St. Martin Churchyard in Ryarsh, Kent

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Ryarsh, Tonbridge and Malling Borough, Kent ME19 5LB England

Coordinates: 51.30699, 0.39795
Cemetery ID:

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St Martin's church, on the south side of the M20, is a Grade II* listed building, with parts dating from the 12th century. Before the dissolution of the monasteries, it belonged to the Priors of Merton. The church of St Martin, Ryarsh, is of Norman construction, first mentioned in the Textus Roffensis, which described an event in 1081. A few years later, in 1086, the church was mentioned in the Domesday Book.

As part of the Manor of Bishop Odo, half brother of King William I (1066-1087), the church was originally dedicated to St Lambert. However, St. Lambert's feast day falls during harvest time and often coincided with the Ember Days of fasting and prayer. This was inconvenient to the local population, most of whom were involved in farming in some way. In 1448, the Bishop of Rochester, John Low, was petitioned for a change of name, and the dedication was changed to St Martin of Tours - whose feast day is celebrated on November 11th.