Translated from Joseph Stevenson (ed.), Chronicon Monasterii de Abingdon, vol. I (London: Longman, Brown, Green, Longmans, and Roberts, Rolls Series, 1858).

The History of the Monastery of Abingdon #

…had already begun to use a new name for the inhabitants: from his own name, Brutus, he called the island Britain, and his companions Britons. When he had put off the prison of the flesh without the Catholic faith, many kings succeeded him until the time of king Lucius, who were likewise ignorant of the Christian faith.

This Lucius, having heard of the fame and holiness of the preachers then dwelling in the city of Rome, sent his envoys with his open letters to the venerable pope Eleutherius, entreating him most devoutly with his whole heart and supplicating most earnestly that by his command and will he might be made a Christian. When his devotion had been ascertained, therefore, the venerable pope Eleutherius, at the instance of his prayers, sent his envoys to the illustrious king Lucius — namely Faganus and Divianus, religious men, and sufficiently instructed in the Catholic faith. These men, with renowned devotion, baptised the king himself and his people with unanimous assent and like concord, destroying the idols and faithfully building churches. To be brief: these two sincere men, devoted to God in all things and through all things, having been made the agents of Christianity, resolved to appoint ministers of Almighty God in every place; and where they found arch-flamens according to the law of the heathen, in their place they substituted archbishops, and where flamens, bishops in like manner. There were at that time three archbishops in three most famous places, namely at London, at York, and at the City of the Legions.

5. — How long Christianity endured in Britain after king Lucius received Christianity. #

Meanwhile king Lucius having gone the way of all flesh, his body was honourably buried in the town of Gloucester, as befitted a royal burial. After his death, to recount much in few words, Christianity endured in Britain in tranquil devotion and holy conduct until the time of the emperor Diocletian; and in those times also, by God’s disposing, a most fervent religion of monks flourished within the bounds of Britain, and a devotion of holiness memorable in many places. At that time, however, there was a certain religious monk named Abbennus, who, coming from Ireland to Britain, faithfully preached the word of God as the Holy Spirit gave him utterance. In process of time he came to the court of the most illustrious king of the Britons, where he was received with praise and magnificently honoured by all, and became so dear to the king by the privilege of affection that the king rejoiced to have found in him another Joseph. The aforesaid Abbennus obtained from the king of the Britons, at the instance of his prayers, the greatest part of the province of Berkshire, in which, with the king’s consent and by the counsel of the realm, he happily founded a monastery, to which he allusively gave the name Abingdon, either from his own name or from the name of the place. For in the language of the Irish, as we have learned from the account of modern men, “Abbendon” means “the dwelling of Abennus”; but in the language of the English, “Abbendun” is commonly called “the mount of Abennus”.

That place lies on the flat of a hill, desirable to look upon, a little beyond the vill now called Sunningwell, between two most pleasant little streams which, enclosing the place between them like a kind of bay, afford a pleasant spectacle to those who behold it and a convenient resource for the inhabitants. The venerable Abbennus also gathered there a copious multitude of monks — three hundred monks or more — serving God there in unceasing devotion; over whom he presided as father and abbot, yet, according to the rule of St Benedict, striving rather to be loved than feared, he profited them all in all things. But in his last days, when his head was white, the holy man Abbennus, following in the footsteps of Christ and despising the glory of the world for His love, and seized with the sweetness of his native soil, made for Ireland; and there, by the disposing of the divine mercy, ended his life in holy conduct. The monastery of Abingdon remained in the Catholic faith and in monastic religion until the coming of the English. And since we have made mention of the English, may the angelic power assist us, that we may utter nothing concerning the English beyond the truth.

6. — Of the coming of the Saxons into Britain. #

In the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 449, Vortigern reigning in Britain — as we have learned from the truthful account of the venerable priest Bede — there came to Britain in seafaring vessels, from the parts of Germany, Saxons, Angles, and Jutes; who, though they were of different provinces, were nevertheless bound together by the greatest integrity of affection and by the confederation of a league. They landed on the island of Britain at the petition of king Vortigern, promising that they would afford him aid against his enemies — namely the Scots and the Picts, who had fiercely warred upon Britain. Yet when things had succeeded to their wish and to what they had greedily conceived in their mind, the Saxons, joining battle with the Scots and Picts, gained the victory. But when this had been reported to Saxony with prosperous event, and at the same time the fertility of the island had been announced and the sluggishness of the Britons made known, a more numerous fleet was in like manner sent back thither by a swift course, carrying a stronger band of armed men; which, heaping dread upon the dread of the Britons and piling strength upon strength, rendered the army invincible. These men, then, dwelling in Britain, after taking counsel with the Scots and Picts and after the lapse of time, found no one who would in any respect resist them, or oppose their jurisdiction perfunctorily or partially. These things being so done, by the disposing of the just Judge of the world, whose providence is not deceived in its ordering, the aforesaid race, laying waste the walled cities and the fields alike, the trees being rooted up, spread their fire everywhere, so that they seemed to have covered the whole surface of the island with death and smoke. But to what purpose! …in the years of his youth, both by nature and by industry; and when he found that he had withdrawn far from his Creator, with eyes and hands lifted up to heaven, drawing long sighs, he burst forth into speech in this manner: “O God, Creator of creatures! Have mercy on me, wretched above all men; I have sinned, I have erred, and knowingly denied you! But you, most merciful Lord, who do not will the death of a sinner, but rather that he be converted and live: turn your face to my sobbings, turn the eyes of your mercy to my sighs, and grant me space for the amendment of my life, that I may grieve sufficiently, and blot out the things which from my earliest age I have perpetrated, knowingly and ignorantly, against your will.”

Nor did God, to whom every heart lies open and every will speaks, delay to give him the wine of compunction to drink, that he might flee from the face of the bow. So king Ceadwalla, inspired by the free and sudden impulse of the Holy Spirit — who blows when He wills and where He wills, who inspires whom He wills and as much as He wills, who has mercy on whom He wills and hardens whom He wills — said that he wished to hasten to baptism with all speed, and utterly to renounce the error of paganism. And that it might be done with greater solemnity (although the sacrament in itself has no less efficacy in the baptised on account of the persons of the baptisers, necessity being excluded), having nevertheless set his affairs in good order at home, he made for Rome with hastening steps, where he was honourably received by pope Sergius, and was most gloriously baptised by him on the holy day of the Paschal Sabbath [10 April], in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 689, and was happily called Peter after Blessed Peter. And while he was still in his white garments there, being divested of the prison of the flesh on the twelfth day before the Kalends of May, a Friday, he was buried in the basilica of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and rested in the peace of the heart, awaiting the peace of eternity. Moreover pope Sergius made an epitaph for that king in verse, and decreed that it should be engraved on his sarcophagus; the tenor of the epitaph is this.

That the king, a guest, might behold Peter and the seat of Peter,
from whose fountain he might draw pure waters in abundance;
and catch the dazzling beam with radiant draught,
from which the life-giving radiance streams everywhere;
and eagerly seizing the rewards of the life renewed,
converted, he joyfully changed his barbarous rage, and thence his name;
and Sergius the bishop bade him be called Peter, like the very father
of the fountain of the new-born, whom the grace of Christ, cleansing him,
bore straightway, white-robed, to the citadel of heaven.
Wondrous was the faith of the king, most great the mercy of Christ,
whose counsel none may approach.
For coming in safety from the utmost bound of the Britons’ world,
through divers peoples, across the seas, and by the ways,
he saw the city of Romulus, and beheld the revered
temple of Peter, bearing mystic gifts.
White-clad, he shall walk in fellowship among the sheep of Christ;
for in body he holds the tomb, in mind the things above.
You would believe he had rather exchanged the insignia of sceptres,
whom you see to have earned the kingdom of Christ.

9. — Description of the vill of Seuekesham, afterwards called Abingdon. #

But lest we should pass over in silence the nobility of the vill of Seuekesham, as though ignorant of the truth of the matter, let us for the present put forward something concerning it from credible report worthy of belief. Seuekesham, then, was a famous city, desirable in aspect, full of riches, surrounded by most fertile fields, verdant meadows, wide-spreading plains, and milk-flowing flocks. Here was the royal seat; hither, when the weightiest and most arduous affairs of the realm were being treated, the concourse of the people was made; where also from the earliest times of the Britons the place was a place of religion, both in the time of idolatrous worship and in the time of the Christian religion. In this city also there were many tokens of Christianity from the way of life of the ancient Britons, as has been said above. For crosses and images, which were found dug up in that vill now here, now there, furnish proof of this fact.

12. — Of the finding of the Black Cross. #

Among other crosses there was also found that holy cross which is called the Black Cross. For it is so holy that no one, having sworn an oath upon it, can affirm a lie unpunished and without peril of his life; for it is believed to have been in great part smelted and made from the nails of the Lord. Nor was it deposited there by Constantine the Great, who was created emperor in that region, as some say; but it is more credible that it was sent thither by his well-disposed Britons, whom he had led with him when about to set out for Rome, that the memory of the holiness and merit of both, namely of the mother and of the son, might appear more illustriously where the converse of their bodily presence was magnified. Or certainly it was sent either by Caesar himself or by his mother, for the honour and defence of the country from which he had been raised to the empire, as we have said; by whom, on account of their merits and holiness, it is certain that the cross of the Lord was found. They say that when the little chapel of St Helena herself, who had once dwelt there in the time of the man or of the son, had been rebuilt in the time of the English, that cross was found, through which many signs, declaring the powers of that sanctuary, were shown. How many have been convicted of perjury upon it! The number of its miracles cannot be reckoned. It was honourably treated with one of the reverences that were due (since with so many powers, which we cannot enumerate, lies and false assertions were laid bare); and when the brethren wished to adorn it with gold and silver, whatever was fitted around it on one day they saw had all fallen away and come loose on the next, nor could gold or silver ever be made fast on any part of it; it was only wrapped outwardly all over in a linen cloth.

King Ceadwalla, however (on whose soul may God have mercy), not only bestowed on Abingdon the good things enumerated above, but also of his own free will gave licence to Cilla, the sister of Hean the patrician, to build a monastery in the place now called Helenstowe by the Thames; where the virgin, consecrated to God and veiled with the sacred veil, gathered together very many nuns, of whom she afterwards became the mother and abbess. After her death, when a very long interval of time had followed, the aforesaid nuns were translated from that place to the vill called Wytham. But when some years had followed, since a grievous war, unheard of in the world, had arisen between Offa king of the Mercians and Cynewulf king of the West Saxons, at that time a castle had been built upon the hill of Wytham; by reason of which those nuns withdrew from that place, and are not said to have returned thither afterwards.

13. — Of the death of Ceadwalla, and of king Ine. #

It now remains for us to turn our pen back again to the successors of king Ceadwalla, and to describe succinctly, according to the measure of our knowledge, both their misdeeds and their benefactions.

And so, when the death of king Ceadwalla in Wessex was heard of — fame flying, than which nothing is swifter — king Ine, related to him by lineal kinship, succeeded to his inheritance. He at first decreed that the gifts and benefactions of his predecessors Cissa and Ceadwalla, and likewise the greatest part of the inheritance of abbot Hean which chiefly concerned the monastery of Abingdon, should be made void; but afterwards, returning to his heart and repenting of the deed, and keenly understanding those two parts of righteousness of which it is said, “Turn from evil and do good” [Ps. xxxvi. 27.], he not only turned from evil, but also, doing good, increased the benefactions of that house more abundantly from his own manors and lawful donations. For when what had been taken away had first been restored in full, he gave and granted to the aforesaid house and to the monks serving God there, while abbot Hean was alive and looking on, a written grant of 250 hides, as his following charter witnesses, and confirmed it by his charter. The subscription of this charter is as follows.

…are decreed; although the word alone would suffice as testimony, yet on account of the uncertain ambiguity of future time they are strengthened by the most steadfast assurance of letters.

Wherefore I, Ine, king of the Saxons, have gladly restored to abbot Hean the land of 173 hides near Abingdon, which king Cissa had once given to him and to his sister Cilla the abbess; but king Ine afterwards, while he held the kingdom, seized that land and restored it to the commonwealth, no monastery having yet been built upon it nor any oratory erected; but afterwards he gave the same land back again to the same Hean, the patrician of that time, for the building of a monastery, saying: “I, Ine, monarch of the Saxons, governing the royal sceptres under the reign of the Lord, give back and leave again, with the counsel of many, the land which my predecessors Cissa and the rest are known to have given to Hean the patrician and to his sister Cilla.” Then the aforesaid patrician Hean submitted himself, with all his wealth and the aforesaid land, to the service of Almighty God, and chose me as abbot, to build that monastery in the place named above, that is near Abingdon, and to rule it according to the Rule; and of his own accord committed himself to my governance, binding himself by a monk’s vow. But now, not yet five full years having elapsed since he vowed those vows that were to be paid, desiring to change the decrees, he took king Ine into support for the recovery of his inheritance; to which things I gladly yielded, and, as I have said, will repay in full the aforesaid land and the monasteries which we built. Moreover I shall add 20 hides from the east side of the river Thames, which Cuthred the sub-king and Æthelred king of the Mercians, and also Ine king of the Saxons, delivered to me; and I have likewise granted 10 hides by the ford of Bestlesford and 100 in Bradenfeld, where I built a monastery, which Ine and Coenred gave together; which together make 273 hides. And I, clemently relaxing the monk’s vow which he had pledged to me, have indulged him, in the presence of the venerable bishop Hedda, and of abbot Aldhelm, and Wintra, and all our familia in the church. But if anyone shall attempt to come against this decree of the abbacy, or, relying on tyrannical power, shall endeavour violently to take away or carry off these donations of religious kings, let him know that he shall render account before Christ at the last examination of the living and the dead. Now this deed of settlement was written in the year 699 from the Incarnation of Christ, in the twelfth indiction.

• † I, Ine, king, have consented.
• † I, Æthelbald, king, have subscribed.
• † I, Daniel, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Befpha, have subscribed.
• † I, Egfrid, have subscribed.
• † I, Herrid, have subscribed.
• † I, Aldbriht, have subscribed.
• † I, Stranglic, have subscribed.
• † I, Halda, have subscribed.
• † I, Oba, have subscribed.
• † I, Selred, have subscribed.
• † I, Egbrith, have subscribed.

Charter of king Ine. #

I, Ine, king of the West Saxons, for the indulgence of my crimes, gladly bestow some land for the munificence of the church. For by the Lord’s disposing it had been granted into the power of abbot Hean in four parts of land: that is, 15 hides in Bradanafel, and 15 hides at Bestlesford, and 25 hides whose name is Stretles, and 80 hides at Alaromundeslee. Which donations, that they might endure the more firmly and tenaciously for the rest of time, were also performed before the highest pontiffs, namely Brihtwald the archbishop and bishop Daniel; and for the greater firmness I also placed turfs of those places upon the book, which those two aforesaid bishops held in their hands. Moreover, that the grant of the aforesaid donation might be preserved the more firmly for ever with inextricable tenacity, we have also added witnesses, whose names are kept inserted below. But if anyone, trusting in the obstinacy of his own temerity, shall endeavour violently to come against these decrees of our settlement, let him know that he shall render account in the dread judgement of the last examination before Christ the Judge, who weighs the deeds of each in the even scale of discretion.

• † Sign of the hand of Ine, king of the West Saxons.
• † Sign of the hand of Æthelred, king of the Mercians.
• † Sign of the hand of Æthelfrith.
• † I, Daniel, servant of the servants of God, have confirmed this donation.

This charter was written on the third day before the Nones of July [5 July], in the twelfth indiction, in the year 687 from the Incarnation of Christ. I, Winberct, wrote and subscribed this charter.

• † May this aforesaid land be subject for ever to the church of St Mary at Abingdon.

Likewise another charter of king Ine. #

I, Ine, king of the West Saxons, for the remedy of my soul, have restored the land of 45 hides to Hean the patrician and to Ceolswitha, for the building of a monastery. Which land is named in Bradanfeld and Bestlesford, and another which is called Stretlea, with all things pertaining to it. To which donation there were present as witnesses Ebba, Æthelbald, and Eadfrith son of Iddi, and with the command of the bishops Cedda, Germanus, and Winfrid. Which land Eadfrith son of Iddi first gave upon the altar in the church which is built there, for his soul.

• † I, Theodore, servant of God, archbishop, have consented and subscribed.

15. — The testament of Hean, before he was made abbot. #

I, Hean, by the Lord’s disposing abbot, have granted to my sister Cilla, on condition, a certain little possession of land which had been granted into my power by the munificence of my parents, who are known to hold the government of the realm, in the place whose name is Bradenfeld, with the adjacent places, and not less with the other places as is marked below, to possess; so that after my death, if she shall outlive me, she may dispose of it and rule it with the fear of God, and after her may restore it wholly to that monastery. But if by the judgement of Almighty God, while I live, her life’s lot shall be determined, the right and disposal of the same place shall fall to me. Now the aforesaid quantity of land in Bradenfeld is 48 hides; in Escesdune, 55; in the place which is called Earmundeslea, 83. The sum brought together amounts to 183 hides. If anyone, therefore, shall attempt to make void this settlement made by me with one accord, and canonically and ecclesiastically confirmed by king Ine and by bishop Daniel, let him know that he shall render account before Christ.

16. — Of the donation of the vill which is called Sutton. #

This Ine moreover first gave and granted to God, and to St Mary, and to the house of Abingdon, and to the monks serving God there, the vill of Sutton, in pure and perpetual alms, with all things wholly pertaining to it; which vill the monks possessed freely and quietly in peace until the time of king Kenulf and abbot Rethun, as we shall relate more clearly below.

17. — How king Ine went to Rome and died there. #

But after king Ine had done the aforesaid good things acceptable to God, carefully considering that he had entered the world naked and that he would return naked to the dust — man hastening to the dust — he, prudently disposing for himself lest he should perish by the bite of death of body and soul, crowned with a better end what he had well begun. For leaving his empire and entrusting it to his kinsman Æthelheard, he set out for Rome in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 728; and there, lest he should make a show of his conversion, as though flaunting before the people, he did not lay aside his hair in public, but that he might please the eyes of God alone, who judges the words, the heart, and the reins of men, covered with plebeian garb he lived in concealment and in concealment grew old. So Æthelheard remained in the kingdom. When he died, Cuthred succeeded him; to him Sigebert; to him Cynewulf. When Cynewulf had been defeated in battle by Offa king of the Mercians, king Offa seized for himself all that had been subject to his jurisdiction, from the town of Wallingford on the southern side, from Icknield Street as far as Ashbury, and on the northern side as far as the Thames. This Offa also granted to God and St Mary and the house of Abingdon and the monks serving God there the vill called Gosi in pure and perpetual alms. In the time of this king Offa also, a certain bishop named Rethun, of the kingdom of the Mercians, compelled by insults and the violence of hostility, renounced his bishopric, and receiving the monastic habit in the monastery of Abingdon, afterwards became abbot and father.

These are the boundaries of Gosi. #

These are the boundaries of Gosi: first to the boundary dyke eastwards; then into the Teal brook; along the Teal brook to the Ock; along the Ock to the boundary dyke; from the boundary dyke to the furrow; from the furrow to the little stream; from the little stream into the Lamb brook; along the Lamb brook to the ford around the outside of the homestead; then back to the boundary dyke eastwards.

18. — Of Brihtric, king of the West Saxons. #

When Cynewulf king of the West Saxons had been slain by Cyneheard, brother of his predecessor Sigebert, his brother Brihtric succeeded him. This Brihtric gave the vill of Estun to one of his princes, named Lulla, and granted to him and confirmed by his charter that the said Lulla might give and assign the aforesaid vill, with all its appurtenances, to whomsoever he wished. The said Lulla, relying on the security of this charter, before his death, with the consent of king Brihtric and the counsel of trustworthy men, desiring to make Christ his heir, gave and granted the aforesaid vill, namely Estun, to God and St Mary and the house of Abingdon and the monks serving God there; and the charter by which king Brihtric had confirmed that land to him — which at that time had more efficacy and force than any other that he could make concerning that land — he placed upon the altar of St Mary at Abingdon. And as a sign of the greater covenant he uttered in English: “All my right that I had in Estun I give to St Mary in Abingdon.”

19. — This is the charter of king Brihtric. #

In the name of the most merciful Almighty Father, who is the giver of all good things and the preserver of the heavens, the hemisphere, the world, the field, the sea, and the rivers — their Creator and Governor, who alone holds the monarchy of the whole world.

Under whose nod, and under the fostering right hand of the Lord’s defence, I, Brihtric the king, dispensing the government of the realm, do firmly give and confirm by the sign of the Holy Cross to the prince Lulla, devout and with all zeal most faithful in our affection, a certain portion of land — which he shall purchase from us out of his own means with the fullest price in tried and acceptable money — where it is called by the known Saxon name Eastun, namely 10 dwellings, to possess and to give, with all things pertaining to it, fields and woods, or to leave behind him wheresoever or to whomsoever he shall wish, conveying it into his own right with the authority of these letters and deeds of the witnesses written below.

This donation was confirmed and executed in a public place, in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 801, in the ninth indiction, and in the twelfth year of our royal empire granted from the high summit of the heavens.

Now these are the certain boundaries of this little field: on the northern side it contains Hythwaldanhlau, and on the northern quarter of that embankment the public road extends from the north as far as the eastern end against the rising of the sun, to Othsuiran; and so from the east into the southern quarter, through one valley as far as a certain pool whose name is Ceabbansolo. From that place, by a most straight path along the length of one hedge, it comes to Hwatelegegoete, beyond Bradanleah; and so from that boundary, from the south-west wind or the west wind, it has as its most certain bound a transverse hedge, extending the same length, to Horsanleah as far as Gumanedisc. Then from Gumanedisc into the western quarter, on the southern side over Heigdune, by a fitting course against the setting of the sun it duly turns to Bicanstapule. Then, circling back from Bicanstapule through the depth and middle of a valley beside a heap of stones which we call Stancestil, from the bend it reaches Cothongian; and so, circling round to the aforesaid place, it returns from Cothongian to Hythwaldanhlau. And I shall free this donation from all earthly burdens, except military service and the building of a bridge.

But if anyone with obstinate contumacy shall attempt to diminish this our donation, or the testimony and affirmation of our most faithful and venerable men, the bishops and nobles, whose names are found in the margin of this page, let him know that he is subject to canonical sentence, and deprived of our communion in this world or in the world to come, and that he shall render account on the Day of Judgement, unless he shall first have made amends to God and men by just judgement. Whoever fulfils these things which we give, or augments them, we pray may deserve rewards in the world to come with all who shall receive their recompense from God, who rewards all who live justly and piously and act rightly, who alone — just, merciful, and compassionate — remains ever to those who hope in Him.

• † I, Brihtric the king, in conveying and confirming, have traced the sign of the Cross.
• † I, Eadburh the queen, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Cyneberht, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wigberht, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wor, prince, have subscribed.
• † I, Wihstan, prince, have subscribed.
• † I, Wigfrith, prince, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wihtbrord, prince, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æse, prince, have subscribed.
• † I, Ealhmund, prince, have subscribed.
• † I, Lulla, prince, have consented and subscribed.

20. — Of the death of Offa, king of the Mercians, and the succession of Kenulf. #

Meanwhile Offa, king of the Mercians, having gone the way of all flesh, his son Egbert succeeded him in the kingdom, who reigned but a few days after his father and straightway departed this life; to him succeeded Kenulf.

21. — Of the sisters of Kenulf. #

This Kenulf had two sisters by the same mother, not only fair of face but also distinguished by the elegance of good character, and — what is far better — in all things and through all things devoted to Almighty God. Certain most powerful nobles had sought them in marriage, both on account of the royal dignity and on account of their fame worthy of remembrance. When the king (on whose consent and will, I mean, a business of this kind depended) asked them one day with kindly countenance what manner of life they desired to lead, or what husbands they desired to have in this mortal flesh, they, with faces cast down a little to the earth and their minds ever lifted up to heaven, as though it had been given and provided to them from above, gave the king this answer: “Most gracious king, your holiness knows well that we are sprung of royal stock. Your kindness knows also, most loving brother, that from our earliest age we have desired with our whole mind and all our strength to serve God and finally to please Him alone. Now therefore we beg your kindness, with heads bowed, hands joined, knees bent, and mournful voice, to grant our petition, that for the love of Him who deigned to be born of a Virgin you would peacefully permit us to remain virgins, and to serve Him for ever in integrity of mind and body — Him whom to serve is to reign. For Him above all mortals, as is fitting, we have already chosen to have for our husband, nor shall we have any other, though we should presently have to suffer sentence of death.” To whom the king, full of piety and of the bowels of mercy, answered these words: “What then, most beloved sisters and devoted handmaids of God, is settled in your minds? Ask what shall be just, and you shall not suffer repulse.” To him the virgins: “We will and desire, and moreover we beseech your kindness with all the devotion we can, that you would grant us some small portion of land free from all human service and secular exaction, where we may abide in the service of God. We ask also that after our death we may be able to give that land to God and to St Mary of Abingdon and to the monks serving God there — where our bodies shall have temporal burial — in perpetual alms, free and undisturbed, with all the aforesaid liberty.” Then the king, after great deliberation — the archbishops, bishops, earls, and barons of that realm having been summoned — granted to them in their lifetime the vill called Culham, with all things wholly pertaining to it; and after their decease firmly confirmed it to the church of St Mary of Abingdon and the community serving God there, free and undisturbed from all secular exaction, under the anathema of all the bishops, so that the men inhabiting the vill should be subject neither to the king nor to the king’s ministers, nor obey the command or jurisdiction of any other, except principally the abbot, or him or those whom the abbot of Abingdon shall appoint as warden or wardens there.

King Kenulf also obtained from pope Leo the Third a privilege concerning the ecclesiastical benefice in the same vill, under threat of anathema, that no mortal — whether archbishop, bishop, archdeacon, or dean, or their officials, or their men — should presume to summon to law the church itself, or the rector of the church or the vicar, or anyone else holding the church by annual pension, or exact anything from it whereby it could hereafter be subjected to any episcopal or other jurisdiction, and so suffer the loss of its liberty. The abbot alone, by the benefit of the privilege, shall appoint whomsoever he wills, skilled in the law, who shall diligently hear the complaints and pleas, both criminal and others pertaining to ecclesiastical law, and decide them with canonical finality. From that time also, the priest or clerk of the church of Culham shall receive the chrism on the eve of Easter, by the hand of the sacristan in the church of Abingdon, for the use of baptism and of the sick. And when the rector or vicar of that church departs this life, the abbot of Abingdon, by his own authority — not by the consent or counsel of archbishop, bishop, archdeacon, dean, or any ecclesiastical official — shall give the rectory or vicarage to whom he will, no presentation being made to the diocesan or to any other. But if the abbot of that church should die and the named church fall vacant, the prior and convent, by common counsel, shall both give and assign the rectory or vicarage to whom they will, and confirm it by their charter. Moreover, not only did the venerable pope Leo confirm that vill, with all the aforesaid liberty, to the house of the abbey of Abingdon by his privilege, but he also sent letters of petition to king Kenulf, earnestly requesting that, as the high pontiff himself had privileged, so the king himself would confirm the same vill to Abingdon by his privilege, with all its appurtenances and aforesaid liberties. To which petition, although the king did not immediately assent, yet in due place and time — far better and more advisedly, as will be said below — he assented to the wholesome counsel of the high pontiff.

22. — Of the times of Rethun, bishop and abbot. #

And so, about seven years later, the huntsmen and fowlers of king Kenulf — as that race is wont — living upon the goods of others without shame, presumed to burden the house of Abingdon, now with prodigal expenses and undue exactions, now with various insults and wasteful squanderings of the patrimony of the Crucified, nor would they in any wise desist from such presumption, so detestable, either for prayer or for price. But when the abbot of Abingdon named Rethun and the unanimous convent of that place had borne this with grief, that nothing to the prejudice of their house should be done in future upon such injuries, after manifold admonition had been given both to the king and to the king’s ministers that they should desist from such injuries — and none having been received — the abbot and convent appealed for their own state and that of their house to the apostolic see. Nor was there delay: the aforesaid abbot went to the Roman court, where he was graciously received by the venerable pope Leo, and consulted the pontiff himself upon his business as prudently as he could. And the servant of the servants of God, hearing his complaint with gentle courtesy — out of his wonted goodness, from whose heart there ever overflowed an immensity both of piety and of sweetness — counselled him and sent him back to his own in all haste, together with the letters of his protection and the privileges of apostolic authority. Now when the king had already learned, both from the tenor of the high pontiff’s letters and from the living voice of their bearer, either that he ought diligently to attend to the liberty of the English Church, and especially to give vigilant heed to the defence of the house of Abingdon, and utterly to desist from the undue exactions and vexations of that house, or else swiftly to incur the indignation of the apostolic see — now with quibbling flatteries, now with thundering threats, as though with dilatory exceptions, he so spun out that business that the king had by now brought it to the smallest possible effect, or to none at all.

Meanwhile, when the high pontiff had now died, the letters of the abbot himself for the execution of his business were utterly shattered as to their use, as the law attests which says that on the death of the mandator the mandate expires. Seeing which, abbot Rethun and the convent of the house of Abingdon, fearing greatly lest it should be imputed to them in future, to the fault and detriment of their house, that they had obtained the aforesaid letters against the royal dignity, as the king asserted, the aforesaid abbot Rethun, by the counsel of his brethren, went to the king, to speak with him peaceably about his business. And that he might do this the more safely, he carried with him gold and silver to the sum of 120 pounds, judging this to be the best counsel for obtaining the king’s love, and the last remedy. When this was done, he offered to the king that little store of silver and gold for the sake of peace, and moreover 100 hides at the royal vill of Sutton near Abingdon. For the sake of which gifts the man of God Rethun so won the king’s heart to goodwill towards himself and his house that it was publicly decreed that no one of the royal officials, or of the sheriffs, or of the bishops, should henceforth require anything of gain, or of servitude, or of undue exaction in the possessions pertaining to the church of Abingdon; nay rather, liberty was perpetuated to them all in full.

And so, having obtained an opportunity from this concord, abbot Rethun decreed it useful to himself and to his house to commit to writing those matters which had already been settled between the king and himself, lest they should rise again into a revived dispute, and to transmit them to the notice of posterity. When this had been willingly granted by the king, the king made his privilege to the house of Abingdon concerning the vills pertaining to that house, and likewise concerning his own donations, which are set down one by one in his following privilege. The tenor of the privilege is this.

Charter of king Kenulf. #

In the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 811, in the nineteenth year of Kenulf king of the Mercians from the time when he received the kingdom granted him by God, we, with the brethren in the monastery called Abingdon, unanimously from the least to the greatest, decreeing and granting to Rethun the religious abbot or to his heirs, into his own dominion to have or to enjoy, the free land at the monastery called Abingdon, 310 hides; at Wyrthe, 10 hides; at Aclea, and at Northtun, and Punningstoce, 18 hides; on account of his acceptable money and the devotion which he bore towards us. For we were in the synod at the place called Celichyth before our nobles, and he gave in money what was worth 120 pounds, and with 100 dwellings redeemed the fields then placed under servitude by the hand of strangers: first, at Sunningwell 15 hides, at Eatun 10 hides, at Sandford 10 hides, at Denceswyrthe and at Goseie 30 hides, Culham also with all the places pertaining to Abingdon, at Gainge 10 hides and at Lechamstede 10 hides.

Know that this will be done not only for the salvation of my soul but of the whole people of the Mercians. These lands he has liberally acquired for ever from the oppression of earls and from the most harsh servitude of kings, and has enjoined them to serve liberally the church of God’s Mother. Therefore we command, by the authority of the ever-Virgin Mary and by the sign of the Holy Cross in which all victory consists, that no one in future shall presume to disturb him, or dare to trouble his successors; but that they possess and govern the aforenamed fields in firm peace and security, and afterwards leave them to whomsoever shall please them. I, Kenulf, king of the Mercians, shall free these lands from all servitude, great or small, of kings, princes, and bishops, for the salvation of my soul and for the whole people of the Mercians, just as it was and is freed from all servitude, with these witnesses of both sexes, monks or laymen, that these our statutes may stand firm for ever. Here below are written the names of the witnesses.

• † I, Kenulf, king, have consented and subscribed in the synod and at the place called Celichyth.
• † I, Wulfred, archbishop, have confirmed.

23. — The privilege of Kenulf. #

In the name of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, the true Redeemer of the world.

In the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 821, in the fourteenth indiction, I, Kenulf, king of the Mercians, preordained by the same God and our Lord over the peoples and tribes into the kingship, in the twenty-fifth year of our empire, was asked by the apostolic see, through the privilege of the most glorious apostolic lord pope Leo and through the venerable bishop Rethun, that to himself, or to his kinsmen, or to the community itself dwelling in the monastery situated at Abingdon — the church dedicated there in honour of St Mary the ever-Virgin and Mother of God — I, giving, should grant in the name of the Lord God Almighty and of the most blessed Peter prince of the apostles, eternal liberty for all time under the patronage of the Holy Trinity: all the places pertaining to the aforesaid monastery, whose names are named below — Culanhom, Chenigtun, Hengesteseig, Cumanora, Earmundeleh, Eatun, Suniggawelle, Sondford, Wudtun, Gaeging, Deniceswurth, Ceornei, Gooseig, Faerhom, Wiethenesfeld, Scriuenanhom, Burghtuun, Laehhamstede, Boxora, Waelingford, with their farmstead-tuns (that is, with their appurtenances), Wicham with its fields, as king Ceadwalla granted it, together with the whole wood called Spene; Wohanleh, Trindlaeh, Eastun, with all the little fields pertaining to the aforesaid places — granting, I shall bestow perpetual liberty, as we have said, in things moveable and immoveable, in causes known and unknown, in small and in great. And we command by mandate, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, that no man puffed up with pride shall come upon it, nor the king demand his food, nor those having the men whom we call “festingmen”, nor those who carry hawks or falcons, or lead horses or dogs; nor shall anyone dare to inflict punishment upon them in any wise. Nor shall prince or reeve dare to change this aforesaid leniency into the burden of any charge, either in our days or in our successors’. If the man of God is accused for some offence, let the guardian of that church alone chastise him by his own oath, if he dare; but if not, let him make good the aforesaid offence by a single fine, that he may receive another justice in the way of requital. They shall perform military service with twelve vassals and with as many shields; they shall renew old bridges and fortresses; for the rest, they shall glory in full and entire liberty — especially since they themselves on the Lord’s days offer seven most salutary masses for us, and cease not to fight against invisible enemies with spiritual weapons, with a hundred psalters. But if anyone shall be unwilling to obey the aforesaid statutes, let him know that he is alienated from the fellowship of God’s holy church, and from participation in the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, by the authority of the blessed apostle Peter, unless he shall have worthily made amends for what he has done against God’s church.

For they gave for the sake of this matter 120 pounds in gold and in silver, and a hundred hides at the royal vill called Sutton. And after that most prudent man had accomplished these things, he governed that monastery in the utmost security of peace as long as he lived.

24. — Of Brihtric, king of the West Saxons. #

In these days the aforesaid Brihtric, king of the West Saxons, of whom we have already spoken above, gave to one of his princes, named Hemele, the vill called Mene, and confirmed it to him by his charter, and granted it in every same manner as to his aforesaid prince Lulla; that he too after his death might make whomever he wished his heir of the same land. So the aforesaid Hemele gave the vill of Mene, with the consent of king Brihtric, to God and St Mary and the house of Abingdon and the monks serving God there, with all things pertaining to it. He also offered upon the altar of St Mary the charter of king Brihtric himself which he had for the same vill. The tenor of this charter is this:

25. — The charter of Brihtric concerning Hisseburna. #

Almighty God reigning for ever: I, Beorhtric, relying on royal dignity, have granted to Hemele my most faithful prince a certain portion of the land of my right, which my predecessors and kinsmen left me to possess by hereditary right, to possess for ever — for having, giving, exchanging, and leaving behind him to whomsoever shall please him — that is, 36 hides. This I did for his petition, and also in exchange for another field; which field lies by the river called Meonea, of about 34 hides, which king Cynewulf had formerly devotedly granted to him with the affirmation of many skilled men, and had received from him the price in purest gold. But a part of this aforesaid land of Beorhtric’s donation is by Hisseburna, to the measure of 26 hides.

• † I, Beorhtric the king, have confirmed this my donation with my own characters of letters, and have confirmed it with the sign of the Cross.
• † Sign of the hand of Æthelmod, bishop.
• † Sign of the hand of Cyneberht, bishop.
• † Sign of the hand of Hemele, patrician.
• † Sign of the hand of Worr, prince.
• † Sign of the hand of Beornfrith, sheriff.
• † Sign of the hand of Wigfrith, sheriff.
• † Sign of the hand of Lulling, under-king.
• † Sign of the hand of Wigfrith, sheriff.
• † Sign of the hand of Wigbald, earl.

26. — Of the death of king Kenulf. #

After the departure of Kenulf king of the Mercians, his son the saint Kenelm reigned for a few days; to whom succeeded Ceolwulf, brother of Kenulf; to whom Bertulf. This Bertulf gave to the prince Ælfe 12 hides by the river called Cirnea, and Kalemundesdene. And Ælfe himself, with the consent of king Bertulf, gave to God and St Mary and the house of Abingdon and the monks serving God there the same vill, with the aforesaid 12 hides of land, in every same manner as was said above of the prince Lulla; and this is the charter of king Bertulf.

27. — The charter of king Bertulf. #

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. All things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are not seen are eternal. Therefore with fleeting and vain things the eternal and ever-abiding joys of the heavenly life are to be purchased.

Wherefore I, Beorhtulf, king of the Mercians, for the remedy of my soul and for the expiation of all my sins, with the consent also of the bishops and counsellors of my people, have freely given, and do give, a certain part of my land to my prince Ælfe, bestowed into perpetual inheritance: that is, 12 hides by the river called Cirnea, and Kalemundesdene; that he may have and enjoy it, with all the profits pertaining to it, so long as he shall lead his life under the starry heaven, and after his death leave it to whomsoever shall please him.

Moreover the aforesaid land shall remain secure and immune from all royal and princely tributes and vexatious works, and likewise from every burdensome exaction, except military service and the building of a bridge and the fortification of a fortress. If anyone shall wish to augment and amplify this my donation, may God augment his good things here and hereafter. If anyone shall attempt to break or diminish this, let him know that he shall render account on the Day of Judgement before Christ, unless he shall first have made amends by satisfaction.

Now the schedule of this donation was written in the year 852 from the Incarnation of Christ, in the fifth indiction, in the royal vill named Escantur, before fitting witnesses whose names are noted annexed below.

• † I, Beorhtulf, king, have confirmed this my donation with the sign of the Cross of Christ.
• † I, Æthelheard, archbishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Alhun, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Mucel, sheriff, have consented.
• † I, Duda, ealdorman, have subscribed.
• † I, Aldred, have subscribed.
• † I, Eanulf, have subscribed.
• † I, Willa, have subscribed.
• † I, Tiddulf, have subscribed.

Boundaries. #

These are the boundaries of the 12 hides of land at Cirnea and at Kalemundesdene, which king Bertulf granted by charter to Ælfegæ, his father’s son: first to Bereford; from the ford to Willa’s dyke; from the dyke to Swift’s barrow; from the barrow to Ebbeldic; westwards from the dyke to the stream, into Brihtinc’s brook; from the brook to the Cirnea over against Stretun; then to the Hrindan brook; from the brook straight on to the stone; from the stone to the winter well; from the well to Theofandene and Longdene; then to Fos and Longesfos; then to Hnic’s thorn; from the thorn straight on back to Bereford.

28. #

The bishop Ceolred gave to the same Bertulf king of the Mercians 14 hides by the river Thames for the liberty of certain monasteries; and king Beorhtulf himself gave to the prince Æthelwulf in the same manner as above. And the prince Æthelwulf himself gave to God and St Mary and the house of Abingdon and the monks serving God there the same 12 hides, with the king’s charter. The description of this charter is this.

29. — The charter of king Bertulf. #

Our Lord Jesus Christ reigning for ever. The bishop Ceolred, with the knowledge and licence of my venerable families, shall give to Beorhtulf king of the Mercians that territory at Pangbourne, of 14 hides, by the river called the Thames, for the liberty of these monasteries, that he may have the same land, enjoy and possess it during his lifetime, and after him leave it in perpetual inheritance to whomsoever he shall wish. I, Beorhtulf, king of the Mercians, shall give to the ealdorman Æthelwulf the liberty and the territory at Pangbourne into perpetual inheritance; that is to say, that they be freed from the maintenance of princes, and from that burden which we call in Saxon “festingmen”; nor shall they send thither men who carry hawks or falcons, or lead dogs or horses; but they shall be freed perpetually for ever. If anyone shall keep this, or shall wish to augment it, may he receive blessing from the Lord God of heaven here and hereafter. But if anyone (which we do not desire) shall wish to break or diminish it in any part, let him know that he shall render account before the tribunal of our Judge, unless he shall first have made amends for these things to God and to men.

This was done in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 844, in the sixth indiction, in the third year of king Bertulf’s reign; the following witnessing and subscribing, and confirming it with the sign of the Holy Cross, whose names are noted below.

Witnesses. #

• † I, Bertulf, king, have granted and subscribed.
• † I, Sæthryth, queen, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ceolred, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Hunberht, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Heaberht, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Eanmund, abbot, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Mucel, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Humberht, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Alfstan, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Cyneberht, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthel, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Beornoth, have subscribed.
• † I, Ælfreth, have subscribed.
• † I, Wilfreth, have subscribed.

30. — Of the death of Brihtric, king of the West Saxons. #

When Brihtric king of the West Saxons departed this life, his nephew Egbert succeeded him, the son of Cynewulf who had been defeated by Offa king of the Mercians. This Egbert received all the kings of the whole of Albion into subjection. When he had heard the fame of the goodness of the house of Abingdon, and had seen the donations and benefactions which his aforesaid predecessors had bestowed upon that house in the eyes of charity, he sincerely loved the house itself; which love the showing of his own work most evidently proved. For seeing that the benefactions of his predecessors were very many, while his own were small or none, fearing lest the roots of the barren fig-tree should be cut down in him if he bore no fruits, returning to himself and having death ever before his eyes in unceasing meditation as a thing to be dreaded, he deliberated many times with himself what benefaction he could give to the house of Abingdon in pure and perpetual alms for the remission of his sins. To be brief: at last he came to this, that with the counsel of the magnates of that realm he gave and granted the vill called Mercham, with all things wholly pertaining to it, to God and St Mary and the house of Abingdon and the monks serving God there, and confirmed it by his charter. Which charter is this.

31. — The charter of Egbert, king of the West Saxons, concerning Mercham. #

In the name of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the world.

In the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 835, in the thirteenth indiction. I, Egbert, king of the West Saxons, gave that monastery of Mercham, of 50 hides, to Abingdon, with the licence and consent of our whole people and the unanimity of all the nobles. This donation was made at Easter in Dorchester, and on the following occasion we liberally confirmed the same donation at Christmas, in the thirty-fourth year of our empire. And thus we command, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, that no man puffed up with pride come upon it there, nor the king demand his food, nor those having the men whom we call “festingmen”, nor those who carry hawks or falcons, or lead horses or dogs. Nor shall anyone dare to inflict punishment upon them in any wise, nor prince nor reeve dare to change this aforesaid leniency into the burden of any charge, either in our days or in our successors’. If the man of God is accused for some offence, let the guardian of that church alone chastise him by his oath, if he dare; but if not, let him make good the aforesaid offence with a single fine, that he may receive the other justice of the condition of this requital. What need of more? Let nothing be rendered to any man by force there, neither in palfreys nor in provisions, but let it remain free from all these. Concerning that distress which is named “witereden”, let it be free, unless each shall nevertheless have paid a price that they may receive such things. Also of the thieves whom they call “weregeld-thieves”, if they are taken outside, let half the price be given to that church and half to the king; and if taken within, let all be restored to the church. Similarly concerning the inheritance of foreigners, that is of Gauls and Britons and their like, let it be restored to the church. Also let the king hold half the blood-price of foreigners, that is “weregeld”, and let them restore half to the aforesaid church. Also let every wood which is available to that church and its suburbs be free in all causes; nor shall any part of thick or thin timber be cut there for the king’s or a prince’s buildings, but let it remain protected and free from all. But if anyone shall be unwilling to obey the aforesaid statutes, let him know that he is alienated from the fellowship of God’s holy church and from participation in the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, by the authority of the blessed apostle Peter, unless he shall have worthily made amends for what he has done against God’s church.

• † I, Egbert, king, have granted and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelwulf, the king’s son, have granted and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have granted and subscribed.
• † I, Rethun, bishop, have granted and subscribed.
• † I, Kinred, bishop, have granted and subscribed.
• † I, Wulflaf, abbot, have granted and subscribed.
• † I, Eadwald, abbot, have granted and subscribed.
• † I, Wlfar, ealdorman, have granted and subscribed.
• † I, Osmod, ealdorman, have granted and subscribed.
• † I, Wigfred, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † And we, many others, together with the witnesses named below, have firmly confirmed this aforesaid liberty in Jesus Christ, confirming it with the sign of the Holy Cross.

32. — Of the death of king Egbert. #

When Egbert king of the West Saxons was divested of the prison of the flesh and deprived of this common light, his son Æthelwulf succeeded him, who gave to one of his princes named Alcmund the vill called Ashbury, and (as his charter witnesses) granted to him that he might make whomever he wished his heir. And Alcmund himself gave this vill to the house of Abingdon in pure and perpetual alms, with the charter of the king himself. King Æthelwulf also made a general privilege for all the churches of his realm, to which he had distributed in portions the tenth part of the lands of his realm in pure and perpetual alms, of which the first and chief was the house of Abingdon. The form of his privilege is this.

33. — How king Æthelwulf gave the tenth part of his kingdom to the churches. #

I, Æthelwulf, by the grace of God king of the West Saxons, on the holy and most celebrated Paschal solemnity, for the remedy of my soul and the prosperity of the realm and of the people entrusted to me by Almighty God, have perfected a wholesome counsel with the bishops, earls, and all my nobles, that I would give the tenth part of the lands throughout our realm not only to the holy churches, but also have granted to our ministers established in the same to have it in perpetual liberty, so that such donation may remain fixed and unchangeable, absolved from all royal service and from all servitude of seculars. And it pleased Ælfstan, bishop of the church of Sherborne, Swithun, bishop of the church of Winchester, and the ealdormen generally. This we did in honour of our Lord Jesus Christ and of the blessed ever-Virgin Mary and of all Saints, and for the reverence of the paschal feast, that Almighty God may deign to be propitious to us and our posterity. Now this writ was written in the year 854 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the second indiction, on Easter day, in our palace called Wilton. Whoever shall wish to augment our donation, may Almighty God augment his prosperous days. But if anyone shall presume to diminish or alter it, let him know that he shall render account before the tribunal of Christ, unless he shall first have made amends by satisfaction.

• † I, Æthelwulf, king, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Swithun, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulflaf, abbot, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Werferth, abbot, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthreth, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Alfred, the king’s son, have consented.

Of the coming of the Danes into England. #

About these times some of the Danish race began to come to England by ship, to take plunder, to give themselves to the slaughter of men, and to burn their dwellings. Though they were often routed by the English almost to extermination, yet by the pursuit of their fellow-countrymen they were soon repaired in more numerous multitude. So great seemed to be in them the appetite of reigning or of dominating in England that whatever, opportune or inopportune, was to be endured was borne with an even mind, provided that the hoped-for right of ruling should come their way. Nor yet could they attain this by a slight achievement. For it was sweated over by them in this for not less than two hundred years. Whence England, once supported by very many princes — so that among the nations of the East Saxons and West Saxons, the Mercians and Northumbrians, and also of the men of Kent, there were kings over each — with calamities breaking out afresh, suffered such effusion of human blood at the hand of the Danes that scarcely one prince was left in the realm at whose counsel the rest might be protected. Hence cities overthrown everywhere, villages burnt, monasteries destroyed — their monuments bear witness in very many places, where the remains of walls and buildings are to be seen to this day. And so, the inhabitants of the places being routed, when a respite from wars was in some wise prepared, places long deserted by their cultivators began to be inhabited by others, their lordship and service having been changed.

34. — Of the death of king Æthelwulf, and how Æthelbald his son confirmed to the church of Abingdon all the donations of Cissa, Ceadwalla, and Ine. #

When Æthelwulf died, his son Æthelbald succeeded him. This Æthelbald loved the house of Abingdon among the other churches of his realm, as it were by a certain special prerogative, so much that he not only endowed it with his own benefactions, but also confirmed by his charter, with a donation of his own, the very lands which the first founders of the abbey of Abingdon — namely Cissa, Ceadwalla, and Ine — had given and confirmed to the same abbey, and specified them one by one. The tenor of the charter is this.

…of the ancientness of times past, and by the diversity of succeeding sovereignties, many things providently disposed by predecessors are for this reason obliterated in the darkness of ignorance, since the original tradition of the ordinances is scarcely found handed down in the marks of letters. But lest any dissension should arise among posterity from accidental objection, things to be left to successors by hereditary right are, according to the ordinance of the skilled appointed of old, to be set forth in writing as it were in place of a testament, that to generations and ages the truth may be declared in the deeds of the past. Wherefore we have judged it useful and necessary to describe clearly in this schedule the quantity of the land of the monastery founded in honour of St Mary, Mother of God and ever-Virgin, situated on the side of the mount of Abingdon, over which the venerable abbot Gumma presides to this day. For on either side of the river Thames, on this side and on that, certain territories had been granted by his predecessors to the right of the aforesaid monastery: in the western quarter of the said river, land given in offering to God by these Saxon kings — Cissa, Ceadwalla, Ine — is contained, the quantity of this number being 250 hides; but in the eastern quarter, in Mercia, 274 hides, land which the most mighty kings gave by this reckoning, of twenty hides, for the sustenance of the servants of God to the aforesaid monastery — whose names may be seen added: Æthelred, Cuthred, Coenred. Moreover king Æthelbald offered his own special oblation to the same monastery, and gave 26 hides in the place at Wachenesfeld, and elsewhere by the stream of Geenge bestowed 10. The aforesaid donations of past kings also he confirmed perpetually, together with his own prelates and princes and also nobles, to the worship of God and to the same aforesaid monastery, whose names, annexed in the subscriptions, declare.

• † Æthelbald, monarch of the English of Britain, confirmed by this sign the donations previously made by his kinsmen and likewise by kings.
• † I, Daniel, servant of the people of God, confirmed it by canonical subscription with my own hand.
• † I, Wor, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Forthhere, bishop, at the vill of Basing, at the king’s command, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Walcstod, bishop, have consented and subscribed.

XXXVI #

After the death of Æthelbald, his brother Æthelberht succeeded him. Although he reigned for but a short time (namely five years), and did not sufficiently provide for the health of his soul in the distribution of benefactions, nevertheless he was incessantly careful to devote attention to the protection of the Church. When he departed this life, his brother Æthelred reigned. This Æthelred, holding the government of the kingdom, gave and granted to his venerable and familiar prince Æthelwulf 10 hides of land in the vill called Wittenham, in exactly the same manner as the king’s charter which follows testifies; namely, that he might make whomsoever he wished his heir after his death. Æthelwulf indeed, not proving unmindful of the aforesaid benefaction, gave and firmly granted to the house of Abingdon that same vill with all that wholly belongs to it, with the consent and will of the king, together with the king’s charter expressing the gift itself and the manner of giving; and the king’s charter itself, for greater security, he offered with most reverent devotion upon the altar of Abingdon, in honour of God and the Blessed Mary. And this is the king’s charter.

37. — Charter of King Æthelred concerning Wittenham #

I, Æthelred, by the grace of God king of the West Saxons, give and grant to my beloved and venerable prince Æthelwulf 10 hides of land in the place called Wittenham; that he may have and possess it as a perpetual inheritance, with all the advantages belonging to it, in fields, meadows, pastures and fisheries, as long as he leads his life in this world, and after the end of his life may have free power of giving or granting to whatever heir he pleases. Let this land also remain secure and immune from all royal service and every secular servitude, except military service and the repair of the bridge and the fortification of the fortress. If anyone shall wish to increase and enlarge this my donation, may Almighty God increase his prosperous days. But if anyone shall presume to break or alter it, let him know that he will render account before the tribunal of the eternal Judge on the Day of Judgement, unless he has first made amends by satisfaction.

Now this charter of donation was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 862, in the royal vill called Mycendefr, before suitable witnesses, whose names are recorded annexed below.

• † I, Æthelred, king, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Alfred, the king’s brother, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Swithun, bishop of the city of Winchester, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Alhhard, abbot, and many others, have consented and subscribed.

At length, however, this church afterwards possessed the land by the gift of Bishop Siward, together with its description.

38. — Concerning Laking #

At this time the prince Cuthwulf, a thegn of Æthelswith, queen of the Mercians, gave to God, and to the Blessed Mary, and to the house of Abingdon, and to the monks serving God there, 15 hides of land in the vill called Laking, with the consent and will of the said queen, in pure and perpetual alms. He also placed the queen’s charter upon the altar of St Mary in testimony of his gift. The subscription of this charter is as follows.

39. — Charter of Queen Æthelswith concerning Laking #

…of my own power; that is, 15 hides of land in the place called Laking, in return for his humble obedience and an acceptable payment — namely 1,500 shillings of silver and gold, or fifteen hundred shekels; that he may have and possess it, and enjoy it at his pleasure while he lives, and after his end and the term of his days may freely leave it to whomsoever he wills, in everlasting possession and perpetual inheritance. And this donation was agreed in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 868, in the first indiction. And we charge all the powers of the world, in the name of God the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, to keep these aforesaid things inviolate; these witnesses subscribing and consenting, whose names are written out after the recital.

Boundaries of the 15 hides at Laking #

These are the boundaries of the 15 hides at Laking: first westward and along the south side of Sceldmere; then from Sceldmere to the narrow way; thence to the boundary hill; and from the boundary hill to Werth’s spring; from Werth’s spring four acres on the north of Laking.

• † I, Æthelred, king of the West Saxons, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælferth, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulfhere, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Eadwulf, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wigstan, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Mucel, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Alfred, the king’s son, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Oswald, the king’s son, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelwulf, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfstan, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Alhhard, abbot, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelfrith, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Egbert, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Eorhtred, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Burgred, king of the Mercians, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelswith, queen, have consented and subscribed.

[The same man afterwards granted this same land to this church.]

40. — Concerning Farnborough #

In exactly the same manner the prince Eadric, a familiar of Ælfflæd, queen of the Mercians, gave to God, and to the Blessed Mary, and to the monks serving God there, the vill called Farnborough, with the consent and will of the said queen, and by the authority of the charter which the aforesaid queen had made to him concerning the above-named vill. He also placed that charter upon the altar of the house of Abingdon, confirming all the right which he had in the same land by the attestation of the queen’s charter; of which charter this is the purport.

Charter of Queen Ælfflæd concerning Farnborough #

…who, springing forth by the Holy Spirit from the most sacred womb of the Virgin, at whose bidding all things, heavenly and earthly alike, tremble, and the powers of hell are afraid.

In the year 878 of this most glorious Incarnation, I, Æthelflæd, by the aid of heavenly goodness and the bounteous mercy of Christ, ruling the government of the Mercians, with the counsel of my bishops and leading men, gave licence to Eadric, my thegn, to acquire 10 hides of land at Farnborough, to be possessed by him and his heirs in perpetuity. This land Eadric bought from Wullaf for an acceptable price, free from all dues, known or unknown, except military service and the building of the fortress, and a single payment distinct from all others. King Offa of the Mercians had granted this land to Bynna, Wullaf’s great-grandfather, and confirmed it in writing. It chanced that in the year of the eclipse of the sun the former deed was lost; but now, by our licence and confirmation, the old deed is written out afresh; and if the charter of any matter should be found, let it be burnt with fire. The charter of this donation and confirmation was written in the year of the Divine Incarnation as found above, on the fifth day before the Ides of September, that is, 9 September, at the place called Weardburg. To those who keep it, prosperity, life and salvation; but to those who diminish and break it, death, punishment and perdition.

The names attesting this confirmation and testimony appear below.

• † I, Æthelflæd, confirm this my licence with the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfwyn, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfwine, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelhun, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Eadgar, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfred, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelferd, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfred, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelhun, abbot, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Egbert, abbot, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Cynath, abbot, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wihtred, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Beorhtsige, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelnoth, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelward, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfstan, have consented and subscribed.

41. — Of the Coming of the Danes into England and the Destruction of Abingdon #

Now in the time of King Æthelred, as we have learnt from the sequence of the deeds of the English, a very great people is reported to have come into England by ship from Danubia. Its principal leaders and captains are recorded to have been the bloodthirsty men Ingwar and Hubba. These Danes landed in the kingdom of the Northumbrians in the winter season. And such was their appetite for ruling over it — as much for the pleasantness of the place as for the fertility of the island and the abundance of all good things — that they spared none of the natives, whatever their rank, age or sex, even in the extremity of death. Men and women were slain, together with infants still hanging at their mothers’ breasts; cities on every side were overthrown and villages set on fire here and there; and they laid waste the neighbouring provinces, once so prosperous, with such unhappy devastation that they did not even shrink from laying hands on the Holy of Holies. Thus a foreign race overthrew the house of Gideon; a kid snatched away the covenant of the lamb; a wretched people scourged the horn of David; and the city sat solitary that had been full of a violent people. So cities were overthrown together with their monasteries, whose remains still bear witness in very many places, as where the remnants of walls and ramparts are seen half-ruined to this day. What need of many words? These Danes, passing from kingdom to kingdom and from people to people, exalting their insolence as though it were a mark of victory, came at last with ill-omened steps into Wessex; where, raging in the same manner as in all other places, they finally destroyed the sacrosanct and venerable house of Abingdon — which so many holy kings and men of such authority, named above, had founded and enriched with various endowments — with so hostile a hand, such leonine ferocity and such detestable greed, the monks being utterly put to flight, that they are said to have left nothing there but the walls. Yet it was divinely provided that the relics of the saints, together with the charters of that house — which we have noted above in this book, and which are to be noted below — were secretly preserved; perhaps to the end that through those same charters the future restorers and discoverers of that monastery might be made more certain concerning the lands rightfully belonging to that church. O what grief and what anguish, and who is of so stiff a neck, so iron a breast, so adamantine a heart, that he can hear these things and refrain from tears! So when the God-loving men had been driven from their mother’s bosom, foreigners seized upon that place, so holy and so honourable, not only presumptuously but irreverently — and these were Danes, nay rather pagans. And when certain of their company, puffed up with the spirit of pride, sat one day in the Refectory after the manner of monks, and conducted themselves in all things as scurrilously as indecorously, a miracle of this sort occurred, which must not be passed over in silence.

42. — How the Image drove the Danes out of the Refectory #

For the image affixed to the cross, which had been set in the middle of the dining-table — that image, as though indignant at the filthy crew of pagans reclining there, is said, with marvellous movement, a moving arm and a bending finger, to have pulled stones out of the walling of the Refectory with potent strength and admirable force; and by means of these it raged upon that very multitude of pagans with a terrible whirlwind such as had never been heard of. Yet the image did not cease from such stoning until it had driven all the satellites of Satan utterly out of the Refectory — and that not at a foot’s pace or marching after the manner of tortoises. These are the works of Christ, worthy of all praise, for whom nothing is difficult. Although He has decreed that each nature is bound by fixed rules, and has so provided that none of them can by any effort advance beyond its prescribed bounds, nor of itself fall short of them, yet their Author, when He wills, where He wills, and as He wills, wonderfully makes His marvels plain through any nature whatsoever, rational or irrational, animate or inanimate; so that all may know that whenever the thing made grows proud against its Maker, or the moulded thing against the potter, or the creature lifts its heel against its Creator, by the just judgement of God it shall find itself sinking into the deep while it strains for the heights without due caution. Let man of wretched condition, therefore, learn from the unfolding of this miracle how dangerous it is to be proud, and how pernicious to arrogate anything to oneself, to detract from anyone, or to take anything away; and let him mark how safe it is to follow the path of humility, and to fear God, to whom every knee is bent; and likewise how honourable it is steadfastly to observe that very law of nature, than which no law is fairer or juster, which says: What you would not have done to yourself, do not to another.

43. — Of another Miracle #

Another miracle also, no less worthy of admiration, is said to have occurred through the same image not long afterwards. For a certain brother had entered the refectory to relieve the thirst he had long endured, with no companion of his order beside him; and, not unmindful, before tasting any of the drink he signed the cup with the sign of the cross and pronounced the customary blessing; whereupon the image answered in a living voice and with full mouth, saying distinctly and plainly, ‘Verily.’ When the brother heard this — being as it were in ecstasy, for he saw no one, and pondered the presence of the unfamiliar voice — he sat down alone, and considered within himself more earnestly what this could be. What need of many words? At length, recalling that in doubtful matters one should judge the more kindly and the more reverently, he lifted his eyes to the image; and remembering how great and how marvellous were the works God had deigned to perform through that subject creature, he held that what his fancy was wont to foretell in him must necessarily be ascribed to the cross. There is therefore no doubt that the image spoke; nor is it a matter for wonder if God — who takes away and who bestows, who created all things out of nothing, that is, not out of pre-existing matter — brought forth a sounding voice from an inanimate creature, as though uttered through a throat; He who once wonderfully granted to Balaam’s ass first to resist the prophet, and then to warn him in a living voice not to proceed further on his way. These are Thy works, good Jesus, to whom be praise and glory.

44. — Of the Rebuilding of Abingdon #

Now it remains for us to turn our pen back to the rebuilding of the house of Abingdon. So when Æthelred, king of the West Saxons, had entered the way of all flesh, our Lord Jesus Christ, merciful and compassionate — whose mercy and truth are over all His works, who suffers the pious to endure and the impious to reign — became a ready helper in tribulation to the orphaned children of the holy mother church of Abingdon, He who of His grace knows such great mercy towards His servants. For He raised up successors to King Æthelred who with pious desire — as will be shown below — vied in devoting care to the repair of that house; among whom was the aforesaid King Alfred, King Æthelred’s brother, who first took up the government of the kingdom after Æthelred. He indeed, heaping evils upon evils, like Judas among the Twelve, violently wrested from the aforesaid monastery the vill in which the monastery is situated — vulgarly called Abingdon — with all its appurtenances, making an unequal recompense to the victorious Lord for the victory He had granted him over the defeated Danes at Ashdown. In his time the said King Alfred gave to a certain faithful man of his named Deormod, in return for his service and homage, the vill called Appleford, and — as the king’s charter testifies — granted him leave to appoint whomsoever he wished as his heir. The aforesaid Deormod therefore appointed God, and the Blessed Mary, and the church of Abingdon as his heir, that gift being attested as ratified and unshaken after the death of the said king. The tenor of this charter is as follows.

45. — Charter of Alfred, King of the West Saxons, concerning Appleford #

Whatever is to be granted to faithful men by royal gift ought to be secured by a written charter, because the frail memory of men fades, while written record always brings it back to remembrance.

Wherefore I, Alfred, king of the Anglo-Saxons, give and grant to a certain faithful man of mine named Deormod a small vill of five hides named Appleford, in exchange for another small piece of land which the inhabitants call Harrendun. With such hereditary right, therefore, I hand it over and grant it to him, that after the end of his life he may pass it on as a perpetual inheritance to whatever heir he chooses, or to some monastery of the saints, as he himself shall will. Let this present land be free from all secular service, except these three: national military service, the repair of the road-bridge, and the building of the royal fortress. But if anyone, kindled by the flame of greed, shall attempt to break this little charter of ours, let him be damned and buried in the lowest hell with Judas the apostate and Pilate, and with all who unjustly possess the sanctuary of God.

Deormod bought from King Alfred, for fifty mancuses of refined gold, five hides of land in everlasting possession, free of every duty except military service and fortress-work — secured upon this land.

And that this writing may obtain inviolable firmness, I the king first confirm it with the royal seal, and command my faithful men to be witnesses to its confirmation.

• † Sign of Alfred, the king.
• † Sign of Edward, the king’s son.
• † Sign of Wulfric, thegn.
• † Sign of Deormod, thegn.
• † Sign of Ælfrith, thegn.
• † Sign of Sigulf, thegn.
• † Sign of Wulfric, thegn.
• † Sign of Beornmund, thegn.
• † Sign of Ealhmund, thegn.
• † Sign of Æthelhelm, thegn.

Boundaries of Appleford #

These are the boundaries of Appleford: first to the stream that runs west of Dyrnangelade; along the stream up to a furrow; then to the wide gate; along the dyke to the moor that lies between Sutton and Wittenham; and so on along the moor to the old dyke that lies between Wigbaldincgtun and Appleford; and from the old dyke to Diceswelle; from Diceswelle to Sandgewyrp; and from Sandgewyrp out to the Thames.

46. — Of the Death of Alfred, King of the West Saxons, and the Succession of his Son Edward #

…that he might make whomsoever he wished his heir in the same land after his death, without any contradiction; and the king’s charter testifies to this same thing. The said Ælfstan, trusting in the security of this charter, gave that land to God, and to the Blessed Mary, and to the house of Abingdon, and to the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms; and in token of this donation — as was then the custom — he placed upon the altar of the Blessed Mary of Abingdon the king’s charter whereby he held his whole right in the said land, in the presence of the king himself and his magnates, no one gainsaying his gift. The tenor of this charter is as follows.

47. — Charter of King Edward concerning Sevenhampton #

Nothing in this world enjoys lasting felicity, nothing possesses enduring dominion, nothing that does not hasten with swift course to the fated term of life. And therefore, as the examples of the orthodox show, we must so enjoy the patrimony of worldly things that we are never deprived of the benefits of the eternal fatherland.

