A royal letter of protection issued by King Edward III to the Bishop of Man (Thomas), granting safe passage and protection for the bishop, his men, servants, and goods while travelling to and from the papal court at Rome. The document is presented in both English translation and original Latin (from Rotuli Scotiæ), and demonstrates the bishop's status as a feudal vassal owing allegiance to the English crown while undertaking ecclesiastical business.
A royal letter of protection issued by King Edward III to the Bishop of Man (identified as Bishop Thomas), granting safe conduct for the bishop's travel to and from the papal court in Rome. The document is recorded in the Rotuli Scotiæ and demonstrates the ecclesiastical and political status of the Manx bishopric within the medieval Scottish-English-Papal nexus.
A bilingual (Latin and English) royal charter in which King Edward III, with the consent of prelates, earls, barons and nobles, releases and quits all royal claims to the Isle of Man to William de Monte Acuto. This document is foundational to understanding pre-Revestment sovereignty questions and the historical trajectory of Manx governance from feudal tenure to parliamentary purchase.
A bilingual (Latin/English) transcription of a 1334 royal charter in which King Edward III, with consent of Parliament, releases and quitclaims all royal right and title to the Isle of Man to William de Monte Acuto. This document is foundational to understanding pre-Revestment claims to Manx sovereignty and establishes the legal precedent for private feudal lordship of the island.
A royal writ from Queen Elizabeth I to the Archbishop of York, dated 29 September 1570, confirming the nomination of John Salesbury as Bishop of Sodor and Man, presented by Edward, Earl of Derby, the patron of the see. The document establishes the Earl's right of patronage over the bishopric and directs the Archbishop to confirm Salesbury's appointment. Includes both English and Latin versions. Relevant to understanding the constitutional relationship between the English Crown, the Earl of Derby, and Isle of Man ecclesiastical governance in the pre-Revestment period.
A bilingual (English/Latin) royal writ from Edward III commanding Thomas de Drayton of Great Yarmouth to deliver the Bishop of Man under safe escort to London for examination, along with Scottish associates and their goods seized at Carlisle. The document illustrates early English Crown authority over Manx ecclesiastical figures and medieval maritime/commercial conflict.
A bilingual (Anglo-Norman French and Latin) royal writ from Edward III commanding Thomas de Drayton to transport the Bishop of Man from Scotland under arrest to London for examination. The document concerns the seizure of Scottish clerics and their goods at Carlisle, reflecting medieval jurisdictional tensions between England and Scotland over Isle of Man ecclesiastical authority.
A bilingual (English and Latin) royal writ from Edward II commanding sheriffs and bailiffs of northern English counties to provide naval support and supplies to defend the Isle of Man against an anticipated invasion by Robert Bruce's Scottish fleet. The document reflects early 14th-century geopolitical tensions and the strategic importance of Man as a bulwark against Scottish expansion.
A bilingual (English and Norman French) royal writ from King Edward II ordering the bailiffs and prudent men of Bristol, Portsmouth, Weymouth, Lymington, Warham, Lyme, Melcombe, and Poole to dispatch a well-manned navy to the Isle of Man by Assumption Day (15 August 1310), thence to Scotland under Admiral Simon de Montagu to conduct military operations against Scottish forces. The document demonstrates the strategic importance of the Isle of Man as a naval staging post in medieval Anglo-Scottish conflicts.
A bilingual (English/Latin) royal writ from King Edward III to the Justice of Ireland, responding to complaints from the community of the Isle of Man regarding an armed assault on their merchant vessels carrying payment of a peace fine to Scotland. The document details the seizure of goods and imprisonment of Manx envoys by Irish mariners claiming to be 'guardians of the sea,' and orders their recovery and the perpetrators' prosecution.
A bilingual (English and Latin) royal writ from King Edward II dated 15 December 1311, addressed to sheriffs and bailiffs of the northern English counties (Chester, Lancaster, Cumberland, Westmoreland). The writ commands assistance to Gilbert Makasky, seneschal of Anthony de Bek (Bishop of Durham), in provisioning and defending the Isle of Man against an anticipated invasion by Robert Bruce's fleet. The document is relevant to understanding the strategic and military importance of the Isle of Man during the Scottish Wars and the Crown's concerns about Scottish naval power.
A Norman French royal writ (4 Edward II) commanding the officials of Sutton and Plymouth to prepare a naval fleet for service in the Scottish wars. The writ initially orders vessels to Dublin, then redirects them to the Isle of Man, where they are to await Admiral Simon de Mountaigne. Demonstrates the strategic importance of the Isle of Man as a mustering point for military expeditions and the Crown's direct control over island resources in the early 14th century.
A royal writ issued by King Edward II commanding bailiffs in England, Ireland, and Wales to arrest malefactors from the Isle of Man who supported Robert de Brus (Robert the Bruce) and had caused damage to the Crown and its subjects. The writ authorizes detention in royal prisons pending further royal command. This document demonstrates early medieval royal jurisdiction over the island and the Crown's concern with Manx political allegiances during the Scottish Wars of Independence.
A royal writ from King Edward II (or successor) commanding English bailiffs to arrest malefactors of the Isle of Man who supported Robert de Brus (Robert the Bruce) and had caused damage in England. The document demonstrates medieval English crown authority over the Isle and its inhabitants, and was part of the Monumenta de Insula Manniae collection. Similar writs were issued to bailiffs in Ireland and Wales.
A royal writ from King Edward III commanding the release of goods and chattels of the Bishop of Man, seized at the port of Lowestoft after a storm at sea. The Bishop was en route to Rome on ecclesiastical business. The document illustrates the status of Man under English allegiance and sovereignty, and the protection of Manx subjects' property rights in English ports.
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.
