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

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

Decree of Archbishop Theodore respecting the division of the bishoprics. Latin.

A.D. 704 x 705. Letter of Waldhere, bishop of London, to Brihtwold, archbishop of Canterbury, concerning a dispute which had arisen between the king of the West Saxons and the rulers of the East Saxons. Latin.

A.D. 736 x 737. Decree of a synod under Archbishop Nothhelm concerning the succession of a monastery (at Withington, Gloucs.) built on 20 hides (cassati) by the river Tillath (Coln) given for the purpose by Æthelred, king of Mercia. Latin.

A.D. 789 (Chelsea, Middx). Settlement of a dispute between Heathored, bishop, and Wulfheard, son of Cussa, concerning land at Inkberrow and Bradley, Worcs. Latin.

Decree of a council of Bapchild, Kent, concerning the liberties of the Church. Latin.

A.D. 803 (Clofesho). Record of an agreement between Deneberht, bishop of Worcester, and Wulfheard, bishop of Hereford, concerning their claims to the minsters at Cheltenham and Beckford, Gloucs. Latin.

Decree of a council of Clofesho concerning the restoration of the metropolitan rights of the see of Canterbury and the abolition of the archbishopric of Lichfield. Latin.

Decree of a council of Clofesho concerning the lordship of minsters. Latin.

After A.D. 822 x 823. Memorandum concerning King Ceolwulf's request for land at Bromsgrove, Worcs., from Bishop Heahberht and his community, and a consequent attempt by Wulfheard to obtain possession of Inkberrow, Worcs. English.

A.D. 824 (Clofesho, 30 Oct.). Record of the settlement of a dispute between Heahberht, bishop, and the familia at Berkeley, Gloucs., concerning land at Westbury-on-Trym, Gloucs. Latin.

A.D. 824 (Clofesho). Record of the recovery by Archbishop Wulfred of land at Easole, Kent, granted to him by Ealdberht, comes, and Selethryth, his sister, but fraudulently acquired by Cwoenthryth, abbess of Minster-in-Thanet. Latin, endorsed with bounds, in English, of Godmersham (cf. CCC 13, S 1620) and Challock, Kent.

A.D. 825 (Clofesho). Record of a synodal dispute-settlement, concerning the recovery by Coenred, bishop of Selsey, of land at Denton, Sussex. Latin.

A.D. 825 for c. 827 (Clofesho). Record of a dispute between Archbishop Wulfred and Coenwulf, king of Mercia, and his heir Cwoenthryth, abbess, concerning the minsters of Reculver and Minster-in-Thanet. At an initial settlement in London (? late 821) Wulfred ceded to King Coenwulf 300 hides at Iognes homme (? Eynsham, Oxon.). In subsequent settlements (at Clofesho and Oslafeshlau) Cwoenthryth ceded to Wulfred land at Harrow, Middx; Herefrethingland; Wembley, Yeading, Middx; Boc land; and Combe, Kent. Latin.

A.D. 825 (Clofesho). Record of the settlement of a dispute concerning swine-pasture at Sinton in Leigh, Worcs. English.

A.D. 838 (Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey). Record of the agreement made at Kingston, between Archbishop Ceolnoth and Kings Egbert and Æthelwulf concerning the restoration to Christ Church, Canterbury, of land at Mallingum (East Malling, Kent or South Malling, Sussex), previously granted by Baldred, king of Kent. In return Ceolnoth and the Christ Church community and their successors promise loyalty to the West Saxon kings and their heirs. An additional passage concerns an agreement over the election of abbots and abbesses to the Kentish minsters. Confirmations by King Æthelwulf (at a meeting at Wilton) and (A.D. 839) by bishops south of the Humber, at a synod æt Astran. Latin.

A.D. 844 (Canterbury). Account of the settlement of a dispute concerning estates belonging to Oswulf, dux, bequeathed by him in reversion to the Church and now held by the Kentish monasteries of Christ Church, Folkestone, Dover and Lyminge. They are claimed by a certain Æthelwulf, but the rights of the churches are upheld. Latin.

Agreement between Abbot Ceolred and the community at Medeshamstede, and Wulfred, concerning land at Sempringham, Sleaford, Lincs.; Forde; Cheal, Lincs.; and at Lehcotum. English.

A.D. 896 (Gloucester). Record of an agreement between Wærferth, bishop of Worcester, and Æthelwold concerning woodland at Woodchester, Bisley, Avening, Gloucs.; and at Scorranstone (? Sherston, Wilts.) and Thornbyrig (? Thornbury, Gloucs.) and swine-pasture at Longridge, Gloucs. English with bounds.

Settlement of a dispute between the churches of Winchcombe and Worcester concerning land at Upton in Blockley, Gloucs. Latin.