Charters of the abbots: Herbert (nos. 244-50)

Herbert (nos. 244-50)

244. Grant by Abbot Herbert, for the service of the High Altar, and for the needs of the whole church, both inside and outside, of £3 from St Margaret's Westminster; £1. 10s. from the church of Denham (Bucks.); 15s. due to Herbert from the High Altar on the two feasts of St Peter; the entire annual revenue from the Great Cross, and all the gelds of St Peter, of which alms are customarily offered to that church (the abbey), including those in Newchurch in London, when it can be recovered. [1121 × 1136]

Herbertus, Dei gratia abbas huius ecclesie Sancti Petri, omnibus succes soribus suis, abbatibus et prelatis et magistris huius cenobii futuris, eternam salutem et perpetuam in Christo benedictionem. Sciat, reverenda paternitas et benigna fraternitas vestra, patres et fratres, peticione et consensu capituli huius, mee parvitati pro Christo subiecti devote et benigne et humili mente, ad honorem Dei et Sancti Petri, advocati nostri, et omnium reliquiarum in presenti ecclesia requiescentium, me concessisse perpetualiter ad servitia magni altaris et necessaria totius ecclesie intus et extra facienda, lx solidos de ecclesia Sancte Margarete in nostro cymiterio stante; et xxx^ta solidos de ecclesia de Deneham; et xv solidos qui mei esse solebant de duobus (fn. 1) festis Sancti Petri de magno altari; et totum apportatum magne crucis totius anni; et omnes gyldas Sancti Petri, quarum elemosine ad ecclesiam istam solite sunt deferri; et [in] Niwecirce in Lundonia, quando auxiliante Deo illa diracionnari poterit ad honorem et proficum huius ecclesie. Hec omnia, karissimi, ad honorem Dei et domini nostri Apostoli Petri servitiis ecclesie fideliter concessi pro salute et quiete omnium fidelium defunctorum; et ut post obitum nostrum det nobis Deus regna celorum, et pro requie boni patroni nostri Regis Eadwardi huius ecclesie fundatoris devoti. Et hanc concessionem ante magnum altare, presente conventu, confirmavi, et desuper altare donationem posui, sicque omnes tam presentes quam futuros qui hec ab ecclesie servitio auferrent vel minuerent excommunicavi et maledixi, omnibus amen dicentibus qui aderant ibi. Nunc, igitur, karissimi patres et domini, estote fideles et amici Sancti Petri et ecclesie eius, et hanc donationem concedite [ex] partibus vestris, ut claviger paradysi introducat vos ad misericordiam Christi.

MSS: (1) BL Harleian Charter 84 F 46.

10 × 18 cm.

Seal: First seal of the convent: green; on tongue; St Peter seated, holding keys in left hand, right hand raised in blessing; legend: PETR. AP. XRI (Cat. Seals BM, 4299).

Endorsed (a small step below the tongue): (a) H. abbatis ij^a (12C). (b) Carta de pensione de Denham facta ante consilium Lateranense: Sacrist' (in two hands of the early 14C). (c) Carta Herberti abbatis de lxs. de ecclesia Sancte Margarete in nostro cimiterio stante et de triginta solidis de Denham sacrist' Westmonasterii persol[vendis] (late 14C or early 15C).

(2) WAD, f. 384v.

(3) WAM 3435 (15C, faded and stained).

Pd: Monasticon, I, No. L, 307 (from original); Chaplais, 'Original Charters', 100–101, with facsimile, Plate VII (b); Lathbury, Denham, 324 (from original).

Note: On St Margaret's, see Harvey, WA, 407–8. The unspecified feasts of St Peter were prob. Petrus ad vincula (1 Aug.) and Petrus in cathedra in Antiochia (22 Feb.).

245. Memorandum of the grant by Abbot H[erbert] to Gunter of Hendon (Mddx.) and his heir of his land and manor as he held them of Abbot Gilbert (241). [1121 × ante Aug. 1134]

H[erbertus] abbas Westmonasterii concessit Guntero de Hendon terram suam et heredi suo, ita solidam et quietam sicut melius tenuit tempore Gisleberti Abbatis, et manerium ipsum, sicut melius tenuit eiusdem abbatis tempore et de conventu. Testibus: Eadwya priore; Philippo, Mauricio monachis; et Gaufrido; Paul Picot; Paul Osumul'; Rodberto, capellano Tovi; Richard de Eya, et multis aliis.

MS: WAD, f. 124.

Rubric: Carta H. abbatis Westmonasterii de eodem.

Date: Gunter's son Gilbert succeeded his father during the reign of Henry I (124). Edwy was succeeded as prior by Osbert de Clare ante Aug. 1134 (249).

Note: See Harvey, WA, 352.

246. Agreement between Abbot Herbert and the convent, and Leofgar, whereby, with the common consent of the chapter, there was granted to Leofgar and his heirs, in fee-farm, the land of Coggeshall (Essex), and the land called Half-hide, which Norman holds, so that Leofgar may hold it freely, as the abbot specifically enjoined by an ensuing action in the halimote of the abbey's vill. [1121 × 1136]

Hec est conventio inter Abbatem Herbertum et monachos Westmonasterii et Leouegarum: quod, communi consensu capituli, concessum est eidem Leouegaro et heredibus suis in feudo firma pro proficuo ecclesie terram de Coggeshal' pro xl solidis reddendo per annum pro omnibus serviciis et consuetudinibus, et terram illam quam Normanus tenet, que dimidia hida est appellata similiter, sibi concessa est et heredibus eius pro iij solidis per annum pro omnibus serviciis, ita ut libere et quiete et honorifice teneat, et ut hallimotum ville nostre placita sequentia nisi abbas nominatim asseruit et hoc sibi preceperit. Et ipse (fn. 2) Leouegarus, eodem die quo hec sibi concessa fuit, dedit Deo et Sancto Petro et fratribus ecclesie in elemosina, omnibus diebus vite sue, et heredes eius post eum, hoc idem dabunt. Testes sunt: Albericus de Vere; Goffridus de Colet', et Ricg' de Colet, et Alinus; Ricardus; Godefridus camerarius Alberici; Siricus; Widfarus; Adam de London; Randulfus de Plumsted.

MS: WAD, f. 266v.

Rubric: Conventio inter abbatem et conventum Westmonasterii et Leouegarum de terra de Coggeshal' et de terra quam Normannus tenet qua dimidia hida appellata est.

Note: See Harvey, WA, 341–2.

247. Agreement between Abbot Herbert and the convent, and Henry son of Wilfred, whereby they granted to Henry, for life, the manor of Ockendon (Essex), for £10 annually. From his church of St Alphege, which Henry gave to God and St Peter, he will give £1 annually. Further provision in case Henry or his heir becomes a monk, and for succession to the manor and church. 1125.

Anno ab Incarnacione Domini M° centesimo XX°V° facta fuit hec conventio inter Herebertum abbatem et conventum Westmonasterii et Henricum filium Wluredi; videlicet quod Herebertus abbas et conventus Westmonasterii communi assensu tocius capituli concesserunt Henrico filio Wluredi manerium de Ochendon' in vita sua pro x libris dando per annum, et de ecclesia sua de Sancto Alfego, quam dedit Deo et Sancto Petro, dabit per annum xx solidos. Et post mortem ipsius Henrici heres eius tenebit supradictum manerium pro xj libris per annum et de ecclesia similiter xx solidis. Et si ipse Henricus monachus esse voluerit sine alia convencione recipietur, et unus heres eius tenebit sicut supradictum est. Et si heres eius monachus esse voluerit ea convencione recipietur qua et pater eius est receptus, et manerium et ecclesia postea soluta et quieta et libera cum omnibus incrementis suis remanebunt Deo et Sancto Petro. Terminis denariorum: ad Pascham c et x solidos; ad Festum Sancti Michaelis c et x solidos. Testibus: Albrico de Ver, Rogero de Ver, Rogero de Persora, Henrico Arbor, Godwino et Hachuno, et multis aliis.

MS: WAD, f. 446v.

Rubric: Telligraphus Abbatis et conventus Westmonasterii de manerio de Wokindon' et de pensione xx solidorum de ecclesia Sancti Alfegi eisdem per Henricum filium Wluredi.

Note: Ockendon and Feering in Essex belonged to Harold II and were given by the Conqueror to the abbey in exchange for Windsor (9–10); Henry I confirmed the exchange (67); see also Harvey, WA, 343. The increasing revenues anticipated from the manor were evidently deemed sufficient payment in the event of Henry's heir wishing to become a monk.

248. Notification by Abbot Herbert that Jordan of Worcester has sought sanctuary. [1121 × 1136]

Herebertus abbas et conventus Westmonasterii omnibus fidelibus regis Anglie salutem. Sciatis quod Jordanus de Wygornia altare Sancti Petri Westmonasterii et corpus Regis E[dwardi] requisivit. Et ideo precamur ut libertatem sui corporis et pacem regis habeat. Valete.

MS: F, f. 258v.

Rubric: Littera testimonialis Hereberti abbatis de eodem.

Pd: Monasticon, I, no. LXII, 310.

