by diabolical covetousness shall make null the definition and ratification of this my decree, let him know that he shall render an account at the dreadful judgment, and burn for ever in the avenging flames of hell with Anti-Christ and his followers, and there shall remain eternally, unless he shall have duly enough repented in this present life. Now the land aforesaid is surrounded by these boundaries &c.

This is the land-mark to Certeseye and to Thorpe. That is, first on to Waiemuthe; up along the Waie to Waibrugge to the mid-stream; from Waibrugge southward to Boggesley; from Boggeslye by the mid-stream to Wudeham ; from Wudeham right-south into Halewik; by the mid-stream; and so forth between the land of Halewik and the land of Wintrede's-hill rightwest; and so forth right-west into the foul brook that goeth between Fecingelye and the gallows; and so right-forth to the hoar stone ; and from the hoar stone into the dark ford; and so forth right-west along the stream into the moor at east-wood's end : and so up between east-wood and Otershaghe on the hoar thorn ; from the hoar thorn to the oak trees; from the oak trees to the three-hills; from the three-hills unto the drain ; from the drain unto the march-brook; from the march-brook on to Exlæf's bourn; from Exlæf's bourn to the hoar maple-tree;

; from the hoar maple-tree to the three-trees; from the three-trees along the deep brook right to weal-gate; from weal-gate on to clear pool right to the foul brook; from the foul brook to the black withy; from the withy right-forth to weales-hythe, along the Temese [Thames] on the other half (side) of Mixtenham ; on to the oak between Burgh-island and Mixtenham : along the water right to Nettle-isle; from the isle along the Thames about [round] ox-lake; and so forth along Thames to bores-hill; and so forth along Thames right to Ham-isle; and so forth along stream right by north of Ham-isle; and so forth along Thames by half stream; back on Wayemuthe.

;

7

7. A. D. 891, Aug. 2. Codex ii, 123. it I Alfred by the grace of God king of the Anglo-Saxons, at the intercession of

my faithful earl named Berhtulf, have given and granted for ever a small piece of land in exchange for another

(7) This and the next three charters are supposed to be spurious.

: land, free from all secularities, except marching against the enemy, and building a bridge or a fortress. But the said land is, in quantity, of seventeen manses, lying in two places, at a place called Plyssh of twelve manses, and at a place called Radingtun of five manses. I have therefore received from the aforesaid earl, for those lands, land of the same quantity which the country-people call Suth-tun, near the sea-shore in the district

called Dornsetan, and the same land is equally free, as aforesaid. .. But it is surrounded by these boundaries &c.

The writing of this charter was done in the year of our Lord's incarnation 891, Indiction 7, the 4th day before the nones of

August. With the consent of these witnesses, whose names are 1. noted beneath. + I Alvred king have subscribed. + I Berh

tulf duke have consented, with many others.

Ć

8. A. D. 892. Codex, ii, 124, and ü, 402.

+ In the name of the Lord! I Ælfred by the clemency of Him who sits on high, Creator and Governor of all things, king of the Angol-Saxons, will give and grant for a perpetual inheritance to my faithful earl Æthelhelm, a small piece of land, that is of ten manses in a place called Northniwetune. But the aforesaid piece of land is free from all secularities except marching against an enemy and building bridges or fortresses. These are the territories of the land above mentioned, &c.

First by Afene-stead to Stintesford; then to Rush's-lade ; then to Cioltanford; then to Wifelesford; then so along the way to Sand-hill ; then to Botanwell ; then by the Wiodde ; then over the Wiod to the Gore and so back to the Afene.

Rubric. This is the book of the ten hides at Northniwetune that Ælfred booked [enregistered] to Æthelhelm his thape in everlasting inheritance.

The writing of this charter was done in the year of our Lord's incarnation 892, Indiction 10, with the consent of these witnesses whose names are noted beneath.

+ Aelfred king of the Saxons. + Wulssige bishop. + Wul.red duke. + Æthelred duke. + Eadweard the king's son.

+

+ John the presbyter. + Waerulf the presbyter. + Deormod the cellarer. + Aelfric the treasurer. + Sigewulf the butler. + Byrnstan the soldier. + Berchtmund the soldier. + Wulfsige the soldier. + Aethelm the soldier. + Aethelhelm the soldier. + 0wald the soldier. + Uchferth the soldier. + Ocea the soldier. + Byrhthelm the soldier.

To those who observe and consent to this our grant, may peace remain for ever, but to those who oppose or endeavour to infringe it, be woe! and a portion with the traitor Scariot!

9. Codex ii, 124.

In the name of the Lord ! I Ælfred by the grace of Ged king of the Angol-Saxons, with the consent of the venerable household of the church of Maldubia [Malmesbury], give and grant to my faithful minister named Dudig a certain piece of ground, that is 4 cassates at the same land aforesaid, to have and to hold for his own days, and to leave after him to three heirs whomsoever he may choose. But after the days of the three heirs, the aforesaid land is to return to the church of the Holy Saviour in Malduberi [Malmesbury), without any gainsaying, to the same service as formerly. Now the aforesaid land is free from all secularities except marching against an enemy, and the building of bridges or fortresses.

