intended it during his abbacy, but he lived only nine
years after he had laid the foundation-stone (which ceremony he
performed in the month of March, 1117), and the building was not
completed at his death; nor did he succeed in securing to the monastery
all its former possessions, although he exerted himself very
assiduously to obtain them.

John de Sais was succeeded by Henri de Angeli, in 1128, of whom nothing
of moment is recorded. He was a man of no character, and tried to
injure the monastery in the estimation of the king, by speaking falsely
of the brotherhood. Some writers say that he was detected in his
villany by the king, who obliged him to resign his chair, and leave the
country; others assert that he quitted England on account of other
crimes. All historians agree, however, that he was a very bad man.

The appointment of the next abbot devolved upon the king, and Martin de
Vecti was chosen by him to govern the monastery, in 1133. The monks
received him with every expression of respect, as he was reported to be
a man of profound erudition and good moral character. He began his rule
by forwarding the erection of the new monastery, and it was during his
abbacy that it was completed and re-dedicated--which latter ceremony
was conducted with great pomp, and all the abbots of the neighbouring
monasteries, with numbers of the barons and gentry, were present
[1140]. It appears that De Vecti was very zealous in the work of
improvement, and that he not only built a new gate to the monastery,
but formed a new village on the western side of it; altered the place
of wharfage, erected a new bridge, planted the present vineyard, and
built many new houses near the abbey. He is also said to have re-built
the parish church, then situate in St. John's close, in the precincts.
The destruction of the castle, which stood near this church, is
likewise attributed to this abbot. It is probable that it was situate
upon Mount Thorold, or Tout Hill, as it is now called. This hill may
yet be seen in a close on the north-western side of the cathedral.

De Vecti ruled twenty-two years, and died in 1155.

After the death of De Vecti, the monks resolved to maintain the right
which they possessed of choosing their own abbot, and William de
Waterville was elected by them to the government of the monastery:
their choice was afterwards ratified by the king. Waterville was
formerly a chaplain to Henry II., and having some influence with him,