Holy Trinity Church, Dartford

DARTEORD CHUBOH, No. 1; FBOM THE SOUTH-EAST. ^Wg aK* mrMs ^ysws DARTEORD OHUBCH, No. 2; SOUTH EJOTBANOH TO THE OHANOBJJ. ( 383 ) DARTEOET) CHURCH (HOLY TRINITY), BY CANON SCOTT ROBERTSON. MOEE than eight hundred years ago Dartford Church was mentioned in Domesday Book, and the church-tower which stood then, still stands. The Church was then mentioned in a way that sounds strange to modern ears; but the peculiar phrase used about it embalms an historic fact that is important. The entry in the Domesday Survey (A.D. 1085) runs thus—" The Bishop of Eochester holds the Church of this manor, and it is worth 60 shillings. Besides this, there are now here three chapels." We are so accustomed to speak of our churches as parish churches, that we may be astonished when we encounter such a phrase as "the Church of this manor." Vet that phrase was very common, in legal documents, for three hundred years after the Domesday Survey was made. This phrase embalms the historic fact that as a rule our ancient churches were founded by the Lords of Manors, for the rise of themselves, their tenants, and their households. The parish was a later matter ,* and the manorial origin of our churches accounts for many things, which seem remarkable to us, who use churches and parishes that were " settled " centuries before we came to them. The Lord of the Manor founded the church, and endowed his church with the tithes of all his manor, no matter how its lands lay. The shape of many parishes, the curious intermingling of parish boundaries, and the origin of private patronage, are all explained by the facts which underlie this phrase, " the Ohurch of this Manor." The TOWER of this church in its lower stages is an early example of Norman work. Probably it was erected while the great architect Gundulf was Bishop of Eochester, and under his direction. Its walls are very thick. An additional stage was added to its height in the second half of the fifteenth century, probably duiing the reign of 384 DARTFORD CHUROH (HOLY TRINITY). Edward IV.* At the same time, arches were inserted in the ground stage to strengthen the tower. The position of this tower is peculiar. It stands onthe north side of the church, at the east end of the north aisle. The Norman tower of Orpington Church is in a somewhat similar position, as also are the towers of churches at Betteshanger, Thanington, and St. Mildred, Canterbury. Many agree with Mr. Dunkin in thinking that the tower was erected by Bishop Gundulf as a defensive stronghold, commanding the ford over the river Darent. Little or nothing else of the Norman Church is now visible. In the thirteenth century, the north chancel seems to have been erected, and dedicated to St. Thomas of Canterbury, commonly called Thomas a Becket. The three arches between the high or main chancel of the Holy Trinity, and this chancel of St. Thomas, are of the style of architecture called " Early English." They were probably new when a ceremony of marriage was performed here in A.D. 1235 between the Proxy who represented the Emperor Frederick IT. of Germany, and the English Princess Isabel, daughter of King John, and sister of Henry III. Towards the close of that century efforts were made to rebuild the main portion of the church. This was done in the Decorated or Curvilinear style of architecture. The whole work seems to have been completed by the year 1333, when a great east window, of five lights, in the main chancel of the Holy Trinity, was inspected by the Bishop of Eochester, Hamo de Hethe, at whose cost it had been inserted. That window remained 450 years in use; but in 1783 it was changed; the tracery in its head having long been stopped up.f The fine Decorated window at the west end of the nave may suggest what the original windows of the fourteenth century were like, in this church. The western doorway is a beautiful example of the Curvilinear or Decorated style. STANPIT CHANTEY. Soon after the south aisle had heen finished, the Vicar of Dartford, Thomas at Stanepit, gave lands to endow a chantry priest, who would celebrate mass daily at the altar of St. Mary the Virgin, in that aisle. His charter of endowment," for * Dunkin quotes the will of John Bamberg, who in 1478 said: " I will that when the steeple shall be in making, my wife reward the Churchwardens unto, the said stepul, after her good disoretion " (History of Dartford, pp. 27, 28). t The state of this window in 1783 is shewn on Plate xxxix of Thorpe's. Custumale Bqffense, OH! ISHBH wftfl IV'i-:.^^^*-mi| o W" o w o o o ft DARTEORD CHURCH (HOLY TRINITY). 