XVI.
June, 1300.
Be it clear to all who shall see or hear this present charter that John, the son of William at Hall of Dover, granted and demised to Richard called Smart of Dover, and Matilda, his wife, one plot of land with its appurtenances, lying within the Liberty of the Port of Dover in Georges Ward, to wit, between the land of Margaret, the daughter of Richard Godspeny towards the south-west, and the land of Henry Caboche towards the north-east, and abuts upon the sea-cliff to the south-east, and towards the north-west on the King's highway, to have and to hold to the aforesaid Richard and Matilda, his wife, and their heirs or assigns, freely, quietly, well and peacefully in hereditary right for ever ; paying therefor annually to the said John, his heirs or assigns, four shillings sterling at the four terms of the year, that is to say, at Christmas xii^f., and at Mid Lent xii^., at the Feast of S. John the Baptist xij^., and at the Feast of S. Michael xij^. ; and performing likewise the service of the Lord King as often as it shall be required, according to the custom of Dover. And the aforesaid John and his heirs or assigns will warrant the aforesaid land, with its appurten ances, to the aforesaid Richard and Matilda, and their heirs or assigns, against all men for ever : And if the aforesaid rent be in arrear at the aforesaid terms it is lawful for the aforesaid John and his heirs or assigns to distrain the aforesaid land on all things found thereon, and to detain the distresses until the full payment of the rent aforesaid held back, and until repayment of all expenses had or likely to be had on that behalf.
In witness whereof the parties aforesaid have set their seals alternately to these presents in the month of June in the 28th year of King Edward, the son of King Henry.
Witnesses, John de Mari, then Mayor of Dover ; Valentine de Bere, then Bailiff; Richard Archer ; Nicholas, his brother ; Thomas Breton ; Thomas Dyer ; Thomas de Chilton ; Robert de Bocland ; John de Stormothe ; John Golofre ; Simon W'luenoth ; Henry Caboche ; and many others.