Anglo-Saxon Charters (pre-A.D. 900)

Browse the complete digital corpus of early English diplomas catalogued by Sawyer number and archive

A.D. 670 x 676. Cenred to Bectun, abbot; grant of 30 hides (manentes) by Fontmell Brook, Dorset. Latin.

A.D. 672 x 674 (Fullingadich, 1 March). Frithuwold, subregulus of Surrey, to Eorcenwold and to St Peter's minster, Chertsey; grant of 200 (or 300) hides (manentes) at Chertsey and 5 at Thorpe, with 10 hides by the port of London. The property comprises land at Chertsey, Thorpe, Egham, Getinges (cf. Eaton Farm, Chobham), Molesey, Woodham in Chertsey and Hunewaldesham (lost) in Weybridge, Surrey. Confirmed by Wulfhere, king of the Mercians, in the royal vill at Thame, Oxon. Latin with English bounds appended.

Cenfrith, comes Merciorum, to Aldhelm, abbot; grant of 10 hides (cassati) at Wootton Bassett, Wilts. Latin.

A.D. 680 (October). Æthelmod to Bernguidis (Beorngyth), abbess, and to Folcburh, and their monastery; grant of 20 hides (manentes) by the river Cherwell. Latin.

A.D. 670 x 671 [? A.D. 681] (October). Wigheard to Abbes Bernguidis (Beorngyth); grant of 40 hides (manentes) at Slæpi (Islip, Oxon). Latin.

A.D. 685 (iuxta vadum Berlingford, ? Burford, Oxon., 30 July). Berhtwald, king or subregulus, to Aldhelm, abbot, for the monks of Malmesbury; grant of 40 hides (cassati) at Somerford Keynes, Gloucs. Latin.

A.D. 688 (August). Baldred to Aldhelm, abbot; grant of 100 hides (manentes) near the river Avon, round the wood called Stercanlei (cf. Startley Farm in Great Somerford, Wilts.) and at Cnebbanburg, in exchange for 100 hides (cassati) east of the wood called Braydon, Wilts. Latin.

A.D. 685 x 693, probably 686 x 688 (March). Hodilredus (Æthelred) to Hedilburg (Æthelburh), abbess, for her minster called Beddanhaam (Barking); grant of 40 hides (manentes) at Ricingahaam, Budinhaam, Dagenham, Angenlabeshaam and Widmundes felt (Wyfields in Great Ilford), all probably in Essex. Latin with bounds.

A.D. 692 x 709. Nothgyth to Wilfrid, bishop; grant of land at Lidsey, Aldingbourne, Genestedegate (cf. Westergate) and Mundham, Sussex, which she had been given by her brother Nothhelm (cf. S 45). With later confirmations by Offa and Ceolwulf I, kings of Mercia, and Æthelwulf, king of Wessex. Latin.

Bruny (Bryni), dux of Sussex, to Eadberht, abbot; grant of 4 hides (manentes) Hileigh, Sussex. Latin.

Æthelric, son of King Oshere, with the consent of Cenred. king of the Mercians, to St Mary's at Hom (Evesham); grant of 8 hides (manentes) at Childswickham, Worcs. Latin with English bounds.

Walter, sacerdos, to St Mary's minster, Cronochomme (Evesham) and to Ecgwine, bishop; grant of land at Swell, Gloucs. Latin.

Bealdhun (Bealthun) to Froda, abbot; grant of fishery called Swynwere in the river Parret, Somerset. Latin.

A.D. 704 x 709. Æthelheard and Æthelweard (rulers of the Hwicce) to Cuthswith; grant of 5 hides (manentes) at Ingon, Warwicks., in return for 600 shillings. Latin.

A.D. 711 ? for 791 (Biohchandoune, Sussex). Ealdwulf, dux of the South Saxons, with the consent of Offa, king of the English, to Wihthun, bishop, for St Andrew's church, Ferring; grant of woodland at Cealtborgsteal. Latin with bounds.

A.D. 705 x 726. Hean to Cille, his sister; grant for life of 48 hides (cassati) at Bradfield, 55 at Escesdun (i.e. the Berkshire Downs) and 73 at Earmundeslea (cf. Bessels Leigh), Berks., with reversion to himself or the minster (probably at Bradfield). Latin.

