Grain Pledge Charter

In May 1457, Johan van Havekenscheide acknowledged before the court of Bochum that he owed nine Rhenish guilders to Bitter Holinghe, or to the lawful bearer of the charter, and pledged an annual rent of one malter of grain—half rye and half barley, measured according to the Bochum standard—from his estate at Gerte, known as the Schraegengut, as security for the debt. The transaction was concluded before the judges Herman and Iserheyll Reneschen and formally authenticated by their seals. A group of named witnesses, including Diederich Springorum, attested to the legality and validity of the pledge.

Persons involved

Johan van Havekenscheide
Role: Debtor; pledgor

Note: Acknowledges owing nine Rhenish guilders and pledges an annual rent of one malter of grain from his estate at Gerte, called Schraegengut.
Bitter Holinghe
Role: Creditor

Note: Lender of the nine Rhenish guilders; the debt is payable to him or to the lawful holder of the charter.
Herman Reneschen
Role: Judge; sealer

Note: Presides over the court session and authenticates the charter with his seal.
Iserheyll Reneschen
Role: Judge; sealer

Note: Acts jointly with his brother as judge and sealer of the charter.
Diderich van Havekenscheide
Role: Seal witness

Note: Confirms the act by sealing; likely a relative of the debtor.
Brech Hinrich Brechten
Role: Witness

Note: Attests to the validity of the court act.
Frone
Role: Witness

Note: Present as a credible bystander.
Johan Bicinchoff
Role: Witness

Note: Named as a confirming witness; spelling of the name is uncertain in the source.
Johan Duker Neylinck
Role: Witness

Note: Attests to the legality of the transaction.
Diederich Springorum
Role: Witness

Note: Appears as a respected townsman confirming the pledge before the court.
Albert van Sunssbroike
Role: Witness

Note: Confirms the transaction alongside the other witnesses.

Grain Pledge Charter

Nine Rhenish Guilders Secured by an Annual Grain Rent from the Schraegengut at Gerte

Persons involved

Sources