Wherefore I, Edward, king of the English by the favouring dominion of the high-throned Governor, will freely give to a certain thegn of mine named Ælfstan 10 hides at the place called Sevenhampton, that he may have and possess them, and after him leave them to whatever heir he pleases. Let the aforesaid land be free from all worldly service, excepting three things: the repair of the road-bridge, the building of the royal fortress, and also national military service. But if anyone — which God forbid — kindled by the flame of greed, shall attempt to infringe this gift of ours, let him know that he will be damned with the sons of perdition in the torments of hell, unless, repenting, he makes amends by due satisfaction. Now the boundaries of the aforesaid land are these.

Boundaries of Sevenhampton #

These are the boundaries of Sevenhampton: first to the grey apple-tree; from the apple-tree along Pinna’s clearing; from the clearing between Morsceaga and Middle-lea, across to the old dyke; from the dyke along the ridge to Byde’s spring; from the spring along the street to the hail-thorn; from the thorn along the ridge to Hoda’s mere, straight on to the five thorns; from the five thorns across to the old elder stump; from the stump to the old dyke; from the dyke along the highway until it comes north of Bien’s hill into the valley; then along the furrow to the narrow way; then along the way to the willow; from the willow to the stone spring; from the spring across to the gore; from the gore to the bend of the brook; from the bend to the old earthwork; from the earthwork to the oak stump; from the stump back to the grey apple-tree.

This charter of the royal gift was therefore written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 1043, in the eleventh indiction, with these men confirming, whose names are set out below and appear recorded for those who read.

• † I, Edward, king of the English, confirmed my gift with the sign of the cross.
• † I, Ælfgifu, mother of the aforesaid king, confirmed the royal gift.
• † I, Eadsige, archbishop, confirmed it with the nourishing standard of the holy cross.
• † I, Ælfric, archbishop, willingly confirmed this grant.
• † I, Brihtwold, bishop.
• † I, Æthelstan, bishop.
• † I, Godwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Godeman, priest.
• † I, Karl, thegn.
• † I, Ælfget, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwig, reeve.
• † I, Ælfwine, bishop.
• † I, Grimkytel, bishop.
• † I, Duduc, bishop.
• † I, Lyfing, bishop.
• † I, Brihtwine, bishop.
• † I, Eadnoth, bishop.
• † I, Æthelweard, abbot.
• † I, Ælfwine, abbot.
• † I, Siward, abbot.
• † I, Wulfsige, abbot.
• † I, Leofric, priest.
• † I, Siward, ealdorman.
• † I, Swegen, ealdorman.
• † I, Eadwold, priest.
• † I, Hereman, priest.
• † I, Leofric, priest.
• † I, Osgod, soldier.
• † I, Ælfstan, soldier.
• † I, Esbern, soldier.
• † I, Lyfing, soldier.
• † I, Ordgar, soldier.
• † I, Odda, thegn.
• † I, Brihtric, thegn.
• † I, Dodda Æthelmer.
• † I, Urki, thegn.
• † I, Ælfget, thegn.
• † I, Wulfnoth, reeve.
• † I, Cyneweard, reeve.
• † I, Thokig, thegn.
• † I, Æthelmaer, thegn.
• † I, Leofric and Tofig, thegns.
• † I, Ælfwig, reeve.
• † I, Æthelmer, thegn.
• † I, Æthelric, thegn.
• † I, Totig, thegn.
• † I, Leofwine, thegn.
• † I, Godsunu, thegn.
• † I, Ulfkitel and Æthelric, thegns.

48. — How the King gave Hordwell to Æthelhunflo #

This Edward, king of all England, while he still drew the breath of life, gave Hordwell, of three hides, to a certain vassal of his, Tata Æthelhunflo, in pure and perpetual alms, and confirmed it by his charter. He further granted him that he might make whomsoever he wished his heir in the same land after his death, without any contradiction; and the king’s charter testifies to this same thing. The said Tata Æthelhunflo, trusting in the security of this charter, gave that land to God, to the Blessed Mary, and to the house of Abingdon, and to the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms; and in token of this donation — as was then the custom — he placed upon the altar of the Blessed Mary of Abingdon the king’s charter whereby he held all the right he had in the said land, in the presence of the king himself and his magnates, no one gainsaying his gift. The tenor of this charter is as follows.

49. — Charter of King Edward concerning Hordwell #

Our Lord Jesus Christ reigning for ever, while the whole sequence of worldly things slips away at every moment without pause.

I, Edward — not by the demands of my own merits, but by the mercy of Almighty God — king of the Anglo-Saxons, for the remedy of my sins and also of those of my ancestors and of my posterity to come, with the consent and licence of my magnates whose names are written below, have commanded the renewal of a certain hereditary deed for my vassal Tata Æthelhunflo — namely of three hides at Hordwell — into perpetual possession; which lands Æthelwulf my grandfather, king of the West Saxons, had formerly given in perpetuity, free from all worldly dues, except military service and the building of bridge and fortress. But by some mishap that ancient hereditary deed was submerged, so that almost nothing in it was plainly visible. This charter was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 904, in the famous place called Southampton, in the presence of the following witnesses.

Boundaries of Hordwell #

These are the boundaries of Hordwell: first at Swinbroc; then up out of Swinbroc into the rush-meadow; from the bend of this rush-meadow straight opposite the Hordwell road; then along that road until it comes to the Icknield way; then from that road up onto the old wood-road; then from the wood-road behind Tellesburh to a gore; then from the gore to a grass-acre; then along that furrow to a headland, to a fore-furrow — and the fore-furrow goes into the land; then straight to the stone on the ridgeway; thence west to a gore; along the furrow to a headland; thence down to Fearnhill’s valley; then thence to a furrow, an acre nearer the lynchet; then to the lynchet at the south side of Fearnhill’s valley; from the lynchet to a headland; then forth to a furrow, to a row of stones; thence straight to the ridgeway; then thence to a grass-acre on a headland — and the grass-acre goes into the land; thence along a furrow until it comes to a bend; thence from the bend forth to a furrow until it comes to a fore-furrow — and the fore-furrow goes into the land; then to the Icknield way west of Tellesburh; thence north over the Icknield way to Sica’s spring; then a furlong farther straight on to an alder-bed on the bend of Hæghill’s brook; along the brook until it comes to two grass-acres — and the grass-acres go into the land; thence to a fore-furrow on a headland; thence straight to the red cliff on Swinbroc; then along the brook to the rush-meadow.

• † I, Edward, king.
• † I, Asser, bishop.
• † I, Ordlaf, ealdorman.
• † I, Deormod, thegn.
• † I, Wihtbord, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Werwulf, priest.
• † I, Beornstan, priest.
• † I, Widhun, thegn.
• † I, Buga, thegn.
• † I, Alla, thegn.
• † I, Wulfhem, thegn.
• † I, Wulfred, thegn.
• † I, Beornstan, thegn.

50. — Of the Death of King Edward and the Succession of his Son Æthelstan #

After Edward, king of England, had entered the way of all flesh by the Lord’s disposing, his son Æthelstan succeeded him. This Æthelstan, after taking up the government of the kingdom, is said to have shown at once such piety and holiness of life that the grain of mustard-seed which the good Gardener, our Lord and Redeemer Jesus, had sown in the garden of his heart, being early rooted, began at once to grow into a great tree of most steadfast faith, of holy hope, and moreover of immeasurable charity, which neither envies nor acts perversely. For the works that are pleasing to God he gladly saw through discernment, heard through obedience, tasted through charity, perceived through hope and faith, and likewise touched and brought to completion through good works. For he strove unceasingly to devote the utmost care and most diligent attention to the rebuilding of very many churches that had been destroyed. Among these he embraced the monastery of Abingdon — Abbot Chinatus then governing that place — with such sincerity and such privilege of love that he not only enriched it with various ornaments but also endowed it with ample possessions. The king’s charters that follow bear true witness to these possessions. The first of them is this.

51. — Charter of King Æthelstan concerning Dumbleton #

God, the Author of all things, governs from on high the highest peaks of the heavens, the deepest foundations of the earth, and the dread tragedies of the pit — ruling, guiding and pressing them by the monarchy of the nourishing Trinity; by the munificence of whose freely-flowing liberality Æthelstan, the most excellent king of Albion, was raised to his father’s throne and, as the talk of the four-cornered world, was enlarged in prerogative above all others. Thus the patron, supported by such a diadem of sceptres, a panegyrist of royal dignity, with free generosity of heart granted to Cynath, archimandrite of the monastic life, lands of his own possession in two places by hereditary right in perpetuity; and, moved by the evangelical example which thus proclaims, ‘To everyone that hath shall be given, and he shall abound’ (Matt. xiii. 12), confirmed them to the aforesaid abbot and his heirs after him to be possessed for ever. This the magnanimous emperor bestowed freely, after his wont — not for a price of avarice, but for the patronage of long prosperity and the purchase of paradisal delight. These places, namely, bear these names: at Dumbleton 10 hides, which lie on the western side of the river Isbourne; and two are held in common, allotted by popular share on the eastern side of the same stream towards Aston; while five are held in five wooded places at Flyford on either side of that brook which is vulgarly called Pidwell. And lest the lord abbot should appropriate the use of this place — with its woods, meadows and pastures, its ploughing and other due appurtenances — let it pertain to Dumbleton perpetually hereafter, most piously to the glory of the donor, and thereafter greatly to the reward of the bearer. This grant, then, was made in the 930th reckoning of the infancy of Jesus, offspring of the highest Being, and the third indiction is joined therewith; and this enrichment of free-flowing bounty is certainly known to have been wholesomely fulfilled — Christ, the Divine, aiding — with the firm agreement and ratified assent of the senators as written below, in the fifth year since the most glorious king ruled the Anglo-Saxons in kingly fashion, and the third after he had received, by the kind benevolence of the wondrous Creator, the government of the sceptre of the Northumbrians and Cumbrians in authentic patronage; and it is encompassed by the ancient boundary of most certain derivation, as is made known in this manner.

Boundaries of Dumbleton #

These are the boundaries of Dumbleton: first east of Dumbleton, to the Isbourne; then southwards from the Isbourne westwards along the dyke; then so up straight to Day’s ridge; then so along Scaethbroc to the boundary dyke; then so along into Secgmere; then from Secgmere due east into the Isbourne at Dernaford.

Then these are the boundaries at Pidwell: from Pidwell into the chalk-pits; from the chalk-pits due south along the ridge to Tittandun; from Tittandun west to the old spring; thence into Winterbourne; so into Pidwell; from Pidwell to Eomer’s meadow; and so to the other Winterbourne, then into Pidwell; and so along Pidwell to the chalk-pits.

The most famous king also added this supplement to this deed, lest anyone should be able by fraudulent seduction to overcome this little writing with old documents. If anyone — which God forbid — the possessor of the little field, shall transgress by profaning divine law or violating human law, let another of the same lineage, acting more reasonably towards the aforesaid king, enjoy it as a lasting reward; but to those who increase this royal donation may God add doubled blessings, while on those who diminish it may Satan with his satellites bring losses. May God prevent it coming to pass! Peace for ever to those who keep it!

With these witnesses #

• † I, Æthelstan, king and ruler of all Britain and, by God’s grant, governor of the other provinces, have signed these gifts under the banner.
• † I, Wulfhelm also, archbishop, with Rodward and the other bishops, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Theodred, bishop, and Ælfheah, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Cynsige, bishop, with Ælfric, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulfrige, bishop, and Alfred, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelgar, pontiff, with Æthelwold, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Cenweald, bishop, and Wulfhelm, with the witnesses noted below, have subscribed.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman, and Æthelmund, earl, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Uhtred, earl, and Scule, have subscribed.
• † I, Ælfgar, consul, and Ælfsige, soldier, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wiferth, key-bearer, and Leofsige, standard-bearer, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulfric, ruler, and Thelgeard, squire, have consented and subscribed.

52. — Charter of King Æthelstan concerning Shallingford #

Our Lord Jesus Christ reigning for ever, who disposes all things together with the Father’s dominion, by the quickening grace of the Holy Spirit. For although the words of priests and the decrees of judges endure continually in the strength of firmness, nevertheless, on account of the uncertain mutability of future years, they must be strengthened by the testimony of charters.

Wherefore I, Æthelstan, king of all Britain, have granted as an eternal inheritance a certain parcel of land — namely 12 hides — in the place known by the celebrated name of Shallingford, to our Lord Jesus Christ and to His holy church dedicated in honour of the blessed Mother of God, Mary, in the place known by the celebrated name of Abingdon, for the use of the monks of God dwelling there, with all its appurtenances, namely meadows and pastures, while the priest Godescalc holds it. Let the aforesaid land be free from every yoke of earthly servitude, except three things — namely, fixed military service and the repair of bridge and fortress. If anyone shall wish to transfer this our donation to any use other than we have ordained, let him, deprived of the fellowship of God’s holy church, be punished for ever mournfully amid the eternal fires of hell with Judas the betrayer and his accomplices, unless he makes amends by fitting satisfaction for having offended against our decree.

This charter was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 931, in the fourth indiction. The authority of its unshakeable firmness stands confirmed by these witnesses, whose names are recorded below in depicted characters.

Boundaries of Shallingford #

These are the boundaries of Shallingford: first on the Ock at the boundary of the men of Sandford; then out against the stream to Snita’s island; on the north side of this channel; and so to the middle of Bacca’s moor; then along the moor to the fishery stream; into Cripple’s corner; and then along Fernbrook until it strikes up onto the red dyke; then along the dyke to the Hlyde; along the Hlyde to the broad moor; from the broad moor to Priestham; up to the moss spring; from the moss spring to the ridgeway; along the ridgeway to Christ’s Cross; then south until it strikes back onto the Ock where it began.

• † I, Æthelstan, the aforesaid king, endowed with the monarchy of singular privilege, have confirmed and subscribed the support of this deed with the sign of the holy and ever-to-be-loved Cross.
• † I, Wulfhelm, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulfstan, archbishop of the church of York, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfwine, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Beornstan, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Sigelm, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Cenwald, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Adulf, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Oda, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfric, abbot, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Eadwine, abbot, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Burhsige, abbot, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Osferth, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfwold, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Aldred, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Osberht, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfstan, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Odda, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelstan, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Eadric, thegn, have consented and subscribed.

Charter of King Æthelstan concerning Swinford #

The Scripture of sacred authority confirms us, saying: ‘Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither’ (Job i. 21); and again: ‘We brought nothing into this world, and indeed we can carry nothing out of it’ (1 Tim. vi. 7).

Wherefore, not unmindful of slippery power, I, Æthelstan, by Christ’s grant king and chief of all Albion, presiding over the height of the kingdom with humble mind, in recompense of a greater reward, freely grant a small parcel of land — of 5 hides — declared by fixed agreement under the name of Swinford, to the church of the blessed Mary, Mother of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the place called Abingdon, for the use of the brethren serving God there; beseeching and commanding in Christ’s name that none of our successors, of higher or lower rank, should disturb this gift of our devotion by any instigation of rashness. Let the aforesaid land, which with the consent of my magnates I have bestowed on the aforesaid monastery, be free from every yoke of earthly servitude, except these three — namely, fixed military service and the repair of bridge and fortress. But if anyone, impelled by a ghostly spirit, shall presumptuously attempt to violate or alter this gift, unless he repents with due satisfaction before his death, let him be punished for ever mournfully amid the eternal fires of hell, prostrate with Judas the betrayer of Christ. The boundaries of this aforesaid land are written in the book belonging to Cumnor.

This charter was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 931, in the fourth indiction. The authority of its unshakeable firmness stands confirmed by these witnesses, whose names are recorded below.

• † I, Æthelstan, the aforesaid king, endowed with the monarchy of singular privilege, have confirmed the support of this deed with the sign of the holy cross.
• † I, Wulfhelm, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulfstan, archbishop of the church of York, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfwine, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Beornstan, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Sighelm, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Cenwald, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Eadulf, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Oda, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfric, abbot, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Eadwine, abbot, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Byrhsige, abbot, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Osferth, ealdorman, have subscribed.
• † I, Ælfwold, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Aldred, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æscberht, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfstan, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Oda, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfheh, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelstan, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Eadric, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Godescalc, priest and thegn.

Charter of King Æthelstan concerning Sandford #

I, Æthelstan, by Christ’s grant king and chief of all Albion, presiding over the height of the kingdom with humble mind, in recompense of a greater reward, freely grant a small parcel of land — of 15 hides — declared by fixed agreement under the name of Sandford, to the church of the blessed Mary, Mother of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the place called Abingdon, for the use of the brethren serving God there; beseeching and commanding in Christ’s name that none of our successors, of higher or lower rank, should disturb this gift of our devotion by any instigation of rashness. Let the aforesaid land, which with the consent of my magnates I have bestowed on the aforesaid monastery, be free from every yoke of earthly servitude, except these three — namely, fixed military service and the repair of bridge and fortress. But if anyone, impelled by a ghostly spirit, shall presumptuously attempt to violate or alter this gift, unless he repents with due satisfaction before his death, let him be punished for ever mournfully amid the eternal fires of hell, prostrate with Judas the betrayer of Christ. The boundaries of this aforesaid land are written in the book belonging to Cumnor.

This charter was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 931, in the fourth indiction. The authority of its unshakeable firmness stands confirmed by the aforenamed witnesses in the first charter consenting to this king’s bounty.

How Æthelstan the Senator gave Uffington #

Also in the days of King Æthelstan there was a certain nobleman, Æthelstan the senator, who first gave and granted to the house of Abingdon and to the monks serving God there the vill called Uffington, with all that wholly pertains to it, in pure and perpetual alms — as the charter of that same Æthelstan the senator shows. The purport of this charter is as follows.

Charter of Æthelstan the Senator concerning Uffington #

I, Æthelstan the senator, have inserted into writing this land of Uffington for the church of St Mary of Abingdon, in the days of King Æthelstan; and it was attested by Kynsige, bishop of Berkshire, and Wulfhelm the archbishop, and Rodward bishop, and many other bishops, abbots and princes who were gathered there when this vill was granted to the church of St Mary in Abingdon. Archbishop Wulfhelm and all the bishops and abbots who were present there together excommunicated from Christ, and from all communion of Christ, and from all Christendom, whoever shall ever change this gift, or diminish this land in pastures or in boundaries, that he may be cast down and sunk into the deepest hell without end. And all the people who were present there said: ‘So be it, so be it. Amen.’

Boundaries of Uffington #

These are the boundaries into Uffington: first from Hwæs-mere along the stream into the black stream; from the black stream into Bulemere; from Bulemere to the tail of the bull’s ford; from the tail into the bull-dyke; along the bull-dyke to the thorn-stump; from the thorn-stump to the holy place; from the holy place along the headland into the Icknield Street; from Icknield Street into Æthelweard’s boundary; from Æthelweard’s boundary straight up by the headland to the north gate of Hremmesburh; right through the fort and out at the south gate; due south by the headland up onto Hode’s barrow; from Hode’s barrow onto the stone barrow; from the stone barrow into the white hollow; from the white hollow into the red hollow; from the red hollow into the dun hollow; from the dun hollow into Dunfæth’s ness, into Paddeburh; from Paddeburh to Tædduc’s stone; from Tædduc’s stone to the hound’s barrow; from the hound’s barrow to the hawk’s barrow; from the hawk’s barrow to the stud-fold; from the stud-fold up onto the lark’s fort; from the lark’s fort to the short dyke; from the short dyke to the long dyke; from the long dyke to the south gate of Æscesburh, and so out at the north gate; from the north gate midway up onto Dudenburh; from Dudenburh onto the church hill; straight across due down into the Icknield Street; then due down along the west furrow of the head-acre, down over the cross-furrow due down to the rush-bed; from the rush-bed to the hidden stone; from the hidden stone to the rush-thicket; from the rush-thicket into Hlippenham; from Hlippenham into the mill-stream; from the mill-stream into the north-long dyke; along through the small thorns into Bulemead; from Bulemead over the clean meadow; from the clean meadow northwards, due east by the north moor-down onto the green way; from the green way straight across the moor into Hwæs-mere directly.

Æthelstan the ealdorman booked this land of Uffington to the minster of St Mary at Abingdon in King Æthelstan’s day; and it was by the witness of Kynsige, bishop of Berkshire, and Wulfhelm the archbishop, and Rodward bishop, and many others, both bishops and abbots and thegns, who were gathered there when this vill with these boundaries was conveyed into the possession of St Mary at Abingdon. And Archbishop Wulfhelm, and all the bishops and abbots who were assembled there, excommunicated from Christ, and from all Christ’s communion, and from all Christendom, whoever should ever undo this gift, or diminish this land in pasture or in bounds — be he cut off and thrust into the pit of hell for ever without end. And all the people who stood round said: ‘So be it, Amen, Amen!’

King Æthelstan gave Watchfield to his thegn Ælfric #

Likewise at the same time the aforesaid King Æthelstan gave Watchfield, of 20 hides, to a certain thegn of his named Ælfric, on the terms that he should have by royal authority the freedom to give it after his death to whatever heir he wished; for so the king’s charter testifies. Wherefore the said Ælfric, for the remission of his sins and for the souls of his predecessors, made this most sacred house of Abingdon heir to the same vill with all its appurtenances, with the consent and will of the king, no one gainsaying his gift. And this is the subscription of the king’s charter confirming this donation.

Charter of King Æthelstan concerning Watchfield #

The tearful stain of this tottering world, to be detested with all our might, beset by the foul barkings of dire and horrid mortality, warns us — rousing us who are not secure in a fatherland of unimpaired peace, but may fall, as it were, into the whirlpool of stinking corruption — that with the whole striving of our mind we should flee from it and its downfalls, not only despising it but abhorring it like the loathsome nausea of melancholy, pressing on towards that evangelical word: ‘Give, and it shall be given unto you’ (Luke vi. 38).

Wherefore, casting away the lowest things like the sweepings of refuse, choosing the heavenly things like precious jewels, fixing my mind on everlasting joys, to obtain the mercy of honey-flowing sweetness and to enjoy the delight of infinite gladness, I, Æthelstan, king of the English, raised by the right hand of the Almighty Father to the throne of the whole realm of Britain, bestow a certain parcel of land on my faithful thegn Ælfric — namely 20 hides in the place which the inhabitants call at Wreclesfeld — that he may have it without the yoke of detested servitude, with meadows, pastures, streams and all advantages duly pertaining to it, freely and eternally as long as he lives, and after the general passing — which to all mortal men stands certain, yet its hour uncertain — leave it in perpetuity to whatever heir in succession he wills. The aforesaid land is seen to be enclosed by these bounds.

These are the boundaries: first to the stone at the heathen burial-places; then out to the upper part of Prillec’s hassocks; then to Cock-brook; along the stream to Mill-brook; then along the stream to Lenten; then along the stream to the mere-pool; then from the pool to Bean-brook; then along the stream to Headda’s mere; then from the mere to the stream where the brooks fork; then from the fork to the boundary hill; then from the hill to the highway; then along the highway fifty-seven rods; then along the furrow to the stone hill; then from the stone hill to the heathen burial-place; back to the stone.

But if — which God forbid — anyone, puffed up with a devilish spirit, shall attempt to infringe this little writing of my donation, let him know that on the last and great day of examination he shall perish in everlasting confusion with Judas the betrayer and his impious accomplices amid the devouring flames of Acheron. The schedule of this testamentary will was written out in the vill known to all, called Worthing, amid the rejoicing of the whole assembled people; and this writing was traced out by fingers in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 931, in the seventh year of the kingdom freely committed to me, in the fourth indiction, epact 10, concurrent 6, on the twelfth day before the Kalends of July, that is, 20 June, the moon being twelve days old; and the authority of its unshakeable firmness stands confirmed by witnesses, whose names are recorded below in depicted characters.

With these witnesses #

• † I, Æthelstan, the aforesaid king, endowed with the hierarchy of singular privilege, have confirmed and subscribed the support of this deed with the sign of the holy and ever-to-be-loved cross.
• † I, Wulfhelm, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulfstan, archbishop of the church of York, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Huwal, under-king, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Juthwal, under-king, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Morcant, under-king, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Eugenius, under-king, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfwine, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Eadulf, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Cenwald, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfhæh, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Cunan, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Benedict, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Winsige, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Theodred, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Odo, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Beornstan, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulfhun, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Cynsige, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulfhelm, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Cyneferd, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Arcberht, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wired, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Offerd, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfwald, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Arcberht, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfstan, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Uhtred, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Urm, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Guthrum, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Hath, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Scule, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Aldred, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Uhtred, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfric, abbot, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Eadwine, abbot, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelnod, abbot, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Beorhtsige, abbot, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Odda, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfheh, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelstan, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulfsige, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wihtgar, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelmund, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelnoth, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Eadnoth, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Eadric, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulfsige, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælhelm, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wilaf, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfstan, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wilferd, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelferth, thegn, have consented and subscribed.

The aforesaid King Æthelstan also gave to his thegn Wulfusth 6 hides at Bulthesworth, with meadows, pastures, woods, streams and all advantages duly pertaining to it, in exactly the same manner as above. The aforesaid land is seen to be enclosed by these bounds.

Boundaries of Bulthesworth #

These are the boundaries of Bulthesworth: first to the old tree-stead; then to the rough valley; along the valley to the end of the furlong; then to the middle of the rough hill; then from the rough hill to the hawk’s pit; along the rill to the path that lies athwart.

But if — which we have not wished — anyone, puffed up with a devilish spirit, shall attempt to infringe or destroy this little writing of my ordinance and confirmation, let him know that on the last and great day of examination — when the archangel’s trumpet sounds its piercing blast, the tombs opening of their own accord, leaving the long-weary bodies, and all creatures struck with terror — he shall perish in everlasting confusion with Judas the betrayer, who by the pious Sower is called the son of perdition, amid the devouring flames of innumerable torments. The schedule of this will, inspired and devised by God and the Lord Jesus Christ, was written out in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 931, in the seventh year of the kingdom freely committed to me, in the fourth indiction, no epact, concurrent 5, on the seventh of the Ides, the moon twenty-eight days old, in the royal vill called Welowe, while the bishops, abbots, ealdormen and officers of the realm rejoiced in the royal bounty. And the authority of its unshakeable firmness stands confirmed by these witnesses, whose names are recorded below in depicted characters.

• † I, Æthelstan, the aforesaid king, endowed with the monarchy of singular privilege, have confirmed and subscribed the support of this deed with the sign of the holy and ever-to-be-loved cross.
• † I, Wulfhelm, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulfstan, archbishop of the church of York, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfwine, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Beornstan, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Sighelm, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Cenwald, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Eadulf, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Oda, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfric, abbot, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Eadwine, abbot, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Burhsige, abbot, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Osferth, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfwold, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Aldred, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æscberht, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfstan, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Odda, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelstan, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Eadric, thegn, have consented and subscribed.

In like manner also King Æthelstan granted to another of his thegns, named Ælfeah, 10 hides at Farnborough; and he likewise bestowed it on this house of Abingdon. And this is the king’s following charter.

Charter of Æthelstan concerning Farnborough #

In the name of the Enthroned-on-High, who governs and rules all things alike above and below, and who by His manifold power sets an end to all things as He wills, and teaches from the secret mysteries of human nature that with these fleeting and doubtless transitory possessions the kingdoms that endure for ever are to be purchased, to be obtained by God’s aid.

Wherefore I, Æthelstan — by the divine grace smiling upon me king of the English, and likewise of all Albion — was asked by my faithful thegn named Ælfeah to release some portion of my right into an eternal inheritance; and assenting to his prayers, for his amiable submission and obedience, with the consent of my magnates, I grant 10 hides of land where it is called by the inhabitants Farnborough, that he may well enjoy and possess it as long as he lives, and after him leave it to whatever heir he wills — as we have said above — in eternal inheritance with all things duly pertaining to it, pastures, meadows, woods and woodland groves. Let the aforesaid land be free in all worldly causes, except the building of bridge and fortress and the aid of military service. To all successors who preserve this right of donation by increasing it, may they happily arrive among the celibate companies of the heavenly hosts, and rejoice without end in eternal glory. But if anyone — which we have not wished — shall attempt to infringe this our gift, let him know that at the examination he would render account at the dreadful judgement and suffer the penalty of his rash audacity, unless he made amends by sincere amendment and sobbing lamentation.

The boundaries of Fearnbeorgan. #

These are the boundaries which belong to Fearnbeorgan. From Fearnbeorg west along the road to the stone; from the stones south along the road to the headlands; from the headlands along the ridge-row up to the dyke north of the stud-fold; then along the dyke to the boundary-stream east of Lilliglea; then along the southern road to the long tree; then west along the road over Beocumb to the stone-quarry; then north along the narrow road east of the broken barrow to the road that runs east; then along the road to Cytelflod west of Mulescumb, where the roads fork; then on to Scyldmere; then along the furrow to Furcumbe; along the middle of Furcumbe to the dean; then along the dean to the meeting of the roads; then on to the white road to the grey thorn; then from the white road to Fearnbeorg; and the clearing east of Catmere which belongs to it, that is, on the road that runs to Stanleage; then afterwards south along the stony road from the boundary of the Stanmeringas; then along the narrow road to the foul road called Stificweg, which is the boundary of the Catræncringas and of the land at Fearnbeorgan; then along this road out into the open field; and all the hangers between the road and the road that runs to Stanleage belong wholly to Fearnbeorgan.

• † I, Æthelstan, king of all Britain, have confirmed the aforesaid gift with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Wulfhelm, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have signed the same king’s gift with the trophy of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop of the church of Winchester, have imprinted the triumphal trophy of the Holy Cross, and have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Theodred, bishop of the church of London, have signed.
• † I, Cenwald, bishop, have consented to and subscribed the aforesaid gift.
• † I, Wulfhun, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Burhric, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfwold, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Uhtred, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Odda, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Widmær, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelstan, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulflaf, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Edmund, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Beorhtnoth, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulfsige, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Eadric, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfhere, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulfnoth, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ealhhelm, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wibgar, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ordeah, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelwold, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelred, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Sigered, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelmund, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Alfred, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Sigulf, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulfhelm, thegn, have consented and subscribed.

Of Cealhgræfa, how King Æthelstan gave it to Ealdred his thegn. #

The same King Æthelstan also granted Cealhgræfa, of 5 hides, to his thegn Ealdred, and he bestowed that same estate upon the house of Abingdon in the same manner as above. And this is the king’s charter confirming this gift.

The charter of King Æthelstan concerning Cealhgræfa.

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. All the strivings of perishable things which are plainly seen by human eyes fall away; but the things which are hidden and unseen stand fast for ever through the governance of the eternal Arbiter; nor is there any doubt — as the divine teachings of the Scriptures promise to those who deserve it — that the latter can be acquired and purchased with the former through the abundantly flowing grace of God’s bounty.

Wherefore I, Æthelstan, king of the Anglo-Saxons, invested and exalted with no mean dignity, stirred by heavenly desire, grant to my faithful thegn Ealdred the land which is called Cealhgræfa and Teobbanwyrthe, of 5 hides, which he had bought from the pagans with his own fitting money, namely 10 pounds in gold and silver, at the command of King Edward and of Ealdorman Æthelred with the other ealdormen and thegns; granting it in freedom by hereditary right, to have and to possess as long as he shall live, and after his death to give to whatsoever heirs he shall please. These are the boundaries of this aforesaid land.

The boundaries of Cealhgræfa. #

First, where the dyke runs into Watling Street; along Watling Street to the ford; then along the brook to the other ford; then from the ford up to the spring; and thence into the dell; thence from the dell to the dyke; from the dyke to the other dyke; then from the dyke to the brook; then from the brook to Cynburh’s spring; then along the dyke to Eastcotun; thence to the old brook; up from the old brook to the stream; then straight up to the highway; along the highway to the dyke; from the dyke back to Watling Street.

But let this aforesaid gift of land be free from every secular burden, except military service and the building of fortress and bridge, in return for the fitting money which I received from him, namely 150 mancuses of pure gold. But if anyone, seized by the goad of wantonness, should attempt to break, alter or diminish this generous bounty, let him know that on that day of the great examination — when the hinges of heaven and the foundations of the earth, and likewise the deepest lurking-places of hell, shall tremble in terror, and when the work and conscience of every man, whether the good or the evil that he has done, shall be laid open — unless he has first made amends by satisfaction. In the year 926 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the 14th indiction.

These are the lands which King Æthelstan granted by charter to Ealdred in return for his pure money, with the witness which is recorded here.

Witnesses. #

• † I, Æthelstan, king, have confirmed with the foundation of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Wulfhelm, archbishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Wensige, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Theodred, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Beorneah, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Sigelm, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Eadwulf, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Eadgar, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfa, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Cyneferth, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ordgar, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfwald, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Offerd, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulfgar, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulfhelm, the king’s dish-bearer, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ceolstan, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Eadwulf, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Healmstan, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelm, thegn, have consented and subscribed.

How King Æthelstan gave Beorhtwaldingtun.

The aforesaid King Æthelstan gave Beorhtwaldingtun, of 15 hides, to a certain religious woman named Eadulfu, in the same manner as above; and she bestowed that estate upon the house of Abingdon. And this is the king’s charter.

The charter of King Æthelstan concerning Beorhtwaldingtun.

God the Architect reigning for ever, who by his ineffable power duly disposes and governs all things, wondrously discerning the turns of times and of men and calmly imposing the uncertain end as he wills, teaches us from the secrets of heaven’s glory and the mysteries of human nature that with these fleeting possessions of brief duration the everlasting kingdoms are to be obtained, by God’s bounty, for the consolation and support of frail nature.

Wherefore I, Æthelstan, by the favouring grace of God king of the English and likewise governor of the whole orb of Britain, to a certain religious woman called by the name of Eadulfu, with the consent of my nobles and in return for her acceptable money, grant 15 hides of land where the country folk by ancient usage have bestowed the name Beorhtwaldingtun, so that she may well enjoy and possess it in perpetuity as long as she lives; and after her leave it to whatever heir she wills, as we have said above, in eternal inheritance. Moreover let the aforesaid land, with all things rightly pertaining to it — fields, pastures and woods — be free, except these three: military service and the building of bridge and fortress. But if anyone (which we do not desire) should contrive anything against this our decree or should seek to infringe it, let him know that he will render account grievously on the day of judgement before the tribunal of the Lord, unless he has first made amends here by worthy penitence before death. The aforesaid land seems to be encompassed by these boundaries.

The boundaries of Beorhtwaldingtun. #

These are the boundaries of Beorhtwaldingtun. First from Curspandic up on to Ædene; from Ædene to Wigferth’s clearing; from Wigferth’s clearing to Pippa’s clearing; from Pippa’s clearing north along the hedge to the burnt stone; from the stone to Dunian’s pool; thence due north to Hæsel-lea; from Hæsel-lea due west to Borsena’s barrow; from the barrow due west to the grey stone; from the stone due north to Stancrundel; thence along the road to the long tree; from the tree along the road to the boundary-stream; then still along the road; then back to Curspandic.

This aforesaid gift was made in the year 939 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the 12th indiction.

• † I, Æthelstan, king of all Britain, have confirmed the aforesaid gift with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Wulfhelm, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have signed the same king’s gift with the trophy of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Theodred, bishop of the church of London, have signed and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop of the church of Winchester, have imprinted the triumphal trophy of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Cenwald, bishop, have consented to and subscribed the aforesaid gift.
• † I, Oda, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulfhun, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Wulfhelm, bishop, have signed.
• † I, Byrgric, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelgar, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulfgar, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Uhtred, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Odda, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Edmund, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulfsige, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulflaf, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wihtgar, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelwold, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ordeah, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Eadric, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ealhhelm, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelred, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelmund, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulfhelm, thegn, have consented and subscribed.

Of the gifts which Hugh Capet, king of France, sent to Æthelstan, king of England. #

At the same time, while the illustrious king of the English, Æthelstan, was keeping Easter at Abingdon and holding his full court with his earls and barons, as befits royal dignity, there arrived envoys of the king of France, Hugh surnamed Capet, offering the king various gifts of gold and silver, and also other things sweeter than gold and silver and precious stone, namely precious relics, to be handled and venerated alike with all reverence: that is to say, a portion of the crown of thorns, a portion of the nail of the Lord, and a standard of Saint Maurice, the most glorious martyr and captain of the Theban legion, together with a precious finger of Saint Denis the martyr. When the king had graciously received these, he gave his kindly assent to the envoys’ petition that his sister should be given in marriage to the king of France. The aforesaid King Æthelstan also gave these holy relics, enclosed with all honour in a silver casket, to this most sacred house of Abingdon; and the protection afforded by them, through the help of divine mercy, brings relief to many in various illnesses.

Of the death of King Æthelstan. #

When these things had thus been happily accomplished, not long afterwards the said King Æthelstan went the way of all flesh, and his brother Edmund succeeded him.

In the time of this Edmund a controversy arose between the inhabitants of the district on the one side and the countrymen of Oxfordshire on the other, concerning a certain meadow called Beri which belonged by right to the church of Abingdon. Relying upon its right and upon God’s mercy rather than upon any dilatory or cavilling exceptions or the evasions of obscure pleadings, the abbot and monks, by common consent and with equal will, appointed for themselves three days of fasting and prayer, and most devoutly implored the divine clemency that their sheer right over the said meadow might be shown more plainly to all mortals through His omnipotence. While the servants of God were thus engaged with the greater earnestness, a salutary plan was inspired in them — and, as it is pious to believe, divinely provided. For on the appointed day the monks, rising early, took a round shield, upon which they placed a sheaf of corn, and upon the sheaf a wax candle of remarkable size and thickness. When this was lit, they committed the shield with the sheaf and the candle to the river which flows past the church, a few of the brothers following in a small boat.

So the shield went before them and, as though pointing with a finger at the possessions which adjoin the house of Abingdon by right, turning now here, now there, now on the right hand, now on the left, it went faithfully before them until it came to the channel near the meadow which is called Beri. There the candle, miraculously leaving the middle course of the Thames, turned aside and encircled the meadow which lies between the Thames and the Gifteleia, and which in winter, and often in summer, is surrounded by water like an island through the overflowing of the Thames. When this miracle was seen by those standing by, and by several countrymen of both Berkshire and Oxfordshire who came running up, together with the monks who followed the candle, the said meadow was restored to the house of Abingdon, the people crying out, “The right of Abingdon! The right of Abingdon!”

And from this miracle such great amazement seized all who heard of it, that from that time even to the present day there has not been found any king, or ealdorman, or prince, or any other powerful man who has dared in any way to raise a claim concerning that meadow against the house of Abingdon.

At that time a certain young man, youthful indeed in years but mature in character, named Æthelwold, was sustained by the very close friendship of King Æthelstan. And because the king saw that he was an eager follower of the virtues, desirous of learning, and moreover strong in excellent natural gifts, he commended him to be instructed in spiritual exercises to Ælfheah, bishop of Winchester, then a man eminent in the things of God and at times endowed with a prophetic spirit; judging (as was indeed true) that he would one day become something great in the Church. Not long afterwards the king himself met the end of his life, and handed the government over to his brother Edmund. After Edmund’s death the monastery of Abingdon was reduced to such desolation that, all its adjacent possessions having been brought under royal dominion, it was entirely deprived of monks. For what causes this calamitous evil befell, nothing true has come to my knowledge. Nevertheless, the books of the wills containing the possessions of the church, though such unlooked-for evils came rushing in, were assuredly preserved by the providence of God, so that their restorers, and the successors after them, might be able to learn the evidences of antiquity. From the time of King Ine, under whom the monastery was first built, down to this desolation, a span of 240 years is reckoned to have passed.

The charter of King Edmund concerning Culham.

I, Edmund, burning with desire for the heavenly kingdom, by the favour of the heavenly Deity diligent king of the English and of the other peoples round about, with the counsel of my nobles grant in perpetuity 15 hides to a certain matron sprung from the stock of my royal line, who is called among men Ælfhild, in the place where the common folk by familiar usage have bestowed the name Culham; so that she may well enjoy and possess it in perpetuity while she passes the course of this fleeting age unharmed and the vital spirit remains in her corruptible flesh; and after her she may leave it to whatsoever heir she wills for ever, as we have said. Moreover let the aforesaid land be free from every worldly hindrance, with all the things known to pertain to that place, both great and small — fields, pastures, meadows and diverted watercourses — granting, I grant it freedom. We have therefore written a new charter because we did not have the old one. But if anyone produces another charter in the open, let him know beyond doubt that he shall be renounced by all the faithful together with the everlasting deed of the Holy Cross, and it shall be of no effect. But if anyone (which we do not desire), walking in the garb of pride, should attempt to infringe this our decree, may he suffer the icy blasts of freezing winds and the winged host of malign spirits, unless he first makes amends with tearful groans of penitence and sincere amendment.

This aforesaid gift was made in the year 940 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the 13th indiction.

• † I, Edmund, king of the English, have confirmed the aforesaid gift with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Eadred, brother of the same king, have signed.
• † I, Wulfhelm, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have signed. And many others signed and confirmed.

And so this same matron, coming to the end of her life, made this church the heir of her possession.

The charter of King Edmund concerning Culham.

Edmund, succeeding his brother Æthelstan, confirmed to the church of Abingdon Watchfield, with all things integrally pertaining to it, which the aforesaid Ælfric, with the consent of his lord King Æthelstan, had bestowed on the house of Abingdon in pure and perpetual alms. On this condition, however: that Godescall, abbot of Abingdon, and the convent of the same place should grant Culham to a certain matron of royal descent named Ælfhild, free and quit for all the days of her life, in that form and in all the same tenor in which King Cenwulf granted it to his sisters, who bestowed the same estate upon this house of Abingdon, as has been said above; and that after the death of the said Ælfhild the said estate should return in all the same manner to the monks’ own uses. And this indeed was so done, the said Ælfhild yielding to fate. This matron Ælfhild was buried in the chapel which she had built in honour of Saint Vincent.

The boundaries of Culham. #

First at Wylfingford on the Thames; then from Wylfingford along a narrow dyke to the land-boundary of the Wanhromingas at the headlands; then along the headlands to Fippelbeorgas; from Fippelbeorgas to the Culham dyke; along the dyke to Æppelford; from Æppelford along the true Thames around Ætan’s eyot; then back to Wylfingford.

King Edmund gave Gareford to his thegn Wulfric. #

King Edmund also gave Gareford, of 15 hides, to his thegn Wulfric, on the condition that after his death he might give it to whatever heir he wished. And this is the king’s charter confirming his gift.

The charter of King Edmund concerning Gareford.

In the name of God the highest and most high, Jesus Christ. It is manifest to all that all things heavenly and earthly are governed by the providence of God; and the anxious care of mortal life is lamented and mourned with all its strength at the loss of dear ones and friends. Therefore the honeyed oracles of the divine declaration, with their sure pledges, persuade us by frequent prayers that with these fleeting and doubtless transitory possessions the everlasting kingdoms are to be obtained by the help of God.

Wherefore I, Edmund, king of the English and of the other peoples round about, have willingly bestowed by grant upon a certain faithful thegn of mine named Wulfric, for his loving obedience and his acceptable money which he paid me in the service of his devotion, 15 hides in that place where the country folk by appellative usage and sportive naming have bestowed the name Garanford, so that he may happily possess the same aforesaid land during the course of his life. Then, when the path of the dissolution of his body and soul draws near, let him bestow it, as a free gift of his mind, upon whichever of his dear successors he chooses. For in the perpetual courses of this world let this land which I have granted, here recorded, remain released from all the labours of mortal life — except that which seems needful to all of us, namely three things: the passage of the army, the rebuilding of the bridge, and aid for fortress and castle — in all and through all the things subject to that same place, pastures, meadows, woods and fields, great or small, as our aforesaid conveyance is truly written above in these lines, and which shall remain for ever. If anyone, walking under the goad of devilish ferment, proves to infringe our intact and inviolate gift fraudulently, let him know beyond doubt that he shall be thrust through the hellish wall of eternal anathema together with Ananias and Sapphira and their accomplices, unless he first wishes to make amends by worthy satisfaction. But if anyone should instead strive to fulfil what is exempted with inexhaustible showers of religious good works, and should strive with free intent to increase our very small donation, let him rejoice as a companion of the heavenly hosts in eternal glory; and rejoicing in the recompense of his kindness as an everlasting inheritance, may he deserve to hear the melody of the Thunderer saying, “Come, all ye who have done my will and have not despised the precepts of the eternal Father.”

The boundaries. #

The aforesaid land seems to be encompassed by these boundaries.

These are the boundaries of the land at Garanford. From Garanford along the Ock to the point where the Cilla flows out to the south; then up along the Cilla stream to the boundary of the Linfordingas; thence to Winter’s barrow; thence back out to the Ock; then along the Ock until back to Garanford.

This aforesaid gift was made in the year 940 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the 13th indiction.

• † I, Edmund, king of the English, have confirmed the aforesaid gift with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Oda, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have confirmed the same king’s gift with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Theodred, bishop of the church of London, have signed.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop of the church of Winchester, have signed.
• † I, Cenwald, bishop, have consented to the aforesaid gift.
• † I, Ælfric, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Ælfred, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Burhric, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Æthelgar, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Wulfhelm, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Wulfgar, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Ealhhelm, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Uhtred, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Odda, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Edmund, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfsan, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfstan, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Æthelred, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelred, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wihtgar, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ordheah, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wulfhelm, have consented.

Of Wealtham, how it was given.

The same King Edmund gave Wealtham, of 30 hides, to his thegn Ælfsige; and this is the king’s charter by which the gift of that Ælfsige concerning the same land to this house is confirmed, as was then the custom.

The charter of King Edmund concerning Wealtham.

Our Lord Jesus Christ reigning for ever. While by the providence of our Founder every creature was fashioned very good in the beginning, beautifully created and comely formed, above and below the heavens, both in angels and in men, and in manifold and diverse species of beasts of burden, animals, fishes and birds — all of which pay the dues of their nature at the nod of the Creator — save man alone, who was formed in His image and set over all things, yet, falling into death through transgression, wondrously lost the first robe of immortality by despising the Lord’s command. Therefore those riches are to be loved which never deceive their possessor and are not lost even in death itself, but abound the more the more clearly that which is loved is discerned.

Wherefore I, Edmund, by the favour of the heavenly Deity diligent king of the English and of the other peoples round about, freely grant and bestow upon a certain faithful thegn of mine named Ælfsige, for his loving service and his acceptable fidelity, 30 hides in the place where the common folk by ancient report call it Wealtham, so that he may well enjoy and possess it in perpetuity while he passes unharmed the course of this fleeting age and the vital spirit remains in corruptible flesh; and after him leave it for ever to whatsoever heir he wills, as we have said. Moreover let the aforesaid land be free from every worldly hindrance, with all the things known to pertain to that place, both great and small — fields, pastures, meadows and woods — except these three: military service and the building of bridge and fortress. But as for those who would diminish and break this my gift (which I pray may be far from the minds of the faithful), may their part be with those to whom it is said on the contrary, “Depart from me, ye wicked, into everlasting fire, which is prepared for Satan and his accomplices” (Matthew 25:41), unless they first obtain pardon by worthy penitence to God with lawful satisfaction.

The boundaries of Wealtham. #

The aforesaid land seems to be encompassed by these boundaries.

These are the boundaries pertaining to Wealtham of the 30 hides. First from Wassanham straight to Ceagga’s nook; then from Ceagga’s nook to Dyrnan grove; from Dyrnan grove to Wegcocc; then from Wegcocc to Goda’s enclosure; from Goda’s enclosure to Hild’s clearing; from Hild’s clearing to Swinef’s nook; then from Swæf’s nook to Wulf’s clearing; from Wulf’s clearing to Capeldene; from Capeldene to the turf-strip; then from the turf-strip to Healwicum; from Healwicum back to Wassanham. King Edmund has moreover granted by charter to Ælfsige 14 hides within the boundaries of those 30 hides — over wood, over field, as perpetual pasture and as perpetual inheritance — and 12 meadow-acres at Standen outside those boundaries.

This aforesaid gift was made in the year 940 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the 13th indiction.

Witnesses. #

• † I, Edmund, king of the English, have confirmed the aforesaid gift with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Eadred, brother of the same king, have signed.
• † I, Wulfhelm, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have signed the same king’s gift with the trophy of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Theodred, bishop of the church of London, have signed.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop of the church of Winchester, have imprinted the triumphal trophy of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Cenwald, bishop, have consented to the aforesaid gift.
• † I, Ælfric, bishop, have signed.
• † I, Oda, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Wulfhelm, bishop, have signed.
• † I, Burhric, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Æthelgar, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Wulfgar, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Uhtred, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Odda, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Edmund, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wulfsige, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wulflaf, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wihtgar, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Æthelwold, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ordeah, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Eadric, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ealhhelm, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Æthelred, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Æthelmund, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wulfhelm, thegn, have consented.

Of Ermundeslea and Appleton.

In the same year King Edmund granted Ermundeslea and Appleton to his thegn Æthelstan, in the same manner as above; and this is the king’s charter by which the gift of that Æthelstan concerning the same land to this house is confirmed, as was then the custom.

The charter of King Edmund concerning Ermundeslea.

In the name of God the highest and most high. With sure pledges the holy and righteous fathers admonish us by frequent exhortations that we should unceasingly fear and love God — whom we cherish and believe with the inmost affection of the mind — with diligence in good works, because on the day of examination he will render to every man the recompense of all our deeds according to each one’s merit. Therefore let us strive to imitate him with the subtlest striving of the mind; for although we are pressed by the burden of mortal life and encumbered by the fleeting possessions of this world, yet by the bounty of his mercy we may purchase with perishable riches the eternal rewards of the heavenly life.

For which cause I, Edmund, burning with desire for the heavenly kingdom, by the favour of the heavenly Deity diligent king of the English and of the other peoples round about, have deigned to grant to a certain adopted faithful companion of mine named Æthelstan, for his loving service, 10 hides of land in the place where the common people by ancient custom and common report call it Ermundeslea, together with the estate named Appleton, with pastures, fields and groves of woods, that he may prosperously possess and eternally hold them while he passes unharmed the course of this fleeting age and the vital spirit remains in corruptible flesh; and after him, as we have affirmed, leave them to whatsoever heir he wills. And let the aforesaid land be free from every servile yoke, with all things rightly pertaining to it, except these three: military service and the building of bridge and fortress. Moreover, if anyone, with our approval, shall wish to increase this our gift, may the Almighty increase and amplify his temporal life, and his life eternal in the world to come. But whoever consents to its being violated by fraudulent perpetration, let him consider that he will render account before God on the last day of judgement, and will hear with the reprobate, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire” (Matthew 25:41), where with the demons they shall be tormented eternally with dire punishments, unless he has first made amends for this by worthy penitence before death.

The boundaries of Ermundeslea. #

The aforesaid land seems to be encompassed by these boundaries.

These are the boundaries of Ermundeslea, and by the other name of Appleton. First up from the Thames along the dyke at Doccangræf; then to the stream which runs through Hæsel-lea opposite the dyke that runs to Wasa; afterwards along Wasa until it reaches Tubba’s ford; thence along the stream until it comes to the street; from the street to the dyke that runs to the headland; then on the west side of the headland, 6 yards west of Yttingeshlæw; thence to the row; from the row to the Thames, to the entrance, and along the Thames back to Doccandic.

Witnesses. #

• † I, Edmund, king of the English, have confirmed the aforesaid gift with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Eadred, brother of the same king, have signed.
• † I, Wulfstan, archbishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Theodred, bishop of the church of London, have consented.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop of the church of Winchester, have imprinted the triumphal trophy of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfric, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfred, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Burgric, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Æthelgar, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Wulfgar, ealdorman, have subscribed.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman, have subscribed.
• † I, Æthelwold, ealdorman, have subscribed.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman, have subscribed.
• † I, Ealhhelm, ealdorman, have subscribed.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman, have subscribed.
• † I, Eadric, ealdorman, have subscribed.
• † I, Uhtred, ealdorman, have subscribed.
• † I, Odda, thegn, have subscribed.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn, have subscribed.
• † I, Edmund, thegn, have subscribed.
• † I, Wulflaf, thegn, have subscribed.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn, have subscribed.
• † I, Ælfstan, thegn, have subscribed.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn, have subscribed.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn, have subscribed.
• † I, Æthelred, thegn, have subscribed.
• † I, Wihtgar, thegn, have subscribed.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn, have subscribed.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn, have subscribed.

Of Lechamstede, how it was given.

In the following year the same King Edmund gave Lechamstede, of 10 hides, to his thegn Eadric, in the same manner as above. And this is the king’s charter by which the gift of that Eadric concerning the same land to this house is confirmed, as was then the custom.

The charter of King Edmund concerning Lechamstede.

In the name of God the highest and enthroned on high, who from the summit of the highest heaven governs and orders all things visible and invisible in due order; and in the chamber of this present life we daily perceive before our human gaze temporal possessions and all the faculties of riches failing and dwindling away. Thus with change the frailty of mortal life withers, and the round revolving of the ages passes into nothing, and is lamented and mourned at the loss of dear kinsfolk and friends.

Wherefore I, Edmund, king of the English-born and of the other peoples round about, freely grant and bestow upon a certain faithful thegn of mine named Eadric, for his loving service and his acceptable fidelity, 10 hides in the place where the common folk by ancient report call it Lechamstede, so that he may well enjoy and possess it in perpetuity while he passes unharmed the course of this fleeting age and the vital spirit remains in corruptible flesh; and after him leave it for ever to whatsoever heir he wills, as I have said. Moreover let the aforesaid land be free from every worldly hindrance, with all the things known rightly to pertain to that place, both great and small — fields, pastures and woods — except these three: military service and the building of bridge and fortress. Furthermore, for the increase of the aforesaid gift, I have given to the said thegn by perpetual grant one mill beside the diverted watercourses of the Lambourn. In this age the deceitful men of this world are known sometimes to have begun cackling their trifles, claiming another’s gain for themselves by usurpation with the ambition of iniquity. But such sluggish advances of avarice I utterly forbid to all Christians in the name of the Holy Trinity, so that my gift stands confirmed with the seal of the Holy Cross. Also, if anyone produces another old document in the open, let it profit neither himself nor others, but let it be erased from the everlasting record and neither written nor heard among the just. Finally, if anyone (which we do not desire) should consent to this our gift being violated by fraudulent perpetration, let him consider that he will render account before God on the last day of judgement, and that with the reprobate to whom it is said, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire,” he shall suffer dire punishments, if he has not beforehand made amends by bodily lamentation.

The boundaries of Lechamstede. #

The aforesaid land seems to be encompassed by these boundaries.

These are the boundaries of the land at Lechamstede. First at Denepit; from the pit to the bare thorn; from the thorn to Wine’s tree; from Wine’s tree to the red stone; thence to Stigelhammas; from Stigelhammas to the northern part of Wigferth’s clearing; thence to Acdene; from Acdene to Crypsandic; thence athwart over Wæstel’s hill to Bucca’s crundel; from Bucca’s crundel to the grey apple-tree; thence along the standing-place to Gyddandene, athwart over the watch-hill to the dean; along the dean back to Denepit.

This aforesaid gift was made in the year 943 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the 1st indiction.

• † I, Edmund, king of the English, have confirmed the aforesaid gift with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Eadgifu, the same king’s mother, have signed the aforesaid gift.
• † I, Eadred, brother of the same king, have consented.
• † I, Oda, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have signed the same king’s gift with the trophy of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Theodred, bishop of the church of London, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop of the church of Winchester, have imprinted the triumphal trophy of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Cenwald, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Ælfric, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Ælfred, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Æthelgar, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Wulfhelm, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Wulfgar, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Æthelwold, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Ealhhelm, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Eadric, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Uhtred, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Odda, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Edmund, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wulflaf, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfstan, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfstan, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Æthelred, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Æthelred, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wihtgar, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Æthelgeard, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wulfhelm, thegn, have consented.

Of Linford, how it was given.

In the third year the same King Edmund granted Linford, of 6 hides, to his thegn Ælfheah, in the same manner as above. And this is the king’s charter by which the gift of that Ælfheah concerning the same land to this house is confirmed, as was then the custom.

The charter of King Edmund concerning Linford.

Our Lord Jesus Christ reigning for ever. The noble champion declared in the divine Scriptures, “The things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18). Therefore, to those who make use of superfluous things, the divine word, as we are set forth above, gives terrible warning that, despising the transitory things of this world and imitating spiritual things, we should hasten to the heavenly kingdoms.

Wherefore I, Edmund, king of the English, governor and ruler of the other peoples round about, have cheerfully bestowed in eternal inheritance upon a certain faithful thegn of mine named Ælfheah 6 hides of land in that place which the common folk by ancient custom and common report call Linford, so that he may well enjoy and possess it in perpetuity as long as he lives; and after him leave it to whatsoever heir he wills, as we have said above, in eternal inheritance. Moreover let the aforesaid land be free, with all things rightly pertaining to it — fields, pastures, meadows and woods — except these three: military service and the building of bridge and fortress. But if anyone (which we do not desire) should contrive anything against this our decree or should seek to infringe it, let him know that he will render account grievously on the day of judgement before the tribunal of our Lord Jesus Christ, unless he has first made amends here by worthy penitence before death.

The boundaries of Linford. #

The aforesaid land seems to be encompassed by these boundaries.

These are the boundaries of Linford: between the Ock and the Cilla stream.

Witnesses. #

• † I, Edmund, king of the English, have confirmed the aforesaid gift with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Eadred, brother of the same king, have consented.
• † I, Eadgifu, the same king’s mother, have signed the aforesaid gift.
• † I, Oda, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have confirmed the same king’s gift with the trophy of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Wulfstan, archbishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop of the church of Winchester, have imprinted the triumphal trophy of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Cenwald, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Ælfric, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Ælfred, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Æthelgar, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Wulfsige, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Wulfhelm, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Æthelwold, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Ealhhelm, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Eadric, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Edmund, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfstan, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfstan, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Æthelgeard, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wihtgar, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Æthelred, thegn, have consented.

Of Bleobyrig, how King Edmund gave it.

In the same year King Edmund gave Bleobyrig, of 100 hides, to his thegn Ælfric, in the same manner as above; and this is the king’s charter by which the gift of that Ælfric concerning the same land to this house is confirmed, as was then the custom.

The charter of King Edmund concerning Bleobyrig.

In the name of God the highest and most high, Jesus Christ. To all the prudent who desire to behold in the dwelling of their mind the blessedness of the contemplation of God, it is established by the most manifest signs that any man is able to obtain the high heavenly things which endure without end by means of the lowest transitory things, provided that the savage wickedness of that ancient, hostile and cruel tyrant, the most savage punisher of the human race, is reckoned as a hindrance to the growth of good virtues, and — like the foulest and most envenomed darts of melancholy inspired by thieves — is denied and spat out and abhorred from the heart in the inmost chambers of the hearts of Christ’s servants, and utterly and enfeeblingly despised; as the most high Voice of our Founder thundering from his own mouth declares, “You who have followed me with good works shall receive a hundredfold and possess eternal life.”

Constrained, indeed, by the fire of this fervour, I, Edmund, king of the English-born, hand over by perpetual charter to a certain bishop of mine, beloved of me with the fire of fervour, whose name is agreed to be Ælfric, in veneration of his prudent and steadfast fidelity, 100 hides of land in a certain place venerable of old and still known by the surname Bleoburg, so that he may well enjoy and possess it in perpetuity while he passes unharmed the course of this fleeting age and the vital spirit remains in corruptible flesh, with all the things known to pertain to that place, both great and small — fields, pastures, meadows, woods and diverted watercourses. This aforesaid bounty I confirmed and strengthened at the beginning of the third year of my reign, that it may be free from all worldly constraints, except what pertains to our common labour — which should by no means be consigned to anyone’s oblivion — namely military service and the building of bridge and fortress; and after he has gone the way of all flesh, let him leave the aforesaid gift to whatsoever heir he wills, as I have said above, in eternal inheritance. If anyone with benevolent mind shall wish to increase this generous bounty, may the ruler of the citizens above and governor of those on earth deign to grant him recompense in the eternal dwellings. We have therefore written a new charter because we did not have the old document; but if anyone produces another charter in the open, let him know beyond doubt that it stands renounced by all the faithful together with the everlasting deed of the Holy Cross, and is worth nothing. But if anyone (as we do not desire), puffed up by the suggestion of the accursed serpent and by the bonds of avarice, and so walking under the goad of devilish ferment, proves to infringe our intact and inviolate gift fraudulently, let him know beyond doubt that he shall be thrust through the hellish wall of eternal anathema together with Ananias and Sapphira and their accomplices, unless he first makes amends by worthy satisfaction.

The boundaries of Bleobyrig. #

The aforesaid land seems to be encompassed by these boundaries.

These are the boundaries of Bleobyrig. First on the eastern side of the land at Amma’s spring; then due south to the dyke of the water-slade; then along the dyke to the south end at the proper boundary; then up to the great barrow below Hrameslea; then from the barrow up along the stone road to the long marked tree at Hafuc-thorn; then from Hafuc-thorn to the long thorn at Ichenild’s way; then to the third thorn at Wirhangra; from that thorn to the fourth thorn standing on the front of Wranga’s hill; then on to the fifth thorn; to the elder-tree; then west along the little road up to the thorn; up to Teona’s hill; then west to the rough ridge; along the rough ridge to the heathen burials at the old dyke; then along to the tree-site; then from the tree-site straight to the broad barrow east of Wrocena’s stub; then to Wrocena’s stub; then from Wrocena’s stub to the burial at Meocesdun; from the burial to the stream at Swinwegesslo, at the junction of the roads; then up to the earth-cleft at Foxesbeorg; from the barrow west along Drægel’s breach to the ridgeway; along the road to the red stone; from the stone north along the narrow road to Totancumb; at the barrow; then due north along the narrow road to the herpath; then to the end of the ridge; then northwards along the road to Ordstan’s dyke; then along the dyke; from the dyke, north of the ploughland; then by the ploughland to the stream that runs to Stockwell; then from Stockwell north along the brook to the dyke which the ætheling marked out; then along the dyke to the sheep-wash on Hatch brook; then along Hatch brook to Huddes-ig; then further north along the brook west of Hunddes-ig; then up along the headlands to the end of the little dyke, and then north along the headlands to the long marked tree at Hæthdun; then north along the narrow path to the dyke by the stream that runs to the stud-fold; then east along the old dyke to Æthelstan’s tree-site at the bend of the dyke; then south-east along the dyke by Byrgwilla’s boundary; then south-east over the moor to Mæring’s thorn; from Mæring’s thorn to Sulgeat; from Sulgeat by the wort-wall to the red-leaved maple; from the maple to the stream; then straight to Westwelle, which by its other name is called Amma’s spring.

This aforesaid gift was made in the year 944 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the 15th indiction.

Witnesses. #

• † I, Edmund, king of the English, have confirmed the aforesaid gift with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Eadgifu, the same king’s mother, have signed.
• † I, Eadred, brother of the same king, have signed.
• † I, Theodred, bishop of the church of London, have signed.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop of the church of Winchester, have imprinted the triumphal trophy of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Cenwald, bishop, have signed.
• † I, Ælfric, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Ælfred, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Burhric, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Æthelgar, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Wulfhelm, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Wulfgar, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Æthelwold, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Ealhhelm, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Uhtred, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Odda, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Edmund, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wulflaf, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfstan, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælstan, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ordheah, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Æthelred, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Æthelred, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wihtgar, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wulfhelm, thegn, have consented.

How King Edmund gave Winecanfeld and Swinlea. #

Likewise in the same year King Edmund gave Winecanfeld and Swinlea, of 11 hides, to the religious woman Sæthryth; and she, with the king’s consent, gave them to God and the blessed Mary and the house of Abingdon, and to the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms; and this is the king’s charter confirming this gift.

The charter of King Edmund concerning Winecanfeld and Swinlea.

Our Lord Jesus Christ reigning for ever. It is manifest to all that all things heavenly and earthly are governed by the providence of God; and the anxious care of mortal life is lamented and mourned with all its strength at the loss of dear ones and friends. Therefore the honeyed oracles of the divine declaration, with their sure pledges, persuade us by frequent prayers that with these fleeting and doubtless transitory possessions the everlasting kingdoms are to be obtained by the help of God.

Wherefore I, Edmund, king of the English and of the other peoples round about, have granted by eternal conveyance to a certain religious woman named Sæthryth a modest portion of my dominion, namely 11 hides of land, for the love of Him who said, “Give, and it shall be given unto you” (Luke 6:38), in the place which by the gathering of the crowd has long been declared to bear the name Winecanfeld, and Swinlea, so that she may possess the aforesaid land, by my joyful grant, during the course of her life, and after her leave it in eternal inheritance to whatever heir she wills, whether a greater or lesser person. Moreover let the aforesaid land be free, with all the things known rightly to pertain to it — fields, pastures and woods — together with 11 meadow-crops in the place called Hoceshamm, except these three: military service and the building of bridge and fortress. But if anyone (which we do not desire) should contrive anything against this our decree or should seek to infringe it, let him know that he will render account grievously on the day of judgement before the tribunal of the Lord, unless he has first made amends here by worthy penitence before death.

The boundaries of Winecanfeld and Swinlea.

The aforesaid land seems to be encompassed by these boundaries.

These are the boundaries. First from the common tree to Bogel’s enclosure; from Bogel’s enclosure to Hrythm’s pool; from Hrythm’s pool to the black moor; from the black moor to Imbalea; from Imbalea to Werna’s spring; from Werna’s spring to Gyrdford; from Gyrdford to Ecgstan’s stone; from Ecgstan’s stone to Gunred’s ford; from Gunred’s ford to the Seven Oaks; from the Seven Oaks to Hylne’s lea; from Hylne’s lea to the breach-nook; from the breach-nook to the rough barrow; from the rough barrow to Tæppa’s tree; from Tæppa’s tree to the hedge of Westleah, then to the hedge of Ceauuan’s ridge; from the hedge of Ceauuan’s ridge back to the common tree.

This aforesaid gift was made in the year 942 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the 15th indiction.

