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Auction: 13050 - Postal History and Historical documents
Lot: 2004

Historical Documents
1270 (13 Nov.) a small receipt on vellum, a receipt by W. Ward, rector of the church of "Gyselay" (Guiseley, Yorkshire) for three and a half marks from the executors of dominus William Ward, who were bound in that sum to Walter, late vicar of "Suthkirkeby" (South Kirkby). The seal tags have been created from the foot of the document and was originally sealed with the seal of the deanery of "Ottelay" (Otley) and the seal of the recipient. Written in latin and dated Guiseley 13 Nov. 1270. Two seal tags with a fragment of seal on one. Written on the reverse, "1270 Decanatus de Ottlay" (deanery of Otley) before the two seal strips were cut. Folded into four and additional creases but remarkably fresh and well preserved. It is very unusual for a British document of this age to be dated. A remarkable and appealing document. Photo


In 1086 the township of Guiseley was part of an extensive estate belonging to the Archbishops of York. The archbishop’s residence was at Otley and all the villages on the estate were assessed under that heading.

William Ward of Guiseley was born in 1198. Records suggest that the first Rector of Guiseley was a Simon de Warde (1246-1281)

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