Editing Sussex

{{short description|Cultural and historic region of England}}
{{Redirect|County of Sussex||Sussex County (disambiguation){{!}}Sussex County}}
{{About|the historic county in England|the administrative counties into which Sussex is divided|East Sussex|and|West Sussex|other uses|Sussex (disambiguation)}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox historic subdivision|
| Name                   = Sussex
| subdivision_type       = [[historic counties of England|Historic county]]
| image                  = {{multiple images
|image1= View from Devil's Dyke towards Poynings.jpg
|image2= Chichester Cross - geograph.org.uk - 6217492.jpg
|image3= Eastbourne Pier (geograph 6773225).jpg
|border=infobox |perrow=1/2 |total_width=250px}}
| image_caption          = A view from [[Devil's Dyke, Sussex|Devil's Dyke]];<br/> [[Chichester]]; and [[Eastbourne Pier]]
| image_flag             = Flag of Sussex.svg
| flag_caption           = [[Flag of Sussex|Flag]]
| image_coat             = 
| symbol_type            = Six yellow [[martlet]]s
| HQ                     = [[County town|Various]] 
| Government      = 
| Origin                 = [[Sub-Roman Britain]]
| Status                 = [[Historic counties of England|Historic county]]
| Start                  = [[Kingdom of Sussex|5th century]] (traditionally 477)
| End                    = 
| Code                   = SSX
| CodeName               = [[Chapman code]]
| Motto                  = ''"[[We wunt be druv]]"''
| membership_title1     = Ceremonial counties
| membership1           = [[East Sussex]] • [[West Sussex]]
| Divisions              = [[Rape (county subdivision)|Rapes]] (largest & most notable of differing former subdivisions)
| DivisionsMap           = [[File:Rapes of Sussex.svg|250px|Rapes of Sussex]]
| DivisionsNames         = {{ubl|[[Rape of Chichester|1 Chichester]]|[[Rape of Arundel|2 Arundel]]|[[Rape of Bramber|3 Bramber]]|[[Rape of Lewes|4 Lewes]]|[[Rape of Pevensey|5 Pevensey]]|[[Rape of Hastings|6 Hastings]]}}
| Map                    = [[File:Sussex - British Isles.svg|250px|Location of Sussex]]
| coordinates            = {{coord|51|0|format=dms|type:landmark|display=title,inline}}
| Arms                   = 
| Civic                  = 
}}
'''Sussex''' ([[Help:IPA/English|/ˈsʌsɪks/]]; {{audio|LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-Sussex.wav|}} from the [[Old English]] ''Sūþseaxe''; <abbr>lit.</abbr> '[[South Saxons]]'; 'Sussex') is an area within [[South East England]] that was historically a [[kingdom of Sussex|kingdom]] and, later, a [[Historic counties of England|county]]. It includes the [[Ceremonial counties of England|ceremonial counties]] of [[East Sussex]] and [[West Sussex]].

The area borders the [[English Channel]] to the south, and the [[Ceremonial counties of England|ceremonial counties]] of [[Surrey]] to the north, [[Kent]] to the north-east, and [[Hampshire]] to the west. Sussex contains the city of [[Brighton and Hove]] and its wider [[Greater Brighton City Region|city region]], as well as the [[South Downs National Park]] and the [[National Landscape]]s of the [[High Weald National Landscape|High Weald]] and [[Chichester Harbour]]. Its coastline is {{convert|137|mi|order=out}} long.

The [[Kingdom of Sussex]] emerged in the fifth century in the area that had previously been inhabited by the [[Regni]] tribe in the [[Roman Britain|Romano-British]] period. In about 827, shortly after the [[Battle of Ellendun]], Sussex was conquered by [[Wessex]]. From 860 it was ruled by the [[kings of Wessex]], and in 927 it became part of the [[Kingdom of England]]. By the [[Sussex in the High Middle Ages|Norman period]], Sussex was subdivided into six administrative districts known as [[Rape (county subdivision)|rapes]], which were themselves divided into [[Hundred (county division)|hundreds]]. By the sixteenth century, the eastern three rapes and the western three rapes had been combined for most meetings of the [[court of quarter sessions]], a division which was reinforced when the [[Administrative counties of England|administrative counties]] of East Sussex and West Sussex were established in 1889. Subsequent local government reforms maintained the division into east and west. The county retained a single [[Lord Lieutenant of Sussex|lord lieutenant]] and [[Sheriff of Sussex|sheriff]] until 1974, when they were replaced with separate posts for [[Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex|East]] and [[Lord Lieutenant of West Sussex|West Sussex]] and Sussex lost its status as a ceremonial county.
In February 2025, the UK Government approved plans to devolve powers to a new county [[combined authority]] for Sussex, to be headed by a [[Directly elected mayors in England|directly elected mayor]], expected to be known formally as the Mayor of Sussex and Brighton.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/sussex-and-brighton-devolution/sussex-and-brighton-devolution-consultation|title=Sussex and Brighton devolution consultation|publisher=Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government|accessdate=2 March 2025|date=17 February 2025}}</ref>

Sussex is widely regarded as a single unified entity for some purposes, including provision of some public services,<ref group="nb">e.g. for [[Sussex Police]], [[Healthcare in Sussex|NHS Sussex]], the [[Sussex Wildlife Trust]], the Sussex [[Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority]]</ref> food and drink<ref group="nb">e.g. [[Sussex wine|wine]], [[beer in Sussex|beer]], cheese</ref> and [[Sport in Sussex|sport]].<ref group="nb">e.g. [[Sussex County Cricket Club]], [[Sussex County Football Association]], [[Sussex Rugby Football Union]]</ref> In 2007, [[Sussex Day]] was created to celebrate the county's [[Culture of Sussex|culture]] and [[History of Sussex|history]].

==Toponymy==
The name "Sussex" is derived from the [[Middle English]] {{lang|enm|Suth-sæxe}}, which is in turn derived from the [[Old English]] {{lang|ang|Sūþseaxe}}, meaning "(land or people) of the [[South Saxons]]" (cf. [[Essex#History|Essex]], [[Middlesex#Origin and toponymy|Middlesex]] and [[Wessex]]). The South Saxons were a [[Germanic peoples|Germanic tribe]] that settled in the region from the [[North German Plain]] during the fifth and sixth centuries.

The earliest-known usage of the term South Saxons (Latin: {{lang|la|Australes Saxones}}) is in a royal charter of 689 which names them and their king, [[Nothhelm of Sussex|Noðhelm]], although the term may well have been in use for some time before that. The monastic chronicler who wrote up the entry classifying the invasion seems to have got his dates wrong; recent scholars have suggested he might have been a quarter of a century too late.<ref name="lowerson"/>

In the [[Domesday Book]] of 1086, Sussex is recorded as ''Sudsexe''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Open Domesday: Sussex|url=https://opendomesday.org/book/sussex/01/|access-date=14 January 2024}}</ref>

Three [[United States]] [[County (United States)|counties]] (in [[Sussex County, Delaware|Delaware]], [[Sussex County, New Jersey|New Jersey]] and [[Sussex County, Virginia|Virginia]]), and a former [[Lands administrative divisions of Western Australia|county/land division]] of [[Sussex County, Western Australia|Western Australia]], are named after Sussex.

==Symbols==
{{Main|Symbols of Sussex}}
[[File:Sussex shield.svg|thumb|upright|The traditional Sussex emblem first-known recording in 1611 by John Speed: ''[[Azure (heraldry)|Azure]], six [[martlet]]s [[Or (heraldry)|or]]'']]

The [[flag of Sussex]] consists of six gold [[martlet]]s, or heraldic [[swallow]]s, on a blue background, [[blazon]]ed as ''[[Azure (heraldry)|Azure]], six martlets [[Or (heraldry)|or]]''. Recognised by the [[Flag Institute]] on 20 May 2011, its design is based on the [[coat of arms of Sussex|heraldic shield of Sussex]]. The first-known recording of this emblem being used to represent the county was in 1611 when cartographer [[John Speed]] deployed it to represent the [[Kingdom of Sussex|Kingdom of the South Saxons]]. However, it seems that Speed was repeating an earlier association between the emblem and the county, rather than being the inventor of the association. It is now firmly regarded that the county emblem originated and derived from the [[coat of arms]] of the 14th-century [[Knight of the Shire]], Sir [[John de Radynden]].<ref>{{cite web | title = The Sussex County Flag | publisher = The Sussex County Flag| url=http://sussexflag.wordpress.com|date=December 2016 | access-date = 8 December 2016}}</ref> Sussex's six martlets are today held to symbolise the traditional six sub-divisions of the county known as ''[[Rape (county subdivision)|rapes]]''.<ref>{{cite web | title = Sussex Martlets | publisher = The Sussex County Flag| url=http://sussexflag.wordpress.com/sussexmartlets/|date=December 2016 | access-date = 8 December 2016}}</ref>

[[File:Campanulaceae - Phyteuma orbiculare.JPG|thumb|left|The [[Phyteuma orbiculare|round-headed rampion]], or Pride of Sussex, is Sussex's county flower.]]

''[[Sussex by the Sea]]'' is regarded as the unofficial anthem of Sussex; it was composed by [[William Ward-Higgs]] in 1907, perhaps originally from the lyrics of [[Rudyard Kipling]]'s poem entitled ''Sussex''. Adopted by the [[Royal Sussex Regiment]] and popularised in [[World War I]], it is sung at celebrations across the county, including those at [[Lewes Bonfire]], and at sports matches, including those of [[Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club]] and [[Sussex County Cricket Club]].

The county day, called [[Sussex Day]], is celebrated annually on 16 June, the feast day of [[St Richard of Chichester]], Sussex's [[patron saint]], whose shrine at [[Chichester Cathedral]] was an important place of pilgrimage in the [[Middle Ages]].

Sussex's motto, ''[[We wunt be druv]]'', is a [[Sussex dialect]] expression meaning "we will not be pushed around" and reflects the traditionally independent nature of Sussex men and women. The [[Round-headed Rampion|round-headed rampion]], also known as the "Pride of Sussex", was adopted as Sussex's [[county flower]] in 2002.

==Geography==
{{Main|Geography of Sussex}}
{{See also|Geology of East Sussex}}

===Landscape===
[[File:Seven Sisters cliffs and the coastguard cottages, from Seaford Head showing Cuckmere Haven (looking east - 2003-05-26).jpg|thumb|right|The South Downs meets the sea at the [[Seven Sisters, Sussex|Seven Sisters]].]]The physical geography of Sussex relies heavily on its lying on the southern part of the [[Weald–Artois anticline|Wealden anticline]], the major features of which are the high lands that cross the county in a west to east direction: the [[Weald]] itself and the [[South Downs]]. [[Natural England]] has identified the following seven [[national character area]]s in Sussex:<ref name="NE-NCAs">{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/landscape/englands/character/areas/southeast.aspx|title=South East and London National Character Area map|publisher=[[Natural England]]|access-date=30 April 2012}}</ref>

* [[South Coast Plain]]
* [[South Downs]]
* [[Greensand Ridge|Wealden Greensand]]
* [[Low Weald]]
* [[High Weald]]
* [[Pevensey Levels]]
* [[Romney Marsh]]es

At {{Convert|280|m|abbr=off}}, [[Blackdown, West Sussex|Blackdown]] is the highest point in Sussex, or [[List of English counties by highest point|county top]]. With a height of {{Convert|248|m}} [[Ditchling Beacon]] is the highest point in East Sussex. At {{convert|113|km|abbr=off}} long, the [[River Medway]] is the longest river flowing through Sussex. The longest river entirely in Sussex is the [[River Arun]], which is {{convert|60|km}} long. Sussex's largest lakes are man-made reservoirs. The largest is [[Bewl Water]] on the Kent border, while the largest wholly within Sussex is [[Ardingly Reservoir]].

===Climate===
The coastal resorts of Sussex and neighbouring [[Hampshire]] are the sunniest places in the United Kingdom.<ref name="MetOff"/> The coast has consistently more sunshine than the inland areas: sea breezes, blowing off the sea, tend to clear any cloud from the coast.<ref name="VisSx">{{cite web|url=http://www.visitsussex.org/page/weather-and-climate/|title=Weather and Climate in Sussex|publisher=Visit Sussex|access-date=14 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430170843/http://www.visitsussex.org/page/weather-and-climate/|archive-date=30 April 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The sunshine average is approximately 1,900 hours a year; this is much higher than the UK average of 1,340 hours a year. Most of Sussex lies in [[hardiness zone]] 8; the exception is the coastal plain west of Brighton, which lies in the milder zone 9.

