AYLESFORD, (Kent) on the r. Medway, 4 m. to the N. of Maidston, 6 S. of Rochester, and 28 from London, is the seat of the
Noble Ld. to whom it gives title of earl. The p. is divided by the r. The N. part, where the Ch. stands, in ancient
demesne, and has a constable of itself. The S. part, which contains the manors of Preston and Milhale, was given by K. H.
I. to the Ch. of Rochester. The manor of Aylesford (except the ancient demesne, which was in the crown) was the
inheritance of Osbert Gipford, in the R. of K. John, and from his family it passed to Ld. Grey of Codnor; but who were his
successors in it we know not, nor any thing more of his Lp. than that he founded a mon. in Aylesford-wood, which, after
the Ref. was given to Sir Tho. Wyat, whose son forfeiting it to the crown by his rebellion against Q. Mary, Q. Eliz. gave
it to Mr. Sidley, whose brother, Sir Will. erected a bridge, and an Hos. here in 1607, for six poor people, each to be
allowed 10 l. a year. Here is also a ch. s. and a Fair the 29th of June. Near this place, under the side of a hill, is a
heap of stone, resembling Stone-henge, on Salisbury-plain. The common people call it Keithcoty house.