APPENDIX A.
Godden. |
Grcenhurst, Sussex. |
Hazlcden. |
Hawkhurst. |
Hcrndcn. |
Henhurst. |
Hiffcnden. |
Hophurst, Sussex. |
Hollenden. |
Lamborhurst. |
Horsmonden. |
Midhurst, Sussex. |
Iden, Sussex. |
Nuthurst, Sussex. |
Marden, Sussex. |
Pcnhurst, Sussex. |
Newenden. |
Penshurst. |
Bolvcndon. |
Sandhurst. |
Romden. |
Shadoxhurst. |
Smarden. |
Shiphurst. |
Surrendcn. |
Sinkhurst. |
Tcnterdcn. |
Sissinghurst. |
Wisendcn. |
Sjieldhurst. |
Staplehurst. | |
Ashurst. |
Ticehurst, Sussex. |
Billinghurst, Sussex. |
Wadhurst, Sussex. |
Collinghurst, Sussex. |
Warminghurst, ‰∙w.r |
Crowhurst, Sussex. | |
Dodhurst. |
Alfold, Sussex. |
Duckhurst. |
Ainisfold, Sussex. |
Ewhurst, Sussex. |
Cowfold, Sussex. |
Eenchurst. |
Chiddingfold, Surrey. |
Goudhurst. |
Shinfold, Sussex. |
484
It is not likely that all these various places, the list of which
might be greatly increased, were ever reduced under one judicial
unity ; but, even with the aid of Sussex, I have been able to men-
tion only twenty-five dens, and we know that at least thirty-two,
if not forty-four, wore subject to the court of Aldington.
The entries in Twisdcn ⅛ Journal are to the following effect :—-
“ 18th September 1655., I was at Aldyngton Court, at the
chusing the officers to gather the Lord’s Bent, where grew a
question, whither, if the Lord released our Rent, Sute, and Ser-
vice, to the Court, we were subject to the slavery of attendance,
THE MARK.
485
and whither the Tenants could prescribe men, &c., <fcc., &c., or
impose an office upon them,—and it was the whole resolution of
the Court, the Lord might sell his quit-rents and all manner of
attendance on the Court, and then he could not be tyed to any
office, nor the Tenants impose any office upon him.....
“The 16th September 1656, I went to Aldyngton Court, but
came too late, there beeing Iayd on me the office for collecting the
32 Denns, for my land in them. I desired to know what land it
was ... in the 32 Dens upon which the office was laid, but this I
could not learn.... the issue was, that if they can name the land
or descry it, I am to do it,—if not, I refused to gather it.”
“ 1658. I was at Aldynton Court again, and then there was
much stir about this land which could not bee found. I still
insisted the Denne of Plevynden held of Wye, that the 16s. 2d.
ob. I payd was for light money in time past. The Conclusion was,
They will distrain me if they can find the land, and then come to
a trial in their Court which is held at Smethe.”
“ 1659. I was at Aldington Court, where I came before the
Steward sate, yet were they then chusing for the 32 Denns, and
Mr. Short brought me a note for chusing Mr. John Maynard,
Sergt at Law. . . . he was not chosen after the ancient custom of
the Court, that is, to present two to the Steward, and he to take
one. . . .The tenants of the 12 Denns pretended if it were some-
time a Custom it had been long interrupted, and refused to follow
the example of the 32. . . . after dinner, this grew a great dispute,
Mr. Short complaining of partiality, that the choice of one man
was received for the 12 and not for the 32 Dennes. This drew
on the manner of chusing of the 32 Dennes, which was, that they
usually met at 9 o'clock long before the Steward himself could
reach the Court, made choice of one man before there was a
Court.... This brought forth an excellent order, that the Denns
should chuse and present the person by them chosen after the
manner the other Culets did.... Coming away, the Bailiff told
me he had a writ to distreyn me for the rent of the 32 Denns. I
told him I had no land held of it that I knew. . . .Sir Edward
Sydnam, Lord of the Manor, and who is to answer the rents to