Event: Writ-issuing/sendingS1242 - writ of Emma 2 concerning Ruishton

Notes:

Emma 2 sends humble greetings to Archbishop Ælfric 105 and Earl Æthelweard 23. And I inform you both that I bear witness that Archbishop Dunstan 1 assigned Taunton to Bishop Æthelwold 1 in conformity with the bishop’s charters. And King Edgar 11 then relinquished it, and commanded every one of his thegns who had any land on the estate that they should hold it in conformity with the bishop’s wish, or else give it up. And the king then said that he had no land to grant out, when he durst not, for fear of God, retain the headship himself; and moreover he then put Ruishton under the bishop’s control. And then Wulfgyth 4 rode to me at Combe and sought me. And I then, because she was my kinswoman, and Ælfswith 14 because he (i.e. Leofric 74) was her brother, obtained from Bishop Æthelwold 1 that they (i.e. Wulfgyth 4 and Leofric 74) might enjoy the land for their lifetime, and after their death the land should go to Taunton, with produce and men, just as it stood. And with great difficulty we two brought matters to this conclusion. Now I have been told that Bishop Æthelwold 1 and I must have obtained the title-deed [boc] from Leofric 74 by force. Now I, who am alive, am not aware of any force any more than he would be, if he were still alive. For Leofric 74 had a new title-deed [boc]; when he gave it up he thereby manifested that he would engage in no false dealings in the matter. Then Bishop Æthelwold 1 told him that none of his successors could dispossess him. He then commanded two documents to be written, one he kept himself, the other he gave to Leofric 74.

Persons associated with this Event:

• Agent:   Emma 2 (of Normandy; wife of Kings Æthelred 32 and Cnut 3; mother of King Edward 15, d.1052)
• Recipient:   Ælfric 105 (Puttoc; archbishop of York, 1023-1051; bishop of Worcs., 1040-1041)
• Recipient:   Æthelweard 23 (Ealdorman of the Western Provinces, c.975-c.998; author of a chronicle)
• (Other):   Æthelwold 1 (Saint; Abbot of Abingdon, c.954-963; Bishop of Winchester, 963-84)
• (Other):   Wulfgyth 4 (Kinswoman of Emma 2)
• (Other):   Ælfswith 14 (?Relative of Emma 2)
• (Other):   Leofric 74 (Brother of Wulfgyth 4)

Locations associated with this Event:

• : ( ), now Ruishton, Somerset (Possession Location)