Rainfall is below average with the heaviest precipitation on the South Downs with {{cvt|950|mm}} of rainfall per year.<ref name="VisSx"/> The close proximity of Sussex to [[the Continent]] of Europe, results in cold spells in winter and hot, humid weather in summer.<ref name="VisSx"/>

The climate of the coastal districts is strongly influenced by the sea, which, because of its tendency to warm up slower than land, can result in cooler temperatures than inland in the summer. In the autumn months, the coast sometimes has higher temperatures.<ref name="VisSx"/> Rainfall during the summer months is mainly from thunderstorms and thundery showers; from January to March the heavier rainfall is due to prevailing south-westerly frontal systems.<ref name="VisSx"/>

In winter, the east winds can be as cold as further inland.<ref name="VisSx"/> [[Selsey]] is known as a [[tornado]] hotspot, with small tornadoes hitting the town in 1986, 1998 and 2000,<ref name="MetOff"/> with the 1998 tornado causing an estimated £10 million of damage to 1,000 buildings.<ref name="MetOff">{{cite web|url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/so/print.html|title=Southern England: climate|publisher=Met Office|access-date=14 April 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314025659/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/so/print.html|archive-date=14 March 2012}}</ref>

===Conurbations===
Most of Sussex's population is distributed in an east–west line along the English Channel coast or on the east–west line of the [[A272]]. The exception to this pattern is the 20th-century north–south development on the [[A23 road|A23]]-[[Brighton Main Line|Brighton line]] [[Transport corridor|corridor]], Sussex's main link to London. Sussex's population is dominated by the Brighton/Worthing/Littlehampton conurbation that, with a population of more than 470,000, is home to almost 1 in 3 of Sussex's population. According to the [[Office for National Statistics|ONS]] urban area populations for continuous built-up areas, these are the five largest conurbations:
{|class="wikitable sortable"
!rowspan=2|Rank
!rowspan=2 width=100px|Urban area<ref name="FOPM_UrbanAreas">{{cite web |url=http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/census-2001-key-statistics/urban-areas-in-the-south-east/urban-areas-in-the-south-east-part-1.pdf |title=Census 2001: Key Statistics for urban areas in the South East |work=Office for National Statistics |access-date=17 May 2012}}</ref>
!colspan=2|Population
!rowspan=2|Statistical<br>localities<ref name="KS01-KSUA">[http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/census-2001-key-statistics/urban-areas-in-england-and-wales/urban-areas-in-england-and-wales-ks01-usual-resident-population.xls KS01 Usual resident population Census 2001, Key Statistics for urban areas] Office for National Statistics. Hectares converted into km<sup>2</sup></ref>
!rowspan=2 class="unsortable"|Comments
|-
!width=60px|2001 Census<ref name="FOPM_UrbanAreas"/>
!width=60px|2011 Census<ref name="BUA">{{cite web | url=http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/articles/747.aspx|title=2011 Census – Built-up areas| publisher=[[Office for National Statistics|ONS]] | access-date=10 August 2013}}</ref>
|-
!1
|[[Brighton/Worthing/Littlehampton]]
|461,181
|474,485
|10
|Sometimes referred to as two [[primary urban area]]s – Brighton Urban Area and Worthing Urban Area<ref name="PUAs-DCLG">{{cite web|url=http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/regeneration/primaryurbanareas042010|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100818125547/http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/regeneration/primaryurbanareas042010|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 August 2010|title=Primary Urban Areas and Travel to Work Area Indicators: Updating the evidence base on cities|date=20 April 2010|publisher=[[Department for Communities and Local Government]]|access-date=24 April 2012}}</ref>
|-
!2
|[[Crawley]]
|180,177
|180,508
|6
|Includes approx. 30,000 people living in Surrey.<br>In the 2001 census this urban area included [[Reigate]] and [[Redhill, Surrey|Redhill]] in Surrey but in the 2011 census it did not.<br>[[East Grinstead]] was part of this urban area for the 2011 census but it was not for previous censuses.
|-
!3
|[[Hastings]]/[[Bexhill-on-Sea|Bexhill]]
|126,386
|133,422
|2
|
|-
!4
|[[Eastbourne]]
|106,562
|118,219
|1
|
|-
!5
|[[Bognor Regis]]
|62,141
|63,885
|1
|
|}

==Population==
The combined population of Sussex as of 2021 was about 1.7 million.<ref group="nb">Combined population of local authority areas of Brighton and Hove (277,103), East Sussex, (557,229) and West Sussex (858,852)</ref> In 2021, Sussex had a population density of 451 per km<sup>2</sup>, higher than the average for England of 434 per km<sup>2</sup>.

*The earliest statement as to the population of Sussex is made by [[Venerable Bede|Bede]], who describes the county in the year 681 as containing land for 7,000 families; allowing ten to a family (a reasonable estimate at that date), the total population would be 70,000.<ref name=EB1911>{{EB1911|wstitle=Sussex|inline=1}}</ref>
*In 1693 the county is said to have contained 21,537 houses.
*The 1801 census found that the population was 159,311.
The decline of the Sussex ironworks probably accounts for the small increase in population during several centuries, although after the [[Massacre of St Bartholomew]] upwards of 1,500 [[Huguenots]] landed at Rye, and in 1685, after the revocation of the [[Edict of Nantes]], many more refugees were added to the county.<ref name=EB1911/> The population of Sussex was 550,446 in 1891 and 605,202 in 1901.<ref name=EB1911/>

==History==
{{Main|History of Sussex|Timeline of Sussex history}}

===Beginnings===

Finds at [[Eartham Pit, Boxgrove|Eartham Pit]] in Boxgrove show that the area has some of the earliest hominid remains in Europe, dating back some 500,000 years and known as Boxgrove Man or ''[[Homo heidelbergensis]]''. At a site near Pulborough called The Beedings, tools have been found that date from around 35,000 years ago and that are thought to be from either the last [[Neanderthals]] in northern Europe or pioneer populations of modern humans.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7466735.stm | publisher=BBC News | first=Christine | last=McGourty | title='Neanderthal tools' found at dig | date=23 June 2008}}</ref> The thriving population lived by hunting game such as horses, bison, [[mammoth]]s and [[woolly rhino]]s.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/3345244/Neanderthal-tools-reveal-advanced-technology.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090821142720/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/3345244/Neanderthal-tools-reveal-advanced-technology.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=21 August 2009 | work=The Daily Telegraph| first=Roger | last=Highfield | title=Neanderthal tools reveal advanced technology | date=23 June 2008 | location=London}}</ref> Around 6000 BC, the ice sheet over the North Sea melted, sea levels rose and the meltwaters burst south and westwards, creating the English Channel and cutting the people of Sussex off from their [[Mesolithic]] kinsmen to the south. Later in the [[Neolithic]] period, the area of the South Downs above Worthing was one of Britain's largest and most important [[flint]]-mining centres.<ref name="SSST10">{{Harvnb|Kerridge|Standing|2000|p=10.}}</ref> The flints were used to help fell trees for agriculture. The oldest of these mines, at Church Hill in Findon, has been carbon-dated to 4500 BC to 3750 BC, making it one of the earliest known mines in Britain. Flint tools from [[Cissbury]] have been found as far away as the eastern Mediterranean.<ref name="SteyningMus">{{cite web|url=http://steyningmuseum.org.uk/prehistory.htm|title=Prehistory: The Downs Above Steyning|publisher=Steyning Museum|access-date=3 February 2014|archive-date=21 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221060711/http://steyningmuseum.org.uk/prehistory.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Sussex is rich in remains from the [[Bronze Age|Bronze]] and [[Iron Age]]s, in particular the Bronze Age barrows known as the [[Devil's Jumps, Treyford|Devil's Jumps]] and [[Cissbury Ring]], one of Britain's largest hillforts. Towards the end of the Iron Age in 75 BC people from the [[Atrebates]], one of the tribes of the [[Belgae]], a mix of Celtic and German stock, invaded and occupied southern Britain.<ref name="armstrong24">Armstrong. A History of Sussex. Ch. 3.</ref> This was followed by an invasion by the Roman army under [[Julius Caesar]] that temporarily occupied south-eastern Britain in 55 BC.<ref name="armstrong24"/>
Soon after the first Roman invasion had ended, the Celtic [[Regni]] tribe under their leader [[Commius]] initially occupied the [[Manhood Peninsula]].<ref name="armstrong24"/> [[Eppillus]], [[Verica]] and [[Cogidubnus]] followed Commius as rulers of the Regni<ref name="armstrong24"/><ref name="auto3">{{harvnb|Wacher|2020|p=255}}</ref> or southern Atrebates, a region which included most of Sussex, with their capital in the Selsey area.<ref name="auto1">{{harvnb|Laycock|2012| p=}}</ref><ref name="cunliffe169">Cunliffe. Iron Age communities in Britain. p. 169.</ref>

===Roman canton===
[[File:Fishbourne model.JPG|thumb|Museum model of how Fishbourne Roman Palace may have appeared]]

A number of archaeologists now think there is a strong possibility that the [[Roman conquest of Britain|Roman invasion of Britain]] in AD 43 started around Fishbourne and Chichester Harbour rather than the traditional landing place of [[Richborough]] in Kent. According to this theory, the Romans were called to restore the refugee [[Verica]], a king whose capital was in the Selsey and Chichester area,<ref name="auto3"/> who had been driven out by the [[Catuvellauni]], a tribe based around modern Hertfordshire.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ospreypublishing.com/articles/ancient_world/The_roman_invasion_of_britain/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222053039/http://www.ospreypublishing.com/articles/ancient_world/The_roman_invasion_of_britain/|title=Osprey Publishing – Military History Books – The Roman Invasion of Britain<!-- Bot generated title -->|archive-date=22 December 2014}}</ref>

Much of Sussex was a Roman canton of the [[Regni]], probably taking a similar area to the pre-Roman tribal area and kingdom.<ref name="auto1"/> Its capital was at [[Noviomagus Reginorum]], modern-day Chichester, close to the pre-Roman capital of the area, around Selsey. Sussex was home to the magnificent [[Fishbourne Roman Palace|Roman Palace at Fishbourne]], by far the largest Roman residence known north of the Alps. The Romans built villas, especially on the coastal plain and around Chichester, one of the best preserved being that at [[Bignor]]. Christianity first came to Sussex at this time, but faded away when the Romans left in the fifth century. The nationally important Patching hoard of Roman coins that was found in 1997 is the latest find of Roman coins found in [[Great Britain|Britain]], probably deposited after 475 AD, well after the [[End of Roman rule in Britain|Roman departure from Britain]] around 410 AD.<ref name="white351">{{Citation|last=White |first=Sally|url=http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/arch-769-1/ahds/dissemination/pdf/vol42/42_088_093.pdf |title=A Mid-Fifth Century Hoard of Roman and Pseudo-Roman Material from Patching, West Sussex |year=1999 |publisher=Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies |access-date=16 November 2011 |pages=88–93 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105013906/http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/arch-769-1/ahds/dissemination/pdf/vol42/42_088_093.pdf |archive-date=5 January 2012 |display-authors=etal}}</ref>

===Kingdom of Sussex===
{{main|Kingdom of Sussex}}

[[File:British kingdoms c 800.svg|thumb|alt=Map of Britain around 800 AD showing the Kingdom of Sussex|Map of Britain around 800 AD showing the Kingdom of Sussex]]

The foundation legend of Sussex is provided by the ''Anglo-Saxon Chronicle'', which states that in the year AD 477 [[Ælle of Sussex|Ælle]] landed with his three sons.{{sfn|Welch|1992|p=9}}<ref name="asc477">ASC Parker MS. 477AD.</ref> Having fought on the banks of the [[Battle of Mercredesburne|Mearcredesburna]],<ref>ASC 485 Parker MS: ''This year Ælle fought with the Welsh nigh Mecred's- Burnsted.''
</ref> it seems Ælle secured the area between the Ouse and Cuckmere in a treaty.{{sfn|Brandon|1978|pp=23–25}} Traditionally this is thought to have been against native Britons, but it may have been to secure the area east of the [[Saxon Shore]] fort of [[Anderida]] from the influence of the Kingdom of Kent, with whom the South Saxons may have had occasional disputes.<ref name="auto1"/> Ælle was recognised as the first '[[Bretwalda]]' or overlord of southern Britain. He was probably the most senior of the [[Anglo-Saxon]] kings and led the ill-fated campaign against [[King Arthur]] at [[Mount Badon]].{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

By the seventh century, South Saxon kings were ruling from sites around Selsey (the pre-Roman capital of the area) and Chichester (the Roman capital of the area) initially with similar borders to the pre-Roman kingdom and Roman canton.<ref name="auto1"/> For much of the 7th and 8th centuries, Sussex suffered attempts at invasion from the Kingdom of Wessex to its west. King [[Æthelwealh of Sussex|Æðelwealh]] formed an alliance with Christian [[Mercia]] against Wessex, becoming Sussex's first Christian king. With support from [[St Wilfrid]], Sussex became the last major Anglo Saxon kingdom to become Christian. South Saxon and Mercian forces took control of what is now east Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. [[Cædwalla of Wessex]] killed Æðelwealh and "ravaged Sussex by fierce slaughter and devastation". The South Saxons forced Cædwalla from Sussex and were able to lead a campaign into [[kingdom of Kent|Kent]], replacing its king. At this time Sussex could have re-emerged into a regional power.<ref name="Kirby114">{{harvnb|Kirby|2000| p=114}}</ref><ref name="Venning45-46">{{harvnb|Venning|2013|pp=45–46}}</ref> Shortly afterwards, Cædwalla returned to Sussex, killing its king and oppressing its people, putting them in what Bede called "a worse state of slavery".<ref name="Brandon 1978 32">{{harvnb|Brandon|1978| p=32}}</ref> The South Saxon clergy were put under the control of West Saxon [[Diocese of Winchester|Winchester]].<ref name="Brandon 1978 32"/> Only around 715 was [[Eadberht of Selsey]] made the first [[Bishop of Chichester|bishop of the South Saxons]], after which further invasion attempts from Wessex ensued.

Following a period of rule by King [[Offa of Mercia]], Sussex regained its independence but was annexed by Wessex around 827 and was fully absorbed into the crown of Wessex in 860,<ref>{{harvnb|Higham|Ryan|2013| p=324}}</ref><ref name="Kirby 2000 169">{{harvnb|Kirby|2000| p=169}}</ref> which later grew into the Kingdom of England.

===Norman Sussex===
{{main|Sussex in the High Middle Ages}}
[[File:Harold stone.JPG|thumb|alt=Picture of plaque at Battle Abbey, the traditional site of the High Altar of Battle Abbey founded to commemorate the victory of Duke William on 14 October 1066. The high altar was placed to mark the spot where King Harold died.|Battle Abbey was founded to commemorate William's victory in the Battle of Hastings. The high altar was placed to mark the spot where King Harold died.]]

