12
S 90

(a) A synod at Clofeshos confirms King Wihtred's decree on the election of the heads of the Kentish minsters (cf. 8).
(b) Æthelbald, king of the Mercians, declares that the authority of Christ Church south of the Humber shall not be challenged, and confirms that the Kentish minsters shall enjoy the exemption from secular burdens granted by King Wihtred (cf. 7). A.D. 742

Archive: Canterbury, Christ Church

+ Regnante inperpetuum Deo et Domino nostro Iesu Christo Anno uero dominice incarnationis .dcc.xlii. indictione .x. et regni Æðelbaldi regis Merciorum .xxvii. synodus congregatum fuerat in loco cel[eb]ri ubi nominatur Clofeshos . de diuersis eccle[sia]rum Dei et hutilitatibus pr=sitente autem eodem synodo Æðelbaldus rex cum suis optimatibus necnon Cutberht[us] uenerabiles archiepiscopus ceterisque episcopis . s[imu]l ad[sidentibus] necessaria diligenter examinantes de statu totius Christianitatis uel de symbolo ex antiquo sanctorum patrum institutionibus traditam esse uel qualiter in primordia nascentis ecclesi= . iubebatur habere aut ubi honor cenubiarum . secundum normam equitatis seruaretur . H=c et is similia anctie . inquirentes undique antiquas priuilegias . recitantes tandundem peruenit ex rogatu . Æðelberhti regis Canti= coram omnibus legatur libertas ecclesiarum Dei et institutio . uel preceptum Wihtredi regis . de electione dominarum cenubiarum in regno Cantuoriorum . quomodo uel qualiter secundum imperium et electioni archiepiscopi fieri \stare/ precipitur.
Post eo hoc priuilegium lecta et inter se examinata ante regis . et episcoporum presentia fuisset . placuit . itaque omnibus pariterque condixerunt nec ullam aliam . tam nobilem tamque prudenter constitutum inuenire potuissent . secundum ecclesiasticam . disciplinam . Et hoc adnuentes stare seu ab omnibus firmari rectum esse sancserunt : Ideoque pro \h/ac re ego Æðelbald rex Merciorum pro salute anime [mee] et pro stabilitati regni mei necnon ex petitioni . Æðelberhti regis Cant' s[eu etiam] pro reuerentiæ Cutberhti archiepiscopi hoc idem munifica mea propria manu subscribo ut per omnia h[onor] et auctoritas [et] s[ecurita]s [..] Christi ecclesie citra Humbrensis flufio a [null]a person[a de]negatur necnon omnium cenubiarum intra Cantiam constitutis . tam in libertati a secularium seruitiis quam [..] etiam in omnibus causis magioris minorisue secura permaneat . sicut W[iht]redus rex pro se suosque constituit . ad seruandum et optin[endum] ita per omnia inrefragabilis et inmutabilis usque ad [ter]minus seculi perdurare pr=cipimus.
Si quis autem regum successorum nostrorum . seu epis[coporum] uel principum hoc salubre decretum inf[ringere tempt]auerit r[ed]dat rationem Deo omnipotenti in die tremendo . Si comes uel pr=sbyter . diaconus . clericus . aut moniales . huic institutioni restiterit sit sui gradui priuatus et \a/ participatione corporis et sanguinis Christi . separatus . et alienus a regna Dei . nisi ante ea satisfactione emendauerit quot sui malo superbi= iniqui egessit . quia in euangelio dictum est . Quicumque ligaueritis super terram . erit ligatum et in celis . Et quecumque solueritis super terram erit solatum et in celis.
+ Ego Æðelbald rex . diuino suffragio fultus . gentis Merciorum regens inperium . signum sancte crucis subscribo.
+ Ego Cuðberhtus archiepiscopus propria manu subscribo.
+ Ego Uuita episcopus consentio et subscribo.
+ Ego Torhthelm episcopus consentio et subscribo.
+ Ego Willfredi episcopus consentio et subscribo.
+ Ego Cuðberht episcopus consentio et subscribo.
+ Ego Huetlac episcopus consentio et subscribo.
+ Ego Eanfrið episcopus consentio et subscribo.
+ Ego Ecglaf episcopus consentio et subscribo.
+ Ego Aluuig . episcopus consentio et subscribo.
+ Ego Hunwald . episcopus consentio et subscribo.
+ Ego Daniel episcopus consentio et subscribo.
+ Ego Aldwulf episcopus consentio et subscribo.
+ Ego Æðelfrið episcopus consentio et subscribo.
+ Ego Herewald episcopus consentio et subscribo.
+ Ego Sigcga episcopus consentio et subscribo.
+ Ego Redwulf episcopus consentio et subscribo.

