Up Marden

Around 900, Goda the thegn granted 4 cassatos in Upmerdon to Wiohstan, his son-in-law. Wiohstan later purchased additional land near Blackmere pool. Around 935, Wiohstan sold these holdings to Bishop Wlfhun of Selsey. At the time of the Domesday survey in 1086, one Meredone was held by Lefsi from Countess Gida (wife of Earl Godwin) in the time of Edward the Confessor, assessed at 3 hides with 1 hawk in Chichester attached. By 1086 the manor was held of Earl Roger de Montgomery by Engeler de Bohun. Savaric fitz Cane, Engeler's successor, donated the church to Lewes Priory. The overlordship descended with the honour of Arundel.

In 1244, upon the division of the estates of Hugh d'Aubigny, 3 fees were assigned to Robert de Tateshale. By 1306 these fees had passed to Robert de Cailli. In the late twelfth century the manor was held by Eustace de Valle Pironis. In 1227 his daughter Mary granted the manor to her son Reynold Aguillon, excepting lands previously given to John Aguillon. By 1240 Reynold's estates were divided among his four daughters: Mary (who married William Covert), Cecily (who married Peter de Gatesden), Godehuda (who married Ralph St. Owen), and Alice (who married William Russel).

Cecily's share passed to the Knights Hospitallers, who held a quarter fee as the manor of Up Marden St. John until the Dissolution. Alice's share passed through her second husband Robert Haket. John Haket was the largest subsidy contributor in 1296. In 1326 John Haket held the manor, and in 1357 John Haket, his wife Maud, and their son Thomas sold the estate to Richard, Earl of Arundel. Countess Beatrice held three-quarters of a fee in 1428.

In 1566 Henry, Earl of Arundel settled the manor on his daughter Jane and her husband Lord Lumley. In 1581 Philip, Earl of Arundel sold the manor site, demesnes, windmill, and pasturage rights on Ligh Common to William Paye. William Paye died seised in 1598, holding in chief of the queen, with his son Henry as heir. William had previously sold the windmill to Thomas Marten in 1593. The estate subsequently subdivided and manorial rights lapsed.

The former Hospitaller property of Up Marden St. John was granted in 1544 to Henry Audeley and John Cordall, who immediately alienated it to John Sone. It passed to Thomas Sone in 1547, then to his son William in 1557 (holding one-thirtieth of a fee). William died in 1571, leaving his son Walter aged 8. Walter had livery of the manor in 1585 and sold it to Thomas Green in 1590-1591. In 1609 the manor was held by John Paye and others, who sold to William Grey and Richard Peckham.

In 1641 William Grey purchased from Edmund Fairmanner what was called the manor of Up Marden. William Grey died in 1646, leaving his son Thomas aged 18. In 1663-1664 Thomas sold the manor of Up Marden St. John and associated tenements to Anne Peckham, widow. Anne Peckham died at Lordington in 1713 and left the manor to her son Richard. The manor remained in the Peckham family and descended with Compton. Thomas Peckham Phipps held the manor in 1793. Vice-Admiral Sir G. T. Phipps Hornby held it in 1879. James Reckitt was lord in 1922, and Mrs. Pollock was lady of the manor in 1933 and 1938.