The [[Battle of Hastings]] was fought in Sussex, the victory that led to the [[Norman conquest of England]]. In September 1066, [[William of Normandy]] landed with his forces at [[Pevensey]] and erected a wooden castle at [[Hastings]], from which they raided the surrounding area.<ref name=Bates79>Bates ''William the Conqueror'' pp. 79–89</ref><ref>''Anglo-Saxon Chronicles'', pp. 198–199; Orderic, vol. 2, pp. 168–171</ref> The battle was fought between Duke William of Normandy and the English king, [[Harold Godwinson]], who had strong connections with Sussex and whose chief [[family seat|seat]] was probably in [[Bosham]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=41737|title=Victoria County History A History of the County of Sussex: Volume 4, The Rape of Chichester}}</ref> After having marched his exhausted army {{convert|250|mi}} from Yorkshire, Harold fought the Normans at the Battle of Hastings, where England's army was defeated and Harold was killed. It is likely that all the fighting men of Sussex were at the battle, as the county's [[thegns]] were decimated and any that survived had their lands confiscated.<ref name="seward5">{{Cite book|last=Seward|first=Desmond|title=Sussex|publisher=Random House|year=1995|location=London|isbn=0-7126-5133-0|pages=5–7}}</ref> William built [[Battle Abbey]] at the site of the battle, with the exact spot where Harold fell marked by the high altar.<ref name="seward5"/>

Sussex experienced some of the greatest changes of any English county under the Normans, for it was the heartland of King Harold and was potentially vulnerable to further invasion.<ref name="SxLand">{{cite book | last = Brandon | first = Peter | title = The Shaping of the Sussex Landscape | year = 2009 | publisher = Snake River Press}}</ref> In the immediate aftermath of the Normans' landing at Pevensey and the Battle of Hastings and to put an end to any rebellion, the Norman army destroyed estates and other assets on their route through Sussex, leading to a 40 per cent reduction in Sussex's wealth, a situation worse than any other southern or midland county. By 1086 wealth in Sussex was still 10 to 25 per cent lower than it had been in 1066.<ref name="Econ-Norman rule">{{cite news| url=https://www.economist.com/news/christmas-specials/21712047-england-indelibly-european-how-norman-rule-reshaped-england|newspaper=[[The Economist]]|date=24 December 2016|title=Brentry – How Norman rule reshaped England – England is indelibly European|access-date=19 February 2018}}</ref>

It was also during the Norman period that Sussex achieved its greatest importance in comparison with other English counties.<ref name="auto">{{harvnb|Armstrong|1974|p=43}}</ref> Sussex was on the main route between England and [[Normandy]], and the lands of the Anglo-Norman nobility in what is now western France. The growth in Sussex's population, the importance of its ports and the increased colonisation of the [[Weald]] were all part of changes as significant to Sussex as those brought by the neolithic period, by the Romans and the Saxons.<ref name="auto"/> Sussex also experienced the most radical and thorough reorganisation of land in England. The county's existing sub-divisions, known as rapes, were made into castleries and each territory was given to one of William's most trusted barons. Castles were built to defend the territories including at Arundel, Bramber, Lewes, Pevensey and Hastings. Sussex's bishop, [[Æthelric II]], was deposed and imprisoned and replaced with William the Conqueror's personal chaplain, [[Stigand of Selsey|Stigand]].<ref name="kelly9">{{cite book|last=Kelly|first= S.E|title= Anglo-Saxon Charters VI, Charters of Selsey|year= 1998|publisher=OUP for the British Academy| isbn=0-19-726175-2}}</ref> The Normans also built [[Chichester Cathedral]] and moved the seat of Sussex's bishopric from Selsey to Chichester. The Normans also founded new towns in Sussex, including New Shoreham (the centre of modern Shoreham-by-Sea), Battle, Arundel, Uckfield and Winchelsea.<ref name="SxLand"/>

===Sussex under the Plantagenets===
In 1264, the Sussex Downs were the location of the [[Battle of Lewes]], in which [[Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester|Simon de Montfort]] and his fellow barons captured Prince Edward (later [[Edward I]]), the son and heir of [[Henry III of England|Henry III]]. The subsequent treaty, known as the [[Mise of Lewes]], led to Montfort summoning the [[Simon de Montfort's Parliament|first parliament]] in English history without any prior royal authorisation. A provisional administration was set up, consisting of Montfort, the [[Stephen Bersted|Bishop of Chichester]] and the [[Gilbert de Clare, 7th Earl of Gloucester|Earl of Gloucester]]. These three were to elect a council of nine, to govern until a permanent settlement could be reached.<ref>{{Citation|last=Powicke|first=F. M.|title=The Thirteenth Century: 1216-1307|publisher=Clarendon Press|location=Oxford|year=1962|orig-year=1953|edition=2nd}}
</ref>
During the [[Hundred Years' War]], Sussex found itself on the frontline, convenient both for intended invasions and retaliatory expeditions by licensed French pirates.<ref name="lowerson">{{Cite book|last=Lowerson|first=John|title=A Short History of Sussex|publisher=Dawson Publishing|year=1980|location=Folkestone|isbn=978-0-7129-0948-8}}</ref> Hastings, Rye and Winchelsea were all burnt during this period<ref name="lowerson"/> and all three towns became part of the [[Cinque Ports]], a loose federation for supplying ships for the country's security. Also at this time, [[Amberley Castle|Amberley]] and [[Bodiam Castle|Bodiam]] castles were built to defend the upper reaches of navigable rivers.<ref name="lowerson"/>
One of the impacts of the war and the [[Black Death]], which killed around half of the population of Sussex,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/economics/staff/sbroadberry/wp/medievalpopulation7.pdf|last1=Broadberry|first1=Stephen|last2=Campbell|first2=Bruce M.S.|last3=van Leeuwen|first3=Bas|title=English Medieval Population: Reconciling Time Series and Cross Sectional Evidence|page=9|type=PDF|publisher=University of Warwick|date=27 May 2010|access-date=25 April 2015|archive-date=18 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418164704/https://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/economics/staff/sbroadberry/wp/medievalpopulation7.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> was the perceived injustice that led many Sussex people to participate in the [[Peasants' Revolt]] of 1381. Coastal areas suffered most from the Black Death, and took longest to recover. Instead much economic activity in Sussex was focused on the Weald. Merchants moved north from the coastal towns and many Continental craftsmen, fleeing religious persecution, brought their expertise to the timber, iron, clothmaking and glass industries.<ref>{{harvnb|Payton|2017| pp=85–86}}</ref> Economic and social tensions continued for many years as Sussex people were also involved in [[Jack Cade]]'s rebellion of 1450, in which Cade may have been killed at [[Cade Street]], near Heathfield. Demands grew more radical in Sussex in 1451 when [[John and William Merfold]] advocated rule by common people. They also demanded that [[Henry VI of England|Henry VI]] be deposed and publicly incited the killing of the nobility and clergy.<ref>{{harvnb|Mate|1992|p=667}}</ref>

===Early modern Sussex===
The [[Wealden iron industry]] expanded rapidly, especially after the first [[blast furnace]] arrived in Sussex in 1496, from the [[Low Countries]], which greatly improved efficiency. Skilled Flemish workers moved to Sussex, followed again by [[Huguenot]] craftsmen from France, who brought new techniques. The industry was strategically important and flourished into the 17th century, after which it began to decline. It also brought widespread [[deforestation]] of parts of the Sussex Weald.<ref>{{harvnb|Payton|2017| pp=85–89}}</ref>

[[File:Atlas Van der Hagen-KW1049B11_013-SUTHSEXIA._Vernacule_SUSSEX..jpeg|thumb|250px|Hand-drawn map of Sussex from 1645.]]

[[Henry VIII]]'s separation of the [[Church of England]] from Rome and the [[dissolution of the monasteries]] led to the demolition of [[Lewes Priory]] and [[Battle Abbey]] and the sites being given to Henry's supporters. The shrine to [[Richard of Chichester|St Richard]] at Chichester Cathedral was also destroyed. [[Mary I of England|Mary I]] returned England to Catholicism and in Sussex [[List of Protestant martyrs of the English Reformation|41 Protestants were burned to death]]. Under [[Elizabeth I]], religious intolerance continued albeit on a lesser scale, with several people being executed for their Catholic beliefs.<ref name="lowerson"/> In Elizabeth's reign, Sussex was open to the older Protestant forms practised in the Weald as well as the newer Protestant forms coming from Continental Europe; combined with a significant Catholic presence, Sussex was in many ways out of step with the rest of southern England.{{sfn|Dimmock|Quinn|Hadfield|2013|p=205}}

Sussex escaped the worst ravages of the [[English Civil War]], although control of the Wealden iron industry was strategically important to both sides. In 1642 there was a skirmish at [[Battle of Muster Green|Haywards Heath]] when [[Cavalier|Royalists]] marching towards Lewes were intercepted by local [[Roundhead|Parliamentarians]]. The Royalists were routed with around 200 killed or taken prisoner.<ref name="CivWar">{{cite web|url=http://www.british-civil-wars.co.uk/military/1642-south.htm|title=1642: Civil War in the South East|access-date=29 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510075517/http://www.british-civil-wars.co.uk/military/1642-south.htm|archive-date=10 May 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Shortly after there were [[siege]]s at [[Siege of Chichester|Chichester]] and [[Siege of Arundel|Arundel]], and a smaller battle at [[Battle of Bramber Bridge|Bramber Bridge]]. Despite its being under Parliamentarian control, [[Charles II of England|Charles II]] was able to [[Escape of Charles II|journey through the county]] after the [[Battle of Worcester]] in 1651 to make his escape to France from the port of Shoreham.

In 1681 Charles II granted [[William Penn]] lands in what became [[Pennsylvania]] and [[Delaware]]. Amongst those whom he carried to North America as colonists were 200 people from Sussex, mostly Quakers,<ref name=lower341>Lower. Worthies of Sussex. p. 341</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Smith Futhey|Cope|1995|p=21}}</ref> who founded settlements named after places in Sussex including [[Lewes, Delaware|Lewes]] and [[Seaford, Delaware|Seaford]] in [[Sussex County, Delaware|Sussex County]], Delaware and [[Horsham Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania|Horsham Township]] and [[Chichester Friends Meetinghouse|Chichester]] in Pennsylvania.

The Sussex coast was greatly modified by the social movement of [[sea bathing]] for health which became fashionable among the wealthy in the second half of the 18th century.<ref name="SxLand"/> Resorts developed all along the coast, including at Brighton, Hastings, Worthing, and Bognor.<ref name="SxLand"/>

===Late modern and contemporary Sussex===
Poverty increased and by 1801 Sussex had the highest [[poor law]] rates in England, with 23 per cent of its population (37,000 people out of 160,000) living on the breadline and receiving regular relief.<ref>{{harvnb|Payton|2017| p=118}}</ref> Socially acceptable crimes, including protest, riot, collective action and [[smuggling]] were commonplace in Sussex and were seen by many as a legitimate way to address grievances and assert freedoms. At this time, Sussex became a centre for [[radicalism (historical)|radicalism]].<ref>{{harvnb|Payton|2017| pp=119–120}}</ref> [[Thomas Paine]] developed his political ideas in Lewes, and later wrote ''[[Common Sense]]'' which was influential in the [[American Revolution]].<ref>{{harvnb|Thomas|2020| p=166}}</ref> Known as 'the radical duke',<ref name="radical">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/apr/21/declaration-of-independence-sussex-england-rare |title=Rare parchment manuscript of US Declaration of Independence found in England |last=Yuhas |first=Alan |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=22 April 2017 |access-date=22 April 2017}}</ref> [[Charles Lennox, 3rd Duke of Richmond]], was an early supporter of parliamentary reform and US independence.<ref name=odnb>{{cite ODNB|url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/16451?docPos=3 |title=Charles Lennox, 3rd Duke of Richmond|year=2004 |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/16451 |access-date=21 June 2014|last1=Lowe |first1=William C. }}</ref><ref>{{EB1911|inline=y|wstitle=Richmond, Earls and Dukes of|volume=23|page=306|first=Ronald John|last=McNeill|author-link=Ronald McNeill, 1st Baron Cushendun}}</ref> [[Richard Cobden]] was a product of Sussex's rural radicalism,<ref>{{harvnb|Payton|2017| p=120}}</ref> and became a campaigner for [[free trade]] and peace. Poet [[Percy Bysshe Shelley]] was another influential radical from Sussex.

At the beginning of the 19th century agricultural labourers' conditions took a turn for the worse with an increasing amount of them becoming unemployed, those in work faced their wages being forced down.<ref name="harrison249">Harrison. The common people. pp. 249–253</ref> Conditions became so bad that it was even reported to the [[House of Lords]] in 1830 that four harvest labourers (seasonal workers) had been found dead of starvation.<ref name="harrison249"/> The deteriorating conditions of work for the agricultural labourer eventually triggered riots, first in neighbouring Kent, and then in Sussex, where they lasted for several weeks, although the unrest continued until 1832 and became known as the [[Swing Riots]].<ref name="harrison249"/><ref name="horspool339">Horspool. The English Rebel. pp. 339–340</ref>

During [[World War I]], on 30 June 1916, the [[Royal Sussex Regiment]] took part in the [[Battle of the Boar's Head]] at [[Richebourg-l'Avoué]].<ref name="Richebourg">{{cite web|url=http://www.royalsussex.org.uk/Richebourg.htm|title=The Day Sussex Died|access-date=29 November 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405001844/http://www.royalsussex.org.uk/Richebourg.htm|archive-date=5 April 2012}}</ref> The day subsequently became known as '''The Day Sussex Died'''.<ref name="Richebourg"/> Within five hours the 17 officers and 349 men were killed,<ref name="Richebourg"/> and 1,000 men were wounded or taken prisoner.<ref name="Richebourg"/> In 1918 the terms of the armistice to be offered to Germany at the end of [[World War I]] were agreed at a meeting at [[Danny House]], [[Hurstpierpoint]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dannyhouse.org.uk/history.html|publisher=Danny House|title=Danny House – History|access-date=17 March 2015|archive-date=22 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150322164910/http://dannyhouse.org.uk/history.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> With the declaration of [[World War II]], Sussex found itself part of the country's frontline with its airfields playing a key role in the [[Battle of Britain]] and with its towns being some of the most frequently bombed.<ref name="leslie118">Kim Leslie and Marlin Mace. Sussex Defences in the Second World War ''in'' Kim Leslie. An Historical Atlas of Sussex. pp. 118-119.</ref> Sussex was garrisoned by multiple British and Canadian Army units from 1940 until at least May 1942.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Collier |first1=Basil |title=The Defence of the United Kingdom |date=1957 |publisher=HMSO |location=London |pages=219, 229, 293 |url=https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/UK-Defence-UK/index.html}}</ref> During the lead up to the [[Dieppe Raid]] and [[D-Day]] landings, the people of Sussex were witness to the buildup of military personnel and materials, including the assembly of landing crafts and construction of [[Mulberry harbour]]s off the county's coast.<ref name="brandon302">Brandon. Sussex. pp. 302–309.</ref>

In the post-war era, the [[New Towns Act 1946]] designated Crawley as the site of a [[new town]].<ref name="SuppMem">{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200102/cmselect/cmtlgr/603/603ap23.htm|title=Select Committee on Transport, Local Government and the Regions: Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence. Supplementary memorandum by Crawley Borough Council (NT 15(a))|access-date=2 April 2008|publisher=The Information Policy Division, Office of Public Sector Information|year=2002|work=United Kingdom Parliament Publications and Records website|archive-date=9 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130209085816/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200102/cmselect/cmtlgr/603/603ap23.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> As part of the [[Local Government Act 1972]], the eastern and western divisions of Sussex were made into the ceremonial counties of East and West Sussex in 1974. Boundaries were changed and a large part of the [[rape of Lewes]] was transferred from the eastern division into West Sussex, along with Gatwick Airport, historically part of the county of Surrey.

