157 



lEavIp (!F!)artcrs of ISrtatfsaU, tottt) some 

 :Notfs on ti)t (otttittion of ti)t TiWrni in 

 ti)t t\)ivtct\\ti) ccntuvg. 



By the Editor. 



Y the kindness of Mr. Hugo Harpur-Crewe, we have 

 been provided with transcripts of several ancient 

 charters relating to the Manor of Breadsall in this 

 county. 

 The first of these, relating to a transfer of a portion of the 

 principal manor by Robert Duyn to his son Sampson, is of the 

 deepest interest. It is not only a conveyance of land and 

 tenements with every incident connected therewith, but it is 

 an actual transfer of living men, women, and children (Hke so 

 many head of cattle), together with their allegiance and manifold 

 services, from one chief lord to another. The document is 

 undated ; but as far as we can discover from the names of the 

 witnesses attached, it was executed about the year 1237; that 

 is, about twenty-two years after the great charter of English 

 liberties was extorted from the hands of King John. The 

 provisions of Magna Charta, however, did not materially affect 

 so low a stratum of society as the villani, except /o proportion 

 the fine to the fault, if any of them fell under the king's mercy. 

 The charter is as follows : — 



(1) 5ye it known to all, present and future, that I Robert 

 de Duyn, have given, conceded and by this my present charter 

 confirmed to Sampson de Duyn my son, for his homage and 



