NEWENDEN, (Kent) has a bridge over the Rother, which here divides the Co. from Sussex, 4 m. S. E. of Cranbrook. It was anciently a famous city, and the chief place for strength in this side of the Co. till about 488; when the first K. of the South-Saxons besieged and took it by storm from the Britons, put them all to the sword, and razed it to the ground; but it was rebuilt in the R. of Edw. I. Here was a priory, the first of the Carmelite friars in England, founded anno 1241 by Sir Tho. Alcher; and in that part of this p. called Castle-Tall, there stood a castle, which was ruined by the Danes in 892. This T.-ship is governed by a bailiff, who is here as a constable is in other parts of the Co. and has under him an under bailiff, who acts here as a borsholder does in those parts. The Abp. of Canterbury once claimed this manor, but granted it to Hen. VIII. There was a harbour here formerly much frequented, for the r. falls 9 m. off into the harbour of Rye; but it is now a poor village, where an alehouse is the best house; and the Ch. which is ill-built, is out of repair. Roman coins hve been dug up here.