Playden (St. Michael)

PLAYDEN (St. Michael), a parish, in the union and parliamentary borough of Rye, hundred of Goldspur, rape of Hastings, E. division of Sussex, ¾ of a mile (N.) from Rye; containing 312 inhabitants. This place appears, from the foundations of buildings that are frequently discovered, to have been more extensive than it is at present; it had anciently an hospital, in honour of St. Bartholomew, under the government of the abbey of Westminster. The parish comprises 1360 acres, and is intersected by the river Rother, and by the road from Brighton to Dovor, by way of Rye; the Royal Military canal also passes through it. The surface is gently undulated, and from the church is an extensive view of the sea and the surrounding country. The living is a discharged rectory, annexed to that of East Guildford, and valued in the king's books at £12; the tithes of Playden have been commuted for £300, and the glebe consists of an acre and a half. The church, situated on Playden height, is in the early English style, with a central tower between the nave and chancel, surmounted by a lofty shingled spire, which is a landmark at sea.