Herbert (nos. 244-50)
244. Grant by Abbot Herbert, for the service of the High Altar, and for
the needs of the whole church, both inside and outside, of £3 from St
Margaret's Westminster; £1. 10s. from the church of Denham (Bucks.);
15s. due to Herbert from the High Altar on the two feasts of St Peter; the
entire annual revenue from the Great Cross, and all the gelds of St Peter,
of which alms are customarily offered to that church (the abbey),
including those in Newchurch in London, when it can be recovered.
[1121 × 1136]
Herbertus, Dei gratia abbas huius ecclesie Sancti Petri, omnibus succes
soribus suis, abbatibus et prelatis et magistris huius cenobii futuris,
eternam salutem et perpetuam in Christo benedictionem. Sciat,
reverenda paternitas et benigna fraternitas vestra, patres et fratres,
peticione et consensu capituli huius, mee parvitati pro Christo subiecti
devote et benigne et humili mente, ad honorem Dei et Sancti Petri,
advocati nostri, et omnium reliquiarum in presenti ecclesia requiescentium, me concessisse perpetualiter ad servitia magni altaris et necessaria
totius ecclesie intus et extra facienda, lx solidos de ecclesia Sancte
Margarete in nostro cymiterio stante; et xxxta solidos de ecclesia de
Deneham; et xv solidos qui mei esse solebant de duobus (fn. 1) festis Sancti
Petri de magno altari; et totum apportatum magne crucis totius anni; et
omnes gyldas Sancti Petri, quarum elemosine ad ecclesiam istam solite
sunt deferri; et [in] Niwecirce in Lundonia, quando auxiliante Deo illa
diracionnari poterit ad honorem et proficum huius ecclesie. Hec omnia,
karissimi, ad honorem Dei et domini nostri Apostoli Petri servitiis
ecclesie fideliter concessi pro salute et quiete omnium fidelium defunctorum; et ut post obitum nostrum det nobis Deus regna celorum, et pro
requie boni patroni nostri Regis Eadwardi huius ecclesie fundatoris
devoti. Et hanc concessionem ante magnum altare, presente conventu,
confirmavi, et desuper altare donationem posui, sicque omnes tam
presentes quam futuros qui hec ab ecclesie servitio auferrent vel
minuerent excommunicavi et maledixi, omnibus amen dicentibus qui
aderant ibi. Nunc, igitur, karissimi patres et domini, estote fideles et
amici Sancti Petri et ecclesie eius, et hanc donationem concedite [ex]
partibus vestris, ut claviger paradysi introducat vos ad misericordiam
Christi.
MSS: (1) BL Harleian Charter 84 F 46.
10 × 18 cm.
Seal: First seal of the convent: green; on tongue; St Peter seated,
holding keys in left hand, right hand raised in blessing; legend:
PETR. AP. XRI (Cat. Seals BM, 4299).
Endorsed (a small step below the tongue): (a) H. abbatis ija (12C).
(b) Carta de pensione de Denham facta ante consilium Lateranense:
Sacrist' (in two hands of the early 14C). (c) Carta Herberti abbatis de
lxs. de ecclesia Sancte Margarete in nostro cimiterio stante et de
triginta solidis de Denham sacrist' Westmonasterii persol[vendis]
(late 14C or early 15C).
(2) WAD, f. 384v.
(3) WAM 3435 (15C, faded and stained).
Pd: Monasticon, I, No. L, 307 (from original); Chaplais, 'Original
Charters', 100–101, with facsimile, Plate VII (b); Lathbury, Denham,
324 (from original).
Note: On St Margaret's, see Harvey, WA, 407–8. The unspecified feasts
of St Peter were prob. Petrus ad vincula (1 Aug.) and Petrus in cathedra in
Antiochia (22 Feb.).
245. Memorandum of the grant by Abbot H[erbert] to Gunter of
Hendon (Mddx.) and his heir of his land and manor as he held them of
Abbot Gilbert (241). [1121 × ante Aug. 1134]
H[erbertus] abbas Westmonasterii concessit Guntero de Hendon terram
suam et heredi suo, ita solidam et quietam sicut melius tenuit tempore
Gisleberti Abbatis, et manerium ipsum, sicut melius tenuit eiusdem
abbatis tempore et de conventu. Testibus: Eadwya priore; Philippo,
Mauricio monachis; et Gaufrido; Paul Picot; Paul Osumul'; Rodberto,
capellano Tovi; Richard de Eya, et multis aliis.
MS: WAD, f. 124.
Rubric: Carta H. abbatis Westmonasterii de eodem.
Date: Gunter's son Gilbert succeeded his father during the reign of
Henry I (124). Edwy was succeeded as prior by Osbert de Clare ante Aug.
1134 (249).
Note: See Harvey, WA, 352.
