Ethelred, King of the English to the Earldorman Leofwine: Four mansae at Mathon, free of all but three common dues. The creator of eternal light, Almighty God, three persons abiding in one substance has been graciously pleased to make known to us the way of his commandments, that path which leads to the heavenly kingdom so that we may travel on it by the life giving stages of good works, and setting no store by the kingdom of this perishable world, may advance happily and come rejoicing to the heavenly mansions. With the support then of the most high God, I , Ethelred, King of the English, in free bounty grant to a certain earldorman, known to the well informed, of this country, Leofwine, an estate of four hides in the place called Mathon. I grant it to him for a perpetual inheritance to the end that while the breath of life animates his bodily members he may safely possess and happily enjoy it with none to gainsay him and when his earthly days are numbered he may have it in his power, with our leave and the consent of all men leave it to an heir of his own choice. Let this same estate be free from every yoke of service, three things excepted to wit, national military service, the construction of fortresses, and the building of bridges.