Sussex: A county history guide

by Desmond Seward

This study of a singular English county takes the reader from ‘pagan’ Sussex to ‘Bloomsbury’ Sussex and beyond. Although sometimes critical of the encroachment of the modern world, Desmond Seward takes us behind suburbia and motorways and explores the old, secret Sussex, still there for those who want to find it, still beautiful and still mysterious. Seward brilliantly conveys his affection for the county — for its ghosts, legends and smugglers, for its castles and great country houses and, above all, for the fern-covered slopes of the Weald, the colours and shapes of the ‘soothing, healing’ Downs. Praise for Desmond Seward’s book is a well-known study of the county … an enjoyable and thoughtful read’ - Goodreadsreview Desmond Seward was educated at Ampleforth and Cambridge, and is the author of over twenty books of history, biography and travel. He has lived in Sussex for thirty years and takes a keen interest in its history, architecture and wildlife.

333 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Desmond Seward was an Anglo-Irish popular historian and the author of over two dozen books. He was educated at Ampleforth and St, Catherine's College, Cambridge. He was a specialist in England and France in the Middle Ages and the author of some thirty books, including biographies of Eleanor of Aquitane, Henry V, Richard III, Marie Antoinette and Metternich.

Reviews

[Sevket Akyildiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book explains Sussex very well indeed and contains information and stories that will make the reader sit up and say "well I never knew that about Sussex!", or "I have lived in Sussex for many years and I never knew that!"
Desmond Seward's book is a well-known study of the county, and the book is an enjoyable and thoughtful read.
The geographical range of the work covers East and West Sussex, and the history starts with the Saxons and pagans.
The author's religious knowledge (Christian) about Sussex is impressive and readable.
One sentence, pertaining to a medieval era visitor, explains: 'Visiting Southampton, the Arab geographer Idrisi heard of "the important town of Shoreham", the second port on the South Coast.' (p. 85).
Chapters include: 'Chichester', 'The Downs', 'Arundel', 'The Weald', the English Civil War, 'Pevensey', 'Sussex smugglers', 'Hastings', 'Sussex and the sea', 'Writers in Sussex', and 'Brighton'.
This book is useful for the general reader, local Sussex folk, and historical research on the county.
Readers interested in the history, society and culture of Sussex will revisit this book to check their knowledge and find new information.