Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade II* listed building. Main construction periods 1066 to 1540. A timber framed building constructed c1450. This was the Mediaeval Court Hall of Milton with 2 prison cells beneath. It was also used as a school when there were no courts. It has been restored and is now in use as a museum.

Monument Types

• LAW COURT (BUILDING, Medieval to Modern - 1450 AD? (between) to 1947 AD? (between))
• LOCK UP (Abandoned, Medieval to Modern - 1450 AD? (at some time) to 1947 AD? (at some time))
• TIMBER FRAMED BUILDING (Medieval to Modern - 1450 AD to 2050 AD)
• MUSEUM (Modern - 1901 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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Description from record TQ 96 SW 57:
[TQ 9037 6473] Old Court Hall [NAT] (1) A plaque upon this building reads - "The Old Court Hall. Built c. 1450. Repaired 1958, incorporating a window from a demolished house in Mill Street". There is a lock-up at the N. end. The building is in excellent condition and scheduled as an Ancient Monument. It is to be used as a local museum. See GPs, AO/63/129/2 and 3. (2) No. 110 (The Court House), Grade II*, High Street (east side). A timber-framed building c. 1450. (For full description see list.) (3) The Old Court Hall, built c. 1450, was used by the Lord of the Manor at Milton as a court house. The magistrate's seat and bench may still be seen at the far end of the upper floor. It seems that originally the building had an open ground floor, but this was later filled by adding a dungeon, a strongroom, and store-rooms. From its construction until 1947 the Court Hall was also used by the Portreeve, who was elected there each year. Despite its past importance the building fell into disrepair, becoming part of a row of indifferent cottages, a school, and finally a potato store. In 1926 it was bought and partly restored by Mr S. Nicholls, the last Portreeve. In 1947 it was sold to Mr T. Briggs, J.P., and presented to the Urban District Council. In 1959 extensive repairs and reconstruction, accompanied by the demolition of adjacent cottages, brough the Court Hall to its present excellent state of repair. Besides being a splendid example of timber-framing, the Court Hall houses a collection of historical and archaeological items of local interest. (4) [TQ 902 648] Old Court House, Milton Regis, scheduled. (5)(6) Court Hall, a two-storeyed half-timbered building with a hipped roof. Continuous overhang on the east side only. Towards the street the gratings of two lock-ups. (7) Old Court House, descheduled 11th Dec 1996 (8) Additional bibliography (9-12)

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
1. 5282 HIGH STREET (East Side) MILTON REGIS No 110 (The Court House) TQ 9064 NW 1/84 10.9.51. II* GV 2. A timber-framed building Circa 1450, This was the Mediaeval Court Hall of Milton with 2 prison cells beneath. It was also used as a school when there were no courts. It has been restored and is now in use as a museum. 2 storeys timber-framed with plaster infill. The 1st floor is close-studded and has diagonal braces. Steeply pitched tiled roof. 3 casements with diamond panes on the street elevation and 1 original double lancet window on the right side elevation removed from a demolished house in Mill Street. The rear elevation has an overhang. . Curved braces. 4 restored casements on 1st floor and 2 restored wooden mullioned windows on the ground floor. AM. Nos 52 to 76 (even), 80 to 104 (even), 104A and 110 form a group. Listing NGR: TQ9054863700 (13)

Watching brief on improvement work to the Court Hall. Trenching revealed evidence of a timber-framed cross wing which was still in existence prior to renovations in 1957/8, and a cellered structure to the north of the building. Again this building had been still in existence in the early 20th century.(12)

John Clancey, 2010, A Level 3 Buildings Report on The Court Hall, Milton Regis, Sittingbourne, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE54388.

<1> OS 1:1250 1961 (OS Card Reference). SKE48179.

<2> F1 ASP 15-JUL-63 (OS Card Reference). SKE42123.

<3> DOE (HHR) Kent Sittingbnourne and Milton Swale Dist 13 Dec 1974 22 (OS Card Reference). SKE40587.

<4> KAR 29 Autumn 1972 254 (R Mills) (OS Card Reference). SKE45290.

<5> DOE (IAM) AMs England 2 1978 115 (OS Card Reference). SKE40700.

<6> DOE AM Record Form 3rd Nov 1986 (OS Card Reference). SKE40782.

<7> The Buildings of England North East and East Kent 1983 390 (J Newman ed N Pevsner) (OS Card Reference). SKE50194.

<8> Field report for monument TQ 96 SW 55 - July, 1963 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4991.

<9> OLD COURT HALL AT SITTINGBOURNE FROM SOUTH WEST (Photograph). SKE2536.

<10> OLD COURT WALL AT SITTINGBOURNE FROM N.E. (Photograph). SKE2537.

<11> Not applicable, SMR Kent uncatalogued index entry, Descheduled (formerly KE78) 16th Jan 1997 (Miscellaneous Material). SKE6440.

<12> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1999, An Archaeological Watching brief on Improvement Works At Court Hall, High Street, Milton Regis, Nr Sittingbourne, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE12347.

<13> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

Sources and further reading