Witnesses. #

• † I, Edmund, king of the English, have confirmed the aforesaid gift with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Oda, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have confirmed the same gift with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Theodred, bishop of the church of London, have confirmed with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop of the church of Winchester, have imprinted the triumphal trophy of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Cenwald, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Ælfric, bishop, have signed.
• † I, Æthelwold, ealdorman, have confirmed.
• † I, Ealhhelm, ealdorman, have confirmed.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn, have confirmed.
• † I, Edmund, thegn, have confirmed.
• † I, Wulflaf, thegn, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfstan, thegn, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn, have confirmed.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn, have confirmed.
• † I, Wihtgar, thegn, have confirmed.

Of Bryningtun, how it was given.

In the same year the same King Edmund granted Bryningtun, of 20 hides, to his thegn Ordulf, in the same manner as above; and this is the king’s charter by which the gift of that Ordulf concerning the same land to this house is confirmed, as was then the custom.

The charter of King Edmund concerning Bryningtun.

In the name of the Holy Trinity. Since the fleeting ends of life are drawing near, which by divine will are appointed for us who are weighed down by the burden of sins, let us nevertheless follow the Lord’s counsels as best we can, according to that saying of the Gospel where it is said, “Give, and it shall be given unto you” (Luke 6:38).

Wherefore I, Edmund, king of the English, governor and ruler of the other peoples round about, grant to a certain thegn of mine named Ordulf, for his loving service and for his acceptable money which he paid me in the service of his devotion — namely 90 mancuses of purest gold — a certain portion of my inheritance into eternal possession: 8 hides of land where the country folk by ancient usage have bestowed the name Bryningtun, on this condition, that he may possess it during his days and the course of his life; and after him, as I have said to him, may hand it on hereafter in inheritance for ever to whomsoever he pleases. And let this gift remain, as I have just said, emptied of every secular service, with all things rightly pertaining to it — fields, pastures, meadows and woods — except these three: military service and the building of bridge and fortress. For whosoever, born of Belial in the generation of the ages, shall attempt to alter this our deed — he who is guilty of the crime of Judas — let him be thrust on the day of judgement with the fierce throng into the flames; unless, cleansed beforehand in this world by the weeping of penitence, he has striven to correct himself in this matter.

The boundaries of Bryningtun. #

The aforesaid land seems to be encompassed by these boundaries.

These are the boundaries of the land at Bryningtun. First at the head-barrow; then to the wort-wall at the end of the hedge; then along the hedge where the fish-bourne and the alder-bourne run together; then from the alder-bourne out to the war-track; and so north to the herpath; along the herpath to the eaves; thence back to the wort-wall at Crohhamm; then to Hunna’s spring; then west along the brink until it reaches the Welshmen’s bridge; then out to the Kennet; along the Kennet to Mythford; then to the middle river; then to Beaver-eyot; then to Fyrsige; from the hill along the river where the alder-bourne flows out into the Kennet; then up along the alder-bourne to the shallow ford; thence along the hedge out on to the high field; so to the herpath; along the herpath to Imma’s barrow; from Imma’s barrow back to the head-barrow.

This gift was made in the year 944 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the 2nd indiction.

With these witnesses. #

• † I, Edmund, king of the English, have confirmed the aforesaid gift with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Oda, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have signed the same king’s gift with the trophy of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop of the church of Winchester, have imprinted the triumphal trophy of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Cenwald, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Ælfric, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Æthelgar, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Æthelwold, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Ealhhelm, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfstan, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Edmund, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn, have confirmed.
• † I, Æthelgeard, thegn, have confirmed.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn, have confirmed.
• † I, Wihtgar, thegn, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn, have confirmed.

Of the death of King Edmund and the succession of his brother Eadred. #

Now this King Edmund, while on the feast-day of Saint Augustine, teacher of the English, he was keeping his court festively with his magnates in the royal vill which is called in English Pucklechurch, it happened that in his presence his butler attacked his steward, first with abuse and then with mortal violence; and when the king took this ill and tried to rescue his steward from the brink of death, he was struck by his own butler — whose name was Leofwine — with a detestable blow, and with a piteous end was slain, and so closed his last day. After his death, as we have learned from the testimony of ancient books, the monastery of Abingdon was reduced to such desolation that, all the possessions of that monastery having been brought under royal dominion by sceptred power, it was utterly deprived of monks. But for what causes this misfortune and so unlooked-for a downfall befell, nothing true or worthy of relation has come to our knowledge. Concerning this matter we have judged it alike more useful and more honourable to remain wisely silent for the present upon such a desolation, rather than to bring forward anything which can be proved to be neither true nor easily credible. Certainly the books of the wills containing the possessions of the church, although so unlooked-for a loss was hanging over that same monastery, were nevertheless preserved by the providence of God, so that the repairers and restorers of that monastery and their successors might be made more certain through those same books, and in the course of time might learn more plainly through them the evidences of antiquity.

From the times of Cissa and Ceadwalla and moreover of Ine, kings of the West Saxons, through whose patronage that monastery was first erected and built, down to this third desolation of the same monastery, a span of 250 years is reckoned to have passed.

Here ends the First Book. #

Here begins the Second Book: Of the Restoration of the House of Abingdon #

And so, when Edmund, king of the West Saxons, had entered upon the way of all flesh, his brother, the illustrious King Eadred of renowned memory, succeeded him in the kingdom; and, admonished by the holy counsels of his mother, Queen Eadgifu, he proved the third restorer of the house of Abingdon and the most faithful restorer of its possessions that had been taken away. But before we come to describe that king’s virtues and gifts alike, we judge it worth our while to make mention of him at this point, since it is a fitting and appropriate place; for he proved himself the outstanding father and shepherd who, after the desolation, was the most faithful completer of the work of the house of Abingdon, after its sorrow and grief its joyful comforter, the careful establisher of the sacred order, and the most blessed institutor of all the good customs of that house.

…a native of Winchester, named Æthelwold. This Æthelwold traced a line of nobility not only illustrious in birth but also distinguished in rank and full of all holiness. There flourished in him alike good gifts of talent and of industry, and the complete knowledge of letters acquired in his boyhood years was most gracefully crowned by the goodness of his natural disposition. There were found in him, moreover, a marvellous beauty of body, a most pleasing grace of manners, and a most delightful eloquence of speech, so that beauty, character and grace in the young Æthelwold seemed to vie with one another in rival excellence. And the gentleness of his mind, the constancy of his soul, the cheerfulness of his countenance, the eloquence of his speech, the bounty of his hand, and the holiness of his life — far more precious than all these — though we might most fervently desire to set it forth fully at present, we are by no means able to do so. Now this Æthelwold, when he had grown up and had happily reached the years of discretion, calling to mind that word of the Lord where it is said, “They cannot live unto Me who are not dead to the world,” straightway cast off the nets of the world and, denying himself, imitating Christ as his captain, and taking up His cross, became a son of the monastery of Glastonbury under the venerable father Dunstan, abbot of that place, and most happily put on the habit of sacred religion. There, living most holily for seven years, the venerable Æthelwold diligently called to mind that saying of the Gospel where it is said, “When the Judge shall come and shall winnow the wheat on the threshing-floor, the branch that has borne no fruit for the tiller in the vineyard shall be cut off”; and again diligently pondering that he is dust in his origin, dust in his imitation, and dust in his dissolution; and also what he had been through the contagion of original sin, what through the grace of baptism, what through shipwreck, and what through the second plank after shipwreck, and what he shall be through the dissolution of death and the glory of reward — he advanced to such perfection of holiness that, placed on earth among men, he seemed to lead an angelic life on earth.

How King Eadred began to love him. #

His holiness and goodness therefore becoming known, King Eadred embraced the holy Æthelwold with so special a prerogative of love that it now pleased him to have him summoned from the monastery as his familiar friend. It pleased the king also, at the persuasion of his mother Eadgifu, to give the holy man a certain place, called Abingdon, in which monastic religion had formerly flourished. But at that time it was neglected and ruined, consisting of mean buildings, and possessing only 40 hides; while the rest of the land of the aforesaid place, amounting in circuit on either side to 100 hides, was subject to the royal demesne and held by the king himself. And it came to pass, with the consent of Abbot Dunstan and according to the king’s will, that the man of God Æthelwold should undertake the care of the aforesaid place, in order to ordain therein monks serving God according to the Rule. So the servant of God came to the place committed to him, and certain clerks of Glastonbury at once followed him — namely, Osgar, Flodbriht and Fridegar, and Ordbriht of Winchester, and Eadric of London — submitting themselves to his discipleship; and in a short space he gathered to himself a flock of monks, over whom he himself, by the king’s command, was ordained abbot. The king also gave the royal estate which he possessed in Abingdon, as the king’s following charter testifies — that is, 100 hides, with excellent buildings — to the abbot and brethren for the increase of their daily sustenance, and greatly aided them with money from the royal treasury; but his mother sent them yet more liberal consolations of gifts. And the Lord conferred such grace on His servants that to the aforesaid monastery, which before was most poor, all men seemed to bring riches at once, and all things so fell out with prosperous success that the sentence of the Lord’s promise seemed openly to be fulfilled, where it is said: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” The tenor of the king’s charter is this.

…(a certain abbot, namely Æthelwold, recounting to me the most ancient privileges,) that the vill which is called by the common name of Abingdon, with its dependent hamlets, was in early times subject to the monastery which stands in the same village; but that in the time when the pirate hordes, devastating, ranged over this whole island, it, with all its appurtenances, was taken away from the aforesaid monastery by my grandfather, namely King Alfred — repaying to the victorious Lord unequal recompense for the victory which He wrought. Now therefore, for this reason, with the counsel and consent of my bishops and nobles, whose names are inscribed below, for the redemption of my soul and for the expiation of my sins and of my predecessors’, in fulfilment of my vow I restore for ever that same vill to the aforesaid monastery for the use of the said abbot and of the brethren serving God there. Moreover, the appendant lands which in divers places belong to the same vill — that is, Gaineg 10 hides, Gosige 10 hides, Weorth 30 hides, Cumenora 30 hides — may I enjoy for necessary uses during the days of my life, with the licence of the aforenamed abbot and of the brethren subject to him. But when the course of my life is run, let them be brought back to the aforewritten vill with all their stock, and be subject for ever to the aforesaid monastery. But if anyone, instigated by devilish malice, shall presume to infringe or to alter otherwise than we have ordained this charter of our munificence, which I have rendered free from every secular yoke, three things excepted — military service and the building of bridge and fortress — let him be alienated from the fellowship of God’s holy Church and from participation in the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, and, mournfully consigned to the eternal fires of the abyss, may he be tormented for ever with Judas, the betrayer of Christ, unless he has first made amends by worthy satisfaction for what he has offended against our decree.

The boundaries of the 20 hides of Abingdon which Ceadwalla, king of the West Saxons, first gave to God and Saint Mary, and which he thus divided. #

First at Ockford; up along the Ock to Abba’s dyke; then to the cold spring; then to the boundary-ford; along the brook to the green way; along the way to the brook; then to Woodford; then down by the brook to the outshot of the people’s rith; then through the dene-moor, ever along the rith, to Gumangrave; then to the people’s bridge; then to the sike at the foul sea; then to Hæglea, to the broad mere; then ever by the roots to the head of Bromcumb; then straight to Abingdon, to the market-street; then along the street on to the highway; then to Ecgu’s wyrth; then to Bagga’s clearing; then to the ætheling’s acre; then out to Stanford; then to Mægtheford, along the stream out to the Thames; then forth with the stream above the great eyot to Cearewella; back below the hill into the Thames; then up by the stream; then to Bagga’s brook; then to the hawk’s bank; then to the hollow dene; then to Tidwold’s spring; along the brook out to the Thames; then forth with the stream to the forking stream; along the stream back out to the Thames; then up by the stream to the Ock’s grassland; then ever along the dyke to the Ock; then up again to Ockford. The Æthelings’ Wood, Cumenora and Gatescombe belong to these twenty hides, which I myself have at times ridden and at times rowed round, and have freely apportioned for myself and my forebears and my successors in everlasting possession, for God and for the world. If anyone, through the devil’s teaching, shall diminish what I have granted to God and Saint Mary with gentle heart in everlasting inheritance, may the Lord bring down his power here and in eternity, unless with full repentance he makes amends for that wherein he has robbed our Lord.

These, moreover, are the attestations of this gift and freedom:

• † I, Eadred, king by the favouring grace of Christ, have confirmed this gift by the miraculous sign of the holy Cross.
• † I, Oda, archbishop of the see of Canterbury, have established it.
• † I, Oscytel, primate of the church of York, have consented.
• † I, Ælfsige, bishop of the see of Winchester, have confirmed it.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, was present at this royal bounty.
• † I, Eadgifu, the same king’s mother, procured this donation.
• † I, Æthelwold, abbot of the aforesaid monastery, dictated it with rejoicing.
• † I, Ælfhere, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Brihtferth, thegn.
• † I, Sulf, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Ealdred, thegn.
• † I, Alfred, thegn.

Of the monk Æthelstan. #

The monk Æthelstan had received the charge, by the abbot’s command, of providing food for the workmen. One day, when Æthelwold, as Christ’s watchman, was going his round to see how he was conducting himself, he found him in the kitchen cooking food, alone as he himself was alone. And seeing that all the utensils were most clean, the floor of the house swept, and the monk himself with cheerful countenance feeding the fire for the cooking, and desiring in pious eagerness to prove his devotion, he said: “From the bottom of the cauldron” — for the water in which the boiled meats were cooking was now bubbling — “draw out with your bare hand a hot morsel.” Without delay — for he was a man of great simplicity — he thrust his arm into the boiling liquid as though into a tepid one, and grasped it according to the will of him who commanded. The abbot, marvelling at his devotion, charged him that this should be kept secret while he lived. And when afterwards, on account of the merit of his life, he had attained the summit of the episcopate at Wilton, and his summons from this life arrived, he was carried to Abingdon and buried, in the year 980 from the Incarnation of Christ.

Of the boy Ædmer. #

There was also in the same monastery a boy of the purest innocence of purpose, named Ædmer, whom the abbot, for the comeliness of his manners, cherished lovingly with pious care. This boy, when he had come to his last end, was rapt away and led before the Queen of heaven, who was encompassed by a very great company of angels and shining with marvellous brightness (as he afterwards related to his abbot and the brethren). Being pleasantly asked by her whether he would rather cleave to her or still to the world, yearning to enjoy the blessedness which he beheld, he answered: “Nowhere else, O Lady of all, is there such sweetness, such goodness, as is assuredly found with You; wherefore, if it be pleasing to Your excellent mercy, I desire that I may deserve to serve You henceforth.” But she said: “From this day you shall have your wish.” And while, with these and other heavenly novices, he was being taught the oracles of so great a Lady, he was sent back for a little while to the world below, to disclose these things to his companions. When he had finished telling them, his spirit, as it is right to believe, was borne up to the court of the Mother of God herself by the conduct of angels.

Of the monk Osgar. #

The holy father, judging that his monks could in no wise better learn the observance of religion than from others, sent one of his monks, Osgar, to the monastery of Fleury, which is adorned with the relics of Saint Benedict, to be instructed there; and on his return he kindly imparted to his fellow-soldiers, by teaching, what he had learned.

And when very many men of God from divers parts of England, having heard of Æthelwold’s holiness — though instructed in a different manner of reading and chanting — came together to him and were received, he, desiring them to sing praise to God in church with one accord, summoned from the monastery of Corbie, which is situated in France and at that time was most highly reputed for ecclesiastical discipline, most skilled men, whom his monks might imitate in reading and chanting.

Of the Mead. #

When the fame of such virtues of these men was spread abroad, whenever opportunity served, the king used to come to the church and commend himself to the prayers of the father and of the servants of God dwelling there, and at their entreaty he also used to take food with them. In this matter a marvel once occurred: while all were feasting, the cup-bearers poured enough for all from a single vessel, yet only one palm’s measure of drink was drained, though a multitude was present on account of the royal presence and the feast.

Of Queen Eadgifu. #

The mother of the same king also, by name Eadgifu, cherished the abbot and the monks with the greatest love, and now poured out to them the stores of her resources, and now by her diligent admonition obtained for them so great favour from her son that at the beginning of the building of the monastery he himself measured out the foundations of the work with his own hand, and afterwards endowed them most richly with royal liberality. And as the grace of God thus showed itself gracious to its dwellers in modern times — when on the one hand the king with his aforesaid mother, and many powerful men also, rejoiced to frequent the place with gifts and to confer lands upon it, while on the other hand the abbot acquired the possessions belonging to the same place from of old, partly by reasoning and partly by payment of a price — a few years ago you might have seen the monastery there entirely built in honourable style and abundantly enriched.

How King Eadred gave Stanmere to Wulfric. #

The aforesaid King Eadred also gave Stanmere to his thegn Wulfric, with all things known to pertain to that place, in great and in small — fields, pastures, woods — to hold freely and in perpetuity as long as he lives, and after the general passing which is certain for all mortals yet uncertain as to its hour, to leave it in perpetuity to whatsoever heir of his line he will. For so the king’s charter testifies; whereupon the said Wulfric, with the king’s consent and will, made this most holy house of Abingdon heir to that same vill; and this is the text of the king’s charter confirming this gift.

The charter of King Eadred concerning Stanmere. #

In the name of the Most High God. With the most subtle striving of the mind let us fear and love God, whom we cherish and believe in with the deepest affection of mind, for the champion and exhorter of holy preaching uttered such a sentence, saying: “All things are naked and open before the eyes of God, and from the first light until dusk He beholds every act.”

Therefore I, Eadred, king of the English and governor and ruler of the other nations round about, to one of my thegns and soldiers — who in the service of his will and devotion was ever ready and prompt to declare and fulfil it, and who from the cradle of his infancy received, not by chance but by his parents’ will, the name of Wulfric — have freely given with bounteous grant a certain portion of land, in the place where the inhabitants of that region long ago bestowed the name of Stanmere. Moreover, the extent of that land, according to the estimation of those dwelling round that place, is declared to be as great as twice five hides is seen to be in equal measurement — that is, 10 hides. Let him have and possess the aforesaid bounteous gift as long as the vital breath shall nourish his flesh, corrupted by worldly frailty. But when the day of his dissolution shall come, on which he shall pass from this corruptible life to incorruptible blessedness, let him leave it, without any hindrance, to whatsoever heir he please in eternal inheritance. And let the aforesaid land be free from every worldly burden, with all things known to pertain to that place, in great and in small — fields, pastures, woods — except the common service of military service and the building of bridge and fortress. But if anyone shall presume by his own rashness to invade it by force, let him know beyond doubt that he will render account, stumbling and trembling, before the tribunal of the strict Judge, unless he has first chosen to make amends here by worthy satisfaction.

Boundaries of Stanmere. #

The aforesaid land is seen to be encompassed by these bounds.

These are the boundaries of Stanmere: first, from the chalk-pits to the street; along the street to Athulf’s thorn; thence to the fyrd-meadows; along the hard way; then to the cat’s barrow; then to Ælfheah’s boundary; thence along the boundary way to Wulfora; thence along the boundary to the upper end of Ine’s dene; then to the stile; then along the boundary to the gallows-hanger; from the gallows-hanger to Poccing’s clearing; thence to the down-enclosure; thence to Locer’s way; along the way to the old stile; from the stile athwart over Eomm’s ridge; thence to the old corner-way; thence to Beden’s way; from Beden’s way southward within, along the hedge round Huna’s down; then back to the chalk-pits south of the grey copses.

This aforesaid gift was made in the year 948 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, indiction 5.

• † I, Eadred, king of the English, have unfalteringly consented to and confirmed the aforesaid gift under the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Eadgifu, the same king’s mother, have confirmed it with the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Oda, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have concluded the same king’s grant and benevolence under the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Wulfstan, archon devoted to the office of divine service, archbishop of the city of York, have impressed the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Theodred, bishop of the church of London, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop of the church of Winchester, have subscribed and confirmed the sign of the holy Cross.
• † I, Cenwald, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ælfric, bishop, have signed it.
• † I, Æthelgar, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ælfred, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Wulfsige, bishop, have concluded it.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Eadric, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Ealhhelm, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Ælfgar, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Edmund, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfstan, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Æthelgeard, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Æthelnoth, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn, have consented.

How King Eadred gave Wittenham to Æthelwulf. #

In like manner King Eadred gave Wittenham, of 10 hides, to the prince Æthelwulf; and he, Æthelwulf, with the king’s consent, granted the said vill, on the same terms on which the king had granted it to him, to God and Blessed Mary and to this house of Abingdon and to the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms. And the king’s charter confirming this gift is this.

The King’s charter concerning Wittenham. #

Our Lord Jesus Christ reigning for ever. All things that are given in this world for the solace of mortal life are temporal; but those that are promised to the Saints in the kingdom of the heavenly life shall endure without end; therefore all must so act that by good deeds here they may deserve to obtain the felicity of future blessedness.

Wherefore I, Eadred, by the grace of God king of the West Saxons, give and grant to my beloved and venerable prince Æthelwulf land of 10 hides, in the place called Wittenham; that is, that he may have and possess it in perpetual inheritance, with all profits belonging to it — fields, meadows, pastures, fisheries — as long as he shall lead his life in this world, and after the end of his life he shall have free power of giving or granting it to whatsoever heir he please. This land also shall remain secure and immune from every royal service and every secular service, except military service and the building of the bridge and the fortification of the fortress. The aforesaid land is bounded by these bounds.

Boundaries. #

First at Gatecliff; up along Shilling’s brook; then eastward to Caber’s beech; then along the boundary to the head-tree westward; thence to the new furrow; along the furrow; then athwart over Crawa’s brook; on to the new furrow; along the furrow to the highway; and along the way to the Thames on the north-westward side.

If anyone shall wish to increase and amplify this my gift, may Almighty God increase his prosperous days. But if anyone shall presume to break or change it, let him know that he will render account before the tribunal of the eternal Judge on the Day of Judgement, unless he has first made amends by satisfaction.

This charter of the gift was written in the year 862 of the Lord’s Incarnation, in the royal vill which is called Micheldever, before fitting witnesses, whose names are noted below.

• † I, Æthelred, king, have consented.
• † I, Swithun, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Wulfhere, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Ælfstan, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Alfred, the king’s son, have consented.
• † I, Ealdred, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Garwulf, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Osmund, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ægferth, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Eadwulf, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ecgberht, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ealhheard, abbot, have consented.
• † I, Osric, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Æthelred, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Æthelfred, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wulflaf, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Hunsige, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wulfstan, thegn, have consented.

Of Dencheswurthe. #

In like manner he granted Dencheswurthe, of 5 hides, to the soldier Wulfric; and he, Wulfric, with the king’s consent, granted the said vill, on the same terms on which the king had granted it to him, to God and Blessed Mary and this house of Abingdon and the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms. The king’s charter confirming this gift is this.

Charter concerning Dencheswurthe. #

In the name of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, the true Redeemer of the world, in the year 947 of the Lord’s Incarnation, I, Eadred, by the disposing mercy of the All-Creator king of the English and of all the nations dwelling round about, in the first year of my reign — the divine grace of God persuading me to consider how marvellously and how subtly the heavenly Ruler governs and guards celestial and terrestrial things in the sure course of reason — because we judge those things to be profitable which are determined by common deliberation and wholesome counsel, as a certain wise man admonished, saying: “Do all things with counsel, and after the deed thou shalt not repent.”

Therefore, by no means holding it in oblivion, with the witness of my bishops and the attestation of the other faithful, I have cheerfully granted in perpetual freedom a small portion of my dominion — 5 hides — to a certain soldier called by name Wulfric, in that place where the countrymen, by wonted use and jesting name, bestowed the name of Dencheswurthe, for the love of Him who said, “Give, and it shall be given unto you”; that he may well enjoy and perpetually possess it as long as he shall presume to hold the life of this fleeting world; and after he shall have gone the way of all flesh, let him leave it to whatsoever heir he will, as we have said before, in eternal inheritance. And let the aforesaid land be free from every worldly burden, with all things rightly pertaining to it — fields, pastures, meadows, woods — except these three: military service and the building of bridge and fortress. And whosoever among all successors shall strive to amplify this right of gift by increasing it, may the All-begetting Father increase and amplify their life in this present world, and among the heavenly citizens may they rejoice, blessed and happy without end, in eternal glory. But if anyone shall presume by his own rashness to invade it by force, let him know beyond doubt that he will render account, stumbling and trembling, before the tribunal of the strict Judge, unless he has first chosen to make amends by worthy satisfaction.

Boundaries. #

The aforesaid land is seen to be encompassed by these bounds.

These are the boundaries at Dencheswurthe: first on Cilla’s rith, west to Muttic; to the dyke; to Ordulf’s boundary; to Ceawa’s mound; along the dyke to the land-brook; along the brook to the northern Dencheswurthe; then east straight back to Cilla’s rith; then south to where we first began; and there the three hides lie undivided in the northern Dencheswurthe.

• † I, Eadred, king of the English, have unfalteringly consented to and confirmed the aforesaid gift under the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Eadgifu, the same king’s mother, have confirmed the aforesaid gift with the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Oda, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have concluded the same king’s grant and benevolence under the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Wulfstan, archon devoted to the office of divine service, archbishop of the city of York, have impressed the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Theodred, bishop of the church of London, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop of the church of Winchester, have subscribed and confirmed the sign of the holy Cross.
• † I, Cenwald, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Ælfric, bishop, have signed it.
• † I, Æthelgar, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ælfred, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Wulfsige, bishop, have concluded it.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman, have concluded it.
• † I, Eadric, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Wulfgar, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Ealhhelm, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Ælfgar, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Edmund, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfstan, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Beorhtsige, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Æthelgeard, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Æthelnoth, thegn, have consented.

King Eadred gave Bedelaching to his thegn Cuthred. #

The same King Eadred gave Bedelaching, of 5 hides, to his thegn Cuthred; and he, Cuthred, with the king’s consent, granted the said vill, on the same terms on which the king had granted it to him, to God and Blessed Mary and this house of Abingdon and the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms. The king’s charter confirming this gift is this.

Charter concerning Bedelaching. #

Our Lord Jesus Christ reigning for ever. “All the things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are not seen are eternal”; therefore by fleeting and vain things the eternal and ever-abiding joys of the heavenly country are to be greatly purchased.

Wherefore I, Eadred, by the grace of God king of the West Saxons, for the remedy of my soul, have freely bestowed a certain part of the land of my right on my thegn Cuthred in perpetual inheritance — that is, 5 hides in the place called Bedelaching; namely, that he may have and possess the aforesaid land with all profits belonging to it — fields, meadows, pastures — as long as Almighty God shall will that he tarry in this life; and after the end of his life he shall have free power of giving or granting it to whatsoever heir he please. And let the aforesaid land remain secure and immune from every royal service and every secular service, except military service and the building of the bridge and the fortification of the fortress. If anyone shall wish to increase and amplify this my gift, may God increase his goods here and in the world to come; but if anyone shall presume to break or change it, let him know that he will render account before the tribunal of the eternal Judge on the day of judgement, unless he has first made amends by satisfaction. This deed was written in the year 948 from the Incarnation of Christ, in the place called Suthtun, with these witnesses consenting, whose names are seen written below.

Witnesses. #

• † I, Æthelred, king, have consented.
• † I, Æthelwulf, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Beorhtferth, the king’s son, have consented.
• † I, Heremod, priest.
• † I, Milred, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Cunlaf, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Æthelwulf, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Æscred, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Cuneleah, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ceolberht, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Mucel, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Heahwulf, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Weohthelm, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Cyneferth, thegn, have consented.

King Eadred gave Wasingetune to Eadric. #

The same King Eadred granted Wasingetune, of 20 hides, to the ealdorman Eadric; and he, Eadric, with the king’s consent, granted the said vill, on the same terms on which King Eadred had granted it to him, to God and Blessed Mary and this house of Abingdon and the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms. The king’s charter confirming this gift is this.

Charter concerning Wasingetune. #

In the name of the Holy Trinity. Although the decrees of bishops and the words of priests are fixed, like the foundations of mountains, in strict bonds, yet very often by the tempests and whirlwinds of secular things even the religion of God’s holy Church is dissipated and broken by the stains of the reprobate. Therefore, foreseeing the uncertain state of future times, we have decreed that it will profit our successors that those things which are determined by common deliberation and wholesome counsel should be confirmed, strengthened by interwoven letters.

Wherefore I, Eadred, king of the English and governor and ruler of the other nations round about, to one most faithful to me, a beloved ealdorman named Eadric — won over by the diligence of his devotion and his service — have deigned to give twice ten hides, which in English is called twenty hides, in that place where the inhabitants of that region long ago bestowed the name of Wasingetune. Moreover, I have granted this gift of the aforesaid munificence on such terms: that he may possess and firmly hold it until the last course of his life, with all the appurtenances which the God of heaven created on that land’s soil, both in things known and unknown, in small and in great — fields, pastures, woods and thickets of woods — granting it with freedom. And after he shall have left the frailty of the human race and, by the grace of the heavenly Judge, shall have gone the desirable way of gladness, let him leave it eternally to whatsoever successor he will, as I have noted above. And let the aforesaid land be free from every fiscal tribute and emptied of secular services, except military service and the building of bridge and fortress. And I command in the name of the Most High God that neither we living nor any who are reckoned under the name of Christendom and the faith of Divine knowledge should presume to bring the statutes of this freedom to nought. Whosoever shall strive with benevolent mind to amplify my gift, may he hold prosperously in this present world the joys of long-lasting life. But if anyone shall presume by his own rashness to invade it by force, let him know beyond doubt that he will render account, stumbling and trembling, before the tribunal of the strict Judge, unless he has first chosen to make amends by worthy satisfaction.

Boundaries of Wasingetune. #

The aforesaid land is seen to be encompassed by these bounds.

These are the boundaries of Wasingetune: first to Duha’s clearing; from Duha’s clearing to the red spring; from the red spring to Lydgeard’s barrow; from Lydgeard’s barrow to Tatmon’s apple-tree; from Tatmon’s apple-tree to Deneburh’s mound; from Deneburh’s mound to the stone barrow; from the stone barrow to Hæthburh’s mound; from the mound to the war-grove; from the war-grove to the two barrows; from the two barrows to Lærem’s down; from Lærem’s down to Bida’s wood; from Bida’s wood to Wiga’s camp; from Wiga’s camp to Benna’s barrow; from the barrow to the black pool; from the pool to the apple-tree; then to the dun-coloured head; then to Huna’s knoll; then back to Duha’s clearing.

These are the pastures that belong thereto: Wynburh’s spear, and the three crock-hursts, and Horsham, and Yffel’s clearing, and Hæslwic, and Gatawic, and Ridanfald, and Scacalwic, and Hundscedingfald.

This aforesaid gift was made in the year 947 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, indiction 5.

• † I, Eadred, king of the English, have unfalteringly consented to and confirmed the aforesaid gift under the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Eadgifu, the same king’s mother, have confirmed it with the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Oda, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have concluded the same king’s grant and benevolence under the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Wulfstan, archon devoted to the office of divine service, archbishop of the city of York, have impressed the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Theodred, bishop of the church of London, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop of the church of Winchester, have subscribed and confirmed the sign of the holy Cross.
• † I, Cenwald, bishop, have consented to the aforesaid gift.
• † I, Ælfric, bishop, have signed it.
• † I, Æthelgar, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ælfred, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Wulfsige, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Wulfgar, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Ealhhelm, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Ælfgar, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Edmund, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfstan, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wulfsige, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Æthelnoth, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Æthelgeard, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Æthelred, thegn, have consented.

Of Weligforda: how King Eadred gave it to Wulfric. #

In like manner King Eadred gave Weligforda, of 13 hides, to his thegn Wulfric; and he, with the king’s consent, granted the said vill, on the terms on which the king had granted it to him, to God and Blessed Mary and this house of Abingdon and the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms. The king’s charter confirming this gift is this.

The King’s charter concerning Weligforda. #

The Saviour of the world, in perpetual eternity governing and disposing all the rights of kingdoms from the high summit of heaven — who, in showing the gifts of His knowledge, is unfailingly beheld ruling heaven and earth and the liquid plains and the shining globe of the moon and the eternal sun, holding and guarding them with His ineffable grace.

Wherefore I, Eadred, by the mercy of divine indulgence king of the English, have given 18 hides to one faithful to me in the inmost affection of heartfelt love, nay, dear to me in all things by the privilege of affection, called by name Wulfric, in that place where the inhabitants of that region long ago bestowed the name of Weligforda, in exchange for another land which is said to be situated in Cornwall, where the countrymen of that district call it by the barbarous name of Pendyfig; so that he may have and possess it as long as he lives, and after him leave it to whatsoever survivor he will in eternal inheritance. And let the aforesaid land be free from every worldly burden, with all things rightly pertaining to it — fields, pastures, meadows, woods — except the common service of military service and the joint building of bridge and fortress. But if any man shall strive to break this my gift, boasting with the rashness of folly, may he be weighed down by heavy chains about his neck among the flame-vomiting throngs of foul demons, unless he has first chosen to come to satisfaction here.

Boundaries of Weligforda. #

The aforesaid land is seen to be encompassed by these bounds.

These are the boundaries of Weligforda: first from Wine’s tree; along the dene; then up on to the way; thence to the broad clearing, northward to a meadow; and then right through the clearing to a meadow southward, to the old hedge-row; into the wet hanger; from the hanger to the shilling hanger; then to the broad meadow westward; in the meadow to the cradle-mound; from the mound to the Lambourn; thence up to the deer’s tree; from the tree to the elm stump; then to Ceolbald’s spring; from the spring to the ford of Cut’s syte; from the ford to Wulfric’s; then to the upper part of the hoard-lince; from the lince to the sedge-mead northward; then straight on to Cenhelm’s stone; from the stone to the way; on the way to Rigeham; then the green way; out to the lamp-pits; to the chalk-pit; from the chalk-pit to the ash; then forth over the burn; along the mill-path; to the three thorns; and so forth along the lince to Cardanham; from the meadow out through the clearing to the green barrow; from the barrow to Ecgu’s tree; from the tree to the boundary-way; thence to the dene; and so forth to the three boundaries; from the boundaries back to Wine’s tree.

This aforesaid gift was made in the year 949 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, indiction 7.

Witnesses. #

• † I, Eadred, king of the English, have unfalteringly consented to and confirmed the aforesaid gift under the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Eadgifu, the same king’s mother, have confirmed it with the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Oda, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have concluded the same king’s grant and benevolence under the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Wulfstan, archon devoted to the office of divine service, archbishop of the city of York, have impressed the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Theodred, bishop of the church of London, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop of the church of Winchester, have subscribed and confirmed the sign of the holy Cross.
• † I, Wulfsige, bishop, gave consent, affixing the Cross.
• † I, Ælfric, bishop, have confirmed the king’s gift.
• † I, Æthelgar, bishop, have confirmed it by the banner of the Cross.
• † I, Ælfred, bishop, have depicted the sign of the Cross.
• † I, Edmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Ealhhelm, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfgar, ealdorman.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelgeard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Ætheric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn.
• † I, Osferth, thegn.

Of Æscesburh: how King Eadred gave it. #

In like manner King Eadred granted Æscesburh, of 33 hides, to his thegn Ælfsige and his wife Eadgifu; and he, with the king’s consent, granted the said vill, on the terms on which the king had granted it to him, to God and Blessed Mary and this house of Abingdon and the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms. The king’s charter confirming this gift is this.

The charter of King Eadred concerning Æscesburh. #

In the year 953 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. I, Eadred, by divine favour, king and foremost ruler of all Albion, have most freely granted to my thegn Ælfsige and his wife Eadgifu, for his pleasing and faithful service, a small portion of land assessed at 33 hides in the place called Æscesburh; binding this gift of munificence on such terms that after his death he may leave it in perpetual right to whatsoever heir he will. But if anyone — which we desire not — shall attempt to break the charter of this gift, unless he be first duly punished in this world, may he be pressed in the world to come by everlasting torment. And this portion of land is seen to be encompassed by these limits.

First at the south gate; and from the north gate to Dudebeorh; then to Ecel’s barrow; then to the ring-pit; then to the heads; then to the chalk-pits; thence to the broad mere; then along the dyke to the dene-mead; then to the broad way round Mordun, to Thyrs’s stream; thence to the northern hatch-mere; then along the moor by the north stone; then athwart over the moor to Bullandic; and so along the dyke to Æthelfrith’s boundary, at the end of Bullandic; to the thorn stump; then to Talla’s burn; thence to the holy place; and so up along the brook to Æthelfrith’s boundary westward; and so along the boundary to the raven’s fort, at the north gate; out at the south gate to Hoda’s mound; then to the stone mounds; then to the red hollow; then to the dun hollow; and so by the slope; then to Domferth’s hurst; to Thættac’s stone; then to the hound’s mound; then to the hawk’s mound; then to the short dyke; then to the long dyke to Æscesburh; back to the south gate.

The names of the attesters of this gift are seen noted below.

Witnesses. #

• † I, Oda, archbishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfred, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulfsige, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelgar, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Byrhtelm, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Cynsige, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Cenwold, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Leofwine, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Edmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Osferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfnoth, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.

Of Cifanlea: how it was given to Wulfric. #

The same King Eadred gave Cifanlea, of 25 hides, to his thegn Wulfric; and he, with the king’s consent, granted the said vill, on the terms on which the king had granted it to him, to God and Blessed Mary and this house of Abingdon and the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms. The king’s charter confirming this gift is this.

The charter of King Eadred concerning Cifanlea. #

…through His aid we are able to restore the lost and the wicked, as the Psalmist thus sang: “The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord.”

Wherefore I, Eadred, by divine indulgent mercy king of the English, eternally grant to one of my faithful thegns, called by name Wulfric, 25 hides with the pasture which is situated on a certain hill, which he obtained from me, in that place where the countrymen of that land long ago bestowed the name of Cifanlea; that he may have and possess it as long as the vital spirit shall nourish his body; and when the day of his dissolution shall come, let him leave it to whatsoever heir he will, as we said above, in eternal inheritance. Let this my immovable gift therefore remain pleasing in eternal freedom, with all things known to pertain to that place, in great and in small — fields, pastures, meadows, woods — except the common service of military service and the joint building of bridge and fortress. If any, moreover — I desiring it not — oppressed by envy shall strive to violate this charter of freedom, may they, fallen into the ranks of foul darkness, hear on the day of judgement the voice of the Arbiter saying to them, “Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire”; where with the demons they are cruelly tormented in iron frying-pans, unless before death they amend this with worthy penance.

Boundaries of Cifanlea. #

…to Catbeorh; along the way to Æthelun’s thorn; then along the way to Sealhangra eastward; thence along the way to the burial-mounds; then along the nether boundary to the grey apple-tree; then to Orlham’s boundary; along that boundary to Ciltewud’s boundary at the stone; then west along the way to the ridge; then along the boundary to the chalk-pit; thence along the boundary to the other chalk-pit; then to the pale stump, and there to the wood; then to the shrubs; then over the high ridge; then to the king’s enclosure; then west there along the enclosure to Hnæf’s clearing southward; then along the enclosure to the brook; from the brook thence north outside the little heath-field; then along the way by the Winterburna boundary, west of the old fort, on to the stony way; from the way to the stone chests; thence to the heads; then west to the burn, six furrows off; then north one furlong; then west over the two barrows to the army-path; north along the army-path to the broad ford; then west along Burnstow to Ibba’s stone; then east along the way to Standene; thence west to the root-bank; thence north to the sheep-meadows; then straight to where the town-ways shoot out; then straight to the grey apple-tree; from the grey apple-tree through the town to the new chalk-pit; then along the boundary to the little barrow up on Mull’s down; from the barrow along the boundary to the ridge-way; along the ridge-way to Catwier’s boundary; then east along the boundary to Putta’s pit; from the pit along the boundary back to Catbeorh.

This aforesaid gift was made in the year 951 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, indiction 9.

Witnesses. #

• † I, Eadred, king of the English, have unfalteringly consented to and confirmed the aforesaid gift under the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Eadgifu, the same king’s mother, have confirmed it with the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Oda, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have concluded the same king’s grant and benevolence under the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Theodred, bishop of the church of London, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop of the church of Winchester, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ælfric, bishop, gave consent, tracing the Cross.
• † I, Wulfsige, bishop, have confirmed the king’s gift.
• † I, Æthelgar, bishop, have confirmed it by the banner of the Cross.
• † I, Ælfred, bishop, have confirmed the banner of the Cross.
• † I, Byrhtsige, bishop, have depicted the sign of the Cross.
• † I, Edmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Ealhhelm, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfgar, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelgeard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfnoth, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Wulfstan, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn.

Of Cusanricge: how it was given to King Eadred’s thegn. #

King Eadred also gave Cusanricge, of five hides, to his thegn Ælfric; and he himself, with the king’s consent, bestowed the said vill — on the same terms on which the king had granted it to him — upon God and Blessed Mary and this house of Abingdon, and to the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms. The king’s charter confirming this gift is this.

The King’s charter concerning Cusanricge. #

In the year 953 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. I, Eadred, by divine favour, king and foremost ruler of all Albion, have most freely granted to my thegn Ælfric, bound to me by kinship of the flesh, for his pleasing and faithful service, a small portion of land assessed at 5 hides in the place called Cusanricge; binding this gift of munificence on such terms that after his death he may leave it in perpetual right to whatsoever heir he will. But if anyone — which we desire not — shall attempt to break the charter of this gift, unless he be first duly punished in this world, may he be pressed in the world to come by everlasting torment. And this portion of land is seen to be encompassed by these limits.

Boundaries. #

These are the boundaries at Cusanricge of the five hides: first to the boundary-way; along the boundary-way to the hatch-gates; along the hatch to the grey thorn; from the thorn to Cyneeah’s tree; then along the hart-path to the queen’s dene; then along the old way to Linleah; then along the hatch to the chalk-pit; then over the ridge back to the boundary-way. And in the common land there belong to it 65 acres.

The names of the attesters of this gift are seen noted below.

Witnesses. #

• † I, Oda, archbishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulfstan, archbishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfred, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfsige, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulfsige, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Byrhtelm, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Cenwold, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Cynsige, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Leofwine, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Edmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfnoth, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.

How King Eadred gave Cumtune to his thegn Ælfheah. #

In like manner King Eadred granted Cumtune by Æscesdune, of 8 hides, to his thegn Ælfheah; and he, with the king’s consent, granted the said vill, on the terms on which the king had granted it to him, to God and Blessed Mary and this house of Abingdon and the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms. The king’s charter confirming this gift is this.

The charter of King Eadred concerning Cumtune. #

In the year 955 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. I, Eadred, by divine favour, king and foremost ruler of all Albion, have most freely granted a small portion of land to my thegn Ælfheah, joined to me by kinship, assessed at 8 hides in the place called Cumtune, next to the hill called Æscesdune; binding this gift of munificence on such terms that after his death he may leave it in perpetual right to whatsoever heir he will. But if anyone — which we desire not — shall attempt to break the charter of this gift, unless he be first duly punished in this world, may he be pressed in the world to come by everlasting torment. And this portion of land is seen to be encompassed by these limits.

Boundaries. #

These are the boundaries of the land at Cumtune: first from the ridge-way to the broad gate; from the broad gate to Æthelhelm’s lince; on to the forward down; from Æthelhelm’s lince to the Icknield Way; from the Icknield Way to Bica’s dyke; from Bica’s dyke into the swine-brook; from the swine-brook to the broad thorn west of the mere; from the thorn to the red dyke; along the dyke to Hild’s mound; from Hild’s mound to the black pit; from the black pit along the western rush-row into the swine-brook; from the swine-brook to the reeds; from the reeds to Hwitluc’s mound on the Icknield Way; from the Icknield Way to the mere chalk-pit; from the nether chalk-pit to Dinra’s barrow; from Dinra’s barrow to the ridge-way; from the ridge-way to Fernhill’s slade; from Fernhill’s slade to Hazel Hill southward; from Hazel Hill west to the green way; along the way to the driven furrow; along the furrow until it comes to the broad gate east of Weland’s smithy. The names of the attesters of this gift are seen noted below.

Witnesses. #

• † I, Oda, archbishop, have consented.
• † I, Wulfstan, archbishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfsige, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Wulfsige, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Byrhtelm, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Cenwold, bishop, have witnessed.
• † I, Cynsige, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Leofwine, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Edmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfnoth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.

How King Eadred gave Boxora to his thegn Wulfric. #

In like manner King Eadred gave Boxora, of 10 hides, to his thegn Wulfric; and he, with the king’s consent, granted the said vill, on the terms on which the king had granted it to him, to God and Blessed Mary and this house of Abingdon and the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms. The king’s charter confirming this gift is this.

The charter of King Eadred concerning Boxora. #

The Lord of lords reigning for ever and ever. The kingdoms of the kings of this present world pass away like ignominy, and all the glory and place of this world will perish, for they are not eternal; but the things above are eternal.

Wherefore I, Eadred, king of the English, governor and ruler, grant for ever with devoted mind to one of my faithful thegns — whom many call by the well-known name of Wulfric — for his benevolent service, a certain portion of land, that is, 10 hides, in that place where by English appellation it is called Boxora; that he may have and possess it as long as he lives, and after him leave it eternally to whomsoever he will. And let the aforesaid land be free from every worldly burden, with all things rightly pertaining to it — fields, pastures, meadows, woods — except the common service of military service and the building of bridge and fortress. But if anyone shall strive to infringe it — which God forbid — let him know that he is guilty every hour of his life and shall not escape dark Tartarus.

Boundaries. #

This land is seen to be encompassed by these bounds.

These are the boundaries of Boxora: first at Wine’s tree; then along the army-path to the valley-pit; then up to Æcme’s meadows on the south side; from the clean meadows along the boundary out to the heath-field on the east side; then out to the linden on the north side; then along the boundary to Weoc’s thorn; from that thorn then along the boundary to the Lambourn at Clatford; from Clatford to the head of Meosbrook; then to Ælle’s post; thence along the army-path out to the marsh; there by the marsh to the enclosure at the new hedge; then to the dyke; along the dyke out to the stream; then up to the black groves; from the groves to Rinda’s hollow; from the hollow to the three thorns; then along the way back to Wine’s tree, where it first began.

This charter was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 958, in the first indiction.

Witnesses. #

• † I, Eadred, king of the English, have unwaveringly consented.
• † I, Ælfsige, bishop, have impressed the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Byrhtelm, bishop, have consigned.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have acquiesced.
• † I, Byrhtelm, bishop, have not refused.
• † I, Daniel, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Eadmund, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Æthelsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfric, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwig, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfnoth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgear, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgar Leofa, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Cynric, thegn.

How King Eadred gave Beorcham to Ælfwine his thegn. #

The same King Eadred granted to Ælfwine his thegn Beorcham, of three hides; and he, with the king’s consent, conveyed the aforesaid estate, on the same terms on which the king had granted it to him, to God and St Mary and to this house of Abingdon, and to the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms. The king’s charter confirming this gift is as follows.

Charter of King Eadred concerning Beorcham. #

Whatever is seen to stand firm in its former state soon slips away, as no wise man is unaware; and the joys that deceive in this life are shaken and scattered.

Wherefore I, Eadred, king of the English, have bestowed in perpetual inheritance a certain small portion of land, namely of three hides, in the place which is called by the rustics by the well-known name of Beorcham, to a certain vassal who is called by his familiars by the name of Ælfwine, on account of his faithful service; so that he may cheerfully possess it during his lifetime, with all things rightly pertaining to it, and after the end of his life may leave it unburdened to whatsoever heirs he may wish. Moreover, let the aforesaid land be free from every yoke of servitude, three things excepted, namely military service and the construction of bridge and fortress. But if anyone shall wish to change this our munificence into something other than we have decreed, let him be anathema, unless first in this life before his death he repents as guilty of having offended against our decree.

These bounds gird the aforesaid land hereabouts.

Bounds. #

These are the boundaries of the three hides at Beorcham. First from Ceolla’s spring along the stream to the Ige, to the end of the enclosure; then along the enclosure to Cnotinga hamm; then from Cnotinga hamm straight along the foot of the slope; along the valley to the white stone; then past the white stone along the street to Loddera street; then from Loddera street back to Ceolla’s spring.

This charter was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 952, with these witnesses consenting whose names are seen written below.

Witnesses. #

• † I, Eadred, king, have established this royal boon with the triumphant standard.
• † I, Oda, metropolitan, have consigned.
• † I, Eadgifu, mother of the same king, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfsige, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Oscytel, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Wulfsige, have consented.
• † I, Dunstan, abbot.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Eadmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfnoth, thegn, have consented.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn.
• † I, Æthelgeard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Osulf, thegn.
• † I, Ealdred, thegn.
• † I, Oswig, thegn.
• † I, Osweard, thegn.
• † I, Lyfing, thegn.

How King Eadred gave Weonfeld to Ælfgar his thegn. #

The same King Eadred gave to Ælfgar, his thegn and soldier, Weonfeld, of three hides; and he, with the king’s consent, conveyed the aforesaid estate, on the same terms on which the king had granted it to him, to God and St Mary and to this house of Abingdon, and to the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms. The king’s charter confirming this gift is as follows.

Charter of King Eadred concerning Weonfeld. #

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ the Saviour. We know most certainly and without ambiguity that all the visible things of this present world, daily manifested in diverse matters, are declared to be transitory and temporal things which the heavenly Ruler has created for all, save only that He daily distributes sustenance to men through His bountiful mercy.

Wherefore I, Eadred, by the indulgence of divine clemency king of the English, have given to one of my faithful thegns and soldiers, who from the cradle of his infancy received, not by chance but by his parents’ will, the name Ælfgar, three hides of land in that place where the dwellers of that region long ago imposed the name “at Weonfeld”, so that he may have and possess it during his life, that is, as long as the vital spirit nourishes his frail body in this toilsome life; and after the separation of the soul from the body has taken place — which is known to be the common and inescapable lot of all mortals — he may leave it to whatever heir he wishes in perpetual inheritance. Moreover, let the aforesaid land be free from every worldly burden, with all things rightly pertaining to it — fields, pastures, meadows, woods — the common labour excepted, namely military service and the building of bridge and fortress. And let this small gift of blessing remain in everlasting writing with the seal of the holy Cross, as long as the willing rock is beheld by human eyes upon the earth, and water serves the Creator of all creatures with its wave-wandering floods. But if any man shall strive to violate this my gift, boasting with the rashness of folly, let him be weighed down about the neck with heavy chains among the flame-breathing throngs of foul demons, unless first in this life he has chosen to come to satisfaction.

Bounds of Weonfeld. #

The aforesaid land is seen to be encompassed by these bounds.

These are the boundaries. First at the hounds’ lea, to the Grægsol stream; along the stream to the Grægsol enclosure; along the enclosure to the confluence of the meadows; from the confluence to Tichanstede’s enclosure; along the enclosure out to the field; then always by the foot of the slope until it comes out to the foul rill; along the rill out to the dock-ford; from the ford west along the moor until it comes to the fallen tree-trunk; from the trunk along the enclosure out to the heath-field; to the boundary of the Beorhfeld people; to the enclosure; then along the enclosure by the dwelling.

Witnesses. #

• † I, Eadred, king of the English, have unwaveringly consented to the aforesaid gift under the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Eadgifu, mother of the same king, have confirmed with the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Oda, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have concluded the same king’s sovereignty and goodwill under the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Wulfstan, archbishop of the city of York, bound by the office of archontic service, have impressed the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Theodred, bishop of the church of London, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop of the church of Winchester, have subscribed the vault of the holy Cross, and confirmed.
• † I, Wulfsige, bishop, have given consent, tracing the Cross.
• † I, Ælfric, bishop, have confirmed the king’s gift.
• † I, Æthelgar, bishop, have depicted the form of the Cross.
• † I, Cenwald, bishop, have consented to the aforesaid gift.
• † I, Ealhhelm, ealdorman.
• † I, Eadmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfgar, ealdorman.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelgarth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn.

On the death of King Eadred. #

Now this King Eadred, seized by a fatal illness, took to the bed of sickness, from which he did not depart until, by the disposing of the just Judge of the world, he breathed forth his last spirit. A voice that slipped from heaven revealed the blessedness of his end to the blessed Abbot Dunstan, as he journeyed to Glastonbury and was hastening as quickly as he could, that he might visit his flock the sooner — before it could have become known to him by human means — saying, “King Eadred has fallen asleep in the Lord.” O how blessed the life of a king that is commended by so blessed a testimony!

On King Eadwig. #

Eadwig, the son of his brother King Edmund, succeeded King Eadred in the government. In his sight the venerable Æthelwold, abbot of Abingdon, of whom we have spoken before, found such favour that the said king gave to his every petition — so far as concerned the advancement of the house of Abingdon — an assent both effective and affectionate. The venerable Æthelwold, not unmindful of this favour, at the very beginning of his reign obtained from the same king a privilege concerning the liberty of the monastery of Abingdon and, moreover, of the possessions belonging to the same monastery, established and confirmed by all the archbishops and bishops of England; the archbishops and bishops, and likewise the abbots, firmly enjoining under threat of anathema that no mortal should thereafter presume either to obtain anything contrary to the liberty of the privilege, or in any other way maliciously to act against it. The tenor of the privilege is as follows.

Privilege of King Eadwig concerning the town of Abingdon, and concerning the election of an abbot from its own congregation. #

By the admonition of orthodox ecclesiastical vigour we are very frequently instructed that we who are utterly subject to it should venerate in supplication Him who, disposing the fabric of the whole world in a wondrous and ineffable order, at last formed the microcosm — Adam, that is — out of fourfold matter, and, breathing into him by a gracious impulse after His own likeness, set him over all that He had formed in the lower world, and, with but one thing excepted and forbidden for the sake of proving him, most fittingly placed him in the delight of paradise’s pleasantness, with Eve as his companion. Alas! beguiled by larvarical cavil and captivated by the fickle and persuasive cunning of the woman, he bit the forbidden fruit with jaws of anathema, and, cast down into this wretched world, deserved everlasting death for himself and his posterity. For as the prophets foretold, and as they who, taught from heaven, plainly proclaimed in orthodox doctrine the long-hidden presages of the heavenly King declared, an angel, bringing a blessing from on high — not, as the seditious loquacity of the Jews speechlessly confesses, but embracing the most elegant eloquence of ancients and moderns alike, and confounding the Arian and Sabellian taunts in anagogic utterance — slipping from the heavenly thresholds into the ear of the inviolate Virgin, is seen to have sung wondrous songs, as the evangelical declarations proclaim. To her the whole Church, that is, the catholic Church, proclaims with harmonious voice, thundering on high: “Blessed are you, Virgin Mary, who have believed; for there shall be fulfilled in you the things that were told you by the Lord.” Wondrous to tell! The Word is made flesh and embodied — that Word of which the Evangelist, pre-eminent above all in height of understanding, says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” [John i. 1], and so on. By that incarnation, indeed, taken from the Virgin, the sin of the ancient virgin is wiped away, and honour is bestowed upon all women, resplendent with bright miracles. Therefore, with the divinity of Christ remaining inviolate and His humanity suffering, liberty graciously befell His devoted servants.

Hence I, Eadwig, with the assistance of the High-throned One, king of the English and of the other peoples established round about in their several ways — that I may deserve to obtain a share in this liberty of the high-throned Governor’s clemency — grant to the monastery situated in the renowned place which the dwellers of this stock call by the noble name of Abingdon, held dedicated to the Mother of our Lord, the ever-Virgin Mary, and to St Peter, prince of the apostles, and to his fellow-apostle Paul, and to the monks dwelling there in the regular life, the everlasting liberty of a monastic privilege: namely that after the decease of the excellent Abbot Æthelwold, in whose times this restoration of liberty was granted through Christ’s favour, the whole congregation of the aforesaid monastery may lawfully appoint as abbot, electing by fitting counsel from that same body of brethren, the one whom it has chosen according to the regular institutes of St Benedict. Let the liberty of this privilege henceforth be held in perpetual use by all catholics, nor let any outsider, relying on tyrannical contumacy, usurp and exercise the right of power in the aforesaid monastery; but let the college of the same monastery glory, as I have said, in the privilege of perpetual liberty. Moreover, let the aforesaid monastery be free from every earthly servitude in the same terms in which it is held released by the ancient privilege of our catholic predecessors — namely Pope St Leo and the catholic King Cenwulf — when Heahhun held the abbacy. Let the lands, indeed, granted by right for the use of the monks to our Lord Jesus Christ and to His Mother Mary in ancient and modern times by kings and religious persons of both sexes, and by myself and by my uncle King Eadred, most faithful in restoring, be of the same perpetual liberty. For the aforesaid king, restoring to God’s church the land called Abingdon — which King Ceadwalla had in ancient times granted with devoted mind to our Lord and to His Mother Mary, and in which our predecessors, deceived by diabolical avarice, had unjustly built themselves a royal building — forbade that any king should demand entertainment there or construct a building in perpetuity. Which I, Eadwig, king of the English, acting upon the counsel of my nobles, command to stand fixed in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit for evermore, both in my own times and in those of my successors. But if anyone so grasping, seduced by the madness of avarice — which we do not desire — shall attempt with rash daring to infringe this bounty of our munificence, let him be alienated from the fellowship of God’s holy Church, and likewise from participation in the most sacred Body and Blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God, through whom the whole orb of the earth has been freed from the ancient enemy of the human race; and let him be set on the left side with Judas the betrayer of Christ. Unless first in this life, humbled, he repents with worthy satisfaction that he presumed to rebel against God’s holy Church, let the apostate obtain neither pardon in this active life nor rest in the contemplative, but, most wretched, thrust into the everlasting fires of the abyss, let him be tortured for ever with Ananias and Sapphira.

In the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 959, in the second indiction, in the third year of my reign, on the sixteenth kalends of June [17 May], this syngraph of munificence was written, with these witnesses consenting, whose names are inscribed below according to each one’s dignity.

• † I, Eadwig, monarch of the English of Britain, have confirmed the aforemade gifts of kinsmen and also of kings with this wonder of the holy Cross.
• † I, Odo, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have subscribed the same goodwill.
• † I, Eadgifu, grandmother of the same king, have confirmed this gift with the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Osulf, servant of the people of God, have confirmed with my own hand by canonical subscription.
• † I, Brihtelm, bishop, at the king’s command have impressed the sign of the holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have set up the trophy of the holy Cross.
• † I, Brihtelm, bishop, have subscribed and confirmed the vault of the holy Cross.
• † I, Daniel, pontiff, have given consent, tracing the Cross.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman, have confirmed the same king’s gift.
• † I, Æthelwold, abbot, have depicted this boon with my own hand in letters.
• † I, Ælfric, abbot, have confirmed with the standard of the Cross.
• † I, Ælfwold, abbot, have fixed the form of the Cross with my own hand.
• † I, Eadmund, ealdorman, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wulfgar, warden.
• † I, Æscwig, warden.
• † I, Ælfnoth, warden.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Brihtferth, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgar, steward.
• † I, Æthelsige, butler.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn.
• † I, Ealdred, thegn.
• † I, Leofing, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwig, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Cyneric, thegn.
• † I, Wihtsige, thegn.
• † I, Leofa, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Leofstan, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelstan, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelferth, thegn.
• † I, Osweard, thegn.
• † I, Osulf, thegn.
• † I, Oswig, thegn.
• † I, Ordgar, thegn.
• † I, Brihtric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfhere, thegn.
• † I, Leofric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.
• † I, Ælfmaer, thegn.
• † I, Ordwold, thegn.
• † I, Ordnoth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Eadred, thegn.
• † I, Cyneric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.
• † I, Ealdred, thegn.
• † I, Eanulf, thegn.
• † I, Ælfnoth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn.
• † I, Ceoleah, thegn.
• † I, Brihtric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwold, thegn.
• † I, Leofing, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ætheric, thegn.
• † I, Brihtelm, thegn.
• † I, Ælfweard, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.
• † I, Brihtwald, thegn.
• † I, Æthelferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfmaer, thegn.
• † I, Eadulf, thegn.
• † I, Sigelm, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelm, thegn.

Charter of King Eadwig concerning Abingdon. #

In the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 955, in the fourteenth indiction, I, Eadwig, by the favouring grace of God king and chief of Albion, as soon as the heavenly Lord enthroned me over the earthly realm, with most devoted devotion grant a certain small portion of land, reckoned by the inhabitants at twenty small holdings, to our Lord Jesus Christ and to His Mother the blessed Mary ever-Virgin, and likewise to St Benedict, the most renowned patron of monks, and to his servant Abbot Æthelwold, at the monastery which is in Abingdon; commanding in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that none of our successors, as long as Christianity flourishes, shall dare to violate this our decree. But if anyone — which we do not desire — struck by the blight of greed, shall attempt to infringe the privilege of this gift, let him know himself guilty of sacrilege in perpetuity, unless first in this world he has wiped away this monstrous crime with worthy penitence. And this small portion of land is seen to be encompassed by these limits.

Bounds. #

These are the boundaries of the land at Abingdon which King Eadwig gives to God in praise into the minster, and to himself for an eternal possession. First on the Thames, by the southern shore; there up to the dyke, on the south side of Ock’s yard; then along the dyke to the Ock; along the Ock to the abbot’s dyke; along the dyke to the cold spring; from the cold spring to the middle of the rush-meadow, as far as Torhtwold’s moor; then there to the dyke; along the dyke to the boundary-fords; then up along the brook until it comes opposite the old lea-ridge; then straight between the Pottles trees; to the elder stump; then there to the wood-ford; to the Sunningwell brook; along the brook to Dunna’s ford; then there to the willow-bed; then to the half-acre northward; then along the furrow to the heads; then there south over the half-acre; then there east to the furrow; then to the short land; there to the heathen burial-place; then thence to the seven acres westward; then there north to Lippa’s dyke; along the dyke through Sucga’s grove; then to the elder stump; then to the bramble-thorns; to the dyke; along the dyke to the horn-pit; then through Madoc’s lea to the old dyke; then to the acre-dyke; then to the hazel-dyke; from the hazel-dyke to the boundary-way; to Bæga’s worth; along the long way to the highway; along the highway to Ecgun’s worth; then to Bæga’s lea; then always by the foot of the slope; then to Bæga’s brook; from Bæga’s brook to the hawk’s edge; along the boundary-hedge; then out to Rygeworth westward; to the old dyke; then along the dyke to the pear-hanger; then to Wulfric’s brook; then straight across the herdsman’s way to the great willow; then there out to the Thames; then along the Thames; then back to the dyke on the south side of Ock’s yard.

The witnesses of this gift were those whose names are seen noted below.

• † I, Eadwig, king and chief of all Albion, have joyfully confirmed this gift by the wonder of the holy Cross.
• † I, Eadgar, ætheling, brother of the same king, have devoutly assented.
• † I, Oda, archbishop, have bound this gift with the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Wulfstan, archbishop, have confirmed the same with the seal of the Cross.
• † I, Ælfsige, bishop of the church of Winchester, with the other bishops, have of one accord bound this gift with the seal of the holy Cross by equal vow.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Byrhtelm, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have impressed the seal of the Cross.
• † I, Wulfsige, bishop, have impressed it.
• † I, Cynsige, bishop, have confirmed this privilege by the sign of the Cross.
• † I, Cenwold, bishop, have enrolled.
• † I, Athulf, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Oscytel, bishop, have consigned.
• † I, Dunstan, abbot, have confirmed with letters.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman, with the other suffragans have inviolably confirmed this gift.
• † I, Æthelsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Eadmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, earl.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Æthelgeard, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.

Moreover, let the aforesaid land, which I, with the consent of his nobles, have eternally restored to the holy church — though it was once unjustly taken away from it — be free from every yoke of earthly servitude, those things comprised in the aforesaid necessity excepted, namely military service and the restoration of bridge and fortress.

How the king gave Hengestesige to the church. #

Likewise in the same year King Eadwig gave to God and St Mary and to this house of Abingdon, and to the monks serving God there in perpetuity, Hengestesige, Seofecanwyrthe and Wihtham, and confirmed it by his charter. The tenor of this charter is as follows.

Charter of King Eadwig concerning Hengestesige. #

With our Lord Jesus Christ reigning for ever. It is known to all who nearly give their minds to the study of wisdom that, as the dangers of the present life threaten and the perishing of fleeting things increases, human knowledge slips away like dew and is handed over to oblivion, unless it is marked beforehand by some sure reasoning; “for the things which are seen here are not eternal but earthly,” as the apostle, imbued with the word of the Thunderer, says: “Now, as a shadow, so swiftly do bodily things flee; but eternal glory stands surer than every sight.”

There is liberally granted into eternal possession a certain earthly portion, that is, by the reckoning of 20 hides — though in three places, where it is commonly named “at Hengestesige”, and “at Seofecanwyrthe”, and “at Wihtham” — so that the aforesaid territory may eternally pertain to that monastery which is situated in the town called Abingdon, with those things which are known to pertain to the same land, both in great and in small: fields, pastures, meadows, woods. Let the aforesaid land be free of every service, except military service and the defence of bridge and fortress. But if any man shall strive to violate this my gift, boasting with the rashness of folly, let him be weighed down about the neck with heavy chains among the flame-breathing throngs of foul demons, unless first he has made amends with tearful groans of penitence and pure emendation.

The land mentioned above is asserted to be encompassed by these bounds.

Bounds of Hengestesige. #

These are the boundaries of the estate belonging to Abingdon, which is gathered together under three names, namely Hengestesige, Seofecanwyrthe and Wihtham. First at the maiden-ford; then mid-stream to Stanford; forth along the stream, outside Kytan island, to the water-course; from the water-course to Sætling’s acre; then to the highway, to the uppermost lea; then to the priests’ lea; then to the cat’s lea; then to Cybba’s stone; from the stone to the triple boundary; then within the rough lea to Broga’s gate; then to Sundra’s pasture, to the great thorn; from the thorn to the cottage slopes; then to the tidd combe; from the combe to Teta’s hill; from Teta’s hill to the head-way; along the combe to the hatch; from the hatch to Path’s stump; then to the plum lea; then to Frithela’s barrow; then to Ydyr’s lea; from Ydyr’s lea to the stone; then to the Thames at Eanflæd’s lode, mid-stream, until it comes back to the maiden-ford.

