East side is about 38. miles But in a straight line the same is but about 31. miles From tâ—ence about to th' end of Cowden being the south side is about 39. miles but in a straight line it is but about 33. miles And from thence about to the aforesaid end of Depâ—ford being the west side is about 24. miles but in a straight line the same is but about 21. miles So the whole circumâ—erence round about this County is about 162. miles but in the straight lines aforesaid the same is but about 136. miles I finde severall derivations of the names of this County viz. of the antient name Cantium and the now name Kent but with submission to better judgments I rather adhere to their opinion that conceive the names to be derived from the scituation of the place viz. in a nook or corner of England antiently called a Kant or Gantel The Inhabitants of this County were sometimes called Eskins which name arose by Eske second King of Kent raigning over them many yeers but his memory vanishing the name also vanished The aire of this County other than the weald and the marshes and places adiacent thereunto is accounted very healthy but the marshes for the most part unhealthy and the weald and places adjoyning to the marshes not generally so healthy as the most part of the rest of the County The commodious scituation of this County may justly compare with if not exceed any other part of the Nation the same being scituate neer but some little distance from London the chief City and the Thames that Soveraign River of Britaine watering the North side thereof about 33. miles in length The German and narrow Seas watering the North East and South sides thereof about 73. miles in length and the River of Rother likewise watering the South side thereof about 11. miles in length It also having severall good rivers and rivuleâ—s in the bowels of the same and more especially towards the West parts thereof Ravensborne watering the same 9. miles Cray 8. miles and Darent 16. miles famous Medway towards the middle spreading it self into severall branches watereth the same about 85. miles and Stoure towards the East parts thereof likewise spreading it self into severall branches watereth the same about 60. miles By which Rivers most of the most eminent places of this County are watered and navigation maintained to the principall of them How far this County is otherwise equall to if not excelling any other County of this Nation I shall offer to the Readers judgement these considerations First Concerning Religion I know that Glastenbury in the County of Somerset doth pretend and not pretend only that about the 31 th year after the death of Christ 12. of the Disciples of the Apostle Philip of which Ioseph of Arimathea was cheif came into this Nation and tendred the knowledge of Christian Religion to Arviragus then King thereof which though he consented not to embrace yet he permitted them to have a Church at this Glastenbury and there began the plantation of Christian Religion in this land which being admitted yet it likewise appeareth That for many years the same had but little successe of enâ—â—â—ale and no King of this Nation embraced the same till King Lucius who raigned about 150. years afterwards and built a Church in Dover Castle in this County for the exercise of Christian Religion from whence may be inferred that that Religion was the embraced here But most part of the Nation revolting fâ—om that Religion and becoming Pagans till the year 596. In the time of the Heptarchy Augustine the Monk was sent from Pope Gregory to convert this Naâ—ion to the Christian faith and first landed in this County and converted and baptised many of the people of the same and likewise converted Ethelbert then King thereof who upon Whitsunday in the year 597. was by him here baptised was the first Christian Saxon King and this County was the first County that generally received the Christian faith afterwards Edwin King of the Northumbers Marrying from hence Edelburg Daughter of the said King Ethelbert Paulinus afterwards Bishop of Rochester went from hence with her into her husbands Kingdome for the conversion of the people thereof where in some part he prevailed but in the year 633. Edwin being slain that people revolted from that Religion and Paulinus was forced to returne again hither and Christian Religion was again as it were confined to this County Nor were succession of Christian Bishops in this Nation other than of Canterbury and Rochester both in this County for many years afterwards and instrumentally from thence sprang the after-conversion of the rest of the Nation to the Christian faith But the coÌ„version of the West Saxons with in whose Dominion Glastenbury was was not till about 40. years after the conversion of this County At which time Kingils their King was converted and baptised by Byrinus an Italian Bishop This County as before appeareth had in it two Bishops Seas one whereof viz. Canterbury was the Primate and Metropolitan of all England And his Church very anciently called the Nurse and Metropolis of the same By which and by what is hereafter said may be collected thâ—t the rise of that common proverbe Kent and Christendome was not as vulgarly mistaken that Kent was conceived diffinct from Christendome but that it was famous as Kent and famous as Christendome Secondly Concerning the ancient