| Description | From: Burga de Bendinge, late wife of Peter de Bendinge, widow
To: the prior and convent of Canterbury Cathedral Priory
For the whole of the right she has as dower after the death of Peter, her late husband, in the tenements he held at fee farm of the priory, which Peter surrendered to the priory in his lifetime with her consent. She also obliges herself and her goods to acquit the priory of a plea she has moved against them in the king's court. For this the priory has paid 20s. The priory has also granted her a corrody ('liberatio') of 1 monk and 1 servant ('garcio') for life. Namely, each day 1 monk's bread and 2 'pleyn peyns', 1 flagon of convent ale of the measure of Lanfranc ('unum Lanfrancum') and the same amount of the prior's servants' ('garcio') ale, a dish and an entremet ('interferculum') as 1 monk for lunch ('prandium') and likewise for supper ('cena'), when the convent ought to have supper ('ceno'), and 1 dish from the larder, of meat on Sundays and fish on other days, for the servant's lunch and supper. If Burga or anyone on her behalf initiates a writ concerning the dower, she is bound to refund the priory's expenses for the writ and the corrodies should cease. Burga submits herself to the jurisdiction of the archdeacon of Canterbury or his official, so that they can compel her to observe these things if necessary. No date. [Date: handwriting and witnesses to other Westwell charters.]
Witnesses: Nicholas de Ores; Robert of Godinton [in Great Chart]; John Terrici; William Cokin; Richard of Shoddington ('Shotind''); Tristram of Witchling [in Westwell]; Robert the forester ('forestarius'); John of Calehill [in Little Chart]; Roger de Herst
Endorsed with description in mid 13th cent hand and 'Westwelles' and note of registration in late 13th cent hands. |