A Common-place book of the fifteenth century, containing a religious play and poetry, legal forms and local accounts. Printed from the original ms. at Brome Hall, Suffolk, by Lady Caroline Kerrison. Edited with notes by Lucy Toulmin Smith.

LEGAL FORMS OF PRIVATE CHARTERS, BONDS, &c.

THE following forms appear to have been copied from original documents, as among them are found the names of some well-known neighbouring places and of Lord Scales. The transcriber translated each one as he copied it, writing in first the Latin, then the English; probably the local scriveners were none too strong in their Latin grammar, and it would be useful to be sure of the right form, when a legal deed had to be drawn up. [Charters, deeds, writings, "evidences, or mynyments that concern men's enheritance," "feates" as they were called, were from the thirteenth to the sixteenth centuries made by scriveners, who formed a craft or mystery in chief towns, such as York and London. In 1497 the Company of Scriveners in London ordered that every apprentice to their fellowship should be examined whether he "have his congruity in the Latin tonge or not," because it was found that many "have not had their perfect congruity of grammar, which is the thing most necessary and expedient to every person exercising and using the scyence and faculty of the said mistery; and in default whereof they cannot have the perfect knowledge and cunnyng of the said scyence, wherethrough oftentimes they err, and their acts and feates been incongruous and not perfectly done." The masters were accordingly enjoined to set their apprentices to Grammar School.—(Ordinances from the "Common Paper," quoted in The Case of the Free Scriveners of London, 1749, pp. 24-27.) If the London scriveners were thus deficient, it is not surprising that those who fulfilled their functions in the country should be glad of such aid as these forms and translations would furnish. It may be noted that several words in Nos. 9 and 12 were a puzzle to the translator, who left them blank in the English.] The translation is very literal, even in the rendering of the historic infinitive, which becomes somewhat obscure in English, so treated; [See Nos. 8 (b), 10 (b), near the beginning of each.] and occasional lapses occur, here

supplied between []. It furnishes, besides, one or two interesting English words or phrases, such as mysse = messuage (1); dow|hows = pigeon-cote (4); feeding = pascua (5); sterm [This, however, is perhaps a mistake for pond or pool, the true meaning of stangna or stagna, (Fr. étang).] (i.e. strem) = stangna; turve-dole = turbaria; plegys of corte = visu franci plegii (5); thowys, plural of thow, = those (5b); ostey = hospicium (11). "In to the wytenesse of the wych thynge," is the rather clumsy equivalent sometimes used for the formula "in cujus rei testimonium."

The Addit. MS. 24,844 in the British Museum (kindly pointed out to me by Mr. E. J. L. Scott) is a volume of the time of Henry VIII., containing a number of legal common forms of grants, &c.; but they purport, in nearly every case, to issue from the king or central authority, while the Brome collection illustrates only private or domestic law. The following is a schedule showing the nature of these twelve documents:—

1.

Grant of a messuage in fee simple.

2.

Grant of land and buildings thereon, with reversion to grantor, if grantee die without heirs.

3.

Grant of messuage on pepper-corn rent, to pass to a second grantee, on death of the first grantee without heirs.

4.

Grant of a pigeon-cote, with reversions to second and third grantees, if the first and second grantees respectively die without heirs.

5.

Grant, by a priest, of two messuages with lands and tenements to four named persons, in trust for the father of one of them, with reversion after his death to the son and his wife.

6.

Grant of a manor with its appurtenances, which latter are enumerated.

7.

Summons in a plea of debt, on a payment not being fulfilled.

8.

Bond for the payment of £10 on demand.

9.

Grant of certain herbage, heather, and turves, i.e. the right to cut fodder and fuel on certain ground.

10.

Bond for payment of £100 at a given future date, due for live goods sold and delivered at date of the bond.

11.

Bond for payment of wages due to a chamberlain, and for giving him a yearly livery.

12.

Grant by a man and wife of all their property in the hundred of East Flegg, to Lord Scales and two others, one messuage and eight acres only being excepted.

1 (a). Sciant presentes et futuri, quod ego [folio 68a] Galfridus Sprot de Sutton dedi, concesci, et hac presenti carta mea confirmaui Ade Laurence de Walton, vnum mesuagium cum suis pertinenciis iacens in Walton, inter terram Petri Alexander ex vna parte, et terram Hamonis filii Clerue ex alteri parte, et vnum capud abuttat super regiam viam, et aliud capud abuttat super terram Roger de Wosted; Habendum et tenendum predictum mesuagium cum suis pertinenciis predicto Ade, heredibus et assinatis suis, de capitalibus dominis feodi, libere, bene, et in pace, in feodo et imperpetuum per servicia inde debita et consueta. Et ego, predictus Galfridus et heredes mei, predictum mesua|gium cum pertinenciis predicto Ade, heredibus et assinatis suis, contra omnes gentes warantizabimus imperpetuum. In cujus rei testimonium hinc presenti carte sigillum meum apposui. His testibus, &c. Data apud Walton, die Mercurii proxima post festum Sancti Luce evangeliste, anno regni regis Edwardi tercii post conquestum.

