830 he by the command of Archbishop Fegeldus restoreâ— the same and it was afterwards in the year 941â— confirmed thereunto by King Edmund Eâ—dred his brother and Edwin his son and Sir Adam Fitz-Williams one of the eight chief Captaines or Lieutenant Governours of Dovor Castle in the time of King William the Conquerour was then Lord thereof GRAVESEND LIeth at the North side of the County adjoyning to the River of Thames about six miles towards the North-east distant from Dartford in the Bailiwick of Hoo Hundred of Toltingtrow Lath of Aylesford West division of the County and division of Justices of the Corporation of Gravesend and Milton the liberty whereof claimeth over the same It was in the Deanry and Diocess of Rochester and the Church was called St. Maries A Market is kept here upon every Wednesday and Saturday and a Fair yearly upon the day of the Translation of St. Edward being the thirteenth day of October and holdeth a week In the year 1380. the French and Spanish Gallies burnt most of this Town and carried away many of the inhabitants prisoners Also in the time of King Richard the third divers of the Gentry of this County with 5000. men attempted great matters here but dispersed without action At this place also the seventh of October 1552. three great Fishes called Whirlepooles were taken and drawn upto Westminster bridge EAST-GREENWICH LIeth at the North-west side of the County adjoyning to the River of Thames about four miles towards the South-east distant from London in the Bailiwick of Sutton Bromley Hundred of Black heath Lath of Sutton at Hone West division of the County and upper division of Justices in that Lath. It was in the Deanry of Dartford and Diocess of Rochester and the Church was called Saint Alphage which Alphage was Archbishop of Canterbury and taken by the Danish Pagans and afterwards brought hither and the nineteenth of Aprill 1012. after cruell handling was by them stoned to death at or very neer the place where this Church standeth wherefore he was afterwards Canonized a Saint and this Church dedicated to him King Edward the third here founded a Monastery of Friers Minorites Aliens belonging to the Abbey of Gaunt in Flanders which was suppressed in the second year of King Hen. 5. Here was also a Chauntry called Holy Cross of observant Friers founded by King Edward the fourth for which Friers King Henry the seventh builâ—ed a house adjoyning to his Stately Palace here which Palace was built by Humphrey Duke of Glocester and namâ—d Placentia and afterwards magnificently inlarged by King Hen. 7. and King Henry 8. And rendred famous for the birth there of severall great Princes viz. King Hen. 8. Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth and for the deaths there of others viz. King Edward 6. and Thomas Beaufort son of Iohn of Gaunt and Duke of Exceter King Hen. 8. at Christmass as well as other times also kept Court here and more particularly in the year 1511. He kept here a royall Christmass as also he did in the year 1543. At which time he royally feasted and delivered without ransome 21. of the Scotch Nobility whom he took Prisoners 24 â— November before in a battalle at Salom Mosse beyond Carlile Here also on Shrove Twesday 1526. and 1 â— May 1536. That King held severall solemn Justs 11. August 1534. The aforesaid observant Friers here were suppressed and for the present Augustine Friers put in their places who being also suppressed Queen Mary put others in their room But 1 â— Eliz they also were suppressed King Henry 8. in the year 1515. much inlarged the Town and King Iames walled the Park with Brick That famous learned and charitable William Lambard Esquiâ—e mentioned in my Epistle to this Book about the year 1560. here ercted an Almeshouse or Colledge for 20. poore people with allowance of 18 d. per week to each which was named the Colledge of Queen Elizabeths poore people West Greenwich See Deptford GUSTON LIeth at the South-east end of the County about two miles towards the North distant from Dovor in the Baliwick of Stowting Hundred of Bewsborough Lath of St. Augustine East division of the County and division of Justices in that Lath. The liberty of the late Archbishop of Canterbury claimeth there and the liberty of St. Augustine claimeth over the Mannor of Guston It was in the Deanry of Dovor and Diocess of Canterbury and the Church was called St. Martin HACKINGTON otherwise St. STEPHENS LIeth towards the East part of the Counâ—y by the River Stoure about one mile towards the North distant from Canterbury in the Bailiwick of Bridge and Petham Lath of St. Augustine East division of the County and division of Justices in that Lath. The Liberty of the late Archbishop of Canterbury claymeth there Part thereof is in the Hundred of Bridge and Petham other part viz. the Borough of Shourt is in the Hundred of Downhamford and the residue is in the hundred of Westgate it was all in the Deanry and Diocess of Canterbury the Church formerly a poor Chapell standeth in the Hundred of Westgate was called St. Stephens