Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Inscribed slabs in the former chantry chapel of St Michael and All Angels, Kingsnorth

Monument Types

• INSCRIBED STONE (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1421 AD to 1763 AD?)
• COFFIN (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Associated Finds

• HUMAN REMAINS (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Full description

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Evaluation undertaken by CAT in 2003 prior to construction of an extention to St Michael and All Angels Church, Kingsnorth.

The incribed slab covering the presumed resting place of William Parker (d.18/6/1421) was lifted to determine whether a vault lay underneath. The slab rested on a plinth of roughly hewn ragstone blocks, raising it above the level of the chapel floor. It stood 0.70-0.80m from the north wall, suggesting the presence of a canopy above the tomb, of which no trace remains. The floor of the chapel consisted of at least 4 slabs, probably dating to the latter phase of the chapel's use. Three were inscribed Humphrey Wightwick, Edward Wightwick, and Mary Wightwick. No inscriptions was found on a fourth slab. These resounded with a hollow noise, suggesting a void beneath each, either indiviual vaults or a family vault. (1)

Furthe excavation around William Parker's monument proved that it had been moved in antiquity as it lay over two post-medieval graves, probably those of the Wightwick family. One of the slabs that was previouslt thought to be uninscribed was found to be that of Marie Wightwick. One grave was encountered during the removal of foundations of the 19th century boiler house. It had a well-reserved timber coffin in a grave cut into the natural subsoil. None of the incised slabs lay over the burial, though decorative bronze studwork on the coffin had the initials G W and A G and a date of 1(?)76. (2)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2004, An archaeological evaluation in the northern churchyard of St. Michael and All Angels Church, Kingnorth, Nr. Ashford, Kent (Phase I & II) (Unpublished document). SKE16551.

<2> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2010, Archaeological and historical investigations forming the final phase of works associated with the refurbishment of St Michael and All Angels Church, Church Hill, Kingsnorth (Unpublished document). SKE16600.

Sources and further reading