The sign shows the ‘Biddenden Maids’, Mary and Eliza.

According to tradition, these twin sisters were born in 1100, joined at the shoulders and hips. The story describes how Eliza and Mary Chulkhurst lived in this condition for 34 years, until one of them died. The other, refusing seperation (was such surgery possible in the 12th Century?), died shortly afterwards.

The Chulkhurst Estate (some 20 acres) was donated to the church on their death, and the sisters were commemorated by the baking of Biddenden cakes, made in their image and distributed to the poor every Easter Sunday.

Variations of the story can be found here.

Biddenden Village web site

Biddenden, OS Grid Ref: TQ 850 383