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
Poynings died seised of both these Mannors in the thirteenth year of Richard the second Rot. Esc 148. whose Sole Heir Elianor was married to Henry Piercy Earl of Northumberland whose Successor Henry Earl of Northumberland in the Reign of Henry the eighth in the twenty ninth year of that Prince bequeathed by Testament these Mannors to the Crown where they lay involved till the same Prince by Grant made them the Inheritance of Sir Roger Cholmeley one of his Judges who not long after alienated them to Sir Martin Bowes and he had Issue VVilliam Bowes who concluded in two Daughters and Coheirs Elizabeth married to Mr. VVilliam Buggin Esquire and Ann married to Sir Bdmund Fowler who shared his Patrimony but Northcrey and Rokesley upon the partition was annexed to the Demeasn of Buggin from whom it is descended to Mr. William Buggin his Son in whom the Possession is now resident Jackets Court in this Parish was a place which gave Seat and Sirname to Gentlemen of this Name I have seen an old Roll of Kentish Arms wherein Jacket of Jackets Court is recorded but the Arms were of so antiquated an Aspect that I could not distinguish neither the Colour nor Charge from Jacket by Sale it went away to Switzer a Name of signal Antiquity in this Track though never under the repute of Gentlemen one of which in the Reign of Q. Elizabeth conveyed it to Edmund Cook Esquire whose Son Mr. Lambert Cook passed it away to Alderman Leman and he surrendred his Right in it to Whiffen by whose Daughter and Heir it is lately come to be the Inheritance of Mr. Thomas Bales Esquire Barrister at Law Rokesley and Northcrey were formerly two distinct Parishes till Cardinal Reginald Pole when he visited Kent which was in the year 1557 finding it convenient by reason of their Situation and the narrowness of the Demeasn to lay them together united them into one so that Rokesley the Church by disuse being languished into decay hath been ever since esteemed an Appendage to Northerey Pauls Crey or Paulins Crey lies in the Hundred of Rokesley and gave Sirname to Sir Simon de Crey who was Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports in the third and fourth year of Edward the first and afterwards in the twenty eighth year of that Princes Reign accompanied him in his victorious Expedition into Scotland and is in the Register of those Kentish Cavaleirs who were embarqued in that successfull Design After this Family was worn away Champneys a Name of celebrated Note in the County of Somerset was Lord of the Fee Hugh de Champneys is mentioned in the Book of Aid to have paid some respective supply for this Mannor at the making the Black Prince Knight in twentyeth year of Edward the third and Champneys Field so called at this day which lies in Sir Thomas Walsinghams Park and hath been for many Descents the Walsinghams was belonging to this man From Champneys it came down to Scroop a Noble and Ancient Family extracted out of the North-Riding of Yorke-shire Sir Henry le Scroope died possest of it in the fifteenth year of Richard the second and Thomas Scroope after him held it at his Decease which was in the fifteenth year of Edward the fourth after Scroope was gone out I find Talbot which was in the Reign of Henry the seventh to be fixed in the Possession of this place and is in some Deeds written Talbot of Grafton by whose Daughter and Heir it devolved to Danbie in the time of Henry the eighth descended from the Danbies of Middleham Castle in Yorke-shire in which Family after the Possession for divers years had inhabited it was about threescore years since sold away to Mr. James Smith of London who deceasing without Issue Male this by Mary his Sole heir is come to acknowledge Mr. Edward Waller of Beaconsfield Esquire for its instant Possessor Kitchin-Grove is a small Mannor in this Parish which for many Ages since was the Demeasn of Ferby written in ancient Deeds Ferbey from whom sundry Descents since it came by purchase to Heron but was not of that continuance here as in the former Family for after some fifty years Possession it was in the Reign of Henry the seventh alienated to Walsingham of Scadbury Ancestor to Sir Thomas Walsingham in whom the Proprietie of it is at this instant resident John Dynley had license here in the sixteenth year of Edward the third to build a Bridge over the River leading to his Demeasn Land at Hockenden in this Parish which with Walkelins hath been for above two hundred years the Inheritance of Sir Leonard Ferby and his Predecessors Pat. Anno 16. Edw. tertii Part. prima Votes-Crey in the Hundred of Rokesley taketh that Denomination from one Vote the owner thereof in the Conquerours time in Ages of a more modern Descent the Rokesleyes were Proprietaries of it and Gregorie de Rokesley was seised of it at his death which was in the twenty ninth year of Edward the first and left it to his Son Roger de Rokesley who by a fine levied in the thirty third year of the abovesaid Prince passed it away to John Abel Margerie his Wife and Walter his Son which Walter after by the same Devolution translated his right in it to Sir Simon de Vaughan who in the twentieth year of Edward the third paid respective Aid for it at the making the Black Prince Knight Then this Mannor came to Warner whose Successor John Warner was Sheriff of Kent in the twentyeth year of Henry the sixth and 't is probable by some empaled Coats in the Church windows that the Heir General of Vaughan was married to Warner but the two Statues upon an Altar-tomb in the Church likewise which the Injuries of Time and impious Sacriledge together have almost demolished belonged to Sir Simon de Vaughan and were when Mr. Robert Glover made his Collection of the Kentish Monuments entire after the Coheirs of Warner wedded to Jo. Herne and Denham divided his Inheritance at this place and upon the partition this accrued to Herne and Christopher Herne Esquire in the twenty first year of Henry the eighth passed it away to William Walsingham Esquire who upon his decease gave it to his Son and heir Sir Francis VValsingham principal Secretary of Estate to Q. Elizabeth who about the middle of this Princesses Government alienated it to Mr. John Gellibrand from which Name and Family the possession is at this instant it came down to Mr. John Gellibrand of London Chellesfield in the Hundred of Rokesley afforded in elder time both Seat and Sirname to a Family of principal Account who obtained a Market to this their Mannor weekly on the Monday and Simon de Chellesfield upon his Plea of prescription before the Judges Itinerant in the seventh year of Edward the first had an Allowance of it and William de Chelsfield had a Charter warren to his Lands in Chelsfield Shoram Nockholt and Orpington in the twelfth year of Edward the
Burgherst of Plumsted Sir Fulk de Peyferer Sir William de Peyferer of Ottringden Sir Robert de Shurland of Shurland in Shepey Sir Alexander de Cheyney of Patrick bourn Cheyney Sir Thomas de Bicknor Sir John de Bicknor of Bicknor Sir Robert de Septuans of Milton Septuans Sir Henry Fitz-Aucher of Losenham in Newenden Sir John de Hadloe of Court at Street Sir VVilliam de Valoigus of Repton in Ashford Sir William de Basing of Kenardington Sir Simon de Crey Sir William de Crey of Pauls Crey Sir Stephen de Gravesend of Nutsted Sir John de Champneys of what place is not mentioned but it is probable of Champneys in Pauls Crey Sir Robert de Eastangrave of Eastangrave in Eden Bridge Sir John Abell of Hering Hill in Erith Sir Nicholas de Malmains of Malmains in Stoke Sir Richard de Rokesley of Rokesley in North Crey Sir Jeffrey de Camuill of Westerham Sir John Segrave of Folkston Sir VVilliam Peche Sir Robort Peche of Lullingston Sir John de Newenham of Newenham Coldred in the Hundred of Eastrie was a Branch of that Estate which related to the Fraternity of the Maison de Dien in Dover to which in the fourteenth year of S. the first they obtained a Charter of Free warren which was looked upon in that Age as a priviledge of vast extent and circumference upon the Dissolution in the reign of Hen. the eighth it was by royal Concession from that Prince added to the Demeasn of Rich. Monins Esq great Grandfather to Sir Edw. Monins Baroner to whose Signory and Jurisdiction the propriety of this place at this instant submits it self Popshall in this Parish was anciently wrapt up in the Demeasn of Orlanston of Orlanston William de Orlanston held it as appears by an Escheat-roll marked with the number 86 in the reign of Hen. the third and transmitted it to his Son Will. de Orlanston who in the fifty first year of the above-mentioned Prince obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Lands at Orlanston and Pophall from him it descended to Will. de Orlanston who had Issue Jo. de Orlarston who held it in possession at his Decease which was in the forty sixth year of Edw. the third and had Issue VVill. Orlanston who by Sale transplanted the Interest of this place into Rich. Berham in which Family after the Title had for some Generations been resident a Vicissitude of the same Resemblance with the former cast it into the possession of Horne branched out from the Hornes of Horns-place in Apuldore who after some years investiture in the propriety of Popshall determined in a Daughter and Heir who was espoused to John Diggs from whom in a direct Line Sir Dudley Diggs of Chilham-castle was extracted who alienated his right in this place to Sir Will. Monins Knight and Baronet whose Son Sir Edw. Monins Baronet enjoys the instant Fee-simple of it Coldham in the Hundred of Rockesley is in the Pages of Doomsday Book written Caudham which denotes the bleak and chil situation of it In the twentieth year of VVill. the Conquerour it was parcel of the Demeasn of Gilbert de Magninot being involved in those Knights Fees which were assigned to him to be assistant to Jo. de Fiennes in the defence of Dover-castle And in this Name after it had some three Descents been lodged this Mannor went away about the beginning of K. Stephen to VVill. de Say with the Daughter and Heir of this Family VVill. de Say this Mans Son is in the Front or Van of that register which comprehends the Names of those Kentish Gentlemen who were embarked in the holy Quarrel with Rich. the first at the Siege of Acon Geffrey de Say was one of the Recognitores magnae Assisae in the second year of K. Jo. the Nature of which office and the Latitude of its Authority I rust and Concernment I have before unsolded at Cobham * Will. de Say was with Henry the third in his expedition into Gascony in the thirty seseventh year of his Rule Geffrey de Say was with Edw. the first at the Siege of Carlaverock in the twenty eighth year of his reign and for his noted Actings there was honoured by that Prince with Knighthood and dyed possest of this Mannor in the fifteenth year of Edw. the second and had the repute of a Baron at his Decease as had all his Successors likewise holding Birling Couldham and other places by that Tenure which is styled per Baroniam Geffrey de Say had view of Frank-pledge here in the eighth year of Edw. the third and was engaged with that Prince in the thirteenth of his reign in his triumphant Designs upon France Sir VVill. Say was his Son and Heir who went out from his Tabernacle of humane frailty in the forty third year of Edw. the third Rot. Esc Num. 43. and bequeathed his Estate here at Coldham to Geffrey de Say his only Son surviving who going out in two Daughters and Coheirs Joan one of them was matched to Sir VVill. Fiennes from whom descended Ja. Fiennes his second Son who was summoned to Parliament at Bury as Baron Say and Seale the first of March in the twenty fifth year of the abovesaid Prince and * This Ric. Fiennes was created Baron Dacres in the seventh of Henry the sixth Rich. Fiennes eldest Son who matched with Joan Sole Heir of Tho. Dacres eldest Son of Tho. Lord Dacres of Hurstmonseaux who had this Mannor by Descent from his Father from whom in a continued Series it came down to Gregory Fiennes Lord Dacres who in the thirty sixth year of Q. Elizabeth dyed without Issue and so Sampson Lenard Esquire by marrying with Margaret his Sister and Heir became Heir to Coldham and a large Inheritance besides and his Son Hen. Lenard in the reign of K. James was created Baron Dacres from whom Francis Lenard now Lord Dacres and proprietary of this Mannor is lineally extracted The Mannor of Apulderfield by contraction now called Apurfield lies in the precincts of this Parish which was long time possest by Gentlemen that took their Sirname from thence and branched numerously into divers parts of this Shire Hen. de Apulderfield in the thirty eighth of Hen. the third obtained a grant of a Fair and Market to his Mannor of Apulderfield In the eleventh year of Edward the second Iohn de Insula had a Charter of Free-warren granted to his Mannor of Apulderfield which was renewed to Stephen de Ashway in the thirty eighth of Edward the third who had a free Chappel annexed to it and in this Family of Ashway did the Title of this place for many Generations settle till at last the common vicissitude of Purchase made it the Demeasn of Denny from whom it came over by the same Alienation to Fiennes and is now in right of Margaret Fiennes Sister to Gregory Lord Dacres matched to Sampson Lenard devolved to his great Grandchild Francis Lenard the present Lord Dacre The Hamlet of Bettred is
John de Vescy held for term of her Life begotten upon Dergavile his Concubine Daughter to Dunwald a petty Prince in Ireland he made a Feoffment of all his Lands in England to Anthony Beck Bishop of Durham to the use of William Vescy of Kildare his base Son and also infeoffed King Edward in Kildare in Ireland and in Sproxton in Scotland for Licence of his good Leave and Assent to the other Feoffment William de Vescy of Kildare was slain in the Warrs of Stripling in Scotland The King of England himself being then present in Person By which means the State being in the Bishop of Durham he disposed of Alnewike Castle in the North to Henry de Percy that had married Idonia de Clifford and considering that the Estate of Lands at Eltham came from the Crown the said Bishop reserving an estate for life disposed of them back again to the Crown he himself dyed there the twenty eighth of March 1311. In the fifth year of Edward the second and had bestowed great cost in building there The Stone-work of the outward Gate being Castle-like is a remnant of the work of that Time The Palace it self being much more modern and Augmented by several additions of the Kings of England who in a manner kept here their constant residence and here were made the Statutes of Eliham the precedents for Government of the Kinâ—s House to this day The Bishop of Durham being dead K. Edward the second kept his residence here 1315 9 Edw. 2. and his Q. was here brought to bed of a Son called John of Eliham K. Edward the third intending to give a princely reception to K. John of France which had been Prisoner in England and came over to visit the King 1363. and dyed before his return entertained him here at Eltham K. Henry the fourth kept his last Christmas at Eliham 1412. K. Henry the fifth his Son and Successor lay there at Christmas likewise when he was fain to depart suddenly for fear of some that had conspired to murther him K. Henry sixth made it his principal place of residence and granted the Tenants of the Mannor of Eltham a Charter of renovation of a Market in the seventeenth of his reign which containeth more ample priviledges than any such grant that yet I have seen as will be likewise evident to those who will peruse the original Record of that year in the Tower of London K. Edward the fourth greatly to his cost repaired the House Pat. Anno 21. Edw. 3. pars 2. Memb. 2. and inclosed Hornpark so called being the Site of the Mannor of West-horn which was anciently in the Kings Demeasne For King Edward the third in the twenty first year of his reign granted liberty to all his Tenants of this Mannor to be toll-free throughout England K. Henry the seventh set up the fair Front there towards the Moat and was usually resident there I find in a Record in the Office of Arms that he did usually dine in the Hall and all his Officers kept their Tables there and at such time as he created Stanley Baron Monteagle by reason of some Infection then reigning in and near the City of London none were permitted to dine in the Kings Hall but the officers of Arms who at the serving in the Kings second Course of meat according to the Custome came and proclaimed the Kings style and the style of the said new Lord. King Henry the eighth built much at Greenwich with Bricks made here at Eltham and then neglected this place yet he lived here sometime and kept a royal Christmass at this place 1515. There is an ancient place in this Parish called Henleys which in the time of King Edward the third was a Marnor belonging to John de Henley whose House was moated about the situation is yet extant below the Conduit-head but he dying without Issue it came by his guift to King Edward the third and was annexed unto the Mannor by William de Brantingham his Feoffee The Mannor East-horn and Well-hall was in the year 1100. possest by Jordan de Iriset or Brinset first establisher of the Order of Knights Hospitallers here in England In Ages of a lower Descent that is in the reign of Edward the third it was held by Iohn de Poultney and from that Family about the reign of Richard the second it devolved by Sale to Chichley Iohn Tatterst all married Agnes the Daughter of Iohn Chichley of Wolwich Son of William Chichley Alderman of London and by her had VVell-hall and East-horn he had Issue by her two Daughters Ann was married unto Sir Ralph Hastings and Margery was married unto Iohn Roper Esquire and Agnes their Mother was remarried to VVill. Kene who likewise had Issue by her from whom the Mansells of Wales are extracted and by this Descent are of the Blood and Kindred of Henry Chichley Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury Founder of All-Souls Colledge in Oxford but VVell-hall and East-horn were united to the patrimony of Roper and have continued here so fixed that they are the present Inheritance of Edward Roper Esquire To this Mannor the Chancel of St. Michael in the South-side of Eltham Church belongeth called sometimes Tatershalls Chancel In the windows the Matches before mentioned are impaled in Coloured glass The utmost extent of this Hundred East-ward reacheth to Shooters-Hill so called of the Thievery there practised where Travellers in elder Times were so much infested with Depraedations and bloody mischiefs that order was taken in the sixth of Richard the second for the enlarging the High-way according to the Statute made in the Time of King Edward the first so that they venter still to rob here by prescription Pat. 6. R. 2. pars 2. Mem. 34. and some have been so impudent to offer to engage the Sun shining at mid-day for the repayment of money called borrowed in a Theevish way to the great charge of the Hundred that still was in the Counter-bond and King Henry the fourth granted leave to Thomas Chapman to cut down burn and sell all the Woods and Under-woods growing and confining to Shooters-Hill Pat. 7. H. 4. pars 2. Memb. 12. on the South-side and to bestow the money raised thereby upon mending the High-way Surely Prince Henry his Son and Sir John Falstaffe his make-sport so merrily represented in Shakespear's Comedies for examining the Sandwich Carriers loading at this place were not the Surveyers Mottingham in the Hundred of Blackheath is a Hamlet and member to Eltham enjoying like priviledges which are annexed to both these places as being of ancient Demealn It was formerly written Modingham denoting that it was proudly situated for so we interpret Mod in old English It passed away from the Crown with the Mannor of Eltham to Jo. de Vescy and returned back again with it inhabited in the time of K. Edw. the third by the Family of Bankwell and after in the reign of H. the sixth by the Chesmans the last
the Church for diverse Ages untill the Title was by the Generall Dissolution dislodged and in the thirty fifth year of Henry the eighth was by Royall Concession from that Prince invested in Sir Walter Henley Serjeant at Law and a Man under an eminent Character in those Times from whom about the beginning of King Edward the sixth it passed away by Sale to Linch a Family of good Antiquity in Kent from whom the Linches of Lemster in Ireland are primitively descended and have been for some Descents seated at Linch Knock a Castle in that Province After the Linches the Gibs's about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth were by Purchase seated in the Inheritance and continued in it untill very lately the Title was unfixed and by the Transposition of Sale planted in Mr. Jaques of London Erith in the Hundred of Little and Lesness was a Mannor which was circumscribed within the Revenue of Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer that powerfull Baton whose Story I shall pencill out more exactly at Leeds-Castle but before him Guncelin de Badelesmer This Guncelin de Badelesmer was Justice of Chester See Mr. King's Vale Royall who lyes buried at Badelesmer with a fair Pourtraicture upon his Tomb cut out in Wood enjoyed it and held it at his Decease which was in the twenty ninth year of Edward the third Rot. Esc Num. 50. And this Guncelin was Son to Giles de Badelesmer who as the Annals of St. Austins informs us was slain at a Battell commenced against the Welsh in the year 1258 whilst he vigorously asserted the Interest of his Country against their wild Excursions But to advance where I first left off Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer before mentioned had such a particular Affection to this place that in the ninth year of Edward the second he obtained a Charter of Free-warren to this Mannor and suddenly after by his Confederacy with Thomas Earl of Lancaster and the rest of the Nobility knit together in Combination against that Prince forfeited his Estate and Life to the Crown And then Edward the second as appears by the Patent Rolls of that time in the fifteenth year of his Reign grants it for life to David de Strabolgie Earl of Atholl Son to the infortunate John Earl of Atholl who was offered up a Sacrifice to the Fury of Edward the first because he had done too little for him and too much for his bleeding and gasping Country of Scotland and this Earl held it at his Decease which was in the first year of Ed. the third Rot. Esc Num. 85. After his Death it reverts to the Crown and then King Edward the third not only reverses the Processe and Judgement issued out against Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer but likewise by Patent in the second year of his Reign restores this Mannor and diverse other Lands to Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer his Son And he dyed seised of it in the twelfth year of that Prince's Reign but left no Issue-male so that his four Daughters became his Heirs whereof Eliz. was one of them who was first matched to William Bohun Earl of Northampton and after to Roger Mortimer Earl of March to whose Patrimony this in his Wives Right upon the Quadripartite Division of this wide Estate was united and Edmund de Mortimer this Mans Son enjoyed it at his Death which was in the fifth year of Richard the second Rot. Esc Num. 43. And left it to his Son Roger Earl of March and Ulster and he had Issue Roger Mortimer and Ann who married Richard Plantagenet de Conisburgh Earl of Cambridge second Son of Edmund of Langley Duke of York and this Richard Earl of Cambridge having involved himselfe with Henry Lord Scroop and Sir Thomas Grey of Northumberland in a Treasonable Design against the Life of Henry the fifth in the second year of his Reign as he was embarking at South-hampton for France there to justifie his Title to that Crown by the Power of the Sword was convicted and executed and left Issue Richard Plantagenet who was in the year 1426 created Duke of York and upon the Decease of his Mothers Brother Roger Mortimer Earl of March without Issue he became not only Heir to his Estate but likewise to that of his Right to the Crown which first had devolved to him and after his Death to this his Sister Ann Countesse of Cambridge Mother to this Richard Duke of York from Philppa Wife to Edmund Mortimer Earl of March their Grandfather which Philippa was sole Heir of Lionell Duke of Clarence third Son of Edward the third and elder Brother to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster fourth Son of that Prince from whom the Lancastrian Family had wiredrawn and spun out a forced usurped and distorted Title to the English Diadem Upon his Decease at the Battle waged at Wakefield where he found an untimely Sepulcher whilst he most vigorously disputed his Claim to the Scepter against the House of Lancaster this mannor with the Crown devolved to his Son King Edward the fourth and here it dwelt with the Royall Revenue untill King Henry the eighth in the thirty sixth year of his Reign passed it away to Elizabeth Countesse of Shrewsbury Widow Dowager of George Earl of Shrewsbury by whom she had Issue John who dyed unmarried and Ann first matched to Peter Compton Esquire by whom she had Issue Sir Henry Compton who was Heir to her Estate here at Erith and secondly wedded to William Earl of Pembroke Sir Henry Compton had Issue William created Earl of North-hampton in the sixteenth year of King James and Sir Thomas Compton who dying without Issue gave his Estate here which was setled on him by his Father upon his Marriage with Mary Countesse of Buckingham to his Nephew Sir William Compton a younger Son of Spencer Earl of Northampton who hath very lately alienated his Interest here to Mr. Lodowick of London Bedenwell in this Parish had formerly the Repute of a Mannor when it was the Inheritance of a Family called Boreford or more vulgarly Burford Rose de Burford held it at her Death which was in the third year of Edward the third Rot. Ese Num. 52. And afterwards I find James de Burford obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Lands at Bedenwell in Erith in the thirty fifth year of Edward the third After this Family was expired which was before the end of Richard the second it came to be the Possession of Draper descended from an ancient Family of that Name in the County of Notingham who concluded in a Female Heir For William Killom matched with the sole Daughter of John Draper by whom he obtained Bedenwell but with this Proviso that he should change his Name to Draper which hath been ever since both by Draper of Crayford and Draper of Hering-Hill in Erith punctually performed But since this solemne Stipulation Bedenwell in severall peices hath been sold to Turner Gainsford of Crowherst in Surrey who not many years since alienated his Proportion to Cholmeley and
then commenced against the Scots and this William was Son of Roger de Leybourne which Roger was Sheriff of Kent the forty eighth and fiftieth of Henry the third The last of this Family was Roger de Leybourne who transmitted this Castle and Mannor to his Sole Daughter and Heir Juliana de Leybourne first matched to Jo. de Hastings and secondly to William de Clinton Earl of Huntingdon by both which Husbands She had no Issue so that dying in the forty third year of Edward the third after all Titles were winnowed by a serious Inquisition there was none discovered that could by a pretended Claim either of direct or collateral Alliance challenge her Estate So that her Patrimony here lapsed by Escheat to the Crown after which K. Richard the second by patent in the ninth year of his Raign Part. prima Memb. 26. grants it to Sir Simon Burleigh Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports but he being shortly after attainted with the Cuilt of High Treason and his Estate consiscated this Mannor and Castle reverts to the Demeasne of the Crown and the same King Richard in the twelfth year of his Raign grants it to the Abby of Grace upon Tower-Hill and in their Revenue it continued shut up till the Dissolution of this Covent and then King Henery the eighth about the thirty seventh year of his Raign granted it to Sir Edward North who not long after alienated it to Robert Gosnold and he in the second year of Q. Elizabeth gave it to Robert Godden who some few years after by Sale passed it away to Nicholas Lewson Esq of Whorns-Place in Cuckston whose Grandchild Sir Richard Lewson affecting more to live in Stafford-shire alienated his Kentish Lands amongst which this was sold to Henry Clerke Serjeant at Law and Recorder of Rochester who being lately deceased his Son and Heir Francis Clerke Esquire enjoys the Profits and Possession of it of whose Family I have spoke at Frensbury and shall speak more at Ulcombe The Grange in this Parish is the Mansion of Mr. Robert Oliver and hath been for sundry Descents resident in that Name though the Original Sirname be Quintin They being Descended from Anselinus or Anselmus de Quintin that paid respective Aid for the Mannor of Woodfold in Yalding in the twentyeth year of Edward the third at the making the Black Prince Knight Now if you will know how the Name of Quintin resolved into that of Oliver I shall inform you William Quintin Purchased Lands in Seal called Hilks the eleventh of February and in the eleventh year of Henry the sixth and in the Deed of Purchase he is often called Filius Oliveri without the Addition of Quintin and so by vulgar acceptation and inadvertency they came by common mistake to be called Oliver yet in all Deeds and other Escripts to preserve their Ancient and Original Denomination they write Oliver alias Quintin Lidde in old Saxon Records is written Hlida which certainly was derived from the Latine word Litus it importing as much in that Dialect likewise as the Shore and the Situation of the place being not far distant from the Sea does seem to abett the Etymologie It is Situated in the Hundred of Langport which extracts its Name from a Mannor in this Parish called Old Langport which was the Possession of a Family whose Sirname was Ikin And John Ikin I find by an Inquisition taken in the thirty second year of Edward the third was at his Death which was then possest of it After Ikin a good old Family called Hund were Lords of the Inheritance and Sir John Hund who lies buried in the Church of Lidde lived here in the Raign of Henry the sixth From this Family it by Sale passed away to Belknap in which Name the Possession had not been long resident for Sir Edward Belknap Son to Sir Henry Belknap who Purchased this place died without Issue and so his three Sistrs Anne Elizabeth and Alice became his three Co-heirs who married to Sir Edward Wotton Sir Philip Cooke of Giddy-Hall and Sir William Shelley of Michaelgrove in Sussex who sold his proportionable Share in this Mannor to Dannett and from Wotton and Dannett two parts of it were afterwards conveyed away by Sale to Godfrey and the third was alienated by Cooke to Sir Christoph Man of Canterbury New-Langport called likewise Langport Septuans was for many Descents the Patrimony of that Noble Family Robert de Septuans held it at his Death which was in the thirty third year of Henry the third and after him his Grandchild William Septuans or de Septemvannis was possest of it in the twenty fifth year of Edward the third and so remained by the links of some Descents fastned to the Inheritance of this Family till William Septuans this mans great Grandchild by Sale translated his Right in it to John Writtle about the Beginning of Henry the sixth where after the Possession had some years settled it was by Sale supplanted and Seated in Henry Fettiplace of Beselslith in the County of Oxford where after it had for many years been fixed it was at length sold from this Family to James But here it had a very short abode for Thomas James falling under a praemunire in the sixth year of the Raign of King James forfeited it to the Crown and that Prince the next year after passed it away to John Lord Haddington and he not long after to discharge some Debts in which he was engaged to Mr. Edward Cropley of London passed it over to him for his Satisfaction and re-imbursment Jacks alias Jaques-Court in this Parish was the Demeasne of Echingham a Family of principal Note in Sussex where they were Jure Nativo Seneschalls of the Rape of Hastings and of a proportionate Revenue at Echingham in that County The first that I find of note in this place was William de Echingham who paid respective Aid in the twentyeth year of Edward the third at the making the Black Prince Knight for Lands which he held here and in Welland-Mersh by the fourth part of a Knights Fee and in this Family did it for sundry Ages reside and was productive of men that were very usefull and subservient to the Interest of their Country whereof William Echingham Son of the former William was one of the Conservators of the Peace for the County of Sussex in the first year of Richard the second and died possest of this place in the fifteenth year of that Prince But at length the Distaff prevailed against the Speare for this Family concluded in a Female Heir for Thomas Echingham dying without Issue-male Margaret his only Daughter was married to Walter Blount who had by her Jacks-Court which he left to his Son Edw. Blount Lord Montjoy but he at his Decease leaving no Issue the Inheritance of this place came to Elizabeth his Sister and Heir married to Sir Andrew Windsor afterwards created Lord Windsor by Henry the eighth who alienated this Mansion to Clache by whose Daughter and
Welle in this Parish which was alwayes under the Jurisdiction of Lay Proprietaries It was first the position of John de Welle sometimes written At Well from the position of his Dwelling which perhaps was in a bottom but this Man in the forty fourth year of Hen. the third made Ranulph Joremer his Feoffe in Trust who sold it for his Use to Reginald de Cornehill by whose Daughter and Heir it came to Garwinton of Beakesbourne and in this Name after it had been fixed some four Descents it went away to Haut for William Garwinton died without Issue and so Margaret his Kinswoman matched to Richard Haute who was a second stock of the Hauts of Bourne became his Heir but long the Right of it was not united to his Family For Richard Haut this Mans Son left likewise onely a Daughter and Heir called Margery who altered the Possession and brought it with Her to her Husband William Isaack who had by her Edward Isaack and he determined in two Daughters and Coheirs Mary married to Thomas Apulton of Waldingfield in the County of Suffolk and the other first matched to ....... Sydley and after to Sir Henry Palmer who by Donation from his Wife was endowed with the Fee-simple of Well Court and his Successor in our Father's Memory alienated it to Lievetenant Colonel Prude slain at the Siege of Maestricht who left it to his Son Mr. Searles Prude whose two Daughters and Coheirs are by his Will after his Widow's Decease entituled to the Inheritance Reginald de Cornehill in the forty fourth year of Henry the third exchanged Lands with John de St. Leger for Lands at Lukedale in Littlebourne where he founded a Chantry which was endowed with a new accession of Land by his Wife Matilda de Cornehill and was confirmed by Patent from Henry the third Lose in the Hundred of Maidstone was in old Saxon Records written Hlos which imports as much as the Lot or Portion It was as the Book of Christ-Church informs us given by Ethelwulf King of the South-Saxons to Sneta a Widow and her Daughter and they gave it back again to the Monks of Christ-Church in Canterbury to apparel them In the Conqueror's Time upon the general Survey recorded in Doonesday-Book it was accounted as part of the six Sullings of Ferneleigh Pimps Court that gave Name to the Knightly Family of the Pimps is in this Parish although they made Nettlested their more frequent place of abode William de Pimpe held this and other Lands by a whole Knights Fee in the twentieth year of Edward the third at the making the Black Prince Knight and from this William was John Pimpe Esquire who was Sheriff of Kent in the second year of Henry the seventh lineally descended who sold this Place to Edward Stafford Duke of Buckingham Lord Constable of England whose dysastrous Fate having engaged him to make some dark Applications to a Wizard and a Monk about the Succession of the Crown Henry the eighth a Prince of much Jelousie and Fury like an Industrious Spider spun out Venome enough out of this unhappy Address of his to poyson him with the Guilt of High Treason and so made the forfeiture of his Life and Fortune pay the price of his Vanity upon whose Ruine his Estate was not long after his Death and Attaint which was in the thirteenth year of Henry the eighth by that Prince granted to his Confident and Favourite Sir John Rainsford who after a brief enjoyment of it passed it away to Sir Henry Isley who being attainted in the second year of Q. Mary for supporting by his Assistance and Concurrence the Defection of Sir Thomas Wiat this reverted to the Crown and the same Princess in the second year of her Government granted it by Patent to Sir John Baker whose Successor Sir John Baker Baronet hath lately passed it away to Thomas Floyd of Gore Court Esquire Luddenham in the Hundred of Middleton with the appendant Mannor of Bishops-Bush was a Branch of that spatious Revenue which did in these parts own the Northwoods for Possessors and Roger de Northwood in the forty first year of Henry the third amongst divers Parcels of Land which he altered from the Nature of Gavelkind into Knights Service of the which there is a particular Recapitulation in the Book of Aid changed ninety Acres of Mersh Land which lay partly in Iwade and partly in his Mannor of Luddenham into that Tenure After the Northwoods the Frogenhalls were Possessors of this place and William Frogenhall had this amongst other Lands in this Track which he died seised of in the eighth year of Richard the second his Son and Heir was William Frogenhall Father to Thomas Frogenhall the last of the Name at this Place for he left no Issue Male so that the Daughters became his Coheirs One of whom was Anne who married Thomas Quadring of London and so this place became hsi Inheritance as being her Proportion of Frogenhalls Estate but it quickly found an other owner for Joan Quadring his onely Daughter and Heir by marrying with Richard Dryland of Cokesditch in Feversham incorporated it with the Demeasn of that Family since which Alliance it hath by a constant Succession been fixt in the Possession of the Name of Dryland untill of late years by an Heir General it came to own the Signory of Kirton Luddesdowne in the Hundred of Taltingtrough was though now a petty obscure Village more noted formerly when it was the Patrimony of the Barons Montchensie of Swanscamp-Castle Warren de Montchensie one of them obtained a Charter of Free-Warren to this Mannor of Ludsdowne in the thirty seventh year of Henry the third afterwards this Mans Successor William de Monchensie held it and sat in Parliament as Baron of Swanscamp and dying in the year 1287 without Issue Male left this and diverse other Places to Dionys his Sole Daughter and Heir who was married to Hugh de Vere but died without Issue in the year of our Lord 1314 by which means the Title of this Place diverted to Joan de Montchensie Sister to William above-named and She matched in Marriage with William de Valentia Earl of Pembroke half Brother to King Henry the third and by him had Aymer de Valence who expired in two Female Coheirs one of whom called Isabel was married to Lawrence de Hastings who in her Right was afterwards Earl of Pembroke and Proprietary of the Fee-simple of this Place from whom it descended to his Grand-child John Hastings Earl of Pembroke who dying in the fourteenth year of Richard the second left his Estate in Kent in which this was involved to his two Kinsmen Reginald Grey and Richard Talbot and upon the Division of it this Mannor was lincked to the Patrimony of Grey and remained untill the Beginning of Henry the fixth interwoven with the Revenue of this Family and then I find it under the Signory of that eminent Peer and glorious Souldier Thomas Montacute Earl of Salisbury
as appears by the Escheat Roll of that year marked with the Number 76. and left Mawde de Twitham heir to his large Possessions in this County who by marrying with Simon Septuans of Checquer in Ash by Sandwich invested him not only in the Signory of Dean-Court but likewise in his other Demeasne which lay dispersed in severall Branches over this County and he had Issue by her Sir William Septuans who matched with Anne Daughter and Heir of Sir Nicholas Sandwich and had Issue by her John Septuans Esquire who likewise wedded Constance Daughter and Heir of Thomas Ellys of Sandwich and had Issue by her John his eldest Son to whom he gave Hells Twitham Chilton Molands in Ash and other Lands in Kent Thomas his second Son who had Dean-Court in Mepeham and other Lands in this County and Gilbert Septuans his third Son who had his Mannor of Chequer in Ash above-said and from them it is sometimes writ At Chequer and afterwards Harfleet for some eminent Service by him performed at a Town of that Name in Normandy as the private Evidences of this Family do seem to insinuate under the conduct of Henry the fifth and so Successively by Custome and Prescription this Name became hereditary to all of the Name of Septuans who were either directly or Collaterally linked in Alliance to this Gilbert And in the Name of Harfleet alias Septuans did the Inheritance of this Mannor of Dean-Court sundry Ages reside till some few years since it was by one of this Name alienated to Mr. Francis Twisden third Brother to Sir Roger Twisden of Roydon-Hall Knight and Baronet Merworth stands in the Hundred of Littlefield and gave Seat and Sirname to a worthy Family of Gentlemen whose Ancestor branched out from a Family called St. Laurence William de Merworth is in the Register of those Kentish Knights who were embarked with Richard the first at the Seige of Acon upon which it is probable the Crosse Corslets were taken into the paternall Coat of this Family In the fifteenth year of King John one Roger the Son of Eustace de Merworth brought a Quare Impedit against the Prior of Leeds for the Adyouson of the Church of Merworth Roger de Merworth obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Mannor of Merworth in the eighteenth year of Edward the first In the twentieth year of Edward the third as appears by the Book of Aid John de Merworth paid respective Aid for a whole Knight's Fee at Merworth and Crombery in Hadloe which he held of the Earl of Glocester at making the Black Prince Knight in the twentieth year of Edward the third and an Inquisition taken after this mans Death for his Mannor of Merworth though the Inquisition for his Mannor of Maplescombe and other Lands was not taken untill the forty ninth of Edward the third finds John Malmains of Malmains in Pluckley to be his Heir who in the forty sixth year of Edward the third sells it to Humphrey Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex and he about the beginning of Richard the second conveys it to Nicholas de Brembre Son of Sir John de Brembre who at the Battle of Trent as Mr. Selden relates in his Titles of Honour pag. 556. made himself eminent by a signall encounter with John de Beaumonour in the year 1350. And endevouring to support the prerogative of Richard the second in an Age wherin his Crime was too much Loialty against the Assaults of some of the Factious and Ambitious Nobility sunk under the waight of their Hatred and Opposition and being attainted of High Treason this in the tenth year of the abovesaid Prince Escheated to the Crown and the same King in the thirteenth year of his Raign granted it to John Hermensthorpe who immediately after conveyed it to Richard Fitzallan Earl of Arundell Lord Treasurer and Lord Admirall of England whose Son Thomas Fitzallan dying without Issue Joan one of his Sisters and Coheirs matching with William Beauchampe who was created by Writt Baron of Abergavenny in the sixteenth year of Richard the second knit this Mannor to the Patrimony of that Family where it continued till Richard Beauchampe this mans Son dying without Issue-male in the ninth year of Henry the fifth bequeathed it to Elizabeth his Sole Daughter and Heir who matched afterward to Edward Nevill Baron of Abergavenny from whom the Title both of the Barony and Merworth flowed down to his Great Grandchild Henry Nevill who died the twenty ninth year of Queen Elizabeth and left this Mannor to Mary his Sole Daughter and heir married to Sir Thomas Fane unto whom King James in the first Parliament which he held Restored Gave Granted and so forth the Name Style Title Honour and Dignity of Baroness le Despencer and that her Heirs Successively should be Barons le Desp neer for ever She had Issue by Sir Thomas Fane of Badsell in Kent Sir Francis Fane eldest Son Knight of the Bath whom King James in the twenty second year of his Raign December the 29. created Earl of Westmerland and Baron Burghurst being likewise by his Mothers Descent extracted from the female heir of that old Barony for Edw. le Despencer who maried Elizabeth Heir of Bartholomew Lord Burghurst and Rich. Beauchampe who married Isabell Daughter and Heir of Thomas Lord Despencer and his eldest Son Sir Mildmay Fane Knight of the Noble Order of the Bath now Earl of Westmerland doth not onely enjoy the Concomitant Titles of Despencer and Burghurst but the Mannor of Mereworth likewise with all the Royalties of it which were not inferiour to any which hathreceived Honour by its owners for it is holden in Chivalrie by an entire Knights Fee and a Free-warren which was formerly granted to it is yet extant and the Conveniences of a Park and Conies are not wanting Jotes-Court in this Parish of Merworth had as appears by severall old Deeds some without Date Owners who were written Jeotes and by contraction of the Name call'd Jotes but before the latter end of Richard the second this Family was crumbled away and gone and then it came to have the same possessors with Merworth as namely Fitz-Allan Beauchampe and Nevill the last of which who enjoyed it was Sir Tho. Nevil third Son of George Nevill Baron of Abergavenny which Sir Tho. was one of the Privy Councel to Henry the eighth and Speaker of the Parliament and he in the thirty third year of that Prince conveyed it by Sale to Sir Robert Southwell who in the thirty fifth year of Henry the eighth by the same Fatalitie passed it away to Sir Edmund Walsingham of Scadbery whose great Grandchild Sir Tho. Walsingham Knight hath not many years since alienated all his Concernment in it to his Son in Law Mr. James Masters Swanton-Court is the last place considerable in Merworth It lay couched in that Revenue which related to the Knights Hospitalers untill the publique Dissolution supplanted it and surrendred it to the Crown and K. Henry the eighth about
Nephew Sir Nicholas Miller to whom we ascribe the new Additions which are set out with all the Circumstances both of Art and Magnificence and is now possest by his Son and Heir Hump. Miller Esquire Pencehurst is seated upon the utmost Boundary of the Lowy of Tunbridge and was an eminent Mansion of a very Ancient Family whose Sirname was Penchester of whom there is mention in the Great Survey of England taken in the twentieth year of William the Conqueror vulgarly called Doomes-day Book and in this Family did the possession reside until the two Daughters and Co-heirs of the famous Sir Stephen de Penchester who was Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports and Constable of Dover Castle in the Raign of Edward the second and who died seised of it in the year of that Prince's Government Rot. Esc Numb ... divided the Inheritance Joane the eldest was matched to Henry Lord Cobham of Roundall in Shorne and she carried away Allington-castle Alice the other Daughter and Co-heir was wedded to John Lord Columbers and she had Pencehurst and other Lands for her proportion And he had Issue by her Thomas de Columbers who by his Deed dated at Pencehurst in the eleventh year of Edward the third passes away his Right in it to Sir John de Poultney and he in the twelfth year of the above-mentioned Prince obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Mannor of Pencehurst and in the twentieth year of Edward the third paid Aid for it at making the Black Prince Knight and held it at his Decease which was in the twenty third year of that Prince and left it to his Son William Poultney who immediatly after alienated it to Guy Lovain who had Issue Sir Nicolas Lovain who held Pencehurst in the forty fourth year of Edward the third and married Margaret eldest Daughter to John Vere Earl of Oxford re-married to Henry Lord Beaumont and after to Sir John Devereux Knight of the Garter Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports Constable of Dover-castle and Steward of the Kings House in the eleventh year of King Richard the second In the sixteenth year of whose raign he had Licence by Letters Patents to fortifie and embattel his Mansion-house at Pencehurst His Daughter and Heir was matched to Walter Lord Fitz-water from whom the Earls of Sussex descended and he had a Brother named Sir Walter Devereux from whom the late Earl of Essex was derived and the Arms of this Sir John Devereux were not long since extant in a Window on the North-side of Pencehurst Church But he only enjoyed this Mannor in Right of his Wife for after her Death it devolved to Philip St. Clere of Aldham St. Clere in Eightham who married Margaret Daughter of Sir Nicolas Lovain above-mentioned Sister and Heir to her Brother Nicolas Lovain who died without Issue And by her he had John St. Clere who passed away his Right here to John Duke of Bedford third Son to Henry the fourth and he enjoyed Pencehurst at his Decease which was in the fourteenth year of Henry the sixth but dying without Issue it came down to Humphrey Duke of Gloucester fourth Son of Henry the fourth who was strangled in the Abby of Bury by the procurement and practises of the Duke of Suffolke and he likewise going out without Posterity it returned to the Crown And Henry the sixth in the twenty fifth year of his raign granted it to Humphrey Stafford Duke of Buckingham whose infortunate Grandchild Edward Duke of Buckingham endeavouring by a specious Semblance of Vanity and Ostentation guilded with all the Cunning and Pompe of Magnificence to make himself popular and entering afterwards into Consultation with a Monk and another who pretended to the dark Art of Necromancy about the Succession of the Crown poured in so many Jealousies into the Bosome of Henry the eighth which were multiplied to the height of Treason by the malice of Cardinal Wolsey that nothing could allay or appease them but the Effusion of this mans Blood in the twelfth year of that Prince upon a Scaffold Upon whose infortunate Exit this Mannor escheated to the Crown and here it remained until King Henry the eighth granted it to his faithful Servant Sir Ralph Vane who being entangled with John Duke of Somersett in that obscure Design which was destructive to them both in the fourth year of Edward the sixth this was again seised upon by the Crown as escheated by his Conviction and remained with its Revenue until the above-said Prince in the sixth year of his Government by Royal Concession planted the Inheritance in Sir William Sidney his Tutor who was likewise Lord Chamberlain of his Houshold and one of his Privy Councel from whom it is descended to his great Grand-child the Right Honorable Robert Earl of Leicester designed Lord Lievtenant of Ireland by the late King Charles and he is the instant Proprietary of it Pencehurst Halymote is another little Mannor in this Parish and had still the same Owners with Pencehurst and upon the Tragedy of Edward Duke of Buckingham devolving by Escheat to the Crown lay couched in the Royal Revenue until the State not many years since passed it away by Grant to Colonel Robert Gibbons Pepenbury vulgarly called Pembury is seated in the Hundreds of Watchlingston and Twyford and contains within the Limits of it that noted Seat called Bayhall which was the Ancient Seat of the Ancient Family of Colepepers The first of which whom I find made eminent by Record is Thomas de Colepeper who was as appears by the Bundels of incertain years in the Pipe-Office one of the Recognitores Magnae Assisae in the raign of King John a place if we consider the Meridian of those Times for which it was calculated that is before the establishment of the Conservators of the Peace of eminent Trust and Concernment And certainly this man was Father of that Thomas Colepeper who was brought upon the Stage and his Tragedy represented at Leeds Castle where he was sacrificed to the Anger of Edward the second because he was a more faithful Castellan to the Lord Badelesmer then he was a Loyal Subject to his Soveraign and with his Life he lost his Estate here at Pepenbury Yet I find by the close Rols of the seventeenth year of Edward the second Memb. 5. that there was much of his Land here and in other places by the Indulgence of that Prince restored to his Son Thomas de Colepeper but yet the Mannor and this Seat remained lodged in the Crown yet certainly it was no contemptible parcel of Land that was granted back for Richard the second by Royal Concession gave Licence to Thomas Colepeper to inclose fifty Acres of Land into a Park at Pepenbury But to advance In the twenty fifth year of Henry the sixth the Crown devests it self of its Right to both these places and transplants it by Grant into Humphrey Stafford the Duke of Buckingham from whom they descended to his infortunate Grand-child Edward Duke of
of this Family were extinguished and that there were none who were legally begotten for Sir Thomas Poynings was his natural Son that either in a direct or collateral Line could pretend a Title to his Estate it escheated to the Crown And Henry the eighth afterwards passed it away by Grant to William Taylor whose Sutcessor Mr. Thomas Taylor passed it away to George Taylor and he had Issue Mr. John Taylor who concluding in Anne his Sole Daughter and Heir she by a Match with Whitfeild annexed it to the Demeasne of that Name from whom again not many years since it came over by Sale to More who very lately hath alienated it to Mr. Thomas Taylor Esquire Mincing-court vnlgarly so called but Originally and in Old Records styled Minikens-court is likewife circumscribed within the Verge of Shadock herst It was parcel of that Income which did support in elder Times the Hospital of St. Jacobs in Tanington by Canterbury which was founded to be a Receptacle of Leprous Women and confirmed by Hubert Arch-bishop of Canterbury about the beginning of King John and to this Covent did it relate until the reign of King Edward the sixth and then though it had not been torn off from the Revenue of the abovesaid Hospital by the violent Hand of Henry the eighth yet it was alienated by that Prince and in the second year of his Rule it was granted to Robert Tatteshall Esquire to hold of his Mannor of East-Greenwich tantum per Fidelitatem Servitii and from him immediatly after it came over by purchase to Sir Edward Wotton And when Cardinal Poole visited Kent in the year 1557. he was found invested in it and from him did it by paternal Delegation devolve to his Successor Thomas Lord Wotton who setled it upon his eldest Daughter Katherine upon her Marriage with Henry Lord Stanhop Son and Heir to Philip Earl of Chesterfield and this Lady not long since hath alienated her Interest in it to Mr. Thomas Harfleet of Canterbury Stalesfeild in the Hundred of Feversham was a Limb of that vast Revenue which fell under the Jurisdiction and Signory of the Knights Templers and is registred under that Notion in that Book kept in the Exchequer styled Liber de Terris Templariorum And in Mr. Robert Glovers Church-Notes of Kent there is in this Church represented the Pourtracture of a Chevalier maled in Armour whose Face is only visible and that pourtracted with a long Beard which induces me to believe that it was the Effigies of some eminent Person of this Order for in all the Sculpture and Imagery of the Knights Templers both Ancient and Modern they are still delivered to Posterity under that Representation And Peter Auger falling under the Censure of a Knight Templer in the fourth year of Edward the second though Valett to that Prince because he nourished a long and diffused Beard was absolved and discharged by his Master by satisfying the publick that though he wore a long Beard he was no Knight Templer But to advance in my Survey After that fatal Tempest which was conjured up by the Magick of the Court of Rome and its Emissaries had in the second year of Edward the second shook this Order into a total Dissolution this Mannor which lay clasped up in their Revenue was united by Royal Concession to the Demeasne of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem and there it dwelt untill the general suppression in the reign of Henry the eighth dislodged it and threw it into the possession of the Crown where it lay involved until King Edward the sixth in the fourth year of his Government by Grant planted the Propriety in Sir Anthony St. Leger and he immediatly after passed it away to Sir Anthony Aucher who was afterwards slain bravely disputing the Interest of the English Nation at Calais against the Assaults of the French and his Successor about the beginning of King James alienated it to Salter from whom it is now come down to Sir Nicholas Salter who is entituled to the instant Fee-simple of it Darbies-court in this Parish gave Seat and Sirname to a Family which was known to the World by no other Denomination and certainly was a Family of generous Account in this Track for in very ancient Registers and Rols of Kentish Gentry I find this Coat to be borne by this Name videlicet Partie per Cheveron embattelled Or and Azure three Eagles counterchanged And of this Family was John Darby Esquire who was Sheriff of London in the year 1445. and built the South-Isle of St. Dionis Back-church near Lime-street where the Windows represent to our View the above-mentioned Coat as the best Index to the Memory of so munificent a Benefactor But to proceed Before the beginning of Henry the fourth the Propriety of this Mansion was by Sale conveyed from Darby to St. Leger where its aboad was of as brief a continuance for the Male-line failing in Thomas St. Leger Esquire who bought it by Joan his Daughter and Co-heir wedded to Henry Aucher Esquire it came over to be the Inheritance of that Family and in their Revenue was constantly fixed until the Age and Remembrance of our Grand-fathers and then it was alienated to Sir Michael Sonds of Eastry from whom by hereditary Right it devolved to Sir Richard Sonds of Throuley who in his Life-time passed it away to his Son and Heir Sir George Sonds now of Leeze-Court in Shelvich Knight of the Bath to whom the Possession of this Mannor at this instant is entituled Stamford in the Hundred of Folkstone is in it self a small obscure Village but made eminent by containing within the Limits of it Ostenhanger a Seat of as much Account and Eminence as any in the County The Demeasne which related to it was divided between the two noble Families of Crioll and Auberville Bertram de Crioll was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty seventh year of Henry the third and is written in the Pipe-roll of that year of Westenhanger a Name coincident with the other Sir William de Auberville lived at the Borough of Westenhanger when he founded the Abby of West-Langdon in the Time of Richard the first he had Hugh de Auberville who likewise as appears by the Leiger Book of that Covent being a liberal Benefactor to that Cloister was his Son and Heir and he had Issue Sir William de Auberville in whom the Male-Line determined and he had only a Female Inheritrix espoused to Nicholas de Crioll whether of a. Younger House or else a Younger Son to Bertram de Crioll above-mentioned I cannot discover Bertram de Crioll had Issue Bertram de Crioll who dyed possest of a great Proportion of Ostenhanger in the twenty third year of Edward the first as appears Rot. Esc Num. 48. And left it to Joan his Daughter married to Sir Richard de Rokesley who upon the Decease of her only Brother John de Crioll without Issue became his Sole Heir This Sir Richard de Rokesley was one of those
was father to Will. de Septuans who was seised of it when he deceased which was in the twenty fifth year of Edw. the third but it seems it was not long permanent in the Tenure of this Name for immediately after the Gowers had it and Iohn Gower when he died was in the enjoyment of it which was in the forty third year of Edward the third from whom not many years after it was by purchase transported to Iohn Brockhul Esquire and with the Demeasn of this Family did the right of this place many years appear to be interwoven till Anne Daughter and Heir of Henry Brockhull married to Sir Iohn Taylor and then both the Name and Estate were swallowed up in this Family where the possession for sundry Ages remained till lately it was conveyed by Sale to Freake issued out from the Freakes of the County of Dorset who by marrying the Darghter of Sir Thomas Colepeper of Hollingbourne has planted himself in this County There was a Castle anciently in Thurneham which as Darel affirms in his Tract de Castellis Cantii had both its Name and Foundation from Godardus a Saxon being called Godard Castle which is so despicable an Heap that not the least Crums or Fragments continue of the Ruines which might signifie to us the lest symptome of its former strength and Grandeur Tunstall in the Hundred of Milton did about the twenty ninth of Henry the third confess it self to be under the Dominion of Walter de Grey who was Lord Paramont of this place but long did not remain invested in the Signory of it for in the forty fourth year of Henry the third I find Iohn de Burgh descended from Hubert de Burgh in the possession of it and he that year by the favourable compliance of that Prince obtained a Charter of Free-Warren to his Mannors of Norton and Tunstall but before the latter end of Edward the first this Family had deserted the Inheritance of this place and then the next which succeeded proprietarie of it was Thomas de Brotherton Earl of Norfolk who ending in Daughters and Co-heirs Margaret one of them being first matched to Iohn de Segrave and afterwards to Walter de Mayney descended from VValter de Meduana or Mayney who held twenty Knights in this County in the reign of Henry the third brought this to be the Demeasn of her second Husband Walter de Mayney a person on whom the Beams of Majestie reflected with so vigorous impression that he was summoned to sit in Parliament as Baron in the reign of Edw. the third and in whom that Prince reposed so great a confidence that as Daniel represents to us in his Chronicle he and his Son Edward the Black Prince fought under his Colours in a private Habit against Monsieur de Charmy a Frenchman near Calais in Picardy in the twenty third year of his reign and deceased full of Fame and of Years in the forty fixth of that Prince but determined in Anne Mayney his Sole Inheritrix who by matching with John Hastings Earl of Pembroke linked this Mannor to his Inheritance but he dying in the thirteenth year of Richard the second Reginald Grey and Richard Talbot were found to be his Heirs and they bring a pleading in the fifteenth year of the Prince abovesaid against John le Scroope who pretended some Title to his Estate and having rescued it from collateral Claim about the beginning of Henry the fourth conveyed it to Sir Robert Knolles who in the seventh year of that Prince passed it by Fine then levied to Sir William Cromer Lord Maior of London his Son William Cromer Esquire who was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty third year of Henry the sixth and was afterwards in the twenty seventh year of that Prince barbarously assassinated by Jack Cade whilst he endeavoured to impeach that Arch-Incendiarie in his March towards London He married Elizabeth Daughter of James Fiennes Lord Say and Seal by whom he had Issue Sir James Cromer Father of Sir Will. Cromer who was Sheriff of Kent the ninteenth year of Henry the seventh and the first year of K. Henry the eighth and George Cromer who was Arch-Bishop of Armagh in Ireland This Sir William had Issue James Cromer Esquire from whom descended Will. Cromer Esq his Son and Heir who was Sheriff of Kent the ninth and twenty seventh of Q. Elizabeth and had Issue Sir James Cromer of Tunstall Knight Sheriff of Kent in the second year of K. James in whom the Male-line determined so that Francis his Daughter by his first Wife matched to Sir Mathew Carew Elizabeth his Daughter by his second Wife wedded to Sir Iohn Steed of Steed-hill and Christian born likewise by that Venter married to Sir Iohn Hales eldest Son to Sir Edward Hales of Wood-Church became his Co-heirs Upon the partition of the Estate Tunstall was shared by Sir Iohn Hales from whom it is now descended to his Son and Heir Sir Edw. Hales Baronet who lately hath begun to erect upon the ancient Foundation a Frabrick of that stupendious Magnificence that it at once obliges the eye to Admiration and Delight Vfton is a place of Repute Seated in this Parish but it is raised up to a higher estimate since we find it was anciently parcel of the patrimony of Shurland for Robert de Shurland had a concession by Charter of Free-Warren to sundry of his Lands in Kent amongst which there is a recital of Vfton afterwards in Times subsequent to this by the Heir General of Shurland it was cast into the possession of Cheyney and Will. de Casineto for so this Name is rendred in Latine Records or William Cheyney held it at his Death which was in the eighth year of Edward the third and after for many Descents it had layn included in the Interest and proprietie of Cheyney it was by a Daughter and Heir put into the Demeasn of Astley from whom again the like flux of Circumstances bore away the Inheritance and transferred it to Harlackenden the instant Lord of Vfton Gore-Court in this Parish in Times of elder Derivation was the Seat of a Family whose Sirname was At-Gore and sometimes in ancient Court-rolls written De la Gore called so from their Habitation which was situated near some publick way Gare Gate and Gore importting no more in the Saxon Dialect then some common passage But to proceed Henry At-Gore held Gore-Court when he deceased which was in the thirty first year of Edward the third and for several Generations was the Inheritance knit to his Name till the common Fatalitie of Time brought it to expire in Alice Gore the Heir General of this place and of Iohn Gore the last of the Male-line who enjoyed it and she disposed of her Concernment in it to Will. Croyden in which Family after the possession had resided it was alienated to Wood descended from the Woods of Muston in Hollingbourne in whom the right of Gore-Court continues still invested Tunbridge gives Name to that
likewise and bore for their Coat-Armous Argent six Lionceux Rampant Sables in assimilation I believe of the Lord Leybourne his Neighbour who was a Person of a vast power and no less Estate in this Track but before the latter end of Henry the third this Family was extinguished and vanished and then the next Family which stept into the possession of these places upon the extinction of this was the Noble Family of Leybourne of Leybourne-castle Thomas de Leybourne held it at his Decease which was in the first year of Edward the second and transmitted them to his Successor Roger de Leybourne who died seised of them in the beginning of Edward the third and left only one Daughter and Heir called Juliana Leybourne who in Relation to that vast proportion of Revenue which accrued to her upon his Decease was styled the Infanta of Kent she was first married to John de Hastings a Kinsman of Lawrence de Hastings who was Earl of Pembroke who dying without any Issue surviving by this Lady upon his Decease she chose for her second Husband William de Clinton Earl of Huntington but by him likewise had no Issue as appears by the Inquisition taken after her Death which was in forty third year of Edward the third Rot. Esc Num. 57. nor could there be any discovered that by collateral Affinity to this Lady by her Fathers side could elude the Escheat by pretending a Title to the Estate so that it devolved to the Crown as the Common Heir Jure patronatûs as the Civillians call it by Right of patronage and protection and King Edward the third in the fiftieth year of his reign granted Watringbury Chart and Fowles which were parcel of the above-mentioned Revenue of Leybourne to the Abby of St. Mary Grace upon Tower-hill in whose Revenue they lay couched till the general suppression in the twenty ninth of Henry the eighth and then they were by that Prince in the thirty sixth year of his reign granted to Giles Bridges and Robert Harris who immediately after passed them away to Sir Robert Southwell from whom by as quick a Transition they went away to Sir Edward North and he alienated them to Sir Martin Bowes from whom they passed away to Sir Iohn Baker who suddainly after devested himself of his Right to them and sold them to Nevill de la Hay where it is to be noted that these Revolutions of the Title fell out in less then thirty year Nevill de la Hay had Issue George de la Hay who about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth passed away Watringbury to Wilkinson and Chart and Fowles to Roger Twisden Esquire Wilkinson in our Fathers Memory conveyed Watringbury by Sale to Sir Tho. Stile Knight and Baronet Father to Sir Tho. Stile Baronet the instant proprietary of it Chert and Fowls descended to Sir William Twisden Knight and Baronet Father to Sir Roger Twisden now possessor of them both to whose Papers I owe for the latter part of my Intelligence concerning the successive Possessors of these above recited Mannors I had almost forgot to inform the Reader that in the fourth year of Edward the second Henry de Leybourne obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Lands at Watringbury amongst which Chart in this Parish is particularly recited Westbery is another Mannor in this Parish which had anciently proprietaries of that Sirname the last of which Name was Iohn Westbery who deceased without Issue and so transmitted his Right in it by Testament to Agnes Ellis his Neece and she in the twenty third year of Henry the sixth alienated her Interess in it to Richard Fishbourne in whom it was not long resident for he in the thirty third year of that Prince conveyed it by Sale to Sir Thomas Browne of Bechworth-castle in Surrey Controller of the House and Privy Councellor to Henry the sixth from whom by an even Stream of Descent the Title flowed down to his Successor Sir Thomas Browne who in the twenty fifth year of Queen Elizazeth passed it away to Roger Twisden Esquire Grand-father to Sir Roger Twisden Knight and Baronet in whom the present proprietie of this place is resident Canons is the last Mannor in this Parish It is called so because it anciently belonged to the Prior and Canons of Leeds and after it had for many Ages rested in the Demeasne of this Convent it was by the Dissolution in the reign of Henry the eighth which like a general Inundation broke in upon the Patrimony of the Church swept away but was by Grant from that Prince suddainly after setled on the Dean and Chapter of Rochester and made a Branch of their Revenue Watringbury had the Grant of a weekly Market on the Tuesday and a three dayes Fair at the Feast of St. Iohn Baptist both procured to it by Hugh de Leybourne in the fourth year of Edward the second East-Well in the Hundred of Wye was anciently the possession of a Family which extracted its Sirname from hence Matilda de Eastwell held it at her Decease which was in the fifty second year of Henry the third Rot. Esc Num. 32. But soon after this this Family was faded away at this place and then it devolved to be a Limbe of that Revenue which acknowledged the Jurisdiction and possession of Bertram de Crioll and he held it in the twenty third year of Edward the first but his Son John Crioll dying without Issue about the beginning of Edward the third it came down to Richard de Rokesley Seneschall and Governour of Ponthieu and Monstreul as appears Pat. 1. Edwardi secundi in the reign of Edward the second who had married Joan Sole Daughter and now Heir of Bertram de Crioll but the same Vicissitude not long after carried it off from this Name for he went out likewise in two Daughters and Co-heirs one of whom called Agnes by matching with Thomas de Poynings emtombed the Name in his Family and the Estate here at East-well and else-where in his Patrimony but as one ingeniously observes the World it self is but a great Ball cast down into the Aire to sport the Stars and all the depopulations of Kingdomes and ruine of Empires is but their pastime so I may likewise infer that great Families from their tumblings and rollings are but the mockery and disports of Time and so it appeared here for Richard Lord Poynings Successor to the abovesaid Thomas died the eleventh year of Richard the second and left his Estate here to his Sole Daughter and Heir Eleanor matched to Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland in whose right he became Lord Poynings and so Eastwell became linked to his Revenue and dwelt in this Name and supported the Signory of Percy untill the Fate of Sale dissodged it for in the twenty third year of Henry the eighth Henry Earl of Northumberland passes it away to Sir Thomas Cheyney William Walsingham and William Fitz Williams and they not long after conveyed it to Sir Christopher Hales
