Heathfield

The fifteenth century in England was a time of uncertainty. The long- drawn out Hundred Years War with France was drawing to a close, England having lost large areas of France. King Henry VI was both unpopular and incompetent and there was much discontent in the country. The time was right for an unknown Sussex man to try his hand at leadership.
There is no agreement on Jack Cade's origins. Perhaps he was Irish but living in Kent, perhaps he worked as a servant at Herstmonceux Castle.
Perhaps he had practised Black Magic and could transform himself into a wild beast. What is known is that he appeared at the head of a rebel army described by Shakespeare as;
' A ragged multitude of hinds and peasants, rude and merciless.'
In the summer of 1450 starting from Sussex and Kent, they marched towards London to protest about unfair taxes and camped at Blackheath. These men included the clerk of Dallington, the rector of Mayfield and the Prior of St. Pancras in Lewes. The king retreated to Kenilworth and Cade's men took the chance to behead a few of his advisers. Cade now became grander and changed his name to John Mortimer, descending from the Earl of March. He proclaimed himself a Yorkist contender for the throne, initiating the Wars of The Roses. When his men entered London, they ran wild, out of Cade's control and losing any sympathy from the locals.
Cade obtained promise of a free pardon and disbanded his army. However, no free pardon was given and a reward was put up for his capture. Cade disguised himself and made for Herstmonceux and was caught near Heathfield in a small hamlet still known as Cade Street. Wounded on capture he died and shortly after, his corpse was beheaded and the head displayed on London Bridge. He was twenty-six years old.
Cade Street near picturesque old Heathfield and the Half Moon Inn now known as the Jack Cade are both named after this 15th century rebel leader who was reputedly killed near this spot by Alexander Iden, Sheriff of Kent.