Dorking, Surrey, South-East England, British Isles [Map]

Stane Street to Chichester is a 91km Roman Road from Noviomagus Reginorum [Map] aka Chichester to London crossing the land of the Atrebates in use by 70AD. Its route took it from London Bridge [Map] along Newington Causeway [Map] past Merton Priory, Surrey [Map] to Ewell [Map], through Sutton, Surrey [Map], past the boundary of Nonsuch Palace [Map] to Thirty Acre Barn, Surrey [Map], then near to Juniper Hall Field Centre, Surrey [Map] near Mickleham, then crossing the River Mole near to Burford Bridge [Map] southwards to Dorking, Surrey [Map] (although the route here is vague) to North Holmwood, Surrey [Map], Ockley, Surrey [Map], Rowhook, Surrey [Map] after which it crossed the River Arun at Alfodean Bridge, Surrey [Map] where some of the timber piles on which the bridge was built are still present in the river bed. Thereafter the road travels broadly straight to Billingshurst [Map], Pulborough [Map] where it crosses the River Arun again, then passing the Roman Villa at Bignor [Map] before entering the East Gate [Map] at Noviomagus Reginorum aka Chichester.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 25th May 1551. The xxv day of May was be syd Rygatt [Map] and Croydon, Suttun [Map], and Darkyng [Map], a grett wondernus of herth.. and spesshall at Darkyng [Map], and in dyvers plasys .... pottes, panes, and dyssys donst, and mett felle doune ... abowt howse, and with mony odur thyngs.

Note. Earthquake. "The 25. daye of May, beyng Monday, betwene the howers of eleven and one of the clock at afternoone, was an earthquake of halfe a quarter of a howre long at Blechynglye, at Godstone, at Croydon, at Albery, and at divers other places in Southery and Myddlesexe." Stowe's Summarie.

In 1599 Christopher Hussey was born to John Hussey and Mary Wood at Dorking, Surrey [Map].

Before 24th May 1632 John Hussey died. On 24th May 1632 John Hussey was buried at Dorking, Surrey [Map].

John Evelyn's Diary. 1st August 1655. I went to Dorking, Surrey [Map], to see Mr. Charles Howard's (age 26) amphitheater, garden, or solitary recess, being fifteen acres environed by a hill. He showed us divers rare plants, caves, and an elaboratory.

In July 1688 Ambrose Browne (age 29) died. On 24th July 1688 Ambrose Browne was buried at Dorking, Surrey [Map].

On 18th March 1837 John Gurney Hoare (age 26) and Caroline Barclay (age 25) were married at Dorking, Surrey [Map].

John Evelyn's Diary. The distance from London little more than twenty miles, and yet so securely placed, as if it were one hundred; three miles from Dorking, Surrey [Map], which serves it abundantly with provision as well of land as sea; six from Guildford, Surrey [Map], twelve from Kingston [Map]. I will say nothing of the air, because the pre-eminence is universally given to Surrey, the soil being dry and sandy; but I should speak much of the gardens, fountains, and groves that adorn it, were they not as generally known to be among the most natural, and (till this later and universal luxury of the whole nation, since abounding in such expenses) the most magnificent that England afforded; and which indeed gave one of the first examples to that elegancy, since so much in vogue, and followed in the managing of their waters, and other elegancies of that nature. Let me add, the contiguity of five or six manors, the patronage of the livings about it, and what Themistocles pronounced for none of the least advantages-the good neighborhood. All which conspire here to render it an honorable and handsome royalty, fit for the present possessor, my worthy brother, and his noble lady, whose constant liberality gives them title both to the place and the affections of all that know them. Thus, with the poet:

Nescio quâ natale solum dulcedine cunctos.

Ducit, et immemores non sinit esse sui.