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Faversham Abbey was founded in 1147 by King Stephen who was buried there. The Abbey was dissolved in 1538 and ever since the mystery exists as to what happened to the remains of King Stephen. Part of the Abbey wall can be seen on the left. Arden's House was the Guest-house of the former Faversham Abbey where prominent visitors like Cardinal Wolsey stayed.

In 1540 it was bought by Thomas Arden who worked in the Government office which was selling off monastic property. Later he acquired more monastic property. Obsessed with money-making he neglected his wife Alice, who found solace elsewhere. In 1551 at her instigation Arden was murdered in his own home. Alice and her lover were among those executed for the crime, which inspired the play 'Arden of Faversham', first published in 1592 and still performed today. It is occasionally performed in the garden of Arden's House, which is a rare example of an Elizabethan play which can be performed in its actual setting.