Britannia: or a Geographical description of the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, with the Isles and Territories thereto belonging.
Blome, Richard
1687
THE COUNTY, AND ANCIENT KINGDOM OF KENT.
THE COUNTY, AND ANCIENT KINGDOM OF KENT.
a County of a large extent, being from South- eastwards, unto Westwards, about 60 in length; and from 's in the of Northwards, unto Southwards, about 34; making in circumference about 150, or 160 | |
It is on all parts encompassed by the and the narrow except towards the West, and South-west by the Counties of and | |
It is (though ) generally of a rich and fertile plentifully provided with and other also with store of and which are esteemed the best in It is also sufficiently furnished with for fuelling, and good except towards the East, where it is more | |
The though not very serene (by reason of the vapours arising from the and that do in a manner begirt it) yet is it temperate and good, except in the and | |
The distinguish this County, as it lyeth Southeast- wards from the into three parts; the upper lyeth upon the and is esteemed but not the middle, both and and the lower, but not as lying low and moist in the and by consequence very aguish. | |
This County may boast it self in being the first of the of the and having aparticular to its self (a thing that no other County in had;) neither was it ever subdued by conquest, but yielded upon to the and to keep their ancient one of which is that of the by which they are not so bound by as in other parts of but as it were having some part to live upon: For in this nature | |
123 | ture are equally divided amongst the and for want of amongst the and by vertue of which they are at age to enter upon the same at old; and it is lawful for them to sell, or make over the same without the consent of the Also the Son ( though of a convicted Father for or ) succeeds him in such kind of They also that their and amongst all the were the first for it is said that who was the first in this built a within the limits of to the service of and for its maintenance endowed it with the of the |
In the time of the people were the civilest of all the and then governed by four under the by his from whom the said gave it to the in love of his daughter who endeavouring to gain the sole regality obteined (in a fought near ) a great insomuch that he deemed himself sole Lord thereof; yet afterwards the valiant gave him at in which both and brethren to both the were slain, and the again forced to their allotted (to wit, the of ) from whence, during the life of they durst not attempt further. | |
made this a which he, and his did enjoy 320 then King of the subdued it, and joyned it to his own; in which state it remained, until the time of the who possessed it upon composition as aforesaid. | |
This hath sufficiently felt the burthen of civil and not only under the and (which alone were intollerable) but likewise since the conquest of the as in the in the time of the Third; also by that grand Rebel in the reign of the Second; again in the reign of the Seventh at where the were vanquished: and lastly, it hath been a fellow sufferer with divers other in the late unhappy troubles, in the paying their duties to their Soveraign. | |
It is well watered with many of which are as the which washes its Northern the which in a manner divideth the in the middle, and is the station for his beside, ten others of considerable account, which opening with several and are found commodious for to ride in, of which four bear the name of viz. and and on the banks of these which are crossed by divers are seated several good | |
This County is enriched with two and is strengthed with several graced with four of the beautified with many splendid well replenished with sufficiently stored with safe and secure for plentifully garnished with good is a place of a considerable affording and other and several as in great plenty; and by reason of its vicinity to is well known and frequented by | |
As to its it hath fourteen to wit, in the East of the 1 2 3 and 4 and 5 6 and 7 and in the West 8 9 10 11 12 of 13 and 14 | |
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There are also seventeen and which have of to hold of all real, personal, and mixt; which are as followeth: 1. The 2. The of the of 3. The of the 4. The of 5. Of 6. Of 7. Of and 8. Of the of 9. Of 10. Of 11. Of 12. Of the Bishop of 13. Of the City of 14. Of 15. Of 16. Of and 17. of | |
The are fourteen, of which nine are in the viz. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. and 9. And in the five; 10. and 11. 12. 13. and 14. | |
The East of this hath in it yearly two general of the holden at the at which are commonly on and the before day. And the West hath also two of the which are usually holden at the one on after and the other on after | |
As to its it is severed into five which again are subdivided into 64 in which are numbred four hundred and odd and hath for the accommodation of its 28 which I shall take notice of as they lye in each and first with that of adjoyning to the County of | |
The of or is bounded on the East with that of on the South with the County of on the West with and on the North with the It is divided into two of of the and hath in it eight Its chief places are | |
a of good resort, whose which is on is well served with and other This (as several would have it) was so called from its exceeding great which now are hewed down. Here is an and a founded by one Lord Maior of in , who was a foundling in this and from thence took his name. | |
seated on the River not far from its influx into the which gives good advantage to the in the conveying their goods to which makes its (which is on ) to be very well stored with and other and much frequented by The is large, and as scituate in the high is well accommodated with and of In the reign of King the Second, in . impious rebellion began here, occasioned by an abuse which a of the offered to the Daughter of a of this who was the or of the rebellious crew, and called the story of which is sufficiently known in History. | |