1. (b). All men presont and for to cum be a [folio 68a] knowyn, that I Gafrey Sprot, of Sutton, hath [Thys dede ys of ffysympyll, folowyng in englys.] ȝowyn and grantyd and be my presont cherter hath confermyd to Adam lawrons of Walton, on myse with hys pertinences, lyyng in Walton be-twyn þe lond of Peter Alysander on þe on parte and þe lond of Hamonys þe son of Clere on þe tother parte, and on hed abutth vpon þe kynges wey on þe on parte, and a nother hed abutth vpon þe lond of R. of Wosted; To haue and to hold þe forseyd mese with hys pertynences to þe forseyd Adam to hys heyrys and to hys Assyneys, of þe schyffe lordes of þe fee, frely, wyll, and in pesse, in fee with owtyn end, be servyse þer-of due and costum. And I, þe forseyd Gafrey and my heyrys, þe forsed messe with þe partynens to þe forseyd Adam, to hys heyrys and to hys assyneys, a-ȝens [folio 68b]

all men xall warant fore euer more. In þe weche thyng wytnes to thys presont chertar I haue put to my sele, be thes wetnessys, &c. Govyn at Walton on þe Wedenys|day nex after þe feste of seynt Luke þe ewangelyst, and þe ȝere of þe reyng of kyng Edward þe iij^de after þe conqueste, þe iij^de (ȝere).

2 (a). Sciant presentes et futuri, quod ego Matheus Burgensis Cantabrigge, dedi, concessi, et hac presenti carta mea confirmavi Willelmo, Duke de Cantabriggea, et Mabilie vxori eius, [vnam placeam terræ cum edificiis super edificatis] [The words between brackets are omitted in this place in the MS.] et suis pertinenciis in Cantabriggea, iacentem in parochia Sancti Petri extra portas vocatas Trumpetongates, in suburbio predicte ville, inter terram Johannis Moris ex vna parte, et terram Roberti de Caston ex altera parte: Habendum et tenendum predictam placeam terre, cum edificiis super edificatis et pertinenciis suis, de me et heredibus meis predictis W. et M., et heredibus de corporibus eorum legitime procreatis, libere, bene, et in pace imperpetuum, reddendo inde annuatim mihi et heredibus meis duos solidos argenti ad festum natalis domini, et dominis capitalibus feodi illius pro me et heredibus meis omnia seruicia inde debita et consueta. Et si contingat quod predictus W. ex predicta M. nullum heredem procreauit, post mortem dictorum W. et M. predicta placea terre, cum pertinenciis, mihi et heredibus meis plenarie reuertetur. Et ego predictus Matheus et heredes mei predictam placeam terre cum edificiis super edificatis et pertinenciis, predictis W. et M. et heredibus de corporibus eorum legitime pro|creatis contra omnes gentes warantizabimus imperpetuum. In cujus rei testimonium huic, &c., hiis testibus, &c. Data apud W., die Januarii [This seems to be a mistake, it was usual to fix the date by some day of the week, before or after a feast, or else the reckoned day of the month.] proxima post festum sancte, &c. Anno regni regis Edwardi, &c.

2 (b). All men presont and fore to cum be a [folio 69a] knowyn, þat I, Matheu Burges of Cambrege, hath ȝowyn and grantyd and be my presont cherter hath confirmyd to Wylliam doke of Cambrege and Mabyle hys wyffe, and to þe eyrys of there bodyes lawfully comyng, j place of lond with þe byldynys þer-upon edyfyed and hys pertynences in Cambregge, lyeng in þe paryes of seynth peter with-owte þe gates calyd Trumpetoungates, in þe suborbȝ of þe seyd Town, betwyn þe lond of John Morys on þe j parte and þe lond of Robert of Caston on þe toþer parte: To haue and to hold þe forseyd place of lond with þe byldynys þer|vpon edyfyed and hys pertynessys, of me and my eyres þe forseyd Wylliam and Mabyle and þe eyrys of þer bodyes lawfully comyng, frely, wyll, and in pesse for euer more, yeldyng þerof ȝerly to me and to my eyres ij^d of mony at þe feste of þe berthe of owre lord, and to [MS. has "of."] þe schyffe lordes of þe fee for me and my eyres all seruyes þer-of dew and coston. And yf yt happyd þat þe forseyd W. or þe forseyd Mabyle non eyres begotyn, after þe deth of þe seyd W. and Mabyle þe forseyd place of lond with hys pertynences to me and to my eyres [shall be] fulfyllyd and retornyd ageyn. And I þe forseyd Matheu and my eyres, þe forseyd place of lond with þe byldynys þer-vpon edyfyed and þe partynences, [to] þe forseyd W. and M. and to þe eyres of þer bodyes lawfully comyng, a-ȝenns all men xall warant for euer-more. Into þe wytnesses, &c.; be þis wetenessis, &c. Govyn atte W. of þe day of Janyvere nexte after þe feste of Seynt, &c., and þe ȝere of þe reyng of kyng Edward þe therd, &c.

