IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Cobhambury Road, GRAVESEND, DA12 3BG

Cobham College was founded in 1362 by Sir John de Cobham and consisted of a master and four priests whose task was to say masses for the souls of his ancestors. The present buildings date from 1370 and in 1598 were converted by the 10th Lord Cobham into almshouses which they still remain. Seen here is the north-east corner of the main quadrangle.

Cobham College is to be found behind the church and can normally be visited during daylight hours. The College was founded in 1362 by Sir John de Cobham as a College for priests. The first Foundation was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1539-40 and the buildings remained uninhabited until the death of Sir William Brooke, Lord Cobham in 1596. In his will he made provision for the founding of the present almshouses. The old buildings were divided up into 21 houses, each having one room on the ground floor and one on the first. In 1981 the interior of the College was reconstructed to produce 13 modern, self-contained flats.

The splendid tomb of George Brooke, Lord Cobham, and Anne Bray(e) his wife in the church of St Mary Magdalen in Cobham, Kent. The tomb dates from 1561. George Cobham 9th Baron Cobham (c.1497 – 29th Sep 1558) Anne Brooke, Baroness Cobham (née Bray(e); 21st Mar 1501 – 1st Nov 1558) died just a few weeks after her husband. See also: Image] Image] Image]

The splendid tomb of George Brooke, Lord Cobham, and Anne Bray(e) his wife in the church of St Mary Magdalen in Cobham, Kent. The tomb dates from 1561. George Cobham 9th Baron Cobham (c.1497 – 29th Sep 1558) Anne Brooke, Baroness Cobham (née Bray(e); 21st Mar 1501 – 1st Nov 1558) died just a few weeks after her husband. See also: Image] Image] Image]

The splendid tomb of George Brooke, Lord Cobham, and Anne Bray(e) his wife in the church of St Mary Magdalen in Cobham, Kent. The tomb dates from 1561. George Cobham 9th Baron Cobham (c.1497 – 29th Sep 1558) Anne Brooke, Baroness Cobham (née Bray(e); 21st Mar 1501 – 1st Nov 1558) died just a few weeks after her husband. See also: Image] Image] Image]

The remarkable collection of brasses in St Mary Magdalen church in Cobham are situated in the chancel covering almost the entire floor in front of Image] Some of them are seen here, for closer views see shared description below:

Sir John Cobham (1320 - 10th Jan 1408) was the 3rd Lord Cobham, the son of Image] and was married (in c.1342) to Image He is referred to as "The Founder" as he founded Cobham College (originally a chantry house with five priests and later almshouses) in 1362. For more information, see https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/103325961/john-cobham

Sir Nicholas Hawberk (? - 9th Oct 1407) was the third husband of Image] but died only a year or so after their marriage. He is shown in the armour of the day, so he may have met an early death on the battlefield. His head rests upon his tilting helm. At his feet (at left as viewed) is a tiny representation of his son by Joan, John who died in infancy. The effigy is surmounted by a fine canopy, which unfortunately I couldn't get into the photo due to inaccessibility - but see https://effigiesandbrasses.com/659/889 for a rubbing of the whole monument.

Cobham College is to be found behind the church and can normally be visited during daylight hours. The College was founded in 1362 by Sir John de Cobham as a College for priests. The first Foundation was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1539-40 and the buildings remained uninhabited until the death of Sir William Brooke, Lord Cobham in 1596. In his will he made provision for the founding of the present almshouses. The old buildings were divided up into 21 houses, each having one room on the ground floor and one on the first. In 1981 the interior of the College was reconstructed to produce 13 modern, self-contained flats. In this photograph, the tower of St Mary Magdalene Church can be seen behind.