A LETTER FROM THE PEOPLE OF THE ISLE OF MAN, WHICH WAS LATELY DESOLATE AND FULL OF WRETCHEDNESS, WHO PLACE THEMSELVES UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE KING.

O all the sons of Holy Mother Church, who may see or hear these present letters, all people, inhabiting the Isle of Man, greeting. Since the mighty prince, the illustrious king of England, has received the aforesaid Island into his hands, for its protection and defence, which was lately desolate and full of wretchedness, for want of protection and defence, and we have willingly subjected ourselves to his rule and power, and to obey his commands, and, from henceforth to answer him in all things, as our lord. We promise, under forfeiture of two thousand pounds in silver, that if it should happen that we, in any manner, should rebel against his power, or offend, or maliciously injure or annoy any of his people; to fully and absolutely pay the same. And for the observance of the same, we will promise and concede that all our possessions, wheresoever they may be found, together with our bodies, may be taken and kept, as it may please him; all remedies at law, and the customs of nations being set aside, and of little avail to us. In testimony whereof we have affixed our common seal to these presents. Dated at the Abbey of Russyn, in the island aforesaid, in the year of our Lord 1290,

LITTERA HOMINUM INSULaE DE MAN

QUÆ NUPER EXTIT:IT DESOLATA ET MULTIS MISERIIS OCCUPATA, QUI SE PONUNT IN PROTECTIONEM REGIS.

FOEDERA.

18 ED. I

UNIVERSIS sanctæ matris ecclesiæ filiis præsentes litteras visuris vel audituris, omnes homines, Insulam de Man inhabitantes, salutem. Cum magnificus princeps, dominus Rex Angliæ illustris, insulam prædictam in manus suas suscepit, ad protegëndum et defendendum; quæ nuper extitit desolata, et multis miserns occupata, defectu protectionis et defen- sionis, et nos subjectioni et dominationi suæ volumus subjici, et præceptis suis obedire, et sibi, tanquam domino nostro, in omnibus respondere, de cætero : Promittimus subpæna duarum millium librarum argenti, si contingat nos, aliquo inodo, contra dominium suum intersurgere, sen delinquere, vel aliquem de suis foris facere ac gravare malitiose ; quas plenarii solvere promittimus et protestamur absolute. Et, super præmissis observandis, obligari volumus et concedimus oinnes possessiones nostras nbicumque inventæ fuerint, insiinul einn corporibus nostris, quibuscumque pænis, prout sibi placuerit, capiendas et cohercendas ; omnibus juris remediis secularibus, et gentium consuetudinibus postpositis et nobis minime valituris. In cujus rei testimonium præsentibus sigillum nostrum commune apposuimus. Dat' apud abbatiam de Russyn in insula prædicta, anno Domino MCCXC.

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