Historic charter goes on show – for three hours
AHISTORIC document issued by King Edward the Confessor will be put on display today marking 970 years since the creation of the Diocese of Exeter and the feast day of its founder.
The Foundation Charter will be exhibited for a rare public viewing at Exeter Cathedral from 11am until 2pm, along with two other charters issued by the Anglo-Saxon king.
The time is limited due to the fragility of the carefully-stored documents, reducing exposure to the potentially damaging effects of light and changing humidity and temperature.
The parchment Foundation Charter is the original charter recording the foundation of the Diocese of Exeter in 1050 – England’s oldest surviving document recording the creation of a diocese and the enthronement of its first bishop. By the charter King Edward the Confessor ordained that the dioceses of Devon and Cornwall, at the time with their seats at Crediton in Devon and St German’s in Cornwall, should be joined into one diocese with its episcopal see – that is the seat of the bishop’s ecclesiastical jurisdiction – at Exeter.
The resulting diocese remained until the creation of the Diocese of Truro in 1876 once more separated Cornwall and Devon in terms of ecclesiastical organisation.
The charter also states that the new diocese was made with the approval of Pope Leo IX, on account of attacks by Danish pirates and the grounds that Exeter was easier to defend. Bishop Leofric, who had been bishop of Crediton since 1046, was enthroned the first bishop of the new diocese.
The Charter states in Latin: “Because pirates have been able to plunder the churches of Cornwall and Crediton, so that it seems better to have a more secure protection against such enemies within the city of Exeter.”
It warns in no uncertain terms: “If may God forbid, any cheat or plunderer, inflamed by evil greed, shall presume with contempt to diminish or change the record or decree of this bishopric, or attempt to decrease or take away its possessions, let him be held in everlasting chains with the devil and his servants and be separated from Christ and His saints by a perpetual curse.”
Edward the Confessor died in 1066 and was canonised for his piety in 1161 by Pope Alexander III. His feast day is marked in the Church of England on October 13, with the Exeter display marking this anniversary.
The Foundation Charter is one of three documents in the Cathedral Archives issued by Edward the Confessor. The others record the granting of land in Dawlish and Cornwall.
The Foundation Charter, which remains in good condition considering its age, measures 52cm by 36cm and does not often go on public show.
Ellie Jones, archivist at Exeter Cathedral, said: “It is especially exciting to be able to show visitors the Cathedral’s Foundation Charter on 13th October this year because that is the feast day of King Edward the Confessor – the founder of Exeter Cathedral. It seems a fitting day to remember our founder, who was also king of England (1042-1066) and one of the traditional patron saints of England until the 14th century.
“The document itself is humble in appearance, but it holds huge significance for the Cathedral, and for the history of Devon and Cornwall.”
No advance booking is required for today’s display. Cathedral entry is £5.