Attorney General to Henry the eighth and he died possest of it in the thirty third year of that Prince and left it to his Son Sir James Hales who not long after alienated it to Sir Thomas Moile Chancellour of the Court of Augmentations who erected almost all that stupendious Fabrick which now so obliges the Eye to Admiration and left it to Sir Thomas Finch who had married Katharine his Daughter and Co-heir a Gentleman who merited a calmer Fate and a Nobler Tomb for after many gallant Archievements performed at Newhaven in France he suffered Shipwrack in his return to England and left it to his Son Sir Moile Finch who very much inlarged Eastwell-court with both sumptuous elegant and convenient Additaments and left it in Dower to his Widow Elizabeth Finch Daughter and Heir of Sir Thomas Heneage first created Viscountess Maidstone by King James and after Countess of Winchelsey in the year 1638. by King Charles from whom both the Honour and East-well descended to her Son Thomas Earl Wenchelsey and from him to his Son the Right Honorable Heneage Finch now Earl of Winchelsey and Viscount Maidston Since I am so happily engaged to a Discourse of this eminent Family of Finch I shall discover in Landskip the deep Antiquity of their first Extraction They were originally descended from Henry Fitz-Herbert Chamberlain to King Henry the first who married the Daughter and Heir of Sir Robert le Corbet and had Issue by her a Son named Herbert and he was Father to Herbert Fitz-Herbert who by his first Wife Lucy Daughter and Co-heir of Milo Earl of Hereford and Lord High Constable of England had Issue a Son named Peter Fitz-Herbert from whom the Herberts Earls of Pembroke originally issued out and by his second Wife Matilda after his Deeease remarried to the Lord Columbers he had Issue Matthew Fitz-Herbert who was one of the Magnates or Barons at the compiling of Magna Charta and was one of the powerful Partisans of King John at the making the accord between that Prince and his Barons at Running-Mead between Windsor and Stanes his Son likewise called Matthew Fitz-Herbert was the fourth Baron mentioned in the Roll of that Parliament which was convened at Tewksbury The alteration of this Name into Finch was about the tenth of Edward the first at which Time Herbert Fitz-Herbert purchased the Mannor of Finches in Lidde of which being entire Lord as he was not of Netherfeild he assumed his Sirname from that as many other Families fell in that Age under the same Mutation and borrowed Sirnames from those places which were wholly under their possession and Signory In the eighth year of Edward the second there was a Supersedeas issued out mentioning that Herbert Fitz-Herbert called Finch was a Ward in the twenty eighth year of Edward the first and so could not personally serve with the King in his Wars in Scotland and therefore was released of his Escuage for all his Estate in Kent and Sussex which together with some of the ancient Patrimony and several Knights Fees at Netherfeild in Sussex and elsewhere are not yet departed from this Noble Family Westwell in the Hundred of Calchill was confirmed to the Monks of Christ-church in Canterbury for a supply in their Diet in the year 1241. But it seems they were questioned Quo Warranto they possest this Mannor and after a Solemn Decision per patriam it is affirmed and attested in the Confirmation of the abovesaid Prince that it was enstated upon them by his Predecessors and continued afterwards unquestionably parcel of the Demeasne of the Cloister abovesaid until it was resigned by the Monks of Christ-church into the Hands of Henry the eighth and so it rested in the Crown until not many years since it was granted to Sir Nic. Tuston of Hothfield The Parsonage anciently belonged to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury until Thomas Arundell the Arch-bishop gave it in the year 1397. to the Monks of Christ-church to counterpoise those vast expences which they were to be at in re-erecting the Nave or Body of the Cathedral called Aulam Ecclesiae by Eadmerus which Simon de Sudbury plucked down and had intended that it should like a Phoenix have rose more glorious out of its Ashes but was intercepted in his Design by a suddain Death being beheaded by Wat Tiler and the confluence of his impious and barbarous Complices This Church thus appropriated was confirmed to the Monks abovesaid in the year 1400. by King Henry the fourth and upon the suppression was re-enstated upon the Dean and Chapiter of Christ-church by Henry the eighth Ripley-court is a Seat of good Antiquity in this Parish and more eminent because it afforded a Sirname to Gentlemen of good Ranke in this Track of which Number was Richard de Ripley who died seised of this Mannor in the thirtieth year of Edward the first Rot. Esc Num. 91. and in an old Deed is called Miles Archiepiscopi that is he held this Mannor of the Arch-bishop by Knights Service but before the latter end of Edward the third this Family was vanished and then the Brockhuls and Idens succeeded in the possession the last of which was a Family of great Antiquity and no lesse Revenue about Iden in Sussex and Rolvenden in this County For in the year 1280. as appears by a Fine levied that year John the Son of Thomas de Iden passes away Lands to John de More And of this Family was Alexander Iden Esquire Sheriff of Kent in the thirty fourth year of Henry the sixth who in the twenty eighth year of that Prince slew Jack Cade who had borrowed the disguised Person of Mortimer excited thereunto as was the Opinion of those Times by the Suggestions of Richard Duke of Yorke to fathom the Peoples Affections to that man in the strength of whose Title he intended in the future to claim the English Diadem But the Attempts of Cade being disappointed by the formerly infatuated but now disenchanted Multitude's deserting of him who began to risent his Fraud and Imposture upon their total Dissipation shrowded himself in some of those Grounds which belonged to Ripley-court and lay not far distant from Hothfeild and were then in the Tenure of VVilliam Iden Justice of the Peace and Father of the abovesaid Alexander where being discovered he was by that Worthy Person offered up a Sacrifice to the Justice of Henry the sixth But I have digressed I now return After this Seat had for so many Descents been the Residence of this Family and the Cradle and Seminary of many Worthy Persons who had been subservient and ministerial to the Honour and Interess of this County by their Magnanimity and Prudence it went away from Iden by Sale to Darell and George Darell in the last year of Edward the sixth conveyed it to Baker Ancestor to Mr. ...... Baker of VVindsor now proprietary of it Diggs-court is another eminent Seat in this Parish which was the Mansion of the Noble Family of Diggs or
posterity Potts Court in Babchild vulgarly called Petts Court was parcel of the Demeasn of the Priory of Dertford as appears by an Inquisition taken in the eleventh year of Edw. the fourth Rot. Esc Num. 69. and continued united to it untill the suppression in the Reign of Henry the eighth and then it was cast into the Revenue of the Crown where it lay untill Edward the sixth in the last year of his Reign granted it to Sir Thomas Cheyney whose Son Henry Lord Cheyney about the thirteenth year of Q. Eliz. passed it away to Samuel Thornhil Esquire in whose Descendant Line the Propriety of it is yet continuing Morris Court is a third place of Note in Babchild in elder Times it gave Seat and Sirname to a Family of that Denomination as appears by the ancient Muniments of this Seat but before the latter End of Henry the fourth this Family was vanished and then I find the Enghams setled by Purchase in the Inheritance and John Engham as appears by ancient Court Rolls held it in the Reign of Henry the fifth and Henry the sixth and after him did the Title by successive Inheritance transmit it self to his Posterity even untill those Times which grew near our Grand Fathers remembrance and then it was by Sale translated into Wolgate whose Ancestors had their Habitation at Wolgate Green in Throuley and after it had for some years acknowledged this Family for Proprietaries it was conveyed to Tilghman descended from the Tilghmans of Snodland from which Name it was again by as sudden a transmission alienated to Carselock of Feversham allied to John Carselock the last Abbot of the Priory there at the suppression of it and this Name being lately here by Defailance of Issue totally extinguished the Heirs of this Family as Knowler and others so designed by Testament do now possess it Badelesmer in the Hundred of Feversham was the Seat of that Family which for the great sway and influence they had once in this County although they have their Existence now only in Annals and History deserve a serious Remembrance Giles Lord Badelesmer as the Annals of St. Augustins instruct me was slain in the year 1258. in a Battell against the Welsh whilst he by endevouring to unite them to the English Scepter attempted to assault their Liberty and they as vigorously asserted it Guncelin de Badelesmer dyed possest of this Mannor in the twenty ninth year of Edward the first as appears Rot. Esc Num. 50. and lies buryed in Badelesmer Church with his Portraiture crosseleg'd cut in Wood and so much left of his Name as discovers to us that it is He who lyes there enterred and although there hath such a vast Interval or Decursion of Time intervened since his Sepulture yet neither hath Time nor our modern Zeal more fierce and ravenous then that so defaced it but that the Effigies insculped crosseleg'd is yet obvious visible and this I believe wil sufficiently refute the opinion of the vulgar who believe this Figure on the Tomb-stone to be the representation of some Giant and this Guncelin had Issue Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer that opulent and powerfull Baron of Kent who was witnesse to the Charter of Edward the second by which he confirms the Franchises and Priviledges of the City of London in the twelfth year of his Reign and there subscribes himself Steward of the Kings Hostell and was certainly a very eminent Person for in the year 1316 when Sir Richard de Rodney was invested with Knighthood by the abovesaid Prince the Ceremony of putting on his Spurs was performed by Maurice de Berkley and Bartholomew de Badelesmer but he had not been long swoln to this vast Dimension of power but their arose a Tempest which blasted all his blooming Glories for Isabel Wife and Queen to Edward the second having by severall good Offices performed between her Husband and his disobliged Barons so becalmed and softned all their Animosities that they became intombed in a mutuall Pacification was so inflamed at her denyall of Lodging and Accomodation in Leeds Castle by Thomas Colepeper the Castellan under Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer that she egged and pushed on the King to a Revenge which was done so effectually that the Death of the Castellan was the Expiation of so infortunate an Insolence and the Losse of the Head of the Lord Badelesmer taken Prisoner not long after neer Pontfrait and the forfeiture of his Estate paid the price of his Ambition and thus this magnificent Baron who like a streight and procere Elme grew tall in Title and like its luxuriant Branches did spread wide in the extent of his Power and Revenue was by this Storm supplanted and his Patrimony broken to peices being gathered up by escheat into the Royall Demeasne and in this Shipwrack did this Family lye involved untill the second year of Edward the third and then the indulgent Munificence of that Prince boy'd it up out of those Ruines wherein it appeared almost to have been sunk and by Patent restored him to his Estate here and elsewhere and he in a thankfull acknowledge to Heaven for this Restitution according to the Piety of those Times erected here a House for Black Canons or Canons of St. Augustins as the Record pat 13. Edw. 3. Memb. 6. doth amply testifie and dyed in the twelfth year of Edward the third and left his Estate to his only Son Giles Lord Badelesmere who dying without Issue his four Sisters Margery first marryed to William Rosse Lord Hamlake and then remarryed to Tho. Arundell Margaret matched to Sir John Tiptoft Elizabeth first wedded to William Bohun Earl of Northampton and afterwards to Edmund Mortimer Earl of March and Mawde espoused to John Vere Earl of Oxford became his Coheirs and that Land here at Badelesmer which was not before setled on the Monastery upon the partition was knit to the Patrimony of Vere and he dyed possest of it in the thirty fourth year of Edward the third and left it with the Title of Baron Badelesmer to his Successors one of which was Jo. Earl of Oxford who was attainted in the twelfth year of Edw. the fourth for supporting the House of Lancaster at the Battle of Barnet but was restored both in Blood and Estate but he never was possest of this Mannor for I find that upon the Suppression of this Cloister at Badelesmer it escheated to the Crown and then Henry the eighth granted it to Sir Robert Southwell and he in the second year of Edward the sixth alienated it to Sir Anth. Aucher and he upon his decease gave it to his Son Jo. Aucher who dying without Issue male Ann his sole Inheritrix brought it with her to her Husband Sir Humphrey Gilbert who about the middle of Queen Elizabeth alienated it to Sir Michael Sonds and from him is the instant Signorie devolved to Sir George Sonds Knight of the Bath There is another Mannor in this Parish of Badelesmer called Goddisland and gave Seat and Sirname
who stuck so close to the Cause and Quarrel of Simon de Montfort the active Earl of Leicester after whose Ruine at the Battle of Evesham and the total Discomfiture and Dissipation of of his Forces in that signal Conflict he was found in the Register of those Kentish Gentlemen who were pardoned by the pacification at Kenelworth and died possest of it in the twenty third year of Edw. the first Rot. Esc Num. 48. and in some old Deeds it is called Caput Baroniae de Say now the vulgar opinion was formerly that that thirteen Knights Fees and a half made up a Tenure per Baroniam now how much in value a Knights Fee was was the Question in elder Times some affirming it to be 50 l. others 30 l. and diverse again but 25 l. but the common received opinion is which hath been generally allowed of by all our Law Books that it is in Estimate but 20 l. consisting of eight Carucates or Hides of Land for they are coincident allowing to every Carucate or Ploughed Land an 100. Acres which was anciently thought to be as much as one team of Oxen could plough up in a year but the Tenure it self which was compounded of these Knights Fees was altogether incertain for unless it be that Manscript stiled Modus Tenendi Parliamentum which is of no higher Age then the Reign of Edward the third there is no Record does state or fix it Walter de Meduana or Mayney Ancestor to the Mayneys of Linton held twenty Knights Fees as appears by the Red Book kept in the Exchequer Folio 84 yet was not under the Repute of a Baron Walter de Wahull had the possession of 30. Knights Fees and John de Port of 50. yet neither of them out of so vast a Tenure could multiply or inforce to themselves the Stile or Title of Baron whereas on the contrary Roger de Leybourn who marryed the Coheir of Vipont and was really a Baron makes a recognisance of his Service as appears by Kirkbies Inquest kept in the Exchequer and taken in the ninth year of Edward the first but for two Knights Fees and an half from all which recited passages is evinced that this Title of Baronage flowed only from the Favour and Indulgence of the Prince who by his Writ or Summons called those who had merited well by some worthy undertakings to this Dignity and Title and not from the vastness of their Patrimony though this did very much concurre afterwards to support their Baronage in its true Value and Lustre But to proceed Jeffrey de Say this Mans Successor had view of Franck Pledge here in the eighth year of Edward the third that is as appears by the Statute of Frank Pledge made in the eighteenth year of Edward the second he was to take Cognisance of those Disorders and Excesses in his Court Baron that were committed by those which held in Free-Soccage of his Mannor of Berling as well as of those which held in Knights Service or Villen age and this Jeffrey in the thirty third year of Edward the third dyed possest of this place Rot. Esc Num. 37. and left it to his Son William de Say who likewise was in the Tenure of it at his Death which happened in the forty third year of Edward the third Rot. Esc Num. 43. Parte secunda and transmitted it to his Son John de Say who likewise held it at his Decease which was in the sixth year of Richard the second Rot. Esc Num. 67. and from him did it devolve by descent to his Son and Heir Jeffrey Lord Say who about the latter end of Richard the second alienated his Interest here by Sale to Richard Fitzallan Earl of Arundell Lord Treasurer and Lord high Admirall of England from whom it came over to his Son Thomas Fitzallan Earl of Arundell and Lord Treasurer of England likewise who dying in the year 1416. without Issue Joan one of his Sisters matched to William Beauchampe summoned to Parliament as Baron of Aburgavenny in the sixteenth year of Richard the second became his Coheir and so he by this Alliance was acknowledged for Lord of the Fee but his Son Richard Beauchampe created Earl of Worcester in the year 1420 dying without Issue male in the ninth year of Henry the fifth Elizabeth his sole Daughter and Heir by matching with Edward Nevill who in her Right became Baron of Aburgavenny annexed Birling and Comfort Parke to his Revenue and he dyed possest of it in the sixteenth year of Edward the fourth and from him did it descend to his great Grandchild Henry Lord Aburgavenny who in the twenty ninth of Queen Elizabeth dying without Issue male gave it to his Kinsman Sir Edward Nevill afterwards Baron of Aburgavenny whose Grandchild John Nevill Lord Aburgavenny possesses now the Signory of it Bobbing in the Hundred of Milton was the ancient Seat of the illustrious Family of Savage Roger de Savage obtained a Charter of Free Warren to his Lands at Bobbing Milsted and elsewhere in the fifth year of Edward the second his Father Sir John de Savage was engaged with Edward the first at the remarkable Siege of Carlaverock in Scotland in the twenty eighth year of his Reign and there for his Signal Service was with Thomas Savage his Brother created Knight Banneret Sir Arnold Savage this mans Grandchild was Sheriff of Kent the fourth and ninth years of Richard the second and was afterwards Speaker of the Parliament in the second year of Henry the fourth as appeats by the late printed Abridgement of the Parliament Rolls preserved in the Tower and was one of the Privie Counsell to that Prince as appears by the private Evidences of this Family his Daughter Eleanor was first matched to Sir Reginald Cobham by whom she had no Issue and after was remarried to William Clifford Esquire Son of Sir Lewis Clifford Knight of the Garter descended from Clifford of Cliffords Castle in Herefordshire who upon the Decease of his Wifes only Brother this Sir Arnold Savage without Issue in her Right as Heir Generall entered upon his Estate here at Bobbing and was Sheriff of Kent in the fourth year of Henry the fifth and again in the thirteenth year of Henry the sixth his Kinsman Robert Clifford Esquire Brother to Richard Clifford first Arch-Deacon of Canterbury secondly Bishop of Worcester and thirdly Bishop of London was Knight of the Shire for Kent in the eighth year of Henry the fourth and lyes buryed in the middle Isle in the Body of Christ Church in Canterbury though now his Portraicture in Copper with the Inscription affixed with the many Coats declaring his Descent and Alliance are torn off and defaced the above mentioned William had Issue Lewis and John Lewis had Issue Alexander Clifford Esquire who was Sheriff of Kent the fifth year of King Edward the fourth and he had Issue Lewis Clifford Esq who was likewise Sheriff of Kent the thirteenth of Henry the seventh and from this Lewis was Henry
founded by William de Iper of Flanders advanced by King Stephen to be Earl of Kent in the year 1145 K. Richard the first as the Register of this Abby denotes was a great Benefactor to the Covent who were originally transported hither from Clarevall in Burgundy upon the Suppression the House with the Demeasne adjacent was in the thirty second of Henry the eighth granted to Sir Thomas Wiat Father to Sir Thomas Wiat one of his Privy Counsel a man of an unbroken though a calamitous Virtue who thinking it a lesse stain to forfeit his Estate then to debauch his Consience stuck close to that Sacramental Covenant by which he and the rest of the Councel had oblieged themselves to Henry the eighth to preserve as much as in them lay his two Daughters Mary and Elizabeth from confederating with any forreign Alliance and so engaged in that Design which over set him and sunk him and his Patrimony into that Ruine we find him and it lost at present for upon his Attainder Queen Mary in the second year of her Reign granted out his Estate as if it were by Retail to several sons but this Mannor and some other small peices were given back to the Lady Joan Wiat his Widow for the support of her self and Family and this is all which of that vast and wide Revenue of his which lay scattered in this and other Counties is held by his Posterity at this Day Wevering in this Parish is a Mannor held by Knights Service and Waretius de Shelving Son of John Shelving and Hellen de Bourn Daughter and Heir of John de Bourn held it by this Tenure to find a Horse for the Kings Army in Wales Cum uno Sacco Brochiâ pro Esquilar ipsius Domini Regis so it runs in the Latin Record taken in the third year of Edward the third after this mans Decease John de Shelving was this mans Heir and in his Right enjoyed this Mannor though it was not wholly his till he married Benedicta Daughter and Coheir of Robert de Hougham who likewise held some part of it and then he transmitted it entire to his Son William Shelving whose Sole Daughter and Heir being married to Edward Haut of Hauts Place in Petham who was Sheriff of Kent in the eighth of Henry the fourth this and an opulent Demeasne beside became interwoven with the Revenue of that Family and here the Possession seemed to be laid up till Sir William Haut of Hautsbourn this mans great Grandchild dyed and left only two Coheirs Joan matched to Sir Thomas Wiat and Elizabeth married to Sir Thomas Colepeper of Bedgebury so wavering by this Alliance accrued to Sir Thomas Wiat from whom in the twenty fourth year of Queen Mary it was by forfeiture torne away but was in the twenty fourth year of Queen Elizabeth restored with the Mannor of Boxley to the Lady Joan Wiat Widow of the abovesaid Sir Thomas and her Son George Wiat for three Lifes the Reversion was sold by King Charles to Mr. Stephen Alcock who alienated the Fee Simple to Sir Francis Wiat. Vinters is contained also in Boxley it gave Seat and Sirname to as noble a Family and of as deep Antiquity as any in this Track Roger Vinter lived here who was one of the Conservators of the Peace for the County of Kent in the eighteenth year of the Reign of Edward the third he deceased in the forty seventh of the abovesaid Princes Government and John Vinter was his Heir who sold Vinter to Fremingham in the tenth year of Henry the fourth from whom it was conveyed by a Female Inheritrix to Isley of Sundrich and here it rested till Sir Henry Isley being folded up in the same attempt with Sir Thomas Wiat upon the blasting of that Designe forfeited his Interest in it to the Crown Queen Mary granted it to Cutts who some years after devested himself of his right in it and by Sale disposed of it to Sir Cavaliero Maycott who suddenly alienated it to Covert who transferred it by the like Devolution about some five and twenty years since to Sir John Tufton Knight Baronet whose second Son Sir Charles Tufton upon the late Decease of his Brother Sir Benedict Tufton is the present Lord of the Fee I had almost forgot to mention which certainly must much improve the Honour of this Place that King Edward the second in the fifteenth year of his Reign lying at Boxley Abby granted the Charter to London to elect yearly one of the City at their own pleasure to be their Maior Boughton Malherbe in the Hundred of Eyhorne did very probably take its Denomination from a Family of that Sirname who were of eminent Account in the County of Devon for I find Sir William de Malherbe was witnesse to a Deed of Reginald de Mohun by which he gives much Land to the Abby of Axminster as appears Pat. 14. Hen. tertii Memb. 33. parte prima In the Reign of Henry the third by several old Deeds I discover it to be marshalled in the List of those Lands which confessed Robert de Gatton Son of Robert de Gatton who was one of the Recognitores magnae Assisae in the second year of King John to have been its Proprietarie and he dyed possest of it in the forty eighth year of Henry the third and left it to his Son Hamo de Gatton in whom the male Line determined so that this Mannor upon the Partition of his Inheritance devolved by Elizabeth his Daughter and Coheir to be the Patrimony of William de Dene who obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Lands here in the renth year of Edward the second but he not long after enjoyed the Benefit of this priviledge for he conveyed it to Robert Corbie who in the thirty sixth year of Edward the third had Licence by this Princes Grant to build after a fortified Mannor the Terms are Kernellare Turrellare that is to make Cranies and Loopholes to discharge Crossebows and other missile Weapons and to embattel with Towers and Curtain Walls the Mannor House at Boughton from him it descended to Robert Corby his Son and Heir who dyed and left only one Daughter and Heir Joan marryed to Sir Nicholas Wotton twice Lord Maior of London and so by Female Right this Mannor became the Possession of this Family and in a continued Series was it carryed down from Sir Nicholas to Thomas Lord Wotton not many years since deceased whose Lady Dowager Mary Daughter and one of the Coheirs of Sir Arthur Throgmorton of Paulers Perry in the County of North-Hampton as parcel of her Joynture did lately before her Decease enjoy it Colbridge Castle lay in Boughton Malherbe under the Hill towards Headcorne and hath found a Sepulcher now under its own Rubbish King Henry the third in the forty third of his Reign granted Licence by his Charter to Sir Fulke Peyforer to fortifie and build after a Castle-like Manno this Mansion House at Colbrge it
Name then the End of K. John for then William de Averenches dying without Issue Male Matilda his onely Daughter and Heir brought Capell with the two little Mannors Halton and Wolverton alias Wolton to be possest by Hamon de Crevequer called in the Language of those times the great Lord of Kent from him they descended to his Son and Heir Hamon de Crevequer who dying about the forty seventh year of Henry the third without Issue his Estate in Kent and elsewhere was seised on by that Prince as having died in Actual Arms against him but was by the Act of Pacification made at Kenelworth in the fiftieth year of his Reign restored to his four Sisters whereof one was espoused to John de Lenham the second was matched first to Nicholas de Sandwich and next to John de Segrave Matilda the third was wedded to Bertram de Crioll and the fourth was married to William de Pateshull but upon the Division of the Estate Capell with its two Appendages Halton and Wolton accrued to Crioll by whose Daughter and Heir they came to Sir Richard de Rokesley and then by Joan his Sole Inheritrix to Tho. de Peynings in which Family they remained untill the twelfth year of Henry the eighth and then Sir Edward Poynings dying without any lawfull Issue they came by Mary his natural Daughter to Edward Lord Clinton to whom they were by Grant confirmed in the thirtieth of that Princes Reign and he in the second year of Q. Mary passed them away to Mr. Henry Herdson whose Grandchild Mr. Francis Herdson conveyed them to his Uncle Mr. John Herdson and he dying without Issue setled them on his Kinsman Sir Basil Dixwell Knight and Baronet whose Kinsman Mr. Basill Divwell of Broome in Barham is now Proprietarie of them Caldham high mounted is another Mannor in this Parish which informs us that in elder times a Family of that Denomination held it which before the End of Richard the second had passed it away to Baker a Family of good Account in this Track who had a peculiar Chancel belonging to them in Folkstone Church near the Vestry Door over the Charnell House John Baker was Gentleman Porter of Callis under Henry the fifth and sixth and dying without Issue male Robert Brandred who had matched with one of his two Coheirs was planted in the Possession and he about the latter end of Henry the sixth passed it away to Sir Thomas Brown whose Grandchild Sir Matthew Brown exchanged it with Henry the eighth about the thirty sixth of his Reign and he granted it away to William Wilford John Bennet and George Brigges and they in the thirty seventh of his Government alienated their Right in this place to John Tufton Esquire Ancestor to the right Honourable John Earl of Thanett who still possesses the Signory of it Charlton in the Hundred of Blackheath anciently written Ceopleton that is the Town inhabited with honest good stout and usefull men for Tillage and Country businesse It anciently belonged to William Fitz Oger as Doomsday Book saith and was after given to the Monastery of Bermondsey neer Southwarke by Robert Bloett Bishop of Lincoln Anno sexto Willielmi Secundi King Henry the third gave the Prior of that House Liberty by his Charter in the fifty third year of his Reign to hold a Market there weekly and a Fair once in every yeer three days together viz. upon the Eve upon Trinity Sunday and two days after the Market was held weekly upon the Monday and was not long since ciscontinued but the Fair is not disused but kept yearly upon St. Lukes day and called Horn Fair by reason of the great plenty of all Sorts of Winding Hornes and Cups and other Vessels of Horn there brought to be sold King James granted the Mannor to Sir Adam Newton Knight and Baronet Tutor to Prince Henry who there hath built a goodly brave House and left the Care with his Cost to enlarge and beautify Gods House the Parish Church to Sir David Comingham Knight and Baronet late Coforer to Prince Charles Mr. Newton his Brother and Mr. Peter Newton Gentleman Usher to the late King Charles who have most amply discharged that Trust and in a manner new builded a great Part thereof and erected the Steeple new from the Ground and furnished it with a good Ring of Bells decorating the same Church without and within so worthily that it surpasseth most in the Shire Kedbroke neer Charlton was formerly a Parish but when the Church decayed and the paucity of the Inhabitants could not support the Charge that was to maintain the same they were by Composition annexed to Charlton it is of late become of better Note since it pleased King Charles to create Sir William Harvey Knight and Baronet and Baron Harvey of Rosse in Ireland a Peer of this Realm also by the Name of Baron Harvey of Kedbroke it being part of his Ladies Inheritance as being Daughter and one of the three Coheirs of Brian Annesley Esquire who having it in Lease from the Crown bought the Fee-simple of Edward Blunt of Wrickelmersh Esquire to whom it was conveyed by his Father in Law Sir William Garaway of London Knight who had purchased it of King James in the Beginning of his Government to whose Royal Demeasne it had been fastned ever since the Suppression of the Priory of Bermondsey in whose Patrimony it was involved in the Reign of Henry the eighth In the time of King Henry the sixth Pat. 26. Hen. sexti Parte secunda Memb. 27. the Church of Kedbroke was appropriated to the Priory of St. Mary Overies in Southwarke the Vicarage not endowed but being shrunk into Decay and Solitude the Inhabitants for many yeers last past have resorted for the performance of Divine Duties to the Parish Church of Charlton Chalke in the Hundred of Shamell was parcel of that Demeasne which related to the Abby of Bermondsey as appears by Kirkbies Inquest a Book kept in the Exchequer and collected in the ninth year of Edward the first wherein that Cloister is represented to have had the Possession of this place at that Time and here it remained untill the generall Dissolution snatched it away in the Time of Henry the eighth and that Prince afterwards devolved it to Sir George Brook from whom it descended to his Great Grandchild Sir William Brook who dying in the year 1643 without Issue male it came over to his Kinsman Sir Jon Brook as Reversioner in Entail and he some few years since passed it away to James Duke of Lenox lately deceased whose Son Esme Stuart now Duke of Lenox is the Heir Apparent of it Felborough Clam Lane and Rainhurst were a Limb of that wide Revenue which lay scattered and diffused over the face of all this Hundred and acknowledged it self to be under the Signory of the Family of Cobham Henry de Cobham held them as appears by Kirkbies Inquest in the ninth year of Edward the first and so did his
Esc Num. 81. being convicted of Felony was found to have held some Land here at Densted which upon the Forfeiture was by that Prince it is probable as was customary in those times settled on the Priory of Leeds and lay wholly couched in their Revenue until the publick Dissolution in the reign of Henry the eighth rent it off and then it was in the thirty seventh year of Henry the eighth granted to John Tufton Esquire and he about the third year of Ed. the sixth alienated it to Richard Argal Esquire from whom not long after it came over by Sale to Mr. Bartholomew Man and he about the Beginning of Q. Elizabeth conveyed it by Sale to William Lovelace Esquire Serjeant at Law to that Princess and his Son Sir Will. Lovelace about the Beginning of K. James passed it away to to Sir Will. Cullimore whose Lady not long after conveyed it to Tho. Steed of Steed-Hill and he not many years since demised it to Sir Tho. Swan of Southfleet whose Son and Heir William Swan Esquire enjoys the instant Signorie of it Howfield is a second place which calls for our Notice it was as high as any Evidence can furnish me with Intelligence to steer me on to any old Discovery the Patrimonial Inheritance of Fogge a noble and Knightly Family as any in this Track Sir Thomas Fogge who inhabited at Toniford about the latter end of Edward the third purchased this and Toniford of John de Toniford about the last year of that Princes Rule and in the Revenue of this Family did the Title of this Mannor for many Descents lye rolled up till some few Generations since it was alienated to Colepeper where after some short residence the Possession by the same Fate was transplanted into Vane from whom not many years since it went away by Sale to Sir Will. Man * See more of this Family of Man at Bredgar of Canterbury who is the instant Proprietary of it But the place in Chartham of most eminent Account is the Mannor of Shalmesford-Bridge so called because the Mansion House is situated near the Bridge which crosses the Stoure It was for many Generations the Inheritance of a Family which had here their Seat and derived from hence their Sirname and continued down in an uninterrupted succession in the Possession of this Family until about the beginning of the reign of Henry the seventh as appears by the Deed which I have seen Ann Daughter and Sole Heir of William Shalmesford was wedded to John Petit and so by this Alliance the Fee-simple of this place was lincked to their Patrimony but in our Fathers Memory the Tie was broken for William Petit this Mans Successor deceased without Issue Male and left onely three Daughters his Coheirs Katharine married to Michael Belke Elizabeth matched to Giles Masters and lastly Dorothy espoused first to William Masters secondly to John Meriwether and thirdly to ...... Parker of North-Fleet who shared his Revenue but this upon the separation of the Estate did improve the Demeasn of Michael Belke with its accession from whom it is descended to the present owner Mr. ....... Belke now Vicar of Wye issued out from the Belkes of Coperham's Sole in Shelvich which hath been in the Tenure and Possession as it now is of this Name and Family as the private Evidences of the place do manifest almost four hundred years There is yet another petty Mannor in Chartham called Shalmesford Street but more truly and originally the Mansion of Bolles for it was the Interest of that Name and Family who had large Possessions at Chilham and the parts adjacent but upon my viewing the private Evidences of this place some of which reached to Edw. the third I could not discover that any of them were ever represented under the notion of Gentlemen or that there was any Coat of Arms insculped on their Seats after Bolles was worn out which was about the beginning of the reign of Q Eliz. the Possession was by Sale surrendred to Cracknal from whom in that Age which bordered upon our remembrance it was by the same Fatality conveyed away to Michel who claims the present Possession of it Chetham with Gillingham are knit into one Hundred so that it gives Name to that Track wherein it is situared it was in Ages of a very high Pedigree the Seat of the Potent Ancient and Illustrious Family of Crevequer and was Caput Baroniae or the principal Mannor which related to their Barony before they transplanted themselves to Leeds Castle and frequently writ Domini de Cetham Hamon de Crevequer lived in the Time of the Conquerour and is mentioned in the great Survey styled Deomesday-Book and he had Issue Robert Crevequer or de Crepite Corde who was joyned as an Assistant to John Fiennes in the Guard of Dover Castle and he was Grand-father to Robert Crevequer who erected Leeds Castle and had Issue Hamon de Crevequer who matched with Matilda de Averenches Daughter and Heir of William de Averenches by whom he had Issue Hamon de Crevequer who was so involved in the Design and Combination of Simon de Montfort which was to retrench the Prerogative of Henry the third that he made the Breast of Prince Edward eldest Son to that King boile with so much Passion and Animosity that it could not be appeased or allayed until he had appointed Henry Cobbam his Substitute in his Constableship of Dover to dismantle and raze his Castle at Leeds and seise on this Mannor as the Expiation and recompense of so great a Defection and Folly and although his Crimes were afterwards absolved and entombed in the Pacification of Killingworth yet I do not find that ever Chetham was restored to him for in the tenth year of Edward the second that Prince exchanges this Mannor and divers other pieces of Land with Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer for the Mannor of Adresley and the Advowson of the Church in Shropshire But he soon after insculped these Benefits of the Kings in Sand a weak Register to record so many important Obligations and by his Confederacy with Tho. Earl of Lancaster and others of the mutinous Nobility forfeited both this and his life at Canterbury upon whose Tragedie it resolved again into the Revenue of the Crown and there rested until K. Edw. the third in the second year of his Reign restored it again to his Son Bartholomew Badelesmer and he dying in the twelfth year of that Kings Government without Issue Margaret matched to William Rosse and re-married to Thomas Arundel and Margery another of his Sisters matched to Sir Jo. de Tib itot and Co-heirs shared his Inheritance at this place Sir John Tibitot in his Wife 's right died seised of it in the thirty third year of Edw. the third Rot. Esc Num. 39. And Margaret Widow of Will. Rosse and Wife of Tho. Arundel was in possession of a Moitie of it at her decease which was in the thirty seventh year of Edw. the third Rot. Esc
originall and he having thus improved it transmitted his Right in it by sale some few yeers since to Mr. Philip Warwick Chiddingston in the Hundred of Somerden hath the Addition of Cohbam as being the Inheritance of the Lords Cobham of Sterborough Castle Henry de Cobham had in the ninth year of King John a Charter for all his Lands in Kent of which these at Chiddingston with the two little Mannors of Reynsley and Tihurst In Ages of a lower Step Reginald Lord Cobham who was summoned to Parliament as Lord Cobham of Sterborough in the twenty second year of Edward the third died possest of them in the thirty fifth year of that Prince Parte prima Rot. Esc Num. 62. And here the Right continued till in Thomas Lord Cobham this mans great Grandchild the Male Line failed and resolved into Ann Cobham who was matched to Edward Borough Lord of Gainsborough in the County of Lincoln whose Grandchild Thomas Lord Borough some fifty years since passed away his Right in Chiddingstone Reynsley and Tihurst which had devolved to him by his Grandmother to Stretfield whose Son deceasing without Issue Male they became the Inheritance of four Daughters and Coheirs matched to Dillingham Shetterden Powell and Taylor only Reynsley before his Death was sold to Mr. Christopher Knight whose Heir does now possesse it Burwash Court in this Parish was the Patrimony of the Lords Burgherst by vulgar Depravation of the Name called Burwash Stephen de Burwash had a Charter of Free-warren to all his Lands in Kent in the first year of Edward the second Robert de Burgherst or Burwarsh possest it at his Death which was in the thirty third year of Edward the first Rot. Esc Num. 41. and his Son Bartholomew Lord Burwash in the forty third year of Edward the third by Deed passes away much of his Land in Warwick-shire and Kent to Walter de Paveley and Matilda his Wife in which this lay involved from Paveley it came down by Purchase to John de Bore Trivet and Vaux whose Successors conveyed Burwash to John Alphew in the Reign of Henry the sixth Alphews Coheirs were marryed to ....... Brograve and Sir Robert Read Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas in the Time of Henry the seventh who in his Wifes Right carried away Burwash as parcell of her Dower but this man determining likewise in Daughters and Coheirs Katharine one of them was wedded to Sir Thomas Willoughby second Son to Christopher Willoughbie of Eresbie which Sir Thomas was likewise Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas Eliza. was matched to Sir Tho. Totihurst and a third was married to Th. Wotton Esquire Sir Thomas Willoughbie Esquire Son and Heir of Sir Tho. who joyned in a Fine with his two Uncles even now mentioned in the sixth year of Edw. the sixth and so by a mutuall Concurrence with them their united Concernment in Burwash was passed away to Mr. John and Mr. Robert Seyliard of Delaware in whose Name and Revenue the Title and Propriety of this place hath ever since kept so permanent an Aboad that it is still the Inheritance of Mr. John Seyliard now of Delaware Esquire Bore Place with the Mannor of Milbroke and Boresell was formerly the Inheritance as high as Henry the third of a Family which assumed its Sirname from hence and was called Bore and likewise took in to his Arms a Bore for his Cognisance in this Family the Right of these places successively dwelt till John Bore in the Time of Henry the sixth transplanted his Interest in them by Sale into John Alphew by whose Coheir they came over to her Husband Sir Robert Read and from him they went away by Katharine one of his Coheirs to Sir Thomas Willoughbie whose great Grandchild Percivall Willoughbie who having matched with Bridget one of the four Coheirs of Sir Percival Willoughbie of Notinghamshire devested himself of his Title to both these places to improve his Interest in that County and not many years since alienated them to Mr. Bernard Hide of London Esquire one of the Commissioners of the Custome House to the late King Charles whose Grandchild Mr. Bernard Hide is upon his Fathers late Decease now enterred into their Possession of Milbroke and Boreplace But Boresell now vulgarly called Bowsell was sold to Edmund Thomas of Whitley neer Sevenoke who is now in the enjoyment of it Chilham in the Hundred of Felborough was by William the Conquerour as the Pages of Doomsday Book instruct us assigned to Fulbert de Dover under the Notion of a whole Knights Fee for his Assistance and Association to John de Fiennes in the Guard of Dover Castle which eminent employment thus imposed upon him did induce him to wave his originall Sirname of Lucy and assume one derived from his Office yet Richard de Lucy this mans Son did it seems take up again his primitive Sirname for when King John by his Charter in the sixteenth year of his Reign Cart. 24. Num. 37. restores to Rose de Dover called in the Latin Record Rohesia the Castle of Chilham with all its Appendages he calls it there the Land which was her Grandfather Richard de Lucy's Inheritance This Rose de Dover was sometimes written in old Deeds de Lucy in Relation to which she sealed with three Pikes * Fishes called Lucii in Latin she matched with Richard base Son to King John by whom she had two Daughters and Coheirs Lora married to William de Marmion and Isabell espoused to David de Strabolgie Earl of Athol who in her Right became Lord of the Castle and Mannor of Chilham and transmitted it to his Son John Earl of Atholl who for his frequent Acts of Hostility and Rebellion against Edward the first in his Contest with the Scots being by the Fate of War made Captive was at Canterbury hanged on a Gibbet fifty Foot high that he might be as eminent in his Punishment as he was before conspicuous in his Crimes and being cut down halfe alive had his Head struck off and his Trunk cast into the Fire a Savage Manner of Punishment and hardly heard of before amongst us upon his Shipwrack and Confiscation of Estate it rested in the Demeasne of the Crown till King Edward the second in the fifth year of his Reign as appears Parte prima Pat. Edwardi secundi granted the Castle and Mannor of Chilham to Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer who quickly after lost it by his Perfidiousnesse and Disloyalty to that Prince so that it returned to the Crown and the abovesaid Prince as is evident by Pat. 15. 16. Edwardi secundi restores the Castle and Mannor with all the Goods and Chattels in it which belonged to Bartholomew Badelesmer to David de Strabolgie Grandchild to the first David for Life only which upon his Expiration was again united to the Royal Revenue and in the third year of King Edward the thirds Government it was by Patent granted to Bartholomew Badelesmer Son to the abovesaid Lord Bartholomew and
the last place considerable in Coldham or Coudham It was in elder times the Inheritance of Richard de Cherfholt who was discharged of Reveship by Jeffrey de Say in the fifteenth year of Edw. the second which Lord it seems bore a particular affection to this place for in the seventh year of Edw. the third he brings a pleading for a yearly Fair to be kept at this Hamlet on the day of St. Laurence that is on the tenth day of August which was allowed by Jo. de Stonar then one of the Justices Itinerant But to go on this above-mentioned Ric. dying without Issue-male his Daughter and Heir who was matched to William de Manning knit it to the possession of this Family he dyed the seventeenth year of Edw. the third and was Son of Stephen de Manning of whom there is mention in old Deeds which have an Aspect upon the third fourteenth eighteenth and twenty third years of Edward the first and he was descended of Simon de Manning to whom John Silvester of Westerham demises Land by Deed in the fourteenth year of Rich. the first and who as an old Pedigree which relates to this Family doth record was engaged in the Holy War in defence of the Cross and Sepulcher of our Saviour against the Saracens and Infidels under Rich. the first and from this Simon de Manning Mr. Sam. Manning now of London and Mr. Edw. Manning of Kevington are by successive Right derived to them by many Descents originally and lineally extracted Cosmus-Damianus-Bleane lies in the Hundred of Whitstaple and contains three places within the Boundaries of it which may fall under a Survey The first is Well-court which was anciently parcel of that Estate which did own the Family of at Leeze for its Possessors Sir Richard at Leeze dyed possest of it in the year 1394. but going out without Issue Marcellus at Leeze was his Brother and Heir who concluded in two Daughters and Coheirs Lucy first married to Jo. Norton and after to Will. Langley of Knolton in Kent by both which she had Issue and Cicily wedded to Valentine Barret of Perry-court but Norton and Langley as Heirs to the eldest Daughter shared the Estate here at Well-court and for many years did their Interest remain thus interwoven till is the eleventh year of H. the eighth Tho. Son of Jo. Langley releaseth all his right in this place to his Kinsman Sir Jo. Norton and he in the third year of Edw. the sixth passes away his Concernment in it by Sale to Tho. Green whose Successors George and Tho. Green in the seventh year of K. James alienated it by mutual Concurrence to Jo. Best in whose posterity the title and propriety is at this instant resident The second is Lambert Lands a Mannor which is couched partly within the Limits of Hernhill and partly within the Verge of this Parish It was in elder times an Appendage to the revenue of Feversham Abby but when the storm of Suppression which happened in the Government of the reign of H. the eighth had ravished it away from the patrimony of the Church and lodged it in the Crown it was by that Prince in the thirty sixth year of his reign granted to Tho. Arden but it seems it was but for Life for after he was Barbarously assassinated by his Wife and her inhumane Complices in the reign of Edw. the sixth and left no Issue that Prince granted it to Sir Henry Crispe of Quckes in whose posterity the title was permanent till that Age our Fathers lived in and then it was alienated to Sir Jo. Huett of the County of Darby who is yet the proprietary of it Hoad-court is and always was part of the Demeasn of East-bridge Hospital holding of the Master thereof East-bridge was formerly an Inn for poor devout Pilgrims who came to offer up their Visits and Orizons to the shrine of Tho. Becket after the demolishing of which in the reign of H. the eighth this Hospital sprang up out of its Luines and in the reign of Q. Eliz. Dr ...... Lawes being then Master of East-bridge Hospital it was granted for three lives to * He was Steward to five Arch-bs of Cant. Judge of the Chancery at Dover under 3 Lord Wardens and Recorder of Canterbury Sir Jo. Bois a person of an exemplary and regular life as appears by his diffusive Charity for he founded Jesus Hospital in the Subburbs of North-gate at Cant. which he furnished with eight Brothers four Sisters and a Warden all very plentifully provided for he died without issue and left his estate here to his Nephew Mr. Tho. Bois who erected for him a magnificent tomb in the Nave or body of Christ-church which the assaults of impious and savage hands have demolished and utterly defaced but though this Monument be thus crushed into uncomely ruines yet he hath transmitted his Fame to posterity which whenall the gandy and pompous Trophies of Art languish and shrink into their own Ashes shall stand both Brass to his Tomb and Marble to his Stone But to proceed from Mr. Thomas Bois abovementioned is the propriety of this Mannor devolved to his Grandchild Jo. Bois Esq a person who for his ingenious and candid Love to Literature may be justly said to be worthy of better times but fit for these that is though his Merit should have been calculated for the best of days yet it is made more eminent by his support of Learning in the worst Cowden in the Hundreds of Somerden and Westerham did anciently with its revenue support the Colledge of Lingfield in Surry till the publique dissolution came and tore it off and then it was by H. the eighth granted to H. Earl of Arundel from whom it suddenly after devolved by sale to Wiskenden whose Grandchild not many years since deceasing left it divided between his two Sons one of which hath lately alienated his Moiety to Ashdown though the other proportion still continues in the Name of Wickenden The Moat is an eminent Seat in Cowden which for many Generations confessed the Signory of a Family called Cosin or Cosins as is evident from several Deeds of certain parcels of Land which relate to this Mansion as the capital messuage which were conveyed some by Sale some by resignation from one Cosin to another Whence this Family was originally extracted I cannot collect because the evidences of this place from which I am to borrow my Intelligence extend no higher then this Family yet it is probable their first Cradle was in Norfolk where in elder times they were eminent for in the sixteenth year of E. the second I find one Jo. Cosin obtained License by parent to found a Chantry at Norwich as appears Pat. Anno 16. E. 2. Parte secunda Memb. 4. but whether this Family seated here were derived from him immediately or not is incertain Sure I am that after they had for many Descents been planted here about the latter end of Henry the sixth it began to
crumble away for in the thirty second year of that Prince William Cosin by Deed passed it away to William Hextall William Gainsford and Nicholas Gainsford in the fifth year of Edward the fourth Hextall surrenders all his Interest here to William Gainsford Esquire so he is written in the Deed and from him did it descend to Nicholas Gainsford whom I find to be Justice of the Peace for Sussex and Kent in the reign of Henry the seventh and from him is that Family successively branched out who are the instant proprietaries of this place Waystrode is another obscure Mannor in this Parish which was the possession of as obscure a Family wich bore that Sirname who continued Lords of the Fee untill the Beginning of Henry the sixth and then it was passed away to May in which Name it had not been permanent untill the latter end of that Prince but the same revolution conveyed it into the possession of a Family whose Sirname was Still in whose Successors the title hath remained so constant that the Inheritance of this place is at this instant resident in this Name and Family Cowling in the Hundred of Shamell had still the Barons Cobham of Cobham of whom I have discoursed so largely at that place for possessors and came down along with them to John Lord Cobham who expired in Joan Cobham his Daughter and Heir who was first espoused to John Delapole secondly to Sir John Oldcastle who for asserting the Doctrine of the Lollards notwithstanding his many great Atchievements in Military Commands which rendered him gracious with his Prince and glorious in our Chronicles he was in the first year of Henry the fifth quite subverted by a Romish Tempest raised by the Ecclesiasticks of those Times and martyr'd in a most inhumane manner by hanging him first and burning his Body also thirdly she was matched to Reginald Braybrook by whom she had only Joan her Daughter and Heir who was wedded to Thomas Brook of the County of Somerset Esquire from whom descended William Lord Brook Lord Warden of the Cinque ports in the reign of Queen Elizabeth who gave this Mannor to George Brooke his second Son and he being unhappily entangled in that mysterious Design of his Brother Henry Lord Cobham and Sir VValter Ramleigh by the Losse of his Head at VVinchester did expiate this unhappy undertaking but this being setled by entail and in Marriage also upon his Son who was in this latter Age known by the Name of Sir VVilliam Brook was by King James restored to this person then in his Minority upon whose Decease it descended to Sir Iohn Brook as the Heir male of the Family who was created Lord Brook by the late King at Oxford Cowling Castle was erected by Iohn Lord Cobham by Concession from Richard the second as appears Pat. 4. Richardi secundi which grant of his in the whole Tenor of it he caused to be inscribed in a large Table of Stone upon the Front of the Castle so careful was he to conform to the Laws of the Land which had a particular Aspect upon private embattelling a Species of Fortification prohibited si facta fuerit sine Licentia Domini Regis The Mannor of Mortimers in this Parish was the patrimony of Gentlemen of that Sirname Hugh de Mortimer who had a Grant of a Fair to Cliff in the forty first year of Henry the third was possessor of this place In Ages of a lower descent Iohn Mortimer who in the eleventh year of Edward the third was to provide an Hobler or Light Horseman for the security of the Coast about Genlade in Hoo lived at this place which had long before born the Name of his Ancestors After this Family had left it the Inglefields a noble Family in Barkesshire descended from * Ex veteri Rotulo Familiae de Inglefield Hasculfus de Inglefield who flourished about the latter end of King Canutus were by purchase ingraffed in the possession and here in this Name did the Title setle till about the latter end of Henry the seventh and then it was alienated to Iohn Sidley Esq Auditor to that Prince from Sidley it went over by purchase to Polhill Ancestor to George Polhill Esq eldest Son of Sir Thomas Polhill who is the present possessor of it Crundall in the Hundred of VVye was one of the Seats of the noble and ancient Family of Hadloe who had here a Mansion which at this day perpetuates their memory and is called Hadloe place Iohn de Hadloe had a Charter of Free-warren to Crundall and Hadloe in the first year of Edward the third he was son to Iohn de Hadloe who dyed seised of it in the eleventh year of Edward the first Rot. Esc Num. 25. Of this Family was Nicholas Hadloe son of Edmund de Hadloe who ended in Amabilia Hadloe who matched with Honewood of Honewood in Postling but Crundall and Hadloe were sold away before to VVaretius de Valoigns by whose Daughter and Coheir they came over to Thâ—mas de Aldon and in that Name they continued several descents until the former Fatality brought it to languish into a Female Heir who was wedded to Heron of the County of Lincolne who desirous to draw all his estate into an entire Bulke passed away his estate here to Kempe and there it had no long continuance neither for by Mary one of the Coheirs of Sir Thomas Kempe it went away to Sir Dudley Diggs who suddenly after devested himself of his right to Crundall and Hadloe-place and in our Fathers memory passed them away by Sale to Mr ...... Gay Tremworth in this parish See more of Valoigns at Swerdlin in Petham was one of the ancient Mansions of Valoigns Allan de Valoigns who was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty first thirty second thirty third and thirty fourth years of Henry the second had his Residence here as well as at Repton in Ashford and is often written in the pipe-Rolls of those years Valoigns de Tremworth from this man did descend VVaretius de Valoigns who in the fourteenth year of Edward the third obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Lands at Tremworth Hougham and other places in Kent and in whom the male Line failed for he concluded in two Daughters and Coheirs one of whom was matched to Aldon and so Tremworth came to own the Jurisdiction and Dominion of that Family and here it remained for divers Descents till Time that with successive Vicissitudes rolles all things into their determined period brought this Family to find its Tomb in a Female Heir who was married to Heron from which Family about the reign of Henry the eighth it passed away by Sale to Kempe of which Family was Sir Thomas Kempe who dying without Issue male left it to his Brother Mr. Reginald Kempe and he had Issue Thomas Kempe who deceasing without Children this Thomas his two Sisters married to Clark and Denny became his heirs and upon the Division of the Estate Tremworth was
alienated both the Title and Demeasn to Allen and he in our Memory sold one moitie of it to Ford and setled the other proportion of it upon his Daughter and Heir who was matched to Giles Down-Court in Dodington is an ancient Mannor which in elder times owned the Signorie of Simon de Dodington who flourished here in the Reign of K. John and Henry the third and was entituled likewise to the Patronage or Advouson of the Church but he determined in an only Daughter called Matilda de Dodington who in the forty first of King Henry the third as appears by a Fine levied in that year passed away her Interest here to John de Bourne in which Family the Title many years after rested untill about the latter end of Henry the sixth it was conveyed to Dungate of Dungate-Street in Kingsdowne And Andrew Dungate the last of this Name at this place dying without Issue male his sole Daughter and Heir was marched to Killigrew who likewise about the entrance of Henry the eighth expired in two female Coheirs whereof one was wedded to Roydon the second to Cowland In Roydon The Pssession was but brief for he about the latter end of Henry the eighth alienated his Proportion to Adye a Name deeply rooted in this Track whose Successor Mr. John Adye still enjoyes the capitall Messuage or Mansion called Down-Court but the Mannor it self which accrued to John Cowland upon the Division of the Estate was by his Will made 1540. ordered to be sold to discharge Debts and Legacies and was according to the Tenure of the premises not long after conveyed to Allen Ancestor to him who is the instant owner of it Downe in the Hundred of Rokesley is so called from its eminent situation it was in times of elder Aspect the Habitation of a Family which passed under that Sirname Richard de Downe who flourished under Edward the first and Edward the second lies buried in the Chancell of the Church but with no date upon his Tombe Soon after this Family was expired the Petleys became Lords of the Fee and Stephen Petley is Recorded in the Book of Aid to have paid an Auxiliary supply for Lands at Down at making the Black Prince Knight in the twentieth year of Edward the third and in this Family was the Title of this place successively wrapped up for many Generations untill about the latter end of Henry the eighth it melted away with the Name For Jo. Petley resolved into four Daughters and Coheirs Agnes the eldest was matched to Jo. Manning the second was espoused to Bird the third was wedded to Casinghurst of Valous and the fourth was married to Childrens and upon partition of the Estate this Mannor fell to be the Inheritance of Manning and in this Name for many years it remained constant untill in our Fathers Remembrance it went away by Sale to Sir Nicholas Carew of Beddington in Surrey and his Son Sir Francis Carew conveyed it to Ellis of London who not many years since alienated his Right in it to Colonel Richard Sandys third Son of Sir Edward Sandys of Northbourne but Down-Court was long before passed away by Manning to Palmer which was separated from the Mannor of Downe and singly sold by it self The Arms of Philipot and Petley are extant in the South-window of the Chancell with this Inscription affixed to the Pedestall of their two Pourtraicttures Orate pro Animabus Jo. Petley Christiana Uxoris Jo. Petley Aliciae Filiae Tho. Philipot ........ ac Parentum corum E. E. E. E. EGerton in the Hundred of Calehill hath two places within the Verge of it remarkable The first is Barmeling which was the Seat of a Family of that Sirname Robert de Bermeling and in old datelesse Deeds called Sir Robert de Barmeling he held it at his Decease which was in the fifty third year of Henry the third and left Issue William de Bermeling who was also in the enjoyment of it at his Death which was in the twenty second year of Edward the first and so did Robert de Bermeling who made his Exit the thirty first of Edward the first and here in this Family hath the Propriety by an undivided Track of Succession been so fixed and permanent that it is yet the unseperated Inheritance of this Name of Barmeling The second is Bruscombe This was a Branch of that Demeasn which formerly acknowledg'd the Chitcrofts for its Possessors a Name of very great Antiquity both here and at Lamberherst Agnes wife of Richard Chitcroft held it at her Death which was in the eighteenth year of Edward the second Rot. Esc Num. 198. After Chitcroft was worn out the Beaumonts were invested in the Possession and John de Bellemont or Beaumont deceased in the enjoyment of it in the twentieth year of Richard the second Rot. Esc Num. 14. But not long after this the Title ebbed away from this Name and by a successive Channel of Vicissitude was powred into Baron a Family originally extracted out of the West where they are yet in being John Baron died seised of Bruscombe the second year of Henry the fifth The Family which succeeded this in the Inheritance upon their Recesse which was about the latter end of Henry the sixth were the Wottons of Boughton Malherbe in which Family the Title and Propriety hath been ever since so constantly resident that it still rests in the Descendants and Heirs of Tho. Lord Wotton of Marley Eltham in the Hundred of Black heath anciently called Ealdham did anciently belong in part to the King and partly to the Mandevills from whence it came to be called Eltham Mandeville King Edward the first granted that Moiety which belonged to himself to John de Vescy a potent Baron in the North in the ninth year of his Reign and in the twelfth year ennobles his former Concession and gives him a new Grant to hold a Market weekly and a Fair yearly at his Mannor of Eltham In the fourteenth year of the abovesaid Prince John de Vescy with his Knowledge and Consent made an Exchange with Walter de Mandevill for that Proportion of Eltham in which he was Interessed and gave the sixth part of the Mannor of Luton in Bedfordshire for one Messuage with the Appurtenances in Eltham and Modingham This John de Vescy died without Issue in the eighteenth of Edward the first and William his Brother succeeded in the Possession and was Lord Vescy and had Issue by Isabell Daughter of Robert Perington Widow of Sir Robert de Wells William de Vescy his lawfull Son born in the year 1269 who died without Issue in his Fathers life Time at Conway and was buryed at Malton Then William de Vescy having a base Son called William Vescy de Kildare born at Compston in the County of Kildare 1292 * Fines de Anno 24. Ed. primi VVill. de Vescy sold to Anth. Beck Bishop of Durham the Mannor of Eltham with the Appurtinances which Isabell the Widow of
Confederate of Simon de Montforts the popular Earl of Leicester in his Quarrel commenced against Henry the third about removing of Strangers both from his Counsells and Throne for which after the Battle of Evesham where that Simon was defeated and slain he was by the Pacification made at Kenelworth in the fiftieth year of Henry the third absolved and pardoned soon after which he dyed and left this Mannor with much other Revenue to his Son Henry Leybourn and he was seised of it at his Death which was in the twenty eighth year of Edward the first from whom it went down to his Son Sir Roger Leybourn who dying without Issue-male Juliana Leybourn his Sole Daughter and Inheritrix entred upon the Inheritance and she was first wedded to John de Hastings and after to William de Clinton Earl of Huntington but by neither had she any Surviving Issue nor yet any collateral Alliance that could put in any pretended Claim to rescue it from an Escheat so that in the forty third year of Edward the third in which year she dyed it devolved to the Crown and Richard the second granted it to Sir Simon de Burley Knight of the Garter and Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports a Man of great Virtues and no lesse Vices whose Pride and Ambition first galled others and lastly wounded himself and like some Physick wanting a peccant Matter to work upon preys upon the Vitalls themselves For bandying against some of the Nobility who pretended the Preservation and Sheltring of the peoples Interest against the impetuous Eruptions of an arbitrary Prerogative he was empeached of high Treason in the tenth year of Richard the second and was convicted and executed upon whose Calamitous Tragedie this by Escheat reverts to the Crown and the abovesaid Prince in the twelfth year of his Reign by Grant annexes it to the Revenue of the Canons of St. Stephens in Westminster where it was fixed untill the publick Suppression removed it and united it once more to the Patrimony of the Crown Richard de Albaney principall Butler to King William Rufus gave the Tithes of Elham to St. Andrews in Rochester See Textus Roffensis and then King Edward the sixth granted it in Lease for fourscore years to Sir Edward Wotton one of his Privie Councell whose Son Thomas Wotton Esquire passed it away by Sale to Alexander Hamon Esquire who determining in two Daughters and Coheirs Mary married to Sir Edward Bois of Fredvill and Katharine wedded to Sir Robert Lewknor this in his Wifes Right came over to the last but the Reversion in Fee was in the Beginning of the late King Charles by Sir Charles Herbert Master of the Revells purchased of the Crown and he some few years since alienated all his Concernment in this Mannor to Mr. Alst a Dutch Merchant of London Elham had the Grant of a Market procured to it on the Monday by the power of Prince Edward in the fifty fifth year of Henry the third which was after allowed and approved of before the Judges Itinerant when he was King in the seventh year of his Reign Shotleâ—field in Elham was as high as the Reign of Edward the second the Inheritance of a Family called le Grubbe who had Possessions of a considerable Value about Yalding by Maidston and Nonington in East-Kent In the third year of Edward the second Henry Peres and in another old Deed styled Pers or de Petris from his Habitation nere some place of a Rocky constitution demises some parcels of Land lying in Elham and Lyming to Thomas le Grubbe who is written in the Deed de Shotlesfield and from this Thomas did the Title descend by paternal Devolution to John Grubbe who in the second year of Richard the third conveyed it by Sale to Thomas Brockman of Liming and his Grandchild Henry Brockman in the first year of Queen Mary alienated it to George Fogge of Brabourn Esquire and he about the beginning of Queen Elizabeth sold his Interest in it to Bing who in that Age which was circumscribed within our Fathers Remembrance transplanted the Title by Sale into Mr. John Masters of Sandwich from whom it descended to Sir Ed. Masters of Canterbury and he upon his late Decease gave it to Dr ..... Masters his second Son Dr. of the Civil-Law Mount and South Blabden with Jaques Court were Mannors which were involved in the Patrimony of Anketellus de Rosse and he in the twentieth year of Wâ—lliam the Conquerour held them as appears by the Record of Dooms-day Book from which Name they passed away to Cosenton with Acris but with this Clause reserved that South-Blabden and Acris should hold the Mannor of Horton by knights Service which was a principall Seat of this Family of Rosse before it was sold to Kirkby In the seventh year of King Edward the third Stephen de Cosington obtained a Charter of Free-warren to these above recited Mannors This Man was Son and Heir of William de Cosenton who was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty fifth year of Edward the first and is sometimes written of Cosenton and sometimes of Mount in Elham and from these two did Sir John Cosenton extract his Genealogie and with it his Title to these two Mannors and he deceasing about the latter end of Henry the eighth without Issue-male his three Daughters ....... married to Duke Joan matched to Wood and Elizabeth wedded to Alexander Hamon Esquire became his three Coheirs and parted a large Patrimony Upon the Division Wood obtained South-Blabden and Jaques Court and Hamon carried away Mount Wood's Heir alienated the two first to Sir John Wilde of Canterbury whose Son Colonell Dudley Wilde upon his late Decease hath bequeathed them to his Widow during Life Hamon's Heir determined in two Daughters and Coheirs Mary was espoused to Sir Edward Bois of Fredvill and Catharine was matched to Sir Robert Lewknor descended from the noble and Illustrious Family of Lewknor in Sussex who in his Wifes right was invested in the Possession of Mount who upon his Death transmitted it to his Son Mr. Hamon Lewknor whose Widow Mrs. ..... Lewknor eldest Daughter to Dr. Hen. Kingsley Arch-deacon of Canterbury is now in the enjoyment of it Canterwood is another Mannor in this Parish whose Possessors I confesse I could never trace out by any Print of publick Record therefore I endeavoured to give my self Satisfaction by the private Evidences but the Heir being under Age the Deeds were deposited in the Hands of those who represented my Design in Surveying them through the Mists of Cautious Jealousies and Distrusts and so my Attempt became fruitlesse All the Intelligence I could gain as in Relation to that place was collected from an old Manuscript whose Hand seems contemporary to the Time of Henry the eighth and what I have drained from thence I shall now represent to the Reader Canterwood says this Escript was formerly the Estate of Thomas de Garwinton de Welle in Littlebourne who flourished in the Reign
