YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

NEW AND COMPLETE
HISTORY or THE
COUNTY OF KENT;
EMBELLISHED WITH A SERIES OF VIEWS,
Jr0m CSrlflfiial fflratofnjiiS,
BY G. SHEPHERD, H. GASTINEAU, &c. &c.

HISTORICAL, TOPOGRAPHICAL, CRITICAL, AND BIOGRAPHICAL
DELINEATIONS.

BY W. H. IRELAND,
Member of lite Atlienaum of Sciences and Arts at Paris, Sjc,

VOL. III.

LONDON:
G. VIRTUE, IVY LANE, PATERNOSTER ROW.
1829.

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF KENT,
Sfc. SfC.

THE HUNDRED OF EYHORNE
Lies at a short dibtance north-eastward from that of Brenchley
and Horsemonden, only a small district of the hundred of
Marden, and lath of Scray, intervening.
It is written in Domesday both Ailiorde and Haihorne, but
in the reign of Edward I. it bore its present appellation, the
king being then lord of the same.
In the survey taken in 1650, by the trustees appointed by
parliament, it was returned that the court-leet, with all other
courts and liberties within the bailiwic of Eyhorne, and the
hundred contained therein, being the court of the said hundreds
and bailiwic, was constantly held at Eyhorne green.
The Hundhed of Eyhokne is the largest in this county,
and contains within its bounds the parishes of Hedcorne, in
part; BouGHTON Moncuensie; Langley; Chart Sut
ton ; Sutton Valence ; East Suiton ; Uloombe, in
part; Boughton Malherbe; Lenham, in part; Otter-
den ; WicHLiNG ; Frinsted ; Wormsell ; Haueietsham ;
HoLLiNGBORNE ; Brompield; Leeds; Otham; Bersted,
inpart; Bicknor, in part ; Hucking ; Thurnham ; Stock-
bury, ew par/; and Bredhurst, with the ciiurches of those
parishes, and likewise part of the parishes of Marden and
Staplehurst, the churches of which are in other hundreds.
North eastward from the hundred of Brenchley and
Horsemonden, (a small space of the hundred of Marden and
VOL. III. «

2 HISTORY OF THE
lath of Scray only intervening,) lies the parish of Hedcorne,
within the bounds of several hundreds ; for the hundred of
Eyhorne claims over that part of the same wherein the western
portion of the village and the church are situated : the hun
dred of Tenham claims over such part as is within that manor;
the hundreds of Barkley and Cranbrooke claim over the south
ern portion ; the former hundred also over such portion as lies
within the borough of Stephurst, and the latter over that divi
sion which is in the north borough, both portions ranking within
the lath of Scray ; and the hundred of Calehill claiining over the
eastern part of the same.
That portion of the parish which lies eastward of the church
of Boughton Malherbe, and thence to the east of that of Hed
corne, and so again eastward to the west head of the church of
Smarden, containing all that part within the hundred of Cale
hill, is in the eastern division of this county, and the residue of
the parish on the western side of that line ranks in the division
of west Kent,
The manor of Tenham claims over a considerable part of this
parish, and the manor of Ospringe over another portion of the
same. It appeared by the roll of knight's fees, taken in the reign of
Edward I. that the archbishop of Canterbury, and the master of
the Maison Dieu, at Ospringe, were returned as lords of this parish.
The district is very unpleasantly situated, in a flat and low
country, the aspect being dreary and forlorn. The soil is com
posed of a stiff clay, extremely deep and miry, except in very
dry summers, when it becomes particularly hard, and the roads
through the same, which are impassable in the winter, from
frequent traffic in dry seasons, acquire a smooth glaze and polish
like that on earthen pottery. The whole parish is watered by
different little streamlets, which spreadoverit, and join the waters
of the Medway, which rise near Goldwell, in Great Chart,
passing along this parish a little to the south Vi^ard of the village,
in their way to Style bridge, and the main river, which they join
a little below Yalding.
The village or town of Hedcorne, with the church at the west
end, is a dull and unfrequented place, there being also several
small hamlets built round the different greens or forstals in the
parish.

COUNTy OF KENT. 3
In the reign of Edward III., Robert Belknap and others were
appointed to view all the banks between Hedcorne and Ealdyng,
as well as Patyndennesmell, and Elherst, in this county ; and to
perform what should be requisite concerning them, according to
the law and custom of the realm. A new commission of sewers
was obtained some years back, to scour and cleanse the branch
of the river Medway, from Great Chart through this parish, to
its junction with the main river, a little helow the town of
Yalding. King Henry III. granted to the master and brethren
of the Maison Dieu, at Ospringe, founded by him not many
years before, the privileges of a market, and a fair to be held in
this parish of Hedcorne.
The hundred of Tenham is bound to repair one arch of the
bridge, and thirty yards of the causeway lying in that part of
the parish, within the hundred.
Mottenden, or more properly Afod/wrfew, is a manor situ
ated in the northern part of this parish, which, with the estate
belonging to it. Called Great and Little Mottenden, anciently
belonged to the family of Rokesle. Sir Richard of that name,
in the year 1224, under Henry III. founded a priory on this
manor for friars of the order of the Holy Trinity, being the first
house of that fraternity established in England. Their rule
was that of St. Austin, added to which were some peculiar con
stitutions. The habit of the brotherhood was a white gown,
with a red and blue cross on the breast. Their revenues were
divided, one part for their support and maintenance, another for
the relief of the poor, and a third to redeem those Christians
taken captives by the. infidels. To the priory in question the
founder gave this manor, and there were, from time to time,
several pardons and indulgencies granted by the succeeding
popes to the benefactors of the establishment, which increased
both its revenues and reputation.
In the Surrenden library is a deed, showing the tenor of these
pardons and indulgencies, and the benefits arising from the weak
superstition of different persons, some of whom appear to have
been of no mean rank or consequence. Brother Richard, minister
of this house of Motynden, certified that many of the Roman
pontiffs had endowed the co-brethren and co-sisters of his order
with many privileges, especially that they.might each select for
themselves a confessor who might absolve them from all matters
1

4 HISTORY OF THE
not reserved to the apostolic sec, and once in their lives even
from all those likewise. And as John Dering, esq. of Surrenden
Dering, had taken on himself this fraternity in the manner of a
confriar, and became a benefactor ; to comply with the tenor of
the apostolic letters, he associated him in his life, as well as in
death, together with all their friends, alive and dead, in masses,
prayers, and suffrages, of their religion, which deed is dated
under the seal of their confraternity, in 1495.
In the reign of Henry III. they procured the grant of a fair to
be annually held at this manor; and, under Richard II. the
temporalities of this priory were valued at 100 shillings per
annum, and continued in this state till the reign of Henry VIII.
when all religious houses being suppressed, this fell to the
crown. The manor, however, did not long remain in the king's
hands, being granted to Thomas lord Cromwell, on whose at
tainder and execution, for high treason, they again reverted back
to the king, where the fee remained till that monarch granted
the manor of Motynden,- with its appurtenances, to Anthony
Aucher, gent, of Swinfield, to hold in capite by knight's service.
He assigned this estate, in the reign of Edward VI. to Walter
Hendley, esq. in trust, who immediately after conveyed it to his
son-in-law, Thomas Colepeper, esq. and he passed it away to
Christopher Sackville. By the latter this manor was alienated
to George Sydenham, esq. and Elizabeth his wife, who possessed
it in the reign of Elizabeth. His son, George Sydenham, then
vested this estate in trustees, who sold it to one Franklyn, and
his son dying, gave it by will to his kinsman. Sir William Sedley,
of the Friars, in Aylesford. His son. Sir John, had three heirs,
the eldest of whom. Sir Henry and Sir William, dying, this
estate devolved to their youngest brother. Sir Charles Sedley, a
posthumous son, who became noted for his wit and gallantry in
the reign of Charles II. His only daughter, Catherine, was by
James II. created countess of Dorchester, and baroness of Dar
lington for life. She inherited this manor and estate on her
father's death, and afterwards carried it in marriage to Sir David
Colyear, bart., in 1699, lord Portmore, in Scotland, and in 1703,
earl of Portmore, and viscount Milsington. His eldest son,
Charles earl of Portmore, in 1732, succeeded him in the title
and this estate, and in 1770 he passed away this manor, with
the farms of Great and Little Mottenden, to John Sawbridge,

COUNTY OF KENT. 5
esq. of Ollantigh, in this county, who some years since sold
them to Jeremiah Curteis, gent, in whose hands they remained.
A court-baron is held for this manor.
Peter Husey, archdeacon of Northampton, by will, in 1499,
ordered his body to be buried in the choir of the Holy Trinity
convent at Mottenden, where he had caused his tomb to be
erected ; and it appears that he died in this priory.
Kelsham is an estate in this parish, lying at a small distance
southward from Mottenden, and though now only a farm-house,
was once a manor, and the residence of a family known by that
surname, their arms being sable, afess engrailed argent, between
three garbs, or; as appeared by the figure of one of them, with
the above bearings on his tabard, formerly in stained glass, in
one of the windows of this church, long since destroyed. In the
above name the possession continued till the reign of Elizabeth,
when it was conveyed to one Johnson, who sold it to John
Stringer, of Triggs, in Goudhurst. He gave this estate by will
to his second son, John Stringer, gent, of A.shford, who died
possessed of the property in 1679, leaving by Anne Witherden,
his wife, an only daughter, Mary, who conveyed it in toarriage
to her husband, Anthony Irby, esq. He sold it in 1706 to
George Charlton, esq. of Boxley, who left issue ten children,
when John, the second son, inherited this estate by his father's
will. He died unmarried in 1770, and devised this manor to his
nephew, the Rev. George Burvill, rector of Leyborne, in this
county. Mr. John Burden, however, only son of Charlotte,
another of Mr. Charlton's sisters, claiming a moiety of this estate,
on a trial in 1772, a verdict was given in his favor; soon after
which he disposed of the whole of his interest in this property
to the Rev. Mr. Burvill above mentioned, who resided at Boxley,
and became possessor of the whole of this estate.
Kent's Chantry, now called the Chantry Farm, acquired
the former of those names from a chantry having been founded
there by one John Kent, in the reign of Edward IV, who endowed
it with a handsome income to support the officiating priest. It
was suppressed in the reign of Henry VIII. and the site granted
to Thomas lord Cromwell, who soon after exchanged it with the
king for other premises.
It continued vested in the crown till the 36th year of that
reign, when Henry VIII. granted the site of this suppressed
VOL. III. C

6 HISTORY OF THE
chantry, with several lands belonging to the same, in Hedcorne
and elsewhere, to Sir Anthony St. Leger and his heirs male, to
hold in capite by knight's service ; and under Edward VI. he
obtained a fresh grant to him and his heirs, by the same service.
He was lord deputy of Ireland, knight of the garter, and of the
privy council, and died in 1559. His eldest son, Warham St.
Leger, sold this property, about the middle of the reign of
Elizabeth, to Thomas Colepeper, esq. who alienated it to Michael
Beresford, of Westerham ; and he settled it on his daughter,
Anne, married to Sir William Southland, of Lee, in Ickham.
Their son, Thomas Southland, esq. alienated it to Mr. William
Belcher, rector of that parish, who died in 1739, and by Sarah,
his, wife, daughter of Justinian Champneys, esq. of Boxley, left
four daughters his coheirs ; Catherine, married to Benjamin
Bayley, esq. of Ireland; Judith^ since deceased; Elizabeth;
and Sarah, married to the Rev. Joseph Milner, of Aylesford, in
this county. They possessed this estate in undivided shares,
in the sale of which they afterwards joined to Mr. John Bore-
man, of this parish, who became entitled to the entire fee thereof.
RiSHFoans, usually called Rushfords, is a manor in this
parish, which anciently conferred the name upon a family that
possessed it. One of that line, Adam de Rishford, held this
manor, in the reign of Edward II. , of the master of the Maison
Dieu, in Ospringe ; but the name became extinct here before the
20th year of Edward III., when John, son of John de Peende,
held it of the said master, aud paid respective aid for the same.
This manor continued in his descendants till Stephen Peende,
otherwise De la Pynde, and Martha his v/ife, in 1611, conveyed
it to Christopher Fullagar, or Domine, who, in the reign of
Charles I. conveyed it to Mr. John Hulkes, of Newnham ; from
whom it descended to Mr. Nathaniel Hulse, gent, of Acrise.
He, in 1772, conveyed this manor to Mr. John Goldsmith, sur
geon, of Chatham, when it passed to the Wade's ; and, in 1783,
became vested in Captain John Wade, in whose possession it
remained. SouTHOLMENDEN is a manor in this parish, the name whereof
is mentioned in a charter of Offa, king of Mercia, dated 791,
whereby he gave, among other premises, Suthelmingden to
Christ church, in Canterbury. In the 2d year of Edward IV.,
Thomas Whytiugbroke, of Hedcorne, gave, by will, his capital

COUNTY OF KENT. T
messuage and lands, lying in Sowtholmynden, to his son, John ;
and in later times, it has for several generations been possessed
by the family of the Austen's. In that line it continued till
Elizabeth, daughter of Peter Austen, of Marden, carried it in
marriage to William Gammon, of Wrotham, whose son, the
Rev. Austen Gammon, of Watringburg, in this county, after
wards possessed it, A court-baron is held for this manor.
Blechenden, otherwise Cruttenden, is a manor in this
district, once constituting part of the ancient possessions of the
eminent family of the Colepeper's, seated at Aylesford, of whom
William Colepeper was created a baronet, in 1627. In his des
cendants it continued down to Sir Thomas Colepeper, bart. , of
Preston Hall, who died in 1723, leaving Alicia his sister, then
widow of Sir Thomas Taylor, bart., of Maidstone, his heir, who
passed it away to Mr. Thomas Best, of Chatham. His grand
son, Thomas Best, esq. of Chilston, dying in 1795, gave it by
will to his nephew, George Best, esq. of Chilston.
A, court-baron is held for this manor.
The Manors of Wisperhawke, or Whitsperhawke, and
Hampden, in this parish, were formerly possessed by a family
of the first of those names; one of whom, Simon Whytsphawk,
owned them under Edward IV. They afterwards passed into
the name of Hennand, and descended down to Thomas Hennand,
whose heir at law conveyed them by sale to Galfridus Mann,
esq., who died possessed of them, together with Hedcorne place,
in 1756, when his only son. Sir Horace Mann, bart., inherited
after him.
Hedcorne is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of
the <^20ccse of Canterbury and deanery of Charing. Thechurch
is dedicated to Sts. Peter and Paul, and was founded by one of
the family of the Colepeper's, owners of considerable property
in this parish. The monument and arms of the founder still
remain in the south wall, the latter being carved in stone, over
the west door of the belfry ; one of the shields having a crescent
on the upper part of the bend. There are also two coats of
Kelsham, one impaling Errnine on a chief gules, two mullets,
or; the other, sable, a chevron between three tents, argent, and
a coat having a chevron between three garbs, and three cross.
crosslets fitchee, one and two.
The church of Hedcorne was part of the possessions of the

8 HISTORY OF THE
crown, and so remained till Henry III. granted the parsonage or
rectory to his new erected Maison Dieu, at Ospringe ; and the
advowson of the vicarage, to the archbishop of Canterbury and
his successors.
In 1267, Friar Elyas, master of this hospital, agreed that
Archbishop Boniface, patron of the church, by the grant of the
prince, their founder, should allow over and above the income
of the vicarage, which William de Tilemanstone then had, the
sum of 100s. out of the gross fruits of the same, to be paid
without any diminution whatsoever.
The parsonage of the church, with the !Manor of Hedcorne,
remained part of the possessions of the Maison Dieu till its dis
solution, under Edward IV,, when devolving to the crown, it was
granted, with all its lands and reveniies, to St. John's college,
Cambridge, where it continues.
In the 8th year of Richard II. the parsonage of Hedcorne
was valued at £13 6 8.
The advowson of the vicarage still remained part of the pos
sessions of his grace of Canterbury. It was a discharged living
in the king's books, of the yearly value of £45, the annual
tenths being £1 II 4. In 1640 the estimate was £50 per
annum, there being 400 communicants.
In 1821 there were 184 dwellings in the parish of Hedcorne ;
and at the same period, when the last census of the population
was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inhabitants
were as follow : males 622, females 569, making a total of
1191 souls.
Boughton Monchensie is the next parish northward from
Hedcorne, written in Domesday Boltone, in later records Bocton,
and sometimes West Bocton; but now generally Boughton.
It also received the a.ddition of Monchensie, or Monchelsea, trom
a family of that name, ancient possessors of this property ; as
well as to distinguish it from the other parishes of the same
name within this county. It is also sometimes called in the
neighbourhood Boughton Quarry, from the large quantities of
stone in its vicinity.
This parish lies upon the lower or southern ridge, commonly
called the quarry hills, which cross it, the summit of the same
being the norAern boundary of the Weald. The church stands
6

COUNTY OF KENT. 9
about half way down the hill, southward ; and near the cemetery,
is the ancient mansion of Boughton place, pleasantly situated,
having an extensive prospect, southward, over the Weald ; the
park being well wooded and watered. Hence the parish extends
into the Weald, towards that branch of the Medway that flows
from Hedcorne towards Style bridge and Yalding, over a low
deep country. Northward from Boughton place, above the hill,
the parish extends over Coxsheath, part of which is within its
bounds ; on the farther side is a hamlet, called Boughton Green ;
and beyond, the seat of Boughton Mount, the grounds of which
are watered by the stream that rises near Langley park, and
losing itself under ground, again appears in the quarries, and
flowing on through Lose, to which this parish joins, unites with
the Medway, a little above Maidstone. These large and noted
quarries, known by the name of the Boughton Quarries, consist
of the Kentish ragstone, of which the soil of this parish
abounds throughout, being covered over hy a fertile loam of no
great depth. At the end of Coxsheath, eastward, is the hamlet
of Cock Street, usually called, from a public-house there,
Boughton Cock ; a little to the southward of which, at the edge
of the heath, is the parsonage, with some coppice wood adjoin
ing ; and, on the brow of the hill, on the eastern bounds of the
parish, is the seat of Wharton, which commands an extensive
prospect over the Weald.
This parish was part of those possessions given by William
the Conqueror to his half brother, Odo, bishop of Bayeux, under
the general title of whose lands it was entered in Domesday.
On the disgrace of that prelate, all his possessions being confis
cated to the crown, this manor passed into the possession of the
family of Montchensie, called in Latin records De Monte
Canisio, the principal seat of which was at Swanscombe, in this
county. William, son of William de Monchensie, who died in
the reign of Kiflg John, was possessed of this manor, who sur
vived his father but a short time, as Warine de Monchensie,
probably his uncle, succeeded to this inheritance in the 1 5th year
of that reign. Soon after the above period, this manor passed
into the possession of the family of the Hougham's, of Hougham,
in this county.
Robert de Hougham died at this manor in the 4 Ist of Henry III.
as did his descendant, in that of Edward II. without male issue.

10 HISTORY OF THE
leavihg a daughter, Benedicta, who carried it in marriage to
John de Shelving, of Shelvingbourne, who died in the reign of
Edward III. He left his wife surviving, who, in the same reign,
paid respective aid for this manor, which the heirs of Robert de
Hougham then held at West Bocton, of Hugh de Vere, when
she dying in the 22d year of that reign, this name expired in
two daughters and coheirs, one of whom, Helen, married John
de Bourne, and the other John Brampton, otherwise Dethng, of
Detlington Court, who entitled their husbands to their respective
rights in this manor.
Robert Bourne died possessed of one part of this property in
the reign of' Edward III., which his daughter and heir carried
in marriage to Edward Haut, of Hants Place, in Petham ; who
possessed it in the 8th year of Henry IV., in which year he was
sheriff. His descendant alienated this estate, previous to the
end of the reign of Henry VI. , to Reginald Peckham, esq. who
then owned it, as appears by an old court roll of that period.
The other, and by far the largest portion of this manor, on
the death of John Brampton, or Detling, descended to his daugh
ter, Benedicta, who conveyed it in marriage to Thomas at
Towne, of Townes Place, in Throwley ; and he dying also with
out issue male, left his three daughters his coheirs ; one of whom,
Benedicta, the second, carried this part in marriage to William
Watton, esq. of Addington. He, at the latter end of the reign
of Henry VI. conveyed the estate by sale to Reginald Peckham,
esq. above mentioned, who possessed the other moiety of this
manor. His grandson died in the reign of Henry VIII. and
devised it to his daughter, who carried it in marriage to a
Harpur ; from whom it passed to Sir Thomas Wyatt, and after
wards to Robert Rudston, esq. In the reign of Edward VI.,
he procured his lands in this county to be disgavelled, but hav
ing been engaged with Sir Thomas Wyatt in the unfortunate
rebellion, in the Ist year of Queen Mary, he was, with many
others, found guilty, and condemned to be executed, which sen
tence the queen respited. In the 1st year of Elizabeth, he was,
by Act, restored in blood, and also to his possessions, when he
resided at this manor, to the mansion of which he made consi
derable additions. Isaac, his eldest son, succeeded, and left an
only daughter, married to Samuel Michel, esq. of Old Windsor ;
on which it passed, by the entail of his father's will, to Belknap

COUNTY OF KENT. 11
Rudsfon, esq. hi.^s brother, who devised it by will, in 1613, to Sir
Francis Barnham, of HoUingborne.
Sir Francis 'resided at HoUingborne, and married EHzabeth,
daughter of Sampson Lennard, esq. of Chevening, sister of
Henry lord Dacre, by whom he had sixteen children. Robert,
the second, but eldest surviving son, was seated at Boughton
Monchensie, and created a baronet in 1663. He was succeeded
in title and estate by Sir Robert Barnham, bart. his grandson,
who died during his father's lifetime, in 1668, leaving an only
daughter and heir, Philadelphia, who conveyed this manor in
marriage to Thomas Rider, esq. whose eldest son, Sir Barnham,
succeeded his father in this manor, and resided. here. He died
in 1728, and his only son, Sir Thomas, possessed this estate,
where he kept his shrievalty in 1754, and died unmarried in 1786,
upon which it devolved by will to his first cousin, Ingram Rider,
the last possessor of this estate.
Wiarton House is a seat in the eastern part, of this parish,
which anciently gave name and residence to a family that pos
sessed this property. Adam de Wiarton held it in the reign of
Henry III. whose descendants continued owners until the latter
end of the reign of Richard II. when it was alienated to Robert
Purse, whose son of that name died possessed of the same in
1452, and was buried in this church, having, been a benefactor
to the same, by rebuilding the belfry and north aisle. His
portrait, in stained glass, was in the window, over the place of
his interment, which remained entire till the civil wars under
Charles I. when it was broken in pieces, with the exception of
one hand, holding out a purse, in allusion to his name. His
son alienated this manor to Richard Norton, whose wife, Mar
garet, dying in 1507, lies interred under the seat, in this church,
belonging to Wiarton house. In that name it continued till the
reign of James L when it was sold to Sir Anthony St. Leger,
master of the rolls, in Ireland, and privy counsellor ; who left
an only son. Sir Anthony, who succeeded him in this manor.
At his death his heirs alienated the estate to Nathaniel Powell,
esq. of Ewhurst, in Sussex, when it descended regularly through
this family to Sir Christopher Powell, bart. who resided at
Wiarton, and in 1734 was elected knight of the shire for this
county. He died possessed of it in 1742, leaving his widow sur
viving, whose trustees sold this estate, after her death, pursuant

12 HISTORY OF THE
to Sir Christopher's will, to Mr. John Briscoe, of London, who
rebuilt the mansion on the brow of the hill, at a small distance
southward of the former site, and then sold it to Wiltshire
Emmett, esq. who served the office of sheriff in 1774, and
resided there. After living at this manor for some years, he
alienated the seat, with the estate belonging to John May, esq.
of Holborough, in Snodland, who was the last owner.
The borough of Wiarton is within the manor of Newington,
near Sittingbourne ; the rents due to which are from the free
holders holding within it, in free socage tenure.
HoLBROOKis a reputed manor here, which formerly belonged
to a family of the name of Halbrook, as appears by several old
deeds and court rolls ; and bore, as is evident from many old re
gisters of arms. Azure, a plain cross, between four mullets, or,
frettee of thefirst. They continued owners for several descents,
and became extinct about the commencement of the reign of
Henry V. when the property devolved to the possession of
William Haut, esq. of Bishopsborne, whose descendant. Sir
William, in the reign of Henry VIII. left two daughters and
coheirs. Jane, the youngest, married Sir Thomas Wyatt, of
AUington castle, who in her right possessed it. At the latter
end of the reign of Edward VT. it was, with her consent, alien
ated to Simon Smyth, of Buckland, near Maidstone, in whose
descendants it continued down to John Smyth, whose widow,
Mrs. Elizabeth Smyth, afterwards possessed this manor.
Boughton Mount, formerly called Wychden, is a seat in
this parish, situated on the opposite, or northern side of Cox
sheath, near the parish of Loose;
This seat, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, was the properly
of John Alchorrie, of Aylesford, grandson of John de Alchorne,
of Ulchorne, in Uckfield, Sussex. In the descendants of John
Alchorne, the puix;haser of this seat, it continued down to his
grandson of the same name, who, leaving an only daughter, she
carried this estate in marriage to John Savage, gent, of Lyons
Inn. He was descended from the Savage's, of Blexworth, in
Dorsetshire, a branch of those of Rock Savage, in Cheshire.
He had by her two sons, Richard, who died on his travels, at
Prague, in Bohemia, in 1669, and John, who succeeded to this
estate in 1726, having been appointed sheriff of the county, but
dying, was succeeded by his son, Richard Savage, esq. His

COUNTY OF KENT. 13
widow surviving, and dying in 1780, this seat, according
to her husband's will, became the property of the two daugh
ters and coheirs of his late sister, married to Benjamin Hubble,
esq. of Town Mailing, one of whom married Mr. Dance, but
it was afterwards occupied by E. J. Foote, esq. of the Royal
Navy. Boughton Monchensie is within the Ecclesiastical
Jurisdiction of the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of
Sutton. The-church, dedicated to St. Peter, is a small building,
with a handsome square totver at the west end. It was given to
the priory of Leeds, soon after its foundation, by Henry de
Bocton, and was afterwards appropriated to that establishment,
with the licence of the archbishop, before the reign of Richard II.
at which time the parsonage was valued at £10, and the vicar
age at £4, yearly income, both which remained part of the pos
sessions of the priory till the dissolution, in the reign of
Henry VIII. By that monarch both the parsonage and advow
son of the church of Bocton were settled on his new erected
dean and chapter of Rochester.
On the abolition of deans and chapters, after the death of
Charles I., this parsonage was surveyed by order of the state, in
1649, when it was returned, that it consisted of the site which,
with the tithes, was worth £56 3 4, and that the glebe land 'of
twenty-nine acres and two roods was worth £8 16 8 per annum,
both improved rents ; which premises had been let, under
Charles I., to Sir Edward Hales, knight and bart., by the dean
and chapter, for twenty-one years, at the yearly rental of
£\3 10s.
The vicarage was valued in the king's books at £7 13 4, the
yearly tenths being 15s. 4d. per annum ; and in 1640 the esti
mate was £60, and the communicants 177. In 1649 it was
surveyed, with the parsonage, by order of the state, and valued
at £30 per annum clear yearly income.
The vicar of this church, in 1584, was deprived of this living
for nonconformity, but he was so acceptable to his parishioners,
that they, to the number of fifty-seven, signed a petition to the
lord treasurer, to have their minister restored to them.
In 1821, there were 139 dweUings in the parish of Boughton
Monchensie ; and at the same period, when the last census of
the population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers
VOL. III. D

14 HISTOE^Y OF THE
of inhabitants were as follow : males 411, females 417, making
a total of 828 souls.
Langley is the next parish north-eastward from Boughton
Monchensie, written in Domesday Languelie, which signifies
the long pasture, a name well adapted to the district at this
period. This parish is small, lying on high ground, the soil
being red, mixed with flint, and by no means fertile. It is woody
towards the east and west, the former extending into the large
tract of woodland called Kingswood, where the number of
stately oak and elm trees interspersed throughout, give it rather
a gloomy appearance. Midway between these woods is the
village of Langley, with the church, and at a short distance, ad
joining Kingswood, is Langley heath, a waste of no great extent.
About a quarter of a mile north-westward from the village, is
the estate called Langley park, which has lost the name of park,
being entirely dismantled, as will be further noticed. Near this
part of the parish rises a small spring, which, at one mile dis
tance from its source, loses itself under ground at Brishing for
nearly half a mile, and then rising again, runs through Loose,
and joins the Medway just above Maidstone. Kilburne says
that, in 1472, a spring or bourn rose in the park, where, he adds,
there was a pit in Langley park, which, before any battle, would
be dry, but if their was no hostile encounter near, it would be
full of water in the driest summer.
Langley was part of the possessions of Odo, bishop of
Bayeux, under the general title of whose lands it was entered in
Domesday. Upon the disgrace ot that prelate it became con
fiscated to the crown, and in the reign of Henry III. was be
come the property of a family named Ashway. William so
called, held it, as appears by the Testa de Nevil, in the 20th
year of that reign, and paid aid for it at the marriage of Isabel,
the king's sister. It soon after passed to the family of the Ley-
borne's, as Roger of that name died possessed of the property of
Langley in the 56th year of the same prince, after which it de
scended to Juliana de Leyborne, whose last husband was Sir
William de Clinton, earl of Huntingdon, who in the reign of
Edward III. had license granted to enlarge this park with two
hundred acres of land, and held this manor in her right, in the
20th year of the same reign, when he paid aid for it as half a

COUNTY OF KENT. 15
knight's fee, in Langele, held of the countess of Albemarle.
Julianaj as before mentioned in several parts of this history, had
no issue by either of her husbands, whom she survived, when,
dying without any heirs, this estate became escheated to the
Crown. The manor of, Langley remained vested in the crown till the
reign of Richard II. when it devolved to John duke of Lancaster,
and other feoffees, in trust for the performance of certain reli
gious bequests, devised in the last will of Edward III. who had
by letters patent signed in his palace at Westminster, endowed
and completed the chapel which had been began by King
Stephen ; and made it collegiate, to consist of a dean and
canons, and other ministers, to whom he granted the right of
receiving at his treasury a sum sufficient to supply them with
necessaries, until he should give them as much lands and rents
as amounted to £500 yearly income ; this he bound himself and
his heirs, kings of this realm, to perform ; to which he likewise,
by his last will, enjoined the duke of Lancaster, and others of
his feoffees.
They, in conformity with the will of the king, purchased of
the crown, in the reign of Richard II., this manor of Langley,
among others, and in the 5th year of that monarch demised it
to the dean and canons, to the intent, that thejy being in the
actual possession thereof, the king might grant it to them in
mortmain for ever. After a few, years, the king, through some
false representations, made by Sir Simon de Burley, granted
this property to him, disp.pssessing the dean and canons of the
same, but forfeiting his interest at his death. Richard II. by
letters patent, in his 12th year, through the petition of the dean
and canons, granted to them the rents and profits of this manor,
among others, as a sufficient endowment, until he should other
wise alter it, or provide for them.
This manor continued thus situated till the 1st year of the
reign of Edward VI. when by an Act for the surrender of all free
chapels and chantries, this, among others, was soon afterwards
dissolved, and the lands and possessions given to the crown.
The park, however, which in the reign of Edward III. was in the
possession of William de Clinton, and his lady Juliana, seems
after her death, not to have been granted with the manor to the
college, but remained in the hands of the. crown, since we find

IG - HISTORY OF THE
that King Richard II., in his 1 1th year, granted the custody of
this park, then in his hands, to William, archbishop of Canter
bury ; and it also appears, from the patent rolls in the tower,
in the 27th of King Henry VI., to have been then granted to
Thomas Kent, and Isabella his wife ; while, in the 2d year of
Henry VIII., Henry earl of Guildford had a grant for hfe of the
rangeiship of this park ; however, when Lambarde wrote his
" Perambulations," about the year 1570, no park was in exist
ence. Shortly after the above period this manor was granted to St.
Leger, from which name it was alienated to Lewin Bufkin, of
Sussex, who obtained of Queen Elizabeth new letters patent, to
hold this property in^-ce socage of the queen as of her manor of
East Greenwich. His descendant, of the same name, alienated it
under James I. to Nathaniel Powell, of Ewhurst, in Sussex, who
sold it to Sir Edward Hales, knight and baronet, and his grand
son. Sir Edward, vested it in trustees, who, about the year 1760,
sold it to Sir William Drake, of Amersham, in Bucks. The trus
tees of the grandson of the latter, Montague Gerard Drake, du
ring his infancy, in the 5th of Queen Anne, procured an Act to
sell this manor, with Sutton Valence, and other estates in this
neighbourhood, in pursuance of which they conveyed it by sale
about the year 1708 to Sir Christopher Desbouverie, of London.
He died possessed of the property in 1733, leaving two sons.
Freeman and John, who both died, and two daughters, Anne,
married to John Hervey, esq. and Elizabeth. On the death of
the two sons, each of whom possessed this manor in succession,
it devolved in 1750 to the two sisters, and on the division of this
inheritance, in 1752, it was allotted to Mrs. Elizabeth Bouverie,
the youngest, afterwards of Teston, who remained owner of the
same. Brising, generally called Brishing, is a manor in this pa
rish, which had anciently owners of the same name.
Thomas de Brissinges held it at the commencement of the
reign of Edward I. as half a knight's fee of William de Leyburne,
as did also his descendant Sarah de Brissinges, in the 20th of
Edward III. who then paid aid for it. Upon the extinction of
that family this estate went to the Astry's, originally of Bedford
shire, Sir Ralph, son of Geoffry, having held this manor in the
reign of Edward IV. as did his descendant John, who died

COUNTY OF KENT. tr
holding it under Henry VIII. when it was ascertained to have
been held of that of Langley, lying within the fee of the duchy of
Lancaster. Soon afterwards it was alienated to Ralph Bufkin, esq. whose
descendant, Lewin, sold it, in the reign of James I., to Nathaniel
Powel, of Ewehurst, in Sussex, who reconveyed it to the same
family in the person of Lewin Bufkin, the direct descendant of
the above-mentioned Lewin. It continued in that name till it
passed to Ralph, who dying without issue male, it descended to
John Martin, esq. of Stanmer, in Sussex, as his heir at law.
His son, Denny Martin, of Salts, iu Loose, married Frances, one
of the daughters of Thomas lord Fairfax,^ by whom he had five
sons and three daughters. His widow surviving, died possessed
of the property in 1791, upon which it went to their eldest son,
the Rev. Denny Martin Fairfax, of Leeds castle, since deceased.
A court-baron is held for this manor.
Langley is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of
the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sutton. There are
no parochial charities. The. church, dedicated to St. Mary, has
always been an appendage to the manor, and was in the patro
nage of Mrs. Elizabeth Bouverie.
It is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £Q 19 9^, the
yearly tenths being 13s. ll|d. In 1640 the value was £IC0
per annum, communicants fifty-five.
The parsonage house was entirely rebuilt in the year 1767, by
the then rector, Mr. Waterhouse, who was also a benefactor to
the church, as well as Mrs. Bouverie, the patron.
In 1821, there were thirty-nine dwellings in the parish of
Langley ; and at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of Parhament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow : males 143, females 120, making a
total of 263 souls.
The next parish southward from Langley is Chart Sutton,
or more appropriately Chart by Sutton, written in Domesday
Certh. It is very small, and the lower, or southern ridge of quarry
hills, divide the upper from the lower part, the latter being in the
district of theWeald, where the country is low and flat, abounding
with broad hedge-rows, filled with large and spreading oaks,
1

18 HISTORY OF THE
This district is extremely wet in the winter, and the soil a deep
stiff clay. At the foot of the hill rises a stream, which, turning
a mill, flows thence southward across this parish, till it joins the
branch of the Medway, just above Herefeed bridge. The soil
on the hill consists of the quarry stone, thinly covered with a
loam, which is extremely fertile in the produce of corn, fruit, and
hops. Just above the summit of the hill is the village and
church, with Chart place adjoining the churchyard ; beyond
which, northward, the soil becomes less fertile, being a red
earth, mixed with flint, and so continues till it joins Langley
parish. Mention is made, in Domesday record, of three arpends of
vineyard in this parish, which is certainly one out of many in
stances of their having been vineyards in this county in very early
times. We mean plantations of the grape-vine, for we can by no
means acquiesce thutFinecB universally meant plantations ofapples
and pears, at least so far as relates to this county, where the latter
were not introduced at the time, nor for a long period after the
taking the survey of Domesday. This opinion is further con
firmed froni the following circumstance, that Hamo, bishop of
Rochester, who, when Edward II. in his 19th year, was at
Bokinfold, in this county, sent that prince a gift, both of wine
and grapes, from his vineyard at Hailing, near Rochester, the
episcopal palace, where he then resided. These vineyards being
likewise measured by the arpend, the same measure as that used
in France, proves that when the vine was brought from that
country and cultivated here, the appellation was continued, being
an admeasurement, completely different from that of any other
kind of land.
Sir Robert Atkins, in his History of Gloucestershire, has
indeed given two instances, from records in the reigns of John
and Edward II. , tending to prove the contrary, which might well
accord with the language of his countrymen, and the bleak
county of Gloucester, in which district the grape-vine had never
been seen, the only beverage being that produced from apples
and pears, which the inhabitants chose to dignify with the appel
lation of wine. The certainty ia still in memory, of two exceed
ingly fine vineyards in this county, one at Tunbridge Castle, and
the other at Hall Place, in Barming, near Maidstone, from which
large quantities of very fine flavored wine were produced. The

COUNTY OF KENT. 19
parish of Chart, among others in the same situation, on the side
of the quarry hills, is peculiarly adapted for the planting of vines,
as well from the warm and nutritive quality of the soil, as its
genial aspect, being entirely sheltered from the north-east, and
facing the south on the declivity of the hill.
Chart was part of the possessions of Odo, bishop of Bayeux,
under the general title of whose lands it was entered. Upon
his disgrace, this estate became the property of Baldwin de
Betun, earl of Albermarle, and also lord of the manor of Sutton
Valence, to which this estate seems to have been an appendage,
and continued with it in the same succession down to Sir
Christopher Desbouverie. He, on gaining possession of the
property, in 1708, built for himself a mansion, where he resided,
and died in 1733, leaving two sons, who left no issue ; and two
daughters, who became their brothers' heirs ; when, upon a
division of their inheritance, in 1752, this manor was allotted to
the youngest, Mrs. Ehzabeth Bouverie, of Teston, who con
tinued owner of the same.
Norton Place is an ancient manor and mansion in this
parish, though for many years since made use of only as a farm
house. It is situated about half a mile, northward, from Chart
Place, and was once the property and residence of a family named
Norton. In the south windows of this church, there were for
merly the effigies of Stephen Norton, who lived in the reign of
Richard II., his arms being Argent, a chevron between three
crescents azure ; and Philipott says, that he found, in a tourna
ment of the Kentish gentlemen, one of this name, in a tabard, of
the arms above mentioned, encountering one Christmas, of East
Sutton, who was also habited in a surcoat, charged with his
arms, expressive of his name, viz. Gules, upon a bend, sable,
three wassail bowls, or ; which bearing was also in the south
window of Sutton church.
But the partitions inherent to gavelkind, so diminished the
patrimony of this family, that in the reign of Elizabeth, they
were obliged to sell several parts at different periods, all of which
fell at length into the possession of Sir Edward Hales, bart.,
whose grandson and heir, in 1660, purchased of the two coheirs
of the family of Norton, (married to Denne, and Underwood,)
the seat itself, with the remainder of the land belonging to the
same, by a fine levied by them and their husbands for that pur-

ao HISTORY OF THE
pose. His trustees, about the year 1670, conveyed it, with the
manor of Sutton Valence and Chart, to Sir W'illiam Drake, of
Amersham, in Bucks ; with which it was sold, about the year
1708, to Sir Christopher Desbouverie, whose daughter, Mrs.
Bouverie, of Teston, after the death of her two brothers, jointly
inherited with her sister.
Walter's Folly, in the Den of Ivetigh, now called the
Folly, is an estate, situated in the southern part of this parish,
about a mile below the summit of the hill. It was anciently the
property of the family of Ivetigh, originally spelt Evythye, and
gave name to this manor. In the reign of Henry VI., it was
alienated by one of that name to Robert Mascall, who died pos
sessed of the property under Edward IV. He, in the above
reign, devised 6s. 8d. towards the pavenaent of the church, and
to the leading the roof, 20s. His son, Thomas, resided here,
and B(Jme years after his father's death, sold it to William Lambe,
who changed its name to that of Lambden ; and in his descend
ants it continued, till sold to one Perry, when Mr. James Perry
dying in the reign of Charles I., his three daughters became
entitled to this estate. They joined in the sale of the property
to one Walter, from whom it gained the appellation of Waller's
Folly. In the reign of Queen Anne, it was purchased by Sir
Samuel Ongley, of London, who gave it by will to his nephew,
Samuel Ongley, esq., of Old Warden, in Bedfordshire, in tail ;
on whose death this estate came, by the above entail, to his
nephew, Robert Henley, esq., who took the name of Ongley,
and was, in 1776, created baron Ongley of Ireland ; he died in
1785, and was succeeded in this property by his son, Robert
lord Ongley.
Almnery Green, usually called Almery Green, is a place
in the western part of this parish, where there is an estate called
Haddis tenement, otherwise Almery, which was, for many gene
rations, the residence of the family of the Hadde's, called in
ancient records Le Hadde. -Robert lived here in the reign of
Henry III., as did his son, William, in the reign of Edward HI;
this family divided into two branches, of which, Robert, the
eldest son and heir, settled at Frinsted, where his descendants
remained for many generations ; the youngest inherited, this
estate at Chart, which rested with his descendants till Thomas
Haddys, in the reign of Henry VIL, leaving two daughters

COUNTY OF KENT. 21
coheirs; Margaret, married, first, William Wright, and afterwards
Nicholas Harpur ; and Catherine, who married Thomas Bidlake,
of Devonshire; when this house, and estate in Chart, became the
property of the eldest daughter, Margaret, who entitled her hus
band, William Wright, to the same. He^ under Henry VII.,
conveyed it to Roger Merys, of Leeds ; and after some interme
diate owners, it devolved to the possession of Robert Baker.
The latter, in 1612, sold it to Sir Edward Hales, bart., the trus-
tpes of whose grandson. Sir Edward, sold it, with the manor of
Valence Sutton, and his other estates in this parish, to Sir
William Drake, of Amersham, with which they were sold to
Sir Christopher Desbouverie. On a division of this property
between his two daughters, these premises were allotted, with
other lands, to Anne, the eldest, married to John Hervey, esq.
who died possessed of them in 1757 ; and his grandson, Chris
topher Hervey, esq., was afterwards entitled to the same.
There is an estate on Almnery Green, which was formerly part
of the possessions of the priory of Leeds, and no doubt belonged
to the Almnery of that house, and, in all probability, conferred
its name to this place. It remained thus situated till the reign
of Henry VIII. when the priory being dissolved, this estate wentj
with the rest of its possessions, into the king's hands, and was
settled by him on his new erected dean and chapter of Roches
ter, the members of which, in consequence, became its pos»
sessors. Lested is ari ancient seat, situated on the northern side of
the high road leading from Coxheath to Langley heath, near
Chart Corner.
It was formerly part of the possessions of the family of the
Potman's, and continued in that line till Sir Richard Potman
sold it to Simon Smyth, gent, who resided at Buckland, in
Maidstone^ His son, Simon, was of Boughton Monchensie,
and had the arms of his family confirmed to him by Camden
Clarencieux, in 1650. He left a son, Simon, of Lested, whose
widow afterwards remarried George Curties, esq., sheriff of this
county in 1651, who resided herein her right.
In the descendants of Simon Smyth this estate passed to the
Rev. John Smyth, vicar of this parish, and rector of Hastinleighj
who died in 1732, and was succeeded by his son, John Smyth,
esq., whose widow survived him. By her he left four daughters,
vol. hi. is

22 HISTORY OF THE
and they or their respective heirs were afterwards entitled to the
same. Cheney's Court is a reputed manor in this district, which
appears, in very early times, to have been called Hadenesham,
and to have been in the possession of Sir Robert de Shurland,
a man of great eminence in the reign of Edward I. He left an
only daughter and heir, who carried this, with other large estates,
in marriage to William de Cheney, of Patricksborne; in whose
descendants it continued so long, that the place was named after
them. At length Sir Thomas Cheney passed it away to John
Iden, who died possessed of this property in the reign of Henry
Vill., and one of his descendants leaving two daughters and
coheirs, one married a gentleman of the name of Browne, and
the other Mr. Barton ; when the latter possessed this estate in
right of his wife. It was shortly after alienated to a Heyward,
as we find that Rowland Heyward had the queen's licence to
alienate tlie messuage and manor, called Cheyne Court, to John
Long, of Tunbridge ; after which it passed to a Wolett ; and
thence to a Jordan; and afterwards to that branch of the family
of Fane who were earls of Westmorela'nd. In that name it
continued till John earl of Westmoreland dying in 1762, this,
among his other estates, was, by his will, passed to the Right
Hon. Thomas lord le Despencer, who remained possessed of this
property. There is the appearance of an old manor pound belonging to
this estate, but no court has been held here within memory.
The family OF Spencer once possessed an e^/a/e in this
parish, and resided here for some generations ; one of whom,
John Spencer, esq. was of Chart Sutton, and bore for his arms
Argent, a fess, engrailed, in chief, three lions rampant, gules,
at the close of the reign of Henry VIIL, as did also his son.
He left two heirs, John and Nicholas ; and five daughters ; who,
on the death of their elder brother, became coheirs, and, in the
reign of Charles I., joined with their respective husbands in the
sale of their inheritance to Sir Edward Hales. It subsequently
passed to Sir William Drake ; and thence to Sir Christopher
Desbouverie, in whose descendants it has continued in the same
manner as the rest of his estates in this parish.
Chart Sutton is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdic
tion of the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sutton. The

COUNTY OF KENT. 23
church, which stands near the summit of the hill, at a very
small distance from Sutton Valence, is dedicated to St. Michael.
This structure has been twice set on fire by lightning ; the first
time, some years back, when it was fortunately extinguished ;
and the last time, on the 28d of April, 1779, about seven o'clock
in the morning, when, in a dreadful storm, the lightning fell upon
the beautiful spire steeple, and in three hours burnt that and the
whole fabric to ashes, with the exception of the bare walls.
Since which, it has been rebuilt, from a plan of Mr. Henry
Holland, architect, at the cost of £1,300, which sum was col
lected by a brief throughout the county, from house to house,
and a liberal contribution made by the neighbouring gentry and
clergy. The church of Chart was given to the priory of Leeds soon
after its foundation, the tithes of every kind arising from the
demesnes of the lord of the parish of Chart, and also 20s. annual
pension from the church, to be paid by the hands of the rector
for ever, for the maintenance of the infirmary of the priory,
being assigned and granted by Archbishop Richard to the canons
of that establishment.
In the year 1320, Walter, archbishop of Canterbury, appro
priated this church to the priory, and then admitted William de
Shoreham to the vicarage of the church ; at which time he by a
legal instrument, endowed the vicarage of the same as follows :
first, he ordained and decreed that every vicar, for the time being,
should receive all oblations and obits accruing to the altar of the
church, which the rectors were accustomed to receive. And he
further decreed, that the prior and convent should assign, of the
soil of the church, one acre and a half of land, lying con
veniently for a dwelling-house, for the vicar; and should build
for him thereon a convenient house to reside in ; and that they
should pay to him and his successors, as an augmentation of his
living, 40s. sterling yearly.
On the dissolution of the priory of Leeds, in the reign of
Henry VIII., this parsonage, with the advowson of the vicarage,
devolved to the crown, and was, by that monarch, settled on his
new erected dean and chapter of Rochester, where it remained.
The vicarage was valued in the king's books at a§8 12 8,
the yearly tenths being 17s. 3^d. It was afterwards of the

24 HISTORY OF THE
clear yearly value of £47 11 9J ; and in 1640 the estimate
was £30 per annum, communicants 212.
The Rev. John Smyth, vicar, gave by will, in 1732, £200 as
an augmentation, to enable it to receive the benefit of the like
sum from Queen Anne's bounty ; with which sum a small farm
of £20 per annum, in Ashford parish, was purchased for the
benefit of the vicar and his successors.
In 1821 there were sixty-four dwellings in the parish of Chart
Sutton ; and at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow : males 251, females 249, making a
total pf 600 souls.
Town Sutton, otherwise Sutton Valence, is the next
parish, eastward, from Chart Sutton, having received the name
of Valence from that eminent family, the members of which
were long owners of this district ; also called Town Suiton, from
the largeness of the village or town when compared with those of
the adjoining parishes of the same name.
The parish of Town Sutton is situated much like that
of Chart Sutton, the soil being the same. The village is poor
and mean, placed a little below the summit of the quarry hill,
having the church at the west end. The manor house stands on
the green, adjoining the cemetery, commanding an extensive
view over the country, southward. The road from Chart to
East Sutton traverses this village, and another route crosses it
from Langley, down the hill into the Weald. At a small dis
tance below the village, is Sutton Place and the parsonage ; and
beneath the foot of the hill, the little manor of Forsham, for
merly the estate of the Austen's, baronets ; beyond which this
parish extends, southward, across a low flat country, deep, wet,
and miry, till it joins that of Hedcorne. Above the village it
meets Kingswood. part of which is within this district.
On the brow of the hill, at a small distance, eastward, from
the village, and near the parsonage yard, stand the venerable
ruins of Sutton castle, now almost overgrown with ivy and
the branches of trees, which sprout out through its mouldering
walls. What remains appears to have been the keep, or dungeon
of this fortress, two separate rooms of which are still in being ;

COUNTY OF KENT. 25
and, by the cavities where the joists have been laid into the walls,
seem to have been at least a story higher than they appear at
present. The remains of the walls are more than three feet in
thickness, and about twenty feet high, having loopholes for
arrows at proper distances. They are composed of the quarry
stone and flint mixed, with some few thin bricks interspersed.
The whole appears to have been extremely strong, though of very
rude workmanship, and was, apparently, built in the time of the
barons' wars, most probably by one of the family of the
Valence's, earls of Pembroke ; while the church and its demesnes
yet remained as appendages to their manor of Sutton Valence,
constituting a portion of their vast possessions. It commands a
most extensive view over the adjacent country, and was, most
probably, used as a place of defence for the partizans of the
lords of this estate to make their excursions from, and serve as
a retreat when likely to be overpowered by their enemies.
Kilburne imagines that the sea came up this valley, beneath
Sutton castle, which he also supposes to have been built when
such was the case; and in that opinion he seems to have been
confirmed by an anchor being found not far below the fabric, in
the memory of some persons then living.
This place was once in the possession of Odo, bishop of
Bayeux, and had belonged to Leofwine, a younger brother of
King Harold, who was slain fighting for that monarch at the
fatal and sanguinary battle of Hastings.
Upon the disgrace of Odo, it became the property of Baldwin
de Betun, earl of Albermarle, who, in the reign of King John,
granted this manor to WiUiam Mareschal, earl of Pembroke,
with Alice his daughter, in marriage.
In the 10th year of Henry III. the latter nobleman remarried
Alianore, the king's sister; and in the 14th of the same reign,
had a confirmation of this manor, upon condition that Alianore
his wife, if she survived him, should enjoy it during her life.
He died in the 15th of the above monarch, on which the sheriff
had the king's order to deliver possession of this fortress to his
widow, who afterwards married Simon de Montfort, earl of
Leicester, who was slain fighting on the part of the discontented
barons, at the battle of Evesham. Countess Alianore and her
children were then compelled to forsake this realm, and she died
sometime after in the nunnery of Montarges, in France.

26 HISTORY OF THE
In the mean time, the four brothers of William earl of Pem
broke, being dead, their inheritance became divided between the
heirs of their five sisters, when the manor of Sutton was allotted
to Joan, the second sister, widow of Warine de Monchensie, by
whom she had one son and a daughter, Joan, married to Valence,
the king's half brother, who in her right became possessed of
this estate. He. died in the reign of Edward I., leaving his
widow surviving, who had this manor assigned to her, as part of
her dowry, when it was found to be held of the king in capite,
and that it was of the king's marshalsea. She left one son,
Adomar, or Aymer de Valence, earl of Pembroke ; and three
daughters, Aymer ^rl of Pembroke, on her death, became possessed of
this manor, who was murdered in France in the reign of
ipdward II., and leaving no issue by either of his wives, for he
was thrice married, his three sisters became his coheirs; of whom
Isabel, married to John de Hastings, of Bergavenny, seems to
have had this manor allotted to her, as part of her share in the
inheritance. In consequence of this match, the arms of Has
tings quartering Valence, were put up by some of his descend
ants, on the roof of C-anterbury cloisters, where they now
remain. She was then a widow, her husband having died in
the 6th year of that reign, leaving John de Hastings his son
and heir, who also died under Edward II., leaving no issue by
Juliana de Leyburne his wife. However, by a former marriage,
he had one son, Laurence, who was, in the reign of Edward III.
made earl of Pembroke, in consequence of his descent from
Isabel, the eldest sister and coheir of Aymer de Valence, earl of
Pembroke. He died possessed of this manor in the 22d of that
reign, as did also his grandson, John earl of Pembroke, in the
13th of Richard II. ; about which time we find this manor styled,
in some records, the manor of Sutton Hastings, which being
soon dropped, it resumed its former name of Valence. Philippa
countess of Pembroke, survived her husband, and remarried
Richard Fitzalan earl of Arundel, and died in the possession of
this estate in the 2d year of Henry IV., she then bearing the
title of countess of Pembroke ; after which, Reginald lord Grey,
of Ruthin, became entitled to it, as next of kin and heir of
Aymer, earl of Pembroke, who, at the coronation of Henry IV.
carried the great golden spurs. He was afterwards taken
2

COUNTY OF KENT. 27
prisoner in Wales, by Owen Glendower, and compelled to give
ten thousand marks for his ransom, to raise which, Henry, in
his 4th year, granted license to Robert Braybrook, bishop of
London, and other feoffees of Reginald's lordships, to sell this
manor, among others, towards raising the above sum.
They sold it soon afterwards to St. Leger, for Juliana, widow
of Thomas St. Leger, esq., of Otterden, died possessed of it in
the 5th year of Henry V. Soon after il became the property of
William Clifford, esq., son of Sir Lewis Clifford, descended from
the Clifford's, of Clifford castle, in Herefordshire. It continued
in the latter family down to Nicholas Clifford, who left an only
daughter and heir, Mildred ; and she carried this manor in mar
riage to Sir George Harpur, who resided at Sutton Valence in
the 2d year of Edward VI.
In the windows of the manor house, were formerly the armo
rial escutcheons of the family of the Clifford's impaling Cole
peper, Savage, and Bourne. On the gateway, were the arms of
Clifford impaling Isley, and quartering Fremingham. After the
death of Sir George Harpur, she married Sir Edward Moore,
who settled in Ireland. By her first husband she left a son,
Edward, who was knighted ; and by her second She had several
children. She appears to have entitled both her husbands to this manor
during her life, after which it became the property of her son.
Sir Edward Harpur, who alienated it to Sir Edward Hales,
knight and baronet. He died possessed of this estate in 1654,
when it passed to his grandson. Sir Edward, whose trustees sold
it, in 1670, to Sir William Drake, of Amersham, in Bucks. The
latter owner settled part of it, as a jointure, in 1675, upon
Elizabeth, his wife's daughter, and ultimately sole heir of
William Montague, chief baron of the Exchequer ; whose son,
Montague Drake, esq. left by Mary, a son, Montague Gerard
Drake, esq., whose trustees, during his infancy, in the reign of
Queen Anne, sold this manor, with the demesnes and other
estates in this and the adjoining parishes, to Sir Christopher
Desbouverie, of Chart Sutton. He, in 1720, purchased of
Montague Drake, esq. the remainder of his estates, and became
possessed of the entire fee ; when he died, holding this manor,
in 1733. Since which it has descended, in the same line as

26 HISTORY OF THE
those of Langley and Chart, to his youngest daughter, Mrs.
Elizabeth Bouverie, of Teston.
A court-leet and court-baron is held for this manor.
Although this estate, on the division of Sir Christopher
Desbouverie's property, was allotted to the youngest, named
Elizabeth, yet several farms and lands, in the outparts of this
and the adjoining parishes, were given to the eldest daughter,
Anne, married to John Hervey, esq., afterwards of Beechworth,
which, on his death, descended to his only son, Christopher
Hervey, esq.
In the 10th year of George II. an Act passed enabling the
family of Desbouverie to use the surname of Bouverie only, in
pursuance of the will of Jacob Desbouverie, esq. deceased.
Sutton Place, otherwise Clenkards, is a seat in this parish,
situated about the middle of the hill, at a small distance south
eastward of the town.
In the reign of Charles II. it was the estate and residence of
Archibald Clenkard, esq., who was sheriff in 1682 and the two
succeeding years. After his decease, it passed to the Livesey's,
who sold it to John Payne, esq. of London. He died possessed
of it in 1747, leaving three sons ; of whom, John, the eldest,
was amerchant, of London, in 1738 ; and Edward, the youngest)
to whom he gave this estate. He lessened this mansion, which
was, before, very large, and made other improvements, when he
died in 1794 ; after which it was sold by his heirs.
Town Sutton is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdic
tion of the c?/oceie of Canterbury and rfcawery of Sutton, to
which it was once so considerable as to confer its name.
The church, which stands at a small distance westward from
the village, is dedicated to St. Mary, being a handsome struc
ture, with the steeple on the north side, which formerly had a
spire, but, being destroyed by lightning, is now flat, and covered
with lead.
This church was anciently an appendage to the manor of
Sutton Valence, in which state it continued down to John de
Hastings, earl of Pembroke, lord of that manor, who died pos
sessed of it under Edward II. as appears by the escheat rolls of
that year. Soon after, it must have passed into the possession
of the priory of Leeds, as in the 2d year of Richard II. that mo--

COUNTY OF KENT. 29
narCh granted his licence lo the above priory to appropriate this
church; and it was confirmed to the priory by patent in the
reign of Henry VI. At the request of the prior and canons, the
parish-church of East Sutton was then united to this church, to
which it has been ever since esteemed a chapel.
On the dissolution of the priory of Leeds, under Henry VIIL
this parsonage, with the advowson of the vicarage, and the
chapel of East Sutton annexed thereto, devolved to the crown,
when the king settled it on hrs new erected dean and chapter of
Rochester, part of whose inheritance it has ever since continued;
The parsonage, with the manor annexed, has been for many
years held on lease from the dean and chapter, by the family of
Payne ; Edward Payne, esq. of London died in 1794, possessed
of the lease, and his heirs subsequently held the same.
The vicarage of Sutton Valence was endowed with all tithes
whatsoever, except corn and hay, and is valued in the king's
books at £7 9 7, the yearly tenths being 14s. llgd. In 1640
it was estimated at £73, when the communicants were 226.
The vicar of Sutton Valence serves the cure of the church of
East Sutton, as a chapel annexed to the same, and as such is
entitled to the vicarial tithes of that parish in right of his vicar
age, he being presented and inducted to the living of Sutton
Valence, with the chapel of East Sutton annexed.
In 1821 there were 202 dwellings in the parish of Town
Sutton; and at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow : males 530, females 528, making a
total of 1058 souls.
East Sutton is the next parish eastward from Town Sutton,
having the appellation of East from its situation, which is east
ward of the two adjoining parishes of Sutton Valence, and Chart
Sutton; although that of Sutton, near Dover, is also frequently
styled East Sutton, fiom its situation, being in the eastern part
of this county.
It is a small parish, and would be little known or frequented,
were it not for the residence of the Filmer family. The soil is
much the same as that of SuttonValence, the quarry hills crossing
the centre of the district. The church stands near the summit
of the hill, at the back of East Sutton place, which is pleasantly
VOL, III. F

30 HISTORY OF THE
situated, commanding a most beautiful and extensive view
southward, the park lying before it, which is amply clothed with
trees, consisting of ash and oak, there being also a fine piece of
water in sight of the mansion. About half a mile south-east
from the manor house, near the centre of the hill, is Little
Charlton, which has still the appearance of a gentleman's seat,
possessing several-good rooms, well ornamented with stucco and
fretwork, with every convenience for a gentleman's family, and
the hospitality of former times. From the top of the hill, south
ward, it is within the Weald, and on the other side, above the
church, from the shade of numerous trees, which spread thickly
over it, that part presents an unpleasant and gloomy aspect. In
this direction is Chartway street, the only village in the parish,
the southern side being within its boundaries, the northern part
is in that of Bromfield, the rest in East Sutton, excepting the
two small hamlets of Friday and Sunday streets, which are in
terspersed at various distances throughout the village.
This place was part of the possessions of Odo, bishop of
Bayeux, under the general title of whose lands it was entered in
Domesday record.
Upon that prelate's disgrace, in 1084, these estates became
confiscated to the crown ; and, in the reign of Henry I It. John
de Salario held East Sutton of Simon de Montfort, earl of Lei
cester. Geoffry de Martel possessed it at the latter end of the
same reign,, and in the commencement of that of Edward I. he
had for successor Adam de Martel, whose right was allowed
before the justices itinerant, in the 2rst of Edward I. Aymer
de Valence, earl of Pembroke, was in possession of this property
in the reign of Edward II. and died in the 17th year of that
prince, upon which his three sisters became his coheirs, when
Isabel married John de Hastings, of Bergavenny, and had this
manor allotted to her as part of her share in the inheritance. In
his descendants, earls of Pembroke, it continued in the same
line as Sutton Valence, till on failure of their issue, under
Henry IV. Reginald lord Grey became possessed of the estate,
and his feoffees sold it to Richard Brigge Lancaster, king at
arms, who alienated it in the third year of Henry V. to Thomas
Buttiller and Thomas Bank. It then passed into the family of
the Darrell's, one of whom. Sir Richard de Darrell, possessed it
in the reign of King Edward IV. In the 1st year of Henry VIII.

COUNIT OF KENT. 31
John York, esq. of Bamsbury, in Wiltshire, owned this manor,
which he passed away to Richard Chetham, prior of the priory
of Leeds, where it appears to have remained for the use of his
convent, by a receipt in the Exchequer, under Henry VIII.
They had, however, divested themselves of its possession before
the 20th of that reign, when Sir Henry de Guldeford, knight of
the garter, and comptroller of the king's household, owned it.
He died in the 23d of that reign, and his heirs sold this manor
the ensuing year to Richard Hill, esq. who alienated it to Thomas
lord Cromwell. He exchanged it with the crown for other lands,
where the fee remained till the above prince, in his 37th year,
granted the same, with its appurtenances, to JohnTufton, and
Stephen Reaves, to hold in capite. He alienated it to Thomas
Argall, who procured by an Act the disgavelment of his lands in
this county, and died possessed of the estate in the 6th year of
Edward VI.
His son and heir, Richard Argall, esq. had by Mary, his wife, a
son, John, and two daughters, Catherine, wife of Ralph Bathurst,
esq., and Elizabeth, married to Sir Edward Filmer, of Little
Charleton, in this parish. John, the son, was of Colchester, in
Essex, and in the reign of James I. sold this manor to his bro
ther-in-law. Sir Edward Filmer, who removed to the manor of
East Sutton place. This family was originally seated at the
manor of Herst, in the parish of Otterden, where Robert Filmer
resided in the reign of Edward II. His descendants continued
there till Robert Filmer, son of James, removed to the manor of
Little Charleton, which he had purchased of the family of the
Kempe's. He was one of the prothonotaries of the Common
Pleas in the reign of Elizabeth, and to him, Cooke clarencieux at
arms, in 1570, granted, or rather confirmed, the ancient family
coat, viz. sable three bars, and three cinquefoils, in chief, or.
He died in 1585, and was buried in this church. He was the
father of Sir Edward Filmer, the purchaser of this manor of East
Sutton, as before mentioned. He had by his wife nine sons and
nine daughters, and died in 1629, being succeeded by Robert,
his eldest son, who was knighted by Charles I. and resided at
East Sutton. He was educated at Trinity college, Cambridge,
and wrote several tracts in defence of the rights of the crown, all
of which were pubjished by his son after his death. He was a
great sufferer during the civil wars, under the reign of Charles I.
I

32 HISTORY OF THE
his house having been plundered ten times by the rebels, and
himself imprisoned in Leeds castle for his loyalty. He died in
1653, having married Anne, daughter and coheir of Martin
Heton, bishop of Ely, whereby an addition of fortune, as well as
of arms, accrued to him. He was succeeded by his eldest son.
Sir Edward Filmer, gentleman of the privy chamber, both to
Kings Charles I. and II. and dying unmarried at Paris, in 1668,
was succeeded in his estates by his next brother, Robert Filmer,
esq. barrister at law, of Gray's Inn ; who, in consideration of his
father's sufferings, und loyalty to Charles I. was, on December24,
1674, created a baronet. Ke resided at East Sutton place,
which, as well as the park round it, he greatly improved, enclo
sing the whole with a stone wall.
He died in 1675, leaving several sons and daughters, of whom
Sir Robert, his eldest and successor, resided here, and in
1689 served the office of sheriff. He died in 1720, having mar
ried Elizabeth, daughter and coheir of Sir William Bevershara,
of Holbrook hall, in Suffolk, a master in chancery, by whom he
had several sons and daughters ; Beversharh Filmer, a younger
son, was of Lincoln's Inn, barrister at law, and one of the
most able conveyancers this kingdom has produced. He died
unmarried in 1763, and was buried in this church, having by
his last will bequeathed his estates in this county to his nephew.
Sir John Filmer, bart.
Sir Edward Filmer, the eldest son, resided at East Sutton, and
married Mary, daughter of John Wallis, esq. of Oxon, by whom
he had twenty children, viz. eleven sons and nine daughters.
Of the former, John, the eldest, succeeded him in his title and
estate, and of the daughters, Dorothy married the late Sir John
Honywood, bart. who died in 1755, set. 72. Sir Edward Filmer
was succeeded by his eldest son. Sir John Filmer, bart. of East
Sutton, who died in J797, eet. 84, having married Dorothy,
daughter of the Rev. Julius Deedes, prebendary of Canterbury,
by whom he had no issue. She survived him, but the title, with
this manor and seat, with the rest of his possessions, devolved to
his next brother and heir. Sir Beversham Filmer, bart. who re
sided here, and possessed this property.
BoYTON is a manor in this parish, which formerly belonged
to the priory of Christ church, in Canterbury, where it continued
till the dissolution in the reign of Henry VIII. when it was sur-

COUNTY OF KENT 33
rendered to the king, who settled it on his new erected dean and
chapter of Canterbury, part of whose possessions it remained.
The lessee of this manor, in the year 1645, was Sir Robert
Stapleton, bart. who held it under the ruling powers of that
period, the dean and chapter having been dissolved; when the
yearly rental was £5 6 8, and £1 for entertainment-money to
the receiver of the church.
East Sutton is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdic
tion of the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sutton. The
church, dedicated to Sts. Peter and Paul, is not large, having
a square tower at the west end, and is kept remarkably neat, and
in good repair. The monumental effigies of the Filmer's present
a complete series of that family, from their first residence in this
parish, all the brass records remaining perfect. The grave-stone
over Sir Edward Filmer, who died in 1629, placed within the
altar rails, is very curious, having over it an entire sheet of
copper, with portraits of himself, his wife, and numerous pro
geny engraved thereon, inscribed with their names, and the coats
of arms, and quarterings appertaining to him and his wife at the
corners. There is also a neat bust in marble of the late Sir
Edward Filmer, bart. who died in 1755, with an inscription to
his memory against the wall, over the pew in which the
family sit.
The church of Sutton was anciently part of the possessions of
the priory of Leeds, to which it was appropriated, and the duty
first served by a chaplain appointed by the prior and convent, at
whose request it was afterwards united to the adjoining church
of Town Sutton, whereto it has ever since been esteemed a
chapel. On the dissolution of the priory of Leeds, in the reign of
Henry VIII. the parsonage appropriate oPEast Sutton passed to
the crown, as did also that of Town Sutton annexed, where they
did not long remain, as the king settled them both on his newly
erected dean and chapter of Rochester, with whom they re
mained. I
The vicar of Town Sutton serves the cure of this church, as a
chapel annexed, and as such is entitled to the vicarial profits of
this parish in right of his vicarage.
The church of East Sutton is not valued in the king's books,
being included in that of Town Sutton.

34 HISTORY OF THE
The lessee of the parsonage claims the tithes of all corn, hops,
and grass, growing in this parish. In the reign of Queen Anne
these tithes were estimated at upwards of £80 per annum, be
sides the glebe land, which was let at £50 a year.
In 1648 the communicants in this parish were 130.
The small tithes, and other emoluments of this benefice, in
the reign of Queen Anne, were estimated at £18 per annum,
there being no glebe larid belonging to the same.
The lands and premises given and devised by Stephen Pende,
and George Ulmer, under Henry VIII. and Queen Elizabeth,
were worth £10 per annum in the above reign, and appear to
have been intended for the better performance of divine service
in this church every Sunday ; before which, the vicar of Sutton
Valence used to officiate here but once or twice in three months.
From the year 1648 to 1680, the parishioners bestowed the in
come derived from the above lands, &c. on the repairs of the
church, but since that time the vicar of Sutton Valence has ge
nerally received the amount, in consequence of which, he
preaches here and at Sutton Valence alternately on the sabbath
morning and afternoon.
In 1821 there were fifty- nine dwellings in the parish of East
Sutton; and, at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by prder of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow: males 169, females 143, making a total
of 312 souls.
Ulcomb is the next parish eastward from East Sutton, often
pronounced Uckham, in Domesday record frequently written
Olecumbe, and in other documents Wulcomhe, and lastly
Ulcomb. Part of this parish, to the southward of the hill adjoining
Boughton Malherb, is in the division of East Kent, and a por
tion containing the borough of Kingsnorth, in the lath of Scray,
and hundred of Faversham, having formerly belonged to the
abbey of that town.
The parish of Ulcomb extends about three miles from north
to south, and comprises two miles in width. It is rather an ob
scure and unfrequented district, having but little thoroughfare ;
the quarry hills cross it, on the summit of which stands the
village, with Ulcomb place, and the parsonage within the same.

CIOUNTY OF KENT. 35
in which direction the rock-stone lies much nearer the surface
than in the adjacent parishes.
To the northward Ulcomb extends into the large coppice of
Kingswood, which almost joins this village. On the south side
of the quarry hills are three houses of some note, all of which,
for a considerable period, belonged lo the family of the Belcher's,
which had been seated in this parish for some generations. The
Belcher's of Ulcombe were descended from William Belcher,
rector of this parish, who died in 1739, leaving two sons,
Richard, of Rochester, m.d., and Samuel, of Boughton Mal
herb, leaving an only daughter, Sarah, who became entitled, by
the will of her uncle, Mr. Peter Ady, to one of the above-men
tioned houses, situated a little below the summit of Knole hill,
which she carried in marriage to Mr. Thomas Thomson, of Ken-
field, whose trustees afterwards sold this property.
Dr. Belcher, of Rochester, the eldest son of the rector of this
parish, had one son, William, who also left three sons, of whom
the eldest. Stringer Belcher, was rector of this parish.
Samuel, the second son, resided at another of the before-meuT
tioned dwellings, near the summit of Knole hill, and died un
married in 1760: and Edward, the third son, resided at the
other mansion, nearer the village of Ulcombe, and died in 1778,
leaving two sons. Stringer, who resided at Otterden, and died
there unmarried ; and William, who espoused Charlotte, daugh
ter of Thomas Thomson, esq. of Kenfield, and succeeded both
to his father's seat in this parish, and likewise to that near the
summit of Knole hill, to both of which he afterwards became
entitled. The district of the Weald commences at the summit of the
quarry hill, whence this parish extends over a low flat country
southward. The soil is a stiff clay, and the land rendered fer
tile from being manured with the marie dug up here, the rich
and oily substance of which softens the stiff particles of the clay,
and not only renders it more prolific, but much easier for tillage.
The hedge-rows are brbad, and interspersed with large oak
trees, the whole being watered by several small streams rising
on the side of the hill, one of which turns a mill at Chegworth,
and flowing through the lower part of this parish, joins the
larger stream of the Medway a little above Hockenbury bridge.

36 HISTORY OF THE
In that direction there i^ a small hamlet, built on one side of a
common, contiguous to which is the estate of Kingsnorth.
This place was given, in very early times, by one of the Saxon
kings to the priory of Christ church, in Canterbury, from which
it was vprested in the time of the Danish wars in this kingdom ;
but, in the year 941, King Edmund, and Eadred his brother,
restored it to the above church, with other lands, which his an
cestors had unjustly taken from that institution, the grant in
question having been made the same year in which Ethelstane,
brother of King Edmund, died. Edmund being then raised to
the throne, declared these lands free from all secular services,
excepting the repelling of invasions, and erection of bridges and
castles. In the reign of William the Conqueror, Ulcomb was held of
the archbishop of Canterbury, by knight's service, and entered
accordingly in Domesday record. Alfer, mentioned in the above
instrument, was the tenant of this manor under the archbishop,
and appears to have been a descendant of Ealher, or Alcher, earl
of Kent, in 853, and ancestor of the family of the Aucher's, ba
ronets, now extinct in this county.
William, earl of the town of Eu, in Normandy, held it, as
appears by the above survey, in the reign of the Conqueror, of
the archbishop, by knight's service ; after which, the family of
the St. Leger's, called in Latin Sancto Leodegario, became pos
sessed of this property.
Sir Robert de St. Leger attended William duke of Normandy
into England, in the year 1066, as appears by the roll of Battle
abbey, having been one of those warriors who assisted him in
the conquest of this kingdom. There exists a tradition in the
family, stating that the above personage supported the duke with
his hand when he quitted his ship to land in Sussex; and that,
after the victory at Hastings, having overcome a pagan Dane,
who inhabited Ulcombe, he there fixed his residence, and be
came possessed of this manor at the latter end of the Conque
ror's reign, holding it of the archbishop by knight's service.
William St. Leger, his grandson, as it is supposed, lived in
the reign of Henry II. He was succeeded by Ralph, who, among
other Kentish gentlemen, accompanied Richard I. to the siege
of St. John d'Acre, in Palestine.

COUNTY OF KENT. ar
Ralph de St. Leger, of Ulcomb, and Hugh, of -KnoUon, in
this county, were two of the Recognitores Mggna Assisa3,m (he
2d year of John, the former of whom held this manor, in the 12th
and 13th years of that reigiv, of the archbishop. His successor,
of the same name, in the reign of Henry III. obtained the grant
of a market and fair at his manor; and under Edward I. he,
with Sir John and Sir Thomas St. Leger, attended the king to
the siege of Carlaverock, in Scotland, where they were knighted
for their bravery.
Ralph St. Leger possessed this manor in the reign of Ed
ward III. and paid aid for the same as two knight's fees, held
of the archbishop, in which year he represented this county in
parhament, his younger son, Thomas, having been of Otterden.
Arnold St. Leger, the eldest son, succeeded his father at Ulcomb,
and represented this county in parliament, as did his son Ralph,
and in the reign of Richard II. was also sheriff. Three years
after, he was returned among the list then taken of the gentry
who had a right to bear the coats of armour of their ancestors.
He died in the reign of Henry VI. possessed of the manor, and
Was buried in this church, leaving three sons, Ralph, who suc
ceeded him at Ulcomb ; Sir Thomas, who married Anne, duchess
of Exeter, and left a sole daughter and heir, married to Sir
George Manners lord Roos, ancestors of the earls and dukes of
Rutland ; and Sir James, married to Anne, daughter and coheir
of Thomas Butler, earl of Ormond, from whom the St. Leger's
of Devonshire are descended.
Ralph St. Leger, esq. of Ulcomb, the eldest son, was sheriff
under Edward VI. and constable of Leeds castle, who died in
1470, and was buried in this church.
Ralph, his son, resided at Ulcomb, where he kept his shrie?-
valty in the reign of Henry VII. Anthony succeeded his father,
and by an Act under Henry VIII. and Edward VI. procured the
disgavelment of his lands. He was a gentleman, who, from his
singular merit, and eminent services, proved himself an ornament
to his country and family, having ranked high in the esteem of
Henry VIII. who made him one of his privy chamber, and sheriff
of the county, being then seated at his paternal mansion in this
parish. The following year he was made lord deputy of Ireland^
and in 1543 knight of the garter. On the king's death he waa
continued in his posts of lord deputy, and a member of the privjf
VOL, HI. o

38 HISTORY OF THE
council, as he was also under Queen Mary ; and, being well
versed in Irish affairs, through his prudence and magnanimity
effected more towards the civilization of that people, and bring
ing them into submission to the English government, than had
any other statesman since the conquest of Ireland down to his
own time. Being recalled in the 3d and 4th of Philip and Mary,
he retired to this estate, where he died in 1559, and was buried
with his ancestors at Ulcomb. He bore for his arms. Azure
fretly argent, a chief, or ; which was not the ancient shield, that
having been Azure, a fret argent, a chief, or, as appears by those
now remaining on the roof of the cloisters at Canterbury, in the
church at Woodnesborough, and among the quarteiings of the
coat borne by the Lords Hunsdon. He had by his wife Agnes,
daughter of Hugh Warham, of Croydon, and niece to William
Warham, archbishop of Canterbury, three sons and one daugh
ter, of whom Sir Anthony St. Leger, the youngest, was master
of the rolls in Ireland, and a privy counsellor, his son and heir
having been of Wiarton house, in Boughton Monchensie, in the
description of which a further account has already been given.
Warham St. Leger, the eldest surviving son, was of Ulcomb,
where he was sheriff in the reign of Ehzabeth. In 1565 he was
knighted, and the following year appointed chief governor of
Monster, and privy counsellor in Ireland, in which kingdom he
performed eminent services for her majesty, but during his pro
gress was unfortunately slain in 1599, at the head of his troops,
in an encounter with Hugh Macquire and his followers, those
two chiefs killing each other in combat. Sir William St. Leger,
his eldest son, succeeded him in this manor, having proved a
gentleman of great merit, valour, and integrity, on which ac
count he was appointed, by Charles I. lord president of Munster,
privy counsellor of that kingdom, and sergeant-major general of
the Irish forces. He was ancestor of the St. Leger's, viscounts
Donraile, and others of this name still remaining in that king
dom, where he died in 1642. Some years prior to his decease
he alienated this manor to Henry Gierke, esq. of Rochester, who
served in parliament for that city in the 1st year of Charles I. of
which he was recorder, and in the same reign made sergeant at
law. His paternal arms were. Argent, on a bend gules, between
three pellets, as many swans proper.
He left a son and heir, Sir Francis Gierke, who succeeded him

COUNTY OF KENT. 39
at Ulcomb, having been twice member for Rochester, and of the
privy council. He resided at Ulcomb place, and dying in 1685,
was succeeded here by his only son Francis, m p. likewise for
that city, and a resident at Ulcombe, where he died in 1691.
This estate then devolved by his will to Gilbert Gierke, esq.
second son of Gilbert of Chilcot, in Derbyshire, and on his
decease in 1725, to his son Godfrey Gierke, of Sutton, in that
county. He was succeeded by his son Godfrey Gierke, esq. of
Sutton, when his sister and heir, Sarah, carried it in marriage to
Job Hart Price, esq. of Aldershot, in Hants, who, in 1787, had
license to assume the name and arms of Gierke, in addition to
his own, wherefore they are now jointly entitled to this manor,
as well as Chegworth in this parish.
Boy COT, vulgarly called Boy court, is a manor in this parish,
which gave both seat and surname to a family of that title, as
appears by several old deeds, some of which are without date,
wherein mention is made of Stephen, John, and Alexander de
Boycott, the last of whom resided here in the reigns of Ed
ward III. and Richard II. From them this manor descended
down to John Boycot, who had issue two sons, John and Ste
phen. One of them sold his moiety by the custom of gavelkind,
to Richard Hovenden, and the other alienated his portion,
which had passed to him in like manner, to William Adam, who
gave the property by will to Thomas Glover, as is mentioned in
the deed of sale, whereby he passed it away, in the 1st year of
Henry VIII. to Richard Hovenden, who then became possessed
of the entire fee of this manor. It was afterwards sold by one
of his descendants, to the Gierke's, of Woodchurch, in which
name it does not appear to have remained long, as Humphrey
Gierke alienated it in the reign of Elizabeth to Thomas Sands,
or Sondes, as the name was afterwards spelt, eldest son of Sir
Anthony of Throwley, who passed it away the following year fo
Sir Maurice Berkeley, standard-bearer to Henry VIII., Ed
ward VI., and Queen Elizabeth, who had married his sister,
and was descended of the same family as those of this name,
since ennobled.
On his decease, Elizabeth lady Berkeley seems to have pos
sessed this manor, in whose descendants the same continued
until it went to the name of Hubert ; by a female heir of wliich
line it passed in marriage to the Heath's, of the family of those

40 HISTORY OF THE
formerly of Brasted Place, in this county, who bore the same
arms. Nicholas Heath, esq. of Sussex, the grandson, in 1772,
obtained the king's sign manual to assume the name and arms
of Nicholas only, the arms of which family are Argent, on a
cross gules, a crown or ; Nicholas Nicholas, esq. having been the
last possessor.
Kingsnorth, otherwise Kingsnode, is a manor, lying in this
parish and Boughton Malherbe, which was given to the abbot
and convent of Faversham, in the reign of Richard II., and as
such is esteemed to be in the hundred of Faversham ; part of
the possessions of which it continued till the dissolution of that
abbey, in the 30th year of Henry VIII., when it was surrendered,
together with all its possessions into the king's hands. It
remained vested in the crown till the reign of Edward VI., who,
in his 4th year, granted it to Sir Anthony St. Leger, lord deputy
of Ireland, whose eldest son. Sir W^arham, having levied a fine
under Elizabeth, passed it away to WiUiam Isley, esq. The
latter, in the 21st year of that reign, alienated it to James
Austeyn, who conveyed it by sale to Robert Cranmer, esq., of
Chepsted, in this county, who died in 1619, leaving an only
daughter and heir, Anne. She carried it in marriage to Sir
Arthur Herrys, eldest son of Sir William Herrys, of Crixey, in
Essex, by whom he had two sons. Sir Cranmer Herrys and John.
He died in 1632, and by will devised this manor to his second
son, John, whoseheir possessed it at the Restoration of Charles II.
He was afterwards of Christ church, in Canterbury, where he
died in 1727, and was buried in the cloisters. His only surviv
ing sister and heir, Mrs. Herrys, became possessed of this manor,
who shortly after passed it away to Sir Edward Filmer, bart. of
East Sutton, whose second son. Sir Beversham, at length became
entitled to this property.
A court-baron is held for this manor.
There is a small court held in this parish for the manor of
Hunting f eld, which appears to be a limb of the manor of Hun-
tingfield, in Easling, and as such, to have continued with the
same part of the possessions of the free chapel or college of
St. Stephen's, in Westminster, till its dissolution, under
Edward VI. Since that time this manor continued in the same
line of ownership as that in Easling, to the family of the Grove's,
of Tunstall ; in which it remained till Richard Grove, esq., of

COUNTY OF KENT. 41
London, dying unmarried in 1792, gave this, among the rest of
his estates in this county, to William Jemmet, gent., of Ashford,
and William Marshall, of London, who owned the same.
A court-baron is held for this manor.
Ulcomb is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of
the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sutton. In this
church, dedicated to All Saints, lie buried in a vault many, of
ancient family, of the St. Leger's, down to the year 1654, when
the last of that eminent race resided in this parish. It was
from the earliest time esteemed as an appendage to the manor
of Ulcomb, and, about the year 1220, constituted collegiate by
Archbishop Stephen Langton, at the request of Ralph de St.
Leger, its patron ; the ordination of which is still preserved
amotig the records of the dean and chapter of Canterbury.
There is also an instrument whereby it appears that the head of
this college or church was styled Arehipresbyter, and the inferior
members minor canons. However, soon after the year 1293,
this collegiate institution seems to have dropped, when the
church again became, and has ever since remained, a single un
divided rectory, the patronage of which has regularly continued
in the possession of the lords of the manor of Ulcomb.
It was valued in the king's books at £16 5 lOj the yearly
tenths being £1 12 7. In 1640 the estimate was £69, com
municants being 225. Under the reign of Queen Anne the
annual valuation was £140.
A religious fraternity existed in this church prior to the refor
mation, called the Fraternity of Corpus Christi.
In 1821 there were 115 dwellings in the parish of Ulcomb ;
and at the same period, when the last census of the population
was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inhabitants
were as follow: males 358, females 310, making a total of
668 souls.
Boughton Malhekb is the next parish, eastward, from
Ulcomb, and situated almost in the centre of this county. It is
so called from a family that anciently possessed this district, as
well as to distinguish it from several other parishes of the name
of Boughton in the county of Kent.
It is written in ancient deeds both Boughton and Bocton, and
in some, Badon, otherwise Boughton, and seems> as well as the

42 HISTORY OF THE
other parishes of the same name, to have been so called from
hoc, signifying, in Saxon, a charter ; and ton, a town or parish,
that is to say, the place held by charter. Part of this parish,
through the middle of Chilston house to Lenham church, is in
the Lath of Shipway, and division of east Kent.
The summit of the hill, which crosses this parish from west
to east, is the northern boundary of the Weald of Kent ; that
portion, therefore, southward of that line, is within that district.
A very small portion, however, of this parish, lies above, or
northward of the quarry hills, where the soil is a deep sand ;
at the northern boundary of which, at a place called Sandway,
the high road runs from Ashford, towards Maidstone, where it
is joined by the pales of Chilston park. The mansion stands
about a quarter of a mile within, on lower ground, in rather a
damp and wet situation, but surrounded by trees ; behind, the
ground rises to the hills ; near the summit of which, is the church,
and not far distant, eastward, the parsonage. Conliguous to
the churchyard, wiestward, are the small remains of Boughton
Place, being a very pleasant situation, the major part having
been long pulled down ; notwithstanding which, the remains
convey a good idea of what it once appeared. In this
direction the quarry rock abounds near the surface, and from the
church, southward, the Weald commences ; the lands above
and below the hill being distinguished by the names of Bough
ton Upland and Boughton Weald, in the same manner as the
other parishes. From the church, southward, the hill declines ;
and not far from the base, are the village or hamlet of Grassley
Green and Eastwood Common, with another small hamlet of
houses, on the lower side. Hence the parish extends over an
unpleasant country, very flat and deep, and continues so till it
joins Hedcorne and Smarden ; the whole being watered by
several small streamlets, which run into the larger current at
Hedcorne. About a mile only from the boundary of the parish,
is the site of Colbridge castle, the mote and foundations of
which are all that now remain.
Dr. Plot mentions, in his ms. collections for a natural his
tory of this county, some petrified oyster- shells having been
discovered at Chilston, which were even larger than those of
Cyzicum, mentioned by Pliny, as of greater dimensions than
any known at the period when he wrote. '

COUNTY OF KENT. 43
At the time of taking the general survey of Domesday, a.d.
1080, this manor was held of the archbishop of Canterbury by
knight's service, and seems to have been included in the dona
tion which J5thelstan Etheling gave by will, in 1015, to Christ
church, in Canterbury, of lands in HoUingborne; under the
title of whose possessions they were entered.
This estate afterwards fell into the possession of the family of
Malherb, which conferred its name on this parish. Robert held
it, in the reign of John, of the archbishop of Canterbury, as
appears by the roll of knights' fees, returned to that king's
treasurer, in the 12th and 13th year of his reign; and Alicia
Malherb possessed Boughton Malherb manor in the reign of
Henry III.
Robert de Gatton, son of Robert of that name, one of the
judges of the great assize in the 2d year of King John, died
possessed of this manor in the reign of Henry III., and bore for
his arms, Cheguy, or and azure; he was succeeded by Hamo his
son, who died in the 20th year of Edward I., holding it of the
king in capite, as of the honour of Peverel, and by the service
of ward to the castle of Dover, as well as by suit to the court of
Ospringe, from three weeks to three weeks. Hamo his son left
two daughters his coheirs ; when Elizabeth carried this manor
in marriage to William de Dene, who died in the 15th year of
Edward III. possessing this inheritance in right of Elizabeth
his wife, with the advowson of the church, having obtained a
charter of free warren for his lands situated here.
His eldest son, Thomas, died possessed of this manor in the
23d of Edward III., his armorial bearings being Argent, a fess
dancette, gules. He left, by his wife, four daughters ; when
Martha carried this estate in marriage to Sir John Gousall.
Shortly after his demise, we find it possessed, though by
what means cannot be ascertained, by Robert Corbie, who
built a stately mansion here, and obtained the king's licence to
fortify this, his manor house, at Boughton, with embattlements
and lowers, according to the mode of defence adopted in those
times. His son, Robert, was sheriff in the reign of Richard II.,
and left an only daughter and heir, Joan, who carried this manor
in marriage to Nicholas Wotton, esq., whose descendants
flourished in this parish for many succeeding generations, and
for their learning, fortune, and honours, at a period when
2

44 HISTORY OF THE
honours were really such, may truly be said to have figured as
ornaments to their country in general, and more particularly to
this county. Mr. Wotton was of the Draper's company, and
twice lord mayor of London, at which time he bore for his arms
Argent, a cross patee, pitched at the foot, sable, quartered with
Corbye, Argent, a saltire ingrailed sable; which arms Of
Corbye, his son bore in right of his mother, in preference to his
own, as the elder branch of the family, which his descendants
continued to do for some time afterwards. Stowe says, it was
a privilege for any one who had been lord mayor, not to serve
the king, without his own consent, in any other part of the king
dom. A circumstance of this kind happened in the reign of
Henry VI., for Nicholas Wotton, having been mayor and alder
man, and living in Kent, stood upon this privilege, and refused
to serve, when he was empanelled, with others, before the judge
of assize, in this county, upon articles touching the king's peace,
and on pretence of the liberty of the city of London, refused
to be sworn. This was considered a contempt, for which he waa
afterwards pardoned. He retired to Boughton Place, where he
died in 1448, and was buried in the church here. His grandson.
Sir Robert Wotton, was lieutenant of Guisnes, and comptroller
of Calais, where he died. He had been sheriff under Henry
VIL, and married Anne, one of the sisters and coheirs of Sir
Edward Belknap, by whom he left two sons, Edward his heir,
and Henry, ll.d., afterwards dean of York and Canterbury.
Sir Edward his heir, succeeded him, who was treasurer of
Calais, and privy counsellor to Henry VIII. ; and Hollingshed
says, the king offered to make him lord chanceUor, which he
refused, from a principle of modesty. In the 27th year of
Henry VIIL, he kept his shrievalty at Boughton Place, and pro-^
cured his lands to be disgavelled. He died in 1550, possessed
of this manor and rectory of Boughton Malherb, held in capite,
as of the king's manor of Ospringe ; the manor of Colbridge,
as well as that of Byndwards marsh; with other lands, purchased
of Henry VIIL, and held in capite by knight's service.
Thomas Wotton, esq., eldest son of the latter, succeeded him
in Boughton Place, where he resided. He was closely impri^
soned in the Fleet, in 1563, by Queen Mary, under pretence of
his religion, but in reality at the request of his uncle. Dr.
Nicholas Wotton, in consequence of a dream he had had in

COUNTY OF KENT. 45
France, where he was then ambassador ; and this circumstance,
in aU likelihood, saved Mr. Wotton's life, for, while he was in
prison. Sir Thomas Wyatt's rebellion broke out, in which, it is
most probable, he would have taken an active part, had he not
been so confined. He was twice sheriff; and in July 1573,
being the 16th of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, had the honour
of entertaining the queen, with her whole court, at his seat here,
in her progress through this county. Walton says, that the
queen, when at Boughton, offered to knight Mr. Wotton, which
he declined, being unwilling to change his country retirement
and recreations, for a courtier's life. It appears, however, from
his epitaph, that he afterwards accepted of that honour. He
resided here till his death in 1587, having been remarkable for
his hospitality, beloved by his countrymen, an encourager of
learning, and possessed of a plentiful estate.
Thomas Wotton was twice married ; by his first lady he had
Edward his heir, and other children ; and by his second, only
one son, Henry, afterwards knighted, and provost of Eton
college. He was succeeded here by his eldest surviving son. Sir
Edward Wotton, who was employed by Queen Elizabeth, as
her ambassador, upon several occasions ; after which he was
made comptroller of her household, represented this county in
Parliament, and served the office of sheriff in the 36th year of
that reign. In the 1st of James I. he was created lord Wotton,
baron of Merley, in this county ; and, the following year, lieu
tenant of Kent. He enclosed the grounds round his house,
transforming the same into a park, but it has long ceased to be
such; and died in 1628, when he was succeeded by Thomas
lord Wotton, his only son, who died two years after. It has
been observed, that Nicholas, son of Sir Nicholas Wotton, bore
his mother's arms of Corbie, in prefereiTce to his own, till
Thomas lord Wotton, as appears by the bearings on his grave
stone, reassumed the arms of Wotton in his first quartering,
which was followed by his four daughters, coheirs ; and Guillim
says, that Argent, asaltine (engrailed) sable, was borne by the
name of Wotton, and confirmed to Edward Wotton, which,
with his quarterings, being seventeen in number, were marshalled
byRobertCooke, in 1580. His daughters were married; Catherine,
to Henry lord Stanhope, son of the Earl of Chesterfield ; Hester,
VOL, UI. H

4G HISTORY OF THE
to Baptist Noel, viscount Camden ; Margaret, to Sir John
Tufton, of the More, knight and baronet ; and Anne, to Sir
Edward Hales, of Tunstal,
On the division of his estates among his daughters, the manor
of Boughton Place, with the advowson of the rectory, were
allotted to the eldest, Catherine, whose husband, Henry lord
Stanhope, became possessed of the same. He was descended
from ancestors seated in the county of Nottingham, where the
name had flourished in great reknown, the family having borne
for their arms, quarterly, Ermine and gules. After a succession
of many generations, Michael Stanhope became the heir male
to this family, in the reign of Henry VIIL, whose grandson. Sir
John, in 1611, left one son, Philip. By his second marriage, he
had several sons and daughters ; of whom. Sir John, the eldest,
was of Elvaston, Sir Philip, eldest son of Sir John, above
mentioned, was, in 1616, created lord Stanhope, and subse
quently earl of Chesterfield, who continuing stedfast in his
loyalty to Charles I., his house was burnt to the ground, and,
being taken prisoner at Litchfield, he endured a long confine
ment, and died in 1656., By his first wife he had eleven sons
and four daughters ; of the former, Henry, the second, but eldest
surviving chUd, married Catherine, daughter and coheir of
Thomas lord Wotton, and possessed Boughton Malherb, as pre
viously mentioned. ,
He died during the lifetime of his father, in 1635, leaving his
wife surviving, and one son, Philip, then a year old. The lady
Catherine, on her husband's death, again became possessed, in
her own right, of this estate, and was afterwards created countess
of Chesterfield, during her lifetime. She had, before the death
of Charles I., remarried John Vanden Kerkhoven, lord of Henul-
flet, in HoUand, by whom she had a son, Charles Henry Kerk
hoven, who was, on account of his mother's descent, created
lord Wotton of Boughton Malherb, and naturalized. He was
likewise created earl of BeUamont, in Ireland, and bore on his
shield Argent, three hearts' gules; he resided at Boughton
Malherb, and dying in 1683, was buried in Canterbury cathedral,
giving this estate, by wUl, to his nephew, Charles Stanhope,
younger son of his half brother, Philip, then earl of Chester
field ; with remainder to Phihp lord Stanhope, eldest son and
heir apparent of his brother.

COUNTY OF KENT. 4T
Charles Stanhope, esq. then changed his name to Wotton,
being the last of this family who resided at Boughton Malherb,
where he died in 1704. This estate then devolved by the above
entail, to Philip lord Stanhope, his elder brother, who, on his
father's death, in 1713, succeeded as earl of Chesterfield, and
died in 1726. His eldest son, Philip Dormer Stanhope, earl of
Chesterfield, became remarkable for the briUiancy of his wit, and
the elegance of his manners. He was an eminent statesman,
and high in favor with George I. and II. who conferred on him
several offices of great honour, in all of which he evinced his
splendid abilities and public spirit, whensoever the interest and
honour of the country were concerned. At length his declining
health obliged him to retire from public business ; previous to
which, he passed away by sale this manor, with the site of
Boughton Place, and all the Wotton estates, in 1750, to Gal
fridus Mann, esq. of London. His descendant, "Robert Mann,
was of London, and afterwards of Linton, in this county, who
died in 1752, leaving five sons and three daughters. Edward
Louisa, the eldest son, was of Linton, where he died unmarried
in 1775, and was succeeded by his brother Sir Horatio Mann,
bart. K.B., who was the second son, and many years a resident
at Florence, as envoy. extraordinary. In 1755 he was created a
baronet to him and his heirs male, and, in default of such issue,
to his brother Galfridus, and his heirs male. He died unmarried
in 1786, and was succeeded in title and estate by his nephew
Sir'Horace, whose father was Galfridus, the third son, which
latter, as previously mentioned, had become the purchaser of
Boughton manor.
Horatio Mann succeeded his father in this property, who was
afterwards knighted, being then styled Sir Horace to distinguish
him fjom his uncle Sir Horatio, on whose death he succeeded
him in the baronetage, being twice m.p. for Maidstone, and
afterwards for the port and town of Sandwich. He married in
1765, lady Lucy Noel, sister of Lord Gainsborough, by whom he
had three daughters, one married to James Mann, esq. of
Linton place, and the other to Robert Heron, esq. of Lincoln
shire. Wormsell has always been accounted as an appendage to
the manor of Boughton Malherbe.
Colebridge, anciently called Colewebregges, is an eminent

48 HISTORY OF THE
manor in this parish, the- mansion of which, called Colbridge
castle, stood below the hill, towards Egerton ; considerable re
mains of its former strength being visible in the ruins of the
same. It is also currently reported in the neighbourhood that
the stones, and other materials of this ruined fortress, were made
use of in the erection of Boughton place many ages ago.
In the reign of Henry 111. this spot was in the possession of
the family of the Peyforer's, one of whom, Fulke, obtained a
charter of free warren for his lands at Colwebrugge, in the 32d
year of Edward I. having also had license in the reign of Ed
ward II. to embattle and fortify his castle. Soon after it appears
to have passed into the family of the Leyborne's, and William de
Clinton, earl of Huntingdon, husband of Juliana, died possessed
of it in the 28th year of Edward III. She surviving him, this
manor, in default of heirs, became escheated to the crown,
where it remSined till the reign of Richard II. when it was
vested in John duke of Lancaster, and other feoffees in trust,
for the performance of certain religious bequests in the will of
Edward III. then lately deceased; and, in consequence, the
king granted it to the dean and canons of St. Stephen's college,
in Westminster.
This manor so continued till the Ist year of Edward VI. when,
being surrendered to that monarch, it appears to have been held
by WiUiam Hudson, at the yearly rent of £8 13 4. The year
following the king granted it to Sir Edward Wotton, to hold in
capite, who died possessed of it in the 5th year of that reign,
when it passed through the same line of ownership as Boughton
Malherb, down to Phihp Dormer Stanhope, earl of Chesterfield,
who, in 1750, sold it, with the rest of the Wotton estates in this
part of the county, to Galfridus Mann, bart. who afterwards
possessed the same.
Chilson, or Chilston, is a manor, situated in the borough
of Sandway, at the north-west boundary of this parish, and
crosses the middle of the mansion ; the eastern part of which is
in the parish of Lenham, lath of Shipway, and eastern division
of this county. It was anciently called Childeston, and in the
reign of Henry I., constituted part of the possessions of
WiUiam Fitz-Hamon, as appears by the register of the neigh
bouring priory of Leeds. It then passed to the family of Hoese,
since called Hussey ; Henry of that name having had a charter

COUNTY OF KENT. 49
^f free warren for his manor of Chilston, in the reign of
Henry III., previous to which he had taken an active part with
the rebeUious barons against that monarch. He died under
Edward I., leaving Henry Hussey, his son and heir, who, during
that reign, was summoned to Parliament ; and in his descendants
it continued down to Henry Hussey, who, in the 31st of Henry
VIII. procured the disgavelment of his lands, and transmitted
them by sale to John Parkhurst. His descendant. Sir WiUiam,
ahenated the property to Mr. Richard Northwood, of Dane
Court, in Thanet, whose eldest son, Alexander, was of St.
Stephen's, near Canterbury, who, soon after the death of
Charles I., sold the estate to one C leggatt. It then passed to
Mr. Manby, of London, who immediately alienated the same to
Edward Hales, a younger son of Sir Edward Hales, bart., who
resided at Chilston, and died in 1696, leaving three daughters
coheirs, and they, in 1698, joined in the conveyance of this
manor, with other estates in this parish and neighbourhood, to
the Hon. Elizabeth Hamilton, eldest daughter of John lord
Colepeper, and widow of James Hamilton, esq., eldest son of
Sir George Hamilton, of Tyrone, in Ireland.
She resided at Chilston, and dying in 1709, was buried in
HoUingborne church, leaving two sons surviving ; James earl of
Abercorn, and WiUiam Hamilton, esq. ; to the latter of whom
she gave, by her will, this manor, with her other estates in the
county of Kent. He resided at Chilston, and died possessed of
the property in 1737, leaving by Margaret his wife, daughter of
Sir Thomas Colepeper, of HoUingborne, four sons and one
daughter ; of whom, John Hamilton, the eldest, succeeded him
at Chilston, where he resided, and enclosed the ground round
the same for a park, expending large sums on the improvement,
both of the house and lands adjoining. He kept his shrievalty
here in 1719, and afterwards, with the concurrence of his eldest
son, William, joined in the sale of this estate to Thomas Best,
esq., eldest son of Mawdistley Best, esq., of Boxley, who
resided at Chilston. He then rebuilt the mansion, making very
considerable improvements in the park and grounds, and died in
1795, having married Caroline, daughter of George Scott, esq. of
Scott's haU, when he left this manor, among his other estates,
to his nephew George, youngest son of his brother, James Best,
esq. of Boxley and Chatham, who afterwards resided here.

50 HISTORY OF THE
The tithes of the manor of Chilston, or Childeston, were
given to the priory of Leeds, soon after its foundation, by
William Fitz-Hamon, the owner ; when they remained part of
the possessions of the priory till its dissolution, in the reign of
Henry VIIL, upon which the whole was surrendered into the
king's hands, who settled this portion of tithes on his new
founded dean and chapter of Rochester.
Bewley is a manor in this parish, of considerable repute,
extending into the parish of Harrietsham. It was anciently
called Boughley, and constituted part of the possessions of Odo,
bishop of Bayeux, on whose disgrace all his estates being con
fiscated to the crown, this manor became vested in Eudo
Dapifer, and afterwards in Philip de Leleburne, or Leyburne,
whose descendant held it in the reign of Edward I. In that
name it continued till alienated to the Tregozes, one of whom,
Thomas, held it in the reign of Edward III., and obtained a
charter of free warren for his lands at Boggeleye. John Tre-
goze died possessed of this manor in the reign of Henry IV.;
but it did not long remain in that name, as, under Henry VI. ,
it became the property of the GoldweU's; whence it passed to
the Atwater's, of Lenham. Joan, daughter and coheir of
Robert Atwater, conveyed it in marriage to Humphrey Hales, of
the Dongeon, whose son, Cheney, passed it to his kinsman, John
Hales, esq., eldest son of Sir Edward. He disposed of the
estate to his brother, Mr. Samuel Hales, whose son afterwards
succeeded him ; since which, the property has passed, in the
same manner as Chilston, before described, down to George
Best, esq., of ChUston, who subsequently possessed the same.
The tithes of this manor were given by Eudo Dapifer to
Anschetill, archdeacon of Canterbury, who afterwards, with the
consent of Eudo, granted them to the priory, on the annual pay
ment of 5s. to the monks of Colchester. Henry de Leiburne,
the possessor of this manor, having inspected the charters of his
ancestors, confirmed those tithes in pure alms to the church of
St. Andrew and the monks of Rochester.
This portion of tithes remained with the priory till the disso
lution, under Henry VIIL, when it was surrendered into the
king's hands, who, in his 33d year, settled the same on his new
erected dean and chapter of Rochester, where these tithes havo
continued. 1

COUNTY OF KENT. 51
On the intended dissolution of deans and chapters, soon after
the death of Charles I., this portion was surveyed by order of
the state, in 1649, when it was returned that the tithes in ques
tion arose out of the manor of Bugley, together with the tythe
of the mill, called Bugley Mill, being of the improved yearly
value of £9, which premises had been let by the dean and chapter,
in the 10th year of Charles I., to Samuel Hales, esq. for twenty-
one years, at the annual rental of two quarters of malt, &c., or
2s. in money; wherefore there remained a clear rent of £5 14
per annum.
There are no parochial charities here. The poor constantly
relieved are about forty, casually twenty-five.
Boughton is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
of the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Charing. The
church, is a handsome building, with a square tower steeple at
the west end, and the interior, richly ornamented, being adorned
by several monuments of the Wotton family, most of whom lie
buried here. There is also a pyramid of black marble, supported
by three lions couchant, on a deep base, erected to the memories
of Henry lord Stanhope ; his widow. Lady Catherine, countess
of Chesterfield; her third husband, Daniel O'Neal; as well as
several of her chUdren. This mausoleum had been very inju
diciously placed within the altar rails, eastward, nearly filling up
the whole space, but was' subsequently removed, to make room
for an altar and railing. In the south chancel is a very ancient
figure, in Bethersden marble, of a man in armour, lying cross-
legged, bearing his shield and sword ; this effigy lies on the
pavement, and appears to have been removed from some other
part of the church. On the opposite side of the chancel, is the
figure of a woman, full as ancient as the former, and of the same
marble, but fixed in the pavement. These effigies were, most
probably, to the memory of some representatives of the family
of the Peyforer's.
The families of the Hales's and Hamilton's, both of Chilston,
together- with their children, were christened and married
in Boughton church, but buried from time to time in that of
Lenham. The church of Boughton has uniformly been esteemed an
appendage to the manor, and as such became the property of
Sir Horace Mann, bart. In 1578 there were 108 communicants;

52 HISTORY OF THE
at which period this rectory was valued in the king's books at
£13 15, the yearly tenths being £1 7 6. In 1640 the estimate
was £70, the communicants being 197.
In 1821 there were fifty-two dwellings in the parish of
Bouijhton ; and, at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow : males 255, females 220, making
a total of 475 sculs.
Northward from Boughton Malherb lies Lenham, at the
foot of the chalk hills, written in Domesday Lerkam and
Lertham, no doubt corruptly for Leanham, by which name it is
called in most of the ancient charters and deeds, as well before
as since that period. It assumes its title from the stream that
rises in this district, and ham, which signifies a town or village.
The western portion of this parish is in the lath of Aylesford,
hundred of Eyhorne, and the western division of this county;
calculating from the centre of Chilston house, northward, to the
east end of the church, and thence to Warren Street, on the
summit of the chalk hills ; no other portion of this district occu
pies a westerly situation : the residue, including that part
called East Lenham, is in the lath of Shipway, and hundred of
Calehill. being the eastern division of this county.
The Parish of Lenham is of large extent, comprising
upwards of five miles in length from east to west, and four in
breadth from north to south, where it encompasses the whole
width of the valley, from the chalk to the quarry hUls. It is
considered a healthy, though extremely unpleasant situation, in
consequence of its soil, which, towards the south and west,
mostly consists of a deep sand. Above the hills, northward,
are Downe Court and Warren Street ; beyond which, the parish
extends more than a mile, as far as Ashden and Syndal, in the
valley between HoUingborne and Doddington, the country of
which is poor, and the soil flinty and barren.
The town of Lenham stands in the valley, between the quarry
and chalk hills, being at this part about two miles in width ;
somewhat more contiguous to the latter, in a damp and moist
situation, owing to the springs rising near it, further mention of
which wUl be made hereafter. The district is dull, and
little frequented, affording no traffic ; nor can it be more appro-

CUUNIV OF KF.NF. 53
piiately described, says Hasted, than iu the words of the inlia
bitauts, who, when travellers inquire, in their way through ihe
parish, whether it is Lenham they are traversing, usually return
for answ'er, "Ah, sir, poor Lenham."
The church stands at the south end, and, being westward of
the line which separates the two divisions of the county, the
town itself, as well as the parish, is esteemed to belong to West
Kent ; wherefore all the parish business is transacted at the
Maidstone Sessions. The market, which was granted to the
abbot of St. Augustine's monastery, has been discontinued many
years; but, in 1757, an attempt was made to renew it, for the
buying and selling of corn and other commodities, when it
was ordered by the lord of the manor to be held weekly, but is
very little resorted to. The fairs take place yearly, for cattle, in
the months of June and October; a market being also held at
Sandway, in this parish, every Tuesday, until Christmas.
Near the foot of the chalk hills, lie the three estates of Shelve,
on the opposite or southerit part of the parisli, where the soil is
mostly a barren sand, there being several small heaths or forstals
through this district; the high road from Ashford runs over
Lenham, formerly called Royton heath, and by Chilston Park
pales and Sandway, over Bigon heath, towards Leeds castle and
Maidstone. Southward of this heath, the parish extends west--
ward, including within its bounds the estate of Ham, the man
sion of which was rebuilt in a handsome style some years back ;
hence, southward, it stretches to Runham place, Piatt heath,
and Leverton Street ; and, at the boundary of the same, near the
quarry hills, joins Boughton Malherb.
The western and south-east parts of this parish are watered by
two streams ; for, at the eastern extremity of the town of Len
ham, at Streetwell, there rises a spring, said to be the head of the
river Stour, which flowing thence southward, by Royton chapel
at about a mUe distant from its source, receives- into its current
two other smaller streams from the north-west, which rise in
the grounds at .Chilston, at a small distance from each other ;
and, then flowing in one stream through the hamlet of Water
Street, south-eastward, the waters turn a mill in their way to Little
Chart, and thence pursue their course to Ashford and Canterbury.
A head of one of the branches of the river Medway likewise
rises at Ewell, adjoining Bigon heath, in the western part of this
vol. hi. 1

64 HISTORY OF THE
parish, whence it is frequently called the river Len. This stream
then directs its course first westward, then northward by Run-
ham, and so on to Holme mill, in Harrietsham, in its way to
Leeds castle and the main river at Maidstone.
Lenham has been supposed by several of our learned anti
quaries, among whom are Camden, Lambard, and Gale, to have
constituted the Roman station, mentioned in the second Iter of
Antoninus, by the name of Durolevum, corruptly so called, as it
is said, for Durolenum, the latter appellation, in the British lan
guage, signifying the water Lenum ; which induced those
writers, combined with the situation, to conjecture this spot the
station above mentioned.
Camden is further confirmed in this opinion from the place
being situated on a circular way of the Romans, which formerly,
as Higden, the chronicler of Chester, affirms, ran from Dover,
through the middle of Kent.
The Aqua Lena, or the springs at Streetwell, so called perhaps
from the Strata of the Romans, which led hither, is imagined
to have been meant for the water Lenum, and that it might have
conferred its name to this station ; indeed, Roman remains have
been from time (o time discovered from Keston, by Comb Bank,
Stone Street, Oldberry Camp, Ofham, Barming, Maidstone, and
Boxley, in a continued and almost strait line, to within a few
miles of this place and Charing.
But, as no Roman antiquities have ever been discovered at
Lenham, Mr. Somner and others were induced to look elsewhere
for this station. The above learned antiquary, as well as Mr.
Burton and Dr. Thorpe, have therefore fixed it at or near New
ington, on the high road from Rochester to Canterbury ; near
which site vast quantities of urns and other relics of Roman
antiquity have been dug up at various periods. Mr. Talbot
hesitates between Sittingborne and Charing; and Dr. Stukely,
changing his opinion, from having first adopted Newington,
afterwards adheres to this latter spot.
Dr. Hor.sley observes that, should he abandon the idea of
Lenham, and suppose it only to have been a «o<27«a way, he
should transfer this station to the north side of the present high
London road to Dover; and conjecture it to have been a short
and direct route, like that of Tripontium, in the sixth //er of
Antoninus, the distance in either case requiring the excursion to

COUNTY OF KENT. 55
be made about Sittingborne, or perhaps Milton. But, should
this station be transferred to Faversham, in the vicinity of that
place, as well as at Judde's Hill, near Ospringe or Davington,
about a mile north-east of the same, many Roman coins, urns,
and other relics of antiquity, have been there also found ; and at
the former stiU remains, at the back of Judde's house, a small
distance north of the high road, and within the wood, the
vestigia of a strong Roman work ; neither does there require
any transposition or alteration of numbers in the copies of
Antoninus's Itinerary, as the distances will, in every instance,
correspond with them.
However, after every argument that can be adduced, the whole
is so much involved in conjecture, as appears from each of
those learned men having altered the distances in the Itinerary
in favor of his own hypothesis, that it is perhaps best to leave it
to the reader's own judgment to fix these stations as he may
conceive most feasible.
In the year 804, Cenulf king of Mercia, and Cudred king of
Kent, granted this manor, afterwards distinguished by the
name of West Lenham, to Wernod, abbot of St. Augustine's,
near Canterbury, by the description of certain lands, called
Lenham, containing twenty plough lands, and twelve denns,
bearing acorns, in the Weald ; which estate was augmented by
Athelwolf king of the West Saxons and of Kent, who, in con
sideration of 2100 marks of sUver, granted to the abbot five
plough lands, at Lenham, then denominated Estlenham, lying
between the place called Scelfe, eastward, and Lenham, towards
the west ; and, in 850, he made a further gift to the abbot, of
forty tenements, with lands at Lenham, in pure and perpetual
alms. What part of these estates continued in the possession of the
abbot and convent of St. Augustine's at the general survey of
Domesday, is stated under the entry of their lands and estates,
though it does not appear to amount to so large a quantity as is
described in the above donation; it is therefore probable, that
the rapacious Bishop of Bayeux wrested some of these lands
from the owners, when he held property in this parish.
The possessions of the abbot and convent were afterwards
increased by Kings Edward I. and II., who granted them
licence to purchase property in this parish; and there were

56 HISTORY OF THE
several different lands given to them, among which were those
called Sornden, on condition that they should pay yearly
the singular rental qF one custard in the churchyard of
Lenham. In the 8th year of Richard II. , the temporalities of the abbot
in Lenham, with appurtenances, were valued at £54 14 10 per
annum ; at which time he possessed in this parish, as appears
by an admeasurement then made, 936 acres of arable land and
wood. In the Iter of H. de Stanton and his sociates Justices Itine
rant, under Edward II., the abbot was summoned, by quo war
ranto, to" show why he claimed sundry liberties therein, men
tioned in the manors of Lenham, among others, and/ree warren
in all his demesne lands, with view of frank pledge. The abbot
pleaded that those liberties had been granted by the charters of
King John and the succeeding monarchs, to the abbot and con
vent, in pure and perpetual alms ; that those charters had been
all allowed in the Iter of J. de Berewick, under Edward I., and
likewise in the reign of Edward II. , before Henry de Stanton and
his sociates Justices Itinerant, in this county.
King Edward III., in 1330, exempted the men and tenants of
the manor of Lenham from their attendance at the turne of the
sheriff, heretofore made by the borsholder, with four men of
each borough, within the same ; and directed his writ, that for
the future, they should be allowed to perform the same, with one
only out of each.
And by the charter of Inspeximus, in the 36th year of the
above reign, that prince confirmed to the monastery all the manors
and possessions, with the several grants of liberties and confir
mations made by the several kings his predecessors, among which
are those above specified. Henry VI. subsequently confirmed
the several liberties granted to this monastery, as well as free
warren, and one fair, at Lenham, on the feast of St. Augustine
the apostle of Britain.
The manor remained part of the possessions of the monastery
till its final dissolution, under Henry VIIL, when this great
abbey, with all its revenues, were surrendered to the king.
The manor of Lenham remained vested in the crown, till
Queen Elizabeth granted it to William Cecil lord Burleigh, lord
high treasurer, and her chief minister of state ; to whose prudence

COUNTY OF KENT. Sr
and wisdom in council, the blessings this kingdom enjoyed during
that reign, were chiefly to be attributed.
He alienated this estate, under that princess, to Thomas
Wilford, esq., of Cranbrook, whose grandson, Henry Wilford,
esq., at the latter end of the reign of James I., conveyed it to
Anthony Brown viscount Montague, who died possessed of this
manor in 1629. His grandson, Henry, with the concurrence of
his son and heir, Anthony, alienated this property to the Hon.
Elizabeth Hamilton, widow of James Hamilton, of Tyrone, in
Ireland, and a baronet of Nova Scotia, who was the fourth son
of James first earl of Abercorn, and bore for his arms Gules,
three cinque foils pierced, ermine, quartered with argent, a ship
having sails furled, with a proper difference; these being the
armorial bearings of the earls of Abercorn. She was the eldest
daughter of John lord Colepeper, and, surviving her husband
who died in 1673, resided at Chilston, in the adjoining parish of
Boughton, which she had also purchased. That lady died in
1709, and was buried at Hollingbourne, leaving two sons sur
viving ; James earl of Abercorn, and WiUiam Hamilton, of
Chilston ; to the latter of whom she gave by will the manor of
Lenham, with the rest of her estates, in this parish and neigh
bourhood. He was one of the five Kentish gentlemen, who, in
1701, delivered to the House of Commons a petition from the
deputy lieutenants, justices, grand jury, and freeholders of this
county, praying that the House would turn their loyal addresses
into bills of supply. That petition being voted insolent and
seditious, they were ordered into the custody of the serjeant at
arms, and conveyed prisoners to the Gate-house, where they re
mained till the end of the sessions. The other four petitioners
were William Colepeper, Thomas Colepeper, David Polhill, and
Justinian Charaiimeys. This event having created a great sensa
tion at the period, we insert the annexed note in order to eluci
date the subject in question.*
* It was iu'the midst of those clamours, that echoed through the kingdom in 1701,
and the universal dissatisfaction of the people at the proceedings of the House of Com
mons, &c. that the gentlemen of Kent petitioned the representatives of the people in a
very humble manner, to " have regard to the voice of the nation, and provide effectually
for its religion and safety," &c.
It was signed by all the deputy -lieutenants there present, above twenty justices of
the peace, all the grand jury, and other freeholder.s.

58 HISTORY OF THE
By Margaret, daughter of Sir Thomas Colepeper, of Holling
bourne, he had several children, of whom John Hamilton, the
eldest son, resided at Chilston, where he was sheriff in 1719.
He, with his eldest son, joined in the sale of this manor to
Thomas Best, esq. of Chilston, who, dying in 1793, gave it by
will, among his other estates, to his nephew, George Best, esq.
of Chilston, who ultimately possessed this estate.
A court-leet and court-baron is held for this manor.
Royton, otherwise Rayton, is a manor in this parish, si
tuated a small distance eastward from Chilston, the mansion of
which had a free chapel annexed to it, the ruins whereof were
still remaining some years back.
In the year 1259, under Henry III. this manor was in the
possession of Simon Fitzalan ; at which time a final agreement

This petition was offered to the House on the 8th of May, 1701 ; the gentlemen who
delivered it, and ovfned it at the bar of the House being Mr. William Colepepper, Sir.
Thomas Colepepper, Mr. David Polhill, Mr. Justinian Champneys, and Mr. William
Hamilton; for so were found all their names written in the votes, without the addition
of Esq., though four of them were justices of the peace, and two deputy-lieutenants of
the county. Concerning the petition, the House came to this resolution : that it was
scandalous, insolent, and seditious, &c. The five gentlemen they ordered to be taken
into the custody of the sergeant at arms, when the treatment they experienced from him
was very singular, and testified that they were under the high displeasure of the House ;
for, when he accidentally saw two of them talk together, he drew his sword upon his
deputy for permitting it ; and, upon one of those gentlemen demanding a copy of their
commitment, which they conceived they were entitled to by virtue of the Habeas Corpus
Act, and he refusing, the gentleman said he hoped the law would do him justice, when
his reply was, " that he cared not a fig for the law." The reverence of the law was
fallen very low indeed when one, who had the honour of being a servant to the House
of Commons, presumed to make so bold with it. However, this speech was of a piece
with the declaration he had made to these gentlemen before, namely, " that he had an
unbounded liberty of using them at discretion, that he could confine them at pleasure,
consign them to dungeons, lay them underground," &c.
Indeed, from the misery and filthiness of their confinement, it seemed that the power
of the inquisition was then subsisting in the nominally free country of England. The
people, however, being instructed, and taking warning, there came a memorial, enclosed
in the following billet, directed to Robert Harley, esq. Speaker of the House of Com
mons, couched as follows :
Mr. Speaker,
'' This memorial you are charged with in behalf of many thousands of the good people
of England.
"There is neither Popish, Jacobite, seditious, court, or party, interest, concerned in
it ; but honesty and truth.
" You arc commanded, by two hundred thousand Englishmen, to deliver it to the
House of Commons, and to inform them that it is no banter, but serious truth, and a

COUNTY OF KENT. S9
was ratified in the king's court at Westminster, between Roger,
abbot of St. Augustine's, and the said Simon, concerning the
customs and services, which the abbot demanded of him, for his
free tenement, which he held of that ecclesiastic in Royton, viz.
one mark of silver annually, and suit at the court of Lenham ;
which suit the abbot released to him on his agreeing to pay the
rent above mentioned, and suit at the court of St. Augustine's,
at Canterbury. He was succeeded by Robert de Royton, who
most probably assumed his name from his possessions at this
place. The latter founded a free chapel here, and annexed it to
the mansion, which thence acquired the name of Royton
chapel. It continued in the above name till the feign of Henry VI.
when, by an only daughter, the property was conveyed in mar
riage to James Dryland, esq. of Davington, whose daughter and
serious regard to it is expected ; nothing but justice, and their duty, is required ; and
it is required by them who have both a right to require, and power to compel, viz.
the people of England.
" We could have come to the House strong enough to oblige them to hear us, but we
have avoided any tumults, not desiring to embroil, but to save our native country.
" If you refuse to communicate it to them, you will find cause in a short time to
repent it."
This was not delivered by a woman, as was said, but by the very person who wrote
it, guarded by about sixteen gentlemen of quality ; who, if any notice had been taken
of him, were ready to have carried him off by force.
The memorial, among other things, contained a claim of right under seven heads, of
which the three former ran thus : " we do hereby claim and declare, first, that it is the
undoubted right of the people of England, in case their representatives in parliament
do not proceed according to their duty and the people's interest, to inform them of
their dislike, disown their actions, and direct them to such things as they think fit,
either by petition, address, proposal, memorial, or any other peaceable way. Secondly,
that the House of Commons, separately, and otherwise than by a Bill legally passed
ii)to an Act, has no legal power to suspend or dispense with the laws of the land, any
more than the king has by his prerogative. Thirdly, that the House of Commons has
no legal power to imprison any person, or commit him to the custody of sergeants, or
otherwise, (their own members excepted,) but ought to address the king, to cause any
person, on good grounds, to be apprehended ; which person, so apprehended, ought to
have the benefit of the Habeas Corpus Act, and be brought to trial by due course of
law." After other claims, it concluded : " Thus, gentlemen, you have your duty laid
before you, which it is hoped you will think of : but, if you continue to neglect it, you
may expect to be treated according to the resentment of an injured nation ; English
men are no more to be slaves to parliaments than to kings. Our name is Leg-io.v, and
we are many."
Such was the spirit of those who may be called our immediate ancestors! and it
stands recorded in our history, that the members of the House of Commons were so
intimidated by this remonstrance that they instantly began to alter their measures.

60 HISTORY OF THE
sole heir, Constance, entitled her husband. Sir Thomas Walsing
ham, to its possession. He died in the reign of Edward IV.
when one of his descendants, under Henry VIIL, alienated
this manor to Edward Myllys, who did homage to the abbot
of St. Augustine for the same, as half a knight's fee, which he
had purchased in Royton, near Lenham. It was soon afterwards
sold to Robert Atwater, who leaving two daughters and coheirs,
Mary, the youngest, carried it, with other estates at Charing
and elsewhere in this neighbourhood, to Robert Honywood, esq.
of Henewood, in Postling.
He afterwards resided at Pett, in Charing, being part of his
wife's inheritance, and dying in 1576, was buried in Lenham
church, bearing for his arms those of Honywood, w^A a crescent
gules, for difference. He left a numerous issue by his wife, who
survived him nearly forty-four years, when she dying in 1620,
in the ninety-third year of her age, was interred near him, though
a monument to her memory was erected at Marks hall, in Essex.
She had, as it is said, at her decease, lawfully descended from
her, 367 children ; sixteen of her own, 114 grandchildren, 228
in the third generation, and nine in the fourth.
The eldest son, Robert Honywood, of Charing, and afterwards
of Marks hall, in Essex, was twice married ; first, to Dorothy,
daughter of John Crook, ll.d., by whom he had one son, Sir
Robert Honywood, of Charing, and one' daughter. By his
second marriage he had several sons and daughters, the eldest
of whom, Thomas, was of Marks haU, above mentioned.
Sir Robert, at his death, devised the manor of Royton to
Dorothy, his daughter by his first wife. His surviving son,
Anthony, was of Royton, of which estate he died possessed in
1682, leaving an only daughter, Dorothy, who carried it i;i
marriage to Richard Crispe, gent, of Maidstone, in whose des
cendants it continued down to William Crispe, gent., of Royton.
He'dyingin 1761, devised this property by will to his surviving
wife, Elizabeth, for her life ; and the fee of the same to his
nephew, Samuel Belcher, who dying unmarried and intestate,
his interest in the same descended to his only brother, Peter
Belcher, who by wiU left it, in 1772, to his brother-in-law, Mr.
John Foster, in fee. Mrs. Elizabeth Crispe, before mentioned,
died in 1778, and this estate then went into the possession of
Mr. John Forster, who afterwards sold it to Thomas Best, esq,
2

COUNTY OP KENT. 61
of Chilston; on whose demise, in 1793, it passed by his will,
among other estates, to his nephew, George Best, esq. of Chilston.
Runham is a manor situated at the south-west extremity of
this parish, which, with the mansion called Runham place, for
merly belonged to the family of the Bunce's, of Otterden.
Stephen Bunce, son of James, of Otterden, died possessed of
this estate in 1634. He was originally of Boughton Malherb,
and his eldest son, Mathew, inherited this manor, which he after
wards sold to one Burton ; from whom it desended to his grand
son, Mr. Samuel Burton, who resided here. He married Anne
Belcher, who joined with him in the sale of this estate, a fine
having been levied for that purpose, to Thomas Best, esq. of
Chilston, who continued in possession of the same till the year
1774, when Samuel Burton, the youngest and only surviving
child of the above marriage, claimed this estate by virtue of
an entail made, and, by a proof of his mother's marriage, ob
tained a verdict in his favor, upon which he took possession, and
afterwards sold it to Mr. Thomas Best, above mentioned, the
former purchaser; by whose will it went, with his other estates,
in 1793, to his nephew, George Best, esq. of Chilston.
AsHDEN, formerly called Esseden, is a small manor in the
northern part of this parish, which, at the latter end of the reign
of Queen Elizabeth, was the property of Edward Jackman, esq.
of Hornchurch, in Essex. He, in the reign of James I., passed
it away to Oliver Style, esq., of Watringbury, whose son, Thomas,
was created a baronet,, and died in 1637, leaving this manor to
his only son and successor, Sir Thomas Style, bart. The latter
dying in J 702, an agreement was entered into by his heirs, for a
division of his estates among them, which was confirmed by an
Act passed in the reign of Queen Anne. In the partition
alluded to, the manor of Ashden was allotted, with Frinsted and
other estates, to Margaret, his only daughter; who, in 11 \Q,
alienated it to Mr. Abraham Tilghman, whose son, Abraham, of
Frinsted, died in 1779, leaving, by Olivia, daughter of Charles
Finch, esq. of Chatham, one daughter, his heir, married to the
Rev. Mr. Pierrepont Cromp, of Frinsted ; who died in 1797,
when his heirs became entitled to this manor.
The remaining or north-east part of this parish is
situated within the lath of Shipway, and hundred of Calehill,
wherein is the manor of East Lenham. Although the abbot
VOL, HI. K

62 HISTORY OF THE
and convent of St. Augustine's possessed an estate in East Len
ham, consisting of five plough lands, by the gift of King
Athelwolf, A.D. 839, as has been already mentioned, yet the
manor itself never belonged to that monastery, but was given, in
the year 961, by Queen Ediva, mother of Kings Edmund and
Edred, to Christchurch, in Canterbury, free from all secular
services, except the repair of bridges, and erection of fortifications.
Archbishop Lanfranc, who came to the see of Canterbury in
1070, gave this manor to one Godifrid, surnamed Dapifer, who
held it of him by knight's service, it being so entered accordingly
in Domesday record.
It was afterwards held of the archbishop, in the same manner,
by knight's service, by the family of Lenham, which derived its
name from the possessions here, and bore for arms the same as
those of Peyforer. Roger de Lenham held this estate in the
time of King John, as appears by the returns made to the king's
treasurer, in the 12th and 13th years of that reign, of all those
who held by knight's service and in capite. Nicholas Lenham,
his descendant, held it in the ensuing reign of Henry III., in the
35th year of which he paid fine to the king for a charter of
liberties for his lands in this county.
John de Lenham held it in like manner of the archbishop, in
the reign of King Edward I., of whom it was again held by
Roger de Handle, whose descendant, Simon de Handlo, held it
in the 20th year of Edward IIL, holding it of the archbishop as
half a knight's fee.
In later times, the manor of East Lenham was in possession
of the Home's ; but if descended from those of Home's Place,
in Kenardinton, we have not been able to ascertain.
John Home was of East Lenham, in the reigns of Henry V.
and VL, in whose family it continued tUl John Home, gent., of
East Lenham, leaving an only daughter and heir, Alice, she car-
BJed it in marriage to John Proffit, gent., of Barcombe, in Sussex.
His sole daughter and heir, Elizabeth, widow of Richard Man-
field, gent., of Middlesex, entitled her second husband, John
Chauncey, esq., of Hertfordshire, to this manor, of which he
died possessed in 1546, and was buried in the church of Saw-
bridgeworlh. He was ancestor of Sir Henry Chauncey, ser
geant at law, the historian, who bore for his arms Gules, a cross
patonee, argent, on a chief, azure, a lion passant, or, which he

COUNTY OF KENT. g:!
quartered with those of Home : his eldest son having taken
upon himself the habit of a Carthusian monk, Henry, the second
son, became possessed of all his father's estates.
- This manor then passed by sale into the family of the Knatch-
buU's, of Mersham-hatch, in this county ; of which line Sir
Norton KnatchbuU was created a baronet in 1641 ; and in his
descendants it continued down to Sir Edward KnatchbuU, of
Mersham-hatch. There was an estate, formerly part of the demesnes of
this manor, which was for several generations in the possession
of a family of the name of Hussey. Henry so called had a
charter of _/ree warren for his lands at Chilston, East Lenham,
and Stourmouth, in the 55th year of Henry III ; and from him
the property of this estate descended down to Henry Hussey,
who, about the latter end of the reign of Henry VIIL passed it
away to John Parkhurs-t, descended from an ancient family of
that name in Norfolk, one of whom, John, was bishop of Nor
wich in 1560. His descendant. Sir William, in the reign of
Charles I., alienated this .estate to Mr. Wood, of London, mer
chant, who possessed it at the Restoration of King Charles II.
From that name it passed by sale to Edward Hales, esq., of
Chilston, whose three daughters and coheirs, in 1698, conveyed
it to the Hon. Mrs. Elizabeth Hamilton; since which period it
passed, in the same manner as Chilston, in Boughton Malherb,
to George Best, esq.
Archbishop Lanfranc, in the time of the Conqueror, gave
the tithes of his whole manor of Lenham, which he had previ
ously bestowed upon Godfrid, to the priory of St. Gregory, in
Canterbury, which had been founded by him in 1084. The above
gift was confirmed by Archbishop Hubert, among the rest of the
possessions of that priory ; where these tithes remained till the
dissolution, under Henry VIIL, when the whole was surrendered
into the king's hands. These tithes, with the site of the mon
astery, and most of the possessions of St. Gregory's priory,
were then granted to the archbishop of Canterbury, in exchange,
in pursuance of an Act which had passed for that purpose.
The parsonage of East Lenham thus becoming part of the
possessions of the see of Canterbury, was let by the prelate,
among the rest of the revenues of the priory of St. Gregory, by
one great lease, for twenty-one years, at the annual rental of £55.

61 HISTORY OF THE
In 1643, Sir Robert Honywood, of Charing, was head lessee
of these premises, Philip earl of Chesterfield, afterwards held
them, as heir to the Wotton's; at whose decease, in 1773, the lease
was sold by his executors to George Gipps, esq. of Canterbury,
M.P. for that city. However, Sir Edward KnatchbuU, bart.
owner of East Lenham manor, was the lessee under him, for the
parsonage of East Lenham, at the yearly rent of £17.
There are three different manors in the north-east
part of this parish, called, in the time of the Saxons, Scelfe,
afterwards Selve, and now Shelve, distinguished from each other
by their different situations.
These manors were part of those possessions given by the
Conqueror to Odo bishop of Bayeux, under the general title of
whose lands they were entered in Domesday record.
The first of these estates seems intended for that which is
now known by the name of Old Shelve; the second, for that
called West Shelve; and the last, for Cobham, otherwise East
She he.
After the disgrace of the above dignitary, the Manor of
West, or New Shelve, so called from its situation, and to dis
tinguish it from the adjoining manor of Old Shelve, became part
of the possessions of the family of the Criol's, one of which line,
Bertram, held it in the reign of Henry III., in whose descend
ants it continued down to John de Criol. He dying in the reign
of King Edward I., Joan, his sister, became his heir, and carried
this manor, among the rest of her inheritance, in marriage to
Sir Richard Rokesle, seneschal and governor of Poitou and
Montreuil, in Picardy, who left two daughters coheirs, of whom
Agnes, the eldest, married Thomas de Poynings; and Joan, the
youngest, first, to Hugh de Patteshull, and secondly, to Sir
William le Baud. They did not, however, inherit this manor,
which descended to a younger branch of the family of Rokesle ;
when it afterwards, on failure of issue, devolved, as the next of
kin, by the above marriage, to the family of the Poyning's. In
that name it continued till Sir Edward Poyning's, dying in the
reign of Henry VIII. without ligitimate issue, or even collateral
kindred, this manor became escheated to the crown.
The above monarch soon after granted this manor to John
Millys, who died possessed of it in the 17th of that reign,
the same being held by knight's service of the abbot of St. Au-
2

COUNTY OF KENT. 65
gustine, in right of his abbey. He was succeeded by James
MiUys, his son and heir, by whose only daughter, Joan, this
manor of West Shelve went in marriage to Nicholas Darell,
second son of Sir James Darell, of CalehiU, who afterwards
resided here. He died in 1564, leaving two sons ; of whom,
Anthony, the second, seems to have at length possessed this
estate; when his daughter, Anne, conveyed it to her husband,
William Wilkinson, who died in 1618, and was buried in this
church. He was son and heir of Richard, who was one of the
clerks in Chancery, and owner of Waslingbury manor, in this
county ; and in his descendants it continued down to John
Wilkinson, esq. who died possessed of the same in 1713, without
surviving issue.
It then became the property of Mr. John Dering, of Chalk, on
his marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Francis Milles, esq. of
the Inner Temple, who, by a deed, in 1713, had adopted him as
heir, and settled this manor, with his other estates in this parish,
to him and his issue by her in tail male. Mr. John Dering was
descended from John, of Egerton, sixth son of John Dering,
esq., of Surrenden, in the reign of Henry VIII., by Margaret,
sister and heir of Thomas Brent, esq. of Charing. He was of
West Shelve, and died possessed of this manor.
On his death, Henry, his eldest son, succeeded to this manor,
who was of Ashford, in this county. He married Hester Wight-
wick, of New Romney, by whom he left eight children, and, cut
ting off the entail of this estate, devised the manor of West Shelve
in equal shares amongst his children, who became entitled to
the same. John and George Dering alienated their respective
interests to their uncle, Mr. Edward Dering, of Doddington,
who dying in 1786, his widow, Mrs. Dering, became the posses
sor. The family of Dering bear for their arms Or, a saltier sable,
a crescent, for difference.
A court-leet was formerly held for this manor, which has long
been discontinued. At New Shelve house, in 1775, there was pre
served a curfew, or coverfew, similar to one that belonged to Mr.
Gostling, the historian, of Canterbury, of which a plate may be
seen in the Antiquarian Repertory, vol. 1, p. 89. This curious
rehc had been in the manor-house here time out of mind, and
always known by the above name. The curfew bell is still rung
at eight o'clock, in some market-towns and places of resort.

66 HISTORY OF THE
The MANOR OF Old Shelve lies adjoining to the last manor,
eastward. It was formerly called Middle, otherwise Red
Shelve, and after the disgrace of the bishop of Bayeu.x, went
into the possession of a family which assumed that name.
Anusius de Selves held it in the reign of Henry III., and had
license to change his service from sergeantry to knight's service.
His descendant, WiUiam, paid aid for this manor in the 20th
of Edward IIL, as half a knight's fee, which he then held of
the Earl of Albemarle, and the latter of the king. It afterwards
passed into the family of the Poyning's; and became escheated
to the crown, in the same manner as that of West Shelve, on the
death of Sir Edward Poynings without heirs, in the 14th of
Henry Vllf. Soon after it was granted, with that manor, to
John Millys, and then passed to William Wilkinson, one of
whose descendants conveyed it by sale to the Plomer's ; from
which name it was alienated to Dr. Ludwell, of Oriel college,
Oxford. His widow, Mrs. Elizabeth Ludwell, gave it by will to
Benjamin Tribe, esq., with an injunction that he should assume
the name of Poole, for which he obtained an Act, in the 5th year
of George III.
Benjamin Tribe Poole, esq. was afterwards of Charing, and,
in 1772, sold this estate to Mr. John Winder, together with that
of Marshall, adjoining the same.
The manor of East Shelve, otherwise Shelve Cobham, lies at
the base of the chalk hills, eastward of that last described.
After the disgrace of the bishop of Bayeux, this estate de
volved to the family of the Cobham's, of Cobham, in this county.
Henry left tliree sons, in the reign of King John, who succeeded
him at Cobham : WiUiam, called Cobham, of Aldington, under
Henry IIL, inherited this manor, and died in the I4th of
Edward II. ; and Reginald, his nephew, son of his eldest brother
John, succeeded him in the possession of the same. He lived in
the reign of Edward II. , and left by Joan his wife, daughter and
heir of William deHever, a son, Reginald de Cobham ; in whose
descendants, of the name of Reginald, likewise seated at Ster-
borough castle, in Surrey, this manor continued down to Regi
nald lord Cobham, of Sterborough, who died possessed of the
same about the 24th year of Henry VI. , leaving Sir Thomas
Cobham, his then only son, his heir. He likewise died, in the
llth year of Edward IV., possessed of this estate, which, from

COUNTY OF KENT. 67
the length of time the family had possessed it, was generally
known by the name of Shelve Cobham, or East Shelve. His-
only daughter and heir, Anne, carried it in marriage to Sir
Edward Borough, of Gainsborough, in Lincolnshire, whose son
and heir, Thomas lord Burgh, procured the disgavelment of his
lands, by an Act under Henry VIH. His son, William lord
Burgh, in the 12th of Queen Elizabeth, sold this manor to John
Pakenham, who, in the 35th year of the same reign, alienated it
to the Boteler's ; in which' line it remained till the 5th year of
Charles I. It then passed by sale to Sir John Melton, whose
son, soon after the death of that monarch, sold it to Mr. Solo
mon Adye; from whom it passed to the name of Wilkinson, whose
descendant, John, died possessed of it, as well as New Shelve,
in 1713, without surviving issue. Since that period, it has
devolved in the same succession of ownership as the latter manor,
to the description of which the reader is referred.
The manor of Downe, or Downe Court, as it is now gene
rally called, is situated in the northern part of this parish, on
the summit of the chalk hills. In the reign of Henry HI., it
had owners who assumed their surname from the same. Hamo
de la Dune then held it as half a knight's fee ; as did Laurence,
heir of Robert de la Downe, in the 20th of Edward IIL, when
he paid aid for it as half a knight's fee. In that name it con
tinued to John Downe, who resided here in the 6th year of
Edward IV., leaving two sons, John and Thomas Downe, to both
of whom, by will, he devised this estate, which had then entirely
lost the reputation of being a manor. How the property then
passed, we cannot ascertain, but Robert Atwater, of Royton, in
this parish, died possessed of it in 1565, whose daughter and
coheir, Mary, carried it, with other estates in this parish and
neighbourhood, in marriage to Robert Honywood, esq. of Post-
ling. He died in 1576, leaving a numerous issue; of whom,*
Robert, of Charing and Mark's hall, in Essex, the eldest son,
succeeded him in this estate ; and in his descendants it continued
down to PhUip Honywood, esq., of Mark's hall, a general in the
army, who married Elizabeth Wastell, and died in 1785, giving
this estate to his nephew, Filmer Honywood, esq. the eldest son
of the late Sir John, by his second wife, Dorothy Filmer. He
was of Mark's haU, in Essex, and unmarried, having been m.p.
for this county in two successive Parliaments,

68 HISTORY OF THE
At some distance north-westward from Downe Court, in
the valley, on the east side of the road leading from Doddington
to HoUingborne hill, at the extreme bounds of the parish, lies
an estate called Syni^all, but more properly Syndane, which,
as appears by the evidences belonging to the same, as early as
the reign of Kings John and Henry III., was the inheritance of
a family of that surname, who were gentlemen of considerable
note in these parts. They did not, however, long retain this
property, for, in the 23d year of King'Edward III., Fulk de
Peyforer was possessed of it; from which name it was alienated,
before the end of that reign, to one Henman, in whose descendants
it continued down to Allen Henman, who sold the mansion house,
and principal part of the estate, in the reign of Queen Anne, to
Sir Robert Furnese, bart. He survived him but a short time,
and dying abroad, in 1735, under age, and unmarried, his
estates, by virtue of the limitation in his grandfather's will, be
came vested in his three sisters, as the daughters and coheirs of
his father. Sir Robert Furnese, in equal shares and proportions,
in coparcenary in tail general; and afterwards, by a decree of the
court of Chancery, in the reign of George II. , a writ of parti
tion was agreed to by them, which was confirmed by an Act
passed the next year. By that instrument this farm of Syndall,
among other premises, was allotted to Selina, who u)arried
Edward Dering, esq. ; and he continued in possession of this
estate till the year 1779, and then conveyed it by sale to Mr.
William HiUs, of Boughton Blean, in this county.
Lenham is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of
the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sutton. The church,
dedicated to St. Mary, is a large handsome building, with a
square tower at the west end. It consists of two aisles and
two chancels. On the north side of the high chancel, in the
hollow of the wall, is a figure in long robes, lying at full length,
apparently very ancient, probably that of Thomas de Apulder-
field, who lived in the reign of Edward III., and was buried in
this church. At the west end of the chancel, are sixteen stalls,
eight on either side, of different dimensions, for the use of the
monks of St. Augustine's, when they visited their estate in this
parish, as well as for such of the clergy as should be present at
the services of the church ; and, at a small distance from these
StaUs, on the south side, is a confessional chair of stone.

COUNTY OF KENT. 6*
The pulpit is octagon, curiously carved in each compartment.
Several of the family of the Honywood's are interred here, with
memorials for many others too numerous for insertion. One
is to commemorate the Honourable John Hamilton, and Thomas
Home, esq. of East Lenham. At the east end of the north
aisle is a tomb of Bethersden marble, bearing on the shield six
cross crosslets, fitchee ; at the south end of the same is a cross
crosslet, fitchee, on one side of which are two crescents, one above
the other ; and on the opposite side a bugle horn, hanging by a
string on the cross crosslets. This tomb, however different the
arms may be from those of this famUy quartered by Chauncy,
it is not improbable was erected to the memory of Thomas Hornet
esq., said to have existed in St. Edmund's chancel, which might
be in this part of the church. Weever states that, Valentine
Burnett, and Cecile, his wife, and also William Maries, esquire to
Henry v., lie buried here, but the statement is not correct, as
they were interred at Preston, near Faversham.
The church of Lenham, as an appendage to the manor, be
came part of the possessions of the monastery of St. Augustine
above mentioned, to which it was appropriated by pope Celes-
tinelll.,in the reign of Richard I., towards replenishing the fur
niture of their refectory, from time to time, which was afterwards
confirmed by several popes, and archbishops of Canterbury.
The abbot and convent of St. Augustine obtained several grants
and extensive privileges from the popes, among which was an
exemption from all archiepiscopal, or any ecclesiastical jurisdic
tion whatsoever, and subjecting them and all their possessions
solely and immediately to the see of Rome. The abbot, in conse
quence, instituted many new deaneries, and apportioned theseveral
churches belonging to his monastery to each of them, according
to their vicinity; one of which was the deanery of Lenham.
This church he ordained should be the head of the deanery, and
he appointed a dean to each, with ofiicials and consistories,
exacting an oath of canonical obedience from each of them.
This proceeding raised great contests and animosities between
the archbishops and the abbots, each appealing in his turn to
the court of Rome ; when, after more than five years' dispute,
the determination of their differences was intrusted, by pope
Boniface VIII. in the year 1300, to the abbots of Westminster,
Waltham, and St. Edmund's, in consequence of which, after nearly
vol. hi. l

70 HISTORY OF THE
eight years' controversy, and great sums of money being spent on
both sides, the abbot, three years afterwards, was deprived of
these exemptions, and, by the pope's buU, declared to be subject
to the archbishop's jurisdiction in all matters whatsoever, in like
manner as heretofore ; which entirely dissolved this new deanery,
as well as all the others that had been instituted.
The church and vicarage of Lenham remained part of the pas-
sessions of the monastery of St. Augustine, till their final disso
lution in the 30th of Henry VIIL, when they were, with aU
the revenues, surrendered into the king's hands.
The rectory and advowson remained but a short period with
the king, as he granted it the same year to Sir Anthony St. Leger,
at the yearly rent of £7. From the latter they descended to
Sir Warham, who, in the reign of Elizabeth, sold them to
Francis Barnham, esq., and he, in the 21st of that reign, alienated
this rectory and manor to Robert Honywood, junior, the same
being held of the queen in capite.
Henry Wilford, esq. possessed this rectory and advowson
under James I.; at the latter end of whose reign, he alienated them
to Anthony Browne viscount Montague, since which they have
had the same owners as the manor of Lenham, both descending
to George Best, esq. of Chilston.
In the 8th of Richard II. the church of Lenham was valued
at £23 6 8.
The vicarage was estimated in the king's books at £13 15 2^,
the yearly tenths being £1 7 C^.
In 1640 the estimate was £80, communicants 400.
In 1821, there were 300 dwellings in the parish of Lenham;
and at the same period, when the last census of the popula
tion was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inha
bitants were as follow : males 1004, females 955, making a
total of 1959 souls.
Harrietsham is the next parish south-westward from Len
ham, the manor of HoUingborne claiming over a portion of the same.
It is situated at the base of the great ridge of chalk hills, and
is nearly three miles across either way. Although healthy, it is
rather unpleasantly situated, fiom the nature of the soil, as,
above the hill, where it extends but a short way, it consists of a
red earth, covered with flints, being extremely unfertile.

COUNTY OF KENT. 71
On the summit of Stede hill is Harrietsham place, command
ing a beautiful and extensive prospect over the country to the
southward. At a small distance below the foot of the hill stands
the church, with the parsonage adjoining, and about a quarter
of a mile farther is Harrietsham street, and, contiguous, a pleasure-
ground belonging to Harrietsham place, in which is a summer-
house, shrubbery, and plantation, with a large sheet of water,
and several cascades, comprising, in the whole, six acres.
Through the above street, the high road leads from Lenham,
through the hamlet of Holmehill green, and thence by Leeds
park, towards Maidstone. There the soil becomes sandy, and, as
it extends southward, mingles with the quarry or rock stones;
in this part of the parish the Lenham rivulet flows on westward
towards the Medway, and, at Maidstone, receives info its current
several smaller streams, which rise at the bottom of the chalk
hills, though at some distance from each other. The rivulet
then turns in its way Holme mill, and about half a mile south
ward thence is Farborne, and the heath so called, beyond
which it extends into the eastern part of Kingswood, where it
joins Ulcomb.
There is a fair held annually on the 5th of July, in the old
fair field, at the court lodge, for horses, cattle, and pedlary.
This place was given immediately after the fatal battle of
Hastings, by the Conqueror, to Odo, bishop of Bayeux, under
the general title of whose lands it was entered in Domesday
record. Upon the disgrace of that prelate, this manor became
part of the possessions of the family of Crescie, or Cressi, one of
whom, Roger de Cressi, appears to have held it, in the beginning
of the reign of Henry III. of the honour of Peverell, as one
knight's fee, it being then valued at £20.
He was succeeded by his son Hugh de Cressi, who died in
the 47th year of the above reign, leaving Stephen de
Cressi his next heir. After that period this estate seems to have
devolved to the hands of the crown, as King Henry III. in his
48th year, directed his writ to the sheriff of Kent, to de
liver this manor to his niece Isabella, the illegitimate daughter
of Richard earl of Cornwall, a younger brother of King John,
and then wife of Maurice lord Berkley, for her support, her hus
band having forfeited his estates by associating with the rebel
lious barons, and she being at that time in great distress and

72 HISTORY GF THE
poverty. This event appears to have occurred during the mino
rity of Stephen de Cressi above mentioned, who died possessed
of the property in the 52d year of that reign, holding it in capite
by knight's service.
Soon after, this manor seems to have been divided, when that
portion which retained the name of the manor of Harrietsham ,
passed into the possession of the family of the Northwood's, in
Milton. Roger de Northwood died under Edward I. holding this ma
nor of the king era capite, by the service of half a knight's fee,
and the yearly rental of nineteen shillings, payable thence to the
prior and convent of Christ church, Canterbury. His son. Sir
John de Northwood, changed the tenure of his lands from gavel
kind to knight's service, and in the 21st of the above reign
claimedy}-ee warren, and other privileges of a manor here, before
the justices itinerant; who afterwards, together with his grand
son, accompanied King Edward in his victorious expedition
into Scotland, and was sheriff of this county several times,
having been summoned to parliament among the barons of the
realm. lie died in the 13tli year of Edward If.
By the inquisition then taken, he was found to hold two
parts of this ma?wr in capite, by the service of two parts of one
knight's fee, and suit to the court of the manor of Ospringe, as
of the honour of Peverell. He was succeeded by his grandson,
Roger de Northwood, who in the 20th year of Edward III. paid
aid for this estate, in conjunction with the Earl of Huntingdon,
who possessed the other part in right of his wife, Juliana de
Leyburne. John, the descendant of Roger, dying in the reign of
Henry V. without issue male, his two sisters became his coheirs,
who carried their respective shares in marriage, the one to John
Barley, of Herefordshire, and the other to Sir John Norton, of
this county. John Barley soon afterwards conveyed his moiety
to John Adam, who possessed considerable estates in Essex;
and his descendant, Stephen, was of Harrietsham, who, dying,
left his sister Eve his heir, then the widow of John Levet, esq.
who carried this moiety of the manor in marriage, at the latter
end of the reign of Philip and Mary, to Laurence Ashburnara,
gent, of Sussex. The latter, previous to the 17th of Elizabeth,
alienated the estate to V/illiam Stede, esq. who the same year
levied a fine of lhi« moiety of the manor of Harrietsham.

COUNTY OF KEHT- T3
The other moietv of this manor, which devolved to the
possession of Sir John Norton, in right of his wife, as before
mentioned, passed from his name into that of Peckham, in
which it remained till Reginald Peckham, esq. of Yaldham, in
the reign of Henry VIII. conveyed it to Edward Scott, esq. He,
not long afterwards, transmitted it in the same manner to John
Hales, esq. of the Dongeon, in Canterbury, one of the barons of
the exchequer, whose descendant, William Hales, under Queen
Elizabeth, by a fine then levied, passed this moiety by sale to
Sir Warham St. Leger, of Ulcomb, sheriff in the 2d year of that
reign. He, in the 21st year of the same princess, alienated this
moiety of the manor of Harrietsham, to William Stede, esq. who
having previously purchased the other moiety of Laurence Ash-
burnham, became possessed of the entire fee of both. The
Stede's were of some note in this parish for more than a century
before the period alluded to, for John Stede, senior, vvas resident
here in 1460, who by his will devised his principal mansion, at
Stede street, in this parish, to William, his son. This family
bore for arms, argent, a chevron between three boars' heads,
couped sable, muzzled or. William Stede, esq. the possessor of
the manor, resided at Harrietsham, and dying in 1574, was
buried in this church, under an altar tomb. His son. Sir Wil
liam, also resided at Harrietsham, and was sheriff in the reign of
James I., when his son. Sir John, succeeding to this estate, built
a handsome mansion, naming it from himself, Stede hill. In
his descendants, most of whom are interred in this church, the
estate continued down to Edwyn Stede, esq. who succeeded to
the same on his father's death, in 1735, and resided here. The
latter, however, soon after he had acquired this manor, sold it
to William Horsemonden Turner, esq. of Maidstone, of which
town he was recorder, having also twice represented that place
in parliament. He was the son of Anthony Horsemonden, of
Maidstone, by his second wife, Jane, daughter of Sir WUliam
Turner, of Richmond, and grandson of Daniel Horsemonden, d.d.
rector of Ulcomb, by Ursula, daughter of Sir Warham St.
Leger. He changed the name of this seat to Harrietsham place, which
appellation it has ever since borne, and dying in 1755, was bu
ried at Maidstone, bearing for his arms, first those of the
Turner's, which he assumed on the demise of his uncle, John

74 HISTORY OF THE
Turner, bearing on a bend, three fer, de molins, quartered with
those of Horsemonden, gules a saltier, argent, surmounted by a
fess azure, charged with leopards' heads of the first. He mar
ried Elizabeth Read, of Gravesend, who survived him, and by his
will possessed this manor, where she 'resided, and, dying in
1782, was buried beside her husband. This property then
passed to Charles Booth, esq. of the Temple, London, who also
resided here, having been sheriff and knighted ; he espoused
Mrs. Sheppard, and died in 1795, upon which the property de
volved by the further entail and limitations in Mr. Turner's will,
to William Baldwin, esq. who afterwards resided at Harrietsham.
A court-leet and court-baron is held for this manor.
The other part of the manor of Harrietsham, lying in
East Farborne, in this parish, has already been taken notice of
in the above description of that manor, wherein mention is made
of the property having belonged to Odo, bishop of Bayeux.
On the disgrace of the above dignitary, it passed as part of the
manor of Harrietsham, into the possession of the family of Cressi,
and continued in their line till the death of Stephen de Cressi,
in the 52d of Henry III. about which period the manor of Har
rietsham seems to have been divided, when two thirds passed
into the possession of the family of the Northwood's, as pre
viously observed, and the remainder into that of the Ley
borne's. Roger de Leyborne died possessed of this estate, then styled
the manor of Harrietsham in East Farborne, in the 56th year
cf the above reign, and his son, William de Leyborne, succeeded
to the same in the 2d of Edward I.
Juliana, his granddaughter, became his heir ; and Sir Wil
liam de Clinton, earl of Huntingdon, held this estate in her
right, when he, with Roger de Northwood, paid aid for one
knight's fee in Harrietsham and East Farborne, which John de
Northwood, and William de Leyborne had previously held there
of the king, as of the honour of Peverell,
Juliana dying without issue, the estate became escheated to
the crown, when this portion of the manor of Harrietsham, then
styled the manor of Harrietsham in East Farborne, continued
vested in the crown, till Richard II. in his llth year, gave it to
the priory of canons, or Chiltern Langley, in Hertfordshire, where
it remained till the dissolution, in the 30th of Henry VIII. when

COUNTY OF KENT.
it was surrendered into the king's hands, who, the next year,
granted it to Richard, suffragan bishop of Dover, together with
the site of the above-mentioned monastery, to hold during his
life, or until he should be promoted to one or more ecclesiastical
benefices, of the yearly value of £100, in which case this grant
should become void. This happened before the 36th of the
above reign, as the king that year granted this manor to Sir
Thomas Moile, to hold in capite, who gave it in marriage with
his youngest daughter and coheir. Amy, to Sir Thomas Kempe,
of Wye. He passed it away in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, to
Tliomas Wotton, esq. of Boughton Malherb, whose son. Sir
Edward Wotton, was, in the 1st of James I. created lord
Wotton, baron of Marley, in this parish. From the above period
it continued under the name of the manor of East Farborne, in
the same succession of ownership as the manor of Boughton
Malherb, down to Philip Dormer Stanhope, earl of Chesterfield,
who in 1750 alienated the property, with the rest of the Wotton
estates in this county, to. Galfridus Mann, esq. who died pos
sessed of it in 1 756, when his only son. Sir Horace Mann, knight
and bart., became possessed of the manor of East Farborne.
West Farborne is a manor in this parish, so called from
its situation to that of East Farborne, and was likewise part of
the possessions of Odo, bishop of Bayeux, under the general
title of whose lands it was entered in Domesday record.
After the bishop's disgrace, this estate was granted to the
families of the Magminot's and the Say's successively, of which
last it was held in the reign of Henry III. as chief lords of the
fee, by Sir WUliam de Penington, of Penington, in Pluckley, as
one knight's fee. His descendants, John and William Pening
ton, two brothers, both dying, AmabUia, their sister, became
their heir, who carried the estate in marriage to John Gobyon,
esq. of Essex, when she survived him, and, dying in the reign of
Henry IV. by deed vested this manor in feoffees, for the dis
charge of her debts and legacies. They sold the property to one
Hedd, whose descendant, William Hedd, died possessed of it,
being then held of Henry VIII. as of his honour of Saye, and
also paying ward to Dover castle.
From the above name this manor passed to the family of the
Love's, and thence to the St. Leger's, when Sir Warham de St.
Leger, of Ulcomb, about the middle of that reign, conveyed it to
4

76 HISTORY OF THE
Mr. Benedict Barnham, alderman of London, and sherifl^of that
city, a.d. 1592. He died possessed of the property in 1598,
and on the division of his estates, among his four surviving
daughters and coheirs, this manor of West Farborne fell to the
share of Dorothy, the third daughter, who entitled her husband.
Sir John Constable, to the fee of the same, from whose descend
ant it passed by sale to Sir Thomas Colepeper, of HoUingborne.
In the latter family it remained till Thomas lord Colepeper,
leaving an only daughter and heir, Catherine, she carried it,
with Leeds castle, and other possessions in this neighbourhoocl,
in marriage to Thomas lord Fairfax, whose son, Robert lord
Fairfax, dying in 1793, it became the property of his nephew,
the Rev. Denny Martin Fairfax, d.d., afterwards of Leeds
castle. Harbilton is another manor in this parish, wTitten in an
cient deeds Herhrcton, which is now so blended with Harriet
sham, by having had the same owners, that it is scarcely knovim
by name. Il was part of the possessions of Odo, bishop of
Bayeux, under the general title of whose lands it was entered in
Domesday record.
After the disgrace of that prelate, in the reign of Henry HI.,
the family of Malmain's possessed this manor, one of which race
paid aid for itin the 20th of the above monarch, as three quar
ters of a knight's fee, held of the Earl of Eu, as of his honour of
Hagenet. The above family soon after this period was succeeded by the
line of the Marey's, William so called having possessed it in the
reigns of Kings Henry V. and VI. to the former of whom he
was an esquire of the body, and, in the latter reign, sheriff of this
county, and esquire also to Henry Chichele, cardinal and arch
bishop of Canterbury. He died in the year 1459, and was bu
ried in Preston church, near Faversham, when this manor became
vested in Walter Moile, who was justice of the peace for this.
county during the reigns of Henry VI. aud Edward IV. He was
succeeded herein by his heir, John Moile, esq., whose son Ro
bert, about the beginning of the reign of Henry VIII. alienated
the estate to Ralph St. Leger, of Ulcomb, whose grandson. Sir
Warham, of Ulcomb, passed this manor, in the reign of Queen
Elizabeth, one part to Francis Colepeper, and the other to Henry
Brockhull, esq. of Aldington. Soon after, we find William

COUNTY OF KENT. 77
Stede, esq. possessed of the property, in whose descendants
it continued down to Edwyn Stede, esq., who, in 1735,
aliena.ted this estate, with the rest of his possessions in this
parish to William Horsemonden Turner, esq. ; since which it has
passed whh them, through the same succession of ownership,
down to William Baldwin, esq. of Harrietsham place.
There are two manors in this parish, called Marley,
otherwise Merley Court, and Holme Mill, otherwise Bentley;
the former of which is recorded in Domesday as having been an
appendage to the manor of Bewley, or Bouley, in Boughton
Malherbe, and part of the possessions of Odo, bishop of Bayeux,
under the general title of whose lands it was entered in Domesday
record. After his disgrace, this manor passed into the posses
sion of one Adam, who gave the tithes to Anschetil, archdeacon
of Canterbury. He was succeeded by his brother Eudo
Dapifer, that is to say, the king's steward, who gave the tithes
of the same, with the consent of Anschetil, to the priory of
St. Andrew, in Rochester.
Robert Fitzhamon, a powerful Norman lord, afterwards ap
pears to have held this estate, whose daughter, Mabel, carried it
in marriage to Robert earl of Gloucester, natural son to Henry I.
Subsequent to that period, the family of Cressi, possessors of
Harrietsham manor, became lords of the fee ; of whom it was
held by a family which thence derived its name.
In the reign of King Henry IIL, the heir of Robert de Merlee
held it as half a knight's fee of Roger de Cressi, and he of the
king, as of the honour of Peveril ; but they became extiact here
before the 20th year of Edward III., when John de Somerye
paid aid for it as half a knight's fee. How it aftervvards passed
we have not precisely ascertained, but, at the commencement of
the reign of Edward IV., it was in the holding Thomas
Kempe, bishop of London, who died holding it in 1489,
and was buried in the chapel of the Trinity, in St. Paul's cathe
dral, founded by himself, and in which, by his will, he estab
Ushed a perpetual chantry, and endowed it with this manor of
Murley court, then of the yearly value of £3 4 8. -This manor
continued so vested till the 1st of Edward VL, when the
chantry was suppressed, and devolved to the king and his heirs;
upon which it appears, from the survey taken, to have been let
VOL. 111. M

78 HISTORY OF THE
to William Pratts, gent., at £4 per annum, when it paid a quit-
rent to Sir Anthony St. Leger, lord of the manor of Lenham.
The king soon after granted this manor of Merley to Sir
Edward Wotton, one of his privy counsel, who was then
likewise possessed of the manor of Holme Mill, or Bentley,
in this parish, which, we have reason to believe, had belonged
to the priory of Leeds, having devolved to the hands of Henry
VIII. at the suppression. The said Sir Edward died possessed
of both these manors in the 6th of Edward VI. , then hold
ing them of the king in capite by knight's service. Upon his
demise, they passed, in the same line of ownership as that of
East Farborne, down to Philip Dormer Stanhope, earl of Ches
terfield, who, in 1750, sold them, with the rest of the Wotton
estates, to Galfridus Mann, esq., who held the same till his death,
in 1756, when his only son. Sir Horace, succeeded to the pos
session. The whole tithes of the manor of Merley court were
given by Adam, the possessor, as before mentioned, to Anschetil,
archbishop of Canterbury.
These tithes remained with the priory till its dissolution, under
Heiiry VIIL, when the whole were surrendered to the king, who
settled the property on his new erected dean and chapter of
Rochester. William Baldwin, e.sq., of Harrietsham Place, was
the lessee under the dean and chapter.
Harrietsham is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdic
tion of the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sutton. The
church, which is a handsome building, consists of three aisles
and three chancels, with a square tower at the west end, and is
dedicated to St. John the Baptist. It contains some handsome
monuments, and several memorials to the family of the Stede's.
There was formerly a fraternity in this church of the Virgin
Mary, to which Robert Waryn, of this place, by will, in 1471,
gave some lands, called Bonyers, situated in this parish.
The church seems once to have belonged to the priory of Leeds,
as King Richard II. , in his 19th year, granted his licence to the
prior and canons to appropriate it to their own uses. How it
happened that this never took place, or that the priory was
divested of the possession, we do not find, but, in the reign of
Henry VI. , it was in the hands of the crown, as that king, in his

COUNTY OF KENT. 79
27th year, granted the patronage and advowson of the same to
the wai-den and fellows of All Souls' college, in Oxford, who
still continue to hold it.
It was valued in the king's books at £1 1 10, the yearly tenths
being £1 3.
In 1640 the estimate was £160, communicants 192. The
glebe lands consist of sixty acres.
• In 1821 there were ninety dwellings in the parish of Harriet
sham ; and at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow : males 363, females 344, making a
total of 707 souls.
Hollingborne is the next parish north-westward from
Harrietsham, called in Domesday Hoilingeborde, and in later
records Holingbuvnan, and Holingebiirne. It probably took
its name from the spring which rises in the vale, beneath the
hill, in this parish.
The parish of Hollingborne is situated much the same as
that of Harrietsham, close to the great ridge of chalk hills; at
the foot of which is the village called Hollingborne Street ; and
at the south end stand the church and vicarage. Contiguous to
the same is a handsome brick mansion, of the time of Queen
Elizabeth, which, from its appearance, must have had owners of
some consequence, in former times; and what is most remarkable,
the rector of Hollingborne, down to the present period, claims
some rooms in the mansion alluded to, in right of his
rectory. The road through Newnham bottom from Ospringe and Can
terbury traverses Hollingborne street, and passes thence through
Eyhorne, commonly called Iron street, in this parish, where
there are two good houses, one having belonged to Robert Salmon,
esq., and the other to Mr. John Weeks, who died possessed of
the same in 1785. Hence the road leads on, and ultimately
joins that of Ashford, running through Bersted to Maidstone.
The southern part of this parish consists chiefly of a deep sand,
the whole, below the hill, being well watered by some small
streams, which, running southward, join the Lenham rivulet,
in its way to Maidstone. Nearer the street, the soil becomes
a chalk, which continues to the summit of ' the hill, com-
1

80 HISTORY OF THE
puted to be 616 feet above the level of the sea,* at the edge of
which eminence, stood Mr. Duppa's house. The remaining part
of this parish, to the northward, is on tlevatcd ground, much
exposed to cold and bleak winds, the country being wild and
dreary, abounding in thick hedge-rows, and frequent coppice-
woods, mostly hazel and oak ; the soil a deep tillage land, wet
and poor, and covered with quantities of flint stones. On
Eyhorne green, or, as it is commonly called. Broad street, in this
parish, two constables are chosen, in tiie month of October in
every year, one for the upper, the other for the lower half-hun
dred of Eyhorne ; each of which districts consists of the twelve
adjoining parishes; the borsholders therein, and tho several
boroughs, excepting those chosen at the different court-leets,
being also elected here.
This parish, with the manor of Elnothington, together with
the rest of the hundred of Eyhorne, was anciently bound to con
tribute to the repairing of the sixth pier of Rochester bridge.
iEthelstan Etheling, son of Ethelred II., gave by wiU, in 1015,
to Christ church, in Canterbury, his lands at Hollingborne, with
their appurtenances, excepting one plough land, which he had
given to Siferth. In the mss. in Bennet college, Cambridge, of
the evidences of Christ church, Canterbury, entitled Thorn,
printed in Decim. Script, f. 2221, this gift is said to have been
made in 980; a very improbable circumstance, the king, his
eldest brother, at that time being only fourteen years of age.
The landss he had bought of his father, and gave them, with
• As the reader may be curious to ascertain, at one glance, the various altitudes
existing in the county of Kent, we insert the following estimate :

Paddlesworth

642 feet above thi

Hollingborne hill

616

ditto.

Folkstone turnpike

575

ditto.

Goudhurst

491

ditto.

Dover Castle

469

ditto.

Shooters hill

416

ditto.

Swingfield steeple

330

ditto.

AUington Knoll

329

ditto.

Tenterden steeple

522

ditto.

High Nock, near Dymchurch

280

ditto.

Greenwich observatory

214

ditto.

The above compyiations were given in by the surveyors under the direction of the
Board of Ordnance.

COUNTY OF KENT. 81
his consent, to Christchurch, l.s.a., that is, free from aU secidar
service, excepting the trinoda necessitas..
The manor of Hollingborne remained part of the possessions
of the church of Canterbury at the time of the Conquest, when
the revenues of the same were enjoyed as one common estate,
by the archbishop and his convent. The primate Lanfranc,
however, following the example of foreign churches in separating
them, Hollingborne fell to the share of the monks, and was
allotted for their subsistence, or ad cibum, as it was usuaUy
termed, and was entered in Domesday under the general title of
Terra Monachoruin Archiepi, that is to say, the land of the
archbishop's monks.
At the period above alluded to, the whole of the premises ap
pear to have been valued at £30.
King Henry II. granted to the monks of Christ church a
charter for their lands at HoUingborne on the hills. In the IOth
of Edward. IL, the prior obtained a charter of free warren
for his manor of Hollingborne, among others ; about which time
it was, with its appurtenances, valued at £46 9 8. King
Henry VI., by his letters patent, in the 26th of his reign, granted
to the prior a market, to be held-at this place on a Wednesday,
and an annual fair, on the feast of St. Anne.
William Selling, who was elected prior in the reign of
Edward IV., a.d. 1472, greatly improved the apartments of the
prior. After which, it received no material alteration till the dis
solution of the priory, which was surrendered into the hands of
Henry VIIL, in the 31st of his reign.
This manor did not remain long with the crown, for the king
settled it on his new erected dean and chapter of Canterbury, in
whom it has since remained.
A court-leet and court-baron is regularly held by the dean
and chapterforthis manor, which extends likewiseinto the adjoin
ing parishes of Hucking, Bredhurst, and Harrietsham; the quit-
rents, called Beadle rents, being about £42 per annum.
But the demesne lands of this MANORhave been, from
time to time, leased out by the dean and chapter, at a reserved
rent of £10 9. The year subsequent to this grant having been
made to them, they demised the same by lease to J. Reynolde,
as they did, in the 19th of Elizabeth, to WiUiam Purefoy, in
whose family they remained till the reign .of'James I. They

82 HISTORY OF THE
were subsequently held by the Fludd's, on lease, and so con
tinued till their interest passed away to W. Alabaster, d.d.
These premises were then successively held by the Bargrave's,
the Boys's, the Fanewell's, and the Gookin's, till the year
1684, when Sir Thomas Colepeper had a lease of the same ; in'
whose family they continued till John Spencer Colepeper, of the
Charterhouse, passed away his interest therein to the Hon.
Robert Fairfax, who held them in 1758, and then alienated his
lease to Francis Child, esq. banker, of London ; whose brother,
Robert, also a banker, dying in 1782, the trustees of his will,
Robert Dent and John Keysal, esqs. became possessed of his
interest in the lease of these demesnes, under the dean and chapter.
Elnothington is a manor of great account in this parish
and Bersted, which appears, by Domesday record, to have
formed part of the possessions of Odo, bishop of Bayeux, under
the general title of whose lands it was entered by the name of
Alnoitone. After that prelate's disgrace, his estates became confiscated to
the crown ; and, in the reign of Edward I., this manor of El
nothington was held by William de Port, as half a knight's fee,
of Robert de St. John. It then passed into the possession of a
family which thence assumed its surname ; and, in a deed of
Adam de Twisden, which bears date the 21st of that reign,
William de Elnothington appears as a witness.
In the reign of Edward III. Sir Arnold de St. Leger, of Ul
comb, was in possession of this property; in the 42d of which
reign, he made a composition with several of his tenants for the
lands they held of this manor. From him it passed, in an un
interrupted descent, down to Sir Warham St. Leger, of Ulcomb,
sheriff in the 2d year of Queen Elizabeth, who was slain in Ire
land, A.D. 1599. Some years before his death, he alienated this
estate, with Greenway court, in this parish, to Francis Colepeper,
esq., second son of William Colepeper, esq. of Losenham and
Wigsell, who afterwards resided at Greenway court. His son.
Sir Thomas Colepeper, of Greenway court, succeeded him in
this manor, of which he died possessed in 1661; since which, it
has passed, in the same manner as that estate, down to Robert
Child, esq., banker, of London, the trustees of whose will, Ro
bert Dent and John Keysall, esqs., then became possessors of
the same.

COUNTY OF KENT. 83
Greenway Court was formerly esteemed a manor, the
mansion of which was a seat of some account in this parish. It
is situated' close at the foot of the chalk hill, near a mile east
ward from Hollingborne church, and was anciently possessed by
a family which thence derived its surname. One of that line,
William, son of Gilbert de Green waye, was owner, and resided
here in 1236, as appears by a register of Christ church,
in Canterbury. How long they continued possessors of this es
tate, we cannot find, but it became next the property of the
family of the Atteleze's. Sampson Atte Leze, of Sheldwich, was
owner in the 26th of Edward HI. as also his descendant, Mar-
cellus, who left two daughters coheirs, to one of whom, Cecile,
and her husband, Valentine Barnett, of Perry's court, he by
deed, in the 15th of Richard II. gave all his lands and tenements
in HoUingborne, and elsewhere, in the hundred of Eyhorne ; and
they by deed and fine, levied in the22d of the same reign, passed
this estate away to Thomas Wotton, for 100 marks of silver.
In the reign of Henry VI. William Wotton, son of Thomas,
conveyed, to Walter Langle, esq., the manor, or messuage of
Greenway. From that name it passed, in the reign of Edward
IV., to Ralph St. Leger, esq. of Ulcomb; when descending,
as before mentioned, to Sir Warham St. Leger, he alienated it,
with that of Elnothington, as above described, to Francis Cole^
peper, son of William, of Losenham, in this county, and Wig-
sell, in Sussex. He was the son of Walter Colepeper, by Anne,
his wife, only daughter and heir of Henry Aucher, esq. of Lo
senham, in Newenden, which Walter was son of Sir John Cole
peper, of Bedgbury, in Goudhurst, living in the reign of Ed
ward IV. William Colepeper, before mentioned, had by Cicelie,
daughter of Edward Barrett, esq., seven sons ; of whom Sir John,
of Wigsell, in the reign of James I. was ancestor of the Lords
Colepeper, the heir of which family married Thomas lord Fair
fax, and entitled him, in her right, to the possession of Leeds
castle ; Francis, the second son, purchased Greenway court, as
before mentioned ; Thomas was the third son, and ancestor of
the Colepeper's of St. Stephen's, near Canterbury; Dr. Martin
Colepeper, the fourth son, lies buried in Kingsnorth church ;
and Walter, the fifth, who settled atHunburne, in Oxfordshire,
left an only daughter and heir.
Francis Colepeper, esq. afterwards resided at Greenway court.

84 HISTORY OF THE
where he died in 1501, and was buried in this church, leaving an
only son. Sir Thomas, who also resided at Greenway court,
though he had purchased Leeds castle. He died at the former
place in 1G61, and was buried in Hollingborne church, having
had by Elizabeth his wife, daughter of John Cheney, esq. of
Guestling, in Sussex, three sons and eight daughters. Of the
former. Sir Cheney, the eldest, inherited Leeds castle, where a
further account of him will be given ; Francis, the second son,
died young ; and Sir Thomas Colepeper, the third son, became
possessed of Greenway court, where he resided.
His grandson, John Spencer Colepeper, esq. was of the
Charterhouse, and alienated Greenway court to the Hon. Ro
bert Fairfax, of Leeds castle, who afterwards sold the same to
Francis Child, esq. of London, banker ; on whose death, in 1 763,
it devolved to his brother and heir at law, Robert Child, of
London, who, dying in 1782, the trustees of his will, Robert
Dent and John Keysall, esqrs. as before observed, became pos
sessors of this property.
Ripple is a reputed manor and seat in this parish, which had
owners of that name ; for, in the 30th of Edward I., Richard de
Ripple held, at his decease, this, and other lands in the parish of
Hollingborne, on lease, of the prior and convent of Christ church,
in Canterbury. Il did not, however, long continue in his name,
for, before the end of the reign of Edward III. it had become the
property of the family of the Septvan's, one of whom. Sir Wil
liam, died possessed of it in the 25th of that reign, and was suc
ceeded by his son WiUiam, who, not long afterwards, conveyed
it to John Glover, who died owner of the same in the 39th of
that reign. From that line, not many years afterwards, it was
alienated to Sir John Brockhull, whose descendants resided at
Aldington, in the adjoining parish of Thurnham, in which name
this manor continued down to Henry Brockhull, esq. of Alding
ton, who died, in 1596, possessed of the manor of Ripple. He
left two daughters his coheirs, of w hom Anne, by marrying Mr.
John Taylor, gent, entitled him to this estate, which he ahenated
to Sir Martin Barnham. He was s.on of Francis Barnham, esq.
sheriff of London, a. d. 1570, eldest son of Stephen Barnham, of
Southwick, in Hants, a gentleman of the privy chamber to
Henry VIIL, whose son we believe to have been Nicholas Barn
ham, sergeant at law in the beginning of the reign of Queen

COUNTY OF KENT. 85
Elizabeth. Francis Barnham bore for his arms s«6/e, across
engrailed, between four crescents argent; and had four sons, of
whom Martin, before mentioned, was the eldest, and Benedict,
the fourth, was alderman and sherifi" of London in 1592, and
dying in 1598, left five daughters his coheirs.
Sir F. Barnham, the purchaser of this manor, afterwards re
sided at Hollingborne hill, and was sherifFin the 40th of Queen
Elizabeth. He di-ed in 1610, and was buried in this church,
being succeeded in the manor of Ripple by his eldest son. Sir
Francis Barnham, who was of Hollingborne, and married Eliza
beth, daughter of Sampson Lennard, esq. of Chevening, sister
of Henry lord Dacre, by whom he had fifteen children, ten of
whom, six sons and four daughters, survived her. Of the sons,
Dacre was the eldest ; and Robert, the second, was seated at
Boughton Monchensie. In his descendants this manor remained
some time, till sold to the Duckesberry's, in which name it con
tinued down to Mr. John Duckesberry, of Bersted, who dying,
left Mary, his widow, in the possession of the same, and she
afterwards marrying Mr. HodsoU Sale, of Bersted, he possessed
it in her right.
MuRSTON is another manor in this parish, which, in ancient
deeds and court-rolls, was usually written Moston, and in the
reign of Edward I. was the property of a family bearing that
name, which became extinct before the beginning of the reign
of Richard II. It then passed to the name of Wood, in whose
descendants it continued for several centuries, and, about the
period of the restoration of Charles II., was passed away to the
Chalmer's, in which line it remained till Reynolds Chalmer, gent.
alienated this manor, with other premises, to Christopher Vane
lord Barnard, who died in 1723, having by will given this manor,
with Snagsbrook, Claypitts, and other lands in this parish, to
his second son, William viscount Vane, who afterwards resided
at Fairlawn, near Wrotham.
His only son and heir, William viscount Vane, dying in 1788,
devised this estate to David Papillon, esq. of Acrise, who sold it
with the rest of his estates, in 1791, to Lewis Cage, esq. of
Bersted, who settled them on his eldest son.
Penn Court is a manor and seat in HoUingborne, formerly
called Pende court, from a family which anciently owned it,
but this name became extinct before the end of the reign of
VOL. hi. n

86 HISTORY OF THE
Edward III., as John Donnett, of Silham, iir^ainham, died pos-
sessed of it in that reiixn. His descendant, James, left an only
daughter Margerie, who carried tlris seat in marriage to John St.
Leger, of Ulcomb, sheriff under Henry VI. , and in whose de
scendants it continued down to Sir Warham St Leger, who
alienated it, with Elnothington, Greenway court, and other
estates in this parish, to Francis Colepeper, esq. The latter died
possessed of the property, but his son, Sir Thomas, passed it
away to Mr. Marc Quested, of London, who, at his death, settled
it for ever on the warden and commonalty of the Fishmonger's
company, as trustees of his almshouses, founded in the adjoining
parish of Harrietsham ; the endowment of which he directed to
be paid out of the yearly profits of this manor, and as such the
company are entitled to the inheritance.
Hollingborne Hill is a seat and estate in this parish, so
called from its situation, on the summit of the chalk hill above
Hollingborne street. It was formerly called Eyoits, and, in 1609,
was in the possession of Sir Martin Barnham, who that year
built a new mansion on the site, wherein he resided, as did also
his eldest son. Sir Francis Barnham, who afterwards parted with
it to Gabriel Levesey, esq. On his death it went to his son and
heir, Sir Michael Levesey, who conveyed all his interest therein,
in 1623, to Sir John Hayward, second son of Sir Rowland
Hayward, alderman, and twice lord mayor of London. Sir
John, during his residence here, was sheriff in the reign of
James I., and died in 1636 without issue, having by will be
queathed his manor of Minster, in the isle of Shepey, to chari
table uses, previous to which, he, in 1632, conveyed this manor
to Cheney Colepeper, esq. of Greenway court, who in 1652 passed
it away to Henry Pelham, esq. He, by wUl, devised it to his
nephew, George, who dying in 1686, it went to his brother,
Charles, who left a son, then an infant, to whom he gave the fee
of this property, and enjoined him to sell it when he should come
of age, which he accordingly did, in 1705, to Baldwin Duppa,
esq., descended from the same family as Brian Duppa, bishop of
Winchester, who died in 1622, and Sir Thomas Duppa, gentle
man usher of the black rod to Charles IL, bi;t their consangui
nity we have not been able to ascertain. They bore for their
arms. Azure, a lions' gamb, erased in fess, between two
chains barwise, or. In 1707 he settled this estate on his

COUNTY OF KENT. 87
only son, Baldwin Duppa, esq. though he lived many years after,
and dying in 1737, was buried in this church, where a monu
ment has been erected to his memory. Baldwin Duppa, esq.
his son, in 1717, rebuilt this seat on the site of the old mansion,
and resided here in 1722. In 1735 he served the oflice of sheriff,
and dying unmarried in 1764, was buried in this church, having
by will bequeathed this property, with all his other estates, to
his kinsman, the Rev. Richard Hancorn, whose grandmother
was Mr. Duppa's father's eldest sister; with an injunction for
him to assume the name and arms of the Duppa's, for which an
Act was passed in the 5th of George III. He afterwards quitted
the clerical profession, and took the addition of esquire, when he
resided here, and died in 1789, having married Miss Baas, of
Hackney, by whom he had no issue.
Upon his death, this property, with his other estates, went to
his brother, Baldwin Hancorn, who took the name of Duppa, as
did his son Baldwin Duppa Duppa, esq. who subsequently be
came proprietor of this seat of Hollingborne hill.
Hollingborne is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdic
tion of the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sutton, and
is exempt from that of the archdeacon. The church, dedicated
to All Saints, is a handsome building, consisting of three large
aisles, with a chancel at the end of that in the centre, having a
square tower at the west end. The chancel is highly ornamented
with monuments of the ancient family of the Colepeper's, of
Greenway court, and for two of the lords Colepeper, one having
been executed b.y the masterly hand of Rysbrack. On the north
side is a memorial for Sir Martin Barnham, and his two wives,
A.D. 1610, presenting their three figures kneeling at a desk, and,
beneath, their children.
At the east end of the north aisle is a small neat chapel, ele
vated by several steps, to give room for a vault underneath, in
which lie the remains of all this branch of the Colepeper family.
The sides of the chapel are filled with black escutcheons, and
square tablets of black marble alternately ; only two of these are
filled up, and those with younger branches of the family, settled
elsewhere, a melancholy proof of the disappointment and vain
endeavours of the builder to transmit the memory of his descen
dants to posterity.
On the centre of the pavement is a beautiful raised monument

38 HISTORY OF THE
of white marble, with the figure of a lady lying at full length, in
the habit of the times, of very fine sculpture, in memory of Eli
zabeth, lady of Sir Thomas Colepeper, daughter of John Cheney,
esq. of Sussex, obit. 1638. In the aisle is another memento for
Nicholas Chaloner, esq. obit. 1706, and against the north wall
of the north aisle, one for two of the family of the Duppa's. At
the lower end of the church are memorials for the Plummer's,
the CoUins's, and the Dyke's ; and in the middle aisle is a stone
whereon formerly lay the figures of a man and woman in brass,
two shields of arms still remaining, being quarterly first and
fourth, a chevron engrailed, on a chief, three fleur de lis ; second
and third, three fishes wavy , fesswise in pale.
In this church is a most superb altar-cloth, and a pulpit cloth
and cushion of purple velvet, ornamented with the fruits of the
pomegranate and vine wrought in gold, being the needlework of
the daughters of Sir John Colepeper, afterwards created Lord
Colepeper, who epiployed themselves for the space of twelve
years in working the same, during their father's absence abroad
with King Charles II.
The communion plate is very handsome, and answerable to
the above-mentioned furniture, being mostly the gift of the
family of the Colepeper's, and a portion presented by Baldwin
Duppa, esq.
John Eweyn, by his wiU, in 1527, gave a table of alabaster, to
stand upon the altar of St. John the Baptist, in this church, and
money to repair the said chapel. John Aloff, parson of Hol
lingborne, by his will in 1537 was buried in the way beside the
porch door on the right hand, and in the wall, near his grave, a
stone with a plate of sculpture mentions where and when he
was buried.
He had before been vicar of Little Chart, and of St. Laurence
Wolton, as he was then of St. John's, Sherburne, in Hants.
The church of Hollingborne, to which the chapels of Hucking
and Bredhurst were anciently annexed, is a sinecure rectory,
with a vicarage endowed. The rector of Hollingborne is patron
of the perpetual curacy of the chapel of Bredhurst, and the arch
bishop is patron both of the rectory and vicarage of Hollingborne,
the vicar of which is collafed to this vicarage, with the chapel
of Hucking annexed.
The vicarage was endowed before the year 1407, at which pe-

COUNTY OF KENT. 89
riod, Arthur St. Leger, the rector, granted to William Maunby,
vicar of this church, a messuage, with its appurtenances, in this
parish, for the habitation of himself and his successors for ever.
In the register of Archbishops Chichele, at Lambeth, there is an
unauthenticated writing of a composition made about the year
1441, bearing no date, between William LyefF, then rector here,
and John Ffylde, vicar, upon the assignment of a proper portion
for the endowment of this vicarage in future times.
The rectory of Hollingborne was valued in the king's books
at i:'28 15 5, the tenths being £2 17 6|. The vicarage was
valued in them at £7 6 8, the yearly tenths being 14s. 8d. The
vicarage, in 1640, was estimated at5g'86, when the communicants
were 271. It was afterwards of the certified yearly value of
£70 16 8.
The vicarage was augmented £20 per annum, by lease between
Ralph Staunton, rector, and Sir Thomas Colepeper, of this
parish. In 1821, there were 156 dwellings in the parish of Holling
borne ; and at the same period, when the last census of the
population vvas taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow : males 535, females 465, making a
total of 1000 souls.
Leeds is the next parish southward from HoUingborne ; con
cerning which place, Kilburne says, that one Ledian, a chief
counsellor to King Ethelbert II., who began his reign in 978,
raised a fortress here, which was caUed, in Latin, from him
Ledani Castrum, and in process of time, in English, Leeds^
This castle was afterwards demolished by the Danes, .and con
tinued in that dilapidated state tUl the Norman Conquest.
¦ The present fortress is situated at the south-east boun
dary of the parish, adjoining to Biomfield, which includes a part
of the castle itself. It is situated in the midst of the park; an
ample description of which will be given hereafter.
The Lenham rivulet pursues its course through the park, and
supplies the moat and the several waters in the grounds, when,
having received into its current the several small streamlets from
HoUingborne, and one from the opposite side, which flows from
Leeds abbey, it pursues its course, and, at a small distance from
Caring street, in this parish, adjoining Bersted, turns a mill.

