TONGE, (Kent) 1 m. and half E. from Milton, has the ruins of a castle, said to have been built by Hengist the Saxon
general, pursuant to a grant from the British K. Vortigern, of as much ground to build a seat on as he could inclose with
a bull's hide, which he therefore cut into very small thongs, from whence came the name of the castle, which was
afterwards the seat of the Badlesmeres. It was forfeited to the crown in the R. of Henry IV. and granted by Henry VI. to
Sir Thomas Brown of Beachworth-Castle, whose son, Sir George, in the R. of Edw.IV. surrendered it back to the crown, for
the use of that K's. mother, Cecily the Countess dowager of York, after whose decease it reverted to the crown, and was by
Edw. VI. granted to Sir Ralph Vane, who sold it to Sir Rowland Clark, and he to Solomon Wilkins, from which family it was
conveyed in the R. of Q. Eliz. to William Pordage of Rodmersham, and has been since enjoyed by his heirs. N.B. The reader
will find such another grant from the same K. in Castor.