Keighley Market Charter

[Mike Tebb]

I read in the Keighley News a few weeks ago that the society had obtained a photocopy of the original market charter granted to Keighley (1305 I think it was). The original is held in the Duke of Devonshire's archives.

I just thought it deserved a mention here for people who didn't see the article. The people involved in tracking it down deserve a big pat on the back for getting hold of such an important piece of our history. I'm sure Jan can provide more detail.

The society are now looking for someone who can translate from ancient Latin.......Sorry I can't help there but I'm still trying to master English at the moment

[Admin]

Hi Mike, as Archivist, I was the one who approached the Duke of Devonshire's own Archivist, and purchased a copy of the original market charter (2nd original as the first has long been lost) It cost the society £25 and we have to pay a further £25 each time we display the charter.........(a little naughty but nevertheless well worth it) We want to present a copy to the Market to be framed and placed in a prominent position.....................we have many Latin Speakers & Translators - the problem being this is Medieval Latin - a different kettle of fish I understand. We will, whatever happens have the copy framed and presented for display in our market in Keighley........................................

Should anyone want to see a copy I will add it to the Web Site in the next day or two.

Thanks for the publicity Mike............................see personal PM sent to you.

Jan

[angler]

We have contacted a Teacher of Latin who informs us that he can read the first 2 lines but the rest of it is in Medieval Latin .He has told us that he will take it to York at Easter and see the Person who tought him Latin to have it traslated for us, we are told by the archivist from whom we obtained it that as far as they know it has never been officially translated.I t may well inform us of things which we do not know about and we look forward to what it may reviel. Jan has put a Photo on the web site. We will keep you informed later of its Translation as soon as we receive it back

[barbara]

Good news at last. I have today spoken to the gentleman who is transcribing the Market Town Charter. We are having a meeting with him this weekend. he tells us that he has managed to transcribe 98% of the document this I think is good news and we should have the transcription soon.
L Brocklesby Chairman.K&D.L.H.S.

[Admin]

Fantastic Barbara & Laurence..........look forward to going with you this weekend, so see what it says.................HOW EXCITING!!!!!!!!!!!

Jan xx

[Admin]

Just to let you all know Laurence, Barbara and myself, met with Chris Anderson at Malsis School last Sunday. ALmost 98% of it is transcribed. Chris has done a fantastic job with it. He is visiting Chatsworth to see if he can find anything more about it. He will then put it all onto a Power Point presentation and present it to our Members and guest later in the Autumn.

Part of the Charter dated 18 October 1305, this is not the original charter which is long lost, we assume.

Oct 18 1305 - Westminster.
Grant to Henry de Kyghelay, and his heirs, of a weekly market on Wednesday at their manor of Kyghelay, co York, and of a yearly fair there on the vigil, the feast and the morrow of SS.Simon and Jude; grant also free warren in the the demesne lands of the said manor

I think this means we should have a yearly fair on the 3 days of St Simon & Jude -

Watch this space!!!!!

Jan

[angler]

There was an Interesting article in the Keighley News dated May 28th about the Keighley Town Market Charter by Miran Rahman .He wrote that Cris Anderson the Teacher from Malsis School had been able to use the Internet to translate the Charter This we know is not the original document as that had been lost but it was rewritten 3 Hundred years later King Edward the 1st was in power when it was originally first granted. The presant document was drawn up in the reign of King Henry the 8th . I am sure we at the K&DlHS all appeciate the work which Cris Anderson has done for us L.W.Brocklesby chairman K.& D.L.H.S.