Example charters

Question 1

Ismere charter

Answer 1

• 736
• Original
• King Æthelbald granting land to Cyneberht at Ismere
• Famous royal style- not just king of the mercians but king of the ‘south English’. Draughtsman probs thought king of the Mercians just wasn’t enough. Then on witness list he’s called ‘Rex Britanniae’
• Bede writing in 731 says everything south of the Humber was subject to Æthelbald– they say the same thing.
• In uncial
• spurious monasteries and show of mercian supremacy
• Number 2 and witnesses 9-14 added in after - 2 stage production - 1st lot in advance of assembly then added others later.
• It is a live document used in assembly, therefore authentic

Question 2

charter of King Æthelbald 736

Answer 2

Ismere charter

Question 3

Oslac South Saxon charter

Answer 3

original - 780 ish.
- As its Saxon, they didn’t really know what they were doing, “less sophisticated”. Hence Witness list not in columns, warning comes after witness list.
- Pre used piece of paper = authentic feature.
- ‘I, Offa, by the gift of God king of the Mercians
corroborating the aforesaid land at the petition of Wihthun, bishop of the South Saxons’ -
- Has subscriptions from Eadwulf and Ælfwold - presumably SS leaders
- Has an endorsement which is much higher quality and written a few years later

Question 4

Offa charter 780 ish/ post 787

Answer 4

Oslac SS charter

Question 5

will of Æthelric of Bocking

Answer 5

995-9 tripartite chirograph confirming will of Æthelric of Bocking

• ‘this declaration was straightaway written and read before the king and councillors’… ‘there are three of these documents.
• One is at Christ Church: the second at the king’s sanctuary, the widow has the third’ (from Christ Church archives)
• IN OE

Question 6

8th century toll charters

Answer 6

(Edition by Kelly)
- show importance of commerce inMercian rise and the role of London - granting privileges to London merchants and traders

Question 7

Grant by Berhtwulf king of mercians 844/5

Answer 7

• 844/5 -
• OE diploma - Berhtwulf, king of Mercians, granting land at Wotton to Forthred
• starts ‘in nomine’ then rest in OE - apart from some words like ‘dux’. Show signs of Latin deterioration at time. - Unique as surviving original OE

Question 8

Unique diploma that survives in OE due to latin deterioration at the time?

Answer 8

Grant by Berhtwulf king of mercians 844/5