Milton Chantry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Milton Chantry |
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Milton Chantry within New Tavern Park
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| OS grid reference | TQ 6525 7434 |
| Founded | 1322 |
| Built for | Aymer de Valence |
| Type | Grade II* |
| Designated | 23 January 1952 |
| Reference no. | 1089047 |
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Milton Chantry is a very old building in Gravesend, Kent, England. It used to be a special chapel called a chantry chapel. Today, it is home to the Chantry Heritage Centre. This center shows cool exhibits about Gravesend, Northfleet, and other nearby villages. The Chantry is located inside the Fort Gardens. It is also a "Grade II*" listed building, which means it's a really important historical site protected by English Heritage.
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Milton Chantry's Story
Milton Chantry is the oldest building in the Gravesham area. It was built way back in 1322. A powerful person named Aymer de Valence, who was the Earl of Pembroke, had it built. It was made to be a chantry chapel.
What is a Chantry Chapel?
A chantry chapel was a special place for prayer. Rich people would build these chapels. They would also give land to the chapel. This land would make money to pay a priest. The priest's job was to pray for the person who built the chapel and their family. They believed these prayers would help the souls of the dead. Milton Chantry is all that is left of a very old hospital. This hospital was called the Hospital of St. Mary the Virgin.
Changes Over Time
Milton Chantry had priests working there until about 1524. These priests were chosen by the Bishop of Rochester. Then, something big happened in England. King Henry VIII made many changes to the churches. This was called the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Because of this, the Chantry became property of the King.
After that, the building was changed quite a bit. It became a family home and a farm. But by the end of the 1600s, it had changed again. It became an inn and a tavern. It was known as the New Tavern.
The Fort and the Chantry
From 1780 to 1918, a fort called New Tavern Fort was built around the Chantry. The old tavern building was turned into part of the fort's barracks. Barracks are buildings where soldiers live. The New Tavern Fort was updated between 1868 and 1871. This work was led by Charles George Gordon. The tavern and barracks were also fixed up in 1852 and 1862.
Modern Use
In 1932, the fort area was turned into a park. This park was for the people of Gravesend to enjoy. During World War II, the basement of the Chantry chapel had a special use. It was made into a room to clean people if they were exposed to gas. After the war, the chapel became a local museum. It was named the Chantry Heritage Centre. Today, the Gravesend Local History Society takes care of it.
