[911] From Alfred and Edward the Elder we have hardly enough genuine charters to serve as materials for an induction, but Edward’s reign seems the turning point.
[912] A.D. 838, K. 1044 (v. 90): Egbert gives ‘aliquantulam terrae partem meae propriae hereditatis ... cum consilio et testimonio optimatum meorum.’ A.D. 863, K. 1059 (v. 116): Æthelred ‘cum consensu ac licentia episcoporum ac principum meorum’ gives ‘aliquam partem agri quae ad me rite pertinebat.’
[913] Stubbs, Const. Hist. i. 212.
[914] We know of but four specimens earlier than 750. The first is a deed whereby Wulfhere of Mercia makes a grant ‘cum consensu et licentia amicorum et optimatum meorum’: E. 4; B. M. Facs. iv. 1. The second is a deed whereby Hlothar of Kent makes a grant with the consent of Abp Theodore, his (Hlothar’s) brother’s son Eadric and all the princes; K. 16 (i. 20); B. M. Facs. i. 1. The third, known to us only through a copy, is one by which Æthelbald of Mercia makes a grant ‘cum consensu vel episcoporum vel optimatum meorum’; K. 83 (i. 100). By a fourth deed, K. 27 (i. 30), Eadric grants land ‘cum consensu meorum patriciorum’; but this also we only get from a copy.
[915] K. 1 (i. 1); A.D. 604. Æthelbert for Rochester.
[916] K. 43 (i. 50); B. i. 140: A.D. 697, Wihtræd.—K. 47 (i. 54); E. 17; B. M. Facs. i. 4: Wihtræd.—K. 77 (i. 92); E. 24; B. M. Facs. i. 6: A.D. 732, Æthelbert.—K. 132 (i. 160); E. 54; B. M. Facs. ii. 4: A.D. 778, Egbert.
[917] K. 85 (i. 102); E. 32: Eadbert for Rochester. Of this deed we have but a transcript. The formula of attestation is very curious and may have been distorted either by the original scribe or the copyist.
[918] K. 157 (i. 189), Offa of Mercia uses this eschatocol, but in a Kentish gift.
[919] K. 1006–7 (v. 47–8); B. i. 256–7.
[920] K. 79 (i. 95).