X. The Church
143-146 143 144 145 146 147 148 149-151 149
150 151
152-153 152 153 154 155 156 157
It is almost unnecessary to devote a separate section of this exhibit to charters issued by or for religious groups in England, since the involvement of the Church in every segment of medieval society and every facet of medieval culture is apparent from our perusal of many of the documents in this collection as a whole. However, there are several items which very clearly demonstrate the coincidence of spiritual and worldly matters, and they are featured here. Most relate to monasteries (establishments of the regular clergy) which were prominent in the ecclesiastical and political landscape of the realm, exercising power of many kinds and often coming into conflict with the secular clergy (of the dioceses, which were presided over by bishops) and with secular government as well.
143-146.
The Convent of Sempringham and Her Daughter Houses
The convent of Sempringham was founded c. 1131 by St. Gilbert of Sempringham, the son of a nobleman who renounced his place in secular society to take orders. He became aware of the need for a new religious order for women, one that would grant them a certain independence, but would afford them also the sacramental benefits of an attendant priesthood. The Order of the Gilbertines was established at roughly the same time and daughter houses of Sempringham multiplied rapidly.30 Gilbert remained a prominent if humble figure in England until his death in 1189.31
143.
c. 1170
Charter of conWrmation by Robert de Langton
ConWrmation by Robert son of Robert de Langhetone, with the assent of his brother William, to God and St. Mary and the nuns of Sempringham and their brothers, clerical and lay, of all the donations of his father given in perpetual alms ... namely, twenty acres of arable land in the territory of Bolebi (Bulby, Lincs.) with common pasture in the same vill, as much as belongs to his fief (boundaries described). This also confirms to them the entire donation of Ralph son of Spraclus and William his brother, namely seventeen acres of arable land in the Weld of "Hawerstorp" (= Huvertorp in No. 5) of the dower of the grantor's mother with her consent and assent. A lengthy list of witnesses follows, beginning with the names of William and Ralph, clerks of Sempringham, and continuing down to Benedict de Lincollun "[serving-]man of the nuns of Bulint'" and to John and William and Swane, Geoffrey and William, servants of Master Gilbert (founder of the convent), with Ulf the stableman bringing up the rear. It is extremely probable that Ralph the clerk of the witness-list is the same Ralph the Sacristan who wrote The Book of Saint Gilbert (see No. 31).
Equestrian seal in high relief, bearing the legend: +SIGILLVM ROBERTI FILII ROBERTI DE LANGTVNA
144.
c. 1260
Grant of convent land for use by Richard de
Langton
Indented grant by Thomas the prior and by the convent of Sempringham to Richard son of Robert de Langeton of two bovates of arable with toft and croft and pasture, which Martin used to hold (tenere solebat), with all their appurtenances except for two tofts in the said two bovates lying in the territory of Boleby which Robert Tocke and Amfredys the smith once held; all of which the convent had as the donation of William son of Robert de Langetun. The grantee is to pay a rent of 12d. every Christmas. This appears to refer to a pious gift subsequent to that described in No. 143 above, made perhaps by William the brother of Robert named therein.
Seal of the grantee (this is the priory's half of the chirograph) bearing a palm frond with three branches and the legend: SIGILLVM RICARDI DE LANGETVN
145.
c. 1310
Bipartite grant of lands in Kirkby and Bulby,
Lincs.
Charter confirming a perpetual exchange of lands between the prior and convent of Sempringham and John son of William de Kirkeby, whereby each party has enlarged its patrimony, to their mutual benefit. In return for a grant of seventeen selions of land in the territory of Kirkby (boundaries described), the prior and convent gain one cultura in Boleby, bounded by the lands of the said convent and of Richard de Cotis, containing seven acres in all. This donation John de Kirkby makes in perpetual alms, "as such can always be more freely and better given to or held by religious men" (sicut aliqua elemosina liberius vel melius dari vel teneri potest a viris religiosis)--perhaps a reference to Edward I's statute de viris religiosis and the restrictions placed on their acquisition of new lands (see No. 78). This transaction was more or less illegal. Witnessed in the first instance by a crusading knight, Sir Gilbert "of the Holy Land" (de Sancto Lando).
