The landscape, which is protected within the South Downs National Park, is based on chalk rock strata formed in the Late Cretaceous.

[3][4] Prior to the Norman Conquest a thegn called Goda is recorded as giving four cassati of land to his son-in-law Wiohstan.

Wiohstan bought a further manentern near "the pool called Blackmere" from Ealfred and his wife Ealsware, then sold five hides to Bishop Wulfhun of Selsey for 2,000 silver pennies and a horse in around 935.

[5][6] During the reign of Edward the Confessor the Mardens, then known as Meredone, were owned by Countess Gytha, wife of Earl Godwin, and held by Lefsi.

In that year Reginald Aguillon was given the manor by his mother Mary who had inherited it from her father Eustace de Valle Pironis.

It seems that Cicely gave her part to the Knights Hospitaller; the Prior of St John of Jerusalem held a quarter share in the manor in 1428 and continuing until the Dissolution of the monasteries.

This three-quarter share of Up Marden remained with the Earldom of Arundel until 1581 when it was sold to William Paye, with a windmill included.

[10] The hills are part of the Southern England Chalk Formation of rocks laid down during the Late Cretaceous period around 66 to 90 million years ago.

[18] St Michael's Church stands 500 feet (150 metres) above sea level on a ridge where it is approached along a farm track.

A more recent feature for such an ancient church is the Victorian stone pulpit with ogee-panelled sides which, in Nairn's opinion, fits in perfectly.

[6] Captain Herbert Westmacott, MC (1952–1980), a British Army officer who became the first person to be awarded a posthumous Military Cross, is buried in the churchyard.