their proximity to the king's highway,[1] frequented by the nobility of the kingdom and other travellers. Upon these grounds the appropriation of the two churches is made to them in the usual form.[2]
The conventual lands exposed to such a disaster as is here described were chiefly situate in Pevensey and Willingdon, with some portion in Hailsham and Hellingly; and the extent of the calamity shows how imperfect at that time were the defences of the levels in tempestuous seasons against inroads of the sea, which flowed on such occasions much further inland than from present appearances we are apt to suppose.
In the Patent Rolls of Ric. II, Hen. IV, V, and VI, are many records of commissioners appointed, who had a local interest in the matter, to repair the sea-banks along the coast from Bourne, through Pevensey to "Bixle" (Bexhill) and Hastings, and inland as far as Hurst (Monceux), Hoo, Helyng, Aylesham, and Wylingdon. In several of these the Prior of Michelham is associated with others, as Roger Ashburnham, the Abbot of Begeham, John Devereux, and Thos. Erpingham, constables of Dover, Sir Wm. Fienles (Fiennes), John Pelham, and Wm. Manekesye. They are also directed to look to the "bekyns" (beacons), and array "hobelers," to defend the coast; the latter being certain tenants, bound by their tenure to keep a light nag (a hobby), and be on the alert to give alarm in case of invasion or any sudden danger from the seaside.[3]
The benefaction of Bishop Reade did not, in the unsettled state of the times, receive the royal confirmation without delay, expense, and trouble. In Rot. Pat. 21º Ric. II, p. 3, m. 33 (a.d. 1398), is given at full length that king's assent to the proposed appropriation, on the ground that the revenues of the priory were so slender that, without assistance from some other quarter, the prior and convent were unable to pay their
- ↑ The road past Michelham, now comparatively so private, was then the principal thoroughfare between Lewes and the towns of Hailsham, Pevensey, Battel, and Hastings; deserving doubtless to share the bad character which attached generally to Sussex roads of the period; a part of it beyond Arlington Hide has only been rescued from its native mud within the last fifteen years, by the addition of some hard materials.
- ↑ Episc. Reg. C, fol. 68. We learn from this deed that John Leme was then prior.
- ↑ Dugdale's Hist. of Embankments.
