The deeds listed below, with several
Royal Charters already mentioned in the Charters section, were in the possession of E Fellows Esq.
Numbers IV, V, VIII, IX, X, XII, and XIII have the seals originally attached to
them still affixed, though considerably mutilated. (Ref
7)
OTHER GRANTS AND DEEDS.
XV. Theobald who was Archbishop of Canterbury from as early as A.D. 1143
to 1161 grants this confirmation, to the Abbot and Monks of Ramsey, of Ripton
which Stephen the King granted, this charter is at variance with Dugdale, who
says that Ripton was given to Ramsey Abbey by Henry II.
Theobald anathematizes all who shall in any way alter, or try to alter, the gift
of the King.
XVI. This is a confirmation of the right of Ramsey Abbey to demand 3 marks
annually from the ‘poor’ church of Burwell, and one mark annually from the
church of Depedale. The confirmation is granted by John, successor to
Herbert de Losinga, who was the first Bishop of Norwich.
The seal on this Charter is in a very good. state of preservation, having on one
side the figure of the Bishop, with his pastoral staff; and the inscription
‘Johannes dei gratia, Norwicencis Episcopus,’ John, by the grace of God, Bishop
of Norwich; and on the other a lamb with this inscription, ‘Angellus dei qui
tollis peccata mundi,’ a perversion of the text— ‘The Lamb of God who taketh
away the sins of the world.’
XVII. Explains itself, a translation of it is given
in full. To all who look at the present letter, Thomas by divine permission,
Bishop of Lincoln, greeting—
Be it known to you all, that, the holy
men, the Abbot and Monks of the monastery of Ramsey, in our diocese, on a day
and at a place assigned by us for them, have produced and shewn before us
visiting our diocese with our authority as ordinary, the privileges, by right of
which, as they said, supported, they hold the parish churches of S. Ives, with
its chapels, rights and all its appurtenances, of Ramsey, with its rights and
all its appurtenances and
Bury with its chapels and all its appurtenances, in
our said diocese for their use for ever and claim and say that they have a right
to claim annual payments, viz:
5 marks from the church of Aylington, 4 marks from the church of Therefeld, 20
shillings from the church of Cranfield, 1 mark from the church of
Broughton, one
parcel of land from the church of S. Andrew, of Huntingdon, 20 shillings from
the church of Houghton, 20 shillings from the church of Barton, 40 shillings
from the church of Hemingford, 40 shillings from the church of
Warboys, 10 marks
from the church of Schittelyngdon, 2 shillings from the church of
Ripton, and
half a mark from the chapel of
Wistow; moreover portions of the tithes of their
demesne lands of Higney, Upwood, Wistow, Abbot’s Ripton, Warboys, Broughton,
Houghton, S. Ives, Holywell, Hemingford, Aylington, Weston, Brington, Bythorn,
Gidding, Ellington, Therefeld, Schittelyngdon, Barton, Cranfield; and two parts
of the tithes of sheaves of the demesne lands formerly belonging to Berengarius
le Moyne in Barnwell.
We have seen examined, and carefully weighed these (privileges, &c.) produced and shewn; and because we have found that the said Abbot and Monks have canonically possessed the churches enumerated with their chapels, and all their appurtenances, and have claimed the payments and portions previously mentioned; and that they have canonically held these churches with their chapels, and all their appurtenances for their use for ever, and do hold them, that they have possessed and do possess them, and that they have claimed, and have a right to claim, the said payments and portions, moreover that the same religious men have been protected by sufficient titles, in addition to service and prescription, we acquit the same religious men from our suit instituted against them on this question, and we hold them acquitted. In testimony of which, our seal is affixed to these presents given at Danentre (Daintree) on the5th kal. March, in the year of our Lord, 1343, and the second of our consecration.
XVIII. This deed contains the terms of an agreement between the Abbot and
Monastery of Ramsey on the one hand, and S. incumbent of Ailington; the terms
agreed upon are as follows :—the said S. shall pay to the Abbot and Monastery 5
marks per annum, and 2 marks in addition; and the said S. shall have the tithes
of Barnwell. The arbiters or judges in this case were S. Abbot, of Wells,
W. Subdeacon, of Lincoln, and Master R. of Derby acting under the authority of
the Pope. ‘summi pontificis.’
XIX. Is a deed bequeathing 5s. per annum to Abbot Ranulph and the Monastery of
Ramsey, the testator is Gilbert de Stanton.
XX. Is a bequest of land from Robert de Graveley, to Hugh Abbot, and the
Monastery of Ramsey.
