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CASTLES AND A HUEYS OF ENGLAND.

[Thf Abbey

Confessor, and tlie fair and interesting Edith, with two archbishops—Stigandof Canterbury and Aldred of York , eleven bishops (among whom the most

eminent were Hereman of Salisbury, Leofric of Exeter, and Gyso of Wells),eleven abbots of important monastic houses, and a great number of princesand nobles. In their presence was read publicly the royal charter, which isstill preserved, and bears the signatures of the King and Queen, Harold, thetwo archbishops, and the bishops, abbots, and thanes, who were assisting atthe ceremony. The feast on this occasion lasted eight days; and the guestswere not only served profusely, but large vessels full of wine and mead wereplaced in the fields and public roads, in order that even accidental passers-bymight drink their full.

llarold increased the number of canons from two to twelve. By thecharter just mentioned, they were put in possession of the manors of “ Passe-felda, Walde, Upminster, Walhfare, Pippcdene, Alwaretune, Wodeforda,Laml>chithe, Nesingnan, Brickendune, Melnlio, Alichsea, Wormeleia, Net-tleswelle, Hicche, Lukintonc, and Westwaltham.” Portions of these landswere assigned to each canon to supply him with food and clothing, those ofwhich the rents were applied to the latter purpose being distinguished by thename of scrud-land , or clothing-land. Westwaltham was appropriated to thedean, in addition to his share with the rest. Each canon had also assignedto him fifteen acres in Waltham of what were termed the Northlands, in orderthat they might not be distressed by any accidental stoppage of their supplyfrom the out-farms. According to the directions of the founder, the canons