Liber albus II: Fols. 1-20

LIBER ALBUS II.

(All instruments in this volume already calendared in Liber Albus I. are here omitted.)

Charter of King Henry [III] to the churches of St. Andrew Wells and St. Peter Bath, and to Jocelin bishop thereof and his successors, the dean and canons of Wells and the prior and monks of Bath, confirming to them all lands, possessions, dignities and liberties conferred upon them by himself, his ancestors or any others; and granting them in frank almoin toll and theam, infangenetheof and utfangenetheof throughout their lands; that they, their men, and the men of their fees shall be quit of passage, pontage, lestage, stallage, works of castles, houses, walls, dykes, bridges, causeways, vivaries, ponds, enclosures of parks, suits of shires or hundreds, mercies, murders, sheriffs' aids, escapes of thieves, cattle of seisin, pleas, plaints etc.; that no sheriff, constable or bailiff of the king's shall have entry or power thereupon save for attachments of pleas of the crown, but all shall belong to the bishop and his officers; that the bishop may distrain the dean and canons of Wells, the prior and monks of Bath, their lands and fees and the men thereof, and all men of his own lands and fees; that they and their men shall be quit of juries and assizes; that if any of their men should lose life or limb or be a fugitive or otherwise forfeit his chattels, they shall belong to the bishop; that the bishop shall have all fines and amercements of all the men aforesaid, and of the abbot and monks of Glastonbury and their men, with power of distraint; and that these liberties shall not be affected by non-user. Witnesses: Walter bishop of Carlisle the king's treasurer, Thomas bishop of Norwich, Hubert de Burgo earl of Kent the king's justice, Godfrey de Craucumb the king's steward, Hugh Dispensator, Henry de Capella. Dated Oxford, 14 July 15 Henry [III] by Ralph bishop of Chichester the chancellor.
R.III. f. 1.

Charter of King John to the churches of St. Andrew Wells and St. Peter Bath, and to Joscelin bishop thereof and his successors, the dean and canons of Wells, and the prior and monks of Bath, confirming to them all lands, possessions, rights, dignities and liberties conferred upon them by himself, his ancestors or any others; and granting them throughout their lands toll and theam, infangenthif, with ordeal of water and the, gallows (furtis) and iron; that they and their men be quit of suits of shires and hundreds, of murders, mercies, aids of sheriffs etc., of summonses, juries etc. Witnesses: P. bishop of Winchester, Geoffrey son of Peter earl of Essex, Saber (sic) de Quency earl of Winchester, William earl Warenne, Roger de Thoeny, William Bruer, Hugh de Nevyll, Geoffrey de Nevyll the king's steward. Dated Gaydyngton, 3 March 8 John.
R.III. f. 2.

Decree of Robert bishop of Bath that upon the death of any canon in the church of St. Andrew Wells two thirds of his prebend for one year shall go to the surviving canons, and the third shall be at his disposal, or for his debts or other obligations; that every canon give a full tithe of his prebend to the church to which by reason of its situation the same ought by right to be given; and that no canon diminish his prebend or change it for the worse by turning the land of villeins to free service.
R.III. f. 2d.

Letters patent of King Edward [I], reciting that he had impleaded Gilbert de Clare earl of Gloucester and Hertford and others before the justices in eyre in county Somerset for withdrawing the sheriff's turns and aids, suits of dozeins and other suits and liberties within the hundreds of Wynterstok, Ceddre, Yatton and Chyu which belong to the churches of Bath and Wells and are in the hand of bishop Robert, and also suits and liberties belonging to the city of Bath which the said bishop had of his gift, and recovered the same by judgment of the court; and rendering to the said bishop for his good service the said liberties and suits, to hold to the said bishop and his successors of the said king and his heirs. Tested at Westminster, 12 July 9 Edward [I].
R.III. f. 3: repeated f. 345. Pat. Cal. p. 452.

