York Mansion House

Charter

As we are in the York 800 year, I thought it maybe rather nice to share a transcript of the original 1212 charter. Sadly the city does not have the original charter…this has been lost or maybe in someone’s attic or library! So what we have is taken from the ‘government edition’ of the charter kept in the pipe roles down in London. The language isn’t easy, but basically it builds upon the previous charter and importantly the city pays the king a yearly sum and in return liberties and freedoms are granted which leads to the Mayoral elections and a sense of self governance develops.
Thank you to Joy, Richard and Victoria at the archives for the translation
Rotuli Chartarum,
Enrolled charters of 14 John
John by the grace of God etc
Know that we have granted, and by this charter confirm to our citizens of York, the town of York with all appurtenances, liberties and all things pertaining to the farm of that town, as ever they have them [but] better and more freely, to have and to hold to them and their heirs of us and our heirs for a farm of £160 to be paid annually to our Exchequer, that is to say one half at the feast of St Michael and the other half at Easter. Of which we will and firmly command that the said citizens of York have and hold the said town of York well and in peace, freely, quietly, and in its entirety, with all liberties and customary freedoms belonging to the farm of that town, as is said above.
Witnesses: T. G. Son of Peter earl of Essex, W earl of Salisbury, W. Earl of Arundell, W. Earl of Warenne, William Briwerr, Hugh de Neville, William de Albiniaco, William de Harecurt, Robert de Percy.
Given (dated) by the hand of master Ricard de Marisc’ archdeacon of Northumberland, at Nottingham, 9 July anno 14th year of our reign.
J. D.G. etc
Sciatis nos concess’, et hac carta nostra confir’ civibus nostris Eborac’ villa’ Eborac, cum omnibus pert’, et libertatibus, et omnibus rebus ad firma’ illius ville pertinentibus, sicut eas umquam melius et liberius haberunt, habendam et tenendam eis et heredibus suis de nobis et heredibus nostris per firmam cent’ et Lx libr’ nob annuatim solvendam ad scaccarium nostrum .s. medietatem ad festum Sancti Michaeli, et aliam medietatem ad Pascha. Quar’ volumus et firmitus precipimus quod predicti cives Eboraci h’ant et teneant predictam villam Ebor’ bene et in pace, libere, quiete, et integer, cum omnibus libertatibus et liberis consuetudinibus ad firmam eius de ville pertinentibus, sic predictum est.
T. G. fil Petri com Essex, W com Sarr’, W. com Arundell, W. com Warenn, Willo Briwerr, Hug de Nevill, Willo de Albiniaco, Willo de Harecurt, Robto de Percy.
Dat’ per manum magistri Ricardi de Marisc’ archid Northumb’, apud Notingham, ix die Julii, anno r. n. xiiii.

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