King's 1313 royal charter joins county archives

A 13th-century royal charter that bestowed privileges on a Dorset monastery, including exemption from taxes, has been acquired for the county's archives.

The parchment document from 1313 was issued by Edward II to Forde Abbey, which was a Cistercian monastery until the Dissolution in the 16th Century.

Written in Latin, it restates grants made by an earlier charter from King John in 1204.

The artefact was acquired for £8,843 with funding from Friends of the Nations' Libraries and Dorset Archives Trust and a digitised version can be seen at Dorset History Centre in Dorchester.

Forde Abbey, in the west of the county, was founded in 1136 but was surrendered to Henry VIII in 1539.

According to Dominic Winter Auctioneers, the charter lists rights and privileges granted to the monks, including immunity from paying taxes such as "Danegeld" land taxes, "scutage" - paid to avoid military service, "castle and bridge works" taxes, tolls and "pleas of the forest" - laws aimed at protecting royal hunting grounds.

The abbey was also granted "infangthief and outfangthief" - the right to try and punish thieves.

The document measures 42cm by 38cm (16.5 x 15in) and bears a green wax seal of Edward II.

The charter was issued the year before the Battle of Bannockburn, when Robert the Bruce defeated Edward II during the First War of Scottish Independence.

It was also 35 years before the Black Death arrived in England through the port of Melcombe Regis.

The location of the document had not been recorded throughout the centuries but, before its sale, it was framed and mounted on the wall of a Kent manor house.

Dorset Archives Trust chair Christine Fowler said "The document is in an excellent condition and it is great that it has come back to Dorset where it will continue to be conserved and curated by the experts at Dorset History Centre for the benefit of everyone."