Early-Medieval-England.net

S 76

A.D. 697 x 699. Æthelred, king, to Oftfor, bishop; grant of 44 hides (cassati) at Fladbury, Worcs., so that monastic life may be re-established there. Latin.

Archive: Worcester

MSS: 1. Somers Ch. 1 (lost)
2. BL Add. 46204, recto (s. xi)
3. BL Cotton Tib. A. xiii, 9rv (s. xi¹)

Printed: Smith, Bede, pp. 764-5, ex MS 1; Hearne, Heming, pp. 21-2, ex MS 3; K 33 ex Smith; B 76 ex K; Stevenson 1911, pp. 199-200 ex MS 2.

Translated: Jones 1958, pp. 62-3.

Comments: Wanley, Catalogus, p. 301, no. 1; HS, p. 280, spurious; Stevenson 1911, pp. 199-200; Stevenson 1914, p. 692 n. 16, doubtful or spurious; Stenton 1918, p. 436 n. 18, cited (= Stenton 1970, p. 51 n. 4); Stenton 1918/1, p. 258, accepted; Finberg, ECWM, no. 198, authentic; Hart, ECNE, no. 41, authentic; Hooke 1985, pp. 38, 106; Cox 1976, pp. 32-3, on place-names; Scharer 1982, pp. 152-4, not genuine in present form, perhaps based on S 77, date is 697 x 699; Wormald 1985, p. 25, broadly trustworthy; Hooke 1990, pp. 21-2, on estate; Sims-Williams 1990, pp. 140-1; cf. S 1252.

+ Apostolus Paulus de extremo judicio domini manifestissime loquens ita refert :-- 'Omnes enim stabimus ante tribunal Christi, ut recipiat unusquisque prout gessit sive bonum sive malum.' Quid autem sit quod apostolus pro meritis suis quosque percepturos adfirmat , ipse dominus in evangelio suo manifestat dicens :-- 'Ibunt impii in supplicium æternum , justi autem in vitam æternam :'

Hoc sane tremendum ac terribile omnipotentis domini judicium ego Æthilred, Christo largiente rex , tota cordis formidine sine cessatione perhorresco ; quapropter ut ibidem sub præsentia almi judicis veniam merear adipisci , pro absolutione criminum vel meorum vel conjugis quondam meæ Osthrythæ , terram quæ dicitur Fledanburg . xliiii . cassatorum capacem , Oftforo episcopo in possessionem tradidi ; ut quemadmodum primitus tradita fuerat , rursus per illius diligentiam monachorum in ea sub abbate degentium honestissima conversatio recuperetur .

Si quis autem pertinacium contra hanc donationem fractoris animo venire temptaverit , eamque infringere conatus sit , sciat se sub tremendo examine poenas debitas luturum .

+ Ego Æthilred propriam donationem corroborans , titulo sanctæ crucis subscripsi .
+ Ego Headda episcopus consensi et subscripsi .
+ Ego Torhctuuald , comes regis , consensi et subscripsi.
+ Ego Eaduuald consensi et subscripsi .
+ Ego Cille consensi et subscripsi .
+ Ego Osfrith consensi et subscripsi .
+ Ego Ecfrith consensi et subscripsi .
+ Ego Tuddul consensi et subscripsi .
+ Ego Guthlac consensi et subscripsi .
+ Ego Sigiuuald consensi et subscripsi .
+ Ego Folchere consensi et subscripsi .
+ Ego Berhttred consensi et subscripsi .
+ Ego Oftfor episcopus donationem quam a rege accepi propria manu confirmans subnotavi .