Annabelle Hughes has a doctorate based specifically on timber-framed houses (1300-1650). Since 1980, as a freelance consultant, she has been recording and reporting on the structures of historical buildings in Sussex, researching their documentary background, and teaching and lecturing on related subjects.
Publications
Seven Horsham Houses, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 1979 (Horsham Museum Society) accessible at: Horsham Museum Society & West Sussex Libraries
Includes Park House, Springfield Park House, Hills Place, Manor House, Dene Park, Chesworth, Tanbridge House
Bygone Horsham, by Anthony Windrum and Annabelle Hughes, published 1 January 1982 (148 plates, Chichester: Phillimore & Co. Ltd., ISBN-10: 0850334713 & ISBN-13: 9780850334715) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8561] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
Evidences for Poor Relief in Horsham, 1545-1642, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published May 1984 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 28, article, p.1) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/28] & The Keep [LIB/500481]
A 17th-century Vicar and his Freehold: Revd. John Collins, vicar of Horsham, 1611-1642, by A. F. Hughes, published January 1985 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 30, article, p.10) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/30] & The Keep [LIB/500481]
Horsham Houses. A Study of Early Buildings in a Market Town, by Annabelle Hughes, published 1 January 1986 (xvi + 137 pp., Chichester: Phillimore & Co. Ltd., ISBN-10: 0850336058 & ISBN-13: 9780850336054) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 10257] & R.I.B.A. Library & West Sussex Libraries
The Archbishop's Palace, West Tarring: A Short History, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 1987 (pamphlet, Worrthing: R. G. Harmer) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9806] & West Sussex Libraries
The Evolution and Ownership of Timber-framed Houses within the Old Parish and Market Catchment Area of Horsham, circa 1300-1650, by Annabelle Hughes, published 1988 (2 volumes, University of Sussex) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries
Shops and Shopping: the first four hundred years in Horsham, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 1989 (pamphlet, published by the author) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 10521] & West Sussex Libraries
Bottings Farm formerly Mockbridge, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published April 1993 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 51, article, p.18) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/51] & The Keep [LIB/500483]
Mutual Help, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published October 1993 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 52, article, p.7) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/52] & The Keep [LIB/500483]
Bower House, Lindfield, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 1994 (published by the author) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries
Shoreham Grammar School, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published October 1994 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 54, article, p.29) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/54] & The Keep [LIB/500483]
North Horsham: Some Historical Landmarks, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 1995 (pamphlet) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 13333] & West Sussex Libraries
Husbands & Widows, Goods and Chattels of Some Horsham Couples 1614-1740, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 1995 (Horsham Museum Society) accessible at: Horsham Museum Society & West Sussex Libraries
Head to Toe, Goods & Chattels of Some Horsham Tradesmen 1612-1734 , by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 1995 (Horsham Museum Society) accessible at: Horsham Museum Society & West Sussex Libraries
Causeway Houses, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 1995 (booklet, Horsham Museum Society) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 12991] & Horsham Museum Society & West Sussex Libraries
Chennelsbrook Farm, Horsham, West Sussex, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 1997 (pamphlet, Wealden Buildings Study Group) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 13808] & West Sussex Libraries
Pen, Ink & Scalpel, Goods & Chattels of Some of Horsham's Professionals 1626-1750, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 1997 (Horsham Museum Society) accessible at: Horsham Museum Society & West Sussex Libraries
Horsham Probate Inventories - an update, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published April 1997 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 59, article, p.23) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/59] & The Keep [LIB/500484]
North Horsham. Some Historical Perspectives , by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 1998 (revised edition, Horsham Museum Society) accessible at: Horsham Museum Society & West Sussex Libraries
Seven Horsham Houses, A brief Account of Some of Horsham's Historic Buildings and the Families Who Lives In Them, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 1998 (Horsham Museum Society) accessible at: Horsham Museum Society & West Sussex Libraries
Chesworth. Horsham, the Story of a Local House, Once the Focus of a Royal Scandal, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 1998 (Horsham Museum Society) accessible at: Horsham Museum Society & West Sussex Libraries
Down at the Old Bull and Bush, Goods & Chattels of Some Horsham Innkeepers 1611-1806, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 1998 (Horsham Museum Society) accessible at: Horsham Museum Society & West Sussex Libraries
