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  • + Regnante inperpetuum Deo et Domino nostro Iesu Christo Anno uero dominice incarnationis .dcc.xlii. indictione .x. et regni Æðelbaldi regis Merciorum .xxvii. synodus congregatum fuerat in loco cel[eb]ri ubi nominatur Clofeshos . de diuersis eccle[sia]rum Dei et hutilitatibus presitente autem eodem synodo Æðelbaldus rex cum suis optimatibus necnon Cutberht[us] uenerabiles archiepiscopus ceterisque episcopis . s[imu]l ad[sidentibus] necessaria diligenter examinantes de statu totius Christianitatis uel de symbolo ex antiquo sanctorum patrum institutionibus traditam esse uel qualiter in primordia nascentis ecclesie . iubebatur habere aut ubi honor cenubiarum . secundum normam equitatis seruaretur . Hec et is similia anctie . inquirentes undique antiquas priuilegias . recitantes tandundem peruenit ex rogatu . Æðelberhti regis Cantie coram omnibus legatur libertas ecclesiarum Dei et institutio . uel preceptum Wihtredi regis . de electione dominarum cenubiarum in regno Cantuoriorum . quomodo uel qualiter secundum imperium et electioni archiepiscopi fieri \stare/ precipitur. Post eo hoc priuilegium lecta et inter se examinata ante regis . et episcoporum presentia fuisset . placuit . itaque omnibus pariterque condixerunt nec ullam aliam . tam nobilem tamque prudenter constitutum inuenire potuissent . secundum ecclesiasticam . disciplinam . Et hoc adnuentes stare seu ab omnibus firmari rectum esse sancserunt : Ideoque pro \h/ac re ego Æðelbald rex Merciorum pro salute anime [mee] et pro stabilitati regni mei necnon ex petitioni . Æðelberhti regis Cant’ s[eu etiam] pro reuerentiæ Cutberhti archiepiscopi hoc idem munifica mea propria manu subscribo ut per omnia h[onor] et auctoritas [et] s[ecurita]s [..] Christi ecclesie citra Humbrensis flufio a [null]a person[a de]negatur necnon omnium cenubiarum intra Cantiam constitutis . tam in libertati a secularium seruitiis quam [..] etiam in omnibus causis magioris minorisue secura permaneat . sicut W[iht]redus rex pro se suosque constituit . ad seruandum et optin[endum] ita per omnia inrefragabilis et inmutabilis usque ad [ter]minus seculi perdurare precipimus. Si quis autem regum successorum nostrorum . seu epis[coporum] uel principum hoc salubre decretum inf[ringere tempt]auerit r[ed]dat rationem Deo omnipotenti in die tremendo . Si comes uel presbyter . diaconus . clericus . aut moniales . huic institutioni restiterit sit sui gradui priuatus et \a/ participatione corporis et sanguinis Christi . separatus . et alienus a regna Dei . nisi ante ea satisfactione emendauerit quot sui malo superbie iniqui egessit . quia in euangelio dictum est . Quicumque ligaueritis super terram . erit ligatum et in celis . Et quecumque solueritis super terram erit solatum et in celis. + Ego Æðelbald rex . diuino suffragio fultus . gentis Merciorum regens inperium . signum sancte crucis subscribo. + Ego Cuðberhtus archiepiscopus propria manu subscribo. + Ego Uuita episcopus consentio et subscribo. + Ego Torhthelm episcopus consentio et subscribo. + Ego Willfredi episcopus consentio et subscribo. + Ego Cuðberht episcopus consentio et subscribo. + Ego Huetlac episcopus consentio et subscribo. + Ego Eanfrið episcopus consentio et subscribo. + Ego Ecglaf episcopus consentio et subscribo. + Ego Aluuig . episcopus consentio et subscribo. + Ego Hunwald . episcopus consentio et subscribo. + Ego Daniel episcopus consentio et subscribo. + Ego Aldwulf episcopus consentio et subscribo. + Ego Æðelfrið episcopus consentio et subscribo. + Ego Herewald episcopus consentio et subscribo. + Ego Sigcga episcopus consentio et subscribo. + Ego Redwulf episcopus consentio et subscribo. + Ego Ofa patricius consentio et subscribo. + Ego Aldwulf dux consentio et subscribo. + Ego Æðelmod indolis Merciorum consentio et subscribo. + Ego He\a/rdberht dux consentio et subscribo. + Ego Eadbald dux consentio et subscribo. + Ego Bercul dux consentio et subscribo. + Ego Cyneberht consentio et subscribo. + Ego Freoðorne consentio et subscribo. + Ego Wermund abbas consentio et subscribo. + Ego Cuðred abbas consentio et subscribo. + Ego Buna abbas consentio et subscribo.
