HAWKHURST, (Kent) near Benenden, a dependant on the manor of Wye, and with it bel. to Battle Abbey. The royalty and rents
were granted by Hen. VIII. to Sir John Baker, his Attorney-Gen, but his heir sold all his right and claim, in the R. of
James I. to Henry E. of Dover; of whom it was purchased by Sir Tho. Finch, ancestor of the present E. of Winchelsea; and
the court-baron is held here about Easter. 'Tis a very populous large p. and had, before the destruction of its Ch. in the
civil wars, 1400 communicants; but now it is full of poor, and noted for smugglers. It had a Mt. on Tu. by grant of K.
Edw. I. which has been long discontinued; and it had Fairs Aug. 10 and Feb. 12, but only the former is continued. Here
were also formerly 5 crosses, or watch-houses, and a beacon; but they are all demolished, except two.