246. Agreement between Abbot Herbert and the convent, and Leofgar,
whereby, with the common consent of the chapter, there was granted to
Leofgar and his heirs, in fee-farm, the land of Coggeshall (Essex), and the
land called Half-hide, which Norman holds, so that Leofgar may hold it
freely, as the abbot specifically enjoined by an ensuing action in the
halimote of the abbey's vill. [1121 × 1136]
Hec est conventio inter Abbatem Herbertum et monachos Westmonasterii et Leouegarum: quod, communi consensu capituli, concessum est eidem Leouegaro et heredibus suis in feudo firma pro proficuo
ecclesie terram de Coggeshal' pro xl solidis reddendo per annum pro
omnibus serviciis et consuetudinibus, et terram illam quam Normanus
tenet, que dimidia hida est appellata similiter, sibi concessa est et
heredibus eius pro iij solidis per annum pro omnibus serviciis, ita ut libere
et quiete et honorifice teneat, et ut hallimotum ville nostre placita
sequentia nisi abbas nominatim asseruit et hoc sibi preceperit. Et ipse (fn. 2)
Leouegarus, eodem die quo hec sibi concessa fuit, dedit Deo et Sancto
Petro et fratribus ecclesie in elemosina, omnibus diebus vite sue, et
heredes eius post eum, hoc idem dabunt. Testes sunt: Albericus de Vere;
Goffridus de Colet', et Ricg' de Colet, et Alinus; Ricardus; Godefridus
camerarius Alberici; Siricus; Widfarus; Adam de London; Randulfus de
Plumsted.
MS: WAD, f. 266v.
Rubric: Conventio inter abbatem et conventum Westmonasterii et
Leouegarum de terra de Coggeshal' et de terra quam Normannus
tenet qua dimidia hida appellata est.
Note: See Harvey, WA, 341–2.
247. Agreement between Abbot Herbert and the convent, and Henry
son of Wilfred, whereby they granted to Henry, for life, the manor of
Ockendon (Essex), for £10 annually. From his church of St Alphege,
which Henry gave to God and St Peter, he will give £1 annually. Further
provision in case Henry or his heir becomes a monk, and for succession to
the manor and church. 1125.
Anno ab Incarnacione Domini M° centesimo XX°V° facta fuit hec
conventio inter Herebertum abbatem et conventum Westmonasterii et
Henricum filium Wluredi; videlicet quod Herebertus abbas et conventus
Westmonasterii communi assensu tocius capituli concesserunt Henrico
filio Wluredi manerium de Ochendon' in vita sua pro x libris dando per
annum, et de ecclesia sua de Sancto Alfego, quam dedit Deo et Sancto
Petro, dabit per annum xx solidos. Et post mortem ipsius Henrici heres
eius tenebit supradictum manerium pro xj libris per annum et de ecclesia
similiter xx solidis. Et si ipse Henricus monachus esse voluerit sine alia
convencione recipietur, et unus heres eius tenebit sicut supradictum est.
Et si heres eius monachus esse voluerit ea convencione recipietur qua et
pater eius est receptus, et manerium et ecclesia postea soluta et quieta et
libera cum omnibus incrementis suis remanebunt Deo et Sancto Petro.
Terminis denariorum: ad Pascham c et x solidos; ad Festum Sancti
Michaelis c et x solidos. Testibus: Albrico de Ver, Rogero de Ver,
Rogero de Persora, Henrico Arbor, Godwino et Hachuno, et multis aliis.
MS: WAD, f. 446v.
Rubric: Telligraphus Abbatis et conventus Westmonasterii de
manerio de Wokindon' et de pensione xx solidorum de ecclesia
Sancti Alfegi eisdem per Henricum filium Wluredi.
Note: Ockendon and Feering in Essex belonged to Harold II and were
given by the Conqueror to the abbey in exchange for Windsor (9–10);
Henry I confirmed the exchange (67); see also Harvey, WA, 343. The
increasing revenues anticipated from the manor were evidently deemed
sufficient payment in the event of Henry's heir wishing to become a
monk.
248. Notification by Abbot Herbert that Jordan of Worcester has sought
sanctuary. [1121 × 1136]
Herebertus abbas et conventus Westmonasterii omnibus fidelibus regis
Anglie salutem. Sciatis quod Jordanus de Wygornia altare Sancti Petri
Westmonasterii et corpus Regis E[dwardi] requisivit. Et ideo precamur
ut libertatem sui corporis et pacem regis habeat. Valete.
MS: F, f. 258v.
Rubric: Littera testimonialis Hereberti abbatis de eodem.
Pd: Monasticon, I, no. LXII, 310.
