Monument record TQ 65 NE 1 - St Blaise's Chapel (Remains of) in Offham

Summary

The Chapel of St Blaise was an ancient church in the woods nearly opposite Malling Union. There are still parts of the ruins above ground from which it appears to have been a small church with nave and apse. At the beginning of his reign, Richard I gave free alms to the Hospital of St Mary of Strood forever and two parts of his wood near West Malling, which belonged to the Manor of Aylesford. This was confirmed by Archbishop Hubert Walter 1193-1205. In 1534 the income for the hospital included the Chapel of St Blaise. It was in the gift of the brethren of Strood Hospital but they do not appear to have had any priest inducted to it. The walling is of ragstone rubble masonry averaging 0.6m wide but there is no visible evidence of doorways. Medieval roofing tiles are scattered over the area. Owing to the lack of architectural detail, it is difficult to determine the nature and purpose of this building. However, it would appear reasonable to assume that, on account of its orientation which is similar to that of other churches in the neighbourhood, the smaller building is the chapel. The larger (N-S) building is, therefore, presumably domestic offices. The Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit had a watching brief nearby and noted that the site is in a bad state of decay. Fences have been repaired recently to keep out grazing sheep.

Location

Grid reference Centred TQ 6614 5648 (19m by 19m) FCE
Map sheet TQ65NE
County KENT
District TONBRIDGE AND MALLING, KENT
Civil Parish OFFHAM, TONBRIDGE AND MALLING, KENT

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

<1> OS 6" 1909 (OS Card Reference). SKE48324.

<2> OS 6" 1907-37 (OS Card Reference). SKE48319.

<3> Records of Rochester 1910 23 (G H Fielding) (OS Card Reference). SKE49107.

<4> History of Kent 2 1782 214 (OS Card Reference). SKE44105.

<5> Val Eccl 105 (OS Card Reference). SKE50787.

<6> Arch Cant 29 1911 245 (Hussey) (OS Card Reference). SKE34953.

<7> F1 A Clarke 31.7.59 (OS Card Reference). SKE41737.

<8> F2 FGA 19.02.64 (OS Card Reference). SKE43328.

<9> Field report for monument TQ 65 NE 1 - February, 1964 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3284.

<10> Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit, 2001, Archaeological Report on Blaise Farm Quarry, Offam, KARU 2001 (Unpublished document). SKE7602.

<12> Historic England, National Heritage List for England (Index). SKE29372.

Sources/Archives (11)

  • <1> OS Card Reference: OS 6" 1909.
  • <2> OS Card Reference: OS 6" 1907-37.
  • <3> OS Card Reference: Records of Rochester 1910 23 (G H Fielding).
  • <4> OS Card Reference: History of Kent 2 1782 214.
  • <5> OS Card Reference: Val Eccl 105.
  • <6> OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 29 1911 245 (Hussey).
  • <7> OS Card Reference: F1 A Clarke 31.7.59.
  • <8> OS Card Reference: F2 FGA 19.02.64.
  • <9> Bibliographic reference: Field report for monument TQ 65 NE 1 - February, 1964.
  • <10> Unpublished document: Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit. 2001. Archaeological Report on Blaise Farm Quarry, Offam. KARU 2001.
  • <12>XY Index: Historic England. National Heritage List for England. [Mapped feature: #70 Ruined building, ]

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

  • Intrusive Event: Evaluation at Blaise Farm Quarry, Offham (EKE5603)

Related Thematic Articles (1)

Record last edited

Jun 1 2021 4:51PM