It was hereabouts that a great burning of heretics took place in 1557.  Among the honoured names recorded upon the Martyr’s Memorial is that of Richard Woodman, ironmaster, of Warbleton, whose protests against his pastor’s weathercock attitude during the Marian persecutions resulted in the stake.  The memorial perpetuates the names of sixteen persons who suffered the fiery death at this time.  The consequence is that the zeal of the townsmen on the 5th of November is Orange in its fervour, and the streets are given up to various “fireworks” clubs whose members have been subscribing their spare shillings for months past.  Crowds ascend Saxon Down and the surrounding hills to see the display from a distance; still greater crowds throng the streets to watch the destruction in effigy of some unpopular local or national celebrity.  Of the Down land walks we have mentioned the most interesting, by reason of its fine views of the town, is to Cliffe Hill.  An extension may be made to Saxon Down, a glorious expanse of wind-swept hill; and farther on to the conical Mount Caburn, with magnificent marine views; from this point a descent may be made to Glynde, which will be described presently.

The long street of Cliffe leads northwards to South Malling; here is a conventicle named “Jireh” erected by J. Jenkyns, W.A.  These cryptic initials mean “Welsh ambassador.”  In the cemetery behind is the tomb of William Huntingdon, the evangelist, whose epitaph is as follows:—­

  “Here lies the coalheaver, beloved of his God, but abhorred of men. 
  The Omniscient Judge at the grand assize shall ratify and confirm
  this to the confusion of many thousands; for England and her
   metropolis shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.

  “W.H., S.S.” (Sinner Saved.)

The evangelist was wont to say “As I cannot get a D.D. for want of cash, neither can I get a M.A. for want of learning, therefore I am compelled to fly for refuge to S.S.”

[Illustration:  CLIFFE.]

Malling Church is of no interest except perhaps for the fact that John Evelyn laid the foundation stone.  At Old Malling once stood a Saxon collegiate church founded by Caedwalla in 688 and therefore one of the first Christian churches erected in Sussex.  The Archbishops of Canterbury had a residence near, and in the Memorials of Canterbury Dean Stanley tells how Becket’s murderers entered the house and threw their arms on the dining-table, which immediately threw them off; replaced, they were again thrown farther off with a louder crash.  One of the knights then suggested that the table refused to bear its sacrilegious burden.  This is still a popular local legend.

Ringmer, about two miles to the north-east, is closely connected with Gilbert White; the oft-quoted letter in which he says “I have now travelled the Downs upwards of 30 years, yet I still investigate that chain of majestic mountains with fresh admiration year by year” was written from here.  There are several interesting monuments and brasses in the church, especially those to the Springett family.