James Gardiner alias Hart was indeed a Papist. He was parkkeeper of the Plashett (deer) Park, in Ringmer, which was owned by the Papist GAGE family of Firle, descended from a courtier of Henry VIII (Sir John GAGE, he googles) who established their fortune dealing in monastic lands, including those of Battle Abbey. Plashett Park came their way as a result of a 1545 three way exchange of property in Ringmer and Kent involving Sir John Gage, Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer, and another gentleman of the court. The Gages, now Viscounts, still own Firle Place.
