Faversham derives from the Saxon word 'faefer' meaning 'smith' together with 'ham' as 'homestead or village', resulting in 'smith's village'. It is first recorded in 811AD as Fefresham.
Faversham, established as a settlement before the Roman conquest, was held in royal demesne in 811AD, and is further cited in a charter granted by Kenulf, the King of Mercia. It was recorded in the Domesday Book as Favreshant. The town has regularly, throughout its history obtained curious royal privileges and charters.
In 1148, Faversham Abbey was established by King Stephen, The aim of Stephen and his consort Matilda was to found a royal mausoleum for the House of Blois. They hoped that the dynasty would rule over England for generations to come. In fact, it began, and ended, with them. King Stephen in 1154, his wife Matilda in 1152 and son Eustace in 1153 were all buried in the Abbey Church.. During Stephen's reign, Faversham was a very important settlement and even became the capital of England for a short period.
Sir Thomas Culpeper was granted Faversham Abbey by Henry VIII. However, the abbey was demolished directly after the dissolution and much of its masonry taken to Calais to reinforce that town's defences against the French. In 1539, the ground upon which the abbey had stood, along with nearby land passed to Sir Thomas Cheney, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School was built on the abbey site.....more
The Faversham parish church is dedicated to St Mary of Charity which was built in the area of Faversham Abbey in 1147, by King Stephen. Although King Henry VIII dissolved the Abbey, the church remained. Faversham's Parish boundaries were established circa 636AD, suggesting an earlier Saxon church.
Around 1306 a column was painted, depicting 10 events in the life of Jesus Christ.
The size of the church is an indication of the town's importance in the middle ages. The famous 'crown spire' was built in 1794-7 as the medieval central tower, and most of the Norman nave, was demolished in 1753 after being found unsafe.
Following the decision by the South Eastern Railway not to extend the North Kent Line further Eastward into Kent than Strood, the East Kent Railway was formed and based in Faversham. On 4th August 1853, Royal Assent was received for a 48 mile line from Canterbury to Strood. This would run via Faversham and act as a feeder to the SER's North Kent Line. The Faversham to Chatham section of the EKR's route came into use on 25th January 1858.
