The Burton cartulary: Folios 111-123

Folio 111.

Sciant etc. Ricardus de Benetlega filius Johannis de Peccho dedi etc. Domino Laurentio Abbati etc. tres partes prati pertinentes ad unam bovatam terrse in eâdem villâ (Bentley) scilicet unam partem quam Hugo nutricus me us aliquando tenuit subtus villam et duas partes quas habui in dominio etc. H. T. Roberto de Thorp, Henrico de Alesop, Thoma de Benethlega, Rogero de Huncedon, Hugone de Benethelega, Henrico de Poretona, Henrico filii Elyæ, Nicholao filio Ricardi, Gilberto de Esseburna, Clerico, Adamo, serviente Abbatis Burthoniæ, Adamo Vinetario, Willelmo de Esseburna, et aliis.

Omnibus etc. Robertus filis Willelmi de Bentelega etc. Noveritis me remississe etc. totum jus etc. in omnibus terris etc. in Huncyndona etc. H. T. Matheo de Vilers, tunc Senescallo de Burtona, Willelmo de Sparham, Roberto de Charteleye, Radulfo Davy, Galfrido de Kingestona, Henrico Hardy, Roberto Tinctore, et aliis. Datum 10 E. II.

The back of this folio contains another copy of the Inquisition of 31 E. I., respecting the liability of the Abbot's lands in Over, Wynshull, etc., to be taxed for the fifteenth voted to the King.

Folio 112.

Assisa capta apud Derby pro molendino del Clif, anno W. Abbatis iij.

This is the official record of an assize of novel disseisin (s. d.).

Translation.

An assize came to make recognition if William, Abbot of Burton, and others named, had unjustly disseised William de Tymmor and Elizabeth his wife of their free tenement in Egynton, William and Elizabeth complaining that the defendants had disseised them of an acre of land.

The Abbot pleaded by Matthew de Vilers, who appeared for him, that William and Elizabeth were in seisin of the land at the date the writ was sued out, viz., on the 21st December, in the 11th year of the King's reign, and that the land in question was formerly in seisin of one Ermentrude de Stafford, the predecessor of the said Elizabeth, who is one of the heirs of Ermentrude; and Ermentrude had granted to his predecessor all easements pertaining to the Abbot's mill of Stretton, for the purpose of strengthening and mending the mill pool of it, and to take earth, etc., at their will for that purpose, and he produced the deed of Ermentrude. The jury find in favour of the Abbot.

Folio 113.

This folio contains the history of the prosecution of the Abbot of Burton for fraudulently concealing and disposing of the goods and chattels of Thomas Earl of Lancaster, who was beheaded and attainted 17 E. II. The account (drawn up in the form of a memorandum) states that when John de Stonor, Robert de Malmerthorp, and other Justices of the King were at Tuttebury making inquiry into the forfeited goods and chattels of Thomas Earl of Lancaster, the King's enemy, and of others his accomplices, at the Feast of St. Martin, 17 E. II, the Abbot of Burton was maliciously attached to answer before them, by the presentment of the Hundred of Pyrehill and the Liberty of the Bishop of Chester, for being illegally in possession (per ipsum occupatis) of 400l. worth of the said effects. And the Abbot appeared and denied the accusation, and put himself on the Country (i.e., appealed to a jury). The jury by the malicious contrivance (per maliciosam procurationem) of John de Migners was composed of enemies and evil wishers (malivolis) of the Abbot, viz., of Sir Hugh de Menille, Sir. Philip de Barinton, Sir Thomas de Pipe, Knights, and William de Freford, John de Migners, Roger de Aston, William de Tomenhorn, Robert Mauveysin, John de Benteleye, John de Perton, Geoffrey de Wasteneys, and Robert le Hunte, who falsely found a verdict that the Abbot had taken possession of 300l. worth of the chattels of the King's enemies which had been forfeited, by which verdict the Abbot was attainted (attinctus) of the said 300l.

Upon this the Abbot with several of the monks went to the King at Yoxhall, and solemnly swore before him that they were not guilty of the transgression laid to their charge; and the King of his own free grace promised them pardon for it. In the meantime there came a writ from the King's Exchequer to levy the 300l. from the goods of the monastery, and the Abbot went again to the King at Derby, and a day was assigned to him to be in London at the Feast of the Purification, 18 E. II, to hear the King's will; and this was then declared by Sir Hugh le Despencer, junior, and others of the King's Council, to this effect, viz., that the Abbot and the monks who were with him, viz., Brothers Robert de Stapenhulle and Robert de Pakinton, should make oath as to all they knew respecting the goods of the Earl which had been in the possession of the Abbot, and that for the rest they should receive the King's pardon ("jurarent ad cognoscendum veritatem de bonis per ipsum Abbatem occupatis, (fn. 1) et de residuo fieret eis perdonum"); and they delivered the following statement upon oath to Magister Robert de Baldok, the King's Chancellor.

