Fawkham Manor Revisited
Fawkham is a quiet place. A winterbourne runs through the little valley after heavy rain, though for most of the year it is dry grassland. The Norman church sits squarely across the valley bottom, but no manor house is to be seen here. St Mary's is alone in Church Meadow and the lanes pass around it to the east and west and south.
Ekwall suggests that the parish, or rather the manor, gained its name from one Fealcna, a Saxon. After the Conquest, the name was passed back to a Norman family, of whom we first hear in the time of Henry I, when the Red Book of the Exchequer shows Robert de Faukeham holding the manor by knight service. Several de Faukeham names appear during the twelfth century, but a clearer picture emerges in 1232, when William, son of Thomas de Falkeham, is named in a charter concerning his lands in Ash. William did eventually receive Thomas' manor of Fawkham, but he himself had died before 1250 and the manor descended to his son William.
In that year, the younger William de Falkeham appears to have sold his Fawkham lands to his brothers Thomas and Robert. By 1253 the Close Rolls find William the younger in France in the service of Henry III. He evidently did well and was in due course appointed a Marshall of the King's Household, which post he held at least until 1272. William's son had died on military manoeuvres in 1255, so Fawkham (which seems to have come back into William's hands in later years) was in due course left to his daughters (or at least his heirs) Rose and Sarah. It was later said that Fawkham was divided, so that Rose had the "old" manor and Sarah a "new" manor. It is unlikely that Rose or her successors lived at her "old" manor and most likely the house was soon abandoned.
The existence of the Fawkham manor house was largely forgotten in later centuries. A clue perhaps remained in two Walter family documents of 1541 and 1590, which referred to the Courte Garden, adjoining the churchyard. In the year 1769 the antiquarian John Thorpe the younger sought for the site of the manor house and decided that some roofless walls just east of the church were all that remained. He remarked that foundations of this ancient seat show it to have been a large pile of building and to have occupied all that piece of ground now the garden belonging to the public house (which then stood just south of the churchyard). A great part of it, the ale house man said, he had at times pulled down for the repairs of his house, &c. as he had some part but a few days before I visited it, which was in June 1769. Thorpe had a drawing made of the walls which he later published in his book Custumale Roffensis and which is reproduced here.
Some remains of the manor house were still standing in the 1830s when the Fawkham tithe map was drawn. The map shows them as a small rectangular wood in the field just east of St Mary's churchyard. Regrettably though, the walls were soon to disappear. In 1847, letters in the Maidstone Journal reported an act of vandalism ... perpetrated at Fawkham whereby the ruins of the ancient manor house ... had been finally pulled down and the flints and stones of which it had been composed were sold ... to mend the Dover Road. It was also said that coins of the Edwards (1272-1377) had been found there. Nothing now remained above ground level, but the large scale Ordnance Survey plans of the 1870s noted the site as Fawkham Castle and local people began to give the name Castle Hill to the lane leading up to Hartley Green.
Around 1950, Mr Frank Proudfoot of Pennis House, a local solicitor and Fawkham's historian, was digging a trench for hedging plants when, in his own words, he noticed traces of flint work and a clutter of twelfth century roofing tiles. His observations sparked off the idea of archaeological exploration to recover the plan of the manor house. In the years 1964 to 1966 the newly formed Archaeological Group of the Fawkham and District Historical Society carried out limited excavations on the site of the little wood depicted on the tithe map, under the direction of Mr Roger Walsh. The project was a success and by 1967 Mr Walsh was able to publish the plan of a mortared flint building some 15 metres long and 8 metres wide, with smaller additional chambers attached on three sides. His plan agreed in its essentials with Thorpe's drawing two centuries earlier. It was unlikely that a house of this quality so close to the church could have been anything other than a manor house.
