Page:Notes on the churches in the counties of Kent, Sussex, and Surrey.djvu/300

This page has been validated.
242
NOTES TO SUSSEX.

137. Icklesham.—This church comprises three chancels, the tower being "in the middle of the north side." The southern chancel contains seven niches; the northern five and a piscina; there is a piscina also in the central or principal chancel. (Horsfield's Suss. I, 476.) From the description the edifice merits inspection. The vicar of this parish still receives an allowance from the Exchequer in consideration of the tithe of the land abstracted for the site of New Winchelsea. (Parry's Coast of Suss. 272.) Compare the Note on Winchelsea.

138. Iden.—There was an old mansion in this parish, called the Moat, supposed to have been the residence of the Iden family, one of whom slew the rebel, Jack Cade. The building has disappeared, but the moat can be traced. (Horsfield's Suss. I, 504.) (Val. Eccl.) describes here a chantry called Mote. "Cantaria de Mote jacens in parochia de Iden."

139. Ifield.—Under an arch on the north side of the nave of this church is a stone effigy of a knight in armour, cross-legged, of the time of K. Edward II; and on the opposite side another of a lady, both on altar-tombs, supposed to be monuments of Sir John de Ifield and his lady; he died A.D. 1317. (Cartwright.)

140. Iford.—The Domesday name, "Niworde," is sufficiently near to prevent hesitation in applying it to Iford. The ancient manor of Niworde probably included, as it is considered to have done, both Iford and Kingston; but in which of those two contiguous parishes the original church stood can, in that case, only be conjectured, though, it is likely, where the name has since remained.—The church of Iford is so carefully coated with plaster on the outside, and whitewash within, that the construction, or actual condition, of the walls cannot even be guessed at. The edifice comprises nave, central tower, and chancel. Of the latter the east window is closed, and the end covered by modern wooden panelling. The tower rests upon four arches, but whether or not the church ever had transepts does not appear from the present state of the building. Horsfield (Lewes, II, 141) states, that "the transepts are removed, and the arches filled up." Some of the piers have been much repaired, even with brick. The arches are lofty, and the western is adorned with mouldings, the inner one being half a "diamond frette." (Gloss. of Archit. pi. 81, ed. 1845.)—For a description of this Norm, church by the Rev. J.L. Petit consult Arch. Journal (V, 140,