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AUTHORITY PUBLISHING
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In the year 490 A.D. the Saxon invaders advanced along the coast
from their original landing place at Selsey and, according to the
Saxon Chronicle, attacked and took the British stronghold of Anderida
 which
was the fort the Romans had built at what is now Pevensey, a few
miles from Hailsham, thereby consolidating their conquest and forming
the small kingdom of the South Saxons, or Sussex.
It was on the Pevensey Levels, which extend from Hailsham to the
coast, that William of Normandy made his historic landing in 1066,
for, in those days, the seashore was some distance inland - about
halfway between Hailsham and the present beach along Pevensey Bay
- and the ancient castle stood upon an island amongst the marshes
of the River Ashburn.
The manor of Hailsham is recorded in the Domesday Survey completed
by the Normans twenty years later.
There was some activity in this part of Sussex during the baronial
wars and in the armed rivalry between Matilda and Stephen, the castle
at Pevensey being garrisoned and held by opposing sides. Men of
Hailsham may have taken part in the important battle of Lewes in
1264 when Simon de Montfort's victory resulted in the establishment
of the first principles of parliamentary representation.
During the seventeenth-century civil war between Charles I and Parliament,
Hailsham and this part of Sussex declared against the royalist cause.
Little is known of the town of Hailsham before the 1086 Doomsday
Book, but evidence of a Roman road from Leap Cross across the Common,
indicates some occupation prior to this.
Note the different spelling of ‘Hailsham’ through the
years
1154 to 1189 | Sir Richard Covert of
Bradbridge was Lord of the “Manor of Haylesham”
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1228 | Advowson of “Haylesham
Church” granted to Michelham Priory. |
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1234 | Advowson of “Haylesham
Church” granted to Michelham Priory. |
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1252 | Henry III granted Market Charter
to the Royal favourite, Peter of Savoy.
The market died out in the 17th century to be revived on 15th
December 1786 and by mid-19th century was the biggest cattle
market in the county and attracted drovers from as far away
as Wales.
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1263 | Gilbert, son of Gilbert Godseb
drowned while bathing in “Haylesham Pond” (now
known as the Common Pond.) |
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1264 | Benedict the Jew, of “Heylesham”,
was “outlawed” (much as Robin Hood would have
been) for clipping the King's coin. |
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1399 to 1413 | Troy weights were introduced
to the Market. Early consumer protections move. |
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1425 to 1450 | St Mary's Church built
- (present structure). |
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1540 to 1640 | Hailsham was one of
the chief centres of leatherwork and tanning (using local
oak bark) due to being a thriving cattle market town. |
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1542 | Fleur-de-Lys Inn built in Market
Street (later to be the Parish Workhouse, and now Town Council
Offices). |
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1581 | Manor of “Haylesham”
granted to Gregory, Lord Dacre of Herstmonceux. |
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1559 | Uprising of the inhabitants
of Hailsham who burnt part of the church. |
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1603 | James VI of Scotland declared
King of England - probably from the market cross in Market
Square of “Haylysham”.
Received with little enthusiasm by the local inhabitants.
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1663 | First five bells cast at Bellbanks
(Common Pond) by John Hodson. |
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1708 | Vicarage built next to Parish
Church (now known as “The Grange”). |
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1800 | The Stone Cross in Market Square
removed as being an obstacle to carts and wagons.
Barracks established on Hailsham Common (between Summerfields
Road and London Road) to house troops for the war with France
(dismantled in 1815 after success at battle of Waterloo).
Grenadier Inn in High Street also built to meet needs of troops. |
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1804 | “Newhouse” built
in George Street (later to be re-named “Cortlands”). |
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1807 | Rope making started by Thomas
Burfield. |
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1814 | Emperor of Russia and King of
Prussia made overnight stop at Amberstone House (on 26th June). |
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1827 | National School built in South
Road to replace one held in the Church by churchwarden Francis
Howlett. |
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1836 | New “Union” Workhouse
built at junction of Hellingly and Hailsham parish boundaries
(serving needs of 12 parishes). |
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1849 | Hailsham Station and railway
service to Polegate opened. |
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1855 | As a result of an Enclosure Award
on Hailsham Common, the Recreation Ground in Western Road
was created. |
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1862 | Infants School built in the High
Street (at junction with North Street). |
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1868 | Market ceased to be held in High
Street/Market Square - moved to new walled-in site in Market
Street. |
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1878 | Board School built in Battle
Road (now Hailsham Community College). |
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1880 | Railway line extended northwards
to Heathfield and Tunbridge Wells. |
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1885 | Water Works Company started
supply from springs at Magham Down |
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1894 | Austens gun shop burnt down where
Victoria Gate now stands.
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1895 | First Parish Council elections. |
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1906 | Church obtained first pipe organ. |
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1907 | Telephone Exchange first installed
in High Street. |
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1921 | War Memorial erected. |
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1943 | Bomb fell near church after landing
at rear of Post Office and bouncing over the building. It
shattered most of the windows and destroyed the Auxiliary
Fire Station with the loss of one life. |
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1951 | Four of the church bells were
recast and all the bells re-hung. |
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1974 | Hailsham Parish Council adopted
the status of Town Council, allowing the Chairman to be called
Town Mayor. |
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More history and artifacts relating to the history of Hailsham can
be found in The Heritage Centre, Blackmans Yard, Market Street,
Hailsham (open May-September - 10.30am to 12.30pm - Thursdays, Fridays
and Saturdays
Telephone: (01323) 843206 School groups and Parties welcome
Bibliography
More historic items of interest, and more detail on the above, can
be found in previously published books and illustrated leaflets
(which may be available locally, or can be seen at the Library).
Members of the Hailsham Historical Society will also be pleased
to verbally share information with interested parties, who call
at the Heritage Centre.
Much of the foregoing is to be found in the following publications:
“Hailsham and its Environs” - compiled
and written by Charles Robertson (1982)
“Hailsham in old picture postcards” -
by Hailsham Historical & Natural History Society (1984)
“Around Hailsham in old photographs”
- collected by Barry K. Russell and Alan Gillet (1991)
“Hailsham - Some Glimpses of the Past” -
compiled by Hailsham Historical & Natural History Society.
“Given enough roap to Haegels Ham” -
by Eddy Powell (1997)
“Collections and Recollections of Hailsham”
- by Eddy Powell (2000)
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Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication
and the statements contained herein are believed to be correct,
the publishers and promoters cannot accept responsibility for any
inaccuracies. Reproduction of any part of this publication in any
format, without permission, is strictly forbidden. Photographs Courtesy
of Hailsham Camera Centre, Hailsham Town Council, Hailsham Photographic
Society and Special Occasions Photography
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