Following our 3 previous blogposts on the group of charters from Preston in Suffolk, England, now in a private collection, we advance with further reports about them.\u00a0 Those blogposts focused upon 4 of the group of 8 charters.\u00a0 Employing the owner’s numbering system, they considered<\/p>\n
- \n
- \n
![\"Preston](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Preston-Charter-9-Face-09-cropped-sans-tag-300x126.jpg\")
Preston Charter 9 Face.<\/p><\/div>\n
Charters 5 and 7:\u00a0 Full Court Preston<\/a> and Preston Take 2<\/a><\/li>\n
- Charters 6 and 9:\u00a0 Preston Charters Continued<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
(Remember, Charter 8 is missing.)<\/p>\n
Now we turn to others.\u00a0 Here we focus upon Charters 10 and 11.<\/p>\n
Both of these are dated, like Charter 9; all 3 of these have dates within the reign of King Edward II, spaced at 4-year intervals.\u00a0 Charter 9, already examined (also see its image to the right here), is dated to Year 8 of the reign.<\/p>\n
The Group of Preston Charters<\/h3>\n
![\"Sign](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Portobello-Road-sign.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/7\/7d\/Church_at_Preston_St_Mary_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1598436.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Church_at_Preston_St_Mary_-_geograph.org_.uk_-_1598436-300x225.jpg\")
Church at Preston St Mary. Photograph by Andrew Hill via Wikimedia Creative Commons<\/p><\/div>\n
The owner purchased the group of 9 documents in the 1980s in London, probably \u2014 according to his recollection\u00a0\u2014 in the Portobello Road<\/a>, a renowned location of markets and shops of many kinds, including used goods, curiousities, and antiquities.\u00a0 The group has a consecutive series of modern Arabic numbers, running from 5 to 13.\u00a0 The individual number is entered in black ink at the top left corner of the dorse (or back) of each document.<\/p>\n
Of that original group, only 8 survive in the “Preston” collection, because Charter 8 went missing after a class some years ago, considerably before the group came into our view.\u00a0 Consequently, we know now only of Charters 5\u20137 and 9\u201313.<\/p>\n
Charters 5 and 7 have figured already in 2 previous blogposts, with an introduction, photographs and descriptions, transcriptions and translations of their texts, and some observations about their characteristics and contexts (Full Court Preston<\/a> and Preston Take 2<\/a>).\u00a0 Next, Charters 6 and 9 took the stage (Preston Charters Continued<\/a>).<\/p>\n
We continue here to Charter the Course.<\/p>\n
Now is the time for Charters 10 and 11.\u00a0 Both carry the dates of their transactions during the reign of King Edward II<\/a>, who lived from 25 April 1284 \u2013 21 September 1327, and reigned from 7 July 1307 until his deposition in January 1327.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
![\"10r.](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Edward_II_-_British_Library_Royal_20_A_ii_f10_detail.jpg\")
London, British Library, Royal MS 20 A. II, folio 10r. Chronicle of England: Edward II receives his crown. Image Public Domain via Wikipedia.<\/p><\/div>\n
The Lay of the Land<\/h3>\n
Within the group, each document has a mostly blank dorse, but for the owner’s inventory numbers in black ink and the sparse medieval or later docketing inscriptions.\u00a0 The face of each document is filled with the text of the transaction, laid out in a single column of long lines.\u00a0 The numbers of lines vary between 9 (Charter 9), 12 (3 charters), 13 (2 charters), 14 (Charter 11), and 16 (Charter 5) lines.<\/p>\n
The documents in the set exhibit certain differences.\u00a0 5 of them have more-or-less rectangular shapes, wider than tall.\u00a0 Charters 12 and 13 have rippled upper edges, corresponding to the chirographic method of producing an interlocking, and thereby identifiably identical, set of charter-plus-copy (or multiple copies) for the different parties to the transaction in question. [Now see Charter the Course: More on Preston Charters<\/a><\/p>\n
For such a Chirograph<\/a>, copied in duplicate (or more) upon a single sheet, the cut between them takes the form of a wavy edge; in Charter 12 it runs through an enlarged and spaced word\u00a0\u2014 perhaps the Latin word chirographum<\/i>, as customary? \u2014 to allow the copies to be matched physically as a safeguard against forgery.<\/p>\n
Each document has a forward-facing fold at the bottom of its face.\u00a0 Each has a pendant tag of vellum to hold a seal.\u00a0 Some retain their wax seals, or parts thereof (Charters 7, 12, and 13).\u00a0 One (Charter 5) has a cloth pouch to protect the seal \u2014 however, now lost.\u00a0 At least 1 of the vellum tags (Charter 11) comprises a reused strip of already-written vellum.\u00a0 The tags on some documents (Charters 6 and 9\u201311) appear to have no traces of wax, so as never to have received seals.\u00a0 One tag reuses a discarded strip of already-written vellum (Charter 11).<\/p>\n
