Yorkshire Feet of Fines 1206
translated by Virginia Murphy, medieval scholar

cclvi. York, the day of Saint James the apostle (25 July 1206). Between Beatrice, who was the wife of Robert de Fenwich, plaintiff, and Jordan Foliot, tenant, concerning the third part of thirty acres of land with appurtenances in Fenwick, which she was claiming against Jordan himself as her reasonable dower which belongs to her from the gift of the aforesaid Robert, formerly her husband, in Fenwick. Whereupon the plea was etc., namely that the aforesaid Beatrice has remised etc. all right etc. in the aforementioned third part of thirty acres of land with appurtenances to the aforementioned Jordan and the heirs of his body forever. And for this quitclaim etc. the aforementioned Jordan has granted and quitclaimed the same Beatrice the moiety of the entire crop of the aforementioned land for this present year.

cclvii. The same place and day, between Iveta, who was the wife of William son of Anketin, plaintiffs, and Nicholas, prior of Warter, tenant, by Ranulf, his canon, put in his place etc., concerning the reasonable dower of Iveta herself, which was belonging to her from the free tenement which was William's, formerly her husband, in Warter. Whereupon the plea what etc., namely that the aforesaid Iveta has quitclaimed from herself for ever all right etc. which she had in the aforesaid dower to the aforementioned prior and his successors. And for this quitclaim the aforesaid prior has given and granted to the same Iveta one corrody, namely the bread and ale and pottage of one canon, to have for her entire life from the church of Warter. And for this fine and concord the aforesaid prior has given to Iveta herself one mark of silver.

cclviii. The same place and date. Between Iveta, who was the wife of William son of Anketin, plaintiffs, and Millincent, prioress of Nunburnholme, tenant, concerning the reasonable downer of Iveta herself, which was belonging to her from the free tenement which was William's, formerly her husband, in Warter. Whereupon the plea was (etc. as above). And for this quitclaim etc. the aforesaid prioress has given to the same Iveta the half mark of silver and one cow.

cclix. The same place on the Wednesday next after the feast of St. James the apostle (26 July 1206). Between Richard de Bozhal' and Matilda, his wife, plaintiffs, and Roger de Wartria and Matilda, his wife, tenants, concerning a 2 bovates of land with appurtenances in Ganton. Whereupon the plea was etc., namely that the aforesaid Roger and Matilda, his wife, have acknowledged all the aforesaid land with appurtenances to be the right of the aforesaid Matilda, wife of Richard, and have rendered that to her, free and quit from themselves and their heirs to the aforesaid Matilda, wife of Richard, and her heirs forever. And for this acknowledgemeant etc. Richard and Matilda, his wife, have given to the aforementioned Roger and Matilda, his wife, two marks of silver.

cclx. The same place and date. Between Beatrice, who was the wife of Henry de Katton', plaintiff, and Oliver de Croum and Erenburc, his wife, tenants, concerning the third part of one carucate of land with appurtenances in Lebberston, which Beatrice herself was claiming as her reasonable dower. Whereupon the plea was etc., namely that the aforesaid Beatrice has granted and quitclaimed all right etc. in the aforementioned land with appurtenances to the aforesaid Oliver and Erenburg and their heirs forever. And for this quitclaimed etc. the aforementioned Oliver and Erenburc had granted to the aforesaid Beatrice those 2 bovates of land with appurtenances in Lebberston which lying nearer the land of Robert son of Simon, on the eastern side, and the moiety of the capital toft and croft which were Henry's son of Henry, and from the other moiety the half perch of land towards the east. To hold of Oliver himself and Erenburc for the entire life of Beatrice herself, doing thereupon for them and their heirs Foreign Service as much as pertains to so much land, whereof 12 carucates of land and 2 bovates make one knight's fee. And after the decease of Beatrice herself and the aforesaid land with appurtenances will revert, free and quit, to the hand of the aforesaid of Oliver and Erenburc and their heirs. And moreover Oliver and Erenburc have given to the aforesaid Beatrice 20 s. Sterling.

cclxi. The same place on the Thursday next after the feast of St. Mary Magdalene (27 July 1206). Between Beatrice, who was the wife of Henry son of Henry de Katton', plaintiff, and Ralph son of Gerard, and Alice, his wife, and Gunhild, mother of the same Alice, tenants, concerning the third part of two bovates of land with appurtenances in Osgodby, which the same Beatrice was claiming as her reasonable dower. Whereupon the plea was etc., namely that the aforesaid Beatrice has quitclaimed from herself all right etc. in the aforementioned land with appurtenances to the aforementioned Ralph and Alice and Gunhild and their heirs forever. And for this quitclaim etc. The aforesaid Ralph and Alice and Gunhild had given to the aforesaid Beatrice 20 s. Sterling.

