The king further covenants, that the said premises are worth £206. 13s. 7½d. yearly value, besides woods and underwoods to be sold, estimated at £131. 2*. 2d. And whereas the earl's premises exceed those granted by the king in the sum of £580. 6*. Id., the latter agrees to pay over that amount.
Michelham did not remain long in possession of the Arundel family, for in the first two years of PhiUp and Mary (1554-5) Henry Fitz Alan, son and heir of Earl WiUiam, and the last Earl of Arundel of that name, in exchange for other lands^ conveyed this manor and its appurtenances to the queen; especial mention being made (inter alia) of "the tenements called Sextrie lands in Michelham, belonging lately to the office of sexton (sacrista)," and lying in " Hellingley, Willington, Jevington, and Hailesham."
By this queen they were granted in the next year to John Fote ; and by him aliened in 1574 to Ambrose Smyth ; who ten years afterwards transferred them to John Morley (after- wards Sir John Morley of Halnaker), and his wife Elizabeth.
On the 31st October, 1587, an indenture was made between John Morley of Halnaker, Esq., and his wife Elizabeth on the one part, and Herbert Pelham of HelUngly, Esq., on the other, whereby the former confirm to H. P. and his heirs the " scite of Michelham priory (within the moate seven and a half acres thirty-two perches) together with 767 acres of land," and its manor and messuages ; excepting by name Wannock (in Jevington), Shaldmershe, Le Tylehouse land, Knockhatch, and Lowe Wall, amounting to 220 acres ; and excepting also other lands aliened by Morley at sundry dates assigned, viz., certain lands to Thomas Selwyn ; " Harmons, &c.," to Robert. Sackville, son and heir of Thomas Lord Buckhurst ; and other lands to Thomas Tyndall. All the residue was assigned to Herbert Pelham and his heirs for ever.
Mr. Pelham, it appears, soon fell into pecuniary difiiculties, for in 1590 we find him granting to John Mitchel of Cuck- field an annuity of one hundred marks for fifteen years, " to be paid at the manor house of Michelham," in consideration of £400. advanced. And nine years later his whole interest in this property was made over by him to Thomas Pelham of Laughton, James Thatcher of Priest-hawes (in Westham), and Thomas Peirseof Hastings ; in trust to sell the same, and out of the proceeds reserve an annuity of £400. during his life
