A literal translation of the Saxon chronicle — John Shaqi
A literal translation of the Saxon chronicle
History
A literal translation of the Saxon chronicle
Great Britain -- History -- Anglo-Saxon period, 449-1066 -- Sources
line to Cuggedic, and so to Raggewilh, from Raggewilh five miles to
the river which leadeth to Ælm (Elme) and Wisbeach, and so about
three miles to Throkonholt (Trokenhole), and from Throkonholt direct
through all the fen which is 20 miles long to Derevord (Denver?) and
so to Grætecross, and from Grætecross through the clear water called
Bradan-æ, and thence six miles to Paccelade, and so on through all
the meres and fens that lie towards the town of Huntingdon, and the
meres and the lakes Scælfremere and Witlesmere, and all the others
thereabout, with the lands and houses that are on the eastern side
of Scælfremere, and all the fens thence to Medeshamstede and to
Welmes-ford (Welmsford) and from Welmes-ford to Clive (Cliff) and
thence to Æstun (Easton) and from Æstun to Stan-ford (Stamford) and
from Stan-ford even as the water runneth to the abovesaid North-burh
(Narborough). These are the lands and the fens which the King gave
to St. Peter’s monastery. Then said the King, for this gift, it is
little, but I will that they hold it so royally and so freely, that
neither tribute nor tax be taken therefrom, excepting for the monks
only. Thus will I make this monastery free, that it be subject to
Rome alone: and I will that all amongst us who may not be able to
journey to Rome should repair hither to St. Peter.” Whilst he was thus
speaking, the Abbot entreated that he would grant that which he should
ask of him, and the King promised that he would: “I have some monks
here who fear God, and would spend their lives as Anchorites if they
knew where; but there is an island here called Ancarig (Thorney),
and this would I ask, that we might there build a monastery for the
love of St. Mary, and that those who would lead their lives in peace
and rest may dwell there.” Then the King answered and spoke thus,
“Not this only, beloved Saxulf, but all things which I know that thou
desirest on our Lord’s behalf, even thus I approve and grant. And I
entreat thee, brother Æthelred, and my sisters Cyneburh and Cyneswith,
for our soul’s redemption, that ye be witnesses, and that ye write
this with your fingers. And I desire of all who succeed me, be they
my sons or my brethren, or whosoever shall reign after me, that our
gift may stand, even as they would be partakers of eternal life,
and as they would escape everlasting torment. Whosoever diminisheth
our gift, or the gift of other good men, let the heavenly porter
diminish his part in the kingdom of heaven, and whosoever increaseth
it, let the heavenly porter increase his portion in the kingdom of
heaven.” These were the witnesses who were there, and who subscribed
with their fingers the cross of Christ, and who confirmed the grant
with their tongues. King Wulfere was the first who confirmed it by
word, and afterwards subscribed to it with his fingers the cross
of Christ, and he spoke thus, “I King Wulfere having these Kings,
Earls, Generals, and Thanes as witnesses of my gift, and before the
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