[ Sir John Forster of Bamburgh, Warden of the Middle Marches. ] Manuscript transcription of Elizabethan Northumberland property document headed 'The First Part of the Patents of the Seventeenth Year of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth'.

15pp., folio, on 10 leaves of laid paper. In a number of hands, with marginal glosses. In good condition, on aged paper. The conclusion reads: 'Wee will also &c that ye aforesaid Sr. Jno Foster have &c these our Letters Patent under our great Seal of England &c without fine or Freedom because before mentiond & expressed &c in Witness &c Tested at Gothamburg ye 28th. of March'. On reverse of last leaf: '17. Eliz. [i.e. 1575]. The document begins: 'The Queen to all to whom &c. Greeting Whereas We by our Letters Patent under our Great Seal of England made and bearing Date at Westminster the Tenth Day of July in the Tenth Year of our Reign did Give grant and to farm let to our Wellbeloved John Forster Knight Guardian of our mean Marches of this our Kingdom of England against Scotland (amongst other Things) [...]'. There follows an itinerary of places, glossed in the margin: 'Anick Grange & Bishops Riggs', 'Medup Close at Alnick in the Occupation of Richd. Carnaby ... 13.4', 'Slagen Close | - .10. -', 'Carrow' and 'Bringfield'. A later gloss reads: 'Rent Hens of Anick s4 | Moulter Silver s6 | Cottage at Sandoe s2 | Rent Hens s2 8 | Moulter Silver 6. 8'. Original not traced.