King's Head, Horsham's Best-Known Inn, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 1998 (Horsham Museum Society) accessible at: Horsham Museum Society & West Sussex Libraries
Hammer & Chisel, Goods & Chattels of Some Horsham Tradesmen 1614-1740 , by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 1998 (Horsham Museum Society) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 13336] & Horsham Museum Society & West Sussex Libraries
Hell For Leather, Tanners & Tanning In Horsham 1520-1741, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 1998 (Horsham Museum Society) accessible at: Horsham Museum Society & West Sussex Libraries
A Scrivener Observed, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published April 1998 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 61, article, p.24) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/61] & The Keep [LIB/500485]
Lindfield, a Rather Special High Street, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 1999 (published by the author) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries
Best Foot Forward, Goods & Chattels of Some Horsham Shoemakers 1626-1734, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 1999 (Horsham Museum Society) accessible at: Horsham Museum Society & West Sussex Libraries
Clothyng of Maketh Man, Goods and Chattels of Some Horsham Tradesmen 1626-1734, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 1999 (Horsham Museum Society) accessible at: Horsham Museum Society & West Sussex Libraries
No More Twist, Goods and Chattels of Some Horsham Tradesmen 1612-1741, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 1999 (Horsham Museum Society) accessible at: Horsham Museum Society & West Sussex Libraries
Hills - Horsham's Lost Stately Home and Garden, by A. F. Hughes and J. Knight, published 1999 (67 pp., Horsham Museum Society, ISBN-10: 1902484061 & ISBN-13: 9781902484068) accessible at: Horsham Museum Society & West Sussex Libraries
The Dramatic Rise and Fall of a House, a Garden, and an 18th Century Family
Timber-Framed Buildings, by Annabelle Hughes and David Martin, published 1 January 1999 in An Historical Atlas of Sussex (pp.60-61, Chichester: Phillimore & Co. Ltd, ISBN-10: 1860771122 & ISBN-13: 9781860771125) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 14026][Lib 18777] & The Keep [LIB/501686][LIB/508903] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
Roffey: The late-medieval land-market, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published October 1999 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 64, article, p.2) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/64] & The Keep [LIB/500488]
Horsham District Heritage Trail 2000, by Annabelle F. Hughes, Jeremy Knight and M. Williams, published 2000 (pamphlet, Horsham District Council) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 14323] & West Sussex Libraries
History of North Horsham Parish to Celebrate the Millennium, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 2000 (North Horsham Parish Council) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries
Malthouse, (Bishops Move), Horsham, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 2000 (Historic Buildings) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries
The Shelleys of Field Place, by Susan Cabell Djabri, Annabelle Hughes and Jeremy Knight, published 1 February 2000 (222 pp., Horsham Museum Society, ISBN-10: 1902484088 & ISBN-13: 9781902484082) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 14076] & The Keep [LIB/503508] & Horsham Museum Society & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
Extract from The Chartulary of Sele Priory, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published Spring 2000 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 65, article, p.8) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/65] & The Keep [LIB/500489]
Two Sussex examples of the contribution documentary sources can make to the study of buildings, by Annabelle Hughes, published 2001 in Vernacular Architecture (vol. 32, article, pp.48-53) View Online
Abstract:Specialists and students of vernacular architecture alike must have welcomed a paper by David and Barbara Martin using the evidence from their comprehensive research in the rape of Hastings to establish the reasons for alterations and additions to medieval and transitional houses. Examples of this phenomenon have increasingly been recognised as more assiduous fieldwork is carried out, compelling a re-evaluation of historical generalisations.
Over the last decade, it has been very encouraging to see the moves towards greater cooperation and sharing of knowledge between different fields of historical investigation - historians, archaeologists, geographers - and the acceptance of the study of vernacular architecture. Because the latter has been a comparative newcomer, many of those involved were drawn from a varied range of disciplines, and this has probably been something of a catalyst in the movement towards greater integration.
Given below are two particular examples of the way that an interpretation of historical structure and local documentary research can be brought together to illuminate and enlarge upon an understanding of each other.
Over the last decade, it has been very encouraging to see the moves towards greater cooperation and sharing of knowledge between different fields of historical investigation - historians, archaeologists, geographers - and the acceptance of the study of vernacular architecture. Because the latter has been a comparative newcomer, many of those involved were drawn from a varied range of disciplines, and this has probably been something of a catalyst in the movement towards greater integration.
Given below are two particular examples of the way that an interpretation of historical structure and local documentary research can be brought together to illuminate and enlarge upon an understanding of each other.
