Note on Culpeper landholdings in 1565
With reference to Footnote 4 of Chapter 1, the information mentioned is here given in full, as an example of the complicated land-holding in Ardingly.
John Culpeper died intestate on 28th March, 1565. From an enquiry taken after his death, made at East Grinstead and dated 24th October, (7. Elizabeth), 1565, we find that his son and heir, Thomas Culpeper, was, seized of the following properties:-
“The Manor of Wakehurst and of lands in Erthinglighe, Hothlighe, East Grinsted, Horsted Keynes….and Balcombe, co. Sussex. Also of the advowson of Erthinghlyghe, and of an annuity of 6s. 8d. from certain lands in Erthinglighe. The said advowson is held of the Queen in free soccage, as of her manor of Grafton. co. Northampton, and the annuity as of her manor of East Greenwych, co. Kent. The Manor of Wakehurst is held of Thomas Browne Esq., as of his Manor of Walsted, co. Sussex at a rent of 12d. It and the advowson are worth 7£ per ann. Strodgate, 40 acres in Erdingley, is held of Thomas Duke of Norfolk, Edward Earl Derby and Henry Nevell, Knight, Lord Burgavenny, as of their manor of Highligh, rent 3s. worth 26s. per annum. *Hawkland, 160 acres, as of his manor of Ditchling, (in Erdinglighe) rent 6s. 8d. worth £1., Piersland in Erdinglighe, 50 acres, held of the said Lord Burgavenny, also 50 acres, called Hylland in Erdingley, of the said Lord Burgavenny, both of the said manor. Rent of latter 3s. worth 20s. All lands in other parishes are worth 33s. 4d. per annum. The said John Culpeper was seised of the manor of Great Wykham in Steyning, also of Bevyden in Falmer, of a messuage barn and lands in Southwyke, Stumblehole, Christmas land and Lynders in Ifeld and Rusper, and of Culpeper’s land in Kingston by Lewes, now occupied by William Newton. Of Tynsley in Worth, of Mylland and Picarage in Erdinglighe, held of the above Lords as of their Lordship of Lewes by one tenth of a Knight’s fee and worth 20£. per annum.”
Loder P.37, quoting Chancery Inq. p.m. 2nd series, Eliz. vol. cxli, No. 14.
*It looks as though the Churchlands mentioned in chapter 1, the Hawkland mentioned here and the Churchlands or Blackmansfelde referred to in the Book of John Rowe (P.50) are essentially the same holding.