Errors in medieval records

Dear Newsgroup ~

In the discussion of the 1214 Curia Regis Rolls lawsuit involving Alan
Fitz Roland's wife, I stated that I've found errors in all classes of
medieval records. I don't even blink now when I find them.

A good example is an error I found this past week in the Pipe Rolls.
Here is what I found:

1. Sub Michaelmas 1193: "Rogerus comes Cestr' debet ccc et l m. per
cartam. Idem debet xl s. per aliam cartam."

2. Sub Michaelmas 1195: "Hugo comes Cestr' debet ccc et l m. per
cartam. Idem debet xl s. per aliam cartam."

3. Sub Michaelmas 1196: "Hugo comes Cestr' debet ccc et l m. per
cartam. Idem debet xl s. per aliam cartam."

The above are probably old debts carried over from earlier years.
Presumably the debts above refers to Hugh, Earl of Chester, who died in
1181, but we find one instance above where Hugh is mistakenly called
Roger. Was there even a Roger, Earl of Chester? No.

How did the error occur? I have no idea. The point is that such
errors occur in all classes of medieval English records, including the
Curia Regis Rolls.

Best always, Douglas Richardson, Salt Lake City, Utah

Website: www.royalancestry.net

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