Salehurst

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 (21 km) north of Hastings, just east of the A21 road.

Salehurst

Oast house near Parsonage Farm, Bocks Hill
Salehurst
Location within East Sussex
OS grid referenceTQ741242
• London44 miles (71 km) NW
Civil parish
District
Shire county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townROBERTSBRIDGE
Postcode districtTN32
Dialling code01580
PoliceSussex
FireEast Sussex
AmbulanceSouth East Coast
UK Parliament

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.[1]

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.[2] In 1588 John Levett of Salehurst contributed to the Armada loan,[3] 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.[4][5]

The parish church is dedicated to St Mary the Virgin.[6] It is reputed to be the largest rural parish church in East Sussex.[7] Alfred Milner, 1st Viscount Milner, KG, GCB, GCMG, PC (1854–1925) is buried in the churchyard. 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.

References
  1. Historical notes: Salehurst and Robertsbridge Parish Council Archived 2008-03-15 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Bodiam and Its Lords, Mark Antony Lower, John Russell Smith, London, 1871
  3. Sussex Archaeological Collections, Illustrating the History and Antiquities of the County, Sussex Archaeological Society, John Russell Smith, London, 1853
  4. Sussex Archaeological Collections, Vol. XXXIX, Sussex Archaeological Society, Farncombe & Co., Lewes, 1894
  5. The regrant of arms is signed by Sir William Segar, Garter King of Arms under James I.
  6. Salehurst Church and the Culpeper family
  7. Photographs of the church
  • Converted Oast House
  • Site of Salehurst Halt
  • Wigsell, Salehurst
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