2. Endowment
2.1 ESTATES
2.1.1 WAYNFLETE'S ENDOWMENT: GENERAL
Waynflete's wealth and powerful position as Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancellor, and his association with other leading figures such as Sir John Fastolf and Ralph, Lord Cromwell, enabled him to acquire a substantial endowment for the College, based on landed estates with secure titles, spread widely over the south, east and midland regions in London and 19 of the historic counties of England. This endowment made Magdalen the richest of the medieval foundations.
Waynflete's statutes enjoined that the temporal and spiritual possessions of the College should never be alienated in fee, mortgaged, let for lives or leased for periods of more than 20 years. The Elizabethan legislation regarding college estates, too, prohibited sales of land, which were regarded as a perpetual charitable endowment. The Acts of 1856, however, which set up a Commission for the revision of University and College statutes, were accompanied by an Act to give the Colleges power to sell and exchange lands, under certain conditions (19 & 20 Victoria, cap. xcv). Successive Acts down to 1925 relaxed the retrictions even more, until the Universities and Colleges Estates Act of 1925, which gave power to sell provided that permission was given by the Ministry of Agriculture. By this date it was acknowledged that agricultural land no longer gave the best return as an investment. Magdalen did not rush to sell its properties, but by 1945 many properties had been sold and few now remain in College ownership. The College has been able to retain its historic title deeds, however, and is not obliged to hand them over at the time of sale as proof of title.
2.1.2 WAYNFLETE'S ENDOWMENT: FINDING AIDS
There are approximately 12,000 medieval deeds and associated documents relating to the original endowment and a few additional acquisitions. These documents date from the twelfth to the sixteenth centuries and comprise the historic muniments of the College.
(a) The 'Old Catalogue'
Successive, partial lists were made from the fifteenth century onwards, but the first comprehensive lists were compiled by the President and Fellows in the early seventeenth century and bound together as the 'Old Catalogue'. The piece numbers assigned to individual documents at this date are still used as the call numbers for the historic muniments, and therefore need some explanation.
The method used for the Old Catalogue was to take the properties one by one and then to number deeds as they were found, without close examination or any attempt at arrangement. Where there were large collections of deeds they divided the collection at random and numbered each section alphabetically, so that Brackley, for instance, has five sections, i.e. Brackley, and Brackley A-D; these sections have no archival significance. Occasionally, two properties will have been intermixed by those who numbered the deeds; thus the series for Helmdon, Northamptonshire, includes 9 deeds for Harringworth, although there was no connection between the two and Harringworth was not acquired by the college.
(b) Macray's Calendar
William Dunn Macray, a Fellow of the College in the mid-19th century who also worked at the Bodleian Library for many years, was aware of the growing interest in historical sources and the inadequacies of the Old Catalogue. The College accepted his proposal that he should compile a new catalogue of the muniments, and he worked on this from 1864 to 1878. The result was a calendar in ms in 48 volumes which include, as well as the title deeds arranged by counties, the royal charters and other confirmation charters, appropriations, the Fastolf papers and also a collection of miscellaneous deeds which do not necessarily relate to Magdalen: about 13,000 deeds in all. Macray preserved the seventeenth-century call numbers, but arranged the deeds for each main property in chronological order, regardless of sub-divisions such as mills or farms. (It is probable that the original order of the deeds had long been lost.) A bound, typescript version of Macray's calendar was commissioned in the 1930s and is still an indispensable finding aid. Macray outlined the contents in W. D. Macray, 'The manuscripts of St Mary Magdalene College, Oxford', Appendix to The Fourth Report of the Historical Manuscripts Commission (London: George Edward Eyre & William Spottiswoode for Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1874), 458-65 and 'St Mary Magdalen College', Appendix to The Eighth Report of the Historical Manuscripts Commission (London: George Edward Eyre & William Spottiswoode for Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1881), 262-9.
(c) Woolgar's Catalogue
The essential guide to the deeds of the historic muniments is C. M. Woolgar, 'A Catalogue of the Estate Archives of St Mary Magdalen College, 0xford', 10 vols unpublished typescript (1981). Woolgar's arrangement, like Macray's, is topographical, but based in this case on the 1974 county divisions. He indicates the appropriate Macray volume for deeds relating to each listed settlement and supplies cross-references for stray deeds found in other Macray volumes or MCA series.
2.1.3 SUMMARY OF MACRAY'S CALENDAR OF THE MUNIMENTS
The list in this section of the Guide gives an outline of Macray's calendar. It does not list the appurtenances of each manor, which could extend into many neighbouring parishes.
Note that there are no ts calendar volumes for Oxford City or for Selborne in Hampshire, since these charters have been published: those for Oxford in H. E. Salter, A Cartulary of the Hospital of St John the Baptist, 3 vols (Oxford: Clarendon Press for the Oxford Historical Society, 1914-16) and those for Selborne in W. Dunn Macray, Calendar of Charters and Documents relating to Selborne and its Priory, preserved in the Muniment Room of Magdalen College, Oxford, 2 vols, (London: Simpkin & Co. Ltd; Winchester: Warren & Son, for Hampshire Record Society, 1891, 1894). L. F. Salzman, The Chartulary of the Priory of St Peter at Sele (Cambridge: W. Heffer & Sons Ltd, 1923) will also be found useful for Sele and its properties in Sussex.
Note: In the list below, 'M.' signifies Macray's ts 'Calendar of Deeds'. The deeds listed below are in alphabetical order within their original counties; the post-1974 boundary changes are noted, since this affects their location in Woolgar's 'Catalogue'. The date span which follows the name of the manor or property indicates the date span of the deeds. The date of conveyance indicates the date when the property was first acquired by Magdalen College. The bundle of deeds titled 'de situ Collegii' (see Woolgar, p. 2250) have not been traced in Salter, Cartulary, nor in the ts calendar; the deeds are, however, extant.
