Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Mapping dating to the early post medieval period depicts a chapel between Archcliffe Fort and the shore. This is likely to be Archcliffe Chapel which is also known as Our Lady Of Pity Chapel, the original date of which is unknown but is possibly Medieval. (location accurate to the nearest 50m based on available information)

Monument Types

• CHAPEL (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1530 AD? to 1641 AD?)

Full description

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A number or cartographic sources dating to the early post medieval period depict a chapel between Archcliffe fort, the Pier District (now lost) and the shore. This is the likely location of Archcliffe Chapel, also known as Our Lady of Pity Chapel. An early example is that produced by Thomas Digges in 1595. Digges has usefully labelled all of the important features within the harbour including Archcliffe Chapel. (1) two slightly earlier plans, also produced by Digges, dating to 1581 and 1588, and another almost contemporary plan by a different author; Thomas Miles, which dates to 1580, also depicts a structure in this location, it appears to be of a similar form to that shown on his 1595 map and is probably also a depiction of Archcliffe Chapel. (2-4)

William Eldred's survey of the town and port of Dover, dating to 1641 also depicts Archcliffe Chapel (sheet 9/10). Here it is situated just to the north east of Archcliffe Point and as part of a row of buildings/dwellings which back onto the shore. (5) Another plan (possibly) attributed to Eldred, dating to 1631, also shows a structure in this location though here it is not as clear. (6)

Mildert, who writes in 1828, briefly mentions the chapel; he notes that 'the ravages of time have entirely swept away all remains of this chapel and left only the rocks on which it stood'. (7) A number of dates have been suggested for the destruction of this chapel, Batcheller, who writes in 1828 suggests a date of 1576 for its destruction when ' it was totally washed down by a tempestuous gale' (8). This date seems unlikely due to the fact that it is present on both Eldred's and Digges's maps which post-date this suggested date. The exact construction and demolition date of this chapel therefore remains unknown.

Bavington-Jones writes this about the chapel; "Great Street, which is a very short thoroughfare, filling the space between Bulwark Street and Beach Street, is on a rather higher level. On the headland overlooking this spot, existed an ancient chapel dedicated to 'Our Lady of Pity.' This chapel was supposed to have been erected in Mediaeval times by a Northern nobleman, who was saved from shipwreck near this place; and it was restored, in 1530, by Joachim de Vaux, the then French Ambassador to England, who had also had an escape from sea peril on the adjoining shore; and, after its restoration, it seems the Ambassador established in it a friar named John de Ponte. This ecclesiastic was accused of giving information to the French, during the war in 1538, by burning lights in his chapel during the night. This not only brought him into trouble with the Government, but also made him so unpopular with the Dover people that the arms of the King of France, placed over the chapel door, were defaced. When Sir John Clark, the Master of the Maison Dieu, and the originator of Paradise harbour, died, this Friar applied to the King's Remembrancer for the place, but without success, for the appointment went to Sir John Thompson, rector of St. James's, who retaliated on his rival, breaking into his chapel, and reporting to the King that he found in the Mass book the Pope's name before the King's. Eventually, the Mayor of Dover imprisoned John de Ponte for communicating intelligence to the French; and, during his incarceration, his chapel was desecrated.” (9)

An archaeological evaluation of Town Yard undertaken by Canterbury Archaeological Trust discusses the former site of the chapel which is here suggested as being situated at the western end of Beach Street (a 18th century street which has since been lost). The report notes that the chapels exact foundation date is uncertain but it was probably ancient when it was restored in 1530. The excavations here targeted the chapel but no remains were located although a fragment of human skull which was uncovered may ultimately be derived from its associated cemetery. (10)

The impacts of the Dover Western Docks Revival scheme to the possible buried remains of this feature are discussed (11-12)

<1> Thomas Digges, 1595, The state of Dover Haven with the New workes (Map). SKE31987.

<2> Thomas Digges, 1588, Plan of Work at Dover Harbour (Map). SKE31986.

<3> Thomas Digges, 1581, The State of Dover Haven (Map). SKE31984.

<4> Thomas Miles, 1580, Proposal for Dover Harbour (Map). SKE31983.

<5> William Eldred, 1641, The Platt of Dover Castle Towne and Harbor (Map). SKE31804.

<6> William Eldred (?), 1631, Plan of lands belonging to the Priory and now to Master Buffkyn (Map). SKE31988.

<7> William Van Mildert, 1828, A Short Historical sketch of the Town of Dover and its Neighbourhood. (Monograph). SKE32004.

<8> W. Batcheller, 1828, A New History of Dover and of Dover Castle (Monograph). SKE32012.

<9> J. Bavington Jones, 1907, Dover; A Perambulation of the Town, Port and Fortress. (Monograph). SKE32120.

<10> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2002, Report on Archaeological Evaluation Trenching at Town Yard, Dover Western Docks (Unpublished document). SKE8245.

<11> Maritime Archaeology, 2008, Dover Terminal 2 -EIA: Historic environmental assessment report (Unpublished document). SKE29382.

<12> Maritime Archaeology, 2008, Dover Terminal 2 EIA: Historic Environment Baseline Report (Unpublished document). SKE31717.

Sources and further reading