Framfield
Encyclopedia
Framfield is a village and civil parish
in the Wealden
District of East Sussex
, England
. The village is located two miles (3 km) east of Uckfield
; the settlements of Blackboys, Palehouse and Halland form part of the parish area of 6,700 acres (2,706 ha).
invaders established many settlements along the Weald: the final -field in its name means a clearing in the forest to build such a place. The village is mentioned in the Domesday Book
(Framelle); part of the church has Norman
stonework.
John Levett died holding the manor of Framfield in 1552. He was succeeded by his son Laurence. By 1590 the manor of Framfield, which had been in the Levett
family for centuries, came to Bromley and Branthwaite by letters patent in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Within several years it was in the hands of Thomas Sackville, Lord Buckhurst and through marriage ultimately came to John Tufton, 2nd Earl of Thanet
. Richard Sackville, 5th Earl of Dorset
subsequently purchased the manor of Framfield from the Earls Thanet.
. An ancient trackway, probably used by the Saxons during their invasions, passes to the north of the village. Like many other such places, it was involved in the Wealden iron industry
: there are many small streams (including Framfield Stream) which are tributaries of the River Ouse (Sussex)
on which the mills stood.
is held involving shows such as dog, vegetable and photography competitions. It is a big event for Framfield. 2009 saw the addition of Terrier
racing, which proved a success. Previous years have included other events and attractions, such as a 'Mouse Town'. The Framfield Show is usually held at the beginning of summer for one day.
burning.
The Blackboys Inn was founded in the 14th century as a coaching
establishment. It is possible that the inn was also founded as an overnight lodge for the drivers transporting charcoal from the local woods to Lewes
and other towns.
, although it probably superseded a wooden Saxon one. In the 9th century it passed from the crown to the Archbishop of Canterbury
, assuming its nomination as a peculiar
. In 1509 a fire burned all the wooden parts of the church and the tower collapsed in the 17th century. In 1891 the church, including the tower, was restored
and the bells were rehung.
There is also a Baptist
chapel, and there was a Methodist
church at Blackboys. However, this has now been converted into houses.
primary schools: Framfield; and Blackboys.
in the parish: the Hare and Hounds in Framfield and the Blackboys Inn in Blackboys.
Blackboys Cricket Club is based at the Blackboys Recreation Ground.
Framfield and Blackboys Football Club is based at Framfield Recreation Ground.
AFC Uckfield's Youth Team is based at Framfield Recreation Ground.
with their large deposits of coal.
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
in the Wealden
Wealden
For the stone, see Wealden GroupWealden is a local government district in East Sussex, England: its name comes from the Weald, the area of high land which occupies the centre of its area.-History:...
District of East Sussex
East Sussex
East Sussex is a county in South East England. It is bordered by the counties of Kent, Surrey and West Sussex, and to the south by the English Channel.-History:...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The village is located two miles (3 km) east of Uckfield
Uckfield
-Development:The local Tesco has proposed the redevelopment of the central town area as has the town council. The Hub has recently been completed, having been acquired for an unknown figure, presumed to be about half a million pounds...
; the settlements of Blackboys, Palehouse and Halland form part of the parish area of 6,700 acres (2,706 ha).
History
It is likely that Framfield came into existence in the 9th century. SaxonAnglo-Saxons
Anglo-Saxon is a term used by historians to designate the Germanic tribes who invaded and settled the south and east of Great Britain beginning in the early 5th century AD, and the period from their creation of the English nation to the Norman conquest. The Anglo-Saxon Era denotes the period of...
invaders established many settlements along the Weald: the final -field in its name means a clearing in the forest to build such a place. The village is mentioned in the Domesday Book
Domesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
(Framelle); part of the church has Norman
Norman architecture
About|Romanesque architecture, primarily English|other buildings in Normandy|Architecture of Normandy.File:Durham Cathedral. Nave by James Valentine c.1890.jpg|thumb|200px|The nave of Durham Cathedral demonstrates the characteristic round arched style, though use of shallow pointed arches above the...
stonework.
John Levett died holding the manor of Framfield in 1552. He was succeeded by his son Laurence. By 1590 the manor of Framfield, which had been in the Levett
Levett
Levett is an Anglo-Norman territorial surname deriving from the village of Livet-en-Ouche, now Jonquerets-de-Livet, in Eure, Normandy. Ancestors of the earliest Levett family in England, the de Livets were lords of the village of Livet, and undertenants of the de Ferrers, among the most powerful of...
family for centuries, came to Bromley and Branthwaite by letters patent in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Within several years it was in the hands of Thomas Sackville, Lord Buckhurst and through marriage ultimately came to John Tufton, 2nd Earl of Thanet
John Tufton, 2nd Earl of Thanet
John Tufton, 2nd Earl of Thanet was an English nobleman and supporter of Charles I of England. He was the eldest son of Nicholas Tufton, 1st Earl of Thanet and Lady Frances Cecil granddaughter of William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley .On 21 April 1629, he married Lady Margaret Sackville , daughter of...
