Biography of Emma aka Ælfgyfu of Normandy Queen Consort England 985-1052

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1013. The year after that Archbishop Elfeah was martyred, the [her husband] king (age 47) appointed Lifing to the archiepiscopal see of Canterbury. And in the same year, before the month August, came King Sweyne (age 53) with his fleet to Sandwich, Kent [Map]; and very soon went about East-Anglia into the Humber-mouth, and so upward along the Trent, until he came to Gainsborough [Map]. Then soon submitted to him Earl Utred, and all the Northumbrians, and all the people of Lindsey, and afterwards the people of the Five Boroughs, and soon after all the army to the north of Watling-street; and hostages were given him from each shire. When he understood that all the people were subject to him, then ordered he that his army should have provision and horses; and he then went southward with his main army, committing his ships and the hostages to his son [her future husband] Knute (age 18). And after he came over Watling-street, they wrought the greatest mischief that any army could do. Then he went to Oxford, Oxfordshire [Map]; and the population soon submitted, and gave hostages; thence to Winchester, where they did the same. Thence went they eastward to London; and many of the party sunk in the Thames, because they kept not to any bridge. When he came to the city, the population would not submit; but held their ground in full fight against him, because therein was King Ethelred, and Thurkill with him. Then went King Sweyne thence to Wallingford; and so over Thames westward to Bath, where he abode with his army. Thither came Alderman Ethelmar, and all the western thanes with him, and all submitted to Sweyne, and gave hostages. When he had thus settled all, then went he northward to his ships; and all the population fully received him, and considered him full king. The population of London also after this submitted to him, and gave hostages; because they dreaded that he would undo them. Then bade Sweyne full tribute and forage for his army during the winter; and Thurkill bade the same for the army that lay at Greenwich, Kent [Map]: besides this, they plundered as oft as they would. And when this nation could neither resist in the south nor in the north, King Ethelred abode some while with the fleet that lay in the Thames; and the lady (age 28)⁵⁷ went afterwards over sea to her brother [her brother] Richard (age 49), accompanied by Elfsy, Abbot of Peterborough. The king sent Bishop Elfun with the ethelings, [her son] Edward (age 10) and [her son] Alfred (age 8), over sea; that he might instruct them. Then went the king from the fleet, about midwinter, to the Isle of Wight [Map]; and there abode for the season; after which he went over sea to Richard, with whom he abode till the time when Sweyne died. Whilst the lady was with her brother beyond sea, Elfsy, Abbot of Peterborough, who was there with her, went to the abbey called Boneval, where St. Florentine's body lay; and there found a miserable place, a miserable abbot, and miserable monks: because they had been plundered. There he bought of the abbot, and of the monks, the body of St. Florentine, all but the head, for 500 pounds; which, on his return home, he offered to Christ and St. Peter.

Note 57. This was a title bestowed on the queen.

John of Worcester. 1040. [her former step-son] Harold (age 24), king of England, died at London, and was buried at Westminster. After his funeral, the nobles of almost the whole of England sent envoys to [her son] Hardicanute (age 22) at Bruges, where he was staying with his mother (age 55), and, thinking it was for the best, invited him to come to England and ascend the throne. Thereupon, he fitted out fifty ships, and embarking Danish troops, before midsummer sailed over to England, where he was received with universal joy, and shortly afterwards crowned; but during his government he did nothing worthy his royal power. For as soon as he began to reign, calling to mind the injuries which both he and his mother had suffered at the hands of his predecessor, and reputed brother, king Harold, he despatched to London, Ælfric, archbishop of York, and earl Godwin (age 39), with Stor, the master of his household, Edric, his steward, Thrond, captain of his guards, and other men of high rank, with orders to dig up the body of Harold and throw it into a sewer; and when it was thrown there, he caused it to be dragged out and cast into the river Thames. Shortly afterwards, it was picked up by a fisherman, and being immediately brought to the Danes, was honourably buried by them in a cemetery they possessed at London.⁶⁰ After this, he ordered that eight marks should be paid to every rower in his fleet, and twelve to each steersman, to be levied from the whole of England; a tax so burthensome, that scarcely any one would pay it, and he became thoroughly detested by those who at first were most anxious for his coming. Besides, he was greatly incensed against earl Godwin, and Living, bishop of Worcester, for the death of his brother [her son] Alfred, of which they were accused by Ælfric, archbishop of York, and some others. In consequence, he took the bishopric of Worcester from Living and gave it to Ælfric; but the following year, he ejected Ælfric and graciously restored Living, who had made his peace with him.

