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les Enluminures

Charters

In Latin and English, documents on parchment
England; various dates, from 1253-1571

TM 429
sold

Forty-four charters on parchment, of various dimensions (described in detail below). Most are folded, although some are now stored flat. Housed in modern folders; some in manila or plastic envelopes; many with modern transcriptions and other early cataloguing. All items are in excellent condition, unless noted in the descriptions of each item, below.

From the Sir Thomas Phillipps’s collection, this is a fine collection of forty-four charters from England, dating from the thirteenth through the sixteenth centuries, with many items of interest. Three are in English; the remaining in Latin. Twelve charters still preserve seals. The collection makes it possible to study the development of English documentary script from the distinctive anglicana script of the earlier periods through the later secretary script, as well as containing fine examples of different types of charters, including grants, indentures or chirographs, and quitclaims.

Provenance

1. All of the charters in this collection were written in England, with a majority having an origin in northern England in Yorkshire (including Skelmansthorpe, Middleton, Ottringham, Maltby, Dungworth, Eston, and Pockley). They range in date from the thirteenth through the sixteenth centuries. Thirty-two are dated, with four from the thirteenth century (numbers 2, 5, and 9, and 12, below), twenty-two from the fourteenth century, five from the fifteenth century and one from the sixteenth century; the thirteen items without dates include four which may date from the thirteenth century (numbers 6d, 10, 23 and 14), and four from the fourteenth century; the remaining items are later.

2. t of these charters were once owned by Sir Thomas Phillipps (1792-1872) who has been described as the greatest private manuscript collector of all time, and certainly, his collection of approximately 60,000 manuscripts was the world’s largest–so large in fact that it was still being sold in 1977, more than a century after his death. Phillipps was obsessed with preserving not only manuscript codices, but also numerous documents and charters that were being used as scrap during his lifetime, and he was thus responsible for preserving thousands of documents. A concordance of the item numbers in this description and their associated Phillipps numbers is appended below.

Text and physical descriptions

1. Parchment, fifteen lines in ink, written in an anglicana script, dimensions, 115 x 185 (justification 80 x 180) mm. Folded, with two seals on tabs, tied together by a knotted reed or grass; accompanied by modern transcription, housed in plastic envelope. Provenance: Phillipps MS 40249(2).

In Latin, grant of land by Henricus Manning de Bradeker and Matildus, his wife to Stephanus le Bretun de Scropham “in Scropham in loco qui vocatur Fredele,” datum apud Scropham … anno regni Regis Edwardi filii Regis Edwardi primo [1307]. On the obverse, “carta, de Henrico manig, Fredele.”

2. Parchment, fifteen lines in ink, written in an anglicana script, dimensions, 113 x 213 (justification, 90 x 193) mm. Folded, with tab; accompanied by modern transcription, housed in plastic envelope. Provenance: Phillipps MS 40249(1).

In Latin, grant of land “in campo de Scropham apud Fredele by Andrea, fili Gilberti tixtori de Scropham to Henrico le Breton de eadem, … datum apud Scropham … anno regni Regis Eddwardi filie Regis Henrici vicessimo sexton” [1298]; on the obverse, in a contemporary hand, “de andrea filio gilberti tixtoris”; later hand, “Fredele,” and in a modern hand, in pencil, “261, Fredele.”

3. Parchment, eleven lines in ink, written in an anglicana script, dimensions, 74 x 210 (justification, 62 x 193) mm. Now folded in half, with tab; accompanied by a typed description on a paper slip, and a modern transcription, housed in manila envelope. Provenance: Phillipps MS 40767.

In Latin, quitclaim of Willelemus filius Willelemi Ryvel de Dungeworth respecting property in Dungworth, “… datum apud Dungeworth … anno regni Regis Edwardi tercii post conquestum quinto” [1332]; on the obverse, modern pencil notes.

4. Parchment, seven lines in ink, written in a secretary script, dimensions, 65-55 x 297 (justification, 30 x 255) mm. Now folded in half.

In English, indenture between dame Alic portington, widow of John portington, knight, and John Garman of Whitgift concerning fishing rights. Dated at Adlingflete, 1471; on the obverse, Portington.

5. Parchment, twenty lines in ink, written in an anglicana script, dimensions, 160-150 x 228 (justification, 125 x 215) mm. Now unfolded, slit for tab. Provenance: “Phillipps MS 27951 (2),” written on obverse in ink, and in pencil: “Yorkshire/?/264”; on the fold, in pencil, “679, 29/L L C.” For a related item, see no. 9, below.

In Latin, indenture between Thomas, son of William, and his daughter, Ramette involving lands at Dalton [=Dalton-by-Topcliffe, Doncaster], dated 1264; on the obverse, contemporary note, “Dalton.”

6. Two charters, now housed in a manila envelope. Provenance: “34674(part)” written on envelope; now contains two of the original three pieces.

6a. Parchment, fourteen long lines, copied in an anglicana script, deeply folded, but dimensions approximately 130 x 232 (justification, 90 x 213) mm. Folded, in poor condition, darkened and worn, slits for tab.

In Latin, grant of land by William de Rautmersh (=Rawmarsh), a clerk, to his oldest son William and his wife; dated 1327.

6b. Parchment, ten long lines, written in an anglicana script, dimensions, 80 x 125-120 (justification, 65 x ca. 230) mm. Now folded in half, tongue for seal, but lacking seal. Ink is quite faded.

In Latin, grant of land in Ughill [Yorkshire or Westmoreland?] by William, son of William del Lygshon Bradefield to Richard son of Hodelyn of Bradfield, dated 1339.

7. Six charters related to Dungworth, county Yorkshire, now housed in a manila envelope. Provenance: “40,956” noted on envelope, with the added entry, “include 29215.” Modern transcription in ink of all items included.

7a. Parchment, eighteen lines, written in an anglicana script with secretary features, dimensions, approximately 153 x 218 (justification, 120 x 188) mm. Folded, parchment is darkened, very stiff and deeply folded; accompanied by typed description on paper slip. Provenance: “40956,” in pen; “144-71,” in pencil.

In Latin, judgment in a suit brought by John Cowall against Richard Hudson for deforcement (illegal occupation) of a messuage at Dungworth, dated Sheffield, June 10, 29 Henry VI [1451].

7b. Parchment, thirteen lines, copied in an anglicana script, ruled in ink, with double vertical bounding lines, dimensions, 110 x 200 (justification, 84 x 183) mm. Folded, with tab; accompanied by typed description on paper slip, where it is numbered, “40956 (1).”

In Latin, sale of land in Dungworth by Ralph de Dungworth to John Avyn, dated 1331.

7c. Parchment, thirteen lines, copied in an anglicana script, dimensions, 92 x 182 (justification, 75 x 165) mm. Folded, with tab and seal, legible, but with a few small holes; numbered “40956” on typed description on paper slip; obverse, in pencil, “5.”

In Latin, deed of sale of a messuage, etc. in Dungworth by William Ryvel to Thomas Ryvel, dated 1337; cf. 8c.

7d. Parchment, twelve lines, copied in an anglicana script, dimensions, 93 x 215 (justification, 77 x 195) mm. Folded; accompanied by typed description on paper slip. Provenance: obverse, “29215,” and in pencil, “2” [i.e., 40956(2)].

In Latin, grant of land by William, son of Elie de Mora de Dungworth, to William de Leston, no date, datable to the late thirteenth century, ca. 1290 (?); obverse, “Dungworth sine dat.”

7e. Parchment, thirteen lines, written in a flourished anglicana script, dimensions, 93 x 179 (justification, 75 x 170-165) mm. Folded, with tab, accompanied by typed description on paper slip. Provenance: obverse, in pencil, “Dungworth, 3” [i.e. 40956(3)].

In Latin, sale of land in Dungworth by Richard Helwys de Dongworth to Rodulfus filio Ricardi filii Raldulfi del Moorwood, dated 1327.

7f. Parchment, eleven lines, written in an anglicana script, dimensions, approximately 110 x 275 mm. (justification, 83 x 233) mm. Folded, with seal, accompanied by typed description on paper slip. Provenance: obverse, “10,” in pencil [i.e. 40956(10)].

