Rotherfield (St. Denis)

ROTHERFIELD (St. Denis), a parish, in the union of Uckfield, hundred of Rotherfield, rape of Pevensey, E. division of Sussex, 8 miles (N. E.) from Uckfield; containing 3036 inhabitants. This parish, which is situated on the road from Tonbridge-Wells to Lewes, comprises nearly 16,000 acres; the soil is generally clay, and the surface diversified with hills, of which Crowborough Beacon is one of the highest in the county. There are about 500 acres of hop plantations. On the south side of the hill on which the village is built, the river Rother has its source. A market for corn is held every Monday, and there are fairs for cattle. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £27. 12. 6., and in the gift of the Earl of Abergavenny: the tithes have been commuted for £1514. 10., and the glebe comprises 110 acres. The church is in the early English style, with later additions, and has a square embattled tower surmounted by a spire; the roof is of chesnut wood, and the ancient font is elaborately carved. A chapel was founded at Crowborough in 1732, by Sir Henry Fermor, who endowed it with £3000 for the maintenance of a chaplain; the income is £260 per annum. There are places of worship for Baptists and Wesleyans. Berthwald, Duke of the South Saxons, about the year 800 founded a monastery here, subordinate to the abbey of St. Denis, in France.