Ticehurst in East Sussex

Ticehurst in East Sussex lies between Hawkhurst and Wadhurst on the B2100. The name Ticehurst comes from the Anglo Saxon Tice meaning kids(goats), and hurst a thick wood.

The first mention of the area was in 1018, when king Cnut granted the lands of Haeselerc (now known as Hazelhurst, a part of the Parish of Ticehurst ) to the Archbishop of Canterbury. In 1086 the Domesday book mentions that Haslesse(Hazelhurst) was owned by Walter Fitz-Lambert lord of Crowhurst. His grandson Lambert de Scoteni was known to have been owner of Scotney Castle at Lamberhurst in 1137.

An 1197 document from the Priory of Hastings shows that the churches at Crowhurst and Ticehurst were controlled by the Priory.

In 1292 the de Passele family built a moated manor, which is now known as Pashley manor. They held the manor until 1453 when the Bullen family from Norfolk purchased it. The Bullen family later to be the Boleyn family held the manor until their fall from grace after Anne was executed in 1536, when the manor was bought by Sir Thomas May who constructed the present manor. It is believed that Anne Boleyn stayed here during her childhood.

The Priory held the lands until the dissolution in 1538, when the lands were transferred to Sir John Baker of Sissinghurst by Henry VIII. Three years later it seems that the king changed his mind and gave the land to the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury, who held it till the 1930's.

The village has a number of old manor houses one of which, Pashley Manor on the Hurst Green road, has the most magnificent gardens, and is open to the public.

Finally the chuch has a very interesting collection of hand embroidered kneeling bolsters, showing village life and other subjects.