Note 3.1

The Chartulary of the Priory of Saint Peter at Sele (edited by L F Salzman, Cambridge, 1923) translates William de Braose's charter in favour of Saint Florent Abbey, dating it circa January 1080 and dating the King's confirmation as January 31, 1080. I, William de Braiosa, for the soul of Ralph son of Wald, and of Ralph his son and of Geoffrey Ruffus, and for the remission of sins, and for the souls of my father and mother, and for Philip my only son, who freely consents [to the gift], and for the souls of my relations; also for William, King of the English, and Queen Maud his wife and for the souls of their fathers and mothers and also for their sons and daughters, - so that they may confirm this gift and if anyone would impair it may compel him to make amends, - do cheerfully give, to the honour of Almighty God and the Virgin Mary, to the most blessed martyrs Gervase and Protase and to the church of the said martyrs all [my] tithe, that is, from all the profits of my demesne; the tithe of the mills of Braiosa, and of toll and pannage; wood for firing and for building for themselves and their men; pannage for the swine of their men; and acquittance of all customary dues of their men; excepting anything which I exchange with them and pay them for; a third part of [my] fisheries; leave to fish all waters; land for one plough, with meadows; at Cortelles the church [and] land for one plough; a mill as I held it in demesne; at Scoteni my demesne rights in the church; my demesne rights in the church of Seurai; beyond the sea the church of Scapuleia, land for a plough with the oxon and beasts which belong to it; free pasturage in open country and woods; and the dues of my waters; on my English estate as in Normandy; the whole tithe of my revenues beyond the sea; and on both sides of the sea all the dues and services of their own men. And if any of my men gives or sells [to them] anything, I confirm it. Moreover at Braiosa I also give Ralph the carpenter with all his land; and in England the church of Saint Peter of Sela and of Saint Nicholas of Brembria and of Saint Nicholas of Sorham and of Saint Peter of Old Bridge, with all and every kind of tithes and rents belonging to them. This endowment I make over and grant to Saint Florent and the abbot and monks in their obedience on condition that until the monastery is completed one or two monks only shall constitute it; but after it is completed there shall be in it, by the decision of the abbot and chapter, as many monks as can be reasonably maintained from its possessions. But if this endowment, through me or through my men and friends or through anybody, be so much increased that it could be an abbey, let an abbot be placed there by election of the abbot and chapter. Of this grant are witnesses - Herbert son of Gudwin, Odo Ruffus de Fraxineto, William son of Godelin, Ralph son of Tustin, Halselin, Roger Pouherius, Hubert Bonit, Richard de Molinellis, Reynold the Cook, Mansel de Punctello, Alari de Ponte Aldemari, Geoffrey de Falesia, son of Ameline, Gausbert son-in-law of Bertram, Aucher son of the same Bertram, Aubrey the Smith, Ralph son of Landric de Bocco, Aubrey servant of Saint Florent. And this was done in the presence of Ralph, Albald, and Gocelin de Haia, monks of Saint Florent. This deed Primald, chaplain of the same William of Braiose drew up. On the Friday, that is the sixth day of the week, which was then the third day before the Purification of Saint Mary, in the church of Saint Gregory of Boscherville, William, King of the English, and Queen Maud his wife and their sons allowed and confirmed this my endowment. At this endowment were - Earl Odo, Hugh Earl of Chester, Alan Ruffus, Walter de Meduana, Henry de Bello monte, Odo son of Gamelin, Walter Peurellus, William de Falesia, Roger Bigotus, Humphrey de Bohun and Richard his son, Heunus vicecomes, Ralph "Trerii filius", Hauselin, William the monk Archbishop of Rouen, Reynold the King's chaplain, Bernard son of Euspach.

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