Cripps Corner Sussex - (Home Guard surprises the Army)

Cripps Corner lies about 4 miles north east of Battle , on an the site of an old Roman garrison, which was used to guard and control the road connecting Whatling Street (Rochester) to the ports at Bodiam , Sedlescombe and Westfield .

The area was used for iron production by the Romans , and nearby are many bloomeries(iron smelters), which sent the iron ingots(blooms) to the local ports for shipping to Londinium.

After the Norman conquest the land was given to the Count of Eu, and was included in the Hundred of Staple (see Staplecross ). The land was gifted to Robertsbridge Abbey in the 12th century by Alicia, widow of the 4th Count of Eu.

The Abbot of Robertsbridge Abbey in 1332 was Walter Krips, and it believed that Cripps Corner is derived from his name.

Cripps Corner was also the site of the Gallowes of Whoorne, which was still in use for execution of smugglers and highwaymen until the 17th century.

In the early part of the 20th century, a wheelwright named Tedham lived here. He was also the village undertaker, however his speciality was the manufacture of the big Sussex Farm Wagons. One of them - with his trade plate on it may be seen at Michelham Priory.

In September 1941, the Ticehurst Home Guard were on manoeuvers in the Cripps Corner area, with the local pub the White Hart as their target. After disembarking from Warrens Coach, in a wooded area, they marched south and eventually crept through the hedges and ditches up to the road in front of the pub. Here they let off a volley at the army defenders - much to their surprise - as the operation was supposed to have finished an hour earlier! The story ends on a high note as the publican opened the bar to allow the gallant Home Guard to quench their thirst.

(We are grateful to the landlord of the White Hart for providing some of this information)