Ashburnham Sussex - (Last Iron Furnace in Sussex)

The name Ashburnham , probably derives from the Saxon Ashbourne the local stream and ham an enclosure, so becoming "The enclosure on the river Ashbourne".

Near to Ashburnham and Penhurst at Creep Wood is an old earthworks probably dating from Pre-Saxon times, the site is about 250 metres long . It is believed that this may be the lost town of Mercredsburn , which was conquered by the saxon Aella in 491AD, just before Pevensey (Andredceaster or Anderida{ Roman }) was sacked. Towards the end of the battle, some of the ancient britons escaped to Pevensey probably by boat along the Ashbourne valley, which prompted Aella's attack.

Ashburnham is mentioned in the Domesday book, as being badly effected by the Normans, who reduced its value from £6.00 prior to the invasion to £1.00 after the invasion. Its value increased back to £9.00 by the time of the Domesday survey, probably due to the Iron workings nearby.

In the 12th century records show that Reginals de Oseburnham granted lands in Ashburnham to the Abbey in Robertsbridge.

Ashburnham was controlled by the Ashburnham family from the 1100's until 1953, when Lady Catherine Asburnham died.

In 1649 king Charles I was executed, and some gruesome souveniers were brought back to the church, which were believed to have healing properties. These consisted of the shirt, silk drawers, and garters which he wore when executed, together with his watch, a lock of his hair, and the sheet thrown over the body. The items were brought back by John Ashburnham, the King's Groom of the Bedchamber, who was also the MP for Hastings .

The Iron blast furnace owned by the Crowley family at Ashburnham was the last one in Sussex to be extinguished in 1813.

In the graveyard are a number of examples of Harmer terracotta embossed grave stones, dating from the early 1800's.