Seal bearing the legend: +S'IOHIS CLERICI
146.
1365 April 6
Confirmation of grant to the convent of Watton
Charter of Gerard de Grymseton, knight, confirming a grant to the prior and convent of Watton of all those lands which they already hold of him in "Kyblyngcotes" in pure and perpetual alms. Watton was a large and important daughter-house of Sempringham, founded around 1150 by St. Gilbert himself. It has been estimated that the church contained places for 140 women and 70 men.32
Armorial seal with crest, bearing the legend: S'GERARDI D' GRIMSTON
147.
1256 November 21
Agreement
Dunkeswell Abbey, Devon
"This is a covenant made between Brother Thomas, abbot, and the convent of Dunkeswell of the one part and Richard de Lumene son of Richard de Lumene of the other part on the morrow of the Feast of St. Edmund King and Martyr in the forty-first year of King Henry son of King John." In return for a yearly rent of one pound of cumin and 20s. in hand, Richard has granted to the abbot and convent a common pasture throughout the hills of Gydesham for 30 animals and 250 sheep, and has granted to the abbey's villeins that they may have as many animals on the pastureland as they can winter in their byres. Sheep-farming has always been a thriving industry in the West Country but finding enough unenclosed land for the herd was (and is) a perpetual problem. Dunkeswell was a Cistercian abbey founded around 1201.
148.
c. 1300
Confirmation of a grant to Kirkstall Abbey, Yorks.
John de Lughewylers hereby confirms to God and to the monks of Kirkenstall an annual rent of 12s. from his mill in Farnley, which rent the said monks had of the gift of Sir John de Wridelefford, with his body, according to his charter which the monks have from that time. Since the making of the original grant, and the burial of the late Sir John's body in the abbey church, the mill in question has changed hands--but with the understanding that it loses a portion of its revenue to perpetual alms. Kirkstall, meaning literally "the site of a church," became a Cistercian house after the original hermit settlers had been persuaded, around 1152, to place themselves under the protection and jurisdiction of Fountains Abbey.33
Armorial seal bearing the legend: SIGILL'IOhANIS DE LVNVILER
149-151.
The Premonstratensian Abbey of Sulby, Northamptonshire
The Premonstratensians take their name from the abbey of Prémontré near Laon in France, founded by St. Norbert in 1120. Norbert sought to create an order which would combine the prayerful efficacy of monasticism with the sacramental and preaching mission of the later mendicant friars. Sulby was founded in 1155, perhaps the sixth house of "White Canons" in England.34
149.
c. 1250
Grant of land to the abbot and convent
Grant by John son of Jordan de Navesby (Naseby, Northants.) to the Lord and Blessed Mary and to the abbot and convent of Sulby of seven butts of his land, i.e. the foreland and sidling (or arable portions) of his lands in Navesby, which lie bounded by the lands of the Sulby and those of Richard son of Jordan, the grantor's brother. Witnessed in the first instance by Sir Peter rector of the church of Navesby and Richard son of Jordan.
Seal bearing a cross with the legend: SIGI... [effaced]
150.
1482, December 28
Grant to the dean and chapter of Lincoln
Indenture by John abbot of the monastery of the Blessed Mary of Sulby of the order of Premonstratensians, with the convent of the same, to the dean and chapter of the cathedral church of St. Mary, Lincoln, of a yearly rent or annuity of 3s. 4d. The annuity is to be paid by the grantors by reason of the abbey's appropriation of two of the cathedral's parish churches, namely those of Wistow and Lubenham in Leicestershire, and is to be delivered at Michaelmas into the common chamber of the cathedral at Lincoln. The control of parish churches was always a bone of contention between expanding monasteries and their dioceses. The diocese of Lincoln was enormous, and probably had more than a little trouble fending off such jurisdictional encroachments; or perhaps they were glad to be rid of the responsibility of these two small churches and their even smaller yearly revenues, in exchange for cash payments.
