Bracklesham

Bracklesham was one of three manorial estates in East Wittering parish that formed endowments of prebends in Chichester Cathedral. It was formerly an independent parish with its own chapel.

In 945 King Edmund granted 4 hides in Bracklesham and 2 in Thorney to Alfred, Bishop of Selsey. The rectory of Bracklesham was valued at 16 pounds 13 shillings 4 pence in 1291, with the vicarage at 4 pounds 6 shillings 8 pence.

The coastal area was severely affected by erosion from the geologically unstable Bracklesham beds, which gave their name to the well-known geological formation. By 1518 the parochial chapel had few if any parishioners and was likely to have still fewer in future. The chapelry was annexed to East Wittering.

The Whaplode family conveyed approximately 150 acres in East Itchenor and Bracklesham in 1376 to William Blakemore and others. The prebend of Thorney had rents in Bracklesham of 3 pounds 4 shillings 8 pence and 80 acres of arable worth 6 pounds in 1340.

The prebendal estates, including Bracklesham, were taken over by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners under the Act of 1840.