All was quiet again until recently, when plans were announced to create a new Garden of Remembrance just north of the churchyard. The Fawkham and Ash Archaeological Group obtained permission to excavate an area on the site of the proposed Garden, to ensure that no Fawkham Manor - View from NE in 1769 further traces of medieval activity remained which could be damaged by subsequent interments. To our considerable surprise we encountered a previously unknown flint and mortar building measuring some 13 metres by 8 metres and with walls up to a metre thick. The structure appears to link up with certain isolated portions of masonry shown on Mr Walsh's plans of 30 years ago.
'The Bexleyheath Railway-Realinement at Elham'.
We are still working on the newly discovered building at the time of writing. Its function and its relationship with the manor house, only 6 metres to the south, are not yet clear. Although our excavation strategy is to avoid penetration of stratified layers as far as possible, it is vital that we recover the complete plan of this building. An extension of the churchyard in this direction could damage or destroy it. Indeed four graves, dug since Mr Walsh's excavation, have already been cut through its walls and floor.
'The Bexleyheath Railway-Realinement at Elham'.
Finds from the excavation include pottery, roof tile, animal bone, shell and iron objects, the majority being unstratified. A provisional analysis of the pottery has been made with the help of John Cotter of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust. It falls into three main groups. The first is a locally produced shell loaded ware with red exterior, grey core, and a soapy touch; it is roughly equivalent to phases W to Z from Eynsford Castle and therefore may date to about the twelfth century. The second group includes green glazed jugs of London wares, Kingston ware and Scarborough ware; it is of later date, but earlier than circa 1300. The third group is by far the most prolific and is typified by locally produced ware of similar date to the second group. It appears to be similar to the grey, sand tempered wares of phase D from Eynsford Castle. Cooking vessels, jugs and bowls are represented, as is "Dartford Rilled Ware". The distribution of this pottery parallels that from Mr Walsh's excavations of the 1960s.
Fawkham Manor - View from NE in 1769.
Most of the roof tiles are plain, with two peg fixing; many have four shallow ridges down the face, similar to those from Eynsford. Some fragments of hip and ridge tiles are also present. Bones of sheep, pig, cow, horse, dog, hare, chicken and some other bird were found and shells of oysters, cockles, mussels and whelks were found in quantity. The iron material consists primarily of various nails, with a few other items such as knife blades and a clasp. Of particular interest is an iron arrowhead; it is 70mm long and probably of thirteenth century date. The long barbs indicate that its use was for hunting rather than for warfare - perhaps the adjoining manor of Hartley was not the only place where deer might be hunted in those days.
I should like to acknowledge my debt to Mr Frank Proudfoot, whose work inspired my researches into the de Faukeham family, although he may not agree with all the conclusions which I have reached. I should also like to thank Gerald and Gillian Cramp, Richard Jones, Brian Tremain and others for all the hard work which they have put into our archaeological investigation at Fawkham. Dr Cramp has also been kind enough to provide comments on the finds from the site.
Roger Cockett
Holy Trinity Church, Dartford
During the whole of 1996, this church was closed for major alterations and renovations. These exposed features which revealed a continuing history of building, demolition, and rebuilding from the 11th century at least. The plaster on the interior walls was removed, which allowed time for inspection.
Medieval building phases summarized
The lower part of the Tower is the oldest survival, dated to the period of Saxo-Norman, perhaps AD 1070 - 1100 or even as early as 1050-1080. By implication, Gundulf (Bishop of Rochester 1077 - 1108) might not have been responsible for building this, as had previously been thought. The Tower may well have stood to the north of a church with a chancel more or less level with it and a nave to the west of the chancel, the Tower being beside this church although related to it. This supposed area of chancel and nave was not excavated.
In the 12th century, perhaps about 1150, walls were erected to the west of the tower. These now form the present North Aisle, effectively enclosing the open space beside the church. This dating means the North Aisle is about 200 years older than previously thought.
The next phase of construction in the early to mid 13th century, possibly 1220-1250, brought the North East Chapel beyond the tower, an extended Chancel, and the southeast (Lady) Chapel, thus creating a building which surrounded the Tower except on the north side. It is likely that the South Aisle post-dates the Lady Chapel, possibly being constructed in the 14th century.