In Latin, quitclaim of Ralph Smith respecting a messuage, dated 1385.

8. In manila envelope; “40,792(part), Yorkshire, five pieces.” All folded, no transcriptions. Actually eight charters:

8a. Parchment, five lines, written in a secretary script, dimensions, 53 x 242 (justification, 30 x 215) mm. Folded, with tongue; obverse, in pencil, “Lincoln.”

In Latin, 20 August, anno henry sexti quinto [1428], between John and John, son of Richard .

8b. Parchment, ten lines, written in a hasty anglicana script, dimensions, 83 x 225 (65 x 205) mm. Folded, hole in the middle, with loss of a few words.

In Latin, quitclaim of Thomas Moldichiss de West mundhalch to William de Morton, at Westmundhalch, dated 1388.

8c. Parchment, eleven lines, written in an anglicana script, ruled in ink, with double bounding lines, 93 x 230 (justification, 65 x 215) mm. Folded, with tab. Provenance, “30607,” in ink; “Lincoln,” in pencil.

In Latin, quitclaim of Ricardus Ryvel to John, son of Richard, at Longlkon, dated millesimo ccc septimo [1307]; cf. 7c.

8d. Parchment, twelve lines, written in an anglicana script, dimensions, 95 x 255 (justification, 75 x 235) mm. Folded, with wax seal on tab.

In Latin, concerning rent from Wiggleswold owed by Richard of Schagl of Wungworth to Thomas, son of William of Curton of Smalschagl dated 1377; obverse, “Ughill.”

8e. Parchment, sixteen lines, written in an anglicana script, dimensions, 107 x 240 (justification, 83 x 230) mm. Folded, with tab. Date is transcribed in ink on the obverse, and “Nickelbringe, York,” in pencil.

In Latin, grant of land from Laurence de Nickelbringe to his sister, Beatrice,

“Datum anno r[egni] r[egis] E[dw] filius R. E. primo” [1308].

8f. Parchment, twenty-one lines, written in an anglicana script, dimensions, 157 x 215 (justification, 123 x 210-205) mm. Folded, with tab and seal wrapped in cloth; with a long tear in the middle, but with loss of only a few letters of text.

In Latin, Thomas de Furnival, son of Thomas of Furnival, and John, son of John del Wydelee concerning land in Wiggethwysil; undated, fourteenth century (?).

8g. Parchment, ten lines, written in an anglicana script, dimensions, 65 x 225 (justification, 57 x 195) mm. Folded, with tab and seal; ink has faded and is difficult to read.

In Latin, grant from Radulphus, datum apud Bradfeld, 1361.

8h. Parchment, twenty lines with the text continuing with four additional lines on the obverse, written in a secretary script, with anglicana elements, in two sizes, dimensions, 130 x 210 (justification, 103 x 185) mm. Folded, with tab and seal; damaged by water or damp, so the parchment is very stiff, crinkled, and resists opening flat.

In Latin, a feoffement (?), fifteenth sixteenth century.

9. Parchment, twenty-four lines, written in an upright anglicana script by the same scribe as number 5 above, dimensions, 208-190 x 178 (justification, 60 x 173) mm. Now unfolded, slits for tab. Provenance: “Phillipps MS 27951(1),” written on obverse in ink; on the fold, in pencil, “679, 18/ UC.” For a related item see number 5, above.

In Latin, indenture between Thomas, son of William, and his daughter Berthe, involving lands at Dalton [=Dalton-by-Topcliffe, Doncaster], dated 1264.

10. Parchment, twelve lines, written in an anglicana script, dimensions, 88 x 142 (justification, 67 x 140) mm., trimmed, with minor loss of text on the right. Now unfolded, slits for tab, with a modern[?] cord. Provenance: “27606,” and “Hoton, co. bor. s.d.”

In Latin, quitclaim of Thomas, son of Thomas and Agatha to his lord, John de Bonevill, concerning lands at Hoton; no date, but similarity to University of Nottingham, Ne D 911, suggests mid-thirteenth century; see, http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/.

11. Parchment, twelve lines, written in an anglicana script, dimensions, 90 x 158 (justification, 65 x 150-145) mm. Unfolded, slits for tabs. Several early notes on obverse to identify the document; no modern provenance.