385 this Stanepit chantry of St. Mary, was dated on Thursday the Peast of St. George the Martyr, in the year 1338* This date, St. George's Day, is remarkable; because there is upon the east wall of this sonth aisle, just above the place where stood the altar of St. Mary, at which the Stanpit chantry priest officiated, a painting of St. George killing the dragon, and thereby saving the life of ai princess whom the dragon would have devoured. This painting must have been added 150 years after the Stanpit chantry was founded. It was obliterated with whitewash at the Eeformation, and was discovered about 1833-5, when this church was first lighted with gas and warmed by a stove. The picture covers a space (behind the organ now) 12 feet high and 19 feet 8 inches wide. Seats and pews were erected in Stanpit chantry, alias the chancel of St. Mary, late in the fifteenth century. Thomas Bond, making his will in A.D. 1500, directed that his body should be " buried in our Lady chancel, afore my sete." The will of William Kingham, dated in 1545, speaks of his pue and seat in our Lady chapel. In 1422 and 1433 we find mention of the chantry-houses being"greatlyruinated,"andthe chantry revenues diminished to six marks per annum. Subsequently, in the reign of Edward IV. probably, a room was built for the chaplain over the vestry, and apertures in its walls afforded him a view of the High Altar and of his own chantry of St. Mary. The room was transformed into an armoury about 1648, but it is now a lumber room. The chaplain of this Stanpit chantry * Dunkin, in his History of Dartford, pp. 72-74, gives the names of twentyfive Chaplains of Stanpit chantry, but I am happy to be able to correct his list and to add other names :— 1338 May. Ralph de Eelthorp (ob. 1348). 1348-9 Eeb. Thos. Master of Est Barham. 1349 May. Thos. Gurnay (resigned in July). 1349 Oct. Hy. Primlogie. 1359 Oct. ¥m. Danbour (exchanged with the vioar of Bakohild). 1367 Mar. Roger Golden. John Staundon (resigned 1396). 1396 Oot. William Oowpere. 1400 Sept. John Drew (ob. 1403). 140| Thos. Gybbes. 1421 Dec. John Arneye. 1424 Deo. Thos. Markant (reotor of Hever). 1425 Oot. John Burford. 1433 1448 Aug. Dec. 1458-9 1493 1494 1499 1504 1512 1514 1517 1535 1537 Oct. Nov. May. Nov. May. Nov. Dec. 1540-1 John Blore. John Sherborne. John Elmesall (ob. 1473). John Newman (resigned 1493). Thomas Vernon. John Cokkys (vicar of Ryarsh), resig. 1494. Simon Alleyn. Thos. Worsley (in Aug. 1497), resig. in 1499. William Gawyne. Wm. Cooke (ob. 1512). Thos. Pelton. Nic. Hall. Robt. Johnson(ob.l535). Wm. Hall (rector of Snodland). John Stacey (res. 1540). Robt. Bacon. VOI. XVIII. c 0 386 DARTEORD CHURCH (HOLY TRINITY). was under strict supervision, and in August 1422 we find that the Bishop of Eochester was asked to grant him leave of absence for one month, which his Lordship did.* THE CONSISTORY COURT. Dartford Church was one of those in which the Bishop of Eochester's Consistory Court was periodically held. Wills were proved here; clergymen and laymen and women were cited here for any offences against the laws of matrimony or consanguinity, and against the Eighth Commandment. The court sat here about six times in a year; the session often lasted two days, but it always began on a Monday. In June 1331 a Visitation of the Church, clergy, and people of Woolwich, was held in the Consistory Court of this Church. As to the proceedings of the Court held here, I may say that all wills made within the Eural Deanery of Dartford were proved here, and that the judge was generally (though not always) a clergyman, appointed by the Bishop. On the 19th of July 1389 Master John Scharynton, rector of Bromley, held the Consistory Court here. On the 27th of September of the same year he sat again, and judged cases of fornication and adultery. On the 22nd of September 1444, in this church, Eichard Lempster, vicar of Burham, submitted himself to penance, having been convicted of incontinence. In July 1445 Walter Eamsey, condemned here for fornication, was sentenced to be whipped thrice round this church, and twice round the market-places of Dartford and Eochester. Such discipline for immorality must have heen very wholesome; I fear, however, that the offender was allowed to redeem the flagellation by payment of 6s. 8d., but he promised to maintain the woman and her children. The customs of the Middle Ages were so different from ours that we are surprised to learn how Thomas, the Vicar of Dartford, was assessed in August 1369 for a War Tax. He was called upon to furnish towards a soldier's equipment one bascinet (or soldier's steel cap), one targe (or shield), and one sharp-edged axe. Another peculiarity of a mediseval Vicar of Dartford was his having a blood-red coat, or toga. Yet such a toga was bequeathed by William Dunstable, t vicar here, to Thomas the chaplain of this parish. * Bishop Langdon's Register, fol. 9 b. f Wm. Dunstable made his will on Deo. 11th, 1404. He desired to be buried before the high altar, and he bequeathed 80s. for the purohase of a marble slab to be laid over his grave in the chancel floor. He states that his father William Dunstable was at one time Mayor of Leicester. This will was not known to Mr. Dunkin. I found it in the Register of Archbishop Arundel at Lambeth. 