Folklore of Kent

The year ahead

Told of Kent, but not tied to a day of the year.

Folklore from the old calendars

Canterbury pilgrim signs No longer kept KentPilgrims returning from the shrine of St Thomas Becket at Canterbury wore small leaden signs in their hats or as brooches, and many were later found in the mud of the Thames.
Richard Plantagenet of Eastwell Lore and belief KentThe parish register of Eastwell records the burial of Richard Plantagenet on 22 December 1550, and the Earls of Winchilsea kept a tradition about him.
Sidney’s Oak at Penshurst No longer kept KentAn oak was said to have been planted at Penshurst on the day Sir Philip Sidney was born, and it grew to more than twenty feet round before it was felled, by mistake it was said.
Six Poor Travellers at Rochester No longer kept KentRichard Watts, recorder of Rochester, left his house, Satis House, by his will of 22 August 1579 to be sold to keep up almshouses in the High Street.
The Mirror Chimney-piece at Charlton Lore and belief KentCharlton House, built by Sir Adam Newton opposite the church, had a marble chimney-piece said to be so highly polished that it worked like a mirror.
The tailed men of Strood Lore and belief KentOn St Augustine's day Hone retold from the Golden Legend how the saint came to a town whose people drove him out and pelted him with the tails of thornback and other fish.
Weathercocks in the Kentish trees No longer kept KentOn Lady Day 1672 John Evelyn rode back from the Kent coast through the best farmed country he had ever seen, the fields as level as a bowling green.