Rottingdean

The first settled inhabitants of Rottingdean were the Neolithic people, arriving around 2500 BC. From information in the Domesday Book of 1086 it can be estimated that Rottingdean had a total population of between 50 and 100 at that time. Earlier, his forces had sacked and burnt the port of Rye, the French even taking the church's bronze bells. The raiders landed at Rottingdean, probably intending to pillage the nearby Lewes priory. The Prior of Lewes, with a force of 500 men marched to Rottingdean. The French could see them coming and set an ambush with 300 horsemen. The outnumbered English lost at least 100 men, but inflicted sufficient casualties on the French to deter them from making…

Now a public house on the High Street, the Black Horse is believed to be the oldest entire building in Rottingdean, having been built during the reign of Henry VIII, perhaps as early as 1513. It was formerly called the "Black Hole". Its lounge was once a forge.