The abbey's copy of the chirograph, with a portion of the seal of the dean and chapter of Lincoln showing the Visitation of Mary with Elizabeth and the legend: [AVE:]MARIA: GRACIA:[PLENA DOM]INVS [:TECVUM]
151.
1514 October 10
Receipt for the annual payment
Writing acknowledging receipt by the dean and chapter of St. Mary's, Lincoln, of 3s. 4d. from the abbot and convent of Sulby on account of the annual pension for the churches of Wiston and Lubenham, which sum is due for the term of Michaelmas last past. Given in chapter at Lincoln under the common seal. The rent was about two weeks late that year.
Portion of the same seal
152 & 153.
Christ Church, Canterbury
Christ Church was an ancient Benedictine monastery, founded in 598 as part of Pope St. Gregory the Great's plan to convert the English to Christianity. It became the priory of Canterbury Cathedral in the tenth century and was, throughout the Middle Ages, a powerful house with many religious dependencies, and a great secular landlord as well.
152.
1391 February 8
Agreement concerning an overdue bond
Indenture (in French) made between John son of William Doreward of the county of Essex (see No. 55) of the one part and Thomas prior of Christ Church, Canterbury, and the convent of the same, witnessing that so long as John and his heirs remain in peaceable possession of 82 acres and one rod of land, a parcel of the manor of Bocking in Essex held by him of the said prior and convent, a bond made by the prior and convent under their common seal in their chapter on 8 February, 7 Richard II (1383/4) for the payment of £100 sterling at Easter next shall be held in suspense; otherwise, the bond is to remain in force. Despite its prestige and assets, Christ Church was perpetually in debt--in this case to one of its own tenants.
Armorial seal bearing the legend: Sigillum:Iohis:Doreward
153.
1535 May 12
Thomas Cromwell enfeoffed to uses
Confirmation by Thomas [Cranmer] archbishop of Canterbury and Thomas prior of Christ Church, Canterbury, and the convent of the same, of a grant dated 7 May 1535 by Edmund Cranmer, archdeacon of Canterbury and rector of Hackington, to Thomas Crumwell [sic], esquire, principal secretary to His Majesty Henry VIII, John Palmer, gentleman, and John Johnson alias John Antony of Canterbury, of the household of the said Thomas Crumwell, of all that messuage called the "personage of Hakynton" or "the Archideacons place." Thomas Cromwell was executed for treason on July 28th, 1540. Thomas Cranmer, defrocked and deprived of ecclesiastical privilege and immunity, was executed for treason on March 21, 1556.
Portions of two seals pendant on cord. The first is that of the archbishop and bears a representation of the Martyrdom of St. Thomas Becket. The second, doubled-sided, is that of the prior and chapter of Christ Church, with representations of the cathedral church on both sides. Legend (obverse, shown): S[IG]ILLUM ...ORS:ER... Legend (reverse): +E...I:C... ORTEM:VIVIT:HONORI
154.
c. 1220
Enfeoffment by the Knights Templar, Dinsley
Grant by Brother Alan Martell, humble minister of the Knights of the Temple in England, with the assent of their chapter at Dinsel' (Temple Dinsley, Hertfordshire), to Robert de Bereford of all that tenement which the said Robert held of Walter his brother in the vill of Bereford (Barford, Bedfordshire?), and which Walter gave to the Knights of the Temple in free and perpetual alms, at a rent of 13d. per year and a heriot (death-duty) "such as our other free men pay to us at the time of death" (sicut alii liberi homines nostri in obitu suo nobis faciunt). Witnessed by brothers Maurice, Peter the chaplain, Robert de Samford, Jon Flandrense, Thomas Russello, Walter Hareby, Richard "de Bello Grando" ("of the Great War"), Roger de Insula ("of the Island" or "of England"), Roger de Bulingbroke, Walter de Feriby, Warren, and Arnulf de Osanvill then preceptor of Belesal' (and the charter's scribe, whose signature appears below). The Order of the Knights of the Temple, one of the earliest crusading orders, was established in 1127 by decree of Pope Honorius II. They derived their "constitution" from the pamphlet In Praise of the New Chivalry (De lauda novæ militiæ) by Bernard of Clairvaux, who in the 1130's was desperately trying to whip up enthusiasm for a Second Crusade.35 At the time when this charter was written, the Knights Templar had nearly reached the pinnacle of their influence and wealth in Europe: there were 48 houses in England by 121636 and it has been estimated that by 1260 the Order boasted a total membership of 20,000. Temple Dinsley was a small, relatively poor foundation dating from the year 1147. After the Order was abolished in 1314 by Clement V (at the behest of King Philip IV of France), the Temple Dinsley site was occupied by the Knights Hospitaller.
