Rottingdean (St. Margaret)

ROTTINGDEAN (St. Margaret), a parish, in the union of Newhaven, hundred of Younsmere, rape of Lewes, E. division of Sussex, 4 miles (E.) from Brighton; containing 983 inhabitants. In the reign of Richard II. this was the landing-place of the French, who, in revenge for their loss of the battle of Cressy, burned Rye and Hastings. The village, in ancient records termed Rottington, is pleasantly situated near the coast, on the Newhaven road; and is celebrated for its wells, which are nearly empty at high water, but rise as the tide ebbs, and which, from their salubrious qualities, are in considerable repute. Within the last few years it has been frequented by such families as prefer the privacy of a secluded village to the more open beach of Brighton; and baths have been established, and bathingmachines provided, for their accommodation. Pebbles of agate and chalcedony, of a blueish-grey colour, abound on the sea-shore; and when cut and polished, they are used as ornaments in bracelets, &c., under the name of Rottingdean pebbles. The parish comprises 3160 acres, of which 1868 are arable, 1077 meadow and pasture, and 215 common and waste. The living is a vicarage, endowed with a portion of the rectorial tithes, valued in the king's books at £9. 10.; and in the gift of the Earl of Abergavenny: the impropriate tithes have been commuted for £240. 10., and the incumbent's for £400; the glebe comprises 3 acres. The church, which is in the early English style, with a low massive tower in the centre, has lately undergone a thorough repair, and contains a handsome monument to the Rev. Dr. Hooker, the late vicar, erected by the parishioners. On Balsdean Hill are the remains of two encampments; and the parish contains various barrows and tumuli, on opening some of which a Roman dagger and numerous coins were found.