THE TREASURES OF DOWNLAND

Text copyright Valerie Martin 1999

I have not discovered anything myself but if one takes the time and effort to sift through the Findon countryside, there is a likelihood of finding an ancient coin or some other treasure buried in the downland.

I have been told that in recent years a penny dating from the reign of Edward II (1307-27) was found with the help of a metal detector in the field opposite St. John the Baptist Church in Findon.

Jay Howe, a metal detectorist from Worthing, also found a silver hammered penny in the fields near the church. It was most likely from the reign of one of the Edwards, probably that of King Edward III (1327 - 1377).

These two finds indicate the likely site of the original Findon village directly north of Findon Place (the Manor of Findon). It must be left for a future archaeological dig to confirm the exact location.

Findonian, Norman Allcorn, has told me how in the 1960s, he literally plucked a bronze coin from the time of Hadrian from a ploughed field. This discovery was made in the immediate vicinity of the downland containing the Roman Well on the opposite side of the road to the Cricket Pitch on Long Furlong. 

The well was being excavated at the time by archaeologists. A section had been cut near to the entrance of the 270 ft. Roman Well and it was found that the surface soil also contained remnants of broken Roman pottery. This overlay a layer of spoil piled up when the well was first dug. Below this was an old land surface containing sherds from the Early Iron Age and Roman days. None of this pottery, which obviously pre-dated the original excavation of the well, appeared to be later than the 1st century A.D. The fragments of pottery were well worn, which inferred that the well was most likely sunk in the 2nd century. Many Roman sherds, querns, materials used for building, and animal bones were also retrieved in the nearby location, which confirmed Roman occupation of the Findon area. The Roman Well has since been capped.

On another occasion I was told how in the 1990s, a metal detector brought to light a sixteenth century horseshoe buried on Nepcote Green, (in the N.E. corner). Close by was also unearthed the bronze chape from a sword, with pieces of leather still attached. This was also verified as belonging to the sixteenth century.

A horseman can be imagined in the time of Queen Elizabeth I as he galloped into Findon from the east. His horse lost a shoe; he was attacked by assailants unknown, and drew his sword. The rest is history.

Continue if you would like to read Findon Gate and Nep Gate.