The Early Charters of The Augustinian Canons
of Waltham Abbey Essex
1062 – 1230 AD
Extracts
grant by Geoffrey, I de Scalers who had earlier become a monk with them, taking with him his seals and rings. A second formal charter was issued for the canons by Geoffrey II where he takes pains to spell out the validity of his grant by describing the earlier ceremony at which his father had publicly divested himself of his worldly goods and established Geoffrey II as heir to all his fee: any grant made after that date was invalid. The abbot of Sawtry’s first formal act towards gaining lawful possession was to acquire papal confirmation in February 1195 of the monks’ advowson (126), but by midsummer 1197 on the intervention of Archbishop Hubert Walter, the abbot of Sawtry demised his claim before it came into the court of the papal judges delegate and he granted the church to the canons in free alms with all tithes except tithe on newly cultivated land. His quitclaim (127) was made in the presence of only one of the judges delegate, William prior of Hertford and of the abbots of Stratford Langthorne and Tilty who each issued a confirmation for the canons (128-130) If the canons had to pay cash for the Sawtry demise, it is not recorded ~ Between 1198 and 1200 Abbot Walter and the canons were again instituted to the vacant church on this occasion by Bishop Eustace who granted appropriation to I them after the death of the then vicar when a new vicarage was to be established (131) and a third papal confirmation was obtained in July 1199 (132) The vicarage was, however, not established until the I 220s when Bishop Geoffrey confirmed that it consisted in all offerings at the altar and all tithes except those of corn and hay, the vicar who was to be presented by the abbot and admitted by the diocesan, was to have a manse and to discharge all obligations of the church (134).
Another dispute was to arise with Sawtry this time over tithes and in May 1228, settlement was made when the monks granted twenty three acres of land to the canons in return for their remitting the monks payment of tithe on one hundred and eighty five specified acres of land, although tithe would continue to be payable on older tithable land (135); this agreement appears to recognise the canons’ superior right The vicarage was then confirmed again by Bishop Geoffrey (136). On 21 March 1450 Stephen Bostoke reported to Bishop Bourgchier on his sequestration of the vicarage income. In 1254 the church was valued at £16 13s 4d, in 1266 at £10 and in 1535 at £6 5s 9d At the Dissolution the manor and rectory were farmed for £20.
c. Caterham, Surrey: diocese of Winchester
Roger, son of the Everard of Guist who between 1193 arid 1209 had granted to the canons the churches of Guestwick (575) and of Guist and Upper Guist with a portion of the church of Wood Norton (581) in Norfolk granted between 1205 and 1209 to the canons the tiny old church of St Leonard (later St Laurence) high above Caterham for the soul of Waltham’s founder Henry II and of his son Richard I and of Bishop Godfrey as well as of five named members of his own family and for the salvation of King John, Bishop Peter, himself, all his family and all the faithful who would support his grant (627). In this schedule of people he was following the example of his late father whose grants had been made at Roger’s request The revenues of the church were to he assigned to the new building work at Waltham and to the poor (630). Roger had already granted to his church two shillings worth of oil for a lamp to burn before the altar of All Saints, the oil to be rendered annually on All Saints’ Day (631). In 1198 when Roger had presented to the church (628) and between 1205 and 1230 when Abbot Richard presented (629) the vicarage was noted of Thomas of Gatton who was to pay £1 6s 8d a year to the of Caterham, at the end of the thirteenth century Hamo of Gatton’s holdings in Caterham included rents and tenements of the abbot of Waltham.
The canons were involved in litigation here, perhaps on account of the isolation of the property. Between 1211 and 1213 the donor’s cousin challenged their patronage (630), in 1245 John Hannisard’ withdrew his claim to the advowson and in 1334 the archdeacon of Surrey settled a dispute between the abbot and Robert the perpetual vicar over the sharing of costs, which it was agreed were to be divided equally between them, of the reconstruction of the chancel and of supplying and repairing books and ornaments in the church. On 1 September 1246 Bishop William had established a vicarage whereby the vicar was to receive all offerings at the altar, all the small and half the greater tithes and to hold a manse with outbuildings and nine acres of land in five parcels at Ailwinesgore, La Hook, Clandon, Longacre and Shortsurge; in 1250 Innocent IV and in 1320 Archbishop Walter Reynolds confirmed to the canons a half portion only in the church. In 1254 and 1266 the church was valued at £5, in 1291 the canons’ appropriated half portion at £5 6s 8d and in 1535 the church at £8 9s 10d.
d. Croxby, Lincolnshire: diocese of Lincoln
The small church of All Saints, the most distant of the canons’ possessions, was already about a century old when it was granted to the canons between about 1197 and 1219 by Ralph of Lindsey (414). His connection with the abbey is not known. In December 1219 the canons of Newsham with Ralph’s heirs unsuccessfully claimed the advowson (417) and in 1277 Christiana widow of Alan of Croxby was able to present her clerk before the abbot could act; she withdrew, but it seems that Abbot Reginald did not produce the 1219 settlement which imposed perpetual silence on Ralph’s heirs (417) to the court to refute her claim. In 1250 the canons’ advowson was confirmed by the pope, in 1254 a pension of £5 was noted and in 1535 the rectory was valued at £6 4s 2d.