Note 60. The cemetery of St Clement-Danes, where the Northmen had a settlement on the bank of the Thames, outside the walls of London. The Saxon Chronicle is silent as to Harold's corpse being thrown into the Thames and fished up, but Henry of Huntingdon gives the same account as our author.

Charter S998 King Edward to Ordgar. 1042. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Every reception and donation of lands should be better confirmed by written records so that in the future no one, ignorant of the testament's confirmation, might fall into the sin of presumption or the crime of reckless seizure. Therefore, I, [her son] Eadward (age 39), King, relying on royal dignity, have taken care to grant to a certain faithful servant of mine, named Ordgar, half a manse (a unit of land) in the place called Littleham, with the woods pertaining to it on the southern side, as a perpetual inheritance. Let the aforesaid estate be free from all secular burdens, except for military service, bridge work, and fortress repair. Whoever attempts to diminish or alter this decree should know that they will be held accountable on the day of judgment before Christ and His saints.

This land is bounded by the following landmarks. These are the land boundaries of the half hide at Littleham: First at Exmouth, then up the stream along the north side of the ridge at the northern boundary, up along the brook to the spring, then eastward directly to the hawk's seat, then eastward to the ridgeway, along the ridgeway to the old ditch, eastward along the ditch from the junction of the roads to the north of the foul land, then northward to the green way to the ford, from the ford up along the stream to the building, from the building north to the green way to the valley, eastward up along the valley to the meeting place, then to the army path, along the army path to the hill of the birds, along the hill to the bird's hill, from the hill south to the elder boundary, then to the brook, then down along the brook back out to the sea.

This donation was made in the year of our Lord's incarnation 1042, in the tenth indiction."

Px In nomine domini nostri Iesu Christi. Omnis quidem susceptio et datio passionum terrarum melius litterarum exemplis confirmanda sit ne in posterum aliquis testamenti confirmationem ignorans presumptionis peccatum uel direptionis incaute crimen incurrat. Qua de re ego EADWARD rex regali fretus dignitate aliquam terram cuidam fideli meo ministro uocitato nomine ORDGAR - unum dimidium mansam in loco ubi dictum est Littleham; cum sylua ad se pertinente in australi parte in hereditatem perennem impendere curaui. Sit uero predictum rus ab omni seculari grauedine expers. nisi expeditione pontis arcisue munitione. Quicumque hoc decretum minuere seu transmutare satagerit; noscat se reum esse in die iudicii coram Christo et sanctis eius. Terra autem ista his terminibus circumdatur. Ðis syndon þære healfan hide landgemæro æt Lytlanhamme. Ærest on Exanmuðan. þonne up on stryem. be norðan lydewicnæsse on þone norþran mere. up andlang riðan of þone æwylm. þanone east rihte to hafocys setle. þanone east rihte to þan hricgwege. andlang þæs hricgweges. on þa ealdan dic. east andlang þære dic of þære wega gelæto be norðan ðam fulan landa. þanon norð on þone grenan weg on auan ford. of þam fordan up andlang stryemes on þone sele. of þam sele norð on þone grenan weg to þam slæde. east up andlang þæs slædes to ðære plegin stowe. þonne to þan herpaðe. andlang þæs herpaðas to fugelis beorh dune. andlang þære dune to fuhgeles beorhge. fram þam beorhge suð to ellewurðie. þanon to þan broce. adun þonne andlang þæs broces eft ut on sæ: - Acta est autem hec prefata donatio anno ab incarnatione domini nostri Iesu Christi. millesimo. xl. ii. indictione. x.

Ego Eadweard rex Britannie totius Anglorum monarchus hoc agie Crucis taumate roboraui.

Eadsige Dorobernensis ecclesie archiepiscopus eiusdem regis principatum et beniuolentiam sub sigillo Sancte Crucis conclusi.

Ego Ælfgyfu (age 57) regina humillima adiuui.

Ego Ælfwine episcopus assensum prebui.

Ego Byrhtwold episcopus dictando titulaui.

Ego Dudoc episcopus consolidaui.

Ego Lyfing episcopus dignum duxi.

Ego Godwine dux.

Ego Sigwerd dux.

Ego Leofric dux.

Ego Sigwerd abbas.

Ego Ælfwine abbas.

