BENFLEET (SOUTH), a parish in the hundred of
BARSTABLE, county of ESSEX, 4 miles (S. W. by S.)
from. Rayleigh, containing 515 inhabitants. The living
is a discharged vicarage, in the archdeaconry of Essex,
and diocese of London, rated in the Ring's books at
£16. 5. 5., and in the patronage of the Dean and
Chapter of Westminster. The church is dedicated
to St. Mary. King Alfred, in the year 894, took and
B E N 141 B EN
destroyed a castle here, built by the celebrated Danish
pirate Resting. The creek called Hadleigh Key, or
Bay, from its passing by Hadleigh, runs up between
this place and Canvey island, and is navigable for
small craft; and the other creeks, entering from the
Thames round Benfleet, are noted for producing good
oysters.