Manor Profile
South Stoke, West Sussex· Avisford Hundred· 1066 – 1787
Also known as: Offham in South Stoke
Offham lies within South Stoke parish on the Arun valley. It was a separate manor from Domesday, with its own distinct descent.
Alwine, a free man, held 4 hides at Offham in 1066. By 1086 Azo held it of Earl Roger. Henry II granted Hugh Esturmi two-thirds of a fee here, confirmed by William d'Aubigny (d. 1193) and his son. Hugh de Nevill intruded as mesne tenant by 1212.
William Sturmy's interest passed before 1303 to Peter de Champvent and his wife Agnes. Their son John de Champvent succeeded in 1303. John de Champvent and Richard de Heghes were said to be lords in 1316-1325.
In 1345 the manor was settled on Richard FitzAlan, Earl of Arundel (d. 1376). Thereafter it descended with the rape, generally remaining in demesne. Margaret Lenthall held a life interest until her death in 1423, after which Sir John Cornwall (later Lord Fanhope) and William Ryman had keeping.
Richard Pellatt (d. 1567) and Sir Thomas Palmer leased the demesnes in the 16th century. After Philip Howard's forfeiture in 1589, the Crown held the manor from 1591 to 1594. The manor was restored to Philip's widow Anne by 1596. Arthur Onslow held a 60-year lease from 1673.
The Duke of Norfolk acquired various portions through 18th-century deeds, consolidating the estate within the rape of Arundel.
Alwine, a free man, held Offham at 4 hides in 1066. By 1086 Azo held it of Earl Roger of Shrewsbury. Recorded 8 villani, 5 cottars, and 5 servi. 48 acres of meadow, a fishery yielding 2 shillings, and woodland for 3 swine.
| # | Name | From | To | Acquired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alwine | 1066 | 1066 | A free man. Held 4 hides. | |
| 2 | Azo | 1086 | grant from Earl Roger | Held of Earl Roger of Shrewsbury in 1086. | |
| 3 | Hugh Esturmi | grant from Henry II | Held 2/3 fee. Grant confirmed by William d'Aubigny (d. 1193) and his son. | ||
| 4 | Peter de Champvent and Agnes | 1303 | transfer from William Sturmy (before 1303) | ||
| 5 | John de Champvent | 1303 | 1345 | inheritance | John de Champvent and Richard de Heghes said to be lords 1316-1325. |
| 6 | Richard FitzAlan, Earl of Arundel(Earl of Arundel) | 1345 | 1376 | settlement (1345) | Thereafter descended with the rape, generally remaining in demesne. |
| 7 | FitzAlan Earls of Arundel (in demesne)(Earls of Arundel) | 1376 | 1580 | inheritance (descended with rape) | Margaret Lenthall held life interest until 1423. Sir John Cornwall and William Ryman had keeping after her death. |
| 8 | Philip Howard, Earl of Arundel(Earl of Arundel) | 1580 | 1589 | inheritance | Attainted 1589. Crown held manor 1591-94. |
| 9 | Anne Howard, Countess of Arundel(Countess of Arundel) | 1596 | restoration (widow of Philip) | Manor evidently restored to Philip's widow by 1596. | |
| 10 | Dukes of Norfolk (Howard family)(Duke of Norfolk) | descended with rape; various 18th-century deeds | The Duke of Norfolk acquired various interests. Arthur Onslow held a 60-year lease from 1673. |
Honour of Arundel / rape of Arundel
Held as a fee within the rape of Arundel. Hugh Esturmi held 2/3 of a fee.
Source: VCH Sussex Vol. 5 pt 1, pp. 204-214
Arundel Castle / Norfolk Estate
estate · descended with rape · 1345
After 1345 the manor descended with the rape of Arundel, generally remaining in demesne. The Duke of Norfolk consolidated through 18th-century acquisitions.
Offham House bears a datestone of 1717. Built of flint with brick dressings, the south front was refenestrated in the early 19th century and the building was remodelled in the early 20th century. Nos. 38-39 South Stoke comprise a flint rubble and brick range with a massive chimneystack and decorative brick shafts of the early 17th century.
Offham covered within the South Stoke parish entry.
VCH Closing Statement
“The manor descended with the rape after 1345, generally remaining in demesne. The Duke of Norfolk acquired various interests through 18th-century deeds.”
VCH Sussex, Vol. 5 pt 1, pp. 204-214