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  • [Because of corruption and an absence of concord the precise sense of this text is sometimes opaque.] God ruling forever and our Lord Jesus Christ. In the year of the Lord’s incarnation 742, in indiction 10 and [in the year] 27 of the kingdom of Æthelbald, king of the Mercians, a synod had assembled in the famous place that is called Clofeshos concerning various matters of benefit to the churches of God, King Æthelbald presiding over that synod, with his magnates and also Cuthbert, the venerable archbishop and other bishops also present, diligently to consider necessary matters that had been handed down [reading ‘tradita’ for MS ‘traditam] about the position of the whole of Christianity and about the creed from the ancient [reading ‘antiquis’ for MS ‘antiquo’] principles of the holy fathers, and how at the beginning of the new-born church it was directed to keep them, and how the honour of the monasteries should be preserved according to the standard of justice. Enquiring anxiously into these things and matters like to them [and] reciting ancient privileges from all sources, at length it resulted from an enquiry of Æthelberht, king of Kent, [that] a charter of liberty of the churches of God was read in the presence of all and an ordinance or royal edict of King Wihtred gave instructions [emending ‘\stare/ precipitur’ to ‘precepit’] about the election of abbesses of monasteries in the kingdom of the dwellers in Kent—how and in what manner it be done according to the command and choice of the archbishop. After this privilege had been read and examined amongst themselves in the presence of the king and the bishops, it was pleasing to all and they together declared that they were not able to find anything else so noble and so wisely formulated [that was] in accordance with ecclesiastical discipline. And agreeing that this stand and be confirmed by all, they decreed it to be right. And on that account in support of this matter I, Æthelbald, king of the Mercians, for the salvation of my soul and for the stability of my kingdom, and also at the request of Æthelberht, king of the dwellers in Kent [reading ‘Cantuariorum’ for MS ‘Cant’’], and also out of reverence for Archbishop Cuthbert, subscribe this same [privilege], with my own hand performing its duty, so that in all things the honour and authority and security of the church of Christ on this side of the River Humber be denied by no person and also all of the monasteries established within Kent should remain both free from secular services and also secure from all burdens, major or minor. I decree that it endure, just as King Wihtred on his behalf and on behalf of his [people] established in order that it be protected and preserved thus through everything, inviolable and immutable, until the end of the world. If, however, any of the kings who are our successors, or bishops or principes, [should attempt] to violate this beneficial decree, let him render an account to Almighty God on the fearsome day. If a comes or priest, deacon, cleric or nun should oppose this arrangement, let him be deprived of his rank and separated from sharing in the body and blood of Christ and an alien from the kingdom of God unless he should atone beforehand with a penance, as much as is demanded for the evil of his iniquitous pride, because it has been said in the Gospel, ‘Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound also in heaven. And whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed also in heaven’. + I, Æthelbald, king, supported by Divine assent, ruling the dominion of the people of the Mercians, subscribe the mark of the holy cross. + I, Cuthbert, archbishop [of Canterbury], subscribe with my own hand. + I, Hwita, bishop [of Lichfield], agree and subscribe. + I, Torhthelm, bishop [of Leicester], agree and subscribe. + I, Wilfrid, bishop [of Worcester], agree and subscribe. + I, Cuthbert, bishop [of Hereford], agree and subscribe. + I, Hwetlac, bishop, agree and subscribe. + I, Eanfrith, bishop [of ?Elmham], agree and subscribe. + I, Ecglaf, bishop [of Dunwich], agree and subscribe. + I, Alwig, bishop [of Lindsey], agree and subscribe. + I, Hunwald, bishop, agree and subscribe. + I, Daniel, bishop [of Winchester], agree and subscribe. + I, Ealdwulf, bishop [of ?Rochester], agree and subscribe. + I, Æthelfrith, bishop [of ?Elmham], agree and subscribe. + I, Herewald, bishop [of Sherborne], agree and subscribe. + I, Sigcga [= Sigefrith], bishop [of Selsey], agree and subscribe. + I, Rædwulf, bishop, agree and subscribe. + I, Ofa, patricius, agree and subscribe. + I, Ealdwulf, dux, agree and subscribe. + I, Æthelmod, offspring [of the king of] the Mercians, agree and subscribe. + I, Heardberht, dux, agree and subscribe. + I. Eadbald, dux, agree and subscribe. + I, Bercol, dux, agree and subscribe. + I, Cyneberht, agree and subscribe. + I, Freothorne, agree and subscribe. + I, Wærmund, agree and subscribe. + I, Cuthred, agree and subscribe. + I, Buna, abbot, agree and subscribe.
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  • Endorsements: (1) s. x: Libertas eclesiæ Christi Eˇelbaldi regis Merciæ et Cuˇberti archiepiscopi. (2) s. xi: Decretum Athelbaldi regis et Cuthberti archiepiscopi de libertate ecclesiarum. Latine. + Regnante in perpetuum Deo et domino nostro Jhesu Christo anno vero dominicæ incarnationis dccxlii . Indictione . x . et regni Æ∂elbaldi regis Merciorum . xxvii . synodus congregatum fuerat in loco ce[leb]ri ubi nominatur Clofeshos . de diversis eccle[sia]rum Dei ; et hutilitatibus præsitente autem eodem synodo Æ∂elbaldus rex cum suis optimatibus necnon Cutberhtus venerabiles archiepiscopus . ceterisque episcopis . s . . . . . . necessaria diligenter examinantes de statu totius christianitatis vel de symbolo ex antiquo sanctorum patrum institutionibus traditam esse vel qualiter in primordia nascentis ecclesiæ . jubebatur habere aut ubi honor cenubiarum . secundum normam equitatis servaretur . hæc et is similia anctie . inquirentes undique antiquas privilegias . recitantes tandundem pervenit ex rogatu . Æ∂elberhti regis Cantiæ coram omnibus legatur libertas ecclesiarum Dei et institutio . vel preceptam Wihtredi regis . de electione dominarum cenubiarum in regno Cantuariorum . Quomodo vel qualiter secundum imperium et electioni archiepiscopi fieri 'stare' precipitur . Post eo hoc privilegium lecta et inter se examinata ante regis . et episcoporum presentia fuisset . placuit itaque omnibus pariterque condixerunt nec ullam aliam . tam nobilem tamque prudenter constitutum invenire potuissent . secundum ecclesiasticam . disciplinam . Et hoc adnuentes stare seu ab omnibus firmare rectum esse sancserunt : Ideoque pro hac re Ego Æ∂elbald rex Merciorum pro salute animæ meæ et pro stabilitati regni mei nec non ex petitioni . Æ∂elberhti regis Cantiæ seu . . . . . . . pro reverentiæ Cutberhti archiepiscopi hoc idem munifica manu propria mea subscribo ut per omnia ho . . . . et auctoritas et securitas Christi ecclesiæ citra humbrensis flufio . . . . . . denegatur . . . . . omnium cenubiarum in terra Cantiæ . . . . tam in libertate a secularium serviciis quam etiam in omnibus causis majoris minorisque secura permanet et sicut supradictus . . . . . . . pro se suosque constituit ad servandum . . . . . . . . per omnia inrefragabilis et immutabilis usque ad terminus seculi perdurare precipimus . Si quis autem regum successorum nostrorum seu epis[coporum] vel principum hoc salubre decretum inf[ring] . . . rationem Deo omnipotenti in die tremendo . si comes vel præsbyter diaconus clericus . aut moniales . huic institutioni restiterit sit sui gradui privatus et 'a' participatione corporis et sanguinis Christi . separatus . et alienus a regna Dei . nisi ante ea satisfactione emendaverit quot sui malo superbiæ iniqui egessit quia in evangelio dictum est . 