V.
Charter in the custody of the Town Clerk. 19 April 1340.
Hugo le Despenser Dominus Glamorgancie et Morgancie omnibus Balliuis et Ministris nostris, ac aliis fidelibus presentem Cartam
inspecturis: salutem in domino. Sciatis quod de gracia nostra speciali
dedimus et concessimus dilectis Burgensibus nostris ville nostre de
Kaerdif omnes libertates subscriptas imperpetuum, videlicet quod ipsi
et heredes sui quieti et liberi sint de theoloneo, muragio, pontagio,
panagio, terragio, kayagio, et picagio, ac aliis diuersis custumis et
consuetudinibus per totum dominium nostrum tam in Anglia quam in
Wallia. Et quod ipsi eligere debeant annuatim Balliuos nostros de
Burgensibus nostris eiusdem ville videlicet quatuor prepositos, de
quibus Constabularius Castri nostri de Kaerdif duos recipiet ad
voluntatem suam, unum balliuum et duos tastatores cereuisie qui
debent recipi et iurari ad scaccarium nostrum de Kaerdif coram
eodem Constabulario ad bene et fideliter faciendum quecumque ad
officia sua pertinencia. Et quod iidem prepositi et tastatores onerari
debeant in compotis suis de exitibus balliuie eorum, et eciam quod
predicti duo prepositi et Balliuus qui pro tempore fuerint pro
seruiciis suis de redditu vnius Burgagij sint quilibet eorum quieti
per annum. et quod idem balliuus capiet de Molendinis nostris de
Kaerdif pro seruicio et labore suo de tribus septimanis in tres
septimanas vnum busselum frumenti per totum annum. Concessimus
eciam predictis Burgensibus nostris quod de omnibus merchandisis
tam per terram quam per aquam ad predictam villam venientibus seu
transeuntibus demonstracio primo fiet Constabulario nostro predicto
et postea prepositis ville priusquam aliquid inde sit venditum seu
remotum sub pena qua decet. Et quod nullus de Burgensibus nostris
predictis capi nec imprisonari debeat in Castro nostro predicto pro
aliquibus eos tangentibus dum manucapcionem seu plegiagium ad
exteriorem portam eiusdem Castri possent inuenire nisi in casu felonie
cum manuopere tantum capti fuerint, seu pro aliquibus nos aut familias
nostras specialiter tangentibus. Et de omnibus rebus infra libertatem
ville nostre predicte factis prefatos Burgenses tenementa, seu, catalla
eorum tangentibus vnde inquisicio capi debeat quod illa inquisicio sit
terminata per intrinsecos eiusdem ville et non per alios. Concessimus
insuper eisdem Burgensibus nostris quod ipsi nec heredes sui esse
non debeant Receptores denariorum nostrorum nisi tantum de
denariis exeuntibus de balliuia prepositatus ville nostre predicte.
Nec distringi debeant ad blada, carnes, vina, seu alia victualia
nostra contra voluntatem ipsorum emendenda set quod liberi
sint per libertates eorum vendere omnia que habent vendenda
cuicumque et quibuscumque et quo tempore voluerint absque aliquo
impedimento. Preterea concessimus prefatis Burgensibus nostris
quod ipsi et heredes sui libere legare possent omnia Burgagia sua
per ipsos adquisita tam de tenementis quam de redditibus cuicumque
et quibuscumque voluerint ad voluntatem ipsorum; Et quod iidem
Burgenses nostri distringi non debeant exire antiquas Bundas
libertatis ville predicte contra eorum voluntatem ad aliqua facienda,
et tales sunt Bunde libertatis eorum videlicet de loco vocato
appeldore iuxta Listelbont in parte boriali usque ad Bradestrem
in mari in parte australi, et de Paynescros in parte orientali vsque
ad crucem iuxta ffratres predicatores in parte occidentali. Et quod
nullus extraneus extra Nundinas vel forum infra bundas predictas
aliquas merchandisas de aliquo extraneo emet nisi tantum de Burgensibus nostris eiusdem ville, preter gentiles homines Glamorgancie
pro victualibus eorum et non racione marchandisie. Nec aliquis teneat
celdam apertam de aliquibus merchandisis, nec tabernam, nec Corf
faciet in villa nostra predicta nisi fuerit cum predictis Burgensibus
nostris lotant et escotant et infra Guldam libertatis ipsorum receptus.
