Monumental Brasses in Kent
Historical evidence comes in many forms: written records, memories, landscapes, artifacts, and memorials.
Kent has more remaining brasses showing the human form than any other county, almost 400. All parts of the county provide examples. Particularly numerous series are at Lydd, Dartford, Margate, Biddenden, and Cobham, the last having more brasses than any other church in the world. In addition, there are some 350 inscriptions without effigies. The period covered is wide. An early head of a priest at Ashford may date from the late 1200s, while the last brass made before the 19th century revival shows Benjamin Greenwood in his Georgian frock coat of 1773 at St. Mary Cray.
Evidence exists to be used. Brasses show us the evolution of language among the articulate classes with Norman French on early inscriptions at Cobham and Mereworth. From the late 14th century onwards, Latin becomes the normal language to be supplanted gradually by the English of Piers Plowman and Chaucer, evolving to the usage of the 18th century.
Calligraphy students were studying the Lombardic lettering on a fine brass in King's Lynn when I visited recently. Students in Kent would find the same lovely medieval lettering at East Wickham, Cobham, and Cliffe at Hoo (where only the letter shapes remain). By 1350, another alphabet was superseding the Uncial or Lombardic. Black letter scripts were at first somewhat rounded as at Saltwood in 1370. By 1426, the inscription of Richard Ecclesly at East Peckham was straight lined as it would remain throughout the century. The late Tudor period showed a more rounded but still Black Letter script as at Nonnington, next Sittingbourne. At Boughton under Blean, a 1591 inscription to Cyriac Pettitt provides another example of the script together with a few words in Roman lettering which by the time of James Craddock's cross at Ightham in 1626 was in general use.
Evidence of theological change is also shown by brasses and absence of brasses. The total absence from Canterbury and Rochester cathedrals is not the work of time and wear alone. The remaining indents provide clues that the iconography of many brasses was not acceptable to Protestant thinking. Memorials of monks and nuns vanished with the dissolution of the monastic houses in the period 1530-40. A clue to what had been was recently provided by the recovery of a single letter from a former brass at Lillichurch Priory, Lower Higham. At Cobham, Dame Joan offers indulgence to those saying appropriate prayers for her soul. Numerous inscriptions begin with 'orate pro anima', a sentiment unlikely to commend itself to Puritan England. The prayers to saints clearly seen at Upper Hardres where John Strete asks for the help of St. Peter and St. Paul were also a feature of medieval piety made obsolete by the new thinking. Realistic representation of bodily decay accorded better with Reformation teaching. Were Richard Notfield's skeleton of 1446 at Margate or Joan Marey's at Sheldwich, 1441, in a shroud following the new pattern of realism or are they evidence of the survival of Lollardy in Kent?
Differences of manufacture are represented in Kent. The beautiful brasses at Minster in Sheppey are probably of Flemish workmanship. London workshops, however, were responsible for the great majority of Kentish brasses. These range in quality from the restrained dignity of the early knights at Addington and Seal to the later down-market products at Snodland and Brenchley. A workshop probably functioned at Canterbury between 1525 and 1555. Its products, in which Kent can take little pride, can be seen at Mersham and Leeds among many other places.
Easier to recognize are sequences of the costume of men and women, from East Wickham in 1325 to St. Mary Cray in 1773. The quite extraordinary styles of ladies' head-dresses and the rapid change in men's dress in Tudor times are features of particular interest. No less fascinating is the evolution of armour. That of Sir William Septvans, 1325, at Chartham, is not so very different from the armour shown on the Bayeux Tapestry. At Ulcombe, Sir Ralph St. Leger wears plate armour at its most exaggerated. The fine brass of Sir Edward Filmer at East Sutton shows armour of the Civil War period in great detail. Space restricts mention of the interest brasses hold for art historians, genealogists, and students of heraldry.
Any or all of these facets of this Kentish treasury provide a reason for a series of summer journeys of discovery to include the more remote and least known corners of the county.