Tales of Sussex, Between History and Imagination, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 2002 (published by the author) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries
Articles mainly concern the Horsham area
Nuthurst, Some History, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 2002 (published by the author) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries
Wiggonholt, Some History, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 2002 (published by the author) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries
West Sussex Barns and Farm Buildings, by Annabelle Hughes and photographs by David Johnston, published 1 October 2002 (121 pp., The Dovecote Press, ISBN-10: 1904349005 & ISBN-13: 9781904349006) accessible at: R.I.B.A. Library & West Sussex Libraries
Amberley Castle 1103-2003: a celebration of 900 years, by David Arscott and Annabelle Hughes, published October 2002 (108 pp., The Dovecote Press, ISBN-10: 1904349048 & ISBN-13: 9781904349044) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 14823] & West Sussex Libraries
Spotlight on a Settlement: a hamlet seen through buildings and documents, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published Spring 2002 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 69, article, p.15) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/69] & The Keep [LIB/500493]
Tennis 'in the sticks', by Annabelle Hughes, published Autumn 2002 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 70, article, p.11) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/70] & The Keep [LIB/500494]
Ecclesden Manor, Angmering, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published Autumn 2003 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 72, article, p.20) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/72] & The Keep [LIB/500496]
Henfield, West Sussex: some history and an inventory of most of its historic buildings, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 2004 (pamphlet, Wealden Buildings Study Group) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 15456] & West Sussex Libraries
Ditchling, East Sussex, Timber-Framed Buildings and Some Parish History. a Tribute to the Two Margarets, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 2005 (Wealden Buildings Study Group) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries
Medieval Buildings of Horsham District, an Introduction and Inventory, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 2005 (published by the author) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries
Contrasting Communities, Houghton & Hillgrove, by Annabelle F. Hughes, Jeremy Knight and M. Williams, published 2005 (published by the author) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries
1844 Tithe Map of Horsham. Parts 1 and 2 of Horsham Parish (Northern Part) featuring Roffey, Littlehaven, North Heath and Holbrook, by Alan J. Siney, Annabelle F. Hughes and Susan C. Djarbi, published 2005 (Horsham Museum Society) accessible at: Horsham Museum Society & West Sussex Libraries
1844 Tithe Map of Horsham. Parts 3,4 and 5 of Horsham Parish (Southern Part - excluding town centre) Covering Southwater and Broadbridge Heath, by Alan J. Siney, Annabelle F. Hughes and Susan C. Djarbi, published 2005 (Horsham Museum Society) accessible at: Horsham Museum Society & West Sussex Libraries
Chennelsbrook Farm, Horsham, West Sussex, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 2006 (pamphlet, 2nd edition, Wealden Buildings Study Group) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries
The possible identification of a Priory grange at Washington, by Annabelle Hughes, published 2006 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 144, short article, pp.212-213) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 15759] & The Keep [LIB/500362] & S.A.S. library View Online
Journey Through Horsham's Changes, by John Buchanan and Annabelle F. Hughes, published 2008 (Horsham Museum Society) accessible at: Horsham Museum Society & West Sussex Libraries
Sussex Clergy Inventories 1660-1750, edited by Annabelle Hughes, published 1 June 2009 (vol. 91, xlii + 285 pp., Sussex Record Society, ISBN-10: 0854450734 & ISBN-13: 9780854450732) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16475] & The Keep [LIB/500468][Lib/507874] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries View Online
Abstract:Probate inventories provide wonderful snapshots of contemporary life through material possessions; and in this volume you will find transcribed inventories for 181 parish clergy between 1600 and 1750, each with extracted details from the will or administration (where it survives) and brief biographical details. This is the first time the Society has published such a collection. Because these possessions are often listed room by room, they can also be used to extract information about contemporary buildings and the ways in which they were used. An analysis of the inventories on this basis is included to demonstrate how this can be done.
Clergy were chosen as a recognisable group, representative of county society across the time-frame. They were also selected because the majority of their inventories include valuations (and sometimes numbers) of books, items not found for many of the laity. Taken with information that sometimes appears in wills, these cast valuable light on the culture and literacy within this social group. The information is supplemented by an appendix which contains two clergy inventories outside the time-frame (1451 and 1791), which include important collections of books listed by title.
Until 1858, probate inventories, that is lists of 'goods and chattels' of a deceased person, were one of three documents (will or administration, inventory and accounts) that were required by the church courts for granting of probate. Although a will or administration has survived to accompany the inventory in most cases, the probate accounts, which provide valuable additional information, are much rarer. The six examples for our series have been included in an appendix. Although the courts required certain specific details as a matter of course, and the appraisers (local men who are named in most cases) followed a general pattern of presentation, in practice this could vary wildly according to their level of competence. As far as possible the original appearance of the inventories has been kept, while an explanatory note describes any modifications to or divergences from the originals.
