Ss. Peter and Paul, Aylesford, Kent
And after two days in that there London on a course, I have three days off and a weekend in which to do whatevers I want. Within reason. We hired a car so we would both be mobile, or at least I did not have to drive Jools to and from work.
My good friend, John Vigar said that Aylesford church was well worth getting into if you could. Looking at my previous visit here, I saw I failed to visit the church, so, best start the grand tour there.
Aylesford is an ancient village, but being so close to Maidstone, pressure is on for more housing, so there was talk of more new houses yet to be built.
I found a place to park the car, walked up the hill to the church. A good sign is that the gate of the porch was open, so I walk in and find a service under way.
I find out later it wasn't a service, it was a reading, as the parish does not have a vicar at the moment, so prayers were said to guide those in charge to appoint a "good" one.
I sat at the back, the first time I have attended a service for many, many years. As it was a reading, there were no hymns, but many prayers said, for the great and good, and for some locals.
After the service the reader seeked me out, and we spoke, turns out he was just the reader, and not the vicar as I thought, but he was very friendly, but others of the congregation were more wary.
I ran round getting shots whilst they cleared away the items used in the reading, waiting for me to finish. I think I got the shots I wanted, but we shall see.
Ss. Peter and Paul, is large, the side chapel is as large as many Kentish parish churches. And the north chapel is dominated by a rather relaxed and well dressed family, who if the reader is right, were the main movers and shakers in bringing William and Mary to Merrie Olde England.
It features a recently renovated and brightly pained organ, and on the Chancel roof, gold stars have been painted on the beams.
--------------------------------------------------
Aylesford`s massive church dominates this part of the Medway Valley. Its Norman tower (probably the castellum mentioned in Domesday) is now attached to twin fifteenth century naves which in turn open into twin fourteenth century chancels. The abiding atmosphere is that of a thoroughly `scraped` building which was the result of three Victorian restorations - but it is no less interesting for that. All the glass is Victorian, much by Burlisson and Grylls, with a few by Powell, including an eccentric east window in the north chancel showing the dates of the succession of each Earl of Aylesford whose memory it commemorates. The large monument in the north east corner is to Sir John Banks, eighteenth century entrepreneur and philanthropist whose descendant is the present Earl of Aylesford. The twentieth century actress, Dame Sybil Thorndike, was the Vicar's daughter and she was married in this church in December 1908. Keyholder nearby West tower, nave, chancel, north aisle, north chapel, south porch.
www.kentchurches.info/church.asp?p=Aylesford
AYLESFORD
SOUTHWARD from Burham lies Aylesford, a name variously written by our antient historians. The Saxon Chronicle, supposed to be written about the time of Bede, names it Ægelesford; Nennius, the Bri tish historian, who flourished about the year 620, says, the Saxons called it Episford, and the Britons, Sathenegabail, from the overthrow of the Saxons here; Asserius, who lived in the time of king Alfred, calls it Ægelsthrep, as does the Saxon historian, Æthelwerd. In the record of Domesday it is written, Elesford, by later writers, Aillesford, and now, most commonly, Aylesford.
THE PARISH of Aylesford is pleasantly situated, about thirty-two miles from London. It is far more healthy than those last described. The river Medway, which flows through it north-westward, having in its course upward, from Woldham and Burham, become a pellucid stream of fresh water, the tide becoming weak, and having lost its saltness, from the superior force of those from above; of course, instead of the noisome smells, arising from the salt marshes, on each side of it lower down, when left by the tide, the river here is encompassed with a range of pleasant fertile meadows, greatly conducing both to health and profit. The soil in this parish, from its size and extent, must be various. About the village, and on the southern side of the river, it is a loam, spread over the quarry stone; to the northward it is an unfertile chalk, and to the eastward a deep sand.
