8 PAPERS, ETC. 



well, and in peace, and freely, and quietly, and entirely, 

 and fuUy, and honorably as tliey have been reasonably 

 given to them, and as the cliarters of their donors attest 

 and confirm. Because they and all their possessions and 

 tbings are in my proper band and eustody as my proper 

 alms, and it will displease me if any man do them injury 

 and contumely. Witnesses, Richard Bp. of London, 

 Nigel Bp. of Ely, and Robert Bp. of Lincoln, Thomas 

 [a Becket] chancellor, Robert Earl of Leicester, William 

 Earl of Gloucester, Henry de Essex constable, &c. Dated 

 at London." 



We can obtain a very near approximation to the date of 

 this charter from the names of the witnesses appended to it. 

 It could not have been previous to 1157, for in that year 

 Thomas ä Becket was made Chancellor, nor subsequent to 

 1161, in which died the second Richard Beaumes, Bishop 

 of London, both of whom are among them. 



Such, then, were the possessions of the Pi'iory in the 

 early part of the reign of Henry II. 



Robert occurs Prior in a deed dated May, 1197. 



King John, in a charter dated the 17th of July, 1204, 

 gave to the Canons of Taunton the pasture of KingeshuU, 

 from Wnlfeldesont to Hunteneswell, in free, pure, and 

 perpetual alms. This charter may be found on an ancient 

 roll under the title " Cart. Antiq. Z. n. 16." It also appears, 

 with a few verbal differences, on the Charter Roll of the 

 6th of John, m. 12. The date annexed is the same in 

 both, but the latter was apparently copied from the former. 

 As this is the oldest charter made in favour of the Priory 

 which we possess exactly in its original form, a literal 

 English translation may not be unacceptable : — 



" John, by the grace of God, etc. Know ye that we, by 

 the conslderation of divinc love, and for the health of our 



