Argentein documents: 12th century



Contents:


Charter of King Stephen for John de Argentein

S. rex Anglorum archiepiscopis, episcopis, abbatibus, justiciariis, comitibus, vicecomitibus, baronibus et omnibus ministris et fidelibus suis, Francigenis et Anglis, totius Anglie salutem.
Sciatis me reddidisse et concessisse Johanni de Argentein tatam terram que fuit patris sui Raginaldi de Argentein cum ministerio suo. Quare volo et precipio quod ipse Johannes et heredes sui post eum totam terram illam teneant bene et in pace et libere et quiete et honorifice in bosco et plano et pratis et pasturis et aquis et stagnis et viis et semitis et omnibus aliis rebus sicut suas pater tenuit melius, cum soca et saca et cum tol et temieu et infangenewne h'et.
Hiis testibus, Willelmo Mart' et Roberto de Ver et Roberto Arsic et Adam de Boln' et Ricardo de Monte Acuto, Simone de Girardimolend', apud Limming.

S[tephen] king of the English to the archbishops, bishops, abbots, justiciars, earls, sheriffs, barons and all his officials and lieges, French and English, of the whole of England, greetings.
Know that I have given and granted to John de Argentein all the land which was of his father Reginald de Argentein with his ministerium*. Wherefore I will and command that the same John and his heirs after him shall hold all that land well and in peace and freely and quietly and honourably in wood and plain and meadow and pasture and waters and ponds and ways and paths and in all other things as his father held, with soc and sac and with toll and team and infangenethef.
These being witnesses: William Mart' [Martel] and Robert de Ver and Robert Arsic and Adam de Boln' [Belnaco] and Richard de Monte Acuto, Simon de Girardimolend' [Girardimolendini], at Limming.

*Round (pp.265-6) comments that 'terra et ministerium' was the regular phrase for a serjeanty on the Pipe Roll of 1130.

[The charter is recorded as an 'inspeximus' in a much later charter of confirmation, by Henry IV for William Argentein, dated 11 May 1400 (Calendar of Patent Rolls, Henry IV, vol.1, p.293: 1 Henry IV, Part VII, m.22). (Probably the spelling of the surname here represents 14th century, not 12th century, usage.)
William Argentein is described in the confirmation as a kinsman of the John mentioned in the charter; in fact he was (apparently) his fives times great grandfather.]


Charter of Henry II for Ramsey Abbey, 1155-1162

Henricus, Rex Angliae et dux Normanniae et Aquitaniae, et comes Andegaviae, justiciariis et vicecomitibus suis de Bedefordescyra, et Hertfordescyra, salutem.
Praecipio, quod abbas et conventus de Ramesia teneant, bene et in pace, molendina sua de Iclesforde, cum omnibus pertinentiis suis, quae Johannes de Argentein clamat, sicut illa tenuerunt tempore regis Henrici avi mei, et sicut carta ipsius, quam habent, testatur.
Testibus Ricardo Episcopo Londoniae, et Man[assero] Biset Dapifero, apud Wodestoke.

Henry, King of England and Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, and Count of Anjou, to his justiciars and sheriffs of Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, greetings.
I command that the abbot and convent of Ramsey shall hold, well and in peace, their mills of Ickleford, with all their appurtenances, which John de Argentein claims, as they held them in the time of king Henry my grandfather, and as his charter, which they have, attests.
Witnesses: Richard, Bishop of London, and Manasses Biset, Steward, at Woodstock.

[The charter is recorded as an 'inspeximus' in the charter of confirmation of Edward III for Ramsey Abbey, dated 10 June 1334.
Rolls Series vol.79, part i, p.251 (Cartularium Monasterii de Rameseia; from which the version above is taken).
Versions with slight variants are given in part ii, 60, 61 and vol.83, p.291 (no 351) (Chronicon Abbatiae Rameseiensis); in these versions, the surname is spelled 'Argenton' and 'Argentoin' respectively.
The charter is dated to between 1155 and 1162 in Rolls Series vol.79.]


Cartæ Baronum of 1166

CARTA ROBERTI FOLIOT
De baronia Roberti Foliot de veteri feffamento:-
[includes] Johannes de Argentein, j militem.

EBORACSCIRA: CARTA DE FEODO DE SCIPTONE
... quod tenet Alexander filius Gerini, fuerunt hii milites feffati in tempore Regis H[enrici]
[includes] Johannes de Argenton, ij feoda militum.

CARTA OF ROBERT FOLIOT
Of the barony of Robert Foliot of the old feoffment:- [includes] John de Argentein, one knight.

YORKSHIRE: CARTA OF THE FEE OF SKIPTON
... which Alexander the son of Gerinus holds, these knights were enfeoffed in the time of King Henry
[includes] John de Argenton, two knights' fees.

