Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade I listed building. Main construction periods 1167 to 1973. Church belfry-Timber-framed, clad with wood shingles. Late 12th or 13th century square open tower enclosed in mid 15th century by octagonal structure with vertical base surmounted by 3 diminishing stages, base of each overhanging top of one below.

Monument Types

• BELL TOWER (Medieval to Modern - 1167 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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Description from record TQ 92 NE 12 :
Detached Belfry circa 1 yard north of Church of St Augustine, High Street. Grade I. (Shown but not described on OS 1/2500 1981 at TQ 98952583) Late 12th or 13th century, altered in mid 15th century, late 16th century and 1685, and strengthened in second quarter 20th century and 1973. Timber-framed, clad with wood shingles. Late 12th or 13th century square open tower enclosed in mid 15th century by octagonal structure with vertical base surmounted by 3 diminishing stages, base of each overhanging top of one below. (1-2)

See also TQ 92 NE 4 Church of St. Augustine.

Additional bibliography. (3-8)

Additional bibliography - not consulted. (9)

Dendrochronology of the inner structure (1262-1274) and the bell tower aisles (1394-1414). (10)

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
TQ 92 NE BROOKLAND HIGH STREET (south-east side)
5/36 Detached Belfry circa 1 yard north of Church 9.6.59 of St. Augustine
GV I
Detached belfry. Late C12 or C13, altered in mid C15, late C16 and 1685, and strengthened in second quarter C20 and 1973. Timber-framed, clad with wood shingles. Late C12 or C13 square open tower enclosed in mid C15 by octagonal structure with vertical base surmounted by 3 diminishing stages, base of each overhanging top of one below. Dragon weathervane dated 1797. Ribbed door to west. Interior: 4 huge canted tapering posts set at corners of square frame or cill and formerly bearing large bell platform. Strength- ened with lattice bracing; braces halved over each other and jointed to posts with open notched-lap joints. Posts truncated in mid C15 by about 5' and surrounded by octagonal frame with open arcaded base and tapering roof. 2 further octagonal frames erected above original tower to give total of 3 stages. New bell-frame constructed above, and floor inserted within, original tower, supported on four canted posts set inside of C12/C13 posts. Further bell-frame inserted in late C16 between floor and C15 bell-frame and enlarged 1685. Tower strengthened by cross-braces. Oak shingles applied 1936 and belfry strengthened. Further bracing 1973. A rare survival. Interior only partly inspected. (K.W.E. Gravett, "Brookland Belfry", Archaeologia Cantiana Vol.LXXXIX, 1974. Anne Roper, The Church of St Augustine, Brookland, 1982 edition).
Listing NGR: TQ9896825825 (11)

<1> DOE (HHR) Dist of Shepway Kent April 1985 17 (OS Card Reference). SKE40350.

<2> Arch Cant 89 1974 43-48 (K W E Gravett) (OS Card Reference). SKE35992.

<3> W A Scott Robertson, 1880, Churches in Romney Marsh, Arch Cant 13 1880 482 (W A Scott Robertson) (Article in serial). SKE7797.

<4> Kent Archaeological Society, 1930, Report on Procedings, 1929: Summer Meeting, Arch Cant 42 1930 265 (editorial) (Article in serial). SKE7795.

<5> Anne Roper, 1972, Investigations And Excavations During The Year: Romney Marsh, Arch Cant 86 1971 244 (Anne Roper) (Article in serial). SKE7796.

<6> JBAA 30 1925 40-1 (F C Elliston Erwood) (OS Card Reference). SKE44941.

<7> Ant J 49 1969 391-392 (K W E Gravett) (OS Card Reference). SKE33202.

<8> Bldgs of Eng - West Kent and the Weald 1980 193 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE37684.

<9> The Church of St Augustine Brookland 1982 (A Roper) (OS Card Reference). SKE50269.

<10> Vernacular Architecture Group, ADS Dendrochronology Database, Vol. 41, Pg. 103 (Website). SKE17391.

<11> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

Sources and further reading

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