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Bullace Lane, DARTFORD, DA1 1BB

Situated on the 12th Century site of the original church next to the River Darent at the site of the original ford.

On the East of the River Darent 10mts downstream from Dartford Bridge Image the steps lead down to the river from the footpath adjacent to the Holy Trinity Church Details

On Overy Liberty Road. Has had rich history. In 1415, Henry V held a thanksgiving service here after the Battle of Agincourt. After his death in 1422, Henry's body lay overnight in the church for a requiem mass. Near the altar is the tomb of Sir John Spillman, who founded England's first successful paper mill in Dartford in 1588. There is also a dramatic wall painting of St. George and the Dragon c.1470. It was covered later with whitewash but revealed in 1830's. Important brasses in the church, include that of Richard Martyn and his wife from the 15th century, and of William D'eath, a founder of Dartford Grammar School, dated 1590.

The main users of the towpath by the side of Holy Trinity Church Image are ducks and geese. As the River Darent is swollen it's only suitable for them.

From the east side of the Darent River you can still see the old church boundary wall. Now about 1.2mts high it used to be over 2.5mrs high before the riverbank was raised to prevent flooding. The steps Image were added to enable riverside access.

Holy Trinity Church was built by Bishop Gundulf c.1080. There is good evidence to suggest that a much earlier church occupied the site in Saxon times. The church provided a focus for the religious and ceremonial life of medieval Dartford. The building was significantly enlarged during the reign of Henry III (1216-72).

Some rather old buildings, on the right is the Wat Tyler pub.

Bullace Lane, off the A226 (High Street), that runs along one side of The Wat Tyler pub. This is said to be one of the halts of Walter "Wat" Tyler (1341-81), leader of the English Peasants' Revolt of 1381, on his way from Kent to London. Reacting to the introduction of an oppressive poll tax that King Richard II had imposed because insufficient income had been collected during the previous year, Tyler led a mixed group including peasants, craftsmen and tradesmen and entered the city of London at the head of a rabble of over 50,000 souls. After crossing London Bridge without any resistance the rebels gained entry to the Tower of London and captured Simon Sudbury, the unpopular Archbishop of Canterbury and behead him and several of his followers. During subsequent rioting, the rebels also destroyed the Savoy palace that belonged to John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster (the king's uncle). Richard II agreed to meet the leaders of the revolt and listen to their demands. Wat Tyler decided to ride to meet the king alone and parley with him but the unarmed leader was suddenly attacked without warning and killed by the Lord Mayor of London, Sir William Walworth, and John Cavendish, a member of the king's group. This unprovoked betrayal of the truce flag and the death of Tyler's threw the rabble into a panic. Not being organized as a military force, they broke ranks and fleed for their lives.

Grade I listed. http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-172125-church-of-the-holy-trinity-kent