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KENT.
THe Region which we call Kent, extendeth it selfe in length, from West to East fifty miles, and from South to North 26. For scituation, it is not uniforme as being more plaine toward the West, and full of shady woods; but higher Eastward, by rea∣son of hils, mounting up with easie ascents. The Inhabitants [ B] distinguish it as it lyeth South-east-ward from the Tamis, into three plots or portions, they call them steps or degrees; the upper whereof, lying upon Tamis, they say is healthfull, but not so wealthy: the middle they account both healthfull,* 1.1 and plentifull: the lower they hold to bee weal∣thy, but not healthy: as which for a great part thereof is very moist, yet it bringeth forth ranke grasse in great plenty. Howbeit every where almost it is full of meadowes, pastures, and cornefields: abounding wonderfully in apple-trees, and cherrie-trees also, which being brought out of Pontus into Italie, in the 608. yeare after the foun∣dation of Rome,* 1.2 and in the 120. yeare after translated from thence into Britaine, pro∣sper heere exceeding well, and take up many plots of land: the trees being planted af∣ter [ C] a direct manner one against another by square, most pleasant to behold. It hath villages and townes standing exceeding thicke, and well peopled, safe rodes, and sure harbours for ships, with some veines of iron and marle: but the aire is somewhat thicke, and somewhere foggie, by reason of vapours rising out of the waters. At a word, the revenues of the Inhabitants are greater both by the fertilitie of the soile, and also by the neighbourhood of a great citie, of a great river, and the maine sea. The same commendation of civilitie and courtesie which Cesar in old time gave the In∣habitants, is yet of right due unto them: that I may not speake of their warlike prow∣esse, whereas a certaine Monke hath written,* 1.3 How the Kentishmen so farre excelled, that when our armies are ready to joyne battaile, they of all Englishmen, are worthily placed in the [ D] Front, as being reputed the most valiant and resolute souldiers. Which, Iohn of Salis∣burie, verifieth also in his Polycraticon. For good desert (saith he) of that notable valour, which Kent shewed so puissantly, and patiently against the Danes, it retaineth still unto these daies in all battailes the honour of the first and fore-ward, yea, and of the first conflict with the enemie. In praise of whom William of Malmesbury hath likewise written thus, The country people and towne-dwellers of Kent, above all other Englishmen retaine still the resent of their ancient worthinesse. And as they are more forward, and readier to give honour, and etertainment to others, so they be more slow to take revenge upon others.
* 1.4 Cesar (to speake briefly by way of Preface, before I come to describe the particular places) when he first attempted the conquest of our Island; arrived at this countrey; [ E] but being by the Kentish Britans, kept from landing, obtained the shore not without a fierce encounter. When he made afterward his second voyage hither, here likewise hee landed his armie: and the Britaines with their horsemen and wagons encountred them couragiously, but beeing soone by the Romans repulsed, they withdrew them∣selves into the woods. After this they skirmished sharpely with the Roman Cavallery in their march, yet so, as the Romans had every way the upper hand. Also, within a while after, they charged the Romans againe, and most resolutely brake through the midst of them, and having slaine Laberius Durus, Marshall of the field retired safe: and the morrow after set upon the Foragers, and victualers of the campe, &c. which I have briefly related before out of Cesars owne Commentaries. At which time, Cynge∣torix, [ F] Carvilius,* 1.5 Taximagulus, and Segonax were great Commanders of Kent (whom he, because he would be thought to have vanquished Kings, termeth Kings) whereas indeed they were but Lords of the countrey, or Noble men of the better marke.
After the Roman Empire was heere established, it was counted under the juris∣diction of the President of Britannia Prima. But the Sea coast which they termed