Confirmation by Roger bishop of Bath and Wells to the chapter of Wells of all their lands, churches and other possessions, namely the manor, church and hundred of Northcury with the land of Hach and of Wrentisse of the gift of King Richard and King John, confirmed by King Henry III and bishops Savaricus and Joscelin: the manor and church of Wynescomb of the grant of bishop Joscelin as an endowment at the dedication of the church: the church of Luvyngton, one hide of land there (80 acres in one field and 80 in another), and a messuage by the church of the size of a capital messuage, of the gift of Robert de Cari formerly lord of Luvyngton confirmed by bishop Reginald: the church of St. Cuthbert in the city of Wells (saving a vicarage therein) of the grant of bishops Robert and Joscelin: the church of Lydyard of the the grant of bishops Savaricus and Joscelin: the church of Cungresbyri of the grant of bishop Joscelin: the church of Mudiford of the appointment of bishop Joscelin: the church of Ceddre of the grant of bishop Joscelin: 100s. yearly of the church of Karempton of the grant of bishops Reginald and Savaricus, the prior and convent of Bath, and Simon Bozun formerly patron: 35 marks yearly of the church of Chyuton of the appointment of bishop Joscelin by consent of the abbot and convent of Jumiéges the patrons: 40s. yearly of the church of Staweya by appointment of bishop Joscelin by consent of the prior and convent of Goldclyve to whom that church is appropriated: 60s. yearly of the church of Nuny of the grant of bishop Joscelin: 40s. of the church of Norton under Hamedon by appointment of bishop Joscelin by consent of the abbot and convent of Gresteyn the patrons: a mediety of the church of Whytecherch, Salisbury diocese, by appointment of Robert bishop of Salisbury and grant of bishop Joscelin the patron: 2s. yearly of the church of Brunfeld in the archdeaconry of Tanton: the custody and fruits of vacant prebends, beyond that which belongs to a deceased canon by ancient custom, of the grant of bishop Robert: two thirds of vacant churches throughout the bishopric of the grant of bishops Reginald and Joscelin: the barton of their common fund in the city of Wells of the gift of bishop Reginald, free of rent save 12d. yearly to the archdeacon: quittance of murders and mercies for the men, tenements and fees of the dean and chapter and of every canon, of the grant of bishop Joscelin: licence to publish sentence of excommunication and interdict upon all who invade their possessions and rights, or impose undue charges upon them, by indulgence of bishop Savaricus: 40s. yearly of the churches of Banewell and Westbury, payable by the prior and convent of Bryuton to whom they are appropriated, to find a wax candle before the high altar, by appointment of bishop Reginald and grant of the said prior and convent: three wax candles every year upon the vigil of St. Andrew (one of 3lb. the others of 2lb) of the land of Ralph Martre in Dultinchot of the gift of bishop Robert at the dedication of the old church: 10 marks yearly of the church of Chyu, and other 20 marks yearly of the provostry of Combe, towards the daily service of the Virgin and all the hours, and further 10 marks yearly of the said provostry for the daily service of the dead, the goods given by former bishops for that purpose, and the portions assigned to the vicars present, according to the appointment of bishop Joscelin: 3 marks yearly to be received of the church of Chyuton towards the light of the Virgin by appointment of bishop Joscelin: the ordinance of bishop Joscelin, by consent of dean J. and the chapter, concerning the common fund, and the commutation thereof: the houses of Ralph Preciosus in the city of Wells, to be assigned to a canon resident; of Lambert de Well' with his land, free of rent; of Roger the chaplain, canon of Wells, in the city of Wells, to be assigned to a canon resident; of the said Roger, and before him of Reginald de Waltham, to the use of the school in the city of Wells; of Richard de Attebyri canon of Wells, to be assigned to a canon resident; and of Elias the chaplain canon of Wells, to be assigned to a canon resident: 2 marks yearly payable to the treasurer by the archdeacon to find eight wax candles, of the rent which the archdeacon used to pay yearly to the bishop, by appointment of bishop Joscelin: 60s. payable by the archdeacon of the said rent towards a daily service of the dead at the altar of St. Kalixtus for the soul of dean P. (in recompense whereof the said dean's executors granted to bishop Joscelin the land of Merlegh in the manor of Woky): 100lb. of wax yearly of the church of Weston near Worspring in the bishop's patronage, of the gift of bishop Joscelin, payable by the parson thereof to the treasurer: a site in the city of Wells next the house of Elias the chaplain on the south, of the gift of William Bouth (sic): also all prebends, dignities, rights, liberties etc. therein. Dated Staweie in the parish of Chyu, id. August 1246.

Note of a confirmation by the prior and chapter of Bath, under date xiiii kal. September 1246.

R.III. ff. 3d—6. (For this last confirmation see f. 304d: below p. 455, and R.II. f. 47).

