Swanscombe, who was strongly for the Parliament and no less strongly for Sir Anthony Weldon, discord was inevitable.
   In 1643, the same year in which Richard Culmer, perched on occasion on a ladder, busied himself with destroying the glories of Canterbury Cathedral, the Committee were ordered by the Parliament to administer to every person of age in the county a ‘Sacred Vow and Covenant’; it was to be done in the parish churches under the supervision of the ministers, assisted by the churchwardens. This was the covenant to assist the Parliamentary forces that the rector of Ightham refused to subscribe.
   Within days of the ‘murder’ of the Ightham parishioner who was endeavouring to prevent the rector’s arrest, the neighbourhood was up in arms and 

the revolt quickly spread further afield. A proclamation that all who took the Covenant were traitors was received with great acclamation, posted on church doors and read by clergy from their pulpits. Some members of the Committee were arrested, others were foiled in their attempt to reach the Committee’s temporary meeting place at Wrotham. For a time, prospects were bright indeed, but as hopes of help from without the county faded, the rebel forces were reduced to a hard core and, retreating from Sevenoaks to Tonbridge, were there defeated. Some of the leaders were imprisoned and their estates sequestered, others were fined and a few clergy were ejected, but in general, to Sir Anthony Weldon’s regret, punishment was not condign. In one respect the rebels achieved their purpose; virtually, the