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The Charters of Abbot Samson: List of Manuscripts

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 December 2009

Abstract

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Type
List of Manuscripts
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Historical Society 1954

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References

page 75 note 1 Jocelin (p. 78) says that this charter was granted after Samson's return from Germany, whither Abbot Samson went in June 1193. It seems to be later than Jocelin suggests, since Herbert the chaplain is one of the witnesses, and Jocelin (p. 125) alleges that he did not become a cloister-monk until 1196. Herbert and Maurice the chaplains are a prominent pair of witnesses in charters dated 1198–1200.

page 76 note 1 See Jocelin, p. 99.

page 76 note 2 Shard-penny or cow-dung penny. Jocelin (p. 100, n. 2) refers to it as schorenpeny in which he is followed by the Pinchbeck Register (Pinchbeck, i. 357), but the text of the charters is clear.

page 77 note 1 This charter must be later than no. 2, to which it refers. Hugh was sacrist from 1182 until 1200.

page 77 note 2 Benedict was subprior till c. 1186, since he preceded Hermer who had been subprior for 14 years by c. 1200 (Jocelin, p. 125).

page 78 note 1 Benedict was subprior till c. 1186, since he preceded Hermer who had been subprior for 14 years by c. 1200 (Jocelin, p. 125).

page 80 note 1 The chapel of St Margaret was on the south side of the cemetery.

page 82 note 1 The date is fixed by William the Sacrist. He must be William Wiardel who was deposed by Abbot Samson soon after his election in 1182. The only other William to be sacrist under Samson was William of Diss who was sacrist for four days after Walter of Banham (i.e. under prior Herbert); Memorials, ii. 293.

page 84 note 1 The effect of this charter seems to be to convert a life-lease (see no. 16) into a hereditary lease.

page 84 note 2 Ralph of Necton was dead by 1205. See Charter 29.

page 85 note 1 The rent shows it to be a different holding from that in no. 18.

page 86 note 1 Sampson the precentor had been succeeded by Richard by 1186.

page 86 note 2 Now Eldohouse Farm and Eldo cottages (?).

page 87 note 1 The terms of this charter are to be found, inter alia, in the final concord between Abbot Samson and Benedict, made in the King's court at Michaelmas 1202, printed by Gage, J., History and Antiquities of Suffolk. Thingoe Hundred (London, 1838), pp. 30–2Google Scholar. The ‘ sick brothers’ are in fact those of St Peter's hospital outside the Risby gate, founded by Abbot Anselm for infirm priests.

page 88 note 1 Hermer became sub-prior in 1186; Robert the prior died in 1200. The Hospital was founded by Samson (Jocelin, pp. 45, 47). It was already founded by the time of Urban III, i.e. 25 Nov. 1185–11 Oct. 1187 (Rokewode's note on p. 124 of his edition of Jocelin).

page 89 note 1 Although this grant is mentioned in a charter dated from Selvestone on 15 March 1200, this charter cannot be earlier than 1206 in which year William of Gretingham became steward. It must be earlier than 1209, by which year Peter of Lynn was cellarer.

page 90 note 1 Jocelin, p. 130.

page 90 note 2 It will be seen from other charters that Ralph the porter was a man of wealth and position. He played a large part in the work of St Edmund's court and got into trouble with the monks (though not with Abbot Samson) for taking part in decisions given against them (Jocelin, p. 117, and see Charters 18, 106, etc.). He seems to have died before 1206, since he is not mentioned in any charter that can be dated after that date.

page 94 note 1 The fact that the service is annual rather than three-weekly suggests the payment of hidage and other socage dues.

page 94 note 2 Danegeld, presumably.

page 96 note 1 Palm Sunday.

page 97 note 1 The refusal to warrant suggests that Samson feared a flaw in his own title to the land. It is possible that the previous ‘ farmer ’ of the hundred might have made a claim.

page 97 note 2 Presumably where are now Kingshall St and Kingshall Green between Rougham and Bradfield St George.

page 99 note 1 If D is right in giving Hugh and Jocelin the chaplains as witnesses.

page 101 note 1 This charter confirms and supplements no. 46.

