Archeology. 



451 



PERPENDICULAR. 



MODERN ADDITIONS. REMARKS. 



Beams of roof bear date 

 1630. Fire in 1630. 



Windows in nave and 

 aisle. 



Boom built for chaplain 

 over the vestry, trans- 

 formed into an armoury 

 in 1 648. Towers eastern 

 and western. Arches 

 added 1470-80. Top 

 stages of tower 1480. 

 Fresco painted on wall, 

 St. George and Dragon. 

 Rood loft probably this 

 period ; doorways still 

 seen in walls. Very curi- 

 ous inscription on 

 brass 1496. 



Closed in 1538. 



Restored 1862. Remains of doorway, piscina and sedilia found. 

 Chancel arch modern. Old tomb 1652. Two effigies and 

 coloured heraldic shields. Body of church divided into two 

 equal parts by arcade in centre and terminating just over 

 chancel arch. This plan is very nearly unique. All arcading 

 in centre of nave is probably Perpendicular ; some mouldings 

 are even late Decorated 



There are also traces of ancient painting on square capital in 

 western part of chancel. Also on E. wall of chancel (ex- 

 ternally), high above windows, is cross worked in flint. 



[f The vaulting over the chancel, which is joined without 

 ribs, the vaulting springing direct from the walls without 

 any impost]. 



Clerestory windows inserted 1792, and walls of nave raised 2 or 

 3 feet and ceiled inside. Communion plate 1651-2. Tower 

 stands in peculiar position, being on N. side of church. Prob- 

 ably erected as defensive stronghold, commanding ford over 

 river Darenth. Bishop of Rochester held Consistory Court. 

 Fine monumental brasses in S. wall of high chancel, very rich 

 in brasses.* Window erected to the memory of the Hermit of 

 Darenth Ford. Old tomb 1607. 



A never-failing source of relief to the poorest inhabitant? of the 

 district, and an asylum for the widow and the orphan. Build- 

 ing was quadrangular ; embattled tower over the gateway, 

 ornamented with octagon pedestals, supporting the statues 

 of St. Mary & St. Margaret ; embattled parapet ran along the 

 whole external front. Tower taken down 1828 ; at present in 

 ruins, part of the S. wall of tower still existing 1841. Re- 

 tained by Henry VIII. as residence. His divorced wife, Ann 

 of Cleves, lived here until her death, July 15, 1557. After- 

 wards granted to Friars Preachers of King's Langley in Hert- 

 fordshire until dissolution of new religious communities in 

 first year of Elizabeth's reign. Q. Elizabeth made use of late 

 priory as a mansion for herself. At end of Elizabeth's reign 

 the land and priory granted to Sir Edward D'Arcy during his 

 life. In 1606 granted by James I. to Robert Cecil, Earl of 

 Salisbury, and re-granted back by Sir William Cecil 1612 to 

 Sir Robert D'Arcy, the Earl of Salisbury. 