The documents that make up this volume have been brought together from the West and East Sussex Record Offices as well as the National Archives. Their background and their value for a range of research projects is discussed in the introduction, as well as the ways in which they may be used in conjunction with other records such as ecclesiastical surveys, faculty records, hearth tax and studies of buildings.
Review by Margaret Pearce in Sussex Family Historian vol. 18 no. 8, December 2009:Clergy were chosen as a recognisable group, representative of county society across the time-frame. They were also selected because the majority of their inventories include valuations (and sometimes numbers) of books, items not found for many of the laity. Taken with information that sometimes appears in wills, these cast valuable light on the culture and literacy within this social group. The information is supplemented by an appendix which contains two clergy inventories outside the time-frame (1451 and 1791), which include important collections of books listed by title.
Until 1858, probate inventories, that is lists of 'goods and chattels' of a deceased person, were one of three documents (will or administration, inventory and accounts) that were required by the church courts for granting of probate. Although a will or administration has survived to accompany the inventory in most cases, the probate accounts, which provide valuable additional information, are much rarer. The six examples for our series have been included in an appendix. Although the courts required certain specific details as a matter of course, and the appraisers (local men who are named in most cases) followed a general pattern of presentation, in practice this could vary wildly according to their level of competence. As far as possible the original appearance of the inventories has been kept, while an explanatory note describes any modifications to or divergences from the originals.
The documents that make up this volume have been brought together from the West and East Sussex Record Offices as well as the National Archives. Their background and their value for a range of research projects is discussed in the introduction, as well as the ways in which they may be used in conjunction with other records such as ecclesiastical surveys, faculty records, hearth tax and studies of buildings.
This is the first time the Sussex Record Society has published such a collection of probate inventories and they provide such interesting snapshots of life through material possessions. The transcribed inventories for 181 parish clergy between 1600 and 1750 have been brought together from the West and East Sussex Record Offices as well as The National Archives.
The book will be of wide interest to family historians as well as social, local and ecclesiastical historians. The extracts from wills show the cultural level and literacy of parochial clergy at this time, by the inventory content i.e. valuation of books and sometimes the number of books, as clergy lifestyles vary from poverty-stricken curates to genteel and prosperous rectors. The individual inventories make fascinating reading and are clearly indexed in parish alphabetical order together with the name of the curate or vicar. For example, I quote: "ten payre of pillowcoats, Fourteen towels, eight hives of bees, one frying panne, 3 hennes and on cock, all the bookes value £30". Of course if a family historian discovers an ancestor from the 181 parish clergy listed then the information given is invaluable to the research of their family. Also these lists of material possessions are a useful glossary of unusual or obscure words used in inventories.
The information also included in the wills can be used for studies of buildings of the time - another valuable source for social history.
The book will be of wide interest to family historians as well as social, local and ecclesiastical historians. The extracts from wills show the cultural level and literacy of parochial clergy at this time, by the inventory content i.e. valuation of books and sometimes the number of books, as clergy lifestyles vary from poverty-stricken curates to genteel and prosperous rectors. The individual inventories make fascinating reading and are clearly indexed in parish alphabetical order together with the name of the curate or vicar. For example, I quote: "ten payre of pillowcoats, Fourteen towels, eight hives of bees, one frying panne, 3 hennes and on cock, all the bookes value £30". Of course if a family historian discovers an ancestor from the 181 parish clergy listed then the information given is invaluable to the research of their family. Also these lists of material possessions are a useful glossary of unusual or obscure words used in inventories.
The information also included in the wills can be used for studies of buildings of the time - another valuable source for social history.
The Lewknor family, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published Autumn 2010 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 78, article, p.7) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/78] & The Keep [LIB/500502]
Stammerham & Tower Hill, Some History, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 2011 (published by the author) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries
Wiggonhold: manor, parish and settlement, by Annabelle Hughes, published 2012 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 80, article, p.36) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/80] & The Keep [LIB/500504]
Horsham Houses Revisited, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 9 September 2016 (Horsham Museum Society, ISBN-10: 1902484630 & ISBN-13: 9781902484631) accessible at: Horsham Museum Society & West Sussex Libraries
Traditional Homes of the South Downs National Park: An Introduction , by Annabelle F. Hughes, published 1 December 2016 (86 pp., Sussex Archæological Society, ISBN-10: 0904973263 & ISBN-13: 9780904973266)
Horsham Gaol and Gaolers: background and history to 1779, by Annabelle F. Hughes, published (no date) (pamphlet) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 15397]