e. Guestwick, Norfolk: diocese of Norwich
The church of St. Peter at Guestwick, now an enormous church in its context, was granted to the canons by Everard of Guist (575) a few years after his grants at Guist, Upper Guist and Wood Norton (581). The present church stands immediately south of the site of a late eleventh century small church. The grant was made for the souls of the donor’s lord Henry II and of his father, mother, wife and family and for the salvation of his lord King John, of Bishop John de Grey (who was present), himself, his two sons, all his successors and all who would support his grant (see too 581,627) and at the request of his elder son Roger; the church was to be appropriated to the canons for their own maintenance and for hospitality at Waltham. Bishop John confirmed the grant of the advowson (576) as did Everard’s two sons (577, 578). There was some delay in the appropriation which in 1227 was still awaiting the death of the rector Ralph son of Peter (576) when it was established that in future the abbot would without undue delay present a suitable candidate to the diocesan who would institute him to the vicarage and that the vicar should discharge all obligations of the church but that the abbot would contribute two thirds of the cost of books and ornaments in the church (579). In 1237 the pope confirmed the canons’ possession and appropriation of the church with a suitable vicarage which was formally established on 24 October 1238 by James of Ferentino, rural dean of Holt and proctor of the archdeacon of Norwich, when the bishopric was vacant; it consisted of all the altar offerings and twelve pieces of free land is the village in the croft beside the cemetery, at Grismead, Stilondwell, Senelwynescroft, Eastfield, Hawthorn and beside Henry the tanner’s messuage. Furthermore the abbot was to pay the vicar one silver mark in two instalments each year at the Easter and Michaelmas synods, but would retain the church’s tenants with tithes of corn, hay and vegetables. The vicar was to keep residence and to discharge all obligations of the church. The vicarage was confirmed in November 1241, by Bishop William de Ralegh. In 1254 and 1266 the church was valued at £10; in 1368 an inventory of the church goods was taken and church and vicarage were then valued at £14 6s 8d and in 1535 at £5 0s 9½d.
f. Guist, Upper Guist and Wood Norton, Norfolk: diocese of Norwich
A church existed at Guist before July 1119 (582) and was dedicated to St Andrew by between 1193 and 1198 when, with its chapel of All Saints at Upper Guist and with a one-third portion of St Peter’s church at Wood Norton, it was granted to the canons by Everard of Guist, who was later to give them the church of Guestwick (575). The grant (581) was made for the souls of the donor’s lord Henry II, of his father, mother, all his predecessors and all the faithful and for the salvation of his lord Richard I, himself, his wife and sons, Bishop John of Oxford and all the donor’s kin and successors. It may be that Bishop John was the family’s introduction to the canons, for he had played a part in the foundation of Waltham (51) and had long been close to the king. The bishop granted appropriation to the canons after the deaths of their present four clerks (584), but was able to institute Abbot Walter and the canons to the vacant church of Guist on 26 April 1198 (585). Papal confirmation was obtained in 1199 (589). In 1235 Simon of Guist unsuccessfully claimed the canons’ portion in Wood Norton church. The vicarage, as at Guestwick, was not in fact established until October 1238 when James of Ferentino (above) and Abbot Henry agreed that the abbot should in future present a candidate to the diocesan and should pay the vicar of Guist two silver marks each year in instalments at the Easter and Michaelmas synods; the vicar was also to receive all the altar offerings but was to discharge all the church’s obligations and to have an associate chaplain who was to maintain residence and serve the chapel at Upper Guist. In 1241 Bishop William de Ralegh confirmed the canons’ churches and their vicarages here and between 1248 and 1263 Abbot Simon granted the vicar of Guist, in exchange for his annual payment of the two marks, the tithe of the canons’ one-third portion of Wood Norton.” The churches at Guist, Upper Guist, Wood Norton and Guestwick (575) lay within two and a half miles of each other. In 1254 there were two churches in Wood Norton, St Peter’s and All Saints, and in 1368, when inventories were taken, it seems that there were four churches in the two villages: St Peter’s and All Saints at Wood Norton, St Andrew’s and All Saints in Guist. In 1368 in Wood Norton St Peter’s was estimated at £2 and All Saints at £3 6s 8d and in Guist, St Andrew’s at £6 13s 4d with the vicarage of £1. By 1800 St Peter’s at Wood Norton was said to be long since dilapidated. The present parish church at Wood Norton is dedicated to All Saints; some trace of St Peter’s church survives in a barn at Manor Farm half a mile to the south east of the village towards Guist. The church of Guist with its chapel at Upper Guist was valued in 1254 and 1266 at £5 and in 1535 at £5 15s 3d.
g. Lambourne, Essex: diocese of London
The secular canons had held land in this village since the time of Henry 1(13) and were granted All Saints’ church by Robert the knight of Lambourne, who witnessed another grant of a church to the canons (432), between 1190 and 1196 for hospitality at Waltham (213). Between 1196 and 1198, however, the revenues, together with those from Alphamstone church, were assigned at the canons’ request by the diocesan to their newly built hospice for the poor at Waltham; a vicarage was at that time intended by which the vicar was to enjoy all the income but to discharge all obligations of the church and to pay an annual pension of 40s to the canons (214); this was confirmed in 1218 (216) but, as at Alphamstone, no vicarage was to be established, although rectors continued to pay the pension. The canons’ posesession of the church was confirmed by the pope in 1199 (215) but their rights were challenged in 1223 when the donor’s nephew and heir John of Lambourne and in 1261 when William of Lambourne each unsuccessfully brought assizes of darrein
Confirmatio Ricardi filii Everardi de Geistweit.
Omnibus Christi fidelibus presens scriptum visuris Ricardt~ filius Everardi de Geiste salutem. Sciatis me concessisse et hac presenti carta inca confirmasse in puram et perpetuam elemosinam deo et ecciesie Sancte Crucis de Waltham et canonicis regularibus ibidem deo servientibus ecclesiarn Sancti Petri de Geistweit cum omni-bus pertinenciis suis quam videlicet ecclesiain pater incus me presente et consen-ciente eisdem canonicis dedit et carta sua confirmavit. Volo igitur ut ipSi canonici dictam ecciesiam habeant imperpetuum et teneant curn omnibus pertinencils et libertatibus suis bene et in pace. Et ut hec concessio mea sine fine irrevocata perduret earn presenti scripto et sigilli mel munivi testimonio. Hiis testibus lohanne luvene etc’.
579. Confirmation by Thomas de Blundeville bishop of Norwich with the consent of his chapter to Abbot Richard and the canons of their possession of the church of St Peter at Guestwick to be appropriated by them after the death of the rector Ralph son of Peter, when provision for a suitable vicarage will be made. In any vacancy at the church, the abbot and canons will present a suitable parson to the bishop who will institute him to the vicarage; if they delay so to do, the bishop will institute a vicar. The vicar shall discharge the obligations of the church and shall pay one third, and the abbot and canon’ two thirds, of the costs of replacing books and ornaments in the church. At London, 16 October 1227.
Carta Thorne Norwicensis episcopi de ecciesia de Geistweit. Omnibus Chnsti fidelibus ad quos presens scripturn pervenerit Thomas dci graL Norwicens[isJ episcopus salutem in domino. Ad universorum noticiam volumu’ pervenire nos causa del et1 religionis favore et assensu capituli nostri Norwicensis concessisse et presenti carta nostra confirmasse dilecos in Christo filLs abbati r~ convenrui ecclesIe Sancte Crucis de Waltham ecciesiam Sancti Petri de Geist~ ~ nostre diocesis cum omnibus ad ipsam pertinentibus habendarn in proprios usus e’ perpetuo possidendam post decessum Radulfi flu Petri eiusdem ecciesie recr~’r5 salva vicaria competenti rationabiliter taxanda cum ecdesiatn predictam vacarr contigerit. Ad quam vicariam quosciens vacare contigent nobis et successoribus nostris predicti abbas et conventus de Waltham personam ydoneam quamcumqur voluerirnus sine difficultate ac alicuius praviratis et contradictionis obstacu~ presentabunt et nos et successores nostri libere et absolute auctoritate diocesana ;n vicaria predicta eundem instituemus. Er si forte dicti abbas et conventus omiseruir vel neglexerint tempore opportuno presentare nos et successores nostri ipsis it requisitis vicarium instituemus ibidem salvis eciam in omnibus reverencia et obediencia nobis et successoribus nostris et sacrosancte Norwicensis ecclesse consuetudinibus debitis vel consuetis. Dictus autem vicarius pro tempore norum et decanorum. Dicti autem abbas et cortventus omnes defectus ecciesie tam in libris quam in ornamentis ecclesiastic is quo ad duas partes et vicarius quo ad terciam partem sustinebunt. Dat’ Lond’ septimo decimo kalendas Novembris ponti-ficatus nostri anno primo. Hiis testibus etc’.
580. Inspeximus and confirmation by Prior William son of Odo and the chapter of Norwich of the charter of Thomas de Blundeville bishop of Norwich (no.579). 16 October 1227 & 17 December 1228.
Confirmatio capituli Norwicensis de ecciesia de Geistweit.