==Governance==
{{See also|History of local government in Sussex}}

===Politics===
{{Main|Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner|Sussex (UK Parliament constituency)|High Sheriff of Sussex|Lord Lieutenant of Sussex|Custos Rotulorum of Sussex}}

In February 2025, Government ministers approved proposals under the [[English Devolution Bill]] to create a mayoral [[combined authority|strategic authority]] for Sussex. Devolved areas of responsibility would include transport, public safety, health, the environment and climate change, housing, economic growth, skills and jobs. Under these proposals, the people of Sussex could directly elect a Mayor of Sussex and Brighton to oversee the strategic authority as soon as May 2026. The strategic authority would also see the abolition of the [[Greater Brighton City Region]] and all of the existing local authorities in Sussex, to be replaced by at least three unitary authorities, to be based significantly on the areas currently covered by [[East Sussex County Council]], [[West Sussex County Council]] and [[Brighton and Hove City Council]]. The post of [[Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner]] would also be abolished under the proposals.

Amongst top-tier local authorities, [[East Sussex County Council|East]] and [[West Sussex County Council]]s are both held by the Conservatives and [[Brighton and Hove City Council]] is led by Labour. Amongst district councils, as of June 2024, the Lib Dems had a majority in three local authorities ([[Chichester District|Chichester]], [[Eastbourne Borough Council|Eastbourne]] and [[Horsham District|Horsham]]) and the Labour Party had a majority in three local authorities ([[Adur District|Adur]], [[Crawley Borough Council|Crawley]] and [[Worthing Borough Council|Worthing]]). Of the six local authorities in [[no overall control]], one had a minority Green administration ([[Hastings Borough Council|Hastings]]), one was run by a Lib Dem-Labour-Green coalition ([[Arun District|Arun]]), one was run by a Green-Labour coalition ([[Lewes District|Lewes]]), one as run by a Lib Dem-Independent coalition ([[Mid Sussex District|Mid Sussex]]) one was run by an Independent-Labour-Lib Dem-Green coalition ([[Rother District|Rother]]) and one had a Lib Dem-Green coalition ([[Wealden District|Wealden]]). Conservative [[Katy Bourne]] is the [[Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner]], having first been elected in 2012.

In the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]], the lower house of the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|UK Parliament]], Sussex is represented by 17 MPs. At the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]], 6 [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] and [[Labour and Co-operative|Labour Co-op]] MPs, 5 [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] MPs, 5 [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Lib Dem]] MPs and 1 [[Green Party of England and Wales|Green]] MP were elected from Sussex constituencies.

From 1290, Sussex returned two [[Members of Parliament]] to the [[House of Commons of England|House of Commons]] of the [[Parliament of England]]. Each county returned two MPs and each borough designated by Royal charter also returned two MPs. After the [[Acts of Union 1707|union]] with Scotland two members represented the county in the [[House of Commons of Great Britain]] from 1707 to 1800 and of the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom]] from 1801 to 1832. The Reform Act 1832 led to the disenfranchisement of some of the smaller Sussex boroughs<ref name="leslie72"/> and divided what had been a single county constituency into [[East Sussex (UK Parliament constituency)|eastern]] and [[West Sussex (UK Parliament constituency)|western]] divisions, with two representatives elected for each division.<ref name="horsefieldapp23">Horsfield. The History, Antiquities and Topography of the County of Sussex. Volume II. Appendix pp. 23–75.</ref> The reforms of the 19th century made the electoral system more representative, but it was not until 1928 that there was universal suffrage.<ref name="leslie72">Richard Childs. Parliamentary Representation ''in'' Leslies, An Historical Atlas of Sussex. pp. 72–73.</ref>

There was a strong [[Radical politics|radical]] and [[Republicanism in the United Kingdom|republican]] tradition in Sussex from the 19th century.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/sussex/vol6/pt2/pp131-156|title=Victoria County History A History of the County of Sussex: Horsham: General history of the town}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thekeep.info/collections/themes/politics-popular-protest/|title=Politics & Popular Protest|publisher=The Keep|access-date=8 January 2022|archive-date=8 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108100139/https://www.thekeep.info/collections/themes/politics-popular-protest/|url-status=dead}}</ref> For most of the 20th century Sussex was a [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] stronghold—from the [[1906 United Kingdom general election|1906]] to [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997]] general elections the only seats in Sussex won by parties other than the Conservatives were in the constituencies of [[Brighton (UK Parliament constituency)|Brighton]] and [[Brighton Kemptown (UK Parliament constituency)|Brighton Kemptown]]. Since 1997 there has been a gradual shift to the left, especially in more urban areas. This has been most notable in Brighton and Hove, where in [[Brighton Pavilion (UK Parliament constituency)|Brighton Pavilion]] the UK's first [[Green Party of England and Wales|Green]] MP, [[Caroline Lucas]], was elected in 2010 and the UK's first Green-led local authority was elected in 2011.

In the [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum|2016 referendum on UK membership of the EU]], the people of Sussex voted to leave the EU by the narrowest of margins, by 50.23% to 49.77% or 4,413 votes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wscountytimes.co.uk/news/result-sussex-votes-to-leave-by-majority-of-just-4-400-votes-1-7447628|title=RESULT: Sussex votes to leave by majority of just 4,400 votes|work=West Sussex County Times|date=24 June 2017|access-date=24 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36617385|title=EU referendum: Sussex votes narrowly for Brexit|publisher=BBC|date=24 June 2017|access-date=24 January 2018}}</ref>

===Law===
Headquartered in Lewes, [[Home Office]] policing in Sussex has been provided by [[Sussex Police]] since 1968.<ref name="SxPolRec">{{cite web|url=http://www.police-recruitment.co.uk/sussex-police-recruitment/ |title=Sussex Police Force |access-date=7 August 2012 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

[[File:Law Courts, High Street, Lewes (NHLE Code 1043780) (March 2022).JPG|thumb|left|Lewes Crown Court is the first-tier Crown Court for Sussex.]]

The first-tier [[Crown Court]] for all of Sussex is [[Lewes Crown Court]], which has courts in Lewes, Brighton and Hove. Like other first-tier Crown Courts it has its own resident [[High Court judge (England and Wales)|High Court Judge]]. There is also a third-tier Crown Court at Chichester. The [[Prisoner security categories in the United Kingdom|local]] prison in Sussex for men is [[Lewes (HM Prison)|Lewes Prison]]<ref name="Old Pol">{{cite web|url=http://www.oldpolicecellsmuseum.org.uk/page_id__488_path__.aspx|title=Lewes Crown Court & Prison|access-date=7 August 2012|archive-date=7 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407075348/http://www.oldpolicecellsmuseum.org.uk/page_id__488_path__.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> and there is also a Category D prison at [[Ford (HM Prison)|Ford]].

===Administrative divisions===

====Historic sub-divisions====
{{main | Rape (county subdivision)}}
[[File:Sussex administrative map 1832.png|thumb|right|Map of Sussex in 1851 showing the six Rapes]]

A [[Rape (county subdivision)|rape]] is a traditional territorial sub-division of Sussex, formerly used for various administrative purposes.<ref name="Chisholm 1911, p. 900">{{EB1911 |inline=1 |wstitle=Rape (division)|display=Rape |volume=22 |page=90 }}</ref> Their origin is unknown, but they appear to predate the [[Norman Conquest]]<ref>The origin was still reported as "contested" as late as 1942 (Helen Maud Cam (preface dated 1942), ''Liberties & communities in medieval England: Collected Studies in Local Administration and Topography'', 1944:193).</ref> Each rape was split into several [[hundred (division)|hundred]]s and may be [[Romano-British]] or [[Anglo-Saxon]] in origin.<ref name="EPNS-AMetc">{{Cite book|last=Mawer|first=Allen, F. M. Stenton with J. E. B. Gover|title=Sussex – Part I and Part II|publisher=English Place-Name Society|orig-year=1929|year=1930}}</ref>

At the time of the Norman Conquest, there were four rapes: Arundel, Lewes, Pevensey and Hastings. The [[rape of Bramber]] was created later in the 11th century and the [[rape of Chichester]] was created in the 13th century.

====Modern local authority areas====
Local government in Sussex has been [[History of local government in Sussex|subject to periodic review over time]]. Currently, Sussex is currently divided into
* two counties for ceremonial purposes,
*for administrative purposes, into two [[non-metropolitan counties|county council areas]] (East and West Sussex) and one unitary authority, the city of Brighton and Hove.
There is a [[non-metropolitan district|two-tier structure]] for East Sussex and West Sussex with [[local education authority|education]], [[social services]], libraries, public transport and [[waste disposal]] carried out by the [[county councils]] and [[planning permission|local planning]] and [[Building regulations in the United Kingdom|building control]] carried out by the district and borough councils.

For the governance of a long narrow territory it became practical to divide the county into two sections. The three eastern rapes of Sussex became east Sussex and the three western rapes became west Sussex. This began in 1504, with separate administrations ([[Quarter Sessions]]) for east and west, a situation recognised by the County of Sussex Act 1865. Under the [[Local Government Act 1888]], the two divisions became two [[administrative counties of England|administrative counties]] (along with three [[county borough]]s (Brighton, [[Hastings]] and, from 1911, [[Eastbourne]]) that were independent of the administrative counties).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/newsroom/CONNECTIONS_12%20.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525062727/http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/newsroom/CONNECTIONS_12%20.pdf|title=CONNECTIONS 12 .pdf<!-- Bot generated title -->|archive-date=25 May 2013}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="2" | Ceremonial county<br>(post 1974)
![[West Sussex]]
!colspan="2"|[[East Sussex]]
|-
|[[File: West Sussex UK relief location map.jpg |frameless]]
| colspan="2"|[[File: East Sussex UK relief location map.jpg |frameless]]
|-
! Upper tier
| 1.&nbsp;West Sussex
| 2.&nbsp;East Sussex
| rowspan="2" | 3.&nbsp;[[Brighton & Hove]] (unitary, post 1997) 
|-
! Lower tier
|{{flatlist|
*[[Worthing]]
*[[Arun District|Arun]]
*[[Chichester (district)|Chichester]]
*[[Horsham (district)|Horsham]]
*[[Crawley]]
*[[Mid Sussex District|Mid Sussex]]
*[[Adur (district)|Adur]]}}
|{{flatlist|
*[[Hastings]]
*[[Rother District|Rother]]
*[[Wealden District|Wealden]]
*[[Eastbourne]]
*[[Lewes (district)|Lewes]]}}
|}

==Economy==
Despite its location in the prosperous South East of England, there is considerable economic variation within Sussex. In most areas within Sussex, economic output is close to or significantly lower than the UK average and is far below the average for South East England. For statistical purposes, the UK Government pairs Sussex at the [[NUTS2]] level with Surrey, a significantly better off region, which to some degree masks the level of deprivation in Sussex. In 2018 the four Sussex statistical areas at the NUTS3 level had a GDP per head that varied between £18,852 (58.6% of the UK average) and £33,711 (104.6% of the UK average), and was typically below the UK average of £32,216. This was in contrast to the two areas in Surrey, which had a GDP per head of £37,429 and £42,433, well above the UK average.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/grossdomesticproductgdp/datasets/regionalgrossdomesticproductallnutslevelregions|title=Regional gross domestic product all NUTS level regions|access-date=11 August 2020}}</ref> There is also serious deprivation in Sussex comparable to the most deprived UK inner city areas. Some areas of Sussex are in the top 5 per cent most deprived in the UK and, in some areas, two-thirds of children are living in poverty.<ref name="SxUnc">{{cite web|url=http://www.sussexgiving.org.uk/sussexuncoveredreportlaunch/|publisher=Sussex Community Foundation|title=Report Shows 'Serious Deprivation' in Sussex|date=November 2013|access-date=25 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140526031101/http://www.sussexgiving.org.uk/sussexuncoveredreportlaunch/|archive-date=26 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2011, two [[Local Enterprise Partnership]]s were formed to improve the economy in Sussex. These were the Coast to Capital LEP, covering West Sussex, Brighton and Hove and the Lewes district in the west of East Sussex, as well as parts of Surrey and South London; and the South East LEP, which covers the local authority area of East Sussex, as well as Kent and Essex. In the most populous part of Sussex, around the [[Brighton/Worthing/Littlehampton|Brighton and Hove Built-up area]], the [[Greater Brighton City Region|Greater Brighton City Deal]] was formed to enable the area to fulfil its economic potential, into one of the highest performing urban economies in the UK.<ref name="GBCD">{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/288903/Greater_Brighton_City_Deal.pdf|type=PDF|title=Greater Brighton City Deal|access-date=26 May 2014}}</ref>

Tourism in Sussex is well established, and includes seaside resorts and the [[South Downs National Park]]. Brighton and Hove has a high density of businesses involved in media, particularly digital or "[[new media]]"; since the 1990s Brighton has been referred to as "Silicon Beach".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/09/22/brightons-silicon-beach-tech-cluster-finally-breaks-shore/|title=Brighton's Silicon Beach tech cluster finally breaks shore|website=[[TechCrunch]]|date=22 September 2011 }}</ref> The Greater Brighton City Deal seeks to develop Brighton's creative-tech cluster under the name Tech City South.<ref name="GBCD"/> The [[University of Sussex]] and the [[University of Brighton]] provide employment for many more. A large part of the county, centred on [[Gatwick Airport]] has been recognised as a key economic growth area for South East England<ref name="GwkDi">{{cite web|url=http://www.midsussex.gov.uk/7953.htm|title=Gatwick Diamond|publisher=[[Mid Sussex District Council]]|access-date=8 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020073658/http://midsussex.gov.uk/7953.htm|archive-date=20 October 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> while reasonable rail connections allow many people to work in [[London]].
Several large companies are based in Sussex including [[American Express]] (Brighton),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brightonbusiness.co.uk/htm/ni20080906.534158.htm |title=3000+ jobs safeguarded with American Express decision |date=6 September 2008 |publisher=Brighton Business |access-date=13 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100709083316/http://www.brightonbusiness.co.uk/htm/ni20080906.534158.htm |archive-date=9 July 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[The Body Shop]] (Littlehampton), [[Bowers & Wilkins]] (Worthing), [[Hastings Insurance]] and [[Park Holidays UK]] (Bexhill), [[Ricardo plc]] (Shoreham-by-Sea), [[Rolls-Royce Motor Cars]] (Goodwood), [[Thales UK]] (Crawley), [[Alfa Laval]] (Eastbourne) and [[Virgin Atlantic]] (Crawley).

