Mayfield and Five Ashes
Encyclopedia
Mayfield and Five Ashes is a civil parish
in the High Weald
of East Sussex
, England
. The two villages making up the principal part of the parish lie on the A267 road between Tunbridge Wells
and Eastbourne
: Mayfield, the larger of the two villages is ten miles (16 km) south of Tunbridge Wells; with Five Ashes being 2.5 miles (4 km) further south.
The village name derives from both "Maghefeld" (a field where mayweed
grows) and "maid's field"–the village sign depicts a maid. Mayfield used to be a part of the manor of Malling
, to the north west of Lewes
, which belonged to the Kings of Wessex
. Between 823 and 836 CE, King Egbert of Wessex
and his son Æthelwulf gave it to Canterbury Cathedral
: it became an Archbishop's 'peculiar
' in the Diocese of Canterbury, and one of the Archbishop's palaces was built here. It was transferred to the Diocese of Chichester
in 1846. On 23 September 1556 four Protestants were condemned here and burnt at the stake in Lewes.
Mayfield was at its height during the boom in the Wealden iron industry
, and many of the fine houses date from that time.
During the early 18th century, Mayfield became a centre for owling - smuggling
wool for brandy and silk. Gabriel Tomkins was the leader of the local gang: in 1721 he was chased from Burwash
to Nutley and then was arrested. The gang had a reputation for not using violence; and also applying their profits to the benefit of the local community, unlike many other such gangs: the Hawkhurst Gang
in particular.
The Swing Riots
affected the area with army arriving on 15 November 1830. Some local workers were imprisoned or transported.
After the line from Tunbridge Wells opened in 1880, Mayfield used to have a railway station but it was closed following the Beeching Report. There is a cycle route starting from Station Road pointing towards the railway station at Eridge. On 1 September 1897, there was a railway accident on a curved section of track between Heathfield and Mayfield near Clayton Farm. A six-carriage train pulled by the engine 'Bonchurch' was derailed and the driver was killed.
, in 960 CE, and there are legends surrounding his connection with the village. Dunstan is supposed to have become an ironworker and run a small forge next to the church. The legend goes that he was confronted by the devil, either making offensive remarks, or disguised as a young woman. He then pinched the devil's nose with the tongs. The devil then fled to Tunbridge Wells and doused his burnt nose with the spring water. Some sources note that the story happened in Glastonbury
rather than Mayfield, and that Dunstan may have in fact clamped tongs around someone's nose, with the story of it being the devil added later.
The Anglican church
is dedicated to Dunstan. In 1389 much of the village and most of the church were destroyed by fire; the latter was struck by lightning
in the 17th century. The church was subsequently rebuilt in the fifteenth century. The church is in a mostly Perpendicular style and has a "squat, shingled broach spire". Inside the church there are a number of graves made of iron for the families of Mayfield's ironmasters.
There are three other religious buildings in Mayfield: the Roman Catholic church of St Thomas of Canterbury (in Station Road), Colkins Mill Church (a Free Church, also in Station Road), and Mayfield Baptist
Chapel (on South Street).
There are three pubs in Mayfield: the Middle House (in the High Street), the Carpenters' Arms and the Rose and Crown (both in Fletching Street).
Roman Catholic girls' boarding school
, which has existed since 1872, is situated on the High Street. The school consists of years seven up to thirteen. The head mistress is called Miss Antonia Beary and the head of lower school is called Mr Peter Fisher. The school is on the site of the Mayfield Old Palace which, after being founded by St Dunstan, used to be a lodging place for archbishops before being given to Henry VIII. It was rebuilt in the fourteenth century by Archbishop Simon Islip
, and was owned by Thomas Cranmer
before being given to Henry VIII in 1545. It was also used by Edward I and Queen Elizabeth I. After this, it fell into ruin but was purchased in 1863 by the Duchess of Leeds and given to the Society of the Holy Child, who established a convent there. The school was opened in 1872.
Mayfield College, a now-defunct boys' boarding school, was located in nearby Little Trodgers Lane. Following its closure its main building, designed by E. W. Pugin
, has been converted to luxury apartments.
