38 BOROUGH OF LEWISHAM. 
The millers of these mills were all fined for taking excessive 
toll for grinding corn, contrary to statute. Fines are also recorded 
against those who sold beer by mug instead of by sealed measure. 
During the latter part of the 15th century the people of 
Lewisham were engaged in building the tower of the Parish 
Church, which was commenced about the year 1471. Nearly 
every parishioner who had anything to leave mentions it in his 
will, and we may therefore assume that the project was a popular 
one. 
During much of the period through which we have traced the 
story of Lewisham, the Court was frequently at Eltham, where 
Edward IV considerably enlarged the palace, rebuilding the great 
hall and other portions. Henry VII seems to have been rather 
partial to Greenwich, and Henry VIII practically deserted Eltham 
for the latter. No doubt it was found easier of access by water 
from London than the long ride over the wild open country of 
Blackheath as it then was. The possessions of the Crown at 
Greenwich were, however, of limited extent, and Henry VIII 
began to look around for means to extend the property. It is 
characteristic that he should at first have endeavoured to oust the 
Prior of Shene on a legal quibble. Henry V had granted Lewisham 
and Greenwich to Shene, as we have seen, but it was now alleged 
that the act of Henry was that of an usurper—being a Lancastrian 
—and that Edward IV had resumed possession of any lands so 
granted. A jury was therefore called together at Deptford in 1518 
to try the Prior’s title to the estates. At the enquiry it was shown 
that Lewisham and Greenwich had been given to Shene by 
Henry V, and that on the roth July, 1461, Edward IV had 
confirmed the gift, and the Prior’s right was therefore unassailable 
at law. Amongst the evidence it is interesting to note that it was 
recorded that Edward III had seized Lewisham and Greenwich in 
1338 by reason of the war with France, and that they had remained 
in the hands of Richard II throughout his reign, and in those of 
Henry IV and V for the same reason, and were held throughout 
as of fee and by right of the Crown of England. 
As Prior Joburn was not to be dispossessed by foul means, 
Henry proceeded to try and effect an exchange, and in 1531 this 
was arranged, Lewisham and Greenwich passing into his hands in 
lieu of certain property elsewhere, thus hastening by a few years 
what would have occurred at the dissolution of Shene Priory. 
The religious changes of the middle of the 16th century made 
considerable alterations in the ownership of a large part of the 
parish. Bellingham, lying between Catford and Southend, which 
belonged to the Cistercian Monastery of Stratford Langthorne, in 
Essex, came to the Crown, and in 1547 the College of St. Lawrence 
Poultney, in London, was suppressed, by which the Manor of 
Catford also came into the royal hands. In the reign therefore of 
Edward VI for a brief period the whole of the manorial rights in 
the district were reunited under the King as Lord of the Manor. 