By these words the boundaries of the aforesaid lands are seen to be declared.

• † I, Eadwig, king of the English, have unwaveringly consented.
• † I, Eadgar, brother of the same king, have consented.
• † I, Oda, archbishop, have impressed with the sign of the holy Cross.
• † I, Cenwald, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Oscytel, bishop, have consigned.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Byrhtelm, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have not refused.
• † I, Awulf, bishop, have concluded.
• † I, Dunstan, abbot, have subscribed.
• † I, Æthelwold, abbot, have acquiesced.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Eadmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtferth, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelgeard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwold, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn.
• † I, Cynesige, thegn.

Concerning the wood which King Eadwig gave to the church of Abingdon. #

Likewise, in the first year of his reign, King Eadwig gave to God and St Mary and the house of Abingdon, and to the monks serving God there in perpetuity, a certain wood at Heafochrycg, for the building of St Mary’s church at Abingdon, at the petition of Æthelwold, abbot of the same place, and confirmed it by his charter. The tenor of this charter is as follows.

Charter of King Eadwig concerning Heafochrycg. #

Nothing in this world enjoys prolonged happiness, nothing possesses lasting dominion, nothing that is not borne by a swift course to the fatal end of life. And so, as the examples of the orthodox demonstrate, the patrimonies of worldly things are to be enjoyed by us in such a way that we may nevertheless never be defrauded of the rewards of the eternal homeland.

Wherefore I, Eadwig, with the consent of the High-throned Governor’s command, possessing the government of all Albion in its several ways, not unmindful that these things were granted to me in order that by them I might earnestly gain eternal bounty, have bestowed in eternal inheritance, with most devoted devotion, a certain wood with its fields — a little more than sixty acres — for the building of the holy church of God’s Mother which is situated in Abingdon, to Æthelwold the most devoted abbot and to the college of monks keeping the rule of the excellent Abbot Benedict under his discipline. To this wood the dwellers of its own diocese have given the well-known name of Heafochrycg, and it is encompassed on every side by these known bounds.

then along the enclosure to the thorny lea; then forth to Brygford; then always by the enclosure to the stone ways; from the stone way always by the foot of the slope to the flax acres; then always by the foot of the slope to the titmouse mere; from the mere to Cuthwulf’s cottage-site; from the cottage-sites to Panganbourne; then up mid-stream back to the dyke.

Witnesses. #

The witnesses of this gift of our munificence were those whose names are inscribed below in order, according to each one’s dignity.

• † I, Eadwig, king of the English, have unwaveringly consented.
• † I, Eadgar, brother of the same king, have consented.
• † I, Oda, archbishop, have confirmed with the sign of the holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfsige, bishop, have impressed the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Cenwold, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Oscytel, bishop, have consigned.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Brihtelm, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have not refused.
• † I, Adulf, bishop, have concluded.
• † I, Daniel, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Æthelwold, abbot, have acquiesced.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Eadmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtferth, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelgeard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwold, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn.
• † I, Cynesige, thegn.
• † I, Leofwine, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelferth, thegn.

Moreover, let the aforesaid wood, which I with the consent of my nobles have perpetually bestowed upon the aforesaid abbot for the building of the church, be free from every yoke of earthly servitude, these three excepted: namely military service and the restoration of bridge and fortress. But if anyone, driven by a larvarical spirit, shall presumptuously attempt to violate or alter this gift, unless before his death he repents as guilty with worthy satisfaction, let him be cast down into the everlasting fires of the abyss and punished, sorrowing, for ever with Judas the betrayer of Christ. This syngraph of munificence was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 956, in the fourteenth indiction, on the ides of February [13 February].

How King Eadwig gave Gainge to the church. #

Likewise, in the second year of his reign, the aforesaid King Eadwig gave to God and St Mary and to this house of Abingdon, and to the monks serving God there in perpetuity, Gainge, and confirmed it by his charter. The tenor of this charter is as follows.

Charter of King Eadwig concerning Gainge. #

With our Lord Christ reigning for ever, who disposes all things by the Father’s command and equally by the quickening grace of the Holy Spirit. As is well known, it quite often happens, on account of the uncertain vicissitude of future times, that those things which were previously confirmed by the testimony of many faithful persons are fraudulently and perilously dissipated, without any consideration of reason, through the contumacy of posterity and the machinations of deceit, unless they are inserted into eternal memory by the authority of letters and the testimony of charters.

Wherefore I, Eadwig, anointed with the royal unguent and exalted in the sceptre-bearing monarchy of the English people by the favouring clemency of the High-throned One, inflamed with desire for the heavenly kingdom, with a rejoicing heart bestow and grant to Almighty Christ and to His blessed and glorious Mother the ever-Virgin Mary the possession of 10 hides in the place which is called by the famous name of Gainge, with all things rightly pertaining to it — fields, pastures, meadows, waters — to the monastery of Abingdon, for the use of the monks dwelling there in the regular life, that this possession may remain subject to it by perpetual right of ownership. Therefore I eternally prescribe this gift of pure munificence above other charters, on account of the contentious and threatening tyranny of certain men who have plotted to usurp the same land for themselves, and have threatened that, should a favourable time ever present itself, they would violently invade it and utterly take it away from the aforesaid monastery. And that this charter of pure gift may accord with the ancient privilege, this too I command both by my own authority and by that of Almighty God: that no person, high or low, shall ever dare rashly to take away this portion of pure gift from the aforesaid monastery on any occasion; but let this same possession remain eternally free from every yoke of earthly servitude, three things excepted: namely military service and the restoration of bridge and fortress. Whoever shall guard these things with kind intention of mind and thought, let him rejoice in eternal brightness with all the saints in the kingdom of heaven without end, be crowned and glorified. But if anyone — God forbid — driven by tyrannical greed and relying on worldly power, shall presume to oppose this gift of my beneficence, let him be subject to eternal malediction with Judas the betrayer of Christ, and be tortured in the lower hell with the devil and his angels for ever, unless he has made amends with worthy satisfaction for having offended against our decree, confirmed by the divine authority of Almighty God.

The land mentioned above is asserted to be encompassed by these bounds.

the middle of Lilia’s blue hollow to Lodder’s barrow; then to the green linc westward; from the linc to the eagle’s down westward; then to the holland-dyke eastward; along the dyke two furlongs northward; then east by the head two furlongs; along the furrows; along the water-dean west to the deep dean; from the dean to the red stone; from the stone back to Lilia’s blue hollow.

This gift of pure beneficence was given for confirmation in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 956, in the fourteenth indiction; these were the witnesses, whose names written below are seen to be present.

• † I, Eadwig, by the grace of God king of the whole British land, have confirmed my gift with my own seal.
• † I, Eadgar, brother of the same king, have swiftly consented.
• † I, Oda, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have confirmed with the sign of the bountiful Cross.
• † I, Ælfsige, divine overseer of the church of Winchester, have impressed my own seal.
• † I, Cenwald, have been present with the heavenly sign.
• † I, Oscytel, have consented with a placable mind.
• † I, Osulf, have not refused.
• † I, Wulfsige, have confirmed.
• † I, Brihtelm, have acquiesced.
• † I, Ælfwold, have consigned.
• † I, Adulf, have concluded.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Eadmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Brihtferth, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelgeard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Brihtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwold, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn.

Concerning Hennarithe, how it was given. #

In the same year King Eadwig gave to Brihtric his thegn 10 hides in Hennarithe; and he, with the king’s consent, gave it to God and St Mary and the house of Abingdon, and to the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms; and this is the king’s charter confirming his gift.

Charter. #

With our Lord Jesus Christ reigning. Of the most high and blessed Trinity, whose composite figure is most readily evident, since the joy of the present conflict secretly begets for us, as it were, an everlasting jubilee — as the apostle says: “For that which is at present momentary and light of our tribulation worketh for us above measure exceedingly an eternal weight of glory” [2 Cor. iv. 17].

For which cause I, Eadwig, king of all the peoples belonging to this island, grant to one of my pleasing thegns a certain part of my land — to Byrhtric — in the place which is called Hennarith, that is, 10 hides, to enjoy heritably as long as he lives; with pastures and meadows; and after his death let him leave it to whomsoever he wishes. If therefore anyone shall wish to increase this gift of the king, let him be worthy of eternal reward; but if to diminish it, let him be anathematised, unless before death he makes amends. Moreover, let the aforesaid land be free from every worldly obstacle, these three excepted: military service and the construction of bridge and fortress.

Bounds of Hennarithe. #

The land is seen to be encompassed by these bounds.

This is the land-book of the land at Hennarithe — ten hides of common land — which King Eadwig booked to Byrhtric his thegn.

This charter was made in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 955, in the fourteenth indiction; this land was armed with these witnesses.

• † I, Eadwig, king of the English, have set it forth with the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Odo, archbishop, have signed.
• † I, Eadgar, the king’s brother, have consented.
• † I, Oscytel, bishop, have signed.
• † I, Ælfsige, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Cenwald, bishop, have been present.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Byrhtelm, bishop, have adhered.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman, have consented.
• † I, Æthelsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Eadmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Leofwine, thegn.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwold, ealdorman.

How King Eadwig gave Tadmertun to Byrhtnoth. #

The same King Eadwig granted in the same year to Byrhtnoth his thegn 9 hides in Tadmertun; and he, with the king’s consent, gave it to God and St Mary and the house of Abingdon, and to the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms; and this is the king’s charter confirming this gift.

Charter of King Eadwig concerning Tadmertun. #

That the end of the world is drawing near, with its threats increasing, even manifest signs and clear proofs declare, and those oracles spoken long ago are known to weigh upon the torpid minds of unbelievers for judgment: the ardour of charity — which is the supreme God — grows cold, and the wholesome water of the holy laver dries up; each one seeks for himself teachers of error according to his own desires, casting away the sentence of evangelical truth as though it were nauseous nectar, and turns his ears to fables of muddy liquor. Let everyone who is wise beware of these things for himself.

Wherefore I, Eadwig, king of all Albion, by the Lord’s disposing — since the Creator and Maker of things, by whom the governance of the whole worldly frame is duly ruled, has deigned to bestow upon me the sceptres of those who went before by right of posterity and succession — deem it worthwhile, anticipating the vicissitude of future times, to foresee with a sagacious gaze of mind the uncertain state of the human condition, so that from these wounds of sins inflicted I may deserve to obtain the indulged remedies of heavenly mercy.

Wherefore I, Eadwig, king and chief of this island, with the consent of my wise men and princes, freely granting, have given to Byrhtnoth my thegn a certain part of land, that is, 10 hides, in the place which is called Tadmertun, as a perpetual inheritance to him and his heirs, free from every tribute — we grant it — excepting these: fortress, bridge and military service; that he may have and enjoy it with all things pertaining to it.

Bounds. #

These are the boundaries of the 10 hides. First from Eoppa’s spring-brook; then the black springs; then from the black springs to the headland-acre; from the acre along the boundary to the middle of Hæstburh; from the hazel barrow to the hazel ford; along the stream to the old ford; from the ford always by the boundary; then to the street; from the street to the fern-acre; from the fern-acre always by the mere; then to the ridge-way; from the ridge-way by the boundary; then to the old dyke; along the dyke to the long dyke’s bridge; from the bridge against the stream; then to the grass-spring brook; from the brook to the foul spring; from the spring by the boundary to the sharp ness; always by the boundary then to the tail of land; from the tail to the street; along the street to Hunburh’s lea; from the lea then back to Eoppa’s spring-brook.

This grant was made in the year from the Lord’s Incarnation 956, in the fourteenth indiction, with these witnesses consenting and subscribing, whose names are placed after. It is forbidden to every Christian, in the name of the Holy Trinity, to change or break this gift; otherwise let him be anathema from God and men, unless he first makes worthy amends.

Witnesses. #

• † I, Eadwig, king of the English, have impressed this gift with the triumph of the holy Cross.
• † I, Eadgar, brother of the same king, have confirmed.
• † I, Oda, archbishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfsige, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Byrhtelm, bishop, have favoured.
• † I, Wulfsige, bishop, have dictated.
• † I, Daniel, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Eadmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwold, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Æthelgeard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn.
• † I, Æthelmaer, thegn.

Concerning the five hides in Tadmertun. #

In the same year King Eadwig gave to Brihtric his thegn 5 hides in the same Tadmertun; and he, with the king’s consent, gave it to God and St Mary and the house of Abingdon, and to the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms; and this is the king’s charter confirming this gift.

Charter of King Eadwig concerning the five hides in Tadmertun. #

rejoicing in Christ, foreseeing with a sagacious mind’s eye the hazards and struggles of human nature — of which Ecclesiastes says, “Vanity of vanities, and all is vanity” [Eccles. i. 2] — we ought unceasingly to render the thanks we owe to Him, by whose goodness, when we did not exist, we were created; when we are in peril, we are revived by His benefits; and when at last, utterly lost to eternal destruction, we believe we are restored to life by the bruising of His Only-begotten; and by trafficking in the same it is granted that eternal things be exchanged for fleeting ones, as the Truth says, “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” [Matt. vi. 20], and so on.

Wherefore I, Eadwig, king and chief of all Albion, with God’s help, grant to a certain thegn named Brihtric 5 hides in the place which is called Tadmertun as a perpetual inheritance, with all things pertaining to it, to possess and to hand over to whomsoever it pleases him. Let this same land remain released from every royal yoke except military service and the construction of bridge and fortress. But if anyone shall strive to contravene this gift, let him feel the punishments of Avernus; “there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” [Matt. viii. 12].

Bounds of Tadmertun. #

These are the boundaries at Tadmertun of the 5 hides. First from Edward’s mill; then to the old dyke; from the dyke to the boundary-brook; from the boundary-brook to the eastern channel; from the channel to the boundary-stone; from the boundary-stone to the old gore; from the gore always by the heads; always by the heads then to the brook; from the brook against the stream; then to the rush-bed; from the rush-bed then to the way; then south along the way; then to the valley; then from the valley up to the edge; then along the edge to the hart’s spring; from the hart’s spring to the old stile; then along the stile to the boundary-pit; from the pit to Wilbald’s edge; from Wilbald’s edge then back to Edward’s mill.

This grant was made in the year from the Lord’s Incarnation 956, in the fourteenth indiction, in the first year of my reign.

Witnesses. #

• † I, Eadwig, king of the English, have impressed this gift with the triumph of the holy Cross.
• † I, Eadgar, brother of the same king, have confirmed.
• † I, Oda, archbishop, have consigned.
• † I, Ælfsige, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Brihtelm, bishop, have favoured.
• † I, Wulfsige, bishop, have dictated.
• † I, Daniel, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Eadmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwold, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Æthelgeard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn.
• † I, Æthelmaer, thegn.

How King Eadwig gave five hides in Tadmertun to Beorhtnoth. #

Likewise in the same year the aforesaid King Eadwig gave to Beorhtnoth the prince 5 hides in the same Tadmertun; and he, with the king’s consent, gave it to God and St Mary and the house of Abingdon, and to the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms; and this is the king’s charter confirming this gift.

Charter of King Eadwig concerning five hides in Tadmertun. #

With our Lord Jesus Christ reigning for ever. It is known to all who scrutinise from heaven the sacraments of the heavenly gifts that not only is the state of this world corrupted by failing through the striving of the ancient enemy’s deceit, but also, in the nearly completed course of the present life, human prosperity is constrained by the sharp intent and anguish of iniquitous men. Now therefore, while we have the time of pardon, let us hasten with all our might to avoid the snare of death, and while we possess a carnal patrimony, let spiritual commerce be exercised, whereby among the angelic choirs we may deserve to obtain joys that will endure without end.

Wherefore I, Eadwig, king of the English and governor and ruler of the other peoples round about, grant to one of my faithful, a prince named Beorhtnoth, 5 hides in perpetuity in that place which is called Tadmertun; so that he may have and possess it as long as the vital spirit nourishes his body; and when the day of his dissolution shall have come, let him leave it to whatever heir he wishes, as we have said above, in eternal inheritance. Moreover, let the aforesaid gift be free from every worldly obstacle, with all things rightly pertaining to it — fields, pastures, meadows — these three excepted: military service and the construction of bridge and fortress. But if any man shall strive to violate this my gift, boasting with the rashness of folly, let him be weighed down about the neck with heavy chains among the flame-breathing throngs of foul demons, unless first here he has chosen to come to satisfaction.

Bounds of the land of Tadmertun which he gave to his thegn. #

The aforesaid land is seen to be encompassed by these bounds.

These are the boundaries at Tadmertun of the 5 hides. First at Halhford; then along the crooked stream; then to Eoppa’s spring-stream; then up against the stream to Sandford; from Sandford always by the boundary then to the head-stumps; from the stumps to the boundary-stone; from the stone always by the boundary; then to Landgar’s bridge.

This aforesaid grant was made in the year from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ 956, in the fourteenth indiction; it was written in the king’s palace, at Cheddar, on the third kalends of December [29 November].

Witnesses. #

• † I, Eadwig, king of the English, have unwaveringly consented to the aforesaid gift and confirmed it under the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Odo, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have subscribed with the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Byrhtelm, bishop of the church of London, have subscribed and confirmed the vault of the holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfsige, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Cenwald, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Oscytel, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Wulfsige, bishop, have impressed.
• † I, Byrhtelm, bishop, have consigned.
• † I, Æthelwold, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Awulf, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Daniel, bishop, have concluded.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Eadmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwold, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Beorhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelgeard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfnoth, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.

How King Eadwig gave Cuthesdun to Ælfric the earl. #

In the same year King Eadwig gave to Ælfhere the earl Cuthenesdun, of 20 hides; and he, with the king’s consent, gave it to God and St Mary and the house of Abingdon, and to the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms; and this is the king’s charter confirming this gift.

Charter of King Eadwig concerning Cuthenesdun, how he gave it to the earl. #

In the name of the Holy and Almighty Trinity, Creator and Ruler of all things, which alone possesses and holds by perpetual power an immutable, incorruptible and ineffable kingdom.

I, Eadwig, diligent king of the English and governor and ruler of the other peoples existing round about, in the first year of my reign, by means of written letters, this charter I confirmed, whereby, with the consent of noble men, I grant to a certain earl — one who not only obeys me in all faithful subjection but also submits himself to my will in all things — distinguished by the illustrious name of Ælfheah borne by his dearest forebears, a modest part of my kingdom, that is, 20 hides, in perpetuity, near the place which by the assertion of many men is thus spoken of, at Cuthenesdune. Therefore I give strict command that he may possess the aforesaid land, granted by my glad consent, for the whole course of his life, and thereafter may leave it to whatever heir he chooses in perpetual inheritance. Let this immovable gift of mine therefore remain fortified with perpetual liberty, with all things pertaining to it — fields, pastures, meadows, woods — except for the common labour, military service and the joint building of bridge and fortress. But if any men, against my wish, corrupted by the canker of greed, should strive to violate this charter of liberty, let them, fallen among the hosts of foul darkness, hear the voice of the Judge on the Day of Judgement saying thus: “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire,” where they may be cruelly tormented with demons in iron frying-pans, unless before death they amend this by penitence.

Boundaries of Cuthenesdune #

These are the boundaries of the 20 hides at Cuthenesdune. From the cattle ford to the hollow ford; from the hollow ford to the foul mere; along the stream to the broad meadow; then so north along the furrows to At-thorn; from At-thorn to the foul stream, to a pit; from the pit along the stream to the headland; from the headland along the furrows; to the thorn thicket on the fore-part of Eanferth’s mound; from Eanferth’s mound along the furrow; then to a stream; along the stream to a dyke; along the dyke to the dry brook; then so along the dyke to the boundary-spring brook; along the brook to the boundary spring; from the boundary spring to the headland, straight to the road; then east along the road to where the roads meet; thence straight north along the way to the headlands; then to the boundary way and along the boundary way; then around the churls’ grove; to the fost brook; from the fost brook to the lyth-way; along the way to the boundary of the híwan; along the híwan boundary to the sluice; then from the sluice to the stone bridge; along the boundary of Healhtun to the rushy valley; then from the rushy valley straight to the three oaks; from the three oaks to the road; along the road to the hollow brook; along the brook to the army-path ford on the Thames; along the Thames back to the cattle ford.

This charter was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 956, in the fourteenth indiction.

• † I, Eadwig, king of the English, have unwaveringly consented.
• † I, Edgar, the same king’s brother, have readily consented.
• † I, Oda, archbishop, have confirmed with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfsige, bishop, have impressed the seal of the venerable Cross.
• † I, Brihthelm, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Oscytel, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have not refused.
• † I, Ælfwald, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Daniel, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Edmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwold, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn.
• † I, Æthelmær, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Wulfstan, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.

How King Eadwig gave Ælfric 20 hides at Hanney #

Charter of King Eadwig concerning Hanney #

In the name of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; Amen. Adam, the first-born, created by the will of Almighty God from formless matter and happily placed in Eden under the keeping of the command of the Triune and Simple Godhead, living without disturbance from any element, when the guilt of transgression was found in him, was thence indeed expelled; and in these diverse regions of the world, with the hardship of a toilsome prison until the very end of his term — as now appears in his descendants — he miserably ended his life and endured the threatened death. And thereafter, through the diverse outlines of the five zones, the abundant and innumerable offspring of that same forefather sprang up; and not only patriarchs and prophets but also kings, with all the conditions of every order, were justly bound by the same guilt and the same punishment, as though by the debt of that first transgression, to work iniquity of their own nature from then on, had not our Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God and likewise Son of man, at last mercifully come to their aid, bestowing on them the hope of immortality and promising a blessed life after death. Moreover, only philosophers devoted to true wisdom — and most of all religious men — look with grief and wonder upon the lost delights of Paradise, reflecting that from the time of Father Liber, the contemporary of Noah the builder of the Ark, and of Polynices and the princes of Thebes, that city most securely defended with a hundred gates, on account of the slippery division of this earth, chronic seditions, ambushes, lairs and wars have never ceased among men until this present span of life.

Wherefore I, Eadwig, by the bounteous providence of the Most High Thunderer king of the English and of all the peoples of Albion of every race, with all the effort of my mind calling back my most faithful nobles to the will of Almighty God, as is most fitting for me, and all the more so because my most devout predecessors are shown to have done so, and striving to amend whatever I shall discover them to have done somewhat lukewarmly or negligently for whatever reason, have willingly granted in perpetuity, before worthy witnesses and noble men, to my adoptive kinsman named Ælfric 20 hides of land in the place called in the English manner Hannige — more for his own satisfaction than for love of the Cross, for which he gave me 60 mancuses. And now I confirm this gift with the sign of the Cross of Christ, so that he may grant it in perpetuity to whatever heir he wishes, whether during his life or after his departure from it, with all things pertaining to it, namely fields, meadows, pastures, fisheries and the rest; on this condition, namely that, apart from military service and the building of bridge and fortress, the aforesaid land be free from all royal tribute. But if anyone — which God forbid — should attempt to break our donation, let him know that he is anathematised before the tribunal of our Lord Jesus Christ, unless he wipes it away with worthy penitence before his death. This charter of the said land was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 956, in the fourteenth indiction.

First from the king’s boundary to the Wanoting brook; along the stream until it comes out at Cylla’s stream; then along the stream until it comes out at the Ock; then along the Ock until it comes to Wulfhun’s mill; then south to the old brook; along the brook until it comes to Snodda’s fleet; from the fleet to the broad army-path; along the army-path until it comes back to the king’s boundary.

• † I, Eadwig, by the shining grace of God king of all Albion, have confirmed this gift with the mark of the venerable Cross.
• † I, Oda, archbishop, have impressed the sign of the Cross.
• † I, Edgar, atheling, the same king’s brother, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfsige, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Wulfsige, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Cynsige, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Coenwald, pontiff, have confirmed the same.
• † I, Oscytel, consenting, have confirmed.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have confirmed the same.
• † I, Athulf, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Daniel, at the king’s bidding, have dictated this charter.
• † I, Dunstan, abbot, have consented.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman, with the other suffragans have confirmed this gift.
• † I, Æthelsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfhere, earl.
• † I, Edmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtferth, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, steward.
• † I, Ælfsige, steward.
• † I, Ælfsige, steward.
• † I, Eadric, with God strengthening me, affirm this to my brother.
• † I, Oswerd, thegn.
• † I, Leofwine, thegn.
• † I, Edmund, thegn.
• † I, Æthelmær, thegn.
• † I, Æthelgeard, thegn.
• † I, Oswig, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwold, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.

How King Eadwig gave Eadric 22 hides at Welliford #

Likewise, the same King Eadwig gave to his thegn Eadric 22 hides at Welliford; and he, with the king’s consent, gave them to God and Blessed Mary and the church of Abingdon and the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms; and this is the king’s charter confirming this donation.

Charter of King Eadwig of 22 hides at Welliford #

With the deepest affection of heartfelt charity, I, Eadwig, by the providence of the Most High not only governor and ruler of the English race but also of the other nations dwelling round about, grant to my thegn named Eadric 22 hides, with those benefits which are lawfully seen to belong to that place, both in meadows and fields and in pastures and woods, near the place called at Welliford, that he may possess it all the days of his life, with all things pertaining to it, both great and small. And when the time of his dissolution arrives, let him leave it, as written above, eternally to whatever heir he wishes. Let the aforesaid estate remain defended from every obstacle and free from all service, except the common labour, military service, and the renewal of bridge and construction of fortress. But if anyone, puffed up with tyrannical power, should attempt to infringe this charter of our decree, let him know that he will render account before Christ and His angels at the terrible judgement, unless he first takes care to amend here.

Boundaries of Welliford #

The aforesaid land is declared to be encompassed by these bounds.

These are the boundaries belonging to Welliford. From Wine’s tree along the way to the hollow way; along the way from the hollow way to the broad clearing; on its northern side to a certain enclosure; then right through the clearing southwards out to another enclosure; from the enclosure along the hedge-row into Popping’s hanger; into Scilling’s hanger to an enclosure; from Scilling’s hanger to the west side of Broadham; from Broadham to Cerd’s mound; from Cerd’s mound out to the Lambourn; to Ecc’s ford; at Ecc’s ford to the secret tree; from the secret tree to the elves’ valley; to an elder tree; from the elder tree to Cedbold’s spring; from Cedbold’s spring to the ford of Cyta’s brook; from the ford of Cyta’s brook along the ridge to the northern side of Syntre meadow; from Syntre meadow to the flax enclosures; from the flax enclosures to the mint enclosures; to Cylma’s stone; from Cylma’s stone to the covered spring; from the spring to the rough spring; from the rough spring right out through the clay hanger; from the hanger along the cross out to the mules’ valley; along the valley on the far side of the Lambourn; along the stream to the water way; from the water way to the water-meadows; from the meadows to the green hill; from the hill along the hatch to Ecca’s tree; from the tree along the boundary to Wine’s tree.

This aforesaid donation was made in the year 956 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the fourteenth indiction.

• † I, Eadwig, by the grace of God king of all the British land, have confirmed my gift with my own seal.
• † I, Edgar, the same king’s brother, have readily consented.
• † I, Oda, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have confirmed with the sign of the kindly Cross.
• † I, Ælfsige, overseer of the church of Winchester, have marked it with my own pen.
• † I, Coenwald, have been present with the heavenly sign.
• † I, Oscytel, with a placable mind have consented.
• † I, Osulf, have not refused.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Edmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelgeard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfhere, thegn.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwold, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn.

How King Eadwig gave Ælfsige 25 hides at Bennaham #

Likewise, the same King Eadwig gave to his thegn Ælfsige 25 hides at Bennaham; and he, with the king’s consent, gave them to God and Blessed Mary and the church of Abingdon and the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms; and this is the king’s charter confirming this donation.

Charter of King Eadwig concerning Bennaham #

In the name and power of Christ. Seeing with keen foresight the falls and lapses of the human condition — of which Ecclesiastes says, “Vanity of vanities, and all is vanity” — we ought unceasingly to render thanks to Him by whose goodness we were created when we did not exist; when we are in peril we are refreshed by His benefits; and when we were utterly lost to eternal death we believe ourselves restored to life by His wound; and it is granted to us, by trading, to exchange eternal things for fleeting ones, Truth saying, “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,” and so forth.

Wherefore I, King Eadwig, monarch of the island of Britain, by God’s favour, grant to this my faithful man, named Ælfsige, 25 hides in the place called Bennaham in hereditary right, to enjoy for as long as life accompanies him; and after his death let him have licence to bequeath it to whatever heir he pleases, with all things pertaining to it here — meadows, pastures, woods, hunting-grounds. Let this field remain henceforth immune from all royal tribute, except military service and the building of bridge and fortress. If anyone henceforth removes this donation of ours, let him know that he goes against God, not me, who received power from Him.

Boundaries of Bennaham #

These are the boundaries at Bennaham. First from the Cynete to the boundary dyke; from the dyke to Hædd’s spring; from the spring to the clear spring; from the spring to the red stone; from the stone to Wigmund’s gully; from the gully up on to the ridge; along the ridge to Ælle’s post; from the post to Æca’s fright; from the fright to the ford of Meos’s brook; from the ford to the withered gate; from the gate to the head of the hollow brook; then to the hay-gate; then to the east side of the cross; from the cross to the boundary stream; from the stream to Stapleford, out on to the Cynete; then up along half the stream; back to the boundary dyke; and Coda’s meadow in addition.

This donation was made in the year 956 from the Lord’s Incarnation, in the fourteenth indiction, in the first year of my reign.

Witnesses #

• † I, Eadwig, king of the English, have impressed this gift with the triumph of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Edgar, atheling by descent, have confirmed.
• † I, Oda, archbishop, have set my seal.
• † I, Ælfsige, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Oscytel, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Byrhthelm, bishop, have favoured.
• † I, Daniel, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Edmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwold, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Æthelgeard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Æthelric, thegn.

How King Eadwig gave Ælfwine 15 hides at Middeltun #

Likewise, the same King Eadwig gave to his thegn Ælfwine 15 hides at Middeltun; and he, with the king’s consent, gave them to God and Blessed Mary and the church of Abingdon and the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms; and this is the king’s charter confirming this donation.

Charter of King Eadwig concerning Middeltun #

The Creator of heaven and earth, through the Word co-eternal with the Holy Spirit, in the beginning distributed gifts to the human race, governing it through the times of the law, of nature, of the letter and of grace; but when true God, having deigned to descend and become man, embraced by hereditary right the sevenfold Spirit with which He filled the world, distributing to each man according to his own lot — since then men shine with genius, are mighty in strength, and now dare to have dominion over their own vices, being anointed with the name of Christ. Accordingly, some do not hesitate to share out perishable goods, reckoning worthless things fit to be exchanged for lasting ones.

Therefore I, Eadwig, by God’s bestowing grace king of the English, desire to honour some devout person: to this my most intimate friend, named Ælfwine, I grant 15 hides at Middeltun in perpetual inheritance, to be possessed with all things pertaining to it, and to be handed on in due time to whatever heir he wishes. And this grant of land was enacted free from all royal tribute, except military service and the building of bridge and fortress, in the year 956 from the Lord’s Incarnation, in the fourteenth indiction, in the first year of my reign, before worthy witnesses.

Boundaries #

These are the boundaries. First from Chalkford to the old watercourse; then to the dead mere; then to the short moor; then to the lonely hill; then to the Lithsel brook; then up to Gyna’s beech; then to the stud-fold; then to the seven thorns, to the narrow way on the watercourse; and six cottar-holdings.

Witnesses #

• † I, Eadwig, by God’s favour king of the English, have sealed this donation with the trophy of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Edgar, atheling by descent, have assented.
• † I, Ælfsige, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Wulfsige, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Oscytel, bishop, have favoured.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have dictated.
• † I, Daniel, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtferth, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Æthelmær, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Æthelgeard, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwold, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.

May he who henceforth preserves this gift be glorified by Christ; but may he who destroys that purpose not fulfil it, but be plunged headlong into the depths of the abyss.

How King Eadwig gave Brihthelm Kenitun #

Charter of King Eadwig concerning Kenitun #

The almighty Creator of all things together marked out the forms of each one over six days, and they keep their natural state — except man and the transgressing angel, through whom all adversity crept into the human race, which divine grace in mercy at last freed in the end of the ages.

Having heard this and savoured it from many learned men, I, King Eadwig, by God’s grace, resolve to honour my faithful men both with money and with estates; and to this my faithful man, the priest Brihthelm, I grant Cenigtun in perpetual inheritance, to be possessed with all things pertaining to it and handed on to whatever heir he wishes. And this liberty of the aforesaid little estate, released from all royal tribute except three things — namely military service and the building of bridge and fortress, which are most necessary to all regions — was made in the year 956 of the Lord’s Incarnation, in the fourteenth indiction, in the first year of our reign.

… the hedge to Bægenworth; ever along the stream until it comes to Sceaceling’s fishery; then out to Stanford; then out on to the Thames at the eyot, straight across the hill to Ceane’s spring and the stream, out to the Thames; along the Thames until it comes to Hyldige island; then out again to Wulfric’s brook.

• † I, Eadwig, king of all Britain by the bestowal of divine grace, have gladly confirmed this gift with the sign of the cross.
• † I, Oda, archbishop, have consented.
• † I, Edgar, the atheling, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfsige, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have acquiesced.
• † I, Wulfsige, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Cynewald, bishop, have impressed.
• † I, Daniel, bishop, have dictated.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Edmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtferth, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelgeard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn.
• † I, Æthelmær, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn.

Whoever henceforth preserves our decree by strengthening it, let him be fed with heavenly manna; but if anyone — which God forbid — should attempt to go against it, let him suffer the torment of hell, unless he hastens quickly to amend.

This is the agreement which Bishop Brihthelm and Abbot Æthelwold made concerning their exchange of lands: namely, that the bishop gave the hides at Kenitun to the church at Abingdon as a perpetual inheritance, and the abbot gave the 17 hides at Crydanbricge to the bishop for ever, both in life and after life; and they also exchanged all things, both in this transaction and in others, just as they agreed between themselves; and this was with King Eadwig’s leave. And these are the witnesses: Ælfgifu the king’s wife, and Æthelgifu the mother of the king’s wife, Bishop Ælfsige, Bishop Osulf, Bishop Coenwald, Ealdorman Byrhtnoth, Ælfheah the king’s steward, and Eadric his brother.

Moreover, the lord abbot Æthelwold, with the same king’s consent, arranged the exchange of the same land, that is, Cenigtun, with Bishop Brihthelm. In return for it the bishop himself received that vill which is called Crydanbricge. The witnesses of this exchange were the king’s wife Ælfgifu and her mother Æthelgifu, Bishop Ælfsige, Bishop Osulf, Bishop Cenwald, and many others.

Likewise, the same King Eadwig gave to his thegn Ælfric 25 hides at Bægenworth; and he, with the king’s consent, gave them to God and Blessed Mary and the church of Abingdon and the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms; and this is the king’s charter confirming this donation.

Charter of King Eadwig concerning Bægenworth #

By Christ’s disposing grace, I, Eadwig, crowned with the imperial diadem of the Anglo-Saxons and following the example of good kings, and wishing to rule peacefully the peoples granted me by God, grant to one of my thegns, Ælfric, a certain portion of land, that is, the measure of 25 hides, where it is called at Bægenworth, that he may have it for as long as life accompanies him, and after his death may leave it to whatever successor he wishes in eternal possession; with fields, pastures, meadows, woods. Let this land be immune from all service, except the aid of bridge, fortress and military service. Glory to those who consent; Tartarus to those who refuse.

The aforesaid land is encompassed by these bounds:

Boundaries #

These are the boundaries of Bægenworth. First from the miry grove up along the slade to the thorn; then to the south side of the chalk-pit; then to the spring that is at Irec’s ford; then up along the stream to the boundary way; along the way to the dyke at the sheaf edge; along the dyke to the boundary way; along the way, round about, to Thorn hanger, to Ceobba’s stone; forth along the boundary way to the way at the calf’s spring; forth along the way to the uppermost clearing; then forth over Scitere’s cliff to the highway; up along the way to the roe hedge; along the way to the hazel dyke; then to Wulfstan’s dyke; from the dyke to Maduc’s clearing; through the clearing to the pit; from the pit to the elder stump; then to Lithman’s dyke; along the dyke to the west side of the seven acres; then to the heathen burial-place; then to the south side of the short land; then along the furrow to the half-acre; then to the willow-bed; then to the hidden ford; from the ford along Sunningwulf’s brook to the wood-ford; then along the ridge westwards into the brook; up along the brook to the miry grove where it first began.

These are the boundaries of the meadows that belong to that land. First from the bridge to Therige; up along the middle stream until opposite the new dyke; then to the middle stream; in there along the stream to the great willow; then up along the hedge-row out to the river to the middle stream.

Then these are the boundaries of the meadow at Enna’s hills. From the end of the dyke forth across the river; down along the middle stream up to the dark stream until opposite the hill; there between the meadow and the down, back to the dyke.

This charter was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 956, in the fourteenth indiction.

• † I, Eadwig, king of the English, have unwaveringly consented.
• † I, Edgar, the same king’s brother, have consented.
• † I, Oda, archbishop, have confirmed with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfsige, bishop, have impressed the seal of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Cenwald, bishop, have not refused.
• † I, Oscytel, bishop, have sealed.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Wulfsige, bishop, have acquiesced.
• † I, Byrhthelm, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Ælfwald, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Athulf, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Edmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtferth, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelgeard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwald, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwig, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwold, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.

How King Eadwig gave Eadric 16 hides at Pyrianford #

Likewise, the same King Eadwig gave to his thegn Eadric 16 hides at Pyrianford; and he, with the king’s consent, gave them to God and Blessed Mary and the church of Abingdon and the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms; and this is the king’s charter confirming this donation.

Charter of King Eadwig concerning Pyrianford #

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The highest servant of the gracious and undivided Trinity, that noble champion of holy preaching, in his exhortation uttered this sentence, saying: “All things are naked and open before the eyes of the Lord”; and He watches the deeds of each man from the first light until nightfall.

Therefore I, Eadwig, grant to one of my dear ones, whom I love from the depths of my heart, named Eadric, a certain portion of land, reckoned at 16 hides, there where it is called in the English tongue at Pyrianford; for as long as he shall be seen to keep his body animated, let him claim for himself the privilege of our gift; and at last let him bestow it perpetually upon his successor, whomever he chooses, with all things lawfully pertaining to it — fields, pastures, meadows, woods. And let this land be free from every secular charge, except military service and the construction of bridge and fortress. But if anyone, puffed up with tyrannical power, should attempt to infringe this charter of our decree, let him know that he shall render account before Christ and His angels at the terrible judgement, unless he first takes care to amend here.

Boundaries #

This land is seen to be encompassed by these bounds.

These are the boundaries of Pyrianford. First from Pyrianford along the waggon track to the fish brook; along the brook to the boundary hedge; up along the hedge to the boundary marks; west straight to the western side of Snow’s mere; then to the fore-part of the spur of land; then straight over the upper down; then to the encircling way; along the way to the boundary hedge; up along the hedge to the enclosure hedge; forth along the hedge to the crab-apple tree of the enclosure; then to the pear clearing; then south to the edge, on to the old runnel; then to the hedge; onwards along the hedge to Eccel’s enclosure; then on along the hedge to the mill field; then on along the hedge to the mint field; thence straight to the mint barrow; there to the brook; along the brook to the flax weirs, on to the hedge; thence out on to the field; then out to the mile-measure; thence to the fore-part of the ridge; thence to the forked way; along the forked way to the Welshman’s fen; thence out to the way; along the way to Pyrianford; and a part of Sithwood belongs to Pyrianford.

This aforesaid donation was made in the year 956 from the Lord’s Incarnation, in the fourteenth indiction.

Witnesses #

• † I, Eadwig, king of the English, have unwaveringly consented.
• † I, Oda, archbishop, have confirmed with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Cenwald, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Oscytel, bishop, have sealed.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Byrhthelm, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Athulf, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Edmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtferth, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Edgar, the same king’s brother, have consented.
• † I, Ælfsige, bishop, have impressed the sign of the venerable Cross.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelgeard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwold, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn.

How King Eadwig gave Wilmanlehttune to Ælfhere #

Likewise, the same King Eadwig gave Wilmanlehttune to the noble Ælfhere; and he, with the king’s consent, gave it to Blessed Mary and the church of Abingdon and the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms; and this is the king’s charter confirming this donation.

Charter of King Eadwig concerning Wilmanlehttune #

In the name of the Almighty Holy Trinity, creator and ruler of all things, who alone possesses and holds with perpetual power a kingdom immutable, incorruptible and ineffable.

Therefore I, Eadwig, diligent king of the English and governor and ruler of the other nations dwelling round about, in the first year of my reign have confirmed with the written word that, with the consent of noble men, I have granted to a certain earl — one who not only obeys me with faithful subjection in all things but also submits himself to my will in everything, as it was frequently wont to be shown by my dear predecessors — named Ælfhere, a modest portion of my dominion, that is, 10 hides, in perpetuity, at the place which by the assertion of many men is thus spoken of, at Wilmanlehttune, so that he may possess the aforesaid land — by my glad consent — for the course of his life; and thereafter let him leave it, as I have said before, to whatever heir he wishes in eternal inheritance. Let this my immovable gift therefore remain blessed with eternal liberty, with all things pertaining to it — fields, pastures, meadows, woods — except the common labour, military service and the joint building of bridge and fortress. But if any men, against my wish, corrupted by the canker of greed, should strive to violate this charter of liberty, let them, fallen among the hosts of foul darkness, hear the voice of the Judge saying to them on the day of judgement, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire,” where they may be cruelly tormented with demons in iron frying-pans, unless before death they amend this with worthy penitence.

Boundaries of Wilmanlehttune #

This land is seen to be encompassed by these bounds:

These are the boundaries at Wilmanlehttune. First at Cranmere; from the mere along the brook; and so to the thorn; and from the thorn along the street into Bore’s pit; from the pit to the black pit; thence to the end of the long down; from the long down so to the mound; from the mound to the salt street; and after the street to Wilmanford; from Wilmanford to Cynefrith’s pit; thence into the white dyke; from the dyke along the ridge-way straight into Cranmere’s brook; along the brook into Cranmere.

This charter was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 956, in the fourteenth indiction.

• † I, Eadwig, king of the English, have unwaveringly consented.
• † I, Edgar, the same king’s brother, have readily consented.
• † I, Oda, archbishop, have confirmed with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfsige, bishop, have impressed the seal of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Byrhthelm, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Oscytel, bishop, have acquiesced.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have not refused.
• † I, Ælfwald, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Daniel, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Edmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwold, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn.
• † I, Æthelmær, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Wulfstan, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.

How King Eadwig gave Edmund Anningadune #

Likewise, the same king gave Anningadune to his noble Edmund; and he, with the king’s consent, gave it to God and Blessed Mary and the church of Abingdon and the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms; and this is the king’s charter confirming this donation.

Charter of King Eadwig concerning Anningadune #

In the name of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, I, Eadwig, illustrious emperor of the Anglo-Saxons and of the other peoples dwelling on every side, have often begun to ponder that the things which are seen are temporal and fleeting, and that the things which are not seen will endure eternally.

Therefore to one of my nobles, named Edmund, I grant in perpetuity 16 hides, at the place which by the assertion of many men is thus spoken of, at Anningadune; while the vital breath keeps his body alive, may he enjoy our joyful and bounteous gift; when the course of his life is run, let him bestow it as a perpetual gift on whatever heir he wishes, with fields, pastures, meadows, woods. Let this land be immune from all service, except the aid of bridge, fortress and military service. May he who increases it enjoy the Lord; may he who diminishes it belong to the Devil.

Boundaries #

The aforesaid land is declared to be encircled by these bounds.

These are the boundaries of Anningadune. First to the deep stream east of Bremre; then west across Bremre to the boundary of the comb-dwellers; then along the boundary of the comb-dwellers to the boundary of the men of Dentun; from the boundary of the men of Dentun so to the boundary of the men of Sunt; then along the boundary of the men of Sunt to the boundary of the men of Bidel; then forth east along the boundary of the men of Bidel, until back out to Bremre. These are the pasture places: Brochurst, and Beadda’s syles, and at Fyrnham, and Hlithwic, and Strodwic.

This charter was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 956, in the fourteenth indiction.

• † I, Eadwig, by the grace of God king of all the British land, have confirmed my gift with my own seal.
• † I, Edgar, the same king’s brother, have readily consented.
• † I, Oda, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have confirmed with the sign of the kindly Cross.
• † I, Ælfsige, divine overseer of the church of Winchester, have impressed my own seal.
• † I, Oscytel, with a placable mind have consented.
• † I, Osulf, have not refused.
• † I, Byrhthelm, have acquiesced.
• † I, Athulf, have confirmed.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtferth, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelgeard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwold, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwald, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.

How King Eadwig gave Eadric Peadanwurthe #

Likewise, the same King Eadwig gave Peadanwurthe to Eadric; and he, with the king’s consent, gave it to God and Blessed Mary and the church of Abingdon and the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms; and this is the king’s charter confirming this donation.

Charter of King Eadwig concerning Peadanwurthe #

Christ reigning eternally. For what is better in this life than to purchase heavenly and lasting things with these earthly and fleeting ones? For all that is seen perishes in time, but that which is not seen will remain without ceasing.

Wherefore I, Eadwig, king of the English and governor and ruler of all the British land, grant to a certain man of mine named Eadric a modest portion of land, that is, 5 hides, in perpetuity, there where in the common tongue it is called at Peadanwurthe; henceforth let him possess our gift in security for as long as life accompanies him; and at his death let him bestow it as a perpetual gift upon whomever he wishes, with fields, pastures, meadows, woods. Let this land be immune from all service, except the aid of bridge, fortress and military service. But if anyone diminishes this donation, let him know that he is guilty at every hour of his life, and shall not escape shadowy Tartarus.

This land is seen to be encompassed by these bounds.

These are the boundaries of Peadanwurthe. First from Ælflæd’s boundary north to the hedge; along the hedge to the standing-place; then to the dyke; then to the river; along the river to the mill-channel; thence along the mill-dyke back to the river; along the river to the bridge; and the millstead and the land north of the river that belongs to it, and the oxen’s wic, and the meadow on Tun’s island that by right belongs there; and the whole east boundary — the hedge runs eastwards on to Ælflæd’s boundary — and the weirs and the meadow north of the river, and the enclosures that by right belong there.

This charter was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 956, in the fourteenth indiction.

• † I, Eadwig, king of the English, have unwaveringly consented.
• † I, Edgar, the same king’s brother, have consented.
• † I, Oda, archbishop, have confirmed with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfsige, bishop, have impressed the seal of the venerable Cross.
• † I, Cenwald, bishop, have sealed.
• † I, Oscytel, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have acquiesced.
• † I, Athulf, bishop, have not refused.
• † I, Daniel, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Edmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfmær, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwig, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.

How King Eadwig gave Æthelnoth Fifhide #

Likewise, the same King Eadwig gave Fifhide to Æthelnoth; and he, with the king’s consent, gave it to God and Blessed Mary and the church of Abingdon and the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms; and this is the king’s charter confirming this donation.

Charter of King Eadwig concerning Fifhide #

Our Lord Jesus Christ reigning for ever. To all who from heaven diligently examine the mysteries of the gifts above it is known that not only is the state of this world corrupted and destroyed by the fraud and machination of the ancient enemy, but also, in the nearly completed course of this present life, human prosperity is constrained by the sharp intent and anguish of wicked men. Now therefore, while we have the time of grace, let us hasten with all our strength to avoid the snare of death, and while we possess a carnal patrimony, let spiritual commerce be practised, whereby among the angelic choirs we may deserve to obtain joys lasting without end.

Wherefore I, Eadwig, king of the English and governor and ruler of the other nations dwelling round about, grant in perpetuity to a certain faithful thegn of mine named Æthelnoth 13 hides in that place where the countrymen of that land long ago bestowed the name at Fifhide; so that he may have and possess it as long as the vital spirit nourishes his body. And when the day of his dissolution arrives, let him leave it, as we have said above, to whatever heir he wishes in eternal inheritance. And let the aforesaid donation be free from every worldly obstacle, with all things duly pertaining to it — fields, pastures, meadows — except these three things: military service and the building of bridge and fortress.

But if any man, boasting with the rashness of folly, should strive to infringe this my donation, may he himself be pressed down by heavy chains about his neck among the flame-vomiting hosts of foul demons, unless he prefers first to come to satisfaction here.

The aforesaid land is seen to be encircled by these bounds.

These are the boundaries of the 13 hides that belong to Fifhide. First at Ydele’s island; from Ydele’s island along the boundary to Thætel’s way; along the way to the head of the boundary moor; along the head of the boundary moor to the Ock; up with the stream to Hud’s lade; from Hud’s lade to the short dyke; from the short dyke to Ælfthryth’s dyke; along the dyke to the hollow brook; along the hollow brook to the Wase; along the Wase back to Ydele’s island. The whole of the land is then 13½ hides.

This aforesaid donation was made in the year 956 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the fourteenth indiction.

• † I, Eadwig, king of the English, have unwaveringly consented to and confirmed the aforesaid donation under the seal of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Oda, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have subscribed with the seal of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfsige, bishop of the church of Winchester, have subscribed and confirmed the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Cenwald, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Oscytel, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have sealed.
• † I, Wulfsige, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Byrhthelm, bishop, have impressed.
• † I, Ælfwald, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Athulf, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Daniel, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Edmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelgeard, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfnoth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgeard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Ælfhere, thegn.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Eadred, thegn.
• † I, Cynesige, thegn.

How King Eadwig gave Brihthelm 5 hides at Stowe #

In the same year the aforesaid King Eadwig gave to his kinsman Brihthelm 5 hides at Stowe; and he, with the king’s consent, gave them to God and Blessed Mary and the church of Abingdon and the monks serving God there, in the same manner as above.

How the king gave Eadric Peadanwurthe #

Likewise, the same King Eadwig gave Peadanwurthe to his thegn Eadric; and he, with the king’s consent, gave it to God and Blessed Mary and the church of Abingdon and the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms; and this is the king’s charter confirming this donation.

Charter of King Eadwig concerning Peadanwurthe #

Christ reigning eternally. For what is better in this life than to purchase heavenly and lasting things with these earthly and fleeting ones? For all that is seen perishes in time, but that which is not seen will remain without ceasing.

Wherefore I, Eadwig, king of the English and governor and ruler of all the British land, grant to a certain man of mine named Eadric a modest portion of land, that is, 5 hides, in perpetuity, there where in the common tongue it is called at Peadanwurthe; henceforth let him possess our gift in security for as long as life accompanies him; and at his death let him bestow it as a perpetual gift upon whomever he wishes, with fields, pastures, meadows, woods. Let this land be immune from all service, except the aid of bridge, fortress and military service. But if anyone diminishes this donation, let him know that he is guilty at every hour of his life, and shall not escape shadowy Tartarus.

Boundaries of Peadanwurthe #

This land is seen to be encompassed by these bounds.

These are the boundaries of Peadanwurthe. First from Ælflæd’s boundary north to the hedge; along the hedge to the standing-place; thence to the dyke; thence to the river; along the river to the mill-channel; thence along the mill-dyke back to the river; along the river to the bridge; and the millstead and the land north of the river that belongs to it, and the oxen’s wic, and the meadow on Tun’s island that by right belongs there; and the whole east boundary — the hedge runs eastwards on to Ælflæd’s boundary — and the weirs and the meadow north of the river, and the enclosures that by right belong there.

This charter was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 956, in the fourteenth indiction.

Witnesses #

• † I, Eadwig, king of the English, have unwaveringly consented.
• † I, Edgar, the same king’s brother, have consented.
• † I, Oda, archbishop, have confirmed with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfsige, bishop, have impressed the seal of the venerable Cross.
• † I, Cenwald, bishop, have sealed.
• † I, Oscytel, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have acquiesced.
• † I, Athulf, bishop, have not refused.
• † I, Daniel, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Edmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfmær, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwig, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.

How King Eadwig gave Wulfric Ceorlatun #

Likewise, the same King Eadwig gave Ceorlatun to his thegn Wulfric; and he, with the king’s consent, gave it to God and Blessed Mary and the church of Abingdon and the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms; and this is the king’s charter confirming this donation.

Charter of King Eadwig #

In the year 956 of the Lord’s Incarnation, in the fourteenth indiction, I, Eadwig, renowned king of the English nation, grant in perpetuity 5 hides to one of my thegns, named Wulfric, in that place where the country folk, by a jocular appellative usage, bestowed the name at Ceorlatun; while the vital breath keeps his body alive, may he enjoy our bounteous gift with a joyful mind; when the course of his life is run, let him bestow it as a perpetual gift on whatever heir he wishes. Let the aforesaid estate be free of all service, except military service and the defence of bridge and fortress. But if anyone, puffed up with tyrannical power, should attempt to infringe this charter of our decree, let him know that he shall render account before Christ and His angels at the terrible judgement, unless he first takes care to amend here. For the aforesaid estate is divided by no fixed bounds, but acres adjoin acres.

Witnesses #

• † I, Eadwig, king of the English, have unwaveringly consented.
• † I, Edgar, the same king’s brother, have consented.
• † I, Oda, archbishop, have confirmed with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfsige, bishop, have impressed the seal of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Cenwald, bishop, have sealed.
• † I, Oscytel, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have acquiesced.
• † I, Byrhthelm, bishop, have not refused.
• † I, Ælfwald, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Wulfsige, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Athulf, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Edmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwold, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelgeard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.

How King Eadwig gave Ælfric 20 hides #

Likewise, the same King Eadwig gave 20 hides to his kinsman Ælfric; and he, with the king’s consent, gave them to God and Blessed Mary and the church of Abingdon and the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms; and this is the king’s charter confirming this donation.

Charter of King Eadwig of the 20 hides #

Adam, the first-born, created by the will of Almighty God from formless matter and happily placed in Eden under the keeping of the command of the Triune and Simple Godhead, living without disturbance from any element, when the guilt of transgression was found in him, was thence likewise expelled; and in these diverse regions of the world, with the hardship of a toilsome prison until the very end of his term — as now appears in his descendants — he miserably ended his life and endured the threatened death. And thereafter, through the diverse outlines of the five zones, the abundant and innumerable offspring of that same forefather sprang up; and not only among patriarchs and prophets but also among kings, with all the conditions of every order, the same guilt and the same punishment justly bound them all, as though by the debt of that first transgression, to work iniquity of their own nature from then on, had not our Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God and likewise Son of man, at last mercifully come to their aid, bestowing on them the hope of immortality and promising a blessed life after death. Moreover, only philosophers devoted to true wisdom — and most of all religious men — look with grief and wonder upon the lost delights of Paradise, reflecting that from the time of Father Liber, the contemporary of Noah the builder of the Ark, and of Polynices and the princes of Thebes, that city most securely defended with a hundred gates, on account of the slippery division of this earth, chronic seditions, ambushes, lairs and wars have never ceased among men until this present span of life.

Wherefore I, Eadwig, by the bounteous providence of the Most High Thunderer king of the English and of all the peoples of Albion of every race, shall take care with all the effort of my mind to call back my most faithful nobles to the will of Almighty God, as is most fitting, and all the more because my most devout predecessors are shown to have done so. But whatever I discover them to have done somewhat lukewarmly or negligently for whatever reason, I shall strive to amend. For which reason, for the love of true wisdom, I willingly grant to my adoptive kinsman named Ælfric 20 hides, for his satisfaction — he himself lovingly granting me 60 mancuses before witnesses and worthy nobles — and, cherishing him, I confirm this aforesaid estate with the sign of the Cross of Christ, so that he may grant it in his lifetime to whatever heir he wishes, and after his departure from the frailty of this world his gift may remain firm for ever, with all things pertaining to it, namely fields, meadows, pastures, fisheries; and, apart from military service and the building of bridges and fortresses, the aforesaid land shall be free from all royal tribute. If anyone — which God forbid — should attempt to break our donation, let him know that he is anathematised before the tribunal of our Lord Jesus Christ; with this condition interposed, let him enjoy the aforesaid land well during his life, and leave it to whatever heir he wishes. This little charter was written when 956 years of the Lord’s Nativity had passed, in the fourteenth indiction.

Boundaries #

Here are the boundaries of the 20 hides at Hanney. First from the king’s boundary to the Wanoting brook; along the stream until it comes out at Cylla’s stream; then along the stream until it comes out into the Ock; then along the Ock until it comes to Wulfmær’s mill; then south to the old brook; along the brook until it comes to Seocca’s fleet; from the fleet to the broad highway; along the highway until it comes back to the king’s boundary.

• † I, Eadwig, by the favouring grace of God king of all Albion, rejoicing have confirmed this gift with the mark of the holy Cross.
• † I, Oda, archbishop, have impressed the sign of the Cross.
• † I, Edgar, ætheling and brother of the same king, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfsige, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Wulfsige, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Cynsige, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Cenwold, bishop, have confirmed the same.
• † I, Oscytel, consenting, have confirmed.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have confirmed the same.
• † I, Athulf, bishop, have confirmed the same.
• † I, Daniel, at the king’s command, have drawn up this charter.
• † I, Dunstan, abbot, have consented.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman, with the other supporters, have confirmed this gift.
• † I, Æthelsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfhere, earl.
• † I, Edmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtferth, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, steward.
• † I, Ælfsige, steward.
• † I, Ælfsige, steward.
• † I, Eadric, by God’s strengthening, affirm this to my brother.
• † I, Osweard, thegn.
• † I, Leofwine, thegn.
• † I, Edmund, thegn.
• † I, Æthelmær, thegn.
• † I, Æthelgeard, thegn.
• † I, Oswig, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwold, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.

This my assent I grant in the same place, which is called by its inhabitants Hanney, in the presence of my nobles; and by my will may it abide in Christ for ever.

How King Edgar gave Bochland to Ælfheah. #

In the third year of his reign King Eadwig gave Bochland to Ælfheah the ealdorman; and he, with the king’s consent, gave it to God and St Mary and the church of Abingdon, and to the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms; and this is the king’s charter confirming this gift.

Charter of King Edgar concerning Bochland. #

and created things that pass away, He distributes daily for the provision of sustenance; nay, He has even persuaded us that by means of these same fleeting and transitory things eternal things may be purchased.

Wherefore I, Eadwig, by the grace of God king of the English, have granted with perpetual possession to one of my ealdormen, most faithful to me, who by the people of this country is called by the noble name of Ælfheah, in return for his most devoted service, 10 hides, where the country folk by ancient usage have bestowed the name of Bochland; that he may enjoy it well and possess it perpetually so long as he lives, and after him may leave it to whatsoever heir he shall choose, as we have said above, in eternal inheritance. Moreover, let the aforesaid land, with all things rightly pertaining to it — fields, pastures, meadows — be free, excepting these three: military service and the building of bridge and fortress.

But if anyone — which we do not desire — shall attempt to contrive against or to infringe our decree, let him know that he will render a heavy account on the day of judgement before the tribunal of the Lord, unless he has first made worthy amends here by penitence before death.

Boundaries. #

The aforesaid land appears to be encompassed by these bounds.

These are the boundaries of Bochland. First, Sprindel’s ham belongs to Bochland, and all the common field up to Bochland’s boundary; from the head of the little moor to Laureca’s barrow; from Laureca’s barrow to Casa’s thorn-tree; from Casa’s thorn to the broad way; from the broad way along the head-acres to the fisher’s valley; from the fisher’s valley to the meadow; from the meadow out to the Wasa; from the Wasa out to the river, along the river to the weir at the nook; from the nook-weir to the western willow; from the willow to the plough-land; from the plough-land to the hay-way; from the hay-way through Bochland to Cyna’s spring; on to the head-acre; from the head-acre out to the tail; from the tail to the running moor; from the running moor to Ælfsige’s moor.

This charter was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 957, indiction 15.

• † I, Eadwig, king of the English, have granted the aforesaid gift unalterably.
• † I, Ælfsige, bishop, have impressed the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have set my seal.
• † I, Byrhthelm, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Byrhthelm, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Edmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfric, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwig, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn.
• † I, Eadwold, thegn.

In which year King Eadwig gave Wurthe to Eadric. #

In the fourth year of his reign King Eadwig gave Wurthe, of 30 hides, to his thegn Eadric; and he, with the king’s consent, gave it to God and St Mary and the church of Abingdon, and to the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms; and this is the king’s charter confirming this gift.

Charter of King Eadwig concerning Wurthe. #

Christ God reigning over heaven and earth for ever and ever. The human race is seen to decay, flowing from its birth even unto death. But the Lover of all virtues, who desires us to shun evil and follow good, daily shows us how to pass joyfully from this vale of tears to the heavenly kingdoms; for these exceed the comprehension of our minds, yet the eternal joys of the saints can now be penetrated by thought.

Wherefore I, Eadwig, king of the Saxons, grant in perpetuity to one of my faithful thegns, called by the name of Eadric, 20 hides, there where in the English tongue it is called “at Wurthe”; that he may possess the aforesaid land, by my glad concession, during the journeys of his life, and thereafter may leave it to whatsoever heir succeeding him he shall choose, as I have said before, in eternal inheritance. Moreover, let the aforesaid estate be free from every worldly hindrance, with all things that are known to pertain to that place, both in great and in small — fields, pastures, meadows, woods — without military service and the building of bridge and fortress. But as for those who diminish or break this gift — which I pray may be far from the minds of the faithful — let their portion be with those of whom it is said on the contrary, “Depart from me, you evil ones, into everlasting fire, which is prepared for Satan and his ministers,” unless he shall first have cleansed his guilt with worthy penitence to God by lawful satisfaction.

The aforesaid land is clearly bounded by these limits:

Boundaries. #

These are the boundaries of the thirty hides at Wurthe. First to the stone bridge; from the stone bridge east along the Thames until it comes to the boundary of the Kingston men; south along the boundary until it comes to the head-posts; from the head-posts up on to Westman’s hill, to the thorn-tree; from the thorn along the march to the Ock; along the stream until it reaches the boundary of the men of Cearn; along the march until it reaches the boundary of the men of Heantun.

This charter was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 958, indiction 16.

• † I, Eadwig, king of the English, have granted unalterably.
• † I, Ælfsine, bishop, have impressed the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Byrhthelm, bishop, have set my seal.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Byrhthelm, bishop, have not refused.
• † I, Daniel, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Edmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfric, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwig, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.
• † I, Leofric, thegn.
• † I, Beorhtnoth, thegn.
• † I, Wulfhere, thegn.
• † I, Ælfnoth, thegn.
• † I, Wulfsige, thegn.

King Eadwig gave Drayton, of 10 hides, to Eadwold. #

In the same year King Eadwig gave to his thegn Eadwold Drayton, of 10 hides; and he, with the king’s consent, gave it to God and St Mary and the church of Abingdon, and to the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms; and this is the king’s charter confirming this gift.

Charter of King Eadwig concerning Drayton. #

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 958, indiction 1, I, Eadwig — by the disposing mercy of the All-Creator king of the English people, led by divine love and preordained by the same God and our Lord over peoples and tribes as king — in the fourth year of my reign was not unmindful of how, and how marvellously, the Ruler on high governs and guards all things in the sequence of unshaken reason.

Therefore to a certain faithful thegn of mine, named Eadwold, I grant in perpetuity 10 hides, there where in the English tongue it is called “at Drayton”; that he may have and possess it so long as the vital breath shall nourish his body. But when the day of his dissolution shall have come, let him leave it to whatsoever heir he shall choose, in eternal inheritance. Let this my unalterable gift, then, remain blest with eternal freedom, together with all things pertaining to it — fields, pastures, meadows, woods — without military service or the building of bridge and fortress.

But if any man shall strive to violate this my gift, flaunting the rashness of folly, let him be thrust down with heavy chains about his neck among the flame-vomiting hosts of foul demons, unless he has first preferred to come to satisfaction here.

Boundaries of Drayton. #

The aforesaid land is encompassed by these bounds.

These are the boundaries of Drayton, acre by acre. First from Englaf’s ford to Dythmere; thence to Lacing; along Lacing to Chalkford; thence to the boundary-dyke; along the dyke to Mydeling; thence to Waneting; along Waneting to the Ock; thence to the old dyke; on to Englaf’s ford.

• † I, Ælfsine, bishop, have impressed the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Byrhthelm, bishop, have set my seal.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Byrhthelm, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Wulfsige, bishop, have not refused.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Edmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Æthelgeard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwig, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.

King Eadwig gave Æscenær, of 4 hides, to Cynlaf the huntsman. #

On the same day King Eadwig gave to his huntsman Cynlaf Æscenær, of 13 hides; and he, with the king’s consent, gave it to the church of Abingdon, the aforesaid witnesses bearing witness.

How King Eadwig gave two hides to Cyneric. #

Likewise, in the same year King Eadwig gave to his cupbearer Cyneric Cern, of two hides; and he, with the king’s consent, gave it to God and St Mary and the church of Abingdon, and to the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms; and this is the king’s charter confirming this gift.

Charter of King Eadwig concerning Cern. #

Christ reigning eternally. For what is better in this life than by these earthly and perishing things to purchase things heavenly and abiding? For all that is seen fails in time, but that which is not seen shall endure without ceasing.

Wherefore I, Eadwig, king of the English, and governor and ruler of the other peoples round about, grant in perpetuity to one of my most faithful cupbearers, named Cyneric, two hides, in the place where the country folk by ancient usage have bestowed the name “at Cern”; to the end that he may enjoy it well and possess it so long as he lives, and after him may leave it to whatsoever heir he shall choose, in eternal inheritance. Moreover, let the aforesaid estate be free from every worldly hindrance, with all things rightly pertaining to it, excepting common labour, military service, and the building of bridge and fortress.

But if anyone shall attempt to infringe it — which God forbid — let him know that he shall render account before God and His angels, unless he has first preferred to make amends here by worthy satisfaction. This gift was completed freely in the year 958 from the Lord’s Incarnation, as the fourth year of my reign rolled on.

