CH/20/125

CH/20/125

Item

Letter from Edward I, 1291

1 Jul 1291

1 sheet

A letter dated 1 July 1291 from Edward I to the Dean and Chapter, incorporating transcripts of two documents relating to the succession to the throne of Scotland. (In Latin) "We are sending you, under the seal of the Exchequer appended to this present a transcript of certain letters which are in our Treasury". There follow transcripts of two documents in Norman French, both dated 5 June 1291 from Norham Castle, Northumberland. 1. Floris V, Count of Holland and Zeeland; Robert Bruce, 5th Lord of Annandale; John Balliol, Lord of Galloway; and ten other claimants to the Scottish throne agree to accept Edward I's adjudication as to which of them should succeed to the throne. 2. The Kingdom of Scotland is granted temporarily to Edward I, pending his deciision. After the two transcripts, the letter continues (in Latin), "You are commanded to keep these in your Chronicles in perpetuity as a record of things done". "Attested, Willliam of March, our Treasurer, at Westminster, 1 July in the 19th year of our reign [1291]". (William of March, Bishop of Bath & Wells, was Lord High Treasurer, 1290-1295). (See Historical Manuscripts Commission, Report on Manuscripts in Various Collections, Vol. 1, HMSO, London, 1901, p.379). A strip of parchment of about 130mm x 22mm has been cut or torn from the bottom of the document, presumably removing the seal. There is some staining and, on the back, evidence of varnish or lacquer of some kind. With a modern draft transcript and partial translation in an unknown hand, a previous draft archive catalogue entry, and a brief typed description of the document, possibly once used as an exhibition label.

Latin
French

Material: parchment