Index:
1. A Feud Concerning Presentation to a church is resolved, 1066-1125
(click here)
2. Formula of Peace made between Robert of Vitré and
Robert of Serigné, 1155-1173 (click here)
3. Making Peace and Creating Outlaws, tempore Henry II (1154-1189)
(click here)
4. Oath of assistance given by Hamelin of Cou-d'Abbé to André
de Vitré concerning the latter's dispute with
Fulk d'Orte, 1242 (click here)
Date: the editor of the cartulary provides a date-range of 1066-1125
Text:
Notice concerning Juigné in Montanadais
It ought to be known by all residents of this place that there existed
for a while a grave dispute [contentio] between the Frogerianos and Hamelin
Potinus concerning the presbyteratum of the church of Juigné; [the
feud went] to such lengths that men from both sides were killed over this
matter. At length it pleased the divine piety to end the dispute
in the following way: Geoffrey de Mayenne, Hamo de Laval and Robert de
Vitré, with many others, gathered together to discuss this matter
at the fountain of Fagi Viceconiae; the aforesaid disputants, who listened
to the advice suggested by these men, conceded to God and to St Serge the
priesthood [presbiteratum] of the aforesaid church for the remission of
their sins and for the health of the souls of those killed in this feud
[rixa]; then they placed the gift into the hand of lord William the monk.
Witnesses: Geoffrey de Mayenne, Hamo de Laval, Robert de Vitré,
Geoffrey vicarius, Hugh de Montanai, Hugh son of Rorgo, Geoffrey de Vilers,
Algerius de Genêt, Ansgerius Trussa Asinum, Rangerius the Bearded,
and many others.
After the death of Hamelin, Orricus his son-in-law and Cloia, Hamelin's
wife, confirmed these alms at the church of St Cyprian de Bacimeria, and
the put the gift on the altar along with a knife with a white handle.
Witnesses: Goslin the deacon, Geoffrey son of Hervey, Hugh Bachum and
many others
Arnald, bishop of Le Mans, confirmed this gift, and after him, Bishop Hoel, and after him, Bishop Hildebert.
Source: Yves Chauvin, ed., Premier et second livres de Cartulaires de l'abbaye de Saint-Serge et Saint -Bach d'Angers, 2 vols. (Angers: Presses Universitaires d'Angers, 1997), vol. 1, no. 334, pp. 276-277. Translated from the Latin by Richard Barton.
Let it be known to those in the present and to those who follow us that Robert de Vitré and Robert de Serigné made peace between themselves, in this way: Robert de Serigné gave and conceded to Robert of Vitré and to his heirs all his rights in the castle of Vitré and in the lordship of Vitré (namely, half of the estates of Gorontonius of Vitré). Afterwards, at Volognes, in the presence of Henry II, king of England, Robert conceded this to Robert of Vitré and the king conceded it to both of them.
And thus Robert de Vitré, having taken counsel with his vassals and his friends, gave to the daughter of the same Robert (of Serigné) the charge of the land of Odo of Cornillé, thus so that Robert de Vitré, when he will have made peace with Herveus of Vitré, should make an exchange for it [the charge of Odo's land) in Ercé and Gooné. In this way Robert of Serigné will be of the entourage of the lord of Vitré in arms, horses, and clothing. On top of this, if someone will cause injury to Robert of Serigné, the lord of Vitré shall help him within three days of his summons, and thereupon they will be of like mind.
Moreover, Robert of Serigné shall have the shelter/protection of the land of Vitré, against Herveus de Vitré and against others, but not against the king of England. Afterwards when Herveus de Vitré will have finally made peace with Lord Robert of Vitré [or] with his heir, the lord of Vitré or his heir shall help Robert [of Serigné] to hold his rights in those lands which shall remain to Herveus and will assist him concerning these rights.
Robert of Serigné made this same peace with André de Vitré, son of Robert de Vitré, and he confirmed it with an oath; when they both went before the king of England André agreed that if the king should do wrong to this Robert, he or his heir would help Robert against the king through supplication (ie., intercession with the king) and through his wealth.
Robert de Serigné swore that this agreement and this peace would be held by him and by his heirs forever, and he gave as guarantors under oath Robert de Ladavren, Silvester of Cornillé, and Ralph Papillon.
Afterwards Robert of Serigné swore to uphold the peace made with André de Vitré, and he strengthened his oath through a guarantee made by his own hand, and he promised that he and his heirs would uphold the peace firmly and legitimately.
Afterwards, Geoffrey of Cornillé and Ralph of Demagné swore the same peace, and Geoffrey gave whatever [rights and land] he had beyond Viceconia to the daughter of Robert of Serigné, who was his wife, as a dowry.
From the other side, André de Vitré swore this agreement and this peace.
Afterwards Hamelin of Pinel, Hervé of Bessiel, Rivallon of Campellis, Robert of Landavren, Robert of Combortillé, Hervé the Vicar, Hamelin of Taslia, Geoffrey of Leberta, Geoffrey son of Hervé, all swore that they would hold André of Vitré in this peace for his territory and if they did not hold him in peace, they would aid Robert of Serigné and his heir against the lord of Vitré, saving their oath of fidelity and his lands.
And thus so that this cyrograph may remain permanent and unshaken, it was confirmed by the seals of Robert, lord of Vitré, and André, his son.
Similarly, if someone causes injury to Robert of Vitré or his heir, Robert of Serigné will aid him within three days of being summoned and thereupon they will be of like mind.
Source: A. Bertrand de Broussillon, La
Maison de Laval, 1020-1065, 5 vols. (Paris: A. Picard and Sons,
1895-1903), 1:114-115 (number 154 of his cartulary). Translated by Richard
Barton
Arnulf, by the grace of God bishop of Lisieux, and Robert de Neubourg to William fitzJohn, greetings. We command and order you to cause the friends of Robert of Thaon, whom the abbot of Savigny has named, to render surety to the abbot and his monks just as this Robert [of Thaon] has already done at Caen in our presence. We also command that you cause the brothers of Robert to be outlawed in the common market of Caen and Bayeux as malefactors against the king.
Source: Charles Homer Haskins, Norman Institutions (Cambridge, MA, 1918), p. 324, no. 4. Translated from the Latin by Richard Barton.
4. Oath of assistance given by Hamelin of Cou-d'Abbé
to André de Vitré concerning the latter's dispute with Fulk
d'Orte, 1242
To all those who will see or hear the present letters, I, Hamelin of Cou-d'Abbé, give greetings. It should be known to all of you that over holy relics I swore, promised and conceded to lord André de Vitré that I, at his advice, will dispute and strive for the land of la Tannière against lord Fulk d'Orte, but only that part which the said Fulk d'Orte holds in the said land of la Tannière.
And I swore to the same André that I would in no way make peace with the same Fulk without the counsel and approval of the same André.
And I also swore to the same André that I would strive against the same Fulk concerning that land up to the end or until peace was reached; and from all that I will win from the same Fulk, the said André will have half and I and my heirs will have the other half, and simililarly we will have half in perpetual inheritance. And so that I may not renege on this agreement in any way, as a form of great confirmation to the said André I gave my letters patent, strengthened with the weight of my seal, as testimony and proof of this matter. Done at Mayenne, in the year of the Lord 1242.
Source: A. Bertrand de Broussillon, La Maison de Laval, 1020-1065, 5 vols. (Paris: A. Picard and Sons, 1895-1903), 5:27-28. Translated by Richard Barton
This translation is copyrighted by Richard Barton. Permission is granted for electronic copying, distribution in print form for educational purposes and personal use. If you do reduplicate the document, please indicate the source. No permission is granted for commercial use.