Blogum scribo
 William II in armour and tabard, England (probably London), c.1445-c.1450. London, British LIbrary, MS Harley 4205, f. 1v. Click on image to go to source. Image is a screenshot. New translations from Textus Roffensis Blessed ones! I am aware of the great sadness many feel at the loss of Queen Elilzabeth II, so I will not dwell on my subject today, that of the eleventh-century monarch William II (aka Rufus, r. 1087-1100), in my normal freewheeling way. But if you would like to read the story of how Bishop Gundulf of Rochester and Archbishop Lanfranc withstood, with much zeal, the royal negotiations regarding the manor of Haddenham (which was the single most important manor held by the monks of Rochester), then follow the links below. Here are three new translations of texts relating to the Haddenham narrative; the records are preserved in Textus Roffensis, the Book of Rochester. The first is a revised translation by Dr Monk, with new commentary, of the Rochester monks' record of events surrounding the argy-bargy over Haddenham. Let's call it their version of the story. The second and third translations are published together, and are a result of Dr Monk collaborating with Jacob Scott of Rochester Cathedral. Dr Monk provides the introduction and notes and the transcription and translation of the second text; Jacob, the transcript and translation of the first text, which Dr Monk has edited. Their thanks go to Elise Fleming for proofreading duties. The two texts are the confirmation by William II of Lanfranc's grant of Haddenham to the monks of Rochester; and Lanfranc's own sanctioning of the king's confirmation. There's a rather nice anathema at the end of Lanfranc's sanction, if you're into that kind of thing, I should say!
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