Reference code: GB-0033-DCD-Alm.Rntls&Cart.
Title: Durham Cathedral Archive: Almoner's Rentals & Cartulary
Dates of creation: [c.1328] - early 16th century
Extent: i+ii+69+124+iii+i parchment leaves; f.ii-iii and 196-198 are medieval flyleaves. The modern foliation, 1-195, omits 50 and 166. In the first section (f.1-70) the late medieval foliation now lacks the leaf numbered 42; at the start of the
second section (f.71-195) the leaves numbered 1-24 are missing, while on the first five leaves of the fifth quire of this section (f.151-155) the numbers 100-104 are repeated. First section c.355 x 240 mm; second section c.375 x 260 mm. Fourteen
regular quires: i (f.1-8) of 8 leaves; ii (f.9-14) of 6 leaves; iii (f.15-30) of 16 leaves; iv (f.31-41) originally of 12 leaves, now lacking 12 [blank ?] after f.41; v (f.42-49) of 8 leaves; vi (f.51-62) of 12 leaves + a schedule sewn to f.60r; vii
(f.63-70) of 8 leaves; I (f.71-86) of 16 leaves; II (f.87-110) of 24 leaves; III (f.111-134) of 24 leaves; IV (f.135-150) of 16 leaves; V (f.151-171) of 20 leaves; VI (f.172-183) of 12 leaves; VII (f.184-195) of 12 leaves.
Held by: Durham University Library, Archives and Special Collections
Origination: Durham Cathedral Priory
Language:
Latin
The volume comprises two sections, with leaves of slightly different dimensions and separate late medieval foliations. The first section contains almoner's rentals and similar material from the earlier fifteenth century; the second is the
almoner's cartulary of c.1500. Three of the flyleaves are from fourteenth-century bursar's rentals: f.iii and 196-197.
Spine-title: “Rentale firmarum elemosinariæ 1424-1440 Cartuarium elemosinariæ Dunelm”.
If the cartulary contained copies of all the almoner's deeds, then copies of some forty documents (6.5.Elemos.17 - 4.6.Elemos.12) are missing from the end, and they would have occupied about 12-14 folios. The latest document noticed in the
cartulary is dated 1459 (f.107v), but the appearance of the script suggests that the compilation is be dated somewhat later, quite possibly to the earlier sixteenth century; where the scribe left a space of almost three lines (f.127r), presumably
being unable to decipher the original, this was filled in by Thomas Swalwell, who first took office as almoner in 1514 or 1515. It is generally noticeable that the scribe had difficulty in copying the original documents, particularly with names in
witness-lists, etc.
Part of the medieval archive of Durham Cathedral Priory placed in the care of Durham University by Durham Dean and Chapter in 1948.
Open for consultation.
Permission to make any published use of material from the collection must be sought in advance from Durham Cathedral Library (library@durhamcathedral.co.uk). The Library will assist where possible with identifying copyright owners, but
responsibility for ensuring copyright clearance rests with the user of the material.
f.ir-iiiv Bursar's rentals.
f.1r-70v Almoner's rentals, arrears and surveys.
f.71r-195v Almoner's cartulary.
f.196r-198v Bursar's rentals.
Calendared by Alan Piper 1975 x 1992. His Wordperfect file was input to XMetal by Michael Stansfield in 2006.
Digitised version available online
A translation of the cartulary by J.J. Howe in c.1880 is in DCL Howe 10.
A negative microfilm is available at PGFilm 114 and 115.
G.R.C. Davis,
Medieval Cartularies of Great Britain (1958), no. 346.
f.ir-iiiv
Bursar's rentals
f.ir-iiv
Blank.
f.iiir-v [?c.1329]
Bursar's rental, fragment.
No original heading, but there is a heading added in the earlier fifteenth century, perhaps when the rental was complete and contained clear indications of its date: “Anno domini Millesimo CCC vicesimo sexto vijo et
viijo”. Comparison of the entries under Wallsend with those in the bursar's rental for 1335/6 (Bursar's Book A f.9-20) shows that this is earlier: the three alterations of tenants' names here are in the original text in 1335/6. If the added
heading is not accepted, then the dating of c.1329 proposed for Almoner's Rentals & Cartulary f.197 may well be adopted since this leaf is identical with f.197 in its original hand and its markings, and together they would form the first two
leaves from a single rental.
This leaf covers Wallsend, Willington, Upper Heworth and Lower Heworth. There is only one column of rents, but the marking of entries with two dots presumably indicates that the rental was used for the two terms of a full year.
f.1r-70v
Almoner's rentals, arrears and surveys
f.1r-2r 1424[-5, 1425]
Almoner's Arrears, John Fisburn.
“Arreragia Elemosinarie Dunelm Anno domini Ml CCCCxxiiijto Per I Fysshburn Elemosinarium”.
f.2r-3r 1425[-6, 1426]
Almoner's Arrears.
“Arreragia de Anno domini Millesimo CCCC vicesimo quinto”.
f.3v-4v 1426[-7, 1427]
Almoner's Arrears.
“Arreragia infra villam Anno domini Mo CCCCmo vicesimo sexto ... Arreragia extra villam ...”.
f.5r-6r 1427[-8, 1428]
Almoner's Arrears.
“Arreragia Anno domini Mo CCCCmo xxvijo de officio Elemosinarie”.
f.6v-7v 1428[-9, 1429]
Almoner's Arrears, John Durham.
“Arreragia Elemosinarie Dunelm Anno domini Millesimo CCCCmo xxo octauo per Dominum Iohannem Durham Elemosinarium”.
f.7v-8v 1429[-30, 1430]
Almoner's Arrears, John Durham.
“Arreragia Elemosinarie Dunelm Anno domini Millesimo CCCC xxixo per Dominum Iohannem Durham”.
f.9r-10r 1430[-1, 1431]
Almoner's Arrears, John Durham.
“Arreragia domini Iohannis Durham Elemosinarii Dunelm Anno domini Millesimo CCCC xxx”.
f.10r-11r 1431[-2, 1432]
Almoner's Arrears, John Durham.
“Arreragia Elemosinarie Dunelm Anno domini Millesimo CCCC xxxjo per Dominum Iohannem Durham”.
f.11v
Blank.
f.12r-v [8 June] 1432
Almoner's Status, delivered by John Durham.
