The petition of [the abbot and convent] of Reading. [As Henry I] founder [of Reading] had as wife Maud, daughter of [Malcolm III and] queen Margaret, and as Henry in his foundation of Reading Abbey sought the help of his friends in advancing the abbey, so queen Maud besought king Malcolm her father for his part to give some help. He gave in alms the isle of May with the manor of Pittenweem and appurtenances. As the priory of May had been alienated from the aforesaid abbey without the consent of the king of England, true patron, and of the abbot and convent of Reading, against the form of the gift of the king of Scotland, the abbot and convent petition the king, since he has the power in both realms and the duty to remedy wrongs, especially those done since the death of Alexander [III], that he will restore the priory of May, which was alienated from Reading without reason and by the power of the bishop of St Andrews who, at that time, was guardian and master of the realm of Scotland. (damaged)
Firm date
10 July 1296 X circa 20 August 1297
Dating Notes
This was certainly presented after the overlordship of Edward I had been acknowledged by the Scottish baronage, and probably after the resignation of King John. It refers to bishop William Fraser as though he were still alive, and accordingly it is datable 10 July 1296 x 20 August 1297, though the former date is not absolutely certain.
Source for Data Entry
A. A. M. Duncan, ‘Documents relating to the Priory of the Isle of May, c. 1140- 1313’, PSAS 90, no. 57
Trad. ID
Duncan, May Docs., no. 57
Calendar number
2/87/3
Charter type
Letter (correspondence)
Language
French
Original (contemporary)
yes
Notes
Public Record Office, London, Ancient Petitions, 13701.