DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6913#0048
22
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
to the coming of the Normans, it must be the work, unconnected as it is with any of
the previous religious houses, of the predecessors of these occupants, inconsiderable
as were their estates. But another circumstance tends to prove that the church at
Barfreston did not owe to them any kind of obligation. For in the record just
recited, neither the words ecclesia nor presbyter are found in the entry, concerning
that parish.* Upon the disgrace of Odo, in the year 1081, the manors of Barfreston
and of Hartanger were granted towards the support of Dover Castle, in the arrange-
ments made by William for the defence of that fortress, which was deemed by him
of such eminent concern to the whole of his government. The first of these was in
consequence bestowed upon Hugh de Port, and made up, together with several
others, the barony of De Port. This was held of that castle by the service of ward,
in which grant Barfreston was valued at one knight's fee, and as such it was held by
his descendants for several generations, as in demesne, previous to its being con-
veyed to the family of Wyborne.f Hartanger became, on the like conditions, the
property of Fitz-Adam, by whom it was held in barony of the same castle, also in
demesne, for certain descents, when it was passed to the Pirots.J Thus we are,
about the twentieth of the Conqueror, assured of two persons of ample consideration
for power and trust, who bear towards this parochial district, those relations which
entitle them to be considered as the original founders and builders of its very re-
markable church. To this opinion I have been besides for many years inclined,
from the consideration that the burthens imposed on the estates of persons, who
held by a like tenure, were not merely those of castle guard : they were obliged
further to sustain a portion of the works of the fortress to which their estates were
appendant. § This duty must have demanded, at all times, for its performance, the
constant attendance of a considerable number of masons, who were placed beneath
the care of a skilful surveyor; and thus immediately subjected to those knights, they
would not fail to complete, with every thing most exquisite in architecture, and exert
all the knowledge of their profession, when an edifice was recommended to their
care by the pious munificence of their principal lord. The parish church at Chatham,
in Kent, a massive and elegant structure, anciently (I am speaking of a Norman
building) was the work of the Creveques, on their demesne land; who held on like
condition of the same castle : and at Folkstone, the residence of the Abrincis, hold-
* Hasted's Kent, folio, vol. iv. p. 190, &c. t Ibid. J Ibid.
§ Lambert's Perambulation of Kent, p. 153. Each of which had their several charges in sundrj' towers, and
turrets, and bulwarks of the castle, " and were contented at their own expense to maintain and repair the same."
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
to the coming of the Normans, it must be the work, unconnected as it is with any of
the previous religious houses, of the predecessors of these occupants, inconsiderable
as were their estates. But another circumstance tends to prove that the church at
Barfreston did not owe to them any kind of obligation. For in the record just
recited, neither the words ecclesia nor presbyter are found in the entry, concerning
that parish.* Upon the disgrace of Odo, in the year 1081, the manors of Barfreston
and of Hartanger were granted towards the support of Dover Castle, in the arrange-
ments made by William for the defence of that fortress, which was deemed by him
of such eminent concern to the whole of his government. The first of these was in
consequence bestowed upon Hugh de Port, and made up, together with several
others, the barony of De Port. This was held of that castle by the service of ward,
in which grant Barfreston was valued at one knight's fee, and as such it was held by
his descendants for several generations, as in demesne, previous to its being con-
veyed to the family of Wyborne.f Hartanger became, on the like conditions, the
property of Fitz-Adam, by whom it was held in barony of the same castle, also in
demesne, for certain descents, when it was passed to the Pirots.J Thus we are,
about the twentieth of the Conqueror, assured of two persons of ample consideration
for power and trust, who bear towards this parochial district, those relations which
entitle them to be considered as the original founders and builders of its very re-
markable church. To this opinion I have been besides for many years inclined,
from the consideration that the burthens imposed on the estates of persons, who
held by a like tenure, were not merely those of castle guard : they were obliged
further to sustain a portion of the works of the fortress to which their estates were
appendant. § This duty must have demanded, at all times, for its performance, the
constant attendance of a considerable number of masons, who were placed beneath
the care of a skilful surveyor; and thus immediately subjected to those knights, they
would not fail to complete, with every thing most exquisite in architecture, and exert
all the knowledge of their profession, when an edifice was recommended to their
care by the pious munificence of their principal lord. The parish church at Chatham,
in Kent, a massive and elegant structure, anciently (I am speaking of a Norman
building) was the work of the Creveques, on their demesne land; who held on like
condition of the same castle : and at Folkstone, the residence of the Abrincis, hold-
* Hasted's Kent, folio, vol. iv. p. 190, &c. t Ibid. J Ibid.
§ Lambert's Perambulation of Kent, p. 153. Each of which had their several charges in sundrj' towers, and
turrets, and bulwarks of the castle, " and were contented at their own expense to maintain and repair the same."