dignity and considerableness of this County In the time of Iulius Caesar about 1700. years since it was in Four petty Kingdomes governed by Four Kings viz. Cingetorix Cavilius Taximagulus and Segonax Afterwards King Vortigern about 1200. years since set over the same a Guorong or Vice-Roy Afterwards this was the first of the Kingdomes of the Heptarchy and no one County of England had a King of it self but this whose Kingdome began about the year 455. and continued about 372. years in the succession of 17. Kings By that learned Antiquary Mr. Camden it is called the key of England and in it is Four of the Cinque portes of this Nation viz. Sandwich Dover New Romney and Hith as also that famous Castle of Dover the confiderableness whereof Phillip King of France well weighing when in the time of King Hen. 3. Lewes his son had took divers townes and fortes in England and hearing that he could not take this Castle the same being valiantly defended by Hubert de Burgh protested that then his son had not one foot of land in England Thirdly The civility of the people still treading in the steps of their Ancestors who in the time of the aforesaid Iulius Caesar were by him accounted and so stiled the most civilized people of all this Nation Fourthly For the ancient valour of the people of this County they claime and are allowed the front in Battailes And they onely of all England obteyned and reteyne the name of VNCONQVERED For as if all the antient English valour were remaining in
them they only resisted King William the Conquerour when all other Counties submitted and caplâ—ulating with him reserved to themselves and their posterity their antient Customes and Liberties Fifthly Which is the next confideration offered viz. Generally the tenures of the lands in this County are if not the freest yet as free tenures as any in England Sixthly The royal Navy usually riding in the Downes of this County in which County also are those three famous Shipdocks of Deptford Woolwich and Chetham in the two first whereof the principall part of the Royall Navy is usually repaired and in the last the same is usually also repaired and laid up Seventhly Four houses lately belonging to the Kings of England viz. East Greenwich Eltham Otford and Dartford Eighthly The severall good commodities for the use of man with which it is richly furnished and famous for viz. 1. Plenty of Fowl and Fish of all sorts by advantage of the aforesaid Seas and fresh Rivers 2. Fertil lands for feeding cattle of all sorts and more especially those famous levels of Romney and Walland Marsh. 3. The Drapery of this County which hath here continued for above three hundred and twenty years towards which the bowels of this County are well stored with Fullers earth and many fulling mills not far distant from the same 4. The Fruit plentifully sent from hence to the chief City London and places adjacent 5. The great plenty of grain of all sorts growing therein and more especially in the North and East parts of the same 6. The Plenty of wood but more especially in the Weald wherein also are many Iron mills floring with Iron London and the other places adjacent Some Chronologers affirm that King Alfred divided this Nation and among the rest this part thereof into Shires Counties or Provinces but that is controverted by others and alledged that it was so divided shortly after the inhabiting of this Island and in the traâ—â—â— of the time of King Ina which was above 180. years before King Alsred there is â—â—ntion of Shires and so that of King Alfred may as to this purpose be only some plaineâ— deâ—â—ription of the former division And for this County it appeareth by what is before That the same was a distinct Province many hundred years before King Alfred was borne â—ut his subdividing the same into hundreds and them into Boroughs or 〈◊〉 is not denied Before the time of this King Alfred about 1000. years since In the time of Eâ—comberâ— the 7 th King of Kent Honorius Archoâ—shop of Cantâ—rbury divided that â—ingdome into Parishes And 45. Edward the 3. upon occasion of raising a great summe of money for aid of the King for the wars in France by a Parochiall tax throughout England the number of the Parishes therein were examined and in this County sound to be 393. Of so many whereof as are now extant as also of those which have been since added being in all 404. I shall now proceed to treate Alphabetically ACRYSE LIeth towards the South-East part of the County by the River Sâ—oure about one mile and a half towards the South-East distant from Eleham in the Bailiwick of of Stowting Lath of Shipway East division of the County and division of Justices in that Lath It was in the Deanry of Eleham and Diocess of Canterbury The liberty of Eleham claymeth over so much thereof as is in the upper half hundred of Loningborough and the liberty of the late Archbishop of Canterbury claymeth over the Mannor of Brandred in this Parish Part thereof is in the hundred of Folkstone and the residue in the hundred of Loningborough The Church standeth in the hundred of Loningborough and was called Saint Martin ADDINGTON LIeth towards the middle of the West part of the County by the river Medway about one mile and a half towards the North West distant from West Malling In the Bailiwick of Hoo Hundred of Larkfeild Lath of Aylesford West division of the