The Charter c1189

Know all ye, as well present as to come, that I Robert de Cardinan, have given and granted and by this present Charter have confirmed to all my burgesses and men of Lostwithiel, and to all those who hold burgage, tenements, or lands in the said town, all honours, dignities, liberties, and quittances (as far as I can for myself and my heirs) which my predecessors in title gave them of old on the day on which they founded the town. – To wit – every Burgess shall hold his burgage, tenement, or tenements heriditarily by rendering for each burgage six pence annually. – To Wit – threepence at Easter, and the same number at the feast of St Michael in discharge of all service and demands.
And at his death his testament shall be valid, but his heirs shall for a relief of twelve pence hold his heriditaments freely and heriditarily and possess them in peace. Moreover the aforesaid burgesses and men of the aforesaid town and their heirs, shall remain free and quit of all sullages and customs by land and sea.
And if by chance any one of them shall be impleaded he shall answer before me or my bailiffs in the said town of Lostwithiel, freely without cause or motion, and not elsewhere.
And if he shall incur a fine he shall quit for sixpence. And if he shall be convicted of blood or wounds, he shall give security for twenty pence and pay them, as shall be mercifully allowed him by me or my bailiffs.
And if I shall wish to make a Provost, the aforesaid burgesses shall elect from those persons who are resident in the often hereinbefore mentioned town. Moreover, it is to be noted that the above-named burgesses may give their sons, daughter, and kinsfolk in marriage, without licence or suit, whensoever and to whomsoever they will. But no stranger shall keep a shop out of a ship, that is to say, in the town except by permission of the Provost and the whole Townsfolk. And if any Burgess should wish to sell his burgage tenement he may do it without suit save my right – To Wit – twelve pence from the purchaser (through my favour or that of my bailiffs).
Likewise if any of the oftentimes named burgesses shall have any tenant in the said town of Lostwithiel, he may freely and fully hold a court for him.
That this may remain ratified and unshaken for the time to come I have strengthened it as well by the testimony of this present writing by the affixing of my seal.
These being witnesses:-
John, son of Robert, then Steward, Richard Stephan, Roger, sons of Robert, Richard of Pencoid, Otho of Penpol, Richard of Prideas, Richard Russell, Hugh his heir, Thomas Ballet, Walter of St Winnow, Algar Harloe, Robert of Killiow, Robert of Radveston, Nicholas of Herland, Robert of Carminow, Henry of Albemare, Ralph of Serviente, Roger Water, Silvester of Pendennent, Thomas son of Henry, and many others.

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