CADE STREET

The Hundred Years war had provided need for the government to raise funds for the war effort, by increasing taxes. These taxes starting in the mid-13th century, and when Henry VI's government increased these taxes more, together with many corrupt local landowners requiring bribes, set the seeds for the rebellion.

In 1415 discontent was rife throughout the country so Jack Cade decided to take a stand. He roused the men of Kent “to correct public abuses and to remove evil counsellors”. 

Local notables who were part of the uprising included the clerks of Dallington and Wartling , the rector of Mayfield and even the Prior of St Pancras in Lewes. The rebellion was widespread, and the men of Appledore and Frant were known to have been in the fighting.

The rebels met the Royalist forces near to Sevenoaks, and defeated them, and stormed London, only just failing to take the Tower of London. The Lord Treasurer, Sir James Fiennes (Lord Saye), and the Archbishop of Canterbury were beheaded by the rebels, and their heads were placed on poles kissing each other. The Royalist forces regrouped and fought the rebels until both sides were exhausted. A truce was called, and Cade presented a long list of complaints, including the following.

If anyone wishes to see the King, they have to pay bribes.

The King owes significant debts to many merchants and will not pay.

Land and goods in Kent are taken by the Kings Servants without payment.

Bribery and corruption are the normal way for Judges and Sheriffs to operate.

Taxation is too high, and unfair.

The people want free elections

Being assured by the Royalist leaders that his demands would be met, and that the rebels would be pardoned, Cade handed over the list of rebels, and the rebels went back to their fields, where the harvest was waiting. 

Cades army declining in size, and the demands not having been agreed by either Parliament or the King, made his position insecure. The King demanded his arrest, and Cade fled to the Weald. He was hunted down by Alexander Iden, the Sheriff of Kent, who caught up with Cade near Heathfield at a hamlet now called Cade Street. Cade was injured and died on the way to London, and his body was hung drawn and quartered, and his head fixed on a pole on London Bridge. Although the rebels’ demands weren't met, in general with the exception of the ringleaders, the pardon was kept. The ringleaders were all killed, and their dismembered bodies distributed around the country as a warning to other would-be rebels.

There is however, a school of thought that Cade actually died at Hothfield near Ashford in Kent, rather than Heathfield in Sussex.

Cade Street also sported a long-standing traditiion that was upheld throughout Sussex for many years. On 14th April gipsy horse traders and pedlars from all over the South of the country would gather in Cade Street for an annual Spring market. Once everyone had gathered, an elderly gipsy woman would release a cuckoo from her basket. Once the cry of ‘cuckoo’ has been heard by all, the buying and selling could begin. The gipsy woman was nicknamed Dame Heffle, or Hefful, as this is a contraction of Heathfield. Sadly the fair faded away shortly before WWI but was revived in 2005 with a parade of children instead of horse traders and pedlars.

Also to be found in Cade Street, is the Independent Chapel. Built in 1767 it is a simple symmetrical building with an oval window over its south facing porch.  The Independent Chapel at Chapel Cross, lies between Cade Street and Punnetts Town. The chapel was known locally for many years as 'The Chocolate Church' from a habit of the Pastor, one PJ Pont, to distribute those delicacies to the children attending Sunday school. Inside the Chapel, and decorating headstones in the churchyard are several very attractive relief plaques of terracotta. These were made in the early 19th century by Jonathan Harmer of Heathfield. The colours of the plaques vary from cream to red, and feature such designs as cherubs, vases and baskets of fruit. The terracottas can be seen in several churchyards in the Heathfield area.