Manor Profile
East Wittering, West Sussex· Manhood Hundred· 945 – 1953
Also known as: Bracklesham Prebend
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.
No separate Domesday entry for Bracklesham as a distinct holding. In 945 King Edmund granted 4 hides in Bracklesham and 2 in Thorney to Alfred, Bishop of Selsey. The coastal area was severely affected by erosion from the geologically unstable "Bracklesham beds." By 1518 the parochial chapel had few if any parishioners.
| # | Name | From | To | Acquired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alfred, Bishop of Selsey | 945 | grant from King Edmund (4 hides) | King Edmund granted 4 hides in Bracklesham and 2 in Thorney in 945. | |
| 2 | Prebendaries of Bracklesham (Chichester Cathedral) | cathedral endowment | Prebendal estate. Rectory valued at 16 pounds 13 shillings 4 pence in 1291. | ||
| 3 | Ecclesiastical Commissioners | 1840 | Ecclesiastical Commissioners Act 1840 | Taken over from the prebendaries. |
Chichester Cathedral (Prebend of Bracklesham)
cathedral · prebendal endowment · 945 – 1840
King Edmund granted 4 hides in 945 to Bishop of Selsey. Rectory valued at 16 pounds 13 shillings 4 pence in 1291. Chapel lost to coastal erosion; annexed to East Wittering 1518.
Ecclesiastical Commissioners
church_commission · current holder · 1840
Taken over under the Ecclesiastical Commissioners Act 1840.
The parochial chapel of Bracklesham was lost to coastal erosion. The coastline here is formed of the geologically unstable Bracklesham beds, which gave their name to the geological formation. No physical remains of the medieval chapel or settlement survive above ground.
Bracklesham was a prebendal estate within East Wittering parish. The chapelry was annexed to East Wittering in 1518 owing to coastal erosion.
Both Bracklesham and Somerley were prebendal estates in East Wittering parish, endowing prebends in Chichester Cathedral. Both taken over by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.
Bracklesham and Earnley are adjacent parishes in the Manhood hundred. A 1656 Commonwealth proposal to unite Earnley with East Wittering was not implemented until 1924.
VCH Closing Statement
“The prebendal estates were taken over by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.”
VCH Sussex, Vol. 4, pp. 215-217