“Status officij Elemosinarie Dunelm liberatus per Iohannem Durehem nuper Elemosinarium ad festum Pentecostes Anno domini Millesimo CCCCo xxxo ijo”.
Covers the almoner's exchequer and stable, and, at Witton Gilbert, the chamber, hall, store-room, cellar and kitchen.
f.12v-13r 1437
Almoner's Status for Witton Gilbert delivered by Richard Haswell to William Dalton.
“Status Officii Elemosinarie Dunelm dimissus per dominum Ricardum Hesswell nuper Elemosinarium et liberatus domino Willelmo Dalton Anno domini Millesimo CCCCmo xxxvijo”.
Covers no more than the rooms at Witton Gilbert as in the Status for 1432 (f.12r-v). Richard Haswell accounted as almoner up to 13 May 1437 and William Dalton from that date.
f.13v-14v
Blank
f.15-30
Form a regular quire of 16 leaves; it contains a group of materials providing a conspectus of the resources administered by the almoner.
f.15r-24v 1424/5
Almoner's Survey, John Fishburn.
“Rentale firmarum Elemosinarie Dunelm tempore Fratris Iohannis Fyssheburn de terminis Pentecostes et Martini Anno domini Millesimo CCCCmo vicesimo quarto”.
This document is very similar in nature to the survey of the freeholdings of the main monastic estate compiled in 1430, the Feodarium: it gives details of the descent, size and whereabouts of each holding as well as
the rent due for one term. There are no markings to indicate that it was used in collecting rents; f.31r-37v below was used for that purpose. Some entries have a different amount added to the right of the figure given for rent due per term, and it
is evident from totals added at the foot of the pages that the added figure is the “antiqua firma” and the figure in the original hand the “noua firma”; similar additions are found in
the rental on f.31r-37v below and were used for a compilation of the amounts involved per annum on f.39r below. Thomas Swalwell, monk c.1483-1539, added numbers in the left margin that link the entries here to those in other rentals, see below
f.31r-37v, 42r-48v, 51r-56v and 65r-70r.
f.25r-26r 1424/5
Survey of the endowments of the chantry of St Mary in St Nicholas church Durham, John Fishburn.
“Rentale reddituum cantarie (beate Marie) in ecclesia sancti Nicholai in Dunelm que est de fundacione Reginaldi mercatoris et de collacione Elemosinarii tempore Fratris Iohannis Fyscheburn Elemosinarii Dunelm de terminis
Pentecostes et Martini Anno domini Mo CCCCmo vicesimo quarto”. This document is identical in nature to the preceding survey, giving details of the descent, size and whereabouts of each holding as well as the rent due for one term. There are no
markings to indicate that it was used in collecting rents. For an almost identical survey, see f.57r-v below.
f.26r-27r [1424 ?]
Almoner's Various Receipts.
Apart from the first one, the items are copied on f.57v-58v below.
“Varia recepta <pertinencia ad officium Elemosinarie .D.>”; the reason for the partial erasure of this heading is not clear, since the items on f.26r-27r appear under the heading Various Receipts in the
almoner's accounts. The information was presumably compiled at the same date as the documents on the immediately preceding and following leaves.
f.26r
Note of the names of the tenants of the manor of Witton [Gilbert] and of the fruits and lesser tithes of the chapel of Witton [Gilbert].
f.26v
Enumeration of the lands of the manor of Witton [Gilbert].
“Ad manerium de Witton pertinent infrascripta”.
f.26v
Note of the area owing tithes to Witton [Gilbert] chapel. The note is left incomplete at the point where the specification of the boundaries should begin.
f.26v
Enumeration of the lands of the Westorchard al. the Almoner's orchard [Durham].
“Ad manerium dele Westorchard pertinent infrascripta”.
f.27r
Enumeration of the lands of the Mary Magdalen hospital [Durham].
“Ad hospitalem sancte Marie magdalene pertinent infrascripta”.
f.27r
Memorandum of holdings in the parish of Mary Magdalen [Durham] entered above [f.24v] in the rental with assized rents.
f.27v-30r 1424
Gillycorn Survey, John Fishburn.
“Rentale de bladis sancti Egidij debitis officio Elemosinarie Dunelm de tenentibus Prioris tempore domini Iohannis Fysshburne Elemosinarii Anno domini Millesimo CCCCo xxoiiijto”; part of the final element of the
date is perhaps written over an erasure.
The entries have no markings to indicate that payment had been made.
Translation in C.M. Fraser, “Gilly-corn and the customary of the convent of Durham”,
Archæologia Æliana (4th series xxxiii, 1955), p.35-60.
f.30v
Blank.
f.31r-37v 1424-1427/8
Almoner's Rental, John Fishburn.
“Rentale firmarum Elemosinarie Dunelm de tempore Iohannis Fyssheburn de terminis Pentecostes et Martini Anno domini Mo CCCCmo vicesimo quarto quinto sexto (vijo)”.
Each entry is marked off to indicate payments made, but apparently all at one time, rather than term by term; figures, 1-8, represent payments at one of the eight terms covered by the rental, with “v” for a vacant
( “vastum” ) holding, and “a” when payment was in arrears. Some entries have a different amount added to the right of the figure given for rent due per term, as in the survey for
1424/5, f.15r-24v above, where it is evident that the added figure is the “antiqua firma” and the figure in the original hand the “noua firma”; the figures here were used for a
compilation of the amounts involved per annum on f.39r below. A few tenants' names were changed and there are some names inserted in spaces left for them. Thomas Swalwell, monk c.1483-1539, added numbers in the left margin that link the entries here
to those in the survey of 1424/5, f.15r-24v above, and other rentals.
f.38r 1426/7
Rental of the chantry of St Mary in St Nicholas church Durham.
“Rentale reddituum pertinencium ad cantariam beate Marie in ecclesia sancti Nicholai in Dunelm que est de fundacione Reginaldi mercatoris et de collacione Elemosinarii de terminis Pentecostes et Martini Anno domini
Millesimo CCCCmo vicesimo sexto”.