In Latin, grant by Vdardus, filius Willelmi le franceys and Agneta, my wife to William Cissori de Bodha. No date [early fourteenth-century?].

12. Parchment, seven lines, written in a quick anglicana script, dimensions, 85-78 x 227 (justification, 48 x 205) mm. Folded, with tab. Provenance: early notes on obverse; in pencil, “Yorks.”

In Latin, concerning land at Morthyng by Johannes de Toncyll to Hugh tessy[?] de branton and his wife Mathilda, at Boderhan; “anno supradicto,” i.e., 1253.

13. In manila envelope, “41,063”; two documents, folded together, with one fragmentary seal on a tab threaded through both:

13a. Parchment, twenty-fine lines, continuing on obverse with six lines, written in a secretary script, dimensions, 245-255 x 207-195 (145 x 225) mm., Indented; ink has faded.

In Latin, grant of property in several named places in Lancashire and Yorkshire by James Haryngton to William Gascoigne and others, 13 Henry VI [1435].

13b. Parchment, twenty-eight lines, written in a secretary script, dimensions, 220-215 x 265-252 (justification, 243 x 160) mm., a few stains, with some minor loss of legibility. Provenance: on obverse, in ink, “27,” and “13.H.7.”

In English, conditions of the above feoffement, dated 1435.

14. Manila envelope, “40,985,” and description of former contents as grant of land (Yorkshire) by John Wamer to Gerard de Melton; undated, thirteenth century; now see number 17 [with later note, in “27606”]. Now contains three folded charters (see also 6b, and 8d, above, for related documents):

14a. Parchment, ten lines, written in an anglicana script, dimensions, 90 x 190 (justification, 65 x 173) mm. Folded, with tab and seal; accompanied by modern transcription. Provenance: identified as Phillipps MS 40792(2) on the transcription; in pencil, on obverse, “Uggill,” and “Hugill, Westmoreland?”;

In Latin, quitclaim of Ricardus, filus Henricus de Derwent to Thomas de Wggilwode, “datum apud Bradfeld die dominica proxima ante festum nativitatis sancti Johannis baptiste anno domini M ccc xvii [1317]”.

14b. Parchment, ten lines, written in an anglicana script, dimensions, 87 x 190 (justification, 60 x 180) mm. Folded, with tab; accompanied by modern transcription. Provenance: identified as Phillipps MS 40792(3) on the transcription; in pencil, on obverse, “Henry de Derwent, Ughill, Westmoreland?” and “Hugill, Westmoreland.”

In Latin, quitclaim of Henricus de Derwent to Thomas de Wiggilwode concerning land which Thomas bought from Richard, Henry’s son [see item a, above] “datum apud Bradefeld .. die sancti Nicholai anno gracie m ccc xviii [1318]”.

14c. Parchment, nine lines, written in an anglicana script, dimensions, 90 x 198 (justification, 56 x 180) mm. Folded, with tab; accompanied by modern transcription. Provenance: identified as Phillipps MS 40792(4) on transcription; in pencil, “Uggilwode, Westmoreland.”

In Latin, quitclaim of Rog[er]us, son of William le Wodeward de Wggyl to Ade, his brother, concerning land in Wggylwode, “Hiis testibus, Andrea del Moworde, Ricardo Ryvel, Thoma de Wggylowde, …. Datum apud Wggyl … Anno domini millesimo ccc xi [1311].”

15. Parchment, ten lines, written in an anglicana script, dimensions, 80 x 235 (justification, 60 x 225) mm. Now folded once, tab with partial seal wrapped in cloth, small hole with loss of a few words of text, accompanied by a handwritten description, housed in manila envelope, originally identified as Rutland, changed to Yorks. Provenance: “29207,” in ink; and “Otringham [?] Rutland.”

In Latin, quitclaim of Richard de Holm to Agnes, daughter of William Fron of Otigham concerning lands and buildings, “datum apud Otingham … anno domini m ccc vicesimo quinto [1325].”

