I Notification by King Henry I of his foundation of Reading Abbey and gift of Reading, Cholsey and Leominster with their churches and with a mint and moneyer at Reading, Thatcham and the church of Wargrave; and grant of specified liberties and immunities

[? March] 1125

A f 13r–v; B f 16r–v; D ff 17r–18r; E ff 48r–49r; F f 75r–v (not fully collated); PRO Cartae Antiq. Roll, C52/22(X), no. 9 (not fully collated)

Pd. Mon. Aug., iv. 40–1 (no. ii); Barfield, Thatcham, ii. 5–6; (cal.) Regesta, ii. 192–3 (no. 1427); Farrer, Itin., 111 (no. 512), reprinted from EHR, xxxiv (1919), 535; (transl.) Hurry, Reading Abbey, 151–5

Henricus del gratia rex Anglorum et dux Normannorum archiepiscopis, episcopis, abbatibus, comitibus baronibusque suis et omnibus christianis tam presentibus quam futuris, salutem perpetuam. Sciatis quia tres abbatie in regno Anglie peccatis exigentibus olim destructe sunt, Radingia scilicet atque Chealseia et Leoministria, quas manus laica diu possedit earumque terras et possessiones alienando distraxit.

118 Certification by Robert of Bassingbourn to Abbot Simon of Reading containing evidence from Pipe Roll 1 Richard I of the allocation of the abbot's liberty

[1213 x 26]

A f 34r

Robertas de Bassingeburn' misit literas istas Symoni abbati Rading(ensi) ad certificandum eum super articulis istis.

Robertas de Bassingebur' abbati Rading(ensi), et cetera. Quoniam perpendi vos nuper multum admirari et magnam ferentes angustiam eo quod libertas vestra non potuit inveniri in rotulis de scaccario, postea ad memoriam revocatus inveni libertatem vestram allocatam in primo rotulo regis Ricardi in hec verba. Idem vicecomes reddidit compotum suum de .xl. sol' de Johanne de Eston' quia non habuit quern pleg(iavit), et de dimidia marca de Johanne filio Galfr(edi) pro eodem, et de dimidia marca de Roberto filio Kane pro eodem, et de dimidia marca de Rad(ulfo) fabro pro eodem, et in perdonis per libertatem carte regis monachis de Rading(ia).

139 Grant by Pope Calixtus II to Abbot Hugh [I] of Reading and his successors of papal protection for Reading Abbey, newly founded by King Henry I, and confirmation of its possessions, viz., the manors of Reading, Leominster and Thatcham with their appurtenances

[19 June 1123]

A ff 64v–65r

Pd. Holtzmann, Papsturkunden, iii, 133–4 (no. 9)

174 Confirmation by William [of Corbeil], archbishop of Canterbury, to Abbot Hugh [I] and the monks of Reading of the gifts made to the abbey by King Henry I—viz., Reading with its churches and chapels, Leominster with its churches and chapels, Thatcham, Cholsey and its church, which church with that of Wargrave the king obtained by exchange with the abbey of Mont StMichel and gave to Reading Abbey. The archbishop makes this confirmation because Reading, Leominster and Cholsey were formerly abbeys and have now been restored to Reading Abbey [1123 × 30]

218 Charter of mutual societas by Peter [the Venerable], abbot of Cluny, to Abbot Hugh [I] and the convent of Reading. On the death of the abbot of Reading, his successor shall be elected from the monks of that house or from the monks of Cluny, the prior of Cluny excepted [ 1123 × 30]

