Mandate of the prior of Coldingham, deputed by Master Gifredi de Vezano, canon of Cambrai, papal chamberlain and executor of the Holy Land business in Scotland, to the dean of Le Merse, having been mandated by Vezano to recover within 3 months a debt of £40 owed by Cristino de Insula burgess of Perth to Nicholas de Graham miles concerning a collation of the predicate friars of Berwick, to be heard on Monday after Hilary in the church of the Holy Trinity, Berwick.
Date: Coldingham, the morrow of St Katherine [26 November] 1289.

Letters from John [of Halton] bishop of Carlisle, collector of tenths and obventions, granted for the aid of the Holy Land, to the abbot of Kelso, to appoint the prior of Coldingham to collect the tenths in the archdeaconry of Lothian, to be answered for by them or their proctor in the church of Kelso on Friday after St James for the third year of the subsidy.
Date: London, 18 Kal. July [14 June] 1294.

Mandate of Bayamund de Vicia to the subprior of the monastery of Arboroath to receive £40 from Master Adam.
At: Lunbors, Decollation of St John the Baptist [29 August] 1280.

Charter of Patrick I, earl of Dunbar granting to the prior and monks of Coldingham one half of Bilie, viz. the half lying between the two Restons and Aldengrawe on one side, and Chirnside and Blakeburn on the other. [c.1230]
Witnesses: Lord Patrick the earl's son, Walter de Lindsey, sheriff of Berwick, Roger de Merley, steward of Patrick the earl, Patrick son of Adam, John de Letham, Adam de Paulsworth, William de Mordington, Henry de Prendergest, William de Wideslade, Alan de Swinton, Thomas de Nesbit, William de Lumsden, and many others

Charter of Patrick III, earl of Dunbar, son of Patrick son of Patrick Earl, granting to Henry, prior and the monks of Coldingham half of Bilie viz. the half between the two Restons and Aldengraw, and Chirnside and Blackburn as in the agreement between Earl Patrick his grandfather and Thomas, prior [Misc.Ch. 744] [1248 x 1288]
Witnesses: Lord Patrick Edger, earl's steward, Lord Robert, earl's uncle, Lord David de Graham, sheriff of Berwick, Lord Simon Bayard, Lord Adam de Edington, Lord Robert de Montgomery, Lord William de Scremerston, Lord John Chaplain earl's proctor, Thomas de Nesbit, Robert son of the steward of Coldingham, Adam de Prendergest, & many others

Charter of Patrick III, earl of Dunbar, son of Patrick, son of Patrick earl of Dunbar granting to the prior and monks of Coldingham half of Bilie, viz. the half lying between the two Restons and Aldengraw, and Chirnside and Blackburn, as in the charter of Earl Patrick his grandfather [Misc.Ch. 743] [1248 x 1288]
Witnesses: Lord David de Graham, sheriff of Berwick, Lord Aymer, sheriff of Roxburgh, Lord Nicholas de Sules, Lord William de Mordington, Lord Robert de Montgomery, Lord Patrick Edger, earl's steward, Lord Robert the earl's uncle, Lord Robert de Powelworthe, Lord Adam de Morham, Lord William de Scremerston, Adam de Prendergest, Thomas de Nesbit, and others

Charter of Robert bishop of St Andrew's confirming to Algar prior of St Cuthbert of Durham before King David, Thurstan archbishop of York, Ranulph [Flambard] bishop of Durham, John bishop of Glasgow, Geoffrey abbot of St Albans, the church of Coldingham quit from all service (including cana and cuneverthe) and also confirming this church and other churches and chapels pertaining to Durham within his see, free from episcopal aid.
Witnesses: Robert his brother, Alan priest of Litim, Adulfo priest of Aldehanstoc, Henry priest of Lemhale, Orin priest of Ederham, John priest of Legardeswde, Godwin steward (dapifer), Godwin his chamberlain.
Date: before the door of the church of St John the Evangelist, Roxburgh, 16 Kal. August, feast of St Kenelm the martyr, 1127.

Indenture of agreement between Lord Patrick I Earl of Dunbar and Thomas, prior and the monks of Coldingham, concerning the marsh of Beal (Bylie), sharing it between them [c.1230]
Witnesses: Lord Patrick the Earl's son, Walter de Lindsey, sheriff of Berwick, Roger de Merley, steward of Earl Patrick, Patrick son of Adam, John de Letham, Adam de Paulsworth, William de Mordington, Henry de Prendergest, William de Wideslade, Alan de Swinton, Thomas de Nesbit, William de Lumsden, and many others

Notification by William, bishop of St Andrew's, of a composition dated 17 August 1204 between the bishop of St Andrew's and the prior and convent of Durham and the church of Coldingham, concerning the can and cunewech [rents], procurations, custody, institutions to and visitation of churches in the diocese of St Andrew's pertaining to Durham (including Aldecantibus, Lamberton and Fishwick), with Durham receiving rights and privileges in return for the chapels of Newton and Neithanthirne, mother church Edenham [?1204]
Witnesses: Richard [de Prebenda] bishop of Dunkeld, John bishop of Aberdeen, Brice [of Douglas] bishop of Moray, Patrick abbot of Dunfermline, Henry abbot of Arbroath, Wydo abbot of Lindors, Walter prior de Insula, Hugh prior of May, Master Lawrence official, Hugh chaplain of the king, Master Andrew de Murena, Master Stephen de Lillescl', Dom Mehero de Quentimilite, John de Wilton, William de Binile, Master Isaac, Master Richard, Robert de Heya.

Notarized letters by the dean of Christianity of Durham and the official of the archidiaconal jurisdiction of the prior of Durham, relating that John Oll', monk of Durham and prior of Coldingham, publicly showed and produced a certain paper schedule containing certain articles about his reputation and honour, and handed it over to the dean and official, asking them to receive and examine certain witnesses brought by him for proof of the said articles, and to reduce their words into public form; and that the dean and official, acceding to his request and taking the following Schedule of articles on the part of John Oll', monk and priest of Durham, prior of Coldingham, intended for proof before the dean of Christianity of Durham and the official of the archidiaconal jurisdiction of the prior of Durham, lest the truth be obscured, that (1) John Oll' and his kin were and are of free condition, and are immune from the yoke of servitude, and have been taken and reputed as such whilst alive since time out of mind; [2] he, his father and grandfather and the rest of his family originated in the barony of Brancepeth, and were taken for free men, as they were, during their whole time there; [3] upon the foregoing, within the said barony and the places round about there is public knowledge; examined the witnesses on oath concerning the articles, and they deposed as follows: William Blithman', priest, forty-eight years old and more, he says, originating from the barony of Brancepeth, a witness produced on the part of John Oll', says that the articles contain the truth; asked how he knows, he says that his mother, who died inside the last two years, told him that she knew Robert Oll', John's grandfather, who used to dwell in Boggle Hole, to the west, next to the west park of Brancepeth [between Willington and Crook], where Robert Lethom' now lives, and William Oll', John's father, whom the witness knew while he lived, had been born there; and John had been born in the vill of Brancepeth, in the house where his father died; and the witness said that they were free men and of the best valetti of the barony, and has never heard any of them named as being of servile status, but rather of good repute, honest life and praiseworthy behaviour; and that he has never heard that anyone of servile status had been born in the barony; that, after William Oll' died, John's mother moved to Durham with all her goods and she died there; that the reputation of John and his kin has never been other than that they were free men; that he has not been influenced; that John Oll' had been free since birth; and that if anything different is claimed, it is from rancour and envy; Peter Bireley, seventy-seven years old and more, originating in the barony of Brancepeth, he says, agrees with the previous witness and says that he knew Robert and William Oll', and one day saw around sixty of that surname playing football at Helmington Row in the barony, who were named among the best valetti of the barony and as free men; and that he has never heard of anyone of servile status being born in the said barony; Robert de Yorke, seventy-four years old and more, he says, originating in the said barony, agrees with Peter; John Lethom', fifty-eight years old, originating in the said barony, in the place where the father of John Oll' had been born, agrees with the first co-witness; Richard Maynherde, fifty-eight years years old, originating in the barony, says that he knew William Oll' of Stanley [north of Crook presumably], brother of Robert Oll', John's grandfather, and that John's ancestors were among the best valetti of the barony and had never been named as bondmen or serfs; and, for the rest, agrees with the previous witnesses; Thomas Wren, sixty years old and more, originating in the barony, agrees with the previous witness; Hugh Watson', fifty-six years old and more, he says, originating in the barony, agrees with the first witness; John Hamsterley, fifty-six years old, originating in the barony of Brancepeth, agrees with earlier witnesses; William Hoton' of Elvet, sixty years old and more, originating in the said barony, agrees with his co-witnesses; Robert Lethom', forty years old and more, he says, originating in the said barony, says that he was given a knife decorated with silver by William Oll', John's father, and that he had dwelt and been born in the same place where William Oll' had been born, next to the west park of Brancepeth; and for the rest agrees with the earlier witnesses; Thomas Wilkynson' of Brancepeth, sixty years old and more, once, he says, a servant of William Oll', agrees with Richard Maynherd' in all things; Richard Hamsterley, thirty-four years old and more, agrees with his co-witnesses; John Maynsforth of Durham, seventy-one years old and more, he says, says that he knew William Oll', father of John Oll', and that his own wife used to be William's servant and dwelt with him for a long time; that he knew the others of John's kin as good valetti and as very valiant (valentibus) within the barony; that never in his life has he heard them called serfs or of servile status; that he knows well that, if any servitude be imputed to John, it should be from envy and ill-will and not otherwise; and that John is a free man from birth, like all his family. Whereafter the dean and official, at the request of John Oll', ordered the depositions to be reduced into a public instrument. Under the signs and names of the notaries, and subscribed by the second- and third-named of them, and under the seals of the dean and official. Witnesses: William Hoton', J.P. of the bishop and steward of the prior of Durham; Thomas Todde, William Barkdale, priests of Durham dioc.
Notaries: John Berehalgh, clerk of Durham dioc., N.P. by apostolic and imperial authority, scriba for the dean and official in this matter, with the instrument being written by another; Richard Prentys, [priest] of York dioc., N.P. by apostolic and imperial authority; John Runkhorne, clerk of Coventry and Lichfield dioc., N.P. by apostolic authority; (eschatocols recited).
Date: the church of St Oswald's Durham, 21 July 1446.