There are no markings to indicate that it was used in collecting rents.
f.38v 1426/7
List of rents due to the almoner from the sacrist for holdings in the Old Borough and Sidegate [Durham].
“Redditus resolutus per sacristam ad Elemosinarium de terminis Pentecostes et Martini (pro tenementis suis in veteri burgo) Anno domini Millesimo CCCCmo vicesimo sexto”.
The final entry concerns Sidegate, in the Bishop's Borough.
f.38v 1426/7
List of rents due to the sacrist from the almoner for holdings in the Old Borough [Durham].
“Redditus resolutus per elemosinarium ad sacristam de terminis Pentecostes et Martini (pro tenementis Elemosinarie in Veteri burgo) Anno domini Mo CCCCmo xxvjto”.
f.39r 1426/7
Diminishments in [almoner's] rents.
“Decasus antique firme de Redditibus assise preter redditum Cantarie vt patet per compotum et Rentale suprascriptum de terminis Pentecostes et Martini Anno domini Millesimo CCCCmo vicesimo sexto”.
The rental referred to is the almoner's rental on f.31r-37v above, where the “antiqua firma” figures per term are added, as they are in the survey for 1424/5, f.15r-24v above; the amounts given here are
per annum.
f.39v-40r [23 May] 1428
Almoner's Status, John Fishburn.
“Status officij Elemosinarie Dunelm liberatus per dominum Iohannem Fyssheburn Elemosinarium ad festum Pentecostes Anno domini Mo CCCCmo vicesimo octauo”.
Covers the same rooms as in the status for 1432 (f.12r-v above), and also the workhouse at Witton Gilbert, an entry that mentions “domo cancellarij in Crossegate”.
f.40v 1425
List of woodsilver payments due from the almoner to the bishop's forester for holdings in Aldingrange.
“Annus redditus xij denariorum debitus Forestario Episcopi pro Wodsiluere de Baronia de Aldingrige per xvcim annos videlicet vsque ad festum Michaelias Anno domini Millesimo CCCCmo vicesimo quinto”.
f.41r-v 1440[-1]
List of [almoner's] vacant holdings.
“Vasta Anno domini etc xlmo”.
A number of entries identify the holdings as belonging to the almoner. The total at the end matches that given in the exoneration on the almoner's account for 1440-1 “de vastis huius compoti vt patet in quaterno”,
but not the total following the list on the account for 1439-40. The correspondence between the information here and that embodied in the markings added to the rental for 1437-[1442] does not appear to be exact.
f.41v 144[0-]1
List of diminishments in [almoner's] rents.
“Decasus Anno domini Millesimo etc xljo”.
The total at the end matches that given in the exoneration on the almoner's account for 1440-1, but not the corresponding total on the account for 1441-2.
f.42r-48v 1428-[1431/2]
Almoner's Rental.
“Rentale firmarum Elemosinarie Dunelm de tempore Fratris Iohannis Dureham de terminis Pentecostes et Martini Anno domini Millesimo CCCC vicesimo octauo et nono”.
As in the rental for 1424-1427/8, f.31r-37v above, each entry is marked off to indicate payments made, apparently all at one time, rather than term by term, with “v” for a vacant ( “vastum” ) holding, and “a”, sparingly, when payment was in arrears. The figures used to represent payment at one of the terms covered by the rental run up to 8, which shows that the rental
was used for four years, rather than the two given in the heading. John Durham accounted as almoner from 17 May 1428, taking over from John Fishburn, see f.42r above. Though apparently unproveable it seems safe to assume that the third and fourth
years covered by the rental were the years immediately following those specified in the heading, 1430/1 and 1431/2, and that the matter of adding to the heading, as happened on f.31r, was overlooked; there is a rental for 1432/3 on f.51r-56v. As in
the survey for 1424/5, f.15r-24v above, to the right of the figure given for rent due per term, some entries have a different amount, recording the “ancient farm”. Almost no tenants' names were changed, but a
considerable number were inserted in spaces that had been left for them. Thomas Swalwell, monk c.1483-1539, added numbers in the left margin that link the entries here to those in the survey of 1424/5, f.15r-24v above, and other rentals.
f.49r mid 15th century
Originally blank.
Added, s. xv med.: Inventory entries for three beds, etc.
f.49v
Blank.
f.51r-56v 1432/3 [et seq.]
Almoner's Rental.
“Rentale firmarum Elemosinarie Dunelm de tempore fratris Ricardi Hessewell de terminis Pentecostes et Martini Anno domini Millesimo quadringentesimo tricesimo secundo”. Most entries were marked off to indicate
payments made, with “vvvv” for a vacant ( “vastum” ) holding. In general there are only two markings, “a” and “b”,
covering the two terms of a year, but some entries have more letters, up to six, “f”, in the case of Denton (f.51v); this suggests that the rental was used fitfully to record payments due for 1433/4 and 1434/5. As in
the survey for 1424/5, f.15r-24v above, to the right of the figure given for rent due per term, some entries have a different amount, recording the “ancient farm”. Almost no tenants' names were changed, but a
considerable number were inserted in spaces that had been left for them. Thomas Swalwell, monk c.1483-1539, added numbers in the left margin that link the entries here to those in the survey of 1424/5, f.15r-24v above, and other rentals.
f.57r-v 1432/3
Survey of the endowments of the chantry of St Mary in St Nicholas church Durham, Richard Haswell.
“Rentale reddituum Cantarie beate Marie in ecclesia beati Nicholai in Dunelm que est fundacione Reginaldi mercatoris et de Collacione Elemosinarii tempore Ricardi Hessewell Elemosinarii Dunelm de terminis Pentecostes et
Martini Anno domini Mo CCCCmo tricesimo secundo”.
This document is almost identical to the survey on f.25r-26r above. There are no markings to indicate that it was used in collecting rents.
f.57v-58v
Almoner's Various Receipts.
A copy of the items on f.26v-27r above.
f.58v 1432
Gillycorn receipts.
“Blada Sancti egidij anno domini Mo CCCC xxxoijo”.
f.58v 1433
Gillycorn receipts.
“Blada sancti egidij anno domini Millesimo CCCCo xxxiijo”.
f.58v 1456
Gillycorn receipts.
