East side is about 38. miles But in a straight line the same is but about 31. miles From tâ—ence about to th' end of Cowden being the south side is about 39. miles but in a straight line it is but about 33. miles And from thence about to the aforesaid end of Depâ—ford being the west side is about 24. miles but in a straight line the same is but about 21. miles So the whole circumâ—erence round about this County is about 162. miles but in the straight lines aforesaid the same is but about 136. miles I finde severall derivations of the names of this County viz. of the antient name Cantium and the now name Kent but with submission to better judgments I rather adhere to their opinion that conceive the names to be derived from the scituation of the place viz. in a nook or corner of England antiently called a Kant or Gantel The Inhabitants of this County were sometimes called Eskins which name arose by Eske second King of Kent raigning over them many yeers but his memory vanishing the name also vanished The aire of this County other than the weald and the marshes and places adiacent thereunto is accounted very healthy but the marshes for the most part unhealthy and the weald and places adjoyning to the marshes not generally so healthy as the most part of the rest of the County The commodious scituation of this County may justly compare with if not exceed any other part of the Nation the same being scituate neer but some little distance from London the chief City and the Thames that Soveraign River of Britaine watering the North side thereof about 33. miles in length The German and narrow Seas watering the North East and South sides thereof about 73. miles in length and the River of Rother likewise watering the South side thereof about 11. miles in length It also having severall good rivers and rivuleâ—s in the bowels of the same and more especially towards the West parts thereof Ravensborne watering the same 9. miles Cray 8. miles and Darent 16. miles famous Medway towards the middle spreading it self into severall branches watereth the same about 85. miles and Stoure towards the East parts thereof likewise spreading it self into severall branches watereth the same about 60. miles By which Rivers most of the most eminent places of this County are watered and navigation maintained to the principall of them How far this County is otherwise equall to if not excelling any other County of this Nation I shall offer to the Readers judgement these considerations First Concerning Religion I know that Glastenbury in the County of Somerset doth pretend and not pretend only that about the 31 th year after the death of Christ 12. of the Disciples of the Apostle Philip of which Ioseph of Arimathea was cheif came into this Nation and tendred the knowledge of Christian Religion to Arviragus then King thereof which though he consented not to embrace yet he permitted them to have a Church at this Glastenbury and there began the plantation of Christian Religion in this land which being admitted yet it likewise appeareth That for many years the same had but little successe of enâ—â—â—ale and no King of this Nation embraced the same till King Lucius who raigned about 150. years afterwards and built a Church in Dover Castle in this County for the exercise of Christian Religion from whence may be inferred that that Religion was the embraced here But most part of the Nation revolting fâ—om that Religion and becoming Pagans till the year 596. In the time of the Heptarchy Augustine the Monk was sent from Pope Gregory to convert this Naâ—ion to the Christian faith and first landed in this County and converted and baptised many of the people of the same and likewise converted Ethelbert then King thereof who upon Whitsunday in the year 597. was by him here baptised was the first Christian Saxon King and this County was the first County that generally received the Christian faith afterwards Edwin King of the Northumbers Marrying from hence Edelburg Daughter of the said King Ethelbert Paulinus afterwards Bishop of Rochester went from hence with her into her husbands Kingdome for the conversion of the people thereof where in some part he prevailed but in the year 633. Edwin being slain that people revolted from that Religion and Paulinus was forced to returne again hither and Christian Religion was again as it were confined to this County Nor were succession of Christian Bishops in this Nation other than of Canterbury and Rochester both in this County for many