Ego Odda (age 49) minister.

Ego Ordgar minister.

Ego Ælfgar minister.

Ego Godwine minister.

Ego Æþelric minister.

Ego Toky minister.

Ego Toui minister.

Ego Dodda minister.

Ego Ælfwerd minister.

Ego Osmær minister.

Charter S999 King Edward to Ælfstan. Nothing in this world enjoys prolonged happiness, nothing retains long-lasting dominion, nothing that does not hasten toward the fateful end of life. Therefore, as the examples of the orthodox demonstrate, we should enjoy the worldly patrimonies given to us in such a way that we are never deprived of the benefits of the eternal homeland. For this reason, I, [her son] Edward (age 40), by the decree of the Most High, King of the English, willingly grant to a certain minister of mine named Ælfstan, ten manses at the place called Seofonhæmtune, so that he may have and possess them and leave them to whatever heir he wishes after his death.

Let the aforesaid estate be free from all worldly service, with three exceptions: the repair of bridges, the construction of the king's fortress, and military service. If anyone, inflamed by the fire of greed, should attempt to violate this gift of ours, let them know that they will be condemned with the children of perdition to the torments of Tartarus, unless they repent and make amends with fitting satisfaction.

The aforementioned portion of land is bounded by these markers: First at the gray apple tree, from the apple tree along Pine Cross, from the cross between Moor Shrub and Middle Lea, then on to the old ditch, from the ditch along the ridge to the willow spring, from the spring along the road to the hawthorn, from the thorn along the ridge to Hodmere, straight to the five thorns, from the five thorns onto the old elder stump, from the stump onto the old ditch, from the ditch along the army path until it comes by the north of Bean Hill into the valley, along the furrow to the narrow path, along the path to the willow, from the willow to Stone Well, from the well straight to the spear, from the spear to the bend of the brook, from the bend to the old earthworks, from the earthworks to the oak stump, from the stump back to the gray apple tree.

This royal gift charter was written in the year of our Lord's incarnation 1043, in the eleventh indiction, with the following persons confirming it, whose names are listed below, and observed by the witnesses noted.

Nichil ergo in hoc seculo prolixa felicitate fruitur, nichil diuturna dominatione potitur, nichil quod non ad fatalem uite terminum ueloci cursu tendatur, ideoque ut ortodoxorum demonstrant paracdigmata sic nobis mundanarum rerum patrimonie sunt perfruende ut tamen eterne patrie emolumentis numquam fraudemur. Quam ob rem ego Eadward, annuente altitroni moderatoris imperio Anglorum basileus, quodam ministro meo Ælfstan nominato .x. mansas ubi dicitur æt Seofonhæmtune libens donabo, quatinus habeat atque possideat ac post se qualicumque uoluerit heredi derelinquat. Sit autem rus predictum ab omni mundano seruitio liberum, tribus tam exceptis, uiatici restauratione pontis, arcis construccione regalis, expeditione etiam populari. Siquis uero quod absit cupiditatis flamma accensus hoc nostrum infringere temptauerit donum, sciat se dampnaturum cum filiis perdicionis in tartareis tormentis, nisi resipiscens digna satisfactione emendauerit. Nam predicta ruris particula his metis constat circumcincta. Erest on þa haran apeldran, of þare apeldran 7lang pinnan rode, of þære rode betweox Mor sceagan 7 Middel lea, ðwyres on þa ealdan dic, of ðære dic andlang hricges on byde wil, of ðan wille 7lang stræte on hægla þorn, of þan ðorne 7lang hricges on hodan mere, on gerihte on fif þornas, of fif þornon þwyres on ðane ealdan ellen styb, of ðan stybbe on ða ealdan dic, of þære dic andlang herpaðes þæt hit cymð be norðan bien hylle in on þæt slæd, swa 7lang fura on þæne smalan weg, swa 7lang weges on ðone wiðig, of ðan wiþige on stan wyl, of þan wille þwyres on ðæne garan, of þan garan on þæs broces bige, of þan bige on þa ealdan eorð byrig, of þære byrig on ðone ac styb, of þan stibbe eft on þa haran apeldran. Scripta est ergo huius regalis doni cartula anno dominice incarnationis .xliii. post mille, indiccione .xi., his confirmantibus quorum uocabula infra sunt pretitulata et cernentibus apparent adnotata.