3 (a). Sciant presentes et futuri, quod ego [folio 69b] Johannis Broun de Burigate, consessi, dedi, et hac presenti carta mea confirmaui Ricardo de S. et heredibus de corporibus eorum [Sic plural, also in English.] legitime procreatis, vnum mesuagium cum suis

pertinenciis in Preston, jacens, etc. Habendum et tenendum predictum mesuagium cum pertinenciis, de me et heredibus meis, prefato Ricardo [et] heredibus de corpore suo legitime procreatis, libere, bene, et in pace: Reddendo inde annuatim michi, [et] heredibus meis vnum granum piperis, ad festum Pasche, pro omnibus aliis demandis. Et si contyngat quod predictus Ricardus [The MS. has Rec.; but the contraction for Ricardus was intended.] obierit sine herede de corpore suo legitime procreato, volo quod post ejus [The MS. has "ei."] descessum predictum mesuagium cum suis pertinenciis remaniat Waltero de Bardeweyth heredibus et assignatis suis imperpetuum; Habendum et tenendum de capitalibus dominis feodi, per servicia que ad dictum mesuagium pertinent. Et ego predictus Johannes et heredes mei predictum mesuagium cum pertinenciis predicto Ricardo et heredibus de corpore suo legitime procreatis, ac eciam predicto Waltero heredibus et assignatis suis, contra omnes gentes warantizabimus imperpetuum. In cujus rei testimonium, etc. Hiis testibus, etc. Data apud, etc.

3 (b). All men presont and for to cum be a-knowyne, þat I, John Broun of Bery, hath grauntyd and ȝowyne, and be my presont chartyr hath confermyd, to Rychard of S. and to þe eyres of þer bodyes lawfully be-gotyn, j messe with hys pertynences in Preston, lyenge, &c. To haue and to holde þe forseyd mysse with hys pertynences of me and my eyres, to þe forseyd Rychard to þe eyres of hys body lawfully begotyn, frely, wyll, and in pesse; ȝeldynge þer-of ȝerly to me and to my eyres j corne of pepyre at þe feste of Esterne for all owthere duteys. And yf yt happyd þat þe forseyd Rychard deyet with-owte eyres of his body lawfully begotyne, I woll [that] after þe dysses of [folio 70a] hym þe forseyd mysse with hys pertynences re|mayne to Watere of Bardewyht, to hys eyres and to hys

asseyneys, for euer more; To haue and to holde of þe chyffe lordes of þ^e fee be all seruyes þe wyche to þe seyd [messe] þerteyne. And I, þe forseyd John and my eyres, þe forseyd messe with þe pertynences to þe forseyd Rychard and to þe eyrys of his [body] lawfully be-gotyn, and also to þe forseyd Watere, to hys eyres and to hys asseyneys, a-ȝens all men xall warant for euer more. In to þe wy[t]nesse, &c.; be þis, &c.; gowyne.

4 (a). Sciant presentes et futuri, quod ego, [folio 70a] Lawrencius de W., dedi, consessi, et hac presenti carta mea confyrmaui Johanni de Foxton et heredi[bus] de corpore suo exeunti[bus], vnum columbarium, cum curtilagio [ad]jacente, prout includitur sepibus et fossatis in villa de W., et cum suis pertinenciis; Quodquidem columbarium jacet inter terram Willielmi Coleyn versus orientem, et allyud capud abutat super terram Thome Waryn versus occidentem: Habendum et tenendum predictum columbarium, cum curtilagio adjacente et suis pertinenciis, de me et heredibus meis, predicto Johanni et heredibus de corpore suo exeun|tibus, libere, quiete, bene et in pace, reddendo inde annuatim, michi et heredibus meiis vnum denarium, ad festum Sancti Botulphi, et faciendo dominis capitalibus feodi omnia seruicia inde debita et consueta. Et si contingat predictum Jo|hannem sine herede de corpore suo exeunte descedere, volo quod predictum columbarium, cum curtilagio adjacente et suis pertinenciis, remaniat Johanni fratri suo de Foxton; habendum et tenendum predictum columbarium cum curti|lagio adjacente et cum suis pertinenciis, de me et heredibus meis predicto Johanni et heredibus de corpore suo exeuntibus Reddendo inde annuatim mihi et heredibus meis vnam rosam. ad Nativitatem Sancti Johannis Baptiste, et faciendum dominis capitalibus feodi omnia servicia sicut pre|dictus Johannes fecit. Et si contingat predictum Johannem sine heredibus de corpore suo [folio 70b]

exeuntibus discedere, volo quod predictum columbarium, cum curtilagio adjacente, provt includitur sepibus et fossatis et suis pertinenciis, remaniat Waltero de Loke heredibus et assinatis suis, imperpetuum, Habendum et tenendum predictum columbarium, cum curtilagio adjacente et cum suis pertinenciis, de capitalibus dominis feodi per seruicia inde debita et consueta. Et ego predictus Laurencius et heredes mei, predictum columbarium cum curtilagio adjacente et cum suis pertinenciis, predicto Johanni et Johanni et heredibus de corporibus eorum exeuntibus, et predicto Waltero, heredibus ejus et assinatis suis, in forma prenotata contra omnes gentes warantizabimus imperpetuum. In cujus rei testimonium his testibus, &c. Dat., &c.