THE VILLAGE of Aylesford is situated on the northern bank of the Medway; at the back of it the ground rises suddenly very high, insomuch that the church and yard of it, close to which is the vicarage, stands higher even than the tops of the chimnies of the houses below it. About a quarter of a mile westward, close to the river, is the priory or friery, as it is now called, great part of which remains entire, as before its dissolution, being converted into the different apartments of the mansion and the offices belonging to it; the adjoining grounds were formerly imparked, and much of the paling is still visible, though they have been disparked some years ago, made arable, and separated in different inclosures. At a small distance from hence northward is the manor house of Tottington, the moat round which is still visible; from hence the ground rises up to the high chalk hill, on the eminence of which is the noted monument, called Kit's Coty house; and about a mile eastward the house of Cosenton, which, though now only used as a farm house, is large, and has many apparent remains of its former state about it. In the grounds belonging to it, about two miles north-westward from the house, in a deep chalky loose soil, which is covered with coppice wood, there issue several springs or clear water, which change the flints, pebbles, and other stones, as well as the several pieces of wood which lie in them, to them, to the most beautiful carmine bue, which grow stronger after they are taken our and become dry. The water is very chilly, has a rough taste, and has no chalybeat qualities belonging to it.
From the village westward the road leads near the bank of the river, by Friers Coptry, and the stream, which riles at Boxley, runs into the river here, on which there is a paper mill; here the soil begins to be a deep sand, which continues up to the turnpike road at Sandling, leading from Rochester to Maidstone.
From the village of Aylesford to that part of the parish on the opposite side of the Medway, there is a handsome stone bridge of six arches, built many years ago, and now supported by the public charge of the county; from hence the grounds rise with a gentle ascent, beautifully picturesque, surrounding the seat of Preston hall, laid out so as to resemble a park well cloathed at intervals with stately elmsand other different plantations, through which the road leads, having a sunk sence on each side, at a proper distance from the house, which is of white stucco, having an elegant appearance, and making a beautiful contrast to the verdure of the adjoining lawns, up to the high turnpike road from London, through Wrotham, to Maidstone; on the opposite side this road the parish stretches itself more than two miles southward, over a deeper soil, through a continued range of coppice woods; in the further part of which is the antient chapel of Longsole, now called the hermitage, beyond which it extends, and takes within its bounds a small part of the northern side of Barming heath.
About a quarter of a mile westward from Prestonhall, lower down, close on the bank of the river, lies the hamlet of Milhale, which place is within the civil jurisdiction of the corporation of Maidstone. (fn. 1)
There is a fair held in the village of Aylesford on June 29.
AYLESFORD is noted in antient history for the battle fought at it between the Britons and the Saxons, in the year 455, which was about five years after the first landing of the latter in Britain.
Vortimer, the British king, having assembled his forces, in order to give battle to the Saxons, first encountered them on the banks of the river Darent, in this county. In this conflict, it is most probable, the Saxons were worsted, as they retreated from their enemy, who followed them to Aylesford, where they had passed the river Medway, on the eastern side of which a bloody battle was sought between them, (fn. 2) the success of which remained for some time equal, tho' at last it appears that victory fell to the side of the Britons. (fn. 3)
¶In this sharp conflict, Horsa, brother to Hengist, the Saxon general, and Catigern, brother to king Vortimer, fighting hand to hand, were both killed on the spot. The former is supposed to have been buried a little more than three miles northward from Aylesford, at the place which, from this circumstance, acquired the name of Horsted, i. e. the place of Horsa; in the fields, near which there are numbers of large stones dispersed over the lands, some standing upright, and others thrown down by time, which might perhaps have been placed at first as memorials of those who were slain on the side of the Saxons in this memorable rencounter, and buried there. Catigern is supposed to have been buried still nearer the field of battle, on an eminence, about a mile northward from the village of Aylesford, and about a quarter of a mile westward from the high road, leading from Rochester to Maidstone. The field in which it stands formerly belonged to the demesnes of Tottington, but the late Mr. Best purchased it some years ago of Mr. T. Golding, where that rude monument, somewhat in the manner of Stone Henge, though in miniature, still remains, called Kit's Coty house, and more vulgarly the Kit's Cot house; which, as some interpret it, is Catigern's house.
AYLESFORD is within the ECCLESIASTICAL JURISDICTION of the diocese and deanry of Rochester.
The church, which is dedicated to St. Peter, is a handsome building, with a square tower at the west end of it.