County and South division of Justices in that Lath it was in the Deanry of Malling and Diocess of Rothester and the Church was called Saint Margaret ADISHAM ADesham Eadesham Edesham Lieth towards the East end of the County about foure miles and a half towards the East distant from Canterbury In the Bailiwick of Bridge and Peâ—ham Lath of Saint Augustine East Division of the County and Division of Justices in that Lath It was in the Deanry of Bridge Diocess of Canterbury The Mannor of Adisham was in the year 616. given by Ethelbald son of King Ethelbert to Christ-Church Canterbury was antiently a hundred of it self and afterwards comming to King Henry the 8. he 33â— of his Raigne gave the same to that Church and the liberty of the late Dean of the Church aforesaid claymeth over the same but the liberty of Saint Augustine claymeth over the whole Parish the same being in the hundred of Downhamford which belongeth to that Abbey and the Church was called Saint Innocents ALCHAM LIeth towards the South-east part of the County about 3. miles towards the West distant from Davâ—r in the Bailiwick of Stowing Hundre of Folkstone Lath of Shipwayâ— East Division of the County and Division of Justices in that Lath it was in the Deanry of Dovar and Diocess of Canterbury the liberty of the late Archbishop of Canterbury claymeth there and the church was called Saint Authony ALDINGTON ALdintune lieth towards the South-East part of the County about foure miles and a half towards the South-East distant from Ashford in the Bailiwick and Lath of Shipway East Division of the County and Division of Justâ—ces in that â—ath it was in the Deanry of Limpne and Diocess of Canterbury the liberty of the late Archbishop of Canterbury claymeth there But I finde not this Aldington among the Nomina villaram of that liberty But do find that Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury 2 â— Martij 31 â— Henry the 8. by deed inrolled in the Office of augmentations 32. Hen 8. fol. 10 granted that Mannor to that King and King Charles granted the Mannor house and farme lands thereunto to hold of his Mannor of East Greenwich in free Soccage Part of this Parish is in the hundred of Bircholt Franchise and the residue in the hundred of Strete the Church standeth in the hundred of Strete and was called Saint Martin In the time of King Hen. 8. There were two Parsons of this Parish much different for repute Erasmus of Roterodame most eminent for Learning and Richard Master infamous for adhering to Elizabeth Barton of this Parish called the holy Maid of Kent in treasonable practises for which they two and five others were by Parliament 25. Hen. 8. Cap. 12 attainted of Treason and executed at Tiburne in Aprill in that year and six others attainted of misprison of Treason The Archbishops of Canterbury had here a faire seat upon repairing and augmenting whereof Iohn Morton Arch-Bishop in the time of King Henry the 7. bestowed much money In this Parish also
a Faire yearly upon the day of the translation of St. Augustine being the six and twentieth day of May and a Market for Bullocks at Sandway in this Parish upon every Twesday after All-Hollanday being the fiâ—st day of November untill Christmass LEVELAND LIveland lieth towards the East side of the middle of the County about foure miles towards the South 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 the late Archbishop of Canterbury claimeth over the Mannour of Leveland but the liberty of St. Augustine claimeth over the Parish 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. Laurence LEUSHAM LEvesham lieth at the Northwest side of the County adjoyning to Surrey by the river Ravensborne about three miles and a half towards the Northwest distant from Bromley in the Bailiwick of Sutton Bromley Hundred of Blackheath 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 St. Maries in which Church is or lately was a memoriall of the interment of Hatecliffe Lord Treasurer of Ireland about 140. years since Sir Iohn Merbury Knight founded a Priory in this Parish consisting of black Monks Aliens belonging to the Abbey of Gaunt in Flaunders King Hen. 3. confirmed the same And it was suppressed 2. Hen. 5. The Mannour of Leusham belonged to this Priory At this Parish in the year 1472. a great Spring newly brake out of the earth At Black-â—eath in or neer this Parish are many Trenches and other signes of Campes aâ—tiently pitched there is in truth there were viz. upon Wednesday after Whitson week in the year 1381. here appeared 40000. Horsemen for King Richard the second against Waâ— Tyler Iack Straw and their adherents In the year 1451. Iack Cade that grand Rebell against King Hen. 6. incamped here by the space of a moneth and from hence sent his Traiterous demands or rather commands to that King Here also in the year 1452. King Hen. 6. pitched his Royall Pavillion in his preparation against his Cosen Edward Duke of Yorke afterwards King Edward the 4. Here likewise the Bastard Faulconbridge incamped three dayes against King Edward the 4. And here also in the year 1496. incamped the Lord Audley Flammock and Ioseph the Blacksmith and their adherents in their Rebellion against King Hen. 7. where the King fought and overthrew them slew above 2000. of their companions and took 1500. prisoners and among them the aforesaid Lord Audley Flammock and Ioseph who were all three executed This place hath also antiently been famous for several great and solemn meeting viz. 21. Decemb. 