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 prospered as a hub of commerce, with maritime and overland travel being key factors in its economic success. The most significant land route was the Via Francigena, an ancient pilgrimage path that connected Canterbury to Rome.