“Blada Sancti egidij anno domini Millesimo CCCClvjto”.
f.59r-64r 1432 - 1441
Almoner's Arrears.
The elliptical headings call for the same interpretation as those on f.1r-11r above. Here most of the lists have totals and these can be matched to the totals for the year given on surviving accounts: f.59v to 1432-3 “De
arreragia huius compoti vt patet in quaterno cum alijs arreragiis”; f.60r to 1433-4; f.60v to 1434-5; f.61v to 1435-6; the last entry on f.64r to 1440-1. Entries are marked off “qt” to show payments that had
subsequently been made.
f.59r-v 1432[-3, 1433]
Almoner's Arrears, Richard Haswell.
“Arreragia domini (Ricardi Hessewell) Elemosinarii Anno domini Millesimo CCCCo xxxijo”; the name is inserted over an erasure.
f.59v-60r 1433[-4, 1434]
Almoner's Arrears, Richard Haswell.
“Arreragia domini Ricardi Hessewell Elemosinarii Dunelm Anno domini Millesimo CCCCmo xxxiijo”.
f.60r schedule 1432-4, 1434
Arrears [of the almoner's collector].
“Hec sunt nomina tenencium quorum Iohannes Cuthbert recepit firmas tempore domini Ricardi Hessewell quas non soluit eidem Ricardo”.
It appears that the details are to be connected with the last entry on the list of arrears for 1433-4, “De Iohanne Cuthbert xxv s. viij d.”, which is exceptional in not identifying the holding, etc. for which
payment was due. On the schedule, however, where the amount for the last entry is lost, the total for the other 25 entries is 55s. 8d., so it would appear that the schedule concerns rents due over a longer period than 1433-4. Richard Haswell
accounted as almoner 2 June 1432 - 13 May 1437, but, given the way in which the schedule is carefully sewn across the leaf, immediately below the end of the arrears-list for 1433-4, it seems unlikely that it extends beyond 1434, but it probably
covers 1432-3 as well as 1433-4. The payment of a stipend to John Cuthbert is recorded on the almoner's accounts for 1432-3 and 1433-4, but William Durham appears in his place on the account for 1434-5, so this schedule probably represents a final
reckoning with John Cuthbert, who presumably had functioned as the almoner's collector.
f.60r-v 1434[-5, 1435]
Almoner's Arrears, Richard Haswell.
“Arreragia domini Ricardi Hessewell Elemosinarii Dunelm Anno domini Millesimo CCCCmo xxxiiijto”.
f.60v-61v 1435[-6, 1436]
Almoner's Arrears, Richard Haswell.
“Arreragia domini Ricardi Hessewell Elemosinarii Dunelm Anno domini Millesimo CCCCmo xxxvto”.
f.61v-62r 1436[-7, 1437]
Almoner's Arrears, Richard Haswell.
“Arreragia domini Ricardi Hessewell Elemosinarii Dunelm Anno domini Millesimo CCCC xxxvjto”.
f.62v-63r 1437[-8, 1438]
Almoner's Arrears, William Dalton.
“Arreragia domini Willelmi Dalton Elemosinarii De anno domini Millesimo Quadringentesimo Tricesimo Septimo”.
f.63r-v 1438[-9, 1439]
Almoner's Arrears, William Dalton .
“Arreragia domini Willelmi Dalton Elemosinarii .D. De anno domini etc xxxviijo”.
f.63v-64r 1439[-40, 1440]
Almoner's Arrears, William Dalton.
“Arreragia Willelmi Dalton Elemosinarii De anno domini xxxixo”.
f.64r 1440[-1, 1441]
Almoner's Arrears, William Dalton.
“Arreragia Willelmi Dalton Elemosinarii De anno domini etc CCCCo xlo”.
f.64v
Blank.
f.65r-70r 1437 - [1441/2]
Almoner's Rental.
“Rentale firmarum Elemosinarie Dunelm de tempore fratris Willelmi Dalton de terminis Pentecostes et Martini Anno domini Millesimo CCCCmo xxxvijo. viijo. nono et quadragesimo”.
As in the rental for 1424-1427/8, f.31r-37v above, each entry is marked off to indicate payments made, apparently all at one time, rather than term by term, with “v” for a vacant ( “vastum” ) holding, and “a” when payment was in arrears. The figures used to represent payment at one of the terms covered by the rental run up to 10, which shows that the rental was used for
five years, rather than the four given in the heading. It can be confirmed that the first year of the rental was 1437/8 from the markings against the entry for Pallion and Barnes (f.65r) where payments fell into arrears after the first four terms:
the first arrears-list to record this is that for 1439-40, with no corresponding entries on the lists for 1437-8 or 1438-9, f.62v-64r above. Though apparently unproveable it seems safe to assume that the fifth year covered by the rental was the year
immediately following those specified in the heading, 1441/2, and that the matter of adding to the heading, as happened on f.31r, was overlooked. As in the survey for 1424/5, f.15r-24v above, to the right of the figure given for rent due per term,
under the added heading “Noua firma”, some entries have a different amount, in some cases added much later, under the added heading “Antiqua firma”. Almost no tenants' names were
changed, but for Old Elvet (f.69v) twelve were added in a sixteenth-century hand. Thomas Swalwell, monk c.1483-1539, added numbers in the left margin that link the entries here to those in the survey of 1424/5, f.15r-24v above, and other rentals.
f.70v
Originally blank. Added: Jotting for an account.
f.71r-195v
Almoner's cartulary
f.71r
Cartulary copy of final clauses of
Misc.Ch.129. (Was 5.1.Elemos.28.)
f.72r-v
Cartulary copy of
Misc.Ch.130. (Was 5.1.Elemos.33.)
f.72v-73r
Cartulary copy of
Misc.Ch.187. (Was 5.1.Elemos.34.)
f.73r-v
Cartulary copy of
Misc.Ch.191. (Was 5.1.Elemos.35.)
f.73v
Cartulary copy of
Misc.Ch.189. (Was 5.1.Elemos.36.)
f.74r
Cartulary copy of
Misc.Ch.188. (Was 5.1.Elemos.36.)
f.74r-v
Cartulary copy of
Misc.Ch.190. (Was 5.1.Elemos.34.)
f.80r-v
Cartulary copy of
Misc.Ch.2365. (Was 6.1.Elemos.13.)
f.83v
Note concerning 6.1.Elemos.22.
f.83v-84r
6.5.Elemos.12. (Was 6.1.Elemos.23.)
