Faversham
[key], town, Kent, SE England, a port on a tributary of the Swale River.
It is situated in a region where fruit and hops are grown. Timber, oil,
fodder, apples, and cherries are shipped to London. Faversham has shipyards
and light industries including brickmaking, food processing, oyster fishing,
and brewing. Of notable interest are the many Roman and Saxon remains.
Faversham was an early member of the federation of the Cinque Ports. King Stephen, who founded
the Cluniac abbey (now in ruins), was buried there in the 12th cent. with
his queen, Matilda. In 1781 a powder mill blew up and destroyed half of the
town.
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