Austen 200
Kent Life|May 2017

Jane Austen, 1775-1817, whose bicentenary we mark this year, has many Kent connections and visited the county and her relatives here throughout her short but hugely significant life.

Jill Webster and Vivian Branson
Austen 200

2017 MARKS the bicentenary of the death of one of Britain’s best-loved authors, Jane Austen, at the early age of 41.

Her sixth and last novel, Persuasion, was completed in August 1816, and she was at work on a seventh, Sanditon, until two months before her death; sadly, it was never to be completed.

She was not a huge bestseller in her lifetime, but 200 years later, is read and loved all over the world. There are Jane Austen Societies from Argentina to North America, from The Netherlands to Italy, from Mumbai to Australia.

It is in our lovely county of Kent that Austen roots are found: William Astyn lived in Yalding, died in 1522 and his descendants moved to Horsmonden.

Austen memorials are found in the pretty church of St Margaret’s. Inside the church there is a charming brass memorial inlaid into the floor to Joan Berry Austen who died in 1604; it’s well worth reading the inscription which includes ‘let neither husband nor children nor lands nor goods separate me from my god’.

Joan Berry married John Austen I and bore him nine children, but died aged just 36. In the graveyard which looks over the Kentish countryside, there are many Austens, including a gated tomb.

Travel towards Horsmonden village passing the houses the Austens occupied: Grovehurst and Broadford. The Austens were cloth makers and known as the ‘Grey Coats of Kent’ which reflected their plain dress.

Tonbridge has a wealth of Austen associations. It was here that Jane’s great grandmother, Elizabeth Weller, was born and brought up. She lived in some comfort in Bordyke in a house called Chauntlers (now divided into The Priory and The Red House).

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 2017-Ausgabe von Kent Life.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 2017-Ausgabe von Kent Life.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS KENT LIFEAlle anzeigen
The choice of leaders
Kent Life

The choice of leaders

It’s a small, scenic Kentish market town on the border with Surrey, famous for not one but two great leaders. We take a look around Westerham

time-read
5 Minuten  |
November 2020
The eco-warriors
Kent Life

The eco-warriors

Awarded a Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2019 in recognition of its research in global nature conservation, the role of Kent-based DICE has never been more relevant

time-read
7 Minuten  |
November 2020
Kent's most CURIOUS MONUMENTS
Kent Life

Kent's most CURIOUS MONUMENTS

Our county can boast some of the most celebrated and downright unusual protected mouments in the country

time-read
6 Minuten  |
November 2020
Ghosts of a river's life
Kent Life

Ghosts of a river's life

Kent Life discovers an an other-worldliness about the marshes, creeks, and saltings of the lower reaches of the river Medway

time-read
5 Minuten  |
November 2020
The return of the son
Kent Life

The return of the son

The Unknown Warrior’s journey from the World War One battlefields via Dover to his resting place in Westminster Abbey is 100 years old this month

time-read
5 Minuten  |
November 2020
We will remember
Kent Life

We will remember

In a year when we got an inkling of what living through a war means, we remember the 75th anniversary of the end of the Great War

time-read
6 Minuten  |
November 2020
Age-old advice
Kent Life

Age-old advice

Just become a grandparent for the first time? Perhaps you need a little guidance, so here are some top tips about how to embrace your new family role

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November 2020
10 GOOD REASONS TO VISIT Medway Towns
Kent Life

10 GOOD REASONS TO VISIT Medway Towns

A vast Dockyard, a Napoleonic fort and a JCB diggers theme park - let’s visit Chatham and Medway

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 2020
KENT'S CREEPIEST- GHOST STORIES
Kent Life

KENT'S CREEPIEST- GHOST STORIES

Here are 10 tales to make you shiver as we celebrate All Hallows’ Eve

time-read
7 Minuten  |
October 2020
Joking apart
Kent Life

Joking apart

From his home in Broadstairs, Royston Robertson comes up with satirical, topical and sometimes just plain silly cartoons

time-read
5 Minuten  |
October 2020