References
Chart showing the number of references in each month of the diary’s entries.
1660
- Jun
1665
- Mar
Sittingbourne, Kent
Map
The overlays that highlight 17th century London features are approximate and derived from Wenceslaus Hollar’s maps:
- Built-up London – London before the Fire
- City of London wall and Great Fire damage – London after the Fire
Open location in Google Maps: 51.337807, 0.732096
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3 Annotations
First Reading
vincent • Link
Red Lion, 58 High Street, SITTINGBOURNE... was this the pub that .."
On monday 24 june 1650 J Evelyn by coach left Dover at 4 am for Canterbury then on to Gravesend dining at Sittingburne arriving late at Gravesend then on to Depford arriving 4 am next morning'
The building itself dates back several centuries and the pub was originally a coaching inn with stables to the rear accessed via the cobbled alley to the pub's side.
http://www.greatbeer.co.uk/kenreli.htm
has a modern photo.
Third Reading
San Diego Sarah • Link
Sittingbourne, in south east England, 17 miles (27 km) from Canterbury and 45 miles (72 km) from London has a wealth of history:
Initially it was a minor hamlet next to Milton Regis, which in Roman times was the Roman administrative centre for the area. Sittingbourne was on Watling Street, along which Roman soldiers marched, and became the larger town as Sittingbourne High Street on the London to Dover Road.
In the Middle Ages the number of houses, and especially inns grew to accommodate the many travellers who needed a meal, or somewhere to stay for a night.
Sittingbourne was a popular stopping place for Kings and Queens, including Henry V who dined at Sittingbourne in 1415 when he was on his way back from the Battle of Agincourt.
In 1518 Cardinal Campeggio stopped in the town, attended by 500 horsemen, and in 1522 Henry VIII had a meal at the Red Lion.
After Queen Elizabeth visited Tunstall, the town was awarded charters giving the citizens more rights.
In 1825 Princess Victoria stayed here overnight at The Rose, which was at the time described as ‘perhaps the most superb [lnn] of any throughout the kingdom’.
In Medieval times the journey from London to the coast took 5 days, but by the 18th century the ‘Flying Stage Coach’ took just 2 days, and Sittingbourne was the only overnight stop. The size, and quality, of the inns reflect the importance of the town.
https://hrgs.co.uk/sittingbournes-history/#:~:tex…
San Diego Sarah • Link
"In Medieval times the journey from London to the coast took 5 days, ..."
This must have been by coach. I estimate a motivated horseman who knows the way, with a relay of fresh horses, could go from Westminster to Dover in about 8 hours (the weather being the deciding factor).