Boundaries. #

These are the boundaries of Cyneric’s land at Cern, of the two hides. First, where the grove-brook runs into Cern; then from the grove-brook to the lone elder; then from the lone elder to Hoddic’s hanger; from Hoddic’s hanger to the lone oak; and from the oak to the temple-wood; then along the temple-wood to the thorn-tree; from the thorn to Hanig’s ham; from Hanig’s ham to Cern; then from Cern to the brook; from the brook to the heathen burial; from the heathen burial on to the heath-down; to the gate of the stud-ley; from the gate to the brook; along the brook back to Cern.

• † I, Eadwig, king of the Anglo-Saxons, have impressed this gift with the triumph of the holy Cross.
• † I, Byrhthelm, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Byrhthelm, bishop, have agreed.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have signed.
• † I, Daniel, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Ælfgar, the king’s kinsman, have testified.
• † I, Byrhtferth, his brother, have testified.
• † I, Ealdred, the king’s steward, have testified.
• † I, Ælfwig, the king’s cupbearer, have testified.
• † I, Ordgar, thegn.
• † I, Leofa, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.

How King Eadwig gave Denchesworth to Wulfric. #

he, with the king’s consent, gave it to God and St Mary and the church of Abingdon, and to the monks serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms; and this is the king’s charter confirming this gift.

Charter of King Eadwig concerning Denchesworth. #

Our Lord Jesus Christ reigning for ever — the Creator of all things visible and invisible reigning for ever, and from the highest summit of heaven disposing all the laws of kingdoms. To all who discern the things that are true it is manifest that the prosperity of the present life is corrupted and brought to naught amid the tumult of the world. Now therefore, if temporal things be well dispensed, eternal justice is procured thereby.

Wherefore I, Eadwig, king, governor and ruler of the English, grant in perpetuity to one of my most faithful thegns — who from the cradle of his infancy has received the name of Wulfric — 5 hides, in the place where the country folk by their appellative usage and jesting names have bestowed the name “at Denchesworth”. Let him have and possess my royal gift during the time of his life; and after he shall have gone the way of all flesh, let him leave it to whatsoever heir he shall choose, in eternal inheritance. Moreover, let the aforesaid land, with all things rightly pertaining to it — fields, pastures, meadows, woods — be free, excepting common labour, military service, and the building of bridge and fortress.

But if anyone — which we do not desire — shall seek to infringe or to change this our gift, may he feel the horrible dusky gates of hell, and wretchedly behold with his own eyes the terrible hosts of demons.

Boundaries of Denchesworth. #

This land appears to be encompassed by these bounds.

These are the boundaries of Denchesworth. First to Cilla’s stream; then west to the moot-dyke; on Ordulf’s boundary to the chapman’s barrow; along the dyke to the land-brook; along the brook to the bounds of the northern Denchesworth; thence straight east back to Cilla’s stream; thence south where the ways meet; there the three hides in the northern Denchesworth lie undivided.

• † I, Eadwig, king of the English, have granted unalterably.
• † I, Ælfsine, bishop, have impressed the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Byrhthelm, have set my seal.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Daniel, bishop, have not refused.
• † I, Edmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfric, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwig, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.

This charter was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 958, indiction 1.

Of the Death of King Eadwig. #

Eadwig therefore passing away without children, by the disposing mercy of God the illustrious King Edgar, his own brother, succeeded him in the kingdom. And this King Edgar, when now advanced to the throne of the realm and wielding sceptre-bearing power, so strove by continual meditation to put off the old man with his deeds, that in him both the lust of the eyes and the pride of life seemed utterly brought to naught. For although green youth and comely form, pre-eminent dignity, and abundance of riches are wont all too often to soften good morals and to root out the modesty of the heart, yet his gold was not dimmed by love of things that pass like flowing water; nay, in all things and through all things obeying the divine commandments, whatever increase of honour and dignity God mercifully bestowed upon him he was zealous wisely to turn wholly to His honour and to the welfare of his kingdom. Nor was there delay: straightway made a new soldier, King Edgar, marked out by the gifts of nature and of grace, like an armed champion stoutly sustained single combat against the Devil in this vale of tears, nor did he yield; for He was made his Helper and his Protector who gave to weak David the triumph over sturdy Goliath. To be brief: King Edgar, fitly instructed by the blessed Dunstan, and likewise by St Æthelwold and the other wise men of England, put down the wicked, rebuked the rebellious, loved the just and the modest from his inmost heart, renewed the ruined churches of God and honourably endowed them, and bade some 40 monasteries be built, casting the clerks out of the monasteries and gathering in hosts of monks and nuns. And so the king, advancing from virtue to virtue, became thenceforth so great and such a one that he was thought no less worthy of praise to the English than Romulus to the Romans, Cyrus to the Persians, Alexander to the Macedonians, Artaxerxes to the Parthians, and Charlemagne to the Franks.

Of the Privilege and Charters of King Edgar. #

Now we have thought it necessary to make mention of this king’s munificent liberality towards this most holy house of Abingdon, and likewise of the liberties and of the possessions belonging to the same abbey confirmed by his authority. First, then, his privilege itself must be set down; next, the charters by which he confirmed to this house the possessions that follow. Thirdly, the charters of his men, who with his consent bestowed upon this house charters confirmed by the said charters, and which from that time even to the present remain unshaken and by the grace of God shall obtain perpetual strength. Fourthly, we will append both his charters and those of his men confirming possessions once ours — which possessions, though at present they do not at all redound to our use, nevertheless it stood firm on the part of the king and of his men that their charters concerning the same possessions should obtain perpetual strength, had the craft of the ancient enemy and the blind covetousness of men, and above all the royal power, permitted it. The tenor, then, of King Edgar’s privilege is this.

The Privilege of King Edgar. #

By the governance of the Moderator on high we are instructed in threefold wise, who as subject servants minister to Him who, disposing the fabric of the whole world in wondrous and ineffable order, at length fashioned the microcosm — Adam, to wit — out of fourfold matter, instinct with life-giving breath after His own likeness, and setting him over all things which He had formed in the lower world, one thing alone, for the proving of him, excepted and forbidden, placed him most fitly in the delight of paradise’s pleasantness, with a companion beside him, Eve to wit. Alas! — beguiled by the fiendish guile of seduction and by the smooth and shifting speech of the woman, in the recklessness of the curse he bit the forbidden apple, and, cast down into this troublous world, earned for himself and for his posterity perpetual death. For while the prophets prophesied, and the shining orthodox by their secret doctrine declared from heaven the long-hidden presages of the heavenly King, He who bears the blessing down from on high — not tongueless, as the seditious loquacity of the Jews confesses, but embracing the most charming eloquence of ancients and moderns alike, trampling down the Arrian and Sabellian trifles in anagogical speech, and calling us, by reason of the blindness of our darkened shadow, to the gladness of the heavenly patrimonies — having passed the angelic thresholds of heaven into the ear of the undefiled Virgin, is seen, as the words of the Gospel declare, to have sung wondrous songs; to whom the whole Church, that is, the Catholic, proclaims with one voice aloud: “Blessed are you, Virgin Mary, who believed; the things that were spoken to you by the Lord shall be accomplished in you.” Wondrous to tell! — the Word is made flesh and embodied, that Word of which the Evangelist, surpassing the height of all senses, saith, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God,” and the rest. By that incarnation, taken of the Virgin, the sin of the first woman is taken away, and upon all women is bestowed a bright glory surpassing in wonders. And so, while the divinity of Christ remained fragrant and untouched, and His humanity suffered, freedom mercifully came to bond-servants held in bondage.

Hence I, Edgar, by the aid of the Most High basileus of the English and of the other peoples persisting round about in threefold wise, that I may deserve to obtain the fellowship of this freedom through the mercy of the Moderator on high, have restored to the church of Abingdon the lands which were once granted by our predecessors and unjustly taken away in times past by unbelievers — to wit, 10 hides at Gainge, 15 at Gosie, 30 at Wurthe, 5 at Earmundesleah — and have granted them in eternal inheritance to our Lord and to His mother Mary, for the use of the monks dwelling therein. Moved likewise by the free grace of God, I grant to the monks dwelling by rule in the aforesaid monastery of Abingdon the eternal freedom of a monastic privilege, as our predecessors granted: to wit, that after the decease of the excellent abbot Æthelwold, in whose days this restoration of freedom was granted with Christ’s approval, the whole congregation of the aforesaid monastery may by fitting counsel choose for themselves, and lawfully appoint as abbot, one chosen out of the same band of brethren, according to the regular institutes of the blessed Benedict. Let the freedom of this privilege henceforth be held in perpetual use by all catholics; nor let any stranger, relying on tyrannical contumacy, usurp the exercise of power in the aforesaid monastery; but let the college of the same monastery glory, as I have said, in the privilege of perpetual freedom. Moreover, let the aforesaid monastery be free from all earthly servitude in the same tenor wherein it is set free by the ancient privilege of our catholic predecessors — to wit, by St Leo the pope and Coenwulf the catholic king, when abbot Rethun held the office. The lands indeed which for the use of the monks have been granted by right to our Lord Jesus Christ and His mother Mary, in ancient and in modern times, by kings and by devout persons of either sex, and by myself and by my uncle the most faithful King Eadred in the way of restoration — let them be of the same freedom for ever. For the aforesaid king restored to God’s church the estate which is called Abingdon, which King Ceadwalla in ancient times had granted with devoted heart to our Lord and to His mother Mary, and in which our predecessors, deceived by diabolical avarice, had unjustly built themselves a royal hall; and he forbade that any of the kings should ever demand entertainment there or build a hall there for evermore. Which I, Edgar, basileus of the English, acting on the counsel of my nobles, command to be fixed and done for ever, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, both in my days and in the days of my successors. For at the time when the lands which I have granted to the Lord with devoted heart had been unjustly taken from God’s holy church, certain faithless men usurped them and issued for themselves new hereditary charters; but in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit we command that no catholic receive them, but that, repudiated by all the faithful, they be assigned to anathema, the ancient privilege ever remaining in force.

But if anyone so epileptic, seduced by the madness of avarice — which we do not desire — shall attempt with rash daring to infringe this bounty of our munificence, let him be alienated from the fellowship of God’s holy church, and also from participation in the most holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God, through whom the whole world was freed from the ancient enemy of the human race; and let him be assigned with Judas the betrayer of Christ to the company of those set on the left hand, unless he has first humbly repented here, with worthy satisfaction, that he presumed to act rebelliously against God’s holy church; and let the apostate obtain neither pardon in this active life nor rest in the contemplative, but, thrust into the eternal fires of the abyss, may he be most wretchedly tormented for ever.

Boundaries of Gainge. #

These are the boundaries of Gainge. First from the middle of Tilla’s spring to Lodder’s barrow; thence to the green lynch westward; from the lynch to Eame’s down westward; thence to the hollow dyke eastward; along the dyke two furlongs northward; then east by the headland two furlongs; along the furrows to the little spring; along the spring to the Lacing brook; along the brook back to the Gainge brook; along the brook to the springs; then along the highway to Friday’s tree; from the tree along the water-valley west to the deep valley; from the valley to the red stone; from the stone back to Tilla’s spring.

Boundaries of Gosie. #

These are the boundaries of Gosie. First to the boundary-dyke eastward; then into the Teal-bourne; along the Teal-bourne until into the Ock; along the Ock until into the boundary-dyke; from the boundary-dyke until into the furrow; from the furrow until into the little stream; from the stream until into the land-brook; along the land-brook forth outside the ham, back to the boundary-dyke eastward.

Boundaries of Wurthe. #

These are the boundaries of Wurthe. First from the Ock to the boundary-stream; along the stream, west of the grove of the men of Cearn, by the head to Eadwulf’s pit; then along the slade to the head-acre northward; thence along the acre to the head; then to the heathen burial, on to the old dyke; along the dyke to the port-way; then to the deep furrow; then to the stone bridge on the Thames; along the Thames to the thorn-stump at the boundary of the men of Kingston; then to the heathen burial; then to the boundary-dyke east of Ælfsige’s cots; along the dyke ever to the path; then over the moor to the heads; then to the wain-way; along the way to the thorn-stump by the road; then on to the Ock at the moor-slade eastward; along the Ock until back to the boundary-stream.

Boundaries of Earmundesleah. #

These are the boundaries of Earmundesleah. First from Sandford to the foul stream; along the boundary-hedge out to the cots; thence along the boundary to the hazel-dyke; along the street out to the sturgeon pool; along the dyke east to the Wasa; thence to Hroca’s ley northward; along the dyke on to the upper part of Haydown; then up on to Snodd’s hill, to its upper part, to the hoar-stone; thence to the three old Wulfhagas; then along the slade until to Ticca’s ford; then along the Lucrine back to Sandford.

This deed of munificence was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 958, indiction 2, with these witnesses consenting, whose names are inscribed below, according to the dignity of each, crosswise in both orders, by the Lord’s disposing.

• † I, Edgar, monarch of the English of Britain, have confirmed this with the mark of the holy Cross.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have consented to the same king’s goodwill.
• † I, Oscytel, illustrious primate of the church of York, have confirmed this royal gift.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have cheerfully subscribed with my own hand in canonical subscription.
• † I, Byrhthelm, servant of the people of God, at the king’s command have gladly impressed the sign of the holy Cross.
• † I, Athulf, bishop, undaunted, have confirmed this gift under the vault of the holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have made firm this royal donation with the trophy of the holy Cross.
• † I, Æthelstan, watchman of the law of God, have inscribed this blessing with my own hand.
• † I, Daniel, overseer of the peoples committed to me, have consented joyfully.
• † I, Eadgifu, grandmother of the same king, have made firm this gift with the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Æthelwold, abbot of the monastery of Abingdon, triumphing have drawn up this document.
• † I, Ælfwold, by the Lord’s grant abbot, have given my assent to this bounty.
• † I, Ealdred, by Christ’s favour abbot, have joyfully set the form of the Cross.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwold, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Edmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Oswig, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.
• † I, Osweard, thegn.
• † I, Osulf, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn.
• † I, Wulfhere, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfhelm, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn.
• † I, Ealdred, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwine, thegn.
• † I, Ealdred, thegn.
• † I, Leofing, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwig, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Æthelferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Cyneric, thegn.
• † I, Wihtsige, thegn.
• † I, Eanulf, thegn.
• † I, Leofa, thegn.
• † I, Ælfnoth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Ceoleah, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwold, thegn.
• † I, Eadwig, thegn.
• † I, Ordgar, thegn.
• † I, Ælfmær, thegn.
• † I, Æthelferth, thegn.
• † I, Ordnoth, thegn.
• † I, Ordwald, thegn.
• † I, Osmær, thegn.
• † I, Leofing, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelric, thegn.
• † I, Byrhthelm, thegn.
• † I, Ælfweard, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtwold, thegn.
• † I, Æthelferth, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Eadwulf, thegn.
• † I, Sigelm, thegn.
• † I, Æthelm, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.

Charter of King Edgar concerning Marcham. #

The Scripture of sacred authority confirms us, saying: “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there”; and again: “We brought nothing into this world, and truly neither can we carry anything out of it.”

Wherefore, not unmindful of slippery dominion, I, Edgar — by Christ’s conferring king and chief of all Albion, presiding over the summit of the realm with humble mind — for the reward of a greater recompense do freely grant a modest portion of land, comprising 50 hides, which by firm agreement is called by the name of Marcham, to the church of St Mary, Mother of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the place which is called Abingdon, for the use of the brethren serving God there; beseeching and commanding in the name of Christ that none of our successors, of higher or lower degree, shall by any impulse of rashness in anywise break this gift of our devotion. Moreover, let the aforesaid land, which I with the consent of my nobles have granted to the aforesaid monastery, be free from every yoke of earthly servitude, excepting these three: to wit, military service and the repair of bridge and fortress.

But if anyone, impelled by a fiendish spirit, shall presumptuously attempt to violate or to change this gift, unless as the guilty party he shall have repented with worthy satisfaction before his death, let him be cast down into the eternal fires of the abyss and mournfully punished for ever with Judas the betrayer of Christ.

The aforesaid estate is encompassed on this side and on that by these bounds.

Boundaries. #

These are the boundaries of the fifty hides at Marcham. First from the Ock to the common moor; from the common moor up on to the white moor; from the white moor to the hawk’s meadow; from the hawk’s meadow to Tubba’s ford; from Tubba’s ford along the moor to Appleton, to the brook; from the brook to the path; from the path to the old hedge; from the old hedge to Pyrta’s moor; from Pyrta’s moor back to the Ock.

This charter was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 965, with these witnesses consenting whose names are inscribed below.

• † I, Edgar, king of the English, have granted the aforesaid donation.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop, have confirmed with the sign of the holy Cross.
• † I, Oscytel, archbishop, have impressed the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Æthelwold, bishop, have set my seal.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Oslac, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Æscwig, abbot.
• † I, Osgar, abbot.
• † I, Ælfstan, abbot.
• † I, Æthelgar, abbot.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfweard, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Wulfstan, thegn.
• † I, Eadwine, thegn.
• † I, Leofwine, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgeat, thegn.

Frilford, Appleton, and Lea were in King Edgar’s time members of Marcham; the boundaries of these are in part marked out here, in part elsewhere.

Boundaries of Lea. #

First from the hatch to Dudemær’s hollow; from Dudemær’s hollow to the boundary-ley; from the boundary-ley to the stone-ley; from the stone-ley to the down-ley; from the down-ley straight back into the hatch.

Charter of King Edgar concerning Cumnor. #

Our Lord Jesus Christ reigning for ever, who by the Father’s governance disposes all things alike, by the life-giving grace of the Holy Spirit. For although the words of priests and the decrees of judges endure ever in strength of firmness, nevertheless, on account of the uncertain mutability of future years, they must be strengthened by the attestation of written instruments.

Wherefore I, Edgar, basileus of all Britain, have granted in eternal inheritance a certain portion of land — to wit, 30 hides — in the place called by the well-known name of “at Cumnor”, to our Lord Jesus Christ and to His holy church dedicated to the blessed Mother of God Mary, in the place called by the well-known name of “at Abingdon”, for the use of God’s monks dwelling therein, with all appurtenances — to wit, meadows, pastures, woods — Osgar being abbot. Moreover, let the aforesaid estate be free from every yoke of earthly servitude, excepting three: to wit, military service and the repair of bridge and fortress.

If anyone, therefore, shall wish to transfer this our gift to another use than we have ordained, let him, deprived of the fellowship of God’s holy church, be mournfully punished for ever in the eternal fires of the abyss with Judas the betrayer of Christ and his accomplices; unless he shall have made amends by fitting satisfaction for what he transgressed against our decree.

Boundaries. #

The aforesaid estate is encompassed on this side and on that by these bounds.

These are the boundaries of Cumnor. First from the sturgeon pool to the dyke; along the dyke to the inlet, ever by the boundary, to the Thames; along the Thames to the woad-ley; from the woad-ley on to the old dyke; along the dyke to the four boundaries; from the four boundaries to the rough ley; from the rough ley to the hoar-stone; from the stone on to the Wasa; from the Wasa back to the sturgeon pool.

This deed of donation was written in the year 968 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, with these witnesses consenting whose names are inscribed below.

• † I, Edgar, king of all Britain, have confirmed the aforesaid donation with the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have set my seal to the same king’s donation with the triumph of the holy Cross.
• † I, Oscytel, archbishop, have impressed the triumphant trophy of the holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop of the church of London, have set my seal.
• † I, Æthelwold, bishop of the church of Winchester, have consented to the aforesaid gift.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have set my seal.
• † I, Oswold, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Wynsige, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfric, abbot.
• † I, Æscwig, abbot.
• † I, Osgar, abbot.
• † I, Æthelgar, abbot.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.
• † I, Ordgar, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtferth, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Wulfstan, thegn.
• † I, Osulf, thegn.
• † I, Osweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Osferth, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.
• † I, Wulfsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfnoth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.

How Wytham, Seacourt, Hinksey, and Eaton were members of Cumnor. #

Now Wytham, Seacourt, Hinksey, and Eaton were members of Cumnor in the time of Edgar king of England, comprising 25 hides; but now Hinksey is a member of Barton, Wytham and Seacourt are given to knights, and Eaton is wholly taken away.

Boundaries of Eaton. #

First from the Cherwell to the end of the cliff; from the end of the cliff to the small acres; from the small acres to Eaton; from Eaton along Dude’s way to the end of the long moor; from the end of the long moor to the green barrow; then to the old thorn; from the old thorn back to the Cherwell, over against Cyric’s barrow.

Charter of King Edgar concerning the 20 hides at Drayton. #

The Scripture of sacred authority confirms us, saying: “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there”; and again: “We brought nothing into this world, and truly neither can we carry anything out of it.”

Wherefore, not unmindful of slippery dominion, I, Edgar — by Christ’s conferring king and chief of all Albion, presiding over the summit of the realm with humble mind — for the reward of a greater recompense do freely grant a modest portion of land, comprising 20 hides, which by firm agreement is called by the name of Drayton, to the church of St Mary, Mother of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the place which is called Abingdon, for the use of the brethren serving God there; beseeching and commanding in the name of Christ that none of our successors, of higher or lower degree, shall by any impulse of rashness in anywise break this gift of our devotion. For my uncle King Eadred formerly granted the aforesaid 20 hides in eternal inheritance to a certain soldier devoted to him, named Eadwold; and afterwards, when the king had departed this life, he restored them to the same monastery. Moreover, let the aforesaid land, which I with the consent of my nobles have granted to the aforesaid monastery, be free from every yoke of earthly servitude, excepting these three: to wit, military service and the repair of bridge and fortress.

But if anyone, impelled by a fiendish spirit, shall presumptuously attempt to violate or to change this gift, unless as the guilty party he shall have repented with worthy satisfaction before his death, let him be cast down into the eternal fires of the abyss and mournfully punished for ever with Judas the betrayer of Christ. The aforesaid estate is encompassed on this side and on that by these bounds.

Boundaries. #

These are the boundaries of Drayton. First from Englaf’s ford to Dythmere; thence to Lacing; along Lacing to Chalkford; thence to the boundary-dyke; along the dyke to Mydeling; up from Mydeling northwards to the herd-grove; then straight on to Waneting; along Waneting to the Ock; thence to the old dyke; along the dyke to Englaf’s ford.

This charter was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 960, with these witnesses consenting whose names are noted below.

Witnesses. #

• † I, Edgar, basileus of the English, have confirmed.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Oscytel, archbishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Athulf, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Byrhthelm, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Æthelwold, abbot.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Edmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwold, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwig, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn.
• † I, Osweard, thegn.
• † I, Oswig, thegn.
• † I, Osulf, thegn.
• † I, Ealdred, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.

Charter of King Edgar concerning Hanney, of 20 hides. #

Our Lord Jesus Christ reigning for ever, who by the Father’s governance disposes all things alike, by the life-giving grace of the Holy Spirit. For although the words of priests and the decrees of judges endure ever in strength of firmness, nevertheless, on account of the uncertain mutability of future years, they must be strengthened by the attestation of written instruments.

Wherefore I, Edgar, basileus of all Britain, have granted in eternal inheritance a certain portion of land — to wit, 20 hides — in the place called by the well-known name of “at Hanney”, to our Lord Jesus Christ and to His holy church dedicated to the blessed Mother of God Mary, in the place called by the well-known name of “at Abingdon”, for the use of God’s monks dwelling therein, with all appurtenances — to wit, meadows, pastures, woods — Osgar being abbot. Moreover, let the aforesaid estate be free from every yoke of earthly servitude, excepting three: to wit, military service and the repair of bridge and fortress.

If anyone, therefore, shall wish to transfer this our gift to another use than we have ordained, let him, deprived of the fellowship of God’s holy church, be mournfully punished for ever in the eternal fires of the abyss with Judas the betrayer of Christ and his accomplices; unless he shall have made amends by fitting satisfaction for what he transgressed against our decree.

The aforesaid estate is encompassed on this side and on that by these bounds.

Boundaries of Hanney. #

These are the boundaries of Hanney. First to the old dyke at the thorn-head posts; along the dyke to the Waneting; then along the stream to the red mere; to Cyllerithe; then it turns there east; then along the stream until it runs into the Ock; then along the Ock until it runs into the old Waneting; then it turns there west along the stream until it runs into the middle of Snodd’s fleet; then it turns west on to the heads until it comes to the small way; then along the way until it goes back to the old dyke.

This deed of donation was written in the year 968 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ; with these witnesses consenting whose names are inscribed below.

• † I, Edgar, king of all Britain, have confirmed the aforesaid donation with the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have set my seal to the same king’s donation with the triumph of the holy Cross.
• † I, Oscytel, archbishop, have impressed the triumphant trophy of the holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop of the church of London, have set my seal.
• † I, Æthelwold, bishop of the church of Winchester, have consented to the aforesaid gift.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have set my seal.
• † I, Oswold, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Wynsige, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfric, abbot.
• † I, Æscwig, abbot.
• † I, Osgar, abbot.
• † I, Æthelgar, abbot.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.
• † I, Ordgar, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Wulfstan, thegn.
• † I, Osulf, thegn.
• † I, Osweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Osferth, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.
• † I, Wulfsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfnoth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.

Of Ora. #

Likewise, at Ora the same king granted to the church of Abingdon, by a like donation, in the same year and with the same supporters, 10 hides.

Charter of King Edgar concerning Ora, of 10 hides. #

Our Lord Jesus Christ reigning for ever, who by the Father’s governance disposes all things alike, by the life-giving grace of the Holy Spirit. For although the words of priests and the decrees of judges endure ever in strength of firmness, nevertheless, on account of the uncertain mutability of future years, they must be strengthened by the attestation of written instruments.

Wherefore I, Edgar, basileus of all Britain, have granted in eternal inheritance a certain portion of land — to wit, 10 hides — in the place called by the well-known name of “at Ora”, to our Lord Jesus Christ and to His holy church dedicated to the blessed Mother of God Mary, in the place called by the well-known name of “at Abingdon”, for the use of God’s monks dwelling therein, with all appurtenances — to wit, meadows, pastures, woods — Osgar being abbot. Moreover, let the aforesaid estate be free from every yoke of earthly servitude, excepting three: to wit, military service and the repair of bridge and fortress.

If anyone, therefore, shall wish to transfer this our gift to another use than we have ordained, let him, deprived of the fellowship of God’s holy church, be mournfully punished in the eternal fires of the abyss with Judas the betrayer of Christ and his accomplices; unless he shall have made amends by fitting satisfaction for what he transgressed against our decree.

The aforesaid estate is encompassed on this side and on that by these bounds.

Boundaries. #

These are the boundaries at Ora. First from Wintermere along the straight boundary to the boundary-grove; thence along the hedge out through the broad ley, to the head-posts; thence to Wealcot’s ley northward; thence along the hedge to Sanda’s valley; thence to the bishop’s way; along the way back to Wintermere.

This deed of donation was written in the year 968 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ; with these witnesses consenting whose names are inscribed below.

• † I, Edgar, king of all Britain, have confirmed the aforesaid donation with the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have set my seal to the same king’s donation with the triumph of the holy Cross.
• † I, Oscytel, archbishop, have impressed the triumphant trophy of the holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop of the church of London, have set my seal.
• † I, Æthelwold, bishop of the church of Winchester, have consented to the aforesaid gift.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have set my seal.
• † I, Oswold, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Wynsige, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfric, abbot.
• † I, Æscwig, abbot.
• † I, Osgar, abbot.
• † I, Æthelgar, abbot.
• † I, Ælfhere, abbot.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.
• † I, Ordgar, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Wulfstan, thegn.
• † I, Osulf, thegn.
• † I, Osweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Osferth, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.
• † I, Wulfsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfnoth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.

Charter of King Edgar concerning Bedene. #

The Scripture of sacred authority confirms us, saying: “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there.” And again: “We brought nothing into this world, and truly neither can we carry anything out of it.”

Wherefore, not unmindful of slippery dominion, I, Edgar — by Christ’s conferring king and chief of all Albion, presiding over the summit of the realm with humble mind — for the reward of a greater recompense do freely grant a modest portion of land, comprising 5 hides, which by firm agreement is called by the name of Bydene, to the church of St Mary, Mother of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the place which is called Abingdon, for the use of the brethren serving God there; beseeching and commanding in the name of Christ that none of our successors, of higher or lower degree, shall by any impulse of rashness in anywise break this gift of our devotion. Moreover, let the aforesaid land, which I with the consent of my nobles have granted to the aforesaid monastery, be free from every yoke of earthly servitude, excepting these three: to wit, military service and the repair of bridge and fortress.

But if anyone, impelled by a fiendish spirit, shall presumptuously attempt to violate or to change this gift, unless as the guilty party he shall have repented with worthy satisfaction before his death, let him be cast down into the eternal fires of the abyss and mournfully punished for ever with Judas the betrayer of Christ.

The boundaries of this estate lie in the book of Cenwulf. This charter was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 965, with these witnesses consenting whose names are inscribed below.

Witnesses. #

• † I, Edgar, king of the English, have granted the aforesaid donation.

• † I, Dunstan, archbishop, have confirmed with the sign of the holy Cross.

• † I, Æthelwold, bishop, have set my seal.

• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have assented.

• † I, Osulf, bishop, have confirmed.

• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.

• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.

• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.

• † I, Oslac, ealdorman.

• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.

• † I, Æscwig, abbot.

• † I, Osgar, abbot.

• † I, Ælfstan, abbot.

• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.

• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.

• † I, Ælfweard, thegn.

• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.

• † I, Wulfstan, thegn.

• † I, Leofwine, thegn.

• † I, Ælfric, thegn.

• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.

• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.

• † I, Ælfric, thegn.

• † I, Eadwine, thegn.

• † I, Ælfric, thegn.

• † I, Wulfgeat, thegn.

[Of Denchworth] #

[Likewise, the same king gave to Abingdon 2 hides of land at Denchworth, in the same year aforesaid from the Nativity of the Lord, with the same counsellors in favour.]

Charter of King Edgar concerning Denchworth #

The Scripture of sacred authority confirms us, saying: “Naked came I forth from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither” [Job 1:21]. And again: “We brought nothing into this world, neither indeed can we carry anything out of it.”

Wherefore, not unmindful of slippery power, I, Edgar, by Christ’s bestowal king and chief ruler of the whole of Albion, presiding over the height of the realm with humble mind, for the reward of a greater recompense freely grant to the church of the Blessed Mary, Mother of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the place called Abingdon, for the use of the brethren serving God there, a certain small portion of land, amounting to 2 hides, which is declared by a settled agreement under the name of Denchworth; beseeching and commanding in the name of Christ that none of our successors, of higher or of lower degree, shall by any impulse of rashness in any wise break up this gift of our devotion. Moreover, let the aforesaid land, which I with the consent of my nobles have bestowed on the aforesaid monastery, be free from every yoke of earthly service, three things only excepted, namely the fixed military service, and the restoration of bridge and fortress.

But if anyone, impelled by a devilish spirit, shall presumptuously attempt to violate or to alter this gift, unless in his guilt he repent with due satisfaction before his death, let him be cast down into the eternal fires of the abyss and punished mournfully for ever with Judas the betrayer of Christ.

The aforesaid land is girded about on either side by these bounds. This charter was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 965.

Witnesses #

• † I, Edgar, king of the English, have granted the aforesaid gift.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop, have confirmed it with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Oscytel, archbishop, have impressed the seal of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Æthelwold, bishop, have signed it.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Oslac, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Æscwig, abbot.
• † I, Osgar, abbot.
• † I, Ælfstan, abbot.
• † I, Æthelgar, abbot.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfweard, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Wulfstan, thegn.
• † I, Eadwine, thegn.
• † I, Leofwine, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgeat, thegn.

Charter of King Edgar concerning 10 hides at Spersholt #

For although whatever things are defined by wholesome counsel according to the decrees of the canons and the ordinances of the Church might suffice by word alone without writing, yet because in our times the storms and whirlwinds of secular affairs frequently batter even the gates of the Church, we have therefore thought it worth while, as a safeguard for the future, to attach to the pages of scripture those things which have been defined, lest, being delivered to oblivion, they should afterwards lie unknown.

Wherefore I, Edgar, relying on the royal dignity given by the Lord, have bestowed in perpetual inheritance upon my chamberlain, named Æthelwine, a certain small portion of land, namely 10 hides, in the place called Spersholt, and one hide with a quantity of 12 acres which are in the place called Bathalacing, and also a mill at Hirdegrafe with a portion of 12 acres belonging to that mill. And I have granted it by conveyance on this condition: that he may possess it until the last day of his life, with all things rightly pertaining to it — fields, meadows, pastures, woods — and after him may leave it to whatsoever heir he shall choose, in perpetual right. Moreover, let the aforesaid land be free from every royal tribute, except military service and the building of bridge and fortress.

But if anyone, led astray by greed, shall attempt to make void or to break the ordinance of this decree, let him know that he shall render account in the dread judgement. Moreover, the aforesaid land appears to be girded round on every side by these bounds.

Boundaries #

These are the boundaries: first at Sunemann’s worth; from the worth straight to the head-stakes; from the head-stakes on to the rugged ridge on the upper side; thence straight to Bryxstan’s gore on the south side; from the gore to Dudda’s dean; from the dean to the old gore on the south side; thence straight to the broad stones; from the stones to Hodan’s barrow; from the barrow to Hremnes’ burh on the west side; from Hremnes’ burh to Leacumb; thence straight along the stream to Tealeburna; along Tealeburna; then to the rill; along the rill to the thorn-stump at Bulandic; along the dyke to the king’s sheepfolds; from the sheepfolds to the rush-bed; from the rush-bed to the king’s thorns; thence straight to the bean-furlong; thence to the upper part of Snelle’s lynch; from Snelle’s lynch, back again to Sunemann’s worth; and there belongs thereto a homestead of one hide at Bathalacing, and one hide of land and 12 acres of meadow, and a mill at Hirdegrafe and 12 acres of land.

This document was written in the year 963 from the Incarnation of the Lord; and the consenting parties to this gift were those whose names appear written below.

Witnesses #

• † I, Edgar, king, with my own hand have made the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop, have consented.
• † I, Cynsige, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Byrhthelm, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Byrhthelm, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Wulfric, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.
• † I, Eadmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.
• † I, Osweard, thegn.
• † I, Osulf, thegn.
• † I, Eanulf, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Ordgar, thegn.

Charter of King Edgar concerning Eastun #

By the voice of the Gospel we are promised the heavenly fatherland, if, despising transitory things, we cleave to those which are eternal.

Exulting therefore, and relying on the gift of this wisdom, I, Edgar, king and leader of the English race and of the barbarians and the nations, to the praise of Christ who saith, “They twain shall be one flesh” [Matt. 19:5], have bestowed in eternal possession upon my consort and my beloved, whose name is Ælfthryth, a certain estate of my realm amounting to 10 hides, in the place which by the voices of the ancients is named Eastun. This land, therefore, with all its appurtenances — woods and fields, pastures and meadows — I have granted by the counsel of my thegns, bishops, ealdormen, and soldiers, in the year 964 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, the fifth year of my reign, to my aforesaid consort with so great a liberty that she may possess it, as long as she lives, without worldly tribute; and after the death of the flesh she may leave and assign it to whatsoever heir shall please her, in everlasting inheritance.

But if anyone (which God forbid), puffed up with a devilish spirit, shall attempt to infringe this gift of my disposition and confirmation, let him know that on the last and great day of judgement he shall perish in everlasting shame amid the devouring flames of ineffable torments with Judas the betrayer, who is called the Son of Perdition, unless by unceasing prayers here he first deserve to obtain the desired pardon.

Now the aforesaid land is clearly bounded by these limits:

Boundaries #

These are the boundaries of Eastun: first from Hatch brook to the rugged dyke; then along the way to the foul ford; from the foul ford to Eanulf’s thorn; from the thorn to the white holm-way; from the white way along Hingan down; then back to the stony way; from the way to the spring; thence straight to the brook-hill slade; from the slade to Hieca’s thorn; thence over Bleobyrig down to Hneccel’s dyke; then along the dyke back again to Hatch brook.

• † I, Edgar, ruler of the whole island of Albion, have marked this my gift aforehand with the emblem of the Holy Cross, and have recorded it in an everlasting charter.
• † I, Dunstan, high priest of the church of Canterbury, have signed the royal gift with divine support.
• † I, Æthelwold, bishop of Winchester, have impressed the triumphant seal of the undivided Trinity, and have added the subscription of my own hand.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have signed.
• † I, Oswald, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Byrhthelm, bishop, have not refused.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Athulf, bishop, have impressed.
• † I, Eadelm, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have marked it aforehand.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Wulfsige, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfric, abbot.
• † I, Ælfstan, abbot.
• † I, Osgar, abbot.
• † I, Æscwig, abbot.
• † I, Ordbriht, abbot.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Ordgar, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Wulfstan, thegn.
• † I, Eanulf, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Osferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ealdred, thegn.
• † I, Wihtsige, thegn.
• † I, Leofric, thegn.
• † I, Leofsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfhelm, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfheah, thegn.
• † I, Wulfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Ætheric, thegn.

Charter of King Edgar concerning Æscesburh #

For although the decrees of royal dignity and the most wholesome counsels of kingdoms, while the record of their immunity remains, remain ever fixed and firm, yet because the storms and whirlwinds of the world, beating upon the frail course of human life, sometimes dash them against the divine ordinances of heavenly affirmation and lawful rights, they must therefore be strengthened by the ordering of letters and by sheets of charters, lest the progeny of successors, through some chance and ignorant of the charter of their forefathers, should fall into the inextricable gulf of dreadful abysses.

Wherefore I, Edgar, governor and ruler of the whole of Britain, restore in perpetuity to a certain thegn who is called by the learned by the name Wulfric the estates which had been forbidden to him on account of a certain offence, granting him eternal freedom, so that he, as long as he dwells in this mortal world, may possess them freely without the burden of any charge, and after the end of his life may leave them undefiled to whatsoever heirs he shall choose. These indeed are the names of those lands which the aforesaid king freed for ever for Wulfric: Æscesburh and Denchworth, Garanford, Clifonlea, Stanmere, Ceadelanworth, Boxora, Berniasham, Ingles, Ticeburna, Stedham, Tullington, Pæccingas, Puningas, Intimbre.

If anyone, then (which we do not desire), weighed down by the malice of covetousness, shall strive to violate this our freedom, let them, fallen among the hosts of foul darkness, hear on the day of judgement the voice of the Judge saying to them: “Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire” [Matt. 25:41]; where with the devils they are cruelly tormented in iron frying-pans in punishment, unless before death they have amended this by worthy penance. For the aforesaid thegn gave the aforesaid king 120 mancuses of most tried gold on account of this freedom.

Now this charter of freedom was written in the year 960 of the Lord’s Incarnation, with these witnesses consenting, whose names are inscribed below according to the dignity of each.

• † I, Edgar, king, have granted this freedom.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Oscytel, archbishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Byrhthelm, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Athulf, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Æthelwold, abbot, have inscribed it.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwold, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Eadmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.
• † I, Osweard, thegn.
• † I, Osulf, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn.
• † I, Wulfhere, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfhelm, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn.
• † I, Ealdred, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfheah, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwine, thegn.
• † I, Ealdred, thegn.
• † I, Leofing, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwig, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Æthelferth, thegn.

[The same king granted to a certain thegn of his, named Wulfstan, 10 hides at Wiscelea, on this condition, that after his decease he should have by royal authority freedom of the gift to bestow it upon whatsoever heir he wished. Whereupon he made this church of Abingdon his heir after the end of his life, with the aforesaid supporters consenting, in the year 968 from the Incarnation of the Lord.]

Charter of King Edgar concerning Wiscelea #

Our Lord Jesus Christ reigning for ever. It is known to all who diligently examine the mysteries of the heavenly gifts that not only is the state of this world corrupted and brought to decay by the fraud and contrivance of the ancient enemy, but also, when the course of this present life draws near its end, human prosperity is straitened by the keen malice and anguish of wicked men. Now therefore, while we have time to come, let us hasten with all our strength to avoid the snare of death, and while we possess an earthly patrimony, let a spiritual trading be exercised, whereby among the angelic choirs we may deserve to obtain joys that shall abide without end.

Wherefore I, Edgar, king of the English and governor and ruler of the other peoples dwelling round about, grant in perpetuity to a certain faithful thegn of mine, named Wulfstan, 10 hides in that place where of old the dwellers in that land gave it the name Wiscelea; so that he may have and possess it as long as the breath of life shall nourish his body. But when the day of his dissolution shall come, let him leave it, as we have said above, to whatsoever heir he shall choose, in everlasting inheritance. Moreover, let the aforesaid gift be free from every worldly encumbrance, with all things rightly pertaining to it — fields, pastures, meadows, woods — excepting these three: military service, and the building of bridge and fortress.

But if any man shall strive to infringe this my gift by boasting with the rashness of folly, let him be weighed down with heavy chains about his neck among the flame-breathing troops of foul demons, unless he first choose to come to satisfaction here.

This charter of gift was written in the year 968 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, with these witnesses consenting, whose names appear inscribed below.

Witnesses #

• † I, Edgar, king of the whole of Britain, have confirmed the aforesaid gift with the seal of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have signed the same king’s gift with the triumph of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Oscytel, archbishop, have impressed the triumphant trophy of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have signed.
• † I, Æthelwold, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Oswald, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Wynsige, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.
• † I, Ordgar, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfric, abbot.
• † I, Æscwig, abbot.
• † I, Osgar, abbot.
• † I, Æthelgar, abbot.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Wulfstan, thegn.
• † I, Osulf, thegn.
• † I, Osweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Osferth, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelferth, thegn.

Charter of King Edgar concerning Lechlade #

Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of hosts, reigning for ever. Forsooth, all abundance of riches and possession of temporal treasure, which the anxious solicitude of predecessors gains by unwearying strivings of labour, is sometimes left — alas! — to uncertain heirs, often unworthy of the hopes cherished. As the Psalmist, reproaching the improvident sloth of the human race, rebukes: “He heapeth up treasure, and knoweth not for whom he gathereth it” [Ps. 39:6]; and likewise the sage sophist of divine speech and doorkeeper of the heavenly library sang in a catalectic verse, relying on metrical eloquence.

Wherefore I, Edgar, king of the English and of the other peoples dwelling round about, have bestowed in perpetual inheritance a certain small estate of land, namely 10 hides, to which the inhabitants of this province gave the ancient name Lechlade, upon a certain freeborn matron who is joined to me by kinship of worldly blood, who is called by the people of this country by the elegant name Ælfgifu, for her most devoted service; that she, during her life, may have it at her will with all its utensils — namely meadows, pastures, woods; and after the end of her life may leave it free to whatsoever heirs she shall choose. Moreover, let the aforesaid land be free from every yoke of earthly service; three things excepted, namely the fixed military service, and the restoration of bridge and fortress.

If therefore anyone shall wish to transfer this our gift to another purpose than we have appointed, let him be deprived of the fellowship of the holy Church of God and punished mournfully for ever in the eternal fires of the abyss with Judas the betrayer of Christ and his accomplices, unless he have amended by fitting satisfaction what he offended against our decree. This land is girded by these bounds.

Boundaries #

These are the boundaries of Lechlade: from Lechlade along the river to the ford of the Yttingas; from the ford along the street to Trumbald’s tree; from the tree along the street to the middlemost barrow; from the barrow along the street to the seven barrows; from the seven barrows to the single barrow; from the single barrow to the head of the barley croft; from the head to the middle of the boundary-dean at the rill; from the rill by the heads of the acres to the old dyke; along the dyke back into the river.

This charter of gift was written in the year 966 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, with these witnesses consenting, whose names are inscribed below.

• † I, Edgar, king of the whole of Britain, have confirmed the aforesaid gift with the seal of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have signed the same king’s gift with the triumph of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Oscytel, archbishop, have impressed the triumphant trophy of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop of the church of London, have signed.
• † I, Æthelwold, bishop of the church of Winchester, have consented to the aforesaid gift.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have signed.
• † I, Oswald, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Wynsige, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfric, abbot.
• † I, Æscwig, abbot.
• † I, Osgar, abbot.
• † I, Ordbriht, abbot.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.
• † I, Ordgar, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Wulfstan, thegn.
• † I, Osulf, thegn.
• † I, Osweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Osferth, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.
• † I, Wulfsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfnoth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.

Charter of King Edgar concerning Hamstede #

In the name of the Most High Thunderer. For since the happiness of this passing world is seen to be continually mingled and troubled with adverse fortunes, and all the visible and delightful ornaments of this cosmos daily pass away from their lovers, therefore every happy and wise man desires with these transitory riches of the world to obtain joys that endure for ever.

Wherefore I, Edgar, governor and ruler of the whole of Britain, have bestowed in perpetual inheritance a certain small portion of land, namely 3 hides, in the place called by the famous name Hamstede, upon a certain thegn exceedingly faithful to me, who is called by the people of this country by the noble name Eadric, for his most devoted service; that he, during his life, may have it at his will with all its utensils — namely meadows, pastures, woods; and after the end of his life may leave it free to whatsoever heirs he shall choose. Moreover, let the aforesaid land be free from every yoke of earthly service, three things excepted, namely the fixed military service, and the restoration of bridge and fortress.

But if anyone shall wish to transfer this our gift to another purpose than we have appointed, let him be deprived of the fellowship of the holy Church of God and punished mournfully for ever in the eternal fires of the abyss with Judas the betrayer of Christ and his accomplices, unless he have amended by fitting satisfaction what he offended against our decree.

The aforesaid land is girded about on either side by these bounds.

Boundaries #

These are the boundaries of the 3 hides at Hamstede: first from the south of the five acres to the rill; on to the withies; from the withies to the head-stakes; thence along the hedge to Grecceleah eastward; thence along the hedge to the rush-mere; thence to Beonatleah where the boundary-way runs out; thence along the way to Geccleah; thence along the way to the ford; from the ford along the hedge; then back to the five acres.

This charter was written in the year 961 of the Lord’s Incarnation, with these witnesses consenting, whose names are noted below.

Witnesses #

• † I, Edgar, king of the English, have granted.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop.
• † I, Oscytel, archbishop.
• † I, Osulf, bishop.
• † I, Byrhthelm, bishop.
• † I, Athulf, bishop.
• † I, Oswald, bishop.
• † I, Æthelwold, bishop.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Eadmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwine, thegn.
• † I, Wulfhelm, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.

Charter of King Edgar concerning the 7 hides at Kingestun #

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the year 970 of the Lord’s Incarnation, I, Edgar, by the disposing mercy of the All-Creator king of the English, led by divine love and ordained by the same God and our Lord over peoples and tribes as a flock, grant for ever to a certain faithful deacon of mine, named Byrhteah, 7 hides, in the place which in the English tongue is called Kingestun, that he may have and possess it as long as the breath of life shall nourish his body. And when the day of his dissolution shall come, let him leave it in everlasting inheritance to whatsoever heir he shall choose. Let this my immovable gift therefore remain joyous in eternal freedom, with all things that pertain to it — fields, pastures, meadows — without military service and the repair of bridge and fortress.

But if any man shall strive to infringe this my gift by boasting with the rashness of folly, let him be weighed down with heavy chains about his neck among the flame-breathing troops of foul demons, unless he first choose to come to satisfaction here.

• † I, Edgar, king of the English, have granted the aforesaid gift.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop, have confirmed it with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Oscytel, archbishop, have impressed the seal of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Æthelwold, bishop, have signed.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Oslac, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Æscwig, abbot.
• † I, Osgar, abbot.
• † I, Ælfstan, abbot.
• † I, Æthelgar, abbot.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfweard, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Wulfstan, thegn.
• † I, Eadwine, thegn.
• † I, Leofwine, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgeat, thegn.

Charter of King Edgar concerning Bragenfeld #

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the year 967 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, the tenth indiction, I, Edgar, by God’s favourable grace king and chief of the English, do most willingly grant in perpetual right to my ealdorman Byrhtnoth a small portion of land, reckoned by its inhabitants at a certain number of hides, in the place called Bragenfeld, excepting fortress, bridge, and military service; so that he may possess it during the days of his life; and after him leave it to whatsoever heir he shall choose.

But if anyone (which we do not desire) shall attempt to annul the charter of this gift, let him acknowledge that he shall render account before Christ. And the consenting parties to this gift were those whose names appear inscribed below.

• † I, Edgar, king of the English, have bestowed this gift.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Oscytel, archbishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Æthelwold, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Wynsige, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Oswald, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Eadelm, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.
• † I, Ordgar, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Ordwald, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.
• † I, Wulfstan, thegn.
• † I, Ælfhelm, thegn.

Charter of King Edgar concerning Hocanedisce #

By the favouring rule of the Governor on high, having obtained the government of the whole of Albion far and wide, and not unmindful that gifts have been granted to me in return, that by these earthly things I might gain eternal ones:

Wherefore I, Edgar, king, have bestowed in perpetual inheritance a certain small portion of land, reckoned at 5 hides, in the place called by the famous name Hocanedisce, upon a certain thegn exceedingly faithful to me, who is called by the people of this country by the noble name Wulfnoth, for his most devoted service; that he, during his life, may have it at his will with all its utensils; and after the end of his life may leave it free to whatsoever heirs he shall choose. Moreover, let the aforesaid land be free from every yoke of earthly service; three things excepted, namely the fixed military service, and the restoration of bridge and fortress.

If therefore anyone shall wish to transfer this our gift to another purpose than we have appointed, let him be deprived of the fellowship of the holy Church of God and punished mournfully for ever in the eternal fires of the abyss with Judas the betrayer of Christ and his accomplices, unless he have amended by fitting satisfaction what he offended against our decree.

The aforesaid land is girded about on either side by these bounds.

Boundaries #

These are the boundaries of Hocanedisce: first out to Beona’s field; on Beona’s field to the border-way; from the border-way to the old head-hedge; from the hedge to the fern-meadow by the half-wood; in the fern field that projects into the Thames; along the Thames till it comes to the stocks; along the furrow to Esasawaford; up along the furrow to the green way; thence to Beona’s field.

This charter was written in the year 963 of the Lord’s Incarnation, with these witnesses consenting, whose names are noted below.

• † I, Edgar, king of the English, have granted.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop, have granted.
• † I, Oscytel, archbishop, have granted.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have granted.
• † I, Æthelwold, bishop, have granted.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfhelm, thegn.
• † I, Wulfstan, thegn.
• † I, Osweard, thegn.
• † I, Osulf, thegn.
• † I, Ealdred, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.

Charter of King Edgar concerning Ætheredingtun #

Our Lord Jesus Christ reigning for ever; the Creator of all things visible and invisible reigning for ever, and from the highest summit of heaven disposing all the rights of kingdoms. It is manifest to all who discern true things that the prosperity of the present life is corrupted and brought to decay by the tumult of the world. Now therefore, from temporal things, if they be well dispensed, eternal justice is acquired.

Wherefore I, Edgar, king of the English, and governor and ruler of all the peoples dwelling round about, grant in perpetuity to a certain faithful thegn of mine, named Ælfric, 9 hides, in the place which in the English tongue is called Ætheredingtun. Moreover, let him have and possess this my royal gift as long as he lives; and after him leave it for ever to whatsoever heir he shall choose. Moreover, let the aforesaid land be free from every worldly encumbrance, with all things which are known to pertain to that place, in great as in small — fields, pastures, meadows, woods — without military service and the building of bridge and fortress.

But if anyone shall strive to infringe it (which God forbid), let him know that he is guilty all the days of his life, and shall not escape dark Tartarus, unless he first choose to make amends here by worthy satisfaction.

The aforesaid land is encompassed by these bounds:

These 9 hides lie intermixed with other allotted field-land held in common, meadow in common, and arable land in common.

This aforesaid gift was executed in the year 961 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, the fourth indiction.

Witnesses #

• † I, Edgar, king of the English, have granted the aforesaid gift.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have impressed the same king’s gift with the Holy Cross.
• † I, Byrhthelm, bishop of the church of Winchester, have subscribed and confirmed beneath the canopy of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have signed.
• † I, Oswald, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have not refused.
• † I, Athulf, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Cynsige, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Æthelwold, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Eadmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwold, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Osweard, thegn.
• † I, Osulf, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Eanulf, thegn.
• † I, Wulfstan, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwine, thegn.
• † I, Wulfhere, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwig, thegn.
• † I, Wihtsige, thegn.
• † I, Ordgar, thegn.
• † I, Ealdred, thegn.

Charter of King Edgar concerning Mordun #

Christ God reigning over heaven and earth for ever and ever. The human race seems from its birth to decline and ebb away unto death; but the Lover of all virtues, who desires us to shun evil and to follow good, daily shows us how to pass happily from the vale of tears to the heavenly kingdoms, which exceed the senses of our minds, since the eternal joys of the Saints can even now be entered by contemplation.

Wherefore I, Edgar, king of the English, grant in perpetuity to a certain faithful thegn of mine, named Eadwine, 20 hides, in the place which in the English tongue is called Mordun, that he may possess the aforesaid land during the course of his life by my favourable grant; and thereafter leave it to whatsoever succeeding heir he shall choose, as I have said before, in everlasting inheritance. Moreover, let the aforesaid land be free from every worldly encumbrance, with all things which are known to pertain to that place, in great as in moderate affairs — fields, pastures, meadows, woods — without military service and the building of bridge and fortress.

But for those who diminish and break this gift (which I pray may be far from the minds of the faithful), let their portion be with those of whom it is said on the contrary: “Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, which is prepared for Satan and his ministers” [Matt. 25:41], unless they first make amends with lawful satisfaction by penance worthy of God.

Now the aforesaid land is clearly bounded by these limits:

Boundaries #

These are the boundaries of Mordun: first at Higford; from Higford along Hreodburna to Worf; along the stream to Purtanige westward; on to Purtanige northward; back out to the wolf-stream; along the stream to the wood bridge; thence out to the ash-stream where the watercourse flows out into Worf; up against the stream to the east end of the long furlongs; then east to the old dyke; from the old dyke to Grindewell’s stream, one furlong; thence to Ætdenpæn, to the elder-stub; thence along the edge to the meadowland; from the meadowland down to the old willow at Ættanpæn’s stream; thence to the hart’s ford; from the ford to Filica’s slade; along the slade to the old spring; then out to Headdandun’s slade; along the slade to the broad way; from the broad way along the slade out to Hagford.

This charter was written in the year 962 of the Lord’s Incarnation, with these witnesses consenting, whose names are inscribed below:

Witnesses #

• † I, Edgar, king of the English, have granted unalterably.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop, have confirmed it with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Oscytel, archbishop and prelate, have impressed the seal of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Byrhthelm, bishop, have signed.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have not refused.
• † I, Oswald, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Cynsige, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Æthelwold, abbot.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.
• † I, Eadmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Osferth, thegn.
• † I, Leofsige, thegn.
• † I, Eanulf, thegn.
• † I, Ælfhelm, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Leofric, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtric, thegn.
• † I, Ordgar, thegn.
• † I, Leofa, thegn.

Charter of King Edgar concerning Dudingtun #

In the year 958 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, the first indiction, I, Edgar, by God’s favourable grace king and chief ruler of the Mercians, do most willingly grant in perpetual right to Eanulf, my thegn, a small portion of land, reckoned at 14 hides, and also 40 acres, in the place called Dudingtun, free excepting fortress, bridge, and military service; so that he may possess it during the days of his life; and after him leave it to whatsoever heir he shall choose.

But if anyone (which we do not desire) shall attempt to annul the charter of this gift, let him acknowledge that he shall render account before Christ. And this portion of land appears to be girded round by these bounds:

Boundaries #

These are the boundaries of Dudingtun: 14 hides, and the old church at Æstlea, and with it 40 acres, and Bynanlea all belonging to Dudingtun. First from Dudingtun to the weir; along the weir to the bend; from the bend to the old stream; along the stream to the north river; along the stream to lower Fulgorhyrst; thence to the old dyke; along the dyke south back to the weir; up against the stream to the old ford; from the ford up on to the rill one furlong south of the church; along the rill to the root-stocks; thence out through the hedge to upper Burldic; from the dyke to the old rood; from the rood to Scott’s nook; from the nook to Wenburh’s bridge; from the bridge to the dyke; along the dyke to the Easthæm boundary; to the bend at the head; to the goat-thorn; from the thorn to the black thorn; to the dyke; from the thorn to the root-stocks, to the furrows; along the furrows to the old dyke at the elder; along the dyke to the other elder; from the elder to the apple-tree; thence to Ægleswelle brook; up against the stream to Stanford; from the ford to Fugelshed; from the slade to Colwell brook; along the brook to the Swyll hills; from the hills to Hasting’s stream; along the stream to the river-stream. And two hams at Loppedethorn belong to Dudingtun.

And the consenting parties to this gift were those whose names appear inscribed below:

• † I, Oscytel, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Dunstan, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Cynsige, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Athulf, bishop, have consented and subscribed.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwold, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ufa, thegn.
• † I, Osferth, thegn.
• † I, Wynsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwold, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.

[Of Boxora] #

[Likewise, the same king granted to another of his thegns, named Ælfwine, 10 hides at Boxora, on the aforesaid tenure, and thus his right came to this church, in the same year and confirmed by the same witnesses, as aforesaid.]

Charter of King Edgar concerning Boxora #

The Creator of all creatures, when in the constitution of the declining world He had created all things out of nothing, and had completed on the sixth day the perfection of the work He had begun, adding the name of the Holy Trinity, said: “Let Us make man in Our image and likeness” [Gen. 1:26]. And when from the side of the sleeping man He had produced woman from the rib taken away, and had brought her to him as a help, He called her name Virago, because she was taken out of her man. Wherefore whatever is acquired by the sweating frailty of the man is given to his fruitful wife, for the begetting of children and for his faithful ones. And if the love of the flesh is loved so greatly, much more should the love of the Eternal King be loved, who gives to whom He will sons, servants, and free men, and nourishes all at His nod and suffers them to grow.

Wherefore I, Edgar, by the grace of God peaceable king of the English, give and deliver to a certain thegn of mine, named Ælfwine, for his faithful service, namely 10 hides, in the place to which former inhabitants gave the name Boxora; on this condition, namely, that after the dissolution of his body he may grant it in perpetual inheritance to whatsoever friend shall please him. Let the aforesaid estate therefore remain free from every secular service, with all things attached to it; excepting three: common military service, the restoration of the roadway bridge, and the building of the royal fortress.

If therefore anyone, goaded by the stings of envy, shall attempt to invade this my gift, let him be anathema, that is, cut off from the fellowship of Christians, unless he hasten to come to satisfaction with the fruit of penitence.

Now the aforesaid land appears to be girded round by these bounds:

Boundaries #

These are the boundaries of Boxora: first at Wine’s tree; then along the army-path to the deep pit; thence up on to Æscmor’s hams on the south side; from the hams along the boundary out on to the rough field on the east side; then out on to Lindan on the north side; thence along the boundary to Wecce’s thorn; from the thorn along the boundary to Lambourn; on to Clatford; from Clatford to the head of Meos brook; thence to Alla’s staple; thence along the army-path out on to the marsh; then by the marsh to the farm in the hedgerow; then to the dyke out on to the bourne; thence up on to the black grove; from the grove to Rinda’s spring; from the spring to the three thorns; then along the way back to Wine’s tree, where it first began.

This charter was inscribed in the year 968 of the Lord’s Incarnation, the king confirming it with all his nobles, whose names appear written below.

• † I, Dunstan, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, gladly sign with my own hand our king’s precept with the banner of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Oswald.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, assent.
• † I, Æthelwold, bishop, confirm.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, confirm.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, confirm.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, bear witness.
• † I, Wynsige, bishop.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Ordgar, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfric, abbot.
• † I, Æscwig, abbot.
• † I, Osgar, abbot.
• † I, Æthelgar, abbot.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Wulfstan, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfweard, thegn.
• † I, Osweard, thegn.
• † I, Osulf, thegn.
• † I, Osferth, thegn.

[Moreover, in the gifts which this same king Edgar conferred upon this church of Abingdon under the holy father Æthelwold, one may conjecture how much reverence and love he bore towards him, since he so honoured the place where he dwelt. For he bestowed there Bedewind, consisting of 72 hides.]

Charter of King Edgar concerning Bedewind #

I, Edgar, with the help of the High-Throned One, king of the English and of the other peoples dwelling round about far and wide, that I may deserve to obtain a share in the clemency of the Governor on high in this bounty, have bestowed in eternal inheritance — designating it to the church of Abingdon, to our Lord and to His Mother Mary, Æthelwold being abbot — a certain portion of land measured out at 72 hides, which the inhabitants of this province call Bedewind, with all the profits rightly pertaining to it — fields, woods, meadows, pastures, fisheries — for the use of the monks dwelling there. Moreover, let the aforesaid land, which I with the consent of my nobles have devoutly granted, be released from every yoke of earthly service, three things only excepted: military service, and the restoration of bridge and fortress.

But if anyone, so epileptic, seduced by the madness of avarice (which we do not desire), shall attempt with rash daring to infringe this bounty of our munificence, let him be cut off from the fellowship of the holy Church of God, and also from participation in the most holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, through whom the whole world was freed from the ancient enemy of the human race, and let him be placed on the left hand with Judas the betrayer of Christ; unless first here with worthy satisfaction he humbly repent that he presumed to act rebelliously against the holy Church of God; and let the apostate obtain no pardon in this active life, nor any rest in the contemplative, but cast into the eternal fires of the abyss let him be most miserably tormented for ever.

First from Bedewind to the grey grove on the north side, up at the dyke-gate; at grey dean; forth then by the root-stocks where the hedge runs out, by the root-stocks to the wood path; thence past Helm’s tree; then to Æmbriht’s stream; then past the gate; then to lower Hunda dean; then past Hoc’s burial-place; then to the white ridges; then on to Abba’s spring, thence to the swallowing pit; thence to the front of Pender’s cliff on the Pæl way; then past the earthwork; then past the bur-brook; then past the ivy field; then past Byde’s ham; then past Rodleah’s mere; then to the seat-gate; then to the bracken-dean gate; then to Wædel’s mere; then to the meeting-lea eastward; then out to the broad lea, where Cuthheard’s way runs out; then to Bagga’s gate; then to the heath-field gate; then to the lead-red tree; then to the gate of Harmin’s dean; then to the horse-nook gate out on to Beocc’s nook; thence to Bedewind.

This charter was inscribed in the year 968 of the Lord’s Incarnation, the king confirming it with all his nobles, whose names appear written below.

Witnesses #

• † I, Edgar, king of the English realm, confirm this present gift with the seal of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Dunstan, bishop of the church of Canterbury, gladly sign with my own hand our king’s precept with the banner of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Oswald, archbishop, confirm.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, assent.
• † I, Æthelwold, bishop, confirm.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, confirm.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, confirm.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, bear witness.
• † I, Wynsige, bishop, impress.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Ordgar, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfric, abbot.
• † I, Æscwig, abbot.
• † I, Osgar, abbot.
• † I, Æthelgar, abbot.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Wulfstan, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfweard, thegn.
• † I, Osweard, thegn.
• † I, Osulf, thegn.
• † I, Osferth, thegn.

[Of Hysseburna] #

[Likewise, at Hysseburna, the same king bestowed there 50 hides under the same abbot, with 13 estates situated in the city of Winchester, belonging to the aforesaid estate of Hysseburna.]

Charter of King Edgar concerning Hysseburna #

All the oracles of sacred eloquence instruct us by frequent admonitions that we should serve Him devotedly with all our endeavour, Who, founding all things by the divine word, set man — the little world, formed of fourfold matter — over all the manifold creation of the whole cosmos. For the authority of divine Scripture exhorts us with manifold admonition, saying: “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither” [Job 1:21]. And again: “We brought nothing into this world, and neither can we carry anything out” [1 Tim. 6:7].

Wherefore, not unmindful of slippery power, I, Edgar, by Christ’s bestowal king of the whole of Albion, presiding over the height of the realm with humble mind, for the recompense of a greater reward have bestowed in eternal inheritance upon the church of Abingdon, honourably dedicated to the Blessed Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, for the use of the monks dwelling there according to the Rule and devoutly serving our Lord, a certain small portion of land, namely 50 hides, in the place called by the famous name Hysseburna, with all the produce which the God of heaven brought forth on the surface of that land — namely meadows, pastures, woods, and groves of woods. And let the 13 estates which are situated in the city of Winchester, pertaining to the aforesaid land, rejoice in the same freedom of the aforesaid church of God, the most devout Æthelwold holding the abbacy of the same place. Moreover, let the aforesaid land be free from every yoke of earthly service, three things excepted, namely the fixed military service, and the recovery of bridge and fortress.

But if anyone shall refuse to consent to or obey the aforewritten statutes, let him know that he is cut off from the fellowship of the holy Church of God and from the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, by the authority of the blessed Apostle Peter and his companions, unless he first make amends here by worthy penance before death.

The aforesaid land is girded about on either side by these bounds:

Boundaries #

These are the boundaries of Hysseburna: first at Begmere; from Begmere to Coga’s mere; from Coga’s mere to the head of Gutte’s combe; thence to the gate of Hengest’s path; from the gate along the hedge to Standene; from Standene to hen dean; from hen dean to Thyrra’s mere; from Thyrra’s mere to Thore’s mere; from Thore’s mere to Lilia’s ridge; from Lilia’s ridge to the rough barrow; from the rough barrow to Wea’s lynch; and from Wea’s lynch past the hangers; to Cissa’s narrow path; from Cissa’s narrow path to the white hawthorn; then to goose dean; from goose dean along the dean to Bitta’s knoll by the wood; from Bitta’s knoll to Wocc’s gate; from Wocc’s gate to the swing-gate; from the swing-gate to Wesanham on the south side; thence to Tanmere; from Tanmere to Begmere.

Then these are the boundaries of the 15 hides at Eastun: first at the boar-fern on to the red dyke; then to the sloping barrow; then along the street to the chapmen’s portion; from the chapmen’s portion to the portmen’s hound-hill; then to the great winding; then along by the root-stocks on to Sotceorl’s acre; from Sotceorl’s acre to the wonstock; from the stock athwart over the broad lea; then to the horse-lea dean; from the dean to the bottomless pit; from the pit to Haca’s pound-fold; from Haca’s pound-fold back again to the boar-fern.

