Alfriston (St. Andrew)

ALFRISTON (St. Andrew), a parish, in the union of Eastbourne, hundred of Alceston, rape of Pevensey, E. division of Sussex, 9 miles (S. E.) from Lewes; containing 668 inhabitants. It is bounded on the east by the Cuchmere river, and comprises about 2000 acres, of which 600 are common or waste; the soil is rich and fertile, and the produce of the orchards and gardens is remarkable for quality and exuberance. The village, beautifully situated in a valley near the river, was formerly of much greater extent than at present, and in the centre is an ancient cross, where probably a market was held. The living is a discharged vicarage, valued in the king's books at £11. 16. 0½., and in the patronage of the Crown; net income, £135; impropriators, the Trustees of "Smith's Charity." The church is an ancient cruciform structure, in the decorated and later English styles, with a central tower surmounted by a spire. There is a place of worship for Independents. On the neighbouring downs are several barrows, in some of which urns, spear-heads, and other relics of antiquity have been found.