| Description | From: Godwine
To: Leofwine the Red
Of a swine pasture at 'Swithraedingdaenne'. Identified as Southernden in Boughton Malherbe, Kent. In consideration of 2 pounds 40 pence and 8 ambers of corn given by Leofsunu. Leofwine grants the land to whoever acquires 'Boctun' [probably Boughton Malherbe]
Known as the 'Godwine Charter''. Any attribution to Earl Godwine, father of King Harold, cannot be confirmed. Upper part of a chirograph, with dividing lettering ‘+CYROGRAPFHVM’.
[Date: dates of Archbishop Lyfing. Probably datable to 1013x1018, as Lyfing is styled 'bishop': he went to Rome to collect his pallium in 1017 or 1018.]
Witnesses: Bishop Lyfing [Lyfing, archbishop of Canterbury]; Aelfmaer, abbot of St Augustine's Abbey, Canterbury; the community of Christ Church Canterbury; the community of St Augustine's Canterbury; Sired; Aelfsige Cild; Aethelric; many good men within the Borough of Canterbury and without
Endorsed with description in 12th-century hand and note concerning Lyfing in 17th-cent hand.
This charter was originally in the archives of Christ Church, but was acquired by the antiquary Sir Edward Dering (1598-1644). It bears his mark, a cross within a circle, on the dorse. The charter remained the property of Dering's descendants until its sale at auction in 1989.
It was bought from the Schoyen Collection through Sotheby's as a private treaty sale, 2013 ('The History of Western Script, Sixty important manuscript leaves from the Schoyen Collection, London 10 July 2012, lot 37). Purchased with support from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Friends of the National Libraries, the Friends of Canterbury Cathedral, the Coral Samuel Charitable Trust and private donations.
Enclosed, 20th cent backing mount for charter, as removed in 2013. 20th cent frame preserved separately. |