HISTORY OF HORSHAM DISTRICT
Although a new creation, the Horsham District can be seen as the successor of the Rape of Bramber that was created by William the Conquer at around 1080. That in turn succeeded a large Saxon estate that stretched from Washington in the south, to Horsham in the north, which was mentioned in a land charter of 947AD. In the early medieval period it was the villages along the South Downs escarpment that were important, notably Steyning and Storrington. The economic pattern of moving livestock from the Downs up to the woodland led to the creation of manor and parish outliers providing strong ties between the south and north of the District.
Gradually Horsham grew in importance especially in the 13th Century when it became a market borough and a centre for the Assizes in the 14th Century. Essentially the north of the District grew through the development of the Wealden iron industry, exploiting the natural resources of the High Weald, whilst the south grew through the wool trade. The ‘boom’ period was during the 15th and 16th centuries when a number of the typical Wealden farmhouses were built. The 17th to 19th Century saw comparative depopulation of the region with a reversal occurring in the late 20th Century.
Since the 1950’s there have been a significant number of new residents to the area, a process that will continue into the 21st Century with the new housing programme outlined by the Government.
The District has a number of important historical figures: King Alfred The Great’s father was buried at Steyning, Catherine Howard, one of King Henry VIII wives lived at Horsham, William Penn the founder of Pennsylvania lived at Warminghurst, Shelley the radical poet was born at Warnham amongst many other historical figures.
Information provided by Horsham Museum (01403) 282590