Sunshine and daffodils

Searching for the Medieval Churches of Romney Marsh has taken us to interesting places and we are gradually ticking off the list of 14. Probably the prettiest one so far has been this one - St Eanswith, Brenzett. It looked lovely in the sunshine and with the daffodils just opening. St Eanswith was the grand-daughter of Ethelbert who was King of Kent at the time of St Augustine’s arrival in 597. The present church was built in the late 12th century, then additions were made later, including the little shingle spire built in 1394, after the Black Death.

The one in Extras is the church of St George, Ivychurch.  It is much bigger and is known as the Cathedral of Romney Marsh because of its size. This church, as the other Marsh churches, was used by smugglers to hide contraband. Rectors turned a blind eye, sextons were often directly involved and pack horses were led into the church for easy unloading. One documented story simply relates that the Rector was met at the door by the sexton who firmly said: ‘Bain’t be no service s’morning, Parson, pulpit be full o’baccy and the vestry be full of brandy.’ I wonder whether local smuggling will make a return after Brexit! 


Home tomorrow. I'm going to miss the sound of the sea, one gets used to it.