248A. Letter of Abbot Herbert and Prior Edwy to Warin, prior of
Worcester, Uhtred the precentor and the monks. They are sending back a
monk who absconded to Westminster from [Great] Malvern, since he had
begun work on a missal for Worcester. They ask that he should be kindly
received. [1124 × ante Aug. 1134]
Herbertus abbas Westmonasteriensis et Edwius prior eiusdem loci,
venerabili priori Wigornie Warino et domino Uhtredo cantori, ceterisque
fratribus ecclesie eiusdem, salutem in Christo et perpetuam pacem.
Sciatis istum fratrem nostrum et monachum ad nos venisse, et causam
recessurus sui de Malvernia, sicut nobis videtur rationabiliter, ostendisse.
Nos rei veritatem ex integro necdum agnoscentes remittimus eum iterum
ad vos a quibus ad nos venit, rogantes humiliter vestram pietatem et
misericordiam ut illum fratrem et amicabiliter tractetis et diligatis, donec
ego ipse ad provinciam veniam. Si illi bonum fuisset, sicut fratrem
nostrum ecclesie nostre professum humiliter et benigne retineremus, sed
dixit nobis quoddam opus, scilicet missale, apud vos incepisse, et antequam ad Malverniam rediret sua voluntate perficeret. Quoniam eum
vestre pietati et caritati commendamus, donec causa eius recessionis a
fratribus vestris Malvernie plenius per vos sciamus. Et si antequam ad
provinciam iero vero illius cordi Deus inspiraverit do[ctrinamen]tum
redire, precipio per sanctam obedientiam ut fraternaliter et amicabiliter
recipiatur, laudando Creatorem qui ovem suam reduxit ad gregem.
Valete.
MS: Cambridge: Corpus Christi College, MS 367, f. 52.
Pd: M. R. James, A Descriptive catalogue of the Manuscripts in the
Library of Corpus Christi College Cambridge, 2 vols., 1912, II, 203
(abridged); Elizabeth A. Mclntyre, 'Early Twelfth-Century Worcester
Cathedral Priory, with special reference to the manuscripts there'
(Oxford University D.Phil. thesis, 1978), 248.
Date: Terms of office of Herbert, Warin (Heads, 77, 83) and Edwy, who
was succeeded as prior by Osbert de Clare before Aug. 1134 (249).
Note: On this MS, composed, in part at least, at Worcester, see James,
ut supra; N. R. Ker, Catalogue of Manuscripts Containing Anglo-Saxon
(1957), 110, no. 64.
249. Notification that Abbot Herbert, Prior Osbert de Clare and the
convent, with the assent of Gilbert the Universal, bishop of London, gave
the hermitage of Kilburn (Mddx.), which Godwin built, and its lands, to
three maidens: Emma, Gunhild and Christine, to hold as King Ethelred
gave Hampstead to the church of Westminster, and King Edward
confirmed it. Godwin is to be master for life, followed by the senior
maiden. The abbot and convent donated £1. 10s. of the alms given to the
abbey by Sweyn, father of Robert of Essex, and Ailmar the priest
donated land in Southwark (Surr.), which rendered 2s. annually. [27
Dec. 1127 × Aug. 1134]
Omnibus hominibus tam futuris quam presentibus, notum sit tempore
Henrici Regis, qui tercius ex Normannis regnavit in Anglia, Herebertum
abbatem Westmonasterii et Priorem Osbertum de Clara, una cum omni
venerabili eusdem sancte ecclesie conventu, domino Gilberto Universali
Lundonie sancte ecclesie presule annuente, dedisse tribus puellis,
Emme, videlicet, et Gunilde et Cristine, heremetorium de Cuneburna,
quod edificavit Godwynus, cum omni terra illius loci et omnibus illis que
inibi eadem (fn. 5) sanctitatis vite norma fruendi causa future sunt. Concessu
tamen atque precatu illius Godwyni heremite quatinus eundem locum,
que ad illum pertinet, in elemosina pro redemptione animarum tocius
predicti conventus fratrum, possideant, eadem condicione atque
libertate qua Ethelredus, rex Anglorum pater Edwardi Regis, ad predictam Westmonasterii ecclesiam dedit Hamstedam. Post cuius obitum
eciam predictus Edwardus, qui regni gubernacula suscepit, illud idem
confirmavit, ad cuius ville possessionem ille prenotatus locus, antequam
hec fierent, pertinebat, ut Deus Omnium Redemptor omnes illorum
animas in celis inter sanctorum consorcia perseverare iubeat. Sit tamen
semper locus ille sub custodia fratrum ne temerario quolibet iure peioretur aut sinistra regatur. Huic ergo loco concessit dari Dominus Abbas
Herebertus et totus (fn. 3) conventus duo perpetua (fn. 4) beneficia, unum videlicet
pro requie omnium animarum illius ecclesie fratrum et pro omnibus