4 (b). All men presont and for to cum be a [folio 70b] knowyn, þat I, Lawrens of W., hath ȝowyn and grantyd and be my presont charter hath confermyd, to John of Foxtune, and to þe eyres of hys bodi be-gotyn, j dowhows with þe curtlyge lyenge-to, as yt ys in-closyd with hedgys and dechys, in þe Town of W., and with hys pertynens; þe wych dowhows lyth be-twyne þe lond of W. of B. on þe on parte, and þe lond of John of W. on þe tothere parte, and on hed abuttyt vpon þe lond of wylliam Coleyn toward þe este, and a-nothere hed abuttyt vpon þe lond of Thomas Waryn toward þe weste: To haue and to hold þe forseyd dowhows with þe curlyche lyenge-to and hys pertynens, of me and myn eyres to þe forsed John and to þe eyres of hys bodie begotyn, frely, quiette, wyll, and in pesse, ȝeldynge þer-of ȝerly to me and to myn eyres jd. ate þe feste of seynt Botholl, and to doo to þe schyffe lordes of þat fee all servyes þer-of dew and custon. And yf yt happyd þat þe forseyd John dessesse with-owt eyrys [folio 71a] of hys body be-gotyn, I woll þat þe forseyd dowfhows with þe curtlege lyeng to and hys pertinences remayne to John hys broder of Foxton; To haue and to

holde þe forseyd dowhows, with þe corlege lyeng-to and with hys pertynences, of me and my eyrys to þe forseyd John and to þe eyrys of hys body be-gotyn, ȝeldyng þer|of ȝerly to me and to my eyrys j rosse at þe Natyvite of seynth John þe Baptysyd. And to make of þe chyffe lordes of þe fee all seruyce as þe forseyd John hath donne. And yf yt happyd þat þe forseyd John dyssesce with [out] eyrys of hys body be-gotyn, I woll þat ye forseyd dow|howsse with þe cortlege lyyng-to as yt ys in-closyd with hedges & deges and hys pertynences remayne to Water of Loke, to hys eyrys and to hys assyneys, with owtyn end; To haue and to hold þe forseyd dowhows with þe corlage lyenge-to and with hys pertynences, of þe chyffe lordes of þe fee be þe seruys þerof dew and custum. And I þe forseyd Lawrons and myn eyrys þe forseyd dowhows with þe corlage lyyng-to and with hys pertynences, to þe forseyd John and John, and to þe eyrys of ther bodyes begotyn. And to þe forseyd Water to hys eyrys and to hys asseyneys, in forme a-bothe [I.e. above.] notyd a-ȝens all men [warrant for ever], &c.

5 (a). Sciant presentes et futuri, quod Ego [folio 71a] dominus Johannes Smyth capellanus, dedi, concessi, et hac presenti carta mea confirmaui, Willelmo B. juniori, filio Willelmi B. senioris, de E., et A. vxori sue, Johannes B. et Thome S., heredibus et eorum assignatis, Omnia illa mesuagia, terras, tenementa, cum omnibus et singulis eorum pertinenciis, in villis de E. W. et A. et condam fuerunt Willelmi M. Ac eciam totum illud [folio 71b] mesuagium edificatum, ac omnia terras, tene|menta, prata, pasturas, pascuas, cum omnibus eorum pertinenciis, jacencia, et situata in villis et campis de E. predicta, et W., et nuper fuerunt Willellmi A. de Norwico, et que nuper hujusmodi ex dono, concessione, et con|

firmacione Willelmi B. senioris patris dicti Willelmi B. junioris provt per cartam ejusdem Willelmi B. michi nuper inde confectam manifeste apparet. Habendum et tenendum omnia et singula supradicta mesuagia, terras, tenementa, prata, pascuas, pasturas, & cetera premissa, cum eorum pertinenciis, prefatis Willelmo B. juniori et A. vxori sue, Johanni B. et Thome S., heredibus et eorum assignatis, ad vsum dicti Willelmi B. senioris, videlicet ad totam vitam ipsius Willelmi, de capitalibus dominis feodorum illorum, per servicia inde debita et de jure consueta. Et quod post mortem sepedicti Willelmi B. senioris, omnia et singula supradicta mesuagia, terre, tenementa, prata, pascue, et pasture, cum seteris premissis, et eorum partium remaniant prenominatis Willelmo B. juniori, et A. vxori sue. Haben|dum et tenendum sibi et heredibus de eorum corporibus legitime procreatis et procreandis de capitalis dominis feodo|rum illorum, per servicia inde debita et de jure consueta, Sicut pro defectu heredum dictorum Willelmi B. junioris et A. vxoris sue quod omnia et singula supradicta mesuagia, terre, tenementa, prata, pascue, pasture, cum seteris premissis et eorum pertinenciis remaniant rectis heredibus sepedicti Willelmi B. senioris, tenendum sibi heredibus et assignatis suis de capitalibus dominis feodorum illorum per servicia inde debita et de jure consueta imperpetuum, per presentes, In cujus rei testimonium utrique parti hujus carte indentate Ego, dominus Johannes Smyth, capellanus, sigillum meum apposui: hiis testibus, &c. Data apud E. predictam, &c.

