The visitor will note the fine effect of the raised chancel, the
roof of which is composed of a one time gallery. Note, among
other objects, the old screen and choir stalls; a squint; font
dated 1666; iron slabs in the nave to the Sands (1668 and 1708);
monument to T. Aynscombe (1620); chandeliers; and curious east
window; and, not least, the glorious view from the churchyard.
The Palace of the Archbishops is now a convent: it was restored
by Pugin after being in a state of ruin for many years. Certain
portions may be seen at uncertain times. In the ancient
dining-room are preserved the hammer, tongs and anvil of St.
Dunstan. The Saint's well is in the garden. It was hereabouts
that St. Dunstan had his great tussle with the Devil, holding the
fiend by the nose with his tongs; eventually the Evil One
wrenched himself free; making an eight mile leap he cooled his
nose in a pool of water, giving it for ever "a flavour of warm
flat irons" and making the fortune of the future Tunbridge
Wells. Mayfield has another claim to a niche in history, not a
quaint old tale like the above but a sombre fact:--

"Next followed four, which suffered at Mayfield, in Sussex, the
twenty-fourth of September 1556, of whose names we find two
recorded, and the other two we yet know not, and therefore,
according to our register, hereunder they be specified, as we
find them: John Hart, Thomas Ravendale, a shoemaker and a
carrier, which said four being at the place where they should
suffer, after they had made their prayers, and were at the stake
ready to abide the force of the fire, they constantly and
joyfully yielded their lives for the testimony of the glorious
Gospel of Jesus Christ." (Foxe.)

The scenery hereabouts is distinctly of Devonian character. Rich
and varied views reward the leisurely traveller who will make a
side excursion to Rotherfield, passing, halfway the conical Argos
Hill crowned with a windmill. The village, though not so
interesting as Mayfield, is well placed and has a fine
Perpendicular church, the spire being a landmark for many miles.
Here is an east window by Burne Jones and several other good
examples of modern stained glass which make fine splashes of
colour in the old building. A quaint saying in reference to the
handsome presence of the Rotherfield women is that they