HENRY THE FIRST

Summary

1101.

At this period a great part of the King's revenue arose from the rents, customs, &c., of the Royal demesnes, which were usually farmed by the sheriffs of the several counties, who were frequently guilty of great oppression and exaction. This caused the inhabitants of the larger towns to unite together, in order to obtain a grant of the Town from the Crown at a fixed rent or farm, and thus exempt themselves, to a certain extent, from the sheriff's power. Such was the original of most of our municipal corporations which can boast of any great antiquity. It was about the beginning of the reign of Henry I. that that monarch granted to the burgesses of Cambridge, that they might hold their town at farm, paying to him the same sum as the sheriff of the county had been accustomed to render. Neither this grant, nor any copy or enrolment of it, is now known to be extant; but it is mentioned in ancient legal documents, which appear entitled to credit.

1109.

This town, which had been previously subject to the Bishop of Lincoln, this year became parcel of the newly-erected diocese of Ely, and an archdeacon was appointed, with the title of Archdeacon of Cambridge.

1110.

The only account of the origin of the University of Cambridge which pears entitled to the slightest credence, has reference to this year.