This document from the late 1100s concerns the sale of some family land with a mill on it in Lincolnshire. Catalogue ref: DL 25/2719
Transcript
Know all present and future, that I John and I Alan sons of Arnald Galle, with the help and consent of our mother Pupelina and our sisters Alice and Genevieve, are
selling and quit-claiming [giving up all claims to the land and property] for ourselves and our heirs to Odo Galle and his heirs all the lands which we hold in Saltfleetby that in that place 8 acres … with all services, mills and exactions.. for 5½d [5½ pence] at Christmas, Easter, St Botulph’s day [18 June], and Michaelmas [29 September]….
Task 2 – Women in the countryside
Source 2a:
- Look at the four surviving seals on this document. Can you find the women’s names: Aliz (Alice), Pupelina and Gene (Genevieve)? [Clue: the names might be upside down]
- What kind of farming do you think this land is used for?
- Why do you think the women are included in this document and have attached their seals?
- Why do you think they are selling this land to their cousin? [We know Odo is Arnald Galle’s nephew from a different document in the same collection].