Kentish Annals in Lambeth Library

( 206 ) KENTISH ANNALS IN LAMBETH LIBRARY. BT S. W. KERSHAW, M.A., P.S.A. IN a former Paper (Vol. IX. of the Archceologia Cantiana) I gathered some memoranda regarding this special collection at Lambeth. Since that date, this series has so much increased that another descriptive account seems needful. The growing interest taken in topography, and the closer scrutiny with which facts are probed by reference to original sources, has thrown new light on many doubtful points. The publication of parish church registers, especiaUy those of the City of Canterbury and others in the Diocese, has enhanced the value of local topography. Lists of rectors and vicars, transcribed from original documents, has also enriched Church history; and these lists, either printed or in tablet form, are now preserved in many churches.* Antiquarian discoveries are more frequently published in pamphlet form or in the daily press, and noted in most public libraries or institutes. In Kentish lore we naturally look to Canterbury, Maidstone, Rochester and Lambeth as the chief centres, though other public and private collections are replete with manuscripts and printed literature on the subject. The close connection between Lambeth Palace and the See of Canterbury has caused the Library to be a fittinghome for the preservation of local and Diocesan archives. The general collection of MSS. consists of about 1,300 * We refer to the Registers of the Canterbury Churches, " edited" and published by the late J. M. Oowper, and other parish histories compiled by incumbents in the Diooese. KENTISH ANNALS IN LAMBETH LIBRARY. 20*7 volumes, known to students through the Catalogue of the Archiepiscopal MSS., by Dr. H. J. Todd, published in 1812. Among these MSS. will be found numerous references to Diocesan and Kentish subjects, which for convenience may be grouped under the head of Records and general MSS. The Records include : Registers of the Archbishops from Archbishop Peckham (1279) to Dr. Manners-Sutton (1848), to which Dr. Ducarel's elaborate indexes form an indispensable aid. These Registers contain the account of consecrations, ordinations, visitations, institutions to benefices, proceedings with the suffragans, and Convocation matters. The recent publication by the Canterbury and York Society of the Registers of Archbishops Peckham and Parker has made these two volumes more accessible to students. The Registers, embellished with the arms of each Primate, became, as it were, their ordinary " day-book." They were carried from place to place in early times from the different manor-houses in the diocese where the Archbishops and their clerical staff stayed. Thus we find documents dated from Maidstone, Otford, Charing, Croydon, Lyminge, Mayfield and other places. Under this heading must be mentioned the mediseval wills, dating from 1279 to 1644, contained in the Lambeth Registers. An index to these wills and administrations is printed in the Genealogist of 1883, and will be found to contain those of Kentish families, as well as reference to property, bequests to churches, and other matters. 1. The Commonwealth Surveys (circ. 1650), 21 volumes, contain, with those of other counties, surveys of Kent parishes, giving extent, acreage, value, etc., with the incumbents' names. Some of the surveys above-named are original, others transcripts; an index completes their value. There are also three folio volumes, apart from the above, numbered A, B, C, which contain full surveys of the possessions of the See of Canterbury and of Peculiars, and these are specially valuable to Kentish antiquaries. 208 KENTISH ANNALS IN LAMBETH LIBRARY. 2. Augmentation of Livings (Nos. 966—1021).—This series of 55 volumes forms a kind of sequel to the above, and relates to salaries and pensions by Parliament for the maintenance of preaching ministers from the year 1647— 1658. Many items refer to Kentish livings and others to such subjects as grammar schools. There is an Index to the whole series. Presentations to Benefices (4 vols., Nos. 944—7) during the Commonwealth, Kentish benefices are mentioned therein. Leases (3 vols., 948—950).—These are counterparts of leases of Church lands made by trustees, under authority of Parliament. Kentish names and places occur in the index. These volumes are of much aid to the student of Commonwealth history. The valuable work of Dr. WiUiam Shaw, entitled History of the English Church during the Civil Wars (1641—60), 2 vols. 8vo., 1900, should also be consulted. Notitia Parochialis (6 vols., Nos. 960—65).