Bedfordshire
Tempsford, c. 1300-c. 1543: conveyed in reversion 1539
Tempsford 1-98; 1a-17a. Phillipp's Lands 1-16
M. Beds. 1-138
Berkshire, including Vale of White Horse area, transferred to Oxfordshire 1974
Appleton (now Oxon.), c. 1636-1780: acquired 1638
Appleton 1-34
M. Berks.I, 1-33
Beenham Valence and Wallington's Farm in Kintbury, c. 1220-1606: conveyed 1482
Beenham Valence 1-166
M. Berks. II, 1-155
Botley (now Oxon.) 1453-1622: grant of reserved rent, 1622
Botley 1-8
M. Oxon. I, 15-22
Harwell (now Oxon.), c. 1200-16th cent.: Brounces manor acquired 1484
Harwell 1-140; 1a-85a; 1b-76b; 1c-28c
M. Berks. III, 1-310
Stainswick (now Oxon.), c. 1200-late 16th cent.: conveyed 1476
Stainswick 1-90; 1a-37a
M. Berks. I, 135-251
Tubney (now Oxon.), c. 1240-1678: conveyed 1482
Tubney 1-107
M. Berks. I, 34-134
Buckinghamshire
North Marston, c. 1220-1727: appropriated 1457 (Hospital of St John)
North Marston 1-74
M. Bucks. 1-76
Thornborough, c. 1220-1542: appropriated 1457 (Hospital of St John)
Thornborough 1-142
M. Bucks. 77-221
Westbury, c. 1200-1530: appropriated late 15th cent. (Brackley Hospital)
Westbury 1-9; 1a-163a
M. Bucks. 222-381
Essex
Apton Hall in Canewdon, c. 1260-1475: conveyed 1460s and early 1470s, claim abandoned in c. 1480s
Apton Hall 1-40
M. Essex & Glos. 1-41
East New Hall in Ramsey, 1413-1610: conveyed by 1477
East New Hall 1-18
M. Essex & Glos. 42-54
Gloucestershire (now Warwicks)
Quinton (now Warwicks.), 1200-1685: conveyed 1480
Quinton 1-76
M. Essex & Glos. 80-155
Slimbridge, 1484-1520: conveyed 1501
M. Essex & Glos. 1-26
Hampshire
Basing, c. 1200-1527: annexed c. 1485 (Selborne Priory)
Basing 1-45
M. Hants. I, 66-105. See also Macray, Selborne Priory II, 1-13
Basingstoke, 1220-1471:annexed c. 1485 (Selborne Priory)
Basingstoke 1-27
M. Hants. I, 106-127. See also Macray, Selborne Priory, II, 14-22
Beech and Thedden Grange in Alton, c. 1230-1503: annexed c. 1485 (Selborne Priory)
Beech and Thedden 1-46; 1a-20
M. Hants. I, 1-65. See also Macray, Selborne Priory, II, 23-43
Bramdean, c. 1230-1462: annexed c. 1485 (Selborne Priory)
Bramdean 1-60
M. Hants. I, 128-183. See also Macray, Selborne Priory, II, 44-62
Cowfold in Rotherwick, 1402-90: conveyed 1481
Cowfold 1-35
M. Hants. I, 184-215
Enham Regis, c. 1210-1548: conveyed 1481
Enham 1-144; 1a-96a; 1b-247b; 1c-96c
M. Hants. II-III, 1-575
Hilhampton in Oxenbourne, c. 1250-1481: conveyed 1481
Hilhampton 1-41
M. Hants. V, 1-40
Kings Somborne, c. 1210-1562: conveyed 1481
Somborne 1-117; 1a-137a
M. Hants. IV, 1-232
Otterbourne, 1244-1533: conveyed 1481
Otterbourne 1-159
M. Hants. V, 41-176
Petersfield, c. 1210-1596: annexed c. 1485 (Selborne Priory)
Petersfield 1-168
M. Hants. IX, 1-170. See also Macray, Selborne II, 63-73
Scures, c. 1210-1501: conveyed 1481
Scures 1-116
M. Hants. VIII, 1-109
Selborne Priory, c. 1190-1719: conveyed c. 1485
Selborne 1-397
Macray, Selborne, I. Note that there is a key (only) to the Selborne page references in the ts volume, M. Hants. VI-VII.
Winchester, 1221-1556:annexed c. 1485 (Selborne Priory)
Winchester 1-63
M. Hants. VIII, 110-168. See also Macray, Selborne II, 74-96
Kent
Romney, Hospital of St Stephen & St Thomas, c. 1180-1508: conveyed 1481
Romney 1-63
M. Kent, London & Somerset 1-58
Lincolnshire
Candlesby, c. 1185-1562: conveyed 1498
Candlesby 1-54; 1a-66a; 1b-59b
M. Lincs. I, 1-167
Horsington, 1218-1632: conveyed 1530
Horsington 1-115
M. Lincs. II, 1-91
Multon Hall in Frampton, c. 1170-1611: conveyed 1477
Multon Hall 1-160; 1a-108a
M. Lincs. III, 1-249
Saltfleetby, c. 1180-early 17th cent: conveyed 1477
Saltfleetby 1-62; 1a-51a
M. Lincs. II, 92-189
[Somercotes, conveyed 1477: deeds with Saltfleetby]
Stamford, 1300-1511: conveyed 1539
Stamford 1-57
M. Lincs. II, 190-244
Swaby, c. 1170-1725: conveyed 1532
Swaby 1-200; 1a-155a
M. Lincs. IV, 1-352
London
Chancery Lane, 1512-1556: conveyed 1556
Chancery Lane 1-16
M. London & Somerset 59-73
Temple Bar and Strand, 1345-1513: conveyed 1482
Temple Bar 1-75
M. London & Somerset 74-139
Note: For Southwark see under Surrey
Norfolk
Beighton, c. 1200-1480: conveyed 1483
Beighton 1-116
M. Norfolk I, 74-185
Guton Hall in Brandiston, c. 1180-1559: conveyed 1483
Guton Hall 1-298; 1a-54a
M. Norfolk II, 1-345
Hickling, c. 1210-1500: conveyed 1483
Hickling 1-157
M. Norfolk I, 186-324
Norfolk & Suffolk in genere, 1256-1483: conveyed 1483
Norfolk & Suffolk 1-84
M. Norfolk I, 1-73
Titchwell, c. 1200-1496: conveyed 1483
Titchwell 1-215
M. Norfolk III, 1-203
Note: for for Boyton and Briggs, now in Norfolk and Suffolk, see under Suffolk. For Caldecott Hall, Hobland Hall and Hopton, now Norfolk, see under Suffolk.
