In the Lewes Chartulary, Vespas. XV F., f. 120, mention is made of an exchange of a rood and a half of land at "Bristhelmstone," between Roger, Prior of Michelham, and William, Prior of Lewes, to which Amfrid de Fferyng, H. de Hertfield, Simon de Herbeting (Harebeating, in Hailsham), and others, are witnesses. A reference to the list of Lewes priors (Sus. Arch. Collections, III, 196-7), shows that this must have been either William Russinoll or William de Foville, and so fixes the date as between a.d. 1248-68.
It seems that negociations of this kind were not unusual between these two houses, for we learn from the same authority (f. 92) that an indenture was made, "dated at our chapterhouse of Michelham, March 14, 1376" (51º Edw. Ill), binding John de Cariloco, Prior of Lewes, to give to John Leme, Prior of Michelham, "all the land called La Wallond, in the manor of Langenaye, extending in length from the common pasture called La Hake on the west, to the grove (grovam) called Okelyng on the east; in breadth bounded on the north by the king's highway leading from La Hake towards Haylesham, and on the south by the Prior of Wilmington's wood, with other lands running east as far as Sirstreet." Michelham covenants to do service at the court of Langney, and to pay Lewes priory, on every vacancy of Michelham, 10s. relief and 13s. 4d. for heriot, to be distrained for if not paid. The original indenture has been discovered by Mr. Blaauw among the deeds of Lewes priory in the Star Chamber of the Chapter House, Westminster, being doubtless the counterpart of another kept by Michelham. The seal of brown wax, very imperfect, and with the inscription effaced, remains affixed to the deed, and appears to represent our Lord seated under a canopy, of which the side shafts only are left ; near his head is the foot of an Omega, and around it a nimbus, within which a cruciform radiance is discernible; the left hand holds a book on his knee, the right is raised as in the act of blessing. The counter-seal, at the back of the parchment slip, is oval and much smaller, showing an angel in motion, holding what seems to be a flower in his hand, as in the Annunciation; the whole
to its being sent to the dead letter office, or perhaps rather to the parliamentary phrase, that it be "ordered to lie on the table." This curious account is taken from Clement Reyner's De Antiquate Ordinis Benedictorum in Anglia, Append., p. 175.
