For the Love of the British Isles: BRENCHLEY

All Saints church was built around 1233, probably standing on the site of an old wooden structure. The church stands behind an ornate lychgate erected in memory of Queen Victoria 60 year reign, and then behind an avenue of 400 year old yew trees.

To the left of the lych gate, is this plaque, built into the churchyard wall. It reads:

To the undying fame of the gallant lads who fought the Battle of Britain over this corner of England in August-September 1940 and to the glorious memory of those who then gave their lives. Per Ardua Ad Astra.

There is a memorial in the north transept to Barbara and Walter Roberts, showing the two figures holding hands. It dates from 1652.

One of the bells in the tower carries the inscription, 'Untouched I am a silent thing, But strike me and I sweetly sing.

There are a few wall mounted memorials, but most are too high for me to photograph. However, one or two did catch my eye.

This one is to Brevet Major Owen Harris, of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, who was twice wounded in the South African War and invalided home, where he died in 1901 aged just 37.

Must admit, I had to look up the term 'Brevet Major', as I'd not come across it before. A brevet major is a temporary, honorary military rank that gives an officer a higher rank title than their actual rank. The term "brevet" is a military commission that was used in the British and U.S. armies, and is still used by militaries around the world. A brevet rank is given to an officer for outstanding service, and may include the right to command, the pay, and the uniform of the higher rank. However, it usually doesn't come with the authority and privileges of the actual rank.

So now you know too.

And this one to Alice Ida, wife of Major General Charles Pirie, C.B. who lived at Marle Place, just outside Brenchley.

This well-worn brass is to the memory of Thomas Roberts and his three wives! Thomas Roberts (1454-1517) was a mercer, and married Elizabeth, Joan and Agnes. They had several children which are included on this memorial, as the little brasses below the wives.

The Old Vicarage dates from the 14th century and is a picturesque building.

Between 1367 and 1370 Edward III cut down 105 large oak trees from the area to help restore the castle at Rochester .
Wat Tyler is reputed to have lived in a cottage near Brenchley when he led the Peasants Revolt with the men of Kent. They marched on London to voice their grievances to Richard the second in 1381.
In 1555 during the reign of Queen Mary Tudor a local farmer James Tutty was arrested for his religious beliefs and taken to Tonbridge where he was condemned and burnt at the stake on the 6th September.
During the 17th century the area boasted one of the largest Wealden Iron Works , located between Brenchley and Horsmonden It was owned by John Browne, and employed about 200 men.When the iron industry declined in this area it was superceded by agriculture in the form of hop gardens and orchards.
Brenchley was the first place that the famous hop variety 'Fuggles' was commercially developed in 1875. The original strain was found in the garden of one George Stace, in 1861 in nearby Horsmonden .
In recent times Sophie Rhys-Jones, the wife of Prince Edward and Duchess of Edinburgh originated from Brenchley. She was a great favourite with our late Queen Elizabeth.