5 (b). All men beyng present and for to cum [folio 71b] be a knowyne, þat I syr John Smyth, pryste, hath ȝowyne and grantyd and be my present [folio 72a] Chartyr confermyd to W. B. þe ȝownger, sonne of W. B. the elder, of E, and A. hys wyffe, [to] J. B. [and] T. P., to þe eyrys and seyneys of them, all thowys myssys,

londes, tenementes, with all and iche of ther pertynans, in the Townys of E. W. and A., and sumtyme werne William M., and also all þat holl mysse edyfyed, and all londes, tenementes, medowys, pasturys, fedynges, [The difference between pastura and pascua is shown in this translation. Lindwood, speaking of tithes, says that a pasture is any kind of feeding|ground, whether in meadow, stubble, or field; but that pascua is a place chiefly devoted to feeding sheep, as on hills, moors, and uncultivated ground.—See Ducange, s.v. pastura.] with all thyr pertynences lyyng and edyfyed in þe Townys and fylddes of E forseyd and W, and late worne William A. of N., and þe wych late I have had of that gyfte, grantyd, and con|fymacone of W. B. þe elder, fader of seyd W. B. þe ȝownger, as be dede of þe same W. B. to me late þer-of made manyfestly apperyt. To haue and to hoold all and iche a-bothe [I.e. above.] -seyd myssys, londes, tenementes, medowys, fedynges, pasturys, and the oder premeces with þer perty|nences, to be-for-namyd William B. þe ȝownger, and A. hys wyffe, J. B. and T. P., to þe eyrys and seyneys of them on to þe evse of þe seyd William B. þe elder, þat ys to sey on to þe holl lyffe of þe same William, of þe chyffe lordes of thow feys be þe serueys þer-of dew [and] costum of ryte. And þat after þe deth of þe oftyn[ty]mys seyd William B. þe elder, all and iche a-both seyd myssis, londes, tenementes, medowys, fedynges, pasturys, with þe oder premyces and þer pertynans, xall remayne to be-for-namyd William B. þe ȝownger and A. hys wyffe; To haue & to hoold to hem and to þe eyrys of þer bodyes lawfully comyng and for to cum, of þe chyffe lordes of thow feys, be seruyes þer-of dew & custum of ryth. So for þe defa[u]te of þe eyrys of þe seyd William B. ȝynger and A. hys wyffe, that all and iche a-bothe seyd mysces, londes, tenementes, medowys, fedynges, & pasturys, with þe oder premyces and þer pertynences, xall remayne to þe ryth eyrys of þe oftyntymys seyd William B.

þe elder; To hoold to hem to [þer] heyr[ys] and seyneys of þe schyffe &c. [The translator, being near the bottom of the page, is here content to let an &c. express some necessary repetition: "dominis — consueta."] for euer more. In to þe wytenesces of þe whych to eyther party of thys dede ind[e]ntyd I be-for namyd syre John Smyth, hath putte-to my sele be thys, &c., ȝouyn at E. forseyd.

6 (a). Sciant presentes et futuri quod ego, [folio 72b] Petrus [Johannes in the MS., but see below.] Gardener de Hopton, dedi, concessi, et hac presenti carta mea confirmaui Johanni de M., heredibus et assing|natis suis, manerium meum de Cryssy[n]gham cum omnibus suis pertinentis in comitatu Lyncolnie, vt in pratis, pascuis, pasturis, viis, semitis, boscis, planis, moris, fossatis, turbariis, aquis, stangnis, ripariis, gardinis, curtilagiis, wardis, releuiis, maritagiis, hamonis, [This word should be "homagiis." See the English.] redditibus, assisis, consuetudinibus, serviciis, libertatibus, aysiamentis, escaetis, visu franciplegiis, reconnicionibus, cum libero ingressu et egressu, infra villam et extra, cum omnibus alliis rebus, comoditatibus, proficuis, ad predictum manerium meum quouis modo pertinentibus: Habendum et tenendum dictum manerium cum suis pertinenciis de capitalibus dominis feodi, libere, integre, bene et in pace, dicto Johanni heredibus et assinatis suis, per servicia inde debita et consueta. Et ego, predictus Petrus et heredes mei, predictum manerium cum suis pertinenciis vt supradictum est, dicto Johanni heredibus et assignatis suis, contra omnes gentes warantizabimus imperpetuum. In cujus rei, &c.

6 (b). All men beyng present and for to cum xall know, þat I, Peter [John in the MS. The same mistake was made in copying the Latin charter; plainly the copyist translated from his own copy, instead of the original.] Gardener of Hopton, hath ȝowyn and grantyd and be my present chartyr hath confermyd to John of W.,

to hym [MS. has "hys."] and to hys asseyneys, my maner of Cryssygham with all hys pertinences in þe cownty of Lyncoln, as in medowys, ffedynges, pasturys, weyes, bypathys, woodes, playnys, mores, hegys, tvruedollys, watyrys, stermys, reverys, gardenys, curleges, wardys, relyvyes, maryages, hommages, rentes, sysys, custumys, servyes, lyberteys, ese|mentes, exschetes, plegys of corte, knowlages, with þe lyberte of in-gate and owtte with-in þe Town and with-owte, with all other thynges, cometyteys, profytes on to þe forseyd my maner, ony maner of wey perteynyng: To haue and to holde þe forseyd maner with hys pertynences of the chyffe lordes of the ffee, ffrely, holl, wylle, and in [folio 73a] pesse, to the seyd John, to hys eyrys and to hys assyneys, be þe servyes ther-of dew & custum. And I, the fforseyd Peter and my eyrys, the forseyd maner with hys pertynences as yt ys a-bothe seyd, to the seyd John to hys eyrys and to hys assyneys, a-ȝens all men schall warant for euer more. Into the wettenesse of þe wych thynge, &c.

