of Kent the second year of Henry the seventh Sir Henry Ferrers of great Peckham Knight who was Sheriff before in the fifth year of Edward the fourth was Sheriff of Kent again in the third year of Henry the seventh Walter Roberts of Glastenbury in Cranbroke Esquire was Sheriff of Kent the fourth year of Edward the fourth Sir William Boleyne Knight of Hever Castle and of Seale Son of Sir Ieffery Boleyne Lord Maior of London and Anne his Wife Daughter and Coheir of Thomas Lord Hoo and Hastings was Sheriff of Kent in the fifth year of Henry the seventh Sir William Scot Son and Heir of Sir Iohn Scot was Sheriff of Kent in the sixth year of Henry the seventh This our Sheriff new built Scots Hall which was before decayed and ruinous John Darell of Cale-Hill Esquire was Sheriff of Kent in the seventh year of Henry the seventh He was Esquire of the Body to that Prince and Captain of the Launciers in that part of the County wherein he lived and having had his Estate torn from him by Richard the third as being a Correspondent of Henry the seventh had it restored to him with several other Mannors by that Prince He was Father to Sir Iames Darell who was Knighted at Turwin by K. Henry the eighth and was Captain of Hames Castle and Governour of Guisnes Thomas Kemp of Ollantie near Wye Esquire was Sheriff of Kent the eighth year of Henry the seventh He married Emeline one of the two Daughters and Coheirs of Valentine Chich and Philippa his Wife Daughter and Heir of Sir Robert Chichley Knight sometime Lord Maior of London and Brother to Henry Chichley Arch Bishop of Canbury Sir Richard Gulford of Halden who was Knighted at Milford Haven and made Banneret at Blackheath was Sheriff of Kent the ninth year of Henry the seventh John Peche of Lullingston Esquire who afterwards received the Order of Knighthood was Sheriff of Kent in the tenth year of Henry the seventh John Digge of Digges Court in Berham was Sheriff of Kent the eleventh year of Henry the seventh Sir Iames Walsingham of Scadbery in Chiselhurst was Sheriff of Kent the twelfth of Henry the seventh Lewis Clifford of Bobbing Court Esquire was Sheriff of Kent in the thirteenth year of Henry the seventh Robert Wotton of Boughton Malherbe Esquire afterwards Knighted and made comptroler of Callis was Sheriff of Kent the fourteenth of Henry the seventh Alexander Colepeper of Bedgebury Esquire in Goudherst was Sheriff of Kent in the fifteenth year of Henry the seventh He afterwards received the Order of Knighthood Thomas Iden of Westwell Esquire was Sheriff of Kent in the sixteenth year of Henry the seventh Sir William Scot of Scots Hall who was Sheriff in the sixth year of Henry the seventh was Sheriff of Kent again in the seventeenth year of that Princes Government Ralph St. Leger of Ulcomb Esquire Son and Heir of Ralph St. Leger was Sheriff of Kent the eighteenth year of Henry the seventh William Cromer of Tunstal Esquire who afterwards received the Order of Knighthood was Sherift of Kent the ninteenth of Henry the seventh John Langley of Knowlton Esquire was Sheriff of Kent the twentieth of Henry the seventh Sir Thomas Kempe of Ollantie Knight of the Bath was Sheriff of Kent the twenty first of Henry the seventh Sir Alexander Colepeper of Bedgebury was Sheriff of Kent again the twenty second year of Henry the seventh Henry Vane of Tunbridge Esquire second Son of John Vane of Tunbridge Esquire was Sheriff of Kent the twenty third year of Henry the seventh Reginald Peckham of Yaldham in Wrotham Esquire was Sheriff of Kent the twenty fourth of Henry the seventh in which year that Sagacious Monarch shook off the Garment of his Mortality Sheriffs of Kent under the Scepter of Henry the Eighth Sir William Cromer of Tunstal Knight who was Sheriff before in the ninteenth of Henry the seventh managed that Office again and was Sheriff again of this County in the first year of K. Henry the eighth James Digge of Digges Court in Berham Esquire was Sheriff of Kent the second year of Henry the eighth Sir Thomas Boleyne of Hever Castle Knight was Sheriff of Kent in the third year of Henry the eighth in the fifteenth year of Henry the eighth he was made Knight of the Garter and Treasurer of the Kings House in the seventeenth year he was created Viscount Rochford and in the twenty first of Henry the eighth he was invested with the Title of Earl of Wiltshire and Ormond Sir Thomas Kemp of Ollantie made Knight of the Bath at the Marriage of Prince Arthur Eldest Son to Henry the seventh was again Sheriff in the fourth year of Henry the eighth Sir John Norton of Northwood in Milton Esquire was Sheriff of Kent the fifth year of Henry the eighth Sir Alexander Colepeper of Bedgebury Esquire was Sheriff of Kent the sixth year of Henry the eighth Tho. Cheyney of Shurland Esquire afterwards made Knight of the Garter was Sheriff of Kent in the seventh year of Henry the eighth Sir William Scot of Scots Hall Knight was made Sheriff of Kent the eighth year of Hen. the eighth and before that in the sixth and seventeenth years of Hen. the seventh Sir Thomas Boleyne of Hever Castle Knight was again Sheriff of Kent the ninth year of Henry the eighth John Crispe of Quekes at Birchington in the Isle of Thanet Esquire was Sheriff of Kent in the tenth year of Henry the eighth Sir John Wiltshire of Stone near Dartford Comptroller of Callis was Sheriff of Kent in the eleventh year of Henry the eighth John Roper Esquire of St. Dunstans without the Walls of Canterbury and of Well Hall in Eltham was Sheriff of Kent the twelfth of Henry the eighth Robert Sonds of Town Place in Throuley and of Sonds Place in Darking in Surrey was Sheriff of Kent in the thirteenth year of Henry the eighth Sir John Fogge of Repton in Ashford was Sheriff of Kent in the fourteenth year of Henry the eighth George Guldford of Hemsted in Beneuden Esquire who married Elizabeth Daughter and Heir of Robert Mortimer of Mortimers Hall in Essex and the Lady Elizabeth Howard his Wife Daughter to John Lord Howard Duke of Norfolk was Sheriff of Kent the sixteenth of Henry the eighth Sir William Haut of Haut bourn Knight Son and Heir of Sir Thomas Haut made Knight of the Bath at the Marriage of Prince Arthur with Katharine of Castile was Sheriff of Kent the sixteenth year of Henry the eighth Henry Vane of Tunbridge Esquire who was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty third year of Hen. the seventh discharged that Office again in the seventeenth year of Hen. the eighth This Henry Vane is he that had Command in an Expedition into Scotland in the beginning of the abovesaid Prince Vide Speed William Whetenhal of Hextal Place in East Peckham Esquire was Sheriff of Kent in the eighteenth year of Henry the eighth Sir John Scot of Scott Hall
