Introduction:
This text reports the terms of a marriage contract made between two
aristocrats from the western French county of Maine. It was recorded
by the monks of St Nicholas d'Angers, who had an important priory at Assé-le-Riboul
(the cartulary of which is still extant). We are fortunate that the
terms of the contract included gifts to the monks of St Nicholas, or else
it is likely that no record of this transaction would remain.
Let them who ought to know understand that these were the agreements [made] between Geoffrey d'Assé-le-Riboul and Herbert de la Guierche when Geoffrey gave his daughter to Herbert. Further, Herbert granted Vernie with all things pertaining to it to lord Geoffrey for so long as he should live, with Juliana, Herbert's daughter [sic, but error for wife], granting and conceding the gift since Vernie came from her patrimony. At the request and with the advice of Geoffrey, Herbert and Juliana, his wife, gave and granted the church of Saint-Médard de Vernie along with everything belonging to it, as well as the tithe of the mill of Vernie, to Saint Nicholas and his monks; they granted the church and the tithe free and quiet, with all monetary exactions [on it] cancelled. Herbert and Juliana, his wife, conceded to the same Geoffrey d'Assé the entire honor of Mont Saint-Jean, to hold free and clear for the rest of his life. They also conceded la Motte-Achard [to Geoffrey] to hold for his life, but only after they had first acquired it. Herbert, moreover, arranged with Geoffrey that he would help Geoffrey in whatever way possible to acquire Mortiers. Then, when Lord Geoffrey held Mortiers, Herbert would hold whatever he likewise acquired [habet] in Mortiers from Geoffrey and his heir in tallage and service [ad alliata et servitia sua facienda]. He also arranged [pepigit] that he would help Geoffrey in whatever ways he was able to acquire all rights [rectitudines] wherever Geoffrey held them.
And so that this agreement might remaine stable and fixed, Herbert gave his faith to Geoffrey, and swore an oath over holy relics.
With these witnesses from Geoffrey's side: Warin Movus, Hugh de Maslinus, Alberic Feret, Odo de Raderet, Lurei his brother, Drogo de Baset, Hugh de Laidoneirt, Geoffrey Revellus, Girard his brother, and Drogo Revellus his brother.
From Herbert's side: Gervase Passavant, Hamelin his brother, Libertus de la Guierche and Herbert his son, Helinan and Fulcoius his brother, Guy de Mauleia, and Pagan de Silveia
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