Page:Notes on the churches in the counties of Kent, Sussex, and Surrey.djvu/93

Rh of Hasted: A. H.] "William of Poitiers describes the 'castrum Dovera,' in relating its surrender by the townsmen to Duke William. [The same author says even more to the purpose: 'Hinc Doveram contendit .... quod locus ille inexpugnabilis videbatur. At ejus propinquitate Angli perculsi, neque naturae vel operis munimento, neque multitudini virorum confidunt. Situm est id castellum in rupe mari contigua,' &c. T.] Hence he marches to Dover .... because that place seemed impregnable. But the Angles, disturbed by his vicinity, trust to neither the defence of nature or art, nor to the multitude of (their) men." (Thorpe's Lappenberg, II, 249, note i.) See also the allusion (Ib. 268) to the story of Harold promising on oath to deliver "the castle of Dover" with its appurtenances "to the custody of Norman soldiers."

Under the year 1048 the Saxon Chronicle gives, in the following anecdote, an illustration of the manners of the time. "Then came Eustace (Count of Boulogne) from the parts beyond sea, and going to the king, transacted his business with him, and then returned home. When he reached the eastern side of Canterbury he refreshed himself and company with food, and proceeded to Dover. When he was about a mile or more on this side Dover, he put on his harness, as did his companions, and approached the town. On arriving there they selected lodgings in what houses they pleased: but one of them declared he would pass the night under the roof of a certain householder, though against his will, and wounded the householder; though finally the latter slew him. Eustace then mounted his horse, as his companions did, and attacking the householder, killed him within his own walls; and afterwards going through the town, slew partly within and partly without (the walls?) above twenty men. The citizens also slew nineteen of the other side, and wounded very many. But Eustace, escaping with a few, returned to the king, and gave him a partial account of their adventures. Whereby the king being highly incensed, sent Earl Godwin with a command to enter Dover hostilely; for Eustace had told the king, that the citizens were more in fault than himself. But the matter was not so; nor was the earl willing to go to Kent, deeming it odious to destroy their own people." (Gibs. Chron. Sax., 162.)

102. .—"This church is esteemed as a chapel to the church of Hayes, the rectors of which are now instituted to the rectory of Hayes with the chapel of Down annexed. The rector of Orpington, who is patron of the church of Hayes, possesses