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Charter of King Nunna of Sussex to Eadberht, Bishop of Selsey (c. A.D. 705) · London, British Library, Cotton Augustus ii. 2 (Chichester Archive)
The Book of Cerne (Mercian Hymnal & Royal Dynastic Prayers) · Cambridge, University Library, MS Ll.1.10, f. 2r
Grant of King Æthelberht of Kent to Bishop Justus of Rochester (A.D. 604, S 1) · Rochester, Cathedral Library (Textus Roffensis, f. 119r)
Old English Hexateuch & Insular Royal Administration · London, British Library, Cotton Claudius B.iv, f. 14r
Synodal Decree of King Coenwulf of Mercia and Archbishop Æthelheard (A.D. 803) · London, British Library, Cotton Augustus ii. 28 (Christ Church, Canterbury)
The Peterborough Chronicle (Medeshamstede Monastic Foundation Annals) · Oxford, Bodleian Library, MS Laud Misc. 636, f. 1r
Universität Zürich Edition · Pre-A.D. 900 Corpus

The Revised Electronic Anglo-Saxon Charters

Diplomatic edition and analytical database of 458 Anglo-Saxon charters dating prior to A.D. 900, integrating diplomatic formula mark-up, prosopographical linkages, and scriptorium mapping.

Quick Lookups: S 1 (Rochester) S 8 (Thanet) King Alfred King Offa Anathemas & Curses OE Bounds Worcester Analytics Map →
458 Surviving Charters
48 Monastic Archives
1,922 Formulas
936 Named Persons & Attestors
A.D. 604 – 899 Chronological Span
224 Curses & Anathemas
Charter of the Day · Sunday, 4 October 2026
Sawyer 1 ↗

S 1 — Kings of Kent (S 1-41)

Archive: Rochester • Pre-A.D. 900 • Kingdom: Kent

Summary: A.D. 604 (28 April). Æthelberht, king, to St Andrew and his church at Rochester; grant of land at Rochester. Latin with English bounds.

“Regnante in perpetuum domino nostro Iesu Christo saluatore INVOCATION . mense Aprilio . sub die iiii . kalendas Maias . indictione vii DATING CLAUSE . ego Æthelberhtus rex filio me…”

Diplomatic Features: Invocation Dispositive Vernacular Bounds Dating Clause Sanction / Curse View in PASE Database →

The Diplomatic Anatomy of an Early English Charter

Structural formulas and rhetorical legal components marked up in the TEI XML edition — click any card to explore

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1. Invocation (Invocatio) 359 Charters

Pious opening invoking the Holy Trinity or Christ (e.g. In nomine Domini Dei nostri Jesu Christi, Regnante in perpetuum).

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2. Proem (Arenga) 172 Charters

Theological or philosophical preamble justifying the gift, reflecting upon the transience of earthly riches and heavenly rewards.

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3. Dispositive Word 418 Charters

Operative legal verb conferring tenure, immunity, or possession (e.g. dono, concedo, trado, libenter largior).

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4. Vernacular Bounds 183 Charters

Topographical estate bounds (often in Old English) describing ditches, barrows, ancient oaks, streams, and ridgeways.

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5. Sanction / Curse (Sanctio) 233 Charters

Solemn anathema threatening transgressors with eternal excommunication and damnation alongside Judas Iscariot.

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6. Dating Clause (Eschatocol) 389 Charters

Formal recording of time and context classified by system: Anno Domini, 15-year Roman Indiction, or Regnal Year.

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Treasury of Early Insular Diplomas

Milestone single sheets, synodal settlements, and royal chanceries — click any charter card

All 458 Charters →
Earliest Royal Grant
S 1 A.D. 604 (28 April)

King Æthelberht of Kent

Archive: Rochester

The earliest recorded Anglo-Saxon royal diploma in England, granting land at Rochester to the newly established church of St Andrew under Bishop Justus.

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Earliest Surviving Original
S 8 A.D. 679 (May)

King Hlothhere of Kent

The earliest authentic surviving contemporary original single sheet charter from Anglo-Saxon England, granting land in Thanet to Abbot Beorhtwald of Reculver.

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Mercian Supremacy
S 106 A.D. 767

King Offa of the Mercians

Archive: Worcester

Grand Mercian diploma granting land at Pirton, Worcestershire, to the church of St Peter, Worcester, featuring Offa’s expanding imperial Mercian styles.

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National Council of Clofesho
S 148 A.D. 796

King Ecgfrith of the Mercians

Monumental synodal diploma confirmed during Ecgfrith’s brief 141-day reign at the national council of Clofesho, settling extensive Kentish land claims.

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Rise of Wessex
S 270 A.D. 825

King Ecgberht of the West Saxons

Key diploma marking the rise of West Saxon royal preeminence following the battle of Ellendun, granting lands to Winchester Cathedral Priory.

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Alfredian Chancery
S 344 A.D. 892

King Alfred the Great

Rare authentic diploma of King Alfred granting land at North Newnton to his ealdorman Æthelhelm, complete with detailed Old English boundary perambulation.

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Explore the Corpus by Category

Mercian Hegemony 155 Charters (Offa, Coenwulf) Kingdom of Wessex 133 Charters (Ine to Alfred) Kings of Kent 41 Charters (Æthelberht to Baldred) Monastic Repositories 32 Cathedrals & Abbeys Analytical Visualisations Charts & Scriptorium Map Scholarly Bibliography Foundational British Academy Series