eminent Kentish Gentlemen that accompanied King Edward the first into Scotland and for his signal Service performed at the Siege of Carlaverock was made a Banneret by that Prince See Rot. Pipae de Anno 17. Edw. 2. but he likewise expired in two Daughters and Coheirs Agnes one of them was wedded to Thomas de Poynings and Joan the other was matched to Walter de Pateshull Upon the Partition of the Estate Rokesley's Interest in Westenhanger wholly accrued to Poynings and he had Issue Nicholas de Poynings who was summoned to sit in Parliament as Baron the thirty third year of Edward the third Michael Poynings who was likewise summoned to sit in Parliament as Baron the forty second year of that Prince and thirdly Lucas de Poynings who in the year abovesaid was honored with the same summons Upon the Devision of the Estate Westenhanger was annexed to the Demeasne of Michaell de Poynings and he had Issue Thomas de Poynings who was summoned to sit in Parliament as Baron in the sixth year of Henry the fourth his Son and Heir was Robert Poynings who in the twelfth year of Henry the sixth with Iohn Perry were designed by Authority to take the Subscriptions of those Kentish Gentlemen who were summoned in to renounce the Title of the House of York which it seems was then in secret Agitation to be set up against she House of Lancâ—ster and this Robert was oftentimes summoned to sit in Parliament as Baron in the reign of that Prince The last time I find him summoned was in the twenty third year of his Government and his Son and Heir was Robert Poynings who was likewise summoned to sit in Parliament as Baron in the reign of the above-mentioned Monarch and deceased the eighth year of Edward the fourth and left his Estate here to that worthy Person his Son and Heir Sir Edward Poynings of whom more hereafter I shall now discover how that Division of Ostenhanger which devolved to Nicholas de Crioll by the Heir of Auberville was passed away Nicholas de Crioll had Issue John de Crioll who in the nineteenth year of Edward the third obtained a Licence to found a Chantry in the Chappel of St. Johns in Ostenhanger and endow it with one Messuage forty five Acres of Glebe and six Acres of Pasture situated in Limn as appears Prima Parte Pat. de Anno 19. Edwardi tertii Memb. 4. And before in the seventeenth year of that Prince was permitted by Grant from the Crown to embattle and make Loop-holes in his Mansion house at Ostenhanger as is manifest secunda Parte Pat. de Anno 17. Edwardi tertii Memb. 34. And he left it secured and invested with these new acquired Franchises to his Son Sir Nicholas de Crioll and he dyed seised of it in the third year of Richard the second Rot. Esc Num. 40. And from him did it successively devolve to Sir Thomas Keriell or Crioll who was slain at the second Battle of St. Albans in the thirty eighth of Henry the sixth whilst he asserted the Quarrel of the House of Yorke and dying without Issue-male Thomas Fogge Esquire in his Wife 's Right who was one of his Daughters and Co-heirs entered upon his Estate here at Ostenhanger and about the latter end of Edward the fourth passed it away to his eldest Brother Sir John Fogge of Repton who died possest of it in the seventeenth year of Henry the seventh and bequeathed it by Testament to his Son and Heir Sir John Fogge who about the beginning of Henry the eighth demised his Concernment here to Sir Edward Poynings which Edward Poynings was one of the Privy Councel to Henry the seventh and lived here when he so vigorously in the tenth year of that Prince opposed the proceedings of James Lord Audley who was afterwards defeated at Black-heath and likewise was Lord Deputy of Ireland and Knight of the Garter and by his Influence on that Nation was that eminent Statute enacted which ever since hath been adopted into his Family and called Poynings-Law He was likewise at the Siege of Terwin with Henry the eighth and was there for his eminent Service created Knight Banneret and Governour of that Town He died in the twelfth year of King Henry the eighth and was found after a serious Inquisition taken after his Death in the fourteenth year of that Prince to have neither any Issue lawfully begotten nor any collateral Alliance that could by any remote Affinity eptitle themselves to his Estate and so by Escheat it became invested in the Crown but King Henry the eighth out of his indulgent Bounty by Royal Concession made it the Inheritance of his natural Son Thomas Poynings who was a Person of excellent and elegant Composure and eminent Merit and was made Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of Queen Anne in the twenty fourth of that Prince's reign and afterwards having represented to the World signal Demonstrations in a publick Joust or Tournament of a remarkable Strength and Courage was in the thirty sixth year of Henry the eighth called to sit in Parliament as Baron Poynings of Ostenhanger but in the thirty seventh of that Prince's reign deceased without Issue upon whose Exit this Mannot reverts to the Crown and there lay couched until the first year of Edward the sixth and then it was granted to John Dudley Earl of Warwick afterwards Duke of Northumberland upon whose Attainder in the first year of Queen Mary it became again parcel of the Royal Patrimony and afterwards Queen Elizabeth about the beginning of her reign passed it away by Grant to her Kinsman Sir Thomas Sackville and he not long after alienated it by Sale to Thomas Smith Esquire vulgarly called Customer Smith who much enhaunsed the Beauty of the Fabrick which had been empaired and defaced with Fire with magnificent Additions from whom it is now transmitted by paternal Descent to his great Grand-child the Right Honorable Philip Smith Viscount Strangford who hath made it his principal Residence The Mannor of Heyton lies likewise in Stamford which was anciently possest by a Family of deep Antiquity which was known to the World by that Sirname and bore for their Cognisance in Ancient Armorials Gules three Piles Argent Alanus de Heyton called in some old Records Alanus Vicecomes because he was joyned as an Assistant to Ralph de Picot Sheriff of Kent in the execution of his Office in the third fourth and fifth years of Henry the second held a whole Knights Fee of Gilbert de Magninot in the Government of that Prince but deceased without Issue so that Elveva his Sister matched to Deringus de Morinis Son of Norman de Morinis became his Heir from whom the Mannor of Heyton descended to his Son Deringus de Morinis who still writ himself in his Dateless Deeds Dominus de Heyton and so did * It is probable this was the Richard Fitz-Dering who was with Richard the first at the Siege of Acon Richard Fitz-Dering his
lies entombed under an Arch in the Southwall with his pourtraicture insculped in a Marble in Minster Church whose Tomb is become the Scene of much Falshood and popular errour the vulgar having digged out of his Vault many wild Legends and Romances as namely that he buryed a Priest alive that he swam on his horse two miles thorough the Sea to the King who was then neer this Island on Shipboard to purchase his pardon and having obtained it swam back to the Shore where being arrived he cut off the head of his said Horse because it was affirmed he had acted this by Magick and that riding on hunting a twelvemoneth after his horse stumbled and threw him on the Scull of his former Horse which blow so bruised him that from that Contusion he contracted an inward impostumation of which he dyed and in memory of which an Horse Head is placed at his Feet which fictitious Story is rent into the disunion of so many absurd circumstances that I shall represent to the Reader the Foundation on which this fabulous Natrative was formerly established which is no more but this Sir Robert de Shurland above-mentioned being Lord Warden of the Cinque-ports and a man of eminent Authority under Edward the first obtained Grant of priviledge by Charter to have wrack of Sea upon his Lands confining on the Sea Shore neere Shurland now the extent of this Royaltie is evermore esteemed to reach as far into the Water upon a low ebb as a man can ride in and touch any thing with the point of his Launce and so you have the explication of this marvel and the couching either of whole Creatures or part