KENT – 13th century. Document on vellum, grant by Hamo de Crevecoeur of land at North Blean, recorded ‘at my hallmoot of Blean’, n.d. [c.1220].

KENT – 13th century. Document on vellum, grant by Hamo de Crevecoeur of land at North Blean, recorded ‘at my hallmoot of Blean’, n.d. [c.1220].

In Latin. 11 lines on one membrane, 110 x 240mm, early docket on verso (some old underlining in red), fine equestrian seal, '+ SIGILL’ hA[MONIS DE] CREVEQER', in green wax pendant on vellum tag (cracked with small loss). Provenance: Sir Edward Dering (1598-1644, Kentish antiquarian and collector: his ownership mark on verso).

A grant by Hamo de Crevecoeur, lord of Leeds Castle. Hamo son of Etard de Crievequoer, ‘by the consent and favour of Lady Mary my mother’, grants to Robert son of Eilmer Bedell in exchange for ten shillings part of his lands at North Blean called Voxhole with a wood and pasture, comprising one acre of ‘warland’ for the service of the King, to hold of Hamo with a quitrent of 3 pence payable at Pentecost and two hens at Christmas for all services. The witnesses are William de Cluse, Simon de Blean, Lambin de Blean, Salamon de Fraccina, William his brother, Richard the clerk of Sepindun, Reginald his brother, William the brother of Robert, Richard of Northbroke, William de Fonte, Richard de Wroteham and Richard son of Norman Wluard.

Hamo de Crevequer (also Crevecoeur, d. 1263), lord of Leeds Castle, is recorded as ‘Keeper of the Coast’ (an earlier title for the Warden of the Cinque Ports) in 1235. We are grateful to Christopher Whittick for his help in the cataloguing of this and the following lots.