KING'S ARMS Pub of Boxley

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Saturday, 19 August, 2023.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1539

King's Arms

Open 2020+

The Street

Boxley

01622 755177

http://www.thekingsarmsmaidstone.co.uk/

https://whatpub.com/kings-arms

Above photo, circa 1908, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard, circa 1909, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo, date unknown.

Above photo circa 1925. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above business card, circa 1938, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above matchbox, 1984, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo 2013 by Malc McDonald Creative Commons Licence.

Above photo kindly taken by Karen & Barry Holt in 2018.

Above photo, 8 July 2022, kindly taken and sent by Ray Petri.

Above photo, 8 July 2022, kindly taken and sent by Ray Petri.

The Inn known as the "Kings Arms" was built during the reign of Richard 1 (1189-1199) in the year 1195. When first built the "Kings Arms" was a singular thatched farm dwelling and was owned by the church and occupied by monks. It is believed that the order of monks first started brewing and selling ales.

In 1539, with the final dissolution of the monasteries under the tyranny of Henry VIII the monks abandoned the premises and an ale licence was granted.

In the mid 18th Century the "Kings Arms" had been established as a coaching halt and a customs and excise posting house. Part of the premises was also registered as a parish poorhouse.

In later years it also served the function of the village post office.

The "Kings Arms" has seen and undergone many changes since it was first built but the historic atmosphere remains unchanged and includes a large inglenook fire where the brickwork has been worn away by customers sharpening their swords by the fire.

From the Maidstone Gazette and Kentish Courier, 24 July 1827.

On Friday last, Henry Slender, and William Walter, were committed by James Best, Esq., to take their trial at the approaching Assizes, for robbing the waggon of Charles Larkin, of Horsmonden. The waggoner had stopped at the "King's Arms," Boxley, to take some refreshment, when Slender and Walter stole out of the wagon a hop poke and a sack. On information being given, Robinson and Chambers, two of the Maidstone waterman, apprehended the men at Bearsted Fair on Tuesday.

From the Maidstone Gazette and West Kent Courier, 28, September, 1830.

Inquest on R. Fowler, Esq.

On Wednesday last, an inquest was held at the "King's Arms Inn," Boxley, before J. N. Dudlow, Esq., one of the Coroners for the County, on the body of Robert Fowler, Esq., whose sudden and violent death we covered last week.

The Jury having viewed the body of the unfortunately gentleman, which presented a ghastly appearance, the following evidence was taken.

Mr. C. Hills deposed that on Monday morning, he said the deceased went out hunting on Boxley Hills, some time after the deceased had drawn his dogs, he laid up his gun (a double barrelled one) in a bush. Witness, who sent for the gun, but did not find it. They afterwards, went to the spot together. While the deceased was in the act of drawing the gun from the bush, it went off, and the muzzle being pointed upwards, the contents lodged in deceased's brain, immediately below the right ear. His death was instantaneous. The gun was not checked, both hammers being down. Witness called out for assistance; and they ran to a friend's house in the neighbourhood.

Charles Wayth, Esq., stated that on the morning in question he was shooting in Mr. Ruggs field, which adjoins the spot where the unfortunate occurrences happened. He heard the report of a gun; and immediately afterwards, the cry of a person who seemed to be in distress. On repairing to the spot, whence the cry proceeded, he saw the body of the deceased; he was quite dead.

Mr. A. Farrer, of Boxley Grange, repaired to the spot, in company with the preceding witness. He called to the deceased, but received no answer; he touched him, but found him quite dead, although the body was warm.

Mr. Coleman, Surgeon, in Maidstone stated, that he had examined the body of the deceased. There was a gun shot wound under the bottom of the right ear. Part of the ear was shot away, as well as the carotid artery and the jugular vein. The whole of the upper part of the head was broken; and a portion of the brains protruded through the ear. The deceased's death must have been instantaneous.

The Jury returned a verdict that the deceased's death was occasioned by the explosion of a double barrelled gun.

Southeastern Gazette, 12 April 1853.

KENT COUNTY COURT — MAIDSTONE.

(Before J. ’Espinasso, Esq., Judge).

The monthly meeting of this Court was held on Monday, at the Sessions House.

Nye v. Hoadley.

An action brought against the defendant, landlord of the "King’s Head," (sic) Boxley, to recover the sum of 10s. Mr. Goodwin appeared for defendant.

Plaintiff stated that he was employed by Mr. Brown, the late landlord, to value the goods, and it was his duty, as the seller, to furnish the in-coming tenant with a stamped inventory of the goods he had to take. The stamp was 10s., and he charged 10s. for the drawing of it up. It was agreed between himself and Mr. Pike (the appraiser on behalf of Mr. Hoadley), that the charge of 20s. should be divided between the parties, as was usually the case.

In cross-examination plaintiff stated that it was not the invariable custom to include the expenses of the stamped inventory among the other expenses; it was done sometimes. The appraisement occupied them two days, and the expenses for those two days amounted altogether to £2, including 10s., the expenses of Mr. Fancett, the clerk to the brewers, who came over to gauge the beer.

Nonsuited.

Kent & Sussex Courier 11 May 1906.

THE KING'S ARMS, BOXLEY.

The license of the King's Arms, Boxley, was temporarily transferred from Mr. William Hickmott, to Mr. Alexander George Drake, late of Strood.

From an email received 15 October 2020.

The London Gazette 24 April 1908, indicates that Arthur George Candler of Beresford Rd, Gillingham, Kent and the "King’s Arms," Boxley, Kent, Builder and Licensed Victualler, was bankrupt. Licensee perhaps?

Brian Candler.

I am informed that this pub now (2020) owned by the Ei Group prefers to go under the name of "KA" for some rather trendy and in my opinion pathetic but unknown reason.

LICENSEE LIST

MARTIN John 1828-32+