A 13th-century royal writ commanding the delivery of prisoners belonging to Reginald, King of Mann, who were held in custody at Porchester and Dover. This document illustrates early medieval relations between the English Crown and the Kingdom of Mann, predating the 1765 Revestment by over five centuries and providing contextual evidence of Mann's independent status and diplomatic standing.
A brief entry from the Rotuli Litterarum Patentium (Patent Rolls) of King John, recording a payment of ten marks to Stephen de Oxford for escorting the King of Mann (Reginald) back to the Isle of Man following his homage to King John in London. The footnote clarifies the monetary value and historical context.
A royal writ from King John ordering the Sheriff of Lancaster to assign twenty librates of land to Reginald, King of Mann, in fulfilment of a prior agreement. This early medieval document establishes the Crown's recognition of Mann's sovereignty and the nature of feudal obligations between the English Crown and the Kings of Mann.
A royal writ from King John directing payment of thirty marks from the English treasury to the King of Mann as a gift. This early 13th-century document demonstrates the feudal relationship between the English Crown and Mann, and provides context for understanding the island's constitutional status prior to the later Atholl period and 1765 Revestment.
A royal writ from King John commanding the Sheriff of Lancaster to assign thirty marcates of land to the King of Mann in recognition of homage and service. This document illustrates the feudal relationship between the English Crown and the medieval Manx monarchy, providing historical context for the later constitutional developments culminating in the 1765 Revestment.
A royal charter granting safe conduct to Reginald, King of the Islands (Hebrides/Man region), for travel to and from England for fifteen days from Easter. Issued in Latin and English, witnessed by Geoffrey son of Peter (Earl of Essex) and W. Briewer. Demonstrates early medieval diplomatic relations and the status of the island kingdoms.
A royal charter in which King John of England takes Reginald, King of Mann, under his protection, defence, and custody, extending protection to all his lands and people. This is a foundational document for understanding the feudal relationship between the English Crown and the Kings of Mann in the medieval period, establishing the protectorate model that would evolve through subsequent centuries leading to the 1765 Revestment.
A royal writ issued by Edward IV in 1476 temporarily suspending a heraldic dispute between John Lord Scrope and Thomas Lord Stanley regarding the right to bear the arms of the Earl of Man. The king ordered Scrope to abstain from using the arms while both lords served the Crown in France and Normandy, without prejudice to Scrope's future claims. This document illustrates feudal claims to Manx titles and the Crown's authority over their symbols.
A royal licence issued by King Henry IV permitting Robert Yvenhowe of Mann to transport two weys of corn to the island. This document illustrates early medieval trade regulation and royal control over Isle of Man commerce, providing context for the later 18th-century customs and smuggling issues central to the Revestment study.
A royal charter from King Henry IV granting charitable scholarship support (particles) to Luke Macquyn, a scholar of the Isle of Man. The grant perpetuates earlier royal concessions to support poor scholars in the island. This document demonstrates early royal governance of the Isle of Man and the church's role in educational provision.
A royal licence granted by King Henry IV permitting William Hobbesson, servant of the Earl of Northumberland, to purchase and transport 12 crannocks of barley to Mann castle for victualling purposes. This document demonstrates early medieval governance of the Isle of Man under English crown authority and the logistical supply chains required for maintaining the castle.
A royal licence granted by King Henry IV permitting John Mathoren and William Hobson, servants of the Earl of Northumberland, to purchase four weyes of corn in Ireland and transport them to the Isle of Man and Carlisle. The document is transcribed from the Rotuli Patentium et Clausarum Cancellariae Hiberniae and represents early medieval trade regulation between Ireland, Man, and England.
A royal licence granted by Henry IV permitting three merchants (John Hale, John Maystry, and Alexander Mercer of Cockermouth) to purchase 500 quarters of corn in Ireland and transport it to the Isle of Man and western Scotland for relief of the King's subjects. This document demonstrates medieval trade patterns, royal commercial regulation, and the Isle of Man's position within English maritime jurisdiction.
An extract from the 1399 Issue Roll (22 Ric. II) recording a payment of £1074 14s. 5d. to William le Scroop, Earl of Wiltshire (Treasurer of England) for expenses related to the custody and support of Thomas, late Earl of Warwick, on the Isle of Man following his condemnation in Parliament (21st year). This document evidences early English Crown involvement in Isle of Man administration and the island's use as a place of exile/imprisonment.
