Tucked away in the north west corner of Brighton and Hove in the suburb of Hangleton is a very unusual tombstone and a little piece of Sussex history. These days, Hangleton is unremarkably residential although if you choose your spot wisely, you can enjoy views of the sea (particularly from outside the church). But it wasn’t always like this.
Medieval Hangleton
Hangleton was once a Medieval and very rural little village on the South Downs. You have to remember that back then, Brighton (or Brighthelmstone as it was then) was little more than a fishing village. However, up on the Downs there was a track that ran from the coast to London and Hangleton developed around it. Village life would have been based around farming and sheep and the village was probably at its zenith between between 1250 and 1325 (in 1300 it was home to about 200 people). However, within 40 years, it was in decline probably due to a series of poor harvests and disease, and as a result of the Black Death that arrived in 1348. By 1428 only two households survived.
Hangleton Manor
Hangleton Manor is the oldest secular building in Brighton and Hove and the current building dates from about 1540. The manor was owned by William de Warenne and William de Wateville at the time of the Domesday Book and much later, stones from the demolished Lewes Priory were used as part of the 16th century rebuild. Today, it’s a pub but it still has 16th century panelling and tiles, and a 17th century dovecote in the garden which is said to be haunted.
Hangleton Church
Up the hill from the manor and with views of the sea is the church which up until the 1050s stood in open country. The church nave dates to the 11th century while the tower is 13th century and the chancel 14th century. Inside are a series of wall paintings discovered in 1969 and which date to the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries.
The tombstone of Edward Kenealy
In the church yard is an ornate marble tombstone which is decorated with gold, blue and red mosaic work and belongs to Edward Kenealy. Edward Kenealy was an Irishman, a barrister and later, a politician. He was called to the English Bar in 1847. He was also a colourful personality and his best known case was that of representing Sir Roger Tichborne.
Sir Roger Tichborne
Sir Roger Tichborne was born in 1829 into a wealthy family but after unfortunately falling in love with a cousin, he set off on a South American adventure in 1854. Sadly, the ship he was on, The Bella, disappeared with all aboard believed lost. When Sir Roger’s father died in 1862, that meant the family wealth passed to the younger son. But Sir Roger’s mother was desperate for news Sir Roger and announced a reward for information.
Surprisingly, a letter was then received from a butcher in Wagga Wagga in Australia claiming to be Sir Roger (whilst going by the alias of Tomas Castro). Castro arrived in London. He was significantly different from Sir Roger – different build, different hair, a missing tattoo, different accent and didn’t speak French whereas Sir Roger did). But despite the thinly veiled fraud, Sir Roger’s mother believed him and settled some money on the man. Her family were far from convinced but when mother died, the man claiming to be Sir Roger’s brought a civil claim for the Tichborne wealth and inheritance.
Our man Kenealy took the case. The hearing was sensational at the time not least because of Kenealy’s conduct which included shouting at witnesses and making offensive claims and remarks to witnesses, the judges and the church. The hearing lasted 102 days and 250 people, who had known Sir Roger, testified that the claimant was an imposter.
The claimant was indeed found to be a fraud by the name of Arthur Orton and (after a criminal trial) was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment. Meanwhile, the jury recommended that Keanely should not be allowed to practice law and he was ultimately disbarred. There is a pub just outside Loxwood on the West Sussex / Surrey border called the Sir Roger Tichborne which was established in 1873, just after the legal proceedings. The pub-sign shows the two Sir Rogers.
A politician
Kenealy went on to become a politician as well as launching a newspaper and forming a group called the ‘Magna Charter Association’ which, amongst other things, called for votes for women and the abolition of income tax. However, his behaviour become increasingly bizarre claiming at one stage he claimed to be related to Jesus and Ghengis Khan. He died at aged 60 in 1880 and is buried in lavish style at Hangleton. He had 11 children.
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