The most famous charter was the Magna Carta – the great charter. All land in England belonged to the King, but he allowed others to be in charge and collect revenue, to act on his behalf. Early English charters were basically contracts between the King and the people.
When William I came to the throne in 1066, he drew up charters for the country giving many parishes to the Bishop of Evreux in Normandy, where he had grown up. His grandson and great-grandson did the same. Bramford was included in these charters. At this time the manor was centred on the church.
Each king made new charters to reinforce the ones made by his ancestors.
The following are extracts from three charters for Bramford, by Henry I (1100 to 1135), Henry II (1154 to 1189) and Richard I (1189 to 1199).
Charter of Henry I-Manor of Bramford
Henry king of the English (to) the Bishop of Norwich & the Bishop of Ely & viscounts & all Barons & his faithful French & English of Suffolk greetings Be it known that I give & grant Oido Bishop of Evreux my Manor of Bramford & 40s in Sokemen in Claydon hundred & Bosmere hundred And I wish & firmly command that he holds well & in peace & quietly & honourably with soc & sac & Toll & Team & Infangenetheof & all its customs just as I myself have held in my demense And all exemptions which the same manor has had in my time of Shire & hundred & Geld……..
Charter of Henry II-Manor of Bramford
Henry king of England & Duke of Normandy & Aquitaine & Count of Anjou (to) Archbishops Abbots Earls Barons viscounts & all his faithful in the whole of England & Normandy Greetings Be it known that I grant to god & the Church of St Mary of Evreux in perpetual alms the manor of Bramford in Suffolk with all that belongs & 40s in Sokemen in Claydon hundred & Bosmere hundred that king Henry’s grandfather gave to us bishop Oyno & the Evreux Church wherefore I wish and firmly command that the foresaid church holds well & in peace & quietly & honourably that manor with all…
Charter of Richard I-Manor of Bramford
Richard by the grace of god king & Duke of Normandy & Aquitaine Count of the Angevins (to) Archbishops Bishops Abbots Earls Barons Viscounts & all his faithful in the whole of England & Normandy greetings Be it known we have granted to god & the Church of St Mary of Evreux in perpetual Alms the Manor of Bramford in Suffolk with all that belongs & 40s in Sokemen & in Claydon hundred & in Bosmere hundred that king Henry our great grandfather gave to Bishop Oyno & the Church of Evreux wherefore we wish & firmly command that the foresaid church holds that Manor well & in peace & quietly & honourably with all things that which belong with Soc & Sac …