page 102 note 1 See Abbot Samson's Kalendar, supra, p. 9. William son of Gilbert and Robert son of T(er)icus held 15 ware acres for 16d. The 12d. rent to the cellarer is not mentioned in the Kalendar.

page 102 note 2 I.e. hidage and a suit to the hundred.

page 103 note 1 This land and the hidage it owed is recorded in Abbot Samson's Kalendar, supra, p. 9. It was 9 ware acres and rendered 9d. and 1½ summe of oats.

page 106 note 1 Hermer became sub-prior in 1186 and Robert of Cockfield was dead by Michaelmas 1190. Jocelin of Brakelond was Abbot Samson's chaplain until 1188 (Jocelin, pp. 26, 36).

page 107 note 1 Compare M(agister) Roggerus in Fornham All Saints, in Abbot Samson's Kalendar, supra, p. 28

page 107 note 2 Accepted as steward by Samson ‘ ad presens ’ on 1 April 1182 (Jocelin, p. 27).

page 107 note 3 Hermer became prior in 1186. Robert of Cockneld was dead by Michaelmas 1190.

page 108 note 1 William of Hastings succeeded to his brother Henry in 1196. He was still steward of the abbey in the early months of 1206, but by 25 August he had been succeeded by William of Gretingham.

page 108 note 2 Gage (History of Suffolk, p. 116) saw a copy of this charter on a roll at Hengrave.

page 111 note 1 It must be later than Charter 61.

page 111 note 2 Cf. Abbot Samson's Kalendar, supra, p. 29, where Solomon is one of the partners holding 30 ware acres in Dunetone for 32d. hidage.

page 112 note 1 While both Herbert was prior and Hugh was sacrist.

page 113 note 1 Cf. Charter 133.

page 115 note 1 This seems to be different land from that referred to in the Kalendar, p. 29. In the Kalendar Ralph appears as a sub-tenant of Gilbert Fitz-Ralph, holding land which belonged to Gilbert's knight's fief. In this charter he is renting land from the abbot direct.

page 116 note 1 Robert of Cockfield died before Michaelmas 1190.

page 116 note 2 Geoffery was sacrist c. 1125, early in the abbacy of Anselm.

page 116 note 3 For Anselm's charter, see D.C.D., no. 133. This land can be traced back to Otto the goldsmith (D.C.D., nos. 104, 106 and 20). Thomas Noel's father was Robert Noel and his paternal uncle was Walter. His grandfather was William son of Albold (fl. 1135–45). Forfurther land held by Thomas Noel in Hawstead, see Charter 73.

This land and the rent of 20s. to the sacrist is referred to in the Kalendar, supra, p. 30.

page 117 note 1 See also Charter 72. The land referred to here seems to be the 15 acres which he held with Adam Pintel for 16d. and the two acres of R. the priest which he had for 2d., supra, p. 29. He also owed 4d. for oats, supra, p. 31.

page 119 note 1 But a final concord reinforcing this agreement was made in the king's court at Michaelmas 1202. Copies of this are in Camb., Add. 4220, fo. 80r. and P.R.O., D. of L., 42. 5, fo. 29V.

page 119 note 2 The Final Concord in the King's court gives the following details as to what constituted each of these ferms.

16½ coombs (cumbas) of fresh barley by the measure of St Edmund.

24 coombs of corn.

40s. to the kitchen.

6 servants for one week at his own cost, to do the brewing.

d. to the brewer.

1d. to the baker.

Septies cent de Béra.

And he will have payment for (ad) four men at each of the ‘ ferms ’ when he has paid them.

page 119 note 3 I.e. 75 rams, 99 ewes, and 56 sheep of the second year.

page 120 note 1 The description of the ricks of barley, wheat and grain imply that the barns had aisles (with posts), a door at each end, and probably also a central doorway and central transept where the carts were kept.

page 120 note 2 Heifer.

page 120 note 3 Wall plate; i.e. the second rick was as tall as the side walls and reached to the door.

page 121 note 1 Either William Schuch or William Wiardel who were successive sacrists under Hugh I (1156–82).

page 122 note 1 D.C.D., no. 123.

