AN "ANCIENT MARKET-TOWNE " 175 



sailed up the tidal haven. In spite, however, of 

 the incursions of the Danes the Jutes managed to 

 hold their own, and at the time of the Conquest 

 " Tichefelde " was one of the very few places in 

 Hampshire where markets were regularly held. 



The Premonstratensian Abbey mentioned by John 

 Leland was founded by Henry HI. for the sake of the 

 souls of the royal house ; and for many years the 

 good monks said masses and served God in peace. 

 The ghost-like figures of the brethren, in their white 

 caps and long white cloaks, were for many generations 

 a familiar object to the villagers, as they moved about 

 the Abbey grounds, and looked after the fish-ponds, 

 which may still, after so many centuries, be traced, 

 or hawked up and down the river for herons and 

 other wild-fowl. The good abbot too was a man of 

 considerable importance; and more than once royal 

 persons were entertained with due hospitality. In 

 August, 1415, Henry V. stayed at the abbey on his 

 way to Portchester, where he embarked for France and 

 fought the famous battle of Agincourt. Thirty years 

 later a more interesting event took place, for Henry VI. 

 and Margaret of Anjou passed in royal state over the 

 stone bridge, and were married by the abbot in the 

 priory chapel. Thus for three hundred years the 

 quiet life of the white canons went evenly on, with 

 just now and then an event of more importance to 

 break the monotony of existence, till the changing 

 times of the Reformation, when Henry VIII. swept 

 the priory away. 



A great change must have passed over the lives and 

 fortunes of the simple villagers when tlieir white-robed 

 friends were to be no more seen. The long reign of 

 quiet monotony was broken, and bustle and activity 



