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Ruxley (hundred)
Encyclopedia
Ruxley was an ancient hundred, a land division in the north west of the county of Kent
, England
. Its area has been mostly absorbed by the growth of London
; with its name currently referring to the Ruxley
district. Its former area now corresponds to a majority of the London Borough of Bromley
, a large part of the London Borough of Bexley
and a small part of the Kent District of Sevenoaks
. The hundred was within the Lathe of Sutton-at-Hone
, in the west division of Kent
.
The hundred was approximately fourteen miles (22.5 km) at its longest north to south and about eight miles (13 km) and its widest east to west. The River Cray
was the largest river in the hundred of Ruxley flowing northward through six of its parishes, four of which are named after it. The River Cray rises in Orpington then flows through St. Mary Cray, St. Paul's Cray, North Cray, Foots Cray, and Bexley before crossing the northern border and Watling Street into the hundred of Lesnes.
As almost all the area of the Ruxley hundred is now within Greater London, and as civil parishes were abolished in Greater London, Knockholt
which was in the south of Ruxley is the only parish of the Hundred that is a civil parish today. Knockholt is also the only part of this Kent Hundred that is in Kent today, although both would not have been true whilst Knockholt was in the London Borough of Bromley between 1965 and 1969.
es that were recorded as being wholly within the Ruxley hundred were Chelsfield
, Cudham
, Downe
, Farnborough
, Foots Cray
, Hayes
, Keston
, Knockholt
, North Cray
, Orpington
, St. Mary Cray, St. Paul's Cray, and West Wickham
.
Also more parishes were recorded as being partly or sometimes within the hundred, they were:
Bexley
, Chislehurst
, Chiddingstone
, Hever
, and Ruxley
. The Parish of Chislehurst was partly within the hundred of Blackheath, and the parish of Bexley was partly in the Codsheath hundred. Some records show that Ruxley, at least for a time had an exclave to the south containing parts of two parishes, Hever and Chiddingstone, which are in the geographical area of the Somerden hundred and usually included in it. The settlement of Ruxley itself had its own parish until 1557 when it was absorbed into North Cray parish.
; Bromley and Beckenham
bordered to the west and finally Blackheath to the northwest. The only hundred of the Sutton at Hone lathe that would have not shared a common border with Ruxley was Somerden, the southern most hundred of the lathe. However the exclave to the south containing parts of Hever and Chiddingstone parishes lies geographical area of Somerden and if included would give Ruxley a border with it, and thus give Ruxley borders with all other hundreds in the lathe.
When Greater London was created in 1965 what was previously Ruxley's eastern and southern border with the hundreds of Dartford and Wilmington, Axtane, Codsheath, and Westerham became roughly part of the border between the counties of Greater London and Kent being the border between the London Boroughs of Bromley and Bexley with the Kent Districts of Sevenoaks and Dartford. Although Knockholt left the London Borough of Bromley and became part of the Kent district of Sevenoaks in 1969 moving part of the Border in that area. Watling Street
ran past the north side of the Bexley Parish and part of it formed some of Ruxley's northern boundary with Lesnes.
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Its area has been mostly absorbed by the growth of London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
; with its name currently referring to the Ruxley
Ruxley
Ruxley is a small settlement mostly within the London Borough of Bromley and on the boundary with the London Borough of Bexley, in southeast London, England....
district. Its former area now corresponds to a majority of the London Borough of Bromley
London Borough of Bromley
The London Borough of Bromley is a London borough of south east London, England and forms part of Outer London. The principal town in the borough is Bromley.-Geography:...
, a large part of the London Borough of Bexley
London Borough of Bexley
The London Borough of Bexley lies in south east Greater London, and is a borough referred to as part of Outer London. It has common borders with the London Borough of Bromley to the south, the London Borough of Greenwich to the west, across the River Thames to the north it borders the London...
and a small part of the Kent District of Sevenoaks
Sevenoaks (district)
Sevenoaks is a local government district covering the western most part of Kent in England. Its council is based in the town of Sevenoaks. It was formed on 1 April 1974, under the Local Government Act 1972, by a merger of the Sevenoaks Urban District, Sevenoaks Rural District and part of Dartford...
