Note 4.2

Dudley G. Cary Elwes, in The Family of de Braose 1066-1326 (1883), summarises the judgement of King William's Court, "concerning the invasions which William de Braose made in the matters of Holy Trinity" (Fécamp Abbey): Concerning the sepulture of Saint Cuthman this was established, that it should remain quit, and by the King's command the bodies of the dead which at the church of William (? Bramber Church) were buried, were dug out by the men of the same William, and carried back to the church of Saint Cuthman (? Steyning Church), to wit, to lawful sepulture and Herbert, the Dean (? a friend or vassal of William de Braose's), brought back the monies which he had received from the sepultures, from waits, from bell-ringing, and from everything that is taken from the dead; and first he caused a relative of his to take oath that he had not had more. The witnesses to this Fine, as it is called, were the King's sons - William and Henry; Archbishops - Lanfranc and Thomas; Bishops - William of Durham, Wakelin of Winchester, Remigius of Lincoln, Geoffrey of Coutances, Robert of Chester, Robert of Hereford, Osmund of Salisbury, Maurice of London; Earls - Robert of Mortaigne, Alan Ruffus, Roger de Montgomery; Barons - Richard son of Gislebert the Earl, Baldwin, his brother Roger Bigot, Hen. de Feriers, Bernard of Newmarket, William Dou, Hugh de Port, Richard Goiz, Eudo the Sewer (dapifer), Robert the Dispenser, Robert Fitztetbald, William de Percei, Rober de Roolent, Nigel de Torp, Roger de Corcella, Alfred of Lincoln, William de Faleise, Henry de Beaumont; Abbots - Serlo of Gloucester, Turstin of Glastonbury; Monks of Holy Trinity - William and Rahere brothers, Bernard son of Ospac; laymen - William Malcunduit, Godfrey his brother, Sotriz, Loerit, Richard de Bodes, Geroldin. The next part of the charter refers to land that William had taken unjustly from Holy Trinity, at "Udicam", [? Odiham] for his park - which park was ordered to be destroyed, and was destroyed, the land remained quit; the warren which William had made in the land of Holy Trinity was adjudged to be, and was, destroyed; of the toll which William took of the men of Holy Trinity at his bridge, it was adjudged that it ought not to be taken, for in the time of King Edward it was never given, and by the King's command, whatever had been taken was restored, the toll-taker [telonario] taking oath that he had not received more. Concerning the ships which ascend to the port [portum] of Saint Cuthman [Steyning], it was adjudged that they ought to be quit for two-pence ascending and descending, unless they should make another market at William's castle. As to the way which William had made in the land of Holy Trinity, it was adjudged that it ought to be, and it was, destroyed; as to the trench which he had made for the conduct of water of the castle, it was adjudged that it ought to be, and it was, filled up, and the land remained quit; as to the marsh, it was decreed that it ought to be quit as far as the hill in circuit and the salt-pans. Concerning the eighteen gardens, it was adjudged that they be quit of Holy Trinity. Concerning the toll which is taken throughout the whole week, it was adjudged that the whole be the Saints, but on Saturday a moiety be William's. All these things remained quit and free to the church of Fécamp. Concerning the invasions of all which things, William gave a surety [vadium] into the King's hand, into his mercy.

home back