The village's Church of England primary school is mainly Edwardian
but has modern additions.
founded in 1945, for around 145 children aged 3 to 13
In Stonehurst Lane, there is a park with wooded areas and ponds called Foxes Copse where dogs can be walked.
In general, village activities are listed here: http://www.mayfieldfiveashes.org.uk/Village/v_diary.html
Bus times to and from the village are listed here: http://www.mayfieldfiveashes.org.uk/Village/v_bustimetable.html
, Argos Hill is between the villages of Rotherfield
and Mayfield. It is known for the landmark of Argos Hill Windmill
, a grade II* listed building that was built between 1831 and 1843 and operational until 1927. It was restored in the 1960s, and was under threat of demolition in 2008. In 1939 Counties Ship Management
renamed the cargo ship "Argos Hill".
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 High Weald
Weald
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...
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 two villages making up the principal part of the parish lie on the A267 road between Tunbridge Wells
Royal Tunbridge Wells
Royal Tunbridge Wells is a town in west Kent, England, about south-east of central London by road, by rail. The town is close to the border of the county of East Sussex...
and Eastbourne
Eastbourne
Eastbourne is a large town and borough in East Sussex, on the south coast of England between Brighton and Hastings. The town is situated at the eastern end of the chalk South Downs alongside the high cliff at Beachy Head...
: Mayfield, the larger of the two villages is ten miles (16 km) south of Tunbridge Wells; with Five Ashes being 2.5 miles (4 km) further south.
Mayfield village
The historical notes are taken from The Village ReferenceThe village name derives from both "Maghefeld" (a field where mayweed
Mayweed
Matricaria is a genus of flowering plants in the sunflower family . Some of the species have the common name of "mayweed," but this name also refers to plants not in this genus....
grows) and "maid's field"–the village sign depicts a maid. Mayfield used to be a part of the manor of Malling
Malling
Malling may refer to:* Malling Rural Sanitary District, Kent, England - * East Malling and West Malling, a village and town in the above Rural Sanitary District* Malling, Moselle, France* Malling, Denmark...
, to the north west of 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...
, which belonged to the Kings of Wessex
Wessex
The Kingdom of Wessex or Kingdom of the West Saxons was an Anglo-Saxon kingdom of the West Saxons, in South West England, from the 6th century, until the emergence of a united English state in the 10th century, under the Wessex dynasty. It was to be an earldom after Canute the Great's conquest...
. Between 823 and 836 CE, King Egbert of Wessex
Egbert of Wessex
Egbert was King of Wessex from 802 until his death in 839. His father was Ealhmund of Kent...
and his son Æthelwulf gave it to Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, Kent, is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England and forms part of a World Heritage Site....
: it became an Archbishop's '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 the Diocese of Canterbury, and one of the Archbishop's palaces was built here. It was transferred to the Diocese of Chichester
Diocese of Chichester
The Diocese of Chichester is a Church of England diocese based in Chichester, covering Sussex. It was created in 1075 to replace the old Diocese of Selsey, which was based at Selsey Abbey from 681. The cathedral is Chichester Cathedral and the bishop is the Bishop of Chichester...
in 1846. On 23 September 1556 four Protestants were condemned here and burnt at the stake in Lewes.
Mayfield was at its height during the boom 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...
, and many of the fine houses date from that time.
During the early 18th century, Mayfield became a centre for owling - smuggling
Smuggling
Smuggling is the clandestine transportation of goods or persons, such as out of a building, into a prison, or across an international border, in violation of applicable laws or other regulations.There are various motivations to smuggle...
wool for brandy and silk. Gabriel Tomkins was the leader of the local gang: in 1721 he was chased from Burwash
Burwash, East Sussex
Burwash is a rural village and civil parish in the Rother District of East Sussex, England. Situated fifteen miles inland from the South Coast port of Hastings, it is located five miles south-west of Hurst Green, on the A265 road, and on the River Dudwell, a tributary of the River Rother...
to Nutley and then was arrested. The gang had a reputation for not using violence; and also applying their profits to the benefit of the local community, unlike many other such gangs: the Hawkhurst Gang
Hawkhurst Gang
The Hawkhurst Gang was a notorious criminal organisation involved in smuggling throughout southeast England from 1735 until 1749. One of the more infamous gangs of the early 18th century, they extended their influence from Dorset, where they successfully raided the customs house at Poole, to the...
in particular.
