Ironage Kent

Iron Age Fort

The modern name Kent is derived from the Brythonic word 'Cantus' meaning a rim or border, being applied as a name to the eastern part of the modern county, and meaning 'border land' or 'coastal district.' Julius Caesar described it as Cantium, although he did not record the inhabitants' name for themselves, in 51 BC.

His writings suggest localised groups of people whose chieftains were flattered by his description of them as 'kings'. Pottery studies indicate the county east of the River Medway was inhabited by Belgic peoples who were part of an economic and cultural region embracing south east England and the lands across the English Channel.

The extreme west of the modern county was occupied by other Iron Age tribes; the Regnenses and possibly another ethnic group occupying The Weald known today as the Wealden People. During the late pre-Roman Iron Age the names of a few Kentish kings are known, such as Dumnovellaunus and Adminius.

Pre Roman Settlements in Kent

Durobrivae - (Rochester, Kent) - Pre-Roman native settlement on the Medway. One of only two walled towns in Cantium territory. The other being Canterbury.

Durolitum? - (Ospringe, Kent)

Hastings (Sussex) - This iron port had overland connections with Kent rather than Sussex.

Loose - (near to Maidstone, Kent) - Pre-Roman native settlement on the upper Medway.

Portus Dubris - (Dover, Kent) - Coastal Station

Portus Lemanis - (Lympne, Kent) - Coastal Station

Rutupiae - (Richborough, Kent) - The main port of entrance to Britain.

Titsey (Kent) - Rural temple may mark the western border of the Canton.

Vagniacis or Vagniacae - (Springhead, Kent) - Posting Station on Watling Street

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