Necnon concessimus eisdem Burgensibus nostris quod ipsi et heredes
sui Guldam inter eos facere possent quo tempore et quandocumque
voluerint ad proficuum ipsorum. Et quod distringi non debeant pro
debito alicuius nisi debitores, aut plegij pro eodem fuerint. Et quod
nullus Balliuus sue Minister noster colore balliuie sue summoniciones
seu attachiamenta faciet, nec infra Bundas supradictas districtionem
capiet nisi tantum Constabularius predictus et Balliui eiusdem ville
qui per ipsos Burgenses fuerint electi. Preterea concessimus prefatis
Burgensibus nostris quod ipsi et heredes sui habeant commoinam
pasturam pro aueriis suis in Brueris nostris vocatis Muchel heth et
Litel heth prout iacent per antiquas metas et bundas et quod libere
falcare possent omnes rustos et fodere omnes glebas pro focalibus
eorum in eisdem Brueris crescentes, et quod habeant vnum messorem
ad bene et fideliter custodiendum predictos rustos et glebas quod
nemo ibidem falcet nec fodiat preter Burgenses ville nostre predicte,
et si aliquos alios ibidem manuoperantes inueniat ipsos attachiare
faciet et attachiamenta presentet ad hundredum ville nostre supradicte,
et sint ibidem amerciati secundum quantitatem delicti. Insuper
concessimus prefatis Burgensibus nostris quod omnes mercatores, tam
pannarij, cerdones, pelliparij, cyrothecarij, quam alij diuersi qui ex
vendicione et empcione viuant infra dominium nostrum Glamorgancie
et Morgancie residere debeant in villis de Bourgh et non vpland, et
quod omnimode merchandisas faciant in Nundinis foris et in villis de
Bourgh et non alibi. Et eciam quod omnes mercatores cum eorum
merchandisis alibi non transeant quam per regales vicos per villas de
Bourgh ita quod nos nec heredes nostri tolnetum nostrum nec alias
custumas nobis debitas aliquo tempore amittamus. Et quod predicti
Burgenses nostri nec eorum heredes aliquam vigilacionem faciant
nec aliquem fugitiuum in aliqua ecclesia custodiant extra muros
ville nostre predicte. Concessimus vero predictis Burgensibus
nostris quod per ordinacionem Constabularij predicti ordinaciones
et clamaciones libere facere possint de assisis panis et cereuisie et
aliis diuersis rebus ad voluntatem eorum eandem villam tangentibus quandocumque necesse fuerit ad emendacionem illius ville et
proficuum populi. Nolentes eciam quod iidem Burgenses sint ligati
per clamaciones in Comitatu nostro Glamorgancie aliquo tempore
factas. Et quod habeant prisonam suam in eadem villa nostra ad
malefactores et rebelles ibidem custodiendos et castigandos et ad
legem implendam et tenendam, necnon execucionem faciendam coram
Constabulario nostro predicto cum placito vel sine placito de omnibus
rebus villam nostram predictam tangentibus. Preterea concessimus
prefatis Burgensibus nostris quod due Nundine sint in eadam villa
nostra quolibet anno sicut esse solebant tempore antecessorum nostrorum videlicet Nundine que incipiunt in vigilia Natiuitatis Sancti
Johannis Baptiste durantes per quindecim dies sequentes In quibus
vero Nundinis predictus Constabularius noster capiet tolnetum
nostrum et alias custumas nobis debitas, et quod deceteris in eisdem
