The Hastings and Bexhill Independent September 10 1903

SUSSEX ARCHÆOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

VISIT TO CUCKFIELD.

In weather that was fairly favourable, though not exactly summer like, the 57th autumn meeting of the Sussex Archaeological Society was held on Tuesday at and in the neighbourhood of Cuckfield, and there was a good muster of members and friends, numbering altogether about 120. Though no great stretch of country was traversed, the programme for the day was rather lengthy and the interest of the outing was well sustained until the close, at which time misty rain began to descend. But this did not affect the pleasure of the outing, the railway station at Hayward’s Heath being reached ere any inconvenience in this respect was experienced. The members, from all parts of the county, assembled at Hayward’s Heath at 10.45 in the morning, and here the numerous party found ample brakes and carriages for their accommodation. Amongst those present were Canon Cooper (vicar of Cuckfield), the Rev. A. H. Boyd, the Rev. H. J. Dyer, the Rev. W. R. Ommanney, the Rev. F. G. Haslewood, the Rev. J. L. Ogle, the Rev. G. C. Hauser, the Rev. and Mrs. J. T. Atkinson, the Rev. W. R. Nightingale, the Rev. W. E. A. Young, the Rev. H. North, Commander Brand, R.N., Captain Carey, Major Willett, Mr. A. P. Boyson, Mr. Wright, Mr. M. S. M. Smith, Mr. R. Pocock, Mr. Tomson, Miss W. Smith, Mr. H. W. Boyd, Mr. J. H. Briggs, Mr. C. Wooldridge, Mr. H. Arkwright, Mr. H. S. Marryatt, Mr. Humphrey Wickham, Mr. R. H. Major, Mr. W. G. Moss, Mr. F. Ross, Mr. R. H. J. Upton, Mr. E. Clayton, Mr. F. M. Richardson, Mr. A. L. Ryde, Mr. E. L. Peckham, Mr. E. Henty, Mr. H. Willett, Mr. C. T. Whiteman, Mr. J. E. Holmes, Mr. W. S. Cripps, Mr. A. W. Eade, Mr. C. S. Evershed, Mr. Timmis, Miss Cook, Mr. J. Stenning, Mr. J. G. Stenning, Mr. H. W. Challen, Mr. G. H. Wyatt, Mr. R. J. Lamb, Mr. J. Sawyer, Mr. H. G. Lane, Mr. W. R. Quartermain, Mr. H. Dodson, Mr. T. G. Shoosmith, Mr. Wase, Mr. J. E. Davis, Mr. A. E. Brooke, Mr. A. Fraser, Mr. S. Duke, Mr. J. S. Cook, Mr. Dawson, Miss Fraser, Mr. C. H. Till, Mr. C. H. Ross, Mr. Thomas-Stanford, Mr. Michael White (hon. secretary), and Mr. Bishop.

(L. Turner Clerk).

MONKS AT CUCKFIELD.

Leaving Hayward’s Heath at 1 o’clock, the party drove direct to Cuckfield, involving half an hour’s drive through picturesque country, and passing the fine old Cuckfield building known as Ockenden.

The Vicar (the Rev. Canon Cooper, President of the Society) received the visitors at the church, and gave an address descriptive of the building. He explained that it was not quite certain when the church was founded. It was said to have been built in 1086 by William de Warenne at what was then known as Lewes Priory, and for many years Cuckfield Church was served by monks from Lewes. He further instanced that Richard of Chichester, who visited the place, arranged for and appointed his chaplains to minister at the church as he and Richard were contemporaries. That the monks were not quite so attentive to the services as they should be, and that their work fell into desuetude, was shown from various authentic records.

Amongst the interesting architectural features were some splendid remains of the Perpendicular period. Perhaps the most remarkable was the ancient rood, said by the Canon, and which he illustrated in the beautiful coloured work, which included the babes and angels’ heads in the spandrils. The Canon said this roof was of the time of Henry VII. In 1855 this roof was restored and decorated by Mr. Hudson, who spent £300 in doing the work.

He also referred to the decorated screen, and also to the font belonging to the 13th century. The communion table was one of the oldest in the county, and at one time was probably the base of a stone altar.

The Vicar then described and explained some of the monuments that adorned the south wall of the church, one on the south side being a remarkable effigy of Burrell monuments dating back to 1540, the armour, sword, and effigy being well shown. The effigy of the founder of the family was given 500 acres of land by Henry VIII., and another effigy in a similar position was dated in the time of Elizabeth. On the other side of the church were two effigies which Canon Cooper considered the most beautiful in existence in Sussex, and existed in their full form for several centuries.

