Milton Chantry
| Milton Chantry | |
|---|---|
|
Milton Chantry within New Tavern Park | |
| Coordinates | 51°26′38″N 0°22′35″E / 51.4439°N 0.3765°ECoordinates: 51°26′38″N 0°22′35″E / 51.4439°N 0.3765°E |
| OS grid reference | TQ 6525 7434 |
| Founded | 1322 |
| Built for | Aymer de Valence |
Listed Building | |
| Type | Grade II* |
| Designated | 23 January 1952 |
| Reference no. | 356342 |
  Milton Chantry location in Kent | |
Milton Chantry, is a former Chantry in Gravesend,Kent England. Now used as the Chantry Heritage Centre displaying a range of exhibits relating to Gravesend, Northfleet and the nearby villages. It is situated within the Fort Gardens.
It is designated by English Heritage as a Grade II* listed building.[1]
History
Milton Chantry is the oldest building in the Borough of Gravesham, in the former parish of Milton. It was founded in 1322 by Aymer de Valence the Earl of Pembroke.[2] The chapel is all that remains of the nearby leper hospital.[1] Called the Hospital of St. Mary the Virgin.[3] The purpose of a chantry chapel was to say prayers for the souls of the dead.[4] Many wealthy people built Chantry Chapels and gave them land to generate an income, in order to maintain a priest to pray for the owner and his family.[2]
The Chantry housed a number of priests appointed by the Bishop of Rochester until around 1524. It was then dissolved into Crown hands as part of Henry VIII's reformation of the churches. The building then became a family home (after a few alterations)[4] and farm and by the end of the 17th Century it had become an inn/tavern.[2] Called New Tavern.[1]
Between 1780 to 1918, New Tavern Fort occupied the area around the Tavern. The tavern was converted into part of the fort's barracks. The New Tavern Fort was majorly altered in 1868-1871 under the direction of Charles George Gordon. The tavern/barracks were restored in 1852 and 1862.[1]
In 1932, the Fort was converted into a park for the residents of Gravesend. During the World War II, the basement was converted into a gas decontamination chamber.[3] The chapel was then converted into the local museum. Now called Chantry Heritage Centre.[2] It is now under the care of the Gravesend Local History Society.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Milton Chantry, Gravesend". www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Chantry Heritage Centre". gravesham.gov.uk. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "MILTON CHANTRY". pastscape.org.uk. 2007. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "MILTON CHANTRY, GRAVESEND, KENT". english-heritage.org.uk (English Heritage). August 2004. Retrieved 28 June 2014.