page_title: Sutton Valence
section_title: 15th–16th centuries
hierarchical_section_title: Sutton Valence / History / 15th–16th centuries
caption_attribution_description: English: Crest on the Alms Houses in Sutton Valence village, Kent, UK
context_page_description: Sutton Valence is a village about five miles SE of Maidstone, Kent, England on the A274 road going south to Headcorn and Tenterden. It is on the Greensand Ridge overlooking the Vale of Kent and Weald. St Mary's Church is on the west side of the village on Chart Road, close to the junction of the High Street with the A274. Another landmark is Sutton Valence Castle on the east side of the village, of which only the ruins of the 12th century keep remain, under the ownership of English Heritage.
context_section_description: In 1401, the manor was one of those sold to provide a ransom for the release of Baron Grey of Ruthin who had been captured by Owain Glyndŵr the Welsh leader who rebelled against King Henry IV and is mentioned in the Shakespeare play of that name. In 1418 the manor passed to the Clifford family. In 1548 the manor was sold to the Filmer family, who retained ownership until the early 20th century.
  St Mary's Church.
  A William Lambe was baptised at St Mary's in the late 15th century and died in 1522.  His will dated 1 July 1522 asked that his remains be placed in the church.  In the SE corner of the church was a chapel dedicated to Saint Peter, which then became the Lambe Chapel.  His grandson, also William, was a Citizen of the City of London and a member of the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers.  He was a gentleman of the chapel to King Henry VIII and reputed to be a friend of the King.  He clearly had wealth because later, in 1578, at "his own proper costs and charges", he built a free grammar school in the village, allowing the Master £20 per year with "a good house and garden to reside in", and a person called "the Usher" was allowed £10 per year.
  Village Alms Houses. 
  William Lambe also founded six alms-houses in the village with an orchard and gardens for the poor of the parish.  He allotted £10 to be divided among them yearly, and entrusted the Company of Clothworkers with the management of this charity.  The inhabitants were usually appointed by the master of the school.  The arms of the founder, a "fess between three cinquefoils", are carved in stone on the front of the alms-houses.
caption: Crest on the Alms Houses
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