| Description (Repository) |
[[[[[[westch476. Notification by Geoffrey Fitz Peter, earl of Essex, that Abbot Ralph and the convent of Westminster have, at the earl's petition, confirmed to the nuns of Shouldham, and their brethren, all tithes pertaining to them in Clakelose Hundred (Norf.), in return for £1. 10s. due annually to the almoner of Westminster. [1200 x 1213]
Galfridus filius Petri, comes Essex', omnibus ad quos presens scriptum pervenerit, salutem. Novent universitas vestra Dominum R[adulphum] abbatem de Westmonasterio et eiusdem loci conventum ad petitionem nostram concessisse et carta sua confirmasse sanctimonialibus de Suldham et fratribus earum omnes decimas que ad eos pertinent in Clakelose hundredo, tenendas de eis inperpetuum, solvendo annuatim elemosinario Westmonasterii triginta solidos ad duos terminos, videlicet: infra octabas Pasche xv solidos, et infra octabas Sancti Michaelis xv solidos. Hoc autem eis concesserunt predictus abbas et conventus quamdiu erga ecclesiam Westmonasterii predicte moniales legittime se habuerint et bene reddiderint predictos xxx solidos. Testibus hiis: Galfrido de Bocl'; Ricardo de Heriet'; Ricardo de Dol; Jordano Peverel; Radulfo aurifabro; Ricardo ianitore; Bartholomeo pincerna; Roberto de Croch', Jacobo hostiario, et multis aliis.
MSS: (1) WAM 1717*.
19.3 x 6.8 cm; t.u. 2 cm.
Seal: on tag; 6.8 cm diameter; brown; obverse: earl on horseback, brandishing a sword; SI[GILLUM GAUFRIDI COMITI]S EXIE
Counterseal: 3.2 cm diameter; six-petalled flower (worn); legend: . . . . ETRI . . .
Endorsed: (a) Littera comitis Essex' pro xxx solidis de Schuldham' (14C). (b) solvendis ecclesie Westmonasterii pro decimis in Clakelose hundredo elemosinarie (14C).
WAD, f. 469v.
Date: Abbot Ralph succeeded in 1200 and Earl Geoffrey d. in 1213.
Note: Shouldham (Norf.) was a Gilbertine house founded by Geoffrey Fitz Peter in the reign of Richard I (Knowles & Hadcock, 194, 196). These tithes are not listed in the detailed confirmations of Pope Adrian IV, nor in subsequent confirmations. They were perhaps granted to Westminster by one of Geoffrey Fitz Peter's tenurial predecessors, such as William de Mandeville II, but any charter was prob. surrendered when Westminster confirmed Geoffrey Fitz Peter's donation to Shouldham. |