King Henry I. gave the church of Aylesford to St. Andrew and Gundulph, bishops of Rochester, and afterwards confirmed it to them. Bishop Gundulph, when he had separated his own maintenance from that of the monks of his priory, assigned this church to them, among others, for their maintenance; and he afterwards granted them the free disposition of the vicarage of it. (fn. 23)
This grant was set aside by bishop Gilbert de Glanvill, in the beginning of the reign of king Richard I. who, on the foundation of his hospital at Stroud, about that time, with their unanimous consent, which was however, without doubt, extorted from them, and that of his archdeacon, gave the appropriation of this church, in pure and perpetual alms, to the master and brethren of it, reserving only the pension of two marcs yearly from it, to be paid to the monks. (fn. 24) And he decreed, that the master should provide one of his brethren, being a priest, or other fit chaplain, to celebrate divine service at Aylesford, whom he should present to the bishop; all which was again confirmed by the prior and con vent of Rochester, who granted, that the master of the hospital should, as parson, present the vicar of this church to the bishop. (fn. 25)
The monks by no means acquiesced in this gift, but seized every opportunity of asserting their right to this church; and after several appeals to the pope, from time to time, and confirmations and decrees made in favour of each party, the dispute seems to have been finally settled by pope Alexander IV. (fn. 26) who in 1255, adjudged that, in consideration of the church of St. Margaret, in Rochester, with its appurtenances, remaining to the prior and convent, the master and brethren of Stroud hospital should possess this church free from the pensions of eighteen marcs (which had been, in 1239, decreed to be paid from it) and of two marcs, which had likewise been before decreed, to be paid from it, as above mentioned. Bishop Thomas de Inglethorp, on account of several disputes having arisen between the master of Stroud hospital and the vicar of this parish, in right of his vicarage, in 1287, anno 16th Edward I. examined into it, with the consent of all parties, and he ordained and decreed, that the vicar, for the time being, should take all small tithes, obventions, and oblations, of the whole parish, together with the tithe of the hay of Luggenemedwe, and Breggenemedwe, Suffletonemedwe, and all the tithe of hay on the eastern side of the bridge, and also of all mills, except the mill of the master and brethren aforesaid, and that he should likewise take the tithes of sheaves of the demesnes of the church, viz. of those lands which the rectors possessed at the time of this endowment, and the tithes of beans and peas of gardens, dug with the foot, but for other corn growing within the curtalage, he should take yearly from the rectors one seam of wheat at Michaelmas; and further, that the vicar and his successors should be free and exempt from all due and accustomed burthens, ordinary and extraordinary, of the supplying and procuring books and ornaments, and also the repairing of the chancel.
In the year 1288, an agreement was entered into before the above mentioned bishop, between the master and brethren of the hospital, and the vicar of this church, that the later should provide daily one chaplain in the name of the former, who should celebrate mass, and say the canonical hours in the chapel of Sir Stephen de Cosington, for which the master and brethren should give him yearly a certain sum of money, and a portion of corn at stated times, of wheat and barley, and of the small tithes at the accustomed time, so that the vicar should not demand any thing of Sir Stephen; and also of three roods of free land. This was confirmed by bishop Thomas de Woldham, in 1293, who declared, that the three roods of free land, mentioned above, were within that area of ground, where the vicar had built houses, and erected other buildings for himself and successors, and in which he then dwelt, near the court of the rectory, and had inclosed the same; all which should remain to the vicars, his successors, for ever.
Some time after which, some disputes arising between the vicar of Aylesford, and the master and brethren, and Sir Stephen de Cosingtone, it was decreed, that Sir Stephen and his heirs ought to pay the great and small tithes of his manor to the master and brethren, together with thirty shillings of silver; and that according to the ordination of Thomas, bishop of Rochester, above mentioned, they ought to satisfy the vicar in thirty shillings and four seams of corn, one half of wheat and the other of barley, yearly, and that the vicar should provide for a chantry in the said chapel, but that the profits arising from the oblations and consessions of Sir Stephen and his family, should belong to him who served the cure of the parish of Aylesford. The decree of the bishop, so far as related to the small tithes of the manor of Cosington, nevertheless to remain in full force.