[Rolls Ser vol.99, pp.332, 431: Red Book of the Exchequer.
In the Liber Niger the surname appears as 'Argentune' and 'Argentoein' respectively in these cartae.]


Charter of Henry II concerning Guy son of Teca

Henricus Rex Anglie D'ns [Dux] Normanie et Aquitanie Coes Andigaue &c Justic' Vicecomitibus et omnibus ministris suis Anglie et Wallie salut'.
Sciatis me rededisse Guidoni filio Tece totam t'ram suam unde diseisit' fuit p' ementa laborem* Alani Wallenisis unde ipse Guido diffamabatur et quantum ad se p'tinet dc' delictum' ei Condonasse et ipse Guido faciat pacem cum parentibus d'c'i Alani
Test Rico de Lucy, Jocelino de Baylioll et Willmo de Hasting apud Durham.

Henry King of England Lord [Duke] of Normandy and Aquitaine Count of Anjou etc to his justiciars, sheriffs and all his officials, of England and Wales, greetings.
Know that I have restored to Guy son of Tece all his land whereof he was disseised because of the 'ementa laborem'* of Alan of Wales, concerning which the same Guy was accused, and I have pardoned him the said trangression as much as pertains to him, and the same Guy is to make peace with the family of the said Alan.
Witnesses: Richard de Lucy, Jocelin de Baylioll and William de Hasting, at Durham

*Apparently this is a transcriber's error for ementulationem - 'castration' - which occurs in the same connection in Richard I's second confirmation to Reginald de Argentein.

[Transcript of Argentein evidences, British Library Harleian MS 6072, fo 17.
There is a briefer abstract on fo.15b, where Guy's parent is called Thece.
In a similar abstract in Sloane MS 1301, fo 144, where the name is Tece (although Tecij is written in the margin).
Another (partly corrupt) transcript is given on the pedigree in Harleian MS 4204, fo 420.]


Pipe Roll entries concerning lands formerly of Guy son of Tieca, 1190-1203

(i) Essex and Hertfordshire, 1190-1203

[Essex and Hertfordshire, 1190]
Item nove conventiones et nova promissa.
Reginaldus de Argentuem r.c. de c li. pro recto habendo de terris que fuerunt Guidonis f. Tiece que eum contingunt et de terris quas Alanus de Viteri ei difforciat.
In thes. xxvj li. et xiij s. et iiij d. Et debet lxxiij li. et vj s. et viij d.

Item: new covenants and new offerings.
Reginald de Argentuem renders account of 100£ to have justice concerning the lands which were of Guy son of Tieca which pertain to him and concerning the lands of which Alan de Viteri difforced him.
Into the treasury 26£ and 13s and 4d. And he owes 73£ and 6s and 8d.

[Pipe Roll Soc vol.1(ns), p.110: Pipe Roll 2 R I: Mich 1190.
The same entry is repeated in succeeding years until 1203. In 1198 a payment of 60 marks is made in 1198. In 1200 and 1201 it is entered under 'de scutagio Wallie' - 'of the scutage of Wales']

(ii) Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire, 1191-1196

[Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire, 1191]
Oblata per cancellarium.
Nicholaus f. Roberti f. Harding r.c. de cc m. ut possit tenere in pace terras que fuerunt Widonis f. Tiece quas Reginaldus de Argent' clamat aduersus eum usque ad reditum domini R. de Jrn'.
In thes v m. Et debet c et quater xx et xv m.

Offerings by the chancellor.
Nicholas son of Robert son of Harding renders account of 200 marks in order to hold in peace the lands which were of Guy son of Tieca, which Reginald de Argent' claims against him, until the return of the lord king from Jerusalem.
Into the treasury 5 marks. And he owes 195 marks.

[Pipe Roll Soc vol.2(ns), p.116: Pipe Roll 3 R I: Mich 1191.
The same entry is repeated in succeeding years until 1196. A payment of 53 shillings is made in 1194. In 1195 and 1196 it is entered under 'de placitis Ricardi Barre et sociorum eius' - 'of the pleas of Richard Barre and his colleagues'].

(iii) Gloucestershire, 1192-1195

[Gloucestershire, 1192] De novis promissis.
Nicholaus f. Roberti r.c. de c et quater xx et xv m. ut possit tenere in pace terras que fuerunt Widonis f. Tiece quas Reginaldus de Argent' clamat aduersus eum usque ad redditum domini R. de Jherosolima qui requirebatur in Cantebr'sr'.
In thes. xxxv m. Et debet [cancelled: lx m.] c et lx m.
[italics: Idem r.c. de eodem debito. In thes. v m. Et debet c et lv m.]