The Vicar said: “I hope the interest in Cuckfield church will never die.” He further said: “The large stone cross that was erected on the site of the church in 1886 is one of the most remarkable in the county. At the time of its erection there was much contention on the subject, but it was finally protected, and relics placed under the same. Amongst these were coins, documents, and other items.”

A most interesting question was the difference between the sacred relics deposited in shrines and those which were placed in coffins, the latter generally containing crosses.

Other relics inspected were a rare book dated 1636, and a register bearing the arms of the Burrell family, and a register dated 1636, and charters relating to Cuckfield. The charter for a market at Cuckfield was granted by Charles II., and this was on exhibition.

It was a remarkable thing, said the Canon, that a former Vicar of Cuckfield was also Vicar of Shoreditch, working both parishes simultaneously.

After inspecting Cuckfield Church, the party proceeded on foot to Cuckfield Park, about half a mile away, the Eyrisium mansion now occupied by Mr. H. Bevan. The diamond-shaped chimney stacks of the mansion were inspected, and the first thing to attract the eye and admiration of all was the fine avenue of stately limes and gate-tower, which was removed from Slaugham Place. The mansion was subsequently explained by the Rev. Precentor Smith.

Cuckfield House was built by Henry Bowyer in 1574, in the form of a castellated mansion, and brought to its present shape and finish 60 years ago. Thanks to the kindness of the present occupant, the party had the privilege of inspecting the mansion and the rooms it contained.

The Precentor explained the leading features of the mansion, including the remarkable oak carved mantelpiece, 14 feet high, richly carved with armorial bearings, and dated 1579. It was considered one of the finest examples of carved work in Sussex.

Other remarkable features included the furniture in the upper rooms, bearing the same date of 1581, and a massive carved oak table, considered to be the oldest in Sussex.

There was also a rare relic of the Armada period, a cannon ball brought to Cuckfield in commemoration of the threatened invasion.

The Precentor pointed out that the carved oak work, the staircase, and the numerous relics of antiquity were of very great interest, and highly instructive to the antiquarian mind.

The party then drove to the Talbot Hotel for luncheon. After luncheon, Mr. H. Bevan was cordially thanked for his great kindness in allowing the inspection of the mansion.

The proceedings were brought to a close at Slaugham Church.

SLAUGHAM CHURCH.

The meal over, the archaeologists were conveyed to Slaugham Church, the drive of about five miles affording a very pleasant change. The first object to attract attention was of a very modern character, but none the less appreciated, it being a new lych gate now in course of erection as a memorial to the late Mr. W. H. Loder, and which promises to be one of the finest specimens of its sort in the county. The Rev. A. H. Boyd welcomed the party at the entrance to the church, the architectural features of which were fully dilated upon by Mr. P. M. Johnston. He drew attention particularly to the very rich font of late Norman work, which bore upon one of the stone panels the representation of a fish, which, as they knew, was a well-known symbol in baptism. The church was spacious and well proportioned, but the chief features of it were the monuments of the Coverts, which dated from 1503 to 1586. The church seemed to have been covered with paintings at one time, but unhappily at some period they had been destroyed, though the regret at this was not so deep as otherwise would have been because the paintings were of rather doubtful pre-eminence. The carved pulpit was a good example of the one in Worth Church, but it was not of native workmanship, probably being an importation from the Continent. A piece of oak panelling on the north wall Mr. Johnston referred to as being of exceptional interest, but the leading point was the Covert tomb, with the armoury on the top of it.

Mr. Bigg, of The Hyde, Slaugham, supplemented Mr. Johnston’s description of the building by stating that the church was restored in 1851, when many of the monuments were of plain ashlar only. The pulpit had only been in the church about six years. The Covert Chapel used to be a separate building from the church and contained the Covert tomb in which the remains were buried. The north window had a very wonderful piece of work, as pointed out, the fish which was represented had a piece of human hair in its mouth.

Outside the church, after an inspection had been made of the interior, attention was called to the gigantic yew tree, which measured 24 ft. 7 in. in circumference and was considered to be larger if anything than the one at Fletching, which was estimated at about 1150. Another interesting feature was the tomb of the sister of Lord Nelson, which was closely inspected.

A RUINED MANSION.