Sir Stephen de Cosyngtone, lord of the manor of Cosyngtone, in the 23d year of king Henry VI. released to the master and brethren of the hospital, their providing a chaplain in the chapel or chantry of St. Michael, within his manor, &c. and they released to him their right of providing such chaplain, and all claims accruing to him and them on account of the same for ever, in the 34th year of the same reign.
The church of Aylesford remained in this situation till the reign of king Henry VIII. when the master of Stroud hospital and the brethren of it, in the 31st year of that reign, with the king's licence, surrendered their hospital, with all their lands and possessions in Aylesford and elsewhere, and this church among them, to the prior and convent of Rochester, to hold of the king by fealty, in lieu of all services.
A few months after which surrender, the priory of Rochester itself was likewise, together with all its estates and possessions, surrendered into the king's hands, who, by his dotation charter, in his 33d year, settled the parsonage of this church, with the advowson of the vicarage, as well as all other the possessions of the late priory of Rochester in this parish, among other premises, on his new erected dean and chapter of Rochester, where the inheritance of them now remains.
This vicarage is valued in the king's books at 10l. and the yearly tenths at 1l.
The dean and chapter of Rochester continue patrons of this vicarage.
The parsonage of Aylesford has a manor belonging to it, called the manor of the parsonage of Aylesford.
¶On the intended abolition of deans and chapters, after the death of king Charles I. this manor and parsonage, with its appurtenances, and a wood, called Blaze wood, late belonging to the dean and chapter, were surveyed in 1694, when it appeared, that the two barns, yards, and other necessary buildings, and two acres of glebe land, were worth 3l. per ann. and the tithes 77l. per ann. all which were let by the dean and chapter, anno 15 Charles I. to Sir George Fane, for twenty-one years, at the yearly rent of 22l. and two weather sheep, or 26s. 8d. in money; out of which lease the vicarage was excepted, which was then valued at 60l. per annum. (fn. 27)
The present lessee, under the dean and chapter of Rochester, of this manor and parsonage, with Blaze wood, is the Right Hon. Thomas lord Despencer.
Ss. Peter and Paul, Aylesford, Kent
And after two days in that there London on a course, I have three days off and a weekend in which to do whatevers I want. Within reason. We hired a car so we would both be mobile, or at least I did not have to drive Jools to and from work.
My good friend, John Vigar said that Aylesford church was well worth getting into if you could. Looking at my previous visit here, I saw I failed to visit the church, so, best start the grand tour there.
Aylesford is an ancient village, but being so close to Maidstone, pressure is on for more housing, so there was talk of more new houses yet to be built.
I found a place to park the car, walked up the hill to the church. A good sign is that the gate of the porch was open, so I walk in and find a service under way.
I find out later it wasn't a service, it was a reading, as the parish does not have a vicar at the moment, so prayers were said to guide those in charge to appoint a "good" one.
I sat at the back, the first time I have attended a service for many, many years. As it was a reading, there were no hymns, but many prayers said, for the great and good, and for some locals.
After the service the reader seeked me out, and we spoke, turns out he was just the reader, and not the vicar as I thought, but he was very friendly, but others of the congregation were more wary.
I ran round getting shots whilst they cleared away the items used in the reading, waiting for me to finish. I think I got the shots I wanted, but we shall see.
Ss. Peter and Paul, is large, the side chapel is as large as many Kentish parish churches. And the north chapel is dominated by a rather relaxed and well dressed family, who if the reader is right, were the main movers and shakers in bringing William and Mary to Merrie Olde England.
It features a recently renovated and brightly pained organ, and on the Chancel roof, gold stars have been painted on the beams.