Ego Eadward rex Anglorum meum donum signo crucis confirmaui [King of the English, I confirmed my gift with the sign of the cross].

Ego Ælfgyfa (age 58) predicti regis mater regium munus corroboraui [the royal office of the mother of the said king].

Ego Eadsinus archiepiscopus almo sancte crucis uexillo confortaui [archbishop with the standard of the holy cross].

Ego Ælfric archipresul istud datum consolidaui.

Ego Bryhtwold episcopus.

Ego Æþelstan episcopus.

Ego Godwine dux.

Ego Godeman presbiter.

Ego Karl minister.

Ego Ælfeget minister.

Ego Ælfwig prefectus.

Ego Ælfwine episcopus.

Ego Grimkyl episcopus.

Ego Dudoca episcopus.

Ego Lyfing episcopus.

Ego Brihtwine episcopus.

Ego Eadnoþ episcopus.

Ego Æþelweard abbas.

Ego Ælfwine abbas.

Ego Siward abbas.

Ego Wulfsige abbas.

Ego Leofric presbiter.

Ego Siward (age 33) dux.

Ego Swegen dux.

Ego Eadwold presbiter.

Ego Hereman presbiter.

Ego Leofric presbiter.

Ego Osgod miles.

Ego Ælfstan miles.

Ego Esbern miles.

Ego Lyfing miles.

Ego Ordgar miles.

Ego Odda minister.

Ego Brihtric minister.

Ego Dodda, Æþelmer.

Ego Urki minister.

Ego Ælfget minister.

Ego Wulfnoð prefectus.

Ego Kinewerd prefectus.

Ego Tokig minister.

Ego Æþelwig minister.

Ego Leofric 7 Tofig ministri.

Ego Ælfwig prefectus.

Ego Æþelmær minister.

Ego Æþelric minister.

Ego Totig minister.

Ego Leofwine minister.

Ego Godsunu minister.

Ego Ulfkitel 7 Æþelric ministri.

Charter S1000 King Edward to Coventry Abbey. 1043. In the peace of the reign, the bountiful goodness of Christ the Almighty is always to be praised by all and is deserving of all praise, for it can be bounded by no limit of goodness in the ages of ages, since God Himself is the goodness of His own goodness, freely distributing a portion of His goodness not only to the worthy but also to the unworthy. He is indeed the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the creator of all visible and invisible things, and the most discerning arranger of His creation, reaching from end to end and sweetly ordering all creation as befits His divine dominion. For He has appointed some with free will to hold certain dignities of this world and to perform various works, commanding them to relieve and sustain with their abundance and sufficiency those who are less abundant in worldly affairs, so that they might be granted a greater reward by Him.

Wherefore, I, [her son] Edward (age 40), King of the English, by the assent of the Almighty Ruler, wish to make it known to all future kings, archbishops, bishops, abbots, dukes, and all the faithful of Christ that the venerable Duke Leofric, inspired by divine grace and the teachings of the most glorious and God-beloved supreme pontiff Alexander, founded the monastery of the Holy Mother of God Mary, of Saint Peter, and of all the saints in the village called Coventry, and adorned it with generous gifts, and, with my large donation and grant, has bestowed the manors listed below for the sustenance of the abbot and monks serving God perpetually in that place: namely, half of the village in which the church is founded, then Southam, Greenborough, Ickleton, Hunton, Newnham, Hulhtune, Chadleshunt, Hardwick, Chesterton, Wasperton, Soham, Byritngbury near the Avon, Merston, also Merstuna in Gloucestershire, half of the village of Ruitune, Sowe, Salwarpe, Eaton near the River Dee, Kildesbig, Winewickan, Burhbeca, Barwell, Scrapetoft, Packington.

For the reverence and honor of the Holy Mother of God Mary and of my advocate, the apostle Peter, I give and grant to Abbot Leofwine, and to all future abbots after him, in the entire possession of the monastery, sac and soc (jurisdiction), and their toll on land and water, in the city and outside, and all laws and customs as fully and as freely as the aforementioned duke held them more honorably and freely from me. I therefore command that all things pertaining to that church be entirely free, both cultivated and uncultivated lands, with the revenues and profits of the aforesaid manors and churches, cemeteries, tithes, revenues, and due services, offerings, lights, judicial matters, ecclesiastical and secular corrections, and whatever has been given to that place under full immunity, and we perpetually confirm this.

