Note 20 — Chapter IV · AFTER THE CONQUEST, TO 1513.

The Weald of Sussex is an extensive vale that occupies the centre of the south-eastern part of the county, and, running parallel with the Downs, forms their northern boundary. It was anciently an immense forest (called by the earlier colonists, Coid Andred, by the Romans Silva Anderida, and by the Saxons Andreadswald), which, even in the time of Bede, was a mere retreat for deer and swine: the greater part is now in an excellent state of cultivation. It consists of various beds of clay, sand, and limestone, and is comparatively of low elevation; its breadth is from five to ten miles, and its length from thirty to forty miles; it is estimated to contain 425,000 acres. The surface is intersected by numerous valleys, which generally occur at the outcrop or basseting edges of the harder strata, and form channels for the numerous streams that are tributary to the rivers in their vicinity. The whole tract rises with a gradual sweep from the foot of the Downs, and unites with the higher lands of the Forest Ridge.