Nundinis teneat omnia placita corone de omnimodis feloniis infra
Bundas libertatis eiusdem ville durantibus illis Nundinis factis. ac
alia placita de transgressionibus, debitis, Conuencionibus et aliis
diuersis contractis vbicumque fuerint factis. Et concessimus predictis
Burgensibus nostris quod durantibus predictis Nundinis nullus
mercator aliquas merchandisas emat aut vendat extra illas Nundinas
inter Rempny et Pulthcanau sub forisfactura earundem
merchandisarum et grandi amerciamento. et alie Nundine sunt
ad festum Natiuitatis beate Marie que Nundine quiete sunt de
tolneto tantum in vigilia et in die sequenti. Concessimus insuper
prefatis Burgensibus nostris quod omnia placita et querele tam
de hutes clamore sanguine fuso quam de trangressionibus, debitis,
Conuencionibus et aliis diuersis contractis de ceteris placitentur et
terminentur in Hundredo ville nostre predicte, exceptis placitis corone,
forstall, homsokne, et placitis terre. Volentes eciam et concedentes
quod Constabularius noster de Kaerdif qui pro tempore fuerit teneat
eadem hundreda nostra de quindena in quindenam et placita vocata
Pipoudres de die in diem quandocumque necesse fuerit, et quod
omnia alia libertates ville nostre predicte tangencia sint terminata et
coram ipso verificata et quod ipse deceteris sit Maior eiusdem ville
nostre. Nos autem donaciones et concessiones predictas ratas
habentes et gratas eas pro nobis et heredibus nostris predictis
Burgensibus nostris concedimus et confirmamus easque tenore presencium innouamus. Volentes et concedentes pro nobis et heredibus
nostris quod Carta predicta in omnibus et singulis articulis suis imperpetuum firmiter et inuiolabiliter obseruetur eciam si aliqui articuli
in eadem Carta contenti hucusque forsitan non fuerint obseruati. In
cuius rei testimonium huic presenti Carte sigillum Cancellarie nostre
de Kaerdyf duximus apponendum. Hiis testibus Venerabilibus viris
Henrico abbate de Margan, Willelmo abbate de Neth, Dominis
Willelmo de Ercalewe, Henrico de Vmframuilla, Johanne Dauene,
Rogero de Berkeroles Militibus Johanne le Norreys Matheo le
Soer et aliis. Datum apud Kaerdyf nono decimo die Mensis aprilis.
Anno Regni Regis Edwardi tercij post conquestum Quartodecimo.
Endorsed—"Carta Hugonis de le Spencr." "14. E. 3. Hugh
Spencer his graunt of the lib'ties to the towne of Cardiffe." (The
Latin words of this endorsement appear to date from the reign of Henry
VIII., and the English from that of James I.)
Note.—This Charter is in excellent preservation, and the ink very fresh and
dark. The initial letter H is simply ornamented with a zigzag line of white on a
black background. The Seal (repaired) is of green wax and is affixed with silk cords
of blue and yellow intertwined. It represents the equestrian figure of the grantor,
with the arms on shield and caparisons. Legend—"Sigillum Hugonis le Despenser
Dominus Glamorgancie et Morgancie." Reverse: Escutcheon, Quarterly (I. and IV.
diapered), in II. and III. a fret; over all, a bendlet. Supporters, lions. Legend—+
"Sigillum Hugonis le Despenser," etc., as obverse.
[Translation.]