Northamptonshire
Aynho, Hospital of St James,c. 1170-1498: annexed 1485
Aynho 1-88
M. Northants. III, 1-87
Brackley, Hospital of St James & St John, c. 1160-1565: conveyed 1485
Brackley 1-223; 1a-100a; 1b-250b; 1c-139c; 1d-250d
M. Northants. I & II, 1-926
Evenley, c. 1190-1789: annexed 1485 (Brackley Hospital)
Evenley 1-69; 1a-149a
M. Northants. III, 88-298
Helmdon, c. 1270-1759: conveyed 1562, 1563, 1595
Helmdon 1-89
M. Northants. III, 299-378
Syresham, c. 1180-1685: annexed 1485 (Brackley Hospital)
Syresham 1-57
M. Northants. III, 379-432
NB see also EMD/161A - terrier and surveys of parish of Syresham, 1624
Whitfield, c. 1200-c. 1530: annexed 1485 (Brackley Hospital)
Whitfield 1-171
M. Northants. IV, 1-170
Nottinghamshire
East Bridgford, 1319-1628: conveyed 1482
East Bridgford 1-53
M. Northants. IV, 171-214
Oxfordshire
Bloxham, c. 1210-1447: appropriated 1457 (Hospital of St John)
Bloxham 1-10
M. Oxon. IV, 1-8
Chalgrove, c. 1130-1570 ('First series'):
Chalgrove 1-279
M. Oxon. V, 1-243
and Chalgrove, c. 1200-1572 ('Second series')
Chalgrove 1a-54a; 1b-60b
M. Oxon. III, 244-355
Chipping Norton, c. 1210-1469: appropriated 1457 (Hospital of St John)
Chipping Norton 1-10
M. Oxon. III, 356-364
Churchill, c. 1280-1396: appropriated 1457 (Hospital of St John)
Churchill 1-3
M. Oxon. III, 365-7
Clifton and Deddington, c. 1220-1585: conveyed 1465
Clifton and Deddington 1-47; 1a-27a
M.Oxon. IV, 9-86
Cowley, c. 1230-1370: appropriated 1457 (Hospital of St John)
Cowley 1-17
M. Oxon. VIII, 1-17
Dorchester, c. 1210-60: appropriated 1457 (Hospital of St John)
Dorchester 1-15
M. Oxon. VIII, 18-32
Garsington, c. 1170-c. 1500: appropriated 1457 (Hospital of St John)
Garsington 1-54; 1a-22a
M. Oxon. III, 368-435
Golder, c. 1250-1632: conveyed 1489
Golder 1-96; 1a-92a; 1b-106b; 1c-48c
M. Oxon. VI, 1-330
Headington, c. 1160-1587: appropriated 1457 (Hospital of St John)
Headington 1-75; 1a-33a
M. Oxon. VIII, 33-128
Henton, c. 1220-1634: conveyed 1486
Henton 1-61; 1a-61a; 1b-57b; 1c-55c; 1d-59d
M. Oxon. VII, 1-270
Horspath, 1451-1530: appropriated 1457 (Hospital of St John)
Horspath 1-17
M. Oxon. III, 436-51
Iffley, c. 1220-1472: appropriated 1457 (Hospital of St John)
Iffley 1-14
M. Oxon. VIII, 129-139
Ilbury, c. 1230-1537: appropriated 1457 (Hospital of St John)
Ilbury 1-5
M. Oxon. IV, 151-5
Kirtlington, c. 1200-1510:appropriated 1457 (Hospital of St John)
Kirtlington 1-2
M. Oxon. IV, 87-88
Nether Worton, c. 1230-1380: appropriated 1457 (Hospital of St John)
Nether Worton 1-14
M. Oxon. IV, 89-98
Northbrook, c. 1200-20: appropriated c. 1457 (?)[Uncertain whether this became a College property]
Northbrook 1-5
M. Oxon. IV, 99-103]
Oddington, c. 1230-1550: appropriated 1457 (Hospital of St John)
Oddington 1-45; 1a-39a
M. Oxon. III, 452-534
Note: Section on Oxford City is placed after the Oxfordshire county section.
Shipton on Cherwell, c. 1200-1480: [did not become a property of the College]
Shipton upon Cherwell 1-31; 1a-15a; 1b-20b
M. Oxon. VIII, 140-203
Shotover, 1246-1596: appropriated 1457 (Hospital of St John)
Shotover 1-6
M. Oxon. III, 535-39
South Newington, 1227-1564: appropriated 1457 (Hospital of St John)
South Newington 1a-18a (sic)
M. Oxon. IV, 104-24
Standlake, c. 1220-1722: conveyed 1482
Standlake 1-31; 1a-37a; 1b-18b; 1c-24c
M. Oxon. III, 540-630
Tackley, c. 1220-c. 1391: appropriated 1457 (Hospital of St John)
Tackley 1-7
M. Oxon. IV, 125-131
Thomley in Waterperry, c. 1300-1535: probably appropriated 1457 (Hospital of St John)
Thomley 1-3
M. Oxon. IV, 132-133
Woodstock, c. 1173-1436: appropriated 1457 (Hospital of St John)
Woodstock 1-9
M. Oxon. III, 631-9
Wootton, c. 1220-1589: appropriated 1457 (Hospital of St John)
Wootton 1-16
M. Oxon. IV, 134-50
Note: For Botley, Harwell, Stainswick, Tubney, now Oxon, see Berkshire
Oxford City Appropriated 1457 (St John's Hospital)
Note: for this section, references to Salter, Cartulary, are given instead of those from Macray's 'Calendar', as there is no ts version of Macray's City section. See also Salter, Cartulary,III, 387-92, Appendix II: 'A list of the Oxford deeds in the Muniment Room of Magdalen College and where they are printed in this Cartulary'. All properties still in the possession of the Hospital of St John the Baptist passed to Magdalen after the appropriation of the Hospital in 1457. Other former properties, such as those in St Giles, did not pass to the College. For the deeds titled 'Hospital in genere' see Macray's calendar, CRC/162-186. There is a bundle of deeds 'de situ Collegii' which seems to have been described only in the ms version of Macray's calendar.
All Saints, c. 1220-1603:
All Saints 1-61
Salter, II, 1-60
College site, 1448-1694
De situ collegii
M. Oxon. I, 457-480
(not in ts calendar, nor in Salter: see Macray ms calendar)
Holywell, c. 1220-1464
Holywell 1-49
Salter, II, 345-388
St Aldates c. 1225-1561
St Aldates 1-54
Salter, II, 132-189
St Clement c. 1240-1504
St Clement 1-10
Salter, I, 1-18
St Ebbe, c. 1210-1446
St Ebbe 1-35
Salter, II, 212-244
St Giles, c. 1230-1400
St Giles 1-9
Salter, II, 336-344
St John the Baptist, c. 1220-1432
St John the Baptist 1-21
Salter, II, 97-124
St Martin, c. 1205-1500
St Martin 1-21
Salter, II, 75-96
St Mary Magdalen, c. 1210-1487/8
St Mary Magdalen 1-55
Salter, II, 278-335
St Mary the Virgin, c. 1190-1637
St Mary the Virgin 1-69
Salter, I, 407-480
St Michael Northgate c. 1215-1337 and St Michael Southgate, c. 1220-1312
St Michael 1-28
Salter, II, 190-211, 266-277
St Peter le Bailey, c. 1220-1451
St Peter le Bailey 1-25
Salter, II, 245-265
St Peter in the East, c. 1190-1752
St Peter in the East 1-80; 1a-60a; 1b-80b; 1c-69c; 1d-60d; 1e-36e
Salter, I, 19-406
Villa Oxon, c. 1190-1564
Villa Oxon 1-14
Salter, III, Appendix II, 392
Note: See Salter, Cartulary, I and II for deeds of the parishes of St Mildred, St Edward, St Frideswide and St Thomas, which are not listed separately in the College series. Magdalen deeds for these are intermixed with those of other parishes.