90 HISTORY OF THE
and then goes on to Maidstone, where it joins the Medway.
The high road from Ashford and Lenham runs close by the out
side of the pales of Leeds park, and thence goes on lo Bersted
and Maidstone, from which the park is distant something more
than five miles. The soil in this part is a deep sand, but near
the river it changes to a black moorish earth. Southward from
the castle the ground rises ; and about three quarters of a mile
to the south-west, is Leeds abbey, the front of which is a hand
some-looking building, of the time of Queen Elizabeth. It is
situated very pleasantly on a gentle eminence, and is well watered
by a small stream which rises just above it, and turns a mill.
The back part is amply covered by wood, to which the ground
keeps rising. Adjoining the abbey lands, westward, is Leeds
street, a long straggling row of houses, nearly a mile in length,
having the church at the south end of it. Here the soil becomes
red and unproductive, being mixed with flints, which continue
till it unites with Langley and Otham.
Leeds was part of the possessions given by the Conqueror to
his half-brother, Odo bishop of Bayeux, under the general title
of whose lands it was entered in Domesday; and on that pre
late's disgrace, this estate became confiscated to the crown.
It was soon after granted by the Conqueror to the eminent
family of the Crevequer's, called in ancient charters Crevecceur,
and in Latin De Crepilo Carde, which race at first made Chat
ham, in this county, their place of residence, or caput baronice,
that is to say, the principal manor of their barony, until they
removed hither, having been before frequently written Domini
de Cetham.
Robert, son of Hamon de Crevequer, who had, probably, a
grant of Leeds from the Conqueror, appears to have held it of
the king, as of his castle of Dover, in capite by barony, which
consisted of five knights' fees, being styled Baronia de Crevequer,
and he erected the castle here, to which he afterwards removed
the capital seat of his barony. This castle being environed with
water, was frequently, in ancient writings, mentioned by the
name of Le Mote. In the north-west part he built a chapel,
wherein he placed three canons, who, upon his founding the
priory of Leeds, in the reign of Henry I., he removed hither.
His descendant, Hamon de Crevequer, lived in the reigti of
Henry III., in the 19th year of which prince, he was joined with

COUNTY OF KENT. 91
Walerand Teutomcus, or Teys, in the wardenship of the five
ports, and the following year, obtained possession of the lands
of William de Albrincis, or Averenches, whose daughter and heir,
Maud, he had married. He died in the reign of Henry III.
possessed of the manor of Leeds ; when Robert, his grandson,
succeeded him as heir, and in the 52d year of that reign exchanged
the manor of Leeds, together with a moiety of all his fees, with
Roger de Leyburne, for the manors of Trottesclyve and Flete.
He left WiUiam his son and heir, who, in the rei^n of Edward I.
had possession granted him of the manor of Leeds, as well as
the rest of the inheritance, of which Eleanor countess of Win
chester, his father's widow, was not endowed.
His son, William de Leyborne, observing that the king regarded
the strength of this fortress with great jealousy, in the reign of
Edward I., reinstated the crown in the possession of both the
manor and castle, and the king having, in his 27th year, mar
ried Margaret, sister of Philip king of France, he settled them,
being then of the yearly value of £21 6 8, among other premises,
as part of her dower. She survived the king, her husband, who
died in 1307, and, in the 5th year of the next reign, namely, that
of Edward IL, by the king's recommendation, appointed Bartholo
mew de Badlesmere, a nobleman of great power and eminence,
as governor of this castle. She died possessed of the same in
the 10th year of that reign, on which they again reverted to the
crown, when the lord Badlesmere had this manor granted to him
in fee, with the advowson of the priory of Leeds, in exchange,
for the manor of Addresley, in Shropshire. Being possessed of
great estates, more especially in this county, he was usually
styled the rich lord Badlesmere of Leeds. The ambition of this
nobleman, combined with his immense wealth, led him to forget
his allegiance, wherefore he joined the earl of Lancaster and the
discontented barons, upon which the king resolved, if possible,
to gain possession of this strong fortress. To effect that pur
pose, under pretence of the queen's performing a pilgrimage to
Canterbury, she set forward, accompanied by a large train of
attendants, and, with a secret intention of surprising the castle,
sent her marshal, with others of her suite, to order lodgings for
herself and servants. The lord Badlesmere's lady, his son, and
four daughters, were at that time in the fortress, as well as all
his treasure, deposited for safety, under the care of Sir Thomas
1

92 HISTORY OF THE
Colepeper, the castellan, who was directed to refuse the queen's
servants admittance ; which, on her arrival in person, he stUl
peremptorily persisted in, without receiving express letters from
his lord to that effect. The queen, in consequence, made some
attempt to gain admittance by force, when a skirmish ensued, in
which one or two of her attendants were slain, so that, being re
pulsed, she was compelled to relinquish her design, and seek a
lodging elsewhere.
The king, exasperated at the failure of his scheme, and highly
resenting the indignity offered to the queen, sent a force, under
the earls of Pembroke and Richmond, to besiege tho castle;
when those within, finding no hopes of relief, (for though the
lord Badlesmere had induced the barons to endeavour to raise
the siege, they never advanced nearer than Kingston,) the fortress
was, in consequence, surrendered to the royal forces. Lady
Badlesmere and her children were then sent prisoners to the
Tower of London; Sir Thomas Colepeper, the castellan, was hung
to the chain of the drawbridge ; when the king took possession
of the castle, and all the treasures it contained. Some writers
have asserted, that Thomas dg Aldone vt as castellan at this time,
and sent, with the lady Badlesmere, as well as Sir Bartholomew
de Burgershe, prisoners to the Tower; and that the king after
wards caused Walter Colepeper, bailiff of the seven hundreds,
to be cruelly drawn at the tails of horses, and hung near the
castle; upon which, Thomas Colepeper, and others who were
with him, hearing of the king's approach, fied from Tunbridge
castle to join the barons.
Loi d Badlemere being subsequently made prisoner in Yorkshire,
was despatched to Canterbury, and there hung at the gaUows
of Blean, when his head was cut off, and set on a pole, on
Burgate, in that city.
This manor and castle, in consequence, again became part of
the royal revenue, and remained in a most ruinous condition till
1359, being the 34th year of the reign of Edward III., at
which period that munificent prelate, William of Wickham, was
constituted, by the king, chief warden and surveyor of his castle
of Leeds, and invested with power to appoint all workmen, pro
vide materials, and order every thing for building and reparations.
Under the direction of that prelate, Leeds castle was restored in
a manner superior to what it had ever been before; which induced

COUNTY OF KENT. 93
Richard II. to visit this place on several occasions, particulariy
in his 19th year, at which period many of his public instruments
were dated from his castle of Leeds. It appears, at the time
alluded to, to have been a fortress of considerable strength ;
and was also made the residence of Henry IV., during part of
the month of April, in the 2d year of his reign.
Subsequent to the above period. Archbishop Arundel, whose
mind was as noble as his birth, procured a grant of this castle,
where he frequently resided, and kept his court, during the pro
ceedings instituted against the lord Cobham ; many of that eccle
siastic's instruments being dated from his castle at Leeds, in
1413, being the period of his death. Upon that event, this
castle again reverted to the crown, and became accounted as one
of the king's mansions, many of the principal gentry of the
county being, at different periods, intrusted with the custody
and care of the same.
In the 7th of Henry V., Joan of Navarre, the second queen of
his predecessor, Henry IV, , being accused of conspiring against
the life of the king, her son in law, was committed to Leeds
castle, there to remain during that prince's pleasure ; and being
afterwards delivered into the custody of Sir John Pelham, he
removed her to the castle of Pevensey, in Sussex.
In the 18th of Henry VI., Archbishop Chichele presided at
the castle of Leeds, during the process instituted against Eleanor
duchess of Gloucester, for alleged sorcery and witchcraft.
Edward IV,, in his llth year, constituted Ralph St, Leger,
esq. of Ulcomb, constable of this castle for ever, and annexed
one of the parks, as a further emolument to that office. He died
the same year, and was buried with his ancestors at Ulcomb.
Sir Thomas Bourchier resided at Leeds castle in the 1st of
Richard IIL, and had a commission to receive the oaths of alle
giance to King Richard from the inhabitants of the several parts
of Kent therein mentioned; in which year, the king confirmed
the liberties of Leeds priory, in recompense for twenty-four acres
of land in Bromfield, granted for the enlargement of his park
of Leeds.
In the 4th of Henry VIII , Henry Guildford, esq., had a grant
of the office of constable of Leeds castle, and ranger of the park ;
and, in the 12th year of that monarch, had also a grant of the
custody of the manor of Leeds, with sundry perquisites, for
VOL. III. O

9-1 HISTORY OF THE
forty years. He died in the 23d year of the above prince, hav
ing rebuilt a great portion of this castle at the charge of the
king, which was very considerable.
But the^e simple of the manor and castle of Leeds remained
in the crown tiU the reign of Edward VI., who granted them,
with their appurtenances, in the parishes of Leeds, Langley, and
Sutton, to Sir Anthony St. Leger, lord deputy of Ireland, to
hold in capite by knight's service. His son, Sir Warham, suc
ceeded him in this manor and castle, and was chief governor of
Munster, in Ireland, where he was unfortunately slain in 1599;
but, previous to his death, had alienated this castle to Sir Richard
Smyth, fourth son of Thomas Smyth, esq., of Westenhanger,
commonly called Customer Smyth.
Sir Richard Smyth resided at Leeds castle, of which he died
possessed in 1628, and was buried in Ashford church, where
a costly monument is erected to his memory. Sir John Smyth,
his only son, succeeded, and was a resident at Leeds castle ;
when dying in 1632, he was buried in this church. His two
sisters, Alice, wife of Sir Timothy Thornhill, and Mary, united
to Maurice Barrow, esq., becoming his coheirs, entitled their
respective husbands to this property, of which they joined in
the sale to Sir Thomas Colepeper, of Hollingborne, who, after
purchasing this property, settled it on his eldest son, Cheney,
with remainder to his two other sons, Francis and Thomas.
Cheney resided at Leeds for some time, and at length persuaded
his brother (Sir Thomas Francis being dead,) to cut off the entail
of this estate, when they joined in the sale of the same to their
cousin. Sir John Colepeper lord Colepeper, only son of Sir John,
of Wigsell, in Sussex, whose younger brother, Francis, was of
Greenway court, in Hollingborne, and father of Sir Thomas
Colepeper, the purchaser of this estate, as above mentioned.
Sir John Colepeper represented the county of Kent in Parlia
ment, in the 16th of Charles I., who, being a person of pre-emi
nent abilities, had raised himself in the favor of the king, was
appointed one of his privy council, and chancellor of the Exche
quer ; afterwards master of the rolls, and governor of the Isle of
Wight. During the troubles of that monarch, he continued
stedfast to the royal cause, and, as a reward for his services, was,
in 1644, created lord Colepeper baron Thoresway, in Lincolnshire.
After the king's death, he remained abroad with Charles 1 1.
1

COUNTY OF KENT. 95
in his exile ; and during his absence, Leeds castle seems to have
been in the possession of the usurping powers, and used by them
for the assembling their committee men and sequestrators, as also
for a receptacle to imprison the ejected ministers ; as, in 1652,
all his estates had been declared by Parliament forfeited, for trea
son against the state. He died in 1660, only a few weeks after
the Jlestoration, and was buried at Hollingborne. He bore for
his SLims Argent, a bend engrailed, gules, being the ancient bear
ing of this eminent family. He left by his second wife, Judith,
daughter of Sir Thomas Colepeper, of Hollingborne, several
children ; of whom Thomas was his successor in title and estates,
and died without issue male, as wiU be mentioned heireafter.
John succeeded his brother in the title and estates, and died in
1719, when Cheney succeeded his brother, and died at his resi
dence of Hofton St. John, in 1725. Thomas lord Colepeper,
the eldest son, succeeded his father in title, and in the possession
of this castle and manor, where he resided, having married
Margaret, daughter of Signior Jean de Hesse, of a noble family
in Germany, by whom he left a sole daughter and heir, Catherine,
who carried this estate in marriage to Thomas lord Fairfax, of
Cameron, in Scotland, with other estates in this neighbourhood.
The family of Fairfax appears, by old evidences in their
hands, to have been in the possession of lands in York
shire about 600 years back. Richard Fairfax held estates in that
county in the reign of King John, whose grandson, WUliam, in
the time of Henry IIL, purchased the manor of Walton, in the
West Riding, where he and his successors resided for many suc
ceeding generations.
Ferdinando, the second lord Fairfax, during the civil wars
under Charles I., was made general of the Parliament forces,
and died.at York in 1646. His son. Sir Thomas, succeeded him
as lord Fairfax, as well as to all his posts under the Parliament,
being the famous general so noted in EngUsh history during the
civU wars, but at length becoming weary of the distress and con
fusion which his former conduct had brought upon his unhappy
country, he concurred in the Restoration of Charles II. After
that event, he retired to his seat at Bilborough, in Yorkshire,
where he died in 1671, and was buried there, leaving by Anne,
daughter and coheir of Horatio lord Vere, of Tilbury, an only
daughter, upon which the title devolved to Henry Fairfax, esq. ,

96 HISTORY OF THE
of Oglesthorpe, in Yorkshire, his first cousin, eldest son of Henry,
rector of Bolton Percy, second son of Thomas, first lord Fairfax.
Henry lord Fairfax died in 16S0, and was succeeded by his eldest
son, Thomas, fifth lord, who was brought up to a military life,
and rose to the rank of a brigadier general. He represented
Yorkshire in several Parliaments, and marrying Catherine,
daughter and heir of Thomas lord Colepeper, possessed, in her
right, this manor and castle, with other large possessions, as be
fore mentioned.
He died holding this property in 1710, leaving three sons and
four daughters ; Thomas, who succeeded him as lord Fairfax ;
Henry Colepeper Fairfax, who died unmarried in 1 734 ; and
Robert, of whom we shall speak hereafter. Of the daughters,
Margaret married David Wilkins, prebendary of Canterbury,
and Frances espoused Denny Martin, esq. Thomas lord Fairfax
resided at Leeds castle till he quitted England to reside on his
great possessions in Virginia, where be remained till his death.
On his departure fromEngland, he gave up this manor and castle,
with his other estates in this county, to the Hon. Robert Fairfax,
who afterwards resided at Leeds castle ; and, on his brother's
death, unmarried, in 1782, succeeded to the title. He was at
first bred to a military life, but becoming possessed of this manor,
retired there, and twice served in the house of Commons for the
town of Maidstone, and in two successive Parliaments for the
county. He was twice married ; first, to Martha, daughter and
coheir of Anthony Collins, esq., of Baddow, in Essex, by whom
he had one son, who died an infant ; and secondly, to one of the
daughters of Thomas Best, esq. of Chatham. Lord Fairfax died
in 1793, when this castle and manor, with therestof his estates in
this county, devolved to his nephew, the Rev. Denny Martin,
eldest son of his sister, Frances, who had, before his uncle's death,
been created d.d., and, by royal licence, assumed the name and
arms of Fairfax ; he died unmarried. On the demise of Mr.
Denny Martin Fairfax, Leeds castle went to his two maiden sis
ters, who both dying unmarried, it passed, but in what manner
we are unable to state, to the present possessor, of the name of
^V'ickham, as John Spencer Colepeper, an officer in the army,
and grandson of John Spencer Colepeper, of the Charterhouse
and Greenway court, before mentioned, is still existing, having
three sons living, namely, John S|)cncer, Frederick, and Charles.

COUNTY OF KENT. 97
A court-leet and court-baron is held for this manor of Leeds,
at which three borsholders are appointed. It is divided into
six divisions, or yokes, viz. the yokes of Church, Ferinland,
Mill, Russerken, Stockwell, and Lees.
Leeds castle is a magnificent pile of building, being composed
of stone, erected at different periods, and of various orders of
architecture, notwithstanding which, it is a very superb
fabric. This noble structure is pleasantly situated in the midst
of a beautiful park, encircled by a large moat of running water,
being plentifully stocked with fish, more especially pike, which
have been caught so large, as to weigh between thirty and forty
pounds. At the entrance are the remains of an ancient gateway,
which has been pulled down to within about a yard of the ground,
the remains, however, being sufficient to convince the observer of
its original strength. A small distance to the north-west, are
the ruins of a very ancient building, probably that part of the
fortress wherein Robert de Crevequer placed the three chaplains,
on his first erection of this edifice.
The approach to the castle is over a stone bridge of two arches,
under another ancient gateway, which, with the part already
described, appears to have been a portion of the old fortress,
built by the Crevequer's, having escaped demolition at the period
the rest was pulled down. Within the last-mentioned gate, is a
handsome quadrangle, or court, and on the right hand, a build
ing, which appears, by the architecture, to be of the time of
WiUiam of Wickham, and was probably a portion of the struc
ture erected by that prelate. Opposite the entrance, are the
state or principal apartments, having had a handsome uni
form front, of rustic stonework, added thereto ; the windows,
though sashed, are arched in the Gothic taste, and the parapet is
also embattled. Behind this building, over a bridge of two
arches, which was formerly a drawbridge, but now built on, and
enclosed as a passage, is a large erection, constituting the
extremity of the castle. It is a very handsome structure, of
beautiful workmanship, intended, no doubt, for beauty as well
aa strength, and seems to be of the period of Henry VIII. It
was, most probably, erected by Sir Henry Guildford, who was
constable in that reign, and rebeautified this place, as previously
mentioned, at the king's expense. The site of this building.

98 HISTORY OF THE
from its strength and situation, was, most probably, the spot
where the ancient keep of the castle was situated.
On the evening of Tuesday, November 3, 1779, his majesty
George. III. and Queen Charlotte, after having reviewed the
grand camp at Coxheath, honoured Leeds castle with their pre
sence. The following day they received therein the compliments
of the nobUity and gentry, as well as the mayor, and other mem
bers of the corporation of the town of Maidstone ; and the next
morning set out for London, highly pleased with this fortress,
and the reception they met with from its munificent owner.
Robert de Crevequer, with the assistance of Adam, his son, in
1119, founded a Priory at Leeds for black canons regular of
the order of St. Augustine, and by his charter gave them a site
for the founding of their church, in honour of St. Mary and St.
Nicholas, and other convenient buildings for the religious, as it
was then enclosed. He also gave them the forstal which was
before their gate, and the land laying on both sides of the same,
which gift was afterwards confirmed by Daniel de Crevequer, his
son, as also by his son Robert, who likewise gave them the mill
of Brandescombe, in Leeds. He also bestowed upon that fra
ternity his wood called East Park, with the lands adjoining, in
this parish, in pure and perpetual alms.
Robert, son of Hamo de Crevequer, junior, under Edward I.,
confirmed all the gifts made to the canons of Leeds by his an
cestors, or himself within his barony ; and that, on a vacancy,
they should elect their priors, reserving, however, the right of
approval to himself.
The archdeacon of Canterbury claimed the privilege of instal
ling the prior of Leeds, on which occasions he remained two
nights and a day, receiving his meat and drink during that pe
riod, but nothing further.
In the 8th of Richard II. the whole of the spiritualities and
temporalities of this priory were valued at £220 12 8.
Under the above reign, Thomas Hazlewood, who was then
canon here, in his old age, applied himself to reading and wri
ting history, having been author of many works, and among
others, a volume entitled A Compendious Chronicle.
King Richard III. in his first year, confirmed the liberties of
this priory; and James Goldewelle, ll.d. bishop of Norwich, in

COUNTY OF KENT. 99
the reign of Henry VII. finding this convent deeply in debt, and
the monks unable to support their usual hospitality, relieved
them munificently, when they, in consequence, acknowledged
him in some degree as their founder. The above prelate being
more desirous for the health of his soul, than the repayment of
the money advanced, founded a chantry of one priest at the altar
of the Virgin Mary, in the south part of the nave of this con
ventual church, to which the prior and convent acceded, by their
instrument, dated in 1487. On the 22d of December, 1634, in
the reign of Henry VIII. the prior and convent of the house or
priory of Lyddis, signed the Act of Supremacy and Succession,
at which period there were a prior, sub-prior, and ten canons, in
this establishment, all of whom signed the instrument alluded to.
In this situation it remained till the 3 1st of Henry VIII. when
an Act was passed for confirming to the king and his successors
all religious houses which had .been suppressed since the former
Act of the 27th of that reign, or which might be in future sup
pressed. In consequence of this, the prior and convent of
Leeds, among others, were in a manner constrained to surrender
their house, lands, and possessions, then valued at £362 7 7
per annum, into the king's hands. Thomas Day was the last
prior, who surrendered this establishment, in 1539, to Henry
VIII. after which he had a pension of £80 a year allowed him.
The prior of Leeds was summoned to parliament in the reign
of HenryTlI. but we do not find any summons directed to him
subsequent to that period.
The chartulary, or ledger-book of this priory, was in the pos
session of Sir Beversham Filmer, bart.
Leeds abbey, by which name it had been long known, appears
from its ruins to have been a very spacious structure. The
church, from report, was in size and beauty equal to many of
our cathedrals, and once contained a very fine statue of the
Virgin, placed beside the altar of St. Catherine. There were
also altars dedicated to St. Martin and St. Anne.
Leland states, in his Itinerary, vol. vi. p. 7, that three of the
Crevequer's were buried here. Guido Mone, prebendary of
Stowlonga, in Lincoln cathedral, and afterwards bishop of St.
David's, died at Charlton, in Kent, in 1407, and was also
interred here. There are no remains of this church left.
The year after the dissolution of this priory, the king granted

100 HISTORY OF THE-
to Sir Anthony St. Leger, for twenty-one years, the house and
site of this priory, at the yearly rental of £'22 17 2, with all
apjjurtenances thereunto belonging, containing together 323
acres. Sir Anthony St. Leger died possessed of this estate in
1559, and was succeeded by his son. Sir Warham, of Ulcomb,
who in the 15th of Elizabeth vested it in trustees, for the sale of
the same, who soon after passed the property away to one
Norden, who conveyed it to Francis Colepeper, esq. of Greenway
court, in Hollingborne, and he again transmitted it to Norden.
The latter then alienated it to William Covert, esq. whose son
William resided here, new built the front of the mansion, and
repaired a considerable part of the priory. Over a stone portal,
on the west side of the latter, the initials of his name, W. C,
and the date, 1598, were still remaining some years back.
In the 6th of James I. he sold this priory, or abbey of Leeds,
as it was then called, with the lands belonging to the same, then
held in capite, to Sir William Meredith, of Stansty, in Denbigh
shire, then residing at Vintners, in Boxley, who ultimately re
moved to this priory.
His son, William Meredith, esq. was of Leeds abbey, and bore
for his arms. Azure, a lion rampant, gules, or, and in the 14th
of James I., purchased, of Sir Warham St. Leger, other lands
and woods in the adjoining parishes, held in like manner; who,
six yeais after, a. d. 1622, was created abaronet. He had by his
first wife six sons and six daughters, of whom Richard, the se
cond, but eldest surviving son, succeeded him in title. One of
the daughters married Sir Henry Oxenden, bart. of Deane, from
whom the late Sir George Oxenden was descended. He died in
1675, and was succeeded by his son, Sir Richard Meredith, who
had six sons and five daughters, of whom Sir William was of
Leeds abbey, and died unmarried. Henry, the second son, was
a colonel in the army, and left an only daughter, Susanna, who
died in 1711, at Leeds abbey, during her father's lifetime.
Richard, the third son, succeeded his brother William in the
title, and in this seat, and died unmarried. Thomas, the fourth
son, represented this county in parliament in the 12th year of
William III. and died before his brothers. Philip died un
married, when Roger, the sixth son, succeeded to the title and
estate. Sir Roger Meredith, bart. resided at Leeds abbey, and in 1727

COUNTY OF KENT. 101
represented this county in Parliament. He married Mary^
daughter of Francis Tyssen, esq. of Shacklewell, and dying in
1738, was buried in a vault in the south chancel of this church,
where a handsome monument was erected to his memory. He
devised this estate to his niece Susanna, daughter of his brother
Colonel Henry Meredith, in tail general, with remainder to seve
ral different persons in tail male.
Mrs. Susanna Meredith resided at Leeds abbey, where she
died unmarried in 1758, and her uncle. Sir Roger, having omitted
to devise the fee of this estate, after the above-mentioned re
mainders, it became vested in her as the sole heir ; she therefore,
by wiU, devised the fee of the same to her heir at law. Sir George
Oxenden, bart., the direct descendant of her grandfather (Sir
Richard Meredith)'s sister, Elizabeth. On Mrs. Meredith's
death, unmarried, Walter Hooper, esq. of London, the interme
diate remainders having ceased, became possessed of the limita
tions in Sir Roger's wiU, of this seat and estate, and resided
here, where he died in 1 758. The property then went by the
entail above mentioned, to his nephew, William Suniper, esq.
of Stockbury, as tenant in tail male, who Ukewise resided here,
and in 1761 served the office of sheriff for this county. He
joined with Sir George Oxenden, in whom the fee was vested by
Miss Meredith's will, in the sale of this estate, in 1765, to John
Calcraft, esq. of Ingress, who made considerable improvements
and additions to the house and grounds adjoining. He bore for
his arms, per fess argent and ermine, three lions passant guar-
dant, in pale sable, all within a bordune wavy, azure, which ar^^
morial bearings were granted in 1770, and he died possessed of
this property in 1772, devising this, among his other estates, to
his eldest son, John Calcraft, esq., who married Elizabeth,
daughter and coheir of Sir Thomas Pym Hales, bart., deceased ;
he resided here, possessing also a manor belonging to the same,
called Barnes Garden, for which a court-baron is regularly
held. In the Hamlet of Nash, in this parish, about a quarter
of a mile westward from Leeds park, is a house called Battle
Hall, which, from the remains of Gothic architecture, seems to
be of considerable antiquity, as there is still left a large stone
arch, supported by two images, which reach nearly to the sum
mit of the house ; there is also a doorcase of stone, wherein is a
VOL, III. • P

I&2 HISTORY OF TIIE
groove for a portculHs, which appears to have 1 d into som?
place of safety; and on the o^!>posite side of the mansion, is a
receptacle for holy water. Some writers have conjeclurcd this
to have been the place where Robert de Crevequer, founder of
Leeds castle, bad placed the three canons, whom he aftervvards
removed to Leeds priory. B«t the chief part of this building
seems to be of a much later date, and if such had been the pur-r
pose for which it was originally intended, the house must have
been since rebuilt.
Be this, however, as it may, the whole remained a lay fee, and
in the reign of Henry Vll. was in the possession of Robert
Chambre, who inthe 16th year of that reign released his claim and
right to Robert Wotton, gent, of Boughton Malherb. ItaCter-
vvards beeame the property of the Covert's, of Leeds abbey, with
whom it remained till Sir John passed it away to Mr. Harsnet.
After some intermediate owners it devolved to the possession of
Mr. Samuel Quested, when the latter passed it by salfr to the
Hon. Robert Fairfax, who repaired and fitted it tip for his resi
dence, until his removal to Leeds castle. On his demise it
became, with the residue of his estates, the property of his
Hephew, the Rev. Denny Martin Fairfax, as before mentioned.
Leeds is within the Ecclesiastical Juri&di-gtjon of the
diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sutton. The church,
which is situated at a small distance northward from Leeds
street, is dedicated to St. Nicholas, and contains three aisles
and three chancels, with a remarkably low square tower at the
west end, surmounted by a small spire. There are. some re
mains of good painted glass in the windows.
The north chancel bas belonged, out of memory, to the pos
sessors of Leeds abbey, wherein are interred many of the family
©f the Meredith's, whose monuments still remain, particularly a
superb marble mausoleum, richly embellished with armorial
bearings, in memory ef Jane, daughter of Sir Thomas Palineiv
widow of Sir William Meredith, bart., the first purchaser of
Leeds Abbey estate. She afterwards married John earl of Car-
berry, and died in 1643. The south chancel was purchased by
that family some years ago, of the WoUet's ; wherein is also a
vault where Sir Roger Meredith lies buried, having a handsome
monument erected to his memory.
Robert de Crevequer, when he founded the priory of Leedsj

COUNTY OF KENT. 103
gave to the canons the advowsons of the churches of Leeds and
Bromfield, with fifty acres of land in this parish ; which gift
nas confirmed by several of his descendants, as they were by
Edward III. in his 41st year, by letters of inspeximus.
In the 8th of Richainl II. the church of Leeds was valued at
£13 6 8 per annum, the whole profits being then in the pos
session of this priory, the cure being supplied by the religious
themselves. In thissituation it continued till the dissolution, in
the 31st of Henry VIIL, when it vvas, with all its possessions,
surrendered to the king, as before mentioned. The following
year, that prince demised, among other premises, to Sir Anthony
St. Leger, the rectory, with the chapel of Bromfelde, and their
appurtenances, lately belonging to the priory there, for twenty-
one years, at the yearly rental of £20. But the fee remained in
the crown, tiU Queen Elizabeth, in her 3d year, having taken
into her own hands several manors, lands, &.C., parcel of the re
venue of the see of Canterbury, granted to Archbishop Parker
various rectories and parsonages in exchange for the.same, among
which latter was this rectory or parsonage of Leeds, with its ap
purtenances, the property having ever since continued parcel
of the possessions of his successors, archbishops of Canterbury.
Soon after the above-mentioned exchange, the archbishop de
mised this rectory., and the chapel of Bromfield, with all tithes,
excepting the advowson of the ch.urch of Leeds, to Jerome Milli-
cent, and Thomas Brett, for their lives ; the latter of whom con^-
veyed the lease to William Covert, esq. to whom Archbishop
Whitgift, in the reign of Elizabeth, granted a lease for twenty-
pne years, at £20 per annum, and the like exception, with a
covenant for the tenant to repair all buildings, and the chancel of
the church of Leeds, and chapel of Bromfield. Since that pe
riod it has been held in lease of the several archbishops, in the
same manner ; the term renewable every seven years, by the pos
sessors of Leeds abbey; and as such, the interest of the same
was vested in John Calcraft, esq. of Leeds abbey.
The cure of the church of Leeds, previous to the surrender of
the priory, having been constantly served by one of the monks
there, no vicarage was endowed. After the dissolution of the
piiory, therefore, it was esteemed as a perpetual curacy, inthe
gift of the possessor of the rectory, and was subsequently grajjte^
to the see of Capterbury.

104 HISTORY OF THE
The ancient stipend or pension to the curate of Leeds was, in
the reign of Elizabeth, £7 6 8, and to the curate of Bromfield,
£5 ; which continued till the Restoration of Charles IL, when
Archbishop Juxon, in conformity with the king's letters man
datory, augmented this curacy, by adding the sum of £30 per
annum, to be paid by the lessee of the great tithes of this parish,
to the former old pension of £12 6 8.
About the year 1765, Sir Philip Boteler, bart, of Teston, gave
£200 towards the augmentation of this curacy, which was in
creased by the same sum from the governors of Queen Anne's
bounty. It is a discharged living in the king's books, of the'clear yearly
certified value of £44 14 4.
In 1821 there were ninety-nine dwellings in the parish of Leeds;
and at the same period, when the last census of the popula
tion was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inha
bitants were as follow ; males 255, females 260, making a total
of 515 souls.
BroMfikld is the next parish south-eastward from Leeds,
called, in Domesday, Brumfelle, which probably derived its ap
pellation from the quantities of broom and heath with which the
largest portion of this parish was then covered.
'The parish of Bromfield extends towards the north, as
far as Leeds castle, part of which, as well as the park, stand
within its boundaries.
The Lenham rivulet flows through the northern part, near
which stream is some fertile meadow ground. The church is
situated on a rise, on the northern side of the parish, vvhich is
but of moderate extent, from east to west ; above the church,
the land is poor and heathy; there is also a warreti, which vvas,
for a long period, in the possession of the owners of Leeds castle,
as it was afterwards in that of Dr. Fairfax. Towards the south,
the parish extends farther, nearly two miles, quite across Kings-
wood, (a large tract of woodland, being three mUes long, by one
broad,) to Chartway street, approximating to the summit of the
quarry hills. The northern side of this street is in the parish ;
that opposite, in East Sutton; near which the soil partakes much
of the quarry stone. There is no village ; and, towards the
eastern part, is the small manor of Roses. Besides the

COUNTY OF KENT. 105
above, there is nothing further worthy of notice in this
district. This place was part of the possessions of Odo, bishop of
Bayeux, under the general title of whose lands it was entered in
Domesday. After his disgrace, the property, with the adjoining
parish of Leeds, was gratited by the Conqueror to the noble
family of the Crevequer's, of whom it was afterwards held by a
family which thence derived its surname. William de Bromfield
held it in the reign of Henry IL as one quarter of a knight's
fee; and, in the reign of Edward I., Henry de Hoo held this
estate of the barony of Crevequer; subsequent to which, it ap
pears to have been blended in the same vicissitude of owners as
the manor of Leeds,, previously described.
Bro.mfield is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
of the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sutton. The
church, dedicated to St. Margaret, was given by Robert de
Crevequer to the priory of Leeds on his foundation of the same,
together with that of Leeds, and the advowsons of all the churches
of the barony of Crevequer, which gift was confirmed from time
to time by his descendants, and by Edward III. in his 41st year,
by his letters of impeximus, as well as by several archbishops of
Canterbury. It then appears to have been esteemed as a chapel
to the church of Leeds, and as such was included in the several
valuations made of that church. In the above state it continued
till the dissolution of the priory, under Henry VIIL, when it
was surrendered to that monarch, and has since been reoarded
as a chapel. to the church of Leeds, down to the present time,
under the like circumstances, having been held on lease by John
Calcroft, esq., of Leeds abbey.
In 1821 there were twenty-one dwellings in the parish of
Bromfield ; and at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow : males 62, females 53, making a total
of 115 souls.
Bersted lies the next parish north-westward from Leeds, and
was anciently written Bergatede, having, most probably, derived
its name from the situation. Berg, in Saxon, signifying a hill,
and stede, a place or village.
The parish stands on what may be termed high ground,
4

106 HISTORY OF THE
being extremely pleasant and very dry. The soil is, in gehcral;
a deep sand, though towards the south-east part it partakes of
the quarry rock, and on the south side of the Lenham river, pre
sents a black moorish soil, of fertile meadow ground. This cur
rent parts it, towards the south, from Ofham stream, another
smaUer rivulet, which rises near Boxley, separating it, on the
western side, from that parish and Maidstone, leaving within its
boundaries a portion of the hamlet of Maginford. Added to
the above, this parish is watered by two or three smaller rivulets,
which rise northward, and run into the Lenham river, the east
ern current separating it from Hollingborne and Leeds. The
higl: road from Ashford and Lenham, towards Maidstone, runs
along the northern boundaries, passing ever Bersted green, the
houses round which form the parish village. Near this stands
the church ; .and there are also two other hamlets, called Ware
and Roseacre streets. In the south-east part of the parish, is
the seat of Milgate, pleasantly situated, and surrounded by
wood ; at the back of vvhich the ground descends to the river;
and, at a small distance, is that of Lower Milgate, so called from
being upon a less elevated soil.
The noble family of Bertie claims the present parish as its
most ancient habitation in this kinodom, as that name is said to
have possessed lands herein, near the parsonage at Strutton
street, and elsewhere in this neighbourhood, as early as the
reign of King Henry II. ; while, among the Harleian mss. is a
grant of arms, under Henry VI., to Bartie, of Berested, in Kent.
The above line continued here under Henry VIL, as appears
from a rental of that period, and there are>till lands, called
Baity lands, in this parish and Thurnham. From those of that
name settled here, in a direct line, was descended the dukes of
Ancaster, and from them the lady Willoughby, of Eresby, as
well as the earls of Abingdon, and other distinguished branches
of this family.
The manors of Leeds, Moathall, and Thurnham, extend over
this parish, wherein there is an estate belonging to the former.
which has constantly passed through the same succession of
owners from the family of the Crevequer's, who were proprietors
of the same in the reign of the Conqueror, to the late Rev,
Denny Martin Fairfax, of Leeds castle.
Milgate was an eminent scat in the south-eastern part of

COUNTY OF KFNT.- lOT
this parish, and fbrmerly esteemed a manor, though it has long
since lost the reputation of that name.
The family of Coloigne anciently possessed this estate, one of
whom, Robert, died inheritor of the same in the 35th of Edward
IH. Ia process of time, his descendants acquired the name of
Coluney, as appears by an old survey of Bersted, in the reign of
Edward IV.; soon after which, under Henry VIL, it was the pro
perty of a family of the name of Stoiiehouse, whose ancient seat
was at Hazlewood, in Boughton Malherb.
Robert Stonehouse, esq., was of Bersted, at the latter end of
the reign of King Henry VIII. His son, George, was clerk of
the green cloth to Queen Elizabeth, and resided at West Peckham,
where he died in 1575, whose eldest son was created a baronet
in the reign of Charles I.; and Nicholas, his second, vvas of
Boxley, in this county. He bore for his arms Argent on afess,
sMe, between three hazeks volant azure, a leopard's face between
two mullets, or. At the commencement of the reign of Elizabeth,
he alienated this seat to Thomas Fludd, esq., of Morton, in
Shropshire. He resided at Milgate, where he died in 1607, and
was buried in this church, having considerably improved and
augmented this seat.
His son, Thomas Fludd, esq., afterwards of Otham, succeeded
him in this estate, which he alienated, in 1624, to William Cage,
of Farringdon, in Hampshire, barrister at law, who resided here,
being descended from Richard Cage, of Packenham, in Suffolk*
In his descendants it continued down to William Cage, esq.,
who was of Milgate, sheriff in 1695, and represented the city of
Rochester in several ParUaments during Queen Anne's reign.
His second son possessed Milgate, where he resided, and left
one son, Lewis, and a daughter, Catherine ; when, upon
his death, Lewis succeeded, and afterwaixls resided at this
estate. At a small distance westward from Milgate, is a good house,
called Combes, otherwise Lower Milgate, which, on the death of
William Cage, esq., devolved to his youngest son, John. It was
afterwards the property of Mrs. Brander, widow of Gustavus
Brander, esq., and daughter of Francis Gulston, esq., by a
daughter of William Cage, esq.
Moat Hall is a manor in this parish, the mansion of which,
from the materials whereof it was built, was called Stonehouse.

108 HISTORY OF THE
It anciently belonged to the neighbouring priory of Leeds, a^
appears by several old boundaries and papers, and was, most
probably, part of those demesnes given at its first foundation by
Robert de Crevequer, in the reign of Henry I. These demesnes
appear, by a rental of the time of King Henry VII., to have been
held of the manor of Leeds, though they have been long since
accounted parcel of this manor of Moat hall.
On the dissolution of the priory, in the reign of Henry VIIL,
this manor, among the rest of its possessions, vvas surrendered to
the king, who afterwards settled it on his dean and chapter of
Rochester. There is a court-baron held for this manor.
At a small distance southward from the church, lies an estate
called Otteridge, formerly Oterashe, which, in the reign of
Henry VIIL, belonged to Simon Bertyn, one of the brethren of
St. Bartholomew's hospit!d, near Sandwich, who by will, in 1530;
devised it to Jeffry Merchant, of Rainham.
It afterwards passed into the possession of the family of the
Munn's, where it remained for several generations, till sold by
one of that name, with Aldington, in the adjoining parish of
Thurnham, to William Sheldon, esq., whose descendant, Richard,
at his death, bequeathed it to his widow. She remarrying
William Jones, m. d,, entitled him to the same, who died in 1780,
leaving, by the above lady, two daughters, Mary, married to
Lock RoUinson, esq. of Oxfordshire; and Anne, to Thomas
Russell, esq., who, in right of their wives, respectively possessed
this property.
Bersted is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of
the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sutton. The church,
situated on high ground, at a small distance southward of Bersted
green, is dedicated to the Holy Cross; being a handsome
building, consisting of two aisles and the same number of chan
cels, with a square beacon tower at the west end. On the sum
mit of the former, on three corners, are the figures of three dogs,
or bears sejant, for, being greatly defaced by time, their forms
are merely conjectured . If they represent the latter, they might
have been placed there in allusion to the name of the parish ;
if not, these figures were, perhaps, the crest of the founder of the
church. In the MUgate chancel, a.ie monuments for the family
of the Cage's, and for Robert Fludd, m. d. There, is also a me-

COUNTY OF KENT. 109
morial for William Godfrey, jun., a.d. 1690; with many more,
too numerous for insertion.
The church of Berghestede, with all its rights and appurte
nances, was given, in the reign of Henry I., by Robert de
Crevequer, to the priory of Leeds, then founded by him; which
gift was confirmed by Baldwin archbishop of Canterbury)
under Henry II. , who then appropriated this church, to the
canons established there, towards the finding of lights and orna
ments for their church. Archbishops Theobald and Hubert
sanctioned this gift ; as did also John the prior, and the convent
of Christ church, in 1278, by the description of the church of
Berghestede, with the tithes of Strutton.
This church, together with the advowson of the vicarage, re
mained part of the possessions of the priory of Leeds till its
dissolution, in the reign of Henry VIIL, when it was surrendered
to the king, among other estates belonging thereto ; and that
monarch shortly after settled it on his new made dean and
chapter of Rochester.
On the intended dissolution of deans and chapters, after the
death of Charles I., the possessions of the dean and chapter of
Rochester, in this parish, were surveyed in 1649, by order of the
state, when it was returned, that the parsonage or rectory of
Bersted consisted of a messuage and barns, which, with the
tithes and glebe land, of forty acres, were of the improved rental
of £46 8 per annum, vvhich were let, under Charles I., at the
yearly rental of £9 13 4.
The vicarage is a discharged living, and was estimated, in the
king's books, at the clear, yearly, certified value of £30, the
yearly tenths being 12s. 9d.; and in 1649 it was estimated, in
the above-mentioned survey, at £20 per annum.
Freeman Sonds, second son of Sir George Sonds, of Lees court,
having been executed at Penenden heath, August 21, 1655, for the
unfortunate murder of his elder brother, thecorpse was conveyed
the same day to Bersted church, and there interred.
In 1821 there were 107 dwellings in the parish of Bersted ;
and at the same period, when the last censas of the popu
lation was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inha
bitants were as follow : males 257, females 309, making a total
of 566 souls.
VOL. Ul. Q

no HISTORY OF THE
Otham is the next parish southward from Bersted, an^,
although situated within the hundred of Eyhorne, is yet within
the civil jurisdiction of the mayor and corporation of the town
arxl parish of Maidstone. This jurisdictio^n, as the charter ex
presses it, extends only to the cognizance and determination of
actions and replevins, and to no other purpose whatsoever.
This parish is much covered with woods, especially the west
ern part. Towards the north it is bounded, from Bersted, by
the Lenham rivulet, which here turns Otham mill : the soil in
the southern part is poor, consisting of a loose red earth, inter
mixed with gravel ; towards the north-west, near Willington
street and Maidstone, it partakes of the quarry stone, and is
much more fertile, producing both fruit and hops ; the northern
part consists of a fine loam, the lands letting from 20s. to 30s.
per acre,, which adjoin the rivers; the meadows are also very
prolific. Near the centre of the parish, is Gore court, a low
modernised buiilding, almost surrounded by wood ; and at no
great distance, stands the parsonage. The church is at the back
of Gore court ; and at the distance of about half a mile, in a
more open country, is Otham street ;. beyond vvhich, is the manor
of Stoneacre.
Otham was part of the possessions of Odo,,bisJiop of Bayeux>
under the general title of whose lands it was entered in Domes
day. Ob bis disgrace, it devolved to the crown, and then
appears to have been held by a family which thence derived its
name. Peter de Otham held this estate ns one knight's fee, in
tke reign of Henry III., as appears by the Testa de Nevil, and
it seems that he also held it in sergeantry. His daughter and
heir, Loretta, carried it in marriage to William de Valoigns,
whose family possessed large estates in the eastern parts of this
county. William de Valoigns is mentioned in the Testa de Nevil as
having paid aid for lands at Petham, Ashford, and Otham, in
the 10th of Edward I. His wife, Loretta, survived him, and
possessed this estate, wJ^ieh she afterwards gave to her two sons,
Walter and Robert de Valoigns, by the description of the manor
of Otham, with the advowson of the church ; and, in the Iter
of J. de Besewick and his associates, in the reign of Edward I.,
she produced tlie deed of this gift, which is recorded in that Iter

COUNTY OF KENT, 11 1
at full length. They held it, in the reign of Edward IL, as one
knight's fee, of the honour of Albermarle; but, in the 20th of
Edward IIL, it was partly alienated from the above family, as
Isabel widow of Walter de Valoigns, Richard Colyn, and Master
Nicholas de Sandwich, then paid respective aid for it. Nicholas
de Sandwich appears to have died possessed of this manor in
1370, being then rector of this parish. He lies buried in the
church, having been a younger son of the Sandwich's, of Sand
wich, in this county, and bore for his arms. Or on a chief dan
cette, azure, a mullet argent, for difference. This estate then
passed to the family of Fremingham, as John, son of Sir Ralph
de Fremingham, of Lose, died in the 12th of Henry IV. pos
sessed, among other premises, of the manor and advowson of
the church of Otham, who leaving no issue, he devised this
estate by will to feoffees. They, in the following year, assigned
this property over, according to his directions, to John, son of
Reginald do, Pimpe, and his heirs male, with remainder to
Roger Isle, as being the nearest in blood to him. His descend
ant, Reginald, died possessed of the property in the 23d of
Henry VIIL; after which, this manor and advowson passed into
the possession of Sir Henry Isley, who soon afterwards conveyed
the same to Thomas Hendley, esq., of Cousehorne, in Cran
brooke, whose ancestor was Walter Hendley, esq., of that place,
who married the daughter of John Hales, baron of the Exche
quer. They bore for arms Pale bendy, azure and gules, eight
martlets, three, two, and three, or. His descendant, John Hendley,
esq. possessed the estate at the Restoration of Charles II. , and
married Priseilla, daughter of Thomas Fludd, esq., of Gore
court, in this parish, by whom he had Bowyer Hendley, esq.
sheriff in 1702; whose grandson, WiUiam Hendley, esq., of
Gore court, became entitled to the fee.
Gore co u rt is a seat in this parish, which, with other lands,
called Colyns, otherwise Old hole, no doubt bore the former
appellation from Richard Colyn, who was owner of Otham manor
in the reign of Edward III., now usually known by the name
of Otham hole. It was once esteemed part of the manor of
Otham, and had the same owners, till the property devolved to
Sir Henry Isley, in the reign of Henry VIIL, who alienated it
to Thomas Astrey ; and he, in the 3d of Edward VI. , conveyed
it, by deed and fine, to Walter Hendley, esq. his son, and Thomas,

112 HISTORY OF THE
son of the latter. The farmer, the next year, released the whole
of this estate to his son, who sold the same, by deed and fine,
to Ralph Buffkin, esq. His armorial bearings were Or, a
chevron between three helmets, azure. In his descendants this
estate remained till the reign- of James I., when it was alienated
to Mr. ^Nathaniel Powel, of Eweliur.'-t, in Sussex, who soon
afterwards conveyed it to Thomas Fludd, esq., descended fr3m
David Fludd, of Salop. He resided here, and by Catherine his
wife, daughter of Lewin Buffkin, esq., of this parish, left
two sons, Thomas, and Lewin, who was m.d. Thomas FiudJ,
esq. the eldest, succeeded him i:i this seat, and was sheriff in
1652 ; he left two sons. Alabaster and Thomas ; and a daughter,
Priseilla, married to John Heniiiev, esq. of thi? parish.
Alabaster Fludd, esq. his eldest son, vvas of Gore court, whose
great grandson, in order to pay off incumbrances, conveyed
this estate in trust to Mr. Benjamin Howel, gent, who, in
1712, passed it away by sale to Bowyer Hendley, esq., of this
parish, sheriff in 1702, as before mentioned. He died possessed
of the same in 1742, leaving two sons, William and W^alter ;
and four daughters ; of whom, Anne, the youngest, married the
Rev. Samuel Home, rector of this parish.
William Henley, the eldest son, altered the spelling of his
name, Icavins; out the letter d, ar.d resided at Gore court,
where he died, and was buried here with his ancestors, leaving
one son, WiUiam, and several daughters. WiUiam Henley, esq.
the son, afterwards resided here, and married a foreign lady,
Dorothy Hannah Louisa Harriot, said to be countess of Berg-
hausen, in Germany, who was naturalized, by Act of Parliament,
in 1781, and died in 1793. A commission of lunacy was taken
out against Mr. Henley, when the Rev. I\It. Home, his brother-
in-law, came into possession of the manor of Otham, Gore court,
and his other estates.
Stoneacre is a manor in the eastern part of this parish,
vvhich, for some centuries, was the seat of the family cf the Elys',
or Ellis, as they afterwards spelt their name ; a branch of which
was also seated at Kennington, in the eastern part of this county.
John EUys possessed this estate, and resided here in the rei^'n of
Edward 11. , and his descendant, John Elys, esq. died in 1467,
who lies buried in this church. He bore for his arms Or, on a
cross, sable, five irescent! urgen', as they were painteS ou slass.

COUNIY OF KENT. 113
in the windows of the church, and also in another window
at Stoneacre. In his descendants this estate continued till
alienated by Mr. George Ellis, about 1710, to Mr. George
Waterman, whose heirs, in 1735, conveyed it by sale to William
Horsemonden Turner, esq., of Harrietsham ; since which it has
passed, in the same manner as Harrietsham already described,
down to William Baldwin, esq , of Harrietsham place.
Otham is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of
the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sutton. The church,
dedicated to St. Nicholas, contains monuments for, the family of
the Henley's, of this pari^sh; and one for Lewin Buffkin, esq., of
Gore court ; and also a memorial for John Ellis, of Stoneacre.
It was valued in the king's books at £9 17 3|, the yearly
tenths beino- 19s. 8^d. In 1578 the communicants vVereninety-
tw6, and in 1640 it was estimated at £4,j per annum, communi
cants being 121.
Kiaig Edward II. , in his 19th year, confirmed to the rectory
of Otham, four acres of land in this parish, for a chantry.
In 1821, there were sixty-three dwellings' in the parish of
Otham; and at the same period, wlien the last census of the
population was taken by order of Parliament, the. numbers of
inhabitants were as follow ; males 165, females 172, making a
total of 337 souls.
Thurnham adjoins Bersted to the northward, being written
in Domesday Turneham, and is supposed to have taken its name
from the ancient castle situated there, Thurn, in Saxon, signify
ing a tower, and ham, a village.
The parish of Thurnham, though healthy, is notwithstanding,
from the nature of the soil, an unpleasant situation ; but little
frequented; and scarcely any thoroughfare. The high ridge of
chalk hills cross it, close to the foot of which is the church, with
the court lodge and parsonage. To the east is Aldington court,
having a double avenue of trees leading almost to Beisled green,
to vvhich this parish joins, to the southward. Near the foot of
the hills, the soil becomes chalky ; and on the edge of the sum
mit of the hill, are the remains of Thtirnham castle, an account
of which will be given hereafter. Hence, northward of the hill,
the country is wild and dreary, lying high, and much exposed
to a bleak northern aspect. The soil in this part is very poor
4

114 ^ HISTORY OF THE
and wet, the land producing no more than 5a. an acre ; the
hedge-rows are broad, and the fields large. In the north-east
district, is a great quantity of woodland, called Binbury wood,
near which the Maidstone road leads through Detling, towards
Stockbury valley and Key street: previous to descending the
low country, is Binbury Manor pound, and distant a field or two,
stands the mansion itself.
In the south part of this parish, adjoining Bersted, is a vein
of white sand, which, when Alderman Lewin and Lady Mantle
laid the foundation for the improvement of the glassworks in
this kingdom, was found to be of the greatest utility in the com
position for making glass. It is well known among the glas^-
workers by the name of BTaidstone sand ; and the pits are be
come famous for their large arched caverns underground.
Thurnham was a part of the possessions of Odo, bishop of
Bayeux, of whom it was held, by Ralph de Curva Spina, or
Crookthorne, as that name was called in English; the same being
entered under the general title of that bishop's lands in Domes
day record.
On the disgrace of that prelate, it fell to the king, and was
afterwards granted to Gilbert Magminot, being held of that
monarch in capite by barony, by the tenure of nfaintaining a
certain number of soldiers, from time to time, for the defence of
Dover castle. This manor and Binbury, in this parish, together
with Kersony, in River, were parcel of the twenty-four knight's
fees, which made up the barony of Magminot, of which Dept
ford was the head or chief.
Of the family of Magminot and of their heirs, the Says',
Thurnham was held by a family which took its name from the
possession of this property. Robert de Turnham held this
estate in the reign of Henry IL, and was the founder of the
priory of Combwell, in Goudhurst, to which he gave part of his
possessions in this parish. He left two sons, Robert and
Stephen ; the former of whom attended King Richard I. in his
expedition to the holy land; he died in the' I3th of King John,
without issue male, and was succeeded by his brother, Stephen
de Turnham, who, having ratified his father's grants to the priory
of Combell, died in that reign.
At the commencement of the reign of Edward I., Sir Roger
de Northwood, of Northwood, in the Isle of Sheppey, possessed

COUNTY OF KENT. 115
the manor of Thurnham, with Binbury, and other estates in this
parish, and died in the 13th of that reign; in whose descendants,
who had summonses to Parliament, they continued down to Roger
de Northwood, who, on the death of his father. Sir John de
Northwood, succeeded to these estates.
He alienated the manor of Thurnham to Robert Corbie, esq.
of Boughton Malherb, whose sole daughter and heir carried it in
marriage to Sir Nicholas Wotton. His descendant. Sir Edward,
procured his lands to be disgavelled by the Acts of Henry VIII,
and Edward VI.; and from him this manor descended to his
grandson Sir Edwaid Wotton, of Boughton Malherb, created
Lord Wotton, baron of Marley, whose son Thomas lord Wotton,
dying without issue male, Catherine, his daughter and coheir,
carried this manor in marriage to Henry lord Stanhope, son and
heir to Philip earl of Chesterfield. He died during the life of
his father, upon which his widow, lady Catherine Stanhope, be
came again possessed of it; and soon after transferred it by sale
to Mr. John Godden, of London; whose son William, of West-
vveU, alienated it, in 1694, to William Cage, esq. of Bersted, and
his youngest son sold this manor, together with the parsonage
or rectory of Thurnham, to Sir Edward Dering, bart. of Surren
den, in this county. A court-leet and court-baron is held for
the manor of Thurnham.
Binbury, anciently written Bingehery, is an eminent manor
in this parish, lying on the summit of the chalk hills, at the
north-west extremity of the same.
This manor is included, in the description in Domesday, as
part of the possessions of the bishop of Bayeux, and was granted
to Gilbert Magminot to hold, as before mentioned, in capite, by
barony. It then passed, with the manor of Thurnham, to the
family of that name; and subsequently to the Northwood's; du
ring which time, in the reign of Edward III. a melancholy ac
cident happened at Binbury, as appears by the old evidences of
the Lord Wotton's family. Lady Northwood standing on a
precipice of the hill to see a fox dug out, the earth, being loose
and sandy, sunk under her, and the hanging hill falling down,
stifled her to death with the pressure, before any assistance
could be given. In the name of Northwood this manor conti
nued, down to Roger de Northwood, who died possessed of it in
the last year of Henry V. His heirs, in the next reign, passed

116 HISTORY OF THE
it away to Thomas Tbwaits, who conveyed away his interest
therein to Wiljiam Gascoigne, of Yorkshire; and in that line it
continued till the reign of Edward IV. when it was alienated to
the family of the Cutt or Cult's, whose descendant, Sir John
Cutt, possessed this manor in the reign of Henry VIH. He
died in 1520, and his grandson, who was of Cambridge, departed
this life in 1603, soon after which his heirs alienated this manor
to Sir Samuel Lennard, of West Wickham, in this county. He
died possessed of the estate in 1618, and was succeeded by his
eldest son Sir Stephen Lennard, created a bart. in 1642. This
manor then passed in his descendants down to Miss Mary
Lennard, who marrying John Farnaby, esq. he in her right pos
sessed this property, and they, in 1785, joined in the sale of the
same to James Whatman, esq. of Boxley, whoexchanged it for
other lands, with Heneage earl of Aylesford.
Aldingion, generally called Addington, now comprised
within the hounds of this district, formerly ranked as a distinct
parish. It was part of the possessions of Odo bishop of Bayeu.x,
under the general title of whose lands it stands entered iu
Domesday. These two manors continued afterwards as such; one of
which, from its situation and the noble family that possessed
it, was called Aldingto.v Cobham, or East Court.
Henry de Cobham, of Cobham, was possessed of this manor
in tlie reign of King John, and his eldest son, John de Cobham,
of Cobham likewise, died possessed of it in the reign of Ed-*
ward I. holding it in capite hy ihe service of one knight's fee.
He appears to have been succeeded herein by his next brother,
William, usually styled of Aldington, who was a justice itinerant
in the reigns of Henry III. and Edward I., and died far advanced
in years, being succeeded in this manor by Reginald, his nephew,
styled likewise Cobham of Aldington, son of his elder brother,
John de Cobham, by a second wife. His son lleginald, inthe
reign of Edward III., procured a charter of free warren in all the
dem.esne lands within his manor of Aldington. He died in that
reign possessed of t!he estate, held of the king in capite, as of the
castle of Rochester, by the service of paying to the u aid of th.it
castle, in lieu of every other service.
In his descendants, seated at Sterborough castle, this property
contijiuied down to Reginald de Cobham, who dying in the reign

COUNTY OF KENT. llf
of Henry VI. was succeeded by his eldest son. Sir Thomas, whose
only daughter and heir, Anne, carried it in marriage to Sir
Edward Borough, of Gainsborough, in Lincolnshire. His de
scendant, William lord Borough, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth;
sold thie manor of Aldington to Heniy Brockhull, who likewise
owned the other part of Aldington, called, from its situation,
and the family that possessed it. Aldington Septvans,
otherwise West Court. Of this family of Septvans was
Roger, who possessed this manor in the reign of Richard I. and he
accompanied that monarch to the siege of Ascalon, in Palestine:
in whose descendants it continued down to William Septvans,
who died in the 25th of Edward III. holding this estate, then
called West Court, or Septvans, as the moiety of the manor of
Aldington, as before mentioned. It did n«t remain long in this
name, as John Gower died possessed of it in the 39th year of that
reign ; from which line, not many years afterwards, it was alien
ated to Sir John Brockhull, in whose descendants, resident here,
it continued down to Henry Brockhull, esq. of Aldington, who,
in the reign 'of Elizabeth, purchased, of William lord Borough, the
other moiety of Aldington, by the name of the manor of Aldington
East Court, as previously mentioned. He died in 1596, and was
buried in Bersted church, having borne for his arms. Gules, a
cross engrailed, between twelve cross croslets, fitchee argent;
quartered with those of the Criols'. He left two daughters his
coheirs, Anne and Martha, the former of whom, by the death of
her sister, became at length his sole heir, and marrying Mr.
John Taylor, gent, entitled him to these estates, where he after
wards resided, being the grandson of William Taylor, of Sha-
doxhurst. He alienated this property to Sir Richard Smith,
of Leeds castle, who died in 1628, and his heirs soon after con
veyed them to Ralph Freke, esq. descended from those of that
name situated in Dorsetshire ; who, having married Cecilie, fifth
daughter of Sir Thomas Colepeper, of Hollingborne, fixed his
residence at Aldington West Court. She died in 1650, when he
sold these estates to Mr. John Munns, of Bersted, in which name
they remained till they were conveyed by sale to WUHam
Sheldon, esq. His grandson, Richard Sheldon, esq. resided at
Aldington, where he was sheriff in 1717, bearing for arms, sable,
afess between three sheldrakes, argent, and dying in 1736, was
bnried in Thurnham church, having by will given these manors
¥0L. ;ii. E

118 HISTORY OF THE
to his widow. She in 1738 remarrying WiUiam Jones, esq.
M.D., entitled him to this seat, and the manors of Aldington,
Cobham, and West Court, at the latter of which he resided. He
died in 1780, leaving two daughters his coheirs, Mary, married
to Lock RoUinson, esq. of Oxfordshire, and Anne, to Thomas
Russell, esq. who, in right of their wives, became respectively
entitled to these manors, in the sale of which they afterwards
joined to the Hon. and Rev. Jacob Marsham, ll.d., second
surviving son of Lord Romney, who was possessor, and resided
at Aldington Court.
The Church of Aldi-ngton was dedicated to St. Peter,
and continued a separate parish-church from that of Thurnham,
till it was uriited to the same by agreement made in 1583, be
tween Henry BrockhuU, esq. lord of the manor, and patron, and
William Merrick, vicar of Thurnham, which was confirmed,
scde vacunte, by Master William Aubrey, l.d. guardian of the see
of Canterbury, and ordinary pro tempore. Since that period it
has been accounted as a chapel to that church, in which was
interred Nicholas Brockhull, esq. lord of Aldington West Court,
in the reign of Edward IV.
On the brow of the chalk hill are the remains of an ancient
fortification, now called Thurnham Castle, but formerly
Godard's ca.^tle, and the hill on which it stands, was thence
denominated Godard's hill.
DareU, in his treatise, De Castellis Cantii, affirms that this
castle was founded by Godardus, a Saxon, from whom it ac
quired its name. Leland calls it the cadle of Thorne, and says
that in his time it was a complete ruin, and further observes, that
Sir John Cijtte, under-treasurer of England, bought of one
Savelle, a main of fair lands in Yorkshire, as well as the lordship
of Godhurste, with the ruins of a castle, meaning this of Thurn
ham, standing two miles from the banks of the Medway, and
the same distance from Maidstone.
"This lordship at that time vvas partly a ground much over
grown with thornes and bushes, worth butxx marks by the year;
then it was cleaned, and the value much enhanced, and much
goodly wood was then about it."
Sir John Cutte was, at tlie above period, lord of the adjoining
manor of Binbury, as before observed ; but the site of the castle
has been long since alienated from the possessors of tha|. manor.

COUNTY OF KEN-P. W9
The site of Thurnham castle is on the brow of the great chalk
hill, about half a mile northward of the church, and the same
distance eastward from the high road, on the top of Detling hill.
The remaining walls present relics of rude flints, honey-combed
from the weather and length of time. That portion now stand
ing is on the north side of the area of the castle, being about
fourteen feet high, and nearly three broad. The rest of the
walls are demolished to the foundations, which are, however,
StiU visible, the area containing about a quarter of an acre of
ground. On the east side was the keep, being an artificial
mound, in the centre of which there is an hollow, as if the
ground had fallen in, and fiUe.d a cavity beneath. It appears to
have been walled round, especially towards the south, where the
chalk below having been dug away perpendicularly up to the
bottom of the foundationsj they have most of them been precipi
tated into the pit beneath, where large fragments remain. The
entrance seems to have been from the north.
It is very probable from the Roman urns, and other remains
of that nation, found about this hill, that the fortress was first
erected by that people, having in all probability been one of
their speculatory stations, or watchtowers, as well to secure this
pass, as overlook the approaches of their enemies through the
valley below.
Thurnham is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
of the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sutton. The church,
dedicated to St. Mary, is a small building, consisting of one
aisle and two chancels, with a low pointed steeple at the west
end. It contains monument»-of the Sheldon family, several of
whom lie buried here, as also a memento to Sir Henry Cutts in
the chancel, founded in honour of him by Lady Barbara, his
widow, who afterwards married William Covert, esq. of Boxley,
and dying in 1618, was also interred here.
This church, with its lands and appurtenances, called Hoch
and Casteye, were given amon^ other premises, in the reign of
Henry II. by Robert de Thurnham, to the priory of Combwell,
at Goudhurst, founded by him ; which gift was confirmed by his
son, Stephen de Thurnham, and Henry HI. To this rectory
belonged a manor called Neavenham, otherwise the rectory
OF Thurnham, which, with its appendages, consisting of cer
tain premises and lands, called Howe court and Canons' barns,

120 HISTORY OF THE
remained in the possession of the priory till the 27th of
Henry VIII. when, on the suppression of all religious houses, it
was surrendered to the king. These premises, in the parish of
Thurnham, remained but a short time in the hands of the crown,
as that monarch, in his 29th year, granted them to Thomas
Colepeper to hold in capite, by knight's service ; but he did not
possess them long, for it appears by the escheat roUg, that they
were again vested in the crown in the 34th year of the same
reign, that monarch having granted the rectory of Thurnham,
among other premises, to Sir John Gage, compfroUer of his
household, to bold in like manner. He alienated this estate to Sir
Edward Wotton, who died in the 6th of Edward VI. and from him
it descended in the same way as the maqor of Thurnham, above
described, till it devolved to the possession of John Cage, esq.
of Combe, who sold the parsonage or rectory impropriate, to Sir
Edward Dering, bart. His son of the same name afterwards
possessed it, but the advowson of the vicarage, with the rectory
of Aldington annexed, was sold by him in 1740 to Mr. Joseph
Smallwell, of Maidstone, who in 1753 conveyed it to Mr. Henry
Hodson, whose son, the Rev. Henry Hodson, vicar of this parish,
was afterwards entitled to the property.
In the 8th of Richard II. the church of Thurnham, with Al
dington, was valued at £33 6 8, and in 1640 at £40 per annum,
the communicants being 157, This vicarie was val-ued in the
king's books at £8 0 10, and the yearly tenths at 16s, Id.
The vicarage of Thurnham, with the church of Aldington an
nexed, is^endowed with all kinds of vicarial tithes.
In 1821, there were sixty-fo»r dwellings in the parish of
Thurnham ; and at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow : males 269, females 254, making
a total of 523 souls.
Having thus described ihe southern part of this hundred,
lying below the chalk hills, we proceed to the remaining portion
of the same, situated above, or on their northern side, commen
cing with the parish of Otterden, which lies almost on the sum
mit of the hills aUuded to.
. Otterden lies the next parish northward from Lenham,

COrUNTY OF KRWT. 121
being written in Domesday Otlringedene, in ancient deeds
Otteringden, and in later documents OUringden, otherwise
Otterden. The north-west part of this parish, near the valley which di
vides the church and Hall place, including Otterden place, and
the dilapidated church of Monketon, is in the division of West
Kent, and the remaining, or south-eastern part, including Hall
place, the site of the ruin of Boardfield church, together with
the hamlet, is in that of East Kent.
The parish of Otterden lies a little more than a mile from- the
summit of the chalk hills, and is much exposed to the bleak
north-easterly winds. The hills are frequent and steep, and
the land in general very poor and barren, consisting of a loose
red earth, mixed with flints. There is much coppice wood,
chiefly consisting of beech, intermixed at different intervals vviih
hazel and birch, with a few ash trees, and willow stubs. The
roads are very narrow, and from the steepness of the hills, and
the loose flints, extremely unpleasant and unsafe for travellers.
Near the centre of the parish is Otterden place, situated on an
eminence, commanding, a very extensive prospect towards the
north-east, over the neighbouring country ; and the channel be
yond it. It is a very large pile of building, the most ancient
part being apparently of the time of Henry VIII. though some
portion was afterwards taken down to lessen the fabric. At the
distance of about one hundred yards is the new church of
Otterden, which from its form, and having no steeple,, looks more
like an apartment belonging to the mansion; and about half a
mile distant, westward, is the parsonage.
There is a small village, containing a few houses, called Otter
den street : the cottages, in general standing single and dispersed ,
are very meanly built ; in short, poverty and health may be truly
said to form the characteristics of these parts, as well as of most
of those throughout this county which lie on the range of the
hills. This place was part of the possessions of Odo, bishop of
Bayeux, under the general title of whose lands it was entered in
Domesday record. Upon the disgrace of that dignitary, the
property was confiscated to the crown, when this manor fell into
the ownership of a family which thpnce assumed its name.
Ralph de Ottringden held it of^ WiUiam de Leyborne, as one

i22 HISTORY OF THE
knight's fee, in the Teign of Henry III, His grandson. Sir Lau
rence, died possessed of it under Edward II. leaving an only
daughter and heir, who conveyed it in marriage to the Peyforer's,
from which name it passed into that of Potyn, one of whom,
Nicholas, held it in the reign of Richard IL, and leaving an
only daughter, Juliana, she carried it in marriage to Thomas St.
Leger, second son of Sir Ralph, of Ulcomb. He afterwards re
sided at Otterden, where he was sheriff in the above reign, and
dying in the 10th of Henry IV., was buried under a tomb erected
for him in this church, near the high altar. His arms were,
Fretly on a chief, two mullets, empaling semee of fleur de lis.
He left one daughter and heir, Joan, and his widow, surviving ;
she died possessed of this manor in the reign of Henry V., on
which, Joan, their daughter, then wife of Henry Aucher, esq.
of Losenham, in Newenden, entitled her husband to the posses
sion of the same. He was the son of Henry, the eldest son of
Nicholas Aucher, of Losenham ; and married, first, Isabella
At-Towne, of Throwleigh, by whom he had two sons, Thomas,
of Losenham, and Robert, ancestor of the Aucher's, of Westwell.
By his second wife, Joan, he had an only son, Henry, who suc
ceeded to tlie manor of Otterden, and resided here. This branch
of the family of the Aucher's bore for arms four coats quarterly;
first, Aucher, ermine on a chief azure, three lions rampant, or ;
second, St. Leger fretty azure and argent, on a chief or two
mullets gules ; third, P otyn argent semee of fleur de lis, azure;
fourth, Ottringden ern.ine a cross voided, gules. He died in
1502, and was interred in the north chapel of this church, his
son also dying in 1508, who was buried »t his father's feet On
his grave-stone were his efiigies in brass, and on the corner of the
same, two shields of arms, one containing the coat of Aucher, the
other, two coats per fess ; the upper one that of Otterden, the
lovver St, Leger ; and at the bottom of the stone, in the centre,
v.as the first of these shields empaling the second. His eldest
son, Sir Anthony Aucher, married Affra, daughter of William
CornwaUis, by whom he left three sons ; John, was of Otterden;
Edward, of Bishopsborne, whose descendants were baronets;
and William was afterwards of Nonington.
John Aucher, esq. of Otterden place, the eldest son, left an
only daughter and heir, Joan; who, in the reign of Elizabeth,
married Sir Humphrey Gilbert, and entitled him to this manor
4

COUNIY OF KENT. il3
and seat. He passed them away, in that reign, to William Lewin,
ll.d., who vvas master in chancery, judge of the prerogative
court of Canterbury, chancellor of Rochester, commissary of
the faculties, and dean of the peculiars, &c. He intended dur
ing his life, to have been buried in Otterden church, where a
superb monument was erected to his memory, in the north
chancel. Sir Justinian Lewin, his eldest son, succeeded him in this
manor, and resided here; who died in 1620, and was buried in
this church, where a costly monument was erected to his memory.
He left an only daughter and heir, Elizabeth, who carried the
property in marriage to Richard Rogers, esq., of Brianston, in
Somersetshire, who dying without issue male, his daughter,
Elizabeth, conveyed it in marriage, first, to Charles Cavendish,
lord Mansfield ; and secondly, to Charles Stuart, duke of Rich
mond and Lenox, who, by fine and recovery, in 1661, sold this
manor and seat to George Curteis, esq., afterwards knighted.
Sir George Curteis resided at Otterden place, where he died
in 1702, and was buried in the north chancel of this church,
having borne for his arms Argent, a chevron, between three bulls'
heads, caboshed, sable. He left one son and heir, George Curteis,
esq., who succeeded his father in this estate, and died in 1710,
leaving an only daughter, Anne, who carried it in marriage to
Thomas Wheler, esq., eldest son of Sir George, d.d,, prebendary
of the church of Durham. Mr. Wheler died in 1716, and his
widow surviving, carried this estate, within a few months after,
in marriage to Humphrey Walcot, esq., of Worcestershire ; who,
in 1725, joined with her in the sale of this property to Granville
Wheler, esq-, her first husband's next surviving brother, who
afterwards resided at Otterden place. He entered into holy
orders, and became prebend of Lake, in Nottinghamshire. He
was very scientific, and made many discoveries in electricity,
having also proved, in other points of natural philosophy, an
ingenious and learned member of the Royal Society. Among
numerous private and public benefactions, he made an addition
to that already given by his father to Wye school ; having also
been a liberal contributor to this parish. He died at Otterden
place in 1770, and was interred in the vault under the new church,
which he had rebuilt. He was twice married ; first, to Catherine,
daughter of TheophUus HasUngs, earl of Huntingdon,; and

124 HISTORY OF THE
secondly, to Mary, daughter of John Dove, esq., by whom he
had no issue ; but, by his first lady, he had two sons and four
daughters ; Theophilus, the eldest, died unmarried ; Granville,
the second, became his father's heir, and succeeded to this
manor, with the seat of Otterden place, where he for some time
resided, but going abroad, died at I>unkirk in 1786, and was
brought over to be interred in this church. He married SybiUa
Christiana, second daughter of Robert Haswell, esq., of London,
and left one 'son, an infant. She married, secondly, the Rev.
John Tattersall, chaplain to his majesty, who, with his wife, as
guardians of her son, possessed this marior and estate.
Boardfield, otherwise Bonesfield, is a hamlet in the
southern part of this parish, and lies within the limits of the
hundred of Faversham, having once ranked a parish of itself, and
possessed a church of its own- The manor was for many descents
the property of that branch of the family of Cobham, which,
from possessing Sterborough castle, in Surrey, was generally
styled of that place. Reginald, son of John de Cobham, of
Cobham, in this county, by his second wife, possessed this manor
in the reigns of King Edward II. and III., in whose descend
ants, of the same name, it continued, down to Reginald de
Cobham, who died possessed of this manor in the 24th of Henry
VI. , being succeeded therein by his eldest son. Sir Thomas
Cobham. He died in the llth of Edward IV., leaving an only
daughter and sole heir, Anne, who carried this property in mar
riage to Sir Edward Borough, of Gainsborough,, in Lincolnshire,
whose d-:scendant, WiUiam lord Borough, in the 12th of Queen
Elizabeth, alienated it to John Pakenham. The latter then
passed this estate- away by sale to William Lewin, ll.d.; after
which it devolved, in the same manner as Otterden, and in the
same line of ownership, down to Granville Wheler, esq., whose
only son, Granville, an infant, was subsequently entitled to the
inheritance of the same.
The church of Burdefield was anciently part of the posses
sions of the nunnery of Davington, near Faversham ; upon the
dissolution of which, and before many years had elapsed, this
cKuich, most probably, became a ruin, for when Philipott wrote
his Villare, in the reign of Charles I., there was scarcely one
stone left upon aliother. The bounds of the churchyard are,
however, yet visible, and lie at the corner of a field, which being

COUNTY OF KENT. . 125
converted into tillage, the plough, in its progress over the same,
frequently turns up large stones, which had formed a part of this
dilapidated church. The land surrounding this spot belongs
to a farm called Waterditch, being the property of the same
owners as now possess the manor of West Shelve, in Lenham.
It was formerly a rectory of itself, but is now only esteemed a
chapel, united to the parish-church of Otterden ; the patronage
of which was in possession of the family of the Lewin's, and
passed fi'om that name, in the same way as the manor of Board-
field and Otterden, to Granville Wheler, esq., who alienated the
advowson of the church of Otterden, with the chapels of Board-
field and Monketon annexed, to Edward Brydges, esq., of
Wotton court. He died in 1781, and his son, the Rev. Edward
Timewell Brydges, rector of this parish, afterwards possessed it.
Monketon is another hamlet, situated at the north-west
extremity of this parish, and was formerly accounted also a
parish of itself. The manor, which extends into the parish of
Newnham, seems to have been given, by Ralph Picot, to the
abbey of Faversham, soon after its foundation, which gift was
confirmed by Henry II. in his llth year.
It has for many years had the same owners*as the manor of
Sharsted in Doddington, and passed, in a similar way, from the
family of Delaune to that of Thornicroft ; whence, after the
demise of Mrs. Anne Thornicroft, in 1791, it went to her nephew,
Alured Pinke, esq., of Sharsted.
A court-baron is held for this manor.
Frid Farm is an estate in this hamlet, being part of a con
siderable parcel of land here, in Newnham, and Easling, which
was the property of Mathew, son of Hamon Atte Frith, who, in
the reign of Henry IIL, gave it, by the description of ali that
land, with the mill thereon, in Monketon, to the nunnery of
Davington, which gift was confirmed by King Henry III. in his
39th year.
After this nunnery was escheated to the crown, in the 27th of
Henry VIIL, the king granted the site of the same, and this
estate, to Sir Thomas Cheney, to hold iw capite by knight's
service, who, in the 1st of Queen Elizabeth, died possessed of
this property at Monketon, then known by the name of Fryde
farm, corrupted, no doubt, from Frith's farm, being so named
from its ancient owner. Sir Thomas was succeeded by his only
vol. III. s

ns HISTORY OF THE
son, Henry, created lord Cheney, who, in the 3d year of th«
same reign, having levied a fine of all his lands, soon afterwards
alienated this estate to tlie Godden's ; from which name it passed
tp the Chute's, or Choute's, of Bethersden. Edward, a des
cendant of that line, died in the reign of Charles II,. leaving
Ehzabeth, his daughter, sole beir, who entitled her husband.
Sir James Oxenden, knight and baronet, to the possession of this
property ; in which name and family it continued down to Sir
Henry Oxenden, bart., of Broome, in Barham, who possessed
the same.
The church of Monketon has long been dilapidated , though
the exact ground-plot of it is still visible, having two very large
yew-trees in the vicinity. It is situated in a wood, about half
an acre in extent.
The rectory of this church belonged to the nunnery of Daving
ton, and, after being escheated to the crown, vvas granted, in the
reign of Henry VIIL, to Sir Thomas Cheney, together with
Fryde farm, as before mentioned. His son, lord Cheney, sold
it to the Godden's, who alienated the advowson, then esteemed
a chapel to the church of Otterden, to W^illiam Lewin, ll.d.;
after which it passed, in the same manner as Otterden place, to
GranviUe Wheler, esq., who alienated the advowson of the
church of Otterden, with this chapel, and Monketon annexed, to
Edward Brydges, esq., whose son, the Rev. Timewell Brydges,
rector of this parish, afterwards possessed the same.
Hall Place is a seat situated in the south-east part of this
•parish, and was formerly esteemed a manor, but has now lost all
claim to that title.
At the period when tenants and services belonged to it, this
manor was the property of Roger Rey, as appears by an ancient
roll, without date, wherein mention is made of one Thomas
Franklyn, who held' some lands of this manor, by the yearly
rent and service of one red rose.
In the reign of Henry VIL, this estate of HaU place, then no
longer a manor, was the property of one Cpck ; and, in the 9th
year of that reign, Eugenius Cock sold it to John Bunce, gent.
of this parish. His only son, James, was of Otterden, where he
died, in 1606, and was buried in the south chancel, generally
called Bunce's chancel. He left several sons and dautrliters, of
whom Simon, the eldest, became his heir ; James was of London;

COUNTY OF KENT. 127
snd Stephen resided at Boughton Malherb, and dying in 1634,
was buried at Throwleigh, to the Bunces of which place he was
ancestor. Simon, his eldest son and heir, died possessed of this
seat in 1611, leaving Anne, his only daughter and heir, married
to WiUiam Brockraan, esq., son and heir of Henry Brockman,
esq., of Newington, near Hythe.
Soon after, this seat was alienated to Mr. Paine, steward to
lord Mansfield, and afterwards to the duke of Richmond, vvhich
latter nobleman made a considerable addition to this seat, at his
ewn expense, having erected a large and magnificent apartment,
as a donation to the owner.
In his descendants, resident at this seat, it continued down to
Charles Paine, esq., who died unmarried in 1741 ; when, having
no relations to inherit his estates, he devised this seat, with the
rest of his property, to Christopher Cresswell, a youth at that
time in his family, and afterwards an officer in the army, who
took the name of Paine, and died, unmarried, possessed of this
estate, in 1764. He devised this property among his relations,
who joined in the sale of the same to the Rev. James Lushington,
a resident here for some years, who then passed it away to the
Rev. Wanley Sawbridge, second son of John, of Ollantigh,
who dying, unmarried, in 1796, intestate, this property devolved
to his nephews, Samuel and Wanley Sawbridge, esqs., who
accordingly possessed the same.
' Herst is a manor in the western part of this parish, which,
in the reign of Richard IL, was possessed by Richard Atte Lose,
who, by his will, directed that it should be sold, which it most
probably was, to one of the family of the FUmer's, who appears
to have resided here soon afterwards. In that name it continued
till Richard Filmer, one of the prothonotaries of the Common
Pleas, in the reign of Elizabeth, having purchased an estate in
East Sutton, by Maidstone, removed thither; but this estate
continued the property of his descendants till Sir Robert, at the
latter end of the reign of Charles II., alienated it to the Rev.
John Rumney, vicar of Sutton Valence, whose widow. Amy,
sold it, in 1702, to Mr. Henry Knowles. His son, Richard, ia
17(:3, conveyed it by sale to the Rev. Granville Wheler, esq.,
of Otterden place, who, with his eldest son, Granville Wheler,
next year, conveyed it to the Rev. John Lowther, for the use of
him and his successors, rectors of the parish of , Otterden, for

128 HISTORY OF THE
ever. This estate consists of about 168 acres of land, and waa
sold for £tl0'0, of which £1*000 was the benefaction of lady
Elizabeth Hastings, and the remaining part, of the Rev. Granville
Wheler, esq., before mentioned. There has been, till within
some years back, a court-baron held for this manor, though it is
now disused.
Bunces Court, otherwise Pa llards, is a seat ip this parish,
which stands near a mile southward from Otterden place. It
was formerly the property of the family of the Bunce's, who
resided here for some years, and from them acquired the title of
Bunces court. Simon Bunce devised this seat to his son, James,
who was a merchant of London, which city he represented in
Parliament. He died possessed of the estate in 1631, having
been a great benefactor to this parish, and was succeeded by his
son, James Bunce, esq., sheriff of London under Charles I., who,
being a zealous loyalist, endured much persecution, having suf
fered imprisonment in the Tower, when his estates were declared
confiscated for high treason.
Upon the accession of Charles II. , he was restored to his
post -of alderman, as well as to his estates, having received the
honour of knighthood ; and, as a further compensation for his
sufferings for the royal family, had a warrant for a baronet's
patent, which neither he or any of his descendants thought fit to
take out. He left, by Sarah his wife, daughter of Thomas Gipps,
esq., two sons ; Sir James Bunce, knight, who succeeded to his
father's possessions at Kemsing, in this county, where his des
cendants long remained ; and John, who became, by his father's
wiU, possessed of this seat of Bunce's court, where he resided
from time to time, but ultimately removed to East Greenwich,
and alienated this property to Mr. Roger Paine, of Hall place,
in this parish. He, in the beginning of the last century, alienated
it to one Knocke, in which name it continued till Mr. Richard
Knocke, about the year 1766, passed it away by sale to Edward
Chapman, esq., who made great additions to the property, and
afterwards resided here. He ultimately sold it to Stringer
Belcher, esq., eldest son of Edward Belcher, esq., of Ulcomb,
who dying unmarried, itcame to his brother, Mr. WUliam Belcher,
of Ulcomb.
The priory of Rochester was possessed of lands in this '
parish, called Prior and Goodman's lands, vvhich, at the dissor

COUNTY or KENT. 129
lution, under Henry VIIL, devolved to the crown, and were
granted by the above monarch, in his 33d year, to his new
founded dean and chapter of Rochester.
Otterden is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
of .the diocese of Rochester and deanery of Ospringe. The an
cient church vvas dedicated to St. Laurence, and consisted of
two small aisles and a chancel, without any steeple, and stood
about fifty yards, eastward, from the corner of Otterden place.
This building being greatly decayed and ruinous, lady Elizabeth
Hastings, at the instance of the Rev. Granville Wheler, patron,
who had married her half-sister, among other acts of charity,
devised, by her will, ^£^400 towards the rebuilding this fabric.
She died in 1739, when the above sum, with the interest, before
any thing was undertaken, amounted to £500, which, with £500
more, given by Mr.Wheler, completed the rebuilding this church,
which was began, and finished a.d. 1753.
The church is a most elegant building, of brick, with stone,
rustic quoins and window-cases, a great portion being raised on
the foundation of the old structure, the site of which was about
twenty feet more towards the east, the grave-stones over the tv.o
• rectors having then stood within the altar rails. There was no
steeple to the former church, nor is there any to the present,
vvhich having the appearance of a modern, elegant building, does
not resemble a place of divine worship, when viewed from the
exterior. The monuments of the Lewin's and Curteis's are preserved in
a small recess, on the north side of the church, and have been
well repaired -and beautified; as also the monument of Mr.
Simon Bunce and his wife, against the south wall. There are
many of the latter family interred here, the last of whom were
Mr. Thomas Bunce, from Maidstone, in 1706, and Mrs. Anne,
from Throwleigh, in 1737. There are also several of the Paine's,
of Hall place; and, in the vault beneath the church, is a
memento for the family of the Wheler's.
This is a rectory, and was valued in the king's books at
£6 14 2, being of the yearly certified value of £62 17 10, and
the yearly tenths 13s. 5d. In 1640 it "was estimated at £80,
the communicants amounting to sixty-two.
The rector of Otterden is entitled to the great and small tithes
pf this parish, including those of the hamlets of Boardfield and

S30 HISTORY OF THE
Monketon, now within the bounds of the same; the dilapidated
churches of which latter places, with their appurtenances, are
now annexed, as chapels, to this rectory.
The site of those churches, and about three acres of glebe
land to each, are at present held by the rector, as part of the
property of the rectory.
In 1821 there were twenty-six dwellings in the parish of Otter
den ; and at the same period, when the last census of the popula
tion was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inha
bitants were as follow : males 87, females 85, making a total of
172 souls.
Wichling is the next parish northwestward from Otterden,
called in Domesday T^fcAefewere, in ancient deeds^Winchelinges,
and in later documents Wynchelyng and Winchling. The whole
of this parish is situated in the division of West Kent, being
much like that of Otterden.
It lies on the hill close to the east side of the valley, through
which the road leads from Ospringe, through Doddington, to
Hollingborne hiU and Maidstone. The lands in this district are
very barren, abounding with flints, being, on the western side,
chalky, and much covered with coppice wood. It is a lonely
unfrequented district, with scarcely any thoroughfare. The vil
lage, which is small, stands round a green near the church ; and
at a small distance is the parsonage.
This parish was once part of the estates of Odo, bishop of
Bayeux, under the general title of whose lands it was entered ia
Domesday record.
About four years after the disgrace of that prelate, this manor
devolved to the possession of Jeffry de Peverel, to whom it was
assigned for his assistance -in the defence of Dover ca'stle, and,
with other lands, made up the barony of Peverel, as it was called,
being held of that castle in capite by barony. In the reign of
Henry III., it was in the tenure of John de Mares; and after
him, of Fulk de Peyforer, in the same reign, whose descendant,
William, in the 20th of Edward IIL, held it of the king m capite,
as three parts of a knight's fee, at Wichling, held of the honour
of Peverel, and by ward to the castle of Dover. He alienated
this manor, soon afterwards, to Roger Northwood, who died pos
sessed of the property in th& 35th year of that reign, holding it

COUNTY OF KENT. 131
by the service before mentioned. In his descendants it continued
down to John Northwood, esq., who died nnder Henry V., leav
ing his two sisters his coheirs, who entitled their husbands, John
Barley, esq. of Hertfordshire, and Sir John Norton, of this
county, to their respective shares in the same.
The dean and canons of the college or free chapel of St.
Stephen's, Westminster, then appear to have become possessed
of this manor, which, in the reign of Henry VIL, was in the
tenure of John Dygges, esq., of Barham, who died possessed of
it in that reign, holding it, as was found by the inquisition taken
after his death, of the above-mentioned dean and canons, by
homage and fealty, and the service of three parts of one knight's
fee, together with a yearly payment to the king's castle of Dover,
as before mentioned.
' The dean and canons continued the proprietors of this manor
till the dissolution of their college, which happened in the 1st of
Edward VL, in consequence of the Act, for the suppression of
all free chapels, colleges, and chantries, by which they and all
their lands and revenues were surrendered to the king.
The following year, this manor was surveyed by order of the
court of Augmentation, when it was returned as belongino- to
the late college of St. Stephen's, and was of the yearly value of
£668; and that there was payable, yearly, out of the revenue,
6d. to the sheriff, 25s. for blanch rent, and Is. |d. for castle-guard
rent to Dover castle.
King Edward VI. , in his 3d year, granted this manor, with aU
its liberties and privileges, to Sir Thomas Cheney, knight of the'
• garter, whose son, lord Cheney, in the reign of Elizabeth, alien
ated this manor to Edward Filmer, esq., afterwards knighted by
that queen. His great grandson, Robert Filmer, esq., of East
Sutton, was created a baronet in 1674, from whom this manor
descended down to Sir Beversham Filmer, bart., of East Sutton,
who possessed the same.
Wichling is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of
the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sittingbourne. The
church, dedicated to St. Margaret, consists of one small aisle
and a chancel, having a low pointed steeple at the west end.
There is a memorial for Robard Filmer, of Wichhng, brother to
Sir Edward Filmer, the purchaser of this manor, who died in
1615; one also for Annys, widow of Raynold FUmer, who died

U2 HISTORY OF THE
in 1616. This church seems formerly to have been an append
age to the manor of Wichling, as the family of Northwood pos
sessed the advowson at the -periods of time in which they held
the manor; and John Northwood died possessed of both under
Henry V. This advowson then appears to have passed from that
name through the same chain of owners as that of Harrietsham,
namely, to William Steede, esq., of that place ; and from him
to William Stede, ll.d., who, in 1656, sold it to Thomas
Conway, whose descendant, Michael, in 1763, alienated it to
one Unwin, v/ho afterwards sold it, for £250, to the Springhall's,
. who afterwards possessed this property.
This rectory was a discharged living in the king's books, of
the clear, yearly, value of £24, the annual tenths being 8s. 2d.
In 1640 it was estimated at £55, when the communicants were
thirty-six. In Tanner's Monasticon, p. 208, mention is made of a patent,
of 18 Edward IIL, p. 1, m. 10, pro Capella deWicheling, among
the possessions of Minster nunnery, in Sheppey.
In 1821 there were fifteen dwellings in the parish of Wichling ;
and at the same period, when the last census of the population
was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inhabitants
were as follow: males 63, females 74, making a total of 137
souls. Frinsted is the next parish nortliwestward from Wichlinf,
written in Domesday Fredenestede, in ancient deeds Freyhan-
eslede, and in later documents Frensted, otherwise Wrensted.
Northward of the church, this parish is in the divi,sion of East '
Kent, but the church itself, and the remaining -part, is in that of
West Kent.
This parish extends on both sides of the valley, called Syndall,
or Newnham bottom, through which the high road leads from
Ospringe, through Doddington and Newnham, to HoUingborne
hill, on either side of which the hills rise very steep, the summits
being in general covered with wood. On the east side of
this valley, upon the hiU near the woods, is Rensted court; and
on that to the west, is Yoke's court and Madam's court; and still
farther westward, the village and church. The soil is poor, and
covered with flints, like that of Wichling ; but the rising hills,
on either side of the valley, are chiefly chalk.
4

COUNTY OF KENT. 133
There is a district in this parish, consisting of about fifty
acres of land, called Minis hill, over which the manor of
Whornes place, near Rochester, claims jurisdiction.
This parish was part of the possessions of Odo bishop of
Bayeux, under the general title of whose lands it was entered in
Domesday. Upon the disgrace of that dignitary, it passed to
the possession of Jeffry de Peverel, and with other lands made
up the barony of Peverel, as it was then called, being assigned
to him for the defence of Dover castle, of which it was held
in capite hyhsirony. ,
Nicholas de Gerund afterwards. held this manor, with the ad
vowson of the church, of which he died possessed under
Henry IIL, holding it of the king in capite, as one knight's fee.
After the above period, the family of Crombwell's became pos
sessed of the property, one of whom, Richard, was owner of the
same in the 8th of Edward II. being younger brother of Sir
John de Crombwell, knight' banneret. Ralph, his successor,
obtained a charter of free warren for his lands in this parish, and
at his seat here, since called Meriam court, and now styled
Madam's court.'
In the following reign of Edward III. this estate was again in
the possession of the family of the Gerund's, in which, however,
it did not remain long, as Richard of that name leaving an only
daughter and heir, Maud, she carried the estate and seat in mar
riage to Sir Henry deChalf hunt, who in the 20th year of the above
reign, paid aid for the manor of Wrensted, or Frensted, holding
it by the same service as did his descendant, Henry de Chalfhunt,
at his death in the 9th of Richard II. It was then found that
John Bedeford, Roger Tournour, Sibill Jarconville, and Agnes,
daughter of Walter Atte Style, were his heirs, and next of kin ;
at which period it was also discovered that this manor was held
of that of Ospringe.
Soon after, this estate, with the mansion-house caUed Wren
sted, now generally styled Rinsted court, with Meriam, or Ma
dam's court, and the advowson of the church of Wrensted, were
conveyed by sale to Robert le Hadde, who was resident here in
the reign of Henry IV. being descended from ancestors who had
been resident at Chart Sutton, in this county, for many genera
tions, Robert Hadde having been of that parish in the reign of
Henry III. In his descendants this estate continued down to
VOL. III. • T

134 HISTORY OF THE
Henry Hadde, esq. of Frinsted, who died possessed of this
manor, with the advowson of the church, and the other estates
above mentioned, in the reign of Elizabeth, leaving two sons,
Arnold and Matthew, the former of whom succeeded him here.
He, two years after, alienated this manor, together with his other
estates in this parish, to Edward and George Hills. Arnold
Hadde, esq. after the sale of this estate, resided in St. Al phage
parish, in Canterbury, as did his descendants, for several gene
rations, until the close of the last century, several of whom lie
buried in that church. They bore for arms. Gules, three bucks'
heads caboshed, or horned, argent, between the horns of each a
cross patee, fitchee argent.
Edward and George Hills joined in the sale of the manor of
Frinsted, with Rinsted, otherwise Wrensted court, and the lands
belonging thereto, to Edward Jackman, esq. of Hornchurch, in
Essex, and he, in the 5th of James I. passed it away to Oliver
Style, esq. of Watringbury, who died in 1622, upon the death
of whose descendant. Sir Thomas Style, bart. in 1702, an agree
ment was entered into by the heirs, for a partition of his estates
among them, which was confirmed by an Act of Queen Anne.
In this division, the manor of Frinsted, with Rinsted court, was
allotted to Margaret, his only daughter, by his second wife, who
in 1716 sold it to Mr. Abraham Tilghman, descended from those
of Snodland. He was a commissioner of the Navy and Victual
ling ofiices, and dying in 1729, was buried in the south aisle of
this church, where there is a monument erected to his memory.
His armorial bearings were, per fess, sable and argent, a lion
rampant, counterchanged, crowned, or. H e was succeeded by
his son Abraham Tilghman, esq. who resided here till his death
in 1779, leaving by Olivia, his wife, one daughter Elizabeth, who
married the Rev. Pierrepoint Cronipe, of Newnham, in Glouces
tershire. He afterwards resided here, and died in 1797, leaving
his widow surviving, and one son, Thomas, and a daughter,
Henrietta Maria, the former of whom inherited this manor.
Madam's court, formerly called Meriam's court, passed from
Arnold Hadde, in the reign of Elizabeth, to Edward and George
Hills, who joined in the sale of the same to one Archer, from
which name it passed, in the reign of Charles I., to the Thatcher's,
by a female heir, from which family it went in marriage to the Bac-
chelor's, some of whose descendants are interred in this church.

COUNTY OF KENT. 135
Mr. William Batchelor at length alienated this property to
James Chapman, gent, of MUton, whose son Edward, of Otter
den, died in 1765, leaving by his wife, daughter of the-Rev. Mr.
Dennis, of Leyborne, one son, James Chapman, esq. of Faver
sham, who afterwards possessed this estate.
Yoke's Court is a manor in this parish, which, in the reign
of Henry III., formed part of the possessions of Fulk de Pey
forer, whose descendant, William, inthe 20th of Edward III.
paid aid for it as half a knight's fee, which he then held at Le
Yoke, in this parish, of the honour of Leeds.
He soon afterwards alienated this manor to Roger Northwood,
whodiedin the 35th year of that reign, possessed of this manor of
Yoke, held of the king in capite, by the service of making his
suit at the gate of the castle of Leeds, from month to nionth, in
lieu of all service whatsoever. His descendant, John Northwood,
esq. died possessed of the same under Henry V., leaving his two
sisters his coheirs.
From one of the above name this manor was alienated to John
Dyggs, esq. of Barham, whose descendant, James, died inthe
reign of Henry VIIL, then holding this manor in capite, by
knight's service. He left two sons, John, who was of Barham,
and Leonard, whose descendants were of Chilham castle. His
son John, the eldest, succeeded him in this manor, and died in
his lifetime, leaving a son William, whose heir, Christopher
Dyggs, esq. of Barham, having levied fines of all his lands,
under Queen Elizabeth, soon after alienated this manor to the
Archer's, from which name, in the reign of Charles I., it passed
by sale to the Thatcher's, of whom there were many in the ad
joining parish of Wormsell, as appears by the register there, as
early as the reign of Henry VIII. This manor continued in the
name of Thatcher, till by a female heir it went in marriage to
Mr. Henry Bing, of Wickhambfeaux, on whose death, his son,
Mr. John Bing, became possessed of the same. He died in 1 766,
leaving one son Henry, and two daughters, the former of whom
succeeded to this estate. A court-baron is held for this manor.
Frinsted is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
of the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sutton. The
church, dedicated to St. Dunstan, is situated to the west of the
village, but in the northern part of the parish. It consists of
two aisles, and the same number of chancels ; that to the north

136 HISTORY OF THE
•
belongs to the estate of Yoke's court, wherein there are several
memorials for the Thatcher and the Bing famUies. In the south
aisle is a monument for Abraham Tilghman, esq., who died in
1729 ; and in a recess of the north waU of the chancel, is an
ancient tomb, surmounted by an engraUed arch. In the church
yard, is an altar tomb; beneath which, is a vault, wherein lie
A. Tilghman, esq., obt. 1779, and Olivia his wife, with the Rev.
Mr. Crompe, and Henrietta Maria, his daughter.
This church, as before mentioned, was formerly appendant to
the manor of Frinsted, and seems to have passed with the same
from Arnold Hadde, esq. , together with his other estates in this
parish, to Edward and George Hills, with the advowson of the
rectory of Frinsted, who alienated the same to the Archer's ;
when passing to the Thatcher's, it remained in that name tiU
Mary conveyed it in marriage to Mr. Henry Bing, whose des
cendant afterwards possessed this estate.
In Strype's Stowe's Survey, it is said, that in the reign of
Edward III., the church of Frethensted, in the diocese of Can
terbury, belonged to St. Catherine's hospital, near the Tower ;
and Tanner, in his Monasticon, states, in a patent of the 3d of
Edw ard IIL, p. 2, m. 2, is a licence for appropriating that church
to the above-mentioned hospital, with which^ our account does
not agree, as the advowson is found to have been vested in the
several owners of the manor of Frinsted.
This rectory was valued in the king's books at £9 11 8, the
yearly tenths being 19s. 2d., and is of the certified value of
£7 17 4. .Inl640theestimate,was£60,communicantsbeingfifty.
In 1821, there were twenty-two dwelling-s in the parish of
Frinsted ; and at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as foUow : males 80, females 72, making a total
of 152 souls.
Wormsell lies westward from Frinsted, near the summit of
the chalk hills, and is now frequently written aud caUed
Wormshill. That part of the parish northward of the church, including the
borough of Bedmanton, is in the division of East Kent, but the
residue, including the church and viUage, is in that of West Kent,
to vvhich division, therefore, this parish is esteemed to belong.

COUNTY OF KENT. 137
It is situated mostly on high ground, about three miles north
ward from the summit of the chalk hiUs ; the main road through
Newnham, or Syndall bottom, towards Hollingborne, running
along the southern part of this district. It is a parish so
obscurely situated, and of so little thoroughfare, as scarcely to
be known, and being exposed to a northern aspect, lies very bleak
and cold. The church stands rather in the eastern part, having
the village, consisting of a few scattered houses, at a small dis
tance ; from which, about a mile northwestward, is the hamlet
of Bedmanton. The hills here are frequent and steep,_ the soil
being much the same as that in the adjoining parishes. The
land is poor, and in general lets at between 5s. and 6s. an acre.
At the northern boundary of the parish, is a considerable quan
tity of wood, consisting chiefly of hazel and oak, which latter
never grows to any size. In the reign of Henry III., a family
resided here, which derived its surname from this district.
Thomas Pepyr, of this parish, in his will, dated 1460, men
tions his chief place, called Rychemonds, with other lands here,
which he gave to Julian his wife, and aftervvards to Richard
Pepyr, his son.
This Manor was anciently esteemed as an appendage to
that of Boughton Malherb, and was held of the manor of
Ospringe, both of which, for a length of time, possessed the
same owners.
In the reign of Henry IIL, Robert de Gatton held the manors
of Bocton and Wormsell, whose grandson, Hamo, dying without
male issue, Elizabeth, his daughter and coheir, carried both these
estates, in marriage, to William de Dene, who, in the 10th of
Edward II. , obtained, a charter of free warren for his several
manors in this county. Margery, the other daughter of Hamo,
married Simon de Norwood, and possessed all her father's lands
in Surrey, In one of the windows of this church are the arms
of Simon de Norwood, Ermine, a cross .engrailed, gules, charged
with a bendlet, azure, empaling chequy, argent, and azure.
WilUam de Dene died in the 15th of Edward III,, holding these
manors of the king in capite, as of hia castle of Dover, and pay
ing to the ward of the same. Thomas de Dene, his son and heir,
succeeded him in both these estates; and, in the 20th of the
same reign, paid aid for them, when the renowned Edward the
Black Prince was created a knight, as one knight's fee, in

13S HISTORY OF THE
Bocton and Wormsell, which Hamo de Gatton had before held
of the king. He died possessed of the same, when the heirs of
his son, Thomas de Dene, aUenated these manors to Robert
Corbie, whose son and heir, Robert, of Boughton Malherb,
leaving an only daughter and heir, Joan, she carried them in
marriage to Sir Nicholas Wotton, whose heir alienated this estate,
with the advowson of the church of WormseU, to Thomas St.
Nicholas, of Thorne, in Thanet ; whose son and heir, Roger St.
Nicholas, left an only daughter, Elizabeth, who carried this
estate in marriage to John Dingley, or Dyneley. His descend
ant, Francis Dingley, esq., as the name was then written, of
Charlton, in Worcestershire, passed it away to WiUiam Sedley,
esq. of the Friars, in Aylesford, created a baronet in 1611; in
which name and family it continued down to Sir Charles Sedley,
of St. Giles's in the Fields, London. He was created a baronet
in 1702, and afterwards resided at the ancient family seat at
Scadbury, in Southfleet, and alienated this manor, with the ad
vowson, about the year 1712, to the president and governors of
Christ's hospital, in London, for the benefit of that charity. It
still pays a castle-guard rent to Dover castle.
A court-baron is held for this manor.
Bedmanton is a borough in this parish, including within its
boundaries the manor of that name, and has ever been esteemed
as an appendage to the manor of Bobbing, with which it has
been, for many years, in the possession of the family of the
Tyndale's, of North Cerney, in Gloucestershire. The owner of
these estates was, subsequently, Colonel WUUam Tyndale, of
that place.
-Part of this borough is within the manor of Newington, near
Sittingbourne, as appears from the survey taken, in 1650, of the
king's manors and revenues ; the several freeholders of the
borough of Bedmanton, in this parish, holding their lands
therein of that manor in free socage tenure.
Wormsell is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
of the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sutton. The
church, dedicated to St. Giles, consists of two aisles and two
chancels, with a tower steeple at the west end ; there being some
remains of good painted glass in the great east window. Several
of the family of the Tylden's lie buried here, where they resided
tin the reign of James I., when they removed to MUsted. In

COUNTY OF KENT. 139
the churchyard are some mementos of the family of the Thatcher's ;
as well as for that of the Wood's, who resided at Northwobd, in
this parish, and Bicknor.
The rectory was estimated, in the king's books, at £10, the
yearly tenths being £1 ; and is of the annual value of £69 4.
In 1640 the valuation was £76, communicants seventy-three;
it afterwards increased to about 200 guineas per annum.
In 1821 there were twenty-six dwellings in the parish of
Wormsell ; and, at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of ParUament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow : males 91, females 74, making
a total of 165 souls.
Bicknor is the next parish northwestward, anciently written
Bykenore, the south-west part of which district is in the hun
dred of Eyhorne, and division of West Kent; the residue, in
that of Milton, and division of East Kent; but the church and
village being situated in the former part, this parish is esteemed
to be in the division of West Kent,
Bicknor is an obscure place, something more than two miles
northward of the chalk hills. It lies among the woods, mostly
on high ground, and though abounding with hUl and dale, yet
the former are neither so steep nor frequent, as in Worms hill and
the adjoining parishes. It is a healthy situation, but the soil is
very poor, consisting chiefly of an unfertile red earth, mixed with
flints. The church and adjoining village stand on the southern
side of the parish ; about a mile northward from which, is the
hamlet of Dean Bottom; and near the south-east side of the
village, is a large tract of woodland, called Bicknor wood; in
addition to which, there are several other small paycels of wood
land, interspersed in different parts, equally poor with the rest
of the lands. In the northern part of this parish, is an estate
caUed Northwood, lately belonging" to the Chambers's, of
Tunstall. This place vvas anciently part of the possessions of a family
of the same name. Sir John de Bicknor held it, as half a
knight's fee, ifl the reign of Edward I., who, as well as Sir
Thomas de Bicknor, accompanied that king to the siege of
Carlaverock, in Scotland, in the 28th year of his reign, being
both registered in the roll of those knights who were there

140 HISTORY OF TIIE
created bannerets by that prince. Their arms were Ermine on a
chief azure, three lions rampant, argent, which are still remaining
on the roof of the cloisters of Canterbury cathedral.
In the 1st and 1th of Edward II. , Alexander de Bykenore,
clerk, was treasurer of the Exchequer, in Ireland ; and
Thomas, in the 5th of that reign, married Joan, eldest daughter
and heir of Hugh de IMortimer, of Castle Richard. Previous,
however, to that period, at the latter end of the reign of Edward
I., Bicknor was become the property of the famUy of the
Leyborne's, one of whom, William, died possessed pf the pro
perty, in the reign of Edward II. His son Thomas, died during
his lifetime, when his granddaughter, Juliana, became his heir,
and dying without issue, and no claimants appearing to inherit
her vast estates, this property, among the rest, became escheated
to the crown ; where il remained till the king granted it to the
abbey of St. Mary Graces, on Tower hill, of vvhich he was the
founder. By the latter it was soon after demised to Sir Simon
de Burley, for a term of years ; but becoming forfeited on his
attainder, Richard II. granted and confirmed this manor to the
above abbey, in pure and perpetual alms, for ever.
The' manor remained part of the possessions of the above-
mentioned monastery till the dissolution, in the 30th of Henry
VIIL, when it was surrendered to the king. After which, that
monarch granted Bicknor to Christopher Sampson, who, in the
2d of Edward VI., passed it away to Sir Thomas Wyatt, who
soon after alienated the property to Thomas Reader, of Bredgar,
yeoman. He, about the latter end of the reign of Elizabeth,
conveyed it to WiUiam Terry, who, under James I., partly by
sale, and on account of alliance, settled this property on William
Aldersey, descended from an ancient family of that name, settled -
at Aldersey, in Cheshire. His son, Thomas, of Bridgar, gave
this manor by will to his second son, Farnham Aldersey, of
Maidstone, who died possessed of the same in 1686, when his
son, of the same name, alienated it, about 1718, to Charles
Finch, esq., of Chatham, whose daughter and h,eir, Rebecca,
carried it in marriage to Mr. Thomas Cromp, of Newnham,
in Gloucestershire. He was succeeded herein by his only
son, the Rev. Pierrepoint Cromp, of Erinsted, who, in 1764,
sold the estate to Abraham Chambers, esq., of Totteridgej in
Hertfordshire, who resided there for some time. He died in
6

COUNTY OF KENT. 141
1782, and by will gave this manor, with the rest of his estates,
to his three sons, Samuel, Abraham Henry, and William, who
afterwards jointly possessed them ; and upon a division, made in
1795, this manor became the property of William, the youngest.
There is no court held for this manor.
Bicknor is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of
the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sittingborne. The
church, dedicated to St. James the Apostle, consists of a nave
and two side aisles, with a chancel half the length of the church;
the nave is double the height of the/ two aisles ; there being also
a low pointed steeple at the south-west corner.
This is a very ancient and curious structure, and appears, from
the clumsiness of the architecture, the basements of the pillars,
the zigzag ornaments of their capitals, and their semi-circular
plain arches in every direction, to have been built in the time of
the Saxons ; indeed, the whole bears characteristic marks of a
very remote antiquity.
This rectory was a discharged living in the king's books, of
the clear, yearly, certified value of £32. In 1640 it was valued
at £50, the communicants being then thirty-two.
The rector's house, or hovel, as it may be more properly desig
nated, is a very singular edifice, and remarkably situated, being
nothing more than a shed, built against the north side of the
church, with a room projecting nearly across the aisle, beneath
the same roof, affording a miserable habitation even for the
poorest cottager to inhabit. •
In 1821 there were eight dwellings in the parish of Bicknor;
and at the same period, when the last census of the population
was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inhabitants
were as follow : males 29, females 24, making a total of
53 souls.
Hucking is the next parish southwestward from Bicknor,
in the hundred of Eyhorne, and western division of the county.
It is called, in ancient records, Houkynge, and derived the
name from its elevated situation. It is a small unfrequented
parish, and but little known, lying close to the summit of the
chalk hills ; near which, stands the church, with two or three
houses adjoining, the rest being interspersed over different parts.
It is situated on high ground, being much exposed to a bleak
VOL. III. U

l-iS HISTORY OF THE
northern aspect, and joins that part of Hollingborne above the
hills, to the southward. This district wears a woody appear
ance, from the wide hedge-rows round the fields; and on the
north-west side joins a large tract of woodland, which nearly
reaches the church. The whole is dreary and unpleasant, the
soil poor and chalky, and covered with flints.
The manor of Hollingborne, which was given to the priory of
Christ church, in Canterbury, in 980, claims over this parish ;
subordinate to which is the manor of Huckings court, late the
property of the Rev. John Davis, of Mereworth, whose widow,
Mrs. Anne Davis, sold it to Baldwin Duppa Duppa, esq., of
HoUingborne hill.
Hucking, or Rwvpsted, is a small manor in this parish,
which acquired its latter name from the ancient possessor. Sir
Edward Rumpsted, having held it in the reign of Edward I.,
whose descendant, of the same name, was an eminent man in
the reign of Edward III. How long it continued in that hne
we do not find, but, in the 3d of Henry VI. , it devolved to the
possession of Richard Peverell, and, in the 25th of the same
reign, Robert de Poynings died possessed of this property, leav
ing Alianore, the wife of Sir Henry Percy, his cousin and heir,
who had possession granted her of this estate, among her other
lands and inheritance : and during the life of his father, he suc
ceeded also, by this marriage, to the baronies of Poynings,
Bryan, and Fitzpain, by the former of which titles he was sum
moned to Parliament.
On his father's death, in the 33d year of that reign, he suc
ceeded him as earl of Northumberland, and having- engaged
warmly in defence of Henry VI. , was slain fighting on that
monarch's side, ajt the battle of Towton field, being, at the period
of his death, possessed of this manor.
The following year, that is to say, the Ist of Edward IV., an
Act of attainder passed against the deceased earl, when this pro
perty fell to the Peckham's ; with whom it did not, however,
long remain, as, in the reign of Henry VIL, the title became
ve^edin Henty Vane, esq., whose son, Ralph, conveyed it, under
Henry VIIL, to WUliam Taylor, of Romney, son of John, of
Shadoxhurst. From that line it passed to Edward Atte Wood,
who died in the reign of Elizabeth, when he was buried in Hoi
lingborne church. Richard Wood left a daughter and heir.

COUNTY OF KENT. US
Eleanor, who conveyed this estate in marriage to Thomas
Thompson, and he ahenated it to another William Taylor, whose
son and heir, under Charles I., transferred his interest herein,
by sale, to Mr. John Stringer, of Goudhurst, who gave it to his
youngest son, Thomas. His two sons dying, his daughter,
Catherine, married William Belcher, m.d., of Rochester, who at
length entitled him to this estate. He was succeeded by his
eldest son, the Rev. Stringer JBelcher, rector of Ulcomb, who
died in 1739, leaving four daughters coheirs. They possessed
this estate in undivided shares, of which, one fourth part, pos
sessed by Benjamin Neale Bayley, esq., in right of his wife,
Anne, the eldest daughter, was alienated by their son, to
Edward Belcher, esq., of Ulcomb, younger brother of Mr.
Stringer Belcher, before mentioned, who died possessed of the
same in 1778, when his only surviving son, Mr. William Belcher,
of Ulcomb, afterwards became entitled to the fee of the same.
Judith, the second daughter, on her death, devised her part to
her sister, Elizabeth Belcher, and she, in consequence, became
entitled to that, as well as her own fourth part, being one whole
undivided moiety of this estate; the remaining fourth part hav
ing been carried, in marriage, by the other sister, Sarah, to the
Rev. Joseph Milner, of Aylesford,. afterwards d.d., who, in her
right, still continued owner of the property at his death, in 1784,
and by his will devised it to his widow, who afterwards possessed
the same.
Hucking is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of
the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sutton. The church,
dedicated to St. Margaret, is exempt from the jurisdiction of
the archdeacon, and was always esteemed as ,a chapel to the
church of HoUingborne, the vicar of that parish being collated
to the vicarage of the church of Hollingborne, with the chapel
of Hucking annexed ; both united, are of the clear, yearly,
value of £70 16 8.
In 1821 there were seventeen dweUings in the parish of
Hucking ; and at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow : males 90, females 68, making a total
of 158 souls.
Stockbury is the next parish northward from Hucking,

144 HISTORY OF THE
and is called in Domesday Stochingeberge, in later records
Stokesburie, and at the present time Stockbury.
The western part, which is by fdr the largest portion, lies in
the hundred Eyhorne, and the division of West Kent ; and the
residue in that of Milton, and division of East Kent, over which
part that manor claims ; but the church and village being in the
former part, the parish is also esteemed as standing in that dis
trict of the county.
This parish lies on either side of the valley, thence called
Stockbury valley, along which the high road leads from Key
street to Detling hill, and thence to Maidstone ; it then extends
upon the hills, on each side, for more than a mile. It lies mostly
on high ground, and though exposed to the north, is not so
bleak and cold as those parishes on the hills, nor is the soil quite
so poor ; for, on the north side, near Hartlip and Newington,
there is some land much more fertile. The sides of the valley
are covered with coppice wood, which extends round the western
boundary of this parish, where there is some unenclosed down,
being poor land, having a wild and dreary appearance. On the
north side of the valley, near the summit of the hUl, is the
church, with the court lodge ; and at a small distance, on the
north 'side of the parish, is the village called Stockbury street,
where stands the parsonage; as well as Hill Green house, which
was the residence of William Jumper, esq., commanding an ex
tensive prospect northward, over the neighbouring country, and
the channel beyond-; the former owners of which seat will be
hereafter mentioned, in the description of Yelsted manor. South
ward hence, are the two hamlets of Guilsted and South streets,
situated close to the brow of the hill, adjoining the woods.
On the south side of the valley, the woodland continues up
the hills ; westward of which, is the hamlet of Southdean Green,
adjoining the large tract of woodland, called Binbury wood ;
the manor of Southdean having belonged to Mr. John Hudson,
of Bicknor.
On the eastern side of the woodland first mentioned, is the
hamlet of Pett, at the south-east boundary of the parish, for
merly the property and residence of a family of that name.
Reginald Atte Pett resided here, and by his will, in 1456, gave
several legacies to the church, towards a new beam, a new bell
called Treble, the work of the new aisle, and the making a new

COUNTY OF KENT. 145
window there. Near this property is a small manor, called the
Yoke of Hamons Atte Deane; and upon the hiUs, the small
manors are frequently called Yoke's.
A fair was formerly held here, for pedlary and toys, on St.
Mary Magdalen's day, July 22, but now on the 2d of August,
annually. On the 24th of June, 1746, the most dreadful tempest feli here,
that was ever remembered by the oldest inhabitant then living.
The chief force of the storm was felt in the northern part of the
middle of the county, and in some few parts of East Kent. It directed
its devastating influence from the-southward, and happily spread
only a few miles in width ; but wherever it appeared, the force
was irresistible, overturning every thing in its way, and causing
a general desolation throughout the districts where it passed.
From, an eminence, the direction of this tempest might easily be
traced, by the destruction it had caused, as far as the sea, and
the waters of the Swale, whithe^ it reached ; however, neither
the eastern nor western extremities of the county felt any ill effects
from this terrible visitation.
This property, at the period, of the survey of Domesday, was
part of the extensive possessions of Odo, bishop of Bayeux,
under the general title of whose lands it was therein entered.
After the forfeiture of that prelate's lands, the estate fell into the
possession of a family named Auberville, being held by that
line of Roger de St. John, as one knight's fee. Roger de
Auberville, or De Albrincis, was a personage possessing vast
estates at the time of the general survey before mentioned.
WiUiam de Auberville, his descendant, in 1192, under Richard I.
founded the priory of Langdon, in this county ; and his descend
ant, of the same name, died possessed of the manor of Stokin-
burie, in the reign of Henry III., holding it by knight's service.
He left an only daughter and heir, Joan, who carried the pro
perty in marriage to Nicholas de Criol, a man of great eminence
in his time, having attended Edward I. at the siege of Carlaverock,
where he was made a knight banneret for his services; and also
allowed, by the justices itinerant, to have free warren for all
his estates here, except one plough land, called Stannerland.
He died possessed of this manor in the 31st year of that reign ;
and, from PhiUpott, we learn, that many of their deeds bore teste,
from their castle at Stockbury, which indicates that it was one of

146 HISTORY OF THE
the castellated estates of that family. His grandson, John,
also resided here in the reign of Edward III.; at which time he
spelt his name Keryell.
This property remained irt his descendants down to Sir
Thomas Keryell, knight of the garter, eminent for his services
to the house of York, during the reign of Henry VI. ; but being
taken prisoner, at the battle of Bernard's heath, near St.Alban's,
where the Yorkists were defeated, he was, by order of Queen
Margaret, beheaded, notwithstanding the king had granted him
his life ; after which, it was found, by inquisition, that he
held this manor of the king in capite by knight's service, and
paying to the ward of Rochester castle, yearly, and to the king's
court of Mylton. He died without issue male, leaving two
daughters his coheirs; one of whom, Elizabeth, carried this
manor in marriage to Johii Bourchier, whom she survived, and
afterwards died possessed of this estate in the 14th of Henry VI..
holding it as before mentioned. Soon after the above period, it
was alienated to Robert Tate, who died possessed of this pro
perty in the 16th year of the above reign ; and his descendant,
WiUiam, in the reign of James I., alienated it to Sir Edward
Duke, of Cosington, in Aylesford> whose widow held it, in join
ture, at the restoration of Charles II.
His son, George Duke, esq., alienated it to John Conny,
surgeon, twice mayor of Rochester ; when he, conjointly with
his son, Robert, conveyed it, in 1700, to Thomas Lock, gent, of
Rochester. His widow, Prudentia, together with her three sons
and coheirs, in gavelkind, Robert, Thomas, and Henry, in 1723,
passed this estate away by sale to Sir Roger Meredith, bart.,
of Leeds abbey, who, dying in 1738, left it by will to his niece,
Susannah, in tail general, with divers remainders ; till, by the
disposition of the same will, the intermediate remainders having
ceased, it devolved to William Jumper, esq., of HiU Green house,
in tkis parish, who resided at Leeds abbey. He afterwards joined
with Sir George Oxenden, bart., in the conveyance of this
manor, in fee, to John Calcroft, esq., of Ingress, who died in
1772; and by hiawill, devised it to his son, John Calcraft, who,
in 1794, sold it to Flint Stacey, esq., of Maidstone.
Yelsted, or, as it is spelt, Gillested, is a manor in this parish,
formerly possessed by the noted family of the Savage's, who
held it of that of Auberville, as the eighth part of one knight's

COUNTY OF KENT. 147
fee. John de Savage, grandson of Ralph, accompanied
Richard I. at the siege of Ascalon, and obtained a charter of
free warren for his lands here, in the 23d of Edward I. Roger
de Savage, in the reign of Edward IL, had a grant of liberties
for his demesne lands here ; and Arnold, son of Sir Thomas,
died possessed of this property in the 49th of Edward IIL, who
left it to his son, Sir Arnold, of Bobbing ; and his son, Arnold,
dying, his sister Elizabeth became his heir. She was then the
wife of WiUiam Clifford, esq., who, in her right, became pos
sessed of this manor, among the rest of her inheritance ; and in
his descendants it continued till the latter end of the reign of
Henry VIIL, when Lewis Clifford, esq. alienated it to one
Knight, whose descendant, Mr. Richard Knight, gent., of
HiUe house, in this parish, died possessed of it in 1606, and
was buried in this church. His descendant, William Knight,
left an only daughter and heir, Frances, widow of Mr. Peter
Buck, of Rochester ; and after her death, her heirs passed it
away by sale to Sir William Jumper, commissioner of his
majesty's navy, at Plymouth. He had been knighted in 1704,
for his services, as well at the taking of Gibraltar, as, in the naval
engagements against the French, having been, on both occasions,
commander of the Lenox man of war. He died at Plymouth in
1715, and bore for his arms Argent, two bars gemelles sable,
between three mullets, of six points, gules. His son, William
Jumper, esq., was of Hill Green house, as it was afterwards
called ; and died in 1736, leaving one son, WiUiam, also of Hill
Green house, who sold it, about 1757, to the Rev. Pierce Dixon,
master of the mathematical freeschool, at Rochester, and after
wards vicar of this parish. He died possessed of the estate in
1766, leaving it in the possession of his widow, Mrs. Grace Dixon,
who soon' after remarrying Mr. Richard Hull, of London, he
resided at Hill Green house, and afterwards sold this manor,
together with that seat, to William Jumper, esq., the former
owner, who afterwards resided here, and possessed them both.
Cowsted is another manor in Stockbury, anciently written
Codested, and was possessed by a family that derived its sur
name from this property, and resided here. They bore for arms
Gules, three leopards' heads, argent; which coat was afterwards
assumed by the Hengham's- William de Codested died pos
sessed of this manor in the 27th of Edward I., holding it of the

148 HISTORY OF THE
king in capite, by the service of one sparrowhawk, or 2s. yearly,
at the king's Exchequer; as did also his son,William de Codested,
inthe 3d of Edward IIL; when it was found, by inquisition,
that he held this manor by the above-mentioned service, and
also a burgage in Canterbury, of the king and of the ferme of
that city, and that Richard de Codested was his brother and next
heir, whose son, John, called Cowsted, about the beginning of
the reign of Richard II. , left an only daughter and heir, married
to a Hengham, who became possessed of this property in her
right, and assumed her arms.
His descendant, Odomarus de Hengham, resided here, and
died in 1411, under Henry IV. ; after vvhich, it continued in his
name till the reign of Henry VI. , wheli it was carried, partly by
marriage and sale, by Agnes, daughter and heir to John Petyte,
who afterwards resided here, and dying in 1640, was buried, with
his wife, in the chapel of the Virgin Mary, or south chancel of
this church. One of his descendants sold it to the Osborne's,
when Edward of that name died possessed of it in 1622; and
his son left an only daughter, Mary, who entitled her husband,
William Fagge, to the possession of the same.
His descendant, John Fagge, esq., of Weston, in Sussex, vvas
created a baronet, in December 1660, and died in 1700, leaving
three sons, Sir Robert, Charles, and Thomas. Sir Robert dying
in 1740, devised this manor to his sister, Elizabeth, who entitled
her husband, Sir Charles Goring, to this estate. He left by
her a son, Charles, who sold this manor, with his other estates
in this parish, to Edward Austen, esq. , who subsequently inhe
rited this property.
It appeared, by the ancient ledger-book of the abbey of St.
Austin's, near Canterbury, that the abbot and convent were
anciently possessed of a portion of tithes, issuing from the
manor of Cowsted, in Stockbury, which portion continued as
part of the possessions of the monastery till the dissolution, in
the 30th of Henry VIIL, when the abbey, with aU its revenues,
were surrendered to the king.
These tithes, or at least a part, consisting of the great tithes
of 235 acres of land, were afterwards granted, in fee, to the
Petytt's ; from which name they were alienated, with the manor
of Cowsted, to the Osborne's. They afterwards passed down to
Sir Robert Fagge, bart,, on whose death, in 1740, one of his

COUNTY OF KENT. 149
sisters entitled her husband, Harris Nash, by his vvUl, to the
possession of the same, whose son alienated the estate to Charles
Goring, esq., by whom it was subsequently sold to Edward
Austen, esq,
Nettlested is an estate in this district; which, by the
remains of the ancient mansion, situated in Stockbury street,
appears to have been once a seat of some note. The family of
the Plot's, ancestors of that eminent naturalist. Dr. R. Plot,
possessed it as early as the reign of Edward IV. ; and in that
name it remained tiU Robert Plot, gent, of Nettlested, having
purchased Sutton Barn, in the parish of Borden, removed thither.
His heirs alienated Nettlested to Mr. Richard AUen, of Stock
bury, whose descendant, Thomas, afterwards, with Gertrude, his
wife, under George I., alienated the property to Mr. John
Thurston, of Chatham. His son, Thomas, of that place, con
veyed it to the learned antiquary, John Thorpe, m.d., of Roches
ter, who died possessed of itin 1750, and was buried in the'
chancel belonging to this estate, on the north side of Stockbury
church. He had one son, John Thorpe, esq. of Bexley, who left
two daughters and coheirs; Catherine Elizabeth, married to
Thomas Meggison, esq., of Whalton, near Morpeth ; and
Ethelinda Margaretta, married to Cuthbert Potts, esq. of Lon-"
don, who jointly possessed this manor.
There is a portion of tithes, which consists of corn and hay,
growing on forty acres of the lands belonging to the estate of
Nettlested, which formerly appertained to the Almonry of St.'
Augustine's monastery, and is called AmbrelTanton, other
wise Almonry Tanfon. After the dissolution of the above-
mentioned monastery, this portion was granted, by Henry VIIL,
to Ciriac Petitt, esq., of Colkins, who, in the reign of Elizabeth,
passed it away to Robert Plot ; since which, it descended in the
same line of ownerships as Nettlested manor, down to the two
daughters and coheirs of John Thorpe, esq. who possessed the
same. Stockbury is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
of the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sittingbourne. The
church, a large and lofty structure, is very ancient, and consists
of a middle and two narrow side aisles, with a high chancel, and
two others across. The pillars and arches are more elegant than
is usual in country churches; the former, on the north side,Tjeing,
VOL. III. X

isa HISTORY 0-F THE
of Bethersden marble, rudo, and very ancient. This' edifice has
a square tower at the west end, and is dedicated to St. Mary
Magdalen. In the great chancel lie buried several of the family
of the Hooper's ; as well as those of the Knight's ; the Bentley's;
and the Jumper's. The south chancel belongs to the Cowsted
estate, wherein are interred the remains of the Petitt's, and the
Osborne's ; and in the north chancel, belonging to the Nettle
sted estate, are inhumed Dr. Thorpe, and his wife,, who were the
former owners of this property.
The church of Stockbury was part of the ancient possessions
of the priory of Leeds, to which it was given, soon after its
foundation, by William Fitzhelt, the patron.
Hubert Walter, archbishop of Canterbury, in the reign of
Richard I,, confirmed this gift, and appropriated the church to
the use of the piiory, reserving, from the perpetual vicar, the
annual pension of one mark, to be paid by him, to the prior and
convent. Edmund, archbishop of Canterbury, confirmed the
above donation in 1237, and granted the further sum of ten
marks, to be paid half-yearly, by the vicar ; which grants were
confirmed by the succeeding archbishops.
The church and vicarage of Stockbury remained part of tile
possessions of the above-mentioned priory, till the dissolution
under Henry VIII. when they devolved to the king, who settled
both the parsonage and advowson of the vicarage on his new
made dean and chapter of Rochester, in whom they have since
continued vested.
The presentation to the vicarage of this church was reserved
by the dean and chapter in their own hands, but the parsonage
continued to be leased out to several successive owners.
In the 8th of Richard IL the church of Stockbury was valued
at £26 7 8, and in the king's books the estimation was £9 lis.
per annum, the yearly tenths being 19s. Ijd. In 1640 it was
valued at £80, the communicants being then 160.
In 1821, there were seventy-three dwellings in the parish of
Stockbury ; and at the same period, when the last census of
the population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers
of inhabitants were as follow : males 306, females 288, making
a total of 594 souls.
Bredhurst is ihe last parish undescribed in this hundred,,
4

COUNTY OF KENT. ISI
and lies at the north-west corner of the same, adjoining the pa
rish of Rainham, being wholly in the division ofW^est Kent.
This district derives its name from its situation among the
woods, brade, in old EngHsh, signifying broad, and hurst, a
wood, that is the broad extended wood.
The manor of Hollingborne claims over a part of this parish.
Bredhurst lies about two miles northward from the summit of
the chalk hills, and joins that part of Boxley vvhich lies above
them. To the northward it joins Rainham, the ch'urches being
about two miles and a half apart. This parish is surrounded by
an extensive range of wood, and is situated in so unfrequented a
part of the county, that it is scarcely known to any one. It
stands on high ground, and is very cold and bleak. The hills
here are freqiient and steep, the land very poor, and the flint
stones in great abundance. The village is built round a green,
with the church at a small distance to the eastward.
Nearly adjoining the churchyard, northward, is a wood where
the inhabitants report there once existed a viUage called Bred
hurst town, several wells yet remaining on the spot alluded to.
About a mile distant from the cliurch is Kemsley street, so
called from a family once residing there. Isabella Kemsley,
¦widow, of this place, by will in 1595, devised to her son John,
the elder, two pieces of woodland in this parish, on condition
that he should yearly keep a drinking, on AU Saints' day, at night,
to the value of a bushel and a half of wheat, two bushels of
malt, and sixteen pence in cheese, till 46s. 8d. should be an
nually laid out and expended.
The Kemsley''s were buried in a cbapel on the south side of
this church, where formerly remained a brass plate, the memento
of Thomas Kemsley, esq. of Kemsley street, who died in 1586.
The Manor of Bredhurst was anciently part of the pos
sessions of the eminent family of the Northwood's, of Northwood
Castenors, in Middleton, one of whom, John, died possessed of
this property in the 2d of Richard II. , as appears by the escheat
rolls of that period ; and in this church was once a brass plate
for WiUiam Northwood, and four of his sons, who were interred
here. Soon after, this manor, with that of Mere court, in the adjoin
ing parish of Rainham, and the estates called Merethorne, now
Meresbarrovv, were purchased, among others, by John duke of

152 HISTORY OF THE
Lancaster, and others, feoffeijs in trust for the performance pf
certain religious bequests contained in the last will of King
Edward III.
That monarch, by letters patent, in his 22d year, had en
dowed and completed the chapel, originally began by his prede
cessor. King Stephen, in his. palace at Westminster; and by his
will enjoined the duke of Lancaster to fulfil his testament, when
he, incompliance with the same, purchased the manors of Bred
hurst and Mere, and devised them to the canons for forty years,
to the intent that the king might grant them in mortmain for
ever. After that period, by means of some false representations
made to Richard II. by Sir Simon de Burley, that prince granted
to him these manors ; but Sir Simon having subsequently for
feited them with his life, for high treason, in the 10th year of
the above reign, the king, by his letters patent, two years after,
at the petition of the dean and canons, again granted to them
the rents and profits of these manors, and, in his 2lst year, con-
fii'med the same to that body for ever.
These estates so continued till the 1st of Edward VI,, when, by
an Act passfed under Henry VIII. for the surrender of all free
chapels and chantries, this, among others, vvas soon afterwards
dissolved, and the lands and possessions given up to the king,
who, in the 3d year of his reign, granted these manors of Bred
hurst and Mere court, late in the possession of Sir Christopher
Hales, to Sir Thomas Cheney, treasurer of his household. He
died in the 1st of Elizabeth, and was succeeded by his son Henry,
of Todington, in Bedfordshire, who, together with Jane his wife,
alienated this estate, then held tw copi/e,. by the description of
the manors of Mere court and Bredhurst, to Richard Thornehill,
esq. of London.
Sir Henry Cheney, then Lord Cheney, of Todington, after
wards granted and made over all the liberties and privileges of
the said manors, when they descended to his son and heir
, Samuel Thornhill, esq. who gave them by will to his second son.
Sir John, of Bromley, whose son and heir Charles, in the reign
of Charles II. alienated them to Sir John Banks, bart. On the
demise of the latter, in 1699, without issue male, his daughter
and coheir, Elizabeth, then married to the Hon. Heneage Finch,
second son of the earl of Nottingham, entitled her husband to
these possessions. His descendant, the Right Hon. Heneage

COUNTY OF KENT. 153
Finch, earl of Aylesford, died possessed of the same in 1719,
when his descendant, the earl of Aylesford, subsequently became
inheritor of the whole.
Bredhurst is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
of the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sutton, being
exempt from that of the archdeacon. The church, dedicated to
St. Peter, is a small building, consisting of one aisle and a chan
cel, with a low pointed steeple, adjoining to which is a small
chapal, now shut out from the church. On the pavement are
two grave-stones, which have been robbed of their brasses, said
to have been placed there in memory of the Kemsley's, of Kem
sley street, as before mentioned. The whole is now in a state of
complete dilapidation, without a door or window remaining, and
the pavement, which is much sunk, and fallen into the vault be
neath, is covered with rubbish.
The church of Bredhurst was anciently esteemed as a chapel
annexed to that of HoUingborne, the rector of which ranked the
patron. It was of the yearly value of £37 17 6, being a dis
charged living in the king's books. In 1640 it was estimated
at £50, when the communicants were seventy in number.
This chiirch is frequently mentioned as a perpetual curacy,
butiscalled a vicarage, in the several sequestrations of the same,
and in the books of induction in the prerogative-office of Canter-
,bury, as well as in the wills of the incumbents registered therein,
who constantly styled themselves vicars of Bredhurst.
In 1821 there were fifteen dwellings in the parish of Bred
hurst; and at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as foUow : males 82, females 52, making a
total of 134 souls.

151 HISTORY OF THE

THE HUNDRED OF CALEHILL
Is the next parish southward from that of Wye, written in
Domesday Calchelle. It contains within its bounds the pa
rishes of Charing, Egerton, Little Chart, Pluckley,
part of Westwell, and Smarden, with the churches of those
parish.es, and a portion of Bethersden, Great Chart,
Hedcorne, Hothfield, and Lenham, the churches of which
latter are in other hundreds. Two constables have jurisdiction
over this district.
Westwell is the next parish westward from Eastwell, pre
viously described, under the hundred of Wye ; and derives ita
name from Welle, by which designation only it is mentioned in
Domesday, owing to the springs which rise in and near these
parts, and the addition of West, from its situation, as also to
distinguish it from the adjoining parish of Eastwell.
This parish, although situated in a healthy part of the county,
yet, the variety of barren soils, and the low and watery brooks,
with which it is surrounded, render it far from pleasant. The
largest portion is below the upper range of chalk hills, called the
Down hills, which here cross this parish, being partly covered
with coppice wood, called Long Beech wood.
At the foot of the hills is a considerable slip of pasture land,
named Westwell downs ; the whole unenclosed, and full of road
tracks, over which the chalky soil continues. At the north-east
side of the parish is Eastwell park, part being within its boun
daries ; and at no great distance stands the village of Westwell,
as well as the church and vicarage, together with the court lodge
and park house.
From the village, southward, the parish is watered by several
streams running hence into the river Stour, below Hothfield and
Great Chart ; and towards the west, is a heath caUed Westwell
Leacon, round vvhich is a hamlet of houses.
The Manor of Westwell was part of the ancient pos-

COUNTY OF KENT. 155
sessions of the clrurch of Canterbury, but by whom given, we
have not been able to ascertain. In the divisions made, by
Archbishop Lanfranc, of the revenues of this church, this manor
was aUotted to the monks, and by them appointed to the use of
their refectory.
Their title, however, to this manor, appears to have been very
precarious, as it was continually contested ; till at length, in the
reign of Henry IIL, Peter de Bending, who had claimed it, ac
knowledged their right, for which they gave him a sum of mo
ney, with their manor of Little Chart in feefarm. The original
deed is preserved in the Surrenden library, with the seal annexed,
presenting a coat of three bars, and the legend, Sigil Petri de
Bendingies, Three years after, Stephen, son of John Heringod,
released to them, for a certain consideration, all his title to the
same, which he had prosecuted by a writ of right, in the king's
court. The large sums paid for these releases, demonstrate not only the
value of this manor, but likewise the doubtful title by which the
prior and convent held it ; for they did not, even after this, retain
quiet possession till, on a process, before the justices itinerant, in
the 25th year of the above reign, the prior pleaded that he had
the manor by the gift of the king's predecessors, who had be
stowed it on his church, in pure and perpetual alms. After
that proceeding, the fraternity appears to have remained quiet
possessors, by the verdict of the jury, till the ensuing reign of
Edward I., who granted them a weekly market throughout the
year ; while, under Edward II. , they obtained a charter of free
warren for their manor of Westwell. In the prior and convent
it continued till the 3Jst of Henry VIIL, when it devolved into
the hands of that monarch, who exchanged this property, for
other premises, with Archbishop Cranmer, to hold by knight's
service. The above grant was afterwards confirmed by the king,
under the great seal ; at which time there appears to have been
land here, called the Vyneyarde, The above premises remained
with the see of Canterbury, till the 3d of Queen Elizabeth, who,
by Act of Parliament, took into her hands the manor and park
of Westwell, and annexed them to the crown, recompensing
Archbishop Parker with other estates, in lieu of the same. In
the 10th year of that princess, this manor was granted to John
Flecher and WUliam Atkinson, for a term of years ; and Chjirles I.

156 HISTORY OF THE
in his 4th year, granted it, together with the park, in fee, to Edward
Ditchfield, John Highlord, Humphrey Clarke, and Francis Moss,
who immediately vested their interest in Sir John Tufton, knight
and baronet, of Hothfield. His eldest son. Sir Nicholas, having
been created lord Tufton and earl of Thanet, died possessed of
this manor ; and in his descendants, earls of Thanet, it con
tinued down to the Right Hon. Sackville earl of Thanet.
A court-leet and court-baron is held for this manor.
Ripley Court, now generally called Ripple, is a manor
here, formerly eminent from having given the surname to a
family of some rank in these parts ; one of whom, Richard de
Ripley, died possessed of it, in the 30th of Edward I.; and
Philipott observes, that, in an old deed, he was called Miles
Archiepi, as holding it of the archbishop by knight's service.
Previous, however, to the end of the reign of Edward IIL, the
BrockhuU's bad become possessors of this estate, who were suc
ceeded by the Iden's, a family of great antiquity in Sussex, as
well as Rolvenden, in this county. In those names it continued
down to Alexander Iden, esq., who resided here, under Henry VI. ;
and was made sheriff, on the death of William Cromer, esq.,
who had been put to death by the rebel John Cade and his fol
lowers : Cade, being at length deserted, was compelled to fly
alone, and concealed himself in the woods belonging to this
estate; when, the king having promised, by proclamation, one
thousand marks to any one who would bring him, dead or alive,
he was, a few days after, discovered by Iden, the sheriff, who
attempting to take him, on the resistance of Cade, killed him,
and cutting off his head, carried that, with the body, to the king,
in London, who gave him thanks, and ordered the reward to be
paid. He afterwards married Elizabeth, daughter of lord Say
and Seal, and widow of WiUiam Cromer, esq., above mentioned;
in whose descendants, who bore for their arms Azure, a fess
between three closed helmets, or, this manor continued, till it
was at length alienated to the Darell's, of Calehill. A descend
ant of that name, George, in the reign of Edward VI. , con
veyed it to the Baker's ; in which line it remained till Giles
Baker passed it away to Christopher Tamers, esq., who alienated
it to the Right Hon. Sackville earl of Thanet, and he conse
quently became possessed of this property.
Beamoxston, usually called Beamston, and in Domesday

COUNTY OF KENT. 157
Betmonteston, is a manor which lies partly in this parish, and a
portion in Challock, in the borough of its own name, within the
bounds of the hundred of Wye : the site of the court lodge, which
has been many years pulled down, having stood, as it is sup
posed, in that part of Eastwell park within the bounds of this
parish. At the general survey of Domesday, this manor was
part of the possessions of Odo, bishop of Bayeux, under the
title of whose lands it was entered in that record.
On the disgrace of that ecclesiastic, the estate was held by a
family which thence took its surname ; one of whom, John, son
of Roger de Beameston, held it of the honour of Say, under
Henry III.; and inthe following reign of Edward I., Stephen
de la Hay died possessed of it, by knight's service, of that
honour, whose descendant, William, died holding this pro
perty in the 8th of Edward III. Subsequent to the above period,
it devolved to the possession of Thomas at More, who owned it
in the 20th year of the same reign ; from which line it was sold
to Laurence de Amias, whose descendant alienated it, in the
reign of Henry VIIL, to Sir Thomas Moile, of Eastwell. He
dying, in 1560, without issue male, Catherine, his daughter and
coheir, carried it in marriage to Sir Thomas Finch, afterwards of
Eastwell ; in whose descendants, earls of Winchelsea, this manor
continued down to Daniel earl of Winchelsea and Nottingham,
and he dying, in 1769, without issue male, gave it, with his other
estates, to his nephew, George Finch Hatton, esq., of Eastwell.
Shottenden is situated in the eastern part of this parish, in
the borough of Shottenden, and within the bounds of the hun
dred of Wye. It was, in the reign of Henry VI., the property of
Cardinal Archbishop Kempe, who, in the 10th year of that reign,
settled it, among other premises, on his newly founded college of
Wye; with which it remained till the dissolution, under Henry
VIIL, when coming to the cro'^vn, it was, by Queen Elizabeth,
in her 1st year, granted, with the royal manor of Wye and other
premises, to her kinsman, Henry lord Hunsdon, to hold in capite
by knight's service. His grandson, Henry earl of Dover, in
1628, alienated it to Sir Thomas Finch, of Eastwell, when it
descended, in the same line of ownership, down to George Finch
Hatton, esq., of Eastwell park,
Nash Co urt is a manor, lying at a small distance from Shot
tenden, and appears, by old deeds, to have once belonged to the
VOL. III. Y

1.58 HISTORY OF THE
family of At-Nash, afterwards called Nash only ; which line be
came extinct here before the 32d of Edward III., as it appears,
by the close roll of that year, that Alanus de Hanekin then held
this estate. Previous to the close of the following reign of
Richard II. , one of this family alienated it to Thomas Brockhull,
esq., of Calehill, whose son, Henry, in the beginning of the
reign of Henry IV., passed it away to John Darell, esq., after
wards of CalehiU, steward to Archbishop Chichele, and younger
brother of Sir William Darell, of Littlecote, in Wiltshire. In
his descendants it^ continued down to George Darell, esq., of
Calehill, who, in the last year of Edward VL, sold it to the
Sharpe's, of Ninhouse, in Great Chart, whose descendants
afterwards constantly resided here, many of whom, as appears
by their wills in the prerogative-court of Canterbury, lie buried
in the north chancel of this church. The estate was afterwards
in the possession of Mr. William Sharpe, gent., of Westwell.
A court-baron is held for this manor.
At a small distance northward from Nash is a house and lands
called Gig-Nash, formerly the property of Giles Baldock, who
resided there in 1531. It afterwards passed into the name of
Bourne, and was sold by the heirs of Nicholas Bourne, of West-
well, to William Sharpe, of Nash, above mentioned.
Dean Court is a manor in the north-east part of this parish,
above the hill, next to Challock, in which parish most of the
demesne lands belonging thereto are situated, and constituted,
at the survey of Domesday, part of the possessions of Odo,
bishop of Bayeux, under the general title of whose lands it was
entered therein.
On the disgrace of that dignitary, this manor was held by the
family of the Hoeses, afterwards called Hussey ; one of whom,
Henry, died possessed of it in the 18th of Edward I., and his
son, Henry, did homage for it, in the 30th year of the same
reign, to John Peckham, archbishop of Canterbury, of whom he
then held it, together with lands in Sturmouth. In his descend
ants it continued down to Henry Hussey, who, under Henry
VIIL, sold it to a Sackville, when it was afterwards possessed
by William Herbert, earl of Pembroke. He, in the 7th of
Edward VI. , exchanged it with the king, for other premises ;
when it remained vested in the crown till the reigns of Philip
and Mary, and passing through a succession of different owners,
2

COUNTY OF KENT. 159
it came by will, in 1765, to the Rev. George Carter, of Ken
nington, whose son, the Rev. George Carter, of the same place,
ultimately possessed this property.
Diggs Court, generally called Digges, is situated about a
mile westward from the church, and was so named from the
eminent family of the Digge or Digges, that frequently resided
here, and sometimes at Barham, where their principal seat stood.
In the reign of Edward III., Adomarus de Digge was of West-
well, and, by a daughter of his descendant, this seat was con
veyed in marriage to Henry Aucher, esq., of Losenham, who had
two sons, Thomas his successor at Losenham, and Robert, who
was subsequently of Digges court, of which he died possessed
in 1512, and was buried in Westwell church. In his descend
ants, who constantly resided here, it remained, till one of them
sold it to the Godden's, who, in 1700, alienated it to William
Bokenham, esq., whose representatives, in 1719, joined in the
conveyance of the same to Henry May, esq., recorder of Chi
chester. He by will devised it to Thomas May, esq., of God-
mersham, who assuming the name of Knight, it ultimately
passed by will to Mrs. Catherine Knight, of Canterbury.
Leyton, orLECTON, is a small manor situated at a little dis
tance northward from Diggs Court, and was part of the pos
sessions of the see of Canterbury, where it remained till Arch
bishop Cranmer, in the reign of Henry VIIL, conveyed it to the
king; which sale was ratified by the prior and convent of Christ
church ; but the king again exchanged it with the primate for
other premises, and discharged the latter from all tenths; since
which, this manor has continued parcel of the possessions of the
see of Canterbury.
The family of the Honywood's was, for a considerable time,
les.sees of this manor, down to FUmer Honywood, esq., of
Marks haU.
Perriton, or, as it is sometimes called. Perry town, is
another manor in this parish, of which we find no mention
till the reign of Edward I., in whose 5th year, Philip de
Columbers died possessed of this property, holding it of the
king in capite. It then became the property of the family of
the Aldon's ; one of whom, Thomas, died possessed of it in the
43d of Edward III. How long it continued in that name, we
have not found, but it most probably afterwards fell to the pos-

160 HISTORY OF THE
session of the Pyries, called and written Perry, from which this
manor, as well as Perry court, in Wye, assumed their names.
Of the heirs of Geoffry de Pyrie this manor seems to have been
purchased by Cardinal Archbishop Kempe, in the beginning of
the reign of Henry VIL, who settled it on his newly founded
college of Wye, where it remained till the dissolution, under
Henry VIIL, when devolving to the crown, it was immediately
granted, with the small adjoining manor of Broke, and other
premises, to Thomas Cawarden, to hold in capite by knight's
service. From him the property passed to the Moyle's ; and
thence again to Sir John Baker, of Sissinghurst, whose des
cendant. Sir John, in 1657, alienated the manor of Perriton to
Nathaniel Powell, esq., of Ewehurst, in Sussex. His descend
ants passed it away to the Kingsford's ; from which name it
was sold to the Chapman's, and ultimately became the property
of Mr. William Chapman, of this parish.
Wolton, or Woditon,'is, ?i property here, originally the in
heritance of a family called Wolton, or Woditon. Ivo de
Woditon held it in 1236, who left it to his son, John; and
his heir, Richard, in the 20th of Edward IIL, held both this
manor, and that of Wootton by Barham. In his successors, of
that name, this estate continued till the latter end of the reign of
Henry VL, when a portion was sold to Jonn Hampton, and he,
about the commencement of the reign of Edward IV., passed it
away to Richard Rasel, who resided here, and died possessed of
this property ; but a portion remaining unsold, WiUiam Wolton,
at his death, in 1540, ordered the residue to be vested in feoffees,
for the discharge of his debts, when Rasel, having purchased it,
he became entitled to the entire fee. In his descendants it
remained at the restoration of Charles IL ; but, where situated,
or who have since been the proprietors, we have not been able to
ascertain, after the most diUgent inquiry.
Long Beech Wood is alarge tract of woodland, lying above
the hiU, on the north side of this parish, and partly in ChaUock.
It contains about 1,100 acres, and was formerly part of the pos
sessions of the priory of Christ church, upon the dissolution of
which fraternity, under the reign of Henry VIIL, it went to the
crown, when the king granted it, among other premises, in ex
change to Archbishop Cranmer. However, Archbishop Parker
was, in 1570, sued in the Exchequer, for seUing some part of this

COUNTY OF KENT. 161
wood, under pretence that it belonged to the queen, and though
the suit was determined in his favor, yet the archbishop was
compeUed to rehnquish his right to the same, when Sir James
Crofts, comptroller of her majesty's household, obtained a grant
of this property from the queen. It continued in his posses
sion until Archbishop Whitgift obtained so much favor with the
above princess, as to recover the possession of this woodland;
since which it has remained parcel of the estates belonging to the
archbishopric. In 1643, it was rented of the archbishop by
John Boys, gent, at the yearly rent of £40; since which, the
lease thereof has been for some time in possession of the family
of the Bering's, of Surrenden.
Westwell is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
of the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Charing, being
exempt from that of the archdeacon. The church, dedicated
to St. Mary, is a large handsome building, consisting of three
aisles, and two small chancels, as well as a lofty one, there being
a tall spire steeple, shingled at the western extremity. The pil
lars on either side of the centre aisle are sUm, and very beautiful,
betv/een which aisle and the chancel they are uncommonly
elegant. In the middle window of the high chancel were some
good remains of painted glass, presenting four ovals, in each of
which was a figure seated, crowned with a sceptre, the rest being
filled with a bordure, 8cc. Within the altar rails is a memorial
for John Tucker, a.m., rector of Ringwold, who died in 1776,
universally esteemed and lamented. Without the rails are two
stones that have lost their brasses, one of v/hich had the figure
of a priest, mitred, and in his robes ; and the other the stem of
a cross, and at the top the half figure of a priest. There are six
stalls at the west end of the chancels, intended for the use of the
members of the priory of Christ church, during their residence
here. On the south side is a confessional seat of stone, and a
niche for holy water. At the east end of the south aisle are
four niches for statues, and in the north chancel, a memorial for
Mary Wolgate, virgin, daughter of John Wolgate, of Borden,
obiit 1634. In a window, on the north side of the north aisle, is
a shield of arms, and in another, appear those of the priory of
Canterbury, and a shield. Argent, a cross gules. In the south
chancel is a stone, coffin-shaped, about two feet long, with across

162 HISTORY OF THE
flory thereon. Robert at Ligh, by wiU in 1525, devised, for a
pair of " organnys" in this church, ten marks ; and Roger Baker,
by will in 1553, left forty marks towards the reparation of the
steeple of Westwell.
This church was anciently an appendage to the manor of
WestweU, and, as such, constituted part of the possessions of the
priory of Christ church, to which it was appropriated under
Richard II. It remained part of the property of that fraternity
till the dissolution, under Henry VIII. when, falling to the king,
he granted it in exchange for other premises, to the archbishop
of Canterbury, in which see it has since remained.
In 1643, John earl of Thanet, was lessee of this parsonage,
when it afterwards passed to the name of Gurney, and since,
partly by marriage, the lease became vested in the Rev. John
Tucker, late of Canterbury, deceased, whose son, of the same
name, subsequently became entitled to this property.
It was valued in the king's books at £13, the yearly tenths
being £1 6 0, and was afterwards of the clear yearly certified
value of £67 14 0. In 1588, the estimate was £50, the com
municants being 398. In 1640 it was valued at £69, commu
nicants the same.
In 1661 Archbishop Juxon augmented this vicarage by £10
per annum, out of the great tithes. Archbishop Tenison also
gave £50 towards putting the vicarage house in proper repair,
which was then in a dilapidated condition. There is only
half an acre of glebe land appertaining to this vicarage.
In 1821, there were 107 dwellings in the parish of West-
well ; and at the same period, when the last census of the popu
lation was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inha
bitants were as follow : males 443, females 424, making a
total of 867 souls.
Charing is the adjoining parish to Westwell, written in Domes
day Cheringes, and in other ancient records, Cerringes, and
Cherring. It lies partly below, and in part above, the upper range of
chalk hUls, where there is a considerable quantity of woodland.
It is a healthy, though by no means a pleasant situation, from
the nature of the soils, all of which are poor. About the town

COUNTY OP KENT. 163
and village, and to the summit of the hill, it is chalky, and above
consists of a red stiff earth, covered with flint stones ; and below
the town it is chiefly sand.
At the western boundary, near Lenham, is Charing heath,
watered by several small streamlets which rise close to the foot
of the hills, and direct their course southward into the Stour,
which runs toward Ashford, just below the boundary of the
same. The village or town of Charing, as it is generally called,
stands at the foot of the hill, thence denominated Charing hill,
over which the high road leads from Faversham, Smarden, and
Biddenden, and thence to Cranbrooke and Tenterden, in the
Weald. The high road likewise from Ashford is made, by new
cuts, to pass through this town and Lenham. Notwithstanding
these roads, hovi'ever, there is no great traffic; the town is un-
paved, having a clean and rustic appearance. There is one good
house, which formerly belonged to the Poole's, and afterwards
to Dr. Ludwell, from whom it passed to the Carter's, one of
whom sold it to George Norwood, esq. who resided there. Not
far from the above spot is an ancient mansion which has been
modernized, formerly called Peirce house, belonging to Mr.
James Wakely, who resided there, and at a small distance from
the street, eastward, is the palace, with the church and vi
carage. There are large ruins of this archiepiscopal seat remaining, the
ancient great gateway still stands, and much of the sides of the
court yard within. The eastern part appears to have contained
the dining-rooms, the walls being now converted into a barn,
and on the opposite side are many of the offices, at present used
for stables. Fronting the great gateway seems to have been
the entrance into the palace, part of which is fitted up as a
dwelling-house, and at the back, to the northward, are
the ruins of the chapel, the walls remaining entire, being
built of square stones, mixed with flints. In the side wall are
three windows, with pointed arches, and at the east end another
much larger, of the same form. Sir Nicholas Gilbome resided
here, in the reign of James I., who was descended from those of
Ereswike in Yorkshire. Sir Nicholas had two sons and several
daughters, one of whom, Anne, married Charles Wheler, d.d.,
prebendary of Durham, who subsequently purchased the manor
and palace. This parish contains in its boundaries the bo-

164 HISTORY OF TIIE
roughs of Town, Sandpit, East Lenham, part of Field, and
Acton. Various antiquaries have supposed the Roman station, men
tioned in the 2d Iter of Antoninus, by the name of Durolevum,
or Durolenum, to have been in this neighbourhood ; and Dr.
Plot states his discovery of a Roman way, which appeared to
have passed the Medway at Teston, and crossing Coxsheath,
pointed towards Lenham hither. Most of those who have con
tended for this station, have fixed it at Lenham, but only two of
those writers, namely, Mr. Talbot, and Dr. Stukely, after much
hesitation where to place this post, at length fi.xed it at Charing.
The latter founded his opinion on the Roman antiquities vvhich
he states to have been discovered here, while Horsley accounts
for the same by conjecturing this to have been only a notitia way,
and indeed there is but little, if any foundation, for a proof
that the station above mentioned was at Charing. That
it vvas a notitia way, there is great reason to suppose, as has
been already mentioned in the description of Lenham ; to which
may be added, that there exists in this parish, about a mile
south-south-west from the town, a hamlet called Stone street, a
name certainly indicatory of its celebrity in former times.
A family anciently resided here, which derived its name from
this parish, one of whom, Adam de Cherringes, was excommu
nicated by Archbishop Becket, who, to expiate the heinousness
of that disgrace, founded a hospital for leprous persons at
Romney, in honour of St. Stephen and St. Thomas a Becket.
In the reign of Edward I. that king granted a licence to shut
up a road leading from Charing to Ashford.
There exists a vulgar tradition, that Charing cross, in West
minster, was so called from a cross which once stood on the sum
mit of the hill here, which, being removed hence, was carried
and set up on the above spot. This tale, however, is void of
foundation, as the cross vvhich once stood on the site, now
occupied by the figure of King Charles I., was in the centre of
the three highways, and erected in 1292, under Edward I., in
that village, which long before had been called Cherins;es, and
Charing, and thence universaUy denominated Charino- cross.
Charing was part of the most ancient possessions of the
church of Canterbury, and taken thence by Offa, king of Mer
cia, who began his reign in 757, when that monarch gave it to

COUNTY OF KENT. 165
some of his courtiers. King Cenulph, however, his almost im
mediate successor, at the request of Archbishop Athelard, res
tored it again in the year 799, with the consent of his bishops
and nobles, free from all secular services and regal tribute. In
that state it remained till Archbishop Lanfranc succeeded to the
see of Canterbury, in 1070, when on the division of the revenues
of his church, between himself and his convent of Christ church,
this monor was allotted to the archbishop and his successors,
under vvhich title it was entered in Domesday.
On the site of this manor, close to the north-west side of the
churchyard, the archbishops had a |Ja/ace, most probably long
before the Conquest, as it was then styled proprium Maneriuih
Archiepiscopi, from having been kept by the prelates, long pre
vious to that period, in their own hands, and dontinued a palace
at which they occasionaUy resided, as long as they remained
possessors of this manor. Archbishop Stratford, in the 22d of
Henry VI. procured a grant of two fairs in this parish, on the
eve-day, and the morrow of St. George, and St. Luke ; and that
eminent prelate. Archbishop Moreton, who came to the see in
the reign of Henry VII. in great part re-edified this palace, as
he did most of those belonging to his archbishopric, when so
ample was the building, that both Kings Henry VII. and VIII.
in their royal progresses, with all their attendants, were at differ
ent times lodged at this palace. Henry VII. sojourned here on
the 24th of March, 1507, and Henry VIIL, in his way to hold
an interview with the French king, Francis I., between Guisnes
and Ardnes, in 1520. The king left his palace at Greenwich,
on the 21st of May of the above year, on his route to the coast;
the first day he stopped at Otford, then at Leeds castle, thence
proceeded to Charing, and on the 25th entered Canterbury, all
of which palaces were at that time archiepiscopal residences,
evincing the grandeur and magnificence then attached to the
see of Canterbury. But the costliness of these palaces proved
in the end their ruin ; for Archbishop Cranmer, in the reign of
Henry VIIL, perceiving the envy he had excited in the courtierf,
surrendered up most of those mansions to the king. This manor
and palace remained vested in the crown, till King Charles I. in
his 5th year, granted them in free socage, to William White,
and others, to hold in trust, for Sir Allen Apslie, who the same
year, by deed enrolled in chancery, passed them away to Stephen
VOL, III, z

166 HISTORY OF THE
Alcocke, by whom they were conveyed to Sir Robert Honywood,
of Pett, His grandson of the same name, being in the Dutch
service, and not returning home on proclamation, forfeited this
manor and estate to the crown. After that period, Charles IL
in his 26th year, granted them in trust to Walter Vane, and
Sir Philip Honywood, brother of Sir Robert, for the benefit of
the wife and children of the latter. Walter Honywood, their
only surviving son, in 1686, being then of St. Stephen's, devised
them by will to trustees, who in 1692, together with Robert
Honywood, cousin and heir of Walter before mentioned, con
veyed this manor, with the palace and demesnes, to Sir George
Wheler, afterwards d.d., and prebendary of Durham. He died
possessed of them in 1724, in whose descendants they continued
down to Granville Hastings Wheler, an infant, who became en
titled lo the inheritance of this royal manor of Charing, with the
ruins of the archiepiscopal palace, and the lands appertaining
thereto. A court-leet and court-baron is held for this manor, which is
of very large extent.
The custumals of this manor may be seen in Somner's Gavel
kind, and the custom of pannage and danger, or lef-silver, from
the dennes in the Weald belonging thereto, in Somner's Roman
Ports. It appears by a ms. in the library at Lambeth palace,
that there was copyhold land in Charing, held of the archbi
shop, as of his manor here, and a grant was made of some of
the same by the archbishop in 1478, ad voluntatem Domini se-
cundem, consuetudinem manerii.
Raywood is a large district of land in this parish, extending
from the lower end of Charing street to Westwell Leacon, and
Calehill heath, and is chiefly within, if not a part of, the de
mesnes of Charing manor. It has been long since, in a great
measure, cleared of the wood, whereby it was once covered, and
has been converted into farms. It formerly belonged to the hos
pital of Thannington, and afterwards became the property of the
Rev. Mr. Sayer and Mr. DareU.
The Manors of Petts and Newcourt are situated in
the eastern part of this parish, at the base of the range of
chalk hUls, both of which, under Henry III. and Edward I., had
owners of their own respective names, as appears by the private
evidences belonging thereto. However, in the reign of Edward IL,

COUNTY OF KENT, 167
William Ate Newcourt was in possession of both, and on that
family becoming extinct, the Hatch's, written likewise Ate
Hatch, became possessed of both Petts and Newcourt. From
the latter name, they passed by sale, about the latter end of the
reign of Henry VIL, to William Warham, and he, under
Henry VIIL, alienated them again to Robert Atwater, whose
youngest daughter and coheir carried them, with other estates at
Lenham, to Robert Honywood, esq. of-Henewood, in Postling.
The latter afterwards resided at Petts, of which, with Newcourt,
he died possessed in 1576, leaving issue several chUdren, of
whom Robert, the eldest son, succeeded to these manors, and
resided at times both here and at Mark's hall, in Essex. By
his first wife be had a son Robert, and by his second, several
children, to the eldest of whom. Sir Thomas, he gave Mark's
hall, and his other estates in Essex. On his decease, in 1627,
he was succeeded in his estates here, by Sir Robert, his only son
by his first wife, who resided at Petts, which continued in his
descendants until Sir Philip, one of his younger sons, in the
reign of Charles II., left an only daughter and heir, Frances.
She carried this property in marriage to George Sayer, esq. of
Bourchiers hall, in Essex, who afterwards resided here, and
dying in 1718, was buried in this church. He left an only son
George, who was sheriff in 1755, and, dying in 1778, was suc
ceeded by his eldest son the Rev. George Sayer, ll.b., who oc
casionally resided there.
Wickins is a manor in the southern part of this parish, ad
joining to Westwell, wherein part of the lands lie. It was ori
ginally the patrimony of a family of the name of Brent, having
been its most ancient seat ; and Weever states that they were
descended from the ancient stock of Brent, in Somersetshire, of
whom Sir Robert de Brent was a baron of Parliament in the
reign of Edv\ard I. In 1590 the church was burnt, when the
windows and grave-stones in which this family were memorized,
were nearly defaced, but, on the outside of the belfry, the
Wywern, being the arms of Hugh Brent, esq. of Charing, yet
remain, who had four sons. Robert, the first of this name men
tioned in their pedigree, lived in the reign of Edward II. and
was styled of Charing, as were his several descendants after
wards. WiUiam Brent, esq. the eldest son, inherited this ma
nor, and resided here; and Robert, the second, ^as of Wils-

ICO HISTORY OF TIIE
borough, and ancestor of the Brent's of that place. John Brent,
esq. grandson of WUliam above mentioned, feasted Henry VIII.
in this house as he passed towards his then intended siege of
Boulogne ; and Weever says that the hall window of this seat
Was filled with the badges of Edward IV. in every quarry of
glass. His son Thomas, succeeding to this manor, resided here
till the 1 2th of Queen Elizabeth, when, becoming heir to Wils-
borough, by the demise of his kinsman, Robert, of that place, he
removed thither, where he also died in 1612, and was buried
there. By his will he gave this manor or tenement, called
Wickins, with Derice and Caprons, in Charing and Westwell,
with all lands and appurtenances, to his nephew Christopher
Dering, of Charing, who then occupied them, being the fifth and
youngest son of John Dering, esq, of Surrenden Dering, by
Margaret, sister of Thomas Brent above mentioned ; which
branch of the family bore for their arms, quarterly, first, those of
Dering, or, a saltier sable, with a chief azure, to distinguish
this branch, and secondly, Dering, likewise argent, a fess,
azure in chief, three pellets . His descendants resided at Wick
ins, which at length devolved to Heneage Dering Clerk, s,t,p,,
dean of Rippon, and archdeacon of the East Riding of Yorkshire,
who died possessed of the same in 1750, set. 84. He had mar
ried Anne, daughter of John Sharpe, archbishop of York, by
whom he left two sons and several daughters. His eldest son
John, A.M., rector of Helgeye, in Norfolk, succeeded him in this
manor, of which he died possessed in 1774, leaving one son,
John Thurloe Dering, of Denver, since deceased, and a daugh
ter Anne, who, on her father's death, became entitled to this
manor, of which she continued the owner.
Sti LLEY is another small manor in this parish, lying between
Westwell Leacon and Calehill heath, formerly the inheritance
of John de Frene, who lived in the reign of King Henry IIL,
and is mentioned in the Testa de NeviU as having paid aid in
the 20th year of that reign, at the marriage of the king's sister,
for lands which he then held in Charing. His descendant,
Hugh de Frene, had a charter of free zearren granted for his
lands in this parish in the 1st of Edward IIL, but, previous to
the middle of that reign, this manor was become the property of ,
Sir Thomas, son of Sir William de BrockhuU, of Saltwood,
whose son Thomas, of Calehill, sold it, with Newland, to John

COUNTY OF KENT. 169
Darell, esq. then of Calehill. He, by charter of inspeximus, in
3d of Henry VL, had the above-mentioned charter of free warren
within this manor renewed; and in his descendants it continued
down, in the same hne, to Henry Darell, esq. of Calehill, who
possessed the same.
Newland is a manor in the southern part of this parish,
which once gave name to a family who owned it, and resided
here. Sir John de Newland lived here in the reign of Ed
ward I. whose seal was aii escallop upon a chevron, such being
his coat of arms, as appears in writings and registers of past
times; but, previous to the latter end of the reign of Edward III.
this manor was become the property of a branch of the family
of BrockhuU, as above mentioned. In that name, however, it
did not long continue, as Henry Brockhull sold it in the 12th of
Henry IV. with other lands in this and the adjoining parishes,
to John Darell, esq. of Calehill, in whose inheritance it descended
down to Henry Darell, esq. of -that place.
Brockton, or Broughton, is another manor in this pa
rish, situated on the farther part of Charing heath, in the road
leading to Egerton, which had once owners of that name. Adam
de Broughton, or Brockton, lived in the reign of Edward I. and
his descendants enjoyed the property until the latter end of the
reign of Richard II. when it was alienated to the Paunsherst's,
in which name it continued till Thomas Paurisherst, of Charing,
by will in 1503, devised it to his daughter' Joan, and, in failure
of her issue, to his kinsman, Thomas Paine. He became entitled
to this manor, and in his descendants it remained till the reign
of James I. when it was sold to the Withick's, and by a female
heir carried in marriage to Charles Bargrave, gent, of Eastry,
whose son Isaac sold it to Humphrey Pudner, esq. of Can
terbury. His daughter, and sole heir, conveyed the same to her
husband, Thomas Barnett, esq. of Lee, when their only son and
heir, Thomas, of Lee, in Ickham, afterwards possessed it. A
court-baron is held for this manor,
Tremhatch is a manor here, situated about half a mile be
yond the heath, on the Egerton side, which, in the reign of
Edward III. formed part of the possessions of Sir Ralph San-
saver, which we sometimes find written Sawsamere, from whom
it passed into the family of the Barbara's. One of that line,
Richard of Teston, in the llth of Henry IV. by fine levied, sold

iro HISTORY OF THE
it to John Haiit, esq. of Pluckley, who died possessed of Trem
hatch in the 8th or 9th of Henry VI. when his two daughters
and coheirs, by Joan ,de Surrenden, his wife, succeeded him
therein, and Christiana, then the wife of Reginald Dryland, in
right of her mother, with Alicia, wife of WiUiam Goldwell, of
Great Chart, together possessed this property in undivided
shares. At length WiUiam Goldwell seems to have become pos
sessed of the whole of this estate, of which he died possessed in
1485, and in his descendants it remained till the 43d of Queen
Elizabeth, when it was sold by John Goldwell, and Cicely his
wife, to Robert Gaunt, gent, of St. Peter's, Canterbury. Their
son Thomas died possessed of the same in 1625, and by will
gave the property, first, to his brother, George Gaunt, and in
default of his issue, to ThomSs Carlel, son of William of that
name, gent, of Barham, by Mary his sister, who accordingly suc
ceeded to the same. He soon after, in 1658, alienated it to
Edward Taylor, gent, of HoUingborne, who died in 1668, and
by will devised his house and lands called Tremhatch, to his ne
phew, William Reynolds, gent, of Hollingborne, which latter, in
1687, bequeathed it to his executors, to fulfil the purposes of his
testament, when they sold it to John Crisp, who alienated the
property to George Buckhurst, and his descendant, Mr. John
Richard Buckhurst, was subsequently owner of the same.
Burleigh, or Burley, is a manor lying in the western side
of this parish, next to Lenham, having anciently had owners of
that surname ; one of whom, John de Burleigh, founded a chan
try in this church of Charing. At length, after that family be
came extinct, this manor devolved to the possession of the St.
John's, who bore for their arms Argent, a mullet sable, on a chief,
gules, three mullets pierced of the first, and were residents here.
At length Avis, daughter of William St. John, esq., of Charing,
carried it in marriage to Humphrey Barrey, esq., who frequently
dwelt on this estate, and was thence usually styled Barrey of
Charing. It did not, however, remain long irr that name, as it
shortly after passed to the family of the Dalyngrygge's, of
eminent note in Hampshire ; Sir Edward Dalyngrygge having,
by fine levied in the 1st of Richard II. , passed it away to
Roger, and Alice his wife, who soon afterwards conveyed it by
sale, to Thomas Brockhull, of Calehill. His son, Henry, in the
12th of Henry IV., alienated the property, together with Cale-
2

COUNTY OF KENT. 171
hill, to John Darell, esq., afterwards of that place ; in whose
descendants it continued down to Henry Darell, of Calehill,
who afterwards possessed the same.
The lands given for the support of the above-mentioned
chantry were, at the suppression, in the reign of Edward VI. ,
granted to a Darell, then owner of the manor, and his descend
ant, Henry Darell, esq., of Calehill, was possessor of them, as
well as the manor of Burleigh ; the mansion of which lies near
the footpath leading from the upper part of Charing street to
Lenham or Royton heath.
Acton is an estate lying in the north-west part of this parish,
in the borough of its own name, just below the chalk hills, a
place rendered eminent from its having been the property of the
noble and ancient family of the Beaufitz's, who made it their
residence before they removed to Twidale, in Gillingham. Robert
Beaufitz, as appears by an ancient roll, held it under Henry HI.,
and from him it descended to his grandson, Robert, who, in the
reign of Edward III , made that seat his residence. In him and
his descendants it continued till the reign of Henry VIL, when
John leaving two daughters his coheirs, Joane carried it in mar
riage to Robert Arnold, of Sussex, whose grandson, William, in
the reign of Henry VIIL, alienated it to Sir Anthony Sondes,
of Throwley. His grandson. Sir Richard, in the reign of
James I., conveyed it to the Hutchins's, who, by will, vested the
property in Nicholas Nicholson, as his feoffee, in trust, for dis
charging the purposes of his will, and he sold this estate to the
Godden's; by a female heir of which name it afterwards passed,
in marriage, to Mr. Peter Twyman, of Rushbrooke, in West-
bere, who devised it to his three sons, Arthur, Wheler, and John.
Arthur died unmarried, in 1779, and left his third part in trust
to fulfil the conditions of his will : Wheler, the second son, was
of Rushbrooke, clerk, and dying unmarried, in 1779, devised his
third share to Hannah Hall, afterwards married to Mr. Peter
Harrison, for her life; with remainder to Lewis lord Sondes : and
John, the third son, left a daughter, Phcebe, in whose trustee,
and in Mr. Peter Harrison, in right of his wife, the possession of
this manor remained in undivided thirds.
A court-baron is held for this manor.
EvERSLEY is the last place remaining to be described in this
district, lying above the chalk hills, within the bounds of this

1/2 HISTORY OF THE
parish, and partly in that of Stalisfield, which, though now of
but small importance, vvas anciently of considerable consequence,
as having been one of the mansions of Bryan de Eversley, a man
of great eminence in the reigns of Henry 111. and Edward I.,
being mentioned in the ledger-book of Faversham abbey, as hav-
ingr been a great benefactor to that institution. How long it
continued in the above name, we have not ascertained, but, about
the beginning of the reign of Edward III., it had become the
property of the Peyforer's ; from which line it passed into the
family of the Potyn's, and so remained, till Juliana, only daugh
ter and heir of Nicholas Potyn, carried it in marriage to Thomas
St. Leger, of Otterden. He died possessed of the property in
the 10th of Henry IV., and by will devised it to his only daugh
ter and heif , Joan, who entitled her husband, Henry Aucher, esq.,
of Newenden, to its possession. In his descendants this estate
remained till about the latter end of the reign of Elizabeth, when
Sir Anthony Aucher alienated it to Michael Sondes, esq., then
of Eastry, but aftervvards of Throwley ; and in that line it con
tinued down to Sir George Sondes, created, by Charles II. , earl
of Faversham. His youngest daughter and coheir, Catherine,
at length, by her father's entail, entitled her husband, Lewis
Watson, afterwards earl of Rockingham, to this estate; and his
youngest grandson, Edward earl of Rockingham, dying, devised
it, among his other estates, to his kinsman, the Hon. Lewis
Monson, who afterwards assumed the name of Watson, having
been created lord Sondes, and was subsequently the possessor of
this manor.
Charixg is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of
the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of its own name, and is
exempt from that of the archdeacon. The church, dedicated to
Sts. Peter and Paul, is a handsome building, consisting of one
aisle and a transept, with a high chancel, and a lesser one on the
south side. The tower has a small beacon turret at the west
corner, originally began to be built of stone at the latter end of
the reign of Edward IV., as appears by several legacies for the
erection of the same, in the wills at the prerogative-office of
Canterbury, from 1479 to 1545, not until vvhich period it seems
to have been finished. Upon the stonework, on the outside, are
the arms of the Brent's, and a coat, being a star of many points.
In 1590, this church was consumed by fire to the very stones of

COUNTY OF KENT. 173
the building, vvhich accident occurred in consequence of a gun
being fired at a pigeon, then upon the roof; whereby the win
dows, and grave-stones of the family of the Brent's, were defaced.
John Brent, sen. , of Charing, in 1501, was buried in this church,
opposite to the door of the new chapel of the blessed Virgin
Mary, where no burial had as yet been solemnised ; and Amy
Brent, of Charing, by wiU, in 1516, was buried within that chapel
which was her own edification. This chapel, now called Wickin's
chancel, was much defaced by the fire above mentioned. In the
south cross vvas Burleigh chantry, previously adverted to, which
being burnt down in 1590, was repaired by John Darell, of Cale-
hUl, then the proprietor. Under King Richard II. , the block
whereon St. John the Baptist was said to have been decapitated,
was conveyed to England and kept in this church. In the high
chancel is a memorial for Samuel Belcher, ,gent., of Charing,
obt. 1756, set. 61, as well as for his two wives. In the small
chancel are memorials for the Nethersole's and the Dering's ; in
the middle aisle are mementos for Peirce, Henman, and one
Ludwell ; in the north cross remain monuments for Sir Robert
Honywood, of Pett, and the family of the Sayer's ; and in the
south cross, others for Mushey Teale, m.d., and Mary his wife.
The pews, in this edifice, are of oak, being very profusely orna
mented. King Henry VIIL, in his 38th year, demised this rectory and
the chapel of Egerton to Leonard Hetherington, gent , for
twenty-one years ; and the lease continued in bis descend
ants till one of that line sold his interest therein to John Dering,
esq., of Egerton ; but by some means, long before his demise,
in 1618, it had passed into the possession of Edward lord
Wotton. How long it continued in the latter famUy, we have
not found, but it was afterwards demised to the race of the
Barren's, of Rochester, with whom it remained for many years ;
and in their descendants the demise continued down to the Rev.
Edmund Marshall, who died, in 1797, possessed of the lease of
this rectory.
This vicarage was valued in the king's books at £13, the yearly
tenths being £16; but was afterwards of the clear yearly certi
fied value of £72. In 1588, the estimation was £50, commu
nicants 326. In 1640 the value was £80, «wmraunicants 370;
and in 1700 the estimate was £110.
vol. hi. a a

174 HISTORY OF THE
In 1535 this church was esteemed a sinecure, which accounts
for its having been formerly denominated a prebend.
In 1821 there were 192 dwellings in the parish of Charing;
and at the same period, when the last census of the population
was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inhabitants
were as follow: males 557, females 546, making a total of
1103 souls.
Egerton adjoins Charing to the south-west, having derived
this name from its situation on the side of the hill.
It stands on the height of the range of the lower, or quarry
hills, whence there is a most beautiful prospect over the Weald.
The village, with the church, stands on the summit of the hill ;
the tower being a conspicuous object to the surrounding country,
and considered the boundary of theWeald. At the southern
foot of these hills, one of the heads of the river Medway rises,
exactly in the same manner as that of the Stour, at a small dis
tance to the north of the same, under the down hills, each flow
ing in contrary directions. The soil on the hill is both dry and
healthy, being thinly covered with a loam, extremely fertUe for
corn, fruit, and hops, of which latter there are several planta
tions, that uniformly thrive in these parts. The district stretches
below the hill, southward, into the Weald, where the country
presents a deep miry clay, oversprfead with thick hedge-rows and
towering oaks. In this part are two greens, called Frigg's
Forstal, and Newland green, with hamlets surrounding them ;
and on the latter, was a mansion called Newland, which, in the
reign of Henry VIIL, was the residence of the family of the
Peir's. It afterwards belonged to Filmer Honywood, esq.,
about the same time that the Burwash's were of Elmhurst, in
this parish and Smarden, whicli, subsequently became the pro
perty of thfe Barling's. In the reign of Edward VL, the family
of the Bachelor's possessed a mansion here, named after them,
vvhich vvas subsequently the property of the Rev. Francis
Dodsworth. Below the village, on the northern side of the hill,
is a spring of water, which petrifies ; and about half a mile west
ward, a house called Goodale, formerly the residence of a branch
of the family of the Dering's. John, fourth son of John Dering,
of Surrenden, by Margaret Brent his wife, resided here in the
reign of Elizabeth, who bore for his arms the same coat as those

COUNTY OF KENT. 173
of Surrenden, with a chief gules, for- difference. It then des
cended down to bis great grandson, of the same name, whose
only daughter, Jane, carried this seat in marriage to George
Hussey, esq., of Cuckfield ; in whose descendants, residing here,
it continued, till sold to Galfridus^Mann, esq., whose only son.
Sir Horace, afterwards possessed it. Lower down, and farther
northward, is the hamlet of Stonebridge Green ; and beyond, at
the boundary of the parish, the branch of the Stour, rising at
Streetwell, in Lenham.
A fair is held here, on the 5th of August, for toys and pedlary.
It also contains three boroughs: Greenhill,extending into Pluckley;
Sidney, having within its bounds the farther side of the street ;
and Edgeley, which contains that portion of »the street nearest
the church.
The manor ok Charing claims ^JHrajwoKwi over this parish;
subordinate to which, are the manors of Warden, otherwise
Egerton, and Brubcombe ; the former of which was once
the property of a family of the name of Warden, which conferred
its name to this district, John Warden having possessed this
estate in the reign of Richard II. The latter belonged to a
family that also gave its name to that property ; one of which,
Adam de Broxcombe, sometimes written Brestcombe, possessed
it about the latter end of the reign of Edward I.; whereas, under
Edward II. , it had passed from one of his descendants to the
Chidcroft's, generaUy called Chitcroft, a name of some anti
quity, both here and at Lamberhurst. Agnes, the wife of
Richard Chitcroft, held it at her death, in the 18th year of the
latter reign ; and upon the extinction of that Une, the Beaumont's,
or De BeUamont's, were possessed of this property. - John died
owner of the manor of Bruscombe, in the 20th of King Richard
IL, leaving Henry his son and heir, who did not possess it long,
as it soon after became vested in the Baron's, a family originally
from the West of England. John Baron died possessed of
Brunscombe in the 3d of Henry V., and vvas succeeded, about
the latter end of that of Henry VI. , by the Wotton's ; Nicholas
Wotton, esq., of Boughton Malherbe, having died owner of
both the manors of Warden and Bruscombe in the 7th of Henry
VIL, as did his grandson. Sir Edward, in the 5th of Edward VI. ,
together with the manor of Fylther, or Fill, now called
Field farm, lying in this parish, a,bout a mile northward from

176 HISTORY OF TIIE
the church, in a borough of its own name. He also held this
manor, with that of Wardens, in capite by knight's service, as
was then found by inquisition, his lands having been disgavelled
by Acts of the 2d and 3d of Edward VI. His grandson. Sir
Edward Wotton, was, in the 1st of James I., created, lord
Wotton, in whose descendants these three manors continued
down, in the same manner as the adjoining estate of Boughton
JNIalherb, before described, with the rest of the Wotton estates
in this county, to Philip Dormer Stanhope, earl of Chesterfield,
who, in 1750, sold them to Galfridus Mann, esq. ; and his only
son. Sir Horace, afterwards became possessor of the same.
Barlings is a manor in this parish, the farm of which, called
Barling's hole, is situated about half a mile from the church,
having, from the earhest times, had possessors of the same name,
who have constantly resided here. At length, after many gene
rations, Richard Barling,- gent., leaving an only daughter and
heir, she carried the property in marriage to William Sharpe, of
this parish, whose son. Barling Sharpe, sold it to Mr. John
.Ashbee, of Little Chart. A court-baron is held for this
manor. Egerton is situated within the Ecclesiastical Juris
diction of the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Charing.
The church, which is exempt from the jurisdiction of the arch
deacon, is dedicated to St. James, being a very handsome build
ing, that stands on the summit of the hill, and is seen at a great
distance, both from the north and south. It is buUt of sand
stone, and has a square tower, with a beacon and turret, at the
west end. The fabric contains two aisles and a chancel ; in the
two former of which are memorials for the Hussey's ; and on the
turret, is a coat of arms, obliterated by time. It is said that the
steeples of this church. Little Chart, and Charing, were all
built by Sir John Darell, of Calehill, in the reign of Henry VH.
We are of opinion that he might have been a considerable be
nefactor, but the will's, in the prerogative-office of Canterbury,
shew that the continued various benefactions of others were so
necessary for the carrying on the works, that the building con
tinued in progress during many years, by very slow degrees, for
want of sufficient funds to complete the same. The steeple of
Egerton seems to have been finished about the year 1476. John
At WeUe, of Egerton, by wUl, in 1531, gave five marks for
1

COUNTY OF KENT. 177
buying a new pair of organs for this church. There are two
remarkable fine yew-tr^es in the cemetery of this church.
The church of Egerton was always esteemed as a chapel to
that of Charing ; the tithes, both great and small, being now,
as well as the parsonage of that parish, appropriated to the dean
and chapter of St. Paul's, London.
This edifice has, for many years, been a distinct parish-church
from that of Charing, and is a perpetual curacy, in the gift of
the dean and chapter of St. Paul's, who formerly aUowed £20
per annum stipend to the curate. However, about 1675, they
augmented it by an additional £10 annually ; and in that year
the inhabitants of this parish raised a sum of money among
themselves, and bought a small farm in Stalisfield, rented at
£5 per annum, which was settled in trustees, for the use of the
curate and his successors. At the same time, the church
wardens, by consent of the parishioners, settled upon the
trustees, for the same use, a small house in Egerton street, for
merly given by one Nicholas Barling, for the maintaining of
lights within the church.
In 1821 there were 122 dwellings in the parish of Egerton;
and at the same period, when the last census of the population
was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inhabitants
were as follow : males 478, females 412, making a total of 890
souls. Little Chart lies the next parish southeastward of Eger
ton, being written in ancient records Cert. It is situated on the
north side of the range of quarry hills, where the sod consists
chiefly of quarry stone, thinly covered with a fertile loam. The
village stands about a mile northward from the summit of the
hill ; adjoining to which is the court lodge and the church.
The stream that rises at Streetwell, in Lenham, constituting a
head of the Stour, having passed Egerton, as before observed,
runs through the centre of this parish. On the hill, northward
of the stream, stands Calehill, a.n elegant well-built mansion,
beyond which the soil becomes a very deep and barren sand,
especially about the Warren and Calehill heath, near which is
much open waste land ; and upon that spot, Mr. DareU formed
large plantations of the Scotch fir. The very extensive demesnes
of the manor of Little Chart, with those of Newland, Stilley,

178 HISTORY OF THE
and Burleigh ; the lands of Raywood, with Calehill and its war
ren, aU belonging to Mr. Darell, form as complete and compact
an estate as any in this neighbourhood.
The Ashford high road to Maidstone originally crossed
CalehiU heath, till, by improvement, it was made to go, by seve
ral new cuts, farther northward, through Charing and Lenham.
The high road, likewise, from Faversham, through Charing,
crosses this parish, southward, towards the top of the hill,
through Pluckley, in the direction of Cranbrooke and Tenterden
in the Weald, a road of no great traffic, except for timber and
the produce of the woodlands. Near the warren house, by
Calehill, were dug up, several years ago, some urns, containing
ashes and bones.
This district, in the time of the Saxons, belonged to one of
their princes, named Halethe, of whom it was purchased by
Archbishop Ceolnoth, in 839, and given to the monks of Christ
church, with the consent of King Ethulwulf, who declared it to
be free from all secular service and regal tribute, excepting the
repelling of invasions, and the reparation of bridges and castles.
This land was de cibo eorum, being allotted for the use of the
refectory, vvhich vvas confirmed to the fraternity, in 1044, by one
Elgeric Bigge; in which state this manor of Little Chart
remained at the survey of Domesday, in 1080, being therein en
tered under the general title of lands appertaining to that
monastery. This manor continued in the possession of the prior and con
vent till the 8th of Henry III., when, on consideration of Peter
de Bendings releasing to them all his right and claim to the
manor of Westwell, they granted to him this manor of Little
Chart, with all its appurtenances, excepting Wadetune and the
denne of Biddenden, to hold in feefarm.
Inthe 10th of Edward II., the prior obtained a charter of
free warren for this manor, among others. Soon after which, it
.became the property of the family of the BrockhuU's, of Salt-
wood, and so remained till Thomas, of CalehiU, who bore for his
arms a cross engrailed, between twelve cross crosslets, fitchee, as
appears by a deed in the Surrenden library, in the 1 2th of Henry
IV., enfeoffed John Darell in the same, together with the manors
of Calehill and Hacchenden. In his descendants the interest in
this manor continued down to George Darell, esq., of CalehiU,

COUNTY OF KENT. 179
who, after the dissolution of the priory of Christ church, under
Henry VIII., was found to hold this manor, to him and his heirs,
in feefarm, at the yeariy rent of £18 4 3. When the above
monarch founded the new dean and chapter of Canterbury, in
his 33d year, he granted the fee of this manor, held as before
mentioned, as part of their endowment ; after which it con
tinued to be held in feefarm, at the same yearly rental, by the
family of the Darell's, of Calehill.
A court-baron is held for this manor.
Calehill is a manor in this parish, which, in former times,
wassoeminent, as to confer its name upon the whole hundred, hav
ing been since rendered still more famous, in consequence of the
lengthened period it became the residence of the family of the
Darell's. Under Henry III., it was the inheritance of the family
of the Frene's ; one of whom, Hugh de Frene, had a charter of
free warren for this manor and Stilley, in Charing, in the 1st of
Edward I. He was the grandson of Osbert de Pluckley, jun.,
of Pluckley, whose eldest son, John, inherited that manor,
which, by a female heir, passed to the Surrenden's ; and thence,
in the same manner, to the Haul's and the Dering's. This
younger branch of Pluckley and the Frene's bore for their arms
Or, a fleur de lis, sable, being the armorial bearings of Pluckley,
and, as a difference, within a bordure of the second. Previous,
however, to the end of the reign of Edward IIL, this family be^
came extinct here, as, in the 23d of the same reign, Richard de
Frene^ his descendant, passed it away to Thomas de Brockhull,
of Saltwood, whose son, Thomas, of Calehill, in the reign of
Henry IV., enfeoffed John Darell, esq., herein, together with his
interest in Little Chart, as before mentioned. He afterwards
resided at CalehiU, which he rebuilt, having been knight of the
shire, under that reign, and sheriff, in the llth of the same.
In the 3d of Henry VI. , he obtained the charter of free warren,
which had been granted to Hugh de Frene, the same being re
newed for this manor and Stilley, in Charing. The family of
the Darell's is descended from one of that name, mentioned in
the roll of Battle Abbey ; a descendant of whom vvas of Sesay,
in Yorkshire, in the reign of Henry III. His arms were Azure,
a lion rampant, argent, crowned or, tnembered gules; from
whom sprang all the different branches of the Darell's, in this
kingdom. At length his descendant, William Darell, esq-, of

130 HISTORY OF THE
Sesay, left three sons ; Marmaduke, who inherited Sesay, where
his descendants continued ; Wilham, the youngest, who was of
Littlecote, in Wiltshire, under-treasurer of England, and ances
tor of the Darell's, of that place ; and John, the second son,
who was of Calehill, which he purchased, as before mentioned,
and died in 1438, having married, first, Joan, daughter and heir
of Valentine Barrett, of Perry court, by whom he had WUliam,
who succeeded him at Calehill. He married, secondly, Florence,
niece of Archbishop Chichele, who constituted him steward of
the archbishopric, by whom he had one son, Thomas, who in
herited Scotney, in this county, where his descendants remained
till the reign of George I. The descendants of John DareU, by
his first wife, were of great eminence among the gentry of this
county, and constantly resided here ; their monuments and me
morials still remaining in the church of Little Chart. It then
continued down, by strict entail made at different periods, to
Philip Darell, esq., who rebuilt this seat on an eminence, at a
small distance from the ancient mansion of Calehill, in which he
afterwards resided. He died at Canterbury, and was brought to
this church, and buried among his ancestors, having left, by
Mary his wife, daughter of Robert Constantine, who died in
1785, four sons and two daughters ; Henry, John, Edward, and
Philip ; Catherine, who married Michael Bray, esq., of London;
and Barbara; of the former, Henry, the eldest son, was the
inheritor and possessor of this manor and seat. He married
Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Thomas Gage, bart., by whom he
had several children. The ancient arms of this family were, as
before mentioned. Azure, a lion rampant, argent, crowned or,
arm'ed and langued gules; but when the house of Sesay branched
off into the two houses of Calehill and Littlecote, in the two
sons of Sir Marmaduke Darell, of Sesay, the difference of the
coat armour of these two houses were thus ordered : viz. that
the house of Calehill should bear a trefoil slipt on the shoulder
of the lion, and that of Littlecote a cross crosslet, fitchee, for
difference. However, by the death of Thomas Darell, of Sesay,
without issue male, under Henry VIIL, the Darell's, of Cale
hill, becoming the eldest heirs male of this family, gave, of right,
the ancient arms, entire, without difference ; in w hich manner
they were afterwards borne by the Darell's, of Calehill. Those
of Scotney, descended from John, of Calehill, by Florence

COUNTY OF KENT. 181
Chichele his wife, bore a crescent within the trefoil, slipt, for
difference. This parish is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
of the diocese of Canterbury Sind deanery of Charing. The
church, dedicated to the blessed Virgin and Holy Cross, is a
handsome building, composed of sandstone, and contains two
aisles and two chancels, having a tower-steeple at the west end,
surmounted by a beacon turret; the steeple being supposed to
have been erected, in the reign of Henry VIIL, by Sir John
DareU, of CalehUl. In the high or south chancel, is a grave-stone
robbed of its brasses, with the exception of the shield of arms,
being across, lozeny florette. Within the altar rails, is a monu
ment for Richard Camden, gent., of London, and his wife,
Rhoda ; and in the second south window, a coat, Azure, a Uon
rampant, argCHt, empaling the same, the glass being very ancient.
Between the pillars, which separate the north and south aisles,
is a partition of wood in the Gothic style, with open spaces like
window-frames, vvhich returns across it from the west end of
the aisle, enclosing the eastern part; above is a chancel or
chapel, .dedicated to St. Catherine, being the burial-place of
the Darell family ; wherein are several monuments and grave-
' stones, and a vault beneath the whole of the same. In this
aisle is also a memento for Mary Halles, widow of John Halles,
esq., of Ten.terden, deceased, daughter of Robert Home, bishop
of Winchester, obt. 1629. This aisle or chancel has no ceiling,
and, for want of repairs, the roof is, in many places, exposed to
the open air. The pavement in the centre is fallen into the vault
beneath, the monuments being broken and defaced ; and the
whole in a very ruinous condition.
This church is a rectory, having been parcel of the ancient
possessions of the see of Canterbury ; and so continues, his
grace the archbishop being patron thereof.
It was valued in the king's books at £13 10 10, the yearly
tenths being £1 7 1. In 1588, there were eighty-four com
municants ; and in 1640, it was estimated at £90, the commu
nicants being 126. In 1778, the tithes were annually let for
£120, when the house and glebe were, besides, worth £27 6 8.
From an ancient ms. it appears, that twenty- nine acres of land
were given to this church, in the reign of Edward II. , by Peter
de Bending, who, under Henry 111., had a grant of the manor
VOL. III. li b

182 HISTORY OF THE
of Little Chart from the convent of Christ church, in feefarm.
He built the north part of this church, and was buried in the
middle of the aisle ; and soon after the purchase of Calehill by
John Darell, esq., the latter possessor beautified and glazed that
portion of the fabric, as a burial-place for himself and his pos
terity. In 1821, there were twenty-nine dwellings in the parish of
Little Chart; and at the same period, when the last census of
the population was taken by order of Parhament, the numbers
of inhabitants were as follow : malse 161, females 142, making
a total of 303 souls.
Pluckley is the next adjoining parish southward, being
written in Domesday Pluchelei, and in other records Plukele.
It is situated on the lovver ridge of eminences, called the
quarry hills, the parish being about two miles, across, extending
the same distance below the hills, into the Weald, where a
great portion of Pevington is annexed thereto ; and to the north
ward, on the other side, the river Stour forms its boundary; as
it also does eastward; in which parts are the hamlets of Ford,
Mill, and Proting street. About a mile eastward, is the mansion
of Surrenden, finely situated on an eminence, commanding a '
most extensive and variegated prospect towards the south-east,
this dwelling standing in the park, beautifully clothed with
timber and rich pastures ; a situation so delectable, according to
Weever, that few can be compared to it, for the healthfulness of
the air, beauty of prospect, and every desirable property; while
that which makes it more esteemed by the owner, says Hasted,
is, that since the grant of this estate, in the Conqueror's reign,
it has never been alienated, but continued, without intermission,
in the descendants of the same family, down to its then owner.
Below the hill, in the Weald, there are several forstals and
hamlets ; for instance, Pluckley, Thorn, Dowle street, &c.
Near the latter, at Newland green, is a good mansion, the pro
perty and residence of Mr. Richard Ashbye ; and farther on, at
the southern boundary of the parish, flows that branch of the
river Medway which rises at Great Chart.
The soil of this parish is much the same as that of Egerton,
Boughton, and others adjoining, in all of which the quarry stone
prevails, being very fertUe for corn and hops. Southward in the

COUNTY OF KENT. 183
Weald the land is a deep miry clay, covered with woods, broad
hedge-rows, and spreading oaks.
A fair is held here on Whit Tuesday, for toys and pedlary,
and another on the feast of St. Nicholas for cattle, but more
particularly hogs, vvhich are driven hitherin vast numbers, the
prices they bear being generally a rule for those of all the adja
cent country.
The Manor of Pluckley was part of the possessions of
the see of Canterbury, and entered under the general title of
lands belonging to that archbishop.
It appeared that the primate then held this estate in demesne,
that is to say, in his own possession ; but Archbishop Lanfranc
soon afterwards granted it to one John de Plukele, who is styled
in the grant Miles Archiepi, or one holding this land of the
archbishop by knight's service, as it was very customary for the
prelates, and men of consequence, in those times, to confer sugh
grants, until restrained by a statute passed in the 18th of
Edward I. The decree in question is styled, from the preliminary
words. Quia EmptoresTerrarum, whence it was held, that all ma
nors then in being should have existed from immemorial prescrip
tion at least before the framing of this statute, it beingessential that
there should have been tenants to hold of the lord, so that in
future no subject might enfeoff any new tenants to hold of
himself. Osbert, the descendant of John de Pluckele, died possessed
of this property in the reign of King John, who bore for his arms.
Or, a fleur de lis, sable. After which, from three coheirs of the
same name and family, this manor became divided into three
portions, which were consequently apportioned into three distinct
manors, the principal of which retained the name of Pluckley,
and continued to be so called, till Agnes, daughter and at length
coheir of William de Pluckley, entitled her husband, John de
Surrenden, to the possession of the same. He bore for his arms.
Argent, a bend gules, between two coiizes nebulee, the outer sides
sable. His son, John de Surrenden, resided here in the 44th of
Edward III. about which time he erected a new mansion upon
the site of the old manor house, which Weever, who wrote in the
year 1631, says, "was a fair one in his time, and by the anti
quity of it, seemed to have been the like, or much fairer, at its
first building." To distinguish this 'manor from the other two,

18-1 HISTORY OF THE
before mentioned, then known from their owners' names, by the
denominations of Malmains and Shurlad, it was from the
above period called The Manor of Surrenden. John de
Surrenden was succeeded by his only daughter and heir, Joan,
who, in the 20th of Richard II. , espoused John Haut, esq., who,
in right of his wife, died possessed of this manor, about the 9th
of Henry VI. leaving two daughters his coheirs, of whom Cathe
rine, the eldest, was married to John Dering, esq. of Westbrooke,
in Lyd. The family of Dering, as appears from the papers
and manuscripts in the Surrenden library, as well as other
evidences, is descended from Norman de Morinis, whose ancestor,
Vitalis Fitz-Osbert, lived in the reign of Henry II. , and married
Kineburga, daughter of Deringus, descended from Norman Fitz-
Deering, sheriff of this county in the reign of King Stephen.
He married Matilda, sister and heir of William de Ipre, earl of
Kent; and, at the battle of Lincoln, when King Stephen was
taken prisoner, vvas slain near that monarch's person, and being
afterwards found with his shield covered with blood, bis poste
rity had a grant to add to their paternal coat of arms the three
torteauxes in chief, in memory of his bravery. He was a de
scendant of that Dering mentioned in several parts of the Texlus
Roffensis, and in the book of Domesday as having held lands in
Farningham, in the time of the Saxons, long prior to the Norman
conquest. He left issue, Deringus de Morinis, whose son, Deringus Fitz-
Dering, was the first who dropped the name of Morinis. His
son,Wymund Fitz-Dering, was, as well as his father, a great be
nefactor to the abbey of Boxley, in which they were both buried.
He bore for arms, Or, afess sable in chief, three torteauxes, as
his descendants did for some time afterwards, the family of De
Morinis having borne on their shield, or, a saltine sable. His
son, Richard Fitz-Dering, filius Deringi, was of Hayton, and
died at the latter end of the reign of Henry III., and his de
scendant. Sir John Dering, of Westbrooke, in Lyd, departed
this life the 38th of Edward IIL, having borne for his arms,
a fess, in chief, three roundells, which are carved on the roofing
of the cloisters at Canterbury, He was father of Sir Richard
Dering, of Hayton, who was lieutenant of Dover castle under
Richard II.', and, from a seal affixed to a deed in the Surrenden
library, bore a fess, in chief, three roundells ; on either side.

COUNTY OF KJJNT. 185
a horse, sejant, in a ducal crt>wn, placed on a close helmet, man
tled; the legend, Sigillum Rioardi Dering, Militis, He
was interred in Lyd church : his son, John Dering, esq, of
Westbrooke, who espoused Christian Haut, as previously ob
served, appears to have been the first who assumed the arms of
De Morinis, being the saltier in lieu of those of Dering, which
latter his descendants transferred, and uniformly bore in the
second quartering of their arms. He was buried in the south
chancel of this church, re-erected by his eldest son, where most
of his descendants are inhumed, in memory of whom several
brasses and sculptured monuments are still remaining. He had
two sons, of whom Richard, the eldest, was of Surrenden, and
twice married, first to the daughter and heir of Berbyn, and
secondly to Eyton, of Eyton, in Shropshire. He died a.d.
1481, and was interred in the chapel of the Virgin, in Pluckley
church, which edifice he had rebuilt, as appears from his arms
being sculptured at the base of the arches. His eldest son,
Richard Dering, esq. of Surrenden, left by his second wife, John
of Surrenden; Richard, a monk, and cellarer of Christ church,
Canterbury ; and William, of Petworth, in Sussex, ancestor of
the Dering's of that place and Hampshird. They bore for their
arms the saltier, with a canton, gules, for difference.
John, the eldest son, who was orSurrenden, as above stated,
and in consequence of that family so long possessing the estate,
the property acquired the name of Surrenden Dering, he (the
above John,) was received into the society of Modenden, in this
county. His descendant of the same name resided here, and
under Henry VIII. married Margaret, daughter of John Brent,
esq., by whom he was ances.tor of the Dering's of Surrenden,
whose grandson. Sir Edward, in 1623, was made lieutenant of
Dover castle, and created abaronet, February 1, 1626, under
Charles I., and, in the 16th of that reign, one of the knights in
parliament for this county ; during which reign his vanity to
display his learning got the better of his good and loyal prin
ciples ; of this, however, he soon repented, and made his public
apology. But so much were the republicans offended both at
his repentance and apology, that this change soon occasioned
his commitment to the tower, when being declared a delinquent,
though he effected his escape in safety to the king, yet his
estates being sequestered, and himself reduced to great poverty,
2

186 HISTORY OF THE
he afterwards retired with his wife and children to one of his
farm-houses, where he died in 1644, and was interred in the
family chancel of this church.
During his residence with the king, his newly-furnished house
was four several times plundered by the parliamentarian soldiers,
his goods and stock all seized, his farm-houses and fences
ruined and destroyed, and all his rents abated ; so that few
suffered more than himself, on account of his inconsistent
conduct. He published a volume of his speeches in parliament, a manu
script copy of which is in the British M useum, among the Harleian
collection. He was also founder of the library at Surrenden,
for which he collected a great number of books, charters, and
curious MSS., and caused others to be transcribed with great
labour and expense, among which were the registers and chartu-
laries of several of the dissolved monasteries in this county, to
gether with a series of deeds and muniments, relative not only to
the family of Dering, but others connected at different times
with that race. However, most of these valuable mss. were
unwarily (says Hasted) not many years since dispersed into other
hands. His eldest son, Sir Edward, succeeded him in the title
and estate, and married Mary, daughter of Daniel Harvey, esq.,
of Combe, in Surrey, of whom the following anecdote vvas
related by a late respectable clergyman in this county, now de
ceased. Daniel Harvey, the father of this lady, was an eminent
citizen of London, and a great loyalist, who, at the death of
King Charles I. had this his only daughter, who was heir to all
his wealth, and about the period in question he had an apprentice
in the house, being his first cousin, who found an opportunity
of clandestinely marrying the lady, when a twelvemonth trans
pired before the union was discovered. This was occasioned
by her father wishing to marry her to Sir Edward Dering, upon
which he found meaiis to get the former union dissolved, and
obtained testimonials for the same, not only from bishop Juxon,
but the most eminent civiUans of that time. Two of their opi
nions were, that the young man's father having been great
uncle to the lady, and he being dead, his son had become his
representative, and consequently her great uncle. The other
point adduced was, that so notorious a breach of honesty
in the bridegroom ought not to be tolerated in a state, and

COUNTY OF KENT. 187
that so bad an example should receive every punition that could
be inflicted.
Some years back the late Mr. Eliab Earvey, king's council,
found this relation, v.'ith the above-mentioned opinions, in a
black box, among his family papers. In his descendants, baro
nets of Surrenden, who constantly represented this county in
parliament, it continued down to Sir Edward Dering, who, was
also member of parliament for Kent, in the first four parliaments
of King George II. He greatly improved the mansion of Sur
renden, making considerable additions thereto, and enclosing the
park with a brick wall. He resided here, displaying the most hbe-
ral hospit'dlity, and died in London, a.d. 1762, greatly lamented
by the county in general, for his many amiable qualities, when
his remains were conveyed hither, and buried among those of
his ancestors, in the south chancel. He married, first, Elizabeth,
daughter and heir of Edward Henshaw, of Eltham, by whom he
had two sons, Edward and Daniel; and secondly, Mary, daugh
ter of Charles Fotherby, esq. of Barham, and widow of Henry
Monpesson, esq. by whom he had Charles Dering, esq. of Barham,
who married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Thomas Farnaby, bart.;
Thomas Dering, esq. of London; and Mary, married to Sir
Robert Hilyard, bart. His eldest son, by his first wife, namely
Sir Edward Derlna:, bart., succeeded him in title and estates, and
represented the town and port of New Romney in several par
liaments. He married, first, Selina, daughter and coheir of
Sir Robert Furnese, bart., by whom he had a son, Edward
Dering, esq. who married Anne, daughter of William Hale, esq.
of King's Walden, in Hertfordshire, and a daughter Selina.
He married, secondly, Deborah, daughter of John Winchester,
esq., of Nethersole, by whom he had several children, and was
the owner of this manor, with the mansion of Surrenden Dering,
according to Mr. Hasted. The family of Dering bear for their
arms, or, a saltier sable ; being that of De Morinis; and in the
second quartering those of Dering, before mentioned. The crest,
a ducal coronet, or, within which a crimson cap, on it a horse
passant, sable maned, or. For supporters, two horses sable
ma'nedor, which latter were granted by Sir WiUiam Segar to Sir
Edward Dering, the first baronet of this family.
The Manor of Malmains is situated at the foot of the
hiU, between Surrenden and Pluckley churchy and was formerly

188 HISTORY OF THE
part of the manor of Pluckley, tiU divided as before mentioned.
after which it derived this name from the family of the Malmain's,
that had then become owners thereof, and had hold lands in this
parish as early as the reign of Henry III., at which period Henry
Malmaines was sheriff, being then styled both of Pluckley and
Waldershare. Richard, his descendant, died in 1440, and lies
buried with his father Henry, in the north aisle of this church,
leaving John Malmaines his heir. After him, no further men
tion of them is made, as the property appears to have passed
into the possession of the heirs of the Toke's,^ descended by the
female side from Henry Malmaines before named, from one of
which name this manor passed by sale to the Dering's of Sur
renden, and in that line it continued down to Sir Edward
Dering, The manor of Shurland was Ihe remaining third part gf
the manor of Pluckley, lying south of the way leading through
the fields from Surrenden to Pluckley church, which, on the
division of this property before mentioned, derived the designa
tion of Shurland from one of the family of thatjiame, to whom
it was allotted. How long the latter family continued in the
possession thereof, does not appear, but it probably passed from
the above line to the Betenham's, of Betenham, in Cranbrooke; in
which race it remained for several hundred years. Stephen de
Betenham is mentioned, in very ancient court rolls, of the date
of Henry IIL, and was undoubtedly the same person mentioned
as one of the Recognilores Magnm Assises, or justices of the great
Assize, an office of considerable importance in those times, in
the pipe rolls of the reign of King John. From him that post
descended to another Stephen de Betenham, who left two sons;
the eldest of whom inherited Shurland ; and John, the youngest,
possessed Betenham, in Cranbrooke. From Thomas Betenham,
above mentioned, this estate of Shurland continued down almost
within memory, when it passed, by sale, from that line to Sir
Edward Dering, bart., whose descendant. Sir Edward, after
wards possessed this property.
EvERiNG Acre is a manor lying in this parish and Bethers
den, which, in the 7th of Edward III., was held by William, son
of Eudo de Shillinghelde, who, in the above year, conveyed it to
John, son of Thomas Chiche, of Canterbury. How it passed
afterwards, does not appear ; but, in the 1st of Henry V., it was

COUNTY OF KENT. 189
the property of John Dering, esq., of Westbrooke ; in which
line, seated at Surrenden, it has remained down to Sir Edward
Dering, bart.
West Kingsnqth, a manor lying in the borough of its own
name, is within the royal manor of Wye, belonging to Mr.
Hatton, of Eastwell ; but the principal estate tlierein formerfy
belonged to the Baker's, of Sissinghurst, with whom it remained,
tiU John, in the 37th of Queen Elizabeth, sold it to Richard
Dering, esq., of Surrenden ; in whose descendants it continued
down to Sir Edward Dering, bart.
Pirifields or Ousden is another manor lying upon the
denne of Ousden, or Tuesnoth, at the southern bounds of
this parish, which had anciently owners of the name of Pirifield ;
one of whom, Hamo, appears to have possessed it in the reign
of Richard I. ; as also his descendant, Stephen, of Pluckley, in
the 20th of King Edward IV. It then passed to the family of
the Dering's ; but when, does not appear, for we only find that
it remained vested in the latter family down to Sir Edward
Dering, bart., of Surrenden.
RoTiNG is a manor lying on the western confines of this
parish, near the stream, in a hamlet of its own name, called
Roting Street. At the period of taking the survey of Domes
day, it constituted part of the possessions belonging to the
monastery of St. Augustine, in Canterbury, and is entered
under the general title of the possessions of that fraternity.
This manor was afterwards held of the abbot, in free socage,
by a family which thence derived its name, Celestia, daughter
of John Rotyngg, and William, are both mentioned in a deed
of the 39th of Edward III., concerning lands at this place ;
after which we find it in the possession of the family of the St.
Leger's. In the latter name it remained till Sir Warham, of
Leeds, in the 12th of Queen Elizabeth, sold this manor, lying
in Pluckley, Little Chart, and Hothfield, to Richard Dering,
esq., of Pluckley; in whose descendants it continued down to
Sir Edward Dering, bart.
Pevington is situated about three-quarters of a mile north
westward from Pluckley church, on the summit of the hill, nearly
midway between that and the church of Egerton. It was
formerly a distinct parish of itself; but the church having been
for many years in ruins, this parish was, about 1583, united to
VOL. III. c c

190 HISTORY OF THE
that of Pluckley, part of which it has continued, though there
is a tradition that Pevington was allotted to this parish, and
tiiat the remainder, consisting of two narrow slips of land,
adjoining Little Chart, was given to that parish and Egerton ;
but we can- find no authority to substantiate the assertion.
'The MANOR OF Pevington was parcel of the possessions of
Odo, bishop of Bayeux, under the general titie of whose lands
it was entered in Domesday record.
After that ecclesiastic's disgrace, this manor was granted to
Gilbert Maminot, and constituted a part of his barony, being
held of the king by barony, for the defence of Dover castle. '
From the latter family the fee of this manor descended to Alice,
sister and coheir of Wakelyn Maminot, who carried it in mar
riage to Geffry de Saye ; of one of whose descendants, as chief
lord of the fee, it was held, under Henry III., by a knightly
family, which took its surname from this district ; one of whom.
Sir Ralph de Pevington held it in the beginning of that reign.
At length, his descendants, John and William Pevington, dying
in the reign of Henry V., without male issue, Amabilia, their
sister, became the heir, being then widow of John Gobion, of
Essex, who died possessed of this manor, with the advowson
of the church of Pevington, in 1405, being the 7th of Henry IV.,
when he vvas buried in the church of the White Friars, at Can
terbury, to which house she had been a very liberal benefactor.
She entailed this manor, &c. on her grandson, John, son of
John Spelsell, by her eldest daughter, Joane ; with remainder to
her remaining grandchildren. He appears to have died, holding
the fee of this estate, at the commencement of the reign of
Henry VL, having enfeoffed his kinsman, Hugh Brent, gent, of
Charing, with others, in possession of the same. Afterwards,
in the 12th of Edward IV., the rest of the co-feoffees released
to him all their right in this manor, with the advowson ; both
of which remained in his descendants down to Thomas Brent,
esq., of AVickens, in Charing, and subsequently of Wilsborough,
who died in 1612. It then passed, by will, to his nephew and
residuary legatee, Richard Dering, esq., of Surrenden, son of
John Dering, esq., of Surrenden, by Margaret Brent, his sister
and heir. Their grandson. Sir Edward, knight and baronet, died
possessed of this manor in 1644, and, by will, gaye it to his
eldest son, by his third wife, namely, Henry Dering, esq., who
6

COUNTY OF KENT. 191,
was afterwards of Pevington; and was succeeded to the same
by his eldest son, Edward, who died in 1742, and was buried in
Pluckley church, having, by will, given this manor to Sir
Edward Dering, bart.; and his son, of the same name, afterwards
became the owner.
The church of Pevington, dedicated to St. Mary, was always
accounted an appendage to the manor, and in the patronage of the
lords of the same. It was a rectory, and valued in the king's
books at £5 13 4, the yearly tenths being Us. 4d.; which
amount was afterwards payable to the crowm receiver.
The church being in ruins, was, by Archbishop Whitgift,
united to Pluckley in 1583; and in a suit afterwards instituted,
concerning the tithes of the same, Copley, rector of Pluckley,
versus Spice, it was agreed to withdraw a juryman, and refer the
decision to Archbishop Abbot, who made his decree concerning
them in 1618. The church is now converted into a stable; the
tradition being, that on the division of Pevington among the
three parishes, as before mentioned, the tithes were allotted to
each of them accordingly; but what authority exists for such
statement, we have never been able to ascertain.
Pluckley is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of
the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Charing. The church,
dedicated to St. Nicholas, is a handsome building of sandstone,
consisting of two aisles and the same number of chancels ; the
steeple being a spire, wherein are five bells. It is shingled, as
well as a good part of the roofing of the church, all of which
appears to have been formerly the same. The south chancel,
dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, belongs to the Dering family,
having been.rebuilt by Richard Dering, esq., of Surrenden, who
died in 1481, wherein he is buried, as also'^several of his descend
ants, together with those of the Malmaine's. The monuments,
with many of the grave-stones, of the former, still exist on the
pavement, with their brasses richly inlaid, inthe south aisle. In
the high chancel, is a memorial for Nathaniel CoUington, who was
rector here for sixty-three years, and died December 12, 1735 ;
and within the rails, is another memento, for Mabella Bettenham,
widow, obt. 1710,
This churcl^ is a rectory, the patronage of vvhich was part of
the ancient possessions of the see of Canterbury, in which it
remains vested, his grace the archbishop being patron of thesame.

192 HISTORY OF THE
It was valued in the king's books at £20 1 6|, the yearly
tenths being £2 0 Ij. In 1588, the communicants were 104;
and in 1640, 237; when the estimation was ^£'180 per annum.
The rector takes his tithes by composition, which amount to
about £300 per annum ; there are no tithes in this parish, except
those paid to the rector, nor have they existed time out of
mind. Archbishop Lanfranc, under the Conqueror, settled the
tithes of the demesne lands of the lordship of Pluckley, which
he had previously given to William de Pluckley, on the priory
of St. Gregory, in Canterbury, that institution having been
founded by the above prelate, in 1084 ; a gift that was confirmed
by Archbishop Hubert.
In 1821 there were eighty-six dweUings in the parish of
Pluckley ; and at the same period, when the last census of th6
population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow: males 371, females 292, making a
total of 663 souls.
Smarden is the last parish to be described in this hundred.
It lies the next southwestward from that of Pluckley, below the
quarry hill, within the bounds of the Weald. That portion
within the borough of Povenden, is in the hundred of Blackborne;
and the part lying in the boroughs of Omenden and Stepherst,.
is in the hundred of Barkley ; both being in the western divi
sion of the county. The residue of this parish, containing the
town and church of Smarden, within the same, is in the hundred
of Calehill, and eastern division of the county.
The manor of Shurland claims over the denne of Holmherst,
in this parish ; and the manors of Otterden and Throwley ex
tend to a portion of this parish ; and the latter, over the denne
of Toppenden, or Tappenden, whence the family of Tappenden,
since of Sittingbourne, claims its origin and name ; a direct
descendant of which was Mr. James Tappenden, gent., of
Faversham, in this county.
The parish of Smarden is about four miles across, and lies
at a small distance from the quarry hiUs, within the Weald, in a
flat low situation, very unpleasant and watery, the soil being a
deep miry clay. The eastern parts are chiefly covered by large
coppice woods, and the whole, from its flatness, the wide hedge
rows, and quantity of oak-trees spread over the same, presents

COUNTY OF KENT. 193
a very gloomy appearance. The town or village, with the
church, is situated at the southern bounds of this hundred, on
the turnpike road, leading from Faversham, through Charing,
hither, and so on to Biddenden, Cranbrooke, and Tenterden ;
a road which, from the depth of the soU, and want of improve
ment, since the trust has beeh created, is, in winter, or indeed
after any wet weather, scarcely passable throughout this parish,
even for waggons. That branch of the river Medway rising near
GoldweU, in Great Chart, flows through this parish, close below
the town, under a stone bridge of two arches, westward, towards
Hedcorne ; and thence to Stylebridge, where it joins the main
river, at a small distance below Yalding bridge. There is a
market-house in this town, but the market has been disused for
many years ; it also contains a well-built meetipg-house, with a
burial-ground, wherein are several handsome tomb-stones, and
the minister's house adjoining. It is for Calvinistical Baptists;
but the minister and his followers having disagreed, the congre
gation d^reased very fast. One Tilden left several pieces of
land, of the annual value of £30, together with his house, to
the minister, for a writing-school, appendant to this meeting.
There was another meeting-house north-west of the town, near
Speers Ash, for Methodistical Baptists. About a third part of
the housekeepers in this parish were Dissenters, in the time of
Mr. Hasted, according to the statement of that writer.
The MANOR OF the denne of Smarden is said to have
belonged to the archbishops of Canterbury ; but at what period
they first became possessed of the same, we have not learned,
though it must have been since the taking of the survey of
Domesday, no mention being made of the same among tke
manors then belonging to the archbishop. However, in the
reign of Edward IIL, Archbishop Simon Meopham had a grant
of a market here, weekly ; as well as a fair, held at the feast of
St. Michael. This manor then seems to have continued in the
possession of the succeeding archbishops down to Cardinal
Kempe, who, in the reign of Henry VI. , settled it on his new
founded College of Wye, where it remained till the dissolution,
under Henry VIIL, upon which, this manor passed to the crown.
It was immediately after granted, by Henry VIIL, to Walter
Bucler, to hold in capite by knight's service ; and we next find
it vested in the family of the Newenden's ; where it continued.

194 HISTORY OF THE
till James and Richard Newenden, gents., of Smarden, conveyed
it by deed, in 1689, to George Sayer, afterwards of Petts, whose
descendant, the Rev. George Sayer, subsequently became the
possessor. A court-baron is held for this manor.
RoMEDEN Place is an ancient seat in the eastern part of this
parish, formerly the patrimony of the ancient family of Engeherst,
afterwards called and written Henherst, which did not long pos
sess this estate, as WiUiam, son of Osbert de Henherst, demised
it by sale to John de Caleb ; in whose descendants it remained
till the latter end of the reign of Richard IL Who succeeded
that line, we have not found, but, in the reign of Henry VI. , the
family of Guldeford appears to have been possessed of this pro
perty ; one of whom, in the 23d year of the same reign, founded
a chapel in this church of Smarden. Under Henry VIIL, it
was possessed by the Rogers's ; when John, son of Stephen,
alienated it to Stephen Drayner, or Dragoner ; in which name
it continued, tUl WiUiam, in the 1 7th of Queen EUzabeth, passed
it away to Sir Roger Manwood, who, the following y^ar, con
veyed it to Martin James, esq., remembrancer of the court of
Exchequer." His great grandson, Walter, possessed it at the
restoration of Charles II. ; whose son, of the same name, left
an only daughter, Auria, and she, at the age of fourteen, car
ried it in marriage to John Otway, gent., of Mitcham, in Surrey,
having had, by that union, twenty children, of, whom seven
" sons only survived, who, upon his death, became entitled to this
estate in undivided shares. , At length, the eldest. Colonel James
Otway, having, at different times, purchased of his brothers
their shares, became possessed of the whole of Romeden, and
coping in 1721, was succeeded by his eldest son, Charles, a
general officer in the army. He died in 1767, and was buried
here, leaving, by Bridget, daughter of Basil earl of Denbigh,
one son and two daug^hters. Charles Otway, esq., the son,
resided at Romedon, but sold the property, in 1786, to Thomas
Witherden, of Wesenderi, in Bethersden.
This parish is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
of the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Charing. The
church, dedicated to St. Michael, consists of one aisle, or body,
and a chancel ; the former presenting a most curious structure,
being forty feet wide, surmounted by a span roofing, singulariy
constructed ; and at the west end, is a tower steeple, with a

COUNTY OF KENT. 195
beacon turret. In this chancel is a monument for Capt. Jacob
Turner, of Hamden, in this parish ; and in the north-east corner
of the aisle, a burial-place for the Otway's, of Romeden. In the
chancel is a memorial for Anne, daughter of John Marshall, of
Halden ; and another for Henry Parsley, who was rector of this
church. This church is a rectory, the patronage having been granted
by Queen Mary, in her last year, among others, to Cardinal
Archbishop Pole, and has continued part of the possessions of
the see of Canterbury.
The church was valued in the king's books at £24 2 6 per
annum, the yearly tenths being £2 8 3. There are about three
acres of glebe land belonging to this living.
In 1588 the estimation was £80, communicants 350. In 1640
it was valued at dS109, when the communicants were 700 ; and
in 1741 the amount vvas £230 per annum. In 1782 the esti
mate was £170 ; but a new composition being made for tithes,
both great and small, the value of this rectory was very much
augmented. In 1821, there were 184 dweUings in the parish of Smarden ;
and at the same period, when the last census of the population
was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inhabitants
were as foUow : males 555, females 483, making a total of 1038
souls.

HISTORY OF THE

THE HUNDRED OF MARDEN.
We now proceed to the lower or southern division of the Latli
of Scray, which is wholly in the Weald, and entirely separated
from the northern portion, by a large district of the Lath of
Shipway intervening, caused by the hundreds of CalehiU, Chart,
Longbridge, Felborough, and Wye, previously described, and
which anciently belonged to this Lath, but being severed and
added to that of Shipway, they are now entirely in this latter
Lath. The upper ornorthern division of the Lath of Scray, above
alluded to, will be described in due course.
The hundred of Marden lies at the north-west corner of
the lower division of the Lath of Scray, adjoining to that of
Maidstone north, and to Brenchley and Horsemonden west.
This hundred is not mentioned particularly in the general survey
of Domesday, but appears to be included in the king's manor of
Milton, to which it was accounted an appendage.
It contains within its bounds the parishes or
Marden, Goudhurst, andStaplehurst; and the churches
of the two former of those parishes.
Marden is the next parish northeastward, adjoining Horse
monden, called in ancient records Merdenne, and lies wholly
within the district of the Weald.
A portion ef this parish is within the manor of Hunton, and
borough of the same name, being both in the hundred of Twy-
ford ; a small portion which belongs to the estate, called Tilden,
is in the hundred of Maidstone ; and another part within that
of Eyhorne.
The manors of East Farleigh and East Peckham claim over
the denne of Chillenden, in this parish ; as does the district of
Gillingham, over that of Haydhurst, or Haytherst, within the
same. The parish of Makden is about five miles long, by one

COUNTY OF KENT. 197
broad. The river Teis, which is one of the principal heads of
the Medway, flows along the western boundary of these parts ;
and another head, that rises at' Great Chart, passing the northern
boundary and Stylebridge, joins the former ; when, pursuing
their course together, they fall into the main river at Yalding.
The turnpike road, which leads over Coxsheath to Stylebridge,
separates at the forty-fourth milestone, from London, the left
branch passing to Cranbrook, and the right through this parish,
towards Goudhurst, being the only parts which may be said to
appear above-ground, the remainder being so deep and miry, as to
become nearly impassable in wet weather. The town of Marden
is situated nearly in the centre of the parish, and consists of
three streets ; the church stands at the west end of the town,
with the parsonage opposite, at the entrance from Maidstone.
The surrounding country is much the same as the lower parts of
the adjoining parishes of Hunton and Yalding. Near the road,
from Stylebridge to Goudhurst, it is very pleasant ; but towards
Hunton and Staplehurst, quite the reverse, presenting a dreary
and forlorn aspect. It lies low and flat, the soil in general being
a stiff clay, and the land heavy for tillage ; in winter it is so wet
and subject to inundations, that vvas it not for the manure of the
native marie, with the chalk and Ume transported from the nor
thern hills, it would be still more barren. Notwithstanding this,
there are, partiaUy dispersed, some very-rich lands ; while, many
years back, there were 300 acres of hop ground, which have
since been curtailed to about 100. The farms are in general
small, the houses being ancient well-timbered buUdings, stand
ing dispersed at considerable distances, many of which are on
the different greens or forstals throughout the parish.
A fair is held here, on the 10th of October, the profits arising
from which, the portreeve of the hundred of Milton receives by
ancient custom.
The manor and hundred of Marden have been, from
the earliest time, esteemed as appendages to the king's manor
and hundred of Milton. King Edward I. settled it, in jointure,
on his queen, Eleanor, who, in the llth of that reign, procured
a market and fair, to be held at Mereden, parcel of the manor of
Middleton. Queen Eleanor died in 1291, in the 20th of King
Edward I., when that prince again took possession of this
manor, then valued at £22 13 8 per annum.
'VOL. in. ^ d

193 HISTORY OF THE
The inhabitants of this hundred repeatedly petitioned the
crown to separate this manor from the jurisdiction of that of
Milton, but the petition never having been attended to, it still
continues in the same dependent state.
Although several grants were at different times made by the
crown, of the manor of Middleton, with the district of Marden,
appendant thereto, yet the fee remained parcel of the royal
revenue, as may be seen under the description of that manor,
untU the 10th of Charles I., who granted it to Sir Edward
Browne and Christopher Favell, in fee ; from whom it passed,
through several intermediate owners, down to the Right Hon,
PhiUp Viscount Wen man and Mrs. Anne Herbert, late pos
sessors, of the manor of Middleton, with this appendant
thereto.
The manor of Cheveney and Cheveney House are
both situated in this parish, and distinguished by the names of
Great and Little Cheveney, having been anciently the property
of a family of that surname. Henry de Chyvene held the manor
of Chyvene at his death, in the 2d of Edward IL, a.d.
,1308, of the king in capite; and his descendant, John, died pos
sessed of the same in the reign of Edward IIL, as did his
widow, Joan. From that period there is no further trace of
this family; but, in the 2d year of the foUowing reign of-
Richard 1 1., it appears, by the ancient court rolls of this manor,
that WiUiam at Weld was then proprietor ; in whose descend
ants the property continued till the beginning of the reign of
Henry VIL, when it passed by sale to the Couper's, who, in the
1 3th year of the same reign, discharged several persons from
the amerciaments and fines imposed on them for neglecting suit
and service to his manor of Cheveney. In the above name the
estate continued till the beginning of the reign of Queen Mary,
when it passed into the possession of two brothers, as coheirs
in gavelkind, who made a division of this inheritance : one
passing this manor away to a person named Love, whose des
cendant alienated it, under Charles II. , to Thomas Twisden,
esq., sergeant at law, subsequently created a baronet, who seated
himself at Bradbourne. In his descendants this manor, since
known by the name of Great Cheroeney, was continued down to
his great grandson. Sir Roger Twisden, bart., of Bradbourne,
who died possessed of it, without issue male, in 1779, when it

COUNTY OF KENT. 199
passed to his widow, Lady Rebecca Twisden, who afterwards
possessed the same.
A court-baron is held for this manor.
Chevene House however, since called Little Cheveney,
was aUotted to the other brother, and alienated by him to the
Maplesden's, which branch of that family had been seated in
this parish for some generations before. Many of that race lie
buried in this church, several of the inscriptions on their grave
stones being obliterated, from length of time and the damp.
They bore for their arms Argent, a cross ferrfiee, fitchee, sable.
In the above name it continued down to George Maplesden, esq.
who resided here, where he died in 1688, leaving two sons;
George, who died in 1735, and was succeeded in this estate by
his brother Edward, and two daughters, Anne, married to one
Booth, and Catherine, to a Courthope, of Horsemonden. Edward
Maplesden, esq., above mentioned, was of the Middle Temple,
and died, unmarried and intestate, in 1755 ; upon vvhich, this,
among the rest of his estates, descended to Alexander Courthope,
esq., of Horsemonden, the son of his sister Catherine, and to
Charles Booth, esq., grandson of his sister, Anne, before men
tioned, as his coheirs in gavelkind. Upon a partition of his
whole estate, this house became the sole property of the former,
who likewise died unmarried in 1779 ; upon which, Chevene
house, with the rest of his estates, passed to his nephew and
heir at law, John Cole, esq., son of his sister, Barbara, who
afterwards resided at Sprivers, in Horsemonden, and was the
proprietor of this manor.
WiDEHURST is a manor in this parish, which was formerly
written in old records Wogherst, and, in the reigns of John and
Henry IIL, was the patrimony of the family of the Corbie's,
which was of some note in this county, and so remained till
passed by a female heir into that of the Wotton's, ennobled by
the titles of lords Wotton of Mariey. Thence again, by a
daughter and coheir, named Catherine, it went in marriage to
Henry lord Stanhope, son and heir of Philip, earl of Chesterfield,
who died during the life of his father, when she married,
secondly, John Poliander Kirkhoven, lord of Hemfleet, in Hol
land, whom she entitled to this estate. They, in 1652, joined
in the sale thereof to John Boughton, esq., who, in 1656,
alienated the property to Mr. John Godden; whose heirs, in

200 HISTORY OF THE
1683, conveyed it to John Brewer, esq., of West Farleigh. His
descendant, of the same name, died possessed of it in 1 724,
leaving an only daughter and heir, Jane, who was twice married,
first, to John Cumey, esq.; and secondly, to John Shrimpton,
esq.; both of whom she survived, and died in 1726, having
demised this manor, with the rest of her estates, to her kinsman,
John Davis, d.d., who died in 1766, when his only son, John
Davis, esq., alienated it to John Cole, esq., of Horsemonden,
who subsequently possessed this property.
Shiphurst is a manor in the western part of this parish,
which was possessed by owners of that name, till the latter end
of the reign of Edward III., when it became the property of
William at Weld, owner also of Cheveney, before mentioned.
In his descendants they continued till the beginning of the reign
of Henry VI, , when both passed by sale to one Couper; from
which name this manor was soon afterwards alienated to a Field,
whose descendant, Edward, held itin the 4th of Queen Elizabeth.
He gave it to his kinsman, Thomas Gilbert, whose successor, of
the same name, settled it on his widow, Sibil Gilbert, whose
second husband, Richard Knight, possessed it in her right, in
1656. After some intermediate owners, it then passed to the
Mitchell's ; Charles so called, of London, having possessed it
in 1734. Upon his death, it went to his brother-in-law, Mr.
George Whyvall, of London ; whence it passed to Mr. Pierce,
of London, who, about 1760, alienated it to Mr. Thomas Twort,
of Horsemonden. His two sons, Thomas and David, after
wards possessed it, when the latter devised his moiety to his
nephew, John Coleman ; whose son, John, together with the
last-mentioned Mr. Thomas Twort, possessed this manor in un
divided moieties. A court-baron is held for this district.
MoNKTON is a manor in that part of this parish nearest to
Staplehurst, wherein a portion of the lands lie. It formerly
belonged to the priory of Leeds, and after the suppression, in
the reign of Henry VIIL, was granted to Thomas Colepeper,
esq., of Bedgebury, who soon after sold it to Thomas Wilsford.
He, in the reign of Ehzabeth, alienated the property to Edward
Herbert; from which name it passed by sale, at the latter end
of the above reign, to Tliomas Stanley ; inVhose family it con
tinued till the reign of James I. It then passed by sale to the
Board',>, of Sussex ; in whose descendants it continued tUl about

COUNTY OF KENT. 201
1756, when it was, soon after the death of Mr. William Board,
alienated by his heirs to John Henniker, esq., of West Ham, in
Essex, subsequently Sir John Henniker, barti, who ultimately
became the proprietor. ,
The family of Henniker, Heneker, or, as it was originally-
called, De Henekin, has been of long continuance in this county;
one of that name, Peter de Henekin, having been lieutenant
governor of Dover castle, in the reign of Edward II. They
afterwards, under Edward IV., wrote 'themselves Heneker, and
resided in different parishes of this county, wherein their estates
were situated. John, who died at Lenham in 1616, was ances
tor of those of Chatham and Rochester, from whom was des
cended Sir John Henniker, bart., of West Ham, who possessed
this estate. He married Anne, eldest daughter and coheir of
Sir John Major, bart., of Worlingworth haU,, in Suffolk ; the
other daughter having espoused Henry duke of Chandos. Lady
Henniker lies interred in the south aisle of Rochester cathedral,
under a splendid monument; by whom he had three sons ; John
Henniker Major, esq., m.p. for Steyning; Major, a merchant
in the city of London ; and John, a colonel in the army ; and
one daughter, Elizabeth, married to Edward Stratford, earl of
Aldborough. Sir John Major was created a baronet in 1765,
when the title was Umited, in default of his issue male, to his
son-in-law, John Henniker, esq., before mentioned, and his heirs
male ; at vvhich time a patent also passed for the latter to quar
ter the arms of Major, viz., Azure, three pillars of Corinthian
order, on the top of each a ball, or, with those of Henniker :
gules, a chevron charged with three estoils argent, two crescents
in chief, and an escallop in base azure. Sir John Major died in
1781, upon which the title of baronet descended to his son-in-
law. Sir John Henniker, bart., who possessed this manor, and
served in two successive parliaments for the town and port of
Dover. Read is a manor in this parish, the mansion of which, called
Read court, is situated on the northern side of the district.
This inheritance once belonged to the family of the Fremingham's,
one of whom, John, son of Sir Ralph de Fremingham, of Lose,
died, in the 12th of Henry IV., possessed of this manor, who,
leaving no issue, by will devised.it to feoffees, when they, by
deed, the ensuing year, assigned it over to John, son of Reginald

202 HISTORY OF THE
de Pimpe, and his heirs male, with remainder to Roger Isley, as
being nearest in blood to him.
This property appears afterwards to have passed into the pos
session of the Isley's, as WUUam Isley was possessed of the same
at the period of his attainder, in the 1st of Queen Mary, when
his lands became forfeited to the crown." This manor was then
granted to Sir John Baker, attorney general, to hold in capite,
whose son. Sir Richard Baker, afterwards possessed it ; but in
the 10th of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, it was in the pos
session of Edward Morrys, who held it of the queen as before
mentioned. In later times it was become the property of the
Master's, one of which name, Giles, held it in 1652, as appears
by the survey of Marden manor, then taken. In his descend
ants it continued some time, but at length, after passing to in
termediate owners, the property devolved to the possession of
Nicholas Bonfoy, esq., sergeant at arms of the House of Com
mons, who, at his death in 1775, devised it by will to Mr. S. H.
Babb, one of the officers of that house, who possessed the
same. TiLDKNS, TuBBiNS, and Brooke, are three small manors in
this parish, having formerly had three distinct owners, bearing
the above names. The original branches were persons of some
note in this county, having been possessed of estates both at
Kennington, Brinchley, and Tilmanstone, as early as the reign
of Edward III. Those three families continued in the posses
sion of these manors tUl the latter end of the reign of Henry IV.,
when orte of the line of the Tubbins' passed away their manor
to the Tildens', in which name both Tildens and Tubbins
remained till the beginning of the reign of Henry VI. , when they
were devised by sale to Thomas Stidulfe, esq., who appears, by
bis wiU, in 1453, to have likewise purchased Brooke manor of
Richard Brooke.
His gi-audson, Thomas Stidulfe, esq., of Badsell, left an only
daughter and heir, Agnes, who carried these three manors in
marriage to Richard Fane, esq., of Tudeley. From him they
descended, in the same manner as Mereworth, to John Fane,
eavl of Westmoreland ; and from him again, together with the
barony of Le Despencer, they passed to the Right Hon. T.
Stapleton, lord Le Despencer, who was afterwards possessed
of the same.

COUNTY OF KENT. 203
The liberty of the corporation of Maidstone claims over
the manor of Tildens, which is situated near Stylebridge, where
there is likewise an estate called Little Tildens, which, in 1675,
belonged to Thomas WaU, gent., of London. It was afterwards
the property of Nicholas Haddock, esq., who sold it to John
Cole, esq. , who then became possessed of this property.
There was a family of the name of Symons, that resided at
Marden for some generations, one of which line, Edward
Symonds, gent., in 1652 held lands here, previously belonging to
Sir John Packinglon. In 1662 he had a grant of arms, party
per fess sable, and or, a pale, and three cinque foils, counter-
changed. He resided here in 1663, possessed of much land in
this parish.
Makden is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
of the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sutton, The
church consisting of three aisles, and the same number of chan
cels, is situated very low and damp, at the west end of the
town, there having been formerly a chapel therein dedicated to
St. John the Baptist. In 1763 this church was beautified by
subscription, at the expense of £96 8 9.
Richard de Lucy, chief justice of England, on the foundation
and endowment of the abbey at Lesnes, gave«to that institution
the church of Merden, in pure and perpetual alms ; which gift
was subsequently confirmed by several kings ; there was also a
vicarage endowed hereby Archbishop Stratford.
In the 8th of Richard II. this church was valued at £26 13 4
annual rental, and, in 1643, Sir WiUiam Acton, knight and ba
ronet, was lessee of this rectory, at the yearly rent of £15.
The vicarage was estimated in the king's books at £7 18 4,
the yearly tenths being 15s. lOd. In 1557 there were 300 fami
lies, and 500 communicants; and, in 1569, 420 families; since
which period this parish has greatly increased in population.
In 1640 thevicarage was valued at £75 per annum, but was
afterwards greatly augmented. There is no glebe land belong
ing to this living.
Archbishop Juxon, conformably with the king's letters man
datory, in the reign of Charles II. augmented this vicarage by
increasing the old pension from the lessee of the parsonage, from
three, to twenty pounds per annum.
An estate in this parish of about £15 ajrear, formerly belonging
1

204 HISTORY OF THE
to Mottenden priory, and subsequentiy to John Sawbridge,
esq., claims an exemption from all tithes whatsoever.
In 1821 there were 354 dwellings in the parish of Marden;
and, at the same period, when the last census of the population
was taken by order of ParUament, the numbers of inhabitants
were as follow : males lIOO, females 951, making a total of
2051 souls.
Goudhurst lies the next parish southward from Marden.
The northern part as far southward as the stream, formerly called
Risebridge river, is in the hundred of Mar3en, and lower division
of the lath of Scray ; and (he remainder of the parish, southward
of the above stream, ranks in the hundred of West, otherwise
Little Barnefield, and lath of Aylesford, comprehending the
whole of that hundred. The portion of this parish within the
borough of Faircrouch, is in the hundred of Cranbrook, and those
parts within the boroughs of Pattenden, Lilsden, Combwell. and
Chingley or Bromley, are in the hundred of Little Barnefield,
the residue being within that of Marden. It lies wholly within
the district of the Weald, and the division of West Kent.
The borsholders of the boroughs of Highamden, Pattenden,
and Hilsden, in this parish, are chosen at the court-leet, holden
for the man«r of East Farleigh , the inhabitants owing no service
but to that manor; a constable for the hundred of West Barne
field only being chosen out of such parts as lay within the same,
for that hundred. The manor of Maidstone likewise extends
into this parish, over lands as far southward as Risebridge.
The Parish of Goudhurst is very pleasantly situated,
being interspersed on every side by frequent hills and dales ; it
also abounds in oak trees of large dimensions. The land is in
general extremely fertile, the soil, similar to that of the adjoining
parishes, is chiefly a deep stiff clay, having also a great quantity
of rich marie dispersed in various places, the roads in many
parts being covered with sand. In the grounds near Finchcocks
is a gravel- pit, which we believe to be the only one existing in
this part of the county. There is much more pasture than arable
land, the former producing fatted bullocks, weighing in general
from 120 to 130 stone. This district is vveU watered by several
streams, rising in different parts, all of which uniting with the
Teis, flow in one channel along the western side of the parish.

COUNTY OF KENT. 205
towards the Medway. The eastern and southern parts are much
cevered with thick coppice wood, chiefly oak. The turnpike
road from Maidstone, over Coxsheath, through Marden, leads
into the upper part of this parish southward, dividing into two
branches at Winchet hill, that to the left goes on to Cran
brooke, and, leaving the town of Goudhurst a little to the
right, joins the Cranbrooke road at a small distance beyond it :
that to the right having taken in a branch of the Woodgate
road, from Tunbridge near Broadford bridge, goes to the town of
Goudhurst, and thence eastward to Cranbrooke and Tenterden ;
while the great high road from Lamberhurst through Stonecrouch,
to Hawkhurst and Sussex, runs along the southera bounds of
this parish.
The district is about eight miles long, and four broad, the situ
ation being extremely healthy, as sixty years of age is there
esteemed, if not the prime, at least the middle age of life.
There are two heaths or commons here, one called Pyleshealth,
and the other Killdown, in West Barnefield hundred.
The town or village of Goudhurst stands in the hundred of
Marden, about half a mile within the lower or southern bounds
of the same, on a hill commanding an extensive view of the sur
rounding country. It is built on the sides of five different roads,
which unite at a large pond in the centre ; the houses are chiefly
large, ancient, and well timbered, one of which, called Brickwall,
belonged to the Rev. Mr. Thomas Bathurst; there were also for
merly many clothiers resident here, and some little oT the wool-
stapling business was carried on, as Mr. Hasted observes, in
his time.
Upon the summit of the hill, whereon the town stands, is the
church, a conspicuous object to the neighbouring cpuntry, and
near it the market-place, which was pulled down, about 1650, and
another smaller one built lower down in the town, near the pond.
There is a yearly fair on the 26th of August, and a weekly
market, which were both granted in the reign of Richard II. to
Joan, widow of Roger de Bedgebury, the possessors of which
estate claim the privilege of holding them, by a yearly rent to
the manor of Marden.
T>! EARLY adjoining the town eastward, on the road leading
to Tenterden, is a Hamlet called Little Goudhurst,
wherein is an ancient seat designated Tay well, which for many
vol. in, EC

206 HISTORY OF THE
generations was possessed by a family of the name of Lake, that
bore for their arms, sable a bend, between six cross crosslets,
fitchee, argent. In the north aisle of this church is a vault where
the remains of that family lie buried, and a marble detailing
their descent. Thelastof this line, Thomas Lake, esq. barrister,
resided here, but dying without issue male, his daughters and
coheirs became possessed of the property, one of whom married
Maximilian Gott, esq., and the other, Thomas Hussey, esq.,
whose son Edward, of Scotney, afterwards possessed the entire
fee of this estate, which was demised for a long term of years, to
Mr. Olive, who nearly rebuilt it, and resided there.
At a small distance southward from the above-mentioned
seat, isanother called Triggs, having been for several generations
the residence of the family of the Stringer's, which was of some
account in different parts of this county. John, son of Edward
Stringer, esq. of Biddenden, by Phillis, his wife, resided here
under Charles I. and married Susanna, daughter of Stephen
Streeter,. of Goudhurst, by whom he had Stephen, of Goudliurst,
John, of Ashford, and Edward and Thomas, both of Goudhurst.
Stephen the eldest, son of John, resided at Triggs, in the reign
of Charles IL, and was succeeded by his second son, Stephen
Stringer, esq , sheriff in the reign of Queen Anne, who
died without issue male, leaving four daughters coheirs. This
seat was afterwards alienated to Francis Austin, esq. of Sevenoak,
whose son, Francis Mottley Austin, of the same place, ulti
mately possessed it. The Stringer's bore for their arms, per
chevron, or and sable, in chief, two eagies displayed, of the se
cond, in the base, a fleur de lis of thefirst.
The Manor of Marden claims over the largest district of
this parish, part being the dens before mentioned, within the
manor of East Farleigh, and the remaining portion, called Wince-
hurst den, is in the manor of GiUingham, near Chatham. Al
though that portion of this parish which Ues within the hundred
of West Barnefield contains those places which are of the great
est note, yet, for the sake of regularity, we begin with those in
the hundred of Marden, partly described, and thence proceed to
the hundred of West Barnefield.
Bokinfold is a manor of large extent, situated in the hun
dred of Marden, having formerly had an extensive park, and de
mesnes attached thereto, extending into the parishes of Brenchley,

COUNTY OF KENT. 207
Horsemonden, Yalding, Marden, and Goudhurst. The man
sion was situated in that of Yalding, in the description of which
parish the reader will find an ample account of its former state
and possessors ; it will therefore be sufficient to mention here,
in addition thereto, that the whole of this manor devolving at
length to the possession of Sir Alexander Colepeper, he, in the
3d of Queen Elizabeth, levied a fine, and three years afterwards
alienated that part of this manor, and all the demesnes, which
lay in Brenchley, Horsemonden, Yalding, and Marden, to Roger
Revell, and the remainder of the same, in this parish,
to the Sharpeigh's. A descendant of the latter, Stephen, passed
that part of the property away in 1582, to Richard Reynolds,
whose son and heir, John, in the reign of Elizabeth, conveyed it
to Richard Eliot, who, about the year 1601, alienated it to
Thomas Girdler. It then passed through various hands till sold
to Mr. Stephen Stringer, of Triggs, in Goudhurst, whose son of
the same name, in the reign of Queen Anne, left four daughters
his coheirs, of whom, Elizabeth, the third, married Edward
Bathurst, esq., of Finchcocks, when, upon a division of their
inheritance, he in her right became possessed of this manor. He
died in 1772, upon which this estate went to his son, the Rev.
Thomas Bathurst, rector of Welwyn, in Hertfordshire. A court
baron is held for this manor.
In 164] the archbishop of Canterbury collated Richard
Amhurst, clerk to the free chapels of Bokinfold and New-
STED annexed, in the archdeaconry of Canterbury, then vacant,
and under his patronage.
Comborne is an estate situated in the northern part ef this
parish, adjoining also Winchet hill, in the hundred of Marden,
which spot, denominated Winchet hill, was anciently the ori
ginal seat, in this county, of the family of the Roberts, of Glas
tonbury. An ancestor of this family, WiUiam Rookhurst, a native of
Scotland, left his country, and came to England in the 3d of
Henry I., having subsequently had the surname of Roberts, when
purchasing lands at Winchet hill, he built a mansion, and called
the same Rook herst. This place was afterwards named Ladies-
den Rokehurst, or Curtesden, and remained the residence of that
family till the reign of Richard IL, when Stephen Roberts, or
Rookherst, marrying Joan, daughter and heir of WiUiam TiUey,

?09 HISTORY OF THE
of Glassonbury, removed thither, so that the remains of their
residence here are so totally effaced, as only to be recognized by
the family evidences and report of the neighbourhood.
However, their estate at Winchet hill, continued for several
subsequent generations in their descendants, till it was at length
alienated to one of the family of Maplesden, of Marden, in whose
name, this estate, together with that of Comborne adjoining,
continued down to Edward Maplesden, esq. of the Middle
Temple. He died in 1765, intestate, upon which they descended
to Alexander Courthope, esq., of Horsemonden, son of his sister
Catherine, and to Charles Booth, esq., grandson of his sister
Anne, as his coheirs in gavelkind ; when, on a partition of those
estates, Winchet hill was allotted to Charles Booth, esq., after
wards Sir Charles, of Harrietsham place, who died possessed of
the estate in 1795, and his executors retained it for the purposes
of his will. Comborne was given to Alexander Courthope, esq.
since deceased, and his nephew, John Cole, esq. afterwards in-
' herited the same.
Finchcocks is a seat in this parish, situated within the hun
dred of Marden, and in that angle which extends southwestward
below Hope mill, and is also within that manor. It was for
merly the mansion of a family, bearing the same surname, which
was possessed of this property as early as the 40th of Henry III.
They were succeeded by that of Horden, of Horden, one of which
name purchased it in the beginning of the reign of Henry VI.
Edward Horden, esq., clerk of the green cloth to Edward VL,
Queen Mary, and Queen Elizabeth, who had, for some coijside-
rable service to the crown, the augmentation of a regal diadem
added to his paternal coat by Queen Elizabeth, afterwards en
joyed this estate, who left two daughters coheirs, Elizabeth, mar
ried to Mr. Paul Bathurst, of Bathurst street, in Nordiam, and
Mary to Mr. Delves, of Fletchings, who had Horden for his
share. Finchcocks was possessed by Mr. Bathurst, and in his
descendants this seat continued down to Thomas Bathurst, esq.
who by will demised the same, with the estate, to his nephew
Edward, only son of his younger brother William, of Wilming
ton. He leaving the latter residence on having this seat devised
to him, removed hither, and rebuilt it at a vast expense, in a most
superb manner. He resided here till his death in 1772, having
been twice married, leaving several children by each of his wives.

COUNTY OF KENT. 209
By the first, Elizabeth, third daughter of Stephen Stringei , esq.
of Triggs, he had three sons, Edward, John, and Thomas, and
prior to his death conveyed this seat and estate by sale to his
son, by his second wife, Mr. Charles Bathurst, who, on his de
cease in 1767, devised it by will to his brother, the Rev. Mr.
Richard Bathurst, of Rochester. This branch of the family of
the Bathurst's bore for their arms the same coat as those of
Franks, in this county, and of Cirencester, Lydney, and Cla
rendon, viz. sable, two bars ermine, in chief, three crosses pattee
or, with a crescent for difference ; but with another crest, viz.
party per fess and pale, a demi wolf argent and sable, holding a
regal crown, or. The latter we believe to have been the shield
borne hy Edward Horden, and his heir, Paul Bathurst, their an
cestor, also married, whose arms they equally quartered with
their own.
At no great Distance from Finchcocks, in the same
hundred, lies a capital messuage, called Riseden, or Gate
house, which formerly belonged to a family named Sabbe, one
of whom, Simon Sabbe, sold it before the middle of the last
century, to Mr. Robert Bathurst. From him it descended down,
with an adjoining estate called Trillingherst, to another
Robert Bathurst, who died in 1731, and was interred in this
church, when his daughter, Mary, sold both to Sir Horace Mann,
who afterwards possessed them.
The Hundred of West, or Little Barnefield, lies
adjoining to that of Marden southward, and is in the lath of
Aylesford ; it only consists of the remaining part of the pa
rish of Goudhurst, as yet undescribed.
Nearly in the centre of this part of Goudhurst, stands the
eminent seat called Bedgebury, surrounded by a considerable
tract of woodland, the largest portion of which is now known
by the names of Bedgebury park, and the Fryth woods.
This seat, in remote antiquity, gave residence and surname to
the possessors, one of whom, John de Bedgbury, as appears by
an old dateless deed, probably of the time of Edward II. , de
mised lands to WiUiam de Comeden, of Comeden house, in
these parts ; the seal affixed to that. instrument being a knight
in armour, caparisoned cap-a-pie.
His descendant, John, also son of John de Bedgebury, died in
1424, and was buried in thiis church, when his sister, Agnes,

VIO HISTORY OF THE
became his heir, and entitled her husband, John Colepeper, to
this seat, with the appendant manors of Bedgebury and Ford.
He was the second son of Walter Colepeper, of Goudhurst, des
cended from those of Bayhall, in this county, and was after
wards knighted, having been also sheriff in the 7th of Edward
IV., at which time he resided at Bedgebury, where he died in
1480, and vvas interred near his father, in this church, leaving
two sons, viz., Alexander, who was of Bedgebury; and Walter,
ancestor of the Colepeper's, of Leeds castle, Hollingborne, and
the Charterhouse.
Sir Alexander Colepeper, the son, was sheriff in the 15th and
22d of Henry VIL, and the 6th of, Henry VIII. Thomas, his
eldest son, also of Bedgebury, procured the disgavelment of
his lands in the 2d and 3d of Edward VL, in the latter of which
he served the office of sheriff. His grandson, Anthony, was
also of Bedgebury, and knighted by Queen Elizabeth, who, in
her progress through Keiit in 1573, honoured this seat with her
presence ; and it is said, in Camden's Remains, to the reputa
tion of this family, that there were twelve knights and baronets
alive of the renowned house of Colepeper at the same
time. He had twelve sons and four daughters ; of the surviving sons,
Henry, the third male offspring, was of Endford, in Wiltshire;
and Thomas, the fifth, of St. Stephen's, near Canterbury. Sir
Alexander, the eldest son, succeeded his father, and resided at
Bedgebury, in the reign of James L, who left an only daughter,
Anne, married to Thomas Snelgrave, esq.; upon whose death,
this seat and estate appears to have descended by entail to his
next brother, William Colepeper, esq., who died about the time
of the restoration of Charles H. His son, Thomas, alienated
Bedgebury, with its appendant manors, to Sir James Hayes,
who married Rachael viscountess Falkland, when the latter
nobleman rebuilt this seat, at a small distance from the ancient
mansion. After his death, when much litigation ensued in the court of
Chancery, Edward Stephenson, esq., who had a considerable
mortgage on this estate, was put in possession of the same by
that court ; and on his death, in 1782, it devolved to his cousin,
Capt. Edward Stephenson, who died in the East Indies, and
devised this property to Miss Peach, v/ho soon afterwards sold

COUNTY OF KENT. SU
it to John Cartier, esq., when he became possessed of these
manors, with the seat and estate of Bedgebury.
In the reign of Queen Elizabeth, there was an extensive park,
adjoining the seat, of which there are no longer any remains.
John Cartier resided at Bedgebury, where he was sheriff in 1789,
and made considerable improvements in the house and lands.
A court-baron is regularly held for the manor of Bedgebury.
, Twysden Borough, anciently called Twysenden, is now
generally designated Burr's farm, which name is a contraction
from the word borough, to burgh, and thence to Burr. It was
once styled a manor, and lies in the hundred of West Barnefield,
at a small distance northward from Bedgebury. It is worthy of
notice, from having been the ancient inheritance of the family
of the Twysden's, who thence originally derived their name,
being at first called De Twysenden, and in Latin De Denna
Fracta, according to the quaint style of tiaose times.
Adam de Twysenden, or Twysden, possessed this estate in the
reign of Edward I., as did his descendant, Roger, in the 5th of
Henry IV,, as appears by a deed sealed with an impression of a
cockatrice in wax, which was in the possession of the late Sir
William Jarvis Twysden, bart., of East Peckham. This was
rather a singular circumstance, for, in those times, crests were
very unusual, and only began to be customary when the eminent
families, who took part in the two factions of the houses of
York and Lancaster, assumed them as marks to distinguish the
party to which they adhered. This crest is still borne by the
different branches of the family of the Twysden's.
Roger Twysden married EUzabeth, daughter and heir of
Thomas ChUraington, esq., of Chilmington, in Great Chart,
to which place his son, Roger, removed, making it his residence.
In the reign of Henry VI. he sold this estate to Roger Risedea,
of Riseden, in this parish, who alienated it to Jeffry Allen ; and
he, about the latter end of the same reign, settled it, by deed,
on Thomas Windhill, It was then, for several descents, pcs-
sessed -by the family of the Austen's ; in which name it cqn-
tinued till, by Elizabeth, idaugh ter and coheir of WiUiam Austen,
gent., of Goudhurst, it passed in mai riage to Anthony Fowle,
of Rotherfield, in Sussex. He, on his death, devised it to his
second son, Simon Fowle, esq., of this place, who died pos
sessed of it, leaving an only daiOigiiter. He bore for arms Gules,

219 HISTORY OF THE
a lion passant, guardant, between three roses, or. Soon after the
prcDerty went to the famUy of the Bathurst's, being a younger
branch of those of Finchcocks ; from which it was sold to
JeftVy Gilbert, baron of the Exchequer ; and afterwards to John
Norris, esq., of Hemsted, in Benenden, eldest son of Admiral
Sir John Norris, who died in 1767, and was succeeded by his
son, John Norris, esq., whose trustees sold it to John Cartier,
esq., of Bedgebury.
Adjoining Twysden borough, is the Borough of Lils
den, the manor of vvhich, some years back, belonged to one
Springet, and afterwards to Mr. John Noaks, gent. Since
which it was conveyed to John Cartier, esq., of Bedgebury.
The Borough of Pattenden, over which the manor of
East Farleigh claims, was once reputed a manor, and is situated
at the uppermost or northern part of this hundred. It gave
both seat and surname to a family that possessed it, as appears
by deeds, as early as the reign of Edward I. They continued
owners of this estate at the latter end of the reign of Henry
VI. , in the 29th year of which, on the commission then issued
out to Jervas CUfton, esq., sheriff of this county, to return all
those who bore Arma Antiqua, the name of Pattenden, then
possessor of this manor, was returned among them. His des
cendant alienated it to Sir Maurice Berkley, standardbearer to
Henry VIIL, King Edward VL, and Queen Elizabeth. By his
will, in 1581, he gave his manor of Pattenden to Robert, his
fourth son, being the eldest by his second wife, daughter of Sir
Anthony Sondes, of Throwley; and he, in the same reign,
alienated it to Mr. WUUam Beswicke, of Spelmonden, in Horse
monden ; after which it passed in the same manner as that seat
down to Hugh Marriott, esq., who died in 1753, and devised it
to his daughter, Anne Marriott.
Chingley, now more commonly called Shingley, is a manor
and estate, situated in this parish, on the western side of the
same hundred. It constituted, in the reign of Edward L, part
of the possessions of the Cistertian abbey of Boxley, the abbot
of vvhich, under Edward III., obtained a charter of free warren
for his demesne lands in his manor of Chingele, in this parish,
which continued part of the possessions of that abbey till the
dissolution, under Henry VIII., who, in his 36th year, granted
it, with other premises in Goudhurst and Staplehurst, to Thomas

COUNTY OF KENT. -ii.i
Colepeper, esq., to hold in capite by knight's service. He, two
years after, alienated the manor of Chingley and Chingley wood,
to Thomas Darell, of Scotney, and Stephen, of Horsemonden,
sons of Thomas Darell, esq., of Scotney, the former of whom
became at length sole possessor of this manor and estate. In
the reign of Elizabeth, he sold one moiety of the property to
William Campion, barrister at law ; and tho other he retained,
which continued in his name and family down to John Darell.
esq., of Scotney; who, in 1774, alienated Chingley wood to
Mr. John Hammond, and the moiety of the manOr to Mr. John
Richards, who, in 1779, sold it to Edward Hussey, esq., of
Scotney, who thus became possessor of the same.
The other moiety, however, of this manor and estate, called,
for distinction. Little Chingley, or Shingley, which had
been alienated to William Campion, esq., who was of Combwell,
in this parish, continued in his lineal descendant, William John
Campion, esq., son of Henry Courthope Campion, esq., of
Danny, in Sussex.
The manor of Combwell lies in the same hundred, on
part of which, at a place tl^en called Henle, Robert de Thurnham,
in the reign of King Henry IL, founded a priory, for canons
of the order of St. Augustine, which he dedicated to St. Mary
Magdalen, and endowed the same with Henle, Cumbewell, and
other possessions, in perpetual alms ; which gift was confirmed
by his son Stephen de Thurnham, together with all its posses
sions, by Henry IIL, who, at the same time, granted to them a
fair, on the feast and morrow of St. Mary Magdalen. In the
8th of Richard II. , the whole revenue of this priory was valued
at £66 2 6. Tanner states, that it was an abbey, but, on ac
count of the charge of supporting the state of so great a prelate,
as an abbot, was on that account reduced to a priory. It was
subject to the see of Canterbury, the prior constantly making
his profession of obedience to the archbishop ; and so continued
till the dissolution, under Henry VIIL, when it was surrendered
into the king's hands by Thomas Vincent, then prior, who had a
pension of £10 per annum accorded, for his future mainte
nance. King Henry VIIL, in the following year, granted the late
priory of Combwell, with the manors of Combwell, Lestherst,
Hook, and Coldred, in this county, to Thomas Colepeper, to hold
VOL. in. f t

3M IHSTORY OF THE
m capite by knight's service ; but he did not long possess them,"
for the king, in his 34th year, granted them to Sir John Gage,
as a reward for his services during the expedition to Scotland.
He was a distinguished character, both in a mUitary and civil
capacity, and became one of the most eminent men of his time.
He was constable of the Tower, knight of the garter, and lord
chamberlain of the household ; from whom descended the
Gage's of Firle, baronets, the lord viscount Gage, and the
Gage's of Suffolk, baronets. He bore for his arms Gyrony of
four, azure and argent, a sqltire gules. He appears to have
exchanged the manor of Combwell and the site of the priory,
and other premises belonging thereto, in Goudhurst, with
Thomas Colepeper, esq., of Bedgebury; whose son, Sir
Alexander, in the reign of Elizabeth, alienated them to William
Campion, esq., who resided and died here in 1615. His
son, Sir William Campion, was a most valiant and loyal gentle
man, and entered early into the service of Charles I. Being in
Colchester with his regiment, at the time that place was assaalted
by the rebels, under General Fairfax, namdy, June 13, 1648,
he was, in a sally, slain, and buried in the chancel of St. Peter's,
Colchester, aged only thirty-four. He left a son, William, of
Combwell, v*ho married Frances, daughter of Sir John Glyiine,
by whom he had issue two sons and six daughters ; of the
former, Henry Campion, tie eldest, succeeded to this estate.
His son and heir, William Campion, esq., of Danny, possessed
this estate, and died 1778 ; aad his grandson, William John
Campion, was the last owner. This family bears for its arms
Argent on a chief gules, an eagle displayed or.
A court-leet and court-baron is held for this manor, at the
hamlet of Stonecrouch, in this parish, which claims over the
whole of this hundred of West or Little Barnefield.
There are two schools in this parish, that were founded by
John Horsemonden, , esq., one for teaching grammar and the
Latin language, and the other for English. The former was
superintended by the Rev. Mr. Dowthwait, who had a salary
of £35 yearly; the latter under that of a widow, who had an
income of £5 per annum.
There is also another school, at Riseden, in this parish,
founded by the will of Thomas Bathurst, esq., of Finchcocks,
who devised £5 per annum, for ever, for an English school here.

COUNTY OF KENT. 915
and 20s. yearly, to be expended in books, for the use of this
institutipu. Goudhurst is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
of the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sutton. Tho
church, dedicated to the blessed Virgin, is a large handsonie
building, consisting of three aisles and the same number of
chancels. It has a low tower at the west end, with a smaller
one at the corner, surmounted by a pointed turret, covered with
lead, having a vane on the top, there being also a peal of
eight bells : no painted glass is left, in the windows of this
structure. One half of the south chancel belongs to the
Bedgebury estate, wherein are several monuments and memorials
of the famUy of the Colepeper's; one of which presents a tomb
of Bethersden marble, with figures, in brass, of a man and
woman, with their six children. Over the same is an arch,
supposed to be for one of the above family ;. several grave-stones
being also here, with figures in brass, on one of which are the
arms of the Colepeper's : Argent^ a bend engrailed gules, empal
ing three harts' heads couped, the inscription being gone.
Against the south wall is a most sumptuous sculptured monu
ment, composed of many different coloured marbles, displayinjj;
the figures of a man and woman ; one circumstance rather unu
sual is, that the female appears on the right hand, both kneeling
at two desks. Behind the male form, is a youth, kneeling;
beneath, are the five daughters, with eleven sons, and two still
born infants. Under the latter is an inscription for Thomas
Colepeper, esq^., of Bedgebury, eldest son of Ould Sir Alexander
Colepeper, of the same place, obt. 1550 ; of Sir Alexander, son
of the said Thomas, obt. 1599 ; and another inscription, stating
that Sir Anthony, son and heir of the same Sir Alexander, raised
this tomb in 1608, set. 48, being then living. In the south
aisle appears a bow window ; in the recess of which is a tombof
.Bethersden marble, wherein lie, at full length, the figures of a
man and woman, most curiously carved in wood, habited in the
ornaments and dress of their time, with two greyhounds lying
at their feet ; at the west end of which tomb are the arms of the
Colepeper's. These figures are, perhaps, the most worthy notice
of any in the kingdom ; but through neglect, from wet and
the weather beating in upon them, are likely, Mr. Hasted says, in
a very few years, to fall to decay.
Against the east wall, is an historical carved work, in stone.

316 HISTORY OF THE
with a roHef, in miniature, of a man and woman kneeliiig at a
desk, behind whom are six daughters and five sons. On the
desk or altar appears Anno 1535, in ancient characters ; \n the
high chancel is also a mural monument, with effigies kneeling,
in memory of WiUiam Campion, esq., obt. 1615, and Raobael
his wife.
In the south chancelis a monument for WUliam Campion, e(|q.,
supporting his bust, in white marble, obt. 1702 ; one half of
which chancel belongs to the Combwell estate. In the church
yard are several tomb-stones of the Stringer's ; as well as a
remarkable yew-tree that measured, when Mr. Hasted wrota^
twenty-seven feet in circumference.
A tremendous storm of thunder and lightning, on the 23d of
August, 1637, set fire to the lofty spire on the tower of this
church, which melted the five great bells, and also destroyed all
the timber and woodwork of the steeple. A brief was, in con
sequence, made to repair the damage, estimated at £2745, which
the parishioners could by no means sustain, owing to the num
ber of poor which had considerably increased.
Robert de Crevequer, on the founding of his priory at Leeds,
in 1119, endowed it with all the churches of his estate, among
which was this of Gutherste, with twenty acres of land in this
parish, together with all their customs, goods, liberties, and pri
vileges. The church and vicarage remained part of the possessions of
the above priory tUI the dissolution, under Henry VIIL, who
settled them both on his new erected dean and chapter of
Rochester, in whom they are still vested.
In the 8th of Richard II. , the church of Goudhurst, appro
priated to the prior and convent of Leeds, was valued at
£13 6 8, the vicarage being, in the king's books, estimated at
£26 19 2, when the yeariy tenths were £2 13 11. In 1640 it
was valued at £100, communicants then beins; 900. It was
endowed with all tithes, excepting corn and grain.
The dean and chapter of Rochester possessed a portion of
tithe.-iia this parish, the lessee of which vvas WiUiam Campion, esq.
In 1821 there were 385 dwellings in the parish of Goud
hurst, and at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of Pariiament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow : males 1299, females 1280, making
a total of 2579 souls.

COUNTY OF KENT. 217

THB
HUNDRED OF BRENCHLEY AND HORSEMONDEN
Lies next southward from that of Wachlingstone, but is
not mentioned in the survey of Domesday. In the 7th of King
Edward I., as also in the 20th of Edward ITL, it was called the
hundred of Brenche.-ley only. The subsequent addition of
Horsemnnden being in fact no more than that of one of the
two half hundreds into which this hundred was then divided.
In the 7th of King Edward I. , that prince and the archbishop
of Canterbury were lords of this hundred, which contains
part of the parishes of Brenchley, Lamberhurst,
AND Horsemonden, with the churches of those parishes.
Brenchley, written in old deeds Branchesle, and in the
Textus Roffensis, Bt.encesle, lies the next parish eastward
from Pembury, the whole village being nearly within this
hundred, though the hundred of Twyford extends over a narrow
district of this parish, into the town of Brenchley, some of the
houses on the eastern side being within its jurisdiction.
The boroughs of Stoberfield and Roeden, in this parish, are
within the manors of East Farleigh and East Peckham, the
lands whereof are held mfree socage tenure.
This parish is of large extent, being upwards of four miles
from north to south, and about three wide. It consists of hill
and dale ; the soil varies on the hill, where the village stands,
consisting of sand, intermixed with much rock or sandstone,
which soil continues over the northern part and towards Horse
monden green ; the remainder is a stiff miry cjay in winter,
excepting the high road, and in summer has a surface as hard
as iron. This parish is covered with wood, especially on the
skirts, the whole presenting a gloomy aspect, from the number
of large spreading oaks flourishing throughout. The houses
are chiefly old-fashioned timber buildings, situated, in general,
round the different small greens or forstals ; the by-roads are

S18 HISTORY OF THE
broad, and covered on either side with green swerd ; several
hop plantations formerly flourished in these parts.
The village or town of Brenchley is pleasantly situated on a
hill, the turnpike road leading through it towards Horsemonden,
Goudhurst, and the southern parts of the Weald. The houses
are large and ancient structures ; at the south-east end is the
church and parsonage ; whence, at a small distance eastward,
is a seat called Broad Oak, which, in the reign of Queen
Elizabeth, was purchased of several persons by George Paine,
citizen of London, whose heirs, in 1698, alienated the property
lo Mr. John Hooker, of West Peckham, younger brother of
Thomas, the grandfather of Thomas, late of Tunbridge. His
son, of the same name, died in 1717, when his third son,
Stephen, became possessed of the estate, and left one son, John
Hooker, esq., of Broad Oak, which seat he rebuUt, leaving one
son, Stephen, who afterwards resided there.
About a mile westward of the viUage, near Matfield green,
is a house which belonged to Mr. Bowles, merchant, whose
father rebuilt it, and resided here, as many of his ancestors had
done for some generations. At a small distance from Broad
Oak, at castle hill, just at the point of the eminence, stands the
remarkable toll of trees, called Brenchley toll, which, from their
elevated situation, are striking objects for many mUes rouud.
In the adjoining wood are the remains of a square moat, cou-
taining between three and four acres of ground, probably the
site of some manor. This farm, with the wood belonging
thereto, were the property of Mr. John Monckton ; they have
no particular appellation, but an extensive manor appears once
to have belonged thereto.
There are the remains of another mote or intrenchmeiit in this
parish, of great width and depth, that undoubtedly once enclosed
a building of considerable strength, the area of which is not
quite so large as that before mentioned ; no name, however,
appertains either to the wood or farm adjoining. The family of
the Daffy's, of Rumford, in Essex, were formerly owners, and
continued so till one of them alienated the property to Mr!
1 hoinas Outeridge.
The manor of Brenchley was anciently part of the pos-
sions of the noble family of the Clare's, the descendants of
which were afterwards earls of Gloucester and Hertford, with

COUNTY QF KENT. 9i<»
whom this manor continued, down to Edward duke of Buck
ingham, who being found guilty of high treason, was, in the
reign of Henry VIIL, beheaded, when this manor being vested
in the crown, was granted, with other premises in this parish,
to Paul Sydnor, esq. His son, William, in the reign of
Elizabeth, passed it away by sale to William Lambarde, esq., of
Greenwich, the perambulator, who settied it on the almshouse
he had founded in that parish, called Queen Elizabeth's hospital,
with this limitation, that the heirs male of his line should hold
it in lease for ever, and in case they failed, the last of that race
should have power to dispose of his interest therein by will. In,
virtue of that reservation, the lease of this manor passed in
direct succession to Malton Lambarde, esq., of Sevenoak, in
this county.
Criols is another manor lying about a mile and a half south
west from Brenchley village, which, in the reign of Henry IIL,
vvas in the possession of the eminent family of the Criol's, in
which reign Bertram de Criol held it, as half a knight's fee, of
Alicia de Waltham, as she did of the earl of Gloucester. He
resided at Ostenhanger, in this county, which seat he rebuilt,
and being much in favor with the above monarch, was, among
other, offices of trust, made sheriff, of Kent, in the 16th and
26th years of that reign, having also had the custody of the
castles of Dover and Rochester.
His great grandson, John de Criol, died in the 34th of the
reign of Edward I., leaving Joan his sister, his heir, married to
Sir Richard de Rokesle, who, in her right, inherited this manor.
His eldest daughter and coheir, Agnes, married Thomas de
Poynings, and entitled him to this property ; in whose name
and, descendants it continued down to Sir Edward Poynings,
who died possessed of the same, under Henry VI 11.^ leaving no
legitimate issue, upon which this manor became escheated to the
crown. It so remained till that monarch granted it to Paul
Sydnor, esq., his ambassador or envoy at the court of Spain,
who died in the reign of Edward VL; and his son, William,
under Ehzabeth, passed it away, with the manor of Brenchley,
to William Lambarde, esq. of Greenwich. He settled it iu
the same manner in which he had bestowed that of Brenchley;
and, with the same limitations, it passed to Malton Lambarde,
esq., of Sevenoak.

f20 HISTORY OF THE
Thf. m a nor of Mascalls, anciently called il/are.fCrt//,y, with
the two appendant of Copgrove and Chekeswell, are situ
ated near the northern boundary of this parish.
The first, as appears by ancient writings, in the reign of
Edward II., was owned by the family of the Colepeper's, one of
whom, Walter, died possessed of it, in the last year of that
reign, holding the property in gavelkind, as appears by the inquisi
tion then taken, and certain tenements in the parish of Brenchley,
called Marescales, of the Lord Hugh de Audley, as of his honour
of Tunbridge, by the service of paying, yearly, at his larder,
eight hogs and a half, value I5s. ; and that his sons, Thomas,
Geoffry, and John Colepeper, were his heirs, and next of kin.
CoPGRAVE was in possession of a family of the same name,
which afterwards became owners also of Chekeswell, the same
having, in the preceding reign of Ed ward I., been in the possession
of the family of the Hoese's. Henry de Hoese died possessed of
this property under Edward I., leaving a son Henry his heir,
who, in the 22d of that reign, was summoned to parliament
among the barons of the realm. From one of that family of
Copgrave, as it is supposed, was descended, though some time
afterwards, John Copgrave, the famous friar eremite of St. Au
gustine, s.T.p. of Oxford, and at length provincial of his order
in England, who was, most probably, a native of this place.
Humphrey duke of Gloucester, was his patron, under whose
protection he published those works which so eminently distin
guished him as a man of the first-rate abilities. He died at Lynn
in 1484. One of the same line, John de Copgrave, in the reign
of Edward IL, sold both these manors to John de Vane, who
had likewise become owner of the manor of Marescals, and his
heir, Robert, paid aid for all three, in the reign of Edward ILL, as
half a knight's fee, which John de Copgrave held in Brenchesley,
at Chekeswell, of the earl of Gloucester.
These manors continued in the name of Vane till the latter end
of the reign of Henry VI. , when one of that family alienated
them to Humphrey Stafford, duke of Buckingham, from whom
they passed in succession to his great grandson, Edward duke
of Buckingham, who was beheaded, as before mentioned.
Soon after the attainder of the duke, the manors of Mascalls
and Copgrave, for we find no mention of Chekeswell, were
granted to John Lyghe, who died possessed of them in the 15th

COUNTY OF KENT. 221
year of that reign, wl.en they devolved to the possession of Sir
Edward Ferrars, of I'.ad.dey Clinton, in Warwickshire, son of
Sir Henry, by Margaret Hextall, of East Peckham, in this
county. He died in 1535, and his great-grandson Henry appears
to have passed them away by sale, in the reign of Elizabeth, to
Whetenhall, commonly called Whetnall, of East Peckham, who
sold them, under James I., to one Ouldswortb. The latter, not
hng after, conveyed them to one Bartue, and he, in the reign of
Charles L, transferred them, by sale to Mr. Charles Tuckei*,
whose son owned them at the restoration, a.d. 1660. How they
aftervvards passed we do not find, but in the beginning of th^
18th century they were vested in the name of Putland, when
Mr. George Putland of Tunbridge devised them by will to Mr.
Thomas Barton of Sevenoak, his nephew, for life, with remainder
to Mr. Thomas Barton, bis great nephew, of Court lodge, in
Hadlow, whose son, John, afterwards possessed the same.
Parrocks is a manor that lies at the northern boundary of
this parish, within the hundred of Twyford, and was anciently a
manor appendant to that of West Mailing, having been given by
Gundulph, bishop of Rochester, in the 4th of WiUiam Rufus, to
the benedictine nunnery, founded there by him about that time.
This manor remained part of the possessions of the abbey of
Mailing till the dissolution under Henry VIII. when, being sur
rendered to the king, that monarch granted it, with the rest of
the possessions of the abbey, in exchange for other premises, to
Thomas Cranmer, archbishop of Canterbury. These estates
were again exchanged with the crown in the beginning of the
reign of Elizabeth, where the fee of the manor of Parrocks con
tinued till granted by James I. to John Rayney, esq., which grant
was confirmed by Charles I. in his 2d year, to Sir John Rayney,
bart. His eldest son, who was of Wrotham place, in this
county, did not, however, gain possession of the property till-
about the death of Charles I., as it had been leased out by the
abbess and convent for many years to the family of the Hextall's,
of East Peckham. One of that name, WiUiam, dying without
issue male, his only daughter and heir carried it in marriage to
WiUiam Whetenhall, whose descendant. Sir Richard, sold the
remainder of his term therein to George Brooke, lord Cobham,
who died possessed of the same under Philip and Mary. Hib
son, Sir William Brooke, lord Cobham, succeeded him, and in
VOL. 111. G g

222 HISIORY OF llflR
the 12th of EHzabeth, procured a fresh term for this manor, and
then alienated it to Sir Thomas Fane, of Badsell, whose grand
son, Mildmay, earl of Westmoreland, afterwards possesaed it,
during whose life the lease expired, when the fee devolved to Sir
John Rayney, as above mentioned. Shortly after that period
the property was alienated to a Bosville, in which name it con
tinued till Henry Bosville, esq., of Brad borne, in Sevenoak, dying
in 1761 unmarried, devised it among the rest of his estates in
tail male to his kinsman. Sir Richard Betenson, bart., and he
died in 1786, when it passed by the limitations of the same will,
to Thomas Lane, esq. of Sevenoak.
, A court-baron is regularly held for this manor.
It APPEARS by the escheat rolls that there was an estate here
called MoATLANDS, which formerly constituted part of the pos
sessions of the eminent family of the Pimpe's. Reginald Pimpe
died in the 16th of Henry VI. , possessed of a messuage in
Brenchley, called Le Moat, soon after which it appears to have
passed to a family, denominated from its residence in this parish
by the name of Brenchley, one of which was SirWilliam Bruchelle,
or Brenchley, a justice of the Common Pleas, who died iii 1446,
without issue, and lies buried, with Joan his wife, in the nave
of Canterbury cathedral. They bore for their arms, a cross pa
tent engrailed, as may be seen carved on the roof of the cloisters
of the above-mentioned edifice.
, John Brenchley, esq. was owner of this properly in the reign of
Henry VI. , and left an only daughter and heir, Margaret, who
carried it in marriage to William More, esq., of More court, in
Ivechurch. He was succeeded by his son, Walter More, esq.,
of Benenden, who died in the 19th of Henry VIL, leaving two
sons, 1 homas, of Benenden, and William, of Bettenhani, in
Cranbrooke, between whom, this estate became divided, the line
of separation crossing the moat and the foundations of the old
mansion. That part ofMoatlands to which the manorial rights
vvere annexed, was allotted to the former, whose son John, about
the reign of Queen Mary, alienated Moatlands to Thomas
Roberts, otherwise Robertes, gent., who lies buried with his
three wives, Elizabeth, Joan, and Agnes, in this church. His
descendants resided here till George Roberts left a son Walter,
aud a daughter, Margaret, married to Sir Walter Roberts, bart.,
of Glassenbury, and on the death of her brother, without issue,

COtJNTY OF KENT. 223
she entitled her husband to this estate. From him the moiety
in question descended in direct succession to Sir Walter Roberts,
bart, of Glassenbury, who died in 1745, leaving an only daugh
ter and heir, Jane, who carried the property in marriage to
George, duke of St. Alban's. He survived her, and afterwards
possessed a life estate therein, and died in 1786, upon which it
devolved, by the will of the duchess, to John Roberts, esq., who
subsequently possessed the same.
The other part of Moatlands appears to have been alienated
from the descendants of William More, of Bettenham, about the
reign of Queen Elizabeth, to George Payne, of London, by
whose heirs it was sold, in 1698, with Broadoaks, in this parish,
as before mentioned, to John Hooker, esq. ¦
Catt's Place, with the manor belonging thereto, called
Callets, otherwise Salmon, is also situated in this parish, about
a inile northward from Brenchey town, but within the hundred
of Twyford, being held of the manor of Yalding. The man
sion was anciently the residence of Hugh de Catt, from whom
it acquired this name. His descendants continued to possesS'it
till the reign of Henry VI. , when it vvas passed to.the Tilden's^
of Marden, one of whose descendants, after the- death of
Charles L, alienated it to one Bassage, in which name it conti
nued till WiUiam Bassage, esq. fUDld it to James Turvin, esq., ot
Hertfordshire, and his son, of the same name, leaving two daugh
ters coheirs, one of whom married Robert Buttery, esq., she enr
titled her husband to the possession of this property.
Stockshill and Studmore are two manors which had
anciently owners, who assumed their surnames from these es
tates, and conrinued thus distinguished tiU the reign of HenryV L
when the latter, by purchase, became vested in thefjimily of the
Stocks. Under Henry VIIL both these manors devolved to the
pos-session of Paul Sydnor, esq., who was also owner of otlier
estates in this parish ; and his son, WiUiam Sydnor, in the
reign of Elizabeth, conveyed them by sale to Robert Berney,
who, about 1584, alienated them to Robert Byng, esq. lie
died possessed of Stockshill and Stodmerhill manors, in Brench
ley and Yalding in 1595, as appears by the inquisition then
taken, after which they remained in his descendants down to
his great grandson, John Byng, esq., who, soon after the resto
ration, alienated botli lh< se manors. Since the above ptriod.

394 HISTOR'i OF THE
after passing into the hands of several intermediate owners, tliey
became vested in the name of Mr. John Monckton.
Brenchley is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
of the diocese of ^Rochester and deanery of Mailing. The
church is dedicated to All Saints, and contains some monuments
and inscriptions for the famUies of the Roberts's and the Cour-
tJiope's, as well as an inscription for Elizabeth, wife of Georg?
Fane, esq., of Tudely, a.d. 1566.
This church appears anciently to have been esteemed but a
chapel to the adjoining parish-church of Yalding, Richard de
Clare, earl of Hertford, having given that church, with this
chapel and all its appurtenances, in pure and perpetual alms, to
the priory of Tunbridge, founded by him.
This rectory remained, with the advowson and vicarage of
the manor of Barnes, in the priory of Tunbridge, till the
reign of Henry VIII. who granted them to Cardinal Wolsey,
for the endowment of his college, called Cardinal's college, in
Oxford ; but that great prelate being cast in a praimunire, all
the estates of the above-mentioned college were forfeited, and
devolved to the king, who, in the 3lst of his reign, granted theiu
to Paul Sydnor, gent, to hold in capite by knight's service. His
son, William, succeeded to these premises in the 5th of Qneca
Elizabeth, and, not long after, alienated them to William Waller,
esq., of Groombridge, who married Elizabeth, daughter and
coheir of Sir Walter Hendley, by whom he had three sons aud
three daughters. She survived him, and appears to have pos
sessed these estates in Brenchley, and afterwards married George
Fane, esq. of Badsell.
Her eldest son by her first husband. Sir Walter Waller, suc
ceeded her; and his son. Sir Thomas, of Groombridge, alienated
the manor of Barnes and the rectory of Brenchley, with the
advowson of the vicarage, to John Courthope, esq., afterwards
of Brenchley, youngest brother of Sir George Courthope, of
Whileigh, in Sussex. He died possessed of the same in 1649;
in whose family they continued down to George Courthppe, esq.
of Uckfield, in Sussex. This family is supposed by some tp
have been originally seated at Courthope street, commonly writ
ten Court at Street, near Lymne, in this county. One branch
settled at Goddard's green, in Cranbrooke, from which descended
those of Danny, in Sussex and of Horsemonden, in this county,

COUNTY OF KENT, JSS
both now extinct. Another branch settied at Stodmarsh, near
Canterbury, of which no trace remains ; and another at Whi
leigh, in Sussex, the only one of which resided at Uckfield, in
that county. Of this latter branch was George Courthope, esq.
who possessed this rectory, and whose father and grandfather,
both of the name of George, intermarried into the family of
Campion, of Danny, in Sussex. Mr. George Courthope (whosfe
younger brother, Henry, vicar of this parish, died a bachelor,)
married Frances Barbara, daughter of WiUiam Campion, esq.
of Danny, and had two sons, George, and WiUiam, afterwards
vicar of this parish ; and a daughter, Frances. They bore for
their arms Argent, afess between three effoils azure.
The vicarage was valued in the king's books at £12 18 9,
the yeariy tenths being £1 5 10|. In 1608 there were 664
communicants. In 1821, there were 390 dwellings in the parish of Brenchley;
and at the same period, when the last census of the population
was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inhabitants
were as follow : males 1185, females 1079, making a total
of 2264 souls.
Lamberhurst is the next parish southward from Brenfihley,
and probably derived its name from the soft clay on which it is
situated, and the woods wherewith it so plentifully abounds ;
Lam, in the Saxon language, signifying a soft loam or clay ;
and hurst, a wood ; which name has been, from use, changed
into the present appellation of Lamberhurst.
The STREAM vvhich rises in Waterdown forest, Sussex,
being one of the principal heads of the Medway, runs through
this parish, and separates the county from that of Sussex, in
which the larger part of the parish lies. That portion on the
northern side of the stream, in this county, is about two miles
across in extent, the surface being one continued hill and dale.
The soil near the village is sandy, but the chief part is a stiff
clay, especially in the large tracts of coppice wood, which ex
tend over the greater portion of the parish. In these and the
adjoining woods are several furnaces for melting and manufactur
ing the iron ore ; but the only one in that part of the parish
within this county, is called Lamberhurst, otherwise Gloucester
furnace, and vvas so named in honour of the duke of Gloucester,

226 HISTORY OF THE
son of Queen Anne, who, in 1698, paid a visit to this spot from
Tunbridge Wells. The iron railing round St. Paul's Church yard,
in London, was cast at this furnace, which presents, perhaps,
the most magnificent balustrade in the universe ; the height is
five feet six inches, and there are at intervals, seven iron gates
of beautiful workmanship, which, together with the railing,
weigh upwards of 200 tons, the whole cost having amounted
to the sum of £11,000 and upwards.
These woods are mostly oak and coppice, sometimes, though
but rarely, intermixed with hazel interspersed with oak trees,
which have been considerably lessened, in consequence of the
great consumption of wood required by these furnaces.
Numerous little springs rise here, the waters of which are of
a "browner colour than is common to that element, leaving, in
their passage, tinctures of rust. The iron ore is found in great
abimdance in most parts of these woods, but differing in colour,
weight, and property. That which is not fit for co union use,
from being shoit and brittle when melted, is mingled, in certain
ruantities, with cinders, the refuse of the ore after the extrac
tion of the metal. The mixture in question produces a temper
and toughness which renders it fit for working, so that great
quantities of cannon, for government and the merchant service,
are cast at these furnaces, as well as the backs of stoves and
bars, from the better sort of iron, after having been worked in
the forges for that purpose. The above statement is made by
Mr. Hasted, in whose time the furnaces were of great impor^
tance. The village or town of Lamberhurst, as it is sometimes calleo,
is situated about forty miles from London, on either side of the
above-mentioned stream, over vvhich is a bridge, composed of
three arches, standing partly in Kent and partly in Sussex.
Qn the western side of the street, within this county, there
was a large house, vvhich, from its appearance, seems to have
belonged to a gentleman, having been, for many generations, in
the possession of the family of the Thomas's. One of that
name, Alexander, resided here, and died possessed of it in
1657 ; in whose descendants it continued down to Richard
Thomas, who, in 1740, sold it to Mr. Bridger, of Sussex ; and
he alienated it to Mr. John Foster, in which name it continued.
There are two principal roads from London, one traverses Tun-

COUNTY OF KENT. 22r
bridge, and the other runs from Maidstone, through Yalding,
vvhich join just above the village, when the route leads through
it into Sussex. At a small distance westward of the spot where
these roads unite, is the ancient mansion of the parsonage ; and
on the opposite side, the court lodge, with the church near it,
on the rise of a hill.
About a mile westward, close to the southern side of the
stream, within the county of Sussex, are the seat and ruins of
Beyham, great part of which are in the parish of Fant ; and on
the other side, within this county, though more distant, the
estate of Hoadley, within that part of the parish called Linder-
idge quarter; in the upper part of which, near the thirty-
seventh milestone, on the Tunbridge road, is an estate, formerly
called, from its ancient possessors. Dunk's, but afterwards Old
farm. It was, for some subsequent generations, owned by a
branch of the Hendley's, of Cranbrooke, when Thomas died
possessed of it, in 1716, leaving several sons. Peter and
Alexander lived at Goudhurst, and were clothiers there ; Walter,
an intermediate son, became, on his father's death, possessed of
this estate, and afterwards sold it to one Pattenden, who alienated
it to a Spence ; and he disposed of it to Gibbs Crawford, of
East Grinsted.
The portion of this parish, which lies within the county of
Sussex, is separated from Kent and the parish of Goudhurst by
a stream, called the Bewle, across which, over a bridge of the
same name, the high road from Lamberhurst passes, towards
Flimwell, Hawkhurst, and also to Rye, in Sussex. About half
a mile below Bewle bridge, near the east bank of the stream, is
the mansion of Scotney, situated in a deep vaUey, and so sur
rounded by woods, that it presents a most recluse appearance.
It is a handsome stone edifice, seemingly no niore than half the
dimension originally intended by the buUder. It was moated,
and had, until the late Mr. Darell pulled them down, a strong
stone gateway, with towers, &c., seemingly intended to guard
its approach. The river, which here divides the two counties,
once ran through the centre of the ground-plot, whereon the
mansion stands; and about a mile below Scotney, it joins the
Beyham stream, with which it flows on to Yalding, where it
meets the main current of the Medway.
There was resident in this parish a family of tiie name of

828 HISTOIW OF THE
Wimshurst, in old writings spelt Wilmhurst, formerly of consi
derable property, the whole of which was alienated from that
race. An annual fair is held in this parish, on old Lady-day, for
cattle, the profits of which belong to the owners of the parson
age ; and another in the village, yearly, on the 21st of May.
This parish was anciently part of the possessions of the
eminent family of the Crevequer's, and was a limb of the barony
of Leeds, in this county. One part was held of them by the
family of the Lenham's, one of whom, Nicholas de Lenham,
obtained a charter of free warren for his lands here, in the reign
of Henry III. They were succeeded by the Chidcroft's, who
resided here for some generations, and bore for their arms the
same coat as that of the family of the Colepeper's, viz. a bend
engrailed. This was a frequent custom at that period, many
families using the coat of their superior lord of whom they held
in fee, or in whose service they were ; neither was this family of
Chidcroft the only one in this county that bore the arms of the
•Colepeper's, as the Halden'sj of Halden, and a branch of the
Malmain's, equally adopted them. There are numerous in
stances of the grants of the coat-armour from a lord to his inferior;
and, among others, Humphrey earl of Stafford, in the reign or
Henry VL, granted, to Robert Whitgrave, the bearing of the
chevron gules, as is expressed in the grant. One of this family^
Thomas de Chidcroft, died possessed of this estate in the 1st of
Edward HI. T'he other part, in which the manor was included,
was held of the Crevequer's, as half a knight's fee, in the reign
of King John, by Nicholas de Kenith, nomine dotis, who gave it
to the abbot and convent of Robertsbridge, in Sussex.
Hamo de Crevequer, grandson of Robert, confirmed this gift
of the manor of Lamberhurst, for which the abbot had paid
thirty-five marks of silver of the goods of his church. Soon
after the abbot came into the possession of this manor, there
arose great disputes between him and the archbishop, concerning
the same, which were finally settled in 1266, in the reign of
Henry HI.
In the 21st of Edward I., upon a quo warranto, the abbot
and convent claimed view of frankpledge, and other liberties for
their manor, against the king, who laid claim to the property.
Bui the abbot producing the king's charter, his riirhts were

COUNTY OF KENT. 229
allowed before J. de Berewicke and others, justices itinerant;
and, in the 8th of Edward II. , the archbishop had a grant for a
market and fair to be held in this parish.
In this situation the manor continued tiU the suppression of
the abbey of Robertsbridge, in the reign of Henry VIIL, when
the monastery and manor devolved to the king, and were con
firmed to him and his heirs by the general words of the Act,
passed in the 31st of that reign.
Subsequent to the above period, the king, by several indentures
and letters patent, granted this manor and abbey, with the rest
of its possessions, to Sir William Sydney and Anne his wife,
and their heirs male, to hold in capite by knight's service. In
consideration thereof, and a sum of money paid upon a new
agreement, the above monarch, in his 33d year, sold to Sir
William Sydney and his heirs, the manor of Lamberhurst,
together with all lands and ppssessions belonging to the monas
tery, in Lamberhurst and elsewhere, the site of the late abbey,
and all appurtenances thereunto belonging, to hold by the suit of
one whole knight's fee, and the annual rental of £26 12 4. His
grandson. Sir Robert, who was created earl of Leicester, obtained
new letters patent of this manor, under James L, to hold the
same of the king as of his manor of East Greenwich, in free
socage tenure, by fealty only, in lieu of all other rents and
services, and he then alienated it to John Porter, esq., who
rebuilt the court lodge, where he afterwards resided. He was
son of Richard Porter, of Begeham, in this parish, descended
from WiUiam Porter, of Markham, in Nottinghamshire. John,
the eldest son, succeeded his father at Markham, and was ances
tor of the branch settled at Belton, in Lincolnshire, Stephen
Porter, of thoSfe of Begeham and Lamberhurst, one of whom,
John, was purchaser of this manor, and Robert Porter was
dean of Lincoln ; they bore for their arms Sable, three bells
argent, a canton ermine. John Porter, elt[. obtained a confir
mation of free warren, made to Nicholas de Lenham, within all
the demesne lands of this manor, not being within the bounds of
the king's forests. His two grandsons, John and Richard, dying,
his daughter, EUzabeth, married Sir John Hanby, of Lincoln
shire, who became their heir, and dying without issue male, his
daughter Elizabeth, his heir, carried this property in marriage to
John Chaplin, esq. of the same county. His grandson, John,
VOL. III. H h

930 HISTORY OF THE
left three daughters his coheirs ; of whom, Elizabeth, married to
Edward Ayscough, esq., entitled her husband to the possession
thereof, and joining with him, alienated the estate to WiUiam
Morland, esq., who resided at the court lodge ; he was descended
from ancestors seated at Morland, in Westmoreland. He mar
ried Ellen, daughter of Sir Thomas Johnson, of Liverpool, by
whom he had Thomas Johnson, esq., of the court lodge, which
residence he much improved, and dying in 1784, was conveyed
hither and buried in this church. By Anne, daughter and coheir
of William Matson, esq., of Lancashire, he left several children;
of whom, the eldest son, William Alexander Morland, esq., suc
ceeded hi I) in this estate.
A court-leet and court-baron is held for this manor.
Hodleigh is a reputed manor, situated at the western part
of this parish, that anciently belonged to the college of St.
Peter, at Lingfield, in Surrey, which institution seems to have
been suppressed in the reign of Henry VIII. That monarch, in
his 38th year, granted this manor, among other premises belong
ing to the college, to Thomas Cawarden, or Cardan, to hold in
capite by knight's service; one of whose descendants, in the
reign of Elizabeth, passed it by sale to Edward Filmer, esq.
of East Sutton, afterwards knighted by that queen, who died
possessed of the same in 1797.
In that part of this parish which lies in the county of
Sussex, there are two capital places, which, though not strictly
within the description of this county, must not be omitti,d. The
first is Begeham, usually called Bayham abbey, situated about
three quarters of a mile distant, southwestward, from Hodleigh,
and close on the opposite side of the stream, vvhich separates
the two counties. It vvas founded at a place called Beaulieu,
about the year 1200, by Robert, nephew of Michael de Turnham,
for monks of the Prcemonstratensian order, some of whom he
removed from Brockley, in Deptford, hither, for that purpose.
These religious had been originally settled at Ottham, in
Sussex, by Ralph de Dene, but finding that place inconvenient
for the purpose, they began an establishment at Brockley, where
they remained but a short time, and removed hither, with the
consent of Ella de Sackville, daughter of their founder Ralph
de Dene, and Robert de Turnham, above mentioned, who had,
for the above purpose, granted to these canons, with the assent

COUNTY OF KENT. ayi
of Richard earl of Clave, his lord, all his lands at Begeham,
with their appurtenances, in pure and perpetual alms, free from
aU service and secular exaction, to build an abbey here, in
honour of St. Mary.
Pope Gregoi-y IX., a.d. 1266, exempted them de decimis no-
vallum, as well as from the mills they had newly built, and the
pay of aU their lands. In the 16th of Edward I. the tem
poralities of the abbot, in Canterbury diocese, amounted to
£215 8 per annum ; in which year the abbot being summoned,
on a quo warranto, to shew cause why he claimed pleas of the
crown, and^ee warren, a market, fair, gallows, and waif in
Begeham, &c., answered that he had not, nor did he claim any
of those privileges, but that he had view of frankpledge, and
by reason of that, assize of bread and ale ; the jury, in conse
quence, found for the abbot, as himself and his predecessors had
always used the same time out of mind.
King Edward III., in his second year, granted to the abbot
and convent yree warren in their demesne lands in the parish of
Lamberhurst, in Kent, as well as in Begeham, in Sussex, among
others. This abbey continued in nearly the same state till the reign of
Henry VIIL, when Cardinal Wolsey, being desirous of founding
two colleges, one at Ipswich, and the other at Oxford, obtained,
in 1524, the pope's bull for suppressing, with the king's leave,
_as many small monasteries as were necessary to raise a revenue,
not exceeding 3000 ducats per annum ; when this monastery,
with seventeen other minor establishments in different counties
was dissolved, at which time it appeared that the spiritualities
of this abbey were valued at £27 6 8, the temporalities at
£125 2 8J, and the whole at £152 9 4| per annum.
Richard Bexley was the last abbot, at which period there were
ten monks in this institution.
From their descent from the founder of this abbey, as also
from their benefactions to the same, the members of the Sack vile
family were equally reputed its founders; two of that line arc said
to lie buried in the church of this abbey; Sir Thomas, son of Sir
Andrew Sackvile, and Richard Sackvile, esq., who died a.d.
1524. There is a register of this abbey in the Cottonian library,
in the British Museum, marked Otho, a. II.
After the suppression of this abbey, the king granted the

232 HISTORY OF THE
several dissolved monasteries of Begeham, Lesnes, Tunbridge,
and Calcote, with all their lands, manors, and possessions, to
Cardinal Wolsey, for the endowment of his colleges above men
tioned ; which letters were again confirmed by other documents
the following year. However, four years afterwards, upon the
Cardinal's disgrace, all the estates of the colleges which had not
been firmly settled thereon, were forfeited to the king, in whose
hands the manof of Begeham, together with the site of the
abbey, seem to have remained, till Queen Elizabeth made a grant
of the same to Anthony Brown viscount Montague, who,
though a strict Catholic, was held in high esteem by that prin
cess, being a man of great loyalty, and attached to his religion
from principle, wholly divested from any factious spirit. He
died in 1593, and was succeed by his eldest son, Anthony
viscount Montague, who, not long after, alienated this manor
and estate to Benedict Barnham, alderman of London, who died
in 1598, leaving four daughters his coheirs. Alice, the second,
inherited this manor and the site of the abbey of Begeham, and
after the death of her first husband. Sir Francis Bacon, lord
Verulam, viscount St. Alban's, and lord chanceUor of England,
by whom she had no issue, she remarried Walter Doble, esq.,
of the county of Sussex, who, in her right, possessed this estate.
In that famUy it remained at the restoration of Charles IL,
a.d. 1660, when it passed to the name of Brown, where it
continued till the time of Queen Anne, when an Act passed to
enable Ambrose Brown, esq., to sell this manor, which was con
veyed to John Pratt, esq. of Wilderness, sergeant at law, and
afterwards chief justice of the King's Bench. On his death, in
1725, John Pratt, esq. of W'ildemess, his eldest son, succeeded
him in this manor, of which he died possessed in 1770, as did
his son, of Wilderness, but afterwards of Sevenoak, where he
also died in 1797, and, by will, gave this estate to his half brolher,
Thomas Pratt, esq., elder brother of Charles earl Camden ; and
he subsequently possessed this manor, with the site of the abbey
and lands belonging thereto.
Considerable vestiges of the ruins of this edifice are yet stand
ing, and within the waUs of the church, over which the roof
remained till lord chief justice Pratt caused the same to be taken
down, for the use of the materials, there are several flat grave
stones, upon one of vvhich is a crosier; there are also three tombs.

COUNTY OF KENT. 233
or coffins of stone, one of which is- decorated with the sculpture
of a cross pomel, pierced. The inside of the church is laid out
in pleasure-ground, decorated with flowers and gravelled walks, for
the use of the adjoining seat, erected many years back by the
late proprietor, in the Gothic style, where he frequently used to
reside. There are many views extant of the ruins of this abbey, among
which is that published by Buck in 1737, and another by Cap
tain Grose, in his Antiquities of England and Wales, in 1760.
Scotney is the other manor within this parish, in the county
of Sussex also. ^ The mansion stands close on the western side
of the stream, called the Bewle, reputed to divide the counties.
It was so named from a family which had possession of this
estate in very early times, the members whereof also held another
seat of the same name, at Lyd. One of the above Une, Walter
de Scoteni, held it in the reign of Henry HI., having been a
person of no small account, as he held fourteen knights' fees and
a half, of Alice countess of Eu, in Sussex. However, having
been found guilty of poisoning Richard earl of Gloucester, and
his brother, William de Clare, he was drawn through Winchester
to the gallows, and there hanged. Notwithstanding this, the
estate seems to have continued in the same name and family till
the middle of the reign of Edward III,, when it passed to the
Ashburnham's, of Ashbumham, in Sussex ; one of whom, Roger,
was a conservator of the peace in the 1st of Richard IL, and
resided at the mansion, which was then castellated. His suc
cessor alienated the property in the beginning of the reign of
Henry V., to Henry Chichele, archbishop of Canterbury, who
appears at times to have resided here, one of his mandates being
dated from Scoteneye, in 1418. The archbishop settled this
manor on Florence, his niece, widow of Sir William Pecke, one
of the daughters of William Chichele, his youngest brother, on
her marriage with John Darell, esq., third son of William Darell,
of Sesay, in Yorkshire. He died in 1478, and was succeeded
in this estate by his only son by- the said Florence, namely,
Thomas Darell, esq., of Scotney; whose only son Henry, and
grandson Thomas, were both likewise of Scotney, the latter
having been twice married. Thomas, his eldest son, succeeded
him ; and Stephen, his second, was ancestor of the Darell's, of
Pageham, Fullsmere, Hampden, and Middlesex ; while his third

•j,^4 HISTORY OF THE
son was of Spelmonden, who left two surviving daughters his
coheirs .
In the descendants of Thomas Darell, the eldest son, who suc
ceeded his father at Scotney, and whose lands were disgavelled
by the Acts of the 2d and 3d of Edward VI ., this estate conti
nued down to his great grandson, Arthur Darell, esq., of Scot
ney, who died possessed of the properly in 1720, unmarried.
This estate then devolved, by an old family settlement, to the
second brother of the branch of this famUy, settled at Calehill,
in this county, and was accordingly claimed by George, the se
cond son of John DareU, esq., of Calehill, by Olivia, his wife,
daughter of Viscount Strangford.
He took possession of the property, thoagh not without some
litigation, as suits were instituted by tl.e three sisters, and heirs
at law of Arthur above mentioned, in which, however, he ulti
mately prevaUed, and afterwards resided here. He was suc
ceeded by his eldest son and heir, John Darell, esq., a resident
at Scotney, who, in 1774, conveyed this manor and seat, with
the manor of Chingley, and other lands adjoining, in the parish
of Goudhurst, to Mr. John Richards, of Robertsbridge. The
latter, in 1779, again passed away these manors, and the man
sion of Scotney, with the adjoining farm, called Little Scotney,
to Edward Hussey, esq., of Burwash, in Sussex, and afterwards
of Ashford, in this county.
Edward Hussey, the purchaser of these estates, married Eli
zabeth Sarah, only daughter of Robert Bridge, esq., of Bockiug,
in Essex, by whom he had several children. He also resided at
Scotney, and subsequently owned these manors.
Lamberhurst is within the Ecclesiastical Juris.dic-
TIO^ of the diocese of Rochester and deanery of oMalling. The
church, dedicated to St. Mary, stands on a hill, al a short dis
tance from the court lodge, having a spire steeple. In the
porch lies one Lindridge, bom a.d. 1566, who lived in a house
adjacent, and made a handsome stone footway at this spot,
called Lindridge causeway.
Robert de Crevequer, founder of the abbey of Leeds, about
the year 1 137, gave to the canons there, in free and perpetual
alms, aU the churches on his estates, with the advowsons of the
same, among which was this of Lamberhurst, with two acres of
laud in the parish.

COUNTY OF KENT. 235
Lambert de Scotene confirmed to the church of Leeds what
soever his ancestors had granted, viz. all the ecclesiastical dues
of his tenants, with the lands of Curthope, and the oblations and
legacies of the vassals of his lordship-.
Archbishop Theobald confirmed this church to the priory, to
gether with all the tithes, both great and small, of Courthope
and Ewehurst, as did also Archbishop Hubert, by his letters of
inspeximus. John, bishop of Rochester, at the time of the gift
of this church to the priory of Leeds, appropriated the same to
that institution ; notwithstanding which, the canons do not
seem to have gained possession of it till about ten years after
wards. About that period, by the mandate of Richard, arch
bishop of Canterbury, an inquisition was taken, whereby it was
found that the archbishop's tenants, inhabiting the districts of
Curthope and Ewehurst, received all ecclesiastical rights in the
church of Lamberhurst, and had paid their tithes, time out of
memory, to that church, and that their ancestors lay buried
there ; which was attested by Waller, bishop of Rochester, and
confirmed by the archbishop.
The vicarage of this church does not seem to have been en
dowed till the time of bishop John Lowe, about the year 1448,
in whose register the particulars of this endowment maybe seen.
After this the appropriation, as well as the advowson, of this
church, continued part of the possessions of the priory till the
dissolution in the reign of Henry VIIL, when, being surrendered
to that prince, he settled the advowson of the vicarage on his
newly erected dean and chapter of Rochester, with whom they
still continue vested.
In 1719 the lessee of this parsonage was William Dewe, esq.,
who resided there. He was the son of WiUiam Dewe, gent.,
one of the Six Clerks in the prerogative-office in London, and
bore for his arms. Gules, a chevron argent^ between nine bezants.
The interest at length rested in his grandson, Butler Dewe, esq.,
who, dying in 1762, without issue, the property devolved to his
sisters, EUzabeth Wilson, widow, AmphiUis Whitfield, widow,
and Mary Ann and Catherine Dewe, who were subsequently the
lessees of this parsonage.
The advowson of the vicarage was reserved for th« use of
the dean and chapter, who has the right of presentation to the
same.

836 HISTORY OF THE
This vicarage was valued in the king's books at £12 10 5.
the annual tenths being £1 5 0^.
In 1447, it appeared on the presentation of William Black-
borne to this vicarage, that it was endowed, in ancient times,
with all tithes excepting those of sheaves and grain ; that it was
by estimation, one year with another, of the annual value of £10,
and that the vicar had not any written composition, but claimed
his endowment by ancient custom. '
In 1821 there were sixty-four dwellings in the parish of Lam
berhurst ; and at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow : males 286, females 252, making
a total of 538 souls.
Horsemonden is the next parish northward from Lamber
hurst, a small portion being within the borough of RugmerhUI,
which is situated at the western side, adjoining that of Brench
ley, and is within the ancient demesne of the manor of Aylesford,
and consequently exempt from the jurisdiction of this hundred.
A small part of this parish is said to be within the hundred of
Larkfield. The parish of Horsemonden is situated much the same as that
of Lamberhurst, last described, presenting a surface of continued
hiU and dale. It is bounded towards the north-east and south
by different streams of the river Medway, which flow from
hence, and join the main river at Yalding. This district is also
watered by two other smaller rivulets, and several lesser springs
interspersed over it, all of which join the larger stream on the
southern side of the parish. It is four miles in length from
north to south, its breadth being but small, in some places
scarcely one mile, and in its broadest part not more than two
miles. The high road from Maid.stone, through Yalding, to
Lamberhurst and Sussex, runs through the whole length of the
parish; and that from Watringbury, over Brandt bridge, through
Brenchley, towards Goudhurst, crosses this parish and the other
road, at a small green, called Horsemonden heath, vvhich is buUt
round with houses, and forms all that constitutes a village in
this parish, the remainder of the houses being dispersed singly
over different parts of the same. The soil near the high road is
in general a sand, intermixed with the rock, or sandstone, the

COUNTY OF KENT. 23r
rent a deep stiff clay, extremely miry in wet weather. It is much
interspersed with coppice woods of oak, especially on the west
and north sides, where the soil abounds with iron ore. 'U;e
whole is covered with fine spreading oak trees, which grow to
a large size, and become sometimes nearly equal in value to the
freehold of the estate.
The church, with the parsonage at about a quarter of a mile
distant, stands very near the south-east boundary of the parish.
In the upper part, contiguous to the river, is a seat called Bayn-
den, formerly belonging to Sir Charles Booth, of Stede bill,
deceased. A fair is held here on St. Swithin's day, for cattle
and pedlary.
The Manor of Horsemonden was part of the ancient pos-
sessiolis of the archbishopric of Canterbury, he holding it in
capite as one knight's fee, of whom it was again held by the
noble family of Clare, earls of Gloucester and Hertford.
It appears by the inquisition returned into the exchequer, in
the 13th and 14th of the reign of King John, of the knight's fees
and other services held in capite, that this place was then in the
possession of the family of Albrincis, one of whom, William de
Albrincis, of Averanches, dying, Maud, his sister, at length be
came her husband's heir, and entitled Hamo de Crevequer to the
possession of the same. He died in the 47th of the reign of
Henry HI,, before which period, however, this manor seems to
have passed in marriage with one of his daughters, Eleve, to
Bertram de Criol.
In the 42d of Henry HI. there was a composition entered into
between Archbishop Boniface and Richard de Clare, earl of
Gloucester, in relation to the customs and services which the
archbishop claimed on account of the lands held by the earl of
him in Tunbridge, Horsemonden, and other places in this
county, by which it was agreed that the earl should do homage
and the service of one knight's fee for the manor of Horsemonden,
and suit at the court of the archbishop, and his successors, at
Canterbury. In the 8th of King Edward IL, this manor constituted part of
the possessions of the family of Rokesle, the heirs of Roger, of
that name, then holding it of the honour of Clare, one of whom
was Sir Richard de Rokesle, who died without issue male, leaving-
by his wife Joan, sister and heir of John de Criol, two daugaieis
VOL. m, I i

93B HISTORY OF THE
his coheirs, of whom Agnes, the eldest, married Thomas de
Poyrings; and Joan, the youngest, first, Hugh de Pateshmi,
and secondly. Sir WiUiam le Baud, each of whom, in her right,
became possessed of this manor, the latter dying owner of ilie
property in the 4th of Edward IIL His widow, in the 20th year
of that reign, paid aid for it, being then held of the eari of Glou
cester. After the above period, although their son. Sir WiUiam Baud<
appears to have had some interest in this estate, at his death, in
the 50th year of that reign, yet upon her demise, the manor
itself went to her nephew Michael, son of Thomas de Poynings,
by Joan de Rokesle, her sister. In his descendants it continued
down to his grandson Robert, who died in the 25th of King
Henry VI , leaving Alianone, wife of Sir Henry Percy, lord
Percy, eldest son of Henry earl of Northumberland, daughter of
Richard de Poynings, his eldest son, who died during his fa
ther's life, his next heir, upon which the Lord Percy, in her right,
becaiiie entitled to this manor. From him it continued down to
Henry earl of Northumberland, who died without issue in the
29th of Henry VIIL, the year previous to which, he, by deed,
granted to the king all his manors, castles, and estates, although,
twelve months before, an Act had passed for assuming lo the
king all his lands and possessions, in case of the failure of heirs
of his body.
This manor thus devolving to the crown, did not long continue
there, as the king, in his 36th year, granted it to Stephen Darell,
esq., and Agnes, his wife, to hold in capite. He died in the 2d
of Elizabeth, after which his two sons, Henry and George, suc
cessively possessed it; the latter of whom, inthe 10th of that
reign, alienated this manor lo Richard Payne, who, in the 17th
of Queen Elizabeth, levied a fine of the same, and some time
afterwards alienated it to William Beswicke, esq. of Spelmonden,
in this parish. He was sheriff in 1616, and the son of William
Beswicke, or Berwicke, alderman and lord mayor of London.
His son, Arthur Beswicke, was of Spelmonden, and married the
daughter of Lawrence Washington, esq., of Maidstone, by whom
he left an only daughter Mary, his heir, who, during her life,
settled this manor on Mr. Haughton, descended from those of
Haughton tower, in Lancashire. He left two daughters his co
heirs, the eldest of whom, Anne, carried this propertv in mar-

COUNTY OF KENT. 239
ria-e tl James Marriott, esq., of Hampton, in Middlesex. His
son, of the same name, died in 1741, and gave the estate by will
lo his sister Anne, for Hfe, and then to his second cousin, Hugh
Marriott, esq., who died in 1753. He left, by Lydia his wife,
rfvidow of Doctor Hutton, two sons, James and Thomas, the
latter of whom was slain at the siege of Madras, in 1765, and
one daughter, Anne ; James, the eldest son, being in holy orders,
and LL.D., who married in 1767 Miss Bosworth, and afterwards
possessed this estate.
There is no court held for this manor.
Spelmonden is an ancient seat at the southern boundary of
this parish, which was once possessed by a family bearing that
name. John de Spelmonden, one of the proprietors, is fre
quently mentioned in the deeds and evidences belonging to this
estate ; on their becoming extinct, this seat constituted part of
the possessions of the eminent family of the Poynings, one of
whom, Michael, son of Thomas de Poynings, by Joan de
Rokesle, possessed il at his death in the 42d of Edward HI.
He left two sons, Thomas, who died, and Richard, who be
came his brother's heir, and departed this life, possessing the
estatp, in the llth of Richard IL He was succeeded herein by
Robert de Poynings, his only son, at whose death, in the 25th of
Henry VL, Robert, his younger son, seems to have inherited
Spelmonden, and died in the 9th of Edward IV. His son and
heir, Sir Edward Poynings, in the I4th of that reign, alienated
the property to John Sampson, whose son Christopher, in the
37th of Henry VIIL, passed it away by sale to Stephen DareU,,
esq., who afterwards resided here. His son George, in the 10th
of Queen Elizabeth, conveyed it to Richard Payne, of Twyford,
in Middlesex, who, in the 28lh year of the same princess, sold
this estate to William Nutbrown, and he alienated it, the next
year, to George Cure, esq., of Surrey, by whom it was imme
diately sold lo Arthur Langworth, esq. ; by the latter again, it
passed as quickly by sale to William Beswicke, esq., who re-
s.ided here, and was sheriff in 1616, Since the last-mentioned
period, this seat has in like manner as the manor of Horsemon
den, passed down to the Rev. Dr. Marriott, who possessed the
same, Lewis Heath is a manor situated in the centre of this parish,
•nd was anciently part of the possessions of the family of Grove-

240 HISTOR.Y OF THE
hurst, or Grotherst, one of whom, John de Grotherst, was rector
of this church, as we are informed by his epitaph still remaining
therein. He gave this manor of Leveshothe to the abbot and
convent of Begeham, for the finding one perpetual chaplain to
celebrate the service, in the church of Horsemonden and chapei
of Leveshothe ; when it continued part of the possessions of that
abbey, till the dissolution under Henry VIII. That prince im
mediately granted it, with all its possessions, to Cardinal
Wolsey, for the better endowment of his college, in Oxford ; but,
upon that prelate's disgrace, about four years afterwards, all the
estates of that institution, which for want of time had not been
firmly settled thereon, devolved to the king, where they remained
till Queen Elizabeth, in the beginning of her reign, granted this
property to Anthony Brown, viscount Montague, who died pos
sessed of the same in 1593. He was succeeded by his eldest son
and heir, who, not long after, alienated the property to Williaia
Beswicke, esq , of Spelmonden, in this parish, since which it
passed in like manner as that seat, and the residue of his estates
in this parish, to the Rev. Dr. Marriott, who possessed the same.
Sprivers is a manor on the western side of this parish,
which had anciently owners of that surname, one of whom,
Robert, died possessed of it in 1447, and by will devised it to his
son of the same name. Upon the extinction of that family, the
Vane's became proprietors of this estate, from whom it passed
into the name of Bathurst.
Robert Bathurst possessed the manor, and resided here in the
reign of Elizabeth, being second son of Lawrence Bathurst, of
Staplehurst, whose eldest son, Edward, was ancestor of the
Bathurst's, of Frank, in this county. Robert Bathurst, above
mentioned, was ancestor, by his first wife, to those of Letchlade,
in Gloucestershire, and of Finchcocks and Wilmington, in this
county ; and, by his second wife, of those of Richmond, in
Yo^k^hire. Soon after the above period it vvas alienated to the
Malbert's, and thence again, after a short intermission, to the
Morgan's, in which nauie it remained till sold to one Holman,
whose descendant, Anne, in 1704, passed it away by sale to Mr.
Courthope. He bore for his arms. Or, afess azure, between
three estoils sable.
Some accounj; of this family has already been given under
the head cf Brenchley ; that branch of the same from which

COUNTY OF KENT. 241
tho Oourthope's, of Danny, in Sussex, and those of Horsemon
den, were descended, was seated at Goddard's green, in
Cranbrooke, in the reign of Henry VIIL; one of whom,
Alexander, of Cranbrooke, possessed lands there, in Biddenden,
and Maidstone, as appears by records in the prerogative-office of
Canterbury, as early as 1525,
Mr. Courthope, the purchaser of this estate, left a son,
Alexander, and- five daughters, who all died unmarried, except
Barbara, and she espoused Mr. Cole, of Marden, and died in
1783, by whom she had two surviving sons. Alexander, the
son of the above Mr, Courthope, rebuilt the mansion-house of
Sprivers, at some distance from the ancient edifice, and resided
there with true old English hospitality, and a reputation for the
highest integrity ; he died unmarried, in 1779, and, by will,
gave this manor, with the estate belonging to the same, to his
nephew, John Cole, esq.
A court-baron is regularly held for this manor.
Grovehoest is an estate lying on the eastern side of this
parish, and was, in very early times, part of the possessions of
a family which thence derived its surname. William died pos
sessed of the estate, with Puleyns, in this parish, (afterwards
the property of the Rev. Richard Bathurst, late of Finchcocks,
in Goudhurst,) in the 7th of Edward III. His descendant,
Richard, left three daughters his coheirs, one of whom, Anne,
carried this manor in marriage, in the reign of Richard 1 1., to
Richard HextaU, of Hextall's court, in East Peckham. His
eldest son, WiUiam, in the reign of Henry VL, increased his
property in this parish, by the purchase of four estates, called
Hothe, Smeeths, Capells, and Augustpitts, and left Margaret
his sole daughter and heir, who carried them in marriage to
William Whetenhall, whose descendant of the same name was
sheriff in the reign of Henry VIIL, and in the 31st year of the
same monarch, procured the disgavelment of his lands.
His descendant, Henry WhetenhaU, in the reign of James L,
passed away the manors of Grovehurst, Hoathe, Smeethe, and
Capell, together with a seat in this parish, called Broadford, near
the bridge of that name, to Francis Austen, fifth son of Mr.
John Austen, of this parish, who dying in 1620, was buried in
this church, where his arms remain, viz.. Or on a chevron sable,
three plates, between three lions' paws, erect and erased sable.

242 HISTORY OF THE
He afterwards resided at Grovehurst, where he died in 1637,
and was buried here, leaving a son John, who was also of Grove
hurst, where he departed this life in 1705. His son John re
sided at Broadford, and died the year before him, leaving six
sons, and one daughter, of whom, John, the eldest, became he-r
to his grandfather's estates in this parish; and Francis, the
second son, was father of Francis Motley Austen, esq. of Seven
oak, in this county.
John Austen, esq., the eldest son, married Mary, daughter of
Stephen Stringer, esq., of Goudhurst, by whom he had John
Broadford, who married Joanna Weekes, of Sevenoak, by whom
he had one daughter, Mary, who possessed these manors and
estates. •
There is a court-baron held for the manors of Grovehurst,
Hoathe, and Smeethe.
Badmonden is a reputed manor in this parish, wherein there
was formerly a cell, but not conventual, belonging to the priory
of Beaulieau, in Normandy; in which situation it remained till
the general suppression of alien priories throughout England,
in the 2d year of Henry V., a.d. 1414. That monarch, the year
ensuing, gave it to the priory of St. Andrew, Rochester, where
it continued till the dissolution of that society, in 1540 ; at which
period, Henry Vill. settled it on his new founded dean and
chapter of Rochester, with whom it has continued.
The manors of East Farleigh and East Peckham claim over
this part of Horsemonden ; the freeholders in Badmonden hold
ing their lands. of ,the same in free socage tenure.
Brambles is a small manor in this parish, formerly the pro
perty of Mr. John Barnes, and afterwards belonged to Mr.
Usherwood. A court-baron is held for this manor.
The manor of Gillingha«i claims over the tithing or hamlet of
Baveden, in this parish, being one of the four denns in the Weald,
holden of that manor, the freeholders possessing their land of
the same in free socage tenure.
Horsemonden is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdic
tion of the diocese of Rochester and deanery of Mailing.
The church, dedicated to St. Margaret, is a handsome building,
containing memorials of the Groshurst's, the Browne's, the
Austen's, the Courthope's, and the Campion's. In the chancel,

Ct)l^NTY OF KENT. 04'.
on the south side, is a handsome tomb, without any inscription ^
and over the west door, are the arms of the Poyning's and the
Fitzpaine's, one of the former having probably been the builder,
or a great bi nefactor towards the erection of this structure.
It was valued in the king's books at £26 3 9, the yearly
tenths being .i'a 12 4J.
The patronage of this church was, from the earliest time, an
appendage to the manor of Horsemonden, and consequently had
the same proprietors. There are two small manors annexed
thereto, called Hasellets, otherwise Radmonden, and Cos-
siNGTON, otherwise Heyden, for which courts-baron are held.
These, with the rectoiy, constituted part of the possessions of
the Rev. Dr. Marriott, lord of the manor of Horsemonden.
Robert de Grosshurst, of Horsemonden, in 1338, founded a
perpetual chantry in this church, in the chapel of the Virgin
Mary, to the praise of God, and for the souls of himself and his
wife. He also ordained that, after the first vacancy, the parish
ioners should nominate the priest of the same, to be presented
to the bishop of Rochester, for his induction into the said
chantry ; and that the priests should receive, yearly, for their
maintenance, from the abbot and convent of Boxley, six marks
sterling, annual rental, which he had purchased for the endow-r
ment thereof.
Sir Edward Poynings gave twenty-four acres of land towards
the maintenance of bghts in this church ; whence they acquired
their present name of Torchfield.
In 1701, this church was repaired, by the collection of a brief
made for that purpose.
In 1821, there were 147 dweUings in the parish of Horse
monden ; and at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow : males 586, females 638, making a
total of 1 224 souls.

HISTORY OF THE

THE HUNDRED OF BARKLEY

Lies the next northeastward from that of Cranbrooke, and, id
the reign of Edward HI , was spelt Berdekely. This hundred,
which is wiihin the lovver division of the Lath of Scray, contains
within its bounds the greater part of the parish of Biddenden,
with the church, and part of the parishes of Benenden, Cran
brooke, Frittenden, Halden, Hedcorne, and Smarden ; tke
churches of which are in other hundredi. One constable has
jurisdiction over this district.
Biddenden is the next parish eastward from Frittenden, that
portion which is in the boroughs of Ibornden, Wosenden,
Hevenden, Omenden, Stephurst, and Wachenden, is in the
hundred of Barkley ; and the residue, in the borough of the
outbounds of Smithsditch, is in the hundred of Cranbrooke.
This parish is much the same, as to the appearance of the
country, as those contiguous, previously described, and is very
populous. There are three principal hamlets dispersed in dif
ferent parts of the parish, called Wasenden green. Strand Quarter,
and Standen. A fair is held here, on the 8th of November, for
cattle ; and another, on Old Lady-day.
Biddenden place, or, as it was formerly called, the Place
house, stands at the south end of the town, having been once
the residence of an ancient family which thence derived its sur
name. It then passed to the Mayney's, Sir John, of that name,
having resided here in the reign of Edward IIL; when, after
passing through many descendants, it became the property ot
Sir Edward Henden, whose last heir, in the reign of George I.,
dissipated his estates, and pulled down the greater part of this
seat, leaving the remains, consisting of some rooms, and a very
few acres of land, to his son, William, who sold it to the trus
tees of Sir Horace Mann, bart.
Nearly opposite the Place house, is a mansion tbii once be-

COUNTY OF KENT. 245
longed to the Taylor's ; from whom it passed to Mr. Jenkin
Hague, whose nephew afterwards owned the same.
North of the towm, is another dwelling called Biddenden
house, formerly belonging to the Pattenson's, who bore for
their arms. Argent on afess, sable three fieurs de lis or; in which
name it continued down to Mr. Josias Pattenson, who devised
it to his eldest son, of the same name. He married Elizabeth,
daughter of Felix Kadwell, esq., of Rolvenden, by whom he
had Kadwell Pattenson, esq. of the Gate-house, in Rolvenden ;
and at his death, his heirs alienated it to Mr. Stephen Elmstone,
the late owner.
The family of Pomfret was, for several generations, pos
sessed of a good estate in this parish. The mansion in which
they resided is a large old-fashioned house, near the town, It
formerly belonged to Edmund Steed, gent., who died in 1664,
and afterwards to Vincent Quiller ; by whose daughter and heir
it went in marriage to the Pomfret's, in one of whose descendants
it continued. Many of that race lie buried in the south part of
the churchyard, where their tombs remain, bearing the arras,
being quarterly argent and gules, a bend sable ; a branch of the
family of Seyliard, which intermarried with the Boddenham's,
likewise resided here during the last century, having borne for
their arms. Gules, ^a chief ermine.
Allards is an estate in this parish, which had an ancient
seat, and was, for many generations, the mansion of a family of
the same name; one of whom, Gervas Ailard, was admiral of
the Western seas, in the 34th year of the reign of Edward I.;
and in his descendants it continued tiU that of Charles I., when
Francis Ailard, gent, of this place, leaving an only daughter,
Elizabeth, she carried it in marriage to Terry Aldersey, gent, of
Swanton court, in Bridgar, who died possessed of it in 1678.
He then bequeathed this estate to his second son, Mr. Henry
Aldersey, of Maidstone, whose descendant sold it to Thomas
Tong, surgeon, of Milton ; from whom it passed by sale to Mr.
John Hooker, gent, of Brenchley, and his descendant, John, esq.
of Broadoak, in that parish, afterwards possessed the same,
Castwisell is an estate situated at the boundary of this
parish, next to Cranbrooke, having been once accounted a manor.
It had, in early times, owners of the same name, as appears by
VOL. 111. Kk

246 HISTORY OF THE
some ancient deeds without date ; however, previous to the reign
of Edward IV., the family of the MoUes's possessed it, as, in
the 6th of that reign. Sir Walter MoUe, of EastweU, granted to
Reginald and WilUam Sands all those lands, tenements, rents,
and services, which Simon Gidenden lately held of him, as of
his manor of Castwisell. His grandson, Thomas, afterwards
knighted in the reign of Henry VIIL, conveyed it to Stephen
Rogers, gent., whose descendant, Mr. Jonathan Rogers, owned
it at the restoration of Charles II. At length, after it had con
tinued fol some time in his descendants, it became the property
of Sir Henry Pernor, bart., who died possessed of the same ia
1734, without legitimate issue; subsequent to which it remained
vested in the trustees of his will, for the uses mentioned therein.
Lessenden is an estate about a mile and a half northward
from the church, foritaerly the residence of a family of the name
of Boddenden, or Boddenham, one of whom, William, died pos
sessed of it in 1579, leaving, by his first wife, a son* Willium,
who was afterwards knighted. He bore for his arms, AsurC,
a fess between three chess rooks, or; and lies buried in the
chancel of this church. His sister, Jane, having married
Bernard Randolph, clothier, of this parish, he, by that alliance,
became afterwards possessed of this estate, of which he died
owner, in 1628, and was buried, by his wife, in the chancel of
this church. His eldest son, WiUiam, was of Burton, in Keu-
nington, where his posterity long remained ; John, the third
son, went to Virginia, where his descendants continued to
flourish ; and Edmund, the fifth, travelled into Italy, and took
the degree of m.d. at Padua. On his return, he was incorpo
rated into the University of Oxford, in 1628, and afterwards
practised physic at Canterbury, and dying ia 1649, was buried
in St. George's church, leaving a numerous issue, one of whom
was Barnard, author of the Account of the Archipelago. Her
bert, the fourth son, succeeded him in this estate, whose grand
son, Herbert Randolph, esq., was recorder of the city of Canter
bury, and died possessed of Lessendetf, in 1724, leaving a
numerous issue by his two wives. By the first, he left only two
surviving children, Herbert, and Mary, who married Christopher
Picke, M.D. By his second wife, he had eight children; Thomas,
d.d. late president of Corpus Christi college, Oxford ; George,

COUNTY OF KENT. 247
.M.D. of Bristol; Francis, d.d. principal of Alban hall, Oxford;
and Charles, bred to the law ; and four daughters. They bear
for arms, Gules on a cross, argent, five mullets pierced, sable.
Herbert Randolph, clerk, the only son by his first wife, suc
ceeded him here, who died in 1755, leaving issue, one son,
Herbert, and a daughter, Mary. Herbert was of Wiltshire, and
in holy orders, and ultimately possessed this manor.
On the north side of the parish is a seat, called Iborn
den house, which, with the greater part of the denne wherein
it is situated, has been, from the beginning of the last century,
the estate and residence of the family of the Pattenson's.
Roger of that name, clothier, came out of Yorkshire, and pur
chased this estate, with several others in the neighbourhood, and
built three houses in Biddenden. He died about 1638, when
his descendant, Josias, was of Biddenden house, and William
inherited Ibornden, in which he was succeeded by his only son,
William, afterwards proprietor of the same.
The denne of Ibornden, or Iberden, as it is sometimes spelt,
is held of the manor of Ashford. It lies in the western part of
this parish, a little more than a mile north-west from the church.
About hale a mile northward from the village, is the
BOROUGH OF Standen, containing a hamlet of houses, on the
high road ; this was formerly an estate of considerable note,
and belonged to Mrs. Knight, widow of Thomas Knight, esq.,
of Godmersham, for her life, with remainder to Edward Austen,
esq., of Godmershampark.
River hall is a seat in the south-east part of this parish,
near Stroud Quarter, which has been, for upwards qf a century,
in the possession of the Beale's, formeriy clothiers here. Richard
Beale, of Biddenden, resided here in the reign of Charles IL,
and his grandson, Richard, afterwards owned the property, and
resided there. They bore for their arms, sable, on a chevrom or,
between three griffins' heads erased, argent, as. many estoiles,
gules. Whitfield house is near the above, having derived its
name from the owners thereof. Thomas, second son of Clement
Whi'.field, of Tenterden, possessed it in the reign of James I.,
ann was succeeded by his son, John, who was of Biddenden.
He died in 1696, and in his descendants it continued until sold

218 HISTORY OF THE
to Mr. Jenkin Hague, whose nephew, of the same name, after
wards possessed this mansion.
At the extremity of the parish, among the woods,
lies the manor of Wachenden, in the borough of its own
name, which belonged to the abbot and convent of Battle,
probably, at its foundation, in the reign of the Conqueror; at
least, that fraternity owned it in the reign of Edward II. , as
appears by the patent rolls of the 7th year of that reign ; and
in the church chest there is an ancient deed, dated anno 8th of
King Henry IV., wherein the abbot and convent acknowledge to
have received £4 of Thomas Brickenden, for his ferme of their
manor of Wachendenne. This continued part of their revenues
at the period of the dissolution, in the 30th of Henry VIII ,
when devolving to the crown, the king granted it to Sir John
Baker, of Sissinghurst, one of whose descendants sold it to the
Henden's. From that name it passed to Sir John Norris, of
Hemsted; at whose death, in 1767, it went to his son, John,
whose trustees alienated it to Thomas Hallet Hodges, esq., of
Hemsted, in Benenden, who owned this estate.
A court-leet is held for this manor.
WiUiam, or John Mayne, esq., of this parish, by a deed of
feoffment, in 1522, founded a free Latin grammar school
in this parish, and endowed it with a school-house, garden, and
certain payments out of lands here, in Tenterden, and Bethersden,
of the yearly value of £20 3 4, the management of which was
under the direction of Mr. Richard Beale, with other feoffees.
This endowment was latterly much abused for want of proper
¦urisdiction, and the whole afterwards became a mere sinecure.
There was a deputy, being a decayed tradesman, put in by the
master, who lived in the school-house, sharing the salary between
them ; no children having been taught there for a considerable
time. Biddenden. is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
of the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Charing. The
church, dedicated lo All Saints, stands on an eminence,, at the
west end of the village, with the parsonage-house on the north
side of the same. . It is a large and vvell-buUt structure, con
sisting of three aisles and the same number of chancels, with a
handsome square tower and beacon turret. Sir Edward Henden

COUNTY OF KENT. 249
baron of the Exchequer, lies buried here, obt. 1662 ; and several
of the families of the Randolph's and Everden's. There is
also a memorial for Richard Ailard, alderman of Rochester, obt.
1593 ; and in the north chancel, a brass plate fixed to the wall,
for Sir WUliam Boddenden, and his wife, with the figures of
themselves, and their children, as well as an inscription to their
memories. This chancel belonged to the Mayney's, of whom
there are also several monuments. The ceUing of the south
chancel is of wainscot in panels, and at the corners of each
are, carved and painted, different devices and arms; among
others, those of the see of Canterbury, empaling Warham,
Argent three birds volant, sable and portcullis, 8fc, Alice
Bedlyngston, by wiU, in 1463, ordered her feoffees, out of the
money arising from the sale of a piece of land in this parish,
to make a new window on the south side of this church ; and
it appears that, in the beginning of the reign of Henry VIIL,
there was a new aisle building in this church, from the several
legacies left for that purpose.
On the outside of the steeple, are three shields of arms, carved
in the stonework, viz. first, a saltier; second, a bend sinister;
and third, a fret. In the churchyard several of the family of
the Beale's lay interred. This church is a rectory, and was a
part of the ancient possessions of the see of Canterbury, where
it has continued, the archbishop being patron thereof.
After divine service, on the Easier Sunday of every year, the
following singular custom is adopted, arising, as it is said, from
a bequest made by two maiden sisters, named Chulkhurst, as
early as the year 1100, who left twenty acres of land,
called the Bread and Cheese Land, from the proceeds of which
about 600 cakes are distributed, on the above sabbath, to the
poor of this parish. The cakes in question bear the impress of
two females, with the names Eliz. Mary Chulkhurst, the
bodies being, apparently, united together at the hips and shoul
ders ; whence il has been erroneously inferred, that they were
so born, and Uved two bodies united. This, however, is but a
vulgar tradition, originating in times when superstition was more
prevalent than at present. Hasted states, that the name of the
two maiden sisters was Preston, and that the jarint of the women.
on the cakes had only taken place within fifty years of the time

950 HISTORY OF THE
when he wrote, being the representation qf two poor widows,
as the general objects of a charitable benefaction. If the latter
authority be correct, we are at a loss to account for the name of
Chulkhurst being stamped upon the cakes so givfen.
It was valued in the king's books at £35, the yearly tenths
being £3 10. In 1578 there were 545 communicants; and in
1640, 400; when it was valued at £120 per annum; it having
been subsequently estimated' at about £240 yearly rental.
In 1821 there were 218 dweUings in the parish of Biddenden;
and at the same period, when the last census of the population
was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inhabitants
were as follow : males 814, females 730^ making a total of 1544
souls.

COUNTY OF KENT. 231

THE HUNliRED OF GREAT BARNEFIELD
Lies on the southern side of the hundred of Cranbrooke;
and it is here necessary to observe, that Great and Little, or
East and West Barnefield are, in fact, but two half hun
dreds, having formerly had their separate names of the Eastern
half and the Western half hundred of Barnefield, which division
was occasioned by their lying in two different laths.
The hundred of Great Barnefield is in the lower division of
the Lath of Scray, and contains within its bounds the largest
portion of the parish of Hawkhurst, with the church of the
same, and part of the parish of Cranbrooke, which church is in
another hundred. One constable claims jurisdiction over this
district. Hawkhurst Lees, the next parish southward from Cran
brooke, a small part of which, on the southern side, is called
Haselden, and consists of two houses, with a little land annexed
to each, the same being in the hundred of Shoyswell, and county
of Sussex, and the residue in that of Kent. That portion which
lays in the borough of Hawkhurst, otherwise South borough, or
in the North borough, is in the hundred of Great Barnefi eldJ
and the part comprised in the East borough, is in the hundred
of Selbrittenden; the residue being in the borough of CrothaU,
and hundred of Cranbrooke.
The borough of Hawkhurst, above mentioned, has a court-
leet of its own, where the borsholders of that borough are chosen ;
the inhabitants owing no service to the court-leet held for the
hundred of Great Barnefield ; but at that court, an inhabitant
of this borough may be chosen constable of that hundred. The
liberty of Wye claims over this borough, which is in tiie division
of West Kent.
The manor of Slipmill, otherwise Morehouse, includ
ing the denne of Hawkhurst, was anciently esteemed one of the
appendages belonging to the Royal manor of Wye, the Uberty

2.52 HISTORY OF THE
of which extends over the greater portion of this parish, and
passed as such with this manor, in the gift made of the same by
William the Conqueror, to the abbey of Battle, at the first foun-
dationof that institution, inthe year 1067.
In the reign of King John, Odo, then abbot, and the Convent
of Battle, granted by a charter, to which there is no date, to the
owners of the lands in this parish, wiihin their royal manor of
Wye, by the name of his men of Hawkhurst, the ville of Hawk
hurst, at a certain rental in money, hens, and eggs. Subse
quent to which, the abbot and convent, under Edward I., granted
to them, by the name of their tenants of Hawkhurst, all the te
nements there, which they held of his fee in certain dennes
therein mentioned, to hold at a yearly rental, reserving suit to
their court of Wye, from three weeks to three weeks,^ by two
men only.
King Edward II. , in his 5th year, granted to the abbot and
convent a market to be held weekly, and a yearly fair after the
feast day of St. Laurence.
This manor continued in the same state till the suppression of
the abbey in the reign of Henry VIIL, when, devolving to the
crown, it was granted by the name of the manor of Morehouse,
to Sir John Baker, of Sissinghurst, to hold in capite, by knight's
service. His descendant. Sir Henry, knight and baronet, under
James L, conveyed his interest therein to Henry Carey lord
Hunsdon, lord of the manor of Wye, which had been granted to
his grandfather, by Queen Elizabeth, in her 3d year. He was
afterwards created Viscount Rochford, and earl of Dover; soon
after which he sold the manors of Wye, and the denne of Hawk
hurst, or Morehouse, to Sir Thomas Finch, knight and baronet,
of Eastwell, who, on the death of his mother, in 1633, succeeded
to the titles of Viscount Maidstone, and earl of Winchelsea and
Nottingham, when he died in 1769, without issue male. ' By his
will he devised these estates, among the rest of his properly in
this county, to his nephew, George Finch Hatton, esq., of
Eastwell. At the court-baron held for this manor, now called Slipmill,
or Morehouse, two beadles are elected to gather the rents, a reeve
being also chosen. All the above privileges are in consequence
orthe grant of the 14th of Edward I., above mentioned.
The whole parish of Hawkhurst is situated exceedingly

COUNTY OF KENT. 253
pleasant, and very healthy, being four miles long, and three
broad from east to west. There are several small streams, the
largest of which is called Kent dyke, and the stream itself, the
river Kent, or Ke met, which runs into the river Rother, just
below Sandhurst, separating this parish from that of Salehurst,
and the counties of Kent and Sussex.
The parish, till about the reign of Charles I., was divided
from Salehurst, in Sussex, by a bridge, called Kent bridge,
under which this river ran about six rods, at the narrow entrance
beyond the present bridge. The old structure was taken away ;
and the river being turned, so as to run under the present edifice,
the broad part between the latter, and the narrow part, is now
accounted as being in Salehurst, in Sussex, but in reality is in
Hawkhurst, in Kent.
The market granted, as above mentioned, utider Edward II. ,
has been long disused, but was formerly kept upon the green at
the moor, opposite the seat of Elfords, where a market^cross once
stood, near vvhich was a small house called St. Margaret's cross,
long since demolished. In that building the corn unsold was
deposited, which place is still denominated the Market-place,
but the fair was held near the church.
In the hedge of Beaconfield, near Beacon lane, between
Fourtrowes and Foxholes, stood a beacon and watchhouse, long
since taken down.
There is scarcely any wood in this parish, with the exception
of the western part adjoining Goudhurst, vvhich is entirely co
vered by part of the Fryth woods. The soil is in general clay,
abounding with marie, but in the northern part is much sand,
though few parishes present a greater diversity of soil.
There are two principal vUlages in this district, one caUed
Highgate, built on elevated ground, on either side of the road
leading from Lamberhurst and Stonecrouch, through this parish,
to the county of Sussex. On the north side of this village are
situated the school and almshouses, founded by thf will of Sir
Thomas Dunk. The other village, which is the most ancient,
stands about half a mile southward of the former, upon a hill of
equal height, a deep valley running between them, most of which
consists of a kind of heath, or common, interspered with cottages
and gardens, affording a very picturesque appearance. In the
latter village stand the church and minister's house, and at a
vol. III. l1

a54 HISTORY OF THE
small distance is the ancient seat, surrounded by pleasure-
grounds, called Elfords, which once belonged to a family
named Castleman, one of whom. Waller, in the reign of
Henry VI. , sold it to WiUiam Conghurst, whose descendants
passed it to the Roberts's. John, of that name, died possessed of
the mansion in, the beginning of the reign of Elizabeth, and lies
buried in this church ; and his son Edward aUenated the manor
in the 12th year of that reign, to Richard Boys, gent., who resided
here, and died possessed of the same in 1605. He lies buried
in this church, as do most of his descendants, in whom this seat
continued down to Samuel Boys, esq., of Elfords, who died in
1772, leaving two sons, Samuel, of Hawkhurst, who succeeded
his father, and was sheriff in 1782. He bore for his arms. Or,
a griffin segreant sable, but it appears by their tombs, that they
bore it within a bordure, being the same coat as that claimed by
the family of this name in East Kent, though we cannot trace
any alliance having existed between them.
At a small distance farther southward is Lilsden,
which, at least as early as the reign of Elizabeth, was the property
of the Chittenden's, eminent clothiers at that period, and in their
name it continued down to John Chittenden, gent., in which it
remained. On the great road from Lamberhurst above mentioned, and at
the western extremity of this parish, is Siccoks, commonly
called Seacocks heath, whereon, in the parish of Etchingham, in
Sussex, is a seat which belonged to the Rev. Mr. Robert
Gunsley Ayerst ; and, on the same road, al a small distance
eastward, is a good house, formerly the property of Mr. James
Potts, who, in 1681, alienated il to one Redford, in whose de
scendants it continued down to Thomas Redford, esq., who re
sided there. Still farther eastward, is a seat belonging to the
Baker's, George, of that name, having died possessed of the same
in 1740, whose son, John, was receiver-general for the county of
Kent, and rebuilt this mansion, which he denominated Hawk
hurst lodge. He died unmarried, and by will devised it to his
brother, Mr. George Baker, of Canterbury, descended from an
cestors who bore for their arms. Argent, three keys, a castle triple
towered, sable, several of the name being interred in the church
yard. The above George was succeeded by John Baker, of St.
Stephen's, near Canterbury, who subsequently possessed this

COUNTY OF KENT. 955
manor. At a small distance still farther eastward is the village
of Highgate, wherein is Hawkhurst place, formerly a seat of
good account, though now only a farm-house. It has been for
many years the property of the Peckham's, of Eridue, in Sussex,
and was subsequentiy owned by Henry Peckham, esq. On the
north side of the road is a mansion called Fowlers, particu
larly deserving notice as having been the property and residence
of Richard Kilburne, esq., author of the Survey of this county,
published in 16.59. He was a man of some eminence in his pro
fession as a lawyer, having been five limes principal of Staples
Inn, and a most worthy character, both as a magistrate and his
torian. He died in 1678, and vvas buried in the north chancel
of this church. The Kilburne's were originally of Kilburne, in
Yorkshire, whence they came into Cambridgeshire and Essex.
Richard, above mentioned, was the youngest son of Isaac
Kilburne, of London, who was the third son of John Kilburne,
of Saffron Walden, in Essex. They bore for their arms. Argent
a chevron azure, between three bald cootes proper. Richard
Kilburne left an only daughter, Anne, who entitled her husband,
Thomas Brewer, esq., of West Farleigh, to the possession of this
estate. He had by her two sons, John, and Philip ; John,, the
eldest, succeeded him at West Farleigh, and Philip, the younger,
had this seat at Hawkhurst, but being killed by a fall from his
horse, unmarried, in 1721, it devolved to his eldest brother,
John, who died in 1724, leaving an only daughter, Jane. She,
surviving two husbands, died in 1762, bequeathing this seat, with
the rest of her estates, to her kinsman, John Davis, d.d., who
died possessed of the same in 1766, and was succeeded by his
only son, Sir John Brewer Davis, knight, the ultimate pos
sessor. Near the east end of Highgate, a little to the north
of the main road, is a seat, called Tongs, formerly possessed
by the family of the Dunk's, who were great clothiers here-
Siinon, of that name, died possessed of this man.sion in 1512,
under Henry VIIL, as did his descendant, Thomas, in 1617,
from whom this seat continued down to Sir Thomas Dunk, «ho
resided here, and dying possessed of the property in 1718, was
buried in the middle aisle of this church. He by will devised it
lo WiUiam Richards, gent., who died possessed of the same in
1733, leaving an only daughter and heir, Annt, who carried it

256 HISTORY OF THE
in marriage to George Montague Dunk, earl of Halifax, who,
reserving, the fee of the mansion itself, passed the possession
away by lease for one thousand years, at the annual rental of
sixpence, with the fee simple of the offices, as well as of the
lands belonging thereto, to Mr. Jeremiah Curteis, of Rye. He
soon afterwards conveyed his interest herein to William Jenkin,
esq., who resided here, and died in 1784, after which it was sold
by his executor to David Langton, esq., who possessed thesame.
About three quarters of a mile northward from Tongs, lies
WooDSDEN, once the property of the Springetl's, one of whom,
Robert, died possessed of it in 1619, in whose descendants it
remained down to John of that name, who died in 1733, when
his son alienated the property lo the Norris's, of Hemsted, in
Benenden, whence it passed, in like manner as that seat, to
Thomas Hallet Hodges, esq., who possessed this estate.
Conghurst is a manor in the southern part of this parish,
next to Sandhurst, into which it extends, having been once the
property and residence of a family of that name, which race had
a still more ancient seat, now called Old Conghurst^ the moat
and site whereof are yet visible, nearer to the county of Susses ;
but the same being burnt by the Danes, the family erected a
mansion here, where they afterwards resided. However, in the
reign of Henry VIIL, Mildred, daughter and coheir of George
Conghurst, esq., of Conghurst, carried this seat in marriage to
Thomas Scot, descended from John, of Halden, in the reign of
Henry VIL His grandson, Henry Scot, of Halden, left two sons;
Henry, the eldest, was of Halden, and Thomas, the younger, mar
ried the coheir of Conghurst, by whom he had two sons. From
George, the eldest, descended the Scot's, of Conghurst ; a,nd
from Thomas, those of Sutton at Hone, and of London. They
bore on their shield. Argent, a cross croslet, fitchee, sable, quar
tered with the arms of Conghurst, viz. azure, three congers'
heads erased, fesswise, or. Thomas Scot, above mentioned,
began to build this seat, but died in 1533, and was interred in
Our Lady's chancel in this church, leaving the completion of the
same to Mildred, his wife. Upon her death, their son George
succeeded to the possession of this estate, in whose descendants
it continued for some generations, till it was at length alienated
to the Weller's, in which name it remained for some years.
Captain Weller, of Rolvenden, conveyed it by sale to the

COUNTY OP KENT, 25r
Russell's, of London, whose heirs sold it to Mr. John Piper, when
he became the owner of this ancient seat, now occupied only as
a farm-house. There has been no court held for this manor during many
years, A branch of the family of the Courthope's lived at Netter-
ihall, in the northern part of this parish ; Henry died possessed
of it in 1743, and lies buried in the church. By a female heir it
then passed in marriage to Charles Moore, esq., who gave it,
with one of his daughters, to John Frost, esq., and he sold it
to John Boddington, esq., whose heirs were afterwards entitled
to the same. The Woodgate's lived ^i Hensill, for whom
there are several tomb-stones remaining in this churchyard.
They bore for their arms. On a chevron cotized, three trefoils,
slipt between three squirrels, sejant. It was purchased of the
Woodgate's by Richard Harcourt, esq., of Wigsell, whose
daughter, Elizabeth, carried it in marriage to William Boys.
The family of the Pope's resided at HockeriDge, being a
younger branch of those of Halden, who bore the same arms.
Or, two chevrons gules, on a canton, a mullet. This seat is now
but a small farm-house, though it. gives name to one of the
dennes of the manor of Glassenbury. It became the property of
the Rev. Thomas Hooper, of Beckley, in Sussex, and afterwards
of Messrs. William and Richard Foster. There was a branch of
the family of Pix resident here for a considerable time, whose
arms were. Azure, afess between three cross croslets, fitchee, or;
many of whom lie buried in this church, being an elder branch
to those of Crayford. They had formerly large possessions in
this parish, and resided at a mansion, called Fix's hall, in High-
gate. From that family this seat was purchased by John
Russel, gent., whose only daughter and heir carried it in mar
riage to John Knowler, esq., recorder of Canterbury, whose two
daughters and coheirs were married, Anne, to Henry Penton,
esq., and Mary, 16 WiUiam lord Digby, who, in right of their
wives, became entitled to the same.
The family of Barnett, from which that of Belhouse, in
Essex, descended, was possessed of lands in this parish, upon
the denne of Cecele, by grant from Simon de Cecele and John
Retford, in the reign of Edward IIL

258 HISTORY OF THE
This parish is within the Eccle.siastical Jurisdiction
of the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Charing. The
church, dedicated to St. Laurence, stands on the southern side
of the viUage of Hawkhurst, and consists of three aisles and
three chancels. It was founded by the abbot of Battle, in the
reign of Edward IIL, whose arms, as also those of his son, de
corated the windows, all of which were formerly filled with cu
rious stained glass, the whole having been nearly demolished
during the civil wars, so that now there are scarcely any figures
left in the windows, except two or three much defaced. In the
casements of the north aisle still remain two shields, one quar
terly, first and fourth ; a sword argent, second and third, a crown,
or : the other, fretty azure fleur de lis, or. An account of the
former state of these windows may be seen in Kilburne's Survey
of this parish. The font appears to be very ancient, having
carved thereon four shields of arms. First, a cross ; second,
a saltier ; third, a chevron ; but the fourth is hidden by the
pillar. In the church are many gfave-stones commemorative of the
family of the Boys's ; one for Thomas Iddenden, a.d. 1556, as
well as for Humphrey Scot, with many others. In the church
yard are also several tomb-stones for the Baker's, the Davies's,
the Woodgate's, &c.
In 1534, during the lime this church ranked a rectory, il was
rated in the king's books at £36 13 4, but, since it has ceased
to be esteemed such, no first-fruits have been paid, except 1 Is. 8d.
as a stipendiary.
The dean and chapter, in the 2d and 3d of PhUip and Mary,
granted to SirWilliam Peter, £8 per annum, to be paid out of
the parsonage, towards the support of the vicar or incumbent;
and, in the reign of James I., the stipendiary incumbent had of
the dean and chapter a salary of £20 per annum, as weUas the
profits of the Easter book, with other small immunities, which
were, however, so inconsiderable that, upon this living being
sequestered, about the year 1642, no one could be found to serve
the same, and, in consequence, il was destitute of a pastor for
more than fourteen months.
The slender income of the incumbent at length induced Sir
Thomas Dunk to make an addition, who, by his wiU in 1718,

COUNTY OF KENT. 259
left £200 to be employed with the like sum acquired from Queen
Anne's Bounty, in the purchase of lands for the augmentation of
this living, which also received considerable gifts from other
benefactors. In 1578 there were 680 communicants, and in 1640, 1400.
In 1821 there weie 382 dwellings in the parish of Hawkhurst,
and, at the same period, when the last census of the population
was taken by order of Parliament, the iiumbers of inhabitantst
were as foUow : males 1129, females 1121, making a total ot
2250 souls.

260 HISTORY OF THE

HUNDRED OF EASTRY.