Hugh Le Despenser, Lord of Glamorgant and Morgant, to all
Our Bailiffs and Ministers and other faithful subjects who shall inspect
the present Charter, health in the Lord. Know ye that of Our especial
favour We have given and granted unto Our beloved Burgesses of Our
Vill of Kaerdif all the underwritten liberties for ever, namely, that
they and their heirs shall be quit and free of toll, murage, pontage,
panage, terrage, quayage and picage and other divers customs and
customary dues, throughout Our whole domain, as well in England
as in Wales. And that they shall choose yearly Our Bailiffs from
among Our Burgesses of the same Vill, to wit, four Prevosts, of whom
the Constable of Our Castle of Kaerdif shall receive two at his will,
one Bailiff and two Aletasters, who must be received and sworn at
Our Exchequer of Kaerdif, before the same Constable, well and faithfully to do whatsoever things are to their offices pertaining. And
that the same Prevosts and Tasters shall be charged in their accounts
with the issues of their bailiwick; and also that the aforesaid two
Prevosts and the Bailiff for the time being shall for their services be
each of them quit for the year of the rent of one burgage. And that
the same Bailiff shall take from Our mills of Kaerdif, for his service
and labour, every three weeks one bushel of corn, throughout the
whole year. We have granted also unto Our aforesaid Burgesses
that of all merchandises coming to the aforesaid Vill or passing
through, as well by land as by water, demonstration shall first be
made to Our aforesaid Constable and afterwards to the Prevosts of
the Vill, before any thereof be sold or removed, under the penalty
which befits. And that none of Our aforesaid Burgesses must be
taken nor imprisoned in Our aforesaid Castle for any things them
touching, so long as they can find mainprise or pledge at the outward
gate of the same Castle; except only they be taken in case of felony
with mainour, or for any matters especially touching Us or Our
households. And concerning all things done within the Liberties of
Our aforesaid Vill, touching the aforesaid Burgesses, their tenements
or chattels, whereof inquisition ought to be taken, that that inquisition
be determined by the Inhabitants of the same Vill, and not by others.
We have granted moreover unto Our same Burgesses that they nor
their heirs shall not be receivers of Our moneys, except only of the
moneys issuing from the bailwick of the prevostship of Our aforesaid
Vill. Nor must they be constrained to buy corn, meat, wines or
other victuals of Us, against their own will; but that they be free,
throughout their Liberties, to sell all things that they have to sell, to
whomsoever and at whatever time they will, without any hindrance.
Moreover we have granted to Our aforesaid Burgesses that they and
their heirs may freely bequeath all their burgages by them acquired,
as well tenements as rents, to whomsoever they will at their own
pleasure. And that Our Burgesses must not be constrained to go
outside the ancient bounds of the Liberties of the aforesaid Vill,
against their will, to do anything. And these are the bounds of their
Liberties, to wit: From the place called Appeldore, nigh Listelbont,
on the north, as far as the Bradestrem in the sea on the south; and
from Paynescros on the east, as far as the cross nigh the Friars
Preachers on the west. And that no non-inhabitant shall buy any
merchandise of any non-inhabitant (except at the fairs or the market
within the bounds aforesaid) but only of Our Burgesses of the same
Vill, besides the gentlemen of Glamorgant for their victuals and not
by reason of merchandise. Nor shall anyone keep an open stall
of any merchandise, nor a shop, nor make a Corf in Our aforesaid
Vill, unless they lot and scot with Our aforesaid Burgesses and
(he) be received in the Guild of their liberty. Also We have granted
unto Our same Burgesses that they and their heirs may make a Guild
among themselves, at what time and whenever they will, for their
own profit. And that they must not be distrained for the debt of
anyone, unless they shall have been debtors or pledges for the same.
And that no Bailiff or Minister of Ours shall by colour of his bailiwick
make summons or attachments, nor take distraint within the bounds
aforesaid, but only the aforesaid Constable and the Bailiffs of the
same Vill who shall have been elected by the Burgesses themselves.
