Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1793 edition. Excerpt: ...to the north, eastward of Aylesford, on an eminence, stands the rude and inexplicable monument of antiquity, called Kit's CoitY-house: it is, with other buildings of the same class, in this country, generally allowed to be a sepulchral monument; and that this pile was erected ps a testimony of respect to the memory of Catigern, brother to the King of Britain he was slain in single combat with Horsa, the Saxon, in 455, who likewise fell in this sharp conflict: Horsa was buried at a place about four miles distant, denominated Horstead; (probably from the name of the hero, ) where a number of large stones mark the place of that memorable rencounter. Kit's Coity-house consists of four large stones of the pebble kind; the biggest of which is eight feet high, and is conjectured ed to weigh about eight tons and a half. Neither of them appears to have any mark of the chisel. About sixty or seventy yards from these stones y I am informed, there formerly lay another of nearly the fame size, which may possibly have originally enclosed the eastern part of the fabric that is now open. This stone was buried in the earth a few years, since, for the. convenience of agriculture, by Mr. ( ) which is about two miles distant from Maidstone. This venerable ruin, though within a few yards of the river, is by the range of trees on its bank, nearly excluded from the view. As a picturesque object upon our stream this is a circumstance much to be regretted; and, indeed, its general situation is so circumscribed, as to render it difficult to select a favourable point: I flatter myself however the sketch will be thought to give the most comprehensive idea of this once famous place of defence. This Castle is reported to have been built soon after the Conquest by Earl..
