The Star is an intriguing medieval building in the heart of a Sussex village called Alfriston. It has long been one of the most mysterious buildings in Britain and one of the most commented upon in print. Today it incorporates a beautifully designed hotel owned by The Polizzi Collection and run by Olga and Alex Polizzi. But walk through the ancient doorway, and you will sense a remarkable ambience. For those of a spiritual or mystical nature the imbued atmosphere easily fires up the senses and sparks the imagination. Some visitors even say they experience a shift in perception as time and relevant dimensions of the space intrude upon their reality. The visitor will observe enigmatic carvings placed on the inside and the outside of the building. Clearly they are of historic and religious significance. Such is the fame of the place that over the centuries many have written and attempted to interpret the meaning of the religious reliquary. Writers have shared their opinions in print as well as their gift for being able to see into a time and a place that once was with the people that were once there! No surprise then that today’s guests and visitors may also feel those vibes and when they do they are no less curious than those of times gone by. They have plenty of questions and often ask specifically about the ancient statues. Who do they portray and why were they placed at the entrance ? What do the letters on the medieval sanctuary post mean and why is it lodged in the front bar? These questions would not go away so I spent two years looking through ancient documents and records that stretched back to the 14th century. The results of what I found are told in this book and tell something of the lives of the famous people who built and helped preserve the unique building that is The Star at Alfriston. ‘Making the past perceptible, making the past palpable, making the past knowable’.
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