GILLINGHAM, (Kent) 3 m. below Chatham, and on the same side of the Medway. The manor always bel. to the Abps. of
Canterbury, who had a fine palace here; but its Ch. was given, by Hen. I. to the mon. of Shepey-Island. It had once a Mt.
on Th. and a Fair Sept. 14, which held a week, and was procured by Peckham, Abp. of Canterbury, in the R. of Edw. I. Part
of Chatham-Dock is in this p. and here is a castle well furnished with guns, that commands the r. there being no less than
170 embrazures for cannon; which would stop the progress of any enemy, that should happen to make way by Sheerness-Fort,
before they could reach Chatham. Here are also copperas-works. At this place 600 Norman gentlemen, who came over in the
retinue of the two princes Alfred and Edward, were all barbarously murdered by Earl Godwin.