Crabtree Wood

Early twin square kiln oast house, with additional larger square kiln to side.

Dates from 12th Century and probably back to Saxon times. Much stained glass was destroyed by a bomb in World war II. The church contains a fine tomb to Sir Alexander Culpepper, plus brasses from the 15th Century. The view from the top of the tower is said to be very fine. The church was locked at the time of my visit, which precluded further pictures.

Single round kiln oast house, converted to ex serviceman's club.

See TQ7237 : St Mary's Church, Goudhurst

2 Manual and Pedals. 16 speaking stops.Originally builder unknown, updated by Hill in 1886, and subsequently by Rushworth and Dreaper, 1962 and 1986.

Brass of his wife and 6 children below are missing. Late 15th C.

Died 1424. Shown in full armour, with feet on a lion.

In 1425 Walter Culpeper married Agnes Roper, widow of John Bedgebury, and the Bedgebury estate came into the Culpeper family. Walter died in 1462 and has a monumental brass in the church. Their son Sir John Culpeper, d 1480 and his wife were interred in the arched tomb in the church. A brass shows him in armour, but the brass of his wife and children is missing. It is thought this may have been used as an Easter sepulchre. Their son Sir Alexander, d 1541 "The Olde Sir Alexander" used his iron foundries in Bedgebury to cast guns for the fleet that fought the Spanish Armada. He and his wife, Constance are commemorated in a wooden painted effigy in the church. It was carved and painted in 1537 during the Reformation, and is one of only eighty or so of its kind in the country. The chief monument in the chapel is of the Tudor period - an alabaster memorial to four generations of Culpepers, carved in 1599 and erected in 1608. In a niche at the top is the demi-figure of Sir Thomas Culpeper, d 1558, son of Olde Sir Alexander. His son, Sir Alexander Culpeper, d 1599, is portrayed kneeling beneath with his eldest son and his wife Mary. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth, whom he entertained at Bedgebury. The third generation of the family is represented by their son Sir Anthony Culpeper, d 1618, and his wife, Ann, daughter of Sir Roger Martin, Mayor of London. Most of their sixteen children kneel below with their parents. The baptism of twelve sons and four daughters is recorded in the parish register. Thomas Culpeper, lover of Catherine Howard is also related to this family.

In 1425 Walter Culpeper married Agnes Roper, widow of John Bedgebury, and the Bedgebury estate came into the Culpeper family. Walter died in 1462 and has a monumental brass in the church. Their son Sir John Culpeper, d 1480 and his wife were interred in the arched tomb in the church. A brass shows him in armour, but the brass of his wife and children is missing. It is thought this may have been used as an Easter sepulchre. Their son Sir Alexander, d 1541 "The Olde Sir Alexander" used his iron foundries in Bedgebury to cast guns for the fleet that fought the Spanish Armada. He and his wife, Constance are commemorated in a wooden painted effigy in the church. It was carved and painted in 1537 during the Reformation, and is one of only eighty or so of its kind in the country. The chief monument in the chapel is of the Tudor period - an alabaster memorial to four generations of Culpepers, carved in 1599 and erected in 1608. In a niche at the top is the demi-figure of Sir Thomas Culpeper, d 1558, son of Olde Sir Alexander. His son, Sir Alexander Culpeper, d 1599, is portrayed kneeling beneath with his eldest son and his wife Mary. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth, whom he entertained at Bedgebury. The third generation of the family is represented by their son Sir Anthony Culpeper, d 1618, and his wife, Ann, daughter of Sir Roger Martin, Mayor of London. Most of their sixteen children kneel below with their parents. The baptism of twelve sons and four daughters is recorded in the parish register. Thomas Culpeper, lover of Catherine Howard is also related to this family.

In 1425 Walter Culpeper married Agnes Roper, widow of John Bedgebury, and the Bedgebury estate came into the Culpeper family. Walter died in 1462 and has a monumental brass in the church. Their son Sir John Culpeper, d 1480 and his wife were interred in the arched tomb in the church. A brass shows him in armour, but the brass of his wife and children is missing. It is thought this may have been used as an Easter sepulchre. Their son Sir Alexander, d 1541 "The Olde Sir Alexander" used his iron foundries in Bedgebury to cast guns for the fleet that fought the Spanish Armada. He and his wife, Constance are commemorated in a wooden painted effigy in the church. It was carved and painted in 1537 during the Reformation, and is one of only eighty or so of its kind in the country. The chief monument in the chapel is of the Tudor period - an alabaster memorial to four generations of Culpepers, carved in 1599 and erected in 1608. In a niche at the top is the demi-figure of Sir Thomas Culpeper, d 1558, son of Olde Sir Alexander. His son, Sir Alexander Culpeper, d 1599, is portrayed kneeling beneath with his eldest son and his wife Mary. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth, whom he entertained at Bedgebury. The third generation of the family is represented by their son Sir Anthony Culpeper, d 1618, and his wife, Ann, daughter of Sir Roger Martin, Mayor of London. Most of their sixteen children kneel below with their parents. The baptism of twelve sons and four daughters is recorded in the parish register. Thomas Culpeper, lover of Catherine Howard is also related to this family.

Holding a skull and hand on heart, a fine example of this style of memorial. Sadly, the ledge above is damaged.

Sir Anthony (left) kneeling with 10 sons and 2 which died as babies.

Sir Anthony's wife Anne on right of picture.

Died 16th January 1599

Fourth daughter of Lord William Dacre "Here lyeth: to dvst and ashes changd Her earthly body is, Her soul divine transported ere, To Heaven and Hevenly blisse"

Was closed at the time. Has subsequently been reopened.