1563 Elizabethan Bond for Performance of Covenants (English & Latin) - Lancashire, England (James Gerrard & Ralph Ward)
 
Make an Offer | Ask a Question
 
This beautifully preserved Elizabethan legal performance bond, a captivating window into the wealthy mercantile and legal world of Tudor England. Written across a single sheet of heavy vellum parchment, the document dramatically opens with an authoritative Latin obligation binding a Lancashire gentleman named Ralph Smarte of Wigan to a ten-pound penalty—a significant financial burden representing months of hard-earned wages for a skilled craftsman or professional of the era—should he fail his contractual obligations.
 
What follows is a wonderful linguistic shift into Early Modern English under the bold calligraphic heading "The Condicon," penned in a dark iron-gall script that brings the legal geography of 16th-century Lancashire to life. Tasked with the strict performance of property covenants, the text links local landed figures directly to James Gerrarde, gentleman, of the historic Gerrard dynasty of Ince-in-Makerfield, whose family circle would famously rise to the highest legal and administrative offices of the Tudor crown. Complete with its original archival filing note "No 27" on the reverse, the elegant witness signatures of Thomas Brooke and Myles Birdsall, and an exceptionally rare, completely intact pendant wax seal still hanging firmly from its original vellum tongue, this manuscript is a rich piece of living history from the dawn of the golden age of Elizabeth I. Latin & English | Secretary Hand | Manuscript (12 × 6½ inches | 30.48 × 16.51 cm) |  Frame Size (14 × 11 inches | 35.6 x 27.9 cm)
 
Latin - Starting at Line One (Lines 1-6)
Know all men by these presents that I, Ralph Smarte / Ward of Wigan in the county of Lancashire, gentleman, am held and firmly bound unto James Gerrarde of Ince in the county aforesaid, gentleman, in ten pounds of lawful money of England, to be paid to the same James, or to his certain attorney, heirs, or executors, at the feast of Saint John the Baptist next ensuing after the date of these presents. To which same payment well and faithfully to be made, I bind myself, my heirs, executors, and administrators, firmly by these presents. Sealed with my seal. Given on the ninth day of June in the year of the reign of our Lady Elizabeth, by the grace of God, of England, France, and Ireland Queen, Defender of the Faith, etc., the Fifth. [June 9, 1563].
 
Middle English - Starting at Line Seven (Lines 7-end of document)
The Condition of this obligation is such that if the above bounden Ralph Warde his heirs executors administrators and assigns do permit and suffer the above named James Gerrard his executors administrators and assigns quietly and peaceably to have hold occupy possess and enjoy all and singular that parcel or close of land with appurtenances commonly called or known by the name of Carre And now or of late in the tenure or occupation of the said Ralph Warde or his assigns lying and being in Ince in Makerfield in the said County of Lancaster without the let trouble disturbance or interruption of him the said Ralph Warde, James Forde his Executors and assigns and of all and every other person and persons in his or their name right or by his or their means assent consent procurement or commandment So that he the said James Gerrard his executors and assigns shall and may quietly and peaceably have hold occupy and enjoy all that parcel or close of land with appurtenances commonly called the Round Croft lying and being in Wigan in the said county of Lancaster and now or of late in the tenure or occupation of the said Ralph Warde without let or trouble or vexation or claiming or demanding of any dower jointure or any interest therein within the said county of Lancaster of him the said Ralph Warde his executors or assigns or of any other person or persons in his or their name right assent consent procurement or commandment And also if the said Ralph Warde his heirs executors and assigns do well and truly perform fulfill and keep all and singular the covenants and agreements to be performed regarding the same that then this present obligation to be void and of none effect or else to remain and be in full power, force, strength, and virtue.
 
We provide detailed photographs to allow you to assess the book's condition and aesthetic appeal. Read More

Make an Offer | Ask a Question

(520) 233-1949 | info@bookarchaeology.com

Please note: All offers will receive a response with 24hrs. If an offer is accepted we will adjust the price on the site and respond with an email link to purchase.