Cuxton

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Cuxton

Coordinates: 51.37° N 0.43° E

Cuxton (United Kingdom)
Cuxton
OS grid reference TQ709665
Parish Cuxton
Unitary authority Medway
Ceremonial county Kent
Region South East
Constituent country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town ROCHESTER
Postcode district ME2
Dial code 01634
Police Kent
Fire Kent
Ambulance South East Coast
UK Parliament Medway to be replaced 2007 by Rochester and Strood
European Parliament South East England
List of places: UKEnglandKent

Cuxton is a village in the unitary authority of Medway. It lies on left bank of the River Medway in the North Downs. It is served by the A228, and a station on the Medway Valley Line between Strood and Maidstone. A low valley leads up from the river to the hamlet of Lower Bush.

[edit] Etymology

Cucula's stone- OE Cucolan stan 880, Cuclestana, Cucclestane 775, Coclestane 1086, Cukelstan 1240, Cuckston 1610 [1]


[edit] History[2]

Archaelogical evidence suggest the first human occupation was around 200 000 years ago. A hoard of 196 handaxes from the Acheulian era was excavated in 1962. This is now displayed in the British Museum.

Remains of a roman villa was found under the church yard. The Saxons occupied the village and it became known as Cuckelstane.The church and parish was given by Ethelwulf, King of the West Saxons to the Cathedral church of St. Andrew, Rochester.

The church contains much Norman architecture, and is unusual as it lies on a southeast northwest axis. This gave rise to the rhyme

He that would see a church miswent

Let him go to Cucklestane in Kent

In Tudor times the principal house in the village was Whorne's place erected on the river, by Sir William Whorne, Lord Mayor of London in 1487. This was later owned by Sir Joseph Levinson [1556-1615] the privateer. This was taken over by the Mashams, strong royalists who moved on to the Mote in Maidstone. Only a outlying granary survived in 1971.

The only other manor in Tudor Cuxton was that of Beresse or Beresh, now known as Bush. It doesn't survive.

In 1610, William Laud was rector of Cuxton, he later became Archbishop of Canterbury under Charles I, he was executed by the puritans in 1645 because of his strong royalist loyalties.

In Upper Bush there exists a Tudor Kentish Yeoman's house.

[edit] Industry

Chalk extraction and Cement.

References

  1. ^ Judith Glover,The Place Names of Kent,1976,Batsford.
  2. ^ Brian Matthews, M.A.,A History of Strood Rural District, pub. Strood Rural District Council 1971
The unitary authority of Medway in Kent, South East England
with its suburbs, villages, towns and parishes:

AllhallowsBorstal • Brompton • ChathamChattendenCliffeCliffe and Cliffe WoodsCliffe WoodsCoolingCuxtonFrindsburyFrindsbury ExtraFrindsbury IntraGillinghamHallingHempsteadHigh HalstowHoo St WerburghIsle of GrainLordswood • Lower Rainham • LutonPark WoodRochesterRainham • Rainham Mark • St Mary HooSt Mary's IslandStokeStroodTwydallUpchurchUpnorWainscottWalderslade • Wigmore • Wouldham

The unitary authority of Medway
List of places in Kent