A sample of brasses from Kent and almost every other county in England can be seen at my exhibition at Rochester Cathedral (South Transept) from June 1st - 7th inclusive. Philip Lawrence
Martello Towers on the South Kent Coast: The Evolution of the Towers
This article is the result of an investigation which I began many years ago and started with the Martello Tower at Eastbourne. This tower caught my attention and prompted me to discover more about the history of these towers for my own interest. Among the many types of coast defenses built over the centuries, the Martello towers are the most historically and architecturally interesting. However, an article of this nature does not lend itself to a complete analysis of all the south coast defenses, and is therefore an attempt to gather documentary evidence relating to Martello towers on the south coast of Kent. It has been suggested that the name 'Martello' instead of 'Martella' is of Italian origin. The word means 'myrtle' in Italian but to the English military men the sound was very like Martello. From contemporary dispatches, it is clear that there were several versions of the word before it was universally accepted as Martello.
The classic period for Martello tower building was the Napoleonic era. No doubt the readers of this article are all too familiar with the historical background and the war with France which lasted almost continuously from 1793 to 1815.
The design of the Martello tower was inspired by the tower at Martella Point on the Island of Corsica which was occupied by the French Army (ironically the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte). In 1794 the British Fleet sailed into the gulf of San Fiorinzo and prepared to capture the Island. Two ships bombarded the tower but were forced to withdraw after sustaining serious damage and many casualties. It was finally captured by the army under Sir David Dundas which landed further along the coast. Even then it took two days of continuous firing by a battery of four guns before the tower surrendered. The navy and army officers who had served in the Corsican campaign were very impressed by the tower's strength. Sir David Dundas reported the Martella action to his superiors and suggested that similar towers might be constructed for the defense of the English coast.
In the Autumn of 1796, the British withdrew from Corsica and the Martella Point tower was blown up. Fortunately, an amateur artist made some sketches of the tower which included the layout of the armament on the roof. However, the government was not going to be rushed into anything and it was not until December 1803 that a young Royal Engineer officer, Captain W.H. Ford, proposed a chain of towers or sea fortresses along the Kent and Sussex coasts built at short intervals in order that the gunfire crossed at almost point-blank range. Ford submitted his proposals to the Commanding Engineer of the Southern District, Brigadier General William Twiss, an expert in military defense works. Twiss agreed with Ford's recommendations which he passed on to General Sir David Dundas who had been present when the Martella Point Tower had been captured.
Due to opposition on all sides including the army, it was fifteen months before Ford's plan was finally approved. William Pitt emerged from retirement in May 1804 and returned to power as Prime Minister. He was then the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports and living at Walmer Castle and was very keen to build the Martello Towers. There is no doubt that but for his interest the towers would never have been built.
In the summer of 1804, Twiss surveyed the south coast between Beachy Head in Sussex and Dover. His aim was to examine the ground and decide the best position for the towers. Because there was widespread opposition to the project the Privy Council decided to hold a conference on coastal defense at Rochester in October 1804. The Rochester conference approved the building of the Martello Towers, but they were to be circular and not square as proposed by Ford. The number of towers to be built was changed several times and there were still arguments over design and armament. During this period the Government was having problems persuading landowners to part with their land. The latter wished to sell it but the Government preferred to have the land on a 99-year lease. All these negotiations caused delay and it was not until April 1805 that the building of the south coast towers began, nearly two years after Ford had suggested them. When work was finished in 1808, seventy-four Martello Towers had been erected along the south coast. The garrison of each tower consisted of twenty or thirty men and one officer. The tower contained two stories, the lower one for ammunition and provisions and the upper, the living quarters (see sketch).
Construction of the South Coast Towers
It was finally decided that the forts were to be smaller than the one at Martella Point. They were approximately 33 feet high from ground level to the top of the parapet, with a base diameter of 45 feet. The main feature of the towers was the massive walls which were constructed of brick covered externally with cement and sand rendering. The Royal Engineers carried out several experiments before construction began. They fired cannonballs at the walls until the necessary strength was achieved. This was obtained by bedding the bricks in a special hot lime mortar which was extremely difficult to break. The walls on the seaward side were approximately 13 feet thick at the base. The towers had an 'upturned flower-pot profile'. This slight batter was obtained by decreasing the thickness of the external walls from the base to the top of the parapet. The foundations also supported a large circular brick column which was the main structural feature of the interior. The column was 5 feet in diameter from the ground to the first floor and supported the first-floor joists and the vaulted roof. Entrance to the first floor was through a door 20 feet from the ground on the landward side of the tower with a retractable ladder which could be drawn up into the tower for security. The roof was vaulted and several feet thick, the upper surface being covered with lead. It had to support the traversing gun (24 pounder) behind a 6 feet thick parapet wall.