The Sussex Weald had an [[Wealden iron industry|iron working industry]] from the Iron Age until the 19th century. The glass making industry started on the Sussex/Surrey border throughout the late medieval period until the 17th century.<ref name="brandon175">Brandon. Sussex. pp. 175–176.</ref> Agriculture in Sussex depended on the terrain, so in the sticky clays and acid sands of the Sussex Weald, pastoral and mixed farming took place, with sheep farming being common on the chalk downland. Fishing fleets continue to operate along the coast, notably at Rye and Hastings. There are working harbours at Rye, Hastings, Newhaven and Shoreham; while Pagham, Eastbourne and Chichester harbours cater for leisure craft, as does Brighton Marina. The Mid Sussex area had a thriving clay industry in the early 20th century.

==Transport==
Sussex's two main [[trunk roads]] are maintained by the UK [[Department for Transport]] - these are the A27/A259, which runs east-west along the coast, linking Chichester, Worthing, Brighton and Lewes and Hastings; and the A23/M23 which runs north-south, connecting Brighton and Crawley with Gatwick Airport and London. Other routes are maintained by local authorities and main routes include the A21 (Hastings to London), A22 (Eastbourne to London), and A24 (Worthing to London).

Rail transport in Sussex is provided by the [[Govia Thameslink Railway]] (GTR) on the [[Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern]] franchise. This includes the [[Southern (Govia Thameslink Railway)|Southern]], [[Thameslink]] and [[Gatwick Express]] brands. Principle routes include the [[Brighton Mainline]], [[East Coastway line]], [[West Coastway line]], [[Arun Valley line]] and [[Marshlink line]]. Since the 2010s it has been several interested parties have been examining the possibility of reopening the [[Wealden Line|Uckfield — Lewes]] line, which would provide an alternative route to London to the Brighton Mainline.

Located 3 miles north of Crawley town centre is [[Gatwick Airport]], the UK's second-busiest and in 2024 the 10th busiest airport in the world. Sussex has two commercial ports, th ports of [[Port of Newhaven|Newhaven]] and [[Shoreham-by-Sea]]. Connected to [[Newhaven Harbour railway station]], [[DFDS]] provides a cross-channel passenger ferry service from the port of Newhaven to [[Dieppe]] in Normandy, France. From Dieppe there are rail services that provide onward connections to [[Rouen]] and [[Paris]].

==Education==
The oldest university in Sussex is the research intensive [[University of Sussex]], founded in 1961<ref name="USx">{{cite web|url=http://www.sussex.ac.uk/aboutus/|title=University of Sussex – About Us|publisher=University of Sussex|access-date=20 October 2012}}</ref> at Falmer in Brighton, the first new university in England since World War II. The university consistently ranks among the top 20 universities in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/university-sussex|title=University of Sussex|date=16 July 2015}}</ref> It is home to the [[Institute of Development Studies]] and the [[Science Policy Research Unit]], alongside more than 40 other established research centres.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sussex.ac.uk/spru/|title=SPRU – Science Policy Research Unit : University of Sussex|author=SPRU|website=sussex.ac.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ids.ac.uk/|title=Home|website=Institute of Development Studies}}</ref>

In 1992 it was joined by the [[University of Brighton]] (with campuses in Brighton, Eastbourne and [[University Centre Hastings|Hastings]]) and in 2005 by the [[University of Chichester]] (with campuses in Chichester and Bognor Regis).<ref name="UChi">{{cite web|url=http://www.chi.ac.uk/about-us/our-history|title=Our History|publisher=University of Chichester|access-date=20 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018204728/http://www.chi.ac.uk/about-us/our-history|archive-date=18 October 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Validated by [[University of the Arts London]], [[higher education]] is also provided at [[Greater Brighton Metropolitan College]], whose campuses in Brighton, Worthing and Shoreham-by-Sea are referred to as MET University Centre.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gbmc.ac.uk/university-centre-met|title=MET University Centre|publisher=[[Greater Brighton Metropolitan College]]|access-date=8 September 2020}}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

[[The Prebendal School]] in Chichester is the oldest known school in Sussex<ref name="Preb">{{cite web|url=http://prebendalschool.org.uk/HistoryTradition.html |title=History and Tradition |publisher=The Prebendal School |access-date=20 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120903133646/http://www.prebendalschool.org.uk/HistoryTradition.html |archive-date=3 September 2012 }}</ref> and probably dates to when the Normans moved the Sussex bishopric from [[Selsey Abbey|Selsey]] to [[Chichester Cathedral]] in the 11th century.<ref name="Preb"/> Primary and secondary education in the state sector in Sussex is provided by its three [[Local education authority|local education authorities]] of [[East Sussex County Council|East]] and [[West Sussex County Council]]s and [[Brighton and Hove City Council]]. Sussex also has some of the best-known [[independent schools]] in England including [[Christ's Hospital|Christ's Hospital School]], [[Brighton College]], [[Eastbourne College]], [[Lancing College]] and [[Battle Abbey School]].

==Healthcare==
{{main|Healthcare in Sussex}}
[[File:Royal Sussex County Hospital2.png|thumb|The main building of the Royal Sussex County Hospital]]

The Sussex County Hospital (now the [[Royal Sussex County Hospital]]) was founded in 1828 at Brighton<ref name="RSCH-History">{{cite web|url=http://www.bsuh.nhs.uk/hospitals/our-hospitals/royal-sussex-county-hospital/#RSCH-history|title=Royal Sussex County Hospital – History|publisher=Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust|access-date=9 September 2012|archive-date=30 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830084850/http://www.bsuh.nhs.uk/hospitals/our-hospitals/royal-sussex-county-hospital/#RSCH-history|url-status=dead}}</ref> while the Sussex County Mental Asylum (later 'St. Francis Hospital' and now the [[Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath|Princess Royal Hospital]]) was founded in 1859 in the centre of county at Haywards Heath.<ref name="TheTimeChamber-SxCA">{{cite web|url=http://www.thetimechamber.co.uk/Sites/Hospital/HaywardsHeath/StFrancisHaywardsHeath.php|title=Sussex County Asylum, St Francis Hospital|date=14 August 2012|publisher=The Time Chamber|access-date=9 September 2012|archive-date=8 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608002640/http://www.thetimechamber.co.uk/Sites/Hospital/HaywardsHeath/StFrancisHaywardsHeath.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Sussex's first [[medical school]], the [[Brighton and Sussex Medical School]], was set up in 2002. In 2011 the four Sussex NHS [[primary care trust]]s (PCTs) joined forces to become NHS Sussex.<ref name="NHSSx">{{cite web|url=http://www.sussex.nhs.uk/nhs-sussex-our-role-in-the-nhs|title=Our role in the NHS|publisher=NHS Sussex|access-date=9 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130104918/http://www.sussex.nhs.uk/nhs-sussex-our-role-in-the-nhs|archive-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> The Major Trauma Centre at the Royal Sussex County Hospital is the [[Trauma centre|Major Trauma Centre]] for Sussex with the Sussex's other hospitals acting as trauma units. It is one of only five major trauma centres across the NHS's South of England area.<ref name="BBC-TC">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-17581752|title=Five major trauma centres named in south of England|publisher=BBC|access-date=9 September 2012|date=2 April 2012}}</ref> The hospital also houses the Sussex Cancer Centre which serves most of Sussex.<ref name="Sx Cancer Centre">{{cite web|url=http://www.bsuh.nhs.uk/about-us/hospital-redevelopment/key-areas-of-development/sussex-cancer-centre/|title=Sussex Cancer Centre|publisher=Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust|access-date=9 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830094717/http://www.bsuh.nhs.uk/about-us/hospital-redevelopment/key-areas-of-development/sussex-cancer-centre/|archive-date=30 August 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="SxCancerNetwork">{{cite web|url=http://www.sussexcancer.nhs.uk/|title=Sussex Cancer Network – About Us|publisher=Sussex Cancer Network|access-date=9 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505134410/http://www.sussexcancer.nhs.uk/|archive-date=5 May 2013}}</ref>

==Culture==
{{main|Culture of Sussex}}
Sussex has a centuries-old reputation for being separate and culturally distinct from the rest of England.<ref name="SxPeople"/> The people of Sussex have a reputation for independence of thought<ref name="ESx">{{cite web|url=http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/nr/rdonlyres/be6fb159-a111-485b-9c65-20affc6b7874/0/culturalstrategy2008.pdf|title=A Cultural Strategy for East Sussex County Council|access-date=26 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521072013/https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/nr/rdonlyres/be6fb159-a111-485b-9c65-20affc6b7874/0/culturalstrategy2008.pdf|archive-date=21 May 2013}}</ref> and have an aversion to being pushed around, as expressed through the Sussex motto, [[We wunt be druv]]. Sussex is known for its strong tradition of [[Sussex Bonfire Societies|bonfire celebrations]] and its proud musical heritage. Sussex in the first half of the 20th century was a major centre for [[modernism]], and saw many radical artists and writers move to its seaside towns and countryside.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/people/dr-hope-wolf-s-exhibition-focusing-on-sussex-modernism-7204276|title=Dr Hope Wolf's exhibition focusing on Sussex modernism|publisher=Sussex Life|date=8 February 2017|access-date=19 July 2021}}</ref>

The county is home to the [[Brighton Festival]] and the [[Brighton Fringe]], England's largest arts festival.<ref>{{cite web|last=James |first=Ben |url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/10716518.Brighton_fringe_celebrates_best_year_yet/ |title=Brighton fringe celebrates best year yet (From The Argus) |publisher=Theargus.co.uk |date=4 October 2013 |access-date=11 July 2014}}</ref> [[Brighton Pride]] is one of the UK's largest and oldest [[gay pride]] [[pride parade|parade]]s and other pride events take place at most other major towns including Crawley,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/crawley-pride-2021-when-is-it-who-is-performing-what-will-there-be-to-do-all-you-need-to-know-3281967|title=Crawley Pride 2021: When is it? Who is performing? What will there be to do? – All you need to know|publisher=Crawley Observer|date=22 June 2021|first=Mark|last=Dunford|access-date=27 June 2021}}</ref> Eastbourne,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eastbournepride.co.uk/|title=Eastbourne Pride|publisher=Eastbourne Pride|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=30 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030192414/http://eastbournepride.co.uk/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Hastings<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hastingspride.org.uk/|title=Hastings Pride|publisher=Hastings Pride|access-date=27 June 2021}}</ref> and [[Worthing Pride|Worthing]]. Chichester is home to the [[Chichester Festival Theatre]] and [[Pallant House Gallery]].

===Architecture===
[[File:Brighton royal pavilion Qmin.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Royal Pavilion]], Brighton]]

Sussex's building materials reflect its geology, being made of [[flint]] on and near the South Downs and [[sandstone]] in the Weald.<ref name="NandP17">{{Cite book|last=Nairn|first=Ian and Nikolaus Pevsner|title=The Buildings of England – Sussex|publisher=Yale University Press|year=1965|location=New Haven and London|isbn=978-0-300-09677-4|page=17}}</ref> [[Brick]] is used across the county.<ref name="NandP17"/>

Typically conservative and moderate,<ref name="NandP56">{{Cite book|last=Nairn|first=Ian and Nikolaus Pevsner|title=The Buildings of England – Sussex|publisher=Yale University Press|year=1965|location=New Haven and London|isbn=978-0-300-09677-4|page=56}}</ref> the architecture of Sussex also has elaborate and eccentric buildings rarely matched elsewhere in England including the [[Saxon architecture|Saxon]] [[Church of St Mary the Blessed Virgin, Sompting]], [[Castle Goring]], which has a front and rear of entirely different styles and Brighton's [[Indo-Saracenic]] [[Royal Pavilion]].

