Hamsey East Sussex - (Abandoned Saxon Island)


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50°53'N
0°00'E

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Hamsey
(Abandoned Saxon Island)

Origin of Village Name

The name Hamsey is probably derived from the Anglo Saxon Ham Ie (the settlement on the island). Hamsey is probably one of the first settlements of Aelle the Saxon , who landed at Shoreham in 477AD.

General Details

Hamsey lies on an island in the middle of the Ouse valley, but during the period of the Black Death the island was abandoned and the population moved across the valley to the south west to Offham which is just on the edge of the downs.

The island was a major saxon town and port, where at least once during his reign King Ethelstan (925-940) held his court . It would seem likely that the river was navigable up to Hamsey, and that the small island would have been a fortified area surrounded by fresh water, fish and fertile farmland.

The village remained in the valley until 1348 when the Black Death forced the inhabitants to move away from the church as did a number of other villages in the area. The island remained abandoned or very sparsely populated until this day, the only remaining resident is the church.

Services

Hamsey has no services, but Offham on the main Lewes to East Grinstead road has a few.

The nearest trains run from Lewes about 3 miles to the south, and this is where the nearest major shopping centre is.

Views

The old church at Hamsey is found by travelling down a narrow track across the Ouse valley, then up a small but steep hill to the church. The view from the church is very pretty, with the valley all round it has the feel of ancient centuries.

Hamsey Manor is across the valley from the church but is very attractive.

Page Last Updated: 17:56 - 23/05/2009
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