Correspondence -The Origin of Knowle
by A Pritchett

First published in issue 80 of The Tenterden Terrier Spring 2003
Reproduced with permission of then-editor Mr P D Shaw
and current editor Mr B Janes

Sir –  I believe I can shed light on the questions from readers in the last edition of the “Terrier”. The locomotive “Knowle” was named after a hamlet near Cranleigh, Surrey. The place is marked as a farm on the first OS map, but later maps show it as having a private park. I do not know if the owner is connected with the LBSCR, but the house overlooks the Guildford-Christ’s Hospital line, which I believe to be LSWR – they had lines to both Guildford and Horsham.

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But in the same edition is this fascinating letter by D M Churcher of Northiam dealing with local origins of the name, if not the source for the engine!

Sir – Being associated for over 30 years with Bodiam, may I respond to H Atkinson’s query re the Knowle connection?

In the C14th, Sir Robert Knollys was a captain under King Richard II. When the threat of invasion by the French to south England was imminent, Knollys campaigned under Edward III in France. He plundered the spoils of the campaign and was well set up!

Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, a follower of Knollys, also went to France and from his gained wealth, also from plundering, he built Bodiam Castle to ‘keep the French out’! In respect for Sir Robert Knollys, Sir Edward had Sir Robert’s coat of arms carved in stone work over the Postern Gate at Bodiam Castle. The name Knowle is a derivation from the centuries of Knollys.

Knowle Hill at Bodiam is the hill that rises opposite Bodiam Station, on the north side of the River Rother.

At the top of Knowle Hill opposite the junction with Sandhurst Road, there is a terrace of three Victorian cottages, called Knowle Cottages. Further west on the old New House Farm Estate there are three pairs of 1920s-1930s cottages called Knowle Hill Cottages. They can be seen from Bodiam Station.