Monument record TQ 66 SE 12 - Beacon

The first reference to beacons in Kent is an order of 1326. (a) After 1640 they were allowed to drop out of use. A beacon to the NW of Birling, bearing the name of the village, is shown on (see Illus card), William Lambarde's 'Carde' of c1570 showing 52 beacons in Kent.Birling beacon is shown being intervisible with those at Ightham, Coxheath, Allhallow, Hoo, Grain and Chatham. (1) Ref. to a beacon at 'Birlinge' temp. EDW III. (2) TQ 66826284 The summit of Holly Hill at 642 ft OD is well pronounced and very suitable for a beacon site although no corrobarative evidence was visible on the round. It is the highest point hereabouts and although woods now restrict the view it is probably the only point in the vicinity of Birling (although actually just in Halling Ph.) which would be intervisable with the other beacon sites mentioned in 1. (3)

<1> Rymer 20 Ed II Aug x (OS Card Reference). SKE49354.

<2> Arch Cant 46 1934 The Beacon System in Kent plate 77 (White) (OS Card Reference). SKE35209.

<3> Ightham Story of a Kentish Village 1907 72-3 (Bennett) (OS Card Reference). SKE44203.

<4> F1 CFW 27-AUG-58 (OS Card Reference). SKE42778.

<5> Field report for monument TQ 66 SE 12 - August, 1958 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3557.