Group Portrait<\/h3>\n
With the full group set out for examination, we offer their photographs from the back and the front.\u00a0 These group portraits demonstrate at a glance the varied sizes and shapes of the different charters, their styles of presentation, the shapes of their pendant tags, and the presence or otherwise of seals attesting to their authentication.<\/p>\n
Seen from the Dorse<\/h3>\n
![\"Preston](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Sorenson-Preston-Charters-Series-Dorses-cropped.png\")
Preston Charters Dorses. Photograph Mildred Budny.<\/p><\/div>\n
![\"Private](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_2116-Preston-Charters-Full-Set-Dorse-Views-cropped-1024x738.jpg\")
Preston Charters: Dorse with Guide. Photograph Mildred Budny.<\/p><\/div>\n
Seen from the Face<\/h3>\n
![\"Preston](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Sorenson-Preston-Charters-Series-Faces-cropped.png\")
Preston Charters Faces. Photograph Mildred Budny.<\/p><\/div>\n
![\"Private](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_2191-Preston-Charters-Full-Set-Faces-cropped-1024x753.jpg\")
Private Collection, Group of 8 Preston Charters: Faces Forward. Photograph Mildred Budny.<\/p><\/div>\n
Folds, Tags, Seals, and More<\/h3>\n
In preparing each document, as customary for such materials, the more-or-less rectangular sheet of vellum was folded horizontally once near the bottom, producing a flap or fold which turns inward to the side of the leaf intended to carry the text \u2014 usually the flesh side of the skin.\u00a0 Sometimes there is writing within that fold, sometimes not.<\/p>\n
Around the flap, more or less at its center along the bottom edge of the document, a narrow strip of vellum is laced through a pair of horizontal slits (made across the flap and in the foldline) to form a looped or tied tail or tag.\u00a0 Sometimes this strip carries a seal of colored wax impressed or pressed in some way onto its extension from the document.<\/p>\n
In some cases, the seal survives to some extent (Charters 7, 12, and 13).\u00a0\u00a0 One case (Charter 5) retains the old, and perhaps original, cloth pouch designed to protect the seal, but the seal itself has disappeared following its removal through one or other hole cut in the cloth at the top and bottom.<\/p>\n
The patterns of fold-lines and stains on each document demonstrate that, after completion with their written and attested texts, the single sheets were folded into smaller, block-like units, in which they were stored for a considerable period or periods of time. Mostly the sheets were folded horizontally once or twice, and then vertically into thirds, forming flaps to be turned over, one after the other, and presenting as the front of the unit the centered block at the base of the document, from which extends the vellum tail, with an optional seal.\u00a0 Brief docketing inscriptions are written in ink on the dorse, within that centered block and\/or elsewhere.<\/p>\n
One by One<\/h2>\n
Charters 5\u20139<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Our earlier blogposts considered<\/p>\n
- \n
- Charters 5 and 7 as a pair:\u00a0 Full Court Preston<\/a> and Preston Take 2<\/a><\/li>\n
- Charters 6 and 9 as a pair:\u00a0 Preston Charters Continued<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Charter 8 is lost.<\/p>\n
Charter 10
\n11 Edward II<\/a> (= 8 July 1317 \u2013 7 July 1318)<\/h3>\nDeed for Land at Herschfeld in the Vill of Preston
\nFrom Anicia, Daughter of Richard of Ot(t)elye
\nTo Gwyndon de Mortuomar and Alicia, His Wife<\/h3>\nDorse<\/h4>\n
![\"Preston](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_2129-boston-Preston-Charter-10-Dorse-with-Guide-Cropped-1024x981.jpg\")
Preston Charter 10 Dorse. Photograph Mildred Budny.<\/p><\/div>\n
The docketing inscriptions include the modern owner’s inventory number at the top left and the note of the date of the charter, as reckoned in<\/p>\n
![\"Preston](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_2153-Preston-Charter-10-Dorse-Preston-150x95.jpg\")
Preston Charter 10 Docketing: Preston.<\/p><\/div>\n
regnal years.\u00a0 That note stands below the 2-line medieval inscription written unevenly in an unsteady hand naming the vendor and her father.<\/p>\n
Pe???? Anicia filia Richardi \/ de Ottelee<\/em><\/p>\n
Sideways at the right stands the rapidly written place name Preston<\/em> ending in an extended “horizontal” stroke (viewed with the script upright).<\/p>\n
Face<\/h4>\n
![\"Preston](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_2150-Boston-Preston-Charter-10-Face-Cropped-1024x635.jpg\")
Preston Charter 10 Face. Photograph Mildred Budny.<\/p><\/div>\n
The dating clause stands in the penultimate line:\u00a0 Anno Regni Regis Edwardi Filius Regis Edwardi duodecimo<\/em> (“In the 12th year of the reign of King Edward, son of King Edward”).
