#3 'A history of Chailey in 50 images'

The third in my weekly series illustrating the history of the parish in 50 images.

1066 and all that. Actually its 1069 and not far up the road from Hastings and William's brother-in-law William de Warenne starts to build one of the first motte and bailey castles in England at a strategic point on the River Ouse. Unlike most Lewes Castle has two 'mottes'. The impressive barbican gatehouse was the last part of the castle to be completed and dates from the 14th century. Lewes of course is a few miles to the south of Chailey nevertheless the Norman invasion would have had a profound effect on the Saxon inhabitants to the north. Indeed it was William's son (also William) who made gifts of land in the parish to various families. The charters, dating from 1091, dealing with these land grants provide the first written occurrence of the name Chailey (or 'Cheagele' as it appeared).