MEDIEVAL ENGLISH CHARTER ON VELLUM WITH SEAL
[England or Welsh Marches, c. 1400–1410]
Single-sheet vellum charter (c. 110 × 260 mm), written in a neat Anglicana hand in dark brown ink, comprising c. 10 lines, with moderate creasing and age-toning; lower edge folded to form a tongue with original pendant red wax seal (fragmentary but extant), attached by parchment tags.
The document records a land grant by Thomas ap Gwynn to Robert ap Gwynn and his son John, reflecting a Welsh family transfer of property. Written in a clear Anglicana hand on vellum, with original pendant red wax seal (fragmentary but intact).
The charter retains its full legal structure, including grant, tenure, rent clause, warranty, and witness section, and is dated to the Feast of All Saints.
A scarce and attractive example of a late medieval Welsh-associated land deed with strong genealogical interest.
Text in Latin, opening with the standard diplomatic formula “Sciant presentes et futuri…”, recording a grant by Thomas ap Gwynn of the parish of Skeyne to Robert ap Gwynn and John, his son, conveying “totam terram meam cum omnibus pertinentiis” (all his land with appurtenances), including meadows, pastures, and associated rights. The charter includes full feoffment clauses—habendum et tenendum, rent clause payable at the Feast of All Saints, and warranty provision—followed by a witness list (partially legible).
Dated by regnal year to the reign of Henry IV of England, placing the document securely in the early fifteenth century.
The use of the Welsh patronymic “ap Gwynn” indicates a family transaction within a Welsh or Marcher context, reflecting the persistence of native naming conventions in late medieval landholding society.
Condition: some wear, folds, and minor losses; seal worn but original and attached.
Full Working Transcription (Reconstructed)
(Bracketed portions = uncertain but strongly inferred from formula and letter forms)
Sciant presentes et futuri quod ego Thomas ap Gwynn de parochia de Skeyn[e] dedi concessi et hac presenti carta mea confirmavi Roberto ap Gwynn et Johanni filio eiusdem Roberti
totam terram meam cum omnibus suis pertinentiis in villa et campo cum pratis pasturis et omnibus aliis commoditatibus et hereditamentis
habendum et tenendum predictam terram cum pertinentiis prefatis Roberto et Johanni heredibus et assignatis suis de me et heredibus meis
reddendo inde annuatim mihi et heredibus meis unum [redditum] ad festum Omnium Sanctorum pro omnibus serviciis consuetudinibus et demandis
Et ego vero Thomas et heredes mei predictam terram cum pertinentiis prefatis Roberto et Johanni contra omnes gentes warrantizabimus imperpetuum
Hiis testibus [—names—]
Datum in festo Omnium Sanctorum anno regni regis Henrici quarti [—year—]
Translation (Clean)
“Know all present and future that I, Thomas ap Gwynn, of the parish of Skeyne, have given, granted, and by this my present charter confirmed to Robert ap Gwynn and John, his son, all my land with all its appurtenances in village and field, with meadows, pastures, and all other rights and hereditaments.
To have and to hold the aforesaid land… to them and their heirs…
Rendering annually one rent at the Feast of All Saints for all services and demands.
And I, the said Thomas… will warrant the said land… forever.
Witnesses…
Given on the Feast of All Saints in the reign of King Henry IV.”
Key Historical Takeaways
1. Family Transfer (Important)
This is not a sale to outsiders—it’s:
Thomas → Robert (likely relative)
Robert → his son John
That’s a multi-generational Welsh family land consolidation
2. Welsh Identity Confirmed
“ap Gwynn” is unmistakably Welsh.
This places the document in:
Welsh Marches (Herefordshire / Shropshire / Monmouthshire)
or
Wales proper
3. Date Window (Now Firm)
Because of:
Feast: All Saints (Nov 1)
Reign: Henry IV of England
Date = Nov 1, sometime between 1399–1413
With script style:
Most likely c. 1400–1410
About “Skeyne”
The parish name appears as:
“parochia de Skeyn(e)”
This is likely a phonetic/Latinized spelling, possibly:
Skene / Sken / Skyne
Could correspond to a lost or variant medieval parish name. We cannot be certain.
Seal - original attached
Genuine medieval wax (not later)
Probably a personal seal (non-noble)
Worn → limits heraldic identification
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