Somerset
Ford next Taunton, c. 1250-1496: conveyed 1482
Ford 1-120
M. Kent, London & Somerset, 145-227
Suffolk
Akethorpe Hall & Benyers in Lowestoft, c. 1280-1533: conveyed 1483
Akethorp & Benyers 1-22
M. Suffolk I, 1-22
Boyton & Briggs (now Norfolk & Suffolk), c. 1200-1498: conveyed 1483 Boyton & Briggs 1-107
M. Suffolk I, 23-128
Caldecott Hall in Fritton (now Norfolk) c. 1220-1474: conveyed 1483
Caldecott Hall 1-85
M. Suffok I, 129-207
Hobland Hall in Bradwell (now Norfolk) c. 1220-1600: conveyed 1483
Hobland Hall 1-104
M. Suffolk II, 1-103
Hopton (now Norfolk), c. 1270-1533: conveyed c. 1515-33
Hopton 1-62
M. Suffolk II, 104-64
Spitlings in Gorleston, c. 1250-1506: conveyed 1483
Spitlings 1-195
M. Suffolk III, 1-192
Note: For Norfolk and Suffolk in genere see Norfolk
Surrey
Southwark (now London), c. 1240-1585: conveyed 1483
Southwark 1-214; 1a-52a; 1b-85b
M. Surrey 1-349
Sussex
Annington, 1153-1469: conveyed 1471 (Sele Priory)
Annington 1-10
M. Sussex II, 1-10
Ashurst and Lancing, 1415-1563: conveyed 1471 (Sele Priory)
Ashurst & Lancing 1-11
M. Sussex I, 1-11
Beeding, early 13th cent.-1565: conveyed 1471 (Sele Priory)
Beeding 1-21
M. Sussex I, 12-32
Binelands, West Grinstead, c. 1220-88: conveyed 1471 (Sele Priory)
Binelands & West Grinstead 1-16
M. Sussex II, 36-51
Bramber and Bidlington in Bramber, c. 1190-1539: conveyed 1471 (Sele Priory)
Bramber & Bidlington 1-27
M. Sussex II, 11-35
Buddington, c. 1220-1570: conveyed 1471 (Sele Priory)
Buddington 1-28
M. Sussex I, 33-48
Chichester, 1566-9: rent granted 1569
Chichester 1-2
M. Sussex II, 52-53
Clapham, c. 1150-1677: tithes conveyed 1471 (Sele Priory)
Clapham 1-7
M. Sussex II, 54-65
Crokehurst, c. 1153-1550: conveyed 1471 (Sele Priory)
Crokehurst 1-10
M. Sussex II, 66-75
Durrington, 1174-1637: conveyed 1471 (Sele Priory)
Durrington 1-15
M. Sussex I, 49-84
Findon, c. 1230-1562; conveyed 1471 (Sele Priory)
Findon 1-50; and a-v
M. Sussex II, 76-135.
Sele Priory, c. 1100-18th cent.: conveyed 1471
Sele 1-122; and a-s
M. Sussex I, 92-205
Note: see also Salzman, Chartulary, with reference to Sele properties.
Shoreham, Old and New, c. 1140-1482: conveyed 1471 (Sele Priory)
Shoreham 1-57
M. Sussex I, 206-258
Southwick, c. 1180-16th cent: conveyed 1471 (Sele Priory)
Southwick 1-27
M. Sussex II, 144-66
Thakeham, c. 1220-1464: conveyed 1471 (Sele Priory)
Thakeham 1-13
M. Sussex II, 167-178
Washington, 1246-1651: conveyed 1471 (Sele Priory)
Washington 1-7
M. Sussex II, 179-185
Warwickshire
Westcote in Tysoe, c. 1180-1512: appropriated c. 1457 (Hospital of St John )
Westcote 1-123
M. Warwicks. I, 1-121
Willoughby, c. 1200-1566: appropriated c. 1457 (Hospital of St John)
Willoughby 1-106; 1a-113a; 1b-199b; 1c-103c
M. Warwicks. I & II, 122-636
Note: for Quinton, now Warwicks, see Gloucestershire
Wiltshire
Corton Clevancy, c. 1220-1556: conveyed 1483
Corton Clevancy 1-96
M. Wilts., 1-105
Dinton, 1547-1722: conveyed 1722 [advowson]
Dinton 1-26
M. Wilts., 106-129
Wanborough, 1233-1519: Wardinage or free chapel conveyed 1483
Wanborough 1-34; 1a-79a
M. Wilts., 130-237
2.1.4 ADDITIONAL MEDIEVAL DEEDS: ADDS. SERIES
The Additional Charters series, collected by N. Denholm-Young (Fellow) and calendared by him in a bound, ts volume in 1938, are mainly estate papers rather than deeds. All have been cross-referenced in Woolgar, 'Catalogue', as 'Adds.'.
Gloucestershire, now Warwickshire
Adds. 83-84 Deeds relating to Quinton, Glos. [now Warwicks.] (1586-1611)
Hertfordshire
Adds. 65 Cartulary of Rowney Priory, Herts [not Romney, Kent as given in Denholm-Young] n.d. [early 14th cent.]
[Note: This was not a Magdalen property]
Lincolnshire
Adds. 36 2 leaves of a cartulary of Multon Hall in Frampton, Lincs. (n.d. [late 14th/early 15th cent.])
Adds. 66 Will of Sir Ralph Cromwell of Tattershall, Lincs. (29 Sep 1454)
Norfolk and Suffolk
Adds. 97 Cartulary of Magd. Coll. lands in Norfolk and Suffolk (c.1495-1510)
Adds. 37 Fritton, Suffolk (1264-5)
2.1.5 ADDITIONS TO THE ENDOWMENT OF LAND
Many additional properties were acquired from the seventeenth century onwards, and especially in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. These were acquired by gift or purchase, the purchases being mainly in places where the College already held land. Some investment in land was made to fund exhibitions and scholarships from benefactors. There are three main series of these deeds, i.e. D-Y/, LMR/, and EMD/. The first two (only) are included in Woolgar, 'Catalogue', as D-Y and LMR Add. Deeds.
(a) D-Y/ (Denholm-Young) list
A selection of post-1622 Bursary deeds and estate papers was arranged according to counties and place-names by N. Denholm-Young (Fellow) and bound in a ts volume titled (misleadingly) 'Accessions 1931-41'. Many items in this series have been lost since 1941. Those that are extant now have the prefix D-Y and are fully cross-referenced in Woolgar's 'Catalogue'. Most of the deeds are for advowsons, for which see Section 2.2; significant bundles of deeds are included, however, for three estates:
Oxfordshire
D-Y, pp. 175-211 Northmoor, Oxon. (1600-1904)
Warwickshire
D-Y, pp. 288-373 Willington, Warwicks. (1616-1724)
Wiltshire
D-Y, pp. 389-97 Milton Havering, Wilts. (1665)
(b) LMR/ series
A miscellaneous series of title deeds, leases, and assignments and surrenders of leases, with other documents, has the code LMR/1-43, but has not been fully catalogued. The provenance of this collection is mixed and has not in all cases been recorded. Some bundles were probably College deeds that for some reason were not found by Macray or Denholm-Young. Others have come from a variety of outside sources such as Morrells, Solicitors, and the British Records Association. LMR/1-23 are listed in Woolgar, 'Catalogue' as LMR Add. Deeds. There is a summary list of LMR/24-43 in the searchroom. The documents include deeds for the following properties:
Dorset
LMR/25-27 Shillingstone: Dr West's estate (1345-1827)
Lincolnshire
LMR/16,19 Girsby (1747-1837)
LMR/19 Heckington (1795-1919)
LMR/14-15,17,20-21
Swineshead (1701-1927)
London
LMR/13 29 Moorgate St, City of London (1838-95)
LMR/12 Wandsworth (1882-1942)
LMR/37 Wandsworth (1826-94)
Norfolk
LMR/7-10 Norwich (1584-1869)
LMR/28-9 Swannington (1725-1815)
[non-Magdalen but includes some deeds for Guton Hall in Brandiston]
Oxfordshire
LMR/30 Northmoor: Fitzwilliam legacy, acquired 1741-5 (1589-1868)
LMR/31-2 Oxford City: St Aldates (1767-1859; 1727-58; 1830-98)
LMR/32 Oxford City: St Michaels (1856-98)
LMR/5 Oxford City: St Ebbes (1846-90)
LMR/4 Oxford City: St Mary Magdalen (1793-1903)
LMR/6 Oxford City: St Peter in the East (1881-99)
LMR/2-3 Standlake (1731-1889)
LMR/35 Standlake (1838-89)
Wiltshire
LMR/40 Wanborough (1831-88)
Note: for deeds of advowsons see Section 2.2.2.
