We wunt be druv

The motto asserts that people from the English county of Sussex have minds of their own, and cannot be forced against their will[3] or told what to do.

[5][6] According to the Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs, "Sussex won't be druv" is a local proverbial saying dating from the early 20th century.

Twice in the late Middle Ages Wealden peasants rose in revolt: once in the Peasants' Revolt of 1381, under the leadership of Wat Tyler and the radical priest John Ball, and again in the 1450 rebellion led by Jack Cade, who was pursued and fatally wounded at Old Heathfield, where he had connections.

[9] In his 1924 tale The Cricket Match, Hugh de Sélincourt wrote: "'Well, we'd better be going, I suppose,' Gauvinier announced – well aware that 'Sussex won't be druv'."

In David Frome's Mr. Pinkerton at the Old Angel, "The sudden weariness in her frail face testified to years of patient leading.