Omnibus hoc scriptutn visuris Willenius prior Norwicensis et eiusdem loci conven-tus salutem in domino. Litteras venerabilis paths Thome dei gracia Norwicensis episcopi inspeximus in hec verba Omnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos presens scrip-turn per’venerit Thomas dei gracia Norwicensis episcopus etc’ ut supra in proxima carta, Huic igitur concessioni et confirmationi consensum et assensum nostrum prebentes presens scriptum eisdem inde confecinius et sigilli nostri appositione roboravirnus. Hiis testibus domino G[alfridoj dei gracia Eliensi episcopo etc’.
DE ECCLESIIS DE GEISTE ET DE GEISTORP’
581. Grant by Everard son of Ralph of Guist, with the consent of his son and heir Roger for the soul of Henry 11 and the salvation of Richard I and of John Oxford bishop of Norwich, to the canons in free alms of the churches of St Andrew at Guist and All Saints at Upper Guist and of a one-third portion of the church of St Peter at Wood Norton to be appropriated by the canons to maintain the convent and to support hospitality at Waltham. 7 November l193 & 1198.
Carta Everardi de Geist de ecciesia de Geist et de Geistorp et de Nortune.’ Omnibus sancte matris ecciesie filiis ad quos presens scriptum pervenerit Everardus
Allus Radulfi de Geiste salutetu. Certum et notuin sit vobis omnibus me dedisse et concessisse et hac presenti carta mea confirmasse ~ensu Rogeri (liii et heredis mei deo et ecclesie Sancte Crucis de Waltham et canonicis regularibus ibidetn deo servientibus in puram et perpetuam elemosinam ecclesiam ecciesiam Sancti Andree de Geiste et ad hospttalttatem domus de Waltham perpetuo sustinendam. Et hanc donation-em meam (eci pro anima dotnini mci Regis Henrici secundi et pro anima patris et matris mee et omnium predecessorum rneorum et omnium fidehum et pro salute Regis Ricardi dornini mel et pro salute znea et A[lienoris]4 uxoris mee et Rogeri fUji mei et heredis mel et Ricardi (liii mel et pro salute lohannis episcopi Norwicensis et omnium successorutn et parentum meorum. Quare volo quod predicti canonici de Waltham habeant et teneant libere quiete et integre predictas ecclesias cum omni-bus ad illas pertinentibus in pratis in terris et pascuis in vils et semitis aquis ~et turbariis et omnibus aliis rebus cum omni iure et libertate quam predicte ecciesie aliquo tempore habuerunt. Er sit hec donatio mea firma sit et stabilis predictis canonicis in perpetuum cartam meam illis mdc feci et sigillo meo confirma~ri, Testibus hiis Thotna archidiacono, Rogero archidiacono Suffoichie, Thoma Britone, Galfrido archidiacono, Magistro Roberto de Wacstunesharn, Magistr~ Ricardo cancellario domini Cantuariensis, Magistro Symone de Sywell’, Magis~i.~. Symone de Scales, Magistro Wilkimo de Neketun’, Richero decano de Sparham, Magistro Roberto de Chipetham’, Petro de Scarnetun’, Roberto de Sotesham’, Willelmo de Bmnetre, Gaifrido fihio illius, Warino capellano de Nortun’, Laurencio capellano de Caterham’,5 Warmo Orosso, Willelmo Grosso, lohanne de Nortun’, Everardo clerico de Geiste et multis allis.
582. Writ of Henry I to Herbert Losinga bishop of Norwich that he had granted to the church of Guist one acre of land where there are houses and that Alfric the priest and his son shall hold them as in the time of William 11. 5 August 1100 & 22 July 1119.
Item eiusdet& de domibus nosrns et ursa acra in Gaiste.
Henncus rex Anglie Herberto episcopo Norwicensi salutem. Sciatls me pro ~k nomine dedisse et concessisse ecdesie de Geiste unam acram terre ubi domus sunt Er preciplo ut earn Aifricus sacerdos teneat et habear sicut melius habuit in tempor~ fratris mel, et filius suus. T’.
583. Writ of Henry I to Everard of Calne bishop of Norwich that Aubrey and his son Theodoric shall peacefully hold the land and the houses which are on the acre of land which the king had granted to Guist church in a previous writ (no 582) 12June 1121 & l December 1135
Eiusdem de eodem.
k. Henricus rex Anglie Ebra[rjdo episcopo Norwicensi etc’ salutem. Precipio ut Aibericus presbyter et Theodoricus films ems tuste et in pace teneant terram et domos SUaS que sunt super acram terre quam dedi et concessi ecciesie de Geiste sicut precepi per aliud breve meum et nulius eis super hec iniuriam inde vel molestiam f~ciat. T’.
