Note 6.2

Records of the Templars in England in the Twelfth Century, The Inquest of 1185 With Illustrative Charters and Documents, edited by Beatrice A Lees, (published for the British Academy Records of Social and Economic History, Volume ix, London, 1935) gives Philip de Harcourt's charter in Latin. It is followed by a confirmation charter by William, son of Philip de Braose. Beatrice Lees dates both these charters, which have identical witnesses save one, to before 1139, based on the fact that Philip de Harcourt describes himself as Dean of Lincoln. In 1139 he became Chancellor to King Stephen, though remaining Dean of Lincoln for some time, and in 1142 Bishop of Bayeux. He gives the gift "quit and free and absolute just as in the time of Henry the English King my brother Richard had and held all this from Philip de Braose". The words suggest that Philip de Harcourt's gift was made in the reign of Stephen and therefore after 1135. It certainly seems unlikely that such a gift would have been granted before the Knights Templar received their holy orders in 1128. Philip de Braose's "Jerusalem charter" confirms that before he made his journey he gave Washington to the Abbey of Saint Florent in exchange for Shipley. The probable reason for this exchange becomes clear in the charter below. Shipley was given to Philip de Harcourt's brother Richard. Richard is stated to have held it from "his and my uncle Philip de Braose". The relationship appears to confirm that William de Braose I married Eve de Boissey, the widow of Anchetil de Harcourt. My translation is: I, Philip de Harecourt, Dean of Lincoln salute all the faithful of the holy church. With all the sons of the holy church enjoying this present life and sure of all that is to follow, I Philip de Harecourt, Dean of Lincoln, moved by the words of the evangelist who said, "Give to Caesar what is his and to God what belongs to God", and by the grace of the Holy Spirit, give and concede in perpetual alms to the knights of the Temple of Solomon a certain part of the goods and lands that God has allowed me to possess in this life, namely the land of Shipley with all things belonging to it and the church of the same town and I wish and command that the aforesaid Knights should have and hold the aforesaid land and church and everything belonging to it, quit and free and absolute just as in the time of Henry the English King my brother Richard had and held all this from Philip de Braose, his and my uncle. I make this gift for the salvation of my soul and the souls of my ancestors. His testibus Hugone de Cumb(is), Normanno de Cumb(is), Simone Comte, Willelmo Bernehus, Roberto Boccio, Nicholao Bernehus, Tusina Fratre de Templo. William de Braose conceded and confirmed this gift before the same witnesses, except for the absence of Robert Boccio (de Bucy). The men who attested as members of the "court" at Bramber remained remarkably consistent but it seems reasonable to ascribe the same date to the charter below as to the charter above. William can be assumed to have succeeded his father by this time. Philip appears in the Pipe Roll of 1130-1 (31, Henry I) returning 16 shilings for the manor of Loddiswell in Devon and 4 shillings for Southcote, Reading. In the same Pipe Roll, Philip stood surety in the sum of 80 silver marks for a Payn de Braose whose men had seized the King's boars. He last appears witnessing a charter for King Henry I at Rouen, confirming the possessions and liberties of Saint Martin's Abbey at Battle. This is dated "1134?" in Regesta Regum Anglo-Normannorum 1066-1154, Volume II, edited by Charles Johnson and H A Cronne, Oxford 1956 (number 1896, page 288). My translation of William de Braose's confirmation of Philip de Harcourt's gift is as follows: William de Braose, to all his barons and the rest of his men, both English and Norman, and to all the faithful of the holy church. All the sons of the holy church living now and also those to come, may know that I William de Braose wish and concede and confirm that deed of Philip de Harecourt, Dean of Lincoln, for God and the Knights of the Temple of Jerusalem, namely concerning all the land of Shipley which Richard, brother of Philip himself had given to him and similarly the church; which land and which church I wish and concede that the aforesaid knights and brothers thus have and hold in peace, quit, free and absolute just as Richard de Harecourt himself, brother of Philip himself, had and held from Philip de Braose my father, and I pray to all my posterity that they concede this just as I concede it in perpetual alms. His testibus. Hugon de Conbis, Normanno de Conbis, Simone C[o]mite, Nicholao Bernhus, Willelmo Bernehus, Tustino Fratre de Templo.

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