Distribution of the Kent Coast Towers
Of the twenty-seven towers built on the Kent coast between 1805 and 1808, only sixteen have survived. For identification purposes, the towers were numbered from east to west starting with No. 1 at East Wear Bay to the west of Folkestone and ending with No. 27 at St. Mary's Bay. Towers 1 to 9 are still standing but are in various states of disrepair. Some have been kept in good condition while others have been neglected. Next came a line of low-level towers in front of Hythe Nos. 10 to 21. They were equally spaced at the recommended 600-yard intervals. Nos. 10, 11, and 12 were demolished in the last century to make way for various building projects and road improvements. Tower No. 13 stands at the end of West Parade, Hythe and has been converted into a private house. It is well-preserved and its cannon is mounted in the garden facing West Parade, although this may not be the original.
When a second French invasion was anticipated in 1830, many of the south coast towers were rearmed. Nos. 14 and 15 are near the Fisherman's beach on the West side of Hythe and together with No. 19 are easily recognizable. Nos. 16 to 21 have either disappeared or reduced to rubble. Nos. 22 and 23 were in Hythe Road, Dymchurch to protect the Willop Sluice. No. 22 was demolished for road improvements in 1956. No. 23 was recently restored and the inside is still in its original condition. The roof was repaired and made watertight in 1966 and is in the care of English Heritage. The tower is open to the public during the summer months. Internally, there are several displays describing the historical background of Martello Towers. No. 25 stands in the middle of a car park. It has been recently restored externally and a new roof constructed in place of the old vaulted arch. Nos. 26 and 27 have both been demolished - No. 26 in 1871 and No. 27 in 1841. The numbers usually consist of Roman numerals on a stucco tablet fixed into the wall above the entrance door.
Conclusion
After the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo, the emergency for which the towers had been built was finally over but none of them had ever fired a shot in anger. They soon became unpopular both with the army and the local people. From about 1812, it was decided to use them as signaling stations for naval and military messages. They were also used as coastguard stations. This was in order to combat smuggling which was prevalent on the south coast when the towers were built. Finally, they became obsolete by the development in artillery and the Government rid itself of the responsibility by putting some up for sale while others were left to deteriorate and eventually reduced to rubble.
The threat of invasion occurred again in the second world war and some of the Martello Towers which were in reasonable condition were brought back into use. Some were used as observation posts and even had guns mounted on the roof.
During the 1960s the public together with various historical societies took an interest in the historical significance of the Martellos. The best known Martello to be restored and opened to the public is Tower No. 73 at Eastbourne, known as the Wish Tower. In 1959 the tower was about to be demolished but fortunately the Minister of Public Works declared it an Ancient Monument. It contained an interesting exhibition inside but unfortunately it is now closed to the public.
Edward A. Noy
Arthur's Last Battle
In 1963, John Evan gave an account of what is known from Nennius about the Arthurian campaign against the Saxons, and put forward his reasons for thinking that this campaign might well have taken place in Kent. In the previous campaign (AD 455-473) the Saxons had been fought at the river crossings along the Roman roads but although we have the names of the sites of the ten battles of the Arthurian campaign, it has proved impossible to identify these from Nennius' obscure terminology, though again it seems possible that some were fought along the roads and river crossings, i.e. places where armies could have easy access.
The last battle of the campaign was noted by Nennius as taking place at Mount Badon (which he names as Badonis or Hadonis) and was an overwhelming victory for the Kings of the Britons, led by Arthur, who was described as Dux bellorum.
After such an important victory, it seemed just possible that folk memory might have preserved the site for a while and (without too much hope) it seemed just worth while to look at Domesday Book for this. The names of sites in this are often very different from the modern spelling of the same name and the English translation gives no obvious help, but a final look through the original version found the name staring at me - HADONE (which in the modern English version had been concealed as "Haven"), being two small portions, both leased out by the 'Bishop of Bayeux', together forming land for 1'/2 ploughs, with 6 acres of pasture. 'Hadon fee' has long been a part of the Cobham Hall Estate, lying just to the South of Watling Street with an ancient trackway leading to it from Cobham, which still bears the name of Battle Street. The local name for the Hadon area is 'The Mount.'
