Charters concerning Ctess Lucy
G . EDWARD ALLEN
G . EDWARD ALLEN wrote:
>
> These are some of the charters that Kirk uses in his search for Lucy.
>
> "1. Charter of Thorold to St. Nicholas and the monks of Spalding,
> granting tithes in Tetenay, Alkebarge, Normanby, Beltisford and
> Scamelisby." Kirk points out that the text is not set out. To me
> that sets off bells as does the fact that it only appears in later
> compilations: the Spalding Register; Cole's MS and Dugdale's Monasticon.
> But if it is given the benefit of the doubt, we do not know its date.
> It also does not specify "The Sheriff."
>
> I believe the only land definitely attributed to "The Sheriff" is
> Bukenhale which he gave to Spalding. Thorold is not an uncommon name
> and it was used both by "English" and Normans.
>
> "4. Grant by Ivo Taillebois to the church of St. Nicholas of Angers, of
> the church of Spalding, with a carucate of land there, for the souls of
> King William and Matilda his wife, of himself and his wife Lucy, and
> his or their ancestors, to wit, Thorold and his wife, on condition that
> 'the monks of Angers granted to the monks of St. Nicholas' should
> acknowledge this as the first gift". This is dated 1085. Again the text
> is not set out and his citations are the same as above.
>
> "24. Inspeximus by Oliver, Bishop of Lincoln, of a charter of 'Hugh,
> brother of Ranulph, Earl of Chester, and Matilda his wife, daughter of
> the Countess Lucy,' granting to the monks of Spalding." An inspeximus
> is not an original, and his citations are the Spalding Register and
> Coles MS. If this is genuine, it would show that Lucy had a dtr by
> Taillebois or FitzGerold. If Ivo's dtr., she would be born ca. 1080
> to 1093, just barely old enough to marry the brother of her mother's
> third husband. Would this also be a prohibited marriage?
>
> "39. Charter of Henry, Duke of Normandy, granting to Ranulph (Gernons),
> Earl of Chester, and Viscount of Avranches, all his inheritance in
> Normandy and in England, particulars of which are set out, including all
> the honor of Eye, as fully as Robert Malet, his mother's uncle ever held
> it; and the fee of Alan of Lincoln, his mother's uncle." This is the
> charter which Dr. Keats-Rohan feels has an error in it concerning Alan
> of Lincoln's relationship to Lucy. "Dated at Devizes [1152]."
>
> "9. Charter of Ranulph Meschin to Stephen, the abbot, and the convent of
> St. Mary of York, addressed to Richerius, Sheriff of Carlisle, and to
> all his men, French and English, who dwell in 'the power of Carlisle;
> granting the manor which is called Wederhal, with the lands appertaining
> thereto, for the souls of King Henry, the donor's father and mother,
> himself and his wife Lucy. Witnesses : Osbert the Sheriff, Walteof son
> of cospatric the Earl, Fornus son of Sigulfus, Chetellus son pf
> Ectredus, etc." It is interesting to note that Chetellus/Ketel, a
> succesor of Ivo Taillebois in Westmorland was a witness.
>
> Kirk goes on to expound on the genuineness of the Spalding Charter,
> which since it is one of his prime citations, is to be expected.
> I do not know enough about it to render a final judgement.
>
> Kay Allen AG