A LOCAL HISTORIAN LOOKS AT HARTLIP — No. 2.

The name of Queen Down Warren first appeared as Queen Down and subsequently had Warren attached to it when in fact rabbits were bred there. The name originated, not as commonly thought after Queen Elizabeth, but from Queen Eleanor, widow of Henry III. In 1273 she granted to the hospital of St. Katherine in London by Tower Bridge all her lands in Renham and Hertlepe in Kent and Roed in Hertfordshire. It was this act which gave the name of Queen Court in Rainham and Queen Down in Hartlip. The use of down, i.e. hill, is obvious to all who know this delightful stretch of country.

The tradition connecting Queen Elizabeth's name with Queen Down Warren was recorded in 1843 by H. G. Fausset Osborne. He wrote that Henry Hales, born in "The Cradles" Hartlip, told him of the tradition as it was told to him by his grandmother that there was a burglary at the "Cradles" in Queen Elizabeth's time. The burglars killed all the inmates except one boy who slipped into the ash hole under the large oven in the kitchen and hid there.

He afterwards escaped and gave information which led to the capture of the men. They were sentenced to be chained together to starve to death in the old lime kiln at Hartlip. Queen Elizabeth was said to be interested, came down and granted the condemned men a farthing loaf each to prolong their misery. Hence it was said, Queen Down Warren obtained its name.

This tradition is based on a true occurrence for from an old manuscript book H. G. Faussett Osborne wrote "Henry Howell and his wife were murdered at Queendown and ye house burned down by three Irishmen 28 December 1632".

The picturesque detail about Queen Elizabeth must be rejected. She died thirty years before this tragedy.

R.A.B.

HARTLIP

Conversation piece. Overheard in the park last week - Small boy aged five discussing future with younger brother: "I want to be an engine driver when I grow up". Younger brother, after long thought, drawing himself up: "I want to be God".

FROM THE HARTLIP KITCHENS

Cracknell Pudding

1/2 lb flour.
1/2oz butter or dripping.
1 teaspoonful baking powder.
1 teaspoonful castor sugar.
1 egg, little milk to moisten.

Mix flour, sugar and baking powder well together - rub in butter and add beaten egg and milk.

Drop small pieces in boiling dripping and cook about ten minutes. Serve with golden syrup.

Cornish Heavy Cake

6 oz flour.
4 oz lard or dripping.
Currants, sultanas, salt and water to mix.

Rub fat into flour and add fruit. Mix as for short pastry. Roll out on floured board, 2 inch thick. Score across. Bake until brown.

E.M.D.