fratribus de Feschampa tam pro vivis quam pro defunctis, et aliud quod
dederant Ailmaro omni tempore vite sue ut omnipotens Deus ab omni
peste et clade omnes predictorum fratrum animas eripiat. Et sit ille
prescriptus heremita Godwinus magister (fn. 6) loci illarumque puellarum
quamdiu vixerit custos, et post eius obitum eligat conventus puellarum
seniorem ydoneum qui earum ecclesie presit, abbatis tamen consilio. Et
non habeat potestatem aliquam abbas priorve, aut quislibet alter aliquam
intrare faciendi absque illarum voluntate et licencia que infra clause
fuerint. Capellanus vero, qui in monasterio prefuerit de possessionibus
vel ecclesie rebus, non se intromittat nisi illarum iussu, et omnes possessiones quas eis dominus donaverit, habeant libere sicut Sanctus Petrus
habet suas. Et in principio omnium beneficiorum dedimus eis et concessimus imperpetuum xxx solidos de illa elemosina quam Sweno pater
Roberti de Estsexa dedit Deo et Sancto Petro, scilicet lx solidos, quorum
solidorum altera medietas in cena domui ad mandatum pauperum Christi
faciendum constituta est. Hanc autem donacionem fecimus illis ancillis
Dei pro statu ecclesie nostre in bonum et pro incolumitate et pace
omnium seniorum, abbatum, et fratrum, et benefactorum nostrorum
vivorum, et pro redempcione animarum a penis, ex quorum beneficio
descenderunt, et pro animabus omnium abbatum nostrorum et fratrum
ecclesie nostre defunctorum. Huic loco eciam Cuneburnie scilicet dedit
Ailmarus sacerdos unam terram in caritate in Sowthwerk (fn. 7) que reddit per
annum ij solidos. His testibus etc.
MSS: (1) F, ff. 325v–326v.
Rubric: Primam fundacio monialium de Kylbourne per abbatem
Westmonasterii Herebertum c[apitulu]m cxviij.
(2) LN, f. cxxv recto.
Pd: Monasticon, III, no. I, 426 (from F).
Date: Episcopate of Gilbert the Universal: Fasti I, 1.
Note: Westminster's association with Fécamp prob. originated in the
time of Abbot Vitalis, who came from its cell of Bernay (Gilbert Crispin,
1). For King Ethelred's grant of Hampstead and Edward's confirmation,
see Sawyer, Anglo-Saxon Charters, nos. 894, 1040, 1043, 1450. On Sweyn
of Essex and his s. Robert, see Sanders, 139.
250. Grant by Abbot Herbert to the nuns of Kilburn of land in [Kensington] Gore, belonging to the manor of Knightsbridge (Mddx.), to make an
assart. [c. 1130 × c. 1136]
Herebertus abbas ecclesie Sancti Petri Westmonasterii et totus eiusdem
ecclesie conventus, tam futuris quam presentibus, salutem. Notum sit
vobis nos, communi assensu tocius capituli et consilio, dedisse in
elemosina pro anima regis nostri Edwardi, fundatoris ecclesie nostre, et
pro animabus omnium fratrum et benefactorum nostrorum, ancillis Dei
que sunt in ecclesia Beati Johannis Baptiste de Keneburna et omnibus
que ibidem ad serviendum Deo future sunt, quandam terram ad
sartandam in tenetura manerii nostri quod vocatur Cnithtebruga, et in
loco qui Gara appellatur. Volumus eciam et firmiter precipimus ut in
pace, et quiete, et libere, et sine omni servicio teneant illam predictam
terram. Et si quis eis super hanc donacionem et donacionis libertatem
aliquam inde violenciam vel dampnum vel contumeliam aut torturam
aliquam fecerit, et elemosinam nostram violare vel auferre a predicta
ecclesia presumpserit, nisi illis ancillis Dei citam et congruam satisfaccionem fecerit, ab omni conventu ecclesie nostre excommunicetur et a
Christo pauperum suorum defensore perpetuo anathematis gladio
feriatur. Amen. Hii sunt testes: Gregorius dapifer, Radulfus de Puntfret, (fn. 8) Ricardus prepositus, Ricardus cocus et multi alii.
MSS: (1) F, f. 326v–327v.
Rubric: Carta H. abbatis de terra in Knyztbrigg' monialibus de
Kybourne concessa. C[apitulu]m cxlviij.
(2) LN, f. cxxv, r—v.
(3) CAY, f. cxxxiv recto-verso.
Pd: Monasticon, III, no. II, 426 (from F).
Cal: Bentley, 64, no. 527, from CAY.
Date: This charter is clearly later than 249. It is uncertain when the
hermitage of Kilburn was formally converted into a nunnery (the date of
1139, given by Knowles & Hadcock, 259, is clearly erroneous, since
Herbert was dead by that year). The term ancilla Dei is usually translated
as 'nun', and Kilburn's new status was prob. therefore achieved before
the end of Herbert's abbacy, perhaps when the 'senior maiden' succeeded Godwin as head of the foundation.