A.D. 937 (Dorchester, Dorset, 21 Dec.). King Athelstan to the familia of Malmesbury; grant of 60 hides (cassati) at Bremhill, Wilts. Latin

Archive:

Malmesbury

MSS:

1. London, British Library, Lansdowne 417, f. 18r-v (s. xiv/xv)
2. London, Public Record Office, E 164/24, f. 130r-v (s. xiii ex.)
3. Oxford, Bodleian Library, Wood empt. 5 (S.C. 8593), ff. 38r-40r (s. xiii)

Printed:

Brewer, Reg. Malm., pp. 307-9; B, 716

Comments:

Plummer 1892; 1899, ii, p. 132, date is probably 935; Napier and Stevenson, p. 137 n. 1, apparently authentic; Darlington 1955, p. 89; Finberg, ECW, no. 242, authentic, indiction 8 for 10; John 1966, p. 50 n., should be treated with reserve; Bullough 1972, p. 472 n. 39, on Latin vocabulary; O'Donovan 1972, p. 36, suspect, secular witnesses look more suitable to 931 x 934, but ecclesiastical witnesses belong to 937; Keynes 1980, p. 44 n. 78, spurious, probably based on an authentic diploma issued in 935, cf. S 435, 436; Keynes 1988, p. 186 n. 4; Hare 1997, p. 70 n. 50, spurious; Gretsch, Intellectual Foundations, p. 347; Wormald, English Law, pp. 307 n. 201, 439 n. 75, authentic exemplar, possibly authentic witness list