Up to this point the account is in Latin; the deposition of the monks is in French, apparently given in the identical words used by the monks; it is therefore copied as in the original.

L'Abbe de Burton sur Trente e ses moignes jurez dient et convissont per lur seermentz qe clenz paniers de cusine et deux coffres de hernays furent lessetz en l'Eglise de Burton tut despessetz et debrusetz e la sunt encore qi unges al profist de la maison ne vindrent.

Ensement un torche et . . . . . furent donez a danuz Symon de Boseworth moigne de mesme la maison pur gentz le roi et un long cofre pur torches despecetz et debrisez fust illoet lessez qi nul bien ne fist ne fet al Abbe ne a la maison. Ensement un Barhuyde fust lessez en l'Eglise le quel fust bailez al Abbe e demoert enqore en sa garde.

Ensement il dient per lur seermentz que par la monition l'Abbe en chapitre un moigne danuz William de Stoke convissoit q'il avoit achatez d'une femme apres le departir de Roi de Burton une pot ewer d'argent et l'Abbe li comaunda q'il liverast al oeps le Roi e il ne voloit, mais dist q'il la avait venduz et despenduz les deuers pur quoi e pur altres trespas il fust emprisonez et l'Abbe apres fist pleinte de cele chose al Evesqe de Cestre en sa visitation e le moigne convissoit devant l'Evesqe q'il avoit vendu le dit pot pur un marc ou vint solz a ceo q'il entendont et l'Evesqe li assoltz et issint demorrent les deners devers le moigne.

Ensement il dient per lur seermentz que apres le departir le Roi de Burton, l'Abbe fist enquere et serchier des biens des enemis selont ceo qil fust . . per le Roi et fist arester un sac ove naperie al oeps per le Roi et . . convissoit devaunt Sire Johan de Stonore et ces compaignons a Tutteburi et furent prisez a diz solz d'une le Roi est serviz del Abbe per la mein le Viscount de Stafford.

Ensement il dient per lur seermentz que une coupe d'argent en le cas fust trovez prez del haut auter et portez al Abbe, et l'Abbe le livera al Roi tauntost a sa venue si cum le Roi, Sire Hugh, et Sir Robert de Welles sevent bien.

Ensement il dient per lur seermentz que unges nule manier des biens des enemis en lur mains ne a profist de la maison ne vindrent forsque les choses surdites mais lur biens detneignes dedens l'Eglise et dedens checun maison del Abbeie prise et emportez et lur mainers destruitz tesmoigne Dieu et tote loials gentz. Et Dominus Rex sui gratiâ dictas ccc. libras dicto Abbati perdonavit et literas suas inde fieri fecit sub hâc formâ patentes. (Here follow the letters patent already given.)

De advocatione Eerlesiarum de Tatunhull et Hambyri.

Edwardus Dei gratiâ Rei Angliæ etc. Sciatis quod in augmentationem obsequii divini et in perpetuam memoriam gloriosæ victoriæ quain Deus Omnipotens suâ gratiâ nuper nobis de inimicis et rebellibus nostris apud Burtonam super Trentam in Comitatu Stafford contulit et necnou pro relevatione statûs Abbatiæ ejusdem villæ quæ tunc per predictos inimicos et rebelles nostros in multo depauperata extitit etdestructa, dedimus etc. dilectis nobis in Chrispo Abbati et Conventui loci predicti advocationes Ecclesiarum de Tatenhull et Hamburi quæ fuenmt Thomæ nuper Comitis Lancastriæ inimici et rebelli nostri et quæ per forisfacturam ejusdem Thomæ ad manus nostras tanquam escæta nostra devenerunt. Habendum etc. Teste me ipso apud Knaresburugh secundo die Marcii anno R. nostri sextodecimo.

Edwardus Dei gratiâ Rex Angliæ etc. (These are letters patent to the same effect, but in somewhat fuller tenux, dated 3rd March, 16 E. II.)

Edwardus Dei gratiâ Rex Angliæ etc. dilecto et fideli suo Roberto Boler custodi Honoris de Tutebury etc. Cum per literas nostras patentes dederimus etc. (A close writ to Robert Boler to deliver the admwsons of the two Churches to the Abbot and Convent, dated 2nd March, 16 E. II.)

Folios 114 and 115.

