Manor Profile
Sidlesham, West Sussex· Manhood Hundred· 1180 – 1791
Also known as: Kynore
Keynor was held of the honour of Halnaker. In 1275 it was one of 12 fee locations listed under that honour. In 1329-1336 one knight's fee was returned in Keynor and Westhampnett.
In the late 12th century Geoffrey de Colevile held Keynor and granted tithes of demesne lands to Boxgrove Priory, excepting one third belonging to Sidlesham church. His son Robert de Colevile confirmed the grant. Robert had children Alice (daughter) and John (son) by his first wife Julian, and Roger and Guy by his second wife Lucy.
In 1262 William de Colevile (John's son) and Alice his wife acquired Keynor lands formerly held by Lucy. In 1304 John de Kynore and Isabel sold the manor to William Paynel and Margaret.
In 1316 Richard Dummer held the fee. In 1320 Thomas de Dunmere impleaded Nicholas de Eye and Maud (Paynel's niece and heir) with Edward St. John and Eve (William Paynel's second wife). In 1338 Thomas de Dunmere sold the manor to Henry Whysh. That same year Whysh received a grant of free warren.
Henry Whysh died in 1347 holding a quarter fee of the St. John heirs. His widow Katherine had dower. His son Henry (aged 17) had custody assigned to John Lecche. In 1356 the manor was settled on Henry Whysh and Alice his wife. He died in 1384.
The descent for the next 200 years is obscure. In 1568 Roger and William Henshawe and Anne Huysshe (widow) conveyed the manor to Ralph Scrope. In 1572 Ralph Scrope of Hambledon (Buckinghamshire) died seised of the manor, held of the Marquess of Winchester (representative of the St. Johns). He had settled it in 1570 on his eldest son Adrian.
In 1611 Sir Adrian Scrope sold to Thomas Bennett. In 1682 Sir Levin Bennett, baronet, sold to John Comber and Thomas Miller. In 1736 Joseph and Richard Marlott (sons of John Marlott) held it, having inherited under John Farrington's will (Farrington was son-in-law of Sir Thomas Miller). In 1740 Joseph and Richard sold to John Farhill, who shortly sold to Hutchins Williams.
In 1788 William Peere Williams (nephew) and Henrietta his wife sold to William Fowler and John Drew. In 1791 Drew sold parts to William Challen of Apuldram. Manorial rights likely lapsed.
No separate Domesday entry. Keynor was held of the honour of Halnaker. In 1275 it was one of 12 fee locations listed under that honour. In 1329-1336 one knight's fee was returned in Keynor and Westhampnett. In 1349 John de St. Philibert and Margaret received a quarter fee at the partition of Edmund St. John's estate.
| # | Name | From | To | Acquired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Geoffrey de Colevile | 1180 | enfeoffment (honour of Halnaker) | Granted tithes of demesne lands to Boxgrove Priory. | |
| 2 | Robert de Colevile | inheritance | Son of Geoffrey. Confirmed grant to Boxgrove. Had children Alice and John (by first wife Julian), Roger and Guy (by second wife Lucy). | ||
| 3 | William de Colevile and Alice | 1262 | inheritance and purchase | William was son of John (Robert's son). Acquired Lucy's lands in 1262. | |
| 4 | John de Kynore and Isabel | 1304 | inheritance | ||
| 5 | William Paynel and Margaret | 1304 | purchase | ||
| 6 | Thomas de Dunmere | 1320 | 1338 | litigation (impleaded Paynel heirs) | |
| 7 | Henry Whysh (elder) | 1338 | 1347 | purchase from Dunmere | Received grant of free warren 1338. Held quarter fee of St. John heirs. Widow Katherine had dower. Son Henry aged 17. |
| 8 | Henry Whysh (younger) | 1356 | 1384 | inheritance | Manor settled on Henry and Alice his wife in 1356. |
| 9 | Ralph Scrope | 1568 | 1572 | conveyance from Henshawe and Huysshe | Of Hambledon, Buckinghamshire. Settled on son Adrian in 1570. Held of Marquess of Winchester. |
| 10 | Sir Adrian Scrope | 1572 | 1611 | settlement from father |
Honour of Halnaker
One knight's fee in Keynor and Westhampnett, returned in 1329-1336. Quarter fee held of St. John heirs in 1347.
Source: VCH Sussex Vol. 4, pp. 210-215
Boxgrove Priory
priory · received tithes · 1180 – 1536
Geoffrey de Colevile granted tithes of demesne lands at Keynor to Boxgrove Priory, excepting one third belonging to Sidlesham church. Confirmed by his son Robert.
No manor house or physical remains recorded by the VCH. Keynor Farm survives as a place name in Sidlesham.
Keynor covered within the Sidlesham parish entry.
VCH Closing Statement
“Drew sold parts to William Challen of Apuldram; manorial rights likely lapsed.”
VCH Sussex, Vol. 4, pp. 210-215