Faversham

Description

Arden’s House

Faversham, near the north Kent coast, has remained prosperous as a market town since the middle ages and still maintains a working harbour. Only a few hundred yards inland, mid-way between the estuary and the imposing town centre, is Arden’s House. Now a private residence, this was once the outer gateway of Faversham Abbey, founded by King Stephen in the 12th century. In 1551 Thomas Arden, then Faversham’s mayor, was murdered here by his wife Alice and her lover. For their sins, Alice was burnt to death at Canterbury shortly after the murder and her lover hanged.