584. Confirmation by John of Oxford bishop of Norwich to the canons of the church of St Andrew at Guist, the church of All Saints at Upper Guist and of a one-third portion in the church of St Peter at Wood Norton by the grant of Everard of Guist (no.58 1), the churches to be appropriated by the canons after the deaths of the clerks now at the churches, that is of Warner of Guist, Walter of Upper Guist and Geoffrey son of Warner of Guist, and of Geoffrey son of William of Bintree the parson of one third of St Peter’s church at Wood Norton as is contained in the charters of the donor (no.581) and of his son Roger, save adequate provision for the rectors of these churches. Witnesses Ralph (Foliot) archdeacon of Hereford, Master Richard chancellor of (Hubert Walter) archbishop of Canterbury, Master Simon of Sywell, Master Godfrey of Wisbech, Lambert, Walter of Calne, Gervase and Robert of Chippenham. 7 November 1193 & 26 April 1198.
585 Institution by John of Oxford bishop of Norwich of Abbot Walter and the canons to the vacant church of Guist at the presentation of Everard son of Ralph, also grant that they may appropriate the church with its chapel at Upper Guist after the death of Geoffrey (son of Warner) the perpetual vicar of Guist when suitable provision for a vicarage shall be made. Witnesses Geoffrey the archdeacon “Master Robert of Chippenham, Master Gervase of Chippenham.
586. Confirmation by Roger son of Everard of the grant made by his father with his consent to the canons of the churches of St Andrew at Guist and All Saints at Upper Guist and of a one-third portion of the church of St Peter at Wood Norton as in his father’s charter (no.581) which he has inspected and which has been read to him. Also approval of the institution of Abbot Walter and the canons by John of Oxford, bishop of Norwich into the vacant church of Guist (no.585) after the resignation of Warner. 26 April x September 1198.
ConfirmatiO Rogeri flu Everardi de Geist’ de donatione paths sui scilicet de dictis ecclesiis.
Omnibus dci fidelibus ad quos presens scriptum pervenerit Rogerus fdius Everardi de Geiste saluteni. Sciatis quod Everardus pater meus assensu meo et bona voluntate mea dedit et concessit et carta sua confirrnavit deo et ecciesie Sancte Crucis de Waltham2 et canoniciS regularibus ibidem deo servientibtis in purann et perpetuam elemosuflam ecclesiatfl Sancti Andree de Geiste et ecciesiam Omnium Sanctorum de GeistetotP et erciam pattern ecciesie Sartcti Petri de Nortune cum omnibus pertinenciis earum ad usus et sustentationem predictorum canonicorum et ad hospi-
talitatern domus de Waltham perpetuo susrunendam. Er hanc donationetu fecir predictus pater incus pro anuma Regis l-lertxici secundi et pro anurna patris sui propruet mains sue et omnium predecessotum suoruni et omnium fidelium et pro salute – Regis Ricardi et pro salute sua et A[lienorisl3 uxoris sue marnisque nice et pro salute mea et Ricardi frarris mei et lohanrus Norwicertsis episcopi et pro salute ornrtium
successorUni et pareittUm suOrUin sicut carta ipsius testatUt quarts unspexi et corarn me lecta (tilt. Quaproptet ut predicta donatio patnis mei stabilis et firpta sit ta perpetuum illam presenti scnipto ci sigilli mei appositione confirmo. Er volo quopredicti canonici prenomunata beneficia habeant et teneant cx dono patnis mei hac inca confirinattOtte libere quiete et untégte cum ~~nibus ad illa pertunentibus in tenris in pratis et pascuis in vhs et semitis aqulS ci turbariis et omnibus aliis rebus cum omit ture et Itbertate quarts predicte eccieste ahquo tempore babuetunt
Preterea gratam habeo et ratam unstriunonem quaun ltohanneS~ Norwuceruts epuscopus fecit Walteto abbatu et canonucts de Waltham Usvacantem ecciestam de Getste postquani WamertuS omne tus quod in prefata ecclesta habuit restgnavet’at Hunts autem conftrmattoflu nice testes stint Thomas archudiacottu5, Galfrudus de Bocland’, Magister RicarduS, Maguster Stephanus Croc, Magtster Herbertus Watterus clerics’s de Algo Phthppus capellanus~ Magistet Symon~ Willelmu Cliricus, Willemmus de Logevill’~ Rogerus Pertevia’, Robertus le Porter’, lohanne
587. Confirmation by Richard son of Everard of Guist to the canons in free alms of the grant made by his father in his presence and with his consent of the churches of St Andrew at Guist and All Saints at Upper Guist and of a one-third portion of the church of St Peter at Wood Norton, as in no.581. 7 November 1193 x 1230, probably before 1198.
Confirtnatio Ricardi fuji Everardi fratris Rogeri de predictis ecclesiis.
