S 1202
A.D. 870 x 889. Alfred, dux, makes an agreement with Archbishop Æthelred and the community at Christ Church. Alfred receives life-use of an estate at Croydon, Surrey, in return for bequeathing an estate at Chartham, Kent, to Christ Church after his death. Old and Middle English versions.
Archive: Canterbury, Christ Church
MSS: Old English
1. Canterbury, D. & C., Reg. C, 148v (s. xv; note)
2. BL Stowe 853, 27rv (s. xvii)
3. London, Lambeth Palace, 1212, p. 407 (s. xiii)Middle English
4. Canterbury, D. & C., Reg. A, 141r (s. xiii)
5. Canterbury, D. & C., Reg. C, 148v (s. xv)
6. Canterbury, D. & C., Reg. E, 42rv (s. xiii)
Printed: K 301 ex MS 6; B 529 ex MS 3; B 530 ex MSS 4, 6; Harmer, SEHD, pp. 11-12 (no. 8) ex MS 3, with translation, p. 46.
Comments: Harmer, SEHD, p. 87, Middle English version dated 871, which seems acceptable; Wallenberg, KPN, p. 221, on place-names; Gelling, ECTV, no. 320, authentic; Brooks 1984, pp. 151-2, 355 n. 78, treats as authentic, date 871 has no authority; Kelly 1990, p. 55, cited.
+ In nomine Domini. Ic Ælfred dux 7 Æðered archiepiscopus 7 ða higan æt Cristes cirican habbað ðas wisan areded ymb ðet land an Certham: ðet is ðonne ðet Elfred efter his daege hæfð becweden ðet land an Certham inn ðam higum to agenre æhte. 7 gif ðet sio ðet higan ðæs landes ænigem mænn unnan willen buton him sevlfum, ðonne sellen hio hit Ælfredes bearne, oðða his mæga swelcum swa his willie, an ða gerad ðe he wið higan aræde swæ an feoh swae an feorme swæðer he abiddan mæge. 7 se arcepiscop selð Ælfrede ðæt land æt Crogdene his dagas to brucenne. 7 ðonne Ælfrede forðsið gebyrge 7 his bearn ðæs landes beðirfe, ðonne begete hio land, gif hio mæge, æt swelcum hlafarde swæ ðær ðonne sio 7 æt higum. 7 gif æniman aht eft sacie ymb ðæt land an Certham, ðonne hæfð Ælfred ge'h'aldene Herewinne an æghwelcre wihte ðæs ðe hio an geworden wæs ðæs ðe hio sevlf geðafigan wolde. 7 ðæt wæs an byrg gereht beforan ðæm weotum ðe hevro noman here benevðan awritene sindon.
Ædred archiepiscopus
Ædelwald dux
Ælfred dux
Bihornhelm abbas
Earduulf abbas
Ciolmund
Siguulf
Eadmund 7 eall' higan.
Middle English version (from Birch 530)
+ In nomine domini Ic Elfred dux and Ethelred archebiscop and þo higen at Cristescheriche habbez wise ared embe þet land at Chertham þet is þanne þet Elfred efter his dage hauet bequeþe þet land at Chertham in to þan higen to ogne egte an gef þat sy þet higen þas londes enye men unnen willen buten em seluen þanne sellen hi hit Elfredes biernen oþer his meyn suithen suo hi willet an þo yrede þet he wiht hygen arede suo on fee suo on ferme suo hwader he abidden mage and se archebiscop selht Elfrede þet land a Croindune his dages to brukene and þanne Elfredes uorhtsith bitidet and his bearnes þos londes be þisne þanne begete hi hem land gef hi mage at swithe louerde suo þer þanne sy and at þan hygen . And gef enyman agt offathe embe þet land at Chertheham þanne haueþ Elfred yhialde Herewynne hwer on eyhwet bi worde awriten is hwam him self hit yþameht to an wolde and þat wes on burg yred biuore þan wyten þe hire names hier bineþen awritene synden .
Eþelred archebiscop .
Eþelwald dux .
Elfred dux .
Biornhelm abot .
Eardwolf .
Ceolmund .
Sywolf .
Edmund and alle hysen .
In nomine Domini. I, Earl Aelfred, and Archbishop Aethelred, and the community at Christ Church, have decided upon the following arrangements as to the estate at Chartham: that is, Aelfred has bequeathed the estate at Chartham after his time to the community, as their own property. And if it come to pass that the community desire to grant the estate to any other person than themselves, they are to give it to Aelfred's child, or to whichever of his kinsmen may desire it, on condition that he makes terms with the community either for a rent in money or a food-rent, whichever he may succeed in gaining their consent to. And the archbishop gives to Aelfred the estate at Croydon, for his use during his lifetime. And when Aelfred dies and his child needs the land, then she is to acquire the land, if she can, from the community and whoever may at that time be their lord. And if anyone in the future raise any dispute about the estate at Chartham, [it is to be made clear that] Aelfred has upheld Herewyn in every particular of their agreement in so far as she would consent thereto. And this declaration was made in the city, before the councillors whose names are written below.