inhabiting at Hougham not far distant and Robert de Hougham dyed seised of it in the forty first year of Henry the third In the Reign of Edward the second I find the Clintons possest of it and William de Clinton Earl of Huntington dyed seised of it in the twenty eighth year of Edward the third and from him it descended to his Kinsman John de Clinton great Grandfather to John Lord Clinton who about the Beginning of Henry the seventh sold it away to Davis from which Family by a Daughter and partly by Purchase it came over to Lessington and he in our Fathers Remembrance alienated his Concernment in it to Hopday whose Son is the instant Possessor of it Bredmer or Berdmer is the last place worthy any Consideration It is partly situated in Folkston and partly in Cheriton that there was a Family of this Name was most certain For in ancient Deeds and Court Rolls of Valoigns who was Lord of Cheriton after Scotton I find frequent mention of severall of this Name who held Land of this Family But in the Book of Aid I find William de Brockhull held the fourth part of a Knights Fee in Cheriton which was this in the twentieth year of Edward the third From this Name by Elizabeth Heir of Thomas Brockhull it came to be the possession of Richard Selling Esquire and here it rested untill the Beginning of Henry the eighth and then it was passed away to Edmund Inmith a Retainer to Thomas Lord Clinton who gave it to his second Son Edmund Inmith and he was extinguished in two Daughters and Coheirs one was married to Reyner and the other to Baker who in her Right shared this place and in the Reign of King James passed it away by Sale to Ben who holds the instant Possession of it G. G. G. G. DEptford in the Hundred of Blackheath and Lath of Sutton at Hone so called from the deep Channel of Ravens-purg'd The River that here slydeth into the Thames was heretofore called West-Greenwich from the turning of the River Thames in such a crooked Compass and the green Meddows adjacent Gislebert Magminot or Magminiot for he was a great Favorite to William the Conquerour was one of those eight Barons and Trustees that were joyned to John de Fiennes for the sure Guard of Dover Castle and were assigned competent Lands for the maintenance of that Service his Castle or Scite of his Barony hath been long time buryed in its own Ruines yet some remains of Stony Foundations make me conjecture it stood nere Says Court in Bromfield upon the Brow of the Thames Bank neere the Mast Dock where the Skeleton of Sir Francis Drake's Ship was layd up and in a very short time nothing left of her but the Fame of her Captain and Steersman cannot perish so long as History shall last But to return to the former Subject it may appear by the Quire of Dover Castle transmitted on Record in the King's Exchequer that it had the Reputation of a Barony and these Knights Fees were held of it Pevinton Kanc. duo Feeda Militum Estswale Kanc. unum Feedum Militis Davinton Kanc. duo Feoda Militum Cuckleston alias Cuckston Kanc. unum Feodum Militis Waldeswareschare Kanc. 3. Feoda Militum Leckhamsted-Bucks unum Feodum Kennington-Hert duo Feoda Militum Gothurst Northampton unum Feodum Militis Hertwell-Northampton duo Feoda Militum Brandiston-Suffolk duo Feoda Militum Hecchesham-Surrey duo Feoda Militum Whitfield Kanc. unum Feodum Militis Coudham-Kanc duo Feoda Militis Bredinghurst Kanc. unum Feodum Militis Thornham Kersoney tria Feeda Militum Bingbery Kanc. tria Feeda Militum Brickhill-Buck unum Feodum Militis Haec sunt Feoda de Baronia de Magminot quae tenentur de Willielmo de Say quae ipse tenet de Rege per Baroniam Et reddunt Wardam ad Castrum Dovoriae Per 32. Septimanas You may find mention of Walkelme Magminot in the Catalogue of the Lord Wardens But the Daughter and Heir of this Line was married to Say from whom it came to be called Says-Court which Name it still retaineth And was by reason of the Commodiousnesse of the Meadows belonging to it and Stalls there erected made a place in the Time of the late King for feeding Sheep and Oxen served by Composition for the Kings House William Duke of Suffolk held the Mannor of West-Greenwich and one Messuage in Deptford Anno 29. Hen. 6. by West-Greenwich which was ment by that which we now call Deptford Strand and by Deptford is ment the upper Town where a fair strong Stone Bridge lately erected doth acknowledge the sole Royal bounty of K. Charles by this Inscription This Bridge was re-edified at the only charge of King Charles in the fourth year of his Reign Anno Dom. 1628. In former Times it w as repaired at the Charge of the Contry adjacent For I find by a Record in the Tower Esc Anno. 20. Edw. 3. n. 66. Quod Reparatio Pontis de Depeford pertinet ad homines Hundredi de Blackheath non ad homines Villarum de Eltham Moding-ham Wolwich The Treasurer of the Navy hath here a commendable and convenient House for his Residence at the Dock to view the building and repayring the States Ships and what is most expedient for the Manufacture of Cordage Anchors and other Provisions for Ships by which means the Town is so greatly increased in small Tenements and the Statute for Cottages excepting Market-Towns and such places as are used for building of Ships that for number of Inhabitants and Communicants it may compare with diverse Counties in the Kingdome which great Increase of the Parish caused them to new build another Isle on the North-side the Church to which the East-Indian Company of Merchants were good Benefactors And the Chancel enlarged with beautifull Additions partly at the Cost of Sir William Russell Knight and Baroner Treasurer of the Navy and the circumspection of Doctor Valentine the late learned and worthy Incumbent of the place Adjoyning to the Church The Company of Navigators and Seamen incorporated by King Henry the eighth have a Hall or House for their meetings and Consultations Certainly the use of this Society is most considerable and commendable for the Common-wealth upon all Occasions may from them receive necessary Intelligence of all the Roads Waterings Depths and Conveniences of most part of the Maritime places in the Known World One thing more I have to mention and that is Hacham which was in K. Hen. the seconds Time the Seat of Hacham lying upon the Confines of Kent and Kent-fields or Kent-lands within this County as Kent-Hatch in Westerham is the very out-side of this Shire As that place towards Surrey called Kent-House designs the Bounderies of this County between Bekenham and Croydon Divers Inquisitions taken since that time have found Hacham to be in Kent And I believe the Mannor of Bredingherst before mentioned was formerly in this Shire which is now slipt into Surrey
untill King Henry the eighth tore it off by the Publique Dissolution and united it to the Royall Revenue where it had its fixed aboad untill the thirteenth year of King James and then it was granted to Mr. William Salter who not many years after passed it away to Mr. James Crispe from whom in our Memory partly by Purchase and partly by Exchange it went over to Mr. Jo. Child in whose Descendant the Propriety is still permanent Gravesend had anciently a Market on the Thursday and a Fair yearly on the Day of St. Edward the Confessor both granted to this Town in the thirtieth year of Edward the third Gillingham was a Mannor always relating to the Arch-bishops of Canterbury though the Donation by the Book of Christ-church be not specified If we survey the Pages of Dooms-day Book they will give us this Gilling ham est proprium Manerium Archiepiscopi in tempore Ewardi Regis se defendebat pro VI. Sullings est appretiatum hoc quod Archiepiscopus habet inde in Dominio VIII lb. c X.s. The Arch-bishops of Canterbury had here an eminent Pallace and held their Residence at it and gave Consecrations here to Bishops as we find it recorded in the Book called Textus Roffensis or the Text of Rochester East-court and West-court in this Parish were anciently knit together and resided in a Family called Gillingham Richard de Gillingham Son of Thomas de Gillingham held it at his Death which was in the twelfth year of Richard the second Rot. Esc Num. 176. And left it to his Son Thomas Gillingham who resolved into two Daughters and Coheirs Margaret married to John Thorpe who in her Right had West-court and Isabell matched to William Crensted who brought along with her East-court But as all things have their Fate and Vicissitude they did not long acknowledge the Dominion of either of them for Thorpe sold West-court to Nicholas Lawson of Whoorn-place in Cuckston who not long after by the same Devolution passed it away to Duling of Rochester by whose Female Heir it is now come over to Mr. Stephen Alcock but Thorp Ferme on which he had planted his own Name he alienated to Short and from this Family it went away again by Sale to May of Rochester Greensted endowed Benedict Webb his Sisters Son and in that Relation his Heir with the Title and Propriety of East-court whose two Grand-children Thomas and Christopher Webb by a mutuall and joynt Concurrence devested themselves of their Right and by Sale surrendered it up to Will. Painter Esquire Great Grand-father to Mr. Allington Painter the instant Proprietary of it Twidall is another Mannor of eminent Account and had Owners likewise of that Appellation The first that I find of the Name in Mr. Painter's Evidences which held both this and Dane-court is Robert de Twidall and he slourished here about the Reign of Henry the first and he had Issue Adam de Twidall from whom was lineally extracted Richard de Twidall who in the fourth year of Richard the second passed away this and Dane-court to John the Son of Robert de Beaufitz originally descended from Reade in Marden But in this Family the Possession was not very permanent for in some Descents after the Name went out into into Joan Beaufitz and other Coheirs and she by matching with Robert Arnold of Sussex did enstate the Possession of both these places upon this Name and Family and he bequeathed them as Dower to his Daughter Elizabeth Arnold and shee in the thirteenth year of Henry the seventh conveys them over to her Brother Henry and his Son William Arnold in the eighteenth year of Henry the eighth transports his Right in them by Sale to Thomas Benolt Clarenceux King of Arms from whom the like Conveyance in the twentieth year of that Prince brought itto Sir Hen. Wiatt one of the Privie Councel to Hen. the 8 whose Son Sir Tho. Wiat in the thirtieth year of that King exchanged them for other Lands with the Crown from which immediately after they were conveyed by Grant to Christopher Sampson who not many years after transplanted his Interest by Sale into Thomas Parker who conveyed away his Right in Twidall to William Painter Esquire great Grand-father to Mr. Allington Painter who now enjoys it but Dane-court was by Purchase brought over to Short in whom it had not long continued but the same Fatality carried it away to May of Rochester The Grange in this Parish sometimes written Grench did in the Conquerours time appertain to the old Lords called Hastings Ancestors of the Lord Hastings now Earl of Huntington In the Book called Testa de Nevill kept in the Exchequer we read that one Manasser de Hastings held Grench by Serjeanty under King Hen. the third and the particular Office in some more modern Records is described viz. that it is held of the King and not of the Cinque-ports as some do suggest by Serjeanty to find two men and two Oars in the Ship which carries over the King from Dover to Whitesand by Callis From Hastings it came over by Purchase to Richard Smelt Alderman of London whose Daughter and Heir Margaret Smelt carried it away to Richard Croyden likewise an Alderman of London in whom the male-line failing Margery his Sole Heir was matched to John Philipott Esquire Alderman of London in the Reign of Edward the third and Lord Maior of London in the Reign of Richard the second by which Prince he was invested with the Order of Knighthood for being so signally instrumental in the Ruine of Wat Tiler Jack Straw and his seditious Complices and had after the Addition of Gules A plain Crosse between four Swords Argent Pomell'd Or as a Coat of Augmentation annexed to his Paternal Coat viz. Sable a Bend Ermin for setting out a Fleet of Ships at his own expence and vanquishing John Mercer and his piratical Rabble who had so infested the narrow Sea that the Trade of the Merchant was brought into a deplorable Condition and had sunk had he not buoyd it up again by his Care and Magnanimity Yet how laudable soever the work were it escaped not the Envy of John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster who questioned him at the Couucel-Board for that he being a private Person had embarked himself in an Attempt of so much Concernment without Order and Licence first obtained by the State but by the noble Favour he received from his honorable Friends there especially Rychard Fitzallan Earl of Arundell whose Arms he placed in his House as a Monument of Gratitude and left him a Legacie in his Will he was fetched off with Reputation But to proceed in Right of the former Alliance he was planted in the Possession of this Mannor and from him it devolved to his Grandchild John Philipott Esquire And he in the eleventh year of Henry the sixth exchanged this Mannor with Sir Richard Bamme Son of Adam Bamme Lord Maior of London for Twiford in Middlesex and from him it
John Proude who was unhappily slain at the Groll in the year 1628 whilst he did vigorously pursue the Quarrel of the States General at that Siege against the Capital Enemy of their Religion and Liberty the Spaniard and Mary espoused to Sir Edward Partrich for his first Wife but dyed without any Issue surviving by him Sir John Proud left only one Daughter called Ann who was first wedded to Sir William Springate and secondly to Mr. Isaac Pennington eldest Son to Isaac Pennington Lord Maior of London in the year 1643 in Right of which Alliance he at present holds this Mannor of Goodwenston Goodneston by Wingham vulgarly called Gonston lies in the Hundred of Wingham and was formerly parcell of the Patrimony of Hastings Earl of Pembroke bequeathed to him by his Kinsman John de Hastings who was first Husband to Juliana the Heir generall of Roger de Leybourn John de Hostings held it at his Death which was in the forty ninth year of Edward the third and so did his Son John de Hastings after him and brings a pleading for it in the fourteenth year of R. the second After them the Malmains were possest of it who had some Estate here before which they had by Purchase from Pine and Beauchamp about the Beginning of Edward the third and in this Family did it remain untill Henry Malmains about the year ........ deceased without Issue-male and then by Agnes his Daughter and Heir marryed to Thomas Goldwell it came to own the Jurisdiction of that Name and Family but was not long fastned to it for he ended likewise in a Female Heir called Joan who was wedded to Thomas Took of Bere Esquire and so by her it was united to the Revenue of this Family and here rested untill that Age which came within the Circle of our Grandsathers Knowledge and then it was passed away to Henekar from which Name in Times almost of our Cognisance it went away by a Revolution like the former to Kelley who conveyed it to Engham descended from the noble Family of the Enghams of Woodchurch who flourished so many Ages at Edingam and Pleurinden in that Parish Bonnington in this Parish is the ancient Seat from whence the numerous and Knightly Family of Bois did as from their originall Fountain issue out into Fredville Betteshhanger Haukherst and other parts of this Countie and do derive themselves from John de Bosco who is mentioned in the Battle-Abby Roll of those who entered this Nation with Will the Conquerour and certainly they have not been much lesse at this place then 17 Descents as the datelesse Deeds of several of this Family who writ themselves of Bonnington do easily manifest Nor hath it yet deserted the Name or departed from the Possession of Bois being at this present part of the patrimony of Sir John Bois to whose paternal Arms the late King for his eminent and loyall Service perform'd by him at Donnington Castle added as an Augmentation upon a Canton Azure a Crown imperial Or. Rolling is a third place in this Parish to be taken notice of It contributed a Seat as well as a Sirname formerly to a Family called Rolling Thomas Rolling held some Lands in Lease at his Death which was in the fisteenth year of Ric. the second Rot. Esc Num. 143. which Lands belonged to a Chauntry in St. Peters Church in Sandwich and lay in Eastry near his Mannor of Rolling After this Family was worn out the Idley's who had large Possessions about Mepham Cobham and Higham as appears by the Inquisition taken after the Death of John Idelegh in the forty third year of Edward the third Rot. Esc Num. 58. Parte secunda were by Purchase seated in the Possession and preserved it untill the Reign of Henry the eighth and then it was alienated to Butler of Heronden in Eastry from whom in the Beginning of the raign of Q. Eliz. it went away to Roger Manwood Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer whose Son Sir Peter Manwood in our Fathers Remembrance alienated it to Dickenson from whom not many years since it was brought over to be the Possession of Master .......... Richards Godmersham in the Hundred of Felborough was given to the Monks of Christ-Church in Canterbury by Beornulfus King of the Mercians in the year of Grace eight hundred twenty and one free as Adisham and it was at the Request of Arch-bishop Vlfred to supply the Covent both with Food and Raiment which Grant Arch-bishop Egelnoth who it seems had some Interest in the Place in the year one Thousand thirty and six did fully confirm And in the year one thousand three hundred fourscore and seven Thomas Arundell Arch-bishop of Canterbury with the especiall Licence of Richard the second appropriated the Tiths of the Rectory of Godmersham to the Church of Christ-church to the Support and Maintenance of the Fabrick of the Church abovesaid If you will see what Value was set upon this Mannor in the Time of the Conquerour I shall afford you a Sight of it out of Dooms-day Book Godmersham says that Register est Manerium Monachorum de Vestitu eorum in Tempore Edwardi Regis se defendebat pro VIII Sullings est appretiatum XX. lb. sed tamen reddit XXX That is it paid a Rent of thirty pound to the Church Yolands and Ford are two other little Mannors in this Parish which acknowledged themselves anciently to be parcell of the Inheritance of Valoigns And Robert de Valoigns dyed possest of these and much other Land in this Track in the nineteenth year of Edward the second Rot. Esc Num. 41. Henry de Valoigns this mans Son was Sheriff of Kent in the fourteenth of King Edward the third and he had Issue Waretius de Valoigns and Stephen de Valoigns who planted himself at Gore-Court in Otham and is represented in Record to be one of the Conservators of the Peace for this County in the twenty ninth and thirty first years of Edward the third but Waretius de Valoigns determined in two Daughters and Coheirs one was matched to Fogge and the other to Thomas Aldon Son of Thomas de Aldon who was one of the Conservators of the Peace in Kent in the tenth and twelfth years of Edward the third and he in her Right was entituled to the Possession of these places And in this Family did it for diverse years continue untill the ordinary Mutation of Purchase rowled them into the Inheritance of Austin to which Name the Title remained constantly linked untill that Age we style our Grand-fathers and then they were by Richard Austin passed away by Sale to Broadnix so that they are now by paternal Right devolved to Thomas Broadnix Esquire in whose Estate the instant Propriety of them does lye involved Egerton in Godmersham was a Mannor which formerly swelled the demeasn of the noble Family of Valence who were Earls of Pembroke Aymer de Valence Earl of Pembroke held it at his Death which was in the
and other old Evidences Frankish and bore for their Coat-Armour as appears by Seals A Salteir engrailed ........ After Franke John Martin about the Beginning of of Henry the sixth by purchase became invested in the Possession and he upon his Decease which was in the year 1436. bequeathed it to a yonger Son who bore his Name and was called John Martin from whom by paternal Succession it came down to his Grand-child Edward Martin who about the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth alienated it to Lancelot Bathurst Alderman of London who erected that elegant and magnificent Fabrick which is now the possession of my noble Friend his Grand-child Sir Edward Bathurst Reynolds is a third place of considerable importance it was the Seat of Gentlemen of that Denomination and were rooted by a Prescription of so many years in the Possession of this Place that it is a Controversie whether those at Belso in Essex or these here were of the most venerable Antiquity one of them in one of his Deeds writes Rogerus Filius Reginaldi It is not bounded with any Date and from this Orthography which was Customary in those Times the Name of Reynolds or Fitz Reynolds did by vulgar Acceptation and Use first borrow its Original But to advance in my Discourse After this Seat had for sundry Descents been constant to this Name and Family it was about the latter end of Edward the fourth transmitted by Sale to Sir John Browne Lord Mayor of London in the year 1480. from whom it came down by paternal Descent to his Son and Heir William Brown Esquire who assigned it for subsistance to his second Son John Browne Esquire who was Sheriff of Kent the tenth year of Queen Elizabeth and held his Shrievalty at this place and in this Name did the Title dwell until not many years since it was dislodged and by Sale transplanted into Sir John Jacob from whom the like Fatality hath lately transported it and cast it into the Inheritance of Sir Harbottle Grimston of Essex Baronet Horton upon Stoure near Canterbury lies in the Hundred of Bridge and Petham and was involved in that spacious Inheritance which acknowledged the Signiory of the Lord Badelesmere Bartholomew Lord Badelesmere Steward of the Houshold to Edward the second in the second year of that Prince gave it in Franke-marriage with his Daughter Joane Badelesmere to John de Northwood and that this was Customary in that Age wherein the Times were dry for any pecuniary Supply is most certain for John de Northwood this mans great Grand-child in the eighth year of Richard the second gave it in Franke-marriage with his Daughter to Christopher Shukborough of the County of Warwick Esquire and he in the ninth year of Henry the fourth alienated it to Gregory Ballard Esquire whose Posterity for many years did successively possesse it until Nicolas Ballard in the fourth year of Philip and Mary passed it away by Sale to Roger Trollop Esquire and he in the second year of Queen Elizabeth by Bargain and Sale demised his Interest in it to Sir Edward Warner then Lievtenant of the Tower and he in the sixteenth year of the Government of that Princess conveyed it to Sir Roger Manwood Lord chief Baron of the Exchequer whose Son Sir Peter Manwood almost in our Fathers Memory disposed of his Right in it by Sale to Mr. Christopher Tolderbye who left it to his Son Mr. Christopher Tolderbye and he deceasing without Issue Jane his only Sister and Heir by matching with Sir Robert Darell of Cale-hill a man eminent both by his Integrity and Hospitality according to the accustomed Genius which alwaies waited on this Family brought it to be possest by that Name upon whose Decease it devolved to his second Son Mr. Edward Darell who is the present Lord of the Fee There was an eager Contest between John Beckford Vicar of Chartham and Christopher Shukborough Esquire Lord of Horton touching the celebration of Divine Offices in the Chappel at Horton as likewise the Administration of the Sacraments and it was improved to that Animosity that there was a mutual Appeal made to William Courtney then Arch-bishop of Canterbury who directed a Commission to John Barnett his Official in the year 1380. to hear and determine the Controversie and upon a serious sifting and winnowing this whole Affair the Debate was wound up upon this Conclusion that there should be a solemnization of all Divine Offices in the above mentioned Chappel exceptis tantum D. functorum Sepulturis exsequiis only the Dead were to receive their enterment in the Church of Chartham Hothfeild in the Hundreds of Chart Longbridge and Cale-hill was wrapt up in the Demeasne of the Lord Badelesmer who held it in Grand Serjeanty of the Archbishop of Canterbury that is he was to serve up water to the Arch-bishop at his Installment or Inthronization to wash his Hands and had Pelvim Lotorium so are the Words of the Record he was rewarded with the Vessel which contained the Water and likewise the Towel which dried his Hands and he was likewise to be his Chamberlin the Night of his Instalment and was recompensed with the Arch-bishops Bed as his Guerdon Bartholomew de Badelesmere Son of Guncelin died possest of it in the fifth year of Edward the second Rot. Esc Num. 5. And left it to his infortunate Heir Bartholomew Lord Badelesmere who by his mutinous Association with the Rebellious Nobility having in the sixteenth year of Edward the second forfeited this to the Crown it lay entwined with the Royal Revenue until Edward the third in the second year of his Raign restored it to his Son Bartholomew de Badelesmere who in the twelfth year of that Prince's Government dying without Issue his four Sisters became his Co-heirs whereof Margaret married to the Lord William Rosse of Hamlake cast this Mannor into the Inheritance of that Family and he in her Right died seised of it in the seventeenth year of Edward the third Rot. Esc Num. 60. And from him did the Title by a lineal transmission passe down to Thomas Lord Rosse who vigorously endevouring to support the sinking Title of the House of Lancaster was by John Nevill Marquesse Montacute discomfited in the North and taken Prisoner and after beheaded at Newcastle upon whose Dysastrous Tragedy this Mannor was laid hold on by the Crown as an Escheat and King Edward the fourth in the fourth year of his Government granted it to Sir John Fogge of Repton for Life only who was Treasurer of his Houshold and one of his Privie-Councel and whom King Richard the third invited afterward out of the Abbey of West-minster where he had taken Sanctuary for fear of some Mischief intended him by that Usurper and in the presence of a numerous Assembly gave him his Hand and bad him be confident that he was thenceforth sure unto him in Affection This I mention the rather because divers of our Chronicles have erroneously mentioned that he was an Attorney whom
de Nevill in the twentieth year of Henry the third at the Marriage of Isabell that Prince's Sister Thomas Fitz Bernard Son to Ralph above-mentioned enjoyed it at his Death which was in the sixth year of Edward the second Rot. Esc Num. 31. And from him it descended to John Fitz Bernard who in the thirty sixth year of Edward the third dyed without Issue upon whose Decease the four Daughters of Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer matched to Rosse Vere Mortimer and Tiptoft entered upon the Possession 〈◊〉 Heirs to their Mother who was Sister and Heir to this John Fitz Bernard and upon the Breaking the Estate into Parcells upon the Partition this was united to the Demeasne of Wiliam Rosse of Hamlake in Right of his Wife Margaret who was Coheir likewise to her two Brothers Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer and Giles Lord Badelesmer who both dyed without Issue and John Rosse this Man's Son was in the Possession of it at his Death which was in the seventeenth year of Richard the second Rot. Esc Num. 49. And from him did it glide down to his infortunate Grandchild Thomas Lord Rosse who was attainted and beheaded at New-Castle in the fourth year of Edward the fourth whilst he endevoured to support the sinking House of Lancaster upon whose Shipwrack this was annexed to the Revenue of the Crown and in the eighteenth year of his Reign Edward the fourth restores it for Life to Margaret Wife of Roger Lord Wentworth who was Widow of Thomas Lord Rosse but after his Deeease it returned to the Crown and slept in its Revenue untill King Henry the eighth passed it away by Grant to John Wilkinson from which Name about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth it was conveyed to Richard Lovelace who dying without Issue-male Margaret matched to Henry Cooke of Lanham Esq became his Heir and in her Right is now entered upon Northcourt and Southcourt which make up the Mannor of Kingsdown Hever is another Mannor in Kingsdown which was parcell of the Demeasne of the ancient Family of Hever of Hever Castle in this County William de Hever had a Charter of Free-warren to his Lands here and at Hever in the ninth year of Edward the first which was renued to Thomas de Hever in the fourth year of Edward the third but he did not long enjoy it for he dying without Issue Joan his Sister and Coheir matched to Reginald Lord Cobham became Heir to his Estate at this place and he in her Right dyed possest of it in the thirty fifth year of Edward the third But before the latter end of Richard the second this Family was worn out and then the Family of Vrban succeeded by purchase in the Possession John Vrban held it at his Death which was in the eighth year of Henry the fifth Rot. Esc Num. 75. And left it to his Sister and Heir Emma Penhale and she enjoyed it at her Decease which was in the fifth year of Hen. the sixth Rot. Esc Num. 43. But it was not long after this in the Tenure of this Name for Richard Lovelace by his last Will in the year 1465 which was made in the fifth of Edward the fourth ordains that his Feoffees make an Estate of this Mannor of Hever which he purchased of Penhale to Katharine his Daughter and if she dye without Issue as she did then he wills that it descend to John Lovelace his Son and Heir and from this John did it by an uninterrupted Series of Descent devolve to Rich. Lovelace and from him did it go away by Margaret his Sole Daughter and Heir to Henry Cook of Lanham in Suffolk Esquire in which Name it is at this instant resident Chipsted is a third Mannor in Kingsdown which indisputably gave Seat and Sirname to a Family so called For I find Adam de Chipsted dyed possest of it at his Death which was in the forty first year of Edward the third Rot. Esc Num. 16. And after this Family was extinguished the Mowbrays were planted in the Possession and continued in the Inheritance from the latter end of Richard the second untill the Beginning of Henry the sixth and then it was passed away by Sale to John Martin Justice of the Common-pleas whose Son John Martin in the thirty third year of Henry the sixth alienates it to Thomas Underdown of Dertford and he not long after gives it to Richard Thetcher of Warbulton in Sussex and he in the nineteenth year of Edward the fourth sold it to William Atwood and his Son Robert Atwood in the thirteenth year of Henry the eighth demises one moiety of it to Nicholas Taylor and the other Moiety in the twenty second year of the abovesaid Prince to Sibill of Littlemoat in Eynsford William Taylor and William Atwood in the first year of Queen Mary passe away their Proportion of it to Sir John Champneys and his Son Justinian Champneys not long after alienates his Interest in it to Lovelace and by the Heir Generall of that Family it is now devolved to Mr. Henry Cook abovementioned the other Moiety by Ann Sole Heir of Lancelot Sibill came to be possest by Mr. John Hope in which Name it did not long remain for in our Memory it was by Sale demised to Mr. Hodsoll of Hodsoll in Ash and he is now in the enjoyment of it Woodland is the last Mannor in this Parish and was anciently a Chappell of Ease to Kingsdowne till in the year 1557. it was by Reginald Fole then Cardinal and Arch-bishop of Canterbury united to Wrotham But the Mannor is still circumscribed within the Precincts of Kingsdown It was formerly a Branch of that Revenue which owned the Title and Jurisdiction of that powerful Baron Hamon de Crevequer and he died possest of it in the forty seventh year of Henry the third Rot. Esc Num. 33. But after him I find not much more of this Family at this Place for in the ninth year of Edward the third John Son of John St. Clere enjoyed it as appears by the Inquisition taken after his Death Rot. Esc Num. 48. Afterwards I discover Thomas St. Clere to be possest of it at his Death in the fourth year of Henry the fourth and so was Margaret St. Clere Widdow of Philip in the first year of Henry the sixth and Thomas St. Clere held it in the twelfth year of Edward the fourth and from his Descendant about the latter end of Henry the seventh it passed away by Sale to Pett of Pett-house in Sevenoke and John Pett his Successor sold Woodland in the seventeenth year of Queen Elizabeth to William Rowe of London by the Daughter and Heir of which Family even in our fathers Memory it came over to the instant Possessor Jenny of Norfolke Kingsdown in the Hundred of Milton was given by Hubert de Burgh to his newly erected Maison le Dieu in Dover which was to be a Retreat for the Knights Templers when they visired Temple Ewell and other Lands they enjoyed in this Track but
this Mannor to his Patrimony and he the better to inforce and perpetuate the Memory of this Alliance and the Estate which devolved to him by so fortunate a Conjunction inverted his Sirname and writ it for the future Clerc alias Woodchurch in which Name the Propriety of this Place continued until the latter end of Q. Elizabeth and then it was alienated to Taylor of Shadoxherst in which Name the Interest of it had not long continued but that it was in our Remembrance by Sale conveyed to Whitwick West-Halks is a third Mannor in Kingsnoth which in elder Times was ennobled for affording a Residence to a Family of this Sirname who bore in ancient Seals a Fesse between three Hawks or Falcons and sometimes one a Family of no contemptible Estimate or shallow Antiquity in this Track as appears by old Escripts Pedigrees and other venerable Muniments which represent this Family under the Character of Gentlemen for above three hundred years Sampson de Halk died about the year 1360 and held not onely this place Ex Autographis penes Dom. Tho. Taylor but much other Land about Petham and other Parishes in that Track but about the latter end of Henry the sixth this Family had demised the Propriety of this place to Taylor of great Chart in which Name it was constantly fixed untill the latter end of Henry the seaventh and then it was sold to Clerc who about the latter end of Q. Elizabeth passed it away to Robert Honywood of Charing Esquire who upon his Decease settled it by his last Will on his second Son by his second Wife Col. ....... Honywood now the instant Lord of the Fee Knowlton in the Hundred of Eastrye was parcel of the Patrimony of the noble Family of St. Leger Hugh St. Leger who was one of the Recognitores magnae Assisae in the Raign of King John held this Mannor in the fourth year of the Raign of that Prince and left it to his Son John St. Leger who in the twelfth year of Henry the third exchanged it for other Lands with Reginald de Cornhill and he in the twenty fifth year of the abovesaid Prince passed it away by Sale as the Book of Christ-Church informs me to the Prior and Monks of that Covent but it seems not long after they exchanged it with Thomas Perot for he in the fourth year of Edward the third died possest of it as appears by his Office Rot. Esc Num. 31. and left onely a Female Heir who carried it along with her to Langley descended out of the County of Warwick and being thus chained by this Match to the Interest of this Family it remained for many Descents fastned to it and was productive in several Ages of Men of no vulgar Account William de Langley Son of William Langley was Sheriff of Kent the twenty first twenty third twenty fourth and twenty fifth years of Edward the third William Langley of Knolton was Sheriff of Kent in the fourth year of Henry the fifth and likewise Justice of the Peace for this County under that Prince John Langley Esquire was Sheriff of Kent in the twentieth year of Henry the seventh and had Issue Edward Langley Esquire who matched with Elizabeth Daughter of Thomas Peyton of Peyton Hall in the County of Cambridge descended from Peytonus de Vfford but he dying without Issue about the latter end of Henry the eighth his Wive's Brother Sir Robert Peyton by Reason of a former Match in the Raign of Henry the fifth between Peyton and a Daughter of Langley entered upon it as Heir General at Law and he not desirous to desert Cambridgeshire to transplant himself into Kent assigned Knowlton for Livelyhood to his second Son Sir John Peyton Grand-father to Sir Thomas Peyton the Primier Baronet of this County who as lineally extracted from him does enjoy the Propriety of it See more of this Family of Peyton in my Discourse of Werd L. L. L. L. LAmberherst lies in the Hundred of Little Bernefield and was sometimes written Lamberts-hurst from Lambert a Saxon Owner in old English this Name imports as much as bright or holy and glorious Lamp as Herebert is bright Lord. Part of this Parish is in Kent and the other part in Sussex distinguished by a small Stream which rises nere Cowden and glides through this Town towards Medway The Lordship of Lamberhurst it self with the Mannor of Woodroff belonged to the Monastery of Roberts Bridge and after the Dissolution were by Henry the eighth granted in the thirteenth of his Reign to Sir William Sidney Tutor to King Edward the sixth when he was Prince whose Successor Robert Sidney Earl of Leicester sold Lamberherst in our Fathers Memory to Mr. Porter and Woodroff to Sir Edw. Henden one of the Barons of the Exchequer who bequeathed it to his Nephew Sir John Henden lately deceased Hodleigh in this Parish was part of that Demeasne which related to the Colledge of Lingfield in Surrey which upon the Suppression was by Henry the eighth granted to Thomas Cardan from which Family it passed away to Edward Filmer Esquire Ancestor to Sir Edward Filmer eldest Son to Sir Robert Filmer lately deceased to whose Demeasne the Propriety of it is at present united The Abby of Begham in this Parish was founded by Ela de Sackvill and Sir Robert de Thurneham a man of principal Account in the time of Henry the third This Priory was suppressed by Cardinal Wolsey and filled with Cannons Praemonstratenses or white Cannons called so from their Habit. The Mannor which belonged to it was by royal Concession From Q. Elizabeth it passed away to Anthony Brown Viscount Montague who not long after alienated the Fee-simple to Alderman Barneham of London who gave it to Benedict a second Son and he dying without Issne-male one of his Daughters and Coheirs married with Dobell of Sussex and so carried it into the Inheritance of that Family where the Possession has ever since been setled Scotney in this Parish which hath borrowed that Appellation from its locall Situation and the over-shooting of the Water was the Residence of a Family distinguished by that Sirname and Denomination for one Walter de Scotney in Times of high Ascent was Proprietary of this Place but added not much Reputation to this Mansion for as Edmund de Hadenham a Chronicler of great Antiquity attests he in the year 1259 administred poyson by tacit Stratagem to the Earl of Gloucester and his Brother to destroy them of which the last dyed and the first escaped not without Danger of Life But to goe on After this Family was mouldered away at this place which was about the midst of Edward the third the eminent Family of Ashburnham of Ashburnham in Sussex were entituled to the Signiory of it Roger Ashburnham who was one of the Conservators of the Peace for this County of Sussex in the first year of Richard the second had here a castellated Mansion did sometimes inhabit at this place and was
elder Times made their Applications by humble Addresses to the Crown of whose Revenue this Parish was a Limb to rescue them from that Burden which crushed the shoulder and to permit that this Parish Suo integro Dominio Jurisdictione complecterctur might be circumscribed within the Sphere and Circumference of its own Signiory without any adherence or Connexion to any other but it seems the Beams of majesty not beating with any propitious Influence on this Design it grew not up to that Stature and perfection it did first aspire to so that it remained an imperfect Moiety of a Mannor under which Notion it is represented to us at present Yet in the ninth year of Edw. the first Eleanor Wife to that Prince obtained a Market weekly and a Fair yearly to be observed at this place and being improved with these advantageous Franchises it remained marshalled in the Inventory of the Royal Demeasne untill the second year of King James and then it was passed away by Grant to Philip then Earl of Mout Gomery upon whose late Decease it was disposed by Will to own the Interest of his second Son Mr. James Herbert Cheveney and Cheveney House are both within the Verge of Marden and were entituled to a Family of that Sirname Henry de Cheveney held it at his Death which was in the second year of Edward the second Rot. Esc Num. 59. And after him Joan the Wife of John Cheveney his Son was in Enjoyment of it at her Decease which was in the thirty second year of Edward the third Rot. Esc Num. 5. But after this I find no farther Remembrance of this Family at this Place for in the second year of Richard the second I discover by an ancient Court-Roll one William Atweld to have held the Propriety of it And in this Family was the Title lodged until the Beginning of Henry the sixth and then it was transmitted by Sale to Couper and in the thirteenth year of that Monarch I find one William Couper to have discharged some Persons of some Amerciaments and Fines imposed upon them for not performing Suite and Service at this Mannor of Cheveney and in this Family was the Interest successively resident until the Beginning of Q. Mary and then this House and Mannor being by the Custome of Gavelkind ground into two Parcels and those possest by two Brothers Coheirs one of them passed away Cheveney House to Maplesden in which name it is yet constant and the other alienated the Mannor of Cheveny to Lone from whom Mr. ....... Lone the instant Proprietary is lineally extracted Sipherst is another little Mannor in Marden which had Possessors here of that Sirname until the latter End of Edward the third and then they being abolished and the Fee-simple abandoned and surrendred to William Atweld about the second year of Richard the second that Name was entituled to the Estate here until the Beginning of Henry the sixth and then it was alienated with Cheveney to Couper in whom the Fee-simple had not been long constant when it was demised to John Field and he made his Will in the seventeenth year of Edward the fourth and gives it to his Son Jo. Field and from him did it by descendant Right devolve to his Successor Edward Field who held it the fourth year of Q. Elizabeth and after gave it to his Kinsman Thomas Gilbert whose Successor Thomas Gilbert having settled it on his Widow Sibil Gilbert it is now in her Right possest by her second Husband Mr. Richard Knight Tildens Stubbins and Brooke are three other inconsiderable Mannors in this Parish which had three owners of these Denominations the first of which were Persons of Eminence in this County and had an Estate at Wye Catts place in Brenchley and at Tilmanston likewise as it appears by the Book of Aid where there is an Assessement laid upon the Lands of William Tilden in the twentieth year of Edward the third at making the Black Prince Knight But to proceed the Propriety of these three Places were constantly under the Dominion of these three Families until the latter End of Henry the fourth and then Stubbins was passed away to Tilden in whom both Stubbins and Tildens remained combined and wound up together until the Beginning of Henry the sixth and then they were demised to Thomas Stidolfe Esquire and he made his Will in the year 1453 and therein mentions Stubbins and Tildens to have been purchased of Tilden and Brooke of Richard Brooke but this Family about the Beginning of Henry the seventh determining in a Female Inheritrix matched to Richard Vane Esquire united these three Mannors to his Patrimony and from him by the traverses of several Descents are they now come down to be possest by the right Honourable Mildmay Vane Earl of Westmerland Monkton is a Mannor in Marden which made up the Demeasn of the Priory of Leeds and upon the suppression of that Cloister was by K. Henry the eighth granted to Thomas Colepeper of Bedgebury Esquire who not long after alienated it to Thomas Wilfor'd Esquire and he in the seventh year of Q. Elizabeth to Thomas Stanley in which Family it remained until our Fathers Remembrance and then it was demised by Sale to Mr. ...... Board of Sussex St. Mary Church in Romney Mersh lies in the Hundreds of St. Martins and New-Church and was anciently folded up in that large Demeasn which did acknowledge the Dominion of the Criolls John de Crioll or Keriel of a younger Extraction from Bertram de Crioll held it at his Death which was in the forty ninth year of Edward the third and transmitted it to his Son Sir Nicholas Criol from whom by a continued Succession it devolved to Sir Thomas Crioll Knight of the Garter who falling an Oblation at the Battle of St. Albans to the Cause and Quarrel of the House of York by his Daughter and Heir it came to be the Inheritance of John Fogge Esquire who left it to his Son Thomas Fogge and though he determined in two Daughters and Coheirs Alice matched to William Scot and Anne first married to Edward Scot and after to Henry Isham yet it seems to improve and continue the Name he gave this and other Lands to his Kinsman George Fogge whose Posterity enjoyed it even until our Fathers Memory and then it was alienated to Carkeredge St. Maries in the Hundred of Hoo was as appears by Sir Thomas Wisemans Evidences for I can trace not any Notice of it in Publick Records in the Raign of Edw. the fourth for no higher do the Deeds arrive at in the Hands of one William Halton who sold the same to William Lemyng Citizen and Grocer of London as appears by a Deed dated the twenty second day of October in the eighth year of the said King's Raign Afterwards I find this abovesaid Mannor in the Hands of Sir John Brooke Lord Cobham in the Raign of Henry the seventh but from whom it came to him the Evidences do not discover but
I find that in the seventh year of that King's Raign the said Lord Cobham sold the abovesaid Mannor to Sir Robert Reade then Serjeant at Law but after Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas who concluding in three Daughters and Coheirs Dorothy matched to Sir Edward Wotten of Boughton Malherbe Katharin wedded to Sir Thomas Willoughbie second Son of Christopher Willoughbie Lord Willoughbie of Eresbye and Margaret married to Sir Iohn Harcourt of Elnal in the County of Stafford this Mannor of St. Maries in her right descending to this Family the abovesaid Sir Iohn and the Lady Margaret his Wise did in the thirtieth year of Henry the eighth exchange the said Mannor of St. Mary Hall with Iohn Wiseman Gentleman for the Priory of Ronton in the County of Stafford since which Time the said Mannor hath continued in the Name of Wiseman and is at this instant in the Possession of Sir Thomas Wiseman of Riven Hall in the County of Essex Knight Newland is a Mannor Situated in St. Maries which was as high as can be traced by any Track of Evidence the Inheritance of Somer vulgarly now called Somers Richard le Somer made his Will as appears by the Records of Rochester in the year of Grace 1347 and died seised of this Place Lands in Halstow Higham Leigh and elsewhere and from him did it come down by the Channel of Descent to John Somer who was Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Raign of Henry the sixth who was a great Benefactor to the Priory of Christ-Church in whose Cloister the Armes of this Family remain insculped in Stone as a Memorial of his Beneficence the last of this Family who held this place was Sir William Somer who was thrice employed as publick Embassador to forraign States by Queen Elizabeth and he deceased without Issue Male so that his two Daughters matched to Sir Alexander Temple and Sir James Cromer became his Coheirs but this Mannor of Newland upon the Petition was united to the Demeasn of Temple whose Heir hath lately passed it away to the Treasurers of the Chest for sick and mained Seamen at Chetham Mershham in the Hundred of Chart and Longbridge was given by Siward and Mawde his Wife to the Monks of St. Augustins for support of their Diet which Concession of their's was afterwards confirmed as appears by the Book of Christ-Church by the Royal Authority of Edward the Confessor and so remained wrapped up in the Demeasn of the Church till the Dissolution of that Covent and then it fell into the Revenue of the Crown and King Henry the eighth in the thirty third year of his Raign settled it on the newly erected Dean and Chapter of Canterbury Quatherington in this Parish vulgarly called Quarington was the ancient Residence of the Blechendens till William Blechenden by marriage with Agnes Daughter and Coheir of ....... Godfrey of Aldington became in her Right Master of Simnells in that Parish and so left his Habitation at Mersham to enjoy his new Acquists at Aldington certainly they were very anciently Seated if not at this place yet in this Parish for I have seen the draught of a Pedigree knit together by Clarenceux Cooke wherein they are brought down from Nicholas de Blechenden who flourished here at Mersham in the Raign of Edward the first though I confesse the Evidences of Quarington reach no higher then Will. Blechenden who is made in the Pedigree to be Grandchild to the abovesaid Nicholas and who flourished in the Raign of Richard the second after the Blechendens the Cleggates of Canterbury became in our Grandfathers Memory to be Lords of the Fee but not long after alienated their Right in it to Eastday of Saltwood from whom the like Current of Succession wâ—fted it over to Knatchbull from whom the Right descended to Sir Norton Knatchbull a Person who for his Favour and Love to Learning and Antiquitie in Times when they are both fallen under such Cheapness and Contempt cannot be mentioned without an Epithete equivalent to so just a merit Mepeham in the Hundred of Totingtrough was given to the Monks of Canterbury for their supply of Dyet by Ediva the Queen Mother of the two Kings Edmund and Eadred as appears by the Book of Christ-Church in the year of Grace 861. Upon the suppression of that Fraternitie it increased by its Addition the Revenue of the Crown but it was suddenly after in the twenty ninth year of Henry the eighth restored to the Church and so continued till these infortunate Times chained it to the Patrimony of the See of Canterbury whose Arch-Bishops it seems had a speciall Regard to this place for William Courtney one of them re-builded the Church which by the Onsets of Time was shrunk into Dilapidation and Rubbish and erected likewise some Alms Houses here for the support and maintainance of the poor of this Parish The Mannor of Dodmore lies within the Circuit of Mepeham and was as high as the Beam of any Deed can discover to me the Possession of the noble and Knightly Family of Huntingfield Sir Peter Huntingfield by his Deed sans Date does demise it to his kinsman Walter Huntingfield and he by Deed likewise without any Date affixed to it passed it away to John Smith and he in the forty seventh year of Edward the third conveyed his Right in it by Sale to Richard Ideleigh from whom the Ideleighs of Easture in Chilham and Rollingin at Goodneston in East-Kent originally branched out But here the private Muniments of this place by whose Light I have walked break off so that I must make a Gap in my Intelligence and skip into the Raign of Henry the eighth In the ninth year of whose Government I find by the Court-Rolls of this place one Thomas Cavendish Esq to be possest of it from whom about the second year of Edward the sixth it went away to Henry Taylor afterwards within the Circuit of thirty years it was the Possession of John Giffard then of Walter Powre of Brenchley and after him of Henry Collins who in the year 1604. demised his Interest in it to Walter Kipping Gentleman of Kippings-Cross in Tuydley where they were resident before about five hundred year and now it is made by Dorothy Kipping his Daughter and Coheir part of the Patrimony of my Worthy and Ingenuous Friend Edward Darrell Esquire Dean-Court is likewise Seated within the Verge of Mepeham It was in elder times a Branch of that wide and opulent Estate which was marshal'd under the Signory of Twitham Alan de Twitham is enrolled in the Catalogue of those Kentish Gentlemen who were with Richard the first at the Seige of Acon Bethram de Twitham held it at his Death which was in the third year of Edward the third after Alanus de Twitham died seised of it in the twenty fifth year of the above-said Kings Raign and his Son Theobald de Twitham after him enjoyed it at his Death which was in the fourth year of Richard the second
raign of Henry the seventh left two Sons to Thomas his eldest he devised Fredville with his Estate there to William his youngest Bonington and the Lands annexed to it so that the eldest had the Fairest and the youngest the ancient Seat from Fredville are streamed out first the Boois's of Hode the second Branch of the eldest House Secondly those of Betshanger Thirdly Bois of Sandwich issued out from those of Betshanger From Bonington are extracted the Bois's of Willsborough being the second Branch of the second House Secondly Bois of Offington and thirdly Bois of Hawkherst From Thomas Bois above-mentioned is the Title of Fredville in a successive Line now devolved to his Successor Iohn Bois Esquire Elmington is a second place of Note in this Parish It was made eminent in former Times by being parcell of the Patrimony of Condye of Condies Hall in VVitstaple who likewise had some Interest in Fredville by purchase from Colkin which VVilliam Condy passed away to Thomas Charlton above-mentioned Which VVilliam was Son and Heir to Iohn de Condy who dyed possest of Elmington the fifth of September in the forty second year of Edward the third and by descendant Right was invested in the Propriety of this place but enjoyed it not long for he dying without Issue Robert Grubbe who had married Margaret Sister and Coheir of the abovesaid VVilliam entered upon the Possession But he likewise concluding in two Daughters and Coheirs Agnes one of them by matching with Iohn Isaack annexed this to his Inheritance and his Successor James Isaack about the latter end of Henry the seventh conveyed it to George Guldford Esquire who not long after transmitted the Interest he had in this place by Sale to Betenham in whom the Possession was but of a frail and narrow Continuance for from this Family a Vicissitude like the former about the latter end of Henry the eighth carried it away to Sir Christopher Hales and his Son Sir James Hales not long after demised it to VVilliam Bois Esquire Ancestor to Jo. Bois of Fredville Esquire who now holds the instant Signiory of it St. Albans is a third place in Nonington which exacts our Notice It is called so because it was wrapped up in the Revenue of the Abby of St. Albans and did partake of the like priviledges as that Monastery enjoyed a Scale of which you may read of recorded in the late printed Monasticum Anglicanum too tedious here to recapitulate It was in elder Times called Esole and was held by one Edmund de Akcholt in Knights Service whose Arms in Nonington Church videlicet Quarterly Argent and Azure over all a Bend componee Or and Gules are yet visible and obvious This Mannor upon the general Dissolution in the Raign of Henry the eighth being found involved in the Patrimony of the above said Abby was in the thirty second year of that Prince granted with all its Appendages to Sir Christopher Hales and his Son Sir James Hales about the Beginning of Edward the sixth conveyed it to John Sticker who in the fifth year of that Prince alienated it to Sir Thomas Colepeper of Bedgbery from whom not long after the same mutation transplanted it into Sir Thomas Moile and he demised the propriety of it by Sale to Thomas Hamon Esquire Auncestor to Anthony Hamon Esquire who now enjoys the present Signory of it At the Borough of Wolwich in this Parish is a place called Oxendens which was the Original Seminary and Fountain of those of that Name and Family in this County Ratling is another place in Nonington of principal Note It contributed in Times of a more Venerable Date both Seat and Sirname to a Family of that Appellation It would be too tedious and voluminous a Digression to recite all those whom Ancient Records represent to be the possessors of this Place I shall only take notice of Sayer de Ratling Son of Sir Robert de Ratling who was the last of the Name who enjoyed it and had it in Possession at his Decease which was in the tenth year of Richard the second and left Joane his Daughter and Heir who was matched to John Spicer from whom the Spicers who were Owners of the Mannor of Sherford in Monks Horton in this County were collaterally extracted but it appears they were of no long residence at this Place for this Man and his Name together went out in Co-heirs so that Ratling fell under the Dominion of a new Proprietary for by Cicely one of them it was knit to the Demeasne of her Husband John Izaack of Blackmanbery in Bredge and by this Alliance the Title became tied to this Family till Edward Izaack this mans Grand-child in the Raign of Henry the seventh by Sale collated his Right in it on Sir John Phineux whose Successor in the next Age after alienated it to Nevinson from whom not so many years are yet elapsed but that almost our Memory may attaque the time of the Sale By the same Fatality the Possession and Title was rowled into the enjoyment of the present Owner Sir William Cowper Oldcourt is a third place which may exact our Account it was anciently parcel of the Demeasne of a good old Family who derived their Sirname from the Parish of Goodneston vulgarly called Gonston by no far Distance removed from this place and continued in an uninterrupted Series from John William and Robert de Godneston of whom there is frequent mention in private Evidences and who flourished in the Raigns of Henry the third and Edward the first as their Dateless Deeds do intimate until the Raign of Edward the fourth possest of this place and then it went by Edith Daughter and Heir of Edward Godneston in whom the Name was entombed to Vincent Engham descended from the Enghams or Edinghams of Woodchurch from whom it went away by Sale to John Sydley Esquire Auditor to Henry the seventh who added much to the Splendor and Magnificence of the Sydleys of Southfleet by those additional improvements with which he encreased the Patrimony of that Family When this Name went out the next Family which succeeded in the possession of this place by purchase was Wild of Canterbury descended originally from the Wilds of the County of Worcester where they are entituled to an Extraction of deep Antiquity whose Successor Sir John Wild of Canterbury in that Age we call our Fathers passed away his Right in Oldcourt to Mersh who holds the instant Fee-simple of it Northbourne in the Hundred of Eastry was given to Christ-church in Canterbury by Eadbald King of Kent as the Records of that Church do assert after his Return to the Christian Faith for formerly by an open Desertion or Apostacy he had renounced those Principles of Religion which originally had been infused into him And being thus cast into the Revenue of the Church it remained incorporated in its Patrimony till the publique Dissolution made by Henry the eighth dissevered it and laid it up in the Lap of the Royal
was by Etheldred let loose from the Veins of his Danish Subjects universally in this Nation and certainly it was this Swain that erected the Castle here to preserve a Winter Station for his Ships and though it now lye gasping in its own Rubbish yet there are yet some Characters and Signatures remaining which evidence and declare to us that there was once a Fortresse there where there is nothing now but dismantled Ruines The Tradition of the Country is that that Valley which interposes between that Hill which ascends up to Northfleet and that which winds up to Swanscamp was once covered with Water and being locked in on each side with Hills made a secure Road for Shipping which invited the Dane to make it a Winter-Station for his Navy and the same Report will tell you likewise of Anchors which have been digged up about the utmost Verge of that Mersh which is contiguous to the Thames and certainly if we consider the Position of this Valley which is nothing but a Chain of Mershland interlaced with a Stream called Ebbs fleet which swells and sinks with the Flux and Reflux of the adjacent River and the Dimension of their Ships then at that Time in use which were not of any extraordinary Bulk this Tradition is not improbable Near this place Stigand the Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Egelsine Abbot of St. Augustines assembled the Kentish Men into an Army pretending it was better to dye like Men in asserting and vindicating their Native Liberties with Swords in their Hands then like Slaves to prostitute themselves to the Insolence of the Conquerour by a cheap and tame Submission with Halters about their Necks which had so great an Influence and Impression upon their Spirits that they resolved their Franchises and themselves should find one Tomb together rather then they would give up both to the Sword and Will of an imperious Victor and indeed soon after they managed their Stratagems with that Successe that William Sirnamed the Conquerour advancing with his Normans into Kent to reduce Dover-Castle which was then made good against him he and his Army dropped into those Ambushes which the Kentish Inhabitants had strewed for him where he had indisputably perished had he not by Charter fortified and confirmed those Immunities they then contended and strugled for and which remain unviolated either by any forrain or domestick Eruption even untill this Day The Mannor of Swanscamp it self was as farre as Record can guide us to discover the Inheritance of the Montchensies called in the Latine Repertory de Monte-Canisio and Hubert de Montchensey as appears by Dooms-day Book was the first of that Name of any Eminence who was Lord of the Fee and after him his Son William de Montchensey by paternal Right held it and so dyed in Possession of it in the year 1287 from whom it descended to Dionis his Daughter and Heir and in Relation to her to her Husband Hugh de Vere who became by this Addition of Estate thus accruing Baron of Swanscamp and sat under that Notion in the Parliament which was summoned in the first year of Edward the second but he dying without Issue William de Valence Earl of Pembroke claimed it in Right of his Wife Daughter and Heir to John de Montchensey second Brother to William de Montchensey who was Father in Law to Hugh de Vere above-mentioned from whom it descended to his Son Aymer de Valence who dying without Issue in the seventeenth year of Edward the third Isabell his Sister matched to Lawrence de Hastings became his Heir who in her Right was Earl of Pembroke and Baron of Swanscamp and left it to his Grandchild John de Hastings Earl of Pembroke who dying without Issue in the fourteenth of Richard the second in the fifteenth year of that Prince Reginald Grey and Richard Talbot in respect of Marriage were found to be his Heirs and upon the Partition of the Estate this was united to the Demeasne of Talbot in which Family after it had rested untill the latter end of Henry the sixth it was conveyed to Sir Thomas Brown of Bechworth Castle whose Son Sir William Brown in the twelfth year of Edward the fourth surrendered them into the hands of Edward the fourth for the use of his Mother Cicely Dutchesse Dowager of York upon whose Decease it returned to the Crown and lay there untill the first year of Q. Elizabeth and then it was granted to Ralph Weldon Esq great Grand-father to Colonel Ralph Weldon the instant Lord of the Fee Alcharden alias Combes is another place in this Parish worthy this Survey It was many Hundred years since the Inheritance of a Family called Cumbe or Combe who continued resident in the Possession untill the reign of Edward the fourth and then it went away from them by Sale to Swan of Hook-House in Southfleet in which Family it was fixed untill the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth and then it was conveyed to Lovelace who not long after passed it away to Carter and he alienated it to Hardres from whom about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth the Vicissitude of Sale carried it off to Fagge who in the tenth year of King James transmitted it by Sale to Hudson whose Descendant not many years fince demised it by Sale to Mr. Richard Head of Rochester Ince-Grice is the last place considerable in Swanscampe It related before the general suppression to the Priory of Dartford but being torn off by King Henry the eighth it was by Edward the sixth in the fifth of his reign granted in Fee-Farm to Martin Muriell but the Fee-simple remained in the Crown until Queen Elizabeth in the fifth year of her Rule passed it away to Edward Darbishire and John Bere who not long after jointly conveyed it to Jones who in our Fathers Memory alienated it to Holloway whose Son and Heir Mr. Thomas Holloway hath lately demised his Interest in it to Captain Edward Brent of Southwarke Staple in the Hundred of Eastry hath two places memorable First Crixall which was Anciently written Crickleaddshall when in Ages of a higher Ascent it confessed the Family of Brockhull for its Owners which were Lords of it but until the twenty eighth of Edward the first and then it was setled upon a Daughter but whether she brought it or not by Marriage to Wadham which Family I find about the latter end of Edward the third to have been possest of it I cannot discover and where the Light of Record is dim I must acquiesce in silence William Wadhaem as I trace out by an old Pedigree of Fogg lived in the reign of Henry the fourth Henry the fifth and Henry the sixth under the Scepter of which Princes he managed the Office of Justice of the Peace for the County of Somerset and left his Estate here to his Son and Heir Sir Nicholas Wadham who determined in a Daughter and Heir matched to Sir William Fogg by which Alliance this Mannor came to be ingrafted into the
Book of Aide and the Book called Feoda Militum in the Exchequer do both inform us his Son was Gerard Braybrooke and his Grand-child was Reginald Braybrooke whose Heir Joan Braybrooke married to Thomas Brooke of the County of Somerset but whether this Reginald Braybrooke gave this Mannor to pious Uses or not and principally to the Abby of Leeds adjacent I cannot positively determine upon the Suppression it was granted as being parcel of the Demeasne of the Convent of Leeds by Henry the eighth in the thirty seventh year of his reign to John Tufton Esquire who passed it away by Sale to Mr. Richard Argall whose Heir Elizabeth Argall being married to Edward Filmer Esquire made it the possession of that Family and by a communicative Right from him does his Grand-child Sir Edward Filmer Son to Sir Robert Filmer lately deceased now hold the possession and propriety of it Sutton Valence and Chart by Sutton both lie in the Hundred of Eyhorne the last of which contracted the Appellation from formerly owning William de Valence Earl of Pembroke to be Lord of the Fee who certainly instituted that Castle that now even in its Reliques and Fragments with much of venerable Magnificence overlooks the Plain And when Aymer de Valence his Son concluded in a Female Heir Isabell she was wedded to Lawrence Lord Hastings who in relation to her became not only Earl of Pembroke but Lord of Sutton-Valence also and from him did it descend to his Grand-child John Hastings Earl of Fembroke the last Earl there of that Name who transmitted his Title of that place to Reginald Grey and Richard Talbot who flourished here about the reign of Henry the fourth and they had this Mannor by Testamentary Donation in the fourteenth year of Richard the second In the next Age subsequent to this I find the Cliffords of Bobbing-court to be the Proprietaries and to this Family was the Inheritance in a constant Union fastned till Nicholas Clifford Esquire deceased without Issue-male and left only one Daughter and Heir called Mildred who was first married to Harper secondly to More thirdly to Warren and lastly to Blount but she had only Issue by Harper and More for in her Right Edward Lord More of Mellifont in Ireland and Sir Edward Harper divided the Possession but the first desiring to contract his whole Revenue into Ireland and the other to make this adjacent to his principal Seat of Ruspar-hall in the County of Derby Sir Edward Harper alienated this to Sir Edward Hales Knight and Baronet and the Lord More Chart by Sutton to the same worthy Person Grand-father to Sir Edward Hales Baronet who not only enjoyes the Title of his Ancestors Dignity but that of the Possession in these places likewise Cheyneys-court in this Parish hath been adopted into that Name since it for many Descents acknowledged the Jurisdiction and propriety of that Family and I could unravel a Successive Series of many of that Name but that it is superfluous who were Lords of the Fee it is enough that Sir Thomas Cheyney sold it to Iden which Name suddenly after resolving into two Daughters and Co-heirs one matching with Brown and the other with Barton the last made it parcel of the Patrimony of that Family and when some years it had been continued in the possession of Barton it was in our Memory by Sale brought over to be the Demeasne of Wollett and it is now but whether by Purchase or by the Right of a Female Heir or not I cannot ascertain my self the propriety of Jordan Sutton at Hone lies in the Hundred of Acstane and gives Denomination to the whole Lath wherein it is situated It was long since a Mannor relating to the Revenue of the Knights Hospitallers who had here a Mansion-house called St. Johns where they often made their Retreat when they visited their other Demeasne Land which lay circumscribed within the Verge of this County but their Estate here was much inforced and improved by the Addition of the Mannor of Grandison which whether it came to them by Purchase or Donation from Thomas Lord Grandison who died the forty ninth year of Edward the third is incertain Upon the Suppression of the Alberge of these Knights of St. John of Jerusalem here in England their Revenue was assumed into the possession of the Crown and King Henry the eighth bestowed by Grant on Sir Maurice Dennis St. John's and to him does that magnificent and elegant Pile where now the Countess of Leicester makes her Residence owe the first Institution of its Shape and Beauty though it has been since extreamly inlarged by the Additions both of Bulk and Ornament by Sir Thomas Smith But to proceed St. Johns was conveyed from Sir Maurice Dennis by his Coheir to Thomas Cranfeild whose Grand-child Vincent Cranfeild has lately alienated his Right to Mr. Hollis of London Merchant Haly Sawters is another Mannor in Sutton in Hone a place though now obscure in it self and not re-presented to our Remembrance but by Annals and Record yet in elder Times it was raised up to a higher degree of Estimate when it had Proprietaries whose Nobility and Title added both Value and Lustre unto it The first of which Register whom I trace in Record to be entituled to the Possession was Laurence de Hastings Earl of Pembroke and he died seised of it in the twenty second year of Edward the third Rot. Esc Num. 47. from whom the Title came down to his Son John de Hastings and he likewise was in the enjoyment of it at his Decease which was in the forty ninth year of Edward the third Rot. Esc Num. 70. After this Family had deserted the Inheritance I find Richard Fitz Allen Earl of Arundel to be invested in the Possession and he died in the Tenure of it in the one and twentieth year of Richard the second Rot. Esc Num. 2. From whom it devolved to Joan his Daughter and Co-heir matched to William Beauchamp Baron of Aburgavenny whose Son Richard Lord Beauchamp dying without Issue Male Elizabeth his Sole Daughter espoused to Edward Nevill Baron of Aburgavenny in her Right be came his Heir and he in the sixteenth year of Edward the fourth died possest of this Mannor of Sawters And here for want of Light both from publick or private Record I cannot discover to my Reader or my self whether or not it passed away immediately from Nevill to Maio whom I find about the beginning of Q. Elizabeth to be planted in the Possession though the Affirmation of some old people of this Parish who derived that Knowledge they have of it from the Tradition of their Ancestors that assert it did Thomas Maio in the twenty eighth of Q. Elizabeth passed it away to Rich. Paramour and he presently after disposed of it by Sale to Sir Henry Brooke who conveyed it to Robert Wroth Esquire and he to Edmund Hunt Esquire who alienated Haly and Sawters to Mr. William Hewson in the thirty fourth year of