'quicumque ligaveritis super terram . erit ligatum et in celis . Et quecumque solveritis super terram erit solatum et in celis' . + Ego E∂elbald rex . divino suffragio fultus . gentis Merciorum regens inperium . signum sanctæ crucis subscribo . + Ego Cu∂berhtus archiepiscopus propria manu subscripsi . + Ego Uuita episcopus consensi et subscripsi . + Ego Torhthelm episcopus consensi et subscripsi . + Ego Willfredi episcopus consensi et subscripsi. + Ego Cu∂berht episcopus consensi et subscripsi . + Ego Huetlac episcopus consensi et subscripsi . + Ego Eanfri∂ episcopus consensi et subscripsi . + Ego Ecglaf episcopus consensi et subscripsi . + Ego Aluuig episcopus consensi et subscripsi . + Ego Hunwald episcopus consensi et subscripsi . + Ego Daniel episcopus consensi et subscripsi . + Ego Aldwulf episcopus consensi et subscripsi + Ego E∂elfrid episcopus consensi et subscripsi . + Ego Herewald episcopus consensi et subscripsi . + Ego Sigcga episcopus consensi et subscripsi . + Ego Redwulf episcopus consensi et subscripsi . + Ego Ofa patricius consensi et subscripsi . + Ego Aldwulf dux consensi et subscripsi . + Ego Æ∂elmod indolis Merciæ consensi et subscripsi + Ego Heardberht dux consensi et subscripsi . + Ego Eadbald dux consensi et subscripsi . + Ego Bercul dux consensi et subscripsi . + Ego Cyneberht consensi et subscripsi . + Ego Freo∂orne consensi et subscripsi . + Ego Wermund abbas consensi et subscripsi . + Ego Cu∂red abbas consensi et subscripsi . + Ego Buna abbas consensi et subscripsi . An . dccxlii . Her was mycel synod gegaderod at Cloveshou . 7 ˇar was A∂elbald myrcna cing . 7 Cutbert arb' . 7 fela o∂re wise menn. Hic congregatum est magnum concilium apud Clovesho presidente Adelbaldo rege Merciorum cum Cutberhto archiepiscopo Cantuariensi . cæterisque episcopis simul assidentibus diligenter examinantes circa necessaria de statu totius religionis et de simbolo ex antiquis sanctorum patrum institutionibus tradita; vel qualiter in primordio nascentis æcclesiæ jubebatur habere aut ubi honor cænobiarum . secundum normam equitatis servaretur . Hæc et his similia anxie inquirentes et undique privilegia antiqua requirentes et recitantes ; tandem pervenit ad manus libertas æcclesiarum et institutio vel preceptum Wihtredi gloriosi regis de electione cænobiarum in regno Cantiæ . quomodo vel qualiter secundum imperium et electionem archiepiscopi Cantuariensis fieri stare præcipitur . Ex præcepto itaque regis Adelbaldi lectum est hoc privilegium et hæc libertas coram omnibus . et placuit cunctis pariterque condixerunt nullam aliam tam nobilem tamque prudenter constitutam invenire potuisse secundum æcclesiasticam disciplinam . et hoc annuentes stare . ab omnibus firmare sanxerunt . Ego igitur Adelbaldus rex Merciorum pro salute animæ meæ et pro stabilitate regni mei nec non ex persona Ædelberhti regis Cantiæ seu etiam pro reverentia Cutberhti archiepiscopi hoc idem munifica mea propria manu subscribo . ut per omnia honor . autoritas. et securitas . Christi æcclesiæ a nulla persona denegetur . necnon omnium cænobiarum intra Cantiam constitutis tam in libertate secularium servitiis quamque etiam in omnibus causis majoribus minoribusve secura permaneant sicut Wihtredus rex' pro se suisque constituit servandum et optinendum . ita per omnia irrefragabiliter et immutabiliter usque in finem seculi perdurare præcipimus . Si quis autem regum successorum nostrorum seu episcoporum vel principum hoc salubre decretum infringere temptaverit ; reddet rationem Deo omnipotenti in die tremendo . Si autem comes . presbiter . diaconus . clericus . aut monachus . huic institutioni restiterit ; sit suo gradu privatus . et a participatione corporis et sanguinis separatus et alienus a regno Dei . nisi ante ea satisfactione emendaverit. quod malo superbiæ inique gessit . quia scriptum est 'quæcunque ligaveritis super terram erunt ligata et in cælo . et quæcunque solv . e . s . et in . c .' Ego Adelbaldus rex divino suffragio fultus gentis Merciorum imperium regens . signum sanctæ crucis subscribo . Ego Cutbertus archiepiscopus propria manu subscribo . Cum his etiam xiiii.cim . episcopi subscripscrunt . et multæ aliæ personæ diversorum ordinum.