Rodney Castleden

Into the Light Rodney Castleden

Alciston's church dates back to Saxon times, but after the Norman Conquest the village was run from Battle Abbey. It became prosperous under a progressive sheep-and-corn system. When Battle Abbey was seized by Henry VIII, the Gages of Firle became Alciston's new feudal masters. This is a village with only two owners in a thousand years. The book reviews the site's history, then gives a full record of all the inscriptions in the church and churchyard, together with plans and indexes. It is an invaluable resource for local and family history, the latest in a series that includes East Blatchington, Seaford, Bishopstone, Berwick and Selmeston. 203pp with 61 black and white illustrations.