Broken seal of Brother Arnulf de Osanvill(?) bearing the Lamb and Flag within the legend: +SIGILLVM...E....
155.
c. 1288
Grant with clause concerning Jews and religious
Before the promulgation of legislation disallowing subinfeudation and alienation of property to monasteries, landlords were obliged to make provision in their charters against ill-usage of their lands. This charter illustrates one way of ensuring against such practices. It is a grant by Roger Beriman to Ralph atte Ree of one acre of meadow in Little Baddow, Essex, in return for Ralph's homage and service (per homagio et servicio suo), a payment of 2s. in hand, and a yearly rent of 2d.--with the stipulation that Ralph not alienate the land "to religious men or Jews" (Exceptis viris religiosis et Judeis). Both prohibitions are formulaic,37 but the legal basis for the second is more obscure and seems to arise from the unwillingness of Jews to swear oaths of fealty.38 Widespread anti-Semitism, which had been escalating in England and elsewhere in Europe since the First Crusade, no doubt played its part.39 This charter has been dated to the years just prior to 1290, when Edward I ordered the expulsion of all Jews from England--a mandate which reversed the policy of his forbear William the Conqueror, who had encouraged Jewish merchants to cross the Channel after 1066.40
Vesica-shaped seal bearing a crescent moon and star with the legend: +S'ROGERI BERIMAN.:
156.
1299 August 10
Indulgence
Diocese of Norwich
Notification given to all parishioners in the diocese of Norwich from Ralph [de Walpole], bishop, and to any others whose bishops will ratify this indulgence (indulgentia), that anyone who, being penitent, makes a donation or legacy or who affords assistance towards the maintenance of the poor in the Hospital of St. Giles, Norwich, or to the priests continually celebrating there, or who visits the oratory of the Hospital on any of seven feast-days (namely the feasts of the saints Egidius, Dunstan, John the Baptist, John the Evangelist, Martin, and Nicholas, or any of the four feast-days honoring Blessed Mary Virgin), will be granted a release from twenty days of enjoined penance. Given at the cathedral church on the fourth day before the Ides of August, A.D. 1299. This is the earliest A.D. date on any of the deeds in this collection.
Portion of the episcopal seal, showing the mitred bishop in a standing position with his right hand raised in blessing.
Legend: ....NOR...
157.
1532 November 18
Papal Dispensation
Peter Vamies, latin secretary (a latinis secretarius) to His Majesty Henry VIII and designated for his life Collector of Debts and Receiver General (Debitorum Collector et Receptor Generalis) to His Holiness Our Father and Universal Lord Clement VII, by virtue of a special faculty granted to him by the Lord Pope, hereby issues unto John Barneby and Jane Boswell, of the diocese of York, dispensation to marry notwithstanding the impediment of their relation within the fourth and fourth degrees of consanguinity. Signed: Petrus Vamies, Collector. Done at London on 18 November 1532, 9 Clement VII.
Seal pendant on green cord and enclosed in a metal skippet, showing the Saints Peter and Paul flanking an altar bearing books of the New Testament; behind it, a crucifix and the emblems of the evangelists; before it, the papal keys and tiara; below it, a shield bearing a dragon. Legend: ...:COLLECTORIE:CAMERE...APOSTOLICE:IN:REGNO...