For the 15 hides and these 50, with a small strip lying between them, are divided off, girded separately by their own bounds, as appears clearly marked above.

This charter was written in the year 961 of the Lord’s Incarnation, with these witnesses consenting, whose names are inscribed below:

• † I, Edgar, monarch of the English of Britain, have confirmed this gift with the marvel of the Holy Cross.

• † I, Dunstan, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have approved the same king’s bounty.

• † I, Oscytel, distinguished primate of the church of York, have confirmed this royal gift.

• † I, Osulf, bishop, have cheerfully subscribed with a canonical subscription in my own hand.

• † I, Byrhthelm, servant of the people of God, at the king’s command have gladly impressed the sign of the Holy Cross.

• † I, Athulf, bishop, undaunted beneath the canopy of the Holy Cross, have confirmed this gift.

• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have made firm the trophy of the Holy Cross.

• † I, Oswald, overseer of the law of God, have inscribed this eulogy with my own hand.

• † I, Æthelwold, abbot.

• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.

• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.

• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.

• † I, Æthelwold, ealdorman.

• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.

• † I, Eadmund, ealdorman.

• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman.

• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.

• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.

• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.

• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.

• † I, Æthelwine, thegn.

• † I, Osweard, thegn.

• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.

• † I, Osulf, thegn.

• † I, Wulfgar, thegn.

• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.

• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.

• † I, Wulfhelm, thegn.

• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.

• † I, Ælfred, thegn.

• † I, Ealdred, thegn.

• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.

Charter of King Edgar concerning Southampton #

In the name of the blessed and undivided Trinity. All the patrimonies of the world are left to uncertain heirs among our descendants; and all the glory of the world, as the end of this life draws near, fades away reduced to nothing. For this reason we have resolved, under the Lord’s protection, to gain with earthly and perishable possessions the ever-enduring rewards of the heavenly fatherland.

Wherefore I, Edgar, king of all Britain, admonished by the prompting of God, have with great effort of mind procured that all the advantages of this present life should be devotedly bestowed upon the monastery of Abingdon — which I, by the help of our Creator, restored to the regular life — through our bounteous donation: namely, the vineyard situated near Wincet, with its vine-dressers, and the land pertaining to it, compassed by its own bounds; also the royal rent to be rendered year by year to the aforesaid monastery; and at Southampton the fishing of one ship and the royal toll; and at Hwitanclife that of a second ship, and at Portmonna Hithe a fishery and a salt-work and one hide of land; and, out of the king’s wood, the repair of the weir which is called Brunwicweir. All these I have granted as an everlasting inheritance to our Lord Jesus Christ and His mother Mary, for the use of the monks dwelling therein, for the remission of our misdeeds and the reward of eternal blessedness, Abbot Æthelwold then holding the abbey.

May the company of monks, enriched in common by these gifts, keep their appointed watch in the Lord with rejoicing, ever glad in the fulfilment of their vow, and earnestly beseech the Lord with frequent supplication, interceding to obtain pardon for our transgressions. Moreover, whoever shall be willing to increase this bounty of our generosity, may the Lord increase his life and prosperity both here and for ever.

If therefore anyone shall be minded to divert this our donation to any use other than we have appointed, let him, deprived of the fellowship of God’s holy Church, be punished everlastingly, mourning, in the eternal fires of the abyss together with Judas the betrayer of Christ and his accomplices, unless he shall have made amends by fitting satisfaction for having offended against our decree.

This charter was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 962, with these witnesses consenting whose names are inscribed below.

• † I, Edgar, king of the English, have cheerfully confirmed this gift by the token of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop, have sealed the benevolence of so great a king with the impress of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Oscytel, archbishop, rejoicing have marked this gift of the same king with the sign of the Cross.
• † I, Osulf, bishop by the grace of God, have confirmed the generous bounty of the beloved king with the sign of the Cross.
• † I, Byrhtelm, bishop by the gift of God, consenting to so great a bounty, have devoutly impressed the sign of the Cross.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop.
• † I, Byrhtelm, bishop.
• † I, Oswold, bishop.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop.
• † I, Athulf, bishop.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Beorhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Wulfhelm, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.

Concerning Fifield #

Likewise, at Fifield the king himself granted 25 hides to Abingdon, Abbot Osgar obtaining it from him. This was established in the year 968 from the birth of Christ, the aforesaid bishops and other worthy witnesses assenting that it was granted.

of priests and the decrees of judges should endure for ever in unimpaired force, nevertheless, by reason of the uncertain mutability of the years to come, they are to be confirmed by the testimony of written deeds.

Wherefore I, Edgar, king of all Britain, have granted as an everlasting inheritance a certain portion of land, namely 25 hides, in the place known by the famous name of Fifield, to our Lord Jesus Christ and to His holy church dedicated to the blessed Mary, Mother of God, in the place known by the famous name of Abingdon, for the use of the monks of God dwelling therein, with all appurtenances — namely meadows, pastures and woods — Abbot Osgar then holding the abbey.

Let the aforesaid land be free from every yoke of earthly service, three things excepted, namely military service and the repair of bridge and fortress.

If therefore anyone shall be minded to divert this our donation to any use other than we have appointed, let him, deprived of the fellowship of God’s holy Church, be punished everlastingly, mourning, in the eternal fires of the abyss together with Judas the betrayer of Christ and his accomplices, unless he shall have made amends by fitting satisfaction for having offended against our decree.

The aforesaid land is compassed on every side by these boundaries.

Boundaries #

These are the boundaries of the 25 hides at Fifield: first from the Eoccan to the short dyke; from the short dyke to Ælfthryth’s dyke; along the dyke to the moor; from the moor to the old dyke; from the dyke into the stream of the Thames; to the streamlet; along the streamlet to Wase; from Wase to Cudd’s bend; from Cudd’s bend over the rye down to Pate’s way; from the way to the common moor; from the moor back again to the Eoccan.

In the year 968 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ this deed of gift was written, with these witnesses consenting whose names are inscribed below.

Witnesses #

• † I, Edgar, king of all Britain, have confirmed the aforesaid donation with the seal of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have sealed the same king’s donation with the triumph of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Oscytel, archbishop, have impressed the triumphant trophy of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop of the church of London, have sealed it.
• † I, Æthelwold, bishop of the church of Winchester, have consented to the aforesaid gift.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have sealed it.
• † I, Oswold, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Winsige, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ælfric, abbot.
• † I, Æscwig, abbot.
• † I, Osgar, abbot.
• † I, Æthelgar, abbot.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.
• † I, Ordgar, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtferth, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Wulfstan, thegn.
• † I, Osulf, thegn.
• † I, Osweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Osferth, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.
• † I, Wulfsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfnoth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.

Charter of King Edgar concerning Easthall #

All the patrimonies of the world are left to uncertain heirs among our descendants, and all the glory of the world, as the fated term of death draws near, fades away reduced to nothing. For this cause let us, with the Lord’s help, gain with earthly and perishable possessions the ever-enduring rewards of the heavenly fatherland.

Wherefore I, Edgar — mindful of my frail dominion, by Christ’s bestowal king and chief ruler of all Albion, occupying the summit of the realm with a humble spirit — for the recompense of a greater reward do freely grant a certain little portion of land, namely 4 hides, in the place well known as Easthall, to the church of the blessed Mary, Mother of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the place called Abingdon, for the use of the brethren serving God there; beseeching and commanding in the name of Christ that none of our successors, of higher or lower degree, shall in any wise break up this gift of our devotion through any impulse of rashness. Let the aforesaid land be free from every yoke of earthly service, three things excepted, namely military service and the repair of bridge and fortress.

If therefore anyone shall be minded to divert this our donation to any use other than we have appointed, let him, deprived of the fellowship of God’s holy Church, be punished everlastingly, mourning, in the eternal fires of the abyss together with Judas the betrayer of Christ and his accomplices, unless he shall have made amends by fitting satisfaction for having offended against our decree.

The aforesaid land is compassed on every side by these bounds.

Boundaries #

(963) These are the boundaries of the 4 hides at Easthall: east along the stream out to the sea; and from old Hræthe out to the boundary; along the down, and Snæp, and Scammandun, and Shortwood, into Easthall.

This charter was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 963, with these witnesses consenting whose names are noted below.

Witnesses #

• † I, Edgar, king of the English, have granted it.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Oscytel, archbishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Byrhtelm, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Oswold, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Æthelwold, abbot.
• † I, Ælfric, abbot.
• † I, Æscwig, abbot.
• † I, Ælfwold, abbot.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Beorhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfhelm, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.
• † I, Wulfstan, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ealdred, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.

Likewise, in the same year the king added this also to his gift to the church itself, namely 3 hides at Hennerithe, whose bounds lie not in one piece but as scattered acres intermingled with those of others.

Charter of King Edgar concerning the three hides at Hennerithe #

With the Most High reigning for ever. To all who with intent striving of mind diligently search out the study of wisdom it becomes perfectly clear that, with the dangers of this life pressing in with overwhelming terror, the appointed end of the world is known to draw near, as the truthful sentence of Christ proclaims when He says, “Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” [Matt. 24:7], and so on.

Wherefore I, Edgar, king of all Britain, have granted as a perpetual inheritance a certain portion of land, namely 3 hides, in the place known by the famous name of Hennerithe, to the holy church of God dedicated in Abingdon to the blessed Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, with all appurtenances — namely meadows, pastures and woods. Let the aforesaid land be free from every yoke of earthly service, three things excepted, namely military service and the repair of bridge and fortress.

If therefore anyone shall be minded to divert this our donation to any use other than we have appointed, let him, deprived of the fellowship of God’s holy Church, be punished everlastingly, mourning, in the eternal fires of the abyss together with Judas the betrayer of Christ and his accomplices, unless he shall have made amends by fitting satisfaction for having offended against our decree.

The aforesaid land is compassed on every side by these bounds.

Boundaries #

The boundaries of this land are held in common, so that it ever runs acre adjoining acre.

This charter was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 962.

Witnesses #

• † I, Edgar, king of the English, have granted it.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Oscytel, archbishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Byrhtelm, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Athulf, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Æthelwold, abbot.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwold, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwine, thegn.
• † I, Wulfhelm, thegn.

Concerning Henneritha, 10 hides #

After the venerable abbot Æthelwold himself had been established in the episcopal see, King Edgar did not cease to bestow the works of his munificence upon this place. For in the year which is 964 from the birth of Christ we find the testament of the same king written as follows.

Charter of King Edgar concerning the 10 hides at Henneritha #

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ the Saviour. Seeing that the mutability of this passing world daily grows less even as it increases through the progress of the times, and is diminished as it is enlarged, and that, with ever-multiplying sudden descents of ruin, a near end is seen to be appointed for all things at hand; therefore with vain and transitory things the everlasting rewards of the heavenly fatherland must be purchased.

(964) Wherefore I, Edgar, king of the English and governor and ruler of the other peoples round about, have granted as an everlasting inheritance to the holy church honourably dedicated in Abingdon to the Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, 10 hides of excellent land in the place known by the famous name of Henneritha, for the use of the monks dwelling therein. Let moreover the aforesaid land, which I have devotedly granted to our Lord Jesus Christ and His mother, the ever-Virgin Mary, be released with perpetual freedom from every yoke of earthly service, together with all the appurtenances belonging to that land — meadows, pastures and other necessaries — three things excepted, namely military service and the construction of bridge and fortress.

If moreover anyone shall desire with hostile zeal to corrupt this charter written by my right, let him not doubt himself renounced and excommunicated by all in my kingdom who serve God, now and then and for ever, to be tormented without end; whence after death, seized by hellish ministers, he shall be shut up in the infernal depth of pestilential death within a flaming house, and there, with limbs bound, shall be cast into a certain cauldron of Vulcan which is declared to be filled with continually boiling pitch; and by such breakers or diminishers it is felt most intolerably and cruelly, without any mercy, unless before death he shall have made amends with the laments of repentance.

The aforesaid land appears to be compassed by these bounds.

Boundaries #

These are the boundaries of the 10 hides at Henneritha: first to the little spring; from the spring to Rypelin’s mound; from the mound along the headland until it comes to the headland on the west side of the three barrows; then from the headland to the great thorn-stump; from the stump to Hoco mere; from the mere to the Wantage brook; along the brook until it comes to the dyke at the boundary of Stifingham; along the one headland eastward until it comes to the ealdorman’s boundary; thence south along the heads to the rush-brook; across the rush-brook along the head until it comes to Lacing Brook; to the little spring; along the brook to the other spring; then south along the heads to Abbanbyrh; along the heads to the south side of Black Hill; from the hill two furlongs west to the headland; along the heads until it reaches the dyke along the brook; west along the brook back to the little spring where it began. The meadow on the west side of Wantage belongs to these 10 hides.

This aforesaid donation was made in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 964, with these witnesses consenting whose names are inscribed below.

• † I, Dunstan, primate of the church of Canterbury, have confirmed it by the token of the Cross.
• † I, Oscytel, archbishop of the church of York, have confirmed it.
• † I, Æthelwold, bishop of the church of Winchester, have sealed this royal gift with the Lord’s sign.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have given my assent.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop of London, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Oswold, bishop.
• † I, Byrhtelm, bishop.
• † I, Æthelm, bishop.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Ordgar, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfweard, thegn.
• † I, Osferth, thegn.

Concerning Burhhece #

In the same year, and with the same witnesses, the same king granted to this church the land of Burhhece, namely 20 hides.

Charter of King Edgar concerning Burhhece #

fashioned likewise of fourfold matter, quickened by the holy breath after His own likeness, and set over all that He had created in the world below — one thing alone excepted and forbidden for his proving — He placed him most gloriously with his wife in the pleasantness of paradise. But he, alas! impelled by a devilish spirit, being cast down into this sorrowful world, deserved perpetual death for himself and for his descendants.

Wherefore I, Edgar, governor and ruler of all Britain, that I, redeemed by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, may be able to escape the barrier of this misery which the first-formed man, ensnared, deserved, have granted as an everlasting inheritance a certain portion of land, namely 20 hides, in the place known by the famous name of Burhhece, to the church of Abingdon, honourably dedicated to the blessed Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, for the use of the monks living there according to the Rule and devotedly serving our Lord, with all the appurtenances which the God of heaven brought forth upon the face of that land — namely meadows, pastures, woods and groves of woodland. Let the aforesaid land be free from every yoke of earthly service, three things excepted, namely military service and the repair of bridge and fortress.

If moreover anyone shall be minded to divert our donation to any use other than we have appointed, let him, deprived of the fellowship of God’s holy Church, be punished everlastingly, mourning, in the eternal fires of the abyss together with Judas the betrayer of Christ and his accomplices, unless he shall have made amends by fitting satisfaction for having offended against our decree.

The aforesaid land is compassed on every side by these bounds.

Boundaries #

first to the wall-way; then to the earthwork; then forth along the foot of the bank to the boundary-way; then to the west side of Wifelesham; then forth along the borough-brook; then to the west side of the spring-meadow; then to the boundary-way; then west to Igfled’s way; to the oak at Filethemnbe; then along the hedge to the east side of Bidanham; then along the hedge out to the west side of Rodley; then to the heathfield gate.

This charter was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 961, with these witnesses consenting whose names are inscribed below.

Witnesses #

• † I, Edgar, monarch of the English of Britain, have confirmed this gift by the token of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have consented to the same king’s benevolence.
• † I, Oscytel, illustrious primate of the church of York, have confirmed this royal gift.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have gladly subscribed with my own hand by canonical subscription.
• † I, Byrhtelm, servant of the people of God, at the king’s command have joyfully impressed the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Athulf, pontiff, have fearlessly confirmed this gift beneath the vault of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have confirmed this king’s donation with the trophy of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Oswold, watchman of the law of God, have inscribed this blessing with my own hand.
• † I, Æthelwold, abbot.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwold, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Edmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwine, thegn.
• † I, Osweard, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Osulf, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfhelm, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfred, thegn.
• † I, Ealdred, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.

Charter of King Edgar concerning Wasingetune #

With the Most High reigning for ever. To all who with intent striving of mind diligently search out the study of wisdom it becomes perfectly clear that, with the dangers of this life pressing in with overwhelming terror, the appointed end of the world is known to draw near, as the truthful sentence of Christ proclaims when He says, “Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” [Matt. 24:7], and so on.

(963) Wherefore I, Edgar, king of all Britain, have granted as a perpetual inheritance a certain portion of land, namely 24 hides, in the place well known by the name of Wasingetune, to a certain prelate who is known to the people of this country under the familiar name of Æthelwold, for the everlasting recompense of my soul; that for the duration of his life he may possess it as his own, and after the end of his life may leave it, free of all claim, to whatsoever heirs he shall choose. Let the aforesaid land be free from every yoke of earthly service, three things excepted, namely military service and the repair of bridge and fortress.

If therefore anyone shall be minded to divert this our donation to any use other than we have appointed, let him, deprived of the fellowship of God’s holy Church, be punished everlastingly, mourning, in the eternal fires of the abyss together with Judas the betrayer of Christ and his accomplices, unless he shall have made amends by fitting satisfaction for having offended against our decree.

The aforesaid land is compassed on every side by these bounds.

Boundaries #

These are the boundaries of Wasingetune: first from Horninga Dean to Benna’s barrow; then to the old Christ’s-rood; from the rood to the black pool; from the pool to Dunna’s head; thence to Hunne’s knoll, to Geocburna; thence to Dunham lea; from the lea to the red spring; from the spring to Lidgeard’s barrow; then to Tatemann’s burying-place; from the burying-place to Hathburg’s mound; then up to the stony ridge; from the stony ridge to the weir-stead; thence to the entrenchment; from the entrenchment west to the two thorn-trees; thence to Remne’s down; from the down to Short Dean; thence to Wiga’s field; from Wiga’s field back again to Horninga Dean.

And these are the swine-pastures belonging to it: first Wærburg’s spear; then the western Crochurst; then the second Crochurst; then the third Crochurst; then Horsham; then Yfeles Lea; then Haselwick; then Gatewick; then the riding-fold; then Scacelwick; then Hundredingfold, forth to the ridge.

This charter was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 963, with these witnesses consenting whose names are inscribed below.

• † I, Edgar, king of the English, have granted it.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Oscytel, archbishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Eadelm, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Edmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Wulfhelm, thegn.
• † I, Wulfstan, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.

Charter of King Edgar concerning Rimecunda #

The gracious Creator of the fabric of the whole world, arranging things above and below in one ineffable order, fashioned man likewise of fourfold matter, quickened by the holy breath after His own likeness, and set him over all that He had created in the world below — one thing alone excepted and forbidden for his proving — and placed him most gloriously with his wife in the pleasantness of paradise. But he, alas! impelled by a devilish spirit, being cast down into this sorrowful world, deserved perpetual death for himself and for his descendants.

Wherefore I, Edgar, governor and ruler of all Britain, that I, redeemed by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, may be able to escape the barrier of this misery which the first-formed man, ensnared, deserved, have granted as an everlasting inheritance a certain portion of land, namely 22 hides, in the place known by the famous name of Rimecunda, to the church of Abingdon, honourably dedicated to the blessed Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary, for the use of the monks living there according to the Rule and devotedly serving our Lord, with all the appurtenances which the God of heaven brought forth upon the face of that land — namely meadows, pastures, woods and groves of woodland. Let the aforesaid land be free from every yoke of earthly service, three things excepted, namely military service and the repair of bridge and fortress.

If moreover anyone shall be minded to divert our donation to any use other than we have appointed, let him, deprived of the fellowship of God’s holy Church, be punished everlastingly, mourning, in the eternal fires of the abyss together with Judas the betrayer of Christ and his accomplices, unless he shall have made amends by fitting satisfaction for having offended against our decree. The aforesaid land is compassed on every side by these bounds.

Boundaries #

These are the boundaries of Rimecunda: from the bridge to the west stream; along the stream to Hicanpool; from the pool to Dyrnanford; then the meadow is held in common from the ford to Luca’s barrow; from the barrow to Pistete’s oak; from the oaks to Brocleaford; from the ford to the stile; from the stile to Cutlesmead; from the mead straight up to the Woodbury lynch; from the lynch to Lindford; from the ford to the sea-trough; from the trough to the heathen burial-place; from the burial-place up to Windgate; from Windgate to Sponford; from the ford to the foul ford; from the ford to Mulescombe; from Mulescombe to the military road; along the military road to the thieves’ combe; from the combe to Hlæpeburna; from the stream to Leofa’s mark; to the dyke; from the dyke to the bramble-thorn; from the thorn to the hill at Ridingford; to the mead-leat; from the leat to the grey willow; then the mead is held in common from the willow straight up to Sandford; from the ford to Æthelwold’s boundary; from his boundary to Undernbeorh; from the hill to the grey willow; from the willow back again to the bridge; and of this land there are in all 22 hides.

This charter was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 961, with these witnesses consenting whose names are inscribed below.

Witnesses #

• † I, Edgar, monarch of the English of Britain, have confirmed this gift by the token of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have consented to the same king’s benevolence.
• † I, Oscytel, illustrious primate of the church of York, have confirmed this royal gift.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have gladly subscribed with my own hand by canonical subscription.
• † I, Byrhtelm, servant of the people of God, at the king’s command have joyfully impressed the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Athulf, pontiff, have fearlessly confirmed this gift beneath the vault of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have confirmed this king’s donation with the trophy of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Oswold, watchman of the law of God, have inscribed this blessing with my own hand.
• † I, Æthelwold, abbot.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwold, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Edmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmund, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwine, thegn.
• † I, Osweard, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Osulf, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfhelm, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Alfred, thegn.
• † I, Ealdred, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.

Concerning Saint Æthelwold #

Now it remains for us to make mention of the venerable man Æthelwold, in King Edgar’s time the most holy abbot of this place: how, after the ample possessions bestowed by Edgar, most illustrious king of the English, he ordered this house most fittingly, as a prudent and vigilant steward of our Lord Jesus Christ — that is to say, as regards the observance of the Rule, and the ordinances most necessary for it, and likewise customs worthy of all remembrance.

(965) In the first place, then, the blessed Æthelwold, in the reign of Edgar, built a splendid church in honour of the holy Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary in this place, and likewise brought it to completion as had been vowed. When it was finished, the blessed Æthelwold, having already gathered together a number of brethren there, by their common consent and with one accord sent one of his monks, named Osgar, to the parts beyond the sea, to the abbey of Fleury, to learn the Rule of Saint Benedict, under which the brethren of this place might worthily serve God and fight the good fight. The blessed Æthelwold also carefully heeded that prophetic saying, “Lord, I have loved the beauty of Thy house” [Ps. 26:8] — taking it, for the present, of the outward house — and enriched this house, as splendidly as he could, with most precious ornaments. For, as we have learnt from the testimony of ancient books, he gave a golden chalice of immense weight for the honour and reverence of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. He also gave three very beautiful crosses of silver and pure gold, which were broken up in the time of King Stephen’s war, as our monks who have entered upon the way of all flesh bore witness. He adorned the church also with texts both of pure silver and of refined gold, and likewise with most precious stones, with censers and cruets, cast basins and candlesticks of wrought silver, and many other good things, both those pertaining to the monks’ use about the altar and those pertaining to the seemliness of the church. With the help also of the most pious King Edgar, of worthy memory, Abbot Æthelwold had a silver table made, valued at the price of 300 pounds, whose material was surpassed by its artistic workmanship, and which remained unharmed and unbroken until the time of Abbot Vincent. Meanwhile the man of God, like the valiant woman of Scripture, made a piece of cloth, sold it, and delivered it to the Canaanite, while by his holy way of life and devotion he set an example of good works to his disciples, changed from good to better. He also made two bells with his own hands, it is said, which he placed in this house together with two other larger ones which the blessed Dunstan is also said to have made with his own hands. Moreover the venerable Æthelwold made a certain wheel full of little bells, which they call the “golden” one because of its gilded plates, and ordered it to be turned on festival days to stir up greater devotion. All these ornaments enumerated above, together with an increase of other goods, remained in this church until the coming of the Normans into England. For at that time there were in this house certain monks and sacrists from the monastery of Jumièges, who fraudulently carried off with them into Normandy a great many of the ornaments, gold as well as silver, laboriously acquired by the blessed Æthelwold and bestowed upon this house, having first utterly stripped the precious metal from the wheel just mentioned.

The venerable man Æthelwold, moreover, heeding even more diligently that authoritative saying, “Let them who serve the altar live by the altar” [1 Cor. 9:13], and likewise that Gospel saying, “The labourer is worthy of his hire” [Luke 10:7], laid down for his sons labouring in the Lord’s vineyard a daily allowance of the following kind, under a fixed stipulation. Each of the monks of Abingdon sitting down at table is to receive his allotted loaf of pure wheat, equal in weight to five marks; whence that verse, “The bread of Abingdon weighs a full five marks.” Together with this bread he ordered a piece of cheese of a fixed size to be set before them daily, such that within 5 days the Abingdon weight — which then consisted of 22 stones, as we have learnt from the testimony of the ancients — would be entirely used up. He also appointed for the monks of this place, who were to serve God and the blessed Mary for ever, on each day two kinds of vegetables before the common dish, and a dish after the common dish — that is, one common dish and one pittance — whereby they might take their refreshment without excess. On days when albs were worn he appointed one pittance more than on other days; on days when copes were worn, two pittances besides the common dish; and on the principal feasts, three pittances besides the common dish. On the same days he also appointed artocrea, a kind of fine bread, and at supper the oblation-bread. In the season of Lent, in place of cheese, he appointed each brother one large eel daily with the common dish. In summer he appointed for the brothers’ supper sour milk in most beautiful vessels called “Creches” in the common tongue, every day from the day called Hock Day until the feast of Saint Michael; but from the feast of Saint Michael until the feast of Saint Martin, sweet milk every second day. Now the vessel called a “Creche” holds 7 inches, measured in depth from the top of one side to the bottom of the other. He also appointed cakes for 5 days of Easter week, and for 5 days in the week of Pentecost, and on the day of Saint Mark the Evangelist, the three days of the Rogations, the day of the Lord’s Ascension, and so on.

As for the measure of the monks’ drink, the venerable man Æthelwold judged it very fitting to establish an allowance neither exceeding a certain reasonable sufficiency nor falling short of it. He therefore ordained a certain great cup, holding within it a full flask and a half — that is, two “charity” measures and more — which cup the ancients called Æthelwold’s Bowl. With this measure the monks’ cups were filled twice a day, at dinner and at supper. On festival days, too, whether in albs or in copes, he appointed them mead: namely, a sextary among six brothers at dinner, and a sextary among 12 brothers at supper. But on the principal days which we keep as chief feasts — namely Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, the Assumption of Saint Mary and her Nativity, the feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul, and the feast of All Saints — he appointed wine for them in the same measure as was previously prescribed for the mead, and mead at supper. These things and others like them he ordained so abundantly and so prudently that not only were the monks sufficiently maintained in their manner of life, but the poor also might be the more liberally refreshed from their leavings.

Moreover the venerable man, seeing that truths had in great part been diminished from the sons of men and would be diminished more and more in time to come, fearing for himself and his people lest the customs assigned aforetime should in process of time either deteriorate, or be changed for the worse, or even be utterly annulled, did what he could, and strictly forbade, under threat of anathema, that any of his successors should presume to change or alter them for the worse — unless perchance, kindled by the zeal of charity, he should resolve to improve those same customs from good to better. He also offered a prayer for this house before he was called to the bishopric of Winchester. The tenor of that prayer is this.

The Prayer of Saint Æthelwold #

O eternal God, before whose face the angels stand, and by whose nod all things are governed, protect, O Lord, I beseech You, this place which has been built in Your name and that of the blessed Mary; and by the power of Your Name may there depart from it the power of enemies, the shadow of phantoms, the onslaught of whirlwinds, the stroke of lightnings, the hurt of thunders, the calamity of tempests, and every spirit of storms. Moreover I beseech You, O Lord, that fire may not consume this house, nor a hostile man destroy it through pride; but do You, most merciful God, preserve it and govern it, and may it grow rich with the manifold abundance of fruits, that all who dwell therein may praise You with voice and heart and magnify Your Name with sweet melody; and may Your blessing descend upon them and remain upon this place for ever, through our Lord.

Saint Æthelwold was made Bishop by King Edgar #

Meanwhile, while the life of the man of God, Abbot Æthelwold, showed itself day by day both acceptable to God and worthy of praise among men, he was chosen by the aforesaid King Edgar as bishop of the church of Winchester, in the year 963 from the Lord’s Incarnation. In his place Osgar, a monk of the same church, was made abbot of Abingdon. And although he ascended the lofty seat of the episcopate, he in no way relaxed himself from the yoke of monastic discipline; whence the clergy, who at that time ought to have lived together canonically in the church at the seat of his bishopric, neglecting the rigour of religious life in their bishop, preferred to give up their places rather than live under stricter rule. Therefore, by the advice and authority of the aforesaid king and of the blessed Dunstan, then archbishop, he expelled them and introduced monks from Abingdon in their place, who to this day serve God according to the Rule in the same church. He did likewise with the church in the same city where the abbey is; for in it he first established monks and an abbot over them. Indeed, he also founded among the East Angles one monastery of monks on the isle of Ely, another in the place called Burh, that is Peterborough, and a third at Thorney. All these drew their training and support from the community of the monks of Abingdon, where that cultivator of piety and justice had planted so fruitful a vine, from which he propagated so many shoots through many places. But because he had left the church of Abingdon still to be dedicated before he took up the episcopate, after his consecration he consecrated it together with the blessed Dunstan and certain others of his fellow-bishops, in honour of the Mother of God, on the fifth day before the Kalends of January (28 December).

On the Death of King Edgar #

When Edgar, most illustrious king of the English, had happily entered upon the way of all flesh — may God be merciful to his soul — his son Edward, a man of worthy memory, succeeded him in the inheritance. In the course of time he grew so strong both in gravity of manners and in holiness of life that, before his earthly end came, he was seen by all to lead an angelic life while still on earth. It was he who, during his reign, granted to the church of Abingdon 7 hides at Kingston, and confirmed the grant by this charter.

“I shall return thither” [Job 1:21]; and again, “We brought nothing into this world, and truly neither can we take anything out of it” [1 Tim. 6:7]. Wherefore I, Edward — mindful of my frail dominion, by Christ’s bestowal king and chief ruler of all Albion, occupying the summit of the realm with a humble spirit — for the recompense of a greater reward do freely grant a certain little portion of land, comprising 7 hides, to which the name Kingston is given by firm stipulation, to the church of the blessed Mary, Mother of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the place called Abingdon, for the use of the brethren serving God there; beseeching and commanding in the name of Christ that none of our successors, of higher or lower degree, shall in any wise break up this gift of our devotion through any impulse of rashness. Let the aforesaid land, which with the consent of my nobles I have granted to the aforesaid monastery, be free from every yoke of earthly service, these three things excepted, namely military service and the repair of bridge and fortress.

If moreover anyone, impelled by a devilish spirit, shall presumptuously attempt to violate or change this gift, unless he repent guilty with worthy satisfaction before his death, let him be cast down into the eternal fires of the abyss and punished mournfully for ever with Judas the betrayer of Christ.

The aforesaid land is compassed on every side by these bounds.

Boundaries #

These are the boundaries, acre under acre: first from Eoccene to the boundary thorn; from the boundary thorn to the head-acres; then to Swanesig, to the middle of the old gore; from the old gore along the true boundary to Ælfred’s barrow; then along the true boundary into Kingston; straight on to the pit below Kingston; then along the true boundary to the thorn-tree; then out to the Thames; along the Thames to the old boundary; up along the boundary to Ælfthryth’s stone; from the stone along the dyke; from the dyke along the true boundary; then back again to Eoccene.

This charter was written in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 965.

• † I, Edward, king of the English, have granted the aforesaid donation.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop, have confirmed it with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Oswold, archbishop, have impressed the seal of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Æthelwold, bishop, have sealed it.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Æscwig, abbot.
• † I, Osgar, abbot.
• † I, Æthelgar, abbot.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfweard, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Eadwine, thegn.
• † I, Leofwine, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgeat, thegn.

Likewise, the Charter of King Edward concerning 13 hides at Kingston #

With our Lord Jesus Christ reigning for ever. To all who search out from heaven the mysteries of the heavenly gifts it is known that not only is the state of this world corrupted, decaying through the deceit and machination of the ancient enemy, but also, the course of this present life being nearly run, the prosperity of the wicked besets mankind with sharp endeavour and anguish. Now therefore, while we have the time of pardon, let us make haste with all our strength to escape the snare of death; and while we possess an earthly patrimony, let spiritual commerce be practised, whereby among the angelic choirs we may deserve to obtain joys that shall last without end.

Wherefore I, Edward, king of the English and governor and ruler of the other peoples round about, do grant in perpetuity to a certain faithful bishop of mine, called by the name of Ælfstan, 13 hides, in that place where the country-dwellers long ago bestowed the name of Kingston, that he may have and possess it so long as the vital breath shall sustain his body; and when the day of his dissolution shall come, let him leave it to whatsoever heir he shall choose, as we have said above, in everlasting inheritance. Let the aforesaid donation be free from every worldly hindrance, with all things rightly pertaining to it — fields, pastures, meadows — excepting these three: military service and the construction of bridge and fortress.

But if any man shall strive, boasting with the rashness of folly, to infringe this my donation, let him, weighed down by heavy chains about his neck amid the flame-vomiting throngs of hideous demons, be punished, unless he should first prefer to come to satisfaction.

The aforesaid land appears to be compassed by these bounds.

Boundaries #

These are the boundaries of Kingston, acre under acre: first from Eoccene to the boundary thorn; from the boundary thorn to the head-acres; then to Swanesig, to the middle of the old gore; from the old gore along the true boundary to Ælfred’s barrow; then along the true boundary into Kingston; straight on to the pit below Kingston; then along the true boundary to the thorn-tree; out to the Thames; along the Thames to the old boundary; up along the boundary to Ælfthryth’s stone; from the stone along the dyke; from the dyke along the true boundary; then back again to Eoccene.

This aforesaid donation was made in the year 956 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• † I, Edward, king of the English, have granted the aforesaid donation.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop, have confirmed it with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Oswold, archbishop, have impressed the seal of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Æthelwold, bishop, have sealed it.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ælfnoth, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Sigar, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelweard, ealdorman.
• † I, Eadwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmær, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfric, ealdorman.
• † I, Æscwig, ealdorman.
• † I, Osgar, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelgar, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwold, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtmær, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwold, thegn.
• † I, Eardulf, thegn.
• † I, Leofwine, thegn.
• † I, Leofwine, thegn.

How Abbot Osgar bought 20 hides at Kingston #

Likewise, concerning this same land we have found the following written in English in most ancient and almost worn-out letters:

Ealdorman Ælfheah bequeathed 20 hides at Kingston to ealdorman Ælfhere; then Abbot Osgar asked ealdorman Ælfhere that he might be allowed to purchase that land from him for money, and the ealdorman granted him this. And the abbot then gave him a hundred mancuses of gold. Then after Easter a great assembly was held at Athelwaraburg, and it was there made known to the lords who were present — namely Bishop Æthelwold, and Bishop Ælfstan, and Abbot Æthelgar, and Eadwine, and Ælfric Cild, and Ælfric son of Siraf, and Brihtric his brother, and very many other thegns. And this was done in the presence of many witnesses; and the ealdorman Ælfhere took the counterpart of this writing as proof.

Ealdorman Ælfheah left by inheritance to ealdorman Ælfhere 20 hides at Kingston; then Abbot Osgar asked the same ealdorman Ælfhere that it might be permitted him to purchase that land for a price, to which the ealdorman assented. And the abbot gave him a hundred mancuses of gold. And it came to pass that at that time, about the Paschal season, an assembly was held at the place called Athelwaraburg; and this was reported to the elders who were present — namely Bishop Æthelwold, and Bishop Æthelstan, and Abbot Æthelgar, Eadwine, and Ælfric surnamed the Boy, and the other Ælfric son of Siraf, and Brihtric his brother — together with many others. And this was done in the testimony of many; and the aforesaid ealdorman received the counterpart of this writing as proof.

Concerning Bishop Sideman #

In the third year of this king, a council being assembled at Kirtlington at the Paschal season, Sideman, bishop of Devonshire, one of those who were present, was seized by a sudden illness and died there. His body, by order of the king and of Archbishop Dunstan, was brought to Abingdon, and was fittingly buried there in the portico of Saint Paul the apostle.

(978) When Edward, king of the English, had been translated to the heavenly realm through martyrdom by the treachery of his stepmother Ælfthryth, his brother Æthelred, the son of Edgar and Ælfthryth, was consecrated to the height of the kingdom at Kingston by the holy archbishops Dunstan and Oswald and ten bishops. When he had obtained the power of ruling and commanding, he paid little heed to religion, gave himself over to the counsel of wicked men, and did many things at his own pleasure. So hostile did he prove to the church of Abingdon, at the prompting of evil counsellors, that whatever his father had devoutly bestowed there of his own lordly possessions he irreverently restored to his own use. While these things were happening in the kingdom, Æthelwold, that most holy bishop and most necessary defender of the churches, was snatched from the world; and the lord Osgar, of pious memory, who had been made abbot of Abingdon in his stead, likewise drew the last lot of life. Amid such misfortune this place was left without the bulwark of defence.

Concerning Abbot Edwin #

There was then a certain most powerful man, Eadric, master of the royal household, son of Ælfhere, ealdorman of the Mercians, who had a brother named Edwin, a monk by profession. He obtained from the king, by payment, that this brother of his should be set over Abingdon as abbot. Under his governance the substance of the abbey was scattered, and the fame of its much-to-be-proclaimed grace grew lukewarm within and without. Yet the vengeance of God was not long absent from these doings. For the man for whom the headship of the monastery had been bought not long afterwards incurred the king’s displeasure and was driven in exile from this country into Denmark; but returning not long after, he brought the Danes with him, who laid waste the land for a long time. Amidst all these calamities the monastery of Abingdon, but a little before most wealthy, now fell into jeopardy of losing a great part of its possessions.

On the Death of Abbot Edwin #

But He who stretched forth His hand to the apostle Peter as he sank amid the waves of the sea deigned to relieve the perils of His church. For when nearly six years had been passed with the aforesaid adversities pressing in, Edwin, who had been set over the abbey, died, and the lord Wulfgar was appointed in his place, a man most eminent in probity and necessary at that critical juncture for the restoration of the church’s liberty. The king’s heart also, hitherto hardened against this monastery, was turned for the better; and for this reason he began to love and venerate the abbot for the goodness which he had learned was in him, and to submit himself to his admonitions. Wherefore the monastery of Abingdon was again venerated and cherished by all; and those who stood highest with the king daily put him in mind of the honour of that same place. By this continual admonition the king was so changed towards the fear of God and reverence for the church that in the presence of a great assembly he confessed that in the matters which had been reported to him he had grievously erred. He then took thought what should be a fitting restitution for the church’s possessions detained until then; and further, he put forth a charter of liberty, in which he forbade by perpetual anathema that any simoniacal dealing should take place concerning this place, both during his own life and while his successors reigned in time to come. The tenor of it was as follows.

On the Privilege of King Æthelred #

In the name of the Most High Thunderer. By the admonition of the Church’s orthodox strength we are very frequently instructed to serve Him in utter subjection and submission, Who, ordering the fabric of the whole world in a wondrous and ineffable sequence, at length formed the microcosm — Adam, that is — of fourfold matter, quickened by a life-giving breath after His own likeness, and, setting him over all the things which He had formed in the lower regions (one thing alone excepted and forbidden to prove him), most fittingly placed him in the delightful pleasantness of paradise, with Eve as his companion and partner. He, alas! seduced by devilish cavil, enticed by the shifty and persuasive evasion of the woman, contrary to the sentence of the anathema bit into the forbidden fruit, and, cast down into this sorrowful world, deserved perpetual ruin for himself and his descendants. For when the prophets by their vaticinations, and the everlasting secret presages of the heavenly King by their teaching, were bringing forth these things for all the orthodox, the angel, gliding down from the heavenly thresholds and bearing a blessing from on high — not, as the seditious prattle of the Jews mutters, speechlessly, but encompassing the most delightful eloquence of ancients and moderns alike, trampling underfoot the Arrian and Sabellian trifles, instructing us in anagogical utterance, and calling us away from the dulled blindness of shadow to the eager desire of the heavenly patrimonies — into the ear of the inviolate Virgin, as the Gospel utterances proclaim, seems to have sung wondrous songs; to whom the whole Church, that is, the Catholic Church, cries aloud with one accord in high praise: “Blessed are you, Virgin Mary, who have believed! For those things shall be accomplished in you which were spoken to you by the Lord.” Wondrous to tell! The Word is made flesh and embodied — that Word of Whom the Evangelist, surpassing all in loftiness of sense, says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” [John 1:1], and so forth. By that Incarnation, that is, taken from the Virgin, the ancient woman’s sin is taken away, and honour is bestowed upon all women by these shining wonders aforesaid. Therefore, the divinity of Christ remaining inviolate while His humanity suffered, liberty mercifully came to His enslaved servants.

“I, Æthelred,” it says, “assisted by the Most High, king of the English and of the other peoples established round about in divers places, not unmindful of the distresses which befell me and my nation in the seventh year of my reign and thereafter with ever-increasing frequency — after the death, that is, of Bishop Æthelwold of blessed memory and most beloved of me with an inward affection, whose industry and pastoral care, by the inspiration of the heavenly Creator, provided not only for my good but for that of all in this land, both prelates and subjects — began silently to revolve many things in my mind, and anxiously took care diligently to inquire what might be the cause of so great dangers. Urged therefore most earnestly by such great solicitude, and examining with diligent care every secret thing within me, at length, moved by the compunction of the Lord’s grace, I brought to remembrance that these misfortunes had befallen partly through the ignorance of my youth, which is wont to follow divers ways, and partly through the detestable greed of certain of those who ought to have taken counsel for my welfare. For among other things it came back to my mind that, at the request of certain such men — namely the late Bishop Wulfgar and Ealdorman Ælfric, who is still living — I had reduced the liberty of the holy monastery of Abingdon to servitude for the sake of a gift; which liberty the aforesaid Bishop Æthelwold of blessed memory had obtained from my predecessors — from King Eadred, my father’s uncle, and from my uncle King Eadwig, and no less from my father, King Edgar — as an everlasting inheritance and perpetual freedom for the use of the monks, deserved by their submission and obedience and the merits of their other virtues towards our Lord Jesus Christ and His mother Mary.

“Turning these things over therefore within myself with a wakeful heart, and desiring to be delivered the more quickly from so great and so dreadful an anathema, in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 993, and the seventeenth year of my reign, I commanded a synodal council to be held at Winchester on the holy day of Pentecost; and to it I most graciously sent words of greeting and peace to the bishops and abbots and the rest of the chief men of my nobles; and, by Christ’s inspiring grace, I admonished them all that each should, with the Lord’s guidance, take common counsel on whatsoever things were worthy of the heavenly Creator, whatsoever befitted the salvation of my spiritual soul or were suitable to my royal dignity, and whatsoever also would profit all the English people; vowing moreover that, while life accompanied me, I would both restrain to the full my past negligences and, according to the decrees of my predecessors, restore to Jesus Christ our Lord and His Mother the ancient charter of liberty.

Greatly delighted by this admonition and exhortation of mine — or rather of Christ — and having obtained their desire, they gave thanks to Christ the Saviour, and confirmed in a spiritual covenant all the salutary decrees that they had fittingly ordained.

Now therefore I, Æthelred, by Christ’s aid king of the English, in order to fulfil in deed the debt of my vow, and that I may deserve, through the mercy of the Moderator on High, to obtain a share in eternal liberty, reject under perpetual anathema the price which the aforesaid ealdorman Ælfric paid me for the office of reeve of his brother Eadwine, whereby the aforesaid inheritance of Christ and of His holy Mother was sold into unjust servitude; and, inspired by the free grace of the Lord, and both at the petition and with the counsel of my nobles, lay and ordained alike, I grant to the church of the same holy Mother of Christ, and to the monks dwelling therein, an eternal freedom of privilege, to be renewed as by my predecessors.

For the authority of this renewal of freedom was granted and confirmed by Christ’s authority and by our bounty, on 17 July, in the oratory of the vill which is commonly called Gillingham; and, after the celebration of mass was completed, it was confirmed in the presence of these witnesses, I giving my assent — namely of abbot Ælsi, of my kinsman Æthelmær, and also of my uncle Ordulf; and the office of reeve over the aforesaid monastery of Abingdon I committed, by voluntary renewal, freely and without payment, into the hand and power of abbot Wulfgar, who is subject to me in most humble devotion; and this freedom of privilege I granted, with the impression of the Holy Cross, both to himself and likewise to the whole congregation of the same holy church, to be renewed for ever, in return for the 1,500 solemn masses and 1,200 melodies of the psalter which in spontaneous devotion they have chanted for the eternal redemption of my soul; to the end that after the decease of that same abbot Wulfgar, in whose days this restoration of liberty was granted with Christ’s aid, the whole congregation of the said monastery should, by fitting counsel, duly elect and establish as abbot from the same company of brethren whomsoever they may choose, according to the regular institutes of blessed Benedict.

Let this freedom of privilege henceforth be held in perpetual use by all catholics, nor let any outsider, relying on tyrannical contumacy, arrogate and exercise power of jurisdiction in the aforesaid monastery; but let the community of that monastery glory, as I have said, in the privilege of perpetual freedom. And let the said monastery be free from every yoke of earthly service in the same terms in which it is recorded as freed in the ancient privilege by our catholic predecessors — namely by the holy pope Leo and the catholic king Cenwulf — when Retun was abbot.

The lands granted for the monks’ use to Jesus Christ our Lord and His mother Mary, in ancient and modern times, by kings and religious persons of both sexes, and by myself and my father king Edgar, and his brother my uncle king Eadwig, and their uncle the most faithful king Eadred, by way of restoration, shall enjoy that same perpetual freedom. For the aforesaid kings, restoring to God’s church the estate called Abingdon — which king Ceadwalla had in ancient times granted with devout mind to our Lord and His mother Mary, and in which our predecessors, deceived by diabolical avarice, had unjustly built themselves a royal dwelling — forbade that any king should ever seek entertainment there or erect a building there for all time. This I, Æthelred, king of the English, acting on the counsel of my nobles, command to be fixed for ever in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, both in my own days and in the days of my successors. For at the time when the estates which I have with a devout mind restored to the Lord by this modern privilege were unjustly taken away from God’s holy church, certain faithless men usurped and published new hereditary charters for themselves. But in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit we command that no catholic accept them; rather let them be repudiated by all the faithful and consigned to anathema, while the ancient privilege remains ever in force.

But if anyone, seduced by so epileptic a madness of avarice (which we do not desire), should attempt with rash daring to infringe this renewed freedom of our munificence, let him be cut off from the fellowship of God’s holy church and likewise from participation in the most holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the whole world has been freed from the ancient enemy of the human race; and let him be set on the left hand with Judas the betrayer of Christ, unless he has first humbly repented here with worthy satisfaction for having presumed to rebel against God’s holy church; and may that apostate obtain no pardon in this active life nor any rest in the contemplative life, but, cast into the eternal fires of hell, be most miserably tormented for ever.

In the year of the Lord’s Incarnation, as we have said, 993, indiction 6, at the most humble petition of the aforesaid devout abbot Wulfgar, was this privilege of renewed freedom written; with these witnesses consenting, whose names are inscribed below, according to each one’s dignity, of both orders alternately, as the Lord disposes.

• † I, Æthelred, monarch of the English of Britain, have confirmed this by the wonder of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Sigeric, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have subscribed the same king’s good will.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop of the church of London, have confirmed this bounty of the king.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop of the church of Winchester, have confirmed this liberty of renewal.
• † I, Ælfric, bishop of the diocese of Coruina, in which the aforesaid monastery lies, have impressed the Holy Cross upon this gift.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop of the church of Lichfield, have depicted the vault of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Æscwig, bishop of the church of Dorchester, have confirmed this royal gift.
• † I, Theodred, bishop of the East Angles, have given assent to this bounty.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop of the church of Rochester, have set the Cross upon this bounty.
• † I, Ordbriht, bishop of the South Saxons, have marked the seal of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Wulfsige, bishop of the church of Sherborne, have gladly consented.
• † I, Eadulf, bishop of the church of Worcester, have subscribed with cheerful countenance.
• † I, Athulf, bishop of the church of Hereford, have answered that it pleases me.
• † I, Sigar, bishop of the church of Wells, have deemed it worthy that this should be done.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop of the church of Crediton, have not gainsaid this statute.
• † I, Ealdred, bishop of the church of Cornwall, have praised this decree by consenting.
• † I, Ælfthryth, mother of the same king, have been a supporter of this gift.
• † I, Æthelstan, son of the same king, have not refused that this should stand.
• † I, Ecgbyrht, son of the same king, have not delayed to give assent.
• † I, Edmund, son of the same king, have not forbidden that this should be done.
• † I, Eadred, son of the same king, have professed this to be pleasing to me.
• † I, Wulfgar, abbot of the monastery of Abingdon, have triumphantly dictated this instrument.
• † I, Ælfweard, abbot of Glastonbury.
• † I, Ælfsige, abbot of Nin.
• † I, Wulfric, abbot of Aug.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, abbot of Ely.
• † I, Lyfing, abbot of Chertsey.
• † I, Ælfric, abbot of Malmesbury.
• † I, Ælfhere, abbot of Bath.
• † I, Leofric, abbot of Muchelney.
• † I, Ælfhun, abbot of Middel.
• † I, Byrhthelm, abbot of Eaxc.
• † I, Æthelric, abbot of Æthel.
• † I, Wulfsige, abbot of Westminster.
• † I, Germanus, abbot of Ramsey.
• † I, Cenulf, abbot of Burh.
• † I, Godeman, abbot of Thorney.
• † I, Ælfwold, abbot of Uuind.
• † I, Leofric, abbot of St Albans.
• † I, Æthelweard, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfric, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfhelm, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelmær, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtwold, thegn.
• † I, Ordulf, thegn.
• † I, Wulfheah, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgeat, thegn.

Thus far concerning the liberty of the church; now something must be set down concerning the restoration of the lands.

With our Lord Jesus Christ reigning for ever, and governing all the kingdoms of the ages by the empire of His great rule, I, Æthelred, king of the English by His assisting grace, amid the various vicissitudes of this fleeting world have recalled to memory how things were done concerning me in the time of my boyhood, when my father king Edgar, going the way of all the earth, old and full of days, departed to the Lord; namely that all the nobles of both orders unanimously chose my brother Edward to the present government of the realm, and handed over to my own use the lands belonging to the royal sons. From these very lands my father, while he reigned, had granted certain ones to almighty Christ and His holy mother Mary at the monastery which is called Abingdon, for the redemption of his soul; that is, Bedewinde with all its appurtenances, Hisseburna with all its adjuncts, Burhbec, and all the revenues adjoining them. These lands were at once violently torn from the said holy monastery, by the decree and command of all the nobles, and, at their bidding, were subjected to my control. Whether they did this justly or unjustly, they themselves know. Then, when my brother departed this wretched world and received the reward of unending life predestined for him by God, I, with Christ’s consent, took possession of the lordship both of the royal lands and of those belonging to the royal sons.

Now, however, because it seems to me a very grievous thing to incur and bear my father’s curse by retaining that gift which he bestowed on God for the redemption of his soul, and because God’s grace has deigned to bring me to the age of understanding and, by the decrees of my nobles, has bestowed on me an ample and abundant portion of lands, I therefore resolve, out of my own inheritance, to honour the said holy monastery with a suitable gift and to enrich it with a fitting bestowal of possessions; first, for the love of God Almighty and of His holy Mother, that she may deign to be a gracious intercessor for me with our Lord God; secondly, for love of my father’s soul and for the eternal redemption of my own soul; and also on account of my children, who are minded to draw those same lands to themselves and to subject them to their own control.

The names of the lands which I with willing mind grant to the said monastery are these: one at Feornebeorh, another at Wilmaleahtun, a third at Cyrne. These portions of land Ælfric, surnamed Puer, violently took from a certain widow named Eadflæd; and afterwards, when he stood accused in his ealdordom against me and against all my nation, both these portions that I have named and all the landed possessions which he had owned were subjected to my control, when all my nobles came together at the synodal council at Cirencester, and drove that same Ælfric, as one guilty of treason, in flight from this country, and all unanimously decreed that everything he had possessed should be lawfully possessed by me. Then I permitted the said widow, for love of my nobles who had been her advocates with me, to possess her inheritance with merciful kindness; and she at last, at the very moment of her passing, left to me again the possession of those same lands in perpetual inheritance, with a kind and willing mind. The land at Pyrian, moreover, which I also grant to that same monastery, is known to be one of those lands which Æthelweard, son of Ceolred, gave to me for my friendship, to be possessed for ever. It is well enough known to all the people far and wide how he and his brother stood accused against me, and how both, through their own offences, incurred my enmity.

This description of the aforesaid lands was made at the instigation of my uncle Ordulf, and of Æthelmær, who is bound to me by kinship, and of Wulfgat my beloved thegn, and also of my abbot Wulfgar, who is wholly kind and devoted to me; who by frequent suggestion, with the persuasion of the other faithful, admonished me that I should take care to renew and enlarge in some measure the inheritance of Almighty God. Which I have done, both for the love of Christ, who raised me to the kingdom, and of those who with friendly assiduity exhort me to my necessary and eternal salvation, and for the humble and kindly obedience which the said abbot is wont faithfully and gladly to show me.

This benefit of my will I also make openly known to all: that I grant the lands of these possessions, in every district in which they lie, together with all their appurtenances — whether in the dues of estates, or in tribute, or in toll, or in any other exaction that is customarily levied in different ways in each countryside — to be free in full freedom from every yoke of earthly service, just as my father granted the aforenamed portions of land to be free from all worldly service, save three things, namely military service and the repair of bridge and fortress.

This also I command, with the authority of the Holy Trinity and of the Undivided Unity and of the blessed ever-Virgin Mary: that no man presume to alter this donation on any occasion, nor to bring forward against the writings of my munificence any deed of land or text of charter; but let all those old instruments, since the aforesaid offence so requires, be reckoned for ever hereafter as nothing, and, reduced to nothing, let them be trampled down, exposed to the spitting of all men, while the decrees of this privilege are strengthened with firm and unshaken solidity.

But if anyone, at the instigation of the Devil, should presume to violate these counsels, confirmed both by my authority and by divine authority — whether he be my son, or an ealdorman, or a bishop, or a thegn, or of whatsoever dignity — may Almighty God, and His holy mother the ever-Virgin Mary, and all the holy power of the heavenly hosts who praise the divine majesty with unceasing voice, despise him in this life, and, despised, destroy him without end in the world to come, unless before his death he has made fitting amends for having offended against God and holy Mary. Amen.

Let this record of the privilege be kept for ever in the aforenamed monastery, that it may stand as an eternal warrant of liberty for all the aforesaid landed possessions which I have with a kind and willing mind granted to Almighty God and His holy mother Mary at that monastery, and, once granted, have commended to eternal stability.

Charter of King Æthelred concerning Earnigcote. #

With the Founder and ineffable Ruler of the universe, who by His unspeakable power disposes and governs all things, reigning for ever, I, Æthelred, by His gratuitous mercy and unaccustomed kindness made king of all Albion by birth and by right, have granted in perpetual inheritance to our Lord Jesus Christ and His mother the ever-Virgin Mary, for the use of the monks of the place which is called by the celebrated name of Abingdon, an estate which the inhabitants of this country call by the familiar name of Earnigcote, namely of the extent of 2 hides.

In the name of the blessed Trinity and the indivisible Unity I command that neither kings nor æthelings, nor any person of men, presume to take away the aforesaid land from God’s church.

But if any rash man shall so presume, let him, deprived of the fellowship of God’s holy church, be punished mournfully for ever in the eternal fires of hell together with Judas the betrayer of Christ and his accomplices, unless he has made fitting amends for his offence against our decree. Moreover, let the aforesaid estate be free from every yoke of earthly service, save three things, namely military service and the repair of bridge and fortress.

These are the boundaries at Earnigcote: first, from the old slough up along the Giht; from the Giht to the streamlet; along the streamlet to the mere; from the mere back to the streamlet; along the streamlet to the hind-fold; from the hind-fold to the swine-hedge; from the swine-hedge to Pippan’s lea; from Pippan’s lea back to the swine-hedge; along the swine-hedge into the east corner; then by the herb-bank into the narrow way; along the narrow way; then back to the Giht, to the old slough where it first began.

In the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 983 this charter was written; with these witnesses consenting, whose names are inscribed below.

• † I, Æthelred, the king, have granted the aforesaid donation.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Oswald, archbishop, have marked it with the sign of the Cross.
• † I, Æthelwold, bishop, have impressed it.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Æthelgar, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop, have not refused.
• † I, Ælfric, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Athulf, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Æscwig, bishop, have impressed it.
• † I, Wulfgar, bishop, have marked it with the sign of the Cross.
• † I, Ælfthryth, queen.
• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfric, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelweard, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfric, ealdorman.
• † I, Thorod, ealdorman.
• † I, Ordbriht, abbot.
• † I, Sigeric, abbot.
• † I, Æthelweard, abbot.
• † I, Godwine, abbot.
• † I, Ælfweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ordulf, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfhelm, thegn.
• † I, Æthelmær, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtwold, thegn.
• † I, Leofric, thegn.

Concerning Cyrne. Moreover, concerning Cyrne in particular, he drew up a testament of his authority in the following form. #

Charter of King Æthelred concerning Cerne. #

With our Lord Jesus Christ reigning for ever, who by the Father’s power disposes all things, the grace of the Holy Spirit likewise giving them life. For although the words of priests and the decrees of judges endure ever in the strength of firmness, yet on account of the uncertain mutability of future years they must be strengthened by the testimony of charters.

Wherefore I, Æthelred, king of all Britain, have granted in perpetual inheritance a certain parcel of land, namely 15 hides, in the place which is called by the celebrated name of Cyrne, to our Lord Jesus Christ and to His holy church of the blessed Mother of God Mary, which is called by the celebrated name of Abingdon, for the use of God’s monks dwelling there, with all its appurtenances — meadows, pastures, and watercourses — while Wulfgar is abbot. Moreover, let the aforesaid estate be free from every yoke of earthly service, save three things, namely military service and the repair of bridge and fortress.

Now this land of Cyrne is one of those little vills which a certain ealdorman named Ælfric formerly tore away from a certain matron named Eadflæd, and usurped into his own inheritance. And afterwards, as the course of the times changed — nay, at the instigation of the Devil, that most perverse tempter of the human race — he wretchedly committed many and unheard-of crimes against God and my royal authority; whereupon, by the unanimous lawful counsel and most just judgement of the bishops, ealdormen, and all the nobles of this realm, in the royal vill which in the English tongue is called Cirencester, he himself was condemned to exile from the country; and not only those lands which he had torn from the said woman, but also all the rest which he possessed by hereditary right, were forbidden to him and to all his posterity, and were assigned to me for ever, firmly and immovably, as my own right of having and giving.

And I afterwards, with the counsel and at the entreaty of my best men, granted that the said widow should recover what had been torn from her, and possess it while she lived. Which she, humbly accepting and rightfully enjoying, restored entirely to me in good will at the last end of this fleeting life, into my own possession.

But if it shall happen at any time that any man produces openly any little charter for the annulment of this writing, I utterly forbid it in the name of the Holy Trinity among all Christians, in such wise that my gift stands confirmed with the seal of the Holy Cross, that it profit neither him nor others, but be erased by that everlasting pen. Finally, if anyone shall fraudulently attempt to violate the gift of our bounty, let him know that he shall render account before God at the last day of judgement, and shall suffer dreadful punishments with the reprobate, to whom it is said, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire” (Matthew 25:41), unless they have beforehand made amends with bodily lamentation. Now the aforesaid land is clearly defined by these bounds.

Bounds. #

First at cat’s stone; from cat’s stone along the furrow to Hured’s moor; from Hured’s moor to the high street; along the high street to Motera’s ford; from Motera’s ford along the Motera stream; then to Oter’s ham; from Oter’s ham into the Cyrne; along the Cyrne to the nuns’ pool; from the nuns’ pool to the hoar stone; from the hoar stone to the hoar willow; from the hoar willow into the Thames; up along the Thames to Hode’s stream; along Hode’s stream up to the river-meadow which is called the west river; along the river-meadow which runs east to the Cyrne; up along the Cyrne to a small leat; along the leat; then back to cat’s stone where it first began.

This aforesaid gift was made in the year from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ 999, indiction 12, with these witnesses consenting, whose names are inscribed below.

• † I, Æthelred, king of the English, have confirmed this by the wonder of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfric, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have subscribed the same king’s good will.
• † I, Ealdulf, archbishop of the church of York, have consented with cheerful countenance.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop, have impressed the seal of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Wulfstan, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Æscwig, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Athulf, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ordbriht, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Godwine, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Æthelstan, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Wulfsige, bishop, have marked it with the sign of the Cross.
• † I, Lyfing, bishop, have not refused.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ælfthryth, mother of the same king, have been a supporter of it.
• † I, Æthelstan, son of the same king, have not forbidden it.
• † I, Ælfric, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfhelm, ealdorman.
• † I, Leofsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Leofwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfweard, abbot.
• † I, Wulfgar, abbot, have gladly dictated it.
• † I, Ælfsige, abbot.
• † I, Cenulf, abbot.
• † I, Ælfsige, abbot.
• † I, Æthelnoth, abbot.
• † I, Æthelmær, thegn.
• † I, Ordulf, thegn.
• † I, Brihtwold, thegn.
• † I, Wulfheah, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgeat, thegn.
• † I, Æthelric, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.

Charter of King Æthelred concerning Mordun. #

We know that in many things we all offend. If indeed we sometimes offend in ecclesiastical matters, the things which, with God’s help, we strive to amend, we ought to fortify with a most firm written record, lest again (God forbid) church property should be possessed by the hands of outsiders for the sake of greed.

Concerning which matter, I, Æthelred, by God’s will king of the English, will have it known to all those subject to my rule that a certain soldier named Ælfgar, namely my own reeve and favourite, unjustly acquired a certain vill belonging to the monastery of the most holy Mother Mary of Abingdon, called by the inhabitants Mordun, amounting to 20 hides, namely in the time of abbot Eadwine, with my consent, though unjustly; and he gave it to his wife Ælfgifu as a hereditary dowry-gift. When he died, the aforesaid woman Ælfgifu was joined to another husband, named Wulfgeat. Both were justly accused by all the people of a most wicked crime, on account of their own plotting, of which nothing need now be said in detail. Because of that plotting, they justly lost all that they had unjustly acquired. Hearing this, Wulfgar, the shepherd of the said monastery, at once admonished me concerning that little vill which they unjustly possessed. And I, mindful of their unjust acquisition and of my own ill consent, with all my heart’s desire restored the said vill to the blessed Mother of God Mary. And I also hand over and grant to the same holy Mary in perpetual inheritance a small estate situated in the town of Cricklade, which I had formerly given to my said reeve.

If anyone produces openly against this charter another little charter, entitled with the ink of false greed, let it profit neither him nor his avarice, but let it be for ever pierced through by the divine pen; and let him remain excommunicated by the prohibition of me and of my bishops, cut off from the fellowship of Christians, and moreover severed from the Body and Blood of the Lord, until, abandoning the cunning of his plotting, he restores to the holy Mother of God Mary those two estates fourfold, with bodily penance. And that the husbandmen of the said land may always enjoy an inviolable strength of freedom, they are freed by royal precept from every secular yoke, save the services of three things: the national military service, the building of the bridge, and the fortification of the royal fortress.

Now it must be said by what bounds the aforesaid land appears to be delimited all around.

Bounds. #

These are the boundaries of Mordun: first at Higford; from Higford along Reed-brook to the Worf; along the stream to the west side of Purtanige; from the north side of Purtanige back out to the river Worf; along the stream to wood-bridge; thence out to ash-stream, where the ash-stream flows out into the Worf; up against the stream to the east end of the long furlong; thence east to the old dyke; from the old dyke one furlong along Grindewille’s stream; thence to Ættenpen to the elder-stump; thence always along the edge to the meadow-land; from the meadow-land down to the old willow at Ættenpen’s streamlet; thence to Hnottan’s ford; from the ford to Filican slade; along the slade to the old spring; thence out to Headdun’s slade; along the slade as far as the broad way; from the broad way along the slade out to Higford; and one enclosure in Cricklade, which the king has given in addition thereto.

This aforesaid gift was made in the year 1008 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, indiction 6, so that this charter of our present donation may remain unshaken and undefiled in perpetual right against all the goads of the envious.

Witnesses. #

• † I first, Æthelred, the king, entitle it round about and confirm it with the sign of the Holy Cross, and I openly command all my nobles to do the same.
• † I, Ælfgifu, the same king’s consort, confirm the aforesaid gift.
• † I, Æthelstan, the same king’s son, desire to be present as a true witness.
• † I, Edmund, the same king’s son.
• † I, Eadred, the king’s son, bear witness.
• † I, Eadwig, the king’s son, join in commending this gift of the king.
• † I, Edgar, the king’s son.
• † I, Edward, the king’s son.
• † I, Ælfheah, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, mark the same king’s donation with the trophy of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Wulfstan, archbishop of the church of York, consent with cheerful countenance.
• † I, Lyfing, bishop, am present as a witness.
• † I, Osbriht, bishop, confirm it.
• † I, Æthelwold, bishop, assent with cheerful countenance.
• † I, Ælfhun, bishop, strengthen it with my own hand.
• † I, Ælfgar, bishop, am present as a most steadfast witness.
• † I, Brihtwold, bishop, bear witness to this with a glad heart.
• † I, Godwine, bishop, do not refuse.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, desire to be present as a true witness.
• † I, Godwine, bishop, do not refuse.
• † I, Æthelric, bishop, do not object.
• † I, Ælfric, ealdorman.
• † I, Leofwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfweard, abbot.
• † I, Wulfgar, abbot, have composed this charter with a glad heart.
• † I, Brihtwold, abbot.
• † I, Ælfsige, abbot.
• † I, Germanus, abbot.
• † I, Ælfsige, abbot.
• † I, Ælfmær, abbot.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelmær, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwold, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Eadwine, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Wulfketel, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Leofric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelric, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwine, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Leofwine, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwig, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Ælfhelm, thegn.

