Kent was extremely important in the later middle ages. Its location between London and continental Europe; Thomas Becket's internationally famous shrine; its ancient Cinque Ports; and the early development of new religious ideas all make its history in this period particularly fascinating. The essays collected here present the fruits of new research into a wide range of topics, offering insights into all the most important aspects of life at the time. The volume opens with a major survey of Kent's economic history and development during the period in question; subsequent chapters consider agriculture; ship-building; the Kentish nobility and their role in regional and national politics; religious houses; heresy; magic; and the parish church. Dr Sheila Sweetinburgh teaches in the Department of English, University of Kent. Contributors: Mavis Mate, Bruce Campbell, Gillian Draper, Peter Fleming, David Grummitt, Malcolm Mercer, Barry Dobson, Elizabeth Edwards, Sheila Sweetinburgh, Robert Lutton, Karen Jones