The Magna Carta Project

Notification of the King’s decree concerning fish weirs

Identity

Title

Notification of the King’s decree concerning fish weirs

Beneficiary

London and the kingdom of England (People)

Date of issue

17 June 1199

Place of issue

Shoreham, West Sussex, England (Places)

Archive

A = London Metropolitan Archives COL/CH/01/07. Reproduced by kind permission of London Metropolitan Archives, City of London

Copies

B = PRO C 53/ (Charter Roll 1 Henry IV) m.47, in an inspeximus, 25 May 1400.

Seal

Sealed sur double queue, pink and white patterned cords through 3 small slits, good seal impression in dark greenish brown wax, repaired at left hand side, cords hanging down at least 330mm. below the fold.

Enrolled

Printed

(from B) Cal.Chart.R. 1341-1417, 401 no.9; (calendar from A) The Historical Charters and Constitutional Documents of the City of London, ed. Walter de Gray Birch, revised ed. (London 1887), 13-14 no.8 (citing sources at p.309: Sloane 754 fo.4v; Harley 1125 fo.5; Harley 2058 fo.5v, pd J.E. p.12; Maitl. 59 (extract); Noort 777; Luffin 23).

Scribes

Comment

Endorsed: k(ar)ta reg(is) Ioh(annis) de Kidell' (s.xiii in); 3 (in the space between the cords) (?s.xv); various post medieval endorsements. Approx. 278 X 276 + 27mm. Infilled at the end with pen strokes.

Photos
Photo of charter
Transcription

Iohannes Dei gratia rex Angl(ie) dominus Hibern(ie) dux Norm(annie) Aquit(anie) et com(es) Andeg(auie) archiepiscopis, episcopis, abbatibus, com(itibus), baron(ibus), iustic(iis), vic(ecomitibus), senescall(is), cast(e)llanis, constab(u)lariis, balliuis, ministris et omnibus fidelibus suis salutem. Nouerit uniuersitas vestra nos pro salute anime nostre et pro salute anime H(enrici) reg(is) patris nostri et animarum an(te)cessorum nostrorum necnon et pro communi utilitate ciuitatis nostre Lond' et totius regni nostri concessisse et firmiter precepisse ut omnes kidelli qui sunt in Tamisia vel in Medewaye ubicumque fuerint in Tamis' vel in Medewaye amoueantur et ne decetero kidelli alicubi ponantur in Tamisia vel in Medewaye super forifactum decem librarum sterlingorum. Quietum etiam clamauimus omne id quod custodes Turris nostre Lond' annuatim percipere solebant de predictis kidellis. Quare volumus et firmiter precipimus ne aliquis custos prefate Turris aliquo tempore post hoc aliquid exigat ab aliquo nec aliquam demandam aut grauam(en) siue molestiam alicui inferat occ(asi)one predictorum kidellorum. Satis enim nob(is) constat et per venerabilem patrem nostrum Hubertum Cant' archiepiscopum et per alios fideles nostros nob(is) sufficienter datum est int(e)lligi quod maximum detrimentum et incommodum predicte ciuitati nostre Lond' necnon et toti regno nostro occ(asi)one illorum kidellorum proueniebat. Quod ut firmum et stabile perseueret in perpetuum, presentis pagine inscriptione et sigilli nostri appositione communimus. Hiis testibus: W(illelmo) Lond', E(ustachio) Elyen' et G(alfrido) Winton' ep(iscop)is, Gaufrid(o) fil(io) Petri com(ite) Essex', Will(el)m(o) Mariscall(o) com(ite) de Penbroc, H(amelino) com(ite) Warenn’, comite Rogero le Bigot, R. com(ite) de Clare, Will(el)m(o) de Braos', Rob(erto) fil(io) Rogeri, Hug(one) Bard', W(illelmo) Briewerr', Steph(ano) de Turneham, Will(el)mo de Warenn', Simon(e) de Pateshill'. Dat' per manum Hub(erti) Cant' archiepiscopi cancellarii nostri apud Sorham, xvii. die Iunii regni nostri anno primo.

Calendar

Notification that, for the health of his soul and the soul of his father King Henry and the souls of his ancestors, and also for the common utility of the city of London and of the whole kingdom, the king has granted and instructed that all fish weirs in the Thames and the Medway, wherever they may be, be removed. The king also quitclaims everything that the custodians of Tower of London were accustomed to take annually from the aforesaid fish weirs.

Original Charters of King John