VI.
Charter in the custody of the Town Clerk. 18th June, 1358.
Edwardus le Despenser dominus Glamorgancie et Morgancie
Omnibus balliuis nostris et aliis ad quos presentes litere peruenerint
salutem Sciatis nos inspexisse cartam bone memorie Domini Hugonis
le Despenser auunculi nostri nuper domini Glamorgancie et
Morgancie quam fecit burgensibus de kaerdif de libertatibus eorum
in hec verba [Hic sequitur prout in carta originali.] Nos vero
predictus Edwardus le Despenser dominus Glamorgancie et
Morgancie pro salute anime nostre et animarum patris nostri et
matris nostre et omnium antecessorum et heredum nostrorum omnes
donaciones concessiones et confirmaciones supradictas Ratas habentes
et gratas eas pro nobis et heredibus nostris predictis burgensibus
nostris et eorum successoribus concedimus innouamus ratificamus
et confirmamus imperpetuum volentes et concedentcs quod ista
carta in omnibus suis libertatibus firmiter et inuiolabiliter observetur
imperpetuum aliqua interrupcione non obstante In cuius rei
testimonium huic presenti carte nostre sigillum cancellarie nostre
de kaerdif duximus apponendum Hiis testibus venerabilibus viris
Henrico abbate de Margan Thoma abbate de Neeth Johanne de
Couentre archidiacone Landauensis Dominis Gilberto de Ellesfeld
tunc vicecomite nostro de Glamorgancia. Ricardo de Turberuille.
Oliuero de sancto Johanne. Johanne le Norreis Edwardo de
stradelinge militibus. Willelmo ffleminge Thoma de Baudrupp et
aliis. Datum apud kaerdif xviij° die Junij anno regni Regis Edwardi
tercij post conquestum trecesimo secundo.
Endorsed:—"Dat. huis. carte xxx° E. tertij." "Carta dni.
Edwardi le Despensr fact. Burgensibs. de Kaerdif de libtatibs. suis
confirmatis." "Carti Dni. Edwardi le Spensr. dat. ao. Edwardi
tercij 32°."
Note.—This Charter is in poor condition, stained and rust-eaten, as though by
some corrosive liquid dropped on it. The Seal, largely repaired, is affixed to the
skin by cords of green silk. It is of dark green wax, and represents, on the observe,
an escutcheon bearing:—Quarterly I. and IV.: A bendlet. II. and III.: Fretty.
The shield is surrounded by a collar, and above are traces of a bird's plumage.
Reverse: The grantor in armour, on horseback; shield and caparisons charged with
the above arms. The crest appears to be a bird with wings extended, on the coronet
over the helmet. Legend—"Sigillum domini Edwardi le despenser dni. Morgancie
et Glamorgancie."
[Translation.]
Edward Le Despenser, Lord of Glamorgant and Morgant, unto
all Our Bailiffs and others to whom the present letters shall come,
greeting. Know ye that We have inspected the Charter of the Lord
Hugh Le Despenser, of good memory, Our uncle, formerly Lord of
Glamorgant and Morgant, which he made to the Burgesses of Kaerdif
concerning their liberties, in these words: [Here follows as in the
original charter.] Now We the aforesaid Edward Le Despenser, Lord
of Glamorgant and Morgant, for the health of Our soul and of the
souls of Our father and Our mother and of all Our ancestors and
heirs, ratifying and allowing all the gifts, grants and confirmations
aforesaid, for Us and Our heirs do grant, renew, ratify and confirm
them unto Our aforesaid Burgesses and their successors for ever,
willing and granting that that Charter shall be firmly and inviolably
observed in all its liberties for ever, any interruption notwithstanding.
In witness whereof We have caused the seal of Our Chancery of
Kaerdif to be set to this Our present Charter. Witness the
venerable men Henry, Abbot of Margam; Thomas, Abbot of Neeth;
John of Couentre, Archdeacon of Landav; the Lords Gilbert De
Ellesfeld, Our Sheriff of Glamorgant; Richard De Turberville,
Oliver De Saint John; John Le Norreis, Edward De Stradelinge,
knights; William ffleminge; Thomas De Baudrupp, and others.
Given at Kaerdif on the eighteenth day of June in the second year of
the reign of King Edward the third after the Conquest [1358.]