cclxii. The same place and day, between William de Blosseville, plaintiff, and William Poly of Driffield, tenant, concerning one bovate of land with appurtenances in Driffield. Whereupon a recognizance of mort d'ancestor was summoned etc., and whereupon William Poly vouched to warranty Hugh le Dreng of Driffield, who came and warranted him in the same court, namely that the aforesaid William de Blosseville has granted and quitclaimed from himself and his heirs all right etc. in the aforementioned land with appurtenances to the aforesaid William Poly and his heirs forever. And for this quitclaim etc. the aforesaid William Poly has given to the aforementioned William de Blosseville six marks of silver.

cclxiii. The same place and day, between William de Blosseville, plaintiff, and Hugh le Dreng of Driffield, tenant, concerning four bovates of land with appurtenances in Driffield. whereupon a recognizance of mort d'ancestor was summoned etc., namely that the aforesaid William has granted and quitclaimed from himself and his heirs all right etc. in the aforementioned land with appurtenances to the aforesaid Hugh and his heirs forever. And for this quitclaim etc. The aforesaid Hugh has given to the aforementioned William nine marks of silver.

cclxiv. The same place on the feast of St. Peter ad vincula [1 August 1206], between Ivetta, who was the wife of Hugh son of Roger de Haleges of Rawmarsh, plaintiff, and Roger son of Rocelinus de Bram, tenant, concerning the reasonable dower which was belonging to Ivetta herself from the free tenement which was the aforesaid Hugh's, formerly her husband, in Haleges of Rawmarsh. Whereupon the plea was etc., namely that the aforementioned Ivetta has quitclaimed from herself all right etc. in the aforementioned dower to the aforesaid Roger and his heirs for ever. And for this quitclaim etc. the aforesaid Roger has granted to the aforesaid Ivetta that messuage in the aforesaid Haleges which was John's son of Roger the priest [Presbiter], and eight acres of land in the furlong [cultura] of the aforesaid Roger in Haleges, four of which lie nearer the fields of Rawmarsh and the other lie on the eastern side nearer the outer of the trees which . . . Alyer towards the east. To hold of the aforementioned Roger and his heirs for the entire life of Ivetta herself in the name of dower by the service of 10 1/2d. per yer, to be rendered for all service, namely, 3 1/2d. at Easter, 3 1/2d. at the feast of St. Oswald [5 August, assuming this is Oswald king and martyr], and 3 1/2d. at the feast of St. Michael [29 September]. Moreover the aforesaid Roger has given to the aforementioned Ivetta three marks of silver.

cclxv. The same place on the morrow of St. Peter ad vincula [2 August 1206]. Between Lecya, who was the wife of Martin, plaintiff, and Robert son of Laurence, and Matilda, his wife, and Matthew son of Matilda, tenants, concerning one messuage with appurtenances in Micklegate in York, which she was claiming against the aforesaid Robert, Matilda and Matthew as her reasonable dower which belonged to her from the gift of the aforesaid Martin, formerly her husband, in York. Whereupon the plea was etc., namely that the aforesaid Robert, Matilda and Matthew have acknowledged the aforesaid messuage with appurtenances to be the reasonable dower of the aforementioned Lecia and have rendered that messuage with appurtenances to her, quit from themselves and their heirs to the aforementioned Lecia and her heirs for ever. And for this acknowledgement etc. the aforementioned Lecia has given to the aforementioned Robert, Matilda and Matthew one mark of silver.

cclxvi. The same place on the Wednesday next after the feast of St. Peter ad vincula [2 August 1206]. Between Aubrey, who was the wife of Simon de Stauelay, plaintiff, and John son of Simon, tenant, concerning the third part of twelve bovates of land with appurtenances in Staueley, which Aubrey herself was claiming as her reasonable dower. Whereupon the plea was etc., namely that the aforesaid Aubrey has granted and quitclaimed from herself all right etc. in the aforesaid land with appurtenances to the aforementioned John and his heirs for ever. And for this quitclaim etc. the aforesaid John has given to the aforementioned Aubrey 20s. sterling.

