EARLY HISTORY

Cowbeech is situated in the Hundred of Foxearle. At the time of the Domesday (1086) survey, this also contained the parishes of Herstmonceux, Ashburnham and Wartling. Cowbeech is in the Rape of Hastings, the diocese of Chichester and the county court district of Hastings.

The prefix "cow" refers to a "capped" or pollarded tree, in this case a beech. It is documented as Coppetebeche in 1261, shortened to Coppebeche in 1517 and it appears as Cobeech in 1724.

The Rape was the main administrative unit of Saxon Sussex and there were five Rapes (or baronies) in Sussex. The Saxon Rapes were subdivided into Hundreds, which served as taxation and administrative units. The Hundred Court administered justice, which was attended by all freemen within the district. The Hundred was subdivided into manors.

The Foxearle Hundred included the head tithings of Herstmonceux, Ashburnham and Wartling with the lesser tithings of Cobbeche (Cowbeech), Boreham and Dyll. There were two "law-days" held at Easter and Michaelmas, at Windmill Hill in Wartling. The officers of the Hundred, who were chosen at the Easter court, included two headboroughs, only one of whom was sworn; two constables and two aldermen, the duty of one alderman being to serve every three weeks at the lathe court in Sedlescombe.

These court documents are held at the East Sussex Records Office (ESRO) and are an invaluable resource of information regarding the history of [Bimsells, or] Beechcroft Farmhouse.

The parish of Herstmonceux includes Flowers Green, Gardner Street, Stunt’s Green and part of Windmill Hill. The main road from Lewes to Battle divides it into two nearly equal parts.

Herstmonceux owes its name to the marriage of two families in the 12^th century: the Norman French family of de Monceux from Calvados and the local family of de Herst. The place name of the Manor of Herste in the Domesday Book refers to a wooded hill, and is the possible origin of the de herst family name.

The landscape we see today is very different from that of a thousand years ago. The sea has not always been so far away; until the Middle Ages the marshes down to Pevensey were flooded and an inlet of the sea came up to Herstmonceux. The village of Hellingly also had an inlet where boats were moored. During the 13^th century a series of great storms, recorded

by many contemporary chroniclers, accelerated the gradual silting up of the area. This, combined with artificial draining, formed the present landscape.

At the time of the Domesday survey*, the Manor of Herste was assessed at "five hides, thirty villagers with twelve cottagers having sixteen ploughs". It was held by the Count d’Eu (it had been held by Edmer the priest in the time of Edward the Confessor). The Count d’Eu was one of William the Conqueror’s most trusted generals at the Battle of Hastings.

There is no archaeological evidence of the church mentioned in the Domesday Book. (Churches pre-1100 were generally built of wood) The present church was built in 1190 and consisted originally of a chancel, nave, north aisle and northwest tower. The church of All Saints was the local parish church for Cowbeech.

The churchyard fence comprised short lengths of fence together with a number of double posts. This was because each farm in the parish was responsible for its own length of fence; a custom to be found in only two other parishes in Sussex. A list of those farmers accountable is to be seen in the Clergy Vestry.

In 1342, the inhabitants of Herstmonceux were "all engaged in the cultivation of the land and the tending of their flocks and herds". There were many farms dotted around the parish, including a farm where [Bimsells, or] Beechcroft Farmhouse is situated.

Herstmonceux Castle was constructed in 1440 with brick rather than stone, and it is generally believed to be the oldest brick building of its size anywhere in the country.

In 1708, the castle and estates passed to George Naylor, then passed to his nephew Francis Naylor, who in turn left the estate to his half brother, Robert Hare-Naylor. His son Francis Hare-Naylor took a beautiful though somewhat eccentric wife, Georgina, who gave birth to four sons, Francis, Augustus, Julius and Marcus, who all made their mark as literary and artistic figures.

Augustus Hare, in his own book on Sussex described the characteristics of Georgina: "Mrs Hare-Naylor, who was famous as a linguist, and insisted on her children conversing in Greek at family repasts, was as peculiar as she was beautiful. Daily, dressed in white, she rode in the park: a tame white doe ran by her side’.

Augustus Hare (1834-1903) is buried in All Saints churchyard.

THE WEALD

The Weald takes its name from the vast oak wood that once covered the hinterlands of the Downs. In AD 893 it was described as being 30 miles wide and over 120 miles long, stretching from the marshes of Kent to the New Forest in Hampshire. The word ‘weald’ came into use as early as 1290, appearing as welde.

At the time of the Domesday Survey, the Weald of Sussex comprised largely woodland. During the ensuing 250 years, the forests were cleared and settled by pioneer farmers. With progressive agricultural improvement, but principally with the development of crafts, generations of farmers transformed the once poor community of the Weald into one of the wealthiest districts of England by 1500. This was an achievement without parallel in medieval England.

