Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade II listed building. Main construction periods 1400 to 1976 Probably built in the first half of the C15. The house stands on land which belonged to Canterbury Cathedral, and it has been suggested that it was the principal hostel for travellers in Sandwich

Monument Types

• HOUSE (Medieval to Modern - 1400 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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Description from record TR 35 NW 162:
Probably built in the first half of the C15. The house stands on land which belonged to Canterbury Cathedral, and it has been suggested that it was the principal hostel for travellers in Sandwich

Description from record TR 35 NW 12:
[TR 33005840] The Old House [NR] (1) The Old House, now known as 'The King's House' is a C16 half-timbered building largely encased in brick in the early C18. There is a fine C16 brick gateway from the street. Formerly open to the public, it is now a private residence. (See GP's AO/64/138/5 and 6 and 141/3). Its chief claim to distinction arises from a tradition that Queen Elizabeth stayed there in 1572 as did her father before her, but there is some dispute about this (a). (2)

Jettied and timber framed house probably built in the first half of the 15th century. 3 storeys. 2 windows facing the street. The side facing the garden is wider than the street front. The south-west front facing the street is now faced with red brick, except the 2 gables which overhang on bressummers and brackets.The house stands on land which belonged to Canterbury Cathedral, and it has been suggested that it was the principal hostel for travellers in Sandwich. Queen Elizabeth is said to have stayed here in 1573. It is also recorded that Henry VIII watched the departure of the fleet for the field of the Cloth of Gold from the garret window overlooking the Quay.

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
1. 5275 STRAND STREET (North Side)
No 46 (The Old Kings House) TR 3258 1/56 19.5.50. TR 3358 1/56
II
2. C15 timber framed house. 3 storeys. 2 windows facing the street. The side facing the garden is wider than the street front. The south-west front facing the street is now faced with red brick, except the 2 gables which overhang on bressummers and brackets. Modern casement windows. The 2nd floor of the south-east front facing the garden is studded, but the ground floor and 1st floors have been built out in modern brick. The house contains good panelling, staircase, roof and plaster ceilings. Tiled roofing. Queen Elizabeth is said to have stayed here in 1573. It is also recorded that Henry VIII watched the departure of the fleet for the field of the Cloth of Gold from the garret window overlooking the Quay.
Listing NGR: TR3299558407 (5)

Historic England archive material (6)

<1> OS 25" 1956 (OS Card Reference). SKE48271.

<2> Arch Cant 16 1886 58-61 (T Dorman) (OS Card Reference). SKE34752.

<3> F1 FGA 26-JUN-64 (OS Card Reference). SKE42986.

<4> Field report for monument TR 35 NW 12 - June, 1964 (Bibliographic reference). SKE6035.

<5> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

<6> Historic England, Archive material associated with The Old King's Hose, Sandwich, Listed Building (Archive). SKE55769.

Sources and further reading