the virgin, the town of Wynchelsei was drowned, and all the lands between Climesden as far as the Vochere (q. Bouchure?) of Hethe." (Parry's Coast of Sussex, 276.)—But the Taxation of Pope Nicholas IV, taken, be it remembered, A.D. 1291, names the churches of St. Thomas and St. Giles in Winchelsea, as likewise that of Yham; which circumstance seems to imply, that the removal of the town must at least have commenced earlier than the date above given, as three churches would hardly have been raised on the new site in four years. Lambarde states of Winchelsea, that the town formerly contained three parish churches, St. Leonard, St. Giles, and St. Thomas; the last alone remaining even in his time. (Val. Eccl.) mentions only St. Thomas' and St. Giles'; whence it may be inferred, that St. Leonard's was desecrated in K. Henry VIII's reign. Comparing the entry in (A.D. 1291) with Lambarde's account, we ascertain, that St. Leonard's was the church of Yham or Iham.—The existing church of St. Thomas comprises only the eastern portion of the original structure, of which the nave and transepts have been destroyed. It contains some remains of coloured glass; also five stone effigies, and a brass, the latter of an ecclesiastic. The old seal of Winchelsea bears a large church, and is worthy of notice. (Horsfield's Suss. I, 483, 484; where are described the sites of the two demolished churches.) There appear to have been two monastic establishments at Winchelsea; for a house of Black Eriars is said by Speede to have been founded here by K. Edward II, (Tann. Notit. Monast. Sussex, xlii in Monast. VI, 1495): beside which there was a house of Grey Eriars. (Ib. 1533.) Some fine ruins of the monastery of the Grey Friars are yet standing in the private grounds of the residence called the Friary. For a good representation and a full description of the seals belonging to Winchelsea consult (Suss. Arch. Coll. I, 21 to 25).
278. Wiston.—Brass: Sir John de Braiose, 1426; Also a stone effigy of a child, supposed the son of the above. The estate passed to another family in consequence of the premature death of the only son of Sir J. de Braiose. (Cartwright.) The memorial of Sir J. de Braiose is highly commended by Mr. Boutell. (Monum. Brasses, 47, 65, 143.) The mansion, Wiston House, was erected by Sir Tho. Shirley about 1576. (Horsfield's Suss. II, 235.) For an account of foundations of a Roman building, discovered in this parish A.D. 1848, consult (Suss. Arch. Coll, II, 313, 314, 315.)
