CUTENHO AND FARLEY HOSPITAL.

The Fines for Bedfordshire in Vol. VI., Part I. pages 16, 19 and 21, of the Publications of the Bedfordshire Historical Record Society, contain references to suits relating to land in Cutenhoe or Ketenhoe in the parish of Luton, and to certain lands belonging to Farley Hospital in the same parish. The situation of these lands has been a subject of conjecture. I think I can adduce some evidence that they were on the slope of the London Road Hill near Luton Hoo Park.

No. 42, page 16, in the Calendar of these Fines is dated the 18th November, 1198. The parties were Adam Black (Niger) and his wife Sara against Richard de la Brache. Richard admitted the land to be the inheritance of Adam and Sara. (Hunter 18).

No. 59, page 19, 18th November, 1199, Adam Black (Niger) against Richard de la Brache. Lands in Luton partly in the “cultura of Cutenhoe.” Richard quitclaimed to Adam. (Hunter 24).

No. 60. page 19, 20th November, 1199. Richard son of Philip against Adam Black (Niger). The whole cultura of Cutenho in the vill of Luton. Richard quitclaimed to Adam. (Hunter 25).

No. 75, page 21, 18th November, 1201, Adam Black (Niger) against brother Mauger, Master of Farlege and the brethren there. Common of Pasture of Ketenhoe. Adam quitclaimed to the brethren, and received in exchange land at a rent. (Hunter 30, 31).

The extent of land claimed by Adam Black against Richard de la Brache was 12 acres, of which 10 lay in the cultura of Cutenhoe and 2 acres without. For the Fine agreement and quitclaim Adam gave Richard two marks of silver. In the claim by Adam against the master of Farley of right of common of pasture at Ketenhoe or Cutenhoe, Mauger acknowledged Adam’s claim, but bought him off by giving him in exchange three acres of land which lay “ within the ditch of the brethren facing the land of Adam ” to be held of the Hospital at the rent of eightpence for all services, etc.