\n<\/em><\/p>\nTag and Lifted Flap<\/h4>\n
There is no script in the interior of the foldline.\u00a0 The loose lacing of the tag through the fold allows for a full view of that “gutter”.\u00a0 Although made ready for a seal, the tag appears never to have had one.<\/p>\n
![\"Preston](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_2151-Boston-Preston-Charter-10-Face-with-Fold-lifted-Cropped-1024x632.jpg\")
Preston Charter 10 Face. Photograph Mildred Budny.<\/p><\/div>\n
![\"Preston](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Preston-Charter-10-Face-10o-1024x665.jpg\")
Preston Charter 10 Face.<\/p><\/div>\n
*****<\/p>\n
Charter 11
\n18 Edward II<\/a> (= 8 July 1324 \u2013 7 July 1325)
\n“Sunday after the Feast-Day of Saint Gregory the Great” [=18 March 1325]
\nFrom Anicia of Peyntone, Daughter of Roger of Ottelye
\nTo Thomas Alayn of Preston<\/h3>\nDorse<\/h4>\n
![\"Preston](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/IMG_2127-Preston-Charter-11-Dorse-cropped-1024x953.jpg\")
Preston Charter 11 Dorse. Photograph Mildred Budny.<\/p><\/div>\n
Docketing<\/h4>\n
Turned sideways at the right-hand side, the docketing inscriptions stand in a vertical row, with the medieval Preston<\/em> at the outer edge.\u00a0 There follows, the pencil notation “Edw[d?] 2” and the staggered line in ink “18 Ed. 2d<\/sup>\u00a0 \/ 1325″.<\/p>\n
![\"Preston](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/IMG_2127-Preston-Charter-11-Dorse-Docketing.jpg\")
Preston Charter 11 Dorse: Docketing. Photograph Mildred Budny.<\/p><\/div>\n
Face<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_2157-Boston-Preston-Charter-11-Face-with-Guide-862x1024.jpg\")
Preston Charter 11 Face. Photograph Mildred Budny.<\/p><\/div>\n
The text begins:<\/p>\n
Sciant praesens et future quod Ego Anicia de Pyntone filia quondam Rogeri de Ottelye. . . Thome Alayn de Prestone . . .
\n<\/em><\/p>\nThus we learn that Anicia’s father, defined as quondam<\/em> (“formerly”), was no longer living.<\/p>\n
The dating clause closes the charter with details of the place, day, and year:<\/p>\n
Datum apud Prestone die dominicae <\/em>px <\/em>[partly cancelled with a pair of horizontal strokes and a superscript mark] post festinum sancti Gregorii Maioris \/
\n<\/em><\/p>\nAnno Regni Regis Edwardi filii Regis Edwardi decimo octavo<\/em>.<\/p>\n
This “18th regnal year” stood only 2 years away from the close of Edward’s reign, as he was deposed in January 1327, in his 20th regnal year.\u00a0 The feast-day of Gregory the Great<\/a> was celebrated on 12 March (until the revision of the saints’ calendar for Western Christian usage in 1969).\u00a0 In 1325<\/a>, 12 March occurred on a Monday.\u00a0 The Sunday after Gregory’s feast-day fell on the 18th.<\/p>\n
Lifted Flap<\/h4>\n
![\"Preston](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_2156-Boston-Preston-Charter-11-Face-with-Fold-lifted-Cropped-1024x1007.jpg\")
Preston Charter 11 Face with Lifted Fold. Photograph Mildred Budny.<\/p><\/div>\n
Like Charter 10 produced a few years previously within the same king’s reign (see above), this one has no script hidden in the foldline.<\/p>\n
Reused Tag<\/h4>\n
![\"Preston](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Preston-Charter-11-Face-11o-tag-in-tatters-1024x927.jpg\")
Preston Charter 11 Face Tag.<\/p><\/div>\n
![\"Preston](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_2155-Boston-Preston-Charter-11-Dorse-with-Guide-1024x807.jpg\")
Preston Charter 11 Reused Tag. Photograph Mildred Budny.<\/p><\/div>\n
Script of Reused Tag Turned Upright<\/h4>\n
- Charters 6 and 9 as a pair:\u00a0 Preston Charters Continued<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Charters 6 and 9:\u00a0 Preston Charters Continued<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Preston](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_2155-Boston-Preston-Charter-11-Dorse-with-Reused-Tie-Unfolded-Rotated-927x1024.jpg\")