From Slaugham Church the party proceeded to the stately ruins of Slaugham Place, the ancient mansion of the Coverts, built probably by Sir Walter Covert in the reign of James I., which now form part of the gardens of Slaugham Place, Captain Sergison’s residence. Here again the Rev. Canon Cooper was of the utmost value in describing the history of the ruins and the family that formerly lived here. The house, said the Canon, was erected about 1605, the architect being Thorpe, who flourished from 1580 till 1610. Sir Walter Covert held a great deal of property formerly in West Sussex, but he did not have very long enjoyment of the mansion, which was now in ruins, for he died in 1631 and in his will directed that his body should be buried in the newly-erected chapel in Slaugham Church. Nobody seemed to know what had become of the Coverts, who so suddenly disappeared, but he (Canon Cooper) had been looking up the State papers and had found a letter from King James to Sir Walter Covert desiring him to pay the debts of his cousin, who lived near Maidstone and who could not appear at Court owing to his indebtedness. Sir Walter seems to have given his cousin £1,000 to enable him to present a good appearance at Court. Sir Walter at that time placed his property in the hands of trustees. He (Canon Cooper) was of opinion that the property of Sir Walter came to an end through the carelessness of his heirs. The very mansion they were inspecting was allowed to go to ruin, anybody taking away as he liked. At one time it was used as a barrack and had stables in it. It was then of so important a character that it was chosen as the Municipal Building at Lewes, but ultimately the property was acquired by the Sergison family in 1737 and now belonged to Capt. Sergison. A photograph of Sir Walter Covert which had been found in the house of Lord Bath was exhibited by Canon Cooper, and also a picture of the ruins in 1780, from which it appeared there were five palaces at the main entrance of the house as there are at present.

Mr. Bigg observed that in the woods higher up above the ruins there was a Roman-like conduit which supplied the mansion with water, which acted by gravitation; the pipe now served some of the cottages.

Mr. P. M. Johnston next drew attention to the ruins of several fireplaces of a large size, and also of what contained a small oven, apparently designed for the baking of spice cakes and other high-class confectionery.

BOLNEY CHURCH.

The party were now conveyed to Bolney Church, where Mr. P. M. Johnston again gave the description. He referred to the pre-Conquest church and the alterations since made therein. Amongst other interesting features he concerned in drawing attention to the small Norman door on the south side. Out of the chancel there had been an archway, but this had disappeared. Other points of interest were the remains of three chancel arches, and in another part of the church had been a double piscina. The font was of Perpendicular character, and had a fluted bowl with the date 1567. A linen coffer stood at the side of the altar step. In the churchyard, however, the old Covert tombs and the tombs of the Land’s Baron were inspected, and the sundials outside the building.

The return journey was made by Cuckfield and Ockenden stations, and by the kindness of Mrs. Wright refreshments were provided for the party at Ockenden House. The party then separated, some proceeding to London and others to Brighton, all voting the day’s excursion a success. After a brief meeting, it was resolved that the best thanks of the members of the Association be tendered to the clergy and others who had so kindly and readily given information and assistance. Friends, each of the party very content, left Haywards Heath Railway Station to take their respective trains for home. The day’s proceedings were most interesting and pleasurable.

Notes

• Archaic spellings/typography:

  • Archæological → archaic form with ligature (modern spelling Archaeological).

  • Hayward’s Heath → today more commonly Haywards Heath (without apostrophe).

  • brakes → refers to large horse-drawn carriages for groups, not modern brakes.

    
    

• People mentioned: A large number of clergy, military men, and local dignitaries are listed— this was both a scholarly and social outing.

  
  

• Cuckfield Church: The article emphasises its medieval origins (possibly as early as 1086 under William de Warenne). For centuries it was linked to Lewes Priory and later became independent.

  
  

• Richard of Chichester: A 13th-century saint, Bishop of Chichester, who reorganised clerical duties at places like Cuckfield.

  
  

• Perpendicular period: A late Gothic style in England (14th–16th c.), visible in the rood and screen.

  
  

• Burrell monuments: Burrell family were important Sussex gentry; their monuments remain key heritage pieces in Cuckfield.

  
  

• Cuckfield Park Mansion: Built in 1574 by Henry Bowyer, modified later, with distinctive diamond chimney stacks and oak carvings.

  
  

• Slaugham Place: Another historic Sussex manor; its gate-tower was relocated to Cuckfield Park.

  
  

• Armada relic: The mention of a cannonball links the site to national history (1588, Spanish Armada).

  
  

• Talbot Hotel: A historic coaching inn in Cuckfield, still noted in records today.

• Slaugham Church: Notable for its Norman font with a fish carving, Covert monuments (1503–1586), and a gigantic yew tree (24 ft. 7 in. circumference).

  
  

• Slaugham Place (ruins): Built c.1605 by Sir Walter Covert (architect John Thorpe). Fell into ruin after 1631. Later used as barracks, then stables, and eventually part of the Sergison family estate.

  
  

• The Coverts: A wealthy Sussex family who disappeared mysteriously after Sir Walter’s death.

  
  

• Bolney Church: Contains remnants of pre-Conquest architecture, a Norman door, chancel arches, piscina, 1567 font, and old Covert tombs.