OTTERTON, a parish in the eastern division of the
hundred of BUDLEIGH, county of DEVON, 4 miles (S. W.
by W.) from Sidmouth, containing 1.071 inhabitants.
The living is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry and diocese
of Exeter, rated in the king's books at £22, and in the
patronage of Lord Rolle. The church is dedicated to
St. Michael. There was formerly a chapel at Hederland.
The river Otter runs through the parish.
Fairs are held on the Wednesday in Easter week and
October 11th. Here was an Alien priory of Black monks,
founded in the reign of the Conqueror, and subordinate to
the abbey of St. Michael hi Pericula Maris, in Normandy;
at the suppression, in the 1st of Edward IV., its revenue
was estimated at £87. 10. 4., and its possessions were
given to the monastery of Sion. The prior enjoyed the
singular rights of first choice in the fish-market, of appropriating
to himself the half of every dolphin brought
thither, and of claiming every porpoise at the price of
".twelve pence, and a loaf to each sailor, and two to the
master."