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    • Fortuna fallentis seculi procax, non lacteo inmarcessibilium liliorum candore amabilis, sed fellita eiulande corruptionis amaritudine odibilis, fetentis filios ualle in lacrimarum, carnis rictibus debachando <uenenosis> mordaciter dilaceret. Que quamuis arridendo sit infelicibus attrectabilis, Acherontici tamen ad yma Cociti, ni satus alti subueniat Boantis, impudenter est decursibus, et ideo quia ipsa ruinosa deficiendo tanaliter dilatabitur, summopere festinandum est ad amena indicibilis leticie arua, ubi angelica ymnidice iubilationis organa mellifluaque uernantium rosarum odoramina a bonis beatisque naribus inestimabiliter dulcia capiuntur sineque calce auribus cliuipparum suauia audiuntur. Cuius amore felicitatis illectus fastidiunt iam infima, dulcescunt superna, eisque pro percipiendis semperque specie concupiscibili fruendis, ego Æþelstanus rex Anglorum, per omnipotentis dexteram totius Britannie regni solio sublimatus, quandam telluris particulam uenerabili familie Maldubiensi, pro animabus patruelium meorum Æþelwardi clitonis, uidelicet Ælfwinis et Æþelwinis, sub estimatione .lx. cassatorum in loco qui dicitur Breomel, seruienti familie Deo et sancto Petro in perpetuum ius largitus sum, hoc precipiens in nomine Domini ut nostrorum nemo successorum hoc nostrum donum quamdiu Christanitas uigeat uel minimo irrumpere temptet. Quod si quisque temptauerit, a Deo imperpetuum dampnandum sciat. Huius namque a Deo Dominoque Iesu Christo inuente atque inspirate uoluntatis scedula anno dominice incarnationis .dccccxxxvii., regni uero gratis mihi commissi .xi., indictione .viii., epacta .xiiii., concurrente .iii., .xii. kalendas Ianuarii, luna uertentis mensis .x., in ciuitate celeberrima que Dornaceaster appellatur, tota optimatum generalitate sub alis regie dapsilitatis ouanti perscripta est, cuius etiam inconcusse firmitatis auctoritate hiis testibus roborata constat, quorum nomina subtus minulis depicta annotantur. Ego Æthelstanus ierarchia florentis Albionis preditus rex cum signo sancte semperque uenerande crucis coroboraui hunc indiculum et subscripsi. + Ego Wulfhelmus Dorobernensis ecclesie archiepiscopus consensi et subscripsi. + Ego Wulfstanus Eboracensis ecclesie archiepiscopus consensi et subscripsi. + Ego Eugenius subregulus consensi et subscripsi. + Ego Howel subregulus consensi et subscripsi. + Ego <Morcant> subregulus consensi et subscripsi. + Ego Iutha<l> subregulus consensi et subscripsi. + Ego Ælfwine episcopus consensi et subscripsi. + Ego Cenwald episcopus consensi et subscripsi. + Ego Wulfhelm episcopus consensi et subscripsi. + Ego Oda episcopus consensi et subscripsi. + Ego Æthelgar episcopus consensi et subscripsi. + Ego Ælfred episcopus consensi et subscripsi. + Ego Cunan episcopus consensi et subscripsi. + Ego <Þeodred> episcopus consensi et subscripsi. + Ego Wulfhelm episcopus consensi et subscripsi. + Ego Burgric episcopus consensi et subscripsi. + Ego Wunsige episcopus consensi et subscripsi. + Ego Tidhelm episcopus consensi et subscripsi. + Ego Cynsige episcopus consensi et subscripsi. + Ego Sexhelm episcopus consensi et subscripsi. + Ego Alfwold dux + Ego Æþelstan dux + Ego Osu<l>f dux + Ego Uhtred dux + Ego Urum dux + Ego Uhtred dux + Ego Guþrum dux + Ego Scyle dux
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    • The insolent fortune of this deceiving age, not worthy of love because of the milky whiteness of unfading lilies but hateful because of the bitterness steeped in gall of corruption that is to be lamented, bitingly tears to pieces the sons of stinking flesh in the vale of tears by raving wildly with its poisonous jaws, which, although it might be attractive to the unfortunate by its pleasing manner, yet shamelessly is it declining downwards to the depths of Acherontic Cocytus [i.e., Hell], unless the Seed of the One Who Roars on High [i.e., Jesus, the Son of God] should assist. And so because that ruined thing [i.e., fortune] is going mortally into decay through its failing, one must hasten with the utmost effort to the pleasant fields of indescribable happiness, where the angelic tongues of hymn-singing jubilation and the scents of verdant roses flowing with honey of incalculable sweetness is captured by the good and blessed nostrils and the sweetnesses of musical instruments heard by the ears without end. Enticed by a love of this happiness, base things now disgust, heavenly things become sweet and in order to obtain those things and enjoy that very desirable sight forever, I, Æthelstan, king of the English, through the favour of the Almighty raised to the throne of the kingdom of the whole of Britain, have bestowed as a perpetual right a certain parcel of land on the venerable community of Malmesbury, for the souls of the offspring of my cousins, [the sons of] Æthelweard clito, namely, Ælfwine and Æthelwine, at an assessment of 60 hides in the place that is called Bremhill, for the community serving God and St Peter, prescribing this in the name of the Lord that none of our successors should attempt to violate in the slightest degree this gift of ours as long as Christianity might flourish. If anyone should attempt this, let him know that he be damned by God forever. The record of this wish, acquired from and inspired by God and the Lord Jesus Christ, was written in the year of the Lord’s incarnation 937, in [year] 11 of the reign freely granted to me, in indiction 8, epact 14, concurrent 3, on the 21st of December, in [day] 10 of the monthly cycle of the moon, in the very famous city that is called Dorchester, with the whole body of magnates rejoicing under the wings of royal bounty, whose intention of firmness is undisturbedly strengthened by these witnesses whose names are recorded in small letters below. I, Æthelstan, king of flourishing Albion in possession of the office, confirmed and subscribed this document with the mark of the holy and always to be venerated cross. + I, Wulfhelm, archbishop of the church of Canterbury, agreed and subscribed. + I, Wulfstan, archbishop of the church of York, agreed and subscribed. + I, Eogen mac Domnaill, subregulus, agreed and subscribed. + I, Hywel Dda ap Cadell, subregulus, agreed and subscribed. + I, Morgan ab Owain, subregulus, agreed and subscribed. + I, Idwal Foel ab Anarawd, subregulus, agreed and subscribed. + I, Ælfwine, bishop [of Lichfield], agreed and subscribed. + I, Cenwald, bishop [of Worcester], agreed and subscribed. + I, Wulfhelm, bishop [?of Selsey], agreed and subscribed. + I, Oda, bishop [of Ramsbury], agreed and subscribed. + I, Æthelgar, bishop [of Crediton], agreed and subscribed. + I, Alfred, bishop [of Sherbourne], agreed and subscribed. + I, Conan, bishop [of Cornwall], agreed and subscribed. + I, Theodred, bishop [of London], agreed and subscribed. + I, Wulfhelm, bishop, agreed and subscribed. + I, Burgric, bishop [of Rochester], agreed and subscribed. + I, Wynsige, bishop [of Dorchester], agreed and subscribed. + I, Tidhelm, bishop [of Hereford], agreed and subscribed. + I, Cynesige, bishop, agreed and subscribed. + I, Seaxhelm, bishop, agreed and subscribed. + I, Ælfwald, dux + I, Æthelstan, dux + I, Oswulf, dux + I, Uhtred, dux + I, Urum, dux + I, Uhtred, dux + I, Guthrum, dux + I, Scule, dux
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    Old Text

