662 Gift in perpetual farm by Gilbert Basset to Reading Abbey of his demesne meadow at Ardington called Lankedale for an annual rent of 2os, for which the abbey shall also have pasture rights for 24 oxen or other beasts in his meadows and those where he has common pasture in the northern part of Ardington at a specified time of the year. For this the abbey has given him 15 marks of silver

[1193 x 1205; ?c. 1205]

Af95r; Af107v; Bf74r-v; Cf39r

Pd. Kennett, Parochial Antiquities, i. 183

Sciant presentes et futuri quod ego Gilebertus Basset dedi et concessi pro amore dei et pro salute anime mee et anime patris mei et anime matris mee et Thome filii mei et omnium antecessorum meorum et successorum abbati et monachis de Rading(ia) totum dominicum pratum meum apud Herdetune quod duobus locis continetur et appellatur Lankedale, tenendum de me et heredibus meis ad firmam perpetuam reddendo annuatim mihi et heredibus meis .xx. solidos ad festum sancti lohannis Baptiste pro omni servitio terreno. Concessi etiam prefato abbati et monachis ut habeant per prenominatum redditum .xxiiii. boves cum dominicis bobus meis in omnibus pratis meis et in omnibus pratis ubicumque communem pasturam habeo vel habere debeo in boreali plaga de Herdetune a die quo totum fenum meum dominicum asportatum fuerit vel secundum oportunitatem temporis asportari poterit usque in diem quo prata ponantur in defensum. Ita ut in quacumque pratorum ex ilia parte de Herdetune communi pastura potero warantizare boves meos warantizabo boves abbatis et monachorum de Rading(ia). Quod si abbas et monachi de Rading(ia) .xxiiii. boves in prenominata pastura vel habere noluerint vel non potuerint, habeant in eadem totidem averia eadem libertate qua et boves eis habere concessi. Ut igitur de hac mea donatione et concessione de me et heredibus meis firmam et perpetuam habeant securitatem et warantum, earn sigilli mei impressione confirmavi. Pro hac itaque concessione dederunt mihi prefatus abbas et monachi .xv. marchas argenti. Hiis testibus: Roberto de Sanfort, Iohanne filio Hugonis, Galf(redo) de Turbevile, Ricardo clerico de Ledec(um)b', Osb(erto) Turpin, Andrea Basset, Reginaldo filio Helie de Ledec(um)b'. Ricardo Franceis de Henrede, Waltero de grava, Ilg(ero) de Chausi, Nicolao filio Petri, Huberto de Anreda, et multis aliis.

664 Gift in free alms by Walter son of Robert of Padworth (Pedewrþe) to Reading Abbey of ½ acre of meadow which he had in Norþmed' extending in length from the bed of the [River] Kennet (ab alveo Kenete) to the arable land of the abbey in Beenham (Bienham). To be held free of all exaction, claim, demand and service. Warranty. The donor and his heirs will answer for all foreign service of the said land. Witnesses [omitted]

[13th cent.; not later than 1258]

Bf71r; Cf36v

667 Gift in free alms by Empress Matilda, daughter of King Henry and lady of the English, to Reading Abbey, for the souls of King Henry her father, Queen Matilda her mother and her ancestors, and for the love and lawful service shown to her by Brian fitz Count, of Blewbury, to be held as well and freely and with all liberties as her father held it Testibus: Roberto comite Gloec(estrie), et Reginaldo comite Cornubie, et Rogero comite Heref(ordie), et Unfrido de Buh(un) dapifero, et Willelmo filio Alani, et losco de Dinan, et Walkelino Maminot, et Willelmo Paganell(o), et Willelmo filio Hamonis, Hugone filio Ricardi, et Riulf(o) de Sessun. Apud Divis(as).

[1144 x 47; ? 1144]

Original charters: BL Add. Chs. 19579 and 19577

Af 15r–v; Bf 19V

Pd. Arch. Journ., xx. 290; Warner and Ellis, i. no. 22 (with facsimile); Journ. B.A.A., xxxi. 394; Regesta, iii. 259 (no. 703); (cal.) Hurry, Reading Abbey, 162

In this section nos. 707–748C are given in the order in which they appear in B and C. Those occurring in B ff 146–55 are in the section of the cartulary devoted to the almoner's charters.