Karissimo fratri nostro domno Hugoni Radingensi abbati eique commisso conventui frater Petrus fratrum Cluniacensium servus indignus, omnem in Christo pacis et societatis unitatem. Quoniam nobilissimus rex Anglorum Henricus benefactor noster egregius domum vestram quam noviter edificavit in ordine religionis mon-astice per fratres nostre congregationis fundare voluit, nos pro eiusdem regis gratia et petitione vestra vobis et successoribus vestris concedimus et in capitulo Cluniacensi presentes firmavimus ut quicumque abbas Radingensis monasterii fuerit capitulum in domo nostra et in ceteris domibus ad nos pertinentibus habeat et teneat, et fratres Rading(enses) ubicumque ad loca nostra venerint similiter ut nostri sint in capitul(o). Cum autem abbas Rading(ensis) quicumque ille fuerit ex hac vita migraverit, brevi ad nos perlato net ei officium consuetum et tricenarium. Fratribus vero prefati loci obeuntibus idipsum in conventu nostro et in omnibus locis nostris persolvendum statuimus quod nostris professis solvere solemus, eosque inter fratres nostros scribi in regula capituli annuatim recitandos decrevimus. Quod autem vobis vestrisque successoribus et conventui vestro tarn presenti quam future concessimus idipsum nobis nostrisque successoribus et conventui nostro tam presenti quam future a vobis concedi et confirmari volumus, qui vos vestraque omnia parentes etiam vestros et benefactores tam defunctos quam vivos in orationibus et missis et elemosinis et omnibus bonis nostris suscipimus et matri misericordie commendamus. Statutum etiam est, in signum tante unitatis et ad maiorem Cluniacensis ordinis in domo Radingensi stabilitatem, ut abbate Radingensi ex hac vita migrante conventus eiusdem loci de propriis professis ecclesie sue non de alienis abbatem sibi eligant. Quod si inter eos persona idonea inventa non fuerit, tune sibi eligant Radingenses de monachis Cluniac(ensibus) quemcumque ad hoc digniorem invenire potuerint, excepta persona prioris Cluniac(ensis). Electus autem eis sine contradictione abbas ordinetur. Hec instituta sunt voluntate et precepto domni regis Henrici et communi assensu tarn ipsius quam nostro.

244 Gift in free alms by Roger de Cressy to Reading Abbey of 13d annual rent in Chearsley on the feast of St James [25 July] to provide a light annually before the relics of St James

[/9 × 1246; ? early 13th cent.]

Bf94r; Cf48r

Universis sancte matris ecclesie filiis presens scriptum inspecturis Rogeru's de Cressy, salutem in domino. Noveritis me karitatis intuitu et pro salute anime mee et animarum omnium antecessorum et successorum meorum dedisse et hac presenti carta mea confirmasse abbati de Rading(ia) et monachis eiusdem loci deo servientibus .xiii. nummatos redditus mei in Certeleia quos Willielmus films Rad(ulf)i de Certel(eia) mihi solebat reddere per annum, habendos et percipiendos prefatis abbati et monachis ad festum sancti Jacobi apostoli in puram et perpetuam elemosinam ad usum annul luminarii coram reliquiis sancti Jacobi in eadem ecclesia repositis. Volo ergo et legaliter ac firmiter precipio quod, si prefatus W(illelmus) sive heredes sui defecerint in solutione prefati redditus ad prefatum terminum, liceat prefatis abbati et monachis distringere sufficienter per manus suas prefatum W(illelmum) sive heredes suos super tenementa que de me tenent quousque satisfecerint prefatis abbati et monachis de prefato redditu et de expensis suis circa prefatum redditum recuperandum factis. Et ego Rogerus et heredes mei warantizabimus prefatis abbati et monachis prefatum redditum contra omnes homines et feminas. Et in testimonium huius facti mei, presenti carte presens sigillum meum annosui. T(estibus).

263 Gift by Roger Bigod, earl of Norfolk, to Reading Abbey of 3 marks annual rent in the church of Finchingfield, to be expended during the donor's life on the repair of the shrines, reliquaries and other requirements of the high altar in the abbey and, after his death, on his anniversary there. The earl retains the advowson and will present each new parson to the diocesan bishop in the presence of Reading monks, in order to safeguard payment of the rent

[1189 × 98; prob. 1193 × 98]

Af 92v

Universis sancte matris ecclesie filiis Rog(erus) Bigot comes Norfolch(ie), salutem eternam in domino. Ad publicam volo pervenire notitiam quod ego, pro anima patris mei et matris mee et pro salute anime mee et Ide comitisse uxoris mee et omnium filiorum et antecessorum et successorum meorum, dedi et hac carta mea confirmavi deo et monachis de Rading(ia) .iii. marcatas redditus annuatim percipiendas in ecclesia de Fingingefeld. Ego autem semper dece-dente persona prefate ecclesie personam presentabo episcopo dioce-sano coram monachis de Rading(ia) ad hoc in presentatione pre-dicta vocandis, ut cautionem sufficientem coram episcopo de solutione predictarum trium marcarum annuarum de persona instituenda suscipiant, nee aliquid amplius in prefata ecclesia quam .iii. marcas exigere valeant per manum persone institute. Has autem tres marcas ita dedi ut dum vixero per manus vel per consilium Roberti monachi et Rad(ulfi) fratris eius de Norfolch expendantur in repar-atione feretrorum et philacteriorum et in ceteris que necessaria fuer-int principalis altaris Rading(ensis) ornatui. Cum autem decessero, de predicto redditu fiet anniversarium meum in conventu Rad-ing(ensi). Hanc autem elemosinam .iii. marcarum libere et quiete et perpetuo possidendam prefatis monachis ita dedi ut mihi et heredi-bus meis semper presentatio predicte ecclesie permaneat. T(estibus).

267 Gift in free alms by Empress Matilda, daughter of King Henry and lady of the English, to Reading Abbey, for the souls of among others her father and mother, King Henry I and Queen Matilda, anf for the health and safety of among others her husband (dominus), Geoffrey duke of Normandy, and for the stability and peace of the kingdom of England, of the church of Berkeley with its appurtenances, viz., what the clerks there have, churches, chapels and tithes appurtenant to it

[1144 x 47]

A f 15v; B f 19r–v

Pd. Regesta, iii. 259 (no. 702)

Testibus: Roberto comite Gloecestr(ie), et Unfr(edo) de Buhun dapifero, et lohanne filio Gisleberti, et Willelmo Diffublato, et Gocelino Baillolo. Apud Divisas.

After Geoffrey became duke of Normandy, 23 Apr. 1144, and before the death of Robert, earl of Gloucester, 31 Oct. 1147. Cartulary A notes another charter by the same concerning the same. The history of the churches of Berkeley and its Hernesse in Stephen's reign is beset with complications (see B. R. Kemp, ‘The churches of Berkeley Hernesse’, Trans. Bristol and Glos. Archaeol. Soc, lxxxvii (1968), 96–110), but it is likely that this gift did not originate with the Empress but with Queen Adeliza and her clerk, Serlo (see nos. 268, 270).

299 Gift in free alms by Reginald FitzPeter to Reading Abbey, for the health of the souls of, among others, himself, Peter FitzHerbert his father, and Herbert his brother, of the 40s annual rent which the abbot and monks of Waverley (Waverlegh') used to pay to him and to Herbert his brother for the land of Boyatt (Boveyate) on the feast of the Nativity of St Mary [8 Sept.]. Reading Abbey may distrain on the abbot and monks of Waverley at Boyatt in the event of non-payment of the rent. Warranty and sealing. Witnesses [omitted]

[c. May 1248]

This rent was bequeathed to Reading in Herbert FitzPeter's testament, which was made before 24 May, 1248, by which date he had clearly died (see no. 324). Waverley Abbey had been in possession of Boyatt since at least 1189 (VCH Hants., iii. 442).

325 Notification by Empress Matilda, daughter of King Henry and lady of the English, to R(obert) [de Bethune], bishop of Hereford, and Miles of Gloucester and all barons and faithful of Herefordshire, that she has given to the monks of Reading and Leominster the manor of Brimfield which Ulger the huntsman held, as the right of the church of Leominster; and precept that they shall hold the manor as freely as they hold Leominster, which is the caput of that manor, with all the customs and liberties with which they hold their other lands [8 Apr. × 25 July 1141]

A f63r

Pd. Regesta, iii. 259 (no. 701)

Testibus: A(lexandro) episcopo Linc(olniensi) et canc(ellario), et Roberto de Oilli. Apud Oxoneford.

