godmersham

Godmersham park

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Photo: Godmersham Park, Kent

This was the marital home of Mr and Mrs Thomas Knight II. Young Edward Austen stayed there for the first time in the summer of 1780 when he was 12 years old. 

This was the Knight's principal family home until Mr Knight's death in 1794.  Mrs Knight remained there on her own for a short while, but in 1797 she handed the estate over to Edward Austen and his family. At first, Edward was resistant to taking it and refused her offer, but Mrs Knight managed to persuade him that it was her specific wish. Edward and his family moved into Godmersham Park during the summer of 1798. 

If you would like to read more about these negotiations or learn more about Mrs Knight and her relations with the rest of the Austen family, the Jane Austen Blog associated with the Jane Austen Centre, Bath has an informative post on her written by Laura Boyle, which can be accessed here.

A few weeks after Edward and his family moved in, Cassandra and Jane Austen stayed there, along with Mr and Mrs Austen, for several weeks. During this time Edward's wife, Elizabeth, gave birth to their fifth child, William. 

Edward was welcoming to all of his siblings and Frank and Henry were frequent guests too.

Photos: Selection of images from the gardens of Godmersham Park, Kent

Godmersham Park is set on magnificent grounds with a mix of formal and working gardens. Today, the house is privately owned, belonging to the Association of British Dispensing Opticians, and so is no longer the stately home it once was. 

The grounds, however, are excellently maintained and opened occasionally throughout the year as part of the National Garden Scheme. For further information as to when they will be open next, the link to their website can be found here.

The Library at Godmersham Park has been virtually recreated on the Reading With Austen website, a collaboration between McGill Burney Centre and Chawton House. Every book has been catalogued and placed on the shelves in exactly the same place they would have been when Jane Austen and her family visited, from true family records. You can lose yourself in this superb site for hours by clicking here.

st lawrence the martyr church

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Photos: St Lawrence the Martyr Church, Godmersham, Kent

This Saxon church stands just outside the grounds of Godmersham Park. It would have been the regular worshipping place for the Knight family, plus any visitors who came to stay. 

It was also where the youngest of Edward and Elizabeth's children, born during our novel, were baptised:

• William Austen - November 14th, 1798.
• Elizabeth (Lizzie) - March 17th, 1800.

The incumbent of the parish at the time of our novel was Mr Francis Whitfield.

Sir Thomas Knight II was buried here on 3rd November 1794. 

If you would like some more information about the church today, the St Lawrence the Martyr webpage can be found here.

The Kent Archaeological Society have a book in their collection entitled 'The Parish Church of St. Laurence, Godmersham: A History' written by Tim Tatton-Brown. It is meticulously researched and detailed and you can find out more here.

Godmersham Park heritage centre

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                      Photo: Godmersham Park Heritage Centre, Kent

The centre tells the history of the important role the estate played in the local community, including its use as an airship mooring station and a secret hideout during World War II.

For more information, the Godmersham Park Heritage Centre website can be accessed here.

goodnestone park

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Photo: Goodnestone House, Goodnestone Park, Kent.

At the time of our novel, this house in Goodnestone Park was the home of Sir Brook Bridges, 3rd Baronet, and his wife, Fanny.

Edward Austen became engaged to their daughter, Elizabeth Bridges, in the spring of 1791 and they married in December of the same year.

The house is now used as a wedding venue, but the gardens are open to the general public all year. If you would like to visit for yourself, the website for Goodnestone Park Gardens can be found here.

The National Garden Scheme also has a virtual tour on their website entitled, 'Goodnestone Park Kent; following in Jane Austen's footsteps.' You can watch the video here.

Photos: Goodnestone Park Gardens, Kent.

When they married, Edward and Elizabeth lived in a house on the estate called Rowling and Edward's siblings and parents were regular guests there. 

Their first four children were born there and they resided there until August 1798, when Mrs Knight handed over the Godmersham estate to Edward.

Rowling House today is a private residence and cannot be visited, but author Abigail Reynolds has written an entertaining blog post entitled 'A walk in Jane Austen's footsteps'. She documents her visit to the area and her success at finding out more about Edward and Elizabeth's first marital home. You can read the blog here.

As it is a Listed Building, further information can be also be found on the British Listed Buildings website for Rowling House, accessible here.

church of the holy cross

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Photos: Church of the Holy Cross, Goodnestone, Kent.

This was the church where Edward Austen married Elizabeth Bridges on December 27th, 1791. It was a double ceremony along with Elizabeth's sister, Sophia and her husband, William Deedes. 

A little over a year later, the two couples held a joint christening as both brides had given birth to their first children within a few days of one another:

Frances Catherine (Fanny) Austen and Sophia Deedes were christened on 28th February 1793.

Photos: Church of the Holy Cross, Goodnestone, Kent.

The village of Goodnestone has a very informative website providing details about what is happening today, and more about its history. To access goodnestone.org.uk click here.

godmersham extract

If you would like to read an extract from The Austens of Steventon, where the events happen in Godmersham, click here.