Page:Notes on the churches in the counties of Kent, Sussex, and Surrey.djvu/275

Rh to ascertain the situation of this Dean, whether in East or in West Sussex, but the latter may be in some respects the more probable locality. The district of the South Saxons did indeed at some period include the western part of Hampshire, but I conceive that, in Alfred's time, the boundaries between the two existing counties were settled nearly, or quite, as at present, Hampshire being mentioned distinctly in the above work, and being a more important division of the island in that age, than Sussex. I find that Mr. Dallaway inclined to the same opinion as myself, that the Dean, alluded to above, was in West Sussex. (See Horsfield's Suss. II, 80.) Several Roman urns were discovered in this parish A.D. 1812. (Dallaway's West. Suss. 1, 168, quoted in Horsfield, ut sup. 83.)

76. .—This small church consists only of chancel, and nave, with a south porch to, and a small wooden and tiled bell-turret over the west end of, the latter. A door in the north side of the church has been walled up. Internally there is no mark of separation between nave and chancel. From two E.E. windows in the north and south walls near the west end of the nave, it appears probable that the entire building might originally be of that date at least, but that the eastern portion was reconstructed in the Dec. period. There is a piscina under a canopy, and a wide sedile under an ogée arch and a canopy, both in fine condition, and good. The pavement includes several grave-slabs, one having vestiges of a Lombard inscription. The east window was a large, elaborate Dec.; that in the west end of similar date; both now closed. The font, as to shape and decoration, precisely resembles that of St. Anne's, Lewes, but is smaller. A flat ceiling now conceals the roof, of which however a portion may be seen under the bell-turret; whence we learn it to be similar to that of Godshill, Isle of Wight. (Gloss, of Archit. pl. 78, 3d ed.) It might be rendered extremely ornamental to the church, if the ceiling were removed, and the timbers properly exhibited.—On all sides of the churchyard are small portions of ancient domestic buildings, some adjoining the present parsonage; but none are sufficiently considerable to be interesting, or to explain their character.

77. —Is a vicarage annexed to the rectory of Elsted; where see the Note.

78. .—In (A.D. 1291) this church and that of Wivelsfield are coupled together. "Ecclia de Dickeningh—note,