years afterwards and instrumentally from thence sprang the after-conversion of the rest of the Nation to the Christian faith But the coÌ„version of the West Saxons with in whose Dominion Glastenbury was was not till about 40. years after the conversion of this County At which time Kingils their King was converted and baptised by Byrinus an Italian Bishop This County as before appeareth had in it two Bishops Seas one whereof viz. Canterbury was the Primate and Metropolitan of all England And his Church very anciently called the Nurse and Metropolis of the same By which and by what is hereafter said may be collected thâ—t the rise of that common proverbe Kent and Christendome was not as vulgarly mistaken that Kent was conceived diffinct from Christendome but that it was famous as Kent and famous as Christendome Secondly Concerning the ancient dignity and considerableness of this County In the time of Iulius Caesar about 1700. years since it was in Four petty Kingdomes governed by Four Kings viz. Cingetorix Cavilius Taximagulus and Segonax Afterwards King Vortigern about 1200. years since set over the same a Guorong or Vice-Roy Afterwards this was the first of the Kingdomes of the Heptarchy and no one County of England had a King of it self but this whose Kingdome began about the year 455. and continued about 372. years in the succession of 17. Kings By that learned Antiquary Mr. Camden it is called the key of England and in it is Four of the Cinque portes of this Nation viz. Sandwich Dover New Romney and Hith as also that famous Castle of Dover the confiderableness whereof Phillip King of France well weighing when in the time of King Hen. 3. Lewes his son had took divers townes and fortes in England and hearing that he could not take this Castle the same being valiantly defended by Hubert de Burgh protested that then his son had not one foot of land in England Thirdly The civility of the people still treading in the steps of their Ancestors who in the time of the aforesaid Iulius Caesar were by him accounted and so stiled the most civilized people of all this Nation Fourthly For the ancient valour of the people of this County they claime and are allowed the front in Battailes And they onely of all England obteyned and reteyne the name of VNCONQVERED For as if all the antient English valour were remaining in
a Faire yearly upon the day of the translation of St. Augustine being the six and twentieth day of May and a Market for Bullocks at Sandway in this Parish upon every Twesday after All-Hollanday being the fiâ—st day of November untill Christmass LEVELAND LIveland lieth towards the East side of the middle of the County about foure miles towards the South distant from Feversham in the Bailiwick and Lath of Scray East division of the County and upper division of Justices in that Lath The liberty of the late Archbishop of Canterbury claimeth over the Mannour of Leveland but the liberty of St. Augustine claimeth over the Parish for that it is in the hundred of Feversham which belonged to that Abbey It was in the Deanry of Ospringe and Diocess of Canterbury and the Church was called St. Laurence LEUSHAM LEvesham lieth at the Northwest side of the County adjoyning to Surrey by the river Ravensborne about three miles and a half towards the Northwest distant from Bromley in the Bailiwick of Sutton Bromley Hundred of Blackheath Lath of Sutton at Hone West division of the County and upper division of Justices in that Lath. It was in the Deanry of Dartford and Diocess of Rochester and the Church was called St. Maries in which Church is or lately was a memoriall of the interment of Hatecliffe Lord Treasurer of Ireland about 140. years since Sir Iohn Merbury Knight founded a Priory in this Parish consisting of black Monks Aliens belonging to the Abbey of Gaunt in Flaunders King Hen. 3. confirmed the same And it was suppressed 2. Hen. 5. The Mannour of Leusham belonged to this Priory At this Parish in the year 1472. a great Spring newly brake out of the earth At Black-â—eath in or neer this Parish are many Trenches and other signes of Campes aâ—tiently pitched there is in truth there were viz. upon Wednesday after Whitson week in the year 1381. here appeared 40000. Horsemen for King Richard the second against Waâ— Tyler Iack Straw and their adherents In the year 1451. Iack Cade that grand Rebell against King Hen. 6. incamped here by the space of a moneth and from hence sent his Traiterous demands or rather commands to that King Here also