--------------------------------------------------
Aylesford`s massive church dominates this part of the Medway Valley. Its Norman tower (probably the castellum mentioned in Domesday) is now attached to twin fifteenth century naves which in turn open into twin fourteenth century chancels. The abiding atmosphere is that of a thoroughly `scraped` building which was the result of three Victorian restorations - but it is no less interesting for that. All the glass is Victorian, much by Burlisson and Grylls, with a few by Powell, including an eccentric east window in the north chancel showing the dates of the succession of each Earl of Aylesford whose memory it commemorates. The large monument in the north east corner is to Sir John Banks, eighteenth century entrepreneur and philanthropist whose descendant is the present Earl of Aylesford. The twentieth century actress, Dame Sybil Thorndike, was the Vicar's daughter and she was married in this church in December 1908. Keyholder nearby West tower, nave, chancel, north aisle, north chapel, south porch.
www.kentchurches.info/church.asp?p=Aylesford
AYLESFORD
SOUTHWARD from Burham lies Aylesford, a name variously written by our antient historians. The Saxon Chronicle, supposed to be written about the time of Bede, names it Ægelesford; Nennius, the Bri tish historian, who flourished about the year 620, says, the Saxons called it Episford, and the Britons, Sathenegabail, from the overthrow of the Saxons here; Asserius, who lived in the time of king Alfred, calls it Ægelsthrep, as does the Saxon historian, Æthelwerd. In the record of Domesday it is written, Elesford, by later writers, Aillesford, and now, most commonly, Aylesford.
THE PARISH of Aylesford is pleasantly situated, about thirty-two miles from London. It is far more healthy than those last described. The river Medway, which flows through it north-westward, having in its course upward, from Woldham and Burham, become a pellucid stream of fresh water, the tide becoming weak, and having lost its saltness, from the superior force of those from above; of course, instead of the noisome smells, arising from the salt marshes, on each side of it lower down, when left by the tide, the river here is encompassed with a range of pleasant fertile meadows, greatly conducing both to health and profit. The soil in this parish, from its size and extent, must be various. About the village, and on the southern side of the river, it is a loam, spread over the quarry stone; to the northward it is an unfertile chalk, and to the eastward a deep sand.
THE VILLAGE of Aylesford is situated on the northern bank of the Medway; at the back of it the ground rises suddenly very high, insomuch that the church and yard of it, close to which is the vicarage, stands higher even than the tops of the chimnies of the houses below it. About a quarter of a mile westward, close to the river, is the priory or friery, as it is now called, great part of which remains entire, as before its dissolution, being converted into the different apartments of the mansion and the offices belonging to it; the adjoining grounds were formerly imparked, and much of the paling is still visible, though they have been disparked some years ago, made arable, and separated in different inclosures. At a small distance from hence northward is the manor house of Tottington, the moat round which is still visible; from hence the ground rises up to the high chalk hill, on the eminence of which is the noted monument, called Kit's Coty house; and about a mile eastward the house of Cosenton, which, though now only used as a farm house, is large, and has many apparent remains of its former state about it. In the grounds belonging to it, about two miles north-westward from the house, in a deep chalky loose soil, which is covered with coppice wood, there issue several springs or clear water, which change the flints, pebbles, and other stones, as well as the several pieces of wood which lie in them, to them, to the most beautiful carmine bue, which grow stronger after they are taken our and become dry. The water is very chilly, has a rough taste, and has no chalybeat qualities belonging to it.
From the village westward the road leads near the bank of the river, by Friers Coptry, and the stream, which riles at Boxley, runs into the river here, on which there is a paper mill; here the soil begins to be a deep sand, which continues up to the turnpike road at Sandling, leading from Rochester to Maidstone.
From the village of Aylesford to that part of the parish on the opposite side of the Medway, there is a handsome stone bridge of six arches, built many years ago, and now supported by the public charge of the county; from hence the grounds rise with a gentle ascent, beautifully picturesque, surrounding the seat of Preston hall, laid out so as to resemble a park well cloathed at intervals with stately elmsand other different plantations, through which the road leads, having a sunk sence on each side, at a proper distance from the house, which is of white stucco, having an elegant appearance, and making a beautiful contrast to the verdure of the adjoining lawns, up to the high turnpike road from London, through Wrotham, to Maidstone; on the opposite side this road the parish stretches itself more than two miles southward, over a deeper soil, through a continued range of coppice woods; in the further part of which is the antient chapel of Longsole, now called the hermitage, beyond which it extends, and takes within its bounds a small part of the northern side of Barming heath.