Omnibus Christi fidelibus presens scriptum visuris Ricardus filius Everardi de Geiste salutern. Sciatis me concessisse et hac presenti carta mea confirmasse in puram et perpetuam elemosinam deo et ecciesie Sancte Crucis de Waltham et canonicis regularibus ibidem deo servientibus ecciesiam Sancti Andree de Geiste et ecciesiam Omnium Sanctorum de Geistetorp et terciarn partem ecciesie Sancti Petri de Nortune cum omnibus earurn pertinenciis quas videlicet ecclesias parer meus me presente et consenciente eisdens canonicis dedit et carta sua confirmavit. Volo igitur ut ipsi canonici dictas ecciesias habeant imperpetuurn bene er in pace et cuni omnibus libertatibus et pertinenciis suis plene possideant. Et ut hec donatio mea sine fine irrevocata perduret earn presenti scripto et sigilli mci snunivi testimoniO. Hits testibus etc’.
588. Confirmation by Hubert Walter archbishop of Canterbury and primate of England to the canons of the churches of Guist and Upper Guist and of a one-third portion in the church of Wood Norton granted by Everard son of Ralph and his son Roger, whose charters (nos.58l and 586) he has inspected and which have been read to him. Witnesses Master Richard the chancellor, Ranulf treasurer of Salisbury, Master Simon of Sywell, Master Godfrey de Insula, Master William of Necton, Master William of Somercotes, Master William of Calne, Master Gervase, Master Adam of Walsingham, Master Edmund, Gregory of Salisbury, John of Brancaster and many others. 7 November 1193 x April 1195, or 1198.
589. Confirmation by Innocent III of the canons’ possession of the churches of St Andrew at Guist and of All Saints at Upper Guist and of their right in the church of St Peter at Wood Norton as in the diocesan’s charter (no.584). At the Lateran, 16 July 1199.
Item eiusdez& de Geiste et de Geistetorp et Wdenorthune.
Innocentius episcopus servus servorum dei dilectis filiis abbati et conventui de Waltham salutem et apostolicam benedicaonem. lustis petentium desideriis dignum est nos macilem prebere consensum et vota que a rationis tramite non discordant effectu prosequenre complete. Eapropter dilecti in domino ILIII vestris iustis postulationibus gratum inpenientes assensurn ecciesiam Sancti Andree de Geiste ecclesiam Omnium Sancrorum de Geistetorp2 lus etiatn quod habetis in ecciesia Sancti Petri de Wudenorton’3 sicut ea iuste ac pacifice possidetis et ir~ autentico scripto diocesani episcopi confecto cx mdc plenius continetur vobis et~~ per vos monasterio vestro auctoritate apostolica confirmamus et presentis scripti patrocinlo communimus. Nulli ergo omnino hominum ticeat hanc paginam rtostre confinnationis infringere ye! ci ausu temerarlo contraire, Siquis aurem hoc attemp~ tare presumpserit indignationem omnipotentis dci et beatorum Petri et Pauli apos-tolorum eius se noverit incursurum. Dat’ Lateran’ xvi kalendas lulii4 pontificarus nostri anno secundo.
590. Inspeximus and confirmation by John de Grey bishop of Norwich of the confirmation by his predecessor the late John of Oxford (no.584). Witnesses John of Brancaster archdeacon of Worcester, Thomas de Heidene, Robert of Rudby and Jordan the chaplains, John de Offington, Walter Mantler, Alan the clerk, Thomas chaplain of Sawston, Hervey Ridel, William of St Michael. By the hand of Master Geoffrey de Derham at Ditton, 17 October 1204.
Confirmatio capituli Norwicensis de ecclesiis predictist de Cleiste et Geisthorpe. Omnibus hoc scriptuin visuris Willelmus prior Norwicensis et eiusdem loci conventus salutem in domino Litteras venerabilts patris riostri domiru lohannis Norwicen sis episcopt secundi Inspeximus in hec verba loltannes det gracta Norwicensis episcopus omnibus sancte matris ecciesie fihiis eternarn in domino salutem. Inspeximm cartam bone rnemorte lohm-inis Norwicensis episcopi predecessoris nostri itt hec verba conceptam Omnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos presens scriptum per
venerit lohannes del gracia Norwicensis episcopus salutem in domino et suscepte solhcttudinis2 etc’ ut supra Huic igitur concession! sicut canonice facta est consensum et assertsum nostrum prebentes earn presenti scrtpto et sigilli nostri appositione roboramus I-his testibus domino G[alfridoj det gracta Eliensi episcopo,3 Magistro J Alano officiali Norwicensi,4 Magistro Willemo de Risirtge, Magistro Arnulfo, Magistro Radulfo de Scegetun’, Magistro Willelino de Westhall’, Simone de :4 Hemstede, Willelmo de Warhain, Henrico de Wermel’.
592. List of lands pertaining to the canons’ one-third portion of the church of St Peter at Wood Norton, containing 11.25 acres and 14½ perches of land and meadow in eleven parcels. ! About 1200.
Terre pertinentes ad porcionem abbatis de Waltham in ecciesia Sanctt Petri de Nortun’.
