GRAVESEND, municipal borough, river-port and market town of Kent, England, on the Thames opposite Tilbury Fort, 22 m. E. by S. of London by the S.R. Pop. 35,49o.
In the Domesday Survey "Gravesham" is among the bishop of Bayeux's lands, and a "hythe" or landing-place is mentioned. In 1401 Henry IV. granted the men of Gravesend the sole right of conveying in their own vessels all persons travelling between Lon don and Gravesend; this was confirmed by Edward IV. in 1462. In 1562 a charter of incorporation by Elizabeth vested the govern ment in two portreeves and 12 jurats, but a later charter (1568) reduced the portreeves to one. Charles I. incorporated the town anew under the title of the mayor, jurats and inhabitants of Gravesend, and a further charter of liberties was granted by James II. in 1687.
From the early I 7th century Gravesend was the chief station for East Indiamen. A customs house was built in 1782. Queen Elizabeth established Gravesend as the point where the corpora tion of London should welcome in state eminent foreign visitors arriving by water. State processions by water from Gravesend to London had previously taken place, as in 1522, when Henry VIII. escorted the emperor Charles V. The Princess Alexandra was received here by the prince of Wales (King Edward VII.) three days before their marriage in 1863. "Princess" Pocahontas, who died when preparing to return home from a visit to England in 1617 was buried in the old church. Gravesend extends 2 m. along the river bank, occupying the slopes of Windmill Hill. The older lower town is irregular with narrow streets. The town pier was erected in 1832, and the terrace pier in 1845, when local river traffic by steamboat was specially prosperous. Vessels wait here for the tide to come up to London. It is also a yachting centre. Milton parish church is a Decorated (14th cent.) and Perpendicu lar building. East of the town are the earthworks originally con structed in the reign of Charles II. Gravesend, which is within the Port of London, has some import trade in coal, lime and timber, and fishing is carried on. Other industries are boat-building and ironfounding. Fruit and vegetables are largely grown for the London market. Since 1867 Gravesend has returned a member to parliament, the borough including Northfleet to the west and the rural districts of Hoo and Strood.