MAYFIELD

Mayfield is a large, bustling, attractive, Wealden village, with many independent shops and stone, timber-framed and weather-boarded buildings dating from 15th century.  The Middle House Hotel is dated 1575. Situated on a high ridge, there are fabulous views.  Legend has it that St Dunstan, patron saint of ironworkers, had a forge in the village and fought the Devil by tweaking his nose with a pair of tongs.  This image is reflected in Mayfield’s village sign.  Dunstan went on to become Archbishop of Canterbury in 959AD and built a wooden church in the village – or perhaps a palace.  Certainly, the Archbishops of Canterbury had a palace here, the remains of which (with additions) are now an imposing looking school with a wonderful, medieval, gatehouse.  After the Reformation, the Palace became the home of the Elizabethan trader, financier and gun maker, Sir Thomas Gresham.  The Mayfield Cannon, cast in the Mayfield furnace, probably owned by Gresham, is on display in the High Street.  The present church, named for St Dunstan, dates from the 12th century though little remains from a disastrous fire in 1389, which destroyed the village.