FAVERSHAM

town (parish), Swale district, administrative and historic county of Kent, southeastern England. Faversham grew first as a port on the River Swale near Watling Street. It was assessed in 1086 as a royal demesne, and a market was held there. King Stephen (ruled 113554) founded a Cluniac (later Benedictine) monastery in 1147. Faversham was associated with the medieval Cinque Ports (q.v.) from that group's earliest days. In 1302 the town's barons were granted all the liberties of the ports. The governing charter was granted in 1545. Faversham has both continental and coastal shipping. Oyster fisheries are also located there. Pop. (1991) 17,070.