See also f.194r-v below.
f.87r-v
Grant, for 11s., by William de Maldemedenes and his wife Matilda daughter of the mason Mr Richard of Farnham, to Walter Cook son of Adam Pes' of Durham, his heirs and assigns by will or otherwise, of one third of the plot
of land in the Bailey Durham that belonged to Mr Richard of Farnham and was once held by Peter Goldsmith, with undertaking to quit-claim it before the king's itinerant justices in Durham, with Walter of Farnham and Geoffrey Marshall sworn as
pledges, and with undertaking to compensate for any costs arising from defect of warranty, etc.
Witnesses: Robert of Burnigill, constable of Durham; Alexander of Biddick, sheriff [of Durham]; Richard Bell; William of Wolviston, pantler; Robert Cook; Adam Pays; Bertram his son; John of School Aycliffe; Simon de Karlawe;
William of Elvet, clerk; William Malifer; Roger Wrye; Nicholas of the Granary; and many others.
Cartulary copy of 1.2.Elemos.14.
f.90v-91r [19 April 1371]
Appointment, by William son of Alan of [the *] Commonhouse of Durham, of Richard of Witton chaplain, as his attorney to deliver seisin to Hugh of Chilton chaplain of two messuages in Durham granted to Hugh by William.
Date: Lincoln * Saturday before George 45 Edward III.
Cartulary copy of 2.2.Elemos.9
[* Cf. 2.2.Elemos.7]
Extracted in: M.M. Camsell,
“The Development of a Northern Town in the Later Middle Ages: the City of Durham, c.1250-1540 ”, (York Univ. D.Phil. thesis 1985), p.559.
f.92r 24 January [1311]
Undertaking, by Roger Pichard, to pay the almoner of Durham an annual rent of 10s. for a messuage called Lightfoothall [in the North Bailey Durham] granted to him by A[ntony Bek] patriarch of Jerusalem and bishop of
Durham.
Date: Durham 24 January 1310.
Witnesses: Ralph of Warsop, William Yekemund, Geoffrey Prior, Adam Cooper, Bartholomew Cutler, and many others.
Cartulary copy of 2.2.Elemos.14
Extracted in: M.M. Camsell,
“The Development of a Northern Town in the Later Middle Ages: the City of Durham, c.1250-1540 ”, (York Univ. D.Phil. thesis 1985), p.550.
f.93r
Quit-claim, in the presence of William archdeacon of Durham and Peter dean of Dar[l]ington, by Baldwin son of Ralph and Alice his wife, of any dower right in the land held by Henry Tailor in the Bailey Durham, with
undertaking to submit to the archdeacon's jurisdiction in the event of any dispute raised by them over it, with a penalty of 100s. to the fabric of the [cathedral] church of Durham.
Witnesses: Jordan Heirun, William Briton, Oger de Tyes, Walter de Seleby, Hugh cellarer of Durham, John of Ferry[hill] monk [?], William de Musters, and others.
Cartulary copy of 3.2.Elemos.1
Extracted in: M.M. Camsell,
“The Development of a Northern Town in the Later Middle Ages: the City of Durham, c.1250-1540 ”, (York Univ. D.Phil. thesis 1985), p.527.
f.93v-94r
Affirmation, by Richard son of Henry Tailor of Durham, that he gave to his son-in-law Richard of Wolviston [of Hartlepool in 3.2.Elemos.3] on marrying his sister Agnes in recompense for a debt of 8 marks [£5 6s. 8d.] a
rent of 2s. in Framwellgate [Durham] and 6s. in a house in the Bailey Durham that belonged to Henry his father, that Richard and Agnes quit-claimed the house and the rent to him, and that he gave the whole house and rent in free alms to the almoner
of Durham as in the charter given to the almoner, so that Richard and Agnes have no claim to them.
Cartulary copy of 3.2.Elemos.4
Extracted in: M.M. Camsell,
“The Development of a Northern Town in the Later Middle Ages: the City of Durham, c.1250-1540 ”, (York Univ. D.Phil. thesis 1985), p.526-527.
f.94v-95r
Cartulary copy of
3.2.Elemos.7, omitting 6 witnesses.
f.103r-v
Cartulary copy of
Misc.Ch.2540. (Was 4.2.Elemos.7.)
f.103v-104r
Cartulary copy of
Misc.Ch.2278. (Was 4.2.Elemos.9.)
f.104r-v
Cartulary copy of
Misc.Ch.2280. (Was 4.2.Elemos.11.)
f.105r-v
Cartulary copy of
Misc.Ch.2532. (Was 4.2.Elemos.14.)
f.105v
Cartulary copy of
Misc.Ch.2533 (also listed as 4.2.Elemos.21.)
f.106r-v
Cartulary copy of
Misc.Ch.2536 (also listed as 4.2.Elemos.23.)
f.107r-v
Cartulary copy of
Misc.Ch.2543. (Was 4.2.Elemos.19.)
f.117v-118r [6 December] 1359
Grant, by Mariota, widow of Roger Burchard, to William of Guisborough, mercer, of the burgage in Claypath in the Borough of Durham between the tenement that once belonged to John le Lepay and the tenement of the almoner of
Durham which she bought in her virginity from Hugh Schemore.
Witnesses: Richard of Stafford and Thomas of Cockside, bailiffs of the Borough of Durham; John of Hebburn; Thomas of Tudhoe; William of Barnby; Richard of Cocken; Peter Mercer; Peter Barber; and many others.
Date: Borough of Durham Friday Nicholas 1359.
Marginal copy of endorsement adds: on the north row, held by John Eston with another burgage for 2s. a year to the almoner's chantry.
Also recorded as 5.2.Elemos.27 (original deed does not survive).
Marginal note: belongs to the chantry of St Jo[hn] in St Nicholas' church [Durham].
