gentle rise from north-east to south-east, with a population, in 1831, of 2999 persons. Its ancient name was Senlac, which was changed after the bloody conflict fought between the English and Normans on this spot, the 14th October, 1066. In the following year the Conqueror commenced an abbey upon the site where the battle had raged most fiercely, the high altar of its church being on the precise spot where the body of Harold was found ; here were said masses for the souls of those who had fallen in the conflict, in conformity with the views of that age. In this church the Conqueror offered up his sword and coronation robe ; in which also was kept the famous catalogue of all the Normans of consequence who came over with the duke to England. There are many copies of the roll extant ; the original was seen by Leland, who has given the contents in the first tome of his Collectanea ; but modern antiquarians in general concur in the opinion of Sir William Dugdale, that the list was often falsified by the monks, and the names of those persons inserted who wished to be considered of Norman extraction .
The abbey was dedicated to St. Martin, and filled with Benedictine monks from the abbey of Marmontier in Normandy ; all the lands for a league around the house were given to it, besides churches, manors, &c., which were greatly enlarged in subsequent reigns ; its prerogatives and immunities were equal to those enjoyed by the monks of Christ Church, Canterbury ; they were exempt from episcopal and other ecclesiastical jurisdiction ; they had the exclusive right of inquest on all murders committed within their lands, the property of all treasure found on their estates, the right of free warren, and the church was made a sanctuary in cases of homicide ; the abbot was mitred and a peer in parliament, having the royal power of pardoning any condemned thief whom -
