Tenterden
Printers Actors and Ship lapp
The name Tenterden is believed to be derived from the word denne, which means a clearing in the forest. In the 7th century, monks from Minster Abbey in Thanet made a clearing in the forest that became known as Tentwardene, the denne of the Thanet people.
Tenterden was at that time a lot nearer the coast than it is today as it had a small port at Smallhythe which was on the river Rother 2 miles to the south. This port disappeared when the river was diverted to drain the Romney and Welland marshes.
The wide tree lined main street of this pretty market town is full of Georgian houses and shops with timber frontages. Built in a ship lapped style, along with porticoed doorways and bow-fronted windows, it makes for a lovely combination. This has led to the town being attributed with one of the most attractive high streets in south England.
Tenterden also has an interesting 15th century church dedicated to St Mildred the second abbess of Minster Abbey it has a tall 100ft spire.
The town was the birthplace of William Caxton in 1472 who was an English merchant, diplomat, writer, and printer. He is thought to be the first English person to work as a printer and the first to introduce a printing press into England. Amongst the books, he printed were Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales', Gower's 'Confession Amantis' and Malory's 'Le Morte d'Arthur'.
The actress Ellen terry lived in Smallhythe place a 15th century house, Ellen Terry was considered one of the greatest Shakespearian actors of her time. During her lifetime, she "became a cult figure for poets and painters of the later Pre-Raphaelite and Aesthetic movements, including Oscar Wilde". The house is now owned by the National trust and open to the public.
Activities in Tenterden
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