The Swing Riots
Swing Riots
The Swing Riots were a widespread uprising by agricultural workers; it began with the destruction of threshing machines in the Elham Valley area of East Kent in the summer of 1830, and by early December had spread throughout the whole of southern England and East Anglia.As well as the attacks on...
affected the area with army arriving on 15 November 1830. Some local workers were imprisoned or transported.
After the line from Tunbridge Wells opened in 1880, Mayfield used to have a railway station but it was closed following the Beeching Report. There is a cycle route starting from Station Road pointing towards the railway station at Eridge. On 1 September 1897, there was a railway accident on a curved section of track between Heathfield and Mayfield near Clayton Farm. A six-carriage train pulled by the engine 'Bonchurch' was derailed and the driver was killed.
Mayfield churches
Both village and church are said to have been founded by the Archbishop of Canterbury, St DunstanDunstan
Dunstan was an Abbot of Glastonbury Abbey, a Bishop of Worcester, a Bishop of London, and an Archbishop of Canterbury, later canonised as a saint. His work restored monastic life in England and reformed the English Church...
, in 960 CE, and there are legends surrounding his connection with the village. Dunstan is supposed to have become an ironworker and run a small forge next to the church. The legend goes that he was confronted by the devil, either making offensive remarks, or disguised as a young woman. He then pinched the devil's nose with the tongs. The devil then fled to Tunbridge Wells and doused his burnt nose with the spring water. Some sources note that the story happened in Glastonbury
Glastonbury
Glastonbury is a small town in Somerset, England, situated at a dry point on the low lying Somerset Levels, south of Bristol. The town, which is in the Mendip district, had a population of 8,784 in the 2001 census...
rather than Mayfield, and that Dunstan may have in fact clamped tongs around someone's nose, with the story of it being the devil added later.
The Anglican church
St Dunstan's, Mayfield
St Dunstan's, Mayfield in Mayfield, East Sussex was founded in 960 CE by St Dunstan, who was then Archbishop of Canterbury. It is reported as being originally a log church which lasted until it was replaced by a stone structure in the 12th century by the Normans. In 1389 this church was virtually...
is dedicated to Dunstan. In 1389 much of the village and most of the church were destroyed by fire; the latter was struck by lightning
Lightning
Lightning is an atmospheric electrostatic discharge accompanied by thunder, which typically occurs during thunderstorms, and sometimes during volcanic eruptions or dust storms...
in the 17th century. The church was subsequently rebuilt in the fifteenth century. The church is in a mostly Perpendicular style and has a "squat, shingled broach spire". Inside the church there are a number of graves made of iron for the families of Mayfield's ironmasters.
There are three other religious buildings in Mayfield: the Roman Catholic church of St Thomas of Canterbury (in Station Road), Colkins Mill Church (a Free Church, also in Station Road), and Mayfield 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 (on South Street).
Shops and businesses
There are a large number of shops and other commercial properties in Mayfield High StreetThere are three pubs in Mayfield: the Middle House (in the High Street), the Carpenters' Arms and the Rose and Crown (both in Fletching Street).
Mayfield schools
St Leonards-MayfieldSt Leonards-Mayfield School
St Leonards-Mayfield School is an independent Roman Catholic boarding and day school for girls aged 11 to 18. It is situated in the village of Mayfield in East Sussex. The current headmistress is Miss Antonia Beary...
Roman Catholic girls' boarding school
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
, which has existed since 1872, is situated on the High Street. The school consists of years seven up to thirteen. The head mistress is called Miss Antonia Beary and the head of lower school is called Mr Peter Fisher. The school is on the site of the Mayfield Old Palace which, after being founded by St Dunstan, used to be a lodging place for archbishops before being given to Henry VIII. It was rebuilt in the fourteenth century by Archbishop Simon Islip
Simon Islip
Simon Islip was an English prelate. He served as Archbishop of Canterbury between 1349 and 1366.-Lord Privy Seal:In 1347, possibly in September, Simon was appointed keeper of the Privy Seal. Previously he had held the seal of Lionel, who was the regent in England...