I should add that a bit further to the West on the other side of Watling Street lies Claylane Wood, where in 1825 skeletons clad in armour of leather and metal were dug up, but as the skeletons were re-buried there and the Mayor of Gravesend melted down the armour, we have no evidence about the origin of these, and the most popular opinion seems to be that they probably dated from the time of the Civil War.
However, I suggest that the Mount at Cobham requires serious consideration in terms of the site of Mount Badon. The Mount lies in the proposed line for the proposed high-speed rail-link, so that any disturbance of the land surface there ought to be accompanied by a very serious archaeological survey.
J. F. D. Frazer
Visual Records Group
Are there any members who have or know of someone who has a photographic collection that would be of interest to the K.A.S.?
We do have large gaps in our collection, for example - from around 1955 to the 1980s there are no photographs or slides of buildings, archaeological excavations, finds, etc. What about your local groups? You must have some!
We are also thinking of starting a K.A.S. Photographic Club to help and train members in Archaeological photography. Any members who feel they are able to help in taking photographs at excavations, building recording, etc. please contact the Visual Records Group.
If enough members come forward, we would also like to undertake projects and arrange photographic outings. For example, we could do with up-to-date photographic records of all Kent villages in the 90s. Also, photographing 'Rectories'. These old buildings are fast disappearing by being turned into private houses, restaurants, or even being pulled down. Also, Victorian Churches, even some of these are being demolished. For example, St. Mary the Virgin, Burham, built in 1881, demolished in 1950. Has anyone any photographs of this building? If so, we would like to see them.
Videos - we have started a local history/archaeological video collection which is available to members. They may be collected from the Museum (Maidstone) on Wednesday (10am - 1pm) and kept for 7/14 days. We have four at the moment. 1. A look at old Snodland., 2. Medieval Churches of Romney Marsh., 3. Time Capsules - No.1. (Four Churches in West Kent), 4. History of Yalding Parish Council 1894-1994.
If any member has any videos or knows of a local history video not on our List, please contact the V.R.G. Should members wish to purchase any of the above videos, please consult the V.R.G. for details.
Some seventeen members have come forward in response to my last note in the K.A.S. January Newsletter for help with the Exhibitions for 1995 and also help in general with the cataloguing.
Iane Foreman for Visual Records Group
Books
Editor's Note: We are fortunate to have so many talented authors amongst our membership. I am delighted to bring to readers' attention the following three recently published books by K.A.S. members.
A BRIDGE OVER THE STREAM, EAST PECKHAM, 1894 - 1994. by Margaret Lawrence. 36 pages of text with 80 photographs, old and new, recording one hundred years of village life. The book was written to celebrate the centenary of East Peckham Parish Council, which has dedicated the profits to East Peckham School.
Based on both probable sources - Vestry Records, Parish Council Minutes, Census Returns - and improbable sources - the memories of a man born the same month that Parish Councils were inaugurated who lived to celebrate his centenary, through children's eyewitness accounts of the 1987 hurricane.
Photographic reproduction is professional and is supported by children's delightful light graphics. Price: £5 (plus p&p 67p.) from village shops or the author, Mrs. M. Lawrence.
PLAXTOL, WITHIN LIVING MEMORY, A collection of Memories by Village People, Edited by Molly Lewis. Produced by the Plaxtol Local History Group, this 72-page book draws on the experiences and memories of a cross-section of Plaxtol residents. Price: £3.95, copies may be obtained from Mrs. Vanessa Albertini.
GEORGIAN TONBRIDGE, A new book on the History of Tonbridge. Published by the Tonbridge Historical Society, Georgian Tonbridge is a compilation of six essays presenting the results of research into particular aspects of the town or surrounding area in this important period, together with an in-depth introduction by the editor, Dr. C. W. Chalklin. Price: £6 (this covers p&p), it is available from David Hardy (Cheque payable to 'Tonbridge Historical Society).
THE DIARIES OF WILLIAM BENGE (1837 - 1847) Researched by David R. Oliver. The contents of this handsome book are based on the original diary owned by our member, Mr. W. Lapthorne, who made it available for study and publication. As a work of local history, it is unique in its rare contemporary prints, some of which have never been in print before. Limited to 500 copies, this hardback book contains many illustrations and an invaluable record of early Victorian Broadstairs. Copies may be obtained, Price £10 plus £1 p&p from: Mr. D. R. Oliver.