Extracted in: M.M. Camsell,
“The Development of a Northern Town in the Later Middle Ages: the City of Durham, c.1250-1540 ”, (York Univ. D.Phil. thesis 1985), p.395.
f.118r-119r 20 May 1433
Inspeximus, by John [Wessington] prior and the chapter of Durham, confirming the following licence, saving to the almoner of Durham 8s. a year rent from one messuage and a large garden on the south row in Claypath in
Durham once belonging to John Tywe and Richard of Cocken, to the sacrist of Durham 5s. 6d. a year rent from one burgage on the west row of Fleshergate in Durham once belonging to William Burchard and Richard of Cocken, and to the prior of Finchale
½lb. cumin a year with suit at his court in Cocken from one messuage and 3 roods of land there once belonging to the said Richard of Cocken.
Date: Durham 20 May 1433.
Also recorded as 5.2.Elemos.24 (original deed does not survive)
Extracted in: M.M. Camsell,
“The Development of a Northern Town in the Later Middle Ages: the City of Durham, c.1250-1540 ”, (York Univ. D.Phil. thesis 1985), p.315, 403 & 484.
22 September [1408]
Licence, for £20, by Thomas [Langley] bishop of Durham, to Thomas Kirkby parson of Whitburn, to found a chantry for one chaplain at the altar of SS John the Baptist and John the evangelist in St Nicholas' church Durham for
the bishop and the souls of Mr John Cocken lately dean of Lanchester, etc., and, despite the Statute of Mortmain, to grant to the chaplain 14 messuages and 6s. rent in Durham and in the North and South Baileys in Durham, held of the bishop in free
burgage, and 3 messuages, 3 roods of land and 3 roods of meadow in Cocken and Gilesgate Durham not held of the bishop.
Per manus: William Chancellor, chancellor.
Date: Durham 22 September 3 [Langley].
f.123v-124r [30 January 1287]
Grant, for an advance payment, by Robert son and heir of Walter Stanard of Gilesgate Durham, to Henry Salter burgess of the Borough of St Giles Durham, of one burgage in the Borough of St Giles between the land of Thomas
of Beverley and the land once belonging to William of Easington, for a root of ginger to Robert at Christmas, 12d. a year to Robert's sister Agnes, and 12d. a year to Kepier hospital.
Witnesses: John of Carperby, steward; William of Easington; Nicholas Rufus; John Plummer; Ralph Daunte; William del Cartrin [?]; William of Whitlow; Robert Galand; Simon of Pespool; Robert Poulter; Walter Smith; Hugh of
Peebles, clerk; and others.
Date: Court of the Borough of St Giles Durham Thursday before Candlemas 1286.
Also recorded as 1.3.Elemos.11 (original deed does not survive)
Extracted in: M.M. Camsell,
“The Development of a Northern Town in the Later Middle Ages: the City of Durham, c.1250-1540 ”, (York Univ. D.Phil. thesis 1985), p.480.
f.124r-126r [10 January 1399]
Assize, before Ralph Eure, William Gascoigne, Robert of Wycliffe and John Conyers, justices of the bishop [of Durham], Wednesday after Epiphany 20 [recte 22] Richard II 11 Bishop Walter
[Skirlawe] , to establish whether John del Raw of Wolviston, William Alanson of the same and John Stere of the same disseised the prior of Durham of 36 sheaves of wheat and 36 sheaves of oats in Wolviston [due as Gillycorn: see copy of endorsement
in the margin].
The jurors stated that John del Raw held of the prior in Wolviston one messuage and four score acres of land for 7 sheaves of wheat and 7 of oats a year, received until 4 years before the suing out of the writ on 14 August 10 [Skirlawe: 1398] and
worth for those 4 years 15d, for which the prior's servant Robert Butley took a horse of John del Raw for distraint, which John rescued, without the assistance of William or John Stere; that William Alanson held of the prior in Wolviston one
messuage and 18 acres of land for 3 sheaves of wheat and 3 of oats a year, received until 4 years before the suing out of the said writ and worth for those 4 years 8d, for which the prior's servant Robert Butley took a horse of William for
distraint, which William rescued, without the assistance of John del Raw or John Stere; that John Stere held of the prior in Wolviston one messuage and 12 acres of land for 2 sheaves of wheat and 2 of oats a year, received until 4 years before the
suing out of the said writ and worth for those 4 years 5d, for which the prior's servant Robert Butley took a horse of John for distraint, which John rescued, without the assistance of John del Raw or William; that over and above the arrears the
prior's damages amounted to 18d. with respect to John del Raw, 14d. with William and 8d. with John Stere; that in the time of King Henry Bertram prior of Durham was seised of the renders; that there was no fraud or collusion.
The prior recovered the renders with arrears and damages but in mercy for falsely claiming [abetment] between John del Raw, William and John Stere [in the rescue of the distrained horses]; John del Raw made fine of 2s. with William Smith of
Wolviston and John Stere as pledges, William Alanson 2s. with John del Raw and John Stere as pledges, and John Stere 2s. with John del Raw and William Alanson as pledges.
Also recorded as 1.3.Elemos.12 (original deed does not survive)
f.126v-127r [?1399]
Notarial instrument recording that, before the prior of Durham's official, William Appleby, almoner of Durham and keeper of the Mary Magdalen hospital by Gilesgate Durham, sought sentence against William Alanson, tenant of
one carrucate in Wolviston in the parish of Billingham, John Casson, tenant of one carrucate there, and John Stere, tenant of half a carrucate there, for refusing the Gillycorn due to the keeper of the hospital, and received by him from time out of
mind, at a rate of one thrave of corn, half wheat and half oats, from each carrucate or ploughland in that parish.
[For date, cf. preceding item.]
Also recorded as 1.3.Elemos.13 (original deed does not survive)
f.133v 1 March [1335]
Appointment, by William [of Cowton] prior and the convent of Durham, of John of Ashington, as their attorney to receive seisin of the tenement in Upper Elvet, between the almoner's tenement and the tenement belonging to
Blessed Mary's altar in St Oswald's church [Elvet], surrendered and granted by Thomas Swan for the almonry.
Date: in chapter Durham 1 March 1334.
(Was 2.3.Elemos.12).
Extracted in: M.M. Camsell,
“The Development of a Northern Town in the Later Middle Ages: the City of Durham, c.1250-1540 ”, (York Univ. D.Phil. thesis 1985), p.616.
f.135v
Note that by a charter of Walter de Hadington and lease of Ralph and Hugh, priors, those buildings which Richard of Sherburn had by gift of William de Monasterio are those buildings in New Elvet for which the heirs of
Gilbert of Elvet pay 10s per annum and for which there are 3 charters of title wrongly registered under Old Elvet.
Calendared in: M.M. Camsell,
“The Development of a Northern Town in the Later Middle Ages: the City of Durham, c.1250-1540 ”, (York Univ. D.Phil. thesis 1985), p.647.
f.139r-v [6 March 1365]
Grant, by Margaret widow of William of Drayton, to William of Greystones, Hugh of Chilton, chaplains, and John of Bamburgh clerk, of one messuage in the Borough of Elvet, between her messuage and a messuage once belonging
to John Cage, granted to her and her husband by John of Yedingham and his wife Agnes, John of Colchester and his wife Johanna, and Alice del How, daughters and coheiresses of Robert del How [3.3.Elemos.7].
Witnesses: Robert Lister, Robert Ellingham, Simon Alman, Gilbert Holand, William Graper, William Ferour, Robert Saddler, and others.
Date: Borough of Elvet Thursday in first week of Lent 1364.
(Was 3.3.Elemos.8).
Calendared in: M.M. Camsell,
“The Development of a Northern Town in the Later Middle Ages: the City of Durham, c.1250-1540 ”, (York Univ. D.Phil. thesis 1985), p.654.
f.147r-v
Cartulary copy of
Misc.Ch.5275, the near duplicate of 5.3.Elemos.2.
f.149v
5.3.Elemos.6.
f.150v 1342
Memorandum re John Whelpdall entailing land in Fulthorpe.
As in DCD Alm.Sm.Cart. p.56.
f.150v
{Note on the almoner's lands in Fulthorpe: The whole land contained 96 acres of land and meadow, divided into two equal parts in time out of mind between two sisters, with one half remaining intact and the other divided
between another four sisters of whom one, Diota of Fulthorpe, was the mother of W. who granted by an undated charter to the almonry of Durham all the part that he inherited, i.e. 12 acres, which various almoners put at farm for 4s. a year. In 1321
W[illiam of] Durham almoner demised the 12 acres by indenture to John Whelpdale for 15 years at 4s. a year; after him Peter Haswell held the land for 3s. a year, as the rental shows; and afterwards W. Braban for 3s. 4d. a year, as the rental
shows.
[Was 5.3.Elemos.13]}
f.151r-v
Cartulary copy of
1.4.Elemos.1c, omitting last two witnesses.
f.151v
Cartulary copy of
1.4.Elemos.2, with several omissions.
f.151v-152r
1.4.Elemos.3.
f.153v-154r
Cartulary copy of
2.4.Elemos.10, omitting last witness' forename.
f.154r-v
Cartulary copy of
2.4.Elemos.11, omitting the issuer's second name.
f.155r-v
Cartulary copy of
2.4.Elemos.14, omitting the last witness.
f.156r [13 April 1366 *]
Inventory (indented) of the chapel of Hilton: vessels, books, vestments, etc., Monday after Quasimodo 1066.
* See marginal note for the year.
Also recorded as 2.4.Elemos.19 (original deed does not survive)
f.156r-v [22 August 1456 *]
Indenture recording the ornaments (vessels, books, vestments, etc.) in St Katherine's chapel Hilton received by John Wagotth, octave of Assumption 1306.
* Year according to the marginal copy of the endorsement.
[Was 2.4.Elemos.18.]
f.161r-v
Grant, for an advance payment, by Matilda daughter of Michael Ferour of Iveston, to John son of Adam Knitsley, of all her land with toft and croft by right of her father, together with all the land with which her mother
Alice was dowered, in the fee of Iveston, for 3d. to the lords of the fee, 14¼d. to the almoner of Durham and performing foreign service.
Witnesses: Peter de le Crook, Robert of Colpikehall, Hugh of Knitsley, William of Bradley, Roger Roughead, John Dingbell, Roger of Urpeth, Nicholas Encheved, John son of Roger, William de Wood, Hugh of Peebles clerk, and
others.
(Was 4.4.Elemos.11)
f.161v-162r
Cartulary copy of
2.6.Spec.12. (Was 4.4.Elemos.12.)
f.162r-v [9 July] 1318
Grant, by Roger son of Adam of Broom, to John son of William de le Shiel of Edmundbyers, of his whole free tenement in the vill, territory and fee of Iveston.
Witnesses: William of Knitsley, Hugh of Crowland [?], Thomas of Urpeth, Nicholas Roughead, John Roughead, William the clerk's son, Ralph of Healey, Thomas son of Elias Iveston, Adam Dingbell, with many other.
Date: Iveston Sunday after translation of Thomas m. 1318.
(Was 4.4.Elemos.13.)
f.162v [1 June 1215]
Grant, by Innocent [III] pope, to the prior and convent of Durham, that they may have masses celebrated for the infirm in the chapel of the hospital opposite the monastery gate, so long as the rights of the mother church
are not prejudiced.
Date: Lateran [Rome] Kal. June 18 [Innocent III].
(Was 4.4.Elemos.15)
C.R. Cheney & M.G. Cheney ed,
The Letters of Pope Innocent III (Oxford 1967) no. 1011, p.168-169 (calendared) and p.271 (printed).
f.162v-164r
Cartulary copy of
4.4.Elemos.16, with the last two lines of text confused.
f.164r-v [31 May] 1338
Lease for 15 years, by John of Butterwick almoner of Durham, to Agnes widow of William Lund and Reginald son of Emma of Medomsley, of all the land called Garcenoland in the field of Iveston which William Lund held of the
almoner for a term of years, for 4s. 8d. to the almoner, with the almoner entitled to re-enter after 40 days' arrears.
Date: Durham Pentecost 1338.
[Was 4.4.Elemos.18a.]
f.164v-165r
Grant in perpetual alms, by Richard of Iveston, to the monks of Durham for their almonry, of 15 acres in Iveston, i.e. from the oak with the cross made on it, beside the path from Iveston to Greencroft, to the burn running
east, and from that oak to the burn running south.