. The hundred was within the Lathe of Sutton-at-Hone
Sutton-at-Hone
Sutton-at-Hone is a village south of Dartford in Kent, England. It is part of the Dartford local government district and the civil parish of Sutton-at-Hone and Hawley. It is represented by Dartford Borough Councilors Pat Coleman and Tony Martin....
, in the west division of Kent
West Kent
West Kent and East Kent are one-time traditional subdivisions of the English county of Kent, kept alive by the Association of the Men of Kent and Kentish Men: an organisation formed in 1913....
.
The hundred was approximately fourteen miles (22.5 km) at its longest north to south and about eight miles (13 km) and its widest east to west. The River Cray
River Cray
The River Cray is a tributary of the River Darent in southern England. It rises in Priory Gardens in Orpington in the London Borough of Bromley, where rainwater permeates the chalk bedrock and forms a pond at the boundary between the chalk and impermeable clay...
was the largest river in the hundred of Ruxley flowing northward through six of its parishes, four of which are named after it. The River Cray rises in Orpington then flows through St. Mary Cray, St. Paul's Cray, North Cray, Foots Cray, and Bexley before crossing the northern border and Watling Street into the hundred of Lesnes.
As almost all the area of the Ruxley hundred is now within Greater London, and as civil parishes were abolished in Greater London, Knockholt
Knockholt
Knockholt is a village and civil parish in Kent, England, lying approximately 5 miles south of Orpington and 3 miles northwest of Sevenoaks. It is part of the Sevenoaks district and according to the 2001 census it had a population of 1,166...
which was in the south of Ruxley is the only parish of the Hundred that is a civil parish today. Knockholt is also the only part of this Kent Hundred that is in Kent today, although both would not have been true whilst Knockholt was in the London Borough of Bromley between 1965 and 1969.
Parishes
The parishParish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
es that were recorded as being wholly within the Ruxley hundred were Chelsfield
Chelsfield
Chelsfield is a place in the London Borough of Bromley in London, England.The name is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Cillesfelle, meaning land of a man called Cēol....
, Cudham
Cudham
Cudham is a village in the London Borough of Bromley in London, UK. It is located south-southeast of Charing Cross and about northwest of Sevenoaks....
, Downe
Downe
Downe is a village in the London Borough of Bromley in London, UK.Downe is south west of Orpington and south east of Charing Cross. Downe lies in a wooded valley, and much of the centre of the village is unchanged; the former village school now acts as the village hall.-Darwin:Charles Darwin...
, Farnborough
Farnborough, London
Farnborough is a settlement in the London Borough of Bromley. It is a suburban development located 13.4 miles southeast of Charing Cross.-History:...
, Foots Cray
Foots Cray
Foots Cray is a place in the London Borough of Bexley, near the town of Sidcup, in southeast London, England, United Kingdom.It took its name from Godwin Fot, a local Saxon landowner recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, and from the River Cray that passes through the village. It lay on the old...
, Hayes
Hayes, Bromley
Hayes is a place in the London Borough of Bromley, south-east London, England. It has two main areas of activity: the ancient village and suburban Hayes.-The ancient village of Nimrods :...
, Keston
Keston
Keston is a part suburban, part rural area of the London Borough of Bromley, England. It lies on the edge of Hayes Common, to the northwest of Greater London's border with Kent.-History:...
, Knockholt
Knockholt
Knockholt is a village and civil parish in Kent, England, lying approximately 5 miles south of Orpington and 3 miles northwest of Sevenoaks. It is part of the Sevenoaks district and according to the 2001 census it had a population of 1,166...
, North Cray
North Cray
North Cray is a place in the London Borough of Bexley, southeast London, England, east southeast of Charing Cross. It lies on the River Cray and is in the Cray Meadows electoral ward which also includes Foots Cray...
