Issue No 4 Spring 1977 - Kent History Federation

The Journal of Kent Local History
Odd Man Out
Ancient Iron Firebacks
Arden, I Take Thee
One Day Conference Programme
Cliffe House
Chejaie of Shurland - Sheppey
The Business Archives Council
School of Continuing Education
The Standing Conference for Local
History - A Report
Book Reviews
Affiliated Societies News
Future Events of Affiliated Societies
Kent Bibliography - Roads
County Library - new acquisition
Information Sources
Sources No.ij. - The Public Record Office
No.
March 1977
1
Clifford Russell,F.R.S.A.
John Parsons, F. A.M.S.
L.G-. Welland
2
4
7
8
F.E. Cleary, M.B.E.
Lisa Tyler
Doris Clifton
9
12
12
H.C.F.Lansberry,M.A. ,Ph.D. 13
14
15
18
20
'
2:1
22
Back Cover
Cover Picture - Rochester Bridge. P. Ryan - from a pen and wash
drawing by J. Farington, R.A. 1795» showing Horsnaill's and
Zenith post mills.
Advertising Rates, for one issue:Full Page
^ page, typed, boxed, inserted in text
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All Correspondence and Copy for the next issue by June 1st 1977» to
Mrs. P.M.Winzar, Hon. Secretary,
County Local History Committee,
Kent Voluntary Service Council,
15 Manor Road, Folkestone,
Kent. CT20 2AH. Telephone 52333.
Produced by the County Local History Committee
of the Kent Voluntary Service Council
HON. SECRETARY'S NOTES
P.M. Winzar
The Committee offers their congratulations to one of its members.,
Dr, Felix Hull, the County Archivist, on being elected to the
Presidency of the Society of .Archivists.
Important news for those engaged on county research appears on
page 21: census returns give vital information on the structure
of social life, and the acquisition by the County Library of the
returns for the whole of Kent for 184-1/51/61/71, on micro-film,
is a great asset to the county records.
This year we are privileged in being able to hold the annual One
Day Conference in. the crypt of Rochester Cathedral. G-illingham
and Rainham, local History Group with the Chatham and District
Local History Soci^'r.y are our hostsy and have 'arranged a most
interesting programme. The Committee are most grateful for their
efforts on our behalf. Seating is strictly limited, so please
apply for tickets in good time to avoid disappointment.
ODD MAN OUT?
Clifford W. Russell, F.R.S.A.
The Marlowe Society may seem to be the 'odd man out* among local
history organisations. Not so. While it is a society whose
principal aim is to extend appreciation of the Bard of Kent,
Canterbury-born Christopher Marlowe, it is a society interested in
all facets of Kent's late Tudor history as a background to the
better understanding of the times in which Marlowe lived. To this
end they have an extensile library of books on the period available
to members, and hold meetings, lectures, discussions and visits to
medieval and Tudor places of historic interest, and some of the
members are engaged on research into Marlowe's brief but chequered
life.
The Society is ever mindful that it was Marlowe who not only
pioneered the refinement of grandiloquent blank verse but also wrote
the first drama based on English history - Edward II - which later
Shakespeare exploited in his many fine historical plays.
The Society has staged some of his plays (they gave the first
performance for nearly 300 years of his 'Dido, Queen of Carthage,
and revived the fragmentary 'Massacre at Paris* on St. Bartholomew's
Eve 300 years after that dreadful event) $ and they have performed
the anonymous 'Arden of Peversham' and plays of Marlowe's lesser-known
contemporaries. They take parties of members to plays of the period,
or about the period, in London and elsewhere. They periodically
make ,the pilgrimage to Canterbury and hope pn^ day to arouse enough
local interest to establish a branch of the Society there.
Meanwhile they welcome to their ranks all who have an interest in
Christopher Marlowe and his *mighty line* as Ben Jonson described it,
and in the robust Tudor period, probably the most significant era of
this country's history.
The Society's Headquarters is at 193, White Horse Hill, Ghislehurst,
Kent. Telephone 01-85? 7509.
ANCIENT IRON EEREBACKS
John Parsons, F.A.M.S.
The discovery of an ancient iron fireback, in situ in the hearth of
a blocked-up fireplace in the medieval building (saved from
destruction in Tonbridge),made me realise that the knowledge of such
everyday things in the homes of long ago was almost non-existent —
hence this piece of research which I hope will be of some interest?
K-rebacks, as the name suggests, were large heavy plates of iron
placed at the back of fireplaces to protect the brickwork against
damage from burning logs in the hearth. As fireplaces became
smaller (due to the introduction of sea-coal to the domestic scene),
so did the fireback. Over the centuries too, the plain plates of
iron used for the firebacks became moulded with decoration, until the
whole of the plate was ornamented, to become the centre-piece of the
fireplace, which when not in use was heavily blackleaded and polished.
The earliest evidence of firebacfcs suggests that they were known in
the 14th century,perhaps to protect the huge stones of the fireplace
stacks installed in monasteries, priories and other stately homes of
the tine; some fine firebacks can be seen in Michelhan Priory,Sussex,
today. In the domestic home of that age the open hearth in the
central hall was the order of the day, with smoke drifting upwards
to the roof-rafters, encasing them in soot, (a sure sign of a
medieval house!). Chimney stacks were only introduced into the
domestic dwelling house during Tudor times, when fashion and increased
population meant the conversion of the open-hall into t?jo floors and
the chioiney stack was a necessity to carry the smoke up through the
upper floor from the hearth below to the roof above. These chimney
stacks were often made of soft bricks which were easily damaged by
the hearth fire, and so had to be constantly renewed until fire-backs
were produced in quantity somewhere in south-east England, possibly
the Wealden Iron Works in Sussex.
The famous 'Armada' fireback of 1588, which shows Cross-Anchors and
other nautical motifs, decorated many an ifaglish home, no doubt to
celebrate the victory of Brake and his ships. It can still be seen
ir. many a 'restored1 cottage, for the 'Armada' fireback, complete
with the original iron-founder's initials of I.F.C., and the date
1588, is the most popular of the reproductions which can be
purchased from founderies today.
TMe master iron-founder's initials are on many firebacks, as are
'C.R.'-for Charles Rex- but .only detailed.examination of the
displayed Royal Arms tells whether the initials are of Charles II or
Charles the Martyr. Another martyr, Richard Woodman> was burnt during
the reign of Mary Tudcr, and an iron-master produced the Woodman
fireback which purports to show Richard ¥/oodman and his wife chained
together at the stake3 being devoured by tiie flames of the fire.
Q&ze the fire had been lit in one of the huge hearths of the period,
it was not normally allowed to go nut. Eventually a large pile of
vsood-ash collected,, sometimes to the height of a couple of feet, and
the warm charcoal kept the house centrally heated all the time; the
huge firebacfc absorbed the heat, retaining it long after the burning
logs had been reduced to ash, and the heat ^vas reflected back into
the room again during the night. The largest fireback I have seen
is 40 inches by 31 inches, and the smallest I have discovered is 15|
inches by 21 inches, the latter possibly forming the backplate of a
Georgian 'Cog-grate'.
Firebacks were not purely a fashion confined to England, as examples
of Welsh, Scottish and Irish types are known, and they were used
extensively on the Continent, where I have seen some fine examples
in French Chateaux and German Schlossen« America has also made me
aware that firebacks emigrated there in the 17th and 18th centuries,
when General George Washington became a popular figure for portrayal
on firebacks in American homes in place of the Royal Arms,
Most of the ancient English firebacks were made in the Weald of Kent
and Sussex where iron workings were situated in the forest. The
casting of a firebacfc into a sand mould was a relatively easy
operation, provided that the original wooden prototype which had
been decorated and carved according to the customer's wishes was
correct. Usually the customers were wealthy lords and landowners,
who had their heraldic arms on their household domestic firebacks.
Sometines it would be an iron-master who would originate the mould,
with the Royal Arms providing the most popular motif. One most
enterprising iron-master, Richard Denard of Brede, Sussex, had
himself portrayed together with all the tools of his trade, on a
fireback of 1636 — surely one of the earliest forms of advertisement?
The latest dated fireback encountered is of 1788 and portrays General
George Washington, whilst the earliest example known to me is dated
Elizabeth ER 1565 and can be seen at Oakwell Manor, Berkshire, with
its andirons or log-rests.
