Catalogue description Lease

From: the prior and chapter of Canterbury Cathedral Priory To: Roger the clerk of 'Sancta Elena' The manors of Meopham, at farm of 2 weeks ('ad firmam duarum ebdomarum'), Orpington, Merstham, Cheam, Walworth, East Horsley and Charlwood, except certain new lands which John de la lyde holds ('habeo ad custodiam') . For a term of 6 years. For the manor of Meopham Roger shall pay the full farm of 2 weeks in corn, money, rent and all other things belonging to the farm. For the others he shall pay an annual payment of £200, payable as specified in the priory's treasury at Canterbury. The priory also leases him the manor of Wotton, for an annual payment of £12, payable as specified. Conditions on husbandry, repairs and other conditions. The priory will give Roger 100 sheep each year, for stocking the manor. Roger binds himself and all his goods, especially his houses in the city of Canterbury near St Helen's church, worth £100 and 20s rent, the manor of Fredville [in Nonington], worth £10, the land which he has of Richard del Bek, worth 100s and his land of 'Westbere' (unidentified, perhaps Westbury?), Gloucestershire, worth £12, to be distrained if he defaults on any conditions of the lease. He also submits to the jurisdiction of the archdeacon of Canterbury or his official, renouncing all help of canon or civil law or royal prohibition. Priory's part of indenture. Dated 1249, no month. Witnesses: 'Dominus' Henry de vintereshell', knight; 'Dominus' Alfred de dene, knight; Walter de Gosehalle; Julian, priory steward ('senescallus'); 'Dominus' Henry, rector of Headcorn; Mgr Peter lumbardus; Mgr Omer ('homerus') of Canterbury; John Dodechere; Walter de porta; Ralph de Wiche; William of Loose; John the cook ('cocus'); Robert the marshal ('marescallus') Endorsed with description in late 13th cent hands.