===Dialect===
{{main|Sussex dialect}}
Historically, Sussex has had its own dialect with regional differences reflecting its cultural history. It has been divided into variants for the three western rapes of West Sussex, the two eastern rapes of Lewes and Pevensey and an area approximate to the easternmost rape of Hastings.<ref name="SxPeople"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/arch-285-1/dissemination/pdf/vol_145/09Roper.pdf|last=Roper|first=Jonathan|year=2007|title=Sussex glossarists and their illustrative quotations|access-date=26 September 2012}}</ref> The Sussex dialect is also notable in having an unusually large number of words for mud, in a way similar to the popular belief which exists that the Inuit have an [[Eskimo words for snow|unusually large number of words for snow]].<ref name="SxMisc">{{cite book|last=Collins|first=Sophie|title=A Sussex Miscellany|publisher=Snake River Press|location=Alfriston|year=2007|isbn=978-1-906022-08-2}}</ref>

===Literature===
Writers born in Sussex include the [[Renaissance]] poet [[Thomas May]] and playwrights [[Thomas Otway]], and [[John Fletcher (playwright)|John Fletcher]]. One of the most prolific playwrights of his day, Fletcher is thought to have collaborated with [[Shakespeare]]. Notable Sussex poets include [[William Collins (poet)|William Collins]], [[William Hayley]], [[Percy Bysshe Shelley]],<ref name="BBC-PBS">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/shelley_percy_bysshe.shtml|title=Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822)|publisher=BBC|access-date=11 February 2012}}</ref> [[Richard Realf]], [[Wilfrid Scawen Blunt]],<ref name="FWM-WSB">{{cite web|url=http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/gallery/hiddenhistories/biographies/bio/adventure/bluntws_biography.html|title=Biography: Wilfrid Scawen Blunt (1840-1922)|publisher=[[Fitzwilliam Museum]]|access-date=11 February 2012|archive-date=27 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427192337/http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/gallery/hiddenhistories/biographies/bio/adventure/bluntws_biography.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Edward Carpenter]] and [[John A. Scott|John Scott]]. Other writers from Sussex include [[Sheila Kaye-Smith]], [[Noel Streatfeild]], [[Patrick Hamilton (writer)|Patrick Hamilton]], [[Rumer Godden]], [[Hammond Innes]], [[Angus Wilson]], [[Maureen Duffy]], [[Angela Carter]], [[William Nicholson (writer)|William Nicholson]], [[Peter James (writer)|Peter James]], [[Kate Mosse]] and [[Alex Preston (author)|Alex Preston]].

[[File:Percy Bysshe Shelley by Alfred Clint.jpg|thumb|Percy Bysshe Shelley is one of Sussex's best-known poets.]]

In addition there are writers, who while they were not born in Sussex had a strong connection. This includes [[Charlotte Turner Smith]], [[William Blake]], [[Alfred Tennyson]], [[H. G. Wells]], [[Hilaire Belloc]], [[John Cowper Powys]], [[Arthur Conan Doyle]], [[Henry James]], [[E. F. Benson]], [[John Roman Baker]], [[James Herbert]] and [[AA Milne]], who lived in Ashdown Forest for much of his life and set his Winnie-the-Pooh stories in the forest. Sussex has been home to four winners of the [[Nobel Prize in Literature]]: [[Rudyard Kipling]] spent much of his life in Sussex, living in Rottingdean and later at Burwash.<ref>[http://www.kipling.org.uk/rg_sussex2.htm "Kipling.s Sussex: The Elms"]. Kipling.org.</ref> Irishman [[W. B. Yeats]] spent three winters living with American poet [[Ezra Pound]] at Colemans Hatch in the Ashdown Forest<ref name="OddCouple">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/01/10/books/the-odd-couple-pound-and-yeats-together.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm|title=The Odd Couple – Pound and Yeats Together|newspaper=The New York Times|date=10 January 1988|access-date=21 February 2013|first1=James|last1=Longenbach}}</ref> and towards the end of his life spent much time at Steyning and Withyham;<ref name="CritComp">{{cite book|first=David A.|last=Ross|title=Critical Companion to William Butler Yeats: A Literary Reference to His Life|publisher=Infobase Publishing|year=2009|isbn=978-0816058952|pages=27, 600}}</ref> [[John Galsworthy]] spent much of his life in Bury in the Sussex Downs;<ref name="SD-Oth">{{cite web|url=http://www.southdowns.gov.uk/learning/themes-to-study/cultural-heritage/literature/other-writers |title=Other writers |publisher=South Downs National Park Authority |access-date=30 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121210153421/http://www.southdowns.gov.uk/learning/themes-to-study/cultural-heritage/literature/other-writers |archive-date=10 December 2012 }}</ref> and [[Harold Pinter]] lived in Worthing in the 1960s.<ref name="ParRev">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.theparisreview.org/interviews/4351/the-art-of-theater-no-3-harold-pinter|title=Interviews: Harold Pinter, The Art of Theater No. 3|last=Bensky|first=Larry|magazine=[[Paris Review]]|year=1966|access-date=30 January 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070101223541/http://www.theparisreview.org/media/4351_PINTER.pdf|archive-date=1 January 2007}}</ref>

===Music===
{{Main|Music of Sussex}}
Sussex's rich musical heritage encompasses folk, classical and popular genres amongst others. Composed by William Ward-Higgs, ''[[Sussex by the Sea]]'' is the county's unofficial [[anthem]].<ref name="SxMusic"/> Passed on through [[oral tradition]], many of Sussex's traditional songs may not have changed significantly for centuries, with their origins perhaps dating as far back as the time of the [[South Saxons]].<ref name="SxPeople">{{cite book|last=Hare|first=Chris|title=A History of the Sussex People|publisher=Southern Heritage Books|location=Worthing|year=1995|isbn=978-0-9527097-0-1}}</ref> [[William Henry Hudson]] compared the singing of the Sussexians with that of the [[Basques]] and the [[Tehuelche people]] of [[Patagonia]], both peoples with ancient cultures.<ref name="NIDnland">{{cite book|last=Hudson|first=W.H.|title=Nature in Downland|url=https://archive.org/details/cu31924022545093|publisher=Longmans, Green and Co.|location=London|year=1900}}</ref> The songs sung by the [[Copper Family]], [[Henry Burstow]], Samuel Willett, Peter and Harriett Verrall, David Penfold and others were collected by John Broadwood and his niece [[Lucy Broadwood]], [[Kate Lee (English singer)|Kate Lee]] and composers [[Ralph Vaughan Williams]] and [[George Butterworth]].<ref name="SxMusic">{{cite book|last= Weeks|first=Marcus|title=Sussex Music|publisher=Snake River Press|location=Alfriston|year=2008|isbn=978-1-906022-10-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last= Merrick|first=W.P.|title=Folk Songs from Sussex|publisher=English Folk Dance and Song Society|year=1953}}</ref> Sussex also played a major part in the folk music revival of the 1960s and 1970s with various singers including [[Pop Maynard|George 'Pop' Maynard]], [[Scan Tester]], Tony Wales and the sisters
[[Dolly Collins|Dolly]] and [[Shirley Collins]].<ref name="SxMusic"/>

[[File:The Cure Live in Singapore 2- 1st August 2007.jpg|thumb|The Cure performing live in Singapore]]

Sussex has also been home to many composers of classical music including [[Thomas Weelkes]], [[John Ireland (composer)|John Ireland]], [[Edward Elgar]], [[Frank Bridge]], [[Sir Hubert Parry]] and [[Ralph Vaughan Williams]], who played a major part in recording Sussex's traditional music.<ref name="SxMusic"/> While [[Glyndebourne]] is one of the world's best known opera houses, the county is home to professional orchestras the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra<ref name="BPO">{{cite web|url=http://www.brightonphil.org.uk/|title=Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra|access-date=13 December 2011}}</ref> and the [[Worthing Symphony Orchestra]].<ref name="WSO">{{cite web|url=http://www.worthingtheatres.co.uk/WorthingSymphonyOrchestra |title=Worthing Symphony Orchestra |access-date=13 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019062937/http://www.worthingtheatres.co.uk/WorthingSymphonyOrchestra/ |archive-date=19 October 2011 }}</ref>

In [[popular music]], Sussex has produced artists including [[Leo Sayer]], [[The Cure]], [[Levellers (band)|The Levellers]], [[Brett Anderson]], [[Keane (band)|Keane]], [[The Kooks]], [[The Feeling]], [[Rizzle Kicks]], [[Conor Maynard]], [[Tom Odell]], [[Royal Blood (band)|Royal Blood]], [[Rag'n'Bone Man]], [[Celeste (singer)|Celeste]], [[Architects (British band)|Architects]] and [[Maisie Peters]]. In the 1970s, Sussex was home to [[Phun City]],<ref name="UKRF-PhunCity">{{cite web|url=http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/phun-city-menu.html|title=Phun City Free Festival 1970|access-date=14 February 2010}}</ref> the UK's first large-scale free music festival and hosted the [[Eurovision Song Contest 1974|1974 Eurovision Song Contest]] which propelled [[ABBA]] to worldwide fame. Major festivals include [[The Great Escape Festival]]<ref name="GuardTGE">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/great-escape-festival|title=Great Escape festival|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=30 April 2012|location=London|date=28 March 2012}}</ref> and [[Glyndebourne Festival Opera]].

===Television===
Due to the size of the county, it is covered by more than one TV station:

*[[BBC South East]] covers [[Brighton & Hove]] and [[East Sussex]], and also [[Haywards Heath]], [[East Grinstead]], [[Burgess Hill]] and [[Shoreham-by-Sea]] in [[West Sussex]].
*[[BBC South]] covers the remainder of [[West Sussex]].
*[[ITV Meridian]] is another regional news which covers the county.
*[[Crawley]] is covered by both regions, but receives a better TV signal from [[BBC London]] and [[ITV London]].

===Religion===
{{Main|Religion in Sussex}}
{{See also|History of Christianity in Sussex}}
[[Christianity]] is the predominant religion in Sussex with 57.8 per cent of the population identifying as Christian in the [[2011 United Kingdom census|2011 census]].<ref name=ks2011>{{cite web|title=Scotland's Census 2011: Table KS209SCa |url=http://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/documents/censusresults/release2a/scotland/KS209SCa.pdf |publisher=scotlandcensus.gov.uk| access-date=26 September 2013}}</ref> Other results from the 2011 census are: 1.4 per cent as [[Islam|Muslim]], 0.7 per cent as [[Hinduism|Hindu]] and 30.5 per cent as having [[irreligion|no religion]].<ref name=ks2011/>

[[File:Chichester Cathedral, West Sussex, at Sunrise.jpg|thumb|left|[[Chichester Cathedral]] became the seat of Sussex's cathedral in 1075 after it was moved from [[Selsey Abbey|Selsey]].]]

Sussex has been a single diocese of the established church since the eighth century, after St Wilfrid founded [[Selsey Abbey]] on land granted by [[Aethelwalh of Sussex|King Æðelwealh]], Sussex's first Christian king. The Normans moved the location of Sussex's cathedral to [[Chichester Cathedral|Chichester]] in 1075. Since 1965 [[Arundel Cathedral]] has been the seat of the [[Roman Catholic]] [[Bishop of Arundel and Brighton|Bishops of Arundel and Brighton]], which covers Sussex and Surrey. The [[Church of England|established church]] and the [[Catholic Church in England and Wales|Catholic Church]] were historically strongest in western and southern areas.<ref name="auto2">{{harvnb|Brandon|2006|}}</ref> In contrast, [[Protestant]] [[Nonconformist (Protestantism)|non-conformity]] was historically strongest in areas furthest from diocesan authorities in Chichester, in the south-west.<ref name="auto2"/><ref name="The Kp">{{cite web|url=https://www.thekeep.info/places/eastsussex/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911010246/http://www.thekeep.info/places/eastsussex/|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 September 2015|title=East Sussex|publisher=The Keep|access-date=8 October 2020}}</ref> This included in the Weald and in the east, where there were also links to Protestant northern Europe.<ref name="Dimmock 2013 205">{{harvnb|Dimmock|Quinn|Hadfield|2013| p=205}}</ref><ref name="The Kp"/> [[St Richard of Chichester]] is Sussex's patron saint.

According to the 2011 census there were about 23,000 [[Islam|Muslims]] in Sussex, constituting 1.4 per cent of the population. Within Sussex, Crawley had the highest proportion of Muslims with 7.2 per cent of the population.<ref name=ks2011/>

Jewish people have been recorded as living in Sussex since the 12th century and are first mentioned in 1179/80 [[pipe roll]] for Chichester. A considerable Jewish community existed in Chichester by 1186. All Sussex's Jews would have been expelled in 1290 when [[Edward I of England]] issued the [[Edict of Expulsion]]. A Jewish population had returned to Sussex by the late 18th century in Brighton and Arundel.

A wide variety of non-traditional religious and belief groups have bases in and around [[East Grinstead]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/britain/2017/02/02/the-profusion-of-minority-faiths-in-a-sussex-town-hints-at-britains-attitudes-to-religion|title=The Joy of Sects: The profusion of minority faiths in a Sussex town hints at Britain's attitudes to religion|newspaper=[[The Economist]]|date=2 February 2017|access-date=15 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=The profusion of minority faiths in a Sussex town hints at Britain's attitudes to religion|publisher=Metro|first=Danny|last=Wallace|date=24 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/08/tom-cruise-east-grinstead-scientology|title=Tom Cruise will feel right at home in East Grinstead, Britain's strangest town|first=Sam|last=Jordison|date=8 April 2016|work=The Guardian|access-date=15 October 2020}}</ref> Groups include the [[Church of Scientology]] at [[Saint Hill Manor]], [[Opus Dei]], the [[Rosicrucian Order]], the [[Pagan Federation]] and the [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons)]].{{#tag:ref|The [[London England Temple]] of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is located {{convert|3|mi|0}} north of East Grinstead, just over the [[Surrey]] border.|name=MormonEG|group=n}}

===Science===
[[Pell's equation]] and the [[Pell number]] are both named after 17th century mathematician [[John Pell (mathematician)|John Pell]]. Pell is sometimes credited with inventing the division sign, which has also been attributed to Swiss mathematician [[Johann Heinrich Rahn]], one of his students. In the 19th century, geologist and palaeontologist [[Gideon Mantell]] began the scientific study of dinosaurs. In 1822 he was responsible for the discovery and eventual identification of the first fossil teeth, and later much of the skeleton of [[Iguanodon]]. [[Braxton Hicks contractions]] are named after [[John Braxton Hicks]], the Sussex doctor who in 1872 first described the uterine contractions not resulting in childbirth.