1 wrrat TSiraJSiusr po it 1 1 ^ggflnSgffl tfSBson A.D. 140 2. - 3^ |CJU^ IV. RICHARD MARTYN & WIFE. IN THE CHANCEL OF DARTFORD CHURCH,KENT. 1 wt.i4.mil,. •Wliitcman tLBtBWSns .^Pi'lW,ntiaK-TiVXiAknrt TT-yOmWdJ"MllLI.... " ' "• DARTFORD CHURCH (HOLY TRINITY). 387 MONUMENTAL BRASSES. I . A fine monumental brass (formerly in the floor in front of the high altar), now affixed to the south wall of the high chancel, commemorates Eichard Martyn who died on the 11th of April 1400, and his wife who died 18th February 1402. Both figures are still perfect, and by the kind courtesy of Mr. J. G. Waller we are able to represent them, upon the accompanying plate. The drawing, from which that plate is prepared, was made by Mr. Waller and his brother, many years ago. This Eichard Martyn was the father of Thomas Martyn of Edenbridge, and of John Martyn of Franks in Horton Kirby. The last named, John Martyn of Franks, was a Judge in the Court of Common Pleas ; and he provided an Endowment for a Priest, who should celebrate Mass in Dartford Church daily for ever. This endowment was called "Martyn's Salary," and the Priest was called "Martyn's Salary Priest." The endowment fulfilled the founder's wishes for more than a century. John Martyn the judge died October 24, 1436; and a very fine monumental brass in Graveney Church,* near Faversham, commemorates him and his wife Anne, who was the heiress of Graveney Manor. His " Salary Priest " was still at work in 1545, when the post was held by one Sir Edmund Parker. I I . A monumental brass which now bears an inscription only, as its priestly effigy has been destroyed, commemorates John Hornley, Bachelor of Divinity, who was Vicar of Dartford duiing thirty-five years, from 1441-2 until 1477, when he died. He had been the popular first President of Magdalen Hall in Oxford; and there can be little doubt that the reparation of this church, during the reign of Edward IV., was accomplished by his efforts. Twelve Latin verses on his memorial slab declare that if the arts could weep, they must have done so for Vicar Hornley, who was master in all the seven " Liberal Arts." For many years before Hornley became vicar, testators in Dartford alluded to the need for repairing the church tower and the church roof. In 1417 John Smith left a small sum to the reparation of the bell tower (campanile), but as soon as Vicar Hornley had become settled here, practical efforts commenced. In 1444 Eichard Eokesle left 23s. 4d. to the works of the church and tower; in 1470 Eose Pitt left money towards the cost of helyng, that is covering, the roof of the church with lead. But it is probable that Vicar * Figured in W. D. Beloher's Kentish Srasses, vol. i., p. 62. Dunkin says (Hist, of Dartford, p. 86) that the Judge was buried in St. Mary's Chancel in Dartford Churoh, but it is certain that his monument is at Graveney. C C 2 388 DARTEORD CHURCH (HOLY TRINITY). Hornley did not live to see, completed, the repairs and ornamentation which he was the means of commencing. John Bamberg's direction that his widow should contribute to the "making " of the steeple was written in 1478, a year after Mr. Hornley's death. Probably the tower's eastern and western arches (which open into the north aisle and north chancel) were added at this time, 1470 to 1480, and the top stage of the tower was put on, the priest's room built, and the fresco of St. George and the Dragon painted. It may possibly be that Vicar Hornley also introduced the rood-loft, with its doorways still seen in the walls. I I I . During his incumbency died a lady whose brass shews her wearing widow's weeds, and tells us that being Agnes daughter of John Appelton, she married one of the King's Judges, William HesUt, a Baron of the Exchequer. He died in 1425, and his monumental brass in Northfleet Church formerly commemorated her as his wife.* That memorial of her stood in Northfleet Church during nineteen years of her life. She married as her second husband a brother of the Baron of Wemme; his name was Eobert Molyngton, and when she died in 1454 an effigy of her was engraved on brass, which still remains in this church. This and nine other monumental brasses here are admirably figured in Mr. W. D. Belcher's Kentish Brasses, the first volume of which was published in 1888, by Sprague and Co. of London. That volume contains photo-lithographs of 225 brasses. IV. Another monumental brass, placed here in Vicar Hornley's time, has been despoiled of its chief figures, which commemorated Willam Eothele, who died in 1464, and his first wife Beatrix; but the figure of his second wife Joan still remains. She wears a heart-shaped head-dress, and sleeves like those in robes of modern bishops, very wide at the bottom, but gathered