War of the Roses - 1455

The village market square was a gathering place for traders, farmers, and villagers to exchange goods. While Chiddingstone was a small village, markets provided access to goods not readily available in the Weald, making it an essential part of the local economy. The market was an ideal place for spreading news, recruiting soldiers, or gathering supplies. During the War of the Roses, agents from either side could have visited such marketplaces to sway local sentiments or even gather food and materials. The market thus became a minor yet meaningful location tied to the broader political tensions.

Open-air market bustling with villagers, colorful stalls brimming with fresh produce and handcrafted wares, surrounded by thatched-roof cottages under a bright blue sky