Indenture.

"Elizabethan vellum indenture, dated 1593, referencing Hugh Middleton, London goldsmith. About 19 x 10", on ruled vellum; roughly 800 words in English, written in a solid secretary hand. Two vellum pendant strips are attached, one retaining a red was lump seemingly with an illegible seal impression. Endorsement and docketing texts in English and Latin in Italic and Gothic scripts. Date 20 March 1593 and concernint an agreement between Jane Middleton of Llanfarnay, county Debighe [Wales] (widow of Richard Middleton) and her son John Middleton on the one part and Thomas Middleton, of London, Esquire, on the other part, and referencing a previous indenture in which Hugh Middleton of London, Goldsmith, had sold the messuage of Henllay (also in Denbighe), to Thomas, brother of Richard. Witnessed by Robert Salseburye, John Challoner, and Anthony Challoner, with their signatures. Hugh Middleton eventually went on to devise the scheme for bringing fresh water to London; he and one brother Thomas Middleton (probably identical with the Thomas Middleton of this document) have been described as among the "merchant adventurers" of Elizabethan London. Middleton seems likely to have been related to the Challoners, also prominent in Elizabeth's London: one can trace some of these family connections even in Wikipedia. In short, while this indenture records a seemingly mundane transaction in a remote part of the kingdom, a number of important Londoners were involved, and the document is especially interesting as a result."