The tiny parish of St Laurence, Appleton, (just across the river from Oxford) retains two early indentures relating to its church cottage. This dwelling was rented out but on the condition that for about ten days around Whitsun the premises would be employed 'about pastimes and honest recreations for the benefitte of the Churche.'
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...Habenda et Tenenda predicta Cotagium terra// Tenementum ac cetera premissa cum pertinentijs predictis Ricardo Haseley, Mauricio Iones, et Willelmo Stephins et heridibus et assignatis suis imperpetuum/ Ea tamen fiducia et entencione quod ipsi prefati Ricardus Haselye, Mauricius Iones et Willelmus Stephins et heredes sui decetero annuatim pro vna Septimana proxima ante ffestum Pentecostis Domini/ quam pro eadem Septimana in festo Penticostis Domini permitterint tam gardianos Ecclesie parochialis predicte/ quam Inhabitantes dicte parochie de Appleton et omnes Alios tunc pro eodem tempore advenientes ad Cotagium predictum Intrare et gaudere predictum Cotagium et locum posteriorem eidem adiacentem/...
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...(Be it further known that) the cottage, land, tenement, and other premises, with the aforesaid appurtenances, (shall be) held in perpetuity by Richard Haseley, Maurice Jones, and William Stephins and their heirs and assigns but on this pledge and earnest, that they, the aforesaid Richard Haseley, Maurice Jones, and William Stephins and their heirs, every year hereafter for one week immediately preceding Whit Sunday as well as for the week of Whit Sunday itself, shall allow the churchwardens of the aforesaid parish church and the inhabitants of the said parish of Appleton and all others arriving at the aforesaid cottage at that time to enter and enjoy the aforesaid cottage and the adjacent area behind...
Record title: St Laurence's Deeds and
Indentures
Repository:
BRO
Shelfmark: D/P5/25/16
Repository location: Reading
1571; Latin; parchment; single membrane;
250mm x 510mm (242mm x 510mm); display capitals; indented tabs but no
seals.
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...Prouided alwayes & neverthelesse yt is fully concluded & agreed by & betweene the sayd parties & euery of them by these presentes that it shall & may be lawfull to & for the sayd Edwarde Carpenter Roberte milton, Roberte Stevens Iohn Butler, Henry Cuffin alias Iones Daniell Yate Edmunde Stevens, & Thomas kempster, to vse & occupye by the space of tenne dayes at & aboute the tyme of Pentecoste yearely during the sayd terme all such howses and Bouithes of the sayd premisses to be employed about pastimes & honest recreations for the benefitte of the Churche as here to fore haue beene accustomeably vsed for the same purpose soe farre as the lawes of the Realme will the same allowe & limitte...
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Record title: St Laurence's Deeds and
Indentures
Repository:
BRO
Shelfmark: D/P5/6/2
Repository location: Reading
1603; English; parchment; single membrane;
313mm x 583mm (302mm x 583mm); display capitals; indented, one
seal.