(c) EMD/ series
The main series of later deeds acquired up to the 1930s was catalogued in 1939 by Hugh Walton, who removed 131 bundles of deeds from chests in the Lower Muniment Room and transferred them to boxes, keeping the old, random numbering system for the administrative convenience of the Estates Bursary staff. The series was regarded as part of the current Bursary records and probably for this reason was not included in the Woolgar 'Catalogue'.
Walton's typescript catalogue was bound in three volumes titled 'Magdalen College Oxford: Catalogue of Estate Deeds from the XVIIth century'. A card index of the deeds listed in Walton was made in order to overcome the problem of their random order, and this index has been continued by the Estates Bursary staff, recording sales as well as purchases by the College. Copies of the catalogue and index are available in the search room. Most of the post-1900 deeds are at present housed in the Bursary, but the earlier deeds have mainly been transferred to the archives and now have the prefix EMD/. (EMD/ in brackets as [EMD/] indicates that the deeds are held in the Bursary.) The series includes some documents that are not deeds, such as building contracts and statutes.
Not all the deeds in the Walton 'Catalogue' are still at Magdalen. Since the University reforms of 1857 onwards, Colleges have been able to sell properties: indeed, this has been encouraged in times of agricultural depression, order to maximise the College's income by reinvesting in urban property or in the stock market. In such cases the deeds have usually been passed to the new owners as proof of title. It should be remembered, also, that properties purchased in the seventeenth century or later, and sold again before the Walton catalogue was compiled in 1939, may be difficult to trace except through College Orders.
The list that follows gives the reference codes for some of the more significant acquisitions.
Berkshire, now Oxfordshire:
EMD/1.1.2 Appleton, conveyed 27.7.1780 (deeds from 1636)
EMD/42.9.25 Ashbury, Ragnall Farm, conveyed 27.9.1900 (deeds from 1689)
EMD/30.7.6 Denchworth, S. Denchworth Farm, conveyed 5.10.1897 (deeds from 1681)
Berkshire
EMD/2.1.10b Speen, deeds from 1828, exchanged 29.3.1869 (exchanged for Wallington's, Kintbury) (deeds from 1828)
EMD/122-5 & 128 Englefield,Tilehurst & Theale, conveyed 11.11.1850 (deeds from 1704)
Buckinghamshire
EMD/2/1/11a Beaconsfield, 'The Place', conveyed 4.7.1857 (deeds from 1736)
Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire
EMD/76.13.19 Tythrop estate, including Kingsey and Emmington, conveyed 5.11.1929 (deeds from 1880)
Hampshire
EMD/4.1.14 Kings Somborne, conveyed 10.2.1832 (deeds from 1693)
Lincolnshire
EMD/73.13.11 Wigtoft & Swineshead, Casterton House Farm conveyed 8.5.1929 (deeds from 1811)
London
EMD/79.7 Hendon, Ambassadors Theatre, conveyed 1933 (deeds from 1912)
EMD/126 St Mary Axe, conveyed 15.1.1897 (deeds from 1863)
EMD/126 Bermondsey, conveyed 13.1.1885 (deeds from 1821)
EMD/127 Bethnal Green, conveyed 7.3.1898 (deeds from 1814)
EMD/131 Bethnal Green, conveyed 1.2.1897 (deeds from 1894)
EMD/131 Bethnal Green, conveyed 29.7.1915 (deeds from 1884)
EMD/129 Holborn, conveyed 17.8.1898 (deeds from 1760)
EMD/130 Cornhill, no 82, conveyed 26.11.1812 (deeds from 1812)
Middlesex
EMD/130 Turnham Green, Chiswick, conveyed 13.7.1900 (deeds from 1887)
Norfolk
EMD/8.2.23 Moulton & Beighton, conveyed 16.6.1884 (deeds from 1858)
Oxfordshire
EMD/80.15 Cuddesdon & Denton, conveyed 12.10.1901 (deeds from 1653)
EMD/10.3.5 Henton, Chinnor, conveyed 22.5.1845 (deeds from 1632)
EMD/14.3.32 Henton Farm, Chinnor, conveyed 10.6.1890 (deeds from 1804)
EMD/9.3.3 Horspath (to Dr Ellerton),conveyed 19.3.1830 (deeds from 1714)
EMD/88.18 Northmoor & Standlake, conveyed 2.10.1899 (deeds from 1685)
EMD/11.3.8 Oxford [1 Rose Lane], conveyed 30.11.1859 (deeds from 1758)
EMD/11.3.9 Oxford, 57 High St, conveyed 19.7.1865 (deeds from 1772)
[EMD/] 12.3.14 Oxford, Holywell Mill, conveyed 13.11.1879 (deeds from 1778 [retained in Bursary. Not found in Archive, May 2018])
EMD/12.3.15 Oxford, Longwall messuages, conveyed 19.6.1880 (deeds from 1772)
EMD/27.6.4 61-2 High St, conveyed 29.11.1892 (deeds from 1719)
EMD/13.3.16 Oxford, 63 High St, conveyed 29.9.1881 (deeds from 1740)
EMD/13.3.19 Oxford, 65 High St, conveyed 10.1.1882 (deeds from 1725)
EMD/14.3.30 Oxford, 66 High St, conveyed 13.4.1888 (deeds from 1855)
EMD/39.9.6 Oxford, 69 & 70 High St, conveyed 22.7.1899 (deeds from 1725)
EMD/62.21.17 Oxford, 67 & 68 High St, conveyed 12.11.1923 (deeds from 1713)
EMD/63.21.22 Oxford, 64 High St, conveyed 25.8.1922 (deeds from 1691)
EMD/45.14 Oxford, High St/Longwall, conveyed 16.7.1850 (no earlier deeds)
EMD/39.9.6a Oxford, 8 & 9 King St, conveyed 1.9.1902 (no earlier deeds)
[EMD/] 21.5.7 Turrells Hall/The Willows (Magd. College School), conveyed 3.1892 (deeds from 1715 [retained in Bursary and possibly transferred to solicitor Linnells in Nov 1995. Not found in Archive, May 2018])
EMD/22.5.20 Oxford [Eastgate Hotel], conveyed 13.11.1891 (deeds from 1772)
EMD/48.16.25 Oxford, 7 King St, conveyed 22.10.1903 (deeds from 1804)
EMD/49.16.38 Oxford, 6 King St, conveyed 23.7.1904 (deeds from 1805)
EMD/49.16.41 Oxford, Iffley Road, conveyed 24.6.1905 (no earlier deeds)
EMD/50.16.42 Oxford, 6 Cornmarket, conveyed 29.7.1904 (deeds from 1792)
