London Wine 1427

[paul bulkley]

Dear Liz Owen:

I have come across a number of references to a
vineyard in London but unable to search at this time.
I think the acreage of the vineyard was 8 acres.

Anyhow I suggest that you investigate Geoffrey
Bainard, or perhaps Ralph or William of that time
(1066-1105) in connection with their London property
of Bainard Castle.

Another character that definately needs to be studied
is Geoffrey de Mandeville Earl of Essex.

In a collection of Ancient Charters by C.H.Round, the
following should be significant:

AD 1143-1148: Restoration to Holy Trinity Priory
London of its land in Smithfield which Geoffrey, Earl
of Essex, had seized for a vineyard.

Round comments that this Charter must be previous to
the death of Queen Maud (1152) who is its first
witness, and subsequent to the seizure of Essex by
Geoffrey de Mandeville in 1143, when Stephen obtained
possession of the Tower.

Stowe, alluding to the subject of this charter writes
in his "Othowerus,Accolinus, Otto, and Geoffrey, Earl
of Essex, Constables of the Tower of London by
succession, witheld by force a portion of the said
land, that is to say, East Smithfield near to the
Tower, to make a vineyard and would not depart from it
by any means till the second year of King Stephen,
when the same was adjudged and restored to the church
of Holy Trinity.

I think that I have read some documents that addressed
the disputed ownership of this Vineyard.

Anyhow you mention the possibility of a "cave" --
knowing London topography sitting on huge beds of wet
clay, the cave seems very doubtful. It is more
probable that any connection with wine would be with
this large vineyard and London merchants stocking wine
entering and leaving the country.

Sincerely Yours,

Paul Bulkley

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[Liz Owen]

Thanks for the info, Paul, but I am persuaded in this case that it is not a
vineyard, but actually some sort of storage for wine brought over from
France anytime from mid 12th century onwards; anything earlier won't work.
It may not be that early; it all depends how soon the monks from these her
parts, O best beloved, realised that their wines could make them a bit of
cash Outre Manche

LIz

"paul bulkley" <designe...@yahoo.com> a écrit dans le message de news:
2005110903304...@web34208.mail.mud.yahoo.com...

[mj...@btinternet.com]

paul bulkley schrieb:

> Anyhow you mention the possibility of a "cave" --
> knowing London topography sitting on huge beds of wet
> clay, the cave seems very doubtful.

I assume that in writing "cave", Liz is referring to a cellar: there
were plenty of those in old London town.

MA-R