Figure H. Lance head, of black flint, worked on one side only. A, B, C, D, E, F, G, are all worked on both sides, and beautifully made; A, D, and G, being so thin, as to be almost transparent. Figures 1 b and II b appear to have been made for scrapers with the butts left rough, to give firmness when fitted into the socket of a handle. The two examples marked "Scraper" were both used with handles. The side Scraper used in the hand only. Figure 1 b. This can hardly be looked upon as a flake, it having become highly polished from friction; it may have been used as an awl, the point is now wanting. Figure IV b. An arrow-maker chipped round the edge and on one side only. The three "flakes" are merely given as examples of many found. The six "saws" have serrated edges artificially made. The fifteen specimens from a to o are all "flakes;" some of them may have been in use if found to be available for any purpose. Figures p, q, r, are types of the so-called Thumb Flints or Finger Flints. Weapons, implements, and flakes, such as those described, are figured in Sir John Lubbock's Prehistoric Times, and Evans's Ancient Stone Implements of Great Britain, both of which valuable works should be consulted for further information. Besides the above list of articles several natural spherical and oval flint nodules were found at Grovehurst, suitable for missiles, sling or hammer stones. It is reasonable to infer, from the entire absence of metals and ornaments throughout these discoveries, that they belong to the neolithic or polished stone age. As stone weapons of the type usually assigned to this era are found accompanying objects in bronze and iron, we might have looked for some traces of these metals at Grovehurst, had they been known at the time when this early settlement was occupied; although it by no means follows, because bronze and iron are wanting, that they had not been introduced into Britain at that period. Possibly they may have been in use elsewhere, but had not yet come within the reach of the settlers in this part of the island. However, from the extent of the discoveries, their primitive nature, the simplicity and rudeness of the pottery, we claim for them a place of high antiquity as already stated. It is interesting to note the fact that we are enabled to follow the footprints of successive generations at Grovehurst even from Prehistoric times. We have traced a Celtic settlement. The Romans have also left us remains on the estate, likewise the Anglo-Saxons. We obtain evidences of the latter nation in the Cold Harbour marshes which bound the north-east side of the property; the term Cold Harbour being of Saxon origin, signifying "a place of shelter by the side of an old road." The Danes too are said to have landed near here in 893, on Kemsley Downs, where they erected a fortress afterwards known as Castle Rough (Hasted's Kent). The ditch which surrounded it is still to be seen. It is probable that remains of these piratical invaders may be met with at some future time on the Downs, which are at no very distant date to be worked for brick-earth. We have mentioned the names of the possessors of Grovehurst, from the reign of Edward I until the present time, in the early portion of this paper. The writer is pleased to state, that the whole of these Celtic relics, together with the interesting particulars connected with them, would probably have been lost, had it not been for the courteous assistance of Mr. Gascoyne, of Mr. Robert Watts, and of Mr. Thomas Watts, the foreman of the brickyards, the latter displaying an enthusiastic zeal in the cause, rarely to be met with. BRENCHLEY, ITS CHURCH AND ANCIENT HOUSES. BY J. F. WADMORE. BRENCHLEY is situated partly in the Hundred of Watchlingstone, but its north-eastern part is in the Hundred of Twyford. In ancient muniments the name is sometimes spelt as Bræncesle or Branchesle. The parish is one of the largest in Kent, and formed a portion of the vast estate with which William I enriched his ungrateful relative, Odo, Bishop of Bayeux. On his disgrace it passed to Gilbert de Clare, ancestor of that Earl of Hertford who gave the Church of Alding (Yalding) with the Chapel of Brenchesle and all appurtenances, in pure and perpetual alms, to the Priory of Tonbridge, which he had previously founded. Together with Leigh it formed a benefice of Tonbridge Priory up to the time of its suppression in the seventeenth year of Henry VIII. Brenchley contained the manors of Criols,* which was held by the Criol family as half a knight's fee; Mascalst otherwise Marescalls, with the two appendant ones of Copgrove and Chekeswell; Parrocks; Catlets; Stokshill; Studmore; Barnes and East Bokenfold. Mascals was held temp. Edward II by the family of the Colepepers, under the Lord Hugh de Audley, by the service of paying yearly to his larder eight hogs and a half, value 15s. Copgrove with Chekeswell was held by the family of Copgrove, but Henry de Hoese or Hoesendene had held Chekeswell temp. Edward I. John de Copgrove sold these manors, temp. Edward II, to John de Vane, who also became the owner of Mascals. Robert de Vane, as heir of John, paid 20s. as "Aid" in the * Hasted, 8vo, vol. v., p. 283. † Ibid., p. 284. |