In 1951 a section of wall was recorded which is believed to be part of a medieval manorial complex. The wall section was made up of a mixture of Kentish ragstone, chalk with some blocks of Reigate stone. The mortar was soft and powdery. There were no flints. The wall was demolished in 1955 when the whole area was redeveloped. A short length of return wall was reported discovered in the basement of a shop fronting West Street (to the north) but was never recorded and the building has now been demolished.

Site of a manorial complex built between 1362 and 1368 by Edward lII. The complex consisted of a hall and king's chamber, a chapel, a gatehouse, two houses next to the gate and as ancillary buildings a kitchen, three houses with latrines, two ovens and a bakery, two granges, a bridge and a wharf. In 1383 the manor was granted to the trustees of the convent of St. Mary Graces on Tower Hill for making a dormitory cloister and other buildings. It appears tha the gatehouse and some of the other buildings survived. A tall three storey tower building in the area of Chapel Lane can be seen on a 18th century view of Gravesend. A late 18th century historian describs a decroative doorway of ancient date in Chapel Lane. There is no trace of this doorway or tower in later descriptions or photgraphs, but the name "Chapel Lane" is believed to have originated from the fact that it led to the main gate of the manorial site and the door of St. Georges Church the site of an eariler chapel. Towered gate houses were also popular in the 14th century.

The location of the manorial buildings is not known, but the road names "New Court Lane" next to the wall found in 1951 and "Chapel Lane" suggest proximity to the manor. If so then the complex would not have stood further north than West Street.(1-2)

Hiscock, R. H., 1990, "King John's Palace", Gravesend: Some Notes on a Riverside Edwardian Royal Manor House, Arch Cant CVII p 193-205 (Article in serial). SKE11947.

Hiscock, R. H., 1990, "King John's Palace", Gravesend: Some Notes on a Riverside Edwardian Royal Manor House, Arch Cant CVII p 193-205 (Article in serial). Ske11947.

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1998, High Street, Gravesend: Site Inspection Report & Documentary Study (Unpublished document). SWX6737.