of them at the Feet of worthy personages is most frequent both now and in elder Times that these inanimate Representations might be the Symbols or Hieroglyphicks to intimate to posterity those Virtues which were resident in them when alive But to proceed the abovementioned Sir Robert de Shurland having improved his Reputation with many noble and worthy Actions left That only to perpetuate his Name to posterity having no Issue-male to continue it for he left only one Daughter and Heir matched to W. de Cheyney of Patricksbourn Cheyney who was son and heir to Sir Alexander de Cheyney who is in the Inventory or List of those Knights Bannerets who were ennobled with that Dignity by E. the first at the Siege of Carlaverock in the twenty eighth year of his reign and in Right of this Match dyed possest of it in the eighth year of E. the third Rot. Esc Num. 58. And from him did it come down to his great Grandchild Sir John Cheyney who was Knight of the Garter and frequently Knight of this Shire in sundry Parliaments under the Government of Henry the fourth in the first year of whose reign as our Chronicles inform us he was sent Embassador to several forreign Princes to represent to them the Reasons or Motives which induced him to assume the English Diadem and in the first and second year of that Prince he was chosen Speaker of Parliament Sir William Cheyney another of this Family of Shurland was first a Judge and secondly Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench in the reign of Henry the fifth but the greatest Honour this Mannor atchieved was when it came to be possest by Sir Thomas Cheyney who was Knight of the Garter Lord Warden of the Cinque-ports Constable of Quinborough Castle and one of the Privy Councel to Henry the eighth and he had Issue Sir Henry Cheyney created Henry Lord Cheyney of Tuddington by Queen Elizabeth who having exchanged this Mannor of Shurland with that Princesse it remained with the patrimony of the Crown untill the second year of King James and then it was by royal Concession from that Prince made the Inheritance of Philip Earl of Montgomery and after of Pembroke upon whose late decease it is now come to confesse the Signory of his second Son Mr. James Herbert Kingsborough is another Mannor in this Parish whose Name tacitly intimates to us that it was involved formerly in the Revenue of the Crown and was the place which the Inhabitants frequented not only for the holding of a Court for the choice and election of the Constables of the Island but likewise here assembled to nominate and appoint those Wardens or Bailiffs that were to take Cognisance or Charge of the passage called King ferry which divides the Island and the main Land of me County this Mannor after it had for many Generations layn folded up in the royal Demeasne was by Queen Elizabeth granted to Mr. Henry Cary who about the Beginning of K. James passed it away to Swaleman whose Descendant is still entituled to the propriety of it Leisdon next offers it selfe up to our view which was parcel of that estate which acknowledged the noble and ancient Family of Grey or Rotherfield in Sussex for its ancient Owners The first which made this Family eminent was John de Grey who was frequently summoned to sit in Parliament as Baron in the reign of Edward the third and dyed possest of this Mannor in the thirty third year of that Prince Rot. Esc Num. 38. And so did Robert Grey his Successor in the second year of Henry the fourth After his Exit I do not find it long constant to the Signory of this Name for about the Beginning of Henry the sixth it was alienated to Lovell and by virtue of this purchase Sir William Lovell held it at his Death which was in the twenty third year of Henry the sixth After this Family had abandoned the possession the Cheyneys of Shurland were by purchase planted in the Inheritance and remained setled in the Fee-simple of it untill Sir Henry Lord Cheyney exchanged it with Queen Elizabeth Nuts called so vulgarly but in the ancient Court-rolls named Notts as being the Inheritance of a Family called Nott is a little Mannor in Leisdon which after it had for many descents acknowledged no other proprietaries but this Family about the Beginning of Edward the fourth was rent from them by purchase and transplanted into Bartholomew a Family which were Owners anciently of much Land about Lingsted Throuley and other places in that Track and continued Masters of this Lordship untill the reign of Henry the eighth and then it was conveyed to Sir Thomas Cheyney whose Son Sir Henry Cheyney about the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth passed it away to Sampson a Family which had been possessors of Sampson-court not far distant many hundred years and were descended from William Sampson who was frequently summoned to sit in Parliament as Baron in the reign of Edward the first From Sampson it was again in our Fathers Memory carried off to Oâ—borne in the Descendants of which Family the right is still fixed Werdon is the last place of Account in this Island It was in times of an elder Inscription involved in the Inheritance of Savage of Bobbing and in the twenty third year of Edward
2 di Nicholas de Crioll Temp. Edw. 2 di Giles de Baldelesmer Temp. Edw. 3 tii Sr. Thomas Brockhull Temp. Edw. 3 tii VVilliam Barry Temp. Edw. 3 tii Ralph de Valoigns his Temp. Edw. 3 tii Robert Herle Temp. Edw. 3 tii Andrew Gulford Temp. Edw. 3 tii Peter Read Temp. Edw. 3 tii Rob de Wellesham bis Temp. Edw. 3 tii Roger de Wellesham Temp. Edw. 3 tii James Haut Temp. Ric. 2 di Sr. Richard Malmain Temp. Ric. 2 di Sr. William Walworth Temp. Ric. 2 di Sir Joh. Devereux Temp. Ric. 2 di Peter Wigmore bis Temp. Ric. 2 di John Clinton Temp. Ric. 2 di John Hakenthorp Temp. Ric. 2 di Arnold Savage Temp. Ric. 2 di Sir Richard Dering Temp. Ric. 2 di Sr. Rob. Berney Temp. Hen. 4 ti Sr. Philip Lewis Temp. Hen. 4 ti Andrew Boteler Temp. Hen. 4 ti Richard Barrey Temp. Hen. 4 ti John Mortimer Temp. Hen. 4 ti Tho. Fitz-Allen Earl of Arundell constituted Lieutenant under Hen. Prince of Wales the 13 th of Hen. the 4 th Temp. Hen. 4 ti Hen. 5 ti Richard Nedham Temp. Hen. 5 ti Hen. 6 ti Sr. Thomas Keriet Temp. Hen. 5 ti Hen. 6 ti Gervais Clifton Temp. Hen. 5 ti Hen. 6 ti Richard Nedham Temp. Hen. 6 ti William Keriell Temp. Hen. 6 ti Richard Witherton Temp. Hen. 6 ti Thomas Hextall Temp. Hen. 6 ti Otwell Worceley Temp. Edw. 4 ti John Greenfend Temp. Edw. 4 ti Edmund Ince Temp. Edw. 4 ti Thomas Guldford Temp. Edw. 4 ti Edward Cobham Temp. Edw. 4 ti Sr. John Scott Temp. Edw. 4 ti Sr. John D'evereux Temp. Edw. 4 ti Philip Fitz-William Temp. Edw. 4 ti Philip Fitz-Lewis Temp. Edw. 4 ti Philip Lewis Temp. Edw. 4 ti Jeffery Lowther Temp. Edw. 4 ti Hen. 7 mi. Sr. Edward Poynings Temp. Edw. 4 ti Hen. 7 mi. Sr. William Scott Temp. Edw. 4 ti Hen. 7 mi. Sr. John Bourchier Temp. Edw. 4 ti Hen. 7 mi. Sr. William Scott Temp. Hen. 7 mi. Hen. 8 vi Edward Thwaits Temp. Hen. 7 mi. Hen. 8 vi Richard Dering Temp. Hen. 7 mi. Hen. 8 vi John Copledike Temp. Hen. 7 mi. Hen. 8 vi Richard Dering ter Temp. Hen. 7 mi. Hen. 8 vi Richard Dering Temp. Hen. 8 vi Edw. 6 ti Regi Mariae John Monins Temp. Hen. 8 vi Edw. 6 ti Regi Mariae William Crispe Temp. Hen. 8 vi Edw. 6 ti Regi Mariae William Crispe Temp. Regi Eliz. Richard Barrey Temp. Regi Eliz. Sr. Thomas Vane Temp. Regi Eliz. Sr. Thomas Vane Temp. Regis Jacob. Sr. Thomas Waller Temp. Regis Jacob. Sr. Robert Brett Temp. Regis Jacob. Sr. John Brook Temp. Regis Jacob. Sr. Thomas Hamon Temp. Regis