is built of Kentish rag. This stone was, of course, waterborne. Allington is, I believe, the nearest point on a waterway leading to London where rag-stone can be quarried. Tradition asserts that Allington supplied the rag which constitutes the mass of the White Tower of London. Nothing is in the nature of things less improbable, and if that is true of the Norman tower it is equally true of the Roman wall. The existence of a Roman villa at this spot is thus comfortably accounted for.
   The name "Allington" is an unfortunate corruption. In Doomsday Book it is spelt "Elentun," the first syllable being pronounced as the first syllable in Aylesford, and representing the Celtic name for the Medway—the Eyle or Egle. Later on, throughout the Middle Ages, the name is generally spelt "Alynton," the "a" no doubt still being pronounced as in the word "fate." It was only in relatively recent years that the mis-spelling (and consequent still later mis-pronunciation) was adopted by attraction to that of the many other Allingtons that exist in different parts of the country. I wish it were possible to return to the

original form, but such returns are rarely accomplished.
   No Anglo-Saxon remains have been recorded at Allington, but Kilburne and other early writers record a tradition that there was here a Saxon fortress, and nothing is less unlikely, regard being had to the position of the ford. The tradition likewise recorded by Kilburne that the Danes destroyed this fortress is also probably respectable, for it is just where the Danes would have been likely to force a landing, and where some sort of fort probably would have been erected to keep the Danes away. But when Kilburne and Philipott assert that this fort was built by the Columbarii, or family of Columbers, they are no doubt, as we shall see, very premature.
   At the time of the Conquest Allington was held of Alnod Cilt by one Uluric. Whether, as Hasted imagines, Alnod Cilt was Ulnoth, fourth son of Earl Godwin, I cannot say. At all events, after the Conquest the land was confiscated and formed part of the va8t estates granted to the Con-