Having thus completed our description of Kent to the border
ot the county of Sussex, in this direction, we have now to retro
grade in order to describe the extensive hundred of Eastry, being
the only district remaining lobe treated of, in that portion of our
labour which is already terminated.
The hundred of Eastry lies next westward to that of Bewsbo-
eough, which, in the record of Domesday, is said to lay wholly
within the lath of the same name.
This Hundred contains within its boundaries the
parishes of Ham; Betshangee ; Waldershare; Ey-
thorne, inpart; Baefriston, otherwise Barson; Tilman
stone; Chillenden; Knolton; Eastry, inpart; Worth,
or Word ; Woodnesborough, inpart ; and Denton.
The church of Denton is in this hundred, and part of the pa
rish in that of Kinghamford, under which, though improperly
placed, a description of this parish may be found, and to which
the reader is referred ; as also part of the parishes of Noning
ton, Wootton, and Staple, the churches of which are
in other hundreds. Two constables have jurisdiction over
this hundred, which is divided into the upper and lower half
hundred. The upper half hundred consists of the parishes of Eastry,
Worth, Tilmanstone, Upper Eythorne, that is to say,
as much of the parish as lies in this hundred, namely the bo
rough of Gedding, not including Wootton church, and as much
of the borough of Barnsole as lies in Staple.
The lower half hundred consists of the parishes of Wood
nesborough, Chillenden, Knolton, Ham, Betshan
gee, Waldershare, Barson, Denton, and part of
Nonington, not including the church.
This arrangement is according to the nomination of the con
stables. That for the upper half hundred being chosen at

COUNTY OF KENT. 261
Eastry court ; and that for the lower, at the court of Quarter Ses
sions. At Eastry court are likewise chosen borsholders Jor
Eastry Street borough. The borough of Felderland, in Worm,
which comprehends Statenborough, and some adjoining itmds
in Eastry ; the borough of Worth Street, containing the remain
der of the parish, excepting the borough of Hackling ; the bo
rough of Barnsole, in Staple ; the borough of Craythome, in
Tilmanstone, comprising the Lower street there, BarviUe, &c.;
and the borough of Gedding, in Wootton ; that also of South-
court, comprehending the remainder of Tilmanstone, the bors
holder for which is chosen at the manor of Sojithcourt, all of
which are in the upper half hundred of Eastry.
Within the several parishes, likewise, in this hundred, the fol
lowing borsholders are chosen for the districts therein, which
belong to other hundreds, viz. one at Adisham court, for the
borough of Hardenden, or Hernden, comprising Selstone, being
tne residue of Eastry, reputed to be in the hundred of Downham-
ford. One at the same court for the borough of South Langdon,
in Eythorne, within the same hundred ; and one for the borough
of Lower Eythorne, 9.1 Wingham court, being, it is said, within
that hundred. Notwithstanding these boroughs are in other
hundreds, yet the constable of the upper half hundred of Eastry
claims jurisdiction over them, and persons residing therein have
been indiscriminately appointed to serve that oflice.
The parish of Ham, in the hundred of Eastry, lies the
next to that of Northborne, written in Domesday, Hama, and
in several records. King's Ham, There was no borsholder
chosen for this parish or Betshanger, till some years back, when
one was appointed at the petty sessions, to act jointly for both
parishes; the constable for the lower half hundred of Eastry
having always previously acted in that capacity.
This parish lies at the northern boundary of the uplands of
East Kent, being both pleasant and healthy, commanding a
beautiful view of the adjoining open country, the town of Deal,
the Downs, and the Channel, as far as the coast of France. It is
situated on an eminence, the hill sloping towards the north-east.
There are about 500 acres of land in this parish ; the soil is in
general fertile, consisting partly of chalk, and a rich loamy
earth ; the grounds are chiefly arable, open, and unenclosed, at
vol. Ill, M m

262 HISTORY OF THE
the extremity of which, towards the east, is the high road to
Dpal. Northward of the vUlage, the ground falls towards Ham
bridge, over the South stream, which directs its course hence
towards Hackling, Worth chapel, and so on to Sandwich,
through which town it runs into the river Stour. In this part
of the parish, the lands consist of marshes and pasture, and the
country becomes damp, while the air is f'lggy and unwholesome.
About three quarters of a mile southward from the village, is the
hamlet of Updowne. This parish extends about a mile and a
half from north to south, and about half a mile from east to west*
There is no faiit.
The manor of Ham, was, at the survey of Domesday, part
of the ^possessions of Odo, bishop of Bayeux, under the general
title -of whose lands it was entered in that record. Upon the
disgrace of this prelate, it became confiscated to the crown,
when the king having put Dover castle under a new order of
government, this manor was granted, among other lands, to Hugh
de Port, for his assistance under John de Fienes, in its defence.
These lands together made up the barony of Port, and were held
by barony by the service of performing ward at the above for
tress, for the defence of the same. In the reign of King
Henry III. this manor was held by knight's service of his de
scendants, John de St. John, by John Fitz-bernard ; soon after
which it appears to have been separated into moieties : one op
which was held by Henry de Sandwich, heir of Ralph Fitz-
bernard in the reign of Edward I., in manner as above men
tioned, as it was subsequently by Ralph de Sandwich. Soon
after the above period it passed into the family of the Leyborne's,
where it remained tiU Juliana, daughter of Thomas de Leyborne,
died possessed of it ; and, leaving no issue by either of her hus
bands, the property became escheated to the crown, where it
remained tiU Richard II. granted it to Sir Simon de Burley,
knight banneret, warden of the Cinque Ports, and knight of the
garter. He being attainted in pariiament in the 10th year of
that reign, and afterwards beheaded, this estate again became
vested in the crown, when the king, in his llth year, settled il
on the priory of canons, otherwise Chiltern Langley, in Hert
fordshire. It continued vested in that fraternity till the dissolu
tion under Henry VIIL, when he granted it, with the site of the
priory, to Richard, bishop suffragan of Dover, to hold for his

COUNTY OF KENI'. 263
life, or until he should be promoted to some ecclesiastical bene
fice of £100 yearly value. That event having taken place before
the 36lh year of the above monarch, this moiety of the manor
was granted by him, to Sir Thomas Moyle, to hold in capite, who
alienated il to Sir Robert Oxenbridge, in the 2d of Edward VL,
and he becoming possessed of the other moiety, in right of his
wife, Alice, daughter and coheir of Sir Thomas Fogge, enjoyed
the whole of this manor. By his descendant it was then passed
away, at the latter end of the reign of Elizabeth, to Edward Boys,
esq. of Betshanger, whose descendant, Edward Grotius Boys,
dying in 1706, gave it by will to his kinsman, Thomas Brett,
ll.d., rector of this parish. He was the son of Thomas Brett,
gent, of Wye, by Letitia, the only surviving sister of Jefferey
Boys, esq., of Betshanger, who not long afterwards alienated
the estate to Sir Henry Eurnese, bart. of Waldershare. His
son. Sir Robert Furnese, bart. of the same place, died possessed
of il in 1733, after which it became, with his other estates, at
length vested in his three daughters and coheirs, when, on a par
tition of the property, in the 9th of George IL, this manor was
allotted to Anne, the eldest sister, wife of John viscount St. John ;
after which it descended down to their grandson, George vis
count Bolingbroke ; and he, in 1790, sold it to Mr. Thomas
Petman, of Eastry, who afterwards possessed the same. A court-
baron is held for this manor, which claims over some lands of
trifling extent in Chillenden.
Updowne Place is a seat in this parish, situated in the
hamlet of Updowne, in the north-west boundary of the same, ad
joining Eastry. This seat, for beauty of situation, healthiness of
country, and extent of prospect, stands unrivalled even in these
parts, abounding in prospects so justly entitled to our admiration.
The view presents a most delightful coup d'ceil over the adja
cent country, the North Foreland, Ramsgate, the town of Deal,
and the adjoining Channel.
The estate formerly belonged to Mr. Richard Thompson, of
Waldershare, who alienated it to Captain Thom-as Fagg, of
Dover, when the latter possessor first fitted it up as a gentleman's
residence; he died in 1748, and was buried in this church.
After his demise it was sold, according to the direction of his
will, to Sir George Oxenden, bart. of Dean, when he conveyed
it to his. son Henry, who occasionaUy resided here, and made

264 HISTORY OF THE
considerable improvements. By him it was afterwards passed
away to Matthew Collet, esq., who also laid out much money
in beautifying and embellishing this estate, making several plan
tations in the vicinity, and purchasing an adjoining farm, the
grounds of which he added thereto. He died possessed of this
estate in 1777, and was buried in the nave of this church. His
widow also made this place her residence, during which time,
she purchased of Sir Edward Dering, bart. another smaU farm,
part of the Furnese estate, and aUenated the whole, in 1778, to
the late John Minet Fector, esq. of Dover, banker and merchant,
who in 1786 enlarged his property here by the purchase of an
estate, called Updowne farm, in this hamlet; subsequent to
which, he added considerably to the extent and improvement of
the seat, imparking the lands around, and occasionally residing
at this enchanting mansion.
This parish is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
of the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sandwich. The
church, dedicated to St. George, is but a mean building, con
sisting of a nave and chancel, with a small wooden turret, in
which is one bell.
In the chancel are several memorials for the Bunce's, of this
parish ; in the nave, a tomb for Thomas Fagg, esq., obt. 1748,
set. sixty-five : another for Lydia his daughter, obt. 1737, two years
old, murdered by a maidservant, who was hanged for the act.
A memorial also exists here for Matthew Collet, esq., of Updowne
place, obt. 1777. The church of Ham was granted by Arch
bishop Baldwin, in the reign of Henry II. , at the petition of
Sir WUliam de Norfolk, lord of the soil, to the prior and con
vent of Leeds, to hold in pure and perpetual alms.
With the priory, this church remained vested, till the dissolu
tion, under Henry VIIL; since which the advowson of this
rectory has continued with the crown, the king being patron
thereof. This rectory was valued in the king's books at £5 6 5J, the
yeariy tenths being 10s. 7Jd. In 1688, there were twenty-nine
communicants, when it was estimated at £50 ; and in 1 640, theie
were only twenty communicants, the value continuing the same.
It has since produced an annual income of £60, there being
also some glebe lands annexed, but no parsonage house.
It may not be improper here to remark, that the value of

COUNTY OF KENT. 263
-church livings in the two divisions of East and West Kent are
differently estimated by the respective courts of the Quarter
Sessions; ¦viz. in East Kent, the court, in all valuations of church
livings, as to parochial and other assessments, never allows the
stipend of the curate, as a reprise or outgoing, to be deducted
in favor of the incumbent ; whereas, in West Kent, the court,
on the contrary, always deducts it in his favor, and allows it to
him, as a reprise, out of the yearly value of his living.
In 1821 there were five dweUings in the parish of Ham ;
and at the same period, when the last census of the popula
tion was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inha
bitants Were as follow: males 10, females 16, making a total
of 26 souls.
Betshanger, in ancient records written Betteshangre, lies
the next parish southward from Ham, being both pleasant and
healthy, though small ; containing only about 260 acres of land,
the soil of which is much the same as that of the neighbouring
parishes, but inclining to be chalky. There are but three houses
iu this district : the court lodge or mansion of Betshanger,
situated in the bottom of a valley, having the church near il ;
the farm-house of the Betshanger estate ; and one farm-house,
in the northern part of the parish, formerly belonging to the
Napleton's, but afterwards to John Minet Fector, esq. The
road from Canterbury to Deal runs along the north-east side, at
a small distance from the mansion ; round which the hUls rise,
consisting of arable land, being mostly open and unenclosed.
The manor of Northborne claims paramount over this
parish; subordinate to which, is the manor of Great
Betshanger, so called to distinguish it from that adjoining of
Little Betshanger, in the parish of Northborne. This estate
was among those lands assigned to Hugh de Port, for his assis
tance, under John de Fienes, in the defence of Dover castle ;
and, together, made up the barony of Port, being held by barony
of the above castle, by the service of performing ward therein
for that purpose. It was held of his descendants, the St. John's,
by knight's service, by a family named De Marinis, or Marney ;
one of whom, John, obtained a charier of free warren for his
demesne lands within this manor, in the 1st of Edward III. In
that name it did not long continue, as John de Tenacre, or

266 HISTORY OF THE
Tancre, soon after appears to have held it, by whom it was sold,
about the 20th year of the same reign, to John de Soles. How
long it continued in his descendants we have not found, but, in
the reign of Henry IV., it had become the property of one
Rutler; from which name it passed, about the beginning of the
reign of Edward IV., to that of Litchfield, in which it con
tinued some time. PhiUpott says, their arms vvere in his time
in the windows of Dane court, in Tilmanstone, viz. Bendee of
six pieces, azure and ermine. Roger Litchfield died in the 4th
of Henry VIIL, after which this property passed by will to his
three daughters; and on a division of their inheritance, this
manor was carried, by Alice the eldest, in marriage, to Thomas
Cocks, esq., customer of Sandwich, who, at the latter end of
that reign, alienated it to John Boys. He was afterwards
knighted, and died in 1612, having devised this manor to Edward
Boys, esq,, his nephew, one of the sons of Vincent Boys, of
Bekesborne, who resided in this mansion, which he probably
rebuilt, the arms of Boys, with the quarterings, being over the
mantel-piece, in the hall, carved in stone. Having lived on this
estate nearly fifty years, he died, and was buried in this church,
in 1649. His son, John, possessed this manor, and was a
member of the long Parliament that commenced its operations
in 1640, at which period he zealously sided with the enemies
of the king and the established church. He died in 1678,
having been thrice married, when his two sons, by his first
wife, Edward and John, afterwards succeeded to this manor;
but both dying, the latter, in 1698, left this estate by will to his
eldest half-brother, Jefferey Boys, esq. of Canterbury, a bencher
of Gray's Inn. His only son, Edward Grotius Boys, esq., of
Canterbury, died possessed of the estate in 1706, and was
interred with his ancestors, in this church. They bore for their
arms. Or, a griffin segreant sable, within a bordure gules.
Edward Grotius Boys dying, bequeathed this manor to his
kinsman, the Rev. Thomas Brett, rector of this parish, who.
about the year 1713, alienated it to Salmon Morrice, esq., a
captain in the royal navy, and afterwards admiral. He nearly
rebuilt this seat, and resided here till his death, in 1740, being
the son of Capt. Morrice, of the navy, who was younger son of
the famUy of that name at Werrington, in Devonshire. At the
period of his death, he was viceadmiial of the White, when his

COUNTY OF KENT. 267
remains were interred, under an elegant marble monument in a
small buUding adjoining the church, with those of his wife,
daughter of William Wright, esq., a commissioner of the navy.
By that lady he had two sons and four daughters ; the former
were Wright Morrice, esq., who died during the lifetime of his
father; and William, who became his heir, was settled by his
father at Betshanger. and afterwards resided at Canterbury.
He died in 1758, having married Mary, daughter of Robert
Chadwick, esq. of Northfleet, a captain in the navy, by whom
he had four sons. William, a lieutenant colonel of Dragoons,
who possessed Betshanger, and died, unmarried, in 1787 ; Robert,
who died an infant; and the Rev. James Morrice, vicar of Flower,
in Northamptonshire, who became his brother's heir to the
manor of Betshanger, and rector of this parish. He married
the second daughter of Adrian Ducarel, merchant of London,
by wliom he had two sons aud three daughters. The arms of
the Morrice's are Gules a lion rampant, regardant or. There
is no court held for this manor, which has for many years lost
the reputation of being such.
This parish is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
of the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sandwich. The
church, dedicated to St. Mary, is a small inconsequential build
ing, consisting of a nave and chancel, both of which are kept
extremely neat. Over the south door is a circular arch, with
zigzag moulding ; and beneath, a figure of Christ, that appears
much older than the church itself, which bears no signs of anti-
quity. There is a small wooden turret at the west end, wherein
are three bells. In the east window of the chancel are the fol
lowing shields of arms. Sable on a chevron, between three fags,
attired argent, a mullet of the first for cocks : chequy, or, and
azure a fess gules, all within a bordure of the last, for Clifford.
In this church are buried many of the family of the Boys's,
formerly possessors of the manor, and residents in this parish,
whose monuments and grave-stones are still remaining therein.
Within a covered building, connected with the church, and
erected for the purpose, is an elegant monument, sculptured by
Scheemaker, to the memory of Admiral Morrice. A mural
monument also exists here for John James, a.m., rector of this
parish and Deal, obt. 1775.
This church, which is a rectory, has always been appendant

268 HISTORY OF THE
to the manor, the Rev. James Morrice having been patron and
rector of the same.
I'he rectory was valued in the king's books at £7 14 ; and
was subsequently a discharged living, of about the clear annual
value of £60.
In 1588 there were thirty communicants, and il was estimated
at £40 ; and in 1640 the communicants amounted to twenty, at
which period the value was £60.
It has no parsonage-house or barn, nor any other glebe,
excepting the churchyard, which is very small, though it appears,
by the statement in the king's books, taken in the 26lh of
Henry VIIL, that there was then seven acres of arable glebe
belonging lo this living.
In 1821 there were three dweUingsin the parish of Betshanger;
and at the same period, when the last census of the population
was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inhabitants
were as follow: males 12, females 9, making a total of 21
souls. Waldershare is the next parish southward from Bets
hanger, being written in Domesday Walwasere, and in other
records, both Wulworthshire and Walwareshare, deriving its
name, most probably, from the Wolds, or open downs, amid
which il is situated. A borsholder is appointed for this parish,
including the district of Apulton, al the court-leet of Walder
share manor.
This parish is situated in a healthy country, among the high
hills, near the eastern boundary of the county, next the sea,
from which it is distant only five miles, and about the same froiu
Dover. It lies a mile and a half northward of the great London
road, and extends about two miles from north to south, but is
very narrow across in the opposite direction. It contains in the
whole about 1000 acres of land, the rents of which amount to
about £600 per annum. The whole parish belongs to the Earl
of Guildford, excepting Southwood, Heasledown, London close,
part of Linacre court, and Appleton. In the southern part is
Waldershare park, well clothed with trees, with the mansion, in
a vale, nearly in the centre : the Belvidere is at the south-west
corner, on elevated ground, commanding a beautiful prospect :
but the whole, Mr. Hasted observes, in his time, was in great

COUNTY OF KENT. 269
want of modern taste and embellishment. The church is situ
ated near the middle of the eastern side of the parish. At the
northern boundary is Malmains farm, the ancient mansion of
that family in this parish, though now only a mean farm-house,
belonging to the Earl of Guildford, and an open unenclosed
down, called Maimage down, corruptly for Malmains down.
The country here presents much the same appearance and soil
as those of the neighbouring parishes, which display a wild and
mountainous aspect, the land being poor and chalky. A fair is
held here, on Whit Tuesday, annually, for toys and pedlary.
Waldershare, at the survey of Domesday, constituted
part of the possessions of Odo bishop of Bayeux, under the
general title of whose lands it was therein entered. Upon the
disgrace of that prelate, the king assigned this manor to Gilbert
Magminot, for his assistance in the defence of Dover castle,
being held by barony of that fortress, by the service of perform
ing ward there from time to time.
Of the Magminot's and their descendants, the Saye's, the
chief lords of the seignory, this manor was again held by the
family of the Malmaines's, of great account in these parts ; the
descendants of whom were possessed of manors, called alter
them, in Alkham, Pluckley, and Stoke, their residence in this
parish having been also named after them. John de Malmaines
is recorded in the roU of Battle Abbey, as having accompanied
the Conqueror to England, and been present at the battle of
Hastings, as standardbearer to the Norman footmen. From
him descended the several branches of this family seated in
different parts of the county, who were many of them men
eminent for the offices of trust and honour which they at dif
ferent times held. They bore for their arms; Ermine on a chief
gules, three right hands couped argent; which shield is carved
in stone in various parts of the rooffing of the cloisters of Can
terbury cathedral. Several of this eminent family lie buried in
the Gray Friar's church, in London. From their long residence
here, not only their mansion in this parish acquired the name of
Malmaines, but the manor itself became styled, in records,
Waldershare, otherwise Malmaines.
From John de Malmaines, above mentioned, who first held
this manor under the Conqueror, it descended down to Henry,
of Waldershare, who died possessed of il, in the 46th of
VOL. 111. i< n

470 HISTORY OF THE
Edward IIL, leaving au only daughter ahd heir, Alice. It
however appears, that she only inherited a portion of this
manor and estate, which she carried in marriage to Henry
HoUand, of Solton, near Dover, who died possessed of het-
interest therein about the I9th of Richard IL, leaving Jane
his daughter and heir, married to Thomas Goldwell, of Coding
ton, in Great Chart, who possessed the same. From him it
descended to his grandson, of the same name ; who, about the
beginning of the reign of Henry VI. , alienated his portion to
John Monins, esq., who had previously become possessed of
the other part of this manor, by his marriage with the daughter
and heir of Colby, who inherited this estate in right of his wife,
daughter and heir of Thomas, son of John Malmaines, of Stoke.
He was related to Henry Malmaines, before mentioned, on whose
demise, under Edward IIL, it descended to him, sothathetheu
became possessed of the whole of this manor.
John Monins, or Monyn, as the name was sometimes spelt in
ancient deeds, was descended from Sir Simon de Monyn, of the
castle of Mayon, in Normandy, who attended William the
Conqueror in his expedition to England, and bore for his arms,
Gules three crescents or, the coat-armour of his descendants at
this time. John Monins, esq. afterwards resided at Waldershare,
where he built a new mansion, about a mile southeastward from
the ancient dwelling of the Malmaines's, in which he afterwards
resided, as did his descendants, down to Sir William Monins,
of Waldershare, who was created a baronet in 1611. He died
in 1643, and was succeeded in title and estate by his elde^ son.
Sir Edward Monins, bart. of Waldershare, who served the offibe
of sheriff in the 21st of King Charles I., and died possessed of
this manor and estate, in 1663. He left five daughters his
coheirs, when this manor and seat devolved to his two eldest;
Susan, married to Peregrine Bertie, second son of Montague
earl of Lindsey ; and Jane, to John, son and heir of Sir Norton
KnatchbuU, bart. The former left two daughters and coheirs ;
Mary, married, first, to Anthony Henley, esq. of the Grange,
m Hampshire, father of the lord chancellor the earl of Northing-
ton, and secondly, to Henry Bertie, third son of James earl of
Abingdon ; and Bridget, to John lord Powlet, afterwards created
earl Powlet. On the demise of Susan, the eldest daughter, who
appears, at her death, to have been possessed of the whole of

COUNTY OF KENT. 271
this manor and estate, it became vested in h§r heirs and trus
tees, for the use of her two daughters and coheirs ; and they,
in the reign of William and Mary, joined in the sale of this
estate to Sir Henry Furnese, bart, of Waldershare, vvho rebuilt
this seat after a design, as it is said, of JiiigQ Jones, ?ind enclosed
a park round the same, which he planted in an elegi^nt manner,
with avenues according to the taste of that period,
Sir Henry Furnese was eldest son of Henry Furnese, of Sand
wich. His next brother, George, entered the East-India
Company's service ; and his son, Henry, was of Gunnersbury
house. He died in 1712, leaving by his wife, Anne, daughter of
Robert Brough, esq., one son. Sir Robert Furnese, bart. His
second wife was Matilda, widow of Anthony Balam, esq., by
whom he had a daughter, married tp Riqhard Edgcumbe, after
wards created lord Edgcumbe.
Sir Henry Furnese, the eldest son, became a wealthy mer
chant, and by his industry and abilities, rose to fortune, emi
nence, and honours. Being always active and zealous in support
of the revolution, he was favorably distinguished by King
William and the whigs in general ; and being patronised by the
ministry, acquired weight and consequence, and wa^ enabled
to carry on the various branches of trade whereby he acquired
immense riches, He served the office of sheriff of Londc.- in
1701; was, in 1707, created a baronet; and on his devflise,
bequeathed a handsome legacy, for charitable uses, to the several
parishes of Sandwich. He borp for his arms, Argent, a talbol
bound segeant, within a bqrdure sable.
Sir Robert Furnese, bart., son of the abpve, resided here, an4
died, possessed of this manor and seat, in 1733, being at that
time knight of the shire for the county. He was thrice marrjed,
first, to Anne, daughter of Anthony Ealam, esq., by whom he
had one daughter, espoused to lord viscount St. John; he
married, secondly, the Hon. Arabella Watspn, one of the daugh
ters of the eari of Rockingham, by whom he had Henry, his
successor ; and lastly, to Lady Anne Shirley, daughter of Earl
Ferrars, by whom he left ^n only daughter, SeUnia, ,n;arried to
Edward Dering, esq., afterwards Sir Edward. Sir Henry sur
vived his father but a short time, dying abroad, in 1735 under
age, and unmarried; when this, among the rest of his estates,
bv virtue of the limitations in his grand father',s will, became

272 HISTORY OF THE
vested in his three sisters, as the coheirs of his father. Sir
Robert, in equal shares and proportions, in coparcenary in tail
general. This manor and estate was then, by a writ of parti
tion, granted to Catherine, wife of Lewis earl of Rockingham,
who died in 1745, leaving her surviving him, who then again
possessed this estate in her own right. She afterwards married
Francis earl of Guildford, by whom she had no issue, and dyino;
in 1766, devised it, with the rest of her estates, to her surviving
husband, who died in 1790, and was buried at Wroxton, in
Oxfordshire, near the countess, his wife. He was the only sur
viving son of Francis lord Guildford, and, by the death of
William lord North and Grey, succeeded as his heir to the for
mer of these titles, bearing that of Lord North and Guildford;
and, in 1752, was further advanced to the title of earl Guildford,
in Surrey.
He married, first, Lucy, daughter of George earl of Halifax,
by whom he had Frederic, who became his heir ; secondly, the
widow of Viscount Lewisham, by whom he had two daughters ;
and thirdly, Catherine countess of Rockingham. Upon the
earl of Guildford's death, in 1790, in his eighty-seventh year,
he was succeeded by his eldest son, Frederic lord North, knight
of the garter, a nobleman well known as having continued prime
minister of this realm during the late unhappy war with the
American states. He died in 1792, in London, being at that
time lord warden of the Cinque Ports, and constable of Dover
castie ; and was buried at Wroxton. His lordship married
Anne, daughter of George Speke, esq., of Dillington, in Somer
setshire, by whom he left three sons and three daughters; the
former were, George, Augustus, Frederic, and Francis; the
latter, Caroline, married to Sylvester Douglas, esq. ; and Anne
and Chariotte, unmarried. The eldest son, George Augustus,
succeeded bis father in titie and this estate, who married, first.
Miss Hobart, daughter of the earl of Buckinghamshire ; and
secondly, in 1796, the daughter of Mr, Thomas Coutts, banker,
of London, by whom he has two daughters.
In Waldershare house was a portrait of Sir Robert Furnese,
by Cario Maretti, painted at Rome ; and there is now another
portrait of him, marked F. T. the hand resting on a book,
enlitied Monumenta Romana. There are also two family pic
tures, by Sir Godfrey Kneller ; one, of Sir Robert Furnese, with

COUNTY OF KENT. 273
his first wife and daughter ; the other, of Sir Robert and his
second wife, with their son Henry, and daughter Catherine. A
court-leet and court-baron is held for the manor of Waldershare.
The earl of Guildford bears for his arms, Azure a lion passant
or, between three fleurs de lis, argent for supporters, two dragons
sable scaled, ducally gorged, and chained or: and for crest, on a
wreath qf its colour's, a dragon's head, sable scaled, ducally
gorged and chained or. Motto, La vertue est la seule noblesse.
Apulton is a district esteemed to be witliin this parish,
though separated from the residue of the same by a portion of
the parishes of Norbome and West Langdon intervening. It is
situated northward from the other part of Waldershare, and
appears, by the Domesday survey, to have constituted part of
the possessions of Odo bishop of Bayeux, under the general
title of whose lands it was therein entered. Upon the disgrace
of that ecclesiastic, it was granted to Robert Magminot, for his
assistance in the defence of Dover castle ; and of that family
and their heirs these manors were again held by the eminent
hne of the Malmaines's, which continued in possession of the
same down to Henry Malmaines. He joining with Simon earl
of Leicester in the rebelUon against Henry III., would have for
feited all his lands, had not the abbot of the monastery of Lang
don interceded for him, and procured his pardon ; for which
service his descendant. Sir John, through gratitude, gave the
two manors of Apleton and Southwold, by will, after the death
of Lora his wife, who held them in dower, to the above-men
tioned monastery. They both continued in the abbot's pos
session tiU the Ist of Richard IIL, when that dignitary exchanged
Southwold with Robert Monins, esq., for other lands elsewhere;
but Apleton was, on the suppression of the abbey, under Henry
VIIL, surrendered to the crown, together with the other pos
sessions of the monastery. The above monarch also seized
Southwold, then belonging to Edward Monins, esq., as part of
the possessions of the monastery, and unjustly alienated the
same from him ; which estate was subsequently granted to the
archbishop of Canterbury. That dignitary, in the 1st of
Elizabeth, re-exchanged Apleton with the crown, but retained
Southwold ; which has continued part of the possessions of the
above see.
However, the .manor of Apleton, or Appulton, as it is

274 HISTORY OF THE
sometimes called, was afterwards granted to Sir Edwyn Sandys,
of Northborne, in whose descendants it continued till passed
away to one Wickenden, when Robert of that name, gent, of
Dover, died possessed of it in 1686, and by will left it to his
son. His descendant, Mr. Nicholas Wickenden, dying without
issue, devised it to his servants, who sold it to Mr. Samuel
Biilingsley, of London, and his widow marrying Mr. Richard
Crickett, entitled him to the possession of the same.
There is no court held for this manor.
This parish is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
of the diocese of Canterbury, and deanery of Sandwich. The
church, dedicated to All Saints, is a small mean building, con
sisting only of a body and chancel, with a wooden turret at the
west end, being almost overgrown with ivy. There are two
additional buildings on either side of the chancel, each of which
communicates with the church. That northward contains a
most magnificent pyramidical monument, erected by Sir Robert
Furnese, bart. , in memory of his father Sir Henry. Four female
figures in white marble, as large as life, support the base, on
liie four sides of which are inscriptions to the memories of
his father; his sister, Matilda; his three wives; his son
Henri^', and his daughters Anne and Catherine, all buried
here ; the whole being finely executed by Mr. Greene, of Cam
berwell. In the building southward is a large altar tomb,
whereon are the figures of a man and woman, carved out of all
proportion, and conspicuously absurd, with an inscription to the
memory of the Hon. Susan Bertie, fourth daughter of Sir Ed
ward Monins, of Waldershare, wife of the Hon. Peregrine
Bertie. Over the same are banners and pendants. In the
chancel, against the south wall, is a monument for Sir Edward
Monins, and Elizabeth his wife, as well as many other mementos
for that famUy. In the east window are painted several female
figures, which are singulariy indecorous for the adornment of a
place of divine worship. There are also many other memorials
for various persons of this parish.
This church was valued in the king's books at £5 8 0, but
was afterwards a discharged living, of the clear yearly value of
£25. In 1588 there were thirty-three communicants, and in
1640 the same number, when the valuation was £38. Archbi
shop Juxon augmented this vicarage by £20 per annum, und^T

COUNTY OF KENT. 275
Charles IL There is no vicarage house, and only one acre of
glebe land adjoining the churchyard ; but, from the king's
books, it appears there were foraieiiy two acres annexed to this
living. In 1821 there were eleven dwellings in the parish of Walder
share; and at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow : males 34, females 35, making a
total of 69 souls.
Eythorne, commonly pronounced Aylhorne, lies the next
parish westward from Waldershare, being written in the Saxon
codicils, Hegythe Thorne, and in later records, Eghethorne,
but now usually Eythorne.
This parish, which is divided into the two districts of Upper
and Lower Eythorne, is said to lie in the hundred of Eastry,
the constable of the upper half hundred exercising jurisdiction
over the same ; notwithstanding which, the former being the
southern part of this parish, within the borough of South Lang
don, sometimes called Socage Langdon, is believed to be in the
upper half hundred of Downhamford, the borsholder for which
is chosen at the court-leet of the manor of Adisham, within
which it Ues ; and the latter, or noithem part, within the bo
rough of Eythorne, being reputed as witfhin the upper half hun
dred of Wingham.
This borough includes within its boundaries. Lower Eythorne
Street, comprehending the church. El mton farm, and Eythorne
Court manor and lands, the whole being within the hundred last
mentioned, al the court of which a borsholder is appointed for
the same. Neither Elmington, usuai-ly called Elmton, nor Street
End, were formerly included in this borough, both having been
lately added thereto, in order to answer particular purposes.
The road between Pitfield and Brincele is the boundary of the
demesne lands of the -manor of Eythorne court, and also of the
lands over which il claim's, being properly the line that divides
the two boroughs.
Eythorne lies in a hUly open country, the soil chalky, and
much covered with flints, is extremely barren in most parts, and
contains about 1244 acres of land. The southern part, from its
situatioiij is called Upper Eythorne, comprehending within the

276 HISTORY OF THE
same the borough of South Langdon, in which is a hamlet,
called the Green. Another hamlet, named Upper Eythorne
street, comprehends the forstal, where there is a house, which
once belonged to a large farm, called Park End, the property of
the earl of Guildford, the largest portion having long since been
taken into Waldershare park. At a small distance southward
from the above forstal, is a small seat pleasantly situated, built
in 1762, by Peter Fector, esq., of Dover, who occasionally re
sided there. Mr. Fector, who bore for his arms. Vert, two doves
in pale, argent, beaked and legged, gules, the upper one holding
an olive branch, or ; was possessed of considerable landed pro
perty in different parishes in this part of the county, and has
been already noticed, in the description of Dover, as a very emi
nent banker, and merchant of that place. His mother was the
daughter of Mr. Minet, who, with his five brothers and three
sisters, came over from France on the revocation of the edict of
Nantes, in 1686, having sacrificed their situation and property in
that country for adhering to their religious tenets. The late Mr.
Fector married Mary, eldest daughter of John Minet, a.m.,
rector of Eythorne, descended from the same family, by whom
he had three sons and three daughters, John Minet Fector, of
Dover, banker, and of Updowne place, in Ham, esq., who mar
ried Anne Wortley Montague, esq., the only daughter of Sir
Robert Laurie, bart., of Maxwells town, in Scotland, and m.p.
for Dumfries. James Peter, likewise of Dover, and in partner
ship with his father and brother above mentioned, and William
unmarried, the daughters being Alicia, Mary, and Elizabeth.
The mansion is beautifuUy situated, commanding a view over
Waldershare park, and a sublime prospect beyond of the Chan
nel, and the hills of Boulogne, on the coast of France.
Farther northward is the borough of Lower Eythorne, com
prehending Eythorne court, and Lower Eythorne street, within
which is the cnurch and parsonage, with the two small hamlets
of Wigmore (formerly Jenkin,) and Street End. At the northern
boundary of the parish is Elmington, but lately accounted
within this borough, and a farm, called Brimsdale, belonging to
Mr. Underdowne Harvey, the son of Thomas, late of Eythorne
court. These Harvey's, of Eythorne court, branched off" from
Richard Harvey, of West Stud dal, the original ancestor, about
200 years back, being of the family of that name, dispersed over

COUNTY OF KENT. 277
this part of Kent. The father of the above-mentioned Thomas
Harvey first came to Eythorne court, as tenant, in 1711, and
subsequently his grandson, Phihp Harvey, remained there.
This parish is long and narrow, being more than two miles and
a half from north to south, and not more than three quarters of
a mile the other way. At the southern extremity are several
lines of a Roman intrenchment, and a large barrow, or tumulus,
about a quarter of a mile eastward from Eythorne Court wood,
near the road leading to Waldershare. A fair is held here on
Midsummer-day for pedlary.
A branch of the family of the Merriweather's formerly resided
in this parish.
Cuthred, king of Kerd, about the year 807, with the con
sent of Cenulph, king of Mercia, gave to jEthelnolh, his minister,
three plough lands in the place called aet Heyghe Thorne, for
a sum of money, that is to say, 3000 pence, free from all secular
services, with the liberty of giving them during his life, and
leaving them at his death, to whomsoever he chose.
After the above period, this estate seems to have passed to the
possession of Archbishop Wulfred, who, in the year 824, gave it
with the lands of Langdune, (most probably the borough of
South Langdon, in this parish,) in exchange for Bereham, to
the monks of the priory of Christ church. How long it remained
with that community we have not discovered, but in all likeli
hood it was wrested from them during the period of those
troubles that prevailed anterior to the Norman conquest, as not
long after il appears to have been in the possession of the family
of the Badlesmere's. In that line it remained till Bartholomew
being attainted in the reign of Edward IL, this manor of Ey
thorne passed to the crown, and so remained till Edward IIL
granted it to Sir John Bowden, who, in the 1 8th year of that reign,
conveyed it to John de Goldsborough. On the demise of the
latter, it passed to Thomas Holben, and he, in the 12th of
Richard II. , alienated it to Robert Dane, who sold the reversion
to John Dygge, of Berham. After the above period, this manor
seems to have fallen into the possession of Robert Webbe, who,
in the 4th of Henry VI. , alienated it to John St. Clere, by whom
it was transferred by sale to Sir Walter Hungerford, of Heyts-
bury, ancestor of those of Farley castle, which famUy bore for
their arms. Sable, two bars, argent, in chief, three plates. He
VOL. III. o 0

27» HISTORY OF THE
again sold it about the latter end of the same reign, to Sir
Thomas Browne, of Beechworth castle, comptroller and treasurer
of the royal household, who, in the 29th year of that prince, ob
tained the grant of a fair on the day of St. Peter, ad vinculo,
yearly in this parish of Eythorne, and another grant soon after
to embattle and impark, with Uberty of free warren within this
manor. In his descendants this property continued down to Sir
Thomas, of Beechworth castle, whose lands were disgavelled by
the Acts of the 1st and 8th of Queen Elizabeth, and he, in the
16lh year of that reign, alienated it to Francis Santon, whose
son, in the 28th year of the same reign, sold it to Sir William
Rither. The latter possessor then willed this estate to Susan,
one of his daughters and coheirs, wife of Sir Thomas Cesar, one
of the barons of the Exchequer, who remarried Mr. Thomas
Philipott, of Compton Wascelin, in Hants. Having also sur
vived him, she, at her death, bequeathed the same to her only
•son by her second husband, Mr. Villiers PhUipott, who, at the
latter end of the reign of Charles I., conveyed it by sale to Mr.
John Brett, of London. How it subsequently passed we have
not found, but, after some intermediate owners, it went to the
possession of Richard Sherbrooke, esq. of London, who owned
it in the reign of George IIL, and, at his death, devised it to his
sister, married to Mr. Mead, by whom she left an only daughter>
who espousing John Wilkes, esq., entitled him to the possession
of this estate, after which, his only daughter, Mrs. Mary Wilkes,
owned this manor, usually called Eythorne court.
The house is very large and ancient, being built of stone, the
walls remarkably thick and strong, and the whole mantled with
ivy. In the windows are several shields of arms in stained glass.
A court-baron is held for this manor, which claims over the
whole borough of Eythorne, excepting Elmington.
Elmington, generally called Elmton, is a manor near the
northern boundary of this parish, which has only of late years
been reputed as being within the same ; a portion was, at the
survey of Dou<esday, in the possession of Odo, bishop of Baveux,
under the general title of who.se lands it was entered in that
record. After the disgrace of this bishop, the eminent family of
Malmaine's appear to have possessed this property, of whom it
wasaeain held in the reign of Edward II. by Guido de Shilling-
held, and after him by Peter Condie, or Cundie, of Sandwich,

COUNTY OF KENT. 279
descended from those seated at Condie's hall, in Whitstable, who
pos.sessed it in the reign of Edward III. After that period it
descended to WiUiam, son of John de Condie, who died in the
42d year of the above reign, without legitimate issiie, wh^ii his
sister Margaret, his coheir, carried it in marriage to Robert
Grubbe, who likewise dying without issue male, Agnes, one qf
his coheirs, conveyed it in marriage to John Isaac, esq. , of Black-
manbury, in Bridge. His descendant James, about the latter
end of the reign of Henry VIL, passed it to John Guldeford, esq. ,
in whom it remained but a short time, as from that family,
under Henry VIIL, it passed to Sir Christopher Hales. He not
long after alienated it to William Boys, esq., of Nonington,
whose second son, Thomas, resided here, a,nd died in 1599. The
fee then rested in his elder brother Edward, of Fredville, tiU
Major John Boys, of th^t place, in the reign of Charles II. , sold
it to WiUiam Turner, whose son, of the same name, died pos
sessed of itin 1729. His son, WiUiam Turner, esq., inherited
this manor on the death of his father, and was succeeded therein
by his only daughter Bridget, who carried it in iriarriage, in
1753, to David Papillon, of Acrise, whose son aftervvards pos
sessed the same.
This parish is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of
the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sandwich. Th,e
church, dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, is small, consisting
of a body and north aisle, with two chancels, having a square
tower, wiih battlements, at the west end. In the high chancel
is a memorial for Thomas Walton, thirty-seven years rector of
thin cliurch, oMit 16'98; another for John Thomson, rector, wh&
left cue daughter, married to John Farnaby, son of the learned
Farnaby, obiit 1661 ; arms, two bars, a chief ermine, empalipg
a chevron between three balls. Within the altar rails- is a me
morial for Edward Monins, gent., and Mary his wife, otjiit
1647. A marble tablet for John Minet, a.m., rector pf this
church, obiit 1771 ; arms, Ermliiois, quartering, barr y of six,
argent and gules. Another tablet, for Francis d'Aeth, rector of
this church, obiit 1784. also a memorial for William Forster,
gent., of Acrise, pastor of this parish, obiit 1708. The sculp
tured arms of the Guldeford's formerly adorned this edifice. ,In
the last-mentioned chancel are al?o several memorials for the
Boteler's, of this parish. A mural monument also exists for

280 HISTORY OF THE
John Harvey, esq., of Dane court, obnt 1759, and Margaret,
his wife ; arms, Harvey empaling argent, three bars gemelles,
sable, over all a lion rampant, gules, for Maud. There is ano
ther memento for Richard Harvey, of Dane court, obnt 1732 ;
and, near the west door, the tomb of John Ruffin, gent., of
Rainham, obiit 1661.
In the reign of Henry VIII. this rectory was valued in the
king's books at £15 12 6, the yearly tenths being £1 11 6.
There are seven acres of glebe land annexed to this living. In
1688 there were seventy-six communicants, when the estimate
was £100. David Papillon, esq. of Acrise, and the eari of
Guildford, presented alternately to this rectory.
In 1821 there were sixty-seven dwellings in the parish of
Lamberhurst ; and at the same period, when the last census of
the population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers
of inhabitants were as follow : males 209, females 181, making
a total of 390 souls.
Barson is the next parish southwestward, otherwise called
Barfrislon, the latter being the proper and ancient appellation,
written in Domesday survey, Barfrestone, but for contraction
has of late times been denominated and written Barson. There
is but one borough in this parish, viz. the borough of Barson,
which contains the whole parish, the borsholder being chosen
at the petty sessions held for this division of the lath of St.
Augustine. Barson lies in the open hilly downs, with which this neigh
bourhood abounds; they are mostly arable, the soil upon the
hills being chalky, and not very fertile. In the valleys it is
inclined to clay, and of course better land, though stUl unpro
ductive. The court lodge and church are nearly in the centre
of the parish, which formerly contained but twelve houses.
This district, as well as its vicinity, is extremely healthy, in
stances of longevity here being very frequent and as remarkable,
since, in 1700, the minister resident was buried at the age of
ninety-six; the divine who preached the funeral sermon, was
eighty- two ; the reader of the service, eighty-seven ; the parish-
clerk of the latter age; the sexton was eighty-six, and his wife
eighty, and several of the neighbouring parish of Coldred,
who attended the funeral, were above 100 years old. In

COUNTY OF KENT. 281
1722 there were in this small parish, which consisted of only
fifty-eight souls, nine persons whose ages amounted to 636
years. At the southern boundary of the parish are a great number of
Roman tumuli, or barrows, which adjoin the line of intrench-
ments at the termination of Eythorne parish. There was, in the
reign of Henry IIL, a family resident here, which thence derived
its name. One of that line, Amiciade Barfristan, was a bene
factor to the priory of Davington, as appears from the ledger-
book of the same.
At the time of taking the survey of Domesday, this place was
part of the possessions of Odo bishop of Bayeux, under the ge
neral title of whose lands it vvas therein entered. Upon the dis
grace of that prelate, the lands of Barfreston were granted to
Hugh de Port, by the service of performing ward for the
defence of Dover castle, after which it was held of his descend
ant, John de St. John, in the reign of Henry IIL, by a family
named Wyborne, one of whom, John de Wyborne, held it
under Edward II. However, before the 20th of Edward IIL,
this name had become extinct here, for it appears then to have
been alienated from that line, and in the tenure of different per
sons, one of whom, John de Monynham, seems to .have held that
part of Wyborne's estate, comprehending the manor of Barfres
ton, which, after the heirs of Monynham had deserted their
patrimony, was alienated about the latter end of the reign of
Henry VI. , to Sir Thomas Browne, of Beechworth castle. In
his descendants this property continued down to Sir Thomas
Browne, of the same place, whose lands were disgavelled in the
reign of Ehzabeth ; not long after which he alienated it to Mr.
Thomas Boys, of Eythorne, who removed hither, and died pos
sessed of thesame in 1599. His eldest son inherited this manor,
which his heir, John Boys, esq., sold at the latter end of the
reign of Charles I. to Anthony Percival, of Dover, who died in
1646, and was interred at Denton. In his heirs it remained till
sold to Major Richard Harvey, of Elmington, in Evthorne. His
grandson, Mr. Richard Harvey, was of Barson, and having pulled
down the ancient mansion of this manor, rebuilt it in a very
handsome style, and resided here. He married Elizabeth
Nicholls, of Barham, by whom he had seven sons and six
daughters ; of the former, Richard, the eldest, was vicar of

282 HISTORY OF THE
St. Laurence, and afterwards of Eastry, who married ; Henry,
the second son, was an admiral, and of Walmer, who espoused
Elizabeth, daughter of WiUiam Boys, esq., by whom he had
four sons, and one daughter ; John, the third son, was also a
captain in the royal navy, of Heronden, who died, July 1794, at
Portsmouth, of the wounds he had received on the glorious 1st
of June preceding, which melancholy event prevented the inten
tion of his majesty from being reaUzed, as his purpose was to
constitute him an admiral, as a reward for his gallant behaviour.
He left four sons, and four daughters, of the former of whom was
Henry Harvey, esq. of Heronden, and John, a captain in the
navy ; and, of the daughters, Mary married >ViUiara Boteler,
esq., of Eastiy ; and Fanny, Robert Curling, esq., surgeon, of
Sandwich ; Elizabeth and Sarah died young. Of the younger
sons, Thomas, the fourth, was living in 1801. Mr. Richard
Harvey, after residing here some time, alienated this estate in
1792, to John Plumptree, esq., of Fredville, vvho afterwards
owned this property.
Hartanger, written in Domesday Hertange, is a small
manor in this parish, which, at the period of the Domesday
survey, constituted part of the possessions of Odo, bishop of
Bayeux^ under the general title of whose lands it was therein
entered. On that prelate's disgrace, this manor devolved to the
crown, being afterwards granted to Simon Fitz-Adam, by whom
it was held by knight's service of Dover castle, by the service of
ward for fifteen days, for the defence of the same.
Of Simon Fitz-Adam, and his heir Adam Fitz- WiUiam, this
manor was afterwards held by the Pirot's; Alan Pirotdied pos
sessed of the same at the latter end of the reign of Henry I., and
had for successor, Robert, whose heir was Ingelram de Fontibus.
How long his heirs held this property we do not find, but, under
Henry III. or Edward I., William de Hartanger possessed it,
after whom it Icoame the property of Robert de Hardres, vvho
held it by knight's service of the honour of Clare. In the 8th
of Edward II. his next successor was Reginald de Tondresley,
but how long it remained in that name does not appear;
however, at the latter end of the reign of Henry VL, it was in
the possession of Sir Thomas Browne, of Beechworth castle.
His descendant of the same name, in the reign of Elizabeth,
passed it away to Francis Santon, esq., whose son and heir

COUNTY OF KENT. 283
Francis Santon, alienated it soon after to Edward Merriweather,
stcona son of Edward, of ShebbertsweU, who resided here, and
died possessed of the estate in 1621. In his descendants it con-
tinned till about the middle of the last century, at which time it
was sold to one Pot. after which Mr. William Pot, citizen and
apothecary of London, gave it by will in 1691, to trustees,
for them to pay £200 per annum, out of the rents and
profits, to Christ's hospital, and the remaining produce to the
hospital of Bethlehem, in London ; in which trust this property
nas continued vested.
It appears, by the register of Leeds Abbey, that Sibilla de
Watemle gave to the priory of Leeds, in free and perpetual alms,
inter alia, the tithe of Hartangre; which gift was confirmed by
Archbishop Theobald, in the reign of King Stephen.
The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is a small building, of
great antiquity ; the exterior is most curiously adorned with
carved work in stone, having circular arches and windows, espe
cially at the east extremity ; the west end has a fine circular
arch, with Saxon ornaments, and zigzag borders ; and withinside
is another arch, between the body and the chancel. This
church, so well known to every lover of iantiquity, and of which
so many engravings have been executed, affords a most curious
specimen of Anglo-Saxon architecture. It consists of a body
and chancel, separated by a circular arch, suj3ported by two
wreathed pillars; a row of singular uncouth heads appear round
the cornice, a beautiful circular window being at the east end ;
and at the foot of the wall are two circular arches, forming
recesses, probably for places of sepulture for the founders of the
church. The grand south entrance, now partly concealed by a
modern porch, is most curiously sculptured with rows of figures
of various kinds. Niches for statues also completely environ
this singularly interesting structure.
There is no steeple, a small wooden turret having been taken
down some years ago. In the chancel exists a mural monument
for Thomas Boys, gent, of Barfreston, of the family of FredvUle,
obt. 1599, who bore for his arms. Or, a griffin segreant sable,
within a bordure gules. Another mural monument adorns the
interior of the building, for Robert Ewell, rector and patron, and
one of the six preachers of Canterbury cathedral, obt. 1638.
There is also a grave-stone for George Smith, forty-one years

284 HISTORY OF THE
rector of this parish, obt. 1752 ; several of the tasnily o» Boys's
were also buried in this edifice.
The advowson of this church, which ranks a rectory, was an
ciently appendant to the manor, but under Henry VIIL, it had
become an advowson, being then in the possession of John Boys,
of Denton.
This rectory in the king's books stood at £7 14, but was after
wards a discharged living, of the clear yearly value of about £30.
In 1588 the estimation was 60s., there being then forty communi
cants ; in 1640 the value was 50s., the number of communi
cants being the same.
This living was augmented by the governors of Queen Anne's
Bounty in £200 a year, the same sum being also added thereto
by the president and fellows of St. John's college ; with which the
dwelling and appurtenances were newly built, and a barn, stable,
and lands purchased in the parish of Alkham, of the annual
rent of £30.
There is a glebe belonging to this benefice, of seven acres,
one of which is in Nonington ; whereas, in the king's books, it
is stated that ten acres of glebe land appertained to this living.
In 1821, there were sixteen dwellings in the parish of Barson ;
and at the same period, when the last census of the population
was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inhabitants
were as follow : males 62, females 63, making a total of 1 15
souls. Tilmanstone lies northeastward from Barson, the parish of
Eythorne only intervening. It is written Tilemanestone iu
Domesday, but is now usually pronounced Tilmeston.
There are two boroughs in this parish, viz. Tilmanstone and
Craythorne. The borsholder for Tilmanstone borough is
chosen at North court, and comprehends within its bounds the
church and all the northern part of the parish, viz. the Upper
street, and the three manor houses of Dane court. North court,
and South court. The borsholder for Craythorne borough is
chosen at Eastry court, and comprises in its bounds the southern
part of this parish, viz. Lower street and Barfield farm ; overaU
of which the manor of Eastry claims paramount.
This parish is pleasantly situated in a open country; the
soil i;''° ^'^"* of the neisrhbourbonri is variable, and the vallies

COUNTY OF KENT. 285
more fertile than the elevated grounds, the same being generally
thin and light. The northern part of this parish is more pro
lific than that to the south, the whole containing upwards of
1,100 acres of land, being accounted extremely healthful, which
appears from the parish registers, wherein the ages of numbers
of persons buried here «ire from 80 to 100 years, on an average ;
the births exceeding the burials by upwards of one third in
number. There are two streets or vUlages, called Upper and Lower
Street, in the former of which stands the church. The parish
is long and narrow, being about a mile from east to west, and
nearly two miles contrariwise. It is rather an unfrequented
district, and contains nothing remarkable. No fair is held here.
WiUiam Boys, esq. of Nonington, resided in this parish in
the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and served in Parliament for
Queenborough. This place was part of the ancient possessions of the see
of Canterbury, and at the survey of Domesday was held of the
archbishop by knight's service, by William Folet. On that name
becoming extinct, the property appears to have been held in se
parate moieties; and in the reign of Henry III. was in the pos
session of Sir John de Tiddenden and Sir Roger de Tilmanstone,
who held it of the archbishop by knight's service.
That part which was held by the former, afterwards de
scended to William de Tiddenden, who died, possessed of the
property, in the beginning of the reign bf Edward III. It then
appears to have devolved to the possession of one Warden.
The other part, on the death of Sir Roger de Tilmanstone,
in the reign of Edward I., was carried by Matilda his sister and
coheir, in marriage, to John de Sandhurst, who made a claim of
liberties for this manor in the reign of Edward L, and his son,
John de Sandhurst, of Knolton, succeeded him, and died, pos
sessed of the same, in the reign of Edward III.
Subsequent to the above period, these moieties, from
their respective situations, acquired the names of the manors
OF North and South Court; the former of which was
conveyed by Christian, daughter and heir of John de Sandhurst,
in marriage to WiUiam Langley, of Warwickshire ; whose son,
WilUam de Langley, was afterwards, in her right, of Knolton.
It then passed, in like manner as Knolton, to the Peyton's ; in
VOL. III. p p

986 HISTORY OF THE
which -name it continued tiU Sir ThOmas Ppyton, bart. alienated
it to Sir John Narborough, an admiral, whose daughter and at
length sole heir, Elizabeth, married Sir 'Thomas d'Aeth, bart.,
who succeeded to this manor; and their grandson. Sir Narborough
d'Aeth, bart. .of Knolton, was afterwards owner of the same.
A court-leet and court-baron is held for this manor.
The manor o^j South Court was the other moiety of the
manor of Tilmanstone, vvhich, as above mentioned, was held by
the Tiddenden's, and afterwards devolved to the name of Warden,
whence it was at length alienated to the White's. Johu White,
merchantof Canterbury, subsequently knighted, held it in the
reign of Henry VI. , one of whose descendants sold it to a Cox;
and Michael of that name, in the 8th of Henry VIL, did homage
to Archbishop Moreton for the same. His successor, Thomas,
was customer of Sandwich, under Henry VIIL, who passed the
estate by sale to Richard Fogge, esq. of Danes court, who died,
possessed of it, in 1598, when his descendant, not long after,
alienated it to the Peyton's, of Knolton. Since that period,
this manor has continued in the same title of ownership as the
manor of North court, last described, down to Sir Narborough
d'Aeth, bart. of Knolton, the possessor of both these estates.
A court-baron is held for this manor.
North and South courts are strongly connected as to
tlieir manorial rights and jurisdictions, as appears by the
warrants delivered to the baUiff to convene the tenants ; all of
whom are summoned to both courts, two in each only excepted.
Their claim is over the largest portion of Tilmanstone borough,
and some lands contiguous in Eastry. The manor-house of the
latter is at present a neat cottage, situated close to the church
yard ; some stone walls of the ancient mansion, and the ruins of
a barn, still remaining ; the demesne lands are laid to the farm
of North court, which is a good farm-house.
Dan e court is a manor and seat in this parish, which had
anciently the same owners as North court, and as such passed
from the Tilmanstone's to the Sandhurst's, and thence by mar
riage to the Langley's. From that, line it went to the Fennel's,
who sold it to the Cox's ; a descendant of which name, Thomas,
the customer, died, possessed of it, in 1559. His heirs, in the
2d of Elizabeth, alienated it to Richard Fogge, esq. of Bra-
bourne, grandson of Sir John, of Repton, who was afterwards

COUNTY OF KENT. 287
of Dane court; and in his descendants it continued down to his
great great grandson, Richard Fogge, mariner. He, about 1724,
sold it to Major Richard Harvey, of Elmington, who rebuilt this
seat, and removed hither ; and his grandson, the Rev. Richard
Harvey, vicar of Eastry, alienated it, in 1763, to Gervas
Hayward, gent, of Sandwich, who bore for his arms, Argent on
a pale sable, three crescents qf the field. He, in 1765, passed it
away by sale to Michael Hatton, esq., a commissary of the army,
vvho afterwards resided here, and greatly improved this seat.
He died in 1776, leaving Alice his wife surviving, who resided
here till her death, in 1791, upon vvhich the property went, by
Mr. Hatton's will, to her niece, Mrs. Hannah Lilly, who, in
1795, conveyed it in marriage to Rawson Aislabye, esq., who
owned the same. A court-baron is held for this manor.
It appears that Dane court was once held of the manor of
Knolton, but this has not been acknowledged for a considerable
length of time.
The manors of Great and Litti,e Barville are two
estates in the southern part of this parish, the original name
having been Barfield. They appear anciently as ranking one
and the same estate, which was, in the reign of Edward IV., in
the possession of the family of the Harvey's, being the first
place we find mentioned as their residence and possession in this
county. Thence the several branches distributed themselves
throughout Kent, and more especially in the eastern parts.
The armorial bearings assumed by the several branches of the
Harvey's are those of the female ancestor, Awstyn, or Astyn,
viz. Argent on a chevron, gules, three crescents, or between three
lions, gambs erased, sable armed of the second. Richard Harvey
died, possessed of Barfield, in 1472, under Edward IV.; as did
his sou John, of Barfield, in 1479. He left two sons, Ro'oert
and Nicholas, who, after the death of their father, possessed it
in moieties ; the former died in 1518, and by will directed his
moiety to be sold ; after which there is no further mention of
them here, the pedigree of the family describing Robert Harvey,
son of Robert above mentioned, as of Norbome. Most pro
bably this manor was at the above-mentioned time divided, but
in what proportions does not appear, between these two brothers,
Robert and Nicholas Harvey, and afterwards took the names of
Great and Little Barville. By this, however, it certainly

288 HISTORY OF THE
appears, that the former was the largest portion of the two.
Great Barville, soon after the above period, became the pro
perty of the family of the Crayford's, of Mongeham ; one of
whom, in the reign of Elizabeth, purchased Little Barville of the
heirs of the Fix's, or Picks's, several of which name are men
tioned in the register of this parish, but without any distinction,
as gentlemen ; and thus these estates became again united iu
the possession of one and the same owner.
In the descendants of the Crayford's this estate, now known
by the name of Barfield only, and in one occupation, continued
tUl the reign of Charles II., when WiUiam Crayford, dying
without issue, devised it to his wife Ursula, who remarrying
Nordash Rand, esq., entitled him to the possession of thesame.
He, in 1720, sold it to Sir Robert Furnese, bart. of Waldershare;
in whose descendants it continued down to Catherine sister and
coheir of his son. Sir Henry, who conveyed it in mairiage, first,
to Lewis earl of Rockingham ; and secondly, to Francis earl of
Guildford, to whom, on her death, in 1766, she devised this
estate. He died possessed of it in 1790, and his grandson, the
Right Hon. the Earl of Guildford, was afterwards owner of this
estate. The buildings of Little Barville are puUed down, but
the site is still to be traced in a rough pasture-ground, on the
north side of the highway, (formeriy called St. Margaret's
street,) leading from Dover to Knolton. Part of the lands of
this estate are said, in ancient records, to be within the district
of Stormeston, in this parish, but no such name is known, or has
ever been heard of, by the inhabitants of the district or its
neighbourhood. This parish is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
of the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sandwich. The
church, dedicated to St. Andrew, is a small mean building, con
sisting of a body and chancel,- with a very low square tower at
the west end. In the chancel, against the east wall, is a brass
plate, on which are the figures of a man and woman ; upon the
side of the former appears one son, and on that of the latter,
three daughters, all kneeling; with the arms of the Fogge's, and
a label of three points empaling Sackville, with a crescent for
Richard Fogge, esq., father of fourteen children, and eminent
for his poetry and skUl in heraldry, obt. 168U. A grave-stone
exists here for Jane, daughter of the Rev. Strangford Viol, late

COUNTY OF KENT. 289
rector of Upminster, in Essex, and Jane his wife, daughter of
Richard Fogge, esq. obt. 1719. In the east window are three
shields of painted glass : the first, the field being gone, on a
chief azure, three lions rampant, or : on the sides appear, in
black letters. Sir John Li.ile Knight. The field was probably
or; second, gules a cross argent; third, azure, a betid cotized
argent, between six martlets of the second, under which was
formerly this legend. Orate p aia Wi Tonge, now nearly oblite
rated. In the north window are four figures ; first, a man in
armour, with a shield, bearing a plain cross, on his breast, in the
attitude of thrusting a lance through the jaws of a beast,
stretched at his feet, probably designated for St. George; the
second represents a young man crowned, holding a globe and
sceptre in his hands, and seemingly weeping ; and the fourth is
an old man kneeling, full bearded, on whose shoulder appears a
child, holding a globe and sceptre, to which he is looking up.
In the south window is the figure of a man bearded, wearing a
Palmer's bonnet, and holding a staff, whUein his right hand is
a book. In the body of the church appears a marble monument,
against the north wall, near the chancel, and an inscription,
signifying, that in the vault beneath are deposited the remains of
Michael Hatton, esq. of Dane court, obt. 1776 ; as well as Mrs.
Alice Hatton, his widow, obt. 1791 : the arms are. Azure a
chevron between three wheat-sheaves, or empaling gules, three
lilies argent, stalked and leaved, vert. A monument also exists,
against the same wall, for Thomas Michael Tierney, late student
of Brazen Nose college, Oxford : and in the windows of this
edifice were formerly much more painted glass, consisting of
figures and coats of arms.
¦ This church was anciently part of the possessions of the
Knights HospitaUers of St. John of Jerusalem, to whom it was
appropriated by Archbishop Langton, about the end of the reign
of King John. It so remained until the dissolution, under
Henry VIII. ; since which, both the appropriation and advowson
have continued vested in the see of Canterbury.
The vicarage of Tilmanstone was valued in the king's books
at £7 12 6 ; being afterwards a discharged living, of the yearly
value of £45. In 1588 there were 109 communicants ; and in
1640 the same number, when the estimation was £50. In 1740

290 HISTORY OF THE
there were the same number of communicants, but the value had
increased to ot°60.
In 1821, there were forty-one dwellings in the parish of Til
manstone ; and at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of Pariiament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow: males 151, females 152, making a
total of 303 souls.
Knolton lies the next parish westward from Tilmanstone,
written in Domesday survey Chenollone, in other ancient records
Cnoltone, and afterwards both Knoldon and Knolton, having
derived its name from the situation on the knoll of a hiU. There
is no borsholder appointed for this district.
The parish of Knolton is very smaU, containing only 432
acres, nearly the whole of which, except a few acres, are the
property of the D'Aeth famUy, whose mansion therein was
beautifully situated on the knoU of a hill, commanding an ex
tensive prospect over the neighbouring country, and of the
adjacent Channel. The house, which is large, was built by Sir
Thomas Peyton, the south part stiU remaining, but the centre of
the front wing has been modernised. The offices, which are
extremely commodious, were built by Sir Thomas d'Aeth, iu
1715. In the old part of the dweUing are the arms of the
Peyton's, on a chimney-piece, and the same again empaling
Calthorpe, in every window, which sufficiently point out the
builder ; but the arms of Langley are no where to be found in
this mansion. The park, wherein the structure stands, contains
about 200 acres. It is finely wooded, and thesoil, as well as the
rest of the parish, extremely healthy and dry, though being
rather inclined to chalk, is not very fertile. The lands are
chiefly arable, and unenclosed ; the hills and dales are frequent,
and continue throughout ; the whole arrangement forming a
most agreeable prospect to the eye. Adjoining the gardens, at
the back of the mansion, is the church and parsonage-house ;
and beyond, on the declivity of the hill, northward, near the
bridleway to Eastry and Deal, is a small parcel of coppice
wood. Besides the above two dweUings, there is one more
farm-house. No fair is held here.
At the survey of Domesday this manor was part of the pos
sessions of Odo, bishop of Bayeux, under the general title of

COUNTY OF KENT. 291-
whose lands it was therein entered. Upon the disgrace of that
prelate, the seignory of this manor appears to have been granted
to WiUiam de Albineto, or Albini, surnamed Pincerna, who had
followed the Conqueror from Normandy. Of his heirs it was
afterwards held by knight's service, by the family of Perot, or
Pyrot, as the name was sometimes spelt ; one of whom, Alanus
Pyrot, held it in the reign of Henry III. by knight's service, of
the countess of Eu, to whom the seignory paramount of the same
had descended from WiUiam de Albineto, before mentioned.
Sir Ralph Pyrot, his successor, was possessed of this manor in
the ensuing reign of Edward I., and, in the I3th year of the
same prince, he had a grant, dated, at Acton Burnel, October 4,
of free warren in all his demesne lands of Cnoltone, among
others in different counties.
In his descendants, who bore for their arms. Argent, a fess
sable in chief, three escallops ; as appears by the coat quartered
with those of Langley on the font, and in the windows of this
church, it continued down to Henry Perot, who was of Knolton,
and served the office of sheriff at the latter end of the 6th year of
that reign, though, previous to its conclusion, .Tohn de Sand
hurst appears to have been lord of the same. He left an only
daughter and heir, Christian, who married WiUiam de Langley,
by which means William Langley, their son, became entitled to
this inheritance. He resided at Knolton, and was several times
sheriff of this county, as were his descendants, afterwards resi-
dwits at Knolton, in whom it continued down to Edward
Langley, esq., of Knolton, who died s.p. The arms of Langley
were, per pale and jess, indented, azure, and or, and are carved
on the stone roofing of the cloisters at Canterbury, as well as
painted on the glass of the windows of the church of Knolton.
They were also formerly in the windows of the several churches
of Sheldwich, Tilmanstone, and Nonington, those in the latter
having thereon, a bend, company, argent and gules. Their arms
were also over the doorway of the mansion at Knolton, which
was re-edified by one of that name, but there are now no ves
tiges of the same remaining. Edward Langley married Eliza
beth, daughter of Thomas Peyton, of Peyton hall, and I elham,
in Cambridgeshire, whom he left surviving, and possessed of this
property. She afterwards remarried Sir Edward Jlingeley, who

292 HISTORY OF THE
inherited the same in her right, and upon her death, this manor,
with other estates in the county, became the property of her
brother. Sir Robert Peyton, of Iselham, as heir general at law of
her first husband, above mentioned. This family derived its
descent from William de Mallett, a noble Norman, who came to
England with the Conqueror, and his eldest son and heir, John,
was lord of the manor of Peyton hall, in Suffolk, who left
Robert de Ufford, his eldest son, ancestor to the earls of Suffolk.
Peter, was his second son ; and John, his third, whose son and
heir was Sir John de Peyton, of Stoke Neyland, from whom, by
direct descent, in the fifth degree, was John Peyton, esq. of
Peyton hall and Wyken, who died in the reign of Henry VL,
having married Grace, daughter and heir of William Langley,
as above mentioned. The Peyton's, of Knolton, bore for their
arms. Sable, a cross engrailed, or; in the first quarter, a mullet
pierced, argent, being a difference to show their descent from
the third house of this family.
Sir Robert Peyton died in 1518, leaving two sons ; Sir
Robert, who was of Iselham, ancestor of the Peyton's, baronets
of Cambridgeshire ; and Sir John Peyton, to whom he gave
Knolton, and his other estates in this county.
The latter afterwards resided at Knolton, as did his grandson
Sir Samuel Peyton, who was created a baronet in the IOth of
James I. His eldest son. Sir Thomas, of Knolton, dying in
1684, was buried in Westminster abbey, having been thrice
married : by the second union, with Cecilia, widow of Sir Wil
liam Swan, he left a son, Thomas, who died in 1667, during his
father's lifetime, and four daughters, who became his coheirs.
Dorothy married Sir Basil DixweU, bart. ; Catherine espoused
Sir 'I homas Longueville, bart. ; Elizabeth was united to WiUiam
Longueville, esq., of the Inner Temple ; and Esther was wife
of Thomas Sandys, esq. After Sir Thomas Peyton's death, his
widow remarrying, the possession of this estate passed to the
hands of his executor, and he demised it for a term of years to
Edward lord Wotton, who resided on this estate, and at his
death he devised his interest therein to his wife. Lady Margaret
Wootton. Sir T. Peyton's four daughters and coheirs joined with their
trustee in the sale of this manor, to Sir John Narborough,

COUNTY OF KENT. 293
admiral of the English fleet, who was by James 1 1, created a baro
net, and bore for his arms, gules, a chief ermine. He had two
sons. Sir John, and James, who were both lost with their father-in-
law, admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovel, on the rocks of Scilly, when
several other ships of the squadron foundered, during the voyage
from Toulon, October 22, 1707. On their deaths, unmarried,
Elizabeth, their only sister and heir, entitled her husband,
Thomas d'Aeth, esq. of Notth Cray, to the possession of this
manor and estate. He was descended from WUliam d'Aethj of
Dartford, and principal of Staples Inn in the reigns of Ed
ward VI., Queen Mary, and Elizabeth ; and bore for his arms,
Sable, a gfiffin volant, or, between three crescents argent. He
died in 1690j atld was buried with his two wives, in Daftfold
church, and ift the same parish his descendants afterwards re
sided, till Thomas d'Aeth, before mentioned, removed to North
Cray. He was subsequently, by patent, dated July 16, 1716,
created a baronet, and resided at KnOlton, the mansion of which
he rebuilt, and died possessed of the same in 1744, leaving issue
by his first wifej who died in 1721, one son, Narborough, and
five daughters, and by his second wife he left one son, Francis,
afterwards rector of this parish. He was succeeded by his
eldest son, Sir Narborough d'Aeth, bart,, of Knolton, who mar
ried in 1738, Anne, daughter of John Clarke, esq., of Blake
hall, in Essex, and died in 1773; she survived him, and left an
only son and heir. Sir Narborough d'Aeth, bart., of Knolton,
who possessed this estate.
A courl'baron is held for this manor, which is very extensive,
as it not only claims over this parish, but a great portion of
Chillenden and Woodnesbofoughj as well as part of Eythorne
and Denton.
Knolton is within the Ecclesiastical JdhisiJiction
of the diocese of Canterbury and dednify of Sandwich. The
church, dedicated to St. Clement, is a small building, consisting
of one aisle and a chancel, with a wooden turret at the west end,
and is very neat, being paved with black and white stone. The
font is also of stone, beautifully carved, whereon are two shields
bearing the arms of Langley ; per pale andfeis, indented, couti~
terchanged, or, and argent ; on two other shields, both alike,
Langley quartering, first. Argent, afess sable in chief, three
ogresses ; second^ Argent, a fess sable in chief, three escalop'
vol. III. Q q

294 HISTORY OF THE
shells, of tke last; third. Gules, a cross crosslet, argent. On
the stonework in different parts of the church , ure several shields
sculptured with the arms of Langley and Peyton, presenting
their quarterings, whose monuments also against the walls are
numerous and well preserved. Weever, speaking of an ancient
tomb in this church, for one of the Ringeley family, certainly
intended Langley, which tomb bore thereon his portraiture,
kneeling on a cushion, the hands joined and uplifted, his hair
cut round, wearing sword and spurs, and a surcoat covered with
the arms of Langley, all long since destroyed. An altar marble
monument is also in this church, richly sculptured, representing
a ship in a storm, driving on the rocks, in memory of Sir John
Narborough, bart., and James, his brother, only surviving sons
of Sir John Narborough, admiral of the fleet, who were ship
wrecked, as previously mentioned. The eldest son vvas in his
twenty-third, and the younger in his twenty-second year. They
bore for their arms. Gules, a chief ermine, with the hand of Ulster
for Narborough. Hereisanaltarmonuraenttothe memory of Sir
John Narborough, obiit 1688. Another of the same description,
whereon is a medallion, elegantly sculptured with the head of a lady,
being in memory of Lady Elizabeth d'Aeth, only daughter of Sir
John Narborough d'Aeth, married to Sir Thomas d'Aeth : by
that union she had twelve children, seven of whom survived her;
she died in 1721. There are also many other monuments for
the family of the D'Aeth's, and in the chancel the windows are
filled with shields of arms, among which are those of the
Osborne's, the Peyton's, the Calthorp's, and the Langley's, with
different empalements and quarterings.
The churchof Knolton, which is a rectory, was ever accounted
an appendage to the manor, and so continues at the present,
time. Sir Narborough d'Aeth, bart., being patron thereof. It
was valued in the king's books at £6 5 2|, the yearly tenths
being 12s. 6^d., but it was afterwards of the yearly certified
value of £56 15 ll|d. In 1588 there were twenty-two com
municants, when the estimate was £60. In 1640 there were
twenty-nine communicants, at which period the value was £40.
There are ten acres of glebe land belonging to this rectory, whereof
one is in Chillenden.
In 1821 there were three dwellings in the parish of Knolton;
and at the same period, when the last census of the population

COUNTY OF KENT. 295
was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inhabitants
were as follow : males 12, females 22, making a total of
34 souls.
Chillen DEN, written in Domesday survey, Cilledene, lies the
next parish westward from Knolton, taking its name from the low
and cold situation it occupies. The manors of Knolton and
Woodnesborough claim over part of this parish, as does that of
Adisham over another portion of the same. A borsholder is
appointed for this district by the justices at their petty sessions,
for this division of the lath of St. Augustine.
The parish of Chillenden lies dry and healthy, but is
not very pleasantly situated, though surrounded by other pa
rishes which are remarkably so. It is very small, containing
only 160 acres ; the whole rents, Mr. Hasted observes, did not,
in his time, amount to more than £250 per annum. There are
two farms, one belonging to Mr. Hammond, and the other to
Sir Brook Bridges, bart. The high road from Canterbury to
Deal leads through the village called Chillenden street, on the
south side of which stands the church. The soil is chalky and
poor, and the lands, which are arable, are open and unenclosed.
A fair is held here on Whit Monday for pedlary.
This place, at the survey of Domesday, constituted part of
the possessions of Odo, bishop of Bayeux, under the general
title of whose lands it was therein entered. Upon the disgrace
of that prelate it devolved to the possession of a famUy which
took its surname from this property ; and mention, is made, as
early as the reign of King Henry III., of John de Chillenden,
vvho had an interest in this place. Upon that name becoming
extinct, the Baker's, of Caldham, in Capel, near Folkestone,
possessed it, in whom this manor continued till the reign of
Henry VL, when it passed by sale to the Hunt's, whose de
scendants remained entitled to the same for two or three descents,
when one of them aUenated it to the Gason's, of Apulton, in
Ickham. They bore for their arms. Azure, afess cotized, ermine
between three goals' heads, couped argent, which coat was
granted in the reign of Henry VIIL, and in that name it conti
nued for some time, until it was at length sold to the Hammond's,
of St. Alban's, in Nonington, in whose descendants it continued

296 HISTORY OF THE
down to WUHam Hammond, esq., of St. Alban's, who subse
quently possessed the manor.
This estate pays a quit-rent to Adisham manor, of which it is
held. There are no manorial rights, and it is much doubted if
it ever had any claim to the reputation of a manor.
This parish is within the, ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
of the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Bridge. The
church, dedicated to All Saints, appears very ancient, though
small, having a square tower at the west end, aud consists of a
body and one chancel, while in the windows are the remains of
very fine painted glass. There is a handsome zigzag moulding,
and a circular arch over the north door, as well as another,
though much plainer, over the south entrance; however, the
structure contains nothing more worthy of notice.
This church was part of the possessions of the priory of Leeds,
in which it continued tiU the dissolution under Henry VIIL,
wheri it devolved to the crown, where the patronage remained.
This rectory was valued in the king's books at £5, and was
subsequently a dischaKged living of about the clear yearly value
of £20. In 1588 it was estimated at £40, the communicants
being seventy-seven. In 1640 the value was the same, and the
communicants seventy. There are three acres of glebe land
appertaining to this living. The incumbent built a good par
sonage house on the site of the old dwelling. There is no laud
in this parish exempt from the payment of tithes.
In 1821, there were twenty-six dwellings in the parish of
Chillenden ; and at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow : males 74, females 73, making a
total of 147 souls.
The next parish northeastward from Knolton ia Eastry,
which, at the survey of Domesday, was of such considerable
account, as not only to confer its name, as it stilt does, to the
hundred, but to the largest portion of the latli wherein it stands,
now called the lath of St. Augustine. There are two boroughs
in this parish, viz. the borough of Hardenden, within the upper
half hundred of Downhamford, comprehending the districts
of Hardenden, Selson, and Skrinkling ; and the borough of

COUNTY OF KENT. 2J7
Eaatry, the borsholder of which is chosen at Eastry court, and
comprises all the rest of the parish, excepting that portion which
lies in the borough of Felderland, within this parish.
The parish of Eastry is a healthy and pleasant situation,
extending two miles and a b^lf from north to south, and about
one mile and a half the other direction. The village is situated ou
a pleasant eminence, almost in the centre of the parish, present
ing a very picturesque appearance from many points of view.
The principal street is called Eastry street, from which branch off
MUl street. Church street, and Brook street. In MiU street is
a handsome, edifice, being a house of industry for the poor of
the several united parishes of Eastry, Norbome, Betshanger,
Tilmanstone, and many others. In Church street, on the east
side, stands the church, with the court lodge and parsonage
adjoining the churchyard, as also the vicarage. In Brook
street is a neat modern house, which was the residence of
WiUiam Boteler, esq., and another belonging to Mr. Thomas
Rammell. Thomas Boteles died, possessed of this place, in
1651, and left three sons, the youngest of whom, Richard, was
of Brook street, and died in 1682, wliose great grandson, William
Boteler, esq. was of the same place. He was twice married,
and by his first wife left one son, and by his second, five sons
and three daughters, having borne for his coat of arms. Argent,
on three escutcheons, sable three covered cups, or; which coat
was granted to his ancestor, Richard Boteler, esq. of Hernden,
by Cooke, Clarenceux at arms in 1689. Mr. Boteler, of Eastry,
was the last surviving male of this family, both being of Hern
den and Brook street.
At the south-east boundary of this parish lies the hamlet of
Updown, adjoining Ham and Betshanger ; in the former of
which parishes some account has already been given. At the
southern bounds, adjoining Tilmanstone, lies the hamlet of
Wendestone; and on the western side is the borough of
Hernden, which, although in this parish, is, notwithstanding,
within the hundred of Downhamford and manor of Adisham.
In the southern part is Skrinkling, or Shingleton, as it is now
called, and the hamlet of Hernden. At the northern part of
this borough lie the hamlets and estates of Selson, WeUs, and
Gore ; and towards the northern boundary of the parish, on the
road to Sandwich, is the hamlet of Statenborough ; whence, ut

298 HISTORY OF T[IE
a small distance, is that part of the borough of Felderland, or
Fcnderiand, as it is caUed, within this parish, adjoining the
road branching off to Word, where stands a small seat, once the
property of Mrs. Dare, who resided in that mansion.
Round the village the lands are, for a little distance, towards
Statenborough, enclosed by hedges and trees, but the residue of
the parish is in general an open unenclosed country, consisting
of arable land. The soil towards the north is the most fertile,
that in the other parts being thin, and much inclined to chalk,
except in the bottoms, where it is a stiff clay. This parish pre
sents a continued inequality of hill and dale, the lands fetching,
on an average, a rental of 15s. an acre. There is no wood
throughout this district, which contains about 2650 acres ; the
yeariy rents being assessed to the poor at .£2,679.
At the south of the viUage is a large pond, called Butsole;
adjoining which, on the east side, is a field belonging to Brook
Street estate, called the Butts ; whence it is conjectured that
butts were formerly erected there for the inhabitants to practise
archery. A fair is held here, annually, for cattle, pedlary, and
toys, on the 1st of September.
In 1792, Mr. Boteler, of Brook street, discovered, on digging
a cellar in the garden of a cottage, situated eastward of the
h i oh way leading from Eastry to Butsole, an ancient burial ground,
used as a place of sepulture at the latter period of the Roman
Empire in Britain, having been, most probably, for the inhabi
tants of this parish and the places contiguous thereto. He
caused several graves to be opened, and found, with the skele
tons, fibulm, heads, knives, umbones of shields, and in one, a
glass vessel. From other skeletons dug up in the gardens,
nearer the cross, the ground of which has since been covered
with houses, it is conjectured that the heaps of earth or barrows
that formerly remained over them, extended to the cross, the
graves being found very thick, in rows parallel to each other, in
a direction from east to west.
Saint Ive's weU, mentioned by Nierembergius in his Historia
de Miraculis Naturse, we find, in Gale's Scriptores, was at a
place called Estre, and afterwards Plassiz, near St. Ive's, in
Huntingdonshire ; but no tradition has ever been found con
cerning it in this parish.
This place gave birth to Henry de Eastry, who was originally

COUNTY OF KENT. 29&
a monk, and afterwards prior of Christ church, in Canterbury ;
who, for his learning, as well as worth, became an ornament not
only to the society over which he presided, but to his country in
general. He remained prior thirty-seven years, and died, far
advanced in life, a.d. 1222.
Eastry, in the time of the Saxons, appears to have consti
tuted part of the royal domains; and Simon of Durham, monk
and precentor of that church, in his History, styles it villa
regalis, quce vulgari dicitur Easierige pronuncione, (the royal
vill or manor which, i.n the vulgar pronunciation, was called
Easterige,) which demonstrates the ancient preeminence and
rank of this place ; since these villce regalis or regies, as Bede
calls them, of the Saxons usuaUy occupied the spot where, in
former ages, the Roman stations had existed, and conferrino- name
to both the lath and hundred wherein it is situated, that cir
cumstance corroborates the superior consequence in which
Eastry was then held.
Egbert, king of Kent, was in possession of this district about
the year 670, at which period his two cousins, Ethelred and Ethel-
bright, sons of his father's elder brother Ermenfrid, who had been
intrusted to his care, were, according to ancient writers, mur
dered in his palace here, through the persuasion of one Thunnor,
a flattering courtier, lest they should disturb him in the pos
session of his crown. After the perpetration of the deed,
Thunnor, it is said, buried them in the king's hall, under the
cloth of estate ; whence, as tradition reports, their bodies were
afterwards removed to a small chapel belonging to the palace,
being first interred under the altar there, and then, with much
pomp, removed to Ramsey abbey. To expiate the king's guilt,
according to the custom of those times, he gave to Domneva,
called also Ermenburga, sister of the murdered princes, a suf
ficient quantity of land, in the isle of TLianet, whereon to found
a monastery. How long this property continued among the royal domains,
we do not find, but previous to the termination of the Saxon
heptarchy, the manor of Eastry was become part of the
possessions of the see of Canterbury; where it remained till
811, when Archbishop WUfrid exchanged it with his convent of
Christ church, for their manor of Bourne ; since which period
it has been called Bishopsbournc.

30>> HISTORY OF THE
In 979, King ^Egelard, usually called Ethelred, increased the
estates of this church, by giving to the same the lands of his
inheritance in Estrea, free from all secular service and fiscal tri
bute, except the repelling of invasions, and repairing of bridges
and castles, usuaUy styled the trinoda necessitas ; and in the
possession of the prior and convent above mentioned this manor
continued at the taking of the survey of Domesday, being
entered therein under the general title of lands appertaining to
that fraternity.
In the IOth of Edward IL, the prior obtained a grant of
free warren in all his demesne lands ; about vvhich time this
property was valued at £65 3; after which. King Henry VL,
in his 28th year, confirmed the above liberty, and granted a
market, to be held weekly at Eastry, and an annual fair, on the
day of St. Matthew. In that state it continued till the dissolu
tion of the priory, under Henry VIIL, who, in his 33d year,
settled it on his new created dean and chapter of Canterbury.
A court-leet and court-baron is held for this manor.
The mansion is large, partly ancient, as well as modern, having
at different times undergone great alterations. In the south
wall are the letters t. a. n., in flint, being the initials of
Thomas and Anne Nevison. Mr. Isaac Bargrave, father of the
lessee, new fronted the house; and the latter, in 1786, put the
whole in complete repair, in doing which he pulled down a con
siderable part of the ancient structure, consisting of stone walls
of great strength and thickness, bringing to view some Gothic
arched doorways of stone, whereby the house was proved to
have been a very ancient building. The chapel previously men
tioned is at the east end of the mansion ; the eastern window,
jonsisting of three compartments, being still visible, though the
spaces are filled up, the same having been for many years con
verted into a kitchen ; however, previous to the last alteration
by Mr. Bargrave, the whole fabric remained entire.
At this mansion, then in the hands of the prior and convent
of Christ church. Archbishop Thomas Becket, after his flight
from Northampton, in 1164, concealed himself for eight days,
and thence embarked at Sandwich, for France*
Isaac Bargrave, esq., lessee, resided at the court lodge, whose
ancestors had been for many years lessees of this estate.
The Neviscn's also resided for many years as les.sees at the

COUNTY OF KENT. 301
court lodge of Eastry. They were originally of Brigend, in
Wetherell, in Cumberland, and bore for their arms. Argent, a
chevron between three eagles, displayed azure. Many of this
family are interred in the church of Eastry.
The family of Bargrave, otherwise Bargar, was originally
of Bridge, and subsequently of the adjoining parish of Patrix-
bourne, where John Bargrave, eldest son of Robert, built the
seat of Bifrons, aud resided there^ Isaac, the sixth son of
Robert, and younger brother of John, who built the above man
sion, was ancestor of the Bargrave's, of Eastry; he was s. t. p.,
dean of Canterbury, a man of strict honour and high princi
ples of loyalty, for which he suffered the most cruel treatment.
He died in 1642, having married, in 1618, Elizabeth, daughter
of John Dering, esq. of Egerton. Their descendant, Isaac, was
an eminent solicitor in London, from which profession he retired,
and resided at Eastry court, having married Sarah, eldest daugh
ter of George Lynch, m. d. of Canterbury. They bear for their
arms. Or, on a pale gUles, a sword, the blade argent, panelled, ot,
on a chief vert three bezants.
ShrinklinG, or SiIingleton, the former being its original
name, though now quite lost, is a small manor at the south-west
boundary of this parish, adjoining to Nonington. It is within
the borough of Heronden, or Hardenden, as it is now caUed,
and as siich, lies within the upper half hundred of Downham
ford. This manor had anciently Owners of the same name,'
one of whom. Sir WiUiam de Scrinkling, held it in the reigrt of
Edward L, and was succeeded by Sir Walter his son, who held
it, by knight's service, of Hamo de Crevequer ; in which name
it continued tiU the 20th of Edward III.
Soon after the above period, it seems to have been aUenated to
William Langley, of Knolton ; from which name it passed, iii
like manner as Knolton, to the Peyton's and Narborough's, and
thence by marriage to Sir Thomas d'Aeth, whose grandson. Sir
Narborough, of Knolton, was afterwards entitled to thisf
property. There vvas a chapel belonging to this manof, the riiiris of
which are still visible in the adjoining wood, having been
esteemed a chapel of ease to the church of Eastry, and appro
priated with the same, by Richard, Archbishop Becket's suc
cessor, to the almonfy of the priory of Christ church. But th6^
vol. III. R r

m HISTORY OF THE
chapel itiself appears to have become desolate many years before
the dissolution of the priory, most probably soon after the family
of Scrinkling became extinct. This chapel stood in Shingleton
wood, near the south-east corner, the foundations of which have
been traced, though level with the surface, and not easily dis
cernible. There is now on this estate only one house, built
within memory, previous to which there was only a solitary barn,
without a remnant of the ancient mansion existing.
Heronden, otherwise Hardenden, but now generally
entitled Hernden, is a district in this parish, situated about a
mile northward from Shingleton, within the borough of its own
name ; the whole of which is within the upper half hundred of
Downhamford. It was once esteemed a manor, though it has
long lost the name, as that of Adisham claims over this estate.
The mansion was anciently the residence of a family of the same
name, which bore for its arms. Argent, a heron with one talon
erect, gaping for breath, sable. There was an ancient shield in
Maidstone church, quarterly Heronden as above, with sable, three
escalop-shells, two and one, argent. One of the family of
Heronden Hes buried in this church ; and in the time of Robert
Glover, Somerset herald, his portrait and coat of arms, m brass,,
were remaining on his tombstone. The arms are still extant, in
very old rolls and registers, in the Herald's college, where the
family is styled Heronden, of Heronden, in Eastry ; nor is the
name less ancient, as appears by a deed which commences from
the reign of Henry IIL, and relates to this estate and name.
However, after the family had remained possessed of this pro
perty for so many years, it ultimately descended, in the reigii of
Richard II. , to Sir WiUiam Heronden ; from whom it passed,
either by gift or sale, to one of the family of the Boteler's, then
resident in this neighbourhood, descended from those seated at
Butler's fleet, in Ash. Their ancestor, Thomas Pincerna, or
Le Boteler, held this manor in the reign of King John, when
his successors assumed the name of Butler or Boteler, or as
they were frequently written, BotiUer, having borne for their
arms. One or more covered cups differently placed, and blazoned.
In that family the estate descended to John Boteler, who Uved
in the reign of Henry VI., and resided at Sandwich, of which
town he was several times mayor, and one of the burgesses iu
two Parliaments, who lies buried in St. Peter's church, in that

COUNTY OF KENT. 303
town. His son, Richard, who was also of Sandwich, had a
grant of arms, in 1470, under Edward IV., by Thomas Holmes
Norroy at arms, viz. Gyronny of six, argent and sable, a covered
cup, or between three talbots' heads, erased and counterchanged,
of the field, collared gules, garnished of the third. His great
grandson, Henry Boteler, rebuilt the mansion of Heronden, to
which he removed in 1572, being the last of this family who
resided at Sandwich. He had the above grant of arms confirmed
to him, and died in 1580, being buried at Eastry church.
Richard Boteler, of Heronden, his eldest son, resided at this
seat, and, in 1589, obtained a grant from Robert Cook, Clarenceux,
of a new coat of arms, viz. Argent on three escutcheons, sable
three covered cups, or. Ten years after, it appears that he
wished to be considered as a descendant of the family seated at
Graveney, but then extinct ; and obtained, in 1599, a grant of
their arms from William Dethic, Garter, and William Camden,
Clarenceux, to him and his brother William, viz. quarterly, first
and fourth ; sable three covered cups, or, within a bordure, argent,
second and third. Argent a fess, chequy, argent and gules, in
chief three cross crosslets of the last, as appears, continues the
grant, on a gravestone in Graveney church. He died in 1600,
and was buried in Eastry church, leaving issue two sons,
Jonathan and Thomas. Jonathan, the eldest, of Hernden, died,
unmarried, possessed of this estate, in 1626, upon which it de
volved to his brother Thomas, of Rowling, who removed to
Hernden, and soon after alienated that part of the estate, since
caUed the Middle Farm, to Mr. Henry PanneU ; from whom,
soon afterwards, it passed to the family of the Reynolds's.
From the latter name, about sixty years back, it was alienated
to Mr. John Dekewer, of Hackney, who dying in 1762, devised
it to his nephew, John Dekewer, esq. of the latter town.
Another part of this estate of Hernden, since known by
the name of the Lower Farm, was afterwards sold, by Thomas
Boteler above mentioned, to the Capell's ; from whom it passed
to the name of Johnson, in which it continued till Mr. Edward
Johnson alienated it to Daniel KeUy, gent, of the Upper Farm,
in Heronden. He by wiU, in 1724, devised it to his second son,
Richard ; since whose demise it has descended to his two sons,
Richard and William Kelly, who ultimately possessed the same.
The remaining part of the Hernden estate, on which the

304 HISTORY OF THE
niansion was situated, since known by the name of Hernden, or
THE Upper Farm, remained in the possession of Thomas
Poteler at the period of his death, in the year 1650, when it was
ordered in his will, that it should be sold for the benefit of his
surviving wife and children. Accordingly, in 1657, the pro
perty was conveyed by them to John Kelly, yeoman, of Ash,
whose grandson WUUam, of Hernden, in 1766, pulled down the
ancient mansion of Hernden, and built the present handsome
house on the site, which he, in 1784, alienated to John Harvey,
esq. of Sandwich, then a captain in the navy, who occasionally
resided there. He died of the wounds received in the glorious
engagement with the French fleet, on 1st of June, 1794, having,
by his will, devised this estate to his wife, Judith, for life, with
remainder to his son, Henry Wise Harvey, esq., who resided there,
His remains were interred in a vault in Eastry church, on the
5th of July following, having been attended to the gates of
Portsmouth by Earl Howe and the principal officers of the fleet.
Most of the leading inhabitants of the neighbouring town of
Sandwich, where Capt. Harvey had resided, and served the
office of mayor in 1774, appeared in mourning, on the day of
his interment, as a mark of respect to his memory.
A seal gold ring, weighing nineteen pennyweights, with the
following motto. Do not for to repent, and the ancient coat of
arms, as before described, in the reign of Henry IV., granted to
Richard Boteler, was found in the grounds of Hernden Bottom,
some years back, which continued in the possession of William
Boteler, of Eastry.
Statenborough, written in Domesday survey Estenburge,
and in other ancient records Stepenberga, and long since Sta
tenborough, is a seat on the northern confines of this parish,
which, in the reign of the Conqueror, constituted part of the
possessions of the see of Canterbury, being held of the arch
bishop by knight's service ; and under that title was entered in
the above record. After the period aUuded to it was, with
Buckland and Finglesham, valued, in the time of Edward the
Confessor, at 40s.
How this estate subsequently passed, we have not ascertained,
until about the commencement of the reign of Henry IIL, when
it became the property of a family which thence derived its sur-r
iiaipej as appears by a dateless deed among the archives of St.

COUNTY OF KENT. 305
Bartholomew's hospital in Sandwich, whereby lands were given
to it abutting on those of the heirs of Simon de Statenberg, at
Statenberg. When it passed from that name, does not appear,
but at the latter end of the reign of Richard 1 1., we find a deed
which makes mention of WiUiam Cook, of Stapynberge ; and
a portion of this estate is at the present time called Cooks-
borough. However, in the reign of Henry V., it was in the
possession of a family called Atte Hall, which was succeeded
inthe same by WiUiam Bryan, gent, of Canterbury. How long
it continued in this line of ownership, we have not found, but
in the 2d of Richard IIL, a.d. 1484, it had become the pro
perty of John Kennet, gent, of Canterbury, whose son, Thomas
Kennet, clerk of that place, in 1534, conveyed his interest therein
to Christopher Hales, esq., the king's attorney general. His
daughter and coheir, Margaret, carried the property in marriage
to Ralph Dodmore, gent, of Lincoln's Inn, and they jointly, in
1557, alienated it to Saphire Paramor, yeoman, of Eastry, who
was descended from a good family in this part of the county,
which spread into the different parishes of Ash, St. Nicholas,
Monkton, and Minster, in the Isle of Thanet, Fordwich, and
Eastry, but all now extinct, many of whose pedigrees are to be
found in the Heraldic Visitation of this county, a.d. 1619,
They bore for their arms. Azure, a fess embattled between three
estoils of six points, or. He died in 1591, after which it con--
tinned in the same name and family down to John Paramor,
esq. of Statenborough, who died in 1750 ; when it descended by
will, on the death of Mrs. Paramor his widow, to his three nieces
and coheirs.
On a division of their estates, in 1761, this manor was allotted
to the two surviving daughters, and on a future subdivision
between them in 1774, that of Statenborough, with Gore, in this
parish, formed a part of that share given to Jane, since deceased,
whose husband, William Boys, esq. of Sandwich, was possessor
of the same. Mr. Boys was descended from the eminent family
of that name spread over the several parts of East Kent, but
whose principal seat was at Fredville, in Nonington. William
Boys, esq., was of Fredville in the reign of Henry VIIL, whose
fourth son was of Bekesborne, who left, among other children,
Edward, ancestor of the Boys's, of Betshanger ; and John, se
cond son, of Challock, from whom came, in the fifth descent.

306 HISTORY OF THE
William Boys, esq. of Deal, who was a commodore in the navy,
and lieutenant governor of Greenwich hospital. His eldest son
was WiUiam Boys, esq., above mentioned, the possessor of Sta
tenborough, a gentleman weU known in the repubUc of letters,
having been also an eminent surgeon of that town, whence he
removed to Walmer. He married, first, Elizabeth, daughter of
Henry Wise, merchant of Sandwich, by whom he had one son,
William Henry Boys, and married, secondly, Jane, daughter of
Thomas Fuller, esq., of Statenborough, and coheir bf her uncle,
John, Paramor, esq., of that place, by which union he had nine
children, eight of whom survived him. He bore for his arms.
Or, a griffin segreant, sable, within a bordure, gules, being the
coat-armour of the principal branch of this family at Fredville.
* The manors of North and South Court, and also that of
Dane Court, in Tilmanstone, claim over the hamlet of
Statenborough. This parish is within the ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
of the diocese of Canterbury and <feawe?y of Sandwich. The
church, exempted from the archdeacon, is dedicated to St. Mary,
being a large handsome building, consisting of a navej two side
aisles, a remarkable long chancel at the east end, and a square
tower, which is very large, and contains five bells, particularly
unmusical. This edifice is well kept, and neatly paved, exhi
biting a noble appearance, to which the many handsome monu-
meuts wherewith it abounds, in a great measure contribute.
The arch over the west door is circular, but no other part of the
church demonstrates any great appearance of antiquity. Ia the
chancel are monuments for the families of the Paramor's aud
Fuller's, of Statenborough, others existing also to that of the
Bargrave's. Here is an elegant pyramidal tomb, whereon rests
a bust and emblematic sculpture for John Broadley, gent., many
years surgeon at Dover, obiit 1784, and several gravestones
also remain for the Nevinson's. Beneath this chancel are
two vaults for the families of the Paramor's and the Bargrave's,
and in the nave is a monument for Anne, daughterof Solomon
Harvey, gent, of this parish,.obiit 1751, and another for Wilham
Dare, of Fenderland. Against the wall is an inscription in
Latin for Drue Astley Cressemer, a.m., forty-eight years vicar
of this parish,' obiit 1746, who presented the communion plates
to this church and that of Worth, leaving also a sum of money

COUNTY OF KENT, fJOt
to be laid oat in ornamenting the same, at vvhich period the an
cient stalls that remained in the chancel were taken away, when
that part of the edifice was furnished with a new ceiling, and
the church otherwise much beautified. There are also monu
ments for several of the Boteler's, the Springett's, the Harvey's,
and the Kelly's. Against the wall is an elegant memento in
alta relievo, for Sarah, wife of William Boteler, and another py
ramidal marble for Robert Bargrave, obiit 1779 ; independent
of which, numerous gravestones exist, whereof the brasses have
long been missing, being in memory of the Boteler's. Beneath
the church are vaults for several of the above-mentioned fami
lies; and on the north side of the cemetery, numerous altar tombs
for the Paramor's, and others ; as well as, on the south, for the
Harvey's, the Faulkner's, the Rammell's, and the Fuller's,
vaults for the two latter lines, together with the Petman'sj
also exist here.
There were anciently blazoned in the windows of this church,
these arms, Girony of six, sable, and argent, a covered cup, or,
between three talbots' heads, erased and countercharged of the
field, collared, gules ; for Boteler of Heronden empaling Boteler
of Graveney, Sable, three covered ctips, or, within a bordure,
aifgent. Boteler of Heronden, as above, quartering three spots,
ermine, the coat of Theobald, with quartering. Several of the
Frynne's, or as they were afterwards called. Friend's, who lived
at Waltham in the reign of Henry VIL, lie buried in this church.
In the will of WiUiam Andrewe, of this parish, dated in 1507,
mention is made of Our Lady's Chapel in the churchyard of
the church of Estrie.
The eighteen stalls, formerly in the chancel of the church,
were for the use of the monks of the priory of Christ church,
owners both of the manor and appropriation, whensoever they
came to pass any time at this place, such being frequently the
case, as well for country retirement, as to manage their concerns
here. Those seats equally served for such ecclesiastics as might
be present at divine service, ,all such personages, in those times,
sitting in the chancels of churches, distinct from the laity.
The church of Eastry, with the chapels of Skrinkling and
Worth annexed, was anciently appendant to the manor of
Eastry, and appropriated by Richard, (successor to Archbishop
Becket,) in the reign of Henry II. , to the almonry of Christ

SOB HISTORY OF THE
church. It did not, however, continue so for any length of time?,
as Archbishop Baldwin, successor to the primate Richard,
having quarrelled with the monks on account of the foundation
of his intended college at Hackington, took from them this ap
propriation, when it remained as a rectory at the disposal of the
archbishop, till the reign of Edward HI. Under that monarch.
Archbishop Simon Islip, with the king's licence, again restored
and annexed it to the priory. On the dissolution of that esta-*
blishment, in the reign of Henry VIIL, this advowson of the
vicarage of the church of Eastry was surrendered to the king, in
whose hands it remained but a short period, as that monarch
settled it on his new founded dean and chapter of Canterbury,
who thus became owners of this appropriation, but the advowson
of the vicarage continued part of the possessions of the see of
Canterbury, and has so remained.
The parsonage is entitled to the great tithes of this parish, and
that of Worth ; nine acres of glebe land in Eastry, Tilmanstone,
and Worth, also belonging to this living.
There is a small manor appendant, called the manor
OF THE AMffRY, OR ALMONRY OF CHRIST ChURCH, the
quit-rents of which are very inconsiderable.
The parsonage house is large and ancient ; in the old parlouf
window is a shield of arms, being those of Partheriche empaling
quarterly Line and Hamerton. The parsonage is of the annual
rent of about £700. The countess Dowager of Guildford became
entitled to the lease of this living, by the will of her husband,
and since her death, the interest became vested in her younger
children. The vicarage of Eastry, with the chapel of Worth annexed,
are valued in the king's books at £19 12 1, and the yearly
tenths at £1 19 2J. In 1588 the estimate was £60, communi
cants 336. In 1640 there were the same number of communi
cants, when the valuation was £100. The ancient pension of
£5 6 8, formerly paid by the priory, is still disbursed to the
vicar, by the dean and chapter, as well as an augmentation of
£14 13 4 yearly, from the lessee of the parsonage, by a cove
nant in his lease.
The vicarage house is built close to the farm-yard of the par-<
Bonage, the land allotted thereto being trifling, not even suffi-'
cient for a tolerable garden. The foundations tif the house are

COUNTY OF KENT. 30ff
ancient, having probably constituted part of the original struc
ture in the endowment of the vicafage in 1367.
In 1821 there were 163 dwellings in the palish of Eastry*;
and at the same period, when the last census of the population
was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inhabitants
were as follow : males 551y females 611, making a total of 1062
souls. WooDZ^ESBbROufeH, or tVinsbdroUgh, as it is usually called,
lies the next parish northward from Eastry, being written in the
survey of Domesday, Wafiesberge. It derived its name, accor
ding to Verstegan, from the Saxon idol, Woden, (and is spelt by
Some writers, Wodensbordugh,) from his place of worship having
existed bete ; however that may be, the termination of the word
berge, or borough, shews the district to be of very remote an
tiquity. Part of this parish, over which the man6r of Boxley claims, is
within the jurisdiction of the justices of the town, and port of
Sandwich, and liberty of the Cinque Ports, the residue being in
the hundred of Eastry, and j Cirisdicition Of the dounty of Kent.
There are three boroughs in this parish, viz. Cold Frida.y,
Hamwold, and Marshborough, the borsholders of which are
chosen at the petty sessions of the justices, acting at Wingham,
for the east division Of the lath of St. Augustine.
This parish is large, stretching two miles and a half in one dired-
tion, and about one and a half in the other. The church stands
On high grolihd, nearly in the centre of this district, at a small
distance from which is Woodnesborough hill, both serving fdr
seamarks. This eminence is a very high mount, apparelitly
thrown up by art, and consists off a sandy earth, which bas been
thought by some the identical spot whereon the idol Woden was
tvorshipped, in the time of the SaXoHs, and by others is Supposed
to have been the burial-place of Vortimer, the Saxon king, who
died in 457. Other historians, however, have conjectured that
this mount v?as raised by the bodies of those who were slain i6
the battle fought at Woodnesboroagh. between Ceoldred king
of Mercia, and Ina king of the West Saxons, in the year 715;
for, according to the Saxori chronicle, Vortimer, at his death',
desired that his body might be buried near the spot where' the
Saxons used to land, under a persuasion that bis bones woul4
VOL. in. S B

810 HISTORY OF THE
deter them from any future hostile attempts. Authors, however,
differ much as to his place of interment, yet it is probable that
this mount of Woodnesborough was the very spot, being near to,
and plainly discernible from the Portus Rutupinus, which at
that time was the general landing-place of the Saxons from their
fleets. Seven years ago there were found, on the summit of this
hill, sundry sepulchral remains, viz., a glass vessel, (afterwards
engraved by Mr. Boys in his collection for Sandwich,) the head
of a spear, and Some fragments of Roman vessels. Much of the
earth or sand was subsequently removed from the sides of this
steep, but nothing further was discovered tending to elucidate
antiquarian research.
At a small distance northward hence, at the bottom of a short
steep hill, lies the village called Woodnesborough street, and
sometimes Cold Friday streetj containing about thirty or forty
houses, according to Hasted. The vicarage house occupies
the centre, being a new commodious building, and almost
contiguous is a handsome residence, once belonging to the
family of the JuU's, but now converted into a poor-house;
through this street the road leads to Sandwich. Westward of
the street stands the parsonage-house, late the seat of Oliver
Stephens, esq., deceased, and afterwards of his widow. In ad
dition to the manors and estates in this parish, there are several
hamlets, viz. Somerfield, Barnsole, Coombe, with New
Street, Great and Little Flemings, Ringlemeee,
and the farm of Christian's Court.
In the north-east part of the parish, the road from Eastry, by
the parsonage of Woodnesborough northwestward, divides one
road, which, in ancient deeds, is called Lovekys street, con
ducting towards Ash street ; the other passes through the hamlet
of Marshborough, or Stipins, to Each End and Sandwich, the
two windmills, close to the entrance of the same, being within
the bounds of this parish. Each, Upper Each, anciently called
Upriche, and Each End, also named Netheriche, were both for
merly accounted manors, and are mentioned as such in the mai-
riage-settiement of Henry Whyte, esq., in the reign of Elizabeth.
After the Whyte's, these manors passed in like manner as
Grove, in this parish, to the James's. Upper Each, or Upriche,
was for many years vested in the family of John Abbot, esq., of
Canterbury. Each End, or Netheriche. belonged, one moiety to

COUNTY OF KENT. 311
tlie heirs or devisees of the earl of Stiafford, and the oUier half
to John Matson, esq. of Sandwich.
We conceive it must forcibly strike the reader how much this
parish abounds in Saxon names : independently of that of
Wodens-borough, the street of Cold Friday, previously men
tioned, is certainly derived from the Saxon words. Cola and
Friga, which latter was the name of a goddess, worshipped by
the Saxons, from whose festival, or Frige deag, originated our
appellation of Friday. Other places also in this parish claim
their origin from the same language and venerable antiquity.
This parish contains about 3000 acres, the whole rental
amounting to about £3,373 yearly revenue. It is very bare of
coppice trees, the old wood so called in Ringleton being the only
one contained therein. The soil of this parish is very rich and
fertile, particularly for the plantation of hops, which have much
increased for some years past. The middle of the yjarish is ele
vated, presenting an open country of arable common fields. West
and southwestward, the lands are more enclosed by hedges, but
north, and northwestward of the parsonage, towards Sandwich,
they are low and wet, consisting of a large level of marsh lands,
making the other parts of this parish rather unhealthy, which
indeed is not very pleasant, when taken in the aggregate.
There was discovered in Ringleton field, about the year 1514,
a fine gold coin, weighing about twelve shillings in worth, with
a loop of the same metal whereby to suspend it ; on one side
was the figure of a young man in armour, wearing a helmet on
his head, having a spear over his right shoulder ; and on the
reverse the represei.tation of victory, with a sword in her hand,
the point directed downwards.
The manor of Woodnesborough, or Shelving, con
stituted, at the survey of Domesday, two estates, both of whicli
were possessed by Odo, bishop of Bayeux, under the general
title of whose lands they were entered in Domesday record.
Upon the disgrace of that ecclesiastic, the seignory of these
estates vvas granted to the famUy of the Crevequer's, and made
a part of their barony, which consisted of lands assigned by the
Conqueror, for the assistance of that family in the defence of
Dover castle, and were held of the king by barony.
Of the Crevequer's, as chief lords of the fee, these estates
were again held by the family of the Malmaine's, which was suo-

312 HISTORY OF THE
ceeded in one part of the same (the manor of Woodnesborough)
by one of the name of St. Leger, and in the other, then called
Selinge, by owners of the same name. At the latter end of the
reign of Henry IIL, Nicholas de Selinge, and the heirs of John
St. Leger, as appears by the book of knight's fees, in the exclie-.
quer, held them by knight's service ; the arms of St. Leger are.
Azure, a fret, argent, a chief, or, which were formerly in the
windows of the church of Hamo de Crevequer. The portion of
the former descended to John de Shelving, for so the name as
well as estate, were then denominated, who erected a mansion
thereon for his residence, and died possessed of the property in
the 4th of Edward IIL, leaving the same to his wife, Benedicta,
The portipn of the latter descended to Edward de St. Leger, on
¦whose death his son, Thomas, succeeded, and, with Benedicta de
Shelving, possessed this estate, in the 20th year of that reign,
From St. Leger the manor of Woodnesborough passed by sale to
the name of White, one of whom, Robert, died possessed of the
property in the 12th of Henry VIIL ; and from Shelving, the
estate of Shelving was afterwards alienated to the Dynely's, or
Dingley's, as the pame was variously spelt and written, Henry
Pypely possessed it in the above reign, and paid ward to Dover
castle, after whiph their respective heirs joined in the sale of both
tp one Knight, from which period we find no further mention of
the manor of Woodnesborough, but of that of Shelving alone,
which in the beginning of the reign of Charles I. was the pro-;
perty of Edward Knight, gent., who died in 1632, He left two
daughters his coheirs, who appear to have divided this estate
betyveen them, that part with the manor and court lodge, still
retaining the name of Shelving, and the other, from its situation,
being called Churchgate farm, which latter estate at length de
volved to the possession of Christopher Ernest Kien, esq., of
the Horse-guards, who died possessed of the same in 1744.
Subsequent to that period it descended to George Cousemaker,
psq., whose widow marrying Sir Thomas Pym Hales, bart., he
hecaine possessed of the same, and died in 1773, when his widow
jjgain enjoyed the property for her life, after which it descended
^0 her son by her first husband, George Cousemaker, esq.
The manor of Shelving was soon after sold to Solomon
Jlpugham, gent., of Sandwich, who died possessed of the pio^
perty ii) 1668. He was a younger son of Richard Houghs^m, qf

COUNTY OF KENT. 31.?
Wfiddington, in Ash, from whose youngest son descended the
Hougham's, of St. Martin's, Canterbury, which branch bear for
their arms. Or, five chevrons, sable, Solomon Hougham was
succeeded by his eldest son, Richard Hougham, gent., of the
same place, who died possessed of it in 1662 ; not long after
which it appears to have passed into the possession of — Grove,
gent., of TunstaU, in right of his wife, Mildred, who died in
1677. From him it passed to his grandson, Richard, formerly
of Cambridge, and afterwards of the Temple, London, who dying
unmarried, and having no other relations, devised this estate,
among others, to Mr, WiUiam Jemmett, gent, of Ashford, and
William Marshall ; the latter of whom, on a division of these
estates, became sole possessor of the same. A court-baron is
held for this manor.
Shelving house is situated very near the church ; the present
building is a mean mansion, and exhibits no appearance of ever
having been a dweUing of any consequence ; some ancient flint
foundations, have, however, been found round this edifice.
Grove is another manor, situated at no great distance north
eastward from Shelving, which, in ancient times, was held by the
family of the Malmains', by ward to Dover castle, being held
of the family of the Crevequer's; and in their possession it
continued till the latter end of the reign of Edward II. or the
beginning of Edward III. It then became the property of the
Goldsborough's, and Peter of that name dying, possessed of it,
in the 32d year of that reign, he had for successor, William
atte Welle, of Sandwich, who died two years afterwards, when
two parts of the property were escheated to the crown, and the
remainder came to his widow, Agnes. She died in the 36th year
of that reign, when the king became entitled to the whole of this
manor, which was afterwards granted to a family of the same
name ; one of whom. Sir John Grove, died, possessed of it, in
the reign of Henry VL, and was buried in the church of Sand
wich, to which he had proved a munificent benefactor. Under
a monument are his effigies, lying at full length ; and on his
shield, his arms, viz. Three leaves in sinister bend, their stalks
upwards, on a canton, three crescents. After his death, this
manor became the property of Sir John Whyte, who died, pos
sessed of the same, in the 14th of Queen Elizabeth, leaving
three daughters ; Agnes, married to Thomas Scudamore, esq. ;

S14 HISTORY OF THE
Philippa, to Walter Gifford ; and Jane, to Henry Ferrers.
Thomas Scudamore and, Agnes his wife conveyed their third part
to William Fleet; as did subsequently her two sisters, their
remaining two thirds, to Roger James, merchant, of the city
of London. He was of Dutch parentage, and coming into
England at the latter end of the reign of Henry VIIL, was
made denizen ; Thomas James was his fourth son, who died ;
and John, settled at Grove, was the sixth : from WUliam, the
third, descended the James's, afterwards resident at Igtham.
In 1694, Sarah, widow of Roger James, with her two sons,
Thomas and John, purchased of William Fleet, before men
tioned, the remaining third portion, and thus became entitled to
the whole of this manor, which, on the death of Thomas, became
the property of his brother, John, who resided at Grove. His
son, Henry, left four daughters coheirs, who joined in the con
veyance of the whole of this property to Peter de la Pierre, or
Peters, of the Black Friars, in Canterbury, where it continued
till three fourths of the property were, about 1767, alienated to
Mr. Thomas Alkin, of Canterbury. He, in 1773, devised his
interest, after his wife's death, to his son, Thomas Verrier Alkin,
clerk, and two daughters, Margaret and Susan Alkin.
The other fourth part of this manor remained in the descend
ants of Peter de la Pierre till, partly by marriage and sale, it
became the property of Mr. Isaac Warner, merchant of
Bermondsey, whose son, Simeon, conveyed it to Dr. John
Fowell. He, together with the descendants of Mr. Alkin, con
veyed the whole property to Mr. Henry Jessard, of Staten
borough, who alienated the same to Mr. Stephen Southerden ;
and he, in 1793, passed it by sale to Peter Fector, esq. of Dover.
A court-baron is held for this manor.
The manor-house is old and ruinous. The ancient structure
stood a little northward of the present mansion, where there is
a small square plot of ground, moated round. The manor of
Knolton claims over this district, which pays a castle-guard rent
to Dover castle.
The ville and farm of Buckland, written in Domesday
Bocoland, lies at a small distance southeastvvard from Grove
manor. About the year 1074, Odo bishop of Bayeux had some
interest in this place, as he then gave to St. Augustine's
monastery certain tithes in the smaU viUe of Bocklande,

COUNTY OF KENT. 315
whereof Roger de Malmains, after the bishop's disgrace, deprived
it. From the survey of Domesday, it also appears, that the
archbishop had an estate here, which was held of him by knight's
service, as it was entered under that title in the record alluded to.
Of the family of the Malmains's, this estate was held by those
who thence assumed their name ; and in ancient deeds, of the
gift of property to St. Bartholomew's hospital, mention is made
of lahds in this parish, abutting on those of the name of Bofck-
land. How long they so continued, or who possessed them
afterwards for a great length of time, we do not find, but in
1653, they were vested in the name of Wollet, as William;
Wollet, of Eastry, then died possessed of the same, who devised
this manor to his son, Daniel Wollet, by the name of Buckland
Barns, so that, most probably, there was then no house there. He
sold this property to Thomas Appleton, of Eastry, who left two
daughters coheirs ; Joan, married to Thomas Boteler, gent, of
Hernden ; and Elizabeth, to Thomas Berry, gent, of Canterbury^
which latter possessed the property in right of his wife. He
sold this estate to Sir Samuel Peyton, bart of Knolton, who
held it in 1622 ; after which, the next owners we find mentioned
were the Barnes's, as, in 1750, Elizabeth Barnes possessed this
manor. She devised it by will to Mr. Rich, of London, whose
widow Elizabeth possessed it for her life ; but the reversion was
purchased by Samuel Whitbread, esq. Of London, who sold it
to Mr. John BusheU, of Ash, since deceased, whose heirs after
wards possessed the same.
PoLDREs, or Poulders, Great and Little, are two estates
in this parish, the former of which was anciently accounted a
manor. It was once the .property of the Clitherovv's, but how
long it so continued, we have not ascertained. It was, however^
in the last century, in the hands of several different owners,
whose interests passed wholly into the name of Hatchett, who
conveyed it to one Barton ; and he, after no long interval, passed
it away to the Elgar's. George of that name alienated the
estate to John Dowden; but, in the year 1703, one Scorier and
others conveyed it to a Smith, in which name it descended to
Mr. Richard Smith, who becoming a bankrupt, his assignees
sold it to Richard Solly, esq. pf Sandwich. On the demise of
the latter, it devolved to his only son, Richard Ileaton Solly,

816 HISTORY OF THE
esq. of St. Margaret's, who passed it to Thomas Godfrey, (pre
viously named Jull,) esq. of Brook street, in Ash.
Little Poulders was formerly the property of the Terry's,
of Ospringe ; in which name it remained till Olive Terry, in
1749, carried it in marriage to Nathaniel Marsh, esq., whose
son, Terry Marsh, esq. of Canterbury, died, possessed of the
property, in 1789. His son afterwards sold the same to Mr.
Baldock, of Canterbury, and he again to Mr. David Taylor, of
Sandwich. Denn Court is a manor in the southern part of this parish,
adjoining the borough of Hammill, which, in the reign of
Richai'd IIL, belonged to Sir Nicholas de Daubridgecourt, who,
in the 13th of that reign, conveyed it by sale to Thomas Elys',
of Sandwich. He having procured a licence of mortmain, con
veyed it to feoffees, for the endowment of the hospital of St<
Thomas's, of Sandwich, generally called Ellis's hospital ; part
of the possessions of which it remained, paying a quit-rent to
the manor of Queen's Court, in Ospringe, and also to the manor
of Hamwold. In 1535, this estate, containing 160 acres of land,
was of the annual rental of £10. In 1703, it was let at £95 ;
in 1767, at £1 10 ; and afterwards at £140. . By a lease, in 1792,
it was augmented to £220 per annum, affording an instance of
the great increase of the value of lands in this part of the county^
Hamwold, or, as it is now called, Hammill, is a boroughaMd
district in the western part of this parish, which, in the survey
of Domesday, is written both Hamolde and Aimolde, at which
period it was part of the possessions of Odo bishop of Bayeux,
under the general title of whose lands it was therein entered.
South, otherwise Upper Hamwold, ox Hammill, as it is
usually pronounced,- was anciently written in deeds and old
evidences Hammonds, or Teukers, and sometime after the Cou*
quest, had become the property of Osbern Hacket, who gave
the tithes to the priory of Rochester. In his descendants it
continued down to Ralph Hacket, who held it by knight's ser
vice in the reign of Henry IIL, or the beginning of that of
Edward I., but how long it continued in this name, does not
appear. The famUy of Greenshield's appears next to have possessed
this property, their principal seat having been at Whitstable J

COUflTY OF iiENT. 317
there is, however, no evidence of their property having existed
here till the beginning of the reign of Henry VI. , when John
Greenshield was pofsessed of the same. His son, Henry, of
Sandwich, died in the last year of Edward IV. possessed of this
manor, who ordered this, with other estates, to be sold, when his
feoffees alienated the property to the Elys's, of Sandwich,
whence it passed by sale to the Wilson's, and from that line was
alienated to Mr. Edmund Parbo, of Sandwich. He died pos
sessed of the same in 1640, when this manor devolved, by his
will, to the issue of his only daughter and heir, Elizabeth, wife
of John Boys, of Sandwich. One of their offspring, William,
the second son, was ancestor of William Boys, esq., afterwards
of Walmer, and in his descendants it continued, till it was at
length, by one of them, in 1711, conveyed by sale to Mr. Ralph
Terry, who built the house, which is a handsome edifice.
After the above period, this property became vested, as it is
presumed, by way of mortgage, in John Lynch, esq., of Groves,
in Staple, by virtue of which he came into possession ; and his
heirs in 1 762, with the sons of Mr. Ralph Terry, above men
tioned, joined in the conveyance of the fee simple of this manor,'
to Sir Brook Bridges, bart. , of Goodnestone, who died possessed
of it in 1791, when his eldest surviving son became entitled t&
the same.
A court-baron is held for this mano^.
Hamwold Court, generaUy caUed Htimmill Court, anct
formerly Lower Hammill, to distinguish it from the last
mentioned district, is situated at no great distance. This estate
was always accounted a manor, though for some time it has lost
all privileges appertaining to that name. In the 20tb of Ed
ward III. Thomas Brockhull was possessed of this manor, held
by the service of ^ard to the castle of Rochester. On the latter
family becoming extinct, it passed into the possession of the
Stokes's, or Stokys's, from Whom it went by sale to Michael
Francis. His heirs sold it, under Henry VIIL, to Mr. Nicholas
Moyes, gent., who conveyed it to one Rogers, and passii^
through the names of Everard aud James, the latter devised it
to his two sons, Thomas and John, in separate moieties'. Thoraa's
dying, the whole of this property devolved to his brother,- upon
«irhose death we find it in the possession of his descendant's
ividow, Aphra James, who vested it in her son Henry. His fouirf
¦*OL. HI. T t

318 HISTORY OF THE
daughters then inherited this property, whose heirs in 1710 con
veyed it to Thomas Sladden, gent., whose son William, dying
unmarried and intestate, this estate went to his only sister Mary,
whose five sons, in 1758, joined in the conveyance of this manor
to John Elias Sawbridge, esq., of Canterbury. He died unmar
ried in 1789, and by will devised it to his nephew, Jacob, who
also dying in 1776, unmarried, it devolved by the limitations of
the same will, to Elias Sawbridge, esq., of Ollantigh. There is
no court held for this manor.
The Manor of Ringleton, or Ringston, as it is some
times written, is situated at some distance westward from Wood
nesborough church, and at the survey of Domesday was part of
the possessions of Odo, bishop of Bayeux, under the general title
of whose lands it was therein entered. Upon the disgrace of
that prelate, this manor appears to have been granted to WiUiam
de Albini, surnamed Pincerna, who had followed the Conqueror
from Normandy. He was succeeded by his son, who was made
earl of Arundel, in the reign of KiHg Stephen, of whose succes
sors, earls of Arundel, it was afterwards held by the countess of
Eu. and of her again by knight's service, by the family of the
Perot's, one of whom. Sir Ralph Perot, or Pyrot, as it was some
times spelt, held it as above mentioned in the reign of Edward I.
Mr. Boteler, of Eastry, says Hasted, has in his possession some
deeds of the Perot's, of Ringleton, in the reign of Richard IL,
having their seals appendant thereto, bearing these arms,
A shield with a crescent, for difference, in chief, three escalop
shells, the legend, SiJohis Perot. From his heirs it descended,
in like manner as Knolton, to John de Sandhurst, who left an
only daughter and heir. Christian, and she married William de
Langley, whose heirs passed it away to Robert White, when his
descendants held it in the 20th of Edward III.
Sir John White, of Canterbury, a descendant of Robert above-
mentioned, died possessed of this property in the 9th of Ed
ward IV., and his descendant, Thomas, in pursuance of his
father's will, for the purpose of raising a sum of money for cha
ritable uses, alienated this property to the Boteler's, or Butler's,
of Heronden, in Eastry. From the latter name it passed by sale
to one Neame, whose son Daniel sold it to a Spencer, and his
successor, Nicholas Spencer, gent., customer of Sandwich in
the reign of Elizabeth, dying, was buried in St. Clement's church

COUNTY OF KENT. 319
in Sandwich. His arms were, A chevron engrailed in chief,
three lions rampant, on the chevron a crescent for difference.
His sister Anne entitled her husband, Mr. Andrew Hughes, to
this property, and in his descendants it continued till carried by
a female heir in marriage to Justinian Champneis, esq., of Wes
tenhanger, who died possessed of this property, far advanced in
years, in 1748, leaving three sons, Justinian, William, and
Henry, on whom this manor devolved in such proportions as was
limited by his marriage settlement; and, according to that instru
ment, it has, with Westenhanger, and his other estates, ever
since continued. From the above time, this estate has de
scended in like manner as Westenhanger, being vested in the
same proportions as that manor ; one sixth part allotted to
Frances Champneis, and the two sons of John Burt, esq., by
Harriet, her sister ; and the remaining part to the Rev. William
Henry Burt Champneis, eldest son of John Burt, esq. before
mentioned. A court-baron is held for this manor.
In the year 1074, Odo, bishop of Bayeux, gave to St. Augus
tine's monastery, those tithes which his tenants possessed here,
that is, Adelold, the chamberlain, in the three villes of Cnolton,
Tickenhurst, and Ringleton, among others, while these he bes
towed with the consent of the king ; but the tithes in question
were aftervvards taken away from the monastery by William de
Albini, the lord of the fee of those lands.
The Manor of Polton, as it is generally called, is situ
ated in the part of this parish near Ash, its original name ha
ving been Poltmans, so called from a family resident there,
vvhich mansion was castellated and surrounded by a moat.
The above family continued lords of the same down to Petet'
Poltman, vvho possessed this property under fiichard II. , in the
1 6tli year of whose reign he passed it by fine to the Langley's, of
Knolton, in whose possession it continued till the reign of
Henry VL, when it was alienated to Sir John White, of Canter
bury. His descendant, Thomas White, in pursuance of hi»
father's will, conveyed it to R,ichard Boteler, of Heronden, in
Eastry, for the purpose of raising money for charitable uses, in
whose descendants it remained till the reign of James I., when
William Boteler sold it to one Benskin. From the latter it
descended to Vincent Benskin, who owned it in the reigq of

;i20 HISTORY OF THE
Charles II. , the heirs of whose grandson, John, sold it to Mr.
William Barne, of London. His nephew of the same name sucr
ceeded him, and possessed this estate in the reign of George L,
¦when it became the property of Colonel Christopher Kien, who
died in 1744, leaving his wife Jane possessed of the same, who
at her death, in 1 762, devised it by will to Evert George Couse
maker, esq., who, dying the following year, his wife, Mary,
became entitled to the property. She carried her interest to her
second husband, SirThomasPym Hales, bart., of Howlets, who
died in 1773, when it again devolved to her ; but the reversion,
at her death, by Mrs. Kien's will, devolved on her only son, by
her first husband. Lieutenant-colonel George Kien Hayward
Cousemaker, who married the Hon. Miss Southwell. He bears
for his arms those of the Cousemaker's, originally of the province
of Brabant, viz. quarterly first and fourth. Azure, on a chevron,
between, three mullets, or, as many trefoils, slipped vert ; second
B.nd third, Azure, two chevrons interlaced, one issuing f-om the
chief, and the other from the base, between eight mullets of six
points, all or ; as the same were certified at the college of arms
in London, in 1779, to Colonel Cousemaker.
This manor js held of that of Patrixboume, but no court-baron
has been convened for many years. The house of Polton is a
large square building, apparently erected in the reign of James L,
and most probahly raised by the Benskin's ; Colonel Kein mo
dernized this edifice in part, and although in a low situation,
being moated, it presents a respectable appearance,
The church, de4icated to St. Mary, ponsists of a nave and two
aisles, with a square tower steeple at the west end, and a mo
dern wooden turret, wherein are five bells, cast in 1676. At the
east end of the chapcel is a marble tablet for John Cason, esq.
of this place, obiit 1718, and another for John his son, a.d. 1755
There are also mementos for Thomas Blechenden, of the ancient
family of that name, of Aldington, in this county, obiit 1661,
whose arms were. Azure, a fess nebulee argent, between three
lions' heads erased, or, attired gules, empaling ; Boys. On the
south side is an ancient altar monument, with gothic pillars and
arches, having been adorned by shields of arms, now entirely obr
literated. Against the wall, under the canopy, are two brass
plates, the same having been removed from the ch^nael ; thg

COUNTY OF KENT. aai
first to commemorate Sir John Parcar, vicar of this parish, while
,on the second are Latin verses to the memory of Nicholas
Spencer, esq., with many others too numerous for insertion.
There were formerly painted in the windows of this church.
Or, a chief indented azure, for John de Sandwich, and several
other coats of arms, among which may be particularized those
of Valence and St. Leger, Argent, three leaves in sinister bend,
tfieir points downward, proper. On a canton, azure, three
crescents, or ; for Grove, Argent, three escalop in chief or, in
base a crescent, gules ; for Helpestone, usually called Hilpurton,
baihff of Sandwich in 1299, a shield, being Helpestone's badge,
with numerous other armorial bearings for the families of the
HiUs's, the Spencer's, and the Heynes'.
The church of Woodnesborough was given, in the reign of
Henry I., by a religious woman, named Ascelinade Wodensberg,
to the priory of Leeds, soon after its foundation, which deed
was witnessed by Robert de Crevequer, founder of the priory,
Elias his son, and others. This gift was further confirmed by
Archbishop Theobald, and several of his successors, as also by
Henry III. in his 41st year.
On the dissolution of deans and chapters, after the death of
Charles L, this parsonage was surveyed in 1649, when it ap
peared that the manor or parsonage of Woodnesborough, with
the site of the same, and all its appurtenances, were valued at
£300, and that the lessee was bound to repair the premises, and
the chancel of the church. The incumbent, at that period, was
under sequestration, so that there was no one to serve the cure,
and the church, in consequence, fell into a ruinous state.
The Rectory, or Parsonage, together with the Ma
nor OF the Rectory of Woodnesborough, continued
part of the possessions of the dean and chapter of Rochester,
and were demised by them from time to time, on a beneficial
lease. They were formerly held by the family of the Appleton's,
and afterwards by that of the Blechynden's, both of which
resided at the parsonage. At length the heirs of the latter
alienated their interest in this property to John Cason, esq.,
who also lived here, when his son, of the same name, dying in
1755, Sarah, his younger sister, married to William Docksey,
t sq. , of Shellston, in Derbyshire, became, as his heir, entitled to
the same. She survived him, and by her will in 1774 devised

322 HISTORY OF THE
the lease to Anne, daughter of William Bookey Clerk, vicar of
St. Laurence, in Thanet, then wife of Oliver Stephens, esq.,
who also resided there. His arms were. Per chevron, azure and
ermine, in chief, two eagles displayed, or. The Bookey's bore.
Gules, on a bend, argent, three rooks, sable within a bordure,
engrailed. He died in 1795, leaving her surviving, when she
possessed the interest in this, as well as the residue of the
estates in this parish and neighbourhood. A court-baron is
held for this manor. There are thirty-five acres of glebe land
belonging to the parsonage.
The vicarage was valued in the king's books at £10 0 7jd.,
the yearly tenths being £1 0 0|d. It was afterwards of the
clear yearly value of £56 12 5Jd, and in 1640 the estimate was
J^80 per annum ; but in 1713 the rental had decreased to £60.
There are three acres of glebe land belonging to the vicarage.
In 1821 [here vvere 101 dweUingsin the parish of Woodnesbo
rough ; and at the same period, when the last census of the
population vvas taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as foUow: males 368, females 331, making
a total of 689 souls.
Word, written formerly Worthe, is the next parish east
ward from Woodnesborough, which latter is the original
Saxon appellation, the letter d, in that language, being struck
through, making the same sound as th.
There are three boroughs in this parish, viz. Felderland,
Word Street, and Hackling; the borsholders for the two
former are appointed at Eastry court, being within the jurisdic
tion of that manor, and for the latter they are named at Adisham,
which manor claims over a part of this borough.
The Parish of Word lies very flat and low, and is ex
tremely unhealthy. It is long and narrow, being nearly three
miles from east to west, and not more than one across. The
village called Word Street contained only twenty-nine houses
when Mr. Hasted wrote, the number being now encreased, ha
ving the church adjoining, which stands nearly in the centre of
the parish. At the southern boundary is the hamlet of Hack
ling, containing an estate called Hackling farm, which belonged
to Mrs. Eleanor Dare, of Felderland. At the western extremity
of the parish is the boroueh and hamlet of Felderland, or Fen-

COUNTY OF KENT. 383
derland, partly in Word, and a portion also in Eastry ; it was
formerly esteemed a manor, having been the property of the
Manwood's, and afterwards of the Harvey's, of Combe, but
subsequently passed to Earl Cowper ; adjoining to which,
in the same borough, is the farm of Upton, situated about a
quarter of a mile westward of the church. This also was the
property of the above nobleman.
At a small distance further the marshes begin, where there is
a parcel of land, called Worth, or Worde Minnis, belonging
to the archbishop, the lessee of which was Mr. Thomas Rammel,
of Eastry. Here are two currents, called the north and south
streams, directing their course northwestward through the
marshes, towards Sandwich. The latter was anciently the fa
mous Gestling water, through which the sea then flowed, having
been noted as the stream wherein felons were punished by
drowning, when their bodies were thence conveyed by the cur
rent into the ocean. These marshes are called Lydden valley, a
name derived from the manor of Lydcourt, in this parish, for
merly called Hylden, the same being under the direction of the
commissioners of .«ewers for the eastern district of Kent, whereto
the north stream is the common sewer. The marshes continue
beyond this current half a mile northward, at which point the
sand downs commence.
The downs above alluded to consist of a long bank, covered
by green swerd, the surface being very unequal, and skirting the
sea-shore for more than five miles from Pepperness, being the
southeast point of Sandwich bay, as far as Deal. The banks
are a quarter of a mile broad, except in the vicinity of the castle,
called, from its situation. Sand-down, where they terminate with
the beach a short distance within shore. About the centre of
these banks is a cut, named the Old Haven, that runs slanting
from the sea along these downs, very near to, but not quite so
far as, the river Stour, about three quarters of a mile eastward
below Sandwich.
Sand-down castle stands half a imie distant from the north
end of Deal, having been buUt, with the fortress of the last men
tioned town, and others, by Henry VIIL, for the defence of the
coast, in 1539. Each of these castles has four round lunets, of
very thick stone arched work, with numerous spacious port
holes ; in the centre is a large round tower, on the summit of

524 rilSiTORY OF THE
which is a cistern for water, and beneath an arched cavern, bomb
proof; the whole encompassed by a fosse, over which is a
drawbridge. These fortresses are under the government of the
lord warden, who, by an Act of the 32d of Henry VIIL, has the
appointment of a captain and other officers.
The lands of the parish of Worth, or Word, are of the annual
value of £3000, and upwards ; the soil is rich and fertile, and,
according to Mr. Hasted, may be justly esteemed the garden of
this portion of Kent^ being perhaps more prolific for wheat than
any other district in this county. There are no woodlands in
the parish, neither has it a fair.
The principal Manor in this parish is Lydde Court,
written in Saxon, Hlyden, which was given by Offa, king of
Mercia, iu the year 774, to the church of Christ, in Canterbury,
l.s.a., as the charter expresses it; meaning with the same fran
chises and liberties possessed by the manor of Adisham prior to
its being given to the same. After that period, this manor con^
tinned with the priory of Christ church, when Edward I., in
his 7th year, granted to it the liberty and franchise of the wrecks
of the sea, Apud le Lyde, which we suppose to be this manor;
and Edward II. , in his 10th year, granted to the priory free
warren within their demesne lands here. In that state the
manor continued till the dissolution of the priory under
Henry VIIL, who soon after settled it on his new erected dean
and chapter of Canterbury, by whom it was re-granted to the
king, when that prince sold it to Stephen Motte and John Wyld,
who alienated the same to Richard Southwell. He, in the 1st
of Edward vi., passed it away by sale to Thomas Rolfe, who
then conveyed the same to William' Lovelace, sergeant at law,
who died possessed of this estate in 1576. By his son. Sir
William Lovelace, of Bethersden, it was alienated to Thomas
Smith, esq., of Westenhanger, from whom it descended to
Viscount Strangford, who sold it to Herbert Randolph, esq.,
and he passed away a part, afterwards called Lydde Court
Ingrounds, with the manor or royalty of Lydde Court, in
Word and Eastry, with lands belonging thereto, in 1706, to Sir
Henry Furnese, bart., of Waldershare. His grandson, of the
same name, dying in 1735, underage and unmarried, his estates
became vested in his three sisters, in coparcenary, when a divi
sion having been agreed upon, this manor, with its lands and

COUNTY OF KENT. 385
appurtenainces, were aUotted to Selina, the third daughter, who
afterwards married Edward Dering, esq., who entitled him to
this estate. He survived her, and continued in possession of the
same till 1779, when he sold it to Mr. ^iUiam Walker, and
Mr. James Cannon, of Deal.
The house, called the Downes house, is the court lodge, but
no court has been held there for a considerable number of years^.
The remaining, and by far the largest, part of this estate,
called for distinction, Lydde Court Out Grounds, was alsp
in the possession of the Smith's, of Westenhanger, and demise^
by Thomas Smith; esq., of that place, to Roger Manwood, jjirat
of Sandwich, for a long term of years, at which, time the'out^r
downs were enwarrened for hares and rabbits. - ,
From Thomas Smith, esq. this estate descended down: to
Viscount Strangford, who sold the whole, with the manor apjd
royalties before mentioned, to Herbert Randolph, esq., w'rro
passed away the manor and part of the lands to Sir Heqr-y
Furnese, bart. He in 1720 ahenated the same to SirRob.ert
.Furnese, bart., in whose descendants it continued down tjo
Catherine, his daughter and coheir, who carried it in marriage,
first, to the earl of Rockingham, and secondly to the earl of
Guildford, to whom, on her death, in 1766, she devised this
estate. He died possessed of the same in 1790, and his grand
son, the earl of Guildfordi ultimately owned this property. The
estate comprehends all that tract of land, partly sandy, as well
as marshy, the whole being nearly pasturagey lying pn the sou,^h
side of Sandwich haven ; bounded on the east by the seij,-shore,
and on the west by the ditch, along which the footway lead!S to
Deal, constituting the eastern • boundary, of Lydde Cp urt In
grounds. .
In 1665 there was a suit in the star chamber, respecting '3,
road from Sandoiine gate, and Sandwich, to ^he castle, in the
Downes, which was referred to; the archb,ishDp and SirRicljard
Sackville, who awarded that there should be a highway, sixteen
feet broad, over Lydde, Court grounds.
Sandowne, so called from the sand downs over which jt
principaUy extends, is a manor which lies partly in thjs parish
and that of .St. Cltemeiit's, in Sandwich, within thp jurisdictipli
of which corporation the latter part is situated. 1; '.t'.J
This manor was ancientiy the seat of the Perot's, who held the
VOL. III. u u

326 HI8T0IIY OF THE
estate, as early as the reign of Henry III, Thomas Perot died
possessed of the same in the 4th year of that reign, and Henry,
the last of this name, under Edward IIL, was succeeded by John
de Sandhurst, who left an only daughter and heir, who married
WiUiam de Langley. After that period it continued in his de
scendants, tiU it passed to the Peyton's, and thence in like
manner as Knolton, before described, by sale to the Narborough's,
and afterwards by marriage to Sir Thomas d'Aeth, bart., whose
grandson. Sir Narborough d'Aeth, of Knolton, possessed the
same. A court-baron is held for this manor.
This parish is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdictioh
of the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sandwich. The
church, dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, is a small building,
with a low pointed wooden turret at the west end. It consists
of a nave, two aisles, and a chancel. On the south waU of the
latter is an arched tomb, whereon probably once rested the figure
of some person who was the founder, or at least a benefactorj
towards this building. In the south aisle are several gravestones
for the Philpott's of this parish, and an altar monument for Mr,
Ralph Philpott, obiit 1704.
Thechurch of Word, or Worth, was ever esteemed as a
chapel to the mother church of Eastry, and so continued, being
accounted as part of the same appropriation. The vicar of
Eastry is inducted to the vicarage of the church of Eastry, with
the chapels of Shrinkling and Word annexed thereto, and is
included with that church in the valuation made of the same in
the king's books.
In 1678 there were 144 communicants, and in 1640 only 114.
The rectorial or great tithes of this parish, as part of the
rectory of Eastry, were demised on a beneficial lease to the late
Countess Dowager of Guildford, whose younger children were
entitled to the interest in this lease.
The lessee of this parsonage is bound to repair the chancel of
the church.
In 1821, there were sixty-seven dwellings in the parish of
Worth ; and at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow : males 208, females 230, making a
total of 438 souls.

COUNTY OF KENT. 3iT

THE HUNDRED OF WACHLINGSTONE.
We shall now return to the confines of Kent, bordering
upon Sussex, and traverse the county in a direct line, taking
in our course the towns of Tunbridge, the Wells, and Maid
stone ; and thence pursue our route till we attain the opposite
extremity of Kent, terminating in the Isle of Shepey.
The hundred of Wachlingstone encompasses the lowy of
Tunbridge, on theeast, west, and south sides, and is written in
the survey of Domesday, Warchelestan.
The king and the archbishop of Canterbury were lords of this
hundred in the beginning of the reign of Edward II. How the
latter monarch became divested of the property herein, we have
not found, but in the 15th year of that reign the king was pos
sessed of the entire fee, and granted it, with the consent of par
liament, among other estates of greater value, to Edmund of
Woodstock, his halfbrother, who at the same time was constituted
earl of Kent. He died possessed of this property in the 4th of
Edward III. , after which it passed in like manner as the hundred
of Littlefield, till on the attainder of Henry lord Cobham, in the
1st of James I., they became forfeited to the crown, and were
confirmed to the same by an Act passed specially for that pur
pose, two years afterwards; since which period these hundreds
have continued part of the possessions of the crown.
This Hundred contains the parishes oi' Tudeley,
inpart; Pembury, inpart; Bidborough, and Ashhurst,
and the churches of those parishes ; also a portion of the parishes
of Capel, Penshurst, Lyghe, Speldhurst, and as much of Fant as
lies within this county, the churches of which parishes are not
within this hundred.
Tudeley is the adjoining parish eastward from Tunbridge,
called in Domesday Tivelele, and in the Textus Roffensis,
Thudelei.
It is very obscure and little frequented, being situated between,
the parishes of Tunbridge and Capel. The soil is much the

M HISTORY OF THE
same as that of the latter district, lying low, being a moist stiff
clay, with abundance of large spreading oaks, and the hedge
rows broad and thick. The village, with the church, is near the
western boundary, and at some distance southward is the ham
let of Crookhurst, heyond, which t)iis parish stretches along the
southern boundary of Capel, where it is crossed by two small
rivulets, which fiow thence into the Medway, to the verge of
this hundred, the manor and house of Badsell being there si
tuated, in a very wet and unpleasant country. ;
' This place constituted part of those vast possessionrs witH
Which WiUiam the Conqueror enriched his half brother' Odo,
the haughty bishop of Bayeux, and earl of Kent, under the ge
neral title of whose lands it was entered in the survey of Domes
day. Upon the disgrace of that prelate, it was, with his other
estates, seized by the king.
*' Badsell is the principal manor in this parish, lying at the
South-east end, which formerly gave name and residence to a
family, some time possessors of the same. At length, by a
daughter and coheir, .Marian Badsell, it was carried in marriage
to Thomas Stidulf, from whom the family of that name, in
Surrey, was descended. He resided at Badsell, being only son
and heir of Robert, and likewise heir of his uncle, Henry Stidulf,
who died in the reign of Henry VI. , and lies buried with his
wife in this church . They left an only daughter and heir, Agnes,
Vvlio carried this manor in marriage tO Richard Fane, esq., of
Tudeley, who died possessed of the same under Henry VIIL,
and was buried in the chapel of this church, which he had built.
His'son, George Fane, resided at Badsell, as also his son. Sir
Thomas Fane, which latter having married Lady Mary, daughter
of Lord Abergavenny, became, in her right, entitled to the castle
and manor of Mereworth, where he aftervvards resided, as die/
also his son, Sir Francis Fane, earl of Westrhoreland. Since the
above period this mansion has been' converted into a farm-house,
but in his descendaiits" the property remained down to John
Fane, earl of Westmoreland, vvho, dying in 1762, it weiitby
he limitations of his wUl, with the residue of his Kentish
Estates, to Lord le Despencer, who owned the same.
Tudeley is within the ECCLEsiASTiCAL Jurisdiction of
the diocese of Rochester and deanery of MaUing. The church,
ti^hich is small, has been rebuilt Of brick, having a si^uare tower

COUNTY OF KENT. 329
at the west end, with a small pointed spire ; and is dedicated to
All Saints.
The patronage of this church was, about the year 1239, given
by Richard de Theudele, Richard de Sardenne, and Ahcia,
Agnes, and Cecilia, daughters of John Teudeley, patrons of the
same, to the prior and canons of Tunbridge ; which -gift was
confirmed by the bishop, who soon after granted license for them
to appropriate the same to their own use, on the death or resig
nation of John, then rector ; and in the mean time, that they
should receive yearly, half a mark from the rental thereof; but
the vicarage was not endowed tiU the year 1398.
It remained with the priory of Tunbridge till the final disso
lution, under Henry'VHI., when, being one of those smaller
monasteries which Cardinal Wolsey had obtained of the king by
his letters patent, dated February 8, that year, for the endowment
of his colleges, it had been surrendered, with all its possessions,
to the cardinal.
' This church remained with the colleges above referred to for
four years only, as, the cardinal fa:Uing into disgrace in 1529, all
his estates became forfeited to the king, and constituted part of
the revenues of the CrOwn.
Edward VI. in his 1st year, granted this parsonage and advow
son to Sir Walter Hendley, at the yearly rental of 6s. 3Jd.; to
hold in capite by knight's service. He died without issue male,
leaving three daughters his coheirs.
' On the division 'of their inheritance, this parsonage and ad
vowson were alldtted to the second daughter, Helen, who entitled
her third husband. Sir Thomas Fane, of Burston, in Hunton, to
the possession thereof; after which they passed to Thomas,
John, and Vere Fane, three brothers, successively earls of West*
moreland ; the last of Whom dying in 1762, they devolved, by
the limitations of his will, to Lord le de Spencer, who ultimately
possessed the same. '¦
The parsonage of Tudeley pays a fee-farm rent to the Crown
of 6s. 3jd. annually. . •
The vicarage was valued in the king's' books at £4 16 Oj-, the
yearly tenths being 9s. 7jd. The vicar of Tudeley is instituted
to this vicarage, with the chapel of Capel annexed thereto.
In 1821, there were fifty-seven dweUings in the parish' 6f
TTudeley;- arid 'at- the same-period^ when 'the last census'of the

330 HISTORY OF THE
population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow : males 277, females 269, making a
total of 546 souls.
Pembury is the next adjoining parish southward from
Tudeley, called in the Textus Roffensis, Peppingeberia, and
in ancient deeds Pepenbery ; it seems always to have bean pro
nounced Pembury, and is now usuaUy so written. The parish
OF Pembury, though of small breadth, extends the length of
four miles from north to south, that is to say, from Tudeley to
the stream at Fant, which separates this county from that of
Sussex. The surface is variegated by hill and dale, the whole
presenting a woody appearance, abounding throughout in large
spreading oaks. The soil on the higher grounds, especiaUy
towards the west and south, is sandy, with much rock-stone
beneath ; and, in the vallies, abounds chiefly in clay, having
plenty of marie for manure ; it produces excellent corn, and the
land consequently lets well. It is watered by several small
streams, rising here, which pursue their course either towards the
north into the Medway, opposite to Hadlow, or southward,
towards the stream which divides the two counties, running by
Beyham Abbey to Lamberhurst.
The church stands high and conspicuous, and the principal vil
lage is about a mile southward from the same, extending round
Pembury Upper, and Lower Green; below which are several
smaU hamlets, built in the same manner, round the greens.
The high road from Tunbridge, towards Lamberhurst and Sussex,
runs through Southfrith woods, on the western side of the
parish ; and at the thirty-fifth milestone, crosses the same, but
at Kipping's Cross, so called from its having been the early resi
dence of a family of that name, takes a direction along the
eastern bounds of this parish, till it enters Lamberhurst, in the
hundred of Brenchley. In the southern part of this district,
about a mile from the thirty-fifth milestone, on the Tunbridge
road, is Bayhall, pleasantly situated on the southern side of a
hill; and just beneath flows the small rivnlet, which runs thence
tUl it joins the stream near Bayham Abbey.
A fair is held here on Whit Tuesday, annually, for cattie, toys,
aud pedlary.
The manors OF Pepenbury Magna, and Pepenburt

COUNTY OF KENT. 381
Parva, otherwise Bowridge, with the appendant advowson
of the church, the land of Crockherst, and other premises,
were given by Simon de Wahull, to the abbey of Bayham, in
Sussex ; which gift vvas confirmed by Walter de Wahull his son
and heir, and by Richard de Clare, earl of Gloucester and Hert
ford. Edward III. in his 2d year, granted to the abbot and
convent for ever ^ee warren in all their demesne lands in this
parish, among others, when these manors continued in the pos
session of that monastery till its final dissolution, in the 17th of
Henry VIIL, and being one of those institutions which had
been granted to Cardinal Wolsey, was surrendered, with all its
possessions, into his hands. On the disgrace of that great pre
late, these manors were seized, and fell into the hands of the
crown, where they remained till Henry VIIL, in his 25th year,
granted them to Sir Edward Guildford, warden of the Cinque
Ports, to hold by fealty only. His daughter and sole heir, Joan,
entitled her husband. Sir John Dudley, to their possession, when
they joined in the conveyance of these manors to Sir Thomas
Cromwell lord Cromwell, who, the following year, procured the
disgavellment of his lands, and was created earl of Essex, and
soon after made knight of the garter, and lord high chamber^
lain of England. This accession of honours, however, was suc
ceeded by as speedy a downfall, as the earl having incurred the
displeasure of the king, was arrested at the council board, and
being tried and convicted of high treason, condemned and exe
cuted in the 32d of that reign. On his attainder, these manors
again devolved to the crown, when they were granted, under the
same monarch, with other premises in this parish, to William
Wybarne, to hold in capite by knight's service. He bore for his
arms. Sable, a fess between three swans, argent. In his des
cendants these manors continued down to John Wybarne, esq. ,
who left two daughters his coheirs ; Anne, married to Robert
Berkley, esq., of Spetchley, in Worcestershire ; and Catherine,
to Philip Jones, esq. ; who, in right of their respective wives,
on his death, inherited these manors and estates in undivided
moieties. Robert Berkley, esq., above mentioned, was des
cended from Sir Robert Berkley, a judge in the reign of
Charles I., whose grandson, Robert Berkley, esq., of Spetchley,
married the eldest daughter of Sir Richard Blake, a lady highly
eminent for her virtues. He died in 1693, and his widow, seven

3«2 HISTORY OF TUE
years afterwards, married Dr. Burnet, bishop of SaUsbyry. . llie
pedigree of the Berkley's, of Spetchley, is inserted in Nash's
History of Worcestershire, where there are many curious parti
culars relating to that family.
These manors remained in this situation till 1777, when an
Act passed to enable Robert Berkley and Philip Jones, esqs. to
sell them, with others in this county and Sussex; however, they
were not alienated until the year 1788, together with the par
sonage and advowson of Pembury, to William Woodgate, esq.
of Somerhill, who possessed the same.
Halkwell, commonly called Hawkwell, \s a manor on the
eastern side of this parish, which consists at present of two
farms, called Great und Little Hawkswells, being held of the
superior manor of Tipperidge in this parish. This estate wag
once the property and residence of a family of that name ; after
which.it appears, by the register of Bayham Abbey, to have be
come part of the possessions of the latter, where it remained till
the dissolution, under Henry VIIL, when it was obtained by
Cardinal Wolsey for the endowment of his coUeges. Upon the
disgrace of that prelate, it was granted to John Wybarne, -of
Culverdens in this parish, who had been tenant to the abbey for
this manor before the suppression, being descended from a
family seated near Croftonin Orpington, about the latterend of
the reign of Henry HI. It continued in his descendants for
several generations, till it devolved, like that of Pembury,- to
Robert Berkley and Philip Jones, esqs., by whom it was con
veyed, about the year 1786, to one Pollard; and afterwards to
James Lewin, esq.
The manor of Bayhall, lying in the southern part of this
parish, constituted part of the ancient possessiqns of the cele
brated family of the Colepeper's, whose descendants extended
over the whole surface of this county, but more particularly the
western districts of the same. The two principal branchy were
seated at this manor of Bayhall and at Aylesford, from the
latter of which descended those of Oxenhoath and Preston, iri
Aylesford, baronets, both now extinct ; and from the former,
those of Bedgebury, terminating in the Lords Colepeper, of
Leeds OaStle ; those of Losenham in Newenden, afterwards of
HoUingborne ; the heir male of which is the present John
Spencer Colepeper, esq., a Ueutenant in the army ; the line of

COUNTY OF KENT. 838
those of Wakehurst being now extinct. The first of this emi
nent family, who is handed down as having publicly signalized
himself, was Thomas de Colepeper, who, from the bundles pre
served in the Pipe office, vvas one of the recognilores magncB
assisa, or justices of the grand assize, in the reign of King
John, an office of considerable trust and consequence prior to
the establishment of the conservators of the peace.
His descendant, Sir Thomas Colepeper, possessed the manor
of BayhaU, where he resided, who appears to have left two sons;
Thomas, of whom we shall treat hereafter ; and Walter, ancestor
of the Colepepers, of Oxeuhoath, and of Preston in Aylesford,
baronets. Sir Thomas Colepeper, the eldest son, inherited Bayhall, and
was castellan of Leeds castle, under the Lord Badlesmere, as
previously remarked in the course of our History, under
Edward II. ; in the 16th year of which reign he was cruelly
executed, for refusing entrance into his castle to Queen Isabel ;
subsequent to which, this manor beeatne forfeited to the crown,
but was soon after restored to his son ; but whether owing to
the royal indulgence, or in consequence of any family entail, we
do not find recorded.
John Colepeper, esq., son of the above, kept his shrievaltj^ at
BayhaU, in the 39th, 40th, and 43d years of Edward IIL, and
espoused EUzabeth, daughter and coheir of Sir John HardreshuU,
of HardreshuU in Warwickshire, by whom he had a son. Sir
Thomas Colepeper, who succeeded him in this manor, and
resided at Bayhall. He served the office of sheriff in the 17th
and 18th years of Richard II. , from which prince he procured
license to enclose fifty acres of land, in order to form a park, at
Pembury. He left, by Alianor his wife, daughter and coheir of
Nicholas Green, esq., of Exton in Rutlandshire, three sons : Sir
Thomas Colepeper ; Walter Colepeper, of Goudhurst, ancestor
of the branches of this family settled in the vicinage of Bedge
bury, Losenham, Leeds, Hollingborne, and Wakehurst ; and
Nicholas Colepeper, who ended in a daughter, married to Walter
Lewknor, esq. ; and also a daughter, Alianore, married to Sir
Reginald Cobham, of Sterborough. Sir Thomas Colepeper, the
eldest son, who was of Exton in Rutlandshire, appears to have
alienated this manor, in the reign of Henry VI. , to Humphry
Stafford, duke of Buckingham, whose grandson, Henry duke of
VOL. Ill, XX

33i HISTORY OF THE
Buckingham, became one of the chief abettors of Richard dakc
of Gloucester, afterwards Richard HI., and principal agent in
nis advancement to the throne. Being, however, attainted in
the 1st year of the above reign, his estates were forfeited to the
crown, when the king granted this manor, to the value of 100s.,
to John Water, otherwise Ybrke Heraulde ; but on the accession
of Henry VIL, an Act having passed for the restitution of
Edward, son and heir of Henry duke of Buckingham, he be
came entitled to the inheritance of all the estates of the deceased
duke, his father, among which was this manor of Bayhall. The
latter nobleman having been equally accused and found guilty of
high treason, in the 13th of Henry VIIL, an Act passed for his
attainder; and, notwithstanding another Act was equally ratified
for the restitution, in blood, of Henry, his eldest son, it did not,
however, extend to his honours and lands, which continued
vested in the crown. The fee of this property so remained till
the Ist of Edward VL, when that prince granted it to William
Parr, marquis of Northampton, who, the same year, conveyed it
to Sir Anthony Browne, knight of the garter, who had been
master of the horse to Henry VlIL, and one of his privy council.
He, at the commencement of the ensuing year, alienated this
estate to William Wybarne ; one of whose descendants sold it,
in the 7th of James I., to Robert Sackville, earl of Dorset, who
died,, possessing the property, only a few months subsequent to
the purchase.
j His eldest surviving son, Richard earl of Dorset, alienated this
. property, with the seat belonging to the manor, to Richard
Amherst, esq., sergeant at law, who afterwards resided at Bayhall.
He was son of Richard, who left three sons : Richard, sergeant
at law, as above specified ; Jeffry, rector of Horsemonden, ances
tor of that branch of the family settled at Riverhead in Seven-
oke; and William, who left an only daughter. The Amherst's
bear for their arms. Gules, three tilting spears, two and one,
erected in pale, or, headed argent ; which coat was confirmed to
Richard Amherst, esq. by William Camden, clarencieux, in
1607. Sergeant Amherst died, holding this manor, in 1632.
His grandson, Charles Amherst, esq., was also of Bayhall,
and died s. p., in 1709, who by his will devised this manor and
seat, with all his other possessions, to his nephew and heir at
law, Charles Selby, esq., son of Si.f Henry Selby, sergeant at

COUNTY OF KENT. 33S
law, and recorder of London, (second son of George Selby, esq.
of Ightham,) by Elizabeth, his eldest sister, enjoining him,
at the same time, to assume the surname and arms of the
Amherst's. Charles Selby Amherst, esq., accordingly inhabited Bayhall,
where he died, devising this manor, by his will, to his nephew,
Charles Browne, esq., counseUor, son of his sister, Dorothy, by
John Browne, esq. or*^hropshire. He resided at Bayhall, and
died in 1763, and was interred in this church, leaving no issue
by his wife, Elizabeth Mittel, who survived him, and resided
here, where she died in 1790, when this estate was sold to
Thomas Streatfield, esq., who became possessor of the same.
A court-leet and court-baron is held for this manor.
We cannot dismiss the subject of the estate of Bayhall, which
was, to all appearance, perhaps, the most ancient seat of the
Colepeper's, without dwelling more at length on that venerable
family. From a pedigree before us, under one of the branches,
only referring back to William Colepeper, father of Sir John
Colepeper, knight, under Henry VL, which line was situated at
Aylesford, we find that they intermarried with the Lords Ferrer's,
of Groby ; the Howard's, dukes of Norfolk ; from which union
descended Catherine, fifth wife of Henry VIII. ; whereto might
be added a long string of other noble and knightly alliances.
Weever, in his Funeral Monuments, speaking of the Cole
peper's, of Bedgebury, says:
" Sir John Colepeper and Agnes his wife : this John was the
last of Begebury, of this house, whose daughter married Sir
Thomas Colepeper, who is remembered in our English Chronicle
for siding with Thomas, the great earl of Lancaster, against
his sovereign lord. King Edward the Second ; and Thomas
Colepeper, a gentleman of the privy chamber, is not forgotten,
for being over familiar with his lord and master King Henry
the eighth : the one drawn and quartered at Winchelsea, the
other beheaded at Tyburn ; the place fatal to both was Pontefract.
A family of exemplary note, both here and sometime in the
county of Rutiand, by the marriage of Sir Thomas Colepeper,
knight, to Eleanor, daughter and heir of Nicholas Crewe, of
Rutlandshire. The church of Hedcorn was founded by one of
the Colepeper's."

ass HISTORY OF TIIE
Dugdale, in his Baronage, referring to Lord Colepeper, says :
" That this family hath, for many past ages, flourished with
great esteem in the counties of Kent and Sussex; I need not
here stand to give instance, and therefore shall descend to Sir
John Colepeper, knight, the principal branch thereof, who bein^
a person of great abilities, and perfectiy loyal to our late
Sovereign King Charles the First, of blessed memory, was hy
^im first constituted chancellor of the Exchequer, afterwards
master of the rolls, and one of his majesty's privy council. Ahd,
not forsaking him in the time of his great distresses and troubles,
adventured his life courageously in his behalf in the battles of
Marston, Newbery, and divers other sharp encounters ; in con
sideration wherof, he was, by letters patent, bearing date at
Oxford, the 2 1st October, in the twentieth year of his reign,
advanced to the dignity of a baron of the realm, by the title of
Lord Colepeper of Thoresway. And after the loss of all, attend
ing our present Sovereign King Charles the Second, during the
greatest part of his abode beyond sea ; being also one of the
lords of his privy council ; departed this life, shortly after his
majesty's most happy restoration, viz. upon the eleventh day
of July, 1660, and was buried at IloUingborn in Kent. He
married two wives: first, Philippa, daughter of Sir George
Snelling, knight, by whom he had one son, who topk to wiffe,
Catherine, the daughter and heir of Sir Edwin Ford, of Harting
in Com. Sussex, knight, but died, without issue, in his father's
lifetime; and Philippa, a daughter, married tp Sir Thomas
Herlakinden, of Wood Church in Com. Cantu. His second
wife was Judith, daughter of Sir Thomas Colepeper, of Hol-
lingborn in Com. Cantu., knight, by whom he had issue four
sons; Thomas, John, Cheney, and Francis, who died unmar
ried, anno 1662: also three daughters ; Elizabeth, married lo
James Hamilton, esq ; and Judith and Philippa; which Thomas
succeeding him in his honours, married Margaret, the youngest
daughter and coheir to Le Seigneur Jean de Hesse, of the noble
family of Hesse, in the land of Berghennear Cullen in Germany,
by whom he hath issue one daughter, called Catherine."
Clarenden, in his History of the Rebellion, equally makes
mention of the above Sir John Colepeper, afterwards created a
peer, in the following manner :

COUNTY OF KENT. 337
'' The king, resolved to call the lords of Falkland and Sir
iohn Colepeper, who was knight of the shire for the county of
Kent, to his council, and to make the former secretary of
state, that had been kept vacant ; and the latter, chancellor of
the Exchequer. They were of great authority in the House,
neither of them of any relation to the court, and therefore what
they said made the more impression, and they were frequent
speakers. Sir John Colepeper was generaUy esteemed as a good
speaker, being a man of an universal understanding, a quick
comprehension, a wonderfull memory ; who commonly spoke at
the end of the debate, when he would recollect all that had been
said of weight on both sides, with great exactness, and express
his own sense with much clearness, and such an application to
the, House, that no man gathered a more general concurrence to
his opinion than he, which was the most notable, because his
form and manner of speaking was ungracious enough, so that
he prevailed only by the strength of his reason, which he en
forced with confidence enough."
Dencrouch, Highlands, and Prigles, are three small
manors in this parish, which formerly belonged to the Cistertian
abbey of Robertsbridge, in Sussex, where they remained till the
dissolution, when that abbey was surrendered to the king. Soon
after that period his majesty granted them to John Guldeford,
esq., who soon conveyed them by sale to Sir Alexander Cole
peper, of Bedgbury, who had a confirmation of them from the
crown. His great grandson. Sir Alexander, also of Bedgbury,
alienated these manors in the reign of James L, to Nicholas
Miller, esq., of Horsenell's Crouch, in Wrotham. At what pe
riod they passed from that family we have not ascertained, but
find them in 1766 in the hands of Elizabeth Pollard, widow,
from whom they went into the possession of James Lewin, esq.
Tipperidge is a manor in this parish, which was for many
years in the possession of the family of the Nevill's, Lords Aber
gavenny. Pembury is within the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of
the diocese of Rochester, and deanery of MaUing. The church,
dedicated to St. Peter, has a spire steeple at the west end. It
was built by one of the family of the Colepeper's, who were pa
trons of the same, and most probably by John Colepeper, esq..

338 HISTORY OF THE
in the reign of Edward III. as, upon the three buttresses, on the
south side of the chancel, there remain three shields of coat
armour, each carved on an entire stone, of about two feet and a
half in depth, equal with that of the buttress, which shews
them to be coeval with the building. On the first is a rectan
gular cross, the second bears the coat armour of the Hardre-
shuU's, A chevron between eight martlets, viz. five and three;
the above-mentioned John Colepeper having married the coheir
of that family. The third shield displays the arms of the latter
family. Argent, a bend engrailed, gules. On a very ancient
stone, on the pavement of the chancel, is an inscription ia old
French, for Margaret, the daughter of Sir Thomas Colepeper,
which seems coeval with the above-mentioned reign. There are
also several monuments and memorials for the Amherst family,
and their relatives ; an inscription and figure in brass also for
Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Rowe, esq., of Hawkwell, a.d,
1607, and a memento for George Bolney, esq., who married a
Wybarne; while, in the porch, are two ancient stones, having
brasses upon them.
This was a discharged living, of the clear yearly value of
£46 10s., the yearly tenths being 12s. 8d. King Edward III.,
in his 28lh year, in consideration of twenty marks paid by John
Colepeper, of Bayhall, granted license for him to found a perpe
tual chantry, with a chaplain, to celebrate masses daily for the
repose of his soul, and those of his ancestors, in the chapel of
ot. Mary, inthe cemetery of this church, and to endow it with
lands and rents in this and the adjoining parishes. And, iu his
38th year, in consideration of 100 shillings, paid to him by the
prior and convent of Rochester, he further granted license for
them to assign an annual rent charge of ten marks out of
their manor of Woldeham, to the before-mentiMied chap
lain.. This chantry existed till the general suppression of such foun
dations, by an Act in the reign of Edward VI. at which period
the total revenues of the same were £\\ 15 4 J per aiiinim.
Soon after the above period the building itself was pulled down,
the materials sold, and the land parcelled out to different per
sona. This chapel was situated in the churchyard, being
covered with lead, and was thirty feet in length, and eighteen iu
breadth.

COUNTY OF KENT. 339
Tne vicarage vvas afterwards worth about £150 per annum.
In 1821 there vvere 149 dweUings in the parish of Pembury ;
and, at the same period, when the last census of the population
vvas taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inhabitants
vvere as follow : males 467, females 424, making a total of
891 souls.
Bi dborough lies westward from Pembury, and the adjoining
parish, and southward from Tunbridge.
The situation of this parish is pleasant and healthy, but small,
and encircled on three sides by the parish of Tunbridge, and on
the fourth by Speldhurst. It lies mostly upon elevated ground,
the soil being in the higher parts a sand, which covers the quarry
rock-stone. The low lands extend westward along the stream, by Barden
furnace to Pounds bridge, which separates this parish from that
of Tunbridge, and here the_ land is of clay, and very wet, but
the whole rather an unfertile soil. The high road from Tunbridge
town, towards the Wells, runs along the eastern side of this
parish, close to the west side of which is the seat and plantations
called Bounds, the residence of the Countess Dowager of
Darnley ; and, adjoining, the hamlet of Southborough, which is
within the parish of Tunbridge.
In the reign of Edward I. George le Chaun possessed this
place ; but, before the 20th of Edward III. this property seems
to have been divided, as, on levying the aid of forty shillings on
every knight's fee, for making the Black Prince a knight, Thomas
Chaun, prior of Tunbridge, and John Bounde, junior, paid aid
for it as one knight's fee, which George le Chaun before held in
Bitberg la Leigh, Ealding, and Bokingfold, of the earl of
Gloucester. The manor of Bidborough continued in the name of Chaun
till the reign of Edward IV., when, together with an ancient seat
in this parish, now Called Bounds, but in old deeds written
Boons' tenement, it passed into that of Palmer, one of which
family, named Thomas, died possessed of them in the 23d of
Henry VL, holding the same of the duke of Buckingham, by
knight's service. John, his son and heir, alienated them to the
family of the Fane's, of Vane, one of whom. Sir Ralph, knight
banneret, in the 6th of Edward VI., espousing too zealously tha

540 HISTORY OF TIIF.
interests of the duke of Somerset, was found guUty of
treason, and executed on Tower hiU.
On his attainder, this manor and seat became vested in the
crown, where they remained till the reign of Elizabeth, who, by
letters patent, in her 1st year, granted them to her kinsman,
Henry Carey, lord Hunsdon, who at his death, in the 38th of
that reign, devised them by will to his eldest son and successor,
George, lord Hunsdon, who died in 1603. He left an only
daughter and heir, Elizabeth, married to Sir Thomas Berkley,
K.B., eldest son and heir of Lord Berkley, who, in her right,
became possessed of this manor and seat, which he soon after
alienated to Sir Thomas Smith, of Westenhanger, in this
county. He afterwards resided at Sutton at Hone, where he
died, and was buried in 1625. His son Robert resided at Bounds,
and his son and heir removed to Sutton, and died in 1695, pos
sessed of this manor and seat, leaving Catherine his wife, and
two sons, Henry and William, to whom this manor and seat of
Bounds descended, as heirs in gavelkind.
In the 10th of King William, an Act was obtained to vest this
manor and seat, and other estates in this county, in trustees, for
the discharging of incumbrances ; but, other estates elsewhere
being found sufficient for that purpose, this manor, with Bounds,
and all the other estates in Bidborough, continued in their pos
session. On the death of William Smith, the second son, un
married, Henry possessed the whole fee of this manor and seat,
and resided at Bounds. He died in 1706, leaving by Elizabeth,
his wife, an only son and heir. Sir Sydney Stafford Smith, chief
baron of the Exchequer, who married Sarah, eldest daughter of
Sir Charles Farnaby, bart., of Kepington, and died in 1778, as
did his widow, Lady Smith, in 1790. She, by her will, devised
this estate in trust, to be sold for the benefit of her nephews and
nieces, which was soon afterwards effected, when this property
devolved to the right hon. Lord Darnley, in whom the fee be
came vested. A court-baron is held for this manor.
Bidborough is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction
of the diocese of Rochester and deanery of Mailing. The
church, dedicated to St. Laurence, contains no memorials. It
ia a rectory, and was always esteemed an appendage to the
manor, till Lady Smith gave it by will, in 1790, to the Rev. Mr.
Venn, who became patron of the same.

COUNTY OF KENT. 341
This was a discharged living in the king's books, of the clear
yearly certified value of £40, the yearly tenths amounting to
10s. did.
The rectory was augmented by Queen Anne's Bounty, which,
with the purchase of some adjoining land, made a very conside-
, rable addition to the glebe.
Mr. Brock, the rector, built a new parsonage-house, near the
church, in a handsome style, after a design of Mr. Wyatt.
In 1821 there were thirty-four dweUings in the parish of
I Bidborough ; and at the same period, when the last census of
the population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers
of inhabitants were as follow : males 100, females 92, making
a total of 192 souls.
AsHURST lies southwestward from Bidborough, on the con
fines of this county, adjoining Sussex, from which it is sepv
, rated, both on the south and west sides, by a small streani.
This district is called, inthe Textus Roffensis, AiscHERSif,
and derives its name from the Saxon word cesces, ash trees, and
the British AyrJi, meaning the wood of ashes. Ashurst lies in
this hundred of Wachlingstone, which joins it by a narrow slip
or isthmus, running eastward by Tophill and Mitchel's farm?^
towards Rusthall common and Bishop's down, in Speldhurst.
The northern part joins both Penshurst and Speldhurst, in the
hundred of Somerden, part of which is attached to the western
portion of this parish, separated from the residue of that hun
dred, and containing the hamlet of Groombridge, in Speldhurst,
This parish consists of hill and dale, the western part being
woody, and the soil a stiff wet clay, rather unfertile. The churcl^
is situated on the west side of the parish, about a quarter of a
mile from the river, which, separating at this point, forms a small
island, and on either side is a bridge, over which the road leads
into Sussex. There is no vUlage, the houses being interspersed
in various directions throughout this district. In this parish is
a seat and estate called Ashurst place, formerly belonging to
Admiral Forbes, which was afterwards the residence of Peter
Lefenue, esq.
The Manor of Ashurst, with that of BwcA/awd appen
dant, was part of the lands assigned to Jeffery de Peverel, for
his assistance iu the defence of Pover castle, and with other
vol. III. V y

342 HISTORY OF THE
lands, made up the barony of Peverel, as it was then called,
being held of that castle in capite, by barony.
Nicholas de Gerund afterwards held this manor, and its ap
pendages of Buckland, with the advowson of the church of
Ashurst, of the king in capite, and died possessed' of the same in
the 52d of Henry III. His descendant, Richard Gerund, inthe
reign of Edward III. leaving an only daughter, Maud, she car
ried them in marriage to Sir Henry de Chalfunt, who bore for
his arms, three bends ermine, and died possessed of these estates
in the 45th year of the same reign, holding them in capite, and
performing ward to the castle of Dover.
They continued in his descendants till the reign of Henry V.,
when, by the heir general of this family, they devolved to Robert
Ie Hadde, of Frinsted, whose descendant, Robert Hadde, in the
reign of Henry VIIL, conveyed this estate to WiUiam Waller,
esq. of Groombridge, who died in the 18th year of that reign,
and in his descendants it continued till Sir Thomas WaUer, in
the reign of Elizabeth, alienated it to Thomas Sackville, earl of
Dorset. He died possessed of this property in 1608, when his
grandson, Richard earl of Dorset, conveyed this manor of
Ashurst, to Sir George Rivers, of Chafford, whose eldest son
John was created a baronet in the 19th of James I. Two years
after, his lands, as well as those of his father, were disgavelled,
and on his father's death he succeeded to this estate, which con
tinued in his descendants until Sir George Rivers, bart. dying in
1734, without issue male, by his will devised it, with his seat of
Chafford, among his other estates, to his five natural children.
The surviving legitimate daughters, and the hieifs of those de
ceased, however, filed a bill in chancery to set the will aside,
when, after a process at law, and several decrees, the court
ordered the estates to be sold in 1743, which accordingly took
place, when they were purchased by Mr. William Saxley, gent.,
of Horsted Cayns, iu Sussex, who died possessed of them in
1783. In pursuance of his will they were afterwards sold to
Robert Burges, esq. of Lyghe, who dying in 1794, his widow
remarrying James Harbroc, esq., he in her right became pos
sessed of this estate.
A court-baron is held for this manor, and a heriot is paid on
the death of a tenant, of the best living beast.
' Ashurst is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of

COUNTY OF KENT. 348
the diocese of Rochester and deanery of Mailing. The church
is a low mean building, having a wooden steeple, and over the
porch are the arms of Sir John Rivers, who gave the dial. In
this structure there are no memorials whatsoever. Previous to
the Reformation, a famous rood or crucifix existed here, vyhich
was much resorted to for its supposed miraculous powers.
This rectory was a discharged living of the yearly value of
£35, the annual tenths being 10s. 5|d.
, The church of Ashurst was anciently esteemed an appendage
to the manor, and so continued till the reign of James I., when
Richard earl of Dorset alienated the manor, but reserved the
church to himself, since which it has remained vested in his
descendants, .down to his grace the late duke of Dorset.
In 1821, there were thirty-one dweUings in the parish of
Ashurst ; and at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of Parhament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow : males 103, females 105, making a
total of 208 souls.

144 HISTORY OF THE

THE LOWY OF TUNBRIDGE.
Southwestward from Twyford Hundred lies the hun
dred of Wachlingstone, last described, with the liberty of the
lowy of Tunbridge, which we now enter upon, having probably
once constituted part of the same, though for a considerable time
past it has been subjected to a separate jurisdiction.
The Lowy of Tunbridge, or, as it is now generally called,
the Lewy, adjoins the hundred of Littlefield, towards the
north, and on the other sides is encircled by the hundred of
Wachlingstone, containing about six miles in length from north
to south, and the same extent in width from east to west. The
whole being within that district, called the Weald of Kent.
The lowy contains within its boundaries the boroughs of
Hadlow, Tunbridge Town, Hilden, and South. The
borough of Hadlow, containing part of the parish of Capel,
and a portion of that of Hadlow, with the churches of both
those parishes.
The borough qf Tunbridge town contains that town and the
church, while those of Hilden and South comprise the re
maining portion of the parish of Tunbridge.
Each of these boroughs has a constable, who possesses juris
diction over his respective borough.
The Lowy of Tunbridge is called, in old Latin deeds,
Districtus Lceucce de Tonebridge, and in Domesday record,
Leuua Ricardoe de Tonebriga.
It was anciently the custom in Normandy to term the district
round a castle, abbey, or chief mansion, leuca, or leucata, in
English, the lowy ; wherein the possessor had generally a grant
of several pecuUar liberties, privileges, and exemptions. When
Richard Fitz-Gislebert, vvho came into England with William
the Conqueror, had possessed himself of the manor and castle of
Tunbridge, in exchange with the archbishop for other lands in
Normandy, he procured a grant of several Uberties and exemp
tions, as also for his adjoining manor of Hadlow, and called this

COUNTY OF KENT. 346
district round his manor and castle, the Lowy of Tunbridge^
which name it has ever since borne.
In process of time, frequent disputes arose between the earls
of Gloucester, successors of Richard de Tonebridge, in his Lowy,
and the archbishops of Canterbury, in regard to the limits, their
extents, and privileges, which were adjusted from surveys made
by the command of Henry III.
After that period, disputes again arising concerning the
bounds of the Lowy, another perambulation took place in the
8th of Edward I., before Stephen de Penchester and Solomon
Roffe, justices in Eyre ; but the places, as well as names of
persons mentioned in both those perambulations, being obsolete
and now totally unknown, the insertion of them in this place
would afford so little information to the reader, that we think it
better to omit both.
¦'And the inquest found further, that no man's tenants, except
ing the earls, were within the perambulations ; and that the
tenants of the archbishop were within the jurisdiction of his
own bailiff or ministers."
At the period above referred to, the earl of Gloucester claimed,
among others, these liberties, within his Lowy ; viz., a coroner
out of his own tenants, or by their election in the court of Tun
bridge : that his tenants should not make presentments before
any justices in Eyre, either of assize or gaol delivery, but only
when they should come into the Lowy, which they ought to do
before their departure out of Kent, there to hold their oyer
assize or gaol delivery for the Lowy.
That the ministers of the king or archbishop should not bear
up their rods in the Lowy, or make any summonses or dis
tresses for any pleas out of the same. That his tenants should
be free of toll over all England : and that when the justices in
Eyre should repair to Canterbury, the earl's steward should go
thither with twelve men of the Lowy, and in their hearing,
demand allowance of these liberties : and that the justices
should, at their pleasure, assign a day to go to Tunbridge before
their departure from the shire.
In the 7th of Edward I. , the earl of Gloucester claimed the
above privileges within his Lowy, and likewise view of frank-

346 HISTORY OF THE
pledge and assize of bread and beer within his lands in the
parishes of Eltham, Preston, Mereworth, Netelstede,
CHEKESHALL,TREMWORTH,HARDRESS,STELIiING,NATYNG- den, Blean, and Sheldewyke : and that his tenants in
them should be free from all suit and service in the hundreds of
the county ; and on a quo warranto, in the 2Ist year, and also
in the 29th of the above reign, the liberties and privileges, above
mentioned, within the Lowy, were allowed and confirmed to him
and his heirs. Hugh de Audley and Margaret his wife claimed
these privileges, under Edward 111., within their Lowy, and also
ree warren and ehase, and to hold pleas of Withernam: and
that the tenants of the Lowy should be free from all toll, pas
sage, murage, pontage, and contributions to the repairs of
highways. Sic. throughout England.
All the above-mentioned liberties, even within the district of
the Lowy, have been disused time out of mind; nor has there
been a bailiff appointed for the same within memory ; it there
fore now falls in with the like jurisdiction as other places in this
county, which, not being in any hundred, appoint their own
constables. The borough of Hadlow, within the Lowy of Tunbridge,
contains the parish of Hadlow, with the church, except a small
district on the northern part, which is in the hundred of Little
field. The parish of Hadlow is of large extent, adjoining West
Peckham, to the north, and is bounded southward by the
Medway. To the west it extends to the Northfrith woods and
the parish of Tunbridge. It is far from a pleasant situation,
presenting a flat low country, much covered with large and
spreading oaks, and broad hedge-rows ; the soil is, in general, a
stiff clay, very wet and swampy ; towards the upper part of the
parish it is poor, and inclined to be gravelly ; lower down, the
lands become more fertile, and bear good corn and hops, of
which there were many plantations. Near the river the grass
lands are very rich, and the pasturage excellent for the fatting of
cattle of large size. The rivulet called the Sheet, which flows
from Plaxtool, by Oxenhoath, crosses this parish, joining the
Medway a little above Brandt bridge ; near which, at Hartlake
bridge, in the eastern part of this parish, is what is called a
flowing bolt, being an ingenious contrivance to pen up the water

COUNTY OF KENT. 347
to a certain height, by which means it can be let out, in dry
seasons, to flow over and moisten the adjoining meadows, which
is of great advantage to the land. The high road from Maid
stone, through Mereworth, to Tunbridge, crosses this parish
over Hadlow common, whence it passes through the town or
vUlage of Hadlow ; between which and the river is Fish hall
and Haoiovv place ; and to the eastward, the small hamlets of
Goldwell Green, Barnes, and Mill Street.
On the bank of the Medway, at the west end of the parish,
is a wharf and landing-place, called Hadlow stairs, for the un
loading of timber, coals, and other merchandise.
A fair is held annually in Hadlow town, on Whit Monday.
It appears, from the survey of Domesday, that this place
was part of those vast possessions with which William the
Conqueror enriched his half brother, Odo bishop of Bayeux ;
under the general title of whose lands it was therein entered.
In the reign of Henry IIL, the seignory of this manor was
claimed by the archbishop of Canterbury, and an agreement
entered into, in the 42d year of the same reign, between Arch
bishop Boniface and Richard de Clare, earl of Gloucester and
Hertford, concerning the customs and services which the arch
bishop required of the earl, on account of the tenements which
the latter held of him in Tunebreyge, Hanlo, &c. : that is, the
manors of Tunebregge and Hanlo, together with the whole of the
LoVvyof Tonebregge; when the archbishop required that the
earl should do him homage, and that he should be the high
steward of him and his successors at their great feast, whenso
ever it happened that the archbishop should be enthroned.
The above-mentioned Richard de Clare, earl of Gloucester,
dying at Eschemerfield in this county, in the reign of Henry III.
Gilbert his son succeeded him in this manor; and his heir,
whose son of the same name and earl Of Gloucester, dying in
the reign of Edward IL, without surviving issue, his three sisters
became his coheirs ; upon which, this manor of Hadlow, with
that adjoining, and the castle of Tunbridge, appear to have
been allotted to Margaret, the second sister, wife of Hugh de
Audley, who in her right possessed them, and was, in the reign
of Edward III. in consequence of this marriage, created earl of
Gloucester. Margaret countess of Cornwall and Gloucester died in the

S48 HISTORY OF THE
16th year of the above reign, and her husband. Earl Hugh, sur
viving her about five years, died possessed of this manor by
courtesy of the realm, leaving by her an only daughter and heir,
Margaret, then wife of Ralph Stafford lord Stafford. He
obtained a special possession of all the lands of her inheritance ;
and in his descendants, earls of Stafford, and afterwards by
creation, dukes of Buckingham, this manor continued down to
Richard duke of Buckingham, who, in the 13th of Henry VIII.
being accused of conspiring the death of the king, was found
guilty and beheaded that year, and although there was an Act
passed for his attainder, another passed also for the restitution
in blood of Henry, his eldest son, the same, however, not extend
ing to his honours and lands, which became forfeited to the
crown. The king therefore, in his 16th year, granted the manors
of Hadlow and Northfrith to Sir Henry Guildford^ comptroller
of his household, to hold by knight's service. Sir Henry
Gmldford, who had highly signalised himself by his valour
against the Moors in Spain, was first knighted, and afterwards
created a knight banneret, and master of the horse. In the I7th
of Henry VIIL, he was appointed one of the chamberlains of
the Exchequer, and elected a knight of the garter, being then
only thirty-nine years of age.
On his death, in the 23d year of the above monarch, this
manor reverted to the crown, where it remained till Edward VI. ,
in his 4th year, granted the estate and park of Hadlow to John
Dudley, earl of Warwick, who was created duke of Northumber
land ; and he by indenture, in the 7th year of that reign, inrolled
in the Augmentation-office, sold this manor, among other pre
mises, to the king, in exchange for lands in other counties.
The manor of Hadlow remained vested in the crown till the
accession of Queen Elizabeth, who, in her 1st year, granted it,
together with the park caUed Northfryth, to her kinsman, Henry
Carey, lord Hunsdon, to hold in capite; and he appears to have
given it, during his life, to his eldest son. Sir George Carey, who
possessed it in the 26th year of that reign. He died in the 1st
of James I., without issue male, when this manor and title
devolved to his brother, John, who also dying in the 1 5th of the
above reign, his eldest son, Henry lord Hunsdon, conveyed this
estate by sale to James Faircloth, m. d., of London, who alienated
the same to George Rivers, esq., of this parish ; and he was

COUNTY OF KENT. 349
succeeded by his son, Edward, who died possessed of this manor
in 1660. His successor alienated the estate, in the reio-n of
Charles II. , to Jeffry Amherst, gent., who sold the same, in
1699, to Mr. John France ; and he dying without issue male,
his two daughters, Miary and Elizabeth, became his coheirs.
The eldest married Walter Barton, gent. ; and the youngest,
George Swayne, gent. ; when, on the death of Sir Jeffrey
Amherst, the former, by settlement, succeeded to this manor, as
did his son, Mr. John Barton ; and his son, Walter, who after
wards changed his name to May, ultimately possessed this
estate. A court-leet and court-baron is held for this manor, entirely
independent of that held for the manor of Tunbridge.
Hadlow place is a seat and estate in this parish, which, in
all probability, gave both name and residence to a family of no
small note in ancient times.
John de Hadloe, a descendant of Nicholas, was one of those
gentlemen of this county who attended Edward I. in his expe-
<^ition to Scotland, in the 28th year of that reign ; and, for his
services at the battle of Carlaverock, was constituted a knight
banneret by that prince, The Hadloe's bore for their arms,
three crescents, to, vvhich were afterwards added, seven cross cross-
lets, in token of some exploit or expedition against the Saracens
in the Holy Land, a usual mark of honour in those times. This
addition was, most probably, made to Nicholas de Hadloe, who
followed Richard I. to the siege of Ascalon in Palestine.
How long Hadlow place remained in the possession of this,
f^^mily we do not find, but most likely till it was alienated to the
Vane's, orFa.ne's., Henry Fane, the eldest son of John, of Tun
bridge, possessed it in the reign of Henry VIL, who dying
without issue, gave by will this manor and place, with all his
lands in Hadlow and Capel, to his kinsman, Ralph Fane, in tail
male, with remainder to each of the sons of his younger bro
ther, John, successively, in Uke tail.
Ralph Fane was afterwards knighted at the siege of Boulogne,
in 1544 ; and for his gallant behaviour at the battle of Mussel
burgh, in the 1st of Edward VL, was made knight banneret, but
in the 6th. year of that reign, being found guilty of high treason;
was beheaded. He died without male issue, and Hadlow place,,
with the adjoiiiing lands, by virtue of the above entail, devolved
VOL, III. z z

Sao HISTORY OF THE
to Henry Fane, the eldest son, of John, deceased. This
gentleman, being concerned in the insurrection raised by Sir
Thomas Wyatt, was attainted, but the queen pardoned him on
acco'jnt of his youth, when his estates were restored to him.
His son, Henry, denominated himself, as his ancestors had done,
Vane, which appellation his posterity have continued to adopt
ever since. He removed his residence to Raby castle, in the
bishopric of Durham, and was afterwards knighted ; from which
time he acted a conspicuous part in public affairs, and was
in great favor with Charles I.; but, in 1642, the king, being
offended at his vindictiveness in the prosecution of the earl of
Strafford, he was removed from his post of secretary of state,
and from the privy council, and became one of the king's most
malicious enemies. Soon after the death of that monarch, he
alienated this seat and estate to Mr. Thomas Petley, of Filston,
in Shoreham, and he left it to his son, Ralph, who removed from
Shoreham to Riverhead in Sevenoak ; and in his descendants,
resident there, this estate continued, in like manner with that
seat, to Ralph Carter Petley, who dying in 1788, Mrs. Petley,
his widow, possessed the same.
Fromans, otherwise Goodwis, is a manor in this parish,
which was formerly called Fromonds, from a family of that name,
that once possessed it.
Simon Fromond was owner of this estate in the reign of
Henry IIL, in which name it continued till Richard Fromond
sold it to one of the family of the Colepeper's ; in whose des
cendants it remained till Richard Colepeper, of Oxenhoath,
about the time of Edward IV., passed it by sale to John
Fromond, a descendant of the before-mentioned Richard. By
one of his successors it was alienated to the Vane's, in vvhich
family it continued down to Henry Vane, of Hadlow place, who
died possessed of this manor of Goodwis or Fromans, then held
of the manor of Hadlow by knight's service. His grandson,
Sir Henry, alienated this estate, in like manner as Hadlow place,
to Ralph Carter Petley, esq. of Riverhead, whose widow suc
ceeded to this inheritance. A court-baron is held for this manor.
Crombury, or East Cromburt, is another manor in
Hadlow, which, in ancient times, was called Crancheberi, and
afterwards Crongeberi, as appears from the archives of the
church of Rochester.

COUNTY OF KENT. 351
This place was, soon after the Conquest, in the possession of
William, son of William de Horsmundenne, who gave the tenths
of the same to St. Andrew's priory, in Rochester; at which time
it was accounted an appendage to the manor of Mereworth. It
afterwards passed into the possession of a family of that name ;
John de Mereworth, in the reign of Edward IIL, having paid
aid for the manor of Mereworth, with Crongebury, held of the
earl of Gloucester, as one knight's fee. From the above name
it passed into that of Fromund, until Thomas Fromund alien
ated it to John Godwin, one of whose ancestors sold it to the
Peckham's ; when Catherine died, possessed of it, in the reign
of Henry VIL, then holding it of the duke of Buckingham, as
did her son, Thomas Peckham, gent., under Henry VIIL, by
knight's service. His son, Thomas, soon afterwards passed it
away to the family of the Vane's, where it continued, in the
same manner as Hadlow place, down to Sir Henry Vane, who
alienated this manor to Mr. Thomas Petley ; from whom it
descended to Ralph Carter Petley, esq. of Riverhead, whose
widow ultimately possessed this property. A court-baron is held
for this manor.
CaustoiVs is a manor in this parish, which had formerly
owners of that name, as, in the 8th of Edward II. the heirs of
Hugh de Causton and William Franklyn held the eighth part of
a knight's fee in Hadlow of the honour of Clare.
This manor continued in the name of Causton till Hugh
Causton alienated it to one of the family of the Watton's, of
Addington, where it continued till William Watton, esq. of
Addington, sold it to Thomas Peckham, owner likewise of the
manor of Crombury; in whose descendants it continued till
Thomas Peckham, in the reign of Henry VIIL, passed it away,
with the rest of his estates in this parish, to the family of the
Vane's. Thence it descended to Sir Henry Vane, who sold this
manor to one Maynard, of Mayfield, in Sussex ; in which line it
remained in the reign of Charles II. , and, after some interme
diate owners, was sold to Mr. John Kipping, in which family it
afterwards continued.
Goldwell, or Coldwell, is an estate in this parish, an
ciently possessed by a family of some rank, named Beald,
whence it passed into the line of the Fromond's, who were con
siderable owners in this parish. In that name it continued some

352 HISTORY OF THE
time, until John Fromond alienated the estate to one of the
family of the Colepeper's ; in which it continued till Sir Richard
Colepeper, of Oxenhoath, dying in the reign of Richard HI.
without issue male, his three daughtei's became his coheirs, and
on a division of their inheritance, this estate of GoldweU was
allotted to Margaret, the eldest, married to WiUiam Cotton,
esq. afterwards of Oxenhoath. His grandson, Robert, of
Hadlow, alienated the same to John ChOwrie, gent, of Fairiane,
whose great grandson. Sir George Chowne, Of the same place,
intending to confine his possessions vvithin Sussex, sold it, after
the death of Charles L, to Mr. Thomas Barton, gent. His
daughter, Alice, married John Keriel, esq., and bis grandson,
John, passed it by sale to Mr. WiUiam Heath, on whose death,
without issue, it devolved to his sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Burges,
of Westerham, whose only son, Robert Burges, esq. of Hall
place, in Lyghe, died possessed of this estate.
Peckhams is a manor in this parish, which derived its name
from a family that once possessed the same.
John de Peckham, in the 8th of Edward IL, held this manor of
the honour of Clare by knight's service ; aud in his descendants
it continued rill alienated to the Colepeper's, and in that name
it remained tiU the death of Sir Richard Colepeper, without
issue male ; after which it vvas divided between his three daugh*
ters, when this manor was allotted to Margaret, married, as
before mentioned, to WiUiam Cotton, of Oxenhoath, and his
grandson alienated the same to the Ferrer's. In the reign of
Edward VI. , Dame Constantia Ferrers died possessed of this
manor, holding it by knight's service ; and her son, Edward,
sold it to the Leigh's, whose descendant, Mr. John Leigh, passed
it away by sale to George Rivers, esq. of this parish. His
grandson, in the reign of Charles II. , aUenated it to a family of
the name of Dalling, one of whom, Mr. John Dalling, of
Westerham, died, possessed of the same, about the year 1750,
leaving an only daughter and heir, married to Mr. Jonathan
Chilwell, then of Tunbridge, who possessed the same.
Fish Hall is a seat in this district, formerly the residence
of John de Fisher, so called from having been invested by
Gilbert de Clare, earl of Gloucester, with the privilege of fishing
freely and without control, within his jurisdicrion.
The name of Fisher continued in his posterity, one of whom

COUNTY OF KENT. 353
pbsseSsed this seat, and resided here in the reign of Henry VIIL,
of which he possessed a lease from the king, of the site of the
manor of Hadlow, as he soon afterwards also had of all the
rivers, fisheries, and ponds within the same. He ahenated this
seat to the family of the Vane's, whence it passed by Sale to the
Rivers's, of Chafford.
George Rivers, second son of Sir George Rivers, of Chafford,
resided at Fish hall, and was succeeded by his son Edward,
who also resided here, and possessed the seat at his dfeath in
I66O. His successor alienated this property, in the reign of
Charles II., to Geoffry Amherst, gent., who sold it to John
France, and he leaving two daughters his coheirs, the eldest
married, as before mentioned, to Walter Barton, gelit., and the
youngest to George Swayne ; the latter possessed this seat in
right of his wife, by the will of her father, and Mr. Thothas
Swayne, his son, sold it to Mr. John Porter, of this parish,
Barnes Place is a considerable estate, which formeriy
belonged to Sir John Van Hatton, who in 1768 passed it by feale
to Sarah, Viscountess Falkland, who dying possessed of this
property in 1776, devised it for life to her husband, ViscOunt
Falkland, with remainder in fee to Francis Motley Austen, esq.
of Sevenoak, who purchased Lord Falkland's life interest therein,
and thus became possessed of the same.
Hadlow is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of
the diocese of Rochester, and deanery of Mailing. The church,
which stands on the east side of the town, in Hadlow borough,
dedicated to St. Mary, is a small building, with a lovv pointed
steeple at the West end. It contains a monument for Sir John
Rivers and his lady.
This was part of the possessions of the knights of St. John of
Jerusalem, as early as the reign of King John, and at the period
of the dissolution of monasteries, under Henry VIIL, appears
to have been esteemed a manor. King Edward VL, in his 1st
^Car, granted the rectory and advowson of Hadlow to Sir Ralph
Fane, and Elizabeth his wife, to hold in &apite, by knight's ser
vice. On Sir Ralph's demise, his widow possessed it, and soon
afterwards alienated one part, by the description of the manor
of the rectory of Hadlow, to Sir Thomas Roydon, of East
Peckham, whose daughter and coheir, Elizabeth, married William
Twysden, of Chelmington, who became in her right possessed of

354 HISTORY OF THE
the manor and rectory ; and his descendant. Sir WiUiam Jarvis
Twysden, bart., sold it to Mr. Walter Barton, who possessed this
tithery, with the manor and appurtenances thereto belonging.
The other two parts of this rectory remained in the possession
of Lady Elizabeth Fane, who, in the reign of Queen Mary,
alienated the remainder of the parsonage of Hadlow, to Henry
Fisher, who passed it away to Richard Smith, and from him it
went to the family of the Rivers's. Sir Thomas Rivers con
veyed that part of the parsonage which consisted of the tithes
arising within the ward of Stayer, to Edward Rivers, esq., who
died possessed of the same in 1660, and was buried in this
church. His son George held it nearly seventy years, and
dying, gave it by will to his godson, George Rivers, esq. of the
Inner Temple, who, in 1737, sold the reversion to Stephen Hervey,
esq. of London, and he conveyed the fee thereof to Mr. Robert
Simmons, of Hadlow, who gave it to Mr. William Simmons, the
after possessor of this part of the parsonage of Hadlow.
The advowson of the vicarage of Hadlow seems to have conti
nued in the family of the Rivers's till the death of Sir George
Rivers, in 1734, when disputes arising, it was put into chancery,
and, after several decrees and processes at law, this advowson,
among his other estates, was, in 1 743, ordered by the court to
be sold, upon which it was conveyed to the Rev. Arthur
Spender, vicar of this parish, who died in 1750. His son dying
unmarried, it then devolved to his brother, Mr. John Spender,
of Northamptonshire, who sold it to Mr. Monypenny, when he
became the patron of this vicarage.
It was valued in the king's books at £13, the yeariy tenths
being £1 6s.
The income arising from the vicarage greatly depends on the
bop plantations in this parish, which have been for some years
so advantageous as to increase the income to £240 per annum.
In 1608 the communicants in this parish amounted to 376.
In 1821 there were 277 dwellings in the parish of Hadlow;
and at the same period, when the last census of the popu
lation was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow : males 907, females 850^ making a
total of 1757 souls.
Southward from Hadlow lies Capel, so called from the

COUNTY OF KENT. 355
church having been always esteemed as a chapel only to the
-church of Tudely adjoining, though in regard to its civil juris
diction, it has always been ranked as a distinct parish of itself.
Part is in the hundred of Wachlingstone, but by far the largest
portion, together with the church, is within the lowy of Tun
bridge. This little parish is situated opposite to Hadlow, on the
southern side of the river Medway, about a mile from the stream,
and lies obscurely, in a woody country, but little known or fre
quented. The surface is low and flat, except in the middle,
where there is a small rise, whereon the church stands ; the soil
in the vicinity is composed of sand and stone, but in the remain
der of the parish, presents a deep miry clay ; the hedge-rows
being broad, and filled with large spreading oaks. It is a very
wet and damp district, full of ponds, and watered by two small
streams on the eastern and western sides of the parish, which run
hence into the Medway ; towards the south it joins the South-
frith woods, and the parish of Pembury.
The manor and borough of Hadlow, in Tunbridge, claim over
that part of this parish which is within the lowy, and is here
called the borough of Hadlow Capel.
Tatlingbury is a manor in this parish, which appears,
from the book of knight's fees, in the reign of Edward I., to have
been part of the possessions of the prior and convent of Tun
bridge, with which it was surrendered in the reign of Henry VIII.
who gave it towards the endowment of Cardinal Wolsey's col
lege. On the disgrace of that prelate it again became vested in
the crown, when the king granted it to the elder branch of the
family of the Fane's, settled at Badsell, in the parish of Tudeley;
the last of which, John earl of Westmoreland, died in 1762,
since which time, it has, with Mereworth, devolved by the limi
tations of his will, to lord le Despencer, the late owner.
Capel is within-the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the
diocese of Rochester, and deanery of Mailing. The church is
dedicated to Thomas a Becket, the martyr ; the body of which
has been rebuilt of brick, but the chancel is very ancient. It
has a tower at the west end, surmounted by a small spire.
The rectory of Capel, with the chapel belonging thereto, was
anciently part of the possessions of the Knight's Hospitallers, by

356 HISTORY OF TUE
whom it was annexed to the jurisdiction of their preceptory of
West Peckham.
In the 22d of Henry VIL the prior and brethren of that hos
pital let to, farm, to Sir Thomas. Starkey, chaplain, their chapel,
called Capel, to hold for his life, paying the yeariy rental of
forty shillings to the prior, and serving either by himself, or a
curate in his stead, the cure of the chapel ; apd further that he
sV>ftl4 repaid and maintain the mansion, the barn, and stable, be-^
lor^ging to, the same, with covering of straw, other stipulatioiiS
b,eing also therein mentioned.
On the dissolution of the order of Knight's Hospitallers, in the
reign of Henry VIIL, by an Act especially passed for that pur
pose, their lands aijd revenues were given to, the kijig, who that
year d,e.u5iised th(s rectory and chapel of Capel, with all its ap-
PiUrtenauces, to Sir John Baker, at the yearly rent of £4. After
the, above period, the fee of this rectory, with the advowson of
the chapel, seem tp have been granted to Sir Ralph Fane, who,
in the 37 th year of the same reign, alienated them to Thomas
^.tqpe, of Hadlow, yeoman.
How they reverted to the family of Fane v/e have not ascer
tained, but the property was for sometime, together with the manor
of Tatlingbury, possessed by the elder branch, earls of Westmore-
la^nd, and ha|S descended in like manner to lord le Despencer.
Xhe vicars, of Tudeley serve the cure of this parish, and cha
pelry united to that church, as before mentioned. It is not in
clft?.Tg6 in the king's books.
In 182,1 there weye forty-eight dwellings in the parish of Ca,ppl ;
and 9,t the same period, when the last census of the popula
tion was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inha
bitants, were as fbUow: males 181, females 149, making a total
of 330 souls.
Tunbridge, the next parish northwestward from Capel, is
written in Saxon, Tunbryege, or the town of bridges. In
Domesday, and the Textus Roffensis, it is written Tqnebriga,
andig supposed to have derived its name from the several bridges
which a.re built over the five streams of the river Medway, in
their current through this town.
The parish of Tunbridge is very large, extending six

COUNTY OF KENT. 35 (
miles in length from north to south, and about six in breadth,
its circumference being supposed to occupy about twelve miles.
From its great extent, the situation as well as soU is very diffe
rent in the several parts ; it lies, in general, low and moist, occa
sioned by the many streams of the Medway which flow through
this district, and at times inundate it to a considerable extent.
The soil is extremely good for oak timber, of which there are
numbers of large sized trees ; the whole being esteemed very sa
lubrious. The grass lands on either side of the river are fertile,
and adapted to fatting cattle, being also productive of good corn
and hops. At the south-west part of the parish the ground rises
to the quarry hill, where the soil becomes sandy, covering the
quarry-stone rock, about a mile beyond which is the hamlet of
Southborough, at the extremity of the parish in that direction.
The north and south parts of this parish, on the east side, are
covered with the woods of the North and South Frith, the former
of which joins to West Peckham, and the latter, of much larger
extent, extends to within a very small distance of Tunbridge
WeUs, in Speldhurst. On the northern side of the latter, about
a mile and a half from the town, on a pleasing eminence, is the
mansion of Somerhill, belonging to Mr. Woodgate, the state
apartment of which large and venerable mansion is noble and
spacious, retaining its original form, gilding, and other decora
tions, so that the whole might, by reparation and attention to
the style of architecture, be rendered a most magnificent resi
dence. Such is the account given by Mr. Hasted, in his time ;
whether it has received any improvement from more modern
taste, we have not learned.
Along the western side of the Frith woods runs a stream,
which flows from Speldhurst, and about midway hitherward
turns a miU, used for the manufacturing of gunpowder ; it is
situated at a place called Old Forge farm, having been in Queen
Elizabeth's time, an iron foundery, subject to her use and direc
tions; in 1763 an Act passed to enable the proprietors to con
tinue to work the miU as a pestle mill, which is otherwise pro
hibited by law.
The town of Tunbridge is situated neariy in the centre of the
parish, about thirty miles from London, on the sides of the high
road leading thence to Tunbridge Wells, as well as to Cowden
and Rye, in Sussex, to which places the road divides, at the
VOL. III. 3 A

358 HISTORY OF THE
south end of the town, eastward, through Hadlow to Mereworth,
and thence to Maidstone.
The river Medway crosses the town near the south end, in five
streams, over which there are as many bridges. The southern
was formerly the main stream of the river, but the northern,
which was dug entirely to form the moat of the castle, is now
the only navigable and main branch, over which was built, in
1775, on the foundations of the former structure, a new stone
bridge of three arches, which cost the county £1100. It was
erected from a design of Mr. Milne's, and is more calculated for
utility than ornament. Just below this bridge is a spacious
wharf, whereon vast quantities of the largest oak timber, brought
from the wealds of Kent, are continually laid till they can be
conveniently transported down the river, to the royal docks at
Chatham and Sheerness. Above this point the Medway, though
nar-row, is navigable for small boats for about a mile, where the
principal channel runs from Penshurst, which might equally
be rendered navigable, with great ease and convenience, should
such be considered an object of sufficient importance.
The castle of Tunbridge stood close to the river, just above
the new bridge at the south-west corner of the present town.
I'he ruins are venerable and conspicuous for some distance round,
though there are at this time remaining little more than the
inner gateway, a building flanked by two large circular towers,
of great thickness and strength ; a part of the walls round the
circuit of the area, and the high mount of the keep, or dungeon,
within ; all pf which are convincing proofs that, when in its ori
ginal state, it must have been a place of no small strength and
consequence, the walls having formerly enclosed no less than six
acres of ground, The fortifications seem to have consisted of
two spacious round towers, of about seventy feet in diameter,
communicating with each other by a strong high wall, extending
sixty feet from east to west; these were united to the great
keep on the top ot the mount, the base of which comprised the
circle of an acre, and had a covered way thence to the gateway
of the castle, from which there was a similar communication
over the chapel to the sonth-east tower. The governor's domes
tic apartments were in the area, parallel to the south wall, which
overlooks the river, and unites the two towers at the extremities,
aa before mentioned.

COUNTY OF KENT. 359
There were formerly three moats encircling this castle, the
innermost of which was formed by a new stream dug for that
purpose (now the principal current of the Medway), over which
was a stone bridge, joined by a strong broad wall of stone to the
south-east round tower, the same having kept up a large head of
water in the moat between the gateway and the barbican, or
watchtower. The other two moats enclosed the then town of
Tunbridge^ the outermost of which had a drawbridge over it at
the north end of the town. These moats were capable of being
filled or emptied at pleasare> by a large weir and bank, which
extended for the space of two miles towards Lyghe.
In former times the town of Tunbridge was little more than
the suburbs belonging to the castle, which, being situated be
tween the two outer moats, partook of the same vicissitudes of
fortune as the eminent fortress itself was doomed to experience.
In the reign of Henry IIL, Gilbert earl of Gloucester, the noble
owner of this castle, having associated with the rebeUious barons,
the king besieged the same, and having burnt down the town,
afterwards took this fortress, a.d. 1264.
The present town is situated, for the most part, northward of
the castle, on the rise of a hill. Since the Medway has been
rendered navigable, the trade has greatly increased, as well as the
wealth and number of inhabitants ; many good mansions have
also been erected, and several persons of genteel fortune induced,
from the salubrity of the air and pleasSiut situation, to fix their
abodes here, particularly on the hill at the north end of the
town, where there are two handsome houses, one lately the resi
dence of Thomas Hooker, esq. lord of this manor, and the other
of George Children, esq. This latter gentleman possessed a
good estate in this county, and was descended from a famUy
which was for many generations settled on an estate, called
from them Children's, situated at Lower or Nether street, in
Hildehborottgh, in this parish ; they bore for their arms. Or, a
sullier ingrailed, gules. A descendant, John Children, esq.,
married Jane, daughter of John WeUer, esq. of Tunbridge, by
whom he had one son, George, and two daughters. He died in
1772, and was Succeeded by his son George, of Tunbridge, bar
rister at law, who married Susanna, the second daughter of the
Rev. Thomas Jordan, rector of Barming, by whom he had one
son, John George Children.

330 HISTORY OF THE
Near the above mansion of Mr. Children, but on the opposite
side of the road, is the ftee grammar-school, a well-built venerable
structure, of which more wiU be said hereafter.
Tunbridge town, the principal street of which is broad
and airy, is, from its situation at the rise of the hill, naturally
neat and clean, and constantiy kept in that state under the care
of two wardens, who are chosen at the court-leet of the manor
every three years ; a yearly rental of £30 having been given by
some persons unknown, many years ago, for this desirable pur
pose. A large market is kept, for cattle, on the first Tuesday
in every month, and another for meat, poultry, and vegetables,
every Friday. A fair is also held here for three days annually,
on Ash Wednesday, July 6, and in October, for live cattle and
toys. John WiUford, citizen of London, about the middle of the
reign of Henry VIIL, raised, at his own expense, the great stone
causeway at the end of the town, on the high road to London.
Maidstone formerly possessed the privilege of a borough, and
sent members to Parliament, but there is but one return to be
found of that circumstance having occurred, which was in the
reign of Edward I., when John German and John Martin were
returned for this borough. An account of the dreadful storm
that happened on Friday, August 19, 1763, which visited this
county, first at Tunbridge Wells, and directing its course
north-north-east, spread havock and desolation wherever it vented
its fury, is given under the description of Maidstone.
An account of the famous medicinal waters, usually caUed
Tunbridge WeUs, situated about five mUes southward from the
town of Tunbridge, will be found under the parish of Speldhurst,
in which they are mostly situated.
Tunbridge has conferred a title on several illustrious
famiUes. Edward Stafford, the last duke of Buckingham, in the reign
of Henry VIIL, bore, among the other titles inherited from his
ancestors, that of Baron Tunbridge, but being convicted of high
treason in the 13th year of the above reign, was executed, and
an Act passed under that monarch for his attainder, when, not
withstanding, a further Act passed for the restitution of his son
in blood; it did not, however, extend to his honours and lands, as
we have observed on previous occasions.

