meadows, pastures for sheep and cattle, with gardens, houses, shady lanes where lovers might wander (not unseen), clear streams with stately swans, and cool walks by the river-side. Yet such was the case, and the way from London Bridge to Horselydown was occupied by the mansions of men of mark and consequence, dignitaries of the church, men of military renown, and wealthy citizens.
First, in St. Olave's Street, opposite to the church, was the inn or London residence of the Prior of Lewes, of which an account will be found in the "Archæologia," vol. xxiii., p. 299, and in vol. xxv., p. 604.
The Norman stone building described by Mr. Gage Rokewood in vol. xxiii., was not, however, the inn of the Prior of Lewes, but it had probably been originally the mansion or manor-house of the Earls of Warren and Surrey, who possessed the guildable manor or town of Southwark; and afterwards a gate-house or prison, with a house adjoining for the residence of the bailiffs of Southwark. Subsequently it belonged to a religious guild or fraternity in St. Olave's church, called "The Brotherhood of Jesus," and was then known as "Jesus House." After the suppression of such guilds, it came into the hands of the parishioners of St. Olave's, and was converted into a vestry hall and grammar school; for which purpose it was used until it was demolished, in 1831, for making the approaches to London Bridge.
The Norman stone building described by Mr. C. E. Gwilt in "Archæologia," vol. xxv., situate in Walnut-tree Court, Carter Lane, was undoubtedly part of the house of the Prior of Lewes, which is mentioned in ancient records as situate in Carter Lane, and adjoined to Jesus House on the west.
Stow says that the house which pertained to the
