Fonds 1 - College Estates - Muniment Book

51 boxes, parchment and paper

This series consists of title deeds, estate correspondence, and other unbound material. The arrangement follows, as far as possible, that of the 19th century Index to Muniments or Muniments Book which has the Old Library reference R.2.5, and to which certain alterations and additions have been made.

All dates are set out in the current Style (but reckoning the Year of Grace from 1 January). Dating errors in the Muniments Book have been corrected, but the order of the documents has not normally been disturbed - with the result that some of the lists which follow are not in precise chronological order.

For information about how to use and understand old deeds please see the guide produced by Nottingham University: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/manuscriptsandspecialcollections/researchguidance/deedsindepth/introduction.aspx

Definition of terms:

Attornment - the acknowledgment of a new lord by the tenant on the alienation of land.

Feoffment - a grant of ownership of freehold property to someone.

Livery of seisin - an ancient ceremony for conveyance of land by the symbolic transfer of a relevant item (key, twig, or turf) or by symbolic entry of the grantee.

Pightle - a small piece of enclosed land.

Quarter days - leases often ran from one of the quarter days. These were Lady Day (25 March), Midsummer (24 June), Michaelmas Day (29 September) and Christmas (25 December).