<1 >Una pecia mum rodarum iacet in Wynedestoft quam Ricardus de Norwde’ tenuit in vita (3alfridi persone.
<2>Una pecia unius pertice que tacet at Litlemedwe quam Robertus Golifrewl’ hsc2 ediificavit Spendeluve3 per dictum Gaifridum Reddit per annum ii denarios
<3>FIlu Rogeri Scule sum homines ecciesie ab annquo reddendo arinuaum xi denarios. Tenent tres acras et dimidiam et habent mansum super eandem terram
<4>kem unum pratum scilicet dimidia acra apud Norwde quam Godefridus Ic Gros tenuit per dictum (Jaifridum.
<5>kem una pecia duarum acrarum et dimidie iacet ad capud crofte Rodlandi Grossi.
<8>Item una perricataiacet iuxta Alcbrige
<9>ltens due pecie continentes unam acram iacent super Hagenishil4. Longestert’ dirnidia acra.
<1O>Item una pecia perticate et dimidie iacent super Wragenhii’.5
<11 >Item ties acre tacent iuxta Gravesgate que vocatur6 Morrilland. Has vendidir Simon de Emstede monachis de Bromholm’.7 Modo habemus illas in dorrtinico.
7 For the large collection of grants in Wood Norton made to the monks of Bromboim about this date, several by men who occur here, see Catalogue of the Manrocripts preserved in~’ the Library of the University of Cambridge, 5 vots. (Cambridge, 1856-67), iv, 163-8, nos.28?-
372.
CHARTERS CONCERNING GUIST, UPPER GUIST AND WOOD NORTON
593. Grant by Everard son of Ralph of Guist to the canons in free alms of a messuage and toft which were once held by Godmer in Upper Guist with its marked pieces of land in La Bruere, which the canons will cultivate, with rights of common pasture. He has given his body to be buried at Waltham. About 1193 x ? about 1210.
Carta Everardi (1111 Radulfi de uno mesagio in Geisterorp.
Omnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos presens scriptum pervenerit Everar~Jus ftL~,. Radulfi de Geiste salutem. Notum sit vobis omnibus me pro salute mea et omntw: antecessorum et successonun meorum et omnium fidelium dedisse et presenti cart conftrmasse in puram et liberam et perpetuam elemosinam deo et ecclesie Sanr Crucis de Waltham ubi me ipsum sepeliendum dedi et canonicis regularibus tb,dem deo servieritibus mesuagium et toftum quod fuit Godemeri in Geistethorp et omncperticulas de Ia Bruere que pertinent ad me sicut mercate sunt et divise ad habend.v’et colendas ear in usus comm. Quare volo quod predicti canonici habeant teneant predictum mesuagium et predictutu tofturn et perticulas predictas bene itt pace libere et quiete ab otuni seculari servicio et exactione in perpetuum cur’s communi pastura eiusdem vile. Er ego et heredes mci warantizabirnus et defende 408 mus predictis canonicis omnes prertotninatas terras contra omrtes homines et ~rrn~cartam meam ills inde ted et sigttio meo conrLrmavl.
Symonis de Hemstede etc’.
594. Grant by Everard son of Ralph of Guist to the canons in free alms of three acres of arable land in two parcels, one acre called Flitacre and two acres on Wrakenhill (described) in Guist. About 1193 x ? about 1209.
Carta Everardi flu Radulfi de Geiste de tribus acris terre in Geiste.
Omnibus sancte matris ecciesie filiis ad quos preserts scriptum pervenerit Everardus fihius Radulfi de Geiste salutem. Noverit universita[s] vestra me pro salute anime mee et uxoris mee antecessorum quoque et successorum meoruin cortcessisse et dedisse et hac presenti carta mea onuirmasse deo et ecclesie Sancte Crucis de Waltham et canonucis regularibus ibidem deo servientibus in puram et perpetuam elemosinam tres acras terre lucrabilis in villa de Geiste scilicet unam acram que dicitur Flitacre et abutissat super Grenegate versus occidentetn et extendit versus orientern et duas acras in Wrakenhell” iuxta terram Warini Bulge et ahutissant super terram aurifabri versus austrum et extendit versus viarn aquiloriarem. Et ego et heredes rnei warantizabimus in perpetuum memoratas terre acras cum omni integritate supratnemoratis canorticis ecciesie Sancte Crucis de Waltham contra omnes hornines et omnes feminas sicut liberain eleinosinam nostram et defendemus ab omnibus secularibus exactionibus. Et ad plenam securitatem itt perpetuum hanc eis mdc cartam feci et sigilli mci appositione ~-tnfirmavi. Hiis testibus lohanne de Nortune etc’.