7 (a). Thomas Myngy summonitus fuit ad [folio 73a] respondendum Edmundo Tunsted in placito debiti, quod reddet ei viginti vnum solidos quos ei debuit et injuste detinet. Et vnde idem querens per Johannem O. attornatum suum, dicit quod vicesimo-quarto die Januarii anno regni regis Henrici vij^mi quinto apud T. infra jurisdictionem hujus cur[i]e, predicti Thomas et Edmundus insimull compu|taverunt inter se super diuersis debitis et pecuniarum summis per prefatum Thomam de predicto Edmundo per antea habitis et receptis, Super quoquidem compoto predictus Thomas inventus fuit in areragis et claris debitis, erga predictum Edmundum in vinginti vnum solidis soluendis eidem Edmundo quandocunque inde requesitus fuisset per eundem Edmundum, predictus tamen Edmundus licet sepius requisitus fuisset de solucione dictorum viginti

vnius solidorum per dictum Thomam, idem Thomas eidem Edmundo nondum reddidit, sed illos ei reddere contradixit et adhuc contradicit. Vnde idem Edmundus dicit dete|rioratus est et dampnum habet ad valenciam sex solidorum et octo dinariorum, costas sectæ tres solidos et quatuor dinarios, et vnde producit sectam, etc.

7 (b). Thomas Myngy wos summund on to ansswere to Edm. Tunsted in a ple of det, that he schuld ȝyld to hym xxjs. the wyche he to hym owth [folio 73b] and on-trewly with-hold; and wer-vpon the seyd pleyntyffe, be John O. hys attorny, seyth that the xxiiij day of Jenyvere and the ȝere and reyn of king Herry the vij^th the v^te ȝere, at T. with-in the jurdyxyun of [t]hys curt, that the for seyd Thomas and Edm. to-gedyr hath [reckoned] be-twyn themselfe, vpon dyuers dettes and summys of mony be the forseyd Thomas of the forseyd Edms. be-for had and rec[eived], vpon the wych cownt the forseyd Thomas wos fownd in a-rerage and clere dette a-ȝens the forseyd Edm. in xxjs., to be payid to þe seyd Edm. wane-someuer he wer requeryed be the forseyd Edm. Neuer-the-lesse all-thow ȝe for-seyd Edm. oftyn|tymys hath requeryd hym for the payment of the said xxjs., the same Thomas to þe seyd Edm. hath not ȝyt content nor payid, but the same xxjs. to hym hath denyed to pay and ȝyt denyeth. Were-for the seyd Edm. seyth that he ys hurt and harmyd be that vn-to the valew of vjs. viijd. and the costes of sute iijs. iiijd., and ther-vpon prosedyth þe sewte.

8 (b). Nouerint vniversi, me Willelmum T. de O. teneri et per presentes firmiter obligari Thome Foxton de S. in decem libris legalis monete, soluendis eidem Thome aut suo certo attornato in festo omnium sanctorum proximo futuro post datum presentium sine dilacione vlteriori, ad

quam quidem solucionem vt predictum est faciendum obligo me, heredes et executores meos, per presentes. In cujus rei testimonium presentibus sigillum meum apposui. Data apud O. predicto, in festo sancte Thome apostoli, anno regni regis Henrici sexti post conquestum vicesimo nono.

8 (b). Be yt a known to all pepyll, me, Wyllm. [folio 74a] T. of O., to be hold and be thys presont wrytyng ffeythe|fully to be bound to Thomas [Foxton] of Sudebery in xli. of lavfull mony, to be payid to the same Thomas or to his certeyne attornyis at the fest of all Seyntes nex comyng after the date of thys presont wyrttyn, with owt ony ferder delae; to þe wych payment as ys be-for I bynd me my eyrys and my executors be thys presont. In to the wytenesse of the wych thynge presentyd, I haue put to my sell. ȝowyne at O. the forseyd, in the ffest of Seynth Thomas the Postyll, the ȝere of the reyne of kyng Herry the sexth after the congquest [twenty-ninth].

9 (a). Sciant presentes et futuri quod ego, Robertus Thed de Terrynton, dedi, consessi, et [h]ac presenti carta mea confirmaui Johanni Collys de eadem villa, heredibus et assinatis suis, tres rodes erbarii, bruarii et turbare, jacentes in quodam loquo vocato Brakynholme, inter gerbar' bruar' et turbare [The gender and inflexion of these three words is uncertain. They are printed here as they are written, without attempting to extend them.] Willelmi Tunsted ex parte australe, erbar' bruar' et turbar' nuper Thome Greyn ex parte aquilonario, et abuttat super comunam de Terryntun versus occidentem, et super pasturam nuper Roberti Clarke versus orientem: habendum et tenendum predictas tres rodes erbarii, bruar' et turbar', cum suis pertinenciis prefato John Collys, heredibus et assinatis suis, de capitalibus dominis feodorum illorum, per seruicia inde debita et de jure consueta. Et ego, predictus Robertus et heredes mei, predictas tres rodes

erbarii, bruar' et turbar', cum suis pertinenciis prefati Johanni Collys, heredibus et assingnatis suis, contra omnes gentes warantizabimus imperpetuum. In cujus rei testi|monium huic presenti carta sigillum meum appossui; hiis testibus Johanne Man, Johanne Rekessond, Johanne Knyt, et alliis. Data apud Terrynton predictam, sexta die mencis Januarii, anno regni regis Henrici sexti post conquestum tricessimo primo.