1411. The Emperour of Constantinople was here magnificently met by King Hen. 4. In the year 1415. The Mayor and Aldermen of Lâ—ndon and 400. Citizens in red with red and whâ—â—e hoods here meâ— King Hen 5. at his return out of France after his great Battle at Agincourt and from hence conducted him to London Likewise 7. May 1416. The Mayor Aldermen and Citizens of London here met the Emperour Sigismund and conducted him to their King Hen. 5. Also the 28. of Septemb. 1474. The Mayor and Aldermen of London in Scarlet and 500. Citizens in Murrey here met King Edward the 4. at his return from France Upon Monday 27. Septem 1518. The Lord Admirall of France and the Bishop of Paris Embassadours from the King of France with above 1200. Attendants were here met by the Lord Admiral of England from King Hen. 8. with above 500. Gentlemen In the year 1519. Cardinal Campeius Legate from Rome to King Hen. 8. was brought hither by the Gentry of this County and here met and received by the Duke of Norfolk and many of the Gentry and Prelates where in a Tent of cloth of Gold he shifted himself into his Cardinals Robes edged about with most rich Ermin and from hence rode to London And 3. of Ianua 1539. The Lady Anne Cleave was here met with great state from King Hen. 8. In this Parish of Leusham Abraham Colf late Minister of the same in his life time founded two Free-Schools The one for teaching of youth English and the other for teaching them Latine with severall yeerly allowances to the Schoolmasters of the same And also yearly allowance towards the maintenance of some of the said Schollers at the Universities whensoever they should become fit for those places the oversight and government whereof he committed to the Company of Leather-sellers London LID LIeth at the Southside of the County adjoyning to the Sea about two miles and a half towards the southwest distant from new Romney It is a member of the Town and Port of new Romney and incorporated by the name of Bailiff Jurats and Comonalty of the Town of Lid and before that by the name of Barons of the Town of Lid the election of which Bailiff was antiently and still is upon St. Mary Magdalens day being the two and twentieth day of Iuly The liberties of this Town and of the Cinque Ports claim over the sameâ— The liberty of the late Archbishop of Canterbury also claimeth there And the liberty of Wye claimeth over the Borough of Dengemarsh there which was a member of Wye in the time of King William the conquerour It is all in the Bailiwick and Lath of Shipway Hundred of Langport East division of the County and division of Justices of the Corporation aforesaid It was in the Deanry of Limpne and Diocess of Canterbury and the Church was called All Saints in which is or lately was a memoriall of the interment of the Deerings about 270. years since and of Godfrey above 220. years since A Market is kept here upon every Thursday and a Faire yearly upon the day of St. Anaâ—letus being the thirteenth day of Iuly In the Beach neer Stone end at the East side of this Parish is to be seen a great heap of stones which the Inhabitants call the Tombe of St. Crespin and Crispianus supposed to be buried there Neer the Sea also at the southside of this Parish is a place called Holmestone consisting of Beach and Pibble stones yet Holme trees grow plentifully upon the same LIDDON LIeth towards the East part of the County about three miles and a half towards the Northwest distant from Dovor in the Bailiwick of Stowting East division of the County and division of Justices in the Lath of Shipway Part thereof is in the Hundred of Bewâ—borough and Lath of St. Augustine and the residue in the Hundred of Folkstone and Lath of Shipway The liberty of the late Archbishop of Canterbury claimeth there It was all in the Deanry of Dovor and Diocess of Canterbury The Church standeth in the Hundred of Folkestone and was called
of Justâ—ces in that Lath. The liberty oâ— the â—â—te Archbishop of Canterbury claâ—meth there â—nd â—he lâ—â—erty of St. Augustine claimeth over tâ—e Mannoâ—râ—â— of Râ—pole It was in tâ—e Deaâ—ry of Sandwich and Diocess of Canterbury and the Church was called St. Maries ROCHESTER THis is a City incorporated and lyeth towards the Nâ—â—th side of the County by the river Medway about six miles and a half towards the North distant from Maidstone in the Bailiwick of Hoo Lath of Aylesford West division of the County and division of the Justices of that City The liberty whereof claimeth over the same And the liberty of the late Bishop of Rochester also claimeth over the Precincts of the late Catâ—edral there It was in the Deanry and Diocess of Rochester and the Parish Church was called St. Nicholas A Market is kept here upon every Fryday And two Fairs yearly one upon St. Dunstans day being the 19th day of May and the other upon St. Andrews day being the 30th day of November Here are several things worthy to be inlarged upon viz. the Castle the City the Cathedral and Priory and the Bridge of all which in order And first of the Castle Iulius Caesar about 1700. years since in the time of Cassibelanus Governour of Britain commanded the same to be built according to the Romane order to awe the Britains and the same was called