EMD/29.6.33 Oxford, Cowley Place, conveyed 29.9.1896 (deeds from 1821)
EMD/53.17.5 Oxford, East Gate Court, conveyed 24.7.1906 (deeds from 1878)
EMD/59.18.28 Oxford, St Clements, Southfield Farm conveyed 8.11.1921 (deeds from 1812)
[EMD/] 71.13.7 Sandford-on-Thames, Rock Farm, conveyed 19.11.1928 (deeds from 1878 [retained in Bursary - not found in Archive, May 2018])
EMD/50.16.48 South Newington, conveyed 3.2.1906 (deeds from 1765)
EMD/10.3.4 Swerford, conveyed 21.10.1834 (deeds from 1760)
EMD/66.21.36 Waterperry estate, conveyed 6.5.1925 (deeds from 1811)
EMD/99-114 'Waterperry Box' (deeds from 1654 (inc.Shabbington deeds))
[EMD/] 69.21.44 Waterperry Vicarage, conveyed 8.7.1926 (no earlier deeds [retained in Bursary. Not found in Archive, May 2018]
[EMD/] 70.13.1 Wheatley, Rectory Farm, conveyed 7.10.1926 (deeds from 1850 [transferred to solicitor, 1986 and then given to purchasing solicitor following sale - no longer held by Magdalen College. Not found in Archive, May 2018])
[EMD/] 78.13.28 Wheatley, Bolesdown Farm, conveyed 16.10.1931 (deeds from 1808 [retained in Bursary. Not found in Archive, May 2018])
Suffolk
EMD/32.7.13 Gorleston, conveyed 20.10.1897 (deeds from 1832)
Surrey
EMD/28.6.9 Southwark, Tooley St & Morgan's Lane, conveyed 29.12.1893 (deeds from 1813)
EMD/115-121&128 Wandsworth, conveyed 11.11.1850 (deeds from 1699)
EMD/130 Wandsworth Common, conveyed 2.2.1887 (deeds from 1812)
Sussex
EMD/16.4.11b West Ham, Fryday St & Langney, conveyed 14.3.1862 (deeds from 1739)
Warwickshire
EMD/54.17.23 Willoughby, conveyed 12.10.1898 (deeds from 1800)
2.1.6 RELATED DOCUMENTS
(a) Appropriations
Appropriations are Papal bulls and episcopal documents relating to the annexation of ecclesiastical properties which later became part of the Magdalen College endowment:
CRC/136-61 Appropriations relating to Selborne Priory, Sele Priory, Aynho Hospital, Brackley Hospital, Romney Hospital, Wanborough Chapel, Findon Rectory, Slimbridge Rectory, Vicarage of St Botolph's, Bramber (1235-1537)
(b) Cartularies
For a printed, expanded edition of the Cartulary of St John's Hospital, Oxford, see Salter, Cartulary. Note that N. Denholm-Young transcribed fols. 54-140v (1931-5) as a supplement to Salter in the ts volume of Macray's 'Calendar', vols 'Oxfordshire I and II'. For Sele Priory see Salzman, Chartulary. All the Magdalen cartularies are listed in G. R. C. Davis, The Medieval Cartularies of Great Britain: a Short Catalogue (London: Longmans, Green and Co., 1958). See also C. M. Woolgar, 'Two cartularies at Magdalen College, Oxford', Journal of the Society of Archivists, VI (1981), 498-99.
(c) Mortmains
Royal licences were needed by ecclesiastical or other corporate bodies wishing to acquire lands in mortmain, i.e. inalienably.
CRC/187-204 Licences to hold in mortmain (1246-1768)
CRC/133-4 Licences to hold in mortmain (1736, 1804)
(d) College Orders
Sales and purchases of land require the approval of the governing body in the College Meeting. The indexes to the Acta, or Orders, can therefore supply evidence which may be lacking in the collections of title deeds. Few orders survive before 1786, however.
CMM/1/1-12 College Orders (1702-1945)
CMM/4/1-8 Indexes to Orders (1786-1945)
2.2 ADVOWSONS
2.2.1 GENERAL
Advowsons, giving the right of presentation to ecclesiastical benefices, were a form of patronage highly valued by the Oxford and Cambridge colleges. The College acquired more than 40 advowsons or livings, mainly by gift, to which Fellows in Holy Orders might be presented on their marriage or when, as they advanced in years, they sought semi-retirement from academic life. Thus it was a way of pensioning-off Fellows, most of whom were ordained clergy, and maintaining a flow of incoming, younger Fellows. Advowsons became less essential from 1877, when fellows of Oxford colleges were permitted to marry without resigning their fellowships. After 1918 the proportion of undergraduates intending to seek ordination declined sharply, while at the same time private patronage of Anglican livings began to lose favour in the eyes of the public. This trend assisted the transfer of patronage to the diocesan boards, although the College still retains a few livings.
Waynflete's endowment included many advowsons, often accompanying the transfer of manors in the same parish. Much of the funding for the later purchase of advowsons, too, came from gifts and bequests. It is not always easy to trace the latter, but College Orders can provide evidence; for example, in January 1726/7 it was agreed that £200 left to the College by Dr Sacheverell and £100 by Mr Boucher should be applied to the purchase of livings. There was a Livings Fund by 1768: see the College Order of 23 January 1768.
2.2.2 LIST OF ADVOWSONS
An alphabetical list of advowsons follows, with the date of purchase and reference codes for the deeds. These advowsons were still held in 1945, except where the date of sale is given. All [check] are listed in Woolgar's 'Catalogue'. Additional information comes from N. Denholm-Young, 'Magdalen College' in The Victoria History of the County of Oxford, III, The University of Oxford, ed. by H. E. Salter and Mary D. Lobel (London: Oxford University Press for the University of London Institute of Historical Research, 1954), 193-202 (p.202).
Abbreviations: R=Rectory V= Vicarage, C=Curacy, CH= Chapelry; * = alternate presentation. M.= Macray's 'Calendar'.
