| Description | From: Richard of Dover, archbishop of Canterbury
When Richard was a monk at Canterbury, William son of Ralph, lord of the estate ('fundus') of Eynsford ('Einesford''), was received as a monk there and, in the presence and with the consent of his son and heir William of Eynsford named Gurham, and in the presence of many others, he gave the church of Eynsford to the priory in perpetual alms, by offering a silver dish ('scutella') and a knife upon the altar of Christ of Canterbury.
A dispute arose between the priory and William of Eynsford [III], kinsman ('nepos') [grandson] of William son of Ralph, who claimed that the grant was made on condition that the manor of Ruckinge should return to the lord of Eynsford when the church of Eynsford was vacant. This dispute came to the hearing ('audientia') of King Henry [II], who authorized an enquiry in the chapter at Canterbury in the presence of his envoys ('nuntius').
The enquiry took place in the presence of Gilbert de Colevill', William Malduit, the king's chamberlain ('camerarius'), and William son of Nigel, the king's envoys, William of Eynsford [III], William his son and heir and Robert son of Bernard. It was unanimously stated that no-one knew or had even heard about the condition under which the grant was supposed to have been made.
Because no other archbishop has done so, Richard confirms the grant of the church of Eynsford with its chapels of Stone ('Stanes') and Farningham ('Freningham') to the priory for the use of the poor of the almonry in free and perpetual alms, so that when the church is vacant its income can be used for the poor of the almonry, reserving canonical justice to himself and his successors. The monks are to present vicars to the church and chapels, to be instituted by Richard and his successors. Also reserving the gift that he made to Gentilis, the nephew of Pope A[lexander III] as long as he holds the church. If the church of Eynsford falls vacant when the see of Canterbury is vacant, the monks are not to enter the church, but should present a suitable vicar to the [rural] dean. Anathema clause. No date. [Date: as in English Episcopal Acta II, cited below.]
Witnesses: Mgr Gerard; Waleran, archdeacon of Bayeux ('Baiocensi'); Peter of Blois, archdeacon of Bath ('Batthoniensi'); William, archdeacon of Gloucester ('Gloecestriensi'); Mgr Robert de Inglesham; Henry of Bayeux ('Baiocensi'): Mgr Roger of Rolleston ('Roulvest''); Gilbert de Piris; Geoffrey the clerk; Mgr Roger the Welshman ('Walensi'); William de Sotindona
Endorsed with description in 13th cent hands. |
| Related Material | Related charters: CCA-DCc-ChAnt/E/189A-189B; CCA-DCc-ChAnt/R/10
Copy: CCA-DCc-LitMS/E/28, f8
Registered versions: CCA-DCc-Register/B, ff4r-4v, and CCA-DCc-Register/I, f86v-87v; Bodl MS Tanner 18, ff75v-76r (microfilm)
Copy transcribed and discussed: David Douglas (ed), Domesday Monachorum (London, 1944), pp45-47, 108-109 |