COUNTY OF KENT. 361
Richard de Burgh, earl of Clanrickard, was, by King James I.,
in his 22d year, created baron of SomerhUl, (the name of the
seat he had buUt in this parish,) and viscount Tunbridge, and,
in the 4th of Charles I., earl of St. Alban's. He died in 1636,
and was succeeded in his titles by his son and heir, Ulick, who
was afterwards created marquis of Clanrickard. He died without
issue male, when his titles, among which was that of viscount
Tunbridge, became extinct.
William Henry de Zuleisten de Nassau, was, in the reign of
King William III., created baron of Enfield, viscount Tunbridge,
and earl of Rochford, in Essex. He was the son of Frederic de
Nassau, lord of Zuleisten, in Holland, natural son of Henry
prince of Orange, the king's grandfather. The earl of Rochford,
viscount Tunbridge, died in 1708, in whose descendants these
titles continued down to the Right Hon.William Henry Nassau,,
earl of Rochford and viscount Tunbridge.
Although there is no particular description of
this place in the survey of Domesday, yet the possessor, Richard
de Tonebridge, or Fitz-Gislibert, is frequently mentioned, as well
as the surrounding district, whereof he was equally the lord,
called in that record Leuua Recardi de Tonebrige, or the lowy
of Richard de Tonebridge.
This Richard was named Fitz-Gilbert, as being eldest son of
Gilbert earl of Brion, in Normandy, son of Geoffry, natural son
of Richard, the first duke of Normandy of that name.
He was one of the principal persons who came into England
with the Conqueror, and attended him at the sanguinary battle
of Hastings, in reward for which service, and also in consequence
of his near alliance in blood, he had great honours and large pos-
s-ssions bestowed upon him by William the Conqueror, both in
England and Normandy.
Towards the close of the reign of the above monarch, he ob
tained the town and castle of Tunbridge from the archbishop of
Canterbury, in exchange for that of Brion, in Normandy, each
being of the same extent; and, having fixed his residence in his
new acquired demesnes, was thence called Richard de Tunbridge,
and the district round the same, his lowy. Upon the death of
the Conqueror, he favored the cause of Robert Curthose, against
William Rufus, who besieged him in his castle of Tunbridge,
when, being compelle'd to surrender, he swore allegiance to that

362 HISTORY OF TUE
prince, from which period, to the death of Henry I., nothing
remarkable occurred relating to him. However, soon after, he
was slain in Wales, and buried at St. Neot's, in Huntingdon
shire, being succeeded in all his possessions in England by
GUbert de Tunbridge, his eldest sOn, who, during the life of his
father, in the 12th of WUliam Rufus, taking part with Robert
earl of Morton, then in rebellion, he fortified himself in his castle
of Tunbridge, in that earl's behalf. The king, nevertheless,
after a siege of two days, obliged Gilbert, wh6 was vvounded, to
surrender this fortress, after which he died, in the reign of
Henry I., leaving four sons, of whom Gilbert, the Second, sur
named Strongbow, was by King Stephen, in his 3d year, created
earl of Pembroke. Walter, the third son, was founder of the
abbey of Tinterne, in Wales ; and Baldwin, the fourth, assumed
the name of Clare.
He was succeeded in this manor and oastle by his eldest son,
Richard, who also assumed the name of Clare, from a lordship
he possessed in Suffolk, and was the first of his family who had
the title of earl of Hertford, having bofne for his arms. Or,
three chevrons gules. He founded the priory of Tunbridge, and
was also slain in Wales, at the latter end of the above reign,
leaving several children, the eldest of whom became his heir,
with the title of earl of Clare. He gave the church of Tone-
brege to the monks of Lewes, in Sussex ; and dying in the
reign of King Stephen, was buried in the cell at Clare, which
Gilbert, his grandfather, had given to the monks of Bee, in
Normandy. He was succeeded by Roger, his brother, also earl of Clare,
and summoned by Archbishop BeCket to appear at Westminster,
to do him hotoage for the castle of Tunbridge, which he asserted
was held of him in right of his archbishopric; this the earl,
through the king's persuasion, refused to do, alleging that Le
held it by military service of his majesty, and not of the arch
bishop, who upon this pm'sued the claim no further.
In the 12th year of that reign, on levying the aid for the mar
riage of the king's daughter, he certified his knight's fees to be
149, in different counties. His gifts were numerous, to different
reUgious houses, in manors and lands, and among others he gave
to the monks of St. Augustine's, near Canterbury, a stag every
year out of his forest of Tonebridge ; to the Knights HospitaUers

COUNTY OF KENT. 383
the church of Tonebridge ; and, to the canons of the priory of
Begeham, in Sussex, twenty-five hogs yearly, in pure and per
petual alms. He died in the I9th of Henry IL, leaving one son
and heir.
Richard de Clare, who married Amicia, second daughter of
William earl of Gloucester, was at length sole heir to that earl
dom, and by her he had Gilbert de Clare, the first who combined
the titles of Gloucester and Hertford. He was one of the chief
barons who bore arms against King John, upon which, Falcatius
de Brent, commander of the king's forces, took the castle of
Tunbridge by storm, and kept it for the king till peace was
established between them, which was not until the commence
ment of the reign of Henry III.
Richard, his eldest son, succeeded as his heir, and being then
a minor, the guardianship of his lands and honours was com
mitted to Hubert de Burgh, grand justiciary of England, among
which was the castle of Tunbridge.
Richard archbishop of Canterbury complained of this to the
king, alleging that it was a fief of the archbishopric ; to which
the king replied, that the wardship of the young earl of right
belonged to him, and it was therefore his prerogative to dispose
of it to his justiciary during the minority of the heir. That
answer, however, not satisfying the archbishop, he immediately
carried his complaints in person to Rome, where he obtained a
bull from the pope, authorising him to take possession of this
castle during the minority of the earl ; but dying on his journey
home, in 1234, he was succeeded in the see of Canterbury by
St. Edmund, to whom, it is said, the king granted the custody
of the lands belonging to this castle and honour of Tonebregge
and Bradested, till the earl should be of age. This grant might
have been probably made two years afterwards, such being the pe
riod when this archbishop married the king to his queen Eleanor.
In the 29th year of the above reign, on the aid for marrying
the king's daughter being levied, the earl paid for three hundred
and four knight's fees and a half; and in the 34th year of the
same monarch, the earl of Gloucester was present, with a noble
attendance, at the solemn inthronization of Archbishop Boniface,
when he exercised the office of chief butler and steward. Not
withstanding this, there appears to have been great contests and
disputes between them, concerning the customs and services

364 HISTORY OF TEli-
lequired by the archbishop of this nobleman, touching the fees
for performing those offices ; all of which were settled by a
mutual agreement or composition made between them a few
years afterwards. On that occasion, it was agreed that the
customs and services which the archbishop claimed of the earl
for the manors of Tunebregge and Hanlo, with the whole Lowy
of Tunbridge; and for the manors of Vyelestun, Horsemundenne,
Metelune, and Pettes, with their appurtenances, should have, in
future, homage of the earl, the service of four knight's fees, and
suit at the court of the archbishop ; and further, that he should
be the archbishop's high steward, and his chief butler at the
great feast of his inthronization, and perform suit at the arch
bishop's court at Otford, for the manor of Bradested. And it
was further agreed between them, that whenever an archbishop
should be inthroned in thechurch of Canterbury, the earl should
receive, for the service of steward, seven robes of scarlet, thirty
gallons of wine, fifty pounds of wax for the use of his own
lights on the feast, the livery of hay and corn for eighty horses
for two nights, and the dishes and salts which should be set be
fore the archbishop at the first course in the feast ; and at the
departure of the earl, entertainment for three days, at the cost
of the archbishop and his successors, at their manors, by the
four quarters of Kent, wheresoever the earl should chuse, upon
condition that the earl brought no more than fifty horsemen to
be maintained : and for the service of butler, seven robes of
scarlet, twenty gallons of wine, fifty pounds of wax, livery of
hay and oats for sixty horses for two nights, and the cup with
which he should serve before the archbishop, with other fees, of
a lower description, therein mentioned.
His descendants, possessors of the manor and castle of Tun
bridge, continued after this to perform these services at the
inthroning of the archbishops.
In the 44th of Henry HI., the eari obtained the king's
licence to wall and embattle his town of Tunbridge, and to make
castles of his houses in Essex and Suffolk. He died two years
afterwards, at John lord Criol's mansion, at Eschemerfield, in
this county, being said, by some, to have been poisoned at the
table of Peter de Savoy, the queen's iinqle. He was buried in
the choir at Tewksbury, on the right hand of his father, his
bowels at Canterbury, and his heart in Tunbridge church.

COUNTY OF KENT. 365
Gilbert, his eldest son, surnamed Riifus, succeeded Jljim as
earl of Gloucester and Hertford ; soon after whiclj, associating
with the rebeUious barons. Prince Edward, the king's sofl, be
sieged this castle, and took it, with the countess of Gloucester,
the besieged having first set fire to, and burnt down the town ;
the castle was then garrisoned with the king's troops, and t,he
countess set at liberty.
Before the end of that reign, the earl having j-oined the oppo
site party, was taken into royal favor, and upon the death of the
king, and Prince Edward's return from the Holy Land, the earl
entertained him and his whole retinue most honourably for many
vdiays, in this castk. Soon after, he was divorced from Alice his
wife, and, under Edward I., married Joan of Acres, the king's
daughter, las mentioned in another part of this work ; in conse
quence of which, he then eatailed all his castles and manors in
England and Wales, including those of Tunbridge, Yalding,
Bradested, Hadlow, and Dachurst, on his issue, and in default
of the same, to her heirs and assigns, in the event of her sur-
iviiriBg him.
In the 20th year of that reign, on a complaint being made
lagainst the earl, in Parliament, of his having committed great
depredations by force ^and arms on the earl of Hereford's estates,
in North Wales, his lands and castles were seized, and adjudged
to be forfeit, during bis Ufe, when he was made prisoner tiU he
had offered atonement. During that space of time, in the 22d
year of the same reign. Prince Edward, the king's son, who was
left his father's locum tenens during his absence in Flanders,
resided at Tunbridge castle, where, in his chamber, in presence
of Sir Reginald de Grey and Sir William de Badlesmere, and
others, he delivered the king's seal to John de Langton, the
kiiigfs chanceUor. The earl died at his castle of Monmouth,
in the 24th of theiabove reign, and was biiried near his father,
in Tewksbury church.
He left by Joan, his wife, who survived him, one son, and heii,
GUbert, and three -daughters. Gilbert earl of Gloucester and
Hertford, on the death of his mother, Joan of Acres, who had
remarried Ralph de Monthermer, had possession granted him of
iall his father's inheritance. He was captain of the vanguard pf
the king's army in Scotland, and killed in the battle of Ban
uockbucn, near StirUng, in the 7th of that reign, and !ys
VOL. III. '5 B

3rt6 HISTORY OF THE
body interred in the abbey church of Tewksbury. On his death,
without surviving issue, his three sisters became his coheirs,
viz. Alianore, wife of Hugh le de Spencer, the younger, and
secondly, of WiUiam de le Zouch, lord of Glamorgan and Mor-
gannock; Margaret, the wifeof Hugh de Audley; and Elizabeth,
wife of John de Burgh, son and heir of the earl of Ulster.
On the partition of their inheritance, A. D. 1317, the castle
and manor of Tunbridge were allotted to Hugh de Audley, in
right of his wife, at which time it appears there were six knights'
fees held of this castle. But he soon after confederating with
the discontented lords, this castle, among others belonging to
him, was seized on by the king, and the custody committed to
Bartholomew de Badlesmere, who soon after joining the earl's
party, the king conferred this trust on Henry de Cobham, whose
deputy, of the name of Crevequer, having conspired to seize
the castle for the use of the enemy, the king ordered it to be
demolished, -and Crevequer was hanged. It however appears,
by a writ of Edward IL, in his 16th year, that Tunbridge castte
was still preserved, being one of the four places then appointed
by the king for keeping the charters and records of the realm.
Hugh de Audley, in the 1st of Edward IIL, alleged in
ParUament, that there were several errors in the prosecutiun
instituted against him in the C9rmer reign ; in consequence of
which he had restitution granted him of all his castles, manors,
and lands, theu in the hands of the king; and in the llth year
of the same monarch, in consideration of his services and his
wife's descent, was created earl of Gloucester. He died in the
2lst year of that reign, leaving by Margaret his wife, an only
daughter and heir, Margaret, then married to Ralph lord
Stafford. The arms of Audley were. Gules, a fret or, and those
of Stafford, impaling Audley, are carved on the rooflBng of the
cloisters of Christ church, Canterbury ; as are those of Stafford,
singly, being Or, a chevron gules.
Ralph lord Stafford was descended from Robert de Stafford,
who, in the reign of the Conqueror, was possessed of great
estates in different counties, particularly in Staffordshire, and
was the eldest son of Edmund lord Stafford. In the 18th of
Edward IL, he was knighted and made a banneret ; after which
he became extremely eminent in the wars under Edward IIL,
who conferred upon him the great office of seneschal of Aquitane.

COUNTY OF KENT 36r
The following year he had a high command in the van of the
aimy, under the Black Prince, at the famous battle of Cressy,
where the English obtained a glorious victory ; after which
engagement, being sent with Sir Reginald Cobham and three
heralds to view the slain on the side of the enemy, there were
found to be eleven princes, eighty bannerets, 1200 knights, and
more than 30,000 common soldiers. In the 21st year of that
reign he obtained, in consideration of his services, a special
possession of all those lands which Hugh de Audley, earl of
Gloucester, had held in right of Margaret, his wife, and was
soon aftervvards elected knight of the garter, at the first institu
tion of that order by Edward III. , and, in the 25th year of
that reign, advanced to the title of earl of Staftbrd.
This great earl died far advanced in years at Tunbridge, in
the 46th year of the same reign, and was buried in the priory
there, with Margaret, his wife, at the feet of her father and
mother, being in right of his wife possessed of the manor and
castle of Tunbridge, with its members Dachurst and Hadlo.
His character is thus expressed by an old writer. Homo quon
dam validus fortis, audax bellieosus, in armis strenuus, senio
confecius, longo squalore maceratus. Obiit, Nob Comes Staf-
fordia Rcdulphus nomine.
Ralph earl of Stafford, his only son, succeeded him in this
castle and manor, which, on his death, descended to his three
sons, Thomas, William, and Edmund, in succession, all earls of
Stafford. Upon the death of Thomas, the eldest earl, WilUam,
his brother and heir, being under age, Richard, the second, com
mitted the custody of all his lands and castles to Thomas, of
Woodstock, duke of Gloucester, notwithstanding the claim of
Archbishop Courtenay to the custody of this of Tunbridge.
On Archbishop Arundel's succeeding to the see, in the 20th
year of that reign. Earl Edmund being then in ward to the
king, complained highly of the injustice done to himself and the
church of Canterbury in seizing its just rights and prerogatives;
by vvhich and his entreaties, he so far prevailed, that in the
Parliament summoned the same year, the king granted, that
the archbishop and his successors should in future have the
keeping of all lands holden of him in chief, and thereupon
caused the castle of Tunbridge to be delivered to him during the
iniuority of the heir of the earl of Stafford.

361 HISTORY OF THE
Edmund eari of Stafford was succeeded by his only son and
heir, Humphrey, who afterwards bore the titie of earl of Buck.
ingham, Hereford, Stafford, Northampton, and Perch, and lord
of Brecknock and Holderness.
In the 23d year of the same reign, in consequence of his near
aUiance in blood, and for his eminent services in France^ he was
advanced to the title of duke of Buckingham, to hold in tail
male, and mad6 constable of Dov6r and Queenborough castles,
arid warden of the Ciiiique Potts. He was killed in the 38th ot
Henry VI., 1549, at the battle Of Northampton, fighting on the
king's sidd.
Henry, son of Humphrey, his eldest son, who was slain at
the battie of St. Alban's, was his next hei^
Heiiry duke of Buckihgham, after the death of Edward IV.,
became one of the chief confidants of Richard earl of Gloucester,
and a principal abettor of his designs, for which he had several
considerable offices conferred upon him, as well as great presents,
which made him so fearless and corrupt, that he hesitated at
nothing which could contribute to place the crown on the head
of the protector. Having accomplished that point, he oressed
for the performance of the private promises whicii had been
made by Richard, and the new king signed a bill foi* his taking
possession of those lands which were of great extent in dif
ferent counties, to vvhich he laid claim by descent from Humphrey
Bohun, earl of Hereford.
After this. King Richard III. advanced him to the post of
great chamberlain, and also conferred the high office of constable
of England : but whether through a troubled conscience, or a
supposition of the king's neglect, is uncertain; however, the duke
soon afterwards confederated with the bishop of Ely and others,
to advance the earl of Richmond to the throne. The king, at
first, sought to regain the duke by fair promises, and at last by
threats, which prompted him to take arms, and, with a body of
the Welsh, he advanced towards the Severn, but an extraordi
nary flood prevented his passing for such a length of time, that
the troops, for want of money and provisions, dispersed. Tire
duke being thus forsaken, sought refuge in the house of an old
servant, near Shrewsbury, whose gratitude, he imagined, would
prove his security. The name of this miscreant was Banister,
whom the duke had tenderly brought up ; but a reward of £1000

COUNTY OF KENT. 369
being offered foi his apprehension, the wretch betrayed him to the
sheriff, who seized the duke in a grove, near Banister's house, and
conveyed him to Salisbury, where he was, on the following day,
without arraignment or judgment, beheaded in the open market
place, and an Act passed for his attainder. The king, soon after
this, appointed his trusty friend, Robert Brakenbury, esq. con
stable of Tunbridge castle, with a fee of ten marks.
In the 1st of Henry VIL an Act passed for the restitution of
the son and heir of Edward duke of Buckingham, who, in the
I4th of the same reign, had possession granted of aU his father's
lands. He continued in great favor with the king ; but, at the
beginning of the ensuing reign, growing eminent and powerful,
as well from his high blood as ample revenues, he drew on him
self suspicions of his wishing to aspire still higher, which was
Hot a little fermented by Cardinal Wolsey, who hated the duke
for some expressions he had used relative to his low extraction.
Upon this, he was committed on a charge of high treason, and
being found guilty, beheaded on Tower hill, in the 13th of
He;?.ry VIII. An Act soon afterwards passed for his attainder,
which was followed by another for the restitution of his son,
Henry, in blood, which did not, however, include his honours or
lands, as before observed.
The castle and manor of Tunbridge thus devolving to the
crown, remained, during that reign, in the king's hands, when
Edward VI. , in his 4th year, granted them to John Dudley, earl
of Warwick, by the description of his lordship, manor, and
castle of Tunbridge, and his two parks, called the Posterne and
Cage, (the former being situated southward, and the latter north
ward from the town,) and his forests and chases of North and
South Frith, with their appurtenances, to hold in capite by
knight's service. He was afterwards created duke of Nor
thumberland, and in the 7th year of the same rtign, reconveyed
all these estates to the king, in exchange for other premises.
Queen Mary afterwards granted these entire possessions to
Cardinal Reginald Pole, archbishop of Canterbury, for his life,
and one year after, as he should by his will determi-rje. He died,
possessed of them, November 17, 1558, being the very day the
queen expired, not having made any particular devise ; upon
which they again passed to the crown, when Queen Elizabeth
granted this castle and manor to her kinsman, Henry Carey, lord

370 HISTORY Of THE
Hunsdon, and his heirs male, to hold in capite by knight's service,
with remainder to the crown. However, to bar the latter stipula
tion, he prevailed on her majesty, in the 29th year of her reign, to
grant the fee of the same to Lord Burleigh and Sir Walter
Mildmay ; after which he suffered a recovery, and at hirs death,
in the 38th year of that reign, gave them by will to his eldest
son, George lord Hunsdon, who died in 1603. He left an only
daughter and heir, married to Sir Thomas Berkley, k.b., eldest
son of Lord Berkley, who soon afterwards alienated this pro
perty to Sir John Kenedie, who soon passed it away by sale to
Ferners, Gosson, and Johnson ; and they, by mutual consent,
conveyed their joint interest, in the beginning of the reign of
James I., to Sir Peter Vanlore, a v/ealthy merchant, vvho had
been naturalised by Parliament. He, in 1627, settled this pro
perty, with the bulk of his very large estates in this county,
Gloucester, and Hertford, on his son, Peter Vanlore, of Tilehurst,
in Berkshire, and his issue male, with remainder to his own five
daughters, and the three daughters of his son, all heiresses.
Peter Vanlore, the son, was, after his father's death, in 1628,
created a baronet, and bore for his arms. Or, an orle, or garland
of woodbines or honysuckles proper ; and dying without issue
male, left his three daughters his coheirs.
The above settlement made by the father of Sir Peter Vanlore,
occasioned many suits at law between the different claimants
under the same for nearly thirty years, with divisions and sub
divisions, when the North Frith, part of this manor, was allotted
to one of the five daughters of Sir Peter Vanlore, the elder,
(the shares of the other four proceeding from different property;)
she married Mr. Vander Bempde, of Westminster, who gave
the property in marriage with his daughter, Charlotte, to the
marquis of Annandale, who had by her two sons, George and
John. The marquis died in 1724, and was succeeded in his titles by
his only son and heir by his first wife, and in Uiis estate of North
Frith, by his eldest son by his second marriage. Lord George
Johnston, who, in pursuance of the will of his grandfather, John
Vander Bempde, assumed that name, and, on the death of
James marquis of Annandale, his half-brother, without issue,
succeeded to his tities. However, being in 1746 declared a lu
natic, this estate remained in the hands of commissioners ap-

COUNTY OF KENT. Sri
pointed for that purpose, till his death in 1792, when this,
among other estates, devolved to James lord Hopeton, grandson
of Charles earl of Hopeton, by his wife Henrietta, half-sister to
the late marquis ; and this we believe was the last, and only part
of the vast estate of Sir Peter Vanlore the elder, which remained
in the possession of his numerous descendants.
The Manor, Castle, and other portions of the demesne
lands of the manor of Tunbridge, went by virtue of the above
settlement, to the three daughters of Sir Peter Vanlore, bart.
the son. They married Alexander earl of Stirling, Sir Robert
Cook, bart., and Henry Zinzan, esq., who, in right of their
respective wives, became entitled to the same. This occasioned
another division of the estate, which being in 1674 thrown into
chancery, the manor and castle of Tunbridge, with some of the
demesne lands, were allotted to Jacoba, the wife of Henry Zinzan,
esq., and her heirs in fee; and fines were accordingly levied
by the respective parties. One of her descendants, in 1739,
sold the castle, manor, and demesne lands to John Hooker, esq.
afterwards of Tunbridge. He was descended from a family
which originally, came from Hampshire, and bore for its arms,
party per pale and fess, four escalop-shells counterchanged,
sable and argent. Their first settlement in this county was at
Oldberry hiU, in Ightam, whence they removed to West Peck
ham, where John Hooker, esq. kept his shrievalty in 1712. He
left two sons, Thomas and John, from which latter those of
Brenchley descended. Thomas, the elder son, left an heir, John,
who became the purchaser of the manor and castle of Tunbridge,
and his eldest son, Thomas, succeeded him in this estate, and was
of Tunbridge. In 1793 he built a handsome stone mansion for
his residence, which he sold to William Woodgate, esq. of
Somerhill, in this parish, who had married Frances, his sister.
A court-leet and court-baron is regularly held for this manor.
There were formerly some payments disbursed for castle-guard,
but they have long been disused, a few excepted, which appear
to be made for encroachment on the lord's waste.
Hildenburgh is a large district, comprehending all the
north-west part of the lowy of Tunbridge, containing within its
bounds the manors of HUden, Dachurst, Martin Abbey, Lamport,
Nizell, Hadloe, and the district of HoUenden, the small manor
of Leigh, or Hildenborough in Leigh, and the manor of Pens-

372 HISTORY OF THE
hurst Halymote ; over all which district the Jionour of Otford
has jurisdiction, the high steward, by liis deputy, holding
annually a court-leet in this borough, for the Section of a con
stable and borsholder. This district, consequently, is under the
jurisdiction of two different manors, which,, strange as it may
appear, is not at all uncommon. There are many instances
where tiie military and civil jurisdictions of manors (if we may
be allowed to make that distinction) are separated, the land or
bouse holding of one manor by heriot relief-rent, and the occu
pant lof the same land or house amenable by reason of his res-
iciancy to a second manor atits court-leet, the reason of which is
too obvnious to need eacplanation.
The Manor of Dachurst lies at the western part of the
lowy, having been always accounted an appendage to the manor
and castle of Tunbridge, and consequently continued in the same
owners till the attainder of Edward Stafford, duke of Buckingham,
under Henry VIIL, when it devolved to the crown, where it
continued (though the demesnes were granted away,) till the
death of Chanles I. in 1648. At the above period, the Protector's
parUament passed an ordinance to vest the royal estates in
trustees, to survey and seU them, to supply the necessities of
the state. This manor of Dachurst, or Hildenburgh, was there
fore, in 1652, surveyed for that purpose, whereby it appeared
that liliere were quit-rents due to the lord in this parish, held of
the manor in free socage tenure, and the same from the free
holders in the boroughs of Nisellhoath and Lambert, as also from
those of the parishes of Lye and Tunbridge, in the like tenure,
previously reserved from the manor of Martin Abbey, the total
of all which, with courts and fines, amounted to £24 10 6. It
equally appeared that there was a court-leet and court-baron
belonging to the same.
After the above survey, this manor, with those of Martin
Abbey, Lamport, and Nizell, were sold by the State to Colonel
Robert Gibbon, with whom they remained tiU the restoration of
Charles II. in 1660, when the possession again reverted back to
tlie crown.
King Charles II. alienated the fee-farms of these manors to
Mr. George Dashwood, a younger son of the family of that
name, in Somersetshire, descended from the second marriage of
ene of <the Dashwood 's, of Dorsetshire, whose eldest -son, R<Aert,

COUNTY OF KENT. 373
in the 36th of Charles II. , was created a baronet; and his de
scendant. Sir Henry, of Kirtlington, in Oxfordshire, was the
owner of these manors, and the feefarms appertaining thereto.
The demesnes of the manor of Dachurst, or Hildenburgh,
were granted by Henry VIIL, the same year that the duke of
Buckingham was attainted, to SirWilliam Skefiington, in tail
male, to hold by knight's service; and he was in that reign made
master of the ordnance in England, and twice lord deputy of
Ireland, in which office he died in 1536, and was buried in St.
Patrick's church, Dublin, having borne for his arms. Argent,
three bulls' heads, erased, sable.
In his descendants, residents here, this estate continued down
to John Skeffington, esq., who died in 1661, without issue, and
left his interest herein to his uncle, Francis Skefiington, upon
whose death his relations and heirs, after one or more suits at
law, agreed to divide this estate among them. It was soon
afterwards sold in several parcels to different persons, one portion
to the Children family, and so devolved to George Children, esq.
of Tunbridge, while another was alienated to the Weller's, and
became the property of Mrs. Catherine Weller, who alienated
her interest therein to George Children, and William and Thomas
Harvey, esqrs. At a smaU distance southward from Hilden
green, the foundations of a large mansion are visible, supposed
by many to have been those of Dachurst place. The site was
in the possession of Thomas Harvey, esq., who bequeathed it to
his widow Mrs. Harvey, of Tunbridge.
Hilden is a manor situated about a mile from Tunbridge'
town, having been anciently part of the possessions of the
family of the Vane's, written A Vane, in old deeds, pre
vious to the reign of Edward III. One of that line, John Vane,
esq., had two sons, each named Henry: the eldest left a daugh
ter and heir, married to Sir Peter Blondevil : the youngest,
Henry Vane, was of this place, and had three sons ; John, of
Hilden, ancestor of the several branches of this family, since
ennobled ; Thomas, whose son, Humphrey, died without issue ;
and Henry, who was father of Sir Ralph Vane, attainted.
By his wUl, in the 34th of Henry VI. , he devised this manor
to his eldest son, John ; and the parsonage of HUden, to his
youngest son, Henry. John Vane, esq. sold this manor in the
10th of Henry VII. to the Tattersal's, one of whose descendants
VOL. III. 3 c

374 niSTOKY OF THE
possessed it at his death in the 6th of Edward VL He was suc
ceeded by John Tattersal, his son and heir, who alienated it to
Humphrey Dixon, who had purchased the parsonage of HUden,
of Elizabeth lady Vane. He was the second son of Thomas
Dixon, esq. of North Frith, in this parish, descended from a
good famUy of that name, in Scotiand, having borne for their
arms. Or, a cross formee, or patee throughout the shield, gules
between four eagles displayed, sable,
John, the eldest, succeeded him in this manor, and resided
here, leaving two sons ; Henry, who was of HUden; and WiUiam,
of Darent, in this county. Henry Dixon, the eldest son of
Humphrey, resided here, as did his grandson of the same name,
who died in 1669, leaving two daughters his coheirs, who pos
sessed this manor in undivided moieties. Jane, the eldest,
married Nathaniel Booth, esq. ; and Sarah, Percival Hart, esq.
of Lullingstone.
Percival Hart, esq. died in 1738, leaving an only daughter
and heir, Anne, then married to Sir Thomas Dyke, bart., who
became possessed of one undivided moiety of this manor, as he
did likewise of the other, on the death of Mrs. Jane Booth,
without issue, in 1743. Sir Thomas Dyke died in 1756, leaving
his widow possessed of the whole of this manor, till her death in
1763, when it descended to their only son and heir. Sir John
Dixon Dyke, bart. of Lullingstone, who, procuring the authority
of Parliament, sold it in 1767 to Thomas Harvey, esq. of Tun
bridge, the son of Thomas Harvey, of Deal, descended from the
family of the Harvey's, settled as early as the reign of Ed
ward IV. at Tilmanstone, in East Kent, and aftervvards dispersed
over the several parishes in this neighbourhood. He had two
sons and three daughters, and died in 1779, leaving his widow
in possession of this estate for her life, with remainder to her
eldest son, the Rev. Thomas Harvey.
At a small distance from Hilden green stood the manor-house,
the ruins of which were entirely removed by Sir Thomas Dyke.
A court-baron is held for this manor.
Philipotts is an estate in this parish, about three miles
from the town of Tunbridge, adjoining to Lyghe, which was once
reputed a manor, but has long since lost that name, there being
now but thirty acres of land belonging to the same. It formeily
gave surname to the family who owned it, as appears by a deed.

COUNTY OF KENT. 375
dated in the 28th of Edward I., wherein John de Philipott, of
Philipotts, (who bore for his arms. Sable, a bend ermine,) de
mised lands to Robert Charles, bailiff of Tunbridge forest.
This place having remained for many generations in the above
family, Thomas Philipott left an only daughter and heir,
Chritiana, who, in the reign of Henry VIIL, carried it in mar
riage to John Petley, esq. of Downe, who likewise died without
issue male, leaving four daughters his coheirs ; of whom the
youngest was married, first, to one Smith, and secondly to Mr.
Children, who became, on the division of their inheritance, enti
tled to this estate. His descendant, WiUiam Children, resided
at this seat, and died about the latter end of the reign of
Charles I., leaving an only daughter and heir, Sindonia, who
carried it in marriage to Mr. Richard Polhill, of Detling, in
whose descendants it continued down to Mr. Richard PolhiU, of
Chatham, in this county.
Ihere is a tradition in the above family, that one of the name
was bow-bender to Queen Elizabeth, and not many years ago,
there hung up in this house, a bow, curiously enamelled and
studded, which was said to have belonged to that queen.
Barden lies southwestward from the town of Tunbridge,
and was, no doubt, a manor formerly of some consequence, as it
confers its name to a borough here, of considerable extent.
fn the 20th year of the reign of Edward III. Roger de Bar-
denham, prior of Tunbridge, held this estate, for which he paid
aid as one knight's fee, the prior and Simon de Barden having
before held the same of the duke of Gloucester.
The family of Barden continued in possession of this manor
till the reign of Henry IV., when it was alienated by one of that
fine to the Hadlow's, in which race it did not long continue, as
John Hadlow dying without issue, Alice, his sister, became his
heir, and entitled her husband, John Woodward, to its possession.
She survived him, and sold it to John Hopday, who in the 38th
of Henry VI. , alienated this manor to William Hextall, of
Hextall's court, in East Peckham, who, dying without issue
male, Margaret, his daughter and heir, carried it in marriage to
WiUiam Whetnall, esq., their descendant. WiUiam Whetnall,
of Hextall's court, alienated this property in the reign of Henry
VIII. to the Vane's, from which name it passed by sale to Sir
Andrew Judd, lord mayor of London in the 6th of Edward VI.,

376 HISTORV OF THE
who bore for his arms. Gules, afess ragule, between three boars'
heads erased, fesswise argent. He was the eldest son of Johu
Judde, of Tunbridge, and dying in 1558, was buried in St.
Helen's church, in London, having founded a school in this
parish, which he endowed with lands, intrusting the same to the
care of the Skinner's company. He left an only daughter and
heir, married to Thomas Smith, commonly called the customer,
who in her right became entitled to a part of this estate, called
Barden House farm, with the lands belonging thereto, all of
which he devised by will to his second son. Sir Thomas Smith,
of Sutton at Hone, in whose descendants they continued down
to Robert Smith, esq. of Sutton and Bidborough. He died in
1695, leaving by Catherine his wife, who survived him, two
sons, Henry and William, to whom this estate descended as
heirs in gavelkind, after which, in the reign of WiUiam III., she
obtained an Act for vesting them in trustees, to sell the propertVt
who accordingly conveyed it by sale to Thomas Streatfield, esq.,
whose descendant, Thomas Streatfield, esq. of Sevenoak, after
wards owned this estate.
The other part of Barden, containing the manor, seems to
have passed, on the death of Sir Andrew Judd, to one of his
brothers, who, in the 33d of Elizabeth, alienated it to one
Johnson, who sold it, under Charles I., to John PolhUl, eso.
of Otford ; from whom it descended to Charles Polhill, esq.
of Chepsted, in Chevening.
Hadlow is a small manor adjoining that of Barden, last
mentioned, being called, to distinguish it from the manor of the
adjoining parish of Hadlow, the manor of Hadlow Tunbridge.
It had anciently owners of the same name, in whom it remained
till about the reign of Henry V., when John Hadlow dying
without issue, Alice, his sister, having married, as before men
tioned, John Woodward, became his heir, whose son, in the reio-n
of Henry VI. , conveyed his interest to William and Henry
Hextall, when the latter released his right to his brother
WiUiam, who dying without issue male, his daughter entitled
her husband, William WhetnaU, to the possession of this pro
perty. His descendant, in the reign of Henry VIIL, sold this
manor to William Waller, esq., whose son, in 1583, alienated it
to Mr. George Stacy, who conveyed the same, in 1590, lo
Robert Byng, esq. of Wrotham ; when, in 1623, it was, by his

COUNTY OF KENT. 377
two grandsons, sold to David PolhiU, esq. of Otford, whose
descendant, Charles, was the last possessor of the same.
A court-baron was called for this manor many years ago, but
no person having attended the summons, it does not appear pro
bable that any court will again be held for this estate.
The borough of South, or Southborough, is a district
comprehending the southern part of the Lowy of Tunbridge,
wherein the manor of that name first claims our attention. It
was anciently part of the possessions of the great family of the
Clare's, earls of Gloucester, and lords of the castle and manor
of Tunbridge, from whom, in like manner, it passed to the
Audley's and Stafford's ; in which last line it continued till the
attainder of the duke of Buckingham, when this manor was, with
the rest of his possessions, forfeited to the crown ; after which,
Henry VIIL, in the 14th year of his reign, granted it to Sir
Thomas Moore, to hold in capite by knight's service.
Sir Thomas More being a man of great abilities and learning,
he was, in the 22d year of that reign, made lord chancellor,
which high office, after the lapse of two years and a half, he sur
rendered up, wishing to decline all interference in the king's
rupture with the pope ; and subsequently refusing the oath of
supremacy and succession, he was arraigned, when, being found
guilty of high treason, he was executed on Tower hill, six days
after. This great man was the only son of Sir John More, one
of the justices of the King's Bench ; and had one son, John,
who was attainted after his death, and then pardoned by the
king; and three daughters, of whom, Margaret, was a lady of
the greatest wisdom, piety, and learning, who married William
Roper, esq. of Eltham. After his death, the body was first
buried in the chapel of the Tower, and thence removed to Chelsea
church, His heiad was set upon London bridge, where it con
tinued fourteen days ; and was then privately bought by his
daughter, Mrs. Roper, who caused it to be enclosed in lead, and
deposited in the vault of the Roper's, in St. Dunstan's church,
near Canterbury; where the box remained, placed on her coffin,
after her death.
This manor thus devolving to the crown, was granted by the
king, the same year, to George Bulleyn, viscount Rochford, son
of Thomas earl of Wiltshire and Ormond, and brother of Queen
Anne Bulleyn, to hold in capite by knight's service. But the

378 HISTORY OF THE
king's affections having changed towards her, the lord Rochford
was, the next year, committed to the Tower, under the infamous
pretence of too great familiarity with his own sister, and being
found guilty of high treason, was beheaded. This property
thus coming to the crown, was granted, the following year,
to John Dudley, earl of Warwick, who, together with Joan, his
wife, again passed this manor of Southborough, with its appur
tenances, called South Tunbridge, Capel, Speldhurst, and Pem
bury, to the king, in exchange for other premises.
In the beginning of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, this manor
was in the possession of Sir Richard Sackvyle, who, in the 19th
year of that reign, alienated it to Thomas Smith, esq. of Wes
tenhanger, who gave it by will to his second son. Sir Thomas
Smith, of Sutton at Hone ; in whose descendants it continued
down to Sir Sydney Stafford Smith, chief baron of the Exche
quer. He died possessed of the property in 1778, as did his
widow. Lady Sarah Smith, in 1790, who devised the same in
trust for the benefit of her nephews and nieces ; and they after
wards sold it to the earl of Darnley, who possessed the same.
A court-baron is regularly held for this manor.
Hays den, or East Haysden, is a small manor lying at the
southwestern extremity of the Lowy, and was, some years back,
in the possession of the Turner's ; whence it was sold to Mr.
John Groombridge, whose widow remarrying Henry Goodwyn,
esq. of Enfield, he in her right became entitled to the possession
of the same. A court-baron is held for this manor.
As THERE WAS A LARGE DISTRICT Comprehending a manor,
forest or chase, with a park enclosed by palQs, at the northern
part of the Lowy, called North Frith, there was also another
district, though of much larger extent, called South Frith, at the
opposite or southern side, having a park also enclosed within its
boundaries. This district was, no doubt, part of the demesnes of the
family of the Clare's, earls of Gloucester and Hertford, with
whom it continued till Gilbert de Clare, the only son and heir of
Gilbert earl of Gloucester and Hertford, dying without surviving
issue, in the 8th of Edward II., his three sisters became his
coheirs ; and upon a division of their inheritance, though Hugh
de Audley, in right of his wife, Margaret, the second daughter
and coheir, had the castle and manor of Tunbridge allotted to

COUNTY OF KENT. 379
to him ; nevertheless, Elizabeth, the youngest, widow of John
de Burgh, seems to have possessed this district of South Frith,
and the honour of Clare, in Suffolk, as part of her share. She
had, by her husband above mentioned, a son, named William,
who, on the death of his grandfather, became earl of Ulster,
bearing for his arms Or, a cross gules; and, on his mother's
death, inherited this estate. He left an only daughter and heir,
Elizabeth, who married Lionel, third son of King Edward IIL,
and duke of Clarence, and was in her right created earl of
Ulster, and lord of Connaught and Trime.
The duke died in the 43d year of that reign, at Alba Pompeii,
in Italy, possessed of this estate of South Frith, leaving an only
daughter and heir, Philippa, who, about the time of her father's
death, was married, by command of the king, to Edward
Mortimer, third earl of March, and lord of Wigmore, who died
in Ireland in the 5th of Henry VI. without issue. His nephew,
Richard duke of York, the only son of Richard earl of Cam
bridge, by Anne Mortimer, his eldest sister, became by his uncle's
will, heir to his estates, and also to this property of South Frith,
which he did not possess till the death of the countess, under
Henry VI. He was, both on his father's and mother's side,
descended from King Edward IIL, and aspiring to the crown,
endeavoured to crush the house of Lancaster ; but in the 37th
of King Henry VL, being deserted by his army, fled to Ireland,
and was soon after attainted in Parliament, with his son, the
earl of March. This estate then became forfeited to the crown,
where it did not long remain, as, on the change of fortune, which
occurred soon after, the duke of York regained possession, and
died holding this chase, with its appendages, in the 3d of
Edward IV. Cecilie duchess of York, his widow, and mother
of Edward IV., remained possessed of this estate till her death,
which happened in the 10th of Henry VIIL, when the property
jeverted back to the crown, and was by that monarch granted
,10 George lord Cobham, invested with the office of master,
manager, and supervisor of all the beasts of his park of South
Frith, and keeper of all his ponds and waters therein ; but the
fee remained in the crown till the reign of Edward VL, who
granted South Frith, with the forest and chase, to John Dudley,
earl of Warwick.
This earl, afterwards duke of Northumberland, reconveyed, the

380 HISTORY OF TIIE
estate in exchange to the king, when Queen Mary granted the
same to Reginald Pole, archbishop of Canterbury, to hold during
his life. He died in 1558, when it devolved to the crown, and
was given by Queen Elizabeth, in the 14th year, to her favorite,
Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester, for a term of years, at the
expiration of which she granted the fee of the same to Frances,
widow of Robert Devereux, earl of Essex, sole daughter and
heir of that great statesman. Sir Francis Walsingham, whose
first husband was the renowned Sir Philip Sidney. The coun
tess afterwards again remarried Richard Burgh, earl of Clan
rickard, whom SmoUet says, was a very handsome gallant young
nobleman, and so much like the late earl of Essex, that the
queen, then far advanced in years, made some overtures to him,
which he declined. He became by that marriage possessed of
South Frith, and built a noble mansion, at a very great expense
on a pleasant eminence, northward of this estate, which was not
finished tUl the reign of James I., to which he gave the name of
Somerhill. IbI the 22d year of that reign, he was created
baron Somerhill, viscount Tunbridge, and in the 4th of Charlesl.
earl of St. Alban's, at which period he had other Irish honours
conferred upon him, viz. baron of Imaudy, in Connaught, and
viscount Galloway, bearing for his arms, Or, a cross, gules, in
the dexter canton, a lion rampant, sable. He resided for the
most part at Somtrhill, and dying in 1636, was buried in Tun
bridge church. Ulick, his son and heir, long bore arms in the
cause of Charies L, in Ireland, whence being obUged to fly, he
sought refuge in England with the king, who, in 1645, created
him marquis of Clanrickard. His attachment to the royal cause
was a sufficient reason for the sequestration of his estates by the
Parliament, as well as parcel of the estate of the earl of St. Alban's,
which had been previously seized, he having been a Papist, when
both were granted to Robert earl of Essex, in recompense for his
heroic valour, prudent conduct, and unspotted fidelity, in the high
and important command of captain general oftheParliament forces,
to hold during his life, beirig part of the yearly sum of £10,000
voted to him. The earl of Essex died possessed of this estate,
not without suspicion of having been poisoned, who had a most
magnificent funeral performed over him, at the charge of Pariia
ment, with a grand procession of state to the place of his inter
ment, in St. Paul's chapel, in Westminster abbey. Upon his

COUNTY OF KENT. 381
deith, this estate again devolved to the Parliament, which soon
after granted it to John Bradshaw, sergeant at law. He died
possessed of the same in 1659, and was buried, with great
solemnity, in St. Peter's church, in Westminster ; but the fol
lowing year his body was disinterred, and hanged on the gallows
at Tyburn, under which it was afterwards buried, and the head
being cut off, was set on Westminster Hall. He was succeeded
by a natural son, but upon the restoration of Charles II. , a few
months afterwards, this estate of South Frith, with the seat and
park of Somerhill, returned to its lawful owner, in the person of
Margaret, only daughter and heir of Ulick marquis of Clan
rickard, above mentioned, who had died in 1659, and was buried
in the church of Tunbridge. Mr. Hasted says that, in his time,
there were several old people, a few years previous, who remem
bered an old man in the neighbourhood, reputed to have been a
natural son of John Bradshaw, who was also reported to have
once possessed Somerhill.
Margaret, the above-mentioned heir of Ulick, was then the
wife of Charles M'Carty, viscount Muskerry, eldest son of
Donorgh earl of Clancarty, who in her right possessed this
estate. He was killed in the great engagement with the Dutch,
at Solebay, in 1665, by a cannon-ball, which at the same time
deprived the earl of Falmouth of life, as well as Richard Boyle,
son of Lord Burlington. Charles viscount Muskerry thus dying
without issue, his widow remarried John Villiers, viscount Pur-
beck, nephew to the duke of Buckingham, the great favorite of
King James and Charles I.
Viscount Purbeck possessed this estate in right of his wife,
and on the death of his mother, Mary countess of Buckingham,
claimed that title before the house of Lords, in 1667, which was
disallowed, yet notwithstanding he continued to assume the
sam.e, having always subscribed himself Buckingham. He died,
leaving by Margaret his wife, one son, John, who likewise bore
the title of earl of Buckingham. Margaret surviving her hus
band, again possessed this estate in her own right, and remar
ried the third time, Mr., commonly called. Beau Fielding, having,
by her expensive way of living, wasted her estates, and sold them
piecemeal to different persons, when she died in great distress
about the year 1698,
On her demise her son, John Villiers, calling hlmseli etu"l of
^oL. HI. 3 i>

389 HISTORY OF THE
Buckingham, became possessed of SomerhiU house and par'*,
which last property had been let to one Warrener, and also those
demesnes of South Frith, which remained unsold by his mother.
Soon after the above period, he alienated the manor of South
Frith, with Somerhill, to one Dekins, and aU the residue of the
demesne lands possessed by him here, amounting to about 1200
acres, to Abraham HiU, esq. of Sutton at Hone, in whose name
and famUy they continned till WilUam HiU, esq. of Carwithenick,
in Cornwall, about the year 1768, alienated them to Mr. Edward
Whatmore, of Salisbury. He afterwards sold them to James
Templar, esq. of Westminster, from whom they descended to ihe
Rev. John Templar. But the manor of South Frith,
zeith the house and park of Somerhill, vvas devised by Mr. Dekins,
vvho died without issue, to one Cave, who conveyed this estate
to Mr. John Woodgate, of Chepsted, in Penshurst, the ances
tors of whose family resided at Stonewall, in Chidingstone, and
bore for their arms, on a chevron, three acorns between tnree
squirrels, sejant. The first of this name, of whom we have any
account, married Joan, daughter of Robert Cambridge, of Cola-
harbour, in Penshurst, whose son, William, was father of Johu
W^oodgate, the purchaser of Somerhill, to which seat he removed
from Penshurst. He left three sons and six daughters.
Henry, the second son, succeeded him in this estate, but
resided at Tunbridge, where he died unmarried in 1787, and by
will gave this property to his eldest nephew, who resided at
Somerhill, and married Frances, daughter of Thomas Hooker,
esq. of Tunbridge, by whom he had three sons ; William
Francis, esq. who married Miss Alnutt ; Henry, and John ;
and three daughters ; Frances, married to Richard Alnutt, esq.
of South Park, in Penshurst; and Anne, and Maria. He
resided at Somerhill, of which he was ultimately possessed.
There is a court-baron held for this manor, several of the
tenants whereof hold by copy of court-roll, which is not very
frequent in this part of the county.
New or Little Bounds is a seat in this parish, situated at
the southern boundary of the same, and vvas so called to dis
tinguish it from the seat of Old Bounds, in the adjoining parish
of Bidborough. It was built by the lord chief baron Bury, on
a, piece of ground, part ol that estate granted to him by a repre
sentative of the family of the Smith's, and passed from one ol

COUNTY OF KENI. 133
his descendants, Dorothy, daughter of William lord Rokeby, of
Shellow, in Yorkshire, by Emma, his wife, eldest daughter of
Sir WiUiam Bury, of Grantham, in marriage, about the latter
end of the last century, to Sir Thomas J'anson, who died pos
sessed of it in 1707. His son. Sir Thomas J'anson, also resided
here, and dying in 1764, was buried near his father, in this
church. On the monuments erected to their memories, they
are styled baronets, but we cannot find when the patent was
granted. He left two sons, Thomas and John, and several dauo-h-
ters J of which latter. Sir Thomas J'anson, the eldest son^
resided here, and was gentleman porter of the Tower of London.
He died in 1773, leaving his widow surviving, on whose
demise, in 1774, this property descended to their son, Mr. John.
J'anson, who alienated it to chief b'dron Smith, who died in
1778 as did his widow. Lady Smith, in 1790, when she by will
devised this estate to trustees, for the benefit of her nephews
and nieces, who afterwards sold the same to the earl of Darnley.
Calverley is another seat situated likewise near the southera
bounds of this parish, at no great distance from Tunbridge
Wells, and was, many years back, the property of William
Strong esq.; from whom it passed into the possession of Thomas
Panuwell, esq,, who died unmarried in 1750, and was buried in
• •¦ this church. By his will he gave this seat to his friend, Thomas
Smith, esq., vvho assumed the name of Panuwell, and dying it^
1786, was succeeded by his son, of the same name, who resided
there. The priory of Tunbridge was founded, about the latter
end of the reign of Henry II. , by Richard de Clare, first earl of
Hertford, and lord of this place, for monks of the Premonstra-
tensian order, commonly called White canons, and was dedicated
to St. Mary Magdalen.
Richard de Clare, by his foundation charter to this priory,
situated within his manor of Tonebregge, gave to the canons
regular, therein, ten marks, to be received annually from his
manor of Tonebregge; and Sis. 5d., to be received from ail the
effects, old as well as new, of his land, called Dennemannesbrock,
in Yalding ; and also, yearly, 120 hogs in his forest of Tone
bregge, free from pannage ; and that the canons should have
two horses {summarius), every day, to carry the dead wood homo
to them ; and one stag, yearly, to be taken by the earl's men.

384 HISTORY OF THE
In 1351 a sudden and dreadful fire broke out in this priory,
which consumed every part to the foundation, together with all
their vestments, ornaments, jewels, and furniture, which losses
were, however, soon repaired, by the appropriation of the church
of Leghe ; in the instrument for which, the church, chapter
house, dormitory, refectory, library, and vestry of this priory,
are said to have been edificia splendida et nobilia. This priory
remained thus situated till the reign of Henry VIIL, when
Cardinal Wolsey being desirous of founding two colleges, the
king, in his 17th year, granted this among other suppressed
manasteries, to that prelate, for their endowment, but, by the
disgrace of the cardinal, four years after, they became forfeited
• to the king, and consequently devolved to the crown.
King Edward VI. , in his 4th year, granted the late priory of
Tunbridge, with its manors, lands, and possessions, to John
Dudley, earl of Warwick, to hold in capite by knight s service,
all which the earl reconveyed to the king, in exchange for other
premises. Queen Mary then granted this priory to Carainal
Reginald Pole, who dying in 1558, it again became part of the
revenues of the crown.
Queen Elizabeth gave the site of this priory to Sir Kenry
Sidney, and afterwards to dame Ursula Walsingham, after
which it passed into the possession of the lady viscountess
.Purbeck, who sold it to the family of the Foley's, m which
it continued till it was devised by will to George Weller, esq.
of Tunbridge, who bore for his arms. Sable, two chevronets }
between three roses argent. He changed his name to Foiey,
and afterwards resided at Boxted hall, in Suffolk, and his son,
George Weller Foley, esq., of that place, afterwards possessed
this property, and died in 1780, on which this estate became tne
property of his brother, the Rev. John Weller Foley. '
The buildings of this priory appear to have been very exten
sive, from the foundations still visible ; what remains seems to
have been some part of the great hall and the chapel, which are
at present made use of as a barn and oast stowage. Messrs
Buck, in 1735, engraved a south view of the ruins of this edifice.
Many years back there was dug up, among these ruins, a stone
coffin, containing a skeleton, which, on being exposed to tae
air, quickly mouldered into dust.
In the grounds belonging to the priory, at a small distance

COUNTY OF KENT. 385
from the site southward, is a well, dedicated to St. Margaret,
formerly walled round, which was much resorted to before Tun
bridge wells came into vogue. It appears, from the ochreous
sediment, to be strongly impregnated by mineral, but does
not sparkle like the waters of those wells.
The i'ree Grammar-School, standing at the north end
of the town of Tunbridge, was founded by Sir Andrew Judd, a
native of this place, and citizen of London. He erected the
school house, with some other buildings belonging to the samei,
and, intending to endow it, purchased lands in the name of
himself and Henry Fisher, intrusting the management of the
same, and the school, to the Skinners' company, in London. He
subsequently procured the letters patent of Edward VI. for the
founding this institution, having stipulated that it should be
called. The free grammar-school af Sir Andrew Judde, in the
town of Tunbridge.
Sir Andrew died in 1658, and by will bequeathed the lands
so purchased, to that company, for the use of the school, but,
after his death, Andrew Fisher, his son, endeavoured to impeach
these conveyances, but the whole having been examined in Par
liament in the 14th of Queen Elizabeth, an Act passed for the
assurance of these lands to the above school, the amount whereof
waa £56 0 4' per annum, being situated in different parishes in
the city of London, and St. Pancras, near the same.
Since the above period, the company of Skinners has executed
this trust with great liberality, having both improved and aug
mented the original foundation. The members thereof have
doubled the salary of the master, which was £20 a year, and
allowed a handsome gratuity to the usher, in addition to his
stipend, and have usually conferred annuities for Ufe upon such
si'.perannuated masters as have stood in need of the same, and
have frequently continued the allowance to their representatives.
The original building of this school extended in front nearly
100 feet in length, and was constructed in a plain, but neat and
uniform style, with the sandstone of the neighbouring country.
At the back part there is a considerable addition to the habi
tation of the master, erected by the Skinners' company in 1676,
together with a hall or refectory for the use of the scholars ; and
a small, yet elegant Ubrary, built at the joint expense of tha

380 HISTORY OF THE
patrons of the school ; there are also detached offices, a garden,
and a playground belonging to the same.
The greatest benefactor to this school, after the foundation
thereof, was Sir Thomas Smith, second son of customer Smith,
by Alice, daughter and heir of Sir Andrew Judde, who bequeathed
lands to the Skinners' company in trust for this institution.
There are several exhibitions appropriated to this schooif,
which were paid in exhibitions, of £10 a year each, for seven
years, to six poor scholars who should repair immediately thence
to either of the universities. Sir Thomas White, lord mayor ot
London, in 1554, also bestowed benefactions, both liberal and
extensive, he having been an intimate friend of Sir Andrew
Judde. This school continues under the management of the company
of Skinners, who, in pursuance of the statutes, visit the same
annually, in the month of May, at a great expense, on whicii
occasion they are attended, as the statute directs, by a respect*
able clergyman of London, whose business it is to examine ihe
several classes of the school. On the arrival of the company in
their carriages, at fhe gates of the school, a congratulatory oration,
in Latin, is spoken by the head boy. The company then pro
ceed to church, where they distribute bread, money, and clothes,
to a number of poor persons of the parishes of Tunbridge, Bm-
borough, and Speldhurst, according to the wiU of Sir Thomas
Smith. On their return, after a cold coUation, they survey the
buildings, and give orders for aU necessary repairs ; they then
proceed to the school, where, after the dehvery of a few Latin
orations, the examination begins, at the close of which, the
whole com.pany, including visitors and their friends, with the
neighbouring gentry and clergy, retire to dinner, which is served
up in the library and other rooms, in the master's house. At
five o'clock they return to the school, when the grammatical
disputations, a very ancient exercise, are commenced by the six
senior scholars, which conclude with the repetition of English or
Latin verses. The examiner then distributes, according to the
statutes, as an honorary reward, a sUver pen, gUt, to each of the
six senior scholars, who on that day walk in procession to the
church, before their patrons, with gariands of fresh flowers on
their heads; such being the form constantiy observed ever since

C;OUNTY OF KENT. 887
the foundation of this seminary. The school has uniformly
maintained a good reputation, as well for the learning of the
scholars educated there, as the eminent abilities of the masters
vvho have from time to time presided over this institution.
Tunbridge is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of
the diocese of Rochester and deanery of MaUing. The church,
dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, is a large handsome build
ing, having a square tower at the west end, and was much orna
mented, some years back, in consequence of a legacy left by Mr.
Hooper. There are many monuments in the different parts of
this edifice for the owners of estates in the vicinity, and the
principal inhabitants of the parish.
At the south-east corner is a handsome tomb, with a carved
urn, erected in memory of the celebrated Anne EUiot, the ac
tress, a native of this parish, whose remains were deposited in
the vault beneath : she died in 1769, set. 26.
Gilbert de Clare, earl of Hertford, is said to have given this
church to the monks of Lewes, in Sussex ; and on his death,
without issue, in 1161, his brother and heir, Roger de Clare,
earl of Hertford, resumed the property, giving to the monks
the church of Blechingley, in exchange for the same. Henry IL,
by his charter, gave to the brethren of the hospital of St. John
of Jerusalem, the church of Tunbridge, with the chapel and ap
purtenances, to the use of the poor of that hospital, in pure and
perpetual alms ; and by another grant, he gave and confirmed to
that fraternity, the advowson of this church, and all rights which
hn possessed therein. In the 62d of Henry IIL it was affirmed
that the bishop received an annual pension of three marks from
the parish-church of Tunbridge, towards the revenues of his
table. In the I8th of Henry VIII. the prior and brethren of
the hospital demised to Richard Fane, gent, of Tudeley, their
parsonage of Tunbridge, with all its appurtenances, excepting
the advowson, and the woods and underwoods, at the yeariy
rental of £14 ; in which state this church continued at the dis
solution, in the 32d year of the above monarch, when the order
was suppressed by an Act specially passed for that purpose,
upon which the lands and revenues vvere given to the king,
where the fee continued tUl Edward VI. in his 1st year, granted
both the rectory and advowson to Sir Ralph Fane, and Lady
Elizabeth, his wife, to hold in capite, by knight's service.

388 HISTORY OF THE
On the death of Sir Ralph, Lady Elizabeth, his widow, be
came possessed of this estate; and in the 2d and 3d of Phihp auj
Mary, alienated the rectory to Henry Stubberfield, yeoman of
Tunbridge, who sold it to Alexander Colepeper, by the descrip-
tion of the rectory of Tunbridge, in the wards of Tunbridge,
Southborough, and Branbridge, and in the great park of South
Frith, the Postern, and the Cage, parcel of the rectory.
He passed it away by sale in the 7th of Queen EUzabeth, to
William Denton, esq., originally of Cumberland, whose eldest
son. Sir Anthony, possessed it at his death, in the 25th year of
that reign, it being then held in capite, by knight's service. He
was one of the gentlemen of the band of pensioners, as well to
that queen, as also king James I., and dying in 1615, was buried
in this church, where his monument remained, with the figures
at full length, of himself and Elizabeth, his wife, both rechning
on cushions, the former in armour, the latter habited in the dress
of that period. She afterwards married Sir Paul Dewes, of
Suffolk, on whose death the property descended to his nephew,
William Denton, esq., and his three brothers, Anthony, Walter,
and Arthur, sons of Sir Alexander Denton, by Anne, grand
daughter of Lord Windsor, who sold this parsonage in different
parcels, to some in districts or tithe wards, and to others as their
own lands only, which accounts for the several lands in this
parish that are now, and have from time to time been exempt
from the payment of the rectorial tithes.
This parsonage consists at present of the tithe wards of
Haisden and Little Barden, formerly the property of John
Petley, esq. of Oldberry hiU, in Ightham, who probably pur
chased them of the Denton's.
He lived in the reign of Charles I., and at his death de
vised them to GUbert Wood, gent, of Market cross, in Sussex,
vvho had married Elizabeth, his daughter. Their son, J. Wood,
of Tunbridge, left issue an only daughter and heir, Eliza
beth, who married John Hooker, esq. of Tunbridge, the late
possessor. The advowson, however, of the vicarage of this church, con
tinued in the family of the Fane's, or Vane's, seated at Hadlow
plaoe, in the adjoining parish of that name, in which it conti
nued down to WiUiam viscount Vane, who, dying in 1789,
gave this advowson, among the rest of his estates in this county.

COUNTY OF KENT. 389
to David Papillon, esq. of Acrise, who ultimately possessed the
same. The vicarage of Tunbridge was valued in the king's books at
£20 3 4, and the yeariy tenths at £2 0 4.
In 1821 there were 1155 dweUings in the parish of Tunbridge ;
and at the same period, when the last census of the popu
lation vvas taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inha
bitants were as follow : males 3532, females 3874, making a
total of 7406 souls.

VOL. Ill,

3k

390 HISTORY OF THE

HUNDRED OF SOMERDEN.
This hundred contains part of the parishes of Hever, Cowden,
Chidingstone, Penshurst, Lyghe, and Spei.dhurst,
with the churches of those parishes. Also a part of tfie pa
rishes of Chevening and Eatonbridgc, the churches of which
are in another hundred.
There is not any description of the above places within this
hundred in the survey of Domesday, nor indeed, to the best of
our recollection, is there a description in that record of any of
the parishes situated wholly within the Weald, except of those
of Hadlow and Tudeley ; the court-leet of the hundred of
Somerden being an appendage to the honour of Otford.
Hever lies southeastward from Eatonbridge, and is called in
the Textus Roffensis, and various ancient records, Heure, and
in others, Evere. This parish lies below the sand hill, and is
consequently in that district of the county called the Weald.
There is a small portion denominated the borough of LinckhiU,
comprehending part of this parish, Chidingstone, and Hever,
which is within the hundred of Ruxley, being part of the manor
of Great Orpington, the manorial rights having belonged to Sir
John Dixon Dyke, bart., who was owner of the manor.
The parish of Hever is long and narrow from north to south,
the soil and face of the country being the same as that of Eaton-
bridge, the oak trees flourishing in great plenty, and in general
growing to a very large size. The river Eden directs its course
across the district towards Penshurst, and the Medway flows
near the walls of Hever castle, about a quarter of a mile south
ward from which is the village of Hever, and the parsonage.
Near the northern side of the river is the seat of Polebrooke,
late Douglas's, afterwards Mrs. Susannah Payne's ; and a
little farther, the hamlets of How green and Bowbeach ; part of
LinckhiU borough, which is also in the hundred of Ruxley, ex
tends into this parish.

COUNTY OF KENT. 391
Tliere is an old traditional saying handed down here, and fre
quently used among the common people, being; as follows,
" Jesus Christ never was but once at Hever,
And then he fell into the river :"
which we can only account for, by supposing that it alluded to
a priest, who, in conveying the Host to a sick person, in his
passage over a bridge, fell into the river.
Hever was once the capital seat and manor of a family of that
name, its more ancient possessions having lain at Hever, near
Northfleet, in this county, which race bore for their arms.
Gules, a cross argent, that shield, with a sable qf three
points, azure, having remained in the late Mote-house, in
Maidstone, being also quartered in the same manner by the
earls of Thanet, one of whose ancestors, Nicholas Tufton, of
Northiam, married Margaret, daughter and heir of John Hever,
of this county.
William de Hevre possessed a moiety of this place, under
Edward I., in the 2d year of which reign he was sheriff of this
county, and in the 9th of the same obtained a grant of free war
ren within his demesne lands in Hevre, Chidingstone, and
Lingefield. Sir Ralph de Hevre seems at this time to have possessed the
other moiety of this parish, between whose son and heir Ralph,
and Nicholas, abbot of St. Augustine's, there had been, as
appears by the register of that abbey, several disputes concerning
lands in Hever, which were settled in the 4th of Edward I., by
the abbot granting to him and his heirs for ever, the land which
he held of him in that place, to hold by the service of the fourth
part of a knight's fee.
William de Hever, in the reign of Edward IIL, became pos
sessed of the whole of this manor, and new built the mansion,
which he obtained leave to embattle; soon after, he died, leaving
two daughters his coheirs ; one of whom, Joan, carried a moiety
of this estate in marriage to Reginald Cobham, a younger son of
the Cobham's, of Cobham, in this county, whence this part of
Hever, to distinguish it from the other, acquired the name of
Hever Cobham.
His son, Reginald lord Cobham, in the 14th of the above
reign, obtained a charter of ^ee warren within his demesne

392 HISTORY OF THE
lands in Hever, and was succeeded by his son, Reginald lord
Cobham, who was of Sterborough castie, in Surrey, wheacy this
branch was styled the Cobham's, of Sterborough.
The other moiety of Hever, by Margaret, the sister and coheir,
went in marriage to Sir Oliver Brocas, and thence acquired the
name of Hever Brocas. One of his descendants alienated it to
Reginald lord Cobham, of Sterborough, who died possessed of
both these manors in the 6th of Henry IV.
His grandson. Sir Thomas Cobham, sold these manors to Sir
Geoffry Bulleyn, a wealthy mercer of London, vvho was lord
mayor in the reign of Henry VI. He died possessed of both
these manors in the 3d of Edward IV., leaving by Anne his
wife. Sir William Bulleyn, of Blickling, in Norfolk, who mar
ried Margaret, daughter and coheir of Thomas Boteler, earl of
Ormond. By that alliance he had a son and heir, Thomas,
who became a man of great note in the reign of Henry VIIL,
that monarch having married his daughter ; wherefore, in the
17th of that reign, he was created viscount Rochford, and in
the 21st year of the same, elected knight of the garter, and
constituted earl of Wiltshire and Ormond, viz. Wiltshire to his
heirs male, and Ormond to his heirs general.
He resided here, and added greatly to the buildings which his
grandfather. Sir Geoffry Bulleyn, had commenced in his time;
all of which he completely finished, when this seat was called
Hever castle.
He died in the 30th year of the above reign, possessed of this
castle, with the two manors of Hever Cobham and Brocas,
leaving by his wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Howard,
duke of Norfolk, one son, George, executed during his lifetime;
and two daughters, Anne, the unfortunate wife of Henry VIH.;
and Mary, wife of WUliam Carey, esquire, of the bodyguard,
and ancestor of the lords Hunsdon and earls of Dover and
Monmouth. On the death of the earl of Wiltshire, without issue male,
Henry VIII. seized on this castle and manors in right of his late
wife, Anne Boleyn, daughter of the earl, who had resided at
Hever castle while the king courted her, there being letters
extant, written by that prince and Anne Boleyn, from and to
this place, her chamber there still bearing her name ; while a
small portrait, painted on panel, and an heirloom, is there pre-

COUNTY OF KENT. 893
served, conveying a very faint idea of the beauty which that ill-
fated lady is said to have displayed in her person.
These estates remained in the king's hands till the 32d year of
his reign, when he granted to the Lady Anne, of Cleves, his
repudiated wife, his manors of Hever, Seale, and Kemsing, tc
hold during her life, so long as she should stay within the realm,
and not depart thence without his licence, at the yearly rental of
£93 13 3|, payable at the court of Augmentation. She died
possessed of this castle, manor, and estate of Hever, in the 5th
of King PhiUp and Queen Mary, when reverting to the crown,
they were sold that year by commissioners, authorised for the
purpose, to Sir Edward Waldegrave and Dame Frances, his
wife ; shortly after which, the park appears to have been com
pletely destroyed. The family of Waldegrave, anciently written
Walgrave, is so named from a place called Walgrave, in North -
hamptonshire, at which one of the line resided in the reign of
King John, whose descendants afterwards settled in Essex, and
bore for their arms, per pale, argent, and gules. Warine de
Walgrave is the first mentioned, whose son, John, was sheriff of
London in the 7th year of the reign of John ; and his direct
descendant. Sir Edward Waldegrave, purchased this estate. He
had been a principal officer of the household to the Princess
Mary at the latter end of the reign of Edward VL, and incurred
the displeasure of that monarch by his attachment to her interest,
for which he was closely imprisoned in the Tower. But the king
dying, he was by that princess amply recompensed for his suf
ferings, by continual marks of her royal favor and bounty ; and
obtained, as above mentioned, on very easy terms, the castle and
manors of Hever, Cobham, and Brocas. However, on the death
of Mary, in 1568, he was divested of allhis offices, and com
mitted prisoner to the Tower, where he died in the 3d of Queen
Elizabeth, leaving two sons ; Charles his heir, and Nicholas,
ancestor to those of Boreley, in Essex ; as well as several
daughters. Charles Waldegrave succeeded his father in his estates in this
parish, whose son, Edward, received the honour of knighthood
at Greenwich, in 1607 ; and although seventy years of age, at
the breaking out of the civil wars, he nobly took arms in defence
of the king, and having the command of a regiment of horse,
behaved so bravely, that he was, in 1643, created a baronet.

39+ HISTORY OF THE
He continued to act with great courage against the Parliamentary
forces, during which struggle he lost two sons, aud suffered in
his estate to the amount of £50,000.
His great grandson. Sir Henry Waldegrave, in 1686, in the
reign of James II. , was created a peer, by the title of Baron
Waldegrave, of Chewton, in Somersetshire, and had several
offices of high trust conferred upon him ; but on the revolution,
he retired into France, and died at Paris in 1689. He married
Henrietta, natural daughter of King James IL, by Arabella
Churchhill, sister of John duke of Marlborough, by whom he
had James, created earl of Waldegrave, in the 3d of George II.
He, in 1716, conveyed this castle and manor to Sir William
Humfreys, bart. who was that year lord mayor of the city of
London. He was of Barking, in Essex ; created a baronet in
1714; and descended from Nathaniel Humfreys, citizen of
London ; when dying in 1735, he left an only son and heir, Sir
Orlando Humfreys, bart. He died in 1737, leaving three sons
and two daughters; of the former, two died young, when
Robert, the second and only survivor, possessed the castle
and manors of Hever, Cobham, and Brocas, and died before his
father, possessed of the same, as appears by his epitaph, in 1736,
aet. twenty-eight.
On the demise of Sir Orlando, his two daughters became his
heirs, as well as coheirs to their brother, of whom Mary, the
eldest, had three husbands ; first, WilUam Ball Waring, of
Dunston, in Berkshire, who died in 1746, without issue; secondly,
John Honywood, of Marks hall, who likewise died without issue ;
and lastly, Thomas Gore, esq. uncle to Charles Gore, esq. m.p.,
who had married, in 1741, Ellen, the other daughter of Sir
Orlando Humfreys, above mentioned.
They, with their husbands, in 1745, joined in the sale of
Hever castie, and the manors of Hever Cobham, and Hever
Brocas, to Timothy Waldo, of Lyons, in France, one of the first
persons who publicly opposed the doctrines of the church of
Rome, of whom there is a full account in the Atlas Geograph.
vol. ii., and in Moreland's History of the Evangelical Churches of
Piedmont. One of his descendants, in the reign of Queen
Elizabeth, to escape the persecution of the Duke d'Alva, came
over to England, where he and his descendants afterwards
settled, who bore for their arms. Argent, a bend azure, betweeA

COUNTY OF KENT. 395
three leopards' heads of the second ; of whom, in the reign of
King Charles IL, there were three brothers. The eldest was
knighted, and died without male issue, leaving two daughters
his coheirs ; of whom, Grace, the elder, married, first. Sir
Nicholas Wolstenholme, bart., and secondly, William lord
Hunsdon, but died without issue by either of these alliances in
1729. The second brother was of Harrow, in Middlesex ; and
Timothy, the third, figured as an eminent merchant in London.
His grandson was Edward Waldo, of South Lambeth, and he
died in 1783, leaving only one daughter, and Timothy Waldo,
esq. of Clapham, the purchaser of this estate, as above men
tioned, who was afterwards knighted, and died possessed of the
property, with nearly 1300 acres of land surrounding, in 1786.
He married, in 1736, Miss Catherine Wakefield, by whom he
left an only daughter and heir, married to George Medley, esq.
of Sussex, whom Lady Waldo survived, and became possessed
of this manor.
The castle is entire and in good condition, being surrounded
by a moat formed by the river Eden, over which there is a draw
bridge, leading to the grand entrance, and in the gate, a port
cullis. Within is a quadrangle, environed by the offices, and a
great hall ; at the upper end of which, above a step, is a large
oak table, according to the custom of former tiroes. The great
staircase leads up to several chambers, as well as to the lono-
gallery, the ceiling of which is much ornamented by foliages in
stucco, and the rooms all wainscotted with small oaken panels
unpainted. On one side of the gallery is a recess, with an
ascent of two steps, wherein is a seat, with two returns, capable
of holding ten or twelve persons, which, by tradition, was used
as a throne when Henry VIII. visited this castle.
At the upper end of the gallery, on one side of a large window,
appears in the floor a kind of trapdoor, which, when opened,
discovers a narrow and dark, deep descent, said to reach as far
as the moat, the same being still called the dungeon.
In a closet in one of the towers, the window of which is now
stopped up, there is an adjoining chamber, wherein Queen Anne
Boleyn is said to have been confined after her disgrace. The
entrance from this closet to the chamber is now by a smaU door,
which at that time presented a secret sUding panel, being yet
called Anne Boleyn's panel.

39a HISTORY OF THE
In the windows of Hever castie are these arms. Argent, three
buckles gules within the garter; a shield of four coats, Howard,
Brotherton, Warren, and Mowbray, argent, three buckles gules;
a shield of eight coats, viz. Bulleyn, Hoo, S't. Omer, Malmains,
Wickingham, St. Leger, Wallop, and Ormond; and one, per
pale, argent andgules,for Waldegrave,
It is said that when Henry VIIL, with his attendants, came
to the top of the hill within sight of the castle, he was accus
tomed to wind his bugle horn , to give notice of his approach.
There was formerly a court-baron held for each of these manors,
but latterly only one, both manors being esteemed but as one ;
the circuit over the neighbouring parishes being very extensive.
Seyliards is an estate here extending into the parishes of
Brasted and Eatonbridge, but the mansion is in this parish, and
was the ancient seat bf the Seyliard's, who afterwards branched
out hence into Brasted, Eatonbridge, Chidingstone, and Boxley,
in this county.
The first of this name recorded as having possessed this place
v,ras Ralph de SeyUard, who resided here in the reign of King
Stephen. Almeric de Evreux, earl of Gloucester, who lived in the reign
of Henry IIL, demised lands to Martin Seyliard, and other pos
sessions, called Hedinden, to Richard Seyliard, both of whom
were sons of Ralph at Seyliard, the latter being ancestor to those
seated here and at Delaware, in Brasted.
This place continued in his descendants till Sir Thomas
Seyliard, of Delaware, passed it away to John Petley, esq. who
alienated it to Sir Multon Lambarde, of Sevenoak, and he died
possessed of the same in 1768, when it became the property of
his grandson, Multon Lambarde, esq. of Sevenoak.
Hever is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the
diocese of Rochester, and being a peculiar of the archbishop, is,
as such, within the deanery of Shoreham. The church, which
stands at the east end of the village, is a small but neat build
ing, consisting of one aisle and two chancels, with a handsome
spire at the west end, the fabric being dedicated to St. Peter.
Among other monuments and inscriptions within this church
are the foUowing : In the aisle is a gravestone, surmounted by
the figure of a female, having an inscription, in black letter en
graved on brass, for Margaret, wife of William Cheyne, obt.

COUNTY OF KENT. 39T
1 419; Arms, afess wavy between three crescents. In the chancel
is a memorial for Sir Robert Humfreys, bart. of Jenkins, in
Essex, obt. 1736. Upon the wall appears a brass plate, with
the figure of a man kneeling at a desk, with an inscription, in
black letter, for William Todde, schoolmaster to Charies
Waldegrave, esq. obt. 1585. In the north chancel stands an
altar tomb, with the figures at large, in brass, of Sir Thomas
Bulleyn, knight of the garter, earl of Wiltshire and Ormond,
obt. I538. A small slab, with a brass plate, commemorates
Bulleyn, son of Sir Thomas Bulleyn. In the belfry is a stone,
with a brass plate, bearing a French inscription, in black letter,
for John de Cobham, esq., obt. 1399, and Dame Johane de
Leukenore, his wife, and Renaud, their son ; while, near the
above, is an ancient altar tomb for another of that name, whereon
is a shield of arms, in brass. Or, on a chevron, three eagles dis
played, a star in the dexter point, vvhich belonged to this branch
of the Cobham's, of Sterborough castle.
The church is a rectory, the advowson thereof belonged to
the priory of Combwell, in Goudhurst, and devolved to the
crown, with the rest of its possessions, at the time it was sur
rendered with all the religious houses. Soon after that period,
this advowson was granted, with the site of the priory, to Thomas
Colepeper; but he did not long possess the property, as it appears
by the escheat rolls to have returned again to the king, and was
granted by him, in his 34th year, to Sir John Gage, to hold
in capite, by knight's service. He again exchanged it with
Thomas Colepeper, to confirm which, an Act passed the follow
ing year, when his son and heir, Alexander Colepeper, had pos
session granted of sundry premises, among which was the
advowson of Hever, held in capite, in the 3d and 4th of Philip
and Mary. The year following, it was, among other premises,
granted to Sir Edward Waldegrave, to hold by the like tenure,
when Charles Waldegrave, esq. in the 12th of Queen Elizabeth,
alienated this advowson to John Lennard, esq. of Cheveninc.
Being entailed to the heirs male of the latter, by the last will of
Sampson Lennard, esq., his eldest son, under the word heredita
ment, possessed it, and being an advowson in gross, it was never
disentailed either by Henry, Richard, or Francis, lords Dacre,
his descendants ; it therefore passed to Thomas lord Dacre, son
of the last-mentioned Francis, alsc lord Dacre, and afterwards
VOL. III. 3 F

398 HISTORY OF THE
earl of Sussex in 1673, who ultimately became sole heir male of
the descendants of John Lennard, esq. of Chevening.
The earl of Sussex died possessed of the property in 1715;
and his two daughters, on the death of their father, were entitled
to this advowson, who, a few years after, alienated the same. It
then became the property of the Rev. Mr. George Lewis, and
subsequently of the Rev. Mr. Hamlin, whose daughter having
married the Rev. Mr. Nott, of Little Horsted, in Sussex, he
became entitled to the same.
In the I5th of Edward I., the church of Hever was valued at
fifteen marks.
By virtue of a commission qf inquiry taken in 1 660, Hever
was returned as a parsonage, having a house and twelve acres of
glebe land, which, with the tithes, were valued at £77 per annum.
John Petter was then the incumbent, and received the profits;
Francis lord Dacre having the presentation thereof.
In 1747, the value of the rectory was £183 per annum. The
estimation in the king's books being £15 17 3J, and the yearly
tenths £1 10 8|. It was subsequently of the annual value of £200.
The priory of Combwell, in Goudhurst, was endowed by
Robert de Thurnham, founder of that establishment in the reign
of Henry 1 1., with his tithe of Lincheshele, and other premises
in this parish, for which the members of that institution
received from the rector of the church the yearly sum of 43s. 4d.
In 1821, there were sixty-eight dweUings in the parish of
Hever ; and at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow: males 313, females 293, niaking a
total of 606 souls.
Cowden lies southward from Hever, at the extremity of this
county, adjoining Sussex, and is called Cudena in the Textus
Roffensis. This parish is wholly within the Weald, and parted from the
county of Sussex by a stream of the Medway, vvhich proceeds
from one of its four principal heads, rising at Gravely hill, in
that county, whence directing its course eastward, along the
southern bounds of this, parish, it joins the principal stream at
Penshurst. The parish of Cowden is but littie known, being situated in a

COUNTY OF KENT. 39i)
deep soil of clay, very wet and miry. The viUage, with the
church on the east side, stands on a rise, though at a mall dis
tance only from the river, which here forms an elbow round the
south side, about a mile from which is tiie Moat farm; and
farther on, another, called the Wood ; and at a little distance
from the latter, is Cowden Furnace. A small quantity of land
and two houses in this parish were, in Kilburne's time, reputed
to lie within the hundred of Axstane, but more probably in that
of Ruxley, as being perhaps a small part of the borough of
Linkhill, parcel of that hundred. A fair is held here, on the
feast of St. Mary Magdalen, for cattle and pedlary.
The manor of Cowden, now called the manor of Lewisham,
was anciently part of the possessions of Agnes de Montacute,
who made a gift of all her demesne in Cuden, and in Hertfield,
Sussex, together with her capital messuage and their appurte
nances, to the prior and conventof Michelham, in Sussex. This
was a priory of Black canons, founded by Gilbert de Aquila, at
the beginning of the reign of Henry IIL, and dedicated to the
Holy Trinity, whose possessions in this place were augmented
by the further donation of Sir Walter de Letton, and Gunnora,
his wife, who gave them all his land called Greggesland, in
Cuden, confirming also the grants of those possessions laying
within his fee, which that fraternity possessed through the gift
of Agnes de Montacute, as above mentioned, and that they
should be for ever freed from the suit of court, which the land
was accustomed to make at his court at Tiches. All these
grants were confirmed to the prior and convent by a charter of
inspeximus, accorded by King Edward II. in the I4th year of
his reign.
This priory was dissolved before the 29th of Henry VIII. and
its possessions given up to the king, when that prince, the same
year, granted them to Thomas lord Cromwell, who soon after
exchanged the property with the crown. Thence it again passed
by the title of the manor of Cowdeane for other lands, to William
Fitzalan, earl of Arundel, in the 33d year of that reign, as the
king, by Cromwell's advice, obtruded many of the estates, late
belonging to the monasteries, upon the nobles and others, in
exchange for their own lands, in order to bind them more firmly
to oppose the re-establishment of such institutions, and the
papal power.

400 HISTORY OF THE
He died two years after, possessed of this estate, and was suc
ceeded therein by his only son and heir, Henry, on his father's
decease, who again conveyed this estate to the crown, where it
lay till the 3d and 4th of PhiUp and Mary, when that queen
granted to Richard Sackville and Thomas Winton, among other
premises, this manor of Cowden, with its appurtenances (lately
belonging to the priory of Michelham, and parcel of the posses
sions of the earl of Arundel ; and all lands called Warefield and
Waremead, at the southern part of the water, called Kentwater,
in Cowden, late in the tenure of WiUiam Wickenden,) to hold in
capite, by knight's service.
The above personages appear to have joined in the sale of this
estate to William Wickenden, whose grandson, in the reign of
Charles L, died possessed of the same, leaving two sons, who
divided this estate. One of the latter then alienated his moiety
to Ashdown, from which family it was bequeathed by will to the
Piggot's, from which name it passed to Mr. John Driver, and he sold
it to Henry Streatfield, esq., who became possessed of the same.
The other moiety, which remained in the name of Wickenden,
afterwards passed thence to the name of Bassett, the last of
whom, Mr. Michael Bassett, left three daughters and coheirs;
one of whom married Mr. John Burgess, and entitled him in her
right to this portion. He died possessed of the property in 1794,
and his widow again marrying James Harbroc, esq., he subse
quently became the owner. There was anciently a court-baron
held for this manor, which has been disused for a great number
of years. Cowden Leighton is a manor which had anciently owners
bearing the sirname of Leighton, who were succeeded in the
possession of the same by the Cobham's, of feterborough.
Reginald lord Cobham, in the 14th of Edward IIL, procured
a grant of ^ee warren, among others, within his lordship of
Cowden Leighton. In his descendants it continued down to
Sir Thomas Cobham, who died possessed of it in the llth of
Edward IV., leaving an only daughter and heir, Anne, who con
veyed it in marriage to Sir Edward Borough, of Gainsborough,
in Lincolnshire, whose descendant. Borough lord Burgh, having
expended vast sums in the service of Queen Elizabeth, was com
pelled lo alienate this manor to Henry Streatfield, esq., and
Richard his son. After the demise of the last-mentioned per-

COUNTY OF KENT. 401
sonages, it was by deed, and a recovery, in the 15th of King
James, settled upon the youngest of the three sons of the above
Richard. He died possessed of the property in 1628, without
issue male, when it passed to his four daughters, who conveyed
ctheir respective interests therein by sale to Henry Streatfield,
esq., of High Street house, in Chidingstone, eldest son of
.Richard Stre-atfield, esq.
His descendant, Henry Streatfield, esq., of High Street house,
in Chidingstone, died possessed of this estate in 1762, when his
son Henry succeeded to the possession of the same.
There is a manor in this parish called St. John's, otherwise
Xhe manor of St. John of Jerusalem, having most probably be
longed to the knights of that order. This manor has for many
years had the same owners as that of Stangrave, otherwise Ea-
,tonbridge, and as such was, with the ancient mansion of Crit
tenden, in the possession of Mrs. Sophia Streatfield, widow of
Thomas of that name, of Oxsted, esq.
The Moat, otherwise Co sins, is a manor and ancient seat
in Cowden, situated near the banks of the river, and was for many
generations owned by a family of the name of Cosin, or Cosins,
most probably from those of Norfolk, where this family was for
merly of some eminence.
This estate continued so long in their possession that they
affixed their name thereto, but in the 32d of Henry IV., WUliam
Cosin, who bore for his arms. Azure, a lion rampant, gutte de
sang, crowned, or, alienated it to William Hextal, and William
and Nicholas Gainsford. The former, in the 5th of Edwaid IV.
conveyed all his interest therein to William Gainsford, esq., de
scended from a family seated at Crowhurst, in Surrey, previous
to the Norman conquest, in which parish are the memorials of
the interment of many of that ancient line.
Those of this name, owners of Cosins, were a younger branch
of those at Crowhurst, and bore the same arms, Argent, a chev
ron gules, between three greyhounds currant sable, collared, or.
The descendants of William Gainsford continued possessed of
this estate till 1720, when Thomas died possessed of it, and his
heirs soon after conveyed it by sale to Mr. John Woodgate, of
SomerhiU, in Tunbridge, whose son, the Rev. Mr. Francis
Woodgate, rector of Mouutfield, in Sussex, afterwards possessed
the same.

402 HISTORY OF THE
Waystrode, otherwise Westwood, but now generally called
ihe Wood, is an estate situated about a mile from the church,
and was formerly accounted a manor. It had anciently owners
of the name of Waystrode, who continued its possessors tUl the
beginning of the reign of Henry VI , when it was alienated to
the May's, from which name it was again sold to the Still's, in
whose descendants it continued to Mr. Richard StiU, who
resided here. His only daughter and heir carried it in marriage
to Mr. Dyke, of Burwash, in Sussex, on whose death it de
scended to their only son and heir, Richard Still Dyke, esq., who
espoused Mary, daughter of the Rev. George Jordan, of Bur
wash, and she surviving her husband, by his will possessed this
estate. The college of Lingfield, in Surrey, held an estate in this pa
rish, called Cold Alley ns. which Henry VIIL granted to Thomas
Cawarden, to hold in capite, by knight's service.
Cowden is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of
the diocese of Rochester, and deanery of Mailing. The church,
which is a small building, has a handsome spire, and stands on
the eastern side of the village, being dedicated to St. Mary
Magdalen. Among other memorials and monuments are those for the
Knight's, Harby's, and Aynscombe's ; and, on the south side is
a memorial for Thomas Aynscombe, rector of the parish. This
church is a rectory, the advowson of which was granted, among
other premises, by Edward VI. to Ralph Vane, to hold incapite
by knight's service, in which name it remained till thereiguof
James I., when it was soon after alienated to Sir Robert Sidney,
lord Sydney of Penshurst, viscount Lisle, and afterwards earl of
Leicester. In his descendants it continued down to Josceline
Sidney, earl of Leicester, who died possessed of it in 1743,
without legitimate issue, and by his will bequeathed it to his
natural daughter, Anne Sidney. His two nieces, however,
(daughters and coheirs of Colonel Sidney, his next eldest bro
ther; Mary, married to Sir Brownlow Sherard, bart., and Ehza
beth, to WiUiam Perry, esq.) claimed his estates in this county,
as his coheirs by virtue of an entail, created by the marriage set
tlement of Robert earl of Leicester, in 1700, when, after much
lirigation, a compromise was entered into in 1746, which was
confirmed by Act of Parliament, whereby this advowson, among

COUNTY OF KENT. 408
the other Kentish estates, was vested in Sir Brownlow Sherard,
and William Perry, esq.
In the division of these estates, the advowson of this church
was part of that moiety allotted to Sir Brownlow Sherard, who
died without issue, after which his widow, in 1758, gave it by
her will to Anne, widow of Sir William Yonge, bart., and knight
of the bath for life, with remainder to her eldest son, Sir George
Yonge, bart. of Escot, in Devonshire. They in 1770 joined in
the sale of the patronage of this church, to Thomas Harvey,
esq. of Tunbridge, who died in 1779, and devised it by will to
his eldest son, Thomas Harvey, esq., who remained patron of
the same. In the I6th of Edward I. this rectory was valued at
fifteen marks.
By virtue of the commission of inquiry, taken by order of the
State in 1650, issuing out of chancery, it was returned, that in
Cowden there was a parsonage-house, and three acres of glebe
land, which, with the tithes thereto belonging, were valued at
£83 per annum, Mr. Thomas Aynscombe being then the incum
bent, and the earl of Leicester patron of this living.
It was valued in the king's books at £9 18 ll|, the yearly
tenths being I9s. lO^d.
In 1821 there were eighty dwellings in the parish of Cowden ;
and at the same period, when the last census of the popula
tion was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inha
bitants were as follow : males 354, females 329, making a total
of 683 souls.
Chidingstone Ues southeastward from Cowden, and is called
in the Textus Roffensis Cidingstane.
The parish of Chidingstone Ues below the sand hills,
and is consequently in the district called the Weald. It is about
six miles in length from north to south, but not more than two,
on an average, in breadth, the river Eden crossing the centre of
the district, towards Penshurst, where it joins the river Medway.
Northward of this stream the country is very much covered with
woods, among which are situated Sharp's place, and Boar place,
near the foot of the hiU, called Boar's hiU, but now usually deno
minated Bowsell gate, which names, among many others of a
similar description hereabouts, certainly derived their origin
from the wild boars, formerly very plentiful in these parts. About

404 HISTORY OF THE
a mUe southward from the Eden, is the village is Chidingstone,
which, owing to the rise whereon itis situated, was called High
street, where there is a seat of the elder branch of the family of
the Streatfield's, called High Street house, having been their
place of residence from the time of James I. , as it was subse
quently of Henry Streatfield, esq. The face of the country
throughout this parish is much the same as those last described,
within the Weald ; the soil is very moist, generally consisting
of a deep strong clay ; the lands abound in fine large oaks,
which are interspersed over them, having also broad hedge-rovy^
round the fields. There are many greens and small hamlets iri
different parts of this district, viz. Wickhurst green, Bowbeach,
HiU heath, Carey's cross, Ranesley heath, and others. At the
southern bounds of this parish, the branch of the river Medway,
rising at Gravely hill, in Sussex, and directing its course east
ward, divides the two counties.
This parish was formerly divided into two manors, which
were distinguished from each other by the addition of the names
of their respective owners. The one was called the manor of
Chidingstone Cobham, and the other the manor of Chidingstone
Burghersh. The manor of Chidingstone Cobham was part of the
possessions of a younger branch of the Cobham's, of Cobham,
in this county. In the 14th of Edward III., Reginald de Cob
ham procured a charter of free warren in all the demesne lands
within his lordship of Chidingstone. He was son of Reginald'
de Cobham, the only son of John de Cobham, of Cobham, in
this county, by his second wife Joan, daughter and coheir of
William de Hever. Pursuing a military life, according to the
custom of those times, he was much employed by King Ed
ward IIL, not only in his wars in France, but as a special ambas
sador to foreign states, on account of his great wisdom and
fidelity. He was more than once constituted admiral of the king's fleet
from the Thames, westward, and in the 30th of that reign was
with the king at the famous battle of Poictiers, where the Eng
lish obtained such a signal victory. Having been summoned
to parliament from the I6th to the 35th of Edward IIL, he died
of the pestilence in the latter year, leaving Reginald, his son and
heir, and Joan his wife, surviving. She died in the 43d of that

COUNTY OF KENT. 405
Ttjign, having by her will ordered her body to be buried in the
churchyard of St. Mary Overy, Southwark, and upon her de
cease, Reginald, her son, succeeded to this manor.
He was lord of Sterborough castle, in Surrey, whence this
branch of the Cobham's was, from that period, called the
Cobham's of Sterborough. They bore for their arms. Gules on
a chevron, or ; three stars of six points, sable, in the same
manner as his father had borne them ; but his grandfather,
Reginald, son of John de Colham, bore the stars azure.
This Reginald was summoned to Parliament, and twice mar«
ried ; first, to Elizabeth, widow of Fulk le Stiange, of Black-
mere, and secondly, to Alianore, daughter and coheir of John
lord Maltravers, and widow of Sir John Fitzalan, otherwise
Arundel. He died in the 4th of Henry IV. possessed of this
manor, leaving Reginald, his son and heir, and Alianore, his
wife, surviving. He was twice married, first, to Eleanor, daugh
ter of Sir Thomas Colepeper, and secondly to Anne, daughter
and coheir of Thomas lord Bardolph, and widow of Sir William
Clifford. He died in the 24th of Henry VI. , leaving this manor
to his eldest surviving son. Sir Thomas Reginald Cobham.
Sir Thomas died possessed of this manor in the llth of
Edward IV,, leaving by Anne, his wife, daughter of Humphrey
Stafford duke of Buckingham, an only daughter and heir, Anne,
who carried this estate in marriage to Sir Edward Borough, of
Gainsborough, in Lincolnshire.
This famUy of the Borough's, otherwise Burgh, derived their
descent from Hubert de Burgh, a younger son of the famous
Hubert, chief justice of England, and earl of Kent, and bpre for
their arms. Azure, three fleurs de lis, ermine.
Of these, Sir Thomas Borough was a firm friend to the
cause of Edward IV., for which he was obliged to quit the
realm, but returning to the assistance of that prince, met him at
Northampton, and accompanied him to Barnet field, where he
proved victorious.
He married Ehzabeth, daughter and coheir of Sir Henry
Percy, of Athol, by whom he left Thomas, his son and heir, who
in the reign of Richard III. was made knight of the Garter, and
in the 3d of Henry VII. a baron, having had a summons to Par
liament the same year. By his will, dated the 1 1 th of Henry VIL,
he ordered his body to be interred in the church of All Saints, at
VOL. III. 3 e

406 HISTORY OF THE
Gainsborough, and dying soon after, left by his wife, daughter
of Thomas lord Roos, of Kendal, two sons; Sir Edward
Borough, who married the daughter and heir of Sir Thomas
Cobham, and Thomas ; and two daughters, the eldest of whom
espoused Lord Fitzhugh.
By her he left Thomas, his son and heir, who was summoned
to Parliament among the peers of this realm, in the 21st of
Henry VIIL, by the title of Lord Burgh. He left by Anne, his
wife, daughter of William Tirwhit, of Ketilby, in Lincolnshire,
Thomas, his son and heir, vvho procured the disgavelment of
his lands. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir David Owen,
from whom he was divorced for her incontinency, and in the 35ih
of that reign obtained a special Act of Parliament for bastard
izing the children who were the ^offspring of that alliance. By
Alice, his second wife, who survived him, and afterwards married
Edmund Rokewood, he had, as appears by his will, Henry, his
son and heir, William, Thomas, and other children ; and died
in the "Jth of Edward VI.
Henry, if he succeeded his father in title, did not long enjoy
that honour, as in the 15th of Elizabeth, his brother William
bore the title of Lord Burgh, and was one of the peers who sat
in judgment on the duke of Norfolk.
William lord Burgh had by Catherine his wife, daughter of
the earl of Lincoln, Sir John Borough, who died during his life,
and Thomas, and three daughters, when he departed this life
about the 2/ th of Queen Elizabeth, bearing for his arms, four
coats, quarterly first and fourth. Borough; secondly, Cobhani
of Sterborough ; third, quarterly first and fourth, Percy; and
fourth, Athell.
Thomas lord Burgh resided, as his ancestors had done, at Ster
borough castle, having been a man of no small eminence. In
1687 he was appointed governor of the Brill, and afterwards
sent ambassador to Scotland, made knight of the Garter, and in
1 597 lord deputy of Ireland ; but having, in the 38th of Elizabeth,
expended large sums in the service of that queen, he wascompelled
to alienate this manor of Chidingstone Cobham, with that of
Tyliurst, in this parish, to Richard Streatfield, esq. of Chiding
stone, who was of High Street house in this parish. He married
Anne, daughter and coheir of a Fremling, by whom he had three
Kons, Henry, Silvester, and Thomas, and one daughter Margaret.

COUNFV OF KENT. 407
On the partition of their father's estates, Henry had Tyhurst ;
Thomas, the manor of Chidingstone Cobhani, whose daughters
and coheirs possessed the same after his decease, and they and
their descendants, at different periods, alienated their shares in
this manor to Henry Streatfield. esq., of High Street hou,se,
eldest son of Richard, and grandson of Henry, before mentioned.
Richard Streatfield, esq., of High Street house, the eldest son
of Henry, left four sons ; of whom Henry, the eldest, purchased
the manor of Chidingstone Cobham, of the heirs of Henry
Streatfield, as above mentioned ; Thomas vvas of Sevenoak, and
ancestor of Thomas of Sevenoak ; William was of Hever, and
ancestor of those at that place, and of Penshurst in this county,
as well as of Oxsted, and Stoke Newington in Middlesex, near
London; and John, the fourth son, was ancestor of William
Streatfield. of Penshurst.
Henry Streatfield, the purchaser of this manor, was of High
Street house, and died possessed both of Tyhurst and Chiding
stone Cobham manors, in 1709. He left a son and heir, Henry,
vvho succeeded his father in these manors and estates, and
having married a daughter of Mr. Baird, left by her a son Henry,
who in 1752 married Miss Anne Sidney.
He died in 1762, leaving his wife surviving, and two sons,
Henry and Richard, and two daughters; on his death, Henry
Streatfield, esq. possessed the manors both of Tyhurst and Chi
dingstone Cobham, together with High Street house, the family
mansion in this parish.
There are courts-baron regularly held for each of these manors.
The Manou of Chidingstone Burghersh, or Burg-
herst, called formerly Burwash court, was part of the possessions
of the eminent family of Burghersh. In the 16th of Edward I.
Robert de Burgherst was made constable of Dover castle, and
warden of the Cinque Ports ; and in the 32d of the same reign
was summoned to Parliament among the barons of the realm,
and died two years after, being then possessed of this manor,
leaving Stephen, his son and heir, who, in the Ist of Edward II.
obtained a charter of free warren for all his demesne lands
within this manor.
To the above succeeded Bartholomew, who married Eliz'abeth,
one of the daughters and heirs of Theobald de Verdon, a great
baron in Staffordshire. He took part with the Spencer's and

408 HlSTOttY OF THE
others, the king's favorites, and was made prisoner, after their
defeat at Boroughbridge, but on the arrival of Queen Isabel and
her son. Prince Edward, in the 20th year of that reign, he was
not only released from confinement in the tower, but made con
stable of Dover castle, and warden of the Cinque Ports, in which
oflSce he continued till the accession of Edward III. In the 1st
and 2d years of that reign, he received a new commission for
those offices, and vvas much employed by that prince, as well in
civil as military trusts, of great importance, being in the 5th of
that reign constituted seneschal of Ponthieu. In the 9th year of
the same prince, he was appointed warden of all the king's forests
south of Trent; in the 1 1th year, admiral of the seas westward ;
and in the following year, obtained a confirmation of his charter
for free warren in all his demesne lands in this parish. In the
16th year of the same reign, he obtained another charter for
free warren for bis lands here; the ensuing year, was again
made constable of Dover castle ; and during the period above
mentioned, was, with others of the nobility, employed in several
embassies in foreign parts. In the 20th year of the above mo
narch, he was present at the famous victory gained over the
, French, at Cressy ; and three years after, appointed lord cham
berlain of the king's household ; and, in his 29th year, constable
of the tower of London ; when, having been summoned to Par
liament, from the 1st of Edward IIL till the 28th inclusive, he
died soon afterwards possessed of this manor, leaving two sons,
Bartholomew and Henry, and one daughter Joan.
Bartholomew, the eldest son, married Cicele, daughter and
heir of Richard de Weyland, and in the 24th of the above reign,
upon the institution of the order of the Garter, the king had so
high an esteem of his valour and military skill, that he was
selected as one of the knights companions of that celebrated
institution. From the above period he was continually em
ployed in the wars in France, where he behaved with great
gallantry, more especially at the battle of Poictiers. His
arms were. Gules, a lion rampant, double queue, or, which
are still apparent on the roof of the cloisters of Canterbury
cathedral. About the 43d of Edward III. the above-mentioned Bartho
lomew conveyed the manor, with other lands in this county aud
Warwickshire, to Sir Walter de Pavely, knight of the Garter, in

COUNTY OF KENT. 409
whose family it remained till the latter end of the reign of
Richard II. , when it was conveyed to the Vaux's, of the county
of Northampton. In that name it continued till the reign of
•Henry VI. , when it was alienated to John Alphegh, or Alphew,
of Bore place, in this parish, who bore for his arms. Argent, a
fess between three boars' heads, couped, sable. He died in 1489,
leaving by Isabel, his wife, two daughters and coheirs ; Eliza
beth, twice married, and Margaret, who espoused Sir Robert
Read, when he, in her right, possessed this manor. The Read's
were descended from an ancient family in the county of North
umberland, and Sir Robert Read being bred to the law, was in
1507 made chief justice of the Common Pleas, and so highly
esteemed by Henry VII. as to be constituted one of his executors.
He bore for his arms, Gules, on a fess wavy, three cock phea
sants, sable; which coat, empaling Alphew, is still remaining in
a window in Sergeant's inn, London.
By Margaret, his wife. Sir Robert had an only son, Edmund,
who was one of the justices of the King's Bench, but, dying
before him, without issue, in 1501, was buried in this church;
he had also four daughters, Bridget, married to Sir Thomas
Willoughby; Jane, to John Caryll, esq., sergeant at law ; Mary,
to Sir WiUiam Barrington ; and Dorothy, to Sir Edward
Wotton. Sir Robert died about the 10th year of Henry VIII.
without issue male surviving, so that his four daughters
became his coheirs, and on a partition of their inheritance,
this manor, with other estates iu the parish, were allotted to
the share of Sir Thomas Willoughby, and Bridget, his wife.
Sir Thomas Willoughby, was the fifth and youngest son of
Sir Christopher Willoughby, and youngest brother of William
ford Willoughby, ancestor of the Baroness Willoughby of
Eresby, and of Christopher, ancestor of the Lords Willoughby
of Parham, now extinct. The origin of the family in this king
dom was Sir John de Willoughby, a Norman knight, who had
the lordship of Willoughby, in Lincolnshire, by gift of the Con
queror. ^
Sir Thomas Willoughby being bred to the law, was knighted
in the 29th of Henry VIIL, and made chief justice of the Com
mon Pleas ; and by his wife, Bridget, as above mentioned,
became entitled to this manor of Chidingstone Burghersh, with
his seat, called Bore place, and other estates in this parish. In

410 HISTORY OF THE
the 3 1st year of that reign, he, among others, by an Act then
passed, procured the disgavelment of his lands.
He died in the 37th of Henry VIIL, and was interred in this
church, with Bridget, his wife. His arms were, Gules on a bend,
wavy, argent, three birds sable, empaling argent, afess between
three boars' heads, couped sable. This shield is still remaining
in one of the windows of Sergeant's inn, in Fleet street.
His grandson. Sir Thomas Willoughby, was sheriff of this
county in the 15th and 32d of Queen Elizabeth, and bore for
his arms. Or, fretty azure. He married Catherine, daughter of
Sir Percival Hart, of Lullingstone, by whom he left several sons
and daughters; of the former, Percival, the eldest, succeeded to
these estates, and was, on the accession of King James I.,
knighted by that prince. He married Bridget, eldest daughter
and coheir of Sir Francis Willoughby, of Wollaton hall, in
Nottinghamshire, by which union he not only possessed that
mansion, but a large estate in the county, for which he was
elected to serve in the first Parliament under James I., being an
cestor of Henry Willoughby, lord Middleton. This nobleman
feeling desirous of increasing his interest in Nottinghamshire,
alienated the manor of Chidingstone Burghersh to Messrs. Jobtt
and Robert Seyliard, of Delaware ; from whom it descended to
John Seyliard, esq. who vvas created abaronet in 1661; and from
him, it passed to Sir Thomas, who, about the year 1700, conveyed
it, with Delaware, to Henry Streatfield, esq. He dying, bequeathed
this estate to his youngest son, Thomas Streatfield, esq. of
Sevenoak, whence passing to his nephew, in 1762, the inheri
tance became at length vested in Henry Streatfield, esq. of High
Street house.
Bore place is a seat here, which, with the manor of
Ml LB Ro KB, was anciently, as far back as the reign of Henry HI.
the estate of a family which hence assumed its sirname, and
vvas called Bore, taking a boar's head for their arms. In the
above name this seat and manor continued till John Bore, iu the
reign of Henry VI. , conveyed them by sale to John Alphew,
who rebuilt Bore place, and died possessed of both in 1-189,
leaving two daughters and coheirs, one of whom, Margaret, be
came the wife of Sir Robert Read. He resided at Bore place,
which mansion he much enlarged, and dying without issue male,
his four daughters became his coheirs, when the eldest, having

COUNTY OF KENT. 4ll
married Sir Thomas Willoughby, on a partition of his estates,
she had this seat of Milbroke, and his other possessions in the
parish, for her share.
Sir Thomas Willoughby likewise resided at Bore place, and
added much to its improvement. His grandson. Sir Percival,
in the beginning of the reign of James I., alienated Bore place
and Milbroke to Mr. Bernard Hyde, of London, one of the com
missioners of the customs to Charles I. His descendant,
Bernard Hyde, esq. sold them to Henry Streatfield, esq. of
High Street house, in this parish ; on whose death, in 1762, the
inheritance of Bore place and Milbroke became vested in his
eldest son, Henry Streatfield, esq. of High Street house.
There is a court-baron held for the manor of Milbroke.
BowzELL, anciently called BoreseZ/, is a manor, the greatest
part whereof lies in the adjoining parish of Chevening, under
which district it ought more properly to have been placed. It
was anciently part of the possessions of that branch of the
family of the Cobham's situated at Sterborough castle, in Surrey.
-Reginald de Cobham died possessed of this manor in the 35th
of Edward IIL, as did Joan, his wife, in the 43d year of the
same reign ; from whom it descended down to Sir Thomas
Cobham, who died possessed of the property in the llth of
Edward IV. His daughter and heir conveyed it iti marriage to
Sir Edvvard Borough, of Gainsborough, in Lincolnshire, and
she died under Henry VIII. surviving her husband, possessed of
this manor. Their descendant. Sir Thomas Borough, lord
Burgh, knight of the Garter, died possessed of the property in
the 40th of Elizabeth, leaving four daughters ; Elizabeth, mar
ried to George Brooke, esq., brother of Lord Cobham ; Frances,
to Francis Coppinger, esq., whose direct descendant, Fysh
iCoppinger, esq. of West Drayton, in 1790, had a -licence,
under the king's sign manual, to assume the name of
iBurgh ; Anne, to Sir Drew Drury ; and Catherine, to Thomas
Knyvett, esq.: and they, some years afterwards, to defray sundry
"debts, joined in the sale of this estate to the Thomas's, of
Whitley, in Sevenoak; thence it passed to the Waterson's ; from
which line, by a female descendant, the estate was conveyed in
I marriage to'the Bonnel's, whose descendant, James Bonnel,
esq. of London, about 1784, alienated it to the Rev. Richard
Rycroft,^ d. d. rector of Penshurst, in this county, vvho was, iu

418 HISTORY OF THE
1783 created a baronet; and his son. Sir Nelson Rycroft, after-
wards possessed the same
Ranesley, formerly spelt Rendesley, \s a manor in this
parish, lying near the boundaries of Penshurst, the owners of
which were, in ancient deeds, written both Rendesley and
Rennesley; but before the end of the reign of Henry VI. this
family became extinct, and the possession was alienated to the
Alphew's, of this parish, whose descendant, John, of Bore
place, dying in 1489, without issue male, one of his daughters
and coheirs, Margaret, carried it in marriage to Sir Robert Read.
By a female of the latter union, it was then conveyed in marriage
to Sir Thomas Willoughby, whose descendant, Robert, alienated
it to one Bond, when Mrs. Anne Bond possessed it in the 1st of
Edward VI. Her heirs then conveyed it to Nathaniel Studley,
esq. of Emborne Minster, in Yorkshire, whose only son and
heir succeeded his father in this manor; and during the civil
wars of Charles I. alienated it to Mr. Christopher Knight, of
Cowdham; on whose death it passed into the possession of his
son, Mr. Michael Knight, of Westerham. From the latter
family, Ranesley manor went by sale to Robert earl of Leicester ;
after which it continued in his descendants, in like manner as the
rest of his estates in this parish, and was carried by two female
coheirs in marriage to Sir Brownlow Sherard, and WiUiam Perry,
esq., who possessed it in undivided moities. The former died in
1748, without issue, and his widow held one moiety rill her
death, in 1768, when she by will gave it to Anne, widow of Sir
William Yonge, bart., with remainder to her son. Sir George
Yonge, bart. of Escot, in Devonshire. WiUiam Perry, esq. died
possessed of the other moiety in 1757, leaving his wife surviving,
who, in 1770, purchased of Lady Yonge and her son. Sir George,
their moiety, aud thus became owner of the whole; which she
gave by will, at her death in 1783, to her eldest grandson. Sir
John Shelley Sidney, esq. the present possessor.
Chidingstone is within the ecclesiastical jurisdic
tion of the diocese of Rochester, and being a peculiar of the
archbishop of Canterbury, as such, is within the deanery of
Shoreham. The church, dedicated to SC. Mary, is a large hand
some building, consisting of three aisles and three chancels, with
a handsome tower steeple at the west end.
Among the monuments and records in this church is auiron

COUNTY OF KENT. 413
plate in the middle aisle, with an inscription for Richard
Streatfield, obt. 1601 ; another for Richard Streatfield, of
Cransted, obt. 1584; and a stone for Thomas Birchensty, of
Sussex. In the south aisle is a memorial for Anne, wife of
John Basset, of Entonbridge ; on a pillar, in the body of the
church, is a memento for Henry Streatfield, of High Street
house, and Sarah, his wife ; with many others, too numerous
for insertioii. In the 16th of King Edward I., this church was
valued at thirty marks.
By virtue of the commission of inquiry into the value of
church livings, taken in 1650, it was returned, that in Chiding
stone there was a parsonage, with a house and land, worth £1 10
per annum ; Master Thomas Seyliard being then the incumbent,
and the archbishop the donor thereof.
It is a rectory, and was valued in the king's books at
£28 9 41, the yearly tenths being £2 16 ll|.
In 1821 there were 164 dwellings in the parish of Chiding
stone ; and at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow: males 589, females 507, making a
total of 1096 souls.
The next parish eastward from Chidingstone is Penshurst,
called, in the Textus Roffensis, Pen nesh erst. It derives its
name from the old British word. Pen, the height or top of anv
thing, and hyrst, a wood. It is called in some ancient records
Pencestre and Penchester, froai stnie fortified camp or fortress
anciently situated here.
There is a district in this parish called Hallborough, being
within the lowy of Tunbridge, the manorial rights of which
belong to Thomas Streatfield, esq. ; and there is another part,
comprehending the estate of Chafford, which is within the juris
diction of the duchy court of Lancaster.
This parish lies in the Weald, about four miles southward
from the foot of the sand hills, and the same distance from the
town of Tunbridge and the high London road from Sevenoak.
The face of the country is much the same as in those parishes
last described, as well as the soil, being well adapted to the
growth of large timber-trees, for which this parish is remarkable,
a tree having been cut down in Penshurst park, some years back,
vol. Ill 3 h

414 HISTORY OF THE
caUed,from its spread ing branches. Broad Oak, which had twenty.
one tons, or 140 feet, of timber contained therein. The parish is
watered by the river Eden, which runs through the centre, and
taking a circular course, after being separated into two small
streams, joins the river Medway, which flows by the southern
part of the park, towards Tunbridge. At a small distance north
ward, stands the noble mansion of Penshurst place, at the
south-west corner of the park, which was formerly of much
larger extent, the farther part, called North or Lyghe and South
parks, having been alienated from the same ; on the grounds of
the latter of which, the late Mr. Allnutt built his seat of thai
name, whence the ground rises northward towards the parish of
Lyghe. Close to the north-west corner of Penshurst park, is
the seat of Redleaf ; and at the south-west pari, very near the
place, is the village of Penshurst, with the church and parson
age. At a small distance on the other side of the river, south
ward, is Ford place, where the country becomes lower, and being
watered by several streams, the roads are wet and miry, and the
grounds much covered by coppice wood. About a mile south
ward from the river, is New House, and the boroughs of Frend-
ing and Kingsborough ; half a mile southward from which, is
the river Medway; on the farther side, the estate of Chafford;
and a little beyond the latter, that stream joins the parish
of Ashurst, at Stone cross. In a deep hole, in the Medway, near
the lower end of Penshurst park, called Tapner's hole, rises a
spring, which produces a strong and visible ebullition on the
surface of the river; and above West place, a farm-house near
the south-east corner of the park, is a fine spring, caUcd
Kidder's well, which having been chemically analized, is found
a stronger chalybeate than the waters which rise at Tunbridge
wells ; there is a stone basin" wherein the spring rises, which
runs to waste, having been placed here by one of the earls of
Leicester. This parish, as well as those adjoining, abounds in
iron ore, and most of the springs therein are more or less impreg
nated by the chalybeate. In the lofty bushes near the keeper's
lodge, in Penshurst park, is a noted heronry, which, since the
destruction of that in Lord Dacres' park, at Aveley, in Essex, is,
we believe, the only one in this part of England. A fair is held
here, on the 1st of July, annually, for pedlary.
The largest part of this parish is vvithin the jurisdiction

COUNTY OF KENT. 41 J
of the honour of Otford, a subordinate limb to which is the
MANOR of Penshurst Halimote, otherwise Otford
Weald ; extending likewise over parts of the adjoining parishes
of Chidingstone, Hever, and Cowden. As a limb of that
ionour, it was formerly part of the possessions of the see of
Canterbury, and held, for a long term, on lease of the archbishops,
by the successive owners of Penshurst manor, till the death of
the duke of Buckingham, in the 13th of Henry VIIL, in the
29th of which reign, Thomas Cranmer, archbishop of Canter
bury, exchanged Otford with the crown, and this, as an append
age, passed with the same, and so continued tUl the death of
Charles I., a.d. 1648. They were then seized, and sold to sup
ply the necessities of the state; after which. Colonel Robert
Gibbon held the property till the Restorarion, when it reverted
to the crown, where it continued, as well as the honour of
Otford, his grace the duke of Dorset being high steward of
the whole. ^ The feefarm rents, however, . with those of other
manors belonging to the above-mentioned honour, were alienated
from the crown in the reign of Charles II. , and afterwards be7
came the property of Sir James Dashwood, bart., in whose
family they continued.
Soon after the reign of William the Conqueror, Penshurst
was the residence of a family which thence took its name, and
was called the manor of Peneshurste. It also appears from a
deed in the Registrum Roffense, that Sir John Belemeyns,
canon of St. Paul's, London, was in possession of this manor as
uncle and trustee, in the latter part of the reign of Henry IIL, to
Stephen de Peneshurste, or Penchester, who possessed it under
Edward IIL He had been knighted, and made constable of
Dover castle, and warden of the Cinque Ports, by Henry HI., in
which posts he continued after the accession of Edward I. when
he died without issue male, and was buried in this church, under
an altar tomb, on which lays his figure in armour, reclining on a
cushion. He left Margery, his second wife, surviving, who held
this manor at her death, and two daughters coh§irs; Joan,
married to Henry de Cobham, of Rundale, second son of John
de Cobham, of Cobham, in this county ; and Alice, to John de
Columbers, w hose arms were. Sable, a bend or, a label of points,
argent, vvhich coat still remains in the cloisters of Canterbury
cathedral. Alice had this manor, with that of Lyghe adjoining,

416 HISTORV OF THE
assigned to her; soon after which they were conveyed to Sir
John de Pulteney, of Misterton, in Leicestershire, in the l5thof
Edward 1 1., who had license to embattle his mansion-houses of
Penshurst, Chenle in Cambridgeshire, and in London. In the
llth of Edward III., Thomas, son of Sir John de Columbers, of
Somersetshire, released to him all his right to this manor, and
the advowson of the chapel of Penshurst ; and the year foUowing,
Stephen de Columbers, brother of Sir Philip, also released to
him all his right in that manor, and Yenesfield, and the same
year he obtained a grant of fee warren within his demesne
lands. He was in great favor with the above monarch, during
whose reign he was four times lord mayor of London, and is
noticed by our historians for his piety, wisdom, large possessions,
and magnificent hospitality.
During his life he performed several acts of public charity,
and among others, founded a college in the church of St. Lau
rence, in London, since named from him Poulteney^ He built
thechurch of Little All-hallows, in Thames street, and the Car
melite church and gate to their monastery in Coventry, as weU
as a chapel and chantry in St. Paul's cathedral, London ; in ad
dition to which, by his will, he left many charitable legacies,
and directed that he should be buried in the church of St. Lau
rence above mentioned. He bore for his arms. Argent, afess
dancette, gules in chief, three leopards' heads, sable.
He died in the 23d year of the above reign, possessed of this
manor, with the advowson of the chapel, Lyghe, South park, and
Orbiston woods ; with lands in Lyghe, Tappt nash, and others in
this county, leaving Margaret, his wife, surviving. She married,
secondly. Sir Nicholas Lovaine, vvho in her right possessed a
life estate in these manors, in which they appear jointly to have
had the fee, as Sir WiUiam Pulteney, her son, during his life,
vested his interest in these manors and estates, in trustees, aud
died without issue in the 40th year of the same reign, when
Robert de Pulteney was found to be his kinsman and next heir,
being ancestor to the late earl of Bath. The trustees aftervvards,
iu the 48th year of the same reign, conveyed these estates, toge
ther with all the other property of which Sir John Pulteney died
possessed, to Sir Nicholas Lovaine, and Marg;iret his wife, and
their heirs for ever. Sir Nicholas was a descendant of the noble
family of the Lovaine's, a younger branch cf the duke of Lor-

COUNTY OF KENT. 417
raine. Godfrey, so called from tho place of his birth, possessed
lands also in England, in right of his mother, granddaughter of
King Stephen, of whose descendants this Nicholiis was a
younger branch. He bore for his arms. Gules, a fess argent,
between fourteen billets, or, which shield is quartered by Bour
chier earl of Bath, and Devereux earl" of Essex. He died pos
sessed of this manor, leaving one son Nicholas, who married
Margaret, daughter of John de Vere, earl of Oxford, who de
parted this life without issue male, when his daughter Margaret
became her brother's heir.
Margaret, widow of Nicholas, the son, possessed this manor
for her life, and afterwards married Sir John Devereux, who in
her right held the same. He was descended from a family
which took its sirname from Evreux, a town of note in Nor
mandy, there having been several generations of them in Eng
land before they were peers of the realm. The first of this name
summoned to Parliament, was this Sir John Devereux, who,
being bred a soldier, was much employed in the wars of
Edward III. and Richard IL, and had many important trusts
conferred upon him. In the llth year of the latter reign he
was a knight banneret, constable of Dover castle, and warden of
the Cinque Ports. In the 16th of the same prince he had
license to embattle his mansion at Penshurst, and the year fol
lowing he died, leaving Margaret, his wife, surviving, who had
this manor assigned to her in dower. She died possessed of the
estate, with Yensfield, and other lands, about the IOth of
Henry IV., and vvas succeeded in the same by Margaret, sister
and heir of her first husband, Nicholas Lovaine ; she was twice
married, first to Richard Chamberlayn, esq. of Sherburn, in
Oxfordshire, and secondly to Sir Phihp St. Clere, of Aldham
St. Clere, in Ightam. Both these personages, in right of their
wife, appear to have possessed this manor, which descended to
John St. Clere, son of the latter, who conveyed it by sale to
John duke of Bedford, third son of King Henry IV., by Mary
his wife, daughter and coheir of Humphrey de Bohem, earl of
Hereford, Essex, and Northampton.
The duke of Bedford was the great support and glory of this
kingdom, in the beginning of the reign of his infant nephew,
Henry VI. His courage was matchless, and followed by such
rapid succv! sses in his wars in France, where he was regent, and

418 HISTORY OF THE
commanded the English army in person, that he struck the
greatest terror into his enemies. The victories he acquired so
humbled the French that he caused Henry VI. to be crowned
at Paris, in which city he died, greatly lamented, in the I4th of
that reign, and was buried in the cathedral of Rouen. He was
twice married, but had no issue, and died possessed of the manors
of Penshurst, Havenden court, and Yensfield, in which he was
succeeded by his next brother, Humphrey duke of Gloucester,
fourth son of Henry IV., and in the 1st of Henry VI. was by
Parliament made protector of England during the minority of
the king, and constituted chamberlain of England, and at the
coronation of that prince was appointedhigh steward of this realm.
This Duke Humphrey was, for his virtuous endowments, sir-
named the Good, and, for his justice, esteemed the father of his
country ; notwithstanding which, after he had, under Henry VI.,
bis nephew, governed this kingdom twenty-five years, he was,
by the machinations of Margaret of Anjou, his nephew's queen,
who envied his power, arrested, at the Parliament held at St.
Edmondsbury, by John lord Beaumont, then high constable,
and others; and the night following (being the last day in
Febraary,) was found dead in his bed, it being the general opinion
that his dissolution was the effect of strangulation, though his
body was shown to the Lords and Commons, with an account
of his having died of an apoplexy, or imposthume. He was
buried in the abbey of St. Alban's, near the shrine of that proto-
martyr, and a stately monument erected to his memory.
The duke was twice married, first, to Jacqueline, daughter
and heir of WUliam duke of Bavaria, to whom belonged the
earldoms of Holland, Zealand and Hainault, and many other
rich seignories in the Netherlands, after which he assumed
these titles, Humphrey, by the grace of God, son, brother, and
uncle to kings; duke of Gloucester, earl of Hainault, Holland,
Zealand, and Pembroke; lord of Friesland, great chamberlain
of England, and protector and defender of the kingdom and
church of England.
But Jacqueline having been married to John duke of Brabant,
and a suit of divorce being still pending between them, the pope
pronounced her marriage with the duke of Brabant lawful, and
the duke of Gloucester was compelled to resign all the riglits
he had possessed in that princess.

COUNIY OF KENT. 419
He then married Eleanor Cobham, daughter of Reginald
Cobham, of Sterborough, formerly his mistress, who a few years
before the death of the duke, was accused of witchcraft, and
conspiring the death of the king, for which she was condemned
to solemn penance in London for three days, and afterwards
committed to perpetual imprisonment in the Isle of Man. Duke
Humphrey established the schools of divinity at Oxford, and
laid the foundation of that famous library, since increased by
Sir Thomas Bodley, who enriched the coUection by a choice
assemblage of mss. purchased in France and Italy. He bore
for his arms, quarterly, France and England, a bordure argent.
He died possessed of the manors of Penshurst, Havenden
court, and Yensfield, in this county, and dying without issue,
Henry VI. became his next heir.
The manor of Penshurst having devolved to the crown, was
immediately granted to Humphrey Stafford, who, in considera
tion of his near aUiance in blood to Henry VL, was, in the 23d
of that reign, created duke of Buckingham. He was slain at
the battle of Northampton, fighting valiantly on the king's side.
He died possessed of the manor of Penshurst, which de
scended to his great grandson, Edward duke of Buckingham,
who was beheaded under Henry VIIL, after which an Act
passed for the restitution in blood of his son Henry, but not to
his honours or lands, so that this manor, among his other estates,
became forfeited to the crown, where they appear to have conti
nued for some time. The above monarch, in his 36th year,
purchased different parcels of land to enlarge his park, among
which was Well place, 170 acres of land belonging thereto, and
the estates of John and William Fry, all of which he enclosed
within the pale of the same, though the purchase of the latter
was not completed till the 1st of Edward VI. who appears to
have granted the park of Penshurst, to John earl of Warwick,
which latter nobleman again exchanged it with the king for
other premises, who soon after granted this manor to Sir Ralph
Vane, to hold in capite, by knight's service.
He died without issue, and his estates devolved to the crown,
where they continued but a short time, as the king, by his letters
patent, that year, granted to Sir WiUiam Sidney and his heirs,
his manor and park of Penshurst, with all its appurtenances,
comprising 300 acres of land, to hold in capite, by knight's ser

420 HISTORY OF THE
vice. The family of Sidney, which was anciently seated at
Cranleigh, in Surrey, and Kingesham, in Sussex, derived its
origin from SirWUUam Sidney, chamberlain to Henry IL, having
landed in England with that prince froth Anjou. A direct descen
dant from this personage was SirWilliam above mentioned, who,
in the reign of Henry VIIL, had acquired great reputation in his
profession as a soldier, and in the 5th year of that reign commanded
the right wing of the army, under the earl of Surrey, at the battle
of Flodden field, where he was installed a knight banneret. He
was chamberlain and steward to Prince Edward, before his ac
cession to the throne, and one of the gentlemen of the privy
chamber to that prince. He died in the 7th of Edward VL, and
was buried at Penshurst, leaving by Anne, his wife, daughter of
Hugh Pagenham, Sir Henry Sidney, his son and heir, and four
daughters. He succeeded to the manors of Penshurst and
Yensfield the same year, and was much esteemed by Edward VI.j
with whom he had been bred from his infancy, and brought up
in the court as his companion. Upon the accession of that
prince. Sir Henry Sidney was knighted, and made gentleman of
his privy chamber, and in the 3d of that reign sent ambassador
to France, though not having attained his twenty-first year.
He was afterwards elected a knight of the Garter, constituted a
member of the privy council, was four times lord justice of
Ireland, and thrice lord deputy of that kingdom, which was
much indebted to him for the prudent regulations he established,
and the public works he effected during his government in that
country. Having, in his passage by water from Ludlow, in
Wales, of which principality he was then president, taken cold,
he died after a few days' iUness, in the 28th of Queen Elizabeth,
at the palace of the bishop of Worcester, whence his body was, by
order of the queen, conveyed with great solemnity to Penshurst,
where it was interred, but his heart was carried back to Ludlow,
and there inhumed.
By the lady Mary, eldest daughter of John Dudley, duke of
Northumberland, he had three sons. Sir Philip, Sir Robert, and
Sir Thomas Sidney, and one surviving daughter, Mary, married
to Henry earl of Pembroke, whose name is highly celebrated by
her brother, Sir Philip, in his Arcadia.
Sir Philip Sidney, eldest son of Sir Henry, was born, as it is
supposed, at Penshurst, Nov. 24, 1554, and had he not been cut

COUNTY OF KENT, til
off in the prime of life, would most likely have proved one of the
greatest ornaments England ever produced, as well for his
learning as his other extraordinary qualifications. Being made
governor of Flushing, in Zealand, he went over to Flanders with
the forces sent to assist the States, and encountering the
Spaniards near Zutphen, in Guilderland, September 22, of the
same year in which his father died, was there mortally wounded in
the thigh, and expired the IOth of October foUowing, at Arnheim,
aet. thirty-four, Camden, in his eulogy on this virtuous per
sonage, says : " he was the glory of his family, the hopes of man
kind, the most lively pattern of virtue, and the darling of the
learned world." Not many months afterwards his corpse was
conveyed to England, and interred with great honour above the
choir in St. Paul's church, London, with no small lamentation,
not only on the part of the queen and court, but the nation in
general. He left by Frances, his wife, daughter and heir of Sir
Francis Walsingham, secretary of state, (who subsequently
married Robert earl of Essex, afterwards the earl of Clanrickard,)
an only daughter, named Elizabeth, who married Roger earl of
Rutland. Sir Robert Sidney, his next brother and heir, succeeded to his
estates, and, in the 31st of Elizabeth, was likewise appointed
governor of Flushing, and ambassador to France. On the ac
cession of King James, he was, by letters patent, in the 1st of
that reign, created a baron, by the title of Lord Sidney, of
Penshurst, in this county ; in the 3d year of the same reign,
created Viscount Lisle ; and in the 16th year, instaUed knight of
the Garter. In further consideration of his services, he was,
twelve months after, created earl of Leicester, the ceremony
being performed in the hall of the bishop's palace, at Salisbury ;
he was also of the council to the lord president of Wales, and of
the privy council to King James ; and dying at Penshurst in 1626,
under Charles I., was buried in this church.
Robert, earl of Leicester, was twice married ; first, to Barbara,
daughter and heir of John Gamage, esq. of Coytie, in Glamor
ganshire, by whom he had three sons, (Sir William, born at
Flushing, and naturalized by Act of Parliament, who died un
married ; Henry, who died in his infancy; and Sir Robert, made
knight of the Bath at the creation of Henry prince of Wales,)
and eight daughters j of whom Barbara, married to Thoma*
VOL. III. 3 I

4fi2 HISTORY OF THE
Smith, esq. of Westenhanger, afterwards Viscount Strangford,
and secondly to Sir Thomas Colepeper.
The earl married, secondly, Sarah, daughter of WiUiam Blunt,
esq., and widow of Sir Thomas Smith, of Sutton at Hone.
Sir Robert Sidney, viscount Lisle, was his only surviving son,
and, in the 2d of King Charles I., succeeded him as earl of Lei
cester. He was several times sent ambassador to the king of
Denmark, the States of Germany, and the court of France;
and, on the removal of the earl of Strafford, was nominated lord
lieutenant of Ireland, though he never went thither.
He died at Penshurst in 1677, having married Dorothy,
eldest daughter of Henry Percy, earl of Northumberland, during
whose residence here, in 1649, the earl of Northumberland, her
brother, being desirous of surrendering his trust of the duke of
Gloucester and the princess Elizabeth, procured for his sister
the countess of Leicester, this charge; upon which they were
removed to Penshurst place on the llth of June, where they
remained about twelve months, The earl of Leicester had by
his countess, six sons, and eight daughters ; the eldest of whom,
Lady Dorothy, is celebrated by Waller, under the name of
Sacharissa, vvho married Lord Sunderland, and secondly Robert
Smith, esq. of Bidborough ; Lucy espoused Sir Robert PelhaiUf
bart., of Sussex; Anne was united to Joseph Cart, a.m.; aud
Isabella wedded Viscount Strangford. Of the sons who sur
vived, Philip was his successor ; Algernon, the most zealonsf
republican, who set up Marcus Brutus for his pattern, and was
beheaded on Tower hill in 1683, charged with having been con
cerned in the Rye House plot ; and Robert, the third son, who
died at Penshurst in 1674. Henry, the youngest surviving son,
was, in 1689, created Baron Milton and Viscount Sidney of the
Isle of Shepey, and in 16,94 advanced to the title of earl of
Romney in this county, when he died unmarried in 1704.
The eldest son Philip succeeded to the title and estates, and
lived in great honour ahd esteem, to a good old age, dying at
London in 1698. He married Catherine, daughter of the earl of
Salisbury, by whom he had Robert his successor, and two
daughters. Robert, his son and heir, was summoned by writ to the house
ot Peers, during the life of his father in 1689, and succeeded him
as earl of Leicester in 1698. He died in 1702, and was buried

COUNTY OF KENT. 42.1
at Penshurst, having had by his wife, daughter of the eari of
Bridgewater, four sons and two daughters; of the former,
Philip, the second, was his successor ; John, the fourth son,
succeeded him as earl of Leicester ; Thomas was a colonel of
Dragoons, and left two daughters his coheirs ; Mary, who mar
ried Sir Brownlow Sherard, bart. ; and Elizabeth, WUliam
Perry, esq. of Turville park, in Bucks.; and JoceUne, who a
kiigth succeeded his brother John as earl of Leicester.
PhUip the eldest surviving son, succeeded his father as earl of
Leicester, and married the daughter of Sir Robert Reeves, bart.,
of Suffolk, by whom he left no surviving issue; and Mary, the
other daughter of Sir Robert, married Colonel Thomas Sidney,
who left two daughters, as above mentioned. The earl died in
1705, and was buried in this church, on which the titles and
estate devolved to his next brother, John earl of Leicester, who
was appointed one of the lords of the king's bedchamber, and in
1717, warden of the Cinque Ports, and constable of Dover castle ;
after which he was instaUed knight of the Bath, captain of
yeomanry, and lord lieutenant of this county. In 1732 he was
sworn of the privy council, and at the same time constituted
Oonstable of the tower of London ; he died unmarried in 1737,
and was buried at Penshurst. Thomas, the third and next sur
viving son of Robert, having died in 1729, without issue male,
leaving Only two daughters, the title and estates devolved to
JosceUne, fourth surviving son, who married in 1717, Elizabeth,
daughter and heir of Mr. Thomas, of Glatnorganshire, but died
without legitimate issue in 1743, and lies buried in this church,
being the last heir male of this noble family, in whom the title
of Leicester became extinct. They bore for their arms. Or, a
pheon's head, azure ; and for their crest. On a wreath, a bear
sustaining a ragged staff, argent; his muzzle sable, and his
plain collar and chain or; they also sometimes gave, on a
wreath, a porcupine azure, his quills, collar, clnd chain, or.
Joceline earl of Leicester had, in 1738, suffered a common
recovery of his estates, consisring of the manors of Penshurst,
Cepham or Cophams, Hawden or Havenden court, Hepsbroke
or Ford place. West Lyghe, East and West Ewehurst, Ensfield
otherwise Yensfield, and Rendeley, in this county ; the capital
messuage of Penshurst place, with its appurtenances, Penshurst
park, and the adjoining grounds, containing upwards of 1050

424 HISTORY OF THE
acres, together with the advowson of Penshurst and Cowden,
and the rectories or parsonages impropriate of Lyghe and
Yensfield ; and the several woods and coppices in Penshurst,
Lyghe, Bidborough, Tunbridge, Chidingstone, and Speldhurst;
also Ford Place farm, Redleaf house, and other estates
therein mentioned, situated in the parish of Penshurst ; with
several lands and tenements in Lyghe, Bidborough, and Tun
bridge, in this county, to the use of him and his assigns, for
ever. Upon this. Sir Brownlow Sherard, bart., and Dame Mary, his
wife, and William Perry, esq., and Elizabeth, his wife, the daugh
ters and coheirs of Colonel Thomas Sidney, as before mentioned,
laid claim to these manors and estates, insisting that Earl
Joceline, by suffering such recovery, being before only tenant
for life, had forfeited such life estate therein, and having no
lawful issue, they, as heirs of the body, and heirs general of
Robert earl of Leicester, were entitled to the next estates in
remainder, created by a settlement made of the same by him m
1700, expectant on the estate for life of Joceline ; and that there
fore, ^hey and their husbands were entitled to take advantage of
such 'forfeiture ; upon which, in 1 739, they commenced a suit
in Chancery for the recovery thereof. During that litigation,
Joceline earl of Leicester died, in 1743, without legitimate issue,
having by wUl given aU his estates to Anne Sidney, his natural
daughter, who being then an infant, she by her guardians, a
few months after the earl's death, exhibited a bill in Chancery,
against Sir Brownlow Sherard, and William Perry, esq., insist
ing that Earl Joceline was tenant in tail by the former settle
ment, and by the said recovery seized in fee simple, and she
therefore claimed the estates under his will, as above recited.
After great litigation, the suit being at issue, was tried at the
bar of the court of King's Bench in 1745, when, after a long
hearing, the jury found a special verdict, wherein the insanity
of the Earl Joceline, before insisted upon, was not mentioned,
but remained still to be controverted ; and as both parties found
these suits at law very expensive, and that it would be many
years before they would be decided, and as the guardians of
Anne Sidney foresaw that if the will was set aside, she would be
destitute of a maintenance, they agreed to compromise the dis
pute ; it was therefore stipulated, that Sir Brownlow Sherard aud

COUNTY OF KENT. 435
William Perry, esq. should enjoy all the manors and estates in
the county of Kent ; that one moiety should be settled in trus
tees, for the use of Dame Sherard, with remainder to her heirs ;
and the other, in the hands of trustees, for Elizabeth Perry, in
like manner. And that each should be subject to a sum of
money, to be paid for the use of Anne Sidney, afterward mar
ried to Henry Streatfield, esq. of Chidingstone, who was like
wise to enjoy the earl's estate in Glamorganshire, according to
his will, subject to such estate as Elizabeth countess of Leicester
claimed therein. All which was confirmed by an Act of Par
liament, passed for that purpose in the 20th of George II.
After the above arrangement. Sir Brownlow Sherard,and Mary,
his wife, and WiUiam Perry, with Elizabeth, his wife, remained
possessed, as tenants in common, of all the manors before men
tioned, part of which they divided into separate moieties; that
allotted to Sir B. Sherard consisting of the mansion of Ford
Place farm, Yensfield, Moody's farm. Upper Latterhams, now
called Warrens, Lyghe park, South Park priory ; and Crouch
lands, Court lands, with other lands and woods ; and the advow
sons of the church of Lyghe and Cowden. The other moiety
allotted to Mr. Perry consisted of the advowson of the church
of Penshurst, the parsonage farm at Lyghe, messuage and
lands, called Nashes, Doubletons, Redleafe, and other lands and
woods belonging to the same.
Sir Brownlow^herard was descended from a younger branch
of the Sherard's, earls of Haiboiough, and bore the same arms,
viz. Argent, a shevron gules, between three torteaux, with a
crescent for difference. He died in 1748, without issue, leaving
his widow possessed of this moiety of the estates ; who, in 1762,
obtained the king's sign manual that she and her issue should
use the name of Sidney, and the coat-armour of Robert, late
earl of Leicester, deceased.
Lady Mary Sherard Sidney died without issue in 1758, and
by her will, in 1757, gave her interest in these estates to Anne,
widow of Sir William Yonge, bart. k.b., and daughter and coheir
of Thomas lord Howard, of Effingham, for her life, with
remainder to her son, George Yonge, bart. of Escot, in Devon
shire. They, in 1770, joined in the sale of the undivided moiety
of the Sidney estate, above mentioned, to Mrs. Elizabeth Perry,
of Penshurst place ; and in the sale of the divided moiety.

426 HISTORY OF THE
except the advovvsons of Lyghe and Cowden, to Richard Alnutt,
esq., merchant of London, who, on part of the land called South
park, in this parish, built a seat for his residence, whereon he
conferred that name, and dying in 1789, left this seat of South
park for the benefit of his infant grandchildren, (his eldest son,
Richard, being deceased in 1779,) the eldest of whom, Richard
Alnutt, esq., who, in 1793, married Frances, daughter o/ William
Woodgate, esq. of Sommer hUl, possessed this estate, and
resided there.
WUliam Perry, esq., who married the other daughter and
coheir of Colonel Thomas Sidney, bore for his arms, Azure, a
fess embattled, argent, between three pears, or. He resided at
Penshurst place, which he repaired and beautified, enriching it
with a good collection of pictures purchased in Italy.
In 1572, he procured the king's sign manual, that the issue of
himself and Elizabeth, his wife, granddaughter and heir of
Robert, late earl of Leicester, deceased, might use and enjoy the
name of Sidney only, and bear the coat-armour of the late earii
He died in 1757, having had one son, Algernon Percy Sidney,
who died unmarried in 1768 ; and five daughters, Mary, Jane,
and Anne, who died unraarrried : Elizabeth, the second daugh
ter, married to Bysh Shelley, esq. ; and Frances, the fifth, to
Mr. Poictiers, since deceased, by whom she had issue.
Mr. Perry left his wife surviving, who possessed the other
divided moiety of these estates, and, in 1770, she purchased, of
Lady Yonge and Sir George, her son, the undivided moiety of
the remainder, so that she then became the possessor of the
whole. However, after Mrs. Perry had remained some years in the
possession of this property, another claim was set up by John
Sidney, esq., who vouched that he was the son and heir of
Jocefine earl of Leicester, by his wife, Elizabeth Thomas ; and
accordingly he, by the title of John earl of Leicester, instituted
a suit against her, to recover the property, which came on to be
heard in January 1782, in the court of Common Pleas, to be
tried on a writ of right, the proceedings of which were all an
cient and singular, being a grand assize, consisting of four
knights of this county, with twelve gentiemen their companions,
the tenor of whose oath was to say, whether the tenant who
possessed them had more right to the lands than the claimant

COUNTY OF KENT. 427
who demanded them. But Mrs. Perry, in support of her right,
exhibited the will of Joceline earl of Leicester, to whom the
demandant claimed to be son and heir; whereby the estates in
question were devised away from him, and consequently he could
not claim them by heirship to the earl. And as the issue to be
tried was solely, whether the demandant had a better title than
the tenant, the old maxim of the law, Melior est conditio possi
dentis, was cited, to prove that Mrs. Perry's title being in pos
session, was better than that of Mr. Sidney, the demandant, who
had no possession, and had lost all right by the above w ill, which
gave the property away to another ; the court therefore being of
that opinion, the grand assize unanimously gave its verdict in
favor of Mrs. Perry.
The above lady, after that decision, continued in the uninter
rupted possession of these estates till her death, which hap
pened in London, the following year.
By her will, she devised this property, among her other estates
in Kent, to trustees, for the benefit of her grandson, John
SheUey, esq., eldest son of Bysh Shelley, esq., by Elizabeth her
daughter, who, in pursuance of her will, procured the king's
sign manual to take and use the name and arms of Sidney ;
and he is now the possessor of Penshurst manor and place, with
the other manors and estates above mentioned.
Penshurst place is a fine old mansion, standing at the south
west corner of the park, which, though greatly diminished, ia
still of no small extent, as it contains upwards of 400 acres of
land, diversified by hills, woods, and lawns, being well planted
with large oak, beech, and chesnut trees, and the south side
watered by the Medway. The celebrated oak which once
adorned this park, called Bear's oak, said to have been planted
at the birth of Sir Philip Sidney, measured upwards of twenty-
two feet in circumference. It stood at a small distance above
the fine piece of water, called Lancup well, and is thus celebrated
by Mr. Waller, in a poem dated from Penshurst :
Go, boy, and carve this passion on the bark
Of yonder tree, which stands the sacred mark
Of noble Sidney's birth ; when such benign.
Such more than mortal making stars did shine ;
That there they cannot but for ever prove
The monumeat and pledge of humble love.

428 HISTORY OF THE
And again, by Ben Jonson, in his poem of the Porect ;
That taller tree, which of a nut was set
At his great birth, where all the muses met.
The once magnificent, but now decayed, mansion of Penshurst,
was formerly the residence of the valorous, witty, and wise Sir
Philip Sidney ; and there equally flourished another name, less
dear perhaps to courtiers, but more highly esteemed by patriots,
Algernon Sidney, this having been alike the birthplace of that
renowned champion of liberty. It would, therefore, be idle to
attempt an exordium upon a spot thus consecrated to virtue,
patriotism, bravery, and the muses !
Penshurst, as we have previously observed, was a royal present
from King Edward VI. to his friend and companion. Sir William
Sidney, and gratitude induced his immediate descendant to
endeavour to perpetuate the munificence of his sovereign, by
the following inscription on a slab of white marble, over the
entrance gate, and immediately above the royal arms.
"The most religious and renowned Prince Edward VI. king
of England, France, and Ireland, gave this house of Pencester,
with the manors, lands, and appurtenances thereunto belonging,
to his trusty and well-beloved servant. Sir Wilham Sydney,
knight bannerett, serving him from the time of his birth, unto
his coronation, in the offices of chamberlain and steward of his
household : in commemoration of which most worthy and
famous king. Sir Henry Sydney, knight of the most noble order
of the Garter, lord president of the Council in the Marches of
Wales, son and heir of the aforesaid Sir WiUiam, caused this
tower to be builded, and the arms of that most excellent prince
to be erected, a.d. 1588."
The principal front of this edifice, buUt of stone, plain,
irregular, and wholly unornamented, opens into a beautifully
wooded park of upwards of 400 acres, lately in part converted
into hop grounds, and divided into distinct enclosures, but still
retaining enough of the original outline to convey an adequate
idea of its former grandeur.
That portion of the building which was contiguous to the
grand gateway, to the left approaching the house, has been

COUNTY OF KENT. 4'i9
enrirely demolished, and the materials removed ; but the foun
dations may be traced, which being added to the length of tho
correspondent wing, still remaining in tolerable preservation,
give the total extent of this front at no less than 850 feet.
The mansion encloses a spacious court or quadrangle, to wdiicli
the gateway before mentioned forms the principal entrance ;
crossing this quadrangle, an inner portal opens into the lobby
communicating with the hall, frotn vvhich it is divided by a
screen or partition of timber, richly orfiamented with carving
and pinnacles, armorial bearings, coronets, crests, and other
devices, having various openings resembling windows, wherein
are placed ten ancient wooden busts, rudely cut, of sovereigns
and other distinguished personages, not originaUy intended for
their present situation ; having been ornaments probably, once
thought appropriate for some other parts of the building. These
figures, as well as the screen, were originally decorated wilh
gilding and colours, but are now painted white, and have an
effect almost approaching to the grotesque, if not ridiculous,
when viewed amidst the solemnity of the massive screen that
has become black with age and smoke. The hall is a noble
apartment, eighteen yards long, by twelve aud a quarter wide,
paved with red tiles. Iii the centre is an elevated hearth, upon
which is an immense bar and dog-irons. Above, in the centre of
the roof, is a lofty turret or cupola with a lantern ; light being
also admitted by three windows in two tiers or ranges, at the
end over the screen, as well as by very large sash windows, re
cessed in the sides of the chamber ; and on that account 't is
perhaps the least gloomy of all the apartments of a similar
description on the same area. The roof, which is from forty to
fifty feet in height, is ribbed with timber, but, Uke the waUs,
much discoloured by smoke.
One table, thirty feet long, but very narrow, stands on the
north side of the hall; as well as two others, about equal in
length, on the opposite side to match. At the upper end is an
elevated space, extending from side to side, and a long table
with one form or bench, and a small stool standing near it.
Behind the table, in the centre, is an indifferent painting of
King Edward VI. represented habited in a Roman dress, and.
as a statue on a pedestal, the accompaniments on either side
being intended to represent the screen at the opposite end of the
VOL. III. 3 K

430 HISTORY OF THE
room, and produce the effect of a mirror ; but the painling ig by
no means equal to the design, which, had it been well executed,
would have produced an almost magical effect. The sasli win-
dovvs in this apartment must give offence to the antiquaiy, as
being inconsistent ; but it is said that the proprietor has it in
contemplation to restore the whole of this magnificent fabric to
its pristine splendor, in a style agreeable to its original design ;
in which case not only the absurdity above alluded to, but many
other incongruities of modern date, will be amended.
A stone staircase, apparently copied from the plan of those of
more ancient buildings, in which, the principal apartments bein^
on the ground floor, the stairs were a secondary object, and cal
culated for convenience rather than show, conducts to a saloon,
lofty, spacious, and elegant, combining the grandeur of ancient
state, with the comforts and elegance of modern taste. It i;
about fifty feet long, having a fine coved ceiling; while at each
of the four corners is a beautiful column of Scaglioni marble,
supporting an urn. Numerous tables of iiiosaic, representing
figures and landscapes, are loaded with rich old china vases and
other ornaments, the entire furniture being antique. Suspended
from the ceiling are two chandeliers, which, since the improve
ments of later days, would be called mean, although they were
a royal present, and once, probably, reckoned amongst the most
elegant productions of art. Among the various decorations,
are two superb vases of Italian marble, and six smaller, of the
most exquisite workmanship, particularly worthy of admiration.
At the upper end of the saloon, a flight of steps leads to a closet
or recess, which forms a private communication with the rest of
the principal apartments. In front, and spread before it, is a
kind of screen, covered ^^ith velvet, divided into five panels or
compartments, each having a large square of plate glass made
to draw up like the window of a sedan-chair ; the frames before
mentioned and covering being richly embroidered and decorated
with mother of pearl, by the hands of Queen Elizabeth herself,
who paid a visit here, and was entertained with a masque in this
very chamber, her majesty being seated within this fine enclo
sure. The next apartment is the queen's drawing-room", which
contains the identical chairs presented and used by her majesty
during the visit alluded to. They are gorgeously ornamented,
the frames richly carved and entirely gilt, the down cushions

COUNTY OF KENT. 4.^1
and stuffed backs in crimson silk damask, embroidered with gold,
being altogether so heavy as not to be moved from their places
without difficulty. A brass cabinet, or stand, inlaid with tor
toise-shell, is covered with curious and valuable antiques collected
by the late Mr. Perry, some of the articles having been dis
covered at Herculaneum, and amongst the most remarkable (for
they are by far too numerous to allow of an accurate descrip
tion) are, a skeleton modelled in wax, lying in a little cabinet of
crystal, said to have been found amongst the relics, and con
jectured by the virtuosi to have belonged to Celsus, the famous
surgeon and physician ; and a petrified pheasant's nest.
The old tapestry which gives name to one of the rooms is
transcendently beautiful, and the colours the finest imaginable,
fresh as if from the manufacturer, and far surpassing every thing
of the kind to be met with in England : it represents the
triumph of Cybele on one side, and on the other Juno with
Neptune unlocking the portal of the winds.
The page's room has a wainscoted ceiling in compartments,
and contains a beautiful cabinet, being, like all the rest, full of
paintings by the first masters, some in very fine preservation.
The gallery, completely decorated by pictures of all the great
masters, is 100 feet long, having a recess and bow window pecu
liar to the age in vvhich this house was erected, precisely similar
to one at Charlecott, in Warwickshire, belonging to the ancient
family of the Lucy's, immortalized by Shakspeare. In this
gallery is another large cabinet, beautifully ornamented with
exquisite paintings in small compartments, and figures of brass
gilt, said to have been a present from King James I.
Within the recess is a large table of lapis lazuli, inlaid with
the arms of the Sidney family, presenting ninety-five quarterings,
being a fine satire on " the boast of heraldry," the weakest pas
sion of the mind. It bears the name of Lamb. Crisrian. Gori
a Floren. a.d. 1753. In an adjoining closet, is a curious
anUque cradle of black wood, said to have belonged to George
Villiers, duke of Buckingham. In the chamber that once con
stituted the library, are preserved, in a glass casp, several folio
volumes, containing all the original State Papers from whicii Mr.
Collins composed his work; and in a remote part of the build
ing, are a suite of rooms denominated the Buckingham chambers,
having been inhabited by the dukes of that name.

432 HI.STORY OF THE
The lower rooms are spacious, but not lofty ; and an elegant
modern staircase has been constructed, which leads to the
apartments for domestic use.
On the front of the house, next the road, is a square slab of
marble, bearing the foUowing inscription :
" Sir Henry Sydney, knight of the most noble order of the
Garter, lorde president of Wales and the Marches of the same,
and one of the queene's majesties most honourable privy council,
and late lord deputie of the realme of Irelande, 1679."
It may be presumed that this portion of the building was
erected by Sir Henry, although that circumstance is not ex
pressed ; but it is difficult to imagine why the bare enumeration
of his titles should have been inscribed so conspicuously upon the
house, unless such were the case. Nearly a similar inscription
is still remaining upon the ruinous castle of Ludlow, also the
residence of the same courtly knight, Sir Henry Sidney.
Salmans is an estate in this parish, which had anciently
owners of that name, one of whom, William Salmans, possessed
it in the 9th of Henry VI. ; soon after which it became the resi
dence of John Rowe, who owned it in the 12th year of that
reign. In the 7th of Henry VIL, Walter Derkinghall, other
wise Darkenol, possessed it, who by will, in 1504, gave it to
Robert, his son, and he passed it by sale, in the 23d of Henr/
VlIL, to Thomas Willoughby, one of the king's sergeants at
law, afterwards knighted, and made justice of the Common
Pleas, who was one of his descendants. Thomas WiUoughby
alienated his interest herein, by fine and recovery, in the 13th of
Charles I., fo John Seyliard, esq. of this parish, whose des
cendant, John, of Blechingley, in Surrey, dying without issue,
his niece and heir carried her interest in marriage to George
Scullard, of London, who alienated this property to Mrs. Streat
field, of Chidingstone.
The manor of Hepsbrooke, the mansion of which is
called Ford place, was the ancient habitation of the Sidney's,
previous to their removal to Penshurst place, in the reign of
Edward VI. ; and continued afterwards in the same family, earls
of Leicester, tUl it passed, with the residue of their estates, to
Sir Brownlow Sherard and William Perry, esq. His widow,

COUNTY OF KENT, 433
upon his death, possessed his interest in this estate, and dying
in 1758, bequeathed it to Anne, widow of Sir WUUam Yonge,
and her son. Sir George, who sold it to Mrs. Perry ; when it wsls
ultimately possessed by her grandson, John Shelley Sidney,
esq. But the Farm, or demesne lands, called Ford Place farm,
was, in 1770, alienated by Lady Yonge and her son, to Richard
Alnutt, esq., who died possessed of the same, and whose grand
son inherited the property.
At the southern extremity of this parish, stood a man
sion called Chafford place, which was for many descents the
property and residence of the family of the Roe's or Rowe's, a
branch of those of Rowe's place, in Aylesford, iu this county,
who bore for their arms. Argent, on a chtvron, azure, three
bezants, between three trefoils, slipt parted per pale, gules and
vert. But in the reign of Henry VIII. it was in the possession
of the family of the Rivers's, descended from those of River
hUl, in Hants ; one of whom. Sir Bartholomew, lived in the reign
of Edward IV., to whom he was firmly attached. This family
bore for its arms, quarterly, first and fourth, Azure, two bars dan
cette, or, in chief three bezants, by the name of Rivers; second and
third. Azure, a fess engrailed, argent, surmounted hy another,
not engrailed gules, cfuirged with three roses, argent, between as
many swans, proper ; which last shield was an augmentation of
honour, given to Sir Bartholomew Rivers by that king, for his
good and faithful services to the house of York., This coat of
arms, together with the crest of Rivers, viz. a bull at gaze, was
carved on the gateway of Chafford house, built by one of this
family. His son, William Rivers, had a command, in the reigns of
Edward IV. and Henry VIL, and by his will, in 1506, ordered
his body to be interred in the cathedral church of Rochester.
lie left by AUce, his wife, Richard, his son and heir, who was
father of Richard Rivers, of Penshurst, and steward of the
lauds of Edward duke of Buckingham. His son, Sir John
Rivers, was of Chafford, and served the office of lord mayor of
London in the I5th of Elizabeth.
His grandson, John, vvas created a baronet in the 19th of
James L, and having married Dorothy, only daughter and heir
of Thomas Potter, of WeU street, in Westerham, procured an
Act of Parliament, in the 2lst year of that reign, to alter thei

.434 HISTORY OF THE
tenure and custom of his lands, those of Sir George Rivers, hi's
father, as also those of Thomas Potter, esq., deceased, being
then of the nature of gavelkind, and to render them hereditary
according to the course of common law, and settle this inheri
tance upon himself, by Dame Dorothy, his wife.
After which, this estate descended down to Sir George Rivers,
bart., who, by Dorothy, daughter of Sir William Beversham,
bart. of Holbrooke hall, in Suffolk, had four sons, all of whom
died without issue ; and seven daughters. At his death, in
1734, he by will gave Chafford place, with the park, then used
as a warren, with all his other real estates, to his five natural
children, by Anne Maria Thomas, with whom he lived by the
name of Rivers. But his surviving legitimate children, and the
heirs of those deceased, filed a bill in Chancery to set this will
aside ; and after several decrees and processes at law, this estate
was by the court ordered to be sold in 1743, when it was pur
chased by Mr. William Saxby, gent, of Horsted Cayns, in
Sussex. He pulled down the ancient mansion, and built a
farm-house on the site ; when he died possessed of the property
in 1783, in which year the estate was, in pursuance of his will,
sold to Robert Burges, esq. of Lyghe, who died possessed of
the same in 1 794 ; since which, his widow marrying James
Harbroc, esq., he became the possessor of this estate.
Redleafe house is a seat in this parish, situated at the
north-west corner of Penshurst park, which remained for many
years in the possession of the family of the Spencer's, who
bore for their arms, Quarterly, argent and gules, in the second and
third, a fret or, over all, on a bend sable, three escalop-shells of
thefirst ; and vvere descended from the family of this name at
St. Alban's, in Herts. Gilbert Spencer owned this seat, and
resided here in the reigns of Charles If. and William IIL, and
died possessed of it in 1709, having married Elizabeth, eldest
sister and coheir of Oliver Cambridge, of Newhouse, otherwise
Harts, a seat situated in the southern part of this parish, by
whom he had several sons and daughters. Of (he former,
Gilbert died during the lifetime of his father, when Robert, the'
second, succeeded to this estate, who was of Dorking, in Surrey,
and dying without issue in 17.30, it devolved to°his brother!
Abraham Spencer, esq. of Penshurst, who was sheriff in 1736;
and dying unmarried in 1740, was buried in this church, having

COUNTY OF KpNT. 435
by will devised this estate to Thomas Harvey, esq. of Tunbridge;
and he died in 1779, bequeathing it to his eldest son, the Rev.
Thomas Harvey, who resided there.
Penshurst is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction
of the diocese of Rochester, and being a peculiar of the arch
bishop of Canterbury, is, as such, within the deanery of Shore
ham. The church, a large handsome building, is dedicated to
St. John the Baptist, and consists of three aisles, a cross aisle,
and three chancels, with a tower steeple at the west end.
There are numerous monuments and memorials in this church,
commemorative of the families of the Draynowt's, the Cam
bridge's, the Bu'iman's, the Paine's, the Egerton 's, the Head's,
the Spencer's, the Darkenol's, the Pawle's, and the Yden's, as
well as for Thomas Bulleyn. There is a monument for Lady
Mary, eldest daughter of the famous John duke of Northumber
land, sister to Ambrose earl of Warwick, Robert earl of Lei
cester, and Catherine countess of Huntingdon, and wife of the
Right Hon. Sir Henry Sidney, knight of the Garter. At the
west end of the chancel is a mural monument for Sir William
Coventry ; another for Sir WiUiam Sidney, knight banneret,
chamberlain and steward to Edward VL, the first of that name,
and lord of the manor of Penshurst, obt. 1563. In the chancel
is a very ancient figure, in stone, of a knight in armour, being
the memorial of Sir Stephen de Penchester. In the fourth
window of the north aisle are these arms, extremely ancient,
within the garter, argent, a fess gules in chief, three roundels of
the second, being those of Sir John Devereux, k. g. In the
same window is the shield of the Sidney's ; in the second win
dow, this crest, a griffin rampant, or ; and in the east window
of the great chancel, are also the arms of England. In the
east window of the south chancel are the family arms of the
Sidney's, with all their quarterings ; there were also, though
now defaced, those of Sir Thomas Ratcliff, earl of Sussex, and
the Lady Frances Sidney.
This church was of the ancient patronage of the see of Can
terbury, and so continued till the 3d of Queen Elizabeth, when
Mathew, archbishop of Canterbury, granted it to that queen, in
exchange for the parsonage of Eard, otherwise Crayford, ana
though in the queen's letters patent, dated that year, confirming
this exchange, there was no value expressed, nevertheless, in a

43a HISTORY Of THE
roll in the queen's office, it is there entered, the tenth being
deducted, at the clear yearly value of £32 1 9.
Soon after. Queen Elizabeth granted the church of Penshurst
to Sir Henry Sidney, whose descendants, earls of Leicester,
afterwards possessed it ; from whom it passed, in like manner
as Penshurst place, to William Perry, esq., who died possessed
of it in 1757, leaving his widow surviving, and she, at her death,
in 1783, devised it to trustees, for the use of her grandson,
John Shelley, esq., who has since assumed the name of Sidney,
being the present owner thereof.
The annual value is now esteemed at £400 and upwards ; but
in the king's books the estimate vvas £30 6 10|, the yearly
tenths being £3 0 7J.
An account of the chantry or free chapel of Penshurst will be
given in the next parish of Lyghe, within the bounds of which
it is situated. ,
In 1821 there were 165 dweUings in the parish of Penshurst ;
and, at the same period, when the last census of the population
was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inhabitants
were as follow ; males 734, females 658, making a total of
1392 souls.
Lyghe is the next parish eastward from Penshurst, caUed, in
ancient writings, Leigh and West Leigh, and La Lye ; in the
Textus Roffensis, Leuga, which in Saxon signifies a feeding or
pasture. This parish is about three miles and a half in length from
north to south, and somewhat less than two and a half in breadth,
and lies below the sand hills in the district of the Weald. The
northern part is more above ground, and consequently dryer
than the parishes last described; the soil mostly a stiff loam,
and the lower parts, near the river, much subject to inunda
tion. The viUage is in the southern part of this district, with the
church on the north side ; and at a small distance stands the
seat of HaU place, within the large district called Hallenden,
stretching two miles and a half northeastward ; the extremity of
which, though now separated by the parish of Tunbrido-e inter
vening, nevertheless, from the best accounts, has ever been sup
posed within this of Lyghe.

COUNTY OF KENT. 4;7'
Ihe river Medway runs along the southern part of the parish ;
at a small distance southward from which is Endsfield. Another
stream, rising at the foot of the sand hills, bounds the eastern
side, and meets the river at Tunbridge ; between vvhich is the
estate and mill of Ramhurst ; and close to the boundary, adjoin
ing Tunbridge, about a mile westward of the village, is the
ground late the upper part of Penshurst park, called Lyghe, or
North park, now the property of Mr. Alnutt. Above is Lyghe
green, between which and Hall place there is mucn coppice
wood, as also in the northern part of this parish, called West-
wood, near Hall's and Fletcher's greens.
A fair is held here, on July 26, for pedlary wares.
The manor of Lyghe, otherwise West Leigh, had always
the same owners as the adjoining manor of Penshurst.
Sir Stephen de Penesharste possessed it in the reign of
Edward I., at whose decease, Margery, his wife, held it in
dower, and died possessed of it in the 2d of Edward IL, and
her daughter, Alice, carried itin marriage to John de Columbers.
Soon after, this manor was conveyed to John de Pulteney,
who was knighted, and four times lord mayor of London, hav
ing also possessed the manor Of Yeanesfield, with lands called
Tappenashe, in this parish. In the 12th of Edward IIL,
Stephen de Columbers, brother of Sir Philip, released to Sir
John de Pulteney all his right to the manor of Yenesfield above
mentioned ; and in the 18th of the same reign, Roger de la Lye,
son of Godfrey de Essex, released to him all his right and title
in the lands and tenements which the said Sir John had pur
chased of Emma, his mother, in this parish of Lye. In the
20th of Edward IIL, Sir John de Pulteney paid respective aid
for the manor of Yenesfield, as the third part of a knight's fee,
which John de Columbers held at Yenesfield of the earl of
Gloucester, being parcel of that honour, and also for the fourth
part of a knight's fee, which Emma de Tappenese held at
Tappenese, those lands being called Tappenese corner.
Sir John de Pulteney died in the 23d year of the above reign,
possessed of the manors of Leigh or Lyghe, Penshurst, and
Yenesfield, South Park wood, Oibiston wood, Heversmede,
Gorton's lands, and lands in Lyghe and Tappenashe, it being
found that William de Pulteney, was his son and heir.
After tiie above period, these manors of West Leigh or Lyghe,
VOL. III. 3 L

4.38 HISTORY OF THE
and Yeanesfield, passed in the same manner as that of Pen
shurst. Sir Brownlow Sherard, bart. died in 1748, when his widow
possessed the undivided moiety of the manor of Leigh, which
she held till her death, in 1768, and bequeathed it to Anne,
widow of Sir William Yonge, bart. who, with her son, joined in
the sale of the same to Richard Alnutt, esq. ; and he, with his
son, sold the remainder of the undivided moiety of these estates
to Mrs. Perry, of Penshurst place, who at her death, in 1783,
left them to her grandson, John Shelley Sidney, esq. as before
observed. In the eastern part of this parish, near the river Medway,
stands an ancient mansion, called RamIiurst, once reputed a
manor, and held of the honour of Gloucester.
In the reign of King Edward I. it was held by the family of
the Rowland's; whence it passed to the Colepeper''s, one of
whom, Walter, paid respective aid for it in the 20th of Edwaid
III., as the sixth part of a knight's fee. It continued in the
latter name for several generations, till alienated "to the Worral's,
and thence, about the reign of Henry VIIL, to the Lewknor's;
from whom it passed, first to the Dixon's, and then by sale to the
Saxby's. By the latter it was conveyed to Richard Children,
esq., who died possessed of it in 1763, when he was succeeded
by his eldest son, John Children, esq. of Tunbridge, whose
son, George, of the same place, afterwards possessed this
property. Hollenden is a large district of land, which, from the best
account extant, seems to be wholly within this parish, though
that of Tunbridge intervenes and entirely separates the greater
part of the parish of Lyghe from that in which Hollenden is
situated. It was, in very early rimes, part of the possessions of the
ancient family of Fremingham, for, in the 66th of Henry IH.
Ralph de Fremingham obtained a charter of free warren for se
veral of his manors in this county, among which was Hollenden.
However, about the reign of Henry IV., it was in, the possession
of the Cheyney's, as appears by the ancient court-rolls, as se
veral parcels of land belonging thereto were at a subsequent
period called by the name of Cheyney fields. But, before tne
reign of Henry VIIL, it became parceUed out to different

COUNTY OF KENT. 439
owners, and thereby lost the title of manor, so that there is now
neither court rent nor service belonging to this property.
John Vane, esq. of Tudely was possessed of lands and tene
ments called Holynden, in the reign of Henry VIIL, and by his
will, in the 13th of that prince, devised them to his youngest
son John, ancestor of lord viscount Vane, and the earl of Dar
lington. A house and part of the demesne were, about the
reign of Henry VIL, conveyed by sale to one Stace, whose son
John died possessed of them in 1539, without issue, and lies
buried in this church. This estate then descended to his
cousin and next heir, John Stace, of Cobham, who left three
sons and two daughters, and at his death devised this estate to
George Stace, his sole heir, who sold it to one Turner, and he
again alienated it to James Pelsett, since which it has again
been so completely sepaiated, that no two or three persons can
be stated possessors of the same.
Another part of Hollenden was conveyed, in the reign of
Henry VIIL, to William Waller, from whom it descended to
his son Richard, about vvhich time this part acquired the name
of Hall place, or Hollenden. Anne, his widow, survived him,
and carried this estate to her second husband, Stephen Towse,
gent., who died owner of the property in 1611 ; when, passing
into the name of Crittenden, it continued with that Une till the
reign of Charles IL, upon which it was alienated to the Harrison's,
when Abraham Harrison, esq. died possessed of it in 1,717. It
then passed to the name of Burges, Robert Burges having claimed
the manorial rights, by the name of the manor of Lyghe Hol
lenden. He rebuilt this seat, of which he died possessed in
1794, when his widow marrying James Harbroc, esq., he, in
her right, possessed the same.
Lyghe is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of
the diocese of Rochester and deanery of MaUing. The church,
dedicated to St. Mary, is a small building, without a steeple :
there are also some good specimens of painted glass in the
windows. Among other monuments and inscriptions are the following ;
in the chancel three brass plates, that had been removed from
gravestones, and are now nailed on the floor of a pew. On the
north side is an inscription for Thomas Chann, esq. ; some me
mentos for the, families of the Cartes', the Antrobus's, the

440 HISTORY OF THE
Seyliard's, and a memorial for John Stace, of HoUenden. Here
is also a mural monument for Abraham Harrison, and another
for Stephen Tow se, gent. ; while, in the east window of the
chancel, are these arms, extremely ancient. Or, three chevrons,
gules, and, in a small circular window, over the former, the
shield of the Sidney's, earls of Leicester.
The pationage of this church, in the reign of King John, be
longed to Sir John Carewe, and it appears to have so continued
in the reign of Richard II , when Sir John Carewe de la Lye,
otherwise called John Lye, of Kent, attended, among others,
John of Gaunt, king of Castile, in his voyage to Spain. It waa
subsequently given to the priory of Tunbridge, which had been
erected by Richard de Clare, in the reign of Henry L, and King
Edward III. in his 22d year, at the request of Ralph lord
Stafford, granted license to the prior and convent of Tunbridge,
to appropriate the church of Lyghe, whereof they then possessed
the advowson, to hold the same to them and their successorsfor
ever. After which, the prior and convent applied to Hamo de
Hethe, then bishop of Rochester, to confirm the appropriation of
this church, the value of which, as it was then taxed, did not
exceed tw elve pounds of silver ; at the same time they set forth
the miserable state to which they were reduced in their church
and monastery, as every thing had been burnt to the ground,
and themselves in a state of the greatest poverty.
The church of Lyghe, together with the advowson of the
¦vicarage, remained with the priory of Tunbridge till the suppres
sion under Henry VIIL, when, falling into the possession of
Cardinal Wolsey, for the endowment of his colleges, it was, upon
his disgrace, surrendered to the king, who granted his licence to
Thomas Cardinal, archbishop of York, to appropriate, consoli
date, and annex this church, to the deans and canons of the col
lege founded by the cardinal in his university of Oxford. There
it remained vested only four years, when that great prelate
falling into disgrace in 1529, all his estates became forfeited to
the king, where this advowson remained till the 36th of Henry
VIH., when that monarch, in consideration of certain lands in
Penshurst, granted to him and his successors, this manor and
rectory of Leigh, or Lyghe, to Edward Frye, and the lands also
called Priors and Bougers, late inthe possession of William
Coke, rector, as part of the said rectory, in as full and ample a

COUNTY OF KENT. 441
manner as the king bin self, or the monastery, ever enjoyed them.
These premises vvere then of the clear yearly value of £10 3 4,
to hold to him and his heirs for ever, by the service of a twen
tieth part of a knight's fee in capite, at the yeariy rent of 3s. 4d,
free from all other rents and outgoings whatsoever, except a
pension of 10s. yearly, reserved to the bishop of Rochester, and
his successors, at the time of the visitation every third year. He
died possessed of these premises the following year, when
Thomas Frye, his son, had a grant thereof, who, in the 3d of
Elizabeth, levied a fine of this rectory.
The vicarage of Lyghe was valued in the king's books at
£9 18 9, the yearly tenths being l9s. lOJd. It is now worth
£150 per annum, the vicar claiming all kind of tithes, excepting
corn. Sir John Carewe, patron of the church of Lyghe, Richard
Carewe, rector thereof, with Alan de Ros, the vicar, granted to
Sir Thomas de Peneshurst, and his heirs, with the consent of
Benedict, bishop of Rochester, a fiee chapel for ever within his
manor of Penshurst, to be served by its own proper chaplain.
This chapel was suppressed by the Act of the 1st of King
Edward VI. and the revenues seized into the hands of that
monarch, at which time they were valued in the king's books
at £6 5 per annum.
Sir Brownlow Sherard died in 1748 possessed of this advow
son, leaving his wife surviving, who, by her will in 1758,
gave it to Anne, widow of Sir William Yonge, bart. k.b , when
herself and son joined in the sale of this estate to Thomas
Harvey, esq. of Tunbridge, who died in 1779, and bequeathed
it to his second son, William Thomas Harvey. The rectory
impropriate, however, of Lyghe, on the division of the Sidney
estates in 1747, was allotted to Mrs, Perry, and at her death, in
1783, she gave it by will to trustees for the benefit of her grand
son, John Shelley Sidney, esq.
In 1821 there were 115 dwellings in the parish of Lyghe ;
and at the same period, when the last census of the popu-
tation was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow : males 464, females 412, making a
total of 876 souls.
Speldhurst is the laat parish to be described in this lath.

-ivi HISTORY OF THE
joining Penshurst to the south-east, and was frequently written
in ancient records, Spelehtrsle, but in the Texlus Roffensis,
Speldhurst. This parish is about three miles across either way; the
north-west part, wherein the church stands, and Hallborough,
is within the hundred of Somerden, as is also the hamlet of
Groombridge, three miles from the chprcli. At the southern
boundary, where the river Medway separates this county from
Sussex ; throughout the whole district the soil presents a
stiff clay. The rest of this parish is in the hundred of Wach
lingstone, and stretches across a narrovv district by Mitchell's
and Tophill's farms, towards the parish of Ashurst, which it
includes ; thus entirely separating that part of the hundred of
Somerden, wherein the hamlet of Groombridge lies, three sides
of which it surrounds. The soil in the eastern part of this
parish changes to one uninterrupted scene of lofty hills inter
sected by deep valleys, which consist of a stiff loam and barren
sand, covering a continued bed of rock-stone, several appearing
al.'ove the level of the soil, of large dimensions, and abounding
much in iron ore, whicii renders the springs more or less chaly
beate. At the south-east boundary of the parish is the noted
resort of Tunbridge wells, situated about thirty-five miles from
London, and five from the town of the same name.
The wells form the centre of the place, being a general appel
lation given to a number of scattered villages and dwellings, part
of which are in the parish of Speldhurst, and the remainder in
that of Frant, in Sussex. These consist principally of il/oK«<
Ephraim, Mount Pleasant, Mount Sion, and the wells properiy
so called, forming the centre of the place, near which are the
markets, chapel, assembly-rooms, and imblic parades, called the
upper and lovver walks. A portico extends the whole length of
the latter, supported by Tuscan pillars, vvhich are much frc-
quented by visitors as a promenade. On the left is a row of
trees, having a gallery in the centre for an orchestra. In the
neighbourhood of the wells stand the principal taverns, which
are commodious, and more suited for the accommodation of the
luxurious than the valetudinarian visitant. The new bath is a
handsome building, and the theatre, libraries, and shops, fitted
up with a considerable degree of elegance.
These springs were discovered in the reign of James 1. by

COUNTY OF KENT. 443
Dudley lord North, while he resided at Eridge house for his
health ; and it is said that he was completely cured of a linger
ing consumptive disorder under which he had laboured, by
drinking them. They are chalybeate, and nearly of equal
strength with those of the German spa, being also deemed of
great benefit in nervous and chronic disorders, as well as
diseases arising from an impaired digestion.
Among the cluster of houses on Mounts Sion, Pleasant,
Ephraim, and Bishopsdown, are many good dwellings, beauti
fully situated, and well adapted for the reception of the com
pany who annually seek a temporary residence at this truly
fashionable place of resort. The majority of the. visitors is com
posed of famiUes of the highest respectability, a confinement, of
intercourse to select circles being preserved with scrupulous te
nacity. This preservation, however, of family dignity renders
the pkce less attractive to the casual visitor, not regularly in
troduced, but if the traveller carries with him credentials in the
form of an introduction, no place of public resort can be more
desirable than this, even to the traveller of quick passage. To
families of high name, who are known to every one, Tunbridge
Wells presents a rare and gratifying temporary concentration of
suitable association.
The air of this neighbourhood is eminently pure and salubrious,
v/hile the rides (to those whose nerves allow them to look with
out trepidation on abrupt descents, and acclivities, fearfuUy ap
proaching to the perpendicular,) are delightfully varied, and
abound in objects of picturesque attraction. The High Rocks,
about one mile and a half from the wells, are much celebrated,
and combine a gratifying assemblage of pictorial display. This
spot is said to have been first brought into notice by King
James IL, vvho, whtn duke of York, repaired to the wells, with
his duchess and two daughters, afterwards Queens Mary and
Anne. The trade of Tunbridge WeUs is similar to that of Spa, in
Germany, and chiefly consists in a variety of toys, made of
wood commonly called Tunbridge ware, which employs a great
number of hands. The wood principally used for this purpose
is beech and sycamore, with yew and holly inlaid, and beauti
fully polished. To the market of this place is conveyed in great
plenty, from the south downs, in Sussex, the little bird called

444 HISTORY OF THE
the wheatear, which, from its delicacy, is styled the English
ortolan. It is not bigger than a lark, consisting for the most
part of fat, and has a dehcious flavor ; but, being in season
only in the middle of summer, the heat of the weather, and its
nchness, prevent its being sent to London, which would other
wise, no doubt, monopolize the whole.
These springs, when first discovered, seem to have been seven
in number, two of the principal were some time afterwards en
closed, and much resorted to by the middling and lower classes
of people. This vvas done by order of Lord Abergavenny, the
bad state of whose health rendered them necessary for his resto
ration. In that state they remained till Queen Henrietta Maria,
wife of Charles I., having been sent hither by her physicians, in
1630, for the re-establishment of her constitution, soon brought
these waters into fashion, and occasioned the place to be much
resorted to, which induced the lord of the manor to improve this
general visitation, and turn the same to his own profit, as well
as the accommodation of the company. To effect this, he en
tered into an agreement with his tenants, of whom he hiied the
herbage of the waste of the manor, for the term of fifty years, at
the yearly rent of 10s. to each tenant, and then erected shopp
and houses on and near the walks and springs, in every conve
nient spot for that purpose, by which means Tunbridge Wells
became a populous and fiourishing village. A chapel was also
built here in 1684, by subscription, on some ground given by
the lady viscountess Purbeck, which was about twelve years
afterwards enlarged by an additional subscription, amounting
together to nearly £2300.
About 1 726 the building lease granted by the lord of the mauor
of Rusthall, in which this hamlet is situated, expiring, the te
nants of the manor claimed a share in the erections, as a com
pensation for the loss of the herbage, which vvas covered by
houses. This occasioned a long and expensive lawsuit, uhiclj
vvas at length determined in favor of the tenants, who were ad
judged to have a right to the third part of the buildings then
erected on the estate, in lieu of their right to the herbage; upon
which, all Ihe shops and houses that had been built on the manor
waste, were divided into three lots, whereof the tenants were to
draw one, and the other two remain to the lord of the manor.
The lot drawn by the former comprised the centre one, including

COUNTY OF KENT. 445
the assembly-rooms on the public walk, whicli turned out by far
the most advantageous of the three.
The customs of this place are all settled, the employment of
the dippers is regulated, its pleasures are under proper control,
and the markets plentifully supplied with fish, flesh, and fowl,
and every convenience that can contribute to health and
pleasure. The whole neighbourhood of Tunbridge Wells abounds in
springs of mineral water, but as the properties of all are nearly
the same, the two first discovered were adjudged the best, and
are held in particular estimation. These wells are enclosed
with a handsome triangular stone wall ; over the springs are
placed two convenient basins of Portland stone, perforated at
the bottom, (one having been given by Queen Anne, and the
other by the lord of the manor,) and through those they receive
the water, which at the period of spring is extremely bright and
clear. The taste savours strongly of steel, but is not disagree;
able ; it has scarcely any smell, though sometimes in a dense air
the ferruginous exhalations are very distinguishable. In point
of heat, it is invariably temperate, the spring lying so deep in
the earth, that neither the summer heat nor winter cold affect it.
W^hen this water is first taken up in a large glass, its particles
continue at rest till it is warmed nearly to the heat of the at
mosphere, when some airy globules begin to separate and adhere
to the glass, and in a few hours a light copper-coloured scum
begins to float on the surface, and an ochreous sediment settles
at the bottom. Long-continued rains sometimes give this water
a milky appearance, but do not otherwise sensibly affect it.
From the experiments of different physicians, it appears that
the component parts of this water are steely particles, marine
salts, an oily matter, an ochreous substance, simple water, and
a volatile vitrii lie spirit, too subtile for any chemical analysis.
In weight, it is in seven ounces and a quarter, four grains lighter
than the German spa, (to which it is preferable on that account,)
and ten grains lighter than common water. With syrup of
violets this water produces a deep green, similar to vitriol. It
requires five drops of oleum sulphuris, or elixir of vitriol, to a
quart of water, to preserve its virtues, if it be removed to a dis
tance from the spring.
The produce of these wells is said to be an impregnation of
VOL. ill. 3 M

448 IHSTORY OF THE
rain in some of the neighbouring eminences, which abound in
iron mineral, where it is further enriched with the marine salts,
and all the valuable ingredients constituting it a light and pure
chalybeate, which instantly searches the most remote recesses of
the human frame, warms and invigorates the relaXed constitu
tion, restores the weakened fibres to their tone and elasticity^
removes those obstructions to which the minuter vessels of the
body are liable, and is consequently adapted to most cold chro
nical diseases, lowness of spirits, weak digestion, and nervous
cAmplaihts of evei*y description.
The manor of Speldhurst, in the reign of King
Edward IIL, was in the possession of Sir John de Pulteney,
lord of the neighbouring manor of Penshurst, a man of great
account at that time, who, in the 19th of the above reign, begss
^he foundation in the parish of St. Laurence, Cannon street^
London, afterwards called the College of St. Laurence, Poalteirey^
when he settled the manor, with thechurch of Speldhurst, upon
that institution.
It so continued till thesuJ)pression in the reign of Edward VL,
whfeh it was granted, among other premises, to Sir WiUiam
Waller, at the rental of I6s. 8d. peT annum, of the clear yearly
value of £13 14 1, together vvith the church pa'tronage ap-
pgndb,nt to the manor, parcel of the late college of St. Laurence,
London, to Henry Polsted. HoW the manor of Speldhuret
aftfervvards pasSed, we do not find ; but, having belonged to
several intermediate ovvhers, it devolved to the name of Goorf-
^iigh, and, in the reigh of George I., was possessed by Richard
¦Gobdhugh, esq., from vvhich line it 'passed by a female beir in
marriage to Mr. Richard Rouhd, whose son, Mr. Richard Round,
of Stompel, in 'Seale, died possessed Of the property, which was
'subseqiiehtly held by thetrusteies Of his infant children.
RtJsT Hall is h ni^iidt of 'emibenOe in this parish, wbiirfi
%'Ad &.hciently passei-soT*s who thenCe deriv^ed their surname.
Elias de RusthaU w'as proprietor of this estate in the reign 4f
Edward I., and a gobd benefactor to the chapel of Groombridgfe,
'in this parish. His descendantS'afterUards contracted the name
to Rust, and continued in the possession of this manor tillthe
"reign of Henry VI. , aTaout which pferiod it was aliefnalfed to
Richard Waller, esq. of Groombridge, whose desoendabt,
'Riphard, in the 26th of Elizabeth, sold it to Mr. Geoi^e Stacy.

