Description | To wit, within the bounds of the fields of Bectona; except both her free and servile tenants; and except her portion in the great wood of Bectona; and except lands in the same wood, to wit, in West Wode; and except that land which came to her after the death of her brother's wife Amable, but including the meadow; and all her share of the mill; with the sequel of her bondmen; and all her share in the park; and the tower of the former castle; with free and due ingress and egress, in and from the same; both with waggons, carts and teams, to have and to hold of the grantor and her heirs, to the said Thomas Gere and his heirs or assigns, freely quietly etc, in ways, waters, paths, woods, meadows, and pastures with all appurtenances, easements and liberties to the said land appertaining; paying annually to the grantor and her heirs, one pound of cummin, at the feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle for all secular services etc; the said Thomas Gere paying eleven marks of silver as a gersum (de gersoma).
Witnesses: Sir Robert de Furneys, John and John parsons of Ekynton [Eckington], Ralph Britone, Robert de Witterton, Sir John de Heymcurth, William de Musters, Sir Geoffrey de Stokes, Robert de Muscham (Muschamp), Thomas de Lincoln, Thomas de Saint Quintin (sancto quintino), William son of Richard.
Notes : the original charter is at the Bodleian Library, Oxford, and is part of the " Dodsworth Collection" of MSS. vol 76, number 105. It measures only 5 ½ | X 3 ½ , and is a beautiful specimen of 13th century script.
The Oxford Dictionary gives gersum and variants as meaning a premium or fine paid to a feudal superior on entering upon a holding. |