The progressive land improvements led to the establishment of hamlets on sites of former single farms, leading to the emergence of villages. The Weald became an  energetic area with plenty of opportunities for yeoman farmers

to make fortunes. The remarkable economic development of the Weald is reflected in the evolution of the vernacular tradition of domestic building. The yeomen farmers were able to build larger, more luxurious and solidly constructed versions of the common medieval family home. These Wealden houses, though exceptionally numerous, are not exceptionally large or splendid. They point to the widespread nature of considerable wealth amongst the yeomanry and not the aggrandisement of especially wealthy families. These houses are invaluable for casting light on the economic and social background of the area and the living conditions of the better-off inhabitants.

By the sixteenth century, a number of new social and economic trends opened the door of opportunity to persons of the yeoman and gentry, who were able to amass little complexes of private property by shrewd business methods. [Bimsells, or] Beechcroft Farmhouse is an excellent example of this.

WEALDEN BUILDINGS

Over the years, buildings are altered and repaired, extensions are added and parts are demolished. All these changes have to be deciphered before the history can be understood.

Dendrochronology, or tree ring dating, is potentially the most useful scientific method. It depends on the analysis of the annual growth rings of oak trees; the sample taken is matched with master sequence and a felling date is obtained. Apart from the cost, the technique is from far being practical for many buildings because they do not contain sufficient timbers with the right cross section. Documentary evidence may be available, but often it is necessary to rely on stylistic analysis.

Almost without exception, the minor buildings of the Weald, erected before 1650, were entirely timber framed. Many have had their walls subsequently rebuilt or refaced in brick or stone. Some have been covered by tile hanging, so that externally their origins are difficult to recognise, which is the case with [Bimsells, or] Beechcroft Farmhouse.

On the clay soils of the Weald the commonest tree is the oak. The idea that massive oaks were used for buildings is erroneous. Mature trees were impossible to handle and convert into scantlings required for buildings. The general evidence is that in vernacular buildings, the oak used was "green" (unseasoned); the oak was much easier to work with at this stage. Oak naturally grows curved branches or sections; these provide the braces, which are so necessary for the triangulation of timber-framed buildings. If protected from

continual wetness, oak is very durable and timbers were especially sought and earmarked for a particular position in the framework.

Timbers were joined with mortice and tenon, or scarfed joints of various kinds. These joints were secured with wooden pegs; iron nails were never used for this purpose. This form of construction is known as box framing.

Its design met not only the social needs of the household at the time, but was striking evidence of status and prosperity.

It has been estimated that in Kent and East Sussex as many as 10% of the houses, which existed at the close of the medieval period still, survive to this day.

[Bimsells, or] Beechcroft Farmhouse was originally a two-bay early 17^th century Wealden house. There was an early house on this site, but it was destroyed to build the new one. There is evidence of this early house incorporated within the structure of the present house. The Archaeological Survey by David Martin explains this in detail.

The Wealden house allowed a degree of sophistication under one roof, which suited the aspirations of the middle ranks of society. A house of this kind, which sheltered a number of people, would have had lesser buildings close to it; perhaps a detached kitchen and brew house as well as a barn and sheds. Occasionally these Wealden houses have a cross-wing which takes the place of an end bay; those with contemporary cross-wings are amongst the most prestigious of their kind. [Bimsells, or] Beechcroft Farmhouse had a crossway added to the earlier house.

HOUSE HISTORY

The first record of [Bimsells, or] Beechcroft Farmhouse is in a document relating to a Herstmonceux manor called Bembselle in 1296; and it is described as "a demesne, land and wood". The name Bembselle is derived from beam and sele meaning a "beam-hall". This is a reference to the structure of the building, a timber-framed building. It was probably a standard Wealden open hall house with two storage bays each end; with a hearth in the centre of the hall and an open space from ground to roof.

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In 1361, William de Fienes, Lord of the Herstmonceux Manor died and in a document describing the extent of his lands is a reference to "8 acres of bush called Bemzells" (ref: Sussex Archaeological Society).

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In 1526, the tenant of Bemzells Manor is given as one William Levett, who lived there with his wife Joan. There is also a document in the court roll of Herstmonceux relating to a William Levett as a defaulting tenant of a manor in 1516; this may or may not refer to Bemzells (ref: ESRO AMS 5698).

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The Court Rolls or books record the proceedings in the Lord of the Manor’s court. In mediaeval times the court supervised the economic and social life of the manor, succession to land held of the manor and judgement of minor misdemeanours. Up to 1653, court rolls were written in Latin with a complicated system of abbreviations. English was used during the commonwealth period, but in 1660 Latin was restored and used until 1732.

