Salehurst
Encyclopedia
Salehurst is a village in the Rother
District of East Sussex
, England
, within the civil parish of Salehurst and Robertsbridge
. It lies immediately to the north-east of the larger village of Robertsbridge
, on a minor road; it is approximately thirteen miles (20.8 km) north of Hastings, just east of the A21 road.
In historical terms Salehurst is much older than its neighbour; before the bridge over the River Rother
was built it already existed, and it is named in the Domesday Book
. At the time the river crossing was by ford or ferry, but in the 12th century a newly-established order of Cistercian monks constructed the bridge, and the two settlements of Robertsbridge and Northbridge Street came into being; eventually - since the main road now bypassed the village - becoming much more important than Salehurst.
Salehurst lies approximately three miles from Bodiam
, Sussex, site of Bodiam Castle
. One owner of Bodiam Castle was the Levett
family, who lived at Salehurst during their 'occupation' of the castle. In 1588 John Levett of Salehurst contributed to the Armada
loan, and in 1607 his sons John and Thomas of Salehurst were regranted by the College of Arms
their right to the Levett coat of arms
issued to their Sussex ancestors.
The parish church is dedicated to St Mary the Virgin. It is reputed to be the largest rural parish church in East Sussex. Rev. John Lord (1614–81) was rector from 1640 until his death. In 1937 his descendants donated to the church a portrait of him which had been owned by the family for generations.
Rother
Rother is a local government district in East Sussex, England. The district is named after the River Rother which flows within its boundaries.-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...
, within the civil parish of Salehurst and Robertsbridge
Salehurst and Robertsbridge
Salehurst and Robertsbridge is a civil parish in East Sussex, England. The parish lies entirely within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty .The parish includes the villages of Robertsbridge, Salehurst and Northbridge Street.-External links:* *...
. It lies immediately to the north-east of the larger village of Robertsbridge
Robertsbridge
Robertsbridge is a village in East Sussex, England within the civil parish of Salehurst and Robertsbridge. It is approximately 10 miles north of Hastings and 13 miles south-east of Tunbridge Wells...
, on a minor road; it is approximately thirteen miles (20.8 km) north of Hastings, just east of the A21 road.
In historical terms Salehurst is much older than its neighbour; before the bridge over the River Rother
River Rother (Eastern)
The River Rother , at 35 miles , is a river flowing through both East Sussex and Kent, England. Its source is near Rotherfield , and its mouth is on Rye Bay, part of the English Channel....
was built it already existed, and it is named 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...
. At the time the river crossing was by ford or ferry, but in the 12th century a newly-established order of Cistercian monks constructed the bridge, and the two settlements of Robertsbridge and Northbridge Street came into being; eventually - since the main road now bypassed the village - becoming much more important than Salehurst.
Salehurst lies approximately three miles from Bodiam
Bodiam
Bodiam is a small village and civil parish in East Sussex, England, in the valley of the River Rother near to the villages of Sandhurst and Ewhurst Green. It is home to Bodiam Castle, a small range of houses, a pub opposite Bodiam Castle, and a restaurant...
, Sussex, site of Bodiam Castle
Bodiam Castle
Bodiam Castle is a 14th-century moated castle near Robertsbridge in East Sussex, England. It was built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, a former knight of Edward III, with the permission of Richard II, ostensibly to defend the area against French invasion during the Hundred Years' War...
. One owner of Bodiam Castle was 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, who lived at Salehurst during their 'occupation' of the castle. In 1588 John Levett of Salehurst contributed to the Armada
Spanish Armada
This article refers to the Battle of Gravelines, for the modern navy of Spain, see Spanish NavyThe Spanish Armada was the Spanish fleet that sailed against England under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia in 1588, with the intention of overthrowing Elizabeth I of England to stop English...
loan, and in 1607 his sons John and Thomas of Salehurst were regranted by the College of Arms
College of Arms
The College of Arms, or Heralds’ College, is an office regulating heraldry and granting new armorial bearings for England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
their right to the Levett coat of arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
issued to their Sussex ancestors.
The parish church is dedicated to St Mary the Virgin. It is reputed to be the largest rural parish church in East Sussex. Rev. John Lord (1614–81) was rector from 1640 until his death. In 1937 his descendants donated to the church a portrait of him which had been owned by the family for generations.