16. Housed in manila envelope, “41,082”; Owston, co. Yorkshire, two pieces:

16a. Parchment, nineteen lines, written in an anglicana script, ruled in lead with double vertical bounding lines, dimensions, 132 x 187 (justification, 113 x 173) mm. Folded, with slits for tab, with a modern handwritten transcription. Provenance: Phillipps MS 41082, recorded on transcription.

In Latin, grant of the rent on lands in Oustan from Robertus, filius Rogeri Dagnel de Bercroft to the monastery (?) of the blessed Mary de Oustan, undated [fourteenth century].

16b. Parchment, twelve lines, written in a late anglicana script, dimensions, 120 x 256 (justification, 100 x 233-220) mm. Folded, and somewhat wrinkled, with a seal on a tab, with a modern handwritten transcription. Provenance: “Phillipps MS 41082” on transcription.

In Latin, grant of lands in Thorp, Salve and Oustan from Richardus Fethirstan, son of Henry of Fethirstan to Nicholas fitz William armigero, Robert Mauleverer armigero, Richard Pykbourne de Stanseby and Henry Croft de parva Tils, “Datum die lune in festo sancti Edwardi Regis anno regni Regis Henrici sexti post conquestum anglie nono. [1469]”

17. Parchment, twelve lines, written in an anglicana script, dimensions, 98 x 190 (justification, 51 x 177) mm. Now unfolded, with tab, accompanied by a modern handwritten transcription, housed in plastic envelope. Provenance: Phillipps MS no. 40985” on transcription.

In Latin, grant of land for “homagio et seruicio” from Johannes filius Stephani Warner to Gerardus filio Radulfi de Meltun. Undated (late thirteenth or early fourteenth century?).

18. Manila envelope, listing five charters; “33789,” and “32670,” but now housing two:

18a. Parchment, nine lines, written in an anglicana script, dimensions, 85 x 261 (justification, 46 x 230) mm. Folded, with tab, accompanied by modern description in pencil. Provenance: obverse in ink, “33789,” and “ex dono Johannis Ord. m, 1845.

In Latin, grant of lands in Normanby (Yorkshire) by Thomas Cotum de Normanby to John Wyrksall and Thomas de Sadbergh, “Datum apud Normanby nono die Octobri anno regni Regis ricardi post conquestum Anglie sextodecimo …” [9 October 16 Richard II, or 1393].

18b. Parchment, thirty-four lines, ruled in ink, with single bounding lines, written in a secretary script, dimensions, 280-265 x 365 (justification, 204 x 310) mm. Folded, with slits for tab, deeply folded, with some stains, but legible. Provenance: “452,” in pencil; obverse in ink, “32670.”

In English, indenture; on fold: “14 Oct. 1571, 13 Eliz.”

19. Manila envelope; provenance: “40,976” (also on transcription), one charter:

Parchment, forty-three lines, written in an anglicana script, dimensions, 287-283 x 227-221 (justification, 192 x 280) mm. Indented at top and on left side, now folded in half, with tab, stained and darkened, with some loss of legibility; accompanied by modern handwritten transcription.

In Latin, grant (feoffment) by the knight, William Darel de Eesey [?] and his wife, Johanna, to Richard, son of Ranulph of Dalton, of land in Dalton by Topcliffe, Carkehall, Rainton, and Isleteck [Yorkshire], 14 Edward II [1320].

20. Manila envelope; provenance: “40,990”; also on transcription, one charter:

Parchment, ten lines, written in an anglicana script, dimensions, 220 x 93 (justification, 63 x 205) mm. Folded, tab for seal, accompanied by modern transcription.

In Latin, grant of land in Westheryngworth by Johannes del Feld de Multone to Richardus le Bakere de Asygntone, “Datum apud Westheryngworth die dominica in crastino nativitatis sancti Iohannis baptiste, annno regni Regis Edwardi tercii post conquestum tricesimo primo [1357].”

21. Manila envelope; provenance: “40,981”; with later note, “in 27606”; “Phillipps MS 40,981,” also on transcription, one charter:

Parchment, seven lines, written in an anglicana script, dimensions, 65 x 186 (justification, 35 x 180) mm. Now unfolded, with tab, accompanied by a modern handwritten transcription.