Medieval sketch of window
One item (rarely found) was a block of Reigate stone built high in the south wall of the south Nave arcade. Faint scorings on it were revealed as a sketch of a window-head. Why this sketch was made on a stone block and not on parchment isn't clear. Assuming that it was intended for Holy Trinity and not brought from elsewhere, any window created from it would have been the principal window, probably in the east wall. Parallels for the design survive in St Etheldreda's Chapel (formerly part of the London palace of the Bishop of Ely), Merton College Oxford, and the Lady Chapel at Exeter Cathedral. They are all late 13th century in date. At Holy Trinity, the design relates in date to the west door of the nave. It is known that Hamo de Hythe gave a window in the early 14th century and visited the church to view it in 1333.
Other discoveries
One excavation to the north of the church yielded Roman and pre-Roman pottery from as far afield as France, a Roman coin, and some German 16th-century trading tokens.
Unexpectedly, 14th-century burials were found, it having been understood previously that until the 17th century interments were in the East Hill Burial Ground which overlooks the church.
Stacks of medieval floor tiles were found around the old Rood Screen opening. These were reused in the 15th century. Further stacks came from the Rood Screen door at the head of the staircase which was blocked in the 1862 restoration. These tiles have been examined by the British Museum who suggest the smaller ones (6 inches square), which have a range of decorative designs on them, were made in the 14th century. Similar tiles have recently been found in the vestry floor of St. Mary's church, Bexley. It is likely they were manufactured at Penn, Bucks, where they were produced on a huge scale. The larger tiles date from the 15th century and possibly covered the east end of the church. These monochrome glazed tiles were imported into southern England from the Low Countries.
This summary is based on the Interim Archaeological Report, April 1996, by Mr. H. A. Jones and notes by Mr. J. Bailey of Messrs Thomas Ford and Partners who were the Architects.
The project 'Trinity 2000' is not yet finished, and much remains to be done. These notes are only intended to record the main findings of the first phase of 1996.
K.M. Roome LI. B
Books
PRESTON HALL, AYLESFORD
by James H. Sephton
The foundation of the Culpepper family at Aylesford is described, with a history of the Hall, the occupying families, and the development of the hospital. This became a cradle for the treatment and training of tuberculous ex-Service men. The subsequent effect of The Royal British Legion and the Industries, as a training and rehabilitation center for disabled ex-Service men, is discussed. The change in function of the Hall from a hospital to the headquarters of the West Kent Health Authority is elaborated. Such an in-depth local study would be very popular.
Book size is A5. The number of pages is 80. The number of black and white plates is 51, with 4 line drawings.
ISBN O 9526629 0 6
It is published privately by Mr. James H. Sephton.
The Archaeology of Canterbury: New Series Canterbury Cathedral Nave: Archaeology, History, and Architecture
by Kevin Blockley, Margaret Sparks, and Tim Tatton-Brown
In the spring of 1993, the relaying of the nave floor of Canterbury Cathedral allowed for an excavation by the Canterbury Archaeological Trust, which revealed the foundations of the Anglo-Saxon churches. A few fragments remain of a seventh-century Kentish church like those formerly at St Augustine's Abbey and Reculver. This was extended in the ninth century to provide a church with a long nave and aisles. The design of its east end was not established by excavation, as this lies under the existing crypt, but it is known to have been apsidal. To this church was added a large western apse with hexagonal stair towers in the early eleventh century. Thus the Anglo-Saxon cathedral at its fullest extent has been described as 'one of the major early medieval churches of northern Europe'.
