Linton Place and its history

Image: © D Gore Taken: Unknown

This 18th century mansion was built on the site of the old Linton Place occupied by the Mayney family of Linton and Biddenden since the 16th century. It commands a magnificent view across the Weald to the south and was described as being "like the Citadel of Kent - the whole County its garden" Image The Mayneys, whose effigies and memorials are in St Nicholas' church Image, were generous benefactors - they endowed the five neat almshouses near the church and the John Mayne School now in Biddenden http://www.john-mayne-biddenden.ik.org/home.ikml . However, the family fortunes were severely depleted by the Civil War when Sir John Mayney (1620-76) of Linton Place staked the family wealth and his life in support of King Charles I. He soon found his estate and home at Linton Place plundered by the Roundheads. An experienced soldier, he led a brigade at the battle of Marston Moor and fought in the campaigns in Wales and the West Country 1642-46. In 1648 he commanded the Royalists in their gallant defence of Maidstone when heavily outnumbered. He was shot in the thigh near Pontefract Image, cut from mouth to ear at Daventry, and left for dead at Maidstone: yet he survived. But, after the restoration of the monarchy, his loyalty was left unrewarded and he died in poverty, his family dispossessed of their properties. Full story at http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=2_ZstVBZSfIC&lpg=PP1&pg=PA25#v=onepage&q=&f=true For other branches of the family nearby see Image and Image The present building (picture) is used for private commercial purposes.

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