704 Last will and testament of Aumary son of Ralph, including gifts to Reading Abbey of lands in Burghfield and Car swell [in Buckland]

[prob. 1185 × 86]

A f 38r–v; (in part) B f 59v; C ff 26v–27r

In nomine patris et filii et spiritus sancti. Hoc est testamentum Amalrici filii Rad(ulfi) in quo extreme voluntatis sue conscribi voluit testimonium. Hec ergo sunt que libera voluntate pro salute anime sue donavit. Radingensi monasterio dedit terram lacob de Berchefeld cum pertinentiis suis, et in villa de Carsewelle terram quam carta sua confirmavit. Gileberto fratri suo [f38v] donavit unam marcam.’ Pueris suis ex concubina susceptis .x. marcas argenti delegavit. Hec sunt que fide interposita debuit et solvi precepit. Bevero .vii. marcas, Waldero .x. solidos, Agnete .x. marcas, Ricardo stabulario .viii. solidos et .vii. denarios, Edwardo Gentil .xx. et .i. denarios, Radulfo de Oxoneford .xx. et .i. denarios, Willelmo vinitori .iii. solidos et .ii. denarios et obolum, Willelmo de Waltham .xviii. solidos, Gileberto de Wicumbia .l. et .ix. solidos, Aluredo de Oxoneford .xx. solidos, Roberto Huchet .xx. solidos, Willelmo Ruffo dimidiam marcam, Ade unam marcam, Ricardo de Abbedonia .ix. solidos et .vi. denarios, Emme .viii. solidos, Rogero de Belesoure .xiiii. solidos. Hiis testibus: Anselmo suppriore Rading(ie), Radulfo phisico, Philippo de Sae, Helia de Catmere, Willemo capellano Sancte Marie, Roberto capellano Sancti Laurentii, Willelmo de Ticheham, Iohanne de Hida, Oeno filio Restwoldi, Ricardo le Franceis, Willelmo de Bosevilla, Ricardo aurifabro, Ricardo stabulario, et aliis multis. Horum ergo

769 Gift in free alms by Aumary son of Ralph to Reading Abbey of all the land which named tenants held of him in carswell

[prob. 1185 × 86]

Af38v

Sciant presentes et futuri quod ego Amalricus filius Rad(ulfi) dedi et presenti carta confirmavi deo et sancte Marie de Rading(ia) et monachis ibidem deo servientibus, pro salute anime mee et antecessorum meorum et successorum meorum, in elemosinam perpetuam, liberam et quietam de me et heredibus meis ab omni servitio terreno, totam terram quam tenuerunt de me in Karsewelle Rog(erus) prepositus, Ricardus vallet, Rod(bertus) de Buleflet, Edwardus de Heffedford, Alanus piscator, Sewalus, Edwinus, Frewinus, Godricus, cum omnibus pertinentiis suis. His testibus: Willelmo de Tikeham, lohanne de Hida, Oeno filio Restwoldi, et multis aliis.

770 Order by King Henry I to the bishop of Salisbury and Earl David that, if the sheriffs of Berkshire and the reeves of Cholsey have given any of the inland of Cholsey and put it out of the demesne, they are to cause it to return to the demesne of Reading Abbey by the oath of lawful men of the hundred. Witness(es) [omitted]

[prob. latter half of 1123]

B f 17v

Pd. Regesta, ii. 353 (no. clxxv); (cal.) ibid., 191–2 (no. 1423)

The date is after the appointment of the first abbot, 15 Apr. 1123 (Flor. Hist., ii. 49) and probably also after 19 June, the date of Pope Calixtus II's confirmation to Reading, which does not mention Cholsey (no. 139). The king's attempt to recover alienated demesne probably took place at the same time as his recovery of the church of Cholsey from the abbey of Mont St Michel in the latter half of 1123 (no. 3). Earl David is King David I of Scotland, earl of Huntingdon and Northampton 1113/14–36.

782 Notification and confirmation by the dean and the master of the school of St Edward of Shaftesbury (Seftebyr'), judges-delegate of Pope Gregory IX, quoting the papal commission, of the settlement before them in the church of St Nicholas at Wilton (Wilton') [Wilts.] of the dispute between Simon, rector of the church of Compton (Cumton') belonging to the abbess of Wherwell (Werewellö) [Hants.], and Reading Abbey over the tithes which the abbey receives within the parish of Compton and which Simon claims belong by common right to his church. The abbey, appearing by R. its sacrist, has ceded the tithes to the said church and rector and his successors in perpetuity, in return for an annual payment of 8s to the sacrist at Reading within the octave of Easter. Both parties have bound themselves by a corporal oath to observe this settlement, submitting themselves to the jurisdiction and coercion of the archdeacon of Berkshire and the [rural] dean of Newbury (Neubir') in this regard. The abbey may resume possession of the tithes if the payment is not made by the stated term.

