Page:Notes on the churches in the counties of Kent, Sussex, and Surrey.djvu/207

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
NOTES TO KENT.
163

E.E., to which style belongs the chancel also, the remainder of the building being Dec. with Perp. additions and insertions. (D.B.) mentions "a saltpan of twelve shillings, salina de xii denariis," as annexed to the manor of Tunestelle; one of the many examples of inland places having outlying portions, to enable them to partake of the benefits of contiguity to the sea.

335. Ulcombe.—In (A.D. 1291) the name is written Olecombe. "The parish church of All Saints here was made collegiate for an archipresbyter and two canons, with one deacon, and one clerk, by Steph. Langton, Archb. of Canterbury, about A.D. 1220, at the request of Ralph de S. Leodegario the patron. It was in being A.D. 1293; but seems to have dropped afterwards, and the church became again, and is now a single undivided rectory." (Tanner, Notit. Monast. Kent, LXIII, in Monast. VI, 1455); where it is stated, that, from evidence, the college must have existed so late as 5 Jan. 1425.—Compare also the Note above on Olecumbe.

336. Upchurch.—This church, comprising nave and aisles, north and south porches, chancel with two aisles, and western tower, is principally of Dec. date, with a very little E.E., but contains various portions to interest. Several gravestones have been robbed of brasses. One was left, containing two half-length figures of a man and woman, the inscription being lost. Beneath the chancel is a vault, into which the descent is by a circular staircase. On the tower "is placed a square part of a spire for about ten feet, and on that an octagon for the remaining or upper part to the point of the spire at the top." (Hasted.)—Many Roman vases have been dug up, even recently, in this parish and the neighbourhood.

337. Walmer.—A perpetual curacy only. The church contains portions of Norm. work. (Hasted.)

338. Waltham.—This vicarage is united to that of Petham. In the parish were formerly the chapels of Ashenfield alias Eshmerfield and Wadnall, long since desecrated. (Hasted.)

339. Watringbury.—"There was till of late years a singular, though a very antient, custom kept up of electing a deputy to 'The Dumb Borsholder of Chart,' as it was called, claiming liberty over fifteen houses in the precinct of Pizein-well; every householder of which was formerly obliged to pay the keeper of this Borsholder a penny yearly. This Dumb Borsholder was always first called at the Court Leet holden for the hundred of Twyford; when its keeper, who was yearly appointed by that