Manor Profile
Selsey, West Sussex· Manhood Hundred· 1147 – 1840
Also known as: Bartleys, Barkleys, Manor of the Prebend of Waltham (Selsey portion)
The VCH records that "estates of the Prebend of Waltham lay near the old church at Norton and in the common fields and constituted what was often called the manor of Berkeleys." This manor formed part of the endowment of the prebend of Up Waltham in Chichester Cathedral, alongside the estate of Lower Waltham in Up Waltham parish.
The prebend of Waltham was valued at 10 pounds in 1291. Early prebendaries included Richard de Bohun (fl. 1147-1197) and John de Neville (fl. 1232-1252). James de Berkeley held papal provision to the prebend in 1317 before becoming Bishop of Exeter in 1326. The Berkeley connection probably gave the Selsey estates the name "Berkeleys."
The prebendal estates were held by successive prebendaries and leased to various persons. Under the Ecclesiastical Commissioners Act 1840, the property was taken over by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, ending private prebendal control.
No separate Domesday entry. The VCH states that "estates of the Prebend of Waltham lay near the old church at Norton and in the common fields and constituted what was often called the manor of Berkeleys." The prebend of Waltham was valued at 10 pounds in 1291. The Selsey portion (Berkeleys) formed part of the endowment alongside Lower Waltham in Up Waltham parish.
| # | Name | From | To | Acquired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prebendaries of Waltham (Chichester Cathedral) | 1147 | 1840 | endowment of prebend | Early prebendaries included Richard de Bohun (fl. 1147-1197), John de Neville (fl. 1232-1252), and James de Berkeley (1317, later Bishop of Exeter 1326). |
| 2 | Ecclesiastical Commissioners | 1840 | Ecclesiastical Commissioners Act 1840 | Assumed control of all prebendal estates. |
Chichester Cathedral (Prebend of Waltham)
cathedral_prebend · endowment · 1147 – 1840
Estates at Norton and in the common fields of Selsey formed part of the prebend of Waltham. Valued at 10 pounds in 1291.
Ecclesiastical Commissioners
commissioners · successor body · 1840
Assumed control under the Ecclesiastical Commissioners Act 1840.
No manor house or physical remains recorded by the VCH. The estates lay near the old church at Norton and in the common fields of Selsey.
Berkeleys covered within the Selsey parish entry.
Lower Waltham (the other part of the prebend) covered under Up Waltham parish entry.
VCH Closing Statement
“The prebendal estates were held by the prebendaries and leased to various persons until about 1840, when they were taken over by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.”
VCH Sussex, Vol. 4, pp. 205-210
