Continuing the Kent commute theme, this is not, strictly speaking, on my commute into work but it's not far off and I detoured today to have a look. It's one of the few single street Tudor villages remaining across the UK, and is owned by the National Trust. This building dates from the late 15th Century but the village itself dates back much earlier.
This from the National Trust: "Legend has it that the name is derived from the Chiding Stone where offenders were punished. However as the village is so old it is more likely that it is derived from the homestead of Cidda's family hence Chidding tun. It was recorded as Cidingstane in the 12th century and has now changed to Chiddingstone.
Chiddingstone was given to Bishop Odo after the Norman invasion in 1072 as part of his Earldom of Kent, and is mentioned in the Domesday Book."
Later, Thomas Bullen (father of Anne Boleyn) owned property in the village. From the 17th-19th centuries, the local iron industries provided significant economic stimulus (iron was needed for warships and other military items). The National Trust acquired the properties in 1939 from a bequest, and acts as a Landlord, allowing village life to continue pretty much as normal.
Fascinating bit of history there, I like it! I would have gone for "Chiding Stone" as a traditional place to tell off noisy bossy wives!! Beautiful architecture.
I waved to you today as I was in Kent again this morning!
I waved to you today as I was in Kent again this morning!
Ian