Andirons were the original iron furniture of the fireplace and
examples date to the pre-Roman Iron Age. In Tudor times it was the
custom to have a pair of andirons made at the same tiia© as the
fireback to form a companion set in style and decoration. Some
wealthy owners covered the 'staukes' or uprights of their andirons
with silver, which considerably enhanced the hearth, the traditional
centre of the home. Both Knole and Godinton in Kent, and also
Hampton Court have examples of silver-decorated andirons, and a
fine pair of andirons decorated with Charles II's cipher and arms
are in the Victoria and Albert collection, which also has a good
series of ancient firebacks in its galleries. However the best
collection of firebacks in this country has been placed on display
by the National Trust at Petworth House, Sussex, where in the heart
of the former producing region some sixty superb examples of the local
industry are on show* Other examples of ancient firebacks can be
seen in many a stately home, besides in the more humble homes which
have survived over the centuries, such as the building in Tonbridge
High Street which brought firebacks to my notice.
I acknowledge help received from the Kings Worthy Boundary Co, Ltd.,
of Winchester, Hampshire, which kindly forwarded a catalogue of some
forty types of ancient firebacks which they produce at the present
time.
Two books which mention and illustrate firebacks, are:a) Iron and Brass Implements of the English House, by
J. Seymour Lindsay, (1970)0 Revised edition of the
original book published by the Medici Society in 1927b) The Book of English Hreplaces, by Alison Kelly.
Country Life, 1968, (with quotations from The English
Fireplace, by L.A. Shuffith, 1912).
ARDM, I TAKE THEE
L.G-. Welland
The Dissolution of the Monasteries and the confiscation of the Church
Properties -was carried out by officials, many of whom expected, and
obtained considerable reward for their services. Sir Thomas Cheney,
E.G., Royal Treasurer, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, Constable of
numerous Castles, obtained much property including both MiJtister Abbey
and Faversham Abbey. A clerk, Thomas Arden, in the office of Sir
Edward North dealt -with the distribution of much of this erstwhile
Church property. He was a capable man of business. He married Alice,
Sir Edward's stepdaughter. He was appointed Commissioner of the Customs of the Port of Faversham, He obtained from Sir Thomas Cheney
a grant of some of the Faversham Abbey lands including the Town G-ate.
The Guest House adjoining it on the east was altered to become his
house. He continued to improve his fortunes and reports of rumours
suggest some sharp practice was sometimes employed. In 1543 he was
elected to the Local Council, made a Jurat a year later and became
Mayor in 1547.
The holding of local fairs alternately on Town and Abbey property and
the revenue from them, offered Arden an opportunity for gain, and in
1549 although it should have been the Town's turn he obtained the
Pair for the Abbeyland which he held. The Council promptly deposed
him from his offices and disenfranchised him. This might explain the
apparent lack of local sympathy with him subsequently.
His wife Alice became infatuated with Thomas Mosbie, her stepfather's
Stevrard, and Arden's death was planned. Professional assassins were
engaged and on Sunday the 15th February 1550 Arden was murdered in
his own house. The Murder was a sensation. All those concerned were
brought to Justice and the prime conspirators sentenced to death.
Alice was burned in Canterbury. That City's Archives have the bill
"for 1/6 for a new Staple for the burning of Mis tress Arden", Mosbie
was hanged in London and some of the others were hanged in chains at
Faversham.
A short account was entered in the Town's Wardmote, (as below). A
fuller and possibly more imaginative version appeared in Holinshed's
Chronicles. In 1592 a Play on the event appeared, the authorship of
which has been attributed to many, including Shakespeare, but no one
now believes the latter. The play develops some half dozen escapes
by Arden before he eventually succumbs. It is important as it is the
First Play in English dealing with ordinary people, not Herds, Kings
or Queens. It is called "A Domestic Tragedy". The writer is not
known,bdb at a sale of six Contemporary Plays, five authors were
correctly named and to "Arden of Seversham"., the sixth play, the
author was given as Cloy.
THE ACCOUNT of the Murder of Mr. ARDSRH, from the Wardmote Book.
Anno Dom. 1550. Anno Regn. Reg, Sdw. YI. Faversham Records,
This yere the 15 day of Februari being Sondaye one Thomas Ardern, of
Faversham aforesaid, gentleman, was heynously murdered in his own
parlour, about seven of the clock in the night, by one Thomas Morsby,
a taylor, of London, late servant to Sir Edward North, Knight, Chancellor of the augmentations, father in law unto Alice Ardern, wife
of the said Thomas Ardernj and by one Black Will, of Calyce, a
murderer, which murder was previly sent to Calyce by the earnest
sute, appointment, and confederacye of the said Alice Ardern, and
Thomas Morsby, one John Green, a t aylor, and George Bradshaw, a goldsmith, inhabitants of Faversham aforesaid, to the .intent to murder
the said Ardern her husband; which Alice, the said Morsby did not
only carnally keep in her own house in this town, but also fed him
•with delicate meats and sumptuous apparell, all which things, the said
Ardern did well know, and wilfully did permit and suffer the same,
by reason whereof she procured her said husband's death, to th'intent
to have married with the said Morsby, and so first she made of her
said counsel the said Thomas Morsby, and one Cecily Bounder his
sister,
Michael Saunderson, taylor, and Elizabeth Stafford; which Michael
and Elizabeth were the dayly servants to the said Thomas Ardern,
and the abettors and counsellors to the said murder, were the aforesaid and John Green, George Bradshaw, and William Blackbourne,
painter, which Bradshaw fett the aforesaid murderer at Calyce
foresaid, and the same murderer came over to Faversham, and brought
with him a coadjutor named Loosebagg, who also was made counsel to
the aforesaid murder, so that he was most shamefully murdered, as
is aforesaid, as he was playing at tables friendly with the said
Morsby; for sodenlye came out of a dark house, adjoining to the
said parlour, the 'foresaid Black Will, whom she and her complices
had bestowed previly before, and came with a napkyn in his hand, and
sodenlye came behind the said Ardern*s back, threw the said napkyn
over his hedd and face, and strangled him, and forthwith'the -said
Morsby stept to him, and strake him with a taylor's great pressing
Iron upon the scull to the braine, and immediately drew out his
dagger, which was great and broad, and therewith cut the said Ardern*s
throat; being at the death of him the said Alice his wife, Michael
Saunderson, and Elizabeth Stafford, and after that he was thus
murdered, he was carried out of the said parlour into the aforesaid
dark house, and when the said Black Will had holpen to lay him
there he returned forthwith to the said Cecily Pounder's house, and
there received for his thus doing, the sum of eight pounds in money,
which was there appointed for his reward, and immediately he departed from Faversham, so that .he could not justly be heard of sines
that time, and he being.thus departed with his reward, Cicely
Pounder's went to the said Ardern*s house, and did helpe to bear
the dead corps out into the meadow .there, commonly called the Amery
Croft, on the backside of the said Ardern!s garden, and about eleven
of the clock the. said Sondaye night, the said Ardern was found
where they had laid him, in the said meadow; whereupon the said
Ardern's house Y/as searched, and thereupon his blood was found, that
it was manifest and well approved that he was slayne in his own house.
Whereupon the said Alice Ardern, Michael Saunderson, and Elizabeth
Stafford, were apprehended and attached of felonye, and also the
said Morsby and Bradshaw, but the aforesaid John Green, William
Blackbourne, and'George Loosebagg, escaped at that time; and the
aforesaid Alyce Ardern, Thomas Morsby, Cicely Pounder, Michael
Saunderson, George Bradshaw, and Elizabeth Stafford, were indicted
and arraynged within the said town and liberties of Faversham,
in the abbey-hall which the said Ardern had purchased, and there
adjudged to dye, that is to wytt, the said Alyce Ardern to be burned
at Cantorburye and the said Bradshaw to be there hanged in chains by
the commandment of the King's most honorable counsel, and the aforesaid Thomas Morsby and his sister judged to be hanged in Smithfield
in London; and the aforesaid Michael Saunderson to be drawn and
hanged in chains within the liberties of 3?aversham aforesaid, and
the foresaid Elizabeth Stafford to be burned within the liberties
of the said to-isffi, all which was accomplished and performed accordingly.