XXI. Ralph Marshall, of Cranfield, gives to the Abbot and Monks of Ramsey
a rent charge of eighteen-pence a year, in exchange for one mark and one robe,
in hand. Date between 1267 and 1286.
XXII. In exchange for 15 marks of silver, Johanna, widow of William le Waleis, gives to the Abbot and Monastery of Ramsey 6 acres of land, in
Gravenhurst. The deed mentions that the money was advanced to meet her
pressing necessities. Date between 1267 and 1286.
XXIII. Walter de la Sale gives 2 ridges of land in exchange for 8 quarters
of corn. Date between 1267 and 1286.
XXIV. This deed is an agreement by which Berengarius le Moyne makes over
the manor of Chatteris to
William of Godmanchester, Abbot of Ramsey, in exchange
fur 400 marks sterling. Date about 1267.
XXV. By this deed Nicholas Fareman makes over a field called Gocelinescroft, and other lands, to the Abbot and Monks of Ramsey. Date between 1267 and 1286.
XXVI.
Galfrid de Suthorpe and his wife Roys for the health of their souls,
and of the souls of their ancestors and descendants grant an estate in S. Ives
to the Abbot and Monks of Ramsey, receiving only 10 marks in exchange.
Date between 1267 and 1286.
XXVII. Emma, widow of Berengarius le Moyne,
grants to the Abbot and
Monastery of Ramsey, all the estates and rights she possessed in Holywell,
Crawethorpe, Needingworth, Barnwell, S. Ives, Ramsey, Hurst, and the advowson of
the church of S. Andrew of Barnwell, reserving only till her death, lands and
tenements in Hemingford, which the Abbot, had granted as her dowry; this deed is
evidently later than XXIV, but previous to 1286.
XXVIII. By this deed William of Corton and Robert of Peterborough grant to
Abbot Simon and the Monastery of Ramsey, 8 acres and 1 rod of land, and 4d. rent
with appurtenances. To this deed of gift Edward III gave his consent, on
May 7th, 1329 ; he being, at the time, at Northampton.
XXIX. Robert of Peterborough grants to Abbot Simon and the Monastery of
Ramsey, 145 acres of land, and thirteen shillings and four-pence animal rent,
with appurtenance in Broughton, Wood Weston, and Ramsey, and in addition, 4 dwelling-houses. This deed was executed on
Sunday, on the feast of the ‘Nativity of Mary,’ 1337.
XXX. John de Houghton gives a deed entitling the Abbot of Ramsey to
two-pence, under the name of Henschire, and eight shillings as keeper of
S. Ivo's shrine in Ramsey. This is apparently a written confirmation of a
custom which had existed for some time. The date is probably 1344.
XXXI. By this deed John Litlyngton makes over a house which previously
belonged to Robert Lavender, to the Abbot and Monastery of Ramsey. The
house was situated in Bridge Street, Ramsey. Date 1390.
XXXII. Is a lease of a house in the ‘Michylewyght’ belonging to James
Fisher for three years to the Abbot and Monastery; the annual rent consisted of
two red roses, one to be paid at the festival of the Nativity of S. John the
Baptist, and the other at the festival of the translation of S. Thomas the
Martyr. Date, 1422.
XXXIII. Is a deed of gift handing over the above house entirely to the
Abbot and Monastery of Ramsey, and their successors. Date, 1423. The Abbot
at this time was
John Tychmarsh.
XXXIV. This, the latest of the deeds, was not issued. till after the
dissolution, and gives authority to Gulfrid Trygarn to settle certain disputes,
within the peculiar jurisdiction of the late Abbey. It is signed by SirRichard Cromwell, into whose hands the Abbey property, in the County, had passed
four year previously, by purchase. It is dated 1544.
Translation of “Permission” for the Election of ar Abbot, from an original, in
possession of E. Fellowes, Esq.
HENRY,
by the grace of God, King oI England and France, and Lord of Ireland, to
our beloved in Christ the Prior and Convent of our Monastery of Ramsey,
greeting. On your part you have humbly prayed us, that since the aforesaid
Monastery has been deprived of happiness by the death of
Lord Henry Stukely,
the last Abbot, Pastor there, to grant you leave to choose another worthy man
as Abbot and Pastor of that place. We on our part being favourably disposed,
have thought it right that the aforesaid leave be granted you, by the tenor of
these presents. Enjoining that you choose, an Abbot and Pastor, one who is
devoted to God, suitable to your Church, and good and true to us and our
kingdom. In testimony of which, I have caused the letters patent to be issued. Witness, myself, at Croydon, on the
fourth day of March, in the twenty second
year of our reign. Cavnbrig?
By the writ of our private seal, and of the aforesaid given authority of
parliament.—qf, p. 47.