A writ from Edward I to the Sheriff of Northumberland commanding the Bishop of Durham to appear and show cause why the King should not resume the Isle of Man into his hands as a matter of right. The document traces Edward's claim through his ancestors' historical seisin and references the previous grant to John Balliol. This is a foundational document for understanding pre-Revestment claims to Manx sovereignty.
A writ issued by Edward I commanding the Sheriff of Northumberland to summon Anthony de Bec, Bishop of Durham, to appear before the King to show cause why the Isle of Man should not be resumed into royal hands. The King asserts that his ancestors and he himself held Man as of right, and had granted it to John Balliol of Scotland while reserving royal rights. This document demonstrates early English Crown claims to sovereignty over Man and the legal mechanism of resumption.
A dual-language (English and Latin) royal writ from Edward III commanding his Justice of Ireland to investigate and prosecute Irish raiders who attacked Manx merchants and officials transporting ransom payment to Scotland. Documents early medieval Isle of Man's sovereignty, trading relationships, and vulnerability to maritime violence.
A royal writ from Edward III (14 Edward III) addressed to customs officers at Lowestoft, ordering the release of goods belonging to the Bishop of Man that had been seized after the Bishop was driven to port by storm while travelling to Rome. The document establishes the Bishop's status under royal allegiance and faith, and invokes this as grounds to override local customs regarding seizure of strangers' goods. Relevant to understanding medieval Manx sovereignty, the Church's autonomy, and early English royal authority over the island.
A bilingual (Latin and English) royal writ issued by Edward III commanding the seizure of the Isle of Man into the Crown's demesne, appointing three commissioners to execute and safeguard the island. This early medieval precedent for Crown control is relevant to understanding the constitutional status of Man prior to the 1765 Revestment and demonstrates earlier assertions of royal sovereignty.
A bilingual (English and Latin) royal writ issued by Edward III commanding the seizure of the Island of Man into the Crown's demesne. The document appoints three officials (William le Taillour, Haver Macoter, and Gilbert Makstephan) to take possession and hold the island. This is a foundational document for understanding Crown claims to Manx sovereignty preceding the later feudal grants to the Derby and Atholl families.
A royal writ issued by Edward IV in 1476 temporarily suspending a heraldic dispute between John Lord Scrope and Thomas Lord Stanley regarding the right to bear the arms of the Earl of Man. The king ordered Scrope to abstain from using the arms while both lords served the Crown in France and Normandy, without prejudice to Scrope's future claims. This document illustrates feudal claims to Manx titles and the Crown's authority over their symbols.
A 1220 royal writ from the King of England to the Justices of Ireland, instructing them to render military assistance to Reginald, King of Man, against threats from the King of Norway. The writ confirms Reginald's fealty to the English Crown and his claim to English protection. This document illustrates the early medieval status of Man within the English sphere of influence and the island's vulnerability to Norwegian claims.
A medieval royal writ from King Henry III of England to the Justices of Ireland, commanding them to render military aid to Reginald, King of Man, against threats from the King of Norway. The document affirms Reginald's homage to the English Crown and establishes Man's feudal relationship to England. It is a key source for understanding early medieval Manx sovereignty and Anglo-Manx political relations.
A detailed revenue account (compotus) of the demesne lands and income of Rushen Abbey on the Isle of Man, recorded during the reign of Henry VIII. The document lists farm rents, land parcels with acreage, mill rents, and rectory farms across multiple Manx parishes. It provides valuable evidence of monastic landholding and economic organisation before the Reformation, relevant to understanding pre-Revestment Manx economic structures and property rights.
A detailed accounting (compotus) of the demesne lands and revenue of Rushen Abbey on the Isle of Man, dated 1539 during the reign of Henry VIII. The document lists individual closes (fields) with acreages and rental values in pounds, shillings, and pence, followed by a summary account of revenues from mills, rents, rectories, and tenancies across multiple parishes. Presented in parallel English and Latin versions. Relevant to understanding pre-Revestment Manx landholding, ecclesiastical property, and revenue structures.
A detailed historical account of Rushen Abbey on the Isle of Man, covering its foundation by Olave I (traditionally 1134, actually 1238), monastic organization, religious practices, temporal authority, dissolution in 1553, and associated religious houses. Includes inventory of religious plate and financial stipends granted at dissolution. Drawn from the Manx Society's Monumenta de Insula Manniae.