the Castle of Medway but time and tempests utterly decaying the same Oesâ— or Vske King of Kent about 1150. years since caused Hroff one of his chief Councellours and Lord of this place to build a new Castle upon the old foundation and hereupon it took the name of Hroffes Cester About 350 years afterwards Hasting the Dane besieged and much impaired the same And it afterwards lay desolate till the time of King William the Conquerour who caused it to be new built and put 500. souldiers for a guard therein To which work Odo Earle of Kent and brother of that King was a great Beneâ—actor Afterwards in the year 1088. in the time of King W. Rufus That Odo and other Barous held this Castle against him the same being then accounted the strongest and most important Castle of England And his subjects being backward to assist him He proclaimed him to be accounted a Niding which was then a word of high reproach that came not to his assistance whereupon multitudes came and the resistants were forced to yeeld the same to the King And Gunâ—ulphus a Norman then Bishop of Roâ—hester repaired and fortified the same and built the great Tower therein Afterwards in the 17. year of King Iohn the Barons held this Castle against him but he took the same And in the year following Lewes son of Philip King of France likewise took the same And King Hen. 3. afterwards gave it to Guy of Rochford a Pâ—ictovin who was afterwards banished and thereby lost the same Afterwards in the year 1264. Simon Earle of Leicester besiedged the same and won the Bridge and fiâ—st gate and then left the siege Afterwards 5. Rich. 2. the Commons of this County strongly besieged this Castle and by force took a prisoner out of the same And thus this Castle ran to decay and the old walls afterwards fâ—lling King Edw. 4. repaired both the same and the Castle As concerning the City I find it to have been of very great Antiquity but hath had several great misfortunes for about 980. years since the same was wasted by Ethelred King of the Mercians About 200. years afterwards it was assaulted by the Danes who made a stâ—ong Castle before the gate thereof but were chased away by the then King Aelfred About 1â—0 years afterwards it was assaulted and subdued by King Ethelred the West Saxon King Afterwards 7. May 1130. the same was much defaced by fire King Hen. 1. and many of his Nobles then being present at the Consecration of the Cathedral Church there 3. Iune 1137. the same was again almost all consumed with fire The like againe happened there 3. April 1177. So that It continued desolate till the time of King Hen. 3. at which time it was again repaired I finde but one Parish and Church to have been here more than now is and that was called St. Clement which in the time of King Edw. 6. was by Parliament united unto the aforesaid Parish of St. Nicholas I finde also three Mint Houses to have been granted by King Ethelstan about the year 930. to be in this City viz two for the King and one for the Bishop And 8. Decemb. 1251. King Hen. 3. held a Just here As concerning the Cathedral and Priory The same were built by King Ethelbert in the year 600. and dedicated to the honour of God and St. Andrew Endowed with lands called Priest Feilds and Channons were put into the same But the severall devastations aforesaid of the City by the Mercians Danes and West Saxons also caused the decay both of this Church and Priory both which were new builded by the aforesaid Gundulphus being Bishop there about the year 1080. And instead of six Priests at his coming found therein he placed there 60 black Monks of the ord of St. Benedict And translâ—ted into the new Church the bodies of Paulinus a Romane by Birth and others his Predecessors Bishops of that Sea which were buried in the former to which new Church Earnulphus Bishop there in the time of King Hen. 1. was a great Benefactor And to make this Church more famous about the year 1087 The aforesaid Paulinus who had been dead 440. years before was Canonized for a Saint and inshrined in Silver by Lanfranck then Archbishop of Canterbury and many Devotions and Oblations were made to the same But by the aforesaid seveâ—all fires Siege of King Iohn and long contentions and suits beâ—ween Gilbert Glanvill Bishop there and the Monks of the same wherein the Monks were driven to such necessity that they made out the aforesaid Shrine into moâ—ey The aforesaid Church and Priory fell into great decay and diâ—esteem and ran much in debâ— Aâ—terwards in the year 1250 Laurence of St. Martin becoming Bishop of that Sea one William of Hoo being keeâ—er of the Treasury of the Church built 〈◊〉 whole Quire thereof Richard Walden a Monk there built the south Isle Richard Eastgate another Moâ—k began the North Isle And 〈◊〉 William of Axenhâ—m almost finished the same Ieâ—fry of Haddenham Prioâ— theâ—e paid most of the debts and built the Dorter of the Pâ—iory and St. Edmunds Altar in the Church and thus it was again reedified anâ— began to come into esteem and the more to increase the repute thereof whereas one William a Scot was murdered neer this City in his jouâ—ney towards the Holy Land and buried in that Church he was by the aforesaid Bishop Laurence about the year 1256. procured to be Canonized for a Saint to whose Shrine was great resort and gifts and the wealth and repute of this Church was much encreased