These are the lands which King Æthelred gave to his servants, and they in turn to the church of Abingdon with the king’s consent. #

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. While the times of this world slip away, and kingdoms pass away with kings in a most swift course, and though a thing seems to stand firm it is seen quickly to slide from its former state — it is unknown to no wise man — and the joys of this deceitful life are shaken and scattered.

Wherefore I, Æthelred, king of the English, have granted in perpetual inheritance to a certain thegn, who by those who know him is called by the name Leofric, a certain portion of woodland, encircled on all sides by its own bounds, that he may hold it as long as he lives; and after him may leave it to whatever heir he chooses, free of all charge. Moreover, let the aforesaid wood be free from every yoke of earthly service, save three things, namely military service and the repair of bridge and fortress.

If anyone, therefore, wishes to transfer this donation of ours to anything other than we have ordained, let him, deprived of the fellowship of God’s holy church, be punished mournfully for ever in the fires of hell together with Judas the betrayer of Christ and his accomplices, unless he has made fitting amends for his offence against our decree.

By these bounds the aforesaid wood is encircled on this side and that.

Bounds. #

This is the boundary of the wood which King Æthelred grants by charter to Leofric his thegn in perpetual inheritance. First from the day-brook to the old street west of Dunnincwic; along the street to the north of Wileard’s hurst, to the field; thence to the streamlet; along the streamlet to Æthelnoth’s boundary; then to the rood-way; along the way back again to the day-brook.

In the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 962 this charter was written; with these witnesses consenting, whose names are inscribed below.

Witnesses. #

• † I, Æthelred, king of the English, have granted it.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Oscytel, archbishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Osulf, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Byrhtelm, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Oswald, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Æthelwold, abbot.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfheah, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelstan, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Beorhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtferth, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfhelm, thegn.
• † I, Wulfstan, thegn.
• † I, Wulfhelm, thegn.

Charter of King Æthelred concerning Ceorlatun. #

From the sceptre-bearing majesty of God’s eternal governance, in whom all things have their living origin, comes an abundance of transitory happiness. Therefore it is left to those who possess it, that each should show himself the readier, with diligent eagerness of mind, to serve his Creator faithfully, through whom he sees that all other things are divinely made subject to him.

Wherefore I, Æthelred, by Christ’s consent king of the English nation, have joyfully granted to a certain thegn of mine named Ælfgar a certain small parcel of land, namely 5 hides, belonging to a certain place but forming part of the common land, which is called by the celebrated name of Ceorlatun; that he may possess the said land for the course of his life; and then may leave it in eternal inheritance to whatever heir succeeding him he may choose. Let this my unshakeable gift therefore remain pleasing in eternal freedom, with all the things which are known to pertain to that place, both in great and in small matters — fields, pastures, meadows, woods; save the common labour of military service and the building of bridge and fortress.

If anyone, therefore, seduced by the stain of hostile rapacity, shall attempt in any wise to overturn this gift of our munificence otherwise than we have ordained, let him, severed from the communion of God’s holy church and from participation in the eternal kingdom, swallowed up by the flames of hellish fire, be wrapped in the bitternesses of eternal damnation, unless he has repented with fitting satisfaction for having recklessly cared nothing about opposing our decree. For the aforesaid estate is but little marked off by clear bounds on every side, because the acreage lies joined together on either side.

The aforesaid gift was made in the year from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ 982.

Witnesses. #

• † I, Æthelred, king of the English, have irrevocably granted the aforesaid donation.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Oswald, archbishop, have pledged it.
• † I, Æthelwold, bishop, have marked it with the sign of the Cross.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have impressed it.
• † I, Æscwig, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Æthelgar, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Æthelsige, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Athulf, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ælfhere, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelweard, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmær, ealdorman.
• † I, Eadwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Ordbriht, abbot.
• † I, Sigeric, abbot.
• † I, Æthelweard, abbot.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, abbot.
• † I, Leofric, abbot.
• † I, Ælfheah, abbot.
• † I, Ælfhun, abbot.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Wulfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Leofric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Leofric, thegn.

Charter of King Æthelred concerning two hides at Drætun and one at Suttun. #

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, reigning for ever, whose majesty neither begins nor ends for ever, and by whose providence the ordering of things divine and human is governed and guarded. For as long as the prosperity of the present life is known to accompany us, let us hasten, by heavenly aid, to break the snare of this exile and blindness, that we may be able to climb to the blessedness of the heavenly kingdom which is to be obtained by us hereafter.

Wherefore I, Æthelred, king of the whole English nation, and holding the primacy over the other nations dwelling round about, grant in perpetual inheritance to a certain faithful man of mine named Wulfgar a modest portion of land of my own right, that is 4½ hides, divided in two places in the common land — namely 3 hides in the place which in the English tongue is called Drætun, and 1½ hides in the vill which is called Suttun — that he may have and possess it while life accompanies him. But when he knows that the dissolution of his body is at hand, let him commend it, as we have said above, to whatever heir he pleases, in eternal possession. Moreover let the freedom of this our donation remain free from every fiscal tribute and secure without any obstacle, with all its appurtenances — fields, pastures, meadows, woods, and watercourses; save three things: military service, the building of the bridge, and the fortification of the fortress.

Finally, if anyone — which I do not desire — weighed down by the envy of greed, shall be eager to violate this charter of liberty, let them, fallen among the hosts of foul darkness, hear on the day of the great judgement of examination the voice saying to them, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire” (Matthew 25:41), where with demons they are cruelly tormented in iron frying-pans, unless before death they have amended this by worthy penance.

In the year from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ 983, indiction 11. With these witnesses consenting, whose names are seen to be inscribed below.

• † I, Æthelred, king of the English, holding the summit of the whole realm, have freely granted the freedom of this donation.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have confirmed it with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Oswald, archbishop of the church of York, have marked it with the wonder of the Cross.
• † I, Æthelwold, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Æthelgar, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have marked it with the sign of the Cross.
• † I, Æscwig, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Sigar, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Æthelsige, bishop, have impressed it.
• † I, Wulfgar, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelweard, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfric, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfric, ealdorman.
• † I, Thureth, ealdorman.
• † I, Ordbriht, abbot.
• † I, Siric, abbot.
• † I, Æthelweard, abbot.
• † I, Leofric, abbot.
• † I, Ælfweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Wulfsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Leofwine, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Leofric, thegn.
• † I, Leofstan, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.

Charter of King Æthelred concerning two hides at Dumbeltun. #

With the Disposer of heaven and earth reigning for ever and ever, and triumphing over all things. The unstable state of the world reels whithersoever it turns, and is shaken by stiff whirlwinds; yet, by the omnipotence of the Godhead coming to its aid, it is strengthened by the support of mighty men, lest, by faltering, it should be seen to sink feebly and improvidently to ruin, while it is guided by the authority of so many princes, so long as the strength of the Christian name flourishes and the rights of kingdoms are governed by provident dispensation. Wherefore those whom the fortune of this age beguiles with the faint hand of exaltation must watch with utmost effort to obtain those joys which are not yearly but everlasting, that by the distribution of temporal treasures they may deserve to obtain the aids of eternal bounty.

Wherefore I, Æthelred, by God’s providence emperor of all Albion, grant in perpetual inheritance to a certain thegn most beloved by me, to whom the nobility of his parentage gave the name Wulfric, for the most faithful obedience with which he has courteously served me, a certain parcel of land, that is 2½ hides, in the place which the inhabitants call Dumaltun, that he may well enjoy and prosperously possess it so long as he is seen to run his course through this fleeting sojourn with vital breath and rolling motion; and after the passing of this fleeting life, let him leave it to whatever successor he pleases. Moreover let the aforesaid estate, which is situated in common land, be free from every worldly obstacle, with all the things which are known to pertain to that place, both in great and in small matters — fields, pastures, meadows, woods; save these three: military service and the building of bridge and fortress.

But may the portion of those who diminish and break this my gift — which I pray may be far from the minds of the faithful — be with those of whom it is said on the contrary, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, which is prepared for Satan and his angels” (Matthew 25:41), unless they first obtain pardon by worthy penance before God and lawful satisfaction. For what man’s memory passes over, the search of written letters preserves. Wherefore it must be made known to readers that this aforesaid estate came to the disposal of my right on account of a certain man’s offence of unspeakable presumption, in that he did not shrink from boldly binding himself by theft — a man to whom his parents gave the name Æthelsige, though he dishonoured the name with foul crime — and through me it was granted, as I have already said, to the reverend thegn; whose mark of infamy we have thought fit to record here in an English account.

Bounds. #

This is how the land at Dumaltun was forfeited, which Æthelsige forfeited into the hands of King Æthelred. It came about because he stole the pigs of Æthelwine, son of the ealdorman Æthelmær; then his men rode thither and dragged the bacon out of Æthelsige’s house, and he fled to the woods, and so he was outlawed, and the land and his goods were adjudged to King Æthelred. Then he gave that land to Hawas his man in perpetual inheritance, and Wulfric son of Wulfrun afterwards exchanged it with him for what was more pleasing to him, with the king’s leave and the witness of his witan.

This aforesaid gift was made in the year 995 from the Incarnation of our Lord, indiction 8; and in the seventeenth year of the aforesaid king’s reign this charter was written, with these consenting who are noted below.

• † I, Æthelred, king of the English, have irrevocably granted and confirmed the aforesaid donation under the seal of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfric, by God’s grace chosen for the archbishopric of the church of Canterbury, have established the same king’s gift by the wonder of the Cross.
• † I, Ealdulf, chosen for the bishopric of the church of York, have confirmed the king’s gift with the impression of the Holy Cross, blessing it.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop of the church of London, have sealed it.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop of the church of Winchester, have confirmed it.
• † I, Æscwig, bishop of the church of Dorchester, have confirmed it.
• † I, Athulf, bishop of the church of Hereford, have confirmed it.
• † I, Wulfsige, bishop of the church of Sherborne, have confirmed it.
• † I, Æthelweard, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfric, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfhelm, ealdorman.
• † I, Leofsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Leofwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfweard, abbot.
• † I, Ælfsige, abbot.
• † I, Leofric, abbot.
• † I, Brihtelm, abbot.
• † I, Wulfgar, abbot.
• † I, Æthelmær, thegn.
• † I, Ordulf, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Brihtwold, thegn.
• † I, Wulfheah, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgeat, thegn.
• † I, Leofric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelnoth, thegn.
• † I, Æthelric, thegn.
• † I, Leofric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Wulfmær, thegn.
• † I, Fræna, thegn.

Charter of King Æthelred concerning Osanlea. #

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! The ruler of the heavenly country distributes far and wide in diverse degrees His most bounteous gift of lavish generosity — to kings, bishops, princes, abbots, reeves — that each in his own order, for the talent of earthly gain entrusted to him, may on the day of examination present the business doubled, no sloth prevailing.

Therefore I, Æthelred, king of the English and governor and ruler of the other nations dwelling round about, hand over in perpetuity to a certain thegn of mine, upon whom the name Ælfheah is bestowed, 2 hides, there where common speech says “at Osanlea”; as long as he is seen to have the body animated here, let him claim the privilege of our gift; and finally let him bestow it in perpetuity on whatsoever heir he chooses, with fields, pastures, meadows, woods, save the common labour of military service and the joint building of bridge and fortress.

But if anyone should attempt to infringe this (God forbid), let him know that he shall render account before God and His angels, unless he has first chosen to make amends here by satisfaction.

Bounds. #

These are the boundaries of the two hides which belong to Osanlea: first to the lane, and then along the slade to the black pit; from the pit to the loam-pit; along the boundary; from the pit out to birch-slade; from birch-slade to the old dyke; from the old dyke to Henna’s stream; from Henna’s stream up along the slade to Ipanlea; from Ipanlea to the broom-way; along the way to the lanes, and the wood of the two hides into the common land.

In the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 984, indiction 13, this deed of gift was written.

• † I, Æthelred, king of the English, have impressed the banner of the Cross.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop, have consented.
• † I, Oswald, archbishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Æthelwold, bishop, have set the Holy Cross upon it.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have marked it with the sign of the Cross.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Athulf, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Æscwig, bishop, have impressed it.
• † I, Ælfric, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Æthelsige, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Æthelgar, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Wulfgar, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtwold, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelweard, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfric, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfric, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfweard, thegn.
• † I, Wulfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ordulf, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtwold, thegn.
• † I, Leofric, thegn.

Charter of King Æthelred concerning Eardulfes lea. #

Whatever is done by worldly men that is to remain for ever must be firmly fortified by written documents, because men’s frail memory forgets in dying what the writing of letters preserves by keeping.

Wherefore I, Æthelred, by God’s grace king of the English, will have it known to all my faithful that I hand over by hereditary right to a certain soldier of mine named Æthelwig 5 hides, in the vill which by those who know it is called Eardulfes lea; that he may possess them while life accompanies him, and after his last day has closed his eyes, may leave them in perpetual possession to whatever friend he chooses. Moreover let the present gift be absolved from every servile yoke, save only three things: the national military service, the building of the fortress, and the repair of the bridge.

Now how the present land came into my hand, I wish to explain in a brief account. Three brothers were sitting at a certain banquet; one of their men, named Leofric, at the instigation of the Devil stole a bridle. When it was found in his bosom, those who had lost the bridle came at a run, and the three brothers, the lords of the said thief, swiftly rising, entered into combat with them. Two of the brothers, namely Ælfnoth and Ælfric, being slain in the fight, the third, Æthelwine, barely escaped with the aforesaid robber, entering the church of St Helen. And the neighbours round about hearing these things, Æthelwig my reeve at Buckingham and Winsige the reeve at Oxford buried the aforesaid brothers among Christians. Then ealdorman Leofsige, hearing of this affair, came into my presence, accusing the said reeves, because the slain brothers had not rightly been buried among Christians. But I, being unwilling that Æthelwig should be grieved, because he was dear and precious to me, both permitted the buried men to rest together with Christians, and granted the aforesaid land to him in perpetual inheritance.

But if anyone, inflated with the zeal of greed, shall attempt to destroy this charter of my donation, let him be anathema maranatha, that is, estrangement from the fellowship of Christians, unless he repents and penitently repents of what he craftily attempted to do. And commanding this, I command that no leaf of other charters be seen to excel our charter, but let it lie hidden and be abolished for ever.

Bounds. #

These are the boundaries of the five hides at Eardulfes lea: first, from the great dyke to Æthelwold’s lea; to the boundary; from the boundary along the dean into the Sexig brook; from the Sexig brook into Uffewell brook; from the brook to the green dyke; from the dyke south of the earthwork; then to Cwichelm’s barrow; from the barrow to the port-street; from the port-street opposite little Ciltene for an acre’s breadth; then to the green way that runs to the hay-ford; after the green way, straight opposite Cynewynn’s spring; from the spring into the great dyke; along the dyke into the Buna; along the Buna to the old ford; from the ford into Eardulfes lea; from the lea back again to the great dyke.

This leaf was written in the year from the Lord’s Incarnation 995, indiction 14, with these witnesses consenting, whose names are inscribed below.

Witnesses. #

• † I, Æthelred, king, monarch of the English, holding the summit of the whole realm, willingly grant or bestow the freedom of this gift, and consent or cheerfully confirm it.
• † I, Siric.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop of the church of London, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop of the church of Winchester, have confirmed it.
• † I, Æscwig, bishop of the church of Dorchester, have dictated it.
• † I, Ælfric, bishop of the church of Wilton, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ealdulf, bishop of the church of Worcester, have assented.
• † I, Osbriht, bishop of the South Saxon church, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop of the church of Lichfield, have gladly consented.
• † I, Athulf, bishop of the church of Hereford, have assisted it.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop of the church of Crediton, have upheld it.
• † I, Wulfsige, bishop of the church of Sherborne, have gladly given it with goodwill.
• † I, Æthelweard, ealdorman, exultantly fortify or affirm it, and stand by as a present witness.
• † I, Ælfric, ealdorman, impress or uphold the sign of the Cross.
• † I, Ælfhelm, ealdorman.
• † I, Leofwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Leofsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfweard, abbot.
• † I, Ælfsige, abbot.
• † I, Brihtnoth, abbot.
• † I, Brihtelm, abbot.
• † I, Leofric, abbot.
• † I, Ælfhere, abbot.
• † I, Cenulf, abbot.
• † I, Ælfric, abbot.
• † I, Ælfhun, abbot.
• † I, Germanus, abbot.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ordulf, thegn.
• † I, Leofric, thegn.
• † I, Wulfheah, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgeat, thegn.
• † I, Æthelnoth, thegn.
• † I, Æthelric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelmær, thegn.
• † I, Ceolmund, thegn.
• † I, Wihtsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwig, thegn.

Charter of King Æthelred. #

With our Lord Jesus Christ reigning for ever. Whereas by the providence of our Creator every creature was formed very good in the beginning, and created in beauty and fashioned in splendour, above and beneath the heavens, both in angels and also in men, and in manifold and diverse kinds of cattle, animals, fishes, and birds, all of which render the dues of their nature at the will of the Creator — save man alone, who was fashioned in His image and set over all things, yet through transgression fell into ruin and death, and, wretchedly despising the Lord’s command, lost the first stole of immortality. Therefore those riches are to be loved which never deceive their possessor, nor are lost even in death itself, but abound the more while that which is loved is beheld.

Wherefore I, Æthelred, by the favour of the divine will an industrious king of the English and of the other nations dwelling round about, to a certain faithful thegn of mine named Brihtric, for his amiable service and his pleasing fidelity, will freely grant and bestow 8 hides beside the river which is called the Kennet, namely that estate which a certain rustic named Æthelric is known to have held before; that he may well enjoy it and possess it in perpetuity, so long as he passes unharmed through the course of this fleeting age and the vital spirit cleaves to corruptible flesh; and after him may leave it, as we have said, to whomsoever he chooses, in eternal inheritance.

Moreover let the aforesaid estate be free from every worldly obstacle, with all the things which are known to pertain to that place, both in great and in small matters — fields, pastures, meadows, woods, and the diverted courses of waters — save these three: military service and the joint building of bridge and fortress. But to those who diminish and break this my donation, let their portion be with those of whom it is said on the contrary, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, which is prepared for Satan and his angels” (Matthew 25:41), unless they first make amends by worthy penance before God and lawful satisfaction.

The aforesaid land appears to be encircled by these bounds.

Bounds. #

First on the Kennet at Sceolle’s old cottages; then up along the stream as far as Eadgifu’s boundary; then north into the Hyden; thence north to the boundary of the Lambourn men; then east along the boundary to Ælfwig’s boundary; then south along the boundary to the Hyden; then south by the boundary; then back into the stream of the Kennet.

In the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 984, indiction 12, with these witnesses consenting, whose names are inscribed below.

• † I, Æthelred, king of the English, holding the summit of the whole realm, have freely granted the freedom of this donation.
• † I, Ælfthryth, mother of the same king, have granted freedom to this donation.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have confirmed it with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Oswald, archbishop of the church of York, have marked it with the wonder of the Cross.
• † I, Æthelwold, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Æthelgar, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have marked it with the sign of the Cross.
• † I, Æscwig, bishop, have confirmed it.
• † I, Æthelsige, bishop, have impressed it.
• † I, Wulfgar, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfric, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelweard, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfric, ealdorman.
• † I, Thureth, ealdorman.
• † I, Ordbriht, abbot.
• † I, Siric, abbot.
• † I, Æthelweard, abbot.
• † I, Leofric, abbot.
• † I, Ælfweard, thegn.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Wulfsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Leofric, thegn.
• † I, Leofwine, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelmær, thegn.

Charter of King Æthelred concerning Ættune. #

Through the divine wisdom of the All-ruling One, it is agreed that the order of all the elements was rationally disposed; and the first-formed earth-born man, though wrought of the dusty covering of a frail body, yet, set over the rest by the reason of a most beautiful mind, stands composed for so wondrous and so clear a delight of contemplative contemplation, that through the roughness of this sojourn — so long as we sail upon the sea of the passing age in the bark of the flesh, with Christ as our helmsman — cursing the shameful bilge-water of avarice, refreshing the poverty of the needy by the distribution of our goods, and treading step by step, in right actions, the level path of justice, we may deserve to behold the God of gods in Zion in visible, heavenly form, and may we be deemed worthy diligently to enjoy such great joys of Olympian loveliness.

Wherefore I, Æthelred, by the favour of Christ’s mercy basileus of the whole circle of Britain, grant to a certain thegn beloved by me, Leofwine, a certain small portion of land — namely 10 hides — in the place called in the English tongue “at Wootton”, as an eternal inheritance: that he may enjoy it well and possess it perpetually while he passes unharmed through the course of this fleeting life, and the breath of life dwells in his corruptible flesh; and after himself may he leave it to whatsoever heir he wishes for ever, as we have said, as an eternal inheritance. Moreover let the aforesaid land be free from every worldly burden, with all things known to pertain to that place, both in great and in small matters — fields, pastures, meadows, woods, and the flowing courses of waters — excepting these three: military service, and the building of bridge and fortress.

But if — which we do not desire — it should happen that anyone, puffed up by the breath of pride, kindled by the firebrands of avarice, armed with the teeth of envy, should attempt to infringe, diminish, or in any wise destroy by contempt this charter of my donation, let him know that at the last day of examination he shall perish under the curse of anathema with Judas the betrayer, the lover of unjust gain, the surety of eternal punishments, unless he first make amends by worthy penitence to God and lawful satisfaction.

The aforesaid land appears to be bounded by these boundaries.

Boundaries. #

…ford to Ceolba’s hanger; from the hanger to the water-slade; from the water-slade to the spring at Sceobba’s edge; from the spring at Sceobba’s edge to Wrolit’s hanger; from Wrolit’s hanger to Cybba’s stone; from the stone to the bridge-way; along the way to Colmenora; from Colmenora to Wendel’s combe; from the combe to the swan-way; from the way to upper Rush-lea; from Rush-lea to the rough way; from the way to the loam-pit; from the pit to the head of the combe; from the head of the combe to the port-way, as far as the great thorn; from the thorn to the upper combe of the fox-holes; from the combe to the black grove, to the upper part of the dyke; along the dyke to Hearth-hamm; from Hearth-hamm to Woodford; from Woodford to Pott’s tree; from the tree along the boundary to the moor; then up along the brook to the cold spring; from the cold spring to the thorn-row; from the thorn-row back again into Gorgraf’s slade.

In the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 985, this charter was written, indiction 13, with these witnesses consenting whose names are inscribed below.

• † I, Dunstan, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have confirmed with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Oswald, archbishop of the church of York, have marked it with the wonder of the Cross.
• † I, Ælfstan, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Æthelgar, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Æscwig, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Sigar, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Ælfric, bishop, have not refused.
• † I, Æthelsige, bishop, have set my mark.
• † I, Wulfgar, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Æthelwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelweard, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfric, ealdorman.
• † I, Thured, ealdorman.
• † I, Ordbriht, abbot.
• † I, Siric, abbot.
• † I, Leofric, abbot.
• † I, Ælfhere, abbot.
• † I, Æthelweard, abbot.
• † I, Ælfsige, thegn.
• † I, Wulfsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Æthelsige, thegn.
• † I, Ælfric, thegn.
• † I, Leofric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfelm, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Leofstan, thegn.
• † I, Æthelmær, thegn.

Charter of King Æthelred concerning Bensington. 996. #

All things that are given in this world for the solace of mortal life are temporal; but those promised to the Saints in the kingdom of heaven shall endure without end. Therefore with these earthly and perishing things we earnestly purchase heavenly and abiding rewards.

Wherefore I, Æthelred, relying on the royal dignity bestowed by the Lord, for the sake of the reward of a greater prize, grant a certain quite modest little parcel of land — namely 2 hides, in the place which the inhabitants call Bensington-land — to my three brothers, men named Eadric, Eadwig, and Ealdred, to possess as a paternal inheritance: that they may cheerfully possess it while life accompanies them, and after they have gone the way of all flesh may freely leave it in perpetual right to whatsoever heirs they wish. Let the aforesaid parcel of land be free from every yoke of earthly servitude, three excepted — namely established military service, and the restoration of bridge and fortress.

If anyone therefore shall wish to transfer this our donation to anything other than we have established, let him, deprived of the fellowship of God’s holy church, be punished for ever in the eternal flames of the abyss, mournful with Judas the betrayer of Christ and his accomplices, if he does not make amends by fitting satisfaction for having transgressed against our decree.

Boundaries. #

The aforesaid land appears to be enclosed by these bounds: first from the small spring, east by the head, along the boundary until it comes into Chalcseath’s way; and so along the way into Acwulf’s dean; along the dean to the wood-way of the open land; along the way to the middle of the bright hill; from the hill along the dean to Waddene; along Waddene to Wyrthe; from Wyrthe along the way to the high linch; to the rough hedge; so along the hedge-row to Abba’s spring; thence back to the small spring.

These are the bounds of the wood that belongs to the land: first along the acre-way to the reed-slade; along the slade to Gega’s dean; along the dean to Gopa’s lea, eastward of the lea; along the burgh-path; to the burgh-way; thence to the hedge-way out into the open field; and so athwart over the fern-field to Wynstan’s hamm; from the hamm always along the wolf-run back to the acre-way.

In the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 996, indiction 9, this charter was written, with these witnesses consenting whose names are inscribed below.

• † I, Æthelred, king of the English, have granted the liberty of this gift.
• † I, Ælfric, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have confirmed by the sign of the Cross.
• † I, Wulfstan, bishop of the church of London, have confirmed.
• † I, Ealdwulf, archbishop of the church of York, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop of the church of Winchester, have confirmed.
• † I, Æscwig, bishop of the church of Dorchester, have dictated.
• † I, Athulf, bishop of the church of Hereford, have supported.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop of the church of Lichfield, have assented.
• † I, Wulfsige, bishop of the church of Sherborne, have consented.
• † I, Ordbriht, bishop of the southern church, have subscribed.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop of the church of Crediton, have supported.
• † I, Æthelweard, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfric, ealdorman.
• † I, Leofwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfhelm, ealdorman.
• † I, Leofsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfweard, abbot.
• † I, Ælfsige, abbot.
• † I, Byrhtnoth, abbot.
• † I, Leofric, abbot.
• † I, Byrhthelm, abbot.
• † I, Ordulf, thegn.
• † I, Æthelmær, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgeat, thegn.
• † I, Wulfheah, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelnoth, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Wihtsige, thegn.
• † I, Godwine, thegn.

Charter of King Æthelred concerning 3 hides in Drayton and 2 in Sutton. #

Peace and victory to the worshippers of the apostolic faith for ever. We pray that the authority of the Catholic Church may abide constant and unfailing. Moreover diverse gifts are commanded to be cast and offered at the holy sanctuaries in the treasury of the Lord, for, as it is written, “to the King born of the heavens the kings of the earth offered gifts.”

Wherefore I, King Æthelred, wish it to be unknown to none who bend the knee to me that I bestow as an offering upon the sanctuary of the monastery of Abingdon — Abbot Wulfgar obtaining it — the lands of 5 hides: 3 in the vill of Drayton and 2 in Sutton, with one mill, fields, pastures, and meadows, in the right of perpetual inheritance, just as Wulfgar, namely my butler, obtained them. And expressly commanding concerning this rural land, I command that they remain free, three causes being set apart: namely hostile service, the founding of the royal fortress, and the restoration of the bridge.

But if any envious man, kindled by the fire-bearing flames of avarice, shall attempt to superimpose upon this truthful little document another little document inked all round by the deceit of cupidity, let him be anathema maranatha — that is, cut off from the fellowship of Christians — until, coming to his senses, he repent of what he had approved in the malice of envious deceit. This charter was therefore executed in the year 1000 from the Incarnation of the Lord, indiction 13.

And that this charter may obtain the solidity of inviolable firmness:

Witnesses. #

• † I, the king, first confirm the same with my royal right hand, and command it to be confirmed by the hands of all subject to me.
• † I, Æthelstan, the king’s son, bear witness.
• † I, Edmund, affirm.
• † I, Eadred, bear witness.
• † I, Eadwig, do not object.
• † I, Ælfric, archbishop of Canterbury, commend.
• † I, Wulfstan, archbishop of York, subscribe.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop of Winchester, confirm.
• † I, Lyfing, bishop, bear witness.
• † I, Ordbriht, bishop, approve.
• † I, Ælfhun, bishop, bear witness.
• † I, Ælfric, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfhelm, ealdorman.
• † I, Leofwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Leofsige, ealdorman.
• † I, Wulfgar, abbot, commend.
• † I, Ælfsige, abbot.
• † I, Kenulf, abbot.
• † I, Leofric, abbot.
• † I, Ordulf, soldier.
• † I, Æthelmær, thegn.
• † I, Wulfheah, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgeat, thegn.
• † I, Æthelric, thegn.
• † I, Leofric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Goda, thegn.

Charter of King Æthelred concerning Haseley. #

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Every state of this world is ended by a fixed end, and things that are defective fall in swift ruin, but those that endure flourish with the inexhaustible vigour of perpetuity. Therefore each and every man must diligently strive, while the allotted spaces of time granted by God’s will sustain him, lest we pass those same appointed days without the fruit of spiritual virtues.

Wherefore I, Æthelred, by favour of the heavenly Power king of the English and of the other peoples round about, grant 10 hides — called by the inhabitants “at Haseley in the lower settlement” — to a certain faithful thegn named Godwine, for his loving service and acceptable payment — that is, 30 mancuses of pure gold — with all things rightly pertaining to it: fields, pastures, meadows, and the courses of waters; that he may have and possess it while life accompanies him, as long as he enjoys the course of this fleeting life. And after his end, let him leave it to whatsoever heir he pleases. Moreover let the aforesaid land be free from every worldly burden, three excepted — that is, military service and the building of bridge and fortress.

But if anyone shall strive to overthrow this my gift, or shall produce another deed, whether an old one or a new, let it profit neither him nor others, but let it be blotted out in the everlasting record, and let him not be written with the just; and let him consider that at the last day of judgement he shall render account before God, and shall suffer with the reprobate in dreadful torments, unless he has first made amends with bodily lamentation.

Boundaries. #

These are the boundaries of the 10 hides at Haseley in the lower settlement: first at Hroppa’s ford; then along Wicga’s dyke until it reaches Weorra’s ford; so along the moor as far as the broad army-path; then to the heads of the rills, until it reaches the Humber; along the Humber to Hroppa’s brook, opposite the stone-quarry; along Hroppa’s brook to the hawk-passage; back along Hroppa’s brook until it comes to Hroppa’s ford, where it first began.

This aforesaid donation was executed in the year 1000 of the Lord’s Incarnation, indiction 14; and these are the names of the witnesses which follow.

• † I, Æthelred, king of the English, have confirmed my gift with my own seal.
• † I, Ælfric, archbishop of Canterbury, have confirmed with the sign of the Cross.
• † I, Wulfstan, archbishop of York, have attested with the heavenly sign.
• † I, Ælfgifu, the king’s consort, have consented.
• † I, Æthelstan, the same king’s son, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop, have attested.
• † I, Ordbriht, bishop, have set my mark.
• † I, Athulf, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Godwine, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Lyfing, bishop, have not refused.
• † I, Ælfhelm, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Wulfgar, abbot, have dictated.
• † I, Ælfric, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfhelm, ealdorman.
• † I, Leofwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmær, ealdorman.
• † I, Ordulf, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgeat, thegn.
• † I, Wulfheah, thegn.
• † I, Æthelmær, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwold, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgar, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Ordmær, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwine, thegn.
• † I, Æthelstan, thegn.
• † I, Godwine, thegn.
• † I, Godric, thegn.
• † I, Godwine, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Leofwine, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwig, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwig, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.

Who founded the abbey of Burton. #

In those days a certain thegn of Æthelred, king of the English, called Wulfric Spot, built an abbey called Burton, and gave it all his paternal inheritance, valued at 700 pounds. And that this donation might be held valid, he gave King Æthelred 300 mancuses of gold for his confirmation, and to each bishop 5 mancuses, and to the two archbishops 10 mancuses; and moreover to Ælfric, archbishop of Canterbury, the vill of Dumbleton, which had been unjustly taken from the church of Abingdon by his predecessors; and to each abbot a pound of gold, and also to each abbess 5 mancuses.

…the fabric of all things is contained, made by Him, the monarchy of the Godhead ordering all. We most wretched, poor little men, strangers and pilgrims on the earth, dust and ashes and embers, and subject to the inevitable bond of death — our first father Adam being exposed to the vicissitude of his own transgression — are compelled to go forth hence naked amid lamentable misfortunes, carrying nothing of this world with us except our sins; unless anyone, saved solely by the mercy of God and fortified beforehand by the impregnable arms of faith, hope and charity, through the manifold prevailing worth of good merits, may deserve to be presented by angelic spirits before the tribunal of so great a Judge, so that he may obtain immortal retribution for his own labour — according to what our most patient Job proclaims prophesying in the hour of his bereavement: “Naked came I forth from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither”; and again, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; as it pleased the Lord, so it is done. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

If therefore that most holy man, amid the bitter loss of his distress, did not hesitate to render such honourable thanks to his Maker, what remains for me — surnamed Æthelred by the peoples who everywhere lie beneath our royal sway — upon whom an abundantly overflowing power has been conferred by the Distributor of all dignities Himself, if I do not delay, after the pattern of the aforesaid man of God, to extol His name with worthy praise, and with most ready devotion to distribute to His faithful the things which come to me from Him day by day, according as each one’s need shall demand? But that the beginning of this discourse may be brought to a sure conclusion: a certain land of my own possession, namely 24 hides, called by the inhabitants “at Dumbleton”, lying apart in three places, I grant to my very faithful archbishop Ælfric — which he obtained from me for 120 talents by a weighty reckoning of public assay. A certain portion of this land has been subjected to common tenure through the fornicating transgression of a certain woman. And so, as we have said, it is divided in three places: containing 17 hides on the western side of the river Isbourne, and 2 on the eastern side of the same stream, assigned by lot to the common people at Easton, and also 5 in wooded places on either side of the rivulet which is called Pidwell, the surname of which place is called “at Fleferth”. And we determine that the aforesaid bishop may possess this gift for himself, as long as he lives, entirely free from every worldly service, with all things rightly pertaining to it — fields, woods, meadows, pastures, and wooded confines — three excepted: military service and the building of fortress or bridge.

Whoever shall wish to increase this, may heavenly blessing be increased upon him; but whoever attempts to diminish it, or brings in anything else in contrariety, or perchance produces an older deed, let him be anathematised from Christianity and charged with the crime of robbery, unless he quickly repents.

This land is bounded by these boundaries.

Boundaries. #

First to Dumbleton eastward on the Isbourne; thence south of the Isbourne; westwards along the dyke; then so straight up to Daga’s edge; then so along the stony brook into the boundary dyke; then so along to the sedge-mere; then so from the sedge-mere due east into the Isbourne at Dynna’s ford.

Then these are the boundaries at Pidwell: from Pidwell to the chalk-pits; from the chalk-pits due south along the ridge to Titta’s down; from Titta’s down west to the cold spring; thence to the winterbourne; so to Pidwell; from Pidwell to Eomer’s meadow; and so to the other winterbourne; then to Pidwell; and thence inward within the enclosure toward the town; and so along Pidwell up to the chalk-pits.

This donation was executed and recorded in the year of Christ’s Incarnation 1002, indiction 15, with the consent of these wise men whose names are seen inscribed below.

Witnesses. #

• † I, Æthelred, king of the English, have bestowed this bounty.
• † I, Æthelstan, the king’s son.
• † I, Ecgbyrht, the king’s son.
• † I, Edmund, the king’s son.
• † I, Eadred, the king’s son.
• † I, Eadwig, the king’s son.
• † I, Edgar, the king’s son.
• † I, Ælfric, archbishop, obtained it by purchase.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop, have attested.
• † I, Wulfstan, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Ælfheah, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Athulf, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Æscwig, bishop, have affirmed.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Lyfing, bishop.
• † I, Æthelric, bishop.
• † I, Ælfgar, bishop.
• † I, Godwine, bishop.
• † I, Ordbriht, bishop.
• † I, Ealdred, bishop.
• † I, Ælfhelm, bishop.
• † I, Ælfweard, abbot.
• † I, Ælfsige, abbot.
• † I, Wulfgar, abbot.
• † I, Kenulf, abbot.
• † I, Godwine, abbot.
• † I, Ælfhere, abbot.
• † I, Ælfsige, abbot.
• † I, Germanus, abbot.
• † I, Eadnoth, abbot.
• † I, Ælfric, abbot.
• † I, Leofric, abbot.
• † I, Wulfric, abbot.
• † I, Leofric, abbot.
• † I, Ælfgar, abbot.
• † I, Ælfric, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfhelm, ealdorman.
• † I, Leofwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmær, thegn.
• † I, Ordulf, thegn.
• † I, Wulfheah, thegn.
• † I, Wulfric, thegn.
• † I, Wulfgeat, thegn.
• † I, Freana, thegn.
• † I, Æthelmær, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwold, thegn.
• † I, Æthelric, thegn.
• † I, Byrhtric, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.

Thus the king’s gift of Dumbleton passed into the archbishop’s possession; and when he himself had come to the last of life, he appointed the church of Abingdon — whence he had been a monk — as his heir, laying his authority upon it, lest any presumptuous man should make his testament void. A copy of it was composed in such English writing as follows.

The Testament of Ælfric the Archbishop. #

Here is declared how Ælfric the archbishop drew up his will.

That is, first, as the payment for his soul he bequeaths to Christ’s Church the land at Wylla, and at Burna, and at Hrisenbeorgas; and he bequeaths to his lord his best ship and the tackle thereto, and 60 helmets and 60 coats of mail; and he desired, if it were his lord’s will, that he would grant to St Alban the land at Kingsbury, and that he himself should receive Eadulfingtun in exchange for it. And he bequeaths the land at Dumbleton to Abingdon, and Ælfnoth is to hold 3 hides of it for his day, and afterwards it is to go with the rest to Abingdon; and he bequeaths to them 10 oxen and 2 men, and may they remain in the lordship to which that land belongs. And he granted the land at Wallingford which he had bought to Ælfweard, and after his day it is to go to Ceolsey; and he bequeaths to St Alban the land at Tew — and the agreements between the abbot and Ceolric which were previously agreed with the archbishop are to stand: that is, that Ceolric is to have that portion of the land which he holds for his day, and also that portion which the archbishop let to him for payment — that was 8½ hides, for £5 and 50 mancuses of gold — and after his day it is all to go together to St Alban. And their covenant was that Osney after Ceolric’s day should also go thither. And the land in London which he had bought with his money he bequeaths to St Alban, and all his books he also bequeaths thither, and his carriage. And he directed that from the money that was to hand first every debt should be paid, and afterwards there should be provided for his heriot what was needed. And he granted one ship to the folk in Kent, and another to Wiltshire; and for the rest, in other things, if anything remained, he asked that Bishop Wulfstan and Abbot Leofric should dispose of them as seemed best to them. And the lands to the west, at Fittington and at Newton, he bequeaths to his sisters and their children; and the land of Ælfheah, Esa’s son, is to go to his kin. And he bequeaths to Archbishop Wulfstan a pectoral cross, and a ring and a Psalter; and to Bishop Ælfheah a cross. And for God’s favour he forgave the Kentish people the debt that they owed him, and likewise the people of Middlesex and Surrey the money that was due to him. And he wills that every condemned bondman who had been forfeited in his time be freed after his day.

If anyone changes this, may he have to reckon with God. Amen.

Which is thus rendered in Latin.

Here is declared how Ælfric the archbishop made the testament of his goods at the end.

First he gave to the church of Christ at Canterbury the land at Wella, and at Burna, and at Hrisenbeorga.

To his lord one of his best ships, with the armaments pertaining to it; and 60 helmets, with as many coats of mail.

And he pleaded with his lord that he would grant to the church of St Alban the land at Kingsbury, and that he himself should receive Eadulfingtun in exchange.

To the church of Abingdon, the land at Dumbleton — where he granted to a certain Ælfnoth 3 hides to hold only for his days, and afterwards it was to return with the rest of the land to the power of the church of Abingdon; moreover also 10 oxen with 2 men.

Also to a certain man named Ælfweard, the land which he had bought at Wallingford, that he might possess it as long as he lived, and after his decease the church of Ceolsey should obtain dominion over that land. To the church of St Alban the land at Tew and at Osney, with the land in London which the same archbishop had bought. All of which a certain Ceolric then held, but according to the agreement which he had with the archbishop, after the end of that man’s life everything was to return to the aforesaid church of the martyr. He also bequeathed all his books thither; and commanded that whatever had been received on loan from anyone should be repaid from his own means, and the rest expended on his funeral. He ordered one ship to be given to the people of Kent, and another to the people of Wiltshire. All the rest that appeared to be his, he asked the lord Bishop Wulfstan and Abbot Leofric to distribute by their providence as best they might judge. To his sisters and their children he gave the land of Fittington and of Newton; and the land which had belonged to Ælfheah, Esa’s son, he restored to be held by those to whom it properly belonged. To the lord Wulfstan the archbishop, one phylactery, with one ring and a Psalter; but also to Bishop Ælfheah he gave one cross in memory of him. The debts which were owed to him by many in various places he forgave.

And if anyone, according to the custom of the land of England, had fallen into any servitude during the time of his power, he ordered him to be released, freedom being wholly granted to him. Whosoever shall pervert these things otherwise than as has been stated, let him have his contention with God. Amen.

Charter of King Æthelred concerning Waltham. #

Honour and glory to the Creator of all creatures, who for the sake of peace so set apart the human race in charity toward one another, that both servants and lords, subjects and prelates, might dwell together throughout the ends of the earth; and infused into the hearts of lords and prelates so great a sweetness of charity that they loved their little servants and subjects as their own little children.

Wherefore I, Æthelred, king of the English, wish to make known to all dwelling round about the bounds of the English region that a certain man of mine — namely my reeve, called by the well-known name of Ælfgar — came into the presence of my sight, asking me to grant him 8 hides in the place called in the English tongue “at Waltham”, weighing out moreover a weight of ruddy gold and a gift of purest silver, which he valued at 300 gold mancuses, and with devoted hands offered it in the sight of my presence. I therefore, seeing the devotion of his mind and remembering his former acceptable service, assented to his petition according to the wish of his will. I have therefore granted him the aforesaid land, that he may possess it during the whole course of his life; and for the rest, may leave it as a perpetual inheritance to whatsoever heir he wishes.

Let the aforesaid land be free from every worldly burden, except military service and the building of bridge and fortress. Moreover, to all detractors of this present donation and their offspring let there be an everlasting scandal of malediction, until they make amends for the vice of their machination with lawful satisfaction.

But if anyone shall wish to set before this charter a new or a most ancient document, let it become the destruction of himself and of his own cunning, and let it remain for ever consumed by the fire of the divine lightning.

The aforesaid land is clearly encompassed by these boundaries.

Boundaries. #

These are the boundaries of Waltham: that is, first at Goda’s enclosure; from Goda’s enclosure to Egel’s stile; to the white enclosure; from the white enclosure to the great stock; from the great stock to Wassa’s hamm; from Wassa’s hamm to Bibba’s thorn; from Bibba’s thorn to Ceagga’s nook; from Ceagga’s nook to Wifel’s spring; from Wifel’s spring back east to Goda’s enclosure.

This charter of donation was executed in the new town which is called by the king’s name “Beorchore”, in the year 1007 from the Lord’s Incarnation, indiction 5, with these witnesses consenting whose names are inscribed below.

Witnesses. #

• † I, Æthelred, king of the English, encompass and confirm this same charter with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfgifu, the same king’s consort, confirm the aforesaid gift.
• † I, Æthelstan, the same king’s son, subscribe.
• † I, Edmund, the king’s son.
• † I, Eadred, the king’s son.
• † I, Eadwig, the king’s son.
• † I, Edgar, the king’s son.
• † I, Edward, the king’s son.
• † I, Ælfheah, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, consent.
• † I, Wulfstan, archbishop of York, confirm.
• † I, Ordbriht, bishop, confirm.
• † I, Lyfing, bishop, do not refuse.
• † I, Ælfhun, bishop, confirm.
• † I, Æthelwold, bishop, assent.
• † I, Brihtwold, bishop, subscribe.
• † I, Ælfgar, bishop, bear witness to this.
• † I, Godwine, bishop, approve.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, attest.
• † I, Æthelric, bishop, set my mark.
• † I, Godwine, bishop.
• † I, Ælfweard, abbot.
• † I, Wulfgar, abbot.
• † I, Brihtwold, abbot.
• † I, Ælfsige, abbot.
• † I, Ælfsige, abbot.
• † I, Germanus, abbot.
• † I, Æthelnoth, abbot.
• † I, Eadnoth, abbot.
• † I, Ælfhere, abbot.
• † I, Brihtwold, abbot.
• † I, Ælfric, ealdorman.
• † I, Eadric, ealdorman.
• † I, Leofwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Æthelmær, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwold, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Eadwine, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Ulfkytel, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Eadric, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwine, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Leofric, thegn.
• † I, Leofwine, thegn.
• † I, Æthelric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwig, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Ælfhelm, thegn.
• † I, Leofwine, thegn.
• † I, Godric, thegn.
• † I, Goda, thegn.
• † I, Ordeh, thegn.

Charter of King Æthelred concerning Whitchurch. #

The golden ages once, it is said, were hardly infected by the poisons of human wickedness, but are known to have used no territorial boundaries, pure simplicity flourishing everywhere, with rivalries far removed. But our age, darkened by the livid malice of mortals and beset by manifold calamities, for the avoiding of disputes desires to enjoy the boundaries of its own land — which nevertheless must be amended by justice, governed by prudence, held by temperance, and strengthened by fortitude; and in this fleeting life eternal things must be purchased by mortals with the utmost zeal.

Wherefore I, Æthelred, basileus of all Albion, by the nod of Almighty God ruling, generously grant to a certain thegn of mine faithfully obedient to me, Leofric by name, a certain parcel of land — namely 10 hides — to be possessed by his own right, in the vill famously called by the countryfolk “Whitchurch”, situated in the province of Oxfordshire beside the bank of the river Thames: that he may possess it freely, attaining his desire while life accompanies him, and leave it to whatever heir he pleases. Let this land with its appurtenances be free from every burden of secular service (except those common to all, namely military service and the restoration of bridge and fortress), to remain by our authority to him and his heirs for all time.

And if perchance anyone — which God forbid — is eager to annul this our donation, and prefers wickedly to subject it to his own dominion, let him know that he shall stand accused at the examination of Christ the most just Judge, unless perchance before the last day he purges himself of the stain of this offence.

This land, moreover, was once, even in our days, by right of paternal inheritance the property of a certain owner named Leofric; but he, living wickedly — that is, by rebelling against my soldiers in my expedition, and by unaccustomed rapine and adultery and many other nefarious crimes — condemned himself and his possessions alike. And therefore we will that this charter, by our power, shall in every way condemn any earlier title-deeds, if they be found, so that they may nowhere prevail against our authority.

Boundaries. #

With these boundaries, therefore, the aforesaid land is known to be surrounded, the countryfolk being witnesses.

First from Blæcca’s ford on the Thames; along the boundary to the southern bank; from the southern bank along the boundary to Ceacca’s spring-head; from Ceacca’s spring-head along the boundary to Beamster’s mere; from Beamster’s mere along the boundary to Headda’s stile; from Headda’s stile along the boundary to Leofrun’s boundary; from Leofrun’s boundary along the boundary back to Blæcca’s ford.

This our donation was written in the year 1012 after the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, indiction 10, in the month of June, with these witnesses whose names are noted below.

• † I, Æthelred, king by God’s governance, ordered this donation to be written.
• † I, Æthelstan, ætheling, stood by as faithful witness.
• † I, Edmund, ætheling, was present.
• † I, Eadred, ætheling.
• † I, Wulfstan, archbishop, set the mark of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Lyfing, bishop.
• † I, Eadnoth, bishop.
• † I, Ælfgar, bishop.
• † I, Ælfmær, bishop.
• † I, Godwine, bishop.
• † I, Æthelstan, bishop.
• † I, Eadric, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfric, ealdorman.
• † I, Leofwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Germanus, abbot.
• † I, Wulfgar, abbot.
• † I, Ælfric, abbot.
• † I, Godemann, abbot.
• † I, Ælfsige, abbot.
• † I, Brihtwold, abbot.
• † I, Æthelwine, abbot.
• † I, Æthelmær, thegn.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwine, thegn.
• † I, Ordmær, thegn.
• † I, Leofwine, thegn.
• † I, Goda, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Godwine, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.

Charter of King Æthelred concerning Chilton. #

The kind and ineffable and nourishing majesty of the Godhead, remaining immutable in itself, granted free will to all mortals, so that living holy and justly and piously, they might either enjoy angelic beatitude at the summit of the heavens, or, being disobedient to His commandments, be shut up with the ministers of Tartarus in infernal calamity. Therefore we must strive with all our strength, that those who abound in worldly riches may with earthly things earn Olympian dwellings, with perishing things lasting ones, and with transitory and momentary things eternal habitations, where the all-holding Creator of the universe, existing essentially in three Persons and subsisting substantially in one Name, sits on a shining throne of ineffable and unfathomable splendour, surrounded on every side by hymn-singing choirs of angels; where also the glittering companies of patriarchs, the truthful crowd of prophets and apostles, the victorious host of blessed martyrs, and also the glorious band of confessors and virgins, and the most famous family of all the heavenly virtues, shall reign for ever in everlasting glory with that same Author and Redeemer of ours, the bounteous Giver of all good things.

Delighted by the sweetness of this inexhaustible felicity, I, Æthelred, relying on the royal dignity by the loving-kindness of the most high God, freely bestow upon a certain beloved bishop of mine, who from the very cradles of his infancy is called by the name Beorhtwold, a certain parcel of land estimated by the inhabitants at 5 hides, in that place where the inhabitants by customary usage name it “Chilton”: that he may have and possess it as long as he endures in the span of this fleeting life; and after him freely leave it to whatsoever heir he pleases.

For a certain thegn, Wulfgeat by common report, had once possessed the aforesaid land, but because he joined himself as an associate in plots to the king’s enemies, and the due satisfaction of the law also failed him in the matter of the crime, he therefore wholly lost the substance of the inheritance; and from it the aforenamed bishop received the aforewritten little vill, by my grant.

Let this our immovable gift therefore remain joyful in eternal freedom, with all things known rightly to pertain to the same place, both in great and in small matters — fields, meadows, pastures, woods — three causes excepted, namely military service, the building of the bridge, and the fortification of the fortress.

But if anyone, in the progress of the times, kindled by the tinder of envy or the heats of avarice, shall attempt either to diminish or in any wise to alter my royal donation of power, let him be made a partaker with the parasites of infernal darkness, to burn in everlasting fires with the Devil and his accomplices, unless, desisting from this wickedness, he cease by repenting.

For the aforesaid land is bounded by these confines.

Boundaries. #

First from Wardun along the way to the pasture-settlement; so along the dyke of the pasture-settlement to the way on the east of the settlement; so along the way to the dyke’s corner; so along the dyke into the ash-tree; from the ash into the old mere; from the old mere into the broken ground; from the broken ground along the brook into the clearing-stumps; so from the clearing-stumps to Lodder’s thorn; so from Lodder’s thorn to the flag-stone; from the flag-stone to the fern-gore; from the fern-gore back to Waddun to the old brook.

And these are the bounds of the woodland at Thackley which belong hereto: first from the hatch to Dudemær’s hollow; from Dudemær’s hollow to the boundary-lea; from the boundary-lea to the stony-lea; from the stony-lea to the down-lea; from the down-lea so back into the hatch.

Finally, this deed of donation was written, the years from the Saviour’s Incarnation having run to 1015, indiction 13, with the favour of those whose names, poured forth and proclaimed by the beak of the pen, lie plainly open below to all who look upon them.

• † I, Æthelred, industrious basileus of the English, have granted this my donation to the beloved bishop with a joyful spirit as a perpetual inheritance.
• † I, Wulfstan, archbishop of the church of York, have pre-inscribed the king’s gift with the mark of the Cross.
• † I, Lyfing, bishop of the church of Canterbury, have consigned with the sign of the Cross.
• † I, Edmund, offspring of royal stock, with the others gave my assent.
• † I, Edward, ætheling, consenting with a willing spirit, was present at this blessing.
• † I, Ælfun, bishop of the church of London, confirmed the king’s benevolence.
• † I, Ælfsige, bishop of the city of Winchester, confirmed this bounty.
• † I, Beorhtwold, bishop of the church of Wilton, willingly assented to this donation.
• † I, Eadnoth, bishop of the church of Crediton, confirmed with the sign of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Beorhtræd, abbot, willingly consented.
• † I, Byrhtmær, abbot, did not refuse.
• † I, Wulfgar, abbot, attested.
• † I, Ælfsige, abbot, pledged.
• † I, Eadric, ealdorman, gave consent.
• † I, Uhtred, ealdorman, subscribed.
• † I, Leofwine, ealdorman, confirmed.
• † I, Godric, ealdorman, confirmed.
• † I, Æthelweard, thegn, did not refuse.
• † I, Oda, thegn, consented.
• † I, Ceolric, thegn, set my name.
• † I, Leofwine, thegn, consented to these things.

Concerning Ælfgifu, who restored Chelgrave and Bultesworth. #

A certain matron in those times, named Ælfgifu, granted to this church of Abingdon the land of Chelgrave and of Bultesworth; of which grant the witnesses were,

• † Oswald, archbishop, and
• † Ælfheah, bishop, and
• † Æscwig, bishop, and
• † Æthelsige, bishop, and
• † Ordulf, bishop.

Also Ealdorman Thured and many of the chief men, the king also favouring, and Abbot Eadwine presiding there.

Concerning Ælfled, who restored Winkfield. #

Likewise, another noble matron, named Eadflæd, bestowed on the church of Abingdon the land of Winkfield, and of Wickham, and of Hidesdun, with a shrine of holy relics and a text of the Gospels adorned with silver and gold, with also a silver chalice and a priestly vestment.

Concerning Edwin, who restored Bedene. #

Likewise, a prince of the South Saxons, Edwin by name, dying at the place of Abingdon, is buried there. By the grant of his testament, the lands of Bedene and of Hordeuilla were left to the same.

Concerning the Prophecy of Saint Dunstan. #

Now in the time of this Æthelred, as I have said before, when the blessed Dunstan set the diadem upon his head, a sudden change of the realm came to pass. For within a short space six archbishops — namely Dunstan, Lyfing, Ælfgar, Siric, Ælfric, and Ælfheah — having attained the archiepiscopal see of the church of Canterbury, departed to their fate, perchance for this reason deprived of this light, lest the loving mercy of pious fathers should see sons rising up against them who had degenerated. Nor this only; but upon the greater in birth and the more powerful in dignity — indeed, of whatsoever condition, both men and women throughout all England — sudden fear and devastation alike rushed in. For a barbarian people (that is, of the Danes) is reported to have come into England by ship with their king Swein, who exercised such ferocity everywhere, and likewise impiety, that they spared neither dignity nor age, neither sex nor condition. When the English people saw that they could least of all resist their depopulation and assault, some through fear of death, others for the sake of preserving their goods, some even traitorously, betook themselves to the king of the Danes. And so it came to pass that the kingdom, divided against itself, was wretchedly desolated. What more? King Æthelred, seeing himself estranged both from the fidelity and the fellowship of his men, made for Normandy with hasty steps, together with his wife and children. Swein therefore reigned in England for a few days, because by the divine judgement he was deprived of both kingdom and life in short space. But after his death King Æthelred of the English, returning as quickly as he could from parts beyond the sea, with none contradicting, regained the kingdom he had held before.

Now King Æthelred took in marriage the daughter of Richard, count of the Normans, named Emma, whom the English surnamed Ælfgifu Imma; of whom he begot Edward and other children, a man of great piety. The brother of the same queen was called Richard the younger, of whom was born Robert, the father of William, who afterwards attacking England usurped the kingdom there.

Meanwhile so great and so frequent a change of ecclesiastical and secular affairs came to pass in this country in those times as anyone among the English had hitherto never heard. For under the same king’s reign, six patriarchs successively succeeding one another exchanged the summit of the see of Canterbury by death: namely Dunstan, Ælfgar, Sigeric, Ælfric, Ælfheah, Lyfing. And among the greater persons of secular rank, divers turns of fortune befell. For the Danish people with their king Swein, landing in England, poured out their ferocity and impiety everywhere so greatly, man by man, that they gave up all things to plunder, burning, and slaughter. No reverence was then paid either to dignity, or to age, or to sex. Every perverse betrayer of justice had refuge with the enemy; others through fear did the same. Thus King Æthelred, progressively abandoned by his own, sought Normandy together with his wife, and entrusted himself to Richard the younger, count of the Normans, whose sister he had in marriage. But Swein, usurping the kingdom of England, was received as lord; yet he was not permitted to rejoice therein long, since he is deprived of both kingdom and life soon by God’s judgement. After whose death the king of the English, returning from beyond the sea, regained the kingdom he had before held.

Concerning the Death of King Æthelred, and the Reign of King Edmund, his Son. #

Likewise, the Danes, accomplices of the dead Swein, conspiring together with the English against their rightful lord, submit themselves to Cnut, the son of the same king, give their faith, and promise to proceed readily to whatever he wished. Vexed again by such deceits, the anxious king is seized by illness, and having completed 36 years in the kingdom — years entangled in the varied outcome of dangers — he dies. Without delay Edmund his son is crowned by those who had adhered to his father. He, attempting to scatter Cnut’s party by war, persuaded the minds of many to bring aid, so that they might repel the dominion of the barbarian race from themselves by a vigorous hand. A multitude therefore having been gathered to him, he made war on his adversaries five times in the same year. Yet he could not prevail over them; rather it happened that they increased and he declined, and also that a very great number of nobles was slain on both sides. Wherefore the armies of both princes resolve to follow that counsel whereby peace might be established by oath and faith on both sides; lest, namely, any further shedding of so much blood of their own men should come about through desire of ruling. He was consulted and brought to the very place of the matter; and so, the kings being reconciled with one another, Edmund should rule over the West Saxon peoples, Cnut over the Mercians.

When these things had thus been accomplished, Edmund departed this life, not more than six months’ course having run since he had taken the helm of the kingdom. Then Cnut obtained the monarchy of all Britain, and indeed the dominion of Denmark and Norway likewise. Amid these movements so widely discordant in England — God’s mercy protecting here, and Abbot Wulfgar’s industry keeping watch there — the monastery of Abingdon remained immune from the devastation of the Danes, while the enemy’s incursion on right and left everywhere undermined all places, or, if it grew more benevolent, suffered the inhabitants to redeem themselves at a very great price.

Concerning the Death of Abbot Wulfgar. #

About the same time the lord Wulfgar — “The shepherd failing, weeping made his end; whom the devoted flock tenderly treated and loved” — was succeeded in the pastoral office by the lord Æthelwine, a proven champion of equity and of very great intimacy with Cnut, for which reason he attained his desire. Whence the king conducted himself towards the place of Abingdon as though a private man, diligently bestowing his reverence there. Which is still proclaimed by a celebrated token, in that he caused a shrine of silver and gold, handsomely adorned, to be made in honour of the martyr and deacon Vincent of Spain, that therein the relics of the same martyr might be placed, to be venerated openly with the highest reverence by all seeking heavenly aid thereby. On it also inscriptions were carved, of which this is the form: — In the upper part there was an image; and these writings were contained beneath:

“This was accomplished in the time of the lord father Æthelwine, in honour of the martyr Vincent.”

This aforenamed queen Imma indeed — namely Ælfgifu Imma — was first joined in wedlock to King Æthelred; whom afterwards Cnut, when his kingdom was established, took in marriage, and begot Harthacnut from her. To this pious benefaction King Cnut added, in that he then gave there two bells of a rather full tone, which were indeed much praised at the time. Moreover Abbot Æthelwine made another casket, after the form of that which had been made by the king, of nearly equal size, into which he placed the relics of saints which he had sought out.

Concerning Abbot Siward. #

He therefore departing this life received as successor Siward, a monk indeed of the monastery of Glastonbury, strongly supported in both secular and ecclesiastical vigour. Mention of him is thus contained in a certain charter of the same king.

Charter of King Cnut concerning Mytun. #

In the name of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 1034, indiction 2, I, Cnut, king of the English and, by heavenly grace assenting, governor and ruler of the whole circle of Britain, chosen as king over the peoples and tribes by the same God and our Lord Jesus Christ, in the 19th year of my reign, was asked by the venerable abbot of the church of Abingdon, by name Siward, that I should freely grant a certain land of 3 hides, in the place called by the inhabitants Mytun, to the monastery of the most blessed Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary which is situated at Abingdon; for the sake of His love who says, “Ask, and it shall be given you.” Let this our immovable gift therefore remain joyful in eternal freedom, with all things rightly pertaining to it, both in known and unknown causes, in small and in great — fields, meadows, pastures, and the courses of waters — excepting these three: military service and the restoration of bridge and fortress. And we command in the name of God the Father Almighty, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, that no man, puffed up with pride, or by any malicious instigation, shall dare to alter this aforesaid donation and liberty into the molestation of any burden. And if anyone refuses to assent to these written letters, let him be delivered into the deep chaos with fiery bonds, and let his memory be covered with the darkness of death. And let him know that he is estranged from the fellowship of God’s holy church by the authority of the blessed Apostle Peter and of all his companions, unless before death he has made amends here by worthy satisfaction for what he wrought by malicious machination against our decree. But if anyone shall wish to increase this, may God increase his portion in the land of the living.

• † I, Cnut, king of the English, have granted.
• † I, Ælfgifu, the queen, most gladly obtained this liberty from my lord the aforesaid king.
• † I, Æthelnoth, archbishop, and I, Ælfric, with all the rest, have confirmed.

Charter of King Cnut concerning Mytun. 1033. #

The Scripture of sacred authority confirms us, saying: “Naked came I forth from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither”; and again, “We brought nothing into this world, and neither can we carry anything out of it.” Wherefore I, Cnut — not unmindful of the slippery dominion — by Christ’s gift king and primicerius of all Albion, presiding over the summit of the kingdom with a humble mind, for the sake of the reward of a greater prize, freely grant a certain small parcel of land, furnished with 3 hides, in the place whose name is set forth by sure stipulation as Mytun, to the church of Blessed Mary, Mother of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the place called Abingdon, to Abbot Siward and the brethren there serving God; beseeching and commanding in the name of Christ that none of our successors, of higher or lower degree, shall in any wise, by any impulse of rashness, break this gift of our devotion. Let the aforesaid land be free from every yoke of earthly servitude, three excepted — namely established military service and the restoration of bridge and fortress.

If anyone therefore shall wish to transfer this our donation to anything other than we have established, let him, deprived of the fellowship of God’s holy church, be punished for ever in the eternal flames of the abyss, if he does not make amends by fitting satisfaction for having transgressed against our decree. But if any envious man, kindled by the fire-bearing flames of avarice, shall attempt to superimpose upon this truthful little document another little document inked all round by the deceit of cupidity, let him be anathema maranatha — that is, cut off from the fellowship of Christians — until, coming to his senses, he repent of what he had approved in the malice of envious deceit.

The aforesaid land is girded here and there by these boundaries.

Boundaries. #

These are the boundaries of the 3 hides at Mytun: first on the Leomene, always by the middle of the stream; so from the Leomene to Dodda’s pasture; from the pasture to the grey thorn; from the thorn to the Broad-mere; from the mere to Tæcel’s brook; always by the middle of the stream on the Avon; along the Avon always by the middle of the stream; back to the Leomene.

In the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 1033, indiction 1, the charter was written, with these witnesses consenting whose names are inscribed below.

• † I, Æthelnoth, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have confirmed the royal gift with the mark of the Holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfric, archbishop of the city of York, have established the generosity of this bounty with the sign of the adorable Cross.
• † I, Brihtwold, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Ælfwine, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Æthelric, bishop, have supported.
• † I, Bryhtmær, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Bryhtheh, bishop, have not refused.
• † I, Æthelweard, abbot.
• † I, Ælfwine, abbot.
• † I, Ælfweard, abbot.
• † I, Stigand, priest.
• † I, Eadwold, priest.
• † I, Godwine, ealdorman.
• † I, Leofric, ealdorman.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Tocig, thegn.
• † I, Osgod, thegn.
• † I, Thured, thegn.
• † I, Leofwine, thegn.
• † I, Tokig, soldier.
• † I, Godric, reeve.
• † I, Totig.
• † I, Ælfweard, reeve.
• † I, Owine.
• † I, Tofig.
• † I, Osmund, reeve.
• † I, Karl, soldier.
• † I, Ulf, soldier.

Charter of King Cnut concerning Linford. #

Peace and victory to the worshippers of the apostolic faith for ever. We pray that the authority of the Catholic Church may abide constant and unfailing. Moreover diverse bounties are commanded to be cast and offered at the holy sanctuaries in the treasury of the Lord, since to the King new-born of the heavens, as it is written, “the kings of the earth offered gifts.”

