Mr. Green in his history, speaking of the conquest of Southern Britain, says: - "The vast sheet of scrub woodland and waste, which then bore the name of Andredswold, stretched for more than 100 miles, from the borders of Kent to the Hampshire Downs, extending northward almost to the Thames, and leaving only a thin strip of coast along its southern edge. This coast was guarded by a great fortress, which occupied the spot now called Pevensey. The fall of this fortress of Anderida in 491 established the kingdom of the south Saxons. Aelle and Cissa ran the pitiless record of the conquerors, beset Anderida, and slew all that were therein, nor was there afterwards one Briton left."

The Saxon Chronicle says: - "Aella and Assa besieged a town called Andredscester, and slew all its inhabitants both small and great, leaving not a single soul alive."

At the present day a walk over the cleared and treeless spaces of this once impenetrable forest is full of interest and pleasure.

They are still to a great extent wild and unpeopled, for though a few hamlets are dotted about here and there, yet complete solitude may be found, and those who experience comfort in isolation, and desire to commune with their own thoughts unmolested and undisturbed, may find here the retirement they need.

The road from Maresfield through Duddleswell passes over a wild portion of the forest land, and a clump of trees near the road goes by the name of King's Standing. It is supposed to mark the spot where Edward II. or III. stood to witness the hunt of deer or wild boar. Its position is between Greenwood Gate and Duddleswell.