And about the last end of the racneth of July, the next following, the
foresaid John Green was apprehended and taken in Cornwall,, and brought
again by men of that country to Faversham, where shortly after he was
judged to be hanged in chains, within the liberties there. And all
the apparel that belonged to the said Alice Ardern, all the moveable
goods of the aforesaid Thomas Morsby, Cicely Pounder, George Bradshaw
and John Green, amounted unto the sum of nine score and four pounds
ten shillings and four pence halfpenny, over and above certain
jewels of the said murderers, which are contained in a certain Bocks
delivered into the treasury house of Paver sham foresaid, as by the
particulars thereof more plainly doth appear; of which said nine
score and four pounds ten shillings and four pence halfpenny, the
accornptants or sellers of the said goods aske to be allowed upon two
bylls of recknyng bestowed upon the said felons and their attainder,
sixty three pounds fifteen shillings and seven pence, and so they
have delivered in redy money to the aforesaid treasury parcel of the
said money, after the old rate one hundred and twenty pounds where
of there was lost by abasing or fall of the said money sixty pounds.
-0
0-EEDRD IN KENT' - A HISTORY
BY DENNIS CLARKE and ANTHONY STQYEL
Currently, this is the first full length account of Otford
from prehistoric times to the present . OT3JORD IN KENT is a
richly varied, continuous story of the development of Otford
(which included Dunton Green until 1908) and its relationship
with Sevenoaks, Shoreham and other neighbouring villages from
the earliest known settlsnent to the twentieth century.
Distinction is added by Otford' s long connection with the
medieval archbishops of Canterbury, whose manor house here
became a great Tudor palace with lands stretching from
Shoreham to Penshurst.
research,, based on origins! rather thaU' -sacomdary
sources, has enabled the authors to cover much new ground.
The local resident, the general reader and the student of
history will all find points of special interest.
Illustrated with 27 photographs, 19 maps and line drawings.
Available now. £5 net. from
SETENDJiKS BOOKSHOP
147 High Street,
Sevenoaks, Kent.
Telephone 52055 or 57269
Published "by the Otford and District Historical Society.
ONE
DAY
C O N F E R E N C E
on
SATURDAY 14th MAT 1977
in
THE CATHEDRAL CRYPT at ROCHESTER
10.30 a.m.
EXHIBITIONS by courtesy of Dr. Hull and
Mr. Dean Harrison. Coffee and biscuits will
be served.
11.00 a.m.
OPENING OF CONFERENCE by Mr.L.R.A.Grove, B.A.,
F.S.A. ,F.M.A. , Chairman of the County Local
History Committee.
TWO ILLUSTRATED LECTURES.
Rochester Above and Below Ground -Mr .A. Harrison,
B.A. ,F.S.A., General Secretary of. the Kent
Archaeological Society.
Hogarth in Rochester and along the Medway Mr. H.James, Member of the Gillingham and
Rainham Local History Group.
12,30 a.m.-2.l5 p.m.
LUNCHEON INTERVAL.
There are a number of hotels and restaurants
nearby. Picnic lunches can be eaten in the
Castle grounds if fine, or ±n the Crypt if wet.
2.15 p.m.-4.l5 p.m.
GUIDED TOURS will meet at the EASTGATE MUSEUM
at 2.15 p.m. where the Curator, Mr. Moad will
be arranging special displays with informative
notes. After g-eeing these displays parties
will assemble outside the Museum where guides
will be waiting to conduct the groups on the
various tours. Rochester has so many places
of interest that not every group will be able
to see everything, but each tour has been
carefully arranged to include somewhere not
usually available to the general public,
THE CATHEDRAL AND CASTLE are not included in
the guided tours.
3.15 p.m.-2f.l5 P«m.
4.15 p.m. -5.00 p.m.
SFMSONG will be held in the Cathedral, so the
Crypt will not be available during this time,
. and we are asked not to walk about the Cathedral
whilst the service is in progress.
TEAS will be served in the Crypt as the tours
return.
-- 0- ----
TICKETS price £1 ,25 per person inclusive of
morning coffee and afternoon tea from: Mrs. P.M. Winzar, Hon. Secretary,
County Local History Committee,
15 Manor Road, Folkestone, Kent.
STAMPED ADDRESSED FOOLSCAP ENVETQEB PLEASE.
8
CEEEEB HOUSE, HIGH STREET, ST. IvL'ffiGjffiET'S-AT-CLISFE, KMT
P. E. Cleary, M.B.E.
Cliffe House had for some years been empty and dilapidated. It was
purchased by the St. Margaret's Bay Trust in 1975 and has been
completely restored, renovated, and converted into six flats.
The house was erected by a James Tejnple, somewhere about 1820, as a
school dwelling house for about 120 boys, .some of whom have engraved
their names on the rear elevation. Their classrooms and playground
were on the site of the present Cliffe Tavern, as a contemporary
print shows „ Tones Table Book of 182? described it as one of the
best run commercial schools in the County of Kent. .Amongst its
scholars was the famous Tictorian.artist, W.P.Irith, R.A. (Derby
Day, Paddington Station, etc.). He states in his memoirs that a
number of French lads came here to learn English. The school had a
very successful career and Dr. Temple was virtually the most
important man in the village next to the vicar, being head of the
secular arm of the Parish Council. He also owned a great deal of
land in the milage and erected Morley House, (now part of Portal
House), as a girls' residential school.
The boys paid their pocket money to Dr. Temple at the beginning of
term and received it back in the form of tokens, which could be
cashed at certain shops in the village. Some of these tokens are
still extant.
The school closed down in 1874 after Dr, Temple's demise and was
sold to a Mr. Cripps, who turned it into a hotel which prospered in
the late 19th century holiday resort boom, During the first world
war the hotel was used mainly by military and naval personnel, and
in the second world war it housed the local Civil Defence H0Q. and
was manned continuously throughout.
After ceasing activity as a hotel in about 1968, Cliffe House was
sold separately from the inn and became a lodging house for
transient visitors« It was not, however, particularly successful
and the house was empty when bought by the StaMargaret's Bay Trust.
How the Inhabitants of One Sheppey Community tackled the Question of
Water Conservation in the 1790's. Submitted by J.lfhynian,B.Sc.(Econ.)
The long hot summer of 1976 will long be remembered for accentuating
a severe drought which in turn produced various remedies aimed at
water conservation. A need to conserve water supplies faced the
residents of the Sheppey parish of Eastchurch in the 1790's and
Edward Hasted in his History and Topographical Survey of the
County of Kent, Tol. VI, 2nd ed,, Canterbury, 1798, p 246, tells
us why and how this was achieved.
TThe scarcity of fresh water here and in the neighbourhood, makes
the inhabitants very careful to preserve such as falls from the
clouds, for which purpose there are numbers of spouts leading from
the leads of the church into large tubs set round it in the
churchyard underneath, for conducting the water into them$ these
have lids to them, and are secured with locks for the use of those
who are at the expense of putting them upj but they make a most
grotesque and unsightly appearance*.
CHEYNS OF SHURLAND - SHSPPEI
Lisa Tyler
When William, The Norman, conquered England he brought with him his
barons to whom he gave lands on which to build fortified manor houses.
These were held 'In Capite' for 'Knights Service' and the owner was
required to raise a number of fighting men for the king, thus William
was assured of an army if required.
Among his followers were the barons De Shurland and De Cheine. Baron
De Shurland was given the old castle of Scipe (Shurland) at
Eastchurch in the Isle of Sheppey, and De Cheine settled at
Patricksbourne 3n Kent.
In the year 1225 » the owner of Shoreland (or Shurland) was Sir
Jeffery De Shurland, Constable of Dover Castle. His son Robert,
inherited the estates and attained many honours under King Edward III
(1307-1327). He was a crusader and Knight Banneret and fought
gallantly with the king at Caerlaverock, his friend and companion in
arms was Sir Alexander Cheyney of Patricksbourne. This Sir Robert
De Shurland is the subject of the legend of Shurland which has been
handed down to the present day.
Robert had but one child, a daughter Margaret, who married the young
Kentish knight Sir William Cheyney, son of his old friend, Sir
Alexander Cheyney„ Upon the death of her father, Margaret inherited
the Shurland estates and thus Cheyney*s became Lords of Shurland in
Sheppey.
The Cheyney family held remarkable records during the 14-th, 15th, and
early 16th centuries, covering the periods between the reigns of
Edward III and Henry ¥111 (1509-1547).
