218 NOTICES OF THE PRIORY OV SOUTIIWICK,

1153; SO that it would appear that the removal from Port- chester to Suthwylv must have taken place within that period. It seems not unlikely that this removal of the convent so soon after its foundation may account for the unfinished con- dition of some of the details of the church of Portchester, such as the arcade at the sides of the chancel, and the north tran- sept. After the removal the priory grew rapidly in import- ance and affluence^ and enjoyed no ordinary share of royal bounty and favour. Almost all the kings from Henry II. to Henry VIII. , including even that great spoliator of religious houses, granted to the canons charters of protection, or very frequently the more substantial benefits of innnunities, gifts of lands, manors, and churches. In the reign of Henry II. they ])ossessed the churches of Portchester, Wymering, Portsea, Shalden, Nutley, and Wanstead ; with the chapels of Widley, Wallesworth, and Candever Scudland*'; and of Ymbeschet (Empshot) ; of St. James, without the priory gate ; and of the blessed Thomas the Martyr, in the parish of Portsea. To these were afterwards added the churches of Swindon, Bur- hunt, and St. Nicholas, West Burhunt. While the prior and canons of Suthwyk were themselves the objects of sucli pious liberality, they were, at the same time, engaged on a work, of which the beneficial effects are felt to this day. We learn from the Suthwyk records that the inhabitants of Portsmouth are indebted to the liberality of the prior and canons of Suthwyk for the structure which is now the parish chm-ch of Portsmouth. There is a charter of privilege granted by Richard Toclive, bishop of Win- chester, to the prior and canons, concerning the chapel of the blessed Thomas the Martyr, in the parish of Portsea, which they had begun to build with the advice and consent of the bishop. It is well known that this prelate took an active part in the persecution of St. Thomas of Canterbury, and was even exconnnunicatcd on that account. After Becket's murder he repented, and is supposed by Milner to

• " III tlie " Taxatio Ecck'siastica," made 'There vras formerly a manor called

by order of Pope Nicholas IV., in 1291, Candever Scudland, probahly a corruption 19 Edward I., the possessions of the priory of tlie family name of Jordan Escotland, are rated at £:V2. 15s. 8d. per annum. In who granted his cliapel, and the tithes of the Suthwyk records there is an inquisition his manor there, with a virgate of land for on the true value of Portchester castle, tlie sustcntation of the chapel, to the prior 32 Edward I., when its value was declared of Suthwyk. to be £'10. 8s. 7d.