COUNTY OF KENT. jiT
By tliQ latter it was conveyed by ^a,\e to Robert Bytvg, esq. pf
Wrotham, who died possessed of the property in the 37th of
tJtet r^ign, Ii\s descendants continue.4 to hold the property
f(j( several generations, till at length one ^f them passed it
away tQ Richard Constable, gent, qf Gro;3n;iti'idge, who sold it
tft gic Fiiancis Da_§hwood, bart., and, he quickly after conveyed
it to Maurice Conyers, esq., who possessed i,^ in the; reign of
George II. By the latter it wa,8 alienated to lyjr. O'Connor,
and his son John sold it to George Kelly, esq , vyho resided here,
and served the office of high sheriff in 1762, in yi;hic|i year he
j\as knighted, He died ppssessied of this piftRor jn 1779,
leavi;ag his three sisters liis coheirs, viz. .^rinp g}iorey, widow ;
Hannah Tanner, widow ; and Ms^rtha, wi^fe, of James Spagg, esq.
^ss, Ts^nner died in 1780, siiice whose death, and that qf her
two sisters,, this m^inor, in pursuance of theii: different wilj^,
heeame vested in 1^/^iss Elizabeth Shorey, daughter of the former.
and Thomas Christopher Gardiner, a son of another daughter of
Mrs. Shorey.
, A court-leet and court-baron are held, for tjii^ manor.
HpLANDS, now called the manor of Hoh.4,no, vvas
i>nee the inheritance of a noble fa.mily of th^t surname, the meni-
beirs whereof proved great benefactors to t;h^ chqrch of Sneld-
hnrst, and vjrere allied to the Holland's., earl^ pf Kepti who flou
rished in the reigns of Edward HI. and Richard II. It contir
nued in this name till the reign of Henry VI., whep it was
alienated to Richard Waller, esq. of Groombridge, in whqse
^P^CPnd^l^ts it remaine4 tiU Sir Thomas Waller, in the reign of
Elizabeth, passed it away by sale to, Thomas Sackyille earl pf
Dorset, and lord treasurer of England, who died possessed of
^he estate in 1608. He was succeeded in thi§ manor by his
elijest son, Robert earl of Dorset, who dying soon after, Richard
earl of Dorset, hja eldest son, became possessed of this pro
perty. He conveyed it to one Lindsey, who, in t,he reign of
Charles I., sold it to a Caldicot, and he, in the following reign
of Charles II. , alienated it to ^r. William Canfield. By the
latter it was sold to the Rey. Mr, George Leiwis, of Westerham,
who devised it by wiU to his son, Mr. Erasmus Lewis, gent., who
sold it to Sir George Kelly, and he died possessed of it in 1772,
leatving his three sisters his coheirs. One of the latter, Mrs.
Hannah Tanner, widow, on the division of certain parts of the

448 HISTORY OF THE
estate, became the owner of this manor, and died in 1780,
having devised the property to her nephew, George Gardiner,
a son of her niece, vvith remainder to his brother, Thomas
Christopher Gardiner, who after his death possessed this manor.
A court-baron is held for this manor, which is entitled to
heriot relief, and the quit-rents, amounting to £1 9 2 per annum,
FoRBiES, though now little known, was anciently a seat of
no small consideration in this parish, and gave name to a family
which afterwards became of some note in different parts of the
county of Kent, though this was their most ancient residence,
John de Feneby resided here in the reigns of Edward II. and III.,
and sealed with his paternal coat of arms; Afess ermine, 4e-
ween three goats' heads, erased, as appears by the labels affixed
to his deeds. His descendants contracted their name to Ferby,
one of whom having purchased lands at Paul's Cray, in this
county, removed thither about the beginning of the reign of
Henry VI., and alienated his ancient patrimony here to Richard
Waller, of Groombridge, in whose posterity it remained till the
reign of Charles I., when it was sold to Richard Chiverton,
skinner and alderman of London, and lord mayor in 1668, son
of Mr. Henry Chiverton, of Trehousie, in Cornwall, who bore
for his arms. On a mount, a castle triple towered. From that
name it was conveyed to Mr. Woodgate, who gave it in mar
riage with his daughter, to Mr. WiUiam Durrant, of Frantfield,
in Sussex, whose son, Mr. Robert Durrant, afterwards possessed
the same.
East and West Ewehurst are two manors situated in
the southern part of this parish, which were formerly possessed
by the family of the Read's, of Marden, in this county, origi
nally descended from that family in Northumberland. They
resided at Marden, till Sir Robert Read, chief justice of the
Common Pleas, in the reign of Henry VH,, having married
Margaret, one of the daughters and coheirs of John Alphew, of
Chidingstone, removed thither. He died possessed of these
manors about the IOth of Henry VIIL, leaving four daughters
his coheirs; on the partition of whose inheritance, these manors,
among other estates, were aUotted to the share of Bridget, who
carried them in marriage to the Willoughby's. They remained
in his descendants till Sir Percival Willoughby, having, in the
reign of James I., married Bridget, eldest daughter and coheir

COUNTV OF KENT. 449
of Sir Francis Willoughby, of Wollaton hall, in Notringham-
shire, he became possessed of that seat, and other large posses
sions in the county, and being desirous of increasing his interest
there, conveyed the manors of East and West Ewehurst, in the
reign of James I., to Nathaniel Studley, esq. His only son, of
the same name, conveyed them, during the civil wars, to Mr.
Christopher Knight, of Cowdhary, on whose death they de
volved to his son, Mr. Michael Knight, of Westerham, who
possessed them in the reign of Charles II. Soon after the latter
period, they vvere alienated to Sidney earl of Leicester, and
passed in the same manner as Penshurst place, to Sir Brownlow
Sherard, and William Perry, esq. Part of these estates were
afterwards divided into separate moieties, and passing also to
Lady Yonge, and Sir George, her son, were by them sold to Mrs.
Perry, who left them to her grandson, John Shelley Sidney, esq.>
who possesses the same.
A court- baron is held for each of these manors.
Nealhampton is a manor in this parish, which, in the
reign of Elizabeth, was in the possession of Sir Richard Sack
ville, who, in the 19th of that princess, alienated it to Thomas
Smith, of Westenhanger, who devised it by will to his second
Son, Sir Thomas Smith, of Sutton at Hone. In his descendants
it continued down to Sir Sidney Stafford Smith, late chief baron
of the Exchequer, who died in 1778, as did his widow, lady
Sarah Smith, possessing this property in 1790; when, by her
will she devised it to trustees to be sold for the benefit of her
nephews and nieces, which accordingly took place soon after
wards, when the earl of Darnley became the purchaser of the
same. Groombridge is a hamlet and manor in this parish, within
the hundred of Somerden, and is separated from the county of
Sussex by a stream of the river Medway.
It is called in ancient writings Gromenebregge, no doubt
from some Saxon who was anciently owner of this estate, de
scribed as being situated in the manor of Rtdemenegge, a manor
held of that of Ashurst, which in the reign of Edward III. was
the property of William Russell, and Hawis, his wife.
In the reign of Edward L, it was in the possession of a
younger branch of the eminent family of the Cobham's, of
Cobham, in this county. Henry de Cobham, son of John, by

4.10 HISTORY OF THE
the daughter of Warine Fitzbenedict, was proprietor of this
estate in that reign. He was of Roundal, in Shorne, and com
monly calledie Uncle, to distinguish him from Henry de Cobham,
of Cobham. In the 14th year of that reign, he, with Joan his
wife, obtained the king's charter for a market to be held every
week at Groombridge, and an annual fair after the feast of St.
John. He died in the reign of Edward II., leaving by Joan,
his wife, a son, Stephen de Cobham, of Roundal, who was
afterwards knighted, and died in the 6th of Edward IIL, when
one of his descendants alienated this manor to the family o,f
the Clinton's.
Sir John de Clinton possessed it under Richard II. , and died
in that reign. He had by Idonea, his wife. Sir William de
Clinton, who left a son, William, his heir and successor to this
estate. In the 6th of Henry IV., this William de Clinton had
possession granted of his wife's share of the inheritance of her
brother, William de Say, and thereupon bore the titie of lord
Clinton and Say, He alienated Groombridge in that reign to
Thomas Waller, of Lamberhurst, whose family was possessed of
good estates in this county and Sussex, and bore for their arm^,
Snhle, three walnut-tree leaves, or, between two cotizes, argent.
His son and heir, John Waller, esq., was of Groombrjdge, and
had by his wife, Richard Waller, who was a valiant soldier, and
displayed great courage at the battle of Agincourt, in the 4th
of Henry V., which was the greatest victory ever attained by
this nation. The king's army amounted only to 9000 men, who
were sickly and greatly harassed ; whereas the French werp
150,000 strong, in perfect health and vigor. The battle lasted
from ten in the morning till five in the afternoon ; during which
conflict, were slain op the side of the French, one archbishop,
three dukes, six earls, ninety barons, 1500 knights, and 7000
esquires or gentlemen; the loss of the English was very inconsideN
able, not amounting to more than 400 of every degree. The duke
of Orleans was found, by Mr. Waller, under a heap of dead bodies,
when perreiving some signs of life remaining, he, by command
of the king, was committed to the custody of the above officer,
and in honour of his having captured so great a prisoner, had
an additional crest granted to him and his heirs for life, viz Or,
escutcheon hanging by a label, on a walnut tree, with this motto,
Hac fruclu! virtutis. The duke being conveyed by Mr. Waller

COUNTY OF KENT. 451
to England, vvas confined at bis seat at Groombridge, which
proved so beneficial to his health, that during his restraint at
that manor, he rebuilt the house upon the old foundation, and
was besides a benefactor to the repairs of Speldhurst church,
where the arms of the duke of Orleans remained in stone over
the porch. How long that prince continued with his captor we
do not find, but he was certainly committed to other custody
before the 8th of King Henry VI. , as it was enacted in Parlia
ment the same year that the duke of Orleans, then in the fceesp-
ing of Sir Thomas Chamberworth, should be delivered to Sir
John Cornwall, by him safely to be kept.
Richard Waller, esq. was sheriff in the 1 6th of Henry VI,.^
and left two sons; Richard, the eldest, who was ancestor of the
Waller's of Southampton ; and John, of Groosmbridge ; as weM
as a daughter, married to Sir John Gnldeford. John Waller, <£
Groombridge, the second son, died in 1617, leaving two .son?„
William his beir, and John, who was ancestor of the WallerSg,
of -Beaconsfield, in Bucks. ; of which branch was the celebnated
ipoet, Edmund Waller, esq., who courted, though in vain, with
all the energy of poetical talent, the Lady Dorothy Sidney^
eldest daughter of the eari of Leicester, under the name itf
¦Sacharissa. , , ,
William, the eldest son of John Waller, was of Groombridge^
<and sheriff of this county in the 22d of HeYiry VLIL, whose
lands, among others, were disgavelled, at which time there
-appears to have been a Park here. He died in 1655, and from
•him this estate at length descended "to his'graindson, Walttet;,
¦who resided at Groombridge, and was knighted. Heileftsbw*
isonsj of whom George, the eldest, left one son and heir. Sir
Hardres Waller, a major general in the Parliament army, em*-
ployed against Charles I., and one of the regicides; for which he
was, after the Restoration, tried and condemned, but pardoned
through the clemency of the king. Thomas, the second son,
succeeded his father at Groombridge, and was afterwards
knighted ; he alienated this estate to Thomas Sackville, eari of
Dorset, who died possessed of it in 1608.
He was succeeded by his eldest son, Robert earl of Dorset,
who died soon after, and his heir conveyed it to John Packer,
esq., clerk of the privy seal to Charles I., who resided here, and
was a great benefactor to the chapel, which he rebuilt. HeJiQise

434 HISTORY OF THE
for his arms. Gules, a cross lozenge, or, between four rotes
argent. He was succeeded by his son, Philip Packer, who died
possessed of the property in 1686, and was buried in Groom
bridge chapel. He had by his first wife, Isabel, daughter of Sir
Robert Berkeley, of Spetchley, in Worcestershire, two sons
and two daughters ; of whom, John Packer, the eldest, suc
ceeded to this estate, and resided here. He died possessed of
the property in 1697, leaving by Barbara, his wife, one son,
Philip, and two daughters, Isabel and Anne. Philip Packer,
esq. afterwards succeeded to this estate of Groombridge, but
dying unmarried, his two sisters became his coheirs ; the eldest
of whom married Thomas Lyte, esq. of London ; and Isabella,
the youngest, first, George Rivers, esq., and secondly, Mr. Cook;
who entitled their respective husbands to the possession of this
estate. Subsequent to that period, it became vested in the
court of Chancery ; where it remained till purchased by Mr.
WUliam Camfield, who resided at Groombridge place.
He died in 1781, upon which it went by will to his three
sons, Thomas, John, and Henry, by whom it afterwards passed
by sale to Robert Burges, esq. of Lyghe, who died possessed of
Groombridge place, with the manor of Redmerege, in 1794;
and his widow marrying James Harbroc, esq , entitled him to
the possession of this estate, of which he continues owner. A
courtrbaron is held for this manor ; and a fair, on the 17th of
May and 25th of September, for cattle and pedlary.
The chapel of Groombridge, belonging to the hamlet, was
dedicated to St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, and built
before the end of the reign of Henry IIL; in the 23d year of
which prince, William Russell, and Hawis, his wife, granted
lands in different places, to this chapel of St. John of Gromene
bregge, in their manor of Red meregge, and Robert de Speldhurst,
and his successors, chaplains there, in pure and perpetual alms.
It appears from a lease granted by the above-mentioned Robert,
of part of these premises, in the 38th year of the above reign.
that this chapel was likewise called the chapel of Redmeregge;
several other benefactors of small parcels of land being also
recorded in the Registrum Roffense, in some of which this
chapel is mentioned as being situated in the manor of Redme
regge, in the parish of Speldhurst. John Packer, esq., vvho
purchased this estate, rebuilt the chapel in 1625, and dedicated

COUNTY OF KENT. 453
it io the service of God, in gratitude for the safe return of Charles
prince of Wales from Spain, whence it was aftervvards called
St. Charles's chapel. Over the door of this edifice was the fol
lowing inscription, now obliterated, d. o. m. 1625, ob felicis-
simi Caroli Principis ex Hispania reducis Sacellum hoc, d. d.
I. p. ; over which was the device of the prince of Wales, He
endowed it at the same time with £20 per annum, in considera
tion of a chaplain's board. The duty therein was stUl kept up,
says Mr. Hasted, but there was paid out of the estate to the
chaplain only £12 15 per annum. The, hamlet being large,
there is a numerous congregation; it is now esteemed a dona
tive, in the gift of the king.
In the chancel of this chapel is a monument for Philip
Packer, esq., obt. 1686 ; and another for John, his son, obt.
1697. In the windows are the arms of the Packer's, with
their several quarterings ; and in the middle aisle, is a memorial
for John Pocton, minister of this chapel for thirty-six years,
obt. 1691.
Speldhurst is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction
of the diocese of Rochester, and deanery of Mailing. The church,
dedicated to St. Mary, was a neat buUding, with a spire steeple
at the west end. A dreadful storm of thunder and lightning,
on Thursday, October 22, 1791, happened in these parts, which
set fire to the church, when a ball of fire being observed to
enter the shingled part of the spire, a thick smoke, followed by
flames, issued thence, and no help being at hand, every thing
contributed to its destruction ; the high wind, rain, and hail
having ceased, drove the flames from the steeple on the church,
and, in about four hours, this beautiful structure was totally
reduced to a heap of ashes. The bells were melted by the
intense heat, and every thing that could be destroyed became a
prey to the firy element, the stone walls alone being left stand
ing, but in such a ruinous condition, as not to be fit for future
use. It was however somewhat singular that the font, though
left enrire, was turned upside down, while the tombs and head
stones near the church were considerably damaged. A brief
was subsequentiy obtained in order to rebuilt this edifice.
The porch of the structure was very curious, being surmounted
by an antique shield cut in stone, bearing the arms of France,
with a file of three flambeaux, for Charles duke of Orleans,
VOL. III. 3 ?i

iS4 HISTORY OF THB
who built this porch ; having, besides, been a great benefactor
to the repairs of the buUding, as previously observed.
By a fine levied in the 39th of Henry IIL, before Gilbert de
Preston, and other justices itinerant, Walter de la Dene, then
possessor of this advowson, granted it to "W alter Fitzwalter,
in tail general, to hold of him and his heirs for ever, at the
yearly rental of Id., and performance of all other services tlue
thence to the capital lords of the fee.
Roger de Padlesworth was patron of Speldhurst church in
the 48th year of the same reign, who released his right to cer
tain rent and service due for lands granted to the chapel of
Gromenebregge, situated within his. manor of Speldbuirst. In
the reign of Edward HI., the manor and churoh o.f Speldhurst
constituted part of the possessions of Sir John de Pnltenj^,
who, in the 19th year of the same reign, on his perfecting Ala
foundation and endowment of his college of St. Laurence
Poulteney, . in Cannon street, London, settled both the manor
and advowson thereon. Three years after, a.d. 1347, Hama
bishop of Rochester, at the instance and petitaon of Sir John
de Pulteney, by his instrument, appropriated the church to
that college for ever ; nevertheless, reserving out of the same a
flt portion to the perpetual vicar serving therein,, to be presented
to the bishop and his successors by the master or guardiao. and
the chaplains of the college, whereby he might be decently tap*
poi-ted and enabled to discharge the episcopal dues, and Qther
burdens incumbent on him. And he, further decreed, that they
should take possession of this church immediately on the death
or cession of Sir Thomas, then rector, (whom he by no moaai
intended to prejudice by this appropriation,) vcithout any fur
ther Ifcence or authority obtained for that purpose; saving never-
tih«tess, and reserving to himaeif and hisi successors, canonical
obedience from^ the master or guardian and chapl'ains, or thsir
SNCoeESors, on aecount of their hoLdtng this churchi as aforesaid,"
and the visitation thereof, and other rights, due to the chiuch
and the bishop of Rooh^ter, as weU as to the archdeacon of the
place. The patronage of the church of Speldhurst remained, with
the manor, part of the possessions of the above-mentioned col
lege, tUl the suppression under Edward VI. , when it was granted,
among other premises, by the description of the maMor of Sf

COUNTY OF KENT, 4.^5
hurst, to Henry Polsted. In the beginning of the reign of
James I. it became the property of a family of the name of
Kearsley, and then of that of the Seamen's, of Carshalton, in
Surrey ; in which name it continued till 1769, when Tryphena,
daughter of Thomas Scawen, esq., carried it in marriage to
Henry earl of Bathurst, and they, in 1779, joined in the sale of
the property to the Rev. Robert Gunsley Ayerst. He, about
the year 1792, alienated it to Robert Burges, esq. of Lyghfe,
who died possessed of the same in 1794, when his widow taar*
Tying James Harbroc, esq., entitled him to this property.
In the 16th of Edward I., the church of Speldhurst was
valued at eleven marks ; it waS estimated iti the king's books at
£15 5, the yearly tenths being £1 0 6. This living was iftfet-
wards valued at £300 a year : the parishioners claim an eitemp-
tion of all small tithes whatsoever, which are estimated at th«
value of £200 per annum.
In 1821, there were 297 dwellings itt the parish of Speld
hurst; and at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of ParU&ment, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow : males 1066, ftmales 1232, ttiak'lttg
a total of '22i)7 Souls.

iiS HISTORY OF THE

THE HUNDRED OF TWYFORD.
Southv/ard from the hundred of Littlefield lies that of
Twyford, written in Domesday record Tuiferde, so called from
the two fords which formerly existed over the two streams of the
Medway, just above Yalding, in this district.
This hundred contains within its bounds the parishes of
Nettlested, Watringbury, Teston, and West Farleigh ; and part
of the parishes of East Peckham, Yalding, and Hunton ; with
all the churches of these parishes. It also contains part of the
parishes of Brenchley, Capel, Marden, Pembury, and Tudeley;
the churches of vvhich stand in other hundreds.
East or Great Peckham lies southward from the parish of
Mereworth, and was written in Domesday Pecheham, and in
t\,e Textus Roffensis, Pecham. It receives the appellation of
East from its situation eastward from West or Little Peck
ham ; and of Great, from its large extent, in comparison with
that parish.
They both acquired the name of Peckham probably from
their situation, Peac, signifying in Saxon, the peak ox snmaai
of a hiU, and ham, a village or dwelling-place.
Ihis parish is situated within the district of the Weald, in a
country which, though for the most part too deep and miry to
be pleasant, is yet extremely fertile, as to its productions in corn,
hops, cattle, and fine oak timber, in which latter produce it
abounds. It joins, northward, to Mereworth and Lord Ie
Despencer's park, whence it descends, southward, for upwards
of two miles, to Brandt, formerly called Sridal's bridge and
Sladis bridge, and the river Medway, which flows along the
southern boundaries ; besides which, it is watered by a small
stream rising near Yokes, in West Peckham, running through
this parish into the river. The high road from Maidstone,
through Mereworth, towards Hadlow and Tunbridge, runs along
the western boundary of this parish ; and that from Watring-
t)!iiy, through Nettiested, to Brandt bridge, across the iVIeiiway,

COUNTY OF KHNT. 45r
towards Cranbrook, along the the eastern boundary. In that
part of the parish nearest Mereworth, is the village and churchof
East Peckham ; and, on the rise of a hill, the ancient and
respectable-looking mansion called Roydon hall, the lands of
which are bounded on either side by coppice woods ; thence the
ground descends to a more wet and deeper country, presenting
a stiff clayey soil, mostly grazing land, exceedingly rich and
fertile, whereon are bred and fatted some of the largest beasts
in these parts. On the roads leading to Brandt bridge, in this
part of East Peckham, are several hamlets, viz. those of Chitley
Cross, North-hatch, Hale Street, and others.
This palish was anciently bound, vvith others in this neigh
bourhood, to contribute to the repair of the fifth pier of
¦Rochester bridge.
In 961, Queen Ediva, mother of King Edmund and Eadred,
gave to Christ church, in Canterbury, among other lands, this
estate of Peckham, free from all secular service, excepting the
trinoda necessitas, of repelling invasions, and the repairs of
castles and highways. Peckham remained part of the posses
sions of Christ church at the consecration of Archbishop
Lanfranc, in the 4th of William the Conqueror.
The revenues of the church were at that time enjoyed as one
common stock by the archbishop and his convent ; but Arch
bishop Lanfranc, after the example of foreign churches, separated
them into two parts, one of which he allotted for the mainte
nance of himself and his successors in the see ; and the other
for his monks.
In this division Peckham fell to the share of the fraternity,
and was entered accordingly in Domesday, under the title of
Terra Monachorum Archiepi, that is to say, land of the monks
of the archbishop. In the 10th of Edward II. , the prior of
Canterbury obtained free warren for his manor of Peckham,
among others, about which period it was valued at .£10. It
continued part of the possessions of Christ church till its dis
solution under Henry VIII., when it was surrendered to the king,
who the same year granted this manor to Sir Thomas Wyatt
and his heirs male, to hold in capite, by knight's service ; who,
in the same reign, conveyed it to George Multon, but there being
no fine levied, or recovery had of the same, the crown, on the
attainder of his son. Sir Thomas Wyatt, for high treason, under

?58 HISTORY OF THE
Queen Mary, seized upon this estate as part of its posses
sions. The court lodge and demesnes of this manor were afterwards
granted away by the crown ; bnt the manor itself continued part
of the royal revenue at the death of Charles I. in 1648; afier
which, the powers then in being seized on the royal estates, and
passed an ordinance to vest them in trustees, to be surveyed and
sold to supply the necessities of the state, when it was accord
ingly disposed of to Colonel Robert Gibbon ; with whom it
remained till the restoration of Charles II., when it again formed
part of the revenues of the crown. The grant of this manor
¦was for many years in the family of the duke of Leeds.
The court liODGE, with the demesne of the manor of
East Peckha.m, was granted, the year following the attainder
of Sir Thomas Wyatt, to Sir John Baker, to hold in capite by
knight's service, who passed his interest in the same, in the
reign of Elizabeth, to Anthony Weldon, esq., but the queen, in
her 10th year, disputing his title, granted the property to
-William Doddington ; and the year foUowing, the attorney
general exhibited an information against the heirs of Weldon,
in the court of Exchequer, on account of these premises, when
judgment was had against him. A writ of error was afterwards
brought, and divers other law proceedings had, whereby, how
ever, ultimately Ralph, son of Anthony Weldon, above mentioned,
established his title ; and bis son. Sir Anthony Weldon, in the
latter end of the reign of James I., passed them away by sale
to George Whetenhall, esq. On his death, they devolved by
descent to the possession of Thomas Whetenhall, esq. of Hextall's
court, in this parish, whose descendant, Henry, alienated this
estate to Sir William Twysden, bart. of Roydon HaU ; and his
heir. Sir William Jarves Twysden, bart., ultimately possessed
the same.
RoYDEN Hall, anciently called Fortune, is a seat here,
which was of no great note till about the reign of Henry VIIL,
when Thomas Roydon, son of Thomas, of Roydon Hall, in
Suffolk, where this family had been seated for many generations,
came into this county, and seated himself at Fortune, where he
erected this mansion, to which he affixed his own name, and, in
the 31st of that reign, |irocured the disgavelment of his lands:
he bore for his arms.C/ieyK^, argent and gules, a cross azure, and

COUNTY OF KENT. 459
married Margaret, daughterof WiUiam Wheteahall, esq. of this
parish, by whom he had three sons and five daughters.
On the death of the sons, without issue, Ms five daughters
became his coheirs; the second of whom, Elizabeth, had this
estate as part of her share, and entitled her husband, WiUiam
Twysden, esq. of Chelmington, in this county, to the fee thereof.
She survived him, and afterwards married Cuthbert Vaughan,
esq.; and thirdly, Sir Thomas Golding ; she left by her first
husband one son, Roger Twysden, esq, ; and a daughter, mar
ried to Richard Dering, esq. of Pluckley.
The family of Twysden, written in ancient deeds Twisenden,
and in Latin De Denna Fracta, were originaUy of the parish of
Sandhurst, in this county, the place where they resided being
called the den or borough of Twisden at this time ; they bore
for their arms, Girorty of four, argent, and gules, a saltier be^
tween four cross crosslets, all counterchanged.
Adam de Twysden resided at Twysden borough in the 21st of
King Edward L, and dying without issue, as also his brother
Gregory, John de Twysden became the heir ; whose descendant,
Roger, in the reign of Henry V., married Elizabeth,, daughter
and heir of Thomas Chelmington, esq. of Chelmingtoin, in Great
Chart, who bore for his arms. Argent, three chevrons azure,,
nine cross crosslets sable. At this seat his descendants, who lie
buried in Great Chart church, aftervvards resided, down tc
William Twysden, esq., who was of Chelmington, and married
the daughter and coheir of Thomas Roydon, esq., who in bei
riglit became possessed of Roydon haU, as before mentioned.
He died in 1603, ahd was buried in this church, leaving issue
twelve children, of whom only six survived him.
WiUiam Twysden, esq., the eldest son, greatly improvec^
Roydon hall, and having been previously knighted,, was after
wards created a baronet. He was a man, who devoted most of
his time to study, being a. fine classical schiolar, especiaUy in the
Hebrew and Latin languages-, and collected many choice mss.
and books, whi-ch he left to bis eldiest son He died in 1628,
leaving by Anne his wife, eldest daughter of Sir Moile Finch,
several sons and daughters, of whom. Sir Roger, the eldest,
was his successor and heir. He resided at Roydon hall, and
obtained a licence from Charles I. to enclose a park, and likewise
a grant of a charter of free warren for the grounds enclosed.

^60 HISTORY OF THB
He died in 1672, having greatly suffered, on account of iiia
loyalty daring the grand rebellion, being forced at last to com
pound for his estate for a large sum of money. He was a mu
nificent encourager of erudition, and a generous patron of
learned men, being himself a master of our ancient Saxon and
English history and laws, and left behind him the united cha-
racteis of the scholar and gentleman. In his descendants,
resident at Roydon hall, this seat, with his other estates in this
parish, devolved to Sir William Twysden, bart., who resided at
Roydon hall, and married Jane, daughter of Francis Twysden,
esq., youngest son of Sir Thomas Twisden, bart. of Bradbourn,
by whom he had three sons ; William, his heir and successor;
Thomas, a colonel in the army ; and Philip, late bishop of
Raphoe; and three daughters. He died in 1751, and vvas suc
ceeded by his eldest son. Sir William Twysden, bart., who at
first followed a military life, but afterwards retired to Roydon
hall, and married Jane, the daughter and heir of Mr. Jarvis.
He died at Roydon hall in 1767, leaving his lady surviving, and
had by her three sons ; WUliam Jarvis, Heneage, and Thomas ;
and one daughter, Frances, who, in 1718, married Archibald,
late earl of Eglington. Sir William Jarvis Twysden, bart., the
eldest son, married, in 1786, the daughter of Governor Wynch,
and resided at Roydon hall, of which he was the possessor.
The manor of Alban's, (otherwise Wimplingbury, now
commonly called Auborne,) as well as the manor of Black
Pitts, or Guildfords, both in this parish, were ancien ly the
inheritance of a family named Pollard. John earl of Pollard,
in the 34th of King Edward I., demised them by sale to Alban
de Wandsworth, who probably erected a mansion for his resi
dence on the former of these manors, which thence acquired, the
name of Alban's. His grandson, WiUiam de Wandsworth, died
possessed of them without issue, and by his last will gave the
property to his widow, Mabel Wandsworth, who married
Richard Ryner; and they, in the 2d of Richard II., joined in
the sale of these manors to John Mew, who that year purchased
of Joan Onley some interest she possessed therein, which had
been purchased for her by one of her ancestors in the reicn of
Henry HI. In the 9th of Richard II. the said John Mew pro
cured from Richard Goldsmith all the interest and claim he had
in the same; and John Mew, about the latter end of the reign of

COUNTY OF KENT. 481
Henry IV., passed away these manors, with their appendages, to
John Tutsham and Nicholas Remkin, of Eastmere, in this parish;
the latter of whom leaving an only daughter, Alice, she carried
his moiety of these manors, with other lands in this parish, in
marriage to Thomas Rolfe, of Tunbridge. His descendant, in
the beginning of the reign of Henry VI., alienated his interest
in the same to Thomas Stidulfe, esq. of Badsell, who likewise
purchased the other moiety of the heir of Tutsham, and then by
deed, bearing date the 4th of Edward VI , settled the entire fee
of these manors on his two sons, Robert and Henry Stidylfe ;
in which deed mention is made of their having been purchased
of Rolfe and Tutsham.
Soon after, Robert and Henry Stidulfe joined in the sale of
the manor of Alban's to John Vane, esq. of Tunbridge, who
died in 1488, possessed of this manor of Albony's, and other
lands in the' parish ; in whose descendants, of Hadlow, in this
county, it continued down to Henry Vane, esq. of Hadlow.
He alienated this manor in 1589, to Roger Twysden, esq. of
Roydon hall, whose direct desceindant. Sir WiUiam Twysden,
bart. died possessed of the property in 1767 ; and his eldest
son. Sir William Jarvis Twysden, bart. of Roydon hall, ibecaime
possessed of the manor of Alban's.
But the manor of Black Pitts, or Guildfords, d^s-
cended to Thomas Stidulfe, esq. of Badsell, only son and heir
of Robert, and heir likewise of his nncle, Henry Stidulfe, pos
sessors of this manor, a« above mentioned, vvho leaving an only
daugliter and heir, Agnes, -she carried it in tnaitriage to Richard
Vane, ear! of Westmoreland ; and since his death, in J 762,
ac<?ording to the limitations in his will, it passed at length into
the possession of Lord le Despencer.
E^sTM EKE is a manor in this parish, which anciently helonged
to a family of the name of Remkin. Christian, daughter of
John Remkin, held it m the reign of Edward III., and it con
tinued in that name till Nicholas Remkin, of Eastmere, leaving
an only daughter and heir, Alice, she carried it in marriage to
Thomas Rolfe, of Tunbridge, whose son, John Rolfe, alienated
it, in the 6th of Henry VI., to Richard Ruyton. The latter,
tvO'o years afterwards, conveyed it by sale to Wilham Hextall, of
Hextall's court, in this parish ; ard ha^dying without issue male,
it was, by Margaret, his daughter anti heir, carried in marriage
vol.. Ill, 3 o

462 HISTORY OF THE
to William Whetenhall, esq , whose direct descendant, Henry
Whetenhall, esq., passed it away by sale to Sir William Twys
den, bart. of Roydon haU ; whose grandson. Sir William Jarvis
Twysden, bart. of Roydon hall, afterwards possessed this
estate. ' Spilsted is a place here once accounted a manor, and was
for several descents, as appears by the evidences of this estate
in the possession of the Twysden's, the inheritance of an
ancient family called Keyser. John Keyser died possessed of
the property in the 5th of Edward IV., and gave it by will to
his son, John, who dying without issue male, on the partition of
this estate among his daughters and coheirs, one having married
Matthew Chetwin^, she entitled her husband to the possession
of Spilsted ; and he, after some little time, alienated it, in the
41st of Queen Elizabeth, to Roger Twysden, esq. of Roydon
hall, whose descendant. Sir William Jarvis Twysdfin, bart. of
Roydon hall, afterwards held the same.
There was once a seat in this parish venerable for its anti
quity, which was called in old rolls Hextall's court, having
been the mansion of gentlemen of that name, who were of no
sn^all account in these parts, as well as at Hougham, near Dover,
in this county, though they were originally seated at Hextall's
manor, in Staffordshire.
Richard Hextall resided here in the reign of Richard II. ,
and greatly increased his possessions by marriage with Anne,
daughter and coheir of Richard Grovehurst, of Horsemonden.
He left two sons, William and Henry; the eldest of whom
seems to have inherited this place, and died without male issue,
leaving his two daughters his coheirs, of whom Jane, the eldest,
married Sir John Bromley ; but Margaret, the youngest, car
ried this seat in marriage to WiUiam Whetenhall, citizen and
alderman of London, descended from an ancient family of that
name seated at Whetenhall, in Cheshire. He resided here at
the latter end of the reign of Henry VI. , and at his death, left
a son, William, and Margaret, his wife, surviving, who soon
after married Henry Ferrers, esq. of Hambleton, in' Rutiand*
shire, second son of Thomas Ferrers, of Tamworth castle, in
Warwickshire, by whom she had Sir Edward Ferrers, of BmI»
ksley, in Warwickshire.
He possessed this seat in right of his wife, and was sheriff in

COUNTY OF KENT. ids
the 9th of Edward IV., being styled of East Peckham, having
borne for his arms. Gules, seven muscles, or, a canton ermine.
But on the death of his wife, Margaret, Hextall's court reverted
to her son by her first husband, William Whetenhall, esq., who
bore for his arms, vert, a bend ermine, and, in the 18th of
Henry VUL, was sheriff of this county, and procured the dis
gavelment of his lands. In his descendants it continued tiU
one of them alienated it to John Fane, earl of Westmoreland ;
at whose death, in 1762, it passed, with Mereworth aud the
rest of his estates in this county, to Lord le de Spencer.
The manor of East Farleigh extends into this parish, includ
ing within its bounds the borough of Stokenbuky, which
lies in the lower part of the same.
At the period of taking the survey of Domesday, this borough
was of sufficient account to be thought worthy a place therein,v
being part of the possessions of the great bishop of Bayeux,
under the general title of whose lands it was therein entered.
On the disgrace of that prelate, this estate seems to have passed
to the priory of Christ church, in Canterbury, as an appendage
to the manor of East Farleigh and East Peckham.
The pound belonging to this borough stands within this dis
trict, in the highway leading from Brandt bridge, towards East
Peckham church.
This parish is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction
of the diocese of Rochester, and being a peculiar of the arch
bishop of Canterbury is, as such, within the deanery of Shoreham.
The church, dedicated to St. Michael, is a large building, with
a square tower at the west end. It stands near the summit of
the hUl, almost adjoining to the southern pales of Mereworth
park. In the 15th of Edward IIL, the taxation of East Peckham
was valued at thirty-five marks, and the vicarage at twelve
marks. In the reign of Edward III., the taxation of East
Peckham was one caracute of arable land, with a meadow of
the endowments of the church, worth £6 per annum, and two
dove houses of the rectory, with the profit of the garden, worth
2s. 5d.
The church, with the advowson of the vicarage, was alwavs
appendant to the manor of East Peckham, and as such, con
stituted part of the pos.sessions of the priory of Christ church,

*e4 lilSTUtiY OF THE
in Canterbury, tiU the dissolution, under Henry VlIL, when
that monarch graiited the thatior to Sir Thoma* Wyatt, and
Settled the church oh his new erected dean and chapter of Can
terbury, part df vfhdse possessions it remained. This church
was valued in the king's hbdks tit £23, the yearly tenths being
£1 0 8.
In the; 19th o»f Charles II , a.d. 1667, in consequence of the
king's letters of injtinctiori, the deSn and chdpter Of Canterbury
augmented this vicarage iff the ^eariy sum of £'iO, but the
annual irtCorae vva« afterv^f^rds eStlttldfed at £270 per annum.
In ISS^l there *'ere278 d^r^feUiftg^ in this parish of East or
Great Peckham ;¦ and, at the Same period, when the last census
of the population vvas taken by order 6f Petrliament, the num
bers of itJNabitartfS Wete as follow : maiWiS 910, ffemales 814,
making a total of 1724 SOills.
Northeastward from East or GitfiAt Peckham lies
Watringbury, called in Domesday OTPJ?*GEBEfiGE, and in
the Textus RqffeiiSU, WotrInoabeRiA. U is Supposed to
have derived its namS from its low and watery situation. This
parish is althost square, and ab6ut a mile and a quarter in extent
either way.
That porrion lying southward of the quarry hills, which
crosses the northern part, is within the district of the Weald,
beyond which there are some dfippice woods, adjoining to East
Malhng heath. The latid is exceedingly frtlitful in corn, fruit,
and hops, and is a soil of loam, thinly covering the rockstoiiK
The village, which stands 6n the High rodd from Maidstone,
towards Mereworth and Tunbridgt!, is both healthy and plea
sant, containing the vicarage, a neat genteel house, almost
rebuilt by Mr. ChnriKih, late vicar, and since much improved,
the adjacent grounds beirig laid out in the modern taste by the
Rev. Mr. Style, who for some lime resided here. At the east
end of the village is Watringbury cro«s, whence the rOad leads
down to the river MfedwaV, at the south-feast boundary of the
parish. It iS vvell watered by several clear springs, rising near
the Place house, the whole running into the stream which flovrs
from Mereworth. and turning a mill, proceeds southeastward
tovvards the Midvway, which it joins n ar Bow bridge.
There is a vill or borough in this parish, containing the

COUNTY OF KENT. 465
western division, the hamlet nf which is situated on the Maid
stone road, adjoining Mereworth parish, being called Pizein
Will, from one Pizein, who owned the well here.
Lilly is another hamlet belonging to this parish, which lies
about five miles to the south, and is surrounded by the parishes
of Yalding, East Peckham, and Tudeley. It is a low wet place,
which, with the greatest part of the land, was in the possession
of Mr. Henry Simmonds, who, in 1764, alienated his interest
therein to Alexander Courthope, esq of Horsemonden, who
dying, bequeathed it by will, among his other estates, to his
nephew, John Cole, esq. of Horsemonden, who subsequently
possessed the same.
Some years back, a singular, though very ancient, custom
vvas kept up, of electing a deputy to the dumb borsholder qf
Chart, as it was called, claiming liberty over fifteen houses in the
precinct of Pizein well, every householder of which was formerly
obliged to pay the keeper of this borsholder Id. yearly. The
dumb borsholder was always first called at the court-leet, holden
for the hundred of Twyford, when its keeper, who was yearly
appointed by that court, held it up to his call, with a kerchief
passed through the iron ring, fixed at the top, who answered for
it. The borsholder of Chart and the court-leet have been for
many years discontinued, and the borsholder, who is put in by
the quarter sessions for Watringbury, now claims over the whole
of this parish.
This dumb borsholder was made of wood, about three feet
and half an inch long, having an iron ring at the top, and four
more at the sides, near the bottom, where it had a square iron
epike insetted, four inches and a half long, in order to fix it in the
ground, or, on occasion, break open doors, which was frequently
without the warrant of any justice, on suspicion of goods having
been unlawfully gained and concealed in any of those fifteen
houses. It is by no means easy, at such a distance of time, to ascer
tain the origin of this dumb officer. The last person who acted
jis deputy was one Thomas Clampard, a blacksmith, to whose
heirs it descended.
The market, granted in the reign of Edward II. , is reported
by tradition to have conrinued in a place called Chart garden,
now a wood near Pizein well, in the south-west part of this

406 Hl.STOUY OF THE
parish, in which wood there are to be seen foundations of walls
and houses; whUe in the neighbouring lands are several draw
wells. Watringbury, with other places in this neighbourhoood, was
bound anciently to contribute to the repair of the fifth pier of
Rochester bridge. This place was, at the survey of Domesday,
part of the possessions of Odo bishop of Bayeux, under the
general title of whose lands it was therein entered.
In .the reign of Henry II. , Richard de Otringeberge appears
to have held two knight's fees, in Watringbury, of Walter de
Meduana, who held the same of the king in capite. In the
reign of Henry IIL, this place continued in the possession of
Gilbert de Watringberi, who bore for his arms. Argent, six
lionciis rampant, sable, he having held this estate as one knight's
fee and a half, of Wareni de Montchensie.
Soon after the above period, it devolved to the family of the
Leyborne's, of Leyborne castle, in this neighbourhood. Henry
de Leyborne held it in the reign of Edward IL, in the 4th of
which prince he obtained for his manor of Watringbury a
market weekly, and an annual fair, on the feast of St. John the
Baptist, withyree warren for the lands therein. He died without
issue, leaving his niece, Juliana, his heir, on whose death, in
the reign of Edward HI., without issue by either of her hus
bands, this manor, vvith that appendant of Chart, in this parish,
andof Fowkes, in Mereworth, became escheated to the crown for
want of heirs, when the king by charter, in the 60th year of his
reign, granted these manors to feoffees, for the endowment of
his newly founded Cistertian abbey, called St. Mary Graces,
near the Tower of London. They remained part of the pos
sessions of the above monastery till the dissolution, under
Henry VHI., when that monarch, in the same year, granted
them to Giles Bridges, citizen and baker of London, and
Robert Harris, to hold in capite, by knight's service. But Giles
Bridges appears to have had the sole interest therein, who, the
same year, passed these manors, with the woods called Bal-
dinge, Selwood, and Abbots Thorpe, to Sir Robert Southwell,
of Mereworth, who, two years after, had a confirmation of these
manors. He soon alienated them to Sir Edward North, chan
ceUor of the court of Augmentation, and of the privy council,
vvho, in the Gth of Edward VL, passed them by sale to Su
I

COUNTY OF KENT. 467
Martin Bowes ; which latter alienated them to Sir John Baker,
of Sissinghurst. He died in the 6th of Queen Mary, and was
succeeded by his eldest son. Sir Richard Baker, who, in the 1st
of Elizabeth, had possession granted of these estates, when his
grandson, John, in the I7th year of the same reign, alienated
them to Nevill de la Hay, son of Hugh de la Hay, by Anne,
daughter and coheir of Thomas Roydon, of East Peckham.
His son, George de la Hay, at the latter end of that reign, con
veyed the manor of Chart to Roger Twysden, esq. of East
Peckham ; whose descendant. Sir William Jarvis Twysden, bart.
of Roydon, ultimately possessed the same.
But the manor of Watringbury, with that of Fowkes,
was conveyed by George de la Hay to Mr Wilkinson, of Len
ham, who bore for his arms. Gules, a fess voire, between three
unicorns passant, or ; which coat was confirmed to Richard
Wilkinson, of this place, one of the clerks in Chancery, by
WiUiam Camden, clarenceux at arms, in 1605. He alienated
these estates to Oliver Style, esq., second son of Sir Humphrey
Style, of Langley, in Beckenham.
Upon the purchasing this manor, he retired to the mansion
caUed Watringbury place, where he died in 1622, bearing for
his arms, as did his descendants, Sable, a fess, or, fretted of
the field, between three fleurs de lis; and within a bordure of the
second. He was succeeded in this estate by Thomas, his only
surviving child, who resided here, and was created a baronet on
the 2lst of AprU, 1627, being the 3d of Charles I.
His grandson. Sir Thomas Style, bart. of Watringbury place,
married, first, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir William Armine, bart.
of Osgodby, in Lincolnshire, by whom he had Oliver, his only
surviving son, and four daughters ; of whom, Mary, was mar
ried to Sir Felix WUd, bart. of Mailing ; and Susan, to Thomas
Dalyson, esq. of Hamptons. By his second wife, Margaret,
daughter of Sir Thomas Twysden, bait, of Bradborne, he had
a son, Thomas, who survived him ; and Margaret, married t9
Robert Viner, esq.
Sir Thomas Style died in 1702, in his 78th year, and was suc
ceeded by his son by his first marriage. Sir OHver Style, bart.,
who died without issue the same year, on which the title and
estate descended to his half-brother above mentioned, who iu
1707 pulled down the mansion of Watringbury place, (a very

i68 IHSTORY OK THE
ancient moated building,) and erected the present seat moreito
the westward of the other, wherein he kept his shrievalty io the
8th of Queen Anne, a.d. 1710, and resided there till his death
in 1768. He left four sons, Thomas, who died in 1741 ; Charies,
who succeeded him in title and estate ; Robert, vicar of this
parish, and rector of Mereworth ; and William, a major general;
and two daughters, who both died unmarried. Sir Charles
Style, bart., of Watringbury place, married Isabella Wingfield,
sister of lord viscount Powerscourt, and died in London, a.d.
1774, leaving one son, and one daughter. Sir Charles Sbyl«,
bart., of Watringbury place, who married in 1795 the eldest
daughter of James Whatman, esq., of Vinters, in Boidey,
who afterwards possessed the manors of Watringbjwy and
Fowkes. Westbery is a manor in this parish, which, in the reign of
Henry IIL was held by Peter Fitz-Robert, of Simon Fitz-Adam,
as the twentieth part of one knight's fee, after which it fell into
the possession of a family that derived its surname from this
place. Robert de Westbery was owner of the property in tihe
reign of Edward II. , and his descendant, Thomas de Westbery,
paid aid for it in the 20th of Edward IIL
The last of this name who owned the place was John de
Westbery, who, in the resign of Henry VI,, dying without iss«ie,
gave it by will to Agnes EUis, his niece, and she, in tiie 23d of
the same reign, alienated it to Richard Fishborne, vvho conveyed
it by sale to Sir Tliomas Browne, of Beechworth castle, treasurer
•of the household, and privy counsellor to Henry VI. His de
scendant. Sir Thomas Browne, of the same place, in the 25th of
Elizabeth, passed it by sale to Roger Twysden, esq. of East
Peckham, whose descendant. Sir William Jarvis Twysden, barf.,
of Roydon hall, was afterwards entitled to the same.
Canons Court is a manor here which acquired that name
from having been part of the possessions of the prior and canons
of Leeds.
This place, in the reign of Henry III. was in the tenure ol
Gilbert de Watringbury, vvho then held it as one fourth part of
a knight's fee, of Simon Fitz-Adam, and gave it in pure and
perpetual alms to that priory, which gift was confirmed by
Bartholomew his son.
It continued part of the possessions of this priory of Leeds till

COCNTY OF KE\'T. 4Ci»
the dissolution under 'Henry VIIL, who settled it on his new
erected dean and chapter of Rochester, where it remained.
Mr. Robert Scales was lessee of this manor, as well as
the parsonage, in 1649, and resided here ; and his son, Jasper
Scales, esq., died lessee of both ; Sir Charles Style, bart. having
been subsequently the lessee.
A court-baron is held for this manor.
The Good's were an ancient family in this parish, having
had a seat here called Pelicans, to vvhich belonged a large
tract of land. William Codd, esq. died possessed of the pro
perty ill the reign of King William, leavring an only son and
heir, James Codd, esq., who resided at Pelicans, and died while
sheriff in 1708, having borne for his arms. Argent, a fess em
battled, sable, between six pellet. He died without issue, and
intestate, so that his estates hecame divided among several
claimant's, one of wlrom, Thomas Kirby, g nt. enjoyed the
family seat as part of the share which fell to his lot, and his
heirs conveyed' it to Sir Thomas Style, bart., in whose great
grandson^. Sir ©harles , Style, bart., of this parish, it was .a'fcr-
wards vested.
Wardens is an estate in this parish, formeriy the a.ncient
seat of the Wood's, who bore for their arms, Argent, on afess
ragule azure, three fleurs de lis, or. Robert, the last of this
name who resided here, alienated the estate aibout 1674 to Sir
Thomas Style, bajOt., whose son, of the same name, conveyed it
to William Burleston, clerk, rector of Warehorne, in whose
family it continued till sold to Mr. John Whitaker, getnt., of
Baraning, and his nephew, Tho-inas Whitaker, esq. of Trottes-
chjue, aft;erwurd« possessed it.
Watein«burv is within the ecclesiastical, jirisdictioa'
of the diocese of Rochester and deanery of Mailing. The
church, dedicated to &t. John the Baptist, stands at the west
end of the tillage, being an ancient Gothic bnilding, with a lofty
spire 'Steeple, and was repaired at a great expense in 1745. The
church is handsomely paved and wainscoted ; there are also
some 'good remains of «ta ined- glass in the windows, particularly
oi King Edward HI. and his queen ; and, before the great hail
storm, there remained in the south window the history of tlie
decoUation of St. John the Baptist, very entire, which l>y Hiat
tempest was partly broken.
V O L . 1 11 , 3 I'

4T0 HISTORY OF THK
The church was anciently appendant to the manor of Canons
court, and given in the reign of Henry II. by Hamo, son of
Richard de Watringbury, lord of this parish, to the prior and
canons of Leeds, and confirmed to the same by Walter, then
bishop of Rochester, who, on the resignation of Walter, then
rector, admitted the prior, in the name of his convent, into
actual possession.
The vicarage of Watringbury was a discharged living in the
king's books, of the clear value of £48, the yearly tenths being
estimated at 10s.
Mr. George Charlton, vicar of this place, rebuilt the vicarage
house in 1731, at the expense of £400, and, having obtained
£100 from Sir William Langhorne's legacy, and £15 158. from
the dean and chapter of Rochester, he added the residue, to
make complete the sum of £200, and thereby entitled this
vicarage to Queen Anne's bounty in the further sum of £200,
with which it-was augmented about 1732.
In 1821 there were 176 dwellings in the parish of Watring
bury ; and at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow . males 476, females 439, making a
total of 915 souls.
Nettlested lies southward from Watringbury, called in
Domesday record, Nedested, This parish is situated on the
western bank of the Medway, constituting its eastern boundary,
whence the ground rises to the lands of Roydon hall, on the
opposite side. It is within the district of the Weald, the situ
ation being low and rather gloomy, from the number of spread
ing and lofty oaks interspersed. The soil is a fertile clay, con
sisting of much rich grazing land, like that described in East
Peckham ; the high road from Maidstone, through Watringbury,
to Tunbridge, branching off from the latter place, and leading
through this parish , not far from the banks of the river. In the
northern part is the church, and at some distance the remains
of the ancient Place house, by which it appears to have been
built of stone, vvith handsome Gothic Vvmdows. On a stone
portal, in the west front, is the date 1537, probably that of some
considerable repairs, or additions made to the structure, as the
other parts of the building carry with them marks of much

COUNTY OF KENT. 4ri
higher antiquity. The grand entrance to the house, from the
river, is yet standing, and the form of the ancient gardens, with
the ponds also remain. The mansion appears to have been spa
cious and noble, equal to the respectable families who were once
residents here, though now the whole is overrun by weeds and
shrubs, and bears with it every mark of that vicissitude and
ruin incidental to the labours of man. The edifice is now used
as an oast to dry hops, and also serves as the residence of a
labourer, the occupant of the manor farm living in a modern
house, neiir the church. Thence the road leads through the
village standing at Nettlested green, where it divides to the left,
leading towards the river at Twyford bridge, the other route
proceeding straight forwards, through Hail street, at Brandt
bridge, both conducting towards the southern part of theWeald,
and Sussex> The groves of young oaks, elms, and other trees,
planted along the borders of the river Medway, greatly contri
bute to the beauty of the scenery, which is considerably height
ened by the rich gardens of hops, and the different dwellings
and cottages intervening at frequent spaces between them.
This parish, with others in the neighbourhood, was anciently
bound to contribute to the repair of the fifth pier of Rochester
bridge. In the reign of WiUiam the Conqueror, this place was part of
the possessions of Odo, bishop of Bayeux, under the general
title of whose lands it was entered in that famous survey.
From another record in the same book it appears that Rayner,
or Ranulf de Columbels, who held the manor of West Farleigh,
under the bishop, as one suling, held also another part of this
estate. On the disgrace of the above ecclesiastic, these manors, com
prehending Nettlested, with Hylth and Pimpe, were after
wards held of the Clare's, earls of Gloucester, as chief lords of
the fee, by the eminent family of the Pimpe's, who assumed
their name from the latter place, making it the principal seat of
their residence, though they had another in East Farleigh, in
this neighbourhood, and a third at Allhallows, in the hundred
of Hoo. They bore for their arms. Gules, two bars argent, a
chief Vaine, as they now remain painted in the windows of this
cliurch. Richard de Pimpe held these manors in the reigng of Ed-

*r» HISTORY OF THE
ward I. iind IL, ahd his> descendant. Sir Philipr,. was a man «f
emtnence and property in this county. i
His widow, Joan, married John de Coloigne, who, with ber
son. Sir TbOmas de Pimpe, paid respective aid for their lands
in Nettlested, and those adjoining.
William, son of Sir Thomas de Pimpe, possessed Nettlested,
and was sheriff in the reign of Edward III. His son, Reginald,
succeeded him, and, on the death of his father, served the office
of sheriff. His descendants continued to reSide at Pimpe's court, in this
parish, two of whom, Reginald and John Pimpe, engaging un*
successfully in assisrirtg Henry duke of Buckingham against
Richard IIL, were attainted, and their estates declared forfeit
to the crown. However^ on the death of Richard, and the earl
©f Richmond attaining the crown, they were restored in blood
and estates. Reginald died without issue male, leaving an only
daughter and heir Anne, for whom an Act had passed in the
1st year of the latter reign. She married Sir John Scott, of
Scott's hall; John Pimpe, in the reign of Henry Vl I. having
kept hhs shrievalty at Pimpe's court, in East Farleigh. He died
in tb6 llth of that rfeign, AiD. 1495, possessed of the manor,
with the advowson of the church of Nettlested, the manor of
Hylthe, as well as Pimpe and Yalding, iti Yalding, all held of
the duchess of Buckingham. He left ah Only daughter and
heir Winifred, married to Sir John Rainsford, who in her riglit
possessed this manoi-j and died in the 1st of Elizabeth, leaving
hrs wife surviving, who appeii's by the es<ih6at rolls to have been
a lunatic, and died possessed of these manors in the 18th yesirof
that reign. At the above period, SirThomas Scott, of Scott'shall*
(grandson of Sir John, above meationed,) seems to have suc
ceeded as her next of kin ; and his second son, Sir John, pos
sessed these estates, and resided at Nettiestedj which by the date
remaining on the ruins, he seems to have greatly embellished.
He was twice marri'd, but left no issue, and these manors, on
his death, devolved to his brother, Edward Scott, esq., of Scott's
hall, whose descendant, George, alienated the manors of Net
tlested, Hylthe, and Pimpe, with the mansion and advowson of
the church of Nettlested . to Sir Philip Boteler, bart. of Teston,
whose son, Sir Philip, died possessed of them in 1772, having
by will devised one moiety of his estates to Mrs. Elizabeth

COUNTY OF KENT. 4r3
Bouverie, of Chart Sutton, and the other to Viscountess Folk-
stone, and William Bouverie, earl of Radnor, both since de
ceased ; and, on a partition of his estates between them, the
manors and estates of Nettlested vvere allotted to Elizabeth
Bouverie, afterwards of Teston, who possessed the same.
The Manor of Lomewood, or Lay ser s, formerly called
liomewood, or Bromes, in this parish, was part of the posses
sions of the famUy of Clare, earls of Gloucester, and settled by
one of them on the priory of Black canons, at Tunbridge, in
this county.
This manor continiled part of the revenues of the above priory
till its dissolution under Henry VIIL, when- that monarch
granted it to Cardinal Wolsey, for the endowment of his college
at Oxford. Upon the disgrace of the above ecclesiastic, the king granted
this manor of Lomewood to Sir Edward Nevill, third son of lord
Abergavenny, whose daughter Catherine carried it in marriage
to George Roydon, sort of Thomas, of East Peckham ; and, for
a certain sum paid to her father, he conveyed it by the name of
Cardinal's lands, to George Roydon, above mentioned. On the
death of his sons, without issue, his five daughters became his
coheirs, the second of whom, EUzabeth, as part of her share of
inheritance, entitled her husband, William Twysden, esq. of
Chelmington, to this manor, then held in capite, and in his de
scendants it continued down to Sir William Jarvis Twysden,
bart., of Roydon hall, in East Peckham.
Nettlested is within the i?.cclesi astical jurisdiction
of the diocese of Rochester and deanery of ivlalling. The
church, Vvhich Stands at the east side of the village, is dedicated
to St. Mary, presenting a small but handsome building, with a
low pointed tower or steeple, there being also some good re
mains of painted glass in the windo'-^s. The church of Nettle
sted was always esteemed an appendage to the manor, and as
such was under the patronage of Mrs, Elizabeth Bouverie, of
Teston .
It vvas valued in the king's books, with the chapel of Bar
ming Jelt annexed, at j£'12 10 10, the yeariy tenths being
£\ 5 I.
The teamed Sir Roger Twysden, who lived in the reigns of
king James I. and Charles L, in his discourse on the Weald,

iT* HISTORY (»F THS
says, that in the time of the Lady Golding, who hired the tithes
of this parish, Nettlested was held to be in the Weald, and she
denied the tithe of wood accordingly; yet the rector then affirmed
to Sir Roger, that all who had wood in the parish paid tithe of
the same at that period, with the exception of himself.
The parsonage house is a large ancient well-timbered building,
having a court yard in front, and an ancient gateway, through
which is the entrance from the high road.
In 1821 there were thirty-four dwellings in the parish of
Nettlested ; and at the same period, when the last census of
the population was taken by order of ParUament, the numbers
of inhabitants were as follow : males 125, females 130, making
a total of 255 souls.
Teston lies eastward from Watringbury, sometimes called
Teeson, in Domesday written Testan, and in the Textus
Roffensis, Terstana. This parish is a borough, having a
court-leet of itself, where the borsholder is chosen, the inhabi
tants owing no service to the ccurt-leet held for the hundred of
Twyford, whereas a constable for that hundred may be chosen
there out of this borough.
Teston is beautifully situated on the side of the hill, declin-,
ing southward towards the river Medway, which constitutes its
southern boundary, opposite to West Farleigh. The soil is in
general a fertile loam, covering the quarry rock, which being dry
and healthy, is exceedingly productive for corn, fruit, and hop
plantations. The high road from Maidstone, towards Watring
bury and Tunbridge, leads along the lovver part of this parish ;
between which and the river, the neat-kept grass lands, separated
from the road by a handsome white railed fence, produce a very
pleasing effect. Hencs the road branches off, to the right, to
Ofham and Town Mailing ; and to the left, to Coxheath, Yald
ing, and the Weald, across the river, where there is a lofty stone
bridge of seven arches, which, notwithstanding its height, is
frequently rendered impassable, from the sudden overflowings of
the stream, at times rising nearly eighteen feet above its usual
level, in the space of twenty-four hours, and as quickly falling,
unless augmented by repeated rains. Teston Park pales adjoin
the northern side of the Maidstone road, whence the park rises
to Teston house, vvhich being of white stucco, presents a con-

COUNTY OF KE.VT. 4Ta
spicuous object to the neighbouring country, with the adjoining
grounds, which were, some years back, greatly ornamented and
laid out in the modern taste, by Mrs. Bouverie. The soil keeps
rising at the back of the mansion and the jjark, which is well
covered with fine large trees, as well as modern plantations of
various kinds, which extend to the woods, the same being
remarkably prolific in large oaks, and thence extends to East
Mailing heath. In this direction, however, the land is a deeper
soil, and less fertile than the more southern parts of the parish.
Teston house commands a beautiful view, having in front the
river Medway, the bridge, the cascades at Tutsham, with the
lock below them, the pretty village of West Farleigh, and its
church on the opposite hill. Southwestward, the prospect ex
tends along the valley, where nature and art combine to render
the prospect more delightful, having the river Medway meander
ing its silver stream, the elegant mansion and church of Mere-
worth beyond, and at the extremity, the lofty woods on the
range of hills, above the town of Tunbrid ge.
The village, with the church and vicarage, a neat modern-
built house, stands mostly within the western pales of the park,
at no great distance from Teston house; close to the front of
which, the high Maidstone road passed, tiU the late Sir PhUip
Boteler procured licence to have it removed to a greater distance,
where it now forms a kind of half circle, midway between the
mansion and the river.
The western extremity of this parish is the boundary of the
Weald, that is to say, from the hill, above Watringbury, acro.ss
the river, towards the hill above Burston, in Hunton, excluding
Teston from its district. Dr. Plott mentions the having dis
covered the remains of a Roman way, which seemed to have
passed the Medway about Teston, and, he conjectures, crossed
Coxheath, and pointed towards Lenham ; but Mr. Hasted
believes it was merely founded on his own surmise.
Teston was part of the possessions of Odo bishop of Bayeu.\-,
under the general title of whose lands it was entered in Domes
day record. On the disgrace of that prelate, it was granted by
the Conqueror to Robert, son of Hamon de Crevequer, whose
descendant, Hamon, died possessed of the estate in the 47th of
Henry III,, holding it in capite, as a member of the manor of
Chatham, vvhich was held of the king in capite, by barony.

470 HISTORY OF THE
He left Robert, his grandson, his heir, who afterwards took part
with the discontented barons against the king, when this manor
was seized, among the rest of his estates ; and remained vested
in the crown till the reign of Edward I., who gave it to Eleanor,
his queen ; and she, in the 18th year of the same reign, made
a donation of it, with other premises, to the priory of Christ
church, in Canterbury, in exchange, for the port of Sandwich;
which gift King Edward I. confirmed the same year. King
Edward II. also, by a charter in his 10th year, granted to the
prior of Christ church free warren in all the demesne lands
which the priory had possessed here in the time of his grand
father, or at any subsequent period.
The manor of Teston continued part of the possessions of tfoe
priory till the dissolution, under Henry VLIL, when it was,
together with all its lands and revenues, surrendered to the
king, who, the same year, granted this manor to Sir Thomas
Wyatt, to hold in capite ; whose son, of the sa;me name, having
raised a rebellion in the 1st of Queen Mary^ was attainted, and
his estates forfeited to the crown, when the queen granted this
manor to Sir John Baiker, her attorney general, tiohc^dinca^itg.
In his descendants it continued down to Sir John Bakf^, of
Sissinghurst, who, after tlie death of Ghafiles I., alienated it to
Mr. Jasper Cley ton, of London, whopassed itby saletoSir Oliv<r
Boteler, bart. of Berhaffl .court, in this parish. His grandsou,
Sir Philip Boteler, bart. of the same place, died possessed of
the estate in 1772, without issue, and b,y will devised one moiety
of his property to Mrs. Elizabeth Bouverie, M Chart Siutton,
and the other, to Elizabeth viscountess Folkstone, and WUliam
Bouverie, earl of Radnor, both since deceased; when, on a par
tition of his estates, this manor was, among others, allotted to
Mrs. Elizabeth Bouvierie, of Berham court, otherwise Teston
house, in this parish.
Teston house, formerly known by the name of Berham
court, was once the mansion or residence of the family of
Berham, usually called Barham, but whose original name was
Fitz-Urse. Randal Fitz-Urse was one of those four knights
belonging to the household of Henry IL, who undertook to
murder Archbishop Thomas Becket, which was accomplished in
the cathedral church of Canterbury, on the 30th December,
1170.

COUNTY OF KENT. 4T7
After the perpetration of that deed, Randal Fitz-Urse fled
into Ireland, and there changed his name to Mac-Mahon, which,
in the Irish tongue, signifies the son of a bear. After his flight,
Robert de Berham, his kinsman, entered on his estate in this
parish, from whom it descended to John de Berham, vvho was by
Henry, prior of Christ church, created a public notary of the
diocese of Canterbury, in 1309, au office at that time of much
trust and eminence, with which the prior was empowered to
invest any person, by a commission granted to him by
Bassianus de AUiate, count Palatine, of Milan, who had received
such power originally from the emperor. The family of Ber
ham bore for their arms. Argent, three bears passant, .sable,
muzzled or. There was a branch of this family settled at
Wadhurst, in Sussex, of which was Nicholas Berham, serjeant
at law ; and another branch at Boughton Monchensie, in this
county. In the descendants of John de Berham this seat continued
down to Thomas Berham, esq. of Berham court ; and he left
one daughter and heir, Anne, who carried it in marriage to Sir
Oliver Boteler, of SKarnbrooke, in Bedfordshire. He removed
hither, and was knighted by James I. at Whitehall in 1604,
which family was descended from Thomas Pincerna, who lived
in the reign of King John, and sealed with a covered cup, bear
ing this inscription, as appears by the old family deeds, encir
cling the seal, Sigillum Thoma Pincerna, probably from his
having been chief butler to that prince ; whence his successors
assumed the name of Butler, or Boteler. His descendant was
Robert le Boteler, called in a Latin deed, without date, Robertas
Pincerna, as is also supposed fromhis having filled thesame office.
He left three sons.Robert, called in a Latin deed Le Boteler, Thomas,
and WilUam, who was a priest. The descendants of Robert le
Boteler, who afterwards wrote themselves Boteler only, settled
first at Yatton, and afterwards at Droitwich, in Worcestershire,
when they altered their name to Butteler ; and about the reign
of Henry VIIL, George Butteler, esq. removed his residence
to Sbarnbrooke, in Bedfordshire. His descendant, Oliver
Butteler, esq. of Sbarnbrooke, first changed the spelling of his
name again to Boteler, and h'dving married Anne, dauo-hter and
sole heir of Thomas Berham, esq. of Berham place, removed
hither, as before mentioned. He bore for his arms, first, Boteler,
VOL. III. 3 Q

178 HISTOKY OF THE
argent, on a chief sable, three cups, or, quartered with Wibbe,
Froxmore, Bachecott, and Berham. He died in 1632, in Lon
don, and was buried at Teston. His eldest son. Sir John, died
without issue, and was succeeded by his next surviving brother,
William, who removed from ' Saltwood to Berham court. He
Ivas a man of exemplary loyalty, and firm in his attachment to
his royal master, Kmg Charles L, by whom he was first knighted,
and afterwards, in 1641, created a baronet, and became one of
the gentlemen pensioners. In 1612, he joined with the neigh-
bouring gentry in presenting a petition to the house of commons
for a peace, the same being delivered by Captain Richard
Lovelace; and for which, by an order of the house. Sir
William was imprisoned in the Fleet for seven weeks,- being
released on giving bail for £20,000.
He afterwards greatly suffered, from his house at Berham
court being broken open, when he was robbed and plundered of
every thing valuable, and the remainder of his effects destroyed;
he was subsequently compelled to compound for his estate for
£301 1 and upwards. Sir William Boteler afterwards raised and
armed a regiment at his own expense, for the king's service, at
the head of which he was slain in the encounter between the
king's forces and those of the Parliament, under Sir William
Waller, at Cropedy bridge, in 1644. His only son and heir.
Sir Oliver, bart., was of Berham court, and left a son, Philipi
and a daughter, Joan, who married Christopher Rhodes, esq.
Sir Philip Boteler, bart., the son, resided at Berham court,
and married, in 1G90, Anhe, daughter of Sir Edward Desbouveriej
wf Chesunt, in Herts, by whom he had one son and heir. Sir
Philip Boteler, bart. of Berham court ; vvhich seat, from that
time, acquired the name of Teston house. He was a gentlemau
of most amiable disposition and polite manners, whose benevo
lence and goodness of heart made him universally beloved
and respected. He died at Teston in 1772, where he was buried,
having married Elizabeth, only daughter and heir of Thomas
WUliams, esq, of Cabalva, in Radnorshire, by whom he had
an only daughter, Elizabeth, who died unmarried in his life
time, ?Bt. fifteen. By his will he gave one inoiety of all his
estates, real and personal, without any specific allottment, to
Mrs. Elizabeth Bouverie, of Chart Sutton ; and the other
moiety, to Elizabeth viscountess dowager of Folkstone, and

COUNTY OF KENT. 17 9
WiUiam Bouverie, earl of Radnor, since deceased. They by
private agreement made a partition of these estates, wherein
were enumerated Teston house, with the park, gardens, and
lands, belonging thereto, and the advowson of the church.
Mrs. EUzabeth Bouverie was descended from Laurence de
Bouverie, or des Bouveries, of an ancient extraction in Flanders,
who renouncing the Romish religion, came into England in
1567. His grandson, Edward Desbouverie, was knighted in
1684, and died at his seat, at Chesunt, in Herts, in 1694, leaving
by Anne, his wife, daughter and coheir of Jacob de la Forterie,
several sons and daughters. William, the eldest, was created
a baronet in 1713, being ancestor to the late earl of Radnor;
and Christopher, the youngest son, was knighted, and of Chart
Sutton in this county, who left by Elizabeth, his vv'yfe, two
sons. Freeman, who departed this life in 1734, and John, who
died on his travels in Asia ; and two daughters, Anne, mar
ried to John Harvey, esq., and Elizabeth, devisee of the moiety
of Sir Philip Boteler's estates. Of Sir Edward Desbouverie's
daughters, Anne married Sir Philip Boteler, and was aunt to.
Mrs. Elizabeth Bouverie, above mentiotied, who bore for her
arras, first, Bouverie, party per fess or and argent, animpet-ial
eagie, sable; second, Bouverie again, gules, a bend voire;
quartered with Forterie, Frebody, Marsh, Laurence, and others.
This parish is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of
the diocese of Rochester and deanery of Mailing. The church,
dedicated to Sts. Peter and Paul, is a small neat building, with
a square tower at the west end, and contains several monument*
of the family of the Boteler's.
Robert de Crevequer, on his foundation of the priory of Leeds,
in 1119, gave to that institution all the churches of his estate,
among vvhich was that of Teston. However,, the parsonage,
together with the advowson of the vicarage, remained in the
hands of the crown, and so continued tUl Henry VIII. settled
it on his newly erected dean and chapter of Rochester, who
became entitled to the same.
This vicarage vvas a discharged living in the king's books, of
the clear yearly value of £47 ; the yearly tenths being 13s.
In J 82 1 there were forty-eight dwellings in the parish of
Teston ; and at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of

4fl0 HLSrORY OF THE
inhabitants were as follow : males 127, females 132, making a
total of 2.59 souls.
Southward from Teston, on the opposite side of the river
Medway, lies the parish of West Farleigh, so called to distin
guish it from that adjoining of East Farleigh.
It is called in Domesday Ferlaga, and in the Textus
Roffensis, Fearnlega, having most probably derived its name
from the passage over the river Medway at one or both of these
parishes. Fane, in Saxon, signifying a journey or passage, and
lega, a spot, that is, the place of the way or passage.
The borsholder of the borough of West Farleigh is chosen at
the court-leet of that manor, and does not owe service to the
court-leet of the hundred ; nor do the inhabitants of that
borough owe any service to that court, but a constable may be
chosen for that hundred out of this borough.
Part of the parish of West Farleigh is held of the manor of
Newington, near Sittingbourne, in free socage tenure, by certain
freeholders, at different yearly rents.
This district is pleasantly situated on the southern side of the
Medway, upon a hill declining towards the river, the northern
boundary of which are the meadows, the banks abounding
in large and spreading oaks, which contribute greatly to the
grandeur and beauty of the scenery. The soil is much the same
as that of the adjoining parish of East Farleigh, being equally
fertile in corn, fruit, and hops.
The high road across the Medway, over Teston bridge,
ascends the hill through the village, whereon is Smith's hall, a
handsome well built seat, and the vicarage, both of which com
mand a fine view of the valley and river, Mereworth, and Teston
house and park on the opposite acclivity. A little to the east
ward is the small hamlet of Farleigh green, and at the lower edge
of the hill, not far from the river, stands the church, and the
court lodge, where there is a steep descent, consisting of grass
and meadow lands, to the bank of the river, and the bridge
across it to Barmjet.
On the opposite side of the vUlage are the ruins of the man
sion of Tutsham, which was pleasantly situated on a rise above
the river, and encircled by stately oaks, its canals being plenti
fully supplied by a small swiftly running brook, called the

COfNTY OF KENT. 481
Ewell, in consequence of its rising near the mnnor of that name,
iu the eastern part of the parish, which here f;ills into the
Medway. The house was pulled down many years back, when
the improvements were made at Teston house, and the ruins left
to form an object in the prospect, when viewed from that
niansion. The high road from the vUlage of Farleigh continues down to
Yalding, and thence to the Weald and Sussex. Another road
from the village, the ground still continuing to rise, leads to
Coxsheath, and the summit of the quarry hills above Burston,
where the district of the Weald commences. In the south-east
part of this parish there is much coppice wood.
This spot was once part of the possessions of Odo, bishop of
Bayeux, under the general title of whose lands it was entered in
Domesday record. On the disgrace of that prelate, this manor
appears to have been granted by the Conqueror to Robert, son
of Hamon de Crevequer, whose descendant afterwards held it as
a member of the manor of Chatham. He having taken part
with the rebellious barons against the king, this manor was
seized, with his other estates, and remained vested in the crown
till Edward I. gave it to his queen Eleanor, who presented it,
with other premises, to the priory of Christ church, in Canter
bury, in exchange for the port of Sandwich.
King Edward IL, in his 10th year, granted to the prior of
the above monastery, free warren in all their demesne lands,
which he possessed here in the time of his grandfather, or at
any time posterior.
This manor continued part of the possessions of the priory of
Christ church, tiU the dissolution under Henry VIIL, when,
devolving to that king, he granted it, among other premises, to
Sir Thomas Wyatt, to hold in capite; but his son, of the same
name, having rebeUed against Queen Mary, was attainted, and
his estates forfeited to the crown ; upon which, that princess, in
her 2d year, granted this manor to Sir John Baker, bart., of
Sissinghurst. He alienated the property soon after the death of
Charles I. to Mr. Robert Newton, grocer, of London, who con
veyed it to Augusrine Hodges, gent , and he, in the reign of
Charles II., sold it to John Amhurst, esq., of East Farleigh
court lodge. The latter owner, by will, in 1711, devised it to
his brother, Nicholas Amhurst, gent., of West Barming, and his

4g3 HlSTOttY OF THE
grandson, Stephen Amhurst, esq., subsequently resided at this
manor. Smith's hall is a seat in this parish, to which the Brewer's,
a family which had resided at Brewer's place, in Mereworth,
for many generations, removed in the reign of Henry VL, tind
afterwards branched off to Boxley and Ditton, both in this
neighbourhood. They bore for their arms. Gules, three bends
wavy, or, a canton vaire, argent and azure.
Of this family was William de Brewer, lieutenant of Dover
castle, under King John, as appears by the special prtecipi
directed lo him from the above monarch, to deliver this fortress^
then of so much importance, to Hubert de Burgh, lord warden
of the Cinque Ports.
This seat continued in the same family until Thomas Brewer,
esq. died possessed of it in 1690, whose second wife, Anne, was
daughter of Richard Kilburne, esq. of Hawkhurst, the Kentish
topographer, by whom he had several children. His eldest son,
John Brewer, esq. of Smith's hall, died in 1724, leaving an only
daughter and heir Jane, who was twice married, first to Johu
Carney, esq., and secondly to John Shrimpton, esq., bpth of
whom she survived, and resided here in her own right. She
died in 1762, devising this seat, with other estates, to her kins
man, John Davis, D.D., rector of Hamsey, in Sussex, and he
died possessed of the property in 1766. He leftissue one son,
and three daughters, of whom Elizabeth, the eldest, married
Henry Pratt, esq., of Harbledown ; John Davis, esq., the son;
was afterwards knighted, and married the daughter of Dr,
Tattersal, rector of Streatham, in Surrey, who sold this seat in
1774 to William Perrin, esq., when that gentleman resided at
Smith's hall, where he was sheriff for this county in 1776,
having borne for his arms, Gules, three crescents, argent.
The Manor of Totesham Hall, generally called Tafir
ham, in this parish, was anciently the residence of a family
which assumed its surname from this property.
John de Totesham was one of the recognilores Magnce Assisa,
or judges of assize, in the reign of King John, and bore for his
arms. Gules, wiihin a bordure, a cross argent between twelve
billets of the last, as appears by a seal appendant to a deed in
the Dering library.
From him this manor and estate descended in a direct line to

COUNTY OF KENT. 483
Anthony Totesham, esq., who, about the latter end of the reign
of Henry VIIL, alienated Totesham, with an appendage called
Henhurst, to Thomas Chapman, gent., one of the grooms of the
king's chamber, in whose name they remained till the reign of
Queen Elizabeth, when they were sold to John Lawrence, esq.
captain of Tilbury fort. He left a son and heir, who succeeded
to Totesham hall, and died in 1605, when his heirs joined in the
sale of this manor to Augustine Skynner, esq, of Devonshire,
who removed into Kent, and resided at Totesham hall.
His heir dying in 1672, without issue, his heirs alienated this
manor, with that of EweU, in this parish, to Edward Goulston,
esq., who afterwards resided at Totesham. He died in 1720,
having by will given these estates, after the death of his wife, to
her nephew, Francis Goulston, esq. of Widdial, in Herts.
James Goulston, his eldest son, was of Widdial, and father of
Richard, and Anne the wife of Edward Goulston, of Totesham,
before mentioned, who resided at this manor after the death of
her husband, and dying in 1724, the property of these manors
and estates became vested in Francis Goulston, esq. of Widdial,
.before mentioned. He, on his marriage in 1722, had settled the
reversion of them on Sarah, his intended wife, and their issue in
tail male; with a power of revocation on his setthng other
estates of as great value in lieu of the same.
After the above period, in the 13th of King George I., a.d.
1 726, having contracted for the sale of these estates with Sir
Philip Boteler, bart., and the expressions in t.he above settle
ment being doubtful and ambiguous, an Act of Parliament was
procured to enforce the same, and the fee was in consequence
conveyed to Sir Philip Boteler, bart. He died in 1772, having
divided these estates in the same manner he had disposed of all
his other property in this county; upon which partition this
manor became the property of Mrs. Elizabeth Bouverie, of
Teston hall.
West Farleigh is within the ecclesiastical jurisdic
tion of the diocese of Rochester and deanery of Mailing. The
church, which stands near the court lodge, consists of one aisle,
having a low pointed steeple, and is dedicated to All Saints.
The edifice contains monuments for the Brewer's, the Skynner's,
and the Goulston's ; and in the south wall, is an ancient tomb
fixed in a recess, having an arch over it, engraUed, and at either

484 IHSTORY OF THE
corner a coat of arms ; that towards the east being obliterated,
but the shield westward displaying a cross within a bordure,
engrailed. This vicarage is valued in the king's books at £6 10 5; the
yearly tenths being 13s. OJd.
In 1821 there were fifty-eight dwellings in the parish of West
Farleigh ; and at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow : males 184, females 180, making a
total of 364 souls.
Southward from West Farleigh lies the parish of
Hunton, more frequently called in ancient deeds Huntington.
A small part of this parish being of the ancient demesne of
Aylesford, is in the hundred of Larkfield, another portion within
that of Maidstone, and the residue, which is in the borough of
Hunton, lies in the hundred of Twyford, which borough claims
a court-leet of itself, where the borsholder is chosen, the inha
bitants owing no service to the court-leet of the hundred, but a
constable may be chosen at that court for the hundred out of
this borough.
Hunton lies on the side of the quarry hills, the summit of
which constitutes the northern boundary of this parish, as also
of the Weald, and, lying below it, is consequently vvithin that
district. The soil about the hill partakes of the quarry or rag stone,
thinly covered with a loam or red earth, below which it changes
to a stiff clay. Upon the hill, adjoining to Coxheath, there is
a range of coppice wood ; below which, midway down the hill,
is the seat of Burston, commanding a fine view southward over
the Weald. The right wing is built of brick, ornamented vvith
stone, and appears to be of the period of Queen Elizabeth ; the
remainder is much more modern ; but the whole, in Mr. Hasted's
tioie, was rapidly hastening to ruin. There was, in the reign of
James I., a park round this seat, which has long been demolished
and converted into a farm. At a little distance eastward, is
the parsonage, a good house, much improved by the late bishop
of London, who made it his summer residence whilst rector of
this parish. Near the parsonage, is a seat called Gennings, foi-
merly the property of one Snatt, and he sold it to Sir Walter

COUNTY OF KENT. 485
Roberts, bart. of Glassenbury, who rebuilt the house. Upon
his death, in 1745, his only daughter and heir, Jane, carried this
seat in marriage to George duke of St. Alban's; and she dying
in 1778, disposed of it by her will to Miss Davies, who, after
the duke's death, possessed it, when she alienated the same to
the Lady Dowager Twysden. At a small distance lower down,
is the church, and still farther eastward, the village called
Hunton Street, close to the principal stream of the river Medway,
which directs its current along the southern boundary of this
parish, being increased in its course by several springs that
unite vvith the main river at the adjoining parish of Yalding.
The soil is of a deep clay, which, inr wet weather, is extremely
miry, and, in dry seasons, so hard as to resist every impression,
it therefore becomes necessary to seize the opportunity of tilling
the land while in an intermediate state, when it produces very
fine wheat, if manured with marl or chalk, which is conveyed
from the farther ridge of hills, nine or ten miles distant. The
whole abounds with broad hedge-rows, and in the banks are
numerous fine spreading oaks, which, though very profitable to
the owner, are exceedingly prejudicial to the occupant and his
crops of corn. Considered in a picturesque point of view, this
country is beautiful; but to the traveller and resident, it is, in
wet weather, almost impassable, and in the drought of summer,
the heat arising from the soil, the reflection of the sunbeams,
and the quantity of large buzzing files which assail the passen
ger from their haunts among the oak branches, render it dis
agreeable and unpleasant in the extreme. In 1683, there was
found, at the opening of a piece of ground, near Mr. Hatley's
house, in this parish, six yards beneath the surface, a hard floor
or stratum, composed of shells or petrifactions, crowded closely
together, the interstices being filled up with marl. This layer'
was about one inch deep, and several yards over. The shells
were of that species called conchites, and resembled sea-fish of
the testaceous kind ; most of them were turbinated or writhed,
and the rest of the bivalvular order ; none having their valves
closed, but single.
This stratum, when exposed to the air, having become hard,
appeared much Uke the coarse sort of marble dug up about
Bethersden, Pluckley, and in the Weald of Kent, as well as at
Petworth, in Sussex. Upon inquiry, however, we do not find
VOL. 111. 3 a

486 HISTORY OF THE
an instance recorded of the river Medway having, in any flood,
att.iined so far as the above spot.
The manor or Huntington, otherwise Hunton, was part
bf the ancient possessions of Christ church, in Canterbury,
and, soon after the time of the Conqueror, held of the archbishop
of Cantierbury by knight's service, by a family of the name of
Lenham, the members of which were afterwards proprietors of
aiiother manor in this parish, called Benstede.
This last-mentioned manor was, at the survey of Domesday,
part of the possessions of Odo bishop uf Bayeux, under the
general title of vvhose lands it was entered in that record.
Upon the disgrace of that prelate, it was granted to one of
the family of the Crevequer's ; and of that family it was held by
proprietors who, in all likelihood, assumed their surname frOm
this property. ui
John de Benstede held the manor as one fourth part of a
knight's fee, in the reign of Henry IIL, of the barony of
Crevequer, at the latter end of uhich reign he alienated it to
Nicholas de Lenham, who at that time held likewise the manor
of Hunton ; for which, in the 41st year of the above reign, he
obtained a charter of free warren, a weekly market, and an
annual fair. In the above year, a fine was levied between
Nicholas prior of Christ church,- and Nicholas de Lenham, of
an annual rental of £6, of this manor of Huritington. '
His descendant, vVilliara de Lenham, left an only daughter
and heir, Alianer, who carried both these manors in marriage to
John de Gyfford, and he paid aid for the same in the 20th of
Edward IIL, and died possessed of them in the 22d year of the
same monarch. Soon after that period, they were by his heirs
sold to WiUiam, second son of John de Clinton, who' Was
Knighted, being a man of great worth and integrity. He mar
ried Juliana, daughter and heir of Sir Thomas de Leyboufne,
and, standing high "in favor' of the king, was advanced to the
titie of eari of Huntingdon. He died in the reign of Edwaid
III. possessed of this hranorof Huntington, or Hunton, vv^itb
Bensted. John Lord Clinton was found to be bis next heir, wh)
paid relief in the 4tii of Henr^ IV., at tiie marriage of Blanch,
daughter of that prince ; and in the 6th year of the samereiga,
had' possession granted of his part of the lands of William de
Say, as heir to him by his grandmother, Idonea, upon which he

COUNTY OF KENT. 48r
bore the title of lord Clinton and Say, and was, summoned to
Parliament. His son, John lord Clinton, in the 27th of Henry
VL, released to his, kinsman. Sir James Fienes, then lord Say
and Seal, and his heirs, the title of lord Say, whereto he claimed
a right, as well as to the arms accompanying that title.
I In his descendants this manor and estate continued down, to
Edward lord Clinton, who, in the reign of Henry VIIL, alien
ated them to Sir Thomas Wyatt ; but his son, of the same
name, being attainted for treason against Queen Mary, all his
estates became forfeited to the crown, when that princess granted
this manor, with Bensted, to Sir John Baker, her attorney
general, to hold «w Cflpite, by knight's service. In his descend
ants they continued down to Sir John Baker, bart. of Sissing
hurst, who possessed them in the reign of Charles IL; by
whom they were alienated to Mr. Clark, of Boughton, who
bequeathed the manor of Hunton to Mr. Thomas Turner, of
this parish. He devised the property to his nephew, Mr. Thomas
Turner, of Hunton, who died possessed of the same in 1776,
leaving by his wife one son and four daughters, when Thomas
Turner, the son above mentioned, succeeded to this manor and
estate, where he resided. A court-baron is held for this manor.
However, Bensted or Bensteddle, the site of vvhich con
sists only of a parcel of land, with a ruined mansion thereon,
passed by salefrom one Clark to a Bartholomew ; in which name
it descended down to Leonard Bartholomew, esq. of Oxenhoath,
who died in 1757 ; since which, by his wiU, it became the pro
perty of Sir WiUiam Geary, bart., who held, in addition, a con
siderable estate in this parish.
At the south side of the chancel of this church was once a
tomb for one of the noble family of the Clinton's, possessors of
this manor, whose seat, called the court lodge, near the church,
has been long in ruins; but the site, as well as the moat that sur
rounded it, are still visible.
Burston is a manor in this parish, the name of which,
Kilburne says, was anciently Buston, otherwise Burricestune,
or Burnegicestune, having been once eminent as the residence
of a family which derived its surname of Burston from this
property. John de Burston is mentioned in dateless deeds relative to

488 HISTORY OF THE
this family, but which are conjectured to be of the period ol
Henry III., at which time there was land about Wye and
Crundall, in this county, which belonged to that family, for, in
the 46th year of the above reign. Sir Waretius de Valoigns
released to John de Burston his title to lands in those parishes.
In his descendants Burston remained for many generations,
and it appears that they were esteemed among the ancient
gentry of this county, ias Gervas CUfton, sheriff of Kent in the
reign of Henry VI. , returned the name of WilUam Burston, as
being then possessed of this manor, among those who had a
right to assume the ancient heraldic bearings of their ancestors,
which were quarterly, argent and sable, on a bend, gules, three
griffins' heads, erased or.
In the reign of Henry VIII. Alderman Head, of London,
resided here, and made additions to the house ; but he seems
to have possessed it only for a term of years, as the fee con
tinued in the name of Burston, by one of whom it was alien
ated, in the reign of Elizabeth, to Sir Thomas Fane, second sou
of George Fane, esq. of Badsell, in Tudeley, vvho was afterwards
of Burston, and lieutenant of Dover castle. He dic'd without
issue in 1606.
By his will he gave this manor and seat to Sir George Fane,
second son of Sir Thomas Fane, of Badsell, by his wife,
Baroness le Despencer, who, after the death of his uncle, resided
at Burston. In the 18th of James I., he was chosen member of
Parliament for the county, and in the 2lst year of the same
reign, kept his shrievalty at Burston. He was succeeded by his
eldest son, Thomas Fane, a colonel in the army, who died un
married, at this seat, in 1692, and was buried, with his ancestors,
in thechurch, having by will devised this manor and seat, among
the rest of his estates, to Mildmay Fane, seventh and youngest
son of Vere Fane, earl of Westmoreland, then only two years of
age, intending by such bequest that this manor and the title
should never be possessed by the same person. He afterwards
resided at Mereworth castie, and died unmarried in 1715, when
he was succeeded in this manor and estate by Thomas earl of
Westmoreland, his eldest survivins; brother, who dying, as well
as his younger and only surviving brother, John earl of West
moreland, who departed this life in 1762, the manor and seat,

COUNTV OF KENT. 489
together with the rest of his estates in this county, passed, by
the limitations of his will, in like manner as Mereworth, to the
Right Hon. Thomas lord le Despencer.
Hunton is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of
the diocese of Rochester, and deanery of Shoreham. The
church, dedicated to St. Mary, contains monuments and memo
rials for the famiUes of the Fane's and Burston's, as well as a
memento for a member of the house of Clinton. In the time of
Philipott there also remained, in one of the windows, the efBgies
of two of the Lords Clinton, owners of this manor.
It is a rectory, and was valued in the king's books at
£16 13 IJ, the yearly tenths being £1 13 3^.
His grace the archbishop of Canterbury, claims the patronage
of tliis church.
In 1821 there were 116 dweUings in the parish of Hunton;
and at the same period, when the last census of the popu
lation was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inha
bitants were as foUow: males 339, females 344, making a
total of 683 souls.
Yalding lies northwestward from Hunton, and was an
ciently written Ealding, which signifies the old meadow, or
low ground.
Most of this parish is in the hundred of Twyford, and the
residue, viz. the borough of Rugmerhill, in the ancient demesne
of Aylesford. That portion of this parish which holds of the
manor of West Farleigh, is within that borough, and the bors
holder ought to be chosen at the court-leet of the same. That
part held of the manor of Hunton, is in the borough of that
name, the borsholder whereof is chosen at the court-leet of the
same, but the inhabitants of neither of these boroughs owe ser
vice to the court held for the hundred of Twyford, vvithin which
they both lie ; but at that court a constable for the hundred
may be chosen out of either of these boroughs.
This parish lying southward of the qu rry hiils, is within the
district o( the Weald. It is narrow, but extends full four miles
in length from north to south, the higher or northern part
reaching np to the quarry hill adjoining West Farleigh, near
which is Yalding down, whereon stands a large kiln for the
purpose of burning pit-coal into coke, the same being effected

490 HISTOltY OF THE
by laying the coal beneath the earth, and when set on fire,
quenching the cinders, a method adopted in making charcoal
from wood, the former being particularly used in the oasts, for
the drying of hops, so profitably encouraged in this neighbour
hood. .Below, near the/river iMedway, opposite to Nettlested',
stands the seat of Sir John Gregory Shaw, bart., a retired, but
not unpleasant situation, having been for several generations the
residence of the family of the Kin ward's, which, from the reign
©f Henry VIII. was possessed of good estates in this parish, ;and
bore for arms. Azure, on a bend, or, three roses gules, between
three cross crosslets, fitchee argent. Robert Kenward, esq., of
Yalding, resided here, and dying in 1720, was buried with the
rest of ills family in this church. He left a son, John, and seve
ral daughters, the former of whom died in 1749, leaving one
daughter and heir Alicia, who carried this seat in marriage to
Sir John Shaw, bart., late of Eltham, whose eldest son. Sir John
Gregory Shaw, bart., became owner, and resided here. In this
part of the parish the land is good, both for corn and hops, of
which there are several plantations, and round the down some
rich grass lands; but farther southward, towards Brenchley,
Horsemonden, and Marden, the country is rather dreary, the
land lying very low, the soil beipg wet and miry, and subject to
the urowth of rushes ; the hedge-rows are broad, and interspersed
with large spreadStig oaks.
The river Medway fiows from Tunbridg* along the west side
of the upper part of this parish, and across it, at this [loiiit, are
two bridges, namely, those of Twyford and Brandt, leading hither
from Watringbury, Nettlested, and East Peckham. A small
Stream, which flows from Marden here, called the Twist, passes
through the lower part of this parish, towards the west side, and
joins the main river at Twyford bridge, which extends over both
streams, another larger current, being a principal head of the
Medway, flowing from Style bridge by Hunton Clappers, sepa
rates these two parishes, and joins the main river about «
quarter of a mile below Twyford bridge. On the conflux cl'
these two larger streams Yalding is situated, having a long
narrow stone bridge of communication from one part of the
town to the other, on the opposite bank of the Hunton stream.
Leland, who lived in the reign of Henry VIIL, calls U apraly
townelet, to vvhich, however, at present^ it has no pretensions.

COUNTY OF KENT. 4ftt
The church and court lodge stand at the north end of tiiis
place. The high road, over Teston bridge und by West Farleigh,
leads through this town, and thence southward along the ham
lets of Denover, and Collens' street, to Marden. At a small
distance from the former is the borough of Rugmerhill, esteemed
to be within the ancient demesne of Aylesford, belonging to
Mrs. Milner.
Adjoining the town of Yalding, southward, is Yalding lees,
over which passes another high road, leading from Twyford
bridge parallel with that before mentioned, along the hamlet of
Lodingford, and thence through the lower part of this parish,
towards Brenchley. Near the boundaries of the same, in this
parish, is an estate still called Oldlands, which appears, in the
reign of Edward IL to have been part of the demesne lands of
the manor of Yalding, as that prince confirmed to the priory of
Tunbridge, a rent charge to be received out of the assets of the
old and new lands of the late Richard de Clare, in Dennemannesr
brooke, which he had given to that prioiy on its foundation.
Lower down, close to the stream of the Twist, is the manor
house of Bockingfold, the lands of which extend acioss the river
into Brenchley, Horsemonden, and other parishes.
A third high road, over Brandt bridge, passes along the west
ern bounds of this parish, over Betsurn green, towards Lamber
hurst and Sussex J
The commissioners for the navigation of the river Medway,
many years ago, made a, navigaide cut, or canal, from a place in
the river called Hampsted, where they judiciously constructed a
lock in the river,iiiear Twyford bridge, and erected a tumbling
bay for the water, when at a certain height, to pass over. This
proved of the greatest utility to the navigation, as it not only
shortened the passage, but bayed up a convenient depth of
Water, which could not be had along tlie lees and other adjoining
lowlands, without a very great expenditure.
The barges are here loaded with timber, great guns, an^
bullets, for Chatham and Sheerness dockyards, as well ^s
London, and other parts, and convey back coals and other conir
niodities, for the supply of the neighbouring country. In 1757
a large eel was caught in this river, mea9uring five feet^ nine

4.93 HISrORY OF THE
inches, in length, and eighteen, in circumference, the weight being
upwards of forty pounds .
' The Manor of Yalding, or Ealding, as it was usually
written, was, after the Conquest, part of the possessions of the
eminent family of the Clare's, who became afterwards earls of
Gloucester and Hertford. Their ancestor, Richard Fitz-Gilbert,
came into England with William the Conqueror, and, from his
near afiinity to that monarch, as well as his services, had large
•possessions granted him, among which was this estate of
Yalding, as appears from the survey of Domesday, under the
general title of whose lands it vvas therein entered.
• Gilbert de Clare, earl of Gloucester and Hertford, his son, by
Joan of Acres, daughter of King Edward L, succeeded him, and
dying without issue, his three sisters became his coheirs, when
this manor was allotted to Margaret, wife of Hugh de Audley,
who left an only daughter and heir, Margaret, and she carried
this estate in marriage to Ralph Stafford, afterwards created
earl of Stafford.
It continued in his descendants down to Humphrey Stafford,
created duke of Buckingham, under Henry VI. , whose grand- .
son, Henry, duke of Buckingham, having rebelled against
Richard III., in favor of Henry earl of Richmond, and being
betrayed by one Ralph Banister, in whose house he had sought
refuge, was, without arraignment or judgment, beheaded at
Salisbury. This fact we have previously adverted to, but found
it necessary again to introduce it, as the manor of Yalding was
a part of the reward bestowed upon the villain who had thus
betrayed his benefactor. Ralph Banister held this manor by
knight's service; till, on the accession of Richmond to the
throne, the property was restored toEdward duke of Buckingham,
eldest son and heir of the above-mentioned duke; who, in the
13th of Henry VIIL, was also beheaded, upon a charge of
treason. This estate thus became forfeited to the crown, when
the king granted it, the same year, to Charles Somerset, earl of
Worcester, to hold in capite, by knight's service. He was na
tural son of Henry duke of Somerset ; and, being a man of great
talent and abilities, was much in favor with kings Henry VII.
and VIIL, and by his marriage with Elizabeth, sole daughter
and heir of William Herbert, earl of Huntingdon, bore the title

COUNTY OF KENT. 453
of Lord Herbert, of Cherbury. He was first constituted a knight
banneret, then knight of the Garter, and afterwards captain of
the king's guard, a privy counsellor, and lord chamberlain,
which office he retained after the accession of Henry VIIL, who
also conferred upon him several important trusts, and, in con
sequence of his noble descent and near alliance to the king in
blood, made him earl of Worcester. He bore for his arms, France
and England, quarterly a bordure gobony, argent and azure,
with a battoon, sinister argent; his solemn creation having been
performed at the Archbishop's palace, at Lambeth, on the same
day. He alienated this manor to George Nevill, lord
Bergavenny, whose son, Henry, dying without issue male, this
manor, among other estates passed to Edward Nevill, a younger
brother of George lord Bergavenny, before mentioned, and his
eldest son, Edward lord Bergavenny, alienated the same to one
Isaac, who again passed it away by sale, to the Freer's, of West-
mington, in Sussex. From the latter name it went by sale, about
the year 1870, to Thomas Brewer, esq., at Smith's hall, in West
Farleigh, in whose descendants it continned till John Brewer,
esq., leaving an only daughter and heir, Jane, she carried it in
marriage to John Carney, esq. ; and secondly, to John Shrimp
ton, esq.; both of whom she survived, and died in 1762, without
issue. She devised this manor, among the rest of her estates,
to her kinsman, the Rev. Dr. John Davies, prebendary of Can
terbury, whose son, John, in 1774, alienated the property to
PhiUp Perrin, esq. of Smith's hall, who immediately after ex
changed it, for some other lands lying near his house, with Mrs.
Elizabeth Bouverie, of Teston, who became, in consequence,
possessed of this estate.
A court-barOn is held for this manor.
WooDFOLDE is a manor in this parish, which lies about half
a mile southeastward from Brandt bridge, and was held, in the
reign of Edward II. , by Anceline Quyntin, and the heirs of
Daniel de LodhefOrd, who held it of George Cham, as he did of
the earl of Gloucester. In the 20th of Edwaid IIL, Robert
Reickyn, by his wife, sister of John de Lodneford, paid respec
tive aid for this estate. One of his descendants alienated it (o
the Burton's; in which family it continued till the reign of
Henry VIIL, when the heirs of Robert Burton passed it by
sale to that branch of the family of the Fane's seated at Burston,
VOL. III. 3 s

494 HISTORY OF THE
in the adjoining parish of Hunton. It continued in that line,
in like manner as Burston, down to John Fane, earl of West
moreland, who died in 1762, and devolved with that manor, as
well as Mereworth, by the limitations in his will, to the Right
Hon. Lord le Despencer.
The manor of Lodingfokd, or Bermondesey, lies about
half a mile eastward from Woodfolde manor, and acquired the
latter name from a family the members whereof were proprietors
of the same. In the reign of Edward II. , Hugh de Bermondesey
was the possessor, and his heirs paid aid for it as the tenth part
of a knight's fee, which he had before held in Yalding of the
earl of Gloucester. How this manor passed afterwards, till it
came into the family of the Wood's, we have not discovered, but
William Wood was owner of the property at the latter end of
the reign of Henry VIII. His descendant, Thomas, alienated
it to the Fane's ; from which name it passed into that of the
Austin's, where it continued, till Mrs. Austin, of London, devised
it, by her last wiU, to Mary, daughter of Mr. Piggott, of Cam
bridge, who marrying the Rev. William Foster, d.d., he in her
right became possessed of this estate.
A court-baron is held for this manor.
Jenning's court is a manor which lies in the parishes of
Yalding, Nettlested, and West Barming, being held of the manor
of Pipping heath, though it seems, under Edward IIL, to have
been held by John de Huntingdon. How long it continued in
that name we do not find, but, in the 10th of Henry VL, Thomas
Knot, of Yalding, died possessed of it by the name of part of
the manor of West Barming or Pimpe, in the parish of Yalding.
He alienated the estate to Thomas Atte Wood, whose descend
ant, John, died in the 3d of Henry VIII. possessed of the pro
perty, then called Gennyngs or West Barming, in this parish,
being held in capite ; after which, it appears to have been given,
by the name of the manor of Jenning's court, to Brazen Nose
college, in Oxford, pant of the possessions of which institution
it, has continued to the present period.
In 1687 this manor was held by lease from the above-men
tioned college by AUmott Peers, who soon afterwards alienated
his interest therein to John Kenward, esq. of this parish, who
died possessed of it in 1708. His grandson, John Kenward,
esq., dying without male issue in 1749, his daughter, Martha,

COUNTY OF KENT. iQ.")
carried her interest in the lease of this manor in marriage to Sir
John Shaw, bart. of Eltham, whose grandson. Sir John Gregory
Shaw, bart., was afterwards lessee.
A court-baron is held for this manor.
Bokingfold is a manor of large extent, whereof the only
house is situated vvithin the southern bounds of this parish,
though the demesnes extended into those of Brenchley, Horse
monden, Marden, and Goudhurst. This niansion is continually
mentioned in records and ancient deeds as being within the
former of those parishes, the bounds of which must therefore
have undergone a change, or the present house on this manor
could not be -that anciently esteemed the dwelling. There was
a free chapel belonging thereto, and a park and forest adjoining,
of no small extent.
In the reign of Henry III. the manor was in possession of
the family of the Crevequer's, of which line Hamo de Crevequer
died possessed of it in the 47th year of that reign; at which
period it was a member of the manor of Chatham, held of the
king by barony. Robert, his grandson, siding with the rebel
lious barons, this manor was seized by the king, when it
remained with the crown till the reign of Edward 1 1., who, in
his 2d year, granted it, together with the free chapel, in fee, to
Bartholomew de Badlesmere, at the annual rental of £25, at
his Exchequer.
On a quo warranto, in the 21st of Edward I., this manor
being then vested in the crown, it was found that the collection
belonged to the king, and was worth about ten marks per annum,
and that John de Capgrave possessed the same of the collation
of the prior of Leeds, u ho alleged that he held the advowson
by the gift of Hamo de Crevequer, and that although Queen
Alianor had presented it in right of her manor of Leeds, never
theless, after her death, it had been determined, with the king's
consent, that it should be restored to the prior, which was tes
tified by John de Berewick. Notwithstanding this, the king
granted away the advowson to Bartholomew de Badlesmere, as
above mentioned ; who, upon an exchange made between that
prince and himself, six years afterwards, had another grant made
to him in fee, of this manor and chapel, to hold in socage, by
the service of paying one pair of clove gillyflowers, by the hands
of the sheriff; and the next year he obtained many liberties and

496 HISTORY OF THE
privileges for his estates, and among others, free warren for his
demesne lands of this manor. The above-mentioned Bartholo
mew de Badlesmere afterwards leaguing with the discontented
barons, was defeated and executed, when this manor, with his
other estates, was confiscated to the crown.
While it continued in the hands of the king, that monarch
visited the estate, and during his stay, Hamo de Hethe, bishop
of Rochester, the king's confessor, sent him a present of wine
and grapes from his vineyard at HaUing, near Rochester.
Previous to the monarch's departure, finding that many per
sons had unlawfully hunted in his park of Bokingfold, the king
commanded that they should be indicted for the trespasses and
irregularities committed therein. The large extent and wild
appearance of this district, covered with thick woods, gained it
the name of aforest,hy which appellation. Twine, in his Treatise,
De Rebus Albionicis, mentions the same, calling it the forest of
Buckenwald, near Tunbridge.
After the above period, the king granted it, with the advowson
of the chapel, to Thomas de Camvill, by the above-mentioned
service; and he dying in the 4th of Edward IIL, that prince
confirmed it to Giles de Badlesmere, son of Bartholomew above
mentioned, as his inheritance. He died in the I2th year of
the same reign, leaving his four sisters his coheirs, and upon a
partition of their inheritance, this manor, with fifty acres of
wood belonging thereto, were assigned to Maud, the eldest sister,
wife of John de Vere, earl of Oxford ; and another fifty acres,
to Margaret, the youngest sister, wife of John de Tibetot.
Robert de Vere, earl of Oxford, was the great favorite of
Richard II. , who created him duke of Ireland, and conceived
no accumulation of wealth and honours sufficient to testify his
unbounded affection. That prodigality, however, made him so
haughty and insolent, that he was at length accused of high
treason, and banished, when all his possessions were confiscated,
except his entailed lands, which were adjudged to remain to his
heirs. Notwithstanding this, the duke never possessed the
manor, which, at the above period, remained in the hands of
Maud, widow of his father, Thomas earl of Oxford, as part of
her dower, .and the inheritance was probably part of those
estates of the duke confiscated, as before mentioned, as, soon
afterwards, this manor appears to have been granted to Thomas
2

COUNTY OF KENT. 497
duke of Gloucester, the king's uncle, who, inthe 17 th year of
thatjreigh, settled it, being then held in capite. Oh his new
founded coUege, at Plecy, in Essex.
On the death of the countess of Oxford, in the 14th of
Henry IV., the master and priests of the' above college took
possession of this manor, when it continued so vested till the
dissolution of religious houses, under Henry VIIL, by which
monarch it vvas granted to John Gate, gentleman of the king's
privy chamber, to hold, in capite. He was knighted in the fol
lowing reign, but after the death of King Edward VI. , being
concerned in advancing Lady Jane Grey to the crown, he was
found guilty of high treason, and beheaded in the 1st of Queen
Mary, who the same year granted the manor of Bokingfold to
Susan Tong, to hold in capite. She, in the 3d year of the same
reign, alienated it to Thomas Colepeper, esq. of Bedgbury, who
was sheriff in the 3d of Edward VI. ; and his eldest son,
Alexander Colepeper, in the 6th of Ehzabeth, alienated that part
of the manor which lay in Goudhurst, to one Sharpleigh, and
the other portion, lying in Marden, Yalding, Brenchley, and
Horsemonden, to Roger Revell ; however, it must be observed,
that the free chapel of Bokingfold, after the attainder of Sir
John Gates, remained in the crown, and so continued till Queen
Elizabeth granted it to Richard Tilden, of Brenchley.
That part' of the manor of Bokingfold, lying in this parish,
Brenchley, and Horsemonden, in the possession of Roger Revell,
was, by a fine then levied, conveyed to Benedict Barnham, of
London, who died in 1698, leaving four daughters his Coheirs ;
when Bridget, the youngest, carried this estate in marriage, as
her portion of the inheritance, to Sir William Soame. He sold
it, in the reign of Charles I , to Mr. George Browne, of Buck-
land, in Surrey, who, in 1693, passed it away to Mr. William
Woodgate, of Chidingstone; and his great grandson, William
Woodgate, esq. of SomerhiU, in Tunbridge, afterwards pos
sessed the same.
The court lodge of the manor of Yalding, and all the
demesne lands belonging thereto, have been long separated
from the manor itself, and many years held by the family of the
Plumer's, William Plumer, esq., m.p. for the county of Herts.,
having ultimately possessed the same.
Henhurst is an tstate in this parish, formerly held by a

498 HISTORY OF THE
family of that name. In the reign of Edward IL, Gilbert de
Henhurst possessed half a knight's fee in Henhurst, of the earl
of Gloucester, for which, in the 20th of Edward IIL, Richird
Totesham, Henry Gervas, and John de Sandherst, paid respec
tive aid. This estate continued in the name of Totesham till
the reign of Henry VIIL, when Anthony Totesham, esq. of
Totesham hall, in West Farleigh, aUenated it to Thomas
Chapman ; from which name it passed to the Laurence's, and
thence to Augustine Skinner, esq.; one of whose descendants
conveyed it to the Goulston's. Francis Goulston, about the
year 1726, sold it, with Totesham hall, to Sir Philip Boteler, of
Teston, who died possessed of it in 1772, without issue, and by
will gave it to Mrs. Elizabeth Bouverie, of Chart Sutton,
Elizabeth viscountess Folkstone, and William Bouverie earl of
Radnor,, since deceased, when, on a partition of these estates,
Yalding became the property of Mrs. Elizabeth Bouverie, of
Teston. Another ESTATE in this parish, called Kenward' s farm,
was formerly in the possession of the Twisden's, down to Sir
Thomas Twisden, bart. of Bradbourn, in the reign of George L,
who conveyed it to Sir Philip Boteler, when it passed in the
same manner as his other estates down to Mrs. Elizabeth
Bouverie, of Teston.
There is a district in this parish, called Trendhurst Denn,
which is within the manor of GiUingham, near Rochester.
Yalding is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of
the diocese of Rochester, and deanery of Mailing. The church,
a spacious handsome building, consists of three aisles and large
chancel, with a square tower at the west end. Upon the south
wall is a very ancient altar tomb, much defaced, whereon still
remains Ermine, a bend, gules, there having been formerly a
brass plate thereon. Upon a large stone in the centre aisle is a
memorial for Robert Penhurst, descended from Sir Robert
Penhurst, of Penhurst, in Sussex, who died in 1610 ; the arms
presenting on a shield a mullet. In the chancel is a handsome
monument for the family of the Warde's, who bore for their arms,
Azure, a cross flory, or ; and another for the Kenward's, in this
parish. In the pavement of this church are several large broad
stones, being a species of petrifaction of the testaceous kind,
dug up in the moors or low lauds of this parish.

COl.'NTY OF KENT. 499
The rectory now pays a yearly feefarm rent of £30 to the
erown. It was valued in the king's books at £20 18 9 ; the
yearly tenths being £2 1 10|.
There are two separate manors in this district, one belonging
to the rectory or parsonage, and the other to the vicarage of the
church. Ip 1821, there were 354 dwellings in the parish of Yalding;
and at the same period, when the last census of the population
was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inhabitants
vvere as follow : males 1233, females 1181, makisi^ a total of
ii'4l4 sou in.

ftOO HISTORY OF TUV.

THE HUNDRED OF LITi LEFIELl/.
Southward from Wrotham hundred lies the hundred of
Littlefield, called in Domesday Litlefelle, and in some records,
Leighfleld, This hundred derives its name from the smallness of its extent,
as it only contains within its bounds the parish of Mereworin
and part of that of West Peckham, with the churches of those
parishes, and a portion of the parishes of Hadlow and East
Peckham, the churches of which latter are in another hundred.
This district, in the beginning of the reign of Edward II.
was in the possession of the crown, where it remained till that
king, in his 15th year, granted it, by consent of Parliament,
among other estates of greater value, to Edmund, of Woodstock,
his half brother, whom he at the same time constituted earl of
Kent. After the death of his two sons, Joan, their sister, be
came the heir, when her husband. Sir Thomas Holand, possessed
this hundred in her right, and also the title of earl of Kent.
After his demise, she espoused Edward the Black Prince, and
was succeeded in this possession by Thomas Holand, earl of
Kent, her son by her first husband, whose eldest son, Thomas
Holand, was afterwards created duke of Surrey, and continu
ing loyal to the cause of King Richard IL lost his life in a
tumult at Cirencester, in the 1st of Henry IV., and was, the
following year, attainted in Parliament. He died without issue,
and his brother, Edmund earl of Kent, before the end of that
year, obtained, by virtue of an old entail, this hundred, among
other estates of which his brother had died possessed, and leav
ing no issue, his four sisters became his coheirs. On the par
tition of his property, this hundred was then allotted to Joan,
his fourth sister, duchess of York, who appears, by the escheat
roUs, to have died without issue, in the 12th of Henry VI.
Upon a division of her inheritance among her sisters;
Margaret, first wife of John earl of Somerset, and afterwards
of Thomas duke of Clarence, became entitled to this property,

COUNTY OF KENT. 501
who died in the 18th year of the above reign, leaving John earl
of Somerset, her son by her first husband, her next heir.
How the hundred of Littlefield afterwards passed we have not
found, but in the reign of Henry VIII. it was part of the pos
sessions of the crown, where it remained till Edward VI. , in the
4th year of his reign, granted it in fee to John Dudley, earl of
Warwick, who was, the following year, created duke of Nor
thumberland ; and he, in the 7th year of that reign, sold it to
the king, in exchange for other manors and lands.
This hundred seems to have remained vested in the crown till
the 23d of Elizabeth, vyho then granted the hundreds of Little
field or Leighfield and Wachelston, otherwise Chadlington, to
Sir WiUiam Brooke, lord Cobham, vvhose son, Henry lord
Cobham, in the 1st of James I., being accused, with others, of
a conspiracy to assassinate the king and subvert the government,
was found guilty, and had judgment of death pronounced
against him. The sentence vvas afterwards, through the cle
mency of that monarch, superseded ; however, on his attainder,
this, among the rest of his estates, became forfeited to the crown,
and was confirmed thereto by the Act passed in the 3d of
James I. for that purpose; since which, this hundred has con
tinued among the royal possessions, and so remains. •
VVest, otherwise Little Peckham, is a parish lying east
ward f om Shipborne, called in Domesday Pecheham, and in
the Textus Roffensis, Pec h a.m.
This district receives the appellation of West Peckham from
its situation westward of Great or East Peckha.m, and of
Little, fromits smallness in'regard to that parish.
The quarry-stone hills bound the northern side of this
parish, consequently, tiie whole is within the district of the
Weald. The soil is in general a stiff clay, while in the lower or
southern p-art it presents very rich pasture grazing land. The
northern portion, adjoining the liiil, is covered by those woods
commonly called the Herst woods, whence flow several fine
springs of water, extending over the eastern parts of this parish;
near the boundary of which, and approaching Mereworth, is the
village, vvith the church. The northern side of this parish is
watered by the stream whicii runs hither from Plaxtool, and
thence into the Midway, at Brandt bridge, a Uttle above
Y^ildham. VOL. III. 3 t

502 HISTORY OF THE
The neat of Hampton's, now almost in ruins, stands near the
east side of this stream, in a wild gloomy situation ; and at a
small distance, that of Oxenhoath, an ancient brick building,
situated on a rising ground, commanding an extensive prospect
over the Weald and the hills to the north-east, the surrounding
lands being luxuriantly wooded, and presentingveryfine pasturage.
There is an annual fair held here, on the 1 6th of June.
This parish, vviUi others in the neighbourhood, was anciently
bound to contribute to the repairs of the fifth pier of Rochester
bridge. Little Peckham, before the Conquest, was in the posses
sion of Earl Leofwine, vvho, as well as his brother. King Harold,
was killed at the fatal battle of Hastings. The Conqueror sub
sequently gave this estate to Odo bishop of Bayeux, on whose
disgrace, four years after, the property, among the rest of his
estates, became confiscated to the crown.
In the reign of King John, the manor of West Peckham, then
valued at £16, was held in sergeantry by a family of the name
of Bendeville, by the service of bearing one of the king's gos
hawks beyond sea, from the feast of St. Michael to that of the
Purification, when the king demanded it in lieu of all other
services ; soon after which, it fell into the possession of a family
vvhich thence assumed its surname.
John de Peckham held it in the reign of Henry III., and his
descendant, John, died possessed of it in the 21.st of Edward I.
holding it in capite, by the service above mentioned. Soon
after, it passed into the possession of Robert Scarlet, vvho died
holding the estate in the 33d year of the above reign; but under
Edward II. we find that Adam at Broke was owner of the same.
He died in the 1 1 th year of the above reign, holding it in capite,
by the same service ; and it appears, that in the latter year, it
was accounted a manor, then having a capital messuage, pigeon-
house, rents of assize, and 184 acres of land and wood.
His widow, Dionisia at Broke, died possessed of the estate
in the 6th of Edward HI.; after which, this manor seems to
have been separated into moieties.
John de Mereworth, of Mereworth, died in the 39th year of
that reign, holding a moiety of the manor of West Peckham,
which he held of the king in capite, by the service above men
tioned; since which, it passed through the same successioi: of

COUNTY OF KFNT. 503
ownerships as the manor of Mereworth, and is now in the pos
session of the family of the Stapleton's lords le de Spencer.
The other moiety of the manor of West Peckham, after
the death of Dionisia at Broke, in the 5th of Edward III. passed
into the hands of Lionel duke of Clarence, the king's third son,
in right of his wife, Elizabeth, sole daughter and heir of Sir
William de Burgh, earl of Ulster. She died in the 38th year
of that reign, leaving by him an only daughter, Philippa, who
survived her; but she also died in the 43d year of the same
reign, and the duke being then possessed of the moiety of this
manor, which he held as the inheritance of Elizabeth, his late
wife, deceased, incapite; Philippa, his daughter above men
tioned, then countess of March, was found to be his next heir.
At the above period, Edward Mortimer, earl of March, her
husband, had possession granted of the estate the same year ;
soon after which, this moiety fell into the possession of that
branch of the famUy of the Colepeper's settled at Oxenhoath,
in this parish. It so remained till Sir John Colepeper, one of
the jtidges of the Common Pleas, in the reign of Henry IV.,
gave it to the Knight's Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem,
in the 10th year of that reign, a.d. 1408.
They then established a preceptory within this manor, which
continued part of their possessions till the general dissolution of
their hospital, under Henry VIIL, when this order was sup
pressed, and all the revenues given to the king and his heirs,
for ever. It was at that time styled the Preceptory, or com-
mandery of West Peckham, or Chantry Magistrate. A pre
ceptory or commandery was a convenient mansion belonging to
those knights, of which they had several on their different
estates, the same containing a society of their brethren, placed
there to take care of their lands and rents in the respective
neighbourhoods. This manor of West Peckham, for so it was then styled,
together with the preceptory, were valued, at the dissolution,
at £63 6 8 annual revenue, and £60 clear income.
Heniy VIIL, in his 33d year, granted the fee of this manor,
with its appurtenances, to Sir Robert Southwell, of Mereworth,
to hold in capite; and he, in the 35th year of the same reign,
alienated it to Sir Edmund Walsingham. In that name and

504 HISTORY OF THE
family this manor continued till the reign of Charies L, when
Sir Tho i as Walsingham, of Scadbury, alienated it with Yoke's
place, and other estates in this neighbourhood, to his son-in-
law, Mr. James Master, of Yokes, in the adjoining parish of
Mereworth, Sir Thomas Walsingham having married the widow
of Mr. Nathaniel Master ; after which, it passed into the pos
session of the Right Hon. George Byng, viscount Torrington.
Hamptons is a seat in this parish, situated at the western
extremity, which, as well as the borough of that name, is
accounted within the hundred and manor of Great Hoo, near
Rochester. In the reign of Elizabeth, it was in the possession
of John Stanley, gent, of Wilmington, whose grandfather was
of Wilmington, in Lancashire, and bore for his arms. Argent,
on a bend, azure, three buds' heads caboshed, or, a chief
gules ; and it appears by an ancient pedigree of the family
of the Stanley's, in the hands of William Dalison, esq., that
the Stanley's, of this county, were descended from the eldest
branch of that family, being the direct heirs of William de
Stanley, lord of Stanley, in Staffordshire, and of Stourton, iu
the 10th of Richard II. ; elder brother to John de Stanley,
lieutenant of Ireland, who by the daughter and heir of Latham,
of Lancashire, was ancestor to the Stanley's earls of Derby; of
the Lords Montegle, as well as those of Holte and Wever. He
died possessed of this seat in 1616, and his eldest son, Thomas
Stanley, esq. of Hamptons, dying in 1668, was buried in this
church, near his father. He left issue an only daughter aud
heir, Frances, married to Maximilian Dalison, esq. of HaUing,
who in ber right became entitled to this seat, whither she
removed on the death of her father.
This family of Dalison was of some eminence for its anti
quity in this kingdom, as William d'Alanzon, the first ancestor
recorded, is said to have landed with William the Conqueror;
whose direct descendant, in the eighth generation, was of Langh-
ton, in Lincolnshire, and was the first who wrote himself Dalison.
His great grandson, William, of Laugh ton, was sheriff and
escheater of Lincolnshire, and died in 1546, leaving two sons
and three daughters; George, the eldest, was of Langhton,
whose grandson. Sir Roger Dalison, was lieutenant general of
the Ordnance, and created a baronet in 1611.

COUNTY OF KENT. 506
WilUam Dalison, the second son, represented the county of
Lincoln in Parliament in 1554, and was afterivards one of the
judges of the King's Bench in the rime of Queen Mary, whose-
coat of arms displayed Gules, three crescents, or, a canton
ermine; which are still remaining in a window in Gray's Inn
chapel. He died in 1558, and vvas buried in Lincoln cathedral,
having left four sons; of whom, William, the eldest, wiU be
mentioned hereafter; Thomas being of Greetwell, in Lincolnshire,
and afterwards knighted. Lloyd, in his memoirs, says. Sir
Thomas Dalison, of Lancashire, lost his life for his loyalty at
Nazeby, together with £i 2,000 of his estate; and that there
were also three colonels of this name in the king's army, viz.
Sir Charles, Sir Robert, and Sir William DaUson, vvho spent
£130,000 in the royal cause, being men of great command in
their country, who furnished vast supplies for the king's forces.
William Dalison, the eldest son, on his marriage with
Silvester, daughter of Robert Dene, gent, of Hailing, in this
county, in 1573, settled and resided at the bishop's palace, in
Hailing, where he died in 1585, and was buried in Clerkenwell
church. His widow afterwards married William Lambarde,
gent, of Greenwich,, our Kentish perambulator, who dying in
1587, was buried in Hailing church, leaving issue by both her
husbands. Maximilian Dalison, esq,, the direct descendant of William,
by Silvester his wife, resided at Hallincr, but marrying Frances,
only daughter and heir of Thomas Stanley, gent, of Hamptons,
in this parish, removed, as before observed, to this manor, and
died in 1 67 1. They left two surviving sons, Thomas and Charles,
who was of Chatham.
Thomas, the eldest son, of Hamptons, was twice married,
first, to Susan, daughter of Sir Thomas Style, bart. of Wat
ringbury; and secondly, to Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Thomas
Twisden, bart. of Bradborne. By the latter he had no issue,
and died in 1636, leaving, by his first wife, a daughter, who
married John Boys, esq. of Hode court, in this county ; and
Thomas Dalison, esq., who was of Plaxtool, where he resided
during the Ufe of his father, and afterwards removed to
Hamptons, where he died in 1741, and was buried in Plaxtool
chapel, as were his several descendants. He married, first.

306 HISTORY OF THE
Jane, only daughter of Richard Etherington, gent, of Essex, by
whom he left Mary, who died unmarried, and Jane, who espoused
Sir Geoffrey Amherst, of Riverhead, afterwards Lord Amherst.
His second wife was Isabella, daughter of Peter Burrell, esq.
of Beckenham, who survived him, and died in 1762. By her he
had William and Thomas DaUson ; William, the eldest, having
possessed Hamptons, but resided at Plaxtool.
The family of Dalison, of Hamptons, has a right to quarter
the arms of the Stanley's, and, with them, the coats of Hooton,
Houghton, Grosvenor, and Harrington ; and with those of
Dalison, the coats of Elkington, Greenfield, Dighton, and
Blesby. The borough of Oxenhoath, in this parish, is within
the hundred and manor of Hoo, near Rochester, at the court of
which a borsholder is appointed for this borough yearly.
The manor of Oxenhoath, othevWxseTo.venhoath, is held
of the manor of Great Hoo, by the service of the yearly pay
ment of a pair of gilded spurs; but this custom has been
abandoned for many years.
It constituted, in ancient times, part of the possessions of
a branch of the family of the Colepeper's, in which name it
continued down to Sir John Colepeper, justice of the Common
Pleas in the reign of Henry IV., in the 10th year of which
monarch, as before mentioned, he gave his manor of West Peck
ham to the Knight's HospitaUers. He resided at Oxenhoath,
of which he died possessed in the reign of Henry V., and was
buried in this church, with Catherine, his wife, by whom he
left Sir William Colepeper, of Oxenhoath, sheriff of this county
in the reign of Henry VI. , whose son. Sir John, likewise resided
here. His son. Sir William Colepeper, was of Aylesford, and
sheriff in the 5th of Henry VI. , who by his wife, daughterof
Ferrers, of Groby, had three sons. Sir Richard, of Oxenhoath;
William, of Preston hall, in Aylesford; and Jeffry.
Sir Richard Colepeper was sheriff in the llth of Edward IV,
and died possessed of Oxenhoath in the 2d of Richard 111.,
leaving, by Isabella, daughter and coheir of Otwell Worceley, of
Stamworth, three daughters, his coheirs. Margaret was mar
ried to William Cotton ; Joyce, to the Lord Edmund Howard,
younger son of Thomas duke of Norfolk, whose daughter.

COUNTY OF KENT. oC7
Catherine Howard, vvas afterwards queen of Henry VIII ; and
Elizabeth, to Henry Barham, of Teston. On the division of
their inheritance, this estate was allotted to William Cotton, in
right of his wife, Margaret, who resided here, and bore for his
arms, Sable, a chevron between three griffins' heads erased,
argent. He was succeeded by his son. Sir Thomas Cotton, who
alienated this manor to John Chowne, gent, of .Fairlawne, who
wishing to confine his possessions within the county of Sussex,
passed away this manor to Nicholas MiUer, esq. of Horsenells,
Crouch, in Wrotham, sheriff of this county in the 8th of
Charles I., who bore for his arms. Ermine, a fess gules between
three griffins' heads erased, azure. He died in 1640, and was
buried in Wrotham church, leaving by Jane, his wife, daughter
of John Policy, esq of Preston, two surviving sons, Nicholas.
of Oxenhoath, and Mathew, of Buckland, in Surrey.
Ilis eldest surviving son. Sir Nicholas Miller, resided at Oxen
hoath, which he greatly embellished, and died in 1658, leaving
four sons and four daughters, of whom the former, Humphrey,
became his heir; and Nicholas, to whom his grandfather,
Nicholas Miller, bequeathed his family seat of Crouch, in Wro
tham, and other estates. Humphrey Miller, esq., the eldest
son, succeeded his father in this manor and seat, where he resi
ded, and in 1660 vvas created a bart., vvho in 1666 was sheriff
of this county, and kept his shrievalty at Oxenhoath. He died
in 1709, leaving a son and heir, Borlase, and a daughter, Eliza
beth, whom we shall mention hereafter.
Sir Borlase Miller, bart., was of Oxenhoath, and died pos
sessed of the same in 1714, leaving his wife Susanna surviving,
on which this estate devolved by survivorship, to Elizabeth his
sister, before mentioned, tiien wife of Leonard Bartholomew,
esq., of Rochester, who afterwards resided at Oxenhoath, and
was sheriff in 1713. He bore for his arms. Or, three goats
heads erased, sable; and died in 1720, leaving thne sons, Philip,
Leonard, and Humphrey, the eldest of whom, Philip Bartho
lomew, esq., possessed, and resided at Oxenhoath.
He first married the only daughter and heir of Mr. John
Knowe, gent., of Ford, in Wrotham, by whom he had two sons,
Leonard and John Knowe Bartholomew, the latter of whom
died before his brother, without issue. He married, secondly,
Mary, youngest daughter of Alexander Thomas, esq. of Lamber-

508 IHSTORY OF THE
hurst, by whom he had a daughter, Mary, married to Francis
Geary, esq.
Philip Bartholomew died in 1730, and was succeeded by his
eldest son, Leonard Bartholomew, esq., who was of Oxenhoath.
He died without issue in 1757, and by will gave Oxenhoath,
with his other estates in this county, to the second son, then
unborn, of Francis Geary, esq., of Polesdon, in Surrey, after
wards an admiral in the royal navy, who was created a bart. on
the 10th of August, 1782, with remainder in tail male to the
family of Beaumont, in Yorkshire.
His second son, before mentioned, was afterwards born and
christened, when William, his elder brother, having died unmar
ried, he became his father's heir, and succeeded on his death, in
1796, to the baronetcy, and possessed the manor of Oxenhoath,
where he resided. He was member of parliament for this
county, and 'core for his arms. Gules, two bars argent, on each
three muscles of thefirst, a cantoti ermine.
West, or Little Peckham is within the ecclesiastical
JURISDICTION of the diocese of Rochester and deanery of
Malline:. The church, dedicated to St. Dunstan, is a small
building, with a low pointed steeple.
King Edward L, in his l4th year, granted to the priory and
convent of Leeds, in this county, the advowson of the church of
Parva Pecham, to hold in free, pure, and perpetual alms; when
he also granted that they should hold it appropriated to their
own use, whensoever they thought fit, without any hindrance of
him, his heirs, and successors.
In the 21st of the above reign, a quo warranto was brought
before the justices itinerant, against the prior and convent, to
inquire by what right they possessed this church, then valued
at £40 per annum, formerly in the gift of the king ; and, upon
their pleading the above grant, the jury awarded it to them.
The advowson and parsonage of West Peckham continued
with the priory of Leeds till its dissolution under Henry VIIL,
when it was surrendered to the king, who, in his 33d year, settled
this church of Peckham Parva on his new erected dean and
chapter of Rochester.
The vicarage was a discharged living, of the clear certified
value of £45, the yearly tenths being 14s. 7d.
In 1732 it was augmented by the governors of Queen Anne's

COUNTY OF KE,\'T. 609
Bounty ; and by the benefacrion of .£100 per annum, from tiie
trustees of Sir WiUiam Langhorne, bart., being part of his legacy
towards the augmentation of small livings; and of J'lOO 17 6,
civen by Henry Burville, vicar of this parish, which, with £50
added by George Richards, the succeeding vicar, made a sum
wherewith a farm, of £15 a year, was purchased in this neigh
bourhood. Thevicarage, a handsome brick house, is situated
near the church, and was built by the bounty of Philip Bartho
lomew, esq., of Oxenhoath.
In 1821, there were eighty-one dwtUings in the parish of
West, or Little Peckham ; and at the same period, when the
last census of the population was taken by order of Parlia
ment, the numbers of inhabitants were as foUow : males 249,
females 249, making a total of 498 souls.
Mereworth parish lies eastward from West or Little
Peckham, and was usuaUy called Merrud. In Domesday it is
written Marourde, and in the Textus Roffensis, M^eruurtha,
and Meranwyrthe.
The parish of Mereworth is within the district of the Weald,
and situated to the southward of the quarry hills. It is ex
tremely pleasant, as well from its natural beauties, as the build
ings, avenues, and other ornamental improvements, displayed
throughout the estate, by the late earl of Westmoreland ; nor
do those made at Yokes, by the late Mr. Master, less contribute
to the continued beauty of this scenery.
The turnpike road crosses the parish through the vale from
Maidstone towards Hadlow and Tunbridge, on either side of
vvhich is a fine avenue of oaks, with a low neat-cut quick hedge,
which leaves an uninterrupted view over the house, park, and
grounds of lord le Despencer ; the church, with its fine built
spire, the seat of Yokes, and beyond, an extensive country
along the valley to Tunbridge ; form a tout en semble the most
beautiful and luxuriant it is possible to conceive.
Mereworth gave name to an ancient family, of which Sir
William de Mereworth, one of that line, was with Richard Coeur
de Lion at the siege of Ascalon The splendid residence, called
Mereworth castle, was erected by the late Mildmay Fane, eighth
earl of Westmoreland, after a plan of Colin Campbell, from a
beautiful design made for a noble Vicentine gentleman, named
VOL. Ill, A t

.'¦'10 [ilSTORY uV THE
Paolo Almerias, an ecclesiastic. Though denominated a castle,
this structure has not the least pretensions to the appellation,
except from having been built on the site of the ancient embat
tled residence, and being surrounded by the old moat. It con
sists of a centre, and two wings, displaying equal elegance for
offices ; that containing the stables stands on the spot for
merly occupied by the parish church, which vvas pulled down by
the earl, who caused a new structure to be erected in the centre
of the viUage. The great hall, from which all the apartments
branch, is iUumined by a dome and cupola, between the walls of
v\ hich the flues are carried up. The rooms are in general small,
but fitted up in a magnificent manner, and contain numerous
pic ures, many of which are by first-rate masters. Behind the
house the ground rises to small hills, forming a sort of amphi
theatre, embellished by plantations, and prospect temples. In
front is a large sheet of water, that has been expanded from a
small rill rising at a short distance westward, vAhich flows into
the Medway, near Bbvv bridge. The parsonage house was also
rebuilt by the earl, being a very handsome mansion. In front
of the house is an avenue, cut through the woods, three miles in
length towards Wrotham heath, completed at an incredible ex
pense and labour by Lord Westmoreland, affording a communi
cation with the high London road. Nature and art are here so
exquisitely blended throughout, as to render this a most
enchanting situation.
Towards the north this parish rises up to the ridge of emi
nences, called the quarry hills, still containing some few of the
breed of the Martin cats, being the same as those at Hudson's
Bay. Over this district is the extensive tract of woodland,
called the Herst woods, wherein, as late as the reign of Queen
Elizabeth, there "were many wild swine, the whole Weald having
formerly abounded with those animals, in consequence of the
quantity of acorns wherewith it was supplied.
The soil of this parish is very fertile, being composed of the
quarry stone, thinly covered with a loam, throughout all the
northern parts ; but, in the southern, or lower district, it is a
fertile clay, mostly pasturage, and exceeding rich in grazing
land. The largest oxen at any place in this part of England,
which are bred and fatted here, have been known to weigh
nearly 300 stone.

COUNTY OF KENT. 511
This place, at the survey of Domesday was part of the pos
sessions of Hamo Vicecomes, under the general title of whose
lands it was entered in that record. This Hamo Vicecomes was
Hamo de Crevequer, appointed vicecomes or sheriff, of Kent,
soon after his arrival with William the Conqueror, which office
he held till his death, in the reign of Henry I. WUliam de
Mereworth, as before mentioned, having assisted Richard I. at
Palestine, received an addition of the cross crosslets to his
paternal coat.
John de Mereworth held this manor in the beginning of the
reign of Edward II. , and under the following monarch was
sheriff, and resided at Mereworth castle. His son, of the same
name, died in the 44th of Edward III., without issue, on whicii
John de Malmains, of Malmains, in Pluckley, was found to be
his heir, who alienated his interest herein to Nicholas Breinbre,
who bore for his arms. Argent, three annulets sable, pn a canton
of the second, a mullet of the first.
Nicholas de Brembre was citizen and grocer of London, and
lord mayor in the 1st of Richard II., in the 6th year of which
reign he was knighted for his services against the rebel Wat Tyler,
and represented the city of London in Parliament; at length,
however, becoming obnoxious to the prevailing party at that
time, he was attainted and beheaded. His estate being thus
forfeited to the crown. King Richard, in his 13th year, granted
this manor to John Hermonstorpe, who shortly afterwards passed
it away to Richard Fitz a!an, earl of Arundel. His son, Tnoraas
Fitz-alan, earl of Arundel, dying without issue, in the reign of
Henry V. a.d. 1415, his four sisters became his coheirs, and on
a division of their inheritance, the manor of Mereworth vvas
allotted to Joan lady Abergavenny, the second sister, who died
possessed of it in the 13th of Henry VI. After that period it
seems to have been vested in Elizabeth, daughter and sole heir
of her son, Richard Beachamp, earl pf Worcester, and lord
Abergavenny, who afterwards married Edward Nevill, fourtli
son of Ralph earl of Westmoreland, who had possession granted
of the lands of his wife's inheritance, and was summoned to
Parliament in the reign of Henry VI. by the titie of Lord Ber
gavenny. He survived her, anddied in the reign of Edward IV.
possessed of this manor of Mereworth. From him it descended
to his great gran;!son, Henry Nevill, lord Abergavenny, who died

312 HISTORY OF THE
in the 29th of Elizabeth, when Mary, his daughter and sole heir,
succeeded him, who was then wife of Sir Thomas Fane.
The family of Fane, or Vane, is of ancient Welsh extraction,
the members of which, for many generations, wrote themselves
Vane. Thomas Fane having engaged in the rebellion, raised by Sir
Thomas Wyatt in the 1st of Queen Mary, was attainted, and a
warrant issued for his execution (which we have before adverted
to,) but the queen, on account of his extreme youth, pardoned
him, and he was restored to liberty and his estates. He was
twice married, first to Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Thomas Cole
peper, of Bedgbury, by whom he had no issue ; and secondly,
to lady Mary, sole daughter and heir of Henry Nevill, lord
Abergavenny, and in her right possessed this manor. Sir
Thomas Fane (for he had been knighted by Queen Elizabeth,)
resided at times both at Mereworth castle and Badsell, and died
in the3lst of EUzabeth, leaving byladyMaryhis wife, vvho sur
vived him, Francis, his heir, and George, who succeeded to this
manor and estate at Mereworth, after his mother's death, having
been constituted heir to his uncle, Sir Thomas Fane, of Burston.
Lady Mary Fane, on the death of her father, Henry lord Aber
gavenny, had challenged the title of baroness Bergavenny
against Edward Nevill, son of Sir Edward Nevill. This claim
was not determined until after the death of Sir Thomas Fane,
inthe 1st of James I,, when, after great discussion on both
sides, it was, by the lords commissioners for the office of Earl
Marshal, decreed to the heir male ; when, in order to make some
compensation to the female heir, the king, by his letters patent,
granted and restored to her, and her heirs, the dignity of baro
ness le Despencer, with the ancient seat, place, and precedency
of her ancestors.
The lady Mary, baroness le Despencer, survived her husband
many years, and died at Mereworth castle in 1626, leaving her
two sons, Francis and George, surviving, the former of whom
was, in 1623, created baron Burghersh, and earl of Westmors
land. He died in 1628, leaving by his wife several sons and
daughters, of the former of whom, Mildmay, the eldest, sw:-
ceeded him in his titles; Francis was afterwards knighted, and
Henry became ancestor ofthe viscounts F'ane.
Mildmay, the eldest son, eari of Westmoreland, died iu 1665,

COUNTY OF KENT. SIS
leaving by his first wife, one son, Charles, who succeeded him in
his honours and estates ; and, by his second lady, one son, named
Vere Fane.
Charles earl of Westmoreland, was twice married, but dying
without issue, in 1691, was succeeded by his half-brother. Sir
Vere Fane, k.b. He died the following year, leaving by his
wile several sons and daughters, when, of the former, Vere suc
ceeded him in his titles and estates, and died unmarried in 1699.
Thomas, his brother, succeeded him as earl of Westmoreland,
and died also without issue : John, the third son, upon his
death, became earl of Westmoreland ; and Mildmay was the
fourth son, both of whom will again be mentioned.
Ofthe daughters, Mary married Sir Francis Dashwood, bart.
of London, father ofthe late lord le Despencer; Catherine es
poused William Paul, esq.; and Susan died unmarried,
George Fane, the second son of the lady baroness le Despencer,
succeeded, on his mother's death, to the manor of Mereworth;
and on the demise of Sir Thomas Fane, of Burston, his uncle, in
1606, succeeded to his estate at Burston.
Sir George Fane, who had been knighted, resided afterwards
at Burston, where he died in 1640, being succeeded in this
manor and estate by his eldest son, Thomas Fane, esq. of Bur
ston, who was a colonel in the army. He died unmar'ied at
Burston, in 1692, leaving the manor and castle uf Mereworth,
with the advowson of the church, and all his other estates in
this county, to Mildmay Fane, the youngest son of Vere earl
of Westmoreland .
Mildmay Fane, esq. resided at Mereworth castle, and in 1745
was chosen m.p. for the county. He died unmarried the same
year, and was succeeded in this manor and castle, as well as
other estates, by Thomas earl of Westmoreland, his eldest sur
viving brother, who was chief justice in Eyre, south of Trent,
and of the privy council to King George I. He resided at
Mereworth casrie, where he died in 1736, when his honours and
estates descended to John, his youngest and only survivinir bro
ther, who became seventh earl of Westmoreland, and following
a mUitary career, arrived at the rank of lieutenant general. On
the death of his younger brother, Mildmay Fane, he was, in
17l5,.chosen in his room m.p. for this county; in 1733 created a
peer of Ireland, by the title of baron Catherlough ; and in l?."^?

A14 HISTORY OF THE
appointed lord lieutenant of Northamptonshire. He retired to
Mereworth castle soon after the death of Earl Thomas, which
seat he rebuilt, as well as the church of Mereworth, in an elegant
style, and continued adding to the improvements and grandeur
of this edifice, till the period of his decease, which mansion
is, in consequence, esteemed one of the greatest ornaments of
this county.
The earl was high steward, and afterwards chancellor of the
university of Oxford, in which elevated and honourable office he
was installed in 1759, with the greatest solemnity, and a magni
ficence and splendor never displayed at any former installation.
He married Mary, only daughter and heir of lord Henry
Cavendish, but dying in 1762, by will devised this manor and
seat, with his other estates in this county, to his nephew, Sir
Francis Dashwood, bart., son of Sir Francis, of West Peckham,
by his sister, the lady Mary, eldest daughter of Vere earl of
Westmoreland, as well as to the heirs of his body, with remainder
to Sir Thomas Stapleton, bart., his great nephew, son of Sir
William Stapleton, bart,, by Catherine, daughter and heir of
William Paul, of Broomwich, in Oxfordshire, by his sister
Catherine, youngest daughter of the said Vere earl of West
moreland. ^
On the death of John earl of Westnoreland, without issue,
his Irish peerage became extinct, but the barony of le Despencer
'oeing a barony in fee to heirs general, was confirmed to Sir
Francis Dashwood, bart., his sister's son, while the titles of
baron Burghersh and earl of Westmoreland devolved to Thomas
Fane, of Bristol, merchant, the next heir n ale descendant of Sir
Francis Fane, second surviving son of Francis, first eari of
Westu.oreland, who bore for their arms. Azure, three rigid hand
gauntlets, with their backs affrontee, or, and for their crest, out
of a ducal coronet, or, a bull's head, argent, pied, sable armed,
or, and charged on the neck wilh a rose, gules, barbed and seeded
proper, being the ancient crest of the Nevill's.
Sir Francis Dashwood, bart., was descended from Samuel
Dashwood, esq., of Rowney, near Taunton, who by his first
wife had John, ancestor of the Dashwood's of Essex and
Suffolk ; Francis, of whom hereafter ; and Richard and William,
of Cheshunt, in Herts ; and, by his second wife, he had George,
ancestor to the Dashwood's of Oxford, baronets.

COUNTY OF KENT. 51'.
Francis Dashwood, the second son, was a Turkey merchant,
ind an alderman of London, and bore for his arms. Argent, on a
fess double cotized, gules, three griffins' heads, erased, or, granted
to him in 1662, by Byshe Clarenceux at arms. He died in 1683,
leaving several children, the eldest of whom, Samuel, was
knighted, and lord mayor of London in 1702, being ancestoi of
the Dashwood's of Well, in Lincolnshire. Francis, the youngest,
vvas knighted, and created a baronet in 1707, vvhose second wife
was the lady Mary, eldest sister of John earl of Westmoreland,
vvho died in 1710, and lies buried in West Wycomb church, in
Bucks., where an elegant monument is erected to her memory.
By her he had an only son Francis, and a daughter Rachael ;
Sir Francis was of West Wycomb, and on the decease of John
earl of Westmoreland, succeeded by his will to this manor and
house of Mereworth, as well as the rest of his estates, when the
kihe, on the 19th of April, 1763, confirmed to him, in right of
the lady Mary, his mother, the premier barony of le Despencer,
the same being a barony in fee, descendible to the heirs
general.^ He married the daughter of Henry Gould, esq. of Iver, in
Bucks, by whom he had no issue, and died in 1760, upon which
this manor and seat, vvith the rest of his estates, went by the
wiU of John earl of Westmoreland, as before mentioned, to Sir
Thomas Stapleton, bart., of Grays, in Oxfordshire, (son of Sir
Thomas Stapleton, the earl's great nephew, who had departed
this life in 1781 ;) and he on the death of Rachael, sister ofthe
lite lord le Despencer, and widow of Sir Robert Austin, bart., in
lirSS, succeeded likewise to the title of lord le Despencer, and
ihe possession of this elegant seat, now called Mereworth, or
nore commonly Merrud house, as well as the manor and ad-
mwson of this church.
He married Elizabeth, second daughter of S. Eliot, esq. of
\ntigua, by whom he had a son and daughter ; and bore for his
irms. Argent, a lion rampant, gules, for Stapleton quartered
|iith the arras of Fane ; and for his supporters those of the earls
tf Westmoreland, the dexter, a griffin, the. sinister, a bull, both
(ollared and chained ; crest, « saracen's head.
Yokes Place, formerly called lotes Place, is a seat in
tHs parish, the site of which, in the reign of Henry IIL, was in
' ; possession of Fulco de Sharstede, who then held it in fee of

516 HISTORY OF THE
the earl of Gloucester. His descendant, Simon de Sharstede,
died possessed of it under Edward I., when it passed to the
family of the Leyborne's, and under Edward III. was in the pos
session of WiUiam de Clinton, earl of Huntingdon, in right ol
his wife Juliana de Leyborne, who survived him, and again held
it in her own right. She died in the 4lst of that reign, having
no issue, as frequently before observed. On her demise, this
estate, for want of heirs, became escheated to the crown, and
passed to a family which gave name to this property, and was
written in several dateless deeds, Icotes, by contraction called
lotes. This name, however, became extinct before the end of
the reign of Richard IL, when it appears to have been in the
possession of Richard Fitz-alan, earl of Arundel, from whom it
descended in like manner as Mereworth, to Joan his daughter,
coheir to Thomas, earl of Arundel, her brother, who- married
William Beauchamp, lord Abergavenny. Their son, Richard
earl of Worcester, and lord Abergavenny, leaving an only
daughter and heir, Elizabeth, she carried lotes place in marriage
to Edward Nevill, fourth son of Ralph earl of Westmoreland.
His son. Sir George Nevill, lord Bergavenny, died possessed of
the estate in the 7th of Henry VIL, a.d. 1491, leaving several
sons and daughters, of whom George, the eldest, succeeded as
lord Abergavenny, to this estate, and also that of Mereworth,
manor. William was the second son ; George the third, whose
descendants succeeded, in process of time, to the barony of
Abergavenny ; and Sir Thomas Nevill was the fourth son, to
whom his father bequeathed lotes place. He was of the privy
council to Henry VIIL, and secretary of state, and dying iu
1542 was buried in Mereworth church. His only daughter and
heir Margaret, married Sir Robert SouthweU, master of the
rolls, who in her right possessed lotes place, where he reside!;
but in the 35th of Henry VIII. he alienated it, with other
estates, in this parish and West Peckham, to Sir Edward Wal
singham, of Scadbury, in this county. In his descendants it
continued till the latter end ofthe reign of Charies L, when Sir
Thoinas Walsingham conveyed Yokes place to his son-in-law,
Mr. James Master, son of Mr. Nathaniel Master, whose widow ;
he had married. Mr. James Master resided here, where he i
died in 1689, and was buried in Mereworth church, having left j
three sons and two daughters, when the eldest of the former,

COUNTY OF KENT. Sir
Jsmes, resided at Yokes place, and was sheriff in 1725. He
died in 1728, and gave by will this seat of Yokes to his youngest
brother, Richard Master, who likewise resided at Yokes, and
died unmarried in 1767, bequeathing this and his other posses
sions to his nephew, WilUam Daniel, esq. of Surrey, enjoining
him to as sume the name and arms of the Master's, and he accor
dingly bore, quarterly first and fourth. Master, azure, afess cre-
velle, between three griffins' heads erased, or ; second and third,
Daniel, argent, a palefusilly sable.
William Daniel Master, esq. resided at Yokes place, where he
was sheriff in 1771, having nearly rebuilt this seat, and laid out
the adjoining grounds in a modern and elegant manner. He
married Frances IsabeUa, daughter of Thomas Dalison, esq. of
West Peckham, and died in 1792, leaving his wife surviving.
Swanton Court is a manor in this parish, the mansion of
which, situated about half a mile westward from Yokes place, is
now but a mean cottage. In the reign of Henry IIL, Richard
de Swanton held it in fee of John de Belleacre, as did thelatter
of the earl of Gloucester. In the IOth of Edward IIL it had
become the property of Elizabeth, sole daughter and heir of
William de Burgh, earl of Ulster, who by her husband, Lionel
duke of Clarence, left an only daughter Philippa, and her hus
band, Edward Mortimer earl of March , had possession granted
him of this manor, among other lands of her inheritance.
The estate then passed into the possession of that branch of
the eminent family of the Colepeper's seated at Oxenhoath,
where it remained till Sir John Colepeper gave it, with other
lands in this neighbourhood, in the reign of Henry IV., to the
Knights Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem. It continued
vvith that fraternity till the general dissolution under Henry VIIL,
when the revenues passed to the king, who the next year
granted Swanton to Sir Robert Southwell, who in the 35th of
the same reign, aUenated it to Sir Edmund Walsingham. In
his descendants it continued till the reign of Charles I., when
Sir Thomas alienated it to his son-in-law, Mr. James Master;
since which it has descended in like manner as Yokes, to
W''iUiam Daniel Master, esq., who died possessed of it in 1792,
having devised it by will to George Byng, lord viscount Tor-
rington. VOL. III. 3 X

6ia HISTORY OF THE
Fowkes is a manor in this parish, formerly esteemed an
appendage to the manor of Watringbury, under which a further
account may be seen. It belonged to the abbey of St. Mary
Grace, London, and after the dissolution, in the reign of Henry
VIIL, passed through several owners till the accession of
James I., when it was aUenated to Oliver Style, esq., in whose
descendants it has remained, the inheritance having been vested
in Sir Charies Style, bart. of Watringbury.
Baron's Place is a capital messuage in Mereworth, which,
with the estate belonging thereto, was part of the possessions of
Sir Nicholas Pelham, of Cattsfield place, in Sussex, who alien
ated it to Christopher Vane, lord Barnard, after which it de
scended in like manner as Shipborne and Fairlawne, to WUliam
viscount Vane, and he dying in 1789, devised it by wiU to
David Papillon, esq. of Acrise.
The Family of the Brewer's resided in this parish for
many generations, prior to its removal in the reign of Henry VI.
to Smith's hall, in West Farleigh ; the seat here having been
thence called Brewer's place.
Mereworth is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction
of the diocese of Rochester and deanery ot MaUing. The
church, dedicated to St. Laurence, was an ancient building, and
formerly stood on the spot now occupied by the west wing of
Mereworth house. It was pulled down, as previously mentioned,
by John, late earl of Westmoreland, and. rebuilt on the plan of
St. Paul's Covent Garden, originally designed by Inigo Jones.
It ia however more beautiful, and has a splendid spire. This
church contains no pews, having seats after the manner of
those on the continent; and the pillars are all painted in imita
tion of marble. The east window contains some fine stained
glass, which was conveyed from the old castle, representing the
arms and alliances of the earls of Westmoreland. In a small
chapel at the west end, are the remains and splendid monuments
of the Fane's, the same having been removed from the old
church. The register contains many entrances of the baptisms
and burials of that family.
In the reign of Henry II. the advowson of this church was
the property of Roger de Mereworth, between whom, and the
prior of Leeds there had been much disputation concerning the

COUNTY OF KENT. 519
patronage ; at length both parties submitted their claims to
Gilbert bishop of Rochester, who decreed that the advowson
should remain to Roger de Mereworth.
This living was valued in the king's books at £14 2 6, the
yearly tenths being £1 8 3.
The parsonage house formerly stood at a small distance north
eastward from Mereworth house ; bnt, as the dwelling obstructed
the view from the front, the late lord le Despencer obtained
leave to pull it down, and erected a new mansion of equal dimen
sions, with a glebe of the same quantity to that of the site of
the old parsonage, in exchange ; which was accordingly done in
the year 1779.
In 1821 there were 131 dwellings in the parish of Mere-
worth ; and at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of ParUament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow ¦ males 363, females 348, making a
total ot 71 i soah.

520 HISTORY OF THE

THE HUNDRED OF WROTHAM.
Westward from the hundred of Larkfield lies that of
Wrotham, usually pronounced Rutekam, caUed in Domes
day Brotsham, and in the Textus Roffensis, Wroteham.
This hundred contains within its bounds the
PAiiisiiiis OF Stansted, Wrotham, Ightham, and
Shipborne.
Stansted lies the next parish northwestward from Trot-
tesclive, upon the summit ofthe chalk hill, on a stony soii, as
the name implies; stane signifying a stone, and stede a place, in
the Saxon language.
This parish lies in a most unfrequented dreary country, upon
very elevated ground, about a mile northward from the summit
of the great ridge of chalk hills. From its high situation, it is
extremely cold, being exposed to the north-east, whence it com
mands a beautiful and extensive prospect. The soil is very
poor, consisting either of chalk, or a red stiff earth, both mixed
with flint stones ; and, in the western part, there is some coppice
wood. The church and village, through which the road leads
from Ash to Wrotham, is situated westward, being not more
than one mile from the twenty-second milestone on the London
road, from Farningham to Wrotham and Maidstone. In the
eastern part are two hamlets, called Hodges street and Farsee,
in the latter of which is the seat of Mr. Wilson, the road from
Longfield, by Hartley bottom, leading through it to Trot-
tesclive. About the time of Easter, in 1666, a pasture field, in this
parish, at a considerable distance from the sea or any branch of
the same, and at a place where there were no fishponds but
rather a scarcity of water, was scattered over with small fish,
being about one bushel in quantity, supposed to have been
rained down from a cloud, a great tempest of thunder, hail, and
wind, having occurred at the same time. These fish were about

COUNTY OF KENT. .521
the size of a man's little finger, a portion resembling small whi
tings, others sprats, while there were some smaller, similar to
smelts. Several of these fish were shown publicly at Maidstone
and Dartford.
The manor of Stansted, which is subordinate, and
esteemed as a borough belonging to that of Wrotham, in the
reign of Henry III. was in the possession of a family of the
name of Grapinell ; by a female coheir of which, the property
went in marriage to William de Inge, who was one ofthe judges
in the reign of Edward II. In the 1st year of that monarch,
he procured free warren for this manor ; and, in the 9th year
of the same reign, an annual fair. He died in the 15th year of
tlie above king, when Joan, his daughter, married Eudo or Ivo
la Zouch, son bf WiUiam lord Zouch, of Haringworth ; in whose
descendants it continued down to Henry la Zouch, who died
possessed of it under Henry VI. Soon after the above period,
it passed to Sir William Colepeper, of Aylesford, whose eldest
son, Richard, was soon afterwards knighted, and succeeded to
this manor. He died in the 2d of Richard IIL, a.d 1484,
leaving three daughters his coheirs, who, in the reign of Henry
VIL, joined in the sale of this manor to Thomas Leigh, of Sibtoh,
in Lyminge, who.se son, John Leigh, esq., was of Addington, in
Surrey.' He died possessed of the estate in 1544, and his grand
son, of the sai.e name, in the 5th of Elizabeth, devised it to
Richard Blunt, otherwise Leigh, his natural son, for a long term
of years, and died in 1676, when the fee was alienated to Robert
Byng, esq. of Wrotham, who died four years afterwards. His
great grandson, John Byng, esq. of Wrotham, in the reign of
Charles 1 1., passed it away, as well as the rest of his possessions
at Wrotham and elsewhere in this neighbourhood, to William
James, esq. of Ightham, whose direct descendant, Riciiard
James, esq., afterwards possessed the property.
There is a manor in this parish called Soranks, which,
in the reign of Henry IIL, was held by Ralph de Sandwich of
the archbishop of Canterbury, as one quarter of a knight's fee ;
but, in the reign of Edward I., it was in the possession of a
family that gave name to it, one of whom, Edmund Sorank held
it in the reign of Edward II. , as did Roger, in the 20th of
Edward III. This manor did not long remain in the latter'
name, as, in the beginning of the reign of Richard II., li had

524 HISTORY OF THE
become the property of Thomas Mortimer, of Mortimers, in
Chtf, near Rochester ; and he, in the 20th year of the same
prince, passed it by sale to William Skrene, from which name
it was alienated to the Wood's ; in whose descendants it
remained till the latter end of the reign of Henry VIL, when
Thomas Wood passed it away to Robert Barefoot.
He died in the 1st of Edward VI. possessed of this manor,
and 140 acres of arable and wood land in Stansted, held of the
king, as of the manor of Otford, by knight's service. Thomas
Barefoot was his son and heir, who sold this manor to Henry
Fanshawe and Dorothy, his wife, who, in the reign of Elizabeth,
alienated it to George Wiseman ; by whom it was passed to one
Launce, and in his descendants it continued till conveyed by
sale to Mr. John Cox. The latter having purchased of Sir
Roger Twisden, bart. an estate on the summit of the hill on the
eastern side of this parish, built a mansion for his residence,
naming it Fairseat, which, for the extensiveness of the pros
pect it commands, is generally called Fairsee. Of the last-
mentioned family there are several memorials in Stansted church,
the members of which bore for their arms, Sable, a chevron
argent, between three attires of a stag fixed to the scalp qf the
second. He died possessed both of this manor and seat in
1736, leaving by Hannah his wife, who survived him, John Cox,
esq. vvho was of Fairseat, when the latter leaving no issue, was
succeeded by his only sister, Sarah, married to George Wilson,
esq., who became jointly with her the possessor of this manor
and seat.
Stansted is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction
of the diocese of Rochester, and being a peculiar of the arch
bishop of Canterbury, is in the deanery of Shoreham. The
church, dedicated to the Virgin, is merely a chapel to thechurch
of Wrotham, from which it was separated by ordnance of Par-
Uamerit passed in 1647, and made a distinct church ; but at
the Restoration, in 1660, it reverted to its former state. It an
ciently paid 6d. chrism rent to the mother church of the diocese.
This chapel is not valued separate from Wrotham in the king's
books ; the whole emoluments are received by the rector and
vicar of Wrotham as an appendage to that church, and he ap-
Tioints a curate from time to time to ofiiciate here.
In 1821 there were fifty-one dwellings in the parish of Stan-

COUNTY OF KENT. 523
sted; and at the same period, when the last census of the popu
lation was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow : males 158, females 134, making a
total of 292 souls.
Wrotham parish Ues southward from Stansted, being pro
nounced Ruteham, in Domesday, Broteham, and in the Textus
Roffensis, Wroteham ; it is of large extent, being nearly five
miles long, but only three in breadth.
The vUlage or town of Wrotham is situated at the foot of the
great. ridge of chalk hills; above the summit of which this
parish extends northward. From the eminence called Wrotham
hill is a most beautiful prospect southward, the soil being lux
uriantly clothed with fine spreading beech trees. It is bounded
by the sand hUls al the southern extremity ; and the high road
fiom London, by Farningham, to Maidstone, leads through this
town, which is about twenty-four mUes from London.
At the entrance is the mansion of the rectory, a handsome
house ; and on the opposite side of Jhe road stands the church,
and the small remains of the archiepiscopal palace. In the
centre of the town is the market-place and public well, both
repaired by the lord of the manor. Opposite the market, is
W rotham place, the seat of Mr. Haddock ; at which spot the
road divides, that branching to the right leads to Yaldham and
Ightham, the route to the left being the London road to Maid
stone, which continues southeastward along a chalky soil,
through the borough of Neupiker, where there is a handsome
mansion that belonged to Mr. Tomlyn, and a spring, which
supplies the rivulet running by Ford, situated at the western
boundaries of the parish, near Addington, and thence by
Leyborne, towards the Medway. About a mile from Neupiker
is Wrotham heath, a barren sandy soil, both red and black, on
which, however, great quantities of peat are dug. Here the
road divides, the left leading by the Royal Oak, to Maidstone,
near which are the two hamlets of Great and Little Comp, with
the woods of that name ; and to the right, towards Ightham, the
ancient Roman camp, on Oldbury hill, over Seal Chart, to
Sevenoak and Westerham. On the southern side of the road,
this parish extends over the hill to Hale borough and the hamlet
of Plaxtool, where the soU, from a sand, becomes a stiff clay,

sat HI.STORY OF THE
through a fertile but unpleasant country. The chapel and street
Plaxtool, together with the seat of Fairlawn, are situated at
the southern boundaries, near Shipborne and West Peckham.
In Plaxtool street, is a good house, built by Thomas Dalison,
esq. of Hamptons. Near the last-mentioned hill, but still
within the circuit of this borough, are two hamlets, called Plax
tool street and Crouch, the latter having been formerly the resi
dence of the family of the Miller's, baronets ; and about half
a mile eastward, is a large tract of woodland, called the Herst
or Compwoods. Through the former runs a stream that rises
near Ightham, which having turned a papermill at Basted,
passes through this borough, towards West Peckham and
Hadlow, and thence into the Medway.
That part of this parish lying southward below Comp hill
and the hill above Fairlawn, is in the district of the Weald.
though several writers have contended that all that portion of
Wrotham lying below the chalk hill is in the Weald of Kent.
In proof of this, they urge the non-payment of tithes for the
wood in those parts of this parish ; the opinion, however, gene
rally received is, that the Weald begins at the next sand hill
above Fairlawn ; and the wood being exempted from tithe, can
be no proof that it is in the Weald, as there are obviously such
large districts in this county out of that district which claim
and enjoy the same privUege.
In addition to the gentlemen's famiUes, hereafter mentioned,
who formerly resided in this parish, was that of John Richers,
a justice of the Peace in 1760, a period when that office was
truly an honour to those intrusted with the same. He was des
cended from an ancient family of Swanington hall, in Norfolk;
William Bryan, esq., sole heir to the bishop of Chichester, also
resided here in the reign of James I., and bore for his arms.
Or, three piles azure, a chief ermine.
A branch ofthe family of the PoUey's, or Polhill's, once resided
in this parish. John 'Thomas Polhill was of Wrotham in the
reign of Elizabeth, whose grandson, William Thomas, gent.
removed to Selling, in this county, and bore for his arms,
Argent, a fess dancette, sable, between three eomish choughs,
proper. Thomas Shakerby, third son of Francis Shakerby, of Ditton,
in fliis county, resided at Wrotham in the reign of James L
1

COUNTY OF KENT. 525
In Blacksole field, in this parish. Sir Robert Southwell,
sheriff of this county, and the lord Abergavenny, with about
500 gentlemen and yeomen, routed the Isley's and their parly,
who were engaged in the rebellion raised by Sir Thomas Wyatt.
The rebels were pursued hence near four miles, to Hartley wood,
where many were killed, and about sixty taken prisoners ; those
slain in that encounter having been buried on the field of battle ;
Sir Henry Isley himself escaped, and fled into Hampshire.
Some of our antiquaries, viz. Talbot, and after him Lambarde,
have conjectured Wrotham to have been the station called, in
the Itinerary of Antoninus, Vagniacce; but in this we do not
find that they have been followed by any other writers. There
is great probabiUty that the Roman military way passed by
Ofham, through this parish, near the Comps, westward, towards
Oldborough and Stone street, as will be further mentioned.
Mr. Hasted says that, about seventy years ago, considerable
quantities of British sUver coins were discovered in this parish
by a mole casting up the earth, when the whole were seized by
the lord of the manor of Wrotham.
Wrotham was given to Christ church, in Canterbury, by
King Ethelstan, in 964, and continued part of the possessions
of that church when Lanfranc was invested with the see, in
1070, being the 6th of the reign of the Conqueror.
The archbishops had, very anciently, a palace here, wherein
they frequently resided till the time of Archbishop Simon Isiip,
who came to the see in the reign of Edward IIL, when that
prelate, wishing to complete the palace at Maidstone, which his
I predecessor, John Ufford, had began, and wanting materials for
that purpose, pulled down the chief part of this residence, and
transported thither the materials. In; this situation the manor,
with the ruins of the palace, continued till the reign of Henry
VIIL, when Thomas Cranmer, archbishop of Canterbury, con
veyed them, as well as his other estates in this parish, to the
king, in exchange for other premises, reserving only the church ;
at which time the site and demesnes were let by the archblsjiou,
at the yearly rent of £5 6 8. There were also paid to tne arch
bishop, who reserved the royalty and 'rents of the manor to him
self, from the farmers and tenants, of ancient custom, annuaUy,
264 hens, valued at 60s,, 1159 eggs, at 5s. 9d., and two geese,
VOL. 111. 3 Y

52a HISTORY OF THE
atlOd.; which fact is mentioned here to shew the small value
of these articles at the period alluded to.
King Edward VI. , in his 4th year, granted to Sir John Mason
Ihe site of this manoi- and the park of Wrotham, to hold in
capite, by knight's service ; and in his 6th year, he granted to
him and Dame Elizabeth, his wife, by letters patent, the manor
itself, in fee, at the yearly rental of £46 10 6 of feefarm. Sir
John alienated this property, with all its appurtenances, in the
reign of Philip and Mary, to Robert Byng, who resided at
Wrotham, most probably at the palace, and bore for his arms,
quarterly, Sable and argent in the first quarter, a lion rampant of
the second, armed and langued gules. At the above period, this
park was broken up, at least it no longer continued such prior
to the period when Lambarde wrote his Perambulation, in 1570.
It lies half a mile south-east from Wrotham church, the lodge,
however, being then still remaining. He died possessed of it
in the 38t.h of Queen Elizabeth, when George Byng, his eldest
son, succeeded to this manor, vvho was of Wrotham ; and he
demised it on lease for ninety-nine years, to Sir Robert Darell,
of Calehill, in trust, for particular uses, and died possessed of
the fee in 1616. His grandson, John Byng, whose eldest son,
George, was created Lord Viscount Torrington, succeeded him
in his possessions here, which, soon after the death of Charles I.,
he aUenated to William James, esq. of Ightham court, at which
time he had likewise an assignment of the remainder of the
term granted to Sir Robert Darell, as above mentioned. His
great grandson, William James, esq. died in 1780, and was suc
ceeded bv his eldest son, Richard James, esq. of Ightham, who
possessed this manor, with the remains of the palace, and the
estate belonging to the same.
There is a court-leet and court-baron held for this manor,
which is paramount over the whole hundred, where, besides the
constables of the tipper and lower half hundred of Wrotham,
there are chosen six borsholders for the six villes or boroughs of
Wrotham town, Stansted, Neupiker, Wingfield, Roughway, and
Hale borough.
The palace stood adjoining to the east side of the church
yard, there are now scarcely any remains left of the house itself,
though there is a lar^e substantial stone building that once con-

COUNTY Oh' KENT. 537
stituted part of the offices belonging to the palace, wherein;
most probably, the Byng's dwelt while in possession of this
manor and estate, as a gateway still displays the arms of that
famUy, carved in stone. In the field behind the ruins, are
marks of a garden and bowling-green, while a terrace is still
plainly visible.
Little Wrotham is a district in the north-east part of this
parish, next to Trottesclive, which, in the reign ofthe Conqueror,
was part of the possessions of Odo bishop of Bayeux, on whose
disgrace, the property became confiscated to the crown.
In the reign of Henry I., Geoffry Talbot possessed the manor
of Little Wrotham, the greater part of which he gave to Bishop
Gundulph and the church of St. Andrew, in Rochester ; which
gift was then confirmed by the king.
In the 20th of Edward HI., the bishop of Rochester paid for
half a knight's fee, which he held in Little Wrotham, that por
tion containing about 130 acres of land. It continued part of
the possessions ofthe bishop of Rochester, and was subsequently
in the demesne of Thomas Whitaker, esq. of Trottesclive, by"
lease, from the bishop. The other part, containing about twenty
acres, became the property of Mr. Tomlyn, gent, of Neupikei,
in this parish, the tithes of both being claimed and taken by
the heirs of Sir Richard Bettenson, bart., who pays thence
forty sheaves of corn, or, as the rector's lease expresses it, forty
shocks of wheat, yearly, to the rector of Wrotham.
Wrotham place is an ancient mansion situated on the
south side of the high street of Wrotham town, which has been
for many years the habitation of gentle.'iien. It was formerly
called Nyssell's, from a famUy of that name by which it was
possessed ; one of whom, Thomas NysseU, died possessed of it
in 1498, and lies buried, with Alice, his wife, in this church.
When the latter name became extinct here, or who succeeded,
we have not found ; but, in the reign of James L, the estate was
purchased by John Rayney, esq. of London, who seated himself
at Wrotham place. He was lineally descended from John
Reignie, for so the name was written in old deeds, who held the
manors of Edgeford, in Devonshire, and of Smitheley hall, in
Yorkshire, in the reign of Edward IIL The above John was a
descendant of Sir John de Reignie, who appears, from the muni
ments of this family, to have possessed lands in Cumberiand

5S8 HISTORY OF THE
in the reign of Henry IIL, and his descendant, William Rayney,
was of Yorkshire, and ancestor of John Rayney, esq. of London,
who bore for his arms. Gules, two wings in lure, ermine. His
son, John, succeeded him in this estate, where he resided, and
was knighted at the coronation of Charles I., and in 1641,
created a baronet of Nova Scotia, and served the office of sheriff
of this county. His son. Sir John Rayney, bart., was born at
Wrotham place in 1660, and dying in 1705, was buried in this
church, leaving three daughters his coheirs, when the baronet
age became extinct. His heirs, some few years after his death,
conveyed this seat to the Stephenson's, who, in 1726, sold it to
Captain Nicholas Haddock, son of Sir Richard Haddock, comp
troller to the navy, who bore for his arms. Argent, a cross .sable
in thefirst quarter, a fleur de lis of the second. He resided
occasionally at Wrotham place, till the time of his death, which
happened in 1746, leaving three sons ; Nicholas, who became
his heir ; Richard, comptroller of the navy ; Charles, who was
of Canterbury ; and a daughter, who died unmarried. ' Nicholas,
the eldest, succeeded his father in this seat, of which he died
possessed in 1781, and was succeeded by his brother and heir
at law, Charles Haddock, esq., who resided at Wrotham, and
married Miss Medhurst, of Wrotham, by whom he had no issue.
Yaldham is a district in this parish, situated about a mile
westward from Wrotham church, of which the principal manor
is called East or Great Yaldham manor, having been for
merly so denominated to distinguish it from the adjoining manor
of West or Little Yaldham, and also from that of Yaldham,
otherwise St.Clere's, in the parish of Ightham. The original
name of these manors was Ealdham, a name which denotes their
antiquity, Eald, in Saxon, signifying old, and ham, a dwelling.
These three manors were formerly owned by a family of the
same name, one of whom. Sir Thomas de Aldham, was with
Richard I. at the siege of Ascalon, in Palestine. His descend
ant. Sir Thomas de Aldham, possessed them in the reigu of
King Edward II. , and dying without issue male, his three
daughters became his coheirs, the eldest of whom married a
Newborough, of Dorsetshire ; Margery espoused Martin
Peckham; and Isolda became the wife of John St. Clere;
when, on a division of their inheritance, Marrin Peckham
became entitled to the portion of the estate lying in Wrotham;

COUNTY OF KENT. 529
as did John St. Clere to that situated in Ightham, each in right
of their respective wives.
The first of this name of Peckham of any note was John,
who attended Richard I. to the siege of Ascalon, in Palestine,
in 1191, from whom descended John, who held the manor of
Peckham, in Hadlow, in the reign of Edward I. His son was
Martin, who married Margery, daughter and coheir of Sir
Thomas de Aldham, as above mentioned, and possessed the
manors of East and West Yaldham, in this parish, in her right,
the former of" which he made his residence, where his posterity
continued for many generations. Weever says, (from Francis
Thinne Lancaster herald,) that the two tombs near the door of
this parish-church, vvere those of this Martin Peckham, and
Margery his wife, which family bore for its arms. Ermine, a
chief quarterly, or and gules, the same shield remaining in one
of the windows of Barham church, under which is subscribed
Jacobus Peccam.
His grandson, Reginald or Reynold Peckham, vvas of Yald
ham, where he resided in the latter end of the reign of Edward
HI., when he purchased the mauor of Wingfield, in this parish.
His son, James Peckham, esq. of Yaldham, was sheriff in the
Ist and 12th of Richard IL, who married Lora, daughter and
heir of Sir Thomas Morant, of Morant's court, in Chevening,
and widow of Sir Thomas Cawne, with whom he had, among
other estates, the manor of Barsted, near Borough green, in this
parish. His descendant, James Peckham, esq. of Yaldham, was
sheriff in the reign of Edward IV.; as was his son, Reginald,
and, on his father's death, succeeded to these manors and the
mansion-house of Yaldham. He was an esquire of the body of
Henry VIIL, and dying in the I6th year of that monarch's
reign, lies buried in this church.
His grandson, Reginald Peckham, of Yaldham, procured the
disgavelment of his lands in the reign of Edward VI. , and died
under PhUip and Mary, possessed of the manor of Aldham, or
East Yaldham, held of the manor of Lullingstone castle by
knight's service ; and the manor of Parva, otherwise West
Aldham, with that also of Dawnton's court, of the duke of
Northumberland, as of his manor of Otford, by knight's ser
vice. He also held at that time the lands called Goldsmiths,

530 HISTORY O? THE
in this parish, and Stansted, near Compen wood, of the manor
of St. John's, in Sutton. His descendant, Reginald Peckham,
esq. of Yaldham, left two daughters his coheirs ; Dorothy,
married to Thomas Chiflftnch, esq. of Northfleet, by whom she
had no issue; and Anne, to — Bartlett, esq. of Westminster.
Reginald Peckham, esq., last mentioned, alienated the manors
of East and West Yaldham, the mansion-house, and Terry's
lodge, with other premises in Wrotham, about the year 1713, to
George St. Loe, esq., a captain in the navy, and commissioner
of Chatham yard, who bore for his arms, Argent on a bend,
sable, three amulets, or, a martlet in chief for difference. He
married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Chiffinch, esq. of
Northfleet, who survived him ; and their son and heir, about
the year 1733, alienated this property to Mr. Francis Austen, of
Sevenoak, who immediately after passed it away by sale to
William Evelyn Glanville, esq. of St. Clere's, in Ightham, whose
son and heir, William Evelyn, esq. of St. Clere's, succeeded to
the possession of the same. The Peckham's were the last
gentlemen who resided at Yaldham mansion, since vvhich it has
been converted into a farm-house. The courts for these manors
have not been held for many years.
Gosfrid de Ros gave his tithe of Ealdeham for ever to the
monks of St. Andrew, in Rochester, for the good of the soul of
his wife, that land belonging to Wrotham ; for which gift the
monks were bound to celebrate his wife's anniversary yearly.
The portion of tithes which arose from 140 acres of land in
this parish, continued part of the possessions of the priory of
Rochester till its dissolution, under Henry VIIL, when that
monarch settled it on his new founded dean and chapter of
Rochester, with whom it still continues vested.
On the dissolution of deans and chapters, after the death of
Charles I., the portion of tithes issuing out of Yaldham manor
v.'as surveyed in 1649, in order to be sold for the benefit of the
state. In 1770, the tenants of this portion of tithes were Nash
Mason, esq. and Mrs. Margaret WiflSn, afterwards married to
Mr. Tomlyn, of Neupiker ; the latter having continued in pos
session of her part, while that of the former was sold to William
Glanville Evelyn, esq., the tenant of which he remained.
About a mile and a half eastward from Wrotham church, near

COUNTY OF KENT. 53t
Addington common, lies Ford, so called from the ford here,
over the brook which rises at Neupiker, and runs close by the
house to Leybourn, and thence into the Medway., Ford was
very anciently in the possession of the family of the Gierke's,
written in old evidences Le Gierke, which resided at this place,
and bore for arms. Argent, on a bend, engrailed azure, a cinque
foil pierced, or. John Gierke, esq., was of Ford in the reigns of
Henry V. and VL, whose son and heir, John Gierke, was
made second baron of the court of Exchequer in the 39th of
Henry VL, which dignity he seems to have held till the 20th of
Edvvard IV., ad. 1479. In his descendants, residents at Ford,
it continued down to William Gierke, esq. of Ford, who was a
brave and valiant gentleman, and, in 1641, received the honour
of knighthood ; and, to manifest his loyalty to the king, raised
and armed a regiment at his own expense, at the head of which
he was slain, together with Sir William Boteler, in the encounter
between the king's forces and those of the Parliament, under
Sir William Waller, at Cropedy bridge, on the 29th of June,
1644. .His widow afterwards held this estate as part of her jointiire,
of which she continued possessed at the restoration, in 1660 ;
and her heirs alienated it to Mr. John Know, who resided at
Ford, and dying possessed of it in 1723, was buried in this
church, having borne for his arms. Argent, on a bend, engrailed
gules, three trefoils slipt of thefirst. He left an only daughter,
Mary, who had married PhiUp, eldest son of Leonard Bartho
lomew, esq. of Oxenhoath, and. dying in 1722, left two sons,
Leonard Bartholomew, of Oxenhoath, and John Know Bartho
lomew, who, by his grandfather's will, became his heir, and
succeeded to this estate of Ford. He died without issue in
1757, and by his will bequeathed Ford, among the rest of his
estates, to the second son, then unborn, of Sir Francis Geary,
bart. admiral of the navy, who had married Mary, his half-
sister ; which son was born a little posterior to the above devise,
being afterwards Sir WUliam Geary, m.p. for this county ; and
he subsequently possessed Ford, which dwelling is now only
used as a farm-house.
The Hamlet of Borough Green is situated about a
mile southward from Wrotham church, on the high road leading
from Maidstone to Sevenoak and Westerham, which here

.'532 fH.STORY 01^ THE
crosses the parish from the westward. Near this road is the
manor of Wingfield, lying within the borough of that name,
vvhich anciently belonged to the family of the Quintin's, in
which it remained till Robert Quintin, and Joan, his wife, in the
31st of Edward IIL, passed it away by fine to Reginald Peckham,
gent, of Yaldham. In his descendants it continued to James
Peckham, esq. of Yaldham, who, in the beginning of the reign
of James I., alienated it to Nicholas Miller, esq. of Crouch, then
called Horsenels Crouch, in this parish, who kept his shrievalty
there in the 8th of Charles I. He died in 1 640, and lies buried
in this church, having at his death given both Wingfield and
Crouch to Nicholas Miller, his grandson, second son of his
eldest surviving son. Sir Nicholas Miller, of Oxenhoath, who
was of Crouch, and died possessed of both Wingfield and
Crouch in 1693, when he was buried in this church, having had
twelve children, five sons and seven daughters.
These estates continued some years afterwards in this family,
till they were carried in marriage by a female heir to Mr.
Munday, of Derbyshire, who sold them, in 1756, to Sarah
viscountess Falkland, who was daughter and heir of Thomas
Inwen, esq. of Southwark. She married, first, Henry earl of
Suffolk, who died in 1745, by whom she had no issue; and,
secondly, in 1762, Lucius Carey, viscount Falkland, by whom
she had one son, and several daughters. She died possessed of
both Wingfield and Crouch in 1776, and by will devised these
estates for life to her husband, Lucius Carey, viscount Falkland,
and the remainder in fee to Francis Motley Austin, esq. of Wil
mington, who afterwards purchased lord Falkland's interest
therein, and ultimately possessed the same.
There is no court held for the manor of Wingfield, and the
mansion of Horsenels Crouch is novv converted into a farm-house.
About half a mile southward from Wrotham heath, on the
road thence to Mereworth walks, is a district wherein there are
two small hamlets, situated on the summit of the hill
called great and little Comp, but more commonly Camps;
no doubt from having been once made use of as camps, probably
by the Romans, the military way running towards their camp at
Oldberry, and to Stone street, at a small distance only from
these places. This name certainly denotes the origin, as camp,
in Saxon, signifies a camp or fortification.

COUNTY OF KENT. .533
The country here is wild, consisting of rough ground, covered
by bushes and small trees, near which, to the southward, lays
the gieat tract of woodland called Comp, and the Herst woods.
There was formerly a chapel belonging to this district, the re
mains of vvhich are still visible, being a chapel of ease to Ley
borne, and built on a part of the glebe belonging to that rectory,
on which account this land, though separated by two parishes
intervening, is now esteemed as being within the bounds of
Leyborne parish. In the reigns of Elizabeth and James I.,
Great Comp was the residence of Sir John Howell, descended
from a Sussex family.
This estate has been many years possessed by the family of
the Larabard's, and became the property of Multon Lambard.
esq. of Sevenoak. Lord le Despencer owned a large tract of
tlie Woodland, as did also Sir John Honywood, Mrs. Hughes,
and several others.
In rooting up a tree near this place, many years back, vast
numbers of small solid pieces of brass were found beneath the
roots. The District of Plaxtool, situated in Haleborough,
though now an appendage only to the parish of Wrotham, was
made a distinct parish by ordinance of parliament in 1647; and
in that state it remained till the restoration in 1660, when, it was
again united to Wrotham, and so continued at the time of Mr.
Hasted. In this district there is a manor called Sore, which anciently
belonged to the family of the Colepeper's, of Preston, in
Aylesford .
Walter Colepeper died possessed of the same in the Ist of
Edward IIL, and his descendants conrinued owners thereof tUI
Sir Thomas Colepeper, of Preston, in Aylesford, aUenated it,
about the end of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, to Nicholas
Miller, gent, of this parish ; on whose death, in 1621, it devolved
to his son, Nicholas MiUer, of Crouch, who died in 1640. leavino-
three sons and four daughters, of whom Nicholas, his eldest
surviving son, succeeded to this estate, who was afterwards
knighted. His grandson. Sir Borlase Miller, bart., died without issue in
1714, and was succeeded in this manor by his sister Elizabeth,
then wife of Leonard Bartholomew, esq^ who possessed the
VOL. m. 3 z

534 HISTORY OF THE
same in her right. He afterwards resided at Oxenhoath, and
left by her three sons, Philip, Leonard, and Humphrey.
Leonard, the second son, afterwards possessed this manor, and
married Elizabeth, only daughter and heir of Edmund Watton,
esq. of Addington ; and his son, Leonard Bartholomew, esq. of
Addington place, at length succeeded to this manor, together
with that of Badlesmere.
There is an ancient and very remarkable chapel still remaining
in the manor house of Sore, which was probably made use of by
the inhabitants of this district in general, before that of Plaxtool
was erected.
At a small distance southward from Plaxtool street, lies the
seat of Fairlawn, the house of which is at the extremity of
the parish, part of the stables being in that of Shipborne. It
was formerly accounted a manor, though it has now long since
lost that appellation, having been anciently the estate of the
family of the Bavent's, of whom it was afterwards held by that
of Colepeper. Walter Colepeper died possessed of the estate in
the 1st of Edward HI., holding it in frank fee of Roger de
Bavent, in which name it continued till the latter end of the
reign of Henry IV., when it was alienated to one Chowne, whose
descendant, John, resided at Fairlawn in the reign of Henry
VIIL, and bore for his arms, Sable, three attires of a stag, in
pale argent. His descendants continued to reside here till Sir
George Chowne, in order to confine his possessions within
Sussex, alienated this seat to Sir Henry Vane, the elder; after
which it continued the residence and seat of his descendants,
down to William viscount Vane, who dying in 1789, by will
gave this property to David Papillon, esq. of Acrise
One wing of the mansion of Fairlawn was burnt down in 1739,
and a new one erected, but before being quite finished, was again
destroyed by fire in 1742, and once more rebuilt by Lord Vane.
The Chapel of Plaxtool stands at the west end ofthe
village, and was erected in 1648, but soon after, as previously
mentioned, united to that of Wrotham.
Wrotham is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction
of the diocese of Rochester, and being a peculiar, is as such
vvithin the rfeawery of Shoreham. The church, dedicated to St.
George, is situated on the north side of the town, adjoining the
London road, at the foot of the hill. It is a large liandsome

COUNTY OF KENT. .«.?
structure, consisting of three aisles, a cross aisle, and a large
chancel, the windows of the latter having been newly glazed and
beautified, some years ago, hythe then rector, Dr. John Potter.
The rectory of Wrotham was valued in the king's books at
£50 8 Ij, the yeariy tenths being £5 0 9|. The vicarage
vvas valued at £22 5 10, and the annual tenths at 19s. I0|d.
The parsonage house is a handsome building, on the opposite
side of the road westward from the church. The vicarage is
StiU remaining, but presents a very poor building, situated in
that part of Wrotham leading to Yaldham.
The extent of the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of this parish,
with the chapel of Stansted annexed, is very great, containing
a tract of six miles and a half long, whereof Stansted is two
miles in length and three in width, independent of which is the
chapel of Woodland. There is an exceedingly fine glebe annexed
thereto, and the first value of the rectory and vicarage, is, we are
informed, upwards of £1000 per annum, of which the latter ig
computed at £300-
In 1821 there were 408 dwellings in the parish of Wrotham ;
and, at the same period, when the last census of the population
was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inhabitants
were as follow: males 1173, females 1184, making a total of
2357 souls.
Ightham, otherwise Eightham, Ues westward from Wrotham,
and obtained the latter name from the eight boroughs, or hams,
within its bounds, viz. Eightham, Redwell, Ivy hatch. Borough
green, St. Clere's, the Moat, Beauties, und Oldborough. In
the Textus Roffensis it is spelt Ehteham.
The parish of Ightham is chiefly situated in the vale
between the chalk, and the sand or quarry, hills, although it ex
tends above the former northward. Near the chalk hill, and for
some distance southward, the same soil prevails, thence it pre
sents an unfertile deep sand, and at the boundaries, towards
Shipborne, a deep clay, and heavy land for tillage. The situa
tion, however, though healthy, is by no means either pleasant
or profitable. The parish is narrow, being about a mile in
width, but from north to south extends nearly five, from Kings-
down above the hiUs to Shipborne, its southern boundary. At
the foot of the chalk hiU, and noith-west boundary of this

536 HISTORY OF THE
parish, is the mansion of St Clere, and not far distant, Yald
ham ; about a mile from which is Ightham court, and adjoining,
the church and village, situated on the high road from Maid
stone to Sevenoak and Westerham, which here crosses this
parish by the hamlet of Borough green, and the manor of Old
borough, or Oldberry, as it is now called, with the hill of that
name, which belonged to Richard James, esq. of this parish.
Near the spot in question, and by Ivyhatch plain, is rough un
enclosed ground, consisting, in this and the adjoining parish, of
several hundred acres, mostly covered with heath and furze.
At the southern extremity of the parish, near Shipborne, and
adjoining the grounds of Fairlawn, is the seat of the Moat, situ
ated very low, in a deep and miry soil. A fair is kept annually
in this parish, called by the common people, Coxcombe fair.
The Roman military way appears lo have crossed this parish,
from Ofham and Camps, directing its course westward through
the district. The names of Oldborough, or Oldberry hill, and
Stone street, are convincing proofs of the consequence of this
spot in ancient times. At Oldberry hill there are the remains of
a very considerable intrenchment, without doubt of Roman
origin ; it is situated on the summit of the hill, but is now so
overgrown with wood that it is difficult to trace the lines thereof.
It is of an oval form, and, by a very accurate measurement, con
tains within its bounds the space of 137 acres. On the brow of
the hill is an entrance into a cave, which has been long filled up
by the sinking of the earth, but there still remains a small pas
sage, which, according to ancient tradition, led to a considerable
distance under the hill.
The whole intrenchment seems to have been formerly fortified,
according to the nature of the ground, and in the middle are
two fine springs of water. The vast size of this area, being
larger than that of Keston, in this county, does away all proba
biUty of its having been a Roman station, the largest of which.
Dr. Horsley observes, is not a tenth part the circuit ofthe present.
It appears to resemble more one of their camps, and might have
been their castra cestiva, or summer quarters, of which they had
several in this county. An intrenchment of a similar form seems
to have existed at Oldbury hill, in Wiltshire, which the editor of
Camden conceived might possibly have been Danish. There
are also rt mains of a Roman camp at Oldbury, in Gloucester-
2

COUNTY OF KENT. S3r
shire, where the pass of the Romans over the Severn, mentioned
by Antoninus, is, according to Camden, supposed to have
existed. At Oldbury, near Manchester, in Warwickshire, are
also remains simUar to those above adverted to.
Ightham was held, in the reign of Henry IIL, by Hamo de
Crevequer, who died possessed of the property in the 47th
year of that reign, leaving Robert, his grandson, his heir. By
his wife, Maud de Albrincis, or Averanches, he had also four
daughters ; Agnes, wife of John de Sandwich ; Isolda, who mar
ried Nicholas de Lenham ; Elene, united to Bertram de Criol ;
and Isabel, wife of Henry de Gaunt.
Robert de Crevequer left one son, WiUiam, who dying without
issue, his inheritance devolved to the children of three of the
daughters of Hamon de Crevequer, as above mentioned, Agnes,
Isolda, and Elene ; and, on the division of their inheritance,
Ightham seems to have faUen to the share of Nicholas, son of
Bertram de Criol, by his wife Elene, above mentioned. He was
highly favored by the king, and constituted by him warden of
the Cinque Ports, sheriff of Kent, and governor of Rochester
castle. By Joan, his wife, daughter and sole heir of WiUiam de
Aubervill, he had Nicholas de Criol, who died in the reign of
Edward L possessed of this manor, which his heirs alienated to
WiUiam de Inge, who held it in the 1st of Edward II. , having
procured_/rce warren for his lands in Eyghtham, and was made
one of the justices of the Common Pleas. He bore for his arms.
Or, a chevron, vert. On his death, inthe 15th year of that
reign, a.d. 1286, Joan his daughter, married to Eudo, or Ivo la
Zouch, son of lord William Zouch, of Harringworth, became
entitled to this estate.
His descendants continued in the possession of the manor
till the reign of Henry VIL, when it was alienated to Sir
Robert Read, sergeant at law, who died in the reign of Henry
Vill,, leaving by Margaret, one of the daughters and coheirs of
John Alphew, esq. of Chidingstone, one son, Edmund, who
died before him, in 1501; and four daughters, who became his
coheirs. On the partition of their inheritance, this manor was
allotted to Sir Thomas Willoughby, who had married Bridget,
the eldest daughter ; and he left a son and heir, Robert, who
alienated this manor to William James, third son of Roger
James, of London, who was ot Dutch extraction, and comina:

we HISTORY OF THE
into England in the latter end of the reign of Henry VIIL, was
first, as being a descendant of Jacob van Haestricht, called, afler
the Dutch fashion, Roger Jacobs, and afterwards Roger James.
This Roger James, otherwise Haestricht, had several sons and
one daughter. Of the former, Roger, the eldest, was of Up
minster, in Essex ; William was of Ightham; John, of Wood
nesborough, in this county ; and George, of Mallendine in Cliff,
near Rochester. William James, the third son of Roger, resided
atilghtham court; as did his son, William, who vvas a man much
trusted in the usurpation under Oliver CromweU, as one of the
committee members for the sequestration of the estates of the
loyalists. He left by his wife, daughter of Demertrius James,
esq. of Essex, two sons; Richard, his heir; and Demertrius, late
rector of this parish. He died in 1780, and was succeeded by
his eldest son, Richard James, esq. of Ightham court, vvho vvas
possessor of this manor. The original coat of arms of the
family of Haestricht was. Argent, two bars, crenelle gules in
chief, three pheons sable; which arms, without the pheons, are
borne by the several branches of the James's, quartered with
Argent, a chevron between three fer de molins, transverse sable.
St.Clere's, otherwise H^«< Aldham, situated in the borough
of the latter name, is a manor and seat in the north-west part of
this parish, adjoining Kemsing, whicii vvas formerly called by
the latter name only, and possessed by a family of the same
denomination, which bore for its arms. Azure, a pile or.
Sir Thomas de Aldham vvas owner of this property in the
reign of Richard I., and accompanied that prince to the siege
of Ascalon, in Palestine. His descendant. Sir Thomas de
Aldham, held this manor in the reign of Edward 1 1., and dying
without issue male, his three daughters became his coheirs; the
eldest of whom married — Newborough, called in Latin De
Novo Burgo, of Dorsetshire; Margery married Martin Peck
ham; and Isolda was the wife of John St. Clere : upon the
division of whose inheritance, this manor fell to the share of
John St. Clere, who possessed it in right of his wife.
John St. Clere, written in Latin deeds De Sancto Claro, died
possessed of the estate at the beginning of the reign of Edward
IIL, leaving Isolda, his wife, surviving; on whose death, John
St. Clere, their son, succeeded to this manor, vvhich, from the
family in question, acquired the name of Aldham St. Clere's,

COUNTY OF KENT. 539
and in process of time, was called by the latter nanie only.
Their descendants continued in possftssion of this manor till the
beginning of the reign of Henry VIL, when it was alienated to
Henry Lovel, who left two daughters his coheirs ; Agnes, mar
ried to John Empson ; and Elizabeth, to Anthony Windsor. ,
JohnEmpson conveyed his moiety, in the reign of Henry VIIL,
to Sir Thomas Bulleyn ; and Anthony Windsor passed away his
poilion by sale to Richard Farmer, who purchasing the other of
Sir Thomas Bulleyn, became possessed ofthe whole of the manor
of St. Clere's. In the same reign Richard Farmer conveyed it
to George Multon, esq. of Hadlow, who removed hither. He
bore for his arms, Or, three bars vert, being the same shield as
that claimed by Sir John Multon, lord Egremond, whose heir
general married Lord Fitz- Walter. His grandson, Robert
Multon, esq. was of St. Clere's, and aUenated this manor and
estate, in the reign of Charles I., to Sir John Sidley, knight
and baronet, a younger branch of the Sid ley's of Southfleet and
Aylesford, in this county, who erected a mansion here for his
residence. He was descended from William Sidley, of South-
fleet, who lived in the reign of Edward VL, and left three sons;
or whom, John was ancestor of those of Southfleet and Ayles
ford ; Robert was the second son ; and Nicholas, the third male
heir, who left one son,. Isaac Sidley; and he was of Great
Chart, created a baronet in 1621, whose son, Sir John Sidley,
knight and baronet, purchased St. Clere's, as above mentioned.
He left two sons, Isaac and John, who both succeeded to the:
title. The eldest son. Sir Isaac Sidley, bart., possessed the
estate, and was of St. Clere's ; as was his son. Sir Charles, who
dying without issue in 1702, was buried in Ightham church.
By his will he devised this manor to his uncles- John, who suc
ceeded him in title, with remainder to^ his eldest son, in tail
male ; however. Sir Charles having been, for some time previous:
to his death, in a state of mental imbeciUty, as well as under'
undue influence, Sir John Sidley contested the validity of the
testamentary paper, and it was set aside by a sentence of the
prerogativercourt of Canterbury.
Soon after. Sir John and his son, George Sidley, entered into
an agreement, whereby Sir John waved his right as heir at law,
as weU as his further right to contest the wUl. in consequence
of this, an Act of Parliament was obtained for settiing in trus-

540 HISTORY OF THE
tees the manor of West Aldham, or St. Clere's, that they might
be sold for the purposes of the agreement, which were to con
vey them to WiUiam Evelyn, esq., fifth son of George Evelyn,
of Nuffield, in Surrey, who afterwards resided here, and was,
in 1723, sheriff for the county.
He married, first, the daughter and heir of WUliam Glanvill,
esq., and, in the reign of George I., obtained license to use the
name and arms of Glanvill only, the latter being. Argent, a
chief in dented, azure. By her he had an only daughter, Frances,
married to the Hon. Edward Boscawen, brother to viscount
Falmouth, an admiral of the British fleet. His second wife
was daughter of Jones Raymond, esq., who died in 1761, by
whom he had Glanvill Evelyn, esq., who, on his father's death
in 1766, succeeded to St. Clere's. En 1757 he was sheriff, and
chosen a representative in Parliament for Hythe, in Uiis county.
He married, about the year 1760, a daughter and coheir of
Thomas Borret, esq. of Shoreham, by whon he had a son,
William Evelyn, who was killed by a fall from his horse at
Blandford lodge, near Woodstock, at the age of twenty-one,
being unmarried ; when his sister, Frances, became his heir,
who espoused, in 1 782, Alexander Hume, esq. of Hendley, in
Surrey, brother of Sir Abraham Hume, who. in 1797, had the
royal licence to assume and use the name and arms of Evelyn
only ; he afterwards resided at St. Clere's.
The Moat is another borough in this parish, in which is the
seat and manor of that name, lying at the southern extremity,
near Shipborne, which, in the reign of Henry II. , was in the
possession of Ivo de Haut, and his descendant. Sir Henry de
Haut, died possessed of it under Edward IH. His son. Sir
Edmund, died during the Ufe of his father, so that his grand
son, Nicholas, became his heir, and succeeded him in the pos
session of this estate. He left two sons, William, who was of
Bishopsborne, and Richard, who succeeded him in this estate;
but having engaged, as well as others of this county, with the
duke of Buckingham, in favor of the earl of Richmond, he was
beheaded at Pontefract, and his estates confiscated. This manor
was soon after granted by Richard HI. to Robert Brakenbury,
Ueutenant of the Tower, who only possessed the Moat for a short
period, being slain, with King Richard, at the fatal battle of
Bosworth ; and on the earl of Richmond attaining the crown.

