THE LANDSCAPE OF CHIDDINGSTONE
The history of Chiddingstone can be read in its landscape. This section of the website looks at the land around Chiddingstone. It is a geologically interesting area - indeed the underlying principles of Geology were worked out in the 19th century through studies of the Weald. The patchwork of soil types and water meadows with the ancient tradition of Gavelkind lead to many smallholdings and fields that were actively traded. There is a rich documented history of these transactions going back 800 years, often with maps accompanying them.Looking through these documents, and at soil fertility the rise and fall of family fortunes can be charted through the ages.
The administative structures of the parish were also rooted in its fields. The shifting pattern of manorial holdings and the curious anomalies in the parish boundaries tell a familiar tale of the interaction betweeen land and power.
Transport is another important strand in this story. The ease (or problems) of traveling over the land, by iron age footpaths, road, river, rail or more recently airplane illuminate the history of Chiddingstone from a different perspective. Navigate through all of the above topics by using the keywords in the blue box on the right.
|
|