And so that no one in the present or in the future may doubt what freedom has been graciously and firmly granted by me, let all the possessions of that church never be burdened by any obligations, neither for military service, nor for the building of bridges and fortifications, nor for royal dues, nor for the arrest of thieves. To sum it all up, nothing is to be paid to the king, nor to the king's reeve, nor to the bishop, nor to any man, but all dues in that domain are to be paid perpetually to the aforementioned holy place according to what the brothers of that monastery have ordained.

So that it may be clearly shown to the damnation of those who transgress these decrees, we have taken care to manifest here the letters of the supreme pontiff, Pope Alexander, which we have received, directed to both future and present generations.

Papal Letter of Confirmation

Alexander, bishop, servant of the servants of God, to his beloved son Edward, King of the English, greetings and apostolic blessing. We have gladly received your letters, signifying your well-being, and we have given thanks to Almighty God, who stirs the sincerity of your heart to all things useful to the holy mother church. Therefore, in accordance with your letters, we grant, concede, and confirm these privileges of our present authority to the monastery of Saint Mary of Coventry, where the congregation of the servants of God was recently established by the venerable Duke Leofric, ordaining that this place, supported by royal decrees and apostolic privileges, may at all times remain without any disturbance from any diocesan bishop or any judicial power of any order or dignity, but may always remain as your royal goodwill desires and seeks.

The brothers of that place shall have the power to elect suitable abbots or deans for themselves from their own community or from any congregation they wish, and we prohibit them from being impeded by apostolic authority. Moreover, whatever you have granted to that place, or has been granted, or will be granted, we confirm by divine and our authority; we also gladly agree to and confirm, and by confirming decree that they shall stand forever, your privileges concerning the honor of God that you have instituted there; and we condemn the violators of them with eternal damnation.

In the year of the Lord's incarnation 1043, this charter was written, with the consent of the hierarchs noted below and witnessed by those listed.