COUNTY OF KENT. 541
being attainted by an Act, although his two daughters were
restored in blood, yet the Moat was immediately conferred on
the heirs of its former owner, Richard Haut. The attainder of
the latter being also reversed, in their descendants it remained
tiU the latter end of the reign of Henry VIL, when it appears,
by an old court roll, to have been possessed by Sir Richard
Clement, who dying without any legitimate issue, his brother,
John Clement, and his sister, Agnes, became his coheirs ; the
former, however, succeeded to the entire fee of this estate.
John Clement died without issue male, leaving an only daugh
ter and heir, Anne, who carried the Moat in marriage to Hugh
Pakenham ; and he, in the reign of Edward VI. , joined with
Sir WiUiam Sydney, who had married Anne, his only daughter,
in the sale of this manor to Sir John Allen. He vvas of the
Mercers' company, and a man of the most extensive liberality,
having presented to the city of London a rich coUar of gold, to
be worn by the succeeding lord mayors ; and 600 marks, as a
stock for sea coal, with the rents of those lands he had purchased
of the king, to the poor of London for ever. During his life,
he also contributed bountifully to the hospitals and prisons of
the metropolis, and erected the Mercers' chapel, in Cheapside,
wherein his remains were buried, the corpse being afterwards
moved into the body of the charch of St. 'Thomas of Aeon, and
the chapel converted into shops by the Mercers' company. He
bore for liis arms. In three roundlets, as many talbots passant^
on a chief, a Uon passant, guardant between two anchors.
He left a son and heir. Sir Christopher Allen, whose son and
heir, Charles Allen, esq., succeeded his father in this estate, and
resided at the Moat, which he afterwards sold, at the latter end
of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, to Sir William Selby, younger
brother of Sir John Selby, of Branxton, in Northumberland.
He resided here at the latter part of his life, and died, greatly
Advanced in years, in 1611, unmarried, and was buried in this
church, bearing for his arms, Barry qf twelve pieces, or and
azure. He by his will gave this estate to his nephew. Sir
Wilham Selby, who resided here, and died without issue, having
devised the Moat, for the sake of the name, to Mr. George
Selby, t)f London, who resided here, and was sheriff in the reign
of Charles I.; he bore for his arms, Barry of eight pieces, or
and sable. He died in 1667, leaving several sons and daugjiters ;
VOL. III. 4 A

542 HISTORY OF THE
of whom, WUliam, the eldest, succeeded. He married Susan,
daughter of Sir John Rainey, bart. of Wrotham, by whom he
had several children ; John, the eldest, being of the Moat, who
left two sons, William, who succeeded him in this seat and
estate at Ightham, and John Selby, esq., who was of Pennis, in
Fawkham, and died unmarried.
William Selby resided at the Moat, of which he died pos
sessed in 1773, leaving his wife surviving, who possessed this
seat and resided here. She died in 1788, and her only son,
WiUiam Selby, esq. of Pennis, dying in 1 777, as also his only
daughter, Elizabeth Borough Selby, this seat, with her other
estates in this county, devolved to John Brown, esq., vvho
afterwards assumed the name of Selby, and resided at the
Moat. The park, called Ightham park, has been already menrioned
under the parish of Wrotham, to which we refer the reacei.
It appears by the visitation of 1619, that there was a branch
of the family of the Suliard's, of Brasted, then residing in this
parish. John Gull also lived in this parish in the reign of Henry
VIIL, and died here in 1547.
Ightham is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of
the diocese of Rochester, and being a peculiar of the archbishop,
is, as such, within the deanery of Shoreham. The church,
dedicated to St.' Peter, has an arch on the north side containing
a tomb of freestone, having thereon a very ancient figure, at full
length, of a man in armour, ornamented with a rich belt, sword,
and dagger, his head resting on two cushions, and a lion at his
feet ; over his whole breast are his arms, viz, a lion rampant,
ermine double queued. This is supposed to be the tomb of Sir
Thomas Cawne, who married Lora, daughter and heir of Sir
Thomas Morant. He was originaUy from Staffordshire, and
most probably died without issue, when his widow married
James Peckham, esq. of Yaldham. His arms, empaling those
of Morant, were in one of the windows of this church.
This rectory was valued in the king's books at£15 16 8 yearly,
the tenths being £1 11 8. It was afterwards estimated at
about £200 per annum.
The patronage of the living appears to have been always ac
counted an appendage to the manor of Ightham, and was the
property of Richard James, esq. of Ightham court.

COUNTY OF KENT. 54S
I In 1821, there were 158 dwellings in the parish of Ightham ;
and at the same period, when the last census of the population
was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inhabitants
were as follow : males 448, females 419, making a total of
867 souls.
Southward from Ightham Ues Shipborne, called in the
Textus Roffensis Scriburna. The chief part of this parish
is below the sand hills, and consequently in that part of the
county called the Weald. The village is situated at a small dis
tance southward from the foot of the hill round Shipborne
green, having the church at the west side ; while, a little farther
westward, near the boundary, is Budd's green. On the rise of
the hill stands the mansion of Fairlawn, with its offices, and a
great portion of the grounds, which are within this parish, where
the soil is of clay, and heavy for tillage at the southern part,
while about the hill, it is composed of sand and rock stone, there
being some coppice wood at the south-east. The district is deep
and miry at all times, and extremely unpleasant, either as a
spot to reside at, or travel through.
An annual fair is held here, op the Igt of Septen:\ber.
John de Sav, in the reign of Henry III., held in Siburne,
of the earl of Gloucester, one knight's fee, as well as the fifth
part of one, which soon after passed to Adam de Bavent, the;
principal possessions of whose family lay in Sussex and Surrey.
Adam de Bavent, in the 12th of Edward L, obtained a grant
of free warren for his lands in Shipborne, and a weekly market,
in the 28th year of the same reign. This personage was with
the king at the siege of Carlaverock, in Scotland, so frequently
before adverted to
Hawis, widow of Sir Roger de Bavent, his descendant, in the
36th of Edward HI., released to the prioress and conyent ofthe
priory of Dartford, then newly erected, all benight in the manpr
of Shipborne, which that king, by his patent of endowment, in
his 46th year, confirmed to the monks, together with all knights'
fees, and other things appertaining thereto.
It continued in that priory till the general dissolution, under
Henry VIH., who, in his 36th year, granted it to Sir Ralph
Fane and Anthony Tutsham, esq., to hold of the king in capite.

544 HISTORY OF THE
by knight's service ; soon after which, Anthony Tutsham released
aU his right and interest therein to Sir Ralph Fane.
He had been knighted at the siege of Bolougne, in 1544, and
afterwards, for his valour at the battle of Musselborough, inthe
Ist of Edward VI. , was made a knight banneret ; but in the 6th
year of that reign, having warmly espoused the interests of the
duke of Somerset, he was accused of being his accomplice, and
in consequence hanged upon Tower hill. After his death,
without issue, these manors, together with the lands and chapel
of Shipborne, passed into the possession of Henry Fane, great
grandson of Henry Fane, of Hilden, in Tunbridge, who was
grandfather of Sir Ralph Fane, above mentioned.
Henry Fane, esq. was of Hadlow, and after the decease of
his father, being engaged in the conspiracy of Sir Thomas
Wyatt, a circumstance previously mentioned, he was attainted
and pardoned, when he had a grant of these manors and chapel
of Shipborne from Queen Mary. He died in 1582, being the
25th of Elizabeth.
Henry Fane, his grandson, assumed the name of Vane, the
ancient nomination of his ancestors, which has been ever since
adopted by his descendants. In the 17th of James I., he was
knighted at Whitehall, from which time he acted a conspicu
ous part in public affairs, and purchased of Sir George Chawne
the mansion of Faiilawn.
Not long after, his persevering conduct in forwarding the
prosecution of Lord Strafford, who had offended him by obtain
ing the title of baron Raby, displeased the king, who removed
him from all his places ; wherefore Sir Henry, from that period,
concurred in all the malicious designs of the enemies of that
unfortunate monarch ; however, ultimately finding himself an
object of contempt to those who had made use of him, he
retired to his seat at Raby castle, in the bishopric of Durham,
where he died in 1654. He left several sons and daughters ; of
whom, Henry, became his heir; while George was of Long
Melford, in Durham.
Henry Vane, esq. succeeded his father in his estate at Ship
borne, having been educated at Geneva, and imbibed a bitter
prejudice, as well against all regal government as the heirarchy of
the church, which being heightened by the king granting from

COUNTY OF KENT. 545
his family the barony of Raby, he associated with the discon
tented persons of that period, and became one of the most
inveterate members of the independent republican faction. On
the restoration of Charles IL, he was excepted in the general
pardon, and committed to prison ; when being tried and con
victed of high treason, he was executed on Tower hill in 1662.
Thomas Vane, esq., his eldest son, succeeded his father in his
estates in this parish, and married Frances, daughter of Sir
Thomas Liddel, of Ravensworth, in Durham, and dying without
issue, his estates devolved to his brother, Christopher Vane,
esq., who was of Fairlawn, and knighted by Charles II. In
1688 he was made, by King James II., of his privy council, and
in the 10th of WiUiam III., a.d. 1699, created lord Barnard,
of Barnard castle, in the bishopric of Durham.
He married Elizabeth, daughter of Gilbert HoUis, earl of
Clare, sister of John duke of Newcastle, by whom he left two
sons, Gilbert and William, and a daughter, Grace. He died at
Fairlawn in 1723, and was buried in the new chnrch of Ship
borne, which he had built, when Gilbert, his eldest son, suc
ceeded him in the title and estates in the north ; while WiUiam,
his second son, inherited those in Shipborne, Plaxtool, and
others in this county.
The arms of the several branches of the Vane's are three
gauntlets, though differently borne ; the earl of Westmoreland
bearing. Azure, three dexter gauntlets, with their backs affrontee,
or ; as did lord viscount Vane, a descendant of the same branch.
The earl of Darlington bears. Azure, three sinister gauntlets,
with their backs affrontee, or; on a canton ermine, a pile sable,
charged with a mullet of five points, argent.
WUliam Vane, esq., the second son, was of Fairlawn, and
chosen to serve in Parliament for Durham in 1708, and in 1720
was created viscount Vane, and baron of Duncannon, of Tyrone,
in Ireland. He died suddenly of apoplexy, at Fairlawn, in
1734, having, on the Friday previous, been declared duly elected
to serve in Parliament for this county.
William Hollis Vane, his only surviving son, became his
father's heir, and succeeded him in the title and estates. He
married Frances, daughter of Francis Hawes, esq., in 1720, who
was widow of Lord WUliam Hamilton, brother of the duke of

546 HISTORY OF THE
that name, by whom he had no issue ; and dying in 1789, gave
these manors by will to David Papillon, esq. of Acrise.
BuDDS is a hamlet in this parish, situated about a mile west
ward from Shipborne church, where a family of the name of
Collins formerly dwelt. It subsequently became the property of
George Children, esq. of Tunbridge.
Shipborne is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction
of the diocese of Rochester and deanery of Mailing. The church,
dedicated to St. Giles's, is a neat fabric, and was entirely rebuilt
by Christopher lord Barnard. It was anciently esteemed as a
chapel to the church of Tunbridge, and paid 6d. chrism rent
to the mother church of the diocese.
This chapel, now esteemed as a curacy, is not in charge in the
king's books, and pays a feefarm rent of 8s. yearly to the
crown. In 1821 there were sixty-seven dwellings in the parish of
Shipborne ; and at the same period, when the last census of
the population was taken by order of ParUament, the numbers
of inhabitants were as follow : males 210, females 192, making
a total of 402 souls.

COUNTY OF KENT. ,147

THE HUNDRED OF LARKFIELD
Lies the next northward from that of Maidstone, adjoin
ing on the opposite side to the liberty of Rochester. It is
called in Domesday, Laurochesfel, and in some later records,
Laverkefeld.
It contains the parishes of Woldham, Durham, Ayles
ford, Allington, Ditton, Snodland, Padlesworth,
BiRLiNG, Ryarsh, Leyborne, East Malling, West
Mai.ling, Ofham, Addington, and Trottesclive.
But part of Aylesford and West Malling are exempt from the
constables of this hundred; the former as being ancient demesne,
and the latter, as having a constable and distinct liberty of its
own. A small portion of Aylesford is also within the hundred and
liberty of Maidstone. Part of the parishes of Hunton and
Horsemonden are likewise within this hundred.
Southward to the parish of St. Margaret, and liberty of
Rochester, lies Woldham, written in the Saxon charters,
Wuldaham, in the succeeding Latin records, Vuldeham, and in
that of Domesday, Oldeham.
This place is supposed to have derived its name from the
Saxon words, wolde, a plain open down, or hill, exempt from
trees or wood ; and ham, a viUage or dwelling. It is also de
scribed in several later grants by the name of Woldeham Mona
chorum, from its having appertained to the monks of Rochester.
The parish of Woldham lies on the eastern banks ofthe
river Medw ay, about two miles from the city of Rochester. The
village, with the church, is situated at the foot ofthe hills, very
low, and almost close to the Medway, (which constitutes the
western boundary of this parish,) and, from its contiguity to the
marshes, is far from healthy. In the village is Woldham house,
having been erected by Captain Trevor, and afterwards the resi
dence of George Guy, esq. ; and, about a mile northward, m a
2

i48 HISTORY OF THE
situation equally low, is the house of Starkeys, which, though
now only a farm, has still a handsome appearance, being a strong
building of stone, with Gothic windows, and doorcases of ashlar
stone. Hence, as well as from the back ofthe viUage, the hills
rise to a great height eastward, as far as Nashenden, consisting
for the most part of unenclosed downs, the soil being chalk, co
vered with fiints, which render it unfertile and dreary. Many
years back, in digging a trench from Woldham house, up to the
open downs, there were discovered several instruments, of an
antique form, like a wedge, or axe, usually called celts, which
were chiefly composed of brass.
Ethelbert, king of Kent, in 751, first gave Vuldeham to
the church of St. Andrew, in Rochester ; but sometime after it
was separated, and several kings possessed it one after another,
till the time of King Edmund, who began his reign in 941, of
whom one jElfstan Heahstanine bought it at the price of 112
marks of gold, and £30 in money. On his death, iElfege his
son succeeded to the property, who by will, made in the presence
of Archbishop Dunstan, about the year 970, made a distribution
of all his effects, whereof he devised one part to Christ church,
in Canterbury, another to that of Rochester, and the remaining
third part to his wife. Notwithstanding this, one Leofsunu,
who had married his nephew's widow, endeavoured to set aside
this will, equally with the testimony of the archbishop, and took
possession, but the estates were recovered from him in a solemn
trial, held at Erbede by the archbishop for that purpose, and on
his division of these estates, Vuldeham seems to have been that
portion allotted to the church of St. Andrew, Rochester. King
Ethelbert, in 995, confirmed Wuldaham, (which then contained
six manscB, called by the Kentish men sulings,) to St. An
drew's, and bishop Godwin, and it was accordingly entered in
Domesday under the general title of lands belonging to the
bishop of Rochester.
Bishop Gundulph, who was elected to the see of Rochester,
in the time of the Conqueror, on the division of the revenues of
his church, allotted this manor, with its appendages, to the
monks, for the use of their refectory, instead of that of
Freckenham, in Suffolk ; but bishop Gilbert de Glanvill, on
his coming to the see of Rochester, in 1185, claimed this
manor, among others which had been aUotW to them by bishop

COUNTY OF KENT. 549
Gundulph, as belonging to the maintenance of his table, where
fore the monks were at length obliged to submit ; and, in conse
quence, although he took the church of Woldham from them,
they continued in possession of the manor till the dissolution of
the priory under Henry VIIL
In the reigns of Kings Edward I. and II. the bishop of Ro
chester claimed several liberties as belonging to all the fees and
lands of the church, as did the prior of Rochester in the 21st of
the former reign. Edward I., in his 23d year, granted to the
prior and convent free warren in all their demesne lands of this
manor, so that no one should hunt, or take any thing on them
which belonged to warren, without their permission, on forfeiture
of £10.
The manor of Woldham, on the dissolution of the priory of
Rochester, under Henry VIIL, was surrendered to the king, who
settled it on his new founded dean and chapter of Rochester,
with whom this inheritance has continued.
There is a court-leet and court-baron held for this manor.
In the Custumale Roffense, frequent mentipn is made of a
watermill in Woldham, belonging to the above manor, and an
ancient custom prevailed, obliging every house to send one man
for a day, annually, to clear the passage, ditch, and mill-pond,
that the water might flow easily to turn the mill ; and there were
also two particular acres of land, the occupiers of which were to
clean the ditch communicating from the river to the mill-pond.
There were several small parcels of land, granted at different
times, to various persons, by the jirior and cohvent of Rochester,
lying in Magna, and Parva Woldham, being two divisions of
this parish, a more particular account whereof may be seen in
the Registrum Roffense,
Rings is a manor in this parish, which extends into that ad
joining, of St. Margaret's, Rochester, and was formerly in the
possession of Robert de Woldham, after which it became sepa
rated into moieties, one of which was possessed by the eminent
family of the Cosington's, in Aylesford, and the other by that
of the Carter's. From the former line, that moiety passed in the
reign of Henry VI. to WUliam Whorne, afterwards knighted, and
lord mayor of London, who built Whorne's place, in Cookstone,
where he resided ; the latter moiety passed about the same time
to the Laurence's, who by a mutual deed of conveyance, alien-
VOL. HI. 4 B

550 HISTOKY OF THE
ated their joint interest in this manor to William Hadde, of
Meriam court, in Frinsted. He, in the 36th of that reign, gave
it to his second son, John Hadde, vvhose descendant sold it to
Thomas Roydon, esq., of Roydon hall, in East Peckham, who
under Henry VIH. procured the disgavelment of his lands.
From the Roydon's this manor passed to the BrockhuU's, of
Aldington, in Thurnham ; whose descendant, Henry Brock
hull, alienated it to Sir John Leveson, otherwise Lewson, of
Whorne's place, in Cookstone ; after which it passed in like
manner as that seat, by sale, to the family of the Marsham's,
in vvhich Une it conrinued down to the Right Hon. lord Charles
Romney. Starkeys is a manor here, lying in the district of this
parish called Little Woldham, formeriy known by the name
of the manor of Lytriyhall and Woldham.
In the reign of Edward III. it appears to have been inthe
possession of Richard Byset, and he held it as one quarter of a
knight's fee in Parva Woldham, who afterwards passed it away
to Henry de Bokeland, from vvhich name it was alienated to
Henry Newman, by which family it was held in the 20th year of
that reign, ofthe bishop of Rochester, as above menrioned. His
descendant, Henry, conveyed it to Humphrey Starkey, descended
from those of Wrenbury and Oulton, in Cheshire, who bore for
his arms. Sable, a stork proper. He was recorder of London
under Richard III., chief baron of the Exchequer, and also
knighted during that reign.
He built a good house here, the mansion being chiefly of stone,
though formerly much laiger than in the time of Mr. Hasted,
together with a handsome chapel on the manor, a fragment
whereof is only left, at the east angle of the house, which thence,
as well as from his residence here, acquired the name of Star-
keys. He died possessed of this manor, and was buried at St.
Leonard's, Shoreditch, in London ; leaving four daughters his
coheirs; on the division of whose inheritance, this manor became
the share of Sir John Rainsford, vvho had married Anne, youngest
of those heiresses. His son, of the same name, was high in
favor with Henry VIIL, and one of his privy council; who
alienated this estate to the Lambe's, whence it was passed to Sir
John Levison, or Lewson ; from which name it was sold, toge
ther with the manor of Rings, before mentioned, in the reign of
2

COUNTY OF KENT. 551
Charies I., to John Marsham, esq., whose descendant. Lord
Romney, afterwards possessed the same.
Sellers is a manor that lies partly in this parish, and a por
tion in Buiham, which, with the mansion called the Hall, other
wise Woldham hall, was held in the reign of King John by
Robert de Woldham Magna, as one quarter of a knight's fee, of
the bishop of Rochester, soon after which the possessors of this
manor were thence denominated At-Hall, and in Latin deeds,
De Aula. Robert le Neve was owner in the reign of Edward I.,
and held it by the above tenure, whose heirs sold it to John Atte
Celar, written also At-Celeve in the reign of Edward IIL, whose
descendant, Warine Atte Celar, or De Celario, held this manor
in the 3.0th ofthe same reign, when conrinuing in his descend
ants, it ultimately acquired the denomination of Sellers, as they
then began to spell their name. They bore for tiieir arms. Ar
gent, a saltier between four mullets, gules, which shield was bla
zoned in a window of this church, as also in another of the man
sion-house of the manor.
The manor of SeUers remained in this family riU a female heir
conveyed it in marriage, in the reign of Henry VIL, to John
Beuly, gent., vvho bore for his arms. Argent, a chevron between
three griffins' heads, erased, sable; and continuing in his de
scendants, it obtained the name of Beuly 's court, though the
mansion-house itself was called Hall place, or Woldham hall.
It continued in this family till 1693, when it was alienated to
the Manley's, descended from those of Chester, in which name
it remained down to Mr. William Manley, who resided there,
and died in 1779, leaving three sons coheirs in gavelkind, by
whom it was sold to Joseph Brooke, esq., when on the death of
his widow, in 1796, it passed by his will to the Rev. John
Kenward Shaw, of Town Mailing, who assumed the name of
Brooke, and possessed this estate. A court-baron is held for
this manor.
Woldham is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction
of the dioqese and deanery of Rochester. The church, a small
buUding, has alow square tower, whereon formerly stood a steeple;
it is situated at the south-west extremity of the village, and
dedicated to All, Saints. The steeple of this church, and a great
part of the fabric, were built by Stephen Slegge of this parish.

552 HISTORY OF THE
who was sheriff of Kent in the 20th of Henry VI. , and gave by
will 100 marks to be expended thereon.
The church of Woldham was a discharged living in the king's
books, of the clear yearly certified value of £30, the annual
tenths being £1 8 7|. This rectory in 1716 was augmented
by Queen Anne's bounty, the sum of £200 having been also
contributed by different persons. In 1708 there were sixty-five
communicants, the bishop of Rochester being patron of this
rectory. In 1821, there were twenty-eight dweUings in the parish of
Woldham ; and at the same period, when the last census of
the population was taken by order of Parliament, the num
bers of inhabitants were as follow : males 93, females 83,
making a total of 176 souls.
Burham is the next parish southward from Woldham, on the
eastern bank of the Medway, written in Domesday Boreham,
and in ancient grants, Burgham,
This parish is situated nearly the same as the preceding,
stretching along the eastern bank ofthe Medway, whence from
the low land, the hills rise eastward to a great height. The soil
is poor, chiefly consisting of chalk, covered by flint; and a great
portion is unenclosed pasture land, much covered with low
bushes, heath, and furze ; usually called Burham downs. The
court lodge, with the church at a little distance, stands close to
the river ; a low but rather more healthy situation than Wold
ham, in consequence of the marshes being less in number, and
not so offensive as those lower down the river. About a mile
distant from the church, northward, is the hamlet of Scabo-
rough, equally contiguous to the river ; and at the southern
boundary ofthe parish, but on higher ground, on the road lead
ing from Rochester to Aylesford, are the two hamlets of Great
and Little Culing, near the former of which there are several
pits of potter's clay.
There was formerly in this parish, at a place called Haly
garden, a spring highly reverenced by the common people, for
the virtues and sanctity attributed to it, whither pilgrimages
were performed from all the neighbouring parts. In the 17th of
Richard II. the Friars Carmelites of the adjoining parish of

COUNTY OF KENT. 5i3
Aylesford obtained the king's letters patent, granting to them
this spring, and the surrounding land, in order to construct an
aqueduct for the use of their house.
The liberty of the corporation of Maidstone extends on the
river as far as a piece of land, called Hawkeswood, in this dis
trict. The parish was anciently bound to contribute to the
repair of the fourth pier of Rochester bridge.
This place, before the Conquest, was in the possession of Earl
Leofwine, who, as well as his brother. King Harold, lost their
lives at the fatal battle of Hastings. After that event, William
the Conqueror gave it to Odo, bishop of Bayeux, under the
general title of whose lands it was entered in Domesday record.
Ralph de Curva Spina, or Crookthorne, resided at Comford
park, in the neighbouring parish of Birling, which manor he also
possessed, and bore for his arms, in imitation of Simon de
Abrinces, or Averanches, of whom, as his chief lord, beheld
several estates. Azure, five chevrons, or, a label of five points,
gules. His descendants continued owners of Burham till the
reign of Henry IL, when they were succeeded by the family of
the Magminot's, one of which, Walkelin de Magminot, dying
without issue, his sister Alice carried this, and other large pos
sessions in the county, to her husband, Geoffrey de Say. His
descendant, Geoffrey, in the reign of Edward III., obtained a
view of frankpledge, and other liberties, within all his demesne
lands of this manor ; and, having been frequently summoned to
parliament, died in the 33d year of the above prince, holding
this manor in capite, and by the service of repairing a part of
Rochester bridge, and a particular house in Dover castle.
After the above period, this manor passed in like manner as
Cowdham, by a female heir ofthe above name, into the family
of the Fiennes, afterwards Lords Dacres ; and again, by another
female heir of the Fiennes, in marriage to Sampson Lennard,
esq., of Chevening, whose son and heir, Henry Lennard, in his
mother's right. Lord Dacres, afterwards suffered a common re-
cavery of this manor, and died in the 14th of James I. He left
three sons, and four daughters ; of the former, Richard the
eldest, succeeded him as Lord Dacres ; Edward died young, and
Fynes, the third son, possessed this manor by the will of his
father. He left a son Robert, who, in the reign of Charles I.
alienated this manor of Burham, to Francis Barnham, esq. of

554 HISTORY OF THE
Hollingborne, and Mr. John Maplesden, gent., who, accordingly,
as trustees, in the reign of Charles II. alienated it to Sir John
Banks, bart., on whose death, in 1699, without issue male, his
daughter Elizabeth carried it in marriage to the Hon. Heneage
Finch, second son of the earl of Nottingham. He was afterwards
created baron of Guernsey, and, on the accession of George I.,
earl of Aylesford, after which this property descended to his
great grandson, the earl of Aylesford, who possessed the manor.
Burham is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of
the diocese and deanery of Rochester. The church, a small
edifice, having a large tower at the west end, is dedicated to the
Virgin ; it stands near the banks of the Medway, and contains
some good specimens of stained glass in the windows.
This structure was anciently part of the possessions of the
Knights of St. John of Jerusalem.
Leonard de Tibert, prior general of the above hospital, in the
reign of Henry 111., granted the appropriation of this church,
and all its appurtenances, to Nicholas de Hales, who was prior
ofthe church of Clerkenwell, in London, to hold the same freely
for ever.
The vicarage was a discharged living in the king's books, of
the clear yearly value of £-16, the annual tenths being 16s. In
1708 there were ninety-eight communicants.
In 1606 the patronage of this vicarage vvas vested in the king
and Lord Buckhurst, by turns ; and, about 1630, in the king
and Lord Abergavenny. In 1760 it was the property of Mr.
Franklyn, soon after which it was purchased by Mr. George
Gordon, of Rochester, wine merchant; whose heirs sold it to the
Rev. Joseph Milner of Preston hall, in Aylesford, who dying in
1784, his widow became entitled to the same.
In 1821 there were forty-five dwellings in the parish of Burham;
and at the same period, when the last census of the popu
lation vvas taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inha
bitants were as follow: males 129, females 107, making a
total of 236 souls.
Southward from Burham lies Aylesford, a name variously
spelt by our ancient historians. The Saxon Chronicle, written
about the time of Bede, calls it Mgelesford ; Nennius, the
British historian, who flourished about the year 620, says the

COUNTY OF KENT. 555
Saxons named it Episford, and the Britons, Sathenegabail, from
the overthrow ofthe Saxons at this place. Asserius, who lived
in the time of Alfred, calls it, jEgelsthness, as does the Saxon
historian, Mthebhcnd. In the Domesday record it is written
Elesford, by later writers, Aillesford, and now most commonly
Aylesford. This parish is pleasantly situated, about thirty-two miles from
London, and far more healthy than those last mentioned. The
river Medway, which flows through the district northwestward,
in its course upward from Woldham and Burham, becomes a
pellucid stream of fresh water, the tide being weak, and losing
its saline qualities, is divested of those noisome smells arising
from the salt marshes when abandoned by the tide. The river
is here encompassed by a range of pleasant fertile meadows,
greatly conducive both to health and profit. The soil in this
parish, from its great extent, is varied : about the village, and
on the southern side of the river, consisting of loam spread over
the quarry stone ; to the northward it presents an unfertile
chalk ; and to the east, a deep sand.
The village of Aylesford is situated on the northern
banks of the Medway, and at the back the ground rises sud
denly very high, insomuch so, that the church and cemetery,
adjoining to which is the vicarage, stand higher even than the
tops of the houses below. About a quarter of a mile westward,
close to the river, is the priory, or friary, as it is now called, a
great portion of which remains entire, as it stood anterior to the
dissolution, being converted into the different apartments of a
mansion, and requisite offices belonging to the same. The ad
joining grounds were formerly imparked, much of the paling
being visible ; but for some years this has been made arable, and
separated into different enclosures. At a small distance north
ward is the manor house of Tottington, the surrounding moat
being still apparent. Hence the ground rises to the high chalk
hill, on the summit whereof is the noted monument, called Kits
Coty house, which well-known cromlech is commonly supposed
to have been the burial-place of Catigern. It is composed of
four huge unwrought stones, three standing on their ends, and
inclining inward to support the fourth, which, lying transversely
upon the top, leaves an open space below. The height of the
stone on the south side is eight feet, the breadth seven and a

556 HISTORY OF THE
half, the thickness about two feet, and the weight eight tons.
That on the north is near seven feet high, and somewhat more
in breadth, its thickness two feet, and weight about eight tons
and a half. The centre stone is very irregular, but the length,
as well as breadth, appears to b? about five feet, the thickness
fourteen inches, and weight about two tons. The upper stone,
or impost, is also very irregular, the utmost length presenting
nearly twelve feet, its breadth, nine and a quarter, thickness,
two feet, and the weight about ten tonS and a half. The width
of the recess beneath is nine feet, at the summit seven and a
half, and the height, from the ground to the covering stone,
nine feet.
About seventy yards towards the north-west, vvas formerly
another single stone, similar to those forming this cromlech,
which, it is conjectured once stood upright, but has since been
broken and taken away.
About 500 yards south by east from Kits Coty house, has
been another Cromlech, consisting of eight or ten stones, lying
in a confused heap, the same having been thrown down about
the beginning of the last century, by order of the proprietor
then possessing the land, whose intention was to have forwarded
these stones in order to pave the garrison at Sheerness ; but
that design was frustrated, owing to the excessive hardness of
the material. Still nearer to Aylesford, is a remarkable stone,
called by Dr. Stukely the coffin, from its shape, the length being
about fourteen feet, breadth six, and the thickness two feet.
Many disputes have arisen in regard to the real purpose of
these cromlechs, and more particularly that of Kits Coty house.
The long-established opinion as to its having served as the
monument of Catigern, was first opposed by Mr. Colebrooke,
of the Society of Antiquaries, who is inclined to beheve it the
tomb of Horsa; and, in contradiction of the general tradition,
removed the burial-place of Catigern to the Druidical circle at
Addington, about eight miles farther to the west, on the opposite
side of the Medway. His conjectures, however, have gained
but few proselytes, and the received opinion still inclines to the
belief, that the Saxon chief was buried at Horsted, about three
miles from Rochester, which place both Philipot and Lambarde
assert derived its name from Horsa We are certainly inclined
to think that there is something in the name connected

COUNTY OF KENT. 557
with Horsa, who having been slain, received his funeral rites at
the latter place, as there were, within memory, scattered remains
of many huge stones, which, owing to tempests and other
incidental circumstances, have been demolished, and which no
doubt formed, in remote ages, the figure of a monument to
shade the ashes of Horsa ; as did those al Cits Cot house, above
Alresford, guard the dust, and point out to posterity the memory,
of the valiant Briton, Catigern. The spot where Horsa was
interred is now in a wood at a short distance from the farm,
with nothing to point out the place but an old tree. Several
celts, chiefly formed of brass, antique spurs, old swords, and
other antiquities, have been found at different periods in digging
on the downs, in the neighbourhood of Aylesford.
Distant about two fields southward from Kits Coty house,
in the bottom, more contiguous to Aylesford, is a heap of the
same kind of stones, some of vvhich are partly upright, and
others scattered in a circle around, to the number of nine or
ten; those nearly upright, vvith a larger one lying across, appear
to have once formed a structure like that of Kits Coty house,
while it is obvious that it fronted the same aspect.
This monument of antiquity is reported lo have been
demolished by some persons digging a trench beneath, in expec
tation of finding either treasure or some remains of antiquity,
wherefore the trench being left open, an elm tree sprang up,
which by degrees raised tlie stones and tlirew them to the
ground. Some years back, there were found in this field a spur
of very antique form, v\ iUi a remarkable long sprig and large
rowel, together vvitii the handle and small part of the blade of
a very ancient sword.
We should lie inclined to believe, if it were not from the
similarity of the name, and the many respectable opinions con
cerning it, that Kits Coty house and the ilast-meutioned monu
ment were actually the burial-places of those two chiefs, vvho
fell by the hand of each other. They were undoubtedly raised
for the same purpose, but, like many others of a similar descrip
tion in England, date from such high antiquity, that they are
spoken of by our earliest historians as beyond all records of
tradition, and the use of which, even in their time, was merely
conjectural. About a mile eastward from Kits Coty house, is Cosentoa
VOL. Ill, 4 c

_458 HISTORY OF THE
bouse, which, though now only used as a farm, is large, dis-
playing many obvious remains of its former state. From these
grounds, in a deep chalky loose soil covered with coppice wood,
issue several springs of clear water, which change the pebbles
and flints lying therein to the most beautiful carmine colour, the
same becoming stronger when dry ; the= water is very chilly, and
has a rough taste, without possessing any chalybeate properties
whatsoever. From the village westward, the road leads near the bank of
the river, by Friars Coptry, the stream which rises at Boxley
running into the Medway, whereon is a papermiU. At this
spot the soil begins to present a deep sand, which continues up
to the turnpike road at Sandling, leading from Rochester to
Maidstone. From the village of Aylesford to that part of the parish on
the opposite side of the river, is a handsome stone bridge of
six arches, erected many years back, and now supported at the
])ubUc charge of tiie county. Hence the grounds rise with a
gentie ascent, beautifully picturesque, towards the seat of
Preston hall, which they environ, the whole being laid out to
resemble a park, well clothed at intervals with stately elms, and
other varied plantations, tiirough which the road leads, haying a
sunk fence on either side, at a proper distance from the house;
which niansion, being of white stucco, presents an elegant ap
pearance contrasted vvitii the verdure of the adjoining lawns.
As far as the turnpike road from London, through Wrotham, to
Maidstone, on the opposite side of this route, the parish stretches
itself more than two miles southward, over a deeper soil, through
a continued range of coppice woods ; in the farther part of
which, is the ancient chapel of Longsole, now called the hermit-
a°-e; while beyond it extends and encloses within its bounds a
small part of the northern side of Barming heath.
About a quarter of a mile westward ftom Preston hall, close
to the bank of the river, lies the hamlet of Millhale, which
place is within the civU jurisdiction of the corporation of
Maidstone. An annual fair is held here, on the 29th of June.
, Aylesford is noted in ancient history for the battie fought
there between the Britons and Saxons, in 455, about five years
after the first landing of tiie latter on this island.

COUNTY OP KENT. 569
Vortimer, the British monarch, having assembled his forces
in order to encounter the Saxons, first came up with them on
the banks of the river Darent, in this county. In that conflict
it is most probable the Saxons were defeated, as they retreated
from their enemy, who followed their march, to Aylesford, where
they had passed the Medway, On the eastern ' side of that
stream a most sanguinary battle was then fought, the success of
which remained for some time doubtful, though ultimately vic
tory proved decisive on the Side of our countrymen.
In this encounter, Horsa, brother of Hengist, the Saxon
general, and Catigern, brother of King Vortimer, fighting hand
to hand} were both killed on the spot, the former, as above
mentioned, being interred, as is supposed, about three miles
from Aylesford. In 1016, Edmund Ironside having gained a
complete victory over the Danes at Otford, in this county, pur
sued them, with great slaughter, as far as Aylesford, on which
occasion, had he not desisted from pursuing his adversaries at
this passage over the Medway, through the treacherous advice
of his son-in-law> Edric, he would in all probability have entirely
annihilated the whole Danish army.
Dr. Plot was much inclined to think that Aylesford was the
Roman station called VagniaccB, but in that suggestion he has
not been followed by any other writer that we have consulted.
The manor of Aylesford constituted part of the ancient
demesnes of the crown of England, and subsequently was portioned
out to, different persons, who were said to hold their lands in
ancient demesne, such only being so accounted as were actually
in the hands of the crown, under Edward the Confessor, or
WiUiam the Conqueror, and mentioned as such in the survey of
Domesday. This tenure in ancient demesne was a tenure in socage, the
tenants whereof being in a great measure enfranchised by the
royal favor, were only bound in respect to their lands to perform
some of the better sort of villain services, those being deter
minate and certain, namely, to plough the king's lands, to sup
ply his court with particular provisions ; all of which were after
wards changed into pecuniary rents, and in consideration of this,
they had many immunities and privileges granted them, viz. to
try the right of their property in a peculiar ccmrt of their own>

360 HISTORY OF THE
to pay no toU, or contribute to the expenses ot knights of the
shire, or be chosen upon any juries.
That part of the parish which lies on the north-east side of
the Medway, in which stand the town and church of Aylesford,
is in ''the manor of that name, and ranks an ancient demesne,
the jurisdiction whereof extends over the borough of Rugmer
hill, in the parishes of Yalding, Hunton, Horsemonden, and
Brenchley. In the survey of Domesday, taken about the I5th of the
reign of the Conqueror, this place was entered in that record
under the title of Terra Regis.
In the 9th of King John, Osbert Gipford held this manor,
after whose death it reverted to the crown, as Henry III. granted
it to Sir Richard de Grey, of Codnor, youngest of the three
sons of Sir John de Grey, whose ancestors have been already
treated of, as well as the other branches of this family, under the
description of the Grey's earls of Kent, in the general history of
this county. Sir Robert, the eldest son, was of Rotherfield;
and Walter, the second, vvas archbishop of York. Sir Richard
de Giey, in the reign of King John, and during the time of the
rebeUious barons, having kept firm to the king's interests)
shared many favors on that account, being made constable of
Dover castle, and warden of the Cinque Ports. In the reign of
Henry III. he went to the Holy Land, and returning thence,
conveyed with him some Carmelite monks, and in the 25th year
of the same reign, a.d. 1240, founded a priory of that order in
his manor here; and during the following year, instituted ano
ther fraternity in London.
Edward I., in his 21st year, brought a writ of right ag&inst
Henry de Grey, grandson of the above, for this manor ; but the
jury gave their verdict in his favor, as they also did on a quo
warranto upon his claim of pleas of witherman assize of bread
and ale, and gallows, within this manor.
Richard de Grey, of Codnor, his eldest son, succeeded the
latter, who, in the 4th of Edward III., obtained a charter for a
weekly market and annual fair, with^ee warren throughout all
bis demesne lands within his manor of Aylesford, in the 9th
year of which reign he died, holding this manor of the king in
capite, by the service of one knight's fee.

COUNTY OF KENT. 561
John, his eldest son, was of Codnor, and inherited this manor,
who behaved himself with so much bravery, and for his singular
activity, acquired so firmly the esteem of the king, that he
received at the royal hands a hood of white cloth, embroidered
with blue men dancing, buttoned in the front with large pearls ;
when, having to perform certain miUtary exercises in a tourna
ment at Canterbury, he had his accoutrements of Indian silk,
whereon the arms of Sir Stephen de Cosyngton, of Aylesford,
were painted. Becoming old and infirm, he obtained, in recom
pense of his valour and fidelity, a dispensation from Edward III,
exempting him from appearing in parliament and at the conn?'
cUs, or being charged with sending forth any soldiers in the
king's wars, or in those of his heirs and successors.
His descendant, Henry lord Grey, was much given to the
study of chemistry, and obtained a license from Edward IV. to
practise the transmutation of metals. . He died in the Hth of
Henry VIL, and was buried with his ancestors in the church of
this priory. He left two natural so'is, from the youngest of whom,
Henry, the Grey's, of Langley, in Leicestershire, were descended,
The manor and castle of Codnor came to Elizabeth, his aunt
and heir, wife of Sir John Zouche, a younger son of W'iUiajn
lord Zouch, of Harringworth ; and this manor of Aylesford con-r
tinned in the possession of his widow, the lady Catherine Grey,
afterwards married to Sir William de la Pole, for her life, at
whose death it devolved to Sir John Zouche, and he was suc
ceeded therein by Thomas Cornewall, who possessed the pro
perty at his death.
Sir Thomas Wyatt was the next possessor, whose son being
attainted, his estates passed to the crown under Philip and
Mary, who granted this manor to Sir Robert SouthweU, pf
Mereworth, for his services in suppressing Wyatt's insurrection,
to hold in tail special, with a reservation to the queen of the
priory of Aylesford. In the 40th of Elizabeth he alienated this
manor to Edward Randolph and Richard Ai;gall, who joined in
the sale of the property, in the reign of James L, to Sir Thomas
Colepeper, of Preston hall, in this parish ; on whose death it
descended to his eldest son, WiUiam, who was created a baronet
in 1627; and in his descendants it contipued down to Sir Thomas
Colepeper, bart., of Preston hall, who died possessed of it in
1723, without issue ; leaving .^Jicia, hi.ssi8tej-, th,en widow .qf Sir

58* HISTORY OF THE
Thomas Taylor, bart. of Maidstone, his heir. She afterwards
marrying John Milner, of Yorkshire, m.d., settled this manor
upon him and his heirs, when the estate passed in like manner
as Preston haU, to Joseph Butler MUner, d.d., whose widow,
Mrs. Sarah Milner, afterwards possessed the same.
The priory, now commonly called the Friars, is situated
close to the river Medway, at a small distance westward from
the village of Aylesford. It was founded in the 25th of Henry
III. A.D. 1240, by Richard lord Grey, of Codnor, for Friars
CarmeUtes, being the first foundation of this order in England ;
soon after which, the monasteries of that fraternity increasing
throughout Europe, they held the first general European chap
ter at this priory in 1245.
In the llth of Edward II. , Richard lord Grey, of Codnor,
great grandson of the founder, granted to the prior of this con
vent three acres of land, to enlarge their mansion ; and in the
reigu of Richard II. that king conferred upon the brothers a
spring of water at a place called Haly garden, in the adjoining
parish of Burham, and the land where it was situated, for the
erection of an aqueduct. In the same reign also lived Richard
Maidstone, s.t.p., so caUed from his birth in that town, having
been a Carmelite monk, who wrote several books, and died in
this priory, A , d. 1396, when he was buried in the cloister of the
same. This priory was dissolved under Henry VIIL, who, in his 33d
year, granted it to Sir Thomas Wyatt. His son. Sir Thomas,
being attainted under Queen Mary, his estates became forfeited
to the crown, where this property remained till the reign of
Elizabeth, who granted it to John Sedley, esq. of Southfleet.
He dying without issue, gave it to his brother William, after
wards knighted, and under James I. created a baronet. He
resided at the priory, then called the Friars, and left one son.
Sir John Sedley, bart. of Aylesford, vvho had three male chil
dren, successors to each other in title and estate, viz. Sir Wil
liam, who died unmarried ; Sir William, who married, but died
without issue ; and Sir Charles, a posthumous son, who became
noted for his wit and gallantry in the reign of Charles H. He
married Catherine, third daughter of John earl of Rivers, by
whom he had an only daughter, Catherine, created by James If.
in his first y^ar, countess of Dorchester, and baroness Darling-

COUNTY OF KENT. .568
ton, and she afterwards married Sir David Colyar, ancestor of
the present earls of Portmore. This branch of the Sedley's bore
for its arms. Azure, a fess wavy, argent between tliree goats'
heads erased, of the second, and quartered with it the. coats of
the Jenks's, the Grove's, and the Darell's.
Sir William Sedley, bart., of the Friars,; above mentioned,
conveyed this estate by sale, in the reign of Charles L, to, Sir
Peter Ricaut, and he had ten sons, the youngest of whom, Sir
Paul, was a great traveller, , not only in Europe, but Asia and
Africa, having published the then state of the Ottoman em
pire, when he was employed by government, both in Ireland
and on the continent, in the reigns of Kings Charles II. , James
IL, and William III. He died in 1700, set. seventy-two. The
Ricaut's bore for their arms. Argent, afess, counter embattled
gules ; in base, the bend of a limb of a tree, raguled and trunked,
couped at both ends, proper. His heir alienated the estate to Caleb
Banks, esq. of Maidstone, whose son, John, resided here, and was
created a baronet. He died, est. seventy-two, and was buried in
the north chancel of this church, where a magnificent monument
was erected, bearing his own, and his wife's effigies, in marble.
He bore for his arms. Sable, on a cross between four fieurs de lis,
argent, five pheons' heads, azure. He married Elizabeth, daugh
ter of Sir John Dethick. of Norfolk, by whom, he had a son,
Caleb, who died aged thirty-seven ; and two daughters and co
heirs; Elizabeth, married to Heneage Finch; and Mary, to John
Saville, esq. of Methley, in Yorkshire. Op the division of their
estates, the former entitled her husband, Heneage Finch, to the
priory, with the estate appertaining thereto in Aylesford.
He was the second son of Heneage Finch, earl of Nottingham,
lord chancellor of England, and being also bred to the law, ac
quired great reputation in that profession, since Queen Anne, in
consideration of his merits and. great, abilities, created him, on
the 1 5th of March, 1703, baron of the island of Guernsey, in
Southampton, and one of her priyy council. He died, in 1719,
and was buried at Aylesford, having had nine children, pf whom
Heneage earl of Aylesford, the eldest son, married Mary,
daughter and heir of Sir Clement Fisher Packington, of War
wickshire, by whom he had one son, Heneage lord Guernsey,
and four daughters. The earl died in 1757, and was succeeded
by his only son Heneage, above mentioned, who became third

564 HISTORY OF THE
earl of Aylesford, and married Charlotte, daughter of Cliarles
duke of Somerset. He died in 1777, leaving his lady surviving,
and thirteen chUdren, of whom the eldest son, born in 1751, was
also earl of Aylesford, and succeeded him in this estate, called the
Friars ; nevertheless it remained with the dowager lady Ayles
ford, who made it her residence.
The earl of Aylesford married in 1781, Louisa, eldest daughter
of the late marquis of Bath, by whom he had several sons and
daughters. The family bears for its arms. Argent, a chevron
between three griffins passant, sable ; for crest, On a wreath, a
griffin paisant, sable ; supporters on the dexter side, A griffin
sable, gorged, with a ducal collar, or ; on the sinister, A lion
eflhe secorVd, ducally gotged, azure.
The largest .part of this ancient priory remains in excellent
preservation, being by far the least destroyed of any conventual
edifice in these parts. The great gate from the road continues
entire, and opens into a large square court, wherein appear the
doorways conducting to the cells. The side where the high
buttresses remain on the left hand, within the gate, vvas the
great hall or refectory, and is novv divided into chambers. The
kitchen was also on the east side of the square, as appears by the
krge fire-places still remaining in one angle. The cha|)el vvas
that portion of the building which stands east and west; the
north side fronts the garden, and the south the river, while the
east window, where the dining-room now is, having an iron
balcony, faces the town. The principal parts of this priory,
namely the hall, chapel, and cloisters, were converted into
stately apartments by Sir John Banks, and the cloisters also
ehclosed, and paved with black and white marble. There is a
high stone wall fronting the road, that encloses the garden,
being the same as in its ancient state ; the large ponds nt the
mill above, also belong to this estate, which no doubt supplied
the fraternity with fish.
Tottington, or Tottenden, as it is called in Uie rolls of
Aylesford manor, lies about half a mile northeastward from the
priory of Aylesford. In the reign of William the Conqueror it
was part Of the possessions of Odo bishop of Bayeux, under the
general titie of whose lands it was entered in the record of
Domesday. Soon after, this manor became the property of Malserius de

COUNTY OF KENT. 563
Rokesle, so called from his possessions at Rokesle, in this
county. His son, Richard, gave the whole tithe of his land in
Totintune, to the monks of St. Andrew's, in Rochester, on con
dition that he, and his wife and son, should receive the benefit
ofthe prayers of that society. In his descendants this manor
continued in the same state as that of Rokesle, before described,
tiU at length it passed into the possession of Robert de Poynings,
who died in the 25th of Henry VI., a.d. 1446, also possessed
of the advowson of the free chapel of St. Stephen's therein,
founded by his father, Richard de Poynings, both being held of
the king as of his castle of Leeds, which was of the barony of
Crevequer, by knight's service. He gave the property to Thomas
Palmer, esq. of the court lodge, in Snodland, who had married
his only daughter, and was grandson of Thomas, of Snodland,
who espoused the daughter ofthe house of Fitz-Simon.
His son, John Palmer, was of Tottington, and left one son
Thomas, and a daughter Catherine, married to John Rowe.
Thomas Palmer died possessed of the estate in the 23d of
Henry VII. holding it of the king as of his honour of Lisle, by
knight's service ; and his descendant, of the same name, alien
ated it in the reign of Henry VIII. to Richard Warcup, de
scended from those of Cumberland. His grandson, Henry, in
the reign of Elizabeth, levied a fine of the same, and soon after
alienated the estate to the Madox's, after which it passed into
the family of the Sedley's, and thence to WiUiam Hodgkins, esq.,
who sold it to one Putcheon, from whom it was conveyed to a
Golding, when Mr. Thomas Golding, of Ryarsh, dying in 1769j
left it to his daughter, Mrs. Francis Golding.
This property is held of the crown by the yearly feefarm rent
of £3 16 4.
EcCLES was a manor in this parish, of considerable note in
the reign of the Conqueror, having been then part of the pos
sessions of Odo, bishop of Bayeux, under the general title of
whose lands it was entered in the record of Domesday. On the
disgrace of that prelate, this manor was given to Malgerius de
Rokesle, whose descendant, Richard, held it in the reign of
Edward I., as half a knight's fee, of Margery Rivers, as she did
of Warine de Montchensie. It then passed to the families of
the Poyning's and Palmer's of Snodland, and thence again to
the Warcup's, who alienated it to John Sedley, esq., from one of
VOL. III. 4 D

566 HI.STORY OF THE
whose descendants a portion passed in like manner as Aylesford
priory, to Heneage earl of Aylesford, when his grandson after
wards owned it. Part of this manor also became vested in the
same owners as the manor of Tottington, and as such was in
the possession of Mrs. Francis Golding ; another portion was
held by Mr. John Corral, and a considerable part, which was
made liable to the payment of castle-guard rent for the whole of
the same, to Rochester castle, was purchased by Mr. Thomas
Best, of Chatham, whose grandson, Thomas Best, esq. of Chil
ston, died in 1795, and by will gave it to his nephew, George
Best, esq. of the same place.
The site of the manor of Eccles is at present unknown, but
supposed to have occupied the eastern extremity of this parish,
near Boxley hill.
Cosenton, or Cosington, as it is usually spelt, is a manor
in this parish, situated on the eastern side, adjoining to that of
Boxley, near the high road from Rochester to Maidstone, the
jurisdiction of the hundred of Maidstone claiming over the same.
It was anciently a place of much importance, having conferred
both residence and surname to the eminent family ofthe Cosen-
ton's, seated here in the reign of King John, as that prince, in
his 18th year, absolved William de Cosenton, by pardon, for
having taken an oath to Louis, the French dauphin. Sir Ste
phen de Cosenton was with Edward I. at the siege of Carlave
rock, and there made a banneret by the king for his services, at
which time it appears there was a chapel at this seat, dedicated
to St. Michael, with a chantry founded by Sir Stephen de Co
senton. His son. Sir WiUiam de Cosenton, was sheriff of this
county under Edward I., whose successor. Sir Stephen, in the
7th of Edward. III. obtained a charter of free warren fof
his lands in Cosyngtone, Acrise, and Suthbertone, in this
county, held of the barony of Ros, as of the manor of Horton
Kirkby. The family of Cosenton having received this manor by ancient
feoffment from the Ross's, former lords of the same, in imitation
of their arms, bore. Or, three roses, gules, those of Cosenton
being Azure, three roses, or, which coat is carved on the roof of
Canterbury cloisters.
At length, his descendant, Thomas Cosenton, esq. dying
under Henry VIIL, without issue male, his three daughters

COUNTY OF KENT. 567
marrying a Duke, a Wood, and a Hamon, became his coheirs ;
the eldest of whom entitled her husband, Duke, to the possession
of this manor and seat. His descendants afterwards resided
here, and in the reign of Charles I. it was in the possession of
George Duke, esq., when, about the year 1696, for want of
male issue, it devolved to Mary Duke, spinster, who died un
married in 1760, and gave it by will to her nephew, Mr. Samuel
White, of London, merchant, since whose demise, in 1770, it
became the property of the Stacey's, and they, in 1797, alien
ated it to Mr. John Spong, of MUlhale.
There is no court held for this manor.
Rowe's Place is an estate in the eastern part of this parish,
once the seat of the ancient family of the Rowe's, which had
its origin here, and subsequently branched off into the several
families of the same name at Dartford, Penshurst, and
Pluckley, in this county. Robert Rowe possessed this
seat in the reign of Edward IIL, from whom it descended
down to Robert a Rowe, esq., who, under Henry VIL, settled
it on Christian, his daughter, upon her marriage with
Robert Nayler, esq., son of Richard Nayler, citizen of London,
by the Lady Elizabeth, his wife, widow of George Nevill, lord
Abergavenny, the deed being sealed with his arms. Gules, a
quarter foil, or. From the name of Nayler it passed by ano
ther female heir to the Warcup's, one of whose descendants
alienated it to the Sedley's ; whence it passed, in like manner
as Aylesford priory, to the Bankes's, by whose female coheir
it went in marriage to Heneage Finch, esq., afterwards created
earl of Aylesford, whose descendant, the earl of Aylesford, after
wards possessed the same.
The manors of Preston and Allington, in this parish,
together with the seat named Preston hall, lie at a small dis
tance from the river Medway, on the south side, opposite the
town of Aylesford, and that part of this parish called ancient
demesne. These manors were formerly possessed by the
eminent family of the Colepeper's, which spread in different
lines over the whole face of this beautiful country, each branch
having produced men who became preeminently conspicuous as
patriots, warriors, and statesmen, in the different ages wherein
they fiourished. The first of this name noted on record, although
by no means the original of the family, is Thomas de Colepeper,

568 HISTORY OF THE
one of the Recognilores Magnce Assissice, or judge of the great
assize in the reign of King John, an office of very high account
in those times, whose descendant. Sir John de Colepeper, was
of Bayhall, in Pembury, as was subsequently his son. Sir
Thomas Colepeper.
Soon after the last-mentioned period they separated into dif
ferent branches, one of which remained at Bayhall, above men
tioned ; from whom descended the several branches of the
families settled there, as well as at Bedgebury, Losenham,
Wakehurst, Leeds castle, Hollingborne, St. Stephen's, and the
Charterhouse. Of this latter line, John Spencer Colepeper
died, leaving one son and a daughter, which son, John Spencer
Colepeper, had three sons and eight daughters ; the eldest of
whom, John Spencer, married, and has issue three sons and two
daughters. The elder of the eight daughters of the before-
mentioned John Spencer Colepeper married Captain Paget
Bayly, brother of the late earl of Uxbridge, and uncle to the
most noble the present Marquis Anglesea, by whom she had
one son, deceased, and two daughters, still living. We are
given to understand that Lieutenant John Spencer Colepeper,
the last-mentioned representative of this house, is legally entitled
to the possession of Leeds castle, the circumstances connected
with his claim being as follows :
Sir John Colepeper, knight, for his firm attachment and loyalty
to his unfortunate monarch, Charles I., was, on the Restoration,
created, in 1644, lord Colepeper, baron Thoresway, in the county
of Lincoln. This nobleman purchased Leeds castle, where he
resided, and dying in 1660, was buried at Hollingbourne, having
married Judith, daughter of Sir Thomas Colepeper, of HoUing-
bourne, by whom he had three sons and four daughters ; Alexan
der, who died without issue ; Thomas lord Colepeper, born in
1634, who succeeded him, and married Margaret, daughter of
Signior Jean de Hesse ; and John, the third brother. Thomas
left one sole daughter and heir, married to Thomas lord Fairfax,
upon whose demise he was succeeded by his brother, John lord
Colepeper, above mentioned, born in 1640, who married
Frances, daughter of Sir Thomas Colepeper, and died 1719,
without issue. Upon the death of Thomas lord Colepeper, he
had settled Leeds castle on his daughter, Catherine, wife of
Lord Fairfax, before adverted to, and by wUI, in default of her

COUNTY OF KENT. 669
male issue, which were two sons, who died without children ;
he devised the remainder to his brother, John lord Colepeper,
and his heirs male general. This will was secreted, as it is
behoved, through the machinations of Lord Fairfax, and a Mrs.
WiUis, who had cohabited with the deceased Lord Thomas
Colepeper, wherefore Lord Fairfax having, as before observed,
married the heiress of the said Lord Thomas Colepeper, was
desirous the estate should pass to his daughters, to the exclusion
of Lord John Colepeper, and on that account the will was so
disposed of. Upon the death of Lord Thomas, his brother,
John, laid his claim before Parliament, when many papers were
printed to the above effect, one of which is still in the posses
sion of the present heir, as well as the patent of the barony.
Lord John, however, dying before his claim could be substanti
ated, the present descendant, in a right line from the HolUng-
bourne branch, is thus cut off from the possession of an estate
to which he has an undoubted claim, being the present Lieutenant
Colepeper, grandson of John Spencer Colepeper, of the Char
terhouse, so often before mentioned, who had the honour of
serving his late Majesty during many years, both abroad and
at home.
The other branch was seated at Preston hall, in Aylesford,
and at Oxenhoath, in West Peckham ; of both of which we
shall now proceed to give some account, derived from a very
copious manuscript pedigree of the several branches, from the
visitation of the county of Kent, a.d. 1619, as well as authen
tic evidences and manuscripts ; containing details of the early
part of the pedigree, comprising the several branches of the
same, among which are inserted the Colepeper's of Bayhall, in
Pembury. Walter Colepeper died in the last year of King Edward II. ,
seized, as appears by inquisition after his death, of estates in
Langley, Boughton, East and West Farleigh, Yalding, Malling,
Brenchley, Tunbridge, and Shipborne. He bore for his arms, a
bend engrailed, the field whereof is argent, and the bend gules,
his crest a hawk proper, gorged with a collar and bells ; motto,
J'Espere; which coat is borne by the present family, the same
being blazoned in several places on the roof of the cloisters in
Canterbury cathedral, where they are also impaled with a coat
bearing a bend. John lord Colepeper, of Hollingbourne, had for

570 HISTORY OF THE
supporters, two griffins winged. Walter Colepeper, above men
tioned, left by Joan, his wife, three sons, of whom, Thomas, the
eldest, was of Preston hall, and died without issue ; Sir Geoffryj
the second, succeeded his brother in that estate, being the an
cestor of the Colepeper's, baronets of Preston hall, as well as
of those of Oxenhoath ; and John was the third son.
Sir Geoffry Colepeper resided at Preston hall, and vvas sheriff
for this county in the 39th and 47th of Edward IIL, who left a
son, William, of Aylesford. His son. Sir John, was a justice of
the Common Pleas in the reign of Henry IV., and of Oxen
hoath, in this county, who left by Catherine, his wife. Sir
William Colepeper, of the same place, who was sheriff in the
reign of Henry VI. , and died the following year, when he was
buried in West Peckham church, leaving one son. Sir John,
who lived in the reigns of Kings Henry V. and VI.
His son. Sir William, was of Aylesford, who by his wife, a
daughter of the Ferrer's, of Groby, had three sons. Sir Richard
Colepeper, of Oxenhoath, who had three daughters and coheirs;
William, who vvas of Aylesford ; and Geoffrey WiUiam Cole
peper, the second, of Preston hall, the lands of whose grandson,
John, of Aylesford, and Thomas, his son, were disgavelled. In
his descendants, residents at this seat, these manors, with
Preston hall, continued down to William Colepeper, who, in
1627, was created a baronet. His great grandson. Sir Thomas
Colepeper, bart. was sheriff of this county in the reign of Queen
Anne, and kept his shrievalty at Preston hall ; he died without
issue in 1723, leaving his sister, Alicia, who had been first mar
ried to Herbert Stapely, esq., secondly, to Sir Thomas Taylor.
bart. of Maidstone, but then the widow of Thomas Colepeper,
counsellor at law, his sole heir. She afterwards married, the
same year, John Milner, m.d. of Yorkshire, and made a settle
ment of the fee of these, among the rest of her estates, upon
him and his heirs ; but she having also survived him, died in
1734, without issue by either of her four husbands above
enumerated. Dr. Milner was descended of a respectable family seated at
Pudsey, in Yorkshire, which bore for its arms. Sable, three
bridle bits, or. He died before his wife, in 1724, as above
mentioned, having devised the inheritance of these manors,
with Preston hall, and his other estates, to his brother, Charles

COUNTY OF KENT. S71
Milner, m.d., who, on Lady Taylor's death, for so she styled
herself, resided here, and dying unmarried in 1771, gave the
whole of the property by wUl to his nephew, the Rev. Joseph
Butler. He, in pursuance of that instrument, the same year,
procured the king's licence to assume the surname, and bear the
arms of Milner ; and afterwards resided at Preston hall, vvhich
he modernised and nearly rebuUt, laying out the grounds with
much taste, and at a considerable expense. He married, in
1772, Sarah, daughter of the Rev. Stringer Belcher, rector of
Ulcombe, who died in 1784, leaving these manors, with Preston
hall, for life, to his surviving widow, and after her death, to his
nephew, Charles Milner, esq. of Farningham. On the window-
frame of a large ancient barn, built of stone, belonging to
Preston hall, on an outhouse, not far distant, as well as
upon a chimney-piece, both equally of stone, is carved the date
of 1102, with the letters t. c. on each of them.
The date on the above window, as well as the others, has been
the occasion of much altleration among the learned. Vossius,
in his treatise, De Scientiis Mathe?naticis, says, that numeral
figures were not used in Europe till about the year 1300, or at
least not earlier than 1250; and P. Mabillon, in his treatise.
Be Re Diplomatica, tells us he had not found them any where
earlier than the I4th century, being somewhat later than the
time designated by Vossius. Several dates have been produced
from different parts of England to prove a much earlier use of
numeral figures in this kingdom, viz. an inscription over a gate
way at Worcester, a.d. 975; the date on a window of a cellar
at Colchester, a.d. 1090 ; another at Rumsey, in Hants., 1016;
and a fourth, on a chimney-piece at Widgel hall, in Herts. All
of the above, however, are supposed by most writers to have
been either misunderstood or altered to serve a particular pur
pose. David Casley, in his catalogue of mss. in the king's
library, has given a specimen of a manuscript from the Cotto
nian library, caUed Calendarium Rogeri Bacon, dated 1292,
wherein the figures are Arabian, being the most ancient he
remembered to have encountered in either of those libraries.
Besides the above-mentioned opinions, that these Arabian
figures did not come into use till long after 1102, there is another
objection to the date above mentioned, having been executed as
early as that year, namely that the quarterings of coats-armour
6

572 HISTORY OF THE
did not come into use till the rime of Edward III., who began
his reign in 1326, which, if true, will prove this date to have
been put up at least subsequent to 1300 ; and a still more con-
vincing evidence is, that the arms quartered are those of Cole
peper and Hardreshall. John Colepeper, about the middle of
the above reign, married Elizabeth, daughter and coheir of Sir
John Hardreshall, so that his issue by her were the first who
could have used the arms of Hardreshall quartered with their own,
and their son. was Thomas Colepeper. The t. c. on this stone
must no doubt mean a Thomas Colepeper, owner of this estate,
and no other of that Christian name existed afterwards until the
sixteenth century, when another Thomas Colepeper owned this
estate, and died possessed of the same in 1587. Many have con
jectured that, as the O is so much more elevated in proportion to
the other figures, some part adjoining the bottom had been
obliterated, and that the second figure was meant to express a
5. However, en a close inspection, we do hot see the least pro
babUity for this supposition, as the figures are plainly intended
to represent what they now appear to be. The most probable
conjecture, therefore, is, that a Thomas Colepeper, descended
from John and Elizabeth Hardreshall, affixed, with his own
name and arms, the date of 1102, being either the period when
his ancestors first came into this county, or perhaps to this seat
of Preston.
About a quarter of a mile northward from Barming heath, on
an eminence near the eastern side of the road, leading through
the woods from Aylesford thither, surrounded by the samej stand
the ruins of the ancient free chapel of Longsole, now
converted into a barn, and called the hermitage, from its
lonely situation.
King Edvvard IIL, in his 24th year, granted license to Stephen
Fynamaur, chaplain of the chapel of St. Lawrence, of Longsole,
to purchase lands and rents, of the yearly value of 1 00s., for
the maintenance of himself and his successors, to celebrate
mass in this chapel for ever ; and accordingly there were granted
to him and his successors, by several persons, different mes
suages, &c. to the amount of twenty-six acres of land, lying in
this parish, of the yearly value of 16s. After the above period,
great disputes arose between the vicar of Aylesford and the
rector of Allington, concerning the oblations offered in this

COUNTY OF KENT. 373
chapel on the eve and festival of St. Lawrence, each claiming
the same as his right, being within the bounds of their respec
tive parishes. John bishop of Rochester therefore issued his
mandate, in the last year of Henry V., to ascertain, by inquisi
tion, in which of those parishes this chapel vvas situated, and
to whom these oblations of right belonged, and to certify the
•same to him ; since which, it has been decided to stand within
the bounds of the parish of Aylesford. The remains of this
chapel, now called the Hermitage, with the site thereof, was
part ofthe possessions of Lord Romney, having been purchased,
with the manor of AUington, and other estates in this parish,
in 1732, of Sir Jacob Astley, bart. of Melston, constable in
Norfolk. Aylesford is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction
of the diocese and deanery of Rochester. The church, dedi
cated to St. Peter, is a handsome building, having a square
tower at the west end .
King Henry I. gave the church of Aylesford to St. Andrew
and Gundulph, bishops of Rochester, and afterwards confirmed
it to them. Bishop Gundulph, upon separating his own main
tenance from that of the monks of his priory, assigned this
church, among others, to that fraternity, for their maintenance ;
and afterwards granted them the free disposition of the vicar
age appertaining thereto.
This living was valued in the king's books at £10, the annual
tenths being £\ . The dean and chapter of Rochester are the
patrons of this vicarage.
The parsonage of Aylesford has a manor belonging thereto,
caUed the manor qf the parsonage of Aylesford.
On the intended abolition of deans and chapters, after the
death of Charles I., this manor and parsonage, with its appur
tenances, and a wood, called Blaze wood, late belonging to the
dean and chapter, were surveyed in 1694, when it appeared that
the barns, yards, and other buUdings, with two acres of glebe
land, were worth £3 per annum, and the tithes £77 yearly; all
of which were let by the dean and chapter to Sir George Fane,
for twenty-one years, at the yearly rental of £22 and two weather
sheep or 26s. 8d. in money, out of which lease the vicarage
was excepted, then valued at ^^60 per annum.
The lessee, under the dean and chapter of Rochester, of this
VOL. III. 4 E

574 HISTORY OF TUE
manor and parsonage, vvith Blaze wood, was the Rjght Hon.
Thomas Lord le Despencer.
In 1821 there were 192 dwellings in the parish of Aylesford;
and, at the same period, when the last census of the population
was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inhabitants
were as follow: males 666, females 671, making a total of
1136 souls.
On the opposite side of the river Medway, about two miles
above the town of Aylesford, adjoining the eastern part of the
latter parish, lies that of Allington, called in Domesday, Elen-
tun, and in many records Alynton.
The parish of Allington is very smaU, the soil being a thin'
loam, covering the quarry rock, bounded on the east by the
Medway, the castle being situated within a few yards of the
river, whence it is. nearly excluded by the range of trees on the
banks. It is a venerable ruin, and thoui;h now only used as a
farm-house, was, in the reign of Henry VIIL, and subsequently,
the habitation of the knightly family of the Wyatt's, which
resided here with much splendor till the estate was forfeited for
high treason, in the reign of Queen Mary. The remains of tlie
fortress are of considerable extent, and many of the external
parts were, in the time of Mr. Hasted, in a state of good pre
servation. Hence the ground rises about half a mile south
eastward up the London road, through Wrotham, to Maidstone,
which is two miles distant ; while on the other side of the road,
the parish continues, southward, about half a niile farther,
among the coppice woods, as far as the Hermitage.
There is said to have been a castle erected at this spot in the
time of the Saxons, which vvas afterwards demoUshed by the
Danes. It subsequently fell to the possession of Ulnoth, fourth
sjn of Earl Godwin, and, after the Conquest, constituted part of
the property of Odo bishop of Bayeux, under the general title
of whose lands it was entered in Domesday record.
Alnod Cilt was Ulnoth, fourth son of Earl Godwin, and younger
brother to King Harold, who, from the royalty of his kindreid,
had this addition of Cilt, a similar denomination to the Latin
word Clito, with which, persons of royal blood were always dis
tinguished in those times.
, Oh the disgrace of Odo, this property vvas granted by William

COUNTY OF KENT. 575
the Conqueror to his kinsman, WiUiam earl of Warren, in
Normandy, who had greatly assisted him against the bishop
during the rebeUion raised by that powerful ecclesiastic. The
earl of Warren was nephew to the Countess Gunnora, the king's
great grandmother, and afterwards, by William Riifua, consti
tuted earl of Surrey. He bore for his arms, Chequy, or and
azure. Earl Warren rebuUt this castle, and then transmitted his
interest in the same to the Lord Fitz-Hugh, whose daughter
, and heir carried it in marriage to Sir Giles Allington, one of
whose descendants passed it away in the latter end of the reign
of Henry 111. to Sir Stephen de Penchester, constable of Dover
castle, and warden of the Cinque Ports. In the 8th of
Edward I. he obtained the grant of a weekly market and an
annual fair, with^ee warren in all his demesne lands, with the
king's licence to erect a castle here, and fortify and embattle it,
by which it appears, -that he either rebuilt the castle, or
that it had previously been but a small building or fort, .lot
esteemed of sufficient consequence to be styled a castle, and by
this means the place acquired the name in several records of
Allington Penchester. Sir Stephen de Penchester died without
issue male, leaving two daughters his coheirs, on the partition
of whose inheritance, this estate of Allington was allotted to
Henry de Cobham, of Rundale, in Shorne, second son of John
de Cobham, in right of Joan, his wife, his., eldest coheir ; and in
his descendants it remained till one of that name, in the reign of
Edward IV., alienated this manor and castle, which had been
for some time called AUyngton Cobham, to Robert Brent.
His grandson, William, in the reign of Henry VIL, alienated
the property to Sir Henry Wyatt, privy counsellor to that prince,
who had been imprisoned in the Tower in the reign of Richard
HI., and was preserved by a cat, which fed him while incarce
rated there, and for that reason he is always pictured with a cat
in his arms or beside him. On the accession of Henry VII. he
received great marks of royal favor, being knighted and con
stituted a member of the Privy Council. In the 5th of Henry
VIIL he procured the disgavelment of his lands, and resided at
this castle, of which and the manor he died possessed during
that reign. He left an only son and heir, Sir Thomas Wyatt,
born in this castle, who was a most accomplished gentleman.

576 HISTORY OF THE
and extremely esteemed both for his learning and poetical talents.
Soon after his father's death, he was knighted, named of the
Privy Council, and sent ambassador to the Emperor of Germany,
where he acquitted himself highly to the satisfaction of his
majesty. In the 28th of Henry VIIL he served the office of
sheriff, and afterwards made a fair seat, as writers of that time
termed it, of this castle.
Anthony Wood calls Sir Thomas Wyatt, the delight ofthe
muses, and qf mankind, and further says that, being sent by the
king towards Falmouth, in Cornwall, during the heat of sum
mer, he vvas seized with a violent fever, and stopping at Sher-
borne, in Dorsetshire, there died, and was buried, being only
thirty-eight years old. Leland, in his poem, styles him Jncom-
parabilis, and highly celebrates his praises. He was a great
favorite of King Henry VIIL, and, owing to a bon mot, raised
the king's courage to proceed with the reformation, by teUing
him, " it was a hard case a man could not repent without the
pope's permission."
On the death of Sir Thomas, he left a son of the same name,
who was beheaded for rebellion against Queen Mary, upon
which this castle and manor, with the advowson, became for
feited to the crown, where they continued till the reign of Eliza
beth, who, in her 1 1 th year, granted a lease of the house and
manor of Allington, to John Astley, esq., master of her jewels;
and afterwards, by letters patent, granted the castle, manor, and
advowson of this church, to his son. Sir John Astley, and his
heirs male in tail general, to hold by knight's service at the
rental of J^lOO 2 7, per annum; he having also about the
same time a grant of the palace at Maidstone, where he resided.
Soon after the above period, the mansion of this castle being
uninhabited, fell to decay, when the park was converted to other
purposes. Sir John Astley bore for his arms. Azure, a cinque
foil, ermine. He was descended from Thomas de Astley, son
and heir of Walter de Estley, who Uved in the reign of Henry III.
and was baron of Astley castle, in Warwickshire. He died in
1639, and was buried at Maidstone, without surviving issue,
when his three sisters became hia coheirs ; but this manor and
castle, with other estates in the neighbourhood, he gave by will
to his kinsman. Sir Jacob Astley, a man of great reputation for
his bravery and conduct at the commencement of the grand

COUNTY OF KENT. 577
rebeUion under Charles I., when, being general of the royal
forces, he distinguished himself by his courage in several battles
and encounters, and was, by letters patent, in the 20th of that
reign, created baron Astley, of Reading, in Berks. He died at
Maidstone in 1651, and was there interred, having had five sons;
Isaac, who succeeded him as Lord Astley, and also in this es
tate, and one daughter Elizabeth, who married her kinsman.
Sir Edward Astley. Isaac lord Astley died in 1662, and was
buried near his father, leaving his son, Jacob lord Astley, his
successor, who dying in 1688, was interred at Maidstone, when
this barony became extinct ; but the castle, manor, and advow
son devolved, among the residue of his entailed lands, to Sir
Jacob Astley, of Merton, constable in Norfolk, descended from
Thomas, the elder brother of Jacob, first Lord Astley, and an
cestor of the present baronets of that place. He, in the 6th of
George L, a.d. 1720, alienated them, with other estates in this
neighbourhood, to Sir Robert Marsham, lord Romney, whose
grandson, lord Romney, afterwards possessed this estate.
Allington is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction
of the diocese of Rochester and deanery of MaUing. The
church, dedicated to St. Lawrence, is a small edifice, having
always been considered an appendage to the manor, and is a
discharged living in the kind's books, of the clear yeariy value
of £35, the annual tenths being I3s. 8d. ; it is under the pa
tronage of Lord Romney.
In 1821 there were six dwellings in the parish of AlUngton ;
and at the same period, when the last census of the population
was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inha-
bitaifts were as follow: males 24, females 21, making a total
of 45 souls.
Westward from Allington Ues the parish of Ditton,
called in ancient records, Dictune, deriving its name from the
Saxon words, die and tune, which signify the village situated on
the dike, or trench of water.
The situation and soil of this parish is much the same as that
of Allington, last described. The high from London, through
Wrotham to Maidstone, crosses the centre, at the thirty-first
milestone; the village stands thereon, and the church about a
quarter of a mile farther southward, on au ascent beyond which

578 HISTORY OF THE
the parish reaches into the large tract of coppice woods, that
extends as far as Teston and Barming. The stream from Brad
borne park runs through this parish and village, across the above
road, and having turned two mills, one above, and the other
below, runs into the Medway, which forms the northern boun
dary of this parish. Near the north west extremity, on the
road leading from Larkfield to Newhith, and not far distant
from that hamlet and the river, is Borough court ; which parish
is rather obscure, and contains nothing further worthy of notice.
This place, at the survey of Domesday, was part of the pos
sessions of Odo, bishop of Bayeux, under the general title of
whose lands it was entered in that record. The estate first de
scribed appears to have consisted of what has since been known
by the name of the Manor of Ditton, with the appendant
Manor of Brampton. On the confiscation of these estates
to the crown, they were held of the Clare's, earls of Gloucester,
by a family which thence derived its surname.
In the reign of Edward L, WilUam de Ditton held the manor
of Ditton, of the earl of Gloucester, at which time that of
Brampton, once part of the same, was held by William de
Brampton of the above William de Bitton. At the beginning
of the following reign of Edward II. , Ralph de Ditton and Joan
de Lewkenore, were owners of these manors ; after which they
passed into the name of Aldon, and Thomas de Aldon, in the
20th of Edward III., paid aid for both, holding them in manner
above mentioned.
The manor of Siflestone also passed to the crown upon the
disgrace of Odo, and was afterwards held by a family of that
name. In the reign of Henry III., William de Sifleston bald it
of William Ditton, above mentioned, from which name it passed
into that of Burghersh; Robert de Burghersh, constable of
Dover castle, warden of the Cinque Ports, and a baron of this
realm, having died possessed of this manor of Ditton, with that
of Brampton, in the 35th of Edward L, a.d. 1305, and his son
and heir, Stephen, in the 1st of Edward II. obtained a charter of
free warren for all his d.empsne lands within the same. He was
succeeded in the 3d of Edvvard II. by Bartholomew lord Burg
hersh, from whom this manor seems to have passed to Thomas
de Aldon, who in the 20th of Edward III. was likewise pos-
sesfcd of the manor of Ditton and Brampton, as already men-

COUNTY OF KENT. 579
tinned. He died in the 35th of that reign, a.d. 1360, when
these manors went to the family of the Pavely's, from which
line they passed to that of the Windlesor's, or Windsor's, under
Richard II. , where they continued till conveyed by sale to Sir
Lewis Clifford, K.B. , descended from the Clifford's, of Clifford's
castle, in Herefordshire.
His son WUliam, of Bobbing, in this county, sold them, in
the reign of Henry V. to Sir William Colepeper, whose son. Sir
Richard, of Oxenhoath, in the llth of Edward IV., died pos
sessed of these manors, and leaving only three daughters, they
became his coheirs ; and, in the reign of Henry VIL, joined iu
the sale to Thomas Leigh, of Sibton, in Liminge. He left a
son John, of Addington, in Surrey, vvho, under Henry VHI.,
exchanged these lands with the king for estates elsewhere, who
the following year granted, iin.oT.g other premises, his lordships
or manors of Dytton, Syffllington, Est Mailing, Maidstone, and
Brampton, to Sir Thomas Wriothesley, lord Wriothesley, or
Wriseley, as it was usually spelt, without any rent or account
whatsoever; and, the following year, granted to him the fee of
these manors and their appurtenances to hold in capite by
knight's service, and the next year he had also a grant of the
tenths reserved by the same.
This nobleman was descended from John Wryothesley, com
monly called Wrythe, Garter king-at-arms in the reigns of
Edward IV. and Henry VIL, who left issue two sons, Thomas,
likewise Garter on his father's death ; and William York,
herald, whose son was Thomas lord Wriothesley above
mentioned. He had been, in that reign, created a baron, by the
title ^f lord Wriothesley of Tichfield, in the county of South
ampton; and the next year made Lord Chancellor, shortly after
knight of the Garter, and, three days before the coronation of
Edward VI. , was created lord Southampton, bearing for his
arras. Azure, a plain cross or, between four falcons closed argent.
Soon after he alienated these manors to Sir Robert Southwell,
of Mereworth, who, in the 1st and 2d of PhUip and Mary,
conveyed them to Sir Thomas Pope, in which line they remained
till tlie reign of Elizabeth, when they were alienated to the
Wiseman's, and became the property of William, George, and
Philip Wiseman ; but PhiUp having purchased the shares of the
other two, possessed the whole fee.

580 HI.STORY OF THE
From the name of Wiseman, these manors were conveyed, in
the reign of James L, to Sir Oliver Boteler, of Teston, knight,
of this county, who died possessed of the estate in 1632. His
eldest son. Sir John Boteler, of Teston, died without issue, upon
vvhich his next brother. Sir William, became his heir, and was
created a baronet in 1640. His great grandson. Sir Philip,
bart. of Teston, died in 1772, without surviving male issue, and
by wiU gave one moiety of his estates to Mrs. Elizabeth
Bouverie, of Chart Sutton, and the other moiety to Viscountess
Dowager Folkestone, and WilUam earl of Radnor, since
deceased ; when, on a partition of these estates, the manor of
Ditton, with Brampton, and Sifflington, as it is now called,
were allotted to Lady Folkestone, who died in 1782, and was
succeeded by her only son, the Honourable Philip Bouverie,
whoafterwardsassumedthenameof Pusey, and owned this estate.
Borough court, the proper name of which is Brooke
court, is a manor lying at the northern extremity of this parish,
and at no great distance from Newhith and the river Medway.
It was part of the ancient possessions of the eminent family of
the Colepeper's, as early as the reign of Edward IIL, in the 1st
year of which prince, Walter Colepeper, esq. was found to die
possessed of the property. In his descendants it continued
down to Richard Colepeper, esq. afterwards knighted, who was
of Oxenhoath in this county, and died possessed of this manor,
in the 2d of Richard IIL, a.d. 1484, leaving his three daugh
ters his coheirs, when they joined in the conveyance of this pro
perty to Francis Shakerly, esq. of Lancashire, who then
removed into this county, and resided at Brooke court. He
had six sons, the eldest of whom became his heir; Thomas, the
second, was of Wrotham ; and the third, of Otham, who left a
son Francis.
Richard Shakerly, the eldest son, was of Brooke court, and
had issue a son John, born a.d. 1600, and a daughter Mary,
who, on her brother's death without issue, entitled her husband,
Mr. Peter Bewley, to this manor. They had two daughters,
Elizabeth, who died unmarried, and Mary, who became her
father's heir, and carried this manor in marriage to Mr. Basse,
of Suffolk, who, in the reign of Charies IL, alienated the
estate to Sir Thomas Twisden, one of the judges ofthe court of
King's Bench.

COUNTY OF KENT. 501
He was second son of Sir William Twisden, bart. of East
Peckham, by Anne, his second wife, daughter of the Countess
Winchelsea, and created a baronet in 1666. He afterwards seated
himself at Bradbourne in East Malling ; and in his descendants
the property continued down to Sir John Papillon Twisden,
bart. of Bradbourne.
There is a court-baron held for this manor.
Ditton place is a mansion in this parish, which, in the
reign of James 1. , was the residence of the family of the Bremer's,
many of which line are buried in this church. It continued in
that name till the commencement of the eighteenth century,
when it fell into the possession of Thomas Golding, esq. of
Leyborne, who gave it by will to his nephew, Mr. Thomas
Golding, of Ryarsh ; he sold it to John Bremer, esq., whose
niece, Mrs. Carney, of West Farleigh, reconveyed it to Mr.
Thomas Golding, whose son, Mr. John Golding, subsequently
possessed the same.
Ditton is within thB ecclesiastical jurisdiction
of the diocese of Rochester and deanery of Mailing. The church
dedicated to St. Peter, is a small building, having a square
tower at the west end, and was valued, ^n the king's books,
at £11 15, the yearly tenths being £1 3 6.
In 1821 there were thirty-six dwellings in the parish of
Ditton ; and, at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow : males 100, females 92, making a
total of 192 souls.
Northward from Ditton, on the western side of the Medway,
(a small part of Alyesford intervening,) is Snodland, called in
Domesday Fswyiland; and, in the Textus Roffensis, Snod-
DINGLAND, End SnODILAND.
Snodland is situated on the western bank of the river which
forms its easterp boundary opposite to Burham. The hio-h road
from Stroud to Larkfield passes through this village; and, with
the church, is about half a mile from the river. It lies low, and
being near the salt marshes, is neither very pleasant or healthy.
In the southern part of the parish, the stream which flows from
Birling turns a papermiU, and thence empties itself into the
Medway, near which is Snodland and New Hyth common. In
VOL. HI. 4 f

582 HISTORY OF THE
the northern part of the parish, next to Lower HaUing, is the
hamlet of Holborough, usuaUy called Holborow, no doubt for
Old Borough, a name implying the antiquity of this place.
Many writers are inclined to believe, that the usual passage
across the river jn the time of the Romans, was hence to Scar
borough ; on the opposite shore, Holborow was certainly known
to them, as, in the reign of Elizabeth, an urn, fiUed with ashes,
vvas discovered in digging for chalk on the hill above this place,
a certain token that the site had been frequented by that
people. In this hamlet is a handsome house, the property of Mr. John
May, near which rises a small brook that flows into the Medway
about half a mile distant. From this low country, on the bank
of the river, the ground rises westward to the range of chalk
hills, where the land becomes poor, and covered with flints.
Upon these hills among the woods, is an estate, corruptly called
Punish, having taken its name from the family of Povenesse, or
Pevenashi% written by contraction Poneshe, whicii line was
possessed of this property in the reign of Henry III. Under
Elizabeth it was called Poyny^he, being then vested in the
name of Brown, who held it of the bishop of Rochester, as of his
manor of Hailing. About a mile eastward from the above is a
farm called Lads, which, in the reign of Edward 1., and some
generations afterwards, was in the possession of a family of that
name, written in deeds of those times. Lad, and Le Lad.
Sir John Marsham, bart., and Sir Charles Bickerstaff, had a
design of supplying the towns of Stroud, Rochester, and
Chatham, with fresh water, by bringing it from the springs
rising at the foot of Holborough hill, and others thereabouts, by
means of a cut or channel, through Hailing and Cuxton thither,
four mUes of vvhich was through Sir John Marsham's own lands.
However, after they had proceeded about two miles, finding
some obstruction which could not be removed but by an Act of
Parliament, the same was procured in the 1st of James 1 1.,
but nothing further was afterwards done in this business, for
what reason does not appear,
111 838 King Egbert, with the consent of his son Ethulwulf,
gnve to Beormod, bishop of Rochester, four plough lands
at Snoddingland and Holanbeorge, with the privilege of leaving
them to whom he might think fit; and he further granted.

COUNTY OF KENT. 533
that these lands should be free from all service, to which
he added one mill on the stream, named Holanbeorgesbourn ;
and, on the hill belonging to the king, fifty loads of wood, as
well as four denberies in the Weald. In 841, Ethulwulf,
king of the West Saxons, with the advice of his bishops and
great men, also gave to the bishop two plough lands, at
Holanbeorges, in perpetual inheritance, with the same privilege,
and that they should be free from all regal service.
While .Elfstane was bishop of Rochester, who came to the
see in 945, and died in 984, one Birrick, a rich man, residing at
Meopham, with the consent of Elfswithe, his wife, made his
will, and devised, after their deaths, his lands at Snodland to
St. Andrew's church at Rochester.
The bishop of Rochester continued in the possession of this
place, at the time of taking the general survey of Domesday,
A.D. 1080, under the title of whose lands it was therein entered.
Bishop Gundulph, soon after this, following Archbishop
Lanfranc's example, separated his revenue's from those of his
priory, when this manor, together with Holanborough, conrinued
part of the bishop's possessions, and was confirmed to the
church of Rochester by Archbishops Anselm and Boniface.
On a taxation of the bishop's manors, the ensuing year, it
appeared that Holeberge was a member of the manor of Hailing,
having in the same 197 acres of arable land, valued at 4d. per
acre at the highest, there being no marl there.
The family of the Palmer's, who bore for their arms. Argent,
a chevron between three Palmer's scrips, sable, tasselled and
buckled, or, resided for some time in this parish, at a seat they
possessed, called the court lodge. Several of this line lie buried
in the church of Snodland, particularly Thomas Palmer, who
married the daughter of Fitzsimond, and died a.d. 1407.
Weever recites his epitaph, now obUterated, having been as
follows : ' Palmers al our faders were,
I, a Palmer livyd here.
And travylled till worne wythe age,
I endyd this world's pylgramage.
On the blyst Assention day.
In the cherful month of May,
A thowsand, wyth fowre hundryd seven.
And took my jorney heuse to Heven."

584 HISTORY OF THE
From the above Thomas, descended the Palmer's of Totting
ton, in Aylesford, and of Howlets, in Bekesborne, now extinct.
The Palmer's were succeeded here by the Leeds', one of whom,
William Leeds, was interred in this church, whose arms, Afess,
between three eagles, were engraved in brass on his tomb, but
are now torn away, and to that name succeeded the Whitfield's,
of Canterbury. It afterwards passed into the line of the Crow's,
thence to the May's, and ultimately became the property of Mr.
John May, of Holborough,
Veles, otherwise Snodlands, is a manor in this parish, which,
in the reign of Edward I., was held as half a knight's fee, of
the bishop of Rochester, by John de Pevenashe, John Harange,
and Walter Lad, as coparceners; and, in the 20th of Edward III.
Richard Pevenashe, John de Milford, John Lad, and Richard
le Veel,-paid aid for the same.
This manor seems afterwards to have been wholly vested in
the family of the Veel's, called in old deeds, Le Vitele, and in
Latin, Vilnius. After they became extinct, it passed into the
name of the Blunt's, and from that to the Turvyes, of whose
heirs it was held, in the latter end ofthe reign of Henry VIIL,
by Richard Harvey. It then passed, after some intermediate
owners, by sale to the Crow's, and thence to Mr. John May, of
Holborough. Holloway Court is a seat in this parish, which gave name
to a family that resided there, Henry de Holweye having paid aid
for it in the reign of Henry III. His descendant, William de
Holweye, possessed it under Edward I., from which name it
passed into that of the Tilghman's, who owned it under Edward
IIL, many of which line lie buried in this church, having borne
for their arms. Per fess sable and argent, a lion rampant regar
dant, double queued counterchanged, crowned, as they were bla
zoned in very old glass, in the windows of this mansion. Richard
TUghman possessed it in the reign of Henry JV., and in his de
scendants it continued down to Edward Tilghman, esq. of
Snodland, having had three sons, the eldest of whom, Whetenhall
Tilghman, esq., had part of his father's lands in this parish,
which continued in his descendants till 1680, when they were
alienated to Sir John Marsham, bart., whose descendants, the
Lords Romney, afterwards possessed the same.

COUNTY OF KENT. 585
Snodland is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction
of the diocese and deanery of Rochester, The church, dedi
cated to All Saints, is a small buUding, with a low pointed
steeple, and was valued in the king's books at £20, the yearly
tenths being £2.
In the last census ofthe population, taken in 1821, Snodland
is entered as being united with Paddlesworth, the number of
dwellings being estimated at fifty-nine ; at which period, the
numbers of inhabitants were as follow: males 240, females
198, making a total of 438 souls.
Padlesworth, commonly called Paulsford, is the next
parish westward from Snodland, named in Domesday, Pelles-
forde, and in the Textus Roffensis, Pcedleswrtha.
This parish is very small, and lies between Snodland and the
foot of the chalk hills, northwestward, on a chalky soil, the
court lodge, with the ruins of the church near it, standing in the
centre of the parish, which is very obscure, and but little known.
At the time of taking the survey of Domesday, this place was
part of the possessions of Odo, bishop of Bayeux, under the
title of whose lands it w as entered in that record.
The largest portion of this manor, in the reign of Henry III.
seems to have been in the possession of the family of the Chet-
wode's, one of which, Robert de Chetwode, exchanged it with
Hamo de Gatton, of Throwley, for other lands in Bedfordshire,
and he passed it in the same reign to Sir Walter de Hunting-
field, who owned it under Edward I. In the llth of Edward II.
he had a demise in ferme from the prior and convent of Bermun-
desey, of their lands of Padlesworth, which Roger de Leyborne
had formerly given them for eighty marks. His son. Sir John
de Huntingfield, owned it in the next reign of Edward IIL, but
in that of Henry III. Ralph de Padlesworth held it of WUliam
de Say, lord of Birling.
A remaining part of this manor, being esteemed one third,
was held in the reign of Edward III. by the family of the
Basing's, from which name it passed to that of the Charles's.
Richard Charles died possessed of this third part under
Richard IL, leaving Richard and John, the two sons of his bro
ther Roger, his next heirs. Alice, wife of Richard, the eldest
son, died possessed of this third part of the manor of Padles-

836 HISTORY OF THE
worth, in dower, (excepting certain lands which were of the
tenure of gavelkind,) of the king, in capite, by knight's service,
by homage and fealty, and also paying the annual castle-guard
rent of twenty-four shillings, to Rochester castle.
Soon afterwards the whole of this manor seems to have been
vested in the name of the Beles's, whence it passed to the Bul
lock's, and thence again by sale to the Diggs's, when, after a
short time, it was alienated to the Peckham's. They sold it to
the Vinely's, by whom it was passed to WilUam CUfford, of
Bobbing court, who conveyed it to John Bambery, and he bore
for his arms. Argent on a chief sable, a lion passant, of the first.
His daughter and heir, Elizabeth, carried it in marriage to
Nicholas Wotton, ejq., and his descendant. Sir Edward, of
Boughton Malherbe, was by King James I. created Lord Wotton,
of Marley.
His son and heir, Thomas lord Wotton, died in the reign of
Charles I., leaving four daughters his coheirs ; of whom,
Catherine, the eldest, entitled her husband. Lord Stanhope, to
the possession of this manor. He lefther surviving, upon which
she again possessed it in her own right, and afterwards passed
it by sale to John Marsham, esq. of Whorne's place, in Cook
stone, who was created a baronet in 1663 ; and his descendant.
Lord Romney, ultimately possessed the same. It was afterwards
held of the manor of Swanscombe by castle-guard rent to the
castle of Rochester.
Padlesworth is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction
of the diocese of Rochester, and deanery of Mailing. This
church was anciently esteemed but as a chapel to that adjoining
of Birling. It has been long in ruins, that part still standing
being built of flint, with ashlar quoins, having been many years
used as a barn. It stands close to the north side of the farm
yard belonging to the manor house, and was valued in the king's
books at £3 6 8.
For the last census of the population see the foregoing parish
of Snodland.
Southwestward from Padlesworth lies Birling, so
named from the quantity of pasture lands within this district.
This parish is about three miles square, situated in an obscure
and unfrequented country, at the foot of the range of clulk hills,

COUNTY OF KENT. SOy
called here Birling hiUs, over which it extends to Punish, in
Snodland, and also to an estate called Boghurst, at which
Walter, son of John de Bogehurst, resided in the reign of
Edward I., and also held lands of the bishop of Rochester, near
his park, in Snodland ; it is most probable that those of that
name in Frindsbury, Stroud, and Rochester, are descended from
this stock.
The soil of this parish is various ; in the southern parts, being
sandy ; up the hills, chalk and flints ; and above the latter, a
heavy red earth ; while the lovver district abounds in much
fertile land.
The vUlage and church of Birling lie low on the southern side
of the parish, containing the church ; between which and the
foot of the hills is Birling place, the ancient residence of the
Nevill's. Some remains are yet left, particularly a stone gate
way, -which reminds us of its former condition, whereas it is
now nothing but a farm-house. A mile hence, eastward, is
Comford, another seat of this family; adjoining which, was
once a park ; Henry lord Bergavenny having resided here, who
died in the 29th of Queen EUzabeth. It now presents only a
farm-house, and, was it not for the mention of this noble, family,
the parish stands so obscure that it would scarcely be /known.
In Oxfield, adjoining the churchyard, many foundations have
been, from time to time, dug up ; and while the Nevill's made
this spot their residence, it was, most probably, (n a very
flourishing condition. ,
This place was part of the possessions of Odo bishop of
Bayeux, under the general title of whose lands it was entered
in Domesday record.
Ralph de Curva-Spina, or Crookthorne, resided at Comport,
or Comford park, in the north-east part of this parish, where
that family conrinued till the reign of Henry IL, when it was
tucceeded by the Magminot's. Walkelin de Magminot died
without issue in the 3d of Richard I., 1191, when Alice, his
sister, became his heir, who carried this manor in marriage to
her husband, Geoffrey, second son of William de Say, who, in
her right, became likewise entitled to large estates at Deptford,
Cowdham, and elsewhere in this county. His descendant,
WUliam de Say, died possessed of the manor of Birling in the
23d of Edward I.; and in some old deeds, Birling is styled

588 HISTORY OF THE
caput baronice de Say, that is, the capital seat of his barony.
These baronies were of no determinate extent, being more or
lesq, according to the grant of the king, each of which being
held in capite by barons, was accounted a complete barony,
notwithstanding the difference in the number of fees contained
in each. Those who held them were called barons, and as such,
always summoned to Parliament.
However, in the reigns of Kings John and Henry IIL, they
were so greatly increased in number, began to augment so much
in power, and became so turbulent, that the latter prince, in the
60th year of his reign, summoned only the most experienced
among them, by writ, to Parliament. Edward I. and his suc
cessors continued the same course ; from which time those only
were accounted barons who had writs or a summons to Parlia
ment, and it has been observed, that this prudent monarch
constantly summoned the wisest men of the most ancient
families, omitting, after their deaths, those sons who did not
equal their fathers in understanding and talent.
His son, Geoffry de Say, was summoned to Parliament, among
the barons of this realm, in the 7th of Edward II. , as vvere his
several descendants afterwards. He died in the 15th year of
that reign, possessed of this manor, which he held of the king
in capite, as of the barony of Maminot. At length, John de
Say dying in his minority, and in ward to the king, in the 6th
of Richard II. , Elizabeth, his sister, became his heir, and pos
sessed this manor. She married, first. Sir John de Fallesby, by
whom she had no issue ; and secondly. Sir WUliam Heron, who
possessed this manor, and bore the title of lord Say in her right.
In the 19th of Richard IL, they levied a fine to them and
their heirs male, with remainder to her own right heirs ; four
years after which she died, when he continued possessed of the
estate tiU his death, in the 6th of Henry IV. Upon this, the
manor passed by the above fine to her heirs and next of kin,
being the three sisters of her father, William de Say, and their
heirs ; and upon a partition of their inheritance, this property,
with other estates, was allotted to Sir WiUiam de Clinton, grand
son of Idonea, the eldest sister, who, upon this, bore the title of
lord Clinton and Say, and having been summoned to Parliament
in the reign of Henry VL, died the following year, leaving one
son, John lord Clinton, his next heir.

COUNTY OF KENT. 589
Previous to that period, this manor had been for some time
in feoffees for particular uses, as appears by an autograph docu
ment in the Surrenden library ; but upon his death, it became
vested in Elizabeth, daughter and sole heir of Richard
Beauchamp, earl of Worcester and lord Bergavenny, son of Sir
William, the fourth son of Thomas earl of Warwick, then mar
ried to Sir Edward Nevill, fourtli son of Ralph, the first earl of
Westmoreland, by Joan, his wife, daughter of John of Gaunt,
duke of Lancaster.
The ancestor of this family of the Nevill's was a Norman,
who landed vvith the Conqueror, whose grandson, Geoffrey, left
an only daughter and heir. She married Robert Fitz-Maldred,
of Raby, in the bishopric of Durham, whose son, of the same
name, in consequence of his mother's great inheritance, assumed
the surname of Nevill; and his descendants, from this principal
seat of the family, were called the Nevill's of Raby, and sum
moned to Parliament by that title. To trace this numerous and
iUustrious family would prove the descendants related not only
to most of the nobility in the kingdom, but also to the royal
family, a task too voluminous for the present History. It is
therefore sufficient to notice here, that Ralph Nevill, earl of
Westmoreland, by his first wife, was ancestor of the Nevill's
earls of Westmoreland, and Nevill lord Ousley ; while by his
second w.fe he had eight sons and five daughters, most of whom
became peers of the realm, and men of great eminence and
renown. Richard, the eldest, was earl of Warwick and Salis
bury, whose son, Richard the great earl of Warwick, surnamed
the King Maker, ended in two daughters, married to George
duke of Clarence, brother of Edward IV., and Edward prince of
Wales, son of Henry VI. ; and secondly, to Richard duke of
Gloucester, afterwards Richard III. John was created Marquis
Montacute, and George was archbishop of York ; William was,
in right of his wife. Lord Fauconbridge, and afterwards earl of
Kent ; George was, by feoffment fro u his father, Lord Latimer;
Edward was baron of Bergavenny, as before mentioned ; and
Robert was bishop of Durham.
The arms of Beauchamp are carved in several places on the
rooffing of Canterbury cloisters ; as are those of the Nevill's,
with several impalements. Those shields are equally in the
VOL. 111. 4 G

590 HISTORY OF TflE
cathedral as well as over the stone gateway leading to that edi
fice, erected about the reign of Henry VIII.
Sir Edward Nevill having performed homage for the lands of
.his wife's inheritance in the I4th of Henry VI. , a.d. 1435, had
possession of the estates accordingly, excepting the castle and
lordship of Bergavenny. However, in right of his wife, he
held the title of lord Bergavenny according to the ancient cus
tom of the realm, though he was not summoned to Parliament
till ten years afterwards. He died under Edward IV., being
then possessed, as tenant, by the courtesy of England, of the
inheritance of Elizabeth, his wife, of this manor, with Mereworth
in this county, among others. This custom oft being tenant by
courtesy wasnever repealed till the reign of Henry VIIL, when Mr.
Wimbishe assumed the title of Talbois, in right of his wife,
haviDg had no issue by her ; when, in order to avoid the incon
venience which might arise from those proceedings, the king,
assisted by the civil and temporal lawyers, gave sentence, that '
no man being the husband of a baroness, should in her right
use the title of her dignity until she produced a child, whereby
he would become tenant, by courtesy, of her barony ; for then,
by the law of England, which gave him title to the barony, he
had also title to the dignity, as parcel of the same inheritance.
Edward Nevill, lord Bergavenny, left by his wife, above men
tioned, Sir George Nevill, lord Bergavenny, who succeeded him
in this manor, and, as his father had before done, attached him
self strongly to the interest of the house of York. He died in
the 7th of Henry VIL, a. d. 1492, and was buried in the priory
of Lewes, in Sussex, leaving several sons and daughters ; of
whom, George became heir; Edward was attainted and exe
cuted, whose descendants succeeded, in process of time, to the
title of Bergavenny ; and Thomas was of the Privy CouncU, and
secretary of state to Henry VIIL, whose only daughter and
heir, Margaret, married Sir Robert Southwell, of Mereworth.
Sir George Nevill, lord Bergavenny, succeeded his father in
this manor, and afterwards, on the castle and manor of Berga
venny becoming vested in the crown, by the death of Jasper
duke of Bedford, they were, by Henry VIIL, granted to Sir
George, as the true and lawful heir, upon a petition of right
exhibited by him to the king.

COUNTY OF KENT. 591
In the 13th year of that reign, a.d. 1497, when the Cornish
rebels encamped on Blackheath, the above peer, with many other
lords, by their great credit and power, prevented this county
from joining the malcontents ; and he had also a share in the
victory obtained over them soon afterwards. In the 2d of Henry
VIIL, he was made constable of Dover castle, and warden of
the Cinque Ports. In the 6th year of the same reign he was
created knight of the Garter, and subsequently attended the
king at the sieges of Terouenne and Tournay, and in his 12th
year was present at the memorable interview between Henry
VIIL and Francis I., in the plain between Guisnes and Ardres,
called the Field of Gold Cloth. His arms, within the garter,
are still remaining in the east window of Birling church, con
taining four quarterings, 1st, Nevill; 2d, Warren; 3d, Clare
and Despencer quartered ; and 4th, Beauchamp. Having mar
ried Mary, daughter of Edward duke of Buckingham, he
was suspected of being privy to those treasonable practices with
which his grace was then charged, and in consequence imprisoned,
but soon afterwards again received into favor. He died in the
27th of Henry VIIL, possessed of this manor, with its appurte
nances, which then consisted of seven messuages and 2000
acres of land in Birling, Ryarsh, and Addington; having by will
entailed most of his lands, in failure of heirs male of his own
body, to the heirs male of his brother. Sir Edward Nevill ; and
the remainder, in fee, to his own right heirs, ordering his body
to be interred in the church of Birling. He was three times
married. Henry Nevill, lord Bergavenny, his son and successor, by his
second wife, was summoned to Parliament under Edward VL
On the insurrection of Sir Thomas Wyatt, in the reign of Queen
Mary, he raised a body of forces to oppose him, and overtaking
a party of the insurgents at Blacksoil field, in the parish of
Wrotham, there engaged and routed them, great numbers being
slain. He died at his seat of Comford, in the 29th of Queen
Elizabeth, and was buried at Birling with great pomp and
solemnity. His daughter, then aged thirty-two, was his sole heir, who,
in the 17th of Elizabeth, married Sir Thomas Fane, when she
challenged the title of baroness Bergavenny against Edward
NeviU, son of Sir Edward, a younger brother of George lord

592 HISTORY OF THE
Bergavenny. This Sir Edward Nevill had been a great favorite
of Henry VIIL, and was said to resemble the king in person;
but in the 29th year of that reign, being accused and found
guilty, with others, of maintaining a correspondence with
Cardinal Pole, he was attainted and beheaded, by which all
his remainder in his brother's lands were forfeited to the king.
Queen Mary, however, restored his son, Edward Nevill, by Act
of Parliament, to the forfeited remainder, so long as there should
be any heir male ; but the remainder to the heirs was reserved to
the queen. He left two sons, Edward, above mentioned, who
was restored to the title of lord Bergavenny ; and Henry, of
Billinghear, in Berkshire ; from which line the Nevill's of that
county are descended. The dispute above mentioned was not
terminated till the 1st of James I., a.d. 1602, when riie barony
of Bergavenny was given to the heirs male ; and, as a compen
sation to the female heir, she was, by the king's letters patent,
created baroness Le Despencer, with entail to her heirs. This
circumstance has been previously mentioned, but is, from neces
sity, introduced again in this place, in order to account for the
succession. Edward Nevill, to whom the barony of Bergavenny
was thus decreed, had died in the 31st of Elizabeth, and was
succeeded by Edward, his eldest son, who had the title confirmed
to him in the 1st of King James, above mentioned ; after which,
he laid claim to the earldom of Westmoreland, which was deter
mined against him. He had several sons and daughters ; ofthe
former. Sir Henry Nevill, the eldest, succeeded him in title and
estates. Edward lord Abergavenny, as he was afterwards called
died in 1623, and was buried, with his ancestors, at Birling;
and his descendant, George lord Abergavenny, died without
issue in 1696, upon which, the title descended to the heirs male of
Sir Christopher NeviU, next surviving son of Lord Abergavenny.
Sir Christopher Nevill was seated at Newton St. Low, in So
mersetshire, and made knight of the Bath at the coronation of
Charles I., who, dying in 1694, was interred at Birling. His
grandson, George, was of Sheffi^-dd, in Sussex, and had two
sons; George, who succeeded as Lord Abergavenny, in 1695,
and Edvvard, who was father of WiUiam lord Abergavenny, and
died in 1701. George lord Abergavenny, with the title, pos*
sessed also the manor of Birling, and had two sons, George and
Edward, who succeeded each other in this title.

COUNTY OF KENT. 593
He died in 1721, and was succeeded by his eldest son, George
lord Abergavenny, who married Elizabeth, daughter of Edward
Thornicroft, esq. of Westminster, and dying without issue in
1723, was succeeded in title and in this manor by his brother
Edward lord Abergavenny, who married Catherine, daughter of
General Tatton. He, dying without issue in the nineteenth year
of his age, was succeeded in title by William Nevill, son and heir
of Edward Nevill, only brother of George lord Abergavenny,
father of George and Edward, the last lords above mentioned.
WUUam lord Abergavenny married Catherine lady Aberga
venny, widow of Edward, the late lord, and by her had a son,
George. He married, secondly, Rebecca, daughter of Thomas
earl of Pembroke, by whom he had one son and three daughters.
He died at Bath in 1744, and was succeeded by his eldest son
by his first wife, George, who was by letters patent further ad
vanced to the titles of Viscount Neville, of Birling, in Kent, and
earl of Abergavenny in the county of Monmouth. He had se
veral children, and dying in 1785, was succeeded by his eldest
son, Henry earl of Abergavenny, who married the daughter of
John Robinson, esq. of Sion hall, in Middlesex, by whom he had
several children.
He bore for his arms. Gules, on a saltier, argent, a rose ofthe
first, barbed and seeded proper ; for his crest. In a ducal coro
net, or, a bull's head, argent, pied sable, armed of the first, and
charged on the neck with a rose gules ; supporters. Two bulls,
argent, pied sable, armed, unguled, collared and chained, or.
The original arms of NeviU were. Or, fretty gules on a canton,
per pale, ermine and or, a ship with three tops, sable. But, in
the reign of Edward III., the heiress of this name marrying
Robert Fitzmaldred, of Raby, though he assumed the name of
Nevill, nevertheless retained his own arms. Gules, a saltier argent,
as did all the Nevill's, his descendants, with difference on the
saltier, for distinction, except the eldest branch of Westmoreland,
which bore the saltier plain. He bears, including his own
arms, 108 quarterings.
The old seat of the Lords Abergavenny, in this parish, has
been long since neglected, nor has this family resided here for
many generations, their present seat being at Kidbrooke, near
East Grinsted, in Sussex.
Birling is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of

594 HISTORY OF THE
the diocese of Rochester, and deanery of Mailing. The church,
dedicated to All Saints, is a handsome building, the vicaraj^e
being valued in the king's books at £6 9 4 J, and the yeariy
tenths at I2s. lljd.
In 1821, there were eighty-two dwellings in the parish of
Birling; and at the same period, when the last census of
the population was taken by order of Parliament, the num
bers of inhabitants were as follow : males 239, females 220,
making a total of 469 souls.
Southward from Birling lies Ryarsh, commonly called
Rash; in Domesday record it is named Riesce, and inthe
Texlus Roff^ensis, Reiersce.
The parish of Ryarsh is rather an unfrequented district, but
more healthy than either pleasant or fertile, being about two
miles in length, and extremely narrow. The water, caUed
Addington brook, crosses the centre of the parish, eastward,
beyond which it extends southward up to the high road from
London, through Wrotham to Maidstone, about half a mile
beyond which is Fatherwell, situated at the boundary of the
parish, near Ofham street. The village stands close fo the
north side, near the above brook, having the church to the east,
almost adjoining Leyborne parish. Hence the ground rises
northward, where, at about a mile distant, is another hamlet,
also denominated Ryarsh, being larger than the former viUage.
The soil between the two is a deep unfertile sand, but on the
rising ground, southward ofthe turnpike road, it borders much
upon the quarry rock.
This manor was part of the possessions of Odo, bishop of
Bayeux, under the general title of whose lands it was entered in
Domesday record. Upon the disgrace of that prelate, this
manor seems to have passed to the family of the Crescie's, one
of which is mentioned in the roll of Battle abbey, as having sur
vived the fatal conflict at Hastings.
William de Crescie possessed this manor in the reign of King
John, whose descendant, Hugh de Crescie, died in the 47th of
Henry III., without issue, when Stephen, his brother, became
bis heir, and succeeded to this manor. In the following reign
of Edward I., John de Mowbray held the estate, as appears by
ancient court rolls of the reign of Edward IL, as parcel ofthe
2

COUNTY OF KENT. 595
barony of Bedford. Becoming subsequently discontented, con
cerning some portion of the property of his wife, Aliva, having
been withheld from him, he took up arms, with other great men,
but, being defeated at the battie of Boroughbridge, in York
shire, in the 15th of Edward II. , vvas there taken prisoner, and
conveyed to York, where he was hanged, aud his estates confis
cated to the crown.
His descendants were summoned to parliament as Lords
Mowbray, of Axholme, one of whom, John lord Mowbray, was
created earl of Nottingham on the coronation of Richard II., with
this special clause in the charter of his creation, viz. that all the
lands and tenements of which he was then possessed, or should
after purchase, were to be held sub honore comitali, as parcel of
his earldom. He enjoyed this honour only till the eighteenth
year of his age, and then died in the 6th of that reign, when
he was interred in the church of the Carmelites, near Fleet
street, London.
He was succeeded by Thomas, his brother, who, two days
after, was advanced to the dignity of earl of NotUngham, per
cincturam gladii, and by patent, in the above reign, a.d. 1385,
had granted to him the title and office of Earl Marshal of
England, being the first of that creation, when he stood in such
favor with the king, that he permitted him to bear for his crest,
A golden leopard, with a white label, which, by right, belonged
to the king's eldest son, wherefore acoronet of silver was substi
tuted for the white label. It was also awarded, that he and his
heirs male, in consequence of their office of earl marshal, should
bear a golden truncheon, enamelled with black at either extre
mity, having at the upper end the arms of the king, and at the
lower his own armorial bearings ; the following year he was
further created duke of Norfolk ; his grandmother, Margaret,
daughter and heir of Thomas Brotherton, being the same day
constituted duchess of Norfolk for life.
Notwithstanding these favors, he was banished the following
year, for having brought accusations against Henry duke of
Hereford, when it was determined the cause should be tried by the
laws of chivalry. A day was in consequence appointed for the
trial by combat, every ceremonial having been prepared with
great solemnity by command of the king, who, after the dispu
tants had entered the lists, forbade the combat, by the advice of

596 HISTORY OF THE
his council, and banished the duke of Hereford for ten years,
and the duke of Norfolk for life. The latter never returned to
England, but died at Venice, on his route from Jerusalem, in
the 1st of King Henry IV., as is supposed of the plague, though
many have asserted of grief, when he was buried in that city,
being, at the period of his death, possessed of vast estates in dif
ferent counties, among which was this manor of Ryarsh, In his
descendants it continued down to John duke of Norfolk, who
died at his castle of Framingham, in Norfolk, in the 15th of
Edward IV., and was buried in the abbey of Thetford, leaving
by Ehzabeth, his wife, daughter of John Talbot, earl of Shrews
bury, a sole daughter and heir, Anne, then an infant, afterwards
married to Richard duke of York, second son of Edward IV.
She, however, dying without issue, the inheritance of this
famUy was divided between the Howard's and the Berkeley's,
descended from Margaret and Isabel, daughters of Thomas
Mowbray, first duke of Norfolk; and a division of their great
estates vvas made between their heirs in the Hth of Henry VII.
After that period the manor of Ryarsh was alienated to one of
the Nevill's, lords Abergavenny, when Henry was found to die
possessed of it in the 29th of Elizabeth, since which it has re
mained in the latter family.
The manor of Ryarsh is held of the manor of Swanscombe, by
castle- guard to the castle of Rochester.
Carew's Court, now generally called Callis Court, is a
manor in this parish, for many descents the inheritance of the
family of that name, which was seated at Beddington, in Surrey.
With that line it remained till the reign of Henry VI. , a.d. 1433,
when Nicholas Carew, of Beddington, alienated it to Thomas
Watton, who settled it on his nephew, William Wotton, esq. of
Addington, and his descendants, in the reign of Charles II., sold
it to Edward Walsingham, gent, who bore for his arms, A chev
ron between three cinque-foils, several of which family lie buried
in Ryarsh church. His descendant, Mr. Edward Walsingham,
of this place, dying without issue male, his aaughter Elizabeth
conveyed the estate in marriage to Sir Edward Austen, of Boxl.ey
abbey, bart., who died possessed of the same in 1760, and by
will devised it to his wife's cousin, John, son of Nicholas
Amhurst, in tail general, vvith several remainders, subject to the
life and future devise of his wife. Lady Austen, who, at her de-

COUNTY OF KENT. 59?
cease, confirmed her husband's bequest of this manor, upon
which John Amhurst, esq. of Boxley abbey, became possessed
of this estate.
Part of the bishop of Rochester's manor of Hailing' appears
to have extended into Ryarsh, that dignitary having had a
grange there.
Ryarsh is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of
the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Mailing. The church,
dedicated to St. Martin, is a small building, with a tower steeple,
but contains nothing remarkable.
The vicarage was a discharged Uving, of the clear yearly value
of £40, the annual tenths whereof were 17s.
In 1821 there were sixty dwellings in the parish of Ryarsh;
and at the same period, when the last census of the popula
tion was taken by order of ParUament, the numbers of inha
bitants were as follow: males 182, females 177, making a total
of 359 souls.
Leyborne lies eastward from Ryarsh, and is frequently,
though corruptly, called Laborne , In old records it was desig
nated Leleburne, and Lilleborne, and appears to have assumed
that title from the little brook or bourn that runs through this
parish, Lytlan signifying, in old English, litUe or small, quasi
Lytlanborne. The parish of Leyborne is situated both pleasantly and
healthily, about one mile square, and lies low, the soil being very
fertile. The Addington brook runs through the south and east
sides of this district, and near the latter turns a mill caUed the
Leyborne miU. Close to the southern boundary is the high road
from London, through Wrotham to Maidstone, the twenty -
ninth milestone being nearly opposite to Town Mallino-.
Leyborne castie, and the church contiguous, are in the eastern
part of the parish, not far from the brook ; and tiie pleasant
mansion and paddock grounds, called the Grange, about a mUe
thence, are at the western bounds, between which and the brook
southward, there are some gentle hills and dales.
As an instance of the fertility of the soil of this parish for
hops. Hasted states that a cottager who lived in Sir Henry
Hawley's rents, had half an acre of land belonging to his humble
dw'eUing, which in 1784 produced a crop of forty-five hundred
vol. Ill, 4 n

598 HISTORY OF THE
of hops, which sold for 5^ 1 45, having realised a complete fortune
for the poor countryman.
This place vvas once part of the possessions of bishop Odo,
under the general title of whose lands it was entered in the
record of Domesday, and afterwards granted by the crown to
Sir WiUiam de Arsick.
How long it remained in that name we do not find, but in the
reign of Richard I. it was in the possession of the family of the
Leyborne's, v^'hich bore for its arms. Azure, six lions rampant,
argent, sometimes three, as they were painted in the windows of
Newington church, near Sittingbourne ; about which period
they erected a castellated mansion here, the ruins of which are
still visible.
Sir Roger de Leyborne, with many other Kentish knights,
accompanied Richard I. to the siege of Ascalon, in Palestine,
who died before the 10th year of that reign, leaving a son,
Roger de Leyborne.
In the 36th ofthe ensuing reign of Henry III. he slew in combat
Ernolf de Mounteney, at a meeting ofthe knights of the Round
Table, held at Walden,, in Essex, his lance having pierced Sir
Ernolfs throat, under the helmet, which had no collar, and the
spear having no socket on the point, it was supposed to have
been done purposely, in revenge for a broken leg Robert de Ley
borne had received from Mounteney when engaged at a former
tournament. On the king recovering his royal power, by his victory at
Evesham, he had several important offices and lucrative grants
conferred upon him from time to time, and, among others, that
of warden of the Cinque Ports, in the 60th year ofthe above
reign, having the guard of the sea coasts in Kent, in opposition
to the inhabitants of the Cinque Ports, who then stood out
against the king. This Sir Roger de Leyborne expended large
sums from his private purse in the above service, wherefore the
sheriff of this county was ordered to reimburse him out of the
county profits. He died in the 66th year of the same reign,
leaving William de Leyborne his son and heir, who in the 14th
of the succeeding prince had the honour of entertaining King
Edward I. at his mansion here, as appears by the patent rolls
in the Tower, of that year. Twelve months after, he was styled
the king's admiral, and made constable of the castle of Pevensey;

COUNTY OF KENT. 590
after which he obtained a grant of the wardship and marriage
of Geoffrey, son and heir of WUliam de Say, deceased, who
subsequently married Idonea, his daughter.
In the 28th of the above reign, Henry and Simon de Ley-
home, two cadets of this family, attended the king into Scotland,
at the famous siege of Carlaverock, for which service they re
ceived the honour of knighthood, having been summoned to
parliament from the reign of Edward I. to that of Edward II.
He died that year, leaving Juliana, his granddaughter, his
heir ; but it appears by the escheat rolls, that he had enfeoffed
his son, Thomas de Leyborne, in this manor, some time before
his death, who died during his father's lifetime, in the 36th of
Edward I., possessed of this manor at the period of his death.
It appears, from Cotton's records, that there was an heir male
left of this family, for John de Leyborne received a summons to
Parliament in the 14th and 17th of Edward III., who seems to
have been the same John de Leyborne who was appointed
admiral of the northern seas in the 20th of Edward II. Juliana
de Leyborne, the great Kentish heiress, so often mentioned as
heir to her grandfather, became possessed of this manor in part
of her vast property, and carried her estates, successively, to
all her husbands ; the last of whom was Sir William Clinton, of
Maxtoke, ancestor to the lords Clinton and Say, earls of Lincoln,
and dukes of Newcastle.
This marriage was, most probably, the cause of all his future
honours and advancement, for, in the course of the foUowing
year, he was created governor of Dover castle, and summoned
to Parliament among the barons of the realm ; constituted
admiral of the seas from the Thames westward ; and, gaining
stUl further favor with the king, was, by letters, patent, created
earl of Huntingdon.
He died possessed of this manor and castle, and was buried
in the church of the priory of Maxtoke, which he had founded,
leaving Juliana, his wife, surviving, by whom he had no issue.
She died possessed of this manor and castle in her own right,
and was interred in St. Augustine's monastery, near Canterbury;
and upon her death, the property became escheated to the crown
for want of heirs, either direct or coUateral.
After the above period, the king, by charter, granted this
manor and castle, with the advowson of the church of Leyborne,

600 HISTORY OF THE
to feoffees, for the endowment of his newly founded Cistertian
abbey, called St. Grace's, near the Tower of London. These
feoffees, after the death of King Edward, in compliance with
his will, conveyed them to the abbot and monks there, and their
successors, for a term of years, who granted their interest therein
to Sir Simon de Burley, knight of the Garter, and warden of
the Cinque Ports. He having forfeited the estates, with his
life, for high treason, in the IOth of Richard IL, that prince
granted the same to the monks in pure and perpetual alms, for
ever, for the performance of certain religious purposes ; vvho
remained possessed of this property till the dissolution, under
Henry VIIL, when the whole was surrendered to the kino-.
The above prince, by letters patent, in his 3lst year, under
his great seal, granted and sold, in exchange, among other pre
mises, to Thomas Cranmer, archbishop of Canterbury, the manor
of Leyborne ; which grant vvas, in consequence of an indenture
previously made between the king and the archbishop, enroUed
in the Augmentation office.
This estate did not remain long with the primate, who, within
a few years, was obliged to comply with the avarice of the king,
and passed the property back to the crown in the 37th year of
that reign, when the monarch immediately granted the manor
and castle to Sir Edward North, chancellor of the court of
Augmentation, to hold in capite, by knight's service.
In the 6th of Edward VI. , the latter possessor alienated this
manor, with its appurtenances, to Robert Gosnold, who, in the
reign of Elizabeth, passed away this manor and castle to Robert
Godden ; and he, by a fine levied under the same princess,
settled them on Thomas Godden, his son and heir. A few years
after, the last-mentioned owner passed them away by sale to
Sir John Leveson, or Lewson, of Whorne's place, in Cookstone,
and his son. Sir Richard Leveson, knight of the Bath, of Trent
ham, in Staffordshire, in the reign of James I., alienated them
to Henry Gierke, recorder of Rochester. He died possessed of
them about the time of the decapitation of Charles I., and was
succeeded by his son and heir. Sir Francis Gierke, who devised
them by will to his kinsman, Gilbert Gierke, esq. of Derbyshire,
who sold them to Captain Saxby, of the Grange, in this parish.
Thence they were passed by sale, in 1724, to Francis Whitworth,
esq., youngest brother of Charles lord Whitworth, of Salop,

COUNTY OF KENT. 601
who bore for his arms Argent, a bend sable, in the sinister chief,
a garb gules. Lord WhitwOrth was the eldest of six sons.
Francis Whitworth, esq. resided at the Grange, in this parish,
and dying in 1742, was succeeded by his son and heir, Charles,
afterwards Sir Charles Whitworth. He had several children,
of whom the eldest son. Sir Charles Whitworth, was knight of
the Bath, and envoy extraordinary to the court of Russia. In
1776 he, together with his eldest son, conveyed this estate by
sale to James Hawley, m.d. and f.r.s., descended from a
Somersetshire family. Dr. Hawley died in 1777, and was
buried in a vault in Leyborne church, which he had built for
.himself and family, having borne for his arms. Vert, a saltier,
engrailed argent. He was succeeded by his son, Henry, who
was created a baronet, and resided at the Grange, in this parish,
having had several children by his two wives.
A court-leet and court-baron is held for this manor.
There are some remains of the ancient buildings of Leyborne
castle still existing, namely, the stonework of the principal
entrance, with great part of the circular towers on either side,
and other fragments of arches and walls. By the remaining
foundations, and the traces of the moat, this castle does not ap
pear to have been very extensive ; on its site, many years back,
there stood a dwelling-house, which appears to have been for
some generations the habitation of a gentleman's family, one of
vvhich, Mr. Thomas Golding, kept his shrievalty here in 1703,
who bore for his arms. Argent, a cross, voided between four lions
passant, guardant gules. This dwelling, however, has been for
many years past converted into a farm-house.
The Grange is a seat in this parish, which, in the reign of
Elizabeth, was the estate and residence of Robert Quintin,
otherwise Oliver, descended from Anselinus, or Anselmus de
Quintin, who Uved in the reign of Edward III. His descend
ant, WiUiam Quintin, was of Seale, in this county, where he
purchased lands, called Hilks, in the beginning of the reign of
Henry VI. His son, Thomas, was frequently styled Thomas
Quinrin, son of Oliver, wherefore his son, John, acquired the
name of Quintin, otherwise OUver; by which title he styled
himself in his wiU, dated a.d. 32d of Henry VIII. His des
cendant, Robert, transposed his name, calling himself Robert
Oliver, otherwise Quintin, and possessed this seat, where he

602 HISTORY OF THE
resided ; as did his grandson, Robert, who used the name of
Oliver only. He bore for his arms. Ermine on a fess, gules,
three lions rampant, or, and died in the reign of Charies II.,
leaving Juliana, his sole daughter and heir, who carried this seat
in marriage to Edward Covert, of Sussex, by whose only dauo-h
ter it went in like manner, to Mr. Henry Saxby. His son,
Captain Saxby, resided here, and alienated the estate to Francis
Whitworth, esq., who rebuUt the Grange, and greatly improved
the adjoining grounds, of which he died possessed in 1742.
His only son and heir, Sir Charles Whitworth, together with his
eldest son, who was next in entail, then passed away this seat,
in 1776, with the whole of his property in this parish, to James
Hawley, m.d., whose only son. Sir Henry Hawley, bart., after
wards possessed the same.
Leyborne is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction
of the diocese of Rochester and deanery of Mailing. The
church, a smaU building, stands in the south-east part of the
parish, and is dedicated to Sts. Peter and Paul.
At a place called Comp, lying mostly in Wrotham parish, there
is a small house and barn-yard, with 130 acres of land, being
parcel of Leyborne rectory, esteemed within this parish, those
of Ryarsh and Addington intervening; on a part of the same
are the remains of an ancient building, supposed to have been
a chapel of ease to the church of Leyborne.
This rectory was valued in the king's books at £17 13 4, the
yearly tenths being £1 15 4.
In 1821, there were fifty- three dwellings in the parish of
Leyborne ; and at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of ParUament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow : males 143, females 167, making a
totaj of 300 souls.
Eastward from Leyborne lies East Malling, called in
the Textus Roffensis Meallinges, and in Domesday record,
Metlinges.
This parish is most dehghtfuUy situated, being both pleasant
and healthy : the soil is chiefly sandy, covering the quarry rock ;
to the south it is rather more loamy, with a red brick earth ; but
the major part is extremely fertile, both for corn as weU as hops
and fruit. The high road from London, through Wrotham, to

COUNTY OF KENT. 608
Maidstone, crosses this parish at the thirtieth milestone, the
hamlet of Larkfield Street, which gives name to this hundred,
being situated here, where a fair is held, on St. James's day.
Hence this parish extends, northward, for more than a mile, to
the river Medway, the banks of which are beautifully shaded
by young oaks. Here is also a hamlet, called New Hythe,
situated close to the river, so denominated from the shipping
here, and the relading of goods that takes place ; the civil liberty
of the corporation of Maidstone claims over this district. A
chapel once existed here, called New Hythe chapel, suppressed
in the reign of Edward VI. , at which period it was valued at
lis. yearly; the first founder whereof is not known. Daily
masses were said in this place of worship.
Adjoining the southern side of the high road and hamlet of
Larkfield, is the small but beautifully situated park of Bradbourn,
the plantations of which, as well as the stream that flows through
it, are so judiciously and ornamentally disposed round the man
sion, as to render the same, for its size, one of the most elegant
residences in these parts. Close to the southern pale- of the
park, is the viUage of East MaUing, at the north end of which
is a handsome house that belonged to Sir John Twisden, with
the church and parsonage ; thence is a street, called Mill street,
traversing the village, containing some tolerably good houses
one of vvhich was the property of James Tomlyn, esq. The
ground then rises up to East MaUing heath, on the entrance to
which is the appearance of a Roman tumulus. On this heath,
which lies upon elevated ground, being a pleasant spot, though
surrounded on the east and west sides by large tracts of coppice
wood, are kilns for making bricks and tiles. Teston park bounds
the south-west corner, and the road thence to Town Malling and
Ofham leads along the southern part through the woods.
At the survey of Domesday, this pkce was part of the pos
sessions of the archbishop of Canterbury, under the title of
vvhose lands it was entered in that record.
The manor of East MaUing was given, not many years after
the Conquest, by Anselm archbishop of Canterbury, by tiie
name of Purvas Meallingas, to the nunnery of the adjoining
parish of West MaUing, founded by Gundulph bishop of
Rochester, his contemporary. In the 37th of Edward L, the
abbess of MaUing claimed several Uberties within this manor;

601 HISTORY OF THE
and in the 21st year of the same reign, she further demanded
its possession in view of frankpledge, assize of bread and ale,
and gallows, which she found her church possessed of at the
time of her coming to possession ofthe same ; and those privi
leges were granted to her by the jury.
In the reign of Richard II. the temporalities of the abbess of
MaUing, in this parish, and also those of Town MaUing, were
valued at £46.
This monastery being dissolved under Henry VIII, and sur
rendered to that monarch, he soon after granted it, in exchange
for other premises, to Thomas Cranmer, archbishop of Canter
bury, to hold by knight's service ; which grant was inroUed in
the Augmentation office.
The manor of East Mailing, and the premises before men
tioned, were again exchanged with the crown in the reign of
EUzabeth ; soon after whose accession she granted this manor in
lease to Sir Henry Brook, otherwise Cobham, fifth son of George
lord Cobham ; after which it was, in like manner, possessed by
one Pierpoint, and subsequently Hugh Cartwright, esq., who
bore for his arms. Argent on afess, engrailed sable, three cinque
foils of thefirst. On his decease, his widow, Mrs. Jane Cart
wright, one of the seventeen daughters of Sir John Newton,
became entitled to this estate, and carried her interest to her
second husband. Sir James Fitz-James, who' passed it away to
Sir Humphrey Delind, who soon after alienated it to Sir Robert
Brett, of Somersetshire. He died in 1726, leaving an only son,
Henry, who also departed this life in 1609, when, the following
year, the king granted this manor in fee to John Rayney, esq.;
which grant was further confirmed to Sir John, his eldest son, in
the reign of Charles I. Sir John Rayney was of Wrotlram
place, and created a baronet of Nova Scotia in 1641, whose son,
of the same name, passed this property away by sale to Thomas
Twisden, esq., afterwards knighted and created a baronet.
He aftervvards seated himself at Bradbourn, in this parish ;
and in his descendants, baronets, who were also residents there,
the estate has continued down to Sir John Papillon Twisden,
bart. of Badbourn, who ultimately possessed the same.
There is a court-leet and court-baron held for this manor.
Bradbourn is a seat in this parish, long the residence of a
gentleman's family, having been formerly accounted a manor,

COUNTY OF KiLNT. 605
which, in the reign of Henry VIIL, was in the possession ofthe
family of the Isley's, of Sundridge, in this county ; in which
line it continued till Sir Henry Isley, in the 3lst year of that
reign, exchanged it with the king for other premises.
in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, the property was possessed
by a family of the name of Manningham; the last of which
name residing here was Richard Manningham, esq., who, about
the year 1650, alienated Bradbourn to Thomas Twisden, esq.,
son of Sir WilUam Twisden, bart. of Roydon hall, in East
Peckham, and of the Lady Anne Finch, his wife. On the
restoration of Charles II. he was knighted ; and in 1666,
created a baronet, when he resided at this seat, the grounds of
which he laid out in a park; and died in 1683, aged eighty-one,
leaving several sons and daughters. The eldest of the former
succeeded him in title and estate, and resided at Bradbourn,
who died in 1703, leaving three sons and two daughters ; when
he was succeeded by the eldest son. Sir Thomas Twisden, bart.,
who was of Bradbourn, and served in Parliament for this county
under George I. He left four sons. Sir Thomas, his successor ;
Sir Roger, who succeeded his brother ; and John ; and William,
who died. He departed this life in 1728, and was succeeded by
his eldest son. Sir Thomas Twisden, before mentioned, who died
at Grenada, in Spain, in 1737, unmarried, when this estate
devolved to his brother. Sir Roger Twisden, bart., who resided
at Bradbourn, which he so much improved, that there are few
seats of private gentlemen that exceed it in convenience, beauty,
or elegance.
He served in Parliament for this county under George II. ,
and having resided here, bearing the most exemplary character,
died in 1772, and was buried, with his ancestors, in East
MaUing church.
He left three sons, Roger; William, who resided at Hythe ;
and John Papillon Twisden ; when he was succeeded by his
son. Sir Roger, of Bradbourn, who died in 1779, leaving a
widow, who, after his decease, was delivered of a daughter ;
when his surviving brother. Sir John Papillon Twisden, bart.,
succeeded him both in title and estate. He resided at Brad
bourn, and in 1782 married a daughter of Admiral Sir Francis
Geary, of Polsden, in Surrey, bart., by whom he had a eon,
born in 1784,
VOL. III. 4 I

606 HISTORY OF THE
East Malling is within the ECCLESIASTICAL jurisdiction
of the diocese of Rochester, and, being a peculiar of the arch
bishop of Canterbury, within the deanery of Shoreham. The
church, dedicated to St. James, is a handsome bnilding, with a
square tower at the west end ; but contains nothing worthy to
be recorded.
The vicarage was valued in the king's books at £\0 8 4;
the yearly tenths being £1 0 10.
The vicar of East Malling is always entitled to officiate a.s
one of the ministers who preach at the lecture founded in Town
MaUing church, having to deliver one sermon every fortnight,
on a Saturday, being the market-day, when he receives 10s. for
each discourse so promulgated.
In 182 1 there were 219 dweUings in the parish of East Mailing;
and at the same period, when the last census of the popu»
lation was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inha
bitants were as foUow: males 700, females 703, making a
total of 1403 souls.
Westward from East Mailing lies the town and parish of
West Malling, now commonly called Town Malling.
It is written in Domesday Mallengetis , and in the Textus
Roffensis, Mellinges. In many deeds after the Conquest, it
was styled Millinges Parva, to distinguish it from East Malling,
then the largest and mo^ noted village of the two.
The town and parish of West Mailing, with the exception of
the borough of St. Leonard, which is under the jurisdiction of
the constables of the hundred of Larkfield, is subservient to that
of its own constables, of which there are two chosen annually.
The parish of Town MaUing occupies a pleasant and healthy
situation, lying on high ground, and though dry, is well watered.
The soil in the north is sandy, the rest being a loam, covering
the quarry rock, which is very fertile. The high road from
London, through Wrotham, to Maidstone, at the twenty-ninth
milestone, leads along the northern boundaries of this parish,
being called, in the grant of this place to the bishop of Rochester
by King Edward, the military way, no doubt from its having
been used as such by the Romans. Southward, the ground
gently rises, and at less than a quarter of a mile distant, is the
town of MaUing, well built, containing many good houses, the

COUNTY OF KENT. QOT
streets being wide and neatly paved. At the east end is the
abbey, the approach to which is by a venerable gateway, and
notwithstanding the whole of the fabric was nearly pulled down
and rebuilt by Mr. Honywood, yet many of the ancient build
ings and offices belonging to the same are still remaining, and
used as such at the present time. A handsome tower of the
church, the front of which is decorated with intersecting arches
and zigzag ornaments, similar to those on the west front of
Rochester cathedral, is still remaining, as is also an ancient
chapel or oratory, now converted into a dwelling-house.
From the foundations discovered in levelling the ground by
Mr. Honywood, it appears that this abbey consisted of two
quadrangles or courts, with cloisters, and a spacious hall ; and
that the church had another tower, of the same size as that
still standing. The burial-ground seems to have been on the
south side of the church, as, when digging in that direction,
great quantities of human bones were thrown up, and two stone
coffins enclosing skeletons, the lids being without insciiptioiis,
but each ornamented by a cross, having a quartre-foil pierced at
the upper end, the stem of which was crossed more than once
with foliage ; there were also several rings and trinkets ; some
old coins having been also found at different periods, in clearing
away the rubbish.
Over the west end of the grand gateway, which stands al the
entrance into the precinct of the abbey from the town, at the
western extremity of the building, is carved, in stone, a heart
emitting drops of blood, and on the reverse, a shield, bearing
Ermine, a crazier in bend, sinister on a chief, three amu'.ets.
In the meadows above the gardens, are large square excava
tions, where the fish ponds of the monastery were formerly
situated. The precincts of this religious house are washed by a rivulet
of exceUent clear water, which rising in the hamlet of St.
Leonard, runs by the house, and traverses the gardens, whence
gushing through the waU in a cascade, it crosses the road towards
the gardens that belonged to the Rev. Mr. Brook. There is a
view of this abbey in Grose's Antiquities.
Near the abbey gate is a good mansion, having a large garden
and canal, with pleasure-grounds behind, stretching to the
London road. It was fir many years the residence of the family

608 HISTORY OF THE
of the Brooke's ; from which name it passed, by the will of
Joseph Brooke, esq., who died in 1792, to the Rev. John Ken
ward Shaw, brother of Sir Gregory Kenward Shaw, bart., who
afterwards, in pursuance of the above will, and by the royal
licence, assumed the name of Brook, and resided there. A little
farther westward, is a very ancient stone building, called the
Old Gaol, with narrow Gothic windows, the walls being of great
thickness. It is reported to have "been the prison belonging to
the abbey, and has since been used as an oast for the drying of
hops. About the middle of the street stands the church; not
far from which ia a good dwelling, late the residence of Benjamin
Hubble, esq., whose family had been inhabitants of this town
for some length of time, several of whom lie buried in this
church. He died in 1780, leaving two daughters his coheirs,
one of whom married Augustus Douce, esq., who resided there.'
Farther southward is the hamlet of St. Leonard, now constitut
ing part of the town, and called St. Leonard's Street, wherein is
an ancient seat, some years back the residence of Charles
Stewart, esq., whose father. Admiral Stewart, purchased it of
Judge Twisden. This district once contained a cell, belonging
to the abbey, whereto a chapel was annexed; the whole, how
ever, has been long since desecrated and in ruins. The square
tower of the chapel, standing in the next field south-west from
the late Mr. Stewart's house, being all that now remains. It
was purchased by the latter gentleman, some years since, of Sir
.lohn Honywood, in exchange for other premises near the abbey,
and is now converted into a stowage for hops. Mr. Stewart
died in 1780, and was succeeded here by the Hon. Admiral John
Forbes, who died possessed of this property. A market is held
in the principal high street every Saturday, vvhich is plentifully
supplied and well frequented; and there are also three annual
fairs. The whole of Town Malling is well watered by fine
springs, which, after supplying the place and abbey, flow in one
stream, and passing northward, through the grounds once be
longing to the family of the Brooke's, cross the high Maidstone
road, and thence meander into Addington brook, just above
Leyborne mill.
About half a mile south-east from the abbey, is a good modern-
built residence, caUed New Barne, which formerly belonged to
Mr. Alchin, from whom it passed to theGraham's,who resided there.

COUNTY OF KENT. «)9
Above St. Leonard Street runs the high road from Teston,
over east MaUing heath, through this parish, to Ofham ; south
ward of which, the district extends into the large tract of cop
pice woods, as far as West Peckham and Mereworth.
Dr. William Briggs, an eminent physician, resided at Town
Mailing, where he died in 1704. He was a great traveller in
foreign countries, and highly esteemed for professional skill, as
well as erudition, of which his several works are sufficient testi
monials. He vvas physician in ordinary to King William and
St. Thomas's hospital, and bore for his arms. Gules, three bars
gemelles, or, a canton sable.
This place was given, in 946, by Edmund, king of the Angles
and of Mercia, to Burhric bishop of Rochester, where it did not
long continue, being wrested from that prelate in the time of the
Panish wars. WiUiam the Conqueror having attained the
crown, gave it to Odo, bishop of Bayeux, from whom it was re
covered, together with the church of MaUinges, in the solemn
assembly of the whole county, held on that occasion, by the
king's command, at Penenden heath, in 1076, by Archbishop
Lanfranc, who subsequently restored it to Bishop Gundulph,
and the church of St. Andrew's, which gift was confirmed by
Archbishops Anselm and Boniface. In the survey of Domes
day, taken four years afterwards, it was entered under the general
title of lands belonging to the see of Rochester.
Bishop Gundulph, in the 4th of William Rufus, a.d. 1090,
having founded an abbey of Benedictine nuns, in this parish, in
honour of the Virgin Mary, gave to the same this manor and
church ; and although, about a hundred years after having been
erected, it was, together with the adjoining vUlage, destroyed
Ly fire, nevertheless the structure was soon after re-edified, and
continued to increase and enjoy a flourishing state.
In the 7th of Edward I., a.d. 1278, the abbess of Malling
claimed sundry liberties in this parish, by grant from Henry III.
as well as a weekly market ; she also demanded, by another
grant from King John, right of free warren in all her lands at
MaUing, and also to have fairs in this parish.
By these grants, this spot, which on its first foundation had
been open fields, with scarcely an inhabitant, became exceed
ingly populous, from the numbers who flocked thither from all
parts, and, erecting dweUings, increased the village to a conside-

610 HISTORY OF THE
rable extent, vvhich being also weU suited for trade, proved no
small emolument to the nuns. This place, therefore, soon lost
the name of Malling Parva, which was, in consequence, trans
ferred to the neighbouring parish of East MaUing, as appears by
some grants of that period.
In the 15th of Edward I. the temporalities of the abbess, in
this parish, and East Malling, were valued at £45.
There was an annual pension of ten pounds of wax, and one
boar," paid by the abbess to the bishop of Rochester, as an ac
knowledgment of her subjection to that see.
In 1321, the bishop of Rochester, at the request of the kin^,
visited this monastery to hear the complaints of the nuns against
the abbess, whom they declared was effecting the ruin of their
nunnery by her bad management : she was sister of Bartho
lomew de Badlesmere : and in consequence compelled to resign
her office, when the lady Agnes de Leyborne was appointed in
her place. Three years after the above period, she died ; when
the bishop, by the unanimous request of the community, apr
pointed Lora de Retling, abbess, though much against his will,
knowing her to be a very ignorant woman, and wholly unfit for
the office. He, however, inhibited her, giving a corredy to her
servant maid, as had been customary, and sequestering their
common seal, forbidding the use of the same without his licence.
A great pestilence happening in 1348, the bishop nominated
two abbesses, who both died, at which time there were no more
than four professed nuns remaining in this monastery. The
bishop, in consequence, committed the custody of the spirituals
and temporals to two of those sisters, as there was no one fit to
undertake the duties of abbess.
In 1493, under Henry VIL, Joane Moone was abbess of this
monastery, which continued in the same state until the period of
the dissolution under Henry VIIL, when Margaret Vernon offi
ciated as abbess, at which time the establishment was valued at
£260 10 21 annual rent, as recorded by Speed, and £218 4 2|
clear value, according to Dugdale ; an annual pension of £40
was also granted to the abbess, while to eleven nuns was given
yearly from £3 6 8 to £2 13 4 each, for their lives.
Henry VIIL, by letters patent, granted and sold in exchange,
among other premises, the site of this abbey to Archbishop
Cranmer.

COUNTY OF KENT. Oil
Jn the reign of Elizabeth these premises were again exchanged
with the crown, when she granted them on lease to Sir Henry
Brooke, otherwise Cobham, fifth son of Lord Cobham, after
vvhich they were held by the same possessors as the manor of
East Malling, before mentioned, when ultimately, after the
death of Sir Robert Brett, a.d. 1621, King James granted the
manor of West or Town Malling, with the precinct of Ewell
annexed, and all their appurtenances, to John Rayney, esq.,
which donation was further confirmed to his eldest son. Sir John
Rayney, under Charles I. He was of Wrotham, and created a
baronet of Nova Scotia in 1641, vvhose son, about the time of
the Restoration, conveyed these premises to Isaac Honywood,
gent., of Hampstead, Middlesex, whose second son, Isaac, suc
ceeded him in this manor and estate. Frazer Honywood, esq.
of Hampstead, his only son and heir, rebuUt the abbey house of
Mailing, in the Gothic taste, at a very considerable expense,
,.niaking it one of the seals for his residence, and died possessed of
the property in 1764, leaving no issue. He gave them, as well
as the rest of his estates, by will to his kinsman. Sir John Hony-'
wood, and his heirs male, with divers remainders to the famUy
of the Honywood's; Sir John of that name is since dead, and
his grandson. Sir John, afterwards possessed this manor, with
the seat of Mailing abbey appertaining thereto. The family of
the Say's anciently possessed the manor of .Clements, in Eweli,-:
in this parish, and Geoffry de Say held it in the 7th of Edward IL,
as half a knight's fee.
His son, Geoffry de Say, paid aid for it in the 20th of
Edward IIL, as half a knight's fee, which John at Forde had
before held in Ewell, in the parish of MaUing, ofthe bishop of
Rochester, This mauor then passed to the name of Coveney, but
in the reign of Henry VIIL it vvas in the possession of Mr.
Wilham Fowle, since which it has gradually sunk into such
obscurity, that neither the site nor the owners of the estate, can
be traced, even after the most diligent inquiries.
Town Malling is within the ecclesiastical jurisdic
tion of the diocese of Rochester, and gives name to the
deanery of MaUing, wherein it is situated. The church, a
handsome building, with an elegant spire steeple, is dedicated
to St. Mary, but contains nothing worthy of rotice.

612 HISTORY OF THE
In 1778 some of the main pillars of the body gave way, when
the whole roof fell in, leaving only the steeple and chancel
standing ; it was afterwards repaired by a brief.
The church of West Malling was given, with the manor, to the
church of Rochester, by King Edmund, in 945, and having sub
sequently been wrested thence, was again restored by Archbishop
Lanfranc to Bishop Gundulph, in the time of the Conqueror,
who bestowed it upon the monastery of Mailing, on its founda
tion, which gift was confirmed by several succeeding kings and
archbishops of Canterbury.
The parsonage, prebend, and advowson of the vicarage were
on the dissolution ofthe abbey, under Henry VIIL, surrendered
fo the king, who granted them to Archbishop Cranmer, to hold
by knight's service, after which the whole passed to Sir
John Rayney, who sold them to judge Twisden, whose de
scendant. Sir John PapiUon Twisden, bart., afterwards pos-.
sessed them.
The vicarage was valued in the king's books at £10, and the
yearly tenths at £1.
In 1821 there were 219 dweUings in the parish of Town
Malling ; and at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers
of inhabitants were as follow : males 557, females 648, making
a total of 1205 souls.
Westward from Town Mai.ling lies Ofham, called by
the Saxons, Offaham, whicii name it most probably derived from
having been once part of the possessions of Offa, king of Mercia,
the most renowned monarch of the Saxon heptarchy ; hnnt, in
Saxon, signifying a viUage or dweUing, from which, probably,
and the Roman military way having passed through, or at least
very near this place, was then, and had been for a long period, a
village of some note.
This parish seems to have been formerly of much greater
account than at present : although the road from the Weald of
Kent, through Wrotham, to London, traverses the village, it is
lonely, and otherwise a district little frequented or known ; and
the whole, from being enveloped in wood, presents a gloomy
appe? ranee.

COUNTY OF KENT. 613
The village, on an eminence, is situated round a broad green,
having the parsonage on one side, and the church and court
lodge at a small distance northward.
On Ofham green stands a quintin, an instrument of very rare
occurrence, but much used in former times by the youths, as
well to try their own activity, as the swiftness of their horses in
running at the machine. It consists of an upright beam, and
another crosspiece, moving in a swivel, broad at one end, and
pierced full of holes, a bag of sand being hung at the other
extremity, which swings round on being moved by any blow.
This pastime was followed by the youths on horseback, who
ran at the quintin full gallop, in order to strike the broad part
in the transverse beam, vyith all the force possible ; so that he
who by chance missed it, was greeted with loud peals of laugh
ter, while he who succeeded in striking it, was compelled to use
the utmost speed, lest he should receive a sound blow on his
neck from the bag of sand, which instantly swang round from
the other end of the quintin. The great design of this sport
was to try the agility both of horse and man, and to break the
board ; which, when accomplished, the performer of the feat
was accounted victor of that day's sport.
When Queen Elizabeth was at the earl of Leicester's, at
Kenilworth castle, among other sports for her entertainment, the
running at the quintin was exhibited in the castle yard, by the
country lads and lasses assembled on that day to celebrate a
rural wedding.
Dr. Plot, in his natural history of Oxfordshire, says, this
amusement was followed in his time at Deddington, in Oxford
shire ; and Dr. Kennet, in his Parochial Anriquities, states that it
was equally practised at Blackthorne. It is supposed to have
been, originally, a Roman exercise, left by that people in this
island on their departure.
The quintin stands opposite the dwelling-house of an estate
bound to keep it in repair ; the property in quesrion has been for
nearly three centuries in the name of Tresse, the last of which
line, Mr. Thomas Tresse, died possessed of it unmarried, in 1737.
It afterwards became the property of Mr. William Currant, who
resided there, and held it in right of his wife, a daughter of Mr.
Thomas Coleman, descended from a sister of the above Mr.
Thomas Tresse. This name of Tress, or Tresae, is supposed to
VOL. hi. 4 K

614 IHSTORY OF THE
be the same as that of Tracy, but altered by corruption and
time ; if so, the families of Tresse, so long settled at West
Mailing, and this place, might very probably be branches of
that of Tracy, possessors of the manor, still bearing their name
at Newington, near Sittingbourne. In the reign of Henry III.
they bore for their arms. Or, two bends, between nine escalops,
gule,<s. From the village, the ground descends for a mile down to the
Maidstone road, to London, which passes its northern boundary.
Here riie soil is a deep sand, which, nearer the village, ap-
Jsroaches the quarry rock; adjoining the southern side is the
great tract of woods, caUed the Hurst woods, extending hence
nearly two miles, as far as West Peckham and Mereworth.
It is reported that Jack Straw, a principal companion of Wat
Tyler, in the rebellion that occurred in the time of Richard IL,
was born at a small cottage at Pepinstraw, in this parish, whence
he assumed his surname.
Athulf, or Ethelwulph, king of England, son of Egbert, about
832, gave Ofnehamme, at the instance of Archbishop Ceolnoth,
to the church of Canterbury. This place was wrested from that
church during the troublesome times that foUowed, and seems
afterwards to have been held by two different owners. How
ever, the whole, hythe record of Domesday, was part of the
possessions of Odo, bishop of Bayeux, under the general title
of whose lands it was entered in that instrument.
On the disgrace of the prelate, they were confiscated to the
crown, and became the property of a family which, assumed its
name of De Ofham from this property, WiUiam de Ofham having
held the manor, with Godwell, Snodbean, and Pepinstraw, and
the advowson ofthe church of Ofham, under Henry III.
In the reign of Edward I., Stephen de Pencestre, who had
married Christiana, sister of William de Ofham, enfeoffed
Richard de Courtone, of an annual rent of assize, and the third
part of the advowson of the church of Ofham. Richard de
Courtone seems at that time to have been possessed of the
other parts of this manor, a third of which was claimed of him
by Matilda, another sister of William de Ofham. Soon after
the above period, Robert, brother of Richard de Courtone, passed
away the above annual rent, and the third part of the advowson,
to Ralph de Ditton, who, together with the said Richard de

COUNTY OF KENT. 615
Courtone, (for he still remained owner of Godwell,) were found
to be possessed of Ofham manor and its appendages, in the 7th
of Ed ward II.
Ralph de Ditton, senior, appears soon afterwards to have had
the entire fee of this manor and appendages, excepting Godwell,
and been also possessed of the whole advowson of Ofham ; and,
in the reign of Edward II., he granted to his daughter, Isabella,
his manor of Ofham, in perpetual inheritance, rendering yearly
the due and accustomed services of the chief lords of the fee.
Owing to that circumstance, he received in hand one hundred
marks sterling as a fine. Isabella de Ofham afterwards en
feoffed Sir John Chidocke in the manor and advowson, but
this was in trust, on her marriage with Thomas de Plumsted,
called Guodchepe, and accordingly he again assigned this
manor and advowson back to the said Thomas, and Isabella,
his wife.
Thomas de Plumsted appears to have assumed the name of
De Ditton, in right of his wife, and paid aid for this manor in
the book, for the collecting of which it is thus entered : " Of
Thomas de Ditton, and John Melford, for one knight's fee,
which Ralph de Ditton and Richard de Courtone held in Ofham.
of the archbishop of Canterbury, of which John Melford holds
one quarter of a knight's fee."
Thomas de Plumsted, otherwise Ditton, likewise called
Thomas Guodchepe, survived his wife, Isabella, by whom he had
a son and heir, Theobald, and died in the 21st year of that
reign, possessed of this manor, leaving his second wife, Nichola,
guardian to his son, then under age.
How long this estate remained in the above family, we have
not ascertained ; but find it soon after possessed by the Cole
peper's of Aylesford.
Sir Richard Colepeper, of Oxenhoath, who was sheriff of this
county in the reign of Edward IV., died possessed of the manor,
with its appendages, Snodbean, and Pepingstraw, with the
advowson of the church, in the 2d of Richard IL, a.d. 1484.
He left no male issue, when his three daughters became his co
heirs, and they, in the reign of Henry VIL, joined in the sale of
this manor to Thomas Leigh, of Sibton, in Liminge, in this
county. He left a son and heir, John Leigh, esq., who was of

I i
I I

616 HISTORY OF THE
Addington, in Surrey ; and in the reign of Henry VIIL, he
exchanged it vvith the king, for other lands and premises. That
monarch, in his 36th year, granted it to William Wilford, John
Bennet, and George Briggs, citizens of London, to hold in capite,
by knight's service.
The following year they alienated the above premises to John
Tufton, esq. of Hothfield ; in whose descendants, earls of
Thanet, the manor of Ofham, with its appendages, continued
down to the Right Hon. SackviUe Tufton, earl of Thanet.
The other appendages of the manor of Ofham, called
Godwell, remained in the possession of Robert de Courtone, and
passed, soon after, to the name of Melford, when John de Mel
ford paid aid for it in the 20th of Edward IIL, as one quarter of
a knight's fee, which Richard de Courtone had before held of
the archbishop of Canterbury.
His descendants continued owners of the manor of GodweU
till the reign of Henry VI. , when it was conveyed to one Browne,
whose descendant, Sir Mathew Browne, of Beechworth castle,
in Surrey, alienated it, about the latter end of the reign of
Henry VIIL, to Richard Nortop, otherwise Clerk, which addi
tional name he acquired from his office of clerk of the Forest of
Sherwood, in Nottinghamshire, when it became the family ap
pellation, as the descendants afterwards wrote themselves at
pleasure. Clerk or Nortop, having borne for their arms. Argent,
a cross, chequy, argent, and azure. His descendant George
Gierke, died possessed of this manor in the reign of James I.,
leaving seven daughters his coheirs, one of whom, Frances, mar
ried Mr. Thomas Dawell, who purchased the other six parts of
his wife's sisters, and thus became entitled to the whole fee of
this manor.
His son, of the same name, passed it away by sale, in the
reign of Charles II. , to Henry Streatfield, esq., of Chidingstone.
In 1781 the estate was sold to Mr. John Smith, and he resided
at this seat, on whose death it became the property of Mrs
Elizabeth Knell.
A court-baron is held for this manor.
Ofham is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of
the diocese of Rochester and rfcanery of Malling. The church,
dedicated to St. Michael, stands about a quarter of a mile

COUNTY OF KENT. 6jr
nortiiward from the village. It is a substantial building, con
sisting of one aisle and a chancel, having a tower steeple at the
centre of the north side.
It was a discharged living in the king's books, of the clear
yeariy value of £40, the annual tenths being estimated at I2s.
In 1821 there were forty-six dweUings in the parish of
Ofham; and, at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of ParUament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow : males 144, females 130, making a
total of 274 souls.
Northward from Ofham lies Addington, written in
Domesday Eddingtune, signifying, as we imagine, the town or
territory of Adda or Edda, its ancient Saxon owner ; tun, in
that language, being a town enclosed by a hedge or fence.
The parish of Addington is not unpleasantly situated,
the chief part lying on high ground, adjoining the Maidstone
road, at the twenty-seventh milestone ; not far distant from
which is the rivulet that rises at Neupiker, in Wrotham, and
flowing through this parish, is here called Addington brook,
whence the house contiguous derives its name of St. Vincent,
or Addington brook.. It was erected, some years back, by
Admiral William Parry, who resided there till his death, in
1779, leaving an only daughter, who carried it in marriage to
Captain William Locker, late governor of Greenwich hospital.
Hence the ground rises, and at a small distance above, is the
mansion and garden of Addington place, pleasantly situated on
the side ofthe hUl, having a lawn and avenue down to the road,
from which it forms a conspicuous object. Behind and stiU
higher stands the church and village, built round Addington
green, over which the road leads from Trottesclive ; and, west
ward of the latter spot, this parish joins both that and Wro
tham. The soil consists of sand, covering the quarry rock, but
the land is mostly poor and unfertile, especially towards the
north and west, where the sand is deepest ; in the latter is also
a small green, called Addington common.
Here is an Eilbourn, or Nailbourn, as it is commonly caUed,
the stream whereof breaks out with great impetuosity once in
seven or eight years ; it then directs its waters along a trench
dug for the purpose, till it flows into the Leybourne rivulet.

618 HISTORY OF THE
turning the trout fish to a red colour, which are otherwise nearly
white. In a place called the Warren, about 500 paces northeastward
from the church, on a little eminence, are the remains of several
large stones, placed in an oval form, whereof seventeen may be
asily traced, though from the distances between each, which
are nearly equal, there must have been at least twenty to com
plete the oval, formed of only one row of stones : the sandi-
ness of the soil has covered many, wherefore their distance can
only be ascertained by thrusting a stick into the ground : such
of the stones as are fallen, have been carried away by the iiihi-
bitants for different uses. These stones are of the same consis
tence as those at Stonehenge, and, being placed in thesame form,
appear as if originally intended to answer a similar purpose.
About 130 paces north-west of the above remains, is another
heap of stones, tumbled inwards, heaped on one another : they
originally consisted of six, and, in circuit, measure thirty-three
paces. Soon after the Conquest, this place became part of the pos
sessions of Odo bishop of Bayeux, under the general title of
whose lands it was entered in the record of Domesday. On the
disgrace of that prelate, it appears to have been held as one
manor by William de Gurnay, and subsequently by Galiena de
Gurnay, his grandchild. They were succeeded in the posses
sion of this place by the family of Madeville, or De Magna-
Villa, as the name was written in Latin; who held it of the line
of Montchensie as capital lords of the fee.
This family, however, became extinct here in the following
reign of Edward IL, as we find that Roger del Escheker pos
sessed it at the period alluded to, who assumed his name from
his hereditary office of usher of the Exchequer, whence he was
called Del Eschequerde la Chekere, and De Scaccario. Johu
de la Chekere owned it under Edward IIL, and he was succeeded
by Nicholas de Daggeworth, whose ancestor, John de Dagge-
worth, had married Maud, one of the sisters and coheirs of
Simon del Eschequer. On the accession of King Richard If.
the above Nicholas was constituted of his Privy Council, and
subsequentiy steward of his Household, keeper of the Great Seal,
and Treasurer of England. He bore for his arms, Sable U lion
rampant, argent, crowned or, with proper difference.

COUNTY OF KENT. 6i9
In the 20th of Edward IIL, John de la Chekere paid aid for
this manor, which Robert de Scaccario had before held in
Addington of Warine de Monchensie, as of his manor of
Swanscombe. He alienated it, in that reign, to Sir Hugh de
Segrave, knight batchelor, and he conveyed it to Richard
Charles, who died iu the 2d of Richard 1 1., a.d. 1378, and lies
buried in this church, leaving his brother's sons, Richard and
John, his heirs.
Richard Charles, the eldest brother, possessed this manor,
whose son, Robert Charles, dying without issue, his two sisters
became his coheirs. Alice married William Snayth, and Joan,
Richard Ormskirke ; and, upon the division of their inheritance,
this manor fell to the share of WiUiam Snayth, commonly called
Snette, who vvas sheriff in the 9th of Henry IV. Two years
after, he died, leaving an only daughter and heir, Alice, who
carried this manor in marriage to Robert Wotton, who resided
at Addington. He was descended from ancestors who held
lands in the parish of Ridley under Edward IIL, and died pos
sessed of the manor and patronage of the church of Addington
in 1444.
His descendant, Thomas Watton, esq. of Addington, pro
cured the disgavelment of his lands under Edward VI. ; and in
his descendants, residents here, this manor continued down to
Edward Watton, esq. of Addington. He left an only daughter
and heir, Elizabeth, who married Leonard Bartholomew, esq. of
Oxenhoath, and she entitled him to this estate. By her he had
two sons; Edmund, who died unmarried ; and Leonard : and upon
his death, she again possessed this estate, when it was once
more conveyed by her in marriage to Sir Roger Twisden, bart.
of Bradbourn, whom she also survived. Upon her demise, in
1775, she was succeeded in this property by her only surviving
son by her first husband, Leonard Bartholomew, esq. who
resided at Addington place, where he served the office of sheriff
in 1790, and bore for his arms. Or, three goats, erased sable;
and upon his decease, left an only daughter, married, in 1797, to
the Hon. John Wingfield, brother of Lord Viscount Powerscourt.
There is a court-leet and court-baron held for the manor of
Swanscombe, by castle-guard to the castle of Rochester.
Addington is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction
of the diocese of Rochester and deanery of Mailing. The

620 HISTORY OF THE
church has a handsome tower steeple at the west end, and is
dedicated to St. Margaret, the present building having been
erected in 1403, as appears by the following inscription on the
wall: " In fourteen hundred and none.
Here was neither stick nor stone .
In fourteen hundred and three.
The goodly building which you see."
The church of Addington has always been an appendage to
the manor ; it was valued in the king's books at £6 6 8, the
yearly tenths being 12s, 8d.
In 1821 there were forty-three dwellings in the parish of
Addington ; and at the same period, when the last census ofthe
population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow : males 113, females 115, making a
total of 228 souls.
Northwestward from Addington lies Trottf.sclive,
otherwise called Trosley; so named, we imagine, from its situ
ation, quasi Trodes-clif, that is, the hilly tract, this place being
close at the foot of the great chalk hills extending across this
county. The parish of Trottesclive is of no great extent, only con
taining about 1000 acres of land. The situation, though healthy,
is far from pleasant or even desirable, and the soil extremely
poor. The great ridge of chalk hills traverse this district ; near
the foot of which, though on high ground, is the viUage; having
the church, and an ancient palace in another part, about a quar
ter of a mile distant, eastward.
The high road from Dartford, by Longfield, Hartley bottom,
and Berry's Maple, leads through the parish, towards Ofham
and Mailing. Below the village, the soil is sandy, and above,
consists of chalk. Upon the summit of the hills, it extends
for more than a mile, along ii dreary country, but thinly inha
bited, and much covered by coppice wood ; the soil, beiag a
heavy land for tillage, consisting of an unfertile red earth, mixed
with flint-stones, which causes the most unpleasant travelling.
In 788, Offa, king of the Mercians, gave a part of the l.md,
contahiing six plough lands, called Trottesclive, to the church
of St. Andrew's and the bishopric of the castle, vvhich was

COUNTY OF KENT. 621
called Hrofoscester, to hold for ever, together with all riahts
and appurtenances belonging to the same. The bounds were^
to the east and south, Boerlingen ; on the west, Wrotham ; and
on the north, Meopaham ; there also belonged to it, in different
places, pannage of hogs in the Wealdberries, as, in the grant
alluded, to, is particularly specified.
The church of Rochester did not long possess this estate, as
it was wrested from the same in the time of the Danish wars,
which quickly foUowed; and continued alienated, until recovered,
by Archbishop Lanfranc, in the solemn assembly of the county,
held at Penenden heath, in 1076, when he immediately restored
it to Bishop Gundulph and the church of St. Andrew's, In
the grand survey of Domesday, this place is entered under the
general tiUe of the bishop of Rochester's lands.
Soon after the above period, there was an episcopal palace
erected at this place, the buildings of which had become so
ruinous on Bishop Glanvil coming to this see, in 1185, that he
was obliged to rebuild them, when he effected the same in a
much more convenient style.
There wa.s an estate in this parish, anciently accounted
a manor, and also called the manor of Trottesclive, being held
ot tne bishop of Rochester, in the I2th and i3th of King John,
ao appears by inquisition then taken by Roger de Cressi, as nalt
a knight's fee. His descendant, Stephen de Cressi, in the same
reign, possessed this manor, and likewise a park, called Cressy
park and Le West park ; who was soon after succeeded herein
by Roger de Leyborne : but the estate seems, about this time,
to have been vested in the crown, as Henry III. granted the
manor of Trottesclive to his niece, Isabel, the illegitimate daugh
ter of Richard earl of Cornwall, a younger son of King John.
It remained but a few years with Isabel, who had espoused
Lord Berkley, when the property passed to Roger de Leyborne,
who having some claim to the manor of Leeds, against Robert
de Crevequer, it was settled by the interposition of friends, and
in consequence, the former granted his manors of Trottesclive
and Flete wholly to Robert, son of Hamon de Crevequer, junior,
and Ysude, his wife ; in consideration of which, Robert had
granted to him, by way of exchange, the manor of Leeds, with
all its appurtenances, together with a moiety of the fees ; but as
the above manors of Trottesclive and Flete were not of equal
vol. iu. 4 u

682 HISTORY OF THE
value to the manor of Leeds, he further granted 100s. rental in
Redleghe. Robert de Crevequer, in the reign of Edward L, released to
John bishop of Rochester all his right in this manor of Trottes
clive, with its appurtenances in Malling, Wrotham, and else
where, to hold to him, as in right of his church, for ever ; and
in consequence, the sum of fifty marks and one palfrey were
given to the bishop, as a fine. This estate, now called West
court, otherwise Wrothom Water, lying in the parishes of Trot
tesclive and Wrotham, continued part of the possessions ofthe
bishap of Rochester, the lessee under that dignitary having been
Mr. Whitaker.
Trottesclive is within the ecclesiastical jurisdic
tion of the diocese of Rochester, and deanery of Malling.
The church, dedicated to Sts. Peter and Paul, was always
accounted an appendage to the manor, and as such, under
the patronage of the bishop of Rochester. It was valued in
tne king's books at £10 2 11, the yearly tenths being £1 0 3J.
In 1821 there were forty-five dweUings in the parish of
i rottesclive ; and, at the same period, when the last census of
tne population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers
ot inhabitants were as follow : males 120, females 123, making
a total of 243 souls.

COUNTY OF KENT. eS»

THE HUNDRED OF MAIDSTONE.
The next hundred southwestward of Chatham is Maidstone,
which contains within its bounds the parishes of Boxley, Detling,
Loose, Linton, East Farleigh, and East and West Barmicg,
with the churches of the same, and part of the parishes of
Bersted, Hunton, Marden, and Staplehurst.
It formerly also contained within its bounds the town and
parish of Maidstone, which has long since been made a separ
ate jurisdiction, having a constable of its own, the liberty of the
corporation claiming over it. This hundred is written in
Domesday record Meddestan, and in other records Maydeslane.
In the 8th of King Edward II. the archbishop was lord of
this hundred, and afterwards the Right Hon. Lord Romney.
THE TOWN AND PARISH OF MAIDSTONE.
Southwestward from GiUingham, the parisli of Boxle.y
only intervening, lies the parish and town of Maidstone,, con
cerning the ancient name of which, writers have much differed.
Nennius, in his Catalogue of the Cities of Britain, tells us
this place was called by the Bri tains Caer Meguiad, or, as others
have it, Medway. Camden, Burton, Gale, and some few other
historians, have supposed it to have been the Roman station,
called by Antoninus, in his Itinerary, Vagniacce, a name derived
from the river which was at that epoch caUed Vaga ; on which
account they read the distances of the second Iter of Antoninus,
A Vallo ad Portum Ritupis, as follows : A Londinio, Novio-
mago, M.p. X.; Vagniacis, m.p. xviii.; Durobrovis, m.p. ix.
If this place was the Vagniacce of the Romans, and the above
numbers be correct, it is situated much about the above dis
tance from Keston, and not quite so much from Crayford, both
of which places have been conjectured to be the ancient Novio-
magus ; and in that case, its distance from Durobrovis, or
Rochester, will answer ^'^lerably well. The word Vagniacce i%-

624 HISTORY OF THE
SHjjposed, by a learned etymologist, to have been corruptly
written in the Itinerary for Maduicce, being the same as Med-
waege in the Saxon, and Maduoguise in the Brirish tongues;
whence, in process of time, it came to be called Madis, and
AdMadum, the river being styled Mada and Madus.
The Saxons afterwards called it Medweyston and Medweagges-
ton, that is, Maduiacis oppidum, according to Baxter; inEnglish,
Medway's Town, which name is written by contraction in
Domesday Meddestane, as it is at present, Maidstone.
The parish of Maidstone is most advantageously situated near
the banks of the river Medway, which directs its course through
the same, being navigable by the contrivance of locks at
tnis spot, and many -miles higher up, as far as Tunbridge
Town. Over the river is an unsightly bridge, very ancient,
composed of seven arches, supposed to have been first erected
by some of the archbishops, lords of the manor. It was
repaired, in the reign of James I., by an assessment on the
town and parish. The place is built on the two opposite hills
rising immediately from the banks of the river, but the principal
part is on the eastern side ; beyond which, the hill rises still
farther to Penenden heath, part of which is vvithin this parish,
and there joins those of Boxley and Detling. The soil is
extremely fertile, being in general a loam, thinly spread over an
entire bed of quarry stone, commonly called Kentish ragstone;
towards the eastern part, it becomes a deep sand ; in the south
east, about Sheppard's street and Goulds, there is some coppice
wood ; and beyond are the hamlets of Broadway, Willington
street, and part of Maginford, within the bounds of this parish.
The meadows on the banks of the river are much exposed to
inundation by the sudden risings of the stream, after heavy
rains, to the height of several feet perpendicular, which, how
ever, as suddenly subside. Above the town, the course of the
river, though it narrows considerably beyond the lock, just above
the bridge, is, nevertheless, beautiful, and retains a depth of
water from twelve to fourteen feet. About a mile above Maid
stone, near the hamlets of Upper and Lower Tovil, the stream,
vvhich rises at Langley, having supplied a chain of mills, flows
into the Medway. The former hamlet is situated on an emi
nence, commanding a pleasing view ; the anabaptists having, in
this romantic and rocky spot, established a burial-place for their

COUNTY OF KENT. 625
iraternity. At a small distance higher up the river, though on
the opposite bank, is the hamlet of Fant, the principal house in
which is called Fant house, and was the property of Mr. Fowle,
who resided there ; and contiguous, is a pleasant seat, close to
the river, that belonged to Robert Salmon, esq. of Eyhorne
street. In the vicinity, the banks of the Medway are beauti
fully adorned by spreading oaks, while the surrounding country
presents the appearance of a garden in the highest state of cul-
tivarion. The soil adjoining the town, and throughout the
neighbourhood, is extremely prolific in hops ; there are also
orchards of fruit and quantiries of filberts, the former are very
large, and the crops abundant, owing to the peculiar nourish
ment and warmth afforded to the roots of. the plants from the
fibres penetrating the crevices of the rock. Great part of the
wealth and prosperity of Maidstone has arisen from the hop
trade, most of the inhabitants of every degree possessing some
hop grounds, and many fortunes have been acquired by that
plant, which is supposed to have been introduced in these parts
about the time of the Reformation, being earlier than in any
other part of this county.
The town of Maidstone is pleasantly situated, about the
middle ofthe county, thirty-five miles from London, and a little
more from Dover. It is screened by the surrounding hills,
rising from the beautiful valley through which the Medway
runs. It is justly noticed for the dryness of the soil, and the
excellence of its water, which contribute greatly to the salu
brity and healthiness ofthe situation, its ascent keeping it con
stantiy clean and dry. The state of this town, in the reign of
Queen Elizabeth, may be known by the return made in the 8th
year of her reign, whereby it appeared that there was then a
mayor and aldermen, 294 inhabited houses, four landing-places,
five hoys and ships, and twenty-two persons wholly occupied in
the trade of merchandise. Since that period the place has
been continually increasing in extent and inhabitants. The
principal parts of the town stand on the side of a hill, declining
towards the west and south ; it extends about a mile from north
to south, and three quarters from east to west. It was newly
paved, lighted, and otherwise improved, in 1792: though the
buildings are in general ancient, yet there are many handsome
modern residences, inhabited by genteel families, and the spa-

626 HISTORY OF THE
cions breadth of the high street carries with it a grand, and at
the same time, light appearance. Maidstone consists of four
main streets, intersecting each other at the market cross, there
being several smaller branching out of the same. The cross on
the top of the above buUding, which was an octagon, has been
long taken down, though the name still remains. It has been
since used for a fish-market, and was formerly called the corn
cross, having been made use of for a corn-market till the upper
court house was built about the year 1608, by an assessment on
the town.
On account of the convenient situation of this place, for
transacting the public business of the county, it has long been
reputed the county, or shire town. Near the upper end of the
high street, leading down to the bridge, in addition to the court
hall above mentioned, is a more modern structure, being a hand
some building, composed of brick and stone, built some years
ago, at the joint expense of the corporation and justices ofthe
western division of the county : the former use it to transact
all their public business ; and the latter, when the affairs ofthe
county require their assembling. The street leading towards
Coxheath, and the Weald of Kent, is called Stone street, a name
that sufficiently proves the anriquity of the town, and its conse
quence in the time of the Romans. There are three principal
conduits, supplied with excellent water, conveyed by pipes from
a place called Rocky hiU, in the West Borough, on the opposite
side of the Medway, which is at the charge of the corporation :
they are placed very conveniently for the service of the inha
bitants; one at the upper end of the high street, near the market
cross; a second lower down, being a high octagon stone building,
with a clock and dial, having a turret on the summit, and what
is called a fish bell, which is always rung when any fish are
brought to market; the third is placed at the lower end of
the town. At a small distance from the south side of this street,
on an eminence, near the Medway, stands the church, the an
cient archiepiscopal palace, and the remains of the college, each
forming conspicuous objects to the neighbouring country west
ward. Adjoining the last-mentioned court is the prison belonging to
the corporation, formerly called the Brambles. This prison ap
pears to have anciently ap-'^-^^ined to tho archbishop of Canter-

COUNTY OF KENT. 627
bury, and continued so till Archbishop Cranmer, in the reign of
Henry VIIL, exchanged the prison-house of this town with that
monarch. Under Charles I., it remained with the king, as it
appears, by letters patent in 1631, that he granted the office of
keeper, and the custody of all prisoners, to John Collins, for his
hfe, who, by wiU, gave this patent in 1644, with all the irons and
implements, fees and appurtenances, to his son, of the same name.
The public gaol of the western division of the county was
formerly placed most inconveniently, in the very centre of the
town, to the great annoyance of the inhabitants, where it re
mained till 1736, when, on a petition being presented, an Act
was obtained for erecting another structure, together with a
bridewell in another part of the town.
This plan*, after some delay, was accomplished, and a capa
cious stone building, with large outlets and conveniences for
this purpose, erected near the outskirts of the town, in East
lane, which has been still further strengtiiened and enlarged, at
a great expense, the charge being defrayed by the population of
the western division of the county.
The market, first granted to Archbishop Boniface, by
Henry IIL, to be held weekly, at. his manor, has been confirmed
by the several charters, to this town; and is now held weekly, on
a Thursday, for the sale of aU kinds of provisions, corn, and
hops, toll free; which, with the town and its neighbourhood, for
miles round, is most plentifully suppUed, at a very reasonable
rate. The mayor is clerk of the market, and, when admitted
into his office, sworn duly to execute that part of his duty.
George IL, by letters patent in 1751, granted to the Corporation
a market, to be held the second Tuesday in every month,
throughout the year, for the buying and selling all manner of
sheep and other cattle ; there is also another market for the sale
of hops, yearly, at Michaelmas.
The pairs of this town are held four times yearly, viz.
Feb. 13, May 12, June 20, and October 27, for horses, bullocks,
and other cattie, as weU as for wares, haberdashery, and pedlary;
but the last is by far the largest, being resorted to by the country
people for many mUes round. The principal part of these fairs
is held on a piece of ground, on the banks of the Medway, called
the Meadow, though the high street is also covered with mer
chandise.

628 HISTORY OF THE
There were two considerable manufactories of linen thread
carried on in this town ; which trade was introduced here by the
Walloons, in the reign of Elizabeth, when they fled from the
persecution of the Duke d'Alva, and took refuge in England.
Tl.e Walloon famUies resident here in 1634, were about fifty, but
are now quite extinct, though some names still remain which
derived their origin from them. The only remembrance of the
Walloons now left in the town, is the term which the common
people give to the flax spun for the thread men, which they call
Dutch work.
A great distillery has been erected and carried on in this
place, to a very large extent, from which is produced the
well-known Maidstone geneva, the establishment being of
such magnitude, that no less than 700 hogs have been
nourished from the surplus of the grains arising from the dis
tillation. There is a department of the customs, and an office of excise
in this town.
Besides the grammar-school, there are also several other
seminaries. The navigation of the river Medway is of the greatest advan
tage to Maidstone, as a considerable traffic is by that means
carried on to Rochester, Chatham, and thence to London, while,
from the several large corn-mills, abundance of meal and flour is
shipped off for the use of those towns, the dock and navy there,
as well as great quantities sent weekly to the metropoUs. The
fulling and paper mills are equal to any in the kingdom, while
vast quantities of timber are conveyed hither from the Weald of
Kent and its neighbourhood, by land carriage and water, and are
forwarded hence, by the navigation of the Medway, to the dock
at Chatham, and other distant parts. Independent of the above,
there are several large hoys, of fifty tons burden, and upwards,
which sail weekly to and from London, for the convenience of
this town and the adjacent country. There was a family of
good account, called, as well from its residence as birth here,
by the surname of Maidstone, whose arms, as appears by a mo
nument in Ulcombe church, were, Sable, a chevron between
three cups, covered, argent, crowned, or.
Ralph de Maidestan, dean of Hereford, was consecrated
bishop of that see in 1234. He was born here, and is celebrated

COUNTY OF KENT. 829
by Matthew Paris as a man of excellent learning, and holiness
of life, having resigned his bishopric in 1239, and taken the
habit of a Franciscan at Oxford, when he retired to the convent
of that order at Gloucester, and died in 1245, having been
buried there.
Johnde Maidestan was made dean of Lincoln in 1275.
Walter de Maidestan had the king's licence in the 4th of
Edward II. , to embattle his mansion in the town of Maidestan.
William de Maidestan, the king's valet, being sent to the
court of Rome, died on his journey thither, in the above reign.
Walter de Maidestan was consecrated bishop of Worcester in
1313, at which time Robert de Maidestan was canon of the
church of Chichester.
Another Walter Maidestan was made subdean of Lincoln in
1329. John Maidston, gent, was principal agent, in 1644, to the
earl of Manchester, general of the Parliamentary forces, and
bore for his arras, as appears by his will, two battle-axes in saltire.
In addirion to the above, William Maidestan vvas abbot of
Faversham, and Walter, a monk of that abbey. Thomas de
Maidestan officiated as canon of Leeds in 1397; and Clement
de Maydestone, priest, was the transcriber of the Di^ectorium
Sacerdotmn, as appears by his name at the end of that pro
duction. In the heraldic visitation of the county of Kent, taken in
1619, is the pedigree of the Fisher's, of Maidstone, beginning
with William Fisher, of this place, whose descendant and great
grandson, Walter Fisher, was mayor of this town. They bore
for their arms. Argent on a chief, gules, a dolphin argent.
Richard Lee, son of Richard, of Delee, near Rochester, sheriff
of Kent in the reign of Edward IV., had a mansion in this
town, where he resided, whose third son, Edward, was arch
bishop of York.
Among the remarkable occurrences which have happened at
this place, we may record that, during the time of the great
rebellion, in 1648, General Fairfax, with the whole of his forces,
marched, by order of the Parliament, towards Maidstone, which
contained at that time 1000 horse and foot of the royalists,
commanded by Sir John Mayney ; when the general, with a
force of 10,000 men, assaulted Maidstone, which he began to
VOL. HI. 4 M

630 HISTORY OF THE
storm. As this had been expected, the streets and houses were
lined'by-the royalists, who had been augmented to 2,000 men,
when Fairfax met with such resolute opposition on every side,
that he gained every street inch by inch, and the engage-'
ment lasted five hours, when the royalists being quite overcome
by the numerous reserves continually advancing, were forced to
retreat into the church, and were obliged to surrender upon the
best terms they could obtain for ensuring their personal safety.
Scarcely any action during the war was more bravely contested,
so that Fairfax prevailed by his superior numbers only, over the
gallant few. Lord Clarenden says it was a sharp encounter,
very bravely fought with the general's whole strength ; and the
veteran soldiers confessed that they had never met with the like
desperate service during the war.
On Friday, August 19, 1763, a most violent storm of wind
and hail, accompanied by thunder and lightning, spread general
desolation over this parish and the adjacent neighbourhood. It
arose at sea, off the Sussex coast, and entering this county at
Tunbridge Wells, passed quite across to Sheerness, being forty
miles in length, and in breadth, from two to four miles r its
direction was nearly from south-west by west to north-east by
east. The fury of this tempest was so great over about twenty-four
parishes, most of which were extremely fertile, that nearly
the whole growth of hops, with the fruit-orchards, were
destroyed, and the farmers and labourers deprived of subsis
tence by the dreadful fatality. Many buildings and houses
were blown down, and on one side of the High street, in the
town of Maidstone, not only the glass, but the lead and frames
of the windows were broken and driven in by the hail, which
beat as loud against the shutters as the strongest blows of a
thick club would have effected. At Barming, one piece of hail
was taken up, in the form of an oyster, measuring nine inches
in circumference; while others were discovered ten days after
the storm. So general a desolation in this county had never
been remembered or related in history ; and indeed the calamity
would have been almost insupportable had not the generosity of
the opulent, and the public in general, relieved the sufferers in
some measure from the ruin and misery resuUing from this
event.

