A letter of donation

Translated letter:

I, Clementia, thinking of that gospel [passage] “as water extinguishes fire, so charity extinguishes sin,” bestowed a certain land dependent on the church of Marchiennes, with the consent of lord Amand the abbot, and the whole possession/capital of that church, for the remedy of my soul and that of my ancestors to the domain of the nuns serving St. Mary in the church of Faumont.  So that this may remain untroubled, we had it confirmed by our seal not at all futilely.  The names of the witnesses to this are:  lord Alvisus, abbot; Walter, monk; Herbrand, monk; William of Ypres; Walter of Bruile; John of Melcicort; Walter, castellan; Gerard of Canis; Sigo; Godin; Hugo of Costices; Odo of Alcy; Lambert of Beuvry; Stephen of Lambres; Robert, provost and his brothers; Asso of Amres; Theobald of Hallyi.  This was enacted on the year 1129.

Original letter:

Ego Clementia, considerans illud evangelicum : « sicut aqua extinguit ignem, ita elemosina extinguit peccatum », quamdam terram ad ecclesiam Marcianensem pertinentem, assensu domini Amandi, abbatis, et tocius capitali eiusdem ecclesie, pro remedio anime mee et antecessorum meorum ad mensam sanctimonialium in ecclesia Fauni montis, sancte Marie servientium, attribui.  Ut autem inconvulsum permaneat, sigillo nostro confirmari haud inutile duximus. Nomina autem testium hec sunt: dominus Alvisus, abbas; Walterus, monachus; Herbrandus, monachus; Wilhelmus de Ypra; Walterus de Bruile; Johannes de Melcicort; Walterus, castellanus; Gerardus de Canis; Sigo; Godinus; Hugo de Costices; Odo de Alci; Lambertus de Beuvri; Stephanus de Lambres; Robertus, prepositus, et fratres sui; Asso de Mares; Theobaldus de Hali. Actum est hoc anno M°. C°. XXIX°.

Historical context:

The countess gives the abbey of Faumont a piece of land that belonged to the church of Marchiennes, with the consent of the abbot there.   Adair suggests that Clementia focused on Faumont late in her life because Bourbourg was difficult for her to get to after she lost her coastal towns, 282.

Printed source:

Un cartulaire de l’abbaye de Notre Dame de Bourbourg, ed. Ignace de Coussemaker (Lille:  Cucoulombier, 1882-91), 1.33, #38.

Date: