The Seven Stars Inn
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| Seven Stars Inn | |
|---|---|
 The inn from the northwest | |
| Location | 34 High Street, Robertsbridge, East Sussex TN32 5AJ |
| Coordinates | 50°59′09″N 0°28′29″E / 50.9858°N 0.4747°E |
| Built | c. 1400 |
| Architectural style | Medieval |
Listed Building – Grade II* | |
| Designated | 3 August 1961 |
| Reference no. | 1275146 |
  Location within East Sussex | |
The Seven Stars Inn is a 14th-century public house in Robertsbridge, East Sussex, a well-preserved example of a medieval building and a typical Sussex village pub. It is associated with historical events, both real and rumoured. As of at least autumn 2016, it was closed for business.
Built in about 1400 as a Wealden hall house in traditional Wealden timber frame, the building is Grade II* Listed.[1] It was altered in the 16th century and re-faced in the 19th century. It has a recessed centre, with curved timber brackets supporting the eaves. The first floor oversails on brackets, and has a Crown-post-supported roof.[2] Owned by Harveys, a brewery in Lewes, since February 2002,[3] the pub has existed in its current form for at least 300 years.
History
Medieval Robertsbridge was granted a market charter in the 13th century,[4] and quickly became prosperous. The Seven Stars dates from this era of early prosperity. The earliest surviving building in the village is only 10 years older.[5]
Folk history surrounding the building has rumoured that Charles II is said to have been confined there for a time[6][7] during his escape from England following the Battle of Worcester. This is unlikely as Charles eventually escaped by ship from Shoreham, having travelled from the west.[original research?]
Smugglers
Robertsbridge was within the area controlled by the Hawkhurst Gang, a criminal organisation involved in smuggling between 1735 and 1749.[8][9][10] John Amos, a prominent member of the gang, lived in the village. The gang's influence extended from Kent to Dorset and they operated freely enough to use as many as 500 pack-horses to carry contraband, raiding a government customs house[11] to recover captured goods.[12] Robertsbridge itself was the site of a famous ambush. Thirty smugglers assembled, fortified with alcohol, and ambushed a wagon-load of seized contraband tea on Silver Hill, killing a customs officer in the process.[8]
Member of Parliament Horace Walpole reported a miserable journey that ended at Robertsbridge in one of his letters to Richard Bentley, dated 5 August 1752.[13] Arriving in "Rotherbridge" after passing Silver Hill, they found only one available bed, "all the rest were inhabited by smugglers".