cclxvii. The same place on the morrow of the Nativity of St. Mary [9 September 1206]. Between Juliana, who was the wife of William son on Everard de Burton', plaintiff, and Robert son of Edolf de Killum, tenant, concerning the reasonable dower of Juliana herself which was belonging to her from the free tenement which was the aforesaid William's, formerly her husband, in Ruddestain. Whereupon the plea was etc., namely that the aforementioned Juliana has quitclaimed all right etc. in the aforementioned dower ot the aforesaid Robert and his heirs for ever. And for this quitclaim etc. the aforesaid Robert has given to the aforesaid Juliana two marks of silver.

cclxviii. The same place and day. Between Helewis, who was the wife of William son of Tostus, plaintiff, by Stephen Sker put in her place etc., and Roger son of Roger, tenant, concerning the reasonable dower which was belonging to Helewis herself from the free tenement which was the aforesaid William's, formerly her husband, in Marton-in-Cleveland. Whereupon the pleas was etc., namely that the aforesaid Helewis has quitclaimed from herself all right etc. in the aforementioned dower to the aforesaid Roger and his heirs for ever. And for this quitclaim the aforesaid Roger has given and granted to the aforesaid Helewis 10s. per year, to be received from Roger himself and his heirs for the entire life of Helewis herself in the name of dower, namely 5s. at the feast of St. Michael [29 September] and 5s. at Pentecost. And moreoever the aforesaid Roger has given to the aforementioned Helewis 10s. sterling.

cclxix. The same place on Tuesday next after the Nativity of the blessed Mary [12 Setember 1206]. Between Matilda de la Mare, plaintiff, and Alan son of Eudes de Hybaudestowe, tenant, concerning the reasonable dower which was belonging to Matilda herself from the free tenement which was Robert de la Mare's, formerly her husband, in Drewton. Whereupon the plea was etc., namely that the aforementioned Matilda has remised etc. from herself all right etc. in the aforementioned dower to the aforesaid Alan and his heirs for ever. And for this quitclaim etc. the aforesaid Alan has given to the aforementioned Matilda three marks of silver.

cclxx. The same place on the Thursday after the Nativity of the Blessed Mary [14 September 1206]. Between Nicholas son of Hugh and Cecily, his wife, plaintiffs, by Nicholas himself put in her place, and William Aguillun, tenant, concerning the reasonable dower which was belonging to Cecily herself from the free tenement which was Amaurus Aguillun's, formerly her husband, in Wharram-le-Street. Whereupon the plea was etc., namely that the aforementioned Nicholas and Cecily, his wife, have remised etc. from themselves all right etc. in the aforementioned dower ot the aforesaid William and his heirs for ever. And for this quitclaim etc. the aforesaid William has given to the aforementioned Nicholas and Cecily, his wife, one mark of silver.

cclxxi. The same place and day. Between Nicholas son of Hugh and Cecily, his wife, plaintiffs, by Nicholas himself put in the place of Cecily herself, and Alexander, abbot of Meaux, tenant, by William de Buvington' put in his place etc., concerning the reasonable dower which was belonging to Cecily herself from the free tenement which was Amaury Aguillun's, formerly her husband, in Wharram-le-Street. Whereupon the plea was etc., namely that the aforesaid Nicholas and Cecily have remised etc. from themselves all right etc. in the aforementioned dower to the aforesaid abbot and his successors for ever. And for this quitclaim etc. the aforesaid abbot has given to the aforementioned Nicholas and Cecily, his wife, 10s. sterling.

cclxxii. The same place and day. Between Robert son of William de Doncastr', plaintiff, and Henry son of Thomas de Brunnum, tenant, concerning one bovate of land with apurtenances in Nort Dalton'. Whereupon the plea was etc., namely that the aforesaid Henry has acknowledged all the aforesaid land with apurtenances to be the right of Robert himself and his heirs for ever. And for this acknowledgement etc. the aforesaid Robert has given to the same Henry two and a half marks of silver.

cclxxiii. The same place and day. Between Helen, who was the wife of William son of Hugh de (Mi)ington', plaintiff, and Peter de Milington', tenant, concerning the reasonable dower of Helen herself, which was belonging to her from the free tenement of the aforesaid William, formerly her husband, in Milington'. And whereupon the plea was etc., namely that the aforementioned Helen has remised etc. from herself all right etc. in the aforementioned dower to the aforesaid Peter and his heirs for ever. And for this (quit)claim etc. the aforesaid Peter has given and granted to the aforesaid Helen one quarter of wheat per year at (the feast) of St. Michael [29 September], to be received from Peter himself and his heirs for the entire life of Helen herself in the name of dower.