Pace regnante, largiflua Christi omnipotentis bonitas semper ab omnibus est laudanda omnique laude praeferenda, quia nullo bonitatis termino ualet concludi in saeculorum saecula, utpote quia idem deus ipse sit suae propriae bonitatis bonitas, distribuens gratis non tantum dignis uerum etiam indignis partem suae bonitatis; est quippe rex regum et dominus dominantium omniumque subsistentium uisibilium atque inuisibilium creator, et suae creationis discretissimus dispositor, attingens a fine usque ad finem suauiterque disponens omnem creaturam ut competit diuinae dominationi eius. Nam quosdam libero arbitrio quibusdam praefecit dignitate huius saeculi et operibus diuersis, quibus rursum mandat ut ipsi sua sufficienta et bonorum habundantia illorum releuare et sustentare debeant inopiam qui minus saecularibus habundant negotiis, ut pro hoc maiori possint mercede ab eo donari. Unde ego Eadwardus Anglorum rex omnibus post me futuris regibus, archiepiscopis, episcopis, abbatibus, ducibus, omnibusque Christi fidelibus notum fieri uolo quod uenerabilis dux Leofricus, diuina inspirante gratia monitisque gloriosi ac deo dilecti summi pontificis Alexandri, monasterium sanctae dei genitricis Mariae sanctique Petri et omnium sanctorum in uilla quae dicitur Couentre extruxit largisque muneribus adornauit, atque subscripta maneria ad uictuale subsidium abbatis et monachorum in eodem loco deo perpetue seruientium mea larga donatione et concessione ibidem contulit; uidelicet medietatem eiusdem uillae in qua fundata est ipsa aecclesia, deinde Sou∂am, Greneburgan, Icketonam, Hunitonam, Neowenham, Hulhtune, Chadeleshunte, Herdewyk, Cestretune, Waspertune, Suohham, Byrtingabirig iuxta Auen, Merston, item Merstuna, in Gloecestria, medietatem uillae de Ruitune, Sowe, Salewarp, Eatuna iuxta fluuium Dee, Kildesbig, Winewican, Burhbeca, Barwalle, Scrapetoft, Pakinton, pro reuerentia itaque et honore sanctae dei genitricis Mariae sanctique aduocati mei apostoli Petri, do et concedo abbati Leofwino, et omnibus futuris ibidem post eum abbatibus, in tota possessione monasterii, sakam et socnam, et theloneum suum in terra et in aqua, in urbe et extra, et omnes leges et consuetudines tam plene et tam libere sicut eas praefatus dux honorificentius et liberius de me tenuit. Praecipio itaque ut omnia quae ad ipsam aecclesiam pertinent sint omnino libera, terrae cultae et incultae, cum exitibus atque redditibus praedictorum necnon maneria et aecclesiae, cimiteria, decimae, redditus, et seruitia debita, oblationes, luminaria, causarum discussiones, emendationes aecclesiasticae uel saeculares, et quicquid illi loco collatum est sub integra inmunitate concedimus et perpetuo firmamus. Et ne quis praesentium uel magis futurorum ambiget quae sit illa libertas quam amabiliter et firmiter concedo, omnimodis cuncta illius aecclesiae possessio nullis sit unquam grauata oneribus nec expeditionis nec pontis et arcis aedificatione, nec iuris regalis fragimine nec furis apprehensione. Et ut omnia simul comprehendam, nil debet exsolui nec regi nec regis praeposito uel episcopo uel ulli homini, sed omnia debita exsoluantur iugiter quae in ipsa ditione fuerint ad supradictum sanctum locum secundum quod ordinauerint fratres eiusdem coenobii. Ut autem cunctis haec transgredientibus ad damnationem suam euidenter possit ostendi literas summi pontificis papae Alexandri quas ab eo suscepimus, directas tam posteris quam praesentibus hic manifestari curauimus. Alexander episcopus seruus seruorum dei dilecto filio Eadwardo regi Anglorum salutem et apostolicam benedictionem. Scriptorum uestrorum eloquia incolumitatem uestram significantia laeti suscepimus, gratias itaque omnipotenti deo retulimus qui cordis uestri sinceritatem ad omnia utilia sanctae matris aecclesiae compungit. Proinde iuxta scripta uestra monasterio sanctae Mariae de Couentria ubi seruorum dei constituta est congregatio a reuerendae memoriae Leofrico duce nuper exstructo, huiusmodi priuilegia praesentis authoritatis nostrae indulgemus, concedimus, atque confirmamus, statuentes ut ipse locus regiis praeceptis et priuilegiis apostolicis fultus per omnia tempora sine conuexatione cuiuscumque diocesani episcopi, aut alicuius iudiciariae potestatis cuiuscumque ordinis uel dignitatis sit, sed semper sicut praeoptat et expetit beneuolentia tua regalis futuro tempore permaneat. Fratres igitur eiusdem loci idoneos ex se uel ex qua uoluerint congregatione abbates siue decanos sibi per successiones eligendi habeant potestatem, et ne impediantur auctoritate apostolica prohibemus. Praeterea quicquid illi loco contuleris, uel collatum est, uel conferetur, diuina et nostra auctoritate roboramus; necnon priuilegia uestra ad honorem dei pertinentia quae ibi instituere uolueris gratanti affectu annuimus, confirmamus, et confirmando imperpetuum stare decreuimus; et infractores eorum aeterna maledictione damnamus. Anno incarnationis dominicae .m.xliii. scripta est haec syngrapha, hiis consentientibus ierarchis qui subter notati: uidelicet,

Ego Eadwardus rex hanc meam libertatem regali stabilimento affirmaui.

Ego Ælfgyfa (age 58) mater eiusdem regis assensum accommodaui.

Ego [her future daughter-in-law] Eadgi∂ (age 17) regina eiusdem collateralis regis eiusdem donationi regali consensi [The queen of the same collateral agreed to the king's royal donation of the same.].

Ego Eadsinus Dorobernensis aecclesiae archiepiscopus adquieui.

Ego Ælfricus Eboracensis aecclesiae archipraesul corroboraui.

Ego Ælfwoldus Londoniensis episcopus subposui.

Ego Ealdredus episcopus Wygornensis impressi.

Ego Duduco episcopus Willensis adnotaui.

Ego Wlfinus episcopus Lichesfeldensis consolidaui.

Ego Æ∂elstanus episcopus Herfordensis stabiliui.

Ego Liuingus episcopus Cridiensis adposui.

Ego Eadno∂us episcopus Dorcensis consensum praebui.

Ego Brihtwinus episcopus Scirbernensis confirmaui.

Ego Berhtwold episcopus Wiltuniensis conclusi.

Ego Manni abbas.

Ego Siward abbas.

Ego Ælfwinus abbas.

Ego Godwinus abbas.

Ego Ælfstanus abbas.

Ego Godwinus dux (age 42).

Ego Haroldus dux (age 21).