370 Gift by Queen Adeliza to Reading Abbey, on the first anniversary of the death of King Henry I, her late husband, of the manor of Aston with its church

[1 Dec. 1136]

Original charter: in the possession of the Malcolmson family

Af16r;Bf20r

Pd. Mon. Ang., iv. 41–2 (no. vii); Trans. East Herts. Arch. Soc., i (1900), 129–30 (with facsimile and transl.); (facsimile) Antiquaries Journ., xiv (1934), pl. 1

Notum sit omnibus fidelibus sancte ecclesie totius Anglie atque Normannie quod ego Adelidis regina uxor nobillissimi regis Henrici et filia Godefridi ducis Lotharingie concessi et perpetualiter dedi deo et ecclesie sancte Marie de Rading(ia) pro salute et redemptione anime domini mei nobilissimi regis Henrici et mea, pro salute etiam domini nostri Stephani dei gratia regis Anglorum, et uxoris eius Mathildis regine, et totius progeniei nobilissimi regis Henrici, et patris et matris mee, et parentum meorum tam vivorum quam defunctorum, omniumque fidelium Christianorum vivorum et defunctorum, Eastonam manerium meum quod dedit mihi dominus meus nobilissimus rex Henricus ut regine et sponse sue in Hertforda schira cum omnibus ei pertinentibus ita libere et quiete tenendum sicut ego ipsa unquam melius in dominio meo dono domini mei nobilissimi regis Henrici tenebam, scilicet cum socho et sacha et tol et theam et infangene ðief, cum ecclesia et dominio, cum hominibus liberis et villanis, cum bosco et plano, cum pratis et pascuis, cum aquis et molendinis, cum viis et semitis, cum omnibus consuetudinibus et libertatibus cum quibus dominus meus illud tenuit in dominio suo, et mihi dedit. Hanc autem donationem feci in primo anniversario domini mei nobilissimi regis Henrici in eadem ecclesia per quoddam pallium quod super altare posui. Testibus subscriptis: scilicet Rogero episcopo Salesb(er)ie, Symone episcopo Wigornie, Ingulfo abbate de Abend(onia), Waltero abbate de Egenesham, Bernardo abbate de Monte Sancti Michaelis, Warino priore de Wigornia, Nicholao priore Sancti Martini de Bello, Radulfo priore de Oseneia, Hermanno capellano regine, magistro Serlone clerico regine, Adam et Rodberto filio Walteri canonicis de Waltham, Radulfo, Teodbaldo, Rogero clericis episcopi Salesberie, Symone nepote episcopi Wigornie, Gervasio, Bertranno clericis episcopi Wigornie, loscelino fratre eiusdem regine, Peurello de Bellocampo, Milone de Bellocampo, Ricardo de Bellocampo, Stephano de Bellocampo, Hugone de Cramanvilla, Mauricio de Windlesora, et Rainaldo fratre eius, Gausfredo de Tresgoz, Rodberto de Tresgoz, Iohanne de Falesia, Rodberto de Calz, Francone de Bruscella, Gozone conestabulario eiusdem regine, Engelberto de atrio, Willelmo de Harafleot, Willelmo de Berchelai, Waltero de Dena, Baldewino dispensatore, Vitale aquario, Warino de Blancbuissun. Apud Rading(iam).

396 Writ Liberate by King Henry II to Robert, earl of Leicester, and the barons of the Exchequer for 40 marks of silver annually to Reading Abbey from the king's rent at Hoo, until the king shall assign 40 marks rent in a definite place [prob. May × July 1164]

Af 24v; Bf 27v

Pd. Memoranda Roll 1 John, lxxvi n. 2; van Caenegem, Royal Writs, 192

Henricus rex Angl(orum) et dux Norm(annorum) et Aquit(anorum) et comes Andeg(avorum) R(oberto) comiti Legr(ecestrie) et baronibus scaccarii, salutem. Liberate de redditu meo de Hou abbati et monachis meis de Rading(ia) .xl. marcas argenti singulis annis ad duos terminos, ad festum sancti Michaelis et ad Pascha, donec assignem eis certo loco .xl. marcatas redditus. T(este) Gaufredo archidiacono Cant(uariensi). Apud Wigorn(iam).

451 Notification by King Stephen to the bishop of Lincoln, and the justice, sheriff and barons of Leicestershire, of his gift in free alms to Reading Abbey of the land of Wigston [Parva] held by William, the king's almsman (elemosinarius), who has become a monk of Reading; and precept that the abbey shall hold it with all the liberties with which it holds its other lands 1137

A f 18v; B f 30r;Cf 6r

Pd. Regesta, iii. 252 (no. 681)

Testibus: Rogero episcopo Sar(esburiensi), et Ricardo episcopo Baioc(ensi), et multis aliis. Apud Westm(onasterium), anno incarnationis dominice MCxxxvii.