A Canterbury Cathedral Burlesque Anglo-Saxon Deed

A unique burlesque deed, discovered among Canterbury Cathedral's documents, challenges traditional perceptions of medieval legal records. This 13th-century parchment, written in rhyming Anglo-Saxon style, appears to be a later forgery dating from the late 13th or early 14th century, despite its purported date of February 2, 1298. The document, addressed to Simon the marshal and his wife Christine, details the sale of a third part of a burgage in 'Duntone' (possibly Downton, Wiltshire) for half a mark. Its deliberately archaic handwriting and rhymed text suggest it was crafted as a humorous or satirical piece rather than a genuine legal transaction. The deed's late 16th to early 17th-century endorsements, including one noting its uniqueness by William Somner, add historical intrigue. This discovery sheds light on the playful and complex nature of medieval documentation, offering insights into the period's literary and legal practices.

Louis, C. (2010). A Canterbury Cathedral Burlesque Anglo-Saxon Deed. Notes and Queries, 57(4), 459–460. https://doi.org/10.1093/notesj/gjq165