Manor Profile
Funtington, West Sussex· Bosham Hundred· 1289 – 1820
Also known as: Deneswyrth
In 1289 Alan de Bremelhangere conveyed Densworth to William de Whitsond and wife Margery, "to hold in as full manner as he or his brother Walter de Deneswyrth had held it." An annual rent of 4 marks was payable to Sir Roger Bigod, Earl Marshal.
In the early 16th century the manor passed to the Syteler family. In 1532 Richard Syteler conveyed to John Westdene of Kirdford. In 1542 John Westdene and Anne sold to Ellis Bradshawe. Ellis died in 1545 and the manor descended with Broadbridge in Bosham through the Drewe family to Sir Gregory Norton, a regicide, who died in 1652.
In 1657 Alexander Wilson of Hayling left it in trust for his son Richard. In 1666 Thomas and Martha Wilson conveyed to Richard Smyth. In 1677 Thomas Smyth and others conveyed to William Cozens the elder, who in 1686 quitclaimed to Edward Greene. Greene sold to Richard Farington of Chichester.
In 1744, upon Sir Richard Farington's estate division, Densworth was assigned to James Creed with a house and 188 acres. In the early 19th century John Croucher's daughters held it. Thereafter manorial rights lapsed.
| # | Name | From | To | Acquired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alan de Bremelhangere | 1289 | |||
| 2 | William de Whitsond and Margery | 1289 | conveyance | Rent of 4 marks to Earl Marshal. | |
| 3 | Richard Syteler | 1532 | inheritance | ||
| 4 | Ellis Bradshawe | 1542 | 1545 | purchase from Westdene | Descended with Broadbridge in Bosham thereafter. |
| 5 | Sir Gregory Norton, bt.(Baronet) | 1652 | descent via Drewe family | A regicide. | |
| 6 | Richard Farington | 1686 | purchase via Greene/Cozens | Of Chichester. | |
| 7 | James Creed | 1744 | assigned on Farington estate division | House and 188 acres. |
Sir Roger Bigod, Earl Marshal
Annual rent of 4 marks payable to the Earl Marshal.
Source: VCH Sussex Vol. 4, pp. 190-192
217m from manor coordinates. Period: POST MEDIEVAL. Evidence: EARTHWORK. Project: Chichester.
212m from manor coordinates. Period: POST MEDIEVAL. Evidence: EARTHWORK. Project: Chichester.
361m from manor coordinates. Listed Building, Grade II.
Short title: Syteler v Westdeane. Plaintiffs: Joan [late the wife] of Richard Syteler. Defendants: John Westdeane. Subject: Obtaining the said Richard's signature to a conveyance in fee simple of the manor of Densworth, contrary to his intention, forgery of a deed, and action thereon. Sussex. SFP.
VCH Closing Statement
“Thereafter manorial rights lapsed.”
VCH Sussex, Vol. 4, pp. 190-192
By ROBERT BULL of Symonds Inn. Chancery lane, Middlesex, esq.; WILLIAM DOBELL of Folkington, esq., COWLEY PALMER of Marton, co. Lincoln, esq., ANN BOWCHIER of Chichester, widow, and JAMES CREED of London, esq., to the Rev. JOHN BACKSHELL, doctor of laws, canon residentiary of Chichester Cathedral, and the Rev. CHARLES RANDOL COVERT of Chichester, clerk--for the purpose of a partition--of manors lands and premises late the estate of Sir Richard Farington, which were allotted as follows To Robert
(a) Robert Bull, of Symonds Inn, Chancery Lane, co. Middx., esq. and William Dobell, of Folkington, esq.; (b) Cowley Palmer, of Marton, co. Lincs., esq. and Ann Bowchier, of Chichester, widow; (c) James Creed, of London, esq.; (d) the Rev. John Backshell, LL.D., canon residentiary of Chichester, and the Rev. Charles Randol Covert, of Chichester, clerk Recites Add Mss 8546, 8549, 8550 I. Manor of Sidlesham II. Yearly rent charge of £60 out of Ham Farm in Sidlesham III. Messuage called Easton farm
Elizabeth Crowcher and Mary Crowcher both of Chichester, spinsters (the two daus. and only children of John Crowcher of Densworth in Funtington, esq., decd., by w Elizabeth, heretofore Elizabeth Porten, spinster, decd., and coheiresses of said Elizabeth), to Rev. Stephen Eaton, M.A., Archdeacon of Middlesex, and rector of St. Anne, Westminster (co. Midd.) Manor of Densworth, and messuage or mansion house with the barns, stables, etc., and lands (200a.) and woodground and coppice (15a.) called De
house in Funtington, Chichester, West Sussex, England, UK. Heritage: Grade II listed building. Type: house. NHLE: 1277281
family name. Type: family name