into a bandf at the wrist. This William Eothele may have been a son of one William Eothele whom Vicar Dunstable mentions, as his cousin (consanguineus) or kinsman, in his will made in 1404. V. One of the most curious inscriptions, here or in this county, is found on a monumental brass beneath the figures of e(Katryn Burlton" (who died in 1496) and her spouse " Rychard Burlton, jantilman." It stands on the eastern face of the south pier of the chancel arch. It is in English, and its chief purpose is to seek the prayers of every reader, * Begistrum Roffense, p. 751. t Belcher's Kentish Srasses, p. 50, fig. 92. (Mfeep «£" * PH010-LITH0.SPRAGUE&C9 LONDON. DARTFORD CHUECH—INSCRIPTION UPON MONUMENTAL BRASS, BENEATH EFFIGIES OF AND HER HUSBAND, RICHAED BURLTON. KATHERINE BURLTON (OB. 1496) MONUMENTAL BRASSES. 389 so that through their prayers Christ may be the Saviour of those twain, " Eychard & Katryn." This inscription has been printed by Thorpe, in his Registrum Roffense, page 978, and by John Dunkin, in his History of Dartford, page 63. Mr. Dunkin's edition of it is the more accurate of the two, but the exact inscription can be found in Belcher's Kentish Brasses, page 50. The fourth word in the inscription is very difficult to read, as its first syllable " con " is expressed by a symbol, seldom if ever found on other "brasses." Another word is hard to understand, it follows the name " Criest," and consists of only two letters, "ma" with a mark of contraction (which often stands for " n ") over the " a." This would commonly be read "man," but the expression "Christ man" is very unusual. If we remember, however, that the Greek word Christos means " anointed," and if we recall to mind this text, "there is . . . one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,"* we may perceive an early desire (1496) to discard the usage of prayers to saints, and to cleave unto Christ as the one sole mediator. I think we may understand the two last lines as: Where, thus cumbent, ash Ohrist-Man grace, that is urgent, "Where (through thy prayer) of these twain shall HE be Saviour. The whole inscription may then be read thus: 0 pytef ull creature concernyng erthly sepulture Of Katryn Burlton subter-iatt ix day w*yn June Thowsand iiij c lxxxxvj"1 yer accurrent "W* Eychard Burlton jantilman, spows to the Katryn Expyred thowsand v . . . . "Whyer thus cumbent ask criest man grace y* is urgent Wher thorow yy prayour of theys twen shall he be savyour. I t would seem that (as was so often the case) the survivor of this couple erected this monument to his wife and himself during his own lifetime, and that when he died the executors and other friends left the date of his death still a blank. A parallel case is seen in a very different style of monument of much later date, on the north side of the high chancel. It is the tall and elaborately sculptured monument erected by Sir John Spielman, Queen Elizabeth's jeweller, who had in Dartford large paper mills for the manufacture of writing paper. His first wife Elizabeth * 1 Tim. ii. 5. t This word of " dog-Latin" in the inscription evidently means " she was put under ground," or " she was interred." 390 DARTFORD CHURCH (HOLY TRINITY). Mengel,* daughter of a Nuremberg merchant, died in 1607, aged 55. Sir John erected this monument in memory of her, but he placed upon it his own effigy also. His death is not thereon recorded. In German verses he bewails Elizabeth, but in real lif e he soon gave her a successor, named Katherine, by whom he had several children. Sir John Spielman survived until the year 1626, when he was buried here. His second wife lived until 1644 or later. VI. An effigy remaining from a despoiled monumental brass may be recognized, by a coat of arms (now gone) which formerly accompanied it,f as that of Mr. Wiltshire, who died in 1508. He was probably closely related to Sir John Wiltshire, who purchased Stone Castle; and,he may have been that gentleman's father or brother. The effigy of his wife Eleanor is gone, and so is the inscription, which stated that she died in 1477. Her coat of arms bore a chevron, and in chief three leopards' heads. The stops inserted between the words of the inscription are said to have been remarkable. They represented a bell, a tun, a leaf, a rose, a trefoil, a slipped dog, a mullet, a leopard, a crescent, and a cross, as Thorpe records. VII. A fair specimen of a very late Elizabethan brass remains here. It commemorates an attorney, who was Principal of Staple Inn, William Death (the name being spelt like the ordinary noun), who died in 1590-91, aged 63. It also bears effigies of his two wives, Elizabeth and Ann, both wearing hats. The second wife holds in her hands the body of her infant, a chrysom child, who died soon after baptism. This gentleman was the ancestor of the Deaths of North Cray, and the Narborough " D'Aeth's " of