with his Hand supported that Prince when he first went out of his Ship to Land in Sussex afterwards when in the twentieth of that King's Government there was an universal Survey taken of each Mans particular Demeasn thoroughout the Nation who was of any Account or Eminence which we call Dooms-day Book there is a recital of the above mentioned Robert de St. Leger to have held Lands at Ulcomb which the Evidences of this Family do inform us were taken from a Pagan Dane whom he before had conquered and who inhabited at this place Guy de St. Leger as Mr. Fuller discovers to us in his Ecclesiastical History was appointed by William the Conquerour to be an Assistant Knight to Adelmere one of the Monks of Ely Raefe de St. Leger is registred in the Roll of those Kentish Gentlemen who accompanied Richard the first to the Siege of Acon and as the Inscription on his Leaden Shroud in the Vault of this Church does signifie was engaged in the Holy Quarrel fifteen years Another Rafe St. Leger and Hugh St. Leger were Recognitores magnae Assisae in the second year of K. John Sir Rafe de St. Leger Sir Jo. de St. Leger and Sir Tho. St. Leger were with Edw. the first at the Siege of Carlaverock in the twenty eighth year of his Reign and for their signal Atchievements there received the Order of Knighthood Indeed in times subsequent to this there was scarse almost any noble and generous undertaking but the Annals of our English History represent a St. Leger concerned and interessed in it And for their Collateral Alliances by which they became knit in Consanguinitie to several illustrious Families none in that particular have been more Successeful then themselves Sir Thomas St. Leger second Brother to Sir Rafe St. Leger married Anne Dutchesse of Exeter Sister to King Edward the fourth and so became twisted into the Family of that Prince by a Nearness of Alliance as he had before been taken into his Bosome by a union of Friendship by whom he had only Ann his Daughter and Heir who was wedded to Sir George Manners L. Rosse from whom the Earls of Rutland are in a direct Line branched out Sir James St. Leger this mans Brother matched with Anne one of the Co-heirs of Thomas Boteler Earl of Ormond from whom the St. Legers of the County of Devon were extracted out of which Stem was Sir William St. Leger who was Lord President of Munster in Ireland one thousand six hundred forty and two Sir Anthony St. Leger Father of Sir Warham was Lord Deputy of Ireland which place he managed with much of Prudence and Magnanimity his second Son Sir Anthony St. Leger Father to Sir Anthony St. Leger now of Wierton House in Boughton Monchensie died Master of the Rolls in Ireland which Office he discharged with a great deal of Faith and no less integrity Thus have I in Landskip pourtraied this noble Family which in an undivided Chain of Descent was setled at Ulcomb from the Conquerour's Time even till of late and then Sir Anthony St. Leger alienated his right in it which was grown reverend by a prescription of so many Ages to Serjeant Clerk of Rochester Father to Mr. Francis Clerk descended from Henry Clerk who was second Brother to Sir John Clerk who took the Duke of Longuevil prisoner at the Battle fought between Bomy and Spours The Church of Ulcomb belonged to Christ-Church in Canterbury and being Snatched away was restored by K. Edmund in the year 941. And about 430 years since was made a Collegiate Church by Stephen Langton Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and the Head thereof was called Arch-presbyter Boycot is another Mannor in Ulcomb which afforded both Seat and Sirname to a Family of that Denomination as appears by several old Deeds some of which are without Date which remember Stephen de Boycot John de Boycot and Alexander Boycot which last flourished here in the Reign of Edward the third and Richard the second and from him did it by paternal Delegation devolve to John Boycot and he had Issue John Boycot and Stephen Boycot one which sold his Proportion which accrued to him by the custome of Gavelkind to Richard Hovenden and the other by the like alienation transmitted his Interest in it to William Adam from whom it came over by Donation to Thomas Glover as is specified in the Deed of Sale by which the above-mentioned person in the first year of Henry the seventh alienates it to Richard Hovenden After Hovenden was crumbled away it came by purchase to be the possession of Clerk of Wood-Church the last of which Name which was entituled to the Inheritance was Humphrey Clerk Esquire who in the ninteenth of Q. Elizabeth alienated it to Thomas Sands and he in the twentieth year of the abovesaid Princess conveyed it to the Lady Elizabeth Berkley whose Grand-child Mr. ....... Berkley Esquire is now proprietarie of it Kingsnoth is the last Mannor in Vlcomb It was part of that Demeasn which related to the Abby of Feversham and continued united to its patrimony until the publick Dissolution filed it off and then it became the Interest of the Crown until Henry the eighth in the thirty second of his reign granted it to Sir Anthony St. Leger Knight of the Garter Lord Deputy of Ireland and one of his Privy Councel whose Son Sir Warham St. Leger in the tenth year of Q. Elizabeth conveyed it to William Isley Esquire who not long after passed it away to Anthony Sampson who in the twenty first year of Q. Elizabeth alienated it to James Austin and he in the year 1599 sold it to Robert Cranmer who dying without Issue Male Anne his Daughter and Heir brought it along with her to her Husband Sir Arthur Harris of Crixey in Essex who upon his Decease gave it to his second Son Mr. John Harris and his Son and Heir Mr. Cranmer Harris of Lincolns Inne enjoys the instant Inheritance of it Vp-Church in the Hundred of Milton was in elder Times in the Register of those Lands Mannors and Hereditaments which owned the dominion of the illustrious Family of Leybourn Rog. de Leybourn in the fiftieth year of H. the third had a Grant to hold his Lands at Hartlip Reinham and Up-Church by the fourth part of a Knights Fee and from him did the Clew of successive Descent in a continued Track transport it to his Great Grand-child Juliana de Leybourne Widow of John de Hastings not Father of Laurence de Hastings E. of Pembroke as some have erroneously printed but his Kinsman and next of William de Clinton Earl of Huntington whom she survived and died possest of this Mannor in the forty third year of Edward the third and as the inquisition after her Decease informs us without any Issue or kindred who might supersede the Interest of the Crown by pretending a direct or Collateral Title to her Estate so that King Edward the third by escheat became invested in this Mannor
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
assaults his Rear with that Courage that he forced that Duke to a Disorderly Retteat leaving his Canon and Carriages behind him as the Reward of his Valour and Fortune In the twenty seventh year of Henry the sixth he was sent over into France with fifteen hundred men as a fresh supply to buoy up the sincking Affairs of the English in that Nation with which he recovered many pieces of strength but overlaid with Multitude in an Encounter at Formigney by the Earl of Clermont and the Constable of France after he had with unparallel'd Testimonies of personal Courage endeavoured to preserve the Fortune of the Day he received a Defeat the Enemy buying his Victory at so dear a rate that it almost undid the Purchaser Lastly his Fate cast him into that Civil Contest which broke out between the two Houses of York and Lancaster and being satisfied with the Justice of those principles upon which the first had engaged in Arms became an eager Assertor of its Claim to the Diadem and having enbarked himself with Richard Earl of Warwick then the Atlas of that Faction in defence of it at the second Battle of St. Albans perished in the Ruines of that Field and by an unstained though a Calamitous Fidelity became the great Example of Loyalty to the House of York And he dying without Issue-male one of his Daughters and Co-heirs by matching with John Fogge of Repton Esquire brought this Mannor upon the partition of the Estate between Fogge and Bourchier who wedded the other to be annexed to the Demeasn of that Family and upon his Decease it descended to his Son Thomas Fogge Serjeant Porter of Callis who dying without Issue-male Anne Fogge who was one of his two Daughters and Co-heirs Aregrim a Saxon held the Mannor of Minshull in Cheshire as Dooms-day Book testifies in the Time of the Conquerour ut liber homo first matching with William Scot and afterwards to Henry Isham brought this to be parcel of the Inheritance of her second Husband but his Son Edward Isham about the latter end of Q. Elizabeth concluding in Mary Isham his onely Inheritrix she by espousing Sir George Perkins united it to his Patrimony and he setled the Reversion of it after his Wives decease upon Mary his Daughter married to Sir Richard Minshull of Cheshire created Baron of Minshull 1642 descended from that eminent Souldier Michael de Minshul who for his glorious service performed in the Quarrel of Richard the first at the Siege of Acon had the assignment for ever of the Crescent and Star for the Coat-Armour of this Family And he and the Lady Mary Perkins concurring in a joynt Sale passed it away in the second of King Charles to James Hugison of Lingsted whose Son John Hugison Esquire by descendant right is entituled to the Possession of it Waltham in the Hundreds of Bredge Petham and Stowting was anciently a Member of that Revenue which acknowledged the Interess of the Knights Templers as appears by a Survey taken of this Mannor in the year of Grace one thousand one hundred and eighty and registred in the Book styled de Terris Templariorum which is preserved in the Remembrancers Office in the Exchequer and in that Survey there is mention made of Ivo de Haut who held Lands at that Time of Temple Waltham lying at Petham not far distant which justifies the Antiquity of that Name in this Track Upon the total suppression and extinction of this Order here in England on pretence of some prodigious Crimes stuck upon it which whether they were imaginary or real must be discussed in that Critical Day when the secrets of all Hearts and the Bottome of all Secrets shall be opened this Mannor of Waltham was in the seventeenth year of Edward the second by Grant invested in the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem commonly called the Knights Hospitalers and here in this Order it rested until the reign of Henry the eighth and then being dissolved by that impetuous Tempest which like a Hurricano fell upon this and all other Conventual Orders in this Nation it was swallowed up in the Revenue of the Crown and there lay couched till the latter part of Queen Elizabeth and then it was in the forty second year of her swaying the English Scepter granted to John Manwaring Esquire from whom by Hope Manwaring his Daughter and Heir the Interess went to Humphrey Hamond upon whose Decease she was re-married to Sir Robert Stapylton a Person who hath erected his own everlasting Tomb and Epitaph in those exquisite Translations of his of Pliny's Panegyrick to Trajan Juvenal's Satyrs and lastly Strada's History of the Wars and other Transactions of the Low Countries who by purchase from his Son in Law Mr. Manwaring Hamond holds the instant Fee-simple of it Eshmerfeild is another eminent Mannor in Waltham and cals for some Respective Account because in Ages of a higher pedigree it confessed it self in the Revenual of the signal Family of Crioll for Bertram de Crioll possest it at his Death which was in the twenty third year of Edward the first and though he expired in a Daughter and Heir yet it continued still in the Tenure of a younger House until Bennet Daughter and Co-heir of Sir Thomas Crioll who was slain at the second Battle of St. Albans brought it to her Husband John Fogge Esquire whose Son Thomas Fogge about the beginning of Henry the seventh alienated his Right and Concernment in it to Sir Thomas Kempe in which Family the Inheritance remained until the latter end of Queen Elizabeth and then it was passed by Sir Thomas Kempe this mans Grandchild to Roger Twisden Esquire whose Grandchild Sir Roger Twisden Knight and Baronet conveyed it to Sir John Ashburnham to whose Widow the Lady Ashburnham it accrued upon his Decease as having been before by speciall Compact made part of her Dower so that she at this instant hath the Use of the emergent profits and income of it Whetacre is another small Mannor that lies within the Circle of this Parish not worth the memorial were it not for a Family which extracted its Sirname from hence for I find Nigellus de Whetacre mentioned in the Book of Aide to have held Lands here in the twentieth of Edward the third In Times of a lower Date that is about the reign of Henry the sixth I find the Family of Hels or Hils descended from the Hels of Hels-court in Woditon to be planted in the possession and in this Name was the Interest of it constant until the beginning of Edward the sixth and then it was alienated to Prude whose Successor couveyed it to Alderman Cockain of London from whom the same Stream of Vicissitude carried it into Beacon Watringbury in the Hundred of Twiford was in Ages of a very high Gradation the Patrimony of a Family which enjoyed that Sirname and held not only the Mannor of Watringbury it self but Chart and Fowls which lie within the Precincts of this Parish
third year of Henry the sixth Joan the Wife of Sir Iohn Grey one of the Sisters and Coheirs of the abovesaid Edmund was invested in the possession in the fourth year of the abovesaid Prince Not long after this it came to own the Signory of the Tiptofts and continued fastned to their patrimony until the renth year of Edward the fourth When Iohn Tiptoft Earl of Worcester being empeached of close Confederacy and Combination with the abovesaid Prince then forced into Exile was by the Parliament then principally moulded out of the Lancastrian Faction attainted and beheaded and his estate here confiscated to the Crown and there was lodged until the first year of Queen Elizabeth and then it was granted to Anthony Brown Viscount Montague who in the year 1592 deceased and left it to his Son and Heir Anthony Brown Viscount Montague and he setled it upon his second Son Mr. Stanislaus Brown who now is in the enjoyment of it East-wickham is situated in the Hundred of Little and Lesnes and celebrates the memory of the noble Family of Montchensey and was wrapped up in their Demeasn William de Montchensey held it at his Death which was in the fifty second year of Henry the third and left it to his Sole Daughter and Heir Dionis matched to Hugh de Vere but he dying without Issue in the seventh year of Edward the second as appears Rot. Esc Num. 51. the Title and possession diverted to VVilliam de Valentia Earl of Pembroke half Brother by the Mothers side to Henry the third who had matched with Joan Sister and Heir to VVilliam de Montchensey before named from whom it descended to his Son Aymer de Valence who dying without Issue Isabell one of his Sisters and Coheirs who was affianced to Laurence de Hastings summoned to sit in Parliament by Edward the third as Earl of Pembroke upon the approportioning the estate entituled her Husband to this Mannor and from him was the Title carried down to his Grandchild Iohn de Hastings Earl of Pembroke who was in possession of it at his Decease which was in the thirteenth year of Richard the second Rot. Esc Num. 30. And Reginald Grey was found to be his Heir in which Family it remained until the Beginning of Henry the sixth and then it was passed away to VVilliam Lord Lovell who was often summoned to sit as Baron in Parliament in that Prince's reign and from him it came down to his Grandchild Iohn Lord Lovell summoned to sit in Parliament as Baron in the second year of Edward the fourth and he about the Beginning of his reign passed it away to Iohn Lord Howard afterwards created Duke of Norfolk who being a close and eager Complice of Richard the third sunk in his Ruines in the Battle commenced at Bosworth and Henry of Richmond having by that successeful Combat ascertained himself to the English Scepter seised upon this Mannor by Escheat in the first year of his Reign as relating to a person who had actually appeared in Arms against him and being thus united to the Crown it lay couched in its Revenue untill the seventh year of Edward the sixth and then it was granted to Sir Martin Bowes who not long after passed it away to Alderman Oliff of London who left it to Joan his Sole Daughter and Heir matched to John Leigh Son and Heir of Nicholas Leigh of Addington in Surrey Esquire Father to Sir Oliff Leigh who much enhaunsed the Magnisicence of the ancient Fabrick with increase of Building and left it to his Son Sir Francis Leigh whose Widow the Lady Christian Leigh in Right of Dower is now in Possession of the Signory of it VVest-Wickham in the Hundred of Rokesley is much enobled by being anciently entituled to the possession of the eminent Family of Huntingfield Peter de Huntingfield held it who was Sheriff of Kent the eleventh twelfth and thirteenth years of Edward the third and is registred in the Scroles of those Kentish Gentlemen who accompanied Edward the first in his Victorious Expedition into Scotland in the twenty eighth year of his reign when he reduced Carlaverock by a successeful Seige for which his merit was repayed with the Honour of Knighthood his Son and Heir was Walter de Huntingfield who in the eleventh year of Edward the second obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Mannor of West-Wickham a Market weekly on the Monday and a Fair yearly on the Vigil and day of St. Mary Magdalen as appears Pat. 11. Edwardi secundi Num. 23. And left it invested with these Priviledges to his Son and Heir Sir John de Huntingfield who paid Aid for three Knights Fees which he held in this County at making the Black Prince Knight and was a Man of that Eminence that he was summoned to sit as Baron in Parliament the thirty sixth year of Edward the third and several other Times during the Raign of the above-named Prince William de Huntingfield this mans Son was summoned likewise many Times to sit as Baron in Parliament about the latter end of Edward the third but dyed without Issue so that Joan and Alize Huntingfield his Cozens matched to Copledike and Norwich were his Heirs and by an old Deed I find that one John Copledike held this Mannor by Right of Partition the last year of Richard the second but it was not long after this fixed in the Patrimony of this Family for in the seventeenth year of Flenry the sixth Thomas Squerrie died possest of it and left it to his Son and Heir John Squerrie who dying without Issue in the fourth year of Edward the fourth Dorothy one of his two Sisters and Coheirs entituled her Husband Richard Mervin upon the Division of the Estate to the proprietie of this Mannor and he not long after passed it away to Richard Scrope who in the seventh year of Edward the fourth alienated it by Fine to Ambrose Creseacre who not long after transmitted it by Sale to Henry Heyden Esquire to whom the principal part of the ancient Pile now visible ows its Erection and from him did it devolved to that eminent Scholler and Souldier Justice of the Peace and Captain of the trained Bands of this County in the Reign or Queen Elizabeth Sir Christopher Heydon who about the latter end of that Princess passed it away to Sir Samuel Lennard Father to Sir Stephen Lennard who is entituled to the present propriety of it Wymingswould in the Hundred of Wingham contains within the Circuit or Limits of it an ancient Seat called Nethersole from its situation near some Pool or descending Pond and was as high as the Time of K. John and Henry the third the possession of a Family which was represented to the world under this Sirname for as it appears by the Original Deeds and Evidences which fortifie the Title of this Mansion Richard de Nethersoll flourished here about the Government of the abovesaid Monarchs and from him was it by a perpetuated Succession chained
peradventure may be attributed to the Evaporations of youth which is alwayes volatile and airy rather then to any setled and contracted Habit of vitious Distempers and mutinous passions which was lodged within Him But to proceed when Willesborough had by a successive thread of many Ages been guided along through several Descents down to John Brent he died and left John Brent his Heir who expiring without Issue Margaret his eldest Sister became the Inheritrix of all his possessions and she being matched with John Dering Esquire of Surrenden Dering this place by Female right became transplanted into the Patrimony of that Name and Family and Sir Edward Dering about the year 1635 conveyed it to Robert Scot of Canterbury Esquire whose Son and Heir Thomas Scot of Canterbury Esquire is now proprietary of it Wilmington in Hundred of Dartford resolves it self into two Mannors which exact a peculiar Cognisance and the first is Rue Hill so it was anciently written though now by vulgar Acceptation it is called Rowe Hill It was in Ages of a higher Track the patrimony of an illustrious and generous Family called Gise who were in those times as eminent for the largeness of their possessions as they were for the Antiquity of their Extraction and from hence were the Gises of the Counties of Hereford and Gloucester originally sprouted out Anselmus de Gise had a Charter of Free Warren granted to his Lands at Rue Hill in Wilmington in the twenty second year of Edward the first but it appears the Possession of this place invested and fortified with this Grant was not long after united to this Family for John Gise this mans Grand-child sold it to Nicholas Brember who in the twelfth year of Richard the second being blasted with an impeachment of high Treason fell an Oblation to the fury of those Lords who upon pretence of asserting the publick Liberty sought to fetter up the majesty and prerogative of their Prince within those narrow Restraints and Limits which they prescribed to empale it in and pare off the power of the Crown which like Sampson's Locks being shaved Kings remain like other men Upon his attaint Rue Hill resolved into the revenue of the Crown and King Richard the second in the fourteenth year of his reign granted it to Adam Bamme of London and in his Lineage was the Inheritance of it sundry Generations wrapt up till in our Grand-fathers memory it was alienated to Brett from whose successor the same Alteration rowled the possession not many years since into Smith The second is Highlands which was parcel of the Demeasn of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem and upon the Dissolution of their Alberge here in England was granted about the thirty fifth year of Henry the eighth to Sir Thomas Moile and Sir Maurice Dennis the last of which passed away his Concernment in it to Sir Thomas Moile by whose Daughter and Co-heir called Amy Moile it came to be possest by Sir Thomas Kempe who left it to his Son and Heir Sir Thomas Kempe who conveyed it to his Brother Mr. Reginald Kempe who in our Fathers memory passed it away to Lancelot Bathurst Esquire Father to Sir Edward Bathurst who is the instant proprietary of it Wodnesborough lies in the Hundred of Eastrie and spreads it self into many places of no despicable Account First there is Shelving which was as high as any Evidence can waft us to discover the Demeasn of Houghham of Hougham by Dover a Family rooted in as deep Antiquity as any in this Track Robert de Hougham is enrolled in an ancient Register of those Kentish Gentlemen who supported the cause and Quarrel of Richard the first at the Seige of Acon Sir Robert de Hougham his Son died possest of it in the second year of Edward the first and left Robert Hougham his Heir who determined in Daughters and Co-heirs so that Benedicta Houghham one of them being married to John Shelving this became his Demeasn where he erected a House upon which he fixed his Sirname and called it Shelving which in those Times was of considerable Repute though since by the frequent impressions of Age it is shrunk into Decay and Obscurity from Shelving one Moitie of it by Sale was transmitted to St. Leger and so continued distinguished in the Interest of it till both Shelving and St. Leger did by a mutual Concurrence pass away their joynt right in it to Dynley where it had not long been Seated but the like Fatality transferred the Possession of it to White and here the Title of it was as unfixt and unstable also for from this Family by purchase it was carried into the Revenue of Knight who in our memory altered his Interest in it by Sale to Mr. Solomon Hougham of Sandwich primitively issued out in a Collateral Line from Sir Robert Hougham upon whose late Decease his Son and Heir Mr. Richard Hougham is now possessor of it Ringleton does secondly exact some Remembrance It was anciently the Interest of Perot for Thomas Perot held it at his Death which was in the fourth year of Edward the third but when this Name was extinguished in a Daughter and Heir William Langley by matching with Her entituled himself to the Possession of this place in which Family the Inheritance for sundry Generations was settled till the Vicissitude of Time by Sale conveyed it into the Demeasn of John White who was originally a Merchant of the Staple and did by several Acts of exemplary Munificence evidence himself to be a liberal Benefactor to Canterbury But long it was not fastned to the Possession of this Name for his Successor alienated it to Butler of Heronden in Eastrie from which Family Ringleton by the same Mutation was brought to own the Possession of Neame and his Son Daniel Neame sold it to Spencer of Sandwich whose Successor Nicholas Spencer dying without Issue his Sister who was wedded to Hughs descended from Hughs of Middleton Stony in the County of Oxford who was branched out from the Hughs of North-Wales by a Relative right deduced from that Alliance has planted the present Possession in the Patrimony of that Name and Family Thirdly upper Hamwold may fall under a Disquisition because it was wound up in the Estate and Propriety of Greenshield whose principal residence was at Greenshield in Whitstaple corruptly called Grimgil where I have spoken more largely of this Family onely this I shall add that Henry Greenshield who died in the last year of Edward the fourth was a munificent Benefactor to the poor and other indigent and necessitous people of the Town of Sandwich to whom he bequeaths by his last Testament very liberal Donations for their relief and support After this Family of Greenshield was mouldered away at Hamwold I find the Elis's invested in the Possession but whether by Alliance or Purchase I cannot discover After they went out the Family of Francis was by Purchase from them seated in the Inheritance to whose Interest it was not many
Villare Cantianum OR KENT SURVEYED and ILLUSTRATED Being an exact DESCRIPTION of all the Parishes Burroughs Villages and other respective Mannors Included in the County of KENT And the Original and Intermedial Possessors of them even until these Times Drawn out of Charters Escheat-Rolls Fines and other Publick Evidences but especially out of Gentlemens Private Deeds and Muniments By THOMAS PHILIPOTT Esq formerly of Clare-Hall in Cambridge TO WHICH IS ADDED An Historical Catalogue of the High-Sheriffs of KENT Collected by JOHN PHILIPOTT Esq Father to the Authour LONDON Printed by William Godbid and are to be sold at his House over against the Anchor Inne in Little Brittain M.DC.LIX To the Nobility and Gentry of KENT My Lords and Gentlemen I Have at last demolishd those difficulties which intercepted this Work in that progress it endevoured to make to offer it self up both to yours and the publick view Yet I do not deny in a Peice made rugged with so many knots several Mistakes and Omissions must through Inadvertency and Mis-information have slip'd in some of which had their first extraction from the Presse and some their birth from my Pen All which I have collected into a Table of Addenda which is immediately subsequent to the Preface whither the Reader may retire to disperse all scruples Secondly I have not added any Numerical Alphabet to direct the Reader since the Book is so Alphabetically digested that the Work is a Directory Beam or Ray to it self To which I have annex'd as an Appendage a particular Description of all the circumambient Kentish Islands Thirdly I have not so tyed my self up to those severer Discourses which I have extracted from either publick or private Record but that I have embroider'd this Peice with Discourses of a softer complexion as at Bilsington I have unfolded the Causes of the Depravation of the ancient Clergy both in Doctrine and Manners at Birling I have discovered the nature of that Tenure Antiquity call'd Tenure per Baroniam at Ewell I have unravell'd the first Institution of the Knights Templers and the probable causes of their total extirpation at Newington Lucies I have discours'd largely of Vrne Enterment at Rodmersham no less of the Institution of the Knights Hospitallers at Werth I have treated of the Antiquity of Seals at Wymings Would of the Ancient Dignity of the Pileus and have at several other places enterlac'd this Work with collateral Discourses of the same tincture Whatsoever this Peice may appear in the whole Frame and Bulk of it I do assure you it was not born without your Influence it is ready to die at your Command and cannot live but by your Acceptance But I know you have both Art and Candor and as I cannot but hope but that a merciful Interpretation will be emergent from the first so I cannot doubt but the last will give so noble an Allay to your Justice that if it cannot totally absolve yet it may at least excuse My Lords and Gentlemen The humblest of your Servants THOMAS PHILIPOTT A Table of ADDENDA or OMISSIONS Courteous Reader I Here represent to thy View those Mistakes and Omissions I mean the most material ones which I promised to rectifie in my Epistle those which follow are to be pardoned by thy Charity or at least supplied by thy Candor And first Page 7. Line 36. for Beanors read Beacons p. 8. l. 9. add had l. 10. for this r. these l. 11. expunge to it In the List of the Lieutenants of Dover Castle p. 14. after Sir Henry Heyman add Col. Algernon Sidney p. 18. l. 42. for in Hundredo r. in isto Hundredo p. 20. l. 19. add of l. 44 46. for Robert VValler r. Robert VValleran p. 21. l. 5. for Smerdlin r. Swerdlin p. 39. l. 44. for required r. repaired In Tottington and Eccless at Alresford p. 47. l. 27. for of his Heir r. by his Heir l. 29. for Ancestors r. Successors In Nevills Fleet at Ash p. 51. l. 23. for Ark r. Ash In Fleet at Ash p. 53. l. 16. add whom Following an old Pedigree of Poynings I have at Easthall in Aynsford p. 45. at Tottington in Alresford p. 47. Northcrey p. 108. Horsmonden 190. printed that Tho. de Poynings matched with Joan Sole Heir of Sir Richard de Rokesley upon perusal of the Pipe-roll of the seventeenth of Edward the second I find that this Sir Richard died and left two Daughters his Co-heirs Agnes the eldest was wedded to Tho. de Poynings and Joan the youngest was matched to Hugh de Pateshul In Badelesmer p. 56. l. 33. acknowledge r. acknowledgement l. 37. his only Son r. his onely Brother In Digges Court p. 60. l. 7. an Appendage to it r. an Appendage to this Name In the Description of Hartanger p. 60. l. 31. this must be all added passed it away to Richard Merywether in whose Descendant Line the Title flowed with so even and undisordered a Chanel that it is still wrapped up in this Name and Family In Brabourne p. 69. l. 26. following an old Glossary of Sidrach Petits I have rendered 40 Ambras Brasii forty Plates of Brass upon a second Review I find that Ambras in old Record is the contracted word for Amphoras and Brasium signifies Malt so it must be rendered forty Measures of Malt. In my desciption of Brabourne I likewise have omitted the Mannor of Combe of which I now give this Account Combe was anciently the Habitation of Gentlemen of that Sirname of considerable repute in this Track for Rich. de Cumbe and Simon de Cumbe his Son were assistants to Sir Jo. de Northwood when he was Sheriff of Kent the twentieth of Edward the first the last of this Name was Will. de Cumbe who dying without Issue Male in the reign of Rich. the second his Sole Inheritrix brought it to be possest by her Husband John Scot of Scots Hall from whom it is now devolved to Edward Scot Esquire In Beausfield p. 67. l. 1. for Henry the ninth r. Henry the eighth l. 2. for Henry the fourth r. Edw. the third and then add this and then it came to be enjoyed by Malmains and was resident in this Family until Tho. Malmains dying without Issue Male his onely Female Heir brought it to swell the Patrimony of John Monins Esquire In my Description of Bireholt in Brabourne p. 70. l. 3. and an old Arbor Radicalis r. and as it appears by an old Arbor Radicalis In my Description of Bokingfold in Brenchley p. 73. l. 46 47. for but he being infortunately attainted in the fourth year of the abovesaid Prince as being one of the Partisans of the Duke of Somerset r. but he being infortunately attainted in the first year of Q. Mary as being one of the Partisans of Jo. Dudley Duke of Northumberland and the same Mistake is to be rectified in my Description of Bokenfold at Goudherst where p. 173. l. 26 27. for John Seymour Duke of Somerset r. Jo. Dudley Duke
of Northumberland and then again l. 30. the fourth year of Edward the sixth r. the first year of Q. Mary In Biddenden p. 77. l. 28. for Sir Anthony Mayney Knight and Baronet r. Sir Anthony Mayney Knight In Bidborough p. 78. l. 36. for conveyed it r. conveyed the whole Mannor At VVevering in Boxley p. 90. l. 2. the twenty fourth of Q. Mary r. the second of Q. Mary In my Description of Dodingdale at Canterbury p. 94. l. 13. John Bentham r. John Betenham In my Description of the Dungeon at Canterbury the same page l. 29. for par Cirocearum r. par Chirothecarum In Chalk p. 96. l. 52. for and that Prince afterwards devolved it to Sir George Brook r. and from that Prince it afterwards devolved by Grant to George Lord Brook In Chilham p. 116. l. 12. to his Son Giles de Badelesmer r. to his Brother Giles de Badelesmer In Dartford p. 128. l. 19. for Edw. Darcy Esq r. Sir Edward Darcy Knight l. 20. VVill. Gough r. Will. Gouge In Horsemans place at Dartford the same page l. 53. for 30th year r. 38th year l. 55 46. Twislton r. Twissleton At Newhall in Dimchurch p. 131. l. 52. one and twenty Lords r. four and twenty Lords In Clavertie in Elham p. 140. l. 24. for Sir Henry Hamon r. Sir Henry Heyman In Eightham p. 141. l. 11. for one of the Lords of Holland r. one of the Earls of Holland In Farleigh p. 150. l. 25 and 26. for Thomas Floyd of Gore Court in Otham Esquire r. Mr. Robert Newton of London Grocer In my Description of Blackheath p. 163. l. 57. for John Tiler r. Wat. Tiler In Egerton in Godmersham p. 171. l. 7 and 8. for Joan his Sole Daughter r. Joan his Daughter and Co-heir for indeed so she was for Jo. Comin Earl of Badzenoth died and left two Daughters and Co-heirs Joan was matched to David de Strabolgie and Elizabeth was wedded to Richard Talbot In my Description of Kingston by Barham p. 205. l. 55. for to his Son and Heir Giles r. to his Brother and Heir Giles At West-Halks in Kingsnoth p. 208. l. 41. for his second Son r. his fourth Son In my Description of Brising at Langley pag. 212. l. 11. for Leven Buffkin r. Ralph Buffkin In Apulton and Southwould at East-Langdon p. 211. l. 5. for Edward the third r. Edward the second In my Description of Leeds Castle p. 214. l. 8. for his Son r. his great Grandchild In my Description of Goulds and Shepway at Maidston p. 223. l. 8. for to Sir Walter and Gervas Henley Esquire r. to Thomas Henley Esq leaving out Sir Walter In Sheals at Maidston p. 223. l. 45. for Walter Henley Esquire r. Thomas Henley Esquire In my Description of Parrocks and Ewell at West-Malling p. 232. l. 19. for the last of which r. the first of which In Hogshaws at Milsted p. 239. l. 11. for Sir Jo. Took r. Mr. Jo. Took In Milton Septuans p. 239. l. 34. for Sir Thomas Fogge r. Sir Francis Fogge and then l. 38. for Sir Rob. Honywood r. Mr. Rob. Honywood In my Description of St. Mary Crey at Orpington p. 260. l. 39. it came is left out and then l. 41. Richard the second is omitted In Gore Court in Otham p. 263. l. 54. for by purchase made the Inheritance of Thomas Floyd Esq r. by purchase made the Demeasn of Nathaniel Powell Esquire who not many years since conveyed it to Thomas Floyd Esquire Since my writing this Book I find that Sir Walter and Thomas Henley his Brother purchased Land at Otham and Gore Court of Sir Henry Isley before his Attaint that at Otham descended to the Successors of Thomas Henley that at Gore Court devolved to Colepeper who had married one of the Co-heirs of Sir Walter Henley In Archers Court at River p. 282. l. 53. this must be added But part of Archers Court was by Bandred or Brandred in the reign of Edward the fourth conveyed it to Sir George Browne of Bechworth Castle whose Successor Sir Thomas Browne alienated it to Mr. Isaac Honywood who dying without Issue bequeathed it to his Nephew Col. Henry Honywood Esquire now proprietary of it the Mannor of Archers Court with the Demeasn annexed to it holds in grand Serjeantie with this Condition united a strange one that the present Owner or Owners should hold the Kings Head when he passes to Calais and by the working of the Sea should be obliged to vomit In Swanscampe p. 307. l. 42 43. for the fourteenth of Richard the second r. the thirteenth of Richard the second and then again the same page l. 45. this is omitted who had before a considerable Interest in Swanscampe by Descent from his Ancestor Richard Tabot who had married Elizabeth one of the two Co-heirs of Jo. Comin Earl of Badzenoth and Joan his Wife one of the Sisters and Co-heirs of Aymer de Valence Earl of Pembroke and Lord of Swanscampe At West-Well p. 355. l. 15 16. for and so it rested in the Crown until not many years since it was granted to Sir Nicholas Tufton of Hothfied r. and was exchanged with Thomas Arch-Bishop of Canterbury by the Crown in the twenty ninth year of Henry the eighth whose Predecessors had a large share in it long before but was again reassumed by Q. Elizabeth in the Vacancy of that Sea and afterwards it rested in the Crown until almost our Memory and then it was granted away to Sir Nicholas Tufton of Hothfield Father to the right honourable Io. Earl of Thanet now proprietary of it There are some other Mistakes in this Work as at Uphery in Gillingham p. 168. it is printed that Sir Henry Cheney exchanged that Mannor with Q. Elizabeth and she passed it away to Sir Edward Hobby upon a second Review I find it was not exchanged but conveyed by Sale in the sixteenth year of that Princess by Sir Henry Cheyney to Dr. Alexander Nowell Dean of Pauls At Potts Court in Babchild Bradhurst Queen Court in Ospringe More Court in Reynham Pitstock in Rodmersham and the Island of Hartie Samuel Thornhill r. Richard Thornhill which Richard was Father to Mr. Samuel Thornhill Grand Father to Sir Timothy Thornhill and Sir Io. Thornhill and great grandfather to Col. Rich. Thornhill eldest Son of Sir Timothy which Col. Richard is lately deceased and Charles Thornhill Esquire Son and Heir of Sir Iohn now surviving whose great Grandfather Mr. Richard Thornhill above mentioned purchased Mere Court in the twelfth year of Queen Elizabeth and Potts Court Bradherst Quene Court in Ospringe Pitstock and Hartie in the thirteenth year of that Princess of Sir Hen. Cheyney and made his Son Samuel joint purchaser with him At Pencehurst what I have written concerning the Mannor of Pencehurst Halymote p. 270. must be retracted and altered and read thus Pencehurst Halymote alias Otford VVild was anciently held in Lease by the Successive Lords of Pencehurst of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury as being
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
was supplied by William Isley of Sundridge Esquire This our Sheriff married Margaret Daughter and Heir of Ralph Johnson of Ticehurst Son to Alderman Johnson of London which Ralph matched with Dorothy one of the two Daughters and Coheirs of Thomas Morton of Lechlade in the County of Glocester Esquire John Sidley of Southfleet Esquire was Sheriff of Kent in the eighth year of Queen Elizabeth William Cromer of Tunstal Esquire Son and Heir of James Cromer Esquire was Sheriff of Kent in the ninth year of Queen Elizabeth John Brown of Reynolds and as ordinarily styled Brown's Place in Horton Kerbie was Sheriff of Kent the tenth of Q. Elizabeth Edward Isaack of Patricksbourne Esquire was Sheriff of Kent the eleventh of Q. Elizabeth John Lennard of Chevining Esquire Son and Heir of John Lennard of the same place Esquire was Sheriff of Kent in the twelfth year of Q. Elizabeth Walter Mayney of Spilsil in Staplehurst Esquire was Sheriff of Kent the thirteenth of Q. Elizabeth Sir Thomas Vane of Badsel Knight was Sheriff of Kent in the fourteenth year of Q. Elizabeth Thomas Willoughby of Boreplace in Chiddingstone Esquire Grandchild of Sir Thomas Willoughby of the same Place Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas was Sheriff of Kent in the fifteenth year of Q. Elizabeth Sir James Hales of the Dungeon without the Walls of Canterbury was Sheriff of Kent in the sixteenth year of Q. Elizabeth John Tufton of Hothfield Esquire was Sheriff of Kent in the seventeenth year of Q. Elizabeth Sir Thomas Scot of Scots Hall was Sheriff of Kent in the eighteenth year of Queen Elizabeth Edward Bois of Fredville in Nonington Esquire was Sheriff of Kent the nineteenth of Q. Elizabeth Thomas Wotton of Boughton Malherbe Esquire was Sheriff of Kent the twentieth of Q. Elizabeth Thomas Vane of Badsel in Tudeley Esquire was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty first year of Q. Elizabeth Thomas Sonds of Throuley Esquire was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty second year of Q. Elizabeth Sir George Hart of Lullingstone Knight was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty third year of Q. Elizabeth Sir Richard Baker of Sisingherst Knight was Sheriff of Kent the twenty fourth of Q. Elizabeth Justinian Champneis of Hall Place in Bexley Esquire Son of Sir John Champneis Lord Maior of London was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty fifth year of Q. Elizabeth Michael Sands of Town Place in Throuley Esquire afterwards Knighted was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty sixth year of Q. Elizabeth William Cromer of Tunstal Esquire was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty seventh year of Q. Elizabeth Sir Iames Hales of the Dungeon in Canterbury was Sheriff of Kent the twenty eighth of Q. Elizabeth Iohn Phineux of Haw Court in Herne was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty ninth year of Q. Elizabeth Richard Hardres of Hardres Esquire was Sheriff of Kent in the thirtieth year of Q. Elizabeth William Sidley of Southfleet Esquire was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty first year of Q. Elizabeth Thomas Willoughby of Bore Place in Chiddingstone Esquire was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty second year of Q. Elizabeth Sampson Lennard of Chevening Esquire was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty third year of Q. Elizabeth Robert Bing of Wrotham Esquire was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty fourth year of Q. Elizabeth Michael Sonds of Throuley Esquire wrs Sheriff of Kent in the thirty fifth year of Q. Elizabeth Sir Edward Wotton of Boughton Malherbe Knight was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty sixth year of Q. Elizabeth Thomas Palmer of Wingham Esquire was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty seventh year of Q. Elizabeth Sir Moile Finch of Eastwell Knight was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty eighth year of Q. Elizabeth Thomas Kempe of Ollantie in Wye Esquire was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty ninth year of Q. Elizabeth Martin Barnham of Hollingbourne Esquire was Sheriff of Kent in the fortieth year of Q. Elizabeth Roger Twistden of Fortune Hall in great Peckham Esquire was Sheriff of Kent in the forty first year of Q. Elizabeth John Smith of Ostenhanger in Stanford Esquire was Sheriff of Kent in the forty second year of Q. Elizabeth Thomas Scot of Scots Hall Esquire was Sheriff of Kent in the forty third year of Q. Elizabeth Sir Peter Manhood of St. Stephens near Canterbury Knight was Sheriff of Kent in the forty fourth year of Q. Elizabeth In which year that Religious Prudent and victorious Princess resigned up her Noble Soul to that God who first infused it Sheriffs of Kent in the Time of King James Sir Peter Manwood of St. Stephens continued Sheriff of Kent the first year of K. James Sir James Cromer of Tunstal Knight was Sheriff of Kent in the second year of K. James Sir Thomas Baker Knight second Son of Sir Richard Baker of Sisingherst Knight was Sheriff of Kent in the third year of K. James and kept his Shrievalty at Sisingherst Sir Moile Finch of Eastwell Knight was Sheriff of Kent in the fourth year of King James Sir Norton Knatchbull of Mersham Knight was Sheriff of Kent in the fifth year of K. James Sir Robert Edolph of Hinxhill Knight was Sheriff of Kent in the sixth year of K. James Sir Edward Hales of Wood Church Knight was Sheriff of Kent in the seventh year of K. James Sir William Withens of Southend in Eltham was Sheriff of Kent in the eighth year of K. James Sir Nicholas Gilborne of Charing Knight was Sheriff of Kent in the ninth year of K. James Sir Maximilian Dalison of Halling near Rochester Knight was Sheriff of Kent the tenth of K. James Sir William Steed of Steed-Hill in Haretshat was Sheriff of Kent the eleventh year of K. James Sir Anthony Aucher of Hautsbourne Knight was Sheriff of Kent in the twelfth year of K. James Sir Edward Filmer of East Sutton Knight was Sheriff of Kent in the thirteenth year of K. James Sir Edwin Sandies of Northbourne Knight was Sheriff of Kent in the fourteenth year of K. James William Beswick of Spelmonden in Horsemonden Esquire was Sheriff of Kent the fifteenth year of K. James Gabriel Livesey of Hollingbourne Esquire was Sheriff of Kent in the sixteenth year of K. James Sir Thomas Norton of Bobbing and Northwood in Milton Knight was Sheriff of Kent in the seventeenth of K. James Edward Scot of Scots Hall Esquire afterwards made Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of K. Charles was Sheriff of Kent the eighteenth of K. James Sir John Sidley of the Friers in Alresford Baronet was Sheriff of Kent in the nineteenth year of K. James Sir Thomas Roberts of Glastenbury in Cranbroke Knight and Baronet was Sheriff of Kent in the twentieth year of K. James Sir George Fane of Burston in Hunton Knight was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty first year of K. James Sir John Heyward of Hollingbourne Knight was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty second year of K. James In which year this Monarch cast off his humane Frailty to
of a thousand Crowns on Sir Stephen de Cosington and Sir William his Son for their remarkable Service performed against the Enemies of his Crown and Scepter The last of this Family which held this Mannor was Sir J. Cosington who concluded in three Danghters and Coheirs about the the latter end of Henry the eighth matched to Duke Wood and Alexander Hamon and upon the Disunion of the Estate into Parcels the last by Female Interest was invested in Acris and his Successors remained Lords of the Fee untill the Beginning of K. James and then a Fatalitie like the former brought the Patrimony of this Family to be possest by two Daughters and Coheirs so that Sir Robert Lewknor having matched with Katharine who was one of them became in her Right entituled to this Mannor and left it to his Son Hamon Lewknor Esq who deceasing not long since hath transmitted it during the Minority of his Son to his Widow Dowager The Mannor of Brandred lies in this Parish and belonged to the Abby of St. Radigunds untill the suppression and then it was by Henry the eighth exchanged with the Arch Bishop of Canterbury in the twenty ninth of his Reign and remained parcel of that Patrimony which acknowledged the Signorie of that See untill these tempestuous Times shook it off Addington in the Hundred of Larkfield was as high as any Track of Evidence can transport me to discover the Inheritance of a noble Family called Mandeville and divers Deeds of a very venerable Antiquity being without date and now in the hands of Mr. Watton do attest Roger de Mandeville in those elder Times to have been Lord of the Fee but before the end of Edward the second this Family was vanished and had surrendred the possession of this place to Robert At Checquer in whom the possession was but of a narrow Date for hee not long after alienated his Interest in it to Nicholas Dagworth as is evident by this Record registred in the Book of Aid kept in the Exchequer De Nicholao de Dagworth pro uno Feodo Militis quod Roberius de Scaccario tenuit in Addington de Warreno de Montecanisio 40. s. That is Nicholas Dagworth in the twentieth year of Edward the third paid a respective Supply of 40. s. for his Mannor of Addington which both he and Robert At Checquer which enjoyed it before him held of the Honour of Swanscamp Castle as being the capital Seat of the Barony of Mountchensey under the Notion of a whole Knights Fee But in this Family the Title was a Volatile as in the former for before the going out of Edward the third I find it passed away from Dagworth to Sir Hugh Segrave and he in the seventh year of Richard the second alienated it to Richard Charles descended from Edward Charles Captain and Admirall of the Seas from the Thames mouth Northward in the reign of Edward the first as appears Pat. 34. Edwardi primi But he was scarce warm in his new Acquists but he expired in two Daughters and Coheirs Alice matched to William Snaith and Joan married to Richard Ormeskirk but this Mannor upon the Distinction of the Estate into Parcells was entwin'd with the Demeasne of Snaith and he dyed possest of it as the date of his Tombe in Addington Church informs me in the year 1409. but dyed without Issue-male so that his sole Daughter and Heir being wedded to Watton made it the Inheritance of that Family and here have they planted themselves ever since that Alliance and have performed many signal Services to this County by being invested with places of Trust as Justices of the Peace Commissioners of the Sewers and other Officers of the like Condition which hath much inforced and multiplied the eminent Reputation of this ancient Family Allington in the Hundred of Lark field is eminent for an ancient Castle within the Limits of it which as Mr. Darrell and Mr. Mersh do assert was erected by William de Columbariis or Columbers and this Mr. Darrell who was very curious in Disquisitions of this Nature more possitively affirms because in the eighth year of Henry the third when as appears by the Records of the Tower there was an exact Survey taken of all the Castles of England and of those who were either Proprietaries of them or else the respective Castellans or Guardians one of the above mentioned Family was found to be possessor of this Fortresse and was also Lord of the Mannor which was still annexed to the Castle but this Name was of no long continuance in the Tenure of either for about the latter end of Henry the third they came to own the Signorie of Sir Stephen de Penchester Lord Warden afterwards of the Cinque Ports to whom and to Margaret his Wife Daughter of the famous Hubert de Burgh Earl of Kent King Edward the first granted a Licence in the ninth year of his Reign as appears by the Patent-Rolls of that Time to erect a Castle and to fortifie and embattle at Allington so that it seems it was only before Fortalitium some small Fortresse and could not be marshall'd under the just Notion of a Castle untill it had received new Symetrie and Dimensions by those Appendages and Supplements which were added to it by this great Man and having thus established this Pile it came to own his Name and is in some old Records called Allington Penchester and not undeservedly for in the eighth year of Edward the first he obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Mannor of Allington and also a Market Weekly on the Tuesday and a Fair yearly three days on the Vigil the day and day after St. Laurence but deceased without Issue Male so that after his Exit it came to acknowledge Stephen de Cobham who had married his Daughter and Coheir and he inocculated his own Name upon it and called it Allington Cobham which flourished severall Descents in this Family untill the beginning of Edward the fourth and then I find it in the possession of Brent but remained not long in this Name for in the eighth year of Henry the seventh John Brent passed away the Castle and Mannor of Allington to Sir Henry Wiat one of the Privie Councel to that Prince but his infortunate Grandchild Sir Thomas Wiat having by his Defection in the second year of Queen Mary forfeited it to the Crown it remained there untill Queen Elizabeth granted it to Jo. Astley Esq Master of her Jewels whose Son Sir Jo. Astley dying without Issue it came by Descent to Sir Jacob Astley created Lord Astley by the late King at Oxford whose Descendant does now enjoy the Possession of it Alkham in the Hundred of Folkston hath divers places in it of Account Malmains by vulgar Corruption of the word called Smalmains with Hollmeade which was ever accounted an Appendage to it are first to be considered In the twentieth year of Edward the third I find Thomas de Malmains Son of Nicholas de Malmains who
Roper Baron of Tenham in whom it is at this instant resident There was a Castle anciently here at Apledore which when the Danes in the reign of Etheldred Father of Edmund Ironside made this County the Scene of their Devastations was mingled by the flame they put it into in the year 892. in its own Rubbish yet like a Phaenix it rose into new shape and frame again out of its Ashes and continued in the Register and under the notion of the Castles and Fortresses of this County until the year 1380. and then as How relates in his Chronicle who likewise represents the former Tragedie the French making an hostile Eruption on this part of the County made it once more a pitied and calamitous heap of flame and ruine out of whose dismantled reliques the Church now visible was not only repaired but as some from ancient Tradition affirm wholly reedified a probable Argument of the ancient Grandeur Magnificence and Strength of this now totally-demolished Fortresse I had almost omitted the Mannor of Frenchay which likewise lies within the Circle of Apledore and had in elder Times as appears by old evidences Owners of that Sirname but the greatest Glory that it atchieved was that ever since the reign of Edward the third untill the Government of Henry the eighth it acknowledged the Family of Haut for its Proprietaries the last of which was Sir William Haut who concluded in two Daughters and Coheirs whereof Joan the youngest matched to Sir Thomas Wiat shared his estate at this place but he being attainted in the second year of Queen Mary this was confiscated to the Crown and lay there untill the twenty fourth of Queen Elizabeth and then it was granted back to George Wiat Esquite whose Son Sir Francis Wiat not many years since passed it away to Thomas Floyd of Gore-court in Otham Esquire and he in the year 1636 alienated it to Sir Edward Hales of Tunstall Knight Baronet whose Grandchild Sir Edward Hales is now in possession of it Apledore had anciently a Market to be observed here weekly granted to it by Edward the third in the thirty second year of his reign which since is vanished into Disuse by Intermission Adisham in the Hundred of Downhamford was given to the Monks of St. Augustins as appears by Christ Church Book by Ethelbald Son of Ethelbald King of Kent Anno Domini 616. Cum Campis Silvis Pascuis c. as the Record mentions ad illam pertinentibus ad Cibum Monachorum Ecclesiae Christi Cantuariae liberam ab omnibus servitiis fiscali Tributo exceptis tribus istis Consuetudinibus id est Communi Labore de quo nullus excipiatur Pontis Constructione vel Arcis and whereas we frequently trace in ancient Chartularies these three Letters L. S. A. which may at first appearance seem to wrap up some gloomy and mysterious sense they import no more but this that Lands which were given by Charter to the Church should be Liberae sicut Adisham that is be fortified with the same Franchises and Liberties as Adisham Originally was The Austins for some Hundreds of years have been Tenants for this and the Mannor of Godmersham to the Church as if to improve and gratifie the Memory of Augustin their first Abbot the Monks of Christ Church were determined to plant some of their Patrimony in that Name though perhaps but of accidental Coincidence Aldington is the next place to be remembred in the Hundred of Street and Bircholt Franchise more eminent because here are chosen the Officers yearly relating to the Mannors of Romney Mersh Queen Edgiva mother to King Edmund and King Edred gave this Town to Christ Church in Canterbury in Grosse with other Lands Anno Dom. 961. But in the General Survey of the Churches Lands in the Conquerours Time the Arch-Bishops had twenty one Sullings or Plough-Lands there and was valued together with the Appurtenances at Stouting and Lyming at 107 l. and 25 Burgesses held of it The Arch-Bishops of Canterbury did usually retire to their Mannor-house here and had both a Park empailed and a Chase for Deer called Aldington Frith by which Name we express Places where Deer ranged at large as in a Forrest But when the Kings of England intended to pare off something of the Revenue and Power of the Arch-Bishops which was in their Estimate of too vast and wide an Extent this Mannor with many other was passed away by Exchange to the Crown in the twenty ninth of Henry the eighth by Thomas Cranmer Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Ruffins-Hill in this Parish was the Seat of the Godfrey's ancient Gentlemen whose Estate by two Daughters and Coheirs came to the Clerks of Kingsnoth and the Blechendens But whether descended from Godfrey le Falconer the Son of Balder unto whom K. Henry the second assigned gave and granted much Land in these Parts to hold in Serjeantie by the Service of keeping two Hawks for the King and his Successors I cannot positively say Much of the Land lay in Hurst and the Mannor is called Falconers Hurst and those that for many Generations held it resolved into the Name of Michel-Grove whose Heir General brought this and other fair Demeasns to Shelley's Ancestor of Michel-Grove in whose Name it resides at present The Coat very well alluded to their ancient Name and Tenure and is Quarterly Argent and Azure over all a Falcon Or. Hurst was formerly a Parish and the Church was dedicated to St. Leonard but it is now languished into Decay and Ruine and the Inhabitants assemble for the Performance of divine Offices at Aldington Ainsford in the Hundred of Axtane lieth upon the River of Darent and gave Seat and Sirname to a worthy Family that continued till the Time of Edward the second It hath the Ruines of an ancient Castle which reckons them and the Arsicks to have been the Founders There is another Seat in this Parish of venerable Antiquity called Arkesden whose owners bore the same for their Sirname and were of the Number of the Grand Assise in King John's Time after them the Cobhams were possessors of it and Reginald de Cobham had License the fourteenth of Edward the third to Castelate his House and paid respect of Aid for the same the twentieth of Edward the third at the making the Black Prince Knight From the Cobhams of Sterborough it came by the Heir General to the Lord Burgh or Borough from whom by Sale it devolved its Right on Sir Samuel Leonard Father of Sir Stephen Leonard which Sir Stephen enjoys it at this Day Southcourt and Mayfield are two Mannors lying in the Precincts of this Parish and did anciently relate to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury from whom by exchange they passed over to Dunham and from that Family to the Wiats in which Name and Family they remained till upon the Attainder of Sir Thomas Wiat they escheated to the Crown which by Grant invested their Right and Interest in J. Leonard of Chevening from whom they are
Solley who not many years after transmitted it by Sale to Mr. Jo. Ward of London whose Widow Mrs. Katharin Ward now holds it in Right of Dower Goldstanton in this Parish is a second place of Note and was as high as the Beam of any Evidence will guide me to discover the Patrimony of Leybourn Roger de Leybourn who was in the Register of those Kentish Gentlemen who were pardoned by the Pacification called Dictum de Kenelworth for seeking to support with seditious Arms the Cause and Quarrell of Simon de Montfort held it in the fiftieth year of Henry the third and from him did it descend to his great Grandchild Juliana de Leybourn who dying without Issue or Alliance in the forty third year of Edward the third this with Overland escheated to the Crown but was granted out again by Richard the second to Sir Simon de Burley who being attainted and convicted of high Treason in the tenth year of his Reign that Prince link'd it by a new Donation to the Abby of Childrens Langley But yet I find that in the Reign of Henry the fourth Richard Cliderow who was Sheriff of Kent in the fourth year and most part of the fith year of that Prince and then again in the sixth year of Hen. the fifth held it I suppose only as a Lessee and kept his Shrivealty at this Place a Man he was of no contemptible Account in those Times as I shall discover more amply at little Betshanger which was his capital Seat But to return after this Mannor had made its aboad in the Demeasne of the above mentioned Covent untill the Dissollution in the Reign of Henry the eighth it was then torn off and granted to Tho. Lord Cromwell Earl of Essex upon whose Attaint in the thirty second year of the above said Prince it escheated back to the Crown and then it was granted in the thirty fourth year of Henry the eighth to Vincent Engham Esquire whose Descendant Sir Tho. Engham some few years transplanted his Concernment in it by Sale into Mr. ......... Courcelis of London Nevills Fleet in this Parish was more anciently called Butlers Fleet as being parcell of the Revenue of that Family and the Book of Aid in the Exchequer which makes an enumeration of the ancient Owners mentions one Richard de Boteler to have been its ancient Possessor but in the twentienth year of Edward the third when that Book was taken William Lord Latimer of Corbie Knight of the Garter and Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports held it and in the thirty eighth obtained by the Charter of that Prince a Market to be held at Ark on the Thursday and a three days Fair at our Lady Day and from him as in divers Records it is evident did it acquire the Name of Latimers Fleet but stayed not long under that Title for he determined in Eleanor his Daughter and Heir matched to John Lord Nevill who in her Right became Lord of this Mannor and from him did it contract the Title of Nevils Fleet and lay couched in the Patrimony of this Name untill the Beginning of Edward the fourth and then it was alienated to Cromer and James Cromer in the eleventh year of Henry the seventh alienated it to John Isaac from whom not long after it was brought over by Purchase to Kendall and in that Name it fixed untill the Beginninig of Henry the eighth and then it was alienated to Sir John Fogge and he before the end of that Prince conveyed it to Ralph in which Name it was resident untill the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth and then it was demised to Spracklin and Sir Adam Spracklin almost in Times under our Fathers Cognisance passed it away to Harfleet in which Family you may at this instant find it Molands in this Parish gave Seat and Sirname to a Family so called who before the end of Edward the second were worn out and then it became the possession of Harfleet aliás Septuans who much improved the House with additional Buildings where the Arms of this Family do stand yet in Panes of very old coloured Glasse with this Motto annexed Dissipabo inimicos Regis mei ut paleam alluding either to their Coat which was three Fans such as they fan and winnow Corn with or else to William de Septuans who dyed in the year 14011. and warred as the Records of this Family inform me under Edward the third in France and by his Will registred in the Prerogative Office at Canterbury which I mention for the Novelty of it he gives Manumission or Freedome to diverse of his Slaves or Natives and Sir William Septuans was his Son who lyes buryed in Christ Church in Canterbury and as his Epitaph on his Tomb instructs me dyed in the year 1448. and from him did the Title stream in this Name untill the Reign of Henry the eighth and then I find this Seat in the possession of Robert Read but it was not long out of the Name for about the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth I find it reinvested again in Harfleet and remains an eminent Mansion of this Family at present Many of this Sirname lye buryed in Ash Church for those three Altar Tombs in the Church yard and those on each side the North Dore were the Repositories or Exchequers that treasured up the Remains of divers of this Family all which had their Figures and Arms insculp'd in Brasse annexed to their Sepulchers which by the impression of Times and the Assaults of Sacrilegious Hands are quite dismantled and torn off Wingham Barton is another eminent Mannor in this Parish which belonged to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and when John Peckham founded his Colledge at Wingham in the year 1282. there was an Exhibition setled on that Seminary or Brotherhood issuing out of this Manuor from whence it is supposed by some it contracted the Name of Wingham Barton though I rather conjecture it was called so from its Situation in opposition to another of that Name called Firmins Barton lying by Canterbury But to proceed this continued Archiepiscopal untill the twenty ninth year of Henry the eighth and then it was exchanged by Thomas Arch-Bishop of Canterbury with the Crown and rested there untill Q. Elizabeth granted it to Sir Roger Manwood whose son Sir Peter Manwood passed it away by his Trustees not many years since to Sir William Curteen of London and he gave it in Dower with his daughter matched to Henry late Earle of Kent who upon his decease ordered it to be sold to discharge some Debts and was accordingly not long since by his Countess conveyed by Sale to Mr. James Thurbarne of Sandwich one of the Cinque Ports Son of James Thurbarne Esquire a Justice of Peace in this County in the Reign of K. James whose Ancestors from 1331 have continued very eminent in the Cinque Ports especially in Hasting and Romney as also in Romney Mersh as appears by divers ancient Records But the ancient Mannor-House was in the
of Hauts-Bourne was after a serious Inquisition found to be his Heir General and She having entituled her Husband to this Mannor his Son Richard Haut in Right of this Alliance was enstated in it but he concluding likewise in a Female Inheritrix called Margery She She by espousing William Isaac of Hopland knit this and much other Land to his inheritance whose successor by the same Fatality expired in a Daughter and Heir first matched to Sydley and secondly to Sir Henry Palmer on whom She setled this Mannor and his Descendant Sir Henry Palmer passed it away to Lieutenant Colonel Prude slain at Maestricht Father to Mr. Searles Prude whose two Daughters and Coheirs have lately conveyed it to Mr. George Curtis Bekenham near Bromley helps to give Name to the Hundred wherein it is placed and of old time was held by Gentlemen called in Latine Records de Rupella in French de la Rochel and in English Rokeley and were in their original Etymologie extracted from Rochel in France Richard de Rokeley died seised of this Mannor in the fifth year of Edward the first Rot. Esc Num. 6. and was succeeded in the Possession by Philip de la Rokeley and he held it likewise at his Death which hapened in the 23 year of Edw. the first Rot. Esc Num. 39. and left it to his Sole Daughter and Heir Isolda de la Rokeley matched to William Bruin by whom She had Issue Sir Maurice Bruin Chamberlaine to K. Edw. the third honoured with the Summons to Parliament as Baron amongst the Peers of this Realm who by a Right derived to him from his Mother was possest of this at his Death in the twenty ninth of Edward the third Rot. Esc Num. 38. and transmitted a wide and spreading Revenue to his Posterity here at Southokenden in Essex and at Roumere in Hantshire which last was given in Appendage to a younger Son from whom the Bruins of Athelhampton in the County of Dorset are lineally descended But when after a fair continuance this Family had flourished at this Place the Distaffe prevailed against the Speare and Sir Henry Bruins two Daughters and Coheirs about the Beginning of Edward the fourth divided his Inheritance each of them having a first and second Husband Alice the eldest was first married to Robert Harleston of Essex Esquire and after to Sir Thomas Heveningham and Elizabeth second Daughter was wedded first to Thomas Tirrell of Heron in Essex Esquire and after his Decease to Sir William Brandon Knight who was Standard-bearer to Henry the seventh at Bosworth Field where he was stain in asserting his Cause and Quarrel against Richard the third and he had Issue by her Sir Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk the Flower and perfection of English Chivalrie in his Time who sometimes kept his Residence at this place not as Proprietarie but onely as Lessee for the Sole Inheritance upon the Division of Bruin's Estate accrued to Tirrell and here entertained Henry the eighth with all the Cunning Pompe of Magnificence as he went to bestow a Visit at Hever on his discarded and repudiated wife Ann of Cleve But to go on this Mannor as I said before being annexed to the patrimony of Thomas Tirrell Humphrey Tirrell his Grandchild to whom it descended passed away one Moietie of it in the thirty fifth year of Henry the eighth to Ralph Warren and the other to Henry Parke Warren alienated his Proportion not long after to Bradbury from which Family about the latter End of Q. Eliz. it came over by Sale to Serjeant Gent who gave it in Dower with his Daughter to Sir George Dalston of Cumberland who in our Memory conveyed it to Sir Patrick Curwin of the same County and he some few years since sold his Interest in it to Sir Oliver St. John of Batricksey in Surrey who upon his Decease gave it to his Son then Mr. Walter but now upon the Death of his Nephew Sir Walter St. John Baronet the other Moitie by Joan sole Heir of the abovesaid Henry Parke came to be the Inheritance of Mr. Robert Leigh descended out of Cheshire whose Successor about the latter End of King James alienated it to Sir Henry Snelgrave from whom it descended to his Grandchild Mr. Henry Snelgrave who not long since passed it away to Mr. Walter now Sir Walter St. John Baronet who lately hath exchanged the whole Mannor for other Land with his Brother Mr. Henry St. John Langley in this Parish is a second Seat of eminent Account which was in elder Times the Possession of John de Malmains who obtained a Charter of Free-Warren to his Lands in Bekenham in the twelfth year of Edward the second which was renewed to Henry de Cliffe to whom they accrued by Purchase from Malmains in the third year of Edward the third but stayed not long in the Tenure of this Family for before the going out of Edward the third I find the Propriety invested by Sale in Langley to which Family the Foundation of that HOuse owes in part its Original on which they ingraffed their own Name which hath flourished under that Title ever since though the Family be withered away and gone the last of which Name at this place was Ralph Langley who with Roger Twisden Stephen Monins Edward Monins John Edingham or Engham Richard Edingham John Berton of Cotmanton in Shouldon John Berham John Betenham of Shurland in Pluckley and others Gentlemen of prime Rank in this County were summoned to appear before Robert Poynings and John Perry in the twelfth year of Henry the sixth to disclaim the Title of the House of York and this Ralph died in the year 1451 and ordered Langley and other demeasns at Bekenham to be sold for the discharging his Debts the purport and Effects of which Will were accordingly performed and his Estate at Bekenham and Langley passed away by Sale to John Violett whose Successors enjoyed it until the Beginning of Hen. the eighth and then it was conveyed to John Stiles Esq who much inlarged the House with a supply of Buildings and from him is it by Descent devolved to be the instant Possession of his Successor Sir Humphrey Stiles Knight and Baronet Kelseys lies likewise in this Parish and may justly exact our Notice by Deeds written in a Character that hath an Aspect upon the Reign of Henry the third John de Kelsey William de Kelsey and others of that Sirname are represented to have an Interest in this Seat and from hence it is probable the Kelseys of Surrey did derive their first Extraction however by the Injuries of Time they have been in succeeding Generations cast under the umbrage of an obscurer Fortune But I return After this Family had deserted the Possession of this place which was before the latter End of Richard the the second I find the Brograves stepped in and by purchase became Lords of the Fee a Family which in very old Deeds writ themselves Burgrave and sometimes Boroughgrave though now a more