[[File:John Maynard Keynes.jpg|thumb|JM Keynes lived at Tilton near [[Firle]] from 1925 to 1946.]]
In the 20th century, [[Frederick Soddy]] won the [[Nobel Prize in Chemistry]] for his work on [[radioactive]] substances, and his investigations into the origin and nature of [[isotopes]].<ref name="Nobel1921">{{cite web|url=https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/1921/|title=The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1921|publisher=Nobel Prize|access-date=16 November 2012}}</ref> [[Frederick Gowland Hopkins]] shared the [[Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine]] in 1929 with [[Christiaan Eijkman]], for discovering the growth-stimulating [[vitamin]]s.<ref name="Nobel1929">{{cite web|url=https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/1929/|title=The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1929|publisher=Nobel|access-date=16 November 2012}}</ref> [[Martin Ryle]] shared the [[Nobel Prize for Physics]] in 1974<ref name="Nobel">{{cite web|url=https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1974/ryle.html|title=The Nobel Prize in Physics 1974|publisher=Nobel Prize|access-date=14 November 2012}}</ref> with Cornishman [[Antony Hewish]], the first Nobel prize awarded in recognition of astronomical research. While working at the University of Sussex, [[Harold Kroto]] won the 1996 [[Nobel Prize in Chemistry]] with [[Richard Smalley]] and [[Robert Curl]] from [[Rice University]] in the US for the discovery of [[fullerenes]].<ref name="Nobel1996">{{cite web|url=https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/1996/|title=The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1996|publisher=Nobel|access-date=16 November 2012}}</ref> [[David Mumford]] is a mathematician known for distinguished work in algebraic geometry and then for research into vision and pattern theory. He won the [[International Mathematical Union]]'s [[Fields Medal]] in 1974 and in 2010 was awarded the United States [[National Medal of Science]].

In the [[social science]]s, Sussex was home to [[economist]] [[John Maynard Keynes]] from 1925 to 1946. The founding father of [[Keynesian economics]], he is widely considered to be one of the founders of modern macroeconomics and the most influential economist of the 20th century.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/shared/pdf/prof_johnmaynardkeynes.pdf |title= book extract from ''The Commanding Heights'' |access-date=13 November 2008 |author=Daniel Yergin and Joseph Stanislaw |publisher=Public Broadcasting Service}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7682887.stm |title=How to kick-start a faltering economy the Keynes way |access-date=13 November 2008 |publisher=BBC | date=22 October 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Cohn |first=Steven Mark |title=Reintroducing Macroeconomics: A Critical Approach |page=111 |publisher=M.E. Sharpe |year=2006 |isbn=0-7656-1450-2}}</ref><ref>Davis, William L, Bob Figgins, David Hedengren, and Daniel B. Klein. "Economic Professors' Favorite Economic Thinkers, Journals, and Blogs," ''Econ Journal Watch 8(2): 126–146'', May 2011.[http://econjwatch.org/articles/economics-professors-favorite-economic-thinkers-journals-and-blogs-along-with-party-and-policy-views]</ref> [[David Pilbeam]] won the 1986 [[International Prize (Fyssen Foundation)|International Prize]] from the [[Fyssen Foundation]].<ref name="Fond Fyss">{{cite web|url=http://www.fondation-fyssen.org/prixUS.html|title=International Prize|publisher=Fondation Fyssen|access-date=6 February 2014|archive-date=21 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221205729/http://www.fondation-fyssen.org/prixUS.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In the early 20th century, Sussex was at the centre of one of what has been described as 'British archaeology's greatest hoax'.<ref name="GuardPiltdn">{{citation |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2012/feb/05/piltdown-man-archaeologys-greatest-hoax|title=Piltdown Man: British archaeology's greatest hoax|publisher=The Observer|first=Robin|last=McKie|date=5 February 2012|access-date=16 November 2012|location=London}}</ref> Bone fragments said to have been collected in 1912 were presented as the fossilised remains of a previously unknown early human, referred to as [[Piltdown Man]]. In 1953 the bone fragments were exposed as a forgery, consisting of the lower jawbone of an [[orangutan]] deliberately combined with the skull of a fully developed modern human. From 1967 to 1979, Sussex was home to the [[Isaac Newton Telescope]] at the [[Royal Greenwich Observatory]] in [[Herstmonceux Castle]].

===Sport===
{{main|Sport in Sussex|Cricket in Sussex|Football in Sussex}}
Sussex has a centuries-long tradition of sport. Sussex has played a key role in the early development of both [[cricket]] and [[stoolball]]. Cricket is recognised as having been formed in the [[Weald]] and Sussex is where cricket was first recorded as being played by men (in 1611),<ref name="auto4">{{harvnb|McCann|2004|p=xxxi}}</ref> and by women (in 1677),<ref>{{harvnb|Tomlinson|2010|p=489}}</ref> as well as being the location of the first reference to a [[cricket bat]] (in 1622)<ref name="auto4"/> and a [[wicket]] (in 1680).<ref>{{harvnb|Waghorn|1906|p=3}}</ref> Founded in 1839, [[Sussex CCC]] is England's oldest county cricket club and is the oldest professional sports club in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sussexcricket.co.uk/1st-central-county-ground-0|title=The 1st Central County Ground|publisher=Sussex Cricket|access-date=10 December 2018}}</ref> [[Slindon Cricket Club]] dominated the sport for a while in the 18th century. The cricket ground at [[Arundel Castle Cricket Ground|Arundel Castle]] traditionally plays host to a [[Duke of Norfolk's XI]] which plays the national [[test cricket|test]] sides touring England.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.history-tourist.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014201452/http://www.history-tourist.com/V2/arundel-castle_S0103.html|title=Arundel Castle|archive-date=14 October 2008|website=www.history-tourist.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/fantasy/content/ground/56747.html|title=Arundel Castle - England - Cricket Grounds - ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> Founded in 1971, the [[Sussex Cricket League]] is believed to be the largest adult cricket league in the world, with 335 teams in 2018.<ref name="Chi-SCL">{{cite web|url=https://www.chichester.co.uk/sport/how-sussex-s-cricket-league-has-become-a-world-record-breaker-1-8690646|title=How Sussex's cricket league has become a world record-breaker|date=1 November 2018|access-date=30 November 2018}}</ref> Referred to as Sussex's [[national sport|'national' sport]]<ref>{{harvnb|Coates|2010|p=79}}</ref> and a Sussex game or pastime,<ref>{{harvnb|Gomme|1894| p=219}}</ref><ref name="Locke 2011 203">{{harvnb|Locke|2011| p=203}}</ref> Sussex may be where the sport of [[stoolball]] originated and is where the sport was formalised in the 19th century and its revival took place in the early 20th century.

Sussex is represented in the [[Premier League]] by [[Brighton & Hove Albion]] and in the [[Football League]] by [[Crawley Town F.C.|Crawley Town]]. Brighton has been a League member since 1920, whereas Crawley was promoted to the League in 2011. [[Brighton & Hove Albion W.F.C.|Brighton & Hove Albion]] play in the [[FA Women's Super League]] and [[Lewes F.C. Women|Lewes]] play in the [[FA Women's Championship]]. Sussex has had its own [[Sussex County Football Association|football association]], since 1882<ref name="1st100">{{cite book|last=Harvey|first=Adrian|title=Football: The First Hundred Years: The Untold Story|publisher=Routledge|location=Abingdon|year=2005}}</ref> and its own [[Sussex County League|football league]], which has since expanded into Surrey, since 1920.<ref name="SCFLAbout">{{cite web|url=http://www.scfl.org.uk/pages/viewpage.html?view=aboutus|title=About the Sussex County Football League|publisher=Sussex County Football League|access-date=12 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204201847/http://www.scfl.org.uk/pages/viewpage.html?view=aboutus|archive-date=4 February 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> In horse racing, Sussex is home to [[Goodwood Racecourse|Goodwood]], Fontwell Park, [[Brighton Racecourse|Brighton]] and [[Plumpton Racecourse|Plumpton]]. The [[All England Jumping Course at Hickstead|All England Jumping Course]] show jumping facility hosts the [[British Jumping Derby]]<ref name=Debretts>{{cite web|publisher=Debretts|title=The DFS British Jumping Derby, Hickstead|url=http://www.debretts.com/social-season/dfs-jumping-derby-hickstead.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100904175810/http://www.debretts.com/social-season/dfs-jumping-derby-hickstead.aspx|archive-date=2010-09-04}}</ref> and the [[Royal International Horse Show]]. [[Eastbourne Eagles]] [[motorcycle speedway|speedway]] team race in the [[SGB Championship]].

===Cuisine===
{{See also|Beer in Sussex|Sussex wine}}
[[File:Sussex Pond Pudding 2.jpg|thumb|left|Sliced Sussex Pond Pudding]]

The historic county is known for its "seven good things of Sussex".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.information-britain.co.uk/food/foodlegends/Pulborough+Eels/|title=Food Legends of the United Kingdom, Pulborough Eels, Sussex|website=information-britain.co.uk|access-date=28 September 2018|archive-date=29 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929000535/http://www.information-britain.co.uk/food/foodlegends/Pulborough+Eels/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/south/series2/seven_sussex_things/02.shtml|title=BBC Inside Out – The seven Sussex things that make the South heaven|publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.francisfrith.com/shop/books/taste/1-84589-456-1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091106184428/http://www.francisfrith.com/shop/books/taste/1-84589-456-1|title=Shopping – Francis Frith<!-- Bot generated title -->|archive-date=6 November 2009}}</ref> These seven things are Pulborough eel, Selsey cockle, Chichester lobster, Rye herring, Arundel mullet, Amberley trout and Bourne [[wheatear]]. Sussex is also known for Ashdown Partridge Pudding, [[Chiddingly]] [[Hot pot]], Sussex Bacon Pudding, Sussex Hogs' Pudding, Huffed Chicken, Sussex Churdles, Sussex Shepherds Pie, [[Sussex Pond Pudding]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://historicalfoods.com/sussex-pond-pudding-recipe|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624011348/http://historicalfoods.com/sussex-pond-pudding-recipe|title=Sussex Pond Pudding Recipe – Historical Foods|archive-date=24 June 2011}}</ref> Sussex Blanket Pudding, Sussex Well Pudding, and Chichester Pudding. Sussex is also known for its cakes and biscuits known as Sussex Plum Heavies<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://historicalfoods.com/sussex-plum-heavies-recipe|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624013740/http://historicalfoods.com/sussex-plum-heavies-recipe|title=Sussex Plum Heavies Recipe – Historical Foods|archive-date=24 June 2011}}</ref> and Sussex Lardy Johns, while [[banoffee pie]] was first created in 1972 in [[Jevington]].<ref name="ArgBP">{{cite news |url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/9472404.Sussex_creators_of_Banoffee_Pie_serve_last_slice_as_Eastbourne_restaurant_closes/ |title=Sussex creators of Banoffee Pie serve last slice as Eastbourne restaurant closes |work=The Argus|date=14 January 2012|access-date=6 October 2012}}</ref><ref name="NGDishes">{{cite magazine|url=http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10/original-food-dishes-drinks/#page=2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925121022/http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10/original-food-dishes-drinks/#page=2|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 September 2011|title=Top 10 Original Dishes and Drinks|magazine=National Geographic|access-date=6 October 2012}}</ref>

The county has vineyards and a long history of [[beer in Sussex|brewing of beer]]. It is home to the 18th century beer brewers, [[Harveys Brewery|Harveys of Lewes]] as well as many more recently established breweries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westsussex.info/breweries.shtml|title=West Sussex breweries – Local Sussex beers and ales|website=westsussex.info}}</ref> There are also many cider makers in Sussex, Hunts Sussex Cider<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://theenglishappleman.com/journal_2017-05-26-Growing-Cider-Apples-organically-in-East-Sussex.asp|title=The English Apple Man, informing consumers about how the apples they buy are grown, harvested and marketed|website=theenglishappleman.com|access-date=2018-04-28}}</ref> and SeaCider<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seacider.co.uk|title=Home|website=SeaCider|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-04-28}}</ref> are the largest cider producers. With 138 vineyards in 2023, Sussex has a quarter of the UK's vineyards.<ref name="SxWinePlan">{{cite web|url=https://www.experiencewestsussex.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Sussex-Wine-Tourism-Plan-2023_compressed.pdf|type=pdf|title=Sussex Wine Tourism Plan|access-date=9 August 2023}}</ref> In 2022, Sussex wine gained [[Protected Designation of Origin]] status following decades of international acclaim with Sussex wines winning awards around the world. Many vineyards make wines using traditional [[Champagne]] varieties and methods,<ref name="IndWin"/> and there are similarities between the topography and chalk and clay soils<ref name="SxLifeWin">{{cite web|url=http://sussex.greatbritishlife.co.uk/article/sussex-wines-27966/|title=Sussex Wines|publisher=Sussex Life Magazine|date=22 December 2010|access-date=6 November 2012|archive-date=25 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225022043/http://sussex.greatbritishlife.co.uk/article/sussex-wines-27966/|url-status=dead}}</ref> of Sussex downland and that of the [[Champagne region]] which lies on a latitude {{convert|100|mi|0}} to the south.<ref name="IndWin">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/reviews/is-english-wine-really-as-good-as-anything-france-has-to-offer-7811579.html|title=Is English wine really as good as anything France has to offer?|work=The Independent|date=3 June 2012|access-date=5 October 2012|location=London|first=Terry|last=Kirby|archive-date=25 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025124031/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/reviews/is-english-wine-really-as-good-as-anything-france-has-to-offer-7811579.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="TCC">{{cite web|url=http://www.thechampagnecompany.com/sparkling-wine/nyetimber-wines-england/cat_175.html|title=Nyetimber Wines England|publisher=The Champagne Company|access-date=6 October 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120903101621/http://www.thechampagnecompany.com/sparkling-wine/nyetimber-wines-england/cat_175.html|archive-date=3 September 2012}}</ref>

===Visual arts===
[[File:Long Man of Wilmington.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[Long Man of Wilmington]] is Europe's largest representation of the human form.]]