Charter of Roger bishop of Bath and Wells, reciting a debate between himself and J. dean of Wells and the chapter touching vacant churches in the bishopric, which the bishop claimed as his own by common right, but they replied that his predecessors, by consent of their archdeacons, granted the same to them and the church of Wells, and they had remained in possession for sixty years and more, producing instruments to that effect; whereupon he withdrew his claim, but they in aid of debts etc. freely granted him a portion thereof during his life, namely the two thirds belonging to them, without prejudice to their rights. Witnesses: J. the dean, W. de Badestan chancellor, H. de London treasurer of Wells, H. Tessun, W. de Sancto Quintino archdeacons of Bath and Tanton, H. the subdean, N. the succentor, W. provost of Combe, Luke de Membry, W. de Cosinton, J. de Teynton, J. de Hereford, J. de Sutton canons of Wells, Master G. de Acford and Master E. de Badestan the bishop's clerks, Sir W. de Purle and Sir R. de Glovernia his chaplains, G. and J. his clerks. Dated Jatton, ix kal. June 1246, by Master Richard de Haldewourth.

Note of a similar charter of William bishop of Bath, dated Wells, id. December 1249.
R.III. f. 10d: II. f. 15.

Note of a confirmation by the chapter of Bath of two thirds of vacant churches throughout the bishopric to the dean and chapter of Wells towards their common fund, according to the grant of bishop Jocelin.
R.II. f. 15 (interpolated at the foot of the page).

Decree of William bishop of Bath and Wells restoring to the dean and chapter of Wells the portion of vacant churches in the diocese belonging to the said dean and chapter, as appears by divers letters of his predecessors, which they granted to him for the relief of debts, without prejudice to their rights; and appropriating the fruits thereof to the fabric of the church. Dated Banewell, ii id January 15 bishop William, by W. and J. archdeacon and chancellor of Wells.
R.III. f. 11d: II. f. 16.

Charter of King Richard [I] confirming to the church of St. Andrew Wells and to Rainaud bishop of Bath all gifts of churches and other benefices, namely the churches of Pylton and Sowthbrente of the gift of Robert abbot of Glastonbury and the convent: the church of Hengestrigge of the gift of Richard de Canuill'; the church of Bokeland of the gift of Oliver de Dynham: the church of Estharpetre of the gift of William son of William son of John de Arpetre: the church of Haselbergh of the gift of William son of William: the church of Scaudeford of the gift of Hamon de Blakeforde: the churches of Compton and Bronfeld of the gift of Gerbert de Percy and Maud Arondel: the church of Codeworth with the chapel of Knolle of the gift of Alan de Fornellis: the church of Wythlakyngton of the gift of James de Monte Sorelli: the church of Aulescomb of the gift of Joscelin de Treiminet': the church of Bovy of the gift of Oliver de Tracy: the churches of Holecombe and Lameia of the gift of Ralph son of Bernard: the church of Ceddre: the church of Tymberescombe of the gift of Cristina and of Alice and Sara her sisters: the church of Lideford of the gift of Robert de Bolevile: the church of Doueliz of the gift of Ralph Wac: the churches of Karenton of the gift of Simon Bozon: a mediety of the church of Waleton of the gift of Stephen son of David: the church of Staweya of the gift of Maud de Chandos: the church of Berewe of the gift of Alured de Puntsoud: the church of Werministre of the gift of Ralph son of William: half a virgate of land at Norham of the gift of Geoffrey Talebot, with the meadow there which he had of the said king's gift: and the manor and church of Northcory. Witnesses: Walter archbishop of Rouen, Hugh bishop of Durham, Hugh bishop of Coventry, John dean of Rouen, N. dean of Le Mans, Robert earl of Leicester, William earl of Arundel, William Marescallus, John his brother, Hugh Bard'. Dated Cant', 26 November 1 Richard [I], by William bishop elect of Ely and chancellor.
R.III. f. 13. (See Church, Early History, App. G. pp. 370–377.)

Charter of King Henry [III] granting to Joscelin bishop of Bath and his successors in frank almoin that they and their men, the abbot and monks of Glastonbury, the dean and canons of Wells, the prior and monks of Bath and their successors, and their men, shall be quit of toll (saving to the king the toll of the men holding of their fees, who do not hold in chief of any of them), such liberty not to be affected by non-user. Witnesses: Richard bishop of Durham and others named. Dated Fuleham, 15 May 13 Henry [III], by Ralph bishop of Chichester the king's chancellor.
R.III. f. 14. Charter Rolls, Cal. 104. Adam de Domerham, i. 247.

Letters patent of Edward the king's eldest son, addressed to his constables, bailiffs and ministers, and especially his bailiffs of Bristol, granting at the instance of W. bishop of Bath and Wells, R. abbot of Glastonbury, and the dean of Wells, to the said bishop, the abbot and monks of Glastonbury, the dean and chapter of Wells, their successors and their men of their lands and fees throughout the realm, immunity from the new aid granted him by the king; and the same to all disembarking upon their lands and fees, with their merchandise, and those who trade with them. Tested at Bristol, 10 December 52 [Henry.III].
R.III. f. 14d.