595 Confirmation by Richard son of Everard of Guist of the grant made by his father with his consent to the canons of three acres of arable land in Guist as in no. (594). About 1193 x ? about 1209
Confirmatio Ricardi filii Everardi de Geist de tribus acris terre
Masse deo et ecclesie Sancte Crucis de Waltham et canonicis regularibus ibidem deo servienribus ties acras terre in villa de Geist scilicet unam acram que dicitur Flittenacre et duas acras que iacent in Wrakenhall’ quas dominus et parer incus Everardus de Geist me presente er ex plena voluntate corisenciente’ ante dederat predictis ecciesie Sancte Crucis canonicis in puram liberam et perpetuam elemosi-nam et carta sua confirmaverat. Er ego et heredes mei warantizabimus memoratis canonicis supranominatas ties acras contra ornnes homines et feminas et secundum predicte carte patris mel formam defendemus de omnibus servicits et exacrionibus secularibus. Hiis testibus lohanrre de Northun’ et cetera.
596. Grant (incomplete) by Richard son of Everard of Guist to the canons in free alms of seven acres of land called Gooseland enclosed by a ditch by the Foulsham River. About 1213 x 1230.
Carta Ricardi filii Everardi de Geiste de septern acris terre.
Sciant presentes et futuri quod ego Ricardus fihius Everardi concessi er dedi et hac presenti carta mea confirmavi deo et ecciesie Sancte Crucis de Waltham et canonicis regularibus ifbi]dem deo servientibus in puram et perpetuatu elemosinam vij acras terre que appellantur Goseland sicut infossatuin est er abutat super ripam de Foleshant habendas et tenendas libere quiete et irttegre ab omni seculari servicio et exactione pro anima patris mci1 et maths mee et Rogeri fratris mci et antecesso-rum meorwu et pro salute anime mee et uxoris mee et heredum meorum. Er ego Ricardus er heredes mei warantizabimus…
597. Grant by Roland Gross of Wood Norton to the abbot and canons in free alms of a messuage with its buildings with an adjacent half acre of land by the main road and with another half acre called Remaldespich (described) in Wood Norton. July 1184 x 1230, probably about 1193 x about 1209.
410 Carta Rolandi Grossi de quodam niesaglo in Nortun’.
Hac presente carta mea abbati er conventui de Waltham mesagium illud cum edificiis quod fuit Eborardi fratris mei in Nortun’ cum dimidia acra terre que tacet tuxta idem mesaglum versus aqutlortem et abutizat super stratam regiam versus occidentem et dimtdtam acram terre que vocatur Remaldespich culus urtum capud abutizat super ten-am lohannis filit Ingenakh et abud super terram Mabihe de Bosco habendum et tenendum dicus abbati et conventul in liberam puram et perpetuani elemosinam solutum et quietum de me et heredihus meis inperpetuum absque omni
serviclo et exactione seculart Et ego Rolandus et heredes met waranuzabimus predicrum mesagium cum predicus duabus dimidits acris terre dictis abbati et con ventui sicut liberam puram et perpetuarn elemosinam nostram contra omnes hotnines et frmnmas Hits testibus Warn-to Grosso et aliis etc
598. Grant by Roland Gross of Wood Norton to the canons in free alms of the 2d rent and all the tenement which Alexander the baker of Guist held of him and the 2d rent and all the tenement which Robert Mannuri of Guist held of him. ?July 1184 x 1230, probably about 1193 x about 1209.
Carta Rolandih Grossi de redditu quatuor denaniorum.
Hec kdere debe[nlt in fine de Geist. Sci~ir pr~ues et futuri quod ego Rodlandus Grossus de Wudenort’ concessi et dedi et hac presenni carta mea confirmavi Deo et ecciesie Sancte Crucis de Waltham en canonicis regulanibus ibidem deo servientibus in puram et perpetuam elenwsinam tonumi-edditum cum toto tenemento quod Alexander Pistor de Geyste tenuit de n~ et aim universis que de predicto tenemento poterurit evenire scilicet duos denai~ de annuo redditu quos solebat tnichi solvere ad duos terminos ad annw~tana~m Beate Marie ui-turn denariurn et ad festum Sancti Michaelis unuin den~ium et toci~n redditum cum toto tenemento et cum untversts que de eodem tenem~no potenint evenire quod Robertus Mannuri de Ceyste tenuit de me videlicet du~ denarios de annuo redditu quos solebat michi solvere ad annunct anonem Beate Marie unum denarium et ad festum Sancti Mtchaelis unum denanum tenerKia en ha1~enda libera et quteta tnperperuum ab omni seculari serviclo Ct exacuone Er ego Rodlaridus et heredes n-tel predictos redditus cum predtctis tenementis et curn untivetsis que de etsdern tenementis poterunt extre dtctis eccleste et canonicu ut liberam et perpetuam elemosinam nostram waranuzabimus contra omnes3 hoimnes et feminas et defendemus Er Ut hec concessto rata et tnconcussa perseveret presens scriptum sigilli met apposittone roboravt Hits tesubus Warino Grosso etc.
