Halden, Rolvenden

Halden is an historic manor in the parish of Rolvenden in Kent, England. The manor house was later known as Halden Place and is a Grade II listed building.[1] It was the seat of the de Halden family until the death of John Halden without male progeny when his daughter and heiress brought it to the Guldeford (or Guildford, etc.), a member of whom she had married. Her grandson Sir John Guildford (1420–1493) (alias Guilford, Guldeford, etc.) of Halden was Comptroller of the Household to King Edward IV.[2] On 6 October 1487 he obtained royal licence to crenellate his house at Halden, together with other of his residences.[3] The arms of Guldeford quartering de Halden survive on the Christchurch Gate of Canterbury Cathedral, built in 1517.[4] Lady Jane Grey (c. 1537-1554), "the Nine Days' Queen", lived at Halden Place. Today the remains of Halden Place comprise a large farmhouse situated about a mile and a quarter north of Rolvenden Church. The arms of Guldeford survive sculpted in stone on the stable-block.

Christchurch Gate, Canterbury Cathedral, Kent, far left: Quarterly of 4: 1&4: Or, a saltire between four martlets sable (Guldeford); 2&3: Argent, a chief sable overall a bend engrailed gules (de Halden)