Romney Marsh
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The Story of the
Churches
Richard Braham, the 18th Century vicar of St. Dunstan’s in Snargate,
wrote in his Ingoldsby Legends that the World is divided in to five
parts namely Europe, Asia, Africa, America and The Romney Marsh’. Even
today the marsh presents a very different image to the surrounding
areas, it remains apparently remote from so-called ‘civilisation’ and
bleakness is its beauty. Most of the region is barely above sea level
and some areas are well below, requiring a criss-cross of water dykes
to drain the fertile farmland. This has provided an excellent wetland
environment for an abundance of flora and fauna including the Marsh
Frog which, at up 13cms long, is the largest variety found in Europe.
The Marsh has never been densely populated and has a surprising number
of Churches to cater for such limited congregations. Besides the
thirteen Churches there are numerous ruins and known sites. One theory
is that the wealthy monks of Canterbury, who once owned much of the
Romney Marsh, felt that they had a duty to build churches for the glory
of God. It is also a fact that local merchants, benefited from the
growth of the wool trade, felt the need in their later years to
contribute to the building of the great Churches of Lydd, Ivychurch and
Newchurch.
Today these Churches offer a glimpse into the past, their quietness and
coolness providing a retreat from the hustles and bustle of modern day
life.
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Brenzette
– St
Eanswith
Set amongst the trees St. Eanswith is one of the smaller churches on
the Marsh probably having it’s origins in the 7th century although
having no sign remains of original Saxon building. The tenor bell bears
an inscription to St. Michael and was cast in London between 1390 and
1420. An interesting feature is the altar tomb to local landowners John
Fagge and his son in the Lady Chape |
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Brookland –
St
Augustine
Said to be constructed from the timbers of local shipwrecks, the
detached bell tower sitting next to the church present a very different
image to the other churches on the Marsh. The fine interior of the
church boasts a mediaeval wall painting of the murderer of the
Archbishop Thomas Becket and the cylindrical lead Norman font is unique
in Britain, probably having been cast in Normandy. |
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Burmarsh – All
Saints
The south door of All Saints at Burmarsh boast an impressive Norman
doorway with typical round arch and chevron mouldings topped by a
somewhat grotesque man’s face. Two of the original mediaeval bells
dating from around 1375 are still to be rung today, while the original
tenor bell dedicated to Magdalene, although cracked has been preserved
inside
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Dymchurch –
St.
Peter and
St. Paul
The Original Normal design of St. Peter and St. Paul in Dymchurch stood
until 1821 when the building was enlarged to accommodate the flouring
congregation of the town. Inside the church a magnificent Norman arch
has been retained at the entry to the Chancel. On the south wall is an
elaborate monument to Captain Bedingfield over an arched recess showing
Our Lady weeping over the body of Jesus. |
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IvyChurch -
St.
George
St. George’s church is a substantial church; it measures 133ft in
length and has three parallel aisles. Smugglers’ tunnels are said to
connect the church to the local pub and rumour has it that some
services could not be held because of contraband stored in the aisles
and pulpit. Rumour also has it that some of Cromwell’s troops stabled
the horses in the unmade north aisle over night
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All Staints
Lydd.
All Saints in Lydd is the longest parish church in Kent and it’s 15th
century tower one of the tallest, with a height of 132 feet, a
magnificent church Known locally as the Cathedral of the Marsh. In the
north chancel is a stone altar which, having been thrown out by the
reformers, was rediscovered during reconstruction work following bomb
damage inflicted in 1940. |
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Newchurch
-
St.
Peter and St. Paul
A large church, its tower has a bent appearance following early
subsidence problems, which have been corrected, by substantial
buttresses and the later addition of perpendicular belfry. Although the
Georgian furnishing has been removed the original textboards bearing
the commandments and the Lords Prayer still survive in the vestry. |
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New Romney -
St.
Nicholas
St Nicholas is the sole survivor of four mediaeval churches in the
ancient town of New Romney, one of the five original Cinque Ports. The
100 foot tall west tower had a broach spire, which served as a landmark
for shipping. Inside the church the nave retains its original Norman
arcades of Caen stone on alternating round and octagonal piers. |
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Old Romney -
St.
Clements
Original constructed in the 12th century, it was later enlarged with
the addition of a south aisle with an arcade of early English arches.
The interior is set to surprise the new visitor – a magnificent
Georgian minstrels gallery and pews painted rose pink. The later a
recent transformation carried out by the Rank Film organisation when
filming the smuggling adventure Dr. Syn in1963.
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Mary in the
Marsh
- St
Mary the Virgin
The steeple of St Mary the Virgin is topped by an interesting ball and
weather vane. The ball, having been used by local villages for target
practice, was found during restoration to be oozing honey from the
bullet holes. In the church yard simple wooden post and rail mark the
grave of E Nesbit, author of The Railway Children and other books, |
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Snargate - St
Dunstan
From 18 17 to 1829 the rev. Richard Barham was the vicar of St Dunstans
during which time he wrote his humorous tales Ingoldsby Legends’, some
of which relate to Marsh folklore. He actually lived away from the
church in Warehorne and at night the church became the centre of the
local smuggling activities and other more risqué country
pursuits! |
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Snave - St.
Augustine
During the Springtime this small church is approached through an avenue
of daffodils. In the south chapel is a large stove, not however
provided for the comfort of the congregation, but to keep children warm
when this part of the church was used as a school. Although now
redundant, the upkeep of the church has been taken on by the ROMNEY
MARSH HISTORIC CHURCH TRUST. C/o Church Farm, Warehorne, Ashford, Kent. |
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Fairfield – St
Thomas
Á Becket
The definitive image of a Marsh church, it sits alone next to a water
filled dyke and viable from a great distance across the field and grass
lands. Through the centuries there has been a great deal of decay and
rebuilding of the structure although some of the interior timbers do
belong to the original mediaeval church. The inside of the church
presents a perfect 18-century interior with white painted pews and
three-decker pulpit lined in black.
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The Byre,
Pattletons Barn, Doleham Lane, Westfield, Hastings. TN354ST 01424
882371 byre@pattletons.co.uk
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