Kearsley's Traveller's Entertaining Guide through Great Britain by G. Kearsley.(1801):
The rebellion of Wat Tyler began in this town. Here are the remains of a fine nunnery founded by Edward III. At the dissolution it was converted into a royal palace: but it was aliented by James I.: What remains is only a fine gateway, and some contiguous buildings used as a farm-house. The gateway is a stable for the farmer's house. The site of the abbey was where the garden and rick-yardare. The gardens and orchards were encompassed by a stone wall still entire. On the river Darent, upon which the town is seated, the first paper-mill in England was erected by Sir John Spelman; and on this river the first mill for fitting iron bars, for making wire was erected.
Inns: Bull, Rose, Bull and Geroge, Granby Head.
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