Monument record TR 36 SW 6 - Abbot's Wall, Monkton, Minster and Sandwich

Summary

Abbot's Wall is a seawall probably built by the Abbot of St Augustine along the River Stour to prevent the sea flooding the Minster marshes. The precise date of its construction is uncertain. A document from 1293 concerning the blocking of a creek at Minster twenty years previously is thought to be a related incident. The wall comprises an earthen sea bank and an inner drainage ditch, in places a berm also seperates these sections. A number of contemporary sluices are cut into the bank along its length. The feature extends for approximately 7 kilometres from just to the south of Monkton to near Richborough Port. Most of the wall is in good condition except for the final kilometre which has been destroyed.

Location

Grid reference TR 3125 6293 (point) LIN
Map sheet TR36SW
County KENT
District THANET, KENT
Civil Parish MINSTER, THANET, KENT

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Type and Period (1)

Full Description

[Extends from TR 2671 6416 to TR 3341 6203] Sea Wall [NR - several places] (1) The "Abbot's Wall" was built by the Abbot of St Augustine along the River Stour to prevent the sea flooding the marshes. It is not known when it was built but an action in 1293 concerning the blocking of a creek at Minster twenty years previously may refer to the building of the wall. (2) The Abbots Wall encloses Minster Marshes and comprises an earthen sea bank with an inner drainage ditch, in places separated from the bank by a berm. The bank is interrupted at several points by sluices which are clearly contemporary. The feature extends from TR 2668 6416 to TR 3213 6275, and is in good condition, but from TR 3215 6274 to TR 3341 6203 it has been destroyed. Published survey 1/2500 revised. (3) additonal reference (4)


<1> OS 6" 1960 (OS Card Reference). SKE48367.

<2> History of Kent 4 1799 325-6 (E Hasted) (OS Card Reference). SKE44119.

<3> F1 ASP 04-DEC-63 (OS Card Reference). SKE41917.

<4> Field report for monument TR 36 SW 6 - December, 1963 (Bibliographic reference). SKE6272.

Sources/Archives (4)

  • <1>XY OS Card Reference: OS 6" 1960. [Mapped feature: #65827 sea wall, ]
  • <2> OS Card Reference: History of Kent 4 1799 325-6 (E Hasted).
  • <3> OS Card Reference: F1 ASP 04-DEC-63.
  • <4> Bibliographic reference: Field report for monument TR 36 SW 6 - December, 1963.

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Record last edited

Jul 25 2023 4:09PM