| Description |
Edward III to Edward le Despenser and the Burgesses of Cardiff, Usk, Caerleon, Newport, Cowbridge, Neath and Kenfig, confirming a Charter granted by Edward II to Hugh le Despenser in 1323-1324. Reciting: Charter of Confirmation, 4 Mar. 1323-1324, Edward II to Hugh le Despenser junior, and to the Burgesses of Cardiff, Usk, Caerleon, Newport, Cowbridge, Neath and Kenfig. The king grants freedom of toll, murage, pontage, panage, lastage, stallage, picage, tonage, quayage, terrage and other customs and dues, reserving the customs of wool, leather, hides, woolfells and wines [Witnesses: Stephen, Archbishop of Canterbury, primate of all England; William, Bishop of Winchester, Chancellor; John, Bishop of Rochester, Treasurer; William de Bohun [Earl of] Northampton, Richard [Earl of] Arundel, and Roger, Earl of 'Mortuo mari' [Mortimer], all Lords of the Marches; and John de Grey de Retherfield, Steward to the royal household] [Dated at Westminster] [Contemporary annotation at end of Charter: payment of 20s. into hanaper] [Endorsements, merely identifying document, not extracted] [Latin] [1 parchment, 12 1/2' x 10 1/2'; great seal of Edward II pendent on faded red and green silk plaited cords; 4 cords, plaited together above seal, and pendent as 4 separate plaits below] Observations on condition of parchment: Good; very slightly brittle. Visually good, with ink very little faded. Drawing-pin holes in corners. Heavily folded. Small number of brown 'rust' marks. Number '7' scrawled on dorse in biro. [This Charter incorporates a decorative first line. The initial 'E' is embellished with leaf and flower motifs and with chequered and basketwork designs, and all capitals are elaborately elongated.] Observations on condition of seal: [Seal repaired at expense of G. T. Clark of Talygarn in 1890.] Heavily repaired; original green wax and later wax repair now of uniform greenish brown colour. Cotton wool embedded in wax used for repair on reverse of seal. Devices and legends largely obliterated. Crack at base of seal above seal cords.
[Cardiff Records, vol. 1. pp. 29, 30 (publ. 1898). Noted as Charter no. VII and described as 'in good condition.'] Presented to the Borough of Cardiff by Lord Bute in 1890 [Council Minute 1851, 9 June 1890] |
