A letter from Margaret of Constantinople, Countess of Flanders (1265, May 16)

Translated letter:

We, Margaret countess of Flanders and of Hainaut, make known to all that it is welcome and accepted by us and we hold it valid, we consider the dissent thus far held between our dearest daughter Adele, formerly wife of our most beloved son John of Avesnes on one side, and on the other lord Godfrey of Cruninghes, lord Peter and lord Henry of Versailles, brothers, to be settled, and we should not, through us or at our provocation, vindicate hereafter in some respect the wrongdoing or trouble inflicted by the aforesaid knights on the said Adele, our daughter, which we declare to those present. Granted in the year of the Lord 1265, Saturday after the Ascension of the Lord.(1)

Original letter:

Nos Margareta Flandrie et Haynonie comitissa notum facimus universis nobis gratum esse et acceptum et nos ratum habere discordiam hactenus habitam inter karissimam filiam nostram Aelidim quondam uxorem dilectissimi filii nostri Iohannis de Auesnis ex parte una, dominum Godefridum de Cruninghes, dominum Petrum et dominum Henricum de Bersalia, fratres, ex altera, fore sopitam, et iniuriam sive molestiam a predictis militibus dicte A., nostre filie, illatam nos non debere per nos vel ad procurationem nostram aliquatenus in posterum vendicare, quod presentibus protestamur.

Historical context:

The countess registers her acceptance of the accord made between her daughter-in-law Adele, widow of her son, John of Avesnes, and three knights, and renounces any right to retaliation for the wrongs done.

Scholarly notes:

1 The translation was provided by Ashleigh Imus.

Printed source:

Oorkondenboek van Holland en Zeeland tot 1299, ed. A.C.F.Koch (Gravenhage: Martinus Nijhoo, 1970), 3.116, ep.1388.

Date:

1265, May 16