No less than ten times had members of the family represented the
County of Kent in Parliament, whilst Shurland Hall had been the scene
of at least eight Shrievalty banquets given by a Cheyney,
Sir Robert Cheyney, the son of Margaret De Shurland and William Cheyney
was three times elected Knight of the Shire for Kent in the years
1348j 1351 and 1357« His grandson, Sir William Cheyney represented
the County in 14-16, was appointed Justice by King Henry V (14.13-14-22)
in 1417, and Chief Justice of the King's Bench in 1427 by Henry VI
(1422-14.61). Sir William died in 144-1 and expressed a wish to be
buried at Minster in Sheppey in the 'Chapel where his ancestors do
lie'. His son Sir John Cheyney, sat for the County in 1449> he
married twice, and had two sons by his first wife, Sir John Cheyney
and the younger William. Sir John became Speaker of the House of
Commons and was made a Knight Banneret by King Henry 711 (1485-1509)
for his gallant conduct at the battle of Bosworth KLelds in 1485*
It is recorded that he fought valiantly at Henry's side when King
Richard struck a blow which severed the crest from his helm and
knocked him to the ground unconscious, when he recovered he saw the
carcass of an ox nearby and he cut off the tuft and horns and placed
it on his helm to cover his bare head and continued to fight.
When Henry Bollingbroke was crowned king, he rewarded Sir John for his
gallantry and decreed him for crest 'The Bull's Cap', this device has
been incorporated in the Cheyney arms ever since.
The King created him Baron Cheyaey, of "Shurland-and "bestowed the title
'Knight of the Garter'. Sir John Cheyney died in 14.96 and his tomb
10
is in Salisbury Cathedral, Leaving no issue the estate passed to his
nephew Thomas, the son of his younger brother William., The title,
Baron of Shurland became for a time extinct, and was not recreated
again until the reign of James I (1603-1625).
Under Sir Thomas Cheyne- the star of the House of Cheyne rose to its
zenith and culminated in a visit of royalty to Shurland Hall.
Beginning his public life as a favourite of the then all-powerful
Cardinal Wolsey, he was in the year 1520 admitted as one of the six
gentlemen of the Privy Chamber, then in 1539 he became a Privy
Councillor, also Treasurer of the Royal Household and a Knight of
the G-arterj Warden of the Cinque Ports; Constable of Queenborough
Castle; Governor of Rochester Castle; Lord Lieutenant of Kent and
Ambassador to the Court of Charles V, Bnperor of Germany.
Sir Thomas had married twice, his first wife was Frydwith, daughter
and co-heir of Sir Thomas Frowyke, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas,
and had issue by her three daughters and one son John, who married
Margaret Neville, daughter of Baron Abergavenny.
John Cheyne was slain at the siege of Montreuil (1544)» commanded by
the Duke of Norfolk. A chronicler of the time writes:- 'Among other
notables with the Duke was.Sir Thomas Cheineie, Lord Warden of the
Cinque Ports and also his son John, then perhaps not much, less than
30 years of age'. John Cheyne died without issue.
Sir Thomas had taken for his second wife Anne, daughter and co-heiress
of Sir John Broughton of Toddington, Bedfordshire. She succeeded to
the Toddington estates which thus by marriage came to Cheyne.
By this marriage Sir Thomas had one son, Henry, who married Jane
Wentworth, the eldest of nine daughters of the wealthy Lord Wentworth.
Upon the death of her father in 1559? Henry Cheyne inherited both the
Shurland and Toddington estates.
The dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII in 1534 brought
Minster Abbey under the axe, this was accomplished by Sir Thomas
Cromwell, the inventory being taken by Sir Thomas Cheyne and several
other knights, and the Abbey with all, its lands and appurtenances
was sold to Sir Thomas Cheyne for the sum of £198. He also acquired
the suppressed Priories of Paversham, Davington and Fordwich, the
historical castle and lands of Chilham besides many other Kentish
manors,holding withall the ancestral estate of Patricksboume Cheyney.
In addition to these he owned the wealthy manor of Toddington,Bedfordshire and almost the whole of Sheppey which included Eastchurch Church
and Rectory with 54 acres, the Church of St. James Warden, Rushenden
Manor, Danley Farm, Holme Court, Chequers, Componoys, Elliots, Abbots
Court, Long House, Perry Marsh and Borstall Hall. These all helped
to swell the Shurland rent roll and enabled him to reimburse his
coffers when he entertained with fitting magnificence Henry ¥111 and
Anne Boleyn at Shurland Hall some two years previously in 1532.
The Hall had been rebuilt by Sir Thomas Cheyne in the Tudor fashion
and was a magnificent mansion consisting of Borne nine courtyards, a
domed banqueting hall, gate house and chapel ranged about with dwellings for the 400 retainers which it housed at the time of the
royal visit..
The king was indeed royally entertained for three days with hunting
feasting and jousting before he continued on his way to Canterbury en
route for France,
11
Sir Thomas Gheyne knew well how to steer his fortunes in order to
stand well with the reigning monarch, he lived to see Queen Elizabeth
established on the throne and retained all his high offices until his
death in 1559> serving under four monarchs he changed his religion to
suit each of them in the meantime amassing great wealth and vast
possessions......
In spite of the honours he acquired in his lifetime and the
distinction of the record of his services to his Sovereigns?it was
not in Westminster Abbey, but in the little church of Minster in
Sheppey where he wished to lie, for he wrote in his will:- 'and
desires &. tombe to be made nygh to the place where my late wyef
Jrydesioyth do lye in my chapel at Minster' »
So there lies the old knight in all the grandeur of his official
robes, his hands clasped on a pillow richly diapered and supported
by angels on a base of Bethersden marble adorned with sixteen
estcutchons of the Cheyne family, inscribed with all his honours
thus — !Hic jacet D. Thomas Cheyne, inclitissimi Ordinis Garterii
Miles: Guardianus quinque Portuum, ac Thesaraurius Hospitii.
Henrici otavi, Edwardi sexti, Regnum. Reginaeque Mariae, ac
Elizabethae, ac eorum in secretis Consiliarius, qui obiit die
mensis Decemb,
A 1559> ac Regni
R. Elizabeth primo.'
(Here lies Sir Thomas Chene, Knight of the Garter,Lord Warden of the
Cinque Ports. Treasurer of the Household of Henry VIII and Edward 71
and Privy Councillor under Mary and Elizabeth I.
Died in December 1559 in the reign of Elizabeth I,
A most striking monument to a man once described as a 'Spritful
Gentleman* .
His only son, lord Henry Cheyne, renowned in history as the
'Extravagant Lord Cheyne', dissipated nil his father's wealth giving
up manor after manor, using the stones from Minster Abbey, Shurland
and Chilham Castle to build a mansion at Toddington to rival his
ancestral home of Shurland which he exchanged with Queen Elizabeth
for land in Toddington.
He partially demolished Shurland to enrich his new home whereupon he
entertained the Queen with lavish Bumptiousness on her visit there.
On that occasion she dubbed him 'Knight' and created him Lord Henry
Cheyne of Toddington. Lord Henry sold Minster Abbey together with
the Gate-House to Sir Humphrey Gilbert who lived there until his
death. The Archbishop signed a document permitting Lord Henry to
remove the tombs of his ancestors from the Cheyne Chapel (which was
demolished) into the Parish Church where they remain today.
Lady Anne Cheyne survived her husband for two and a half years and
made her home with Lord Henry when Shurland was abandoned. Henry
Cheyne was one of the lords who sat jn judgement at the trial of
Mary Queen of Scots. His wife Lady Jane Cheyne survived him and
entertained King James I and his Queen at Toddington, Dying without
issue Tbddington passed to a great nephew and finally that great
house too became a ruin and thus the great family of Cheyney of
Shurland passed into oblivion.
.0
12
THE BUSINESS ARCHIVES COUNCIL
Doris Clifton
. •-
The Business Archives Council was established in 1934 to encourage
businesses to preserve their records for the benefit of historians.
Its 5^0 members are a mixture of business men, archivists and
historians of aU sorts.
Its officers include Lord Denning, the Master of the Rolls,(President),
Mr. S.H.G. Twining of R,Twining and Co.»the tea and coffee merchants
(Chairman of the Executive Committee) Professor J.E.Wadsworth of the •
City University, formerly economic adviser to the Midland Bank (Vicechairman) , and Dr. David Avery, the historian of the Rio Tinto-Zinc
Corporation (Honorary Secretary). I am the Assistant Secretary of
the Council, aad also a member of the Bexley Antiquarian Society.
Much of the Council's work is concerned with rescuing business records
in risk of destruction and finding appropriate repositories for them.
