Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

The site of St. Giles Church is located on a hill to the east of Sarre. The foundations and remains of walls of a building were discovered in 1982 by the Thanet Archaeological Unit. In spite of the north south orientation of these remains they are thought to be part of the church of St. Giles, also possibly a chantry chapel.

The medieval parish church and its surrounding graveyards partly overlie the earlier cemetery and an Iron Age settlement at the site. Historical records suggest that the church, dedicated to St. Giles, was in existence by the 11th century. Due to depopulation the parish joined with St. Nicholas at Wade; little remained of the church past the 18th century.

Monument Types

• CHURCH (Demolished, Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon to Post Medieval - 1000 AD? to 1720 AD?)

Full description

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[TR 26226507] St. Gile's (sic) Church (NR) (site of (NAT) (1)

The Church of St Giles, Sarre, which is shown on a map of c. 1414, was situated on a hill to the east of the town on the left side of the road to Monkton, but there are now no remains. (2,3)

The published site is marked by a wide scatter of broken stone and roof tile. The land-owners know nothing about the church. (4)

TR 263651. St Giles, Sarre, excavated in 1982 by D.R.J. Perkins on behalf of the Thanet Archaeology Unit. Publication in preparation. (5)

TR 263561. Cropmarks indicating site of St Giles Church. Site no. 140. (6)

TR 263651. Foundations and remains of walls of a building orientated north-south were discovered in 1982 by the Thanet Archaeological Unit. In spite of the orientation these are probably part of the ancient church of St. Giles. A chantry chapel? (7)

Situated in the north eastern part of the monument, the medieval parish church and its surrounding graveyards partly overlie the earlier cemetery and iron age settlement. The 1982 investigations revealed the flint footings of part of a north east-south west aligned, rectangular medieval building, possibly a chantry chapel attached to the northern side of the chancel, or an associated secular building. Historical records suggest that the church, dedicated to St. Giles, was in existence by the 11th century. During the medieval period Sarre was a member of the Cinque Port of Sandwich, and in the late 11th century the manor belonged to the important Norman family of Crevequer. As a result of the Black Death and the gradual silting up of the Wantsum Channel during the 14th century, the village became depopulated. By the early 16th century the church was becoming derelict and the parish was eventually amalgamated with nearby St Nicolas-at-Wade. All above ground traces of the church had disappeared by the early 18th century. The southern part of the churchyard may have been destroyed by the excavation of the post-medieval chalk pit.(8)

From the National Heritage List of England:

Situated in the north eastern part of the monument, the medieval parish church and its surrounding graveyard partly overlie the earlier Anglo-Saxon cemetery and Iron Age settlement. The 1982 investigations revealed the flint footings of part of a north east-south west aligned, rectangular medieval building, possibly a chantry chapel attached to the northern side of the chancel, or an associated secular building. Historical records suggest that the church, dedicated to St Giles, was in existence by the 11th century. During the medieval period Sarre was a member of the Cinque Port of Sandwich, and in the late 11th century the manor belonged to the important Norman family of Crevequer. As a result of the Black Death and the gradual silting up of the Wantsum Channel during the 14th century, the village became depopulated. By the early 16th century the church was becoming derelict and the parish was eventually amalgamated with nearby St Nicholas-at-Wade. All above ground traces of the church had disappeared by the early 18th century. The southern part of the churchyard may have been destroyed by the excavation of the post-medieval chalk pit (9)

<1> OS 6" 1961 (OS Card Reference). SKE48369.

<2> Chronicles of GB - Hist Mon 5 August Cant (Thomas of Elmharn) (OS Card Reference). SKE38959.

<3> Hasted, E., 1799, The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent: Volume 4, Hist of Kent 4 1799 307 (E Hasted) (Monograph). SKE11870.

<4> F1 ASP 02-DEC-63 (OS Card Reference). SKE41892.

<5> RCHME Excavations index Thanet Kent 3 (OS Card Reference). SKE48999.

<6> Thanet The Arch Heritage c 1982 9 (Thanet Dist Council and Isle of Thanet Arch Unit) (OS Card Reference). SKE49882.

<7> Trust for Thanet Archaeology, 1987, Isle of Thanet Archaeological Unit Sites and Monuments Archive, Isle of Thanet Arch Unit Sites and Mons Archive 1988 Record no 140 (Collection). SKE11846.

<8> Field report for monument TR 26 NE 12 - December, 1963 (Bibliographic reference). SKE5811.

<8> English Heritage Scheduling Section, 1999, Anglo-Saxon Cemetery, Parish Church of St. Giles and Associated Remains Immediately East of Sarre Mill (Scheduling record). SKE11850.

<9> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

Sources and further reading