, Orpington
Orpington
Orpington is a suburban town and electoral ward in the London Borough of Bromley. It forms the southeastern edge of London's urban sprawl and is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
, St. Mary Cray, St. Paul's Cray, and West Wickham
West Wickham
West Wickham is a place in the London Borough of Bromley, England. It is 10.3 miles south east of Charing Cross. West Wickham history dates back to early settlements existing since 1068, although the name `Wickham` is an indication of an earlier Anglo-Saxon settlement...
.
Also more parishes were recorded as being partly or sometimes within the hundred, they were:
Bexley
Bexley
Bexley is an South East London]] in the London Borough of Bexley, London, England. It is located on the banks of the River Cray south of the Roman Road, Watling Street...
, Chislehurst
Chislehurst
Chislehurst is a suburban district in south-east London, England, and an electoral ward of the London Borough of Bromley. It is south-east of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:...
, Chiddingstone
Chiddingstone
Chiddingstone is a village and civil parish in the Sevenoaks District of Kent, England. The parish is located on the River Eden between Tonbridge and Edenbridge...
, Hever
Hever, Kent
Hever is a village and civil parish in the Sevenoaks District of Kent, England. The parish is located on the River Eden, a tributary of the River Medway, east of Edenbridge. It is by in extent, and in area...
, and Ruxley
Ruxley
Ruxley is a small settlement mostly within the London Borough of Bromley and on the boundary with the London Borough of Bexley, in southeast London, England....
. The Parish of Chislehurst was partly within the hundred of Blackheath, and the parish of Bexley was partly in the Codsheath hundred. Some records show that Ruxley, at least for a time had an exclave to the south containing parts of two parishes, Hever and Chiddingstone, which are in the geographical area of the Somerden hundred and usually included in it. The settlement of Ruxley itself had its own parish until 1557 when it was absorbed into North Cray parish.
Boundaries and neighbours
Ruxley occupied a central northeast area within the Sutton-at-Hone lathe, its position gave it borders with all but perhaps one of the other hundreds in the lathe. Ruxley was bordered by the hundreds of Little and Lesnes to the north, Dartford and Wilmington to the northeast, Axtane to the east and northeast (sometimes the hundred of Dartford and Wilmington and the hundred of Axtane were recorded as one hundred), Codsheath to the east and southeast Westerham and Edenbridge to the south, Ruxley's southwestern border was part of the Kent border with SurreySurrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
; Bromley and Beckenham
Bromley and Beckenham (hundred)
Bromley and Beckenham was an ancient hundred in the north west of the county of Kent, England.It comprised the ancient parishes of Bromley and Beckenham....
bordered to the west and finally Blackheath to the northwest. The only hundred of the Sutton at Hone lathe that would have not shared a common border with Ruxley was Somerden, the southern most hundred of the lathe. However the exclave to the south containing parts of Hever and Chiddingstone parishes lies geographical area of Somerden and if included would give Ruxley a border with it, and thus give Ruxley borders with all other hundreds in the lathe.
When Greater London was created in 1965 what was previously Ruxley's eastern and southern border with the hundreds of Dartford and Wilmington, Axtane, Codsheath, and Westerham became roughly part of the border between the counties of Greater London and Kent being the border between the London Boroughs of Bromley and Bexley with the Kent Districts of Sevenoaks and Dartford. Although Knockholt left the London Borough of Bromley and became part of the Kent district of Sevenoaks in 1969 moving part of the Border in that area. Watling Street
Watling Street
Watling Street is the name given to an ancient trackway in England and Wales that was first used by the Britons mainly between the modern cities of Canterbury and St Albans. The Romans later paved the route, part of which is identified on the Antonine Itinerary as Iter III: "Item a Londinio ad...
ran past the north side of the Bexley Parish and part of it formed some of Ruxley's northern boundary with Lesnes.