seated on or near the River an indifferent good on for | |
seated on the River a on but very inconsiderable, scarce worth the name of one. But is of note for its | |
125 | for the which makes its to be well frequented by those that have relation thereunto. |
scituate on a Brook called which hath a quick stream, and in a hath a very inconsiderable on | |
a large and very pleasant scituate on the banks of the being well inhabited and frequented by and ennobled with a once stately of the a place of good antiquity, whose Foundations were first laid by Duke of and enlarged and beautified by several succeeding and out of the ruins of this Structure, there is now erecting a stately Pile of building. And adjoyning to this is a small, but pleasant which affords a delectable prospect; and here it was that Queen with divers other did receive their first breaths. | |
Adjoyning to is a place of signal note, where the lay; and here have been several bloody conflicts; that of already treated of ; also that of and his in the reign of the Sixth; and that of the Blacksmith, and the Lord in the reign of the Seventh. | |
another large consisting of the upper and the lower, also seated on the banks of the amongst rich and low and on the confines of the County towards a well inhabited and frequented by and is of most account by reason of its and for &c. for the | |
seated on the South-side of amongst a nearly scituated, and well inhabited by It was honored with a of the said to be built by of who afterwards gave it to Queen wife to King the First; and the only reason of its decay was its vicinity to which is a place of greater delight. | |
of chief note for being the place where the obteined of the the enjoyment of their ancient and on condition of a peace. | |
seated on or near the River a of good antiquity; and here it was that the pitched his and where King (surnamed ) fought him, and put him to flight, with the loss of about 5000 and also here had his seat, and resided, of whom many stories are told. | |
seated on the and in the confines of the County towards hath a very considerable on | |
of note for its famous so much resorted unto, and drank in the Sommer season, known by the name of | |
The of is of a large extent, reaching from North to South, and lyeth between the of and It is severed into fifteen is divided into three of of the and hath for its chief places, | |
an ancient City, and once of a larger extent then now it is, being (through the often of ill fortune, as well by as by the and ) at present contented with a narrow compass, having (within its ) but one principal which extendeth it self to a good length, and the are well built, and inhabited by | |
126 | and It is no less pleasantly then commodiously seated on the banks of the over which it hath a stately susteined by divers which leadeth to a good, fair, and well inhabited This is dignified with an and its first erected by King of and by him dedicated to since its repairs it is a fair Structure, and hath a and six It is the least (though ancient, next to ) Diocess of conteining part of this County, in which there is but 98 of which 36 are |
This is also dignified with an the present being the Right Honorable Earl of The of this City is committed to the care of a and a of with other is endowed with several and, as all Cities, it hath the election of Here is an for the relief of all poor (provided they are not ) for a night. Its which is now reduced to ruin, was a place of great importance and strength, being said to be built by the command of to over awe the And the do at present drive a good and its which is on is well served with | |
Adjoyning to this City (as may be now said by reason of its vicinity) is also seated on the banks of a long thorough-fare which is well inhabited by and those that have alliance thereunto: and the more, as being the station of the and where there is a stately for the building and equipping of his | |
scituate on the banks of the a place of great resort, as being the common landing place for and in their passages to as likewise the accustomary place for taking of and the ready road to which doth occasion it to be well furnished with and of Entertainment: and its which are on and are well provided with yet all want for no price. And here is seated one of the the other being opposite unto it in the County of which said are kept continually guarded, and provided with the better to secure the passage up the River of | |
Nigh unto is seated also on the banks of the a small where there is a kept every after until but not very considerable. | |
also seated on the which with a branch it sendeth forth, severeth the It is a large, fair, sweet, populous, and well frequented being the and enjoyeth several which were granted its by King the Sixth, and confirmed by Queen being a and sendeth to and here is one of the for the and where they keep their and In this for the education of youth, is a and its which is on is very considerable, and well provided with and all sorts of Places of most note and ornament in this were (if not are) the the the of the of and the | |
seated on an eminence, a on which is not very considerable; and here at a place called upon every after until is a kept for the sale of | |
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scituate on the River over which it hath a and here King of fought with the in which brother to and brother to Commander of the in a single combat slew each other; and in memory of the caused to be erected a Monument of Stone, which is vulgarly now called adjoyning to this was a of | |
scituate near unto hath a on and here erected an of which he dedicated to the blessed | |
seated in a but neighboured by a on | |
