or Rochester, is nine miles, that is, about eight English ones; and I conclude, in unison with various authorities on this behalf, that from the general bearing and direction of the places mentioned in the 'Itinerary,' there is very sufficient reason for supposing that the ancient Vagniacae was either in this town or in its .vicinity. This point, however, I must assume, as the discussion of it would take me away from my present purpose, and might besides run into some length, both of which things are undesirable. Assuming this then, as I have said, I observe that the Roman road coming from London by Keston (Noviomagus), Oldbury Camp, and Wrotham Heath, crossed the river Medway near Maidstone, about half a mile below the present town, and rather more than a quarter of a mile below the barracks.
   2. The part of the river where it crosses is called "Radford," which name shows that some thoroughfare of importance formerly existed at this said passage of the river; for Radford is Road-ford. The name of the reach of the river across which the ancient transit was made, indicates the same thing. In the Corporation Books of Maidstone, of the date of Queen Elizabeth, it is called " the Throt Reach;" in relation to which we may observe that there is no narrowness of the river at this point to make us suppose " Throat Reach," in the sense of a narrow passage of its channel, was meant. So this appellation seems to be the same as the Anglo-Saxon trod, a path or track, and to denote the reach where the crossing was; which it is very natural to suppose had become in their times of less importance. The reach of the river at this part still retains its Elizabethan name: and a wharf on the east side of the river, at the point of crossing, belonging to the Earl of Aylesford, is known by the designation of the " Thrott Wharf." It is certain that the river at Radford is not now a ford, being deep water; but as it was anciently named a ford,