KENT – City of Canterbury. Document on vellum, charter of William Sellowe, mayor of Canterbury, Canterbury, 2 April 1465.

KENT – City of Canterbury. Document on vellum, charter of William Sellowe, mayor of Canterbury, Canterbury, 2 April 1465.

In Middle English. 35 lines on vellum, 255 x 415mm (minor old damp damage to left quarter of document, with slight loss of text and a single puncture), very fine impression of the seal of the city of Canterbury in red wax pendant on vellum tag. Provenance: Phillipps ms 30350.

Grant with a splendid seal of the city of Canterbury. William Sellowe as mayor of Canterbury certifies a statement made by Joan, wife of John May of Kennington, previously wife of Richard Cheyne, and before that wife of John Hunt: she confirms that she has ceded to Hamon Bele an annuity of five marks which she and her late husband received in 1452 under the terms of a fine levied under 'Harry the vith late in dede and not in right kyng of Engeland' for the manor of Halle: the annuity is raised on lands in Elham and Barham. Hamon in return is to pay ten pounds.

Canterbury had been granted a city charter in 1448, giving it the right to have a mayor.