Boughton Malherbe, Kent

Description
Boughton-Malherbe, a parish in Kent, on the verge of the Weald, 2 miles from Lenham station on the L.C. & D.R., and 10 ESE of Maidstone. Post town, Lenham, under Maidstone. Acreage, 2710; population, 431. The manor belonged in the time of Henry III. to the Malherbe family, passed to the Wottons, of whom was Sir Henry Wotton,. whose life was written by Isaac Walton, passed again to Sir Horace Mann, the correspondent of Walpole, and belongs now to the Wykeham-Cornwallis family. The manor-house bears the name of Boughton Place, was built by Sir Edward Wotton in the time of Henry VIII., and visited by Queen Elizabeth, and is now a farmhouse, retaining some of the ancient rooms. The materials of it are said to have been Colbridge Castle, the baronial fortalice of the Peyferers, some traces of which still exist near the church. Chilston Park is a seat in the neighbourhood. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Canterbury; value, £238 withe residence. The church is Decorated English, in good condition.