| Description | From: John de langedon; John of Yorkletts [in Seasalter]; Adam Houslord; Peter Collyng; Richard Collyng; Robert Persoun'; Robert Scote; William Godefrey; James kyng; Roger Darente; James Stace; John Osbarn'; William Osbarn'; John Godhelve; John Dod; John Hanyn'; Henry Menetere; William lambe; John Brede; Juliana Gore; John persoun'; Maurice atte Woghelete; Maurice Shortlegh'; Robert vox; Hamo atte Haghe; John att Haghe; John Reynold att Haghe; John lygtfote; Thomas Everase; William le hwyte; John Peeres; John Godehelve junior; John Coper; Margery Gaye
To: John son of Thomas of Faversham, bailiff of the marshes of Graveney and Seasalter
By the decision of certain of the king's justices assigned to supervise the sea defences and land drainage between the vills (villa') of Graveney and Seasalter and with the consent of the lords of the fees and tenants of the marshes there, 1,200 acres of meadow and marsh in danger of flooding were enclosed by a wall from Seasalter to 'Heyflete' and another wall from the water mill of Graveney to east, built in 14EdwIII [1340-1341]. Everyone who benefitted from this was to contribute to the cost and pay for repairs and maintenances in future, at the prosecution of John Stratford, archbishop of Canterbury, and John son of Thomas of Faversham, bailiff of the marshes, who had spent large sums of money of the grantors and of other tenants, according to the size of their holdings. The tenants refused to contribute because under maritime law the lands within the enclosed area, should be delivered to John son of Thomas the bailiff, together with lands of other tenants, until the costs had been levied.
In compensation for not paying their contribution, the grantors have given John son of Thomas their right in a moiety of the marsh called 'Sesaltremersshe'. The other moiety shall remain with them and be completely free of all contribution towards payment for repairing and maintaining the walls. No date. [Date: handwriting.] Original dated 14 Jan 1341 at Graveney. |