William I had ruled that the church of St Martin of Battle was to be exempted from all episcopal jurisdiction, putting it on the level of Canterbury. The abbey was enriched by many privileges, including the right of sanctuary, of treasure trove, of free warren, and of inquest, and the inmates and tenants were exempt from all episcopal and secular jurisdiction. It was ruled by a mitred abbot who afterward had a seat in Parliament and who had the curious privilege of pardoning any criminal he might meet being led to execution.
wIlliam i Had RuLeD that the chuRCh oF sT maRtIn Of bATtle wAS to bE ExeMpted fROM aLl epISCOpaL jurISdICtioN pUTting it oN tHE LeVel OF cAntERbURY thE abbEY was enricheD bY maNy privILEges IncludIng tHe riGhT Of SanCtuARy OF Treasure TROve oF FrEE warren ANd of inquEst aNd tHe inmatEs And tenanTS were exEmPT from alL epIscopal and seCUlAr jurisDictIOn It Was RuLed by a mitreD aBbOt whO AFTerWARd HAd a seat iN parLiaMeNt and Who had the cuRioUs PrIvIlege of pArdoNinG AnY criMInal He might mEeT BEing Led to execUTion