Witnesses: Philip the sheriff, Jordan Escolland, Roger Burdon, Geoffrey son of Richard, Osbert of Layton, Henry of Farlington, Philip de Colville, Robert de Watteville, Bertram of Hetton, Ranulf of Fishburn, Robert de Hoton,
with many others.
[Was 4.4.Elemos.18b.]
f.168r-v
Cartulary copy of
2.6.Spec.11. (Was 4.4.Elemos.20.)
f.173r
Cartulary copy of
6.4.Elemos.1, omitting the last name of the issuer's father.
f.180r-v
Cartulary copy of
Misc.Ch.2266. (Was 6.4.Elemos.18.)
f.180v-181r
Grant, by Walter of Hett, to Henry of Ferry[hill] parson of Heighington, of the land in Milburngate [Durham] that Walter's grandfather Richard Puncherton held, for 1d. a year at St Cuthbert in September to Walter and his
heirs and 4d. a year as the service to the prior of Durham.
Witnesses: the prior of Durham, the subprior [of Durham], William Herberd, Thomas of Derby, Gilbert son of Humfrey, Roger de Ponte [one garbled word], with many others.
Marginal copy of the endorsement adds: rent to the almoner now 4s. a year.
(Was 1.5.Elemos.4)
Extracted in: M.M. Camsell,
“The Development of a Northern Town in the Later Middle Ages: the City of Durham, c.1250-1540 ”, (York Univ. D.Phil. thesis 1985), p.125.
f.181r-v
Grant, by Simon son of Roger of the Old Borough Durham, to Elias butcher of the Old Borough Durham and Elena his wife, of half a burgage in the Milburngate in the Old Borough between Elias' burgage on the south and Walter
Lonyll's on the north, for 2s. a year to the lord of the fee.
Witnesses: Thomas of Derby, Peter of Wittenham [?], bailiffs of the Old Borough Durham; Richard Tanner; Augustine at the head of the vill; Peter of Chilton; Roger Walle; with many others.
Marginal copy of the endorsement adds: afterwards with the heirs of John Newton and rent to the almoner of 2s.
(Was 1.5.Elemos.5)
Extracted in: M.M. Camsell,
“The Development of a Northern Town in the Later Middle Ages: the City of Durham, c.1250-1540 ”, (York Univ. D.Phil. thesis 1985), p.150.
f.182r-v
Cartulary copy of
Misc.Ch.2374 (also listed as 1.5.Elemos.10)
f.182v-183r
Cartulary copy of
Misc.Ch.2372. (Was 1.5.Elemos.9.)
f.183v 6 September [1381]
Appointment, by Matilda of Cocken, of John of Killinghall, as her attorney to deliver seisin to William Greystones chaplain, John of Bamburgh and Thomas Emery of two messuages in [O]wengate in the North Bailey Durham.
Date: Durham 6 September 5 Richard II.
(Was 2.5.Elemos.2)
Extracted in: M.M. Camsell,
“The Development of a Northern Town in the Later Middle Ages: the City of Durham, c.1250-1540 ”, (York Univ. D.Phil. thesis 1985), p.529 and 534.
f.185v-186r
Cartulary copy of
3.5.Elemos.7, omitting 10 witnesses.
f.186r-v
Cartulary copy of
Misc.Ch.2371. (Was 3.5.Elemos.1.)
f.186v-187r [1258 x 1273 or 1286 x 1290]
Grant in fee-farm by chirograph, by Hugh [of Darlington] prior and the convent of Durham, to Robert of Coldingham and Amicia his wife or whichever lives the longer, of all the land of the almonry of Durham with toft and
croft in [East] Rainton, amounting to 46 acres 1 rood, in ten specified locations, for 20s. a year to the almonry and common aid as other freeholders of the priory of Durham, with right to mill their corn at Rainton mill for every twentieth measure
or elsewhere if they so choose. [1258 x 1273 or 1286 x 1290: Hugh prior]
(Was 3.5.Elemos.9)
f.187r-v
3.5.Elemos.8.
f. 189r-v
5.5.Elemos.12.
f.190r
Note referring to 5.5.Elemos.14.
f.194r-v
Cartulary copy of
6.5.Elemos.12.
See also f.83v-84r above.
f.196r-198v
Bursar's rentals
f.196r-v [c.1338]
Bursar's Rental, fragment.
No heading. Comparison of the entries under Edmundbyers with those in the rentals for 1335/6 and 1340/1 (Bursar's Book A f.17 and 33v) indicates that this is a leaf from a rental made between those two: additions and an alteration in the 1335/6
rental are here in the original hand, while an alteration here is in the original hand in the 1340/1 rental. The defective rental forming Bursar's Book B is similarly dateable; since this leaf is in the same hand and has been marked in the same way
as that defective rental it may well be one of the leaves missing from it. This leaf covers Ferryhill, Woodifield, Hett, Auckland and Edmundbyers. There are two columns of rents, for the two terms making a full year. Almost all entries are marked
off “qt” to the right of each column.
f.197r-v [?c.1329]
Bursar's Rental, fragment.
No heading. Under Westoe the third entry is for Richard Hostiller holding a toft and one carrucate of land, with the name deleted and only one dot beside the entry, which suggests that the holding was vacated during the period of the rental. In
the 1335/6 rental (Bursar's Book A f.11v) and subsequent rentals, the Westoe section end with twelve entries headed as the land “quondam Ricardi Hostiler”, presumably as a result of the division of the single holding
recorded on this leaf. This process is reflected in expenditure on measuring Richard Hostiller's land recorded on the Westoe Account for 30 September 1330 - 6 October 1331, which also records the land being sown with barley and oats. It is likely
that this took place shortly after the holding fell vacant, indicating a date for this leaf of c.1329. Alternatively the dating added on Almoner's Rentals & Cartulary f.iii should perhaps be adopted; this leaf is identical with f.iii in its
original hand and its markings, and together they would form the first two leaves from a single rental. This leaf covers [Hebburn], Monkton, Jarrow, Hedworth, Preston and Simonside, and Westoe. There is only one column of rents, but the marking of
entries with two dots presumably indicates that the rental was used for the two terms of a full year.
f.198r-v
Blank.
