Edward Hasted 1799
The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent
Vol IV.
[p. 151]
THE MANOR OF WESTCOURT, alias BURNT-HOUSE
At the western boundary of this parish, styled in the antient Book of the Foedary of Kent, the manor of Westcourt, alias East Betshanger, and said in it to have been held of the late Monastery of St. Augustine by knights service. Forty acres of land, late parcel of this manor, was held of the above late Abbat, as was found after the death of Thomas Parker, anno 39 Elizabeth. But Westcourt itself was the property of Roger Litchfield, who died possessed of it in 1513, and in his will calls it a manor, since which it has always had the same owners as Great Betshanger, and is now possessed accordingly by the Rev. James Morrice.
About a quarter of a mile eastward from Westcourt, is Little Betshanger, above described. Upon the north-north east point of the open downs adjoining are the remains of a camp, formed for the forces which lay here, under the command of Captain Peke, to oppose the landing of the Spaniards, at the time of the Armada, in 1588. About a mile further southward from hence, over an open uninclosed country, is Stoneheap, a good farm, which has long had the same owners as Norborne Court (d).
[p. 151 footnote]
(d) It contains 400 acres and is tythe-free, being most probably part of the demesnes of Norborne manor. This estate takes tythes of corn and grain, 18 acres in Little Mongeham, belonging to Mr. John Boys, and 22 acres in Norborne, late belonging to Sir Edward Dering, bart. separate from it, but by what means I know not.