248A. Letter of Abbot Herbert and Prior Edwy to Warin, prior of Worcester, Uhtred the precentor and the monks. They are sending back a monk who absconded to Westminster from [Great] Malvern, since he had begun work on a missal for Worcester. They ask that he should be kindly received. [1124 × ante Aug. 1134]

Herbertus abbas Westmonasteriensis et Edwius prior eiusdem loci, venerabili priori Wigornie Warino et domino Uhtredo cantori, ceterisque fratribus ecclesie eiusdem, salutem in Christo et perpetuam pacem. Sciatis istum fratrem nostrum et monachum ad nos venisse, et causam recessurus sui de Malvernia, sicut nobis videtur rationabiliter, ostendisse. Nos rei veritatem ex integro necdum agnoscentes remittimus eum iterum ad vos a quibus ad nos venit, rogantes humiliter vestram pietatem et misericordiam ut illum fratrem et amicabiliter tractetis et diligatis, donec ego ipse ad provinciam veniam. Si illi bonum fuisset, sicut fratrem nostrum ecclesie nostre professum humiliter et benigne retineremus, sed dixit nobis quoddam opus, scilicet missale, apud vos incepisse, et antequam ad Malverniam rediret sua voluntate perficeret. Quoniam eum vestre pietati et caritati commendamus, donec causa eius recessionis a fratribus vestris Malvernie plenius per vos sciamus. Et si antequam ad provinciam iero vero illius cordi Deus inspiraverit do[ctrinamen]tum redire, precipio per sanctam obedientiam ut fraternaliter et amicabiliter recipiatur, laudando Creatorem qui ovem suam reduxit ad gregem. Valete.

MS: Cambridge: Corpus Christi College, MS 367, f. 52.

Pd: M. R. James, A Descriptive catalogue of the Manuscripts in the Library of Corpus Christi College Cambridge, 2 vols., 1912, II, 203 (abridged); Elizabeth A. Mclntyre, 'Early Twelfth-Century Worcester Cathedral Priory, with special reference to the manuscripts there' (Oxford University D.Phil. thesis, 1978), 248.

Date: Terms of office of Herbert, Warin (Heads, 77, 83) and Edwy, who was succeeded as prior by Osbert de Clare before Aug. 1134 (249).

Note: On this MS, composed, in part at least, at Worcester, see James, ut supra; N. R. Ker, Catalogue of Manuscripts Containing Anglo-Saxon (1957), 110, no. 64.

249. Notification that Abbot Herbert, Prior Osbert de Clare and the convent, with the assent of Gilbert the Universal, bishop of London, gave the hermitage of Kilburn (Mddx.), which Godwin built, and its lands, to three maidens: Emma, Gunhild and Christine, to hold as King Ethelred gave Hampstead to the church of Westminster, and King Edward confirmed it. Godwin is to be master for life, followed by the senior maiden. The abbot and convent donated £1. 10s. of the alms given to the abbey by Sweyn, father of Robert of Essex, and Ailmar the priest donated land in Southwark (Surr.), which rendered 2s. annually. [27 Dec. 1127 × Aug. 1134]

Omnibus hominibus tam futuris quam presentibus, notum sit tempore Henrici Regis, qui tercius ex Normannis regnavit in Anglia, Herebertum abbatem Westmonasterii et Priorem Osbertum de Clara, una cum omni venerabili eusdem sancte ecclesie conventu, domino Gilberto Universali Lundonie sancte ecclesie presule annuente, dedisse tribus puellis, Emme, videlicet, et Gunilde et Cristine, heremetorium de Cuneburna, quod edificavit Godwynus, cum omni terra illius loci et omnibus illis que inibi eadem (fn. 5) sanctitatis vite norma fruendi causa future sunt. Concessu tamen atque precatu illius Godwyni heremite quatinus eundem locum, que ad illum pertinet, in elemosina pro redemptione animarum tocius predicti conventus fratrum, possideant, eadem condicione atque libertate qua Ethelredus, rex Anglorum pater Edwardi Regis, ad predictam Westmonasterii ecclesiam dedit Hamstedam. Post cuius obitum eciam predictus Edwardus, qui regni gubernacula suscepit, illud idem confirmavit, ad cuius ville possessionem ille prenotatus locus, antequam hec fierent, pertinebat, ut Deus Omnium Redemptor omnes illorum animas in celis inter sanctorum consorcia perseverare iubeat. Sit tamen semper locus ille sub custodia fratrum ne temerario quolibet iure peioretur aut sinistra regatur. Huic ergo loco concessit dari Dominus Abbas Herebertus et totus (fn. 3) conventus duo perpetua (fn. 4) beneficia, unum videlicet pro requie omnium animarum illius ecclesie fratrum et pro omnibus fratribus de Feschampa tam pro vivis quam pro defunctis, et aliud quod dederant Ailmaro omni tempore vite sue ut omnipotens Deus ab omni peste et clade omnes predictorum fratrum animas eripiat. Et sit ille prescriptus heremita Godwinus magister (fn. 6) loci illarumque puellarum quamdiu vixerit custos, et post eius obitum eligat conventus puellarum seniorem ydoneum qui earum ecclesie presit, abbatis tamen consilio. Et non habeat potestatem aliquam abbas priorve, aut quislibet alter aliquam intrare faciendi absque illarum voluntate et licencia que infra clause fuerint. Capellanus vero, qui in monasterio prefuerit de possessionibus vel ecclesie rebus, non se intromittat nisi illarum iussu, et omnes possessiones quas eis dominus donaverit, habeant libere sicut Sanctus Petrus habet suas. Et in principio omnium beneficiorum dedimus eis et concessimus imperpetuum xxx solidos de illa elemosina quam Sweno pater Roberti de Estsexa dedit Deo et Sancto Petro, scilicet lx solidos, quorum solidorum altera medietas in cena domui ad mandatum pauperum Christi faciendum constituta est. Hanc autem donacionem fecimus illis ancillis Dei pro statu ecclesie nostre in bonum et pro incolumitate et pace omnium seniorum, abbatum, et fratrum, et benefactorum nostrorum vivorum, et pro redempcione animarum a penis, ex quorum beneficio descenderunt, et pro animabus omnium abbatum nostrorum et fratrum ecclesie nostre defunctorum. Huic loco eciam Cuneburnie scilicet dedit Ailmarus sacerdos unam terram in caritate in Sowthwerk (fn. 7) que reddit per annum ij solidos. His testibus etc.

MSS: (1) F, ff. 325v–326v.

Rubric: Primam fundacio monialium de Kylbourne per abbatem Westmonasterii Herebertum c[apitulu]m cxviij.

(2) LN, f. cxxv recto.

Pd: Monasticon, III, no. I, 426 (from F).

Date: Episcopate of Gilbert the Universal: Fasti I, 1.

Note: Westminster's association with Fécamp prob. originated in the time of Abbot Vitalis, who came from its cell of Bernay (Gilbert Crispin, 1). For King Ethelred's grant of Hampstead and Edward's confirmation, see Sawyer, Anglo-Saxon Charters, nos. 894, 1040, 1043, 1450. On Sweyn of Essex and his s. Robert, see Sanders, 139.

250. Grant by Abbot Herbert to the nuns of Kilburn of land in [Kensington] Gore, belonging to the manor of Knightsbridge (Mddx.), to make an assart. [c. 1130 × c. 1136]

Herebertus abbas ecclesie Sancti Petri Westmonasterii et totus eiusdem ecclesie conventus, tam futuris quam presentibus, salutem. Notum sit vobis nos, communi assensu tocius capituli et consilio, dedisse in elemosina pro anima regis nostri Edwardi, fundatoris ecclesie nostre, et pro animabus omnium fratrum et benefactorum nostrorum, ancillis Dei que sunt in ecclesia Beati Johannis Baptiste de Keneburna et omnibus que ibidem ad serviendum Deo future sunt, quandam terram ad sartandam in tenetura manerii nostri quod vocatur Cnithtebruga, et in loco qui Gara appellatur. Volumus eciam et firmiter precipimus ut in pace, et quiete, et libere, et sine omni servicio teneant illam predictam terram. Et si quis eis super hanc donacionem et donacionis libertatem aliquam inde violenciam vel dampnum vel contumeliam aut torturam aliquam fecerit, et elemosinam nostram violare vel auferre a predicta ecclesia presumpserit, nisi illis ancillis Dei citam et congruam satisfaccionem fecerit, ab omni conventu ecclesie nostre excommunicetur et a Christo pauperum suorum defensore perpetuo anathematis gladio feriatur. Amen. Hii sunt testes: Gregorius dapifer, Radulfus de Puntfret, (fn. 8) Ricardus prepositus, Ricardus cocus et multi alii.

MSS: (1) F, f. 326v–327v.

Rubric: Carta H. abbatis de terra in Knyztbrigg' monialibus de Kybourne concessa. C[apitulu]m cxlviij.

(2) LN, f. cxxv, r—v.

(3) CAY, f. cxxxiv recto-verso.

Pd: Monasticon, III, no. II, 426 (from F).

Cal: Bentley, 64, no. 527, from CAY.

Date: This charter is clearly later than 249. It is uncertain when the hermitage of Kilburn was formally converted into a nunnery (the date of 1139, given by Knowles & Hadcock, 259, is clearly erroneous, since Herbert was dead by that year). The term ancilla Dei is usually translated as 'nun', and Kilburn's new status was prob. therefore achieved before the end of Herbert's abbacy, perhaps when the 'senior maiden' succeeded Godwin as head of the foundation.