Geology of Kent into northern France. The fold arises from the continuing Alpine orogeny and results in the general northward dip of the rock strata in most of Kent. There are extensive spreads of coastal and estuarine alluvium on the Thames Estuary coast, in the low ground surrounding the Isle of Thanet and across Romney Marsh. Alluvium also floors the valleys of the River Medway and Stour. 'Clay-with-flints' is a commonly occurring deposit across the North Downs which is a product of periglacial conditions during the last ice age. Loessic deposists, of aeolian origin i.e. windblown, are common in east Kent, especially on
Kingdom of Kent the brink of disaster. Alfred had defeated Guthrum the Old and allowed Vikings by treaty to settle in East Anglia and the North East. However, other Danes were still on the move. Haesten, a highly experienced warrior-leader, had mustered huge forces in northern France having besieged Paris and taken Brittany. A large Viking army led by Thorkell the Tall besieged Canterbury in 1011, culminating in the pillage of the city and the eventual murder of Archbishop Alphege, on April 19, 1012.. As many as 350 Viking ships sailed from Boulogne to the south coast of Kent in 892. Between 5000