OSPRING, (Kent) 2 m. S. W. of Feversham, was a part of the royal demesne, till K. Edw. III. granted it to John de
Poultney, afterwards Ld.-mayor of London, who held it in fee of the crown, by the yearly service of a rose. Mr. Poultney
was succeeded by Sir Nich. Lovain, with whose daughter it went in marriage to Philip St. Clere, whose posterity held it
till Edw. IV. not long after which, it was alienated to William Cheyney, whose grandson, Ld. Cheyney, passed it to Richard
Thornhill, whose descendants were, lately its proprietors. There are several manors in this p. which have been the
possessions of good families; and here was a mon. of the Kts. Templars. The T. is governed by a constable.