District replacement table
| Parish | Districts 1894-1934/35 | District 1934/35-1965 | Districts 1965-today | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knockholt Knockholt Knockholt is a village and civil parish in Kent, England, lying approximately 5 miles south of Orpington and 3 miles northwest of Sevenoaks. It is part of the Sevenoaks district and according to the 2001 census it had a population of 1,166... |
Bromley Rural District Bromley Rural District Bromley was a rural district in north-west Kent, England from 1894 to 1934. Its area now forms part of the London Borough of Bromley in Greater London. It did not include the main settlement of Bromley; which constituted the Municipal Borough of Bromley... (1894–1934) |
Orpington Urban District Orpington Urban District Orpington was a local government district in north west Kent from 1934 to 1965 around the town of Orpington, England.It was created an urban district in 1934 from parts of the abolished districts of Bromley Rural District and Chislehurst Urban District, taking in the entirety of Chelsfield, Cudham,... (1934–1965) |
London Borough of Bromley London Borough of Bromley The London Borough of Bromley is a London borough of south east London, England and forms part of Outer London. The principal town in the borough is Bromley.-Geography:... (1965–1969) Sevenoaks Rural District Sevenoaks Rural District Sevenoaks Rural District was a rural district in the county of Kent, England, from 1894 to 1974. It did not include Sevenoaks Urban District, which covered the town of Sevenoaks.It included the following civil parishes:*Brasted*Chevening*Chiddingstone... (1969–1974) Kent District of Sevenoaks Sevenoaks (district) Sevenoaks is a local government district covering the western most part of Kent in England. Its council is based in the town of Sevenoaks. It was formed on 1 April 1974, under the Local Government Act 1972, by a merger of the Sevenoaks Urban District, Sevenoaks Rural District and part of Dartford... (1974-) |
Knockholt was in Greater London from 1965 to 1969 |
| Cudham Cudham Cudham is a village in the London Borough of Bromley in London, UK. It is located south-southeast of Charing Cross and about northwest of Sevenoaks.... |
London Borough of Bromley London Borough of Bromley The London Borough of Bromley is a London borough of south east London, England and forms part of Outer London. The principal town in the borough is Bromley.-Geography:... (1965-) |
|||
| Downe Downe Downe is a village in the London Borough of Bromley in London, UK.Downe is south west of Orpington and south east of Charing Cross. Downe lies in a wooded valley, and much of the centre of the village is unchanged; the former village school now acts as the village hall.-Darwin:Charles Darwin... |
||||
| Farnborough Farnborough, London Farnborough is a settlement in the London Borough of Bromley. It is a suburban development located 13.4 miles southeast of Charing Cross.-History:... |
||||
| Keston Keston Keston is a part suburban, part rural area of the London Borough of Bromley, England. It lies on the edge of Hayes Common, to the northwest of Greater London's border with Kent.-History:... |
||||
| Orpington Orpington Orpington is a suburban town and electoral ward in the London Borough of Bromley. It forms the southeastern edge of London's urban sprawl and is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:... |
||||
| St. Mary Cray | ||||
| St. Paul's Cray | ||||
| West Wickham West Wickham West Wickham is a place in the London Borough of Bromley, England. It is 10.3 miles south east of Charing Cross. West Wickham history dates back to early settlements existing since 1068, although the name `Wickham` is an indication of an earlier Anglo-Saxon settlement... |
||||
| Hayes Hayes, Bromley Hayes is a place in the London Borough of Bromley, south-east London, England. It has two main areas of activity: the ancient village and suburban Hayes.-The ancient village of Nimrods :... |
Municipal Borough of Bromley Municipal Borough of Bromley Bromley was a local government district in northwest Kent from 1867 to 1965 around the town of Bromley. The area was suburban to London, and formed part of the Metropolitan Police District and from 1933 was included in the area of the London Passenger Transport Board.-Local board and urban... (1934–1965) |
|||
| North Cray North Cray North Cray is a place in the London Borough of Bexley, southeast London, England, east southeast of Charing Cross. It lies on the River Cray and is in the Cray Meadows electoral ward which also includes Foots Cray... |
