Wingham, Kent

Description
Wingham, a village and a parish in Kent. The village stands 2 1/2 miles NNE of Adisham station on the L.C. & D.R., and 6 E by S of Canterbury, and has a post, money order, and telegraph office under Dover. It was the meeting-place, in the 23rd year of Edward I., of the clergy for sending members to Parliament; was once a market-town, gives the title of Baron to Earl Cowper, is a seat of petty sessions, and has a good inn. The parish comprises 2637 acres; population, 1246. There is a parish council consisting of nine members. The manor belongs to the Oxenden family. A palace of the Archbishops of Canterbury stood here, and was visited by Edward I., Edward II., and Edward III. Some remains of a Roman villa were discovered in 1881 whilst excavating in a meadow near the bridge. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Canterbury; gross value, £162 with residence. The church is Decorated and Later English, has a tower and spire, and was once collegiate. There is a Congregational chapel. Bishop Henry de Wengeham was a native.