The History of Colchester Royal Grammar School/Appendix 1
APPENDIX I
EARLY SOURCES
A. Translation of the Section of Domesday Book referred to in text,
- p. 5.
In Colchester the Bishop has 14 houses, and four acres, not rendering the customary taxes other than the local rate, save to the Bishop. (This means that the Bishop, as owner, had the usual right to impose tributes on his own tenants.) In the same town Hugo holds of the Bishop 241 acres, and he does render the customary taxes.
B. Fine of 1206. The original. In medieval Latin, is quoted by Morant (Appendix I, iiia) from the Exchequer Treasury Receipts for the reign of King John. The following is a literal translation.
Holding (for) one Soke with its appurtenances in Colchester Which extends from the lane of St. Mary as far as to the lane hard by Head Gate (Havedgate) and as far as to the Wall of Colchester towards the West and as far as to Head Street (Havedstrett) towards the East: concerning which in a great assize (then) held there was a recognition between them in the aforesaid Court. To wit that the said William son of Benedict recognized the whole of that Soke with all its appurtenances to wit with the School (Scolis) of the same town (ville) of Colchester and with the advowson of the Church of the Blessed Mary of the Wall, and with the Chapel of St. Andrew, and with the Capital Messuage which belongs to that Soke. To be the right (esse jus-i.e. to be in the jurisdiction) of the said Bishop, and to belong to the Barony of the Bishopric of London. And in return for this Recognition and fine and agreement the same Bishop granted to the same William son of Benedict the Whole of the said Soke with its appurtenances and with the School of the same town of Colchester save in favour of the said Bishop the Advowsons of the Church of St. Mary of the Wall and the Chapel of St. Andrew which shall remain his and his successors without interference from the said William and his heirs in perpetuity. To be had and held (i.e. The soke and appurtenances) by the said William and his heirs from the same Bishop and his successors in perpetuity for a quit·rent of Five shillings per annum payable on the feast of St. Michael. And be it known that neither the said William son of Benedict nor his heirs shall be able to give sell or mortgage or in any way dispose of any part of the said Soke with its appurtenances without the Leave and agreement of the said Bishop or his successors.
C. References to the Early School in the Borough Records. (From the
- Court Rolls of the Borough of Colchester, translated and epitomised by I. H. Jeayes, with an introduction by Sir W. Gurney Benham, and published by Benham, Colchester.
- Items 1 and 2 are from Vol. II, 1353-1367.
- Items 3, 4, 5 are from the MS., as yet unpublished.)
1. Hundred. Monday after All Saints Day (November 4th). 1353, p. 9.
The Will of Warin Parker of Colchester, recorded. He bequeaths lands to Christina his wife and, among others, seven acres opposite the "great school," and lands at Bradeston, Portespyghtel, Eststokewellstrat. On his wife's death lands go to Elicia and Joan, his daughters. Executors : the sald Christina, and Wm. Hadlegh. Dated Tuesday afternoon, Feast of S.S. Simon and Jude, 1352 (29th October).
2. Hundred. Monday before Feast of St. Benedict (20th March). 1357, p. 57.
Essoigns. Alice, maid of the Schoolmaster (magistri scolarum), v John Lokier. John Lokier v said Alice.
"Thomas Chytewood, master of the scholars " is mentioned in the Court Rolls, June 15th, 1383.
3. June 4th, 1425.
That the Master of the scholars of the Town of Colchester on the Feast of St. Nicholas the Bishop, I Henry VI (i.e. Dec. 6, 1422) at Colchester. In the parish of St. Nicholas, made an assault on the son of Roger Sebryght, then Bishop in the said church, with force and arms, and violently pulled him from the highway into the mud, making him dirty and treating him shamefully; and that he committed other enormities, etc.
Also that the same Master is in the habit of demanding from his scholars unreasonable fines and customs namely from the son of Nicholas Ferrour, on the ground that they were Crossbearers of the Bishops, namely 2d. each.
4. 1460-1. (1460-1. Roll 72.)
The Master of the Schools is in the common habit of digging turves under the stone wall at Colkyngescastel (i.e. Balkerne Gate).
5. Lawehundred held on Monday after Hokeday (16 April). 4 Edward IV (1464).
That the Master of the schools is in the common habit of casting the dung of his school over and beyond the stone wall of the town at le Posterne and there making a dunghill, in mercy 4d.
That William Beeche and John Foster act similarly with the slops of St. Mary's Church, in mercy 4d. each.
John Cratoun has made a dunghill at le Posterne in mercy.