Maritime record MDO47858 - Wreck, Brownsea Island

1275 wreck of cargo vessel which stranded at Brownsea. Laden with wine, she was a wooden sailing vessel. Two tuns of the wine were appropriated by the Constable of Corfe Castle, but he was ordered to restore them to the Abbot of Cerne, who had the right to wreck in the vicinity of Branksea. Status: Casualty

1276, "Two tuns of wine wreck" lost at Branksea [Brownsea].

Order to Elias de Rabayn to restore to the Abbot of Cerne, two tuns of wine from the wreck found on the Abbot's land at Branksea. (1)

'1275. May 12. Westminster. Commission to John de Sancto Walerico to enquire touching a complaint by the abbot of Cerne that he ought to have by charters of Henry II and Henry III which the king has inspected, and that he and his predecessors have had hitherto without interruption, wreck of sea on the coast of their lands in Brunkeseye and Remescumb until Elias de Rabaine, constable of Corfe Castle, asserting that Henry III in his time and the king for five years had possessed wreck of sea on the said coast and in all lands within the liberty of the said castle, caused two tuns of wine of such wreck found in the said lands of the aforesaid abbot to be seized and carried to the aforesaid castle, where he still detains them.' (2)

Oct. 24, 1276. Westminster. To Elias de Rabayn, Constable of Corfe Castle. Order to cause to be restored to the abbot of Cerne two tuns of wine of wreck of the sea that were found by the constable's bailiffs on the abbot's land by the sea-shore (maritimam) of Brunkeseye and Kemescumbe [sic], which are detained by the constable's bailiffs, or to restore the price thereof, and to permit the abbot to have wreck of the sea on the shore and on his lands henceforth, as he was wont to have in times past, as the king learns by inquisition made by Walter de Wymburn that the abbots of Cerne have always been in seisin of having wreck of the sea on the said shore and lands since the late king granted to them wreck of the sea by his charter in their lands by the said shore, and that although they were sometimes hindered by the constables of the said castle from receiving wreck, it was always restored to them by inquisitions and the inspection of their charters.' (3)

Westminster, 26 October 1280. Elias de Rabayn was acquitted of monies owed to various people and one tun of wreck of the...[not transcribed] "he is said to have received and extorted" and his goods and chattels, previously confiscated, were returned to him. He was pardoned for a fine of 500 marks. (2) [based on CCR 1279 - 1288]

'To the treasurer and barons of the exchequer. Order to acquit Elias de Rabayn of 5 marks for wreck of the sea, 6 marks 5s. 4d. From William de Lolleworth, 20s. From the hundred of Haselor, 6l. 6s. 4d. From the abbess of Shaftesbury, half a mark from Philippa de Cruyl, 2s. From John Campyon, one mark from John le Teyntur, 2s. From the men of Henlegh, 3s. 6d. From the chattels of Hugh Dygon, 40s. From a tun of the wine of wreck of the sea, which he was said to have received and extorted, and to cause to be delivered to him his goods and chattels taken into the king's hands for this reason, as the king, for a fine of 500 marks, pardoned Elias all trespasses whereof he was indicted before the justices last in eyre in co. Dorset and also all amercements in which he was amerced before the justices in the eyre aforesaid for any reason.' (4)

Date of Loss Qualifier: Reporting date of loss

<1> National Maritime Museum, Medieval Wreck Index (Index). SDO20568.

<2> Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward I, 1272-81, membrane 24d (Unpublished document). SDO20500.

<3> Calendar of Close Rolls, 313: Edward I, 1272-1279, membrane 3 (Unpublished document). SDO20569.

<4> Calendar of Close Rolls, 36: Edward I, 1279-1288 (Unpublished document). SDO20569.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1445812 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Mar 27 2024 4:17PM