Placita Coronæ coram W. de Herle et sociis suis Justiciariis Itinerantibus in Comitatu Derbiæ anno R. R. Edwardi tertii a Conquestu quarto.

This is a repetition of the proceedings of 17 E. II. respecting the view of frankpledge of Huncyndon, the question having again arisen owing to a presentment of the jury of the wapentake of Wyrkesworth that the Abbot had withtlrawn it from the Hundred to the prejudice of the King. The record of the former decision of the Court of Exchequer is produced by the Abbot.

Placita de quo waranto coram W. de Herle et sociis suis Justiciariis Itinerantibus apud Derbi die Lune proximo post festum Apostolorum Petri et Pauli anno R. R. Edwardi III. a Conquestu quarto.

Translation.

The Abbot of Burton-upon-Trent was summoned to show by what warrant he claimed to have free warren in his manors of Stapenhull and Overe and their members, and to have sok and sak and theme and infangenethef, and totum corrodium, and that all his men should be quit of toll, pontagium, passagimn, and all other customs. The Abbot produced the charter of King Henry III. granting all the above franchises to his house; and the King's attorney William de Denum then prayed that inquiry might be made by a jury as to the use of them since the date of the charter. (fn. 2)

The jury say that from the time of the charter the Abbot and his predecessors had made full use (bene usi sunt) of free warren in the said manors, and of infangenthef in the manor of Overe and its members, but it had often happened that a robber taken open handed (cum manuoperte) in the manor of Stapenhull at suit of the peace (ad sectam pads), was indicted in the Hundred of Repyndon; and in the same way of infangethef, they say it was not used in the manor of Stapenhull, and the Abbot had no gallows there. It was therefore adjudged that the said liberty of infangenthef should be taken into the King's hands. Afterwards Thomas de Tuttebyry and Robert de Fynderne made fine with the King of 20s. for the Abbot to have back the liberty, and the Abbot was told to erect a gallows there (et dictum est ei quod levet furcas).

Folio 116.

Hæc est compositio inter Ahbatem et Conventum de Burton et Rector em Ecclesæ de Appelby.

This is a composition between John de Arreyns, the Rector of Appelby, and the Abbot and monks respecting the tythes of half that vill, of which the monks were the lords, and which lay within the county of Derby.

Omnibus Chrispi fidelibus etc. Johannes de Clynton de Makstok Miles salutem etc. Noverit etc. This is a confirmation by Sir John de Clinton of the grant of the advowson of Austrey and the messuage formerly held by Richard Bullok in the same vill, which had been made to the Abbot and monks of Burton by Osbert son of Thomas de Clynton, Knight, his great grandfather (pro avi mei). The witnesses are Henry de Hambury, Richard de Whitaere, and Edmund de Appilbi, Knights; Gerard de Seckyndon, John de Lee, John de Langedon, and John Grym of Hachette. Dated from Dunynton, A.D. 1332.

Folio 117.

Universis etc. Abbas de Burton etc. Noveritis nos etc. pro bono servitio quod Robertus filius Hugonis de Northbury nobis et monachis hactenus impendit dedisse etc. eidem Roberto annuam pensionern quinque marcarum etc. Datum A.D. 18 E. III.

The back of this folio contains another copy of the composition respecting the tythes of that half of Appelby which is within the county of Derby.

Folio 118.

Copia Cartarum Willelmi Wyther da Ylum.

Hugo de Akovere, omnibus presentibus et futuris salutem. Sciatis me concessisse quatuordecim bovatas terræ in Yluin cum omnibus pertinentiis Turgilio et heredibus suis quas antecessores suos (sic) de antecessoribus meis tenuerunt, tenendum de me et heredibus meis libere, quiete cum omni liberâ communione (sic) in omnibus locis pro omnibus servitiis ad me pertineutibus xiiii. solidos reddendo annuatim ad festurn (left blank) sequendo curiam de Akovere pro forciamento curæ et pro hac concessione et confirmatione Turgilius dedit mihi duas marcas argenti et dimidiam; et quia volo ut etc.

Sciant presentes et futuri quod ego Hugo filius Roberti de Akovere concessi ete. Henrico filio Henrici de Ylum pro homagio et servitio suo onmes terras et tenementa etc. quæ Henricus pater Henrici vel ejusdem antecessores de antecessoribus meis unquam tenuerunt in feodo de Ylum; tenendum et habenduni sibi et heredibus suis etc. nunquam sequendo curiam meam vel heredum meorum apud Akovere nisi bis per annum per rationabiles summonitiones usque ad proximam curiam post festuni Sancti Michalis et ad proximam curiam post Pascham et quando breve Domini Regis venerit in curiâ meâ ac predictus H. vel heredes sui faciant sequela ad curiam meam secundum legem terræ quousque illud breve in curiâ meâ deducatur, (fn. 3) reddendo inde annuatim mihi et heredibus meis xviij. s. argenti ad festum Sancti Martini etc.