About a quarter of a mile westward from Prestonhall, lower down, close on the bank of the river, lies the hamlet of Milhale, which place is within the civil jurisdiction of the corporation of Maidstone. (fn. 1)
There is a fair held in the village of Aylesford on June 29.
AYLESFORD is noted in antient history for the battle fought at it between the Britons and the Saxons, in the year 455, which was about five years after the first landing of the latter in Britain.
Vortimer, the British king, having assembled his forces, in order to give battle to the Saxons, first encountered them on the banks of the river Darent, in this county. In this conflict, it is most probable, the Saxons were worsted, as they retreated from their enemy, who followed them to Aylesford, where they had passed the river Medway, on the eastern side of which a bloody battle was sought between them, (fn. 2) the success of which remained for some time equal, tho' at last it appears that victory fell to the side of the Britons. (fn. 3)
¶In this sharp conflict, Horsa, brother to Hengist, the Saxon general, and Catigern, brother to king Vortimer, fighting hand to hand, were both killed on the spot. The former is supposed to have been buried a little more than three miles northward from Aylesford, at the place which, from this circumstance, acquired the name of Horsted, i. e. the place of Horsa; in the fields, near which there are numbers of large stones dispersed over the lands, some standing upright, and others thrown down by time, which might perhaps have been placed at first as memorials of those who were slain on the side of the Saxons in this memorable rencounter, and buried there. Catigern is supposed to have been buried still nearer the field of battle, on an eminence, about a mile northward from the village of Aylesford, and about a quarter of a mile westward from the high road, leading from Rochester to Maidstone. The field in which it stands formerly belonged to the demesnes of Tottington, but the late Mr. Best purchased it some years ago of Mr. T. Golding, where that rude monument, somewhat in the manner of Stone Henge, though in miniature, still remains, called Kit's Coty house, and more vulgarly the Kit's Cot house; which, as some interpret it, is Catigern's house.
AYLESFORD is within the ECCLESIASTICAL JURISDICTION of the diocese and deanry of Rochester.
The church, which is dedicated to St. Peter, is a handsome building, with a square tower at the west end of it.
King Henry I. gave the church of Aylesford to St. Andrew and Gundulph, bishops of Rochester, and afterwards confirmed it to them. Bishop Gundulph, when he had separated his own maintenance from that of the monks of his priory, assigned this church to them, among others, for their maintenance; and he afterwards granted them the free disposition of the vicarage of it. (fn. 23)
This grant was set aside by bishop Gilbert de Glanvill, in the beginning of the reign of king Richard I. who, on the foundation of his hospital at Stroud, about that time, with their unanimous consent, which was however, without doubt, extorted from them, and that of his archdeacon, gave the appropriation of this church, in pure and perpetual alms, to the master and brethren of it, reserving only the pension of two marcs yearly from it, to be paid to the monks. (fn. 24) And he decreed, that the master should provide one of his brethren, being a priest, or other fit chaplain, to celebrate divine service at Aylesford, whom he should present to the bishop; all which was again confirmed by the prior and con vent of Rochester, who granted, that the master of the hospital should, as parson, present the vicar of this church to the bishop. (fn. 25)
The monks by no means acquiesced in this gift, but seized every opportunity of asserting their right to this church; and after several appeals to the pope, from time to time, and confirmations and decrees made in favour of each party, the dispute seems to have been finally settled by pope Alexander IV. (fn. 26) who in 1255, adjudged that, in consideration of the church of St. Margaret, in Rochester, with its appurtenances, remaining to the prior and convent, the master and brethren of Stroud hospital should possess this church free from the pensions of eighteen marcs (which had been, in 1239, decreed to be paid from it) and of two marcs, which had likewise been before decreed, to be paid from it, as above mentioned. Bishop Thomas de Inglethorp, on account of several disputes having arisen between the master of Stroud hospital and the vicar of this parish, in right of his vicarage, in 1287, anno 16th Edward I. examined into it, with the consent of all parties, and he ordained and decreed, that the vicar, for the time being, should take all small tithes, obventions, and oblations, of the whole parish, together with the tithe of the hay of Luggenemedwe, and Breggenemedwe, Suffletonemedwe, and all the tithe of hay on the eastern side of the bridge, and also of all mills, except the mill of the master and brethren aforesaid, and that he should likewise take the tithes of sheaves of the demesnes of the church, viz. of those lands which the rectors possessed at the time of this endowment, and the tithes of beans and peas of gardens, dug with the foot, but for other corn growing within the curtalage, he should take yearly from the rectors one seam of wheat at Michaelmas; and further, that the vicar and his successors should be free and exempt from all due and accustomed burthens, ordinary and extraordinary, of the supplying and procuring books and ornaments, and also the repairing of the chancel.
