CHARLTON, (Kent) at the edge of Blackheath, in the road from Greenwich to Woolwich, is a pleasant village, noted for that
called Horn-Fair, on St. Lukes Day, when a frolicksom mob go thither, in procession, from London, &c. with horns of divers
kinds upon their heads, and used to commit great indecencies, which of late are much restrained. Not only horns, but wares
and toys of all sorts, made of horn, are sold at this fair; the origin of which was, according to tradition, this: viz.
One of our Ks. some say K. John, who had a palace at Eltham, being a hunting hereabouts, and separated from his
companions, entered a cottage here, and finding the mistress of it alone, took a liking to her, and having prevailed over
her, the husband came just in the critical minute, and threatening to kill them both, the K. was forced to compound with
gold for his safety, and moreover gave the man all the land from thence, as far as the place now called Cuckold's-Point,
beyond Rotherhith, upon which he established the Fair. A sermon is preach'd on the Fair-day, in its Ch. which is one of
the finest in the Co. and was beautified and repaired by Sir Edw. Newton, Bt. tutor to Prince Henry, son of K. James I.
who granted him this manor; and Sir Edward also built that ancient fine house, now the seat of the Earl of Egmont.