Knowlton. His armorial shield of six quarterings appears upon the brass. J VIII. On the south wall of the south chancel are a monumental brass and other memorials of the Bere family, owners of Horseman's Place in Dartford, and of the Twisletons (ancestors of Lord Say and Sele) to whom Horseman's Place was_ bequeathed by Edward Bere, the last survivor of that family. He was the heir of his nephew. The brass bears the arms of Bere, namely, a bear rampant passant, and a canton, either ermine or charged with escallop shells. It commemorates John Bere, who died in * The arms of his first wife Elizabeth Mengel appear upon her monument as " argent, a man clothed sable, wearing a long cap, holding in his hand an olive branch proper, and standing on a mount invecked gules " (Begistrum Boffense, pp. 974-5)._ It is needless to say that the figure in this lady's coat of arms has no connection with the origin of "foolscap" paper; yet some people have suggested this. 'f Thorpe's Begistrum Boffense, page 978. X Dunldn's History of Dartford, p. 55; Beloher's Kentish Brasses, p. 48. MONUMENTAL BRASSES. 39 1 1572, his first wife Alice Nysells,* and his second wife Joane, as well as his son Henry, who died in 1574, and Henry's wife and son. Other memorials are carved in stone, and mention three children of John Bere, two of his grandsons, and two great-grandsons, all of whom died early, so that John Bere's brother Edward was their heir.f This Edward's niece, Ann Bere, had married a Yorkshire gentleman, Christopher Twisleton of Barley, whose arms were a chevron between three moles. To John Twisleton, the grandson of this Yorkshire squire by his Dartford wife, Edward Bere left •Horseman's Place. His son, also named John Twisleton, married, as his third wife, Lord Say and Sele's eldest daughter and co-heir Elizabeth Eiennes. Their greatgrandson was allowed to recover the barony of Say and Sele. IX. In the south chancel on the south face of the eastern pier of the arcade, and close beside the fresco of St. George and the Dragon, is a memorial brass for Mr. John Dunkin, the Historian of Dai if ord, who died here forty-three years ago, in December 1846, in his sixty-fourth year. His researches were deep and successful. In his History of Dartford are collected all the main facts of its annals. When his memorial brass was affixed to the wall, it and the Eresco, of St. George and the Dragon, were both fully visible. Since that time, Mr. Blomfield, a former vicar, and. his cousin the architect, caused the organ to be placed in St. Mary's chancel, and thus obscured both the fresco and the memorial brass of Mr. Dunkin. This church was much frequented by travellers between England and the Continent, during the middle ages; and also by pilgrims going to the Shrine of Thomas a Becket, at Canterbury. Dartford was a general stopping place, being the first stage upon the road from London. Consequently we might picture to ourselves many illustrious personages who have preceded us here, and many imposing ceremonies here performed. One of the most solemn must have been the reception, here, of the body of King Henry V., the hero of Agincourt, en route from Dover to London. In October 1422 the great king's body was received, at this church, by the Bishop of Exeter, who performed funeral mass over it here. Probably the unfortunate Ann of Cleves, the discarded Queen of Henry VIIL, often attended service here, as she resided a short time each year from 1549 to 1557 in the place which had been Dartford Priory, but which was used as a * The arms of the Nysells bore 3 garbs as their prinoipal charge, t All these memorials have been removed from their original site. 392 DARTFORD CHURCH (HOLY TRINITY). royal palace during the reigns of Henry VIIL, Mary,* and Elizabeth. Queen Elizabeth rested therein, for an hour or two, in 1573, when returning to Greenwich Palace from her Kentish progress. The pulpit was made in the reign of James I. There have been eight bells in the tower of this church since 1702. Then the six old bells were recast (in 1702), by Philip Wightman, and two were added. One of these was recast in 1773 by Pack and Chapman; another was refounded in 1882 by Mears and Stainbank. Until the 23rd of November 1792, two Ave bells were rung here daily; one at four in the morning, the other at eight in the evening. The morning bell was stopped after the 23rd of November 1792, and the evening bell was discontinued at Christmas 1792. The clerestory windows were inserted in that year (1792), when the walls of the nave were raised two or three feet in height, and it was ceiled inside. It may be mentioned that in 1766 there was so great a flood here, that there was a foot of water above the church floor. Galleries were inserted during the eighteenth century, but were removed in the nineteenth. A handsome wooden screen remained across the chancel and