William de St. Leger

Lord of the Manor of Sowkerness or Sockernersh a manor situated in the extreme North of the parish of Brightling in the area of Battle Abbey about thirty kilometres from the sea. The present house erected on the ruins of the old in Elizabethan times is built in the same style as the ancient Norman manors. He had there an important forge for the manufacture of arms and armour. This was an importance source of revenue. He also owned other property beside the sea between the towns of Rye and Winchelsea. Witness to donations to Lewe.