Heathfield (All Saints)

HEATHFIELD (All Saints), a parish, in the union of Hailsham, hundred of Hawkesborough, rape of Hastings, E. division of Sussex, 9 miles (E. S. E.) from Uckfield; containing 1971 inhabitants. This is distinguished as the scene of a severe battle in the year 635, between Cadwallo, and Edwin of Northumbria and his son Osfrid, on a spot since named Slaughter Common, in which both Edwin and his son were slain; and also as the scene of a conflict in 1450, when the noted rebel Jack Cade was killed by Alexander Iden, sheriff of Kent. In that part of the village where the rebel fell, since called Cade-street, a monument recording the event was erected by the late Francis Newbery, Esq.; who, also, in commemoration of the defeat of the combined armaments of France and Spain at Gibraltar by General Elliot, afterwards Lord Heathfield, erected a lofty tower, from the summit of which a view over the surrounding country is obtained to the distance of fifty miles. The parish is situated on the road from Battle to Uckfield, and comprises 6117 acres, of which about 140 are hop-grounds, and 429 common or waste; the surface is beautifully diversified with hill and dale. The river Cuckmere has its source in Heathfield Park. Ironore is found in abundance, and cannon were formerly cast, but no works are carried on at present. The living is a vicarage, valued in the king's books at £10, and in the patronage of the Bishop of Chichester: the tithes have been commuted for £862. 5., of which £400 are payable to the Ecclesiastical Commission, and £462. 5. to the vicar; the former has 18, and the latter 17, acres of glebe. The church is a spacious structure, partly in the early and partly in the decorated English style, with a square embattled tower surmounted by a spire, and contains a handsome monument to General Elliot. There is a place of worship for Independents.