The excavation report by Kevin Blockley is published with figures, photographs, and plans, plus reconstruction drawings by Ivan Lapper, of the Anglo-Saxon cathedral and that of Lanfranc, finished in 1077, the foundation of which was also discovered. There are the normal specialist short reports. In addition, there are two essays on the nave. Tim Tatton-Brown writes about the rebuilding of the western transepts and crossing tower. His essay is based on many years' study of the architecture and documents. Margaret Sparks' essay is in two parts - the liturgical use of the nave 1077- 1540 and the fittings, repair, and use of the nave 1541- 1993. Evidence has been assembled from chronicles, inventories, antiquarians' descriptions, Dean and Chapter documents, prints, and drawings.
This important monograph is published jointly by Canterbury Archaeological Trust and the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury Cathedral and will be available shortly after 1st October from booksellers or directly from Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 92A Broad Street, Canterbury, CTl 2LU. Price: £25.00 (+£4.00 p&p).
Notes from the Editors
BATTLE OF THE MEDWAY, A.D. 43
The article by Nigel Nicolson on this topic has induced two members to write to the Editors. Council recognizes that the actual site of the battle is unknown. Council agrees, however, with Mr. Nicolson that the event and its importance to our subsequent history deserve commemoration. The placing of the memorial in the proposed location is analogous with the erection of the Battle of Britain Memorial on the cliffs near Dover. In both cases, the location is of symbolic rather than topographic significance.
MANOR OF SOUTH ASH
The Lord of the Manor of South Ash has recently deposited a large quantity of manorial records with the Centre for Kentish Studies. The archive contains documents dating from the mid-16th century to the 1920s and includes Court Rolls for the period 1738-1924. They will not be available for inspection until they have been cataloged. It is to be hoped that the current state of local government finance does not prevent access by researchers for too long a time.
Letters
A Jute or any old Saxon? Writers in so many publications since the late 1970s refer to the occupants of post-Roman Cantium/Kent only as Saxons. The Jutish royal line and the early Kingdom of Kent have been subsumed into the less distinctive people of much of South-East England. Is there a good reason for this new vagueness, or is it just that too much history writing now seeks to be valid for all the 'South-East', the term usually given to Sussex/Surrey/Kent and perhaps Essex?
Is KP Witney's 'The Jutish Forest' to be renamed? He chose his title accurately for the unique and important Society of lathe, drove and den which he described so well. By Norman times the laws of gavelkind, not applicable in Sussex or Surrey, were still obviously different enough to impress or confuse the conqueror. Perhaps today's author, blessed with increasing knowledge, yet hoping to avoid the riddle of Faesten Die, chooses to write of Kent after the Romans left it as all Saxon country. It would, though, be just as defensible to call all Kent's people Jutes.
I am writing a history of Kent's woodland. May I refer to those people living east of Dartford in the 5th - 7th centuries as Jutes, please, or would that nowadays be frowned upon?
Geoffrey Roberts
Membership
Following a most instructive and enjoyable training run at Abbey Farm, Minster in Thanet; ably organised by David Bacchus and supervised by Keith, Tim and Emma (with great patience and skill!), I'd be delighted to join your society and look forward to hearing from you soon.
K.A.S. Publications
New Publications Colin Flight, The Bishops and Monks of Rochester. 1076 - 1214, Monograph Series, VI. 27 x 21 cm. Pp. 320, 29 figs. and 16 pls., full-color dust jacket, cased. £40 (£30 to members of the Society).
(Ed.) N. Tanner, Kent Heresy Proceedings 1511 - 12, Kent Records, XXVI. 21.5 x 13.5 cm. Pp. 129, frontis., map, full-color dust jacket, cased. £20 (£15 to members of the Society).
Obtainable from the Hon. Editor. (Please add £4 for postage and packing per vol. and remit with order. Cheques payable to Kent Archaeological Society).
PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE
The Committee is giving active consideration to separating the production of the Society's publications from circulation and marketing. Members of the Society will be invited to help with the latter aspect of our publications. Please write to the Hon. Editor for further information.
KAS Hon. Editor's Announcement
The Hon. Editors welcome all letters, articles and communications and would particularly like to receive more from members and others, especially requests for research information, funds, books and related topics. The Editors wish to draw readers' attention to the fact that neither the Council of the KAS, nor the Editors are 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 14th December 1997 to Hon. Editors, Mr & Mrs L. E. Ilott.
