England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Goudhurst St Mary

The Parish

The parish of Goudhurst lies in the extreme south of Kent forming a lengthy stretch of the county's border with neighbouring Sussex. Goudhurst is located roughly 9 miles east of the spa town of Tumbridge Wells and sits on the A262 road which links Lamberhurst with Tenterden. Goudhurst is a crossroads settlement and former market town sat around the junction of the A262, running west to east with the north/south running B2079. For the Normans the High Weald, in which Goudhurst sits, was one vast hunting forest, hence the paucity of entries in Domesday Book, as their hold was relinquished clearings for settlement or "hursts" were cut into the woodland. Goudhurst grew initially from the exploitation of the woodland, timber grown in the Weald is said to have hulled the Naval fleet that won against the Spanish Armada. These isolated hursts such as Goudhurst grew into regional trading centres, a market for its hinterland and a home for specialist trades. Besides exploiting the woodland environment for timber and forest products such as poles and hurdles there was limited agriculture on such poor soils so pastoral methods dominated. One specialist local crop did, however, do well and the growing of hops was a local speciality. Like many rural towns there was also an important weaving industry until collapsing following the industrial revolution's changes to mechanised production in the north. Today Goudhurst remains a local shopping and tourism destination set within an extensive and largely wooded parish with smallholdings cut into the woodland supporting small farming enterprises. Goudhurst sits on a hilltop east of the River Treise which drains the parish northwards meeting the Boult and then soon after the Medway which continues northwards to reach the North Sea through the port of Chatham and the outer Thames Estuary. Goudhurst is sited on rising ground east of the river at between 80 and 120 metres above the sea, that hill being crowned by the parish church, to the southeast near Blackbush Wood is a spot height of 136 metres the local high point. Goudhurst parish was one of the largest in its county covering just over 9,700 acres which would have supported a population of around 2,700 parishioners. Like most of the High Weald Goudhurst is not mentioned in Domesday Book.

The Church

St Mary's church sits on the southern side of the A262 which here forms the town's High Street it stands in dominance at the top of the hill which rises up High Street and its western tower stands in full view the whole climb. The earliest fabric remaining in today's church is from the 13th century Early English Gothic period, the chancel walling is probably of this period and the lancet styled windows albeit now blocked are certainly of this era. Completing the 13th century fabric is the southern aisle which Pevsner states bluntly has "that look". The main nave including the northern aisle was originally built during the 14th century, it has been thoroughly restored but the restorers choose to give the southern side a Decorated style and the northern a Perpendicular one which probably reflects their origins. The western tower is the result of an unfortunate accident in 1637 when the original tower, which bore a spire, was struck by lightning and destroyed; between 1638 and 1640 today's western tower was constructed as its replacement, its architects were London-based and they used a design taken from the church of St Katherine Creechurch as their inspiration mixing both classical and Gothic styles. The Victorian restoration which changed so much of the nave, in particular was a lengthy affair running from 1865 to 1870. The broad High Street has the typical broad paved areas to both sides allowing parking for the local shops and businesses, the church stands just beytond the Star & Eagle Hotel where a broad path leads to the church, the church stands within an oblong churchyard and has fine views from most angles for the photographer.