Old Romney
Old Romney is an ancient parish and, as the name suggests, formed the original settlement of Romney Marsh. This was also the original port of Romney which gradually extended along the River Rother toward the sea with either end called "Old" and "New" Romney. See New Romney History.
The village and civil parish originated on an island in the River Rother estuary, known in Roman Times as Vetus Rumllenum. The village church of St Clement Church is Norman in origin with later additions and restoration.
In c1140 The seaward end of the port was still growing and the prefixes New and Old came into existence. As a port, it was a non-corporate Cinque Port, as a limb of New Romney.
St Clement Church in Old Romney
During the 12th century, as Old Romney became further inland it gradually deterioted. As the harbour silted up the importance of Old Romney lessened and soon only St Clement and the settlement remained by the 17th century. Old Romney is a village and civil parish in the Shepway district of Kent. The church of St Clement, Old Romney has been designated as a Grade I listed building.
Derek Jarman, the English film director, stage designer, diarist, artist, gardener and author who lived at Dungeness, is burried in the churchyard..
Today, situated on the A259 between Brenzett and New Romney, there is just St Clement Church, the Rose and Crown public house, the site of Old Romney Manor and a few cottages remaining.
New Romney History
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Old Romney c1200 AD