, and was owned by Thomas Cranmer
Thomas Cranmer
Thomas Cranmer was a leader of the English Reformation and Archbishop of Canterbury during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI and, for a short time, Mary I. He helped build a favourable case for Henry's divorce from Catherine of Aragon which resulted in the separation of the English Church from...
before being given to Henry VIII in 1545. It was also used by Edward I and Queen Elizabeth I. After this, it fell into ruin but was purchased in 1863 by the Duchess of Leeds and given to the Society of the Holy Child, who established a convent there. The school was opened in 1872.
Mayfield College, a now-defunct boys' boarding school, was located in nearby Little Trodgers Lane. Following its closure its main building, designed by E. W. Pugin
E. W. Pugin
Edward Welby Pugin was the eldest son of Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin and Louisa Barton. His father, A. W. N. Pugin, was a famous architect and designer of Neo-Gothic architecture, and after his death in 1852 Edward took up his successful practice...
, has been converted to luxury apartments.
The village's Church of England primary school is mainly Edwardian
Edwardian architecture
Edwardian architecture is the style popular when King Edward VII of the United Kingdom was in power; he reigned from 1901 to 1910, but the architecture style is generally considered to be indicative of the years 1901 to 1914....
but has modern additions.
Five Ashes village
Between Mayfield and Heathfield lie two small hamlets: Cross-in-Hand and Five Ashes. The latter is part of the same parish as Mayfield.Commercial businesses
There are no retail shops in the village apart from a Porsche car dealership. There is also a pub called The Five Ashes Inn.Schools
There are two schools in Five Ashes: the Five Ashes Primary School, a small voluntary controlled Church of England school with around 45 children on roll and Skippers Hill Manor, a mixed independent schoolIndependent school
An independent school is a school that is independent in its finances and governance; it is not dependent upon national or local government for financing its operations, nor reliant on taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of tuition charges, gifts, and in some cases the...
founded in 1945, for around 145 children aged 3 to 13
Parks and recreation
In Five Ashes, there is a large playing field where football and other games can be played and a skateboarding park. Adoining the playing field and village hall is a children's playground.In Stonehurst Lane, there is a park with wooded areas and ponds called Foxes Copse where dogs can be walked.
Village information
Bus times to and from the village are listed here: http://www.mayfieldfiveashes.org.uk/Village/v_bustimetable.html
Argos Hill
Rising about 7 miles (11.3 km) south of Tunbridge WellsRoyal Tunbridge Wells
Royal Tunbridge Wells is a town in west Kent, England, about south-east of central London by road, by rail. The town is close to the border of the county of East Sussex...
, Argos Hill is between the villages of Rotherfield
Rotherfield
Rotherfield is a village and civil parish in the Wealden District of East Sussex, England. It is one of the largest parishes in East Sussex. There are three villages in the parish: Rotherfield, Mark Cross, and Eridge.-Etymology:...
and Mayfield. It is known for the landmark of Argos Hill Windmill
Argos Hill Mill, Mayfield
Argos Hill Mill is a grade II* listed post mill at Argos Hill, Mayfield, East Sussex, England which had been restored, but is now in need of urgent repairs.-History:...
, a grade II* listed building that was built between 1831 and 1843 and operational until 1927. It was restored in the 1960s, and was under threat of demolition in 2008. In 1939 Counties Ship Management
Counties Ship Management
Counties Ship Management Co. Ltd. was an ocean-going merchant shipping company based in the United Kingdom. During the Second World War CSM merchant ships made a substantial contribution to supplying the British war effort, at a cost of 13 ships lost and 163 officers and men killed.-Founding of...
renamed the cargo ship "Argos Hill".
See also
- Church of St. Dunstan, Mayfield
- Walter GaleWalter Gale (schoolmaster)Walter Gale was the first schoolmaster of the Mayfield Charity School in Mayfield, East Sussex, now the Mayfield Church of England Primary School, serving from 1750 until 1771...
, the first schoolmaster of the primary school in Mayfield (now Mayfield Church of England Primary School)