cclxxiv. The same place and day. Between Helewis, who was the wife of Robert Walet of Folifait, plaintiff, and Hugh son of Apolitus, tenant, concerning the reasonable dower of Helewis herself, which was belonging to her from the free tenement which was the aforesaid Roger's [sic], formerly her husband, in Folifait. Whereupon the plea was etc., namely that the aforesaid Helewis has remised etc. from herself all right etc. in the aforementioned dower to the aforesaid Hugh and his heirs for ever. And for this quitclaim etc. the aforesaid Hugh has given and granted to the aforementioned Heleis three acres of arable land in the fields of Folifait, and the moiety of a toft which was the aforesaid Robert's. To hold of Hugh himself and his heirs for the entire life of Helewis herself in the name of dower, doing thereupon foreign service as much as pertains to so much land.

cclxxv. The same place on the octave of the Nativity of the blessed Mary [15 Setptember 1206]. Between Ivetta, who was the wife of William son of Anketin, plaintiff, by Henry, her son, put in her place etc., and Alexander, abbot of Meaux, tenant, by William de Buvington' put in place etc., concerning reasonable dower which was belonging to Ivetta herself from the free tenement which was the aforesaid William's, formerly her husband, in Warter. Whereupon the plea was etc., namely that the aforesaid Ivetta has remised etc. all right etc. in the aforementioned dower from herself to the aforesaid abbot and his successors for ever. And for this quitclaim etc. the aforementioned abbot has given to the aforesaid Ivetta 20s. sterling.

cclxxvi. The same place and day. Between Geoffrey son of Saxelinus and Pucella, his wife, plaintiffs, and Bernard de Rippel', tenant, concerning one messuage with appurtenances in York, which Pucella herself was claiming pertains to her reasonable dower, which was belonging to her from the free tenement which was Romondus's, formerly her husband. Whereupon the plea was etc., namely that the aforesaid Geoffrey and Pucella have quitclaimed from themselves all right etc. in the aforementioned dower to the aforesaid Bernard and his heirs for ever. And for this quitclaim etc. the aforesaid Bernard has given to the aforementioned Geoffrey and Pucella, his wife, 20s. sterling.

cclxxvii. The same place on the Satur(day) next after the Exaltation of the holy cross [16 September 1206]. Between Sybil, who was the wife of John de Harpeham, plaintiff, and John son of John, tenant, concerning one carucate of land with apurtenances in Ruston Parva, which she was claiming against him to be from her reasonable dower, which belongs to her from the free tenement which was the aforementioned John's, formerly her husband, in Ruston Parva. Whereupon the plea was etc., namely that the aforementioned Sybil has remised etc. all right etc. in the aforementioned carucate of land with apurtenances to the aforementioned John and the heirs of his body for ever. And for this quitclaim etc. the aforementioned John has granted to the aforementioned Sybil half a carucate (of land) with appurtanances in Rolinsstun' [Ruston Parva agian?]. Namely that half carucate of land with apurtenances of which Simon Cook [Cocus] held two bovates on land with apurtenances and Reginald son of Rrinisius another two bovates of land with apurtenances. To have and to hold to the same Sybil for her entire life in the name of dower of the aforementioned John and his heirs by free service, whereof forty-eight carucates of land make one knight's fee, for all service save foreign service. And moreover he has granted to the same Sybil all the land with appurtenances in Thwing, which the aforementioned John, husband of Sybil herself, held in the same vill, without any reservation. To have and to hold to the same Sybil for her entire life in the name of dower by free service. Whereof eight carucates of land make one knight's fee, for all service save foreign service, of the aforementioned John and his heirs.

cclxxviii. The same place on the Tuesday next after the octave of the Navitity of the blessed Mary [19 September 1206]. Between Eve, who was the wife of Ralph Fraser, plaintiff, and R., abbot of St. Mary of York, tenant, concerning the reasonable dower which was belonging to Eve herself from the free tenement which was the aforesaid Ralph's, formerly her husband, in Normanby. Whereupon the plea was etc., namely that the aforesaid Eve has remised etc. from herself all right etc. in the aformentioned dower to the aforesaid abbot and his successors for ever. And for this quitclaim etc. the aforesaid abbot has given to the aforementioned Eve five marks of silver.

