Etchingham

Etchingham is a small rural community, in East Sussex, England, lying in the valley at the junction of the Rivers Dudwell, Limden and Rother, which flow on through Sussex, eventually reaching the sea at Rye.

The village has developed over several centuries from an Anglo Saxon settlement.
The name Etchingham is probably derived from Old English, and roughly translates as "The homestead or enclosure of family and followers of a man called Ecci".
'inga' in a place name usually refers to 'people of' or 'dwellers at', and 'ham' refers to a homestead or settlement, so this explanation seems the most probable.

There is a second less likely derivation of the name, it could come from the Anglo Saxon 'ECEN', meaning great + 'HAM' (homestead), but the former explanation is the most likely.

The village is situated on the A265 road, which runs from the A21 to Lewes, a mile or so west of Hurst Green, which lies on the A21.

Etchingham was a manor a long time before the Norman conquest of 1066, after this time the manor was taken over by the Normans, in 1166 it was left to the De Achyngham (Etchingham) family, who were well known landowners of the time.
The Etchingham family papers record that William was so pleased with his right-hand man that he gave him the land now known as Etchingham.

The moated manor house, long since demolished, stood at the point now occupied by the London to Hastings railway line, some of the stone from the manor was probably used in the construction of the station buildings.

The 14th century church was originally built within the grounds of the manor, evidence of the moat can still be seen. The church has a number of notable features including probably the oldest brass weathervane in England still in its original position, the weathervane depicts the coat of arms of the De Etchingham family. The church can also boast the largest series of misericords in Sussex, with the exception of those in Chichester Cathedral. Misericords are small 'comfort' ledges fitted under tip up stalls, designed to give a resting point for monks and others who had to stand for long periods during long medieval services. These were often ornately carved with leaves or decoration, look closely and you will find one that depicts a fox preaching to geese.

The church viewed through Queen's gardens.

There is one legend that a great bell lay at the bottom of the moat surrounding the church and manor, and that it would never be seen until six yoke of white oxen were brought to drag it up. Centuries have passed by, the moat is long gone and no bell has surfaced.

One notable feature of the village history is of interest to philatelists (stamp collectors) around the world.
Henry Corbould FSA, whose design was used for the worlds very first postage stamp "The Penny Black", was travelling back to London from the coast, along what is now the A21.
He was taken ill near Hurst Green and was given rest and shelter at a local hostelry, sadly he never recovered from his illness and died in his room at the public house.
So, Henry Corbould was buried in the Parish Church of Etchingham, The Assumption of Blessed Mary and St Nicolas, there is a memorial tablet on the wall of the church, this is believed to be the only known likeness of Corbould.

In 1990, as part of the 150th anniversary of the postage stamp, the village took advantage of this philatelic connection, producing two First Day Covers to mark the Corbould connection, to help raise funds for church repairs.
One cover was issued in January with the full set of the 'double headed' stamps and another for the miniature sheet in May.
Both covers were limited editions, Sarah Godwin, the designer of the 1987 Isaac Newton stamps designed the cover, her family home being in Etchingham.
The covers were cancelled with a special handstamp, the design of which was based on the church weathervane, as mentioned above.

The Etchingham cover, produced in 1990.
(signed by the Rector at the time and the cover designer)

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