It is to be observed, however, that after the establishment of <g>New Llanthony</g> on the Severn, the benefactions to the Mother-Abbey are few and insignificant. The former, under the patronage of the <g>Milo</g> family, became suddenly rich, and able to introduce those embellishments of art, and that luxurious mode of life, which opened a wide channel for the diffusion of its revenues; but while it increased its splendour, insured its ultimate poverty. * * * * * By a <g>Deed</g> given by <g>Edward</g> the Second, in the eighteenth year of his reign, the property conveyed to Llanthony by Walter <g>de Laci</g> and others, is again revised and confirmed. He grants also permission to elect from their own body, or from any other, as they may see meet, a fit person to preside over the Church and Priory of Llanthony, whenever a vacancy occurs, concluding--“Et ut hæc libertas eligendi eis in perpetuum perseveret illibata, huic scripto <g>Sigillum</g> meum est appositum.” The Deed given by <g>Walter</g> and <g>Hugh</g> de Laci to the Canons of Llanthony is then recited; and by this document a vast amount of property, privileges, arable lands, pastures, fisheries, hunting-grounds, and various other benefactions, are described as finally made over to the Prior and Brotherhood, out of pure love for the glory of God, the welfare of their own souls, the souls of their predecessors, successors, and kinsfolk. In this munificent grant is comprised the whole valley--‘totam vallem’--of the <g>Ewyas</g>, with all its appurtenances, in which the church is situated; describing, at the same time, its boundaries:--“Et concedo quod habeant omnimodam venationem et dominationem infra metus terræ suæ.” All this is followed by other unquestionable privileges, such as united with the spiritual an amount of despotic power, which invested the Prior and Canons of Llanthony with an authority in things temporal, no way inferior to that exercised by a feudal Baron in his own castle, and over his own vassals.[333] * * * * *