Dr Mead entertained us at our March ’26 meeting with a fascinating tour of Sussex Literary Landscapes with many slides illustrating quotes from various literary works featuring places in Sussex. Dr Mead kindly sent me this overview of his talk.
Sussex has been recorded in a variety of literary forms over the past millennium, from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles of 1014 to the 21st century; diaries, novels, travel writings, government reports, poetry; even the Venetian Senate of the 14th century has a report on the Sussex coast! His talk linked period comment to mainly contemporary views and images of the county, thus exemplifying the key concept of Historical Geography –“ All landscapes show Continuity: all landscapes show Change’
This was an interesting quote about Chichester!
“I cannot say much for the city of Chichester, in which, if six or seven good families were removed, there would not be much conversation, except what is to be found among the canons, and the dignitaries of the cathedral. This city is not a place of much trade, nor is it very populous.” A tour through the whole island of Gt Britain. Defoe 1724
On Tunbridge Wells
“I refreshed myself with a view of Tunbridge Wells…I found a great deal of good company there…so that at first I found it very difficult to get a lodging the Prince(of Wales) appeared upon the walks, went into the raffling shops, and to every public place, saw every thing and let everybody see him…company and diversion is in short the main business of the place and those people who have nothing to do anywhere else seem to be the only people who have anything to do at Tunbridge.” A tour through the whole island of Gt Britain. Defoe 1724
“Bright Helmston, commonly called Bredhemston, a poor fishing town, old built, on the very edge of the sea. The sea is very unkind to this town, and has by its continual encroachments, so gained upon them, that in a little time more they might reasonably expect it would eat up the whole town, above 100 houses having been devoured by the waters in a few years past…” A tour through the whole island of Gt Britain. Defoe 1724
Shoreham
“…we come to Shoreham, a sea-faring town, and chiefly inhabited by ship-carpenters, ship-chandlers, and all the several trades depending upon the building and fitting up of ships, which is their chief business; and they are famed for neat building, and for building good sea-boats.” A tour through the whole island of Gt Britain. Defoe 1724
Arundel
“We came to Arundel, a decayed town also; but standing near the mouth of a good river, called Arun…and the old decayed, once famous castle at Arundel, which are still belonging to the family of Howards, Earls of Arundel, a branch of the Norfolk family. A tour through the whole island of Gt Britain. Defoe 1724
The main writers he featured for the earlier period were Daniel Defoe, William Cobbett [Rural Rides] and Celia Fiennes [Through England on side saddle].
Arundel Castle 1783
Lois Coulthart & Dr Geoffrey Mead