    • De Broemel quam Æthelstanus rex dedit sanctæ Meldunensi ecclesiæ . Fortuna fallentis seculi procax . non lacteo inmarcescibilium liliorum candore amabilis ; sed fellita ejulandæ corruptionis amaritudine odibilis . fetentis filios valle in lacrimarum carnis rictibus debachando venenose mordaciter dilacerat . Quæ quamvis arridendo sit infelicibus attrectabilis ; Acherontici tamen ad yma Cociti , ni satus alti subveniat boantis , impudenter est decursibus . Et ideo quia ipsa ruinosa deficiendo tanaliter dilatabitur ; sumopere festinandum est ad amena indicibilis letitiæ arva , ubi angelica ymnidicæ jubilationis organa , mellifluaque vernantium rosarum odoramina , a bonis beatisque naribus inestimabiliter dulcia capiuntur , sineque calce auribus clivipparum suavia audiuntur . Cujus amore felicitatis illectus , fastidiunt jam infima , dulcescunt superna , eisque pro percipiendis semperque specie concupiscibili fruendis : Ego Æthelstanus , rex Anglorum per omnipotentis dexteram totius Britanniæ regni solio sublimatus quandam telluris particulam venerabili familiæ Maldubiensi pro animabus patruelium meorum Æthelwardi clitonis , videlicet , Ælfwinis . et Æthelwinis , sub estimatione . lx a . cassatorum in loco qui dicitur Broemel , servienti familiæ Deo et sancto Petro imperpetuum jus largitus sum , hoc præcipiens in nomine domini ut nostrorum nemo successorum hoc nostrum donum , quamdiu Christianitas vigeat , vel minime irrumpere temptet . Quod si quispiam temptaverit : a Deo imperpetuum dampnandum sciat . Huius namque a Deo dominoque Jesu Christo innuente atque inspirante voluntatis scedula , anno dominicæ incarnationis . dccccxxxvii . regni vero gratis michi commissi . xi . indictione . viii . epacta . xiiii . concurrente . iii . xii . kl' . Januariæ , luna vertentis mensis . x . in civitate celeberrima , quæ Dornaceaster appellatur , tota optimatum generalitate sub alis regiæ dapsilitatis ovanti perscripta est . Cujus etiam inconcusse firmitatis auctoritate hiis testibus roborata constat , quorum nomina subtus minulis depicta annotantur . Ego Æthelstanus , ierarchia florentis Albionis prædictus rex , cum signo sanctæ semperque venerandæ crucis coroboravi hunc indiculum et subscripsi . Ego Wlfhelmus , Dorobernensis ecclesiæ archiepiscopus , consensi et subscripsi . Ego Wlfstanus , Eboracensis ecclesiæ archiepiscopus , consensi et subscripsi . Ego Eugenius subreguls consensi et subscripsi . Ego Howel subregulus consensi et subscripsi . Ego Morcant subregulus consensi et subscripsi . Ego Juthua subregulus consensi et subscripsi . Ego Ælfwine episcopus consensi et subscripsi . Ego Cenwald episcopus consensi et subscripsi . Ego Wlfhelm episcopus consensi et subscripsi . Ego Oda episcopus consensi et subscripsi . Ego Æthelgar episcopus consensi et subscripsi . Ego Ælfred episcopus consensi et subscripsi . Ego Cunan episcopus consensi et subscripsi . Ego ˝eordred episcopus consensi et subscripsi . Ego Wlfhelm episcopus consensi et subscripsi . Ego Burgrich episcopus consensi et subscripsi . Ego W[i]nsige episcopus consensi et subscripsi . Ego Tidhelm episcopus consensi et subscripsi . Ego Kinsige episcopus consensi et subscripsi . Ego Sixhelm episcopus consensi et subscripsi . Ego Alfwold dux . Ego Æthelstan dux . Ego Osu[l]f dux . Ego Uhtred dux . Ego Urum dux . Ego Uhtred dux . Ego Guˇrum dux . Ego Scile . dux .