Amongst thousands of records saved for posterity have baen those of
the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders (now largely in the National Maritime
Museum) s those of Covent Garden Market (now in the Greater London
Record Office), and of Waring and Gillow the furniture makers' (now in
the Victoria and Albert Museum),, The Council is always anxious to hear
of records worth saving because of their interest to economic or
local historians.
Help is also given to businesses who want to put their records in good
order or are willing to make them available for research.
The Council also gives advice to students and historians dbing research
into business history, helping them to locate the records they need, and
arranging access for them. In addition the Council has a unique library
of published business histories and also collects typed or manuscript
copies of unpublished business histories, so that research(even if not
printed in book form) need never be wasted.
Amongst its activities the Council holds Conferences and Lecture
meetings, runs training courses for business people and archivists,
and publishes advice en the care and preservation of records. It also
publishes the journal 'Business Archives'.
The address is:- Business Archives Council, Dominion House,
37/45, Tooley Street, London, S.E. 1.
Telephone 01-40? 6110.
__
o
--
SCH)OL OF CONTINUING EDUCATION - Residential Courses 19.77
ALDINGTON CASTLE, MAIDSTONS. Eriday 10 - Sunday 12 June.
THE ANGLO-SAXONS.
J.A.McLeah,M.A., Miss Olive-Youngs, B.A., and others.
This course will deal with some features of Anglo-Saxon achievement,
its literature ('Beowulf'),scholarship (Bede),architecture,jewellery,
and illumination ('The Lindisfarne Gospels','The Aethelwold
Benedictional' etc.)
3?ee £17.00
Iffg COLLEGE NR.ASHEDRD. Saturday 23 - Sunday 24 April.
CIVIC SOCIETIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
A.J.Woolford, M.A. et al.
This fif the annual conference will examine the draft structure Plan,
Other sessions will include agricultural and legal topics in addition
to the traditional exchanges between councillors, officers and civic
society members.
.
Fee £10.50
13
REPORT ON THE 28th ANNUAL MEETING;QF THIS STANDING QONEBBHCE FOR.
LOCAL HISTORI held at. 8 Wakley Street,: Islington, on 19th Nov. 197^.
H.C.F. Lansberry, M.A. Ph.D.
' ,...- ;
.
Chairman: Lord Briggs of Lewes
At the business meeting John Higgs was unanimously elected chairman of
the 1977 Standing Conference. Lady Gamoys and Dr. Joan Thirsk were
elected vice-chairmen*," 'Mr. Higgs has been Keeper of the Museum of
English Rural Life; Lecturer in Agricultural Development in the
University of Oxford; Fellow and Finance and Estates Bursar of Exeter
College, Oxford University; Chief of Agricultural Education and
Training, Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations.
He is currently a farmer;. President of the British Agricultural
Society; and joint editor of Vol. VI of the Agrarian History of
England and Wales.
Mr. Philip -Whitting, the first chairman of the Executive Committee,
was made a life member of S.C.L.H.
Commenting oh the work of the Conference, Mr. Robin Chaplin, the
Chairman of the executive committee, noted that a working party was
to be set up to consider the future of the Conference as it appeared
possible that the National Council of Social Service (inc.) would
turn us adrift and it would be necessary for the Conference to find
a new patron. He also suggested that closer co-operation with the
Library Association might be useful in establishing a comprehensive
bibliography of local history publications and ephemera.
Bettie Miller, the Conference Secretary, reported on the Record Users
Group, an infozmal body representing various historical research units.
The group had been particularly concerned with the care and custody of
parochial records and in reponse to the increase in the search fees
which the Synod of the Church of England had proposed, the group had
written a letter to the Times which had sparked off a leader, 83
column inches of letters and a question in the House. The measure
was now being redrafted and it appeared likely that the fees would not
be so prohibitive as had -been feared.
Mr. Train reported from the sub-committee which included the Secretary,
Dr. Lansberry and himself'that had been formed to look into the growing
numbers of diplomas, certificates and degrees which were issued to
participants in local history training courses. In response to our
circular 200 replies had been received from various educational bodies
and examining boards. A. report and recommendations were submitted to
the executive committee. '
Dr. Rogers of the .publications sub-committee said that several new
pamphlets for the local historian were in the pipeline and your
delegate asked for a fly-sheet of all Standing Conference publications
to be circulated to, all its. associated bodies.
A vote of thanks to the retiring chairman concluded the- business session.
Before lunch Mr.R.A.Burchill talked to us about the British community in
San Francisco in 1852.
.
After lunch Professor Gwyn Williams of University-College, Cardiff gave
us a talk on the Epic of. Welsh America. His account of Welsh speaking
Red Indians was certainly the funniest talk that we .have ever had at
the Standing Conference.
The Conference concluded with a short film called Suropa Nostra whose
theme was the great rip-off of our cultural heritage and what we should
be doing to protect the few scraps that are left.
THE TESTON STORT - KM? VILLAGE LIES THROUGH THE AGES by Joan Severn
Published by Rufus Fay Publications, Teston 1975» 76 pages,
21 photographs and prints, 3 plans and 4 genealogical tables.
Price £1.75
This work by a member of the Maidstone Area Archaeological Group
provides something a good eal more than is suggested by its title
which would lead one to expect a pleasantly flowing chatty narrative.
In reality it is packed with facts, almost encyclopaedic, and will
surely prove sufficient for local student's needs fbr many years to
come.
Teston -a name much abused by radio: -announcers' pronounciation- has
attained national importance at least once. During the 18th century
its mention would have conjured up images of a village which contained
Admiral Sir Charles Middleton ( later to become Lord Barham and First
lord of the Admiralty) who had forward-looking ideas on agricultural
re-cycling whereby his farmyard manure and straw produced results
which merited the critical .attention of the formidable Mr, Pitt.
Middleton's former snipes surgeon (later Rector of Teston) was
James Ramsey, pioneer of the anti-slavery movement. On 2nd March
1789 his friend William Wilberforce wrote to hin:'I am so perfectly and on such just Grounds assured of your
being beyond aeasure earnest to contribute in every possible
way towards the abolition of the Traffic in human flesh.....
to neglect this office for your Teston vocation would be
equivalent to sacrificing the Interest of a whole people to
those of an Individual with whom you might be connected by
the Bonds of Relationship or affection. *
In more recent times this small village has provided cricket balls fbr
the World and in a resident of Barham Court, the late Sir Albert Stern,
a man who was the originator and. builder of the first tanks in the
1914-18 War.
I have little at which to quibble. Mistakes and misprints are minimal.
For popular consumption I would prefer variable acreage description for
a sulung to an oxen assessment (page 8).
L.R.A. Grove, B.A.,F.S.A.,FoM.A.
CTJXTGN - A Kentish Tillage, by Derek Church, published by
Arthur J» Gas sell Ltd., 1976; 162 pp + 15 app/index, 216 x 138 mm,,,
illustrated, case bound. Price £3«30
Derek Church, architect and conservationist, started to assemble
material for a slide show on the history of Cuxton on the Medway, and
found so much in records, old photographs, and people's memories that
it grew into this book which is a "must* for everyone who knows the
place and its people. For townspeople who've never.heard of the
village the book is the entree into a small community which was
virtually self-supporting until recently. There are details of how
bread was baked at the bakery which was also an off-licence, of the
volunteer fire brigade with its hand-cart, of tithes and field names,
waggoners and barge owners, clerics and cement workers, and much more
besides. The centuries, people, buildings, and occupations jostle
each other along with the many interesting photographs and
illustrations*
M.J. Ryan.
Books for review should be sent to the Hon. Secretary,
15
A F F I L I A T E D
S O C I E T I E S
N E W S
PUBLICATIONS
CANTERBURY Archaeological Society. A survey on the Archaeological
Implications in the Canterbury District prepared by Mr.T.Tatton-Brovsn,
B.A., is being examined by experts and the Department of the
Environment, and should be ready for publication shortly.
MAIDSTONE AREA Archaeological Group have published a map of Maidstone
as it was in 165^, based on a contemporary written survey. It was
devised by Mr.L.R.A.Grove and Mr. R.J.Spain. Copies may be purchased,
price £1.25, at Maidstone Museum or at the Information Office, Palace
Gardens, Maidstone, or from Mr.P.E.O:ldham,l5, Hermitage Lane,Barming,
Maidstone. Maps cannot be obtained through the post.
THE Y/LDING AND WETTLESTEAD Protection Society. Tiny Kremer is
publishing a series of short books on the history of Yalding.
CONSERVATION, PRESERVATION, RECORDING AND RESEARCH
CH/RING /<ND DISTRICT Local History Society has started a members*lending
Library consisting of the copies of Archaeologia Cantiana which the
Society holds as affiliated members of the K.A.S., several of the
publications of the Standing Conference for Local History,and books on
relevant subjects given or lent by members. Not available for loan,
but for study at a private house are 40 copies of the early numbers of
Archaeologia Cantiana, the generous gift of a member.
Other recent gifts include 30 glass slides of Charing and its environs
at the turn of the century.
The Society has provided information for non-member researchers on
houses, villages and churches.
Society Officers gave lectures on village histories in the area
and acted as guides at Leeds Castle.
The Archives and Palaeography Group meet twice monthly, studying
scripts and documents from the 11 th century onwards.
IHAECORN Local History Society. The documents and photographs group
is building up a picture of the village in the past. It has a
collection of 300 photographs the oldest of which dates from 1868.
A box of glaas^negatives used to make postcards of the village was
found at the village Post Office, and these have been copied, and mounted.
FRIENDS OF LYDD. The old manual Fire Engine has been returned to Lydd.
After restoration it is hoped that it will be on view in the town.
A photographic competition was held for the best Inn Sign or other
Sign, which was judged by Miss Anne Roper.
The Society has been marking footpaths with waymarkers, and continuing
the Scrap Book of their events.
MAID3TONE AREA Archaeological Group. Resumption of work on surveys of
Millgate and Bradbourne Rouse was started and also a general survey of
Bearsted houses. The new Barming Centre is almost ready for use.
RAMSGATE Society, The Inspector decided in favour of the Catholic
Housing Society at the Convent site, but the proposed project is now
too expensive. The Inspector's decision is still awaited for the
^amden Square development. Money is still coming in for the
restoration of the Italianate Greenhouse.
16
CONSERVATION, PRESERV/TION, RECORDING MD RESEARCH cont.
SHEPPSY Local History Society. Committee members actively supported
the Landmark Trust in its efforts to repair and render habitable
Shurland Hall, Sastchurch. This plan was blocked by the K.C.C. The
Society then made representations to the Swale District Council and
to the Sheerness Times-Guardian.
TQNBRIDGE Historical Society, Another work of local recording was
completed in December 1976, this time a volume recording the
inscriptions on memorials in Tonbridge Cemetery covering the period
from its opening in 1858 to c.1920. As with volumes of other local
transcripts, copies have been deposited with Tonbridge Divisional
Library, the Kent Archive Office and the Society of Genealogists.
THE YAEDING AND NSITLESTEAD Protection Society's History Group is
building up a detailed survey of the parish from the early
eighteenth century.
MUSEUMS /..UP EXHIBITIONS
BEARSTED AND DISTRICT Local History Society held, an Exhibition on the
History of Bearsted and Thurnham on July 10th 1976. Two successful
Walk-abouts were arranged in Bearsted on the 16th and 21st July 1976.
These were in connection with a Bearsted and Thurnham Festival in
conjuntion with the Festival held in Maidstone from 10th.-2ii.th July.
CHARING .AND DISTRICT Local History Society. In June and July 1976 the
Society provided and manned displays of maps, documents and objects
relevant to the event at four church and/or village fetes. .Also in
July they provided a display and a slide lecture on Pluckley to
visiting members of the Ghost Club of Great Britain,
(3RANBROOK AMD DISTRICT Local History Society. The Museum is open on
Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.
FAVERSHAM SOCIETY. The Fleur de Lis Heritage Centre is due to open
this month. It is the first of its kind in Southern England, and uses
modern display techniques to tell the story of Faversham in a way that
will appeal to young and old alike.
TENTERDEN AMD DISTRICT Local History Society is to give its full
support to the celebration of Her Majesty's Jubilee in June as
arranged by Tenterden Town Council, its particular responsibility being
the Elizabethan Fair on Tuesday, June 7th in conjunction with other
groups. The Society wishes to make it clear that they assisted in various
ways with the Exhibition entitled 'Caxton, Man of the Weald* held in
Tenterden in June 1976, but that the organisers v>rere the Tenterden
Trust and not the Tenterden and District Local History Society.
WYE Historical Society. An Exhibition of pictures and photographs,
entitled 'WYE THEN AMD WOW, was held in Wye College from June 19th
to 26th inclusive. The aim of the Exhibition was to illustrate the
development of Wye over the centuries and the need for vigilance in
its conservation. The material assembled was drawn largely from
photographs and pictures in the Society's possession, with the addition
of important paintings and illustrations loaned by ?/ye College and the
general public.
YALDING AND NETTLESTSAD Protection Society had displays at the Village
Exhibition held on 23rrL October 1976.
17
COURSES AND DAY SCHOOLS
DOVER History Society. Ellington Castle has been booked by the Society
for a Residential Weekend from EriLday 24th 7 p.m.* to tea time Sunday,
26th June 1977- Subject, 'After the Conquest'. Lectures given by
Mr« I.Green and Mr. D.G. Scurrell, with visits to places of interest
in the area.
EXCAVATIONS
CH£RING AND DISTRICT Local History have assisted with various
archaeological excavations in the county.
MAIDSTQNE AREA Archaeological Group, In June, July and August
excavation ^was carried out on Sundays ,at Mott Hall, Bearsted. The
excavation of the villa site at Maidstone continues under the
direction of Mr. D. Kelly of the Maidstone Museum.
CANTERBURY Archaeological Society.
Roaeoary Laaa and Castle Site Although much of the uppermost Norman,
Saxon and Roman levels have been lost, including the castle's bailey
wall, some Norman and Roman remains have survived. Part of the large
defensive ditch of the Norman era, 30ft wide and 10ft deep, was
established, and the finds included a mass of decorative masonry from
the castle keep, assumed to have been thrown there when the keep was
partially demolished in 1823-26. The Norman ditch cuts a Roman one,
15ft wide and 8ft deep. The fiJtids from this ditch were of great
importance dating to the Claudian invasion and conquest.
The Old Palace House9 Bekesbourne A small excavation at this
interesting house, once one of the Archbishop's palaces was begun in
November 1976.
Hfcghstead Site, Chislet Aerial observation has established outlines
of early habitation. On the edge of the gravel terrace is a mini hill
fort with a large T-shaped ditch and a bank surrounding a group of
houses. This is the earliest village known in Kent. It was
abandoned about 500 B.C. and soon after a small fara was established
about a quarter of a mile away. This also was the first of its kind
found in Kent, and the Canterbury Archaeological Trust were fortunate
in being able to excavate it thoroughly.
OTHER NWS
MEN OF KENT AND KENTISH MM Association arranged a School Art
Competition with the subject *A KENTISH SCENE' with a limit of twelve
entries from each school in Kent. The closing date was 31 st January
1977. In honour of the 1776-1976 American Bicentenary of Independence
all 26 Branches of the Association made available small trees to plant
as an historical memorial of the occasion in 1976.
CANTERBURY. Archaeological Society are supporting the appeal for funds
for the Canterbury Archaeological Trust, inaugurated at a Reception
at the Middle Temple, London, by Lord Salmon of Sandwich on 3°th
November 1976. Mr. T.Tatton-Bsrown, B.A., Director of the Trust, was
also present.
OTJBORD AND DISTRICT Historical Society conducted school parties around
the village, the Palace and the Church in the summer of 1976. Senior
pupils attended working sessions at the Archaeological Group headquarters. Lectures were given at local schools.
Q
18
MM3RE EVENTS
THE AYLESIQRD Society. Brassey Room at 8 p.m,
1 April
Kent Estate Maps and Map Makers
6 May
The Pilgrims' Way
•
Miss E. Melling B.A.
Mr. and Mrs. Pawley
BEARSTED AMD DISTRICT Local History Society. Memorial Hall at 7.30 p.m.
25 March
Liquid History-the River Thames
V. Hogwood
CHARING- AND DISTRICT Local History Society. School Hall at 8 p.m.
non-members 20p«
18 March
Excavations at Leeds Priory
P.J. Tester, 3?«S.A.
22 April
How the Railways came to Kent
F.L. Palmer
20 May
A.G.M. Members slides and refreshments
CRANBRQOK AMD DISTRICT Local History Society. Council Chamber of the
Vestry Hall at 7*30 p.m.