. Richard Sackville, 5th Earl of Dorset
Richard Sackville, 5th Earl of Dorset
Richard Sackville, 5th Earl of Dorset was an English peer and politician.He was born at Dorset House, the second of three children of Edward Sackville, 4th Earl of Dorset...
subsequently purchased the manor of Framfield from the Earls Thanet.
Geography
Framfield parish lies on the southern part of the WealdWeald
The Weald is the name given to an area in South East England situated between the parallel chalk escarpments of the North and the South Downs. It should be regarded as three separate parts: the sandstone "High Weald" in the centre; the clay "Low Weald" periphery; and the Greensand Ridge which...
. An ancient trackway, probably used by the Saxons during their invasions, passes to the north of the village. Like many other such places, it was involved in the Wealden iron industry
Wealden iron industry
The Wealden iron industry was located in the Weald of south-eastern England. It was formerly an important industry, producing a large proportion of the bar iron made in England in the 16th century and most British cannon until about 1770. Ironmaking in the Weald used ironstone from various clay...
: there are many small streams (including Framfield Stream) which are tributaries of the River Ouse (Sussex)
River Ouse, Sussex
The River Ouse is a river in the counties of West and East Sussex in England.-Course:The river rises near Lower Beeding and runs eastwards into East Sussex, meandering narrowly and turning slowly southward...
on which the mills stood.
The Framfield Show
Each year in the village, a fêteFête
Fête is a French word meaning festival, celebration or party, which has passed into English as a label that may be given to certain events.-Description:It is widely used in England and Australia in the context of a village fête,...
is held involving shows such as dog, vegetable and photography competitions. It is a big event for Framfield. 2009 saw the addition of Terrier
Terrier
A terrier is a dog of any one of many breeds or landraces of terrier type, which are typically small, wiry, very active and fearless dogs. Terrier breeds vary greatly in size from just a couple of pounds to over 70 pounds and are usually categorized by size or function...
racing, which proved a success. Previous years have included other events and attractions, such as a 'Mouse Town'. The Framfield Show is usually held at the beginning of summer for one day.
Blackboys
Blackboys is a local village within the same parish as Framfield. The name is related to the soot deposited in the area by local charcoalCharcoal
Charcoal is the dark grey residue consisting of carbon, and any remaining ash, obtained by removing water and other volatile constituents from animal and vegetation substances. Charcoal is usually produced by slow pyrolysis, the heating of wood or other substances in the absence of oxygen...
burning.
The Blackboys Inn was founded in the 14th century as a coaching
Coach (carriage)
A coach was originally a large, usually closed, four-wheeled carriage with two or more horses harnessed as a team, controlled by a coachman and/or one or more postilions. It had doors in the sides, with generally a front and a back seat inside and, for the driver, a small, usually elevated seat in...
establishment. It is possible that the inn was also founded as an overnight lodge for the drivers transporting charcoal from the local woods to Lewes
Lewes
Lewes is the county town of East Sussex, England and historically of all of Sussex. It is a civil parish and is the centre of the Lewes local government district. The settlement has a history as a bridging point and as a market town, and today as a communications hub and tourist-oriented town...
and other towns.
Religion
There is a 13th century church, dedicated to Thomas BecketThomas Becket
Thomas Becket was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his murder in 1170. He is venerated as a saint and martyr by both the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion...
, although it probably superseded a wooden Saxon one. In the 9th century it passed from the crown to the Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
, assuming its nomination as a peculiar
Peculier
Peculier may refer to:* A Royal Peculiar , an area including one or more places of worship under the jurisdiction of the British monarchy* Old Peculier, a beer brewed by Theakston Brewery, named in honour of the Peculier of Masham...
. In 1509 a fire burned all the wooden parts of the church and the tower collapsed in the 17th century. In 1891 the church, including the tower, was restored
Victorian restoration
Victorian restoration is the term commonly used to refer to the widespread and extensive refurbishment and rebuilding of Church of England churches and cathedrals that took place in England and Wales during the 19th-century reign of Queen Victoria...
and the bells were rehung.
There is also a Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
chapel, and there was a Methodist
Methodism
Methodism is a movement of Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations, claiming a total of approximately seventy million adherents worldwide. The movement traces its roots to John Wesley's evangelistic revival movement within Anglicanism. His younger brother...
church at Blackboys. However, this has now been converted into houses.
Education
Education is provided by two Church of EnglandChurch of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
primary schools: Framfield; and Blackboys.
Leisure and sport
There are two innsPublic house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
in the parish: the Hare and Hounds in Framfield and the Blackboys Inn in Blackboys.
Blackboys Cricket Club is based at the Blackboys Recreation Ground.
Framfield and Blackboys Football Club is based at Framfield Recreation Ground.
AFC Uckfield's Youth Team is based at Framfield Recreation Ground.
Economy
The main charcoal business of the parish stopped in the early 19th century when the iron industry moved north to the MidlandsEnglish Midlands
The Midlands, or the English Midlands, is the traditional name for the area comprising central England that broadly corresponds to the early medieval Kingdom of Mercia. It borders Southern England, Northern England, East Anglia and Wales. Its largest city is Birmingham, and it was an important...
with their large deposits of coal.