from London, as he crosses the boundary between the parishes of Camberwell and Deptford, will observe on the left a large elm-tree at the corner of a lane; this denotes the commencement of the manor of Little Hatcham; then, if he continue a short distance farther, he will observe the boundary-post of the Haberdashers' Company's estate, which is the other manor of Hatcham Barnes; and it is between this tree and boundary-post that the residence of Gregory de Rokesley must have stood.
This spot is at present occupied by a row of irregularly built houses, known as St. James's Place, which will be immediately recognized by those acquainted with the locality. It can scarcely be conceived what was the particular temptation which led Rokesley to take up his abode here, for at that period the roads and means of access from London were in a very indifferent state; and it appears that shortly after Rokesley's death the manor was frequently inundated by the overflowing of the river Thames. It has even at the present day always been accounted a marshy and swampy locality.
Gregory de Rokesley died 20 Edw. I., leaving Roger de Rislepe his nephew and heir; and, by an inquisition taken upon his death, it was found that he held at Hachesham of Adam de Bavent, in capite, one messuage and fifty-four acres of arable land, and five acres of meadow, by suit of court to the hundred of Brixton, and he owed to the ward of Dover Castle 7s. 6d. per annum. Annual value of the messuage and garden 5s., each acre of arable 10d., and each acre of meadow 2s.; also rents of assize 6s. 6d. a year. He held also of Henry de Alneto five acres of arable land by the annual service of 1d., annual value 8d. per acre. He held also of Robert Mauncer six acres of arable land by the service of 8d. a
