Vellum Quitclaim relating to the sale of “one cottage or tenement with one croft and four strips of arable plough land containing by estimation one acre with their appurtenances” in Blackfordby by Charles Gobbet to Robert Salesburye, tailor. With the names of witnesses by LEICESTERSHIRE. Quitclaim for Blackfordby, 1573

Blackfordby, 25 September “the fifteenth year of the reign of our lady Elizabeth...” [1573]. Vellum, 407 words in Latin, with a typed English translation, 4 x 15 inches, in good condition, with seal appended and enclosed in a paper wrapper. Blackfordby is a small village in the northwesternmost corner of Leicestershire about two miles to the northwest of Ashby-de-la-Zouch and two miles southeast of Swadlincote. Until recent years there were several 16th & 17th century thatched cottages in and around the village, but now only two remain. Translation from the Latin: To all the faithful Christian people to whom this present writing shall come Charles Gobbet of the city of London in the parish of Saint Tooles [St Olave Tooley Street] joiner greeting in the Lord everlasting with Robert Salesburye of Swepston[Swepstone] in the county of Leicestershire tailor have had and purchased of me the aforesaid Charles Gobbet one cottage or tenement with one croft and four strips of arable plough land containing by estimation one acre with their appurtenances now or lately in the tenure of William Holles TO HAVE and to hold to the aforesaid Robert Salesburye his heirs and assigns in perpetuity for as my charter of feoffment by me to the same Robert Salesburye in respect thereof made whose date is the twenty fourth day of the month of September and in the fifteenth year of the reign of our lady Elizabeth now queen [1573] fully appears KNOW that I the aforesaid Charles Gobbet have remised released and entirely quitclaimed in perpetuity for myself and my heirs to the aforesaid Robert Salesburye his heirs and his assigns the whole of my right, title, claim, estate, use and possession which I had, have or in any way henceforth could have in the aforesaid cottage with their appurtenances so that is that neither I nor my heirs nor any other for us or in our names have any right or claim in the aforesaid cottage with their appurtenances neither in any parcel in respect thereof to demand, claim or be able to sell nor there after in the future but from all actions of right and claim in respect thereof may be thoroughly excluded in perpetuity by these presents AND I the aforesaid Charles Gobbet and my heirs the aforesaid cottage with all their appurtenances to the aforesaid Robert Salesbury his heirs and assigns against all men will warrant and in perpetuity defend by these presents IN TESTIMONY of which things I the aforesaid Charles Gobbet to this present writing have affixed my seal. Given at Blacfordbie the twenty fifth day of the month of September the fifteenth year of the reign of our lady Elizabeth by the grace of God of England, France and Ireland Queen, defender of the faith etc. Dorse: Sealed signed and as his deed delivered in the presence of Henrye Clarke, Thomas Orton, Thomas Smith, Henry Salesburye and William ?Crompton.