wrapped up in that wide Estate which in this County claimed the Family of Atteleeze for Proprietaries Sir Richard Attleeze held four Knights in Rolvenden and Benenden in the twentieth year of Edward the third whereof this was parcell but he dying without Issue in the year 1394 as is manifest by the Date on his Tomb in Shelwich Church Marcellus Attleeze his Brother became the Heir to his Estate but this Mannor was not long after resident in this Name for in the fourth year of Henry the fourth which happened about the year 1403 as appears by the Record kept in the Exchequer called the Roll of Blanch-Lands it was possest by Thomas Aucher and he paid respective Aid for it at the Marriage of Blanch that Princes Daughter and from him did it devolve by Descent to his Grandchild John Aucher of Losenham Esquire who concluded in Ann Aucher his sole Heir who was matched to William Colepeper second Son of Sir John Colepeper of Bedgebury and so this Mannor with much other Land came to own the Dominion of that Name and remained annexed to that Family many Descents untill not many years since it was by Sir John Colepeper of Losenham created Lord Colepeper at Oxford passed away to his Brother in Law Mr. ...... More Bethersden in the Hundred of Chart and Longbridge contains several places in it considerable the first that summons our Notice is Bethersden Lovelace which celebrates the Memory of a Family called Grensted now vulgarly styled Grenstreet who were its elder Proprietaries the last of whom was Henry de Grensted a man of eminent Repute as the Records of this County testifie in the Reign of Edward the second and Edward the third but fell under some Umbrage and Obscurity when he passed away his Estate here to Kinet in whom the Possession was very volatile for William Kinet in the fourty first year of Edward the third conveyed it by Sale to Jo. Lovelace who here erected that Structure that for so many Descents hath born the Name of this Family and was the Seminary or Seedplot from whence a Race of Gentlemen issued forth who have in Military Affairs atcheived Reputation and Honour with a prodigal Losse and Expence both of Blood and Life and by their deep Judgement in the municipal Laws have deserved well of the Common Wealth and as by their Extraction they are descended from noble Families so from hence have sprung those of Bayford in Sedingbourn and Kingsdown with the right Honorable the Lord Lovelace of Hurley and other Gentlemen of that Stem in Barkeshire but alas this Mansion is now like a Dial when the Sun is gone that then only is of use to declare that there hath been a Sun for not many years since Colonel Richard Lovelace eldest Son to Sir William Lovelace the last of this Name at this Place passed away his Right in Bethersden Lovelace to Mr. Richard Hulse descended from the ancient Family of Hulse of Norbury and Astly in Cheshire Surrenden the elder House to that of Pluckley for they both had one Ancestor was the Seat for many Generations of Gentlemen of that Name in Deeds without Date they are frequently written Suthrinden and continued here untill the Reign of Henry the sixth for in the second year of Henry the fourth I find by a Fine levyed that year that Robert Surrenden sells Lands in Bethersden to John Goldwell and this Robert had Issue John who passed it away about the Beginning of Henry the sixth to Cardinal Kemp who setled it in the twenty eighth year of the abovesaid Prince on the Colledge of Wye then newly by him erected but when that Colledge and all its Demeasne was in the thirty sixth year of Henry the eighth surrendred into the hands of that Prince it was by Grant united about the thirty seventh year of his Rule to to the Patrimony of Sir Maurice Dennis Captain of Calais and he in the second year of Edward the sixth alienated it to Sir Anth. Aucher in whom it was resident but untill the fourth year of that Prince for then it was conveyed by Sale to Philip Chowte Esquire Standard-bearer to King Henry the eighth at the Seige of Boloign where he wan and at cheived much Honour to himself and Posterity which was remarkably testifyed by his Soveraigns Assignation of a Canton of that Standards impression to his ancient Coat viz. Partie per pale Argent and Vert a Lyon Passant Gardant Gules and from this worthy Person did Surrenden by Paternal Devolution come down to his Successor Mr. Edw. Chowte being lately deceased it is with some Restrictions and Reservations by Will bequeathed to his only Brother Mr. George Chowte whose Ancestors having very much enhaunsed and improved the Beauty of the ancient Structure by additional Buildings it hath now contracted the Title of Surrenden Chowte as that at Pluckley hath assumed to it self that of Surrenden Dering Frith is the last place of Account in this Parish it was in Ages of an higher date the Patrimony of the Mayneys as appears by several old Deeds now in the hands of Mr. George Chowte who were a younger branch issued out from that Stem which was planted at Tunstall as is evident by an old Latin Will of John de Mayney who dyed possest of this place in the fiftyeth year of Edward the third where he gives an Obit to pray for his own and the Soul of his Kinsman Sir Walter de Mayney after the Mayneys were departed from the Possession of this Mannor the Darrells of Cale Hill became the Proprietaties of it and in the Reign of Henry the sixth by several Deeds too redious in this place to enumerate I find John Darrell to be possest of it and in this Name was the Title permanent untill the latter end of the Reign of Henry the eighth and then it was passed away to Gibbons descended from Hole in Rolvenden the originall Fountain and Seminary of this Family the last of which Family at this place was Thomas Gibbonâ— in our Crandfathers Memory concluding in Lidia Gibbonâ— his Daughter and Heir she by matching with Edward Chowte of Surrenden Esquite hath made it now the Inheritance of his Grandchild Mr. George Chowte Esquire In a peculiar Chancel on the Northside the Parish Church of Bethersden belonging to Lovelace there was a perpetuall Chauntry founded about the thirty eighth year of Hen. the sixth by Richard Lovelace Mercer and Merchant Adventurer of London a younger Son of this Family which was confirmed by the Royall Authority of the abovesaid Prince Brenchley in the Hundred of Harmondon Twyford was parcel of that vast Patrimony which was entituled to the Signory of the Earls of Glocester and Hertford whose Sirname was Clare Robert de Clare Earl of Glocester and Hertford held it at his Death which was in the twenty first year of Edward the first and lest it to his Son Gilbert de Clare who deceasing in the eighth year of Edward the second without Issue Hugh
first from Chelsfield it passed away to Otho Lord Grandison who paid respective Aid for this Mannor by the sixth part of a Knights Fee at the making the Black Prince Knight in the twentieth year of Edward the third but there it had but a frail abode for Sir Thomas de Grandison this mans Son conveyed it over by Sale to Richard Lord Poynings whose Daughter and Heir Eleanor matched to Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland and in his Line was the Right of it for some Descents interwoven till in the Reign of Henry the seventh it was by Sale resigned up to James Walsingham Esquire whose Son Sir Edmund Walsingham alienated it to Giles in the Reign of Edward the sixth which Giles descended from Giles of Lords in Shelvich where for many years before they had been planted and from Giles about the latter end of Q. Elizabeth it came over by purchase to Captain Henry Lee of London who going out in Sisters and Coheirs it is now come by two of them to Serjeant John Clerk of Huntington-shire the principal Possessor and Mr. Thomas Norton of London Ferneborough is but a Chappel of Ease devoted to the honour of St. Giles but belongs to the Mother-Church of Chelsfield which is dedicated to St. James as appears by the Records of the Church of Rochester It was a principal Seat of the Lord Grandison who made this the Head of their Barony William de Grandison held it at his death which was in the ninth year of Edward the third * Otho de Grandison obtained a the grant of Market to Ferneborough in the eighteenth of Edw. the first which was renewed to Hen. Earl of Lancaster in the eighteenth year of Edward the third and the grant of a Fair added at the Feast of S. Giles the Eve and Eight dayes following Otho Lord Grandison this mans Son obtained a Charter of Free Warren to it in the eighteenth year of Edward the third but long after this it did not remain linked to the Inheritance of this Family for in the Reign of Richard the second I find Fleming invested in the Possession whose Tenure was very transitory for not long after by Purchase it was brought into the Demeasn of Petley from whom by as swift a Fatalitie it went away to Peche of Lullingston which Family determined in Sir John Peche in the Reign of Henry the seventh who dying Issueless Elizabeth his Sister and heir brought this and a spatious Inheritance to her husband John Hart Esquire from whom M. William Hart now of Lullingston Esquire is lineally extracted and in right of this Alliance is at this present entituled to the Possession and Signorie of Ferneborough There is a third Mannor in this Parish called Godington which was anciently the Habitation of a Family which was represented to the world under that Name Simon de Godington paid respective Aid for his Mannor of Godington at the making the Black Prince Knight in the twentieth year of Edward the third as the Book of Aid informs us and after this Family expired at this place Richard Lord Poynings became Lord of the Signorie of it from whom with Eleanor his Daughter and Heir it went over to Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland but did not long fix in that Family for for almost two hundred years last past the Possession hath been constantly united to the Name of Haddon a Family of principal Account in this Track as may appear by their Arms viz. A Leg couped and wounded which are Registered in the old Rolls and Ordinaries of Kentish Armorie alwayes with this addition Haddon of Kent and sometimes of Godington in Kent Hewat is another small Mannor in Cheslfield One Jeffrey de Hewat was possest of it in the Time of Henry the third ut apparet ex Charta sine Data which was for many Descents the Petleys of Down originally from whom it devolved to a Cadet of that Family who planted himself at Moulsoe in this Parish and there is a Deed in the hands of Mr. Thomas Petley of Vielston of John Coldigate of Coldigate a Farm in Halsted which bears Date from the eleventh year of Henry the fourth to which one William Petley of Chelsfield is Teste After it had been resident for sundry Generations in this Branch of Petley which sprouted out from those of Down the Title in that Age which ushered in this was by Sale from Edward Petley transferred to Mr. Thomas Petley of Vilston in Shorham another Branch shot out from the principal Stem of the Petleys at Down and he left it to his second Son Mr. Ralph Petley of Riverhead in Sevenoke not long since deceased whose Heir who is Proprietary of this place is at this instant in his Minoritie Northsted is situated likewise in Chelsfield and in the reign of Edward the third confessed a Family called Francis for its Proprietaries Simon Francis held it at his death which was in the thirty second year of Edward the third Rot. Esc Num. 33. and acquired it by Purchase of Otho de Grandison who held this and Chelsfield as appears by the Book of Aid in the twentieth year of the former Prince but about the beginning of Henry the fourth this Family had surrendred the possession of this Mannor to Vuedall or Udall a Noble Familie and Masters of much Land both in Surrey Sussex and Hant-shire Sir John de Vuedall was one of the Knights who was with Edward the first at the Siege of Carlaverock Sir Peter D'Vuedall sat as Baron in Parliament the eighth and ninth of Edward the second Nicholas Vuedall was Constable of Windsor under Edward the third John Vuedall was Sheriff of Sussex and Surrey the second fourth and seventh years of Henry the fifth and again the first fifth and twelfth year of Henry the sixth William Vuedall was Sheriff of Sussex and Surrey the eighth of Henry the sixth and he in the sixth year of that Princes Government conveyed it to John Shelley of Bexley whose Successor William Shelley about the latter end of Henry the eighth passed it away to Mr. John Leonard of Chevening whose great Grand-child Henry Lord Dacres not many years since conveyed it to the Lady Wolrich who upon her decease setled it on her Kinsman Mr. ....... Skeggs of the County of Huntington Chelsfield had a Market obtained by Otho de Grandison in the eighteenth year of Edw. the first to be held there weekly on the Monday and a Fair to be observed there yearly by the space of three dayes at the Feast of Saint James Choriton in the Hundred of Folk-stone was the Inheritance of an ancient Family called Scotton Robert Scotton who was Sheriff of Kent the seventh eighth ninth and tenth years of Edward the first lived here and held his Shrievalty at this place and was of eminent Rank in this Track for he was Lieutenant of Dover Castle under the Prince abovesaid and held this Mannor under the Estimate of a whole Knights Fee of the Lord of
he dying in the twelfth year of Edward the third left it to his Son Giles Badelesmer who deceased without Issue and so his four Sisters became his Coheirs one of which called Margaret by matching with William Lord Roos of Hamlake united the Castle and Mannor of Chilham which accrued to her upon the Division of the Estate to his Revenue from whom successively it did devolve by a continued Rivulet of Descent to his Successor Thomas Lord Rosse who asserting the Cause and Quarrel of the House of Lancaster was in a Battle commenced between Edmund Beaufort Duke of Somerset and John Nevill Marquesse Montacute made Captive to the Partisans of the House of York and in the third year of Edward the fourth sealed his Faith to that Cause which he contended for with the Losse of his Head which was struck off at Newcastle but it seems the Mannor and Castle of Chilham was before this untimely Fate of his upon his being engaged in Armes with the Complices of the House of Lancaster by Edward the fourth in the first year of his Reign granted to Sir John Scott of Scotts Hall one of his Privy Counsel Pat. Anno pri Edwardi quarti Parte 4. Memb. 24 but it was but for Life for afterwards it returned to the Crown and rested there till Henry the eighth by royal Concession planted the Propriety in Sir Thomas Cheyney who inhabited here when Leland made his Kentish Perambulation which was in the Beginning of the Reign of that Prince from whom it came down to his Son Henry created Baron Cheyney by Queen Elizabeth who having by Riot and Profusion and other exorbitant Excesses wasted a noble and plentifull Patrimony in the tenth year of that Queens Government alienated the Mannor and Castle of Chilham to Sir Thomas Kempe whose Son Sir Thomas Kempe concluded in four Daughters and Coheirs Dorothy married to Sir John Cutts Ann matched to Sir Thomas Chichley Amy wedded to Sir Henry Skipwith and Mary espoused to Sir Dudley Diggs who being concerned in this Estate the three first by a joynt Concurrence passed away their Right to Sir Dudley Diggs and his Lady who was Master of the Rolls in the year 1636 and a great Assertor of his Countryes Liberty in the worst of times when the Sluces of Prerogative were opened and the Banks of the Law were almost overwhelmed with the Innundations of it from whom it is descended to his Son Mr. ...... Diggs Esquire in whom the Propriety and Interest of this Mannor and Castle does still continue Easture in this Parish was the Seat of a Family which was known by that Sirname and in several ancient Deeds which are not bounded or limited with any Date there is mention of John de Easture who lived here in the Reign of Henry the third and Edward the first after this Name was vanished the Apulderfields of Otterpley in Challock a younger Branch of the Apulderfields of Bedmancore were invested in the Possession and of this Family was Henry de Apulderfield who was Sheriff of Kent in the fifty first year of Edward third and likewise Proprietary of this place but when this Family resolved into a Daughter and Heir called Isabell she by matching with John Idelegh who had a large Income about Mepham Chalk and Cobham cast it into the Inheritance of that Family where it had not long remained but a Vicissitude like the former carryed it by Agnes the Female Heir of William Idelegh to Christopher Ellenden who was Master of a good Estate about Seasalter and Damian Bleane which Name not many years after shrunk into a Daughter and Heir likewise called Mary descended from Thomas Ellenden who was about the Reign of Henry the seventh matched to Edward Thwaits so that in her right that Family became setled in the Inheritance of this place and remained in the Possession till in that Age we stile our Grandfathers it was by Sale translated into Morton descended from the ancient Family of the Mortons of Millbourn St. Andrews in the County of Dorset whose Successor Mr. George Morton not many years since passed away his Interest in it by Sale to his Uncle John Finch Baron of Fordwich and Lord Keeper of the great Seal in the year 1640. Youngs is another Mannor in Chilham which by Deeds of a very high gradation in time which step into the Reign of Edward the second appears to be the Possession of a Family of that Appellation and when that was decayed and worn out at this Place the Beverleys who were a Family which had been planted at Tancrey Island in Fordwich ever since the latter end of the Reign of Edward the third were ingraffed in the Inheritance and continued by an undissolved Chain of several Ages seated in the Proprietie of it till George Beverley the last of this Name at this place in our Grandfathers Remembrance demised his right in it by Sale to George Barley where the Title found no long abode for he passed away his Interest to Fleet extracted from the Fleets of Fleet in the Isle of Thanet who suddenly after alienated it to Shepheard from which Family almost in our Remembrance it was by Purchase brought over to own the Signorie of Sir Dudley Diggs who upon his decease transmitted it to his eldest Son Mt. ....... Diggs Esquire in whom the present Proprietie of it is fixed Dane Court is a fourth Mannor within the Limits of Chilham not to be waved or declined in this present Survey It was anciently the Patrimony of Thomas de Garwinton of Welle in Littlebourne and he held it as appears by ancient Court Rolls in the Reign of Edward the first and Edward the second whose great Grandchild William Garwinton of Welle in the eleventh year of Henry the fourth dying without Issue upon a serious debate and winnowing of Collateral Alliances Joan Wife of Richard Haute was found to be his Cousin and Heir and so this place became in her Right the Inheritance of this Family but this mans Son called Richard likewise not long after deceasing without Issue male Margerie his only Daughter who was matched to Will. Izaack about the latter end of Henry the seventh became his Heir and so it fell under the Jurisdiction of that Name and remained entwined with their Demeasn till it about the beginning of the Government of Q. Elizabeth was by Edward Izaack sold to Hales from which Family in that Age our Fathers lived in by the same conveyance it went away to Spracklin issued out from the Spracklins of St. Lawrence in Thanet in which Name the Possession is at this instant resident There is a place in this Parish on the South-side of the River stretched out on a long green Hill which the Common People who bear the greatest sway in corrupting of Names call Jelliberies Grave The Historie it self will evidence the original of this denomination It was about this place that Julius Caesar respited his farther remove or advance into the bowels of this
cast into the Revenue of Denny by whose Daughter and Heir it is lately become the Demeasn of Mr. Robert Filmer second Son of Sir Robert Filmer of Sutton not long since deceased Winchcombe is an ancient Seat likewise in Crundall which ever since the Reign of Edward the second hath acknowledged the Carters as appears by private Evidences for its uninterrupted Proprietaries and is still in the Tenure and possession of that Name and Family Cuckston anciently written Cuckleston lies in the Hundred of Totlingtrough and was given to the Church of Rochester by Ethelwolfe Son of King Egbert See Textus Roffensis first Monarch of the English Saxons this King Ethelwolfe after his decease which happened to be about the year 857. was for his several and exemplary acts of Charitie and pious Munificence towards the Church of which Cuckston till these unhappy times ravished it away stood a visible Monument Recorded in the Register of Saints VVhornes-Place in this Parish was erected by Sir VVilliam VVhorne who was Lord Maior of London in the year 1487. upon which though he setled his Name he could not so fasten it to his Family but that the next Age by Purchase brought it over to Vane where the Title had not long fixt but the vicissitude of Sale alienated it to Barnewell who about the beginning of Queen Elizabeth sold it to Nicholas Lewson of the County of Stafford Esq whose Grandchild Sir Richard Lewson desirous to settle himself in his own County where a vaste Estate lay spread which had been transmitted to him from his Ancestors passed away this by Sale to John Marsham Esquire originally extracted from the Marshams of Norfolk where many years before they had flourished under no contemptible Estimate D. D. D. D. DArent in the Hundred of Acstane is very often written North-Darent it belonged in the Conquerours time to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury as the Record called Doomsday Book instructs me and was exchanged for the Mannor of Lambeth by Hubert Walter Arch-Bishop Lord Chancellor and Lord Chief Justice with Gilbert Glanvill Bishop of Rochester in the year of our Lord 197. which exchange was afterwards confirmed by Richard the first Saint Margaret-Hills now united to this Parish had formerly a Church which being decayed and the Congregation diminished it was by Cardinall Pole in the year 1557. incorporated into Darent It was anciently and is so still distinguished by the Name St. Margaret-Hills which additionall Character it borrowed from a Family originally called Hells and then by Tradition and Vulgar corruption afterwards stiled Hills a Family which had large Possessions both here at Dertford and at Ash likewise by Sandwich John de Hells had a Charter of Free-warren to his Mannors of Hells and his Estate at Dertford in the seventeenth year of Edward the first and from this John de Hells did Sir Edmund Hills descend and he about the beginning of Edward the sixth alienated this Mannor to Lane whose Son Henry Lane went out in a Daughter and Heir called Martha who matched to Edw. Rolt descended from the Roults of Bedford-shire in Right of which Alliance Mr. Thomas Rolt his Grandchild is now invested in the Possession of this Place Dartford gives name to that Hundred wherein it is situated and before the Foundation of the Nunnerie was a Mannor which was wrapt up in the Demeasne of the Crown there was a Family called Tingewike which had it in Lease for when King Edward the third Pat. An. primi Edw. tertii Memb. 6. granted the Royalties of the Mannor of Dartford to Edmund of Woodstock Earl of Kent paying as a Rent-Service of 30. l. per annum it is mentioned in the Patent that he should hold them all in as ample a manner as Alice Tingewike formerly had done upon his decease it reverts to the Crown and the same King Edward in the year 1355. and in the fiftieth year of his Reign erects here a Nunnerie whose Lady-Abbess and the Nuns of the Covent were for the most part in succeeding times elected into this Cloister out of the noblest Families of the Nation Upon the suppression King Henry the eighth converted the House into a Palace for his own habitation and under that notion it continued till K. James by exchange passed it away to Robert E. of Salisbury who conveyed it to Sir Edw. Darcy whose Grandchild Edward Darcy Esquire descended from the noble Family of Darcy of Yorke-shire at this instant possesses the Fee-Simple of it The Mannor of Temple in this Parish was involved in that Revenue which was marshal'd under the Jurisdiction of the Knights Templers as the very Name doth seem to insinuate and upon the totall disannulling this order here in England was by a Statute made in the seventeenth year of Edward the second setled on the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem where it was fixed and constant untill the disbanding of that Order likewise in this Nation by King Henry the eighth and then it was annexed to the Patrimony of the Crown and rested there untill K. James exchanged it with Robert E. of Salisbury who sold it to Edw. Darcy Esq whose Grandchild Edw. Darcy Esq hath lately conveyed it by Sale to his Brother in Law Mr. Will. Gough The Mannor of Charles is Seated in this Parish and was a Branch of that Estate which fell under the Signorie of the ancient Family of Charles from whom it assumed its appellation Of this Family was Edw. Charles who was Captain and Admiral of the Fleet from the Thames-Mouth North-ward as appears Pat. 34. Edw. 1. after this Family had left the Possession of this place which was about the beginning of Richard the second Nicholas de Brember was planted in the Proprietie but he was scarce warm in his new atchieved Purchase but he fell under the guilt of high Treason only for being too fast in his Loyaltie and Faith to his Prince and too loose in his fidelity to his Country for there it seems that blind distinction had its first rise and growth which like some Alembeck distil'd and dropped the Power of the King distinguished apart from his Person upon the forfeiture of his Life and Estate together which was in the tenth year of Rich. the second It was by that Prince suddenly after conveyed by grant to Adam Bamme Lord Maior of London in which Family after it had for many Ages been seated it was as appears by an exemplification now in the hands of Mr. Took of Dartford transmitted by Sale to Death who about the latter end of K. James passed it away to Goldsmith of Marshals-Court in Creyford who some few years since sold all his Concernment in it to Mr. Tooks branched out from the ancient Family of the Tooks of Bere in West-Clive though since this Name setled at Dartford it hath by Depravation been called Tuke Horsemans-Place is a Mansion of good account likewise in Dartford in the sixteenth year of Edward the second I find it owned one Thomas
did the Cloister of Davington remain a Seminary of religious Women whilst their revenue without was the Fuel which supported and nourished the Flame on the Altar But when the reign of Henry the eighth approached which became decretory and critical to all these Nurseries of a lazy and speculative Devotion the demeasn which sustained this Covent was by Henry the eighth plucked away and in the eight and thirteeth year of his Government was by patent knit to the patrimony of Sir Thomas Cheyney And his Son Sir Henry Lord Cheyney in the eighth year of Q. Eliz. conveyed it by Sale to Jo. Bradborn descended as appears by his Seal affixed to his Deed by which he alienates it again in the tenth year of Q. Eliza. to Avery Giles from the Bradborns of Darbyshire But in this Family the residence of it was very brief and transitory for his Son Francis Giles in the twentieth year of Q. Eliza. passed it away to Mr. Jo. Edwards and from this Family though the Fate of purchase did not rend it away yet that of marriage did for this Jo. Edwards leaving only one Daughter and Heir called Ann she by matching with Io. Boade of Essex Esquire linked this to his revenue and from him it is descended to Mr. Io. Boade the present Lord of the Fee Little Davington or Davington-court not far distant from that house which was the Nunnerie was formerly wrapped up in that Demeasn which confessed the Dominion of the Earls of Atholl Lords of Chilham by whom the Mansion it self was built as their Arms in Stone-work in the great Hall before they were taken down by Mr. Tho. Mills did abundantly testifie and having for many years acknowledged their Signory at last it devolved to David de Strabolgie Earl of Atholl who dying without Issue-male in the forty ninth year of Edw. the third left it to Philippa one of his two Coheirs who was matched to Io. Halsham and from him did a successive Right bring it down to Sir Hugh Halsham his Grandchild who about the beginning of H. the sixth passed it away to Ja. Drylond who determined in one Daughter and Heir called Constance Drylond who was matched to Sir Tho. VValsingham of Scadbery Knight who in her right became possessor of it and transmitted it to his Son Sir Ja. VValsingham who was Sheriff of Kent in the twelfth year of H. the seventh and kept his Shrievalty at Davington and from him did it descend to his Grandchild Sir Tho. VValsingham who almost in our Grandfathers remembrance conveyed it by Sale to Simons and he not long after to Coppinger And his Son having about the beginning of K. James mortgaged it to Freeman they both joyned and by mutual Concurrence fixed their right in Mr. Tho. Mills of Norton who deceasing without Issue-male it came by Ann his Sole Daughter and Heir to be the Inheritance of Sir Io. Mill of South-hampton who conveyed it to his Brother Dr. Mill and he some few years past alienated it to his Kinsman Mr. Tho. Mill and he serled the propriety of it on his Son Mr. Tho. Mill who hath very lately transmitted all his Right in it by Sale to Tho. Twisden Esquire Serjeant at Law now of Brabourn in East-Malling Since my Writing of this I have discovered by an old Survey of Davington collected by Mr. Tho. Millâ— that Io. Lewknor of Sussex Esq had in the twenty first year of H. the sixth an Interess in Davington-court derived to him by Joan his Wife Sole Inheritrix of Sir Hugh Halsham which he not long after passed away to Mr. James Drylond Detling in the Hundred of Maidstone gave Name to a Knightly Family famous for Fortitude and Chivalrie in token whereof a Massie Lance all wrearhed about with thinn Iron place is preserved in the Church like that of VVillam the Conquerours at Battel in Sussex as the very Spear by them used and left as a memorial of their Atchivements in Arms and an Emblem also of their extraordinary Strength and Abilitie In which respect those in Bedington-Hall in Surrey celebrate the renown of the Carewes atchieved at Tilt and Turnament and that in Lullingston-Hall in Kent the like for the Peches As also that in Gerards-Hall in London upon which a Romance is drest up by the vulgar report fancying he was some Giant when the truth is he was of the Knightly Family of Gizors and Constable of the Tower and this his Capital Mansion was Castellated as the Seat of the Basings was another strenuous Family at Basings-Hall in London these matters allude much to the manner of the Romans whose Victories were aplauded and the Victors in their Triumphs extoll'd by Trophies and other Monuments and Ensigns of Honour as Pancirolus Rosinus and others have judiciously observed that have treated of these kind of Rituals But to return to the Subject from which this discourse hath diverted me in this Family of Detling did the Possession of this place for many Ages remain constantly seated till the beginning of the Reign of Edward the fourth and then John Detling written in some Old Deeds Brampton alias Detling transmitted it by Sale to Richard Lord Woodvill Lord of the Moat in Maidston not far distant created Earl of Rivers Lord Treasurer and Constable of England by his Son in law King Edward the fourth in the year 1466. whose Grandchild Anthony Woodvill Earl Rivers being attainted upon supposed Treason in the first year of Richard the third which was made so by that Usurper and those black Engins which he had raised upon him because he too cordially asserted the Interest of Edward fifth it escheated to the Crown and that Prince in the second year of his Government granted it to Sir Robert Brackenbury Lievtenant of the Tower who it seems disliking a Tenure which was caemented with Blood passed away his right immediately after to Richard Lewknor who had some estate here before by matching with Eleanor Coheir of Tho. Towne which Tho. Towne wedded to Bennett Heir of John Detling and this Richard Lewknor about the latter end of Henry the seventh gave it in franck Marriage with his Daughter to Hills Hills resolved into two Daughters and Coheirs one of which was married to Vincent and the other was matched to Martin and so upon the Division to avoid all Disorder and Confusion Detling was split into two Mannors one was called West-Court which accrued to Vincent and the other was termed East-Court which was annexed to the Demeasne of Martin Martin about the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth sold East-Court to Webbe in which Name after it had for severall years been fixed it was in our Fathers Memory passed away to Smith who not many years since alienated it to Sir Edward Henden one of the Barons of the Exchequer who upon his Decease gave it to his Nephew Sir John Henden and from him it is now descended to his eldest Son Edward Henden Esquire But Westcourt was by Vincent passed away to Morton of Whitehorse in
Croyden in which Family the Inheritance is yet remaining Dimchurh in the Hundred of Worth hath nothing to make it memorable but that it was formerly the Inheritance of Twitham Bertram de Twitham held Lands here at his Death which was in the third year of Edward the third as appears Rot. Esc Num. 115. And from him it came down to Theobald Twitham whose Daughter and Heir Mawd was married to Simon Septuans from whom descended John Septuans whose Daughter and Heir was matched to Fogge who in her Right was entituled to much Land here at Dimchurch and in other places of the Mersh but the Family of Poynings had likewise some Interest here for Michael Poynings was seised in Fee of some Lands in Dimchurch in the forty third year of Edward the third Rot. Esc Num. 14. Parte secunda and in this Name was the Possession carried on untill the Beginning of the Reign of Henry the sixth and then it was alienated to Fogge. Newhall in this Parish is the place where those which are the Lords of Romney Mersh that is of so many Mannors which lye within the Precincts the Liberties of it assemble yearly to compose Laws for the better regulating and securing the Banks of the Mersh against the perpetuall Invasions and Encroachments of the Sea Ditton in the Hundred of Larkefield with its two Appendages Brampton and Sifleston were in times of a very high ascent the Patrimony of a Family called Brampton the Book of Aid which makes a Recapitulation of the ancient owners informs us that anciently they were Bramptons that is in the Reign of King John and Henry the third as the Pipe-Rolls relating to both those Kings times discover to us Afterwards in the Reign of Edward the first I find the Aldons by the Pipe-Rolls to have been Proprietaries of both these places but it seems the Possession remained not long with them for in the third year of Edward the second I find Stephen de Burghurst or Burwash died in the Possession of them as appears Rot. Esc Num. 4. And here the Title continued untill the forty third of Edward the third and then the Lord Bartholomew Burwash this mans Grandchild conveyed them to Sir Walter de Paveley Knight of the Garter and he in the first year of Richard the second passed them away to Windlesor or Windsor in which Family the Inheritance was placed untill the fifteenth year of this Prince's Reign and then they were conveyed to Sir Lewis Clifford but in this Name they made no long abode neither For about the middle of Henry the sixth I find they were alienated to Colepeper and I discover Richard Colepeper enjoyed them at his decease which was in the second year of Richard the third Rot. Esc Num. 28. and in this Family was the Possession lodged untill the latter end of Henry the seventh and then the vicissitude of Purchase brought them to acknowledge the Interest of Leigh and Thomas Leigh exchanged them with K. Henry the eighth and that Prince in the thirty seventh year of his Reign passed them away to Sir Thomas Wriothesley and in the original grant it is recited that they devolved to the Crown by exchange with Thomas Leigh Esquire and he not long after demised them to Sir Robert Southwell who in the second year of Queen Mary conveyed them to Sir Thomas Pope in which Family they remained untill the latter end of Queen Elizabeth and then they were alienated to Wiseman from whom almost in our Memory they were by Sale translated into the Patrimony of Sir Oliver Boteler of Teston Grandfather to Sir Oliver Boteler Baronet who now is entituled to the Proprietie of them The Ropers held some Estate here at Ditton by Purchase from Clifford in the Reign of Henry the fifth which Edmund Son of Ralph Roper died seised of in the third year of Henry the sixth as appears Rot. Esc Num. 33. which his Successor not long after alienated to Colepeper Dodington in the Hundred of Eyhorne contains severall places in it of no contemptible Estimate The first is Sharsted which was the Patrimony of a Family which was known by that Sirname Robert de Sharsted enjoyed it at his death which was in the eighth year of Edward the third Rot. Esc Num. 61. But after this mans departure I do not find that it owned this Family any farther for this mans Sole Daughter and heir was matched to John de Bourne Son of John de Bourne who was Sheriff of Kent the twenty second the twenty third and twenty fourth years of Edw. the first and after in the fifth year of Edward the third Certainly this Family was in times of a very high Gradation as eminent for Estate as it was venerable for its Antiquitie Henry de Bourne made a Purchase of Lands and Rents in Duddington of Matilda the Daughter of John de Duddington as appears by a Fine levyed in the forty seventh year of Henry the third and the above-mentioned John de Bourn obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Lands at Bourne Boxley Dodington and other places in the eighteenth year of Edward the first and from this John de Bourne did Mr. William Bourne in an even stream of Descent issue forth who almost in our Remembrance passed away Sharsted-Court to Mr. Delawne of London whose Son Mr. ....... Delawne is the instant Proprietarie of it Ringleston is a second place of note in this Parish of which there is a Tradition that it borrows its principal Appellation from a Ring and a Stone which those who were Tenants to this Mannor were to hold for such a proportion of time as an embleme of their acknowledged Homage and Subjection But this is but a fabulous romance in the whole frame of it the truth is Ring in Saxon imports as much as Borough or Village so that Ringleston signifies no more but the Village-Stone that is some eminent Stone which was placed there to signifie and discover the utmost extent and limits of the Borough Having unveil'd the Name and dispelled the Mist of the former fiction I shall now exhibite to the publique view who were the ancient Possessors of it and first I find the Chalfehunts a Familie of a spreading Demeasne and no lesse reputation in this Track Henry de Chalfehunt died possest of it in the forty fifth year of Edward the third Rot. Esc Num. 14. After him Humfrey Son and heir of Thomas Chalfehunt was in the enjoyment of it at his Death which was in the ninth year of Richard the second Rot. Esc Num. 14. After this Family was expired the Hadds a Family which was sometimes written Haddis and sometimes le Hadde which argues it to be of French Etymologie was planted in the Possession and remained many years invested in the Fee till about the beginning of Q. Elizabeth it passed away by Sale from them to Archer from whom not many years after the same fatalitie brought it to devolve to Thatcher who not many years since
in the Whole in Dooms-day Book at Thirty eight Pound Ten Shillings and Three-pence There was an ancient Tradition that that Altar-Tomb which was placed at the East-end of the little Chappel which belonged to Eastry Court was the Sepulchre wherein the Reliques of the two Princes mentioned before to have been murdered were enshrined nay it went farther and did affirm that there was a Light hovered constantly about that Tomb as if the Clearnesse of the Innocence of those who slumbered under that Repository could not have been manifested better then by the Beams of such a perpetuate Itradation Shrickling is a Mannor in this Parish which had always the same Possessors with Knowlton Thomas Perrot held it the fourth of Edward the third Rot. Esc Num. 31. By whose Daughter and Heir it devolved to Langley and from Langley by the Heir General to Peyton only I find Sir Edward Ringley Knight Marshall of Callis and Bayliff of Sandwich both by Water and Land lived at Estry in the Reign of Henry the eighth and enjoyed this Mannor in Right of his Wife Elizabeth Widow of Edward Langley Esquire Heronden in this Parish was the Seat of a Family known by that Sirname who bare for his Coat Armour a Heron with one Tallon erected and gaping for Breath One of this Family lay buryed neer the Chancel in the Time of Robert Glover Somerset-Herald with his Pourtraicture and Coat of Arms in Brasse affixed to the Tombstone both which by the rude Hand of some sacrilegious Person are now torn away yet is the Coat-still extant in very old Rolls and Registers in the Heralds Office where the Family is called Heronden of Heronden Nor is the Name lesse ancient as appears by Deeds which commence from the Time of Henry the third which related then to this House and Name In the Reign of Richard the second this Family determined in a Female Heir who was matched to Boteler of Botelers Fleet in Ash and she annexed this Place to the Patrimony of this Family in which Name the Title of this Place hath been ever since successively laid up Ewell in the Hundred of Bewsborough was a principal Mansion of the Knights Templers to which much Land was united both in this Track and in Romney Mersh where they held the Mannors of Hony-Child and East-Bridge as appears by the Book called Liber de Terris Templariorum collected in the year 1130 and kept in the Exchequer They were founded in the year 1118 in manner following Cetrain Knights obliged themselves by Vow in the Hands of the Hands of the Patriarch of Jerusalem to serve Christ after the mannor of Regular Cannons in Chastiry and Obedience renouncing their own Wills for ever they likewise professed to defend the Crosse and Sepulcher of our Saviour from the Eruptions of Infidels and to secure the high-ways for the Indempnity of Pilgrims from the Ambushes of Free-booters that they might more freely visit the place of our Saviours Agony and Crucifixion They were called Templers either from their Vow to defend the Temple or else from those Lodgings which were assigned them neer that place by Baldwin the fourth King of Jerusalem This order in the second year of Edward the second was totally supprest throughout Christendome The Crimes alledged against them were Pride Covetousnesse for did and unaturall Uncleannesse and lastly private Collusions and Treaties with Infidels which tended to the Subversion of the Christian Cause in Palestine all which they solemnly renownced at their Death which best interprets their Innocence to future Times for certainly it was impossible that an Order which had tyed themselves up upon their Institution within the Limitations of so strict a Vow could universally at one Time and in all places of the World where they were established degenerate into those black horrid and prodigious Crimes wherewith their Enemies bespattered them But indeed those who have fathomed the Cause of this their totall Abolition find that they were warping with some Compliance too eagerly to a Combination with the Emperour who was then in Contest with the Pope about vindicating his temporal power in Italy and else-where from the unjust enchroachments made upon it by that See Which his Holyness descrying wrapt them up in those pretended Crimes as the Roman Persecutors did the ancient Christians in the skins of Beasts that they might more easily be devoured Upon this their Dissolution their House here at Temple Ewell was given to the Knights of St. John Baptist of Jerusalem an Order rather restored then instituted by one Girardus whose Vow was almost coincident in all the Ingredients of it with that of the Knights Templers And in their Demeasne did this place lye wound up untill the finall Dissolution in the Reign of Henry the eighth and then being linked to the Revenue of the Crown it was fixed there untill the sixth year of Edward the sixth and then it was granted to William Cavendish Esquire and he the same year conveyed it to Christopher Sackvill and Winefrid his Wife who about the beginning of Queen Elizabeth alienated it to John Dâ—niell who about the latter end of that Princesse dying without Issue-male his Estate here devolved to his two Daughters and Coheirs matched to Mab and Wiseman who both concurred and by joynt Consent alienated the Propriety of this place about the beginning of King James to Mr ..... Angell of London whose Son Mr ...... Angell of Crowherst in Surrey is now entituled to the Fee-simple of it Borestall Banks in this Parish was as high as any Evidences do lead us to discover part of the ancient Patrimony of the illustrious Family of Diggs of Diggs-Court in Barham John de Digge of this Family was Alderman of Canterbury in the year 1258 and was a great Benefactor to the Franciscans who were newly seated at Canterbury and purchased for their Support an Island called Binnewith in that City and from this John de Digge did descend Roger de Digge who paid respective Aid at the making the Black Prince Knight for his Lands at Berham and other places in the twentieth year of Edward the third and dyed seised of this Mannor in the third year of Richard the second Rot Esc Num. 19. John Diggs his Successor was Sheriff of Kent in the second year of Henry the fourth and John Diggs was Sheriff of this County the fourth of Edward the fourth and this Mans Son who also bore his Name was Sheriff of Kent in the eleventh year of Henry the seventh Briefly after it had for many Descents owned the Interest of this Family it was in the tenth year of Queen Elizabeth conveyed away by Sale to Stokes in which Family the Possession was permanent untill of very late Time and then it was alienated to Captain Temple of Dover F. F. F. F. EAst-Farleigh lyes in the Hundred of Maidston and was given to the Prior and Monks of Christ-church in Canterbury by Ediva the Queen Mother of the two Kings Eadred and Edmund in the year
to a Family who held it as appears by Testa de Nevill in the twentieth year of Henry the third In Times of a lower Descent it was the Possession of a good old Family called Groveherst William de Groveherst paid respective Aid for it at making the Black Prince Knight and from him it devolved to his Successor Richard Groveherst who in the Reign of Henry the fourth determined in three Daughters and Coheirs espoused to Richard Tickhill Richard Hextall and John Petit who about the Beginning of Henry the sixth passed one Moiety of it to John Martin whose Successor and Descendant Edward Martin above-mentioned passed it away with Franks mentioned in Horton Kirkby in whose Revenue it lyes now couched about the beginning of Q. Elizabeth to Alderman Bathurst from whom with Franks it is now devolved by Descent to be the Inheritance of Sir Edward Bathurst Ralph de Fremingham obtained a Weekly Market to his Mannor of Farningham on the Tuesday and a Fair yearly to continue for four Days the Vigil the day of St. Peter and Paul and two days after by Grant from Henry the third in the fifty fifth year of his Reign Pat. An. 55. Hen. 3. Memb. 12. Which Grant was renewed and confirmed to John de Fremingham in the seventh and eighth years of Richard the second Chimbham is another Mannor in this Parish which did give Name to a Family of that Appellation for I find in the Book of Aid that when John de Fremingham pays Aid for his Mannors of Farningham and Chimbham there is a Recitall of Lawrence de Chimbham which formerly held it in the Reign of Henry the third But it is evident both by that Record and by the Inquisition taken after his Death which was in the twenty third year of Edward the third that John de Fremingham held it and transmitted it to his Son Ralph de Fremingham whose Son and Heir John Fremingham dying without Issue Ann his Sister entred upon the Possession of this as his next Heir and brought it with her to her Husband Roger Isley of Sundridge And so this Family became concerned in it and kept their Interest here until the Reign of Henry the seventh and then it was passed away to Sibill of Littlemoat in Ainsford in which Name the Propriety had not been long wrapt up when this Family found its Sepulcher in a Female Heir For Ed. Sibell the last of this Name resolved into a Daughter and Heir matched to Hide and he not many years since conveyed it by Sale to Alderman Bunce of London Fairfield in the Hundred of Langport was given to the Church of Christ-Church in Canterbury by St. Edm. Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Chancellor of the University of Oxford about the year 1238 and more to fortifie the Donation affixed his Seal Sigillo suo confirmavit say the Records of Christ-Church to the originall Grant This upon the Suppression was upon the Institution of the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury by Henry the eighth confirmed by Grant to them Faukham in the Hundred of Acstane was the Seat and gave the Sirname to an ancient Family called Faukham The first whom I find upon Record is Walleran de Faukham who flourished here in the Reign of Henry the second as appears by the Book called Nova Feoffamenta taken in that Princes Reign and kept in the Exchequer Afterwards in Times of a more modern date it acknowledged the Signory of the Lord Grandison Baron of Ferneborough and Otho de Grandison is said in the Book of Aid with Gilbert de Kirkbie to have held one Knights Fee in Faukham of the Bishop of Rochester which Rose de Faukham and William de St. Clere of Ford in Wrotham formerly held and this Otho Lord Grandison held it at his Death which was in the thirty third year of Edward the third Rot. Esc Num. 41. And left it to his Son Thomas Grandison who dyed without Issue in the forty ninth year of Edward the third Rot. Esc Num. 36. So that his Estate here and in other places was divided between his Sisters and Coheirs whereof this came to be possest by Sir John Northwood in Right of Agnes one of his Sisters from whom by a constant Line of Succession it was guided down to his Son Sir Roger Northwood who was extinguished in a Female Heir called Albina Northwood matched to John Diggs of Diggs Court in Berham Esquire who was Sheriff of Kent in the second year of Henry the fourth and so in her Right this Mannor devolved to this Family and lay couched in their Estate until the latter end of Henry the eighth and then it was passed away to Barham of Berham-Court in Teston In which Name the Propriety had not been long resident when Thomas Barham Esquire concluded in a Daughter and Heir called Ann who was espoused to Sir Oliver Boteler who cast this into his Revenue from whom it is now come down to Sir Oliver Boteler Baronet only Son of Sir William Boteler slain at Cropready Bridge in asserting the Royall Quarrell Frendsbury in the Hundred of Shamell hath severall places in it worthy of our Cognisance The first is Eslingham which was given to the Church of St. Andrews in Rochester by Kenulfus King of Mercia as the Book called Textus Roffensis informs me But by the Registers of that Church I find that John de St. Clere held it in Lease of the Covent about the ninth year of Edward the third and after him a Family called Neal who had large Possessions about Higham were Lessees to the Cloister In the sixth year of Henry the sixth I find John Rykeld held it and kept his Shrievalty at this place after him a Family called Frogenhall was by Right of Lease in the Reign of Henry the seventh possest of it but upon the Suppression of this Monastery of St. Andrews in the twenty ninth year of Henry the eighth this Mannor was found to be Lease to Audley and Fisher and then the Fee-simple in Reversion was granted to Thomas Lord Cromwell Earl of Essex who being by the Malice of his Enemies who had raised all their Black Engines of Mischief upon him aspersed with the Calumnious Reproach of high Treason was attainted in the thirty second year of Henry the eighth and made a Peace-offering to the Fury of his irreconcileable Adversaries then this by Escheat returns back to the Crown after which that Prince by his Royall Concession makes it the Inheritance of Sir Will. Drury of Norfolke in which Family it remained untill Times of our Knowledge and Remembrance and then the Interest was by Sale translated into Henry Clerk Esquire Serjeant at Law and late Recorder of Rochester from whom it is now come down to his Son and Heir Francis Clerk Esquire collaterally descended from that eminent Souldier Sir John Clerk of Willoughby in Warwick-shire who took Lewis de Orleans Duke of Longueville Prisoner in that memorable Encounter commenced between Bomy and Spours Villages not far
conveyed it by Grant to Sir Walter Henley and he in the thirty fourth year of Henry the eighth transmitted it by his Deed to Sir John Baker whose Successor Sir John Baker even in those Times which entrenched on our Remembrance passed it away to Mr ....... Cleyton of London Bewper is the second place of account in this Parish It was in elder Times an Appendage or Fragment of that Demeasn which did contribute to the Support of the Abby of Feversham and upon the Suppression of that Cloister or Seminary by Henry the eighth it was in the thirty fifth year of that Princes Reign granted to Sir Thomas Moil who not long after passed it away to Robert Prat. And his Son Master Franci Prat primo Elizabethae by Fine conveyed it to Mr Edward Bathurst who not many years after transplanted his Interest here by Sale into Sir Richard Baker Ancestor to Sir Jo. Baker of Sisinghurst Baronet who now by paternal Succession is entituled to the instant Signory of it Wallinghurst and Buckhurst are two petty Mannors which belonged to the Abby of Feversham but upon the Suppression of that Covent they were pared off and by Grant from Henry the eighth in the twenty ninth year of his Reign were enstated upon Thomas Lord Cromwell Earl of Essex But long he was not endowed with them for in the thirty second year of that Prince's Government he was bespattered and blasted with an Accusation of high Treason which the Subtlety of his Adversaries had woven so closely together that he was entangled in it and being attainted forfeited both his Life and Estate to the Fury I cannot say Justice of an incensed Prince Amongst the Ruines of his Patrimony these two places were comprehended and upon his Shipwrack it returned to the Crown And then King Henry the eighth by a new Grant in the same year they escheated passed them away to Sir John Baker of Sisingherst in Cranebroke from whom they are now come down to Sir John Baker Baronet his Successor Upper Peasridge was involved in that spatious Inheritance which fell under the Dominion of the Lord Badelesmer of whom I shall speak more at Leeds and when he by his Disloyalty had forfeited both Life and Fortune to the Crown this was enwrapt in the Escheat But was restored in the second year of Edward the third to Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer this Mans Son and he in the twelfth year of that Prince held it at his Death Rot. Esc Num. 44. But Giles his only Son dying without Issue his great Estate was split into parcells and this with some more of his Demeasne was allotted to Mawd his Sister and Coheir who was matched to John Vere Earl of Oxford and he in her Right was possest of it at his Death which was in the thirty fourth year of Edward the third Rot. Esc Num. 84. And in this Family did it reside untill the Beginning of Henry the fourth and then it was passed away by Sale to St. Leger to whose Patrimony it remained annexed untill the Government of Philip and Mary and then an Alienation like the former brought it over to Lone descended from the Lones of Lancashire where there is yet a House of the Name and being thus fixt in this Family the Possession continues still united to it Fordwich in the Hundred of West-Gate was given to the Abbot and Monks of St. Austins as the Annalls of that Convent testifie by King Edward the Confessor and was given ad Vestitum for Reparation of their Apparell And there is a Tradition that Hemp-Hall which was an Appendage to this Mannor did pay a quit-Rent in Hemp but certainly it must be then for the use of those secular persons which related as Officers and Servants to this Cloister for the Monks themselves being under the Rule of Bennet harrowed their Skin with Shirts of Hair and slept vestiti in their Apparell the more to tame and controle the Mutinies and Disorders of the Flesh But to advance After this Mannor which the Piety of former Ages had planted in the Revenue of the Church had for a large Decursion of Time owned no other Proprietary it was by the Dissolution in the twenty ninth of Henry the eighth emptied into the Income of the Crown where it lay untill Edward the sixth in the seventh year of his Reign granted it to Sir Thomas Cheyney and he not long after alienated his Concernment in it to John Johnson from whom it came over by Purchase to Paramour who passed it away to the Lady Elizabeth Finch Widow of Sir Moile Finch whose Son Thomas Finch Earl of Winchelsey almost in our Memory passed it away to John Finch Baron of Fordwich late Lord Keeper of the great Seal of England in the year 1640 and in him does the instant Signory of it reside Folkstone does contribute a Name to the Hundred in which it is situated The Mannor it self with the Mannor of Walton was given to the Nunnery by Eadbald King of Kent which it seems was of that Repute in those Times that Eanswide his Daughter was there vailed a Nun under the Rule of St. Bennet and Ermenred and Ercombert his Sons changed their hopes of a Crown into those of one more celestiall and folded up all their Earthly Glories in a Monastick Cowle which they assumed at this place under the Discipline of St. Bennet But this Cloister was some Ages after partly by the Fury of the Danes and partly by the Impressions of the Sea reduced into a heap of Ruines so that in the Reign of William the Conquerour William de Muneville laid the Foundations of a new Priory in another place of the Town which was much augmented afterwards by William de Averenches who had married his only Daughter But it seems upon the former Devastation of this religious Seminary the Mannor had returned to the Crown for in the year one thousand thirty and eight Canutus restored to Christ-church in Canterbury as the Records of that Covent do intimate this Mannor of Folkston which Athelstan Son of King Edward in the year nine hundred twenty and eight had formerly granted to them for the health of his Fathers Soul and to the Honor of Vlfhelme Arch-priest of Canterbury but with this Restriction he limits and bounds this his Concession that this Mannor thus returned to the Church should never be alienated by the Arch-bishop without the Consent of the King and the Covent of Christ-church who it appears joyned with William the Conquerour and the Archbishop of Canterbury and fastned it again to this Priory where it remained untill it was torn away by the Suppression in the Time of Henry the eighth and annexed to the Crown Afterwards that Prince in the thirtieth year of his Reign transplanted his Interest in it and Walton by Grant into Edward Lord Clinton and he the same year passed them away to Thomas Lord Cromwell Earl of Essex who being attainted in the thirty second year of the abovesaid Prince
the Propriety of Folkston and Walton returned to the Crown and resided in the Royal Patrimony untill the second year of Queen Mary and then they were regranted to Edward Lord Clinton abovesaid who not long after conveyed them to Mr. Henry Herdson whose Grandchild Mr. Francis Herdson alienated them to his Uncle Mr. John Herdson about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth and he upon his Decease without any lawfull Issue gave them to his Nephew Sir Basill Dixwell Knight and Baronet descended from the ancient Family of Dixwell in the North-riding of York-shire Who likewise making his Exit without any lawful Issue Mark Dixwell Esquire his Nephew became his Heir and from him is the Propriety of both these places descended to his Son and Heir Basill Dixwell Esquire The Nunnery of Folkston abovesaid being much defaced was in the Time of Henry the third reedified and reestablished by John de Clinton and John de Segrave and Julian his Wife which was upon this second Erection stored with Nuns who were to live as formerly under the Rule of St. Bennet and dedicated to St. Peter and St. Eanswith But when it was found in the second year of Henry the fifth that it related by forrein Dependance to the Abby of Lolley in Normandy it was by that prudent and cautious Monarch Supprest There were five Churches anciently in Folkston three of which were dedicated to St. Peter St. Mary and St. Paul all which and one more whose Name is not now obvious were long since by the Assaults of the Elements and Devastations of men utterly dismantled only that which was erected in the year 1095. by Nigellus de Muneville and devoted to St. Mary and St. Eanswith hath been too hard a Morsel for the teeth of Time to consume Folkston had the Grant of a Market procured to be held here weekly on the Thursday by the Mediation of Geffrey Fitz-Peter in the sixth year of King John which was confirmed to William de Averenches in the sixteenth year of the abovesaid Prince and renewed to Sir John Segrave in the twenty second year of Edw. the third Richard the second granted to Sir John Clinton that a Market should be observed weekly at Folkston on the Wednesday and a Fair yearly on the Vigil and Day of St. Giles as appears Pat. 13. Richardi secundi Membr 14. Pars 2. Eabald King of Kent about 1000 years since built a Castle at the South part of this Town of Folkston which being shrunk into Decay William de Averenches erected a Fort in the year 1068 on the Foundation of the formerly demolished Pile whose ruinous Shell or Skeleton is yet visible I have seen a Leafe by some injurious Hand torn out from the Leiger Book of Folkston which sets forth the entertainment which the Family of Poynings were to have when they came to hear Masse at the Priory a subtle Artifice used by the Monks of that Age to catch the Benevolence of the noblest and most opulent Families of the Nation that certainly had not the Statute of Mortmain or Law of Amortization made in the seventh year of Edward the first restrained and contracted the unlimited Bounty of the Laity to these religious Cloisters almost all the Land which was of secular Interest had been ingulphed in the Revenue of the Church so that as one well observes this over-active and operative Devotion would have dedicated all to God and have left Little or Nothing to have given to Caesar Terlingham and Ackhanger were the Patrimony as high as the Reign of the Conquerour as Doomsday instructs us of William de Muneville the Repairer and Restorer if not Founder and Establisher of Folkston priory By whose Daughter and Heir they devolved to William de Averenches who had Issue William de Averenches in whom the male-line failed so that Matilda de Averenches his Sole Heir by matching with Hamon de Crevequer Baron Leeds Castle made them parcel of his Demeasne who by his Addition so swelled his Estate that he was styled the great Lord of Kent and was of that Esteem in this County that by a generall Consent and Councell of the Barons of the Cinque-ports the Custody of the Sea-Coast from Hastings to Pool was committed to his Care and Inspection Pat. 19. Hen. tertii Memb. 14. And he held these Mannors at his Death which was in the forty seventh year of Henry the third Rot. Esc Num. 33. And left them to his Son Hamon de Crevequer who was enwrapt in the Faction and Rebellion of Simon de Montfort Earl of Leicester raised against Henry the third but was by that Act of Oblivion and Clemency styled Dictum de Kenilworth passed by that Prince in the fiftieth year of his Reign called to Mercie and to most part of his Estate excepting Leeds-Castle Bersted Chetham and some other peices but dyed without Issue so that Eleanor matched to Bertram de Crioll Juliana first matched to Nicholas de Sandwich and secondly to Roger de Segrave and two others who were wedded to Lenham and Pateshull became as they were his four Sisters his four Coheirs And upon the partition of the Estate these two Mannors came over to be the Patrimony of Crioll and Bertram de Crioll above mentioned held them at his Death which was in the twenty third year of Edward the first Rot. Esc Num. 48. And left them to John his only Son who dying Childlesse Joan his Sister matched to Sir Richard de Rokesley became his Heir but he determining likewise in a Female Heir called Joan she by espousing Sir Thomas de Poynings Father of Michaell de Poynings of Terlingham raunged these places under the Demeasn of that Family in which they remained untill the latter end of Henry the seventh and then Sir Edward Poynings gave them in Dower with Mary his natural Daughter to Thomas Lord Clinton whose Son Edw. Lord Clinton about the Beginning of Queen Mary by Sale passed them away to Herdson from whom by Testament they came over to Dixwell in which Family the Possession of them is still permanent Morehall is a small Mannor in this Parish to which William de Valentia obtained a Charter of Priviledges in the twenty seventh year of Henry the third After him I find the Morehalls to be Possessors of it who ingrafted their own Name upon it and John de Morehall paid respective Aid at the making the Black Prince Knight for his Mannor of Morehall in the twentieth of Edward the third After this Family was extinct the Bakers of Caldham about the Reign of Henry the fourth were invested in the Possession and not many years after Brandred by one of the Coheirs of Baker became Lord of the Fee from which Family by Sale it passed away to Sir Thomas Brown from whom descended Sir Mathew Brown Knight who in our Grand-fathers Memory conveyed his Right in it to Godman who is still Lord of the Fee Hope-House in Folkston belonged to the Houghams a noble and knightly Family
County for in the Pipe-Rols relating to the Raign of King John I discover that Robert de Malavill was one of the Recognitores magnae Assisae in the fourth year of that Prince and then again in the seventh year of his Rule he was dignified with that eminent Place of Trust and he had Issue William de Malavil who was in the enjoyment of this Mannor at his Death which was in the Raign of Henry the third as appears by an escheat Roll marked with the number 56. And in this Family did the Right and Title of it lie involved untill the latter End of Edward the third and then the noted Family of Bures stept by Purchase into the Possession and John Bures as appears to me by an old Deed held it in the fourth year of Richard the second he was Son of William Bures who paid respective Aid for part of a Knights-fee which lay in Bromley in the twentieth year of Edward the third at making the Black Prince Knight and William Bures Son of John lies entombed in Halsted Church pourtraied at length in Brass and mail'd in Armor upon a fair Grave-stone being Marble with this Inscription Hic jacet Willielmus Bures Armigeri Dominus Manerii de Halsted qui obiit 1454. And this was he who was Sheriff of Kent in the eleventh year of Henry the sixth But after his Death it was not long in the Fruition of this Name for about the Beginning of Edward the fourth I find it in the Hands of Thomas Bourchier descended from the Bourchiers of Essex and he about the Latter End of that Prince passed it away to Stephen Petley Esquire who lies buried in Halsted Church And in this Family was the Title fixed untill the Beginning of King James and then the Fatality of Sale did alternate the Possession and annexed it to the Inheritance of Sir Thomas Watson who dying without Issue-male his only Daughter and Heir was espoused to Sir William Pope afterwards created Earl of Downe in Ireland by King James and so in her Right this Mannor became the Inheritance of his Son the Right Honourable William Earl of Downe who not many years since passed it away to Mr. Edward Ash whose Widow Mrs. ........ Ash holds it at this instant in Right of Dower Halstow in the Hundred of Milton hath nothing memorable in it but Berkesore alias Basser-court which was as high as any print of Antiquity can direct me to discover the Patrimony of the Church for King Stephen devoted it to find a supply of perpetual Lights before the Chest or Shrine ante Capsam those are the words of the Record of Anselme the eminent Arch-bishop of Canterbury and it hath been many years past held by the Darrels of Cale-hill as Lessees and is still by that Right enjoyed by Sir John Darrell of the same place The Church of Halstow as the Records of Christ-church instruct us was given by Boniface Arch-bishop of Canterbury to buy Books for the Chaunter of that Covent Hamme in the Hundred of Eastry was as the Records of Christ-church in Canterbury inform me given to the Prior and Monks of that Covent in the year 934. by one Eylfleda but how it was rated in the Conqueror's Time when if not all yet at least the principal part of this County was surveyed the Pages of Doomesday Book are silent In brief the Moity of this Mannor for one Half of it was alwaies under the Jurisdiction of Lay-proprietaries being by the Donation abovesaid made parcel of the Spiritual Patrimony remained treasured up in the Revenue of the Church as in an unviolable Exchequer until both the Covent of Christ-church and all its Demeasne was surrendered into the Hands of Henry the eighth and that Prince in the thirty fifth year of his Raign granted that part of it which belonged to the Priory of Christ-church to Sir Thomas Moile who not long after passed it away to Sir Robert Oxenbridge Knight from which Family in our Grand-fathers memory it went away by Sale to Bois of Betshanger The other Moity of Hamme belonged to the Criolls of Walmer of which Family I shall speak more at that Place Simon de Crioll as I discover by old Deeds held it in the Raign of King John and Henry the third and transmitted it to his Son Nicolas de Crioll who held it at his Death which was in the one and thirtieth of Edward the first and from him did it by the steps of several Generations descend to Sir Thomas Crioll who was slain at the second Battle of Sr. Albans tamely and in cold Blood that is he was beheaded by Queen Margaret wife to King Henry the sixth in the thirty eighth of that Prince's Raign because he had been an eager Partisan of the House of Yorke and being thus infortunately cut off left that great Estate he was possest of in this County to two Daughters and Co-heirs one of which was matched for his second wife to John Fogg of Repton Esq Son and Heir of Sir William Fogg and he had Issue by her Thomas Fogg Serjeant Porter of Callis Esquire a Place of eminent Trust and Concernment in those Times And he ended in two Daughters and Co-heirs Anne first matched to Mr. William Scott Brother of Sir Reginald and secondly to Mr. Henry Isham and Alice first wedded to Edward Scott of the Moat in Sussex Esquire and after to Sir Robert Oxenbridge of the County of South-hampton but the Moity of this Mannor of Hamme upon the dividing the Estate into equal Portions fell to be the Inheritance of Edward Scott in Right of Alice his wife and his Descendant in our Grand-fathers Remembrance alienated all his Interest and Concernment here to Bois of Betshanger whose Successor Mr. John Bois of Betshanger Esquire is now entirely possest of this Mannor as namely of that Moity which came over to this Family by Purchase from Oxenbridge as well as of that which devolved to this Name by Purchase from Scott Harbledowne in the Hundred of Westgate though at present but an obscure Village and not of much Eminence was in Time of more ancient Date famous for three memorable Places First for an old Chappel situated upon the Margin of that Precipice which overlooks that way which leads to Canterbury In which Oratory as Tradition informs us was preserved the Slipper of Thomas Becket taken from one of his Feet after his being destroyed at his own Church at Canterbury and which as Report insinuates was bespattered with his Blood this being curiously enchased with Diamonds so much did those Times dote on this then reputed Saint and Martyr was let down for Passengers who travelled to Canterbury to offer up their Orizons at his Shrine to adore with a kiss nor was it returned but full fraighted and laden with the Benevolences of devoted Pilgrims The second was Polres which anciently had and still keeps the Repute of a Mannor John de Polre Son of John de Polre payd respective Aid for it in
