THE history of Adisham dates back to A.D. 616, when we find that the Manor of Adisham or Edisham was given by Eadbald, King of Kent, son of King Ethelbert, to the Monks of Christ Church, Canterbury, "ad cibum," free from all secular services and fiscal tribute except the well-known "trinoda necessitas," the exception usually made in all the Saxon grants of church lands. This explains the L.S.A. which frequently occurs in the grants made to the church of Canterbury, where, instead of enumerating the privileges and liberties intended to be granted, it was usual to insert the letters L.S.A., that is, "Libere Sicut Adisham."
   The church itself is full of architectural interest. It is cruciform, with a central tower, and has been admirably restored in 1869 under the direction of William White, Esq., F.S.A.; and it may be here mentioned as of special interest to the Kent Archaeological Society that their former Secretary, T. Godfrey Faussett, Esq., gave great attention to the work of restoration throughout its whole progress. 

A painted glass window has been placed to his memory in the chancel bearing the following inscription written by the Ven. Archdeacon Denison:—
   "Thomæ G. Godfrey Faussett Cantuariensis A.M. Coll: Corp: Ch: Oxoniæ olim socii viri penitus exquisiti et perspecti ingenii qui pro suo erga christum amore, operi hujus domus renovandæ reficiendæ que, Sagaciter et diligenter incubuit Posuit Amicus MDCCCLXXXVII."
   The church is dedicated to the Holy Innocents, and one of the first features to attract attention is the fall from the west door to the first steps of the altar, the descent to the floor of the nave is by four steps; the floor itself then falls by a slight incline to the chancel, into which there is a further descent by two steps. It will be remembered perhaps by some how Durandus, speaking of churches so built, says that it was done, "to denote the greater humility of the clergy:" in a more prosaic age we are inclined to attribute it to