COUNTY OF KENT. 6.<tl
The Town of Maidstone was anciently governed by a
portreeve and twelve brethren, and so continued till Edward VL,
by letters patent, newly incorporated the to-vn by the style and
title of the Mayor, Jurats, and Commonalty of the town of
Maidstone, in the county qf Kent.
These privileges were shortly after forfeited by the rebellion,
commenced in this town under Sir Thomas Wyatt, and other
principal gentlemen, of whom. Sir Henry and Thomas Isley,
his brother, and Walter Mantle, esqs. were afterwards executed.
The arms of the town of Maidstone are. Or on a fess, wavy
azure between three torteauxes, on a chief gules a lion passant,
guardant, or.
King James I., by letters patent, dated July 8, in his 2Ist
year, created Lady Elizabeth Finch, widow of Sir Moile Finch,
hart., viscountess Maidstone, with limitation to her heirs male;
and King Charles I., by letters patent, conferred upon her the
title of countess Winchelsea, to her and her heirs male, earls of
Winchelsea. She died in 1633, and was succeeded by Sir
Thomas Finch, the second, but eldest surviving son, in her titles,
being the first earl of Winchelsea, and viscount Maidstone;
in whose descendants the title continued down to John, fifth
earl of Winchelsea, who dying without issue in 1729, these
honours descended to Daniel, second earl of Nottingham, son
and heir of Sir Heneage Finch, who succeeded Sir Heneage,
fourth son of Sir Moile Finch, bart , by Elizabeth countess
Winchelsea. Daniel, earl of Winchelsea and Nottingham, was constituted
lord lieutenant of this county, and afterwards successively em
ployed in different great offices of trust, being much esteemed
for his learning and eminent abilities. He died in 1730, having
been twice married ; first, to Essex, daughter and coheir of
Robert Rich, earl of Warwick, by whom he had one daughter;
secondly, to Anne, only daughter of Sir Christopher Hatton,
by whom he had five sons and eight daughters ; of whom, the
eldest son, Daniel, succeeded him in the title of earl Winchelsea
and Nottingham. He married, first, Frances, daughter of Basil
Fielding, earl of Denbigh, by whom he had one daughter,
Charlotte ; and secondly, Mary, daughter and coheir of Sir
Thomas Palmer, bart. of Wingham, by whom he had four
daughters, Heneage, Essex, Hatton, and Augusta; and dying

632 HISTORY OF THE
in 1769, aged eighty-one, without issue male, was succeeded in
his honours by his nephew, George Finch, esq., only son of the
Right Hon. William Finch, second and next brother to Daniel
earl of Winchelsea; since which, the title descended to the
Right Hon. the earl of Winchelsea, now possessor of EastweU
park. He bears for his arms, quarterly, first and fourth, Argent, a
chevron between three griffins passant sable; for Finch, second
and third. Gules, three lioyis rampant, or; for Fitz- Herbert, for
his crest, on a wreath, a flying horse, argent, winged, and
ducally gorged, or: for supporters, on the right, a flying horse,
and on the left, a griffin, sable, ducally collared, or.
It has been already mentioned that this town was an ancient
borough by prescription, which privilege has since been
confirmed by the several charters granted to the same. The first
account extant of the names of the burgesses returned is in the
eth of Edward VI.
Maidstone was part of the ancient possessions of the see of
Canterbury, and so remained at the time of the Conquest, being
entered in the record of Domesday under the general title of the
possessions of that see. ,
The archbishops do not appear to have had a house of any
note here till the reign of King John, in the 7th year of which
prince, William de Cornhill is said to have given his seat in
Maidstone to Archbishop Stephen Langton, for a residence, for
him and his successors ; soon after which, this manor, with its
appurtenances, vvas valued at £83 16 11 per annum.
John Ufford, who came to the see of Canterbury in 1348,
began to rebuUd this palace, but he died soon afterwards, before
he had received his pall, or was even consecrated. He appears
to have puUed down the greatest part, if not the whole ; in
which situation the building remained during the few weeks his
successor. Archbishop Thomas Bradwardene, enjoyed the pri
macy. Simon IsUp then succeeded, in 1349, to the archbishop
ric, who sued the administrator of Archbishop Ufford for dila
pidations, and recovered upwards of £1100; upon which, the
archbishop pulled down the ruined palace at Wrotham, in this
neighbourhood, and conveyed the materials hither, finishing
the palace at Maidstone with the same. Archbishop Courtney,
vvho succeeded to the see in 1381, in the 5th of Richard IL,

COUNTY OF KENT. 633
made many improvements in this structure, where he died in
1396, and was interred at Canterbury, though a cenotaph still
remains in the great chancel of tlie church at Maidstone. From
the above period, the palace, on account of its pleasant and
convenient situation, became the residence of the succeeding
primates; and in the time of Archbishop Chichele, Henry VI.
lionoureil the edifice vvith a visit, as appears by his writs, bear-
in"' date March 21. In the 3Ist year of the above reign,
Archbishop John Stafford died at this palace, to vvhich he had
resorted for the benefit of the air. Archbishop Morton repaired
the building ; after whicii the manor and palace underwent no
material alteralion till Archbishop Cranmer exchanged it with
Henry VUL, when it continued vvith the crown till the reign of
Edward VI., vvho, in his 4th year, granted this manor to Sir
Thomas Wyatt. On his attainder, the palace, rectory, and
oriier premises, became confiscated to the crown, when Queen
Elizabeth granted them to Sir John Astley, son of John Astley,
master of riie queen's jewels, who died in 1639 ; and as he left
no issue, bequeathed this mansion to his kinsman. Sir Jacob
Astley, who, for his loyalty- and eminent services to Charles I.,
vvas, in the 20tli year of that reign, created baron Astley of
Readino-. He died at the palace of Maidstone in 1651, leaving
one son, Isaac, who succeeded him in title and estate; and a
dauo-hter, Elizabeth, vvho married her kinsman. Sir Edvvard
AsUey, of Melton.
Isaac lord Astley died in 1662, leaving two sons, Jacob, who
succeeded him, and Francis, vvho died without issue. Jacob
lord Astley dying in 1688, and leaving no issue, the barony
became extinct, when this mansion devolved, among his other
estates, to Sir Jacob Astley, bart. of Melton Constable, in
Norfolk. He continued owner of this estate till the 6th of
Georo-e I., a.d. 1720, when he alienated tiie property, with other
estates in riiis neighbourhood, to Sir Robert Marsham, bart.,
lord Romney.
The manor of Maidstone, however, seems to have continued
in the hands of the crown till Charies I. granted it, in fee, to
the trustees of the Lady Elizabeth Finch, viscountess Maid
stone to be held in socage. From her it passed to her direct
descendant, Heneage, fourth eari of Winchelsea, who, in 1720,
sdienated his interest to Sir Robert Marsham, bart. , lord Romney,

634 HISTORY OF THE
whose grandson, Charles lord Romney, afterwards possessed
this property.
The manor extends over the whole hundred, and is styled the
hundred aud manor of Maidstone. At the court-leet and court-
baron, held annually, there are chosen, yearly, a constable for
the hundred, and five borsholders, viz. one for each of the
parishes or boroughs of Barming, Boxley, Detling, Linton, with
the borough of Brockhurst, and one for the parishes of East
Farleigh and Loose jointly.
The Mote was an ancient seat in this parish, situated about
a mile eastward from the town of Maidstone, and encircled with
a pleasant park. It was formerly casiellated, and, in the reign
of Henry III., part of the possessions of the noted family of
the Leyborne's. In the 51st year of that reign, Roger de
Leyborne obtained the grant of a m.irket, to be held weekly at
this place, on a Tuesday ; and an annual fair, for three days, at
the_ feast of St. Cross.
After the Leyborne's were extinct, it became the property of
John de Shofford,from whom it acquired the name ofthe manor of
Shofford, otherwise Le Mote. Ralph de Ditton afterwards possessed
it, and, in the 20th of King Edward IIL, Bartholomew de Burg
hersh held it as one quarter of a knight's fee, which Ralph de
Ditton had before held in Shofford of the archbishop. He was
a man of great eminence, being lord warden of the Cinque
Ports, and governor of Dover castle. He died possessed of the
property in the 38tli year of that reign, leaving Bartholomew,
his eldest son, his heir, who was so much esteemed by Edward
III., that, on the institution of the order of the Garter, he
selected him as one of the knight's companions. He resided
here after his father's death, in the 29th year of that reign, and
died in the 43d year of the same ; some years after which, the
Mote passed into the possession of the Widvill's, or Woodvill's,
who removed from Grafton, in Northamptonshire, where they
had been long settled, and resided here. John de Wyderill
seems to have possessed this seat in the reign of Richard II. ,
who died possessed of the same. His son, Richard, succeeded
him in those offices, and was aftervvards made seneschal of Nor
mandy, and constable of the Tower of London, by Henry VL;
but having, without licence, married Jaquet de Luxembourg,
daughter of Peter eari of St. Paul, and widow of John duke of

COUNTY OF KENT. 635
Bedford, he was fined £1000 for that transgression, and livery
of her dower. Notwithstanding which, the king in his 26th
year, in recompense for his services in the French wars, created
him a baron, by the title of Lord Rivers Grafton, and De la
Mote, in consequence of which, he assumed in an escutcheon of
pretence, upon his own coat of arms, Argent, a fess and canton,
gules, the ancient coat ascribed commonly to .Baldwin Rivers,
or De Ripario, earl of Devonshire, in the reign of King Stephen,
viz. Gules, a griffin segreant, or.
Richard lord Rivers continued firm to the cause of Henry VI.
during tlie remainder of his reign, but after King Edward had
obtained the crown, and espoused Elizabeth, his eldest daugh
ter, widow of Sir John Grey, of Groby, and made her his queen,
he forgot all his former obligations to the house of Lancaster,
and had great honours and trusts conferred upon him by the
king, vvho in his 6th year created him Earl Rivers, Lord
Treasurer and High Constable of England. Two years after,
being at his seat at Grafton, in Northampton, he was there sur
prised by the people, who had tumultuously assembled in favor
of King Henry, and being seized, was carried to Northampton,
and beheaded without any form of law. Among other repre
sentations of the nobility of the time, was that of this earl,
painted on a window in Ashford church, kneeling on a cushion,
with his surcoat of arms, viz. of four coats, first and fourth,
quarterly, first and fourth, Rivers, second and third, a 4'/3re«fi
eaole, second and third, vaire, aroent and azure. Behind him
was the figure of his wife, the duchess of Bedford, kneeling on
a cushion, having on her robe. Gules, a lion rampant, argent,
and before him was the figure of his son. Lord Scales, also
kneeling, bearing on his surcoat six escalops.
This Anthony, his eldest son, succeeded him in titles and
estates, having during his father's lifetime, through the interest
of the king, married Elizabeth, sole daughter and heir of Thomas
lord Scales, of Nucals, on which account he was declared Lord
Scales. In the 5th of Edw ard IV. he was elected knight of the
Garter, after which he possessed many honourable and lucrative
posts, being constituted governor of Calais, the tower of Ryes-
bank, and the castle of Guisnes ; also captain general of the
king's forces, both by sea and land ; and, in the I3th of the
same reign, upon the creation of Prince Edvvard to be prince of

636 HISTORY OF THE
Wales and earl of Chester, he was appointed his governor, and,
at the same time, chief butler of England. However, on the
death of King Edward, in 1483, while attending the young king
out of Wales, towards London, he was entrapped by the dukes
of Gloucester and Buckingham at Northampton, and sent
prisoner to the castle of Sheriff Hutton ; whence they soon
afterwards hurried him away to Pontefract, where he was be
headed as a traitor, not being suffered to address the people in
his own vindication. Leaving no legitimate issue, Richard, his
brother, succeeded him in honours and estates ; the latter of
which, however, King Richard III. did not suffer him to enjoy,
but made a grant of this, among other estates, to Robert
Brakenbury, esq., on whom he had conferred the office of con
stable of the Tower, in recompense for his services. In this
state the Mote remained till the accession of Henry VIL, when
Richard earl Rivers was put in possession of the same. The
earl died possessed of the property in the 7th year of that reign,
without issue, having by will appointed Lord Thomas Gray,
Marquis Dorset, his nephew, to succeed him. He soon after
alienated this estate to Sir Henry Wyatt, of Allington castle;
on whose attainder the Mote became confiscated to the crown,
when it vvas, the following year, granted, by Queen Mary, to
Hugh Warham, of Southampton, most probably for a term of
years only, as, twelve months after, Queen Elizabeth appears to
have again held the estate, who, in her 31st year, granted it to
John Nicholas and John Dixon. Soon after, it devolved to the
possession of Sir WUliam Rither, of London, who was third son
of Edward Rither, of Low Layton, in Essex, and served the
office of lord mayor in 1600. He repaired this seat, and be
queathed it to his daughter and coheir, the Lady Susan, then
wife of Sir Thomas Caesar, one ofthe barons of the Exchequer.
He was second son of Adelmane, an Italian, descended from the
ancient family of the Delmarii, and was physician to Queens
Mary and Elizabeth, the latter of whom, for his great learning,
gave him the name of Caesar. He left three sons. Sir Julius
Caesar, master of the Rolls ; Sir Thomas, above mentioned ; and
Henry, dean of Ely. The Caesar's bore for their arms. Argent,
three roses, gules on a chief, gules, three roses argent.
After the death of Sir Thomas Ceesar, his widow acrain car-
ried this estate in marriage to Mr. Thomas Philipott, second

COUNTY OF KE.\T. 6,n
son of Sir John Philipott, of Compton Wascelin, in Hants.
whom she also survived, and afterwards joining wilh her eldest
son by her first husband, Thomas Caesar, esq., sold it, in the
beginning of the reign of Charles L, to Sir Humphrey Tufton,
who, m 1641, was created a baronet, being the second son of
Sir John Tufton, bart. of Hothfield, and next brother to Nicholis
first earl of Thanet. He bore for his arms. Sable, an eagle,
displayed ermine within a bordure, argent, vvith clue difference.
He resided here, and died in 1669, being succeeded by Sir John
Tufton, bart., his eldest surviving son, who resided at the Mote,
arid although twice married, left no issue, and dying in 1685,
was buried in Maidstone church. By will he gave this seat
and estate to his niece, Tufton Wray, one of the daughters of
Sir William Wray, bart. of Ashby, in Lincolnshire, who alien
ated it to Sir John Marsham, of Whorne's place, in Cookstone,
who having removed to the Mote, died here in 1692. His son
and heir, Sir John Marsham, bart., dying without issue a few
years after his father, the title, with this seat, devolved to hia
uncle. Sir Robert Marsham, of Bushey hall, in Herts., who
removing his residence into Kent, died possessed of the Mole
in 1703.
His only son. Sir Robert MarsHam, bart., was, in 1 716,
created a peer, by the" title of lord Romney ; he resided at thii
Mote, and died in 1724, leaving by his wife, daughter and 'co
heir of Sir Cloudesly Shovel, an only son and heir, Robert, and
two daughters, Elizabeth, married, in 1741, to Sir Jacob Bou
verie, afterwards viscount Folkstone ; and Harriet, who died
unmarried. Robert, the son, succeeded his father as lord
Romney, who married the daughter and sole heir of Charles
Pym, esq., by whom he had ten children, only six having sur
vived him, viz. two sons, the Hon. Charles Marsham, afterwards
lord Romney ; and Jacob, in holy orders. Robert lord Romney
died at the Mote in 1793, and was succeeded by his only sur
viving son, the Hon. Charles Marsham, member for thiscounty
in three successive Parliaments, who, in 1776, married Lady,
Frances Wyndham, sister of the earl of Egremont, by whom he
had one son, Charles, and three daughters, Frances, Harriet,
and Amelia Charlotte. Lord Romney pulled down the ancient
seat of the Mote, and rebuilt it in a much more eligible situa
tion iu the park, which is richly interspersed with spreading
vo; . HI. 4 N

6;!8 UlSlOKY UI' rUE
oaks of very large dimensions He resided there, and was
lord lieutenant ofthe county ; having borne for his arms. Argent,
a lion passant in bend gules between two bendlets, azure; for
crest, on a wreath, a lion's head, erased gules; supporters, two
lions, azure, semee of cross, cross croslets, gorged, with naval
crowns, or.
At a small distance southward from the Mote park lies the
manor of Goulds, and an estate called Shepway Court,
both of which formerly belonged to a family named Vinter, that
resided at Vinter's, in the adjoining parish of Boxley. Roger
Vinter was one of the conservators of the Peace for this county
in the 18th of Edward IIL, and then possessed these estates;
and upon his founding the chantry in Maidstone church, since
called Gould's chantry, in the above reign, he endowed it with
the revenues arising thence, for the support of the priest per
forming divine ofiices there.
On the suppression of this chantry, in the reign of Henry
VIIL, the manor of Goulds was granted to John Deuntley, to
hold in capite; after which it passed into the name of Blayne,
John Blayne dying possessed of it in the 5th of King Edward
VI. His descendant, Henry Blayne, in the 20th of Elizabeth,
alienated the manor of Goulds, with its appurtenances in
Maidstone and Sheftbrd, to Thomas Hendsley otherwise Hendle-
bery, and Anne, his wife. Thomas Hendsley was at that time
likewise possessed of Shepye court, in Maidstone, which had
been granted by Henry VIIL, at the suppression of the chantry,
to Sir Thomas Wyatt, of Allington, who, in the 32d year of the
same reign, had again exchanged it with that king.
One of Thomas Hendley's descendants passed away both
these estates to an Andrews ; from which name they were sold
to Sir Humphrey Tufton, bart., afterwards of the Mote; since
which, they have passed in like manner as that seat to the
Right Hon. Charies Lord Romney, who possessed both Goulds
and Shepye court.
Bigons, otherwise Digons, was once a seat of some note in
this parish, and the residence of a family of the name of
Mapelysden, one of which line, Edward Mapelysden, of Digons,
is mentioned in a deed of the 25th of King Edward IIL; and
in his descendants it continued down to George Maplesden.
In the Visitation of Kent, a. d. 16 1 9, is a pedigree of this family,

C()V:<v\ or Kr.isrT, 6.i')
ivlilch, about this time, separated into two branc!ie5, one settled
at Rochester, while the other, being the younger, continual at
Maidstone. A descendant of one of those branches remained
at Shorne, near Rochester, possessed of a good fortune ; which
family bore for its arms, Sable, a cross formee, fitchee, argent.
George Maplesden having engaged in Sir Thomas Wyatt's
rebellion, forfeited this seat to the crown ; when it was soon
after granted to Nicholas Barham, esq., afterwards sergeant at
law, descended from a branch of those of Berhain court, in
Teston. His son and heir, Arthur Barbara, passed it by sale to
Henry Haule, descended from Thomas de Aula or Hauls, of
Wye. He resided here, and married Jane, the second daughter
of Richard Dering, esq. of Pluckley, by whom he had two
sons, Henry and George, when the former possessed this seat
on the death of his fither, and soon after alienated it to Sir
Francis Barnham, of Hollingbourne, who greatly improved the
property. He marr'ud Elizabeth, daughter of Sampson Len-
nnrd, esq., by whom he had several children ; when Dacre, the
eldest son, dying unmarried, Robert, his second, became his heir,
and alienated this house, soon afler the death of Charles L, to
Walter F'ranklyn, who .sold it !o Mr. Beale, of London, as the
latter afterwards did to Griffith H.itley, m.d., fifth son of John
Hatley, cirizen of London, descended of a good family at
Goldington, in Bedfordshire.
He died possessed of this mansion in 1710, since which it has
continued in the same name and family; being afterwards the
property of James Hatley, esq. of Ipswich, in Suffolk.
Jordan's hall was once a seat of some note in this town,
situated in Stone street, and anciently afforded both name and
residence to a family so called. From the Jordan's it passed by
sale to one of the family of the Roper's, of St. Dunstan's, near
Canterbury ; in vvhich name it continued rill John Roper alien
ated it, about the 36th of Henry VI. , to Edward and William
Brauch, of Bersted. They soon after parted with their interest
therein to one Atwood, from vvhich name it was sold to the
Peirce's ; and thence again to the Cook's, who conveyed it to
one Crooke ; and after having remained a short time in that
line, it was passed by sale to one Potkin, descended from those
at Sevenoak. _From the latter family it was, by a female coheir,
carried in marriage to one Virgo, who, about the latter end of

^*'> UlSTORV OF THE
tne reign of Elizabeth, sold it to Laurence Washington, esq,,
a justice of the peace, and register of the court of Chancery,
descended from the Washing! on's anciently of Washington, in
Durham. He alienated it to the Godwin's; whence it passed,
by purchase, and became the inheritance of one Crispe, who, in
the reign of Charles I., sold it to Mr. Smith; and one of the
latter name, Jane Smith, in 1644, conveyed this mansion to
Margaret Wood. It has now lost its name, being divided into
small tenements of little account, neither the site or proprietors
being at present known.
Shales court isa manorin the southern part of this parish,
ancientiy the inheritance of the noted family of the Freming
ham's, one of vvhich, John de Fremingham, died possessed of it
in the reign of Edward III. His descendant, John, son of
Sir Ralph de Fremingham, of Loose, died in the I2th of Henry
IV., leaving no issue, when his feoffees assigned it over, accord
ing to the directions of his will, to John, son of Reginald de
Pimpe, who died possessed of Shales manor, in the reign of
Henry V. In his descendants it continued down to Reginald
de Pimpe, who died in the reign of Henry VIIL, when his heirs.
alienated it to Sir Thomas Wyatt, of AUington casrie, who
exchanged the manor and court of Shales with Henry VIII.
It was then granted by Edward VI. to Sir Walter Hendley,
sergeant at law, who died in the 6th year of that reign, leaving
three daughters his coheirs ; when, on the division made between
them of their inheritance, the manor of Shales court seems to
have been allotted to Elizabeth, the eldest daughter, widow of
WiUiam Waller, esq. of Groombridge, but then wife of George
Fane, who died possessed of it in the 9th of Queen Elizabeth,
and was interred at Brenchley, in this county.
On her demise, this manor descended to her son, by her first
husband. Sir Walter WaUer, who, in the 17th year of the same
reign, alienated it to Walter Hendley, of Coursehourne, ia
Cranbrooke, and Elizabeth, his wife; in whose descendants it
continued till the reign of Charles II. , when it was in the pos
session of Sir Thomas Hendley, of Coursehourne. Soon after
tlie above period, it was alienated to Sir John Banks, bart. of
Aylesford, who died in 1699, leaving two daughters his coheirs;
one of whom married Heneage Finch, second son of the earl of
Nottino-ham, who in her right, on the partirion of her father's

COUNTY OF KENT. Cll
estates, became entitled to the same. In 1703, he was created
baron of Guernsey, and in 1714, earl of Aylesford ; his great
grandson, Heneage Finch, earl of Aylesford, having afterwards
been owner of this manor.
ChiIvLINGton is a manor in this parish, the mansion of
which was situated near St. Faith's green, in this town. It was
anciently part of the possessions of the eminent family of the
Cobham's, one of whom, John de Cobham, procured a charter
of free warren for this manor in the reign of Edward III. Soon
after, it passed to the Maplesden's, of Digons, in this town, in
which name it remained till George Maplesden forfeited the
property for treason to the crown ; when it was granted to Sir
Walter Hendley, who alienated his interest therein to Nicholas
Barham, esq. His son and heir passed it away by sale to
Henry Haule, of Digons, above mentioned, whose youngest
grandson, George, died in 1650, without issue, leaving his sister,
Ehzabeth, who had espoused Sir Thomas Taylor, bart., his heir.
They joined in the sale of this estate of ChiUington, for it
had lost the reputarion of a manor, to Sir John Beale, bart. of
Farningham, who left two daughters his coheirs ; when, on a
partition of their inheritance, this estate fell to the share of
Ehzabeth, the youngest sister, married to William Emerton,
esq. of Chipsted. They then joined in the sale of the same to
Robert Southgate, fruiterer, whose son, of the same name,
resided there, and afterwards, about the year 1746, passed it
by sale to David Fuller, of Maidstone, attorney at law, who
dying without issue, devised it by will to his widow. At her
decease, in 1778, she bequeathed the estate to her relation,
WiUiam Stacy, esq. of Canterbury, who became proprietor of
this mansion, which, in extent and other respects, retains many
marks of its ancient state.
The manor of East Lane, so called from its situation in
this town, vvas formerly part of the possessions of the priory of
Leeds, and so continued till the dissolution, under Henry VIIL,
when the priory being surrendered lo the king, it was by him
settled on his newly erected dean and chapter of Rochester,
where it has remained.
A court-baron is held for this manor, the jurisdiction of vvhich
extends over twenty-five tenements in East lane and Middle
row, in Maidstone, which pay quit-rents to the same.

6i2 HISTORY OF TIIE
The Park House was a pleasant seat, situated near tla
east side of the road to Rochester, about half a mile from the
town of Maidstone. This estate seems to have been part ofthe
possessions of the see of Canterbury, having been purchased of
Archbishop Cranmer by Henry VIIL, at which time it was in
the occupation of Sir Anthony Knevet; and afterwards, by lease
from the king, held by William Smith, under the description of
the land and pasture, called Le Park, in this parish. At what
period it passed from the crown we have not found, but under
Charles II. it was in the possession of Sir Thomas Taylor, bart.
who resided there, and was descended from those of that name
of Willsborough, whose ancestor was John Taylor, of the
Homestall, in Shadoxhurst, such having been their original resi
dence. They bore for their arms, Argent, on a chief sable, two
boars' heads, couped of the field. In 1664 he was created a
baronet, and died the following year, leaving one son. Sir Thomas
Taylor, bart., who succeeded his father in this estate, and resided
at Park house, having married Alicia, sister, and at length heir
of Sir Thomas Colepeper, bart. of Aylesford, when he died
without issue. His heirs sold it, about the year 1735, to James
Calder, esq., whose ancestor, James Calder, of Muertown, in
Scotland, was created a baronet of that kingdom in 1686. He
resided here, and on the death of his father, assumed the title
of baronet, and died in 1774, having married, first, Alice,
youngest daughter of Admiral Hughes, by whom he left one
son, Henry, and a daughter, AUthea: he married, secondly,
Catherine, daughter of Wentworth Odiarne, esq., by whom he
bad no issue ; and Sir Henry, his son, rebuilt this seat at no
great distance, though within Boxley parish. He died in 1792,
leaving, by his second wife, an infaat son, who succeeded to this
inheritance. Great Buckland manor is situated on the western side
of the river Medway, opposite the town of Maidstone, on
the summit of the hill, the proper name being Bocland, no
doubt derived from the tenure whereby the property is held. In
the time of the Saxons such land was hereditary, and passed by
deed, being held by the Thanes or nobles, having the addition
of Great to distinguish it from other parts of this estate now in
the possession of different owners ; all which were anciently
portions ofthe demesnes of a family which hence derived its name.

COUXTV 01- KENT. G;,1
Buckland vvas originally granted by Hubert Walter, arch
bishop of Canterbury, in the reign of King John, to Alan de
Bocland, by the description of one yoke and ten acres of land
with its appurtenances, in Maidstone, to hold in frank fee, and
not in gav.elkind, as had previously been the case. His grand
son, Walter de Bocland, held this estate iu the 55th of Henry
III., A d. 1270. A nuper obiit was brought, in the above year,
before the justices itinerant, by Alan de Bocland, against his
elder brother, Walter, above mentioned, for a moiety of this
estate, the tenure of the same having been changed by the arch
bishop without the consent of the chapter of Canterbury. Th it
plea, however, was overruled, and judgment passed for the de
fendant. His descendant, John de Bocland, died possessed of the pro
perty in the 3d of Edward 111., vvho was succeeded by his son,
Sir John de Bocland, a person of some note in the same reign.
Under Henry IV., Buckland had become part of the possessions
of the college of St. Mary and All Saints, of Maidstone, where
it continued till the dissolution of this house, in the 1st of
Edward VI. , when it passed to the crown ; upon which, the
above prince, in his 3d year, granted the site of the college to
Sir George Brooke, lord Cobham, to hold in capite, by knight's
service. His grandson, Henry lord Cobham, being attainted for
treason in the 1st of James I., forfeited all his estates to the
crown, but as Buckland was settled in jointure upon the Lady
Frances, wife of Lord Cobham, it was, upon his death, granted
to her, and the reversion to Sir Robert Cecil, earl of Salisbury,
son of the famous William lord Burleigh, by his second wife, he
having espoused Elizabeth, sister of the above-mentioned un
fortunate Lord Cobham.
Robert earl of Salisbury died in 1612, and was succeeded in
titles and estate by WiUiam, his only son and heir, who, in
1618, alienated this property to several persons. That portion
since caUed Great Buckland, with the manor, were sold to
WilUam Horsepoole, esq., descended from John Horsepoole, of
Leicestershire ; and he afterwards passed it away by sale tn
Thomas English, esq. of Sussex, who resided here. His son,
Thomas, possessed Great Buckland in the reign of Charles 11..
about the latter end of which he alienated it to Sir John Banks.

eu HISTORY OF THK
bart. of Aylesford, who died in 1699, leaving two daughters his
coheirs, viz. Elizabeth, married to Heneage Finch, second son
of the earl of Nottingham ; and Mary, to John SavU, esq. of
Methley, in Yorkshire.
On the division of the inheritance, this estate was aUotted to
Elizabeth, married to Heneage Finch, afterwards earl of Ayles
ford, whose great grandson subsequently possessed the same.
Another part of Buckland, since known by the
name of Little Buckland, seems, about the latter end of
the reign of James I., to have been in the possession of
Viscountess Maidstone ; in whose descendants it continued UU
Heneage Finch, in 1720, alienated it to Sir Robert Marsham,
bart., lord Romney, whose grandson, Charles lord Romney, suc
ceeded to the possession of this property.
There is still another part of Buckland, known also by the
name of Little Buckland, which, in the reign of Charles II,,
had b come the property of John Fletcher, gent., who sold it to
Christopher Vane, lord Barnard. He died in 1723, leaving two
sons, Gilbert, who succeeded him in title and estates in the north
of England ; and William, who possessed his father's seat of
Fairlawn, and was, in 1720, created viscount Vane of the
kingdom of Ireland. He died at the seat above mentioned in
1734, leaving an only son, William viscount Vane, who, at his
death in 1789, devised this, -among his other estates, to David
Papillon, esq. of Acrise.
At the western extremity of the parish, and at no great dis
tance from East Farleigh bridge, lies an estate commonly called
Halfway Oke, formerly accounted a manor, and known by the
appellation of Half Yoke, anciently part of the possessions of
the eminent family of the Fremingham's, and passed thence,
for want of heirs male, to the Pimpe's ; and again from that
name, to the Isley's, of Sundridge.
Sir Henry Isley possessed this manor in the reign of Edward
VI , and procured the disgavelment of his lands ; but having
been concerned in Sir Thomas Wyatt's insurrection, his lards
became forfeited to the crown. In the reign of Charles I.,
Andrew Videon, clerk of the papers of the King's Bench, -was
possessed of Half Yoke, and resided there, who was descended
from a family of good repute and antiquity in this county,
having been one among many who suffered for his loyalty to

COUNTY OF KENT. Ci5
King Charies I. during the troubles, which ho lived to survive.
Sir Edward Walker, knight of the Garter, granted to him by
patent, in 1664, the following coat of arms, viz. Ermine on
a bend vert, three roses, argent, barbed, and seeded, or. After
that name was extinct, this estate became of little account, and
was no longer reputed a manor ; when it appears to have been
alienated to different persons, upon which, one portion passed to
the name of French, from which it was sold to Mr. Fowle, of
Fant; and another part became the property of the Harris's, of
East Farleigh ; the last of which line, Thomas Harris, gent.,
afterwards of East Barming, died unmarried in 1769, who by
will gave his portion of the estate to Mrs. Mary Dorman.
The hamlet of Laddington, anciently called Ludingford,
from the ford over the river, is esteemed to be vvithin the parish
of Maidstone, and lies near Style bridge, on the high road to
Marden and Staplehurst. The manor was formerly in the pos
session of owners of the name of Pigott, with whom it remained
till Mrs. Mary Pigott, marrying William Forster, d.d., entitled
him jointly to her interest therein, which they both continued
to hold.
Queen Elizabeth, in her 5th year, granted to — Parker all
that ruinated house, called the Old Place, in Maidstone, vvith
its appurtenances.
Archbishop Boniface, about the year 1260, under ITenry
IIL, built a college or hospital, for poor travellers, in the West
borough, on the bank of the river Medway, opposite the town.
It was dedicated to Sts. Peter and Paul, and called the hos
pital OF THE New Work of Presteshelle, in Meydes-
tune, and in process of time, the Newerk.
Archbishop Walter Reynolds, about the year 1314, appropri
ated to this hospital the churches of Sutton, by Dover, Lilling-r
ton or Linton, and East Farleigh, in this county.
In the 19th of Richard IL, a.d. 1395, Archbishop WiUiam
de Courtney, intending to make the parish-church of St. Mary
of Maidstone collegiate, obtained the king's license, the sam.e
year, to erect that church into a college, and establish it as such
for ever ; to consist of one master or kaiper, and as many fel
low chaplains and other ministers therein, with license to the
archbishop to assign to them the advowson and patronage of this
VOL. III. 4 o

646 HISTORY OF THE
parish-church, and the chapels annexed thereto, to hold in pure
and perpetual alms, as part of their maintenance, for ever.
To the above appropriations Adam Mottrum, archdeacon of
Canterbury, gave his assent, anl the year following, the king
granted to them, by letters patent, the advowson of the church
of Crundale, together with the mansion of Tremworth and
Fannes ; and Henry IV., in h'.s 1st year, confirmed the last
grant of Richard IL, of the above advowson and manors.
Archbishop Courteney erected the college and buildings for
the habitation of the master and other members, as well as for
other uses, on the bank of the rier, adjoining the south side of
the cemetery of his church, and died the year after ; and, as he
had obtained the king's license for the founding his college, it
is most probable it was begin some time previous, for it appears
that the structure was finished during his lifetime.
The patronage of this college and church continued part of
the possessions of the archbishopric of Canterbury tUl the
Primate Cranmer, in the 9th of Henry VIIL, exchanged the
advowson and patronage of the college and church of our Lady
of Maidstone, and the advowson, donation, &c. of the chantry
founded in Maidstone by Archbishop Arundel, with the king,
for other premises therein mentioned.
The college of All Sa'vits was dissolved by the general Act of
suppression in the 1st of Edward VL, a.d. 1546, and surren
dered into the king's hands, with all its lands and posses
sions. The first master of this college was John Wotton, rector of
Staplehurst, and canon of Chichester, who dying in 1417, was
buried in this church, one of whose successors, William Grocyn,
was admitted master in 1506. He was a very learned man,
educated in Wickham's colleges, and travelled into Italy, where
he acquired a great proficiency in the Latin and Greek languages,
which he taught at Oxford, in a method unattempted before.
He was at the same period tutor and friend of Erasmus, and
died in 1522, aged eighty, greatly esteemed for his profound
erudition ; v/hen he was buried in the great chancel, called the
high choir of tins ohifrch.
John Lease, ll.d., the last master, surrendered this college to
Edward VL, a.d. 1540, at which time it was valued at

COUNTY OF KENT. 6iT"
£212 5 3J, being the entire revenue, and ig'159 7 10 clear
annual income.
Edward VI. , by letters patent, granted this coUege, with its
lands and tenements, to Sir George Brooke, lord Cobham, whose
grandson, Henry lord Cobham, forfeited the same, for high
treason, in the 1st of James I.
Under Charles I., Sir Edward Henden, one of the barons of
the Exchequer, was possessed of it ; after which, it passed into
the family of the Marsham's, being part of the estates of Charles
Marsham, lord Romney. This college, on its foundation, con
sisted of an extensive pile of stone buildings, most of vvhich,
with the great gate, are yet standing on the south side of the
church, and occupied by a person concerned in the hop trade,
some of the apartments being used as an oasthouse ; there
are also many other vestiges of ancient religious buildings in
this town and its immediate vicinity.
The county jaU, which stands pre-eminently conspicuous in
this populous place, is a heavy and extensive fabric, commenced
in 1811, and completed in 1818. It is intended as a prison for
the county at large, and Ukewise made to supersede the present
jail and house of correction of Maidstone. The ground whereon
it is built occupies between thirteen and fourteen acres, the
structure being sufficiently extensive to contain 460 prisoners.
The' building is composed of brick, faced with ragstone, and
the plan of the whole very j udiciously arranged : every class of
prisoners has a distinct yard for taking the air, and each prisoner
has a separate sleeping cell. The expense incurred by this
erection was, we understand, about ^§180, 000, which was ex
tremely burdensome to many, who were compelled to contri
bute to such a vast county establishment.
In the vicinity of the new jail are the barracks, with the
cavalry depot, where all those troops intended for the East
India service, are trained.
The principal part of the town of Maidstone has been greatly
improved since 1791, at which time an Act passed for lighring
and paving the principal streets. There are two charity schools,
BS well as a grammar seminary.
The town of Maidstone sends two members to Parliament. .
According to the last census of the population, taken in
1821, the borough of Maidstone contained 2131 dwcllir.gsi;

e48 HISTORY OF THE
the numbers of inhabitants being as follow : males 6083, females
6426, making a total of 12508 souls.
The FRATERNITY OF CoRPus Christi, in Maidstone, was
founded by several inhabitants of the town. The house used by
the brethren stood at the lower end of Eari street, at a small
distance from the river ; the chapel or refectory, and three sides
of the cloister, being still standing.
At the corner of East lane there was anciently a house, having
Gothic arches, and several rooms vaulted with stone, which, in
old deeds, vvas named the priory.
Maidstone is within the diocese of Canterbury and deanery
of Sutton, and exempt from the jurisdiction of the archdeacon.
The church stands in the western part of the town, on the bank
of the river Medway. It was formerly dedicated to the Virgin, but
when Archbishop Courteney had rebuilt the chapel, and obtained
a license to render it collegiate, he dedicated it anew to All Saints.
The stalls for the master and fellows of the college still remain
in the chancel, where the arms of Archbishop Courteney appear
in several places, but in no other part ; whence it appears pro
bable the latter was a portion of the old church of St. Mary, and
not rebuilt by the archbishop. The church is a large handsome
building, consisting of a nave, great chancel, and two side aisles,
the roof being lofty, and covered throughout with lead. At the
west end is a handsome tower, whereon was once a spire,
covered with lead, nearly eighty feet in height, burnt down by
lightning in 1730. In 1700 the body of the church was regu
larly paved, and on either side a commodious gaUery erected, one
constructed at the charge of Sir Robert Marsham, bart., after
wards lord Romney.
• There were ancientiy in this church numbers of inscriptions
on brass plates, now, for the most part, missing. In the middle
of the great chancel was a tombstone, raised a little above the
pavement, with the portraiture of a bishop, habited in his mitre
and robes, having an inscription round the same, on brass, now
torn away ; it is supposed to have been the cenotaph of Arch
bishop Courteney, the founder. The primate in question vvas
son of Hugh Courteney, earl of Devonshire, by Margaret, daugh
ter of Humphrey Bohun, earl of Essex and Hereford ; and
accordingly the arms of Courteney and Bohun are impaled o-\
several places in this chancel.

COUNTY OF KENT. 049
The archbishop died at his palace at Maidstone in 1396, who,
at the commencement of his will, directed that his body should
be interred in the cathedral church of Exeter, where he had for
merly been a prebend ; but having changed his mind in this
respect, conceiving that his remains were unworthy of burial in
his metropolitical, or any other cathedral or collegiate church, he
ordered that he should be interred in the churchyard of his,
collegiate church, at Maidstone, in the place designed for John
Boteler, his esquire. However, it appears by the ledger book of
Christ church, Canterbury, that King Richard IL, happening to
be then at Canterbury, commanded his body to be there en
tombed, where he lies, under a monument of alabaster, at the
feet of Edward the Black Prince ; such being the opinion of
Somner, Godwin, M. Parker, and Camden, whereas Weever
conceives that he was buried in the chancel of Maidstone church.
There was another church, or rather a free chapel,
dedicated to St. Faith, situated in the northernmost part of the
town, having been, most probably, erected for the use of those
inhabitants of this parish who lived at too great a distance to
frequent the other place of worship.
Adjoining Maidstone, northeastward, lies the parish of
Boxley, written in Domesday Boseleu, and in the Textus
Roffensis, Boxele and Boxle, a parish noted as well for the
assembly of the whole county held at Penenden heath in the
reign of the Conqueror, as for the abbey not long afterwards
founded on this spot.
The village of Boxley is situated at the foot ofthe chalk hills,
above whicli the parish extends among the coppice woods, over
a barren and dreary country, covered by flints, to Dun street, at
its northern boundaries; whUe southward, it stretches to the
rivulet in the valley, at a small distance from the town of Maid
stone. The soil, from its extent, is of course varied, being to
the northward chalky ; in the centre, and towards the west, a
deep sand ; and south-east, a fertile loamy earth, bounding
upon the rock ; the whole presenting a site much more healthy
than pleasant, in consequence of its chalk, sand, and bleak ex-
bosure. The viUage is watered by a clear spring that rises just
helow the church, and directs its course through the street ;
vvhich current, as well as another also rising at the foot of the

660 HISTORY OF TUE
chalk hill, just above Boxley abbey, are both very picturesque to
the view, but the water hard and unfit for culinary uses, espe
cially that of the latter, which, in two months, will petrify wood,
when the incrustation resembles brown unpolished marble. These
currents join just below the abbey, and flow together into the
Medway, almost opposite to AUington castle. The village lies
on a descent from the hills, and contains several genteel houses.
At the upper or northern part is Boxley house, the seat of Lord
Romney, vvhich was inhabited by his three sisters and Mr.
Coker ; lower down is a dwelling, for many years the property
and residence of the family of Charlton, which bore for its arms.
Or, a lion rampant, gules, the last of that name, John Charlton,
having died in 1770, unmarried. It then passed by his will,
together with his other estates, to his eldest nephew, the Rev.
George Burville, which line bore for its arms. Argent, a chevron
betueen three oak leaves erect, vert.
Mr. Burville married Juliana, daughter of William Bowyer,
esq. of Denham, in Buckinghamshire, by whom he had a son,
John, and a daughter, Frances, married to the Rev. Philip
Rashleigh, who afterwards possessed this house, and resided
here. Lower down is the parsonage and vicarage, the latter a
genteel residence ; while near the church is another dwelling,
more ancient, called Park house, once part of the estate of
Boxley abbey, which became the property of Sir Thomas Wyatt,
vvhose son forfeited this, among his other estates, to the crown
for treason. How it afterwards passed, we have not ascertained,
though it seems to have been restored to his descendants. At
the commencement of the last century it was in the possession
of the family of the St. John's ; in which Une it remained till
Mrs. St. John, joining with her son, Paulet St. John, sold it, in
1720, to Maudistley Best, e^^q., son of Mr. Thomas Best, of
Chatham, who resided and kept his shrievalty here in 1730,
having borne for his arms, Sable, t-d.o cross crosslets in chief,
and a cinque-foil in base, or: he died in 1740, leaving two sons,
Thomas, late of Chilston ; James, of Chatham ; and a daugh
ter, married to the Hon. Robert Fairfax, of Leeds casUe. He
gave by will this seat to his youngest son, James, who resided
there, and died in 1782, leaving four sons and four daughters;
the eldest of the former having inherited this estate.
A warren for rabbits once existed here, the lands of which

COUNTY OF KENT. 65t
lay close at the foot of the chalk hiUs ; this formeriy belonged
to Boxley abbey, and constituted part of the estate of Lord
Romney. There was also another portion converted into a war
ren, lying near Penenden heath, which was part of the Park
house estate, and as such became the property of Mr. Best •
but the name only of the warren remains, the rabbits having
been long destroyed, and the land made arable.
About a mile eastward from the vUlage, in a low flat situation,
and at no great distance from the high road, is Boxley abbey,
where once stood the famous rood of Grace, with the image of
St. Rumbald ; but the monks so imposed upon the creduUty
of the people, that they became publicly execrated, when the
rood and image were taken from them, and broken to pieces, at
St. Paul's Cross, in 1538, the whole cheat having been there
fully exposed.
Conriguous to the abbey is a small hamlet of houses: and
nearer the hiUs, the abbey farm, the plantation of the estate
called the Park house, the old seat of which was situated in
Maidstone parish, near the high road to Rochester. The late
Sir Henry Calder, to whom it belonged, pulled down the antique
mansion, and on a beautiful spot adjoining, within this parish,
began to erect a handsome stone dwelling. On his death, the
structure was finished by his widow, who, with her son. Sir
Henry, lived here for a period ; after which it became the resi
dence of a Mr. Osborne.
At a small distance eastward hence, nearly in the centre of the
parish, Maidstone only stretching in a point or nook over part of
this district, is the famous plain called Penenden, a spot cele
brated in early times, the western part being in Maidstone
parish, and the remainder in that of Boxley. From its central
situation in this county, Penenden heath has been, time out of
mind, used for all county meetings; and on a conspicuous hill,
upon the opposite side of the heath, though in Maidstone
parish, stands the gallows used for the public execution of
criminals. At the period of the Conquest it was the spot selected for the
public meetings of the county, as, in the record of Domesday,
mention is made that, when the inhabitants of Kent were sum
moned to collect ad sciruni, that is, in public assembly at the
Shynegemot or sheriff's tourn, for the trial of certain customa

652 HISTORY OF THE
therein menrioned, itis specified that the populace should repair,
for that purpose, as far as Pinnedtnna, but no farther.
In 1076, being the llth of William the Conqueror, a famous
assembly was held at this place on the following occasion :
Odo bishop of Bayeux and earl of Kent had, by means of
his great power, defrauded the church of Canterbury of many
manors and lands, of which he kept possession; Archbishop
Lanfranc, however, who succeeded to the see in 1070, repre
sented the injury sustained by his church to the king, vvho
forthwith commanded that inquiry should be made respectino-
the same, when the matter was determined by the nobles, not
only of Kent, but other counties of England, in an assembly
collected for that purpose on Penenden heath.
There were present at the meeting in question, Goisfrid bishop
of Constance, who sat as the representative of the king ; Arch
bishop Lanfranc, who pleaded the cause of his church ; Odo
earl of Kent, who defended himself against the alleged accusa
tions ; Ernest bishop of Rochester ; Algeric bishop of Chester,
an old man weU versed in the laws of the realm, vriio, on ac
count of his great age, was by order of the king conveyed
thither in a waggon, in una quadriga; Richard de Tunibridge ;
Hugh de Montfort; WiUiam de Arsic ; Hamo Vicecomes, or
hheriff ; and many other barons of the king, and archbishop,
together with the tenants of those bishops ; all being men of
considerable note.
The trial lasted three days, at the end of vvhich the archbishop
recovered several of the ancient possessions of his church, as
well from Odo as Hugh de Montfort and Ralph de Curva Spina,
and also finally established the liberties in matters relating to
the king and himself.
On the south side of the heath the turnpike road from Maid
stone, through Detiing, to Key street and Sittingbourne, crosses
this parish ; another branching off hence to Bersted and Ash
ford. In the southern part are the hamlets of Grove green and
Wavering street, Newnham court, and the beautiful seat of
Vinters, pleasantiy situated; below which is the stream that
turns the papermiUs, and separates this parish ftom Maidstone.
At Grove is a remarkable fine vein of fuller's earth, by the work
ing of which, Mr. John Watts, who was owner of the same at
the commencement of this century, became famous. This earth

COUNTY OF KENT.
was worked as early as 1630, at which period John Kay, mer
chant of London, was sentenced to a severe fine, and punisheii
in the Star chamber, for having transported a quantity clandes
tinely to Holland. The vein lies thirty feet deep, being about
seven feet thick, of which there are two sorts, the blue and the
dark grey, the latter of which, lying under the former, is con
sidered the most valuable. Great quantities of this earth are
sent hence by sea for the use of the clothiers in distant countries.
In 1711, a Roman urn was dug up at Grove 6y the workmen,
near the vein of fuller's earth, and several others afterwards,
with various relics of antiquity, and coins, most of the latter
having the. inscription of the Emperor Adrian ; some have also
been found at Vinter's and Goddard's hUl, in this parish, where
there are several piles of stones, similar to those about Horsted.
Boxley was, at the taking of the survey of Domesday, part of
the estates of Odo bishop of Bayeux, under the general title of
whose lands it vvas therein entered.
Upon the disgrace of that prelate it became forfeited to the
crown, and in 1 146, WUliam d'lpre, earl of Kent, who afterwards
became a monk at Laon, in Flanders, founded an abbey at this
place for brothers of the Cistertian order, some of whom he
caused to be removed from Claravalle, in Burgundy, for that
purpose, and dedicated. his establishment to the Virgin Mary,
as were all the houses of that order. The first Cistertian
monastery in England was founded at Waverly, and built in
1129 by Walter Gifford, esq., bishop of Winchester : this com
munity was a branch of the Benedictines, called, from their
habit. White Monks, and likewise Cistertians ; which last name
they received from the town of Cistertium or Cisteaux, in the
bishopric of Chalons, in Burgundy, where the order- was first
instituted by Robert abbot of Molesme, in 1098. There existed
eighty.five houses of this order at the time of the Dissolution,
in England.
Richard I., in his 1st year, a.d. 1189. gave the manor of
Boxley to this abbey ; which grant was confirmed by Henry III.
That monarch also granted a weekly market within the manor of
Boxley, which was held at a place called Farthings.
Edward IL, in his 15th year, honoured this abbey with his
presence, where, on the 25th of October, he granted to tho
aldermen and citizens of London the privUege of nominating a
VOL. III. 4 P

r:-,y Ul^TOKY OF THE
mayor from their own body ; and Edward III. also accorded to
the aiVbotyrec warrenin their manor of Bo.tele.
In the reign of Richard II. the revenues of the abbey were
valued at £218 19 10, whereof £98 19 7, were in the diocese
of Canterbury.
John Dobbes, the last abbot, surrendered the establishment of
Boxley into the hands of Henry VIIL on the 29th of January,
in the 29th year of the reign of that prince. It was endowed,
at the dissolution, with £204 4 11 per annum clear revenue
according to Dugdale, whereas the estimate of Speed is
£218 9 10 per annum yearly income. The coal of arms apper
taining to this abbey was. Argent, a dexter bend lozenge, gules,
on a canton of Ihe second, a crazier or pastoral staff of the field.
This coat, without the crozier, as also another, presenting a
pastoral staff surmounted by a bend, are stiU remaining in a
garden at the back of the abbey, carved in stone, upon the
capital of two pillars, from vvhich springs a small circular arch.
There Was a chapel, dedicated to St. Andrew the Apostle,
that stood near the outer gate of this monastery, which was
served by a curate appointed for that purpose.
The lands of the abbey of Boxley were exempted from trio
payment of all tithes. In the church was the statue of St.
Rumbald, usually called by the common people Grumbald, who
was held in great venerarion by the multitude, on account of his
sanctity, and the miracles said to have been performed through
his means.
Henry VIII. exchanged this monastery, with the house and
site> for other premises, and granted the whole to Sir Thomas
Wyatt. On the execution of his son for rebellion, this estate
was coiifiacated to the crown, when Queen Mary granted the
manor to his widow, the Lady Jane Wyatt ; on whose death, her
son, George, succeeded to the same ; but the abbey seems to
have continued vested in the crown, as Queen Elizabeth, in her
llthyear^ granted the site and mansion to John Astley, for a
term of years. In the 13th of that reign, George Wyatt, esq.
was restored in blood by Act of Parliament, and became pos
sessed of this seat, having had the fee granted to him by the
crown. He died in 1624, and was buried in the chancel of this
church, as were his descendants, who bore for their arms. Pet
ftss, azure, and guks, a barnacle argent, the ring or. He left

COUNTY OF KENT. D.Vi
several sons and daughters, of whom, the second son. Haute
Wyatt, was vicar of this parish ; and Francis, the eldest, suc
ceeded him in the manor of Boxley, as weU as the mansion of
the abbey, the Grange, and his other estates in this parish.
He was soon after knighted, twice made governor of Virginia,
and died in 1644, leaving two sons ; Henry, his eldest and heir;
and Edwin, who afterwards became possessed of the manor,
seat, and estates above mentioned ; and a daughter, Elizabeth,
who married Thomas Bosvile, esq. of Littlemote, in Eynsford,
whose daughter, Margaret, became the wife of Sir Robert
Marsham, bart. great grandfather of Lord Romney.
Henry Wyatt, esq . was of Boxley abbey, and left an only
daughter and heir, Frances, who carried this manor and seat,
with the Grange, and other estates, above mentioned, in mar
riage to Sir Thomas Selyard, bart. ; but Edwin Wyatt, the
younger brother of Sir Henry, disputing Lady Selyard's title,
recovered the u anor of Boxley; but the abbey, with the lands
adjoining, remained in the possession of Sir Thomas Selyard.
Sir Thomas Selyard, or Segliard, as the name was frequently
spelt, was grandson of John Seyliard, of Delaware, in this
county, whose eldest son. Sir John Selyard, Of Chiddingstone,
was father of Sir Thomas, of Boxley abbey, above mentioned.
His second son, John Selyard, esq. was of Salmons, in Penshurst,
ancestor to those of that place, as well as Blechingley and London.
They bore for their arms Azure, a chief ermine ; which coat,
belonging to an ancestor of this family, is carved on the roof of
the cloisters of Canterbury cathedral.
Edwin Wyatt, esq., above mentioned, was made a sergeant at
law in 1684, having been also justice of the peace, recorder of
Canterbury and Maidstone, a burgess in Parliament for the
latter place, and chief justice of the grand sessions for the
counties of Carmarthen, Pembroke, and Cardigan. At what
time this family altered the ancient spelling of their name from
Wyatt to Wiat, we cannot ascertain, though we believe Mr.
Sergeant Wiat was the first who adopted the same, and died in
1714, aged eighty-five, having been buried with his ancestors,
in the chancel of this church. He left several sons and daugh
ters, and was succeeded by his eldest surviving child, FVancis
Wiat, esq., who resided at Quekes, in Thanet, having married
the widow of William BuUer, esq. of Cornwall. He died

656 HISTORY OF THE
without issue, and devised his estates by will to his kinsman,
Robert lord Romney.
A CQurt-leet and court-baron is regularly held for this manor,
the tenants of which are freeholders in free socage tenure.
Boxley abbey remained with Sir Thomas Seyliard above men
tioned, whose son, of the same name, left two daughters and
coheirs, viz. Margaret, married to Mr. Nicholas ; and Elizabeth,
to Mr. Medlicott, who sold the property to Mr. John Austen,
of Sevenoak, and he passed it away to Edward Austen, esq.
On the death of Sir Sheffield Austen, bart., the above-mentioned
Edward Austen succeeded to that title, who resided at Boxley
abbey, and married Susanna, daughter of Mr. Walsingham, of
Callis court, in Ryarsh. He died without issue in 1760, and was
succeeded by his only brother, Robert Austen, esq. of Tenter
den, who also died in 1772, without issue, when the title became
extinct. By his will he devised Boxley abbey, among the rest of his
estates, to his wife's cousin, John, son of Nicholas Amherst, of
West Barming, in tail general ; remainder to the late John
Amherst, esq. of Rochester, and the two sons of Mr. James
Allen, subject to thelifeof Lady Austen, and a power to her of de
vising the same. Lady Austen, by will, confirmed Sir Edward's
disposition of his estate, and on her death, John Amherst, esq.
succeeded to Boxley abbey, with the rest of Sir Edward Austen's
estates in this county.
Newnham court is a manor situated at the south-east
corner of this parish, which, as we have already menrioned,
belonged lo the abbey of Boxley, and being, after the suppres
sion, granted by Henry VIIL to Sir Thomas Wyalt, became
forfeited to the crown by the attainder of his son. It so
remained till Queen Elizabeth, in her llth year, granted it, for
a term of years, to John Astley, esq. , master of her jewels, and
the fee of the same subsequently to his son. Sir John Astley,
who alienated it to his nephew. Sir Norton KnatchbuU, hart.
He alienated this manor, in the reign of Charles IL, to Sir
John Banks, bart., who died in 1699, leaving two daughters his
coheirs, the eldest of whom, Elizabeth, married Heneage Finch,
second son of the earl of Nottingham, and on the division of
their inheritance, he became in her right entitled to the
same.

COUNTY OF KENT. 637
There is no court held for this manor, which is subordinate
to that of Boxley.
Wavering is a hamlet in the southern part of this parish,
the manor and estate of which seems, in the reign of Richard I.,
to have been part of the possessions of the family of the
Hougham's, of Hougham, near Dover, and at the period in
question, according to letters patent of Richard I., in his Ist
year, he granted the manor of Boxley to the abbot and convent.
The monks also possessed some lands at Wavering, as the same
monarch confirmed to them certain agreements made between
the brotherhood and John de Horsepole and his sons for the
land at this place ; and Henry III. ,,in his 37th year, granted to
them certain liberties vvithin their demesne lands at Wavering.
What afterwards became of this portion we do not find, but
most probably it was esteemed as part of their manor of Boxley,
and continued in their possession.
Another part of Wavering seems, about the same time,
to have been vested in the family of the Bourne's, of Bourne,
near Barham, John de Bourne having held lands in Wavering
nnder Henry IIL; and in the reign of the foUowing prince, one
Bourne had a charter of free warren for his lands here and
elsewhere in this county.'
The greatest part of Wavering, however, as well as the
manor itself, appears to have continued vested in the family of
Hougham. Robert de Hougham died possessed of the estate in the 2d of
King Edward I., when it was found that he held of the king,
in capite, in Wavering, 40s. rent, rendering this service from it,
namely, that whenever the king should march with his army
towards Wales, he should find a horse of the price of 5s., with
a wallet and a broach, for forty days, at the cost of the king;
and his son, of the same name, died possessed of the property
in the 29th year of that reign, holding it in capite, by the like
service. His daughter, Benedicta de Hougham, carried her
interest in this place in marriage to John de Shelving, of
Shelvingbourne, son of Waretius, whose father, John, by mar
riage with Helen, daughter and heir of John de Bourne, about
the latter end of the reign of Edward I , possessed also his pro
perty in Wavering.
John de Shelving, the grandson, died holding this manor in

668 HISTORY OF THE
the 4th of Edward IIL, vvhich he possessed by the service
above mentioned ; and his wife, Benedictaj died proprietor of
the same in the 22d year of the above prince, when it devolved
to their daughter and heir, Benedicta, wife of Sir Edmund de
Haute, of Haute's court, in Petham, whose eldest son, Nicholas,
leaving two sons, Nicholas, of Petham, and William, of Bishops-
bourne, the latter possessed this manor of Wavering. It then
descended to Sir William Haute, of Bishopsbourne, who lived
during the reign of Henry VIIL, and left by his second wife,
Mary, relict of Christopher Kempe, daughter of Sir Richard
Guldeford, two daughters and coheirs. On the partition of
their inheritance, the manor of Waverly was allotted to Sir
Thomas Wyatt, in right of his wife, Jane, the youngest of them;
and an Act was passed, under Henry VIIL, for this confirmation.
On the attainder of his son under Mary, it became forfeited to the
crown, where it remained till Elizabeth, in her 24th year,
restored it to Lady Jane Wyatt, his widow, and her son, George,
for three lives ; but the reversion continued in the crown till
Charles I. granted the fee to Stephen Alcock, esq. of Rochester.
He alienated the estate to Sir Francis Wyatt, son of George
Wyatt, above mentioned, who then possessed the term in this
manor, and died holding it in 1644 ; after wliich it passed, with
the manor of Boxley and his other estates, to the Seyliard's.
From the latter name it vvas recovered at law, in the account of
that manor by Mr. Sergeant Wiat, and aftervvards devised with
them, by his youngest surviving son, Richard, in 1753, to his
relation, Robert lord Romney, whose son, Charles lord Romney,
afterwards possessed the same.
The feefarm of this manor was purchased of the crown by
Sir Robert Marsham, in the reign of Charles II.
There is no court held for this manor, which is now included
in the paramount manor of Boxley
Vinters, formeriy called Vintners, tiie mansion of which is
situated in the southern part of this parish, anciently afforded
both seat and surname to its possessors
Roger Vinter resided here, and was one of the conservators of
the Peace for this county in the 18th of King Edward IIL,
A.D. 13-13, in the 40th year of which prince he founded a
chantry in Maidstone church, called Gould's chantry, from the
estate vvitii which he endowed it. His son, John Vinter, in the

COUNTY Ot KENT. 659
10th of King Henry IV., sold it to John, son of Sir Ralph de
Fremingham, of Loose, who dying two years after, without
issue, it devolved to Roger Isley, of Sundrish, as nearest of
blood ; and in his descendants Vinters continued down to Sir
Henry Isley, who procured the disgavelment of his lands.
After the attainder of Sir Roger Isley, Queen Mary granted
this seat to the Cutts's, who, in the reign of Queen EUzabeth,
alienated it to Sir Cavaliero Maycott or Mack worth, wh6, about
the middle of the reign of J^ames I., conveyed it by sate to
William Court, esq. of Hougham, in Sussex. His son, Walter,
about the beginning of the reign of Charlesl., alienated the
property to Sir William Tufton, fourth son 6f Sir John Tufton,
bart. of Hothfield, a younger brother of Nicholas, created
baron Tufton and earl of Thanet. He resided at Vinters, and
Was created a baronet of the kingdom of Ireland by Charles I.
On his death, his eldest son. Sir Benedict Tufton succeeded
to this estate, who dying without issue, his next brother. Sir
Charles Tufton, barti became possessed of the same, who, in the
reign of Charles 1 1., alienated it to Daniel Whyte, esq. He
resided here, and died possessed of it in 1689, whose son, of
the same name, in the reign of Queen Anne, piasSed it away by
sale to Sir Samuel Ongley, one of the South Sea directors, who
devised it to his nephew, Samuel Ongley, esq. of Old Warden,
in Bedfordshire, in tail. Upon his demise, in 1747, this seat
passed, by virtue of the wUl of Sir Samuel Ongley, to Robert
Henley, esq., barrister at law, who assumed the surname of
Ongley, and was afterwards of Old Warden, and in 1 776 created
baron Ongley of the kingdom of Ireland. In 4783 he obtained
an Act empowering him to vest this estate in trustees, to be sold,
and they accordingly conveyed it to James Whatman, esq. of
this parish, who afterwards rebuilt the mansion in a very elegant
style. Mr. Whatman was twice married ; by his first wife he had
two daughters, and by his second one son, James. He served
the office of sheriff in 1767, and bore for his arms. Party per
pale, or, and sable, a pheon counterchanged.
This seat was for many years inhabited as tenants by the
family of Champneis, many of whom are, from time to time,
mentioned in the parish register of Boxley, the first individual
thus noticed havinsr been Walter Chamr>n«i<^ .\^ o 1 ^«'> Tho

600 HISTORY OF THE
hist occupant, of the above name, was Henry Champneis, esq.,
who died therein 1781, unmarried.
Ovenhelle, now commonly called Overkill farm, from its
situation on the chalk hills in this parish, was once accounted a
manor, and in the reign of Edward 1. held in sergeantry by Sir
Osbert de Longocampo or Longchamp, by the service of attend
ing the king and his army into Wales forty days, at his own
expense. Soon after, it became the property of Stephen de
Pencestre, by one of whose daughters and coheirs, Joan, it went
in marriage to Stephen de Cobham, of Rundell, in Shorne, who
possessed it in the reign of Edward II. , and was a baron of this
realm. His son, John de Cobham, of Rundell, died possessed
of itin the 36th of Edward III., holding it by the like service.
He left two sons, Thomas and Reginald, of whom, the eldest.
Sir Thomas Cobham, succeeded him here, and died in the I7th
of Richard IL, being then possessed of this manor, situated in
Ovenhell, in Boxley, held of the king in capite, by the above-
mentioned service. It continued in his descendants till alien
ated to the Wyatt's : Sir Thomas Wyatt, of Allington, died
owner of the manor of Ovenhill in the reign of Henry VIIL,
holding it in capite, by knight's service, leaving Sir Thomas
Wyatt his son and heir, upon whose attainder, this manor
became forfeited to the crown ; but being regranted to this
family, it so continued till Richard Wiat, esq. dying in 1763,
without issue, bequeathed it by will to Robert lord Romney,
whose son, Charles lord Romney, afterwards possessed it.
Queen Mary, in her 1st year, granted to George Clarke several
parcels of land in Boxley, late belonging to tiie abbey of Boxley,
and parcel of the estate of Sir Thomas Wyatt, with the Grange,
called the Nether Grange, to distinguish it from the Upper.
On his death, in the 1st of Queen Ehzabeth, his son, George
Clarke, succeeded to them, by the description of one messuage,
340 acres of land, meadow and pasture, in Boxley, to hold of
the queen as above mentioned. In the 22d year of that reign,
he alienated it to Robert Brewer, gent., whose son and heir,
John Brewer, esq., in 1611, succeeded him in these premises, of
which he appears to have been possessed in the reign of Charles I.
It was afterwards purchased by James Calder, esq., vvhose son,
Brigadier General Sir Henry Calder, bart. died possessed of it
in 1792, leaving his widow surviving, with an infant son, Sir

COUNTY OF KENT. 6&1
Henry Calder, bart.; and in them the fee and possession of this
estate vvas subsequently vested.
There is a large farm, called the Court Lodge, which was
possessed by the family of the Bartholomew's, one of which,
Leonard Bartholomew, esq. of Oxenhoath, dying without issue
in 1757, bequeathed it by will to the second son of Sir Francis
Geary, of Polsden, in Surrey, which second son. Sir William
Geary, bart. of Oxenhoath, afterwards possessed it.
The Grove is an estate in the southern .part of this parish,
which, in the reign of Henry IV., was conveyed by Isabel de
Wavering to Thomas Burbige, vvhose descendant, of the same
name, possessed the Grove, and other lands adjoining, in the
reign of Henry VII. Subsequent to that period, great part of
the land was, from time to time, sold off, but the portion which
remained with the house descended to Thomas IJurbige, vvho
dying without issue, and being the last heir male, gave it by
will to his sister; and she, in 1702, conveyed it by sale to Mr.
John Watts, vvho afterwards became famous for working the
fine vein of fuller's earth, previously adverted to.
His heirs passed it away by sale to General William Belford,
who died in 1780, leaving two sons and one daughter. The
sons, Gustavus and William, were both officers in the army, and
by the will of their father, became jointly possessed of this
estate; the former. Colonel Gustavus Belford, possessed one
moiety of the estate, and the latter died leaving two daughters
his coheirs, who became entitled to the other moiety. They
bore for their arms. Argent, a chevron, a rose in base gules.
Boxley is within the ecclesiastical juhisdiction of
the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sutton. The church,
dedicated to All Saints, stands on the east side of the village ;
it is not large, but neat, and contains three aisles and a chancel,
with a handsome square tower, containing four bells, cast in
1652 by Mr. Darby.
The vicar of Boxley has all the tithes from wood, hops, hay,
clover, cinque-foU, flax, fruit, and pasture ; and for Easter offer
ings he can also demand of every person, above the age of six
teen, 6d., and of a man and his wife. Is.
He receives a pension of £8 per annum, payable out of the
Exchequer, as an augmentation, the fees for receiving which, if
collected by himself, is 12s., if fey another, 20s. In 1733, the
VOL. in. 4 Q

662 HISTORY OF THE
Vicarage, was valued at £200, and subsequently estimated at
£300 per annum.
In 1821 there were 201 dwellings in the parish of Boxley;
and at the same period, when the hist census of the population
was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inhabitants
were as follow : males 577, females 589, making a total of
1166 souls. I
The next parish eastward from Boxley is Detling, wTitten in
ancient records Detlinget,
The village of Detling is situated at the foot of the
chalk Irills, the turnpike road from Maidstone, over the hiU here,
to Key street and Sitringbourne, leading through it. The
manors of East and West court are situated within the parish,
the church standing near the west side. This street appears
anciently to have been called Policy street, from th,; family of
that name which had its origin here, where they resided ; they
were ancienriy written Policy or Polhill, the direct descendant
having been Charles PolhUl, esq. of Chipsted, and there are yet
lands in this parish called Polley fields. The soil of this place,
and below the hill, consists, in general, of chalk, being very
poor and unfertile ; in the south-west part there is much coppice
wood ; above the hill it is equally poor, and consists of a cold
ed unproductive earth, intermixed with a quantity of flints.
Upon the whole, this parish is litUe frequented, and would be
more obscure vvas it not for the turnpike road leading through
it. The air is extremely healthy, but the chalk and stony soil
render it particularly unpleasant, either as. a residence or to
travel through.
This place is said to have been part of the ancient pos
sessions of the archbishopric of Canterbury, and so continued
till the time of the Conquest, when Odo bishop of Bayeux
wrested it from that church ; soon after which. Archbishop
Lanfranc coming to the see, recovered this manor, among others,
in the noted assembly held on Pinenden heath in 1076.
It appears by the inquisition taken throughout England in
the 1 2th and 13th of King John, that Detling was then in the
possession of a family which took its surname from this district,
and that WiUiam de Detling then held it of the archbishop of
Canterbury by knight's service, as half a knight's fee. In

COUNTY OF KENT ^33
memory of this f^imily, Philipott says, there was once a report
that a massy lance, cased over with thin iron plate, was pre
served in this church, like that of William the Conqueror, at
BatUe, in Sussex, and deposited here as a memorial of their
achievements in arms, and an emblem of their extraordinary
strength and prowess. There was also the bust of a man on a
piece of ancient gravestone, reported to have belonged to the
monument of Sir John Detling.
The family of DetUng afterwards assumed also the surname of
Brampton, being written in old deeds Brampton or Detiin^, of
DetUng court, where they resided rill the beginning of the reign
of Henry IV,, when John Brampton or Detling leaving an only
daughter and heir, Benedicta, she carried this manorin marriage
to Thomas at Towne, of Towne's place, in Throwley. He like
wise died without issue male, leaving three daughters his coheirs,
on the partition of whose inheritance, about the 24th of Henry VL,
this manor was allotted to Eleanor, the eldest, wife of Richard
Lewknor. He aUenated the property, not long after, to Sir
Richard de WydeviU, or Woodvill, as he was generally called,
created by Henry VI. , in his 26th year, lord Rivers and knight of
the Garter ; four years after, while being'at his seat at Grafton,
near Northampton, he was seized by a tumultuous concourse of
people, who had assembled in favor of King Henry, and there
put to death. His eldest son, Henry lord Scales, leaving no
legitimate issue, Richard, his brother, succeeded him in his
honours and estates, which King Richard III. did not suffer him
to enjoy, but made a grant of this manor, among the rest of the
earl's lands in this county, to Robert Brakenbury, esq., on whom
he, at the same time, conferred the office of constable of the
Tower. On the accession of Henry VII. he was attainted of
high treason, and his estates became confiscated to the crown ;
soon after, this manor, which had been before alienated to
Richard Lewknor, esq., was confirmed to him by the king, when
his only daughter carried it in marriage to George Hi Ues; on
whose death, without male issue, his two daughters became his
coheirs ; one of whom married a Martin, and the other a
Vincent, when they divided this manor into separate moieties:
that called East court was allotted to Martin, and the
other, called West court, to Vincent, in right of their respective
wives.

cot HISTORY OF THE
The manor of East court vvas aUenated, in the reign of
Elizabeth, to John Webbe, gent, who resided there ; from which
name it passed by sale, in the reign of James I., to that of
Smith, and he, under Charles I., conveyed it to Sir Edward
Henden, one of the barons of the Exchequer. By the latter
it was devised by will to his nephew. Sir John Henden, of
Biddenden, who passed it away by sale to Sir John Beale, bart.
of Farningham, who died in 1684, leaving two daughters his
coheirs, when, on the partition of their inheritance, this manor
fell to the share ofthe youngest, married to WiUiam Emmerton,
esq. of Chipsted, and he sold it to Francis Foote, esq. of
Veryon, in Cornwall. He left two sons, Benjamin and Francis;
and a daughter, aftervvards married to Mr. Pearson ; and was
succeeded in this manor by his eldest son, Benjamin, who also
left two sons, George and John : he bore for his arms. Vert,
a chevron argent, between three doves, or. He died in 1791,
when his son, George, succeeded him in this estate.
The manor of West court, in the possessioa of Vincent,
was alienated to Mr. William Moreton, of White house, iu
Croydon, who possessed it under Philip and Mary ; and in that
family it continued till the Restoration, in 1660, when the manor
and great part of this estate devolved to the possession of
Thomas Barnett, esq. of Shoreham. He died in 1751, and his
heirs, about the year 1766, passed it by sale to Benjamin Foote,
esq., likewise owner of East court; in consequence of which,
these divided manors were united in the same owner, George
Talbot Foote, esq.
A court-baron is regularly held for the manor of Deriing, the
jurisdiction of which extends over the manor of Henkhurst, in
Staplehurst. Detling is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of
the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sutton. The church,
dedicated to St. Martin, is a small building, with a low pointed
steeple, and is situated at the south-west end of the village. It
was anciently esteemed but as a chapel of ease to the church of
Maidstone, and under the patronage of the see of Canterbury.
This church is exempt from the jurisdiction of the archdea
con of Canterbury. The vicarage is a discharged living, and
entered in the king's books, ofthe char value of £30 per annum.
In 1821 there were fifty-eight dwellings in the parish of

COUNTY OF KENT. 605
DeUiug ; and at the same period, when the last census of the
population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as follow : males 166, females 165, making a
total of 321 souls.
Adjoining the parish of Maidstone, southward, lies that of
Loose, written in ancient records, Hlose and Lose. It most
probably derived its name from the stream which here loses
itself for some space underground, hlosan, in Saxon, signifying
to lose, or be lost.
The parish is situated both healthily and pleasantly, the soil
being in general very fertile, and extremely fruitful in hops,
vvitii which it abounds. The length from north to south is
about two miles, but it is narrow across. The high road from
Maidstone towards the Weald, over Coxheath, runs along the
eastern boundary of this district, as does the stream which rises
at Langley, flowing through the valley at the western boundary.
This stream, about a mile from its rise, loses itself at Brishing,
underground, running through a subterraneous passage for near
half a mile, and on that account this parish is supposed to take
its name, as previously menrioned. We must here observe that
there are many instances in this kingdom of rivers losing them
selves in this manner : namely, the Lyn, in Devonshire, the
Mole, in Surrey, Sec.
The stream again rises near the quarries, at the eastern bounds
of this parish, and then runs north-west to this village, situated
on the Maidstone road, about half a mile from Coxheath, on the
steep ascent of a hUl, at the foot of which is the church in the
centre. On the east side, at a small distance, is Salts place, a
seat formerly possessed by the family of the Buf kin's, which
owned considerable estates in this county. From that name it
went to John Martin, esq. of Stanmer, in Sussex, who bore for
his arms. Gules, a lion rampant, and eight cross crosslets, or.
His son, Denny Martin, afterwards resided here, having mar
ried Frances, one of the daughters of Thomas lord Fairfax, by
whom he had several sons and daughters, and she died possessed
of it in 1791, since which her eldest son, the Rev. Denny
Martin, who took the name of Fairfax, and possessed Leeds
castie, became the owner. At the vUlage, the above-mentiont d
stream receives another, which rises on the hill just above the

606 HISTORY OF THE
church, and then having crossed the road, flows northward,
leaving Loose court and Hales place a little to the right. The
neatness and rural elegance of the grounds. belonging to the
former greatly contribute to the beauty of the place; while the
latter, situated on the side of a hill, presents a pleasant view over
the country northwestward. It was formerly called Le Hayle,
and, from its ancient gateway, seems to have been an habitation
of some account in past times. It belonged to the family of the
Beale's for several descents, and so continued till a female heir
carried it in marriage to Mr. William Post, gent, of London,
who in 1763 new fronted the house, where he afterwards resided.
After passing this latter seat, the stream flows on, and joins the
Medway, between Upper and Lower Tovill; and, although
in its course through this parish it runs little more than two
miles, yet there are so many mills on its banks for different ma
nufactories, within sight of each other, that it may be said to
form a chain of them along the whole of its current.
Loose was given by King Ethelwolf, son of Egbert, about
the year 832, to a widow named Sueta, and her daughter, who
made a donation of it to the monks of the priory of Christ
church, in Canterbury, when that fraternity allotted it towards
defraying the expense of their clothing.
This place is not mentioned in the record of Domesday, as it
adjoined East Farleigh, and was, as well as that place, part of
the possessions of the above priory, and most probably included
in the description of that manor. In the reign of Edward I. the
manor of Loose, with its appurtenances, was valued at £18.
Edward IL, by a charter in his 10th year, confirmed to the prior
free warren in all demesne lands acquired since the time of his
grandfather, so that they were not within the bounds of the
forest. This manor continued part of the possessions of the
priory, till its dissolution under Henry VIIL, when that king
settled it on his new erected dean and chapter of Canterbury,
part of whose inheritance it has ever since continued.
There is a court-leet and court-baron held for this manor, at
which are chosen borsholders for the boroughs of Wanshurst,
Falksheath, and Pattenden in the Weald.
In the 33d of Henry VIIL the lessee of this manor was
Stephen A=ityn, and his successor John Smythe. In 1630
Robert Swinock was tenant, who held it till after the death of

COUNTY OF KENT. e6T
Charies I.; and in 1661 the lease vvas granted to Alabaster Fludd,
esq., who was succeeded by Benjamin Calamy. In 1724 William
Barrowby, m.d. held it, and soon after parted with his interest in
the same to John Hayes, as he did to Thomas Crispe, commonly
called Cripps, in vvhich name it continued down to Mr. Thomas
Crispe, gent., who resided here, and by his continual improve
ments in the grounds and waters, rendered the place a most de
lightful spot. His only son, John Crispe, succeeded, and died
ill 1792, when the property went to his sister Elizabeth, whose
husband, Mr. John Penfold, became in her right entitled to the
lease of this manor.
There seems to have been another manor in this parish, also
styled the Manor of Loose, once the inheritance of the
noted family of the Fremingham's, which, from being styled of
Loose, most probably had some mansion for its residence in
this parish.
John, son of Sir Ralph de Fremingham, of Loose, died in the
1 2th of Henry IV. possessed of this manor, who leaving no issue,
devised it by will to feoffees, and they, the following year, assigned
it over to John, son of Reginald de Pimpe, of Pimpe's court, in
East Farleigh, and his heirs male, with remainder to Roger Isle,
as being next in blood to him. After this period, the manor,
by unity of possession, became blended with that estate, and so
remained, as may be seen under the description of the parish of
East Farleigh.
Loose is within the f.cclesiastical jurisdiction of the
diocese of Canterbury, and deanery of Sutton. The church,
dedicated to AU Saints, is a smaU building, having a pointed
steeple, and was anciently esteemed but as a chapel of ease to
the church of Maidstone.
In 1640 the curacy was valued at £36 per annum, and in
1643 the sequestrators of Archbishop Laud's revenue craved the
allowance of £2 13 4. Archbishop Juxon, a.d. 1661, incon
sequence of the king's letters mandatory, augmented the stipend
of this curacy in the annual sum of £5 13 4.'
It is not in charge in the king's books.
In 1821 there were 166 dwellings inthe parish of Loose; and
tt the same period, when the last census of the population
was taken by order of Pariiament, the numbers of inhabitants

aoo HISTORY OF THE
were as follow: males 448, females 434, making a total of
882 souls.
Southward from Loose, on the opposite side of Coxsheath,
lies the parish of Linton, anciently written Lyllyngton, and in
Latin Lillinluna, which probably took its name from the old
English word lyttan, signifying little or small, and stane, a stone,
the upper part of this parish abounding in quarry rock.
This Parish lies adjoining Coxsheath, upon the ridge of
quarry hills, the summit of which is the northern boundary of
the Weald of Kent, consequently the whole is almost within
that district, a small part of the heath only stretching beyond it.
Coxsheath is a beautiful, and, for this enclosed part of the
country, an extensive plain, being about three miles in length,
and in some places more than a mile wide. It is esteemed a
most healthy spot, and, as there is abundance of water, is gene
raUy preferred as a situation for large encampments, it being
equally commodious for the troops to march thence on an
emergency, either into the counties of Sussex or Essex. In 1 778
there vvere 15,000 men upon Coxsheath, which encampment did
not occupy more than two thirds of the whole extent. Over
this heath the high road from Maidstone runs through this
parish and village, into the Weald. The viUage is situated
about a mile from the heath, on the declivity of the hiU, having
the church and Place house on the east side, the prospect from
which, southward, over the Weald, is very beautiful, and of
great extent. The air is healthy, the soil on the hill of loam,
with the quarry stone close beneath, and below the hill it is a
stiff clay. About one mile from the hUl the road crosses the
river at Style bridge.
The chief part of this parish is vvithin the bounds of the manor
of East Farleigh, though the manor of Loose extends over a
small part ; the freeholders of the former holding their lands in
free socage tenure.
This place is not mentioned in Domesday, having been, moat
probably, included in the description there given of the manor
of East Farleigh.
Linton Place, ancientiy called Capell's court, is the only
.spot of consequence in this parish. It originally derived its

COUNTY OF KENT. 669
name from the family of the Capell's, who were proprietors of
this estate. They were usually called, according to the custom
of the time, at Capell, and in Latin, de Capella, their principal
residence having been at Capell's court, in Ivechurch, in Romney
marsh, though they had large estates in several other parishes
in this county. One of this race, John de Capella, in the reign
of Henry III., held lands in Boxley, as appears by the charter of
Inspeximus, granted by that king to the abbey there.
Richard de Capell, his successor, died in the 15th of
Richard II. , in whose descendants this place remained tiU the
reign of Henry VI. , when it was alienated to Richard Baysden,
from which name it passed in the reign of Elizabeth, to Sir
Anthony Maney, of Biddenden, whose ancestors had resided
there for many generations, and he removed his seat thither.
His son, Walter Maney, was succeeded by his son John, who
was a loyal adherent to Charles I., in consideration of which, he
was created a baronet. He afterwards suffered much for his
attachment to that unfortunate prince, having had his estate
plundered and sequestered.
He bore for his arms, party per pale, argent und sable ; three
chevronels between as many cinque-foils, counterchanged.
He passed away this seat and estate in the reign of Charles II.
to Sir Francis Withers, whose only daughter and heir Catherine,
in 1710, carried it in marriage to Sir Thomas Twysden, bart. of
East Peckham, and he died in 1712, leaving two daughters his
coheirs. Upon his demise his widow became entitled to this
estate, and soon afterwards again conveyed it in marriage to
General Jocelyn, a younger son of Sir Robert Jocelyn, of Herts,
who died in 1727, leaving by Lady Twisden three sons. It was
afterwards alienated to Robert Mann, esq., who built a small
but elegant seat here, partly on the site of the old mansion of
Capell's court, where he resided till his death in 1751. By his
wUl he devised Linton place, with the parsonage, and advowson
of the vicarage, to his eldest son Edward, in tail male, with
divers remainders. He resided here, and died unmarried in
1775, on which, by the above entail, it went to his next brother.
Sir Horatio Mann, k.b. and bart., envoy extraordinary at Flo
rence, where he died in 1786. During his Ufe he made over
this estate to his nephew. Sir Horace Mann, who succeeded
him in this property, as well as the baronetage.
VOL. 111. 4 K

670 HISTORY OF THE
There were formerly some lands in this parish that belonged
to a family named Welldish, who had a chapel in this church,
called Welldish chapel ; their arms were, as appears from their
seals affixed to some ancient deeds. Argent, three talbots passant,
azure on a chief, or, a fox passant, gules, which coat they bore,
as is reported by tradition, to perpetuate the memory of one of
their ancestors, who had been huntsman to WiUiam the Con
queror. After this estate had been many generations in the
above family, the largest portion was alienated to Walter Maney,
esq., and his son. Sir John, of Linton, sold it, in the reign of
Charles II. , to Sir Francis Withins, since which it passed in like
manner as Linton place to Sir Horace Mann, bart.
Linton is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of
the diocese of Canterbury and deanery of Sutton. The church,
dedicated to St. Nicholas, is a small building, having a spire
steeple, and is situated on the east side of the village. The pa
tronage was part of the ancient possessions of the crown, and
so remained till it was given to the college or hospital for poor
travellers, in the West Borough, at Maidstone, founded by
Archbishop Boniface. In the 19th of Richard IL, Archbishop
Courtenay, on constituting the parish-church of Maidstone
collegiate, with the king's license, gave and assigned, among
other estates, the advowson and patronage of this church of
Lyllyngton to that hospital, appropriated, and of the king's pa
tronage, held of his majesty in capite, to the master and chap
lains of the above-mentioned new collegiate church. This
church was dissolved by the Act of the 1st of Edward VL, a.d.
1546, and surrendered into the king's hands.
In the 8th of Richard II. the church was valued at I06s. 8d.
per annum, in 1640 the vicarage was valued at £30 per annum,
and in 1751 the clear certified value was a£'61 7 8, yearly
income. This vicarage was afterwards valued in the king's books at
£7 13 4, the yeariy tenths being 1 6s. 4d. The parsonage,
as well as the advowson of the vicarage, was held by grant
from the crown in the reign of Elizabeth, by Alexander Grygsby,
gent., in which name they continued in 1640. In 1728 they
were purchased by Robert Mann, esq. of Linton place, vvhen
they passed, in Uke manner with that estate, to Sir Horace
Mann, bart., who afterwards possessed the same.

COUNTY OF KENT. 671
In 1821, there were 107 dweUings in the parish of Linton ;
and at the same period, when the last census of the popu
lation was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of
inhabitants were as foUow : males 337, females 349, making
a total of 686 souls.
Northwestward from Linton, on the opposite side of Coxs
heath, and on the southern bank of the river Medway, lies the
parish of East Farleigh, so called to distinguish it from that
adjoining of West Farleigh, in Twyford hundred. It is called
by Leland, in his Itinerary, Great Farleigh.
In the record of Domesday this district is written Ferlaga
and in the Textus Roffensis, Fearnlega, having most proba
bly taken its name, as well as the parish of West Farleigh, from
the passage over the river Medway, yare, in Saxon, signifying a
journey or passage, and lega, a place, that is, the place of the
way or passage.
The parish of East Farleigh is situated about two miles from
Maidstone, lying on high ground, and the soil a loam, covering
but very slightly a bed of quarry stone. It is extremely fertile,
especially for fruit and hops, of which latter there are many
plantations. The extent is about two miles either way, the
river Medway constituting its northern boundary, over which
is an old Gothic stone bridge, of five arches, repaired at the
charge of the county. The tide has sometimes flowed as high
as this bridge, but since locks have been erected to promote the
navigation, it has been prevented from flowing higher than that
just above Maidstone bridge. From the river the ground rises
suddenly and steep to the southward, forming to the sight a
beautiful combination of objects, having the village and church
on the height, intersected by large spreading oaks, and planta
tions of fruit, and the luxuriant hop, while the river Medway,
gliding its silvery stream- below, reflects the varied landscape.
The village through which the road leads from Tovill, to West
Farleigh, stands on the knoll of a hill, about a quarter of a mile
from the river, having the church and vicarage withifl its pre
cincts. Eastward lies the hamlet of Dane street, and farther on,
Pimpe's court, at the extremity of this parish, next to Loose,
wherein lie part of the lands belonging thereto. At a small
distance westward of the village of East Farleigh, is a house

672 HISTORY OF THE
formerly belonging to a family of the name of Darby, men
tioned in the register of this parish as far back as the year 1663.
Mr. John Darby, the last representative, died in 1755, and by
will gave this house to his widow, Mary, daughter of Captain
Elmstone, of Egerton, who married Mr. James Drury, of Maid
stone, by whom she had one daughter. After his death, in 1764,
she again became possessed of it, and resided here.
Hence the ground still keeps rising southward to Coxsheath,
between which and the village is the manor of Gallants, part
of the heath being in this parish, which extends within a
quarter of a mile of the house, called Boughton Cock, part of
Loose parish intervening, and entirely separating the eastern
extremity from the rest. In this part of the parish are some
quarries of Kentish ragstone, commonly called the Boughton
quarries, from their lying mostly in that parish ; and, on the
banks of the Medway, there are more of the same sort, wholly in
this parish of Farleigh.
A younger branch of the Clerk's, of Ford, in Wrotham,
resided here in the reigns of Queen Elizabeth and James I., as
appears by the parish register. Dr. Plot mentions, in his
Natural History of Oxfordshire, some large teeth having been
dug up here, one of which was seven inches round, and weighed
five ounces and an eighth, but we can furnish no further infor
mation concerning them.
This place was given by Queen Ediva, mother of Kings
Edmund and Eadred, in 961, to Christ church, in Canterbury,
free from all secular service, except the repairing of bridges and
building. It continued in the possession of that church at the
time ofthe survey of Domesday, being entered under the general
title of the lands of Christ church in that record.
In the reign of Edward I. the manor of East Farleigh, toge
ther with the estate, belonging to Christ church, in the neigh
bouring parish of Hunton, was valued at £42 per annum.
Edward II., in his 10th year, confirmed to the prior of
Christ church, free warren in all the demesne lands which he
possessed here at the time of his grandfather, or at any subset
quent period. This manor continued part of the possessions of
the priory tUl its dissolution in the 31st of Henry VIIL, who
granted it, among other premises, to Sir Thomas Wyatt; but, on
the attainder of his son for treason, in the reign of Queen Mary,

COUNTY OF KENT. 673
this manor passed to the crown, and although the queen made a
grant of the site and capital messuage to Sir John Baker, yet the
manor itself continued in the crown, and so remained at the
death of Charles I. in 1648. After that period the pariiament
passed an ordinance to vest the royal estates in trustees, for the
purpose of sale, to supply the necessities ofthe state, when on a
survey taken of this manor, it appeared that there were quit-
rents due to the lord from freeholders, in free socage tenure in
this parish, and also within the townships of Linton and East
Peckham, and from several dens in the Weald : that there
were also common fines from the borsholders of Stokenburie, in
East Peckham, and of Badmonden, Stoberfield, and Roeden, the
produce of which yearly, with the fines and profits of Courts
Coibus annis, amounted in the total to £56 7 7|. There was a
court-baron and court-leet, where the freeholders paid a heriot
on demise or death of the best living thing of any such tenant,
or, in lieu thereof, 3s. 4d.
Soon after, this manor was sold by the State to Colonel Robert
Gibbon, with whom it continued tUl the restoration ofCharlesIL,
when it again became part of the revenues of the crown.
The grant has been many years in the family of the duke of
Leeds, who held it at the yearly feefarm rental of 10s.
But the site and capital messuage of the manor of East
Farleigh, now called the Court Lodge, with all the demesne
lands of the manor, about 200 acres in East Farleigh and
Linton were granted in the 1st and 2d years of PhUip and Mary,
to Sir John Baker, one of the queen's privy councU, to hold in
capite, by knight's service. He died in the 5th year of those
potentates, and by will devised it to his second son, Mr. John
Baker, of London, whose son. Sir Richard Baker, the chronicler,
about the end of the reign of Elizabeth, alienated it to Sir
Thomas Fane, of Burston, in Hunton. He died in 1606, with
out issue, and bequeathed this, among the rest of his estates, to
Sir George Fane, second son of Sir Thomas Fane, of Badsell. by
Mary his wife, baroness le Despencer. He was succeeded in
1640 by his eldest son. Colonel Thomas Fane, of Burston, who
in the reign of Charies 11. alienated the property to Mr. John
Amhurst, who then resided at the court lodge, as tenant under
him. He was grandson of Nicholas Amhurst, who in 1,616 was of
1

674 HISTORY OF THE
East Farleigh, to whom William Camden, clarencieux at arms,
granted the following coat, viz. Gules, three tilting spears, two
and one erected in pale, or, headed argent. He died in 1692,
and was buried in this church, when his eldest son, Nicholas
Amherst (who altered the speUing of his name,) became his
heir, and resided here, as tenant at the court lodge. He died
in 1679.
John Amherst, gent., his eldest son, resided at the court
lodge, which he afterwards purchased of Colonel Fane, above
mentioned ; this gentleman served the office of sheriff in 1699.
He died in 1711, and by will gave the estate to his brother.
Captain Nicholas Amherst, of Barnjet, who died in 1715.
He married Susanna Evering, by whom he had fifteen chil
dren ; John, who resided at .the court lodge, and died during the
life of his father ; George, the second son, who was twice mar
ried ; Nicholas, who died in 1736, unmarried ; Stephen, another
son, was of West Farleigh, and died in 1760, leaving three
sons ; and Edward, who was of Barnjet, and died in 1756,
without issue. Of the daughters, Susan married Edward
Walsingham, of Callis court, in Ryarsh ; Mary espoused John
Miller ; and Jane was united to James AUen. George Amherst,
gent., above mentioned, the second but eldest surviving son of
Capt. Nicholas Amherst, had the court lodge assigned him by
his father's will, who having omitted to cut off an entail, his
three other sons, Nicholas, Stephen, and Edward, claimed their
respective shares therein. The entire fee, after much dispute,
partly by purchase and agreement, became vested in Edward
Amherst, gent., the youngest son, who died in 1756, and devised
it by will to his next elder brother, Stephen Amherst, esq. of
West Farleigh, who at his death, in 1760, gave it to his eldest
son, John Amherst, esq. of Barnjet, who possessed the court
lodge and the estate belonging thereto.
The mansion of the court lodge is situated adjoining to the
west side of the churchyard ; it has not been inhabited but by
cottagers for many years, great part having been pulled down ;
in consequence of which, the remains present a very mean
appearance. Gallants is a manor in this parish, which seems to have
been, in early times, the estate of a branch of the eminent
family of the Colepeper's, whose arms still remain in the win-

COUNTY OF KENT. 675
dows of the church, wherein also is an ancient arched tomb,
under which one of them was interred.
By an inquisition taken after the death of Walter Colepeper, of
Tunbridge, under Edward IIL, it was found that he held in
gavelkind, in fee, certain tenements in East Farleigh, ofthe
prior of Christ church, by service, and making suit at the court
of the prior of East Farleigh ; and that there was one capital
messuage, with lands and rents, in money and in hens, whereby
it appears to have been a manor, and that his sons, Thomas,
Jeffry, and John, were his next heirs. The above premises seem
to have been what is now called the manor of GaUants, which
afterwards passed into the family of the Roper's, who held it for
some time, the branch that possessed this manor being created
by King James I. barons of Teynham ; one of them, John
Roper, third lord Teynham, died possessed of it in 1627, as ap
pears by the inquisition then taken. His grandson, Christopher
lord Teynham, gave it in marriage with his daughter, Catherine,
to William Sheldon, esq., whose descendant, Richard, of
Aldington, in Thurnham, gave it by will to his widow, who
soon after carried it in marriage to William Jones, m.d. He
died in 1780, leaving two daughters his coheirs, when Mary
married Lock RoUinson, esq. of Oxfordshire, and Anne, Thomas
Russel, esq,; each of whom, in right of their wives, possessed
this manor.
This manor house has an ancient appearance, both within and
without ; the doors are arched, and, equally with the windows,
cased with ashlar stone ; a large portion of the walls are also
composed of flints.
PiMPES court is a manor and ancient seat in this parish,
the mansion of which is situated at the southern extremity, near
Loose. It was formerly part of the possessions of the family
of the Pimpe's, and one of the seats they inhabited, whence
it acquired their name. It appears to have been anciently held
of the family of the Clare's, earls of Gloucester, of whom, as
chief lords of the fee, it was again held by the eminent family
of the Pimpe's, although their principal residence appears to
have been at Nettlested, not far distant. Richard de Pimpe
held it in the reigns of Edward I. and IIL, as did his de
scendant. Sir Philip de Pimpe, at the commencement of
that of Edward IIL, who was a man in very high repute.

676 HISTORY OF THE
His widow, Joan, married John Coloigne, who, together with
her son, Thomas de Pimpe, paid aid for this manor in the 20th
of Edvvard III.; and Philipott says, that Margaret de Cobham,
wife of Sir William de Pimpe, died in 1337. William, son of
Thomas de Pimpe, of Nettlested, died during his shrievalty,
and his son, Reginald, who then resided at this manor, served
that office during the remainder of the year. His descendant,
of the same name, resided here in the 10th of Henry IV., to
whose son, John, two years after, John de Fremingham, of
Loose, gave by will his estate there and elsewhere in this county,
in tail male, with remainder to Roger Isle, as being the nearest
allied to him in blood. His descendant, John Pimpe, esq..
kept his shrievalty here in the 2d of Henry VIL, and his only
daughter and heir, Winifrid, carried this seat in marriage to
Sir John Rainsford, who passed it away to Sir Henry Isley ;
and he, under Edward VI. , procured the disgavelment of his
lands. Soon after the above period, he seems to have settled
this manor on his son, William Isley, esq.; but both being con
cerned in the rebellion with Sir Thomas Wyatt, they were
attainted and executed at Sevenoak, when their lands became
forfeited to the crown. Queen Mary, the same year, granted
this manor, by the name of Loose, otherwise Pimpes court, to
Sir John Baker, to hold in capite, by knight's service ; and his
descendants, about the end of the reign of Charles I., alienated
it to Thomas Ffloyd, esq. of Gore court, in Otham. One of
the descendants alienated it to one Browne, in which name it
remained till, by the daughter and heir of Thomas Browne, esq.,
it went in marriage to a Holden, whose son, Richard, of Copt-
ford hall, in Essex, died without issue in 1772, and by will gave
it to his widow, and after her decease, to his sister's daughter's
son, a minor, by Mr. WUliam Vechell, of Cambridgeshire.
The mansion house of this manor was a modern building, the
ruins of the ancient one being still apparent near the present
dwelling; the south-west end is still remaining, and, according
to tradition, was called the Old chapel. Farther towards the
north, is a room, with a very large chimney, containing an oven,
which, no doubt, was the old kitchen. The gateway, with a
room over it, was taken down many years back, and, from the
remains, it appears as if the house and offices, when entire, had
formed a quadrangle.

COUNTY OF KENT. 8;»
A court-baron is held for this manor.
East Farleigh is within the ecclesiastical jurisdic
tion of the rfjoceie of Rochester, and being a peculiar of the
archbishop is, as such, within the deanery of Shoreham. The
church, a handsome building, with a spire steeple at the west
end, stands at the eastern part of the village, and consists of
two aisles and two chancels. That on the south side belongs
to Pimpes court, and was repaired, in 1704, by Dr. Griffith
Hatiey, who had married the widow of Mr. Browne, and pos
sessed the estate in her right. The whole was, through the
laudable care of the late vicar, Mr. De la Douespe, newly
pewed and handsomely ornamented.
In the rector's chancel are several monuments to commemorate
the family of the Amherst's ; and, within the altar rails, two for
the Goldsmith's. On the north side of this chancel is a very
ancient altar tomb for one of the family of the Colepeper's,
bearing their shield of arms, a bend engrailed, at one corner •
it was probably for Sir Thomas Colepeper, who lived in the
reign of Edward IIL, and is reputed to have founded this
church. His arms are quartered with those of Joan Hardreshall,
his mother. Argent, a chevron, gules between nine martlets, and
are still remaining in the east window of the south chancel,
called Pimpes chancel, wherein also is an ancient plain altar
tomb, probably for one of the Colepeper's, or the Pimpe family.
In the 15th of Edward I. the vicarage was valued at ten
marks, and in 1589 at £16 8, yearly income. In the reign ot
Richard II. the church of Ferleghe was estimated at £13 16 8;
the vicarage was subsequently estimated in the king's books at
£6 16 8, the yearly tenths being I3s. 8d.
John, son of Sir Ralph de Fremingham, of Loose, under
Henry IV., gave by will certain lands, therein mentioned, to
John de Pympe and his heirs male, to find a chaplain to officiate
in the chapel of the Virgin Mary, in this church, then newly
built, to celebrate mass, during twenty-four years, for the
souls of himself and his wife, the said John Pympe paying to
the above chaplain the salary of ten marks yearly.
The vicar of East Farleigh is endowed with the tithes of corn
growing on the lands belonging to the parsonage of East
Farleigh, and of certain pieces of land, called garden spott,
VOL. in. 4 s

6T8 HISTORY OK THE
which are'dispersed throughout this parish. It was subsequently
of the clear yearly value of about 130 guineas.
In 1821 there were 200 dwellings in the parish of EastFarieigh;
and at the same period, when the last census of the popula
tion was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers of inha
bitants were as follow : males 692, females 551, making a total
of 1143 souls.
East Barming, called in ancient records Bermelinge, lies
the next parish to East Farleigh, on the opposite or northern
side of the river Medway.
The parish of East Barming is situated on high ground,
declining southward to the valley, through which flows the river
Medway, constituting its southern boundary. It is opposite to
East Farleigh, and presents afar more agreeable and ornamented
appearance ; the soil, like the former, is a fertile loam, slightly
covering the quarry stone, from beneath which several small
springs gush forth, running precipitately in rills into the Medway.
Itis also enriched with frequent plantations of hops and orchards,
the fields being in general large, and surrounded by continued
rows of lofty elms and large spreading oaks, which contribute
greatly to the beauty of this district. The situation of this
as well as the neighbouring parishes, from Maidstone as far as
Mereworth, are extremely pleasant, the river Medway meander
ing its silver current in the valley beneath, throughout the
greater part of their extent. The fertility of the soil, the
healthiness of the air, and the rich variety of prospect, adorned
by a continued range of capital seats, with their parks and plan
tations, form, altogether, an assemblage of objects in which
nature and art appear to have lavished their choicest gifts, in
order lo form a scene teeming with every thing desirable and
conducive to pleasure and profit. The high road from Maid
stone to Tunbridge crosses the upper part of East Barming,
over a beautiful though small plain, called Barming heath, part
of which is in the parish of Maidstone ; and a little distance
below, is a modern and elegant seat, built by John Whitaker,
gent., on whose death it became the property of his nephew,
Thomas Whitaker, esq. cf Watringbury. Farther on, is the
village of Barming, containing a pleasant seat, called the Home«

COUNTY GF KENT. 679
stall, built, about the year 1720, by Mr. James Allen, whose
heirs became entitled to the fee simple of the same; however,
by the foreclosure of a mortgage lerm, the possession became
vested in Arthur Harris, esq., who kept his shrievalty here in
1746. His brother, Thomas, also resided here, and, dying un
married in 1769, gave this seat to Mrs. Mary Dorman, for life,
with remainder to Mr. John Mumford, of Sutton at Hone, whom
he left heir to the bulk of his fortune. A small distance hence
is the seat called Hall place, wh.ence the ground rises to the
coppice woods, part of which lie within this parish, and adjoin
to a much larger tract northward. About a quarter of a mile on
the other side of the road is the church, standing by itself,
among a grove of elms; the slight delicate white spire rising
above the foliage of the same, presents a delightful feature to
the surrounding country. From the above road the vUlage
extends southward down the declivity of the hill, almost to the
river, over which is a wooden bridge, built at the expense ofthe
commissioners of the navigation, called St. Helen's bridge,
pwing to its contiguity to that manor. About a mile from the
village, close to the eastern boundary of the parish, adjoining
that of Maidstone, on the declivity of the hill, leading to East
Farleigh bridge, is the parsonage, rebuilt by the rector, the Rev.
Mark Noble, who resided there, and, by his judicious manage
ment and improvements, rendered this benefice, perhaps, one of
the most desirable in the diocese.
Some years ago several Roman urns, pieces of armour, and
skeletons, were dug up within the bounds of this parish ; the
latter, no dOubt, being the remains of those who fell in the
skirmish between the Royalists and Oliverians at Farleigh bridge,
in 1648; while the former serve to exhibit that the Roman high
way, being different from the larger one, called WatUng street,
and directing its course towards Oldborough, in Ightham, led
near this place, of which more will be noticed hereafter.
The manor of East Barming was given by WiUiam the
Conqueror to Richard de Tonebrege, eldest son of Geslebert
eari of Brion, in Normandy, son of Jeffry, the natural son of
Richard I. of that name, duke of Normandy, whence he bore
the name of Richard Fitz-GUbert, on his coming hither. He
was one of the principal persons who landed in England with
Duke William, to whom he contributed great assistance at the

680 HISIORY OF THE
memorable battle of Hastings, on which occasion he obtained
the crown of this realm. For that service, and his near alliance
in blood, he enjoyed great advancements in honour and large
possessions both in England and Normandy ; among the
former he held thirty-eight lordships in Surrey, thirty-five in
Essex, three in Cambridgeshire, three in Kent, one in Middle
sex, one in Wiltshire, one in Devonshire, and ninety-five in
Suffolk ; besides thirteen burgages in Ipswich, whereof Clare
was one, besides others in different counties ; this, among the
rest, being entered in the record of Domesday under the
general title of his lands.
Richard Fitz-Gilbert, at the latter end of the reign of
the Conqueror, was usually styled Richard de Tonebridge, as
well from his possessing that town and castle, as owing to his
residence there. His descendants took the nam& of Clare in
consequence of being owners of that honour, having been sub
sequentiy earls of Clare, Gloucester, and Hertford. Of this
family, as chief lords of the fee, Barming was afterwards held
in moieties by Fulk Peyforer and Roger de Kent, each of whom
held their portion of the honour of Clare.
The former of these moieties, held by Peyforer, seems
to have comprised the manor of East Barming, and been
afterwards given to the Benedictine nunnery of St. Helen's, in
Bishopsgate street, London, whence it acquired the name of
St. Helen's, otherwise East Barming manor, by the former
of which it is now called. With the above priory this manor
continued vested until its dissolution, under Henry VIIL, when
being surrendered to the king, he granted the estate, then called
St. Elen's, to Richard Callehill, to hold in capite, by knight's
service, who that year sold it to Gabriel Caldham, freemason, of
London. He conveyed it, the year following, to Thomas Reve,
whose grandson, of the same name, in the 4th of Elizabeth,
levied a fine of the same, and then passed it by sale to Mr.
Stephen Pearse, who, some years after, alienated it to Sir
Robert Brett. On the demise of the latter, without surviving
issue, in 1620, this manor passed by will to Robert Lynd, esq.,
who bore for his arms. Argent, across, engrailed gules ; and he
sold it to Sir Oliver Boteler, of Teston, who died in 1772. By
bis will he devised one moiety of his estates to Mrs. Elizabeth
Bouverie, of Chart Sutton; and the other, to Lady Folkstone,

COUNTY OF KENT. 681
who died in 1782 ; on which, it passed to her only son, the
Hon. Philip Bouverie, who subsequentiy assumed the name of
Pusey, and afterwards possessed the same.
The manor extends its jurisdiction over the whole of this
parish, the ancient house, as well as the dovecot, having stood
nearly at the foot of the hill, near St. Helen's bridge ; both of
which have been pulled down for some years. The other
moiety op the ESTATE OF East Barming, held by John
Fitz-Jacob and John de Kent, seems to have afterwards passed
into the family of the Fremingham's, as John, son of Sir Ralph
de Fremingham, of Loose, died possessed of it about the I2th
of Henry IV., and, leaving no issue, by will gave it to certain
feoffees. They, in compliance with his bequest, assigned it, the
following year, to John Pimpe and his heirs male, for the finding
and maintaining two chaplains, one in the monastery of Boxley,
and the other in the church of E^st Farleigh, to celebrate mass
for the souls of himself and his wife, as well as their ancestors
and relations, therein mentioned. From the family of Pimpe
this estate went, in the reign of Henry VIIL, to Sir Henry Isley,
who, by an Act under Edward VI. , procured the disgavelment
of his lands. His possessions, as frequently before mentioned,
having been confiscated, for treason, to the crown, were granted
by Queen Mary to Sir John Baker, to hold in capite; from
whom they were purchased, under Charles II., by one Golding,
who died possessed of the same in 1674. His son, Mr. Henry
Golding, gent., about the year 1740, alienated this estate to
Nicholas Amherst, gent, of West Barming, who died possessed
of it in 1715, and his grandson, John Amherst, esq., subse
quently held the same.
Hall place is a reputed manor in this parish, the ancient
mansion whereof is situated at a small distance westward of the
present seat, being, in appearance, Uttle more than an ordinary
cottage, serving as a farm-house to a small parcel of land. It
formeriy gave both residence and surname to a family written in
ancient deeds At-Hall, which, previous to the end of the reign
of Edward IIL, Jiad aUenated their interest in the greater part
of the same to one of the Colepeper's, of Preston, in Aylesford,
and the remainder to one CUve. This part was by John Clive,
about the 7th of Henry IV., conveyed to a Colepeper, who, in
the IOth year of that reign, passed away the entire fee of the

663 HISTORY OF THE
estate to Sampson Mascall, whose family was originally of
Mascalls, iq Brenchley ; and in his descendants Hall place con
tinued till the latter end ofthe reign of Elizabeth. It was then
conveyed to one Alchorne, whose ancestors were possessed of
Alchorne, in Rotherfield, in Sussex ; in which name the fee of
this estate remained at the period of the restorarion of King
Charles II., but the use and profits of the same were made over,
for a long series of years, ta Mr. Cook, of Stepney. He, in
1656, alienated his interest in the property to Mr.Richard Webb,
rector of this parish, who gave it to his grandson, Richard
Webb, gent.; and he, in 1726, conveyed it by sale to Mr. Peter
Smart, who bore for his arms. Argent, a chevron between three
pheons, sable; about which period Christopher Smart, the poet,
is said to have beeti born in this parish. Finally, the widow of
Mr. Peter Smart and their children passed away their interest
therein, about the year 1746»to John Gale, esq., who resided
here, and, dying in 1777, was buried in this churchyard, having
been a benefactor to the poor of this parish. By will he devised
this property, among the rest of his estates in the county, to the
heirs of Thomas Prowse, esq. , of A,xbridge, in Somersetshire ;
in consequence of which, the two daughters ofthe latter became
entitled to the estate in undivided moieties, and they, in 1781,
joined in the sale of the same to John Amherst, esq. of Barnjet,
wlio afterwards possessed this manor.
This parish is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction
of the diocese of Rochester and deanery of Mailing. The
church, dedicated to St. Margaret, is a small building, consist
ing of one aisle and a chancel, having an elegant spire steeple.
The rector, Mr. Noble, some years back, at his own expense,
lintirely repaired and ornamented the chancel ; he also gave a
new altar and pulpit cloth and cushion ; when the parishioners
followed his example in the repairs and ornamenting the church,
on which account, from being one of the most neglected reli
gious edifices, it became equal to most of the neighbouring
churches in external and internal appearance.
Walter bishop of Rochester, in the reign of King Stephen,
confirmed to the prior and canon of Leeds the patronage of the
church of Barming, as it was granted to them by the lords of
the soil, and confirmed to that fraternity by their charters.
In the 15th of King Edward I., the church of Barming was

COUNTY OF KENI. 683
valued at twelve marks, and estimated in the king's books at
£12 7 1, the yeariy tenths being £1 5 8J. The glebe land
belonging to this rectory contains eighty-three acres.
In the last census ofthe population, taken in 1821, East and
WeU Barming are not mentioned separately,, the calculation
being given under the head of Barming only, consequently the
numbers of dweUings, &c. of the two parishes conjointly, will
be found at the close of the ensuing head.
Adjoining to East Barming, westward, lies West Barming,
commonly called Barnjet. It is written variously in ancient
deeds, some recording it as West Barming and Barmelinges,
and in others Baringjet, otherwise Paringet, which seems to be
a corruption from Barmingjet, as it is spelt in the Registrum
Roffense. In the Textus Roffensis it is called Bearmlingetes.
The parish of West Barming is very small, and the soil
much the same as that of East Barming, the high road from
Maidstone to Tunbridge continuing through the district, the
woods in the upper part extending to within one field of the
road ; the remainder, however, is more open and free from trees
than the former parish. At the western boundary are the plan
tations and park of Teston house ; and on the northern side of
the road is the seat of Barnjet, beautifuUy situated on a spot
capable of great improvement ; below, is a bridge across the
Medway, buUt by Mr. Amherst ; and from the high Voad is a
steep descent of igrass and meadow land to the river, the whole
commanding a pleasant prospect of the meandering stream,
Teston bridge, and the rich scenery; adjoining.
This place was once part of the possessions of Odo bishop
of Bayeux, under the general title of whose lands it was entered
in the record of Domesday.
Upon the disgrace of that prelate it appears to have been
granted to the famUy of the Crevequer's, of vyhich it was held,
under Richard I., by a family which derived its surname from
the possessions here.
William de Barmelinges died in the 22d of Edward I. pos-
sessed of the manor of West Barmelinges, with the hamlets of
Pimpes and Ledhoc, holding them of the king in capite, as did
his son, Robert de Barmelinges, in the 3lst year ofthe same reign.
In the 6th of Edward IIL, John de Fremingham possessed two

684 HISTORY OF THK
parts of this manor, as he also did in the 20th year of the same
prince ; the other part, before possessed by the Barmelinge's,
being alienated elsewhere, as appears from the book for collect
ing the aid of that year, wherein John de Fremingham and John
de Huntingdon, or Hunton, are charged for the knight's fee,
which Robert de Barmelinges before held in West Barmelyn of
the king, that part held by the latter extending into the parish
of Yalding.
John de Fremingham died in the 23d year of the above reign,
possessed of his two parts of the above manor, together with the
advowson of the chnrch, held ofthe king in capite, which after
wards descended to John, son of Sir Ralph de Fremingham, of
Loose, who died in the I2th of Henry IV., leaving no issue.
By wUl he devised this manor and advowson to feoffees, who,
the following year, assigned them over to John de Pimpe, and
his heirs male, with remainder to Roger Isle.
From the family of the Pimpe's this estate passed in the
reign of Henry VIIL, to Sir Henry Isley, who procured the
disgavelment of his lands; and, being attainted, the estate was
granted by Queen Mary to Sir John Baker, of Sissinghurst, who
passed it away, with that of East Barming, to a Golding, who
died in 1674 possessed of this manor.
His son, Mr. Henry Golding, gent., resided at the manor
house of West Barming, or Barnjet, and in 1700 alienated this
estate to Captain Nicholas Amherst. He, dying in 1715, it de«
scended to John Amherst, esq., who rebuilt the mansion house,
and resided there.
West Barming is within the ecclesiastical jurisdic
tion of the diocese of Rochester, and deanery of Malling.
The church of West Barming seems anciently to have been
reputed only as a chapel, though subsequently considered a
parish church, but appendant and annexed to that of Nettle
sted. Soon after the above union, it appears to have fallen into
ruins, part of the wall having remained in the field westward of
Barnjet, till some years back, when Mr. Amherst removed every
remaining vestige of the fabric.
In 1821 there were seventy-six dwellings in the parish of
West Barming ; and, at the same period, when the last census of
the population was taken by order of Parliament, the numbers
of inhabitants were as follow : males 212, females 194, making
a total of 406 souls.

COUNTY OF KENT. 685

DESCRIPTION OF MAIDSTONE,
AS IT NOW APPEARS.
Having thus terminated our history of the Hundred of
Maidstone, as collected from the various sources before us, we
shall now proceed to give a correct account of the modern state
qf the town and parish of Maidstone. On referring back, from
page 623 to 649 will be found a description of that place as it
anciently stood, until within some twenty years ofthe existing
period : we shall now proceed to delineate Maidstone as it ap
pears at the present time. This plan has been adopted in con
sequence of the extraordinary improvements that have within a
very few years been effected in the town alluded to : indeed,
so great has been the change,* that it would have been difficult
in the extreme, when treating of its former state, to have ex
plained with perspicuity, the various modern improvements.
Thus circumstanced, we conceived a "distinct view ofthe modern
appearance of this place preferable, and, in order that no confu
sion might arise in placing the same immediately after the pre
vious delineation, we have thus thought fit to insert it at the
close of the description ofthe hundred.
We shall commence with the central part of Maidstone, where,
unril recently, stood the market-house for butcher's meat, fish,
and greengrocery, while a little below was the corn-market, both
row removed, the area being highly convenient for the general
traffic of this town.
High street, which is spacious, presents on the right a
noble pUe of architecture, the roof being supported by several
magnificent columns of the Ionic order, resting upon arches,
the lower part designed for the corn-market ; adjoining which
are elegant and spacious apartments, occupied as offices for the
fire and life insurance companies. The entrance is by a grand
arch of ample span, leading to the New Mitre tavern, a commo
dious and appropriate inn for men of business, and the enters
tainment of convivial parties; the room over the corn-market,
VOL. in. ^ '^

GBf. HI.STORY OF THE
which is spacious and magnificent, being an appendage to the
tavern. The new Market is contiguous, consisting of an arrange
ment of stalls or compartments ; the roofings are supported by
rows of plain columns, appropriated for the occupation of poul
terers, butchers, fishmongers, greengrocers, and fruiterers; the
two first attend only on the Saturday, being market-day, and
the three latter every day in the week, while the corn-market,
now held in the poulterer's compartment, takes place on the
Thursday. The shambles, that occupied the end of Middle row,
and were so long an unsightly pile, are now removed, thus ad
mitting more light to the buildings opposite, on either side.
A little below was the butter-market, which has been recently
removed, as also a box that contained the weigh-bridge appa
ratus, the same being now placed within the conduit hard by,
thus rendering the street much more commodious. On the
right, fit the lower end, next the river, lies Fair Meadow, which,
within the last three or four years, has been Mac-adamized,
when a row of stately elms was also felled, and strong railings put
up, to which the horses are now attached ; so that by the remo
val of the trees, great additional light has been thrown into the
houses adjacent. Before the last-mentioned improvements, the
stalls were permitted to stand up High street, whereas the busi
ness of the fair is now confined within the meadow. At the
foot of the bridge is a new erected, low, stone buUding, for the
confinement of vagrants, and those who commit petty offences,
until they are committed to the Mayor's prison, which is behind
the workhouse, in Knight Rider's street. ^ On the Westborough
side of the bridge are several neat new-built residences. The
Tunbridge road, which turns to the left from the bridge, has
within these few years been much improved, its course being
directed more to the right, while, from a narrow miry, and cir
cuitous lane, it has become a spacious and commodious road.
This terminates at the Bower, at the entrance of which is a
handsome and commodious dwelling, on an eminence, with
suitable appurtenances, commanding a delightful view over the
town and adjacent country. Farther on are fifteen cottages, all
newly built, as well as several more handsome houses up
the road. Within a mile and a half is Barming heath, on
which is proceeding the foundation of a county asylum tor

COUNTY OF KENT. 087
lunatics, which, when completed, will be of very extensive
dimensions. On the London road, about 300 yards from the foot of the
bridge, are several new excellent houses, called Rocky hill, which
particulariy adorn the entrance into the town ; there is also a
new, but small and neat, building over the spring, which supplies
the town with water by means ofthe conduits.
Week street has been recently much improved by the
erection of several excellent houses, some of which have com
modious shops, while those of antique date have been modernised.
At the end of the street is the New Inn, a handsome and spa
cious buUding, near the site of vvhich was formerly a ruinous
]jile, consisting of mean tenements, with a piece of iU-fenced
garden-ground, the whole now open and Mac-adamized. Op
posite to the above inn is. Parliament street, at the bottom of
which, branching out on either side, are between thirty and forty
newly-built cottages, and a little farther on is Well row, con
sisting of about twenty residences. In the direction of
Rochester, on the right, are twenty more larger dwellings, all
of no long standing. Near the barracks is a respectable
butcher's house and shop, and, opposite the Depot, the lately
erected County assembly-rooms, a chaste and plain building of
brick, which uniformly attracts the attention of the traveller.
This part of the town has been particularly altered in appear
ance within the last twenty years.
The nkw Sessions house, contiguous to this spot, is a
noble pile of architecture, and the newCounty prison, in the back
ground, both previously mentioned, though conveying melancholy
ideas to the mind, give an awful cast to the scenery. Opposite,
stand several small but neat houses, and a low buUt cottage,
occupied by a fancy mason, who displays an ample assortment of
ornamental articles. On the left, towards Rochester, stands the
Independent chapel, erected in 1822, displaying a plain mass
of architecture, being calculated to contain about 800 persons.
Faith street, turning out of the centre of the above, and
leading to the river, was much improved at no very distant period,
particularly towards the end, having been much raised, and a
stone wall built on the right, ten or twelve feet in altitude, being
particularly convenient for the houses on that side. The
wharf has also been raised, which is defended by a rampart of

68S HISTORY OF THE
stone, ttiioraing great facility in the lading and unlading the
barges freighted with corn, coals, and timber. On the right, by
the river side, a little higher up, have been built several neat
tradesmen's houses and cottages, at the end of which is another
wharf, particularly convenient for the trade of the town.
Stone street presents nothing new worthy of notice, ex
cept that on its entrance from the Weald of Kent, which unUl
these few years past was narrow and incommodious, it has been
rendered spacious, and free from all obstructions, that alteration
having been effected by taking down two houses, whereby the
road was much widened.
On the right of this street, passing from the centre of the
town, are several new streets, called George, Brunswick, and
Orchard streets, consisting of about 300 houses, and a good
inn, the whole of modern construction. Mote road turns out
of the middle of Stone street, wherein on the left stands Provi
dence chapel, for the use of the high Calvinists, lately enlarged
and newly fronted, calculated to contain about 300 persons ;
the structure is neat and plain. A little farther on about sixty
new buildings have been raised, two of which are very respect
able ; the ground they occupy being denominated Doctor's
field. They are ranged in rows, two in particular, fronting the
Mote road, having a very neat appearance. These houses have
small garden courts in front, one being called Providence row,
and the other Providence place. Romney place, leading out of
Stone street, contains twenty dweUings, inhabited by private
famiUes ; the entrance to this place being through handsome
iron gates. Paradise row consists of houses on a larger scale,
having equally their garden courts in front, there being seven
rows. Opposite Mote road is Knight Rider's street, that runs
towards the old church, on the east side of which is the national
school, conducted on Bell's system ; and, contiguous, a new
burial-ground, fenced in, and entered by iron gates.
King Street was formerly so very narrow and incommo
dious at its entrance, that waggons laden with hay and straw
could not pass without brushing either side. The first improve
ment here was rounding the angle on the right, while, more
recently, the projecting houses were taken down, which left a
miserable display ofthe back parts of decayed tenements. The
nuisance aUuded to, however, was obviated last summer, when

COUNIY OF KENT. 689
me rubbish was cleared away, and a handsome commodious
ironmonger's house and shop erected, so that the entrance of
this street is now an additional beauty to the centre of Maid
stone. A Uttle higher up, on the right, is the Baptist chapel,
a neat fabric, erected in 1821, capable of containing about
400 individuals. On the same side of the street, higher up, is
Ebenezer passage, at the termination of which are fifty cottages,
including those in the passage ; added to which, there are four
good houses, called Ebenezer place, all built within the last
eight years. On the site of the old gaol seven good houses are
erected, vvith commodious shops ; and, at the top of this street,
where formerly stood several mean cottages, at the end of a miry
lane, is novv a spacious road, leading to Ashford ; into which, on
the right hand, just out of the town, is a new cut formed from
Mote load, very convenient for the inhabitants of that part of
Maidstone. At the entrance of the main road, on the left, is Clarendon
place, inhabited by independent families, and a little farther on
are several good and substantial houses, upon a larger scale, with
others veiy neat and elegant. Not far removed are some new
and well-built houses, with gardens in front; so that what be
fore w as rugged and waste, now wears the aspect of comfort and
neatness. Immediately at the upper end of the street is a new
road, turned upon a sharp angle, leading to Sittingbourne, &c.,
at the entrance of which, on the left, are some elegant double-
built houses, for the occupation of two famiUes each, with two
others detached, and several neat cottages, all commanding an
open and extensive view of the adjacent country, and the Mote.
In the centre of this street is a new and wide opening, leading
direcUy to the new church, an unornamented and substantial
pile of architecture, surmounted by a spire, with a gilt cast-iron
cioss on the summit ; the church is formed to contain about
2000 persons. The pulpit and desk are placed after the modern
taste, detached from each other ; the distance of the width of
the middle aisle being equal in height, while in the gallery op
posite, is a fine-toned organ.
Union street, hitherto unnoticed by any historian, is
spacious, containing several well-built houses, one side having
been recently erected. This street opens out of Week street,
and leads into the Sittingbourne road, before mentioned.

6P0 HISTORY OF THE
The new Methodist chapel stands about the middle of
the street, on the left, having been built in 1823. It is large
and commodious, being calculated to contain a congregation of
1400 persons, and seats for 1100. There is a handsome organ
placed behind the pulpit.
The building is in the modern taste, and you ascend to the
porch by several steps, the windows and pulpit, as well as the
upper part of the front, being ornamented in the Gothic style.
The burial-grounds are in front and rear of the chapel, while,
at the end of the latter, is a recently erected, neat, and commo
dious dwelling for the superintendent preacher and his family.
At the back of the chapel is a cottage for the attendant hired
to clean it, adjoining which is a building appropriated for the
Sunday schools, for male and female children, calculated to' con
tain about 600 pupils ; the whole presenting an assemblage of
buildings, comprising every requisite for religious purposes.
At the upper part of the street are twenty new-built cottages,
and on the left, opposite the Union Flag, whence the street de
rives its name, is Cary street, containing twenty houses on
either side, the top of vvhich is School street, consisting of
twenty houses, vvith detached sheds for various purposes, while
at one corner is the British school, that contains 300 children,
with a house for the master and his family adjoining. The
above leads into Wheeler street, containing eighty houses, some
of vvhich are detached, the foundations of several more being
already laid. This runs out of the upper part of Union street,
whereof one corner consists of a commodious grocer's house and
shop. A litrie higher up, on the left-hand side, is the Friends'
Meeting-house, which contains. about 200 persons of that per
suasion. It is a sequestered spot, concealed from public view
by a wall and a few trees, and in every respect figurative of the
peaceful disposition of its frequenters.
This street leads to Penenden heath, a spot before described,
and noted for executions and elections, whereon stands the
Shire house, a mean pitiful building, having more the appear
ance of a shed, than used for the purposes to which it is
appropriated. About the middle of this street are several commodious
houses, denominated Holland terrace, near which are some cot
tages called Well row, and at the bottom of the road, round the

COUNTY OF KENT. 601
north angle of the gaol waU, and at the back of the Sandling
road, are about fifty more cottages lately built. A little below
HoUand terrace, on the opposite side, in Wheeler street, 13
Lucern street, containing fifteen cottages. Opposite the British
School is Brewer's street, running into Week street, which forms
a cross road ; wherein are fifteen or sixteen neat cottages, lying
in a convenient direction to the new streets above described ;
and from the upper part are about thirty cottages, forming a-
new street towards the gaol. A very considerable improvement
has been made in this town, in consequence of its being lighted
by gas, which renders the High street very elegant at night.
The lamps in that street are affixed to iron pillars.
At the commencement of the present winter, a curious phe
nomenon occurred in the gas-lights, which rose and sunk
alternately during the evening, creating infinite surprise among
the number of country and town's people, as it happened on
Saturday, the general market-day. This circumstance originated
in the main pipe admitting water, it being then a complete flood,
so that the element ran gradually up the different tubes, first
Ipecting those lights nearest the gas-house, and then communj-
catlng to others more removed, until the whole were totally
extinguished. At Loose, two miles and a half distant, a new road is forming,
in order to avoid two steep and dangerous hills rising from
that village. It is about a quarter of a mile in length;
a bridge being erected, forty feet in height and about the same
width in the span, which, when finished, during the ensuing
summer, will prove a great addition to the picturesque view of
the surrounding scenery.
On Wednesday, the 7th of August, 1765, at about eleven
o'clock in the forenoon, the. prisoners in Maidstone gaol, then
under sentence of death, were admitted to come up in the hall or
kitchen, to attend Divine Service, which was administered by
the Rev. John Denne; during which time, Simon Pingano and
Andrew Beneveniito, two Genoese, seized the firearms and
cutlasses, and murdered John Stevens and John Fletcher, and
made themselves masters of the gaol. It was with great difficulty
Mr. Denne was dug out from under the wall.
They cut up part of the lead pump to make slugs, and in the
evening decamped from the gaol, to the number of about

692 HISTORY OF THE
fifteen, all armed ; and before military aid could be procured they
proceeded to Tovill, and reache 1 a wood, which they made their
rendezvous, in the hamlet of Plextool, commonly called Rove
Wood. The two Genoese above mentioned vvere not taken alive,
but fought till they fell. When mUitary assistance had arrived
and surrounded the wood, they were nearly all secured, while
others resigned themselves up ; after which, a Special Assize was
held, and the rentainder of the criminals executed. It was
somewhat singular, that those weapons had always hung up in
the hall from the first erection of the building in 1746 till 1765,
a space of nineteen years, and no depredation had been pre
viously committed : since that time, however, they have been
removed. On the 1st of June, 1798, 0'Coigley, O'Connor, Binns, Allen,
and Leary, were tried at Maidstone Special Assizes for high
treason ; and on the 7th of June, O'Coigley was executed as a
traitor on Penenden heath.
The following outlines of the review, which took place at the
Mote, near Maidstone, the seat of the earl of Romney, on
Thursday, the 5th of August, 1799, we insert for the gratifica
tion of our readers :
The king having signified his intention of reviewing the corps
of yeomen cavalry and volunteer infantry, raised by the men of
Kent, ill bis lordship's park ; General Sir Charles Grey, com
mander of the southern district, had the ordering of the same.
The cavalry formed in two corps, under Sir Robert Lawrie, bart.
The infantry, in six battalions, under the Hon. Lieutenant
General Fox.
la the morning, the royal standard was hoisted on the town-
hall and the church, and an elpgant triumphal arch erected
across the street through which the king had to pass, by the
late F. Stacey, esq.
On the rising ground in the hack lawn of Lord Romney's
house, vvas erected an elegant marquee, decoratfed with festoons,
wreaths. Sec. for the royal visitors to dine in ; and, near the same,
another for the ministers of state.
Temporary tables, &c. were placed contiguous to the spot, in
two divisions, close to each other, in sight of the rc^al marquee,
for the reception of the volunteers.

COUNTY OF KENT. 6fi3
On those tables ninety-one in number were viands, wine, &c.
for the entertainment of upwards of 6000 volunteers. The
length of the tables, added together, made 13,333 yards; and
on the other side of the house was a smaU train of artillery
encamped, with tents, &c.
About five o'clock in the morning the companies began to
move on the ground, and by nine the whole was occupied.
About ten o'clock the Stadtholder appeared, artd marched to
the royal tent, where he waited the arrival of the royal famUy ;
soon after which appeared the Duke of York, attended by Sir
Charles Grey, Sir Robert Lawrie, General Fox, and many of the
nobility; among whom were the Lord Chancellor, and Messrs.
Pitt, Dundas, and Windham, on horseback.
The royal family set off from Kew at five o'clock in the morn
ing, took breakfast at Earl Camden's, at Sevenoaks, and arrived
at the Mote about twelve.
His Majesty rode to the ground on his charger, attended by
the Prince of Wales, and Dukes of Cumberland and Gloucester:
the Queen, with the Princesses Augusta and Elizabeth^ who
were attended by Lady Harrington, in her majesty's carriage,
drove directly to the royal marquee, where they decorated
Jhemselves with oak-boughs, &c. A royal salute was fired on
the king's coming upon the ground, after which his majesty took
his station where the troops were designed to pass, attended by
the royal dukes, generals, and many noblemen.
The review, which had been arranged by General Sir Charles
Grey,being concluded, his majesty returned to the royal marquee,
where he held a levee of his state officers, and then received a
loyal address from the corporation of Maidstone ; on which
occasion the honour of knighthood was conferred on Samuel
Chambers, esq., the high sheriff of the county.
A sumptuous dinner was then served up for the royal family,
which took place at three o'clock ; the company, consisting of
their Majesties, the two Princesses, the Dukes of York, Cumber
land, and Gloucester, the Stadtholder, &c.; Lady Harring
ton, lady in wairing; with Lord Romney, his son Viscount
Marsham, and his three daughters. In the next marquee were
the Ministers of State, Sec.
After dinner, the volunteers drank the healths of the King,
VOL. III. 4 V

694 HISTORY OF THE
Queen, Duke of York, &c. When the royal family partook
of coffee, &c. at Lord Romney's house ; and at six o'clock set
off for Kew, highly gratified on finding the loyal men of Kent
so much attached to their sovereign and his Ulustrious family.
To give the reader an idea of the dinner served up, the prin
cipal dishes were,
60 Lambs in quarters, making 220 Dishes of boiled Hecf.
240 dishes. 220 Dishes of roast Beef.
700 Fowls, 3 in a dish. 220 Meat Pies.
300 Hams. 220 Fruit Pies.
300 Tongues. 220 Joints of roast Veal.
With 7 Pipes of Wine, and 16 Butts of Beer, to supply the
tables.
Neither did his lordship's benevolence end here, as upwards
of 600 poor families, in the town and neigh bouriiood, were
regailed with the fragments left of this copious repast.
The strength of the volunteers returned on that occasion,
amounted to 5721 men, but only 5228 appeared on the ground.
Before his Majesty left the park, he gave general orders to
the Commander in Chief, Mr. Secretary Dundas, and the Lord
Warden, &c. to convey to the Lord Lieutenant his warmest
thanks and approbation ; and likewise to the officers of the
Kentish Volunteers.
His Majesty liberated the insolvent debtors at the same time,
out of his gaol at Maidstone.
On the 6th of August, the freedom of the city of Canterbury
was presented to Lord Romney.
On the 3d of September, at a numerous meeting, at Sitting
bourne, of the officers, &c. of the Kent volunteers, it vvas resolved
unanimously, that a pavilion should be raised on the spot
where the royal marquee had stood in the park, to commemorate
this glorious event ; and accordingly a structure was erected, of
the following dimensions:
The building is circular, of Portland stone, thirty-feet high,
and twenty-six feet six inches in diameter, having a dome, sup
ported by nine columns, the order of which is an exact copy
of the Doric portico at Athens.
The inscription round is as foUows : " This PavUion was

COUNTY OF KENT. 695
erected by the Volunteers of Kent, as a tribute of respect to the
Eari of Romney, Lord Lieutenant, mdccci."
His Majesty visited this town on the 4th of November, 1778,
when he received a loyal address from the Corporation, and con
ferred the honour of knighthood on WiUiam Bishpp, esq., one
of the jurats of this Corporation.
We have previously observed, in more instances than one, that
Archbishop Courtenay was supposed to have been interred at
Canterbury, although a cenotaph was erected to his memory in
the great chancel of the church of Maidstone. This point,
which had been contested by several writers, was finaUy set at
rest about thirty years back, at which period several gentlemen
obtained permission of the officiating minister to open the tomb
in the great chancel of Maidstone church, and after removing
the stone, being a kind of blue slate, they began to dig until
about six feet deep, when, to their satisfaction, they discovered
the bones of the devout and learned prelate, apparently sound,
every joint being in its proper place, the skeleton measuring in
length six feet, and the teeth remaining entire : however, when
exposed to the operation of the air, it began to diminish, so
that it appeared the general opinion of the individuals assembled
upon this occasion, (among whom were the Rev. Messrs. Denns,
Cherry, Reeve, &c,) that this high-born and sanctified digni
tary had been interred in his robes, and without any coffin,
agreeable to the instructions contained in his own wiU,

606 HISTORY OF THE

CHRONOLOGY OF
REMARKABLE EVENTS RELATING TO MAIDSTONE.
A.D. 86 A great inundation of the river Medway, and several
inhabitants of Maidstone were drowned.
666 Egbert, first king of Kent, began to reign ; vvho basely
murdered Etheldred and Ethelbert, his two nephews,
and cast their dead bodies into the Medway.
808 A large seahorse was taken in the Medway at Maidstone.
824 A large whale was taken in the Medway.
861 Great inundation of the Medway : several cattle drowned.
909 A whale and two porpusses taken in the Medway.
1066 A whale, thirty-four feet long, was taken in the Medway,
below Maidstone.
1114 A failure of water in the Medway, and the navigation
stopped; so that people passed over on foot. A similar
event took place in the Thames, opposite the Tower,
October 10th.
1216 Stowe says : 1216, a monster appeared in this town struck
with lightning, which could not be approached by
reason of the disagreeable smell it exhaled.
1261 A market first granted to this town.
1327 Maidstone bridge over the Medway finished.
1348 Maidstone palace begun.
1354 The staple of woollen manufactories first removed from
Flanders to this town.
1368 A ton of wine sold for 13s. 4d.
1381 Wat Tyler and the rebels broke open the County prison.
1390 Maidstone church enlarged, and the present chancel built
by Archbishop Courtney.
1391 About this time Archbishop Courtney founded the college.
1396 Archbishop Courtney died, July 28tli.
1438 Archbishop Chichele entertained King Henry VI. at his
palace, March 21st.

COUNTY OF KENT. COT
A.D. 1453 Archbishop John Stafford died, at the palace at Maidstone.
I486 Archbishop Morton beautified the palace.
1495 The Exchequer standard committed to this town.
1546 The college surrendered into the king's hands.
1549 Maidstone church plundered of its vestments.
1649 Edward VI. granted the palace of Maidstone to Sir
Thomas Wyatt, of Allington castle.
1549 Maidstone first incorporated, July 4th, Richard Heley
being then mayor.
1553 Sir Thomas Wyatt executed, at Sevenoaks, for rebeUion.
Charter of Maidstone forfeited.
1655 Seven men and women burnt in the meadow for religious
opinions.
1560 The second charter granted to the town, December 4th,
William Green, esq. being then mayor.
1568 The Walloons first settled in Maidstone, who estabUshed
the thread manufactory.
1604 The third charter granted to Maidstone, with further
privileges, &c., Edward Maplesden, esq. being mayor,
December 31st.
1619 The fourth charter granted ,to the town, with additions,
&c., Walter Fisher, esq. being mayor.
1620 Maidstone bridge repaired by an assessment on the town
and parish.
1630 Weever visited Maidstone church, jiiid inspected the
funeral monuments.
1648 Maidstone taken by the Pariiamentary forces, June 2d.
1649 No assizes held at Maidstone for two years, there having
been no prisoners.
1662 Several old women tried at the assizes, natives of Swems-
comb, as witches, August 2d.
1682 An alteration and a fifth charter granted to this town,
Robert Saunders, esq. then mayor.
1689 Dr. Wright, an Anabaptist preacher, chosen mayor, and
the jurats dissenters.
1701 The rights of the freemen confirmed by Pariiament,
February 7 th.
1702 The above rights confirmed again, December 8th,

698 COUNTY OF KENT.
A.D. 1720 The workhouse buUt, at the sole expense of Thomas Bliss,
esq.
1730 The two large galleries erected, and the body of the church
new pewed.
1736 The old gaol where the fish-market stood, petirioned fo
be taken down.
1740 Maidstone church spire burnt down by lightning, Novem
ber 2d.
1746 The County gaol finished.
1748 The six«th and present charter granted, Edward Hunter,
esq. being mayor.
1751 A cattle-market granted to the town by letters patent.
1763 William Shipley, esq., a native of Maidstone, flourished,
whose public spirit gave rise to the foundation of the
society for the encouragement of arts, manufactures,
and commerce.
1756 Hanoverian camp on Coxheath, consisting of 12,000 men.
1763 A great hail-storm at Maidstone, August I9th.
1764 The Court hall finished.
1765 Prisoners broke out ofthe County gaol, and murdered the
turnkey, August 7th.
1776 The County BrideweU built.
The Debtors' gaol finished.
1778 His late majesty George III. passed through Maidstone
after reviewing the troops on Coxheath.
1791 An Act passed for paving and improving the town.
1794 The pavement finished.
1797 The royal cavalry barracks finished.
1799 A royal review held in the Mote park, August Ist.
1809 New jury room built next the Court haU.
Since the above period, our modern account of the Town of
Maidstone records every occurrence that has taken place.

BNO OF VOL. III.

J, AWD C. ADLA.11D, PHTNTERS, BARTHOLOMEW CLOSE.

INDEX TO VOL. IIT.

Abercorn, James, first earl
Acton, estate of
Addington, parish of
church of

page
57, 49
. 171
. 617
. 620
. 33
. 287
223

Ady, Peter, esq.
Aislabie, Rav^son, esq.
Albans, St., Duchess of
 , or Wimplingbury, manor
of . . . .460
Alborough, earl of . . 201
Albe(Tiarle, earl of . .19
Alchorne, John . .12
Aldington, formeily a distinct
parish . . .116
—  Cobham, or East court ib.
 court . .113
 Septvans . .117
¦  West court . . ib.
Aldone, Thomas de . .92
Allards, estate of . . 246
Ailard, Gervas . . ib.
Allington, parish of . . 574
—  , castle of . . ib.
 , manor of . . 567
¦¦, church of . . 577
Alianora, king John's sister . 25
Alianore, countess . . ib.
Almnery green . . 20
Altar cloth at Hollingbourne
church curiously wrought . 88
Apulton, district of . . 273
Aquila, Gilbert de . . 399
VOL. III.

Armorial bearings of the Clif
fords, the Isleys, the Frcniing-
hams, Colepepers, the Sav
ages, and the Bournes
Ashbee, John
Ashurst, parish of
 , manor of
-, church of

page

Aske, Thomas
Astrys, family of
Alva, duke d' .
Atwater, Robert
Aylesford  , church of
 , battle fought
 , earl of
Amhurst, Nicholas
Ancaster, dukes of
Argall, Thomas
Arundel, archbishop
Ashden, manor of
Ashway, family of
Auberville, family of
Aucher, arms of
 , Anthony
 , Henry, esq.
Audley, Hugh
Austens, family of
, Edward, esq.
 , Peter .
Austin, Motley
.¦ ' , — =— Francis

at

27
. 176
. 341
. ib.
. 343
. Ill
. 16
. 394
. 67
554
. 573
. 558
. 153
. 481
. 106
. 31
. 93
. 61
. 14
. 145
. 122
. 4
. 122
. 366
. 24
247, 148
. 7
. 206
. 242

INDEX.

page
Babb, Mr. . . . 202
Badlesmere, lord . . 92
 '  .— , lady .91
 • — , Bartholomew de, 91,495
Badmonden, manor of . . 242
Badsell, manor of . . 328
Baldwin, William . . 74
 , esq. . 1 1 3, 77
Baker, Sir John . 160,252
Barden, manor of , . 3-75
 , family of . . ib.
Bargrave, fantily of . . 30 1
 , Isaac . . 300
Barham, family of . . 169
Barkley, hundred of - . 244
Barlings, manor of . .176
Barnard, lord . . .85
Barnefield, Great, hundred of . 251
Barnes place, estate of . . 353
— —  garden . . . 101
Barnelt, Valentine . . 83
Barnham, Sir Francis . .11
Barnham, Mr. Benedict . 76
 , Stephen . . 84
 , arms of . ,85
 , Sir Martin . . 86
 Francis . . ib.
Barson, parish of . . 280
, church of, and monu
ments in . . . 283
Barons place . . .518
Barton, Thomas . .221
 , John . . . 349
Barville, Great and Liltle, two
estates of
Barty, lands of .
Bathurst, family of
 , name of
 , Richard
BaUle hall
Bayham, abbey of
Baynden, seat of
Beamonslon, manor of
, family of

Beaufitz, ancient family
Bedeford, John
Bedford, John, duke of
Bedgebury, seat of
 , family of
Belcher, family of
 , Stringer

rector
Samuel
-, William, esq.

Belemeyns, Sir John

of

287
. 106
208,209 . 240
. 241
. 101
. 331
. 237
. 156
. 157
. 171
. 133
. 417
. 209
. ib.
. 35
. 35
128
. 60
. 143
. 415

Belknap, Edward
Bendeville, family of
Bending, Peter de
Benestede, manor of
 , John de
Bergenhausen, countess of
Berham, John de
Berkley, lord Maurice .
 , Sir Maurice
Bersted, parish of
 , church of, and monu

page
. 44
. 502
. 155
. 486 ib.
. 112
. 477
. 71
, 39
. 105

ments in
Bertie, noble family of
Bertyn, Simon .
Best, George esq.

— , Thomas

, esq.

 , James, esq,
 , Mawdestley, esq.
Betenham, family of
Bethlehem hospital, London
Betshanger, parish of
— • — —  . church of, and mo
numents in .
Bewle, stream of
Bewley, manor of
Bicknor, parish of
 , church of, and remote
antiquity of . .
-, family of

. 108
. 106
. 108
. 7
58,61 7, 50
. 61
. 49
• ib.
. 188
. 283
. 265

Bidborocigh, parish of .
 , church of .
Biddenden, parish of .
 , church of, and monu
ments in . . .
 place
 ' house
-, singular custom at

267
233 50
139
I4l 139
339 340 244

249
. 244
. 245
. 249
. 638
Thurnham . 114
. 586'
. 594587461

Bigons, or Digons
Binbury wood, in
parish
Birling, parish of
 , church of
 place
Black pitts, manor of .
— canons, priory of, at Cow
den . . . . 399
Blean, gallows at . .92
Blechenden, manor of . .7
Bayhall, manor of . . 332
Boardfield, hamlet of . . 124
¦  — — , church of, a ruin . ib.
 — , chapel of . . ib.
Bocton, manor of . .169,

Boddenden, family of -
Bokingfold, manor of
Boleyn, queen Anne -
Boniface, archbishop -
Bonyers, lands of
Bone, family of
— — place, seat of
Boreman, John
Borough green, hamlet of
 court -
 , family of
 , Sir Edward
 , lord
 , arms of
Bosworth, Miss
Botelers, family of
 , Thomas
 , Richard, esq. -
 , Sir Philip
 , WiUiam, esq. -
Botley, Sir Thomas
Boughton Malherb, parish of
, family of

ments in

-, church of, and monu-

¦ place

, mansion of
, remains of

page
- 246
206, 495
- 395
645
- 78
- 410
- ib.
- 6
- 531
- 580
- 405
67, 124
- 117
- ib.
- 239
- 67
- 303
- 319
47 ii
- 297 419 41
ib. 5146 9
42

 Monchensie, parish of
 green, hamlet of
 ' quarries
 mount, seat of
Bounds, New, or Little, seat of
Bourchier, Sir Thomas
Bourne, John de - - -,
Bouverie, Mrs. Elizabeth, 16, 28,
473, 479

9
ib. 12
382 93 10

Boycot, manor of
 , family of
Boyton, manor of
Boxley, parish of
 , village of
• abbey -

-, Rood of Grace at

Boys, Samuel, esq.
 , William -
 ,esq.
 , Mr.
Bradbourn, park of
Brambles, Small, manor of
Brampton, manor of
Brander, Mrs.
Brandescombe mill
Bredhurst, parish of
 , manor of

39
- ib.
- 32
- 649
- ib.
651
- ib.
- 254 305
- 283
- 310
- 604
- 242
- 578
- 107 98
150 151

Brewbre, Nicholas
Brewer, family of
Brenchley, parish of
— '  , church of
-, family of

page 511
482
217 224
- 222
Brent, family of - 167
Brimsdale, farm of - - 276
Briscoe, John - - 12
Brising, or Brishing, manor of 16
Brissinges, Thomas de - ib.
Broad oak, seat of - - 218
Brockhull, family of - 178
 .Henry - 76,117
 , esq. - 84
 , Sir William - 168
 , Thomas - -317
Brockman, William - 126
Broke, Dionia Atte - - 502
Bromfield, parish of - 104
 , William de - - 103
Broxcombe, Adam de 173
Brydges, Timewell, esq. - 125
 , Edward, esq. - - ib.
Buckhurst, Richard - - 170
Buckingham, duke of, 333, 360, 492
Buckland, farm of - 314
Bucler, Walter - - - 193
Budds, hamlet of , - - 546
Buffkin, Lewin - - 16,112
 , Ralph - - 112
 , esq. - - 17
Bulleyn, Geoffry - 392
Bunce's court - - - 128
 chancel - - 126
 , family of - 61, 128
 , John - - - 126
—  , Sir James - - 128
 , Simon - - ib.
Burges, Robert - 342, 352
Burgh, lord Thomas - - 406
Burgherst, Robert de - - 407
Burgershe, Sir Bartholomew - 92
Burham, parish of - 552
Burhaise, church of - - 554
 , priory of 555
Burleigh, manor of - 170
Burley, Sir Simon de - - 15
Burston, manor of - - 487
 , John de - ib.
BusheU, John - - - 315
Butler, earl of Ormond - - 37
Butsole, an ancient burial ground
near - - - - 298
Buttery, Robert, esq. - - 223

INDEX.

Cage, Lewis, esq.
 , Richard, esq.
 ,John, esq.
Calcraft, John, esq.
Calehill, hundred of
 : — , manor of
Calverley, seat of
Camden, Clarinceux at arms
 , earl of .
Canons court, manor of
Capterbury, archbishop of
Capel, parish of
 , church of
 , family of .
Capgrave, John de
Carter, George .
Carews court
Cartier, John

esq.

Castwisell, estate of
Catigern, burial place of
Catts place, manor of .
Catt, Hugh de .
Cavendish, Charles lord Mans
field .
Causton, Hugh de
 s, manor of
Cecil, lord Burleigh
Cenulf, king of Mercia .
Chafford place, manor of
Chalfhunt, Sir Henry .
Chambers, Abraham, esq.
Chambre, Robert
Champneys, Justinian .
 , Henry Burt
Chapel, remarkable one in the
manor house of Sore .
Chapman, William
Charing, parish of
— — — , heath of
 , palace of
 supposed a Roman sta
tion
 cross, legend of .
 , church of, and monu
ments in
 , chapel of, burnt down
Charlton, George
Charlotte, queen
Chart Sutton, parish of .
—  , vineyards at
 corner
— ^, church of, burnt by light
ning
 Sutton

page 85
107
, . 120
101, 103
. 154 179
383
, 21
2324G8
273354355
669495 J 59
596
212211
245 556
223223

123
351 ib. 56
55
433 133140
102 6
319
534 160
162
163 ib.
164 ib.
172
175 5
98 17 18
212329

Chartway street
Chauncey, Sir Henry
Chawn, George le
Chegworth, mill at
Cheney's court, manor of
Cheney, Sir Thomas
 , William de
 , lord
-, Henry lord

Cherringes, family of
Chesterfield, earl of
Cheveney manor and mansion
 , family of
Chevene house .
Chidingstone, parish of .
 , Cobham manor

page
. 30
62
339 35
. 22
22, 125, 131
. 22
126
. 152
. 164
45, 115, 199
198 ib.
199
403

of

Burghersh
, church of.

and

monuments in
Child, Robert .
Children, George, esq.
 , John, esq.
Chillenden, parish of
^——  ; — , church of
 , family of
— , John de

ChiUington
Chilson, manor of
Chilwell, Jonathan
Chingley, manor and estate of .
Chitcroft, family of . .
Chittendens, family of, eminent
clothiers
Cistertian monastery first founded

404407
412 82
359438295
296
295 ib.
641 48
352212 175
254

653
212361 218383 28
538 38 39
393 27 15
48
Clitherows, family of . .315
Cobham, family of . 66, 124
 , Reginald lord . 66, 400
 ¦ de, 1 16, 391, 41 1
 , Johnde . 116,404
, Henry de . 116
 , lord 93,221

at Waverly
•  abbey, Boxley
Clanrickarde, earl of
Clare, noble family of .
 , Richard de
Clenkard, archbishop
Cleres, St., or West Aldham
Clerke, Henry, esq.
 , Gilbert, esq.
Cleves, lady Anne, of
Clifford, William, esq. .
Clinton, William de
-, earl of Huntingdon

INDEX.

ff,ge
CucK, Eugenius . . . |26
C-d(l, family of „ . WJ
tu)i^lcy,0'Coun'J.',P.lrm-i, Allen,
<iV.d Leary, tried for treason, at
Maidstone . . . 692
Cu.e, .ol:n, esq., 139, 200, 208, 241, 465
Colebridge, manor of . .47
 ^ castle . 42, 48
Goiepcpeis, eminent family of, 7, 83,
210, 332, 335, 438, 567
c  , Thomas, esq. . 4
 , 6, 92, 120,200,
21.3, 397
 ¦-, Sir Thomas, 7, 58, 82,
83,92,94,95.117
 , lord Thomas . 76
.  .SirWilliam . 7
¦  , William and Tho

mas, David Polhill, and Jus
tinian Chamneys, committed
to the gatehouse . • 57
 , William . . 82
 , Waller . 83, 220
 .  , Francis, 76, 82, 86, 100
 , Sir John . . 83
 Richard . 506
 , Cheney, esq. . 86
 , Henry Fairfax . 96
 , John Spencer, 82, 84, 96
 , lords of . .83
 , lord baron Thores

way

-, armorial bearings of

College at Maidstone
Coloigne, family of
Columbels, Ranulf de
Columbers, Philip de
Colyear, Sir David
Colyn, Richard
Comborne, estate of
Combwell, manor of
Conghurst, manor of
Constable, Sir John
Cosgrave, family of
Corbie, family of
 , Robert .

, esq.

Corpus Christi, fraternity of, at
Maidstone
Cosenton, manor of
.  house
.  , family of
Cosin, family of
ttciiian library
111.

9495
645 107
471 139 4
III
207
213256 76
220 199 43
115
648 5665.'.8 A.f6401

C oil n hope, manor of
Cof rt Lodge, farm of
Courteney, archbi?hop — ,
of
Causemaker, colonel
Coverts, family of
Covert, AVilliam, esq.
Cowden, parish of
•  , manor of
•  , furnace of
 , church of
Cowsted, manor of
-, family of

iiiterir.ent

Coxheath

camp at

Cranmer, Robert, esq. .
Cressi, family of
 , Hugh de .
 , Stephen de
Crevequer, eminent family of,
105,228, 311
 , Robert . . 479
— , founder of Leeds

g'
240 646695320 102
100
398
399 ib.
402 147 ib. 9
984077
71il).
90,

castle

 , de
Hamo de
Daniel de
1 interred

at

priory .
Crickett, Richard
Criol, eminent family of
 , Nicholas de
 s, manor of
Crispe, Richard, gent.
Crombwell, family of
 , John de
Crombury, manor of
Cromlech, the .
Crompe, the rev. Pierrepoint, 61, 134
Cromwell, Thomas lord
Crouch .
Curteis, Jeremiah, esq. .
 , George, esq.
Cuthred, king of Kent .
Cults; family of
Cutte, Sh'Jolin .

ib.
97, 102
90, 301,475 . 98
Leeds . V>
. 2 4
. 2i9
. 145
. 219
. 60
. 133
. ib.
. 350
. 556

4,5, 31
524 5
123
277 116118

21

Dachurst, manor of . . -372
Dacre, lords . . 85, 397
D'Aeth, family of . . 2^1
 , Sir NarboTongh TfiC. 99.*

pas;i:
. 504
. 506
. 170
. 286
50, 77
179,180 . 179
. 65
. 171
. 169
169, 234
. 178
. 30
. 340
449
415 5 15
155
255

383,

D..i".son, family of <
 ~, arms of .
Dalyiigiyirge, family of
D^ce courl, manor of .
Dapifer, Eiido
Darell, family of
 , arms of
 , Nicholas
 . Henry .
 , es([.
 , J'hn, esq.
 , Geors;e
Darrell, Sir Richard de
Darnley, lord
 , earl of
Dashwood, Sir James .
 , Francis
Daiiiiglon, nunnery of .
Davis, Sir John Bremer
Day, Tliomas, last prior of Leeds 99
Dean court, manor of . . 158
Deedes, Julius . . .32
Dekewer, John, esq. . . 303
Delaune, family of . 125
Dencrouch, Highland, and Pri
gles, manors of . . 337
Dene, William de . 43, 137
 , Thomas de . 137, 138
¦  , Raiph de . . . 230
Denn court . . .316
Dering, family of, 65, 174, 184, IS5
 , armorial bearings of, 65, 187
 , Edward, esq. . . 68
 , Sir Edward, 115, 120, 188,
189, 191
 , John, esq. . 4,301
 , of, Surrenden . 65
 , Tluirlow John . . 168
 , Richard, e*q. . .189
 , Sir Richard . . 459
— — , Christopher . .168
Debou verie. Sir Christopher, 16, 19, 27
Despencer, le lord, 22, 328, 355,
461, 489, 494
Detling . . , .662
 , family of . . 663
 , church of . . 664
417
235 1>9 ib
577

Deveri-nx, earl of E-sex
De.\i', William, esq.
Ds'^e'scoiir;, manor of
- einiuciil faiii.ly of
]> , parish of .
tiuircl .

Di-.inett, John, esq.
Dorchester, coiiri,KJ5 of
Dorset, earl of .
Downe court, manor of
Drake, Sir William . ?f:.r
Druidical circle, the, at Adding
ton . . .
Dryland, James, esq.
Dune, Hamo de la, family of •
Dunks, estate of . .
 , family of .
Duppa, Sir Thomas , .
 , Baldwin, esq. .
, Duppa Baldwin, esq .
arms of

-s, house of Mr.

Durrant, Robert
Dygges, John .
 , esq.
Christopher

Dyke, Dixon John

East Barming

, church of

East court, manor of
East Farleigh
 , church of
East lane, manor of
East Lenham, parsonage of
East Malling
 , church of .
Eastmere, manor of
East Shelve, estate of .
-, manor of .

. Sutton

-jchurch of, and monu-

10.

ments in .
Eastry, hundred of
 , parish of
 , manor of
 , churchof
 , Henry de, monk of
Eastwood common, hamlet of .
Eccles, manor of .
Egbert, king of Kent, legend of
Egerton, parish of
 , church of, and monu
ments in . . .
Eleanor, queen of Edward I. .
Elmington, manor of
Elmstone, Mr. Stephen
El..<./tliington, manor of
— '  , William fie
Eiv imiily of . <
 , arms of

. Ofi 4
"4 ^¦7
2,".' •iW
. W
. 6'
. 127
. Sin
. Sfi
, ib
. «7
. 86
. Rfl
, 4iS[
. I?';
. '.V
. n'i
. .Mo
. 678
. 6S2
, 664
. 671
677
, 641 63
602
60t?
461 64
66 2933
COO
296
299 30t) 2U 42
299 174
1T6197
278
243 SO82
X

Vll

page
Eng..'iherst, ancient family of . 1.94
ElLiji-ng, Ethelstan ." „ 80
F.u, Wiliiix of . .36
Ev.;£i:ig Acre, manor of . 18S
Evu.'sley, manor of . .171
 , Brian de . .172
Evcohain, battle of . .25
Ewehuist, East and West, man-
o.-s of . . . .448
Eylliorns, hundred of . .1
 , parish of . . 275
 , Upper and Lower . ib.
 , church of, and monu
ments in . . . 279
Fairfax, Robert . . 82
.  , hon. Robert . 96, 102
p— — — , second lord Ferdinando 95
 . Thomas lord . 76, 83, ib.
 ,lord . . .96
general, attacked Maid-

Fli.dd, Thomas, esa.
AkbastPr

stone
.  , doctor .
 , Denny Martin
Fairlawn
Falkland, lord .
Fane, family of
Fane, or Vane, family of • .
 , armorial bearings

629 104 102
534353 512
544

of
Fane, George .
«— , Mildmay
Fant, hamlet of
Faversham, abbey of
Fector, family of
.^—^  mansion
-, Minet, esq.

of

Fernor, Sir Henry
Filmer, family of
 , Sir Edward
_  , Beversham
 , Edward, esq.
 , Reynold
 , Richard
Finchcocks, seat of
 , family of
Fish hall, district of
Fitz Adam, Simon
Fitzalan, earl Arundel
 , Simon
Fitzbernard, John
Fitzhamon, Robert
Fitz Osbert, Vitales
 Urse, Randal
Fliidd, Thomas

545
488 509
625 125
276 ib.
. 264
. 246
29, 32
31, 40, 131
. ib.
. ib.
. ib.
. 127
. 208
. ib.
. 352
. 282
. 26
. 58
. 262
. 77
. 184
. 476
. lie

page
107, '11
. n2

Ford . . . -SSI
Foote, J. esq. . . .13
Forbies, seat of . . . 448
P"oster, rev. William . . 494
Fowkes, manor of . .518
Fowlers, mansion of . . 253
Freke, Ralph, esq. . .117
Frene, Hugh de . . 179
Fremingham, family of . 111,201
Friars, the, at Aylesford . 562
Frid farm, estate of . . 125
Friday and Sunday streets . 30
Priggsand Newland green, ham
lets of . . .174
Frinsted, parish of . .132
, church of, and monu
ments in . . .136
Frith, Hamon atte . .125
Fromans, or Goodwis, manor of 350
.6 . 271
. 68

Fullagar, Christopher
Furnese, family of
 , Sir Robert

Henry, bart., 271, 324

Gage, Sir John . . . 120
 , Viscount . . 214
Gallants, manor of . . 674
Gammon, William . . 7
Gardiner, Christopher, esq. .448
Gascoigne, William . .116
Gatton, Robert de . 43, 137
 , Hamo de . . 138
Geary, Sir William . . 487
Geneva manufactured at Maid
stone .
George III.
Gerund, family of
-, Nicholas de

628 98
133 ib.
158 122 6427

Gig Nash, house and lands of
Gilbert, Sir Humphrey
Gipps, George, esq.
Glendower, Owen
Gloucester, earl of . 77, 492
—  , Eleanor, duchess of 93
 , countess of . 347
Goddens, estate of . .126
Golborne, Sir Nicholas . . 163
Goldwell, or Coldwell, estate of 351
Goodale, house of . . 1''4
Gore court, seat ol, ctliecl
Colyns . . .Ill-
Gosfudde, Ros . . . j,}tf
Gostling, Mr. . . . C5

VIII.

page
Goucliarst, parish cf . . 204
— :  , church of, and moiro-
ments in . . . 2>5
 , dreadful storm at .216
Goulds, manor of . . 638
 '¦ — chantry . . ib.
Gousall, Sir John . . 43
Grange, the . . . 60 1
Grassley green, hamlet of . 42
Great and Little Comp,hamlets of 532
~ "¦ ¦ ' .642 . 316
. 82
. 83
. 63
. 26
. 30
. 313
. 652
. 40
. 241
. 240
272, 288
arms of . 273
Henry . . 93
 , Earl of .16 97
194

Great Buckland, manor of
Greenshields, family of
Greenway court
Greenwaye, Gilbert
Gregory, St., priory of
Grey, Lord Reginald
 , Reginald de
Grave, manor of
Grove Green, hamlet of
Groves, family of
Grovehurst, estate of
 , family of
Guildford, earl of

 , Sir Henry
Guldeford, family nf
— —  , Sir Henry, knight of
the garter
Hadde, family of
 , Robert le
Hadenesham
Hadlow, parish of
 , borough of
 place
 , church of.

and

ments in
-, small manor of

Halbrook, arms of
 , family of
Hales, Sir Edward, 16, 1
 , Edward, esq.
 , Humphrey
 , SirThomasPym
 , John
, arms of
Halfway Oke .
Halkwell, manor of
HaM place
Ilalloovoiip'h, district of
Il!|ly garaen, spring at
H'J'v estate ol .
— — , mansion of

9,

31
. 20
133, 342
. 22
. 346
. ib.
. 349
monu- . 353
. 376
. 12
. ib.
21,22,27, . 49
. 50
. 101
. Ill
. ib.
. 644
. .^326«1413552 53
il..

126,

Ham, parisli 0/ - . . ;f'
 , manor of . . • 252
 , church of, and monuments
in . . . .261
Hamilton, Elizabeth . 49, 57
———  ; — , daughter

of John lord Colepeper
William, committed

to the gate house
I John

49,

Hamon, WiUiam Fitz
Hamptons, seat of
Hamwold, borough of
 court
Hancorn, Richard
Handlo, Roger de
Harbilton, manor of
Harbroe, James, esq.
Harpur, Sir George
Harriedsham, parish of
 place
Harrietsham church, monuments
in
Harrison, Peter, esq.
Hartanger, manor of
Harvey, Daniel, esq
•  , family of . 276
-, caplam

 , Thomas, the rev.
Hastings, John de
Hatch, Atte, family of .
Hatton, Finch, esq.
, George Finch .
Haut, Edwanl .
 , William, esq.
Hawkhurst Lees, parish of

 place
 Lees, church of, and
monuments in
H aw kswell, family of
Hayes, James, esq.
Haysden, small manor of
Hayward, Sir John
Haylewood, Thomas, achronicle
written by
Heath, Nicholas
Hedcorne, villa!i;e and town of
 , church of
Hendley, Walter,
 , esq. sir

 , Thomas, escj.
 , John
 , Houyer .
Hengham, Odoinarus de

57
ib. 50
48
504
3l6 317 87
6? 7tj2770
ib'

73
17!
282 186
287
304435
26, 30
167137
252 10
12
251255

258332 210
378 86
98 40 3 7
IU 4
329 111 ill.
Ii2

INDEX.

page
[lenhursi, estate of . . 497
Ker.ley, Ro'oert . .10
Hennand, Thomas . . 7
Henniker, family of . .201
, Sir John . . ill.
Hepsbrooke, manor of . 432
Herbert, lord, of Cherbury . 493
Heronden, borough of . .301
or Hardendon,

Irict of
 , family of,
Herrys, Arthur, esq.
 , Sir WiUiam

Herst, manor of
Herst woods
Hesse, Signor Jean de
Heton, Martin, bishop of Ely
Hever, parish of
 , church of, and monu
ments in . . ,
 , family of
William de

dis- . 302
302, 303
. 40
. ib.
. 127
. 501 9532
390

Hilden, manor of
Hildenburgh, districts of
Hills, William, esq.
 , George and Edward
Hoadley, estate of
Hookenbury bridge
Hodges, Thomas Hallet, esq
Hodleigh, manor of
Hoese, or Hussey, family of, 48, 158
Holands, manor of .
Holborough, hamlet of
Holbrook, manor of
Hollenden, district of .
Hollingbourne, parish of
 , mansion at, of

396391 66
373371 68
134127 35
248 230

the period of <|iieen Elizabeth
— r-  hill, seal and es
tate of . . .
 , church of, and

447
582 12
438 79
ib. 86

monuments in . . 87
Holmehill green, hamlet of . 70
Holme mill, manor of . . 77
Holy Trinity, priory of . 3
Honvwood, family of 60, 159, 166
 '-  , Robert . 60, 64
 , esq.
Filmer, Cf.(.\. 67,

Hooker, John
¦  , esq.
Hooper, Walter, esq.
Horne, family of
—  , >-<m ill
Horsa .

67
174
245 223 101 62
1 12
559

page
Llursemonden, parish of . 236
—^  . manor of . 2.i7
 , church of, and
monuments in . . 243
Hougham, family of . . 9
 , Eobert de . . ib.
Hovendon, Richard . . 39
Howel, Benjamin . 112
Hubble, Benjamin, esq. . 13
Hucking, parish of . 141
 's court, manor Ol. . 142
 , church of . .143
Hulkes, John . . .6
Humfreys, Sir Orlando . 394
Hunsdon, lord . . . 157
Huntington, manor of . . 486
Hunton, parish of . . 484
¦  , church of, and monu
ments in . . . 489
Hussey, family of . .63
 , Edward, esq. . 213, 234
 , Peter, archdeacon . 5

Ibornden house, seat of
Iden, Alexander
Ightham, parish of
 , park of
, church of

. 247
. 15e
. 535
. 542
.542
-, Roman mUitary way
through . ¦ . 536
 , intrenchment at . ib.
Inscription on a barn, of Preston
hall, and disputes on . . 571
Isley, William, esq. . . 40
, Sir Henry . . Ill
Iveligh, family of . .20
Jack Straw, birthplace of .614
Jennina'-. court, manor of . 494
John, Robert de St. . . 82
Jordan's hall . . . 639
Jumper, William, esq. lOl, l,i7
Kearsley, family of . . 455
Kelly, William" . . 303
Kelsham, estate of . S
Kempe, family of . , Si
 , Thomas . . 77
Kenislty, family of . . 151
Ki'imartl'^ farm . . 498
Kent, John . . .5
 , earl of . . .184
Kentish ragstone . . t*24
K'*nt s chantry • . 5
Keryell, Sir '1 homas „ . 140

Kilburne. Ricbaid, esq. Z'B
Kingsnoth, manor of . .40
Kipping, John . . .351
Kits Coty house . . 555
KnatchbuU, family of . .63
Knight, Mrs. . . .159
Knole hill . . .35
Knolton, parish of . . 290
 , church of, and monu
ments in . . . 293
Laddington, hamlet of . . 645
Lake, family of . . 206
Lambarde, William, esq. .219
 , Multon, esq. 219, 220, 396
Lamberhurst, parish of . . 225
 , church of . 234
 , furnaces in, for

melting iron ore
Lancaster, Richard, king alarms
, John, duke of

Lancup well, in Penshurst
Lane, Thomas, esq.
Lanfranc, primate
Langley, parish of
 , park of
 , heath of
 ¦, extraordinary spring
at . .
 , family of
Langton, David, esq. .
Larkfield, Hundred of
Le Despencer, lord
Lee, Thomas
Leeds, parish of
 , anciently a fortress at .
I, chapel of
, priory of . 90
, canons of
 rastle, magnificent struc
ture of . . .
-, the present fortress

125 30 15
. 427
. 222
62, 80
. 14

 , church of, and monu
ments in . . .
duke of

Leger, St.,
 , family of
— ¦  legend of
—  vaults at Ul

comb

laverack

-, John
¦ John, knighted at Car-

, Viscount Dcneraile

ib.
ib.
ib.
291
256 547 202 169 89
ib. 90
98989789
102
458 16
36
ib. 4186
37 33
ib.

pige
I eger, St., Sir Warham "3, 75, 8J,
100, 159
~  , Anthony . 6,40,102
 , interred at
Ulcomb . . .38
 , Sir Anthony 1 1, 91, IQl)
 , Arnold de . . 82
 , Thomas . 122, !72
 , married the
duchess of Exeter . . 37
 , Ralph . 76, 33
!22
312 27 33
122
421 52
. ib.

 , Edward
 .Juliana
 , armorial bearings of
-, arms of

Leicester, earl of
Lenham, parish of
 , town of

tion

-, supposed a Roman sta-

-, anciently called Es
tlenham
 , church of, and monu-

63

ments in . . .
 church, curious pulpit
in . . . .69
79, 89, 104

-, rivulet of
-, family of
-, William de

62
486 116
397 21
246 86
114
123124
332
239 597 ib.
601
, church of . . 602
•, family of 14,48,140,
262, 466, 593
•, Juliana de 14, 26, 72, 74,
516
¦, William de
, Henry de
Roger de

Lennard, Samuel
 , Sampson
Lested, ancient seat of
Lessenden, estate of
Levesey, Gabriel, esq. .
Lewin, Alderman
 ^, Sir Justinian
 , William
 , James, esq.
Lewis Heath, manor of
Leyborne, parish of
 castle -, remains of

Leyton, small manor of
Lilly, hamlet of
Linton, parish of
 place .

18,121 . 50
74,91 . 159
. 465
. 668
. ib.

XI.

J niton, church of
LiJsden, borough of
¦  , estate of
Little Buckland
 Charlton .
-, parish of

 ¦ church, monu
ments in .
Littlefield, hundred of .
Little Goudhurst, hamlet of
 Wrotham
Lodingfoid, manor of .
Lomewood, manor of .
- Long beech wood, tract of wood
land . . . .
Longsole free chapel of
Loose, parish of
Lushington, James
Lowther, John .
Lyghp, parish of
 , church of, and m
: ments in
Lydde court, manor of
Lydden, marshes of

page
, 670
. 212
. 256
. 644
. 30
. 177 181
500
205527494473 160
572
665 127 ib.
436 439324323

Madam's court, manor of . 134
Magminot, family of 75, 114, lyO
 , Gilbert . .114
 'sand Iheirdescendants,
the Sayes . . .269
 , Robert . . 273
Magna villa, family of . .618
Maidstone, hundred of . . 623
 , town and parish of, ib.
 , ancient names of . ib.
¦  , situation of . 624
 , stale of, under

Elizabeth

town

of

-, paved and lighted
-, town of
-, the county or shire
-, market of
-, fairs at
-, account ofthe family

pest at

-, Ralph de .
-, tremendous

tem-

625 ib.ib.
626
627 ib.
629
628 630

I how anciently go

verned . . .631
'—  , an ancient borough
by prescription . . 632
 — - manor, account of . 633
 , barracks at . 647

Maidstone, county gaol at
 gaol, riot at
 , church at .
-, free chapel at

 , chronology of'events
relating to .
modern state

p::ge
, (i47
. 691
. 64S 649

cribed

des-

-, High street
- new market
-, Week street
-, Sessions house, the

696685 ib.
686
687

ib. il).
688 lb.
6S9

Faith street
Stone street
, King street
Claiendon place
, Union SI reel 689, 690
methodist chapei . 690
, Ca' y street . \b.
Wliei iff street . ib.
Friendb' meeling . ib.
ib.
ib.
ib.

at
Maison Dieu
Malherb, family of
MaUing abbey .
Malmains, manor of
 , family of

Maney, family of
Mann, Galfridus
— ^ — , Sir Horace

Sliire house, the
Holland ti rrace
Well there
curious phenomena . 691
. 6
. 43
. 607
. 187
76, 188, 269,
278,313 . 76

47, 48
7,78, 175, 176,
209, 244
 , Horatio, esq. . . 47
Manners, George lord Roos . 37
Mantle, lady . . .114
Maplesden, family of . .199
Marden, hundred of . . 196
¦ — , parish of . . ib.
 , church of . . 203
 , fair at . . .197
Mares, John de . . . 130
Marley, manor of . .77
Marsham, hon. and rev. Jacob 118
Martel, Geoffry de . . 30
 , Adam de . . il>.
Martin, Denny . . ,17
— ~  , Fairfax . . 76
 , es(i.

IKOEX.

Martin, John
Marriott, Anne
-, doctor

23Q

page
. 17
. 212240

, -.^  . -- .,
Mascalls, manor of, and the two
appendant manors of Cop-
grove, and Chekeswell . 220
 , Robert . . .20
May, John, esq. . . 12
Medway, navigation of, at
Maidstone . . .628
Melton, Sir John . . 67
Meredith, arms of . .100
, Sir Roger 100, 10-2, 146
 , '.00
. ib.
101
509
. ib.
510
. 518
.509
. 277
. 106
. 507
, 558 6
491
401540 107
222 76
157

, William
¦  , Richard
¦  , Susanna
Mereworth, parish of .
— —  , caslle of
 , description

of

-, church of
-, family of

Mereweather, family of
Milgate, eminent seal of
Miller, Sir Borlase
Millhale, hamlet of
Milner, Joseph .
Milner, Mrs.
Moat, or Cosins, manor of
 , the
 hall, manor of
 lands, estate of
Moile, WaUer .
 — — , Sir Thomas
Monchensie, family of .
— . William de
 , Warine de .
Monins, family of
 , John
Moncketon, John
-, manor of .

-, hamlet of .
-, church of.

dila

. 9
. 26
. 270-
. ib.
. 224
. 200
. 125
126
357399 27

pi-

dated
Monument of antiquity
Montacute, Agnes de
MoiHague, William
Montfort, Simon de, earl of
Leicester . . .30
Montarges, nunnery of, in France 25
Moorfe, Sir Edward . 27
— — —  , Thomas . . 377
Morenis, Deringus, de . . 184
Morland, Alexan(ler,esq. . 230
Morrice, familv of . ''f!7

Morrice, Captain
¦  , rev. James .
Mote, the, near Maidstone
-" — , the grand review at,
1799.
Motlenden, manor of .
 , farm of
— , family of

2*i7
6i4

Mowbray, family of
Munn, family of
Myllys, John .
 ("Edward, esq.

Nailbourn, the, at Addington
Narborough, Sir John .
Nashy hamlet of .
 court, manor of
 , family of, Atte .
Navarre, Joan of
Nealhampton, manor of
Nettlested, parish of
 , estate of
 , churcli of
Nevill, family of
 ; Testa de
-, Sir Thomas

in . 692
. 3
. 5
. il).
594 to 596
. 108
. 64
. 60

617 293
. 101
. 157
. 158
. 93
. 449
. 470
. 149
. 473
589 lo 593
. 110
. 516
. 300
. 608.656- 167
193
169 ib.
691

652

Nevisoiii family of
New Barne, mansion of
Newnham court
Newcourt, Atte, family of
Newenden, family of .
Newland, manor of
 , family of
New road, the, at Loose
New Shelve house, a curfew
bell, preserved there .
New work of Presteshelle, hos
pital of . . .
Nicholas, Nicholas, esq.
Noel Baptist, viscount Cam
den ....
North and South courts
Northhorne, manor of .
Noilhwood, eminent family of

, Roger de 115, 130,
, Sir Roger .
,Johii .„ 1^,
¦, Sir John
¦, lady, dreadful acci-
ppened to

ent h:
Norton place, manor of
 , Stephen, efiigies of
Norwood, Simon
Norton, Richard

645 40
46
286 265. 72,
151135
114 133115 115 19
ib.
137

page
Odo, bishop of Bayeux, 115, 121, 158
190, 290, 295
Ofham, parish of . . 612
 , church of . . 616
Old Shclne, estate of . 64
 , manor of . 66
Olive, Mr. . . 206
Ongley, Samuel . 20
Otteridge, estate of . 108
Otham, parish of . 1 10
 , family of , ib.
 , Peter de . . ib.
Otterden, parish of .121
 street . . ib.
 place . . ib.
 , churchof, and monu
ments in . • .129
Otlringdon, family of . .121
 , Ralph de . . ib.
Ovenhelle, manor of . . 660
Outeridge, Thomas .218
Oxendon, Sir Henry . . 100
— —  , George . ,101
 , James . 126
Oxenhoath, borough of . 506
Oxford, earl of • . 496
Padlesworth, parish of . . 585
 , church of . . 386
.  , Roger . . 454
Pakenham, John . 67, 124
Palmers, family of . . 583
 , epitaph on . . ib.
Papillon, Da rid, esq. . 85, 279
Paramor, Mrs. . . . 305
Park house, the . 642,651
Parrocks, manor of . .221
Pattenden, family of
 , borough of .
Pattenson, Roger
I'ei k, ams, manor of
-, Great, or East, parish

of

, Little, parish
church of

of

212 ib.
247
352456 501

463, 508

, family of, 255, 529, 142
, Reginald . 10, 73

Pierce house, mansion of
Pelham, Henry esq.
¦  , Sir John
Pembroke, Philippa, countess of
 , earl of
Pembury, parish of
 — , church of, and monu
ments in .
VOL. III.

163 86
93 26
158
330
337

pag'-
Penenden heath . .651
-, grand assembly at 652

Penn court, manor and seat of
Penshurst, parish of
 place, description of .
-, church of, and monu

ments in

family of

83
413
429 435415 437

Penehursle, Sir Stephen
Pepenbury Magna and Pepen
bury Parva, manors of ^ . 330
Pepyr, Thomas . .137
Percy, Sir Henry . 142,405
Periton, manor of . .159
Perots, family of . . 325
Perrin, William, esq. . . 482
Perry, Mr. . . . 426
Petley, Ralph Carter . . 350
Petman, Thomas . . 263
Pett, hamlet of . . . 144
 , family of . . ib.
Pells and New court, manors of 166
Peverel, Jeffry de .' 130, 133, 341
Pevington parish united to that
of Pluckley . . .189
 , manor of . . 190
 — , church of, converted
into a stable . . .191
 , family of . . 190
 , Sir William de , 75
Peyforer, family of . 48, 122, 172
 , Fulkde . 130,135
Peyton, Sir Thomas . . 290
Philipotts, estate of . . 374
Picot, Ralph, esq. . . 125
Pierre, Peter de la . .314
Pimpe, eminent family of . 222,675
 , Reginald de . 111,202
 ,Richardde . . 471
675 302 123
257 1S9 ib.
524 533534 149
182 183

Pimpe's court . : .
Pincerna, Thomas
Pinke, Alured, esq.
Piper, John
Pirifield, family of
Pirifields, or Ousden, manor of
Plaxtool street .
 , district of
 , chapel of
Plot, family of .
Pluckley, parish of
— —  , manor of
.  — — , church of, and monu
ments in . . . 191
^—  , family of . .183
Plumlree, John, esq. . . 28-2

INDEX.

Polders, Great and Little,
Polhill, Richard
 , David .
Polley, John
Pomfret, family of
Port, William de
 , Hugh de
Porter, John
Portmore, lord
Polls, Cuthbert, esq.
Powel, family of
 , Nathaniel
Poynings, Thomas de
 , Sir Edward
 , Robert de
Pratt, John, esq.
Preston hall
 , manor ot
Pulteney, Sir John

Punish, estate of
Purbeck, viscount
Piitefoy, William
Purse, Robert .
Pynde, family of

¦de

page
315, 316
. 375
, 377
. 507
. 245
. 82
265, 28 1
. 353 4
. 149
. 11
. 112
. 64
66, 219
. 142
. 232
558, 571
. 567
. 437
. 446
. 582
. 380
. 81
. 11
. 6

Quarry stone hills. West Peck
ham . . . .501
Quested, Marc . . 86
 , Samuel . . 102
Quintin, the, at Ofham . 613
Quyntin, Anceline . . 493
Ramhurst, ancient mansion of . 438
Randolph, Herbert, esq. . 246
Ranesby, manor of . .412
Rasel, Richard . . .160
Raywood, land of . .166
Read, Sir Robert . . 448
 , manor of . .201
Redleafe house, manor of . 434
Remkin, family of . . 461
Repton, Sir John ; . 286
Key, Roger . . .126
Hichard, suffragan bishop of
Dover . . .75
Richmond, duke of . .127
Ringleton, manor of . . 318
Rings, manor of • . 549
Ripley court, mauor of . 156
 , family of . . ib.
 , manor of . .84
 , Richard de . . ib.
Riseden, estate of . . 209
Reshfords, Adam de . .6

Eeshfords, manor of
River hall, seat of
Rivers, Sir John
Roberts, family of
— :  , John, esq.
Rochester, priory of
Rochford, earl of
, viscount
Rockingham, earl of
Rokesle, family of
 , Sir Richard
Rogers, Richard, esq.
Rolyngg, family of
Romedon place, ancient
Roses, small manor of
Roting, manor of
Rowes place
Royden hall, seat of
Royton, manor of
 , free chapel of
 chapel .
 , Robert de
Rudston, Belknap
Runham place, mansion
 • — , manor of
Rust hall, manor of
Ryarsh, parish of
 , church of

Sabbe, family of
Sackville, Christopher, esq.
Sackvyle, Richard
Saint Andrew, chapel of
Salario, John de
Salmons, estate of
Sandhurst, John de
Sandowne, manor of
Sands, or Sondes, Thomas
Sandwich, arms of
 , Nicholas de
Sandys, Sir Edward
Sansaver, Ralph
Savage, family of
' - — , John .
Sawbridge, John, esq.
 , Wanley
Say and Seale, lord
— , family of
Sayer, George
Scoteni, Walter de
Scotney, manor of
Scrinkling, Sir William de
Seacocks heath .
Sedley, Sir Charles
 William

page
. S
. 247
. 433
. 207
. 223
. 128
. 361
. 377
. 172
3, 237
. 64
. 123
. 189
seat of 194
. 104
. 189
. 567
. 458
. 58
. 59
. 53
. 59 11
61
ib.
446
594597

of

12

167,

209 4
378 654 30
432
285 325 39
Ul ib.
274 109
, 146 12 4
127
487
588
', 194
233 ib.
301254 4
ib.

Sellers, manor of
Septvans, family of
 , Sir Willia
.  , William
-, Roger

of

Seyliard, Ralph de
Seyliards, estate of
Sharpe, William, gent.
Shales court
Shav/, Sir John Gregory
Sheldon, William, esq.
Shelley, Bysh, esq.
Shepway court .
Sherard, Sir Brownlow
Shelves, family of
1 Cobham .
 , three estates of
Shelving, John de
¦ — house
 , manor of
Shellingheld, Guido de
Shipborne, parish of
 , church of
Shiphurst, manor of
Shrinkling manor, chapel uf, in
ruins .
— ^  , small manor
Sliovey, Elizabeth
Shoreham, William de
Shovel Sir Cloudesley
Shurland, manor of
 , family of
 , Robert de
Sidney, family of
, Shelley John
, Robert viscount Leslie
•  , Percy Algernon .
 , lady Frances .
Siflestone, manor of
Skeppington, John, esq.
Slipmill manor, appendage lothe
royal manor of Wye .
Smarden, parish of
 , manor of
•  , church of, and monu
ments in . . .
Smith, Sir Richard
Smith's hall, seat of
Smyth, Simon .
gent.

 , Customer
 , Richard, esq.
Snodland, parish of
 , church of

page page
551 Somerden, hundred of . . 390
84 Sonds Freeman, hanged for niur-
ib. der, and interred at Bersted
117 church . . . 109
ib. Sondes, lord . . .172
396  , Michael, esq. . . ib.
ib. Soranks, manor of . . 521
15» Sore, manor of . •53-3
640 Southborough, borough of . 377
495 South court, manor of . . 286
117 Southland, Thomas . . 6
427 Southolmenclen, manor of 6
638 Speldhurst, parish of . . 441
424  , wells of . . 442
66  , manor of . . 446
67  , church of, destroyed
53 by fire . . .453
312 Spelmonden, seat of . .239
313 Spencer, family of . .22,434
312  , arms of . . 22
278 Spriners, manor of . . 240
543 Springhalls, family of . . 132
546 Stacey, Flint, esq. . .146
200 Stafford, earl of . . 367
Stanhope, family of . .46
301  , armorial bear-
. ib. ings of . . . ib.
. 447  , created countess Ches-
. 23 lerfield . . . ib.
. 293  ¦, Philip Dormer, earl
. 188 Chesterfield . . .47
. ib.  , Henry lord . .115
. 22  , lady Catherine . ib.
. 420 Standen, borough of . . 247
412, 449 Stansted, parish of . . 520
422  , church of . . 522
426 Stapleton, Sir Robert . . 33
435 Starkeys, manor of . . 550
578 Statenborough, hamlet of . 297
373  , manor of . 304
 , family of . ib.
25 1 Stede, family of . .73
192  , armorial bearings
193 of . . . . ib.
 , William . . .132
194  , esq. . 72, 77
117  street, mansion in . . 73
482 Stidulfe, Thoinas . . 202
12 Stilley, small manor of - . 168
21 Stockbury, parish of . .143
94  , church of, and monu-
ib. ments in . . . 149
581 Stockshill and Studmore, man-
585 ors of . . . 223

XVI.

INDEX.

page
Stoneacre, manor of . . 1 12
Stonel>ouse, family of . . 107
Strangford, viscount . . 325
Stratford, archbishop . .165
Streatfield, Riclwrd . .401
 ., Henry . .411
 , William . . 407
 , Mrs. . . 432
Stringer, John . . .5
Siuari, Charles, duke of Rich
mond . . .123
Style, OUver . . .134
 , esq. . .61
 , Sir Thomas . . 467
 , Charles, bart. . . 469
Sherard, lady Mary . . 425
Surrenden, manor of . . 184
 , library of . .3
 -, Johnde . .183
Sussex, earl of ¦ . . 398
Sutton caslle . . .24
 Hastings, manor of . 26
— place, near Dover . . 28
 Valence . . . ib.
Swanton court, manor of . 517
Sydenham, George . .8
Symons, family of . . 203
Syndall, estate of . .68
Tatlingbury, manor of , . 355
Tattersall, John . 124
Taylor, Sir Thomas . . 7
 , John . . .117
Taymell, ancient seat of . 205
Tenham, manor of . .2
 , hundred of . .3
Terry, Ralph . . .317
Teston, parish of . . 474
 ¦ house . . . 476
 , church of . . 479
Thanet, earl of . .156
Thatchers, family of . .135
Thomson, Thomas . . 35
Thomas, family of . .126
 al Towne . .10
Thompson, Richard, esq. 263
Thornicroft, Mrs. Anne . 125
Thurnham, parish of . .113
 castle, remains of . 118
 , site of . 119
 , Roman urns
found at . . . ib,
 , church of, and mo
numents in . . .119

Thurnham, Stephen de .
Tilden, Richard
Tildens, Tubbins, and Brooke,
manors of . .
Tilgbnian, Abraham
 ,esq.
Tilmanstone, parish of .
and Craythorne,

boroughs of

church of, and

monuments in
-, Sir Roger de

Tipperidge, manor of
Tongs, seat of .
Tollington, manor of .
 — — house
Tottesham hall, manor of
Totesham, family of
Town Mailing, church of
 Sutton,, parish of .
 , or Sutton Valence
 , church of .
Tregozes, family of
Tremlialch, manor of .
Trendhurst down, district of
Triggs, seat of .
Trollesclive, parish of .
 , manor of .
 :  , church of .
Tudeley, parish of
Tunbridge, Lowy of
springs, seven in

number

-, parish of
-, town of
-, castle of
-, priory of

burnt to

the around

numents in

Turnei esq.

church of, and mo
il
, wells of
Horsemonden WiUiam,

Will

lam, esq.

Turnham, Robert de
Twert, Mr. Thomas
Twysclen, family of
 , Sir Roger

211, 198,

Jarvis William
Jarvis WiUiam
, borough of ,

Twyford, hundred of
Tyndale, William

page
. 213
497
202 134 61
234 ib.
289
, 285
, 337
. 255
, 564
, 555482 ib.
611 24
il>. 28 50
169
498
206
620621
622327344 444
356
357 358383384387
443 7377
114
200 459473
461467211456 138

XVtl.

page
. 101

Tyssen, Francis, esq.

Ulcomb, parish of . .34
 -, church of, constituted
collegiate . . .41
Updowne place • ." 263
 hamlet of . . 297
Usherwood, Mr. . . 24S

Valence, family of . .24
 , earls of Pembroke,
family of . . .25
-,  , Aymer de, earl of
Pembroke . . .26
Veles, manor of . . 584
Vane, lamily of . 220, 353
- — , WiUiam viscount . 85
 , lord viscount . . 439
Valoigns, Robert and Walter de 110
 , William de . . ib.
 , Isabel de . .Ill
Vanlore, Sir Peter . .371
Vicecomes, Hamo » .511
Vinters .... 652
 , mansion of . . 658
Vortimer . . . 559

Wachenden, manor of . . 248
Wa'.hlingstone, hundred of . 327
Waldershare, parish of . . 268
 , church of, and
monuments in . . 274
 house, pictures in 272
Waldegrave, family of . . 393
 , earl of . . 394
 , Sir Edward . 397
Waller, Richard, esq. . .451
Walter's FoUy, estate of . 20
Waldo, lady . . .395
Wardens, estate of . . 469
 , family of . .175
WaUoons, manufactories estab
lished by, at Maidstone . 628
Warren, the, at Addington .618
Whatman, James . . 463
Walsingham, Thomas . 516
Waryn, Robert . . 78
Walter street, hamlet of . 53
Watringbury, parish of . . 464
 , church of, and
monuments in . . 469
 , manor of . 467
 . Gilbert dc . 469

page
Wnystrode, estate of . . 402
Weald, northern boundary of . 8
 , district of . 35
Weeks, Mr. John . . 79
Weld, Atte William . . 200
Welle, Atte John . .176
West, or Towa Mailing . 606
 Barming . . . 683
 , church of . 684
 court, manor of . . 664
 Farborne, manor of . 75
 Farleigh, parish of . 480
 ;  , church of . 483
 Kingsnpth, manor of .189
 Shelve, estate of . . . 64
Westbury, manor of . . 468
Westwell,. parish of ., .154
 , church of, and monu
ments in
 , manor of
Westmoreland, earl. of

Wickins, manor of
Wickenden, William
Wickham, name of
 , William of
Wiarton, borough of
 , house .
 , ancient family of
Widehurst, manor of
Wichling, parish of
Windsor, lord .
Wisperhawke, manor of
Witherden, Thomas
Wilford, Thomas, esq.
Wilkes, Mrs. Mary
Willoughby, Sir Thomas
 of Eresby, lady
Wilkins, David
Wimshurst, family of
Winchelsea, earls of
Wavering, hamlet of
 , street
Wingfield, manor of
Whatman, James
Wheler, Granville

 , esq
Hastings
-, Thomas, e.^q.

White, John
Whitfield house
 , family of
Whie, Sir John
Why lingbroke, Thoinas
Whyt«pl)awk, family ot
Wrensted, mansion house of

. 161
. 154
22, 513
. 167
. 400
. 96
. 92
. 12
. U
. ib.
. 199
. 130
. 388
. 7
. 194
. 57
. 278
409 106 96
228 157
657652532 116 127 124
166 123
286 247 ib.
318 6 7
133

xviiU

tNDEX.

page

page

Wrotham, hundred of .
 , parish of
 , village of
 , church of
, conjectured to have
been the Vagniaca
 place
 , coins found at

 , palace at
Woodnesborough, parish of
 , church of .
 — — , manor of .
Word, or Worthe, parish of
— — , church of
Woodfqlde, manor of .
Woodgate, William, esq.
Woodgate, rev. Francis
Wood, Gilbert .
Woldham, parish of
 ; church of
Wolton, estate of
Wormsell, parish of
 , church of, and monu
ments in

520
523 ib.
534523
527525 ib.
309 321
311322
326 493
332
401 388
547551 160
136
138

an appendage to
Boughton Malherbe . . 47
Wotton, family of . .43
 , lord , .115,292

Wotton, lord of Boughton Mal
herbe .
 , lords
 , Robert .
 , Nicholas, esq
 , Sir Nicholas
 Edward
 Robert

-, Thomas
-, armorial bearings of

Wyatts, family of
 , Sir Thomas

46
. 199
. 102
. 43
. 138
48,78 . 44
. 83
. 46
. 654
10, 457
•, account of . 576
 , his rebellion 45
Wyborne, family of . .281
Yaldham . . .528
Yalding, parish of . . 489
'— , town of . 49 1
 , church of, and monu
ments in . . . 498
Yelsted, manor of . .146
York, John, esq. . .31
Yoke of Hamons Atte Deane,
manor of . . .145
Yoke's place, seat of . .515
 court . . .135

END OF VOL. lil.

1, JIND C. ADLARD, FRINTXRg,
BARTHOLOMEW CLOSE.