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Staplecross
(Mothers grudge hangs son)

General Details
Staplecross lies 9 miles north of Hastings on the B2165.
Although it is little more than a hamlet on a T-junction,
consisting of a handful of houses and a pub, it holds
historical importance.
During the middle ages and later it was the central
point of the Hundred of Staple, consisting of the
villages of Northiam , Ewhurst Green , Bodiam , and
Sedlescombe , along with parts of Brede , Mountfield
and Whatlington .
The Hundred was a Saxon territorial subdivision,
named possibly because it contained 100 families,
or provided 100 men-at-arms for the area.
In 1833 William Goodsell, a resident of Staplecross,
was accused of starting a fire in a farm building at
nearby Ewhurst Green . He was tried in Lewes, and
found guilty. He confessed to the crime, claiming
that he was carrying out his mothers wishes, as she
had a grudge against the farmer. He was hanged at
Horsham, and his body returned to Ewhurst Green
for burial.
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Services

The village has few services, and the market town
of Battle provides many services. The main shopping
area is in Hastings 9 miles South.
The Hawkhurst to Hastings bus service travels
through the village providing an infrequent service.
The nearest trains can be caught at the stations in
Battle about 6 miles South West, or Robertsbridge
about 6 miles North West.
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Views

For the nicest view in Staplecross , take the Bodiam
road, and stop just past the buildings. Look north
towards Bodiam , and the steep hills of the Rother
valley lie in front of you. This view is spectacular
on a late summer evening, when the sun is low in
the sky.
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