granted both these Places to Sir Edward VVotton one of his Privy Councel whose Grand-child Sir Thomas VVotton was by King James invested with the Dignity and Title of Thomas Lord VVotton of Marley and was by Thomas Lord Wotton his Son settled in Marriage upon his Daughter Katherine VVotton with Henry Lord Stanhop Son and Heir apparent to Philip Earl of Chesterfeild and is at this instant in relation to the former settlement devolved in Abeyance to her Son the Right Honorable Philip Stanhop the present Earl of Chesterfeild Hern in the Hundred of Blengate has nothing memorable in it but Haw-house a Limb or portion of that wide Demeasne that the eminent Family of Apulderfield held in this Track and when this Name that had been deeply rooted in Antiquity Hern had a Market procured to be held there weekly on the Monday and a Fair yearly upon the Vigil and Day of St. Martin by the Archbishop of Cant. in the twenty fifth of Ed. the third as appears Cart. Num. 31. and had spread to a large extent in the Latitude of it was circumscribed in a Daughter and Heir called Eliz. matched with Sir Jo. Phineux this Seat was made by Female Interest an Addition to the Income of this Family and here it remained undivided from it till this Name determined in John Phineux Esqu issued from a younger Line of this Family who left only one Daughter and Heir married to Sir John Smith Grandfather to Philip Viscount Strangford who in relation to that Right this Match has invested in him is now the instant Proprietary Seas or At Seas Court is likewise involved within the Sphere and Limits of this Parish it was in Records anciently styl'd so though now through Disuse it be languished into an Intermission having lost its Name and the Estimate of a Mannor likewise For a Succession of some Ages it owned the Name and Interest of At Sea till Fate and Time that are the common Sepulchre of Families by Sale gave up the Fee-simple an Age or two since to Knowler whose Heir does yet entitle himself by Right of his Predecessours purchase to the Possession of it Hernehill in the Hundred of Boughton has two Places in it which may make it remarkable First Durgall Stroude which was in Times of higher Track the Martin's a very noble and illustrious Family in this Territory whose capital or principal Seat was at Graveney not far distant and here after it had flourisht by the Decursion of some Ages it fell into a Daughter and Heir called Margaret Sole Daughter and Heir to Matthew Martin who was married to William Norton of Cokesdish in Feversham and in her Right did he become Proprietary of this Mannor from whose Heir Thomas Norton the Property or Fee-simple was by Sale transferred into the Possession of Sir John Wild of Canterbury to whose Heirs General the Propriety of this Mannor does at present relate Secondly there is another Seat in this Parish vulgarly called Apes Court alias Lockley but indeed in truer Orthography writ Epes-Court a place so despicable that it had not been worth the Memoriall but that in all the circumstances of probability the Epes's of Canterbury assumed if not Seat yet at least Sirname from thence and it is the more possible because the Epes's have been ancient Tenants to the Church of Canterbury for the Mannor of Seas-alter divided by a neer Distance from this place in Ages of a more modern Date the Nevinsons were the Lords of the Fee and certainly this was their ancient Mansion before they were transplanted to Eastry this being sold in the Raign of King James by Sir Roger Nevinson to Sir John Wild of Canterbury in whose Heirs General Dudley Wild Esquire his only surviving Son being lately deceased without Issue the Possession continues fixed Hever in the Hundreds of Somerden and Ruxley had in elder Times a Castle See more of this Family at Northfleet which was the Capital Seat or Mannor built by Thomas de Hever who had liberty by the Charter of Edward the third granted to him in the fourth of his Raign not only to embattle his Mansion here but likewise had Free-warren annexed to his Lands in this place William Hever deceased without Issue Male and left only two Daughters and Co-heirs Joane married to Reginald Cobham of Sterborough and the other wedded to Brocas whence in Records it is sometimes called Hever Cobham and Hever Brocas and when the Cobhams went out the Bullens were the immediate Purchasers for Geffrey Bullen purchased this Place and his Grand-child Sir Thomas Bullen Knight of the Garter and Earl of VVilts lived here who was Father to Anne Bullen Wife to Henry the eighth and as he had here his Habitation so likewise he has here his Sepulcher and lieth emtombed in Hever-church but when his Son George Viscount Rochford upon pretence of some black Crimes acted against the Majesty of Henry the eighth fell under the Censure of High Treason this upon his Attainder or Conviction was escheated to the Crown and began to be reputed a Mansion of some Estimate when Anne of Cleve for some Time lived here and made it her residence but in Times subsequent to this I find it eminent for nothing till King James granted it to Sir Edward Waldgrave whose Successor yet possesses it Heys in the Hundred of Rokesley was formerly under the Jurisdiction of the Squirries a Family under a signal Notion of Eminence in this part of the County and was concluded some Ages within their Patrimony till it was bounded by two Daughters and Co-heirs one of which called Dorothy was married to Richard Mervin the other styled Margaret matched to Sir William Cromer who in Right of their Father Thomas Squirrie who held Heys in the eighteenth year of Henry the sixth entituled themselves to vast Possessions in these parts but this Mannor upon the Division accrued to Mervin and in his Posterity some years it found an abode till by Sale the Interest was transmitted to Peche but Sir John Peche deceasing without any Issue Male his only Daughter Elizabeth married to John Hart Esq extracted from the Harts of the County of Hertford was found to be his Heir and in Relation to that Mixture or conjunction does this Family yet continue Proprietaries of it Hinxhill in the Hundreds of Chart and Longbridge was part of that Estate which belonged to the Family of Strabolgie Earls of Atholl but whether or not it devolved to Alexander Balioll Earl of Atholl by Isabell his Wife one of the Co-heirs of Richard de Dover Lord of Chilham is altogether incertain because no Record that I ever yet saw reaches beyond the above mentioned Alexander this mans Son was John Earl of Strabolgie and Athol who having forfeited it in the Raign of Edward the first whilst he endevoured to buoy up the Liberty of his Country of Scotland which then seemed to be sunk in its own Ruines being trampled upon by the succesful Attempts of
that Prince it for some years encreased the Royal Revenue until David de Strabolgie Earl of Atholl the first that altered his Name from Balioll to Strabolgie having expiated his Fathers Disservices by being constant to the Party and Interest of Edward the second against the Eruptions of the Nobility which then bandied in Combinations against him had this with much other Land restored to him in the fifteenth year of that Prince from whom it descended to David de Strabolgie his Grand-child who dying in the forty ninth year of Edward the third left it to Philippa his Daughter and Co-heir matched to John Halsham of Sussex by whom she had Issue Hugh Halsham who about the Beginning of Henry the sixth passed it away to Sir Robert Scott Lievtenant of the Tower of London 1424. And he concluding in Alice Scott a Female Inheritrix she by matching with William Kempe Nephew of Cardinal Kempe linked it to the Demeasne of that Family and here it remained until Sir William Kempe about the latter end of Henry the eighth alienated it to Browning from which Family about the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth it passed away by Sale to Mr. Robert Edolph whose Grand-child Mr. Robert Edolph dying in the year 1632. without Issue gave his Interest in it with Godchepes to his beloved Wife Cicelie Edolph remarried to Sir Francis Knowls of Reading and she passed away the Moiety of it the other proportion of it being invested in Mr. Thomas Edolph the third Brother with Godchepes now called Goodchepes to her Husbands second Brother Mr. Samuel Edolph who some few years since conveyed his Interest in Hinxhill with this by Testament to his Brother in Law Mr. John Angell of Croherst in Surrey to discharge Debts and Legacies and he that he might the more effectually perform the Contents of the Will hath lately passed away the Moiety of Hinxhill with Goodchepes to Edward Chowte of Surrenden Chowte in Bethersden Esquire lately deceased W. liham is another Mannor in Hinxhill which was folded up in the vast Demeasne of Crioll by whose Daughter and Heir it came to Rokesley and by the Female Inheritrix of Rokesley to Poynings in which Name it continued until the twelfth year of Henry the eighth and then Sir Edward Poynings dying without any lawful Issue after a signal and solemne Inspection by several Inquisitions into his collateral Alliance no Claim being laid unto his Estate this Mannor escheated to the Crown in the fourteenth year of that Prince and then King Henry the eighth by Grant passed it away to Sir Richard Damsell who not long after transmitted his Right in it to Goldhill who in our Grand-fathers Memory alienated it to Mr. Robert Edolph whose Grand-child Mr. Robert Edolph gave it with his Interest in Hinxhill and Goodchepes to his Wife Cicelie Edolph who passed away the Moiety to Mr. Samuel Edolph and he devised it by Will to Mr. Angell who hath transferred his Right in it by Sale to Mr. Edward Chowte The Farm called Godchepes or Goodchepes in this Parish for an unbroken Series of many Generations had Owners of that Sirname as appears by an Inquisition taken after the Death of Thomas Godchepe in the one and thirtieth year of Edward the third Rot. Esc Num. 47. and remained fastned to their Inheritance until the latter end of Henry the eighth and then by a strange and mysterious Fatality the Propriety of it was carried off to Barrow The Story is represented thus John Barrow being an Atturney was called to frame a Settlement by Deed of Thomas Godchepe and by his Direction was desired to insert eight Persons into the Deed who were successively to inherit his Estate and being asked by this John Barrow whether he should adde the Names of any more he was answered because there had formerly been reciprocal Obligations of Friendship between them that he should place his own next after those eight above mentioned It pleased the eternal Arbiter of humane Affairs so to order the vicissitude of things that those eight Persons recited in the Deed deceased without Issue so that his Estate here at Godchepe devolved to Barrow as his Heir at Law from whom by Elizabeth his eldest Daughter and Co-heir it came to Mr. Robert Edolph Hoo gives Name to the Hundred wherein it is situated and was a principal Branch of that Revenue which fell under the Dominion of Bardolfe Robert de Bardolfe held it under the Notion of a whole Knights Fee as appears by the red Book kept in the Exchequer in the Raign of Henry the second and from him it came down to Hugh Bardolfe who was rated for it after the same Account in the second year of Richard the first but Hugh Lord Bardolfe his Son not long after concluded in three Daughters and Co-heirs Mawde was matched to Nicholas Points Margaret was married to Robert Aguillon and Isolda was espoused to Henry Lord Grey of Codnor which divided the Inheritance of that Family at this Place But that Proportion of it which was annexed by this Alliance to Points and Aguillon was passed away by a Joint Sale to John de la Pole and he paid respective supply for his Lands at Hoo which were rated at half a Knights Fee at making the Black Prince Knight in the twentieth year of Edward the third but before the latter end of Henry the fourth this Family was worn out and that Estate they held here was by Purchase involved and swallowed up in the Inheritance of Grey who before was entituled to the Moiety of this Mannor as descending from Henry Lord Grey of Codnor and Isolda his Wife Co-heir to Hugh Lord Bardolfe and in this Family did it continue until Henry Lord Grey of Codnor in the twenty second year of Henry the sixth dying without Issue Male left it to be Patrimony of Daughters and Co-heirs one of which brought it to be the Inheritance of the Lord Zouch but in this Family it had not long remained when John Lord Zouch having pursued the Interest of the House of Yorke did exemplifie his Zeal to it by his being embarked in the Cause and Quarrel of Richard the third in that signal and fatal Encounter at Bosworth Feild where the Title of the two Houses Yorke and Lancaster was put to the bloody Arbitration of the Sword for which after the Crown and Scepter by that happy Contest devolved to Henry the seventh he was in the first year of that Prince's Rule attainted and his Estate here granted to Sir Henry Wiatt one of the Privy Councell to the said Monarch whose infortunate Grand-child Sir Thomas Wiatt being likewise attainted in the second year of Queen Mary it escheated upon that Confiscation to the Crown and there was lodged until King James about the third year of his Raign granted it to Robert Earl of Salisbury whose Son Robert Earl of Salisbury sold it quarto Caroli to Sir Edward Hales Knight and Baronet from whom it is now come down to his Grand-child Sir Edward
this Seat there is a frequent recital of John de Spelmonden who was Possessor of this Place After this Family had deserted the Inheritance of it the noble and eminent Family of Poynings was planted by Purchase in the possession of it Michael Poynings enjoyed it at his Death which was in the forty third year of Edward the third Rot. Esc Num. 14. parte secunda and from him did the Title glide along in the Interest of this Name untill it came down to Sir Edw. Poynings and he in the fourteenth year of Edward the fourth alienated his Concernment in it to John Sampson and he had Issue Christopher Sampson who in the thirty seventh year of Henry the eighth passed it away to Stephen Darrell and his Son George Darrell in the tenth year of Queen Elizabeth sold it to Richard Payne of Twyford in Middlesex and he in the twenty eighth year of the above-said Princesse translated his Right in it by Sale into William Nutbrown and he in the twenty ninth year of the same Queens Reign conveyed it to George Cure of Surrey Esquire from whom immediately after it went away by Sale to Arthur Langworth and from him by as quick a Vicissitude to William Beswick Esquire Son to ....... Beswick Lord Maior of London in the year of our Lord ........ and his Grandchild Mrs Mary Beswick dying not long since without Issue shee by Testament gave it in Lease to Mr. ...... Haughton now of Chelsey in Middlesex originally extracted from the ancient Family of Haughton of Haughton Tower in the County of Lancaster Horton in the Hundred of Stowting was a Mannor which belonged to that Priory which was founded here by Robert de Vere Earl of Oxford Lord great Chamberlain of England and dedicated to the Honour of St. John Baptist it being a Cell to the Priory of Lewes and stored with black Monks of the Cluniac Order Adelina Daughter of Hugh de Montfort was a principall Benefactresse to this House and so were the Honywoods of Henewood in Saltwood not far distant The first remembred in the Register is Edmund de Honywood who flourisht in the Raign of Henry the third Upon the Generall surrender of the Estate of Abbyes into the Hands of Henry the eighth this by that Prince in the twenty ninth year of his Reign was granted to Thomas Lord Cromwell Earl of Essex but he being infortunately attainted in the thirty first year of the abovesaid Prince this Mannor returned to the Crown and was resident there untill King Charles passed it away by Grant in the fourth year of his Raign to the City of London and they 1630 conveyed it to George Rook Esquire Father to Mr. Lawrence Rook who enjoys the instant Signory of it but the Abby-house was by Henry the eighth upon the fatall Execution of the above-mentioned Lord granted to John Tate of the County of North-hampton Esquire and he in the sixth year of Edward the sixth sold it to Walter Mantle Esq who being infortunately involved in the Design of the noble but unhappy Sir Thomas Wiatt in the second year of Queen Mary forfeited this to the Crown where after it had for some interval of Time been lodged it was in the thirteenth year of Queen Elizabeth restored to the above-said Walter Mantle and from him did it come down to his Successor Mr. Walter Mantle who was the present Possessor of it 1657. Sherford aliàs East-Horton is another Mannor in this Parish it was a Branch of that Demeasne which fell under the Jurisdiction of Retling Sir Richard de Retling was found in the enjoyment of it at his death which was in the twenty third year of Edward the third Rot. Esc Num. 12. and left it to Joane his Sole Daughter and Heir who brought it by espousing John Spicer to be parcel of his Inheritance and he died invested in the Possession of it in the tenth year of Richard the second and from him it devolved to his second Son John Spicer who assigned it as Dower to his Wife Joane and she was found to hold it in Possession at her Death which was in the fifth year of Henry the fifth Rot. Esc Num. 9. and in this Family did it reside until that Age which bordered upon our Fathers Remembrance and then it was passed away by Spicer to Morris in which Family the Propriety is still Resident Horton in the Hundred of Acstane was held by An. Retellus Rubitoniensis or Rosse in the twentieth year of William the Conqueror as Doomesday Book instructs me Alexander Rosse another of this Family and Lord of this Mannor was one of the Recognitores Magnae Assisae an Office of Eminence and no lesse Concernment In the first yeare of the Raign of King John William de Rosse held a Knights Fee in Horton and Lullingston and left it to his Sole Inheritrix Lora de Rosse who about the latter end of Edward the first brought it to be the Possession of her Husband ...... Kirkbie who by this Match being entituled to this place removed out of Lancashire where was his antient Mansion at Kirkbie Hall and seated himself at Horton where he re-edified the Castle which as Darell relates in his Tract de Castellis Cantii did acknowledge the Rosses for its Founders and built the Mannor House upon which he engrafted his own Name from whence it hath ever since acquired the Attribute of Horton-Kirkbie But it was not long united to this Name for about the Beginning of Henry the fourth this Family was extinguished in a Female Inheritrix who was matched to Thomas Stoner of Stoner in Oxfordshire Father and Mother of Sir Thomas Stoner who was Father to Sir William Stoner who by Anne Daughter and Heir of John Nevill Marquesse Montacute had Issue John Stoner who died Issue-lesse and had forfeited Horton Castle to Henry the seventh by confederating with the Lord Audley in his Insurrection against that Prince and Anne a Daughter matched to Sir Adrian Fortescue by whom he had the Mannor of Kirkbie Court and by her only a Female Inheritrix called Margery Fortescue matched to Thomas Lord Wentworth Ancestor to Thomas Lord Wentworth of Nettlested created Earl of Cleveland in the first year of King Charles but Kirkbie was passed away by Sir Adrian Fortescue to Sir James Walsingham in the Beginning of Henry the eighth whose Grandchild Sir Thomas Walsingham about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth alienated it to Alderman Hacket of London in whose Posterity the Propriety of it resides at this Day but Horton Castle continued in the Crown until King Henry the eighth granted it to Robert Rudston Esquire by the Heir General of which Family it is at this instant become the Inheritance of Mr. ...... Michell of Richmond Franks is an eminent Seat in this Parish which was the Mansion of Gentlemen of that Sirname who about the latter end of Henry the third came out of Yorkeshire and planted themselves at this place and writ their Sirnames in very old Deeds
William le Marshall Earl of Pembroke to whom her Father gave with her in Marriage Kemsing Sawters and much other Land in this County but this Mans Successor Anselme le Marshall Earl of Pembroke dying without Issue Robert Bigod Earl of Norfolk by Mawd his Mother the Heir Generall of the Family as being Sister to Gilbert Marshall Earl of Pembroke entered upon the Estate of that Family here at Kemsing and he passed it away to Otho Lord Grandison with the Advowson of the Church of Kemsing in the eleventh year of Edward the first And after this Family was worn out I find the Says to Step into the Inheritance and Geffrey de Say held it at his Death which was in the forty third year of Edward the third Rot. Esc Num. 24. Parte secunda From whom the Propriety flowed down to his Successor Geffrey Lord Say and he concluded in two Daughters and Coheirs whereof Elizabeth one of them was affianced to Sir William Fiennes who in her Right was invested in Kemsing and from him was the Title by Descent transported over to William Lord Fiennes Son of James Lord Fiennes and he in the second year of Edward the fourth passed it away to Sir Geffrey Bolein Great Grand-father to George Viscount Rochford who was beheaded and left no Issue in the Raign of Henry the eighth so that this upon his Father Sir Thomas Boleyn Earl of Wilts departure without any other Issue-male in the thirtieth year of Henry the eighth devolved to that Prince who seised upon it in Right of his Wife the infortunate Anne Bullen who was eldest Sister to the unhappy Viscount And here in the Revenue of the Crown did it lie couched until Queen Elizabeth in the first year of her Raign passed it away by Grant to her Kinsman Henry Cary Lord Hunsdon Son of William Cary Esquire of the Body to Henry the eighth and of Mary his Wife Sister to Q. Anne Mother to the above said Princesse and his Grandchild Henry Earl of Dover alienated his Right in it to Richard Earl of Dorset and he not many years since passed it away to Mr. ...... Smith vulgarly called Dog-Smith who upon his Decease settled the Fee-simple for ever on the Hospital of St. Thomas in Southwarke There was an old Knightly Family which tooke their Sirname from this Parish and was styled Kemsing and their Coat was Argent a Fesse and Cheveron interlaced Sables now quatered by Mr. William Hart of Lullingston Esquire in Right of Peche who married the Heir General Kenardington in the Hundred of Blackborn is by Contraction called Kenarton and although it cannot much boast of the healthful situation thereof yet it hath had Lords and Owners of a very great Estimate Will. de Normannia held it in the Raign of K. John and part of the Raign of Henry the third as appears by the Pipe Rolls which relate to those Times and concern this County Rafe de Normanvill is registred in the list of those Kentish Gentlemen who were with Richard the first at the Seige of Acon in Palestine After him his Son Thomas de Normannia or Normanvill for so he is written in the ancient Rolls succeeded in the Possession of it but died in the eleventh year of Edward the first without Issue-male so that by his only Daughter and Heir it devolved to be the Possession of Sir William de Basing with the Mannor of Cockride likewise which was folded up in her Inheritance and was one of those Knights who accompanied King Edward the first in the twenty eighth year of his Raign in that succesful Expedition which he was ingaged in when he undertook the Conquest of Scotland After him William de Basing held it and was Sheriff of Kent in the eighth year of Edward the second and dying in his Shrievalty Margaret his Widdow accounted for the Profits of the County as the Records of the Pipe Office set forth Sir Thomas de Basing his Son died seised of it in the twenty third year of Edward the third and paid respective Aid for it under the Notion of a whole Knights Fee at making the Black Prince Knight and left it to John his Son a Child of eight years of Age who after was Knighted and died possest of it in the seventh year of Richard the second and left it to Thomas his Son and Heir then eleven years of Age and he had Issue Thomas likewise who dying without Issue John Basing his Uncle was found to be his Heir but was scarce planted in his new acquired Patrimony but he also in the twenty fourth year of Henry the sixth expired without Issue so that the Inheritance devolved to Alice his Sister matched to Thomas Mackworth as the Heir General of the Family And thus were the Basings at this Place extinguished who before they planted in Kent were registred amongst the prime Gentlemen of Middlesex Salomon de Basing was Sheriff of London the last year of King John Adam de Basing was Lord Mayor of London in the thirty sixth year of Henry the third and Robert de Basing succeeded in that Office in the seventh year of Edward the first and Basings-Hall ows both his Name and Foundation to this Family and John Stow in his Survey of London ascribes to them the Degree of Barons of the Realm But to return into that Path from whence this Discourse had diverted me After Mackworth which by Female Devolution was possest of this Mannor was worn out which was about the Beginning of Henry the seventh The Hornes of Hornes-place in this Parish were by Purchase settled in the Inheritance Gentlemen certainly they were of as eminent Account as any in this Territory and had been Proprietaries of this Seat for many Hundreds of years for one Ralph de Hurne of Kenardington was one of the Recognitores magnae Assisae in the Raign of King John Persons who before the Office of Justice of Peace was instituted did supply their Place and were much in Resemblance like the Grand Inquest at this Day being assistant both by their presence and concurrent Counsels to the Justices in Eyre in all the great Decisions which did relate to Causes Criminal emergent à tribus Forisfacturis or the three Forfeitures Murder Felony and Breach of the Peace But to proceed In this Family did the Propriety both of Hernes-place and Kenardington thus purchased of Mackworth lie rolled up together until the twelfth year of Queen Elizabeth and then Bennet Horne the Heir General of both these being matched to ...... Guldford a Romish Catholick he to decline the Oath of Supremacy fled beyond Sea with his Wife upon whose Recesse the Crown seised upon that Estate which had formerly accrewed to him in behalf of his Wife at this place as escheated upon the Statute of praemunire And the above said Princesse immediately after granted the Premises thus forfeited to Walter Moile of Buckwell Esquire Ancestor to Mr. Robert Moile who claims the present Signiory both of Kenardington
But left no Issue so that Joan his Kinswoman matched to Richard Haut became his Heir and he had Issue Richard Haut in whom the Male-line concluding William Isaac in Right of his Wife Margerie who was Daughter and Heir to the above-mentioned Richard entered upon his Estate here at Permested and about the Beginning of Henry the eighth passed it away by Sale to Edward Knevet of Newington Belhouse Esquire and his Daughters and Coheirs by joint Sale demised it to Tho. Lord Cromwell and he in the twenty ninth year of Henry the eighth alienated it to Christopher Hales Esquire afterwards knighted first Attorney Generall and then Master of the Rolls under the abovesaid Prince and his Son Sir James Hales conveyed it away to Thomas Alphew aliàs Alphy Yeoman From this Man it came over by Sale in the fifth year of Queen Elizabeth to William Downe of Maidstone Draper and he in the sixth year of that Princesse transmitted it by the like conveyance to Doctour Vincent Denne Doctour of the Civil Law Grand-father to Mr. Vincent Denne of Grays Inne Esquire the present Lord of the Fee A Person to whose Conduct and supply this particular Survey ows a grateful Remembrance because by his Concurrent Aid it was guided along through all those Difficulties which might have probably intercepted it in its farther progresse Denhill in this Parish was not only the Seat but likewise the Seminary of a Family of eminent Note in this County Ralph de Den held much Land in Romney Mersh and likewise at Buckhurst in Sussex as appears by an old Roll now in the Hands of the Earl of Dorset about the twentieth of William the Conqueror and is styled in the Record Son of Robert Pincerna a Name imposed upon his Father from being as is probable either Butler or Sewer to Edward the Confessor an Office of no vulgar Account in those Times Sir Alured de Den flourished in the Raign of Henry the third and was a Person of signal Estimate in that Age for when the Laws of Romney Mersh were compiled by that venerable Judge Henry de Bath from which all England receives Directions for Sewers this Sir Alured and Nicolas de Haudloe were his Associates and Assistants in the Composure of them in the forty second year of Henry the third on Saturday next after the Nativity of St. Mary and which makes this Sir Alured de Den more remarkable he sealed even in that Age divided by so remote a Distance from us with three Leopards Heads couped and full faced which is the ancient paternal Coat of this Family Indeed if I should enter into a particular Discourse of all those Persons who have been originally extracted from this Family and were formerly eminent not only within the private Sphere of this County as being invested with the Commission of Justices of the Peace and other Offices of publique Trust and Concernment but likewise shone like Stars of the first Magnitude within the two Orbes of Divinity and the Law both Civil and Municipal the Survey of this Place which I intend to retrench within as narrow Bounds as may be must swell into a particular Treatise it is enough therefore to inform the Reader that it hath been so many Centuries of years folded up in the Propriety of Den. that there is no Gappe at all in the Succession between Ralph de Den the first of that Name and Tho. Den Esq the last who in a direct Line enjoyed it Nor hath it yet departed from the Name for the above mentioned Thomas lately deceasing without Issue-Male Vincent Donne of Grays-Inn Esquire collarerally issued out of this Family by matching with Mary his yongest Daughter and Coheir in Right of this Alliance is now in the instant Possession of it Kingsnoth in the Hundreds of Chart and Longbridge did in elder Times give Sear and Sirname to a Family which assumed its Denomination from hence who bore as appears by Seals appendant to their ancient Deeds Ermin upon a Bend five Cheverons and John de Kingsnoth who flourished here about the latter end of Edward the first sealed with that Coat and this Inscription encircles the Seal Sigillum Joannis de Kingsnoth Yet I find Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer who was attainted in the seventeenth year of Edw. the second had some Interest in this Mannor which upon his Conviction escheated to the Crown and rested there until Richard the second granted it out again to Sir Robert Belknap the Judge who had not long before purchased that proportion which Kingsnoth was concerned in So that by this Concession it came entirely to own the Signory of this Family But he being infortunately attainted and cast into Exile in the tenth year of the above said Prince this Mannor was annexed to the Revenue of the Crown and was lodged there until Henry the sixth in the twenty seventh year of his Raign granted some part of it to Sir Thomas Brown of Bechworth Castle in Surrey and with it a Charter to inclose a Parke which had Liberty of Free-warren annexed to it and likewise the more to endear him licensed this Town to hold a Fair yearly on Michaelmas Day but the principal part of it was conveyed by Sale to Cardinal Kemp who about the twenty eighth of Henry the sixth settled it on the Colledge of Wye where it remained until the Resignation of its Revenue into the Hands of Henry the eighth in the twenty ninth year of his Raign and he by Royal Concession made it the Demeasne of Thomas Lord Cromwell afterwards Earl of Essex Who being attainted of High Treason in the thirty second year of that Prince it escheated back to the Crown and then a Moiety of it in the thirty fifth year of his Government was granted to Sir John Baker from whom by hereditary Conveyance it was delegated and transmitted to his Successor Sir John Baker of Sisingherst Baronet who some few years since hath alienated his Concerment here to Mr. Nathaniel Powell of Ewherst in Sussex The other Moiety of it lay folded up in the Patrimony of the Crown untill the first year of Queen Elizabeth and then it was by that Princesse granted to her Kinsman Henry Cary afterwards created Baron Hunsdon from whom by the Channel of Descent it was transported to his Grand-child the Right Honorable Henry Cary Earl of Dover who in our Memory conveyed it to Sir Thomas Finch afterwards Earl of Winchelsey Father to the instant Proprietary the Right Honorable Heneage Finch now Earl of Winchelsey Munfidde in this Parish was originally the Seat of the Clere's written in their ancient Deeds le Clere. But as all Families have their Vicissitudes and Tombs and like the Sea which is circumscribed and shut in with a Girdle of Sand are fettered to a determinate Period so was this for about the latter end of Edward the third Henry le Clerc concluded in Susan le Clerc who was his Daughter and Heir and she by matching with Sir Simon Woodchurch annexed
by his Successor sold to Henry Chichley Arch-bishop of Canterbury who gave it as Dower to his Niece Florence Chichley married to Jo. Darrell of Cale-hill and he assigned it for the Lively-hood of his second Son whose Posterity have ever since enjoyed it Here was also in this Parish the Mansion of the Chitcrofts a Family of worth and eminent degree Their Blazon was precisely the same with the Colepepers of Bay-hall not far distant as if they had been a Cadet of the same House This is a matter which falls within the Cognizance of my Profession and because I meet with diverse ancient Houses in this County which did the like as well as in other Counties I cannot leave it without setting down such Notes and Observations as have been made upon it having met with so many Examples of that kind in the Survey of this Province For instance St. Nicholas of St. Nicholas in the Isle of Thanett in the very Eastern part of the Shire and Peckham in the Western side of this County bear the same very Coat Armour because peradventure they held Land of the Lord Say to whose Arms they did desire their own might be assimilated Tutsham of Tutsham-hall in West-Farleigh and Eastangrave of Eastangrave in Eden Bridge bear both alike Brenley of Brenley in Boughton under Blean and Ratling of Ratling in Nonington have no distinction Peyforer of North-court in Eseling and Lenham of Lenham lay claim to an Identitie of Impresse or Coat Armour and lastly so did Watringbury of Watringbury and Savage of Bobbing-court Now the Reason of this neere similitude was to preserve the Memory of those though otherwise of different Families who had given them Education or else by particular Feoffments had endowed them with Land or lastly as an acknowledgement of the Service and Fealty they owed them because they held their Lands by some petty Rent Charge or Homage of some principall Mannor of which they whose Coat-Armour they had thus imitated were Proprietaries West-Langdon lies in the Hundred of Bewsborough and was a Mannor belonging to the Abbey of West-Langdon which was founded by Sir William de Auberville of Westenhanger Knight to the Honour of St. Mary and St. Thomas the Martyr of Canterbury and filled with white Cannons or Cannons Praemonstratenses in the time of Richard the first Hugh de Auberville the Founder's Son and Sir William Auberville Son to this Hugh were Benefactors to this House and this last Sir Williams only Daughter and Heir being married to Nicholas de Crioll of Bellaview nere Limne Hill brought this Monastery to be under the Patronage of the Criolls whose Demeasn upon the Dissolution being made the Incom of the Crown it here resided till Queen Elizabeth granted it with all the priviledges annexed to it in the thirty third year of her Rule to Samuel Thornehill of London Esquire father to Sir Timothy Thornehill upon whose Decease his Lady Dowager had West-Langdon assigned to her by Right of Jointure as being enstated before upon her in Marriage East-Langdon in the Hundred of Cornilo did in elder Times augment that Patrimony which fell under the Signiory of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury In the year of Grace 824 Ulfred then Arch-bishop of Canterbury exchanged this Mannor and Eythorne with the Monks of Christ-church for the Mannor of Berham as the Records of that Priory discover to me and being thus united to their Demeasne it lodged there untill the Government of Henry the eighth and then upon the Suppression of the above mentioned Cloister it was surrendered up with the Remainder of its Revenue into the Hands of that King and he in the thirtieth year of his Government granted it to Mr. John Masters and Mr. Thomas Masters of Sandwich from whom it is now by Descent devolved to be the Inheritance of his Descendant Richard Masters Esquire Apulton and Southwould are two small Mannors which are seated within the Limits of East-Langdon and were scarce worth any memorial but that they were formerly marshalled under the Demeasne of the eminent Family of Male-mains in whom the possession was seated till Henry Malmains being embarked in the rebellion of Simon de Montfort against Hen. the second had expiated that Defection with the forfeiture of his Estate had he not been pardoned and absolved by the Mediation of the Abbot of Langdon to which Covent in Gratitude his Son and Heir Sir John Malmains in the sixth year of Edward the third gave for ever * Apylton and Southwood I find upon a second Survey lie both in Waldershare Apylton and Southwould the last of which was in the first year of Richard the third exchanged by the succeeding Abbot with * It is probable the Ancestor of Monins purchased Mansuers Langdon of Mansuer a Family in East-Kent Robert Monins Esquire for Mansuers Langdon These three places upon the Suppression of this Abby were by Henry the eighth in the twenty ninth year of his reign exchanged with Tho. Arch-B of Canterbury but were re-assumed by the Crown by another exchange 1 mo Eliz. though Southwould or Southwood was unjustly snatched away from Edward Monins Esquire in whose revenue it was found at the dissolution upon pretence it had been the former demeasne of the Abby of Langdon The Borough of Marton or Marton-street so called by Contraction but more truely Marshtown is circumscribed also within the Limits of East-Langdon and gave Name to a Family which from the Situation of the place did borrow their first Appellation and were in old Registers and other records written de Marisco And that it was frequent to mould a Sirname from the Site of the place and after to communicate it to their posterity as well as from the place it self is most evident for Gilbert de Marisco who was Lord of Wolwich in the reign of Edw. the first did assume that Sirname from the Situation of that place which was environed in a considerable part of it with moist and watery Mersh-land and so from the low level of this Borough did the Marshes now possessors of this place or the more principal part of it by right of Inheritance grown hoary and reverend by a prescription and possession of above three hundred years as appears by their own private Evidences in elder Times contract the denomitation of de Marisco which in Ages of a more modern Pedigree was melted by Usage Custome and common Consent into the instant Sirname of Marsh Langley in the Hundred of Eyhorne was in elder times the Inheritance of a Family called Ashway Will. de Ashway is by the book styled Testa de Nevil represented to have held it and have paid an auxiliary supply for it at the Marriage of Isabel Sister to Henry the third in the twentieth year of his reign After this Family was withered and shrunk into decay the Lords Leybourne were entituled to the Signory of it and Will. de Clinton Earl of Huntington held it at his death which was in the twenty eighth year
James Driland of Davington and so this place became appropriated to the Interest of that Family but shortly after Constance Daughter and Heir of this man married Walsingham of Chiselhurst whose Son James Walsingham passed it away by Sale to Robert Atwater of Putwood in Otteringden and he not long after concluding likewise in a Daughter and Heir called Mary she by her Marriage with Robert Honywood Esquire a younger Branch of the Honywoods of Elmsted knit this Place to the Patrimony of that Family and Robert Honywood this Mans Son gave it in Dower with his Daughter to Thomson descended from the Thomsons of Petham There are two other Mannors in Lenham of Signal Estimate the First is West-Shelve written likewise Middle-Shelve it was parcel of the Estate of Bertram de Criol and by Joan his Daughter and Heir was linked to the Revenue of her Husband Sir Richard de Rokesley from whom the Fate of Female Interest devolved it on Thomas de Poynings and to this Family was it for many ages fastned till Sir Edw. Poynings extracted lineally from this Man in the fourteenth year of Hen. the eighth was found to have died both without lawful Issue and without Alliance and so this Name being both in the direct and collateral Line extinguished the Crown laid claim to this Mannor as de Jure escheated and in the seventeenth year of his Government Henry the eighth granted it to John Mills where after the possession had for some Time continued it was by Purchase brought into the Inheritance of Darel by whose Female Heir it is now brought to own the Signorie of Wilkinson Shelve Cobham is another Mannor in Lenham which in elder Times was folded up in the Inheritance of the Lords * See more of this Family at Roundall in Shorne Cobham of Sterborough Castle of which Family was Richard de Cobham made Knight Banneret by Edward the third as appears Pat. 15. Edw. tertii Parte secunda Memb. 22. and having continued many Descents constant to the Interest of this Family it did at last devolve to Thomas Lord Cobham of Sterborough who dying in the twelfth year of Edward the fourth without Issue Male Ann his only Daughter and Heir brought it to be parcel of the Patrimony of Edward Lord Borough of Gainsborough from whom the Propriety of it did flow down to his Grand-child Thomas Lord Borough who conveyed it by Sale to Mr. John Pekenham in the twenty fifth year of Q. Elizabeth and he was possest of it but untill the thirty fifth year of that Princesse and then an Alteration like the former made it the Demeasn of Boteler in which Name after it had remained until the fifth of K. Charles it was alienated by Sale to Sir John Melton whose Son John Melton Esquire hath lately conveyed it to Mr Salomon Adye Sindall is the last place of Account in this Parish of Lenham which as appears by the Evidences of this place was in the Raign of King John and Henry the third the Inheritance of a Family of that Sirname and as appears by some old Rolls and Armorials were Gentlemen of prime Note in this Track but continued not long owners of this Mansion for in the twenty third year of Edw. the third I find it in the Hands of Fulk de Peyforer and in this Family did it fix until the latter end of Edward the third and then it was passed away to Henman in which Name the Interest of this Place from the fiftieth year of the above Prince by a derivation of several Descents until this present year 1658 hath been successively resident Leveland in the Hundred of Feversham gave Seat and Sirname to a Family of that Denomination for I find that Giles de Badelesmer of Badelesmer not far distant was pardoned by Hen. the third for matching with Margaret de Leveland the Heir of this Place without the Kings especial License as is manifest Pat. 40. Hen. 3. Memb. 8. But he deceasing before her she was remarried to Fulk de Peyferor who in her Right died possest of this place in the fifth year of Edward the first but she had no Issue by neither of these two eminent persons so that Rafe de Leveland was her next Heir who had the Custody of the Palace of Westminster and the Fleet and after his Deeease Stephen de Leveland held both these places as his Brother and Heir This Stephen had a Daughter and Heir called Joan first wedded to John Shench and secondly to Edward de Cheyney who in her Right had the Custody of the Fleet and Palace of Westminster But John Shench was her Son and Heir who by a Right derived to him by Descent and Succession held both the Fleet and Westminster and was in the Possession both of them and Leveland at his Decease as an Inquisition taken after his Death in the twenty third year of Edward the third does signifie and left Margaret his Daughter Heir not onely to his Estate at Leveland but likewise to those Offices of Trust which it seems were in those Times hereditary and usually lincked together But this Family of Shench was not so entirely invested in the Signory of Leveland but that a considerable Proportion of it augmented the Patrimony of Northwood for Robert de Northwood held an Estate here at his Death which was in the thirty fourth year of Edward the third Rot. Esc Num. 70. and so did Richard de Northwood and Thomas Brother of the said Richard as appears by an Inquisition taken in the thirty fifth of the abovesaid Monarch Rot. Esc Num. 13. Parte secunda But before the latter end of Edw. the third both these Families had offered up their joynt Interest here to Richard Lord Poynings and he died possen of it in the twelfth year of Richard the second Rot. Esc Num. 148. and left his interest here to be enjoyed by his Kinsman Robert Poynings from whom an uninterrupted Line of Descent brought it down to Sir Edward Poynings who died in the twelfth year of Henry the eighth and there being none after a serious Inquisition taken in the fourteenth year of that Prince who could establish any Claim or pretence either in respect of any direct or collateral Affinity to his Estate the Crown by Escheat was entituled to this Mannor and here the Propriety was lodged until King Henry the eighth before mentioned granted it to Sir Robert Southwell who in the second year of Edward the sixth conveyed it to Sir Anthony Aucher and he not long after passed it away to Sir Anthony Sonds great Grandfather to Sir George Sonds Knight of the Bath now instant Lord of the Signory of it Lewsham in the Hundred of Blackheath was a Mannor which belonged to the Priory which was erected here but who was the Founder is unknown Onely thus we find that King Henry the third by a new Inspection confirmed it with all the Franchises and Immunities annexed to it as appears Cart. 13. Hen. tertii Memb. 9.
Horspoole Esquire who in the Memory of these Times alienated the Fee-simple to Mr. English of Sussex Secondly the Mannor of Maidstone it self with the Palace fall under Consideration They were in Times of elder Account belonging to the Family of Cornhill and so continued till William de Cornhill desiring to exemplifie his Zeal and Devotion by some eminent Acts of Piety to the Religion which those Times asserted gave them to Stephen Langton Arch-Bishop of Canterbury in the seventh year of the Raign of King John many of whose Successors were Benefactors both to the Church and Palace Boniface of Savoy Arch-Bishop of Canterbury about four hundred years since built here an Hospital then styled the New-work to the Honour of St. Peter and Paul and Thomas the Martyr which Hospital William Courtney likewise Arch-Bishop pull'd down and instituted a Colledge upon the Ruines of it for secular Priests devoted to the Honour of All Saints And also erected the Collegiate Church as the Walls diaper'd in sundry places with his paternal Coat do easily evince John Vfford also Arch-Bishop about three hundred years since began the Foundation of the Palace here but dying before he had compleated the same Simon Islip his Successor gave it its Perfection and being afterwards crumbled into Decay Iohn Morton likewise Arch-Bishop not onely repaired but augmented it Maidston was governed by a Portreve until the Time of King Edward the sixth by whose incorporation it came to be governed by a Maior which Priviledge being lost because this Town was enwrapped in Sir Thomas Wiats Insurrection against Q. Mary Q. Elizabeth not onely restored the same but to improve it to more eminence with a farther Addition of Honour raised it into the Degree of a Borough Maidstone by the Influence of Boniface of Savoy Arch-Bishop of Canterbury had the Grant of a Market procured to be held here weekly on the Thursday as is manifest Pat. 45. Hen. tertii Memb. secunda Thomas Arundel Arch-Bishop of Canterbury about two hundred and forty years since erected a Chauntry for the Brothers of Corpus Christi now converted into the Free-School who by the Rules of their Primitive Institution were to pray for the Fraternity of the Guild The Mannor and Palace of Maidston being exchanged with the Crown by Thomas Arch-Bishop of Canterbury was by K. Henry the eighth about the thirty second year of his Raign granted to Thomas Wiat the elder and his infortunate Son Sir Thomas VViat being attainted in the second year of Queen Mary it devolved by Escheat to the Crown and continued there untill Queen Elizabeth granted it to John Astley Esq Master of the Royall Jewells from whom it descended to Sir Jacob Astley created Lord Astley by the late King Charles at Oxford in whose Descendants the Propriety is at this instant resident But the Mannor continued in the Tenure of the Crown even untill the Raign of King Charles For when King James had by his gracious Charter created Dame Elizabeth Finch Widow of Sir Moile Finch of Estwell onely Daughter and Heir of the right Honourable Sir Thomas Heneage of Copped-hall in Essex Vice-Chamberlane and one of the Privy Councel to Queen Elizabeth Vice-Countesse Maidston to her and her Issue-male She obtained the Mannor in Fee Farme for ever and transmitted it to her Son Sir Thomas Finch in her Right Earl of VVinchelsey from whom both the Title of Viscount Maidston and the Right of the Mannor are devolved by Paternal Succession to the Right honourable Heneage Finch the present Earl of VVinchelsey and Vicecount Maidston Leland notes that the Arch-Bishop's Palace was anciently a Castle and I verily believe it was the Caput Baroniae for the Arch-Bishops had more than one and excepting that at Saltwood I have diligently Searched and can find none so likely as this Goulds and Shepway do thirdly expose themselves to our Survey they were formerly the Demeasne of Vinter of Vinters not far distant and so remained till Robert Vinter Founded in Maidston Church that Chantry which bears the Name of Gould's Chantry about the fortieth year of Edward the third and then he annexed both these places to the Foundâ—tion for those Divine Offices which were there to be performed but upon the Suppression of this Oratorie King Henry the eighth granted Goulds and Shepway to Sir Thomas VViat who afterwards sinking under the crime of High Treason in the second year of the Government of Queen Mary She upon his attaint granted them to Sir VValter and Gervas Henley Esq from which Family by Purchase they came over to Andrews but stayed not long there for in our Fathers Memory they were sold to Sir Humphrey Tufton late Sheriff of Kent part of the year 1654. and part of the year 1655. Bigons alias Digons was the ancient Seat of the worthy Family of the Mapelysdens and I have a Deed in my Custody wherein one Edward Mapelysden is mentioned with this Addition Edwardus Mapelysden de Digons The Deed bears Date from the twenty fifth of Edward the third and after the possession had been for many Generations Successively resident in this Family one of this Name being unfortunately concerned in the Defection of Sir Thoma Wyat was blasted with the guilt of High Treason and so by Consequence his Estate by Confiscation escheated to the Crown from which it was granted to Nicholas Barham after Serjeant at Law who did much improve this Fabrick with a Supplement of Building from whose Heir it passed away by Sale to Hawle and from him again soon after to Sir Francis Berneham to whom this Mansion owes much of its Magnificence and Splendor whose Son and Heir Mr. Edward Barneham Esquire has lately alienated his Interest in it to Mr. Beale of London Jordans-Court is a fifth place which may exact our Notice because it gave Seat and Sirname to a Family of that Denomination the next Family after this was expired which held it was Roper of the Ropers of St. Dunstans in Canterbury and John Roper sold it to Edw. and Wil. Brouch of Bersted about the thirty sixth year of Henry the sixth and they quickly after alienated their Concernment to Atwood from whom the same Fate carried it away to Peirce who by Sale transmitted his Right to Cook and he suddenly after demised it to Crooke where after the Title had made some short abode the Possession was passed over to Potkins extracted from the Fotkins of Sevenoke where the Name was very ancient from Potkin by his Daughter and Coheir it descended to Virgo who about the latter end of Q. Elizabeth by Sale translated the Possession into Washington Justice of Peace and often in the Commission of Sewers who sold it to Godwin from whom by Purchase it came to be the Inheritance of Crisp who in our Memory conveyed it away to Smith and he some few years since by Sale invested the Propriety in Mr. Beckman Sixthly Sheals is not to be forgotten because it was the Inheritance of Fremingham for Ralph de
Fremingham died seised of it in the thirtieth year of Edward the third and when this Family went out the Pimps of Pimps-Court and Nettlested by Purchase became Lords of the Fee from whom the same Fare brought it to acknowledge the Signory of the Isleys of Sundrich and here it continued till Sir Henry Isley in the Raign of Q. Mary being attainted of High Treason it became Confiscated to the Crown and She in the second year of her Government granted it to Sir Walter Henley Knight of Coursehorne in Cranbroke in whose Name and posierity the Possession has remained Successively planted till this Day Seventhly Chillington is not to be omitted because I find it in the Register of those Lands which acknowledged the Lords Cobham for Lords of the Fee And when John de Cobham had obtained a Charter of Free-warren in the seventeenth year of Edw. the third to all his Lands in Kent The Mannor of Chillington is Recorded in the Catalogue amongst them After them it came as the Court-rolls and private Evidences of this place inform me to acknowledge the Signory and Jurisdiction of the Mapelysdens of Digons and remained circumscribed in their Revenue till Queen Mary began to weild the English Scepter and then George Mapelysden being entangled beyond all retreat in the unsuccessfull Expedition of Sir Thomas Wyat miscarried in that Attempt and lost his Estate by Forfeiture to the Crown and Q. Mary granted it to Sir Walter and Gervas Henley Esquire who not long after sold his Interest in it to Nicholas Barham Esquire Serjeant at Law to Queen Elizabeth and his Successor alienated this place to Hawle of Wye whose Grandchild Mr. George Hawle lately deceased held the Fee-simple of it Lastly within the Ambute or Limits of Maidstone stands an ancient Castellated House called the Moate It did in times of great Antiquity relate to that Patrimony which confessed the Signory of the noted Family of Leybourne for Roger de Leybourne obtained the Grant of a Market weekly on the Tuesday and a Fair yearly to continue three Dayes at the Feast of St. Cross in the fifty first year of Henry the third as appears Pat. 51. Hen. tertii Memb. 10. But before the beginning of Edw. the third this Name was withered and shrunk into Decay at this place and then Bartholomew Lord Burghurst or Burwash Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports and one of the first Founders of the Order of the Garter came to possesse it and Inhabited here in the twenty ninth year of Edward the third and possessed the Signory called Shofford on which the Castle stands and which one John de Shofford held by Knights-Service in the twentieth year as appears by the Book of Aid of Edward the third After the Lords Burghurst the Woodvills were possest of it and removed from Grafton in the County of North-Hampton where they had long continued and lived here A fair Monument of Woodvill on the North-side the Chancell of Maidstone-Church affirms it and when King Henry the sixth created Richard Woodvill Constable of the Isle of Wight a Baron of this Nation and elected him into the Order of the Garter his Style was Lord Rivers Grafton and De la Moat which Act of Grace and Favour mollified a Sentence and Fine of 1000. lb. imposed upon him for matching with Jaquet Daughter of Peter of Luxenbourg Earl of St. Paul Widow of John Plantagente Duke of Bedford without the Kings Licence But when King Edward the fourth had married Elizabeth his eldest Daughter being widow to Thomas Marquesse Dorcett he created him Earl Rivers and Lord of the Isle of VVight which Titles he had observed were concomitant in some of the Styles of the Lords Rivers or de Ripariis who were the Ancient Earls of Devon and assumed to bear in an Escocheon of pretence upon his own Atchievement the old Coat ascribed commonly to Baldwin de Ripariis Earl of Devon viz. Gules a Griphen Segreant Or which I note for Criticks in Armorie to descant on and return to the Historie of the Place When this good man for so he was noted to be was miserably massacred by Robert Ridisdale Captain of the Lewd People of North-Hampton-shire who took him at Edgcot-Field and struck off his head at North-Hampton Their Will being their Law and Mischief Minister to their wild Designs all his seven Sons who survived him died without Issue and then Sir Henry VVyat becomes owner of this place Grandfather to Sir Thomas VViat afterwards his Successor in the Possession of it whose dysastrous Tragedy is presented at Boxley upon whose untimely Exit Hugh VVarham in the second year of Queen Mary by Grant from the Crown enters upon it from whom Alderman Rither afterwards Lord Maior of London and known by the Name of Sir VVilliam Rither Purchased and Repaired it and left it to his Daughter and Coheir the Lady Susan Caesar whose eldest Son Tho. Caesar Esq and his Mother concurring together disposed of their Right in it by Sale to Sir Humphrey Tufton Knight second Son to Sir John Tufton Knight and Baronet and Brother to Nicholas Tufton Earl of Thanett who was Father to John the present Earl There was a Family Sirnamed de Maidstone whose Blazon upon a Monument in Vlcombe Church is Sables a Cheveron between three Cups covered Argent Crowned Or VVilliam de Maidston the Kings Valect being sent to the Court of Rome with certain Instruments and other expresses deceas'd in his Journey as appears Pat. Anno quinto Edwardi primi prima Pars. Pinenden-Heath confines upon Maidston and is eminent for the Punishment of Malefactors and the frequent Assemblies of Free-holders who here convene to elect such Persons for Knights of the Shire as may represent the County in Parliament But it was in elder times more famous for that great Convention of English and Normans who met there in the fourth year of Wil. the Conquerour to decide the great Controversie which then broke forth between Lanfranc Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and Odo Earl of Kent touching some Lands and Priviledges which the said Arch-Bishop alleaged were by an unjust Usurpation by the above-said Odo ravished away from the Church which because it gives us a full Prospect of that exorbitant and wide power which the Clergie of those times did entitle themselves to I shall endevour to pourtray it in as Brief and narrow a Landskip as I have pencill'd it out by Textus Roffensis an old Book in Manuscript so called where it is more voluminously represented At Pinenden-Heath says Textus Roffensis in the fourth year of William the Conquerour there was an Assemblie of the gravest and discreetest of the English and Normans by a signall Decision and Debate to deternine of that Controversie which did formerly arise between Odo Bishop of Bayeux and Earl of Kent touching some Lands and Priveledges which were detained from the Church by the said Earl and Lanfranc Arch-Bishop of Canterbury The said Dispute or Debate lasted three Dayes after the
on the Saturday which continues until this day Midley in the Hundred of Langport was parcell of the Inheritance of Echingham of whom more is spoken at Jacks-court in Lidde from whom by Margaret Daughter and Heir of Thomas Echingham it devolved to Walter Blount Esquire from him it descended to his Son Edward Blount Lord Montjoy who deceasing without Issue Elizabeth his Sister and Heir entered upon the Possession and she by matching with Andrew Windsor after created Lord Windsor by Henry the eighth swelled the Revenue of that Family by the Addition of Midley who not long after passed it away to Clache by whose Daughter and Heir it came over to Stringer and he transferred his Right in it by Sale to Scot and Scot conveyed the whole Demise to Godfrey whose Son Sir The. Godsrey does now possesse the Signory of the Premises Milsted in the Hundred of Milton though an obscure Village in it Self yet has been anciently eminent for several noble Families which have had their Residence within the Circuit of it For first Hogshaws gave not only Seat but Sirname likewise to a Family of that Denomination in whom when it had for many years continued Edmund Hogshaw in the eleventh year of Richard the second passed it away to Sir Thomas Lovell and he dyed seised of it in the second year of Henry the fourth and Thomas Lovell was his Heir after Lovell Greaves by purchase became entituled to the Possession of it whose Successor Robert Greaves in the ninth year of Henry the eighth passed it away to Roger VVake and this Roger VVake in the fifteenth year of the said Prince's Government alienated by Sale his Concernment in it to Richard Bernard who some few years after devested himself of his Right in it and sold it to Adam Henman of Lenham where after the Title some few years had fixed he in the twelfth year of Queen Elizabeth conveyed it over to Amias Thompson and he gave it in Dower with his Daughter Alice Thompson to Sir John Tooke from whom in the memory of these Times it devolved by Descent to his Son Captain Nicholas Tooke who passed it away by Sale to Mr. Richard Tilden Then we have here secondly another place which in some old Evidences is represented under the Name of Nottingham Court though now it bears the Name of Higham It was the Residence of a noble Family called Nottingham who were Owners of a large Patrimony in this Track and their Armes stand yet in old coloured Glasse in Milsted Church viz. Paly wavee of four pieces Gules and Artent The last of which was John Nottingham who expired in a Daughter and Heir called Eleanor Nottingham who by matching with Simon Cheney second Son of Sir Richard Cheney of Shurland brought this and a large Demeasne with it to acknowledge the Signiory of that Family in which Name without any Vicissitude to transplant the Title it is fixed at this day Milton Septuans in the Hundred of Westgate was anciently a Parish See more of this Family at Thurnham and had a Church appertaining to it though now by disuse it be languished into decay and shrunk into so narrow an Estimate that it has left only an Oratory or little Chappel which is yet visible to instruct us what was its former Glory which certainly was of no inconsiderable Account when it was the Seat of the elder House of Septuans who made this their Residence For VVilliam Septuans Son of William Septuans had here is Habitation when he was Sheriff of Kent which was in the fourth year of Richard the second but long after this Man did it not continue in the Name of Septuans for this Family as to that Branch of it which was planted at this place shrunk into a Daughter and Heir who was matched to Sir Francis Fogge and so this place fell under his Revenue And from him descended Sir Will. Fogge whose Successor Sir John Fogge of Repton Knight passed this away to Sir George Brown of Bechworth Castle in whom it remained till this Mans Grandchild Sir Thomas Brown of Bechworth aforesaid partly sold it and partly gave it in Dower with his Daughter Elizabeth Brown to Sir Robert Honywood of Charing whose eldest Son by this Match Sir Thomas Honywood of Marks Hall in Essex is now planted in the Fee-simple of it Moldash in the Hundred of Felborough is a Branch of the Mannor of Chilham but yet there is the Mannor of Flemings aliàs Bowers for so it is styled in Records and Court-rolls which deserves our Notice It was in the year 1019 as an ancient Court-roll now in the Hands of Mr. Chapman does inform me in the Hands of John de Fleming and probably here it remained diverse years though I can discover nothing which may evince the certainty of it for there is an Intermission or Gap in the Evidences In the twenty fourth year of Henry the sixth as appears by another ancient Court-roll it was the Possession of John Treswenall and in this Name it continued till the Raign of Henry the eighth and then it was alienated to Sir Thomas Moile in whose Posterity the Title and Demeasne was setled till our Fathers memory and then the Fee-simple was sold away to Mr. Henry Chapman Then secondly there is the Mannor of Witherling who had Owners who bore that Sirname and who had certainly the Possession of it severall Generations which is manifest from that compliance the Name had with the Mansion though the Evidence which I have drained from the Deeds and Muniments of this place reaches no higher then the Government of Henry the sixth for in the thirty eighth year of that Prince's Rule Joan Witherling the visible and only apparent Heir of this Family transmitted her Interest in it by Sale to William Keneworth whose Son William Keneworth by the like Fatalitie passed it away in the Raign of Henry the seventh to John Moile of Buckwell Esquire extracted from the Moiles of Bodmin in Cornwall and this John Moile in the fourth year of Henry the eighth sold it to Hamo Vidian a Name very ancient in Moldash for here is a Farme which at this Day carries the Name of Vidian-Forestall and his Grandchild William Vidian at this instant enjoys the Fee-simple of it Mongeham called for distinction Great-Mongeham to difference it from an Hamlet of that Name styled Little-Mongeham lies in the Hundred of Eastry and was given to the Church by Eadbert King of Kent for a supply both of Diet and Apparell of the Monks of St. Austins as the Book of Christ-Church does insinuate and upon the Dissolution of the Covent and annexing the Demeasn to the Revenue of the Crown it was by Henry the eighth in the thirty third year of his Raign granted to the Dean and Chapter of Christ-Church who conveyed it in Lease to John Fropchunt from whom by Purchase it was brought over to Gibs and is now the Patrimony and Hereditarie Right of Crayford a Name of deep and
Extraction in this Territorie by Purchase from the above recited Family There is a place in this Parish called Fogs-Court which is Register'd in the Inventorie of the Mannors of this County and although the Mansion-House which belongs to it be fallen into so low a degree of Contempt that it appears now to be litle more than a Caberet or Cottage yet it calls for some Remembrance even in this respect that it was the Patrimony of that noble and Illustrious Family and is the only Place of this County which I have yet met with that is adopted into their Sirname from Tho. Fogge Esq Serjeant Porter of Callis who was the last of this Name which possest it by Alice Fogge his Daughter and Coheir it came to be the Inheritance of her Husband William Scot and in this Family did the Patrimonial Interest of it reside till almost in our Memory the Signory and Propriety of it was from this Family by Sale translated into Mr. Philip Pownall of Sibertswould Great-Barville partly lying in Mongeham and partly in Tilmanston is the third place considerable in Mongeham It hath been for many Descents which have made up some Centuries of years the Possession of Crayford which are written in Deeds of a very high Ascent de Barville Magna In an old Roll which summs up those Kentish Gentlemen who were with Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick at the Battle of North-Hampton where after a warm and Bloody Debate the Title of the House of York by a glorious Victory was evidently asserted There is mention of William Crayford Esquire who afterwards as some private Evidences inform me now in the hands of Mr. Gethins neer Burntwood was made Bannerett by King Edward the fourth for his various undertakings and Services performed in several Encounters which had an Influence upon the Cause and Quarrell of the House of York and bore as is manifest by his Seal affixed to several Deeds Vpon a Cheveron three Eagles heads cresed which I mention to rectifie that â—istake which through inadvertency hath crept into our Visitations of Kent wherâ—â—he paternall Coat of this Family is represented to have been Vpon a Cheveron tâ—â—â—â— Falcons heads erased and from this eminent Person is Mr. Wil. Crayford Lord of thâ— Mannor in expectance by a Thread of direct Descent originally extracted Mongeham had an anâ—â—ent Market by prescription on the Thursday and Bertram de Crioll had a Grant of iâ— by the Charter of Henry the third which was allowed by the Judges Itinerant â—n the seventh year of Edward the first and a Fair yearly by the space of three Dayes viz. the Eve St. Luke's day and the day after Little-Barville is partly Situated in this Parish and partly in Tilmanston A Family called Pix and sometimes Picks were for some Centuries of years invested in the Possession and contracted this Name from some Office as the Successive Tradition of this Family affirms that they were anciently entrusted with about the Altar and the Utensils which related to it amongst which the Pix was the most considerable as being the Conservatory of the Host and so è Pixide nomen elicitum from their Care and Custody of the Pix they originally assumed their Sirname But to proceed after this Mannor had for so many Descents acknowledged this Name and Family about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth by Sale it came to confess the Signory of Crayford of Great-Barville with whose Revenue the Title and Propriety does at this instant continue Little-Mongeham next offers it self up to our consideration but of that I shall speak more at Northbourne Morston in the Hundred of Milton gave Seat and Sirname to a Family that fell under that Appellation as is evident by the Book of Aid where John de Morston is affirmed to have held it and to have paid an Auxiliary Contribution for it at the making the Black Prince Knight He was descended from Bartholomew de Morston who is in the list of those Kentish Gentlemen who assisted King Richard the first at the Siege of Acon But before the latter end of Richard the second this Family was worn out and then it fell under the Signory of Walter Fitz Walter of Essex who had beenin elder Times summoned frequently by Writ to sit as Baron in Parliament and from the abovesaid Walter did this Mannor by paternal devolution come down to his Son Humphrey Fitzwalter and he held it at his Death which was in the first year of Henry the sixth and had Issue John Fitzwalter who about the latter end of the abovesaid Prince alienated it by Sale to Cromer in which Family the possession was constant and resident untill the latter end of King James and then Sir James Cromer dying without Issue-male Christian one of his Daughters and Coheirs by matching with Sir John Hales upon the distinction of the Estate into parcells was united to the Patrimony of that Family from whom the Right by Descent is now transmitted to the instant Proprietarie Sir Edward Hales his Son and Heir Baronet Esthall is another Mannor in Morston which although it be now by the Vicissitude of Time and the injurious Impressions of Age shrunk from its elder Beauty into decay and Neglect yet in Ages of a higher date it was adorned with a nobler Character of Splendor when it confessed it self to be parcell of the Inheritance of an ancient Family called De la pine so they are written in their old dateless Deeds and bore for their Arms Sable three Pine Apples Or. James De la pine was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty sixth and part of the twenty seventh years of Edward the third and held his Shrievalty here at Esthall and died possest of it in the thirty seventh year of the abovesaid Prince and left it to his Son and Heir Thomas De la pine who about the beginning of Richard the second conveyed his Title and Concernment in it to Thomas St. Leger Esquire Sheriff of Kent in the twentieth year of Richard the second who dying without Issue-male Joan one of his Daughters and Coheirs by matching with John Ewias linked it to the Demeasn of that Name and from him did it transmit it self by Descent to his Son and Heir Humphrey Ewias who was seised of it at his Decease which was in the thirty third year of Henry the sixth and from him by a Thread of paternal Succession was it transported to his Grandchild William Eâ—ias in whom the Male-line determined so that by Alice his Daughter and Heir it came to confess the Signory of Thomas Hales who in the sixth year of Edward the sixth by a Fine and recovery wherein his Wife was concern'd passed away the whole Deâ—â—se to Sir Anthony Aucher whose Son Sir Anthony Aucher in the ninth year of Queeâ— Elizabeth by the same conveyance alienated it to Gardiner where the Title was so â—â—â—atile and mutable that it stayed with this Family but untill the tenth year of the abâ—â—â—said Princess and then it
