+Source.+--_Historical and Municipal Documents (Ireland)_, 1172-1320, p.
135. (Rolls Series.)
The King to the archbishops, etc.
Know that we have granted, and by this our present charter confirmed, to
our beloved son, Edward, the cities of Dublin and Limerick, with the
counties and everything pertaining to them, and also the city and castle
of Athlone, with everything pertaining to it, in Ireland; which cities
we had retained for our own use in a former charter of ours, containing
a gift of the land of Ireland, which we caused to be granted to the said
Edward.
They are to be held and retained by the same Edward and his heirs, the
Kings of England, for ever; so that the land of Ireland shall never be
separated from the crown of England, and that none other save Edward
himself and his heirs, the Kings of England, shall be able to claim or
hold any right to the aforesaid land of Ireland.
We wish, further, that the allegiance of the land remain to us for our
lifetime, together with all the dues and wardships of cathedral churches
and abbeys in Ireland, and likewise the right of election.
Wherefore we wish and firmly enjoin that the aforesaid Edward and his
heirs, the Kings of England, do have and hold the whole land of Ireland
for ever; provided that the land of Ireland be never separated from the
crown of England, as aforesaid.
Given under our hand, at St. Mary Cray, on the twentieth day of July.