Hailsham, United Kingdom

During the 17th century civil war between Charles I and Parliament, Hailsham and this part of Sussex declared against the royalist cause.

Little is known of the town of Hailsham before the 1086 Domesday Book, but evidence of a Roman road from Leap Cross across the Common indicates some occupation prior to this.

Henry III granted the town a Market Charter in 1252. Originally, the market was held in the High Street and in Market Square, only moving to its present location in 1868. Sheep and cattle were driven from miles around along the various ancient droves until the arrival of the railway station and motor lorries. Today, the weekly livestock markets, together with the monthly farmers’ market continue whilst stall markets are held weekly in the town centre on Saturdays or Thursdays.

Hailsham was an ancient British settlement that existed before the Romans invaded Kent and Sussex in 43 AD.

1154 to 1189: Sir Richard Covert of Bradbridge was Lord of the "Manor of Haylesham".

1228: Advowson of "Haylesham Church" granted to Michelham Priory.

1234: Salt pan workings extracted salt from the tidal waters (hence, the areas of Saltmarsh and Marshfoot).

1252: Henry III granted Market Charter to the Royal favourite, Peter of Savoy.

1263: Gilbert, son of Gilbert Godseb drowned while bathing in "Haylesham Pond" (now known as the Common Pond.)

1264: Benedict the Jew of "Heylesham" was "outlawed" would have been religious persecution for clipping the King's coin.

1399 to 1413: Troy weights were introduced to the Market. Early consumer protections move.

1425 to 1450: St Mary's Church, Hailsham built (present structure).

1540 to 1640: Hailsham was one of the chief centres of leatherwork and tanning (using local oak bark) due to being a thriving cattle market town.

1542: Fleur-de-Lys Inn built in Market Street (later to be the Parish Workhouse, and now Town Council Offices).

1559: Uprising of the inhabitants of Hailsham who burnt part of the church.

1581: Manor of "Haylesham" granted to Gregory, Lord Dacre of Herstmonceux.

1603: James VI of Scotland declared King of England - probably from the market cross in Market Square in "Haylysham".

1663: First five bells cast for Hailsham Church at Bellbanks (Common Pond) by John Hodson.

1708: Hailsham Vicarage built next to Parish Church (now known as "The Grange").

1800: The Stone Cross in Market Square removed as being an obstacle to carts and wagons.

1803: Barracks established on Hailsham Common (between Summerfields Road and London Road) to house troops for the war with France (dismantled in 1815 after success at Battle of Waterloo).

1803: Grenadier Inn in High Street also built to meet needs of troops.

1804: "Newhouse" built in George Street (later to be renamed "Cortlandt").

1827: National School built in South Road, Hailsham to replace one held in the Church by churchwarden Francis Howlett.

1836: New "Union" Workhouse built at junction of Hellingly and Hailsham parish boundaries (serving needs of 12 parishes).

1849: Hailsham Station and railway service to Polegate opened.

1855: As a result of an Enclosure Award on Hailsham Common, the Recreation Ground in Western Road was created.

1862: Hailsham Infants’ School built in the High Street (at the junction with North Street).

1868: Market ceased to be held in High Street/Market Square - moved to new walled-in site in Market Street.

1878: Hailsham Board School built in Battle Road (now Hailsham Community College).

1880: Railway line extended northwards to Heathfield and Tunbridge Wells.

1885: Hailsham Water Company started supply from springs at Magham Down.

1894: Austens gun shop burnt down where Victoria Gate now stands.

1943: Bomb fell near church destroying the Auxiliary Fire Station with the loss of one life.

1951: Four of the Hailsham church bells were re-cast and all the bells re-hung.

1965: Closure of the Cuckoo Railway line north of Hailsham to passenger traffic. Passenger service from Polegate to Hailsham only survived until 1968.

1974: Hailsham Parish Council adopted the status of Town Council.

1988: The Quintin's Shopping Centre in North Street opened to the public, named after Quintin Hogg, Baron Hailsham of Marylebone.

1990: Cuckoo Trail opened to walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

2012: Hailsham Market saved from development and operators South East Marts purchases the freehold of the site in Market Street, ending more than 15 years of uncertainty over the market's future.