An extract from a medieval Issue Roll (Royal Exchequer record) documenting a payment of £66 13s. 4d. to the Bishop of Man in 1393, issued via the Bishop of Salisbury and Treasurer of England. The payment compensated the Bishop for charges and labour in prosecuting affairs for the Crown in the Islands. This is a primary administrative/revenue document from the Manx Society's published collection of medieval Manx records.
A bilingual (English/Latin) historical record from the Manx Society vol. 7 documenting the 1393 purchase of the Isle of Man by William Scrope from Montague, Earl of Salisbury. The entry also notes the transfer of the King's Bench and Chancery from London to York in the same year. This provides crucial context for understanding pre-1765 sovereignty claims over Man and the history of feudal ownership prior to the Revestment.
A royal writ ordering Sir Thomas Stanley to convey Eleanor Cobham, Duchess of Gloucester, to the Isle of Man and ensure her custody there. Eleanor was convicted of witchcraft and sorcery (attempting to harm King Henry VI through wax image magic) and exiled to the Island. This document demonstrates the Isle of Man's use as a place of confinement for high-status prisoners in the medieval period.
A bilingual (English and Anglo-Norman French) record of conventions establishing truces between the King of England and David de Bruys of Scotland, explicitly including the Isle of Man within the scope of the agreement. This document demonstrates the Isle of Man's status as a distinct territorial entity under English royal protection in the 14th century, relevant to understanding pre-Revestment sovereignty claims.
A 14th-century royal charter (7 Ed. III) granting custody of the Isle of Man and its appurtenances to William de Montacute for a term from Michaelmas 1334 for one year, with annual rendering of extent to the royal exchequer. Provided in both English and Latin versions. This document illustrates early medieval English sovereignty and administrative control over the island prior to the Revestment period.
Extract from the Irish Chancery Patent Rolls (Rotulorum Patentium et Clausorum Cancellariae Hiberniae) recording the King's commitment of the Isle of Man to John de Athy's custody during pleasure (dated 6 July 1318, 10 Edward II). Also records a grant of permission to the Abbot of Ives in Ulster to visit the Abbey of Rushen in Man. Relevant as early medieval evidence of English crown administration over the Isle of Man prior to the Revestment period.
A medieval protection letter issued by the Marquis of Ireland to John, Bishop of Sodor, dated 24 October 1317, as the bishop prepared to travel to the Isle of Man in attendance upon the King and Marquis. The document is recorded in the Patent and Close Rolls of the Irish Chancery (10 Edward II). This source provides evidence of ecclesiastical authority and administrative structures in medieval Man.
A hagiographic account by Jocelinus of Furness (12th century) describing Saint Patrick's legendary missionary work in Man and adjacent islands circa A.D. 444. Includes the narrative of Bishop Germanus and Patrick's ecclesiastical organization. Presented in parallel English and Latin text, this is a published excerpt from Manx Society volume 4 (Monumenta de Insula Manniae), providing early medieval context for Manx Christianity and insular governance structures.
A royal grant from King Edward II conferring the Isle of Man upon Henry de Bello Monte for his lifetime, with full dominion and royal command. The grant includes knight's fees and appurtenances, conditional on the feudal service traditionally owed to the Kings of Scotland. This is a medieval precedent document establishing lordship and tenure patterns relevant to understanding the constitutional status of Man before the 1765 Revestment.
A letter from Bishop Levinze (likely Bishop of Sodor and Man) to Thomas Choldmondsley dated 28 June 1688, requesting funds for schoolmasters and preachers in Ramsey and Douglas, and expressing concern about Catholic missionary activity on the Isle of Man. Written during the period of the trial of the seven bishops, reflecting Protestant anxieties and ecclesiastical governance of the island.
A royal order from Charles II directing the Earl of Derby to bring William Christian before the King and Council to be heard on charges of treason. The document records a petition for clemency and the King's decision to review the case personally. This source is relevant to understanding governance structures on the Isle of Man and the Crown's judicial authority over the island during the feudal period under the Earls of Derby.