Ego Leofricus dux.

Ego Siward (age 33) dux.

Ego Sweyn (age 22) dux.

Ego Tostig (age 17) dux.

Ego Radulphus More.

Ego Esgar.

Ego Rodbord minister.

Ego Hulfketel minister.

Ego Godwine minister.

Ego Frewine minister.

Ego Leofric minister.

Ego Morcere minister.

Ego Ælfgar minister.

Ego Godric minister.

Ego Leofric minister.

Ego Siwerd minister.

Ego Æ∂elsi minister.

Charter S1001 King Edward to Ælfwine. 1044. The bountiful goodness of Christ, the omnipotent God, must always be praised and given the highest honor, for it cannot be confined by any limit of goodness, since God Himself is the goodness of His own goodness, freely distributing a share of His goodness not only to the worthy but also to the unworthy. He is indeed the King of kings and the creator of all that exists, both visible and invisible, and the most discerning disposer of His creation, governing all things according to His divine will as is fitting for His sovereignty. For He has appointed some with free will to hold certain dignities in this world and to perform various works, commanding them to use their abundance to relieve the need of those who are less fortunate in worldly matters, so that they may receive a greater reward from Him.

Therefore, I, [her son] Edward (age 41), King of the English nation, moved by His admonition and seeking the reward of His remuneration, freely grant to a certain loyal bishop of mine, Ælfwine, for his faithful service to me, thirty hides of land in the place called Wittannige, so that he may freely possess them as long as he lives, and after his death, may give them to whomever he chooses.

Let this small estate be free from all worldly service, except for the common service, that is, the repair of fortresses, the restoration of bridges, and military expeditions against the enemies of the country. If anyone, driven by evil intent, attempts to violate or seize this gift of mine by force, let them be deprived of the fellowship of God, who commands us to aid the needs of our brethren out of love for Him, and let them be bound by the chains of eternal damnation, unless they repent and erase their guilt through the grace of penance.

These are the land boundaries at Wittannige:

First, along the stream to the meadow that turns into Scylftune; and from Scylftune along the stream until it reaches the mill weir that turns into Ducing Hill; from the weir across the moor to Hocslew; then to the new ditch; from the ditch to the boundary of Horninga; from the boundary of Horninga along the boundary to Hlaewan Slade; from the slade into Dufan Dip, and so along the boundary to Leofstan's Bridge; from Leofstan's Bridge into Kytelaceras; from Kytelaceras into the woodland road; along the road to Hawk's Hill; from Hawk's Hill into Wenric; from Wenric to Swondaene; after Swondaene to the gray apple tree; from the apple tree along the boundary into Swonlege; from Swonlege up to the headland; from the headland along the ridge into Hounting Way; along Hounting Way into Wicham; from Wicham by the roots until it reaches Sheep Way; from Sheep Way along the straight boundary into Aecen's Field; from Aecen's Field along the straight boundary to Kicgestan; from Kicgestan into Aecen's Field; from Aecen's Field to where the knights lie; and from where the knights lie to Mætseg; along Mætseg into Wenric.

This royal grant and donation were made in the year of our Lord's incarnation 1044, in the twelfth indiction, with the seven concurrent cycles and the 18th epact rotating. This grant was made under the attestation of the leading men whose names are written here.

