Kent’s St. Leonard in Badlesmere

St Leonard, Badlesmere, Kent

The article starts by describing a visit to a small church in the village of Badlesmere in Kent, England. The author notes that although the exterior of the church looks modern and unimpressive, the interior is a delight, with its ancient architecture and furnishings, including medieval bench ends and stained glass. The article then goes on to give a brief overview of the history of the area, noting that Badlesmere was once a wealthy agricultural community, with the Badlesmere family serving as a hub of the community. However, the family fell out of favor with King Edward II and their power declined rapidly. The article concludes with a historical description of Badlesmere, noting its location on high ground and its poor soil covered with flints. The article also describes the antient seat of the Badlesmeres, which was a large and noble mansion, and the court-lodge, called Basmerecourt, which was located a field’s distance from the road. The article notes that a fair is held annually in Badlesmere on St. Leonard’s Day. Finally, the article gives a brief history of the Badlesmere family, noting that Bartholomew de Badlesmere was summoned to parliament in the 3rd year of King Edward II and that the family’s barony passed through several hands before being ultimately vested in the King at his pleasure.

Posted by Jelltex on 2018-06-04 10:18:19