Jacob. Sr. Hen. Manwaring Temp. Regis Jacob. Sr. John Hippesley Temp. Regis Jacob. Sr. John Hippsley Temp. Regis Caroli Sr. Edward Dering Temp. Regis Caroli Sr. Joh. Manwood Temp. Regis Caroli Sr. Tho. Colepeper Temp. Regis Caroli Sr Edward Bois Temp. Regis Caroli John Bois Esquire Temp. Regis Caroli Sr. Hen. Heyman Temp. Regis Caroli Col. Tho. Kelsey Temp. Regis Caroli I might have been more copious in my Discourses of the Cinque-Ports but because I intend to publish a particular Treatise relating solely to their Immunities and their just Right to take cognisance of the Fishery at Yarmouth I shall no farther insist upon this subject but proceed KENT upon the first eruption of Hengist and his Saxons upon this Island was represented by himself and his Partizans under that fair and noble Character that after he had in many bloody Decisions broken the strength of the Britains upon their ruines he laid the foundations of that greatnesse on which he afterwards establish'd the Throne by which he ascended to the height of Majesty and was the first of the Saxons whose hand sway'd the Kentish Scepter indeed Cyning the old Saxon word implyes no more but one that is dextrous and cunning in the managery of the publique Affairs and such a one was Hengist from whom the Series of the Kings of Kent which I am now to mention did as from their Fountain primitively stream forth 455 1 Hengist 488 2 Eske or Osca 512 3 Octa 532 4. Immerick 561  Ethelbert the First Christian King Founder of Christ-Church in Canterbury St. Pauls in London and St. Andrews in Rochester 617 6 Eadbald 641 7 Encombert 665 8 Egbert 1. 673 9 Lotharius 686 10 Edrick 693 11 Wightred in some copies Muthred 726 12 Egbert 2 d. 749 13 Ethelbert the 2 d. 759 14 Alwick who was slain at Otford by Offa. 794 15 Ethelbert the 3 d. Surnamed Pren 797 16 Guthred 805 17 Baldred who in the year 827 lost both Life King dome to Egbert Egbert having thus broken the Kentish Forces and inoculated the Scepter of Kent upon that of his own the Title of King was for ever entomb'd in the Ruines and Tomb of the slaughter'd Baldred nor was this County dignified with any Title at all untill the Reign of Edward the Confessor and then that Prince created Godwin Earl of Kent a man of so low and obscure an extraction that the concurrent Testimonie of all Authors does affirm he was Bubulci Filius the son of a Cowherd yet notwithstanding he made himself so considerable by his Eruptions on several parts of this Island by Land and his depredations by Sea that our English story swels with the rehearsal of his Acts of Devastation and Piracy Now if you would know from whence the Latine word Comes deduces its original that is the Genus both to the French word Count and the Saxon word Earle or Eorlederman for that was the more antient term I shall in a brief Model represent it to you The making of Counts anciently as is affirmed by Trebellius Pollio in the life of Macrianus was in Contubernium Imperatoriae Majestatis adsciscere to take some select Persons into the Chamber and fellowship of the Imperial Majesty that Tiberius had some such is most certain for Suetonius in his life mentions Comites Largitionum expeditionumque whose first institution is by Seneca in his sixth Book de Bene. Cap. 34. refer'd and ascrib'd to Gracchus and Livius Drusus they saith he apud nos primum instituerunt segregare Turbam suam alios in secretum recipere and then again Habuerunt itaque isti amicos primos habuerunt secundos and it is recorded of Alexander Severus by Lampridius that Amicos non solùm primi ac secundi loci which were certainly those persons which he had separated from the vulgar masse of men sed etiam inferiores aegrotantes viseret And Tacitus in his Book de Bello Germanice relates that the Prince had duodecem Comites or twelve Companions assign'd him who transacted the great Affairs both of War and Peace from which Model it is probable the 12 Peers of France had their first
was Sheriff of Kent in the nineteenth year of Henry the eighth William Kempe of Oslantis Esquire who afterwards was invested with the Order of Knight hood was Sheriff of Kent in the twentieth year of Henry the eighth He was second Son of Sir Thomas Kempe and after his elder Brother Christopher Kempe deceased without Issue succeeded in the Patrimony He married Eleanor Daughter and Heir of Robert Brown Esquire third Son of Sir Thomas Brown of Bechworth Castle Sir Edward Wotton of Boughton Malherbe Knight who matched with Dorothy one of the Daughters and Coheirs of Sir Robert Reade Knight Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty first of Henry the eighth William Waller of Gromebridge in Spelherst Esquire was Sheriff of Kent the twenty second of Henry the eighth Sir Richard Clement of the Moat in Ightham was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty third of Henry the eighth Sir William Finch of the Moat in the Parish of St. Martins in Canterbury was Sheriff of Kent the twenty fourth year of Henry the eighth Thomas Roberts of Glastonbury in Cranbroke Esquire was Sheriff of Kent the twenty fifth of Henry the eighth Sir Thomas Poynings of Ostenhanger Knight afterwards created Lord Poynings in the thirtieth year of Henry the eighth was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty sixth year of Henry the eighth He married Katharine Daughter and Coheir of John Lord Marney but deceased without Issue in the thirty seventh year of the abovesaid Prince Sir Edward Wotton of Boughton Malherbe was again Sheriff of Kent the twenty seventh of Henry the eighth Sir Thomas Wiat of Allington Castle was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty eighth year of Henry the eighth He married Elizabeth Daughter of Sir Thomas Brooke Lord Cobham by whom he had Issue Sir Thomas Wiat afterwards beheaded Sir William Haut of Hautsbourn was again Sheriff of Kent the twenty ninth year of Henry the eighth Sir William Sidney of Pencehurst Knight Banneret Tutor to Prince Edward afterwards Edward the sixth was Sheriff of Kent in the thirtieth year of Henry the eighth He was Son and Heir of Nicholas Sidney Esquire who married Anne Daughter of Sir Will. Brandon Knight slain at Bosworâ—h Field Aunt to Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk This Nicholas was Son and Heir of William Sidney Esquire by Thomaâ—…in his Wife Daughter and Heir of John Barrington Esquire descended from the right ancient and Knightly Family of Barrington of Barrington Hall in Essex Sir Anthony St. Leger of Ulcomb Knight was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty first year of Henry the eighth Anthony Sonds of Throuley Esquire was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty second of Henry the eighth Reginald Scot of Scots Hall Esquire was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty third year of Henry the eighth Sir Henry Isley of Sondridge and of Farningham was Sheriff of Kent the thirty fourth of Henry the eighth Sir Humphry Stile of Langley Park in Bekenham Knight Son and Heir of John Stile Alderman of London and Elizabeth his Wife Daughter and Coheir of Sir Guy Wolston Knight was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty fifth of Henry the eighth Sir John Fogge of Repton was Sheriff of Kent the thirty sixth year of Henry the eighth Sir Percival Hart of Lullingston Knight was Sheriff of Kent the thirty seventh year of Henry the eighth Henry Crispe of Quekes in Birchington in the Isle of Thanet Esquire who received the Order of Knighthood before his Death was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty eighth year of Henry the eighth in which year this Prince shrunk to Ashes Sheriffs of Kent in the Time of K. Edward the Sixth William Sidley of Scadbery in Southfleet Esquire was Sheriff of Kent the first of Edward the sixth Sir George Harpur of Sutton Valence was sheriff of Kent in the second year of Edward the sixth Thomas Colepeper of Bedgebury Son and Heir of Sir Alexander Colepeper was Sheriff of Kent in the third year of K. Edward the sixth Sir Thomas Wiat of Allington Castle Son and Heir of Sir Thomas Wiat and Grandchild of Sir Henry Wiat was Sheriff of Kent in the fourth year of K. Edward the sixth Sir Henry Isley of Sundridge was Sheriff of Kent in the fifth year of K. Edward the sixth Sir John Guldford of Hemsted in Benenden was Sheriff of Kent the sixth year of K. Edward the sixth After this year this Pious young Monarch was not long Liv'd for all his early blooming Glories were shortly after blasted by a too sudden Death Sheriffs of Kent under Queen Mary Sir Robert Southwell of Merworth Knight afterwards Master of the Rolls was Sheriff of Kent in the first year of Queen Mary He held Merworth where he lies buried in Right of his Wife Margaret Daughter and sole Heir of Sir Thomas Nevill Speaker of the Parliament in the time of Henry the eighth and one of his Privy Councel and third Son to George Nevill Baron Aburgavenny William Roper of Well Hall in Eltham was Sheriff of Kent in the first and second year of Philip and Mary Sir Thomas Kempe of Ollantie near Wye was Sheriff of Kent in the second and third year of Philip and Mary part of the year was supplied for him by Thomas Moile Esquire George Vane of Badsell Esquire was Sheriff of Kent in the third and fourth year of Philip and Mary Thomas Wotton of Boughton Malherbe Esquire was Sheriff of Kent in the fourth and fifth year of Philip and Mary In which year Callis was lost which Blow sat so heavy upon her Heartstrings that the Cordage not able to undergo the Pressure was crackt with the Burden which was lodged upon it Sheriffs of Kent under Queen Elizabeth Thomas Wotton of Bonghton Malherbe continued in that Office part of the first year of Q. Elizabeth and the remainder of the year was supplied by Nicholas Crispe Esquire who kept his Shrivealty at Grimgill in Whitestaple but more properly Greenshields from a Family so called who were once Proprietaries of it Warham St. Leger of Ulcomb Esquire afterwards Knighted in the year 1565 was Sheriff of Kent in the second year of Queen Elizabeth John Tufton of Hothfield in Kent Esquire Son and Heir of Nicholas Tufton Esquire who was possest of Tufton in Nordiam in Sussex was Sheriff of Kent the third year of Queen Elizabeth Richard Baker of Sisingherst in Cranbroke Esquire Son and Heir of Sir John Baker Chancellor of the Exchequer and one of the Privy Councel to Q. Mary was Sheriff of Kent in the fourth year of Q. Elizabeth Sir Thomas Walsingham of Scadbery in Chiselhurst Knight was Sheriff of Kent in the fifth year of Q. Elizabeth Sir Thomas Kempe of Ollantie Knight that was Sheriff before in the third year of Q. Mary served in that Office again in the sixth year of Q. Elizabeth John Mayney of Biddenden Esquire was Sheriff of Kent the seventh year of Q. Elizabeth but died before his year was out and the rest of the Time
in his Glossarie will inform you Alodium est praedium liberum saith he nulli Servituti obnoxium quod opponitur Feudo nam olim Feuda non possent vendi sine consensu Domini At Alodium vero est quod per omnem haeredum seriem discurrit cuivis è populo etiam reclamante Domino dare possit aut venundari The result of all which is this that the word Alodium signifies a Free Inheritance or Patrimony not chained up to any particular Service whatsoever which hath the least Resemblace or symtome of servitude either by Custome Prescription or Law imprinted upon it and may in English be styled Free Soccage and which being transmitted and conducted along by an uninterrupted Series of Descent from Posterity to Posterity might be pawned mortgaged or alienated to any Person whatsoever whereas on the contrary Lands which were Feudal could not be passed away without the Lords consent And this agrees with the Municipal Laws of France which anciently styled those Persons whose Lands were fortified with that Tenure Leuds Francs id est Nobiles nullius Domini Imperio evocati Homines sui Juris non Feudalis id est nullo Feudi Gravamine coerciti vel restricti that is Men of a noble Extraction free and unrestrained whose Demeasns were not manacled and tyed up with the Obligations of any Tenure which was Servile as those whose Lands were Fendal But enough of this I shall now return to Benenden which as it gave Seat to the above mentioned Godricus so it seems his Descendants extracted there Sirname from thence and assumed the Denomination of Benenden and bare for their Armes in a Shield Azure a Lobster Or and certainly were of Account in this Track for John the Son of Roger de Benenden held a Knights Fee in Benenden in the twentieth year of Edward the third But as all Families are chained up to a fixed Period like the Sea which is it self bound in with a Girdle of Sand so had this its conclusion likewise for Joan Benenden the Heir General of this Name by matching with Sir William Brenchley Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas fastned this Mannor to his Inheritance and they both lie buried in Christ Church in Canterbury He died as the Date upon their Tomb for they slumber under one Marble insorms me in the year 1446 and She in the year 1453. But after his Decease the Title of this place did quickly acknowledge another Proprietary for the Heir General of this Family matched to More of More Court in Ivy-Church where having been many Generations they dislodged from so solitary an Habitation and planted themselves at Benenden where they erected a House and adopted it into their own Name by styling it More Court but though it still stand an Alphabet to the Memory of this Family by bearing their Sirname yet did it not many years after its first Institution and Frame acknowledge the Signory of this Family for John More Esquire in the first year of Q. Mary conveyed it to Mr. William Watts from whom by successive Right it is now come down to Mr. ......... Watts and owns him for its present Proprietary The Mannor of Hempsted in this Parish anciently that is about the twentieth year of Henry the third belonged as appears by the Book in the Exchequer called Testa de Nevil to Robert de Hempsted from whence he assumed his Sirname which could not make the Title long liv'd in his Family for about the Beginning of Edward the third I find it passed away to Echingham of Sussex and James de Echingham held it by the fourth part of a Knights Fee in the twentieth year of Edward the third at making the Black Prince Knight but after this the Title was not long constant to the Interest of this Family for about the Beginning of Richard the second I find it in the Hands of Sir Robert Belknap the Judge who being attainted in the tenth year of that Prince by the Malice and crooked Arts of a factious and insolent Nobility there was Survey taken of his Estate in the fourteenth year of his Reign and then this Mannor with the residue of his Estate escheated being annexed to the Crown it was by Richard the second granted to William de Guldford Sheriff of Kent in the eleventh year of that Prince descended from Henry de Guldford a great Benefactor to the Priory of