The Old Weavers House

Huguenot refugees came to south England from Flanders (now part of Belgium), escaping from persecution by Catholics. Many of them settled in Canterbury, where they were given the right to trade by Queen Elizabeth the First. They brought with them their weaving and other textile skills. The wealth generated by these new industries helped to replace the income which had been generated by visiting pilgrims (a custom which was stopped by King Henry the Eighth after he took over control of the Church in England).
There are several Tudor-style houses along St Peters Street which used to be used by the weavers. The buildings are now used as restaurants.
One of the branches of the River Stour runs next to the weavers' houses. Guided boat tours leave from next to the Ducking Stool in the garden of The Old Weavers House. A ducking stool was a form of punishment and also a way of testing if someone was a witch. The person was strapped into the chair, which was then submerged under the water. If the person was a witch, she would survive, and she would be killed. If she wasn't a witch, then she would drown, but at least her name was cleared ...
This Tudor building was used by Flemish weavers
Boat trips leave from the Ducking Stool