consulted by Rahere as to the
design and character of the building while his plans were under
consideration.

On the southern side of the church the group of buildings gradually
arose which constituted the Priory, of which the founder, having devoted
himself to the monastic life, of course became the first Prior; and here
he spent the rest of his days with thirteen companions--the sub-prior
and twelve subordinates--all living under the Rule of the Canons Regular
of St. Augustine. The number was afterwards brought up to thirty-five by
Thomas of St. Osyth, the second Prior (1144-1174), who made a
corresponding addition to the premises.[6]

In 1133, when the buildings were fairly advanced, and the value of
Rahere's work had got to be recognized, a charter of privileges was
granted by Henry I to the Prior and Canons. Commencing with an
invocation of the Holy Trinity, it was addressed to the Archbishop of
Canterbury and the Bishop of London, with a greeting to all the King's
faithful subjects, especially the citizens of London. Its comprehensive
immunities may be inferred from the opening paragraph:

Know ye that I have granted, and have by this my charter
confirmed, to the Church of St. Bartholomew of London, and to
Rahere the Prior, and to the Canons Regular, in the same church
serving God, and to the poor of the Hospital of the same church,
that they be free from all earthly servitude, and all earthly
power and subjection, except episcopal customs, to wit, only
consecration of the church, baptism, and ordination of clergy;
and that as any church in all England is free, so this church be
free, and all lands to it appertaining, which it now has, or
which Rahere the Prior, or the Canons, may be able reasonably to
acquire, whether by purchase or by gift. And it shall have socc
and sac, and thol and theme, and infogheneteof; and all
liberties and free customs and acquittances in all things which
belong to the same church in wood and in plain, in meadows and
pastures, in waters and mills, in ways and paths, in pools and
vineyards, and marshes and fisheries, and in all places now and
for ever.[7]

Another paragraph may be worth quoting, as it expressly includes
Bartholomew Fair among the privileges conveyed, though it is clear from
the terms of the instrument that a fair had previously been held in the
open space at Smithfield on the Saint's anniversary. E