In the pamphlet The Ostrich Inn, Colnbrook Bucks written by Rev Guy Daniel in 1969 the claim that The Ostrich Inn was founded in 1106 was made. This Claim was based on a charter quoted in Thomas Burke’s book The English Inn. The charter was made in the reign of Henry I (c 1068 – 1135) who was on the throne from 5 August 1100 to 1 December 1135.
What does the charter say?
814 [1107] Westminster In Regesta Regum Anglo-Normannorum 1066-1154 A entry 813 reads
Notification by Henry I to Robert Bishop of Lincoln and Nigel d’Oilli and Hugh de Bocland Sheriff of Bucks and William Sheriff of Oxford: Of a confirmation to God and St Mary and the monks of Abingdon of the mill called Boiemilne &c. given by Robert fitz Aiulf and the land between Ackhamstead (Hemmestedam) and Marlow which Robert fitz Hamon gave and the land of Alford de Sutton [in Colnbrook] as Milo Crispin gave it; and the land of Robert son of Hervey which Matilda the Queen gave.
Witnesses: William Bishop of Winchester; Roger Bishop of Salisbury; Eudo Dapifer; Hamo (Raimero) Dupifer; Roger Bigod; William de Curci; Nigel de Oilli; Roger fitz Richard.
This shows the confirmation of the gift of land Milo Crispin gave to the monks of Abingdon.
The charters of Abingdon have been documented and included a manuscript held in the British Library Cotton collection and in Dugdale
Miles Crispin, in return for the service which Abbot Faritius provided to him in his infirmity, gave in alms to the church of St Mary and the monks in Abingdon a lodging on the road to London at Colnbrook, where a man called Aelward used to dwell, and half a hide of land with all the meadows, pastures, and woods belonging to it. And he sent his steward, Gilbert Pipard and his chaplain Warin to Abingdon and he ordered that the gift of his property should be placed by their hands on the altar of St Mary in the of the lord abbot and of all the convent. This was in the seventh year of King Henry.
This deed is confirmation by the King the gift can be made.
A hide of land can be taken to mean about 60 acres.
Miles Crispin is a major Oxfordshire landowner and Constable of Wallingford Castle. He was also the Lord of the Manor at Hitcham, Bucks, a small manor sandwiched between Taplow & Burnham. He had married Matilda daughter of William de Oilli the Lord of the Manor of Iver. As the the signatories to the deed include the Nigel de Oilli, probably William’s successor, it makes a compelling case that the gift of an Hostilery in Iver makes more sense.