HISTORY OF HARTING. 29 



royal charter from King Henry II. undated, but 

 attested by witnesses which prove its date to have 

 been between 1181 and 1189. 



The possessions of Durford Monastery in the parish 

 of Harting never seem to have comprised more than 

 about 100 acres at Ryefield, Upperton, Canon Land, 

 and Millcroft. With these lands, and much other 

 property, the second Henry Hussey,* confirming his 

 father's gift, endowed the monks, and " with the whole 

 of tJie tithe of cheese" as he says in his charter of gift, 

 " coming from the pasture land of my demesne at 

 Harting (i.e., the grass lands near the Church) except 

 one piece, which belongs to the Church at Harting" 

 (Praeter unam peisiam casei quae ad ecclesiam de 

 Hertinges pertinet.) This is an important entry, as it 

 shows that there was a Church at Harting prior to 

 1 1 80, and therefore more ancient than the present 

 early English Church. 



The leper house also had a charter from Henry II., 

 granting it a fair of three days yearly at the Feast of 

 the Nativity of St. John Baptist. This charter, also 

 undated, is witnessed by " the Chancellor, and William, 

 my brother." Probably the Chancellor means Thomas 

 a Becket, and if so, the document must be dated 

 before his death in 1170. 



The reign of Henry II. would seem to be the time 

 of general settlement in this neighbourhood. The 

 terraces of Nursted, of Petersfield, were now for the 

 first time tilled by the monks. Philip le Bel endowed 

 Durford with Ditcham.f The lowlands of Liss were 

 also pastured by another convent, but Selborne Priory 

 was only founded in the reign of King John. 



And now the sturdy little borough of Petersfield 

 drew its first breath. The charter of Hawisa, Countess 



" Henricus Hosatus secundus," as he is termed in the charter 

 of Bp. Seyffridd, almost in royal style. 



f Ricardus le Bel of Peteresfeld. Grant to Church of Durford 

 of all his land, " De Dicham in Manerio de Mapuldreham," 

 Charter of Durford, f. 89. 



