Ospringe

Ospringe
Church of St Peter and St Paul, Ospringe
Ospringe  Ospringe shown within Kent
Population	715 (2001) 771 (2011)[1]
OS grid reference	TR001604
Civil parish	Ospringe
District	Swale
Shire county	Kent
Region	South East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	FAVERSHAM
Postcode district	ME13
Dialling code	01795
Police	Kent
Fire	Kent
Ambulance	South East Coast
EU Parliament	South East England
UK Parliament	Faversham and Mid Kent
List of places UK England Kent

Coordinates: 51°18′40″N 0°52′23″E / 51.311°N 0.873°E / 51.311; 0.873

Ospringe is a village and civil parish in the English county of Kent. It had a population of 715 in 2001,^[2] increasing to 771 at the 2011 census.^[1] Located south of Faversham, Ospringe forms part of the Borough of Swale. It lies on the Roman road Watling Street (nowadays the A2 road), called Ospringe Street in the village. Including the historic Maison Dieu. Another section of the village lies on Water Lane leading southwards towards Painters Forstal. The remains of substantial Roman buildings have been found to its north west; the ruins of the abandoned Stone Chapel lie nearby.

History

The Roman ruins are believed to be the site of the Durolevum mentioned in the Antonine Itinerary, although this remains uncertain.

In 1798, Edward Hasted records that it was once called 'Ospringes' and this name comes from the spring or stream that rises in the village and used to lead to Davington pond.^[3]

The town was once separate from the hundred of Faversham and had its own constable. In 1935 part of the parish (including Ospringe Street) became part of the Borough of Faversham. This enabled electricity to be installed in many of the properties. Other parish matters (such as rubbish collection) were now controlled by Faversham, removing the need to dispose of waste in a local disused quarry.^[3]

The stream (giving the village its name) ran from Whitehill, near Painters Forstal northwards along a valley (along Water Lane), towards Ospringe Church and then past Queen Court (a former mansion house – now Grade II* listed farmhouse,^[4]). The stream then passed through a corn grinding water mill (demolished around 1960) and then actually flowed along Water Lane with raised pavements either side, creating a ford close to the junction with Ospringe Street (beside the Maison Dieu)^[5] It was then culverted under the A2 to reappear on the north side and head towards Chart Gunpowder Mill, before finally running into Faversham creek at Davington.^[3] When the M2 motorway was built in 1965, Water Lane was re-built south of the A2 and the stream completely diverted into a culvert under the road. This sadly led to the complete disappearance of the ford and stream. The raised pavements were eventually levelled. ^[6]

During the Domesday Book survey, the village belonged to Odo, Earl of Kent, (as the Bishop of Bayeux). After Odo's trial for fraud, the village then passed back to the crown as part of the royal demesnes, to Henry II of England reign. In October 1214, King John stayed in the manor of Ospringe and in October 1215 (during the First Barons' War). Richard de Marisco as Lord Chancellor of England came to Ospringe to deliver the Great seal to King John. It then passed to Hubert de Burgh, 1st Earl of Kent but then returned to the King in 1235. In 1299, Queen Margaret became the owner. The manor of Ospringe then became Queen-Court.^[3]

Later, two manors split. Sir John Pulteney became the owner of the manor of Ospringe. He was once Lord Mayor of London (1330–1331 and 1333) and also owner of Penshurst Place. When he died in 1350, it passed to his son William de Pulteney. When Sir William Pulteney died in 1367, it passed to Sir Nicholas Lovaine (Sir William's stepfather). The manor then passed through many generations of that family. Including Sir Philip St Clere. In 1550, Sir Thomas Cheney a Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports became owner.^[3]

During the reign of Edward II, after the split, The Manor of Queen-Court passed to Fulk Peyforer, then in 1357 to Sir William de Clinton. It then returned to the crowns control after his death. Nicholas Potin (a sheriff of Kent) then leased the manor. Then in 1550, it passed to Sir Thomas Cheney, as well. When the 2 manors became one manor. Sir Henry Cheney (Sir Thomas's son) then sold the estate to Richard Thornhill, of London. By 1789, George North, 3rd Earl of Guilford (once MP for Harwich).^[3]

Also including in the Parish of Ospringe are the estates of 'Plumford' and 'Painters' (the later is now part of Painters Forstal). Which were both Manors of Queencourt. It was held in 1547, by the son of Sir Anthony Aucher (an MP for Canterbury). The manor passed through various owners similar to the Manor of Ospringe.^[3] Another estate was Brogdale and Brook Farm (near the hamlet of Whitehill). Named after the brook that led through Ospringe. Brook Farm is now a Grade II listed building.^[7]

Another estate is Elverland, (once called Elvyland). It was owned by John, the youngest son of Bertram de Criol (High Sheriff of Essex in 1239). It passed to his son, Nicholas de Criol. Then it passed to the Maison Dieu, who leased it out for a fee. After the hospital at Maison Dieu ended it passed into private hands again.^[3] The Manor House is now a Grade II listed building.^[8] Another small estate is Hansletts (once called Hansells or Hansletts forstal). This past through various private hands.^[3] Hansletts House is now a Grade II listed building.^[9]

West of the parish, on Judd's Hill is Folly House. It is in the grounds of a 5 acre wood, which in 1201 was owned by the Bishop of Rochester, Gilbert Glanvill. Henry Sandford (a later Bishop) passed the wood to a local resident and his heirs.^[3] It now has become Judd's Folly Hotel,^[10] and Syndale Park Fitness Club.^[11]

West of Folly house, is the estate of Syndale also in private hands.^[3] Now part of Syndale Farm. Syndale Farmhouse is Grade II listed.^[12] Until 1961 a Palladian style house known as Syndale House stood in the grounds immediately south of the A2. It was completely destroyed by fire and not rebuilt.

Also within the parish is the Church of St Paul and St Peter. Which is Grade II* listed.^[13] It was built in the ealry 1200's. The church is in the diocese of Canterbury, and deanery of Ospringe. In 1384, it was under the Aboot of Pontiniac (in France). Then it (and the attached Parsonage) became a possession of the Maison Dieu. In 1558, the Parsonage was privately leased by Robert Streynsham (a former secretary of Earl of Pembroke which then passed through his family.^[3]

See also

• Mount Field

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ospringe.

• Parish Council website
• Details of Roman archaeology