| Milton Regis | |
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Milton Regis
Milton Regis shown within Kent |
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| Population | 5,100 (2005)[1] |
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| District | Swale |
| Shire county | Kent |
| Region | South East |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Police | Kent |
| Fire | Kent |
| Ambulance | South East Coast |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| List of places: UK • England • Kent | |
Milton Regis is a village in the district of Swale in Kent, England. It has a population of about 5,100. Today it is a suburb of Sittingbourne although this has not always been the case. Milton Regis has a much older and richer history. It was only a few hundred years ago when the position was reversed with Sittingbourne being the less important, much smaller hamlet and under the control and power of the Manor of Milton Regis. It must be pointed out that the current location of Milton Regis dates back to Medieval period, with many fine timber-framed houses and buildings existing today, with a Medieval Court Hall (a seat of Justice and Administration) that dates back to 1450AD. The town and Manor of Middleton Regis as it was called then was recorded as the largest and most powerful manor in the Lathe of Scraye (in the centre of Kent). Before this, in ancient times - the original location of the town was approximately a mile further north, sited on what is called today Church Marshes (see Church Marshes Country Park) at the base of Kemsley Down, on the banks of Milton Creek at its estuary with the River Swale, which acts as a boundary with the Isle of Sheppey. It's partly due to these two navigable waters that link directly to the River Thames and its estuary across the English Channel to Europe ,that has formed its rich history. These two waterways of Milton creek and the Swale have been used as motorways as a connection to trade and invade throughout time.
Milton Regis was formerly part of the Sittingbourne and Milton urban district.
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To list some of its rich earlier history; the Norman Domesday Book of 1086AD records the town as Middleton Terra Regis ( Royal lands ) the Kings town of Kent. Noting it as a town and a port of wealth, whereby William the Conqueror, took it into his personal possession and gave it into the hands of his half brother Odo for safe keeping, and also appointed a portreeve, Hugh de Port, to preside over the town. Later he was to become the shirereeve or Sheriff of Kent.
Earlier in the 11th century the Saxon chronicles record Godwin, Earl of Wessex, a powerful noblemen at the time, burning the town to the ground in 1052AD, one of several Royal towns and property possessions belonging to King Edward the Confessor, that were destroyed by Earl Godwin's army, during a dispute which lasted over many years, due to Earl Godwin's challenge and claim to the throne of England. The town was later rebuilt to its former eminence.
The Saxon chronicles record in 893AD Haestan landed in Milton Creek with a Viking Dane invasion force of 80 ships, the town was recorded then as Mylton Royale. This naval force was only part of a larger fleet of 250 ships, the remaining group under the command of Jarl Harald (Bloodhair) landing at Appledore in the Romney Marsh in the south of Kent. History recalls that Haestan's warriors with their wives and children built a fortress on the banks of Milton Creek at Kemsley Down and this has been known as Castlerough ever since.[2]
In response Alfred the Great, King of England was forced to send a large army to Kent to fight and defeat the Danish invasion, certain records refer to King Alfred building a Castle or Burh on the opposite bank of the Creek. Further back in history in 680AD the Saxon chronicles recall the Abbess and Queen Seaxburh of Ely of Kent the widow of King Eorcenberht of Kent, passing the Kingdom of Kent to her eldest son at his coming of age. Crowning him King of Kent at a grand ceremony held at the doors of Milton Regis, Holy Trinity Church at Church Marshes, the site of the town at the time.
Other historical legends or myths involving Milton Regis include a fortress or garrison belonging the Danish princes Hengist and Horsa in their takeover of the kingdom of Kent from the local sub King Vortigern in circa 449AD.
The church has long history, it is believed to have been originally constructed over a Pagan stone worship site, by the Romans (with a nearby Roman Villa),[3] with remains and bricks of that period (and ruined villa) still visible in the church walls.
The Cathedral records of Ely in 680, refer that Seaxburh of Ely,(Queen Sexburga, Abbess of Minster in Sheppey) left her 'life' at the doors of 'Mylton' Church.[3]
The present church is of Augustinian foundation though with substantial additions and rebuilding in the Saxon and Norman periods. Other parts added were a family chapel and chancery by the local Barons (the Norwode (or Norwood) family) in circa 1420AD, these being descendants of Harold Godwinson who for a few months in 1066 was King Harold II. In the 13th Century, Stephen de Northwode built a manor in the Parish of Milton. The house was known as "Norwood without Sheppey" and also known as "Norwood Chasteners." [4]
The church also claims to have one of the thickest-walled Norman tower and to be one of the oldest churches in Kent.[3]
For such a large tower the ring of bells is surprisingly light. A ring of 5 bells was recorded in 1681 (tenor 12-0-15), The tenor was recast as 11cwt 1qtr 24lbs in 1890. In 1934 the whole ring was retuned, rehung, the tenor again recast and a new treble added. There is currently a ring of six (tenor 10-3-13 in G) hung in the English style for full circle ringing.[5]
Local legend tells that after the village had moved to its current location, the church was going to be rebuilt in the centre. However each time stones were moved from the old site to the new place, St Augustine came down and put them back overnight. He had put the church where he wanted it to be and did not want it moving!
In more recent times, the area in the 1887 was heavily involved in the paper manufacturing industry,[6] starting under the ownership of the Lloyd family (see Edward Lloyd (publisher) and Hvittingfoss ), wealthy newspaper publishers from London, however finally the local mill ceased production in January 2007.
During a similar period the area around Milton Regis and its marshlands was very involved with brick making, being rich in brick earth as a local resource.
The creek was once used as a power source for the paper mills at Milton Regis and Kemsley to operate, along with the many brick works as being an effective, safe and cheap method of transporting the materials in and the goods out. This long commercial and industrial history of Milton Creek generated a need for a large fleet of trading barges at the time, and sadly now that time has passed.[6]
A major industry remaining in the area is Milton Pipes,[7] producers of pre-cast concrete drainage pipes.