Omnibus etc. Hugo filius Roberti de Akovere salutem etc. Noverit etc. me relaxasse etc. H. filio H. de Ylum et heredibus suis iiij. s. annualis redditûs de xviii. s. annualis redditûs quos predictus H. etc. annuatim solvere debuissent etc.

Carta de Casterne.

Hugo de Hachovere, omnibus etc. Sciatis me concessisse Roberto filio Roberti de Chatesturne totam terram quam pater suus R. tenuit de patre meo in Chatesturne scilicet totum feodum Abbatis de Burtonâ in prenominatâ villâ sibi et heredibus suis, tenendum de me et heredibus meis libere et quiete cum omnibus liberis communibus et consuetudinibus etc. Reddendo inde annuatim michi et heredibus meis iiij. s. ad festum Sancti Martini et curiam meam de Hachoure sequendo pro forcimentum curiæ pro omni servitio salvo forinseco servitio Domini Regis. Et pro hac confirmatione predictus R. dedit michi triginta solidos. H. T. Radulpho filio Jordani, Willehno de Verdon, Ricardo de Thorpe, Turgys de Ylum, Johanne filio Ketelli de Mapeptun, Willelmo de Chatesturne, Petro de Fentona, Rogero de Hachoure, et pluribus aliis, et totâ curiâ meâ de Hachoure.

Carta W. Wythur de Wyrkesworth.

Sciant etc. nos Walterus Wythur de Ylum et Johanna uxor mea dedimus etc. Hugoni Wythur et Helenæ uxori ejus, octaginta et quinque acras terræ, sexaginta acras pasturæ et octo acras bosci cum omnibus aliis pertinentiis in Ylum etc.

Folio 119.

Placita tenta in Hasteng Londonii die Lune prox. post festum Sancti Gregorii Papæ anno R. R. Edwardi tertii post Conquestum tricessimo sexto. (fn. 4)

Sciant etc. quod ego Johanna quæ fuit uxor Magistri Ricardi de Hertle Marescalli dedi etc. Johanni de Cauntebrygge civi et pisteario Londoni totum illnd tenementum cum domibus superedificatis, cum gardino etc. quod quendum habui ex dono et feoffamento Johannis Pantrye civis Londonii quod quondam fuit predicti Magistri Ricardi in parrochiâ Sancti Sepulcri extra Neugate in suburbio Londonii, quod quidem etc. situm est inter tenementum Stephani at Pye ex parte boriali et fossatum de Hondesdyche ex parte australi et tenementum quondam Thomæ Hardy ex parte orientals et venellam vocatam Utturlane ex parte orientali in parrochiâ supradictâ etc. H. T. Willelmo Harewdone, Henrico Godthorpe, Johanne de Offlandene, Johanne Dapham, yronmonger; Hugone de Herewode, et aliis. Datum London die Sabbati in festo Sancti Gregorii Papæ anno R. R. Edwardi tertii post Conquestum xxxvi.

Folio 120.

This folio contains duplicate copies of the grant of Magister Ralph de Chaddesdene for a chantry at Sallowe, the confirmation by the Bishop for the same, and the obligation entered into by the Abbot and monks of Burton to carry out the bequest. The Bishop's confirmation is dated A.D. 1271, and is witnessed by Magister Alan Breton, Canon of Lichfield, Magister John Kerni, Rector of the Church of Sondiacre, Magister John de Cravene, Roger de Draycote, Clerk, William Teneri of Eyton, Dominus Roger de Eyton, Chaplain, and Magister Hugh de Eyton, Clerk.

Folio 121, dorso.

Concordia facta inter Abbatem et Dominos de Rodburne et de Langelega de communâ pasturæ de Merwinsioode.

