[1109] Philip "de Chahaines" appears as a tenant of the earl in 1166 (ibid.).
[1110] An Odo Sorus is alleged to have accompanied Robert fitz Hamon into Wales. Jordan Sorus was the largest tenant of the earl in 1166, holding fifteen knights' fees from him (Liber Niger). His predecessor, Robert Sorus, had held of the fief under Robert fitz Hamon circ. 1107 (Cart. Abingdon, ii. 96, 106).
[1111] Gilbert de Umfravill held nine knights' fees from the earl in 1166 (Liber Niger).
[1112] Richard de St. Quintin held ten knights' fees from the earl in 1166 (ibid.). His family had been tenants of the fief even under Robert fitz Hamon (Cart. Abingdon, ii. 96, 106).
APPENDIX T.
"AFFIDATIO IN MANU."
(See p. [177].)
"Hanc autem ... affidavi manu mea propria in manu ipsius Comitis Gaufredi." This formula ("affidavi ... in manu") is deserving of careful study. It ought to be compared with a passage in the Chronicle of Abingdon (ii. 160), describing how, some quarter of a century before, in the assembled county court (comitatus) of Berkshire, the delegate of the abbey, "pro ecclesiâ affidavit fidem in manu ipsius vicecomitis, vidente toto comitatu." This was a case of "affidatio" by proxy; but in the above charter we find Geoffrey stipulating for "affidatio" in person ("propria manu") by the Empress, her husband, and her son. Accordingly, when the young Henry confirms his mother's charter to Aubrey de Vere (see p. 186), he does so "manu mea propria in manu Hugonis de Inga, sicut mater mea Imperatrix affidavit in manu Comitis Gaufredi." Thus Geoffrey allowed himself the privilege, which he refused to the other contracting party, of "affidatio" by proxy, and made Hugh de Ing his delegate for the purpose.
A curious allusion to this practice is found in the words of Ranulf Flambard some half a century earlier, when he promises the captor in whose power he was to grant him all that he can ask, "et ne discredas promissis, ecce manu affirmo quod polliceor."—Continuatio Historiæ Turgoti (Anglia Sacra, i. 707). The formula was probably of great antiquity. It occurs in the lifetime of Archbishop Oswald (died 992), who obtained a lease for life on behalf of a certain Wulfric, of the provisions in which we read: "Hoc totum idem Wlfricus, sub oculis multorum qui aderant, in manu viri Dei qui pro eo intercessor accesserat affidavit" (Chron. Ram., p. 81). It is found, however, as late as 1187, when at the foundation of Dodnash Priory the canons "juraverunt et fidem in manu nostra corporaliter ... firmaverunt," says the bishop (Ancient Charters, p. 88). Another late instance is found in the Burton Cartulary (fol. 33), where Robert fitz Walter, that his grant "inconcussum permaneat, in toto comitatu, multis cementibus qui se ipsos testes concesserunt, in manu Vicecomitis Serlonis manu meâ hoc tenendum et servandum affidavi." So also in the Pipe-Roll of 3 John we find recorded a lease, "et quod ipse Micael et Everardus frater suus affidaverunt in manu H. Cantuarensis Arch. hanc Conventionem fideliter tenendam" (Rot. 6 b). An instance, in 1159, may be quoted from the Cartulary of St. Michael on the Mount because of its curious legal bearing. Robert de Belvoir mortgages to the abbey lands which he had settled on his wife in dower, and, in order to bar her claim, she, by her brother, guarantees the transaction by "affidatio in manu" to the abbot's delegate.[1113] This arrangement should be compared with that which is discussed in my Ancient Charters, pp. 22, 23.[1114] Perhaps, however, the most singular case is one which I noted in the Cartulary (MS.) of Rievaulx, and which is also of the reign of Henry II. A widow grants lands to that abbey, "et illam donationem tenendam et fideliter observandam manu propria affidavit in manu Vicecomitissæ, vid. Bert[æ] uxoris vicecomitis Ranulfi de Glanvill[a]."[1115] The conjunction here of the two women, the presence of the great Glanville himself, and the part played by his wife, together with the title assigned her, all combine to render the transaction one of unusual interest.
It was by this formal and binding pledge that the leaders of the English host swore to one another to do or die on the field of the Battle of the Standard. Turning to William of Aumâle, and placing his hand in his, Walter Espec pledged his faith that he would conquer or be slain; and his fellow-commanders did the same."[1116] It was, again, by this solemn pledge, towards the close of Stephen's reign, that the Bishop of Winchester, before his brother prelates, covenanted to surrender Winchester to the duke at the king's death[1117]—even as the duke himself had covenanted (April 9, 1152) with the Bishop of Salisbury concerning Devizes Castle[1118]—in terms to be closely compared with those of his charter to Aubrey, and his mother's to Earl Geoffrey in 1142.