The village is thought to date back to 1176 when a Cistercianabbey was founded there by the Abbot, Robert de St Martin. When a market charter was granted in 1198 by Richard I to Robertsbridge it was the first recorded use of the name. The abbey was dissolved in 1538; however, the town flourished, and many of the oldest existing houses in the village date from the 14th and 15th centuries, including The Seven Stars Inn on High Street. At Robertsbridge is the Robertsbridge Codex, a music manuscript of the 14th century. It contains the earliest surviving music written specifically for keyboard. Robertsbridge railway station is on the main railway line from Hastings to London, and the A21trunk road. Robertsbridge bypass opened in 1989. Robertsbridge Community College, a specialist mathematics and computer college, is the smallest such in the county of East Sussex. The localprimary school is SalehurstChurch of England Primary School. Robertsbridge cultural organizations include Robertsbridge Arts Partnership. Sports clubs include Robertsbridge Cricket Club. and formally Robertsbridge Rugby Football Club, but it disbanded in the 2008-2009 season. Robertsbridge has a bonfire society. Robertsbridge is also the home of the Headquarters of Gray-Nicolls, a major brand in Cricket, and also the Headquarters of Gilbert, one of the largest brands in predominantly Rugby Union, but also Netball. Other businesses include Lordship Chairs and New Spice, a notable Indian restaurant. Robertsbridge United Reformed Church, a Grade II-listed chapel built in 1881, stands on the High Street. The former Bethel Strict Baptist Chapel, built in 1842 and also listed Grade II, is nearby. At Robertsbridge is the Bruderhof, a residential Anabaptist community known as Darvell, who number about 300. They run a publishing house called Plough, a manufacturing facility and school.
The famous cricket bat manufacturer Gray-Nicolls has its headquarters and workshop in Robertsbridge.
Demography
The demographics above are drawn from the National Statistics Office, 2001 Census. As data is not available for Robertsbridge in isolation, the table includes the entire parish of Salehurst and Robertsbridge. As data for the table above is not available for Robertsbridge in isolation, it is drawn from the Salehurst Ward which covers a larger area including Salehurst, Robertsbridge and Bodiam.