in the year 1452. King Hen. 6. pitched his Royall Pavillion in his preparation against his Cosen Edward Duke of Yorke afterwards King Edward the 4. Here likewise the Bastard Faulconbridge incamped three dayes against King Edward the 4. And here also in the year 1496. incamped the Lord Audley Flammock and Ioseph the Blacksmith and their adherents in their Rebellion against King Hen. 7. where the King fought and overthrew them slew above 2000. of their companions and took 1500. prisoners and among them the aforesaid Lord Audley Flammock and Ioseph who were all three executed This place hath also antiently been famous for several great and solemn meeting viz. 21. Decemb. 1411. The Emperour of Constantinople was here magnificently met by King Hen. 4. In the year 1415. The Mayor and Aldermen of Lâ—ndon and 400. Citizens in red with red and whâ—â—e hoods here meâ— King Hen 5. at his return out of France after his great Battle at Agincourt and from hence conducted him to London Likewise 7. May 1416. The Mayor Aldermen and Citizens of London here met the Emperour Sigismund and conducted him to their King Hen. 5. Also the 28. of Septemb. 1474. The Mayor and Aldermen of London in Scarlet and 500. Citizens in Murrey here met King Edward the 4. at his return from France Upon Monday 27. Septem 1518. The Lord Admirall of France and the Bishop of Paris Embassadours from the King of France with above 1200. Attendants were here met by the Lord Admiral of England from King Hen. 8. with above 500. Gentlemen In the year 1519. Cardinal Campeius Legate from Rome to King Hen. 8. was brought hither by the Gentry of this County and here met and received by the Duke of Norfolk and many of the Gentry and Prelates where in a Tent of cloth of Gold he shifted himself into his Cardinals Robes edged about with most rich Ermin and from hence rode to London And 3. of Ianua 1539. The Lady Anne Cleave was here met with great state from King Hen. 8. In this Parish of Leusham Abraham Colf late Minister of the same in his life time founded two Free-Schools The one for teaching of youth English and the other for teaching them Latine with severall yeerly allowances to the Schoolmasters of the same And also yearly allowance towards the maintenance of some of the said Schollers at the Universities whensoever they should become fit for those places the oversight and government whereof he committed to the Company of Leather-sellers London LID LIeth at the Southside of the County adjoyning to the Sea about two miles and a half towards the southwest distant from new Romney It is a member of the Town and Port of new Romney and incorporated by the name of Bailiff Jurats and Comonalty of the Town of Lid and before that by the name of Barons of the Town of Lid the election of which Bailiff was antiently and still is upon St. Mary Magdalens day being the two and twentieth day of Iuly The liberties of this Town and of the Cinque Ports claim over the sameâ— The liberty of the late Archbishop of Canterbury also claimeth there And the liberty of Wye claimeth over the Borough of Dengemarsh there which was a member of Wye in the time of King William the conquerour It is all in the Bailiwick and Lath of Shipway Hundred of Langport East division of the County and division of Justices of the Corporation aforesaid It was in the Deanry of Limpne and Diocess of Canterbury and the Church was called All Saints in which is or lately was a memoriall of the interment of the Deerings about 270. years since and of Godfrey above 220. years since A Market is kept here upon every Thursday and a Faire yearly upon the day of St. Anaâ—letus being the thirteenth day of Iuly In the Beach neer Stone end at the East side of this Parish is to be seen a great heap of stones which the Inhabitants call the Tombe of St. Crespin and Crispianus supposed to be buried there Neer the Sea also at the southside of this Parish is a place called Holmestone consisting of Beach and Pibble stones yet Holme trees grow plentifully upon the same LIDDON LIeth towards the East part of the County about three miles and a half towards the Northwest distant from Dovor in the Bailiwick of Stowting East division of the County and division of Justices in the Lath of Shipway Part thereof is in the Hundred of Bewâ—borough and Lath of St. Augustine and the residue in the Hundred of Folkstone and Lath of Shipway The liberty of the late Archbishop of Canterbury claimeth there It was all in the Deanry of Dovor and Diocess of Canterbury The Church standeth in the Hundred of Folkestone and was called
