Page:Notes on the churches in the counties of Kent, Sussex, and Surrey.djvu/62

32 of the Galfridus de Gaspernasse, already noticed as the first rector of Bidborough, in which case the deed will date prior to A.D. 1219. In the hypothesis of the identity conjectured with regard to these persons, there certainly are two difficulties; but to neither of them can much weight be allowed. In the first place, the Galfridus of A.D. 1219 is styled de Gaspernasse, whereas, the Galfridus in the nomination to the chapelry is declared to be the son of Benedict de Teppehese; but it must be remembered, that the custom of permanent family names was not introduced till long subsequent to 1219, so that if Bened. de Teppehese had had a dozen sons, each of them might have received a different appellation, either from their places of residence, or from various other causes, and not one might have borne his father's designation. Secondly, the patron of the church of Leigh is called John Canutus in Anthony Wood’s deed, while in that of A.D. 1239, relating to Penshurst, the patron of the same church is named John Canucus. This variation, however, is very slight, considering the period wherein it may have occurred, when accuracy in such matters was utterly disregarded; beside that a letter may have been mistaken in reading one of the original ancient MSS.; and it actually happened, that, in the copy given to me from the Ashmolean Museum, the name was first written Canucus, the error being afterwards detected on collation. Whatever may be deemed the value of the foregoing suppositions, we shall scarcely be wrong in pronouncing Richard Canutus, parson of Leigh, to be, if not son, yet, kinsman of John Canutus, the patron. We perceive, likewise, that while the rectory, including of course the principal emoluments derived from the parish, was held by a member of the patron’s family, another individual (Alan) had been placed in the vicarage. See the Note on Penshurst.

28. .—The church comprises chancel, nave, north and south aisles, south porch, and square west tower, with battlements and stair turret. There are E.E., Dec., Perp., and late Perp. portions. The font is octagon, with pointed arches, slightly sunk in the sides, on a stem of eight small columns, the latter recently renewed, badly. The pier and capital of the arch opening from the chancel to the south aisle are concave. Under the tower arch is part of a Dec. screen, probably from the chancel arch; here is also a perfectly plain oak lectern. There was formerly a door at the west end of the south aisle. Over the west door in the tower are three square Weald marble blocks,