Kent Past
The History of Kent
Copyright Kent Past 2010
Welcome to the history of Kent
Kent Past is a website site like no other, it delves into the history of Kent; enabling the visitor to discover why Kent is the county, it is today. As the pages are explored, you will journey back in time following the evolution of Kent. We travel to a time when Kent was a tribal settlement, then an outpost of the Roman Empire and eventually a Kingdom, before settling as a county in England.
Kent Past Times
The Kent Past Times is a free monthly magazine sent directly to your inbox. Full of features and articles it is a must for anyone with an interest in the history of Kent. To ensure you receive a free copy, add your email address here:
What’s New
History of Rochester Cathedral
The second in a series of videos, in which the history of Rochester Cathedral is told in words and pictures…. More
History of Eynsford
The history of Eynsford told in a video format, using words and pictures…. More
Battle of Sandwich
In May 1217, the regent, William Marshal won a victory against the French and rebels at the battle of Lincoln. Louis returned to his stronghold in London to await reinforcements from France. The French fleet, of some 80 ships, half of which were supply vessels, set sail from Calais on Thursday 24 August…. More
Battle of Maidstone 1648
In May 1648, Kent was witness to a significant Royalist rebellion, when the committee at Canterbury tried to suppress a petition calling for the disbandment of the New Model Army and reinstatement of the King. The Kentish Royalists reacted with aplomb, quickly securing a number of key towns on behalf of the King, which included Dover, Gravesend, Rochester and Maidstone…. More
Caesar in Kent
At 10.00am on the morning of 26 August 55BC, Julia Caesar arrived, off the Kent coast at Dover, ahead of his eighty ship and two legion strong invasion force. .. More
Cliffe and St Helens Church
A history of Cliffe and St Helens Church, written by Henry Smeetham c1956….more
The Courtenay Uprising
In the early morning of 31st May 1838 near Dunkirk, John Tom masquerading as Sir William Courtenay murdered a village constable who had been sent to arrest him. Later that day, he led a band of followers into a fight with the military at Bosenden Wood, in which eleven more lives were lost, including his own….more
RAF Hawkinge
Following the outbreak of war in 1914, the War Office surveyed Kent for suitable sites to place airfields. One such place was just outside the village of Hawkinge….more
A Tour of Westerham
‘Westerham’, observed George Bevan in his 1876 Handbook to the County of Kent, is ‘a pretty little town, dependent more on the scenery around than on any intrinsic interest.’…more
Winston Churchills Butterflies
Sir Winston Churchill led Britain to victory in the Second World War and is a world renowned historian although he is much less well known for his lifelong love of butterflies….more
Oldest Shop in England
Chiddingstone possess one of the oldest surviving rural shops in England, the street where it stands is also one of the most pleasing in Kent….more
The Dutch Raid of 1667
In an early morning in June 1667, the Dutch fleet sailed, unchallenged up the river Medway, their target the British Navy at anchor in Chatham. No alarm was raised, and the coastal defences were scattered far and wide. Most of the home army were based in London, although they had not been paid in months….more
Jack Cade’s Rebellion
For a long time, dissatisfaction with the leadership of Henry VI had been growing. The powerbrokers of his government had been lining their own pockets, to the detriment of his people….more
Memories of a Land Army Girl
Until the spring of 1942, I lived with my mother, father, sisters and brothers in a neat little brick council house, in Bellingham, on the outskirts of South East London, and worked at the nearby Chiltonian Biscuit Factory….more
Churchill’s Sanctuary
Much is known of the professional life of Sir Winston Churchill, the interior aspects of his personal life, however, remain relatively unexamined—and under appreciated….more
Memories of Kingsnorth Airfield
The Advanced Landing Ground at Kingsnorth near Ashford, Kent was built in June 1943. Frank Beckley was 14 years old and lived about half a mile away from the airfield….more
Henry VIII and Tudor Kent
Throughout his reign, King Henry VIII had a special relationship with Kent. The Garden of England, on his London doorstep, was an escape and playground, a gateway for royal travels to the Continent, and a first line of defence against invasion….more