page 122 note 2 The charter is given on the same folio of this manuscript.

page 122 note 3 The reference is probably to the geld, but may refer to hidage. It might possibly refer to sheriff's aid, since in Abbot Samson's Kalendar, supra, p. 46, there is 10d. owed to sheriff's aid de terra Galfridi et sociorum in Thorpe. In this case it would be necessary to postulate that Symon's father had held the land before him.

page 123 note 1 The phrase suggests ware acres. Adam son of Richard is recorded as holding some socage land (of unspecified extent) in Abbot Samson's Kalendar, supra, p. 43.

page 123 note 2 The charter is given on fo. 100v. of this same manuscript.

page 124 note 1 Hermer became sub-prior in 1186. Denys was cellarer before 1198, in which year he was succeeded by Jocelin.

page 124 note 2 Compare Abbot Samson's Kalendar (supra, p. 46), where the heirs of Mannard are among the partners who hold 40 ware acres in Elmswell, and owing 40d. hidage and 8d, to the sheriff's aid yearly.

page 125 note 1 While Maurice and William were chaplains.

page 126 note 1 The date is fixed by the final concord in the King's court by which Abbot Samson agreed to grant John these lands in return for the renunciation by him of all right to 110 acres in Rickinghall (Oxford, Bodleian Library, MS. Charters, Suffolk a. 1, no. 16).

page 126 note 2 The mound at which the hundred court used to meet, just outside the north gate of the town

page 127 note 1 Peter the priest appears also as a holder of socage land in Abbot Samson's Kalendar, supra, p. 47.

page 127 note 2 The date is likely to be c. 1191 when Adam came to his agreement with Abbot Samson about Cosford Hundred (Feet of Fines, Henry II and Richard I (Pipe Roll Society, vol. 17), pp. 9–11.

page 128 note 1 None the less, his daughter did claim the manors as her inheritance, and her claim was upheld by the jury (Jocelin, pp. 123–4, and Curia Regis Rolls (ed. Flower), i. 430).

page 129 note 1 Their charters are in Ff. ii. 33, fo. 56r. That of Mathew refers not to Witefeld but to Cnitefeld. That of Osbert is witnessed by ‘ Roberto senescaldo ’ (i.e. Robert Flamauille). There was a further parcel of land which William son of Eudo bought from Osbert and let to John Fulbourne for 20d. a year, subsequently giving the rent to the abbey (Mm. iv. 19, fo. 224V., and Ff. ii. 33, fo. 56V.).

page 130 note 1 Maurice and Herbert were joint chaplains in 1198. Herbert was not a cloister-monk until 1196 and became prior in 1200.

page 130 note 2 The charter, although dated 1199, grants to Richard the land which he already holds. He is already noted as a landholder liable to geld in Abbot Samson's Kalendar, supra, p. 68.

page 131 note 1 His charter giving the land is copied on fo. 117V. of this same manuscript.

page 132 note 1 Stansfield in Risbridge hundred, and not Stanningfield in Thedwestrey.

page 132 note 2 Their charter is copied on fo. 118r. of this same manuscript.

page 132 note 3 Their charter is copied on fo. 119v. of this same manuscript. The land was in Hawkedon.

page 132 note 4 For the change of name from Poslingworth to Poslingford, see W. W. Skeat, The Placenames of Suffolk, p. 36.

page 133 note 1 His charter is on fo. 118v. of this same manuscript.

page 133 note 2 Simonds d'Ewes made the copy in Harley 639 from the original on Wednesday, 12 January, 1637/8. It then belonged, together with other charters of the Carbonel's manor of Chilton and Great Waldingfield, to Robert Crane, knight.

page 133 note 3 She was the daughter of Wiking. Her own charter and her husband's (Ralph Wastel's) confirmation of it are on the same folio of this same manuscript.

page 134 note 1 Alexander's charter giving the land to the abbey is given on the same folio of D. of L., 42. 5.

page 135 note 1 This meadow appears to have been a demesne meadow. It is certainly not the Broadmeadow which was mowed by men from various vills in Thedwestrey Hundred.

