North Morton.

About 1255. Grant to Godstow, by Osbert and Joan Turpin, of the mediety of (a) 4 yard|lands in demesne, (b) a croft, (c) certain meadows, (d) and three yard|lands in villeinage: tenure = 1 lb. of cumin.

OSBERT and Ioan Turpin, for the welfare of themselves and for the souls of their ancestors and successors, gave to Godstow a mediety of all their holding in North Morton, viz. of 7 yardlands, 4 being in demesne ['In dominicis,' 'in villenagiis.'] , and 3 in villenage.

In demesne:—in Est felde 6 acres which are called Hang|indelond on the east, and 14 acres against the ditch on the west, and in middel forlong 10 acres towards the north and 10 in Blakelond next the north. In West felde 22 acres, viz. in Northlongelonde towards the north, and in Westlongelond 20 acres towards the north at the head of the same land with a 'furrow.' And, in addition, half of the whole messuage which is called Parthes ['Parc' in no. 21.] next the north and half of all the meadow called Souene acre on the south and half of the meadow which is called Riscroft towards the north, and 3 acres of meadow in North meade. And 6d. of yearly rent at Michaelmas from Richard Turepin and his heirs.

In villeinage:—Iohn Suth, with all his land and all his sequela and their chattels; and Matilda, widow of Thomas Brun, and all her land and all her sequela and their chattels; and Alice, widow of Iohn of Withham, and all her land and all her sequela and their chattels.

All this was given to Godstow in free alms, to be held by Godstow by 1 lb. of cumin at Michaelmas.

Witnesses:—Sir Henry Basset; Sir Philip of Sanderuill; Sir William of Seuekesworth; Sir Henry of Baywerthe.

[Exchequer-MS. folio 92] Charter of Henry Basset of Northmorton.

About 1255. Confirmation to God|stow, by Henry Basset, feudal superior of no. 19. Purchase money, £6.

HENRY BASSET confirms to Godstow the gift by Osbert Turpin and his wife Joan of the mediety of their lands

belonging to his fee of Northmorton. For this con|firmation Godstow gave him 9 marks of silver.

Witnesses:—Sir William of Wyldesor; Sir Philip of Sanderuill; Sir Henry of Baywerth; 'Sir' Nicholas, then steward of Abingdon; Peter Torold [Peter son of Torald died 1257: Wood's City of Oxford, iii. 460.] of Oxford; Richard Threstwald of Dunsingeton.

[Exchequer-MS. folio 93b] Charter of William son of Iohn of Northmorton.

About 1255. Confirmation to Godstow, by William, son of John, perhaps heir of the donor, of no. 19. Purchase money, 6s. 8d.

Said William for the health of his soul and of the souls of his heirs and ancestors, confirmed to godstow the gift of Osbert Turpin and Ioan of Blebiri, viz. of half of the croft called parc and of half] [Rawl.-MS. folio 92] of [The English Register begins again after a lost leaf.] the vij. yerdis of lond with ther pertynentis in northmorton: To be had and to be hold, to the said mynchons and to ther successours, into fre and perpetuell almesse, after as the charter of the said Osbert and of Iohane his wyf the which they made therof shewith and witnessith. And for this graunte and confirmacion of this charter, the forsaid mynchons yaf to hym I [half [Added from the Latin.] ] mark of siluer. And that this his graunte shold be sure, & cetera [Witnesses are: Sir William of Seuekesworth; Sir Roger of Withtham; Sir Henry of Bayworthe; James, steward of Godstow. 'Sir,' in some instances, no doubt describes the parish priest, not a knight.] .

[Exchequer-MS. folio 92b-93] Charter [Given in duplicate.] of Ioan of Blebiri, formerly wife of Osbert Turpin of Northmorton.

About 1265. Grant to Godstow, by Joan of Blew|berry, of the other half of lands described in no. 19, and confirmation of the former gift.

IOAN of Blebiri in her lawful widowhood, for the welfare of her own soul and of the soul of her late husband Osbert Turpin, [folio 93] gave to Godstow half of all her holding in Northmorton with all its pertinents, viz. half of 7 yardlands (4 in demesne and 3 in villeinage), to be held by Godstow on payment of 1 lb. of cumin for all services, except foreign service; and confirmed the gift made by her husband and herself.

Witnesses:—Sir William of Wyndlesore; Robert Basset; John of Hakeburne; Philip of Sandrevile; Hugh of Kenetwode; Milo of Morton; James of Hauehunt ['De Hauncia,' in the duplicate.] .

[Rawl.-MS. folio 92] A Charter of Milo Basset of Northmorton re|myttyng and quyte-claymyng to the abbesse and mynchons of Godestowe all his right and clayme that he had toward the forsaid abbesse and myn|chons vpon homage and relefe, & cetera.

About 1265. Confirma|tion to Godstow, by Milo Basset, feudal superior, of no. 22, and quit|claim of manorial rights. Purchase money, £5 6s. 8d.

THE sentence of this charter is, that Milo Basset remitted and furthermore quyte-claymed, for hym and his heires for euer, to the abbesse of Godestowe and to the mynchons there seruyng god, all the right and clayme that he had or myght haue toward the forsaid abbesse and the forsaid mynchons vpon homage, relefe, warde, and sute of courte, of the tenement that þei held of hym in northmorton, the which tenement they had of the yifte of Iohane Turpyne of Blebyry, So that nother he nother his heires myght no thynge axe after-ward of the forsaid abbesse and mynchons of the forseid homagis relefis wardis and sutis of courte, but all only the kyngis seruyce, as they were I-wonyd to do afore. And for this remyttyng and quyte-claymyng the forsaid abbesse and mynchons yaf to hym viij. mark of silver. And because hit shold be sure, & cetera [Witnesses: Sir Alan of Fernham, Robert of Sandervill, &c.] .

[Exchequer-MS. folio 92] Charter of Ioan of Turevile of Morton.

About 1265. Grant to Godstow, by Joan Turevile, of 2 yard|lands, tenure — pair of gloves.

IOAN of Turevile, in her lawful widowhood, confirmed to Godstow 2 yardlands in the fee of Morton, viz. a yardland which Thomas of Harewelle once held to farm of her, and a yardland which Alice widow of Fulc held, to be had and held by God|stow [folio 92b] by payment of 1 pair of gloves or 1d. at Michaelmas for all service, the convent also making said Ioan partaker of all good deeds and alms which should be done at Godstow.

Witnesses:—Sir William of Suuekewerthe; Sir Roger of Withtham; Robert of Botteleye; William Calamund; James, steward of Godstow; Henry, porter.