Chislehurst and Sidcup Urban District Chislehurst and Sidcup Urban District Chislehurst and Sidcup Urban District was a local government district and civil parish in north west Kent, England from 1934 to 1965.It was formed in 1934 from the former area of Chislehurst Urban District, Sidcup Urban District and part of Bromley Rural District.In 1965 the parish and urban... (1934–1965) |
London Borough of Bexley London Borough of Bexley The London Borough of Bexley lies in south east Greater London, and is a borough referred to as part of Outer London. It has common borders with the London Borough of Bromley to the south, the London Borough of Greenwich to the west, across the River Thames to the north it borders the London... (1965-) |
Ruxley Ruxley Ruxley is a small settlement mostly within the London Borough of Bromley and on the boundary with the London Borough of Bexley, in southeast London, England.... was its own parish but was absorbed into North Cray parish in 1557 |
|
| Ruxley Ruxley Ruxley is a small settlement mostly within the London Borough of Bromley and on the boundary with the London Borough of Bexley, in southeast London, England.... |
North Cray Parish (1557-1894) Bromley Rural District (1894–1934) | |||
| Foots Cray Foots Cray Foots Cray is a place in the London Borough of Bexley, near the town of Sidcup, in southeast London, England, United Kingdom.It took its name from Godwin Fot, a local Saxon landowner recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, and from the River Cray that passes through the village. It lay on the old... |
Bromley Rural District (1894–1921) Sidcup Urban District (1921–1934) | Footscray parish was later called Sidcup Sidcup Sidcup is a district in South East London in the London Borough of Bexley and small parts of the district in the London Borough of Greenwich.Located south east of Charing Cross, Sidcup is bordered by the London Boroughs of Greenwich and Bromley and Kent County Council, and whilst now part of... parish |
||
| Chislehurst Chislehurst Chislehurst is a suburban district in south-east London, England, and an electoral ward of the London Borough of Bromley. It is south-east of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:... |
Bromley Rural District (1894–1900) Chislehurst Urban District (1900–1934) | London Borough of Bromley (1965-) | Chislehurst parish was also recorded as being partly in the Hundred of Blackheath | |
| Bexley Bexley Bexley is an South East London]] in the London Borough of Bexley, London, England. It is located on the banks of the River Cray south of the Roman Road, Watling Street... |
Bexley Urban District (1894–1935) | Municipal Borough of Bexley Municipal Borough of Bexley Bexley was a local government district in north west Kent from 1879 to 1965 around the town of Old Bexley.-History:The parish of Bexley adopted the Local Government Act 1858 in 1879, and a local board of 15 members was formed to govern the area... (1935–1965) |
London Borough of Bexley (1965-) | Bexley parish also was recorded as being partly in the Codsheath hundred |
| Chiddingstone Chiddingstone Chiddingstone is a village and civil parish in the Sevenoaks District of Kent, England. The parish is located on the River Eden between Tonbridge and Edenbridge... |
Sevenoaks Rural District Sevenoaks Rural District Sevenoaks Rural District was a rural district in the county of Kent, England, from 1894 to 1974. It did not include Sevenoaks Urban District, which covered the town of Sevenoaks.It included the following civil parishes:*Brasted*Chevening*Chiddingstone... (1894–1974) |
Kent District of Sevenoaks Sevenoaks (district) Sevenoaks is a local government district covering the western most part of Kent in England. Its council is based in the town of Sevenoaks. It was formed on 1 April 1974, under the Local Government Act 1972, by a merger of the Sevenoaks Urban District, Sevenoaks Rural District and part of Dartford... (1974-) |
Chiddingstone and Hever were within an exclave to the south and partly in the hundred of Somerden | |
| Hever Hever, Kent Hever is a village and civil parish in the Sevenoaks District of Kent, England. The parish is located on the River Eden, a tributary of the River Medway, east of Edenbridge. It is by in extent, and in area... |
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External links
- The Hundred of Ruxley at British History Online.
- The Hundred of Ruxley at Vision of Britain