and begun by Baldwyn Archbishop of Canterbury about 470. years since to the honour of St. Stephen and St. Thomas of Canterbury But he was inhibited by the Pope to proceed therein In this Church are fair monuments of Sir Christopher Hales and Sir Roger Manwood persons of great account in their times the last whereof built 7. Almeshouses in this Parish in the year 1573. and endowed the same The Parsonage was annexed and united to the Archdeaconry of Canterbury In the year 1227 the seate of the Archdeacon of Canterbury was here and Lord Andomar de Rupy an Alien was Archdeacon and held the same then valued at 20 marks per annum The image of St. Stephen standing in this parish where the garden of the said Sir Roger Manwood was and being much sought to by Pilgrimâ— occasioned this Parish to be also called St. Stephens HADLOW HAudelo lieth towards the South-West part of the County by the River Medway about three miles towards the North-west distant from Tunbridge in the Lath of Aylesfrrd West division of the County and South division of Justices in that Lath. Part thereof is in the Bailiwick of Twyford and Hundred of Littlefeild and the residue is in the Bailiwick of the Lowy of Tunbridge and Hadlow Borough It was all in the Deanry of Malling and Diocess of Rochester the Church standeth in Hadlow Borough and was called St. Maries A Faire is kept here yearly upon Whitson monday Hadlow came under the custody of the Archbishop of Canterbury in the time of Boniface Archbishop there about 400. years since HALDEN otherwise HIGH HALDEN LIeth towards the South side of the County about two miles and a halfe towards the North distant from Tenterden in the Bailiwick of the seven Hundreds Lath of Scray West division of the County and lower division of Justices in that Lath. So much
foure miles towards the South distant from Gravesend in the Bailiwick of Sutton Dartford Hundred of Axstone Lath of Sutton at Hone West division of the County and Upper division of Justices in that Lath it was in the Deanry and Diocess of Rochester and the Church was called All-Saints HARTLIP LIeth at the Northside of the middle of the County about foure miles towards the West distant from Milton in the Bailiwick and Hundred of Milton Lath of Scray East division of the County and Upper division of Justices in that Lath. It was in the Deanry of Sittingborn and Diocess of Canterbury and the Church was called St. Michael HARTY LIeth at the North side of the County in the Isle of Harry adjoyneth to the Isle of Sheppey and is about two miles and a half towards the North distant from Feversham in the Bailiwick and Lath of Scray East division of the County and upper division of Justices in that Lath. The liberty of St. Augustine claimeth over the same for that it is in the Hundred of Feversham which belonged to that Abbey It was in the Deanry of Ospringe and Diocess of Canterbury and the Church was called St. Thomas the Apostle A Battle in a Writ of Right for a messuage and 190. acres of land in this Parish wherein Simon Lowe and Iohn Keyme were demandants against Thomas Paramore Henry Naylor Champion for the demandants and George Thorne Champion for the tenant was appoynted to be fought before the Justices of the Common-Pleas at Tuthill neer Westminster 18 o. Iunij in Trinity Terme 1571. and the Court being there set and the Champions appearing ready to fight in the presence of at least 4000. persons the demandants were non suit and so the Battle was spared Who so desireth to read the record hereof and the solemnity of preparation to the Battle and oath of the Combatants I refer him to Coke's Entries fol. 182. A. the Lord Dier's Reports fol. 301. pl. 40. Speed's Chronicle fol. 878. A. or How 's Chronicle fol. 669. A. and the last leaf of Crompton's Iustice of the Peace where he may be fully satisfied This case happening in this County I have the rather here inserted for the rarity thereof HASTINGLIGH LIeth towards the South-East part of the County about three miles towards the South-East distant from Wye in the Bailiwick of Chart and Longbridge Lath of Scray East division of the County and division of Justices in the Lath of Shipway Somuch thereof as is in Town Borough is in the Hundred of Wye and the liberty of Wye claimeth over the same and the residue thereof is in the Hundred of Bircholt Barony The liberty of the Dutchy of Lancaster claimeth over the Mannour of Hastingligh This Parish was in the Deanry of Eleham and Diocess of Canterbury The Church standeth in the Hundred of Bircholt Barony and was called St. Maries HAWKEHERST IN respect I finde not any description of this Parish or other matter concerning the same offered to the publique and it having been the place of my habitation for above twenty eight years last past Gods Providence having also there lent me an inheritance I thought fit to enlarge my selfe upon this place thereby to preserve the memory of some things which may be usefull at least for the Owners and Inhabitants in the same It lieth at the South side of the County by a Rivulet running into the River of Rother about three miles and a halfe towards the South distant from Cranbrook A small part thereof caâ—led Haselden viz. two houses and a small quantity of land to each is in the Hundred of Shoyswell and County of Sussex and the residue thereof lieth in Kent in the Bailiwick of the Seven Hundreds Lath of Scray West division of the County and lower division of Justices in that Lath. So much thereof as is either in the Borough of Hawkeherst otherwise South Borough antiently called the halfe of Barnfield and lately but without ground the whole Hundred or in the North Borough truly called the half Hundred is in the Hundred of great Barnfield where the liberty of St. Augustine claimeth over the Denns of Ockley Cillenden and Parock in that North Borough So much thereof as is in the West Borough is in the Hundred of Selbrittenden and the liberty of the late Dean of Canterbury claimeth over the Denns of Foxhole Little Hensell Pipsden Congherst and Little Riseden in the same And the residue viz. so much thereof as is in the Borough of Crothal which is but a very small part is in the hundred of Cranbrook The aforesaid Borough of Hawkherst hath a court Leet of it self where the Barsholder of that Borough is chosen and the inhabitants of the same owe no service to the Court Leet holden for the Hundred of great Barnfeild but at that Court an inhabitant of this Borough may be chosen Constable of that Hundred and the liberty of Wye claimeth over this Borough This Parish was in the Deanry of Charing and Diocess of Canterbury The Church standeth in the Hundred of great Barnfeild and was called St. Laurence This Parish is very populous and one of the greatest Parishes in the County not having a Town therein and it so appeared to be for that antiently upon Collection of the number of Communicants in every parish in the County onely foure Parishes in the same viz. Maidstone Cranbrooke Feversham and Goudherst all which have Townes in them were found to have more Communicants in them than this and the same had within 20. years last past at the least 1400. Communicants but it hath very many poor therein the charge whereof in the year 1653. was 209l 9s 3d. whereas in the year 1549. it was but 7s 2d and although the parsonage of the same be of very good yearly value yet it hath for many years past been and for the future will be a great cause of sadnesse to the place that the allowance for the maintenance of the Minister thereof is very small which thus happened The Abbot of Battel was Patron of the Church and till the dissolution or surrender of that Abbey there was always a Rector incumbent of one of which number viz. Iohn Crane a monument in brasse mentioning the same was till of late times upon a faire tombe-stone in the great Chancell of this Church and one Henry Simons at the time of the appropriation herein after mentioned was Parson incumbent there But Trint 30. Hen. 8. The Abbey being surrendred to the King be 19. Marâ—ij that year granted the Patronage and Presentation of the Rectory to Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk and that King 11. December 38. of his raigne granted the Parsonage to the Dean and Chapter of Christ-church Oxford and appropriated the same thereunto immediately after the death of the said Simons the incumbent and appointed that the said Dean and Chapter should present an able Clarke to the Ordinary who should be named perpetuall Vicar of this Church and should bear
all charges except reparation of the Chancell and should have a dwelling 12l 10s 10d yearly pension and should pay the King yearly for his tenths 258. 1d and be charged with first-fruits which being done without the consent of the said Duke and no act done by him therein that appeareth no Vicar was endowed but the Office of Curate was ever since given by the said Dean and Chapter as a Donative and no first-fruits were paid but onely 118. 8d as a stipendiary Afterwards the said Dean and Chapter 10. Feburaâ— 2. and 3. of King Phillip and Queen Mary granted to Sir William Peter 81 per. annum out of the Parsonage so to be imployed that the Church-Wardens of this Parish might receive and pay it to the Vicar But Edward Godwin the late Stipendary incumbent had of the said Dean and Chapter for his Salary 20l. per. annum the profits of the Easter book which then was of some value some roomes in the Parsonage house called the Vicarage roomes a small croft called the vicarage croft and the herbage of the Church-yard all which was of so inconsiderable value that upon his being sequestred about 13. years since no other would accept of the place but the Parish was destitute of a minister by the space of 14. months following and then the Paâ—ishioners were inforced to their great charge to provide a Minister But not being able to bear that charge longer an augmentation was procured from the state which in few years afterwards was taken away and the former allowance left to the Minister for his maintenance which by reason that the Easter book is become of no value is but 24l per. annum at the most whereupon how this Parish hath since been supplyed with a Minister and is like to be for the future the Reader may judge The Church was founded by the Abbot of Battle in the raigne of King Edw. 3. whose armes and his sonns are at the top of the furthest of the three North windows in the North chappell or chancell there and the armes of the Abbey of Battle and of Etchingham and Pashley two antient and then eminent familie in the Parishes adjoyning viz Etchingham and Tiseherst are in glasse at the top of the fiâ—st of the said three windowes and upon the great beam at the top of the said Chancell was carved the armes of Congherst a very antient family in this Parish whose house of that name and inheritance in this Parish about 100. years since came to the family of Scot by the mariage of Thomas Scot with Mildred daughter and heir of Thomas Congherst and is still remaining in that family But â—â—e more antient seat of that family of Congherst was at a place in this Parish neer the County of Sussex yet called old Congherst which was burned by the Danes and the Mote and manner of scituation of the house is still there extant In this Chappell also in the North Windowes of the same are the pictures in glasse of twelve men and their wives kneeling viz. three at the bottom of each of the said three Windowes and three at the top of the middle of the said three windowes These windowes having been broken and more especially of late what was written under most of them is not legible only it appeareth that the Christian name of the first was Robert and that the second of them was Ioane wife of the said Robert and Simon their son principall Founder of that Chappell who the third was is not legible the fourth was Ockley the fifth was Delmynden the sixth was Siesley the seventh was Cockshot the eighth was Badcock and the ninth was Bartilt but who the other three were viz. those at the top of the middle window is not legible By tradition these twelve are reported to be owners of the twelve Denns which are held of Wye but that cannot be for that onely seven of the said twelve are in this Parish and it is as aforesaid yet discernable That three of them were Ockley Cockshot and Badcock none of which were of the said twelve Denns though very antient inhabitants in this Parish but I rather conceive them to be twelve principal inhabitants in this Parish at the time of the foundation of that Church In the great Window of the middle Chancell were lately the pictures well made in glasse of the good Kings of Israel and of the Prophets in their times but lately spoiled and defaced There is also in this Church a memoriall of the interment there of the family of Boys a family of cheif esteem in this Parish both at present and for severall discents before whose ancestor about 88. years since came into this Parish to a fair seat neer this Church by him purchased of Edmund Roberts whose father Iohn Roberts was above 100. years since buried at the foot of the reading deske in this Church with an effigies and inscription of brasse upon him lately taken away In the South Chancell of this Church was antiently the image of the Virgin Mary and severall tapers or lights were also in this Church called the beam light the paschall light Iudas candles St. Iames light and Saint Laurence light over the North Porch of this Church is a roome antiently called the Treasury wherein were and still are laid up in a chest severall antient writings concerning the tenants of the twelve Dens in and neer this Parish in Wye liberty and concerning lands and other rights belonging particularly to this Parish The Chest aforesaid had antiently three locks and the keyes of the doore of the roome and of two of the said three locks were kept by three Parishioners tâ—â—ants of Wye liberty and the other key of the chest was kept by one of the Churchwardens In this Church also is a box fastned upon a post and called the Poor mans box which antiently had four lockâ— thereunto the key of one of which was kept by the present Minister the keyes of two other of them by the two Church wardens and the key of the other by one of the Parishoners and in this box were kept the moneys given to the use of the poor and securities taken for moneys lent thereof by the Parish to poor Parishoners In this Parish among other customes or manners of tything there is a custome to pay to the Parson yearly by the acre for Tythe of grass cut in the lands at or neer the Moore and for sore-Pasture and after-Pasture of the same two pence and for the like in all other places of the Parish three half pence by the acre Also three half pence for the Tyâ—he of every ten bushels of Apples For the profit of each Milch-Cow besides the Calfe a penny and a halfe penny for every Calfe all payable yâ—arâ—y at Easter And Suite being between Sir Iohn Wildegos Farmer of the Parsonage and Iohn Gibbon Parishoner of this Parish in the Ecclesiasticall Court touching this manner of Tything Gibbon in Michaelmas Terme 5 â— Iacobi