south chancel forty years ago, but it has been removed. The total length of the church from east to west is 109£ feet. The total breadth is 67 feet. The north aisle is 5£ feet wider than the south aisle, which has but 13 feet in the clear. The Communion plate is of some interest. One piece of it, an old alms-dish, bears the Goldsmiths' Hall date-letter for the year 1651-2, and the maker's mark, in a plain shield, of H. B., between 3 pellets. It is beautifully embossed with stars and flowers and a conventional pattern in six divisions. The edge has thirty little equal curves. In the centre are slightly punctured the letters I, and A, N, arranged in a triangular manner. N being the apex, is evidently the initial of the surname of the original owner, I and A being the initials of the Christian names of the owner and his wife. I t weighs 13 ozs. 6 dwts. Another alms-dish, re-made in 1857-8, to match this old one, is a very good copy of it. Beneath its centre is the name of the benefactor who gave to the church the original alms-dish from which this was re-cast. This inscription is within a circle, "The gift of j Mr Jo* Allen j 1749." The newly re-cast dish bears the London date-letter for 1857-8, and the maker's mark W.M. * See Historical MSS. Commission, Seventh Report, p. 612 b. VICARS OF DARTFORD. 39 3 The two flagons, each 10£ inches high, are old; one, made in 1634-5, bears the arms of Eogers (a chevron between 3 stags tripping), and punctured beneath the r im of its foot is the weight 37 ozs. ; the other, made in 1635-6, is inscribed, " I H S . Deo dicatum et ecclesice Dartfordiensi," and punctured beneath the r im of t h e foot is the weight 39 ozs., and a.date 1712; i ts maker's mark is E.S., in a shaped shield with a mullet above and below the initials. There are two CUPS. One made in 1734-5 is 9 inches high, and is inscribed, "John Dorman | Eobert Pine | Church Wardens | of the Parrish | of Dartford | 1734," all enclosed in a wreath. The maker's mark is T. P. in a lobed escutcheon, with something above and below. The other Cup, made in 1750-1, is also 9 inches high; it is inscribed, " These Holy | Vessels were Enlarged | in the year 1750 | Bursuant to the Will of | the Late Mr Chambers \ Vicar of this | PARISH. " The maker ' s mark is E. P . in script capitals within an escutcheon. Two patens, on feet, were made in 1750-1, together with the last-mentioned Cup. There is a large paten, made in 1858, and inscribed beneath, "DARTFORD CHURCH 1858;" the maker's mark is C. T. E. above G. E. in an escutcheon. IHS, en soleil, is engraved in the centre of the paten. A spoon strainer was given in 1826. Its maker's mark is W. E., W. P., W. C , in three lines. On the handle is I.H.S., en soleil, and on i ts back, "Dartford Church 1826." VICAES OP DAETPOED. 1274 EALPH DE WINGEHAM was vicar from 1274 until he died in 1278. 1278 EOGER, a "nepos" of Walter de Merton, Bishop of Eochester, succeeded Ealph de Wingeham. EOBERT was vicar in 1293. WALTER was vicar on the 19th of July 1299. 1308 EOBERT LEVE, of Erindsbury, was collated on the 8th of October 1308 by Bishop Thomas de Woldham. He resigned this benefice on the 22nd of Pebruary 1323. 132| THOMAS ATTE STONPETTE, who founded tbe Stanpit Chantry, was collated by Bishop Hamo de Hethe, 28 Feb. 1323-4. He died in 1349. 1349 JOHN STONE, of Dartford, was collated by Bishop Hamo de Hethe April 5, 1349, but retained the benefice only three weeks. 1349 THOMAS HAMERGOLD DE SECHEFORD was collated by Bishop Hamo de Hethe on the 28th of April 1349, and was still vicar of Dartford in 1368. 394 VICARS OF DARTFORD. WILLIAM PAGE resigned this vicarage in June 1390. 1390 EOBERT GRAPE, rector of Brunstede, was collated by Bishop William de Bottlesham on the 1st of July 1390. He died in 1399. 1400 WILLIAM DUNSTABLE, chaplain, was collated by Bishop de Bottlesham on the 13th of March 1399 (O.S.), 1400 (N.S.). His will is preserved in the Archiepiscopal Eegisters at Lambeth, and he therein states that his father had been Mayor of Leicester. He died in 1404. 1404 THOMAS HAVERCROET was collated by Bishop John de Bottlesham on the 13th of December 1404. EICHARD WYCH', who was burned for heresy.in 1440, is erroneously said by Dunkin to have been vicar here. Deptford was his benefice. JOHN WORGHOPE or Wyborough was vicar in 1427, and early in 1428 he exchanged this benefice for the rectory of Gravesend. In Oct. 1425, he had exchanged the rectory of St. MaryMagd., Canterbury, for that of Cuxton. 1428 Master ANDREW SONDERS, who had been rector of Gravesend since 1899, was admitted to this benefice on the 20th of January 1427-8 by Bishop John Langdon, but he resigned Dartford vicarage in 1430, probably to take Yalding. 1430 JOHN SMYTH, vicar of Yalding, was admitted by Bishop Langdon on the 3rd of October 1430. He resigned this benefice in 1431. 