In the year 1288, an agreement was entered into before the above mentioned bishop, between the master and brethren of the hospital, and the vicar of this church, that the later should provide daily one chaplain in the name of the former, who should celebrate mass, and say the canonical hours in the chapel of Sir Stephen de Cosington, for which the master and brethren should give him yearly a certain sum of money, and a portion of corn at stated times, of wheat and barley, and of the small tithes at the accustomed time, so that the vicar should not demand any thing of Sir Stephen; and also of three roods of free land. This was confirmed by bishop Thomas de Woldham, in 1293, who declared, that the three roods of free land, mentioned above, were within that area of ground, where the vicar had built houses, and erected other buildings for himself and successors, and in which he then dwelt, near the court of the rectory, and had inclosed the same; all which should remain to the vicars, his successors, for ever.
Some time after which, some disputes arising between the vicar of Aylesford, and the master and brethren, and Sir Stephen de Cosingtone, it was decreed, that Sir Stephen and his heirs ought to pay the great and small tithes of his manor to the master and brethren, together with thirty shillings of silver; and that according to the ordination of Thomas, bishop of Rochester, above mentioned, they ought to satisfy the vicar in thirty shillings and four seams of corn, one half of wheat and the other of barley, yearly, and that the vicar should provide for a chantry in the said chapel, but that the profits arising from the oblations and consessions of Sir Stephen and his family, should belong to him who served the cure of the parish of Aylesford. The decree of the bishop, so far as related to the small tithes of the manor of Cosington, nevertheless to remain in full force.
Sir Stephen de Cosyngtone, lord of the manor of Cosyngtone, in the 23d year of king Henry VI. released to the master and brethren of the hospital, their providing a chaplain in the chapel or chantry of St. Michael, within his manor, &c. and they released to him their right of providing such chaplain, and all claims accruing to him and them on account of the same for ever, in the 34th year of the same reign.
The church of Aylesford remained in this situation till the reign of king Henry VIII. when the master of Stroud hospital and the brethren of it, in the 31st year of that reign, with the king's licence, surrendered their hospital, with all their lands and possessions in Aylesford and elsewhere, and this church among them, to the prior and convent of Rochester, to hold of the king by fealty, in lieu of all services.
A few months after which surrender, the priory of Rochester itself was likewise, together with all its estates and possessions, surrendered into the king's hands, who, by his dotation charter, in his 33d year, settled the parsonage of this church, with the advowson of the vicarage, as well as all other the possessions of the late priory of Rochester in this parish, among other premises, on his new erected dean and chapter of Rochester, where the inheritance of them now remains.
This vicarage is valued in the king's books at 10l. and the yearly tenths at 1l.
The dean and chapter of Rochester continue patrons of this vicarage.
The parsonage of Aylesford has a manor belonging to it, called the manor of the parsonage of Aylesford.
¶On the intended abolition of deans and chapters, after the death of king Charles I. this manor and parsonage, with its appurtenances, and a wood, called Blaze wood, late belonging to the dean and chapter, were surveyed in 1694, when it appeared, that the two barns, yards, and other necessary buildings, and two acres of glebe land, were worth 3l. per ann. and the tithes 77l. per ann. all which were let by the dean and chapter, anno 15 Charles I. to Sir George Fane, for twenty-one years, at the yearly rent of 22l. and two weather sheep, or 26s. 8d. in money; out of which lease the vicarage was excepted, which was then valued at 60l. per annum. (fn. 27)
The present lessee, under the dean and chapter of Rochester, of this manor and parsonage, with Blaze wood, is the Right Hon. Thomas lord Despencer.