Page:Notes on the churches in the counties of Kent, Sussex, and Surrey.djvu/371

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NOTES TO SUSSEX

wall is a long, narrow, round-headed window, but probably later than the wall. A similar window, but smaller, and not splayed, exists in the north wall of the nave; the other windows are of different dates, that in the west end being rather good Dec.(?); most of the others are debased Perp. There is a lychgate at the entrance of the churchyard. I perfectly agree with Mr. Bloxam (Goth. Archit. 46, 66, &c.), in deeming this curious church an example of (supposed) Saxon construction, and think it will well repay the trouble of examination. It is of much larger dimensions than Corhampton, the only other instance, with which I am acquainted, of an entire Saxon structure, and stands well on ground sloping southwards, a mile and a half only from the Three Bridges station of the London and Brighton railroad.

285. Worthing.—This is no parish, but merely a portion of that of Broadwater. It has however been included in the List, because not only the name occurs in (D.B.) but there is reason to believe, that a separate chapel existed in the place several centuries ago.—In A.D. 1409 licence was granted for divine service in the chapel at Worthing. (Cartwright.) But from the entry in (A.D. 1291) respecting Broadwater (on which place see the Note) it appears, that chapels were attached to that church long previous, therefore one of those chapels might very probably have been at Worthing, though there is no intimation that such was the fact. North of the present town, abutting on the high road, is a grass field, part of the rector of Broadwater's glebe, where the ancient chapel is by some conjectured to have stood.

About a quarter of a mile north of Worthing Roman remains were discovered in 1826 and 1828. (Dall. West. Suss. Ill, 34, in Horsfield's Suss. II, 194.)

286. Yapton.—The font is circular, without a stem, and has round arches on the sides. (Cartwright's Dallaway.) I conceive this place must be the "Abytone" of (A.D. 1291), and have marked it accordingly. It is a vicarage, annexed to that of Walberton.

Bilsom in this parish was originally a hamlet and chapelry, but the church was dilapidated, and all divine service discontinued before A.D. 1551. (From West. Suss, in Horsfield's Suss. II, 114.) The name Bilesham appears in (D.B.), and may safely be understood to signify the present Bilsom.