9 (b). All men beynge presont and for to cum [folio 74b] schall know, that I Robert Thed of Terrynton, hath ȝowyne and grantyd and be my presont charter hath confermyd, to John Collys of the same Towne, to hys eyres and to hys assyneys, iij rodys of [herbage, heather,] [The translator was evidently puzzled how to English erbarium or gerbarium, and brueria or bruera, as the five places where the words occur he left blank. The first appears to be the herbage or coarse hay, the right for mowing which was purchasable from the lord of a manor; bruarium was a heath or waste, and implied a right to cut heather; turbaria was a place where turves could be cut; turve-dollys = turf-deals, i.e., pieces of turf or peat. The grant was thus one for the right of cutting certain fodder and fuel.] and Turve dollys lyth in the wych place callyd Brakyneholme betwyne [herbage, heather], and turvedollys of Wylliam Tunsted of the parte of þe sowth, and the [herbage, heather,] and turvedollys late Thomas Greyne of the parte of the north, and a-but v-pon þe comon of Terrynton a-ȝensse þe est, and v-pon þe paster late Robert Clarke aȝens þe west; To haue and to hold þe forseyd iij rodes [of herbage, heather,] and turvedollys, with hys pertynessys, to þe forseyd John Collys to hys eyrys and to hys a-syneys, of the cheffe lordes of thow ffeys be the servyis ther-of dette and of rygth custom. And I the [folio 75a] forseyd Robert and my eyrys, the forseyd iij rodes of [herbage, heather,] and turvedolys with hys pertynences, to þe forseyd John Collys to hys eyrys and to hys assynis

a-ȝens all men schall warent for euer more. In the wyche thynge wytnes be thys presont scharter my sell I haue put-to; be thys wetenessys, John Man, John Rakessond, John Kent, and other. ȝovyn at Ormysby the forseyd, the sexte day of the monyth of jenyuer, þe ȝer of þe reyn of kynge herry the sexte after the conquest xxxj ȝere.

10 (a). Universis presentes literas inspecturis vel audi|turis, Willelmus de Hopton salutem in domino; noueritis me teneri, et per presentes literas fideliter obligari, Thome Waryn de Cryssyngham in centum libris bonorum et legalium sterlingorum, pro bonis vivis mihi venditis et liberatis in villa de Noramptun, die confescionis presencium, vnde sum bene contentus, quasquidem centum libras sterlingorum predictas teneor et bona fide promitto solvere et deliberare eidem Thome vel suo certo attornato presentes literas ostendentes apud Lincolniam, infra proximos octo dies post quam presentes literas fuerunt vise et ostense sine vlteriori dilacione; et ad istam solucionem sic fideliter faciendam obligo me, heredes et executores meos; et ad maiorem hujus rei securitatem faciendam tales inueni fidejuscores subscritos, videlicet, Johannem de Snoryngs, Thoma de Rokelond, qui sigilla sua vnacum sigillo meo alternatim presentibus apposuerunt. His testibus, &c. Date apud Norampton die omnium sanctorum, anno regni regis E. tercii post conquestum tercio.

10 (b). To all pepyll [that] thys present letter behold or see, William of Hopton sent gretyng in owre lord. Know ȝe me to be hold and be thys presont letter feyth|fully to be bownd to Thomas W. of Cryssyngham in a cli. of good and lawfull mony, for qweke [folio 75b] goodes to me sold and delyueryd in the Town of Norampton, on þe day of thys present letter makynge, wer-of I am wyll content; of the wyche cli. of the forseyd

starlynges I am bownd, and be my good feyth permettyd to pay and delyuer to þe same Thomas or to hys sorteyn attornyys, thys letter schoynge, at Lyncoll with-in þe nexth viij day after the wych presont letter mad byn syn and schowyd, with-owt ony ferder delay; and on to thys payment so feythfully to be don I bynd me, my eyres and my executores. And on to the more suerte of thys thyng to be don I haue fownd thys suertys vnder wryttyn, that ys to sey, John of Snorynges, Thomas of Rockelond; the wych hyr selys to-geder hau put with my sell, alternatly, to thys present letter hau put to; be thys wetnessys, A., &c. ȝowyn at Norampton on Hallownesse day, the ȝere of the reyn of kynge E. þe iij after conquest, iij ȝere.

11 (a). Omnibus Cristi fidelibus ad quos [folio 75b] presentes litere pervenerint, J. de S., dominus de W., miles, salutem in domino; Noueritis me teneri et fideliter obligari R. de N. camerario meo, pro laudabili servicio suo, hactennus inpenso in xx solidis sterlingorum annue pencionis, et vna roba de secta hominis de officio osspicii mei, soluendis eidem R. annuatim vel attornatis suis apud S. de costys meis ad totam vitam suam, ad festum natalis domini, sine contradictione quacunque; ad quam dicte annue pensionis xx solidorum predictorum solucionem vna|cum roba prenotata, bene et fideliter faciendam obligo me, heredes et executores meos, et omnia bona mea, mobilia et inmobilia, presencia et futura, vbicunque fuerint in|venta. In cujus rei testimonium huic presenti, &c. His testibus, &c. Dat. apud.

