Here is a picture of the house in Kent where Jane used to visit Mrs Knight and then, later, Edward and Elizabeth ,when they moved there,after Mrs Knight decided to vacate the property.

Mrs Knight had been left a life interest in the estates owned by her late husband when he died in 1794.On her death the estates would revet to Edward.

However,she decided that she would let Edward and his growing family take over the estates and the great house,and in 1798 she retired to live at White Friars ,a large old house in Canterbury,Kent,with an income of £2000 p.a. chargeable on the Godmersham estate.

Here is an extract from her letter to Edward about her proposal:

From the time that my particularity for you induced mr kngith to treat you as our adopted Child, I have felt for you the tenderness of a Mother & never have you apeared more derserving pf affection than at this time: to reward your merit therefore and to place you in a situation where your many execellent qualities will be call'd forth & render'd useful to the neighbourhood, is the fondest wish of my heart.many circumstances attatched to large landed Possessions , highly gratifiying to a Man are entierly lost on me at present: but when isee you in the enjoyment of them ,I shall, if possible, feel my gratitude to my beloved Husband redoubled,for having placed in my hands, the power of bestowing happiness on one so very dear to me

I think this woman is fabulous.

Here is a link to a local history site with an interesting map,and some blatant speculaion about plot inspirtions!