was transplanted by Sale into John Norden who in our â—â—â—â—dfathers memory demised it to Pordage Predecessor to Mr ........ Pordage of Râ—â—â—ersham who is now entitled to the Fee-simple of it Mere-Court is a third place of Account in this Parish calle◠〈◊〉 from its Situation near the Sea which our Saxon Ancestors called Mere and is câ—â—â—â—marily used in that sense for any wast heap of Waters as Lakes and Pools that are 〈◊〉 all sides lockt in by the Land by the Dutch to this day But I cannot find that it evâ—â— had any Possessors that extracted their Sirname from hence for in the Raign of Edward the third I find Arnold de Savage held it and so did his Grandchild Eleanor Savage who was matched to William Clifford and he by this Alliance became invested in the Possession and in this Family did the Title lie couched untill the beginning of Henry the seventh and then I can track no farther Evidence of their Possession of this place In the Raign of Edward the sixth I find it to be invested in the Name of Croft and remained tied to the Patrimony of that Family untill David Crofts died in the twenty second year of Queen Elizabeth and left it to Jo. Croft Helen and Margaret his Daughters and they upon the death of their Brother who was an Ideot becomming Joynt-heirs to this place in the forty second year of Q. Elizabeth passed it away to Mr. Stephen Hulks who bequeathed it to his Son and Heir Mr. Jo. Hulks and he upon his Decease which was not many years since gave it to his second Son Mr. Charles Hulks who now is in Fruition of it N. N. N. N. NAtindon in the Hundreds of Bridge Petham and Whitstaple is an obscure Village not far remote from Canterbury and only calls for some Remembrance in this respect that the Mannor of Staplegate is situated within the Limits of it which was the Seat of an eminent Family which bore that Sirname who were Lords not onely of this Place but of much other Land in Romney Mersh and had certainly this Denomination ingrafted originally upon them because they collected the Kings profits and Customes arising out of the Staple of Wooll fixed at Staplegate in Canterbury The first of this Family whom I find eminent is Edmund Staplegate who paid respective Aid for his Mannor of Bilsington and his other Lands in Kent in the twentieth year of Edward the third at making the Black Prince Knight and he was Father to Edmund Staplegate who at the Coronation of Richard the second held that signall Contest before John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster then High Steward at that solemn Inthronization with Richard Earl of Arundell about the Office of Chief Butler as I have before mentioned in Bilsington But to return to that Discourse from whence this emergent Controversie did divert me Edmund Staplegate in the thirteenth year of Richard the second enjoyed this Mannor at his Death but after his Deeease the Title was not long liv'd in this Name for in the Raign of Henry the fifth and Henry the sixth as appears by the Testimony of ancient Court Rolls it was in the Possession of Leichfield who was Master of much Land about Tilmanston and Betshanger and in the twenty second year of Ed. the fourth it was by Roger Lichfield passed away by Sale to William Haut Esquire Father to Sir William Haut in whom the male-line determined so that by Elizabeth his Daughter and Coheir it came to be the Inheritance of Sir Thomas Colepeper of Bedgebury who about the first year of Edward the sixth alienated it to Philip Chowte Esquire and from him the like Fate bore off the Title to Sir Anthony Aucher and he about the latter end of Edward the sixth disposed of his Right in it to Sir James Hales of the Dungeon Ancestor to Sir James Hales of the same place who not many years since demised the Premises to Mr. Smith of High-Gate upon whose late Decease the Title like a Pythagorean-Soul is transmigrated into his Heir Nettlested in the Hundred of Twyford was the ancient Seat of the noble and ancient Family of Pimpe William de Pimpe paid respective Aid for this Mannor and other Lands which lay not far distant from this place which he held by a whole Knights Fee at the making the Black Prince Knight the twentieth of Edward the third Reginald Pimpe was his Son and Heir and served out the Office of high Sheriff of Kent for him in the forty ninth year of Edward the third in which year he dyed It is probable that this William was knighted because there is a Tombe in Nettlested Church with this Inscription affixed to his Tombe-stone Hic jacet Domina Margareta de Cobham quondam Vxor Willielmi Pimpe Militis quae obiit 4 Septembris 1337. From whence it may be probably collected that the above recited William Pimpe though he is not mentioned as a Knight in the Register of the Sheriffs yet afterwards for some exemplary Services by him performed and managed might be invested with the Order of Knighthood From this Man in the continued Succession of a direct Line See more of Pimp in my Discourse of Sea-watches did Reginald Pimpe descend who determined in Ann Pimpe who was his Sole Heir and so this ancient Family which had under a venerable Character of Antiquity for so many Ages flourished at this place as the Monuments in the Church not yet dismantled do sufficiently evince was about the latterend of Henry the seventh extinguished and Nettlested fell under the Patrimony of John Scott of Scotts Hall from whom Edw. Scot Esquire is lineally extracted and in Relation to this Alliance is the instant Proprietary of Nettlested Lomewood is a second place of Account in Nettlested it belonged formerly to a Cloister of black Cannons in Oxford dedicated to St. Friswith which being suppressed by Cardinal Wolsey in the year 1525 when he intended to erect the magnificent Fabrick of the Colledge of Christ-church this Mannor was resigned up to the Crown and was by King Henry the eighth in the twenty seventh year of his raign granted to Sir Edward Nevill who gave it in Martiage with his Daughter Katharine Nevill espoused to John Roydon Esquire of Roydon-Hall in great Peckham and he determining in Elizabeth Roydon his Sole Heir she by matching with Roger Twisden Esquire planted it in his Revenue and from him hath the Interest of Descent transported it along to his Grandchild Sir Roger Twisden of Roydon Hall Knight and Baronet Newenden in the Hundred of Selbrittenden was erected in the place where the old Roman City of Anderida was situated and was called by the Britons Caer Andred very aptly by Leland styled in Latine Noviodunum from the Saxon Nywandun in English by Corruption called Newenden which in the original imports as much as The new Hill in the Valley This was that Station and City of the Romans mentioned in the Banner of the Count or Lord
Warden of the Saxon Shore by Pancerollus in his Book called Notitia Provinciarum under the Name of Anderida and sometimes written Anderidos and here was the Castle which the Saxons called Andreds Ceaster and the great Wood which stretched out in length from hence into Hampshire 80. miles was named Andreds-wald and by the Britons Coid Andred other reasons are laid down for the Identity of the place extracted from the Name which the English Saxons gave it who termed it Brittenden that is The Britons Vale from whence the whole Hundred adjoyning is called Sellbrittenden that is The Britons Woody Vale. Here for Defence of the Coast against the Eruptions of Saxon Rovers the Romans placed the Prapositus Numeri Abulcorum and hither the River of Lymen long fince called Rother was sufficiently Navigable But soon after the Romans deserted Brittain it shrunk into Decay being ruined by the English Saxons and yet a marke of the Losse is covertly couched under the Name of the principal Mannor called Losenham of which something is to be remembred when we have done with the History of this place which I have thus abbreviated Hengist being fully determined to expell all the Britons out of Kent and thinking it would much conduce to the improvement of his Design to recruite his Army with Troops of his own Nation called Ella the Founder of the South-Saxon Kingdome and his three Sons with a strong Power out of Germanie and then gave a sharp Assault against this Anderida but was intercepted at that instant in his Designe by those vigorous Impressions which the Britons out of their Ambushments in the Woods then made upon him In Fine after many Prejudices and Losses both given and taken Hengist divided his Army and not onely discomfited the Britons in the adjacent wood but also at the same Time forced the City by Assault and became so enflamed with revenge that nothing but the Extinction of the Inhabitants by a publick slaughter and the totall demolishing of the Town could supersede or allay so great an Animosity The place lying thus desolate was shewed as Henry of Huntingdon reports many Ages after to inquisitive Passengers till in the year 791 King Offa gave this and other Lands to the Arch-bishop and Monks of Canterbury ad Pascua Porcorum for the Pannage of their Hoggs In the Time of the Conquerour the Arch-bishops and Monks of Canterbury held this Mannor of Newenden and it was rated in the extent of it but at one Sulling and was an Appendage to Saltwood and in the Patrimony of the Church did the Title of it remain locked up till the general Dissolution in the Raign of Henry the eighth and then it was unloosned and by Act of Parliament fastned to the Revenue of the Crown where till these infortunate Times it did successively continue Losenham in this Parish was the ancient Seat of the Auchers an eminent and numerous Family this was both in Kent Sussex Nottingham and Essex where they made Coppt-Hall by Epping the Seat and Head of their Barony and it is very probable they derive this their Name from Aucherus that was Consul or Elderman of Kent and led the power of the County wherewith at Richborough nere Sandwich he foiled and defeated the Danes as Alfred of Beverley writes In the Book called Nova Feoffamenta collected in the Raign of Henry the second it is there recorded that that Prince Rot. pipae de Scutagio Walliae An. 42 Hen. 3. gave William Fitz Aucher the fourth part of a Knights Fee in Essex called Lagfare Richard Fitz Aucher his Grandchild is in the Number of those Kentish Gentlemen who were engaged with Henry the third in his Expedition into Wales in the forty second year of his Raign Will. Fitz Aucher See Camdens Britannia pag. 307. another of this Family held the Mannor of Boseham in Sussex by Grant from William the Conquerour and his Rent-service or Acknowledgement was to pay into the Exchequer in whose Time he lived forty pound of tryed and weighted Silver Henry Fitz Aucher fills up the Roll or Inventory of those Kentish Gentlemen who assisted Edward the first at his Seige of Carlaverok in Scotland in the twenty eighth year of his Raign and for his Service there was made Knight Banneret Peter Aucher or Auger for so in old Records they are promiscuously written was Valet to King Edward the second an Office equivalent in its Trust and Dignity to those we called Gentlemen of the Bed-chamber to our late Kings and it seems was mistaken for a Knight Templer in the fourth year of that Prince because he nourished a spreading Beard in that Age an eminent Adjunct of that Order but Edward the second rectified this Mistake and affirmed that his diffused Beard did not evince he was a Knight Templer as appears Pat. 14. Hen. 2. parte secunda Memb. 20. And if it could any way multiply or improve the Eminence of a Family that was so deeply rooted in Antiquity before I could tell you that sundry of this Name and Family were Conservators of the Peace and concerned in other Comissions both to levy Taxes imposed by Parliament and to have Inspection into Sewers both in the Raign of Edward the third and Richard the second but I avoid the recital lest this Book might swell into too large a Bulk by these curious and unnecessary Disquisitions It is enough to inform you that after this Mannor had for many Centuries of years been wrapt up in the Patrimony of this Family it went away by Ann Sole Daughter and Heir of John Aucher of Losenham to Walter Colepeper second Son of Sir John Colepeper of Bayhall in Pepenbury from which Alliance Sir John Colepeper created Lord Colepeper at Oxford by the late K. Charles claims at this instant the Inheritance and Lordship of Losenham There was in this Parish a House of Carmelite Friers called so because they came from Mount Carmel in Palestine and was the first Seminary of that Order here in England who by their Rule were styled Brothers of Mary the blessed Virgin to whom this Covent was dedicated It was founded in the year of our Lord 1241 and in the twenty sixth year of the Government of Henry the third by Sir Thomas Alcher or Fitz Aucher for the Name was often promiscuously written so but never Albuser as Mr. Camden and Mr. Speed have printed it though I do not deny but such a person might be a Benefactor to the Foundation Newenham in the Hundred of Feversham was parcell of that Demeasn which related to the Abbey of Boxley and continued united to it till the Suppression by Henry the eighth and then it was granted by that Prince to Sir Thomas Wiatt in the twenty eighth year of his Government and he by his unhappy Defection in the first year of Queen Mary forfeited it to the Crown where it remained till Queen Elizabeth by royal Concession invested the Possession in her faithfull Servant John Astley Esquire
Master or Conservator of her Jewells whose Son Sir Jo. Astley upon his Decease bequeathed it to his Nephew Sir Norton Knatchbull Knight and Baronet who is the instant Proprietarie of it Champions-Court is the second place of Account in this Parish It was in elder Times the Mansion and Demeasne of a generous Family whose Sirname was Campania and was certainly a Family of eminence in elder Times Robert de Campania is inserted in the Register of those Kentish Gentlemen who accompanied Richard the first to the Seige of Acon John de Campania his Grandchild obtained the Grant of a Market to Newenham weekly on the Thursday and a Fair yearly to continue the Vigil the Day of St. Peter and Paul and the Day after and was one of those Knights of Kent who was embarked in the Seige of Carlaverock in Scotland with Edward the first in the twenty eighth year of his Raign In Times of a younger Aspect the Name by Depravation and vulgar Use languished into Champion and so continued till it expired in Daughters and Coheirs one of which was Katharine Champion who by matching with Robert Corbett descended from the Corbetts of Morton Corbett in the County of Salop upon the Division of Champions Estate united this to his Revenue where it had not long rested but the same vicissitude brought this Name to determine in female Coheirs likewise two of which called Joan and Elizabeth were espoused to Samuell Slap and Ralph Hart. Samuell Slap had Issue Joan Slap who dyed childlesse and so this Mannor was cast into the Possession of Richard Hart Son of Ralph Hart the Successor of Richard Hart in our Fathers Memory alienated his Interest in it to Sir Henry Spiller and he not many years since conveyed all his Right and Title to it by Sale to Mr. Weckerlin descended from the Weckerlins a Family of good Ranke and Account in Upper Germany A third place of Note in Newenham is Sholand whih was in the Raign of H. the third as an old datelesse Deed discovers to us the Patrimony of Adam de Stomynton and after this Name went out the Bournes of Sharsted in Dodington not far removed from this place were about the twentieth year of Edward the third possest of this Lordship from them by purchase the Propriety was carried over to Chevin descended from the Chevins of Chevins-court in Marden and Thomas Chevin of this place married Thomasin Coheir of Champion of Champions Court in this Parish From Chevin the Interest of Sholand did descend by Sale to Maycott and from them by the same Fate to Adye a Family of Note and very much Antiquity as to the Name in this Track whose Right it had not long acknowledged but by the same Devolution the Title was invested in Steere from whom by Purchase it came over to Sayers descended from those of York-shire who in that Age our Fathers lived in sold his Concernment in it to Mr. Hugison of Dover in whose Heirs the Propriety of this place is at this instant resident Newington-Belhouse lies in the Hundred of Folkston and was in the Raign of King John and Henry the third the Possession of Hubert de Burgo Lord Chief Justice of England and from him it descended to his Son John de Burgo who in the fifty fifth year of Henry the third passed it away by Sale to Thomas de Belhouse by the Name of Newington juxta Hieth And probably this may be a Reason why this Family after they had adopted this Mannor into their own Name assumed a Coat which had some Affinitie with that of Hubert de Burgo videlicet Or upon a Bend Gules three Lozinges Argent and Gules which I suppose was done to preserve the Memory of him of whom it was first purchased But to proceed Sir Thomas de Belhouse great Grandchild of the above-mentioned paid respective Aid for this Mannor by the Name of Newington-Belhouse in the twentieth year of Edward the third at making the Black Prince Knight and died possest of it in the forty eighth year of that Princes Raign from whom a descendant Right brought it down to his Heir John de Belhouse who enjoyed it so narrow a space of Time that it is left upon Record that he died seised of it in the forty ninth year of Edward the third and Robert Knevit a younger Son of Sir John Knevit Lord Chancellor of England who had married the Heir Generall of this Family was found to be his Heir and it was this Robert or else probably his Son who in the seventh year of Henry the fourth had a Patent of Confirmation of Liberty of Free-warren to his Lands at Newington formerly granted to Thomas de Belhouse After the Line of the Knevits was extinguished at this place which was about the beginning of Henry the eighth this Mannor devolved to the Cloptons for Edmund Knevit of Stanwaymagna in Essex had three Sisters who were Coheirs to him and their Father Edward Knevit Esquire Thomasin the eldest was matched to Sir William Clopton of Kentwell in Suffolk for his second Wife and Katharine the second Sister was married to John Clopton Esq eldest Son of the above-said Sir William and Dorothy the third was matched to Thomas Carnaby but these desiring to Contract all their Patrimony within the Verge of Suffolk alienared this Mannor in the twenty seventh year of King Henry the eighth with much of their Land in the Mersh to Thomas Lord Cromwell who being attainted in the thirty second year of Henry the eighth this Mannor escheated to the Crown and lay couched in its Revenue untill the first year of Queen Mary and then it was granted to Edward Lord Clinton who in the last year of the above-said Princesse conveyed it with all its perquisites to Henry Herdson whose Grandchild Francis Herdson almost in that Age we entitle to our Fathers Remembrance alienated it to Mr. Henry Brockman Grandfather to the instant Proprietarie James Brockman Esquire Sene and Bithborough were two ancient Seats which related to the Knightly Family of Valoigns of whom I shall speak more in my Discourse of Petham but before the latter end of Edward the third this Family was extinguished and then one of the two Daughters and Coheirs upon the Distinction of the Estate parcells brought these two places to be the Inheritance of Sir Francis Fogge who lies buried Cross-legg'd in Cheriton-Church with the Arms of Fogge and Valoigns empal'd upon his Tombe and from him did the Propriety and Title in an uninterupted Channell stream down to George Fogge Esquire who alienated Sene in our Grandfathers Memory to Honywood and Bithborough to Mr. Henry Brockman who added much to the ancient Building so that it is now become the Seat of that Family Bertrams in Newington is so called because it was parcell of the Estate of Bertram de Crioll who died possest of it in the twenty third year of Edward the first and left it to Joan his Heir espoused to Sir Richard de
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
Demeasne where it continued couched till Queen Elizabeth first granted it in Lease for Life to her Foster-brother Saunders so he was styled because his Mother had been her Nurse upon whose Decease it reverts to the Crown and King James upon his first Ascending the English Throne granted the Demeasne to Sir Edwin Sandys The Mannor was sold the 1630. to Mr. Edw. Bois Father to Jo. Bois of Betshanger Esq a Person who had performed some exemplary Service for him upon his first admission to the Scepter of this Nation which obliged him to this Concession from whom it is now by Descent transferred to his Grand-child Son to Colonel Sandys who in the late intestine Contests between the King and his two Houses received a mortal wound in a vigorous encounter betwixt him and Prince Rupert at Worcester of which some time after he languished away and deceased There was when Leland made his Survey of Kent which was in the Raign of Henry the eighth the Reliques of an old Stone-house which the Tradition of that Age did affirm to have been the Pallace of the above mentioned Eadbald And there was not many years before the same Author made this perambulation as he in the same Manuscript does assert a Wall broken down by which Hole or Inlet was discovered a little Cell or Chamber into which it opened where were found the Fragmentary Remains of two Children who had in that gloomy Repository been as was then conjectured for many preceding Ages been mured up and which did improve the wonder in one of these obsolete Skeletons was descried a stiff Pin of Latine Tikenhurst in this Parish now by Corruption of the first Etymology called Ticknes in elder Times was the Revenue of a Family known by that Sirname some of whom are Witnesses to Deeds of a very high Date now in the Hands of Mr. Richard Fogge of Dane-court in Tilmanston After this Family which had left its Name ingrafted upon this place was worn out which was before the Raign of Henry the sixth Little Mongcham was given by King Edbert under the Notion of 6 Ploughed Lands to the Abby of St. Austins the Stoddards from whom the Stoddards of Modingham near Eltham were originally extracted became Possessors of the Fee and in the Patrimony of this Family was the Title of this Place for several Generations involved till in our Grand-fathers Memory it was by Sale transplanted into the Propriety of Peyton of Knowlton so that it is in Right of that Purchase now incorporated into the Income of Sir Thomas Peyton Baronet who is the present Lord of the Fee Northfleet was alwaies a Branch of that Revenue which fell under the Spiritual Signory of Christ-church By the Pages of Doomes-day Book we may take a brief Prospect of what it was in the Time of the Conqueror Northfleet saies that Record in T. E. R. se defendebat pro VI. Sullingis nunc pro V. est manerium appretiatum XX. VII lb. That is Northfleet in the Time of Edward the Confessor did defend it self for six Sullings or Ploughed Lands but now that is in the Time of William the Conqueror only for five and upon the appraisment was rated at twenty seven pound and thus did it continue riveted by the Charters of several Princes which had confirmed the Patrimony of Christ-church in Canterbury into the Estate of the Church till that Whitlwind which arose in the Time of Henry the eighth threw it into the common Dissolution and then by publique Authority it was united to the Revenue of the Crown and there was fixed till the year One thousand six hundred and eight and then the Title was torn off Ifeild Well Cosington and Shinglewell are four small Mannors which are circumscribed within the Limits of this Parish They were in Ages of a more venerable Aspect the Patrimony of Hever of Hever William de Hever had a Charter of Free-warren granted to his Lands at Ifield and Shinglewell and other Lands in Northfleet in the ninth year of Edward the first which was renued to Thomas de Hever in the fourth year of Edward the third but he left no Heits male to enjoy this priviledge for he and his Name expired in Females whereof Joan one of his Coheirs was espoused to Reginald Cobham who was summoned to Parliament by Writt as Baron of Sterborough in the twenty second year of Edward the third and the other was matched to Iohn Brocas but his Estate at these above-mentioned places was upon the Partition annexed to the Patrimony of the Lord Cobham from which Family about the raign of Henry the fourth it came over to Iohn Rykeld who with his Son William Rykeld lyes entombed in Northfleet Church but it seems this last mentioned William deceased without Issue-male for Rose his Sole Daughter and Heir was married to Edward Limsey descended from Ralph de Limsey who held the Mannor of Budbrook in Warwickshire the twentieth of William the Conquerour as is testified by Dooms-day Bookâ— and this Man had Issue Iohn Limsey to whom Ifield Shinglewell and the other two places in right of his Mother did successively devolve But it seems the Title of Wells Cosington and Ifield did not long dwell in Iohn Limsey for in the first year of Richard the third he alienated them to Iohn Young from which Family in the middle of the raign of H. the eighth they came back again to acknowledge the Signiory of Limsey in whom again the Possession was as transitory as formerly for before the latter end of H. eighth they were conveyed to Rainsford from whom about the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth they were by Sale passed away to Alderman Garret of London and in this Family was the Inheritance lodged untill allmost those Times which fell under the Cognisance of our Remembrance and then they were disposed of by Sale to Child Derndale is another ancient Seat in Northfleet which in old Evidences some of which are not bounded with any date is styled Derendale as having in elder Times as it appears by old Deeds Possessors of that Name and when they had deserted the Possession which was before the latter end of Edward the third it became the Inheritance of William Wangford whose Son William Wangford was Serjeant at Law and a great Benefactor to Rochester Bridge and he being his Heir to this place in the fifteenth year of Henry the sixth passed it away to John and William Flucke from whom suddenly after it came over by purchase to Iohn Rouse descended from William Rouse of Birling whose Son Iohn Rouse demised Land in Northfleet as appears by an old Deed to Iohn Rouse in the thirty third year of Edward the third and this above-mentioned Iohn Rouse in the tenth year of Edward the fourth demised his Right in this place to Thomas Wombwell and Iohn Clifton Esquire and this Iohn Clifton dying without Issue in the year 1471 bequeaths his Interest in it by Will to Thomas VVombwell and
Imposition was scrued or wound up too much he abates and mollifies it by these Engagements perpetually for the future to oblige and endear them to assert and maintain his new atchieved Royaltie But to return to my Discourse In times of a more recent Inscription that is in the seventh year of King John the Prior and Monks of Christ-church obtained a Market to this their Mannor to be observed weekly on the Wednesday as appears Carta de Anno septimo R. Joannis Memb. secund with which Franchise it continued invested untill the twenty ninth of Henry the eighth and then being by the Monks abovesaid with the Residue of their Revenue into the Hands of that Prince it remained with the Crown untill the thirty second year of his Government and then it was granted to Pereivall Hart of Lullingston Esq to whose pious and charitable Beneficence the Almes Houses at this place owe their original Foundation and from him is the Propriety of it now descended to his great Grandchild Will. Hart Esq Crofton in this Parish did formerly swel into so much of Grandeur and populacy that it was known for a Parish of it self till by Fire it was entombed in its present Desolations and by the Violence of that wild and impetuous Element reduced into a Heap of Flame and Ruines and certainly those deplorable Remains which yet expose themselves to an Inquisitive Eye and the Groundsells too and scattered Foundations of Houses which the Plough often raises out of their Sepulcher of Rubbish and represents to the publick View do evince this Truth to us that Towns and Villages have their stated Period of Duration and must at length find a Grave like Men. But though this Village be shrunk into this disordered Heap yet still it preserves the Reputation of a Mannor which it had anciently when it was the Inheritance of Wibourn a Family in elder Times of high Esteem and a considerable Revenue in this Territory Ralph de Wibourn held Lands here and in other places of Kent as appears by sundry ancient Deeds now in the Possession of Wibourne of Halkewell in the raign of Edward the first and did after execute a Deed for Land in Wrotham Hundred in the tenth year of Edward the second And in the twentieth year of Edward the third John de Wybourne paid respective Aid for his Lands here and at other places in this County at the making the Black Prince Knight after Wibourne had relinquished the Possession of this place which was about the latter end of Edward the third it went away by Sale to Sir Robert Belknap who was attainted and banished by that Factious Parliament which was held in the tenth year of R. the second for vigorously endevouring to vindicate and assert his Prerogative against the Invasions and Inroads which some of the turbulent Nobility of those times did attempt to make upon it but this though forfeited and escheated to the Crown upon his pretended Treason was by Richard the second restor'd to Hamon Belknap Lord of Oston in the County of Warwick and from him it was by Descent transferred to John Belknap his Son who upon his Decease which was in the fifteenth year of Henry the sixth bequeathed it to Sir Henry Belknap who determined in three Daughters and Coheirs Alice married to Sir William Shelley Anne matched to Sir Robert Wotton and Elizabeth first wedded to Sir Philip Cook of Giddy-Hall in Essex and after to I eonard Dannett of the County of VVorcester who divided his Patrimony but this upon ballancing the partition of the Estate fell upon the poising of it in equall portions to be the Demeasn of Sir VVill. Shelley who demised it by Sale to Sir Rob. Read Lord Chiefe Justice of the Kings Bench and he in the raign of Henry the seventh passed it away by Grant to the Hospital of the Savoy in ' London where it has ever since without any Interruption of the first Donation remained successively resident Bark-hart has obtained a place in the Map of Kent and therefore shall not want one in this Discourse It was built by Percivall Hart Esquire Father to the late Sir Percivall but it was adorned with this Name by Queen Elizabeth when she was magnificently entertained at this place by the above said Gentleman Upon her Reception she received her first Caresses by a Nymph which personated the Genius of the House then the Scene was shifted and from several Chambers which as they were contrived represented a Ship a Sea Conflict was offered up to the Spectator's View which so much obliged the Eyes of this Princesse with the Charms of Delight that upon her Departure she left upon this House to perpetuate the Memory both of the Author and Artifice the Name and Appellation of Bark-hart There is a Tradition that Thomas de Beckett Arch-bishop of Canterbury was born at Tubbingden whose Demeasne is partly situated in Ferneborough and partly in this Parish But to dissipate this received Fiction I shall manifest out of an old Parliament Roll of the thirty first year of Henry the sixth the original Truth that is so much of it as concerns his Cradle or place of Nativity The Record in its own Dialect speaks thus James Earl of Wiltshire and Ormond whose Fader and many of his Ancestors are lineally descended of the Blode of the glorious Martyr St. Thomas sometimes Arch-bishop of Canterbury The which glorious Martyr was born of his Moder within the Ground where now is set the House or Hospital of the said Martyr called St. Thomas Acres now in the City of London where the Body of the said Earl lies buried and Dame Joane Beauchamp late Lady of Burgavenny Crandame to the said Earl of Ormond and Wiltshire For Tubbenden it self it was Anciently the Demeasne of a Family which was known by that Sirname for by a Deed now in the Hands of Mr. Wittingham Wood of Canterbury Esquire it appears Gilbert Saundre of Crofton did demise several parcels of Land to John de Tubbenden of Ferneborough and to Richard Philip John and Robert his Sons in the twenty first year of Edward the first which justifies it Anciently to be the Possession of one of that Name After Tubbenden Belknap was Proprietary of this place and then successively by Alice his Co-heir Sir William Shelley of Michelgrove in Sussex from which Family it was brought down by Purchase in the beginning of the raign of Henry the eighth to be the Estate of Posier who after some few years continuance in the Possession demised his Concernment in it by Sale to Dalton issued out from the Daltons of Yorkeshire which Name suddainly resolved into a Female Heir known by the Name of Anne Dalton who by matching with Aunsell Beckett linked it to the Demeasne of that Family from whom it descended to his Son Matthew Beckett who upon his Decease bequeathed it to Mr. John Winterborn of London who hath lately passed it away to Mr. ...... Gee of the County of Yorke
legible wherein at the Foot of it there is mention of one Edward Filmour so he was written in that Age from whom it is probable though now the Name by Time and prescription be in the last Syllable of it something violated the present Sir Edward Filmer eldest Son to that Learned Loyal and Worthy Person Sir Robert Filmer lately deceased is primitively extracted and this is confirmed by their own private Evidences which represent them for many Cenerations even till this present Possessors of this Place and wherein the Name is frequently written Filmor aswel as in latter Escripts Filmer There is another Mannor in Ottringden which anciently was reputed so though now by Disuse and Intermission it hath lost that Estimate and is called Hall-place by a very Ancient Court-roll Sans date now in the Hands of Mr. Paine It is represented in those Times when it had Tenants and Services belonging to it to be the propriety of one Roger Rev and in that Roll there is mention of one Thomas Franklin who held some Lands of this Mannor by paying yearly the Tribute or Rent-service of one Red Rose as the Symbol of his Homage And now for want of farther Light from the Ancient Deeds and Evidences I must make a leap to the raign of Henry the seventh and then I find Eugenius Cock in the nineteenth year of that Prince sels it to John Bunce of this Parish Gentleman in which Family the possession rested until very lately it was by Sale alienated to Mr. Paine Monkton is the last place in this Parish of Note It belonged before the suppression to the Nunnery of Davington and was given to that Cloyster by Matthew Son of Hamon Atfrith upon the first Erection of it which was in the thirty ninth year of Henry the third Upon the suppression and final Dissolution ' of this Covent of Davington by Henry the eighth it was by that Prince granted to Sir Thomas Cheney whose Son the Lord Henry Cheyney so fugitive is the Tenure of Church-Demeasne in the entrance into the raign of Queen Elizabeth passed it away to Godden who so small a space was resident in the possession that he hath only left us Notice that he sold it to William Lewin descended from the Lewins of Norfolk whose Son Sir Justinian Lewin concluded in a Daughter and Heir who was matched to Rogers of the County of Somersett and so in her Right it became interwoven with his Demeasne but remained not long thus involved in the Interest of this Name for in our Memory he deceased and left only a Daughter and Heir who is lately matched to Charles Cavendish Lord Mansfeld eldest Son to William Lord Marquess of Newcastle so that Monkton in his Ladies Right is now united to his Inheritance There are two Chappels in the Parish Church of Ottringden that on the North-side of the Chauncel is called Ottringdens Chappel where the Remains of several of the Ottringdens St. Legers Auchers and Lewins lie enterred that on the South-side is termed Bunces Chappel where the Ashes and Reliques of several of that Family slumber who were of no contemptible Note in this Parish where they had a Mansion which in old Evidences is called Bunces Court which hath been in their possession as appears by their own Deeds some Hundreds of years and from hence are the Bunces of Throuley likewise originally issued forth P. P. P. P. PAdlesworth in the Hundred of Lovingborough is so obscure and inconsiderable a Village that it should not have filled a place in this Register but that it was a portion of that wide Estate which lay spread over the Face of all the adjacent Territorie and acknowledged it self to be under the Jurisdiction of the Criolls Bertram de Crioll died about the middle of Edward the first and left Joan his Sole Heir who had been before matched to Sir Richard de Rokesley of Rokesley Court in Northcrey and so Padlesworth became the Rokesley's but did not long cleave to that Name for he expired likewise in two Female Co-heirs whereof one of them called Joan was matched to Thomas de Poynings and he left Issue Michael Poynings from whom it came down to his descendant Robert Poynings who passed it away by Sale to Fogge of Sene in Newington in which Family the Title for many Descents lay involved even until our Fathers Remembrance and then it was alienated to Dynley who is the instant Lord of the Fee Padlesworth in the Hundred of Larkefeild was as high as the raign of H. the third the Possession of a Family called Chetwind who immediatly after exchanged it with Hamon de Gatton for the Mannor of Hocklin in the County of Bedford but kept it not long for after it had continued some smal Interval of Time in this Family it was alienated to the Noble Family of Huntingfeild after whom succeeded Bele and then it went away by Sale to Bullock who by the same Devolution surrendred the possession to Diggs where it had but a very transitory aboad for he conveyed it away to Peckham from whom the ordinary Mutation made by Purchase brought it to own the Propriety of Vineley who translated his Interest by Sale unto William Clifford of Bobbing-court and he about the beginning of Henry the fixt fixed the Title and Possession by Sale in Robert Bambergh Where it is to be noted that this quick and suddain Revolution of the Title of this place in those Families which intervened between Huntingfeild and Bambergh happened in lesse then a Circle of fifty years as appears by the original Conveyances now in the Hands of Mr. Marsham But to advance in that Discourse where I broke off Robert Bambergh above-mentioned was not long settled in his new Acquists but he deceased and left it to his Daughter and Heir who was matched to Nicolas Wotton Esquire from whom in a direct Line it came down to Thomas Lord Wotton who settled it in Marriage upon his Daughter and Co-heir Katherine Wotton with Henry Lord Stanhop eldest Son and Heir apparent to Philip Earl of Chesterfeild and this Lady hath since passed it away to my Noble Friend John Marsham of Whornes-place in Cuckeston Esquire from whose Deeds and Papers I have drawn my present Intelligence Patricksbourn in the Hundreds of Bredge and Pet-ham in Ancient Records hath still the Addition of Cheyney annexed to it for indeed it was the first and original Residence of the Cheyneys before they translated their Habitation to Shurland in Shepey by matching with the Heir of Shurland Alexander de Cheyney is registred in the Catalogue of those Kentish Gentlemen who accompanied Richard the first to the Siege of Acon In Testa de Nevill an Ancient Book kept in the Exchecquer there is mention of Gulielmus de Casineto so they are written in Latine that is William de Cheyney who paid respective supply in the twentieth year of Henry the third at the Marriage of Isabell that King's Sister for his Lands at Patriksbourn Cheyney
Alexander de Cheney Grand-child to the above-said Alexander Rotulus Pipae de scutagio Walliae An. 42. Henrici tertii is enrolled in the List of those eminent Kentish Persons who in the forty second year of Henry the third accompanied that Prince when he marched from Chester to suppress the emotions of the Welsh Sir Alexander de Cheyney this mans Son was with King Edward the first in his victorious and triumphant Expedition against the Scots in the twenty eighth year of his Raign as appears by the Rolls of those Kentish Gentlemen who were embarked in that succesful Design with that Prince and from this Alexander did the possession of this place by an undisordered and even Thread of Descent through all the Mazes of Time transmit it self to Henry Lord Cheyney and he having by his excess and exorbitancy embezelled an Estate of vast Extent and Grandeur amongst the Rest passed this away in the beginning of Queen Elizabeth to William Partrich Esquire whose Grandchild Sir Edward Partrich in that Age which was within the Verge of our Remembrance alienated it to Mr. Arnold Brams Howletts in this Parish with Hode in Patricksbourn also were the Ancient Demeasne of Izaack and there is a Chancel in the Church which formerly bore the the Name of Izaacks Chancel John Izaack in the twentieth year of Edward the third as appears by the Book of Aide paid an auxiliary supply for his Lands at Patriksbourn at the investing the Black Prince with Knighthood John Isaack his Son lies entombed in Patricksbourn Church with this Inscription upon his Grave-stone Orate pro Animabus Joannis Izaack Armigeri Ceciliae uxoris eius qui obiit ...... Anno Domini 1443. Thomas Izaack as the private Annals of this Family do discover to us had a Command in France under the Duke of Bedford where he performed exemplary Service against the French The last of this Family at this place was Edward Izaack Esquire who determined in two Daughters and Coheirs Mary who was matched to Thomas Apylton of Waldenfield in Suffolk and another first wedded to ...... Sydley and after to Sir Henry Palmer to whose Son she gave Howletts as being upon the Division of her Fathers Estate made her Inheritance from whom Sir Henry Palmer now of St. Martins-hill in Canterbury is descended who hath lately alienated Howletts to Sir Robert Hales Knight and Baronet Peckham in the Hundreds of Twyford and Littlefeild is distinguished from the other first by its Bulk and Dimension this being called commonly great Peckham and then secondly by its Situation being styled in Records East-Peckham It was given to the Church of the Trinity that is Christ-church in Canterbury by Queen Edgiva to the Monks of that Covent ad Cibum for a support of their Diet and Alimony in the year of Grace nine hundred forty and one and if you will see how it was rated in the great Register of Domes-day Book take here a View of it Peckham saies that Record Tempore Edwardi Regis se defendebat pro VI. Sullings and so forth Peckham in the Time of Edward the King that is the Confessor went for seven Plough-Lands and defends it self now that is in the Time of the Conqueror after the same Estimate and was rated upon the Appraisement formerly at twelve lb. but now is stated at eight And thus regulated was it for many Ages fastned to the Patrimony of the Church until the Dissolution in the raign of Henry the eighth unloosned the Cement in the twenty ninth year of that Prince who afterwards about the thirty sixth year of his Raign grants this and divers other parcels of the Church-Demeasne to Sir Thomas Wiatt who not long after by Livery and Seisin passes away his Right in it to George Moulton Esquire but because there was a Fine and Recovery wanting the Sale was imperfect so that he had it only in Abeiance as the Law styles it or in Expectance so that the Crown in the second of Queen Mary upon the Defection and Attaint of Sir Thomas Wiat finding this in the Tenure of Moulton seised upon it as parcel of Wiats Estate because it had not been before legally conveyed And here it rested till Queen Elizabeth in the second year of her raign granted it to Anthony Weldon Esquire one of the Justices of Peace for this County under the raign of Queen Mary at which Time he became eminent by his vigorous opposing Sir Thomas Wiat in that Design he was then embarked in and in this Family though not without some Struglings and Conflicts at Law about the Title does the Propriety of this Mannor at this instant reside There is an eminent Seat in this Parish called Roydon-Hall which was before called Fortune but was of no great Account until about the beginning of Henry the sixth and then Roydon of Suffolk came into this County and seated himself here and erected this Pile upon which he fixed his own Name which it hath been known by ever since though it hath changed its Possessor for this Family was extinguished in a Daughter and Heir called Elizabeth who was the only surviving Issue of Thomas Roydon Esquire who by matching with William Twisden Esquire made it the Inheritance of William Twisden Esquire Great Grand-father to Sir Roger Twisden Knight and Baronet who obtained a Charter of Free-warren from the late King to reduce a certain proportion of Ground into a Parke which is that the House is surrounded with at present though the House owe much of its Magnificence and Splendor to the Care and Expence of his Grand-father Roger Twisden Esquire and his Father Sir William Twisden Knight and Baronet Alban vulgarly called Auburne is another place of eminent Consideration in East-Peckham This with Black-pits in this Parish was anciently the Inheritance of a Family called Pollard for John the Son of John Pollard in the thirty forth year of Edward the first demises it to Alban de Wandesworth who it is probable erected some Mansion House upon it from whence Posterity took the Advantage to adopt it into his Sirname and from him did it devolve by successive Right to his Grandchild William de Wandesworth who dying without Issue gave it to his Widow Mabell Wandesworth who was remarried to Richard Ryner and they both by a joint Concurrence in the second year of Richard the second passed Albans and Black-pits away to John Mew yet I find a Family called Onley interessed in some part of both these Mannors which was purchased of William de Wandeshine in the raign of Henry the third and in this Family was the Title lodged untill the second year of Richard the second and then Joan Only in whom the Name and Possession both concluded alienated her Proportion to the abovesaid John Mew nor was some parcell of both these Mannors free from the claim of a Family called Goldsmith for in the ninth year of Richard the second Richard Goldsmith does devest himself of all Concernment in it
and by Sale transmitts it to John Mew and from him about the latter end of Henry the fourth both these Mannors with all their Appendages were passed away to Iohn Tutsham and Nicholas Remkin of Eastmere but he determined in Alize Remkin his Sole Inheritrix who by matching with Thomas Rolfe of Tunbridge brought her Interest in Albans and Black-pits to be the Inheritance of that Family but long the Right of both these places continued neither in Rolfe nor Tutsham for about the beginning of Henry the sixth they were alienated by Sale to Thomas Stidulfe of Badsell Esquire and he by Deed bearing date 1463 that is about the third year of Edward the fourth settles them on his two Sons Robert and Henry Stidulfe and in the Deed there is a remembrance that they were purchased of Rolfe and Tutsham From Robert they descended to his Son Thomas Stidulfe who was Heir both to his Father and his Uncle but he concluded in a Daughter and Heir who was matched about the latter end of Henry the eighth to Richard Vane Ancestor to the right honorable Mildmay Fane now Earl of Westmerland who in Right of this Alliance now enjoys Black-pits but Albans was by Henry Vane Successor to the above-mentioned Richard in the year 1589 passed away to Roger Twisden of Roydon-Hall Esquire Grand Father to the instant Proprietary Sir Roger Twisden Knight and Baronet Eastmere is another Mannor in East-Peckham which acknowledged a Family called Remkin anciently to be its Possessors John Remkin was Father of Christian Remkin who held it as appears by an ancient Court-roll in the thirty fourth year of Edward the third and from him did it by paternal Vicissitude devolve to Nicholas Remkin in whom the male-line failed so that Alice his Sole Daughter became the visible Heir to his Estate and she by matching with Thomas Rolfe of Tunbridge knit this and other Land here at Great Peckham to his Patrimony but it did not long thus continue united for John Rolfe his Son in the sixth year of Henry the sixth conveys it to Richard Ruyton and he in the eighth year of the abovesaid Prince alienated it to William Hextall but he deceasing without Issue-male Margaret his Sole Daughter by her Inter-marriage with William Whetenhall originally descended from the ancient Family of Whetenhall of Whetenhall in Cheshire cast it into the Possession of that Name from whom it is now descended to my worthy Friend Thomas Whetenhall of Hextall Court Esquire Spilfted is a fourth Mannor in this Parish It was the Inheritance for diverse Ages as appears by the Evidences now in the Custody of Sir Roger Twisden of an ancient Family called Cayser the last of which Name who enjoyed this place was John Cayser who went out in Daughters and Coheirs one of which was wedded to Matthew Chetwind to whom this place upon the Separation of the Estate into parcells in his Wifes Right accrued and he after some small residence in the Possession passed away his Right by Sale in the one and fortieth year of Queen Eliz. to Roger Twisden Esq Grand-father to Sir Roger Twisden Knight and Baronet the instant Lord of the Fee a Person upon whom I need drop no other Character when I say that in these times when there is such a Damp and Astonishment by publick blastings and discouragements cast upon Literature He is both a Gentleman and a Scholler Here is likewise a Seat in Peckham very venerable for its Antiquity which in old Rolls is called Hextall Court and was the Mansion of Gentlemen of principal Account in this Track In a Deed without Date Simon de Hougham does demise certain pieces of Land to John de Hextall which lay within the Limits of the Parish of Hougham where anciently this Family enjoyed no contemptible Possessions as well as at East-Peckham The last of this Name at this place was William Hextall who dyed without Issue-male and left Margaret his only Heir who was matched to William Whetenhall Esquire in the raign of Henry the seventh descended from the ancient and illustrious Family of Whetenhall of Whetenhall in the County of Chester and so it was incorporated into the Income of that Family where it hath ever since remained so that it is now the present Inheritance of Thomas Whetenhall Esquire West-Peckham or Little Peckham in the Hundreds of Twyford and Littlefield was annexed to the Demeasne of the Knights Templars when John Colepeper founded a Praeceptory here for them in the year of our Lord 1 .... which upon the finall Extirpation and Dissolution of their Order here in England in the second year of Edward the second was granted to the Knights Hospitallers and was sometimes called a Praeceptory and sometimes a Commandry Now a Praeceptory was a Benefice in Kind and was termed so because this and all others of the same Capacity were possest by the more eminent sort of Templars whom the Chief Master created and called Praeceptores Templi A Commandry was some principal Mannor of the Knights Hospitallers wherein was placed some Brother of the Order who could not dispose of the Profits of it but was to mannage it only to the Use of the whole Fraternity deducting so much of the Revenue as might support his Livelyhood and Subsistence of which see more in Dr. Cowells Interpreter in his Notes and Comment upon the word Commaundry This upon the Suppression was by Henry the eighth in the thirty second year of his raign granted to Sir Robert Southwell afterwards of the Privy Councell to King Edward the sixth and Queen Mary who not long after alienated it to Sir Edmund Walsingham of Scadbery Lieutenant of the Tower from whom it came down by Descent to my Noble Friend Sir Thomas Walsingham his Great Grand-child who not long since passed it over by Sale to his Son in Law Mr. James Masters Oxenheath is an ancient Mannor in West-Peckham and was many Ages past the Demeasn of Colepeper Walter Colepeper dyed seised of it in the first year of Ed. the third Rot. Esc Num. And from him by Successive Transmission threaded together by many Descents did it devolve to ...... Colepeper who determined towards the latter end of Henry the seventh in three Daughters and Coheirs Margaret the eldest was matched to William Cotton of the County of Cambridge Joyce the second was wedded to Edmund Howard a younger Son of Thomas Duke of Norfolke who was Father to Katharine Howard one of the infortunate Wives of Henry the eighth and the third was espoused to Barham of Barham-court in Teston and these three Sisters shared his Inheritance and this upon the Partition was annexed to the Demeasn of Cotton whose Successor passed it away by Sale to Chowne of Faire-lane in which Name it did not long continue for Sir George Chowne in our Fathers Memory being desirous to abridge and contract all his Estate into the County of Sussex alienated this Seat to Nicholas Miller Esquire who upon his Decease bequeathed it to his
Num. 14. And from him did it by a constant Tide of uninterrupted Interest surrender it self up to Sir Edward Poynings who in the fourteenth year of Henry the eighth dyed without any lawful Issue and as it appeared too then without any collateral Alliance that could by any Title knit by never so far distant an Affinity to him lay the Foundations of any pretended Claim to his estare so that it escheated to the Crown and K.H. the eighth in the thirty second and thirty third of his Rule granted it to I. Limsey who not many years after passed it away to Alderman Garret of London Ancestor to Sir Iohn Garret of the County of Hertford Baronet in whom the possession of this place is at this instant resident Preston in the Hundred of Wingham was the Inheritance of the Lord Leybourn William de Leybourn had a Grant of a Market and a Fair to his Mannor of Preston in the thirty fifth year of Edward the first from whom it descended to his Son Roger de Leybourn who went out in a Daughter and Heir called Juliana Leybourn so often mentioned in this Discourse who first matched to John de Hastings a Kinsman of Laurence de Hastings Earl of Pembroke That he was not his Son is most evident for then he must by Consequence have been her second Husband for William de Clinton who was her second Husband and hath been by publike Records always so reputed deceased by the Testimony of all in the twenty eighth of Edward the third Juliana his Wife in the forty third year of that Prince Rot. Esc Num. 57. And John de Hastings in the forty ninth year of Edward the third which upon a serious Computation of Time makes it impossible that this John de Hasting whom all conclude to have been her first Husband should be that John who was Son to Laurence Earl of Pembroke nor could it be any other William de Clinton then this before mentioned First because he was the last Earl of Huntington of the Name Secondly if we should make him to be any other he must be designed Husband for this Juliana after the Death of this John de Hasting who survived this Juliana six years as appears by the former ballancing of Time which will appear altogether absurd and impossible Thirdly all do concurre that this VVilliam de Clinton who was her second Husband was Lord Warden of the Cinque-ports in the twelfth year of Edward the third Admiral of the Narrow-Seas Westward in the fifteenth year and had the Custody of all the Kings Forrests Southwards beyond Trent in the seventeenth year of that Prince's Government which could be no other than this VVilliam Earl of Huntington who although he were fruitful in Offices he was not so in Children for he dyed without Issue by this Lady Juliana who after his death remained in the State of Widowhood for ought I can yet discover untill her decease for in the Escheat-roll mentioned before she is styled Comitissa de Huntington upon whose death none appearing either directly or collaterally who justly could entitle themselves to her Patrimony the Crown claimed it as an escheat and Richard the second granted it to Sir Simon de Burleigh Lord Warden of the Cinque-ports who being afterwards attainted in the tenth year of that Prince it was re-invested in the royal Revenue and was not long after by Richard the second granted to the Abby of St. Mary Grace on Tower-hill and some part of it to the Priory of Canons Langley and sometimes written Childrens Langley and here it dwelt untill the general Suppression and then King Henry the eighth in the thirty fifth year of his reign granted it to Sir Thomas Moile whose Daughter and Coheir Amy Motle incorported it into the demeasne of her Husband Sir Thomas Kempe where it had had no long aboad when this Sir Thomas dyed without Issue-male and left his estate to be divided between four Daughters and Coheirs Anne one of whom carried this away to Sir Thomas Chichley of the County of Cambridge whose Son Thomas Chichley Esquire hath lately by Sale transmitted his Right in it to Mr. ..... Spence and Mr. Robert Spence of Baukham in Sussex Preston by VVingham had the Grant of a Market procured to it on the Monday and a Fair of three days continuance at the Feast of St. Crosse in the thirty fifth of Edw. the first Sir Simon de Burleigh had the Grant of a Market renued to this place on the Friday and a Fair by the space of three days at the Feast of St. Mildred the Virgin in the tenth year of Richard the second Petham gives Name in part to that Hundred wherein it hath its Position being called the Hundred of Bredge and Petham and was always a Mannor folded up in the revenue of the Arch-bishop though I confess I cannot trace out in the wilderness of Antiquity who was the first Donor If you peruse the Pages of Doomes-day Book you wil find it there thus represented Petham est proprium Manerium Archiepiscopi in Tempore Edwardi Regis se defendebat pro VII Sullings nunc similiter est appretiatum XX lb. And this is enough to refute that mistake in Eadmerius not long since printed by Mr. Selden which I believe is only by Accident and not voluntary which says that Anselm mortgaged or pawned Peckham to the Monks of Canterbury which was long before given to them by Q. Edgiva Indeed it should have been printed Petham that being always as you have seen a Mannor of the Arch-bishops till it was engaged which it seems was never redeemed for it continued in the revenue of the Monks in Christ-church until the Dissolution and then it was transplanted into the revenue of the Crown and lay there until K. James in our Fathers memory granted it to Tho. Thompson Esq Ancestor to Mr. Thompson Esq who now enjoys the possession of it Swerdling is a Mannor in this Parish of as eminent Account as any in this Track and was the Capital Mansion of the Noble and ancient Family of Valoigns Ruallo de Valoigns was Sheriff of Kent in the first year of Henry the second and in the Pipe-rolls of that year is written of Swerdling and he was witness to King Stephen's Charter Rot. Pipae de An. 13. Hen. tertii whereby he grants the Mill at East-Bridge in Canterbury to the Monks of Christ-church Waretius de Valoigns is in the Catalogue of those Kentish Gentlemen who assisted Richard the first at the Siege of Acon in Palestine Robert de Valoigns had the Repute of a Baron in the thirteenth year of Henry the third and under that Notion held the fourth part of a Knights Fee of Wallingford Castle Allan de Valoigns was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty first thirty second thirty third and thirty fourth years of Henry the third and held his Shrievalty at Swerdling Waretius de Valoigns in the forty fifth year of Henry the third by
hold in Knights Service of him and his Successors which was very usual and customary for the Arch-bishops and other great Prelates to do until King Edward the first growing jealous of the Power and Grandeur of the Clergie who endeavoured by their Bounty and magnificent Donations to oblige both the principal of the Nobility and Gentry and chain them up by these extraordinary Engagements to their Devotion caused the Statute called Quia emptores Terrarum in the one and twentieth of his raign to be made which restrains and supersedes for the future all new Creations of Mannors But to proceed VVilliam de Cobham being thus enstated in this Mannor in Gratitude to the first Donor altered his Name from Cobham to Pluckley Sir Richard de Pluckley this mans Grandchild flourished in the raign of King Stephen and Henry the second and founded the Church at Pluckley and from this man did VVilliam de Pluckley lineally branch out in whom the Male-Line concluded so that Agnes his Daughter and Heir by matching with John Surrenden Esquire cast Pluckley into the Possession of that Name and Family where it had not long sojourned when the same Vicissitude brought it over to Haut for James Haut wedded Joan Heir General of John Surrenden and so became Possessor of Pluckley but in this Name the Title was as volatile and mutable as in the former for this man went out in Daughters and Co-heirs one of them was wedded to Gouldwell and Christian the other was matched to John Dering Esquire in whose Right he was entituled to the Signory of Pluckley Now if you will inquire where lay the ancient Land of Dering if my Assertion might be credited I should affirm that it was at Stamford by Hieth where they were Lords of some part of the little Mannot of Heyton for by an old Roll I find that Normanus de Morinis married Kineburga Daughter and Heir of Deringus and his Son as was Customary in those Times called himself Deringus de Morinis and matched with Elveva Sister and Heir of Alanus de Heyton and so was invested in the Propriety of the Mannor of Heyton from whom it successively came down to Richard Fitz Dering who was Son of Dering and great Grand-child to this man who was the first who deserted the Sirname de Morinis and assumed that of Dering and died possest of the Mannor of Heyton in the forty second year of Henry the third And from this Richard Fitz Dering is Sir Edward Dering Baronet now lineally extracted who is the instant Lord of Pluckley and Surrenden Dering where Sir Edward Dering Knight and Baronet not many years since deceased raised that elegant Structure as eminent for its Magnificence and Beauty as it is for its Contrivance and Curiosity Pevington was formerly a Parish and had a Church dedicated to St. Mary though it be now languished into Dis-use and grown an adjunct to Pluckley The Patrons as well as Proprietaries of it were the Pevingtons a Knightly Family who borrowed their Sirname from hence The first whom I meet with is Sir Ralph de Pevington who flourished here in the raign of King John and King Henry the third and was Father to Sir William de Pevington who likewise died possest of this Mannor in the fifty fourth year of Henry the third from whom descended John and William Pevington who dying without Issue in the seventh year of Henry the fourth Amabilia their Sister matched to John Gobion became their Heir and she lies buried in the Church of Austin-Friars at Canterbury and is mentioned to have been a liberal Benefactresse to that Cloister about the Time of her Decease which was 1405. and had Issue by him Julian their only Daughter who was about the twenty seventh year of Henry the sixth matched to William Brent from whom descended Thomas Brent in whom the Name and Male-Line together was extinguished so that Margaret Brent matched to John Dering was the visible Heir of his Estate amongst which this Mannor of Pevington was enwrapped which came down in Right of this Alliance to Sir Edward Dering Knight and Baronet who upon his Decease gave it after the Death of his Mother the Widow Dowager of Sir Anthony Dering to Mr. Henry Dering the eldest Son by his last Lady Malmains in Pluckley was the Inheritance of a Family of that Sirname Eleanor Wife of John de Malmins died seised of it in the fourteenth year of Edward the third Rot. Esc Num. 51. And after by Court-rols I discover Henry Malmains to be possest of it from whom it descended to Richard Malmains who died as the Date upon his Tomb-stone in Plukley Church discovers to us in the year 1440. and left John Malmains his Heir after whom I descry no farther mention of this Family at this place The next Family which succeeded in the Inheritance was Dering not by any Right derived from Haut for they had espoused the Heir of that Name before Malmains was extinguished nor could it be by any Female Heir atchieved for there were but two Co-heirs of this Branch of Malmains who were wedded to Monins and Gouldwell And if it be answered that Dering married the Heir of the eldest House To that I answer that Nicholas Malmains who was of the elder Line deceased in the twentieth year of Edward the first Rot. Esc Num. 15. and left only a Daughter and Heir who was matched to William de Grandison so that it is evident by the Premises that this Mannor of Malmains devolved to Dering the instant Proprietary not by any match of Haut or of this Family it self by any Female Heir or Coheir of Malmains but by Purchase only Shurland is the last place of Account It hath been the Patrimony of Betenham of Betenham in Cranbroke for many Hundred years Stephen de Betenham is mentioned in Court-rols which take their Rise or Date from the Government of Hen the third and certainly this is that Stephen de Betenham which is mentioned to be one of the Recognitores Magnae Assisae an Office of very great Importance in elder Times in those Pipe-rols which relate to the raign of King John and from this Stephen hath the Title of this place by a constant and even Chain of Ages threaded together into an unbroken Succession come down to Mr. Betenham who holds the present Signory and Possession of it Plumsted in the Hundred of Lesnes was in the year of Grace 960. given by King Edgar to the Abbot and Convent of St. Augustins in Canterbury as Thorne their Chronicler testifies under the Notion of four ploughed Lands which afterwards Godwin Earl of Kent violently tore from their Patrimony and setled upon his Son Tostius but it was restored to that Seminary by William the Conqueror and remained fastned to their Revenue until the rough hand of Henry the eighth by a publick suppression unlinked it and then it was by that Prince in the thirty sixth year of his raign granted to Sir Edward Boughton of
this Family was mouldered away the Says of Coldham were interessed in the possession and Geffrey de Say possest it in the fifteenth year of Edward the second Rot. Esc Num. 20. The next Family in Succession to these was the Mowbrays and Elizabeth Wife of Thomas Duke of Norfolk and Daughter of Richard Earl of Arundell held it at her Decease which was in the third year of Henry the sixth Rot. Esc Num. 25. And so did her Son John Mowbray Duke of Norfolke who deceased in the eleventh year of Henry the sixth Rot. Esc Num. 129. And was descended from John Mowbray who held it as appears by ancient Court-rolls as parcel of the Barony of Bedford in the reign of Edward the second After the Mowbrays the Nevill Barons of Aburgavenny were invested in the Fee and remained seated in the possession until the reign of Q Elizabeth and then Henry Lord Nevill in the twenty ninth year dying without Issue-male it was disposed with much other Land to his Brother Sir Edward Nevill from whom it is now brought down to his Grandchild John Lord Nevill who enjoys the instant Inheritance of it Ridley in the Hundred of Acstane acknowledges it self to have been anciently a Branch of the patrimony of the Lords Leybourn and Rog. de Leybourn in the 55 th year of H. the third sells Ridley excepting the Advowson to Bartholomew VVodeton In which Family the Title was not very permanent for in the reign of Edward the third I find the VVallis's to have been its Proprietaries Augustin VVallis obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Mannor of Ridley in the twenty second year of Edward the third and dyed possest of it in the twenty eighth year of that Prince's Government Rot. Esc Num. 55. After the VVallis's were expired and vanished the Rickhills held this Mannor where it was not long constant for VVilliam Rickhill about the sixteenth of Henry the sixth conveyed it by Deed to Tho. Edingham or Engham who again in the ninteenth year of the abovesaid Prince passed it away by Fine to Robert Savery from which Name not many years after it came by the same Vicissitude to be the Inheritance of Bevill in whose Descendants it remained untill the Beginning of Henry the eighth and then it was by purchase fastned to the demeasn of Fitz and VValter Fitz by Deed whose dare commences from the twenty seventh of Henry the eighth conveyed it to Will. Sidley of Southfleet Esq Ancestor to Sir Charles Sidley Baronet to whom upon the late Decease of his Brother Sir William Sidley it owns for its present Possessor Ridlingswould is a Member of Dover Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer obtained the Grant of a Market to Ridling swould and a three Dayes Fair at St. Nicolas in the ninth of Edward the 2. as appears Pat. 9. Ed. 2. N. 57. and was parcel of the Honor of Fulberts and Fulbert de Dover held it as appears by Doomes-day Book in the twentieth year of William the Conqueror in Ages of a nearer Approach to us that is in the raign of Henry the third Richard de Dover and Roesia his Wife were possest of it as appears Ex Bundellis Annor incertorum Henrici tertii Rot. Esc Num. 237. When this Family went out the Badelesmeres stept in Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer that powerful Baron obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Lands here in the ninth year of Edward the second and was Steward too to the Houshold of King Edward the second as appears by a Confirmation of the Charter of the City of London which bears Date from that year of Edward the second and to which he as Teste writes himself Steward of the Kings Houshold but not long after being entangled in that Combination which was made by Thomas Earl of Lancaster and sundry other Barons against that Prince he forfeited both his Estate and Life as the price of that seditious Attempt but this with much other Land was restored to his Son Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer in the second year of Edward the third but he died without Issue in the twelfth year of that Prince Rot. Esc Num. 44. So that his large Revenue was proportionably divided between his four Sisters and Co-heirs whereof this was a Limb and fell in upon the partition to the Inheritance of John Vere Earl of Oxford by Matilda de Badelesmer and he held it at his Death which was in the fortieth year of Edward the third Rot. Esc Num. 38. But in this Family it did not long continue after his Exit for in the raign of Richard the second I find Robert Belknap possest of it and enjoyed it at his Death which was in the second year of Henry the fourth after his Return from his Exilement into Ireland whither he was banished for his too active asserting the Prerogative against the Liberty of the Populacie in the tenth year of Richard the second In the second year of Richard the third I find William Belknap Esquire was in the Fruition of it at his Decease Rot. Esc Num. 16. and from him did it devolve to his Successor Sir Henry Belknap in whom this Name was extinguisht so that his Estate was resolved into several parcels which came over to Alice his Daughter and Co-heir matched to Sir William Shelley Anne married to Sir Robert Wotton and Elizabeth wedded to Sir Philip Cooke of Giddie-hall in Essex and in these Families did the complicated Interest of this place remain concentered until that Age which fell under our Grand-fathers Cognisance and then it was by joint-Concurrence passed away to Edelph from whom it is brought down to Sir ...... Edolph who holds the present Signory of it Oxney-house in this Parish was an Ancient Seat of the Noble Family of Criol Matilda Widow of Simon de Criol died possest of it in the fifty second year of Henry the third and transmitted it to Bertram de Criol who held it at his death which was in the twenty third year of Edward the first Rot. Esc Num. After him his Son Bertram de Criol was setled in the possession but was not long liv'd after his Father for he died in the thirty fourth year of Edward the first Rot. Esc Num. 37. and left it to his Brother John Criol who dying without Issue it was brought over to his Sister Joan Criol who by matching with Sir Richard de Rokesley made it the Inheritance of that Name and Family and was in possession of it at her Death which was in the fifteenth year of Edward the second Rot. Esc Num. 95. From whom it came down to Thomas Lord Poynings who had espoused Agnes one of the Coheirs of them two and in Right of this Alliance was his Successor Richard Lord Poyning found invested in it at his Death which was in the fifteenth year of Richard the second Parte prima Rot. Esc Num. 53. and left it to his Kinsman Robert de Poynings who passed it away by Sale to Tame and in the fourth year of
