MEREWORTH, (Kent) a large p. by a stream that runs into the Medway bet. Hadlow and Maidston, gave name to an ancient
family, who held the manor near 200 years; and then it descended to the Malmains, Mohuns, and Brambers, who built a house
here, like a little castle; which from the Es. of Arundel passed to the Nevils Lds. Abergavenny; and from them to the
Despensers, whose heir was the Lady Mary Fane, created by K. James I. Baroness Despenser. This T. is held in chivalry, by
an entire knight's fee, and has the grant of a free-warren and park. One of the Mereworths obtained a Mt. and a Fair here
on August 10, both long since disused. The T. is rich, and filled with gentry, who have many seats hereabouts for 10 m.
round, and often meet here. The E. of Westmoreland has a fine seat here, designed by Colin Campbel, in imitation of a
house in Italy, built by the famous Palladio; and near it stands the Ch. lately rebuilt, chiefly at his Lp's. expence.