Connected with the Murder of St Thomas a Becket          Return to Barham Landmarks

As constructed - from an early woodcut

Barham Court - seen from Rectory Lane

Barham Court is situated close by the church, not many feet away from the North Transept.

In the reign of Henry II it was undoubtedly the manor house and was probably the Court Lodge of the Manor of Barham before it was united with Bishopsbourne.

Of all buildings in Barham it has the closest link with the history of the country when, during the time Henry II was on the throne, Sir Reginald Fitzurse lived there when he held the Manor of Barham of the Archbishop by knight's service.

He was a knight of the King's household and, with three others, was responsible for the murder of Thomas à Becket in Canterbury Cathedral.   It is said that they spent the night before at Barham Court having crossed the Channel from Normandy where the King was located at the time.

When Fitzurse fled from the wrath of the King another member of the family took possession of the old manor and is said to have assumed the name Barham.

Barham Family Genealogy notes record: -
1203 Pedes Finium 5 John Archeology Cantiana Vol IV pg276 - SACpg112 - Warine de Berham's name occurs in a Recongnisance of great assize dated 15 Jun 1203 - "Intertinenciis in Hammes".
1210 Liver Ruseus Vol II pg470 - SAC pg113 - "Milites tenentes de Arch Cant; Warinus de Berham dimidium feodum in Bereham: Warin held lands in Barham near Canterbury by Knight service as one of the military tenants of the Archbishop in 1210.

The house passed to the Fotherbys in the reign of James I and remained in the family's possession until the early 18th century when the last of the family George Edward Dering visited each year but never lived there.   He left the property to two aunts who, having many descendants were obliged to sell and divide.

The estate was bought in 1911 by Mr E. Stainton.

Barham Court shows clearly signs of the three major periods of its gradual transformation: the oldest building being 14th century; the Queen Anne facade with rooms being beautifully proportioned and panelled; and additions being the work of Sir E. Lutyens, the famous architect in 1911.