Rubric: ˘is is ∂ara .xxx. hidæ boc æt Witanigæ ∂e Eadward cing gebocode Ælfwinæ bisceope on ece yrfe. + Christi omnipotentis dei largiflua bonitas omnino laudanda, omnique est laude praeferenda, quae nullo bonitatis termino ualet concludi, utpote idem deus ipse sit suae bonitatis bonitas, distribuens gratis non tantum dignis uerum etiam indignis participium bonitatis suae; est quippe rex regum, omniumque subsistentium uisibilium aeque inuisibilium creator et suae creationis discretissimus dispositor, disponens omnia sibi libito uti competi diuinae dominationi eius; nam quosdam libero arbitrio quibusdam praeficit dignitate huius saeculi et opibus diuersis, quibus rursum mandat ut ipsi eorum inopiam sua sufficientia releuare debeant qui minus abundant saecularibus negociis, et pro hoc possint maiori mercede ab eo donari. Unde ego Eadwardus rex Anglicae nationis eius ammonitione prouocatus, pro adipiscenda remunerationis mercede, dono cuidam familiari episcopo meo Ælfwino pro fideli obsequio quo michi fideliter obsecundatur .xxx. uidelicet mansas, in loco quem soicolae illius uocant Wittannige, ut eas quoad uiuit libere possideat; et post mortem det sibi placito cuicunque elegerit. Sit itaque rurisculum illud ab omni mundiali seruitio liberum, excepto communi seruitio, hoc est, arcis recuperatione, et pontis restauratione, ac expeditione in hostes patriae. Si quispiam quoquomodo malae mentis conamine hoc meum donatiuum donum infringere uel abripere per uiolentiam uoluerit, priuatus a consortio dei qui nos imperat iuniorum nostrorum necessitatibus subuenire pro suo amore, constringatur et obligetur inextricabilium nodorum habenis perpetuae dampnationis, nisi resipiscat et poenitentiae uenia deleat. ˘is synt ∂a landgemæra to Wittannige. Ærest andlang ∂æs streames on ∂one mædham ∂e hyrn∂ into Scylftune; and fram Scylftune andlang streames ∂æt it cym∂ to ∂am mylewere ∂e hyrn∂ into duceling dune; of ∂æm wære ofær ∂one wegean mor into hocslew; ∂anon on ∂a niwan dic; of ∂ære dic on horninga mære; of horninga mære andlang ∂æs gemæres to hlæwan slæde; of ∂am slæde into dufan doppe and swa andlang gemæres into Leofstanes bricge; of Leofestanes bricge into kytelaceras; of kytelacæras innon ∂a wudestret; andlang ∂ære strete into hafoces hlæwe; of hafoces hlewæ innon wænric; of wenric to swondæne; æfter swondæne to ∂ære haran apeldran; of ∂ære apeldran andlang gemæres innan swonlege; of swonleage upp to ∂am heafdam; of ∂am heafdan andlang surode innan huntenan weg; andlang huntenan wege into Wicham; of Wicham a be ∂are wyrtruman ∂æt hit cym∂ on sceapa weg; of sceapa wege andlang rihtes gemæres innan æcenes feld; of æcenes felda andlang rihtes gemæres of kicgestan; of kicgestane into æceres felda; of æcenes felda ∂ær ∂a cnihtas licga∂; and fram ham ∂e ∂a cnihtas licga∂ on mætseg; andlang metseg into wenric. Anno dominicae incarnationis millesimo quadragesimo quarto, indictione duodecima et septem concurrentibus, atque .xviii. epactis rotantibus, haec regalis concessio atque donatio facta est sub astipulatione primatum quorum nomina hic caraxata sunt.

Ego Eadwardus rex totius Brittanniae praefatam meam donationem cum sigillo sanctae crucis regali stabilimento affirmaui.

Ego Ælfgyfu (age 59) eiusdem regis mater hanc regalem donationem cum trophaeo agiae crucis ouanter diuulgaui.

Ego Eadsinus archiepiscopus triumphalem agiae crucis trophaeum huic regio muneri gaudenter impressi.

Ego Ælfricus archipraesul hanc territoriam scedulam signo sanctae crucis diligenter adsignare curaui.

Ego Ælfwinus Wintoniensis episcopus consolidaui.

Ego Beorhtwoldus Wiltuniensis episcopus coadunaui.

Ego Ea∂no∂us Dorcensis episcopus corroboraui.

Ego Lyfingus Cridiensis episcopus confirmaui.

Ego Æ∂elstanus Herfordensis episcopus consigillaui.

Ego Ælfweardus Lundoniensis episcopus conscripsi.

Ego Duduco Uuillensis episcopus condixi.

Ego Grimkyllus Australium Saxonum episcoups consensi.

Ego Wulfsynus Licetfeldensis episcopus conclusi.

Ego Bryhtwinus Scirburnensis episcopus commodum duxi.

Ego Godwine (age 43) dux.

Ego Leofric dux.

Ego Siwerd (age 34) dux.

Ego Swegen dux.

Ego Ælfwine dux.

Ego Ælfwerd dux.

Ego Sywerd dux.

Ego Leofsige dux.

Ego Ælfsige dux.

Ego Ælfstan dux.

Ego Ordgar minister.

Ego Osgod minister.

Ego Odda minister.

Ego Ælfgar minister.

Ego Brihtric minister.

Ego Æ∂elwig minister.

Ego ˘ure∂ minister.

Ego Ælfstan minister.

Ego Carl minister.

Ego Ordulf minister.