John of Sheppy,
BISHOP,
Called "of Sheppy," it may be presumed from the place of his birth, was Prior of Rochester, and was advanced to the bishopric of the same place in 1352. He raised the tower of the Cathedral, putting up new bells, and built marble shrines for St. Michael, St. Paulinius, and St. Ithamar. He held the See for about eight years, and was sometime Lord Treasurer of England. Died 1360.
[See "Fuller's Worthies," and "Godwin's Bishops of Rochester."]
Sir Andrew Judd,
LORD MAYOR,
Was born at Tunbridge, and becoming a member of the Skinners' Company, was Lord Mayor of London in 1551. He was the founder of Tunbridge School, the government of which he vested in the Company. He died in 1558.
[See "Fuller's Worthies," and "Hasted's Kent."]
John of Westerham,
ANTIQUARY,
Became Prior of Rochester in 1320, on the promotion of Haimo of Hythe to the episcopal dignity. He is said to have written or collected the work known as the "Custumale Roffense," a MS. containing many curious particulars relative to the ancient tenures, services, rents, villeinage, etc., of the manors within the diocese; and