A.D. 724 (11 July). Æthelberht, son of King Wihtred, to Mildred, abbess, and her familia; grant of 1 sulung (aratrum) by the river Limen and meadow at Hammespot (in Romney Marsh), Kent. Latin with English.

Frithuwold, subregulus of Surrey, and Eorcenwold, to Chertsey Minster; grant of 20 hides (mansae) at Molesey, 10 at Petersham, 7 at Tooting with Streatham, 7 at Mitcham, 30 at Sutton, 10 at Carshalton (Æuueltone), 20 at Beddington, 7 at Waddington, 20 at Coulsdon, 20 at Merstham, 5 at Chipstead with Chaldon, 10 at Banstead with Suthemeresfelda (Canon's Farm in Banstead), 5 at Tadworth, 20 at Epsom, 30 at Ewell with Cuddington, 20 at Cheam with swine-pasture in the Weald, 20 at Bookham with Effingham, 20 at Cobham with Pointers, 5 at Esher, 5 at Apps Court, 10 and 2 at East and West Clandon, 2 at Albury, 4 at Compton, 5 at Henley Park, Surrey; 30 at Winchfield with Elvetham, Hants.; 8 at Byfleet with Weybridge, Surrey; and 10 at White Waltham, Berks. Latin.

Dunwald, minister of the late King Æthelberht, to the church of SS Peter and Paul (St Augustine's), Canterbury; grant of land in Canterbury. Latin with bounds.

A.D. (c. 771 x 780) x 786. Aldwulf, dux of the South Saxons, with the consent of Offa, king of Mercia, to the church of St Peter, Selsey; grant of 3 hides (tributarii) at Peartingawyrth and Wealingawyrth; with confirmation by King Offa. Latin.

A.D. 780 (Selsey). Oslac, dux of the South Saxons, to the church of St Paul; grant of land at Earnley, Sussex, and Tielæsora; with confirmation by Offa, king of Mercia, A.D. 787 x 796. Latin.

? A.D. 781 x 796. Wiferd and Alta, his wife, to the church of St Peter, Worcester; grant of 15 hides (cassati) at Knighton-on-Teme, Newnham and Eardiston in Lindridge, Worcs. Latin with English bounds.

Berhtwald, dux, to the Abbey of St Denis; grant of land at Rotherfield, Hastings and Pevensey, Sussex. Latin.

A.D. 799 x 801. Pilheard, comes of Coenwulf, king of Mercia, declares that he has obtained immunities for his 30-hide estate in Middlesex, in return for 200 solidi and an annual render of 30 solidi. The land is to be free from all public renders and burdens and from fines at folk-moots, but the landowner shall still be liable to construction of bridges and fortifications and shall owe the military service of five men. Latin.

Æthelric, son of Æthelmund, declares his intention to bequeath land at Todenham, Gloucs.; Sture; Shrawley, Worcs.; and at Cohhanlea to Deerhurst; at Bromsgrove and Feckenham, Worcs., to Wærferth for life with reversion to Worcester; and land under Over, Gloucs., at Westmynster (Westbury-on-Trym) and at Stoce (Stoke Bishop, Gloucs. or Stoke Prior, Worcs.), to Ceolburh, his mother, for life, with reversion to the church at Worcester. Latin.

A.D. 805 x 810 (or 805 x 815). Oswulf, aldormonn, and Beornthryth, his wife, to Christ Church, Canterbury; grant of 20 sulungs at Stanhamstead (in Aldington), Kent, with confirmation by Archbishop Wulfred. English.

Eadbald (Ædbald) to Winemund; grant of land at Burmarsh halfsæta, in return for 800 pence. Latin with bounds.

A.D. 845 (London, 8 Nov.). Werenberht, minister and prefectus, to Werheard, priest and abbot; exchange of 1 hide (cassatus) in Roxeth, Middx, formerly belonging to the vill at Greenford, Middx, for similar land. Latin.

(1) Ealhburg and Eadweald, and (2) Ealhhere to Christ Church (Canterbury); grant of renders from land at Burnan and at Finglesham, Kent. English.

1. Plegred declares that he has purchased from Æthelmod, dix, a half tun which previously pertained to Wilburgewellan near Canterbury (? Well near Ickham), Kent. 2. Æthelmod grants the land to Plegred. Latin and English with bounds.