A letter from Margaret

Translated letter:

We, countess Margaret of Flanders and Hainaut and Guy, her son, count of Flanders, make known to all who will see the present letters that at our instance and request, our beloved municipal officials and community of our city of Ghent have given their letters on the composition of peace made between us and the noble man lord Floris, protector of Holland, in these words:

“To all who will see and hear the present letters, the municipal official and the whole community of the city of Ghent, greetings and [to] know the truth.

By the sense of the presents we declare simply and publically that we have promised for all and each of our fellow townsmen present as well as future, simply in good faith, that we will not be involved, in counsel nor in help, nor in consent, in violating or opposing the peace which our illustrious lady Margaret, countess of Flanders and Hainaut or our lord Guy, count of Flanders, her son, or any of their heirs entered upon for themselves and their heirs, the counts of Flanders, with lord Floris, protector of Holland and his nephew Floris, for themselves and their heirs, as that peace brought about in letters of our said lady countess about the said peace was fully expressed in its articles, or oppose anyone or any articles of said peace; and if, perhaps, let it not be so, that lady our countess or our said lord count or any of their heirs should violate or oppose said peace or anyone or any articles of that peace, we will not offer counsel, help, nor consent to him in this or for this in any way; and we obligate ourselves to this in good faith, appending the seal of our town to the presents in witness of our said promise and obligation. 

Dated at Ghent in the 1256th year of the lord in the month of March.”

In witness of which thing we have conferred the present letters to said municipal officials and community, strengthened by the protection of our seals.

Dated at Ghent in the one thousand two hundred fifty seventh year of the lord, in the month of May.

Original letter:

Nos Margareta Flandrie et Haynonie comitissa et Guido filius eius, comes Flandrie, notum facimus  universis presentes litteras inspecturis quod ad instantiam et requisitionem nostram dilecti nostri scabini  et communitas ville nostre Gandensis super compositione pacis facte inter nos et nobilem virum dominum  Florentium tutorem Hollandie litteras suas dederunt in hec verba:

“Universis presentes litteras inspecturis et audituris scabini totaque communitas ville Gandensis salutem et cognoscere veritatem.

Tenore presentium simpliciter et publice protestamur nos pro universis et singulis cooppidanis nostris tam presentibus quam futuris bona fide simpliciter promisisse quod nos nec in consilio nec in auxilio erimus nec etiam in consensu, quod illustris domina nostra Margareta Flandrie et Haynonie comitissa vel dominus noster Guido comes Flandrie, filius eius, vel aliquis heredum suorum pacem quam dicta domina nostra comitissa pro se et suis heredibus, comitibus Flandrie, et suis cum domino Florentio tutore Hollandie et Florentio nepote ipsius ac eorum heredibus et suis ini[v]it, prout in litteris dicte domine nostre comitisse super dicta pace confectis eadem pax cum suis articulis plenius est expressa, [violet vel veniat contra ea]m aut contra aliquem aut aliq[u]os articulos dicte pacis; et si fort[e, quod] absit, ipsa domina nostra comitissa vel dictus dominus noster comes aut aliquis ex suis heredibus violaver[i]t dictam pacem aut venerit contra eam aut contra aliquem aut aliquos ipsius p[acis] articulos, nos ei in hoc [vel] ad hoc nullum omnino prestabimus consilium, auxilium nec consensum; et ad hoc n[o]s bona fide presentibus obligamus, in dicte promissionis et obligationis nostre testimonium sigillum oppidi nostri presentibus appendentes.  Datum Gandavi anno Domini M° CC° L° sexto, mense martio.”

 In cuius rei testimonium presentes litteras supradictis scabinis et communitati contulimus sigillorum n[...]um munimine roboratas.

Datum Gandavi anno Domini millesimo ducentesimo quinquagesimo septimo, mense maio.

Historical context:

In this letter, the countess and her son present the assurance given by the city of Ghent to support their peace with Holland.

Printed source:

Oorkondenboek van Holland en Zeeland tot 1299, 3.153-54, #1157.   The text cited within the document is #1144, 3.142-43, 1257, March.

Date: