Page:Notes on the churches in the counties of Kent, Sussex, and Surrey.djvu/139

101 turned entirely with them." (Hasted.) He gives a small view, exhibiting a round tower-arch or doorway, and two round-headed windows, side by side, high up in the tower. 213., Rochester.—In the time of Walter, Bp. of Rochester, this church belonged, as a chapel, to the altar of St. Nicholas (in the cathedral; and see the Note on Rochester). The first constitution of the vicarage of St. Margaret's endows it with the small tithes of Neshenden (given to St. Margaret's by Robert de Amando), Great and Little Delce; and St. Margaret's is styled a parish. (Reg. Roff.)

It is clearly stated (Text. Roff.) that, about the twelfth century, a chapel existed at Nashenden, dependent on the church of St. Margaret. See the Note on Rochester. Nashenden is now known simply as a farm in the parish of St. Margaret. The above is, so far as hitherto discovered, the only notice of the chapel of "Hescindena," or Nashenden..—Brass: a chalice with I II C, 1540, Sir James Roberte, Prest. (Reg. Roff.) Beside this there is a plate of Tho. Cod, vicar, decd 1465. (Monum. Brasses, 147.) The church of St. Margaret was entirely rebuilt, with the exception of the chancel, not many years ago.

Johannes Wryte, clerk, 28th of K. Henry VIII, gives " unam peciam terre vocatam Culuerhawe" (a piece of land called Culverhawe) in this parish in trust to certain persons, who shall permit "omnes parochianos, heredes, et assignatos in futurum pacifice gaudere predictam peciam ad ambulandum, currendum, ludendum omnia jocalitia sive sagittandi, quoties et qualitercunque eis placuerit: All parishioners, their heirs and assigns in future, that is for ever, peaceably to enjoy the said piece for walking, running, playing all games or shooting with bows, whensoever and howsoever it shall please them." (Reg. Roff.)

It is reported, that about A.D. 1690, or rather earlier, a crown or coronet, set round the edges with small precious stones, was dug up in St. Margaret's churchyard. (Harris.) Hasted refers to this story, but incorrectly, as it is delivered by Harris. 214. .—Bede states, (Hist. Eccl., 1. 1, c. 26) that a church had been built "near the city [Canterbury] to the east; prope ipsam civitatem ad orientem," in honour of St. Martin by the Romans; that Bercta (Bertha) daughter of Charibert, king of the Franks, and, Christian, queen of Æthelbert, pagan, king of Kent, frequented the church for her devotions; and that Augustin and his companions used it for all religious purposes until the king, after his conversion, gave them licence