Leaveland
| Leaveland | |
| Kent | |
|---|---|
 St Laurence Church, Leaveland | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TR004547 |
| Location: | 51°15’26"N, 0°52’17"E |
| Data | |
| Population: | 100 (2011) |
| Post town: | Faversham |
| Postcode: | ME13 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Swale |
Leaveland is a hamlet in eastern Kent. It is alone on its country lanes, in rich farmland, on the A251 five miles due south of Faversham, and two miles north of Challock. Another hamlet, Badlesmere, is almost adjacent to the east.[1]
History
The name 'Leaveland' appears to be from the Old English Leofan land, meaning 'Leofa's land'. This is one of the main reasons for the dominance of agricultural practices which take place here.
Leaveland is mentioned in the Domesday book as Levant, in the Hundred of Faversham. There was a total population of 3 households, and 1 unchanged tax units, with 2 villagers, with 1 small holder. There is 1 lords plough team, and 1 men's plough team and other resources include a woodland 5 swine render. The overlord in 1066 was Archbishop of Canterbury, and the value of the area to the lord in 1070 was £1.5.[2]
In the 1870s, Leaveland was described as:
A parish in Faversham district, Kent; 3¼ miles SW of Selling r. station, and 4¼ S by W of Faversham. Post town, Badlesmere, under Faversham. Acres, 372. Real property, £685. Pop., 94. Houses, 23. The property is divided among a few. The manor and much of the land belong to Lord Sondes. The living is a rectory, annexed to the rectory of Badlesmere, in the diocese of Canterbury. The church has a wooden turret, and is good.[3]
St Laurence Church
The parish church is St Laurence, which is a Grade II listed building. Its described as "delightfully small, simple and still".[4]
The church was built in the Norman period, and consecrated in 1222, but was restored in the 18th century with the addition of a vestry. It stands on the eastern side of the parish, with the court-lodge near.
The church was described by Edward Hasted in 1798 as a "small mean building, consisting of one isle and a chance, with a low pointed wooden current on it".[5]
The church combines with St Leonard's, Badlesmere, forming one parish.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Leaveland) |
References
- ↑ Parishes: Leveland: British History Online
- ↑ Leaveland [Court - Domesday Book] - opendomesday.org
- ↑ Leaveland in the Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales -on 'A Vision of Britain'
- ↑ St Laurence Church, Leaveland - A Church Near You
- ↑ History of Leaveland on 'Kent Past'