To the Editor of the Every-Day Book.
Tenterden, February, 1826.
Sir,—I beg to enclose you a specimen of a Biddenden cake, and a printed account, which you may perhaps think worth insertion in the Every-Day Book.
The small town of Biddenden is about four miles from Tenterden, on the right of the road. It is at present populous, though the clothing manufacture, which first occasioned the increase of the population of this part of the county, in the reign of Edward III. when the Flemings first introduced it, has for many years failed here: several good houses, still remaining, discover the prosperity of the former inhabitants. The church is a handsome regular building, and its tower a structure of a considerable height and strength; a portion of the old part is still remaining. In this there is a free grammar school, endowed with a good house and garden, and a salary of 20l. per annum. Two maiden sisters left some land adjoining the glebe to the parish, of the rent of 20l. a year, which is held by the churchwardens, and distributed in bread to the poor on Easter-day. A representation of the donors is impressed on the leaves, and on the cakes, which were formerly thrown from the roof of the church.
In the high chancel against the north wall is a monument, with a bust in white marble, executed by Scheemaker, of sir John Norris, who died in 1749; admiral of the British fleets, and vice-admiral of England.
I am, &c.
J. J. A. F.
The “Biddenden cake,” transmitted through this obliging correspondent, appears to have been made some years ago, and carefully preserved; the “printed account” accompanying it, is “adorned” by a wood cut figure of the founders of the endowment, improved by the engraver from the impressions on the cakes. But, altogether setting aside that wood cut, the annexed [engraving] is an exact representation of the baker’s impress on the cake sent to the editor, and is of the exact size of the cake. A verbatim copy of the “printed account” on a half sheet of demy, circulated at this time, is subjoined to the present engraving.