kent home of edward austen knight and family

godmersham park

home of edward and his unmarried children

Map

This was the main home of Edward Austen Knight and his family in Kent, inherited when he was adopted by Thomas Knight II. There was a condition in the will of his adoptive mother that in order to inherit the three estates of Godmersham, Chawton and Steventon he must change his surname to Knight so that the family name would continue. He did this when she died in 1812.

Today the house is a training centre for opticians, and are not open to the public, although the gardens are opened up for a day in the summer as part of the National Garden Scheme. You can learn more about that here.

Edward's sons were keen cricketers, in particular, Edward Jr. and George, who went on to play at a senior level. The Wisden Almanack has an article detailing their history with the game entitled 'Knight, of the round stable: Cricket and Jane Austen.' You can read it here.

Edward Austen Knight died here in his sleep on the morning of November 19th, 1852. 

His son, Edward Knight II inherited the estate, but did not live there. He let it out to a tenant, and then sold it outright in 1874.

You can also find more information about the history of the estate at the Godmersham Park Heritage Centre here .

st lawrence the martyr church

where the family were married and buried

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Two of the Austen Knight daughters were married here:

• Lizzie Knight married Edward Rice here on October 6th, 1818.
• Fanny Knight married Sir Edward Knatchbull on October 24th, 1820.

Edward Austen Knight was buried here on 27^th November 1852, beside his wife Elizabeth, in the Knight family vault. 

extract

If you would like to read an extract from The Austens of Chawton where the events take place in Godmersham, click here.