Manor Profile
Bosham, West Sussex· Bosham Hundred· 1100 – 1671
Also known as: Bradebrigge
Henry I granted 30 shillingsworth of land at Broadbridge in Bosham to William son of Ernulf, in exchange for the site on which was built the Abbey of St. Mary de Pre at Rouen. The holding was a serjeanty requiring the render of two white capons to the king when he rode past Broadbridge.
In 1269 William Papillon produced the capons when Henry III passed through. In 1283 William Papillon died holding a messuage with 28 acres of arable, an acre of meadow, two-thirds of a mill, and 4s. 6d. rent. After his death the estate was seized into royal hands and fragmented.
By about 1340 Thomas de Whelton and Isabel acquired the entire estate. Their son Thomas died in 1361 holding the messuage, mill, and other property "of the king, partly by serjeanty and partly by a rent of 15s." In 1384 Richard Whelton (aged 19) died, leaving three daughters: Elizabeth, Margaret, and Joan. The estate divided again among these lines.
Ellis Bradshawe died in 1545 holding "a toft, a fulling mill, and land in Broadbridge by service of 1 white capon when the king rode through the land." His granddaughter Dorothy married Roger Drewe of Densworth. Her son Bradshawe Drewe's grandson Francis died in 1630 and his sister Martha inherited. Martha married Sir Gregory Norton, baronet (a regicide), who died in 1652. Martha then married Robert, 4th Viscount Kenmure, and died in 1671.
The VCH states that "the estate is said to have been bought soon after this by one of the Peckhams, from which family it passed by bequest to John Williams; but all manorial rights seem to have lapsed before that."
No separate Domesday entry. Broadbridge originated from a grant by Henry I of 30 shillingsworth of land at Broadbridge in Bosham to William son of Ernulf, in exchange for the site on which was built the Abbey of St. Mary de Pre at Rouen. It appears on the Henry II Pipe Rolls as "the land of Aernald of Bradebrigge." The holding was a serjeanty requiring the render of two white capons to the king when he rode past Broadbridge.
| # | Name | From | To | Acquired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | William son of Ernulf | 1100 | grant from Henry I | In exchange for site of Abbey of St. Mary de Pre at Rouen. Serjeanty of two white capons. | |
| 2 | William Papillon | 1283 | inheritance | Produced capons when Henry III passed in 1269. Held messuage, 28 acres, 2/3 mill. | |
| 3 | Thomas de Whelton and Isabel | 1340 | 1361 | reunification of parcels | Son Thomas held "of the king, partly by serjeanty and partly by a rent of 15s." |
| 4 | Richard Whelton | 1384 | inheritance | Three daughters: Elizabeth, Margaret, Joan. Estate divided again. | |
| 5 | Ellis Bradshawe | 1545 | consolidation of portions | Held "a toft, a fulling mill, and land by service of 1 white capon when the king rode through." | |
| 6 | Sir Gregory Norton, bt.(Baronet) | 1652 | marriage to Martha Drewe | One of the regicides who signed Charles I's death warrantA regicide. Martha then married Robert, 4th Viscount Kenmure. | |
| 7 | Martha, Viscountess Kenmure | 1652 | 1671 | inheritance from Sir Gregory Norton | Married Robert, 4th Viscount Kenmure. All manorial rights lapsed after her death. |
The Crown
Two white capons rendered annually to the king when he rode past Broadbridge. Later service of 1 white capon. Also partly by a rent of 15 shillings.
Source: VCH Sussex Vol. 4, pp. 182-188
Watermills (including a fulling mill in the Bradshawe era) were the principal structures. A stream runs past the former mill site. Bosham railway station lies on the boundary of the parish at Broadbridge. No medieval manor house or earthworks are recorded.
VCH Closing Statement
“The estate is said to have been bought soon after this by one of the Peckhams, from which family it passed by bequest to John Williams; but all manorial rights seem to have lapsed before that.”
VCH Sussex, Vol. 4, pp. 182-188
