The Romney Marsh
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In this section: the fifth continent --- marsh formation --- marsh drainage --- farming --- Dungeness power station --- Dungeness lighthouses --- churches --- Rhee wall

Churches

Romney Marsh Churches
Fourteen medieval churches still stand on the Marsh. There were more but these have either vanished or fallen into disrepair. Examples of these are; Blackmanstone Church, which appears in the Domesday Book, but has since disappeared, Orgarswick which is now a mound and the church at Broomhill which is now merely a heap of stones. Eastridge, Hope and Midley churches are in ruins but the rest are still standing even though many are in danger unless remedial work is done.

These churches are a vivid reminder of the wool trade that prospered on the Romney Marsh and enabled these churches to be built. The Romney Marsh is often used as generic term for what is in fact three main areas, the Romney Marsh itself, in the east, Walland Marsh in the west and Denge Marsh in the south. See the section on the history and development of Romney Marsh.

Brenzett
This church is dedicated to St. Easwyth, a Saxon princess who established a nunnery in Folkestone The church was heavily restored in 1876 and in 1902 the chancel and bell turret had to be re-built. However, a thirteenth century priest’s door remains in the chancel as well as some Norman masonry.

Brookland
The church is famous for its separate wooden bell tower. The tower is conical in shape and octagona1. One of the bells dates from before the Reformation.

Inside, the nave arcades and outer walls lean outwards. This is because of subsidence and this is still continuing. In 1964, a wall painting of St. Thomas a Becket was discovered on the south wall.

The nave is unrestored and there is still a Georgian pulpit and box pews. The font is circular and made of lead, and is the most important of its kind in the country. It has the signs of the zodiac depicted upon it.