Some of the earliest known art in Sussex is the carvings in the galleries of the [[Neolithic]] flint mines at [[Cissbury]] on the South Downs near Worthing.<ref name="UBth-FM">{{cite web|url=http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/caah/landscapeandtownscapearchaeology/neolithic_flint_mines_of_sussex.html|title=The Neolithic Flint Mines of Sussex: Britain's Earliest Monuments|publisher=University of Bournemouth|last=Russell|first=Miles|access-date=18 October 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212014543/http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/caah/landscapeandtownscapearchaeology/neolithic_flint_mines_of_sussex.html|archive-date=12 February 2013}}</ref> From the Roman period, the palace at [[Fishbourne Roman Palace|Fishbourne]] has the largest in situ collection of [[mosaic]]s in the UK,<ref name="SxPast=Fb">{{cite web|url=http://sussexpast.co.uk/properties-to-discover/fishbourne-roman-palace|title=Fishbourne Roman Palace & Gardens|publisher=Sussex Past, Sussex Archaeological Society|access-date=18 October 2012}}</ref> while the villa at [[Bignor Roman Villa|Bignor]] contains some of the best preserved [[Roman mosaic]]s in England.<ref name="HTBignor">{{cite web|url=http://www.theheritagetrail.co.uk/roman%20britain/bignor%20villa.htm|title=Bignor Roman Villa, West Sussex|publisher=The Heritage Trail|access-date=18 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707044730/http://www.theheritagetrail.co.uk/roman%20britain/bignor%20villa.htm|archive-date=7 July 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Dating from around the 12th century, the 'Lewes Group' of [[wall painting]]s can be found in several churches across the centre of Sussex, some of which are celebrated for their age, extent and quality. Of uncertain origin, the [[Long Man of Wilmington]] is Europe's largest representation of the human form.<ref name="SxPast-LM">{{cite web|url=http://sussexpast.co.uk/properties-to-discover/the-long-man|title=The Long Man|publisher=Sussex Past, The Sussex Archaeological Society|access-date=23 October 2012}}</ref>

In the late 18th century three men commissioned important works of the county which ensured that its landscapes and daily life were captured onto canvas. [[Sir William Burrell, 2nd Baronet|William Burrell]] of [[Knepp Castle]] commissioned Swiss-born watercolourist [[Samuel Hieronymus Grimm]] to tour Sussex, producing 900 watercolours of the county's buildings.<ref name="SRS">{{cite web|url=http://www.sussexrecordsociety.org.uk/listbooksdetail.asp?Id=SRS085|title=Sussex Depicted – Views and descriptions 1600-1800|publisher=Sussex Record Society|access-date=26 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604193859/http://www.sussexrecordsociety.org.uk/listbooksdetail.asp?Id=SRS085|archive-date=4 June 2013}}</ref> [[George Wyndham, 3rd Earl of Egremont]] of [[Petworth House]] was a patron of painters such as [[J. M. W. Turner]] and [[John Constable]].<ref name="SDNP-PP">{{cite web|url=http://www.southdowns.gov.uk/learning/themes-to-study/cultural-heritage/art/private-patronage |title=Private patronage |publisher=South Downs National Park Authority |access-date=26 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223231330/http://www.southdowns.gov.uk/learning/themes-to-study/cultural-heritage/art/private-patronage |archive-date=23 February 2012 }}</ref> [[John 'Mad Jack' Fuller]] also commissioned Turner to make a series of paintings which resulted in thirteen finished watercolours of Fuller's house at [[Brightling]] and the area around it.<ref name="BM-Turner">{{cite web|url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/pd/j/jmw_turner,_vale_of_ashburn.aspx|title=J.M.W. Turner, Vale of Ashburnham, a watercolour|publisher=British Museum|access-date=24 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908060637/http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/pd/j/jmw_turner,_vale_of_ashburn.aspx|archive-date=8 September 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Chichester Canal (1828).jpg|thumb|left|''[[Chichester Canal (painting)|Chichester Canal]]'', 1828, by [[J. M. W. Turner]]]]

In the 19th century landscape watercolourist [[Copley Fielding]] lived in Sussex and illustrator [[Aubrey Beardsley]] and painter and sculptor [[Eric Gill]] were born in Brighton. Gill went on to found an [[art colony]] in Ditchling known as [[The Guild of St Joseph and St Dominic]], which survived until 1989. The 1920s and 1930s saw the creation of some of the best-known works by [[Edward Burra]] who was known for his work of Sussex, Paris and Harlem<ref name="Guard-Burra">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2011/nov/18/edward-burra-transgressive-painter|title=Edward Burra, transgressive painter of English countryside and dockside bars|work=The Guardian|date=18 November 2011|access-date=26 September 2012|location=London|first=Kathryn|last=Hughes}}</ref> and [[Eric Ravilious]] who is known for his paintings of the South Downs.<ref name="SxLife-Rav">{{cite web|url=http://sussex.greatbritishlife.co.uk/article/artist-eric-ravilious-on-his-exhibition-in-sussex-21121/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130420055739/http://sussex.greatbritishlife.co.uk/article/artist-eric-ravilious-on-his-exhibition-in-sussex-21121/|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 April 2013|title=Two Exhibitions Celebrate the Sussex Work of Artist Eric Ravilious|publisher=Sussex Life Magazine|access-date=26 September 2012}}</ref>

In the early 20th century [[Vanessa Bell]] and [[Duncan Grant]], both members of the [[Bloomsbury Group]], lived and worked at [[Charleston Farmhouse]] near [[Firle]].<ref name="Charleston">{{cite web|url=http://www.charleston.org.uk/|title=Charleston – an Artists' Home and Garden|publisher=The Charleston Trust|access-date=24 October 2012}}</ref> Sussex also became a major centre for [[surrealism]] in the early 20th century.<ref name="Pall-Surr">{{cite web|url=http://www.pallant.org.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/past-exhibitions/2010/surreal-friends/surreal-friends/related-displays1/surrealism-in-sussex|title=Surreal Friends|publisher=Pallant House Gallery|access-date=26 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014042955/http://pallant.org.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/past-exhibitions/2010/surreal-friends/surreal-friends/related-displays1/surrealism-in-sussex|archive-date=14 October 2011}}</ref> At [[West Dean, West Sussex|West Dean]], [[Edward James]] was patron to artists including [[Salvador Dalí]] and [[René Magritte]]<ref name="Pall-Surr"/><ref name="WDnColl">{{cite web|url=http://www.westdean.org.uk/CollegeChannel/College/History/EdwardJamesandSalvadorDali.aspx|title=Edward James and Salvador Dalí|publisher=West Dean College|access-date=26 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911202908/http://www.westdean.org.uk/CollegeChannel/College/History/EdwardJamesandSalvadorDali.aspx|archive-date=11 September 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> while at [[Farley Farm House]] near [[Chiddingly]] the home of [[Roland Penrose]] and [[Lee Miller]] was frequented by artists such as [[Pablo Picasso]], [[Man Ray]], [[Henry Moore]], [[Eileen Agar]], [[Jean Dubuffet]], [[Dorothea Tanning]] and [[Max Ernst]].<ref name="Pall-Surr"/><ref name="FFHse">{{cite web|url=http://www.farleyfarmhouse.co.uk/Information.aspx|title=Farley Farm House – Introduction|access-date=26 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724162828/http://www.farleyfarmhouse.co.uk/Information.aspx|archive-date=24 July 2012}}</ref> Both collections form one of the most important bodies of Surrealist art in Europe.<ref name="Pall=SurrSx">{{cite web|url=http://www.pallant.org.uk/docs/surrealism_in_sussex_press_release_0.pdf|title=Surrealism in Sussex|publisher=Pallant House Gallery|access-date=26 September 2012|archive-date=16 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916000005/http://www.pallant.org.uk/docs/surrealism_in_sussex_press_release_0.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Notable people==
{{Main listing|List of people from Sussex}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Geography|<!-- Eurasia -->|Europe|<!-- Western Europe -->|<!-- Northern Europe -->|European Union|United Kingdom|England|South East England|East Sussex|West Sussex}}
*[[Culture of Sussex]]
*[[Sussex dialect]]
*[[Geography of Sussex]]
*[[History of Sussex]]
*[[Timeline of Sussex history]]
*[[Flag of Sussex]]
*[[Coat of arms of Sussex]]
*[[Lord Lieutenant of Sussex|List of Lord Lieutenants of Sussex]]
*[[High Sheriff of Sussex|List of High Sheriffs of Sussex]]
*[[Custos Rotulorum of Sussex]] – Keepers of the Rolls
*[[Sussex (UK Parliament constituency)]] – Historical list of MPs for Sussex constituency
*[[East Sussex]]
*[[Geology of East Sussex]]
*[[West Sussex]]
*[[Kingdom of Sussex]]
*[[Sussex by the Sea]]
*[[Recreational walks in East Sussex]]
*[[Sussex County Cricket Club]]
*[[Twitten]]
*[[Royal Sussex Regiment]]
*[[Sussex Police]]
*[[Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner]]
*[[Stoolball]]

==Footnotes==
'''Notes'''
{{Reflist|group="nb"}}
{{Reflist|group=n}}

'''References'''
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
<!-- Please order books alphabetically by the author's last name -->
{{Refbegin|30em}}

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* {{Cite book|last=Brandon|first=Peter|title=Sussex|publisher=Robert Hale |year=2006 | isbn=9780709069980 }}
*{{cite book |last=Coates |first= Richard|title= The Traditional Dialect of Sussex|year=2010 |publisher=Pomegranate Press |isbn=978-1-907242-09-0}}
* {{cite book |last1=Dimmock|first1=Matthew|last2=Quinn|first2=Paul|last3=Hadfield|first3=Andrew|title=Art, Literature and Religion in Early Modern Sussex|year=2013|publisher=Ashgate Publishing|isbn=978-1472405227}}
* {{cite book |last=Gomme |first= Alice Bertha |title=The traditional games of England, Scotland and Ireland : with tunes, singing rhymes and methods of playing according to the variants extant and recorded in different parts of the kingdom|url=https://archive.org/details/traditionalgames01gommuoft |year=1894 |publisher=David Nutt |location=London }}
* {{Cite book |last1=Higham |first1=Nicholas |last2=Ryan |first2=M.J. |title=The Anglo-Saxon World |year=2013 |publisher=Yale University Press |isbn=9780300125344 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Kerridge |first1=R. G. P. |last2=Standing |first2=M. R. |title=Worthing, from Saxon settlement to seaside town |publisher=Optimus Books |location=Worthing, West Sussex |year=2000 |isbn=9780953313242 |oclc=58876316}}
* {{Cite book |last=Kirby |first=D.P. |title=The Earliest English Kings |year=2000 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9780415242110 }}
* {{Cite book |last=Laycock|first=Stuart |title=Britannia: The Failed State: Tribal Conflicts and the End of Roman Britain |year=2012 |publisher=The History Press|isbn=9780752487656}}
* {{cite book |last=Locke |first= Tim|title=Slow Sussex and the South Downs|year=2011 |publisher=Bradt Travel Guides |location=Buckinghamshire |isbn=9781841623436}}
* {{cite journal|first=Mavis|last=Mate|title=The economic and social roots of medieval popular rebellion: Sussex in 1450-1451|journal=Economic History Review|year=1992|volume=45|issue=4|pages=661–676|doi=10.2307/2597413|jstor=2597413}}
* {{cite book |last=McCann|first=Tim|author-link=Timothy J. McCann |title=Sussex Cricket in the Eighteenth Century |year=2004 |publisher=Sussex Record Society}}
*{{cite book |last= Payton|first= Philip|author-link=Philip Payton|title= A History of Sussex|year= 2017|publisher= Carnegie Publishing|isbn=978-1-85936-232-7}}
* {{cite book |last1=Smith Futhey|first1=John|last2=Cope|first2=Gilbert|title=History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with Genealogical and Biographical Sketches|year=1995|publisher=Heritage Books|location= Chester County, Pennsylvania USA |isbn=978-0788402067}}
* {{cite book |last=Thomas|first=Amanda|title=The Nonconformist Revolution: Religious dissent, innovation and rebellion|year=2020|publisher=Pen and Sword History|isbn=9781473875692}}
*{{cite book |last=Tomlinson|first= Allan |title=A Dictionary of Sports Studies|year=2010 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location= Oxford |isbn=978-0199213818}}
* {{Cite book |last=Venning |first=Timothy |title=An Alternative History of Britain: The Anglo-Saxon Age |year=2013 |publisher=Pen & Sword Books Limited |isbn=9781781591253 }}
* {{Cite book|editor-last=Wacher|editor-first=John|title=Towns of Roman Britain|publisher=Routledge|year=2020 | isbn=9781000117318}}
* {{cite book |last=Waghorn |first=H. T. |author-link=H. T. Waghorn |title=The Dawn of Cricket |year=1906 |publisher=MCC|location=London |oclc=440617061}}
* {{Cite book |last=Welch |first=M.G. |title=Anglo-Saxon England |publisher=English Heritage |year=1992 |isbn=978-0-7134-6566-2}}

{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|commonscat = yes|wikt = Sussex|collapsible = |voy = Sussex (England)|display=Sussex|1=Sussex|b=no|v=no}}
*[https://wikishire.co.uk/map/#sussex/base=outline Map of Sussex] on Wikishire
*[https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/SSX Further historical information and sources on GENUKI]

{{Sussex}}
{{England counties/1889}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Sussex|*]]
[[Category:Home counties]]
[[Category:Counties of England established in antiquity]]
[[Category:Counties of England disestablished in 1974]]