Patent conveyed in the thirteenth of Richard the third to John Brockman In Times of a lower step that is in the reign of Henry the eighth I find it in the Possession of John Newland but whether by Purchase from Brockman or not for want of Intelligence I cannot discover And in this Family the Propriety continued until the latter end of Queen Elizabeth and then it was conveyed to Sir George Perkins from whom almost in our Memory the same Mutation brought it to confess the instant possession of Mr. ...... Aldridge of Tilers near Reding Rucking in the Hundred of Hamme in Ancient Records written Roking was by the Piety and Charitable Munificence of King Offa in the year seven hundred eighty and one given to the Prior and Monks of Christ-church and was in the Original Donation granted ad Pascua Porcorum for the Pasture of their Hoggs and it continued clasped up in their Revenue until the Tempest of the general Dissolution arose and overtook it for there being a Surrender of the Revenue of this Covent into the Hands of Henry the eighth in the thirty third year of his reign he united it to the Dean and Chapiter of Christ-church which he shortly after established and moulded out of their Ruines and here it continued until a late Storm arose again and tore it off Barbedinden is another eminent Mannor within the Boundaries of this Parish which had in Ages of a more Ancient Inscription Proprietaries of the same Denomination William de Barbodinden held it at his Death which was in the ninth of Edward the third Rot. Esc Num. 3. And left it to his Son and Heir John de Barbodinden who in the twentieth year of Edward the third as appears by the Book of Aid paid an Auxiliary supply for it at making the Black Prince Knight After this Family was extinguished Robert Belknap the Judge succeeded in the Possession of it and I do not find that though the Crown upon his Attaint seised upon much of his Estate that ever his Interest here was ravished away from him for he was in Possession of this place at his Death which was in the second year of Henry the fourth and disposed it by Will to his Son John Belknap who about the Beginning of Henry the sixth alienates it to Engham amongst whose Demeasne the Propriety of this Mannor had not many years dwelt but the Title was by Sale supplanted and cast into the Possession of Sir Matthew Brown Knight and his Son Thomas Brown Esquire in the last year of Edward the sixth passed it away by Sale to Anthony Lovelace Esquire Ancestor to Richard Lovelace who some few years since alienated his entire Concernment in it to the late Possessor Mr. Richard Hulse descended from the ancient Family of Hulse of the Borough of Hulse lying within Namptwich in the County of Chester S. S. S. S. SAltwood in the Hundred of Hene hath an open Prospect into the Ocean which flowed up much nearer then now it doth and imparted its Nature to its Name for in Latin it is written de Bosco Salso The Arch-bishops of Canterbury had here formerly a magnificent Castle which Time hath much dismantled and a Park well stored with Deere now vanished and gon Many Mannors in this Track are held of it by Knights Service which justly made it to be counted and called an Honour It was granted to the Church in the year 1096 by one Halden who for Grandeur and opulency was reckoned one of the Princes of England The Value and extent of it are more particularly set forth in the Records of the Church of Canterbury in the Conquerour's Time and they speak thus In Limwarlaed in Hundred de Hede habet Hugo de Montfort de Terra Mouachorum I Manerium Saltwode de Archiepiscopo Comes Godwinus tenuit illud tunc se defendebat pro VII Sullings That was Godwin Earl of Kent who by a possessory right held many Towns along this Coast nunc sunt V. tamen non Scottent nisi pro III. Et in Burgo de Hede sunt CC. XXV Burgenses qui pertinent huic Manerio de quibus non habet Hugo nisi III. Forisfacta for it lies in the Franchise of the five Ports and the King was to have their Serice est appretiatum XXVIII lb. IIII. This was Hugh Montfort who was one of those powerfull Men which entered England with William the Conquerour In the Time of K. Henry the second Henry de Essex Baron of Ralegh in that County Lord Warden of the Cinque-ports pro Tempore and the King's Standard-bearer in right of Inheritance held this Castle of the Arch-bishop who having in a leight Skirmish against the Welsh in Flintshire not only cast away his Courage but his Standard also was appealed of high Treason and in a legal Duell or Combate vanquished by his Challenger and being possest with regret and shame contracted from this Defeat shrouded himself in a Cloister and put on a Monks Cowle forfeiting a goodly Patrimony and Lively-hood which escheated to King Henry the second But Thomas Beckett acquainting the King that this Mannor belonged to his Church and Sea that Prince being beyond the Seas directed a Writt to K. Henry his Son the Draught of which is represented to us by Matthew Paris whither I referre the Reader for Restitution But in regard of new emergent Contests between King Henry the second and that insolent Prelate it was not restored unto the Church untill the Time of Richard the second The Castle was magnificently inlarged and repaired by William Courtney Archbishop of Canterbury in the Time of Richard the second as his Will doth declare and his Arms in Stone-work eminently demonstrate and remained after his Decease annexed to the Archiepiscopal Revenue untill Thomas Cranmer in the twenty ninth of Henry the eighth exchanged it with that Prince And his Son King Edward the sixth in the fourth year of his Raign granted it to Edward Lorâ— Clinton who not long after conveyed it to Mr. Henry Herdson whose Grandchild Mr. Francis Herdson passed it away about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth to Robert Cranmer Esquire by whose Daughter and Heir Ann Cranmer it devolved to Sir Arthur Harris of Crixey in Essex whose Son Sir Cranmer Harris not many years since alienated it to Sir William Boteler Father to Sir Oliver Boteler Baronet the instant Lord of the Fee There is an old vast Mansion House of Stone at Brochull in this Parish on the side of a Steep Hill which was the Seat and ancient Residence of a Family as eminent for Antiquity as any in this Track and extracted their Sirname from hence and were called Brochull who flourished here in Knights Degree and in some Parliaments in the Time of Edw. the third and Edw. the fourth sate there as Knights of the Shire Margaret the Wife of William builded or caused to be built an Isle on the Northside the Parish Church You may rove at the Time by
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
old Rentall discovers to me and farther none of the ancient Evidences do reach the Patrimony of Thomas Champneys and he makes it over in part to Sir William Wroth of Enfield and he in the second year of Richard the second alienated all his Right and Interest in it to Thomas Lovell but some part remained unsold untill the nineteenth of the abovesaid Prince and then it was wholly invested by Sale from Robert Champneys in the aforesaid Thomas Lovell and he by his Feoffees in Trust as namely John Osborne John Arnold Richard Marshall and John Atsheath conveyed it in the eleventh year of Henry the fourth to Thomas Theobald or Tebald and Mawde his Wife and so by this Purchase did it become the Inheritance of this Family and made its aboad here untill the twenty fourth year of Henry the seventh and then John Theobald alienated it to William Porter which Family it is probable were concerned in it before for in the tenth year of Edward the fourth I find John Alphey releases by Deed his right in Hall to William Porter Esquire and from William Porter abovesaid did the Title slow down in the Chanel of paternal Right to Mr. Andrew Porter who concluding in a Daughter and Heir called Elizabeth it is now by matching with her become the Patrimony of Mr. Peter Stowell Register of the Diocesse of Rochester Stidulfe is a third Mannor in Seale which afforded both Seat and Sirname to a Family so called Robert de Stidulfe is mentioned in Deeds without Date to have held this and much other Land in Seale In the thirty sixth year of Edward the third I find Reginald Stidulfe of Stidulfe accounts with Thomas Champneis for Land held of his Mannor of Hall And lastly I discover that William Stidulfe about the eleventh year of Henry the sixth by Sale conveyed it to William Quintin whose Son William changed the Name of Quintin into Oliver upon what Grounds I have discovered at Leybourn and in this Name was this Mannor lodged untill the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth and then it was passed away to Richard Theobald whose Son John exchanged it with his Kinsman Stephen Theobald who dying without Issue-male left two Coheirs Katharine matched to Edward Michell and Margaret wedded to David Polhill who shared his Inheritance and this upon the Division of the Estate augmented the Revenue of Michell and his Descendant Mr ....... Michell is now the Heir apparent of it Sedingbourn in the Hundred of Milton hath several places in its confines remarkable whereof Bayford and Goodneston first claim our Notice the last of which had a Castle whose Banks and Ruines are yet visible it anciently acknowledged the Family of Nottingham who likewise in elder Times were possest of Bayford for Proprietaries Robert de Nottingham flourished in the reign of Edward the first and dates several of his Deeds in the Beginning of that Prince's Rule apud Castellum suum de Goodneston Robert de Nottingham his Successor was Sheriff of Kent the forty eighth year of Edward the third and held his Shriovalty at Bayford in Sedingbourn in which year he dyed and was found to have held at his Death Lands at Sharsted Pedding in Tenham a place called Newland and another called la Herst Higham in Milsted Bixle in Tong now called Bex and lastly Goodneston and Babford now named Bayford in this Parish all which descended to his only Son John Nottingham whose only Daughter and Heir Eleanor Nottingham was matched to Simon Cheyney second Son of Sir Richard Cheyney of Shurland who brought all this spreading Revenue to acknowledge the Signory of this Family and the Coats of Cheyney and Nottingham viz. Azure six Lions Argent a Canton Ermin and Gules two Pales wavee Argent stand empaled in Milsted-church in coloured Classe But this Alliance though it much enhaunsed by additional improvement the Patrimony of Cheyney yet could not so strongly entwine the Interest of Bayford and Goodneston with this Name but that about the latter end of Henry the sixth they were conveyed away by Sale to Lovelace for Richard Lovelace of Queenhith in London a younger Branch of the Lovelaces of Bethersden made his Will the first of Aprill 1465 and there ordained that his Feoffees should make an Estate of his Mannors of Bayford and Goodneston in Sedingbourn which he had purchased of Cheyney to John Lovelace his Son and Heir which accordingly was performed and he invested in the Possession of them and from him did they by Descent devolve to his Crandchild Thomas Lovelace of Kingsdown who in the tenth year of Queen Elizabeth passed them away to Mr. Ralph Finch from which Family they went away by the same Revolution almost in our Fathers Memory to Alderman Garret of London who had Issue Sir John Garret of the County of Hertford whose Widow Dowager the Lady ..... Garret by right of Jointure now enjoys the Profits of both these Mannors Chilton is another Mannor in Sedingbourn which had Owners of this Sirname who likewise held another Mannor of this Name in Ash both which places William de Chilton held at his Death which was in the thirty first of Edward the first but after his Exit it did not long confesse the Propriety of this Family for about the Beginning of Edward the third it was demised by Sale to Corbie and Robert Corbie was possest of it at his Decease which was in the thirty ninth year of that Prince Rot. Esc Num. 9. and he had Issue Robert Corbie whose Sole Daughter and Heir Joan Corbie espoused Sir Nicholas Wotton twice Lord Maior of London by whom this Mannor and much other Land came by a fruitfull Augmentation to swell the Inheritance of this Family yet I find the Interest in Chilton was not solely lodged in Corbie for by ancient Deeds I discover that an old Family called Maris was concerned in some part of it likewise John de Maris held a Knights Fee in Wicheling and much other Land at Herietsham the twentieth year of Ed. the third as likewise the Mannor of Ackmere in St. Mary Crey in Castle-guard of Dover-castle and his great Grand-child William Maris was Sheriff of Kent the twenty first year of Henry the sixth and was Esquire to Henry the fifth and afterwards to Cardinall Kemp and lyes enter'd in Preston Church with so much of the Inscription left as may instruct the Reader that his Ashes slumber beneath the Tomb-stone yet before his Decease he had alienated his share in this Mannor to Nicholas Wotton Esquire from whom the united Interest of this place came down to Thomas Lord Wotton who not many years since setled it in Marriage on Katherine his eldest Daughter matched to Henry Lord Stanhop Son and Heir to Philip Earl of Chesterfeild lately deceased who still enjoyes the propriety of it In the year 1232. Henry Bishop of Rochester as Thomas Rudborne a Monk of St. Swithens in Winchester does relate came on a Sabbath Day with much exultation out of Sedingbourn Church
of Shepbourn and in the thirteenth year of that Prince's reign had as appears Pat. 13. Edwardi primi Memb. 28. a Grant of a Market weekly to this place to be held on the Monday and a Fair for three Days Space at the Feast of St. Giles and this Adam de Bavent or else his Son was one of those eminent Kentish Gentlemen who was embarked with Edward the first in his Expedition into Scotland and was one of those who were created Bannerets at the Siege of Carlaverock in the twenty eighth year of his reign Roger de Bavent was summoned in the fourteenth year of Edward the second to sit in Parliamennt as Baron After whom I find no more mention of this Family as Possessors of this Mannor for it is probable the Religion and muffled Perswasion of those Times had so warped the Piety and Devotion of this Family that they setled it on the Priory of Leeds for by an old Rental of that Covent I find it wrapped up in their Demeasn in the reign of Edward the third and remained parcel of their Income until the general Shipwrack in the reign of Henry the eighth and then it was in the thirty sixth year of that Prince granted to Sir Ralph Vane and Anthony Tustham Esquire who not long after having passed away his Interest in it to Sir Ralph Vane it hath continued ever since to acknowledge the absolute Signory of this Family so that the right of it now rests in Sir Henry Vane Son and Heir to Sir Henry Vane Secretary of Estate to his late Majesty Fairlane is an eminent Seat in this Parish which likewise did confesse the Signory of the Family of Bavent but before the latter end of Edw. the third they had abandoned the Possession of it and then it came to confesse the Signory of Colepepers who remained Lords of the Fee untill the latter end of Henry the fourth and then it was transmitted by Sale to Chown in which Family after the Propriety had been constantly resident untill that Age which almost was circumscribed within the Verge of our Remembrance Sir George Chown the last of this Name at this place desiring to contract his Revenue solely within the Confines of Sussex alienated his Estate here to Sir Henry Vane Comptroller of his late Majestie 's Houshould and principal Secretary of Estate who having much beautified and adorned the ancient Fabrick with new Additions upon his late Decease bequeathed it to be enjoyed by his Lady Dowager Stelling in the Hundred of Lovingborough was with Wadenhall which lyes partly in this Parish and partly in Petham parcell of the Inheritance of the illustrious Family of Haut and William de Haut had Stelling and Wadenhall in the first year of Ed. the first and this above-mentioned VVilliam founded a Chappel at VVadenhall and dedicated it to St. Edmund the Saxon King of the East Angles and in this Family these Mannors continued untill the latter end of the reign of H. the sixth and then VVill. Haut lineally extracted from the above-said VVilliam conveyed Stelling to Humphrey Stafford Duke of Buckingham and this being forseited to the Crown upon the Attainder of his Grandchild Edward Stafford Duke of Buckingham in the thirteenth year of Henry the eighth this lay enwrapped in the royal Revenue untill Queen Mary in the first year of her reign granted it with much other Land to Edward Lord Clinton who about the last year of that Princesse alienated it to Mr. Henry Herdson whose Grandchild Mr. Francis Herdson about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth passed it away to Mr. John Herdson his Uncle who dying without Issue disposed of it by Will to his Nephew Sir Basill Dixwell of Terlingham in Folkstone from whom by descendant Devolution it is now come down to his Heir General Mr. Basill Dixwell of Broom in Barham But VVadenhall remained in the Name of Haut untill by the Steps of several Descents it was wafted along to Sir VVilliam Haut one of whose two Daughters and Coheirs called Elizabeth being wedded to Sir Thomas Colepeper of Bedgebury brought it to acknowledge the Interest of that Family and he having exchanged it with Edward the sixth it confessed the Signory of the Crown untill Queen Elizabeth in the forty second year of her reign granted it to Sir John Sotherton Baron of her Exchequer whose Heir in the memory of these Times gave up his Right in it by the Fatality of Sale to Mr. Benjamin Pere of Canterbury The Advowson of the two Parsonages or Rectories of Stelling and Vpper Hardres were granted to the Priory of Tunbridge in the twenty sixth year of Edward the third Pat. 3. part 2. Memb. 3. Selling in the Hundred of Street hath several places in it which cannot be declined without some Memorial Willmington and Somervill are the first that occurre and they gave Seat and one of them Sirname to a Family of Repute in that Age because I find they had Land in other places in the County Roger de Wilmington held the Possession of them at his Death which was in the eleventh year of Edward the third and left his Estate here and elsewhere to be shared between his four Daughters and Coheirs matched to Ordmere Bromming Brockhull and St. Laurence but upon the Division of the Estate these accrued to St. Laurence and in Right of paternal Devolution John St. Laurence Son of Thomas St. Laurence held these at his Decease which was in the tenth year of Richard the second and from him their right devolved to his Son Thomas St. Laurence whose Sole Daughter and Heir Katharine brought them to be the Inheritance of Sir William Apulderfield who about the latter end of Henry the sixth passed them away to Ashburnham and Till and the first of those having wholly setled his Right in them by Sale in Till they rested in this Family until the reign of Henry the eighth and then Peter Heyman Esquire having wedded the sole Inheritrix of Till they were transplanted into the Patrimony of that Family and from him the Propriety descended to his great Grandchild my worthy Friend Sir Henry Heyman Baronet lately deceased Haringe is a second place of Consideration it was as high as any Clew of Record can lead us the Possession of the Gurneys Hugh de Gurney who is in the Register of those who entered England with William the Norman held it under his Scepter In Ages almost of the next Step or Descent the Sharsteds had it and Robert de Sharsted who flourished under Edward the first Edward the second and dyed in the eighth year of Edward the third was possest of it at his Decease but this Name was suddenly worn out for in the Time subsequent to this Henry Brockhull of Brockhull in Saltwood enjoyed it who likewise had some Interest in Wilmington and Somervill which his Successor sold to Ashburnham and here the Propriety made its aboad untill the latter end of Henry the sixth and then it was conveyed to
Reginald Sir Stephen and Sir Henry de Cobham who lies buried here at Shorne are in the Catalogue of those Kentish Knights who supported the Cause and Quarrel of Edward the first at the Siege of Carlaverock in Scotland in the twenty eighth year of his Reign Jo. de Cobham was frequently summoned to sit in Parliament as Baron in the Reign of Edw. the third Richard de Cobham was made Knight Banneret by Edward the third for his exemplary Service performed against the Scots as appears Pat. Edw. tertii Parte secunda Memb. 22. This Mannor escheating to the Crown upon the Attainder of Henry Lord Cobham in the second year of K. James it was by that Prince granted to Lodowick Duke of Lenox who upon his Decease bequeathed it to his Nephew James Duke of Lenox who being lately dead Esme Duke of Lenox his onely Son is now heir apparent of it Stowting lies in a Hundred which borrows its Name from this place In the reign of K. Iohn sundry ancient Records which have an Aspect upon that Prince's Time inform us that Stephen de Haringod was Lord of this Mannor and had the Grant of a Market to be held weekly at this place on the Tuesday and a Fair to be observed yearly for the space of two dayes viz. the Vigil and Day of Assumption of the Virgin Mary as is manifest Cart. 16. Joan. Num. 43. and died possest of it in the forty first of Henry the third But after this mans exit I can track no more of this Stem or Stock to have been proprietaries of it The next Family which was successively entituled to the possession was the noble Family of Burghurst or Burwash the first of which whom by some old Deeds I discover to have held this place was Bartholomew de Burwash who received the Order of Knighthood by Edward the first for his Noble and generous Assistance given to that Prince at the Seige of Carlaverock in the twenty eighth of his Reign and he had Issue Stephen de Burwash who obtained a Charter of Free-Warren to his Mannors Stowting Sifleston Ditton and Burwash in Chiddington in the first year of Edward the third and died possest of this Mannor and Hundred in the third year of that Prince's Government as appears Rot. Esc Num. 41. and from him did it descend to his Grand-child Bartholomew Lord Burwash who in the forty third of the abovesaid Monarch conveyed this Mannor with much other Land to Sir Walter de Paveley Knight of the Garter in which Family the possession was constant but until the beginnning of Richard the second and then it was passed away by Sale to Trivet from whom the same Fatalitie about the fifteenth year of that Prince brought it over to Sir Lewis Clifford and by Descent this devolving to his Successor Lewis Clifford he in the twelfth year of Hen. the sixth conveyed it by a Fine then levied to William Wenlock who not long after alienated his Right in it to Richard beauchampe Baron of Aburgavenny who had Issue Richard Beauchampe in whom the Male Line determined so that Elizabeth his onely Daughter and Heir being matched to Edward Nevill brought this Mannor and the Barony of Aburgavenny to be united to that Family and continued linked to the Demeasn of this Name until it was by Descent brought down to Henry Nevill Baron Aburgavenny who about the latter end of Henry the eighth passed it away to Sir Thomas Moile whose Daughter and Coheir Amy Moile united it to the Inheritance of her Husband Sir Thomas Kempe whose Son Sir Thomas Kempe setled it on his Brother Reginald Kempe and from him it descended to his onely Son Mr. Thomas Kempe who dying without Issue it came to be shared by his two Sisters and Co heirs matched to Denny and Clerk and they not many years since by mutual Concurrence and Assent alienated their joynt Interest here to Jenkins of Aythorne Stockbery in the Hundred of Milton celebrates the Memory of the illustrious Family of Crioll who lived here in Reputation amongst the eminent Gentry of this County and in the Recital of their Possessions in this Parish their Mansion was called a Castle and divers of their old Deeds bore Teste at their Castle of Stockbery Sir Nicholas de Crioll was the first that brought this Family into Repute and Eminence for he was one of those who accompanied Edward the first in the twenty eighth year of his Reign in his fortunate Attempt upon Scotland when after a pertinacious Siege he reduced the Castle of Carlaverock a piece in the repute of those Times held almost inexpugnable and for his signal Service in that Expedition was created Knight Banneret and died possest of this place in the thirty first of Edward the first and in this Name and Family did the Title of this place by an uninterrupted Current of Descent stream down to Sir Thomas Crioll Knight of the Garter eminent for several Services performed under the Scepter of Henry the sixth who being infortunately beheaded at the second battle of St. Albans whilst he endeavoured to support the Title of the House of York in the thirty eighth year of Henry the sixth determined in Daughters and Co-heirs one of which was wedded to Edward Bourchier who cast this Mannor into his possession and he in her Right died seised of it in the fourteenth year of Henry the seventh but after this it was not long constant to the Interest of this Family for in the twenty third year of the abovesaid Prince Robert Tate died seised of it by right of purchase And in the Descendants of this Name was the Possession involved by a long Series of years until those Times which almost fell under our Cognizance and then this Mannor was conveyed to Sir Edward Duke of Cosington in Alre sord whose Lady Dowager in Right of Joynture hath now the enjoyment of it The Mannor of Gillested in this Parish did formerly relate to the noble Family of Savage and was wrapped up in those Lands to which John de Savage Grand-child to Rafe de Savage who was with Richard the first at the Siege of Acon obtained a Charter of Free-Warren in the twenty third year of Edward the first and Arnold Savage Son of Sir Thomas Savage died possest of it in the forty ninth year of Edward the third and left it to his Son Sir Arnold Savage whose Daughter and Heir Elizabeth Savage was first matched to Reginald Cobham by whom she had no Issue and after to William Clifford Esquire second Brother to Robert Clifford who was often Knight of the Shire in the Reign of Henry the fourth whose Posterity in Right of this Alliance were possest of this place until the latter end of Hen. the eighth and then it was altenated to Knight Ancestor to Mr. William Knight upon whose Decease his sole Daughter and Heir Mrs. Frances Buck Widow of Mr. Peter Buck of Rochester lately deceased is now entred upon the Possession of it Cowsted
by a Chain of Descent to his Grand-child Sir Charles Sydley Baronet the present Lord of the Fee Pole vulgarly called Poole is another Mannor in Southfleet And was in elder Times the Inheritance of a Family called Berese for I find by a fine levyed in the thirty seventh year of Henry the third that Richard de Berese fells this Mannor under the Notion of a Carucate of Land to Reginald de Cobham of Roundall in Shorne and from him did it by a continued Thread of Succession devolve to John Cobham Esquire in whom the Male-line of that Name ended and he dyed seised of it in the ninth year of Henry the fourth Rot. Esc Num. 10. And lett it to Joan his Sole Inheritrix who by Reginald Braybrook her third and last Husband had Issue Joan her only Daughter and Heir who brought this Mannor and a liberal Revenue besides to her Husband Thomas Brook of the County of Somerset Esquire Grand-father to Thomas Lord Brook who about the Beginning of Henry the seventh passed it away to Sir Henry Wiat one of the Privy Councel to that Monarch from whom it descended to his noble but infortunate Grandchild Sir Tho. Wiat who in the second year of Q. Mary forfeited this and his Life together so that from thenceforth it was clasped up in the Income of the Crown untill Queen Elizabeth in the twenty fifth year of her reign restored it to his Widow the Lady Joan Wiatt and George Wiat Esquire his Son and Heir father to Sir Francis Wiat who upon his Decease left it to his Widow Dowager the Lady ..... Wiatt who is now in possession of it Scadbery in Southfleet hath been for some Centuries of years the possession of the Family of Sidleys who were in Times of very high Ascent seated in Romney Mersh for there are some Lands there which at this Day they call by the Name of Sidleys and Sidleys Mersh In this Mansion there is a Room whose sides are covered with Wainscot and on one of the Plates or Pains which appears to be exceeding ancient the Arms of Sidley are carved in embost-work viz A Fesse wavee between three Goats heads erased and these Letters underneath W. and S. with the year of our Lord affixed in Figures whose Date commences from 1337. And although the Structure of this House hath like a Snail shifted its ancient Shell yet in all its Mutations and Vicissitudes which must certainly have very much disordered the Fabrick when it was cast into a new mould and frame and ravelled and discomposed the Materials yet this Panel of Wainscot hath been like a Relique religiously preserved to justifie not only the Antiquity of this Seat but of the Family of Sydley also which is presumed to have been resident at this place before the above-mentioned Calculation from whom Sir Charles Sidley Baronet claims the Original of his Title to this Mansion and his Extraction or pedigree likewise untwisted into many Descents and now at last wound up in him Shouldon in the Hundred of Deal hath two remarkable places which are situated within the Limits of it First Hull presents it self to our View it was formerly under the Signory of the illustrious-Family of Ratling or Retling in Nonington Thomas de Retling paid respective Aid for this and divers other Lands of ancient Inheritance in the twentieth year of Edward the third at the making the Black Prince Knight and left it to his Son Sir Richard de Retling whose Widow the Lady Sarah Retling and afterwards Wife of John de St. Laurence died possest of it in the tenth year of Richard the second and left it to John Spicer who had married Joan Daughter and Heir to her first Husband but he concluding in a Daughter and Heir by this his first Wife called Cicely who was Heir to her mother Joan Spicer shee by matching with Iohn Isaack knit it to the Propriety of that Family But before the twenty first of Henry the sixth he had fixed the Inheritance in Iohn Bresland in whom it was not long resident for he suddenly after altered his right and about the Beginning of Edward the fourth put it over by Sale to Phineux of Swink-field whose Successor Robert Phineux by as quick and early a Vicissitude placed the possession about the Beginning of Henry the eighth in George Monins Esquire whose Successor in that Age which was circumscribed within the Pale of our Fathers Remembrance passed it away to Crayford of Great Mongeham Secondly Cotmanton puts in its Claim for some memorial likewise even in this respect that it was the Demeasne of the noble Family of Crioll or Keriell who were of some considerable Repute in this Track as appearsby by the Book styled Testa de Nevill kept in the Exchequer where they are represented in the twentieth year of Henry the third to have held Land in this Skirt of the County and in Ages of a modern Aspect that is in the twentieth year of Edward the third I find Iohn de Criol gave a pecuniary supply at the making the Black Prince Knight but before the end of Edward the third he was departed from the possession of this place which by Sale was resigned up to Roger Digge and he dyed in the possession of it in the third year of Ric. the second Rot. Esc Num 19. And in this Family it continued untill the reign of Henry the seventh and then it was alienated to Barton descended from the ancient Family of Barton of Barton-hall in the County of Lancaster from whom the like Mutation about the latter end of H. the eighth carried it off to the Family of Brown and from them it passed away by Sale into the Possession of Richardson upon whose going out the Family of Smith by a Devolution like the former not many years since stept into the Inheritance of it Sundrich in the Hundred of Codsheath was the Possession as high as any Light collected from Antiquity can waft us to a Discovery of an Ancient Family called in Latine-Records de Insula and in English Isley Iohn de Insula obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Lands at Sundrich in the eleventh year of Edward the second and he had Issue Iohn Isley who married Joan Daughter to Sir Ralph de Fremingham and by her had Issue Roger Isley Esquire who in Right of his mother became Heir to his Uncle Iohn Fremingham Esquire who deceased without Issue in the twelfth year of Henry the fourth and this Roger Isley had Issue William Isley Esquire who was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty fifth year of Henry the sixth and he had Issue John Isley Esquire who was Justice of the Peace and Sheriff of Kent in the fourteenth year of Edward the fourth and deceased in the year 1484 as appears by an Inscription affixed to his Monument yet extant notwithstanding the late general Shipwrack of the Remains of Antiquity in Sundrich-church and he had Issue Thomas Isley Esquire Father of Sir Henry Isley who was
Sheriff of Kent in the thirty fourth year of Henry the eighth and again in the fifth year of Edward the sixth but being unhappily entangled in the dysastrous Attempt of Sir Thomas Wiat was upon the frustrating of that Designe and the Dissipation and Discomfiture of those Forces who were to support it in the second year of Queen Mary convicted and attainted of high Treason and executed at Sevenoke upon whose Tragedy this Mannor with all its Appendages escheated to the Crown but was the same year restored to his Son William Isley Esquire who was Sheriff of Kent part of the seventh year of Queen Elizabeth after whose decease the Title of this place which had so many Centuries of years like an Inmate dwelt in this Name and Family ebbed away to another Proprietary for in our Fathers Memory it was alienated by Sale to Brooker who not many years since passed it away to Mr. John Hide second Son to Mr. Bernard Hide one of the Commissioners of the Custome-house to his late Majestie Brook-place in Sundrich so called from its contiguous Situation neer some Drill of Water did acknowledge for many discents the Signory of Isley the last of whom who dyed possest of it was William Isley Esquire who held it at his Decease which was in the fourth year of Edward the fourth Rot. Esc Num. 34. After whose Exit it came to John Isley Esquire who not long after passed it away to John Alphew and he determinig in two Daughters and Coheirs one of them by matching with Sir Robert Read Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas in the reign of Henry the seventh linked it to his Patrimony but he likewise went out in four Daughters and Coheirs Katharine one of which was matched to Sir Thomas Willoughbie Lord Chief Justice likewise of the Common Pleas and so he in her right was possest of this place from whom it came down to his Successor Thomas Willoughbie Esquire who about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth conveyed it by Sale to Mr. Hoskins of Oxted in Surrey descended from an ancient Family of that Name in Hereford-shire whose Successor Mr. Charles Hoskins being lately deceased the Fee-simple rests now in his Son and Heir Hethenden or Henden is another Mannor in Sundrich which was folded up in the Demeasn of the powerful and illustrious Family of the Clares who were Earls of Gloucester and Lords of Tunbridge by whose Heir general it devolved to Audley and this Family by the same Fatality languishing into a Female Inheritrix she by matching with Stafford cast this Mannor into his Revenue and in this Name was the Propriety resident untill Edward Stafford Duke of Buckingham was infortunately attainted in the thirteenth year of Henry the eighth it was by escheat annexed to the Demeasn of the Crown and made its aboad there untill King Henry the eighth in the thirty fifth year of his reign granted it to Sir John Gresham and he dyed possest of it in the first year of Queen Elizabeth after whose Decease it remained constant to the Interess of this Family until the latter end of Queen Elizabeth and then it was alienated to Sir Thomas Hoskins of Oxsted in Surrey in the Descendants of which Family the Signory and Propriety is at this instant remaining The Roman Fosse or Way which extended or stretched out it self from Oldborough in Igtham to Baston in Heys and afterwards to Woodcot in Surrey did cut thorough this Parish for not many years since in digging near Come-banke a Seat so called which did formerly relate to the Isleys and is situated in Sundrich were discovered many Roman Urns of an antick Shape and Figure from whence we may probably collect thus much that there was formerly erected some Fortresse at or near Combe-banke its Situation being fitted for such a Design by the Roman Generals to secure their forces in their March to Noviomagum or Woodcot against any Impression or Eruption of the Britons Sturrey in the Hundred of Blengate was a Mannor by a Prescription of many Generations wrapt up in the Patrimony of Apulderfeild a Family whom we shall have occasion often to mention thoroughout the Body of this Survey and here it continued till this Name met with its Tomb in a Daughter and Heir known by the Name of Elizabeth who was wedded to Sir John Phineux and although he likewise concluded in a Female Heir matched to John Roper Esquire who drew along with her a great portion of the Estate yet this still remained fixt in this Name and Family even till our Fathers Memory and then John Phineux Esquire died and left this and other vast possessions to his Daughter and Sole Heir Elizabeth Phineux who brought them over to her Husband Sir John Smith eldest Son of Sir Thomas Smith and Grand-father to Philip Smith Viscount Strangford who by Right planted in him by so worthy a Predecessor does entitle himself to the Interess and possession of it Mayton in this Parish though now of no great Importance yet formerly gave both Seat and Sirname to a Family that passed under that Appellation from whom by Sale the Inheritance was transplanted into Diggs where for some Descents without any Interval it made its abode till it was by Leonard Diggs Grand-father to Sir Dudley Diggs sold to Goodhugh by whose Daughter and Heir it became the Demeasne of Baggs which Name likewise going out here into a Daughter and Heir she by matching not long since to Farmer has made it to own him for its instant proprietary Sutton by Walmer lies in the Hundred of Cornilo and was the Inheritance of a good old Family called Stroude Peradventure it assumed its Denomination from the Shore not far distant and was sometimes in the Saxon Denomination called Strond and as often Stroude John de Stroude held it as the Book of Aide denotes in the reign of Edward the first and when this Family was worn out the next who were invested in the possession were the Criols and Nicholas Criol or Keriel held it at his death which was in the third year of Richard the second whose Grand-child Sir Thomas Keriel being an active Champion of the Cause and Quarrel of Edward the fourth against the House of Lancaster was slain in the second Battle of St. Albans where the Title of both Parties was put to the bloody decision of a Field who leaving only two Daughters and Co-heirs one matching with John Fogge Esquire incorporated this into his Revenue from whom by purchase the Right was setled in Whitlock where it tarried not long but was by the like devolution transplanted into Maycot from which Name the same Fate of Sale carried it into the possession of Stokes who in our memory by the like alienation transmitted his Interess here to Meryweather Sutton commonly called East-Sutton lies in the Hundted of Eyhorne and was formerly the Braybrookes Henry de Braybrooke one of the Lord Wardens of the Cinque Ports had Lands here and in this Track as the
Earls of Gloucester In the first year of Edward the first there was a Summons issued forth by Hugh de Bigod Earl of Norfolk and Governour of the Hundred of Hoo to injoyn Richard de Clare Earl of Gloucester to appear before him to assoil himself from such Accusations as should be objected against him which principally had an Aspect upon the War waged by him and Simon Montfort against Henry the third To which he alleadged in his Defence that he ought not to answer but before the Kings Justices of Eyre upon which a Commission was issued out in the third year of Edward the first to heare and decide the Controversie and Sir Stephen de Penchester and John de Rigate were the two Justices appointed by the King for the final determination of it and they upon a serious winnowing of the whole Matter in Debate did absolve the said Richard from the Crimes with which he had been unjustly bespattered and the rather because as to the principal part of them they had been before entombed in the pacification of Killingworth made in the fiftieth year of Henry the third After this I cannot find by that ancient Manuscript they style the Chronicle of Tunbridge that there was any signal Action commenced at this place because the Castle with all its perquisites not long after by the Heir of Audley coming into the possession of Stafford they planted themselves at Stafford-castle their principal residence and so this Fortress being neglected and deserted languished away insensibly into decay and ruine only in the reign of Edward the first I find that upon an Inquisition or Survey of the Priviledges of the Earls of Gloucester as they were Lords of Tunbridge it was concluded that the Arch-bishop of Canterbury had nothing to do within the Lowy or League That the Earl had Return of Writs Creation of certain Officers an especial Sessions in Eyre all which by Intermission are shrunk long since into disuse In the year 1264. to allay all emergent Controversie for the future Boniface the Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Richard Earl of Glocester decreed that there should be a Perambulation made concerning their respective Bounds and it was not long after likewise concluded between the patties abovesaid that Earl Richard should hold his Mannor of Tunbridge and other Lands of the Arch-bishop by the Service of four Knights Fees and to be high Steward and high Butler which Office was likewise to be transmitted to his Successors at the Feast of the Arch-bishops Inthronization taking for their Service in the Stewardship seven competent Robes of Scarlet thirty Gallons of Wine thirty pound of Wax for his Lights Livery of Hay and Oats to feed fourscore Horse for two Nights the Dishes and Salt which should stand before the Arch-bishop in that Feast and at their departure the Diet of three Dayes at the Sole Expence of the Arch-bishop at four of their Mannors in any of the four Quarters of Kent wheresoever they pleased to fix ad minuendum sanguinem so they repaired thither with fifty Horses only To his Office of chief Butlership was allotted seven Robes like the former twenty Gallons of Wine fifty pound of Wax for furnishing out of Lights Livery for sixty Horse for two Nights the Cup wherewith the Arch-bishop should be served all the empty Hogsheads of Beer and for six Tun of Wine so many as should be drunk under the Bar also The Articles of which Composition in Times subsequent to this Compact were punctually performed between the Successors of either Party First in the year 1295. between Gilbert Earl of Gloucester and Robert Winchelsey next between the said Earl and Arch-bishop Reynolds then between Hugh Audley the Earl of Gloucester and the Arch-bishop John Stratford after that between Hugh Stafford Earl of Stafford to whom the Castle and Mannor of Tunbridge did devolve in right of the Heir General of Audley and Simon Sudbury and lastly between William Warham the Arch-bishop and Edward Stafford the last Duke of Buckingham of that Name in whose untimely Sepulcher these two great Offices found their final Enterment and he executed the Stewardship in his own person and the Butlership by his deputed Delegate Sir Thomas Bourchier Knight The Priory of Tunbridge was founded by Richard de Clare in the year of Grace 1191. and stored with Canons Regular or Canons of St. Augustins and dedicated to St. Mary Magdalen which upon the Petition of the Founder was confirmed by Pope Celestin in the same year it was erected In the year 1353. an unhappy Fire seised upon it which almost reduced the whole Structure into Ashes to ballance which Dysaster the Church of Leigh was appropriated to this Covent that by this additional support this Cloister thus defaced with Flame might again recover its former not only Bulk but Splendor likewise Somerhill is now an eminent Seat in this Parish and was certainly in elder Times allotted as a Mansion or place of Residence by the Earls of Gloucester to those Gentlemen who were Bailiffs of their great Chase called South-Frith one of whom was Richard de Philpot of Philpots in Leigh not far distant who flourished here in the reign of Henry the third and is written in an old Deed Balivus Forestae de Tunbridge sub Ricardo Comite de Clare After him I find one Nicholas Charles exercised this Office and flourished in it in the reign of Edward the second and when he went out divers of the Family of Colepeper and Vane who were Lords of much Land here about Tunbridge were successively invested in it whose Names it would be too tedious and impertinent to enumerate But to return That this Seat was anciently destined and devoted to the Uses above recited is very probable because it is situated on the Verge and exterior Margent of the Forrest and so by its commodious position had a peculiar Aspect upon those Affairs wherein this Chase and its Jurisdiction was concerned In fine after it had been subservient and ministerial for many hundred years to the successive Signory of the several Families of Clare Audley and Stafford it was in the thirteenth year of Henry the eighth by that infortunate person Edward Stafford Duke of Buckingham who was crushed into an heap of Ruines by those dark and black Engins which Cardinal Wolsey that subtle Artificer of Mischief had raised upon him was with much other Land forfeited to the Crown and Queen Elizabeth about the middle of her reign by Royal Concession made it the Demeasne of her faithful Servant Sir Francis Walsingham principal Secretary of Estate who dying without Issue-male left it to his Daughter and Heir Frances who was first matched to the Invaluable Sir Philip Sidney secondly to Robert Earl of Essex and thirdly to Richard Burgh Earl of Clanrickard created Earl of St. Albans August the twenty third in the year 1628. to whose Son Vlike Burgh lately Earl of St. Albans and Clanrickard she bequeathed this Mannor of Somerhill Hilden is another
Mannor in Tunbridge and was as high as I can track any Record the possession of the Noble Family of Vane who are written in very old Deeds A Vane and was certainly their ancient Seat before by matching with the Heir of Stidolfe they became possessors of Badsell Henry A Vane makes his Will in the year 1456. He was the Son of John A Vane who flourished at this place in the reign of Edward the third but his Predecessors enjoyed it as appears by Original Evidences many years before From Henry Vane it came over to John a Vane whose Son John Vane in the tenth year of Henry the seventh conveyed it by Sale to Dixon descended originally from the Dixons of Scotland Gentlemen of no despicable Account in that Nation and in their possession hath it ever since the first purchase been constantly setled Dachurst aliàs Hilden-borough had the same Possessors still with Tunbridge and being forfeited in the thirteenth year of Henry the eighth by Edw. Stafford Duke of Buckingham its Demeasne was in the fourteenth year of that Prince granced to William Skeffington Esquire in whose Descendant the propriety is yet resident but the Mannor it self rested in the Crown until not many years since it was conveyed by the State to Colonel Robert Gibbons of Hole in Rolvenden Bardens and Hadloe are two little Mannors in Tunbridge both which had Owners of that Sirname John de Barden held the first as the Book of Aide informs us and paid respective Aide for it at making the Black Prince Knight in the twentieth year of Edward the third and the dateless Evidences relating to Hadloe do assure us both of the Antiquity and Truth of the second And in the Tenure of the first did Bardens remain until the reign of Henry the fourth and then changed its Owner and came entirely to be possest by Hadloe but remained not long in his Name for John Hadlow dying without Issue Alice his Sister married to John Woodward became his Heir and she in her Widowhood about the latter end of Henry the sixth passed away Bardens to John Hopdey and he in the thirty eighth of Henry the sixth alienated his Right to William Hextall but Hadloe devolved to John Woodward Son of John Woodward abovesaid and he in the thirty seventh of Henry the sixth demises all his Interess in Hadloe to William and Henry Hextall and he the same year by Deed releases all his Right in Hadloe to William which William not many years after dying without Issue-male Margaret his Sole Daughter and Heir brought these two Mannors to be the Inheritance of her Husband William Wherenhall Esquire whose Son William Whetenhall Esquire about the middle of Henry the eighth passed away Bardens to Andrew Judde Esquire who erected the Alms-houses here at Tunbridge and Hadloe to William Waller Esquire Judde died without Issue-male and left his Estate to Alice his Sole Heir matched to Thomas Smith Esquire vulgarly called Customer Smith and he upon his Decease gave Bardens to his second Son Sir Thomas Smith of London in whose Descendants the Title yet is resident but Hadloe descended to Richard Waller Son to William abovesaid who about the forty second year of Elizabeth alienated it to George Stacy and he about the beginning of King James demised it again to Bing whose Successor Mr. John Bing in our Remembrance passed it away to Mr. David Polhill Esquire whose Grand-child Mr. David Polhill upon the late Decease of that his Grand-father is now entituled to the possession of it Hollenden is the last place in Tunbridge to be taken notice of which spreads its appendant Demeasne into the Parish of Leigh and was in Ages of a very high Gradation parcel of the Patrimony of the ancient Family of Fremingham for in the fifty fifth year of Henry the third I find that Ralph de Fremingham obtained a Charter of Free-warren to several of his Mannors in Kent in the Register of which was Hollenden In Times of a more modern Aspect that is about the reign of Henry the fourth I find it by some old Court-rols to be the Cheyneys and there are several parcels of Land that relate to this Mannor which are adopted into their Name and are called Cheyneys Fields and in this Family did the Mannor continue until the latter end of Henry the eighth and then it was alienated to Waller to whose Inheritance it continued united until that Age which fell within the Circle of our Fathers Cognisance and then it was passed away to Crittenden which Family at this instant is entituled to the Signory of it But part of the Demeasne which is spread into Leigh was about the beginning of Henry the seventh conveyed to Stacy whose Successor almost in our Remembrance alienated it to Turner and he not many years since demised it to James Pelset Tuydley anciently written Twidley lies in the Hundreds of Wachlingstone and Twyford and was not worth the Consideration were it not for Badsell where a Family who extracted their Sirname from hence had long since their Habitation from whom by a Daughter and Co-heir the Inheritance went into Stidulph from whom the Stidulphs or Stidolfes of Surrey are originally branched out a Noble Family certainly and of eminent Genealogy there being frequent mention in that Book which they call the Survey of the Lowey of Tunbridge taken in the fourteenth year of Edward the fourth of this Name and Family but when the successive mutation of Time had crumbled the Name of Stidolfe at this place into a Daughter and Heir called Agnes upon her espousals with John Vane Badsell became incorporated into the Interest and Concernment of that Family and by a Communicative Right issuing out from this Alliance does Milmay Fane now Earl of Westmerland entitle himself to the instant proprietie and possession of Tuydley and Badsell Kippings Crosse in Tuydley hath been as appears by several old Dateless Evidences and other Monuments for many hundred years the Seat and Inheritance of Kippings who bore for their Coat Armour as it appears exemplified and confirmed to Robert Kipping of Brenchley Gentleman the fifth of September in the thirty seventh year of Henry the eighth Loringeè Or and Azure upon a chief Gules A Lion passant Or langued and armed Azure But this Family after such a vast continuance here and at Brenchley not many yeart since determined in two Daughters and Co-heirs Dorothy the eldest was married to Edward Darrell Esquire second Son to Sir Robert Darrell of Calchill and Mr. James Darrell fourth Son of Sir Robert above mentioned and now secondly to Thomas Henshaw of Kensington Esquire descended from the ancient Family of Henshaw of Henshaw in Cheshire V. V. V. V. ULcomb in the Hundred of Eyhorne was the patrimony of St. Legers writen in Latin Records de Sancto Leodegario Sir Robert de Sancto Leodegario entred into England with Will the Conquerour and was of that high repute that according to the received Tradition of this Family he
and Geffrey de Camville was with Edward the first at the Siege of Carlaverock in Scotland in the twenty eighth year of his reign and there received the Order of Knighthood and here this Family concluded for afterwards I find this Mannor in the Hands of the Abbot of VVestminster who obtained a Market weekly to be held at this place on the Munday and a Fair yearly upon the Vigil the day and day after the Nativity of our Lady as appears Pat. 25. Edwardi tertii Num. 32. And here it remained with their revenue untill the Suppression of that Cloister in the reign of Henry the eighth and then being rent away by that Tempest it was in the thirty second year of that Prince granted to Sir Iohn Gresham which Concession was again confirmed to the Lady Beatrix Gresham Widow of Sir Thomas Gresham his Son by Queen Elizabeth from whom it is now devolved to Marmaduke Gresham Esq the Heir apparent of the Family Broxham is a place of eminent Account in this Parish Iohn de Insula or Isley was Lord of this Mannor and obtained a Charter of Free-warren here in the eleventh year of Edward the second After the Isleys were gon out the Ashways successively stept into the possession Stephen de Ashway obtained a Licence to inclose a Park here in the forty first year of Edward the third the Characters and Reliques of which are not so generally demolished and disparked by Time but that they are still obvious to a Curious eye yet this Priviledge could not fix it long in this Family for about the latter end of Richard the second I find it by Sale cast into the possession of Edward Lord Clinton who held it at his Decease which was in the first year of Henry the fourth Rot. Esc Num. 16. But here likewise the Title was as volatile and transitory for about the Beginning of Henry the sixth Iohn Lord Clinton passed it away to Thomas Squerie who was Lord of Squeries-court in this Parish and was descended from Iohn de Squerie whom I find by some old Evidences to have lived at Westerham in the Reign of Henry the third and it is possible either erected or very much augmented the Seat called Squeries-court The Arms viz. a Squirrel brousing on a Hasell-nut are depicted in very ancient coloured Glasse in Westerham-church but this Thomas above-mentioned dying in the seventeenth year of Henry the sixth without Issue-male Margaret his eldest Daughter matched to Sir William Cromer and Dorothy his youngest wedded to Richard Mervin of Fontels in Wiltshire became his two Coheirs and upon the division of the estate Squeries-court and Broxham were annexed to the patrimony of Cromer in which Family they made their aboad until the reign of Henry the eighth and then VVilliam Cromer Esquire having by some Delinquencie forfeited them to the Crown that Prince granted them to Thomas Cawarden or Carden Esquire from which Family about the middle of Queen Elizabeths reign they went off by Sale to Beresford who almost in our memory sold Squeries-Court to Sir George Stroud and he some few years since alienated it to Thomas Lambert Esquire who hath lately demised it to Mr ...... Leech but Broxham was conveyed to Mr. Tho. Petley of Vilston whose Grandchild Mr. ..... Petley is the Heir apparent of it Well-street and Gaysam in this Parish did anciently confess the two Families of Atwell and Shelley for its proprietaries William Atwell held Wellstreet as appears by an ancient Court-roll in the thirty fifth of Edward the third and Thomas Shelley in the forty sixth year of the same Monarch settles Gaysam by Testament on Thomas his Son and Heir who in the eighth year of Richard the second conveys it to his Son Thomas Shelley whose Descendant about the latter end of Henry the sixth demised it to John Potter and his Successor about the Beginning of Henry the fourth purchased VVellstreet of the Heirs of Cothull and is in the List of five of this Family who lye buried in Westerham-church and this Branch of the Name here was descended from Iohn Potter who held Lands at Dertford the twelfth of Edward the second and whose posterity continued Lords of these two places untill the Beginning of King James and then ...... Potter dying without Issue-male his only Daughter and Heir brought them to be the Inheritance of Sir Iohn Rivers of Chafford who not many years since demised his Interest in Well-street to Mr. Thomas Smith of Milk-street in London Scrivener Valons in this Parish was formerly the Mansion of a Family called in old datelesse Deeds de Valoniis and in English Valons but the greatest Honor which accrued to it was that Islip Abbot of VVestminster bought it in the reign of Henry the seventh of Casinghurst a Family which had been possest of it many Descents before and gave it to his Servant VVilliam Middleton who much improved it with Building And in his Family it was resident untill the latter end of Queen Elizabeth and then it was conveyed to James Verseline descended out of Flanders who gave it with his Daughter Anne Verseline to Peter Manning from which Family not many years since it passed away to Mr. Randall Manning of London whose Son and Heir Mr. Thomas Manning is now in the enjoyment of it Werd or Werth in the Hundred of Eastry is a Parish if you consider it in its precincts but narrow if in position low and unhealthful or if again in its number of Communicants not considerable but yet there are two places within the Ambuts and Boundaries of it which claim some consideration The first is the Mannor of Sandowne which was anciently the Perots who held this Mannor as the private Deeds of this Name and Family inform me as high as the Reign of Henry the third Thomas de Perot died possest of it in the fourth year of Edward the third Rot. Esc Num. 31. and then it was found fenced in and fortified with these priviledges It had Infangthef and Outfangthef Toll and Theam Sac and Soc Tumbrell and Pillory and other Franchises of the like Complexion but after this the Tenure was but of a brief Duration in this Name for the Female Heir of Perot brought this Mannor with much other Land to Langley of the County of Warwick and about the Reign of Henry the fifth there was a match between this Family and Peyton of the County of Cambridge which match at length brought this Mannor to descend to this Family For Edward Langley of Knolton Esquire deceasing about the beginning of Henry the eighth without Issue Sir Robert Peyton of Peyton Hall entred upon this and other Lands as his Heir at Law and he assigned it to his second Son John Peyton Esquire from whom it is now descended to Sir Thomas Peyton Baronet the instant proprietary of it Before I leave this Discourse of Sandowne I must inform the Reader that the Family of Peyton above mentioned and that of Ufford were primitively one and
1052 landed in this Island and miserably harrassed it by filling all places with Ruine and Devastation Indeed Religion when it glitters with a splendid and full revenue is like the Pictures of the ancient Saints apparelled in rich Garments which some have been enticed to rob not out of ill Will to their Sanctity but love to their Shrines and Beauty of their Cloaths Persecution and the Robes of Humility were the Attire of the primitive Church and when she is dressed up in gaudy Fortunes it is no more then she merits Yet sometimes it occasions the Devil to cheat her of her Holinesse and impious men by an unjust and injurious Sacriledge to cheat her of her riches But I have digressed I now return into the Track of my Discourse and must inform my Reader that although the Glory of this Cloister was so bowed down and broken with these misfortunes that it appeared almost sunk in its own Calamities yet by the piety of subsequent Ages it was buoyed up again but more especially by the indulgent Charity of King Henry the fourth who in the first year of his reign confirmed their old priviledges and to those added by patent many new And in this Condition it continued untill the general Dissolution or Deluge and then it was by Henry the eighth in the twenty ninth year of his reign granted to Sir Thomas Cheyney and his Son Henry Lord Cheyney having in the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth exchanged it for other Lands with that Princesse she regranted it to Sir Edward Hobby who had matched with her Kinswoman Margaret Daughter of Henry Lord Hunsdon and his Son Sir Edward Hobby about the middle of King James passed it away to Mr. Hen. Richards and he upon his Decease bequeathed it to Gabriel Livesey Esquire and he almost in our Remembrance conveyed it to Sir John Heyward who setled it upon his two Feoffees in Trust Sir Francis Buller of Cornwall and Serjeant Clerk of Rochester for such Charitable Uses as they should think proportionate to that Conveyance The Mannor of Northwood is situated in this Parish which was the Inheritance of Jordanus de Scapeia for so he is written in old datelesse Deeds and he had Issue Stephen de Northwood who was the first whom I find in Record to have assumed this Appellation and he was Father to Sir Roger de Northwood who lies buryed in Minster Church with an Inscription affixed to his Monument which seems by its more modern Character to have been corrupted It is this Hic jacet Rogerus Northwood Miles sepultus ante Conquestum Indeed his Figure is fairly insculped in Brasse with that of his Lady Bona lying by him who was Sister and Heir of William de Wauton The vulgar upon a credulous errour every where affirm that all those who are thus buryed were enterr'd after the Conquest when it is certain that many were entombed in this posture many years before the Conquerour that had obliged themselves by Vow to defend the Crosse and Sepulcher of our Saviour against the Fury and Assaults of Infidels Sure I am the Tomb next to this appears to be far more ancient and of so venerable a Form that its like doth not occurre in any other place there is not any Letter of Inscription left only the Coat is a sure Testimony that it was one of the Ancestors of the Family of Northwood But to proceed John Norwood one of this House as the private Records of the Family testifie feasted H. the fifth at the Red Lion in Sedingbourne and the Wine amounted upon the wole account but to 9. s. and 9. d. Wine being then rated but at a penny the pint W. Northwood another of this Name and Family did signal Service at the Battel of Agincourt and afterwards at the Battel of Vernoile which was managed by John Duke of Bedford Regent of France He was Kinsman of John Northwood who was the last of this Name at this place for he about the latter end of Edward the fourth alienated it to VVilliam VVarner Esquire whose Son and Heir VVilliam VVarner about the Beginning of Henry the eighth demised it to Sir Thomas Cheyney and his Son Sir Henry Lord Cheyney having exchanged it for other Lands with Queen Elizabeth it remained with the Crown untill King James in the second year of his reign granted it to the right honorable Philip Herbert Earl of Montgomery and afterwards Earl of Pembroke Newhall is another little Mannor in Minster which Fulke Peyforer dyed seised of in the ninth year of Edward the second and from him it devolved by descent to be the patrimony of his great Grandchild Fulk Peyforer and his Sole Heir Julian carried it away to Thomas St. Leger of Ottringden whose two Female Coheirs being matched to Aucher and Ewias shared his Inheritance and about the reign of Henry the fifth passed it away by Sale to Cromer whose Successor VVilliam Cromer having about the latter end of Henry the eighth by some misdemeanor forfeited it to the Crown it was granted to one Stephen Graine in which Family it remained untill the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth and then it was alienated to Small from which Name the same Vicissitude not many years since carried it off to Luck who transmitted his Right in it to Mr. Henry Newton who hath lately demised it to Mr. Josias Gering of London Rishingdon is the last place of Account which is circumscribed within the Limits of Minster It was in the twenty third year of Edward the first wrapped up in the patrimony of Savage for at that time John de Savage obtained a Charter of Freewarrren to several of his Mannors in Kont in the Number of which this is registered for one but in the reign of Edward the third the possession was departed from this Family being purchased by Philippa Wife and Queen to Edward the third and setled upon the Hospital of St. Katharines neere the Tower in whose demeasn it hath layn involved ever since In the fourteenth year of the reign of Richard the second John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster the King's Uncle was Lessee to that Hospital as appears Rot. Esc Num. 113. Which I mention to discover to the Reader that even in those Times Persons of the greatest eminence did not disdain to be Tenants for an Estate to an Hospital East-Church is the next place which comes to be considered Which though obscure in it self yet is made eminent by Shurland which is a Limb of this Parish and anciently did own a noble Family which bore that Sirname the last of which was Sir Robert de Shurland who was one of those Kentish Bannerets which were made by King Edward the first at the Siege of Carlaverock in the twenty eighth year of his reign and to whom the former Prince as a farther Symbol or Testimony of his Merit granted a Charter of Free-warren in the twenty ninth year of his reign to his Mannor of Shurland not long after which he deceased and
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
to Norden and not long after alienated his right in it to Francis Colepeper Esquire who not long after disposed of it again by Sale to Norden in which Family it rested until the same vicissitude brought it to be the Inheritance of Covert from which Family hath the Fate of Sale not many years since brought it to be the instant Patrimony of Sir William Merideth Leigh in the Lowey of Tunbridge is sometimes written West-Leigh and very often West-Leigh alias Pauls It was in Ages of a very high Gradation the Penchester's and in Dooms-day Book there is mention of * See more of this Family at Pencehurst Paul de Penchester who held Lands here and at Pencehurst and from this Man was it by a continued Series brought down to Sir Stephen de Penchester Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports and Constable of Dover Castle who exspired in two Daughters and Co-heirs whereof Joan the eldest was married to Henry Lord Cobham of Roundall in Shorn and Alice the other was married to John Lord Columbers as appears by an Inquisition taken in the third year of Edward the third and she had for her proportion assigned her the Mannors of West-Leigh and Pencehurst Sir Thomas de Columbers was Heir apparent to this John de Columbers and Alice his Mother and he by his Deed bearing Date from the eleventh year of Edward the third passed away all his Interest in this place to Sir John de Poultney Lord Maior of London and he died possest of it in the twenty third year of Edward the third immediately after I find Sir Nicholas Lovain Son of Guy Lovain interessed in the possession but whether it was by Marriage of Margaret Widow of Sir John Poultney or by purchase I cannot discover and he had Issue Nicholas Lovain who held it as Heir to his Father as appears by an Inquisition taken after his Deeease in the forty fourth year of Edward the third but this Nicholas dying without Issue Margaret Lovain his Sister became his Heir who brought it to her Husband Philip St. Clere of Aldham St. Clere Son of John St. Clere and they by joint Concurrence by their Deed of Sale bearing Date the tenth year of Henry the fourth passed it away to the Crown and that Prince bequeathed this Mannor of West-Leigh with several other Lands to John Duke of Bedford his third Son after Lord Regent in the minority of Henry the sixth but he deceasing and leaving no Issue it came to Humphrey Duke of Glocester his fourth Brother who being strangled by the procurement of William De la pole Duke of Suffolk in the Abbey of Bury and dying without any Posterity King Henry the sixth in the twenty fifth year of his Rule granted this Mannor being an Adjunct to Pencehurst to Humphrey Stafford Duke of Buckingham Ancestor to Edward Stafford who being attainted of high Treason in the thirteenth year of Henry the eighth lost both his Life Title and Estate and then it was granted by that Prince to Sir Rafe Vane who was made Banneret by that Prince for his remarkable Service in Scotland but he being unsuccessefully wound up in the Businesse of the Duke of Somerset in the fourth year of Edward the sixth was executed as guilty of Felony upon whose ruinous Catastrophe this Mannor by Escheat returning to the Crown it was in the seventh year of Edward the sixth granted to Sir William Sydney a person of deep Knowledge and unblemished Integrity great Grand-father to Robert now Earl of Leicester and Proprietary of West-Leigh There is another Mannor in this Parish called Philipotts which yielded a Sirname to a Family so styled and in a Deed which bears Date from the twenty eighth year of Edward the first whereby one John de Philipott does demise some parcels of Land to Robert Charles Bailiff of the Forest of Tunbridge he writes himself de Philipotts in Leigh but as all things have their Revolution which gives either their own Ruines or Oblivion to them for a Sepulchre so it was here For after this place had for some Hundreds of years been wrapt up in the Inheritance of this Family it at last came down to Thomas Philipott whose Daughter and Heir Alice was married to John Petley Esquire and so Philipotts fell under the Signiory of that Family but long it continued not there for this man determined in four Daughters and Coheirs one of whom matching with Children a Family so called interwove it with his Demeasne in which Name after it had for some years been fixed it was not long since by the Daughter and Heir of this Name brought to be the Inheritance of Polhill Lenham in the Hundred of Eyhorne is that place which Mr. Camden and Mr. Lambert conelude was Durolenum a City of the Romans mentioned by Antonius in his Itinerarium though others would have it to be about Newington by Sedingbourn But finding the consulary way went through this place and Roman Coine found many Times nere the Fosse and Surface of that way and that the high Road called Watling-street continued in the Line of the former till Rochester Bridge was built of stone and all that have written of that way do agree that it went through the middle of Kent I will not further dispute it but acquaint you that the Composition of the Name was from Dore Water in the British and Lenum which the Romans formed from some such sounding Name in the British Dialect and it is the more probable because from hence is a direct way to Limen the Romans Haven nere Hyth The Soile and Signiory were given to the Abby of St. Anstins by K. Kenwulf under the Notion of one and twenty Plough-lands in the year 804 and upon the Dissolution was united to the Crown till Queen Elizabeth passed it away by Grant to Tho. Wilford Esquire whose Son Sir Tho. Wilford conveyed it by Sale not many years since to Anthory Brown Viscount Montacute East-Lenham was long time since the Seat of the Husseys of whom I have spoken before in Boughton Malherbe Henry Hussey had a Charter of Free-warren to his Lands at East-Lenham Chilston and Stourmouth in the fifty fifth of Henry the third and from this Man did thethread of a continued Descent waft it along to Henry Hussey who about the twenty sixth year of Henry the eighth alienated the Possession to Mr. John Parkhurst descended from an ancient Family so called in Norfolke one of which Name was Bishop of Norwich in the year 1560 Ancestor to that ingenious Gentleman Sir William Parkhurst who has lately by Sale transmitted his Right in this Mansion to Mr. Wood of London Merchant Royton in this Parish had very good Gentlemen so styled who were no small space possessed of it and had a Free Chappel founded by Robert de Royton about the latter end of Henry the third from whence it borrowed the Name of Royton Chappel it being annexed to this mansion The Daughter and Heir of Royton was wedded to