Taning in the twenty eighth year of Edw. the first and who is mentioned in the Book of Aid to have held the Mannor of Wickham near Lidde in Kent by Knights Service in the twentyeth year of Edward the third and the abovesaid William having thus by the Favour of his Prince obtained this Mannor made it his Seat and transmitted it to his Successors who much improved it with the Supplement of Additional Buildings so that it hath not only formerly for many Generations continued to be the Seat of this Familie but is likewise a Mansion relating to this Name at this instant Great Maytham in Benenden was a Mannor which related to the Proprietie of the noble Family of Malmains whose principal Seat was at Malmains in Stoke in the Hundred of Hoo Nicholas Malmain Grandchild of John Malmain who likewise held this Mannor in the twentieth year of Henry the third paid a proportionate supply for Maytham at making the Black Prince Knight in the twentieth year of Edw. the third and died possest of it in the twenty third year of that Prince But after this it was not long permanent in this Name for in the fourth year of Henry the fourth Nicholas Carew held it at the Marriage of Blanch that Princes Daughter and in his Family was the Title constant untill the latter End of Henry the eighth and then it was passed away to Thomas Lord Cromwell afterwards created Earl of Essex who being convicted of High Treason in the thirty second year of Henry the eighth it escheated to the Crown and that Prince in the thirty third year of his Rule granted it to Sir Thomas Wiatt who the same year conveyed it by Sale to Sir Walter Henley of Coursehorne the Kings Serjeant at Law and he not long after disposed of it to Thomas Colepeper of Bedgbury Esquire who had wedded Hellen one of his three Daughters and Coheirs and he in the last year of Edward the Sixth alienated some part of the Land which related to it to Richard Parker and Anthony Franklin but the Mannor it self rested in Colepeper of Bedgebury untill the late King granted it away not many years since to Alderman Wright of London as being forfeited to the Crowne because the Lord of it did not pay those Scots and Assessements which were laid upon him towards the Reparation of the Banks of the Mersh and by Margaret the Daughter and Coheir of the abovesaid Alderman is it now become the Inheritence of Mr. Richard Cordall of London Esquire Lowden or little Maytham is the last Mannor in this Parish and was
as a Limb of the Estate thus acquired who in the fiftieth year of his reign setled it on the Abby of St. Mary Grace on Tower-hill of his Foundation and Endowment and having remained treasured up in the Revenue of that Cloister untill the general suppression it was then plucked off and by King Henry the eighth granted in the thirty first of his Reign to Thomas Green Esquire whose Descendant in our Fathers memory passed away his Concernment in it to Apsley Ham Sharpenash and West-court are three little Mannors situated within the Circuit of this Parish and were parcel of that Patrimony which related to the Abby of St. Augustins which upon the Dissolution of that Fraternity the vast Demeasn which appertained to it being more hainous in the Eyes of Henry the eighth than those Crimes and Offences though peradventure of a Complexion dark enough which were charged upon the Covent He I mean the Prince abovesaid ravished them away from the patrimony of the Church to incorporate and interweave them with the Revenue of the Crown where their Title and proprietie was not long lodged for K. Hen. the eighth conveyed them by Grant to Will. Hach descended from Hach of Aller in Devon who not long after passed them away to Tho. Green Esq written in his Deeds alià Norton where after the possession of them had some years continued the Interest of all these Mannors was by the Mutation of Sale transported into Aldersey Ancestor to Captain Terry Aldersey of Swanton Court in Bredgar now Lord of the Fee and Signory of these above recited places W. W. W. W. WAldershare in the Hundred of Eastry was in elder Times the Seat of an eminent Family called Malmains John de Malmains is recorded in an Ancient Roll of those Gentlentemen which entred England with William the Conquerour and engaged with him at the Battle of Battle John de Malmains as Mr. Fuller in his Ecclesiastical History does represent to us was Standard Bearer to the Norman Footmen and was joyned by William the Conquerour as an Assistant Knight to Otho one of the Monks of Ely Henry Malmains is registred in the Bed-roll of those Kentish Gentlemen who assisted Richard the first at the Siege of Acon See more of this Family of Malmains in the Catalogue of Sheriffs John de Malmains is registred in the Pipe rolls amongst those who were Recognitores Magnae Assisae in the reign of K. John a place of that Latitude of Trust and Authority that those who managed it were frequently selected out of the chiefest Knights and most eminent Gentlemen of the County Sir Nicholas de Malmains was engaged with Edward the first at the Siege of Carlaverock in Scotland in the twenty eighth of his reign and for his worthy undertaking there received the Dignity of Knighthood and from him did Waldershare descend to Nicholas de Malmains who died possest of this and much other Land in the twenty third year of Edward the third Rot. Esc Num. 160. and from him descended Henry Malmains his Grand-child who dying about the beginning of Henry the fourth without Issue Male left his Estate here at Waldershare to Agnes his sole Daughter and Heir matched to Thomas Goldwell of Great Chart yet had this Henry a Kinsman called Thomas Malmains Son of John Malmains who had a considerable share of this Mannor of Waldershare which by his Heir General devolved to John Monins Esquire who about the beginning of Henry the sixth purchased all that Demeasn and Interest which Tho. Goldwell was entituled to here and so became sole Lord of Waldershare This John Monins was descended from John Monins who in the twentieth year of Edw. the third held Lands at Swink-field as appeats by the Book of Aid by the Title of Esquire and was allied to William Monings or Monins for in old Records they are written so promiscuously who was several times Knight of the Shire for Norfolk as appears by the Record in the Tower whose Title is De Expensis Militum in the time of Richard the second and John Monins this Mans Son was a person of so eminent Notice in this County that he obtained an Indulgence under the Seal of Sixtus the fourth bearing Date 1474 to carry along with him a Priest and a portable Altar for celebration of divine Offices in his necessary Journeyings and John Monins this Man's Grand-child and Son of Robert compounds with Tho. Hobbys in the twentieth year of Hen. the seventh for ten Marks as part of his Fine to be excused from being made Knight of the Bath at the creation of Henry his Son Prince of Wales Edward Monins Esq was Justice of the Peace for Kent the latter part of the reign of Henry the eighth and he was Ancestor to Sir William Monins who was made Knight and Baronet the twenty ninth day of June in the ninth year of K. James by the Name of Sir William Monings of Waldershare and from him is not onely this Title but likewise the signory of this Mannor now devolved by paternal right to his Son and Heir Edward Monins Baronet Walmer is a Member of Sandwich and so in no Hundred It was one of those principal Seats which owned the jurisdiction and signory of the noble and spreading Family of Crioll