Hyde Park Street.{120}

ATHELSTANE'S FORM OF DONATION.--MEANING OF "SOMAGIA."

Tristram Risdon, in his quaint _Survey of the Co. of Devon_, after
mentioning the foundation of the church of High Bickington by King
Athelstane,

"Who," he says, "gave to God and it one hide of land, as
appeareth by the donation, a copy whereof, for the antiquity
thereof, I will here insert: 'Iche Athelstane king, grome of
this home, geve and graunt to the preist of this chirch, one
yoke of mye land frelith to holde, woode in my holt house to
buyld, bitt grass for all hys beasts, fuel for hys hearth,
pannage for hys sowe and piggs, world without end,'"--

adds presently afterwards, that

"Sir John Willington gave _Weeksland_ in this tything, unto
Robert Tolla, _cum 40 somagia annuatim capiend in Buckenholt_
(so be the words of the grant) in the time of K. Edw. I."

The Willingtons were lords of the manor of Umberleigh, where
Athelstane's palace stood, with its chapel dedicated to the Holy
Trinity, formerly rich in ancient monuments, and having a chantry near
to it. Some of the monuments from this chapel are still preserved in the
neighbouring church of Atherington.

My Queries upon this Note are: