The return of 1478 (fn. 2) gives the date of the foundation as 1192 or 1193, which agrees well with the scanty evidence of the early deeds; and describes the abbot as being patron in himself, which is consistent with the statement of Leland, (fn. 3) that the founder was a canon named Hugh, who was the first abbot. It may be that Hugh was the moving spirit in the establishment of the house and procured grants from various charitable donors, none of whom was sufficiently predominant to claim the patronage. Walter Haket and Emma his wife, with the assent of William de Poltone and Stephen his heir, granted land at Bradsole, and this was confirmed by their overlord Geoffrey, count of Perche, and later, with other grants, by his son Thomas, count of Perche. Robert de Poltone granted the manor of Poulton. Hamo de Crevequer and Maud de Abrincis his wife granted the advowson of the church of Alkham and the chapel of Mauregge, now Capel. The church of Leysdown in Sheppey was granted by Robert Arsiche and confirmed by Archbishop Stephen. Philip de Columbariis granted the church of Postling; Bertram de Criol the manor of Combe; Hubert de Burgh the churches of Portslade and Aldrington in Sussex; and Henry de Wengham, dean of St. Martin le Grand, London, the church of Shepherdswell.
In addition Richard I granted to the canons 100 acres of land adjoining their land of Bradsole. John, on 24 August, 1199, confirmed to them their place of Bradsole (fn. 4) ; and on 12 May, 1204, he granted to them 100 acres of land in the manor of River. (fn. 5) On 26 March, 1208, he granted the church of River with the intention that the abbey should be rebuilt there (fn. 6) ; but this idea was soon abandoned, arid on 26 July, 1215, he made another grant of the church for the maintenance of the canons and, of pilgrims there, saving to John de Riveria his possession during his life. (fn. 7) Henry III on 16 March, 1227, granted a charter of confirmation; (fn. 8) and on the same day he gave to the abbot and convent a rent of 20s. which he used to receive from the mill in the court of River, which they had of the grant of Alan Corbell, and also gave them the site of the mill of 'Crabbehole. (fn. 9) Edward II granted a charter of confirmation in 1315. (fn. 10)
There was at one time a small Premonstratensian monastery at Blackwose (fn. 11) in Newington in Kent, subject to the abbey of Lavendon in Buckinghamshire, where there were five canons and one laybrother; but the place could not maintain them, and they were forced to wander about the country to the great scandal of the order.