Published by the Kent Archaeological Society, 'Fhe Museum, St. Faith's Street,Maidstone, Kent. ME14 ILH.
Printed by Delta Press, Crayford Industrial Estate, Swaisland Drive, Crayford DAI 4HT. Typesetting and Design by Janset 0181-3012856.
View "A"
View "B"
Win A (Small) Prize - Identify our Photograph
View "A" View "B" Past appeals from the Library Committee for help in identifying images of Kent have met with a good response. Our computer is coping well with the volume of records created. These include not only photographs but paintings and engravings. The database already constitutes a valuable resource for research as well as for commercial sales.
Above are two images printed from negatives in our collection. We know the broad particulars of one, but not of the other. Copies of the print(s) identified plus two free tickets to one of next year's series of Summer Visits are on offer to the individual giving the most accurate description of both images. In the event of several responses being close, the winner will be drawn out of our Antonine urn on Wednesday 19th November.
The decision of the Hon. Librarian and Mr. Mike Perring shall be final. Except for members of the Library and Muniments Committee, there are no restrictions on who may enter. Please give your name, address, and telephone number and indicate for each image your opinion of the location and its approximate date. Any other information will of course be most welcome.
We welcome gifts to the Society of further photographs. Even pictures taken 30-50 years ago are often worth preserving. Thus Herne Bay Pier, trolley buses, Jezreel's Tower, and Bristol Freighter flying car ferries are now but memories. The value of views seen in the context of other material is frequently quite unexpected.
Our project to regularly record busy but mundane locations proceeds. Volunteers for this project for our identification team are always welcome.
Peter Draper Hon. Librarian
Events, Outings, Lectures
K. A. S. Events
Country Social Evening and Barbecue
Through the hospitality of our member Mr E. Lade, the evening at Yaldham Manor was enjoyed by eighty members. It was preceded by Roaming Around Wrotham led by Mr K. Gravett when members were able to see the grounds of the Archbishop's Palace which are not normally open to the public.
Christmas Buffet Lunch 1997
This will be held at Wye College. See enclosed leaflet.
K.A.S. LECTURE PROGRAMME 1997-8
15th November 1997 at Ashford Parish Church Hall, 2.30 p.m. Mr Kenneth Gravett will give a lecture on 'Smaller Houses Under The Tudors - A Period of Change' 34TH CONFERENCE OF BUILDING RECORDERS This will be held at the Barn Hall (north of the parish church) at Charing on Saturday 11th October, commencing at 2.15 p.m. Mr Kenneth Gravett will speak on 'Structural Timberwork in Kent Buildings'. It is hoped that a discussion will follow. Tickets £1 for members, £2 for visitors from Terry Lawson, 102, Lower Vicarage Road, Kennington, Ashford TN24 9AP or at the door. Mr Gravett will be repeating his series of lectures on Traditional Buildings of Kent on Monday afternoons at the Methodist Hall, Wye, commencing 29th September 1997.
ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES
The archaeology of prehistoric Britain. Introductory W.E.A. class at Westmount Adult Education Centre, Dover. Ten weeks from Wednesday, 24th September at 7 p.m. Contact WEA District Office, Rochester for more details. 01634 842140. The archaeology of prehistoric Britain. Introductory W.E.A. class at Victoria Centre, Darnley Road, Gravesend. Twenty weeks from Thursday 2nd October at 7.30 p.m. Contact WEA District Office, Rochester for more details. 01634 842140.
Certificate in prehistoric archaeology. Christchurch College, North Holmes Road, Canterbury. Twenty weeks Friday evening course. More details from Admissions Office. 01227 767700.
GCSE Archaeology at Eastgate Adult Education Centre, Rochester begins Tuesday 23rd September, 7 - 9 p.m. The examination and the written work are not compulsory.
