Alexander, the Bishop, servant of the servants of God, to his beloved daughters in Christ, Sabina, the Prioress of the Church of Saint Leonard, and her sisters, as well present as to come, regular and professed. The perpetual longing which is shown to pertain to the religion set before us, and the salvation of souls ought to be fulfilled without any delay. Therefore beloved daughters in the Lord, we graciously give assent to your just requests, and we take the aforesaid Monastery of St Leonard, of Werocheshale , wherein you are given up to divine obedience, under the protection of the Blessed Peter, and ours, and by the privilege of the present writing we strengthen it. In the first place, establishing that the monastic order which is recognised as instituted according to the will of God, and the rule of St. Benedict, be inviolably preserved there for all time. Moreover, whatsoever possessions and whatsoever goods the same Monastery justly and reasonably possesses at the present time, or, by the favour of God, may in the future acquire by the grant of pontiffs, the bounty of kings or princes, the offering of the faithful, or by other just means, firmly and undiminished, shall remain with you.
- Wherein we have thought fit to express these with special words.
- The same place of Wrocheshale1, and the whole land of the same place, with the wood, lordship, men, common, meadows, and pasture.
- The church of Hatton, with all its appurtenances, as the charters of Hugh Fitz Richard and the Bishop of the diocese witness and confirm.
- The church of Succheburgh, with all its appurtenances, and whatsoever you have of lay fee in the same will.
- Of the gift of Robert de Burton, one virgate2 of land and 20 acres of 'Inland' in the same will.
- Of the gift of William the Dean, one virgate of land in Radeford.
- Of the gift of Margaret Wystneys, half a virgate of land in Prestun.
- Of the gift of Robert Fitz Noel, 10 solidates3.
- Of rent in the soke of Hincheley.
- Of the gift of Robert Foliot, 24 solidates of rent in Wardon
- Of the gift of Robert, Earl of Leicester, 10 solidaties of rent in the soke of Hincheley
- Of the gift of Robert the Chamberlain, half a virgate of land and a small garden, and the ninth sheaf of all his demesne in Beche.
- Of the gift of Richard de Cormell the tenth of all his demesne in Bulinghop.
Rev. Dr. Anthony Carr, Minister of Wren's Chapel
We do also confirm to you by apostolic authority the liberated and reasonable customs, or immunities conferred on you by kings, princes and bishops. No cleric or layman at all shall presume Prioress who now is, die or any succeeding you, let no one be appointed there by any cunning or violence of deception, except her whom the sisters by common consent, or the part of them of more discreet counsel according to the fear of God and the rule of St. Benedict, shall provide to be elected.
Therefore we decree that is shall not be lawful for any man rashly to disturb, the said monastery, or to take away its possessions. or to retain them when taken away, to diminish or harass it with any annoyances. But let their things, all and entire, be preserved unimpaired to those for whom conveyance and support they were granted for all manner of used in the future.
Saving the authority of the apostolic see, and the canonical justice of the bishop of the diocese. If therefore in future, any ecclesiastical or secular person, knowing this writing of our constitution, shall rashly attempt to go against it, being so warned, for the second or third time, unless he shall correct his presumption with suitable satisfaction, let him be deprived of his power and honour, and let him know that he, by divine judgement, is guilty of an inquiry perpetuated, and is become an alien from the most holy Body and Blood of God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, and at the last Judgment let him distractedly undergo vengeance,
But to all persevering its rights to the same place. Let there be peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that here they may obtain the fruit of their good action, and find the reward of eternal peace at the hands of the strict Judge. Amen, Amen.
Singed by. I ALEXANDER, the Bishop of the Catholic Church Seal was affixed. Also signed by three bishops and ten cardinals.
Key
- 1
- Old spelling of Wroxall
- 2
- 30 acres
- 3
- Ten solidates is five pence