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The History of Kent

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History of Kenardington

Kenardington comes from the Old English ‘tūn’ meaning an ‘enclosure, a farmstead, a village’ and ‘ing’ as a ‘connective particle, linking the first and final element’ combined with a warlord’s name; therefore, a ‘farm/settlement connected with Cyneheard’.

The Saxons built a small fort (600m x 550m) towards the end of the 9th century, although, it could not resist a Danish raiding party in 892AD, who having achieved a swift victory moved on to Appledore where they established a camp.

Kenardington parish church is a Grade: II listed building, dedicated to Saint Mary the Virgin. The Saxons built the first church in the 10th century, which the Normans rebuilt in stone, in the 12th century. The French sacked the church and village in the 14th century during the Hundred Years War. In 1559, lightning started a fire, causing the collapse of the nave, chancel and north aisle. The ruins provided a smaller church – the former south aisle and reduced chancel - more suited to the requirements of the local farming community. In 1798, Edward Hasted described St Mary’s church as a ‘small mean building, consisting of one isle and one chancel, having a small pointed turret at the west end, in which hangs one bell. There are no inscriptions in it. The font in this church is remarkably mean, being composed of brick and tile only’.