+ Ego Ofa patricius consentio et subscribo.
+ Ego Aldwulf dux consentio et subscribo.
+ Ego Æðelmod indolis Merciorum consentio et subscribo.
+ Ego He\a/rdberht dux consentio et subscribo.
+ Ego Eadbald dux consentio et subscribo.
+ Ego Bercul dux consentio et subscribo.
+ Ego Cyneberht consentio et subscribo.
+ Ego Freoðorne consentio et subscribo.
+ Ego Wermund abbas consentio et subscribo.
+ Ego Cuðred abbas consentio et subscribo.
+ Ego Buna abbas consentio et subscribo.

Edition: Charters of Christ Church, Canterbury, ed. N. P. Brooks and S. E. Kelly, Anglo-Saxon Charters (The British Academy, forthcoming), no. 12. For apparatus criticus and a detailed commentary see this edition.

God ruling forever and our Lord Jesus Christ. In the year of the Lord's incarnation 742, in indiction 10 and [in the year] 27 of the kingdom of Æthelbald, king of the Mercians, a synod had assembled in the famous place that is called Clofeshos concerning various matters of benefit to the churches of God, King Æthelbald presiding over that synod, with his magnates and also Cuthbert, the venerable archbishop and other bishops also present, diligently to consider necessary matters that had been handed down [reading 'tradita' for MS 'traditam] about the position of the whole of Christianity and about the creed from the ancient [reading 'antiquis' for MS 'antiquo'] principles of the holy fathers, and how at the beginning of the new-born church it was directed to keep them, and how the honour of the monasteries should be preserved according to the standard of justice. Enquiring anxiously into these things and matters like to them [and] reciting ancient privileges from all sources, at length it resulted from an enquiry of Æthelberht, king of Kent, [that] a charter of liberty of the churches of God was read in the presence of all and an ordinance or royal edict of King Wihtred gave instructions [emending '\stare/ precipitur' to 'precepit'] about the election of abbesses of monasteries in the kingdom of the dwellers in Kent�how and in what manner it be done according to the command and choice of the archbishop.
After this privilege had been read and examined amongst themselves in the presence of the king and the bishops, it was pleasing to all and they together declared that they were not able to find anything else so noble and so wisely formulated [that was] in accordance with ecclesiastical discipline. And agreeing that this stand and be confirmed by all, they decreed it to be right. And on that account in support of this matter I, Æthelbald, king of the Mercians, for the salvation of my soul and for the stability of my kingdom, and also at the request of Æthelberht, king of the dwellers in Kent [reading 'Cantuariorum' for MS 'Cant''], and also out of reverence for Archbishop Cuthbert, subscribe this same [privilege], with my own hand performing its duty, so that in all things the honour and authority and security of the church of Christ on this side of the River Humber be denied by no person and also all of the monasteries established within Kent should remain both free from secular services and also secure from all burdens, major or minor. I decree that it endure, just as King Wihtred on his behalf and on behalf of his [people] established in order that it be protected and preserved thus through everything, inviolable and immutable, until the end of the world.
If, however, any of the kings who are our successors, or bishops or principes, [should attempt] to violate this beneficial decree, let him render an account to Almighty God on the fearsome day. If a comes or priest, deacon, cleric or nun should oppose this arrangement, let him be deprived of his rank and separated from sharing in the body and blood of Christ and an alien from the kingdom of God unless he should atone beforehand with a penance, as much as is demanded for the evil of his iniquitous pride, because it has been said in the Gospel, 'Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound also in heaven. And whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed also in heaven'.
+ I, Æthelbald, king, supported by Divine assent, ruling the dominion of the people of the Mercians, subscribe the mark of the holy cross.
+ I, Cuthbert, archbishop [of Canterbury], subscribe with my own hand.
+ I, Hwita, bishop [of Lichfield], agree and subscribe.
+ I, Torhthelm, bishop [of Leicester], agree and subscribe.
+ I, Wilfrid, bishop [of Worcester], agree and subscribe.
+ I, Cuthbert, bishop [of Hereford], agree and subscribe.
+ I, Hwetlac, bishop, agree and subscribe.
+ I, Eanfrith, bishop [of ?Elmham], agree and subscribe.
+ I, Ecglaf, bishop [of Dunwich], agree and subscribe.
+ I, Alwig, bishop [of Lindsey], agree and subscribe.
+ I, Hunwald, bishop, agree and subscribe.
+ I, Daniel, bishop [of Winchester], agree and subscribe.
+ I, Ealdwulf, bishop [of ?Rochester], agree and subscribe.
+ I, Æthelfrith, bishop [of ?Elmham], agree and subscribe.
+ I, Herewald, bishop [of Sherborne], agree and subscribe.
+ I, Sigcga [= Sigefrith], bishop [of Selsey], agree and subscribe.
+ I, Rædwulf, bishop, agree and subscribe.

+ I, Ofa, patricius, agree and subscribe.
+ I, Ealdwulf, dux, agree and subscribe.
+ I, Æthelmod, offspring [of the king of] the Mercians, agree and subscribe.
+ I, Heardberht, dux, agree and subscribe.
+ I. Eadbald, dux, agree and subscribe.
+ I, Bercol, dux, agree and subscribe.
+ I, Cyneberht, agree and subscribe.
+ I, Freothorne, agree and subscribe.
+ I, Wærmund, agree and subscribe.
+ I, Cuthred, agree and subscribe.
+ I, Buna, abbot, agree and subscribe.

Translation: David A. E. Pelteret.

12A
S 90

Abbreviated and edited version of 12 in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.

.dccxlii. Her was mycel synoð gegaderod at Cloueshou 7 þar was Aðelbald Myrcna cing 7 Cutbert arcebisceop 7 fela oðre wise menn.
Hic congregatum est magnum concilium apud Clouesho, presidente Adelbaldo rege Merciorum cum Cutberhto archiepiscopo Cantuariensi, c=terisque episcopis simul assidentibus, diligenter examinantes circa necessaria de statu totius religionis et de simbolo ex antiquis sanctorum patrum institutionibus tradita, uel qualiter in primordio nascentis =cclesi= iubebatur habere aut ubi honor c=nobiarum secundum normam equitatis seruaretur; h=c et his similia anxie inquirentes et undique priuilegia antiqua requirentes et recitantes Tandem peruenit ad manus libertas =cclesiarum et institutio uel preceptum Wihtredi gloriosi regis de electione c=nobiarum in regno Cantie, quomodo uel qualiter secundum imperium et electionem archiepiscopi Cantuariensis fieri stare precipitur. Ex precepto itaque regis Adelbaldi, lectum est hoc priuilegium et h=c libertas coram omnibus, et placuit cunctis pariterque condixerunt nullam aliam tam nobilem tamque prudenter constitutam inuenire potuisse secundum =cclesiasticam disciplinam, et hoc annuentes stare, ab omnibus firmare sanxerunt.
Ego igitur Adelbaldus rex Merciorum, pro salute anim= me= et pro stabilitate regni mei, necnon ex persona Ædelberhti regis Cantie, seu etiam pro reuerentia Cutberhti archiepiscopi, hoc idem munificentia mea propria manu subscribo, ut per omnia honor, auctoritas et securitas Christi =cclesi= a nulla persona denegetur, necnon omnium cenobiarum intra Cantiam constitutis, tam in libertate secularium seruitiis, quamque etiam in omnibus causis, maioribus minoribusue, secura permaneant, sicut Wihtredus rex pro se suisque constitutuit seruandum et optinendum, ita per omnis irrefragabiliter et immutabiliter usque in finem seculi perdurare precipimus.
Si quis autem regum successorum nostrorum seu episcoporum uel principum hoc salubre decretum infringere temptauerit, reddet rationem Deo omnipotenti in die tremendo. Si autem comes, presbyter, diaconus, clericus aut mo' huic institutioni restiterit, sit suo gradu priuatus, et a participatione corporis et sanguinis separatus, et alienus a regno Dei, nisi ante ea satisfactione emendauerit, quod malo superbi= inique gessit. Quia scriptum est 'Qu=cumque ligaueritis super terram erunt ligata et in c=lo, et quecumque solu[eritis erunt soluta et in celo]'.
Ego Adelbaldus rex, diuino suffragio fultus, gentis Merciorum imperium regens, signum sanct= crucis subscribo.
Ego Cutber\h/tus archiepiscopus propria manu subscribo.
Cum his etiam .xiiii. episcopi subscripserunt, et mult= alie persone diuersorum ordinum.

Edition: Charters of Christ Church, Canterbury, ed. N. P. Brooks and S. E. Kelly, Anglo-Saxon Charters (The British Academy, forthcoming), no. 12A. For apparatus criticus and a detailed commentary see this edition.

