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Archaeologia Cantiana -  Vol. 14  1882  page 58

The Early History of Tenterden by Robert Furley, F.S.A.

The Corporation minute book, when recording the visit of Queen Elizabeth at Bartholomew-tide in 1571-2 to Rye, Hempsted, and Sissinghurst, makes no mention of Tenterden. Her Majesty visited the Weald on two or three occasions, since which time royal visits here have been few and far between.
   At the outbreak of the Civil War, a landing of the supporters of Charles I took place at Rye (A.D.1642), and orders were issued by the Parliament to intercept and seize the horses of all "malignants" that might be found in the neighbourhood; but the great Kentish rising did not take place until 1648.
   The surveys of Crown lands, and possessions of the Church, which were ordered by the Commonwealth to be made with a view to a sale, included "the Seven Hundreds" (now the property of Viscount Cranbrook), and the rectory of Tenterden, let on lease to Sir Edward Hales, Bart. Amongst the royalists whose estates at Tenterden were sequestered, and who were heavily mulct for their loyalty, were those of the Colepepers, the Guldefords, the Argalls, Sir Peter Richards, and Sir Robert Pointz.

   The manors of Morgue and Godden were still held together, and had passed from an Essex family named Argall (who held at this time Kenchill) to Sir John Colepeper. The Parliamentary Commissioners sold Sir John's interest in Morgue and Godden to his relative Sir Cheney Colepeper, and an interest attaches to the notice in these Parliamentary papers of a breach of the sea, whereby 156 acres of the Morgue lands were returned as "drowned lands," since the breaking in of the sea in Wittersham level; and that in four years (1644 to 1648) the water scots in the Morgue and Gatesden lands amounted to £1025, and there was but little hope of their returning to their former value, without great care and expense. The Parliamentary Commissioners, however, declined to make any allowance for these heavy scots, and the fine was assessed at £200.
   Within two months of the restoration of Charles II (19 March, 1660) Tenterden Court Hall was burnt down, and the Corporation chest with its charters and ancient documents

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