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In 1540, the court roll of Herstmonceux describes "a tenement, barn and 80 acres of land"; it is stated that the tenant, Richard Delve, has defaulted on this holding and surrendered the property. Later that year one Jason Gilmore and his wife Joan have replaced him; they also bought the wood and under-wood growing on the tenement, for 66/8d.

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The next reference is in 1612, when one Nicholas Putland owned "a freehold of the Herstmonceux manor called Bemsells". The document also states that Nicholas Putland acquired the manor from one Thomas Roots the elder, but no date is given. Nicholas died on the 2nd April 1612 (his wife had pre-deceased him on 25^th April 1611, ref: Herstmonceux Parish Records) and both were buried in All Saints churchyard.

From 1612-1631, Bartholomew Putlands owned Bemsells; he was the youngest son of Nicholas Putland and he had already purchased 10 acres of land called Markfield next to Bemsells in 1600. (The word "mark" comes from the Saxon word meare meaning boundary). In 1622, a licence was granted to cut an oak for repairs to the messuage called Bemsells. The court book of 1631 refers to the acreage of 40 acres plus 10 acres called Markfield. If this is correct it is unclear what had happened to the remainder of the property. Bartholomew died 14^th November 1631 and was buried in All Saints churchyard.

In 1631, John Putland inherited the Bemsells Farm from his father Bartholomew (John was the eldest son by Bartholomew’s first wife, Bridget who was buried in All Saints churchyard, 9^th June 1616). In 1636, John was granted two oaks to repair the house and enclosures (ref: Sussex Archaeological Society - uncatalogued Box 5 - Herstmonceux court books). A single-flue chimney was added to the house and the walls were rebuilt in brick. John died in 1672 and was buried in All Saints churchyard on 4^th April 1672 (ref: Herstmonceux Parish Records).

Samuel Putland, youngest son of John owned the property until his death in 1680. It then passed to Nathaniel Baker and Thomas Mott. Nathaniel was married to Samuel’s sister Elizabeth and Thomas was married to Samuel’s sister Sarah. Female inheritance was very rare during this period of history.

The Herstmonceux survey of 1683 describes "a messuage, barn, malt house and 59 acres". Also the land surrounding Bemsells is now referred to as Markfield.

Sarah Mott was widowed and remarried one Samuel Diplock of Ticehurst at Battle on 11^th May 1686 (ref: Battle parish register). In fact, she remarried within six months, no doubt in order to retain "her" portion of the property. In 1702, the Land Tax Assessment was to the value of £21.

The Land Tax was introduced in 1692, it was assessed and collected on a parish basis; then given to the Exchequer through a

Receiver-General. The Land Tax documents give a detailed account of the wealth in land of individuals.

In May of 1692, Mary Putland died (widow of John Putland) and was buried in All Saints churchyard next to her husband. Her Will makes the following requests:

To Grandson Samuel Mott - £10, 1 clock, 1 chest, 1 pair of sheets and pillowcases.
To Grandson John Mott - £10, a feather bed, bolster, rug, pillows, blankets, curtains, a pair of sheets and pillowcases.
To Granddaughter Mary Mott - £10, 1 chest of drawers, 1 trunk, kettle and rest of linen.

Elizabeth Baker died childless, 6^th March 1705. Sarah and Samuel Diplock became sole owners of the farm. Samuel died at Mayfield in 1711 and Sarah remained at Bemsells until her death in 1730; she was then buried next to her husband at Mayfield. The Land Tax Assessment from 1711-1839 was to the value of £20.

Samuel Diplock, the eldest son of Samuel and Sarah, is described as joint owner and occupier with his mother from 1712-1721 (ref: Herstmonceux Land Tax Returns).

In 1722, William Diplock (Duplock), younger son of Sarah and Samuel, owned Bemsells Farm, until his death in 1729; East Sussex Record Office has his will and inventory, which lists the personal goods left by the deceased. This is a fascinating document and the inventory lists household goods arranged by room. The following rooms are listed: the Garret, the Parlour Chamber, the Little Chamber, the Maids Chamber, the Parlour, the Brewhouse and the Kitchen. As with most rural inventories it also lists the farm animals and crops. It includes £71.5.0d in money and debts; the inventory value is £297.16s.10d. (ref: ESRO. W/INV 2196 William Diplock of Cowbeech 1729).

The Herstmonceux survey of 1730 describes Bemsells as "a house, barn, malt house and 59 acres and 10 acres called Markfield".

Samuel Diplock, then owned the property again until 1762 (it is slightly confusing as to why Samuel’s brother William is briefly the said owner; there is no recorded explanation).

