Hope All Saints Church Ruins, New Romney
The church of Hope All Saints is one of several now cared-for by the Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust. It stands on what is probably a man-made mound [see above] surrounded by grazing sheep about a mile from New Romney. Despite the ironic name 'Hope' the village has completely disappeared but nearby Hope Farm commemorates it..
Dating from the 12th century there are six pieces of masonry stil extant representing the corners and some internal walls. The trust guide suggests it was enlarged at some stage and I thought I could make out enough to discern a separate nave and chancel - which may be the enlargement to which the trust referred. The site information sign also appears to show a chancel.
The sign also says the church was in decay by 1573 and was ruined by the mid 17th century. Romney Marsh was a smugglers' haven during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Hope All Saints figured in this illicit trade and the sign relates that a 'Preventative Officer' [Customs man] called Charles Rolfe foiled a gang of smugglers by using the ruined church as a lookout during the 19th century.
Several suggestions have been put forward for the failed villages on Romney Marshes - Broomhill, Eastbridge, Hope All Saints and Midley.
The Black Death in 1348 and subsequent epidemics may have played their part in damaging them in the 14th century but several historians have also noted that the historical death rate on Romney Marshes was approximately twice that of nearby upland villages. Malaria was endemic to Britain in medieval times and into the Tudor period and was often remarked upon as 'marsh fever'. It seems likely that the harsh environment, the Black Death and the local malaria all played their part in undermining the viability of these communities.
The Romney Marshes Historic Churches Trust was formed under the patronage of the then Archbishop of Canterbury Robert Runcie and the former Private Eye editor Richard Ingrams. Details about the trust are obtainable from Mrs Elizabeth Marshall, Lansdell House, Rolvenden, Kent, TN17 4LW.
Hope All Saints Church Ruins, New Romney
The church of Hope All Saints is one of several now cared-for by the Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust. It stands on what is probably a man-made mound [see above] surrounded by grazing sheep about a mile from New Romney. Despite the ironic name 'Hope' the village has completely disappeared but nearby Hope Farm commemorates it..
Dating from the 12th century there are six pieces of masonry stil extant representing the corners and some internal walls. The trust guide suggests it was enlarged at some stage and I thought I could make out enough to discern a separate nave and chancel - which may be the enlargement to which the trust referred. The site information sign also appears to show a chancel.
The sign also says the church was in decay by 1573 and was ruined by the mid 17th century. Romney Marsh was a smugglers' haven during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Hope All Saints figured in this illicit trade and the sign relates that a 'Preventative Officer' [Customs man] called Charles Rolfe foiled a gang of smugglers by using the ruined church as a lookout during the 19th century.
Several suggestions have been put forward for the failed villages on Romney Marshes - Broomhill, Eastbridge, Hope All Saints and Midley.
The Black Death in 1348 and subsequent epidemics may have played their part in damaging them in the 14th century but several historians have also noted that the historical death rate on Romney Marshes was approximately twice that of nearby upland villages. Malaria was endemic to Britain in medieval times and into the Tudor period and was often remarked upon as 'marsh fever'. It seems likely that the harsh environment, the Black Death and the local malaria all played their part in undermining the viability of these communities.
The Romney Marshes Historic Churches Trust was formed under the patronage of the then Archbishop of Canterbury Robert Runcie and the former Private Eye editor Richard Ingrams. Details about the trust are obtainable from Mrs Elizabeth Marshall, Lansdell House, Rolvenden, Kent, TN17 4LW.