scituate on a branch of the over which it hath a and is said to take its name from its many It is a well frequented which is on affording and other and is of chief note for the healthful waters near adjoyning already spoken of, which are much visited by the in the Sommer season. | |
The of runneth from North to South the breadth of the County, and possesseth the middle part thereof; It is divided into sixteen hath two of of the And its chief places are | |
seated not far from the of so made by the River which with the Sea encircleth it; out of which said there cometh a up to the by reason of which it is well frequented by and such like small which here drive a good it being the principal for all this part of The is large, well built, and inhabited by and and its which are on and are well frequented and provided with This was honoured by being the burial place of King and Queen his wife, and his son, in the which by him was caused to be erected. | |
seated in the of a of great antiquity, of which it boasteth more then of its beauty, wealth, or extent, being on all accounts but mean; yet doth it still enjoy its ancient being a electing and is by a and Court of which commonly for and are not over-burthened. This for its defence had a (once strong) built by King the Third, for the better security of the passage up the at that time that he went to wage war against the of the ruins of which said are yet remaining; wherefore the better to secure the passage up the to and where the rideth, at a place called is lately built by order of his present Majesty, a very strong and powerful | |
The of is about 21 in circumference, is exceeding fertile, and feedeth great of from whence' tis said it took its name. This was much harased by the as also by the of the and his And besides there are several seated thereon, as &c. | |
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or seated on a near the which severeth it from a place of good account in the reign of the and hath a on | |
not far from a thorough-fare being well accommodated with and publick | |
seated on the over which it hath a in former time a place of good account, as it is at present; and hath a weekly on | |
not far from the banks of the hath a on which is well frequented: And in this is Kept a Court of upon every three weeks for wherein the or do not exceed twenty | |
seated on a good River called the not far from its influx into the where it saluteth a in It hath a on | |
a member of the ancient of made so by King the Sixth; in whose time this and was first and the election of the and afterwards of the is in the The of this is note-worthy for its fair, lofty, and good building, which in former times, before the were, was made use of for the hanging a to direct It hath a on | |
a large and well frequented on esteemed the best in these parts, which for the conveniency of the and is now paved. | |
or not far from hath a on | |
scituate on a a of no great account, as is its which is on | |
a place of good antiquity, where the built a which was thus occafioned. King of being at wars with the Northern people of this sent for this by whose assistance he gained the Victory, who being unwilling to leave so good a Country behind him, requested leave of the King to stay; and that he might have but so much ground to build a Habitation on, as might be enclosed within the compass of a of which request seeming very small, the willingly granted: but craftily, for the enlargement of his Habitation, caused the said to be cut into as small as could be possible, and within the compass thereof he built a and called it from whence the took its name; the ruins of which said is yet to be seen; but the story being sufficiently known, I shall say no more. | |
The of lyeth South of that of and is washed on the East, or rather South-East and South by the It is subdivided into thirteen hath only one of of the and for its chief places hath | |
once a place of note, as being one of the but now not much frequented, by reason of the unkindness in forsaking it, and its being choaked up; yet doth it still retain its priviledges, as other do; and hath a on which is indifferently furnished with This before its severals | |
129 | shocks of ill fortune, by the unkindness, the and the was very large, conteining four And here are yet two which are both under the of the and of the |
another of the seated in a so called, of about fourteen in length, and eight in breadth; now more famous for the fertility of the in the grasing of then for the goodness of the place, by reason of the leaving it, as also for its unwholsome yet doth it still enjoy the priviledges of other the At the time of the Conquest this was in a flourishing condition, having in it twelve five a and an The is not large, nor the good, yet is it the chiefest in the which every is indifferently well served with | |
a member of the and is the chief in which said doth adjoyn to that of and by many held the same: And in this are and places well known to Mariners. In the at the East-side of this is a great heap of which the say was the Tomb of and who were there buried. It hath a on | |
once a flourishing and of a large extent, conteining five which are now reduced to one. It is a and a member of the of is incorporated by the name of a and enjoying several and hath a on And nigh unto this is | |
hath a on | |
The of hath for its Northern and Eastern bounds the and for its Southern and Western, the of and It is divided into twelve hath one division of of the and for its chief places hath | |
a City of great Antiquity, being built, as Authors aver, 900 years before the of It was made famous by the who wrought the conversion of the and built a magnificent for the worship of and dedicated it to the name of which name it still retains, although a long time it was called in honour of there slain: wherein lyeth interr'd the Bodies of eight Kings, as also of so reverenced by the And this is now the being a large and superb Structure, not inferiour to at when in its pristine grandure and splendour. And under this like unto which was under is a made use of by the or which inhabit in this City (which are many, and drive the considerablest for their there made.) It hath two lofty which much add to the prospect of the City, and within its bounds or limits are several fair belonging to the and as also a called the This City is encompassed with a and on which are (or were) | |