Inspeximus by Robert bishop of Salisbury, W. bishop of Exeter, and W. bishop of Worcester, dated 2 August 1242, of a charter of King Henry [III] granting to Joscelin bishop of Bath and his successors in frank almoin the patronage of the abbey of Glastonbury, the abbot receiving at their hands the temporalities which would be called regalia if the patronage belonged to the king, and doing fealty to them for the fees thereto belonging, and afterwards to the king as his sovereign, but not for the fees: the bishop to perform the king's service which the church of Glastonbury used to perform when there were abbots there before, and the abbot to perform to him the services due to the king's predecessors for the fees belonging to him and the abbey: should the abbot die during a vacancy of the see, the king to have the custody, as of other abbeys, during such vacancy, and an abbot to be appointed by his assent; otherwise the bishop to have the custody, and the king's assent not to be required: witnessed by Richard bishop of Durham, Walter bishop of Carlisle, Hilbert (sic) de Burgo earl of Kent, Philip de Albiniaco, Ralph son of Nicholas and Godfrey de Craucumbe the king's stewards; and dated Westminster, 25 April 19 Henry III by Ralph bishop of Chichester the chancellor.
R.III. f. 15.

Nomination by W. prior of Glastonbury and the convent of Adam de Bodekeleye, John de Ambresbiry, Walter de Calne (Kabie), Adam de Domerham and Walter de Tefunt' their brethren to elect an abbot, the bishop's licence having been obtained, for that W. bishop of Bath and Wells in his visitation has deposed Roger de Ford the late abbot. Dated in chapter, xii. kal. March 1255.

III. f. 16: repeated f. 357. Adam de Domerham, i. 255.

Inspeximus by Robert bishop of Salisbury, W. bishop of Exeter and W. bishop of Worcester, dated 1242, of a charter of King John granting to Joscelin bishop of Bath and Glastonbury and his successors, that should the church of Glastonbury need to be under the rule of an abbot they should have the patronage thereof in frank almoin, in the same terms as in the foregoing charter of Henry III: witnessed by S. archbishop of Canterbury, W. abbot of Westminster, R. abbot of Ramsey and others named; and dated the New Temple London, 9 January 16 John, by Master Richard de Marisco, chancellor.

R.III. f. 16d.: repeated f. 399d. Rotuli Chartarum, p. 203. Adam de Domerham, i. 240.

Inspeximus by Robert bishop of Salisbury, W. bishop of Exeter and W. bishop of Worcester, dated 2 August 1242, of the assent of King John, given by counsel of Nicholas bishop of Tusculum the papal legate, Stephen archbishop of Canterbury primate and cardinal, William bishop of London, Peter bishop of Winchester, Eustace bishop of Ely, Giles bishop of Hereford and Hugh bishop of Lincoln, and at the petition of Joscelin bishop of Bath and Glastonbury, to the union of the churches of Bath and Glastonbury made by the papal see, and to the constitution of the church of Glastonbury and the division of tis possessions between Savaricus bishop of Bath and Glastonbury and the monks of the said church made by Eustace bishop of Ely, Sampson late abbot of St. Edmund and Geoffrey prior of Holy Trinity Canterbury: witnessed by William Marescallus earl of Penbrok, William earl Warenne, Saher earl of Winchester, William Bruer, Robert Fitzwalter, John Marescallus, and Thomas de Erdington; and dated the New Temple London, 21 November 16 John, by Master Richard Maresco the chancellor.
R.III. f. 17: repeated f. 342d. Adam de Domerham, i. 238.

Letters patent of King Edward [II], being a licence in mortmain to John de Drokenesford bishop of Bath and Wells to acquire lands, tenements and rents to the value of 10l. yearly, and the advowson of one church, (those held of the king in chief excepted,) and to convey them for chantries and alms for the souls of the said king and his heirs, King Edward his father etc., subject to the finding of an inquisition ad quod damnum. Tested at Westminster, 8 November 14 Edward [II].
R.III. f. 17d. Pat. Cal. p. 518.

Letters patent of King Edward [II], reciting a statute made at Westminster in the first parliament of his father, 3 Edward [I], for the protection of the goods of the church, and subsequent complaints of the non-observance thereof made in divers parliaments during both reigns on behalf of the prelates and clergy, and ordering that it be fully observed in future. Tested at York, 24 November 10 Edward [II].
R.III. f. 18. Pat. Cal. p. 608.