A scholarly historical essay on Rushen Abbey, covering its foundation by Olave I in 1134, early institutional struggles, Cistercian governance, baronial courts, liturgical practices, and dissolution in 1553. Includes detailed inventory of ecclesiastical plate and connected religious houses. Relevant for understanding pre-Revestment Manx religious and feudal institutions.
A royal safe conduct (letters patent) issued by Henry III permitting King Olave of Mann and the Islands to enter England with his retinue to negotiate peace with his brother Reginald. The document is dated 12 April 1228 and valid for fifteen days from Michaelmas. Presented in both English translation and original Latin (Rotuli Litterarum Patentium).
A royal safe conduct issued by King Henry III of England to Reginald, King of Man, permitting his safe passage and that of his men to return to the Isle of Man. The document is preserved in the Manx Society's published collection 'Monumenta de Insula Manniae' and provides evidence of the medieval relationship between English sovereignty and Manx kingship. The text is presented bilingually in English and Latin.
A royal safe conduct issued by King Henry III of England to Reginald, King of Man, permitting his safe return to the Isle of Man with his retinue. The document is bilingual (English and Latin) and illustrates the feudal relationship between the English Crown and the Manx kingdom in the early 13th century. Relevant to understanding the constitutional status of Man prior to the 1765 Revestment.
A royal charter granting safe conduct to Reginald, King of the Islands (the Hebrides), for travel to and from England for fifteen days from Easter in 1206. This document is relevant to understanding the medieval sovereignty and political relationships of island territories under English royal authority, providing comparative context for later constitutional arrangements including the Isle of Man's status.
A royal charter granting safe conduct to Reginald, King of the Islands (Hebrides/Man region), for travel to and from England for fifteen days from Easter. Issued in Latin and English, witnessed by Geoffrey son of Peter (Earl of Essex) and W. Briewer. Demonstrates early medieval diplomatic relations and the status of the island kingdoms.
Letter from Rev. Samuel Flood Page, newly appointed minister of St Peter's Chapel in Ramsey, to Home Secretary Viscount Melbourne requesting government assistance to fund a Day and Sunday School building threatened with seizure by its builder. The letter appeals for participation in Parliamentary education grants and explains the Isle of Man's exclusion from existing Church Building and National School Society funding programmes.
Letter from Samuel Flood Page, newly-appointed minister of St Peter's Chapel in Ramsey, to Viscount Melbourne seeking government assistance for struggling day and Sunday schools. The letter details the financial crisis facing the school building (£210 cost, only £100 raised, builder threatening to repossess) and highlights the Isle of Man's exclusion from Parliamentary education grants and Church Building Society funds. Contextualised by extensive editorial notes on Page's career, contemporary Manx press reports, and Treasury minute details for the 1833 education grant scheme.
A record from the Santan parish court (Lib Scac 1718) documenting a complaint by James Willaughan regarding vandalism and theft at Mr McQuire's works at Kirkwood Santan, including a broken wheelbarrow, water can, and stolen cast band. The court examined witnesses and imposed fines on Henry Crebbin and Jo Callin. The document provides early evidence for the settlement later known as Newtown and identifies James Wollahan as McQuire's Roman Catholic steward.
A financial schedule documenting advances made by various esquires and entities to what appears to be a Manx institution or project between 1780-1794. The document lists individual loans, borrowings from the High Road Fund and House of Keys, calculates accumulated interest, and provides a total sum of £1904-5-8.
This document presents the third and final branch of a scheme to encourage herring fishery and linen manufacture on the Isle of Man. It argues for extending English trade privileges to Manx-produced salted fish and for funding Manx linen manufacture through duties on Russian linen. The document addresses concerns about the island's historical reputation for smuggling by detailing revenue establishment safeguards and legal protections now in place.
A detailed legal and commercial memorandum proposing reforms to the trade regulations of the Isle of Man. The document addresses restrictions on licensed and prohibited goods, export of provisions and manufactures, and the regulation of interior commerce through duties and import restrictions, arguing for modifications to existing acts to improve both the king's revenue and the islanders' circumstances.
A petition to the Lords of His Majesty's Treasury seeking commercial privileges for the Isle of Man, including repeal of restrictive clauses in various acts of Parliament. The document outlines desired reforms to foreign trade regulations, re-exportation terms, and interior commerce, requesting parity with Channel Islands and Ireland.