Letters by Ralph Nevyle, earl of Westmorland; John Nevyle and Thomas Nevyle, the earl's brothers; Thomas Lomly, William Eure, knights; William Lomley, William Hilton', Robert Eure, Roger Thornton', Robert Claxton', William Hoton' of Hardwick, William Hoton' of Hunwick, John Sayre and William Mordon', squires, to all, and particularly to the prior and monks of Durham, although the sin of envy towards John Oll monk of Durham has thrust an error on hearers by the serpentlike tongues of those jealous of him, as they have heard, testifying that they know him to have been a free man from birth, springing from most worthy valetti within the barony of Brancepeth, and immune from all yoke of servitude; asking that they see fit to consider and declare John Oll' to be free and well-born, and to have been oppressed by no yoke of servitude or bondage at any time.
Date: Brancepeth castle, 26 July 1[446], 24 [Henry] VI.

Notarial instrument recording that in presence of the prior and monks of Durham (&c), Henry Helay, monk of Durham, appeared in person, and publicly read the following Paper schedule (English) stating: that it is openly said that he has slandered John Oll by saying that he was a bondman and not of free condition; that he said to the then prior, John Wessyngton', that one John Belassis had told him this; and that he had told no-one but the prior “in gret councell' allonly” up to the time that it was discovered by John Oll'; admitting, nevertheless, that he had said it of malice, that John Oll' is free-born; and asking forgiveness from John Oll', whereafter John Oll', prior of Coldingham, personally present, asked the notaries to draw up the foregoing into one or more public instruments. Witnesses: William Ebchestre, prior of Durham, Mr John Mody, S.T.P., lately subprior, Roger Langchestr', Thomas Witton', John Gonnerton', Thomas Nesbitt, John Barlay, William Lyham, John Oll', John Moorby, William Partrike, Richard Kellowe, Thomas Warde, William Dalton', William Eden', Robert Westmerlande, Robert Emmylton', John Warner', Thomas Lewyn', Thomas Hexham, Richard Bell', John Midelham, John Rypon, William Kellowe, William Seton', Henry Rakett, William Fige, John Bradbery, William Hesilden', William Rodburn', William Birden', John Bedforth, William Essby, Richard Billyngham, Thomas Holme, Thomas Halghton', Robert Knoutte, John Roos, Roger Youdale, John Acley, Thomas Bichburn', Thomas Darlyngton', monks of Durham, assembled as the chapter of Durham; and also William Hoton' of Hardwick, steward of the priory of Durham, John Binchestr', chaplain, and Thomas Thornburgh', attorney-general of the prior and chapter, of Durham dioc. Notaries: John Berehalgh', clerk of Durham dioc., N.P. by apostolic and imperial authority, scriba of the prior and chapter, with the instrument having been written by another, and Richard Prentys, priest of York dioc., N.P. by apostolic and imperial authority, subscribing (eschatocols recited, with that of Berehalgh' mentioning an interlineation).
Done: chapter house, Durham, 6 September 1446.