Agreement, dated 7 June 50 Henry III, between Walter bishop of Bath and Wells and Robert abbot of Glastonbury, whereby the abbot with the consent of his convent quitclaims to the bishop and his successors and their churches of Bath and Wells the manor and advowson of Pokeleschurch county Gloucester, the manor and advowson of Wynescombe, the manor of Blakeford with the advowson of the free chapel, and the manor of Cranemere county Somerset, (the last free of all suit of the abbot's court and hundred,) the advowsons of Essebury county Berks, Kyngton and Cristesmaleford county Wilts, and Bokland county Dorset, and the service and homage of one knight's fee in Camelarton county Somerset with the advowson; saving their ancient yearly pensions, namely from the church of Pokelcherch 50s., of Wynescombe 1 mark, of Camelarton 1 mark: and the bishop with the consent of his chapters quitclaims to the abbot and his successors and their church the manors of Essebury county Berks, Baddebury, Kyngton and Crystemaleford county Wilts, Bokland county Dorset, and Mere with the advowson county Somerset, saving the advowsons of Essebury, Kyngton, Cristemaleford and Bokland; and also grants and quitclaims to them 11l. 5s. which he and his predecessors used to receive yearly of the abbots from their hundreds of Wystane and Wytelegh, their courts, and sheriffs' aids: and further, to prevent disputes touching the liberties granted by the king to the bishop and his churches in the fees and lands of the abbey, it is agreed that the abbots shall be answerable to the bishops as their lords and patrons, and the bishops and their bailiffs shall take from the sheriffs the return of the king's writs touching the liberty of the abbey in every county where they have lands, and return them to the abbots and their bailiffs, in Somerset at the abbey of Glastonbury, in Dorset at Nyweton, in Wyltesyre at Domerham, in Berksyre at Essebury, and they shall certify the bishop's said bailiffs in matters touching the counties at the next county court, in all other matters (except at the justices' eyre in Somerset) at Wells in Somerset, at Schyrbourn in Dorset, at New Salisbury in Wilts, and at Edwyneston in Berks: that the abbots shall hold their hundreds and courts, and pleas therein de namio vetito etc., as they used to do when they held of the king direct, and the abbots and their tenants shall be quit of suit at any court of the bishops: that if the abbot shall be personally impleaded in any county, the bishop's steward specially appointed shall hold the bishop's court on the same day and in the same town but apart from the county court and do justice between the parties, and the abbot shall there answer: that the liberties and immunities of the twelve hides of Glastonbury shall be preserved as heretofore, namely that in the justices' eyre the king's writs of that liberty shall be delivered by the justices to the bishop's steward or his bailiff then present, and by him in their presence to the abbot, his steward or bailiff, and other writs as above: that when a scutage, tallage, or general aid be assessed, it shall be levied by the abbot upon the king's writ, to be obtained by the bishop with his own and to him delivered, so that he be answerable to the bishop and the bishop to the king, saving to the abbot the scutage of the fees of his church after performance of his service by the bishop's hands, and the bishop shall pay such scutage, tallage or aid unpaid or not levied by reason of his default or neglect: that if the bishop fine with the king for the service of the fees both of the bishopric and the abbey, the abbot shall answer for his portion: that the bishop grants to the abbot a moiety of all amercements, fines for mercy, trespass or concord, escapes of thieves, chattels of fugitives and condemned persons, murders, and oxen of seisin issuing from the lands, fees and men of the abbey, the fees and men of the men thereof, provided the abbot find a sworn bailiff to collect the same, and account at the exchequer at Wells four times a year, saving to the bishop the amercement of the abbot in person, and power to enter the liberty of the abbey and execute his office in case of any default of the abbot or his bailiffs: the abbot to save the bishop harmless for any such default or neglect, and the bishop the abbot similarly: that no waste be committed during a vacancy of the abbey, but the manors and possessions thereof remain in the hands of the obedientiaries, with power nevertheless to remove them, if found unfit, by counsel of the prior and convent, saving the prior, in order that the election of an abbot be not delayed. Witnesses: Sir Philip Basset, Sir Robert Auguilun, Sir Robert Walrond, Sir William de Aete, Sir Nicholas de Haveresham, Sir Hugh Peverell, Sir Ralph de Bagepuz, Sir William Belet, Sir Walter de Burges, Sir Nicholas de Leuekenor, Sir William Everard, Sir Richard de Wyrecestria, Sir Geoffrey de Stawell. Done at Norhampton.

R.III. ff. 19–21d.: repeated ff. 89–91. (Compare R.I. ff. 129d., 130d.: above pp. 167–8; R. III. f. 343d.: below p. 472.)