ABSTRACT

The year 2012 saw the building of a new Record Office for East Sussex at Falmer, whereas the one for West Sussex has experienced the effects of local government financial constraints. The gentry involved may not have been as focused on county boundaries and communities as we are led to believe from the surviving records, and the people and events on the progresses point to a society which was cross-border in nature. Thus royal progresses shed light on the development of local politics and cultural identity, and also deepen our understanding of the important role of hospitality and the impact of such visits on rural gentry's society. For example, Anthony Browne was the owner of Cow dray and host of a week of celebrations on the progress in 1591. However, the more important stage, being double the length of the progress in west Sussex, and Elizabeth stayed with three earls, the Bishop of Winchester and Lord Sandy's.