Wherefore I, Cnut, by the free favour and kindly sovereignty of the divine monarchy king of all Albion, bestow as a perpetual inheritance upon our Lord Jesus Christ and His ever-Virgin Mother Mary, for the use of the servants of God in the place called Abingdon, a small parcel of land which is called by the inhabitants of this region “at Linford” — namely consisting of 2 hides — and a certain small monastery consecrated in honour of Saint Martin the bishop, with a small adjoining estate in the city which is called by the famous name Oxford; commanding in the name of the holy Trinity and indivisible Unity that no man of any rank shall presume to take away the aforesaid donation from the aforesaid monastery. Let this small portion of land therefore remain free, three causes being set apart: namely hostile military service, the building of the royal fortress, and the restoration of the bridge.

But if any envious man, kindled by the fire-bearing flames of avarice, shall attempt to superimpose upon this truthful little document another little document inked all round by the deceit of cupidity, let him be anathema maranatha — that is, cut off from the fellowship of Christians — until, coming to his senses, he repent of what he had approved in the malice of envious deceit.

The aforesaid land is said to be thus delimited by the inhabitants dwelling round it.

Boundaries. #

First from the Eocce east along the old dyke to the loam-pits; from the pits east by the boundary to Byttman’s dyke; from the dyke east by the boundary to Cyllrith; along Cyllrith to Botta’s island; from Botta’s island by Leofric’s boundary to Winegar’s post; from the post to the western side of Wihtluf’s hamm; back to the Eocce.

This plot of land Æthelwine bequeathed to Abingdon, and the enclosure in Oxford which he himself built, in the presence of many witnesses.

This little bit of land Æthelwine gave by testament as an inheritance to Abingdon, and the court at Oxford in which he himself resided. And this he did with the testimony of many.

This charter was therefore executed in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 1032, indiction 15; and that this deed may obtain the solidity of inviolable firmness:

• † I, Ælfgifu, consort of the aforesaid king, have strengthened this gift with the banner of the venerable Cross.
• † I, Æthelnoth, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have confirmed the royal gift with the emblem of the holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfric, archbishop of the city of York, have established the bounty of this munificence with the sign of the adorable Cross.
• † I, Æthelsige, bishop, have acquiesced.
• † I, Brihtwold, bishop, have given my support.
• † I, Æthelric, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Æthelric, bishop, have not refused.
• † I, Lyfing, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Brihtwig, bishop, have favoured it.
• † I, Æthelweard, abbot.
• † I, Ælfwine, abbot.
• † I, Siward, abbot.
• † I, Æthelweard, abbot.
• † I, Ælfwine, priest.
• † I, Eadwold, priest.
• † I, Godwine, earl.
• † I, Leofric, earl.
• † I, Siward, thegn.
• † I, Harold, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwine, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Tofig, thegn.
• † I, Osgod, thegn.
• † I, Thored, thegn.
• † I, Leofwine, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwig, thegn.
• † I, Tofig, thegn.
• † I, Karl, thegn.
• † I, Lyfing, reeve.
• † I, Ælfstan, thegn.
• † I, Thurkil, thegn.
• † I, Ælfgar, thegn.
• † I, Ceolric, thegn.

[In these are set forth both the times of the aforesaid abbot and the confirmations by King Cnut of these possessions of the church of Abingdon, whereby that church was then enlarged.]

The Will of King Æthelred #

In those days a very powerful man named Æthelweard, coming to the end of his life, bestowed upon this monastery 8 and a half hides at Sandford, and three shrines, together with one large crystal.

[In the times of this king, too, the relics of Saint Edward, king and martyr, were brought to Abingdon. And when the bearer afterwards resolved to carry them away from there, by the will of God he halted on his journey not far from the church, his feet held fast to the very ground, and could go no further. Thus the sacred pledges were carried back to the church, and are preserved there to this day.

King Cnut, moreover, ruling Denmark, Norway, and England imperially and with a strong hand, having sought the aid of the chief Apostles Peter and Paul at the Roman citadel, and having enacted, by the counsel of his elder and prudent men, laws whereby the nations subject to him might be united in the settlement of lawsuits, ended his days in peace.]

Of the Gifts of King Cnut #

King Cnut also caused a casket to be made of silver and gold in honour of the most glorious martyr Vincent of Spain, whose relics are contained in this church. The same king also gave to this house two great bells, which are kept in that church to the present day. At this time also Abbot Æthelwine had a shrine made, after the fashion of the shrine which had been made by the king and of nearly equal size, in which he honourably deposited the relics of saints which he had diligently gathered. He also made a silver cross, which is still kept in this church.

When the Relics of Saint Edward Were Brought to Abingdon #

Also in the time of King Cnut the relics of Saint Edward, king and martyr, which are contained in that church, were miraculously brought to this house of Abingdon; as is most clearly recorded in the account of the passion and life of the most glorious martyr.

Of the Coming of Abbot Siward #

…supported in abundant measure by the vigour of both secular and ecclesiastical learning. And on account of the benignity which King Cnut knew to overflow ever from his breast, the same king charitably bestowed upon this house the church of Saint Martin in Oxford, together with a small estate.

How Abbot Siward Wished to Pull Down the Church of Saint Æthelwold #

Meanwhile, when one day the venerable Abbot Siward was walking in the court of the abbey, as was his custom, lifting up his eyes towards the church and the offices which his blessed predecessor Æthelwold had rebuilt, he resolved in his mind to pull down the church together with the offices, to change them for the better, and to rebuild them larger. And when he had already conceived this in his mind, seeing nevertheless that he neither could nor would undertake such a work — either to demolish it thus or to build another in its place — without the king’s favour and permission, he went to the king after taking counsel, intending to ask leave of him for the readier execution of this business. And without delay he obtained, the sooner and without refusal, that which he asked of the king. And so, when he had deliberated at length upon the beginning of this undertaking, weighing carefully the holiness of life of the venerable man Æthelwold, his predecessor, who had both begun and completed that same work, he feared to destroy it, greatly afraid lest by a deed of this kind he should incur the displeasure of the most glorious confessor.

What need of many words? By the counsel of his brethren, having appointed for themselves fasts of several days, they implored the divine mercy, and moreover the patronage of the blessed Æthelwold, that it might be divinely revealed to them whether it would be more expedient for them to remain in the old monastery or to build a new one. And it came to pass after some days, when the venerable man Abbot Siward was resting upon his bed, that the blessed Æthelwold appeared to him in a dream, saying: “What you are turning over in your mind, what you are deliberating with yourself hereafter to do concerning the pulling down of my church and my buildings and their rebuilding anew, I know well; and therefore I have come to counsel you what is more fitting to be done in the execution of this business. It is not for your time to destroy this work of mine, nor to build another; and that you may the more surely give credence to my words, mark diligently: there shall come a certain man from the parts beyond the sea, the future father and shepherd of this place, who shall pull down that work and begin a new one; yet he shall not complete it. After him there shall come two others, likewise to be shepherds of this place, who shall strive to accomplish many good things, both in buildings and in the other matters befitting this place, as being needful. And when these have departed this life, through the long lapse of time there shall be no one in this place, as shepherd and abbot to come, who in like manner shall study to enlarge this place with good things. But in the last days there shall be a certain man, likewise to be abbot of this place, who in the bowels of Christ shall embrace this place with such affection that, heaping good things upon good things, pulling down buildings and rebuilding them better, adorning the church, keeping the rule, diminishing nothing of its customs but rather increasing them, fearing God, strong in virtue, renowned for the holiness of his life, a pious father and shepherd worthy to be so called, in the peace of his heart he shall await the peace of eternity.”

When Siward had heard these things, being awaked from sleep he began to give thanks to God and to desist from his purpose, and took diligent care to bestow upon the poor the money which he had gathered together for the beginning of that work.

Of the Death of King Cnut #

When King Cnut was dead, and also Harold, his son born of a concubine, Harthacnut, his son by Emma, formerly queen of King Æthelred, reigned. He, at the admonition of Abbot Siward, gave Farnborough to this house and confirmed it by his charter, the tenor of which charter is as follows:

Charter of Harthacnut concerning Farnborough #

All the patrimonies of the ages are left to uncertain heirs of posterity, and all the glory of the world, as the appointed term of death draws near, dwindles away to nothing. For the sake of this thing, therefore, exchanging earthly possessions of perishable things, let us gain, with the Lord’s help, the rewards of the heavenly fatherland which abide for ever.

Wherefore, not unmindful of fleeting power, I, Harthacnut, by Christ’s bestowal king and chief ruler of the English and the Danes, for the reward of the heavenly prize freely grant a certain small portion of land, namely 10 hides, in the place which is declared by the well-known name of Farnborough, to the church of the blessed Mary, mother of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, in that little place which is called Abingdon, for the use of the brethren serving God there; beseeching and commanding in the name of Christ that none of our successors, of higher or lower degree, shall in any wise disturb this gift of our devotion by any prompting of rashness.

If anyone, therefore, shall bring forward openly another little document, falsely entitled in the ink of wicked greed, against this one, may it profit neither himself nor his avarice; but may he be pierced for ever by the divine pen, and himself remain anathematised by my prohibition and that of my bishops, and cut off from the fellowship of Christians, and moreover cut off from the Body and Blood of the Lord, and after death miserably condemned to the pains of hell.

And that the dwellers of the aforesaid land may always possess the inviolable strength of liberty, they are freed by royal precept from every secular yoke, the obligations of three matters alone excepted, namely the common levy, the building of the bridge and roadway, and the maintenance of the royal fortress. Now it must be told by what bounds the aforesaid land appears to be determined round about.

Boundaries #

These are the land-boundaries that belong to Farnborough. From Farnborough west along the road to the stones; from the stones south along the road to the headlands; from the headlands along the ridge-row up to the dyke which is north of Studfold; then forth along the dyke to the boundary-stream east of Lillinglea; then forth along the southern road to the long tree; then forth west along the road over Beocum to the stone-quarry; then north along the narrow way east of the broken barrow to the road that lies to the east; then forth along the road to Cytel’s stream, west of Mulescombe, where the ways fork; then forth to Scyldmere; then forth along the furrow to Fyrcumbe; along the middle of Fyrcumbe to the dean; then forth along the dean to the meeting of the ways; then forth to the white way, to the hoar thorn; then from the white way to Farnborough; and the clearing east of Catmere which belongs thereto, that is, on the road that leads to Stanley; then forth afterwards south upon the stony way from the boundary of the Stanmering men; then forth along the narrow way to the riding-way which is called Stifinc’s way, that is, the boundary of the Catmering men and of the land at Farnborough; then forth along the way out onto the open field; and all the sloping woods between that way and the one which leads to Stanley belong wholly to Farnborough.

This charter of donation was therefore executed in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 1042, the tenth indiction, that is, in the 2nd year of my reign, on the appointed weekday and day of the moon, in the royal vill which is called Sutton, under the witness of those whose names are written below.

• † I, Harthacnut, king, proclaim my gift on every side and confirm it all around with the sign of the holy Cross.
• † I, Eadgifu, mother of the same king, confirm the royal gift with the trophy of the venerable Cross.
• † I, Edward, brother of the aforesaid king, desire to be present as a true witness.
• † I, Eadsige, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, sign the same king’s donation with the trophy of the holy Cross.
• † I, Ælfric, archbishop of the church of York, consent with cheerful countenance.
• † I, Brihtwold, bishop, confirm.
• † I, Ælfwine, bishop, assent with cheerful countenance.
• † I, Dudoc, bishop, confirm with my own hand.
• † I, Brihtwine, bishop, am present as a most steadfast witness.
• † I, Lyfing, bishop, bear witness to this with a glad heart.
• † I, Eadnoth, bishop, do not refuse.
• † I, Æthelstan, bishop, desire to be present as a true witness.
• † I, Wulfsige, bishop, do not deny.
• † I, Æthelweard, abbot.
• † I, Ælfwine, abbot.
• † I, Siward, abbot.
• † I, Wulfsige, abbot.
• † I, Ælfwig, abbot.
• † I, Eadwold, priest.
• † I, Stigand, priest.
• † I, Ælfwine, priest.
• † I, Spirites, priest.
• † I, Herman, priest.
• † I, Leofric, priest.
• † I, Godwine, earl.
• † I, Leofric, earl.
• † I, Sig.
• † I, Osgod, soldier.
• † I, Acig, soldier.
• † I, Toki, soldier.
• † I, Ordgar, reeve.
• † I, Urki, thegn.
• † I, Ælfget, thegn.
• † I, Ulfnoth, reeve.
• † I, Karl, thegn.
• † I, Ælfstan, thegn.
• † I, Æthelwig, thegn.
• † I, Cyneweard, reeve.
• † I, Æthelmær, thegn.
• † I, Tofi, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwig, reeve.
• † I, Æthelric, reeve.
• † I, Brihtric, thegn.

Of the Death of King Harthacnut #

[King Harthacnut, then, exacted from the people of England a tribute almost insupportable. The corpse, too, of Harold, who had reigned before him — on account of the excessive hatred with which he had seized the kingdom in his place — he ordered to be dug up and to be sunk in a place of deepest mire. Whence in the mouth of every man a curse was uttered against him, that punishment for such cruelty would not long be wanting. And so it came to pass. For as he was feasting cheerfully in the royal hall, he fell suddenly to the ground and expired, not declaring a single word of his affairs to anyone. These things thus accomplished, Edward, the son of King Æthelred, is received by all with joy as their lord, favour is poured out, and the diadem is placed upon him.]

To Harthacnut, king of the English, succeeded his most blessed brother Edward, the son of Æthelred, formerly king of the English, and of Emma. Supported by Eadsige, archbishop of Canterbury, and by Lyfing, bishop of Worcester, and by Earl Godwine, whose daughter he was to take as queen, he is raised to the kingship at London; and he is anointed king at Winchester by the archbishops — Eadsige of Canterbury and Ælfric of York — and almost all the other leading men of the whole of England, on the first day of Easter (3 April 1043); whose benefactions, which he bestowed upon the house of Abingdon, we shall note below.

Of Saint Edward the King #

…the abbot of Abingdon, as being a discreet and religious man, though consecrated bishop of Rochester, should still administer all things in his own place and stead. Which being done, Æthelstan, then the sacrist of the aforesaid monastery, is set over it.

Charter of King Edward concerning 8 hides beside the Kennet #

The sacred authority of Scripture confirms us, saying: “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither;” and again, “We brought nothing into this world, and truly we can carry nothing out of it.”

Wherefore, not unmindful of fleeting power, I, Edward, by Christ’s bestowal king and chief ruler of all Albion, presiding over the summit of the kingdom with a humble mind, for the reward of a greater prize, granting freely, bestow a certain small portion of land, 8 hides, beside the river which is called the Kennet, namely that land which a certain countryman named Eadric is known to have held, upon the church of the blessed Mary, mother of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the place which is called Abingdon, freely granting it for the use of the brethren serving God there; beseeching and commanding in the name of Christ that none of our successors, of higher or lower degree, shall in any wise disturb this gift of our devotion by any prompting of rashness.

Now may the aforesaid land, which I with the consent of my nobles have bestowed upon the aforesaid monastery, be free from every yoke of earthly servitude, these three things excepted, namely the appointed levy and the restoration of bridge and fortress. But if anyone, instigated by a devilish spirit, shall presumptuously attempt to violate or to alter this gift, unless, being guilty, he repent with fitting satisfaction before his death, may he, cast down into the everlasting fires of the abyss, be punished in mourning eternally with Judas the betrayer of Christ. By these boundaries the aforesaid land appears to be encompassed.

Boundaries #

First on the Kennet at Sceol’s old cottages; thence up along the stream to Eadgifu’s boundary; then north into the Hydden; then north to the boundary of the Lambourn men; then east along the boundary to Ælfwig’s boundary; then south along the boundary to the Hydden; then south by the boundary back again into the stream of the Kennet.

This aforesaid donation was made in the year 1050 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• † I, Edward, king of the English, have unswervingly consented to and confirmed the aforesaid donation under the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Eadsige, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have subscribed the same king’s gift with the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Stigand, bishop of the church of Winchester, have confirmed the emblem of the holy Cross.
• † I, Herman, bishop, have subscribed and assented.
• † I, Ulf, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Duduc, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Duduc, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Leofric, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Ealdred, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Rodbert, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Æthelweard, abbot, have established.
• † I, Ordric, abbot, have assented.
• † I, Wulfweard, abbot, have confirmed.
• † I, Godwine, earl.
• † I, Leofric, earl.
• † I, Harold, earl.
• † I, Sihtric, earl.
• † I, Ralph, earl.
• † I, Tosti, thegn.
• † I, Brihtric, thegn.
• † I, Ælfstan, thegn.
• † I, Tofi, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwig, provost.
• † I, Leofwine, thegn.
• † I, Rodbert, priest.
• † I, Godwine, priest.
• † I, Regenbald, priest.
• † I, Lyfing, priest.
• † I, William, priest.
• † I, Brihtric, priest.
• † I, Cynsige, priest.
• † I, Winsige, priest.
• † I, Nefetofi, thegn.
• † I, Ælfweard, thegn.
• † Cyneweard, provost.

[Under the same abbot the same king granted to this church a portion of land of 5 hides at Chilton, which portion King Æthelred, the father of this King Edward, had given to Brihtwold, bishop of Wilton.]

The sacred authority of Scripture confirms us, saying: “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither;” and again, “We brought nothing into this world, and truly we can carry nothing out of it.” Wherefore, not unmindful of fleeting power, I, Edward, by Christ’s bestowal king and chief ruler of all Albion, presiding over the summit of the kingdom with a humble mind, for the reward of a greater prize, freely grant a certain small portion of land consisting of 5 hides, which is declared by the fixed name of Chilton, to the church of the blessed Mary, mother of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the place which is called Abingdon, for the use of the brethren serving God there; beseeching and commanding in the name of Christ that none of our successors, of higher or lower degree, shall in any wise disturb this gift of our devotion by any prompting of rashness.

Now may the aforesaid land, which I with the consent of my nobles have bestowed upon the aforesaid monastery, be free from every yoke of earthly servitude, these three things excepted, namely the appointed levy and the restoration of bridge and fortress. But if anyone, instigated by a devilish spirit, shall presumptuously attempt to violate or to alter this gift, unless, being guilty, he repent with fitting satisfaction before his death, may he, cast down into the everlasting fires of the abyss, be punished in mourning eternally with Judas the betrayer of Christ.

By these bounds the aforesaid land is encircled on every side.

Boundaries #

First from Waddon along the way to the grass-enclosure; then along the dyke of the grass-enclosure to the road on the east side of the three homesteads; then along the way to the corner of the triple dyke; then along the dyke into the ash-tree; from the ash-tree into the old pool; from the old pool into the breach; along the breach into the rood-stumps; then from the rood-stumps to Lodder’s thorn; then from Lodder’s thorn to the flag-stone; from the flag-stone to the ferny point; from the ferny point back to Waddon, to the old beech.

And these are the boundaries of the woodland at Threckley which belongs thereto. First from the gate to Dudemær’s hollow; from Dudemær’s hollow to the boundary-lea; from the boundary-lea to Stone-lea; from Stone-lea to the hill-lea; from the hill-lea back again into the gate.

This aforesaid donation was made in the year 1052 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• † I, Edward, king of the English, have unswervingly consented to and confirmed the aforesaid donation under the sign of the holy Cross.
• † I, Eadsige, archbishop, have subscribed the same king’s gift with the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Stigand, bishop.
• † I, Herman, bishop.
• † I, Ulf, bishop.
• † I, Leofric, bishop.
• † I, Ordric, abbot.
• † I, Æthelweard, abbot.
• † I, Ælfwine, abbot.
• † I, Godwine, earl.
• † I, Leofric, earl.
• † I, Harold, earl.
• † I, Siward, earl.
• † I, Ralph, earl.
• † I, Tosti, thegn.
• † I, Cyneweard, provost.
• † I, Regenbald, priest.
• † I, Rodbert, priest.
• † I, Cynsige, priest.
• † I, Æthelwig, priest.
• † I, Brihteh, thegn.
• † I, Æthelmær, thegn.
• † I, Eadwine, thegn.

Of the Dispute concerning Leckhampstead #

A dispute was then being agitated at Abingdon concerning a certain vill called Leckhampstead. For a certain rich man, named Brihtwine, declared that by Siward’s gift he had received it to hold as his hereditary right, since by the power of his lordship he disposed of what he pleased. But in this he imposed a falsehood. For in the time of King Cnut his father, named Brihtmund, had acquired that same estate from the convent of the monks of Abingdon on the express condition that it should be enjoyed for the lives of three persons (namely, himself and two others whom Brihtmund should designate); and when that term had elapsed, it should be freely restored to the hand of the monks. When he died, therefore, the secondary permission to enjoy the land passed to his wife; the third, to Brihtnod, their son. And after his death — Siward wishing to assign that land again to the use of the monks, the number of the three occupants having now run its course — the aforesaid Brihtwine, the brother of Brihtnod, came with a retinue of certain nobles to Abingdon to petition the abbot that he also might be a tenant thereof as long as he lived; the abbot was long entreated, and at length this was obtained. And when that abbot had now turned his reins elsewhere, that man set about overturning whatever had previously been agreed, asserting that a hereditary right over that land had been granted to him and to his heirs. Against which Bishop Siward, directing a letter to Earl Godwine, showed that the man had prosecuted his claim falsely, writing thus:—

The Reply of Bishop Siward concerning Leckhampstead #

Siward, bishop, to Earl Godwine, and to Bishop Herman, and to Cyneweard, and to all the other nobles of Berkshire, greeting.

I have heard that Brihtwine is appropriating to himself outright the land of Leckhampstead; but he does this unjustly. For, by my permission, he obtained it on this condition, that after his decease it should return freely into the hand of the monks. Which agreement was made in the presence of very many illustrious men, on the day when Brihtnod his brother, having died, was buried at Abingdon — who, third after his father (for his mother was between himself and his father), enjoyed the possession of that land, to which it had been granted by the monks of Abingdon, in King Cnut’s time, only for the span of three lives of men to be made its possessors. That these things stand no otherwise, I swear by the faith which I owe to God and to the king my lord, pledging it between us. But if anyone still disbelieves these things, I shall be ready in the truth of what I have asserted, by whatever judgement your judgement can justly determine.

Although these things were put forward by the bishop’s testimony, that man nevertheless was so cunning of wit that his hold upon the land could not be shaken off until the days of Abbot Ordric (of whom we shall treat below).

Of the Vill of Lewknor #

A certain matron, Ælfgifu by name, of most noble royal blood — being, that is, a kinswoman of Edith, the queen of King Edward — held, as part of her marriage portion, a certain vill which is called Lewknor, in which she dwelt the more often. When she had run the course of this present life and was drawing near to her end, she left the vill of Lewknor to be held by her aforesaid kinswoman, whom she loved above all others, though absent — the thing that in her worldly affairs she held most dear. And when the matron had met the end of her life, the steward of her household in the vill began to exercise lordship over it as though it had been given to himself, the queen being wholly unaware that it had been given to her, since she was absent. The aforesaid steward sorely afflicted those subject to him, being in every way harsh and burdensome to them. For he plundered their goods, and hung over each one beyond measure like a greedy exactor. Among whom upon a certain Eadwine, surnamed Rainer, he inflicted many evils; and although he held all in hatred, he wearied this man with labours above the rest.

But Eadwine, provoked by so many evils and bearing bitterly the injury done him, resolved at last to shake the inhuman yoke of so wicked a man from his own neck and from those of his fellows. And coming to the aforesaid queen, he showed her the man’s tyranny and the heavy oppression of his people; and relating how that same vill had been given to her by her deceased kinswoman, he asked why, as for her own folk, she did not better provide for them. But the queen said that she knew not that the vill had been given to her, and asserted that up to that time no one had told her of it. And Eadwine said: “In whatever manner you shall command, I will prove both that the vill is yours and that he holds it unjustly.” Then the aforesaid steward was summoned and came to the court; and (to cut the matter short), convicted by manifest truth, he could in no wise deny that it was as Eadwine asserted. Afterwards, though unwilling, he handed over the vill to the queen; and for his offence he fell into her mercy with all his goods.

These things having thus been done, it happened that King Edward came with his mother and his wife to Abingdon for the sake of lodging. And when they had gone round all the offices of the brethren to see them, they found in the refectory the boy-monks — as is the custom for boys — taking food before the refection of the brethren on account of the weakness of their age. And coming nearer, and seeing that nothing but bread was set before them, the queen, being a lady of the court, asked why they ate so near to the brethren’s table and had nothing to taste besides bread. When they answered that they scarcely ever had anything else, the queen was moved to pity by the meagreness of their fare; and calling the king, who was present, she earnestly begged that he would grant the boys some income, so that thence it might be the better for them, since they had (so to speak) come to their banquet. And when the king said cheerfully that he would gladly give them somewhat, if he had at hand an estate or possession suitable for the purpose, “I,” said the queen, “have lately acquired a vill which is called Lewknor; this, if it please you, I grant to them in perpetual gift for the honour of the Blessed Mary.” And when he had replied that this was greatly pleasing to him, the vill of Lewknor was made over, under the style of the boys’ morning repast, into the lordship of the abbey of Abingdon by the perpetual donation of King Edward and Queen Edith.

We find, moreover, that this same vill was in ancient times given to this church, when he died, by a certain most noble man of the Danes named Novitov, together with its members (that is, Hachamstead and the rest); but that afterwards, through the adversities which are wont to arise against the church, it was for a time alienated from the church’s lordship, and (as we have said before) in a succeeding age recovered again — or rather given afresh and confirmed by the king’s own mouth. Rightly, therefore, shall every objection to the former and, God willing, to the final possession cease, since the ground of the second reversion is manifest.

Of the Death of Bishop Siward #

When the reverend Bishop Siward had passed some years in the episcopate, being borne down by infirmity, he returned to Abingdon — by the counsel of those same persons by whose admonition he had been deemed unfit for the episcopal dignity — and there dying was honourably committed to burial, leaving to those who should dwell there after him a bountiful memorial of himself, since the monks have held in lordship to this day the vill of Whitley, given by him and situated on the border of the town of Wallingford. He left also the whole equipment of his chapel, in which were contained a shrine of holy relics, two books of the Gospels, not large but comely, fittingly wrought in silver and gold, a chalice of very great size and praiseworthy workmanship, an ivory comb of graceful form, an alb, an amice, a stole with maniple, and a chasuble of white colour, each of gleaming gold-woven stuff, and many other things which for the sake of brevity I pass over.

Of the Death of Abbot Æthelstan #

The lord Abbot Æthelstan, of good memory, a pre-eminent devotee of almsgiving and of piety, had died in the year preceding the passing of the lord Siward. For, that the working of such virtue might be proved in him: when so great a scarcity of famine pressed that a sextarius of corn was then sold for 5 shillings, there was no one in any region round about who relieved more zealously or more copiously than he all, both his own folk and strangers, who begged of him the alms of sustenance.

Of Abbot Spearhafoc #

Such fathers, then, having departed in peace to their rest, as we believe, the king appointed as abbot of Abingdon a certain monk of the church of Saint Edmund, king and martyr, most skilled in the goldsmith’s art, named Spearhafoc. From him Stigand, bishop of the city of Winchester — then also bearing the care of the archbishopric of Canterbury (for since the death of its governor the place remained vacant of rule) — being a cunning pleader, extorted that the land called Cyme, situated in Gloucestershire, should be commended to him for a fixed term; on condition that, as the recompense of the commendation, at the appointed time of its restitution he should unite to the church of Abingdon by perpetual gift Aston, a certain vill adjoining Lewknor. But having obtained what he sought, he neither restored the commended land nor paid the promised reward of the commendation.

For King William the elder, having conquered England, kept that same Stigand, committed to captivity, therein until his death. And Spearhafoc, promoted by the king to the bishopric of the city of London in the same year as the aforesaid bargain, had received by the same king’s assignment a supply of gold and choice gems for the fashioning of the imperial crown. Whereupon also, having stuffed the compartments of very many purses with the money of the bishopric, he secretly withdrew from England and was seen no more. Such ends did God’s vengeance bring upon those by whose machinations the church was diminished of its increase. And so, according to the aforesaid determination, it was thus decided concerning the manor in the presence and under the witness of King Edward.

Of Bishop Rodulf #

Thereupon the king sent a certain aged man named Rodulf to be set in the abbot’s place, who had long governed a bishopric among the people of Norway, and at length, preferring to live released from such a charge, came to the king himself, said to be his kinsman, by whom he was also received. And that the monks might receive him and treat him honourably, both for God’s sake and for his own — as being now ripe in the greatest hoariness — he granted them leave that, when he should depart, they might rather elect as his successor whomsoever of their own they would. The king was obeyed. The submission of due reverence was fittingly paid to the man by the brethren. Nor did the royal promise in any wise deceive them thereafter.

Of Abbot Ordric #

For when the aforesaid old man had died, not two full years having elapsed, Ordric — a man of middle age and gracious courtesy, a monk of the church of Abingdon — was received by them as abbot amid the great joy of all, the king giving his aid. And because he was loved not a little by the king, he obtained by his edict many things necessary for the liberty of his church. According to the form of which the other abbots, his successors after him, have to this day sought to be possessed of the investiture of that abbacy. They run in this wise:

Charter of King Edward, in English #

…(4) team, and (5) infangenetheof within borough and without borough, (6) hamsocne, and (7) grithbryce, and (8) forestall, over his own land. And I will not suffer any man to take from him any of the things which I have granted him.

Interpretation in Latin #

King Edward greets his bishops, and his abbots, and his earls and barons who are in those shires where Abbot Ordric has land; and I make known to you that I have granted to him, for the monastery of Saint Mary, (1) sake, (2) soke, (3) toll, and (4) team, and (5) infangenetheof within borough and without borough, (6) assault upon a house, and (7) breach of the peace, (8) forestalling, over his own land. And I will not allow any man to take from him any of these things which I have granted him to have.

Charter of King Edward concerning the Hundred of Hornemere #

King Edward greets Bishop Herman, and Earl Harold, and Godric, and all his thegns in Berkshire, in friendly wise. And I make known to you that Abbot Ordric and all the community of the minster of Abingdon are by my grant and gift freely to have and hold the hundred of Hornemere in their own power for ever and ever, and so that no shire-reeve or moot-reeve shall have any soke or moot there, save by the abbot’s own command and grant.

Interpretation in Latin #

King Edward greets Bishop Herman, and Earl Harold, and Godric, and all his barons of Berkshire, in friendly wise. And I make known to you that Abbot Ordric and all the congregation of the monastery of Abingdon may freely have and possess, by my grant and gift, the hundred of Hornemere in their own power for ever and ever, and so that no sheriff or reeve may have any soke or plea there without the abbot’s own command and grant.

Of the 4 Hides of Sandford #

Our Lord Jesus Christ reigning and governing all things visible and invisible. I, Edward, basileus, by the grace of God governor and ruler of the whole race of the Anglo-Saxons and of the other peoples dwelling round about, judge it worth the labour, on account of the diverse vicissitudes of this present life through the course of time, to strengthen my inexhaustible gift with indissoluble letters. For since I often recall to mind that which, according to the evangelical promises, is proclaimed as proved: “Give, and it shall be given unto you” — therefore to one of my faithful ealdormen, called by the name of Godwine, I grant in perpetuity 4 hides, there in the common land where the common folk by ancient report call it Sandford; with all things rightly pertaining thereto — fields, pastures, meadows — so that he may securely possess and well enjoy it while he lives; and leave it after him to whatsoever heir he shall choose, as is before stated, into everlasting possession. Now may the aforesaid land remain immune from all worldly services, three things nevertheless excepted: the levy, and the construction of bridge and fortress. But if anyone shall seek to interrupt aught of this our donation, either with an ancient document or with some hindrance of false subversion, may he be thrust headlong beneath the wave of the Stygian river into deepest hell, unless he prefer first to come to satisfaction here. By these boundaries the aforesaid land appears to be encompassed.

Boundaries #

These are the land-boundaries of Sandford in the common land. First from Stubbuc’s weir; then north along the Thames by half the stream into Sandford’s leat; then along the leat into Sandford; from Sandford east along the leat up to Fernige’s head; from Fernige’s head up through the marsh east into the street; and so south along the street into the boundary of Beald’s men; and so west along the boundary into the boundary of the new men; and so along the boundary to the south side of Hochill; from Hochill due west back to Stubbuc’s weir.

This aforesaid donation was made in the year 1050 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Witnesses #

• † I, Edward, king of the English, have unswervingly consented to and confirmed the aforesaid donation under the sign of the holy Cross.
• † I, Eadsige, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have subscribed the same king’s gift with the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Stigand, bishop of the church of Winchester, have confirmed the emblem of the holy Cross.
• † I, Ulf, bishop, have subscribed and assented.
• † I, Duduc, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Duduc, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Leofric, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Herman, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Ælfwold, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Ealdred, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Rodbert, bishop, have subscribed.
• † I, Æthelweard, abbot, have established.
• † I, Spearhafoc, abbot, have assented.
• † I, Wulfheard, abbot, have confirmed.
• † I, Godwine, earl.
• † I, Leofric, earl.
• † I, Harold, earl.
• † I, Sihtric, earl.
• † I, Ralph, earl.
• † I, Tosti, thegn.
• † I, Ælfstan, thegn.
• † I, Brihtric, thegn.
• † I, Tofi, thegn.
• † I, Ælfwig, provost.
• † I, Leofwine, thegn.
• † I, Rodbert, priest.
• † I, Godwine, priest.
• † I, Regenbald, priest.
• † I, Lyfing, priest.
• † I, William, priest.
• † I, Brihtric, priest.
• † I, Cynsige, thegn.
• † I, Wihtsige, thegn.
• † I, Æthelric, thegn.
• † I, Nefetofi, thegn.
• † I, Ælfweard, thegn.
• † I, Godwine, provost of the city.

Of the Death of Earl Godwine #

When Earl Godwine was dead, his son Harold succeeded him; at whose suggestion, Abbot Ordric obtaining it, Edward, king of the English, granted to the church of Abingdon Sandford beyond the river Thames, of 4 hides, and confirmed it by his charter. Which is thus inscribed:

…all the patrimonies of the ages are left to uncertain heirs of posterity, and all the glory of the world, as the appointed term of death draws near, dwindles away to nothing. For the sake of this thing, therefore, exchanging earthly possessions of perishable things, let us gain, with the Lord’s help, the rewards of the heavenly fatherland which abide for ever.

Wherefore, not unmindful of fleeting power, I, Edward, by Christ’s bestowal king and chief ruler of the English and the Danes, for the reward of the heavenly prize freely grant a certain small portion of land, 4 hides in the common land, in the place which is declared by the well-known name of Sandford, to the church of the blessed Mary, mother of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, in that little place which is called Abingdon, for the use of the brethren serving God there; beseeching and commanding in the name of Christ that none of our successors, of higher or lower degree, shall in any wise disturb this gift of our devotion by any prompting of rashness.

If anyone, therefore, shall bring forward openly another little document, falsely entitled in the ink of wicked greed, against this one, may it profit neither himself nor his avarice; but may he be pierced for ever by the divine pen, and himself remain anathematised by my prohibition and that of my bishops, and cut off from the fellowship of Christians, and moreover cut off from the Body and Blood of the Lord, and after death miserably condemned to the pains of hell. And that the dwellers of the aforesaid land may always possess the inviolable strength of liberty, they are freed by royal precept from every secular yoke, the obligations of three matters alone excepted, namely the common levy, the building of the bridge and roadway, and the maintenance of the royal fortress. Now it must be told by what bounds the aforesaid land appears to be determined round about.

Boundaries #

These are the land-boundaries of Sandford in the common land. First from Stubbuc’s weir; then north along the Thames by half the stream into Sandford’s leat; then along the leat into Sandford; from Sandford east along the leat up to Fernige’s head; up through the marsh east into the street; and so south along the street into the boundary of Beald’s men; and so west along the boundary into the boundary of the new men; and so along the boundary to the south side of Hochill; from Hochill due west back to Stubbuc’s weir. This aforesaid donation was made in the year 1054 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Witnesses #

• † I, Edward, king of the English, have unswervingly consented to and confirmed the aforesaid donation under the sign of the holy Cross.
• † I, Eadsige, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, have subscribed the same king’s gift with the seal of the holy Cross.
• † I, Stigand, bishop.
• † I, Ulf, bishop.
• † I, Dudoc, bishop.
• † I, Herman, bishop.
• † I, Leofric, bishop.
• † I, Ealdred, bishop.
• † I, Rodbert, bishop.
• † I, Leofsige, abbot.
• † I, Ordric, abbot.
• † I, Wulfweard, abbot.
• † I, Ælfwine, abbot.
• † I, Godwine, earl.
• † I, Leofric, earl.
• † I, Siward, earl.
• † I, Harold, earl.
• † I, Ralph, earl.
• † I, Tosti, thegn.
• † I, Ælfstan, thegn.
• † I, Brihtric, thegn.
• † I, Tofig, thegn.
• † I, Cyneweard, provost.
• † I, Ælfwig, provost.
• † I, Rodbert, priest.
• † I, Regenbald, priest.
• † I, Godwine, priest.
• † I, William, priest.
• † I, Cynsige, priest.
• † I, Brihtric, priest.
• † I, Leofwine, thegn.
• † I, Wihtsige, thegn.
• † I, Nefetofi, thegn.
• † I, Ælfweard, thegn.
• † I, Wulfstan, thegn.
• † I, Æthelric, thegn.

King Edward Gave Leofwartun #

Under the same abbot the same king added to his gift 8 hides beside the river Kennet, a portion of land which is called Leofwartun, which King Æthelred had given to his thegn Brihtric.

Charter of King Edward #

I, Edward, by Christ’s bestowal king and chief ruler of all Albion, presiding over the summit of the kingdom with a humble mind, for the reward of a greater prize, granting freely, bestow a certain small portion of land, 8 hides, beside the river which is called the Kennet, namely that land which a certain countryman named Eadric is known to have held, upon the church of the blessed Mary, mother of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the place which is called Abingdon, freely granting it for the use of the brethren serving God there; beseeching and commanding in the name of Christ that none of our successors, of higher or lower degree, shall in any wise disturb this gift of our devotion by any prompting of rashness. Now may the aforesaid land, which I with the consent of my nobles have bestowed upon the aforesaid monastery, be free from every yoke of earthly servitude, these three things excepted, namely the appointed levy and the restoration of bridge and fortress.

But if anyone, instigated by a devilish spirit, shall presumptuously attempt to violate or to alter this gift, unless, being guilty, he repent with fitting satisfaction before his death, may he, cast down into the everlasting fires of the abyss, be punished in mourning eternally with Judas the betrayer of Christ.

This donation was made in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 1050.

Witnesses #

• † I, Edward, king of the English, have consented and confirmed.
• † I, Stigand, bishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Herman, bishop, have assented.
• † I, Ulf, bishop, have consented.
• † I, Ordric, abbot, have assented.
• † I, Godwine, earl, with many others, have subscribed.

At the same time a priest named Blacheman, surnamed the Moneyed, by permission of the abbot and monks, built a church in honour of the Apostle Andrew on an island situated to the south of the monastery; on whose sides, to right and left, he fitted in wondrous wise dwelling-chambers after the manner of monks’ cells, with houses for eating, for cooking victuals, and for sleeping, and the other things necessary for men’s living, adorned within and without in every part with paintings and carvings delightful to the sight, and covered the roofs of the several buildings with sheets of lead. To which island, from the name of Andrew, the name of Andresey is fixed. When such a dwelling had been prepared there, insinuating himself privately among the monks — both by the display of gold and silver and by the profusion of a fluent tongue — he brought it to this point of profit for himself, that he was accounted the possessor of the aforesaid lands, namely Sandford, Chilton, and Leofwartun. But what profit accrued to him from the buildings erected on the island, we shall relate hereafter. Meanwhile, let us pursue the events of this time.

Brithwin, of whom we made mention in treating of the house of bishop Siward, was possessed of the land of Leckhampstead up to this time without the monks’ permission, and bore himself the more confidently because he had with him the Landboc, that is, the little book containing the description of the land. For anyone could plead more confidently about any land in whose hand such a document was held. Wherefore the abbot first contrived by a prudent stratagem that the same document should be restored to him. After this had been brought about through earl Harold, whose favour the abbot employed for the purpose, it was decreed that in an assembly of the elders, when the arguments of those disputing about the aforesaid land from either side had been weighed, it should be determined to whom the ownership of that land should more rightly belong for the future. And so, when the matter was disputed on the appointed day, the pleaders, to whom the just ordering of the right had there been delegated, having ascertained the true issue of the arguments on either side, adjudged the abbot’s cause the juster. Whereupon the land was freely restored to him and to the monks. And not long afterwards, when Hermann, the diocesan bishop of this place, dedicated the church built at that time at the entrance of the cemetery, among the other things which were then done by episcopal office, whether of admission or exclusion, he excluded from the communion of Christendom and struck with perpetual anathema all who should from that time strive in like manner to wrest the produce of the aforesaid land from the sustenance of the monks dwelling at Abingdon. Let posterity see what must be guarded against herein.

Charter of Ten Hides at Leckhampstead. #

In the name of God Most High, enthroned on high, who from the summit of heaven governs and disposes in due order all things visible and invisible, and in the course of this present life we daily behold temporal possessions and all the faculties of riches failing and decaying before our human eyes. Thus by change the frailty of mortal life withers away, the rolling round of the ages comes to nought, and grief and lamentation are poured out at the loss of dear kinsfolk and friends.

Wherefore I, Eadwig, king of the English and of the other peoples dwelling round about, to my faithful thegn, named Eadric, on account of his loving service and his pleasing fidelity, by way of free gift do grant and bestow 10 hides, in the place where the common people from ancient report call it Leckhampstead; that he may enjoy it well and possess it perpetually while he passes unscathed through the course of this fleeting age and the vital spirit cleaves to the corruptible flesh; and after him leave it for ever to whomsoever he will, as I have said before.

Let the aforesaid land be free from every worldly hindrance, with all the things that are known rightly to pertain to that place, both in great and in small matters, in fields, pastures, meadows, and woods, excepting therefrom military service and the building of bridge and fortress.

Moreover, for the increase of the aforesaid gift, I have given to the aforesaid thegn by perpetual donation a certain mill, beside the diverted courses of the waters at Lambourn.

At this time the deceivers of this world are known to have begun to cry out and to claim for themselves, usurpingly and with the ambition of iniquity, another’s gain; but the sluggish onsets of avarice I utterly forbid in the name of the Holy Trinity to all Christians, so that my gift may stand confirmed with the sign of the Holy Cross. Even if anyone should produce in public another old document, let it profit neither himself nor others, but let it be blotted out of the eternal register, and neither be written nor heard among the just.

Lastly, if anyone, against our will, should fraudulently consent to this our gift being violated, let him consider that he shall render account for it before God on the last day of Judgement, and that with the reprobate, to whom it is said, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire” [Matt. xxv. 41], he shall suffer cruel torments, unless he shall first have made amends by bodily lamentation.

This charter, therefore, together with the land, the same Eadric on his death left to the church of Abingdon; which charter, together with the land, abbot Ordric wrested from the aforesaid Brithwin.

It was a custom among the English that monks who wished might take possession of monies and patrimonies, and, enjoying the same, might dispose of them as they pleased. Hence also at Abingdon two men, named Leofric and Godric Cild, of whom the one, Godric, held the manor of Sparsholt, near the place which is vulgarly called the Mount of the White Horse, and the other, Leofric, that of Whitchurch, upon the river Thames, held them by right of patrimony. Of these the one, namely Sparsholt, has remained in the fee of the church to this day; but the other was possessed by Wigod, lord of the townsmen of Wallingford, the will of the aforesaid monks wavering this way and that concerning these same lands. Nor would it have fallen out otherwise with the one than with the other, had he not, after the manner of his nation, won over by over-indulgent flattery a brother not yet schooled in sterner ways, while the lord Athelhelm the abbot held the lordship of this place.

Charter of Ten Hides at Sparsholt. #

Whatever things are determined by wholesome counsel according to the decrees of the canons and the institutes of the Church, although a mere utterance without a written text would suffice, nevertheless, since in our times storms and whirlwinds of secular affairs oftentimes beat even upon the gates of the Church, we have therefore deemed it worthwhile, as a safeguard for the future, to annex to the pages of scripture the things which have been determined, lest, consigned to oblivion, they should be unknown to posterity.

Wherefore I, Edgar, relying on the royal dignity bestowed by the Lord, have granted in perpetual inheritance to my chamberlain, named Athelsige, a certain small portion of land, namely 10 hides, in the place which is called Sparsholt, and 1 hide with a quantity of 12 acres which are in the place called Bathalacing, and also one mill at Hyrdegrave, with a portion of 12 acres pertaining to the said mill. By this tenor, moreover, I have granted it in conveyance: that he shall possess it until the end of his life, with all things rightly pertaining thereto, in fields, meadows, pastures, and woods; and after him shall leave it in perpetual right to whatsoever heir he will. Let the aforesaid land be free from all royal tribute, except military service and the construction of bridge and fortress.

If anyone, enticed by greed, should attempt to make void or to break the ordinance of this decree, let him know that he shall render account at the dread judgement.

This document was written in the year 963 from the Incarnation of the Lord, with these witnesses:

• † I, Edgar, king, have confirmed.
• † I, Dunstan, archbishop, have confirmed.
• † I, Cynesige, bishop, have confirmed; with many others.

Charter of Whitchurch. #

The golden ages of old, as it is said, not infected with the poisoned wickednesses of men, but in pure simplicity, enmities being removed and flourishing everywhere, are known to have used no boundaries. But our age, darkened by the spiteful malice of mortals and beset with calamities of many kinds, desires, for the avoiding of lawsuits, to enjoy its own land defined by boundaries; which nevertheless must be amended by justice, governed by providence, held by temperance, and confirmed by fortitude; and in this fleeting life, eternal things must be earned by mortals with the utmost zeal.

Wherefore I, Æthelred, king of all Albion, by the governance of the will of Almighty God, do liberally grant to a certain thegn of mine who serves me faithfully, Leofric by name, a certain little support of land, namely 10 hides, to be possessed by his own right, in the village which is famously called Whitchurch by the countryfolk, situated in the province of Oxford, beside the bank of the river Thames; that he may freely possess it, gaining his wish, so long as life accompanies him, and leave it to whatever heir it shall please him. Let this land with its appurtenances be free from every burden of secular servitude, except those which are common to all, namely military service and the repair of bridge and fortress, to endure by our authority for himself and his heirs through all time.

And if by chance anyone shall strive to annul this our donation (which God forbid), and impiously prefer that it be subjected to his own lordship, let him know that he shall stand guilty at the judgement of Christ, the most just Judge, unless before the last day he shall cleanse himself of the guilt of this offence.

This estate, moreover, belonged formerly, and even in our own days, by right of paternal inheritance to a certain possessor, Leofric by name; but he, living impiously — that is, by rebelling against my soldiers in my expedition, and by unaccustomed rapine and adulteries and many other wicked crimes — has condemned himself and his possessions alike. And therefore we will that this charter, by our power, should in every way condemn the older title-deeds, if any be found, so that they may in no wise prevail against our authority.

This our donation was written in the year 1012 after the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the tenth indiction, in the month of July, with these witnesses:

Witnesses. #

• † I, Æthelred, king, have confirmed.
• † I, Æthelstan, the king’s son, have confirmed.
• † I, Wulfstan, archbishop, have confirmed; with many others.

Now the monastery of Abingdon has the river Thames flowing past it on the southern side, by which shipping is carried hither and thither. But in the time of abbot Ordric, beyond the court of the church, which is there called Barton by the inhabitants, near a hamlet named Adtropa, the channel of that river, running in its course, presented to those who rowed through it no small difficulty. For the ground, raised much higher below than above, often made the channel itself too shallow for the water. Wherefore the citizens of the city of Oxford (for their shipping very often made its passage there) petitioned that the course of the river should be diverted through the church’s meadow, which lies open lower down to the south, on such terms that for all time thereafter they should pay to the monks’ cellarer, as of custom, 100 herrings from each of their ships. And when their wish had been carried into effect, the aforesaid covenant is exacted to this day, as it was agreed.

About the same time, while the night office of the day of the Lord’s Nativity was being solemnly celebrated by the brethren, a certain crippled man was suddenly healed by divine power in the presence of many who were there.

Moreover, a custom had crept in during those days — to no small detriment in the future — that anyone offering a quantity of gold or silver would receive by purchase, in the various places of the abbey, a portion of land of three or five hides, or a whole vill; cloaking this under a kind of pretence, in that the licence of possessing the same was extended only for the lives of three or two men. From which deed it came about that, when the dominion of the English was not long afterwards transferred to the Normans, each of these same places was distributed among their knights. Nor should anyone marvel at this. For after the excessive and long-continued oppression of the Danes, now that relief therefrom had at last been granted, their troubles forgotten, every man broke out into unlawful enterprises.

Of the Death of King Edward. #

While so many strange events were daily defiling the realm, the feast of the birth of Christ was at hand. At that time, in the presence of the king and his nobles at Westminster, the dedication of the church built there by the king himself in honour of the holy apostle Peter was celebrated. When lo, in the festival of that very week, while all were intent upon rejoicing, the king was seized with sickness, and on the eve of the Epiphany he closed his last day; and earl Harold, son of earl Godwine, succeeded him as king.

Of Abbot Ordric. #

Abbot Ordric also, after he had honourably governed the house committed to him, and had returned to his own from the shrine of the princes of the Apostles, whither he had gone for devotion’s sake, wasted by long sickness, drew his last day about the feast of St Vincent the martyr [22 January]. Then two were set in place: earl Harold, namely, as king of the English; and Ealdred, who had hitherto exercised the office of provost of the external affairs of Abingdon, as abbot of the monks there.

Moreover, at the next feast of Easter [16 April], an unusual star, which they call a comet, appeared for the space of one week, presaging that something very great and unexpected would come to pass. Nor did the expectation prove false. For as the month of September was coming in, the king of Norway, called by the same name as the king of England, namely Harold, landed in England, reckoning it a gain to claim the kingdom there for himself, earl Tosti, the brother of our king Harold, giving him support. The king of the English met them beyond the city of York, and destroyed them both in battle, together with their auxiliaries.

Scarcely was the end of this victory accomplished when lo, he learns from a messenger that William, count of Normandy, threatens him at Hastings, and is ready to bring war upon him unless he sooner yields the kingdom; William alleging that he had a better right than he to reign in England, since King Edward, lately deceased, had left him the kingdom on account of the line of kinship, and that under his own attestation and grant. Harold, making light of the message and trusting too much in his own strength, attacked the count with less prudence than was fitting, and found him to be superior whom in his foolish daring he had deemed inferior; and so, falling in battle, both he and all his companions perished with him.

When William had obtained the crown of England, while some promised him the fidelity of subjection, others, judging it more prudent, withdrew to seek for themselves abodes abroad in other kingdoms, abbot Ealdred, acquiescing in the judgement of the majority, paid his oaths of fidelity to the king. But while many of this latter sort were departing, then also the mother of the slain king, taking with her in her train the priest Blacheman, together with very many others, left England. This priest, as we have mentioned in the chronicle of abbot Ordric, having become the church’s man, had held of it Sandford, Childestun, and Leowardestun. But when he departed from England, as I have said, whatever had been his was brought into the king’s hand, as that of a fugitive. Wherefore the abbot with great labour obtained from the king the restoration of the aforesaid lands.

As the abbot himself had set forth his claim to these lands, so he would perhaps also have set forth concerning the rest which at that time had passed from the lordship of the church into the right of another, had he not, to his own and the church’s misfortune, incurred the king’s displeasure; of which we shall inform you hereafter. For a certain rich man, Turkill by name, under the witness and by the counsel of earl Harold, did homage for himself, with his land which is called Kingston, to the church of Abingdon and to abbot Ordric; for it was lawful for any free man at that time so to do, so that the lordship of the aforesaid vill should depend upon the perpetual right of this church. When he had fallen in the aforesaid battle, Henry de Ferrers usurped to himself the land, the investiture of whose lordship the church had held in hand long before the battle took place, the abbot being too feeble to resist. In like manner also was it done concerning the land which is called Fyfield. For a certain sheriff named Godric had received the same land to hold from the church on such terms that it should be possessed by hereditary right for the life of three men; yet whatever offence should chance to the possessors, the church should incur no loss thereby. And so, when he too was slain in battle together with the aforesaid man, the same Henry de Ferrers added this vill, with the other, to his own lordship.

Nor were troubles of this kind brought upon us in those days only from without, but losses of the church’s ornaments came even within the sanctuary itself. For by the queen’s command it was ordered that the more precious of them should be carried to her. When the abbot, consulting with the brethren, asked what should be done in this matter, they decided to send to the queen some of the choicer ornaments; which, when they were presented to her, she rejected, and demanded richer ones. Whereupon they — on whom the strange dread of new rulers pressed on every side — brought forth into the open, at the will of the imperious lady, what they ought to have guarded more carefully: namely a chasuble wonderfully embroidered throughout with gold thread, together with a choral cope of the very finest quality, an alb also with a stole, and a text of the Gospels, each adorned with gold and gems in praiseworthy workmanship.

Of the Imprisonment of Abbot Ealdred. #

Meanwhile many commotions began to be contrived in the English realm, plotted by those for whom it was now necessary to endure the dominion of foreigners, though hitherto unaccustomed to it. Some of them hid themselves in the woods, others in island places, living by plunder after the manner of pirates, and butchering whomsoever they met; others enticed the Danish people to attack England. When these had come to England at their wish, they merely drove off plunder, consumed certain places with fire, and subjected certain men to captivity. But being able neither to join battle at close quarters nor to conquer the kingdom, they returned to their own country with their business unaccomplished.

Amid such attempts, when men of diverse order and dignity had joined themselves together, then also the bishop of Durham, Ægelwin by name, was found among those who had been taken captive, and being sent to Abingdon, there dragged out his days in captivity until his death. But the men of the abbey of Abingdon also, when they ought to have favoured the party of King William, being changed in mind and purpose, directed their steps under arms to the place where they had learnt that the king’s own enemies had halted. Surrounded on the way and taken captive, they were thrown into prison, and were miserably enough afflicted. The king’s enmity was extended also against their lord, that is, abbot Ealdred, who was also called Brithwin (for he had two names), so that without delay, by the king’s command, he was placed in captivity at the castle of Wallingford. After some time, however, he was brought out of the aforesaid place and committed to be kept in the hands of Walkelin, bishop of Winchester, with whom he remained as long as he lived.

At that season, by reason of the lately changed state of the realm, since the precious belongings of very many men had been deposited in the monastery of Abingdon, lest they should be carried off at home by plunderers and perish without a protector, this was made known to the officials of the court through the information of informers, and men were sent thither accordingly, and whatever of this kind was found was taken away. Moreover, the more precious things that could be found within the precincts of the monks — a store of gold and silver, of vestments, books, and vessels of divers kinds, reckoned to the use and honour of the church — many were carried off without distinction. No reverence was shown in prospect for the sacred thresholds, no compassion for the desolate brethren. Outside, through the villages, devastation was spread abroad everywhere, without regard to any man. And so neither the recounting nor the reckoning of the things lost by the abbey in that time is easy to tell. In carrying out of which work, Froger, then sheriff of Berkshire, bore himself foremost. But afterwards the vengeance of God, who orders all things, restrained the immoderate progress of that powerful man over the downcast, so that both the tyrannical licence by which he was borne aloft was taken from him by royal justice, and he was made, for as long as he lived, an object of contempt to all men in poverty and folly; in these miseries offering an open warning to his successors, that a place dedicated to the protection of the Queen of heaven, and consecrated moreover by the memory of the holy men who both founded and inhabited it, ought rather to be reverenced than despoiled.

Thus far, with God’s help, as well as we could, we have recorded in these two preceding books the lands and possessions which the ancient kings and queens, and likewise their men, both in the time of the English and of the Danes, gave in pure and perpetual alms to God and the Blessed Mary, and to this house of Abingdon, and to the monks serving God there for ever, and firmly confirmed by their charters. Moreover, we have carefully placed in their fitting places the several charters of the kings who reigned in succession, and also the benefactions of all others who conferred their gifts upon this house. But if any mortal should marvel at the aforesaid lands and possessions — now given, now taken away, and now possessed, and again recovered — let him read the books in order, and he will find nothing contradictory therein which should justly lead his mind into doubt.

Here ends the Second Book. #

Here begins the Third Book. #

Also the same king, under the same abbot, granted to this church a portion of land of 5 hides at Chilton, which portion King Æthelred, the father of this King Edward, had given to Beorhtwald, bishop of Wilton.

Charter of King Edward concerning Chilton. #

The Scripture of sacred authority confirms us, saying, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither”; and again, “We brought nothing into this world, and neither can we carry anything out of it” [Job i. 21].

Wherefore, not unmindful of slippery power, I, Edward, by Christ’s grant king and chief of all Albion, presiding over the summit of the realm with humble mind, for the reward of a greater recompense do willingly grant a smallish parcel of land, amounting to 5 hides, the name of which is declared with sure warranty to be Chilton, to the church of the Blessed Mary, mother of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the place which is called Abingdon, for the uses of the brethren serving God there; beseeching and commanding in the name of Christ that none of my successors, of higher or lower degree, should by any instigation of rashness break this gift of our devotion.

Let the aforesaid land, which I with the consent of my nobles have bestowed upon this private monastery, be free from every yoke of earthly servitude, these three excepted, namely fixed military service and the restoration of bridge and fortress.

But if anyone, driven by a hellish spirit, should presumptuously attempt to violate or change this gift, unless, being guilty, he repent with fitting satisfaction before his death, let him be punished, cast down mournfully into the everlasting fires of the abyss, with Judas the betrayer of Christ, for ever.

This aforesaid donation was made in the year 1052 from the Incarnation of the Lord, with those witnesses whose names are named in the charter above.

Having now, therefore, to the best of our powers and the measure of our knowledge, sufficiently treated in the two aforesaid volumes of the benefactions bestowed upon this most sacred house by the ancient kings of the English and likewise by their men, and firmly confirmed by their charters, it now remains for us to make known — as succinctly as we can, with God’s help, to those present and to come who desire to know these same things — the liberties and benefactions freely given and gratefully received by this most sacred house of Abingdon from each of the kings succeeding in order after the coming of the Normans into England.

Of the Death of King Edward. #

Therefore, when Edward, king of the English, in the year 1065 of the Lord’s Incarnation had been translated to the heavenly realms, and when his successor Harold had been overthrown in battle on the day before the ides of October [14 October] by William, duke of the Normans, William, duke of Normandy, was honourably crowned by Aldred, archbishop of York, on the day of the Lord’s birth, at Westminster; first, however, as the archbishop himself required of him, promising on oath before the altar of St Peter, in the presence of the clergy and people, that he would defend the holy churches of God and their rulers, and moreover govern all the people subject to him with justice and royal providence, establish and keep right law, and utterly forbid rapine and unjust judgements.

All these things he vowed to God, but he kept none of them. For he deposed all the bishops of England except Aldred, archbishop of York, and Wulfstan, bishop of Worcester; all the abbots also, whom no evident cause condemned either by councils or by the laws of the world, he deprived of their honours. Almost all the nobles of the English, taking a provision of money with them, flew off to foreign realms; and their lands were soon confiscated to the royal treasury. One of them, the priest Blacheman, of whom we made mention in the chronicle of abbot Ordric, learning that the rule of the realm had changed, and impatient of delay, departed from England. But abbot Ealdred, purposing to acknowledge there the lord who had newly gained the kingdom, and to report what had befallen the aforesaid priest and what he had held of the church, approached the king’s court, and was graciously received by him. Moreover, he set forth the priest’s business to such effect that, except the portion of the isle of Andresey, the rest were promised to the right of the church. For that place remained properly a royal retreat until the times of abbot Faritius. When these matters had thus been accomplished, the abbot, secure in his own affairs, settled back at home.

As the abbot himself had set forth his claim to these lands, so he would perhaps also have set forth concerning the rest which at that time had passed from the lordship of the church into the right of another, had he not, to his own and the church’s misfortune, incurred the king’s displeasure; of which we shall inform you hereafter. For a certain rich man, Turkill by name, under the witness and by the counsel of earl Harold, did homage for himself, with his land which is called Kingston, to the church of Abingdon and to abbot Ordric; for it was lawful for any free man at that time so to do, so that the lordship of the aforesaid vill should depend upon the perpetual right of this church. When he had fallen in the aforesaid battle, Henry de Ferrers usurped to himself the land, the investiture of whose lordship the church had held in hand long before the battle took place, the abbot being too feeble to resist. In like manner also was it done concerning the land which is called Fyfield. For a certain sheriff named Godric had received the same land to hold from the church on such terms that it should be possessed by hereditary right for the life of three men; yet whatever offence should chance to the possessors, the church should incur no loss thereby. And so, when he too was slain in battle together with the aforesaid man, the same Henry de Ferrers added this vill, with the other, to his own lordship.

Nor were troubles of this kind brought upon us in those days only from without, but losses of the church’s ornaments came even within the sanctuary itself. For by the queen’s command it was ordered that the more precious of them should be carried to her. When the abbot, consulting with the brethren, asked what should be done in this matter, they decided to send to the queen some of the choicer ornaments; which, when they were presented to her, she rejected, and demanded richer ones. Whereupon they — on whom the strange dread of new rulers pressed on every side — brought forth into the open, at the will of the imperious lady, what they ought to have guarded more carefully: namely a chasuble wonderfully embroidered throughout with gold thread, together with a choral cope of the very finest quality, an alb also with a stole, and a text of the Gospels, each adorned with gold and gems in praiseworthy workmanship.

Of the Mill of Cuddesdon. #

At the vill of Cuddesdon, adjoining the lands belonging to the bishopric of Lincoln, a dispute having arisen concerning the dam of a certain mill adjacent to Cuddesdon itself — the men of the bishopric wishing the dam to be destroyed, but those of the abbey unwilling — Peter, then appointed to look after the bishopric, its bishop being now dead, a chaplain of the king, namely afterwards bishop of Chester, supported by a multitude of armed men, and abbot Ealdred, accompanied by a company of laymen and devoted monks, bearing with him the relics of St Vincent the martyr, came together at the very spot, each upon his own portion of ground beyond and on this side of the mill, to take their stand for the debate. For such was the situation of the place. Now certain of the former party sat mounted on horses, chattering, while all of the latter stood with their feet upon the ground, having much confidence in the saint whose holy pledges were there present. O the confidence inspired by God and His saints — how ready a help it is to those who trust in Him!

For when, by the examination of the arbiters there present, the matter proceeded so far that the abbot should swear with his own lips upon the relics which he had brought that his party stood the more rightly, he knelt down and stretched forth his right hand on high. When lo, on the side of the opponents the firm earth began to be shaken, the hard ground to soften, so that the horses’ hooves became entangled in the very softness. A very violent whirlwind also tore the spears from the hands of those who held them, hurled them into the air, and, dashing them one against another by the force of the tempest, broke them — a wondrous sight. Wherefore they, now stupefied and despairing of their lives, cried out and vowed never again to utter a word concerning the cause for which they had entered the conflict, praying only that by the mercy of the saint there present they might be permitted to return thence in safety to their own homes, and that it would be the act of a madman whose daring should impel him to repeat the same. Thus the righteousness of the church’s cause, made openly known by the martyr St Vincent, caused the worship of his veneration to be held thenceforth in greater renown at the monastery of Abingdon.

Of the Imprisonment of Abbot Ealdred. #

Not long after this, many commotions began to be contrived in the English realm, plotted by those for whom it was now necessary to endure the dominion of foreigners, though hitherto unaccustomed to it. Some of them hid themselves in the woods, others in island places, living by plunder after the manner of pirates, and butchering whomsoever they met; others enticed the Danish people to attack England, if, when they came, they could gain the kingdom, only a feeble hand opposing them. When these had come to England at their wish, they merely drove off plunder, consumed certain places with fire, and subjected certain men to captivity. But being able neither to join battle at close quarters nor to claim the kingdom — which they had reckoned easy — they scarcely returned to their own country with their business unaccomplished, to the very great loss of their men.

Amid such attempts, when men of diverse order and dignity had joined themselves together, then also the bishop of Durham, Ægelwin by name, was found among those who had been taken captive, and being sent to Abingdon, there dragged out his days in captivity until his death. But the men of the abbey of Abingdon also, when they ought to have favoured the party of King William (as one to whom fealty had already been sworn to be kept throughout all the regions of England), being changed in mind and purpose, directed their steps under arms to the place where they had learnt that the king’s own enemies had halted. Surrounded on the way and taken captive, they were thrown into prison, and were miserably enough afflicted. By which misfortune it came about that abbot Ealdred, also called Brithwin (for he had two names), not long afterwards, being stripped of pastoral power, was ordered to be conveyed to the city of Winchester, and there was delivered into custody for as long as he drew the breath of life.

At that season, by reason of the lately changed state of the realm, since the precious belongings of very many men had been deposited in the monastery of Abingdon, lest they should be carried off at home by plunderers and perish without a protector, this was made known to the officials of the court through the information of informers, and men were sent thither accordingly, and whatever of this kind was found was taken away. Moreover, the more precious things that could be found within the precincts of the monks, reckoned even to the use and honour of the church, many were carried off without distinction. Outside, through the villages, devastation was spread abroad everywhere, without regard to any man. And so neither the recounting nor the reckoning of the things lost by the abbey in that time is easy to tell. In carrying out of which work, Froger, then sheriff of Berkshire, bore himself foremost. But afterwards the vengeance of God, who orders all things, restrained the immoderate progress of that powerful man over the downcast, so that both the tyrannical licence by which he was borne aloft was taken from him by royal justice, and he was made, for as long as he lived, an object of contempt to all men in poverty and folly; in these miseries offering an open warning to his successors, that a place dedicated to the protection of the Queen of heaven, and consecrated moreover by the memory of the holy men who both founded and inhabited it, ought rather to be reverenced than despoiled.

But, as has been said before, when the lord abbot Ealdred was held in captivity, by command of King William, Athelhelm was sent to be set over them in the abbot’s place, a monk indeed of the monastery of Jumièges, which is situated in Normandy, concerning whom also he sent letters to the primates of the realm of England in this manner:

END OF VOLUME ONE.