page 136 note 1 The abbey bought Mildenhall back from Richard I in 1189.

page 136 note 2 I.e. on the hills on the east side of Mildenhall.

page 136 note 3 Unidentified. Perhaps a Roman ruin.

page 136 note 4 Holywell. 1½ miles north of Mildenhall.

page 137 note 1 Holmsey Green.

page 137 note 2 miles north-east of Mildenhall on the edge of the fen.

page 138 note 1 Littley field, about 3 miles north of Mildenhall.

page 140 note 1 The two charters following on this one in D. of L., 42. 5, show that Ralph the porter divided his holding in Mildenhall into at least two parcels of land, each assessed at 8 acres. The one he gave on a hereditary lease to Richard of Diss, who in turn granted it on a hereditary lease to William son of Osmund for the service of 2s. a year. The other tenement Ralph granted to Richard of Stradebroc in hereditary fee for the service of 20d. a year and an initial payment (gersum) of 20 shillings.

page 140 note 2 Cf. no, 109.

page 142 note 1 Weston Ditch, 3 miles west of Mildenhall.

page 142 note 2 Richard, earl of Clare, had held the manor of Mildenhall from the king until Abbot Samson repurchased it.

page 145 note 1 See also Jocelin, p. 95. The bishop of Norwich granted that 3 marks from Wetherden church should be paid every year ‘ to the master who rules the schools at St Edmunds ’. The bishop's charter is given in Camb., Mm. iv. 19, fo. 222V.

page 145 note 2 The final concord is dated 21 April 1198; Feet of Fines 9 Ric. I (Pipe Roll Soc, vol. xxiii), p. 117.

page 145 note 3 While Maurice and Herbert were chaplains.

page 148 note 1 The title declares that this charter was kept among the abbot's charters and was catalogued as E29.

page 149 note 1 The charter is given on fo. 110r. of the same manuscript.

page 154 note 1 There is confusion as to the location of this mill. The subsequent charter in F records that William de Rucham (sic) and his son Roger accept at the rent of 1 mark a year ‘ molendinum Sancti Eadmundi sedens super Riuarium de Rucham, ex directo dc Spelhoge, quod molendinum appellatur Pepirmelne ’. None the less, in the same manuscript, fo. 60, there is a deed which starts … ‘ Sciant presentes et futuri quod ego Roger de Bukenham films Willelmi de Bukenham suscepi quoddam molendinum Sancti Eadmundi, sedens super Rivarium de Bukenham Pepirmelne,’

page 155 note 1 A horse wortli 10s. at this period was a rouncey; a palfrey would have been worth 20s. See Sir Christopher Hatton's Book of Seals, ed. L. C. Lloyd and D. M. Stenton, no. 334. There is no question of knight-service in this charter; it refers to the serjeantry of providing a packhorse for the king's army in Wales.

page 155 note 2 Robert of Cockfield was dead by Michaelmas 1190.

page 156 note 1 The date would be later than the final concord of 27 April 1186 (D.C.D., no. 229).

page 157 note 1 Jocelin, p. 29.

page 157 note 2 Denis had ceased to be chamberlain by 1190 at latest.

page 159 note 1 The final concord is copied in Camb., Add. MS. 4220, fo. 484r. On 20 April 1195, Abbot Samson surrendered the vill of Wendling in order to keep the advowson of the church.

page 161 note 1 Now Shrub End, south-west of the town.

page 161 note 2 Now Monkwick, south of the town.

page 161 note 3 Formerly West Donyland. The name changed to Berechurch, perhaps because St Michael's church had a ‘ boarded ’ wooden tower. The form Bierdecherche is first found in 1277 (Reaney, P. H., The Place-names of Essex (Place-Name Society, 1935), p. 372Google Scholar).

page 163 note 1 John and Hugh were chaplains c. 1206–11.

page 163 note 2 See Jocelin, p. 62.

page 163 note 3 Jocelin says that this dispute was subsequent to the Hopton dispute which was in 1191.

page 166 note 1 St Michael Paternoster Royal.

page 167 note 1 William the sacrist was deposed in 1182.

page 169 note 1 Cf. D.C.D., no. 206.