Charters & Grants

Overview

Scroll down to view Anglo-Saxon Charters & Grants translated into English.

Anglo-Saxon charters and grants are vital historical artifacts that offer a window into the early medieval period in England, spanning from the 5th to the 11th centuries CE. These formal legal documents served as instruments for granting land, rights, and privileges to various individuals, religious institutions, or towns.

One of the key aspects of their significance lies in the establishment of a structured legal and political framework. Charters defined land ownership, confirmed rights and obligations, and played a fundamental role in shaping the social and political structures of the time. They provided a means to legitimize land tenure and facilitate transactions, ensuring stability and order within communities.

These documents are invaluable as primary historical sources, shedding light on the social, political, and economic landscapes of early medieval England.

A charter of King Æthelred II to "his faithful man" Æthelred, in 1003.</p>
<p>British Library MS Stowe Ch. 35. S 905.
Image: A charter of King Æthelred II to “his faithful man” Æthelred, in 1003. British Library MS Stowe Ch. 35. S 905.

Translations

Click below to view Anglo-Saxon Charters & Grants translated into English.

This page was last updated on January 11, 2024.