11 (b). To all feythfull pepyll of Cryst on-to [folio 76a] wome thys presont letter xall cum to, John of S., lord of W., knyth senth gretynge in owre lord. Know ȝe me to be hold and feythfully to be bownd to R. of N., my schambyrleyn, for hys laudabyll servysse in old tyme,

hangynge in xxs. of starlynges, [That is 20s. of sterling money. The word is believed to have come from the name Easterlings, the merchants of the North German Hans Towns, who were the earliest moneyers in England.] of ȝerly pensyne, and j robe, þat ys to sey, j gowne of cloth of j mane of the offyce of my ostey, [Ostey, i.e. household, seems to be this translator's equivalent for hospicium. Compare the French houste, given in Ducange.] to be payed to þe same R. ȝerly or hys attornys at S. of my coffres, on to hys holl lyffe, at þe feste of the berth of owr lord with-owt ony geyn-seyyng; on-to the wyche seyd ȝerly penschyn of the forseyd xxs. to be paid with j robe a-for notyd, wyll and feythfully to be done, I bynd me, myn eyrys and myne executorys, and all my goodes mevabyll and on-mevabyll, present and for to cum, were-so-meuer they may be fownd. In to þe wytensse of the wyche thynge be thys present, &c. Be thys wytnessys, &c. ȝowyn, &c.

12 (a). Sciant presentes et futuri, quod nos [folio 76a] Willelmus B. de O. et Agnes vxor mea, vnico assensu nostro dedimus, concessimus, et hac presenti carta nostra confir|mavimus domino Thome Schalys, Edwardo M. armigero, et Willelmo S. de Walton, heredibus et assignatis ipsius Willelmi, omnia terras et tenementa nostra, redditus et servicia, prata, pascua, et pastura, bruare [See note to charter 9 (a), p. 145.] , junccar', turbar', et mariscos, cum omnibus suis pertinentiis, comoditatibus et proficuis eisdem terris et tenementis qualitercunque pertinen|tibus, in villa, campis, bruaris, communiis, et mariscis de O., seu alibi infra hundredum de Estflegge: Habendum et tenendum omnia predicta terras et tenementa, redditus et servicia, prata, pascua, et pastura, bruar', junccar', turbar' et mariscos, cum omnibus suis pertinenciis, prefatis domino Thome Schalys, Edwardo et Wyllelmo, heredibus et assingnatis ipsius Willelmi, de capitalibus dominis feodi illius per servicia inde debita et de jure consueta; excepta

vnum messuagium et octo acras terre cum pertinentiis in O., quod quidem messuagium et octo acras terre cum pertinentiis, nuper predictus Willelmus S. de O. habuit ex dono et feoffamenta Thome Grene et Marie vxoris sue. Et nos, predicti Willelmus et Agneta et heredes nostri omnia predicta, terra, tenementa, redditus, et servicia, prata, pascue et pasturas, bruar', junccar', turbar', et mariscos, cum omnibus suis pertinentiis, exceptis preexceptis, prefato domino Thome Schalys, Edwardo et Willelmo, heredibus et assingnatis ipsius Willelmi, contra omnes gentes waran|tizabimus imperpetuum. In cujus rei testimonium huic presenti carte sigilla nostra apposuimus. Hiis testibus Johanne Seyve, &c., et alliis. Data apud O. predictum vicesimo primo die mensis Januarii, anno regni regis Henrici Sexti post conquestum tricesimo secundo.

12 (b). All men beynge presont and for to cum [folio 76b] be a know, That we, Wyllm. B. of O. and Anneys my wyffe, with on a-sent hath ȝowyne and grantyd, and be owre presont chartyr hath confermyd to lord John Schalys, and to Edward M. esqwyer, and to Wyllm. S. of Walton, to the eyrys and syneys of the same Wyllm., all owre [In the MS. "owre" is placed before "rentes."] londes, tenementes, rentes, and seruyes, medowys, ffedynges, pasturys, [heaths, reed-beds,] [These words are untranslated in the MS., a blank being left in each case as before, p 146.] torvedollys, merchys, with all hys pertynences, comedyteys, proffytys, of the same londes and tenementes, were-so-euer they perteyne, [folio 77a] in the towne or fyld [heaths] [Ib.] comownys and mercys of O. or ony othere were-with in the hunderede of Estflege: To haue and to hold all the forseyd londes and tenementes, rentes, and seruyis; medowys, fedyngyes, and pastures, [heaths, reed-beds,] towrvedowlles, and merschys,

with all there pertynences, to the forseyd lord Thomas Scalys, Edward, and Wyllm., to the eyrys and to the assyneys of the same Wyllm., of the chyffe lordes of the ffeys be the seruyis there-of dew and rygth custum, excepte on messe and viij acrys of lond with the pertynens in O., the wych messe and viij acrys of lond with the pertynens late the forseyd Wyllm. S. of O. haue had of gyfte and feffement of Thomas Grene and of Mary hys wyffe. And we þe forseyd Wyllm. and Angn', and owre eyrys, all the forseyd londes, tenementes, rentes, and seruyis, medowys, fedynges, and pastures [heaths, reed-beds,] Turvedowllys, and merces, with all ther pertynences, excepte befor excepte, to the forseyd lord Thomas Scalys, E. and Wyllm., to the eyrys and the syneys of the same Wyllm., a-ȝens all men schall warant for euer more. In the wyche thynge wettenesse of thys presont chartyre owre selysse ar put to; be thys wytenesse John Seyve, etc., et allijs. Dat. apud O. predict.