Acknowledgment of Debt (Lincoln or London)

Let all people present and future know that I, William of Tottenham, owe one hundred silver marks to Avigai of London, a Jewish woman, and to her son Abraham. This sum is due at the next St. Martin’s Day that falls after the consecration of Walter de Custanz, bishop of Lincoln. For these hundred marks I will give them nine pounds interest per annum, as long as I retain the hundred marks of the principal. As surety for the hundred marks of principal and for the nine pounds of interest, I have mortgaged to them my manor at Toteham with everything belonging to it, that is, whatever I have there, without exception, and have put them in possession of it.

I will pay the nine pounds of interest to them in four payments each year, as follows:

45 shillings at Christmas following the aforementioned St. Martin’s Day.

45 shillings at the following Easter.

45 shillings at the following Nativity of John the Baptist.

45 shillings at the following Michaelmas.

I will continue to pay nine pounds of interest in this way every year, as long as I retain the hundred marks aforementioned.

It has been agreed that if William pays back 40 marks to the aforementioned Jews by the first Christmas after the aforementioned St. Martin’s Day, then William shall be clear of the entire original debt, without further interest. He shall assume a new debt of 40 marks’ principal and pay ten marks per annum on this debt, as follows:

Two and one-half marks on the aforementioned Christmas.

Two and one-half marks on the next Easter.

Two and one-half marks on the next St. John the Baptist Day.

Two and one-half marks on the next Michaelmas.

As surety for the 40 marks of principal and the 10 marks of interest, I have mortgaged to them my aforementioned manor at Tottenham with everything belonging to it, that is, whatever I have there, without exception, until they have recouped the principal and interest.

If I do not make these payments to the aforementioned Jews at the times named, I will give them weekly interest on the remaining amount at the rate of two pence per pound. If I do not meet these terms, the aforementioned Jews will place the manor in the hands of whomever they wish, until they have recouped the principal and interest. I will owe the entire hundred marks unless I make the payment of 40 marks by the aforementioned Christmas.

I, William, affirm the validity of these agreements with the aforementioned Jews and their heirs.