Done in the year of grace 1234

[before 17 Aug.] 1234

Bf 195r–v; Cff 114V–115r

784 Notification by Richard, abbot of Waltham, and the priors of Waltham and Cathale, judges-delegate of Pope Honorius III, of the settlement before them of the dispute between the prior and monks of Wallingford, on one side, and Robert, rector of Thatcham [Berks.], on the other, concerning the demesne tithes of East Ginge, the abbot and convent of Reading asserting their own right in the same. Wallingford Priory renounces [its right in] the tithes, but will hold them at perpetual farm of Reading Abbey for an annual payment of 25S, of which two-thirds will be passed on to the rector of Thatcham

[1216 x 27]

Bf193r–v; Cf 113r

Pd. Barfield, Thatcham, ii. 57–8

Universis sancte matris ecclesie filiis ad quos presens scriptum pervenerit R (icardus) dei gratia abbas de Waltham' et de Waltham' et de Cathale priores, eternam in domino salutem. Mandatum domini pape suscepimus in hec verba.

Honorius episcopus servus servorum dei dilectis filiis abbati de Waltham, de Waltham et de Cathale prioribus, Lond(oniensis) et Linc(olniensis) diocesum, salutem et apostolicam benedictionem. Ex parte prioris et conventus de Walingford(ia) nobis est oblata querela quod abbas et conventus de Becco et quidam alii Linc(olniensis) et Sar(esburiensis) diocesum super decimis, possessionibus, redditibus et rebus aliis iniuriantur eisdem. Ideoque discretioni vestre per apostolica scripta mandamus, et cetera.

786 Agreement between the abbeys of Bee and Reading whereby the latter will hold of the former the tithes of the demesne of [East] Hendred and of the tenants of the same for an annual payment of 20s

[c. 1160 x 1193]

Original charter: Hendred House (Oxon.), Muniments, No. 2

Af4yv; B ff 194v–195r; Cf114r; Windsor, St George's Chapel, xi.G.11, no. 33 (Ogbourne Roll) (not collated)

Pd. Select Documents of the English Lands of the Abbey of Bec, ed. M. Chibnall, Camden 3rd Series, lxxiii (1951), 18 (from Ogbourne Roll)

Hec est conventio inter abbatem Bechci et abbatem Rading' et utriusque loci conventum. Abbas et conventus Rading' tenebunt de abbate et conventu Bechci decimationes de dominio de Henrede et decimationes hominum tenentium de eodem dominio pro .xx. solidis annuatim solvendis ad festum sancti Michaelis. Si quis autem vendicare voluerit predictas decimationes, abbas et conventus Bechci tanquam principales possessores pro eisdem decimationibus defensionis onus suscipient. Hiis testibus: Willelmo clerico de Stivent(ona), Sansone et Willelmo filio ipsius de Wanet(ing), Clemente de Stivent(ona), Ricardo serviente de Wanet(ing), Gaufrido de Bixa, Petro clerico de Rading(ia), Radulfo dispensatore Rading(ie).

795 Confirmation by Jocelin [de Bohun], bishop of Salisbury, of the gift by William of Englefield of the church of Englefield to Reading Abbey

[c. 1180 x 1184]

A f 52r; B f 190r: C f 110r–v

Omnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos presens carta pervenerit locelinus dei gratia Sar(esburiensis) episcopus, salutem in domino. Noverit universitas vestra nos ratam et firmam habere donationem ecclesie de Englef(eld) factam per manum Willelmi eiusdem ecclesie advocati dilectis filiis nostris abbati et conventui Rading'. Quod ut perpetua gaudeat firmitate, carte presentis attestatione et sigilli nostri munimine roboramus. His testibus: Bald(ewino) cancellario Sar(esburiensi), Roberto de Geld', magistro Nicolao de Hid', et magistro Hamone de Waltham.

803 Gift in free alms by Matilda Peche (Peche), lady of Frilsham (Fridlesham), widow, for the health of her soul and for the souls of Sir Nicholas Peche her father, Alice Peche her mother, Sir Oliver Deyncort and Sir Walter de Rideware her husbands deceased, Sir Ralph Peche, Hawise his wife, Nicholas and John the donor's sons, Alice her daughter, Roger de Rideware and Alice his wife, Richard le Wales, and all her ancestors [etc.], to Reading Abbey of all the land which she had in the vill of Frilsham called La Hide, which she bought from Nicholas Butler (le Boteler) of Reading and Juliana his wife and John Flawel of Chichester (Cicestr'), which they had bought from Roger Willard; saving to herself a parcel [of land] which she bought from Margery, widow of Walter Wilard, for the term of Margery's life. To be held with all appurtenances and the homage and service of Robert Black (Niger) and whatever belonged to her from the said Robert or his heirs, by rendering annually to her and her heirs a root of ginger and a rose at the nativity of St John Baptist for all service, suits of court, secular exaction and demand, saving hidage, scutage and all other foreign service which is due from the said land. Warranty. For this the monks have received Matilda, her ancestors, successors and children in all benefits of the conventual church of Reading in perpetuity. Sealing

[1270]

Bff 211v–212r; C ff 127v–128r

807 Gift in free alms by Amis de Peletoth'a to Reading Abbey of 14d rent which William de la Scheteb used to pay him in Hartley (Hurtleg'), to be received from William and his heirs at two terms of the year viz., at Michaelmas 8d and on the feast of St Thomas the apostle 6d Warranty and sealingd

[c. 1220 / June 1248]

B ff58v–59r; Cf26r–v; Cf219r

Hiis testibus:e [Willelmo de Engelfeld, Rogero de Hyda, Roberto de Uffyntone, Johanne de la Huse, Rogero de Whytcherche, Gilberto de Mora, Radulpho de Mora, et multis aliis].

810 Gift in free alms by William Longespee (Lunghespeie)a to Reading Abbey of 40s annual rent at Hinton (Henton') and Sheepbridge (Scheperige)b to be received on the morrow of St Martin [11 Nov.], viz., from Sir Thomas leBlondc and his heirs 1 mark, from Sir Henry de Mara and his heirs 1 mark and from Richard del Hechd and his heirs 1 mark. To be held freely, saving to the donor and his heirs the homage and any other services of the said Thomas, Henry and Richard and their heirs. Warranty. Grant of power to the abbey to distrain the said men and their heirs if they shall default in payment, and to take the distresses to Whitley (Witele), as the men's charters testify. The donor binds himself in respect of any kind of security concerning the said 405 which the king's justices or other discreet men shall require to be made (providerint faciendam). Sealing [c. 1238 × 1250]

814 Gift in free alms by Ghilo de Pinkeny to Reading Abbey of the cotland which Peter son of Jordan held of him in Midgham

[? late 12th × early 13th cent.]

Af84r; Af106v; Bf69r; Cff 34v–35r

Sciant presentes et futuri quod ego Giloa de Pinkeni, de consensub et voluntate domini Roberti heredis mei, pro salute anime mee et omnium antecessorum et successorum meorum, dedi et concessi et hac presenti carta mea confirmavi deo et beate Marie de Radinges et monachis ibidem deo servientibus in puram liberam et perpetuam elemosinam illam cotcetlamc terre quam Petrus films Iurdanid tenuit de me in Micheame que iacet iuxta molendinum de blado et Rademore. Ita tamen quod predictus Petrus et heredes sui predictam terram tenebunt de abbate Radingie et eiusdem loci conventu, reddendo inde annuatim ecclesie Rading(ie) dimidiam marcam argenti pro omni servitio ad duos terminos, scilicet ad Annuntiationem beate Marie quadraginta denarios et ad festum sancti Michaelis .xl. denarios, salvo tamen servitio domini regis de quo respondebunt predictus Petrus et heredes sui. Ut autem hec mea donatio rata et inconcussa permaneat, f[eam tam]f sigillo meo quam sigillo filii mei duxi roborandam.g Hiis testibus.

815 Notification and confirmation by the abbot of Waverley and the priors of Waverley and [Monk] Sherborne, judges-delegate of Pope Honorius III, of the settlement before them of the action between Reading Abbey, on one side, and the abbot and convent of Préaux [Eure, Normandy] and Gervase clerk of Newbury, on the other, concerning the church of Newbury, which Reading Abbey claimed was a chapel within the parish of Thatcham. The church of Thatcham shall continue to receive 2s annually from the church of Newbury, as before, and the abbot and convent of Préaux shall pay 4s 8d annually to the abbot and convent of Reading, who shall indemnify them in respect of themselves and the clerks holding the other portions of Thatcham church [1216 × 24]

Bf193r; Cf112v

Pd. Barfield, Thatcham, ii. 56

Universis Christi fidelibus ad quos presens scriptum pervenerit abbas de Waverleg’a et eiusdem loci et de Syreburn' priores, salutem. Noveritis nos mandatum domini pape in hec verba suscepisse.

818 Licence by King Edward III to John son of William of Blewbury (Blebury) to alienate in mortmain to Reading Abbey one messuage, 70 acres and 1 rood of land, 1½ acres of wood and 11s 3d rent in Pangbourne (Pangeburne), which are not held of the king in chief and which are worth annually 235 6¾d as appears by the inquest held by Robert Selyman, escheator in Hants., Wilts., Oxon., Berks., Beds, and Bucks.; to be held by the abbey in perpetuity at the value of 375 11d in part satisfaction of the £10 worth of land and rent which the abbey has the king's licence to acquire. Licence also to the abbot and convent to receive and hold the same 1 Feb. 1333