This paper, which is written in a contemporary clerkly hand, is evidently the copy of an apology which the English government called upon the editors of the second edition of Holingshed's Chronicles to make for certain passages in that edition which concerned the Earl of Shrewsbury. The passage referred to ocurs in the Continuation of the Annals of Scotland (1571–86) which was written by Francis Thynne and was added to the original text of Holingshed as published in 1577 when the second edition was brought out ten years later.

Acknowledgements 373

Abbreviations 374

Introduction 375

Editorial Practice 380

Lord Cutts's Letters, 1695 381

Appendix: Biographical Index of army Officers Mentioned in the Text 407

The publication of this edition of Lord Cutts's Letters is by the kind permission of the current owners, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Moore, of ‘Hancox’, Whatlington, Sussex. The editor is especially mindful of Mrs. Moore's generous hospitality and assistance during the transcription and preparation of these documents. The editor also wishes to thank Dr. Paul Hopkins for drawing his attention to these letters of Lord Cutts.

Memorandum quod tertiodecimo die Februarii venit hic coram venerabili patre Waltero de Langetone, Coventr' et Lyche' episcopo, thesaurario, Philippe de Wylughby cancellario de scaccario, Johanne de Cobham, Petro de Leyc' et Johanne de Insula, baronibus de eodem scaccario assidentibus eis venerabili patre Antonio Dunolm' episcopo, Johanne de Drokenesford' custode garderobe regis et aliis fidelibus ipsius regis, Hugo le Despenser proferens prefatis thesaurario et baronibus breve regis sub privato sigillo in hec verba:

Edwardus dei gratia rex Anglie etc., thesaurario et baronibus de scaccario suo, salutem. Mandamus vobis firmiter iniungentes quod ea que dilectus et fidelis noster Hugo le Despenser vobis ex parte nostra duxerit iniungenda credatis confidenter et studeatis efficaciter adimplere. Et hoc nullatenus omittatis. Dat' sub privato sigillo nostro apud Brandone Ferye' ix die Februarii, anno xxv.

662 Gift in perpetual farm by Gilbert Basset to Reading Abbey of his demesne meadow at Ardington called Lankedale for an annual rent of 2os, for which the abbey shall also have pasture rights for 24 oxen or other beasts in his meadows and those where he has common pasture in the northern part of Ardington at a specified time of the year. For this the abbey has given him 15 marks of silver

[1193 x 1205; ?c. 1205]

Af95r; Af107v; Bf74r-v; Cf39r

Pd. Kennett, Parochial Antiquities, i. 183

Sciant presentes et futuri quod ego Gilebertus Basset dedi et concessi pro amore dei et pro salute anime mee et anime patris mei et anime matris mee et Thome filii mei et omnium antecessorum meorum et successorum abbati et monachis de Rading(ia) totum dominicum pratum meum apud Herdetune quod duobus locis continetur et appellatur Lankedale, tenendum de me et heredibus meis ad firmam perpetuam reddendo annuatim mihi et heredibus meis .xx. solidos ad festum sancti lohannis Baptiste pro omni servitio terreno. Concessi etiam prefato abbati et monachis ut habeant per prenominatum redditum .xxiiii. boves cum dominicis bobus meis in omnibus pratis meis et in omnibus pratis ubicumque communem pasturam habeo vel habere debeo in boreali plaga de Herdetune a die quo totum fenum meum dominicum asportatum fuerit vel secundum oportunitatem temporis asportari poterit usque in diem quo prata ponantur in defensum. Ita ut in quacumque pratorum ex ilia parte de Herdetune communi pastura potero warantizare boves meos warantizabo boves abbatis et monachorum de Rading(ia). Quod si abbas et monachi de Rading(ia) .xxiiii. boves in prenominata pastura vel habere noluerint vel non potuerint, habeant in eadem totidem averia eadem libertate qua et boves eis habere concessi. Ut igitur de hac mea donatione et concessione de me et heredibus meis firmam et perpetuam habeant securitatem et warantum, earn sigilli mei impressione confirmavi. Pro hac itaque concessione dederunt mihi prefatus abbas et monachi .xv. marchas argenti. Hiis testibus: Roberto de Sanfort, Iohanne filio Hugonis, Galf(redo) de Turbevile, Ricardo clerico de Ledec(um)b', Osb(erto) Turpin, Andrea Basset, Reginaldo filio Helie de Ledec(um)b'. Ricardo Franceis de Henrede, Waltero de grava, Ilg(ero) de Chausi, Nicolao filio Petri, Huberto de Anreda, et multis aliis.

[A2] Illustrissimo & honoratissimo Roberto Comiti Essexiae & Ewe, Comiti Marescallo Angliae, Vicecomiti Herefordiae & Bourchier: Baroni Ferrariis de Chartley, Domino Bourchier & Lovein: Regiae Maiestati Hyppocomo: Machinarum bellicarum praefecto: Academiae Cantabrigiensis Cancellario: ordinis Georgiani Equiti aurato: Serenissimae Domino Reginae a sanctoribus consiliis; Domino meo plurimum observando.