Grant by Antony [Bek] bishop of Durham to William son of Benedict of Darlington of 4 acres 3 rods and 4 perches of land in the east field of Darlington by the south part of the bishop's meadow on Biscopflat in exchange for a piece of land which was WIlliam's within the bishop's park at Darlington and newly enclosed, to be held with all the services etc due without any secular services etc.
Witnsses: Master William of St Botulph bishop's steward of Durham, Dom Peter Thoresby bishop's chancellor, Dom Guiscard de Carnus bishop's justiciar, Doms John Marmeduke, Gilbert of Heworth (Heuurth), Richard de Cartenay, and Hugh of Burdon milites, William Redhod of Darlington, Peter clerk, William de Rule, Ralph de Trois, Gilbert de Graystane, John of Blackwell, Hugh his brother.
Date: Durham, Monday before St Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist by the hand of William of St Botulph steward Pont. 7. [18 September 1290]

Licence by letters patent by Thomas [Langley], bishop of Durham, to John Holderness, clerk, and Alan Hayden, chaplain, to found a chantry of one chaplain holding divine service in perpetuity at the altar of St Katharine in the church of Durham St Mary in North Bailey for the souls of John Bellassys and Sybil, lately his wife, and all faithful dead, according to the ordinance of the said John Holderness and Alan; and to give and assign to the chaplain of the chantry and his successors 4 messuages and 5½ acres of meadow which are held of the bishop in chief in the city of Durham, and 17 messuages and 9 acres of meadow, and 39s 4d of rent in the same city which are not held of the bishop; and that the chaplain be able to receive the said properties from John Holderness and Alan, and he and his successors be able to hold the same properties in perpetuity; the Statute of Mortmain notwithstanding because the 4 messuages, and 5½ acres of meadow are held of the bishop in chief; not wishing John Holderness and Alan or the chaplain and his successors to be troubled by his ministers by reason of the foregoing; saving to himself and his successors, and to other chief lords of the fee, the rents and services used and wont therefor.
By the hand of William Chaunceller', the bishop's chancellor.
Date: Durham, 28 June, Pont. 12 [1418]

Letters patent of Thomas [Hatfield] bishop of Durham granting to Master John de Hagthorp his clerk of a vacant place (placeam) on the place (Palace Green) of Durham 24 feet wide between the place formerly of William de Westley and the gate towards the cemetery of our church of Durham, and John may build on the bishop's stone wall there next to the place, as long as it is not to the damage of the bishop or his successors or the wall, rendering annually at his Durham exchequer 12d at the terms of Pentecost and St Martin in equal portions.
Date: Durham, by the hand of the bishop's clerk John of Kingston, 27 September Pont. 21 [1365]

Letters patent of Thomas [Hatfield] bishop of Durham granting to his clerk William del Orchard a messauge with a garden on Palace Green Durham, as enclosed by fence (palacium) and ditch; to be held by William, his heirs and assigns, of the bishop and his successors in perpetuity; rendering 18d yearly at the bishop's exchequer of Durham at the terms in the bishoprick, for all service.
Date: Durham, by the hand of John of Kingston bishop's clerk, 2 April Pont. 19 [1364]

Inspeximus by John [Fossor] prior and the convent of Durham of the above grant by Thomas [Hatfield] bishop of Durham.
Date: Durham, 8 May 1364.