In the Middle Ages, the village became a centre of commercial activity, benefiting from maritime and overland travel, the most important of the latter routes being the via Francigena, the ancient pilgrims' way that in medieval times connected Canterbury to Rome.
In the Middle Ages, the village flourished as a hub of commerce, benefiting from maritime and overland travel, with the most significant of the latter routes being the Via Francigena, the ancient pilgrimage path that linked Canterbury to Rome in medieval times.