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DARTFORD'S MANORS

Dartford was a single royal manor in 1086, later a number of smaller manors evolved.

THE MANOR OF DARTFORD

The manor of Dartford passed through a number of different hands in medieval times; it was a useful source of income to the designated lord of the manor. The manor was owned by King William in 1086. The sheriff of Kent inherited the rental from the manor. During the reign of Henry II (1154-89) it was granted to the earl of St Pol. Eventually, Queen Eleanor, wife of Edward I acquired the manor, receiving income from the manor until her death in 1291.

By 1330 the manorial estate had become united with Chislehurst. It was held variously by the earl of Somerset and the marquess of Dorset. Edward IV granted it to the earl of Warwick who also held the nearby manor of Wilmington. Following Warwick’s death at the battle of Barnet in 1471, the manor was inherited by his daughter who married the duke of Clarence. By 1509, the manor of Dartford had returned to the crown.

THE MANOR OF ALEYNS

Very little is known about this reputed Dartford manor, which is mentioned in a document dated 1508.

THE MANOR OF BALDWINS

The manor of Baldwins or Baudiwins was situated on the fringe of the parish of Dartford at the south western corner of Dartford Heath. In early medieval times the manor belonged to Sir John Baude. The manor was in the possession of the abbot of Lesnes by the early twelfth century.

THE MANOR OF CHARLES

The manor of Charles was a small sub-manor within the manor of Dartford rectory. It took its name from an ancient family resident in Dartford, one of whom was Edward Charles. Charles was admiral of the fleet ‘from the Thames mouth northwards’ in 1305. The manor was later acquired by Adam Bamme, a goldsmith, who was lord mayor of London in 1390 and again in 1396.

THE MANOR OF DARTFORD RECTORY

This manor was sometimes known as bishop’s liberty and extended over both sides of Dartford High Street. It had its own court leet, which dealt with petty offences and common nuisance, and appointed its own constable and borsholder (manorial law enforcement officer).

THE MANOR OF DARTFORD TEMPLES

Temples Manor (known as the manor of Dartford Temples) derived its name from the Knights Templars who were the original landowners. The manor appears to have included the whole of the lands from Temple Hill on the north eastern edge of the town, right down to the River Thames. The manor also incorporated the Waterside district of Dartford and the area around the River Cranpit on the south side of the High Street, at the junction of Lowfiels Street. The prior of St John of Jerusalem was the principal landholder within the manor.

THE MANOR OF JOIE

It is not clear whether this manor was a sub-manor within the manor of Dartford or a small independent manor in it own right, including land in the Dartford marshes.

THE MANOR OF PORTBRIDGE, BICKNORE OR BIGNORES

The manor of Portbridge (also known as Bicknores or Bignores) was in existence as early as 1346. The prioress of Dartford took ownership of the manor c.1366. The manor was traditionally owned by the Bicknore family, the last of whom, John de Bicknore, died during the reign of Edward III.

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