“This indenture testifies that an acquisition was taken before Henry Husse and fellows, collectors, and assessors of the ix_th_ of garbel fleeces and lambs, and of the xv_th_ granted to our lord the king, in the county of Sussex, assigned at Lewes, on a Sunday, in the middle of the xl_th_ year of the reign of King Edward the Third, from the nonal inquest, and the quindecimal concerning the true value of the ix_th_ of garbel, (corn) ix_th_ of fleeces, and ix_th_ of lambs, by commission of our lord the king, directed to the aforesaid Henry and his fellows, by the oath of John de Erlee, Hugh Russell, John Dac’, and Ralph Grabb, parishioners of Brighthelmston—who say, that the extent of the church there is taxed at xxv pounds with the vicarage. And they say that the ix_th_ part of garbel is worth this year, there, ix pounds, viii shillings, and x pence from the community of the town. Also the ix_th_ part of fleeces there is worth xxvi shillings and vi pence, and the ix_th_ part of lambs there, is worth vi shillings and viii pence. Also they say, that the ix_th_ part of garbel and fleeces of the prior or Lewes there, is worth, vii shillings and viii pence. Also the ix_th_ part of garbel and fleeces of the prior of Michelham, is worth xxx shillings and iv pence. And so is the sum of the whole ix_th_ of garbel, fleeces, and lambs, this year, xiii pounds. Also they say that the ix_th_ part aforesaid cannot answer nor attain to the taxation of the church aforesaid; for that xl acres of land are drowned by the sea for ever, which were worth per annum xl shillings. And also clx acres of land in the common plain, which have been deficient there this year in corn sown, to the value of x pounds. And because the wool cannot be sold as it was wont, the value of xiii shillings and iv pence is deficient. And also the lambs there will be deficient in the pasture this year, by defect of value vi shillings and viii pence. And the vicar has there the first-prints of one dove-house, value ii shillings. And the same has there in offerings, small tithes of geese, sucking pigs, honey, milk, cheese, calves, and eggs, and other small tithes which are worth yearly lxx shillings. Also they say, that there are here no merchants, but tenants of land who live by their own lands, and their great labours only. In testimony of which thing, the aforesaid sworn men have affixed their seals to this indenture.” CHAPTER VIII. THE BARTHOLOMEWS.