Description:The document above dates back to 1328. A transcription and translation of the document features below:
"This is the agreement made between John, by the grace of God Abbot of Lilleshall and the religious community there on the one side and Roger son of Roger del Moor on the other side. That is that the said abbot and community have granted and let for the term of the next thirty conseutive years after this agreement all their land with its meadow and its other parts which is called Heath Grange next to Cheddleton in the county o Stafford. To have and to hold all the aforesaid grange land by the same Roger and his heirs or his assigns, freely, quietly, well and in peace from the aforesaid abbot and community and their successors. Paying thirteen shillings and four pennies in silver at two times, that is to say half at the feast of the Annunciation fo the Blessed Mary and the other half at the feast of St. Michael and giving the chief lord of the fee the service that is required and accustomed there and at the end of the term in good state.
And if the same Roger, his heirs or assigns have died holding the said land within the said term they will give to the abbot and community or their succesors the second best beast that they will have had for heriot or one silver markat the choice of the said abbot and Community. And the said Abbot and Community and their successors will warrant and defend all the said grange land and all its parts to the said Roger, his heirs and assigns untoll the aforesaid term is fully complete against all living people. In withenss of which thing the parties have in turn set their seals to this present indentured writing. Witnesses Lord Wiliam lord of Chedleton, Lord John, lord of Ipstones, knights William fo Chetwynd, Viman of Chetwynde, William Coyne and others. Given at Lilleshall on the Tuesday during the feast of Saint John th Evangelist in the second year of the reign of Edward the third after the conquest."
By this date, the standard form for legal documents was well established and there were forms of words for all the common types of transaction such as mortgages, leases and sales. Like modern landowners, the Abbot of Lilleshall had to decide whether to grant a long lease, and risk losing potential income if the market improved, or a short lease with the risk of being unable to find a tenant at the same rate if agricultural conditions declined. This may be why the lease includes the clause for the payment of a heriot or entry fine.
A mark was thirteen shillings and four pence, in other words a year’s rent. Another interesting feature is the very common practice of dating by Saint’s day. The 25th March is The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin. This is the occasion when the Virgin Mary was told by the angel Gabriel that she was pregnant with Jesus. As such, it was considered as the proper point for the start of the Christian year, Michaelmas, 24th September being six months later. These dates, since they were intimately linked with legal documents and financial obligations, persisted long after Saints days ceased to be celebrated and after the calendar was adjusted to start on 1st January. The modern tax year ends on 5th April each year because it is equivalent to Lady Day in the Julian calendar.