THE IRON INDUSTRY IN THE WEALD. The Merton Priory Press will be republishing in April a revised second edition of this book by David Crossley and Henry Cleere. When first published in 1985, it cost £47.50. The new edition, also in hardback and with more pages, will be £24.95. Further inquiries should be made from Philip Riden, Merton Priory Press Ltd. 7 Nant Fawr Road, Cardiff CF2 6JQ.
Letters
Editor's Note: In publishing the following letter from Mr. Don Coast I would like to add my personal appreciation for all the work he does (and has done) for the K.A.S. - not just as a highly efficient arranger of lectures but in the hundred and one responsibilities he takes on with quiet modesty and unfailing cheerfulness.
TO ALL K.A.S. MEMBERS
The culmination of our third year of K.A.S. Lectures (1992/5) is now in sight and it is with a mix of regret and relief that I lay down my baton. My remit from the President was to organise talks county-wide and from my original list of venues only Herne Bay and Sheppey have been excluded.
It is perhaps invidious to refer to individual speakers, all of whom have made the task enjoyable, but I must share the audiences' pleasure in our three 1994/5 women speakers - Mary Scott at Wrotham, Vicky Golding at Canterbury (despite the cramped accommodation) and Margaret Roake at Stone (almost as crowded).
I must, too, express my thanks to those in the audiences who have helped with tea-making and the preparation and clearing after meetings. Not least, my heartfelt thanks to Arthur Forknall, who has, indeed, been my right-hand man, selling tickets, and self-effacingly preparing tea and doing other kitchen chores.
All good wishes to my successor! Please give him or her the generous support that I have enjoyed.
Don Coast.
VACANCY!
Our President would dearly like to hear from a member or members who would undertake the organisation of lectures for the 1995/6 season. A resolute couple might well undertake the work. Prospective candidates are invited to phone Don Coast after 18.00 hrs. to learn what the job entails.
MYSTERY OF THE MISSING GLASS
I am researching into the history of early Medieval Britain and for some time I have been trying to trace Anglo-Saxon glass vessels from Kent. My search has taken me to all parts of Kent, and to many venues throughout the country. Mostly, my discoveries have been made in museum collections but there are some items which are known to have been held in private collections in local houses. These are often located near to an excavated Anglo-Saxon cemetery, such as a vicarage or a manor house. One such location lies in the village of Eastry, at Brook House, where before the 1920s a group of two glass vessels of Anglo-Saxon origin and two Jutish pottery vessels were known to have been held by the then owners. These vessels are recorded items and photographs are in existence. Since the house changed hands in the late 1920s, no trace of these vessels has been found and it is presumed that they are now lost. The present owner has no knowledge of these items and was unaware of their existence until I recently approached them and made enquiries. I hope, in writing this letter, to jog the memory of any reader who might be able to help me solve this mystery and any information, however insignificant it may seem, will be greatly welcomed. Please contact or write to me.
Win Stephens
HUGUENOT REFUGEES
For many years in Biddenden there has been a tradition that Huguenot refugees lived and weaved cloth in the 17th-century timbered houses on the South side of the High Street. This story probably derives from Charles Igglesden's 'A Saunter through Kent with Pen and Pencil', moreover the houses were built during the period when the Wealden Wool Industry was in terminal decline, so on the face of it, it is an unlikely story. However, research in the Centre for Kentish Studies has produced a lease of 1689, mentioning one THOMAS TOSSON, Gent. as lately owning the houses. It is possible TOSSON is an anglicised version of Tousaintes, however one M. TOUSAINTES of Pauce, a minister, was listed as a refugee at Rye on the night of 28th, March, 1569 (SAC, XTII, 1861, p.180- 208). Despite extensive searches the name TOSSON does not seem common to Kent, however it is possible he was a London merchant.
Has any member of the Society, possibly researching Huguenots come across TOSSON, TOWSON, TOUSAINTES, or any other variation of this name? Alec and Daphne Miles.
