Source 2: Grant of Portchester Castle by Edward I

In 1273, King Edward I gave Portchester Castle to his mother.

Grant of Portchester Castle by Edward I, catalogue ref: C 66/92 m.5, Calendar of Patent Rolls, 1271-1281, p. 27

Transcript

‘Writ de intendendo directed to the bailiffs, etc. of the following castles manors, etc. assigned in dower to Eleanor , the king’s mother, queen of England :-

 

…Bailiffs and good men of Portchester, Guldeford and Aulton, the foresters, etc. of Porcestre forest, the hundredors and good men of the hundred of Aulton, and the parker of Guldeford – Castle and manor of Porcestre with the forest, manor of Guldeford with the mills and park, manor of Aulton with the hundred…’ (Calendar of Patent Rolls, 1271-1281, p. 27)

Simplified transcript

‘A writ of intent to the bailiffs [kept law and order in a castle] and any other relevant persons to say that the following castles and manors are to be given, in dower [property given by law to a man’s widow in her lifetime], to the king’s mother…the castle, manor and forest of Portchester, the manor of Guldeford [Guildford] with its mills and park, and the manor of Aulton [Alton] with its hundred (an area of land)…’

 

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Questions

  • What does Portchester Castle represent for the king?
  • What does Portchester Castle represent for Queen Eleanor?
  • What does the granting of Portchester Castle mean to the bailiffs of Portchester (the people who worked at the castle)?