Page:Notes on the churches in the counties of Kent, Sussex, and Surrey.djvu/249

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NOTES TO SUSSEX.
201

"Near Blatchington, and between that village and Seaford, formerly existed a chapel, called Burgham, for which Bishop Sherborne, temp. K. Henry VIII, founded a prebendal stall in the cathedral of Chichester. This, from its contiguity to the above-named places, probably was not used for parochial purposes, but belonged to one of two ancient hospitals in the neighbourhood, dedicated respectively to St. Leonard and St. James." (Horsfield's Suss. I, 275.) The remains of Burgham chapel are still very visible, but merely an indistinct mass of ruined walls, not sufficient to explain whether they are the site of a chapel or of a hospital.

33. Blatchington, West.—It is asserted, that this church was entire in 1724, also that the parish comprises only 590 acres. (Horsfield's Suss. I, 157, 158.)—The exterior walls of the church are yet standing within the premises of the farm or old manor-house, attached to which are several cottages. The building was small, about fifty feet long by twenty-one broad, having no tower, but two small round-headed windows in the west end. The only door was in the south side, where also were windows, which, together with that in the east end, and the door, appear to have been of later date, than those in the west end. The condition of the remains is now very ruinous. The name of West Blatchington still exists as a rectory annexed to the vicarage of Brighton. (Clergy List.)—A.D. 1818 the foundations of a Roman villa were discovered here about a quarter of a mile from the village. (Horsfield, ut sup.)

34. Bodiam.—This manor is declared to have always belonged to Ewhurst; "semper jacuit in Werste." (D.B.) (A.D. 1291) "Ecclia de Iwehurst," Ewhurst, "et Bodeham;" each church being then held by a vicar. They are also connected, and called a parochial prebend, in the (Nonæ Roll). The church of Bodiam consists of a western tower, nave with north and south aisles, and chancel. The body of the church is Dec., the chancel E.E. with a Perp. window of three lights inserted in the east end. This church is remarkable on account of the original arrangement, namely, the nave roof extending over the aisles, remaining undisturbed; consequently the walls of the aisles are very low. The building has just undergone extensive and judicious repairs. By a quotation from Pat. Rolls 9 K. Rich. II it appears, that permission was at that period, A.D. 1386, granted to Sir Edward "Dalyngrudge" to erect a castle at "Bodyam." (Horsfield's