Sussex won’t be druv

A local proverb which asserts that Sussex people have minds of their own, and cannot be forced against their will. Druv is a dialect variant of drove (standard English driven).

1910 in T. Wales Sussex Garland (1979) i. (postcard) Have got as fat as a Sussex [pig]—and ‘wunt be druv’ from Brighton.

1924 H. DE SELINCOURT Cricket Match vi. ‘Well, we’d better be going, I suppose,’ Gauvinier announced..well aware that ‘Sussex won’t be druv’.

1939 ‘D. FROME’ Pinkerton at Old Angel vi. The sudden weariness in her frail face testified to years of patient leading. Mr. Pinkerton thought of the boast of the men of Sussex. They too couldn’t be druv, they said.

1979 T. WALES Sussex Garland i. There ant no place like Sussex, Until ye goos above, For Sussex will be Sussex, And Sussex won’t be druv!