—Returns to queries made in 1705 giving interesting details as to parish churches at that time, their condition, repair, names of incumbents, and many minute items. Kentish livings are included in the index to each volume. Act Boohs, 1662 — 1848 (15 vols.). —These volumes (removed from Morton's Tower at Lambeth to the Muniment room) contain many important facts not recorded in the Lambeth Registers. The information given includes institutions to livings, giving the university, college, degree, etc., of the clerk instituted. Por historical material of the seventeenth century and later, these MSS. are valuable, both as regards Canterbury and other dioceses. Visitation Returns (Canterbury Diocese with Peculiars).— A few volumes of the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries are of local interest, and form a sequence to the earlier Visitation returns in the Lambeth Registers. There are also some subscription books of the clergy from the seventeenth to early nineteenth century, in which Kentish parishes are of frequent mention. KENTISH ANNALS IN LAMBETH LIBRARY. 209 Charters and Miscellaneous Documents (Thirteenth to eighteenth century).—These 13 bound volumes are very varied in their contents. Among the subjects treated are valuations of livings, dispensations, licences, subscriptions of clergy, petitions, tithes and their settlement, etc. Manorial history claims a large share, with grants of land, exchanges, suits and disputes arising out of such matters. Early charters of great interest are to be found in volumes 12 and 13. Among Kentish items those relating to St. Augustine's and Christ Church, Canterbury, are very numerous, consisting chiefly of leases, bonds, compositions and disputes between the Archbishops and St. Augustine's Monastery. Canterbury is fully represented in the seventeenth century by deeds of purchase, and by leases of lands and tenements within the city; the union of parishes is also noticed. The old hospitals of Eastbridge, Poor Priests, St. Nicholas Harbledown and St. John's Northgate are also frequently alluded to. Of the Archbishops' manors in HeDry VIII/s reign, much is extant, including accounts of the ancient houses at Beakesbourne, Knole, Canterbury, Croydon and Pord. The marsh-lands at Romney and other places, and repair of the sea-walls are also mentioned. Monastic history is fairly represented by references to the houses of Mailing, Paversham, Dover, Boxley, Ospringe, and to a greater extent Christ Church and St. Augustine's, Canterbury. Seals are attached to some of the documents, and a recently-revised and type-written Index (alphabetically arranged) renders this fine series easily accessible. Besides local items, references will be found to the Arches and Audience Courts of the Archbishop, as well as to the Paculty offices in early times, also to appointments of Registrar, Commissary and other officers, chiefly in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. I t is only fitting to state that these volumes of 210 KENTISH ANNALS IN LAMBETH LIBRARY. "Miscellanies and Charters" were bound at the expense of Archbishop Howley in 1846, who some years earlier had expended much on the alteration of the Palace, and in transferring the Library from its former place in the destroyed cloisters to its present home in Juxon's HaU. Another series of MSS., comprising chiefly Court Rolls, ministers' accounts of various dates, calendared and arranged by the late Mr. G. R. Kirk in 1881, calls for attention. Several Kentish parishes are mentioned, and there are references to the Archbishops, manors and " peculiars " in Sussex. These rolls have been lately examined for material, which has been incorporated in the "Victorian" Histories of Kent, Surrey and Sussex. Of the general collection of MSS. it may be here stated they are arranged in Todd's Catalogue of the MSS. under the following heads :— 1. Lambeth MSS. (Nos. 1—576).—Given by several Archbishops. 2. Wha,rton MSS. (577—596). —The Collections of Henry Wharton. Purchased by Archbishop Tenison. 3. Carew MSS. (596—638).—Formerly belonging to Lord Carew, and purchased by Archbishop Tenison. They relate to Irish history. Printed Calendars of these MSS. were made some years ago under the auspices of • the Record Office. 4. Tenison MSS. (639—923).—Collected and given by that Archbishop. 5. Gibson MSS. (929—942) .—Formerly belonged to Archbishop Tenison, who gave them to Dr. Gibson, Bishop of London, by whom they were deposited at Lambeth. KENTISH ANNALS IN LAMBETH LIBRARY. 211 6. Miscellaneous MSS. (943—1174). —Pr e s ent ed by various benefactors. 7. Manners-Sutton MSS. (1175—1221).