New Romney in the Bailiwick and Lath of Shipway East division of the County and division of the Justices of the Corporation of Romney Marsh the liberty whereof claimeth over the same Part thereof is in the Hundred of Aloesbridge other part in the Hundred of Newchurch other part in the hundred of St. Martin and the residue in the Hundred of Worth It was aâ—l in the Deanry of Limpne and Diocess of Canterbury The Church standeth in the Hundred of Newchurch and was called St. Peter and Paul NEWENDEN ANdreds Chester Anderida Lyeth at the southside of the County by the river Rother adjoyning to Sussex about foure miles towards the southeast distant from Cranbrock in the Bailiwick of the seven Hundreds Lath of Scray West divisiâ—n of the County and lower division of Justices in that Lath. Part thereof is in the Hundred of Sâ—lbrittenden and the residue is in the Township of Newenden which Township hath an Officer of 〈◊〉 called the Bailiffe Who is in this place as a Constable is in other parts of the County and this Bailiffe hath also under him an Officer called the under Bailiffe who is likewise in this place as a Boâ—sholder is in other parts of tâ—e County The liberty of the late Archbishop of Canterbury claymeth over the Mannour of Newenden But I finde not the same in the Nomina Villarum of that liberty and do finde that Thomas Arcbishop of Canterbury 2 o. Marti 31 o. Hen 8. by grant inrolled in the Augmentation Office 32. Henry 8. granted the same to that King It was all in the Deanry of Charing and Diâ—cess of Canterbury The Ch 〈…〉 deth in the Township of Newenden and 〈◊〉 called St. Peter The 〈…〉 house of Friars Carmilities in England was at a place called Lossenham in this Parish where Sir Thomas Allâ—â—er in the year 1241. Founded for them a Priory and dedicated the same to the Virgin Mary In the Parish neer the Priory stood a Castle which 〈…〉 by the Danes in the year â—â—â— Aâ—d not 〈…〉 thereof are extant Onely the memory 〈…〉 is preserved by a place there stâ—ll called Castle Tâ—â—â— This Towne was antienâ—ly a famous City accounted the chief defensible place in all this Southerne part but Aella the first King of the South Saxons about the year 488. beseiged the Britans here after long fieâ—e entring by assault put all to the sword raced the City to the ground and the place continued desolaâ—e till the foundâ—tion of the aforesaid Priory at which time it began a little to revive but at present is and for many years past hath been very meane NEWINGTON neer Hith LIeth at the southeast part of the County about two miles towards the northeast distant from Hith in the Bailiwick of Stowting Hundred of Folkâ—tone Lath of Shipway eaâ—t division of the County and division of Justices in that Lath. It was in the Deanry of Dovor and Diocess of Canterbury and the Church was called St. Nicâ—olas NEWINGTON besides Sittingborn NEwenton Lieth towards the North side of the Counâ—y about two miles and a half towards the west distant from Milâ—on in the Bailiwick and Hundred of Miltoâ— Lath of Scray East division of the County and Upper division of Justices in that Lath. The liberty of St. Augustine claimeth over the Mannour of Newington It was in the Deanry of Sittingborn and Diocess of Canterbury and the Church was called St. Maries All the Customes in which Church belonging to the Archbishop of Canterbury were by King William the Conquerour in the year 1073. confirmed to Lanâ—ranck then Archbishop NEWNHAM LIeth towards the North part of the County about foure miles and a half towards the southwest distant from Feversham in the Bailiwick and Lath of Scray East division of the County and Upper division of Justices in that Lath. The liberty of St. Augustine claimeth over the same for that it is in the Hundred of Feversham which belonged to that Abbey It was in the Deanry of Ospringe and Diocess of Canterbury and the Church was called St. Peter and Paul St. NICHOLAS LIeth at the Northeast â—ide of the County in the Isle of Thanet about five miles and a half towards the Northwest distant from Sandwich in the Bailiwick of Bridge aâ—d Petham Lath of St. Augustine and East division of the County Sarre was antiently in the decayed Parish of St. Giles but is now reputed to be in this Parish And is a member of the Town and Port of Sandwich within the division of the Justices of that Town and Port and the liberties thereof and of the Cinque Ports claime over the same The residue of this