130 | several or built of without which are its in which, and within the are numbred 14 It is dignified with an Primate of all and hath under it 21 and within its particular which conteineth part of the County of are 257 of which 140 are the present Lord is his Grace, by Divine Providence Lord of It is governed by a and hath a and other that Keep their for the negotiating of the affairs of the City. The are well provided with which are here had at easie rates; for besides what is sold daily in its it hath weekly two on and the latter of which is the most considerable. It is beautified with a fair over which are made use of by the and It is also graced with several good and its are well ordered. This hath been honoured with the of King and Queen his wife; with the of King the Second, and King the First; and with the of the black King the Fourth, and Queen his wife. And besides several that it doth enjoy, it hath the election of But many are the distasters that this hath met with, having oft-times suffered under the flames of a raging fire, with other shocks of ill for tune, which hath much eclipsed its grandure and beauty; yet is it well inhabited and frequented by who drive a considerable especially for their |
very commodiously seated on the which together with its strength, as well by Nature as Art, (being loftily scituated between high commanding both and adjacent, and defended by a strong and other ) also the commodiousness of its for being one of the for giving Title to the Right Honorable Earl of and for its short. and ready passage into (being about 20 ) makes it a place of considerable note. It also enjoyeth a good and its which are on and are well frequented and furnished with It is a governed by a and other hath several large as other and have; and was once of a far larger extent then now it is, having seven which are reduced to two. The (built by ) is esteemed a place of great importance, being strongly guarded; In which were formerly two a of several and a kept. At the West part of the is a called where anciently was a of the (long fince destroyed) and in the under the is a called At the other side of the is a or made use of for direction of called and by some the of | |
Along the going to wards are and | |
another of the being and amongst its electeth It is a place of good being on the North and West sides fortified with and on the other parts fenced with a and but by reason of the ill-commodiousness of the is not well frequented; yet hath it two every week; on and About the year , at this place, younger son to King | |
131 | gave the a fignal overthrow, and took nine of their And amongst several the misfortunes this hath had, it was once spoiled by the and twice was it burnt and sacked by the It is honored with the Title of an and the present Earl thereof being the Right Honorable Earl of |
Nigh unto this is once of good account, but now a small And on the are these places; and more Northwards and places not unknowh to | |
The of doth here present its self, which is about 9 long, and about the same breadth, at the broadest: It is very populous, and plentifully stored with especially Is of some note for being the place where the at their coming to help the flrst landed: here did also land the when he came to preach the Gospel unto them. And here are seated several Towns; as and on the North shoar of this are these places, &c. From this the Right Honorable Earl of receives his Title. | |
a member of the and of seated nigh the Sea, where landed; and is strengthened by a Castle built by King the Eighth, which is placed on the Sea side. | |
also a member of the of incorporated by the name of a and of the town of It is seated on the River over which it hath a and is note worthy for its excellent | |
a well frequented by and here the first King of had his and did reside. Its is worthy to be took notice of for its lofty spired which serveth for a and was formerly of better esteem then now it is, where lyeth interr'd (as'tis reported) the body of the second King of | |
a small but much frequented by and this being the best (next to ) for from which it is distant not above five or six miles. | |
Footnotes: [] Bounds. [] Fertility. [] Air. [] Its temperature. [] Kent boasteth of several things above other Counties. Gavel-kind. [] This County hath felt the heavy hand of war, and suffered great changes. [] Its Rivers. [] The beauty and riches of Kent. [] Its trade. [] Bailiwicks in Kent. [] Franchises and Liberties. [] Corporations [] The Sessions of the Peace; where, and when holden. [] The division of this County. [] Lath of Sutton [] Sevenoke. [] Dartford. [] Bromley. [] Woolwich. [] St. Mary Cray. [] Greenwich, [] Black-heath. [] Deptford. [] Eltham. [] Swans-combe [] Otford, [] Westram. [] Speldherst. [] Lath of Ayles-ford described. [] Rochester. For the further description of the Bishoprick, see Heylin p.136 [] Chetham. [] Graves-end. [] Block- houses. [] North-fleet. [] Maidstone. [] Lenham. [] Aylesford. [] Malling. [] Wrotham. [] Tunbridge. [] Lath of Scray. [] Feversham. [] Queenborough. [] Isle of Shippey [] Milton. [] Sittinborne. [] Wye. [] Ashford. [] Appledore. [] Tenderden. [] Cranbrook. [] Gouldherst. [] Smarden. [] Tong. [] Thong-castle. [] Lath of Shep-way. [] Hyth. [] Rumney. [] Lidd. [] Folk stone. [] Eltham. [] Lath of St. Au-gustine. [] Canterbury. [] Dover. [] Its Castle. [] Places along the Coast. [] Sandwich. [] Richborough. [] Isle of Thanet. [] Maritime places of note. [] Deale. [] Fordwich. [] Reculver. [] Whitstable. |