Page:Notes on the churches in the counties of Kent, Sussex, and Surrey.djvu/57

Rh and that end had probably three or more, the frames of two being visible on each side of the present three-light Tr. Dec. or Perp. window. There are several pieces of coloured glass, but in great disorder. Nearly opposite the south door is an elegant ogée-canopied niche. The church contains two old benches and a Perp. screen. The door is ancient, retaining an old lock and some good ironwork. "Near the wayside here was formerly a chapel or oratory; whose ruins (Philpot saith) were visible in his time; where such pilgrims, as visited the shrine of Thomas Becket of Canterbury, used to offer up their devotions, before they advanced any farther in their journey." (Harris). Who also mentions another "Free Chapel," at Radfield (in this parish, though near Linsted, which adjoins), whereof the ruins still (then) existed, and that it was suppressed by K. Edward VI. This appears in (Val. Eccl.) as a "Free Chapel." According to Hasted it was named so early as A.D. 1190. From personal knowledge of the locality I strongly suspect that Dr. Harris's two chapels are one and the same, Radfield lying by " the wayside." A.D. 694, Wihtred, King of Kent, summoned a great council, at a place called Baccancelde, at which he was present, with Brihtwald, Archbishop of Canterbury, Tobias, Bishop of Rochester, Abbots and Abbesses, and many wise men, to consult about repairing the churches of God which were in Kent. (Gib. Chron. Sax. 48.) Evidently the spot was in Kent. Gibson, in his explanation of the names of places, suggests Beckenham; Hasted, with greater probability, prefers Bapchild. So late as in (Val. Eccl.) the name of this parish is spelled "Bacchyld." In a recital of the proceedings of the synod above mentioned, the place is written "Bachancild." (Cod. Dipl. V, 37.)

18. .—This remarkable Norm. church is a well-known object of curiosity, which has recently been thoroughly and judiciously repaired; when it was discovered that one of the mullions of the circular window was of oak, not stone, though it was deemed part of the original work. There was also found, imbedded in the mortar of the wall, a pair of small scissors, not acting upon a rivet, as do those of the present day, but formed in one piece, with a bow at the end, like sheepshears. Barfreston church affords strong indications that it was not from the first intended for the situation it occupies, as the design of it appears not to be complete in itself, but as if it was to have been connected with other buildings. "Here is a poor