S 57

A.D. 756 for 777 x 779. Uhtred, ruler of the Hwicce, with the permission of Offa, king of Mercia, to Ceolmund, minister; grant of 8 hides (mansiones) at Kemerton, Worcs. Latin with bounds.

Archive: Worcester

MSS: Somers Ch. 4 (lost)

Printed: Smith, Bede, p. 767 ex MS; K 148 ex Smith; B 232 ex Smith; Hooke 1990, p. 80, bounds only.

Comments: Wanley, Catalogus, p. 301 no. 4, on MS; Stevenson 1914, p. 702, spurious; Grundy, Worcs. 1927, pp. 161-2, on bounds (= Grundy, Gloucs., pp. 155-6); PN Gloucs., i. 4, ii. 60, 64; Finberg, ECWM, no. 224, authentic, the date 756 may be an error for 759 and refer to Uhtred's original grant, confirmed by Offa; Scharer 1982, p. 257, not genuine in present form; Hooke 1990, pp. 80-2, on bounds; Sims-Williams 1990, p. 238, p. 37, cited, pp. 238-9, on a witness.

+ In nomine domini nostri Chisti . Ego Uhtredus pia prædestinatione Dei concedente aliquod regimen propriæ gentis Huicciorum tenens . exempla patrum meorum sequens quatinus ex mundani huius regiminis portione aliquod in æcclesiasticam libertatem pro redemptione animæ meæ largiendo donarer . Ideoque aliquam agelli partem cum licentia atque permissu piissimi regis Merciorum Offan meo videlicet caro fidelique ministro Ceolmundo bis quaternas mansiones cum omnibus ad se pertinentibus [ ] in Habene homme [ ] juris ecclesiastici in perpetuum pro domino omnipotenti donabo quatinus illo vivente habeat et possideat et post se cuicumque voluerit hominum jure hereditario eadem libertate qua illi concessum est possidendum relinquat . Est autem rus illud in australi parte montis qui nominatur Breodun in aquilonali plaga rivuli qui vocatur Carent . protendens a flumine illo Carent ascendens usque ad summitatem montis supradicti Breodun in cujus cacumine urbs est antiquo nomine Baenintesburg . Ibi est terminus agri illius sursum in monte et a meridie discendens per planitiem fluvius Carent . Unde ut eo firmius [et stabi]lius hæc donatio mea pro ereptione animæ meæ concessa permaneat testium et consentientium signa et nomina perscribo .

+ Ego Offa rex Marcensium huic donationi subreguli mei consentiens et pro majore firmitate signum sanctæ crucis infixi .
+ Ego Aldredus regulus meam munificentiam corroborans signum venerabile crucis Christi inposui .
+ Ego Eadberhtus gratia dlomini episcopi . consensi et subscripsi .
+ Ego Berhþunus Dei dono antistes . consensi et subscripsi .
+ Ego Tilherus Dei munere præsul consensi et subscripsi .
+ Signum manus Cusan abbatis .
+ Signum manus Uuillan abbatis .
+ Signum manus Tredan abbatis.
+ Signum manus Bacolan abbatis .
+ Signum manus Uuillan abbatis .
+ Signum manus Tilberhti abbatis .
+ Signum manus Brodani principis .
+ Signum manus Berhtuualdi principis .
+ Signum manus Eadbaldi principis .
+ Signum manus Esni principis .
+ Signum manus Eadbaldi principis .
+ Signum manus Uuales præfecti .
+ Signum manus Cudredi præfecti .
+ Signum manus Cyneberhti præfecti .
+ Signum manus Duddan pincerni .

+ Gesta sunt hæc anno dominicæ incarnationis dcco . lvio . regni Offan regis Merciorum iiius . annus .