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Samuel then sold Bemsells to one John Wood, butcher of Mayfield, and his wife Mary (neé Day). John Wood is the named occupier and owner until his death in 1815. Major alterations were made to the house during his occupation, mainly modifications and alterations to the rear. The Land Tax Assessment of 1785 is valued at £20. John Wood owned a number of properties in the area and his Land Tax for 1785 was £90.

The property was then held by one Thomas Day, husband of Mary (the daughter of John Wood) until his death in 1839. Their only son John then inherited the property. The 1839 tithe award describes "a house, cottage, buildings and 133 acres (ref: ESRO TDE 89 - Herstmonceux Tithe Map and Award, 1839). The Tithe Commutation Act of 1836 provided a large-scale plan of all land. Each plot of land was numbered and the accompanying schedule contains owners’ name, description of property, acreages and other remarks.

Mary Day continued to live at Bemsells until her death in 1856. There is a document dated 27^th November 1856 relating to the transfer of land from Mary to her son John (ref: ESRO Herstmonceux court roll-A2797). John Day died on the 25^th May 1876 and his will states,  "Bemsels is held by his wife Emily for life and then to said eldest son, John Ansell Day". In 1898, the Land Tax Returns state that one John Day is the said owner and one John Newington is said tenant.

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In 1907, the owner of Bimsells Farm and Beechcroft Farmhouse was one James Doyle Penrose. It was purchased on the 21^st October 1907 for £1,100 and consisted of farm buildings and 74 acres of land. The house was described as "a brick and tile house with hall, 2 reception, kitchen, scullery, pantry, 5 bedrooms, bathroom and WC, 2 small attics, secondary staircase and well". The house had a market value of £400. The Ordnance Survey of 1910 refers to a Bimsells Farm.

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On the 11^th August 1925, James Penrose sold Bimsells Farm and Beechcroft Farmhouse to one Archibald White. It remained within his family until 1995 [when Donald White's widow Dorothy sold the farm including the farmhouse to Michael Haydon. In 1997, Michael Haydon sold the farmhouse in an acre of land to Dorothy and Arnold Goldman.]

DETAILS OF OWNERSHIP

BIMSELLS - BEECHCROFT FARMHOUSE
BIMSELLS - BEMZELLS - BEMSELLS

??-1526+	William Levett
??-1540	Richard Delve
1540-??	Jason Gilmore
??-??	Thomas Roots the elder
15??-1612	Nicholas Putland
1612-1631	Bartholomew Putland
1631-1672	John Putland
1672-1680	Samuel Putland
1680-1685	Nathaniel Baker and Thomas Mott
1685-1705	Nathaniel Baker and Samuel Diplock
1705-1711	Samuel and Sarah Diplock
1711-1721	Sarah Diplock and son Samuel Diplock
1722-1729	William Diplock
1730-1762	Samuel Diplock
1762-1815	John Wood
1815-1839	Thomas Day
1839-1876	John Day [and Emily]
1876-1898+	John Ansell Day
1907-1927	James Doyle Penrose
1927-1995	Archibald White
1995-1997	Michael Haydon (non-resident)
1997-	Dorothy and Arnold Goldman

CENSUS RETURNS

The first census of Great Britain was organised in 1801 and similar statistical surveys have been made at ten year intervals ever since. From 1841 onwards, detailed enumerators’ returns have been compiled for each district, giving a house-by-house, person-by-person breakdown of the population. The Census Returns for 1841 1851 1861 1871 1881 1891 are available on microfilm at the East Sussex Records Office.

The 1871 Census Return (ref: XA 57/54-56).
Bemsells
William King age 43 – Agricultural labourer
Hannah King age 40
William King age 15
Piecival King age 11
Louisa King age 10
Samuel King age 8
Charles King age 2
Henry Hoad age 27 - Agricultural labourer
Ellen Hoad age 26
Harriett Hoad age 3
Emma Hoad age 1
Henry Hoad age 70 – Agricultural labourer

If any further investigations regarding the census are planned, please note: to the northeast of Beechcroft Farmhouse [Bimsells] is Bemzells Lane and on the modern ordnance survey is a farm named Bemzells Farm. Edwin Wood, a poultry farmer, renamed this farm in 1915. It appears as Bemzells Cottage in the census reports.

BIMSELLS
COWBEECH
HERSTMONCEUX
EAST SUSSEX BN27 4JG

tel. +44 (0)1323 832311
email: a.goldman@cowbeech.f9.co.uk
email: d.goldman@trolliloes.f9.co.uk
www.cowbeech.force9.co.uk

Courtesy of Dorothy White, Dorothy and Arnold Goldman have a copy of A Brief Archaeological Interpretative Survey of Beechcroft, Cowbeech, Herstmonceux, East Sussex by David Martin FSA MIFA and Barbara Martin, AIFA Architectural Report No. 1225 Date of Survey 14/8/1994; revision 7/10/1995.