St. John's Jerusalem

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

St. John's Jerusalem is a National Trust property at Sutton-at-Hone, Kent, England which includes the 13th century Knights Hospitallers' Chapel and a garden moated by the River Darent. It is open to the public (on Wednesday afternoons, April - October). It is sometimes referred to as Sutton Manor or the Manor of Sutton-at-Hone. (Note - this property should not be confused with the English Heritage St. John's Commandery near Densole, Kent).

It was established in 1199 as a Commandery of the Knights Hospitallers of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, until it was given to Sir Maurice Denys at the time of the Dissolution.

Naturalist Abraham Hill established an orchard here in 1670, with apples and pears from Herefordshire and Devon that were used for making cider and perry. Varieties that were introduced into Kent as a result included the Kentish Pippin.

From 1755 historian Edward Hasted lived here.

[edit] References