14 March
The Story of Sissinghurst
C.C.R. Pile
4 April
Museums and Agricultural History
F.C. Thompson
(This talk will be followed by a visit to the Museum
at Wye College in June.)
9 May
A.G.M.
;
CRASBORD MANOR HOUSE Historical and Archaeological Society. The Manor
House, Crayford at 7»30 p.m. non-members I5p
26 March
Kent Country Houses
Mrs.?.J,SaynorsM.A«,
DARTIQRD Historical and Antiquarian Society. East Hill House, East Hill
Drive, Dartford.(A.E.C. )at 7«30 p.m. non-members 10p
18 March
An Historical Survey of Otford
Cliff 'Ward
DEAL, WAIMSR AND DISTRICT History Society. The Town Hall at 7.30 p.m.
15 April
New Light on Old Boats
W.H. Honey
25 April
A.G.M.
DOVER History Society. Charlton Church Hall, St.Alphege Rd at 7«30 p.m.
:"
Visitors introduced by members welcomed 60p
5 April
The 1?lrst Women's Expedition to the Himalaya
Mountains
Countess Gravina
EDENBRTCGE AMD DISTRICT Historical Society, Church House,High Street
at 8.15 p.m. Visitors welcome I5p
21 April
A.G-.M.
HSADOORN Local History Society. Methodist Schoolroom, 2 High Street
at 8,p,m. Non-Meiiseya: Adulfoa 20p; Minors 10p
30 March; 27 April; 25 May. Meetings to be arranged.
IGHTHAM MD DISTRICT Historical Society,, Ightham Vinage Hall.
-Visitors welcomed 20p
16 March
3 p.m. King Arthur:History or Legend? A.McLean M.A.
20 April
8 p.m. Restoration of the King's Bed
at Knole= (Textile Conservation) Miss P. Lawrence.
15 June
8 p.m. History and Hedgerows
Mr. Hewlett
20 July
8 p.m. Leeds Castle and Excavations
at Leeds Priory
P. Tester,?.S.A,
21 Sept
Monumental Brasses
H. James
K!WT HISTORY TEACHERS ASSOCIATION. Visitors are welcome
18 June
Whitstable in an Oyster -Sir William Fottidge School,
Whitstable„
15 Oct
Industrial Kent - at Oldborough Manor School,Maidstone
19
LAMORBEY AND SID3UP Local History Society
16 March
Members' Evening
19 March
Study Visit to Kew Piano Museum at Brentford
30 March
The Becket' Era in Sicily
•
Miss W. White
THE MARIQFE SOCIETY
26 March
7 May
11 June
20 Aug
16 Sept
Visit to Charterhouse, London
Visit to Pattyndenne, Goudhurst
Visit to Royal Residence of the Queens Elizabeth I and II
. Visit to Compton Wynyates, Warwick
A.G.M. and Supper at Crosby Hall, London
MEN OF KENT AND KENTISH MM
17 March
7 April
24 May
4 June
Kent in Colour(Chislehurst Library 8 p.m. )
Miss P. Bushell
Kentish Villages from A-Z (ivIeth.Church Bromley 8 p.m.)
J. Parsons
M.K.K.M. Gnlf Competition at Sevenoaks
Association A.G.M. and Lunch, Duke of Yorks R.M.S. Dover.
OTFORD AND DISTRICT Historical Society, Village Hall 8 p.m.
Visitors 20p
16 March
Kent in the Civil War
R.D.Clarke, M.A.
20 April
Mediaeval and Tudor Small Houses K.W. Gravett
M.Sc.(Eng), F.S.A.
RAMSGATE SOCIETY. St. George's Parish Hall at 7.45 p.m.Visitors welcome
16 March
Deal's Maritime History
W. Honey
20 April
A.G.M.
18 May
The Elharn Valley
B. Gipson
15 June
Outdoor Evening
ST. MARGARIT'S-AT-CLIFFE Local History Society. The Old School
Kingsdowi Road at 8 p.m. Visitors welcome
18 March
Canterbury Cathedral
Rev.D. Ingram Hill
15 April
To be arranged
20 May
Regency and Victorian Rams gate
N. Cramp
SHSPPEY Local History Society. United Reformed Church, Hope Street,
Sheerness at 7-^5 p.m.
23 March
Mutiny at the Nore
L. Tyler
SANDWICH Local History Society. Grand Jury Roomy Guildhall at 7.30 p.m.
Visitors 15?
17 March
Inn Signs of East Kent .
Mrs. J. Small
15 April
The Barker Lecture
Sir Percy Rugg
19 May (7.15 p.m.)
Coin Hoards in Kent
P.E. 01dham,B./. •
TENTERDEN AND DISTRICT Local History Society.Q.of S.Primary School,
Recreation Ground Rd. at 7 p.m. Visitors I5p
30 March
Belloc and Kipling •
Mrs. L.C. Lees
19 May, 7 July, 1 Sept - Excursions
TQMBRIDGE Historical Society.Adult Education Centre, Avebury Avenue,
at 7.45 p.m. Non-Members 20p. If under 18, I0p
17 March
A.GoM.
21 April
The Faversham Explosives Industry 1560-1935
A.J. Percival, F.S.A.
20
BEBHOGRAPffi: - ROADS IN KENT
Books and Pamphlets in the stock of the Kent County Libraries
Box,Ernest George
Box, Ernest George
BoXjErnest George
Brady, John H.
Carlcy, James
Castells,, Francis
de Paula
Codrington, Thomas
Davis3 B.I1.
Elliston-Erwood,F.C.
Elliston-Erwood,F.C.
Ellis ton-Erwood,F.C.
Ellis ton-Erwood,F.C.
Ellis ton-Erwood, F.C,
Hardman, F.?/.
Harper, C.G.
Harper, C.G.
Harper, C.G.
Harris, Rendal
Hiscock, R.H.
Hughes, G.M.
K.C.C. Archives
Office
KcC.C. Roads Dept,,
K.C.C. Roads Dept.
Knox, Cecil
Margary, Ivan D.
Margary, Ivan D.
Margary, Ivan D.
Milestone Guides
Mogg, Edward
Nolan, Michael
Ogilby, John
Ogilby, John
Kent in early road books of the 17th century.
(Reprint from Archaeologia Cantiana),1932„
Notes on some West Kent Roads. (Reprint from
Archaeologia Cantiana), 1931 .
Two 16th century maps of Kent, with further notes
on early road books. (Reprint from Archaeologia
Cantiana), 1934.
Dover Road sketch book. 1837.
The lost roads of Meopham and nearby parishes«1971 •
The old Roman road in West Kent„(Reprint from the
Dartford Chronicle) n.d.
Roman roads in Britain. 1903.
The Roman road from West Wickham to London, (in
Surrey Archaeological Collections. Vol.43)
Biddenden and Boundgate Turnpike roads,1761-1883.
(Reprint from Archaeologia Cantiana) 1957Miscellaneous notes on some Kent roads and allied
matters, n.d.
More notes on Kentish roads. (Reprint from
Archaeologia Cantiana) 1960.
Reprinted papers on Kent roads, n.d.
The turnpike roads between Greenwich and Woolwich.
1954.
The roads of South-East Kent. 1919.
The Dover Road: annals of an ancient turnpike. 1895The Dover Road. 2nd ed. 1922.
The Hastings Road and the 'Happy Springs of
Tunbridge'. 1906.
Watling Street.(v/oodbrooke Essays,no.17),n.d.
The road between Dartford, Gravesend and Strood.
(Reprint from Archaeologia Cantiana) 1968.
Roman roads in south-east Britain; romance and
tragedy. 1936.
Some roads and bridges. (Kent Sources, no 0 l)
County road plan report, adopted by the Roads
Committee on the 25th October, 1945*
Report of the County Surveyor on the problems of
flooding. 1969.
St= Margaret's Bay and the Roman roads from
Richborough to Dover and Canterbury.(Reprint from
Archaeologia Cantiana) 1954;.
The new Roman road to the coast, n.d.
Roman roads in Britain. 1967=
Roman roads in the Wealde
Book 1 : From London Bridge. Book 2 : Southern
cross roads.
Paterson*s roads, 1826.
Substance of the speech of M.Nolan,Esq.,before a
committee of the House of Commons upon a Bill for
repairing and maintaining the road from Eynsford
to Shoreham. 1811,
The travellers' pocket book of Mr.Ogilby *s and Mr.
