Taken from source - In the earlier Medieval period this area, at the southern end of Bench Street, was the centre of commercial trade, It was here that the King’s Custom was set up, known as the ‘Bench’ that eventually gave its name to that part of the Street. Over time, the ‘Bench’ was used for other monetary transactions such as the settlement of debts and early forms of banking. The market was originally nearby but by 1479, it had moved to what is now the Market Square. The ‘Bench‘ remained and became the place where religious dissenters preached and poor refugees congregated along with destitute seamen – for this reason, the area became known as ‘Penniless Bench’ (1)

This area is depicted on a map by Thomas Digges dating to 1588 where it is labelled 'Peniles Bench' (2)

<1> Lorraine Sencicle, 2014, The Dover Historian - Bench Street and the Crypt Tragedy (Website). SKE32356.

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