*Appleton R., Berks., [now Oxon] purchased 1638
Deeds: Appleton 1-34, M. Berks.I, 1-33
*Ashbury with Compton Beauchamp R., Berks. [now Oxon.], granted to the Founder by Joan Danvers, 1458
Deeds: see among Stainswick deeds, M. Berks.I, 135-251
Ashurst R., Sussex: Mrs Sheppard's benefaction, 1820, conveyed 14.3.1821
Deeds: EMD/15.4.6
Aston Tirrold R, Berks. [now Oxon.], purchased 1608
Deeds: Aston Tirrold 1-18, M. Berks. I, 252-70
Basing with Upnately V., Hants., acquired with Selborne Priory, 1485
Deeds: see with Basingstoke deeds, M. Hants. I, 106-127
Beaconsfield R., Bucks., purchased 1707
Deeds: D-Y list pp. 24-44; Woolgar,p. 916
Beeding, Upper: see Sele, Sussex
*Boyton R., Wilts., purchased 1729, united with Sherrington 1907
Deeds: Woolgar, p. 2650; EMD/19.4.17
Bramber with Botolphs V., Sussex, acquired with Sele Priory, 1471, united in 1514
Deeds: see with Bidlington & Bramber deeds, M. Sussex II, 11-35
Brandiston R., Norfolk, acquired with Guton Hall, 1483; sold 1884
Deeds: see with Guton Hall deeds, M. Norfolk II, 186-324
Bridgford, East R., Notts., Mrs Sheppard's benefaction 1838, sold 1939
Deeds: EMD/7.2.8
*Candlesby with Scremby R., Lincs., acquired with Cromwell lands, 1477
Deeds: see with Candlesby deeds, M. Lincs.I, 1-167
*Dinton V. with Teffont Magna C., Wilts., Robert Hyde's benefaction, 1722
Deeds: M. Dinton 1-26
Ducklington R. with Hardwick Ch., Oxon., purchased 1684
Deeds: M. Misc. Oxon., 306-09
Emmington R., Oxon., purchased 1929
Deeds: EMD/76.13.19
Evenley V., Northants., purchased 1542
Deeds: M. Northants.III, 288-95
Findon V., Sussex, benefaction of Thomas Danvers, 1502
Deeds: M. Sussex II, 123-4
Fittleton R., Wilts., purchased 1721
Deeds: D-Y list pp. 378-88
*Grandborough with Willoughby V., Warwicks., acquired with Hospital of St John the Baptist, Oxford, 1458
Deeds: see with Willoughby deeds, M. Warwicks. II, 610-11
*Horsington with Stigwold R., Lincs., gift of John Higdon, 1530
Deeds: M. Lincs.II, 62
Horspath C., Oxon., acquired with Hospital of St John the Baptist, Oxford, 1458
Deeds: see with Horspath deeds, M. Oxon.III, 436-51
Houghton Magna R., Northants., purchased 1808
Deeds: EMD/7.2.9
Ilsley, East R., Berks., Dr Thomas Sheppard's benefaction, 1830
Deeds: D-Y list, pp. 7-8; M. Misc. Berks. 26; LMR/24; Woolgar, p.895
Otham R., Kent, Mrs Mary Horne's benefaction, 1846
see Macray, Register, VI (1909), p. 28
*Saltfleetby, All Saints R., Lincs., Founder's benefaction, 1477
Deeds: see with Saltfleetby deeds, M. Lincs.II, 92-189
Sandford-on-Thames R., Oxon., bequest of Mrs Lee Hill, 1920-21
See College Order, Feb. 1920
Saunderton R., Bucks., purchased 1725
Deeds: D-Y list, p. 45; Woolgar p.931
Selborne V. Hants., acquired with Selborne Priory, 1485.
Deeds: see with Selborne deeds, Macray, Selborne, I
Sele als Upper Beeding V., Sussex, acquired with Sele Priory 1471
Deeds: see with Sele deeds, M. Sussex I, 92-205
Shoreham, New, V., Sussex, and
Shoreham, Old, V., Sussex, acquired with Sele Priory, 1471
Deeds: see with Shoreham deeds, M. Sussex I, 206-58
Slimbridge R., Glos., benefaction of Thomas Danvers, 1502
Deeds: Slimbridge 1-26; M. Essex & Glos. 55-79
Standlake R., Oxon., Founder's benefaction 1482
Deeds: see with Standlake deeds, M. Oxon.III, 540-630
Stanway R., with Albright, Essex, purchased 1736.
Deeds: EMD/2.1.11
*Swaby R., Lincs., purchased 1531
Deeds: see with Swaby deeds, M. Lincs. IV, 1-352
Swerford R. with Showell Ch., Oxon., purchased 1807
Deeds: LMR/36
*Teffont Ewyas with Teffont Magna R., Wilts., acquired with Dinton, q.v.
Theale R., Berks., Mrs Sheppard's benefaction, 1832
& Tilehurst R., Berks., Dr Thomas Sheppard's benefaction, 1814
Deeds: see MSS 742, 905(iv)
Tisted, West, a Donative, Hants., acquired with Selborne Priory 1484
Deeds: see with Selborne deeds
Tubney R., Berks. [now Oxon.], Founder's benefaction, 1482
Deeds: see with Tubney deeds, M. Berks.I, 34-134
Washington V., Sussex, acquired with Sele Priory, 1471
Deeds: see with Washington and Sele deeds, M. Sussex I-II
Willoughby: see Grandborough
Winterbourne Basset R., Wilts., purchased 1715
Deeds: see Macray, Register, V (1906), p. 4
Worldham, East V., Hants., acquired with Selborne Priory, 1485
Deeds: see Selborne deeds
The College also had the right to nominate the Chaplain of Bromley College, Kent, founded by the will of Dr Sheppard.
2.2.3 RELATED PAPERS: LICENCES OF MORTMAIN
Licences of mortmains give permission to corporate bodies to hold property inalienably. In 1935 N. Denholm-Young listed 20 additional mortmains as a supplement to the ts edition of Macray's 'Calendar', vol. titled 'Chartae Regiae and Chartae Concessae' (CRC/).
Mortmain 7 Licence to acquire, inter alia, the advowson of Brandiston, Norfolk (12 Feb 1479)
Mortmain 15 Licence to acquire, inter alia, advowsons of Saltfletby and Basingham (22 Jul 1477)
CRC/133 Licence to add lands and advowsons to the value of £1000 (19 Mar 1736)
CRC/134 Licence to add advowsons up to £2000, not more than five in number (6 Nov 1807)
2.3 SPUR ROYALS
2.3.1 GENERAL
The Spur Royals were a collection of c. 1400 gold coins or 'Old Edwards', given by William Waynflete and mentioned in his statutes as constituting a cash reserve for the College to meet extraordinary expenses such as lawsuits, purchase of estates and renovation of the buildings. In 1649 the coins were taken from the Muniment Room by President Wilkinson and the College Officers and divided among the College Fellows, choristers and servants. In 1650 the Parliamentary Committee asked for an account of the coins and from 1659 onwards some were recovered. In 1688, as in 1789 there were only 265 large coins and 75 smaller 'angels' remaining, valued at £312. With the Visitor's permission, nearly all were sold in 1789 for £312..2s..1d: see Macray, Register, III, 121. For earlier resolutions and requests to convert the coins into 'current species' see College Orders for 23 Jan 1768 and Macray, Register, V, 22 (1774).
2.3.2 RECORDS OF SPUR ROYALS
MS 789 Viewing records signed by College officers (1555-1789)
CS/41/1/4-7 Letters and papers concerning attempts to recover the coins (1661-73)
PR20/MS1/1 President Clerke's notebook (1683-6)
P274 (passim) Copy correspondence between the Bursar and the Bishop of Winchester concerning the sale of the Spur Royals (1789)
EL/17 Ledger R, p. 23 has a copy release for repayment of one Fellow's share of money arising from the distribution of the Spur Royals (1673)
VP1/A1/3 Vice-President's Register (1777-1846)
2.4 BENEFACTIONS AND TRUSTS
2.4.1 GENERAL
A number of benefactors endowed exhibitions or made gifts of money. In many cases, of course, this led to an endowment of land, and there is necessarily some overlap between this section and Sections 2.1 above.
Wilson, Magdalen College, App. C, 267-8, lists the early benefactors with their benefactions and commemoration days: see Wilson's list for: Claymond, Higdon/Higden and Morwent; Simon Perrot; Henry VII; Thomas Ingledew; Joan Danvers; William Fitz-Alan, Earl of Arundel; William Waynflete; Francis, Viscount Lovel; James, William and Robert Preston; Henry III (benefactor to the Hospital of St John); Owen Oglethorpe.