Morgan's Book of the Roads,..2nd ed» 1761.
The travellers' pocket bock of Mr .Ogilby's and Mr,
Morgan's Book of the Roads.,.4th ed. 1766.
21
BIBLIOGRAPHI - ROADS IN KENT Cont.
Owens, Y/.H.
Famous highways of Britain: the Folkestone Road.
1949.
Paterson, Daniel
A., .description of all the roads in England and
Wales. 11th ed. 1796.
Phippen, James
The road guide from London to Tunbridge Wells, n.d.
Roden, M.H.
Finances of a turnpike company (in Tonbridge
School Local History Researches) 1961.
Sevenoaks By-Pass. (Reprint from the'Kent
Messenger') 1965.
Survey of the road from London to Hith in Kent.n.d.
Tristram, W.Outram Coaching days and coaching ways. 1894.
Vallis, S.W.H.
Road development in Kent (institute of Municipal
Bigineers - Proceedings. Vol.78, 1951/52.)
Whitaker, S.J.
The M2 : the Medway Towns By-Pass. (Duplicated
1964.
Ifoolwich and District
Antiquarian Society The tumprake roads between Greenwich and
Woolwich. (Proceedings Vol. XXX) 1S54.
Woolwich and District
Antiquarian Society Roadworks at Shooter's Hill, Kent, 1816. 1947
AIJ30;Great Britain, Laws, etc.; 43 Acts relating to the maintaining,
repairing, widening, etc. of various roads in Kent, passed in the
reigns of George I (4 Acts), Geo.Ii (14 Acts), Geo.III (16 Acts),
Geo. IV (6 Acts), and Victoria (4 Acts).
Great Britain, Laws, etc. Statutory Instruments. The south of
Aylesford - east of Y/rotham, special road scheme, 1966.
This list represents the total coverage on this subject, of all the
Divisions of Kent County Library. While copies of the majority of the
listed works will probably be available in most Divisions, some of the
more uncommon items are held only at one or two libraries.
The main source of printed information for local studies in any
District is the Divisional Reference Library, where the Reference
Librarian can offer guidance in the use of material in stock. All the
14 Divisional Libraries (list overleaf) contain Local Collections such
as files of local newspapers and magazines, electoral rolls, local
directories, church guides, and similar printed material of great
importance in local studies. Illustrations and maps of the area are
also likely to be held.
At County Library Headquarters at Springfield, Maids tone, is the Kent
Collection, which aims to provide a county-wide coverage, which
includes some illustrations, several hundred maps, and copies of a
number of books of some rarity.
Also at t he Springfield Headquarters are the recently-acquired
micro-film! copies of the Census Enumerator Returns for the whole of
Kent for 1841,1851,1861 and 187L The Returns for several parishes
are on each of the reels of micro-film, which of course have to be
used with the aid of the micro-film reader. To ensure that this
machine is available at specific times, prospective researchers should
ring the County Library.
Each reel of micro-film is labelled ?/ith the names of the parishes
whose Returns it contains, but the overall index is still in course
of preparation.
22
I N F O R M A T I O N
S O U R C E S
KENT COUNTY COUNCIL
Archives Office,
Count j Hall,
Maids tone, ME14 1XH
Tel: Maidstone 54321
Ext. 323
KENT EDUCATION COMMITTEE
County Library,
Springfield, Maids tone0
Tel: Maidstone 54371
Sat. a.m. only,5l260
DIVISIONAL LIBRARIES and
MAJOR BRANCH COLLECTIONS
ASHJDRD
Ashford
CANTERBURY
Canterbury
Herne Bay
DARTFORD
Dartford
DOVER
Dover
Deal
GHIZNGHAM
Gillingham
GRAYESHAM
Gravesend
MAIDSTQNE
Maidstone
MSDWAY
Chatham
Rochester
SEVENOAKS
Sevenoaks
SHEEWAY
Folkestone
Hythe
SWALE
Sit tingbourne
Faversham
Sheerness
THANST
Margate
Ramsgate
TONBRIEGBM/iLING
Tonbridge
TUNBRIDGE
WELLS
Tunbridge
IFells
THE BFJfiSH LIBRAE!
DEPARTMENT OF MANUSCRIPTS
Great Russell Street,
Bloomsbury, London ¥C1B 3BG,
Tel: 01-636-1544
CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL LIBRARY
AND ARCHIVES
Canterbury, CT1 2B3Tel: Canterbury 63510
HYTHE ARCHIVES REPOSITORY
Council Offices,
Stade Street, Hythe.
Tel: Hythe 66152
Visits by appointment
EASTGATE HOUSE MUSEUM
High Street, Rochester.
Tel: Medway 44176
THE HOUSE OF LORDS RECORD OFFICE
House of Lords,
Westminster, London, SW1A QPW
Tel: 01-219-3074 (Direct Line)
01 -219-3000 ( Switchboard)
LMBETH PALACE LIBRARY
Lambeth Palace Road,
London, SE1 7JU
Tel: 01-928-6222
THE IfONIMENT ROOM AND LIBRARY
Y/estminster Atbey,
London, SW1P 3PA
Tel: 01-222-4233
THE PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Chancery Lane,
London, WC2A 1LR
Tel: 01-405-0741
RECORD KEEPERS DEPT. PRUCIPAL
REGISTRY of the FAMILY DIVISION
Somerset House,
Strand, London, WC2R 1LP
Tel: 01-405-7641
Ext. 3659
THE ROYAL COMMISSION ON HISTORICAL
MANUSCRIPTS
Quality House, Quality Court
Chancery Lane, London, Y/C2 1H?
Tel: 01-242-1198
S O U R C E S
No .4
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
The Public Record Office contains many millions of documents
relating to the actions of the central government and the courts of
law of England and Wales from the 11th century, of Great Britain
from 17Q7> and of the United Kingdom from 1801 to the present day.
A person wishing to inspect the records has to complete an
application form for a Reader's Ticket, valid for five years. This
requires a recommendation from someone of recognised position to
whom the applicant is known personally or from a recognised
institution (e.g. High Commissioner's Office, Embassy, University,
etc.) Tickets are issued at the Enquiries Desk in Chancery Lane on
Monday to Eriday or by post.
Departmental records normally become
years after their creation, but from
classes relating to the Second World
Chancellor may prescribe a longer or
or for particular items. Notices in
the exceptions.
open to inspection thirty
January 1972 the more important
War were openieeL The lord
shorter period for whole classes
the Search Rooms summarise
There are four main Search Rooms in the Chancery Lane Building; the
?ound Room, the Rolls Room, the Long Room and the North Room, in the
annex to which Probate Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury
are produced on weekdays. These records are not available on Saturdays,
There are also search rooms at the Land Registry Building in Portugal
Street, V/.G.2 where some records (including Cabinet Office, certain
Foreign and Colonial and Census Records) are produced; and also at
66 Porchester Road, W. 2 where the records of the former British
"ransport Historical Records Office, now administered by the P,E,Q.
can be inspected. Det£\iled list of the classes of records kept at
Portugal Street and Porchester Road are available on request in
Chancery Lane. New Readers should go first to the Enquiries Desk at
Chancery Lane, where they will be directed to the appropriate Search
Room. There staff will direct them to the means of reference and show
them the procedure for ordering documents.
Readers are warned that the reproduction of photocopies, verbatim
transcripts or literal tz-anslations of records may infringe
copyright. Copies of the Conditions governing the use of Crown
copyright material and photocopies are displayed in the Search
Department, and these and a full explanatory leaflet may be obtained
from the Search Rooms. There are Photocopying services available for
certain records. The use of ink and ball-point pens is forbidden.
The Chancery Lane, Portugal Street and Porchester Road Search Rooms
are open from 9«30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays.
The Round Room at Chancery Lane and the Census Room in Portugal
Street are also open from 9-30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, but no
documents can be consulted on a Saturday in the Round Room unless
they have been ordered in advance.
All Search Rooms are closed on Sundays and Public Holidays and on
certain other days (in particular the last week in September and
the first week in October for annual stock-taking) of which advance
notice is given in the Search Rooms.
ibr certain classes of public records, including those of quarter
sessions, the Lord Chancellor has appointed local repositories as
the place of deposit, and it is as well to consult the 'Record
Repositories in Great Britain' (H.M.S.O. 1973).