But the writing of this charter was done, with the consent of the witnesses whose names are written beneath, in the place which is called Maelduburi, but by our name Maeldunesburg.

+ Ego Aelfred king. + Ulfric bishop. + Aethelhelm duke + Aethelnoth duke. + Aelfhere. + Deormod. + Beorhthelm.

+ + Ceolwulf. + Aetheluuald son of the king. + Beornhard. + Uulfric. + Uuerulf. + Ecgwulf.

10. A. D. 895. Codex, ii, 125.

By the power of Almighty God, who reigns for ever,

by whose might and wisdom all men who come into this world are enlightened, kings and princes are raised aloft, and the kingdoms of peoples are wonderfully dedicated. By this wonderful virtue, and not by my own power, and by the teach

ing of the benevolent father Leo, the high-priest on an Christians, I have gained battles and conquered kingdoms—not I however, but God who is strong and powerful in battle :—Wherefore I Ælvred king of the Saxons, wish to follow the footsteps of my father Æthelwulf; and, as he ordained that pay should be given for the lighting of St Peter, so I give and grant to his brother saint Andrew, the apostle of God the maker of the world who has

condescended to augment my kingdom in these my times, all my - land in the town of Frekeham, in the county of Suffolk, and I

deliver my land in Yselham to you my faithful Burric bishop of Rochester and to your church to hold for ever, with all its pertinences, marshes, pastures, feedings, meadows, waters, and fish

eries and fowleries, and with all my men, serfs and free, and other I rights pertaining to the same. For there are 13 acres and 15

manses which are included in these boundaries, &c.

I will and command that this my gift of the lands aforesaid may be free from all royal power for ever, and that no one take refuge in it except the bishop and his successors.

Wherefore I Alvred, by the royal authority and power given to me by God, wish that this my gift may be held firm and lasting by my successors for ever. Nor shall it be lawful for any one to change, take away or diminish this my will and gift ; as he desires to avoid the anger and indignation of Almighty God. But if any one strives to increase it, may God increase for him good days in this world, and merits in the kingdom of the heavens. Now I have made this gift by the counsel of my dear friends Plegmund archbishop and Grimbald priest, in the year of our Lord's incarnation DCCCXCV, for the soul of my father and my brothers, the kings Æthelbald, Æthelberht and Æthelred, who left to me, though unworthy, the royal inheritance. But you, whose names here follow, I have asked to consent and to subscribe at my entreaty and for my love.

And I Plegmund archbishop of Dorobernia (Canterbury] consent and subscribe +. And I Æthelbald archbishop of the church of York consent and subscribe +. I Æthelstan prelate of Hereford consent and subscribe +. I Werbert . cester (Caerleon] consent and subscribe +.

I Tynebert bishop of Lichfield consent and subscribe +. I Herefred minis

of Lega

.

ter of Worcester, consent and affix the sign of the holy cross +. I Ælfstan bishop of London affix the sign of the holy cross +. I Denewulf bishop of the city of Winchester, assent and subscribe +. I Ægelmere minister of Chichester give my assent and subscribet. 1 Eadred minister of Northwic [Norwich] consent and affix the sign of the cross +. I Harold minister of Dorchester consent and subscribe t. I Grimbald priest, to the honour of God, consent and affix the sign of the cross +. I John abbat affix the sign of the crosst. I Eadred earl consent and sub

I scribe+. I Æthelred duke of the Gaini subscribet. I Ælswytha queen consent and subscribet. I Æthelred duke of the Mercians consent and subscribe+.

11. A. D. 898. Codex ii, 128.

In the name of the Lord! I Ælfræd, by the grace of God king of the Saxons, give to my faithful duke Sigilm for a perpetual possession the land of my own right, and of one inhabitantin the place which is called Fearnleag, and in the great wisce “ six acres of meadow in the land on the northward to Eadweald Siebright in consideration of his money ; that he may have and hold

; it as long as he lives, and after his departure from this life may have free power of giving it to whomsoever he pleases. This donation was made in the year after Christ's incarnation 898, at the place which is called Wulfamere, with the consent of these my witnesses whose name appears to be written below :

+ I Ælfred king of the Saxons confirm this my gift with the sign of the holy cross.

+ I Ædweard king, confirm this gift of the king. + Duke Ordlaf

+ Eadweald, Officer + Duke Sigulf

+ Æthelstan, Priest + Duke Wullaf

+ Cuthulf, Officer + Beorhtsige, Officer

+ Ecgferth, Officer. + Osferth, Officer

+ Eadhelm, Officer + Wulfere, Officer