A Request From The Library
We are pleased to report that the current programs of conservation, cataloging, enlargement of the Local History Section and the establishment of a major source of historical visual records are now all well underway. Not only has this resulted in increased attendances but also increased requests for advice and the provision of material for exhibitions, e.g. from Parish Councils, Churches, Castles and potential authors and publishers. Some of this provides income, all generates awareness of what our Society can offer, to say nothing of the increased number of donations of material.
All this positive activity is to be welcomed but please remember we are volunteers and our present accommodation is manifestly far too small to house our collections, let alone to serve as office and assembly point for material awaiting shelving, storage, transport to the County Archives etc.
Until the Society can get more space and so reward our efforts, we ask for your tolerance and appreciation of what is freely available rather than what is yet to be achieved. This is an opportunity for the undersigned to place on record the creative work of so many who, without fuss and mere time-consuming talk, have given so freely of their expertise and effort.
Peter Draper Hon. Librarian
You can Help the Society's Work
You may wish to consider including a legacy to the Society in your will. As the Society is a registered charity, the legacy would be exempt from inheritance tax. Legacies provide charities with very valuable additional resources. Guidance may be obtained from The Hon. General Secretary, Mr. A. I. Moffat, who can supply a leaflet and any other further guidance required, which will be given in confidence.
Fieldwork Grants
Are you planning an excavation or fieldwork within the county of Kent during 1996? Grants are available from tL 1 KAS to assist with work carried out by Affiliated Societies or individual members. Applications on appropriate form (obtainable from Hon. General Secretary, Andrew Moffat by 1st October 1995.
The Hon. Editor welcomes all letters, articles and communications and would particularly like to receive more from members and others, especially requests for research information, finds, books and related topics. The Editor wishes to draw readers' attention to the fact that neither the Council of the KAS, nor the Editor is answerable for opinions which contributors may express in the course of their signed articles. Each author is alone responsible for the contents and substance of their letters, items or papers. Material for the next Newsletter should be sent by 1st, July 1995 to Hon. Editor, Nesta Caiger.
Published by the Kent Archaeological Society, The Museum, St. Faith's Street, Maidstone, Kent. ME141LH.
Printed by Delta Press, Crayford Industrial Estate, Swaisland Drive, Crayford DAI 4HT. Typesetting by Janset 0181-301 2856.
Events, Outings, Lectures
K.A.S. LECTURES. 1995/6. Programme will be sent with next Newsletter. (Sept.)
K.A.S. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.
Dover will be the location of our next Annual General Meeting on Saturday, 20th May 1995. The meeting will be held in the morning at Dover College, and there will be a visit to places of interest in Dover during the afternoon. Details will be sent to members in April. The Society would welcome displays by groups or individuals of their work and/or publications. Enquiries should be made to the Hon. General Secretary, Mr A.I. Moffat.
K.A.S. SUMMER EXCURSIONS 1995. There will be three excursions this Summer.
(1) An all-day coach excursion on Saturday, August 5th will visit Coggeshall, Essex, to see the Great Barn and Paycock's House (both N.T.) and the privately owned monastic ruins and chapel.
(2) An excursion to Deal and particularly the buildings to be vacated by the Royal Marines' School of Music is being arranged for early July or September.
(3) In preparation.
Details, on receipt of a S.A.E., will be sent by the Hon.
Excursions Secretary, Joy Saynor.
EXHIBITION OF BRASSES. To be held in the South Transept of Rochester Cathedral from June 1st - 7th inclusive, by our member Mr. Philip Lawrence, whose article on brasses appears in this Newsletter.
KENT COUNTY SHOW at DETLING on 13th, 14th & 15th July 1995.
The Council at their meeting on 3rd December 1994 approved expenditure on an exhibition by the Society at the 1995 Kent County Show at Detling. The project had been mooted for a number of years and in promoting it the Membership and Publicity Committee trust that such an exhibition will involve wide public interest and, if for no other reason, stimulate attendance by members to this excellent venue. Within the time and space available we hope to present: Photographic displays, Demonstrations of Flint Knapping, Video presentation of the Society's aims and achievements and other video use, Short lecture each day, 'Hands-on' materials, Display of Artefacts, Society Publications, Sales Goods and other books on sale.
It is also hoped that the Canterbury Archaeological Trust and the Dover Bronze Age Boat Trust will take part. The show is open from 10 am to 6 pm on each of the three days. Parking is free but may involve a long walk to the entrance.
