Offham, Kent
Encyclopedia
Offham is a village in the local government district
of Tonbridge and Malling
in Kent
, England
, five miles to the west of Maidstone
.
Offham has a Quintain on the village green that was reported in medieval times for use in jousting
. It is reputed to be the last English quintain in its original position, though it was removed for safe keeping during the Second World War.
The village gets its name from "Offa", the name of a Saxon landowner, and "ham", a village or homestead.
Jack Straw
, the rebel during the reign of Richard II
, is said to have been born at Pepingstraw Manor in the parish.
The quintain consists of a wooden post around eight feet in height with a freely-rotating arm on the top. One end of the arm is flat (the "eye"), with the other used to attach heavy objects such as a leather pack. In a sport dating back to perhaps Roman times, a horseman would ride at the quintain at full pace with his lance extended to strike the flat end. Should the horseman not be riding sufficiently quickly, the arm would swing round and the heavy object knock him off his horse.
The first church in the parish was founded by the Saxon lord of the manor who built a private chapel in the early ninth century. After the Norman Conquest it was replaced by a stone church and the lower stage of the tower of the present church dates from this time.
The present church is dedicated to St Michael
.
The King's Arms is the only remaining public house. Built in the sixteenth century, the pub was originally two cottages, later owned by a saddler and harness maker who ran his business there until granted a license in 1680.
Offham also has its own primary school.
Non-metropolitan district
Non-metropolitan districts, or colloquially shire districts, are a type of local government district in England. As created, they are sub-divisions of non-metropolitan counties in a so-called "two-tier" arrangement...
of Tonbridge and Malling
Tonbridge and Malling
Tonbridge and Malling is a local government district and borough in the English county of Kent.Tonbridge and Malling borough covers an area from the North Downs at Burham and Snodland in the north to the town of Tonbridge in the south...
in Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, five miles to the west of Maidstone
Maidstone
Maidstone is the county town of Kent, England, south-east of London. The River Medway runs through the centre of the town linking Maidstone to Rochester and the Thames Estuary. Historically, the river was a source and route for much of the town's trade. Maidstone was the centre of the agricultural...
.
Offham has a Quintain on the village green that was reported in medieval times for use in jousting
Jousting
Jousting is a martial game or hastilude between two knights mounted on horses and using lances, often as part of a tournament.Jousting emerged in the High Middle Ages based on the military use of the lance by heavy cavalry. The first camels tournament was staged in 1066, but jousting itself did not...
. It is reputed to be the last English quintain in its original position, though it was removed for safe keeping during the Second World War.
The village gets its name from "Offa", the name of a Saxon landowner, and "ham", a village or homestead.
History
The village has been occupied since Roman times, and the major Roman road from London to the Weald ran through the parish. Offham grew in prominence in the early ninth century under the Saxons.Jack Straw
Jack Straw (rebel leader)
For other uses, see Jack Straw Jack Straw was one of the three leaders of the Peasants' Revolt of 1381, a major event in the history of England.-Biography:Little is known of the Rising's leaders. It been suggested that Jack Straw may have been a preacher...
, the rebel during the reign of Richard II
Richard II of England
Richard II was King of England, a member of the House of Plantagenet and the last of its main-line kings. He ruled from 1377 until he was deposed in 1399. Richard was a son of Edward, the Black Prince, and was born during the reign of his grandfather, Edward III...
, is said to have been born at Pepingstraw Manor in the parish.
Quintain
The village is famed for its medieval quintain which stands on the green, believed to be the last remaining example in the country.The quintain consists of a wooden post around eight feet in height with a freely-rotating arm on the top. One end of the arm is flat (the "eye"), with the other used to attach heavy objects such as a leather pack. In a sport dating back to perhaps Roman times, a horseman would ride at the quintain at full pace with his lance extended to strike the flat end. Should the horseman not be riding sufficiently quickly, the arm would swing round and the heavy object knock him off his horse.
Ragstone
The village's houses are predominantly constructed from ragstone, Kent's most celebrated building stone. The stone has been mined in the parish since Roman times, with its hardness and durability making it a popular choice for fortifications in London and the south east.Church
The present church is dedicated to St Michael
St Michael
St Michael was a brand that was owned and used by Marks & Spencer from 1928 until 2000.-History:The brand was introduced by Simon Marks in 1928, after his father and co-founder of Marks & Spencer, Michael Marks. By 1950, virtually all goods were sold under the St Michael brand...
.
Village life
The village hosts annual May Fay celebrations on the green; a May Queen parades through the village, school children perform maypole dances, and occasionally local horseriders undertake the ancient sport of "Tilting at The Quintain", though a replica quintain is now used.The King's Arms is the only remaining public house. Built in the sixteenth century, the pub was originally two cottages, later owned by a saddler and harness maker who ran his business there until granted a license in 1680.
Offham also has its own primary school.