In Latin, quitclaim concerning land in Hestun [Eston, Yorkshire] between Johanna, widow of Galefridus de Bikerwike and Eadmundus, “vicarius de Gretinham”; undated [early fourteenth-century?].

22. Manila envelope, “40,126”; “Phillipps MS 40126,” also on transcription, one charter:

Parchment, sixteen lines, written in an anglicana script, dimensions, 103-98 x 232 (justification, 73 x 225) mm. Folded, with tab, accompanied by modern handwritten transcription.

In Latin, indenture granting land in Middleton [Yorkshire] from Johannes de Mereworth to Radulpus de Beston in exchange for the right to enclose the wood “de Estwod,” dated 1319.

23. Manila envelope, “40,380”; “Phillipps MS 40380,” also on transcription, one charter:

Parchment, thirteen lines, written in an anglicana script, dimensions, 98 x 217 (justification, 70 x 190) mm. Folded, with slits for tab, accompanied by modern handwritten transcription.

In Latin, grant of land in Mautebi [Maltby, Yorkshire] from Simon Walram to Robertus, son of Simon de Nes, undated, late thirteenth century [ca. 1290?].

24. Manila envelope, “40,495”; with note in same hand, “cf. 40496”; “Phillipps MS 40495,” also on transcription; one charter:

Parchment, nine lines, written in an anglicana script, dimensions, 90 x 220 (justification, 60 x 200) mm. Folded, with tab, accompanied by a modern handwritten transcription.

In Latin, grant of land in la Hurste from Walterus de Aylmeston to Ricardus Comyn, son of William de Pottelleye; undated, [late thirteenth or early fourteenth century; Pockley, Yorkshire?].

25. Manila envelope, “40,968”; [no transcription; no verification], one charter:

Parchment, fourteen lines, written in an anglicana script, dimensions, 120 x 222 (justification, 90 x 200) mm. Folded, slits for tab, stains left from mold, holes and a tear along the folds, with some loss of text.

In Latin, grant of land in Handworth by Henry of the Hethe of Houndsworth to John Couper and his wife Agnes, dated 41 Edward III [1367].

26. Manila envelope; provenance: “29202,” no transcription; on obverse in ink, “29202”; one charter:

Parchment, seventeen lines, written in an anglicana script, dimensions, 155 x 186 (justification, 130 x 172) mm. Folded, with tab and a fragmentary seal.

In Latin, grant of land in Skelmarthorp [Skelmanthorpe, Yorkshire] to Robert son of John del Calthorn in Skelmarthorp to Nicholas del Bron de Skelmarthorp and Walter, his son; undated [fourteenth century?].

This collection includes forty-four examples of private charters from England of various types, dating from the thirteenth through the sixteenth centuries. Charters are a general term for public documents recording a title to land, or other properties or rights; they are the medieval equivalent of deeds. Although many royal charters of English origin are preserved in public record offices, private charters are found today in public record offices, local offices, libraries, and in private collections. We may assume that a far greater proportion of charters of this type have been lost over time.

Charters are essential primary sources for innumerable aspects of medieval life. Details of land tenure, bonds of loyalty and servitude, and inheritance, emerge amidst their legal formulas. The information charters provide is both detailed and concrete. Land transactions, for example, often include not only the name of the two parties involved in the chief transaction, but the names of adjoining property holders and a number of witnesses.

Included in this collection are examples of indentures, or chirogaphs, which were copied twice on one piece of parchment, and then separated in a characteristic zig-zag cut, so that each party received a copy. These documents were authenticated by matching the unique patterns that separated them. Also included are numerous grants, including charters of gifts, beginning “Sciant presentes et futuri,” and including the standard formula for a gift, “Dedi, concessi et confirmavi” and a warranty, which is an undertaking by the donor to uphold the claim of the recipient in respect of the gift, beginning “warantizabimus” (an example is analyzed in Brown, 1990, no. 34, pp. 94-95). Twelve of these charters still retain their seals, and most are still folded into small rectangles, reflecting the manner in which they were stored during the Middle Ages.