—Purchased and presented by Dr. Manners-Sutton, who was Primate 1805—28. The Kentish references in thpse MSS. are somewhat scattered, and for convenience they are grouped according to the subject matter, under the headings indicated below. They will be found to contain many valuable items, which may help to perfect some disconnected clues in •antiquarian research. ECCLESIASTICAL. MS. 241. Registrum prioratus de Dover ad ann. 1372. 538. Constitutiones Cant. Archiep. Peckham 1279—Chichele 1414. 582 (fo. 50).* Successio priorum S. Martini Dovor. 582 (fo.76). Collectiones de Vicariis ecclesiae paroehialis de Minster anno 1275—1688 justa serie dispositse. (fo. 79). Collectiones alise de reetoribus de Chartham ac vicariis de Minster. 582 (fo. 127). Excerpta ex registro Eecl. Cant, de expensis Henrici de Eastry prioris. 585 (fo. 217). Historia priorum S. Martini Dovor usque ad 1380 ex registro Dovorensi. (fo. 218). Collectanea de prioratu et prioribus Dovor. (fo. 477). Excerpta etc. de ecclesiis parochialibus de Minster, in insula Taneto, nee non de Chartham etc. (fo. 799). Historia de reetoribus ecclesiae paroehialis de Charteam ab anno 1150—1694. 590 (fo. 148). Ex registro prioratus S. Martini Dovor excerpta. 594 (fo. 149). Collectanea de manerio et ecclesia de Chartham ex quodam Eeclesise Cantuar. registro. 639 (fo. 8). The lands and revenues of the College of Rochester. (fo. 13). item of the College of Christ Church in Canterbury. * N.B.—These figures refer to-the-number and folio of the- MS.- in Todd's Catalogue. , . . 212 KENTISH ANNALS IN LAMBETH LIBRARY. 643 (fo. 25). Bulla Collegii de Maidenston, omnibus ejus magistris pluralitatem et non-residentiam concedens. (fo. 47). Bulla Gregorii Priori S. Gregorii Cantuar', mandans, ut omnia pacta, alienationes, locationes a Monasterio de Peversham, in sui prsejudicium facta annullet. 728. Statuta ecclesiae Cathedralis Christi Cantuariae. 942 (fo. 91). State of the French Church in Canterbury, 1695. 952 (fo. 39). Presentations to livings in diocese of Rochester, 1608—38. 1024. Lewis's Ecclesiastical Collections, principally relating to Incumbents in dioceses of Canterbury and Rochester. 1029 (fo. 92). To Archbp. Tenison from Jo. Deffray, concerning the stipends of the French ministers at Rye and Dover. (No date.) 1125. An account of Canterbury diocese, by Rev. Mr. Lewis. 1126. Value of livings in Canterbury diocese, 1664. 1134. Visitation of diocese of Canterbury, 1751, 2 vols. 4to. 1134.* and peculiars of Canterbury, by Archbishop Seeker, 5 vols. 4to. 1137. Account of Canterbury diocese and of Archbishop's peculiars about the year 1685. 1138. Account of Archdeaconry of Canterbury in Archbp. Herring's time. 1153. Papers respecting poor vicars in the dioceses of Canterbury and Ely. MAWOEIAL. 672. Literae patentes Corporationis Ville de Seven-Oke. 672 (fo. 5). Statutes and ordinances for a school and Almshouse at Seven-Oke. — (fo. 11-18). Copies of leases and grants. (fo. 19). Archbishop Tenison's letter concerning the schoolmaster of Seven-oke, 28 Sep., 1696. 789. Reditus de Mongham et Peckham, temp. Hen. VI. 790. Rentale de Charing, Anno primo Hen. VIII. 791. Holyngborne, Anno 8vo Hen. VIII. 792. Charing ejusdem cum priori setatis. 793-5. Holyngborne, 13 Hen. VIII. —— Rentale de Holyngborne, 7 Ed. IV. 3 Ed. VI. KENTISH ANNALS IN LAMBETH LIBRARY. 213 796. Arrearages due to the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury from their tenants, 1582—3. 797. Rental of Dean and Chapter of Canterbury, 1619. 798. Rentale de Moncketon, Anno decimo Hen. VII. 814. Rental of Christ Church, Canterbury, 1564. 815. Rentale de Selgrave, Badlismere, etc., cum hundredo de . Feversham. 841 (fo. 22). A rental of Christ Church, Canterbury, 1593. 941 (fo. 48). Dr. Thos. Green's letter to Archbishop of Canterbury concerning value of some farms at Swinfield in Kent, 25 Sep., 1715. 952 (fo. 28). Abbreviations of leases of manors in Kent, granted in times of Henry VIII. and Edward VL, with an account of rents of East and West Mailing, Boughton, Eastblene, Westblene, Pynhooke, Coverte, Pynwood, Hurst, Chislett, etc. (fo. 38). Survey of Lydon by Commissioners, 10 Apl., 2 Hen. VI. 954 (fo. 26). Mr. Ralph Snow's letter to Mr. Lees, Vicar of Graveney, in relation to the Tythes of Graveney. 21 Nov., 1696. 1025. Rental of Maydestone, 2 and 3 Hen. VIII. - (fo. 4). An ancient terrier of land within the parish of Harnell now called Hernehill, Kent. (No date.) (fo. 5). Account of lands within parish of Mongeham Magna, 36 Hen. VIII. (fo. 6). Redditus Manerii de Hollingbourn, 6 Hen. VII. 1025 (fo. 7). An account of lands at Oharlefelde, Litilborne, Abyndon, Brambynge, Whitebyhill, Tarefelde, Mellefelde, Northbroke, Northdane, Pirteigh, Doughter, Ikham, Dane, and Seefelde; also at Lee, Branbegge, Fedisdane, Pirtygh, Netherfelyn, Netherle, Denysfelde, Elvertygh, Burgerstone, Battanrowe juxta Ikham, Dane, and Snave. 