written frequently likewise Keriel The first whom I find to be possest of it was Matilda de Criol Widow of Simon de Crioll and she in right of Dower was in possession of it at her Death which was in the fifty second of Henry the third Rot. Esc Num. 34. The next of this Name whom the Beams of publick Record represent to me to be possessor of it was Nicholas de Crioll who enjoyed it at his Death which was in the thirty first of Edward the first Rot. Esc Num. 39. In Ages of a nearer Approach unto us Iohn de Crioll in the forty ninth year of Edward the third died seised of it and so did William Keriell in the first year of Henry the fifth Rot. Esc Num. 21. and left it to his Son Sir John Crioll of Sarre in Thanet who as an old Pedigree of this Family informs me was in eminent Command under Henry the fifth in his successful Expedition into France having the Conduct of several Kentish Squadrons at the Battle of Agincourt and died laden more with Honour then with Years in the ninth year of Henry the sixth and left Sir Thomas Crioll or Keriell Knight of the Gatter Heir both of his Estate and Virtues of whom because our Chronicles speak so much I shall not be silent He was Governor of Gourney in Normandy in the ninth year of Henry the sixth under John Duke of Bedford the Regent not farre from which Place he defeated the Earl of Britaine and in that discomfiture slew six Hundred and took two Hundred Prisoners In the fourteenth year of Henry the sixth the Duke of Burgundy infested Crotoy with a Siege which being successefully raised by the Lord Talbot Sir Thomas Keriell
Rokesley by whose Sole Inheritrix likewise called Joan it was linked to the Demeasn of Sir Thomas de Poynings from whom the Clew of Descent guided it down to Sir Edward Poynings who dying in the twelfth of Henry the eighth without any lawfull Issue or any visible kindred that could pretend a Title to the Estate it lapsed to the Crown and Henry the eighth granted it to Thomas Lord Cromwell upon whose attainder it being again escheated Queen Mary in the first year of her Rule granted it to Edward Lord Clinton who in the last year of that Princess passed it away to Mr. Henry Herdson whose grandchild Mr. Francis Herdson conveyed it by Sale to Mr. Henry Brockman in whose Grandchild Mr. James Brockman the instant Inheritance is fixed Blackose is another little Mannor in Newington which as Sadrach Petit's Inquest an Authentick Manuscript informs me was as high as the raign of Henry the third the Possession of Nicholas de Morehall a Family who were owners of much Land at Folkstone and elsewhere in this Track and in this Name did it continue untill the latter end of Richard the second and then it was transmitted by Sale to William Edwy who paid a proportionate Aid for it at the Marriage of Blanch Daughter of Henry the fourth in the fourth year of his raign from whence much of our Land in Kent which was rated at the same Time and upon the same Design hath assumed the Appellation of Blanch-Lands After Edwy went out which was in the raign of Edward the fourth it became the Possession of Wreake and Thomas Wreake as the abovesaid Sidrach Petit who lived in that Age instructs me exchanged it with Will. Warham Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and continued annexed to the Demeasn of that See until the great Exchange made by Tho. Cranmer in the twenty ninth of Henry the eighth with that Prince and then it was made the Demeasn of the Crown and after some brief abode there was granted away to John Honywood Esquire Newchurch in Romney Mersh gives Denomination to the whole Hundred wherein it is situated and dilates and spreads it self into several places which call for some Remembrance The first is Peckmanston which was as high as the Rayes or Light of any Evidence can direct to a Discovery the Inheritance of the Lords Leybourne and was annexed to that vast Revenue which they entituled themselves to in this County and so continued till Sir Roger de Leybourne left this with much other Land to his Sole Daughter and Heir Juliana married to William Lord Clinton Earl of Huntington who dyed in the twenty eighth year of Edward the third but without Issue by this Lady who deceasing likewise not long after the Crown upon a Serious and solemne Disquisition discovering none that upon the Stock of any collateral Alliance could pretend to her Estate seised upon it as an Escheat and King Richard the second in the eleventh year of his Government granted it to the Abbey of Childrens Langley amongst whose Revenue it rested till the Dissolution of that Covent and after that King Henry the eighth by royal Donation planted the Possession in the thirty fifth year of his Raign in Sir Thomas Moile a Gentleman in those Times of principal Estimate in this County and of the Privie Councel to that Prince from whom by Amy his Daughter and Coheir it came suddenly after to be the Inheritance of Sir Thomas Kempe who in the raign of Queen Elizabeth sold it to Thomas Smith Farmer of the Customes to that Princesse and he bequeathed it to his third Son Sir Rich. Smith by whose Daughter and Coheir the Title and Right of it at this instant is lodged in Mr. Barrow of Suffolke Est-Bridge in this Parish is a second place which exacts our Remembrance This with Honychild in St. Maryes Parish likewise in Romney Mersh did anciently belong partly to the Abby of Bradsole ailà s St. Radigunds in Dover and partly to the Knights of St. Jo. which upon the general Suppression in the twenty ninnth year of H. the eighth of all religious Cloisters and Seminaries were swallowed up in the Demeasne of the Crown and lay there till E. the sixth granted them in Lease to Cuthbert Vaughan Esq who afterwards in the fourth year of Queen Elizabeth purchased the Fee-simple of them of the Crown and upon his Decease which happened not long after disposed of Honychild to his Son in Law Roger Twisden Esquire and Est-Bridge Sir Will. Twisden â—old Honychild to Sir Will. Sydley Grandfather to Sir Charles Sydley the instant Owner to his Wives Son Richard Dering Esquire in Right of which original Donation Sir Edward Dering of Surrenden Dering in Pluckley Baronet great Grandchild of this Mr. Richard Dering is present Possessor of this Mannor of Est-Bridge Thirdly Silwell in this Parish is not to be omitted it was in elder Generations an Appendage or Limbe which made up the Body of that plentifull Income which appertained to the Abbey of Boxley in this County and upon the Dissolution was with much other of the Church Demeasn by Henry the eighth granted to Walter Henley Esquire after created Sir Walter Henley and one of the Privy Councell to Henry the eighth and Edward the sixth But as though there had been some fatall malediction which like original Sin did cleave to the Possesssion he left no Issue-male to enjoy that large Patrimony he had thus archieved but concluded in three Daughters and Coheirs Elizabeth matched to William Waller of Grome-Bridge Helen first married to Thomas Colepeper of Bedgebury Esquire Secondly to Sir George Somerset and Thirdly to Thomas Vane of Burston in Hunton Esq and then Anne wedded to Richard Covert of Slaugham in Sussex Esq who shared by these matches and alliances a considerable part of his Inheritance in which this Mannor of Sylwell was involved Newington in the Hundred of Milton has the Addition of Lucies prefixed before it to distinguish it from Newington in the Hundred of Street It was the Ancient Patrimony of the Noble Family of Lucy the first whom I find amongst Records of deep Antiquity was extracted out of Normandy within the Precincts of which Province or upon the Verge and Margent of it there is a Signory of that Name yet existent G. de Lucy so he is written in the most authentick Copies of the Battle Abby Roll entered England with William the Conqueror Fulbert de Lucy and in some old Registers written Sir Fulbert changed his Name of Lucy into that of Dover when he was by William the Conqueror made one of the Assistants to John de Fiennes in the Guard of Dover-Castle having fifteen Knights Fees assigned to him in that Track for the Support of his Dignity and Trust * See Seldens Titles of Honor pag. 644. William de Dover was one of the Magnates or Peers who was Teste to the Charter of Maud the Empresse whereby she creates Miles of Gloucester Earl of Hereford Hugh de Dover was Sheriff