1431 Master JOHN WARRENE was collated by Bishop Langdon on the 21st of June 1431. He exchanged this benefice in 1437-8 for the rectory of Staplehurst. 1438 JOHN GKEEKE, rector of Staplehurst, exchanging with Mr. Warren, was admitted to this vicarage by Bishop Wells on the 10th of January 1437-8. He remained here for four years, and died at the end of 1441. 1442 Master JOHN HORNLEY, S.T.B., President of Magdalen Hall (at its foundation) in Oxford, was collated to this benefice by Bishop Wells on the 20th of January 1441-2. He retained the vicarage of Dartford for 35 years or more, and died here in 1447. His monumental brass remains in the church, but despoiled of his effigies. It bears these lines:— Si flerent artes, Hornley tacuisse Johannem Non possent ista, qui tumulatur humo. In septem fuerat liberalibus ille magister. Prudens et castus, maximus atque fide. Doctrine Sacre tunc bacchalaureus ingens. Oxonie Cunotis semper amatus erat. Consilio valuit, sermones pandere saoros. Noverat, et Doctos semper amare viros Pauperibus la'rgus fuerat; quos noverat aptos, In studiis paoiens, sobrius atque fuit, Moribus insignis cuncta virtute refulgens, Pro tantis meritis spiritus astra tenet. VICARS OF DARTFORD. 39 5 1477 JOHN HARRIES, alias GUBNBS, was Hornley's successor. He died in 1501. 1501 EDWARD BAINARDB, alias BARNARDE, S.T.B., was collated to this benefice by Bishop Pitz James on the 15th of September 1501. He died here in 1515. 1515 JOHN EOGBES, M.A., was collated by good Bishop Pisher on the 19th of July 1515, and he remained here until his death in 1526. 1527 THOMAS WADELAPE, S.T.B., called also Wadeluffi and Wadesuff, was collated by Bishop Pisher on the 16th of January 1526-7. 1533 Master JOHN BEUER was collated to this vicarage by Bishop Pisher. He is said to have died in 1534. 1536* WILLIAM MOTE was vicar, 20 October 1536. He resigned in 1545. 1545 JOHN JOHNSON was instituted ou the 15th of May 1545 by Bishop Holbeach. Mr. Johnson resigned in February 1545-6. 1546 JOHN PYZAUNT, M.A., was instituted 13 Feb. 1545-6, but resigned a year later. 1547 JAMES GOLDWELL was collated to this vicarage by Bishop Holbeach on the 4th of January 1546-7. EICHARD TURNER, the vicar here, was deprived for his opinions in 1553-4, and went abroad. He was a prebendary of St. George's Chapel, Windsor. 1554 EDMUND BEOWNE was collated to this benefice on the 4th of May 1554 by Bishop Maurice GryfEth, but he resigned five years after, in 1559. 1559 NICHOLAS ASPINALL was presented by Queen Elizabeth, and was instituted on the 2nd of May, 1559, but he did not retain the benefice, as the old deprived vicar was restored. 1559 EIOHAED TURNER, the old vicar, was restored in July 1559, and remained here for several years. In the following year Archbishop Parker selected him to be a visitor throughout Kent for reforming abuses in the parishes of the two Kentish dioceses. He seems to have been a clever, pious, and zealous man. He was still vicar in 1565, when he either died or removed hence. 1565 JOHN APPELBIE was collated to this parish by Bishop Gheast or Guest on the 25th of August 1565, and after holding the benefice nearly ten years he resigned. 1575 EICHARD JACKSON, B.D., was collated hither by Bishop Preake ia April 1575, but did not enter upon the duties. 1575 JOHN BROWNE, M.A., was presented by Queen Elizabeth to this benefice, and instituted by Bishop Freake on the 13th of April 1575. In 1591 he thus entered the bap- * JOHN BAETLETT is said by Dunkin (History of Dartford, p. 88) to have been vicar here in 1540. RALPH . . . . is named, says Dunkin, as parish priest in 1543, in the will of Sissily Frende. 396 VICARS OF DARTFORD. tism of his daughter, " BROWNE, Ellen, the daughter of John Browne, preacher and vicar of Dartford, was christened the 12th of March; godfather, Christofer Lamb, gent., and grandfather to her godmothers, Ellen Eogers and Ann Death, gentlewomen." He died in February 1601-2, and his burial is thus entered, " John Browen, Bachelor of Divinitie, and preacher of the word of God,* and Vicker of Dartford 26 yeares, buried the xv day of Pebruary." 1602 EICHARD WALLIS was collated to Dartford vicarage by Bishop Tong on the 18th of February 1601-2. He was vicar here for about 30 years, and was buried on the 8th of May 1632. He probably resigned in 1630. 1630 EOBERT MEBCER was inducted on the 26th of August 1630. 1632 JOHN DENNE, S.T.B., was inducted on the 5th of June 1632. White, in his Centenary of Scandalous Ministers, v. 21, brings heavy indictments against this vicar. His living was sequestered in 1644, and he was buried in 1646. 1644 VAVASOUR POWELL, a talented Welshman, was nominated in 1644. His Life has been printed. He was at Dartford not quite three years, but during that time the plague visited the parish, and Mr. Powell was singularly active and faithful in discharging his pastoral duties among his afflicted people. He resigned in 1646, but lived until 1671, when he died, Oct. 25th, in the Pleet Prison, aged 51. 