A printed Brief Lives of the Benefactors of Magdalen College, anon.[K. B. McFarlane], (Oxford: Oxford University Press, n.d. [c. 1950s], is available in the searchroom; this gives brief biographies of benefactors who endowed trust exhibitions, i.e. W. A. Jenner, Thomas Sheppard, William Hasledine, John Burrough, William Lyford, Edward Ellerton, John Johnson, Thomas Stafford, George Knibb, John Claymond, John Higden, Robert Morwent and Owen Oglethorpe. McFarlane's notes for this publication are in GPD/26/I/2. See also the biographical Registers by J. R. Bloxam and W. D. Macray.
Besides lands, exhibitions, fellowships and payments to designated members, such as the President, Fellows, Demies or Choristers, there were other benefactions. These included Simon Perrot's benefaction for a sermon on St Mark's day and for the Perrot Oration, delivered annually by a Demy. More recently, the Selig Prize for poetry was endowed in memory of Richard Selig. Benefactions for non-Collegiate purposes included straw for the prisoners in Oxford Castle and for 'Claymond's beds' in the College almshouse which remained as a relic of the old Hospital until the mid-17th century.
2.4.2 DEEDS RELATING TO BENEFACTIONS
(a) Compositions
Compositions are the agreements for payment of benefactions: a type of deed.
Some Magdalen compositions are published as a supplement to the printed Statutes of 1853: see 'Compositions and Visitors' Injunctions', pp. 98-132; those transcribed relate to the benefactions of John Forman; James Preston; Richard Fox; Richard Guldford; John Hygdon; Robert Morwent; John Claymond, John Higden and Robert Morwent; John Claymond; Simon Perot alias Parret.
The main series of compositions and related documents, 1461-1571, has the reference code COM/1-23. Of these, COM/20-22 have been missing since at least 1971 and their content is not known.
Alphabetical list of compositions, by name:
COM/11 Ambrose Cave (1571)
COM/3 William Clifton (1538)
COM/7,8,19 John Claymond (1532)
COM/12-15,17-18 John Forman (1446)
COM/9 Richard Guldford [1531-2]
COM/5,8 John Higden (1532)
COM/4 Thomas Ingledew (1461)
COM/16 Lord Lovell [1484]
COM/2 William Lumbard (1485)
COM/6,8 Robert Morwent (1532)
COM/10 Alice Parrett (1559)
COM/1 James Preston (1487)
See also
Standlake 16/c Composition of John Claymond (1532)
CS/40/6 Composition of John Mullins (1588-94)
(b) Wills, copy wills and extracts from wills
D-Y 152 Will of John Fitzwilliam (1696-9)
CMM/1/1 Volume of college orders, 1702-86 has list of wills of benefactors appended: Vaughan, Haward, Knibb, Jenner, Bristowe (18th cent.)
CP/3/9 Rental volume includes extracts from wills of: Dr Hasledine (1773), Edward Creffield (1782), Dr West (1779), Dr Audley (1782), Dr Cholmeley (nd) (c. 1766-82)
CS/14 Extracts from wills of Thomas Sheppard (D.1747, F.1749) and William Andrew Jenner (D.1769, F.1785) concerning their benefactions to the College and its choristers (19th cent.)
MS 905/iv Sheppard account book includes extracts from wills of Thomas Sheppard, Sophia Sheppard, Martin Routh (1812, 1847-8)
2.4.3 REGISTERS OF BENEFACTIONS AND TRUSTS
Note that access to BCR/1 in the list that follows is restricted, requiring permission from the Senior Bursar, through the archivist.
MS 726 Catalogus Benefactorum (1666-c. 1699)
MS 728 Benefactors' book (1663-1739)
MS 777 Catalogus Benefactorum Bibliotheca (Library) (1628-1711)
BCR/1 Bursar's ts 'Register of Trust Funds' (restricted access) (1982 and ongoing)
[The register lists over 100 trusts for scholarships, exhibitions and prizes given to the College, with their histories. They have been classified in the register as follows:
Trusts whose funds are held outside the College
Trust Funds tied to Livings
Trust Funds for the use of the College Library
Trust Funds related to the College Chapel & Choir
Trust Funds relating to the College Schools
Trust Funds which are unrestricted
Trust Funds in support of Fellowships]
2.4.4 RELATED PAPERS
(a) Original papers
CS/38/1 Corr re bequests and donations (16th-18th cents)
CS/38/3 Corr and papers re Sedley bequest for demies (Tetsworth, Oxon.) (1672-9)
CS/38/4 Receipts and bills re Stafford bequest (Willington, Warwicks.) for Senior Demies (1723-5)
CS/38/6 Corr, receipts and papers re Pudsey bequest (1717-35)
MSS 513 & 945 William Cane's legacy (contested and not effected) (1729-44)
MSS 514/9 & 633 Cave benefaction (1571) for Fellows: land nr Nuneaton, Warwicks. (1717)
MS 860 Buckler bequest of drawings and books (later revoked) (1854)
MS 905 Sheppard bequests for Demies and choristers out of £23,000 stock, invested in estates at Wandsworth and the advowsons of Theale & Tilehurst (1814-82)
[Note that the College also administered a trust fund for Sheppard charities at Amport, Hants and Bromley College,Kent]
MS 458 John Johnson bequest: scholarships and provision of books (1833)
MS 1030 Papers concerning W. A. Fleet (1883-1918), first Rhodes Scholar at Magdalen, whose family has set up three Fellowships in his memory. Copies of 1907-17 documents included. (1987)
CP/9/59 Bursar's file of loose ms and ts papers re benefactions, trusts, prizes and scholarships (c. 1920-40)
PRC/1/5/3 Presidential correspondence re college trusts, 1934
PRC/7/9 Presidential correspondence re Robertshaw Fund, 1988
PRC/9/2 Presidential correspondence re Selig Poetry Prize, 1962-1989
See also:
CMM/ College Acta or Orders, and indexes from 1702
BCM/ Bursarial Committee Proceedings and indexes from 1883
For donations to New Buildings see below, Section 2.5.
(b) Historical papers
MS 497 Benefactors book compiled by J. R. Bloxam (1848 & additions to 1882)
F29/2/MS1/1-3 Heraldic insignia of benefactors, collected by H. W. Greene (F) (n.d. [late 19th cent.])
MS 725 Benefactors'of St John's Hospital, illuminated ms compiled by J. R. Bloxam (1851)
MS 813 Bloxam's 'Book of the Commoners' records some benefactions by Commoners (n.d. [19th cent.])
MS 447 Bloxam's Book of the Perrots (19th cent.)
MS 862 Printed account of benefactions by Magdalen College and others to Oxford County Prison. By J. M. Davenport (1872)
2.5 APPEALS
The only appeal before 1945 was issued from 20 Feb 1700, to raise money for a new quadrangle. On the completion of New Buildings, intended to be the north side of the quadrangle, outstanding funds known as the New Building Fund were reserved to complete the scheme, but were used eventually for other building projects.
On the appeal for the construction of the New Building, see now Christine Ferdinand, An Accidental Masterpiece: Magdalen College's New Building and the People Who Built It (Oxford, 2010).
FA14/1/3C/1-22 Bundle of letters (22) in response to the President's appeal for donations (1732-5)
CP/9/51 [Bloxam's] List of contributors to the New Building Fund created by Order of 20 Feb 1700 (1867)
MS 750(iv) List of benefactors to New Buildings in 1733 [19th cent.]
See also Catalogue of Benefactors, section 2.4.3.