Noverint universi quod cum contentiones motæ essent inter Dompnum Thomam Abbatem de Burthonâ super Trentam et ejtisdeni loci Conventum ex unâ parte et Dominos Robertum de Stafford, Henricum de Chaundos, Willelmum de Cavereswalle et Henricum de Bralesford et tenentes suos in Rodeburne et Langelega super approwementis factis per predictos Dominos Robertum, Henricum, Willelmum, et Henricum, in communâ pasturâ predicti Abbatis et Conventûs et eorum tenentium in Rodburne et Langelega pertinente ad manerium predicti Abbatis de Magna Overa, et unde predictus Abbas brevia novæ disseisinæ versus predictos coram Justiciariis apud Derbeyam itinerantibus impetravit anno regni Regis Edwardi nono; predictæ contentiones interventu communium amicorum die Sancti Johannis ante Portam Latinam anno supradicto conquieverunt in hunc modum, scilicet quod predicti Abbas et Conventus pro se et successoribus suis concesserunt prenominatis Roberto etc. quod omnia aproeweamenta sua et tenentum suorum facta et facienda tam in Rodeburne quam in Langelega firmiter et inconcussa absque omni calumpniâ vel impedimento predictorum Abbatis et Conventûs et tenentium suorum in Magna Overa permaneant etc. et quod licite possint se approweare de residuo vasti et tenementi sui salvis predictis Abbati et tenentibus suis liberum introitum et exitum per medium terrarum etc. tam per vias regias quam semitas usitatas et consuetas sine impedimento predictorum Roberti etc. Et pro istâ concessione etc. predicti Robertus etc. et tenentes eorum concesserunt etc. pro se et heredibus suis in perpetuum predictis Abbati et Conventu et eorum successoribus totum jus et clamium quod habuerunt vel habere potuerunt in communâ pasturæ predictorum Abbatis etc. de Magna Overa tarn in boscis et vastis quam aliis locis ejusdem manerii ubicunque etc. H. T. Dominis Thomâ Tochet, Willelmo de Menyl, Egidio de Menyl, Willelmo Wither, Militibus; Radulfo de Burgo, Roberto de Mungoye, Rogero de Toke, et aliis.

Folio 123.

A tous ceux qu cestez leteres endenteez verrount ou orrount Johan Cokayn Chief Baron del Escheqer nostre Seigneur le Roy et Hugh Huls Chivaler un des Justicez de Bank nostre dit Seigneur le Roy salutez en Dieu etc. This is the decision of Sir John Cokayne and Sir Hugh Hulse, acting as arbitrators, in a dispute between the Abbot of Burton on the one part and Sir Thomes de Gresley, Knight, and Philip Oliver, Robert Oliver, and Robert de Walton (queux sount de retenue le dit Monsieur Thomas) on the other part, respecting dirers lands and tenements in Burton which formerly belonged to one Sibilla de Allewas, and which were held by Sir Thomas of the Abbot and Convent for a yearly rent of 2s., and which rent the said Thomas had withheld; also respecting the tenures of one Richard Wymer in Drakelowe, who held of the Abbot by fealty and the service of 5s. 6d.; and of John de la Grene, who held of the Abbot in Lynton, and regarding likewise an assize of novel disseisin which the Abbot had arraigned against Sir Thomas Gresley in the County Court of Derbyshire respecting certain lands and tenements in Stapunhull.

By the award Sir Thomas is to pay the arrears of the rent owing to the Abbot, and to engage not to disturb or molest the Abbot and his men in future; and the assize of novel disseisin is to be tried in Derbyshire, the Abbot and Sir Thomas engaging not to appear at the Court with more than twentyfour persons in their respective retinues. The award is dated the Wednesday on the Vigil of St. John the Baptist, 7 Hen. IV.

Omnibus Chrispi fidelibus etc. Thomas Gresley Miles et Johannes Gresley Miles filius et heres ejusdem Thomæ etc. salutem. Noveritis nos etc. concessisse Donipno Radulpho Heneley Abbati Monasterii Beatæ Mariæ etc. de Burton super Trentam etc. licenciam nostram figendi, cubandi, etc. fistulas plumbeas suas aquæ ductæ suæ in Stapunhull subtus et infra fundum nostrum et terram nostram in eâdem villâ de Stapunhull etc. H. T. Johanne Dedhek Domino de Newehall, Henrico Holand de Caldewalle, Thoma Calangewode de eâdem, Reginaldo Roundell de Stapenhyll, Henrico de Caldewalle de eâdem. Datum apud Stapenhyll etc. 15 H. VI.

Magna Carta de Libertatibus Angliæ.

This is a cotemporary copy of the Great Charter as amended and issued 9 H. III., and a copy of which had been sent to all the chief religious houses in the Kingdom.

Carta Regis Henrici Pritmi, de Libertatibus.

This is the Charter granted by Henry I. on his accession, A.D. 1100. It has been printed by the Record Commissioners.

These two charters occupy the last six folios of the Chartulary, and are written in a much larger hand than the other parts of the Chartulary. These folios likewise are unnumbered, and apparently formed originally no part of the Chartulary.