1646 SYMON EUMNEY. EOGER CHARNOCK was vicar in 1650 when the Parliamentary Survey of benefices was made. EOBERT POWELL is said by Dunkin (p. 90) to be mentioned in the churchwarden's book as minister in 1655. . . . . DUTTON is said to have been vicar in 1656. JOHN POWLE, vicar in 1660, subscribed " the declaration," Aug. 20th, 1662, as vicar of Dartford. He resigned in 1688. 1689 THOMAS PRICE, M.A., who seems to have been curate here from 1678 until 1689, was collated to this benefice by Bishop Spratt on the 5th of February 1688-9. He was buried in the south chancel (St. Mary's of Stanpit) on the 27th of August 1718. 1718 CHARLES CHAMBERS, M.A., was collated to Dartford vicarage by Bishop Atterbury on the 30th of September 1718. He remained in this benefice for over 27 years, and was a great benefactor to the church and parish. By his will, dated 1 Oct. 1745, he gave £25 towards casting anew the communion plate; also money for the relief of the poor, and for establishing a charity school (this was opened in 1748 in the north chancel of St. Thomas Becket). He likewise bequeathed money for two large brass candelabra for the church, each holding twelve candles; and £18 for setting up in the church four * Dunkin's History of Dartford, p. 88. VICARS OF DARTFORD. 397 distinct tables of benefactions. The candelabra were suspended in the church in May 1748, but the benefaction tablets were not put up until 1754.* Mr. Chambers was buried here on the 1st of March 1745-6. 1746 JOHN LEWIS, M.A., was collated by Bishop Wilcocks on the 3rd of March 1745-6, and he retained this vicarage for more than nine years. He resigned in 1755, and ultimately went to Ireland and became Dean of Ossory. He died 28 June 1783. 1755 JAMES HARWOOD, M.A., was collated to this benefice by Bishop Wilcocks on tbe 4th of November 1755. He remained here until he died on February the 14th, 1778, aged 63. The rectory of Cliffe at Hoo was also held by him, together with Dartford vicarage, from 1755 to 1778. 1778 JOHN CUREEY, M.A., a native of Cheshire, was collated by- Bishop Thomas to the vicarage of Dartford on the 24th of April 1778. He graduated as a Senior Optime in 1758, and obtained a Fellowship at St. John's College, Cambridge, in 1761. He was presented in 1769 to the vicarage of East Dereham. The Eectory of Longfield was conferred upon him in 1779, and he held it with this vicarage of Dartford for more than 45 years. When 89 years of age, he died, on the 18th of October 1824, and was buried in Northfleet Church. His parishioners at Dartford, to commemorate their appreciation of his benevolence, zeal, and piety, erected a mural monument to him in Dartford Church'; his bust in profile is carved upon it in white marble. 1825 WALKER KING, Archdeacon of Eochester, and rector of Stone, was collated to Dartford vicarage by Bishop Walker King in 1825. He held this benefice for one year only. 1826 GEORGE HEBERDEN, son of King George III.'s physician, Dr. Heberden, was vicar of Dartford for 4 years, until he he died in 1830. 1830 EDWARD MURRAY was collated by his brother George, Bishop of Eochester, to the vicarage of Dartford, but he resigned it within the year. He was born in 1798, being third son of Lord George Murray, Bishop of St. David's. His nephews have been rectors, one of Chislehurst, and another of Stone, for many years. 1830 FEANOIS BAZETT GRANT, who graduated at Christ Church, Oxford, in 1818, accepted this benefice in 1830, and retained it until 1844, when he was promoted to the rectory of Shelton in Staffordshire. 1844 J. GILLMOE. 1856 GEORGE JOHN BLOMPIELD, M.A., of Exeter College, Oxford, was presented by the Bishop of Worcester in 1856. He is a nephew of the late Bishop Blomfield of London, one * Dunkin's History of Dartford, p. 46. 398 VICARS OF DARTFORD. of whose daughters became his first wife. During Mr. Blomfield's incumbency the church was restored ; the present Sir Arthur Blomfield being the architect who directed the work. In 1867 Mr. G. J . Blomfield accepted the rectory of Aldington near Hythe, which benefice he continues to hold after the lapse of 22 years. 1867 HENRY BOND BOWLBY, M.A., formerly Fellow of Wadham College, Oxford, was presented by the Bishop of Worcester in 1867. After holding this benefice for about six years he became rector of St. Philip's, Birmingham, where he still is. 1874 FREDERIC SPENCER DALE, M.A., of Trinity College, Cambridge, was presented by the Bishop of Worcester, but in 1887 he was promoted to the vicarage of Lydd. 1887 ALAN HUNTER WATTS, of the London College of Divinity, at Highbury, was presented by the Bishop of Worcester. Mr. Watts had been one of Canon Miller's curates at Greenwich, from 1876 to 1880. He was vicar of Trinity Church, Bordesley, from 1883 to 1887,.land came thence to Dartford.