The author describes their visit to Kemsing, a small village in Kent, England. The church in the village is described as a chocolate-box church with a well-maintained churchyard. The nave of the church dates back to the 12th century and was remodeled in the 14th century, while the chancel dates back to the early period but was rebuilt in the 16th century. A north aisle was added to the church in 1890. The character of the church mainly stems from the 19th- and 20th- century furnishings found within it. The rood screen is of the correct proportion and design and dates back to 1894. The figures on top of the screen were designed by Sir Ninian Comper in 1908: angels that balance on their wheels like unicyclists. Comper also designed the wall paintings in the chancel, the altar, reredos, and canopy. The north aisle features an assortment of interesting furnishings, including a painted tile picture of Kemsing by Donald Maxwell, a central window with two bishops that is typical of Comper’s work, and a west window by Douglas Strachan in 1935. The font features a bronze Arts and Crafts panel of the Virgin and Child by Henry Wilson.
Kemsing is not a well-known parish as it is situated in a relatively remote location. Its village is located partly in a valley and partly on the chalk hills. The village is near a water source called St. Edith’s well, a famous female saint who was said to have come from this parish and to have worked miracles. The parish is about two miles square, with the northern part mostly consisting of chalk soils and the southern area being very fertile. There are about 100 acres of woodland in the parish. Crowdleham, a seat that is situated on the east border of Ightham’s parish, is located in the eastern part of Kemsing. Consequently, it is not a pleasant place to visit.
Kemsing was called Camesing in the Testa de Nevil and Cimicinga in the Textus Rossensis. The name origins of the village are unknown, but it is proposed that it was named after a royal camp or fortress situated there. The village held a market every Monday in the past, but it has ceased, and a fair is now held every Easter Monday. The parish was once owned by an ancient knightly family called Kempsing, whose surname was derived from the village.
Kemsing was owned by the earl of Albermarle in the Scutage that was levied in the 32nd year of King Henry II. The earl held it of Walter Fitzhelt, as he also did the king in capite. In the reign of King John, Baldwin de Betun granted the lordships of Kemsing, Braborne, and Sutton to William Mareschal, the earl of Pembroke, and his sole daughter and heir Alice, in frank marriage. Baldwin de Betun had enjoyed the earldom of Albermarle through his wife Hawis, who was the daughter and sole heir of William le Gross, the earl of Albermarle, and had been granted ownership. Betun joined the rebellious barons and followed them until his lands were seized upon as escheats to the crown. Kemsing was then granted to Fulke de Brent. Brent’s property, including Kemsing, was confiscated from him, and Betun returned to the land’s ownership.
William Mareschal, the earl of Pembroke, married Alianore, the king’s sister, after his first wife had died. This marriage greatly displeased King John, but the two later reconciled, and the earl received many royal favours for his service against the Welsh. William died in the 15th year of King Henry III’s reign, leaving no issue. He was buried in the Temple church, where his effigies cross legged on his tomb. The sheriff of Kent had the king’s precept to make livery to Alianore, his widow, of those manors. She remarried Simon de Montford, earl of Leicester, after seven years of widowhood, and continued under his leadership when he headed the discontented barons against the king. She eventually died in the nunnery of Montarges in France, and her children were forced to leave England upon her husband’s death at the battle of Evesham. Kemsing was then owned by Roger, the eldest son of Maud, for an unknown period of time. However, when Alianore, the second wife of William earl of Pembroke, was still living, it was unclear who was entitled to the ownership of the land for her life.
Roger, earl of Norfolk, inherited Kemsing after his uncle’s death, who died from a bruise he received at a tournament. Upon his death, he left no issue. He was succeeded by his nephew Roger, who sold the manor and the advowson of the church to Robert atte Welle in the 11th year of King Edward I’s reign.