Manor Profile
North Mundham, West Sussex· Box and Stockbridge Hundred· 1086 – 1790
Runcton was held by the Abbey of Troarn (Saint-Martin) from the Conquest, granted by Earl Roger. Henry I confirmed the holding c.1105. In 1180 Troarn renounced church rights to Boxgrove Priory. In 1260 the Abbey of Troarn transferred its English lands (including Runcton with a small priory) to Bruton Priory (Somerset) in exchange for Normandy properties.
A 1495 survey records a water-mill, pigeon-house, and "court baron of no value." The priory was raised to abbey status in 1511.
After the Dissolution, Thomas Bowyer purchased. Sir Thomas Bowyer sold to William Peckham in 1658. Peckham sold to Nicholas Covert c.1681. Nicholas Covert died in 1722; the manor passed to grandson Benjamin Covert. In 1753 the estate was sold for the benefit of Benjamin's sister Ruth's children.
By the end of the 18th century the manor seems to have become extinct, there being no estate belonging to it.
Two free men held before the Conquest. In 1086 the Abbey of Troarn held 3 hides of Earl Roger. 3 ploughlands, 2 lord's teams, 1 men's team. 6 villagers, 15 cottagers, 5 slaves (26 households). 2 mills (value 12s. 5d.), 1 fishery, 2 houses in Chichester. Value rose from 5 pounds (1066) to 6 pounds (1086).
| # | Name | From | To | Acquired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abbey of Troarn (Saint-Martin) | 1086 | 1260 | Confirmed by Henry I c.1105. | |
| 2 | Bruton Priory (later Abbey) | 1260 | 1539 | Small priory at Runcton. | |
| 3 | Thomas Bowyer | 1540 | purchase at Dissolution | ||
| 4 | William Peckham | 1658 | purchase from Sir Thomas Bowyer | ||
| 5 | Nicholas Covert | 1681 | 1722 | purchase | |
| 6 | Benjamin Covert | 1722 | 1753 | inheritance | Manor extinct by end of 18th century. |
Archbishop of Canterbury
diocese · held · 1086
Archbishop held one and a half fees 1086. Passed to Bayham Abbey temp. Henry III.
Bayham Abbey (Premonstratensian)
abbey · granted_to · 1537
Granted by Archbishop temp. Henry III. Held until Dissolution.
Runcton Manor: Grade II listed building. 1495 survey: water-mill, pigeon-house, court baron of no value.
VCH Closing Statement
“By the end of the 18th century the manor seems to have become extinct, there being no estate belonging to it.”
VCH Sussex, Vol. 4, pp. 160-165