Full details of the Society's programme of events will be available at the A.G.M. at Dover on 20th May. Copies may also be obtained from Don Coast from 1st May onwards. Please enclose a S.A.E. with your request.
Saturday, 7th October 1995. Day Conference arranged by the Fieldwork Committee. To be held at Wye College. Theme of conference - Linear Archaeology, (the Archaeology in advance of modern road, rail and pipeline construction) Full details in September Newsletter.
KENT HISTORY SEMINAR 1995
Saturday, 13th May. The Development of Kentish Towns, 1650 - 1750 by Dr. Jacqueline Bower. Please phone Dr. Shirley Black for further details.
LOWER MEDWAY ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH GROUP (Lectures) Meetings take place in the Function Room, The King's Head, High St., Rochester, and start at 8 pm. Visitors welcome (£1).
Monday, 22nd May 1995. Vessels in Miniature 1160 to 1982. by Ann Oakley, Senior Research Archivist, Canterbury Cathedral.
Monday, 24th July Inflation, a Roman problem (illustrated) by Edmund Redfern, LMARG's coin expert.
LECTURE and A.G.M. of the London Archaeologist.
This will be held at the Institute of Archaeology Lecture Theatre, 31 Gordon Square, Bloomsbury, London, WC1, on Tuesday, 16th May 1995, commencing at 6.30 for 7.00pm. After the AGM Christopher Green will be speaking on JOHN DWIGHT AND THE FULHAM POTTERY. The meeting is open to all friends and subscribers of the magazine. There is no charge for admission.
OPEN DAYS etc.
Thursday, 22nd June 1995. An illustrated lecture, Sevenoaks in the Nineteenth Century, will be given by Dr. David Killingray in the new undercroft of St. Nicholas Parish Church at 8 pm. Tickets, price £2, may be obtained from Sevenoaks Summer Festival, Sevenoaks School, Sevenoaks TN13 lHU. (01732 740480).
Saturday, 1st July 1995. Open day for the Crossness Engines Trust. Further details from the Crossness Engines Trust, 43 Upper Wickham Lane, Welling, Kent. (0181 303 6723).
Saturday, 16th and Sunday 17th September 1995. Excavations at Scadbury Moated Manor, Chislehurst, 'Open days'. Members of the Orpington & District Arch. Soc. will give guided tours showing the work that is currently being done on the site as well as the remains of the foundations of the buildings associated with the Walsingham family. Fuller details will be published in the September Newsletter.
Thursday, 18th and Friday 19th May 1995. Two-day conference Figures in a Landscape, to coincide with the National Trust's Centenary. To be held at the Scientific Society's Lecture Theatre, New Burlington Place, London.
Further details and conference programme may be obtained from: Archaeology Conference Coordinator, The National Trust, 33 Sheep Street, Cirencester, Glos. GL7 1QW
Friday, 16th June and Saturday, 17th June. The Thames Sailing Barge, A chance to study the history and building of the Thames barge and to travel in one. Further information from Suzanne Testa, Course Administrator, The Open Museum, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London SE10 9NF. (0181 312 6747) Also -
Tuesday, 20th June. Genealogy - the Museum's Resources. An event organised by the Open Museum to show the potential of the N.M.M's. archive for tracing family history. Address as above.
UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX LECTURES (of interest to K.A.S. members) Two one-day Conferences.
Saturday, 13th May 1995. The Wealden Iron Industry. Tutor: Jeremy Hodgkinson, and Saturday, 10th June 1995. The Piltdown Hoax. Tutor, Chris Going. Full fees: £15, Reduced fees: £10. For further details contact CCE. Education Development Building, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9RG. (01273 678527).
STUDY HOLIDAYS in Kent. Subjects include: Churches in the Kentish Landscape at Canterbury; Kent Houses and their Families at Canterbury. Prices range from £320 to £370. Further information from Andrea Nicholaides, Reservations Coordinator, Summer Academy, School of Continuing Education, The University, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NX,
ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELD COURSES organised by the Field Archaeology Unit, (University College, London), will be available during the summer of 1995. Based at Bignor Roman Villa, West Sussex, some courses are for four days, others for two. Further details from Natalie Barber, Field Archaeology Unit, Turner Dumbrell Workshops.
