Other Places of Interest - Cliffe History

The   Rectory, a very interesting house, part of which dates from   the fourteenth century, originally consisted of a great   hall, with kitchens at one end and living rooms at the other. This hall, which was afterwards divided up by the   insertion of a ceiling and partition walls, still exists as   part of the present house. Many carved and moulded stones,   believed to have come from a chapel joined to the house and   built in the year 1348, were dug up and have been built into the wall of the garden. Various records indicate that the   house has been burnt down at least once and that it probably   suffered violence and perhaps pillage in 1378 from Wat   Tyler’s rebels. It is popularly believed that the Magna Carta was drawn up here. It is also reputed to possess a   ghost – a friendly one with rustling draperies. A custome   that all callers at the Rectory on St. James’ Day (25th   July) were entitled to be given a mutton pie and a loaf of   bread was discontinued about a hundred and fifty years ago. The ‘mutton’ pies, we are told, were made from lambs’ tails   contributed by local farmers.

Of notable properties in the parish perhaps the best   known is Manor House, now in the occupation of Mr. W.   Filmer. An interesting feature are two beautiful old brick   chimneys, which happily, escaped destruction when the house   was severely damaged by fire at the beginning of the present   century. This same fire damaged the old bay windows and of   the fine exterior timbers, but skilful workmanship restored   to the house much of its former beauty.

Courtsole, adjoining the churchyard on the north side, is   another of the older houses which are still occupied. It was   for a long time the property of one or another of the family   of Roper’s, until it was conveyed by sale to a Mr. Joseph   Hasted, of Chatham, whose grandson, Edward Hasted,   afterwards inherited it. Although not the well-known Kentish   historian having the same surname, Edward was definitely a   relative.

Both ‘Cardens’ and ‘Mortimers’ are estates which appear   to have derived their names from their early owners. The   former, we are told, was held in the reign of Edward I, by   the heirs of Robert Cardon, Robert le Ram and Alicia   Salamon. According to Halsted, ‘In the 20th year of Edward   III John Cardon and others held it in the manor of Horton   Kirby, as the fourth part of one knight’s fee for which they   paid respective aid at making the Black Prince a   knight.’Joane, the wife of one of Robert le Ram’s   descendants, is buried in Cliffe Church. ‘Mortimers’   sometimes called ‘Bluegates’, was anciently in the   possession of a younger branch of the great family of   Mortimer, John Mortimer residing there in the reign of   Edward III, it being recorded that at that time he was   ‘summoned’ to provide a hobbeler, or light horseman, for the   security of the coast around about Genlade (Yantlett) in   Hoo.

Bury Court is another of the old estates mention in the   various records, being sometimes called Berry Court, Bury   Court or Perry Court. The actual farmhouse of Berry Court   now no longer exists. ‘Quickrells’ is another old property,   and is mentioned in the old 1735 Rate Book.

One of the quaintest buildings in Cliffe is the Post   Office. Built over 300 years ago, it was here that Cliffe Co-operative Society commenced business, remaining there   until more commercial premises were built for them in Church   Street. The Post Office now belongs to the Rector and   Churchwardens to whom it was given, in 1920, ‘to be used as   a men’s club.’

Almost opposite the Post Office is a passageway leading   from the High Street to the Churchyard, and this is reputed   to be the scene of the stocks of years ago.