Manor Profile
North Marden, West Sussex· Westbourne and Singleton Hundred· 1086 – 1934
Also known as: Meredone (Domesday, undifferentiated)
North Marden lies in the downland north of East Marden. At Domesday three separate holdings were recorded: 5 hides held by Robert son of Tetbald under Earl Roger (with tenant Corbelin), half a hide held by Fulk, and half a hide held by an unnamed falconer. Before the Conquest Alwin and Alvric had held two separate manors in alodial tenure.
In the time of Henry I, Hugh de Falaise held 5 fees of the honour of Arundel. His granddaughter Agnes (widow of Geoffrey son of Azo) held a third of a fee. After Agnes's death her nieces Margaret, Denise, and Florence claimed against William Aguillon. In 1241 William Aguillon conveyed rights to Walter, son of Margaret and Nicholas de Lymesy. Nicholas de Lymesy made an alternate presentation agreement with William Dawtrey in 1246.
Eve, granddaughter of William Dawtrey, married three times: Roger de Shelvestrode (held 1302), William Paynel (1314), and Edward St. John (estate settled 1318). John St. John inherited at Eve's death in 1354. William St. John's daughter Elizabeth married Henry Dyke. Their granddaughters were co-heirs: Constance (wife of John Goring) and Eleanor (wife of William Dering).
Geoffrey Hussee gave land to Maiden Bradley Priory about the end of the 12th century. The prior and the Earl of Arundel were returned as joint lords of Marden vill in 1316. After the Dissolution in 1543, the priory lands were granted to Sir John Williams and Anthony Stringer, then transferred to Edward Pyke.
William Jenman acquired the manor in 1575. The Jenman family held it until 1668, when Thomas Jenman and others sold to Henry Peckham. The Peckham family held it until it passed to the Jervoise Clarke Jervoise family in 1789. Sir P. B. Reckitt was described as lord of the manor in 1934.
Three separate Domesday holdings at North Marden: (1) 5 hides held by Robert son of Tetbald under Earl Roger, with tenant Corbelin (who also held 5 hides in Barlavington). Pre-Conquest, two separate manors held in alodial tenure by Alwin and Alvric. (2) Half a hide held by Fulk. (3) Half a hide held by an unnamed falconer under Earl Roger, possibly the origin of Seffrid the Falconer (1189).
| # | Name | From | To | Acquired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alwin and Alvric | 1066 | alodial tenure | Two separate alodial manors before the Conquest. | |
| 2 | Robert son of Tetbald | 1086 | enfeoffment by Earl Roger | Held 5 hides. Tenant Corbelin. | |
| 3 | William Aguillon | 1241 | inheritance | ||
| 4 | Edward St. John and Eve | 1318 | 1354 | settlement | Eve married three times. Estate settled 1318. John St. John inherited. |
| 5 | William Jenman | 1575 | 1578 | purchase (described as "manor of North Marden") | Held in chief. |
| 6 | Henry Peckham | 1668 | purchase from Jenman family | ||
| 7 | Jervoise Clarke Jervoise | 1789 | conveyance from Lord Dormer | "Manor of Holt and North Marden." | |
| 8 | Sir P. B. Reckitt(Baronet) | purchase | Described as lord of the manor in 1934. |
Maiden Bradley Priory
priory · held lands · 1543
Geoffrey Hussee gave land c. end of 12th century. Prior and Earl of Arundel returned as joint lords 1316.
Church of St Mary: single apsidal 12th-century chamber with south porch and north vestry (both modern additions). Built of flint rubble with ashlar dressings, tiled roof. South doorway (12th century) with hood-mould bearing scale ornament, outer order with chevrons, semicircular arch on imposts with hollow chamfer and pellet ornament. Small 12th-century window in west wall. Font: originally tub-shaped (12th century or earlier), later fitted to octagonal base. One bell dated 1829. Communion plate: silver cup from 1731. Registers begin 1813.
North Marden and East Marden are adjacent Marden parishes in Westbourne and Singleton hundred. Living united since 1875.
Fellow Marden parish. North Marden was a separate manor held of the honour of Arundel, with Up Marden church as mother church.
Fellow Marden parish. Both held of the honour of Arundel.
VCH Closing Statement
“Sir P. B. Reckitt was described as lord of the manor in 1934.”
VCH Sussex, Vol. 4, pp. 108-110