Publications
Bygone Uckfield, by Barbara Fuller and Betty Turner, published 1988 (128 pp., Chichester: Phillimore & Co., ISBN-10: 0850336805 & ISBN-13: 9780850336801) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
Maresfield, by Betty Turner, published 1 October 1991 (xii + 112 pp., published by the author, ISBN-10: 0951788108 & ISBN-13: 9780951788103) accessible at: British Library & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
Abstract:At the top of Underhill to the north of the Chequers Inn is one of the iron milestones with painted bells and numerals which mark the road across Ashdown Forest. These were placed by the Duke of Newcastle who was accustomed to follow the road on his regular trips to London.
The iron represents what was then the main industry of the area and the bell, the Bow Bells of London. It is difficult today to imagine that in the 17th century, Sussex had 42 forges and 27 furnaces. Sussex guns and shot played a big part in conflicts on land and at sea. Cannon balls had previously been made of stone as used by Henry V. The first iron cannon was cast by Ralph Hogge at Busted in i543. Ralph Hogge's father-in-law was Master of the Game in Ashdown Forest.
Iron was used for more peaceful purposes too. There are examples in the ?reback in the Chequers Inn. Iron slabs were also used as tombstones and iron rails enclosed family vaults. Most parkland was fenced by iron railings.
There were three large forges in the parish: at Oldlands, Old Forge, and The Forge where the Powder Mills later stood. Oldlands is thought to be the oldest as a number of Roman coins and pottery have been found. Roman ironworks are also known to have existed some I2 miles away at Chiddingly.
During the construction of the Maresfield Bypass at Lampool the 40 milestone disappeared but the contractors provided a specially made replica in order not to break the sequence.
The iron represents what was then the main industry of the area and the bell, the Bow Bells of London. It is difficult today to imagine that in the 17th century, Sussex had 42 forges and 27 furnaces. Sussex guns and shot played a big part in conflicts on land and at sea. Cannon balls had previously been made of stone as used by Henry V. The first iron cannon was cast by Ralph Hogge at Busted in i543. Ralph Hogge's father-in-law was Master of the Game in Ashdown Forest.
Iron was used for more peaceful purposes too. There are examples in the ?reback in the Chequers Inn. Iron slabs were also used as tombstones and iron rails enclosed family vaults. Most parkland was fenced by iron railings.
There were three large forges in the parish: at Oldlands, Old Forge, and The Forge where the Powder Mills later stood. Oldlands is thought to be the oldest as a number of Roman coins and pottery have been found. Roman ironworks are also known to have existed some I2 miles away at Chiddingly.
During the construction of the Maresfield Bypass at Lampool the 40 milestone disappeared but the contractors provided a specially made replica in order not to break the sequence.