Concerning new offerings.
Nicholas son of Robert renders account of 195 marks to hold in peace the lands which were of Guy son of Tieca which Reginald de Argent' claims against him until the return of the lord King from Jerusalem which was required in Cambridgeshire.
Into the treasury 35 marks. And he owes [cancelled: 60 marks] 160 marks.
[italics: Item: he renders account of the same debt. Into the treasury 5 marks. And he owes 155 marks.]

[Pipe Roll Soc vol.2(ns), p.289: Pipe Roll 4 R I: Mich 1192.
The entry is repeated until 1195, with payments being made in each but the last year.
In 1194 and 1195 it is entered under 'de exercitu Wallie' - 'of the army of Wales'].


Extract from the pedigree of 1591 concerning John de Argentein's marriage

[British Library Additional MS 12471, fo 88b.
*Arms resembling those attributed here to 'Teca', but usually bearing martlets rather than eagles, appear elsewhere as a quartering of the Alington family (the heirs of the Argenteins, for whom this pedigree was prepared). This quartering is usually called 'FitzTeck', or something similar.
One pedigree attributes a version similar to that blazoned above to fitz Thomas, and says that the wife of Reginald (d.c.1203) was an heiress of this family, whose inheritance was Halesworth. Papworth's Ordinary gives these arms for fitz Thomas, of Essex and London, in the 1260s.
(This heraldic evidence, from hundreds of years later than the events in question, is obviously of little value.)]


First confirmation by Richard I to Reginald de Argentein, 1195

Ricardus dei gr'a Rex Angl' Dux Norm' Aquit' Com' And' Archiep'is ep'is Abb'ib's Comitibus Baronib's Justicijs Vicecom' Senescall' p'positis & om'ib's min[istris] & fidelib's suis toti' Anglie sal't'.
Sciatis nos concessisse & presenti carta n'ra confirmasse dilecto & fideli nostro Reginaldo de Argentom' totam uillam de grandi Wimondes[...] cum p'tinentijs sicut ei adiudicata fuit in curia n'ra ap'd Westmonast'ium p' iudicium curie n're u'sus Alan' de uitrie h'ndam & tenendam de nob' & heredib's n'ris ip'i & heredib's suis p' s'uicium q'd m' deb & fieri. Quare uolum' & firmit' precipim' q'd predictus R. & heredes sui post eum h'ant & teneant de nob' & heredibus n'ris prefatam uillam b'n' & in pace libere & quiete integre plenarie & honorifice In bosco & plano in p'tis & pascuis in uinarijs & stagnis in uijs & semitis In aqui' & molendinis In om'ib's locis & om'ib's reb's ad eandem uillam p'tinentib's cum om'ib's lib'tatib's & liberis consuetinib's suis & cum om'i integ'tate sua sicut unq'm aliquis an'cessor' suorum eandem t'ram habuit liberius & quieti' & firmit' p'hibem' ne in aliq'ten' dissaisiet sine iudicio nec ip'e nec heredes sui
Test' J. Comite Moret' W. de Forz' comite aubemarle W'llo de S'c'e Mar' eccl'ia Dec' s'c'i mart' Lond' Gaufr' fil' petri Balduino de Bethun' Warin' fili' geroldi W. de Stagno Ric' eng[.g.] Henr' de Wicheton' Wa[.]to de Ely
Data p' manum mag'ri Eustacij Sar' decani t'nc agentis uicem cancell' xvi die martij ap'd chin' Anno vi Regn[i] Nostr[i]

Richard by the grace of god King of England, Duke of Normandy [and] Aquitaine, Count of Anjou, to the archbishops, bishops, abbots, earls, barons, justiciars, sheriffs, stewards, reeves and all his officials and lieges, of the whole of England, greetings.
Know that we have granted and by our present charter have confirmed to our beloved and faithful Reginald of Argentom' all the township of Great Wymond[ley] with its appurtenances as it was decreed to him in our court at Westminster by the judgment of our court against Alan of 'Uitrie' [Vitrie] to have and to hold of us and our heirs to him and his heirs by the service which shall be owed to me. Wherefore we will and firmly command that the said R. and his heirs after him shall have and hold of us and our heirs the aforesaid township truly and peacefully, freely and quietly, wholly, fully and honourably, in wood and open country, in meadows and pastures, in wine-stores and ponds, in ways and paths, in waters and mills, in all places and all things pertaining to the same township, with all its liberties and free customs, and with all its integrity just as ever any of his predecessors had the same land freely and quietly, and we firmly prohibit any from disseising either him or his heirs without judgment.
Witnesses: J. earl Moret', W. de Forz' earl of Aumale, William of St Mary Church, Dean of St Martin's London, Geoffrey son of Peter, Baldwin of Bethun', Warin son of Gerold, W. of Stagno, Richard Eng[?aigne], Henry de Wicheton', Walter de Ely
Given by the hand of Master Eustace Dean of Salisbury, then acting in the place of the Chancellor 16 March at Chin[on] in the 6th year of our reign [1194/5].

