first erection of this fabric. The east wall is strengthened by three very large graduated buttresses, through which a passage was for merly continued, but has been closed of late years, from some presumed weakness in the superstructure. The nave is separated from the aisles by three pointed arches, and a similar formed arch opens into each end of the transept: a Norman arch, with a billet moulding, crosses the south aisle. The chancel, which rises from the nave by a double flight of steps, beneath a very lofty pointed arch, having plain mouldings, resting on slender columns, is very spacious: the architecture, from its light and elegant appearance, evinces it to have been erected either in the time of Henry the Third, or early in the reign of Edward the First. It opens to its aisles by two lofty pointed arches, rising from clustered shafts, and ornamented with mouldings of projecting quatrefoils, beads, cavettos, &c. Above the arches, on the south side, are parts of an elegant triforium, which seems to have been continued to the north side, but is now walled up. The east end has three high pointed lance windows, with deep jambs; and in front, ornamented mouldings as above, rising from clusters of light shafts. Near the altar, on the south side, but partly concealed by the wainscotting, are four beautiful Stone Seats, with trefoil heads, and a range of circles and quatrefoils above them. The east end of the south aisle has been a chantry chapel, and the piscina and almerie are yet remaining: over the Font which now stands here, is a high octagonal covering of wood, finishing pyramidically, with a cross at top. The windows are nearly in the same style as those of the chancel; those of the north aisle are less embellished. The south end of the transept contains several monuments of, and is appropriated to, the Deedes family, of whom Julius Deedes represented this Borough in the time of Charles the Second. The length of the Church is about forty-five yards; the breadth of the nave is eighteen: the whole interior is neatly fitted up, and has a very striking and im pressive appearance. Beneath the chancel, but built at the same period, is a large Crypt or Vault, the entrance to which is on the south side; and originally another doorway opened into it from the church-yard on the the north side, but this is now completely choaked up to the very crown of the arch. In this vault is an immense quantity of human sculls and bones, which form a pile about twenty-eight feet long, and between seven and eight feet high. These are traditionally said to be the remains of an invading army, which was discomfited upon this shore many years ago; yet the fact, though probable, does not appear to be corroborated by any historical testimony; and it is a curious circumstance, that Leland, who was so remarkably minute in his observations, does not make any mention of these bones, though he particularly notices the "fayr vaute beneath the quier." In many of the sculls are large clefts, as if made with a battle-axe. The Church-yard commands a fine view of the Sea, and coast of France. In this Parish are two HOSPITALS, or Alms-houses, of an ancient foundation; the one called St. John's, the other St. Bartholomew's. The former was founded for Lepers previously to the year 1336, but at what particular era is unknown: the other was built by Bishop HAMO NOBLE, surnamed De Hythe, from his having been born in this town; and his deed of foundation, which is printed in the Registrum Roffense, describes it as erected on the spot where he and his ancestors first had their origin.* The num ber of poor persons, of both sexes, now maintained on these foundations, is commonly sixteen, of which ten belong to St. Bartho lomew's. A spring of good water rises in Hythe Church-yard; and across each end of the town flows a small stream; the one descending from Saltwood, and the other forming the boundary between this Parish and that of Newington. Besides the Martello Towers that have been recently erected along this coast, there are several small Forts on the beach in this vicinity, which were built shortly after the * In Wharton's Anglia Sacra is the Life of Bishop Hamo, written by his Chaplain, William de Dene; and in that his brothers are called by the name of Noble. The ancestor of the Le Nobles was a Northern Knight. The family seemed to have divided themselves, and to have spread over the north, and into the east and west parts of the Kingdom. For some account of Hamo de Hythe, see under Rochester, pp. 637, 650. the commencement of the last war. On the heights immediately above Hythe, are extensive ranges of Barracks for infantry, erected since the beginning of the present century; and near these are numerous mud-walled cottages, erected for the wives and families of the soldiers. Other Barracks, of a temporary kind, are within the town itself. About one mile north-west from Hythe stands SALTWOOD CASTLE, the original foundation of which has been attributed to the Romans, though probably on insufficient authority. Kilburne says, that it was erected by Oesc, son of Hengist: and Grose states, that, “on examining these ruins, every stone of them evidently appears to have been laid by the Normans." This last as sertion is not only disproved by historical authorities, but is de monstratively erroneous; as the principal buildings now standing are of a much later date, and in a different style of architecture. Hugo de Montfort, who possessed this Manor at the time of the Domesday Survey, is said to have repaired the Castle; yet, as it is not mentioned in the Domesday Book, though the Church itself is mentioned, which comparatively must have been of much less importance, the probability is, that the Castle was not then built; and therefore, that if Hugo de Montfort had any concern in the buildings here, he must himself have been the founder. Hasted states, that it was rebuilt by Henry de Essex, Baron of Ralegh, and Standard-Bearer to Henry the Second in right of inheritance, who held it of the Archbishop of Canterbury; yet his authority for this assertion does not appear. "Henry de Essex," says Philipott, from Matthew Paris, "having, in a light skirmish against the Welsh in Flintshire, not only cast away his courage, but his standard also, was appealed of High Treason, (by Robert de Montfort,) and, in a legal duel, or combat, was vanquished by his challenger, (but his life being preserved by the clemency of the King,) and being possessed with regret and shame, contracted from this defeat, shrouded himself in a cloister, (at Reading,) and put on a monk's cowl, forfeiting a good patrimony and livelihood, which escheated to Henry the Second. But Thomas Becket acquainting the King, that this Manor belonged to his Church and See, that Prince 3 the See of Canterbury. In the thirty-first of Henry the Eighth, Archbishop Cranmer exchanged this Castle, Park, and Manor, with the King; and in the first of Queen Mary, they were finally granted from the Crown to Edward Fynes, Lord Clinton, soon af ter which the Park appears to have been thrown open; and the Manor and Castle have since passed through various families, by purchase and otherwise, to William Deedes, Esq. of Sandling, who obtained it in exchange from Sir Brook Bridges, Bart. of Goodneston. The site of this Castle was well chosen. The walls encircle an extensive area, of an elliptical form, surrounded by a very broad and deep moat, partly natural, and partly artificial. The entrance into the first court was by a gateway, now in ruins, defended by a portcullis: the outer walls were strengthened by several circular and square towers, all of which are dilapidated. In this court are several barns, &c. built out of the ruins, this estate being now tenanted as a farm. The Keep, or Gate-house, which seems to have been almost wholly rebuilt by Archbishop Courtenay, is a noble pile, having two lofty round towers in front, flanking the entrance, over which, on the summit of the building, are machicolations. The entrance hall has been continued through to the back front, which opened into the inner court, but is now divided into two apartments by fire-places and chimneys. The front division is vaulted, and strongly groined: the ribs, which diverge from columus, having octagonal bases, with over-hanging caps, concentrate in open circles at the intersections. The principal ornament is the Tudor Rose, which was probably put up on some subsequent addition being made to Courtenay's work. In each of the round towers is an hexagonal camerated chamber, the ribs of which die into the walls at their angles, as the vaulting pannelling does into the perpendicular of the walls: above them are other chambers. The deep grooves for a portcullis are still in good repair within this entrance. Some of the upper chambers, now made into lodging rooms, &c. for the farmer's men, are spacious. The summit of the roof commands a most extensive view, to which the white cliffs of Boulogne, and the intermediate space of water, constantly 1 |