The Portslade "Buckle": Our Link to the Barons De La Warr

 

🏛️ The Portslade "Buckle": Our Link to the Barons De La Warr

If you’ve lived in Sussex long enough, you might have seen a small, ornate buckle symbol on old buildings or coats of arms. This is the "De La Warr Buckle," the heraldic badge of the West family, who reigned as Lords of the Manor of Portslade for an incredible 150 years (1450–1600).

A Badge of Bravery

The buckle wasn't just a fashion choice; it was a trophy. Legend says that at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356, a member of the West family helped capture the French King. As a sign of surrender, the King handed over his sword-belt, and the buckle became the family’s permanent mark of honour. For over a century, this was the "logo" of authority in Portslade.

🌎 The Portslade-to-America Connection

It’s a remarkable thought that while this family was managing the sheep-grazing and manor courts in our little village, their descendants were about to shape a continent.

• Thomas West (Baron De La Warr) became the first governor of the Virginia Colony.
• Because of this family's influence, we have the State of Delaware, the Delaware River, and the Delaware People.

Essentially, the same family that gave its name to an American state was once the keeper of Portslade's Old Manor!

The End of an Era

The Wests finally sold the Manor of Portslade in 1600, just as the "Old Manor" we see today was reaching its final architectural form. They represent the last of the truly "Grand Nobility" to own our town before it passed into the hands of local gentry families like the Snellings and, eventually, the Blakers.

"A huge thank you to one of our readers for pointing out the De La Warr connection! It just goes to show that the Portslade History Round Up is a true community effort—there is always something new to uncover in the archives."

🕵️ Local History Challenge: Next time you’re exploring St Nicolas Church or wandering through the Old Manor ruins, keep your eyes peeled for a small buckle motif carved into stone or wood. If you find one, take a photo and send it in!

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⚖️ The Portslade Scandal of 1561: The Baron vs. The Dumbrells

While the Barons De La Warr held the title, the day-to-day running of Portslade was often fraught with drama. In 1561, the village was gripped by a legal battle between William West (Lord La Warr) and two local farmers, William and John Dumbrell.

The Baron had seized 40 acres of the Dumbrells' land, claiming they were "disrespectful." Thanks to these ancient court records, we have a rare "census" of the men who were living and working in Portslade over 460 years ago:

Name	Role in 1561 Portslade
Thomas Heath	The Baron’s Steward; the man who physically seized the Dumbrells' corn.
Edward Blaker (aged 46)	A village elder who stood up in court to testify against the Steward’s actions.
Henry Hall (aged 50)	Another early ancestor of a famous Portslade dynasty, appearing as a witness.
John Wheatley	Recorded as a "Gentleman" of the parish.
Collyer & Ockenden	Local "husbandmen" (farmers) who witnessed the Baron's power play.

This record is a "Round Up" goldmine because it proves that the Blakers and Halls were already community leaders in the 1500s, holding the "big nobility" to account. It seems the independent spirit of Portslade villagers has very deep roots!