[Original charter, Hertfordshire Record Office, no 59299. Part of the Great Seal is pendant.
This and the following one descended with the manor of Great Wymondley to the Wilshere family, who deposited them in the County Record Office.]


Second confirmation by Richard I to Reginald de Argentein, 1195

Ric' d'i gr'a Rex Angl'e Dux Norm' Aq't' Com' And' Justic' Vic' senescall' preposit' suis & o'ib's minist's & fidelib's suis toti' angl'e & Wallie' Sal't'.
Sciatis q'd p' fine q'm fecit nobiscum dilectus & fidel' nost' Regin' de Argent' pro ducentis marcis argent' confirmauim' ei totam villam de g'ndi Wimundesl' cum p'tinencijs q' ei adiudicata est in curia nost' ap' Westm' h'ndam & tenenda' sibi & heredib's suis de nobis & h'edib's nost's. Concessim' &' ei per eandem finem q'd ip'e h'at plenu' rectum de tota t'ra & h'editate Widon' fil' The[c]ij aui sui & non remaneat propt' ementulac'onem Alani Walensis v[n]' p'dictus Wido diffamabat' Nolum' [..] pro tal[r] delicto q'd ius suum amittat. Et pro hac fine duce'tar' marcar' q'et' est u'sus nos de fine q' p'ns nobiscum' fecit de centu' lib's pro recto h'ndo de t'ris nominatis.
Test' Will'o de s'c'e mar[ie] eccl'a decan' s'c'i martin' Lond' & Gaufr' fil' pet' ap' chin' xvij die marcij

Richard by the grace of God King of England, Duke of Normandy [and] Aquitaine, Count of Anjou, to his justiciars, sheriffs, stewards, reeves and all his officials and lieges of the whole of England and Wales, greeting.
Know that, for a fine made to us by our beloved and faithful Reginald de Argent' for 200 marks of silver we have confirmed to him the whole township of Great Wymondley with appurtenances which was decreed to him in our court at Westminster to have and to hold to him and his heirs of us and our heirs. And we have granted to him for the same fine that he shall have full justice concerning all the land and inheritance of Guy son of The[c]ius his grandfather and that it shall not remain [i.e. escheat?] because of the castration of Alan of Wales whereof the said Guy is accused. We do not wish that he should lose his right for such a transgression. And for that fine of 200 marks he is quit against us of the fine which he has made to us of 100 pounds to have justice concerning the named lands.
Witnesses: William of St Mary Church, Dean of St Martin's London, and Geoffrey son of Peter. At Chin[on] 17 March [1194/5].

[Original charter, Hertfordshire Record Office, no 59300. Cords attached but seal missing.
This and the preceding one descended with the manor of Great Wymondley to the Wilshere family, who deposited them in the County Record Office.]


Grant of Reginald de Halesworth to Oliver de Argentein, 1196

[Norfolk and Suffolk]
Tallagium de maneriis regis escaetis et wardis in Norfolc' per Tomam Archidiaconum et Johannem de Cornherde et Ricardum de Nuion et Radulfum de Chandos et socios suos.
Oliuerus de Argentom debet dim. m. per plegium Reginaldi de Argentom . ut scribatur in magno rotulo quod Reginaldus de Halswurd' patruus suus dedit et concessit coram baronibus R. ad Scaccarium apud Westm' totam terram suam [de] Halswurd' quam dedit ei iure hereditario tenendam de Reginaldo de Argentom patre ipsius Oliueri per seruicium xvj partis feodi j militis preter terram [interlined: de] Walhage . et quod predictus pater ipsius recognouit coram predicti baronibus quod recepit homagium ipsius Oliueri de predicta terra cum pertinentiis . et ei inde cartam suam fecit.

Tallage of the manors of the king, of escheats and wards in Norfolk by Thomas the Archdeacon and John de Cornherde and Richard de Nuion and Ralph de Chandos and their associates.
Oliver de Argentom owes half a mark by the pledge of Reginald de Argentom, for it to be written in the great roll that Reginald de Halesworth his paternal uncle has given and granted before the barons of the King at the Exchequer at Westminster all his land of Halesworth, which he has given to him by right of inheritance to hold of Reginald de Argentom, the father of the same Oliver, by the service of one sixteenth part of a knight's fee besides the land of 'Walhage'. And that the aforesaid father recognised before the aforesaid barons that he has received the homage of the same Oliver for the aforesaid land with appurtenances. And he has made his charter to him thereof.

[Pipe Roll Soc vol.7, p.139: Chancellor's Roll 8 R I: Mich 1196]