1094 (fo. 2). Rentale de Gyllingham, 27 Hen. VI. (fo. 12). Ikham; no date. 1104 (fo. 49). An account of such rents in County of Kent as are in arrears, and were due 29 Sep., 1659, with reasons thereof. 1142 (fo. 15). The present value and improvements of all the manors, farms, granges, rents, etc., belonging to the Sees p£ Canterbury and Rochester, 1647, 214 KENTISH ANNALS IN LAMBETH LIBRARY. 1142. Copies of divers instruments relative to the possessions of the See of Canterbury, from the originals in the Bodleian Library, 1777, etc., etc. 1162. Case relating to the impropriation of Folkstone, Co. Kent. HERALDIC. 300. The arms in colors of the Lords, Knights, and Gentlemen in County Kent, 1593. 312. Arms of towns and pedigrees of families in Kent, by Lord Burghley. HISTOEICAL AND ANTIQTTAKIAN. .247 (fo. 114). "The nomber whereof the army shall consiste, that shall withstande the invasion, yf it bee in Kent," 1601. 490 (fo. 170). " A breefe discourse what order were best for repulsinge of forren force, if at any tyme they should invade vs by sea in Kent or els wher." 582 (fo. 130). Indiculus seu successio abbatum Csenobii Favershamensis. 679 (fo. 33). Mr. Rushworth's letter to General Ireton about disbanding 3 troops in Kent, Sep. 19, 1648. 929 (fo. 3). Account of building the Observatory at Greenwich in 1675. (fo. 82). Of the Chapel at Bromley College. 933 (fo. 99). Plan and drawing of the ground on which Greenwich Hospital is built, 1698. 942 (fo. 163). A letter from Theophilus Dorrington, rector of Writtesham, Kent, to Dr. Hody, giving an account of the state of that parish, 14 Sep., 1700. 952 (fo. 46). Petition to the Archbishop of parishioners of Godmersham in i relation to a water mill there, 20 May, 1695. 952 (fo. 51). Articles exhibited by the parishioners of Patrixborne and Bridge.(Co. Kent) against the incumbent of the said parishes, 16 Aug., 1695. 1127. Collections relating to antiquities of Kent, by Mr. Lewis. 1131-2. Transcripts of Charters belonging.to tho Hospital of St. Nicholas, Herbaldoune, KENTISH ANNALS IN" LAMBETH LIBRARY. 215 1168 (fo. 10, 11). Two original letters from Lord Cobham (then Governor of Dover Castle), intimating the progress of Queen Elizabeth in these parts, and an epidemical sickness apprehended in Kent at that time, 16 July, 1563. 1169. Papers, deeds, belonging to Herbaldown hospital, of various dates. (Copies.) Of the isolated references to Kent it only remains to notice that the general heading of Archiepiscopus, Cantuaria and Canterbury, in the index of Todd's printed catalogue of MSS. before mentioned, relates to matters bearing on the see, diocese and county. Besides the wealth of Kentish lore in the MSS., the collection of Printed books and pamphlets (founded in the year 1874) calls for separate notice. This series is now fairly representative of historical, biographical and antiquarian works on the county and diocese. Several books have been presented, some secured from the libraries of local antiquaries, as the late Rev. Walter Pield (Godmersham), C. Roach Smith, P.S.A., Canon Jenkins, Canon Scott Robertson, and the late Kenyon Wilkie (Ramsgate). A collection of prints, drawings and photographs of ecclesiastical and domestic architecture is also in progress. This was greatly aided by the gift of many illustrations of Kentish antiquities from Mr. R. C. Hussey, P.S.A., in 1892. A few rare maps have also been presented, and a recently-issued catalogue renders the whole collection easily accessible. I t is trusted that all who possess duplicate or other prints or books will add them to the existing series in Lambeth Library, than which no more appropriate home could be found. During a recent visit to Canterbury I found that the abstracts of the Probate Acts in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury (edited by J. and G. P. Matthews), in five volumes, from the year 1630—49, have recently been acquired for the library of the Beaney Institute, Canterbury. 216 KENTISH ANNALS IN LAMBETH LIBRARY. Each volume contains a local index (under " Counties ") and also a nominal index. To antiquaries these volumes are a means of obtaining a complete list of the wills (registered and unregistered) in the principal Court of Probate. The county of Kent occupies a large space in the indices, and the acquisition of these books in Canterbury cannot fail to be of great service to all students of local history, whether in the County or farther afield.