Henry of Blois's Gift Lists in Add. MS. 29436: Why the Discrepancies?

Abstract

Folios 46v-48r of Add. MS. 29436 contain two lists of the gifts donated by Henry of Blois, bishop of Winchester (1129 – 71) to his cathedral church. The shorter list post-dates Bishop Henry's death, the longer list probably belongs to the last decade of his life. This article examines the discrepancies between the two lists and explores possible explanations for the disappearance of items between the composition of the earlier list and the later list. It also considers the significance of the only item added to the collection during this time: a foot relic of the Sicilian martyr, St Agatha.