of Kent the eighth ninth tenth eleventh twelfth thirteenth and fourteenth years of Henry the second Sir Richard de Lucy was Lord chief Justice and Protector of England in the Raign of the above mentioned Prince of whom I have more largely discoursed at Lesnes in Erith * Ex veteri Rot. penes Edo Dering Mil. Baonettum defunctum Aymer de Lucy was with Richard the first in Palestine at the Seige of Acon and in Memory of some Signal Service manifested there in that holy Quarrel added the Crosse Crosselets unto his Paternal Coat which was before only three Pisces Lucii that is Pike Fish Geffrey de Lucy was frequently summoned to sit in Parliament as Baron in the Raign of Edward the first as the Rols of Summons which relate to that King's Time now preserved in the Tower sufficiently inform us This Geffrey with his two Brothers Aymery and Thomas de Lucy were engaged with Edward the first at the Seige of Carlaverock in Scotland in the twenty eighth year of his Raign and there received the Order of Knighthood They were Sons to Geffrey de Lucy who was constituted High Admiral of England in the Time of Henry the third as appears Pat. 8. Hen. 3. Memb. 4. William and Anthony Lucy both of this Family were frequently summoned to sit in Parliament as Barons in the Raign of Edw. the third In the sixth year of Edward the third Geffrey de Lucy who held Lucy's at his Death which was in the twentieth year of that Monarch had a Charter of Free-warren to this Mannor which priviledge was renued and confirmed by Henry the sixth to Sir Walter Lucy in the 27. year of his Raign in which year he dyed and left his estate here to his Son Sir Jeffery Lucy who with his Sole Daughter and Heir Mawd Lucy transmitted this Mannor to her Husband Sir William Vaux of the County of North-Hampton whose Son Thomas Vaux alienated it about the twenty seventh year of the Raign of Henry the eighth to Sir Roger Cholmeley a younger Branch of the Cholmeleys of Cholmeley in Cheshire from which Family in our Grand-fathers Memory it was by Sale passed away to Sead and from Sead by as quick a vicissitude it came over by purchase to Osborne by whom not many years since it was sold to Pagitt of London Tracies is a second place in this Parish which comes within this List it was in elder Times the Inheritance of a Family of that Appellation John de Tracy was Teste to an old Deed of Richard de Lucy which I have seen wherein he demises some Land to William de Frogenhall the Deed is without Date but by the Antiquity of the Character seems to commence from the Raign of Henry the third Whether these Tracies were extracted from the Tracies of Devon and Gloucestershire or not I cannot positively determine because these of Kent bore a different Coat from the other as appears by all old Ordinaries Vid. Argent two Bends between nine Escollops Gules After the Tracies had left the possession of this place which was about the Beginning of Henry the fourth the Colepepers of Bedgebury were by purchase seised of the Fee-simple of it but staid not long in the Fruition of it for in the Raign of Henry the sixth the Cliffords of Bobbing Court not far distant from whom by Sale in the Raign of Henry the eighth it fell under the Signory of Thomas Linacre Priest Frogenhall in this Parish likewise was a Branch of that wide Demeasne which lay diffused in this Territory and did acknowledge it self to be of the possession of the Ancient Family of Frogenhall whose Seat was in Frogenhall in Tenham but whether this were the Land which I mentioned to be by Deed transmitted to William de Frogenhall in the time of Henry the third by Sir Richard de Lucy I cannot positively determine though it was probable it was and that afterwards as was usuall in those Times to perpetuate the Memory of the Possessor William de Frogenhall fixed his own Name upon it And in this Family did the Possession continue till Thomas Frogenhall concluded in three Co-heirs of which Elizabeth was one who matched with John Northwood of Milton and so linked it to the Inheritance of that Family where it had not long remained when a semblable Fatality brought this Family likewise to expire in Daughters and Co-heirs so that this place came by Joane one of them to be the Fee-simple of Sir John Norton but was not long resident in this Family for he about the Beginning of Henry the eighth conveyed it to Thomas Linacre Priest above mentioned who dying in the seventeenth year of the above-recited Prince gave both Tracies and Frogenhall for ever to augment the Revenue of All-souls Colledge in Oxford The Mannor of Newington it self belonged as an Ancient Manuscript now in my Custody informs me to a Nunnery which was erected here in this Parish but by whom it was founded or endowed is unknown only this Manuscript I mentioned before rehearses a direful Tragedy which it cites as is pretended out of Thorn the Chronicler of St. Augustins and other old Manuscripts It was this Divers of the Nuns being warped with a malitious Desire of Revenge took the advantage of the Night and strangled the Lady Abbesse who was the Object of their Fury and passionate Animosities in her Bed and after to conceal so execrable an Assassination threw her Body into a Pitt which afterwards contracted the traditional Appellation of Nun-pitt but this barbarous offence being not long after miraculously discovered the Manuscript does not intimate how King Henry the third in whose Time this Tragedy was acted seised this Mannor into his Hands and having by Consent of the Church transmitted the Nuns who were culpable to the secular power by Death to make expiation for this Crime he sent the Guiltless Nuns into Shepey and after filled their Cloister with seven secular Canons four of which not long after as if some secret Impiety had lurked in the Wals of the Covent murdered one of the Fraternity upon which the King seises this Mannor again into his Hands which he had before given back to the support of this new instituted Seminary two parts of which laying in the Hamlet of Thetham by the two guiltlesse Canons with the approbation of Henry the third were assigned to the Abby of St. Augustins though some Writings more Ancient affirm them to be given under the Notion of two Prebendaries to that Covent by William the Conqueror and the other five parts of this Mannor were by the abovesaid Henry the third granted to his Lord Chief Justice Sir Richard de Lucy whose Son Almericus de Lucy saies the Manuscript did in the year 1278. exchange them with the Monks of St. Augustins And thus was this Mannor fastned to the Patrimony of the Church and so continued till the General Dissolution in the Time of Henry the eighth disunited it and linked it