cclxxix. The same place on the morrow of St. Matthew the apostle [22 September 1206]. Between Geoffrey de Coletorp and Alice, his wife, and Geoffrey de Werreby and Isabel, his wife, plaintiffs, by Geoffrey de Werreby himself put in her place, and Nigel de Plumton', tenant, concerning the advowson of the church of Cowthorpe which advowson the aforesaid Geoffrey and Alice, his wife, and Geoffrey and Isabel, his wife, were claiming pertains to them. And whereupon the rocognisance of the last presentation was summoned etc., namely that the aforesaid Geoffrey and Alice, his wife, and Geoffrey and Isabel, his wife, have remised etc. from themselves and their heirs all right etc. in the aforementioned advowson to the aforesaid Nigel and his heirs for ever. And for this quitclaim etc. the aforesaid Nigel has given to the aforementioned Goeffrey and Alice, his wife, and Geoffrey and Isabel, his wife, two bezants.

cclxxx. The same place and day. Between Matilda, who was the wife of Gilbert de Thorp, plaintiff, and Walter de Thorp, tenant, concerning the reasonable dower which was belonging to her from the free tenement which was the aforesaid Gilbert's, formerly her husband, in Thorp. Whereupon the plea was etc., namely that the aforementioned Matilda has remised etc. from herself all right etc. in the aforementioned dower to the aforesaid Walter and his heirs for ever. And for this quitclaim etc. the aforesaid Walter has given and granted to the aforementioned Matilda five acres of land in the field of Thorp, and one toft which was Matilda the girl's [puella can also mean maidern, virgin, young wife], with the half acre pertaining to that toft; and of the aforesaid five acres on acre lies in Westcrotf, and one rood in tofts, and three roods in Langelandes, and one acre in meadow, and a half acre in Suthcroft, and a half acre in Midelcroft, nad one acre in Hestcroft. To hold and to have of Walter himself and his heirs for the entire life of Matilda herself in the name of dower, rendering thereupon 4d. per year for all service to the aforesaid Walter and his heirs for the entire life of Matilda herself, namely, 2d. at the feast of St. Michael [29 September] and 2d. at Easter.

cclxxxi. The same place and day. Between Robert de Lutrincton' and Constance, his wife, plaintiffs, by John Grammer [Gramaticus] put in the place of Constance herself etc., and Richard Malbis, tenant, concerning the reasonable dower which was belonging to Constance herself from the free tenement which was Hugh Malbis's, formerly her husband, in Hawnby and in Scawton and from the service of William Engeram' in Dale Town. Whereupon the plea was etc., namely that the aforesaid Robert and Constance, his wife, have remised etc. from themselves all right etc. in the aforementioned dower to the aforesaid Richard and his heirs for ever. And for this quitclaim etc. the aforesaid Richard has given and granted to the aforesaid Robert and Constance, his wife, a rent of 20s per year from the abbot and monks of Byland from the rent which they owe to Richard himself for the grange of Murton, to be received from the abbot himself for the entire life of Constance herself in the name of dower, namely 10s. at the feast of St. Michael [29 September] and 10s. at Pentecost.

cclxxxii. The same place on the Saturday next after the feast of St. Matthew the apostle [23 Setember 1206]. Between Robert de Lutrincton' and Constance, his wife, plaintiffs, by John Grammer [Gramaticus] put in the place of Constance herself, and William Malbis, tenant, concerning the reasonable dower which was belonging to Constance herself from the free tenement which was Hugh Malbis's, formerly her husband, in Marton and Bagby and Tolesby and Newham. Whereupon the plea was etc., namely that the aforesaid Robert and Constance, his wife, have remised etc. from themesleves all right etc. in the aforementioned dower to the aforesaid William and his heirs for ever. And for this quitclaim etc. the aforementioned William has given and granted to the aforesaid Robert and Constance, his wife, one carucate of land with apurtenances in Marton and six bovates of land with appurtenances in Tolesby, and four bovates of alnd with apurtenances in Newham. To hold and to have of William himself and his heirs for the entire life of Constance herself in the name of dower, doing thereupon only so much foreign service, whereof fifteen carucates of alnd make one knight's fee. And for this grant etc. the aforementioned Robert and Constance have remised etc. from themselves and their heirs all right etc. in the chattels of Hugh Malbis, formerly the husband of Constance herself, to the aforesaid William and his heirs for ever.

Translation by Virginia Murphy

Pedes Finium Ebor. Regnante Johanne, a.d. mcxcix-a.d. mccxiv, published for the Surtees Society, vol. 94, 1987, pp. 101-109.