Among the many interesting items included here, we may mention numbers one and two, related thirteenth-century charters from Scropham. Number one is a charter from Henry Manning and Matilda his wife to Stephen le Breton of Scropham, and includes two wax seals, which remarkably are still tied together with a reed or piece of grass. Two thirteenth-century dated charters in the group are numbers five and nine, which are large format charters from Thomas, son of William, and two of his daughters, concerning land at Dalton-by-Topcliffe in Doncaster, dated 1264. Also included are seven charters concerning Dungworth, Yorkshire: number 3, 1332; and numbers 7, a, 1451, b, 1331, c, 1337, with seal, d, late thirteenth century (?), e, 1327, and f, 1385, with seal, and a group of related charters possibly from Hugill, Westmoreland or Yorkshire (see number 14a, b, and c, 6b, and 8d).

Although English persisted as a literary language, it was not commonly used as a language of record in documents until the late fourteenth century. The earliest extant deed in Middle English survives from c. 1376, and the volume of Middle English documents then steadily increases from c. 1420 through 1440. In addition to one sixteenth-century English document (number 18b), this collection includes two fifteenth-century charters in English. Number four is an indenture between dame Alic Portington and John Garman of Whitgift concerning fishing rights, dated 1471. A charter dated 1435 (number 13b) records the details of the feoffment of various properties. It is folded together with a charter in Latin concerning the same properties, also dated 1435. One seal is threaded through both documents.

Appendix: Phillipps numbers associated with the charters described above:

27,606: no. 10

27,951 (1): no. 9

27,951 (2): no. 5

29,202: no. 26

29,207: no. 15

29,215: no. 7d; see also, 40,956(2)

30,607: no. 8c

32,670: no. 18b

33,789: no. 18a

34,674: no. 6

40,126: no. 22

40,249 (1): no. 2

40,249 (2): no. 1

40,380: no. 23

40,495: no. 24; see also 40,496

40,767: no. 3

40,792(part): no. 8?

40,792 (2): no. 14a

40,792 (3): no. 14b

40,792 (4): no. 14c

40,956: no. 7a

40,956(1); no. 7b

40,956(5): no. 7c

40,956(2): no. 7d; see also 29,215

40,956(3): no. 7e

40,956(10): no. 7f

40,968: no.25?

40,976: no. 19

40,981: no. 21; see also 27,606, no. 10

40,990: no. 20

40,985: no. 17

41,082: no. 16a

41,082: no. 16b

Literature

Bertrand, P. “De l’art de plier les chartes en quatre: pour une étude des pliages de chartes médiévales à des fins de conservation et de classement,” Gazette du livre médiéval 40 (2002), pp. 25-35.

Brown, Michelle. A Guide to Western Historical Scripts from Antiquity to 1600, Toronto and Buffalo, University of Toronto Press, 1990.

Clanchy, M. T. From memory to written record, England 1066-1307, 2nd ed. Oxford, England, and Cambridge, Massachusetts, Blackwell, 1993.

Hall, H. A. A Formula Book of English Official Historical Documents, I: Diplomatic Documents, Cambridge, 1908.

Hector, Leonard Charles, The Handwriting of English Documents, London, Edward Arnold, 1966.

Hudson, J., Land, Law and Lordship in Anglo-Norman England (Oxford, 1994).

Newton, K. C. Medieval Local Records: A Reading Aid, London, 1971.

Online resources

Some Note on Medieval English Genealogy: Charters:
http://www.medievalgenealogy.org.uk/guide/cht.shtml,
with references to sources:
http://www.medievalgenealogy.org.uk/sources/charters.shtml

Regnal years:
http://www.medievalgenealogy.org.uk/cal/medcal.shtml#regn

“History in Deed: Medieval Society and Law in England,” An Exhibition, Harvard Law School Library:
http://www.law.harvard.edu/library/special/exhibits/exhibitions/history-in-deed.html

Hayward, Paul, “Lancaster University, History 422, “Sources for Medieval History: Charters and Cartularies”
http://www.lancs.ac.uk/staff/haywardp/hist422/seminars/eight.htm

Quitclaims:
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/ManuscriptsandSpecialCollections/ResearchGuidance/DeedsinDepth/Freehold/Quitclaim.aspx

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