Parish is within the Division of the Justices in the Lath of St. Augustine and the liberty of St. Augustine claimeth over the same for that it is in the Hundred of Ringslow which belonged to that Abbey The liberty of the late Archbishop of Canterbury also claimeth in this Parish It was all in the Deanry of West Beere and Diocess of Canterbury and one St. Nicholas was antiently Owner of the same The Church standeth in the Hundred of Ringslow was called St. Nicholas was antiently a Chappel to Reculver and Robert of Winchelsea Archbishop of Canterbury about 350. years since erected and endowed a perpetuall Vicarage in the same In the time of King Hen. 8. controversie arising touching assessing Sarr aforesaid as lying in the Forraign That King to put an end thereunto by Letters Patents united the same to Sandwich NOCKHOLT LIeth towards the middle of the West part of the County about foure miles and a half towards the Northwest distant from Sevâ—nock in the Baâ—liwick of Sutton Bromley Hundred of Ruxley Lath of Sutton at Hoâ—e West division of the County and Upper division of Justices in that Lath. It was in the Deanry of Shorâ—ham a peculiar to the â—ate Archbishop of Canterbury but in the Diocess of Rochester NONINTON LIeth about the middle of the East part of the County about five miles towards the southwest distant from Sandwich in the Bailiwick of Eastry Lath of St. Augustine East division of the County and division of Justices in that Lath. Part thereof is in the Hundred of Eastry and the resi due in the Hundred of Wingham The liberties of the late Archbishop of Canterbury and St. Augustine claim there and the liberty of the late Dean of Canterbury claimeth over so much thereof as is within the Mannour of Eastry It was all in the Deanry of Bridge and Diocess of Canterbury The Church standeth in the Hundred of Wingham was called St. Maries and was antiently a Chappel to Wingham But in the year 1282. upon dividing of Wingham into foure Parishes this was one of them NORBURN LIeth neer the East end of the County about two miles and a half towards the south distaut from Sandwich in the Bailiwick of Eastry Hundred of Cornilo Lath of St. Augustine East division of the County and division of Justices in that Lath. The liberty of the
from the stocks but more remarkably in this Parish WYE WI Lieth towards the southeast part of the County by the river Stoure about three mlies and a halfe towards the Northeast distant from Ashford in the Bailiwick of Chart and Longbridge Hundred of Wye Lath of Scray East division of the County and division of Justices in the Lath of Shipway The liberâ—y of the late Archbishop of Canterbury claimeth there but the liberty of Wye claimeth over the same where is hâ—ld a Court of Record upon every Monday three weeks for determining all actions both reall personal mixt It was in the Deanry of Bridge and Diocess of Canterbury and the Church was called St. Gregory and St. Martin which Church was Collegiate so made by Archbishop Iohn Kempe herein after mentioned about 210. years since And in the same is or lately was a memoriall of the interment of Thomas Kempe and Beatrice his wife Father and Mother of the said Archbishop about 230. years since And of one Andrew very antient The Steeple of this Church had antiently a long spire which was fired by lightning to the stone-work King William the Conquerour having oâ—tained victory over King Harold at a place then called Herst in Sussex founded there a Monastery which upon that occasion he named as still it is called Battle And to the same he gave the Mannour of Wye aforesaid by the name of his Royall Mannâ—ur oâ— Wye which then had 22. hundredâ— and a half subject to the same and royall liberties and customs And his grant mentioneth the same to have been of the Demesnes of his Crown which gift King Hen. 1. confirmed And at this Mannour house King Edw. 2. in the first year of his raign kept a royall Christmass The aforesaid Iohn Kempe born in this Parish whose Father was mean though descended from a younger brother of a good Family became Doctor of the Laws Archdeacon of Durham Dean of the Arches Vicar generall to Archbishop Stafford his predecessor in the Sea of Canterbury Bishop of Rochester afterwards of Chichestâ—r afterwards of London and afterwards Archbishop of York twice Lord Chancellour of England and Cardinal of St. Balbin afterwards 11. of Decemb. 1452. Archbishop of Canterbury and Cardinal of St. Rufine and in the time of King Hen. 6. founded here a Colledge of Secular Priests the head whereof was a Prebend These he appointed for divine Service and to teach the youth of that Parish which Colledge at the surrender thereof 36. Hen. 8. was valued at 93l 2s 0d ob per annum Much hath formerly been boasted of a precious fountain in this Parish working miracles touching which I refer them that desire further satisfaction to Mr. Camdens Britannia fol. 335. A Market is kept in this Town upon every Thursday and a faire yearly upon the day of St. Gregory being the 12. day of March. YALDING LIeth towards the middle of the West part of the County by the river Medway about fouâ—e miles towards the south distant from West Malling in the Bailiwick of Twyford Lath of Aylesford West division of the County and south division of Justices in that Lath. Most part thereof is in the Hundred of Tâ—yford and the residue viz. the Borough of Rugmerhill is in the antient 〈◊〉 of Ayleâ—ford So much of this Parish as is held of the Mannour of West Farley is in the Borough of West Farley The Borsholder whereof is chosen at the Court Leet there and so much thereof as is held of the Mannour of Hunton is within the Borough of Hunton and the Boâ—â—hâ—lder thereâ—â—f is châ—sen at the Court Leet there and the inhabitants of neither of these Boroughs ow service to the Court Leet holden for the Hundred of Twyford within which Hundâ—ed they both are But at that Court a Constable for that Hundred may be chosen out of either of these Boroâ—ghs This Parish was all in the Deanry of Malling and Diocess of Rochester The Church standeth in the Hundred of Twyford and was called St. Peter and Paul A Faire is kept here yearly upon Easter Tuesday And thus having treated of the aforesaid severall Parishes and places in this County of Kent and considering that the City of Canterbury and the County thereof is compassed about with the County of Kent and was formerly parcell of the same as still the Castle there is I though fit likewise to treat something thereof But in respect so much and so fully hâ—th been formerly written of the same and of the said Castle and more especially by the aforesaid Mr. Lambard in his peramâ—ulation of Kent and Mr. William Somner in his antiquities of Canterbury printed in the year 1640. the last whereof hath so elaborately judiciously fully wrote of the same That there is lest but little if anything observable that I know of not there set down I shall therefore only briefly touch upon the same And first of the City which lyeth towards the Northeast part of Kent by the river Sâ—oure about seven miles towards the East distant from Feversham And doubtless is one of the most antient Cities now in the Nation and aâ—tiently called Caergant or the Court of Kenâ—ish-men It is reported by some to have been founded with Winchester in Hampshire and Shaâ—tsbury in Dorseâ—sâ—ire by 〈◊〉 otherwise 〈◊〉 King of Britain almost 2500. years since The truth whereof may be questionable for that it is believed for certain that Shafâ—â—buâ—y was founded by King Alfred many hundred years afterwards But as certain as it is that this City of Canterbury was famous in the time of the Roâ—ane Government here and in the time of Ethelbert King of Kenâ— above 1050. years since This was his chiefe City and place of residence which afterwards was by Aethelâ—stan inriched with seven Mints viz. foure for himself two for the Archbishop and one for the Abbot And for divers Centuries afterwards this City was the chief place of Kent governed by a Pâ—aeâ—ect Porâ—reve Bailiffe or Provest untill that in the year 1449. it came to be governed by a Mayor and so hath â—ver since continued And in the year 1461. it was made a County of it self It is an antient Corporation antiently a Hundred and within the division of the Justices of the same A Market is kept here upon every Wednesday and Saterday Twenty Churches were anciently in this City and the Suburbs thereof seventeen whereof viz. St. Alphage St. Andrew St. Mary Bredman St. Mary Breeden Holy Cross Westgate â—t George St. Margaret St. Mary Magdalen St. Mary Noâ—â—hgâ—te St. Mildred St. Peter All-saints St. Mary Castle St. Edmund St. Iohn St. Mary Queeningate and St. Michael were in the City And the other three viz. St. Dunstan St. Martin and St. Paul were in the Suburbs All which Parishes were in the Deâ—nry and Diocess of Canterbury and are still in being except St. Mary Castle St. Edmund St. Iohn St. Mary Queeningate and St. Michael which are demolished The liberty of the late Dean of