742. Here a great synod gathered at Cloveshou. And Æthelbald, king of the Mercians, was there and archbishop Cuthbert and many other wise men.
Here a great council gathered at Clovesho, presided over by Æthelbald, king of the Mercians, with Cuthbert, archbishop of Canterbury, and other bishops likewise attending, to examine diligently essential matters that had been handed down concerning the condition of religion and concerning the creed according to the ancient principles of the holy fathers; and how at the beginning of the new-born church it was directed to keep them and how the honour of the monasteries should be preserved according to the standard of justice. Enquiring anxiously into these things and matters like them, and in every quarter enquiring after and reciting the ancient privileges, at length a charter of liberty of the churches came to hand, and an ordinance or royal edict of the glorious king Wihtred gave instruction [emending '\stare/ precipitur' to 'precepit'] about the choice of monasteries in the kingdom of Kent�in what manner and of what nature [they were] to be created according to the command and choice of the archbishop of Canterbury. At the command of King Æthelbald this privilege and this liberty was read in the presence of all. And it was pleasing to all, and equally agreed upon that they could not find anything else so noble and so wisely formulated [that was] in accordance with ecclesiastical discipline. And, agreeing that this continue, they appointed it inviolate against all.
Therefore, I, Æthelbald, king of the Mercians, for the salvation of my soul and for the stability of my kingdom and also on behalf of Æthelberht, king of Kent, and also out of reverence for Archbishop Cuthbert, subscribe in my bountifulness this same [record] with my own hand, so that in all things the honour, authority and security of the Church of Christ be denied by no person, and also all of the monasteries established within Kent should remain both free from secular services and also secure from all burdens, major or minor, just as King Wihtred on behalf of himself and of his people decided they should be protected and secured. We direct that it should so last through everything inviolably and unchangeably until the end of the world.
If, however, any of the kings who are our successors, or bishops or principes, should attempt to violate this beneficial decree, let him render an account to Almighty God on the fearsome day [i.e., the Day of Judgment]. If however, a comes, priest, deacon, cleric or monk [reading 'monachus' or 'nun', if reading 'monialis'] should oppose this arrangement, let him be stripped of his rank and separated from sharing in the body and blood and an alien from the kingdom of God, unless he should atone beforehand with that penance that will requite what he did through the evil of his excessive pride; because it has been written, 'Whatsoever ye bind on earth shall be bound also in heaven and whatsoever ye loose shall be loosed also in heaven.'
+ I, Æthelbald, king, with the support of Divine assent, ruling the dominion of the people of the Mercians, subscribe the mark of the holy cross.
+ I, Cuthbert, archbishop, subscribe with my own hand.
With these, also 14 bishops subscribed and many other persons of various ranks.

Translation: David A. E. Pelteret.

12B
S 90

Abbreviated and edited version of 12 in the Christ Church cartulary.

Archive: Canterbury, Christ Church

[A]nno Domini incarnationis .dccxlii. congretatum est magnum concilium apud Clouesho, presidente eodem concilio Æthelbaldo rege Merciorum cum Cuthberto archiepiscopo Dorobernie, ceterisque episcopis simul assidentibus, diligenter examinantes circa necessaria toius religionis et de simbolo ex antiquis sanctorum patrum institutionibus tradito, studioseque perquirentes qualiter in primordio nascentis ecclesie hic in Anglia iubebatur haberi aut ubi honor cenobiorum secundum normam equitatis. Hec et his similia anxie inquirentes antiquaque priuilegia recitantes, tandem peruenit ad manus libertas ecclesiarum et institutio uel preceptum Wihtredi gloriosi regis de electione et auctoritate cenobiorum in regno Cantie, quomodo uel qualiter secundum imperium et electionem Cantuariensi metropolitani fieri stare precipitur. Ex precepto itaque regis Æthelbaldi, lectum est coram omnibus priuilegium prefati Wihtredi gloriosi regis, et placuit cunctis hoc audientibus, pariterque dixerunt nullum aliud tam nobilem tamque prudenter constitutum decretum inueniri potuisse secundum ecclesiasticam disciplinam, et ideo hoc ab omnibus firmare sanxerunt.
Igitur ego Æthelbaldus rex Merciorum, pro salute anime mee et pro stabilitate regni mei, proque reuerentia uenerabilis archiepiscopi Cuthberti, propria manu mea munifica subscribens confirmo, ut per omnia libertas, honor, auctoritas et securitas Christi ecclesie a nulla persona denegetur, sed sit libera ab omnibus secularibus seruitiis, et omnis terre ad illam pertinentes, exceptis expeditione, pontis et arcis constructione, et sicut sepe prefatus rex Wihtredus rex pro se suisque constituit seruandum, ita per omnia irrefragabiliter et inmutabiliter perdurare precipimus.
Si quis autem regum successorum nostrorum seu episcoporum uel principum hoc salubre decretum infringere temptauerit, reddet rationem Deo omnipotenti in die tremendo. Si autem comes, presbiter, diaconus, clericus uel monachus huic institutioni restiterit, sit suo gradu priuatus, et a participatione corporis et sanguinis Domini separatus, et alienus a regno Dei, nisi ante placita satisfactione emendauerit, quod malo superbie inique gessit. Scriptum est enim: 'Quecumque ligaueritis super terram erunt ligata et in celo, et quecumque solueritis super terram erunt soluta et in celo'.

Edition: Charters of Christ Church, Canterbury, ed. N. P. Brooks and S. E. Kelly, Anglo-Saxon Charters (The British Academy, forthcoming), no. 12B. For apparatus criticus and a detailed commentary see this edition.