Moreover We have granted unto Our aforesaid Burgesses that they
and their heirs shall have common pasture for their cattle in Our
heaths called Muchel heth and Litel heth as they lie by ancient metes
and bounds; and that they may freely cut all whins and dig all turves
growing in the same heaths, for their fuel; and that they may have
one Cutter to well and faithfully guard the aforesaid whins and
turves, that no one cut or dig there besides the Burgesses of Our
aforesaid Vill; and if he find any others working there, that he cause
them to be attached and present the attachments to the Hundred of
Our Vill aforesaid, and that they be there amerced according to the
quantity of the offence. We have granted, besides, unto Our aforesaid
Burgesses that all mercers, as well drapers, curriers, fellmongers,
glovers, as divers others who live by selling and buying within Our
Lordship of Glamorgant and Morgant, must dwell in the towns of
Burgh and not Upland; and that they shall in everywise make sale
of their wares in marts, market places, and in towns of Burgh, and
not elsewhere. And also that merchants with their wares shall not
travel elsewhere than by the highways through the towns of Burgh,
so that We nor Our heirs lose not at any time Our toll or other
customs due unto Us. And that Our aforesaid Burgesses nor their
heirs shall not do any watch, nor keep any fugitive in any church
outside the walls of Our aforesaid Vill. And We have granted unto
Our aforesaid Burgesses that by the ordinance of the aforesaid
Constable they may freely make orders and proclamations concerning
the assizes of bread and ale and other divers things, at their will,
touching the same Vill, whenever it shall be necessary for the
amendment of that Vill and the profit of the people. And We will
that those Burgesses shall not be bound by claims made in Our
County of Glamorgant at any time And that they shall have their
prison in Our said Vill, for keeping and punishing there malefactors
and rebels and for fulfilling and keeping the Law; as also for doing
execution before Our aforesaid Constable, with plea or without plea,
of all things touching Our aforesaid Vill. Besides we have granted
to Our beforementioned Burgesses that there shall be two fairs in
Our said Vill every year, as there were wont to be in the time of Our
ancestors, to wit, the fair which begins on the eve of the Nativity of
Saint John Baptist, lasting the fifteen following days. In which fair
Our aforesaid Constable shall take Our toll and other customs due
unto Us; and that henceforth he shall hold in the same fair all pleas
of the Crown concerning all manner of felonies within the bounds of
the Liberties of the same Vill done during that fair, and other pleas of
trespass, debts, agreements and other divers contracts, wheresoever
they shall have been made. And We have granted unto Our aforesaid
Burgesses that during the aforesaid fair no merchant shall buy or sell
any wares outside of that fair, between Rempny and Pulthcanau,
under forfeiture of the same wares and a heavy fine. And the other
fair is at the feast of the Nativity of Blessed Mary; which fair is quit
of toll only on the eve and on the following day. We have moreover
granted unto Our beforementioned Burgesses that all pleas and
plaints, as well of hue and cry, bloodshed, as of Trespass, debts,
agreements and other divers contracts, shall henceforth be pleaded
and determined in the Hundred of Our aforesaid Vill; except pleas of
the Crown, forestall, homesoken, and pleas of land. We will also and
do grant that Our Constable of Kaerdif for the time being shall hold
Our said Hundreds every fortnight, and the pleas called Piepowder
from day to day, whenever it shall be needful; and that all other
things touching the liberties of our aforesaid Vill shall be determined
and adjudged before him, and that he shall in future be Mayor of Our
said Vill. Now We, ratifying and approving the gifts and grants
aforesaid, do grant and confirm them for Us and Our heirs unto Our
aforesaid Burgesses, and do renew them by the tenour of these
Presents. Willing and granting, for Us and Our heirs, that the
aforesaid Charter shall for ever be firmly and inviolably observed in
all and singular its articles, even if some articles in the same Charter
contained have perchance not been hitherto observed. In witness
whereof We have to this present Charter caused the seal of Our
Chancery of Kaerdyf to be affixed. Witness the Venerable men
Henry, Abbot of Margan; William, Abbot of Neth; the Lords
William De Ercalewe, Henry De Vmframuill; John Dauene, Roger
De Berkeroles, Knights; John Le Norreys; Matthew Le Soer, and
others. Given at Kaerdyf on the nineteenth day of the month of
April, in the fourteenth year of the reign of King Edward the third
after the Conquest (1340).